Ishtar, “Goddess of love, fertility, war, and sexuality”
Ishtar is a Mesopotamian goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, and wisdom, known for her dual nature and fierce independence.
![Ishtar](https://spiralworlds.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ishtar-1024x1024.png)
- Pantheon: Mesopotamian pantheon
- Deity Title: Goddess of love, fertility, war, and sexuality
- Deity Symbol: Eight-pointed star, lion, dove, rosette
- Home Plane: N/A, but she was believed to have descended into the underworld
- Deity Level: Greater deity
- Alignment: Chaotic good
- Aliases: Inanna (Sumerian), Astarte (Phoenician), Aphrodite (Greek)
- Superior: None
- Traditional Allies: Dumuzi (her consort), Shamash (sun god), Anu (sky god)
- Traditional Foes: Ereshkigal (queen of the underworld), Kur (dragon of primeval chaos)
- Divine Artifact: A bow made of divine gold
- Servants: None mentioned specifically, but she was often depicted with attendants and a retinue of divine beings
- Servitor Creatures: None specifically mentioned
- Sacred Animal: Lion
- Manifestations: Lightning, fire, storm clouds, the planet Venus
- Signs of Favor: Fertility, prosperity, love, victory in battle
- Worshipers: Kings, queens, warriors, lovers, prostitutes
- Cleric Alignments: Chaotic good, chaotic neutral
- Specialty Priests: Temple prostitutes, war priests, fertility priests
- Holy Days: Ishtar Festival, celebrated in the spring, and the Akitu festival, celebrated in the fall
- Portfolio: Love, fertility, sexuality, war, victory
- Domains: Chaos, Good, War, Charm, Earth, Fire, Healing
- Favored Weapon: Longbow
- Favored Class: Cleric
- Favored Race: Humans, elves
- Duties of the Priesthood: Perform sacred rites, interpret omens and signs, manage temple affairs, serve as intermediaries between Ishtar and her worshipers
- Major Cult/Temple Sites: The city of Uruk in ancient Sumer, the city of Babylon in ancient Babylonian, and the city of Ashkelon in ancient Phoenicia
- Benefits: Protection from enemies, fertility, success in love and war, ability to interpret omens and signs, increased charisma and attractiveness
Ishtar is a Mesopotamian goddess who embodies a complex and dynamic character, driven by a desire to assert her independence and power over the world. As the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, and wisdom, Ishtar is a multifaceted being with many responsibilities and ambitions.
At her core, Ishtar is a passionate and assertive goddess who is fiercely protective of her people and her domain. She is known for her beauty and charisma, and her ability to captivate and seduce those around her. Yet she is also a formidable warrior, unafraid to fight for what she believes in and to defend her people against their enemies.
Ishtar’s motivations are complex, and her actions are often driven by a desire for power and control. She seeks to be revered and worshiped by her followers, and to be recognized as one of the most powerful and influential goddesses in the pantheon. She is also motivated by a desire to protect and nurture life, particularly that of her people and the natural world.
Despite her many responsibilities and ambitions, Ishtar is not without her flaws. She can be impulsive and hot-headed, and her fierce independence can sometimes lead her to act in ways that are detrimental to herself or others. Yet her charisma and strength of will make her an inspiring figure to her followers, who see her as a symbol of power, fertility, and love.
In her quest for power and influence, Ishtar faces many challenges and obstacles. She must navigate the complex politics of the pantheon, and contend with the jealousy and envy of her fellow gods and goddesses. Yet through it all, she remains steadfast and determined, driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to achieve greatness.
Ishtar is a tall, striking goddess with long, flowing hair and piercing eyes. She exudes an aura of power and charisma, and her beauty is renowned throughout the land. Her form is shapely and graceful, with curves in all the right places, and she moves with a fluidity and grace that is unmatched. She wears a flowing gown of richly colored fabrics, adorned with jewels and intricate patterns that shimmer in the light.
Ultimately, Ishtar’s story is one of power, passion, and ambition. She is a goddess who is not content to simply exist in the world, but who seeks to shape and control it in her own image. Whether she succeeds in her goals or not, she remains a figure of awe and inspiration to those who worship her, and a reminder of the enduring power of the divine in the world.
Ishtar, Goddess of Love, War, and Fertility
![Ishtar, Goddess of Love, War, and Fertility](https://spiralworlds.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ishtar2-1024x1024.png)
Greater Deity, Chaotic Good, Love, War, Fertility
Armor Class: 30 Hit Points: 500 (30d20 + 150) Speed: 60 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 30 (+10) 30 (+10) 30 (+10) 30 (+10) 30 (+10) 30 (+10)
Skills: Persuasion +30, Insight +30 Senses: Truesight 120 ft., Hearing, Darkvision 120 ft. Languages: All
Damage Resistances: Necrotic, Radiant Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned, Stunned Saving Throws: Dexterity +30, Constitution +30, Wisdom +30, Charisma +30
Divine Awareness: The deity is aware of events within a 10-mile radius. Divine Aura: The deity exudes an aura that grants a +5 bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, saving throws, and ability checks to allies within 60 feet, and deals 20 radiant damage to foes within 60 feet. Divine Realm: The deity has a realm called the “Halls of Heaven” that reflects their portfolio and power.
ACTIONS
Radiant Spear: Melee Weapon Attack: +35 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 70 (10d10 + 10) radiant damage. Sword of Love: Melee Weapon Attack: +35 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 60 (8d10 + 10) slashing damage and the target must succeed on a DC 30 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the deity for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns, ending the effect on a success.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
The deity can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The deity regains spent legendary actions at the start of their turn.
Radiant Burst: The deity unleashes a burst of radiant energy that deals 50 (10d10) radiant damage to all creatures within 30 feet. Divine Healing: The deity regains 50 hit points. Divine Inspiration: The deity grants a creature within 60 feet a +10 bonus to their next attack roll, ability check, or saving throw.
SPELLS
The deity has access to all spells in the domains of Love, War, and Fertility.
DIVINE ARTIFACT
The deity wields the “Scepter of Heaven”, a magical scepter that allows the deity to cast the spell Gate at will, and can be used to summon celestial creatures to fight for the deity.
LAIR ACTIONS
The deity’s lair is a beautiful palace in the “Halls of Heaven”. While in her lair, the deity can summon 1d4 planetar to fight for her, can cast the spell Mass Heal at will, and can use her Divine Inspiration legendary action twice per turn.
REGIONAL EFFECTS
In areas where the deity’s influence is strong, flowers and vegetation bloom and grow rapidly, and creatures within the area gain advantage on Charisma-based checks. In addition, the deity can grant boons to those who worship her, such as temporary hit points, advantage on attack rolls, or guidance on skill checks.
Ishtar
![Ishtar](https://spiralworlds.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ishtar1-1024x1024.png)
Roleplaying Elements from
Liber Mysterium The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks
By Timothy S. Brannan and The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks Team Full netbook can be found on the followng website
Ishtar of the Babylonians, and alternately Inanna of the Sumerians, represent the duality approach to the female deity, both are to be considered Nature deities; that is, human nature. Both are the chief goddesses of their pathos, both are the goddesses of love, and therefore sexuality. Also both are the goddesses of War, and therefore violence. Their witches tend to have mercurial, almost chaotic personalities. Covens tend to be very ancient and set in their ways. Rituals will usually be consisted of old, lengthy litanies and sacrifices. Ishtar’s witches are also as likely to pick up a weapon, as they are to use magic.
Ishtar | |
Cleric 24/Mystic Wanderer 10/fighter 10 | |
Medium-Size outsider (Extraplanar) | |
Divine Rank | 18 |
Hit Dice | 20d8+140 (outsider) plus 24d8+168 (Cleric) plus 10d10+60 (fighter) plus 10d8+60 (980 hp) |
Initiative | +13 (+9 Dexterity, +4 Improved Initiative) |
Speed | 60 ft. |
AC | 100 (+9 Dexterity, +18 divine, +31 natural, +16 deflection, +16 sacred) touch 53, flat-footed 91 |
Base Attack/Grapple | +42/+69 |
Attack | +5 holy impact icy burst crystal rod +79 melee; or spell +69 melee touch or +69 ranged touch |
Full Attack | +5 holy impact icy burst crystal rod +79/+74/+69/+64 melee; or spell +69 melee touch or +69 ranged touch |
Damage* | +5 holy impact icy burst crystal rod 1d8+38 plus 1d10 cold/19-20/x2 +1d10 cold; or by spell *Always does maximum damage (rod 46+6 cold) |
Face/Reach | 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft. |
Special Attacks | Turn undead 19/day, Domain powers, salient divine abilities, spell-like abilities, sleep, suggestion, charm monster, mass charm. |
Special Qualities | Divine immunities, DR 30/epic, fire resistance 23, spontaneous casting of divine spells, understand, speak, and read all languages and speak directly to all beings within 18 miles, remote communication 18 mile, godly realm, greater teleport at will, plane shift at will, SR 50, divine aura (18 miles, DC 44), greater potion I, greater potion II, greater potion III, lore of nature, familiar |
Saves | Fort +59, Ref +61, Will +68 |
Abilities | Strength 28, Dexterity 28, Constitution 24, Intelligence 30, Wisdom 38, Charisma 42 |
Skills* | Balance +32, Bluff +62, Climb +47, Concentration +79, Craft (alchemy) +68, Decipher Script +38, Diplomacy +83, Disguise +49, Gather Information +49, Handle Animal +64, Heal +50, Hide +37, Intimidate +54, Jump +47, Knowledge (arcana)+78, Knowledge (history) +58, Knowledge (nature)+70, Knowledge (religion) +80, Knowledge (the planes) +66, Listen +59, Move Silently +37, Perform (Dance) +64, Perform (Drums) +49, Perform (Epic) +64, Profession (herbalist) +70, Ride (horse) +49, Sense Motive +55, Spot +52, Spellcraft +69, Swim+47. *Always receives a 20 on checks. |
Feats | Alertness , Awesome Blow, Blind-Fight, Cleave , Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows , Dodge, Empower Spell, Enlarge Spell, Extend Spell, Great Cleave, Greater Spell Focus Greater Spell Focus (enchantment), Heighten Spell, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Disarm , Improved Initiative , Improved Unarmed Strike , Iron Will , Mobility, Multispell x2, Power Attack, Quick Draw, Silent Spell, Snatch Arrows , Spring Attack , Still Spell, Weapon Focus (rod) Weapon Specialization (rod). Whirlwind Attack . |
Divine Immunities | Ability damage, ability drain, acid, cold, death effects, disease, disintegration, electricity, energy drain, mind-affecting effects, Paralysis, poison, sleep, stunning, transmutation, imprisonment, banishment. |
Salient Divine Abilities | Alter Form, Alter Reality, Alter Size, Area Divine Shield, Automatic Metamagic (Quicken Cleric Spells), Avatar, Battlesense, Divine Blast (19/day, 19 miles, 34d12 points of damage), Divine Blessing (Charisma), Divine Inspiration (Love and Desire, DC 44), Divine Shield (10/day, stops 180 points of damage), Divine Spellcasting, Divine Spell Focus (enchantment), Divine Splendor, Divine Weapon Focus (Rod), Divine Weapon Specialization (Rod), Extra Domain (Protection), Extra Domain (Renewal), Extra Domain (War), Instant Counterspell, Mass Divine Blast, Possess Mortal (20 mortals at once, DC 44 to resist), Shapechange. |
Domain Powers | +4 to Charisma for 1 minute 18/day; grant up to 16 people a +4 AC bonus for 24 minutes 18/day; grant +20 resistance bonus to saving throw for 1 hour 18/day; regain 1d8+16 hp 18/day when below 0 hp; |
Spell-like Abilities | Ishtar uses these abilities as a 28th-level caster. The save DCs are 44+spell level. Charm Person, Calm Emotions, Suggestion, Emotion, Charm Monster, Geas/Quest, Insanity, Demand, Dominate Monster, Bless, Shield Other, Helping Hand, Imbue with Spell Ability, Telepathic Bond, Heroes’ Feast, Refuge, Protection from Spells, Prismatic Sphere, Sanctuary, protection from energy, Spell Immunity,Spell Resistance, Antimagic Field, Repulsion, Mind Blank, Lesser Restoration, Remove Disease, Reincarnate, Atonement, Greater Restoration, Polymorph any Object, Freedom, Magic Weapon, Spiritual Weapon Magic Vestment, Divine Power, Flame Strike, Blade Barrier, Power Word Stun, Power Word Blind, Power Word kill. |
Cleric Spells/Day | 6/9/9/8/8/8/7/6/6/6/3/2/2/2/2; base DC = 26 + spell level; DC 42 + spell level with enchantment spells. Caster level 34th. |
Possessions: Ishtar carries a +5 holy impact icy burst crystal rod in battle.
Other Divine Powers
As a greater deity, Ishtar automatically receives the best possible result on any die roll he makes (including attack rolls, damage, checks and saves). She is immortal.
Senses: Ishtar can see, hear, touch, and smell at a distance of eighteen miles. As a standard action, she can perceive anything within eighteen miles of her worshipers, holy sites, objects, or any location where one of her titles or name was spoken in the last hour. She can extend her senses to up to twenty locations at once. She can block the sensing power of deities of her rank or lower at up to two remote locations at once for 18 hours.
Portfolio sense: Ishtar senses any feeling of love eighteen weeks before it happens and retains the sensation for eighteen weeks after the event occurs. She is likewise aware of any act of conception as well as any battle involving 100 or more combatants.
Automatic actions: Ishtar can use Intimidate, Bluff, and Perform as a free action if the DC for the task is 30 or lower. She can perform up to twenty such free actions each round.
Create Magic Items: Ishtar can create magic weapons, armor, and items dealing with beauty or love.
Currently
Ishtar, the Mesopotamian goddess of love, beauty, and war, strides confidently through the bustling streets of Constantinople in the year 1453. Despite being thousands of years old, she looks no different than she did in ancient times, her beauty and power undiminished by the passage of time.
As she walks, she takes in the sights and sounds of the city around her, marveling at the towering buildings, bustling markets, and crowds of people. She has come to Constantinople for a reason – to witness the fall of the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman Turks and to ensure that her worshipers survive the coming upheaval.
Ishtar knows that her worshipers in Constantinople are in peril. The Ottoman Empire is on the march, and its armies are closing in on the city. She can feel the fear and desperation of her followers, and she knows that they will need her help if they are to survive the coming storm.
Determined to do what she can to protect her people, Ishtar makes her way through the city, seeking out her followers and offering them her blessing and protection. She appears to them in their dreams, urging them to stay strong and to fight for their survival.
As the siege of Constantinople reaches its climax, Ishtar stands watch over the city, her eyes blazing with a fierce determination. She knows that the fate of her worshipers hangs in the balance, and she is determined to do whatever it takes to ensure their survival.
In the end, the city falls to the Ottoman Turks, and many of Ishtar’s worshipers are killed or forced into slavery. Yet even in defeat, Ishtar remains a powerful symbol of hope and resilience to those who survive. Her worshipers continue to honor her, and her legacy endures to this day, a testament to the enduring power of the divine in the face of adversity.