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Peeves
 
PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:35 PM 

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This forum contains are rather thorough list of Forgotten Realms deities, as well as additional information on some subjects. Note that you may worship any of the deities listed here, if suitable to your character, even if they are not featured in the Amia Deity System. Deities from outside this list may not exist in the Realms, so you should check with a DM before worshiping one.

Pantheons
The Dragon Pantheon
The Drow Pantheon
The Dwarven Pantheon
The Elven Pantheon
The Faerûnian Pantheon
The Gnomish Pantheon
The Halfling Pantheon
The Mulhorandi Pantheon
The Orc Pantheon (Half-Orc)

God(desse)s

Eilistraee
Lolth
Torm
Vhaeraun
Salandra the Healer
The Stone Tablets of Salandra

Churches
The Church of Eilistraee
The Church of Lolth
The Church of Vhaeraun

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
Peeves
 
PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:35 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: The Faerûnian Pantheon
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Akadi
AL: N
Domains: Air, Travel, Trickery
Portfolio: Elemental air, movement, speed, flying creatures

Auril
AL: NE
Domains: Air, evil, water
Portfolio: Cold, winter

Azuth
AL: LN
Domains: Magic, Knowledge, Protection
Portfolio: Wizards, mages, spellcasters in general

Bane
AL: LE
Domains: Destruction, Evil, Strength
Portfolio: Strife, hatred, tyranny, fear

Beshaba
AL: CE
Domains: Evil, Trickery
Portfolio: Random mischief, misfortune, bad luck, accidents

Chauntea
AL: NG
Domains: Animal, Earth, Good, Plant, Protection
Portfolio: Agriculture, farmers, gardeners, summer

Cyric
AL: CE
Domains: Destruction, Evil, Trickery
Portfolio: Murder, lies, intrigue, deception, illusion

Deneir
AL: NG
Domains: Good, Knowledge, Protection
Portfolio: Glyphs, images, literature, scribes, cartography

Eldath
AL: NG
Domains: Good, Plant, Protection, Water
Portfolio: Quiet places, spring, pools, peace, waterfalls

Finder Wyvernspur
AL: CN
Domains: Animal, Death, Healing
Portfolio: Cycle of life, transformation, saurils

Garagos
AL: CN
Domains: Destruction, Strength, War
Portfolio: War, skill-at-arms, destruction, plunder

Gargauth
AL: LE
Domains: Evil, Trickery, Strength
Portfolio: Betrayal, cruelty, political corruption, powerbrokers

Gond
AL: N
Domains: Earth, Fire, Knowledge
Portfolio: Artifice, craft, construction, smithwork

Grumbar
AL: N
Domains: Earth, Strength
Portfolio: Elemental earth, solidity, changelessness, oaths

Gwaeron Windstrom
AL: NG
Domains: Animal, Good, Knowledge, Plant, Travel
Portfolio: Tracking, rangers of the North

Helm
AL: LN
Domains: Law, Planning, Protection, Strength
Portfolio: Guardians, protectors, protection

Hoar
AL: LN
Domains: Travel, War
Portfolio: Revenge, retribution, poetic justice

Ilmater
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Healing, Strength
Portfolio: Endurance, suffering, martyrdom, perseverance

Istishia
AL: N
Domains: Destruction, Oceans, Storm, Travel, Water
Portfolio: Elemental water, purification, wetness

Jergal
AL: LN
Domains: Death, Knowledge
Portfolio: Fatalism, proper burial, guardians of tombs

Kelemvor
AL: LN
Domains: Death, Fate, Law, Protection, Travel
Portfolio: Death, the dead

Kossuth
AL: N
Domains: Destruction, Fire
Portfolio: Elemental fire, purification through fire

Lathander
AL: NG
Domains: Good, Protection, Strength, Sun, Healing
Portfolio: Spring, dawn, birth, youth, vitality, athletics

Lliira
AL: CG
Domains: Chaos, Charm, Family, Good, Travel
Portfolio: Joy, happiness, dance, festivals, freedom, liberty

Loviatar
AL: LE
Domains: Evil, Strength, Destruction
Portfolio: Pain, hurt, agony, torment, suffering, torture

Lurue
AL: CG
Domains: Animals, Good, Healing
Portfolio: Talking beasts, intelligent nonhumanoid creatures

Malar
AL: CE
Domains: Animals, Evil, Strength
Portfolio: Hunters, stalking, bloodlust, evil lycanthropes

Mask
AL: NE
Domains: Evil, Trickery
Portfolio: Thieves, thievery, shadows

Mielikki
AL: NG
Domains: Animal, Plant, Travel
Portfolio: Forests, forest creatures, rangers, dryads, autumn

Milil
AL: NG
Domains: Good, Knowledge
Portfolio: Poetry, song, eloquence

Mystra
AL: NG
Domains: Good, Knowledge, Magic
Portfolio: Magic, spells, the Weave

Nobanion
AL: LG
Domains: Animals, Good
Portfolio: Royalty, lions and feline beasts, good beasts

Oghma
AL: N
Domains: Knowledge, Travel, Trickery
Portfolio: Knowledge, invention, inspiration, bards

Red Knight
AL: LN
Domains: Knowledge, War
Portfolio: Strategy, planning, tactics

Savras
AL: LN
Domains: Knowledge, Magic
Portfolio: Divination, fate, truth

Selune
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Protection, Travel
Portfolio: Moon, stars, navigation, prophecy, questers, good and neutral lycanthropes

Shar
AL: NE
Domains: Evil, Knowledge, Trickery
Portfolio: Dark, night, loss, forgetfulness, unrevealed secrets, caverns, dungeons, the Underdark

Sharess
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Travel, Trickery
Portfolio: Hedonism, sensual fulfillment, festhalls, cats

Shaundakul
AL: CN
Domains: Air, Protection, Travel
Portfolio: Travel, exploration, caravans, portals

Shialla
AL: NG
Domains: Animal, Good, Plant, Renewal
Portfolio: Woodland glades, woodland fertility, the High Forest, Neverwinter Woods

Siamorphe
AL: LN
Domains: Knowledge, Protection
Portfolio: Nobles, rightful rule of nobility, human royalty

Silvanus
AL: N
Domains: Animal, Plant, Protection, Water
Portfolio: Wild nature, druids

Sune
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Protection
Portfolio: Beauty, love, passion

Talona
AL: CE
Domains: Destruction, Evil
Portfolio: Disease, poison

Talos
AL: CE
Domains: Destruction, Evil, Fire, Air
Portfolio: Storms, destruction, rebellion, conflagrations, earthquakes, vortices

Tempus
AL: CN
Domains: Protection, Strength, War
Portfolio: War, battle, warriors

Tiamat
AL: LE
Domains: Evil, Animal, Strength
Portfolio: Evil dragons, evil reptiles, greed, Chessenta

Torm
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Healing, Protection, Strength
Portfolio: Duty, loyalty, obedience, paladins

Tymora
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Protection, Travel
Portfolio: Good fortune, skill, victory, adventurers

Tyr
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Knowledge, War
Portfolio: Justice

Ubtao
AL: N
Domains: Plant, Protection, Animal
Portfolio: Creation, jungles, Chult, the Chultans, dinosaurs

Ulutiu
AL: LN
Domains: Animal, Protection, Strength, Water
Portfolio: Glaciers, polar environments, artic dweller

Umberlee
AL: CE
Domains: Destruction, Evil, Water, Air
Portfolio: Oceans, currents, waves, sea winds

Uthgar
AL: CN
Domains: Animal, Strength, War
Portfolio: The Uthgardt barbarian tribes, physical strength

Valkur
AL: CG
Domains: Air, Good, Protection, Water
Portfolio: Sailors, ships, favorable winds, naval combat

Velsharoon
AL: NE
Domains: Death, Evil, Magic
Portfolio: Necromancy, necromancers, evil liches, undeath

Waukeen
AL: N
Domains: Knowledge, Protection, Travel
Portfolio: Trade, money, wealth

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
Peeves
 
PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:36 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: The Elven Pantheon
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Aerdrie Faenya
AL: CG
Domains: Air, Animal, Good
Portfolio: Air, weather, avians, rain, fertility, avariels

Angharradh
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Knowledge, Plant, Protection
Portfolio: Spring, fertility, planting, birth, defense, wisdom

Corellon Larethian
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Magic, Protection, War
Portfolio: Magic, music, arts, crafts, war, the elven race (especially sun elves), poetry, bards, warriors

Deep Sashelas
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Knowledge, Water
Portfolio: Oceans, sea elves, creation, knowledge

Erevan Ilesere
AL: CN
Domains: Trickery, Travel
Portfolio: Mischief, change, rogues

Fenmarel Mestarine
AL: CN
Domains: Animal, Plant, Travel
Portfolio: Feral elves, outcasts, scapegoats, isolation

Hanali Celanil
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Magic, Protection
Portfolio: Love, romance, beauty, enchantments, magic item artistry, fine art, artists

Labelas Enoreth
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Knowledge
Portfolio: Time, longevity, the moment of choice, history

Rillifane Rallathil
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Plant, Protection, Animal
Portfolio: Woodlands, nature, wild elves, druids

Sehanine Moonbow
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Knowledge, Travel
Portfolio: Mysticism, dreams, death, journeys, transcendence, the moon, the stars, the heavens, moon elves

Shevarash
AL: CN
Domains: War, Destruction
Portfolio: Hatred of the drow, vengeance, crusades, loss

Solonor Thelandira
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Plant, War
Portfolio: Archery, hunting, wilderness survival

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
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PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:38 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: The Dwarven Pantheon
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Abbathor
AL: NE
Domains: Evil, Trickery
Portfolio: Greed

Berronar Truesilver
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Healing, Protection
Portfolio: Safety, honesty, home, healing, the dwarven family, records, marriage, faithfulness, loyalty, oaths

Clangeddin Silverbeard
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Strength, War
Portfolio: Battle, war, valor, bravery, honor in battle

Deep Duerra (duergar)
AL: LE
Domains: Evil, War
Portfolio: Psionics, conquest, expansion

Dugmaren Brightmantle
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Knowledge, Protection
Portfolio: Scholarship, invention, discovery

Dumathoin
AL: N
Domains: Earth, Knowledge, Protection
Portfolio : Buried wealth, ores, gems, mining, exploration, shield dwarves, guardian of the dead

Gorm Gulthyn
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Protection, War
Portfolio: Guardian of all dwarves, defense, watchfulness

Haela Brightaxe
AL: CG
Domains: Good, War
Portfolio: Luck in battle, joy in battle, dwarven fighters

Laduguer (duergar)
AL: LE
Domains: Evil, Magic, Protection
Portfolio: Magic weapon creation, artisans, magic, gray dwarves

Marthammor Duin
AL: NG
Domains: Good, Protection, Travel
Portfolio: Guides, explorers, expatriates, travelers, lightning

Moradin
AL: LG
Domains: Earth, Good, Protection
Portfolio: Dwarves, creation, smithing, protection, metal craft, stonework

Sharindlar
AL: CG
Domains: Good, Healing
Portfolio: Healing, mercy, romantic love, fertility, dancing, courtship, the moon

Thard Harr
AL: CG
Domains: Animal, Good, Plant
Portfolio: Wild dwarves, jungle survival, hunting

Vergadain
AL: N
Domains: Trickery, Knowledge
Portfolio: Wealth, luck, chance, nonevil thieves, suspicion, trickery, negotiation, sly cleverness

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
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PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:38 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: The Gnomish Pantheon
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Baervan Wildwanderer
AL: NG
Domains: Animal, Good, Plant, Travel
Portfolio: Forests, travel, nature

Baravar Cloakshadow
AL: NG
Domains: Good, Protection, Trickery
Portfolio: Illusions, deception, traps, wards

Callarduran Smoothhands
AL: N
Domains: Earth, Strength
Portfolio: Stone, the Underdark, mining, the svirfneblin

Flandal Steelskin
AL: NG
Domains: Good, Strength
Portfolio: Mining, physical fitness, smithing, metalworking

Gaerdal Ironhand
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Protection, War
Portfolio: Vigilance, combat, martial defense

Garl Glittergold
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Protection, Trickery
Portfolio: Protection, humor, trickery, gem cutting, gnomes

Segojan Earthcaller
AL: NG
Domains: Earth, Good, Plant
Portfolio: Earth, nature, the dead

Urdlen
AL: CE
Domains: Earth, Evil, Destruction, War
Portfolio: Greed, bloodlust, evil, hatred, uncontrolled impulse, spriggans

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
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PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:38 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: The Halfling Pantheon
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Arvoreen
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Protection, War
Portfolio: Defense, war, vigilance, halfling warriors, duty

Brandobaris
AL: N
Domains: Travel, Trickery
Portfolio: Stealth, thievery, adventuring, hafling rogues

Cyrrollalee
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Healing
Portfolio: Friendship, trust, the hearth, hospitality, crafts

Sheela Peryroyl
AL: N
Domains: Air, Plant, Sun
Portfolio: Nature, agriculture, weather, song, dance, beauty, romantic love

Urogalan
AL: LN
Domains: Death, Earth, Protection
Portfolio: Earth, death, protection of the dead

Yondalla
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Protection, Healing, Knowledge
Portfolio: Protection, bounty, halflings, children, security, leadership, wisdom, creation, family, tradition

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
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PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:39 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: The Orc Pantheon (Half-Orc)
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Bahgtru
AL: CE
Domains: Evil, Strength
Portfolio: Loyalty, stupidity, brute strength

Gruumsh
AL: CE
Domains: Evil, Strength, War
Portfolio: Orcs, conquest, survival, strength, territory

Ilneval
AL: NE
Domains: Destruction, Evil, War
Portfolio: War, combat, overwhelming numbers, strategy

Luthic
AL: NE
Domains: Earth, Evil, Healing
Portfolio: Caves, orc females, home, wisdom, fertility, healing, servitude

Shargaas
AL: CE
Domains: Evil, Trickery
Portfolio: Night, thieves, stealth, darkness, Underdark

Yurtrus
AL: NE
Domains: Death, Destruction, Evil
Portfolio: Death, Disease

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
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PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:39 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: The Drow Pantheon
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Eilistraee
AL:CG
Domains: Good, trickery, protection
Porfolio: The moon, the hunt, good drow, swordplay

Ghaunadaur
AL: CE
Domains: Cavern, Chaos, Drow, Evil, Hatred, Slime
Portfolio: Oozes, Slimes, Jellies, Outcasts, Ropers, Rebels

Kiaransalee
AL: CE
Domains: Chaos, Drow, Evil, Retribution, Undeath
Portfolio: Undead, Vengeance

Selvetarm
AL: CE
Domains: Chaos, Drow, Evil, Spider, War
Portfolio: Barbarians, Fighters, Warriors, Drow, those who like to kill

Vhaeraun
AL: CE
Domains: Chaos, Drow, Evil, Travel, Trickery
Portfolio: Thievery, Drow, Males, evil activity on the surface

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
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PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:39 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: The Mulhorandi Pantheon
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anhur
AL: CG
Domains: Chaos, Good, Strength, Storm, War
Portfolio: General of the Gods, Champion of Physical Prowess, the Falcon of War

Bast
AL: CG
Domains: see Sharess
Porfolio: see Sharess

Geb
AL: N
Domains: Cavern, Craft, Earth Protection
Portfolio: King of the Riches Under the Earth, Father Under the Skies and Sands

Hathor
AL: NG
Domains: Family, Fate, Good, Moon
Portfolio: The Nurturing Mother

Horus-Re
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Law, Nobility, Retribution, Sun
Portfolio: Lord of the Sun, Master of Vengeance, Pharaoh of the Gods

Isis
AL: NG
Domains: Family, Good, Magic, Storm, Water
Portfolio: Bountiful Lady, Lady of Rivers, Mistress of Enchantment


Nephthys
AL: CG
Domains: Chaos, Good, Protection, Trade
Portfolio: Guardian of Wealth and Commerce, Protector of the Dead, the Avenging Mother

Osiris
AL: LG
Domains: Good, Law, Plant, Repose, Retribution
Portfolio: Lord of Nature, Judge of the Dead, Reaper of the Harvest

Sebek
AL: NE
Domains: Animal, Evil, Scalykind, Water
Portfolio: Lord of Crocodiles, the Smiling Death

Set
AL: LE
Domains: Air, Darkness, Evil, Hatred, Law, Magic, Scalykind
Portfolio: Defiler of the Dead, Lord of Carrion, Father of Jackals

Thoth
AL: N
Domains: Crafts, Knowledge, Magic, Rune, Spell
Portfolio: Lord of Magic, Scribe of the Gods, the Keeper of Knowledge

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
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PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:39 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: Dragon Pantheon
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name:Aasterinian, Goddess of Invention, messenger of Io
AL: CN
Portfolio:Chaos, Luck, Trickery, Learning, Invention, pleasure

Name:Astilabor, Goddess of Wealth
AL:N
Portfolio: Acquisitiveness, status, wealth

Name:Bahamut, God of Good Dragonkind, The Platnum dragon, Lord of the North wind.
AL: LG
Portfolio:Good dragons, wind, wisdom

Name:Chronepsis,(Sometime's known as Zorquaan) God of Fate
AL:N
Portfollio:Fate, Planning, death, judgement

Name: Falazure (Sometime's known as null), God of Decay, the Night Dragon
AL: NE
Portfolio:Darkness, undeath, exhaustion

Name: Garyx, God of Destruction
AL:CE
Portfollio:Fire, destruction, renewal

Name:Hlal (Rumored to be an Aspect of Aaterinian), Goddess of Humor AL:CG
Portfollio:Humor, storytelling, inspiration

Name:Io, Lord of the Gods, The Ninefold Dragon, The Swallower of Shade's
AL:N
Portfollio:Dragonkind

Name:Lendys, God of Justice
AL: LN
Portfollio: Retribution Balance, justice

Name: Tamara, Goddess of Life
AL:NG
Portfollio:Life, light, mercy

Name:Tiamat, God of Evil Dragonkind, The Dark Queen, The dark Lady the Undieing Dragon queen.
AL: LE
Portfollio:Evil dragons, conquest, greed, evil reptiles

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
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PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:40 PM 

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: Eilistraee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALIAS: The Dark Maiden, Lady of the Dance, Lady Silverhair
ALIGNMENT:CG
PORTFOLIO: Song, beauty, dance, swordwork, hunting, moonlight
SYMBOL: A silver long sword outlined against a silver moon, with silvery filaments (Eilistraee's hair) around all, in a nimbus
WORSHIPPER’S ALIGNMENTS.: CN,NG,CG

Eilistraee (EEL-iss-TRAY-yee) is the goddess of the good drow-those rare dark elves who yearn for a re-turn to life on the surface Realms, existence akin to that enjoyed by elves of the woodlands, left behind by the drow long ago. She is a goddess of song and beauty, goodness and light, worshiped through song and dance-preferably in the surface world, under the stars of a moonlit night. Eilistraee aids her faithful in hunting and swordcraft, and worship of her is usually accompanied by a feast. Eilistraee also has worshipers of human, elven, and in particular, half-elven stock (particularly around Silverymoon), and she looks kindly upon the Harpers. She is usually seen only from afar, hut her song (of unearthly beauty, driving many to tears) is heard whenever she appears.

The Dark Maiden is the sister of Vhaeraun and the daughter of Araushnee, who was cast out and became Lolth, and Corellon Larethian. After Eilistraee nearly slew her father with an arrow during a great battle between the Seldarine and a host of evil deities bent on conquering Arvandor, the Dark Maiden forswore the use of ranged weapons (although she permits them to her followers). Although her arrow went astray because of Araushnee's treachery, Eilistraee chose banishment from Arvandor (and the Seldarine) along with her mother and brother, foreseeing a time when she would be needed to balance their evil. On Aheir-Toril, the Dark Maiden strove for centuries against the hatred of Vhaeraun and his corrupting influence on the Ilythiiri (southern, darkskinned elves). Eilistraee's power ebbed with the death of many of her faithful in the Dark Disaster, and the rise of Lolth and Ghaunadaur among the dark elves marginalized the influence of the Lady of the Dance for millennia. Only in recent centuries has Eilistraee's faith regained a small amount of prominence in Faerun, as the Dark Maiden seeks to lead the fallen drow back to the long-forsaken light.

Eilistraee is a melancholy, moody drow female, a lover of beauty and peace. The evil of most drow banks a burning anger within her, and when her faithful are harmed, that anger is apt to spill out into wild action. It is not her way to act openly, but she often aids creatures she favors (whether they worship her or not) in small, immediately practical ways. Eilistraee is happiest when she looks on bards singing or composing, craftsmen at work, lovers, or acts of kindness.

While the Dark Maiden and the Seldarine remain allies, it is a strained relationship that reflects the divisions that persist among the elves. Among the elven powers, Eilistraee is only close with Erevan Ilesere, and she has only recently worked out an uneasy truce with Shevarash. Eilistraee is unusually close with the human goddess of magic, Mystra; Qilue Veladorn, seventh of the Seven Sisters, serves both goddesses as Chosen of Mystra and as Chosen of Eilistraee. The Dark Maiden hates the corruption and unredeemable evil that both Lolth and Ghaunadaur represent, and she mourns her brother's enduring cruelty and selfishness.

Manifestations
Eilistraee's most used manifestations are a silvery radiance, sometimes accompanied by a wordless snatch of song or a few echoing harp notes. The Dark Maiden seldom takes a direct hand in the affairs of mortals, but she sometimes appears in the midst of a dance in her honor, leaping amid the flames of the feast unharmed. She also appears, radiance dimmed and clad in a plain, cowled cloak, at the campfires of wayfarers in the woodlands by night to test their kindness.

Most worshipers see Eilistraee only from afar, perched on a hillock or battlement, silver hair streaming out behind her. She appears to show her favor or blessing and often rallies or heartens creatures by causing a high, far-off hunting horn call to be heard. (On several occasions, this has frightened off brigands or orc raiders, who thought aid for their quarry was on the way.) When Eilistraee's hunting horn is heard but no foes are present, her followers interpret it as a sign that someone nearby needs their aid.

Eilistraee sometimes manifests to a worshiper or nonworshiper who honors her with a solitary dance as a silver radiance that transforms the recipient's hair into a mane of silver fire for a month or even permanently. Eilistraee has also been known to aid her worshipers by providing a faint silvery radiance when they need to find something dropped in darkness, or follow an unknown trail by night through dark woods, or when childbirth occurs in darkness. She sometimes sends a flutter of silvery swallowtailed moths to show her favor, join in a dance, or lead her faithful that have become lost or need some indication of the best direction to take.

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
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PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:40 PM 

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:?: The Church of Eilistraee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eilistraee is served by aasimar, mercury dragons, silver dragons and a tiefling or two. She demonstrates her favor through the discovery of mithral or silver, and the sudden inspiration to write a beautiful song or poem or the skilled to craft a gorgeous sword. Eilistraee indicates her displeasure with the sudden rising of a cold breeze, the disfavored ones hands or feet growing chilled, a sudden lack of inspiration for or capability in any artistic endeavor, or the inability to catch anything while hunting.

The followers of Eilistraee are figures of legend in both the Underdark and the Lands of Light. They are the subject of superstitions and wildly inaccurate mistruths, held by surface dwellers to be the evil vanguard of the Spider Goddess's plot to plunge all of Faerun into darkness under her rule and held by those drow who follow the Way of Lolth (or other evil gods) to be faerie (surface elf) invaders masquerading as dark elves in preparation for the coming war of annihilation. Rare is the individual-dark elf or not-who appreciates that Eilistraee is forging her own path, one that welcomes beings of all races who revel in life and the free form expression of all that entails.

All clergy of Eilistraee must be female, but they may be of any intelligent race and are collectively known as Dark Ladies, although individual temples often have a unique collective name for the Dark Maiden's priests. Acolytes and aspirants to the clergy who wish to join a temple or who have not yet attained full priesthood are known as Maids.

Temples of the Dark Maiden are typically established in the mouths of dark caverns and in dim forests on the surface world from which her priests can venture forth at night to brave the moonlight. It is rare for clergy of Eilistraee to found a temple below the surface. The Dark Maiden's clergy seek out pristine, natural sites that need little modification. Temple complexes typically include a glade in which to dance and from which the view of the moon is unobstructed, a dark place removed from the light of day, a thick tree canopy, a lively fresh water stream that playfully dances and sings, a forge and smithy for Grafting swords, an access tunnel to the Underdark, and a vein of iron or some other metal suitable for the crafting of swords. However, the simplest shrine of the Dark Maiden requires naught but a moonlit glade and a song (audible or imagined) that draws one into a dance.

Dogma
Aid the weak, strong, grateful, and churlish alike; be always kind, save in battle with evil. Encourage happiness everywhere; lift hearts with kind words, jests, songs, and merriment. Learn how to cook game and how best to hunt it. Learn new songs, dances, and ways with weapons, and spices, and recipes, and pass this learning on whenever possible. Learn how to play, make, and repair musical instruments. Practice music and sword-work. Defend and aid all folk, promoting harmony between the races.

Strangers are your friends. The homeless must be given shelter from storms, under your own roof if need be. Repay rudeness with kindness. Repay violence with swift violence, that the fewest may be hurt and danger fast removed from the land.

The faithful must aid drow who are in distress. If the distressed are fighting with other drow, the combat is to be stopped with as little bloodshed as possible. So long as the drow met with are not working evil on others, they are to be aided and given the message of Eilistraee: "A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."

Any hungry travelers met with, who offer no threats, are to be fed by the faithful of Eilistraee. While traveling, priests are to carry food with them for this purpose at all times. Where food cannot be purchased or received, it must be gathered or hunted for. Faithful of Eilistraee are to set aside food and give it as often as possible to strangers in need, particularly outcasts and those of other races. If food yet remains, it is to be given to the priests of Eilistraee, that they may do the same, and none shall go hungry. Except for properly sad occasions, a meal should be accompanied by merriment; the faithful of the Dark Maiden are commanded to promote happiness and gaiety whenever possible. When faithful and allies of a priest fall in battle, any priest present must, if possible, provide burial, a funeral song, and comfort to the bereaved.

Day-to-Day Activities
Whenever and wherever possible, faithful of Eilistraee encourage drow to return to the surface world and work to promote harmony between drow and surface-dwelling races in order to establish the drow as rightful, nonevil inhabitants of Faerun. They nurture beauty, music, the craft of making musical instruments, and song wherever they find it, assist hunters and hunting, and help others in acts of kindness whenever they see ways to do so. Priests must be skilled in the playing of at least one of the Dark Maiden's favored instruments-horn, flute, or harp; be adequate singers; and be fit, graceful dancers. They gather songs and musical knowledge constantly and acquire training in the use of the sword when they can.

Holy Days/Important Ceremonies
The customary worship to the Dark Maiden is a hunt, followed by a feast and dancing, and a Circle of Song, in which the worshipers sit and dance by turns in a circle, each one in succession leading a song. If possible, this is done out of doors, in a wooded area, on a moonlit night. Daily prayers are sung whenever possible, and priests try to lead others in a song or two every evening, even if no formal ritual is held.

Worshipers of Eilistraee try to let out all of the gathered emotions of the day with an 'evensong'. An evensong is a personal thing, often wordless and done in private. Priests of the Dark Maiden who have the coins to do so are expected to hire any strange minstrel or bard they meet for a song or two; lay worshipers are encouraged to do so. Whenever a sword is finished or first taken into use by a worshiper of the Dark Maiden, a priest tries to call down the blessing of the goddess upon it. This is done by planting the blade point-down in the ground, out of doors and by night, and dancing.

The High Hunt is celebrated at least once in each of the four seasons: a night-time hunt of a dangerous beast or monster, led by priests of Eilistraee. By tradition, the hunters may use any bladed weapons, and wear anything-except the priests, who go naked, carrying only a single sword. If the quarry is slain, a chanted prayer and circle dance to the goddess is held.

At least once a year, priests of Eilistraee undertake a Run. Those who are not drow blacken their bodies with natural dyes and oils. All priests, drow or not, boil certain leaves and berries to make their hair silvery, and go wandering on the surface world. Trusting to their music, kind ways, and sword skills to keep them from being slain as drow, priests of the Dark Maiden go where they are strangers, making an effort to seek out elven communities and bring them game, kindness, and helping hands. They try to learn new songs, music, and sword ways, and do not come to preach their faith or make a mark for themselves.

In the end, all priests who do not die in battle hold their greatest ritual: the Last Dance. In old age, Eilistraee's priests hear the goddess singing to them by night, calling them to her. When the song feels right, they go out unclad under the moonlit sky and dance-never to be seen again. Those who have observed such dances say that the goddess comes and sings overhead, and the aged priest begins to dance more effortlessly, looking younger and younger. Her hair begins to glow with the same radiance as the Dark Maiden's, and then she becomes slowly translucent, fading away as the dance goes on. In the end, only a silvery radiance is heard, with two voices-the goddess and her priest-raised together in melancholy, tender song.

Equipment
Priestly Vestments; Priests of Eilistraee wear their hair long, and dress practically for whatever they are currently doing. For rituals, they wear as little as possible. Otherwise, they tend to wear soft leathers for hunting, aprons while cooking, and-when battle is expected-armor. When relaxing, they favor silvery, diaphanous gowns. The holy symbol of the faith is a silver sword pendant the length of a Dark Lady's hand. Such symbols are typically worn as pins or hung around the neck on a slender silver or mithral chain.

Adventuring Garb: Eilistraee's clergy must garb themselves in either magical armor or armor of drow make. Whenever possible, priests of the Dark Maiden must use swords in battle. If no swords are at hand but other bladed weapons are available, they must be used in preference to other weapons. Long bows and silver-tipped arrows are also commonly employed as secondary weapons.

The favored weapons of priests of Eilistraee are singing swords. Some are sentient and aligned to chaotic good, but most can be wielded by any being capable of lifting them. A singing sword is a silver bastard sword that sings constantly and loudly when unsheathed.

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Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
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Peeves
 
PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:40 PM 

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:?: Lolth
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ALIGNMENT: CE
PORTFOLIO: Spiders, evil, darkness, chaos, assassins, the drow race
ALIAS: Araushnee, Megwandir, Moander, Zinzerena, The Spider Queen, Queen of Spiders, Demon Queen of Spiders, Demon Queen of the Abyss, Queen of the Demonweb Pits, Weaver of Chaos, the Hunted the Mother of Lusts, Dark Mother of All Drow, Lady of Spiders
SYMBOL: Black spider with female drow head (at bottom of figure) or black cloak and short
WORSHIPPERS ALIGNMENT: LN, N, CN, LE, NE, CE

Lolth is the goddess of the drow race and drow society. She is responsible for the nature, customs, laws, and survival of most drow communities. The Spider Queen maintains her absolute rule over drow cities by means of her clergy, who tirelessly seek out and destroy all traces of dissent, disobedience, rival faiths, or sacrilege and w ruthlessly enforce the Way of Lolth. The Spider Queen foments unending chaos in drow society and sets the drow eternally at war with each other both for her own amusement and to prevent complacency, runaway pride from asserting itself, or the rise of other faiths. Lolth is also venerated by chitines, a small spiderlike race that are castoffs of the drow.

As Araushnee, Lolth was once a lesser power of the Seldarine and the consort of Corellon Larethian. She was the patron of artisans, the goddess of elven destiny, and-later, by Corellon's decree-the keeper of those elves who shared her darkly beautiful features. The Weaver of Destiny bore Corel-lon twin godlings-Vhaeraun and Eilistraee-before she turned against her lover and raised a host of hostile powers to attack Arvandor. Despite the treachery of Araushnee, and to a lesser extent, Vhaeraun, the assault failed and the perfidy of Corellon's consort and son were revealed. By order of the Council of the Seldarine, Araushnee was transformed into a spider-shaped tanar'ri and banished to the Abyss.

As an Abyssal Lord, Araushnee assumed the name Lolth and conquered a considerable portion of that foul plane, driving off Ghaunadaur and subjugating Kiaransalee in the process. The Spider Queen then turned her attentions toward corrupting the mortal children of the Seldarine and reclaiming her divinity. The Spider Queen immediately began to cultivate followers among the most cruel and corrupt of Corellon's children in Faerun. Lolth's machinations among the elves culminated in the Crown Wars, and eventually, the descent of the drow into the Underdark, but by that time she had enmeshed most of the dark-skinned Ilythiiri, now drow, in her webs and engendered the death of countless elves and the destruction of much of elven civilization in Faerun.

In the centuries since the Crown Wars, Lolth's followers have continued to spread throughout the Underdark, from Dusklyngh to T'lindhet and from Guallidurth to now-fallen V'elddrinnsshar. While other powers contest her rule, the Spider Queen's dominion over the dark elves continues to expand, albeit more slowly than before. Lolth's followers have been occupied with the conquest of the Underdark and the destruction of the faerie elves of the surface, and the Spider Queen has never ceased in her efforts to destroy the elven sanctuary of Evermeet.

Lolth is a cruel, capricious goddess, thought by many to be insane. She delights in setting her worshipers at each other's throats, so that the strongest, most devious and most cruel survive to serve her. Lolth roams the Realms often, appearing in answer to the rituals of drow priests, and working whatever harm she can to the enemies of drow. (During the Time of Troubles, Lolth appeared in the northern city of Menzoberranzan for a short period of time.) The Spider Queen secretly wants to be worshiped by humans and elves of other races on the surface Realms, and sometimes journeys among their communities, whispering of the power Lolth can bring. Lolth is malicious in her dealings and coldly vicious in a fight. She enjoys both personally dealing and causing death, destruction, and painful torture. Even more, Lolth enjoys corrupting elves and humans to her service. Lolth can be kind and render aid to those she fancies-but she really cares only for herself; her favor and aid can never be relied on. The Spider Queen enjoys the company of and can converse with spiders of all sorts.

Manifestations

Lolth can appear as a giant black widow spider with crimson eyes, or she can change into the form of a human-sized, exquisitely beautiful female drow. In this form she often clothes herself entirely in clinging spiders, but sometimes wearing drow chain mail styled into artful dresses or tunics. She can also combine the two forms, appearing as a giant spider with a coldly beautiful female drow head. This is the form in which she is usually found in the Abyss, and it is thought to be her true form. Lolth can call on any sphere or school of magic for her spells.

Lolth rarely aids her worshipers directly, preferring to watch and enjoy their sufferings and struggles. If she wants someone to know that she is watching, Lolth causes a smirking pair of sensuous lips to appear on any spider present. The spider is always outlined in a flickering purple faerie fire. If no spider is present, Lolth creates a smiling, spider-shaped shadow of giant size. More rarely, Lolth acts directly. In such cases, her power may be seen as a flickering black, mauve-edged radiance around a person or object temporarily imbued with her power.

Lolth's laughter-soft, cruel feminine chuckling-is often heard by drow who have lost her favor or who have gone mad. It is also heard by foes of the drow, especially when beings of these sorts are alone and/or fleeing in the endless caverns and passages of the Underdark.

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Peeves
 
PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:41 PM 

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:?: The Church of Lolth
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Members of Lolth's clergy must be drow or chitines, although little is known about the latter, even among the dark elves themselves.

The Spider Queen is the subject of terrifying legend among most surface dwellers and seen as virtually synonymous with the greatly feared drow. In the Underdark, she is a well-known evil, hated for the cruel power of her priests by dwarves, svirfneblin, and other races. Few elves are even willing to discuss their deep-dwelling kin, let alone the dark goddess who is blamed in large part for their depravity and for leading them into evil. Only the dark elven priests of Eilistraee are even willing to discuss the Spider Queen, and their fury at her enslavement of their kin exceeds even that of the other elven subraces. Lolth is hated and feared even by her most devout priests; they venerate her for the power she provides, not out of any sense of affection or loyalty or principles. Dark elves who venerate other evil gods as well all male drow who pay her homage revile both the Spider Queen and her priests for the power they possess, not that they would not seize such power for themselves if they could.

Noble Houses have their own private temples, and every drow city has at least one large, open public gathering-area for large rituals, calls to war, and the like. Most cities also have a grand temple to the Spider Queen, used for training priests.
In every temple, despite large differences in size, opulence, and importance, certain constants apply. Inner chambers are reserved for the worship and business of Lolth, including most spellcasting. These chambers are always shrouded in darkness, except for the radiances involved in spellcasting and rituals. Antechambers are set aside for warcouncils, and most business wherein priests meet with drow males and outsiders. Most temples have guardian creatures, often hidden, and occasionally magical in nature (such as jade spiders). These usually include spiders of all sorts. In the event of an attack, even the harmless sorts of spiders can be equipped with armor-sheaths, strapped to their backs, that bear House defense runes-or even, in the case of intelligent, charmed spiders, house insignia with active magic powers may be wielded.
Statuettes of the Spider Queen, usually worked of black stone, are present in all temple chambers. Marble and obsidian are favored materials for statuary and temple furniture. There are always large, ornately carved (with spider shapes) braziers, and at least one altar of black stone.
Titles used by Lolthite priests vary widely from city to city but are strictly enforced within their respective domains. As an example, in Guallidurth, deep beneath Calimshan, Lolth's clergy are known collectively as Yom'y-athrins. In ascending order, the hierarchy of titles for the Temple City of Lolth include Noamutha, Khalessa, Kyorla, Alura, Quartha, Talintha, Elamshina, and Xundusa. High-ranking priests of the Spider Queen are collectively known as yathtallars. If they rule a noble house they are known as Ilharess (Matron Mother), but otherwise they are titled Streea'Valsharess (Black Widow).

Dogma
Fear is as strong as steel, while love and respect are soft, useless feelings that none can lean on. All drow who do not worship Lolth must be converted or destroyed. All weak and rebellious drow must be weeded out. All who impugn the faith must perish. Males or slaves of other races who act independently of Lolth's dictates (and those other priests) must be sacrificed to Lolth. Those of the faithful whose loyalty is weak must be eliminated. Children are to be raised as loyal worshipers of Lolth, and each family should produce at least one priest to serve the Spider Queen better than his or her parents. Arachnids of all sorts are to be revered, and anyone who mistreats or kills a spider must die.

Such are the commands of Lolth-but the priest who follows them blindly is on a slippery path leading to swift death. Success in the service of Lolth lies with those who are attentive to the ever-changing, often contradictory will of Lolth. Lolth's capricious nature makes hard-and-fast rules few and uncertainty great. Of course, questioning Lolth's motives or wisdom is a sin. Aiding nondrow against drow is a great sin, as is ignoring the Spider Queen's commands in favor of love. (Lolth often tests her priests by ordering the sacrifice of a favored consort.) Drow who lose the favor of Lolth are always given a single chance to redeem themselves. This is usually a dangerous or difficult mission, though Lolth may test certain individuals by setting no task at all and observing what they do. Those who willfully fail are destroyed. Lolth commands other worshipers to do this (in turn, testing them). Those who fail through mischance or poor planning or execution are usually transformed into driders. Lolth often plays favorites among her drow worshipers, but those who ride high one season are warned that Lolth can turn her dark face upon them without warning and undoubtedly will sometime soon.

Day-to-Day Activities
Lolth's priests are the rulers, police forces, judges, juries, and executioners of drow society. They wield power daily, and most do so in a manner in keeping with the cruel and capricious nature of Lolth herself. Priests of Lolth strive to act as Lolth wishes and to manipulate (often by brutal force) their fellow drow to do so too. The ultimate aim of every priest is to achieve and keep the Favor of Lolth. The spirits of priests who die in her favor are believed to go to the Abyss, where they become yochlol and other servant creatures. Those who die in Lolth's disfavor are thought to pass into torment on another plane somewhere, perhaps to someday return to the Realms as a snake or spider. (Drow beliefs are confused on such matters, and often change with time and location.) The duties of a good priest, then, are to do whatever is necessary to gain and to keep the Spider Queen's favor. Although treachery and cruelty are often rewarded, Lolth does not look kindly on those who let personal grudges and revenge-taking bring defeat or shame to their House, clan, city, or band.

Holy Days/Important Ceremonies
Lolth requires homage-submission in prayer, plus offerings-regularly from her priests. Ceremonies involving the sacrifice of surface elves are performed monthly during nights of the full moon as deliberate affronts to Sehanine, Lolth's hated rival. Rituals to Lolth are customarily practiced in female-only company in a sacred room or area. Rituals requiring extraordinary power or a public display may be celebrated in the open and in all sorts of mixed company When Lolth's aid is required, sacrifices must be made. These are traditionally the blood of drow faithful and/or captured foes, spilled with a spider-shaped knife whose eight descending legs are. In other cases, gems or other precious objects may be burned in braziers, as prayers of offering are chanted.In large, important rituals, priests of Lolth customarily use eight braziers to provide additional flame material and in homage to Lolth (the flames represent her eight legs). The most powerful rituals to Lolth defy detailed description and are seldom seen by nondrow.
Rituals to Lolth involve the burning of precious oils and incense, live offerings, and riches of all sorts, particularly gems. These are customarily placed in a bowl-shaped depression in a black altar (or burning brazier). These offerings are always consumed in the flames of Lolth at some point in the ritual. If Lolth is particularly displeased, or impostors are present, the black-and-red flames that leap from the braziers to consume the offerings may also arc to consume other valuables present, such as magical items, jewelry, and clothing.

equipment
Priestly Vestments: When participating in rituals, priests of Lolth work unclad or wear robes (black, trimmed with dark red and purple-or, for lesser or novitiate priests, dark purple or red trimmed with black). In some cities ornate helms carved to resemble writhing spiders are worn by Lolth's clergy, while in others heads are always left uncovered. Jewelry worn by the Spider Queen's priests consists of spider medallions and other spider designs, all made of platinum. The holy symbol of the faith is a platinum disk at least 3 inches in diameter with an embossed depiction on both its obverse and reverse in jet black enamel of a black widow spider or a platinum spider figurine on a platinum or mithral chain necklace.

Adventuring Garb: Lolth's clergy favor drow chain mail. Typically such armor is enchanted. Some priests also carry adamantite bucklers. Clerics of the Spider Queen typically wield adamantite maces or adamantite short swords and long daggers. Priests who are not clerics may also employ hand-held crossbows that shoot darts coated with drow sleep poison. Most senior priests of Lolth carry snake-headed whips of fangs, and delight in using them often.

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Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
Peeves
 
PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:41 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

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:?: Vhaeraun
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ALIGNMENT: CE
ALIAS: The Masked Lord, the Masked God of Night, the Shadow
PORTFOLIO: Thievery, drow males, territory, evil activity on the surface world ES: Vhaerun
SYMBOL: Black half-mask
WORSHIPPERS ALIGNMENT: LN, N, CN, LE, NE, CE

Vhaeraun is the god of thievery and the furthering of drow aims, interests, and power in the Night Above, as the surface world is known to the faithful. He is also the god of drow males opposed to the matriarchy of Lolth, teaching that males are as skilled and valuable as females, and thus passively opposing the teachings of Lolth's priesthood on this point. He believes that drow should work with the other elven races for common advancement and never associate or trade with duergar, svirfneblin, or other dwarven and gnome races. (Humans and halflings can be tolerated.)

Vhaeraun is vain, proud, sometimes haughty, bears grudges of legendary length, and never forgets slights or deceptions. Any underhanded means and treachery is acceptable to him if it furthers his aims or is done in his service-but if others so treat him or his people, it is a deep sin that cannot go unpunished. He actively involves himself in drow affairs and moderately often sends an avatar to assist the work of his priests if the proper rituals are performed and the need is genuine.

Vhaeraun is the brother of Eilistraee and the son of Araushnee, who was cast out and became Lolth, and Corellon Larethian. The Masked Lord was cast out of the Seldarine and banished from Arvandor, along with his mother and sister, when his complicity was revealed in Araushnee's plot to destroy Corellon. The Masked Lord nurtures an abiding hatred of Eilistraee but reserves his greatest hatred for the Spider Queen who gave birth to him long ago. The Masked Lord lacks the strength to challenge Lolth directly, so he works against her in shadow, undermines her in silence, and looks to unite the other drow powers against her.

Manifestations
Vhaeraun frequently dispatches his avatar to answer a summoning ritual performed by his priests. He appears as a well-muscled, slim, graceful, handsome drow male with eyes and hair that change in hue from red (for anger) to gold (triumph) to blue (amusement) and green (puzzlement or curious interest) to reflect his mood. He never wears armor of any sort, but he always wears a long, flowing black cloak. Those looking at Vhaeraun's cloak in darkness can see through it the stars, the moon, or whatever else is behind it even if Vhaeraun is obviously within the portion they are observing.

Vhaeraun prefers to appear as an avatar but only comes when summoned by a magical ritual. (In fact, he forbids his priests to use spells from the summoning sphere or sphere as they are only to summon him.) When he cannot send his avatar (in other words, when the ritual of summoning has not been performed), he sends a flitting black shadow.

Vhaeraun may also send a manifestation to signify his displeasure or his defiance of rivals or enemies of his people. This takes the form of a floating, insubstantial half-mask of shadows that drifts silently to confront the beings he wishes to. The mask can only move and utter a chilling, mocking laugh.

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Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
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Peeves
 
PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:41 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

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:?: The Church of Vhaeraun
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Vhaeraun is little known on the surface world among nondrow or in the Lolth-dominated cities of the dark elves in the Underdark. Among those nondrow aware of the activities of his followers in the surface world, the Masked Lord is often confused with the human god of thieves, Mask. Very few surface dwellers appreciate the threat Vhaeraun and his followers represent to the established order.
In the wilds of the Underdark, the faith of Vhaeraun is seen to be slowly expanding in power and influence, and the followers of the Masked Lord are viewed with fearful respect. To priests of Lolth, priests of Vhaeraun are the enemy, to be hunted down by any means possible -torture of suspected drow is a favorite tactic- and eradicated on the altars of Lolth to earn the maximum glory of the goddess and derive the most personal enjoyment out of one's efforts. To dissatisfied, city-dwelling drow, particularly males, who somehow learn of the Masked Lord, Vhaeraun's faith is seen to offer a means of escape from the enslavement the Spider Queen.

In the Underdark, Vhaeraun is worshiped in deep caverns cloaked in multiple, overlapping darkness spells. Such temples are typically natural amphitheaters, with soaring ceilings studded with sparkling beljurils spaced to resemble stars. In the Night Above, the Masked Lord is venerated in shallow woodland caves cloaked by layers of leaves of deep forest canopies that allow little light to reach the forest floor. Such shrines are typically located near or in small communities of surface-dwelling drow who seek the return of the drow to the Night Above as the Masked Lord has called for. One such temple and community may be found in the western fringes of the High Forest, just two days south of the River Dessarin's headwaters near the Lost Peaks.

All priests of the Masked Lord must be male and Drow, with the rare exception of suborned priests of Lolth. Vhaeraun's clergy are known collectively as the Masked. Novices of Vhaeraun are known as the Uncloaked. All other members of the clergy are known as Nightshadows. Titles used by Vhaeraunan priests vary widely across temple hierarchies, but typical titles (in no particular order) include Ascendant Darkness, Black Moon, Dark Mantle, Deep Rogue, Enveloping Night, Raven's Caw, Shadow Hunter, Silent Sable, and Twilight's Herald. High-ranking priests of the Masked Lord have unique individual titles. Specialty priests are known as darkmasks, and traitorous priests of Lolth are known as masked traitors.

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 Ilythiiri once again reign supreme over the other, lesser races, and there is equality between males and females.

Priests of Vhaeraun must encourage, lead, or aid bands of drow and allied chaotic evil creatures in thievery and instigate plots, intrigues, and events to continually increase drow influence and real power in the surface Realms. They must manipulate trade, creatures, and intrigues designed to lessen the power of and frustrate the plans of drow priests (particularly those who serve Lolth), and continually foment rebellion or disobedience among drow males. Drow thieves in need must be aided (even if female): healed, bailed out of jail, or forcibly rescued. Drow men oppressed or under attack by drow women must be physically aided in any circumstances. Cruelties against drow men must be avenged.

Day-to-Day Activities
Vhaeraun's priesthood is nearly exclusively male and practices passive opposition to Lolth's priests. They are also active in the surface world, and some preach a heresy of the unity of elven races and their need to work together for dominion. They specialize in intrigue, trickery, and treachery and foment disobedience and rebellion among males. In drow communities, Vhaeraun's priests often disguise their allegiance, for obvious reasons.

Contact and marriage with other elven races is encouraged. Half-drow usually breed true back into the drow race; Vhaeraun sees this practice inexorably raising drow numbers in surface lands. Every priest works to establish some sort of permanent drow settlement on the surface world, and either support that settlement's needs personally, or (preferably) make it self-supporting. (The settlement of Vhaeraun worshipers in the High Forest, as discussed above, was established by the drow wizard Nisstyre, captain of the merchant band Dragon's Hoard, before his death in a clash with the Dark Maidens of the Promenade in chambers beneath Skullport.) Poison use, manufacture, and experimentation is also common. Especially effective spells, poisons, and tactics devised by a priest are to be shared with the Masked Lord-and thence, all clergy.

Holy Days/Important Ceremonies
The most important attacks, negotiations, and other activities of the clergy must occur at night. Priests of Vhaeraun utter prayers to the Masked God of Night whenever they accomplish something to further his aims. Offerings of the wealth and weapons of those they vanquish (enemies of the drow, or regalia of female drow priests) are to be melted in black, bowl-shaped altars. Offerings of magic and wealth are made regularly. The more and the more value, the more Vhaeraun is pleased, though he favors daily diligence more than rare, huge hauls.

Midwinter Night, known to Vhaeraun's followers as the Masked Lord's Embrace, is the most sacred time of the year to the followers of the Masked Lord. This annual holy day is celebrated by the Masked Lord's followers with daylong introspective rituals of total sensory deprivation. Each worshiper is expected to cloak himself in a region of magical darkness and levitate at the middle of the effect for a full 24 hours while contemplating Vhaeraun's teachings and dreaming up schemes to advance the Masked Lord's goals in the coming year.

In the Night Above, nights of the new moon are considered sacred to the followers of the Masked Lord. Such occasions are observed with midnight stag hunts that range over miles of shadowy woodlands, such as the Forest of Lethyr, the Forest of Mir, the Frozen Forest, the Lurkwood, Rawl-inswood, the Trollbark Forest, and the Winterwood. Packs of Vhaeraun worshipers, mounted on riding lizards brought up from the Underdark, run down a noble hart and then sacrifice its rack of antlers and still-beating heart to the Masked Lord in dark rites that pervert the ancient ways of the surface elves.

Traitor Priests
Very rare, but greatly feared in Lolth-fostered drow folklore and among living priests of Lolth, is the traitor priest who serves Lolth and Vhaeraun. It is for this reason that male drow who aspire to be priests in Lolth s service seldom rise very far in levels: even if they overcome the hatred and resentment of any female drow clergy they must work with, the Spider Queen simply does not trust them-they tend to end their days quickly, being used as temple enforcers or guards.

How can such treachery be tolerated by the Spider Queen? Surely she knows the heart of every worshiper, and could prevail over any influences of a god of lesser power, such as Vhaeraun? The truth is that Vhaeraun is not so much less powerful than the Spider Queen, he simply uses his power in subtle, hidden, behind-the-scenes ways, not in the tyrannical, exultant, and brutal-naked-force manner so beloved by Lolth. He also watches over the drow in any place ruled by Lolth where he does have worshipers often and attentively, looking into their minds for doubts and misgivings. If he finds great hatred or open rebellion against the dictates of the Spider Queen and can find an opportunity for a private audience with the wavering Lolth worshiper, Vhaeraun manifests as a shadowy black face mask, and telepathically speaks to the individual. If the individual is discovered or attacked by others, Vhaeraun typically leaves after destroying the beings who attacked his intended faithful. In doing this he manifests a sign of his power over Lolth and preserves the intended worshiper for another attempt at conversion later.

A double agent priest or priest continues to advance in Lolth's service and to gain spells normally. If the individual's loyalty to Vhaeraun is ever discovered, Lolth typically alerts nearby drow, and refuses to grant any further spells to the traitor, but does not strip the drow of any presently memorized spells. If the drow survives long enough to flee Lolth worshipers he continues at the same priest level and spell power, losing access to spells specifically and only granted by Lolth. The double agent becomes a cleric of Vhaeraun (although the dress and manners of a Lolth worshiper may be retained for use as a disguise), and typically travels to near-surface drow holdings or trading communities used by several races.

Equipment
Priestly Vestments: Vhaeraun's clergy garb themselves in half-masks, loose silk shirts, form-fitting pants, and leather boots, all of which are jet black. They are never without at least one black-edged bladed weapon on their persons, and most are bedecked with half a dozen or more such weapons. The god's holy symbol is a black half-mask that can, of course, be worn and used like any mask.

Adventuring Garb: No priest of Vhaeraun can wear any type of armor except leather armor, and dark garb is always preferred. Vhaeraun's clergy favor daggers, short swords, and long swords, but they always select the most appropriate weapon for the task at hand. The Masked Lord's priests are well versed in the use of poisons, and typically prepare several varieties of widely varying onset times, methods of application, and strengths before embarking on a dangerous undertaking.

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
Peeves
 
PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:42 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

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:?: Torm
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Domains: Good, Healing, Protection, Strength
Portfolio: Duty, loyalty, obedience, paladins
Alignment: Lawful Good
Cleric Alignments: LG, LN, NG

Torm the True is an ascended hero who lived his mortal life in service to a just sovereign. Torm eschews the pretense of his fellow deities, instead adopting a humble position that he exists to serve the common good and the rule of law as established by honorable mortal rulers. Though a true deity with awesome power at his disposal, the Loyal Fury is all too familiar with the failings of mortal men, having fallen victim to hubris, gullibility and ignorance when confined to a mortal shell himself. Stern, righteous, and unyielding in the face of evil, Torm's spirit lifts when dealing with his friends, the weak, the defenseless, and the young.

Torm battled Bane during the Time of Troubles, destroying the Black Lord in personal combat (he too died in the conflict, but was later returned to life by Ao). As such, he became a hero to good-hearted people throughout the continent, a savior who in slaying Bane delivered Faerun from the machinations of the deity of strife and tyranny. In nations across the continent, Torm became a symbol of heroism and bravery, the ideal knight serving his followers with a transforming act of self-sacrifice appreciated even by great Ao himself. This adoration extended to Torm's church, which experienced a renaissance and philosophical blooming as its numbers swelled and new thinkers and adherents joined the congregation.

Clerics of Torm pray for their spells at dawn on the 13th of Eleasias, they celebrate a somber ceremony known as the Divine Death to commemorate Torm's sacrificial destruction of Bane. The 15th of Marpenoth sees a more jovial ritual in the form of the True Resurrection, which celebrates the anniversary of Torm's return to Toril at the behest of Ao. Shieldmeet, traditionally a time when Faerunians enter new agreements and compacts, is a time of great religious significance to followers of the deity of duty, who take their oaths very, very seriously. In addition to the daily morning prayer, clerics are expected to give thanks and honor to Torm through quiet prayers at noon, dusk, and midnight. Torm's clerics often multiclasss as divine champions, divine disciples, or paladins.

DOGMA: Salvation may be found through service. Every failure of duty diminishes Torm and every success adds to his luster. Strive to maintain law and order. Obey your masters with alert judgment and anticipation. Stand every alert against corruption. Strike quickly and forcefully against rot in the hearts of mortals. Bring painful, quick death to traitors. Question unjust laws by suggesting improvement or alternatives, not additional laws. Your fourfold duties are to faith, family, masters, and all good beings of Faerun

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
Peeves
 
PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:42 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

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:?: Salandra
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Salandra

The Healer, the Lady in White, the Mother of Healing

Image


Demigod
Neutral Good
Portfolio: Cures to illness, healing, health, medical herbalism
Worshipers: Healers, nurses, herbalists, rangers and hunters of undead
Domains: Healing, Good, Protection
Favored Weapon: The Vaccine (Morning Star)

Superior: Ilmater
Primary Allies: Lathander, Kelemvor, Eldath, Chauntea
Primary Foes: Talona, Loviatar, Shar, Bane, Cyric, the Deities of Fury

Manifestations:
Salandra can show interest in the affairs of mortals through miraculous healings, a soft white glow around objects or people, a comforting presence and a gentle brush on one’s cheek, or as in human form. Those who have seen the goddess describe her as a beautiful woman clad in white, who emanates an aura of light and who is surrounded by a feeling of harmony and well-being.


Overview:


Salandra the Healer is a demigod under Ilmater’s service. Once a mortal priestess of the Crying God on the island of Amia, she dedicated her life to the treatment of illness and eradication of undeath. Eventually, she faced a martyr’s fate when stopping a devastating malady, and Ilmater saw fit to reward her devotion with divinity.

Salandra’s temples are few and far between. The oldest one is located on Amia, her home island. There is a handful of other small temples on Toril: at least on the Moonshaes, somewhere in the Dalelands, and in Tethyr. The temples are most likely to be found in high mountainous regions, or in remote sunlit valleys. The locations are usually chosen to take advantage of beneficial airs, local mineral water springs or other naturally occuring sources of healing. Small shrines exist in a few Ilmateri temples.

The primary duty of Salandrans is to treat wounds and cure illnesses, offering a helping hand to anyone in need. The clergy members are renowned for their skill with herbs, surgery and other forms of treatment, for ailments of both body and spirit. Every servant is expected to learn the basics of medicine, and mundane forms of healing are preferred to those of divine nature whenever possible.


The Dogma:

The Tenets of the Salandran Faith

The first duty is to heal the sick and the injured. No other duty will ever outweigh the first. Salandrans will heal those in need without hesitation to the best of their abilities whenever asked. They do this as an act of charity and as a gift both to and from the Goddess. The act of healing is an act of worship.

The second duty is to heal without prejudice or favour. Salandrans heal all who need their aid without regard to who asks or whether their beliefs match our own. On the battlefield it is our duty to aid the wounded on both sides after the battle is over. This holds true for races traditionally regarded as enemies by local people. If a Salandran is asked for aid in a matter regarding the healing arts they are duty bound to answer.

The third duty is to seek out and research new ways of healing or of preventing illness. This includes the duty to seek out and lay to rest any undead who may cross the healer's path. The undead are unclean. It is the Salandran's duty to cleanse them.

The fourth duty is to others. The Salandran will strive for perfection of self through duty to others. Acts of charity and assistance granted to those in need are gifts to Salandra and are the source of the gifts which the Goddess grants us in return.

The final duty is to seek those in need. Outside the Salandran temples, healers are expected to travel the realm seeking those who require their help. A Salandran cannot cure a healthy man. If a town is healthy it is the duty of a Salandran to move on. Seek out the sick and the injured. They may not be able to come to us. We must find them.


The Clergy:

Salandra's church is well-structured although relaxed in nature. During the first years of training, a Salandran holds the rank of Novice, after which they may be promoted to Acolytes. After this stage, the experienced clergy members either become priestsses and priests, or take the role of a templar: sworn defender of the temple site and hunter of undead. The vast majority of high-ranking clerics are females, whereas most templars tend to be males. This is due to tradition and natural tendencies percieved in the genders, but the split is not absolute. Temples are overseen by a Temple Mother – or, in more liberal regions, a Temple Father – who are both spiritual and mundane leaders in charge of maintaining the facilities and representing the church officially. One is elected by a council of elder priestesses and priests, nominated by the former holder of the title or, rarely, announced by a Divine Oracle.

The day-to-day activities of Novices include tending to the patients in their sick wards, cleaning and preparing equipment and supplies for use in medical treatment, taking care of the temple’s herb gardens and all manner of chores, accompanied by rigorous study of treating illnesses and wounds. Acolytes are expected to actively research new forms of treatment.

Despite their general aversion to violence, all Salandrans take basic combat lessons in order to fight undead and to defend especially the sick ward if the temple ever were to be under attack. Salandra is a gentle goddess and her worshipers do not wish to cause harm to sentinent beings, evil or not. A Salandran should always seek a peaceful solution at first, and only resort to violence when it is the only way to stop those who seek to harm others. Whether this includes taking an active role on the battlefield or is strictly limited to healing allies and self-defence is a topic debated among the Salandrans themselves. Whichever approach one believes to be the right one, every Salandran will have mercy on defeated foes and heal them once the fight is over and necessary precautions have been taken.

Specialty Priests:

Within the church of Salandra, there are some individuals trained for special tasks. These are the Battle Surgeons, the Templars and the Divine Oracles.

Battle Surgeon – These healers undergo rigorous training to manouver and heal in the heat of combat. They study combat tactics in order to predict the tides of battle and protect themselves. A typical Battle Surgeon is a large man clad in heavy armor, wielding a mace and carrying a large shield to block strikes and shove attackers aside with. He is equipped with several salves, bandages, potions and wands of healing as well as an arsenal of protective and healing spells.

Templar – These holy warriors are sworn to defend their temple against any threat. They do so not only by standing guard around the compound but also by seeking dangerous undead to destroy and cleansing areas densely inhabited by such abominations. The most typical weapon in a templar’s hand is the morning star, which tears throgh undead flesh with such ferocity unmatched by any other weapon.

Divine Oracle – The Divine Oracle is an individual touched by Salandra herself. They are few and far between, and there’s no archetype of a Divine Oracle. Their sole goal is to further Salandra’s cause by whatever means seem wise and to follow the goddess’s personal instructions. Divine Oracles wield powerful divine magics, especially those of divination and healing. They tend to work outside the boundaries of the church and are very independent, though they’re highly respected in the temples. ((DM Permission required to play!))

Priestly Vestments:

The Salandran ceremonial garb consists of simple red and white robes. The amount of white cloth denotes one’s rank within the clergy. Novices wear almost completely red robes, whereas a Temple Mother’s ceremonial robe would be of fine white silk. Curiously, Salandrans tend not to use the symbol of their deity in temple decoration or ceremonial clothing and jewellry. Religious practices are rather plain in appearance .

Adventuring Garb:

Salandrans employ whatever armor suits them best, but often opt for heavy armor which protects them on the battle field even when they are focused on treating a fallen comrade’s wounds. Blunt weapons such as maces, hammers and staves are common Salandran weapons, though the most popular of all is the morning star. It is, in fact, Salandra’s favored weapon and is also used as a ceremonial artifact. Many traditional Salandrans frown upon the use of cutting weapons such as axes and swords but some, more or less unorthodox members of the adventuring clergy are known to have wielded them.

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
Peeves
 
PostPosted: Wed, Feb 23 2011, 21:43 PM 

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Joined: 08 Jul 2008

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:?: The Stone Tablets of Salandra
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The two tablets of the Healer record the ancient myth of Salandra's life and ascension. They were brought to the Amian temple by an exhausted, wounded woman in white robes on a rainy night in 1375 DR. The woman passed away that very night but apparently had fulfilled her purpose and promise to Salandra. The tablets are now kept in the temple where scholars and faithful from all around want to see them.


The Stone Tablets of Salandra


In times long lost, there was good and evil, just like today, just like in the eons to come. There was illness, famine, pain and death. But there were also those who did not give up. There were those who stood up against the vile and foul. There were heroes.

This is the tale of three such heroes. This is the tale of Salandra the Healer.

Salandra was born to insignificant parents on an insignificant island in the Trackless Sea. Humans were only starting to inhabit the island of Amia, and were faced with many difficulties. Salandra saw the agony and poverty of the people, and her heart ached. She prayed to the Crying God to ease their pain, and He called for her.

Salandra, now a priestess of Ilmater, worked hard in the years to come. She forsook a comfortable life and joined with two other women: Morgana, a strong-willed and determined farmer's daughter, and Eysheila, a wayfarer, pure of heart, in search of a purpose. The Merciful Three quickly made a name for themselves in the turmoil of Amia, a land in desperate need of champions of the common folk. They would heal the sick wherever they went, drive back bands of monsters and help villages in any way they could.

But destiny had more in store for them. A horrible malady was spreading. Nearly a quarter of the population was infected and the victims returned as undead. It was clear to Salandra that she was to act, that this was her calling. Her companions did not hesitate either. They set out to find the source of this famine and vanquish the undead; Salandra with her morningstar, Morgana with mace and crossbow, and Eysheila with her mighty spear.

With guidance from the higher powers, the Three found and confronted the source of this evil: a powerful priest of Talona. The battle was fierce, but the gods were with the Three. It was Eysheila's spear that pierced this foul man's heart, but too late. The curse had been bestowed upon the lands of Amia. It would take power beyond the reach of anyone on Amia to stop the spell. Yet Salandra walked straight into the dark heart of the pulsing curse, and began to unweave it. Faith alone kept her on her feet. With compassion, devotion and the goodness in her soul, Salandra dissolved the malady of Talona. Once it was done, she closed her eyes and was taken from the cares of the world.

The Broken God was moved by this act of selflessness and love. He took the body of Salandra and held her in His arms, crying for the loss. As the tears of a god fell upon her forehead, Salandra awoke. Divinity rushed through her, and she ascended. From then on, Salandra the Healer has served Ilmater beyond time and space, as the gentle goddess we know today.


Later, Salandra appeared to her companions, and spoke: "Friends. Though I have passed from this world, I have not forgotten it. You must make sure it does not forget me, or the work we have done, either. Morgana, strong and warm: Go and build a house in my name. Continue our work, care for the world and be the foundation of my teachings. Eysheila, fearless and wise: Travel the lands near and far, right the wrongs you see, spread my word and do what I ask of you.. Be my long-reaching arm and mouth."

The women heeded Salandra's commands. Morgana became the first Temple Mother to the church of Salandra, and Eysheila acted on her own, as a travelling Oracle of the Lady in White. The church may face many changes in the eventful centuries to come, but these two pillars of the faith will never cease to exist. They have been dictated by Salandra herself.

_________________
Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?


 
      
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