Kära - Goddess of Love

Kära is the second-born daughter of Cahaya and Pimedus. She came into existence as the embodiment of love, reproduction, and eroticism, while her twin brother, Mirtis, represents darkness, death, and decay.

From birth, Kära was blessed with unparalleled beauty and grace. She radiates an indescribable warmth that fills the hearts of those around her with love. Wherever she walks, nature flourishes, and the creatures of the world are drawn to her presence.

As Mirtis’ twin, Kära serves as the counterbalance to his dark nature. Though they embody opposing forces, they remain deeply connected. Their interplay symbolises the balance between life and death, love and loss - just as their parents represent the equilibrium of light and darkness. Despite frequently opposing her brother’s more sinister schemes, Kära remains steadfast in her mission to spread love throughout the world.

I need to check out that twin, he sounds intriguing.

At the beginning of each era, Kära roams Mirintha, bestowing love and fertility upon the young races. Her presence is a blessing to all living beings. She taught the peoples of Mirintha the art of love and the importance of cherishing and respecting one another.

The goddess of love, passion, and fertility is said to surpass even her mother in beauty. According to legend, Kära occasionally descends to Mirintha to take one or more lovers from among its inhabitants. The duration of these relationships varies from tale to tale. Some say she brings her chosen lovers to the divine realm, while others claim she leaves them behind, heartbroken, never again experiencing love and pleasure as they did with her.

We, the authors of this book, consider the first theory to be utter nonsense. There is only one recorded instance of Kära taking a mortal to the realm of the gods: Isetar Dalkyn, now better known as Bilgi, the god of wisdom and knowledge. The generally accepted version of their story can be found in the section about Bilgi. We do not presume to know Kära’s true feelings for Isetar - or Bilgi - nor whether their union was born of love. However, we do know that they have had children together and, as far as we are aware, remain married.

Have to agree with those authors. I think they just killed themselves out of despair.

Depiction

Mortal artists of Mirintha strive to capture Kära’s beauty, honoring one of the world’s most beloved goddesses. Her statues and paintings are always adorned with flowers, and she is often depicted either nude or barely clothed. Bolder artists portray her with one or more lovers of various species and genders, ranging from subtly suggestive scenes to explicit imagery. All such artistic interpretations are widely accepted in society.

Domains

Beyond love and fertility, Kära also governs the more worldly aspects of reproduction, sex, and eroticism. Those who seek true love turn to her, as do those who make their living by catering to others’ desires. Many pray to Kära for passion, pleasure, and prosperity.

Classical portrait of Kära

She really is a beauty!

Tenets of faith

1. Love Freely, Love Fully

All forms of love are sacred. Cherish connections without fear or shame, and spread love wherever you go.

2. Honor Passion as a Sacred Flame

Desire and pleasure are divine gifts. Embrace them with joy, respect, and consent, for they bring warmth, creativity, and life.

3. Embrace the Cycle of Creation and Renewal

Nurture love, life, and growth in all forms. Whether through intimacy, art, or relationships, keep Kära’s blessings alive.

Symbols

The most common symbol associated with Kära’s worship is the swan. The Peri have long regarded the swan as a sign of eternal love, as these birds form lifelong bonds with their mates. The swan’s graceful movements across the water and the way they entwine their necks during courtship are seen as reflections of Kära’s own beauty and elegance. Some claim that Kära, in the form of a swan, watches over lovers in moments of passion and blesses them with fertility as a reward for their devotion.

Worship

Kära is revered by most species, with Humans being particularly drawn to her. Among the Peri, she is especially favored by the Valoperi - perhaps due to her role in Isetar Dalkyn’s ascension to godhood. The species least inclined to worship her are the Augalai, as physical love, in the traditional sense, is not possible for them. They instead tend to venerate Kära’s older sister, Daba, or their mother, Cahaya.

Her temples vary in size, but all share common architectural elements. Only the outer walls, facing the streets, are solid, shielding the interior from prying eyes - not to protect those inside, but to prevent distractions for passersby. Within, the structure is supported by pillars, from which semi-transparent curtains hang to create private alcoves. The floors are strewn with pillows and blankets, and some sections even contain beds. These spaces serve as sanctuaries for private devotion and for those who seek the more intimate services of Kära’s priesthood.

This sounds definitely necessary!

The most fortunate among the faithful may witness those acts of divine worship, even if they cannot partake. If you have never been able to afford such services yourself, as we haven’t either, let us share what the priesthood claims:

If you think our way to worship Kära is just sex, you are wrong. It goes far beyond a physical level. We know that by fully surrendering to the flow of love, desire, and energy, one can reach a transcendent state - bridging the gap between the mortal and the divine. We do so through controlled breathing, rhythmic movements, meditative touch, and prolonged intimacy. And that is why it is more expensive then a visit to a brothel.

— High Priestess of Kära at her temple in Dachswedel

I know I once asked for the price of this, but can only remember, it was really expensive.

Holidays

Kära’s festival, known as the Days of Bloom, spans two consecutive days in the latter half of the Blossom Moon, always occurring on a full moon night. After the farmers of Mirintha have sown their fields in spring, it is time to seek Kära’s blessing - for the land, for the livestock, and perhaps for themselves.

The first day is dedicated to preparations. Homes, temples, and entire cities are adorned with flower garlands. Everything and everyplace is being cleaned meticulously. That night, the people of Mirintha pray for fertility.

On the second day, after homes and streets have been, cleaned, extensive cleansing rituals allow everyone - rich and poor alike - to purify themselves in body and spirit.

As the sun sets and the full moon rises, the atmosphere shifts from quiet reverence to joyous anticipation. With the cleansing rituals complete and the world bathed in moonlight, the people of Mirintha gather, their hearts open to passion, celebration, and the goddess’s embrace. Social norms regarding relationships are temporarily cast aside. Masked balls, dancing, feasting, and drinking mark the beginning of the festivities. As the wine flows, inhibitions fade, and the celebrations grow increasingly uninhibited. The anonymity of masks and the revelry they encourage often culminate in grand orgies - particularly within Kära’s temples. There, all may lay with whomever they please, provided it is consensual.

Decorations for the Days of Bloom

Oh yeah, the Days of Bloom. Great party ...

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TLDR for my players

Kära is the goddess of love, reproduction, and eroticism.
Her twin brother is Mirtis, her husband is Bilgi and her children are Nauda and Satuma.