Rhala

Description

## Origins

Rhala is the only elvish deity who is the known direct result of a union between two other elvish deities. She is the daughter of the Goddess of Luck- Sylanna, and the God of Rebellion - Fenar (as well has half-sister to the dwarven god Tulmir). Like them, her area of expertise lies in the everyday happenstance of mortal affairs, specifically, one’s love life. She is worshiped both by those who seek true love and those who seek success in finding multiple partners. She assists ‘ladies of the evening’ in attracting work as well as gold-diggers hoping to seduce and trick an old wealthy partner. Forbidden or controversial love and adulterous affairs are particularly enjoyed by her and she is quick to assist. She is neutral in her morals and drama-loving much like her mother but carries the penchant for chaos and trickery of her father, making her quite a formidable deity. She fans the flames of lust and jealousy just as readily as she fans the flames of deep profound love and eternal devotion. No one can know which side she is on in a relationship. All of it lies in her whims and her mood. Many elves claim she is a dangerous deity to pray to, for it is never sure if she is working on the side of true love or detached lust at any point. It is often seen as a flip of the coin- which is a symbol sometimes used for her. Ever the rebel like her father, she takes great interest in those who have decided on celibacy or taken a vow of chastity, and she will often attempt to send as many potential partners in their way in a test of wills. She does not bother with those who are naturally oriented to be adverse or disinterested in romance and love (aromantic or asexual people) and of which she can have no real effect on. Some say she is the one who decides if individuals are born this way and its either a blessing or a curse, depending on if one is an optimist or a pessimist.

Rhala also has a plain and simple love for love, including the pure kind devoid of strife and drama. She loves those who also love love. She takes pity on hopeless romantics who have no charm or terrible shyness. She may give them a blessing of bravery or charisma or simply send the perfect match or soul mate to them. Though there are few proper cults dedicated to her full time, most people, in a time of great loneliness or desperation, will offer a quiet prayer to her at some point in their lives.

## Appearance / Depictions

Those who dedicate themselves fully to her or to a life of sexual conquest, if they are very very lucky may find themselves properly in her graces and are visited by her in person. She can appear as male or female, but usually elven, and her features usually match whatever physically attracts her worshiper. She often is wearing attire adorned with living roses and thorny vines, which represent both her intense allure and her dangerous nature. Her kiss is supposed to grant an incredible permanent or temporary boon to both libido and skill in bed as well as charm and natural magnetism. Some claim this visitation involves more than a kiss (and even that sometimes aasimar result), but there is no concrete evidence of this, especially as the type of elf who worships Rhala is prone to making up stories of their sexual exploits.