Leira
"Every decision you make spins a thousand threads, all awaiting my command"
The Lady of Whispers
Leira is the Ventara of lies, deceit, secrets and betrayals. What few mortals know is that Leira is not a true Ventara. She was once considered among the Isran, gods who sought to guide mortals, but ages ago she betrayed them and ignited a great civil war among her kind. The legends say that Leira was once the goddess of honesty and truth but her ambition began to swell. In time she disturbed her very nature by sowing doubt through deceit and unfounded lies amidst her kind. These falsities would erupt in a full scale war among the Isran, one that would claim many among them. For this treachery Leira was imprisoned within The Void. Millenia of exposure to the twisted forces of the Void led to Leira to be completely corrupted, no longer was she considered Isran but one of the dark and ambitious Ventara.
Religion and Culture
Across Iskara Leira is well-known weaver of chaos, only the Sarkosh do not recognize her within their pantheons.
The Sareni people despise the great betrayer, despite their ignorance of her past transgressions. They believe she is but one agent of corruption that can grip once great rulers and bring ruin to a nation.
To the Arikiri Clans she is known as the Oath Breaker, the goddess of betrayal and broken promises. To the Arikiri a promise is sacred and to break it is extremely taboo, by doing so one invokes the attention of Leira and the thread of their fates is forever changed.
In Felvithar culture she is known as Lanok, She-Who-Wrongs. Given that Leira rarely pays any mind to the Snow Elves thus reducing her to stories to scare children. But to the ambitious she is a most excellent patron.
The Dominion races however have a different interpretation of Leira. To them she is known as Leralas. Given the sheer power and knowledge the Pentarchs wield, they are privy to information most couldn't begin to comprehend. They are aware of the actions Leira took ages ago and believe that if her plans had not been discovered then they and their people would have remained in their ancient primordial forms. As such they do not perceive Leira as a ambitious god but a misunderstood protector. Given this knowledge the Pentarchs over centuries have subtly altered how the Dominion as a whole views Leira.
Among the Ankari she is known as Lau. The Dakaran people are very traditionalist and place import on being straightforward, thus Leira's domains are frowned upon. To be deceitful and betray those closet to you is shunned. The Orans see Leira as a secret patron to advance their ambitious endeavors. The Isagani are an honorable people and much like the Dakarans detest those that would betray their village.
The Osteron know her as Loka. In Osteron culture it is common to be open and forthright, so to be deceitful and spin lies is generally looked down upon as such tricks are usually only meant to serve the self. Aside from this societal stigma Leira is not seen as major threat to the Osteron due to her general disinterest in them.
Latobu is the Maduran interpretation of Leira where she is also known as the Spinner of False Webs. While Leira's domains are often viewed in a negative light to the typical Maduran, the ruling nobles and elite are quite fond of wielding them as tools. Due to the odd political nature of Madura, the leaders and nobles among this federation make use of a specialized guild to assassinate dissenters and rivals instead of all out wars. As such, betrayals, well crafted lies, and incriminating "evidence" all have their part to play in the innerworkings of Maduran politics.
Worship
The cults of Leira tend to focus more on the spider aspects and characteristics of their sly deity. They are fond of utilizing sex and seduction as tools to accomplish their goals. It is believed that such tools are used during inductions into such groups but this rumored is mostly unconfirmed. The ultimate goals of each group varies but are usually centered on gaining influence and favor with the Queen of Spiders.
Outside such spider cults, worshippers of Leira often seek blessings to quickly advance in status; often they use the "tools" of the trade commonly associated with the spider cults.
Realm
The Scarlet Skein
The Skein is the realm ruled over by Leira. It is dominated by enormous caverns blanketed with thick, massive webs and lined with scarlet red crystals that hum with a skittish whisper. Spiders and other scuttling creatures prowl the realm, restraining their prey and draining them of their life. Strange flora also flourish in the realm's darkest reaches, from iridescent mushrooms to carnivorous growths.
Servants
Leira has a handful of Isventyr loyal only to her, which includes the Spiderkith, the Aranea, and numerous lesser Isventyr with arachnid characteristics. Spiderkith are the most intelligent of Leira's minions, they resemble humanoid beings with starved builds and a strange red glow emanating from within their chest. Their veins are sickly red and black and their four eyes are a piercing crimson. The Aranea are semi-intelligent Isventyr with dark, chitinous centipede-like bodies and humanoid torsos. Typically they serve under Spiderkith and are just as likely to betray one another to advance their status.
Divine Domains
Lies, Deceit, Secrets and Betrayal
Artifacts
The Black Blade of Leira
The Black Blade is Leira's signature artifact and those that know Leira's true nature and origin believe the blade changed just as she was. Once a symbol of purity, the blade is now a tool of betrayal. The black engraved katana blade is said to grow in power when its wielder slays those closest to them, the deeper the bond the more it feeds.
The Bloodied Strings
The Strings are a rather unique artifact in that it comes in two components, one is a physical and the other arcane. The physical component is a disc that must be placed on the victim's back, from there it burrows into the victim's skin and attaches to the spine. This is where the arcane aspect comes into play. Once the disc is inserted the artifact's wielder is granted near complete physical control over the victim's body and is able to manipulate it as they see fit. What makes this artifact stand apart from spells capable of a similar feat is that the Strings leave no Arcana trace, directing any fault entirely upon the victim.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Leira's symbol is that of black widow spider
Divine Goals & Aspirations
Leira seeks to restore her old power by feeding on the lies, betrayals, and deception of mortals.
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