Tel'Seldarine
The Elven pantheon is primarily located in the plane of Olympus, in an area known as
Arvandor, "The High Forest". This group of divine beings possess
a wide variety of capabilities and areas of interest, and are linked
together by a desire for cooperation. Though many of their spheres of
influence overlap, there is no conflict between them. The Seldarine are
all, almost without exception, chaotic, neutral, and/or good in
temperment. None are evil. They act for the most part independently of one
another, but are drawn together by love, curiosity, friendship, to combine
their strengths to accomplish a task, or by outside threats. What follows
is a listing of these beings, and while their descriptions are far from
complete, it should provide you with a greater understanding of their
nature.
The Fellowship of Brothers and Sisters of the Wood
Corellon Larethian -
Sehanine -
Tethrin Veralde' -
Aerdrie Faenya -
Araleth Letheranil -
Deep Sashelas -
Erevan Ilesere -
Hanali Celanil -
Kirith Sotheril -
Labelas Enoreth -
Melira Taralen -
Naralis Analor -
Rellavar Danuvien -
Rillifane Rallathil -
Solonor Thelandira -
Tarsellis Meunniduin
Corellon Larethian:
Corellon is the
emodiment of the highest ideals of elvenkind. "He" is the
creator of the elven race, and as with all the elven gods, he can assume
the form of either sex, but usually appears as a male, and is usually
revered in this form.
Corellon is a powerful warrior god, one
who has protected his precious creation with hands which have the
gentleness of the artist and sculptor, and which wield weapons of
unspeakable power when they don his dazzling battle gauntlets. Swift and
terrible, Corellon's martial might belies his soft voice and appearance of
unearthly beauty. The birth of the elves, people of song and dance, and
quiet and still places, is believed by them to have originated in the
terrible battle Corellon fought with Gruumsh One-Eye, First Power of the
Orcs. The elves were born from Corellon's blood, and they do not forget
this. Likewise, they do not forget the role of Corellon in banishing Lolth
and the Drow from the surface world, and in many versions of that mythic
battle Corellon instructs the remaining elves to be ever-vigilant in force
of arms and might of magic against any return of the banished darkness,
and also to be strong in heart against the corruption from within which
allowed Lolth to pervert some of the surface elves in the days of the
ancients.
Corellon is often referred to as "the protector
and preserver of my life" by an elf in peril, reflecting his role as
overseer and guardian of the elven people. While other deities may reflect
the joy, delights and accomplishments of the elves, Corellon stands as an
ever-vigilant watcher over them. Only when it is time for them to pass
from the worlds he helped create does he renounce his watchfulness to
Sehanine. Corellon is held never to sleep or rest. His life spirit flows
from and into the elves and their lands, and while mortal elves daydream
and reverie, Corellon never abandons his watchfulness. Here he stands in
marked contrast to Sehanine, an antithesis which is emphasized by the
myths which place her as his consort.
Yet, while Corellon ever
watches over the Elven homelands, he is eternally open to learning. It is
a typically elven paradox, that a god so versed in the arts and crafts,
and so wise, is always open to learning from mortals. Corellon's might
reinforces a genuine humility, and his humility is one of the sources of
his might.
Corellon's role as an artist and craftsman is rooted
in his love of life, growth and abundance. His artistic creations
frequently feature prominently in Elven myth, and they usually have the
properties of growth and emergence. Corellon creates magical woodland
mazes which reveal deeper secrets to those who are guided to explore them,
living sculptures of pure water, knowledge revealing "illusions",
and much else.
Corellon watches over the boundaries of elven
homelands in particular. His avatars wander the borders, often disguised,
and he observes the actions of priests and craftsmen. Omens to priests are
revealed in the form of falling stars, crystallomancy, sudden
inspirations, and a feeling of physical strength, alerting the priest to
unexpected danger. His avatar always appears wearing a sky-blue cloak, and
a large amulet about his neck which has a blue crescent-moon motif within
a large circle.
Priests of Corellon are expected to be leaders
of Elven communities in many ways. They take a leading role in developing
their own, and training others in, combat skills, magic, and arts and
crafts. They are expected to mediate any disputes, and to maintain good
relations with priests of other elven religions and sylvan deities.
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Sehanine:
"Moonbow" (Intermediate Goddess, chaotic good [n/g])
She most closely identified with the full
moon. As moon goddess, Sehanine is one who governs divinations, omens, and
what is often termed "subtle magic"--illusion, elemental (air)
magic, alteration, and the like. She is also a protector against madness.
Sehanine's second role is shared with Labelas Enoreth, god of
time. Labelas granted the elves longevity, and he watches over the
unfolding of their lifespans; but Sehanine watches over the passage of the
elven spirits from the world, and is thus a protectress of the dead. She
is also a guardian and guide to those elves who seek to travel to distant
refuges, such as Evermeet. These lands are jealously hidden from outsiders
by sehanine's exceptional powers of illusion. Sehanine governs long
journeys, be it physical or spiritual. In those Elven cultures which
proclaim the reality of reincarnation, she and Corellon work together to
guide the spirit to it's best subsequent incarnation as it works its way
to perfection.
Sehanine rarely concerns herself directly with
events in the Prime Material, other than her weaving of illusions around
the secret Elven retreats and guiding those Elves coming to those lands.
Her omens are usually given in dreams and waking visions.
Sehanine's priests are protectors of the dead, enjoined to combat undead
creatures, organizers of funeral rites, and also seers and mystics. They
also help with the pratical preparations for journeys to the hidden lands,
but provide no guidance themselves. Retrieval of lost arcane lore and
magical knowledge, especially pertaining to illusions and divinations, is
a prime task of her adventuring priests.
Her symbol is a full moon with a moonbow.
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Tethrin Veralde':
(Demi-God, neutral good)
The son of Corellon and Sehanine. Tethrin is the patron of Bladesingers and Swordsmanship. Also
called "The Shining One" or "The Master of Blades".
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Aerdrie Faenya:
(Intermediate Goddess, chaotic good [c/n])
Goddess of Air and Weather. As a
rain-bringer, she is revered as a source of fertility. She is however,
percieved as a somewhat distant goddess, and the fact that she is also
worshipped by some aarakocra slightly diminishes the strength of Elven
devotion to her.
The goddess herself takes delight in the
freedom of the skies, the music of wind instruments, and sometimes, fairly
severe and violent thunderstorms. It is rumored that she created the
Winged Folk. She is friendly to all avians, aarakocra, ki-rin and lammasu,
and is also popular with Elves that have flying mounts such as pegasi,
hippogriffs, gryphons and so forth.
Exploration and
maintaining good relations with avian races (e.g., giant eagles and
aarakocra) are a prime duty for Aerdrie's priests. Development of musical
skills on wind instruments, and acquiring magical aids to flight, are also
important goals.
Her symbol is a cloud with a bird silhouette.
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Araleth Letheranil:
(Lesser God, chaotic good)
God of Light, Starlight, and Twilight. Also known as " The Prince of
Stars" or "The Twilight Rider".
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Deep Sashelas:
(Intermediate God, chaotic good)
Patron deity
of the Sea Elves. Master of dolphins and always knows where food or the
enemy can be found. "The Knowledgeable One".
His symbol is a dolphin.
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Erevan Ilesere:
(Intemediate God, chaotic neutral)
God of Mischief and Change. As such, he is the main god of Elven Thieves and
Miscreants (e.g. Laerithil). Erevan is a fickle and unpredictable deity
who specializes in shape-changing. He is a woodland lover and will always
wear green somewhere upon his body. He also has a weakness for fine wines.
Priests of Erevan are totally unpredictable. They have minimal
duties, oppose settled interests, and delight in upsetting the rule of the
law, powerful people and generally creating mayhem.
His symbol is a nova star with asymmetrical rays.
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Hanali Celanil:
(Intermediate Goddess, chaotic good)
Goddess
of Romance, Love, and Beauty. Those wishing for luck in love, or to
enhance their own beauty, often look to Hanali for help. She has a crystal
fountain of immense size which she shares only with the goddess Aphrodite,
and draughts from it are given to her senior priests as philtres of
love. Hanali is a being of timeless beauty and benign nature, and
forgiving of minor transgressions. She delights in rewarding her followers
with the bliss of unexpected love and affection.
Hanali's
priests preside over marriages and rites of passage ceremonies for young
Elves. They must cultivate fine gardens, amass personal (or temple-based)
collections of gems, crystal sculptures and the like. They must always be
finely dressed and must always give shelter and succor to young lovers.
Her symbol is a heart of gold.
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Kirith Sotheril:
(Lesser Goddess, neutral good)
Goddess of Divination and Enchantment Magic. "The Magess".
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Labelas Enoreth:
(Intermediate God, chaotic good)
God of Longevity. The acknowledged master of time and aging, he is responsible
for the extended lifespan Elves enjoy, and knows the pasts and futures of
every Elf and all Elven-related creatures. Labelas is also a philosopher,
a patient teacher and instructor.
Labelas' priests are
responsible for educating the young and promoting and acquiring knowledge.
They are also record keepers and historians.
His symbol is a
setting sun.
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Melira Taralen:
(Lesser Goddess,
chaotic good)
Goddess of
Half-Elven Bards, Elven Minstrels, and Songwriting. "The Songstress".
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Naralis Analor:
(Lesser God, neutral good)
God
of Healing and the Easing of Pain and Death. "The Healer" or "The
Watcher of Souls".
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Rellavar Danuvien:
(Lesser God,
neutral good)
Patron of Frost
Sprites, Protection from the Elements (particularly the cold). "The
Frost Sprite King" or "The Warder Against Elements".
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Rillifane Rallathil:(
Intermediate God,
chaotic good)
God of Forests
and the Environment. "The Leaflord". He is worshipped by
most Elven Druids and Wood Elves. He is depicted as a giant oak tree whose
roots mingle with every other plant in the world. This being is concerned
that all creatures have the opportunity to act out their roles in nature
without abusing them.
Rillifane's clerics are deadly enemies of
those who would hunt for sport or harm trees maliciously or unnecessarily.
His symbol is an oak tree.
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Solonor Thelandira:
(Intermediate God, chaotic good)
God
of Archery and Hunting. His magical bow has a range that reaches as far as
the horizon. If he anticipates a battle with a particularly dangerous
opponent, he will try to physically touch that being, then retreat. Once
by himself, he will manufacture an arrow of slaying designed to kill that
one foe, should it strike home.
His symbol is a silver arrow
with green fletching.
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Tarsellis Meunniduin: (Intermediate God,
chaotic neutral)
God of
Mountains, Rivers, Snow Elves, and the Wilderness. "The Lord of
Mountains".
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Peruse the Creation stories of the tel'Quessir,
or take a look at some of our Legends passed down for millenia.
I have also provided a short summary of our Elven Customs
and biographies for some of our gods.
