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Ariandyn
Acolyte
Austria
6 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Dec 2024 : 19:18:25
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For many long years, I have sought to uncover the etymology and history behind the name of Corellon Larethian. As with the name of Oghma and other deities, we often discern their roots in the echoes of names found in the annals of our own world's history. Yet, the origins of Corellon’s name remain shrouded in mystery, elusive as a fleeting dream upon the awakening.
Was it but a harmonious weaving of syllables and letters, crafted solely for its beauty, untethered to any mortal etymology? Or does it rest upon a deeper foundation, some forgotten stone of meaning or ancient tongue, holding a translation or essence that might yet be rendered into English words?
Once, I sought the wisdom of Mr. James M. Ward, penning my inquiry to him, but alas, no answer ever returned. Thus, this question lingers, a hollow space in my understanding that I have not yet been able to fill.
Should any who walk these paths hold the answer, I humbly beseech you to share your knowledge. If you know, do cite your source, or at the very least, illuminate the origin of your understanding. My gratitude shall be as boundless as the stars.
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Zeromaru X
Great Reader
Colombia
2482 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2024 : 21:59:43
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| I think it may be a made up name, something in elvish or some such. Ed Greenwood once said (I don't remember if it was in Twitter or in his Discord channel) that Corellon and Larethian were once two separate entities, but Corellon subsumed Larethian and that is why he has a composite name. |
Instead of seeking change, you prefer a void, merciless abyss of a world... |
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DoveArrow
Learned Scribe
128 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2024 : 22:01:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Ariandyn
For many long years, I have sought to uncover the etymology and history behind the name of Corellon Larethian. As with the name of Oghma and other deities, we often discern their roots in the echoes of names found in the annals of our own world's history. Yet, the origins of Corellon’s name remain shrouded in mystery, elusive as a fleeting dream upon the awakening.
Was it but a harmonious weaving of syllables and letters, crafted solely for its beauty, untethered to any mortal etymology? Or does it rest upon a deeper foundation, some forgotten stone of meaning or ancient tongue, holding a translation or essence that might yet be rendered into English words?
Once, I sought the wisdom of Mr. James M. Ward, penning my inquiry to him, but alas, no answer ever returned. Thus, this question lingers, a hollow space in my understanding that I have not yet been able to fill.
Should any who walk these paths hold the answer, I humbly beseech you to share your knowledge. If you know, do cite your source, or at the very least, illuminate the origin of your understanding. My gratitude shall be as boundless as the stars.
James Ward died earlier this year. That's likely why you never received a response.
https://ddoplayers.com/2024/03/20/james-m-jim-ward-passes-away/ |
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Ariandyn
Acolyte
Austria
6 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2024 : 23:43:48
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Unfortunately, knowing how fleeting time is and how little the weight of a human life measures on the scales of eternity (or at least having some understanding of it), I feared this very thing—that the person who gifted me such a vivid fragment of dreams and beauty is no longer among the living. I deeply sympathize with those who held him dear, and I feel this loss myself.
It is a shame that no one paid proper attention to this and did not even attempt to create a "translation" for the name of this deity. And it is regrettable that, personally, I would not entrust this task to the modern team of editors, for no one but the author himself could possess the depth of understanding required for his own creation. At least Ed Greenwood knew something about it, which is a small comfort in a good sense.
My immense gratitude to you, dear friends. I am deeply appreciative that you have enlightened me. Thank you so much. |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11859 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2024 : 19:51:23
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| I read it in Deities and Demigods, and I travelled back in time, then I whispered it in the ear of Gary Gygax via the time portal hidden in Marie Laveau's tomb in New Orleans and said "this is the true name of the father of the elves, and they were born from his blood in battle with the orc god Gruumsh". Seconds later, I was snapped back by a mysteriously appearing roller coaster travelling without tracks with the words "Ragin' Cajun" written upon it and it brought me to another world. There I met a small person who asked me a riddle of "What do I have in my pocket?" .... to which I answered "quit playing with yourself and show me to the exit"... and so I went through the door he pointed to and found myself returned home. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Delnyn
Senior Scribe
USA
976 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2024 : 20:52:49
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Correlon Larethian does not correspond to any RW mythology and was made for 1ed Deities and Demigods. Unlike Seldarine "The brothers and sisters of the wood", nobody ever gave a translation for Correlon Larethian
That said, Faerunian elvish defines "Cor" as "Great". I cannot speak for other D&D settings.
I understand we have an abridged elvish dictionary on this site. Do not confuse with Tolkein's Sindarin. |
Edited by - Delnyn on 08 Dec 2024 21:04:39 |
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Zeromaru X
Great Reader
Colombia
2482 Posts |
Posted - 09 Dec 2024 : 06:08:13
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| So, Corellon is actually the "Great Ellon"? Kinda underwhelming, lol |
Instead of seeking change, you prefer a void, merciless abyss of a world... |
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Delnyn
Senior Scribe
USA
976 Posts |
Posted - 10 Dec 2024 : 04:17:55
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| No idea if "ellon" means anything at all. Keep in mind Corellon Larethian is not restricted to the Forgotten Realms, so any Faerunian translation is conditional at best. |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11859 Posts |
Posted - 10 Dec 2024 : 13:06:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Zeromaru X
So, Corellon is actually the "Great Ellon"? Kinda underwhelming, lol
There's become a misspelling over time. It used to be Corelon. He became a demigod with some time control powers after acquiring a special form of "forum" technology. Its rumored that he became interplanar using some unusual spelljamming technology and that he developed a special wagon manufactory that runs on weave technology (known locally as "the grid").
Fibriana Mythwright of Nimbral |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
Edited by - sleyvas on 10 Dec 2024 13:09:03 |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3745 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2024 : 21:42:04
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| -An "in-game" explanation might someday be given (probably not), but the odds of some kind of lost document ever being uncovered in someone's attic going into to details why the original designers went with "Corellon Larethian" or "Gruumsh" or "Moradin" or whoever is probably never happening, and we'll probably never know other than "that sounded cool". |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerûn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerûn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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The origin of Corellon Larethian's name.
