Vila
Vila, often referred to as The Weaver by the sorcerers House Magia or The Siren by the swashbucklers of Silver Bay, is the goddess of charm, darkness, liberation, trickery, travel, and glory. She is seen as a beacon of self-determination, a patroness of the cunning, and a guiding light in the night for all who seek freedom and personal glory through their journeys.
Worshippers
Vila's followers are drawn to her by her domains of charm, darkness, liberation, trickery, travel, and glory, and by her ethos of personal responsibility, self-determination, and the pursuit of personal growth. Her teachings inspire them to carve out their own paths and to navigate life's challenges with charm and cunning. Vila's influence has sparked pivotal moments of change and decision in many a mortal life, pushing her followers to challenge their limitations and explore their potential. Scholars credit breakthroughs in their research to sudden flashes of inspiration, artists speak of being possessed by an unstoppable creative force, and explorers describe feelings of being drawn towards uncharted lands or ideas, all through their faith in the goddess of paths untaken.
House Magia venerates Vila for her domains of charm and glory. They see in her a reflection of their own values: personal responsibility and the pursuit of personal power. Their rituals often involve complex magical rites designed to enhance their charisma and personal presence, and they strive for glory through their mastery of arcane arts. These sorcerers uphold Vila's teachings by using their powers in ways that highlight their individual strengths and personal determination.
Nyx, Magia's Bloodline of Shadows, is particularly drawn to Vila's domains of darkness and trickery. They see her as a beacon guiding them in their quest for arcane secrets and divine ascension. In their rituals, they often invoke Vila's name while delving into shadow magic, seeking her protection and guidance as they navigate the mysteries of the arcane. They strive to uphold her teachings by embracing the shadows and using them to their advantage, both in their arcane practices and in their convoluted schemes.
House Silversail champions Vila's principles of freedom and self-determination. Her teachings inspire them to live life as they please, unrestrained by societal norms and conventions. They are particularly drawn to her domain of travel, which aligns with their maritime lifestyle. Their rituals often involve sea voyages undertaken to prove their courage and self-sufficiency, during which they seek Vila's protection and guidance. These voyages serve as a testament to their commitment to Vila's teachings, demonstrating their courage, determination, and pursuit of personal glory.
Domains
Charm and Persuasion: As a goddess of charm, Vila wields an unnerving influence over mortal hearts and minds. Her followers have often reported mysterious visions or sudden impulses leading them to unexpected victories or discoveries. Her influence can kindle a love affair, spark a feud, or even induce a king to abdicate his throne.
Darkness and Shadows: Vila commands the darkness and shadows to do her bidding. Her followers might find their path obscured by unnatural darkness, only to discover that their enemies are equally blinded. Or they might witness shadows bending and twisting into strange forms, providing shelter, or even transporting them to distant places. In Pauza, tales abound of rogues and assassins disappearing into shadows only to emerge right behind their mark.
Liberation and Defiance: Vila doesn't just break chains; she shatters them. Her followers might find themselves miraculously escaping captivity, whether it's the literal chains of a dungeon or the metaphorical chains of an oppressive regime. On multiple occasions, her intervention has sparked revolts and rebellions, upsetting established orders and causing widespread chaos.
Trickery and Illusion: As a master of deception, Vila can cast elaborate illusions that fool the senses of even the most discerning observers. She's been known to lead enemies astray with phantoms and illusions or to aid her followers by creating false images that help them escape or attack unsuspecting enemies. Entire towns have been fooled into seeing advancing armies, causing panic and chaos that Vila's followers capitalized on.
Travel and Journeys: Those who revere Vila as the goddess of travel enjoy extraordinary favors on their journeys. There are stories of sailors lost at sea who found their way back home thanks to a strange star that appeared in the sky, or caravans in the desert that managed to cross deadly wastes in a matter of hours, following paths that vanished as quickly as they appeared. Vila is also the guide of inner journeys. Her whispers illuminate the paths of curiosity, self-discovery, and change, guiding her followers towards growth and transformation.
Glory and Inspiration: When Vila bestows glory, it's not a quiet recognition; it's a blaze of renown and awe-inspiring power. There are stories of ordinary mortals achieving extraordinary feats, emboldened by Vila's blessing. They might win a crucial battle, solve an impossible riddle, or display a dazzling show of magic or strength, only to be showered with adulation and glory.
Vila's miracles and interventions often bring about dramatic and chaotic changes. Her followers learn to expect the unexpected and to thrive amid the resulting upheaval and chaos, always seeking to harness these situations to their advantage and claim their personal glory. And those who oppose her learn to fear the shadows, the whispers in the night, the sudden turns of fortune that mark Vila's meddling.
Myths
The Chains of Deceit: Amongst Vila's followers circulates a tale of a time when a priestess, incensed by the oppressive rule of a callous king, took on the guise of a humble chambermaid in his court. Over the course of several months, with whispers in the right ears and hints of sedition masked as harmless gossip, she orchestrated doubt and discontent among the royal subjects. As the seeds of rebellion germinated, the court found itself collapsing in the throes of a grand revolution, the king overthrown by the very sycophants he'd surrounded himself with. This tale is testament to Vila's undying commitment to liberation, and the potency of cunning and subterfuge as tools of change.
The First Voyage: This is a favorite among the House Silversail, recounting a time when Vila took the form of a mortal to experience their struggles. She crafted the first ship and sailed across the world on a hundred years voyage, a queen amongst corsairs, battling treacherous storms and colossal sea beasts, discovering uncharted coasts teeming with wondrous creatures and wealth. At the end of her voyage, satisfied with the adventure and glory she had found, she ascended back to her divine form, adorning the night sky with the pearls and gems of her treasures, creating the guiding stars and gifting mortals with the knowledge of seafaring.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Vila's symbol is a mask of ebon and ivory, half cloaked in shadows and half radiating light, representing her dual nature of trickery and glory, as well as her contempt for tradition. Her favored weapon, the kukri, often features in representations of her symbol as a separate element alongside her mask. The wolverine, known for its daring and tenacity, is Vila's sacred animal. It is common for worshippers to own representations of the creature, whether as statues, carvings, or even living companions.
Vila's holy places are often hidden or hard to reach, reflecting her emphasis on journeys and her cunning nature. Dark, labyrinthine temples and sanctuaries located in distant, secluded places are typical of her worship. Within these sacred confines, rituals performed are often enigmatic and challenging, mirroring the nature of the goddess herself. They may include traversing a shadow-filled maze to reach the inner sanctuary, or a journey of personal introspection where individuals confront their fears and regrets in a drug-fueled haze.
Tenets of Faith
"Seek freedom in every breath, and in every step you take. Let not the chains of societal norms bind you, nor the expectations of others weigh you down. Embrace the shadows, for they are the canvas of your liberation. They hide you from your foes, guide you to your destination, and shield you from those who seek to snuff out your light.
Find glory in your journeys, for every adventure is an opportunity to manifest your charm and cunning. Deceive when you must, trick when you can, but never lose sight of your destination. Strive for personal glory, for it is the beacon that will guide others to their liberation. Remember, those who live in the light are often blind to the shadows they cast, but those who embrace the darkness see everything."
Siren of Shadows, Vila the Weaver, hear my plea.
As I step forth into the uncertain expanse, lend me your guidance.
Cloak me in your embrace, that I may tread unseen by those who wish me harm.
Illumine my path with your radiant light, so I may not lose my way in the abyss.
Bestow upon me your cunning, that I may face the unknown with confidence.
Infuse my spirit with your charm, that I may sway hearts and turn minds.
In darkness or in light, may I find my path.
Through treachery and trials, may I uncover my glory.
With each step on this journey, may I taste the sweetness of liberation.
In every challenge I encounter, may I reflect your brilliance.
Vila of forlorn roads, guide me through my doubts and fears.
Lead me toward my destined glory with your guiding veil.
- Vilas's Veil, Prayer of Journeys
Alignment
Chaotic Evil
Divine Domains
Charm, Darkness, Liberation, Trickery, Travel, and Glory
Favored Weapon
Kukri
Sacred Animal
Wolverine
Divine Classification
Major Deity
Religions
Children
