Elf deities
Encyclopedia
The Seldarine is the name of the pantheon
of the good and neutral
elven
gods
in many campaign setting
s for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
. The name roughly translates as "the fellowship of brothers and sisters of the wood." The Seldarine are led by the greater deity Corellon Larethian
. Their home plane is Arvandor (part of Arborea/Mount Olympus).
The members of the Seldarine are:
Dragon
magazine expanded the pantheon to include:
Not truly part of the Seldarine but venerated by surface elves and associated with the Seldarine are:
Some of the wild elves of the Forgotten Realms also venerate beast-totem
s known as Bear, Eagle
, Raven
, and Wolf, all aspects of Rillifane Rallathil.
There is also a Dark Seldarine, which is the name given to the Drow deities
.
In the 4th edition of Dungeons & Dragons, the default and Forgotten Realms pantheons have been greatly streamlined. The Seldarine of the default settings are exarchs, lesser powers in service to either Corellon or Sehanine. The Seldarine of the Forgotten Realms are either exarchs of Corellon or aspects of other gods or powers.
.
. Sashelas makes his home on the plane of Arborea, and lives in the realm of Elavandor. His holy symbol is a dolphin.
with the ki-rin god Koriel
. Erevan is a close ally of the Seelie Court
. Erevan lives in the realm of Arvandor on the plane of Arborea.
Hanali lives in the realm of Arvandor on the plane of Arborea. Her symbol is a gold heart.
in many Dungeons & Dragons
campaign settings. In the Forgotten Realms
, he is Lord of the Continuum who governs the orderly passage of time and guards against those who would alter the path of history. Together with Sehanine Moonbow
he oversees the long life span of the elves and their lives after they have left the mortal realms.
roleplaying game, Naralis Analor is a minor elven god associated with healing, easing of pain, and death. His symbol is a shield bearing a white dove. He is considered a member of the Seldarine.
Naralis Analor's primary interest is not just the safeguarding of elven souls after they depart, but also healing of the living. He is one of the few death gods who isn’t malevolent or uncaring, and he’s very popular in those worlds where his worship is practiced.
Naralis’s worshipers are those who are concerned with keeping their fellow elves healthy, and in caring for those who are going to die. Some adventurers give their respect to Naralis in the hope he’ll be able to turn the next potential deathblow away from them.
the Forester a close friend.
Pantheon (gods)
A pantheon is a set of all the gods of a particular polytheistic religion or mythology.Max Weber's 1922 opus, Economy and Society discusses the link between a...
of the good and neutral
Alignment (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, alignment is a categorization of the ethical and moral perspective of people, creatures and societies....
elven
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...
gods
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
in many campaign setting
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...
s for 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...
. The name roughly translates as "the fellowship of brothers and sisters of the wood." The Seldarine are led by the greater deity Corellon Larethian
Corellon Larethian
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Corellon Larethian is the leader of the elven pantheon, and the god of Magic, Music, Arts, Crafts, Poetry, and Warfare. Corellon is also considered a member of the default D&D pantheon. He is the creator and preserver of the elven race, and governs those...
. Their home plane is Arvandor (part of Arborea/Mount Olympus).
The members of the Seldarine are:
- Aerdrie Faenya, primary deity of the avariel.
- Angharradh, Corellon's consort, second of the pantheon and primary deity of the moon elves (made up of the other goddesses Aerdrie Faenya, Hanali Selanil and Sehanine Moonbow). This composite goddess is exclusive to the Forgotten RealmsForgotten RealmsThe Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign setting. - Corellon Larethian, "First of the Seldarine," leader of the pantheon and primary deity of the sun elves and star elves in the Forgotten Realms.
- Deep Sashelas, primary deity of the aquatic elves.
- Erevan Ilesere, trickster godTricksterIn mythology, and in the study of folklore and religion, a trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior. It is suggested by Hansen that the term "Trickster" was probably first used in this...
. - Fenmarel Mestarine, primary deity of feral elves (and in Greyhawk, the grugach).
- Gadhelyn, hero-god of independence, outlawry, feasting, and hunting. This deity is exclusive to the Greyhawk campaign setting.
- Hanali Celanil, love goddess.
- Idris, malignancy and revenge. This evil goddess is exclusive to the MystaraMystaraMystara is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game. Although it has officially been dropped from production by its creators, many fans continue to develop and evolve this fantasy setting jointly, continuing its original theme of group development.-Development:It...
campaign setting. - Labelas Enoreth, philosopher god.
- Rillifane Rallathil, god of nature.
- Sehanine Moonbow, death goddess and moon goddess (and patron goddess of moon elves in the Forgotten Realms).
- Shevarash, a demipower, risen mortal and god of vengeance and retribution. This deity is exclusive to the Forgotten Realms.
- Solonor Thelandira, god of hunting.
- Vandria Gilmadrith, goddess of war and grieving.
- Ye'Cind, demigod of music and magical songs. This deity is exclusive to the Greyhawk campaign setting.
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...
magazine expanded the pantheon to include:
- Araleth Letheranil, a demipower.
- Alathrien Druanna, a demipower.
- Darahl Firecloak, a demipower.
- Kirith Sotheril, a lesser power.
- Melira Taralen, a lesser power.
- Naralis Analor, a lesser power.
- Rellavar Danuvien, a lesser power, "The Frost SpriteSprite (creature)The term sprite is a broad term referring to a number of preternatural legendary creatures. The term is generally used in reference to elf-like creatures, including fairies, and similar beings , but can also signify various spiritual beings, including ghosts. In Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books,...
King" and a lesser god of snow elves. - Sarula Iliene, a lesser power and patron deity of nixies.
- Tethrin Veraldé, a lesser power.
- Tarsellis Meunniduin, patron deity of the snow elves of Greyhawk & the snow elves of the High Ice region of the Anauroch in Faerun. Also called the "Lord of Mountains".
Not truly part of the Seldarine but venerated by surface elves and associated with the Seldarine are:
- Eilistraee, Corellon's daughter and patron deity of good drow elves (actually a member of the Dark Seldarine). Exclusive to the Forgotten Realms.
- Khalreshaar, primary deity of half-elves and an elven aspect of MielikkiMielikki (Forgotten Realms)Mielikki is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Mielikki is the goddess of autumn, druids, dryads, forests, forest creatures, and rangers. Her symbol is a gold-horned, blue-eyed unicorn's head facing left, and her...
. Exclusive to the Forgotten Realms. - Trishina, consort of Deep Sashelas.
- Zandilar the Dancer, a forgotten elven deity of the Yuirwood elves and now an aspect of the goddess SharessSharessSharess is a fictional Faerûnian lesser deity of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, for Dungeons & Dragons.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :...
. Exclusive to the Forgotten Realms.
Some of the wild elves of the Forgotten Realms also venerate beast-totem
Totem
A totem is a stipulated ancestor of a group of people, such as a family, clan, group, lineage, or tribe.Totems support larger groups than the individual person. In kinship and descent, if the apical ancestor of a clan is nonhuman, it is called a totem...
s known as Bear, Eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
, Raven
Raven (mythology)
Ravens are common characters in the traditional narratives and mythology around the world, notably a part of North American, Siberian, Norse mythology and Celtic mythology...
, and Wolf, all aspects of Rillifane Rallathil.
There is also a Dark Seldarine, which is the name given to the Drow deities
Drow deities
The Dark Seldarine is the name given to the fallen, mostly evil deities of the subterranean drow in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. They are not truly a pantheon in the same way the Seldarine are, though, as they do not co-operate. The Dark Seldarine are led by Lolth, whose power...
.
In the 4th edition of Dungeons & Dragons, the default and Forgotten Realms pantheons have been greatly streamlined. The Seldarine of the default settings are exarchs, lesser powers in service to either Corellon or Sehanine. The Seldarine of the Forgotten Realms are either exarchs of Corellon or aspects of other gods or powers.
Aerdrie Faenya
Aerdrie Faenya is the elven goddess of Air, Weather, and Birds. She appears to be a tall, elf-like woman with feathered hair and eyebrows. Her back has a pair of large bird-like wings. Her feathers are constantly changing color. The lower half of her body vanishes into a misty whirlwind, so that she never appears to touch the ground. Aerdrie Faenya lives in the realm of Arvandor on the plane of Arborea as well as the realm of Alfheim on YsgardYsgard
Ysgard is the Outer Plane of Chaotic Neutral / Chaotic Good alignment in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It is also called Asgard, Gladsheim or The Heroic Domains...
.
Deep Sashelas
Deep Sashelas is the elf patron deity of aquatic elves. He is also a god of creation, knowledge, beauty, and magic. Sashelas is known as the "Knowledgeable One," and is the master of dolphins. Sashelas is married to the goddess of Dolphins, TrishinaTrishina
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Trishina is the dolphin deity of love, fidelity, the young, and play...
. Sashelas makes his home on the plane of Arborea, and lives in the realm of Elavandor. His holy symbol is a dolphin.
Elebrin Liothiel
Elebrin Liothiel is the elven god of orchards, gardens and the harvest. He is depicted as a young male elf dressed in a tunic and breeches in muted shades of gold and a cloak in the color of green spring leaves. His symbol is a chestnut on top of a leaf.Worshipers
Liothiel's clerics tend to the communal gardens and orchards of elven settlements while learning to harmonize with nature rather than dominating over it. His shrines are often built on simple platforms upon tall trees or sometimes domed buildings made of saelas.Erevan Ilesere
Erevan Ilesere is the elven deity of Mischief, Change, Rogues and Changelings. Erevan is a fickle, utterly unpredictable god who can change his appearance at will. Some humorous tales say that Erevan changed form and sex in order to conceive and bear the unicorn god EachthighernEachthighern
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Eachthighern is the unicorn deity of Healing, Loyalty, and Protection. He is also the god of pegasi...
with the ki-rin god Koriel
Koriel
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Koriel is the ki-rin deity of learning, protection, and vigilance against evil. His symbol is the horn and eyes of a ki-rin.-Publication history:...
. Erevan is a close ally of the Seelie Court
Seelie Court (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Seelie Court is a large, loose confederation of gods that consists of the leader Titania and her consort Oberon, as well as the following gods: Caoimhin, Damh, Eachthighern , Emmantiensien, Fionnghuala, Nathair Sgiathach, Skerrit, Squelaiche, and...
. Erevan lives in the realm of Arvandor on the plane of Arborea.
Hanali Celanil
Hanali Celanil is the elf deity of romantic love and beauty.Hanali lives in the realm of Arvandor on the plane of Arborea. Her symbol is a gold heart.
Labelas Enoreth
Labelas Enoreth is an elven deityDeity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
in many 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...
campaign settings. In the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
, he is Lord of the Continuum who governs the orderly passage of time and guards against those who would alter the path of history. Together with Sehanine Moonbow
Sehanine Moonbow
In many Dungeons and Dragons campaign settings, Sehanine Moonbow is the elven goddess of the moons. She is one of the more powerful members of the Seldarine. The Lady of Dreams actively opposes the nefarious schemes of the Spider Queen and the other drow powers. She is said to be the wife of...
he oversees the long life span of the elves and their lives after they have left the mortal realms.
Naralis Analor
In the Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & 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...
roleplaying game, Naralis Analor is a minor elven god associated with healing, easing of pain, and death. His symbol is a shield bearing a white dove. He is considered a member of the Seldarine.
Naralis Analor's primary interest is not just the safeguarding of elven souls after they depart, but also healing of the living. He is one of the few death gods who isn’t malevolent or uncaring, and he’s very popular in those worlds where his worship is practiced.
Naralis’s worshipers are those who are concerned with keeping their fellow elves healthy, and in caring for those who are going to die. Some adventurers give their respect to Naralis in the hope he’ll be able to turn the next potential deathblow away from them.
Rillifane Rallathil
Rillifane Rallathil is the elven god of Nature, and patron deity of wood elves. Rillifane appears as a green-skinned elf clad in bark armor and carrying a magic bow that slays any target hit by one of its arrows. Rillifane is on good terms with other members of the Seldarine, and considers the centaur deity SkerritSkerrit
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:...
the Forester a close friend.
Solonor Thelandira
Solonor Thelandira is the elven god of hunting, archery, and survival in wild and harsh places. He teaches his followers the arts of hunting; including archery, moving unseen and hiding in wild places. He watches over the borders of wilderness and farmed land and seeks to maintain the balance between them. His symbol is a silver arrow with green fletching, and his sacred animal is the stag. Solonor is never in one place for long, as he is always hunting. His magical bow can fire as far as the horizon and his quiver that never empties. He hunts not to kill for killings sake but to maintain the balance of nature and to destroy evil. He does not close with foes, but tracks them and shoots from a distance. He can create an arrow of slaying, and if this strikes home it will kill all enemies. Many fiends have fallen to a single shot.Vandria Gilmadrith
Vandria Gilmadrith, a daughter of Corellon Larethian, is the Seldarine goddess of war, justice, and grief. She is unique among the Seldarine as being the only deity with a lawful alignment. For this reason, during times of peace she usually has fewer followers among the elves than among other races. When the elves go to war en masse, however, they turn to her for help and guidance.Worshipers
Vandria's clerics work with villages to strengthen their defenses, and to help adjudicate disputes between quarrelling parties. In times of war they advocate against individualism and promote unity and group tactics.Additional reading
- Races of the Wild
- Dragon magazine #283 - "Do-It-Yourself Deities"
- Living Greyhawk Journal no. 3 - "Gods of Oerth"