Ehlonna
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
and in the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, Ehlonna is the goddess of Forests, Woodlands, Flora, Fauna, and Fertility. Ehlonna is known to the elves
as "Ehlenestra." Her holy symbol is a rampant unicorn or a unicorn's horn.
in Dragon
#68 (1982). Ehlonna was subsequently detailed in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
(1983), and in Greyhawk Adventures (1988).
Her role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996). Ehlonna is described as one of the good deities that celestials
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
(2000).
Ehlonna is also detailed in the Manual of the Planes
(2001), and Deities and Demigods (2002).
(2004).
and other sylvan creatures. When in human form, Ehlonna appears as a dark-haired human woman, but as Ehlenestra, she appears as a golden-haired elven maiden. Her eyes are deep blue or startling violet. Her garments may be the practical garb of a ranger or the rich gown of an elven princess. She carries a longbow that always hits its target.
Her human aspect has special powers over horses, while as Ehlenestra she has similar command over unicorns.
. Where the neutral good Ehlonna advocates the beauty and goodness of unspoiled nature, the true neutral Obad-Hai sees nature as brutal and uncompromising. She is an enemy of Karaan
, who represents nature's dark side. She is friendly with the Seldarine and most good-aligned deities, and allied with Atroa
. She is served by a planetar
named Novalee.
layer of Krigala is the Grove of the Unicorns, a realm she shares with the like-minded goddess Mielikki. The grove sits at the base of a cluster of great sequoias that form a natural cathedral for those beneath the canopy. The lowest branches of the trees are hundreds of feet in the air, such that those with wings can fly through Ehlonna's cathedral without difficulty.
Those who reside within the borders of Ehlonna's realm live in peace with the trees and animals, and they are similarly left alone by the wild creatures. The thinking creatures of the Beastlands adore Ehlonna, ensuring that she is often aware of occurrences that happen far from her domain. True to its name, the grove attracts groups of unicorns. In addition, there are herds of bariaurs in Ehlonna's service. The grove is not far from Skerrit
's realm; centaur petitioners are found in Ehlonna's realm and unicorns in Skerrit's.
All spells cast by rangers within the Grove of the Unicorns are enhanced, and all spells that create food or water are exceptionally bountiful. Ehlonna and Mielikki have the power to make other alterations to magic within their realm, if they so desire.
s, and halfling
s are especially attuned to Ehlonna of the Forests, and will willingly aid her.
Ehlonna's worship is centered in the area from the Wild Coast to the Ulek States
, and from the Kron Hills
to the sea. She is among the deities worshipped in Hardby.
Each cleric of Ehlonna chooses a species of plant as their special ward. They must see to it that their species flourishes and that its properties are respected by common folk. Clerics of Ehlonna often carry the seeds of their chosen plant with them on journeys.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
and in the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, Ehlonna is the goddess of Forests, Woodlands, Flora, Fauna, and Fertility. Ehlonna is known to the elves
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
as "Ehlenestra." Her holy symbol is a rampant unicorn or a unicorn's horn.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
Ehlonna was first detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game in "The Deities and Demigods of the World of Greyhawk" by Gary GygaxGary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#68 (1982). Ehlonna was subsequently detailed in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
The World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting and the World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting are two closely related publications from TSR, Inc. that detail the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
(1983), and in Greyhawk Adventures (1988).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
Ehlonna was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign, and appeared again in Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins (1998).Her role in the cosmology of the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996). Ehlonna is described as one of the good deities that celestials
Celestial (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, celestials are a class of creatures and monsters known as outsiders who are of wholly good alignment....
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
Ehlonna appears as one of the deities described in the Players Handbook for this edition (2000). Ehlonna's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk GazetteerLiving Greyhawk Gazetteer
The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is a sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Despite the title, the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is not exclusive to the Living Greyhawk Campaign...
(2000).
Ehlonna is also detailed in the Manual of the Planes
Manual of the Planes
The Manual of the Planes is a manual for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. This text addresses the planar cosmology of the game universe....
(2001), and Deities and Demigods (2002).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
Ehlonna appears in the revised Players Handbook for this edition (2003). Her priesthood is detailed for this edition in Complete DivineComplete Divine
Complete Divine is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast...
(2004).
Description
Ehlonna is variously depicted as an elven or human woman, and often associates with unicornsUnicorn (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a unicorn is a mysterious, majestic magical beast. It resembles an imposing and beautiful white horse, with glowing eyes, a silky mane and tail, and the stereotypical spiraling, shell-shaped horn coming from its forehead...
and other sylvan creatures. When in human form, Ehlonna appears as a dark-haired human woman, but as Ehlenestra, she appears as a golden-haired elven maiden. Her eyes are deep blue or startling violet. Her garments may be the practical garb of a ranger or the rich gown of an elven princess. She carries a longbow that always hits its target.
Her human aspect has special powers over horses, while as Ehlenestra she has similar command over unicorns.
Relationships
Ehlonna has an intense rivalry with Obad-HaiObad-Hai
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Obad-Hai is the god of Nature, Woodlands, Hunting, and Beasts, one of the most ancient known. He is often called the Shalm....
. Where the neutral good Ehlonna advocates the beauty and goodness of unspoiled nature, the true neutral Obad-Hai sees nature as brutal and uncompromising. She is an enemy of Karaan
Karaan
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Karaan is a vile god of savage lust and wanton destruction, representing the dark side of nature...
, who represents nature's dark side. She is friendly with the Seldarine and most good-aligned deities, and allied with Atroa
Atroa
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Atroa is the Oeridian goddess of Spring, East Wind, and Renewal...
. She is served by a planetar
Planetar
Planetar may refer to:* Planetar , a type of extrasolar planet* A race of Dungeons and Dragons, see Major planar races...
named Novalee.
Realm
Deep within the BeastlandsBeastlands
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Beastlands is a neutral good-aligned plane of existence...
layer of Krigala is the Grove of the Unicorns, a realm she shares with the like-minded goddess Mielikki. The grove sits at the base of a cluster of great sequoias that form a natural cathedral for those beneath the canopy. The lowest branches of the trees are hundreds of feet in the air, such that those with wings can fly through Ehlonna's cathedral without difficulty.
Those who reside within the borders of Ehlonna's realm live in peace with the trees and animals, and they are similarly left alone by the wild creatures. The thinking creatures of the Beastlands adore Ehlonna, ensuring that she is often aware of occurrences that happen far from her domain. True to its name, the grove attracts groups of unicorns. In addition, there are herds of bariaurs in Ehlonna's service. The grove is not far from Skerrit
Skerrit
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Skerrit is the deity worshipped by the centaur race. Skerrit is also known as the "Forester." His symbol is an oak growing from an acorn.-Publication history:...
's realm; centaur petitioners are found in Ehlonna's realm and unicorns in Skerrit's.
All spells cast by rangers within the Grove of the Unicorns are enhanced, and all spells that create food or water are exceptionally bountiful. Ehlonna and Mielikki have the power to make other alterations to magic within their realm, if they so desire.
Dogma
Ehlonna teaches that the animals and plants of the forests are gifts, and are not to be stolen. She is often the goddess of rangers and druids and opposes hunters and those who would rape the land for fun or profit.Worshippers
Ehlonna is the patron of all good-aligned folk who love the forests. She is worshipped by hunters, trappers, foresters, rangers, woodcutters, and more. Brownies, elves, gnomeGnome
A gnome is a diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, first introduced by Paracelsus and later adopted by more recent authors including those of modern fantasy literature...
s, and halfling
Halfling
Halfling is another name for J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbit which can be a fictional race sometimes found in fantasy novels and games. In many settings, they are similar to humans except about half the size. Dungeons & Dragons began using the name halfling as an alternative to hobbit for legal reasons...
s are especially attuned to Ehlonna of the Forests, and will willingly aid her.
Ehlonna's worship is centered in the area from the Wild Coast to the Ulek States
Ulek States
In the Dungeons and Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Ulek States refers to the three easternmost nations of the Sheldomar Valley...
, and from the Kron Hills
Kron Hills
In fictional world of the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Kron Hills are a range of mineral-rich hills spilling from the eastern side of the Lortmil Mountains and onward into the western Gnarley...
to the sea. She is among the deities worshipped in Hardby.
Clergy
For clerics of Ehlonna/Ehlenestra, her domains include Animal, Celerity, Good, Plant, Purification, and Sun. Her favored weapon is the longbow. Clerics of Ehlonna wear pale green robes.Each cleric of Ehlonna chooses a species of plant as their special ward. They must see to it that their species flourishes and that its properties are respected by common folk. Clerics of Ehlonna often carry the seeds of their chosen plant with them on journeys.
Temples
Temples to Ehlonna are usually camouflaged lodges in sylvan settings, although small shrines often exist in villages.Rituals
Ehlonna's services involve vessels of horn and wood, the playing of pipes and flutes, and various herbs. Typical prayers to Ehlonna feature at least two references to positive aspects of the forest. Her ceremonies take place in the forest where possible and involve the various aspects of fertility. Children take part in the more innocent ones.Artifacts and associated magic items
A number of magic items are associated with Ehlonna.- Armor of the Fallen Leaves: Ehlonna created the Armor of the Fallen Leaves and gifted it to Obad-HaiObad-HaiIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Obad-Hai is the god of Nature, Woodlands, Hunting, and Beasts, one of the most ancient known. He is often called the Shalm....
at a time when relations between the two deities were warm enough to allow this.
- Ehlonna's Seed Pouch: This item contains what appear to be six ordinary acorns; when dropped, the acorns become treantTreantTreants are creatures found in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.Treants are sentient trees with human characteristics. They are typically portrayed as protectors of the forests and antagonists to industrialization and despoiling of nature...
s, walls of thorns, or grenades.
- Raptor Arrows: These five arrows achieved relic status when Ehlonna used them to slay a great wyrm green dragon. Each arrow returns to the bow once it is fired.
Additional reading
- Brown, AnneAnne Brown (game designer)Anne Brown is a writer and editor in the role-playing game industry.Brown began working as an Assistant editor for Dragon magazine in 1989, on issues #147 to #151 . She was later transferred to TSR's Games Division...
. Player's Guide. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998. - Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip
- Findley, NigelNigel FindleyNigel D Findley was a game designer, editor, and an author of science fiction and fantasy novels and role-playing games .-Biography:Nigel Findley was born in Venezuela, in 1959...
. Greyspace. (TSRTSR, Inc.Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, 1992). - Gygax, GaryGary GygaxErnest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
, and Frank MentzerFrank MentzerJacob Franklin "Frank" Mentzer III , is an American fantasy author and game designer best known for his work on early materials for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He was a performing folk musician from 1968 to 1975, and played one concert at the White House during the...
. The Temple of Elemental Evil (TSRTSR, Inc.Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, 1985). - Living Greyhawk Journal no. 3 - "Gods of Oerth"