Sehanine Moonbow
Encyclopedia
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 Corellon Larethian
. Her preferred weapon is the Moonstaff (quarterstaff). Her symbol is a full moon topped by a crescent-shaped haze.
.
(1992), including details about her priesthood.
Sehanine was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign.
Her role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).
Sehanine received a very detailed description for her role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities (1998).
Sehanine is described as one of the good deities that celestials
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
(2000).
Her role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
(2002).
, and Hanali Celanil
, and gets along swimmingly with many other gods, including Baravar Cloakshadow
, Cyrrollalee
, Dumathoin
, Oberon
, Segojan Earthcaller
, Titania, and Urogalan
. Her foes include Gruumsh
, the Queen of Air and Darkness, and the evil deities of the drow.
. She shares Corellon's tower of Gwyllachaightaeryll there, spinning webs of illusion around its many splendors.
Sehanine Moonbow is also associated with the Moonarch of Sehanine, a portal to a demiplane where the elven gods test those who enter it.
Worshippers of Sehanine Moonbow seek out and destroy undead creatures, for Sehanine holds such creatures — with the notable exceptions of baelnorn and other good-aligned undead beings who voluntarily prolong their existence in order to serve their kin — to be blasphemous.
Clerics of Sehanine are mystics and seers, acting as spiritual counselors to those elves and half-elves before they begin journeys in search of transcendence or enlightenment. Clerics of Sehanine also officiate over funerals and guard the material remains of the dead. They weave illusions and cast divinations to guard elven lands and strongholds. When they adventure, it is often with the goal of uncovering lost knowledge of illusions and divinations.
Sehanine's clergy favors silvery-white diaphenous gowns for the priestesses, and togas for the priests. They wear silver diadems on their heads, simple sandles, and silver lace sashes on their waists. Adventuring clerics are known for their elven chain mail and mirrored shields.
When the time comes for an elf to leave the mortal world and travel to Arvanaith, the elven afterlife (identical to Arvandor, the home of the elven gods), the elf will commonly spend several days experiencing vivid waking dreams and reverie. The lens of the elf's eye manifests a milky crescent at this time, the "moonbow" of Sehanine's name. During this time, Sehanine sends the elf a vision of where they must go to reach the otherworld; the most important of these secret places in the Flanaess
is currently Lendore Isle.
If the elf dies violently without suffering utter spiritual destruction, Sehanine's priests perform the Ceremony of Recovery for several days, meditating and communing with the goddess and the two worlds. If successful, they channel the lost spirit through Sehanine's grace, enabling it to transcend to Arvanaith. During these ceremonies, the moonbow appears in the eyes of the priests, but vanish immediately upon the ceremony's conclusion.
, Sehanine's tears mingled with Corellon's blood, forming the first elves.
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.
, with the rise of humanity and its rapacious expansion into traditional elven homelands, Sehanine has found her energies increasingly occupied by thwarting the destructive ravages of gods such as Auril
, Cyric
, Malar, Talos, and Umberlee.
Following the changes wrought by the Spellplague, Sehanine is revealed to be the fey aspect of Selûne
. The formerly composite goddess Angharradh
serves as Corellon's consort.
.
Sehanine's high priest on Lendore Isle is Anfaren Silverbrow. There are also priests of Sehanine in Oakvein in the Welkwood.
in 4th edition, and her symbol is a silver crescent moon, studded with sapphires.
Sehanine was one of the three fey gods, the others being Lolth and Corellon. Sehanine supported Corellon in his early battles with Gruumsh, and came to his rescue when Lolth rebelled and attempted to kill him. During the Dawn War, Corellon and Sehanine developed an appreciation of the mortal world and the other planes, and thus accepted worshippers from many other races. Sehanine worked with Melora to create the halflings, though the new race was abandoned for unspecified reasons. Sehanine, along with Pelor, led the charge against Khala when she attempted to elevate herself above the other gods in the War of Winter.
In 4th edition, Sehanine is a close ally of Avandra
, Corellon and Melora (they are collectively referred to as the Four Free Gods). She is also on amicable terms with Pelor
and the Raven Queen
. Sehanine dislikes Gruumsh
and Lolth
due to their history with her and Corellon; she also dislikes Asmodeus
and Zehir
.
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...
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
Lolth
Lolth is a fictional goddess in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Lolth , the Demon Queen of Spiders, is the chief goddess of drow elves...
and the other drow powers. She is said to be the wife of 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...
. Her preferred weapon is the Moonstaff (quarterstaff). Her symbol is a full moon topped by a crescent-shaped haze.
Publication history
Sehanine has traditionally been a goddess of the elvesElf (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...
.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
Sehanine (Moonbow) was first detailed as a deity in the book Monster MythologyMonster Mythology
Monster Mythology is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Released by TSR in 1992 and written by Carl Sargent, with interior illustrations by Terry Dykstra, John and Laura Lakey, and Keith Parkinson, Monster Mythology was released as a companion volume for...
(1992), including details about her priesthood.
Sehanine was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign.
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).
Sehanine received a very detailed description for her role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities (1998).
Sehanine 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)
Sehanine'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).
Her 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).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
Sehanine was detailed again in Races of the Wild (2005).Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
Sehanine appears as the lunar deity described in the Players Handbook for this edition (2008). In this edition, Sehanine's portfolio and personality are somewhat altered. In addition to being the sole deity of the moon, she is also the goddess of love and autumn. Sehanine insists that all of her followers avoid zealotry and walk a middle path between good and evil.Description
Sehanine appears as a youthful and ageless female elf wearing a diaphanous gown made from moonbeams. In combat she wields Moonshaft, a quarterstaff. As befits the goddess of mysteries, Sehanine is cloaked in secrets and illusions and rarely speaks her mind directly, preferring to communicate through a process of dreams, visions, and other mystic experiences. The Goddess of Moonlight is truly spiritual and ephemeral being who evades any attempt to define her. Her serenity surrounds her like a mantle of moondust.Relationships
Sehanine is closely allied with all the Seldarine, particularly Corellon, Aerdrie FaenyaAerdrie 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:...
, and 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:...
, and gets along swimmingly with many other gods, including Baravar Cloakshadow
Baravar Cloakshadow
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Baravar Cloakshadow is the gnomish deity of illusions, protection, and deception. He creates traps and illusions of stunning complexity and cunning. He is somewhat mean-spirited compared to most of the other gnomish gods, and his pranks may cause even...
, 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...
, Dumathoin
Dumathoin
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Dumathoin is the patron of mountain dwarves, and the dwarf deity of mining and underground exploration. He is also the protector of the dwarven dead. His holy symbol is a cut, faceted gem inside of a mountain.-Publication...
, 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:...
, Segojan Earthcaller
Segojan Earthcaller
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Segojan Earthcaller is the gnome deity of earth and nature. Unlike Baervan Wildwanderer, who is a god of the plants and forests of the surface world, Segojan's area of concern is the deep earth and the life within it...
, Titania, and Urogalan
Urogalan
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Urogalan is the halfling deity of earth and death. His symbol is the silhouette of a dog's head.-Publication history:...
. Her foes include Gruumsh
Gruumsh
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Gruumsh, also known as Gruumsh One-Eye, is the patron deity of orcs, who regard him as the god of Conquest, Survival, Strength, and Territory. He is also considered a member of the default D&D pantheon of deities...
, the Queen of Air and Darkness, and the evil deities of the drow.
Realm
Sehanine lives in the realm of Arvandor on the plane of ArboreaArborea (Dungeons & Dragons)
In Dungeons & Dragons, fantasy role-playing game, Arborea or more fully, the Olympian Glades of Arborea, is a chaotic good-aligned plane of existence...
. She shares Corellon's tower of Gwyllachaightaeryll there, spinning webs of illusion around its many splendors.
Sehanine Moonbow is also associated with the Moonarch of Sehanine, a portal to a demiplane where the elven gods test those who enter it.
Dogma
Sehanine's faithful view life as a series of mysteries veiled by Sehanine herself. The spirits of elves discover new mysteries once they transcend their mortal existences. Sehanine unveils the next step through dreams and visions revealed during the elven reverie. Worshippers of Sehanine revere the moons, feeling their pull in their souls like tides in the ocean.Worshippers of Sehanine Moonbow seek out and destroy undead creatures, for Sehanine holds such creatures — with the notable exceptions of baelnorn and other good-aligned undead beings who voluntarily prolong their existence in order to serve their kin — to be blasphemous.
Clergy
As cloaked in mystery as Sehanine's church is, little is known of its secretive hierarchy.Clerics of Sehanine are mystics and seers, acting as spiritual counselors to those elves and half-elves before they begin journeys in search of transcendence or enlightenment. Clerics of Sehanine also officiate over funerals and guard the material remains of the dead. They weave illusions and cast divinations to guard elven lands and strongholds. When they adventure, it is often with the goal of uncovering lost knowledge of illusions and divinations.
Sehanine's clergy favors silvery-white diaphenous gowns for the priestesses, and togas for the priests. They wear silver diadems on their heads, simple sandles, and silver lace sashes on their waists. Adventuring clerics are known for their elven chain mail and mirrored shields.
Temples
Sehanine's temples are situated so that they are bathed in moon light when it is full, with open ceilings that reveal the night sky. They often adorned with moonstones, silver and surrounded by a garden of night blooming flowers.Rituals
Clerics of Sehanine pray for their spells each night when the moons are fullest.When the time comes for an elf to leave the mortal world and travel to Arvanaith, the elven afterlife (identical to Arvandor, the home of the elven gods), the elf will commonly spend several days experiencing vivid waking dreams and reverie. The lens of the elf's eye manifests a milky crescent at this time, the "moonbow" of Sehanine's name. During this time, Sehanine sends the elf a vision of where they must go to reach the otherworld; the most important of these secret places in the Flanaess
Flanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
is currently Lendore Isle.
If the elf dies violently without suffering utter spiritual destruction, Sehanine's priests perform the Ceremony of Recovery for several days, meditating and communing with the goddess and the two worlds. If successful, they channel the lost spirit through Sehanine's grace, enabling it to transcend to Arvanaith. During these ceremonies, the moonbow appears in the eyes of the priests, but vanish immediately upon the ceremony's conclusion.
Holy days
Sehanine has a wide variety of holy days tied to the positions of the heavenly bodies, particularly the phases of the moons and various eclipses. Many of these holidays occur once per decade, once per century, or even once per millennium, but the most frequent are the Lunar Hallowings, held monthly beneath Luna's full moon. They are marked with personal meditation and a communal trance, and concluded with joyous freeform dance until the break of dawn. Once per year, the faithful gather for the Mystic Rites of the Luminous Cloud, when the participants are transformed into shimmering, silvery light that darts across the heavens, learning sacred mysteries according to their level of spiritual development.Creation of the elves
During the battle with GruumshGruumsh
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Gruumsh, also known as Gruumsh One-Eye, is the patron deity of orcs, who regard him as the god of Conquest, Survival, Strength, and Territory. He is also considered a member of the default D&D pantheon of deities...
, Sehanine's tears mingled with Corellon's blood, forming the first elves.
Seldarine
In many campaign settingCampaign 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
Rillifane Rallathil
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...
, Sehanine Moonbow, 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.
Sehanine in the Forgotten Realms
In the Forgotten RealmsForgotten 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...
, with the rise of humanity and its rapacious expansion into traditional elven homelands, Sehanine has found her energies increasingly occupied by thwarting the destructive ravages of gods such as Auril
Auril
Auril, the Frostmaiden, is the goddess of cold and winter in the Forgotten Realms, for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:...
, Cyric
Cyric
Cyric is a deity in the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting, a branch of Dungeons & Dragons. Cyric has many titles, including the Prince of Lies, the Dark Sun, the Black Sun, the Mad God, and the Lord of Three Crowns...
, Malar, Talos, and Umberlee.
Following the changes wrought by the Spellplague, Sehanine is revealed to be the fey aspect of Selûne
Sélune
The Sélune is a 91 km long river in the Manche department, Normandy, France, beginning near Saint-Cyr-du-Bailleul. It empties into the bay of Mont Saint-Michel near Avranches, close to the mouth of the Sée river. Other towns along the Sélune are Barenton, Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët and...
. The formerly composite goddess Angharradh
Angharradh
In the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Angharradh is the goddess of birth, defense, fertility, planting, Spring, and wisdom.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition :...
serves as Corellon's consort.
Sehanine in Greyhawk
In the World of Greyhawk, Sehanine's following is strongest on the mysterious Lendore IslesLendore Isles
In the Dungeons and Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Lendore Isles, also known as the Spindrift Isles, are a collection of five large islands in the Solnor Ocean, just off the eastern coast of the former Great Kingdom...
.
Sehanine's high priest on Lendore Isle is Anfaren Silverbrow. There are also priests of Sehanine in Oakvein in the Welkwood.
Sehanine in 4th edition
Sehanine is the Unaligned goddess of the moon, autumn, and love. Elves, halflings, thieves, and lovers venerate her. Sehanine urges her followers to seek their own destiny, preferably upon a shadowy path that avoids "the blazing light of zealous good and the utter darkness of evil." Sehanine's astral dominion is Arvandor, the Verdant Isles. Her favored weapon is now the Moonbow (shortbow), which is easier to hide than the longbow and is less insidious than the crossbow (one of Lolth's weapons). Sehanine is something of a tricksterTrickster
In 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...
in 4th edition, and her symbol is a silver crescent moon, studded with sapphires.
Sehanine was one of the three fey gods, the others being Lolth and Corellon. Sehanine supported Corellon in his early battles with Gruumsh, and came to his rescue when Lolth rebelled and attempted to kill him. During the Dawn War, Corellon and Sehanine developed an appreciation of the mortal world and the other planes, and thus accepted worshippers from many other races. Sehanine worked with Melora to create the halflings, though the new race was abandoned for unspecified reasons. Sehanine, along with Pelor, led the charge against Khala when she attempted to elevate herself above the other gods in the War of Winter.
In 4th edition, Sehanine is a close ally of Avandra
Avandra
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Avandra is the good goddess of change, luck, trade and travel. She is revered by halflings, rogues, travelers, and merchants...
, Corellon and Melora (they are collectively referred to as the Four Free Gods). She is also on amicable terms with Pelor
Pelor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Pelor is the god of the Sun, Light, Strength, and Healing. Pelor is also a prominent member of the third edition of the game's default pantheon, and is a popular choice among player character clerics because he...
and the Raven Queen
Raven Queen
In the 4th edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Raven Queen is the Unaligned Goddess of Death, and Doom. as well as the Seasonal Goddess of Winter. Her real name was long forgotten.-Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition :...
. Sehanine dislikes Gruumsh
Gruumsh
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Gruumsh, also known as Gruumsh One-Eye, is the patron deity of orcs, who regard him as the god of Conquest, Survival, Strength, and Territory. He is also considered a member of the default D&D pantheon of deities...
and Lolth
Lolth
Lolth is a fictional goddess in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Lolth , the Demon Queen of Spiders, is the chief goddess of drow elves...
due to their history with her and Corellon; she also dislikes Asmodeus
Asmodeus (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Asmodeus is an Arch-Devil: a lord of the game's version of Hell . There he is the Overlord of the Dukes of Hell...
and Zehir
Zehir
Zehir is a god in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition :Zehir appears as one of the deities described in the Players Handbook for fourth edition .-Description:...
.