Sundren Wiki - User contributions [en]

Vhaeraun

2008-05-12T17:46:00Z

150.135.66.21: New page: '''Vhaeraun:''' ''The Masked Lord, the Masked God of Night, the Shadow'' '''Symbol:''' Black Half-Mask '''Home Plane:''' The Demonweb Pits (Ellaniath) '''Alignment:''' Chaotic...

'''Vhaeraun:'''
''The Masked Lord, the Masked God of Night, the Shadow'' 

'''Symbol:''' Black Half-Mask 
'''Home Plane:''' The Demonweb Pits (Ellaniath) 
'''Alignment:''' Chaotic Evil 
'''Portfolio:''' Drow Males, Evil Activity on the Surface World, Territory, Thievery 
'''Domains:''' Chaos, Drow, Evil, Trickery, Travel 
'''Worshipers:''' Assassins, Half-Drow, Male Drow, Poisoners, Rogues, Shadowdancers, Thieves 
'''Aliases:''' Vhaerun 
'''Cleric Alignments:''' CN, NE, CE 
'''Favored Weapon:''' “Shadowflash” (Shortsword) 

'''History/Relationships:'''
Vhaeraun (Pronounced Vay-Rawn) is the Drow deity of thievery, and the furthering of Drow aims, interests, and power in the Night Above, as the surface world is known to his faithful. He is also the deity of Drow males, opposed to the matriarchy of Lolth, teaching his followers that males are just as skilled and valuable as females, and thus, passively opposing the teachings of Lolth and her priestess’. He also believes that Drow should work with the other Elven races, for common advancement, and that no Elf should ever associate or trade with Dwarves and Gnomes. Humans, Halflings, and other demi-humans can be tolerated, however.

Vhaeraun is vain, proud, haughty, and never forgets slights or deceptions, as he bears grudges for very long periods of time. Any underhanded means and treachery is acceptable to him, so long as it furthers his aims, or is done in his service. But if others pull such tricks on him, or his people, it is a deep sin that cannot go unpunished. He actively involves himself in the affairs of his faithful, and often sends an avatar to assist the work of his priests, so long as the proper rituals are performed, and their need is genuine.

Vhaeraun is the son of Corellon Larethian and Araushnee, who would eventually be exiled from the Seldarine, and would become Lolth. He is also the twin brother of Eilistraee. Vhaeraun not only inherited the dark features and grace of his mother, but her deviousness as well. When Araushnee began scheming to overthrow Corellon Larethian as the leader of the Seldarine, Vhaeraun was the first to jump in her camp, and join her cause. However, when Araushnee’s treachery was exposed by Sehanine Moonbow, who Vhaeraun himself had imprisoned earlier, Vhaeraun was exiled from Arvandor as well.

Without a cause, or a home, Vhaeraun began wandering until he eventually came upon Toril, a planet in Realmspace that was not only inhabited by Elves, but with dark skinned Elves like himself. Vhaeraun appeared to these Dark Elves who inhabited the southeaster portions of the land that would become Faerûn. The majority of the population embraced him. Vhaeraun once again had a purpose, and, more or less, a home.

Having secured a steady base of worshipers, and a steady base of power, attracted Vhaeraun a lot of unwanted attention. His sister, Eilistraee began converting his worshipers, promoting a world where Dark Elves and their cousins to the north lived in harmony, not conflict. The entity that is Ghaunadaur, attracted by the power that so many Dark Elves wielded, began to steal the worship of some of the most powerful and affluent Dark Elves. Lolth would eventually discover Realmspace, and Toril. Lolth greedily began to covet the Dark Elves, and realized that their worship would allow her to become a deity once more.

After the Sundering, Lolth made her move. The worship of Vhaeraun began to diminish, and the worship of Lolth began to increase. Vhaeraun challenged his mother, but lost. This allowed her to seize a portion of his divine spark, and become a deity once more. Ever since, Vhaeraun has been plotting with his faithful to extract his revenge on the Spider Queen, and those who follow her.
After the Descent of the Drow, Vhaeraun found a way to distance himself from his mother, and allow his power to grow virtually unopposed by her. Vhaeraun espoused to return to the surface world, a world that rightly belonged to the Drow. Those who heeded his call established permanent settlements on the surface world, while those who worshiped Lolth, and the other members of the Dark Seldarine stayed in the Underdark, creating a buffer of sorts between the different deities and their factions.
While some of his plots have caused Lolth to suffer setbacks, a few of the Masked Lord’s plots have actually benefited his mother, unintentionally, of course. For instance, when Drow from the Underdark were invading the Yuirwood, Vhaeraun kidnapped Zandilar, one of the Elven deities of the Yuir, and conceived a deific child with her. Vhaeraun intended to use this child to aid him in his machinations against Lolth. The child would eventually grow up to become Selvetarm, the Champion of Lolth.
Most recently, in 1372 DR, the Year of the Unstrung Harp, Vhaeraun directly tried to destroy Lolth. After she fell silent, Vhaeraun, with the help of one of his priests, appeared in the Demonweb Pits, with the goal of destroying Lolth’s prone, paralyzed form. Vhaeraun might have succeeded, had Selvetarm not interfered. The two deities fought to a standstill, and toppled off of the great web that Lolth’s fortress trod upon into Ghaunadaur’s divine realm below.

Vhaeraun survived, but seemed to have been permanently injured, as a hand had been cut off at the wrist. He would again try to destroy Lolth during her silence, this time hiring the services of some powerful Yugoloth. However, before he could succeed, Lolth woke, more powerful than ever. Vhaeraun decided not to test the power of the reborn Lolth, and abandoned his plot to destroy her for the moment.

Most of Vhaeraun’s alliances are alliances of temporary convenience. In other words, most of the alliances the Masked Lord enters into a temporary, and he feels no particular shame in betraying a former ally when it is convenient. There are a few deities, however, that Vhaeraun seems to be in an extended, permanent alliance with. These deities include Mask, Shar and Talona.

While he hates all of the Seldarine, Vhaeraun harbors a particular enmity for Sehanine Moonbow, who escaped the Masked Lord's prison at great cost to herself and unmasked the implicated of both Vhaeraun and Araushnee in bringing the Anti-Seldarine coalition to Arvandor. Likewise, the Masked Lord nurtures a hatred towards Eilistraee, who always held Corellon's favor more than Vhaeraun. The Masked Lord reserves his greatest hatred, though, for the Spider Queen, who gave birth to him long ago, and set him forth on the road that he walks today- that of evil, betrayal and treachery. While he lacks the strength to challenge Lolth in a confrontation directly, he works against her in shadows, undermining her in silence, and looking to unite all other Drow and Elven powers against her.
Vhaeraun’s other enemies include Blibdoolpoolp, Cyrrollalee, Deep Duerra, Diinkarazan, Diirinka, Ghaunadaur, Gzemnid, Ilsensine, Ilxendren, Laduguer, Laogzed, Maanzecorian, who has since been slain, Psilofyr, Selvetarm, Sharess, The Blood Queen, and The Great Mother.

Vhaeraun’s divine realm, known as Ellaniath, is nothing more than a small hiding place near the bottom of the Demonweb Pits where Vhaeraun can hole up in and hide when need be. Only Vhaeraun, and perhaps Lolth, know the exact location of the Masked Lord’s realm, since Vhaeraun steals the memories of all who enter into it, including weaker deities. Since the Demonweb Pits were ripped from the Abyss, and altered into a blasted wasteland, it is unknown what became of Ellaniath.
Divinations, and other magics that allow one to glance into the future, hint towards strange developments concerning the Masked Lord. Most of these visions are cloudy, but, more often than not, when one casts these spells, one sees Vhaeraun leaping into Arvandor, followed by the goddess Eilistraee wearing Vhaeraun’s half-mask, surrounded by an aura of inky darkness and milky opalescence. What this means is unknown. 

'''Dogma:'''
The shadows of the Masked Lord must cast off the tyranny of the Spider Queen and forcibly reclaim their birthright and rightful place in the Night Above. The existing Drow matriarchies must be smashed, and the warring practices of twisted Lolth done away with so that the Drow are welded into a united people, not a squabbling gaggle of rival Houses, clans, and aims. Vhaeraun will lead his followers into a society where the Dark Elves once again reign supreme over the other, lesser races, and there is equality between males and females. 

'''Avatar/Manifestations:'''
Vhaeraun frequently dispatches his avatar to answer summoning rituals performed by his priests. Other than these special summoning rituals, Vhaeraun rarely sends avatars to aid his faithful. Instead, he prefers to manifest to his worshipers in some way, when the proper summoning ritual is not performed.

Vhaeraun appears as a fit, slim, graceful, handsome Drow male with eyes and hair that change their hue, depending on the Masked Lord’s mood. Red signifies anger, gold signifies triumph, blue signifies amusement, and green signifies puzzlement, and curiosity. He is clad in loose fitting silk clothes in dark colors, and never wears armor of any sort. He always wears a long, flowing black cloak that is translucent, and melts into the darkness around Vhaeraun. Its folds can harmlessly absorb most spells, completely protecting Vhaeraun’s avatar, and any other beings who are nearby, and would otherwise be harmed by the spell.

When he cannot send his avatar, or when the proper summoning ritual is not performed, he sends a flitting black shadow that cloaks and empowered a favored individual for a short period of time. Vhaeraun also sends manifestations to signify his displeasure, or his defiance towards rivals or enemies of his faithful. This usually takes the form of a floating, insubstantial half-mask made seemingly of shadows, that drifts silently to confront the beings he wishes to confront, passing any magical barriers on the way. The mask can only move, and utter a chilling, mocking laugh. Those who hear the laugh are unnerved, and those who are weak of will are affected as if they were affected by a Fear spell (DC 15).

More commonly, the Masked Lord sends a region of absolute, impenetrable darkness, black cats, ravens, dead spiders, agni manis, black opals, black sapphires, black-hued chalcedony, crown of silver, hematite, horn coral, black-hued jasper, jet, black-hued marble, obsidian, black-hued onyx, black-hued pearls, ravenar, or samarskite to show his favor or displeasure and as a sign to inspire his faithful. 

'''Agents/Petitioners:'''
Vhaeraun is served by Black Cats, Drow, Gehreleth (Farastu, Kelubar, and Shator), Mephits (Air, Smoke, and Earth), Ravens, Shadow Dragons, Shadow Fiends, Shadows, Vaeraith, and Yeth Hounds.
Vhaeraun has a few proxies, who carry out his will across the multiverse. He keeps the names, identities and abilities of these individuals a secret, however. Only one of his proxies has ever been identified- a Drow man by the name of Allinzir G’Leera. All of Vhaeraun’s proxies are believed to be male Drow schemers, like Allinzir, who have exceptional thieving skills, the ability to always see things for what they are, and the ability to meld into the darkness. 

'''The Church of Vhaeraun:'''
Vhaeraun’s church is little known on the surface world, and in Drow cities dominated by Lolth. However, in the wilds of the Underdark, as well as in some of the more remote, forested areas of Faerûn, Vhaeraun’s name is whispered. Many who dwell on the surface, who are not particularly schooled in this topic, confused Vhaeraun with the Human deity Mask. Though similar, the two remain totally distinct and separate entities.

As necessary for survival, and keeping with the idea of subterfuge, Vhaeraun’s holy sites are never in plain view. In the Underdark, his shrines and temples are hidden in deep, rarely used caverns, disguised by multiple, overlapping globes of Darkness. On the surface world, his shrines and temples are located in shallow woodland caves cloaked by the thick forest canopy. Shrines and temples are decorated with sparking gemstones studded on the walls, to resemble stars, and other celestial bodies.

Collectively, the clergy of Vhaeraun are known as the Masked. Those who are still training, and learning the ways of Vhaeraun are known as Uncloaked. Fully ordained priests are known as Nightshadows. Titles used by individual Clerics vary from place to place, but some common titles I have found, in no particular order, include Ascendant Darkness, Black Moon, Dark Mantle, Deep Rogue, Enveloping Night, Raven’s Claw, Shadow Hunter, Silent Sable, and Twilight’s Herald.
All of Vhaeraun’s Clerics are male. This is because almost all of Lolth’s Clerics are female, and Vhaeraun seeks to undermine and contradict Lolth at every single turn. All of his Clerics are also Drow. In more remote settlements, it is possible that Half-Drow to become ordained as priests, but such occurrences are rare, and few in-between. 

'''Day-to-Day Activities:'''
Vhaeraun's priesthood practices and teaches passive opposition to Lolth and her priestess’. Those who are active on surface call for the unity of all Elven races, and their need to work together for dominion of Faerûn once more. They specialize in intrigue, trickery, and treachery, and foment disobedience and rebellion among disenfranchised males. In all communities other than their native Vhaeraunian bastions, the Masked Lord’s priests disguise their allegiances, for obvious reasons.

Contact, and intermingling with other Elven races is practiced, and encouraged. The children of such Drow and Elven unions usually breed true, spawning a Drow babe. Vhaeraun sees this practice as slowly, but steadily, raising the number of Drow living in the surface lands.

Every priest works to establish some sort of permanent Drow settlement on the surface world. Familial ties usually break up these settlements, with one, or sometimes, two different families living in one community. The majority of these communities are self-sufficient, which allows them to stay better hidden from the rest of the world.

Poison use, poison manufacture, and poison experimentation are also very common. Vhaeraunians are known to be skilled poisonists, and many of the Masked Lord’s faithful spend a great deal of time brewing and testing different sorts of poisons. 

'''Holy Days/Important Ceremonies:'''
All of the important activities of Vhaeraun’s clergy takes place by moonlight, or the lack thereof. Upon accomplishing anything of note that furthers the interests of the Masked Lord, priests and priestess’ utter prayers and thanksgivings, as well as offerings. Offerings almost always include a display of the wealth and power of those they just vanquished, or those who they seek to vanquish. These items are melted in black, bowl-shaped altars, and the contents are offered to Vhaeraun. The bigger value of the total offerings, the more Vhaeraun is pleased, though he favors daily diligence, rather than the rare huge haul.

Midwinter Night, known to Vhaeraun's followers as the Masked Lord's Embrace, is the most sacred time of the year for Vhaeraunians. This annual holy day is celebrated with long, introspective rituals of total sensory deprivation. Each worshiper participating in the “festivities” is expected to cloak him or herself in a globe of Darkness, and levitate at the middle of the sphere for a full 24 hours, all while contemplating Vhaeraun's teachings, and contemplating schemes to advance the Masked Lord's goals in the coming year. All faithful who wish to become involved in this ritual are granted the ability to employ both spell-like effects, with the necessary extended duration, by a special boon of the Masked Lord.

On the surface world, nights of the new moon are considered sacred to the followers of the Masked Lord. Such occasions are observed with midnight stag hunts that take place all over Faerûn, such as in the Forest of Lethyr, the Forest of Mir, the Frozen Forest, the Lurkwood, the Rawlinswood, the Trollbark Forest, and the Winterwood. Groups of Vhaeraunians, mounted on riding lizards brought up from the Underdark, run down a noble stag, and then sacrifice its rack and still-beating heart to the Masked Lord in dark ritual that pervert the ancient ways and customs of we surface Elves. 

'''Major Centers of Worship:'''
The Drow who reside within the great timberland of the Forest of Mir are concentrated in three separate settlements, all connected by tunnels and caverns underground, created during the Night Wars. Each settlement consists of a few buildings dotting the surface and extensive caverns below. Holldaybim, one of the three settlements, is a small community where both males and females rule, and are regarded as equals. The other two communities- Daltnothax and Iskasshyoll- are Vhaeraunian bastions. The Masked Lord has three holy sites in this area- The Hall of Midnight Bloodshed, The Onyx Labyrinth, and the Vault of Cloaked Midnight.

The Hall of Midnight Bloodshed and The Onyx Labyrinth are two small temples dedicated to Vhaeraun. Over the years, both temples have been sacked and destroyed numerous times by the Lolthite Drow of Guallidurth, due to the unending, intermittent conflict between the Lolthites and the Vhaeraunians in the area. However, both temples were designed and created to be the target of the Lolthite’s attacks, since their actual purpose is to divert attacks from the true center of the Masked Lord’s worship, the Vault of Cloaked Midnight. Vhaeraun’s actual high temple is located underneath Mount Serengard, and is known only to Vhaeraun and his followers. 

'''Affiliated Orders:'''
The Dark Dagger, composed of Drow who venerate Vhaeraun, is whispered across dark alleys around the cities and nations of the Inner Sea. Individually powerful, but few in number, Dark Dagger agents habitually use poison, which they are largely immune to, as their “calling card”. Already active in Skullport, Turmish, the Vilhon Reach, and, to a lesser extent, Amn and Calimshan, the Dark Dagger is beginning to infiltrate coast cities all around the Sea of Fallen Stars as well. They quickly take control of local thieving guilds and fellowships behind the scenes, hire skilled Human and humanoid agents as fronts, and establish hidden temples to Vhaeraun. They recruit disaffected Half-Elves and Humans to worship the Masked Lord, whose symbol is identical to that of Mask, the Lord of Shadows.

Though not an organized group, Vhaeraun is also known to be served by various “Traitor Priestess’”. As the name implies, these priestess’ betrayed their former deities, normally Lolth, to work with the Masked Lord. Traitor Priestess’ walk a dangerous line, and a slip in their defenses anywhere can lead to death. Most of Vhaeraun’s Traitor Priestess’ are still in the service of Lolth, spying and funneling information to the Masked Lord. Agents who are discovered, who escape with their lives, flee to the surface in most cases, where they integrate into Vhaeraun’s surface Drow communities. 

'''Priestly Vestments:'''
Vhaeraun's clergy garb themselves in half-masks, loose silk shirts, form-fitting pants, and leather boots, all of which are as black as possible. They are never without at least one bladed weapon, such as a dagger, on their person, and most are normally armed with half a dozen or more such weapons, all in hidden spots.

The god's holy symbol, a black half-mask, can be worn and used like any mask. Clerics of Vhaeraun need only be within a mile of their masks in order to use them to focus spells granted to them by the Masked Lord, or to command and/or destroy Undead creatures. This comes with a small price, however. A Cleric of Vhaeraun must first become attuned to his or her particular mask, wearing it for many tendays. While this itself isn’t any kind of problem, it does mark the Cleric as a Vhaeraunian, which may or may not cause problems. 

'''Adventuring Garb:'''
It is customary for no Cleric of Vhaeraun to wear any type of armor except leather armor, or anything lighter. A wardrobe filled with dark colors is always preferred. Vhaeraun's clergy favor daggers, short swords, and long swords, and other bladed weapons, but they always select the most appropriate weapon for the task at hand. The Masked Lord's Clerics are almost always well versed in the use of poisons, and typically prepare several varieties of poisons, with widely varying onset times, methods of application, and strengths, before embarking on a particularly dangerous task.

Solonor Thelandira

2008-05-12T17:39:50Z

150.135.66.21: New page: '''Solonar Thelandira:''' ''Keen-Eye, The Great Archer'' '''Symbol:''' A silver arrow with green fletching '''Home Plane:''' Arvandor (The Pale Tree) '''Alignment:''' Chaotic ...

'''Solonar Thelandira:'''
''Keen-Eye, The Great Archer'' 

'''Symbol:''' A silver arrow with green fletching 
'''Home Plane:''' Arvandor (The Pale Tree) 
'''Alignment:''' Chaotic Good 
'''Portfolio:''' Archery, Hunting, Wilderness Survival 
'''Domains:''' Chaos, Elf, Good, Plant, War 
'''Worshipers:''' Arcane Archers, Archers, Druids, Elves, Rangers 
'''Aliases:''' N/A 
'''Cleric Alignments:''' NG, CG, CN 
'''Favored Weapon:''' “Longshot” (Longbow) 

'''History/Relationships:'''
Solonar Thelandira (Pronounced So-lo-nar Theh-lan-dee-ruh) is the Elven deity of hunting, archery and outdoor survival. Like other nature deities, he promotes the protection of pristine, unspoiled woodlands. Unlike most other nature deities, however, he promotes the wise and efficient use of woodlands for agriculture and civilization. Keen-Eye supposedly taught the early Elven people how to survive in the outdoor setting, as well as archery and hunting. Because his knowledge of nature and the wilderness is exceptional, and his skill with a bow is unparalleled, we Elves have had a good teacher.

The Great Archer is constantly on the move, hunting his prey. He likes this time alone, since it lets him reflect on how to best serve the balance between wilderness and civilization, between instinct and knowledge, between domesticity and savagery. He is, for the most part, dour and serious, and at times, can even be grim. As the saying goes, he is as straight as an arrow, an honest deity who is fiercely loyal to his allies, and a fierce opponent to his enemies.

Solonar Thelandira works closest with the Seldarine, particularly with Corellon Larethian, Fenmarel Mestarine, Shevarash and Rillafane Rallathil. He works with Corellon Larethian and Fenmarel Mestarine in defending the borders of Elven homelands. According to some myths, the latter of the two is the Great Archer’s brother. Solonar Thelandira works well with Shevarash, since the two are united in their hate for the Spider Queen. Even though they have philosophical differences that sometimes seem to clash, Rillifane Rallathil and Solonar Thelandira put aside any differences they have when defending Elven lands from the ever-increasing flow of Humanity. Some myths romantically link the Great Archer with Eilistraee, even though they may be half-siblings, while other myths link Mielikki and Solonar Thelandira romantically.

Other allies include Chauntea, Cyrrollalee, Emmantiensien, Eldath, Ferrix, Fionnghuala, Gwaeron Windstrom, Oberon, Nobanion, Shaundakul, Silvanus, Skerrit, Titania, the other members of the Seldarine, and various Animal Lords.

Keen-Eye actively opposes any and all deities who corrupt or outright destroy nature. His enemies include Bhaal, who is now dead, Gorellik, Grankhul, Grolantor, Malar, Moander, who is also dead as well, The Queen of Air and Darkness, Talos, Talona and the entire Dark Seldarine, with the exception of Eilistraee.

Solonar Thelandira’s divine realm, the Pale Tree, is a large white tree with silver leaves that towers above the rest of the woods it is in. Platforms, ledges and rope bridges have been built unobtrusively, to connect it to the rest of the forest around it, allowing access to his petitioners. 

'''Dogma:'''
Walk in harmony with nature, and oppose the efforts of those who would disturb her delicate balance. Preserve the wild places with excessive encroachment, and work with those who would settle the land to preserve the beauty that first attracted them. Hunt only for sustenance, culling the old and the weak from the herd so that all species may prosper. Like an arrow in flight, it is difficult to arrest the consequences of an action. Choose your targets carefully, for an ill-considered action can have a long reaching impact. 

'''Avatar/Manifestations:'''
Solonar Thelandira appears as a tall, thin, sinuous male Elf, with pale blue hair and pasty white skin. He wears an archer’s outfit, boots and archery gloves, all of which are earth tones. His bow appears to be a living, gnarled branch, and his cloak is made, literally, of living leaves and vines.

When the Great Archer manifests himself, he usually appears as a sparking silver-green light. When his flame manifests on an individual, it protects them from all missiles shot at them. When he manifests on a bow, he assists the archer with their accuracy for a limited time (+3 Enchantment Bonus for the next 3 Rounds). When he manifests on an arrow in flight, he bestows upon it some kind of magical spell, or effect. Very rarely does he turn a normal arrow into an arrow of slaying.

Solonar Thelandira expresses his favor though the discovery of bloodstones, obsidian, variscite or phandar wood, the tinkling of chime oaks during the winter, the discovery of game in a time of need, and the splitting of an arrow by another arrow during target practice. He expresses his displeasure by causing bowstrings to snap, having birds fly in strange formations, causing animals to exhibit strange behaviors, having an arrowhead chip, shatter or fall off, and by causing bows and arrows to warp. 

'''Agents/Petitioners:'''
The Great Archer is served by Aasimon, Agathinion, Ancient Treants, Androsphinxes, Asuras, Azmyths, Bariaurs, Bears, Bhaerghalas, Buraq, Cath Shee, Centaurs, Coo Shee, Dryads, Einheriar, Eladrin, Elves, Elven Cats, Faerie Dragons, Firbolg, Firestars, Foo Creatures, Frosts, Griffons, Hamadryads, Hollyphants, Hybsils, Incarnates of Courage, Kholiathra, Korred, Lammasu, Lillendi, Lythari, Moon Dogs,Moon Horses, Oreads, Pers, Pixies, Reverend Ones, Seelie Faeries, Silver Dogs, Sprites, Swanmays, Sunflies, Unicorn, Wemic, Wolves and Wood Giants.

Solonar has no Chosen, or Proxies. Every so often, however, he does grant special abilities to some of his most loyal and devout followers. Such gifts vary, but usually include the ability to move around silently within forests, and the ability to have extremely good aim with a bow for a year or so. 

'''The Church of Solonar Thelandira:'''
While Solonar Thelandira, a benevolent member of the Seldarine, is well regarded throughout Elven society, the majority of his worshippers, priests and priestess’ are drawn from those Tel’Quessir who exist, for the most part, out of mainstream Elven society. His worship and church is prevalent among Wood Elves and Moon Elves who live in the more untamed frontiers of Faerûn. Most other Elven races romanticize the teachings of the Great Archer, especially living in harmony with the woods, but are condescending towards the actual rank and file members of the Solonaran faith.

Temples dedicated to Keen-Eye can be found only in the hearts of deep forests, carefully hidden and accessible only by well-guarded woodland paths. Solonaran houses of worship are mixtures of natural beauty, and carefully sculpted arboreal art, emphasizing the two competing principles that Solonar Thelandira espouses. Solonar’s temples contain both ceremonial chambers, which hold hunting trophies, and similar items, and more practical chambers, where more day-to-day activities go on. Solonaran temples are most commonly large trees, such as oaks, that have been carefully cultivated and groomed by priests and priestess’. Solonaran temples commonly have large underground chambers beneath these tree-temples, at the base of the tree’s roots.

Novices in the Solonaran church are known as Fledgelings. Fully ordained priests and priestess’ are known as Hawkeyes. In ascending order, other titles include Fletcher, Bowyer, Archer, Gray Wolf, Snow Tiger, Grizzly Bear, Blood Hawk, Fire Falcon, and Gold Eagle. The highest-ranking priests and priestess’ have their own special, unique titles.

The clergy of Solonar Thelandira is very equally split between all of the different Elven races. There is just about an equal number of Moon, Sun and Wood Elves in his service. Half-Elves of all different background and, interestingly enough, Lythari, round out the rest of the Elves in his clergy. Solonar Thelandira’s clergy is also almost equally split down the gender line, with males outnumbering females only slightly. 

'''Day-to-Day Activities:'''
Keen-Eye’s faithful serve as bowyers, fletchers, archery instructors, scouts, and archers in civilized Elven settlements. In the more rural settlements, they serve as hunters, gatherers, and, in some of the more savage settlements, mystics. When the followers of evil deities make themselves known, followers of the Great Archer are expected to hunt them down and destroy them as soon as possible, before they can cause any harm to others. 

'''Holy Days/Important Ceremonies:'''
The clergy of Solonar Thelandira generally ignores frivolous celebrations, considering them distractions from the task at hand. Every month, under the light of the full moon, Keen-Eye’s faithful gather together to give thanks to Solonar. After sacrificing rare hunting trophies, his followers fire unsharpened arrows into the sky, punching holes in the foliage above, allowing the light of the moon, and the teachings of the Great Archer to shine down upon them. Every Cinnaelos’Cor, more commonly known as Shieldmeet, Keen-Eye’s faithful meet and compete in archery competitions. The winners are said to catch the eye of the Great Archer himself, and receive his blessings. 

'''Major Centers of Worship:'''
Moondark Hill is a hill located east of Evereska, at the base of Eastpeak, one of the largest peaks of the Shaerdim. The hill received it name because the shadow of the mountain cloaks the hill in darkness, even when the moon is full. When the full moon rises above Eastpeak, and Moondark Hill is illuminated, worshippers of Solonar Thelandira gather at the Hall of the High Hunt, a large open-air pavilion surrounded by a colonnade of ancient shadowtop trees, with a spring in the middle, and a cavern complex beneath.

Moonrise Hollow is another holy site for Solonar Thelandira, located in the Moon Elven village of Ssrenshen, in the northern reaches of Deepingdale, between Lake Sember and the Glaemril at the bottom of Moonrise Crag. Moonrise Hollow is actually an ancient oak tree, nearly fifty feet in diameter. The hollow that has been carved out of the tree, serves as a temple dedicated to Solonar Thelandira, as well as the meetinghouse for the Moonshadows, a militaristic order that dates back to Semberholme. The ancient cellars dug beneath the tree contain some of the greatest hunting trophies, tombs of ancient heroes, and the Greenshaft, a holy relic of the Solonaran faith that is said to be the first arrow shot from the bow of Solonar Thelandira. 

'''Affiliated Orders:'''
Keen-Eye’s church has quite a few militaristic orders operating within it. Some are small, and number only a few members. Others are much larger, and in theory, are veritable armies. The Stag Hunters, the Fellowship of the Fleeting Heart, the Wolves of Dawn, the Shadowsheafs, the Knights of the Green Bowm the Keen-Eyed Hunters, and the Archer Knights are all famous martial groups of Solonaran Elves. The less known groups stalk the more shadowed parts of Faerûn. They do not seek attention, and would rather not have the limelight, actually. 

'''Priestly Vestments:'''
Priests and priestess’ of Solonar Thelandira wear silvered Elven chain with silver cloaks and leaf green hoods during religious ceremonies and rituals. The holy symbol of the faith is hung from a leather cord around the priest or priestess’ neck. Some priests and priestess’ also wear a leather disk with three small bird feathers attached to it around their necks during religious ceremonies as well. 

'''Adventuring Garb:'''
While adventuring, faithful Solonarans trade in their ceremonial cloaks and boots for Bracers of Archery, Quivers of Mielikki, Cloaks of Elvenkind and Boots of Elvenkind, when possible. When possible, they wear leather armor, studded leather armor, or Elven chainmail. They favored weapons include daggers, knives, longswords and spears. It goes without saying that priests and priestess’ prefer using bows over all other weapons. When possible, Solonar Thelandira’s faithful use Elven bows- special bows strengthened to be used in hand-to-hand combat, as well as long range combat- instead of normal bows.

Shevarash

2008-05-12T17:36:20Z

150.135.66.21: New page: '''Shevarash:''' ''The Black Archer, The Night Hunter, The Arrow Bringer'' '''Symbol:''' A black arrow snapped in half, above a blue teardrop '''Home Plane:''' Arvandor (Fennimar)...

'''Shevarash:'''
''The Black Archer, The Night Hunter, The Arrow Bringer'' 

'''Symbol:''' A black arrow snapped in half, above a blue teardrop 
'''Home Plane:''' Arvandor (Fennimar) 
'''Alignment:''' Chaotic Neutral 
'''Portfolio:''' Hatred of the Drow, Vengeance, Crusades, Loss, Revenge 
'''Domains:''' Chaos, Elf, Retribution,War 
'''Worshipers:''' Arcane Archers, Archers, Elves, Fighters, Hunters, Rangers, Soldiers, Sorcerers, Those who seek revenge 
'''Aliases:''' Elikarashae 
'''Cleric Alignments:''' CE-CN-CG-N 
'''Favored Weapon:''' “The Black Bow” (Longbow), “Traitorbane” (Great Sword), “Shama” (Spear), “Ukava” (Sling), “Maelat” (Club) 

'''History/Relationships:'''
Shevarash (Pronounced Shev-uh-rash) is the Elven deity if vengeance and military crusades against a hated foe. The Black Hunter has come to embody the hatred the Tel’Quessir have against Drow, and to a much lesser degree, Fey’ri. Because he is worshiped primarily by those who burn with revenge against the Drow, some theologians speculate that Shevarash exists to keep all of that malice, anger and bitterness out of the hearts of the rest of the Seldarine.

The Night Hunter is unique among the Seldarine, as he was once a mortal being, who was raised to divinity with the assistance of Fenmarel Mestarine. The mortal Shevarash lived approximately six thousand years ago, in the lands around the Elven Court. On Midwinter Night –4400 DR, a large army of Drow and Duergar marched from the Underdark. They quickly overran the Dwarven city of Sarphil, which had been left mostly unguarded, since most of the city’s warriors were at the Elven Court, reaffirming their long-standing alliance with their Elven neighbors. The army from the Underdark then turned to the Elven Court itself, and slaughtered countless Elves and Dwarves in a sneak attack.

Shevarash, an archer, was present when the army of Drow and Duergar attacked, and was one of the few to survive the brutality. However, none of his friends or family survived the devastation. Alone, depressed and filled with grief and anger, Shevarash decided that he had no reason to live, other than extracting his revenge for the Dark Court Slaughter, as it would become known as. The grief-stricken Shevarash swore an oath to never smile, laugh, or experience joy until Lolth, and all of her Drow faithful were destroyed.

Shevarash went about doing just this. During his “career”, hundreds of Drow were slain by his hands, male and female, ranging in age from infants to elderly. He was finally slain in –4070, almost 400 years later, after being mauled by a horde of summoned Myrlochar. But, with his final breath as a mortal, Shevarash launched an arrow that buried itself in the breast of Darthiir’elgg Aleanrahel, High Priestess of Lolth, and summoner of those Myrlochar, killing her. Shevarash’s body was recovered by his companions, and he was entombed in a small cave in the Elven Court.

The Lone Wolf, Fenmarel Mestarine, had taken an interest in Shevarash. On my occasions, the Lone Wolf secretly aided Shevarash in his crusade against Lolth, and against Drow. Upon the death of Shevarash, Fenmarel Mestarine received permission by Corellon Larethian to appeal to Ao the Overgod, to grant Shevarash divinity. Ao allowed it, and Shevarash underwent apotheosis.

Shevarash existed in relative obscurity, since he had few worshipers, and the portfolios he had gave him little power. When the Seldarine merged with the deities of the Yuir, Shevarash merged with Elikarashae, another relatively young warrior deity, who hated Drow almost as much as Shevarash. This gave Shevarash a moderate boost in power, and coupled with the fact that his worship base was now steadily growing, Shevarash was now an established member of the Seldarine.

Shevarash has many allies in his war on Drow. Of the Seldarine, he is closest with Corellon Larethian, Fenmarel Mestarine and Solonar Thelandria, though he often gets frustrated at their lack of willingness to take the battle to the Drow themselves. The Human deity Hoar shares Shevarash’s appetite for revenge, and the Human deity Shaundakul shares his thirst to explore the Underdark.

Both Calladuran Smoothhands and Psilofyr share Shevarash’s enmity towards the Drow, and the three deities often collaborate to come up with strategies on how to upset the plans of the Drow. Much to the distress of all of his other allies, Shevarash has recently been drawn to the soothing embrace of Shar. Corellon Larethian is working to slowly distance Shevarash from Shar, but the goddess has a firm hold on Shevarash.

Shevarash’s primary foes are Lolth and the rest of the Dark Seldarine, with the exception of Eilistraee, who he tolerates with greatly practiced disdain. In his crusade against Drow, Shevarash has picked up some other enemies, most of whom are deities that are worshipped by some of the more sinister and evil races of the Underdark. These enemies include Blibdoolpoolp, Deep Duerra, Diinkarazan, Diirinka, Gzemnid, Ilsensine, Ilxendren, Laduguer, the recently perished Maanzecorian, The Blood Queen, and The Great Mother.

Shavarash has no actual divine realm of his own, but he shares the Fennimar with Fenmarel Mestarine. Shevarash, seeking solitude, often comes to the deserted glades of Fennimar to be alone and think. 

'''Dogma:'''
The greatest enemy of the Seldarine is Lolth, who sought corruption of Arvandor and the overthrow of the Creator. The greatest enemy of the Fair Folk is the Drow, the debased followers of the Spider Queen who were long ago enmeshed in her dark web. Redemption and revenge may be achieved through the utter destruction of the Drow and the dark powers they serve. Only then may the joy of life begin anew. Hunt fearlessly! 

'''Avatars/Manifestations:'''
Shevarash normally takes the form of a tall, muscular Wood Elf, much how he appeared in life, according to theologians and historians. He wears black Elven Chainmail, and a black Cloak of Elvenkind. Slung over his back is his famous bow, the Black Bow. When appearing to his Yuir faithful, Shevarash takes the form of Eikarashae, a dexterous Wild Elf, who wears animal skin clothing, has leaves tangled in his long brown hair, and carries a spear.

Sometimes, the Black Archer manifests as a bright white flame that engulfs the being that Shevarash is aiding. The flame goes not cast off any heat, nor does it burn, but is still sheds bright light equivalent of a Daylight spell. The flames bestow Mage Armor, Haste, Ironguard, Shield and Protection from Missiles upon the being they engulf. The fire also aids the blessed individual in battle against Lolth’s servants, particularly Chitines, Drider, Drow Mylochar and Yochol (+1 to Hit and +2 to Damage).

To indicate his favor, Shevarash has his faithful discover web stone engraved with his symbol, torn spider webs, and crushed spiders. To indicate his displeasure, the Black Arrow manifests as a pair of glowing red orbs in the darkness, like some kind of malevolent creature waiting to pounce from the shadows. 

'''Agents/Petitioners:'''
Shevarash has very few agents. He is served primarily by Aasimar, Agathinon, Ancient Treants, Asuras, Eladrin (Ghaeles), Elves and Reverend Ones.

'''The Church of Shevarash:'''
The church of Shevarash is fairly small, and in some Elven communities, is completely absent. The church of Shevarash is most well known in communities where Drow raids are fairly common. Among most N’Tel’Quessir communities, the church of Shevarash is not present. In Myconoid and Svirfneblin societies, the church of Shevarash is present, is often very well known and very appreciated.

Among we Tel’Quessir there is a sort of universal sadness and pity for the faithful of Shavarash, myself included. Though we appreciate what they do, we also have pity for them. The all-consuming thirst for revenge that burns within them is more akin to the way the N’Tel’Quessir mind works. Though I do not believe this myself, some Elven theologians say that followers of Shevarash are denied entry into Arvandor, because of what all of the corruption that the anger they carry in their hearts does to their spirits.

Temples of Shevarash are always located in caves that connect Elven-occupied forests with the Underdark. His temples are constructed so that they serve primarily as a fortress, and a base of operations, and a place of worship and spiritualism secondly. Hastily constructed shrines dot the Underdark. Shrines serve as makeshift bases of operations, defensible locations, and burial grounds for fallen comrades, should they not be able to be brought back to the surface for a proper burial.

Novices in the Shevarashan church as known as The Haunted. Fully ordained priests and priestess’ are called Dark Avengers. Priests and priestess’ have other titles, but all are unique, and make mention of specific exploits, or events. Some titles include, “Destroyer of Drow” and “Murderer of Menzoberranzan”.

Shevarash’s clergy is almost evenly split between Wood Elves, Moon Elves and Sun Elves. A few Half-Elves from those same subraces round out the list. Very surprisingly, the Black Archer’s clergy is exactly evenly split between males and females. 

'''Day-to-Day Activities:'''
For the most part, the Church of Shevarash is totally consumed with its campaign to root out and destroy the Drow. Individual priests and priestess’ spend their days drilling, designing tactics for combat in the Underdark, and training new recruits. Many take it upon themselves to guards known entrances to the Underdark, or small communities where Drow attacks are likely. Many Clerics of the Black Archer from adventuring companies that enter the Underdark that attack Drow and Drow communities, while others join already established adventuring companies, for the same reason. 

'''Holy Days/Important Ceremonies:'''
For the church of Shevarash, Midwinter Night is a somber time of remembrance. The night is in remembrance of the Dark Court Slaughter, but each adherent of the Black Arrow’s faith is stressed to think of his/her own losses as well. It is on this holy night that new priests and priestess’ are ordained into the clergy. In honor of Shevarash’s original oath, priests and priestess’ reaffirm their vows to never laugh or smile again until Lolth, the rest of the Dark Seldarine, and their wicked worshipers are all destroyed. 

'''Major Centers of Worship:'''
Upon his death, Shevarash’s body was taken to a large oak tree on the outskirts of the Elven Court by one of his closest friends and comrades. His mortal body was entombed in a small natural cavern among the roots of this ancient oak. When the Black Archer ascended to divinity, this oak tree turned charcoal black, stopped growing and stopped producing leaves. The tree is still quite alive, according to Druids, however.

The Vault of Unquenched Vengeance, as the tree and cavern are known now, is Shevarash’s most holy site. All followers of Shevarash aspire to make a pilgrimage to this site at some point of their lives. The cave underneath the oak tree has been fortified into a “fortress”, and serves as the terminus for the last entrance into the Underdark in the area, or so the faithful of Shevarash say. 

'''Affiliated Orders:'''
The Church of Shevarash is very decentralized, and thus, has no “official” orders. However, this hasn’t stopped individual crusaders from adopting their own monikers and operating like an official order of the Shevarashan faith. For instance, the “Black Arrow Brigade” was a group of Shavarashan priests, priestess’ and lay worshipers who organized themselves, and participated in the recent Elven Crusade, giving wizards cover while fighting on the outskirts of Myth Drannor. 

'''Priestly Vestments:'''
The ceremonial garb of the Black Archer’s clergy includes silver Chainmail, a blood-red cloak that only falls to the small of the back, and a silver helm with a fixed visor that covers the upper portion of the face, including the eyes. The holy symbol of the faith is often given a physical aspect, as a broken arrow that has been dipped in Drow blood and blessed by a priest or priestess of Shevarash. 

'''Adventuring Garb:'''
Clerics of Shevarash favor bows to other weapons, but have no qualms with drawing a blade in hand-to-hand combat. In most cases, they employ, and utilize a wide variety of weapons, although some priests and priestess’ decide to specialize with one or two weapons. Most Clerics prefer Elven Chainmail, since it provides a great deal of protection at no sacrifice to maneuverability.

Seveltarm

2008-05-12T17:30:50Z

150.135.66.21: New page: '''Selvetarm:''' ''The Champion of Lolth, The Thane of Lolth, The Spider That Waits, The Spider Demon, Prince of the Aranea, Lord of the Venomire'' '''Symbol:''' Crossed sword (right)...

'''Selvetarm:'''
''The Champion of Lolth, The Thane of Lolth, The Spider That Waits, The Spider Demon, Prince of the Aranea, Lord of the Venomire'' 

'''Symbol:''' Crossed sword (right) and mace (left), overlaid with a black spider 
'''Home Plane:''' The Demonweb Pits (Lolth’s Iron Fortress) 
'''Alignment:''' Chaotic Evil 
'''Portfolio:''' Drow warriors 
'''Domains:''' Chaos, Drow, Evil, Spider, War 
'''Worshippers:''' Aranea, Barbarians, Drow, Fighters, Warriors, Those who like to kill 
'''Aliases:''' Zanassu 
'''Cleric Alignments:''' CE-CN-NE 
'''Favored Weapon:''' “Venommace” (Mace) & “Thalack’velve” (Longsword) 

'''History/Relationships:'''
Selvetarm (Pronounced Sel-veh-tarm) is the “Champion of Lolth”, a cruel and malicious deity who cares for nothing, save battle and destruction. Selvetarm has a great hatred for all things, except for a well-honed and deadly fighting style. Although Selvetarm can wait for hours for his prey to stumble into a well prepared ambush, Lolth’s champion prefers to battle with reckless abandon.

Selvetarm was not always such a hateful, destructive power. He once walked a solitary path, not quite good, yet not quite evil. As the child of the forced union between Vhaeraun and Zandilar the Dancer, Selvetarm had many conflicting emotions within in.

Eventually, Selvetarm crossed paths with his aunt, Eilistraee. He began to appreciate her goodness, as demonstrated through her teachings, deeds and actions. His path began to align with that of the path of goodness. Eilistraee began to hope that with Selvetarm, she could further help mend the rift that had developed between the Tel’Quessir and the Drow. Her hopes were dashed, however, when Selvetarm was unwittingly snared in Lolth’s web of intrigue.

With her silver tongue, Lolth convinced her naïve grandson, Selvetarm, that if he killed Zanassu, a minor Demon Lord, and absorbed his power, he would be more appealing to Eilistraee. Lolth had her own reasons for calling on her dim-witted grandson to do this. Zanassu claimed sovereignty over spiders, which offended Lolth. For this slight, Lolth wanted the Demon Lord eliminated. By convincing Selvetarm to destroy Zanassu, she would accomplish her goal without even lifting a finger, which appealed to Lolth very much.

Selvetarm triumphed over Zanassu, since the Demon Lord was still weak and reeling from a defeat by Qysara Shoon V, that banished him back to the Abyss. As the victor, Selvetarm absorbed the Spider Demon’s essence. In doing so, however, the malignant force that was Zanassu overwhelmed the small amount of goodness within him that Eilistraee was slowly nursing. This caused Selvetarm to snap, and completely lose his mind. Lolth, who was on hand watching the battle, quickly stepped in and bound Selvetarm to her will, making him, in essence, her slave.

Since this defining moment approximately ten centuries ago, Selvetarm has begrudgingly served at his mistress’ side. With no regard to his own goals and well-being, the Spider Demon defends the interests of Lolth, whether they be in divine politics, or on Faerûn.

During the Time of Troubles, Selvetarm manifested his avatar as a large spider creature. The deity appeared in the Drow city of Eryndlyn, a city where the clergy of Lolth did not rule absolute, and was in contention with cults dedicated to Kiaransalee, Vhaeraun and Ghaunadaur. Selvetarm devastated the factions that opposed Lolth, before being driven away into the Underdark by the combined might of all those who opposed Lolth. Selvetarm was praised by Lolth’s clergy in the city as, “The Swordarm of Lolth, sent to demonstrate her absolute rule”.

During the recent Silence of Lolth, Selvetarm served as the defender of his mistress, while she was concentrating her power, and prone to attack. When Vhaeraun appeared to destroy Lolth’s prone form, the Spider Demon appeared to defend Lolth. The two deities battled, and both eventually tumbled off of the Demonweb, apparently falling into Ghaunadaur’s Caldron of Slime. Both deities survived, and Selvetarm seemed to have permanently injured Vhaeraun in some fashion.

For the most part, Selvetarm has ignored his Aranea followers in Calimshan. For one thousand years, Selvetarm ignored his followers in Lost Ajuutal, barely granting his priests and priestess’ there spells. Sixty-six years before the Time of Troubles, the avatar of Selvetarm, a giant spider, seemingly randomly returned to the city, and cloistered itself in the Spider Demon’s temple in the city. Shortly before the Time of Troubles actually occurred, the avatar left once more, headed north, presumably into the Underdark, and to the city of Eryndlyn.

Magical divinations and portents give surprising impressions on the future of Selvetarm. Most divinations about the Spider Demon are answered with vague impressions and images that I interpret to be the future, Eilistraee, Sava, a Drow board game, Lolth, and death.

Like his mistress, Selvetarm has few allies. Before he absorbed Zanassu’s essence and became evil, Selvetarm was allied with Eilistraee. However, since absorbing Zanassu, he sees Eilistraee as a pathetic weakling who needs to be crushed. Garagos is Selvetarm’s only true ally, since both revel in the glory of destructive combat. Lolth, however, limits how much influence Garagos has over Selvetarm, since as far as she is concerned, the Spider Demon is her puppet, and her puppet alone.

Selvetarm, for being such a minor deity, has an impressive list of enemies. The majority of his enemies are the enemies of his mistress, though undoubtedly, if left to his own divices, Selvetarm would choose to be hostile to most of them anyway. Selvetarm’s enemies include Blibdoolpoolp, Deep Duerra, Diinkarazan, Diirinka, Eilistraee, Ghaunadaur, Gzemnid, Ilsensine, Ilxendren, Laduguer, Laogzed, Maanzecorian, while he was still alive, Psilofyr, Sharess, The Blood Queen, The Great Mother, the Seldarine, and anyone else who manages to gain the enmity of Lolth.

Selvatarm has no deific realm of his own, since Lolth does not allow him to create one. She allows his to share her Iron Fortress, however, though all this really entails is a sort of guard duty, ensuring that nothing befalls the Mistress of the Demonweb Pits. 

'''Dogma:'''
War is the ultimate expression of individual power, and only through battle and death can one realize the respect of one’s comrades. Hone fighting skills constantly and teach those who will follow into the fray. Never give nor receive quarter, and die amidst the bloodlust of battle against overwhelming odds. Cultivate as many weapon tricks and combat maneuvers as a spider has arms, and never fear that hidden venom, like a secret vengeance waiting to strike, will serve you ill. 

'''Avatars/Manifestations:'''
Selvetarm rarely manifests himself to his faithful. When he does, it is normally by directly dispatching his avatar, since the Spider Demon rarely works in more subtle ways. Selvetarm’s avatar appears as a gargantuan black spider, sometimes with the head of a Drow male, and sometimes not. It crawls on its back six legs, and carries a large mace and a large sword in it’s front two appendages.

Selvetarm sometimes manifests as a tiny sphere of absolute darkness that slowly grows from an inch in diameter to a foot in diameter, before exploding in a shower of blades very similar to the Blade Barrier spell. The main difference between this and the actual spell is that Selvetarm’s is much more deadly (No Saving Throw). The Spider That Waits sometimes shows his favor by having his faithful discover rogue stones, web stones and small slivers of dried silver bark. He demonstrates his displeasure by causing metal weapons and armors to rust and shatter, even after the most minor of glancing blows. 

'''Agents/Petitioners:'''
Selvetarm has very few agents of his own, since Lolth usually appoints her own agents to aid Selvetarm in the few cases were he needs assistance. Selvetarm does call upon Aranea, Drow, Myrlochar, Retrievers, and spiders of all different shapes, sizes and species. 

'''The Church of Selvetarm:'''
Outside of the Drow city of Eryndlyn, and the small temple of the Spider That Waits in Undermountain, Selvetarm is not very well known. There are very few Drow cities where his actual nature is acknowledged. Few are aware that the Spider Demon is a divine being, since most tales depict him as a Tanar’ri, or some other kind of servant of Lolth.

On the surface world, Selvetarm is even less known. Only the Aranea of Lost Ajuutal and the Humans of Volothamp know of him directly, though they know him still as Zanassu. He does appear in a few Calashite tales, as the Demon of the Swamp, a malicious entity that is capable of insidious plots, powerful enchantments, and unchecked battle fury. For the most part, however, the world remains ignorant to Selvetarm and his followers.

The majority of Selvetarm’s few holy places are small shrines that are scattered in the Underdark, and in the Spider Swamp. Selvetarm has even fewer temples, counting two that are actually his own. Many temples of Lolth feature areas where males can pay homage to Selvetarm, under close scrutiny and supervision by a priestess of Lolth, of course. It is through Lolth that Selvetarm accommodates most of his followers.

The titles given to priests and priestess’ of the Spider Demon very greatly from hierarchy to hierarchy. The Selvetargtlin use the following titles: Edge of the Axe, Crush of the Mace, Steel of the Blade, Tusk of the Boar, Hunger of the Swarm, Claw of the Cave Bear, Talon of the Wyrm, and Bloodlust of the Berserker. A little less than three-fourths of his total clergy consists of male Drow. Male Aranea make up the second largest group, while Female Aranea and Female Drow round out the Spider Demon’s clergy. 

'''Day-to-Day Activities:'''
Selvetarm’s Drow faithful spend most of their days guarding fortifications, honing their fighting abilities, participating in patrols around Drow cities, and in nearby areas of the Underdark, guarding caravans, and getting into fights with one another over status and perceived slights. Many spend a large portion of their time training others in the art of war.

The Spider Demon’s Aranea faithful, in Calimshan, used to spend a great deal of their time charming, manipulating and controlling the viziers of Volothamp and the surrounding areas. They also spent a lot of time appeasing the avatar of Selvetarm that had cloistered itself in the Apostolaeum of the Spider That Waits. Since the avatar of Selvatarm left, the Aranea lost all of their control in Volothamp. Today, they are working to regain that control in the Human city, as well as search for the avatar of Selvetarm, that wandered north in DR 1358, the Year of Shadows, just before the Avatar Crisis. 

'''Holy Days/Important Ceremonies:'''
The Drow faithful of Selvetarm are expected to observe and participate in all Lolthite ceremonies, since the Spider Demon is a vassal to the Spider Queen. A small group of heretics, who have begun worshipping Selvetarm since the Time of Troubles, are persecuted for failing to recognize Lolth’s power, and for failing to celebrate it. All of his Drow worshippers, heretic or not, constantly cry out Selvetarm’s name during battle, every time they strike an enemy. It is important for Selvetarm’s name to be the last thing a foe ever hears.

Selvetarm’s Aranea clergy venerate the Spider Demon with a totally different set of rituals, which stress patience, craftiness, and subtlety- a far cry from the tenets that Selvetarm’s Drow clergy stress. The Aranea do not observe any of Lolth’s holy ceremonies, and instead perform their own, which usually include animal sacrifices –boars and lizards, usually- and prayers beseeching Selvetarm to return to them. Their most holy day is the 6th of Kythorn, the day that the avatar of Selvetarm returned to the Spider Swamp after a thousand year absence. This day is celebrated with fasting and ritual combat. 

'''Major Centers of Worship:'''
Selvetarm has two major centers of worship- the Chapel of the Sericeous Sargh, in Undermountain, and the Apostolaeum of the Spider That Waits, in the Spider Swamp of Calimshan. His Drow worshippers run the former site, while the latter site is administered to by his Aranea followers.
The Chapel of the Sericeous Sargh is only a small chapel, but yet, it is still a very important site for Selvetarm. This chapel, which houses a large onyx depiction of the Spider Demon, is home to the Selvetargtlin, the group of Drow heretics who worship Selvetarm alone, and do not bow to Lolthites. The group recently built the site, and is still working on defending and reinforcing it. Because of its location, priests and priestess’ from the chapel can raid the surface world, the Promenade, the holy site of Eilistraee, and the Underdark.

The Apostolaeum of the Spider That Waits is much older than the Chapel of the Sericeous Sargh. The temple is located in the ruins of the city of Lost Ajhuutal, which many believe was the capital of the Maridlands, thousands of years ago. Beginning in –530 DR, the Aranea of Calimshan were sentenced to death upon sight. They fled to the Spider Swamp, where they established a peaceful relationship with the coastal city of Volothamp. In 290 DR, Qyasara Shoon V blamed the Aranea for a plague, and the persecution of Aranea began anew. The survivors began worshipping Zanassu, the Spider Demon, for he promised to stop the Qysara from persecuting them. The Apostolaeum of the Spider That Waits was built to pay homage to Zanassu. In DR 292, the Year of Frostfires, Zanassu challenged the Qysara, but lost. Weakened, and banished back to the Abyss, Selvetarm arrived, and managed to destroy the Demon, and absorb his power. 

'''Affiliated Orders:'''
Selvetarm has virtually no special orders, due to his fragmented church, and his subservience and obedience to Lolth. One special group within the church of Selvetarm is the Order of the Spiderswords, a devout order of warrior priests, who are and who train Spiderswords, Selvetarm’s nearly unstoppable berserker warriors.

Another important group are the Selvetargtlin, a group that worships Selvetarm as his own deity, and not as a servant to Lolth. The “official” church of Selvetarm considers these rogues heretics, but the fact that Selvetarm continues granting them spells means that he supports the ideas they espouse. 

'''Priestly Vestments:'''
Selvetarm’s Clerics wear long, rich scarlet robes lined with chain mail. They keep their hair long, and braid it in long rows. Some Clerics soak the ends of their braids in alchemically treated blood, that hardens into rock hard clumps that can be used as a weapon, by whipping his/her hair back and forth (-4 to Hit, 1d4 Points of Damage).

Gauntlets very similar to the Dragon Bracers used by the Cult of the Dragon are used by Selvetarm’s faithful as well. Because they are his very own weapons, Selvetarm mandates that during his holy ceremonies, all priests and priestess’ much have on them a longsword and a mace. The holy symbol of the faith, during rituals and ceremonies, is worn on a large platinum disk worn around the neck. 

'''Adventuring Garb:'''
Selvetarm’s priests and priestess’ employ the best weapons and armors available. They eschew the use of shields, except for spiked bucklers, and any other shields that have spikes that can be used for bashing. They also eschew the use of crossbows, bows, and other ranged weapons.

Drow Clerics commonly employ Boots of Elvenkind, Drow-Elven Chainmail, and Piwafwi. Clerics of the Spider Demon normally use two melee weapons in combat at once. The most common combinations include sword and dagger, sword and axe, and sword and mace. The latter is the combination that high ranking priests and priestess’ use exclusively.

Sehanine Moonbow

2008-05-12T17:26:50Z

150.135.66.21: New page: '''Sehanine Moonbow:''' ''Daughter of the Night Skies, Goddess of Moonlight, the Lunar Lady, Moonlit Mystery, the Mystic Seer, the Luminous Cloud, Lady of Dreams'' '''Symbol:''' Full ...

'''Sehanine Moonbow:'''
''Daughter of the Night Skies, Goddess of Moonlight, the Lunar Lady, Moonlit Mystery, the Mystic Seer, the Luminous Cloud, Lady of Dreams'' 

'''Symbol:''' Full moon with an opaque, milky crescent moonbow 
'''Home Plane:''' Arvandor (The Crescent Grove) 
'''Alignment:''' Chaotic Good 
'''Portfolio:''' Death, Dreams, Journeys, Moon Elves, Mysticism, Selûne (The Moon), Stars, The Night Sky, Transcendence 
'''Domains:''' Chaos, Elf, Goof, Illusion, Knowledge, Moon, Travel 
'''Worshipers:''' Diviners, Elves, Half-Elves, Illusionists, Mhaornathil, Moon Elves, Opponents of the Undead 
'''Aliases:''' Angharradh 
'''Cleric Alignments:''' NG, CG, CN 
'''Favored Weapon:''' “Moonshaft” (Quarterstaff) 

'''History/Relationships:'''
Whereas Corellon Larethian’s symbol is the crescent moon, Sehanine Moonbow (Pronounced SEH-ha-neen MOON-boe) is the Elven goddess of the moon or, more specifically, the full moon. She governs divinations, omens, and subtle magics and protects against madness. She watches over the dreams of the Elves, keeping them from harm while in reverie, and sending omens to protect them from future dangers.

Sehanine watches over the passage of Elven spirits from the world, and she is the protector of the dead. The Daughter of the Night Skies is also a guardian and guide to those Elves whose days in the world of mortals are finished and who seek to travel from the lands they know and love to distant refuges such as Evermeet. She also watches over such refuges and ensures they are kept safe from intrusion.

Sehanine governs long journeys, both physical and spiritual, and in Elven cultures that proclaim the reality of reincarnation, Sehanine and Corellon work together to guide the spirit to its best subsequent incarnation as it works its way toward perfection. Although Sehanine is venerated by all the Fair Folk, including Half-Elves and a handful of benevolent Drow, she is particularly revered by Moon Elves, who view her as their protector, and Sun Eves, who are the most withdrawn from the world of all the Elven subraces. Tel'Quessir seeking to explore transcendental mysteries, awaiting passage to Evermeet or Arvandor, or undergoing physical or spiritual journeys pray to the Goddess of Moonlight, as do mystics, seers, diviners, and weavers of illusions.

Sehanine Moonbow is the mightiest of the female powers in the Seldarine. Identified with the mystic power of the moon, Sehanine's tears are said to have mingled with Corellon's blood, and given life to the Elven race. The Elves do not forget this fact.

Sehanine is both the primary aspect of Angharradh and one of the three Elven goddesses -the other two being Hanali Celanil and Aerdrie Faenya- who collectively form the Triune Goddess. This duality tightly binds Sehanine with the two other senior Elven goddesses, and the three collectively serve alongside Corellon in leading the Seldarine, just as the Goddess of Moonlight is said to do in other myths.

Sehanine has excellent relations with all of the Seldarine, and it is her kind-heartedness that soothes the anger of Shevarash in his darkest fury and her welcoming nature that brings Fenmarel back to Arvandor on occasion. The Luminous Cloud has few strong relationships outside of the Seldarine, for her otherworldliness is beyond even most other deities. Sehanine works closely with Selûne, for the two share similar concerns, and the Goddess of Moonlight is a strong ally of Eilistraee, whom she considers an adopted daughter of sorts. Sehanine has also forged alliances with some of the other powers that oversee death, but she has no tolerance for those who practice in the black arts of necromancy.

Sehanine's antipathy for Lolth has existed since the latter was Araushnee, consort of Corellon and the mastermind who nearly engineered the death of the Protector and the defeat of the Seldarine. The Lady of Dreams actively opposes the nefarious schemes of the Spider Queen and the other Drow powers. With the rise of humanity and its rapacious expansion into traditional elven homelands, Sehanine has found her energies increasingly occupied by thwarting the destructive ravages of gods such as Auril, Cyric, Malar, Talos, and Umberlee.

Sehanine rarely concerns herself directly with events in the Realms, aside from weaving illusions around secret Elven retreats, and guiding Elves going to those lands. Her power waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon, growing strongest when the moon is full and weakest when it is new. As befits the Elven goddess of mysteries, Sehanine Moonbow is cloaked in secrets and illusions, and rarely speaks her mind directly, preferring instead, to communicate through a process of dreams, visions, and other mystic experiences. The Goddess of Moonlight is truly spiritual and ephemeral being who evades any attempt to define her and whose serenity surrounds her like a mantle of moon dust.

Sehanine Moonbow’s deific realm, the Crescent Grove, rests at the heart of Arvandor. It is said that the Crescent Grove is one of the most beautiful places in all of the multiverse. In the center of the Crescent Grove stands Corellon’s Tower, the palace of the Coronal of Arvandor. The palace, made of marble, crystal, and plant life is a perfect synthesis of artistry and nature. Along with her consort, Corellon Larethian, Sehanine Moonbow rules over all of Arvandor, and over all Elves across the multiverse. 

'''Dogma:'''
Life is series of mysteries whose secrets are veiled by the Luminous Cloud. As the spirit transcends its mortal bounds and new mysteries are uncovered, a higher form is achieved and the cycle of life continues. Through contemplation and meditation, communion with the Lady of Dreams is achieved.
Through dreams, visions, and omens revealed in sleep or the reverie, the Daughter of the Night Sky unveils the next step along the path and the next destination on the endless journey of mystic wonder that is life and death and life. Revere the mysterious moon, who draws forth tides or being from us all. 

'''Avatar/Manifestations:'''
Sehanine Moonbow appears as a beautiful, fey Moon Elf woman, who is simultaneously youthful and ageless, wearing a diaphanous flowing gown formed of semi-solid gossamer moonbeams. The Lady of Dreams manifests through dreams and waking visions. She grants boons only to worshipers who enter an altered state of awareness, whether it be through meditation, dance, or trance. Sehanine Moonbow sometimes manifests in drugged, drunken, unconscious, or sleeping beings, and causes them to ramble on about random topics in all of the languages that they know.

The foci of such a manifestations need not be worshipers or even Elves, although the Luminous Cloud manifests as such only if at least one worshiper is present. The Goddess of the Moon sometimes manifests in enspelled worshipers when they are sleeping or in a trance state, as to unravel spell effects or to utter cryptic prophecies to those in attendance.

Sehanine Moonbow manifests her pleasure by guiding her followers to precious stones and metals, such as mithral, moonstones, silver, and sunstones, as well as the occurrence of meteor showers, or shooting stare. She makes his displeasure known by causing Selûne to appear to blink, flicker, and wink at those who she is unhappy with. 

'''Agents/Petitioners:'''
Sehanine Moonbow is served by Aasimar, Aasimon (Lights), Agathinon, Ancient Treants, Asuras, Azmyths, Baelnorn, Buraq, Cathshee, Cooshee, Einheriar, Eladrin, Electrum Dragons, Elven Cats, Elves, Feystags, Firestars (Known as Moondancers), Firetails, Frosts, Hollyphants, Incarnates of Faith, Incarnates of Hope, Kholiathra, Ki-rin, Lythari, Mist Dragons, Moon Dogs, Moon Horses, Mortals, Nic'Epona, Pixies, Radiance Quasielementals, Reverend Ones, Seelie Faeries, Silver Dogs, Silver Dragons, Sprites, Sunflies, T'uen-rin, and Tiefling.

Sehanine Moonbow has a single proxy- a genderless Tiefling named Moonsilver. Moonsilver is the grandchild of the unholy coupling of an Elf and a Tanar’ri. Moonsilver’s mother, the direct offspring of the two, was hunted down and killed. Sehanine Moonbow felt derelict in her duties of protecting her followers, and took Moonsilver as her own. The Tiefling has been empowered at become invisible at will, and is currently learning how to teleport via moonbeams. 

'''The Church of Sehanine Moonbow:'''
The church of Sehanine Moonbow is generally perceived as removed from the daily concerns of typical Elven life. Because of this, they are seen as mystical by fellow Tel’Quessir, and mythical by N’Tel’Quessir. Her priests and priestess’ serve as guides between this life, and the next life, in Arvandor.

Sehanine Moonbow’s temples are soaring monuments open only to Elves, and a handful of pious Half-Elves. All temples contain a lot of circular architecture, and complete symmetry. The central chambers usually have domed roofs, which are either transparent, or retractable, as to allow the light to Selûne to shine down into the chambers. Older temples often have large rock formations, which are used to track the positions of Selûne, and other celestial bodies. Newer temples substitute these large formations with gardens that represent the passage from the Material Plane to Arvandor.

Novice priests and priestess’ are called The Mooncalled. Fully consecrated priests and priestess’ are called The Heavenly. Other ranks used by the church include Stargazer, Moondancer, Sky Seer, Vision Seeker, Omen Teller, Dream Walker, Trancendentalist, Reverent Dreamer and Starsinger.

More than half of Sehanine Moonbow’s clergy is made up of Moon Elves. Slightly more than one quarter of her clergy is made up of Sun Elves. Wild Elves, Wood Elves, and Half-Elves make up a small minority, and individuals from the rest of the different Elven subraces rounds up the list. Sehanine Moonbow’s church is mostly made up of women, as they edge of males ever so slightly in number. 

'''Day-to-Day Activities:'''
Sehanine Moonbow’s priests and priestess’ are the seers and mystics of Elven society. They serve as the spiritual counselors to Elves and Half-Elves who seek to embark on journeys, in search of enlightenment, so as to transcend their current state of being. As the protectors of the dead, Sehanine Moonbow’s priests and priestess’ organize and administer funeral rites and guard the remains of the fallen. They seek out and destroy Undead creatures, for Sehanine holds such creatures to be blasphemous. The only exceptions to her wrath are Baelnorn, Reverend Ones, and other good-aligned Undead, who voluntarily prolong their existence into order to further serve their people.

As defenders of Elven homelands, Sehanine Moonbow’s clergy is responsible for weaving and maintaining the illusions that guard those sanctuaries, and for divining potential threats to their continued existence. The prime task of adventuring priests and priestess’ is the retrieval of lost arcane and magical knowledge, especially if it pertains to illusions and/or divinations. 

'''Holy Days/Important Ceremonies:'''
Sehanine's faithful celebrate a wide variety of holy days, all of which are tied to the position of various heavenly bodies, particularly Selûne. Many of these celebrations occur only once per decade, some once per century, and a few even occur once per millennium.

The most frequent celebrations of Sehanine Moonbow’s faithful are held monthly, underneath the light of the full moon. Lunar Hallowings, as such holy days are known, are marked with personal meditation and collective entrance into Elven communion. On occasion, Sehanine Moonbow manifests through her assembled worshipers, melding their spirits in a true communion of mind and soul. Such holy days are concluded with a joyous freeform dance beneath the most visible manifestation of the Goddess of Moonlight, Selûne, which lasts until the first rays of dawn.

Once per year, Sehanine Moonbow’s faithful gather on the night of the Feast of the Moon for the Mystic Rites of the Luminous Cloud. Similar to, in many ways, the monthly Lunar Hallowings, the Mystic Rites of the Luminous Cloud are notable for the visible manifestation of the Lady of Dreams, whereby the assembled worshipers are enveloped in a mantle of shimmering, silvery light that rises up and darts across the heavens. During such mystical flights across the sky, the sacred mysteries of the Mystic Seer are revealed to the participants, with each participant learning secrets appropriate to his current level of spiritual development.

The church of Sehanine Moonbow is also charged with preparing Elven dead. Elven funeral rites vary widely from community to community, and from individual to individual, reflecting the nature of the departed spirit. If the Elf has simply answered Sehanine's call, as opposed to death by accident or violence, death rituals are more often a celebration that the Elf has achieved the joys of Arvandor, rather than a time of mourning.

In cases of violent, or accidental death, where the spirit is not utterly destroyed, Sehanine's Clerics serve in the stead of the departed spirit in the ritual of Transcendence. A Ceremony of Recovery involves one or more days of meditation and mystic communion with the natural and spiritual worlds. If successful, the Cleric performing the rite channels the lost spirit through his or her own link with Sehanine, enabling the spirit to transcend to Arvandor.

In either case, if the body remains, the method of disposal varies as well. In some communities, the assembled mourners gather with great pomp and circumstance to watch the body be interred in the ground. Other Elven societies bury the body immediately, regarding it as a mere husk from which the life force has departed. After disposing of the shell, they celebrate the spirit of the Elf who once resided there. Still, other Elves believe that burning is the only way to truly rid the spirit of its earthly ties. Not only does it free the spirit for Arvandor, it also prevents anyone from using the body for nefarious purposes. 

'''Major Centers of Worship:'''
While the largest temples of Sehanine Moonbow are found on the Evermeet, in Evereska, and in the woods of the Elven Court, the site most sacred to the Lady of Dreams is the Tears of Aloevan. This is an otherworldly cloud of magic, accessed through a mystical pool of water found in an unearthly sylvan glen at the heart of Ardeep Forest. Much like Qilue Veladorn serves both Mystra and Eilistraee today, Aloevan was once the Chosen of both Sehanine Moonbow, and the Lady of Mysteries.

The moon Elven queen's descent into madness and her eventual death was a tragic loss for both the Fair Folk and the other Human and Demihuman races of the region. It is believed that he death was caused by her inability to control the silver fire that raged within her body. Upon her death, Aloevan's spirit was unable to pass on to Arvandor, and was instead enmeshed within a nimbus of silver fire that hovered between Faerûn and Arvandor. To diminish the madness of their queen, who had sacrificed so much, seven Clerics of Sehanine Moonbow created a special link between the natural world and the spiritual limbo in which Aloevan's spirit was trapped in.

For centuries, Sehanine Moonbow’s Clerics have labored to ease the torment of the mad queen and, in the process, have recreated the long-lost court of Ardeep within the pocket dimension formed from the silver fire Aloevan could no longer control. Aloevan's spirit is now capable of manifesting in a form similar to that of a spectral ghost within the Court of Silver Fire, as the mystic temple is known, but her laughter and tears are still tinged with madness, and only the beneficence of the seven priests enables her to hold on to the last vestiges of her sanity.

During times of solar eclipses, passage between the glen in Ardeep Forest and the Court of Silver Fire is possible. At such times a priest or priestess of Sehanine Moonbow may make his or her way into Aloevan's mystical court, at Sehanine Moonbow’s request, to replace one of the seven Clerics who is ready to pass on to Arvandor. Although many others have sought entrance to Aloevan's court, none have returned to tell the tale, so it is unknown if any who were not called there by Sehanine Moonbow have ever succeeded or not in getting there. 

'''Affiliated Orders:'''
The Knights of the Seven Sacred Mysteries are well known for their service in the defense of various Elven homelands- from Evereska to Synnoria- from N'Tel'Quessir invaders, as well as their ongoing efforts to retrieve and recover tomes of long-lost Elven lore and items of Elven artistry from the ruins of fallen realms. The order is composed of Elves and a handful of Half-Elves, most of whom are of Moon Elven or Sun Elven ancestry.

The order's entrance requirements are kept secret from non-members, but it is generally known that there are seven tiers in the order's hierarchy, and that it can take a century or more of faithful service to Sehanine Moonbow before the next mystery is revealed. Knights of the First Mystery are the lowest ranking members of the order, while Knights of the Seventh Mystery are some of the most powerful agents of Sehanine in the Realms. No Half-Elf has ever risen higher than the rank of Knight of the Fourth Mystery, but it is not known if this fact indicates the difficulty of ascending up the order's rarefied ranks or if it is a manifestation of bias against those who have some degree of N'Tel'Quessir ancestry. The order's preeminent chapter houses are found in the cities of Ruith, on Evermeet, Evereska, and amidst the Tangled Trees settlement of the Elven Woods.

The Sentinels of the Moonbow are a small fellowship of Rangers pledged to the service of the Goddess of Moonlight. Sentinels of the Moonbow watch over animals that may hold the reincarnated spirits of Elves of ages past, and that may once again assume Elven form. These Rangers in the service of Sehanine are also pledged to the tracking and destruction of undead creatures whose existence is a blight upon the land.

Elven Mhaornathil also pledge allegiance to Sehanine Moonbow. These warriors track down and destroy evil undead, with the blessings and aid of the Daughter of the Night Sky. Though Mhaornathil do not have a formal order, it is unheard of for a Mhaornathil to not swear allegiance to Sehanine Moonbow.
The Veiled Choir is a mysterious sisterhood of Elven mystics, whose very existence is obscured by a veil of legend, mystery, and rumor. Sisters of the Veiled Choir are renowned for their prophetic abilities, and their visions are revealed in an unending chorus of song. Only a handful of these ancient Elven seers are believed to exist, residing in ancient temples of the Lady of Dreams, whose very existences have long been forgotten by even the most learned of Fair Folk.

Young elves in search of adventure often attempt to find the sisterhood's oracular redoubts, of which, curiously, none are located on the Green Isle of Evermeet. On rare occasions, a lucky and persistent Elf discovers a Veiled Cantoria, but those who seek to simply follow in their footsteps always fail in their quest. The reward for reaching a sanctuary of the Veiled Choir is always the blessing of the Luminous Cloud, and a mysterious prophecy, the unraveling of which may consume the rest of the recipient’s life. 

'''Priestly Vestments:'''
Priestess’ of Sehanine Moonbow favor silver-white, diaphanous gowns, while priests favor togas of the same color. A silver diadem is worn on the head, oftentimes with a moonstone pendant dangling above the brow. Simple sandals are worn on the feet, and a silver lace sash is worn around the waist. The holy symbol of the faith is a moonbar crystal carved in the shape of a small flat disk, approximately three inches in diameter, and such devices are often worn around the neck on a delicate-looking silver or mithral chain. 

'''Adventuring Garb:'''
Clerics of the Daughter of the Night Skies favor mail over leather armor, and most carry round shields, whose unadorned, reflective fronts are polished mirror bright. Such armor is typically fancifully adorned, emphasizing the grace and bearing of the wearer. Senior priests and priestess’ are well known for the elaborate suits of Elven chain mail or Elven plate mail they favor, although many such suits were lost with the fall of Myth Drannor. Sehanine Moonbow’s clergy favors missile weapons, particularly short and longbows of Elven design, and staves. Staves of the Moonlight and Rings of Shooting Stars are particularly prized.

Rillfane Rallathil

2008-05-12T17:21:53Z

150.135.66.21: New page: '''Rillifane Rallathil:''' ''The Leaflord, the Wild One, the Great Oak, the Many-Branched, the Many-Limbed, Old Man of the Yuirwood'' '''Symbol:''' Oak tree '''Home Plane:''' Arva...

'''Rillifane Rallathil:'''
''The Leaflord, the Wild One, the Great Oak, the Many-Branched, the Many-Limbed, Old Man of the Yuirwood'' 

'''Symbol:''' Oak tree 
'''Home Plane:''' Arvandor (Oak Grove) 
'''Alignment:''' Chaotic Good 
'''Portfolio:''' Druids, Nature, Wild Elves, Woodlands 
'''Domains:''' Chaos, Elf, Good, Plant, Protection 
'''Worshipers:''' Druids, Rangers, Wild Elves 
'''Aliases:''' Bear, Eagle, Magnar the Bear, Raven, Relkath of the Infinite Branches, Wolf 
'''Cleric Alignments:''' NG, CG, CN 
'''Favored Weapon:''' “The Oakstaff” (Quarterstaff) 

'''History/Relationships:'''
Rillifane Rallathil (Pronounced RILL-ih-fane RALL-uh-thihl) is protector of the woodlands, and guardian of the harmony of nature. He is often likened by his priests and priestess’ to a giant ethereal oak tree, so huge that its roots mingle with the roots of every other plant in the Realms, that stands at the heart of Arvandor. The great tree draws into itself all the ebb and flow of seasons, and lives within the woodlands of the Green Elves. At the same time, it defends and sustains those lands against disease, predation, and assaults of all kinds. The Leaflord is the patron of the Sy’Tel'Quessir and revered by many Voadkyn, as well. Rillifane Rallathil is quiet, reflective, and enduring. He is the least flighty of all the Seldarine, the least likely to act on a whim, and often grave and self-absorbed.

When the Sy’Tel'Quessir settled the Yuirwood, the Seldarine merged with the ancient gods of the Yuir, transforming them into aspects of the various powers of the Elven pantheon. Both Magnar the Bear and Relkath of the Infinite Branches, also known as Many-Limbed, Many-Branched, and the Old Man of the Yuirwood, became aspects of the Leaflord. Relkath easily merged with, and slowly reinvigorated a primitive facet of the Leaflord's nature that had been slowly overshadowed over the ages by the increasingly tamed way of life of the Fair Folk, even among the Sy’Tel'Quessir.

As a result of this subtle change of heart, in the centuries since absorbing Relkath, Rillifane's primordial spirit has returned to the fore to great effect. Concurrently, the Sy’Tel'Quessir and Cha’Tel'Quessir have rediscovered the ways of their most primitive ancestors and reformed their tribal cultures, eschewing the formation of successors to the great Green Elven civilizations such as Illefarn, Thearnytaar, Eiellur, and Syorpiir.

In contrast to the obvious impact of the absorption of Relkath by the Leaflord, Magnar the Bear was almost totally subsumed after being absorbed, and this aspect of Rillifane is little remembered even among Cha’Tel'Quessir. The Half-Elves of the Yuirwood speak only of Magnar's Great Sleep, a centuries-long hibernation from which the Bear has yet to emerge.

Much like Ubtao, Ulutiu, and Uthgar, Rillifane is served by a host of great spirits including the primeval Bear, Eagle, Raven, and Wolf, among others. These aspects of the Leaflord are recognized only by the Sy’Tel'Quessir and very few Cha’Tel'Quessir. Other Elven subraces do not recognize these spirits, nor do they consider the Leaflord a “fragmented” deity. Unlike those other powers' worshipers, however, Rillifane's followers do not venerate any one great spirit exclusively, although they may have done so in the distant past. Instead, the Leaflord's faithful call upon one or more spirits associated with their god as appropriate for the situation at hand.

Rillifane is on good terms with all the Seldarine, as well as most Sylvan and Faerie powers. The Leaflord's primary concern is that all creatures have the opportunity to act out their roles in nature without abusing them, a concern Rillifane shares with Corellon Larethian, the great creator and protector of the Fair Folk. Solonor Thelandira and Rillifane work together closely to preserve and protect the natural world, but they do differ fundamentally on the issue of hunting. In the spirit of the alliance that binds the Great Archer and the Leaflord, Solonor does not permit his priests and followers to hunt within the woods where Rillifane's brooding, forbidding presence cautions against this, unless their need is great. While Rillifane permits hunting for food by hungry folk, he detests hunting for sport.

Rillifane is closely allied with Emmantiensien the Treant-King and Silvanus the Oak Father. The trio's conversations are many and seemingly endless to others, as none of the three is given to hasty thought or expression. Rillifane is always a respected guest at the Seelie Court, and aside from Emmantiensien, he is friendliest with Skerrit the Forester and often romantically linked with Verenestra the Oak Princess.

Rillifane Rallathil has a great hatred for Malar, since the Beastlord often makes Elves the object of his hunts. His ethos also is an anathema to the Leaflord.

Other allies of the Leaflord include Baervan Wildwanderer, Cyrrollalee, Eilistraee, Eldeth, Mielikki, Sheela Peryroyl, Oberon, Osiris, Titania, and the rest of the Seldarine. Other enemies of Rillifane Rallathil include Moander, though he has recently perished, Talos, the Queen of Air and Darkness, and the Anti-Seldarine.

The Leaflord’s deific realm, the Oak Grove, is nothing more than a grouping of a few extraordinarily large oak trees. Other than that, there are no other ways to distinguish his divine realm from the rest of Arvandor. No sort of structure mars his realm, nor are there any other kinds of boundaries to separate it from the rest of the plane. 

'''Dogma:'''
The Great Oak draws energy from all the living creatures of the world and nourishes, sustains, and protects them from outside threats. Live in harmony with the natural world, allowing each living being the opportunity to serve out its natural purpose in life. As the Leaflord's countless branches, his faithful are to serve as his mortal agents in the natural world.

Defend the great forests from those who would ravage their riches, leaving only destruction in their path. Contest both the quick and the slow death of Rillifane's bounty and hold strong like the great oaks in the face of those who can see only their own immediate needs. 

'''Avatar/Manifestations:'''
The Leaflord rarely sends an avatar to the Prime, disliking direct action and preferring that his priests carry out his wishes. Rillifane's avatar appears only when major destruction of a Tel'Quessir- usually Sy’Tel'Quessir- habitat is threatened. The appearance of such an avatar is heralded by sudden gusts of wind shaking leaves from the trees, a sign unmistakable to his priests.

Rillifane appears as a green-skinned male Elf clad in armor of living bark, armed with a great greenwood staff or longbow. He makes no sound as he moves, speaks very rarely, and fires his bow in silence. Rillifane manifests infrequently, but when he does it takes the form of a green or amber nimbus that envelops a creature or tree.

The Leaflord indicates his pleasure to a worshipper by having them witness the rapid budding and sprouting of a tree, or plant, the color changing of a single leaf, or an entire plant, and the sudden appearance of a wild forest animal that has no fear of being pet. The Leaflord shows his displeasure by causing nearby plants to wither, causing the individual to accidentally step on twigs, causing them to snap in rapid succession, or by, comically, causing a small, solid object, such as an acorn, to fall on top of their head. 

'''Agents/Petitioners:'''
Rillifane Rallathil is served by Aasimar, Aasimon, Agathinon, Alaghi, Amber Dragons, Ancient Treants, Asuras, Atomies, Badgers, Bariaurs, Bears, Belabra, Bhaergala, Bombardier Beetles, Buraq, Cantobeles, Cath Shee, Centaurs, Coo Shee, Dryads, Earth Elementals, Einheriar, Eladrins, Elven Cats, Elves, Ethyks, Faerie Dragons, Feystags, Forest Spirits, Giant Lynxes, Giant Sundews, Grigs, Hamadryads, Hollyphants, Hybsils, Jaguars, Jungle Giants, Jungle Snakes, Kholiathra, Leopards, Leprechauns, Lythari, Mist Dragons, Mold Men, Monkey Spiders, Moon Horses, Mountain Lions, Nature Elementals, Norans, Nymphs, Oreads, Owls, Pixies, Porcupines, Pseudodragons, Quickwood, Ratatosk, Reverend Ones, Seelie Faeries, Silver Dogs, Singing Trees, Skunks, Small Forest Mammals, Sprites, Stag Beetles, Sunflies, Swanmays, Sylphs, Talking Owls, Thornies, Thylacines, Tigers, Unicorns, Vampire Moss, Warden Beasts of the Forests, Werebears, Wereboars, Weretigers, Wild Boars, Wild Stags, Wolverines, Wolves, and Wood Giants. 

'''The Church of Rillifane Rallathil:'''
The church of the Leaflord is generally admired by the rest of the Tel’Quessir, since the preservation of nature is an idea that all Elves espouse. Because of their beliefs that nature should take preeminence, the church of the Leaflord sometimes comes into conflict with Sun Elves, Moon Elves, and sometimes other churches of the Seldarine.

Temples dedicated to the Leaflord are almost always huge oak trees, with platforms and bridges connecting the tree to other trees. Shrines dedicated to the Leaflord as oak trees as well, but trees that are still too small to be considered temples. It is not unheard of for shrines to be transformed into temples after the tree has grown enough to house such a place of worship.

Novices of the Leaflord are known as Acorns. Fully ordained priests and priestess’ are known as Oakhearts. Other titles used by the church of the Leaflord include, in ascending order, Felsul, Silverbark, Laspar, Hiexel, Blueleaf, Phandar, Duskwood, Shadowtop and Weirwood. High-ranking priests and priestess’ all have unique, individual titles.

Rillifane Rallathil is venerated by nearly all of the Sy’Tel’Quessir, and they make up most of his clergy. Some Moon Elves, Lythari Elves, Sun Elves and Half-Elves are included in the Leaflord’s church as well. A small number of Voadkyn also are included in the church of the Leaflord. The church contains a very equal number of men and women, with there being slightly more males than females. 

'''Day-to-Day Activities:'''
The church of the Leaflord generally keeps to itself, extending only to help fellow Elves and other Sylvan beings. The church hierarchy is organized regionally and divided into branches, as each type of priest serves a specific role. The Druids who compose the bulk of Rillifane's clergy tend to the health of the forests, and those who dwell within, fiercely contesting any attempt to further reduce those forests that remain.

Many Clerics serve as ambassadors of the faith, working outside the communities of the Sy’Tel'Quessir, to educate other races and even other Elves about how to better dwell in harmony with nature. The few Wizards and/or Sorcerers found within the clergy act much as individual Druids do, eschewing the formal organization of the circles. In times of war, however, the leaders of each region unite the branches of the faith and the Sy’Tel'Quessir warriors into a single force.

Rillifane's priests and priestess’ are deadly enemies of those who hunt for sport, or those who harm trees maliciously and unnecessarily. In particular, all priests and priestess’ of Rillifane have a great hatred for the priests and priestess’ of Malar, since the followers of the Beastlord often make Elves the object of their hunts, and their ethos is an anathema to those who serve the Leaflord. Rillifane's priesthood is charged with rooting out and destroying sentient plants whose nature has been twisted by external forces into a warped perversion of nature. In particular, they seek to destroy Hangman Trees, Obliviax, Death's Head Trees, Black Willows, Serpent Vines, and any form of evil Treant, including Dark Trees. 

'''Holy Days/Important Ceremonies:'''
Rillifane Rallathil’s faithful gather twice a year, at the vernal and autumn equinoxes, to hold celebrations in large groves of oak trees deep in the heart of great forests. The Budding is a joyful celebration of new life celebrated through dance and song and preceded by an extended period of fasting. A ritual hunt of an ancient and noble deer is undertaken on this day, from which the venison serves to break the fast of the Leaflord's faithful. This ritual honors Rillifane's bounty and reminds his followers of the natural cycle of life that plays out beneath the Leaflord's boughs.

The Transformation marks the arrival of autumn and the vibrant hues that bedeck the canopies of the Leaflord around this time. The Sy’Tel'Quessir and Elves of other subraces who seek a form of spiritual rebirth or a major change in their lives gather to celebrate Rillifane's eternal promise that the trees will bloom again and that life is a process of continual renewal. 

'''Major Centers of Worship:'''
The Moontouch Oak is the name of both a gargantuan oak tree over 300 feet tall, and the temple of the Leaflord nestled amidst the forest giant's boughs. Located at the heart of the Tangled Trees region of Cormanthor, on the northern bank of the Elvenflow, where Moontouch Creek joins the River Duathamper, the temple tree is believed to be the largest living oak in Faerun.

Some Elven legends claim that the tree is actually the still-living remnants of an avatar of the Leaflord that led several clans of the Sy’Tel'Quessir eastward, away from the devastation of the Crown Wars, many centuries ago. Moontouch Oak has housed approximately two score Wild and Wood Elven Druids of the Circle of Emerald Leaves in its branches since the early days of the Sy’Tel'Quessir settlement of Arcorar, as the Elven Woods were then known.

From -982 DR, with the coming of Venominhandar to the Emerald Vale, until -206 DR, when the Green Wyrm was finally slain, the Druids of Moontouch Oak were sorely besieged, as were their kin, but the temple-tree was never abandoned, despite numerous attacks by the Wyrm and its minions. With the death of Venom, as the dragon was known, the Sy’Tel'Quessir set about reclaiming the woodlands, now known as the Tangled Vale, under the direction of the Druids of Moontouch Oak. Nine centuries later, when the Army of Darkness ravaged Cormanthyr, and eventually destroyed Myth Drannor, the Druids of Moontouch Oak again stood firm in the face of the Nycaloth-led assault, and the temple tree of Rillifane was never violated.

Nine millennia after the conclusion of the Crown Wars, Moontouch Oak stands unbowed. The temple consists of a network of platforms sculpted from the tree's branches and hollows cultivated in the great oak's trunk, all of which are linked by bridges of woven vines. Hallucinatory Terrain spells and the thick leaf coverage mask the religious community's very existence from the outside world, but the influence of the Circle of Emerald Leaves is felt throughout the Tangled Vale and beyond. 

'''Affiliated Orders:'''
While Rangers are not included in the church hierarchy of Rillifane, many such Elven warriors do serve in loose fellowships, affiliated with individual Druid circles as the militant arm of the faith. Each such band of rangers has its own name, but collectively they are known as the Order of the Oakstaff. 

'''Priestly Vestments:'''
The ceremonial garb of the Leaflord's priests includes a laurel wreath worn on the head, and armor fashioned of tree bark. Dark green dyes are rubbed into the armor, to show rank within the church, with the darkest hue reserved for the high priests of the faith. Tree bark armor provides about as much protection as leather armor, but the wearer is, obviously, a lot more flammable. The holy symbol of the faith is an acorn enclosed in amber. 

'''Adventuring Garb:'''
When adventuring, members of Rillifane's clergy favor armor and weapons made from natural materials, such as wood and animal parts, including those with or without magical enhancements.