Laravelle
Goddess of funerals
The graveyards in cities that worship Laravelle are perhaps some of the most gorgeous that you will ever see. They are immaculately clean and tended, with fresh flowers put out daily and candles burning on remembrance tables nightly. The smell of funeral spices hangs heavy in the air, and you can always see groups of mourners wandering the cemetery. This is the presence of Laravelle.
There is little known about Laravelle's history - simply that she is. Some wonder if perhaps her position as goddess of funerals, graveyards, and grief comes from the loss of a child or lover, but there are no stories to back that up.
The priesthood of Laravelle - known as the Black Roses - cannot engage in romantic relationships, nor have children, while they are in the priesthood. This means that the Black Roses are usually young men and women, though older childless widows/widowers are also welcome. In fact, a good majority of Black Roses have had their spouse pass on before them.
They dress in black, wearing thick veils and skirts that disguise their faces and forms, with chatelaines on one side of their belt and a censer on the other.
The Black Roses, where their temples and cemeteries pop up, are generally the embalmers, grave tenders, grief counselors, and even mourners, should a body be given to them without any family or friends to inform. They believe it is their duty to care for the deceased and ensure they are properly remembered.
Divine Domains
Grave, Beauty
Divine Symbols & Sigils
A bronze censer; black roses; crows; embalming knives; incense; nutmeg; oranges
Physical Description
Apparel & Accessories
Besides the fact that Laravelle is female, there is nothing that can be seen of her physical form. Depictions drape her in black mourning garments, with a heavy black veil that obscures her face and black lace gloves. As is probably no surprise to any, her followers dress in such a way that Laravelle can walk amongst the headstones and mourners without anyone being the wiser.
Relationships
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Zelentium is like a much older brother to Laravelle - his realm is to take from the living, and she is there to soothe the passage for those left behind. They are quite fond of one another, and their places of devotion often have small shrines to the other.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
How terrible it is to take someone before their time. Laravelle is sick to her stomach whenever Reka begins his unsavory routine again. She knows that he is gruesome and crude because it gets a reaction out of her, but it does not mean she appreciates his company.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Wherever Syria is, Laravelle is not far behind. An honorable death needs to be, well, honored by the living, and that is where Laravelle comes in. The two are as thick as thieves, and some depictions of Syria replace her eagle standard with a crow to symbolize the close connection between the goddesses.
the Widow's Comfort, The Black Rose, the Black Lady
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