Church of Peitho

Roleplaying Notes

Followers of Peitho believe you should find beauty in whatever you can, be kind, loving, and passionate in everything you do and they do not tolerate cruelty.

Mythology & Lore

Legendary Items and Weapons of Peitho

Enchanted Roses

Wondrous item – uncommon
The rose has a great deal of symbolism, but is often associated with love and bouquets are given as tokens of affection in many cultures. The rose is also known for healing properties, and some bouquets are enchanted with protective magics by priests of gods and goddesses of love and healing. Newly created bouquets have 12 roses, a bouquet found as treasure will have 1d6+6 roses remaining. An enchanted bouquet confers no benefit to the first person who obtains it; it must be freely given as a gift to confer its magic (the bouquet can be gifted to another creature after the initial gifting, but lose their magic if ever returned to a previous owner). Once gifted, the roses will not wilt and stay fresh and fragrant for up to 100 years. As long as at least one rose remains, the bearer gains +1 to all saving throws. Additionally, a rose can be pulled from the bouquet and touched to a creature as an action in order to restore 2d6+3 hit points and cure the target of one disease or neutralize one poison affecting it. Once used this way, the rose wilts and becomes non-magical.

Tenets of Faith

The Duties of the Clerics of Peitho

All of Peitho’s clergy are expected to spread love and beauty wherever they go. No matter what group they belong to, all members of the Church are expected to be trained in social graces, diplomacy, conversation, counseling, and some form of art. Serving the community is of utmost importance to the Church, in whatever fashion is their particular passion. The Church is also incredibly protective of sex workers -- not just members of the Confidantes’ Guild, but also streetwalkers and those in brothels. Many Roses will work to get sex workers out of bad situations, and will sponsor individuals to help them.

Beauty without virtue is like a rose without scent. Roses, while social and flirtatious, are also taught to be gentle, kind, merciful, and to avoid acting in a negative fashion, such as spreading gossip or breaking hearts
A rose does not lose sleep because it was mocked by weeds. Roses are taught to be self-assured and confident in who they are. Priests are expected to take particular care of their bodies and appearance and to cultivate beauty in themselves, always doing their best to be well-groomed, well-spoken, and well-mannered.
Sharp are the thorns that pierce the grasping hand. Roses are gentle, but they will not tolerate unwanted advances upon their person or that of another. Woe to those who touch a Rose against their will, or do so to another in their presence
Roses of every color all smell as sweetly. Roses know that all love is to be encouraged, not just romantic. Love of friends, of family, of community -- all are equally as important in Peitho’s eyes
A rose cannot bloom in a bed of sand. While breaking love may seem anathema to Peitho, Roses know that there are times when love is used to hurt someone. Peitho’s followers are tasked with helping to end hurtful, manipulative relationships, especially when one party is being greatly harmed by the other

Forbidden to Peitho

Cruelty of any sort
Failing to help if someone is being abused
Destroying beauty or art
In some cases where a Rose has “lost their way”, they will be sent on a quest to find the most beautiful rose in creation. This quest is considered sacred and is less about actually finding the most beautiful rose ever, but is more about taking the time to meditate on the nature of love and beauty itself.

Sacred to Peitho

Acts of sex and pleasure
Losing oneself to passion for a time
Creating art and beauty
Helping to form the bonds of love

Typical Offerings

Acts of passion are one of the primary offerings to Peitho, either with a single partner, many partners, or by oneself -- this includes all manner of sex acts, of course, but also dance
Courtship gifts -- poetry, artwork, flowers, candies -- are often offered to Peitho to “woo” her
Perfumes, cosmetics, and any object of use to beautify oneself

Worship

Major Areas of Worship

Peitho is *heavily* worshiped within Montaigne. Most cities across Europa have at least a small temple of some variety to her, although in conservative areas like Ruskovich, her worship is derided.

Oaths

Devotion, Redemption, Ancients

Holidays

The last day of September is worshiped as Peitho’s wedding day to Lucetius. Lovers spend the day together, exchanging gifts and just celebrating their love. Many take the day to try and being a new courtship The first day of May is known as the Night of Blossoms. Celebrants spend the daylight hours bathing, grooming, and beautifying themselves in solitude, contemplating the nature of beauty and passion. In the evening, grand “parties” are held, which are basically just massive orgies with wine and food and dancing. Every temple to Peitho will host a party, although some private houses do as well. Weddings are considered sacred days to Peitho

Common Sayings and Blessings

“In all things, Beauty” -- a saying used in many situations, whether to remind one to act with grace, or even to see the best in a bad situation
“Even the softest Rose has thorns” -- a warning that no Rose will allow themselves or others to be taken advantage of, but also that any situation may hide unintended consequences
“Love is to join and to separate” -- a common wedding blessing, used to remind the lovers that love is not the joining of two halves, but the combining of two wholes into a greater strength

Priesthood

Head of the Church

Matroness Elian Torres de la Ruiz, a human cleric. The grand temple of Peitho is located in the capital of Montaigne The Novandrian Temple is known as the Resplendent Rose

Church Organization

There are three facets of the Rose Church -- the Petals, the Stems, and the Thorns The Petals are the social face of the Church. They serve as patrons of the arts, hosting salons, competitions, and expos. They also serve as facilitators of polite society, helping to smooth out snafus and problems. Many Petals are members of or have trained with the Confidantes’ Guild The Stems are the Church’s support. These priests are the ones going out, fostering love and beauty in the world, performing marriages and relationship counseling, acting as diplomats, and other such tasks The Thorns consider themselves Peitho’s fury. They are the martial arm of the Church, tasked with bringing the might of Peitho down on serial heartbreakers, abusers, and manipulators.

Clothing

Roses are expected to take particular pride in their appearance, dressing in stylish, elegant clothing. Many favor red in their garments, or wear rose iconography in their jewelry or decorating their clothing. Armor and shields are often embossed with roses or burning hearts

Membership

Anyone who has been proven to be an abuser of any kind is forbidden from entering the ranks of the Church

Typical Followers

Those in love or seeking such affections, courtesans and prostitutes, artists

Political Influence & Intrigue

Interaction with Society

The Church of Peitho performs weddings, relationship counseling, and matchmaking services
The Confidantes’ Guild is sacred to Peitho, though the Church protects sex workers of every variety
The Church acts as patrons of the arts and social circles

Ceremonies

Weddings and commitment ceremonies

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Leader

Elian Torres de la Ruiz

Divines

Peitho, Goddess of Love & Beauty

Notable Members

Elian Torres de la Ruiz

Related Myths

The Wooing of Peitho

Religions of Terranon