Solonor Thelandira

Solonor 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: Solonor Thelandira (Pronounced So-lo-nor 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.

Solonor 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. Solonor 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 Solonor 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 Solonor 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.

Solonor 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: Solonor 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.

Solonor 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.

Solonor 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 Solonor Thelandira: While Solonor Thelandira, a benevolent member of the Seldarine, is well regarded throughout Elven society, the majority of his worshipers, 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 Solonoran 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. Solonoran houses of worship are mixtures of natural beauty, and carefully sculpted arboreal art, emphasizing the two competing principles that Solonor Thelandira espouses. Solonor’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. Solonoran temples are most commonly large trees, such as oaks, that have been carefully cultivated and groomed by priests and priestess’. Solonoran temples commonly have large underground chambers beneath these tree-temples, at the base of the tree’s roots.

Novices in the Solonoran 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 Solonor 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. Solonor 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 Solonor 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 Solonor. 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 Solonor 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 Solonor 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 Solonor 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 Solonoran faith that is said to be the first arrow shot from the bow of Solonor 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 Bow, the Keen-Eyed Hunters, and the Archer Knights are all famous martial groups of Solonoran 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 Solonor 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 Solonorans 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, Solonor 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.