The Lover

The Lover does not have a consistent appearance. They appear as whatever form suits a viewer's definition of beauty, making them recognizable instantly even though their features always change.

## Deity

### Worshipers

Mediators, Diplomants, Lovers, Sworn Knights, Rebels

## **History**

The Lover was born between two rival nations, and even as a mortal was regarded as exceptionally beautiful. So desirable, in fact, that the leaders of the two nations each asked for their hand in marriage when they eventually learned of the Lover's existence. The Lover refused them both, having already fallen for a commoner. When this news reached the two rulers, they each sent their soldiers to retrieve the Lover, not willing to take no for an answer. But when the soldiers came, they found an army of peasants had already formed to defend their target. But the Lover did not fight, they used their natural charm to persuade both armies to defy their foolish kings and return home empty handed. The armies listened, and the two kings were forced to abdicate. The Lover was seldom seen again after this, but it is said that her presence served as a reminder for everyone to keep the peace, and so the two nations never again fought one another.

## Home

The Lover maintains a small, well-decorated palace in Elysium. They spend most of their time in this palace, disliking the attention they get whenever they appear amongst mortals. The palace is known to be difficult for planar travelers to locate for perhaps similar reasons, but those who are able to track it down always find themselves welcome. The Lover themselves occasionally rewards such mortals with their presence, and enjoys conversation, though they prefer to stick to offering advice on a person's social life.

## Worshippers

The Lover has three main sorts of followers, who worship them in different capacities. Among all three groups, rose iconography is common, being seen as the Lover's main symbol.

* Those who see the Lover as the god of love will call to them to bless their love lives, or to wish for a long lasting marriage and healthy friendships. Their priests preside over weddings, and open their temples to young couples in need of counseling. As the story also teaches not to desire a person you cannot have, the Lover's priests will also open their doors to those who feel the need to escape from someone close, be it a marriage, a family member, or simply a local who refused to take 'no' as an answer.
* Those who see the Lover's devotion to their beloved, and wish to emulate this devotion. These people do not organize as priests, they simply swear an oath to their devoted in the Lover's name. Such an oath represents an unfailing loyalty to a person far beyond marriage, and does not have to be romantic in nature. To swear such an oath is not done lightly, as it means making a statement to the heavens that you would march through Hell itself if it meant saving the one you are sworn to. Those who break their oaths lightly find themselves cursed to die in obscurity.
* There are those who follow the Lover as she defied the two kings. These people are similarly unorganized, and appear whenever a group of self-styled rebels or anyone wishing to challenge what they see as a corrupt authority begin to wear the Lover's butterfly symbol across their banners. These groups can attract large followings, but they never seem to last more than a few years. The Lover has never personally stepped in to endorse such rebellion, but among truly just causes her clerics can occasionally be seen.

Regardless of what aspect they follow, more lawful priests of the Lover are occasionally called from their temples to serve as mediators or diplomats in political disputes. As the church has no official political leaning, its members can generally be taken as a neutral party, and their input is often valued. Regardless of aspect or alignment, the Lover rarely presents themself to their followers even when called upon by the use of commune spells, preferring to use intermediaries. There is a rumor that the Lover dislikes or has grown tired of their status as Ascended, but even if this is true they continue to carry on with their duties and bestow powers to those who show the appropriate devotion.

## **Servants**

The Lover primarily interacts with mortals through a divine herald who is rumored to be the commoner from their legend. Said herald's dress and features change depending on the observer as the Lover's does, although in the herald's case this is to make them as unremarkable as possible. Most people visited by the Lover's herald will die without ever knowing they were so blessed. Using this disguise of mundanity, the herald will bless weddings, oversee oaths, and even occasionally fight battles in the Lover's name. Anyone who has seen the herald up close is said to have good fortune for life, but who exactly can claim to have seen them and prove it?

Outside of their herald, the Lover's intermediaries are primarily from Good planes, with Azatas and Angels being the most common sights in the Lover's palace. Agathions are also present, and while Archons in the Lover's service are rare, they can still be seen occasionally.

## Relationships

The Lover maintains a favorable, if distant relationship to the rest of the Ascended. They rarely interfere in the affairs of the other Ascended unless a dispute requires their attention, and even in these cases prefer to use their herald as an intermediary. The Lover's personal bias is stronger against evil than it is against law, and a sufficiently powerful evil is one of the few things that can rouse them into direct action. Even so, the church does not claim any other Ascended as the Lover's enemy, and their followers are free to work with whomever they feel is worthy.