Melantha

The Black Rose, the Song of Discord
Symbol:	A fallen black rose surrounded in shed petals lying in a pool of blood
Home Plane:	The Pit of Eternal Sorrow
Portfolio:	Envy, misfortune, accidents, random mischief, pain, unrequited love
Worshipers:	Assassins, capricious individuals, gamblers, rogues, sadists, jilted lovers
Domains:	Chaos, Darkness, Evil, Luck, Suffering, Trickery
Favored Weapon:	“Cacophony & Calamity ” (twin shortswords)
History:	Shortly after Gilana was raped by Xi’rian late in the Second Age, Gilana gave birth to Melantha. Gilana’s pain and misery was fed into her child, and Melantha was born the product of rage, hatred, misery and suffering. With the stormy temper of her erstwhile father, and the complicated dichotomous nature of her unpredictable mother, Melantha was instantly a terror upon the world of Sidereus. Though she has become tamer as years have gone by, Melantha is no less dangerous or unpredictable. Jilted by Aviaz shortly after expressing her love for him, Melantha has held the seed of bitterness in her heart for thousands of years. Despite her Chaotic nature, Melantha appears as an unnervingly calm entity. Usually appearing as a remarkably attractive woman dressed in either heavy black robes or finely crafted black leather armor. In battle she is a whirlwind of devastation as she wields her twin blades expertly, slaughtering those who stand before her.
Relationships:	Daughter of Gilana, Melantha is very little like her mother. While Gilana is the paragon of goodness turned to evil, Melantha never had an ounce of light inside her dark eyes. Melantha hates Zaria. Despite her hatred she can’t help but admire Zaria’s ability to remain collected and calm even when the two meet in battle. Melantha secretly lusts after Xi’rian, wanting desperately to seduce and ultimately destroy the being who fathered her. Melantha has little concern for the remainder of the pantheon, and rarely sees a need to be bothered with them.
Dogma:	Life is a capricious and unpredictable river, sweeping along all in its path. You have no chance to stand against it; instead revel in its merciless chaos and join the dance. No matter the situation, things can always get worse, and only by doing Melantha’s will may the worst of your misfortunes be avoided. The random chaos of motion, noise and activity are precious things, for in the sensation of our senses being overwhelmed do we find what it truly means to be alive. Wisdom teaches that too much good luck is a bad thing, and that only through suffering and the scourge of pain can one survive the trials of this life. Tragedy and misfortune are as precious as any flower, for it is in life’s darkest tales that true beauty comes to light. Teach others to embrace their misfortune so that they too may be spared the ill luck of the Black Rose.
Clergy & Temples:	Members of the largest sect of followers of Melantha are called Thornmaidens by many of the people of Sidereus. The largest Church of Melantha is a loosely knit group; composed primarily of women from all races and creeds. These women act almost as avatars of their mistress, causing discord and shattering dreams wherever they tread. The followers of Melantha typically wear dark purple, black and silver robes, and often wear a variety of jewelry usually crafted from platinum, silver and onyx or jet. Many of Melantha’s followers are skilled warriors as well.