Page 35 - D&D - Player's Handbook

LLIIRA dominating others, supported and backed up by a num-
ber of submissive sycophants.
Our Lady of joy, joybringer, the Mistress of Revels
Worshipers of Loviatar rarely gather in numbers ex-
Lliira is a beloved goddess, a deity of contentment, re- cept in the more populous cities. When small cadres of
lease, joy, happiness, dance, and freedom. As the patron faithful operate quietly in such places, few citizens take
of festivals, she is honored at any celebration, and dance notice or raise a fuss if they do witness cult activity. The
is the primary way to worship her. The Mistress of Rev- sufferers who endure the lash, however, aren't always
els is said to abhor violence, and any fighting or drawing willing participants, and Lovatar's cults sometimes op-
of weapons (except in ceremony) at a celebration will erate secret slavery rings, which can draw the attention
cause her to withhold her favor. Her priests and priest- of the authorities. The open worship of Loviatar and
esses, known as joybringers, take it as their mission to temples clearly dedicated to her are rarely seen except
make other people happy, even if just for a moment. in lands where slavery is an accepted practice.
Her faithful always wear at least one clothing item of
a bright, cheerful color, and her priests' vestments have MALAR
more in common with festival attire than with somber The Beastlord, the Black-Blooded One
ecclesial garments. Rubies and sapphires are sacred to
Malar epitomizes the dark side of nature, the world that
Our Lady of Joy, and her priests bless anyone they see
is red in tooth and claw. His faithful believe the hunt is
wearing such adornments.
the center point between life and death- the facing off
Lliira's followers aren't frivolous, however. To them,
of hunter and prey, forcing the issue of who lives and
divine joy is a very real gift to the world of mortals, and
who dies. People believe that Malar can't be propitiated
one much needed. To that end, they fight those who
and knows no mercy, so he receives prayers only from
would bring misery to others. They are fierce against
those engaging in a hunt. Such supplicants pray to Ma-
their foes, and joyous revelers when their work is done.
lar for two reasons: to beg the aid of his peerless skill
LOVIATAR as a hunter, or to adopt his fearsome mantle and thus
ward off other predators. Malar is the god of those who
The Maiden of Pain, the Scourge Mistress, the Willing Whip
delight in the hunt, don't shy from bloodshed, and savor
Pain isn't a means to an end for Loviatar's faithful, but the fear of their prey.
an end unto itself. To them, nothing is as transcendent Many lycanthropes consider Malar to be their divine
as suffering, and all pain is holy, from the crudest bar- father, as do some other intelligent predators. He has
barism, to the most sublime torture, to the emotional many devotees who are druids and rangers of partic-
suffering of the heartbroken or the betrayed. ularly savage inclination, and many barbarians take
The pain that one feels is proof of the Lady's attention, Malar as a patron for his ferocity and cruelty. His priests
and so her faithful are notorious self-flagellants. Pain use claw bracers, impressive gauntlets bedecked with
is also a path to power, in terms of both one's ability to stylized claws that jut out from the ends of the fists, as
inflict it and one's ability to endure it. A cold, cruel de- ceremonial weapons.
meanor is considered ideal because it best emulates the
Scourge Mistress, and for the same reason her faithful MASK
appreciate beauty, cultural refinement, and a certain
The Lord of Shadows, the Master of All Thieves
adeptness at manipulation.
Though temples to Loviatar are rare, her faithful are Mask is a trickster god, the patron of ne'er-do-wells,
more numerous than might be expected. Loviatar is spies, and thieves. All that occurs within shadow is in
the chosen deity of those who inflict pain as a matter the purview of Mask. People whisper a prayer to Mask
of course, including torturers and others who need to whenever stealth is required or intrigue is afoot. Court-
break the will of their victims. She is favored by sadists iers and diplomats invoke the god's name in hopes of a
and masochists, and some of her followers form cultish smooth negotiation.
cells of secret adherents. Each of these groups is led by Those who favor Mask usually pursue thievery and
someone who takes pleasure in administering pain and other forms of acquisition of what belongs to others,
such as pickpocketing, burglary, mugging, and con

SYMBOL OF Mt.LhR

SYMBOL OF LLllRh