Ianna, Mother of Masks

Ianna (/aɪaːnaː/) is the goddess of dark magic, illusions, secrets, and lies. She is worshiped by secret cults of magic-obsessed hedge mages who have either rejected or been rejected by mainstream magical schools and societies. Con artists and other professional (and unprofessional) liars also worship her.

History

The Age of Dawn

Towards the end of the Age of Dawn, young Ianna, who was then one of Hasra's most devoted worshipers, was set adrift by the death of her favorite brother, Arild. Arild had been murdered, at the hands of a rival for his beloved's heart, whom his beloved went on to marry. In her sorrow, Ianna turned to the dark magics, which Hasra had forbidden out of respect for her own brothers Lanush and Thesridan who held the sanctity of life above all else. But Ianna would hear none of Hasra's warnings, and continued her research, hoping to find a way to return Arild to life. She failed. In her final attempt to pull her brother's soul back from the Ether, she instead created a creature of undeath- a revenant, which slew her where she stood. As Ianna's soul left the mortal plane, she cursed her once-loved goddess, and in doing so ascended to divinity herself, becoming the god of all that is hidden from mortal eyes.

Description

Appearance

In the moment of her ascendance, for reasons unclear to religious scholars, Ianna was transformed into a shadow giant. Her skin turned to onyx, and her long hair, which once fell in amber ringlets, faded into starlight silver. Dark smoke seeps from behind the eyes of her otherwise featureless silver mask. She wears chiffon and silk evening gowns in shades reminiscent of the night sky, and is never without her dark grimoire.

Personality

Ianna is a mysterious and vengeful goddess. Her motivations are often unknown even to her most devout worshipers, and she punishes any questioning on their part in cold, harsh silence. Despite her penchant for secrecy, however, she is by no means a solitary goddess. Ianna frequently cooperates with other divine beings (primarily lesser creatures, over which she has some level of control) in order to achieve her goals, whatever those may be.

Worshipers

Many of Ianna's worshipers are hedge mages: wizards, witches, and other spellcasters who have turned away from the socially accepted magical practices and institutions (either intentionally or against their will). They are invested in uncovering the forbidden magics which Hasra has denied mortalkind access to since Ianna turned her back on the gods.

The Shrouded

The Shrouded are a select group of elite hedge mages who dedicate every waking moment of their lives to following the Mother's edicts. They have withdrawn from general society, and are required to wear masks in front of non-worshipers.

Edicts and Anathema

Edicts

• Create illusions and false realities

• Bend the truth or tell outright lies

• Keep secrets and hide your true intentions

• Seek out powerful magics and use them for your own ends, or to further the ends of the Mother

Anathema

• Be needlessly honest

• Provide clarity or explanation

• Break illusions (except to advance your own agenda)

• Share knowledge for reasons other than furthering your own ends or the ends of the Mother

Artifacts

Places of Worship and Holy Sites

Deity Information

Titles
Mother of Masks
She Who Speaks Only Lies
Classification
Ascended God
Portfolio
Dark Magic, Illusions, Secrets, Lies
Symbols
A black candle which smokes with a purple haze
Divine Realm
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Alignment
Neutral Evil
Gender
Cisgender Woman
Presentation
Feminine
Pronouns
She/Her

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Worship

Worshipers
Hedge wizards and witches, con artists, necromancers
Holy Days
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Major Temples and Holy Sites
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