Loviatar — Finnish Mother of the Nine Diseases
Loviatar births the Nine Diseases; the first weapon against each is its true name. When a winter fever breaks every healing charm in a village, someone has forgotten the song that gives the illness its origin. Her children move from Tuonela into mortal households, but a name recovered in time can send them back.
At a Glance
| Identity | Finnish and Karelian Loviatar, also called Lowyatar; blind daughter of Tuoni |
|---|---|
| Portfolio | Plagues, named illness-spirits, pestilence and the origin of diseases |
| Divine status | Lesser deity, divine rank 10; Neutral Evil |
| Home | Tuonela, land of the dead across the black river; her influence spreads into Pohjola |
| Relations | Tuoni and Tuonetar; Kiputyttö holds suffering at the pain-stone, while Vammatar is invoked to remove wounds rather than cause them |
| Allies and foes | Louhi unleashes the diseases; Väinämöinen knows cures and wards |
| Signs | Nine scratches in frost; a chill beneath a closed door; an ailment with no remembered name |
| Cleric domains | Death, Evil, Plague, Pain and Retribution (rules below) |
| Sacred focus | Nine notches on a stone and the sung origin of an affliction; the scourge belongs to another literary/game tradition |
Mother of the Nine Diseases
In Rune XLV of the Kalevala, Loviatar is the blind daughter of Tuoni, impregnated by the wind, who gives birth to nine personified diseases. Louhi sends them against the people of Kalevala. Väinämöinen answers with healing saunas, herbs, incantations and prayers to Ukko. The children’s names differ between traditions and translations; they are not a universal catalogue of medicine.
Her special power is not a generic appetite for torture. It is motherhood over malignant afflictions, a hold over their origins and the danger of a sickness whose true name has been lost. Her servants are feared at remote hearths and riverside shrines; the greatest threat is the healer who knows an illness’s name and chooses to keep the cure for ransom.
Her presence in the world
At cold river stones in Pohjola, frightened families leave salt and dark bread and whisper the origin of a disease into the wind. These are campaign rites, not claims of universally attested Finnish worship. Loviatar gives exact bargains: speak the truth about the afflicted, return one wandering disease to Tuonela, or take a winter’s immunity in exchange for a later debt.
The pain-stone Kipu-kivi is a place where a lost healing-word can be heard. Tuonetar receives those who have died, while Loviatar acts upon those still fighting to survive.
Encounters and Adventures
She is blind but hears a fever in a person’s breathing. She does not ask a supplicant’s name first: she asks which disease they have brought. A truthful origin-song wins a single cure; a false one may follow the speaker back home.
- The Missing Verse at Kuusamo. Healer Aila knows eight names in her curing song. Louhi’s courier has stolen the bark-scroll carrying the ninth. The party can negotiate with him, recover the scroll or learn the word from the fevered villagers, but must also choose how to shelter the sick before the spring thaw.
- The Ferryman’s Debt. A living trader accidentally smuggles one of the Nine Diseases out of Tuonela. A ferryman demands its return, but it now shelters inside the trader’s uninfected daughter. The party can find a substitute vessel, bargain for her safety, or risk spreading the affliction farther.
- The Rock That Hears. Väinämöinen sends the party to Kipu-kivi for an inscription, while Louhi’s servants race to claim the same words to awaken a sleeping fever. Destroying the stone prevents the outbreak but loses a cure; protecting it preserves both possibilities.
Gifts to Worshippers
The following Plague Domain is a campaign ruling for clerics, not a claim of an official published domain. The god’s personal spells appear separately in her mechanics.
| Cleric level (2024 / 2014) | Always prepared domain spells |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bane, Ray of Sickness |
| 3 | Blindness/Deafness, Ray of Enfeeblement |
| 5 | Bestow Curse, Feign Death |
| 7 | Blight, Death Ward |
| 9 | Contagion, Insect Plague |
D&D 2024, 3rd-level domain gift. Once per Long Rest, when a creature fails a saving throw against one of your cleric spells, mark it with a named ailment until the end of your next turn; its Speed is reduced by 10 feet and it cannot take Reactions. D&D 2014, 1st-level domain gift. Once per long rest, use an action to force one creature within 30 ft. to make a Constitution save against your spell DC or be poisoned until the end of your next turn.
Pathfinder 1e. Clerics may take the Evil or the Pathfinder-compatible Retribution domain (published third-party rules). Campaign Plague subdomain: a standard-action melee touch sickens one living creature for 1 round per two cleric levels (Fortitude negates; DC 10 + half cleric level + Wisdom modifier), once per day. Domain spells of levels 1–9: cause fear, blindness/deafness, contagion, poison, insect plague, harm, destruction, horrid wilting, energy drain.
D&D 3.5e. Clerics use Evil or Pain or Retribution, or the campaign Pestilence domain with the same once/day standard-action touch and Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + half cleric level + Wisdom modifier). Levels 1–9: cause fear, blindness/deafness, contagion, poison, insect plague, harm, destruction, horrid wilting, energy drain.
Game Statistics
Four separate, unofficial and unplaytested divine builds follow. Their mythic difficulty is not a balance guarantee. The Nine Diseases are manifestations of her abilities, not independently statted companions.
Loviatar, Mother of the Nine Diseases
Medium Celestial (Deity), Neutral Evil; Divine Rank 10
AC 25; HP 550 (44d8 + 352); Speed 40 ft., Fly 40 ft. (hover)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (+6) | 24 (+7) | 26 (+8) | 26 (+8) | 30 (+10) | 30 (+10) |
Saves Dex +16, Con +17, Wis +19, Cha +19; Skills Medicine +19, Insight +19, Perception +19; Resistances Cold, Psychic; Immunities Necrotic, Poison damage; Frightened, Poisoned, Exhaustion conditions; Senses Blindsight 240 ft. (blind beyond); Passive Perception 29; Languages Finnish, Karelian, Tuonela speech; Telepathy 240 ft.; CR 30 (155,000 XP); PB +9.
Traits
Legendary Resistance (4/Day). Change one failed saving throw into a success. Magic Resistance. Advantage on saves against magic. Blind Mother. Darkness cannot suppress her Blindsight. Destruction of her mortal form sends her back to Tuonela.
Actions
Multiattack. Three Disease Lash attacks. Disease Lash. Melee Attack Roll: +19, reach 15 ft.; Hit: 36 (4d12 + 10) Necrotic damage and the target cannot regain Hit Points until the start of her next turn.
Call the Nine (Recharge 5–6). Creatures of her choice in a 60-foot Cone make a DC 27 Constitution save. On failure, 77 (14d10) Poison damage and one level of Exhaustion; on success, half damage and no Exhaustion. A creature that knows and speaks its affliction’s true name has Advantage on this saving throw once per encounter.
Bonus Actions
Fever’s Harvest (3/Day). A Poisoned creature she perceives within 120 feet takes 27 (6d8) Necrotic damage, then may repeat its save to end the condition.
Reactions
Unmake the Cure. When a creature within 60 feet regains Hit Points, Loviatar halves the healing and gains Temporary Hit Points equal to the amount prevented.
Legendary Actions
Three uses each round, regained at the start of her turn; one option at the end of another creature’s turn. Plague Step (1). Move half her speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks. Mark the Sick (1). One creature within 90 ft. makes a DC 27 Wisdom save or has Disadvantage on its next save against her before the end of its next turn. Lash (2). One Disease Lash attack.
Personal spellcasting
Wisdom, spell save DC 27, spell attack +19. Spell slots for levels 1–9: 4/3/3/3/3/2/2/1/1, recovered on a long rest. Standard spell casting times, spell components and concentration apply in this edition; this is her personal repertoire, separate from follower domain spells.
- Cantrips: Chill Touch, Poison Spray, Spare the Dying, Thaumaturgy
- 1st: Bane, Ray of Sickness, Command
- 2nd: Blindness/Deafness, Ray of Enfeeblement
- 3rd: Bestow Curse, Dispel Magic, Feign Death
- 4th: Blight, Death Ward
- 5th: Contagion, Insect Plague
- 6th: Harm, Heal
- 7th: Divine Word, Regenerate
- 8th: Antipathy/Sympathy
- 9th: Mass Heal, Power Word Kill
Loviatar, Mistress of Pestilence
Medium celestial, neutral evil; lesser deity
Armor Class 24; Hit Points 525 (42d8 + 336); Speed 40 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 22 (+6) | 26 (+8) | 26 (+8) | 30 (+10) | 30 (+10) |
Saves Dex +15, Con +17, Wis +19, Cha +19; Skills Medicine +19, Insight +19, Perception +19; Immunities necrotic and poison damage; poisoned and frightened conditions; Senses blindsight 240 ft. (blind beyond), passive Perception 29; Languages Finnish, Karelian, Tuonela speech; telepathy 240 ft.; CR 30 (155,000 XP); proficiency +9.
Traits
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). Turn a failed save into a success. Magic Resistance. Advantage on saves against spells and magical effects. If her physical form is destroyed, she returns to Tuonela.
Actions
Multiattack. Three Plague Touch attacks. Plague Touch. Melee Spell Attack +19, reach 10 ft.; hit: 43 (6d10 + 10) necrotic damage. A living target makes a DC 27 Constitution save or is poisoned until the end of its next turn.
Nine Fevers (Recharge 5–6). All foes within 60 ft. make DC 27 Constitution saves, taking 66 (12d10) poison damage and one level of 2014 exhaustion on failure, half damage and no exhaustion on success. A creature that knows a truthful curative name can spend an action speaking it to repeat the save and remove exhaustion caused by this action on success.
Legendary Actions
Three per round, refreshed at start of her turn. Step (1). Move 20 ft. without opportunity attacks. Fever (1). One target within 60 ft. has disadvantage on its next Constitution concentration save before the end of its next turn. Touch (2). Make a Plague Touch attack.
Personal spellcasting
Wisdom, spell save DC 27, spell attack +19. Spell slots for levels 1–9: 4/3/3/3/3/2/2/1/1, recovered on a long rest. Standard spell casting times, spell components and concentration apply in this edition; this is her personal repertoire, separate from follower domain spells.
- Cantrips: Chill Touch, Poison Spray, Spare the Dying, Thaumaturgy
- 1st: Bane, Ray of Sickness, Command
- 2nd: Blindness/Deafness, Ray of Enfeeblement
- 3rd: Bestow Curse, Dispel Magic, Feign Death
- 4th: Blight, Death Ward
- 5th: Contagion, Insect Plague
- 6th: Harm, Heal
- 7th: Divine Word, Regenerate
- 8th: Antipathy/Sympathy
- 9th: Mass Heal, Power Word Kill
Loviatar, Daughter of Tuoni
NE Medium outsider (evil, extraplanar); CR 30; divine rank 10
Init +13; Senses blindsight 240 ft., Perception +54; Languages Finnish, Karelian, Tuonela speech, telepathy 240 ft.; Aura plague wind 30 ft. (Fort DC 44 negates sickened, 1 round).
AC 44, touch 32, flat-footed 35 (+9 Dex, +12 natural, +13 deflection); hp 620 (40d10 + 400); Fort +32, Ref +31, Will +33; DR 20/epic and good, SR 41; immune disease and poison; Speed 40 ft., fly 40 ft. (perfect).
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 (+11) | 28 (+9) | 30 (+10) | 26 (+8) | 32 (+11) | 34 (+12) |
BAB +40, CMB +51, CMD 83; Skills Heal +54, Intimidate +55, Knowledge (religion) +51, Perception +54, Spellcraft +51.
Feats (20) Ability Focus (Plague Wind), Blind-Fight, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Critical Focus, Dodge, Great Fortitude, Improved Critical (scourge), Improved Initiative, Improved Vital Strike, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Lunge, Mobility, Power Attack, Quicken Spell-Like Ability (contagion), Spring Attack, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (scourge), Greater Vital Strike.
Offense
Melee divine scourge +51/+46/+41/+36 (1d8+11 plus 8d6 negative energy). Plague Wind (Su). Standard action every 1d4 rounds: 60-ft. cone, 16d6 negative energy and sickened 1d4 rounds, Fort DC 44 for half damage and no sickness; Charisma-based DC including Ability Focus. Named Cure (Su). An ally who knows the disease’s true name can use a standard action to let an affected creature within 30 ft. repeat its Fortitude save against an ongoing sickened effect.
Divine Defiance (4/day). As an immediate action, reroll a failed saving throw, taking the second result. The death of this form does not destroy the goddess in Tuonela.
Spell-like abilities
Caster level 25; Charisma-based saving throw DC 22 + spell level. At will: detect magic, bane, cause fear, blindness/deafness, bestow curse. Three times per day each: contagion, poison, insect plague, slay living, harm, heal. Once per day each: destruction, regenerate, fire storm, energy drain, mass heal. Activation requires a standard action and provokes an attack of opportunity unless used defensively. Use this edition’s spell texts, durations and spell levels.
Loviatar, Blind Mother of Illness
NE Medium outsider (evil, extraplanar); CR 34 (campaign assessment), divine rank 10
Hit Dice 40d8+400 (580 hp); Init +13; Speed 40 ft., fly 40 ft. (perfect); AC 44, touch 32, flat-footed 35; BAB/Grapple +40/+51; Fort +32, Ref +31, Will +33; DR 20/epic and good, SR 41; Space/Reach 5/5 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 (+11) | 28 (+9) | 30 (+10) | 26 (+8) | 32 (+11) | 34 (+12) |
Skills Concentration +53, Heal +54, Intimidate +55, Knowledge (religion) +51, Listen +54, Spellcraft +51, Spot +54. Languages Finnish, Karelian, Tuonela speech; telepathy 240 ft.
Feats (14) Blind-Fight, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Great Fortitude, Improved Critical (scourge), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Power Attack, Spring Attack, Weapon Focus (scourge), Quicken Spell-Like Ability (contagion).
Offense
Scourge +51/+46/+41/+36 melee (1d8+11 plus 8d6 negative energy); Breath of Illness (Su) standard action every 1d4 rounds, 60-ft. cone, 16d6 negative energy and sickened for 1d4 rounds, Fort DC 42 halves damage and negates sickness; DC is Charisma-based. Origin Name (Su). A creature knowing an authentic healing-name can make a DC 35 Heal check as a standard action to allow an affected ally within 30 ft. a new save against the sickness.
Defense
Immune disease, poison and death effects; blindsight 240 ft. (blind beyond); fast healing 10; planar travel at will. Defeating her body in the Material Plane only returns her to Tuonela.
Spell-like abilities
Caster level 25; Charisma-based saving throw DC 22 + spell level. At will: detect magic, bane, cause fear, blindness/deafness, bestow curse. Three times per day each: contagion, poison, insect plague, slay living, harm, heal. Once per day each: destruction, regenerate, fire storm, energy drain, mass heal. Activation requires a standard action and provokes an attack of opportunity unless used defensively. Use this edition’s spell texts, durations and spell levels.
Divine Influence
At a shrine claimed by Loviatar, the first wind after dusk whispers the origin of one illness. Once per day, a character who can correctly speak its true name receives Advantage on the next saving throw against disease before dawn (or a +2 sacred bonus in Pathfinder and 3.5e). Completing the full curing song can end a shrine’s curse. Neither the nine disease-spirits nor Kipu-kivi are ordinary equipment for characters to loot.
Sources and Related Pages
Finnish Pantheon · Pohjola · Louhi · Väinämöinen
Mythic source: The Kalevala, Rune XLV (one English translation of the story of the Nine Diseases). Names and details vary in Finnish and Karelian oral material.
Credited historical builds: the older titles Maiden of Pain and Willing Whip, the scourge Painbringer, the Palindrome/Dicefreaks 3.5e fan statistics, and the Liber Mysterium extract credited to Timothy S. Brannan and the Netbook of Witches and Warlocks Team have been preserved in the historical fan-build archive. They represent a different game tradition from the Finnish Nine Diseases.
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