Truth Scars Her Face

The Goddess of Truth held court, nobles and courtesans fussing over the administration of her affairs, as servants of Truth came forth to solicit her counsel.

Her twin sister, the Goodes of Lies, did the same. The elder children of Facts and Perspective, the Sisters battled for influence over the hearts of humans, battered as they were by their younger siblings, Opinion and Bias.

Self-indulgent and petty, Lies filled her days with self-adornment. Largely ignoring her servants, Lies spent every moment of every day beautifying herself. Arrayed in lavish makeup, each gown more extravagant than the last, the palace of Lies overflowed, as those who sought her found her words soothing, and reassuring.

Truth saw her sway over the hearts of humans waning, and forsook all embellishments. As lovers of Truth dwindled, she took to holding court stark naked, hoping to grasp the attention of humankind. Still, humans ignored naked Truth, to their detriment. Disconsolate at her rejection, in a fit of rage, Truth grabbed the Vase of Consequences which sat at the center of her tribunal, and smashed it on the floor of her courtyard.

And then she picked up a jagged shard, and began to scar her face.

Horrified and confused, her courtesans begged her to stop, assuring her of her beauty and asking what could have driven her to such madness. “Observe my sister” Truth replied. “People line up to have their ears tickled. They go seeking confirmation, and find comfort. Her servants multiply, while fewer and fewer seek my guidance. Everybody believes a beautiful Lie. But me, Truth?” she asked.

“Nobody believes Truth until she’s too ugly to deny.”

“May they see themselves reflected in my disfigurement, and may the discomfort I bring rouse them from indolence and spur them to action, before it’s too late.”