Leira

Overview
Leira, also known as The Lady of Deception or The Lady of the Mists, was the goddess of deception and illusions. She was an enigma, never telling the truth when falsehood would do. Everything she did and said was shrouded in layers of illusion and lies. She believed the truth is worthless and that misbelief and falsehood are what gives life meaning. Some still believe Leira is alive and that she uses her death as a grand illusion, but the general consensus is that she is a dead power.

Worshipers
Leira had quite a small following. Her priests, known as Leirans, or Worshipers of the Mistshadow, wore silver masks and often disguised themselves to deceive those around them. Leirans would speak the truth only to other Leirans. High-level clerics of the Leiran faith were called Mistcallers.

Every morning, and on every moonlit night, Leirans lay face down and prayed to the Lady of the Mists. If there was any mist, Leirans would walk through it and pray. The most revered act in the Leiran faith was the "Unmasking", a purification ritual performed when new followers entered the faith.

The highest concentration of Leira's followers could be found on the Island of Nimbral and its vassal state Samarach. While the people of Nimbral rebelled against the influence of Leira's clergy, Samarach is still held under the sway of those who believe her still alive and many of her follower's practices are still in place.

While Leira may have had few dedicated followers, a worshiper of the Faerûn pantheon would offer a prayer to pay homage to her before an important decision or judgement.

Orders
Mistcallers

Specialty priests of Leira, with limited powers of illusion, the Mistcallers were the clerical order most commonly associated with the church, though no one could be sure how many there were.

Mistwalkers

A sect of the church first appearing after the Time of Troubles, the Mistcallers continued to display the ability to cast divine magic, but were purposefully ambiguous about the "alleged" death of their goddess and whether their magic was granted by a living Leira or by Cyric.

Relationships
Leira's allies were Mask, who betrayed her, and Azuth. She was opposed by Oghma, as her lies were a hindrance to knowledge.

History
Months after the Avatar Crisis, Leira was slain by the new deity of death Cyric, wielding the sword Godsbane, which was in fact an avatar of Mask. Her portfolios were subsequently absorbed by the mad god.

Fifth Edition

Leira is listed in the Deities of the Forgotten Realms table in the Player's Handbook, suggesting she is officially considered alive once more.

Dogma
"The Lady is never quite what you think she is. Truth is a worthless thing to know and worth even less to speak aloud. Never speak truth where falsehood will suffice. Cherish and further illusions and rumors, for distortion and legend are what make folk happy and life alluring. Hiding a thing gives it value by the very act of cloaking."