Letheria - Neutral Evil Goddess of Pain, Cold, and Vice
Letheria: Neutral Evil. Primary domains are Pain, Vice (lust) and Cold. Secondary Characteristics are Slavery, Torture, Addiction, and Prostitution.
- Letheria is always seen an incredibly desirable female of whatever species is viewing her. When appropriate she will be seen wearing a low cut, very transparent, ankle length gown. Whatever the clothing, it will always be lavender in color. Her personal appearance is always changing, but she seems to have a preference for delicate features, white-creamy skin, and long brown hair.
In many ways, she embodies many of the negative stereotypes associated with being female. As the goddess of pain, vice, and cold, she embodies several aspects of manipulative control over others. Corruption not only exists in her priesthood and followers, it is openly encouraged. Traits commonly associated with her followers are greedy, narcissistic, self-centered, egotistical, sadistic, immoral, brutal, and vicious.
Letheria developed out of a theocratic culture made of corrupted bureaucracies. Advancement was by whatever means necessary, trampling over whoever got in the way. Fierce competition with a total disregard for who gets harmed along the way was considered the normal environment. The weak were enslaved or destroyed, the strong advanced.
For those in a subjective position, she represents following the rules but always looking for a chance to better one's situation by whatever means necessary. Her teachings never advocate anarchy, they encourage using the current social structure to one’s advantage. Taking down and replacing a superior by whatever means possible is preferable as it denotes the more worthy person holding the power.
For those in authoritative positions of power, she represents a merciless use of underlings and those of a lower station.
A core tenant of her teachings is “Know Your Place” and always act accordingly. Leaders should trust you implicitly to accomplish your given tasks, yet they should always be looking over their shoulders to keep you in your place with full knowledge that you will take any opening provided to take them down. Subordinates should be managed ruthlessly and never given an excuse for failure.
Whereas Ramian Fax teaches retribution and revenge, Letheria is more apt for the enjoyment of taking down and destroying an opponent. Sometimes the target of their machinations is a ‘close friend’ who has fallen for their supposed caring demeanor.
Emotionally, the followers of Letheria focus on lusts and pleasures. Just as love has little meaning, hate also has little meaning. Her followers tend to be pragmatic and hedonistic. While some live for the moment, many live for the thrill and challenge becoming more powerful.
Her primary focus of Pain teaches that everyone comes into the world through pain. Pain is the great teacher. Pain makes one stronger and drives away weakness. This pain aspect is often taken to the extreme and many of her followers are sadistic and relish inflicting pain on others.
Her primary focus of Cold teaches that of never allowing emotions to cloud one’s judgment. Just as love makes one weak, hatred can do the same. Ice represents structure and order, but structure that can be chiseled away to one’s own need. Ice is harsh and can kill all but the most stout. Ice is not forgiving. Ice can destroy even the mountains over time. Ice is capable of waiting, never yielding, until the moment someone tries to touch it. The fragility of ice also teaches a lesson, beware of the stronger force. Be ready to yield lest you break.
Her focus of Vice has a focus on using others for one’s own gain. However, the lust aspect encourages enjoying life to its fullest without regard for others. Everyone has but one life and to use it serving others is a disservice to the self. Whatever is done in the service of others should ultimately be for one’s personal gain.
Her secondary characteristics denote means of manipulation and control of others.
Many who initially enter Letheria’s worship are enticed by the promise of bliss and debauchery or the promise of power, however many of these new followers become little more than chattel to be used as needed by the truly devoted.
Her temples are scarce throughout the land and are usually forced to remain in hiding, many cities actively banning the worship of Letheria.
In Brynthia, they are found only in the Web.
In Kraylin they are openly seen and often harbor brothels in their walls. Many of the upper echelons of rulers and judges of Kraylin openly worship Letheria.
Letheria is one of two state acknowledged deities in Borez.
The Zyloan Nations still primarily give worship to Letheria.
She is secretly worshipped in Chrailis, though this is somewhat common knowledge.
While many might initially think that orcs and goblins would be natural adherents to her teachings, their lack of emotional control and ability to connive long term make them poor subjects.
Socieities where Letheria is worshipped will call the 13th day of the week Lethtang. For the rest, the day honors the largest of the three suns and is often called Dalsharday.
Her month is Lethalis and consists of 27 Days. Lethalis is the name of the main symbol of worship for Letheria. While the name day of the week is often scorned in relation to Letheria, as this is often the coldest month of the year, this month is always directly associated with Letheria.
- First Choice of Domain for a worshiper of Letheria able to choose domains must always be from Pain or Cold.
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