The Heart
The Heart (a.k.a. They-Who-Care, The Mother of Mercy, The Father of Friendship, The Caretaker of Wards, The Refuge's Guardian)
What was it that carried us from our most primitive times to now? What kept us alive and united in struggle after struggle? What is it that binds strangers, family, and close friends alike? Our love, no matter what type. For we as mortals care for our own, form bonds to connect to our own. For even when we struggle, we find ways to take care of our own and care for each other.
The Heart, also know as They-Who-Care, The Mother of Mercy, The Father of Friendship, The Caretaker of Wards, and even The Refuge's Guardian is the Deity of Love, Gifts, and Caretaking. They are one of the most widespread deities and a core member of the Adventuring Seven. Their portfolio includes tending to the five major types of love, the giving and receiving of gifts, and caretaking those who need it such as minors, the elderly, and even refugees.
Divine Domains
Love is the first major domain of The Heart and how they widely received their namesake. Their followers focus on five major forms of love: Familial, Physical, Platonic, Romantic, and Universal. Familial applies not just to family by blood but family by choice, as Their followers often serve as caretakers of orphanages and help mend or guide families in distress. When it comes to Platonic love, The Heart believes in helping the bonds of friendship for those can be stronger than the bonds of family. These are often related to adventuring bands who spend time with each other over the ages and become comrades. Physical, almost all mortals feel physical attraction towards others, and whether they do or not, some need a guide or teacher to understand these feelings. Romantic, priests of The Heart are often guiding lovers young and old in navigating relationships and giving advice. universal harkens to Their nature as a caretaker as They have empathy for all even the downtrodden. Their followers do the same as well.
Their next major domain is Gifts.
Their last major domain is that of Caretaker. Whether it be the doctor who cares to patients, the scribe who hears out one's thoughts that are troubling them, or the chef that gives food to refugees who can't provide for themselves. Everyone needs someone to take care of them whether they know it or not and followers of The Heart realize this. Which is why they take on any skills they can to do so whether medical, psychological, or anything else. Adventurers often find themselves close to this domain as they wish to help those who need help the most.
Artifacts
The Caretaker's Gloves is a set of gloves that have the power to mend any injury. It is often on The Heart's person as they use them to aid the worst injured. However, powerful replicas can be granted to their followers and mortals of Avestra have even tried to make their own variants, though not at the same level of power that a Deity's artifact could.
The Instrument of Soothing is an instrument with the power to calm one's heart. It was said The Heart used it during The Blood War when the few Demons made landfall on Archaon. When they heard the sound, all desire to slaughter and destroy left them as they were entranced by the music. Even more stories exist of champions of The Heart using it to end mortal conflicts, each story describing a different instrument with the same effect, suggesting it can change form.
Holy Books & Codes
The Caretaker's Guide is the main book of The Heart's faithful. It teaches followers how to be custodians and caretakers for others. It teaches how to love, how to care, and especially how to redeem.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The main symbol of The Heart is a golden heart, usually wreathed in flames or with the sun behind it to represent Their light that shines on the world. Another symbol of theirs is two hands clasped in a firm handshake, or two medical tools crossed in an X formation.
Tenets of Faith
- Love comes in many forms. Foster it, allow it to grow in your heart and never allow hate or indifference to ruin it.
- Never spurn a genuine gift for the giver means it from their heart.
- Tend to others as kindness is one of greatest gifts and if you can't, find someone who can.
Holidays
The Heart has the highest amount of holidays for any in the Seven, serving as a constant figure in the eyes of mortals. Their notable holidays are: The Day of Hearts on the 14th of Coldfall, Giftmore from the Winter Solstice to the end of the year, Adventurers' Remembrance on the 15th of Lightrise, and Family's Days on the 28th and 29th of Lotusfall.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
The Heart and their followers seek to aid each other and those who don't follow. To give mercy to those that deserve it and redemption to those who seek it and have earned it. Let The Unbound and The All-Witness's followers pursue justice for punishment. It is the way of The Heart to offer a path back to the light.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
The Heart often changes form depending on what the culture perceives Them as or what is needed at the time. The reoccurring trend amongst Their many forms is the prismatic color of Their eyes.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Like the rest of the Seven, The Heart was born in the days between the disappearance of the Eternals and the rise of Mortals. They had little to do in those times besides understanding Their nascent powers and emotions. When the Infinite Plane of Archaon was born, They were drawn here and made a home for themselves amongst the first Azata. As more of them appeared, They learned about the place the new Azata came, Avestra, and made their way there. They saw the rise of the first sapient mortals and saw how they embodied the earliest versions of Their domains. The Heart took a keen interest in them and their actions, even as some of them turned against The Heart's ideals.
Unfortunately, The Heart had to withdraw with the advent of the Divine War between The Drakon Gods and the Jovungan and The Blood War. While The Unbound raged against the tyranny of the Devils, The Heart felt saddened by the chaos and corruption that created Demons. In the chaos that ensued from the end of the Blood War and The War for Avestra, The Heart's influence grew especially amongst questioning Fiends and the rising adventurers. Where cruelty and hardship make their presence known, The Heart's followers are there to aid people.
Gender Identity
The Heart's gender is often viewed as Nonbinary and they accept that view because each person identifies Them by the figure they need. Sometimes, They are as a nurturing father, a caring mother, a close sibling, a loyal friend, lover, or caretaker in a variety of interpretations. As a result, it means little to Them what gender or identity They take.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Divine Allies
Amongst the Seven, The Heart has the best relations with all of them though there are those they choose to focus on more than others. The Unbound is a major focus for The Heart as His love of free will makes Him a liberator for the downtrodden. But that role makes Him just as much a danger as a savior. Followers of The Heart often push for The Unbound's followers to stay and help them rebuild the society liberated from tyranny. But also temper their zeal to tear down all oppressions lest they destroy too much and cause people to become refugees.
The Gamble is another important figure The Heart deals with. After all, chance and luck play a part in life, especially when it can decide the fate of love and life equally. Followers of The Gamble push for people to try their luck and be adventurous at even the smallest chances of success or something new in life. However, The Heart's followers often have to temper that as broken hearts and broken bonds are no laughing matter. And lost homes due to the worst of lucks just as much so.
The Raven Queen sees the fates as dictated by one's actions. And She purged Herself of most of Her emotions to be be a judge of the Dead and a reader of fate. However, The Heart is keen to remind Her that to be impartial doesn't mean to be emotionless. Followers of The Heart soothe those disheartened by the auguries of the Ravenites and try to push the latter to be more gentle with them. After all, if one's actions can dictate their fate, it is best to encourage them they can do so.
Heralds
One of The Heart's notable heralds is the Neverending Song, an Azata who creates majestic art to soothe people from their greatest pain. They travel as an unknown bard who helps people with their creativity or aids innocent people who are going through struggles in life. They've taken many forms over the centuries, sometimes an Alomri or Kitsune or an unexpected species like Lunari or Tykriel.
The Redeemer is a former Demon who was saved by The Heart in the wake of the War for Avestra. They were a powerful Lord who was left wondering about the true power Fiends held if the Outer Ones and Aberrations could threaten Chaon. The Heart sees them as an example that not all are lost and the Redeemer does all they can to make that good will and the dream of redemption for all willing a reality.
Other Allies
The Celestials are all allies to The Heart as They are the deity most tethered to good in the universe. Archons are invigorated by Their goodness, fighting harder for it. Meanwhile, Azata enjoy the emotion and art and love that The Heart brings about and see to aid Them in redeeming demons and anyone else lost.
The Heart has many mortal followers, even comparing it to other members of the Seven. After all, Their domain touches on so much people deal with in their lives. The Feyborn are the highest amongst Their followers as their bond of kinship survived The Great Exodus and still remains to this day. Halflings, Nezumi, and the three Carinthi also serve as followers due to their close ties to family.
The Adventurers' Guild is a major institution that The Heart has roots in. After all, many adventurers work to aid others, especially refugees or those harmed by war and disasters. Another major organization is The Golden Sun, an organization designed to fight against monsters and redeem those amongst mortals, monsters, and more who wish it.
The Eternals are another major group The Heart is slowly gaining a following in. Many Eternals, since their arrival, have traveled to learn more about the new universe they had been absent from. And stories have spread of Eternals who have grown to care for the mortal denizens, cherishing them as friends lovers, and family. Not to mention some like The Guardian of Avestra seek to protect them and keep them safe from the evils that spread across Avestra.
Enemies
The Heart is a danger to Demons for if a Lord could be seduced and ascended by Them then the rest of them could be too. As a result, Their followers are always seen as a threat and the Golden Sun always targeted to destroy any attempts at redeeming them. The Devils view their methods as soft and easy to manipulate and Daemons view it as another disgusting connection to the existence they wish to extinguish.
- They-Who-Care
- Mother of Mecry
- Father of Friendship
- Caretaker of Wards
- The Refuge's Guardian
Many phrasings of The Heart's followers have been brought into everyday life but these are some specific to them:
The heart wants what it wants but the mind knows what it needs: Just because you may love or like someone or something doesn't mean it's what good for you. This is often shortened to the first half in secular talks but followers often remember the full saying. It is best to get away from that which is toxic before it destroys you.
Always a guide, never a crutch: Parents and mentors are meant to teach and guide their wards but there comes a time when they must stand for themselves when they're able. There will come a time when they aren't there for their wards but the teachings they left behind will continue to guide them.
Assumptions show your heart: A warning about assumptions as it shows what one might think of others. A wrong gift shows you do not truly know the recipient. A wrong diagnosis can harm the person you care for. And the wrong assumption can harm a bond or relationship.
Pathfinder 2e Stats
Areas of Concern healing, honest redemption, love, gifts
Edict Protect allies, provide aid to sick and wounded, seek and allow redemption, see the beauty in all things, care for your home and your family
Anathema refuse to accept surrender, foster despair or terror in the innocent, engage in bigoted behavior
Divine Attribute Wisdom or Charisma
Religious Symbol golden heart wreathed in flames
Sacred Animal Songbird
Sacred Colors All
Devotee Benefits
Cleric Spells 1st: dizzying colors, 3rd: cozy cabin, 4th: creation
Divine Font heal
Divine Sanctification can choose holy
Divine Skill select Crafting, Medicine, or Diplomacy
Domains creation, family, passion, healing
Alternate Domains repose, protection
Favored Weapon shortbow
Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition Stats
Domain Life, Light, Trickery
Homeland Archaon
Pantheon The Seven
Symbol golden heart wreathed in flames
Typical Worshippers Doctors, Caretakers, Therapists
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