Lady Eravil Dark Eyes

The Goddess of War, Planning, Obedience, and Cunning

Lady Eravil Dark Eyes is a complex deity, revered and feared in equal measure. Some view her as a cruel and vengeful goddess who punishes those who cross her path. Others see her as a liberating force, spreading order and unity in a chaotic world. Regardless of one’s perspective, it is unwise to challenge her, for she will break anyone who stands in her way.

History

In the beginning, there was chaos and war, perpetuating an endless cycle of destruction. This was the era when the God of Battle, Vroga Waruk, held unparalleled power. The other gods, weary of the relentless bloodshed, sought a solution. They decided to elevate a new god who could challenge Vroga’s might and bring order to the chaos. They chose a human woman named Eravil.

Humans were a nascent race, unburdened by racial tensions, and Eravil was known for her tolerance and leadership. When her village was besieged by bandits, she devised a plan that saved her people and earned her a reputation as a hero. Later, during a conflict with a neighboring city-state, she again demonstrated her strategic brilliance, consistently outsmarting her enemies.

The gods admired her dedication and offered her divinity, with the task of keeping the God of Battle in check. She accepted, and her tolerance allowed her to unite the races of Aurôrum into a formidable army. After a decisive victory, she imprisoned Vroga for nearly a thousand years, entrusting the task of guarding him to the stronger creatures like beasts, trolls, terran, and giants. This period saw humanity flourish under her guidance.

However, Vroga eventually broke free, swearing vengeance and renouncing imprisonment. He became the Breaker of Chains. Lady Eravil resumed her battle against him, but found that the people were less willing to follow her into war. As a deity of law and order, she sought new methods to maintain balance.

Dogma

The dogma of Lady Eravil Dark Eyes, the Vigilant Goddess of War, Planning, Obedience, and Cunning, is founded on the principles of discipline, strategy, and unwavering dedication to her laws and ideals. Her followers are expected to uphold these tenets rigorously, creating a society built on order, tolerance, and devotion.

Tenets of Faith

• Tolerance: Embrace and respect all races, sexes, and cultures. Discrimination based on these attributes is strictly forbidden. To use a racial slur is to risk having your tongue removed; to treat someone poorly due to their gender is to risk severe punishment. All are equal under Lady Eravil’s watchful eyes.
• Obedience: Follow the laws of the land you are in unless they contradict Lady Eravil’s laws, which supersede all mortal laws. Obedience to her divine commandments is paramount, and breaking these laws is a sign of weakness that will be met with capital punishment.
• Devotion: Worship Lady Eravil openly and proudly. Her followers are expected to wear her colors or sigil visibly and to spread her teachings actively. Heresy or failure to honor her publicly is punished by five rounds of lashes followed by death.
• Strategic Mastery: Value and pursue a strategic approach in all aspects of life. Plan thoroughly, act with precision, and always think several steps ahead. Just as warfare and conflict should be approached with cunning and careful calculation, so should everyday routines.

Worshipers of Lady Eravil tend to be trained in Conqueror at a young age.

Unity Through Strength: Build strong, unified communities where all members support and protect each other. A united front, composed of individuals who respect and uphold Lady Eravil’s principles, is the key to maintaining order and defeating chaos.

Rituals and Practices

• Public Ceremonies: Regular public ceremonies are held to honor Lady Eravil, featuring martial displays, strategic discussions, and recitations of her laws. These events reinforce the community’s commitment to her tenets.
• Symbolic Acts of Devotion: Acts of devotion, such as erecting statues, wearing her symbols, and dedicating victories to her, are common. These acts serve as constant reminders of her presence and influence.
• Punishment for Transgressions: Justice is swift and severe for those who violate her laws. Punishments are carried out publicly to serve as a deterrent and to reinforce the importance of obedience and discipline.

Consequences of Transgression

• Discrimination: Any act of discrimination based on race, sex, or culture is met with severe punishment, ranging from public humiliation to physical mutilation, depending on the severity of the offense.
• Lawbreaking: Violating Lady Eravil’s laws results in capital punishment, reinforcing the absolute authority of her commandments over mortal laws.
• Heresy: Failing to worship Lady Eravil openly or committing acts of heresy leads to public lashing followed by execution, ensuring that only the devout remain within her fold.

Worshipers

Lady Eravil Dark Eyes commands a diverse following dedicated to her ideals of order, strategy, and tolerance. Her worshipers span across races and cultures, unified by their adherence to her strict doctrines. They gather in temples that resemble military fortresses or strategic planning centers rather than traditional places of worship. These locations serve as hubs for strategic councils, martial training, and public ceremonies that honor Lady Eravil. Followers proudly display her colors and symbols, promoting her teachings with fervor. They believe in fostering unity through strength and discipline, ensuring that her laws and principles prevail above all mortal codes. Transgressions against her doctrines are met with swift and severe justice, reinforcing the absolute authority of Lady Eravil Dark Eyes in their lives.

Orders and Sects

The Order of the Iron Vigil

This sect is dedicated to maintaining strict obedience to Lady Eravil’s laws. Members of the Iron Vigil act as enforcers, ensuring that both her divine and local laws are followed without question. They are known for their unwavering discipline and are often found serving as judges, executioners, and lawmakers.

The Brotherhood of the Unbroken Chain

This order focuses on unity and tolerance, striving to bring together all races and cultures under Lady Eravil’s banner. They work as diplomats and mediators, resolving conflicts and promoting harmony. They believe that true strength lies in diversity and cooperation.

The Sisters of the Crimson Eye

A more militant sect, the Sisters of the Crimson Eye are warriors and strategists who lead Lady Eravil’s followers in battle. They emphasize cunning and tactical superiority, training rigorously to outsmart and outmaneuver their enemies. They are often at the forefront of conflicts, leading charges and orchestrating sieges.

Campaign Updates

Her reach into Idir is quieter than her reach at home. Temples stand nearly everywhere, but in Idir the faith is kept down, and those who hold to it hold to it privately: Mikhail wears her holy symbol hidden inside his sleeve, because anti-Peren feeling in Idir runs deep enough that he would rather not be known for what he is. Leon Yaegar keeps her too, alongside the Martyr, and quotes her when he is teaching somebody to settle themselves (always clear your mind, keep your focus), which is about as close to devotion as a soldier gets in conversation.

She is also the first of the three Vigil worships, with Winifred Orenda and the Martyr. The town was founded by Peredhel émigrés, and it kept her (S4E51–E52).