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Aryalómë
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 04:30:49
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I found several new (well, old) deities in Dragon #236 that were added to the Seldarine. I really love them! They were very interesting and added more flavour to the Seldarine. I'll post their names and basic information, starting with my favourite:
Araleth Letheranil
(The Prince of Stars,
The Twilight Rider)
Lesser Power of Arborea, CG
PORTFOLIO: Light, Starlight,
Twilight
ALIASES: None
DOMAIN: Arvandor/House
of Glowing Stars
SUPERIOR: None
ALLIES:
FOES:
SYMBOL:
Sehahine Moonbow, Selune (FR),
Celestian
(WG), Xan Yae (WG), other members of the
Seldarine
Lolth, Shar (FR), Tharizdun (WG)
A white shaft of light, small at the top and largest at the bottom
WOR. ALIGN: Any non-Lawful Good or Neutral
Kirith
Sotheril
(The
Magess)
Lesser
Power of
Elysium,
NG
PORTFOLIO:
ALIASES:
DOMAIN:
SUPERIOR:
ALLIES:
FOES:
SYMBOL:
Divination magic,
Enchantment magic
None
Amoria/Tethridar
Corellon Larethian
Corellon Larethian,
Tethrin Veralde’, others
None
Rainbow-striped sphere
WOR. ALIGN: Any Good or Neutral
Taralen
(The
Songstress,
Patron of
Bards and
Minstrels)
Lesser Power of Arborea, CG
PORTFOLIO: Half-elven bards, elven
minstrels, songwriting
Aliases:
DOMAIN:
SUPERIOR:
ALLIES:
None
Arvandor/Evergold
Hanali Celanil
Corellon Larethian,
Hanali Celanil, Milil
(FR), Oghma (FR),
Olidammara (WG)
FOES:
SYMBOL:
None
A golden lute on a
blue background
WOR. ALIGN: Any
Naralis
Analor
(The
Healer,
The
Watcher
of Souls)
Lesser
Power of
Elysium, NG
PORTFOLIO: Healing, the Easing of
Pain, Death
ALIASES: None
DOMAIN: Amoria/The Healing
Glade
SUPERIOR: Sehahine Moonbow
ALLIES: Sehahine Moonbow,
Labelas Enoreth, Ilmater
(FR), Kelemvor (FR)
FOES: Loviatar (FR), Nerull
(WC), Null (Draconic)
SYMBOL: A white dove-shield
WOR. ALIGN: Any Good or Neutral
Tarsellis
Meunniduin
(Patron of
Snow Elves,
Lord of
Mountains)
Intermediate
Power of
Ysgard, CN
Portfolio:
Aliases:
Domain:
Superior:
Allies:
Foes:
Symbol:
WOR. ALIGN:
Mountains, rivers,
snow elves, wilderness
None
Ysgard/The Wild Hunt
None
Fenmarel Mestarine,
Rellavar Danuvien,
Shaundakul (FR),
Fharlanghn (WG), Ulaa
(WG)
Lolth
Snowcapped mountain
Any non-Lawful Good
or Neutral
Rellavar
Danuvien
(The Frost
Sprite King,
Warder
Against
Elements)
Lesser Power
of the
Beastlands,
NG
Portfolio: Frost Sprites, Protection
from the Elements (particularly
the cold)
Aliases: None
Domain: Karasuthra/the Ice Plain
Superior: None
Allies: Tarsellis Meunniduin,
Solonar Thelandira,
Tethrin Veralde’, Erevan
Ilesere
Foes: Auril (FR), Surtr (frost
giant god)
Symbol: A silver spear with a
white circle to either
side of the shaft
WOR. ALIGN: NG, N
Tethrin
Veraldé
(The
Shining
One, The
Master of
Blades)
Demipower
of Elysium,
NG
PORTFOLIO:
ALIASES:
DOMAIN:
SUPERIOR:
ALLIES:
FOES:
Symbol:
WOR. ALIGN:
Bladesingers, swordsmanship
None
Amoria/Tethridar
Corellon Larethian
Corellon Larethian,
Sehahine Moonbow,
Solonar Thelandira
Selvetarm (FR), Lolth,
Hextor (WG)
A long and a short
sword lying parallel to
each other on a disk,
their blade tips angled
toward the upper left;
a quarter moon lies
above the swords,
while a full moon lies
underneath
Any Good or Neutral
The two before last would be kind of hard to implement into FR, though I think that issue (in their descriptions) hints at possible Snow Elf settlements in the far north. What do you guys think?
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 04:46:51
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| Actually, I seem to recall a mention of snow elves in some lore (story?) about Prince Lamruil searching for a place to plant the Tree of Souls and create the new elven haven above the Spine of the World. Those two gods might very well fit in Faerun with that tid-bit. Also, the novel Evermeet had a scene in Arvandor when Araushnee's army of evil gods attacked, and the Seldarine fought them, and there were a large number of gods on both sides. I see no reason why the ones from that article (I have the issue on pdf) could not have been among them. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 05:32:42
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It was probably in the 'mythical elves' section of the Elven netbook Elves of Faerűn - the story detailing his journey in the north (with two other 'tales' told by Wulfgar and the famous explorer Dabron Sashenstar).
The story was written from the perspective of "maybe, maybe not...", to keep it consistent with canon FR lore about snow elves (which is maybe, maybe not...). It is also non-canonical.
However, at least one snow elf deity is mentioned alongside one non-elven FR-specific deity (Auril?) in a Dragon article, and that implies that if the god is known on Toril somewhere, there should be snow elves.
The netbook should still be available for download from Lord Karsus' DeviantART page. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 13 Aug 2012 05:34:23 |
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Aryalómë
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 06:26:53
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Yeah, I read that part in Elves of Faerun and the part where it suggested that Snow Elves might be in Faerun as well. I've also read that part in Evermeet: Island of Elves as well. What do you guys think of these gods? I personally love them. They add so much more flavour to the Seldarine.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 08:35:32
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I'd use them - the more the merrier.
And since we are on the subject, and its coming up a lot with Gencon on the horizon and the 'mysterious' 5e/FR announcments...
I am a fan of having tons and tons of gods. Sometimes I come off like I am not, but I am. In my head (and in discussions here) I often consider one god the same as another, but that is my own personal knowledge in the background of my setting, and NOT something the players should ever be aware of (unless it was part of a story-line).
So I might have one male 'snow god' in my Realms (or whatever), and the Elves might call him Tarsellis Meunniduin, but humans, dwarves, gnomes, etc might have different names and different aspects of the same deity... but they would all think they were different gods.
So while I am a fan of combining gods (like 4e did with so many), I am not a fan of that being common knowledge. One of the biggest problems with 3e (which is my favorite edition thus-far, so I am NOT knocking it) is that players simply knew too much. All the mystery was sucked right out of the setting. When players can open sourcebooks and prove their DMs wrong, there is a big problem. Everything should be written in the 'uncertain' 1e/2e FR style.
So bring 'em on, I say - the more gods, the more fun. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Aryalómë
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 13:41:23
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I'm a fan on tons of gods as well, thought I prefer them to be separate, rather than be aspects of each other.
I agree about 3e having people know too much; it was the same with 4e. I love the mystery and uncertainty of the older editions. Other fantasy settings that are similar in that respect are The Elder Scrolls (SO much lore and content has being described yet, much less has been detailed), Fable (there's a complete blanket of mystery covered over the entire world of Albion, especially concerning the Old Kingdom) and Dragon Age (though new) has a good deal of mystery and uncertainty about it as well.
I'm not TOTALLY opposed to having aspects of gods, but it would be very interesting to see aspects who, through enough worship, break away from the original deity and form a new one (sort of like the Earthmother, but I don't think she's fully broken away from Chauntea yet). |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12180 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 16:37:26
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I'm not adverse to other pantheons (particularly the seldarine) being larger. However, I wouldn't want to see the Seldarine pantheon getting larger without a corresponding growth in worshipper base. As a result, any new additions to the seldarine, I'd prefer to see where there are other fey specifically mentioned who ALSO worship said personage... and for that race, it may be one (if not THE) of their primary deities. Also, there needs to be a real reason for said deity to exist in the pantheon. So, in the below instances, in order for these to work properly, some work would need to be done with them.
Araleth Letheranil (The Prince of Stars, The Twilight Rider) PORTFOLIO: Light, Starlight, Twilight
Ok, this guy is represented as the god of the sun, moon, and stars. Sehanine Moonbow is the Moon goddess, so his portfolio would definitely have to change in FR. He also represents hatred of the dark elves, but we have that in Shevarash to a degree. However, he could represent himself as the god of the Setting Sun (i.e. twilight) and stars, and thus be the god of "guiding light in darkness". He'd have to be different than Eilistraee though, who is seen as a goddess of dark elven redemption. So, that leaves him as maybe a god of elves who may hate undead and underdark forces. However, given the competition from Lathander (who has very fey leanings), I don't see him attracting any other fey races. As a result, while the guy sounds good... I kind of wonder how he'd survive in the realms without getting absorbed by another deity. If anything, when Lolth bit him and he stabbed her, maybe he gave his portfolios up to another deity of light in order to survive to rally the elves against the dark elves.
Kirith Sotheril(The Magess), NG, divination and enchantment magic
Now, this goddess stands a good possibility of making inroads in the realms. She may be a goddess of divination and enchantment magic, but she's also a goddess of "prismatic magic" from what I read on here. She could be a goddess of "rainbows", and maybe rainbows are seen as a sign of her protection. She could attract beings such as faerie drakes, dryads, etc.... that are fey and use enchantments. She could be represented as a goddes of defending elves with magic (foreseeing the enemy's movements, turning a mythal into a giant prismatic sphere, turning the enemy upon themselves using enchantment magic). It would be important for her to separate herself from Hanali Celanil, noting that she uses her enchantments more "militantly".
Melira Taralen(The Songstress, Patron of Bards and Minstrels)
This deity would be well received especially amongst the star elves, since they favor bards and might be a demigod for them. This would of course detract from the worship of Milil and Oghma, so their ability to absorb worshippers outside their own race would be limited unless they've actually done something to affect a given community. The main problem here though is that Hanali Celanil already strives to hold a lot of this portfolio, so this deity would definitely have to be a servitor goddess of Hanali. Also, Corellon portrays himself as a god of bards, so again a conflict.
Naralis Analor (The Healer, The Watcher of Souls) PORTFOLIO: Healing, the Easing of Pain, Death
This deity would easily fit in within the existing FR pantheon, as there's really no elven deity of death or healing (that springs immediately to mind that is). There's enough pain in the world that I can see Ilmater being able to share.
Tarsellis Meunniduin (Patron of Snow Elves, Lord of Mountains)
If you had/have snow elves, then yes, this one would fit at a glance. The problem though is that Fenmarel Mestarine absolutely fits the slot this guy is taking... even down to the point of having the same history of being seduced by Lolth and being a patron of those elves who have separated themselves from normal elven society. I'd venture to say that if there are snow elves, then Fenmarel Mestarine is their deity. In Greyhawk maybe he's known by the other name.
Rellavar Danuvien(The Frost Sprite King, Warder Against Elements) Portfolio: Frost Sprites, Protection from the Elements (particularly the cold)
I just don't see enough call for this deity.
Tethrin Veraldé (The Shining One, The Master of Blades)
This one makes sense. Corellon's probably the closest thing to a warrior god, but he's so broad that I can see where there should be a deity devoted to those whose focus is strictly on bladecraft. The human deities of war/combat aren't generally portrayed fighting like elves, and this deity is also a patron saint of bladesingers. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Aryalómë
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 17:56:44
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
I'm not adverse to other pantheons (particularly the seldarine) being larger. However, I wouldn't want to see the Seldarine pantheon getting larger without a corresponding growth in worshipper base. As a result, any new additions to the seldarine, I'd prefer to see where there are other fey specifically mentioned who ALSO worship said personage... and for that race, it may be one (if not THE) of their primary deities. Also, there needs to be a real reason for said deity to exist in the pantheon. So, in the below instances, in order for these to work properly, some work would need to be done with them.
Araleth Letheranil (The Prince of Stars, The Twilight Rider) PORTFOLIO: Light, Starlight, Twilight
Ok, this guy is represented as the god of the sun, moon, and stars. Sehanine Moonbow is the Moon goddess, so his portfolio would definitely have to change in FR. He also represents hatred of the dark elves, but we have that in Shevarash to a degree. However, he could represent himself as the god of the Setting Sun (i.e. twilight) and stars, and thus be the god of "guiding light in darkness". He'd have to be different than Eilistraee though, who is seen as a goddess of dark elven redemption. So, that leaves him as maybe a god of elves who may hate undead and underdark forces. However, given the competition from Lathander (who has very fey leanings), I don't see him attracting any other fey races. As a result, while the guy sounds good... I kind of wonder how he'd survive in the realms without getting absorbed by another deity. If anything, when Lolth bit him and he stabbed her, maybe he gave his portfolios up to another deity of light in order to survive to rally the elves against the dark elves.
He's not the god of the sun, moon and stars, but the god of light, starlight and twilight. I don't see why a deity can't have a similar, if not the same, portfolio or domains as another deity. In real world lore, there are deities in the same pantheons that are nearly identical and aren't aspects or regional differences.
I think Araleth would be a good patron of the Star Elves, seeing as he covers starlight and twilight.
quote:
Kirith Sotheril(The Magess), NG, divination and enchantment magic
Now, this goddess stands a good possibility of making inroads in the realms. She may be a goddess of divination and enchantment magic, but she's also a goddess of "prismatic magic" from what I read on here. She could be a goddess of "rainbows", and maybe rainbows are seen as a sign of her protection. She could attract beings such as faerie drakes, dryads, etc.... that are fey and use enchantments. She could be represented as a goddes of defending elves with magic (foreseeing the enemy's movements, turning a mythal into a giant prismatic sphere, turning the enemy upon themselves using enchantment magic). It would be important for her to separate herself from Hanali Celanil, noting that she uses her enchantments more "militantly".
Melira Taralen(The Songstress, Patron of Bards and Minstrels)
This deity would be well received especially amongst the star elves, since they favor bards and might be a demigod for them. This would of course detract from the worship of Milil and Oghma, so their ability to absorb worshippers outside their own race would be limited unless they've actually done something to affect a given community. The main problem here though is that Hanali Celanil already strives to hold a lot of this portfolio, so this deity would definitely have to be a servitor goddess of Hanali. Also, Corellon portrays himself as a god of bards, so again a conflict.
Naralis Analor (The Healer, The Watcher of Souls) PORTFOLIO: Healing, the Easing of Pain, Death
This deity would easily fit in within the existing FR pantheon, as there's really no elven deity of death or healing (that springs immediately to mind that is). There's enough pain in the world that I can see Ilmater being able to share.
There is a god of death in the Seldarine; Sehanine. Sehanine, as described in the article, is his superior.
quote:
Tarsellis Meunniduin (Patron of Snow Elves, Lord of Mountains)
If you had/have snow elves, then yes, this one would fit at a glance. The problem though is that Fenmarel Mestarine absolutely fits the slot this guy is taking... even down to the point of having the same history of being seduced by Lolth and being a patron of those elves who have separated themselves from normal elven society. I'd venture to say that if there are snow elves, then Fenmarel Mestarine is their deity. In Greyhawk maybe he's known by the other name.
Rellavar Danuvien(The Frost Sprite King, Warder Against Elements) Portfolio: Frost Sprites, Protection from the Elements (particularly the cold)
I just don't see enough call for this deity.
Tethrin Veraldé (The Shining One, The Master of Blades)
This one makes sense. Corellon's probably the closest thing to a warrior god, but he's so broad that I can see where there should be a deity devoted to those whose focus is strictly on bladecraft. The human deities of war/combat aren't generally portrayed fighting like elves, and this deity is also a patron saint of bladesingers.
I think all of the deities could be added to FR very easily without having them be gods of other pantheons. I find it also interesting that not all of them live in Arvandor as well. You should really find a copy of Dragon #236 and read their descriptions. They're very unique. |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 22:27:52
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| MT, as usual, your memory is better than mine! That was indeed where i saw it, though I could swear that when I read that, I recalled something elsewhere along the same lines- referring to the existance of snow elves, that is. It might have been Frostburn, come to think of it, as Sage suggested. I don't know if there was a note on using them in FR, but I certainly imported them into my world- and in fact, had a slightly different spin, using them as the "helpers" in my X-Mas campaign this past winter- working in Santa's workshop and palace, no less! (I gave them the slightly gnomish trait of liking to make/craft things, especially toys and other items that bring joy to people....) For the record, I was using the WotC write up on Santa from 3,5 ed, in one of their old articles on the site. It was a lot of fun! |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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Aryalómë
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 00:22:12
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Here's the hinting about the Snow Elves residing in the Spine of the World and the High Ice of Anauroch in Dragon #236:
quote:
Tarsellis is the patron god of those known as snow elves, who mainly inhabit the Crystalmist mountains of Oerth. (Rumor has it that snow elves also exist on the far reaches of the Spine of the World or even the High Ice portion of Anauroch in Faerűn, though this is unproven.)
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deserk
Learned Scribe
Norway
239 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 02:02:15
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While I am definitely for more deities, many of these seem to be quite similar to the standard Seldarine deities.
Personally, I'd like to see a War God for the Elves (though Corellon serves this role to an extent), and possibly an evil elven god (which would help strengthen the Eldreth Veluuthra :D ). I mean, if the dwarves have an evil deity (namely Abbathor), why not the Elves too? |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2012 : 03:03:27
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The Black Archer (Shevarash) can serve as a neo-evil deity for the Eldreth Veluthra (his role as a "hunter of elven enemies").
I also think there has been more then one being who has held that title, but thats another topic.
There is a core set of gods for most major non-human groups, and then there are 'local' deities for these groups. I think that works just fine for D&D in general. 4e tried to do the same thing with 'human gods' by making one generic core pantheon that folks can paste local deities into, but that didn't work so well with FR. Personally I have no problem using the core deities in FR, but I came from GH so I am probably biased in this regard.
I wouldn't replace the FR deities with them - they'd either be add-ins, or aspects of others (like Pelor and Lathander both being aspects of Aumanator, for instance). In fact, don't we have a cleric of Pelor in a canon FR source? (GHotR... and I'm being fecetious). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Extended Seldarine
