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Loviatar (pronounced: /lˈviɑːtɑːrloh-VEE-a-tar[9] or: /lviˈɑːtɑːrloh-vee-A-tar[14] about this audio file listen) was the evil goddess of agony and was both queen and servant to the greater god Bane.[6] The Maiden of Pain was the master of inflicting physical and psychological suffering, her portfolio encompassing hurt and torture.[9]

The Maiden of Pain, Loviatar, teaches us that pain is a most powerful and sacred sensation. And should our pain delight her—should we embrace such a gift—she will grant her most sacred of blessings.
— Abdirak, worshiper of Loviatar.[15]

Description[]

Loviatar appeared as a slim, beautiful human maiden, with straight, thigh-length, platinum-blonde hair. She dressed in either black leather embellished with outlandish spikes or revealing white silks decorated with silver chains. She was cold and sinister in demeanor, speaking softly and moving with sensual grace. Her black blood was thick, like syrup.[2]

Talona loviatar xvim

Loviatar, surrounded by Iyachtu Xvim and Talona.

Personality[]

Loviatar was cold-hearted and calculatingly cruel by nature, an aggressive and domineering despot that truly enjoyed acts of sadism. Indeed, she had an instinct for inflicting pain, and not just physical suffering, always knowing just what to say and how to say it to best wound and discourage both mortals and other deities. Unlike most bullies however, Loviatar herself did not fear pain or even experience hurt. She was nearly impervious to any emotion, whether fear, love, or even hate. Attempts to harm her, whether through physical damage or verbal humiliation, prompted only laughter at the attempt, and more than one mortal had been startled to see her advance towards them with the full intention of receiving any damage that would come from doing so.[2]

Perhaps Loviatar's only psychological weakness was her own calculating nature. Her understanding of humanity, for example, relied on the fundamental assumption that they were innately selfish. Truly heroic or self-sacrificing behavior could untangle her carefully woven plots.[2]

Relationships[]

For anyone, god or mortal, to even slightly affect Loviatar's cold heart would be miraculous in and of itself.[2]

Prior to the Time of Troubles, Loviatar was a servant of Bhaal and had a heated rivalry with her fellow servant Talona.[16] In the Year of the Harpist's Delight, −33 DR,[17] demigoddess Kiputytto, Loviatar's sister, was slain by Talona. This made Loviatar and Talona heated rivals, leaving the Lady of Pain to torment Talona in revenge.[18] Loviatar thought that Talona should and would eventually serve her.[19] During that time she was also affiliated with Malar.[9]

For a time she fell under the sway of Shar, though the return of Bane changed this, as she once again served as his consort. Loviatar's portfolio conflicted most with that of Ilmater, because Loviatar despised those who helped others. She also hated Eldath and Lliira for offering rewards without any suffering to achieve them.[9]

Symbol[]

Loviatar symbol

A holy symbol of Loviatar.

Her symbol was a nine-stranded whip, with barbed strands.[9]

Worshipers[]

Bringing pain and suffering was the aim of all Loviatans, either through physical torture or sometimes more subtly and psychologically. Beauty, intelligence, and acting were useful attributes of a Loviatan, but the ability to fully understand someone was the best skill a Loviatan could acquire, as knowing someone fully could help a Loviatan inflict maximum pain, one way or another. Loviatar's followers were encouraged to wipe Ilmater's followers from the face of the Realms.[9]

Be wary of your mortal limitations. While it is tempting to allow pain's ecstasies to sweep you away, particularly during a delicious bout of self-flagellation, broken bones hinder worship of Our Maiden of Pain. Instead, when the body is spent, focus on whipping, or perhaps nail removal (pliers or blade is recommended) to ensure Loviatar may forever revel in your agony—as is her right.
— On Receiving Her Grace, a book on the worship of Loviatar[15]

Loviatans often engaged in self-flagellation, often in the morning when praying for spells. They celebrated each season with the Rite of Pain and Purity, a ritual that involved followers dancing on glass, thorns, or barbed-wire while being whipped by higher-level Loviatans. A smaller ritual occurring every twelve days involved followers passing their bodies through the flames of candles.[9]

During warfare, priestesses of Loviatar scourged their naked shoulders or tore their cheeks with their nails to evoke magic.[20]

Loviatar Symbol-5e

A holy symbol of Loviatar.

Titles used by Novices are Kneeling Ones [21]

Confirmed Priests use the titles (in ascending order)[21]

  • Taystren
  • Adept (in Pain)
  • Sister/Brother (in Torment)
  • Supremar
  • Caressor (of Terrors)
  • Whiplass/Whiplar
  • Paingiver
  • Whipmistress/Whip Master
  • High Whipmistress/Whipmaster
  • Branded (of the God)
  • Truescar

The last two titles are awarded to those who have been head of a temple or who have personally distinguished themselves.[21] In the old text priests were referred to as Lovites before the use of Loviatan replaced it.[22]

Specialty priests, called pains, operate as a separate arm of the faith. They travel from place to place carrying out the goddess's will as envoys, agents, or inquisitors rather than being permanently stationed at a temple. Ordinary clerics of Loviatar hold the pains in high regard. A temple mainly consists of clerics, but one to three pains can be called upon if needed. Mystics often are assigned to groups of pains and monk, while living only with monks and monasteries. They usually swear fealty to the temple that their abbey is a part of in the hierarchy. [22]

The faith of Loviatar was the state religion in the country of Dambrath.[23] Under Queen Cathtyr the priesthood of Loviatar grew to the thousands [24]. The Crinti priestesses there had their own secret religious language, known as the "Maiden's Tongue".[25] The Crinti considered copying the idea of the trade enclave from the Red Wizards of Thay combining a trade center and a place for the faithful to Loviatar to worship.[26]

Temples Dedicated to Loviatar[]

Orders[]

The Loviatan religion has no knightly orders.

  • Disciples of the White Rod: These monks of the faith of Loviatar were named in honor of the token granted to their founder by Loviatar and held in the home abbey near Calimport as a relic. Mystics follow a philosophy called Way of Transcendence. [21]

Appendix[]

Background[]

Loviatar is named for Loviatar, a Finnish goddess of death and pestilence of the same name, originally appearing in the 1st-edition Deities & Demigods.[33]

Further Reading[]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 21, 33. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 100–101. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  3. Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 104. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  4. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 294. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  5. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 96–97. ISBN 978-0786965622.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 80. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
  7. Logan Bonner (August, 2009). “Domains in Eberron and the Forgotten Realms”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dragon #378 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 32.
  8. Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 235. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 100. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
  10. Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 189. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
  11. Hal Maclean (September 2004). “Seven Deadly Domains”. In Matthew Sernett ed. Dragon #323 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 65.
  12. Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 24. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  13. Ed Greenwood (October 1981). “Down-to-earth divinity”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #54 (TSR, Inc.), p. 9.
  14. Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 12. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Larian Studios (October 2020). Designed by Swen Vincke, et al. Baldur's Gate III. Larian Studios.
  16. Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 45. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  17. slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), p. 12. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
  18. Ed Greenwood (2022-11-07). Loviatar & Talona (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2022-11-13. Retrieved on 2022-11-07.
  19. Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 101. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  20. Richard Lee Byers (April 2007). Unclean. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 72. ISBN 978-0-7869-4258-9.
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 102. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  22. 22.0 22.1 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 101. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  23. Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 102. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
  24. Tom Prusa (1993). The Shining South. (TSR, Inc), p. 25. ISBN 1-56076-595-X.
  25. Thomas M. Costa (1999). “Speaking in Tongues”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon Annual #4 (TSR, Inc) (4)., p. 28.
  26. Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 75. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
  27. Steven E. Schend (October 1998). Calimport. (TSR, Inc), p. 31. ISBN 0-7869-1238-3.
  28. Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 80–81. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  29. Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 12–13. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
  30. Darrin Drader, Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds, Wil Upchurch (June 2006). Mysteries of the Moonsea. Edited by John Thompson, Gary Sarli. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12. ISBN 978-0-7869-3915-2.
  31. Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 120. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  32. Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 41. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
  33. Ed Greenwood (October 1981). “Down-to-earth divinity”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #54 (TSR, Inc.), p. 52.

Connections[]

The Faerûnian Pantheon
Major Deities
AzuthBaneBhaalChaunteaCyricGondHelmIlmaterKelemvorKossuthLathanderLoviatarMaskMielikkiMyrkulMystra (Midnight) • OghmaSelûneSharShaundakulSilvanusSuneTalosTempusTormTymoraTyrUmberleeWaukeen
Other Members
AkadiAurilBeshabaDeneirEldathFinder WyvernspurGaragosGargauthGerronGrumbarGwaeron WindstromHoarIstishiaIyachtu XvimJergalLliiraLurueMalarMililNobanionThe Red KnightSavrasSharessShialliaSiamorpheTalonaTiamatUbtaoUlutiuValkurVelsharoon

Deities of the Post–Second Sundering Era
Ao the Overgod
Faerûnian Pantheon
Akadi | Amaunator | Asmodeus | Auril | Azuth | Bane | Beshaba | Bhaal | Chauntea | Cyric | Deneir | Eldath | Gond | Grumbar | Gwaeron | Helm | Hoar | Ilmater | Istishia | Jergal | Kelemvor | Kossuth | Lathander | Leira | Lliira | Loviatar | Malar | Mask | Mielikki | Milil | Myrkul | Mystra | Oghma | Red Knight | Savras | Selûne | Shar | Silvanus | Sune | Talona | Talos | Tempus | Torm | Tymora | Tyr | Umberlee | Valkur | Waukeen
The Morndinsamman
Abbathor | Berronar Truesilver | Clangeddin Silverbeard | Deep Duerra | Dugmaren Brightmantle | Dumathoin | Gorm Gulthyn | Haela Brightaxe | Laduguer | Marthammor Duin | Moradin | Sharindlar | Vergadain
The Seldarine
Aerdrie Faenya | Angharradh | Corellon | Deep Sashelas | Erevan | Fenmarel Mestarine | Hanali Celanil | Labelas Enoreth | Rillifane Rallathil | Sehanine Moonbow | Shevarash | Solonor Thelandira
The Dark Seldarine
Eilistraee | Kiaransalee | Lolth | Selvetarm | Vhaeraun
Yondalla's Children
Arvoreen | Brandobaris | Cyrrollalee | Sheela Peryroyl | Urogalan | Yondalla
Lords of the Golden Hills
Baervan Wildwanderer | Baravar Cloakshadow | Callarduran Smoothhands | Flandal Steelskin | Gaerdal Ironhand | Garl Glittergold | Nebelun | Segojan Earthcaller | Urdlen
Orc Pantheon
Bahgtru | Gruumsh | Ilneval | Luthic | Shargaas | Yurtrus
Mulhorandi pantheon
Anhur | Bast | Geb | Hathor | Horus | Isis | Nephthys | Osiris | Re | Sebek | Set | Thoth
Other gods of Faerûn
Bahamut | Enlil | Finder Wyvernspur | Ghaunadaur | Gilgeam | Lurue | Moander | Nobanion | Raven Queen | Tiamat



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