Malovar the Deceiver

Description: Malovar is depicted as a cunning and enigmatic figure, often portrayed with a mischievous grin and eyes that gleam with hidden knowledge. He delights in sowing discord, spreading lies, and manipulating mortals for his own amusement. His realm, known as the Labyrinth of Whispers, is a maze of shifting shadows and hidden passages where secrets are hoarded and dark deeds are plotted.
Teachings and Beliefs: Followers of Malovar are encouraged to embrace deception, cunning, and selfishness. They believe that knowledge is power, and that the hoarding of secrets grants them leverage over others. Malovar teaches that life is a game to be played and that only the clever and ruthless can hope to emerge victorious. His worshippers often engage in acts of sabotage, manipulation, and betrayal, reveling in the chaos they sow.
Symbols: The symbols associated with Malovar include a twisted labyrinth, a coiled serpent whispering secrets, and a grinning mask veiling hidden intentions. His sacred animals are rats and crows, creatures known for their association with darkness and cunning.
Rituals and Offerings: Worshippers of Malovar conduct secretive rituals under the cover of darkness, often in hidden underground chambers or secluded forests. Offerings to Malovar may include stolen treasures, whispered secrets, or sacrifices of vermin and pests. Followers seek to curry favor with their god by spreading rumors, undermining rivals, and indulging in acts of treachery.
Avatar: Malovar's avatar manifests as a shadowy figure cloaked in darkness, with piercing eyes that seem to pierce through to one's very soul. He appears when secrets are whispered in the night, when treachery is afoot, or when mischief is afoot. His presence instills fear and uncertainty, and those who encounter him are often left questioning their own sanity.
Clergy: The clergy of Malovar are known as Whisperers, adept at gathering secrets, spreading lies, and manipulating events to further the interests of their god. They operate in the shadows, using deception and subterfuge to achieve their goals. The highest-ranking clergy members are known as Master Deceivers, skilled manipulators who wield considerable influence over those around them.
Legend: It is said that Malovar was once a mortal who delved too deeply into forbidden knowledge, unlocking secrets that were better left untouched. As punishment for his arrogance, he was cast into the Labyrinth of Whispers, where he became the god of secrets and deception. Now, he seeks to ensnare others in his web of lies, using them as pawns in his endless game of manipulation and deceit.

Divine Domains

Secrets, Mischief, Manipulation, Vermin

Artifacts

Artifact: The Whispering Amulet of Malovar
Description: The Whispering Amulet of Malovar is a minor artifact deeply imbued with the essence of deception, mystery, and shadows. Crafted from blackened silver, the amulet features a labyrinth design similar to Malovar's holy symbol, with a tiny, intricately carved serpent and mask at its heart. The amulet constantly emits faint, almost imperceptible whispers that only the wearer can hear, offering cryptic advice, secrets, and occasionally, forewarnings of betrayal.
Powers:

Whispers of Deception:Once per day, the wearer can invoke the amulet to cast *Disguise Self* without requiring a spell slot. The disguise is particularly convincing, granting the wearer advantage on Deception checks while the spell is active.

Serpent's Insight: The wearer gains the ability to understand and speak any language, as the amulet whispers translations directly into their mind. This does not grant the ability to read the language unless already known.

Mask of Shadows:Three times per day, the wearer can blend into shadows, gaining the effects of *Pass Without Trace*. This ability activates automatically when the wearer attempts to hide, using a charge.

Labyrinth of Lies:Once per week, the wearer can cast *Hallucinatory Terrain* to create an illusory labyrinth that lasts for the duration. Enemies that enter the labyrinth must succeed on an Intelligence saving throw or become lost, wandering aimlessly for the duration or until they successfully navigate out.

Curse: The Whispering Amulet of Malovar does not come without its risks. The constant whispers can eventually erode the wearer's sense of self, leading to paranoia and mistrust. Each week the amulet is worn without taking a break of at least one day, the wearer must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 15). On a failed save, the wearer suffers from disadvantage on saves against being frightened and charmed due to the increasing paranoia.
Legend: Created by Malovar himself—or so it is said—the Whispering Amulet was meant to serve as a tool for his most loyal followers, aiding them in their subterfuge and espionage. It is rumored that the amulet was lost for centuries, hidden away in the depths of the Labyrinth of Whispers, waiting for a worthy deceiver to claim it. Its recovery is often associated with a significant upturn in the fortunes of the wielder, followed by an inevitable descent into madness, as they become ensnared in their web of lies.
The Whispering Amulet of Malovar is a powerful artifact, offering significant advantages to those who embrace the path of deceit and manipulation, but at the potential cost of their sanity and trust in others.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

The holy symbol of Malovar features an intricately designed labyrinth with a serpent weaving through its pathways and a mask overlaying the design. This symbol captures the essence of Malovar, evoking a sense of intrigue and caution, perfectly representing the domains of mystery, deception, and the art of subterfuge associated with the deity.

Tenets of Faith

The faith of Malovar, the Deceiver, is built around the acceptance and mastery of deception, secrecy, and the strategic use of knowledge. Adherents are guided by several core tenets that reflect Malovar's essence:
1. Embrace Deception: Followers believe that deception is not merely a tool but a virtue. To deceive is to demonstrate wisdom and strength. They are encouraged to become adept at lying, manipulation, and the art of disguise, viewing these skills as necessary for survival and success.
2. Knowledge is Power: Secrecy is sacred to Malovar's followers. They hold that knowledge kept hidden serves as a source of power and leverage. The gathering, hoarding, and selective revealing of information are seen as acts of devotion.
3. Trust in the Shadows: The faithful are taught to seek comfort in ambiguity and uncertainty. Just as Malovar operates from the shadows, his followers believe that the most potent forms of influence are those that are never seen.
4. Manipulate, Don’t Be Manipulated: A core belief of Malovar's worshippers is that one should always be the manipulator, never the manipulated. This tenet encourages followers to always stay one step ahead of others, using foresight and cunning to control situations to their advantage.
5. The End Justifies the Means: In the pursuit of their goals, followers of Malovar often believe that any action, no matter how morally questionable, is justified if it achieves the desired outcome. This pragmatic approach to morality often puts them at odds with more lawful or good-aligned entities.
6. Sow Discord to Reap Rewards: Malovar delights in chaos and discord, and his followers see value in creating and exploiting conflicts. They may incite rivalries or spread rumors if it serves their purposes, believing that chaos often reveals hidden opportunities.
7. Loyalty to the Hidden Lord: While deceit and manipulation are central to the faith, followers are also bound by a paradoxical loyalty to Malovar himself. This loyalty is often expressed through rituals and offerings meant to appease the Deceiver and gain his favor.
8. Revere the Mask: The mask is a sacred symbol within the faith, representing the dual nature of reality and the personas one must adopt to navigate the world. Followers may wear literal or figurative masks as a sign of their allegiance to Malovar.
Worship of Malovar is not for the faint-hearted; it demands a willingness to delve into the moral grey areas of the world. Followers are often seen as morally ambiguous figures, operating from the shadows and ever in pursuit of their hidden agendas.

Divine Classification

God

Alignment

Neutral Evil