Xan Yae
Encyclopedia
Xan Yae is a fictional goddess from the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
. In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
, Xan Yae is the goddess of Twilight, Shadows, Stealth, and Mental Power worshiped by some of the Baklunish
people who inhabit the fictional lands of Flanaess
and Oerik
. Her symbol is a black lotus blossom. She appears as a Baklunish human of any age and gender, with a slender and graceful build, and wielding a pair of magical, easily concealed falchion
s.
(1983), by Gary Gygax
.
Xan Yae was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes
set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign.
Xan Yae's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
(2000). Xan Yae's priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine
(2004).
, before he vanished in 505 CY. She is a close ally of the Cat Lord
, Rexfelis, and opposes Pholtus
and Pyremius
. She is also allied with Kurell
.
In Xan Yae's philosophy, there are three great universal principles:
, the Plains of the Paynims, Tusmit
, and Zeif
. Though a Baklunish goddess, the Perfect Mistress has some measure of popularity throughout the Flanaess
, especially among rogues and monks
, thieves and less savory sorts, young lovers, and those of cautious nature. Xan Yae's worshippers seek out dungeons and labyrinths full of hidden lore.
One of Xan Yae's better-known monasteries beyond the Baklunish Basin is the Twilight Monastery, located three hours northwest of Diamond Lake
in the Cairn Hills.
, marking the day of balance between darkness and light. Two ceremonies are held on this day, one at dawn and another at dusk, and during these ceremonies neophytes are initiated into the greater body of the church.
On the 27th of Harvester
, worshipers of Xan Yae celebrate the Day of the Legion Will. On this day, every member of the church meditates from sunrise to sunset, as deeply as they can, attempting to come in direct contact with the Universal Mind and bend the fabric of existence with the collective will of the church.
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...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
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...
. In the World of Greyhawk 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...
, Xan Yae is the goddess of Twilight, Shadows, Stealth, and Mental Power worshiped by some of the Baklunish
Baklunish
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Baklunish are a race of humans inhabiting the Flanaess, as well as regions of Oerik further west....
people who inhabit the fictional lands of 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...
and Oerik
Oerik
In the Dungeons and Dragons World of Greyhawk Campaign setting, Oerik is the largest continent on the world of Oerth, where the Greyhawk campaign takes place.Oerik is named after the Oeridians, a human people who settled much of the continent...
. Her symbol is a black lotus blossom. She appears as a Baklunish human of any age and gender, with a slender and graceful build, and wielding a pair of magical, easily concealed falchion
Falchion
A falchion is a one-handed, single-edged sword of European origin, whose design is reminiscent of the Persian scimitar and the Chinese dao....
s.
Publication history
Xan Yae was first detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game SettingWorld 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), by Gary Gygax
Gary 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....
.
Xan Yae was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes
From the Ashes (Dungeons & Dragons)
From the Ashes is a supplement for Dungeons & Dragonss World of Greyhawk campaign setting. It was published in 1992 by TSR as a boxed set of materials...
set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign.
Xan Yae's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
Living 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). Xan Yae's priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine
Complete 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
Xan Yae appears as a Baklunish human of any age or sex, slender and graceful, wielding a pair of magical falchions that she can shrink to easily conceal. She is usually dressed in cloth of dove gray, dusty rose, or golden orange.Relationships
Xan Yae was served by the demigod, ZuokenZuoken
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Zuoken is the Baklunish god of Physical and Mental Mastery...
, before he vanished in 505 CY. She is a close ally of the Cat Lord
Cat Lord
The Cat Lord, or Master Cat, is the mysterious ruler of cats and a lord of Balance, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. The Epic Level Handbook included, as an optional rule, the possibility that he is a quasi-deity. In Gary Gygax's Gord the Rogue series, he is called Rexfelis.There are...
, Rexfelis, and opposes Pholtus
Pholtus
In the fictional campaign setting of Greyhawk used for the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Pholtus was one of the first gods created by Gary Gygax as he and Dave Arneson developed the game of Dungeons & Dragons...
and Pyremius
Pyremius
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Pyremius is the Suel god of Assassins, Fire, Poison, and Murder...
. She is also allied with Kurell
Kurell
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Kurell is the Oeridian god of Jealousy, Revenge, and Thievery...
.
Dogma
Xan Yae's highest ideal is the mastery of the unseen. Anything that achieves true balance attains invisible perfection. The greatest mysteries are hard to find.In Xan Yae's philosophy, there are three great universal principles:
- The Universal Mind. This is the creator and sustainer of the universe. One mind is all minds.
- Perpetual Harmony. Symmetry and balance between Good and Evil and all things. When the individual achieves a similar state of balance, harmony with nature can be attained.
- Internal Peace. The mastery of the mental and martial arts can be combined to attain a higher level of existence.
Worshippers
Xan Yae is revered in KetKet (Greyhawk)
Ket is a political state in the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Because it lies in the only gap in the north-south spine of mountains that divides the eastern Flanaess from the western Baklunish Basin, Ket is a nexus of important trade...
, the Plains of the Paynims, Tusmit
Tusmit
Tusmit is a political state in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is situated in the Baklunish Basin region of the Flanaess, between the Caliphate of Ekbir and Ket.-People:...
, and Zeif
Zeif
Zeif is a political state in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is situated in the Baklunish Basin region of the Flanaess, on the southern shores of the Dramidj Ocean.-References:...
. Though a Baklunish goddess, the Perfect Mistress has some measure of popularity throughout 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...
, especially among rogues and monks
Monk (Dungeons & Dragons)
The monk is a playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A D&D monk is a fantasy martial artist, specializing in unarmed combat.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
, thieves and less savory sorts, young lovers, and those of cautious nature. Xan Yae's worshippers seek out dungeons and labyrinths full of hidden lore.
Clergy
Xan Yae's clerics wear cloaks of gray and typically carry falchions or those weapons associated with monks. They are agents of harmony and discipline, seeking out extreme alignments and factions and bringing them toward balance. They train others in the martial and mental arts, study with gurus, and seek out evidence of the Universal Mind. They are active in seeking to change the world. They pray at dusk.Temples
Because she teaches mastery of the unseen, Xan Yae's temples and monasteries are usually very hard to find, typically in secluded settings. In urban areas they tend to be large but disguised as some other form of building.One of Xan Yae's better-known monasteries beyond the Baklunish Basin is the Twilight Monastery, located three hours northwest of Diamond Lake
Diamond Lake (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Diamond Lake is a mining town. Situated on the north shore of a lake of the same name, Diamond Lake is located in the Cairn Hills, and lies three days ride east of the Free City of Greyhawk.-Government:Diamond...
in the Cairn Hills.
Rituals
Xan Yae's services include dance-like exercises, meditation, reading, chanting, and prayer. The light is always shadowy and dim, and breezes tinkle bells and chimes to create peaceful background noise.Holy days
Worshipers of Xan Yae celebrate the Autumnal EquinoxGreyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
, marking the day of balance between darkness and light. Two ceremonies are held on this day, one at dawn and another at dusk, and during these ceremonies neophytes are initiated into the greater body of the church.
On the 27th of Harvester
Greyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
, worshipers of Xan Yae celebrate the Day of the Legion Will. On this day, every member of the church meditates from sunrise to sunset, as deeply as they can, attempting to come in direct contact with the Universal Mind and bend the fabric of existence with the collective will of the church.
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
- Gygax, Gary. Monster ManualMonster ManualThe Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
II (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....
, 1983). - Hawvermale, Lance. "Powers that Be: Xan Yae." Polyhedron #139. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
- Miller, Andy. "The Oeridian Lesser Gods." DragonDragon (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...
#263. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999. - Mona, Erik. Age of Worms Overload. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005. Available online: http://paizo.com/dungeon/news/v5748eaic9jzc