Listen, and you may hear the whispered conversations. In homes, in taverns, around the campfires of travelers, people speak in tones mixed with both scorn and forbidden anticipation. Few speak openly of Eshara, even fewer would be so bold as to offer praise to her. Yet everyone has at least some cause to beg the favor of the Mistress of Secrets, some deed of theirs they would rather the world remain ignorant of.
The goddess Eshara holds sway over somber, mysterious things: darkness, secrets, and the winter. For this reason many deride her, but she possesses a certain inevitability that prevents her exclusion from the common pantheon.
Worship of Eshara has historically been met with trepidation. Temples dedicated to her do exist, but they are few, and typically found in remote regions. Lay followers of the goddess are not always forthcoming with their devotion, preferring to worship in private or in small, select groups of like-minded individuals. Esharan clergy wear robes and veils, keeping their identities safe from easy detection.
Small groups of worshippers are the norm, with semi-secret gathering places in most population centers. Those who find themselves in need of an Esharan tend not to have much trouble locating them, but most turn a willful blind eye. The more devout among the Mistress of Secrets’s followers provide discreet shelter, no questions asked. Naturally, thieves, murderers, and other unpleasant folk occasionally find this useful. Esharans are not in the business of meting out “justice,” but this does not mean they foolishly welcome everyone with open arms. For safety’s sake, many of these safehouse keepers have a healthy amount of suspicion for their own well-being at the hands of their “guests.”
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The Gnoll's Den 