Rillifane Rallathil
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
roleplaying game, Rillifane Rallathil is the elven
god of Nature, and patron deity of wood elves. His symbol is an oak tree. His sacred animals are forest birds.
In many campaign setting
s, the elven pantheon of gods (also known as the Seldarine) consists of the leader Corellon Larethian
, as well as Aerdrie Faenya
, Deep Sashelas
, Erevan Ilesere
, Fenmarel Mestarine
, Hanali Celanil
, Labelas Enoreth
, Rillifane Rallathil, Sehanine Moonbow
, and Solonor Thelandira
. Other elven gods may be present in different campaign settings.
Rillifane Rallathil was detailed in Dragon
#191 (1993), including details about his priesthood. His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground
(1996).
Rillifane received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities
(1998).
His role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
(2002).
Rillifane is quiet, reflective, patient, and enduring. He is the least flighty and whimsical of the Seldarine, tending to be grave and self-absorbed.
the Forester a close friend. Rillifane is closely allied with Emmantiensien
, the god of treant
s. The two tree-gods engage in slow, seemingly endless conversations when the Seelie Court
comes to Arvandor or Rillifane visits the Court (where he is always welcome).
Rillifane Rallathil is also allied with Baervan Wildwanderer
, Cyrrollalee
, Sheela Peryroyl
, Oberon
, Titania
, Verenestra
, and various Animal Lords. His foes include the Queen of Air and Darkness
and the gods of the drow.
Rillifane is occasionally at odds with Solonor Thelandira
, who he disagrees with on the issue of sport hunting; Solonor revels in it, while Rillifane forbids it.
Rillifane is served by a host of great spirits, including Bear, Eagle, Raven, Wolf, and others.
, and halflings
, centaurs
. and gnomes
who live near elven woodlands also pay him homage.
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...
roleplaying game, Rillifane Rallathil is the 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...
god of Nature, and patron deity of wood elves. His symbol is an oak tree. His sacred animals are forest birds.
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, the elven pantheon of gods (also known as the Seldarine) consists of the leader 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...
, as well as Aerdrie Faenya
Aerdrie Faenya
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Aerdrie Faenya is the elven goddess of Air, Weather, Freedom, Impulse, Fertility, and Birds.Her symbol is a cloud with a bird silhouette.-Publication history:...
, Deep Sashelas
Deep Sashelas
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Deep Sashelas is the elf patron deity of aquatic elves. He is also a god of creation, knowledge, beauty, and magic...
, Erevan Ilesere
Erevan Ilesere
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, 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. His symbol is a nova star with asymmetrical rays.-Publication history:Erevan Ilesere was...
, Fenmarel Mestarine
Fenmarel Mestarine
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Fenmarel Mestarine is the elven deity of feral elves , outcast elves, scapegoats and solitude...
, Hanali Celanil
Hanali Celanil
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Hanali Celanil is the elf deity of Romantic Love and Beauty. Her symbol is a gold heart.-Publication history:...
, Labelas Enoreth
Labelas Enoreth
Labelas Enoreth is an elven deity in many Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings. In the Forgotten Realms, he is the 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...
, Rillifane Rallathil, 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...
, and Solonor Thelandira
Solonor Thelandira
In the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms, 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...
. Other elven gods may be present in different campaign settings.
Publication history
James M. Ward created Rillifane Rallathil for the Deities and Demigods Cyclopedia (1980).Rillifane Rallathil was detailed 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...
#191 (1993), including details about his priesthood. His 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
On Hallowed Ground
On Hallowed Ground is an accessory book for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, for the Planescape campaign setting.-Contents:This book contains information about deities' planar domains from 20 separate pantheons...
(1996).
Rillifane received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities
Demihuman Deities
Demihuman Deities is a Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition: Forgotten Realms campaign accessory, published by Wizards of the Coast. The book was designed by Eric L. Boyd...
(1998).
His role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
Faiths and Pantheons
Faiths and Pantheons is a campaign accessory for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons, for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.-Contents:...
(2002).
Description
Rillifane is often depicted as a giant ethereal oak tree so vast that his roots mingle with the roots of every other plant in the world. He also manifests 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 quiet, reflective, patient, and enduring. He is the least flighty and whimsical of the Seldarine, tending to be grave and self-absorbed.
Relationships
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. Rillifane is closely allied with Emmantiensien
Emmantiensien
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Emmantiensien is the god of treants, trees, and deep and hidden magic...
, the god of treant
Treant
Treants 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. The two tree-gods engage in slow, seemingly endless conversations when the Seelie Court
Seelie Court
A Seelie Court is a term originating in Lowland Scottish folklore to indicate "good" fairies. The word "seely" being a Scots, Northern and Middle English term meaning "happy", "lucky" or "blessed"...
comes to Arvandor or Rillifane visits the Court (where he is always welcome).
Rillifane Rallathil is also allied with Baervan Wildwanderer
Baervan Wildwanderer
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Baervan Wildwanderer is the gnome deity of Forests, Travel, and Nature.-Publication history:...
, Cyrrollalee
Cyrrollalee
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Cyrrollalee is the halfling deity of Friendship, Trust, and the Home. Her symbol is an open door...
, Sheela Peryroyl
Sheela Peryroyl
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Sheela Peryroyl is the halfling deity of Nature, Agriculture, and Weather. Her symbol is the daisy...
, Oberon
Oberon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Oberon is the fey deity of nature, wild places, and animals. His symbol is a white stag.-Publication history:...
, Titania
Titania (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Titania is the fey deity of Faerie folk and Realms, Friendship, and Magic. Her symbol is a white diamond with a blue star glowing in its center, the antithesis of the black diamond symbol of her sister, the Queen of Air and Darkness.-Publication...
, Verenestra
Verenestra
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Verenestra is the fey deity of female faeries, charm, and beauty. Her symbol is a filigree-edged silver mirror.-Publication history:...
, and various Animal Lords. His foes include the Queen of Air and Darkness
Queen of Air and Darkness
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, The Queen of Air and Darkness is the fey deity of Magic , Darkness, and Murder. Her long-lost true name is never spoken among the fey. Her unholy symbol is a black diamond....
and the gods of the drow.
Rillifane is occasionally at odds with Solonor Thelandira
Solonor Thelandira
In the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms, 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...
, who he disagrees with on the issue of sport hunting; Solonor revels in it, while Rillifane forbids it.
Rillifane is served by a host of great spirits, including Bear, Eagle, Raven, Wolf, and others.
Realm
The gigantic oak tree that is Rillifane Rallathil can be found at the heart of Arvandor, the High Forest of Olympus. There, he draws into himself the ebb and flow of the seasons and lives within the forests of the wood elves.Dogma
Rillifane's worshippers are taught that the Great Oak draws energy from all living things, simultaneously protecting them from exterior threats. They are urged to live in harmony with nature, serving as the Leaflord's mortal agents in defending the forests from those who would overuse their resources.Worshippers
Wood elves consider Rillifane their patron deity. Wood elves that do not worship Rillifane often worship Skerrit the Forester; as the two deities are good friends, there is no conflict between their worshippers. Rillifane is also revered by many voadkynVoadkyn
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the voadkyn is a giant.-Publication history:The wood giant first appeared in Dragon #119 ....
, and halflings
Halfling (Dungeons & Dragons)
The halfling is a fictional race found in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Halflings are similar to humans except about half the size...
, centaurs
Centaur (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the centaur is a large monstrous humanoid. Based upon the Centaurs of Greek myth, they resemble humans with the lower body of a horse.-Publication history:...
. and gnomes
Gnome (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, gnomes are one of the core races available for play as player characters. Some speculate that they are closely related to dwarves; however, gnomes are more tolerant of other races and of magic, and are skilled with illusions...
who live near elven woodlands also pay him homage.
Clergy
Rillifane's priests (who are druids 75% of the time) wear dark green vestments, tree bark armor, and a laurel wreaths on their heads. They are the spiritual and moral leaders of most wood elf tribes. Novice priests are called Acorns, while full priests are known as Oakhearts. High-ranking priests have unique titles of their own.Temples
Temples to Rillifane Rallathil are huge oak trees with platforms and vine bridges in their branches. Smaller oaks may serve as shrines.Holy days
- The Budding is held on the 4th of GrowfestGreyhawk CalendarThe Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
. It is a joyful celebration of new life celebrated through dance and song in oak groves in the heart of the forest. A ritual hunt of a noble heart is held on this day, after which the venison is eaten to break the fast of the faithful. It is a celebration of Rillifane's bounty.
- The Transformation is held on the 4th of BrewfestGreyhawk CalendarThe Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
, and is a time of dancing and spiritual rebirth, marking the beginning of autumn and the promise that spring will come again.
Additional reading
- 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