Mistress, Temptress, Whore
Domains: Moon, Entracement, Charm
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Favored Weapon: Whip (The Pleaser)
Novita works her plans through subtlety and manipulation. She first uses her feminine qualities and charisma to bend people to her will, but if that does not work, she resorts to the plethora of enchantments, charms, and other mind-controlling effects she has at her disposal. She encourages her priestesses (all of which must be attractive, nubile women) to do the same.
Being one of the weaker deities, Novita often has to enlist the aid of more powerful gods to back her. She prefers to try and manipulate the male gods, but she has nothing against coercing, bribing, blackmailing, or begging the goddesses for help. She is generally disliked amongst the gods, but, just like attractive women everywhere else, is ultimately accepted.
Novita has worshippers of both sexes; females who wish to manipulate those around them, and weak-willed men who desire either the priestesses or Novita herself. Wealth, pleasure, power, and other such selfish wants are what comprises the core value system of Novita's church. She encourages (and sometimes takes part in) various hedonistic rites throughout the year. Her temples are not to be mistaken for mere brothels, however- men who made that error are now the mindless guards of her temples.
Poisons can only be effective if its package is attractive enough to gain trust; likewise, Priestesses should be lovely, and cloud men's minds. Men are tools, to be used for work and pleasure. Apperance is everything- appear trustworthy, important, strong, or anything else you wish, and you will be. Do not control the kingdom- control the king.
Ceremonies
-Halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, followers of Novita hold a Fertility Festival, a mockery of traditional springtime celebrations. It is one day of complete decadence, debauchery, and revelry. Priestesses are encouraged to recruit as many 'converts' as possible during this time period, more or less as trophies.
-The first day of a Priestess' monthly 'moon blood' is to be spent in solemn, celibate meditation. This is the only time a truly serious state of mind is required by Novita. However, the Priestess' last day of 'moon blood' is rewarded by divine contraception, which the Priestess is encouraged to take advantage of.
-In the rare case a Priestess enters the faith as a virgin, the other Sisters pick a local man (anyone ranging from a peasant to a king) that the new Priestess must seduce within a month (from full moon to full moon)
Leader
Mistress Hedonna Menarche is a cold, bitter woman in her mid-thirties, a sharp contrast to the warmer, friendly women she presides over. She is beautiful, in a distant, empty way, like a wind-blown tundra. Her blue eyes, pale skin, and dark brown hair (pulled back in an austere bun) match her icy personality. She is a Cleric 5/Madame of Novita 7 (See 'Thrall of Graz'zt' from Book of Vile Darkness) that delights in punishing her subjects, men and women alike. She retains her power by regularly sacrificing enthralled males and draining their essence. She shuns contact with anyone that is not a follower of Novita, and is considered somewhat of a shut-in. Dozens of nearly mindless male thralls wait on her day and night, and protect her to the death, if need be.
Magic Variants
Novita's specialities include enchantment and divination.
Clerics can cast enchantment spells that are enhanced by their sensual prowess. Specifically, a spell's Will save can be raised by +1 if a successful perform check is done. The perform skill must be able to have some kind of sensual element to it (exotic dancing, sultry singing), and the perform DC is typically (15 + spell level). An additional +1 is added to the Will save DC for every 10 points the perform check exceeds the perform DC. If the perform check fails, any creatures that save against the spell's Will save are immune to the cleric's enchantment spells for 24 hours.
