Yondalla
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
roleplaying game, Yondalla is the chief halfling
goddess and a member of the game's 3rd edition "core pantheon". Her symbol is a shield with a cornucopia motif.
Yondalla is the goddess of Protection, Fertility, the Halfling Race, Children, Security, Leadership, Diplomacy, Wisdom, the Cycle of Life, Creation, Family and Familial Love, Tradition, Community, Harmony, and Prosperity. Yondalla is also known as the Protector and the Provider, the Nurturing Matriarch, and the Blessed One.
In many campaign setting
s, the halfling pantheon of gods consists of the leader Yondalla, as well as Arvoreen
, Brandobaris
, Cyrrollalee
, Sheela Peryroyl
, and Urogalan
.
(1992), including details about her priesthood.
Her role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).
Yondalla's role among her followers was expanded in The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings
(1993).
Yondalla received a very detailed description for her role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities (1998).
Yondalla is described as one of the good deities that celestials
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
Yondalla is detailed in Deities and Demigods (2002), and her role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
(2002).
(2004).
As Protector, Yondalla wards off evil influences and intrusions and gives halflings the strength and determination to defend themselves. In this aspect, Yondalla most often uses her illusionist abilities to protect her worshippers.
Dallah Thaun is Chaotic Neutral, and considered an intermediate goddess. She is represented with dark hair and eyes, and dresses all in black. Where Yondalla nurtures the survivors of a tragedy, Dallah Thaun seeks vengeance. Where Yondalla the Provider creates fertility and plenty, Dallah Thaun urges the halflings to seek wealth. Dallah Thaun, in short, does the dirty work, while Yondalla keeps her hands clean. Dallah Thaun is the goddess of secrets, lies, half-truths, flattery, manipulation, and stealth. The two halves of the goddess do not, and cannot quarrel over their respective methods, different as they may be. They are the same person, with each fulfilling her respective role.
, Berronar Truesilver
, Corellon Larethian
, Garl Glittergold
, Pelor
, and Moradin
. Yondalla is the leader of the halfling pantheon of gods, often collectively known as Yondalla's Children. They include Arvoreen
, Brandobaris
, Cyrrollalee
, Sheela Peryroyl
, and Urogalan
.
Her foes include the goblin
pantheons and Urdlen
.
In the Forgotten Realms
campaign setting, Yondalla is also allied with Chauntea, Helm, Torm
, and Tyr. Her foes are Cyric
, Talos
and Malar
.
.
It is made of priests stricken with wanderlust who wish to see the world. They never settle long in one place for long periods of time. They come to the aid of halfling communities needing protection.
The Wayward Wardens are a loosely organized fellowship of Yondallan priests. Wayward Wardens serve the Provider and Protector by coming to the defense of besieged or threatened halfling communities in need of additional protectors.
a day which is mostly spent in rest, playing, and eating.
More rarely, she discovers the first halfling, who is called Littleman.
recounts how he reacted.
In another version of the story (in Races of the Wild
), the other gods discover that Yondalla has stolen elements from their races to create the halflings, and demand that she be punished. She uses her flattery and guile to mollify them, and in the end they agree to allow Yondalla and her halflings to live. However, the halflings will have no nations of their own, and Yondalla must expunge her larcenous streak from her being. She does so, creating Dallah Thaun and hiding her away, leaving only unblemished, faultless, Lawful Good Yondalla for her prosecutors to see.
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, Yondalla is the chief 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...
goddess and a member of the game's 3rd edition "core pantheon". Her symbol is a shield with a cornucopia motif.
Yondalla is the goddess of Protection, Fertility, the Halfling Race, Children, Security, Leadership, Diplomacy, Wisdom, the Cycle of Life, Creation, Family and Familial Love, Tradition, Community, Harmony, and Prosperity. Yondalla is also known as the Protector and the Provider, the Nurturing Matriarch, and the Blessed One.
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 halfling pantheon of gods consists of the leader Yondalla, as well as Arvoreen
Arvoreen
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Arvoreen is the halfling deity of protection, vigilance, and war. He is also known as "The Defender."-Publication history:...
, Brandobaris
Brandobaris
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Brandobaris is the halfling deity of Stealth, Thievery, Rogues, and Adventuring. His sacred animal is the mouse. His symbol is a halfling's footprint.-Publication history:Brandobaris was first detailed in Roger E...
, 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...
, 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:...
.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
Yondalla was created by James M. Ward for the Deities and Demigods Cyclopedia (1980).Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
Yondalla was detailed 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.
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).
Yondalla's role among her followers was expanded in The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings
The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings
The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1993....
(1993).
Yondalla received a very detailed description for her role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities (1998).
Yondalla 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)
Yondalla appears as one of the deities described in the Players Handbook for this edition (2000).Yondalla is detailed in Deities and Demigods (2002), and 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)
Yondalla 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
Yondalla is represented as a strong female halfling with red-golden hair, looking determined and proud. She dresses in green, yellow, and brown, and carries a shield. Yondalla has two aspects that the halflings speak of in front of others: the Provider and the Protector. As the Provider, she is a goddess of fertility and growing things, of birth and youth. She can make barren things fertile and increase the growing rate of plants and animals to any speed she chooses. She can equally easily make fertile things barren, if she chooses. She can age, wither, and slay as easily as she can create, though it takes much to drive her to do this.As Protector, Yondalla wards off evil influences and intrusions and gives halflings the strength and determination to defend themselves. In this aspect, Yondalla most often uses her illusionist abilities to protect her worshippers.
Dallah Thaun
Dallah Thaun, the Lady of Mysteries, is Yondalla's dark, hidden aspect. She is the great secret of the halfling race, who do not share knowledge of Dallah Thaun with outsiders. She was physically split from Yondalla when she created (or discovered) the halfling race, but she and Yondalla are still one being. What one knows, the other knows, and those that worship Dallah Thaun are also worshipping Yondalla (and vice versa).Dallah Thaun is Chaotic Neutral, and considered an intermediate goddess. She is represented with dark hair and eyes, and dresses all in black. Where Yondalla nurtures the survivors of a tragedy, Dallah Thaun seeks vengeance. Where Yondalla the Provider creates fertility and plenty, Dallah Thaun urges the halflings to seek wealth. Dallah Thaun, in short, does the dirty work, while Yondalla keeps her hands clean. Dallah Thaun is the goddess of secrets, lies, half-truths, flattery, manipulation, and stealth. The two halves of the goddess do not, and cannot quarrel over their respective methods, different as they may be. They are the same person, with each fulfilling her respective role.
Relationships
Yondalla's allies include BahamutBahamut (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Bahamut is a powerful draconic deity, who has the same name as Bahamut from Arabic mythology....
, Berronar Truesilver
Berronar Truesilver
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Berronar Truesilver is the dwarf goddess of Safety, Truth, Home, and Healing.-Publication history:...
, 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...
, Garl Glittergold
Garl Glittergold
Garl Glittergold is the patron deity of gnomes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, and a member of the game's default pantheon of deities. His symbol is a gold nugget.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :...
, 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 Moradin
Moradin
Moradin is the chief deity in the dwarven pantheon in the Dungeons & Dragons game and is a member of the default D&D pantheon. Moradin's domains are Creation, Earth, Good, Law, and Protection. His titles include Soul Forger, Dwarffather, the All-Father, and the Creator...
. Yondalla is the leader of the halfling pantheon of gods, often collectively known as Yondalla's Children. They include Arvoreen
Arvoreen
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Arvoreen is the halfling deity of protection, vigilance, and war. He is also known as "The Defender."-Publication history:...
, Brandobaris
Brandobaris
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Brandobaris is the halfling deity of Stealth, Thievery, Rogues, and Adventuring. His sacred animal is the mouse. His symbol is a halfling's footprint.-Publication history:Brandobaris was first detailed in Roger E...
, 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...
, 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 the goblin
Goblin (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, goblins are a very common and fairly weak race of evil humanoid monsters. Goblins and Kobolds are commonly non-human monsters that low-level player characters will face in combat. In D&D, goblins aren't smaller cousins of orcs, but are a part of...
pantheons and Urdlen
Urdlen
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Urdlen is the gnome deity of greed and blood.In many campaign settings, the gnome pantheon of gods consists of the leader Garl Glittergold, as well as Baervan Wildwanderer, Baravar Cloakshadow, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Nebelun, Segojan...
.
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...
campaign setting, Yondalla is also allied with Chauntea, Helm, Torm
Torm
Torm may refer to:* Dampskibsselskabet Torm, a shipping company* Torm , a fictional deity...
, and Tyr. Her foes are 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...
, Talos
Talos
In Greek mythology, Talos or Talon was a giant man of bronze who protected Europa in Crete from pirates and invaders by circling the island's shores three times daily while guarding it.- History :...
and Malar
Malar
Malar may refer to:* Malar, Iran, a city in Iran* Malar, Pakistan, a town in Pakistan* Malar , a deity in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of Dungeons & Dragons* Relating to the cheek...
.
Realm
Yondalla lives in the halfling realm of the Green Fields on the plane of Mount CelestiaMount Celestia
In Dungeons & Dragons, the fantasy role-playing game, Mount Celestia or more fully, the Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia, or even the Seven Heavens is a lawful good-aligned plane of existence...
.
Worshippers
Yondalla smiles upon her followers when they aid and help others and respect the dead. She frowns upon sacrifices and killing fellow halfings. Her sacred animal is the dove.Wayward Wardens
Yondalla has a special order of priests called "The Wayward Wardens".It is made of priests stricken with wanderlust who wish to see the world. They never settle long in one place for long periods of time. They come to the aid of halfling communities needing protection.
The Wayward Wardens are a loosely organized fellowship of Yondallan priests. Wayward Wardens serve the Provider and Protector by coming to the defense of besieged or threatened halfling communities in need of additional protectors.
Temples and rituals
Yondalla is worshipped in the homes of halflings. Weekly food offerings are sacrificed to her.Holidays
Halflings set aside one day a week for worship of Yondalla (this day is called "Safeday"),a day which is mostly spent in rest, playing, and eating.
Creation
Stories of the origin of the halfling race vary greatly. In some myths, she gives birth to the halflings directly. Other myths have her assembling the halflings from disparate natural elements or from features she admired in other races. In one version, she took elements from the fey (who were too frivolous on their own), the dwarves (who were too serious), the elves (who were too patient for her tastes), the humans, and even the orcs (who were too brutal). She started with a pixie or a brownie, some say, and gave him elven agility, dwarven devotion to family and clan, orcish boldness, and human adaptability.More rarely, she discovers the first halfling, who is called Littleman.
The Story of Littleman
In the beginning of time, Yondalla was given little respect among the gods of creation, for she had no race to call her own. She was banished from the divine councils for a time after she made the mistake of asking the assembled deities, probably sarcastically, which of them was the greatest. This question provoked such strife that they cast her out. Yondalla left the Seven Heavens and wandered the worlds of the Material Plane. After "a day and a year and a year and a day," she came across Littleman fishing at a riverbank. Littleman was clever, brave, kind-hearted, mischievous, and not too big. He was perfect for Yondalla's needs. Some say he was a lonely, saddened sylvan creature (a brownie, according to some versions) who Yondalla transformed into the first halfling. Other versions of the myth have it that Littleman was a halfling already, and Yondalla merely adopted the race. Yondalla offered to give him and his people protection from their enemies and bring them fertility and plenty. Littleman agreed, and so the covenant between Yondalla and her people was sealed. Littleman became a cultural hero who taught the other halflings (either preexistent or created by Yondalla) useful skills and all the benefits of what is now halfling culture.The Green Fields
Yondalla used a combination of flattery, guile, and diplomacy to gain for the halflings the fertile fields and meadows where they prefer to settle. She complimented Moradin on how well he worked metals and stones, distracting him with tales of precious metal. She haggled with Corellon Larethian over the lush, green spaces, finally agreeing that Corellon's kind would take the forests and she would take the grasslands. By praising the diversity and flexibility of the human gods, she convinced them to claim no particular terrain type for their own. As for the orcs, well, the tale of 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...
recounts how he reacted.
In another version of the story (in Races of the Wild
Races of the Wild
Races of the Wild is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Contents:Races of the Wild contains background information on the elves and halflings, introduces a race of winged humanoids called "raptorans," as well as giving rules for...
), the other gods discover that Yondalla has stolen elements from their races to create the halflings, and demand that she be punished. She uses her flattery and guile to mollify them, and in the end they agree to allow Yondalla and her halflings to live. However, the halflings will have no nations of their own, and Yondalla must expunge her larcenous streak from her being. She does so, creating Dallah Thaun and hiding her away, leaving only unblemished, faultless, Lawful Good Yondalla for her prosecutors to see.
Additional reading
- Williams, SkipSkip WilliamsRalph Williams, almost always referred to as Skip Williams, is an American game designer. He is married to Penny Williams, who is also involved with the games industry...
. Races of the Wild. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. - Dragon magazine #283 - "Do-It-Yourself Deities"
- Living Greyhawk Journal no. 3 - "Gods of Oerth"
- Dragon magazine #171 - "Defenders of the Hearth"