The gray-gleaming olive
Athena showed to men,
The glory of shining Athens,
Her crown from on high.
Athena, the daughter of Zeus and his first wife a Titaness named Metis, is the most important goddess next only to Hera. She was still in the womb when Zeus swallowed Metis as a precaution against having a son who may become powerful enough to depose him. Soon after, he had an unbearable headache and ordered Hephaestus to split open his head with an ax. When his head split open out popped Athena, full grown. She immediately became her father's favorite adviser, he even lent her the use of all his weapons including his mighty thunderbolts. Athena is the patron goddess of the city of Athens, to which she gave her name. Animals sacred to her include serpents, cocks, and owls. Although she is invincible in war and is often portrayed in full body armor, she prefers reason to bloodshed and only fights to protect the state and home from outside enemies. Athena also invented the flute, the trumpet, farmer's tools (the bridle, the pot, the rake, the plow, the yoke), the ship, the chariot, and the olive tree. Kinder than most of the gods she can also be merciless when scorned.
Athena favors training in Brawling and Weapons, but disfavors Acrobatics and Alchemy. Her symbol is the owl and her followers offer to her malachite stones, olive branches, and owl feathers.