Deity Book Contest [Submissions]

[Hragli]

https://anyflip.com/kewik/ijhd/

Contact most_serene_doge on Discord if a plain PDF is needed. Thank you!

[Edens_Fall]

Below is my attempt at an artistic book for the Unseelie and Queen of Air and Darkness. Before one starts to read, however, I want to note that the lore of the Unseelie is somewhat limited or worse, scattered across various editions. Thus, I utilized only the information found on the Arelith Wiki and Forums to be safe. However, the section concerning festivals still felt off to me. Mainly the sections about The New Moon Celebration and Festival of the Waning Moon. Still, I chose to include them as they were listed on the forums. If this writing is approved, feel free to correct, change, or omit whatever you like to be more in line with what the staff envisions the Unseelie of Arelith to be. Other than that, I hope you enjoy what follows! Feel free to contact me if an In-game friendly format is required.

TITLE: "Whispers of Winter" (OR "Faeries and Frost" if the other is to vague for a religious text)

In your grasp lies an old, faded child's rhyme book, its pages worn and weathered by time's decrepit touch. Once adorned with intricate illustrations accompanying whimsical rhymes, neglect and improper care have dulled its once vibrant colors. Among the few legible verses, scrawled notes in the bottom margins hint at a distant scholar's musings, reminiscent of a diligent student's annotations in a cherished textbook. These additions, stark against the aged print, were clearly penned long after the book's original publication by that unknown hand. Even so, when compared to the original work, the meticulous handwriting pales in comparison to the faded beauty of snowy landscapes, shadowy caves, and whimsical faeries depicted within. Though traditional in their depiction, the strikingly beautiful snow-white fey with translucent wings and coal-black hair all have a menacing air about them. With angular features and sly smiles, they appear to be insinuating with clever placement of hand or foot upon humanoid-shaped drifts of snow at some concealed wickedness, not unlike the threat of unseen footfalls hidden beneath a field of freshly fallen snow.

-----------------------------------
THE NIGHT DIAMOND
-----------------------------------

In the deep woods of Ladinion fair,
Where the Seelie Court danced without a care,
Lay Lake Cym Glas, serene and blue,
Where Queen Titania reigned, her beauty true.

But southward, in mountains dark and deep,
Dwarves mined for treasures in their keep.
One day they found a gem so rare,
A ten-faceted diamond beyond compare.

Thinking it a gift for Titania's grace,
They brought it to her, a smile on each face.
But fate had a twist, a sinister dance,
For Queen's sister, had found her chance.

The Queen of Air and Dark, with envy's glare,
Claimed the gem, a jewel so rare.
Magic twisted, her heart turned cold,
To steal from her sister, oh so bold!

She took the gem, her eyes ablaze,
Leaving sorrow in Titania's gaze.
Fire and fury marked her flight,
As mountains trembled in the night.

The dwarves were lost in fiery plight,
Their mountain gone in one dark night.
A cloud of poison filled the air,
Sickening faeries with despair.

Titania's folk had to depart,
From their beloved land, they had to part.
The tale of the gem, a lesson true,
Beware what darkness can undo.

"Most fey, regardless of allegiance, know the mythic story of Queen Titania and her lost sister, the Queen of Air and Darkness, in some form or fashion. While accounts vary depending on whom one asks, the core events generally remain the same. In deep sylvan prehistory, the Seelie Court was torn asunder after a dwarven clan from the southern mountains unearthed a large, ten-faceted black diamond. This division began when the dwarves brought the gem to the Court to present it to the faerie Queen. What followed next differs in the telling, but Queen Titania's sister managed to claim the jewel through mistake, plot, or happenstance. Thus acquiring the gem, the newly born Queen of Air and Darkness fled with her prize and many of the Seelie Court's treasures. Some would claim the Queen's sister was corrupted by the gem into what she became, though this remains uncertain. However, it is understood that upon her departure, the Dark Queen lingered in the southern mountains to destroy the dwarven home, sealing the mines from which the gem was uncovered and erasing any trace of its existence in a premeditated act of slaughter."

-----------------------------------
THRONE
-----------------------------------

In the realm of Pandemonium, where darkness thrives,
The Queen of Winter reigns and connives.
Upon a throne of shadowy might,
A dragon's form crafted, a fearsome sight.

No form she has, no flesh nor bone,
Yet her power in the Court is known.
To those who dare to glimpse her true guise,
A faerie's form, with unearthly eyes.

Sharp as daggers, her features gleam,
Pale as death in a haunting dream.
Eyes like voids, deep pools of black,
And hair of ebony, cascading back.

Though unseen, her aura's strong,
The Black Diamond reigns, where she belongs.

"Once known as the beautiful sister of Queen Titania, The Queen of Air and Darkness' name has long been lost to the sands of time, leaving only this honorific in its place. Seated upon her throne, the Winter Queen reigns over her domain within the Plain of Pandemonium in a twisted parody of her sister. Seeking only to destroy the faerie folk and the lands they hold dear, she is worshiped as a Goddess by the vile creatures that call the Unseelie court home. Her followers, bound by total obedience, eagerly submit to her every whim in hopes of gaining her favor, though it is often as perilous as it is rewarding. As an incorporeal being, she lacks a physical presence, but those with sufficient magical power can perceive her as a stunningly beautiful faerie with stark white skin, jet black eyes with red pupils, sharp features, and inky black hair. Lastly, the Black Diamond relic, known as the Night Diamond, adorns the Winter Court's throne, embodying her sinister authority."

-----------------------------------
WINTER'S COURT
-----------------------------------

In Winter's Court, where shadows prance,
Dwells the Unseelie's grim expanse.
A land of dark, where beauty's grace,
Fades in the night, without a trace.

Bloodied nooks conceal their prey,
Captives trapped, where shadows sway.
Strange blooms light the eerie scene,
Nightshades whisper, unseen, unseen.

Twisted figures, forms askew,
Beauty marred, their souls untrue.
Some wear a mask, a fair façade,
But most are twisted, monstrous, and flawed.

You see their joy lies in others' pain,
In haunting dreams with cruel refrain.
Enslavement, pranks, a wicked game,
Their gleeful mischief knows no shame.

Even fey who dare oppose,
Feel their wrath, their bitter throes.
Wars within the realm ignite,
As Unseelie revel in the night.

In the heart of their dark domain,
Lies a love for torment's reign.
Challenging kindness at every turn,
They test all who with gentleness yearn.

For all are welcome in their Winter court,
But beware their twisted sport.
Nobles seek talent, beauty, might,
But rewards come with a dangerous plight.

So beware the Unseelie's chilling call,
For in Winter's Court, darkness reigns over all.

"The Unseelie Court of Winter stands in stark contrast to the Seelie Court of Summer, embodying the antithesis of its purity and harmony with nature. Instead, it offers a grim and distorted reflection of perfection. The denizens of the Winter Court often manifest as nightmarish figures, twisted and warped in form, a macabre mockery of the Summer Court's perfection. While some of the dark fey may echo the allure of their Seelie counterparts, many are hollowed-out shells bearing grotesque malformities. Generally hostile toward other races, the Unseelie delight in causing suffering and torment to mortals. Yet, the Winter Court still extends its hospitality to both fey and non-fey alike, with nobles eagerly sponsoring those with exceptional strength, agility, wit, beauty, or talent. However, securing such sponsorship comes with both rewards and risks. Their penchant for enslavement, malicious pranks, theft, mutilation, and even murder is disturbingly gleeful. They extend this cruelty even to other fey who oppose their sadistic ways, leading to many conflicts and wars. Ultimately, the essence of the Unseelie Court lies in their dark enjoyment of pain and domination, setting them in perpetual opposition to those who uphold gentler principles, whether mortal or fey."

-----------------------------------
A HUNT SO WILD
-----------------------------------

The Queen of Air and Darkness fair,
Commands a hunt with chilling flair,
She calls upon the brave and bold,
Whose stories are legendary, oft retold.

The Unseelie's chosen, they ride on high,
Through moonlit woods, beneath blackened sky,
Their quests are dark, their hunts untamed,
In shadows where the lost are claimed.

Not just the fey, but others brave,
With hearts that dare the hunt to crave,
The Queen calls forth their strength and might,
To stalk the dark with her each night.

So heed this rhyme, this tale so grim,
Of hunts that haunt when stars are dim,
And honor those who dare to roam,
In the realm of Air and Darkness, their darksome home.

"The Queen of Air and Darkness honours the most adept hunters of the Unseelie Court by inducting them into her Dark Hunt, also known as the Wild Hunt. This elite assembly, composed of the finest hunters of the Winter Court, forms a loosely organized group, all oath-sworn to the Queen's service."

-----------------------------------
MOST DANGEROUS GAME
-----------------------------------

In shadows deep where moonlight fades,
The Queen of Darkness plans escapades.
Her dark hunters, loyal and sly,
On missions strange beneath the sky.

A bard she craves to sing her praise,
So hunters seek through starry maze.
They ask with smiles, a gentle nudge,
But forceful hands if hearts won't budge.

A Wild Hunt member, rogue and bold,
Disobeyed and now must fold.
The winter wolves, their fur so fine,
To craft a cloak, a gift divine.

Tributes collected, fey must pay,
For Queen's delight, they can't delay.
To vineyards far for wine so rare,
Her pleasure sought with utmost care.

A dragon's hatchling, fiery red,
For Queen's collection, must be led.
Griffon eggs, a daring theft,
To mount dark hunters, fleet and deft.

A sphinx's riddle, clever jest,
Or dragon's tale, at Queen's behest.
Her wishes many, whims abound,
Dark hunters' tasks, her joys unbound.

"The dark hunters zealously perform the Winter Queen's bidding and while their tasks vary greatly, they all ultimately center on fulfilling her whimsical desires. Whether retrieving fey nobles who have lost her favor or seeking new entertainers for her feasts, their missions are varied. Occasionally, exceptionally skilled non-fey individuals who have proven their prowess are permitted to join the hunt in her service."

-----------------------------------
MOONPHASE
-----------------------------------

In a land where fairies flit and fly,
Two courts in contrast catch the eye.
The Seelie Court, bright and gay,
Dancing through the light of day.

Yet deep in the woods, where shadows creep,
The Unseelie's haunt, where nightmares steep.
Under the moon's icy glare,
They revel in darkness, devoid of care.

Mocking Seelie's pomp and grace,
They dance in shadows, dark embrace.
Their revels steeped in depraved mystery,
As they relish in their guests' misery.

Unlucky visitors who chance to stay,
Their sorrow feeds the Unseelie's play.
So heed this tale, heed it well,
Lest the Unseelie's merriment cast its spell.

"While the Seelie Court celebrates the turning of the seasons, the Unseelie Court chooses the phases of the Moon as the focus of its merry-making. Much more comfortable with the shadows of the night, they feel a special kinship with the cold and harsh lunar mistress. These celebrations are sometimes a parody of the pomp and elegance of the Seelie Court, other times homage to their own twisted states of being, and at all times a chance to enjoy the misery of unfortunate honored guests."

Festival of the Blood Moon

"When the winter fey established their own Court, they adapted the traditions of the Seelie Court to suit a darker, more sinister ethos. Thus, the Festival of the Blood Moon emerged as a parallel to the Seelie's Fall Equinox celebration, enduring for nearly as long as the equinox itself. Similar to its Seelie counterpart, the Festival of the Blood Moon revolves around a grand hunt overseen by the Master or Mistress of the Hunt. This individual, chosen by the Queen from the ranks of skilled Dark Hunters, is responsible for selecting the quarry. Typically, this humanoid from another realm has endured torturous transformations leading to insanity, then imbued with spells for camouflage, speed, and other enhancements to elude capture. The festival's preparations span several weeks, as members of the Unseelie Court vying for prestige search for suitable prey to present to the Mistress of the Hunt. Successful hunters may even receive a token of recognition from the Queen herself for providing a particularly thrilling hunt. The Unseelie Court hosts this week-long spectacle beneath the forest's oldest tree. Enchanted spells, many of which lean toward the darker arts, are cast upon the tree throughout the gala. Its culmination sees the tree felled and consumed by a massive bonfire. The residual charcoal transforms into a solid disk the size of a fist, capable of forming a forcecage upon command. The victor of the hunt claims this cage, its nearly impervious and invisible properties due to the enchanted wood, allowing them to ensnare unsuspecting creatures of all kinds."

Ceremony of the Dark Moon

"The Dark Moon Ceremony occurs once every four hundred and thirteenth years. It lasts 41 days and is of immense significance for the Unseelie Court. It coincides with two celestial events of great importance. Firstly, the comet Sharani Kel appears, drawing close enough to be visible day and night for forty days. Its trajectory near the horizon, accompanied by trailing asteroids and galactic dust, creates a striking image akin to a red claw tearing through the fabric of the universe. Within this period, fey druids conduct rituals, offering daily sacrifices of rare creatures representing the elements of fire, water, earth, and air. These offerings express gratitude to the deities for the fey's longevity and well-being. The ceremony unfolds amidst the ruins within a vast crater, believed by the fey to be a divine warning, marking where a celestial bolt once obliterated the stone abodes of a wayward religious order. Each fey participant contributes a cherished memento to be cast into the central fire at the ruins. A solar eclipse occurs on the ceremony's culmination, veiling the land in darkness for approximately an hour around midday. During this interval, parents bring their children to receive blessings from the chief druid. Given the rarity of faerie births, only a handful, usually no more than seven, are presented. Each child is gifted a small vial, suspended on a leather cord, containing the essence of the darkest night. When uncorked, this vial enshrouds the vicinity in darkness while allowing the wearer clear vision."

Festival of the Waning Moon

"The Unseelie Court relies heavily on the land's bountiful harvests for sustenance, making the success of each year's crops crucial. The Queen's popularity and ability to govern effectively are directly tied to the prosperity of these harvests. During the Festival of the Waning Moon, which occurs at the winter solstice, festivities unfold amidst the stark branches of the Queen's Orchard. This five-day gala involves feasting and gift-giving, where court members present offerings to the Queen based on their achievements in the past eleven months. The value of these gifts often surpasses mere material gains as fey vie for recognition and strive to outdo their rivals. Lavish and rare gifts are exchanged among friends and acquaintances, all in pursuit of higher status within the Court. On the festival's final day, coinciding with the year's shortest day, the Queen performs a ritual in the grove's center. She pricks her finger with a dagger, allowing nine drops of blood to nourish the soil - an act believed to enhance the fertility of the land. The strength of this life-giving ritual is seen as a harbinger of the following year's harvest. As a symbolic gesture of gratitude, the Queen receives five small stones, each anointed with her blood. These briar blood stones are placed in a pouch and awarded to the fey whose gift brought her the greatest delight. They serve as powerful tools, capable of conjuring a formidable wall of stone briars, ten feet thick, to either hinder or protect during times of pursuit."

The New Moon Celebration

"The New Moon Celebration occurs during the first week of summer, coinciding with the appearance of the first new moon. This week-long festival of games, feasts, and hunts unfolds around the Ellaurial Lake, known for its glacial depths within the mountains. The moon's reflection on the water casts a mesmerizing glow, tinting the surrounding shore with an ethereal icy blue hue. Nightly, small boats adorned with flowers, feathers, luxurious fabrics, and radiant globes glide gracefully across the lake, entertaining the gathered courtiers. The Master of the Masquerade presents nightly prizes to the boat crews that earn the most acclaim from onlookers ashore. Midweek, the festivities culminate in a grand masquerade ball held on floating pavilions at the lake's heart. Fey participants imbibe special potions or cast spells to transform into fantastical creatures of extraordinary peculiarity. Some daring fey concoct potions that morph them into beings never before seen or blend traits from a myriad of animals and plants. The Queen bestows a gift upon her favorite costume of the evening."

-----------------------------------
TRAPS & TEMPTATIONS
-----------------------------------

In the dark of night, beware the fey,
With tricks and mischief, they'll lead you astray.
Ash Berries, a shield for sleeping souls,
Lest the Unseelie fey claim their tolls.

Bells ring loud, a warning's call,
Driving away fey, both big and small.
Cold Iron, deadly to the fey's grace,
A dagger's kiss, their presence erased.

Salt lines drawn, they cannot pass,
A barrier strong, no fey trespass.
But of all the tricks to play,
Whistling drives them far away.

Turn your cloaks, inside out they go,
To disgust the faeries, make them . . .

. . . The remaining pages of the book are illegible, with both text and illustrations obscured by a thick layer of dried ichor that has seeped into the pages. Fused together, any attempt to separate the sheets would result in their destruction. From whence the blood stain originated, you can not be certain, but its extent suggests it must have been fatal to the victim, given how much of the child's rhyme book is now ruined.</rawtext>

[riffraff]

Deity: Shar

Title: Truth in Darkness

Contents:

---

You have likely heard things about the Nightsinger and Her church. Many fear Her, many hate Her, none more than those who follow Her traitorous sister Selûne. It is easy to spread falsehoods and spite about a faith that is so steeped in secrecy; secrecy which is a necessity out of both reverence and a need instilled by oppressive factions. Many mortals seek to place themselves as high as the gods they claim to worship and so they must lay others low. They weave their falsehoods to blind you from the Truth.

Know Her:

The Lady Shar, Goddess of Darkness, Singer of Eternal Night, Lady of Loss, is our Mother. Many wish to forget this because it is convenient, as they seek to obscure all truths they find difficult. Her dark hands helped shape the world and the beings within it. There is darkness in every one of us and to ignore this is to deny our very identity, to fracture ourselves.

The Nightsinger is a guardian of those lost, those who grieve, those who hurt, those who have been cast away. She knows you, She sees you because whilst there are those who wish to push you aside, who hurt you, disown you, would throw you out into the cold darkness, She is the darkness.

She welcomes you into Her Embrace.

Know the Truth:

Light is Blinding. We are told it is used to illuminate, but too often it is used to obfuscate, to show only partial truths or even falsehoods. Seek the gaps between the words, find the darkness surrounding. For only in darkness can you see clearly.

Loss is Strength. We are told to move on, to heal, but this is another obfuscation. Your pain is a difficult Truth for others and so they wish to hide it. Embrace your fear, your grief; it is a part of you and will be forever more. Accept this Truth, wield it like a shield and transcend your pain.

Secrecy is Survival. We are told that to harbour secrets, to gather them, is underhanded and craven, but it is simply our greatest tool. Secrets are more precious than gold; collect them, protect them. They are also as blood; spill them only when necessary.

Hope is a Distraction. It is comfortable and that is what makes it a dangerous weapon used against you by those who seek to keep you weak, blind and docile. To hope for better is to tell yourself a terrible lie, to ignore the Truth before you. Do not hope; act. Always be mindful of your desires, always question if they are controlling you.

Love is a Lie. We are told to seek love, that it empowers us in all thing and this is the easiest lie to tell ourselves, the hardest Truth to accept. For do we not all wish to be loved? Do we not all mourn when love is taken from us? Accept that love will always give way to tragedy, for that is the world we inherit from the light.

She frees you from Falsehoods.

Know Her Faithful:

Those who follow the Nightsinger are often called "Sharran" by the ignorant. We are Her Dark Followers, Her Martyrs, Her Nightcloaks, who work to bring the Truth to all. By our very nature we act in secret, but in the darkness and in Her high places of worship, you will know us. We will come to you in garments black as night and purple as dusk and you will know us as Darklady or Darklord. Know that we deliver Her words and mete out Her will.

Always we celebrate the night with feast and sacrifice, prayer and dance. To dance for the Nightdancer is divine and it is proper to celebrate Her beauty. All dark hours, all dark spaces are sacred and none more so than moonless nights.

For the moon is a sign of all that is wrong in the world, of the imperfection, the suffering, wrought upon us all. We are hounded by the Selûnites, but we do not cower from them. We fight them and their lies wherever we can, to bring Truth to all. And when we cannot fight, we wait in darkness for the opportune moment. For patience is sacred, but in darkness we must act.

Her Will shall be done, as sure as Night will Fall.

[Coopter]

Laguna leaves four books along with a note "Who better than a genasi to write about our gods?"

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1in_ ... z-y10/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Trd ... 1WX8M/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fvq ... Q9k_Q/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1And ... 1c61U/edit

[Coolguy McMagic]

Kenku Chronicles, Vol IV: On the Nature of Quorlinn
By Hillbrandt of Helgabad

After having spent decades on researching the primitive races of the realms, I have come to understand that religion is the gateway to properly understanding any culture. Such is certainly true for the avian Kenku as well. As has been discussed in earlier volumes of this series, there is a great deal of variety in custom and culture when it comes to what I had previously dubbed “the common Kenku” (Corvus Reprobatus; see the first volume for a more thorough overview of the genus). While worship of Quorlinn, their creator god, is common and widespread, the ways in which such worship manifests can differ greatly from flock to flock; the same can be said for how the tales of his origin are passed on and interpreted.

As readers of my previous volumes will be well aware of by now, deceit is second nature to any Kenku and their so-called “language” is all but incomprehensible to any sound mind, making their own accounts unreliable at best. However, based on some common threads emerging from my own observations and dealings with these bird-like creatures, some assumptions can reasonably be made on the nature of Quorlinn.

First, some facts: Symbols of Quorlinn typically resemble the Kenku’s own physiology: a small avian creature wearing a black mask with a prominent beak. Wings feature prominently in some depictions, while they are missing completely in others. His portfolio is that of a common thief; trickery, illusion, disguises and stealth are his domains. Among his own people he is further known as the Magpie, the Master of Disguise or simply the Filcher. The way he is actually worshipped is somewhat unusual and best explained with regard to his supposed origin.

We can assert with some confidence that Quorlinn is the creation of another, greater Deity; one that holds some sway over the skies or some similar portfolio. The details of his origins are vague and sometimes contradictory, leading me to suspect that his existence may have been the result of an unfortunate accident or perhaps a momentary lapse of good sense and judgment. Who his original master was and what their initial goals were is difficult to tell now, but it likely was not the creation of Quorlinn.
Some accounts point to Akadi, some to Talos, but the clergy of either claims ignorance on the matter. The Dark Angel of Pazunia has also been cited as a potential point of origin, but a scholar of good repute and standing such as myself would never stoop so low as to consort with demon worshippers for confirmation of such claims. That no Goddess or God would confess their involvement in the bringing-about of Quorlinn already speaks volumes, so the fact that Quorlinn has few Divine allies should be of little surprise. There may be tentative alliances between him and other deities of similar ill repute and poor character such as Mask and Brandobaris, however.

So what then is his relation to the Kenku? Apt at trickery, deceit, illusions and other illicit activities, Quorlinn was, despite initial misgivings, able to impress his aforementioned unknown master by bringing them many ill-begotten treasures and prizes. He was, as the stories go, thusly rewarded with stewardship over a people fashioned after his own image: the Kenku. The Magpie was - perhaps understandably - displeased with this turn of events. True to his nature, he aimed to shirk all responsibility towards his own people, teaching them instead to be largely self-sufficient and how to steal what they need, thus turning them into the sneaky little nuisances we can find today.

His Kenku followers have proven themselves to be remarkably thick-headed, however (despite their hollow bone structure, as described in Vol. II) and still worship Quorlinn to this day. He answers their prayers rarely and his own clerics – ringleaders called the Grey Parsons - only receive spells around three quarters of the time, and even then only after they whined about to him for long enough during prayer. Anyone who has found themselves among even a small group of agitated Kenku knows their noisiness all too well and can surely sympathize with Quorlinn here.

The rejection by their own creator God runs deep through Kenku culture and is in some ways remarkably similar to how a spurned child may respond to the rejection of its distant father. Especially the question of whether or not Quorlinn could have or should have taught his people the secret of flight is a matter of contention. Some flocks reject Quorlinn in turn and show unusual fervour towards the worship of other deities; some flocks avoid calling the Magpie by name at all times, fearing to draw attention to him and interfering with his clandestine operations; and others still are desperate for his approval, calling upon him anytime they may be able to gain his favour with a particularly noteworthy feat of cunning. This strategy seems hardly successful and I have yet to find even a single credible account of Quorlinn granting his people an omen or divine intervention, let alone an avatar of his own. Knowing the Kenku, this is likely for the best.

((OOC Note: I would like to thank both Asleeponthemoon and the player of Creak Silverheart for their input via RP and conversation on this topic))

[Itikar]

LOLTH AND THE DARK SELDARINE

The aim of this volume is to present to the reader a concise and thorough examination of the group of powers collectively known as the Dark Seldarine. These powers take interest and are primarily worshiped among the Ilythiiri, more commonly known as Drow or Dark Elves, that mainly reside in the Underdark.

The most common misconception that ought to be dispelled in a dissertation upon this group of powers is to consider them a pantheon comparable to the Seldarine, the Morndinsamman or the Lord of the Golden Hills. The Dark Seldarine are a pantheon only in name, for the majority of their churches forbids religious syncretism. The religious life of an Ilythiiri usually includes only the worship of a single deity, to the exclusion of all others. Most Ilythiiri inherit their faith from their parents and are raised into it. In most of their societies the act of worshiping another deity other than the established one is generally seen as an act of treason and a challenge to the authority. Therefore such behavior is actively repressed, generally on pain of death. While instances of worship of multiple powers exist in some Ilythiiri societies, these constitute a minority.

The Dark Seldarine are however commonly still referred to as a pantheon among religious scholarship because apart for the important exception of worship, they do share with other pantheons numerous features from the theological standpoint. For once, they take interest primarily in the Ilythiiri, and most importantly they divide their areas of interest and influence in different portfolios. While these portfolios are not as strictly separated as those of other pantheons, this aspect still shows that deep links exist among these powers. The powers that compose the Dark Seldarine are also connected by a long mythographic tradition that deals with a divine conflict known as the War of the Seldarine.

This event involved a conflict among the powers that inhabited Arvandor, or Arborea, that according to most estimates occurred around thirty thousands years ago. In that circumstance, Lolth, and other powers connected to her, such as Vhaeraun, found themselves opposed to Corellon and the other Seldarine for the control of that Realm. The conflict later extended to other deities among which were Gruumsh the One Eye, Malar the Beastlord, Ghaunadaur the Elder Eye, who joined forces with Lolth. Eventually this conflict ended unfavorably for the coalition guided by Lolth, and she was forced out of Arvandor, along with those powers that had helped her, taking domain in the 66th layer Abyss, which became the Demonweb Pits.

The powers canonically included in the Dark Seldarine are the following ones:

• Lolth, the Spider Queen, who is the most powerful and worshiped deity among the Ilythiiri in the Underdark. She is seen as the Dark Mother and the creator of the Ilythiiri and their customs in the Underdark. Her church holds sway on most cities in the Underdark and promotes a matriarchal and theocratic society, where the church regulates all aspects of life.

• Vhaeraun, the Masked Lord, a power that presides over trickery and thievery, referred to in the myths as the son of Lolth and Corellon Larethian. His church promotes an egalitarian society and actively moves to destabilize and subvert the Lolthite Matriarchy. It also promotes active attempts for the Ilythiiri to settle and conquer the surface.

• Ghaunadaur, the Elder Eye, an ancient power of slimes and oozes, that became widely worshiped by the Ilythiiri in ages past. Presently it is worshiped in isolated cities and by cults that arise among the poorest strata of Ilythiiri societies, particularly among individuals that seek power regardless of the cost.

• Kiaransalee, the Revenancer, a power that deals almost exclusively with necromancy and revenge. She is said to have been the first Drow, a queen who was betrayed and exiled by her husband in a distant world, which she later destroyed enacting her revenge. Her worship is mostly practiced by necromancers and small cults.

• Selvetarm, the Spider That Waits, consort and champion of Lolth, acts as her champion and guardian. He is said to be the son of Vhaeraun and a minor elven power. In some communities there are militaristic cults dedicated to him, usually tolerated as long as he is not addressed as a deity.

• Eilistraee, the Dark Maiden, a reviled power that promotes beauty, song, hunting and peaceful coexistence with other kins on the surface. She is described as the daughter of Lolth and Corellon and sister of Vhaeraun in most myths. Her worshipers are actively hunted and eradicated by all the other churches, and seen as surface agents and a threat to Ilythiiri society.

• Malyk, the Dark Mage, formerly a drow lich, is a minor power that takes interest almost exclusively in wild magic. He does not have a proper church, but there are cults dedicated to him among Ilythiiri wild mages, particularly among those dedicated to causing strife and mischief.

• Zinzerena, the Princess of the Outcasts, a folk hero, described as a female equally unmatched in the arts of illusion and assassination. In her tales she often comes in contrast with the priestesses of the Spider Queen. Minor cults in her name are reported to exist among the poorest Ilythiiri that resent the rule of the nobility and that actively try to oppose it.

Among the members of the Dark Seldarine, that were discussed in general above, the most prominent and influential is without a doubt Lolth. Her Church is the most represented in the Underdark and among the Ilythiiri as a whole. This volume will deal with the main elements of her faith.

LOLTH:

Aliases: Lloth (name used in Menzoberranzan and the Northdark), Araushnee (name used to refer to her before her fall from Arvandor), Megwandir (name used to refer to her in ancient sources).

Common Titles and Epithets: Spider Queen, Dark Mother, Queen of Spiders, Queen of the Demonweb Pits, Fleshcarver, Mother of Lusts, The Weaver, Weaver of Destiny, Weaver of Webs.

Symbol: A black spider with a female drow head (traditionally), a spider (simplified symbol).

Portfolios: Spiders, Chaos, Evil, Drow, Darkness, Assassins.

Realm: Demonweb Pits (66th layer of the Abyss), the Fane of Lolth (formerly, when she resided in Arvandor).

Adjective: Lolthite, Lolthian.

Lolth is the most important and most powerful of the Dark Seldarine. She is seen as a mother and creator deity that shaped the Ilythiiri into what they are today. The myth of her origin sees her as one of the first powers that dwelled in Arvandor and as a consort of Corellon. The Dark Mother however desired for their children to be stronger, while Corellon argued that they were already perfect, and this brought her to attempt to overthrow her consort and become the sole ruler of Arvandor. To achieve this she organized an attack by a group of hostile deities, including Gruumsh and Malar, which however ultimately failed. Once her plot was uncovered Lolth was banished to the Abyss as punishment.

This aspect of the myth resonates deeply with the Ilythiiri historical memory of the Descent, when they were cursed by the Seldarine and forced into the Underdark at the end of the the Fourth Crown War. The eschatology of the Church of Lolth in fact draws a parallel between the goal of the goddess to eventually reclaim Arvandor and the desire of the Ilythiiri to reclaim one day the surface.

Core beliefs of Lolthism revolve around the centrality of fear as a tool both to exercise authority over the community and to keep internal and external threats at bay. The emphasis on fear is used also for the purpose of reviling love and expressions of affection that risk of detracting attention from devotion to Lolth and to upholding the hierarchy of her Church. The Church maintains a strict hierarchical structure in which the clergy is at the top, followed by nobles, then commoners, other races and, at the bottom, slaves. Females are always seen as superior to males within their own races, and Ilythiiri are seen as superior to all other races. Aiding nondrow against drow, and questioning Lolth's will or that of her clergy are considered great sins.

The Queen also exhibits an unpredictable and chaotic nature that encourages internecine conflict among her followers. The removal and culling of the followers that are unworthy and weak is seen as paramount, as well as the removal of any and all who oppose the Church of Lolth, especially if males or slaves. Great emphasis is also put on the need for sacrifices, ideally of elven or Ilythiiri blood or, when a blood offer is not available, of riches. Death is seen as the ultimate failure, but an even worse punishment for the drow that fail Lolth is to be turned into a drider, a monstrous centaur-like being with the upper torso of a drow and the bottom half of a giant spider. This is a particularly curious choice for punishment, because this is the form often taken by Lolth herself in her avatar and common iconography. In general spiders and their form are seen as holy and to be revered, and in many cities intentionally harming a spider can be punished with death.

Priests of Lolth are usually female, and take the title of Yathrin, which means priestess. Other titles of common use are Yath'Tallar, High Priestess, and Ulath'Tallar, Archpriestess. A priestess in training, before she has passed the Test of Lolth, is called Yath'abban, Temple Ally.

Major centres of worship of the Spider Queen are located in the great cities of the Northdark, among which the most important ones are: Menzoberranzan, the City of Spiders, founded by the Chosen Menzoberra at the end of a long pilgrimage across the Underdark; Ched Nasad, the City of Shimmering Webs, created on calcified webs spun by an avatar of Lolth, and founded by House Nasadra after they left Menzoberranzan; and Guallidurth, the Temple City of Lolth, that hosts countless temples, many of which date to the earliest years after the Descent of the Drow.

Aunrae Hlairyn, AR 182

[wasdfqwertyuiop]

Title: What It Is To Know

To know. It is a curious thing. It may seem to the casual onlooker that knowledge is but a contrivance of existence, a descriptor that informs as to the nature of things, but it is far more than that, something prescriptive to all that is, was, and could be. It is the framework that bestows order amongst chaos, creates division between things, and distinguishes identity of everything. To know is to understand, to take the imparted concepts and to grasp their use and function, to attribute them purpose. Through knowledge, we reason, teach, create, predict, and most importantly, discern. We discern the difference between colors, textures, places, elements, peoples, morals. In the endeavor to be a moral creature, of any sort, this discernment into the nature of things is predicated on knowledge. Without it, we would be nameless, howling into an indescribable void, swirling in a transient soup of chaos. That we are not is a testament to Oghma, the Binder.

“An idea has no heft but it can move mountains. An idea has no authority but it can dominate people. An idea has no strength but it can push aside empires. Knowledge is the greatest tool of the mortal mind, outweighing anything made by mortal hands. Before anything can exist, the idea must exist."

A BRIEF HISTORY

It is widely believed that in the early days, following the creation of the world in the aftermath of the clashes between the Moonmaiden and Nightsinger, after the birth of the Earthmother, that a traveler arrived. That traveler was Oghma, and his actions upon arrival are thought the reason for his title the Binder of What is Known, oft shortened to the Binder. The state of the world was a chaotic one, devoid of discrete concepts, a mire of half-notions and partial ideas, and in this miasma, Oghma began to name. He attributed a name to every thought, every idea, every theory and concept, and in doing so, imbued such power that this given name would define its being in perpetuity, this binding imposing even onto the Material.

More recently, it is perhaps a blessing that, in the advent of the Time of Troubles in 1358 DR, Oghma was nowhere to be found among the tribulations of that era. Though spared participation in the battles and deaths of the incarnate gods, the Church of Oghma was not so fortunate as to escape unscathed.

One result of the Godswar was the vanishing of the head of the Oghmanyte church, Grand Patriarch Cullen Kordamant. It was this disappearance that brooked the drifting of factions within the church, eventually resulting in a schism, and so born were the Orthodox Church of Oghma in Procampur, the Church of Oghma in Sembia, and the Pursuers of Pure Knowledge in Mintar, to name the most prominent.

THE DOCTRINE

It is the doctrine of the church, predictably, to pursue knowledge. Knowledge in any form is sacred, most especially the idea, the purest and essential form. Before a book can be written, a song sung, a lesson taught, the idea must first have formed in the mind, a sacred process known only to the thinker and to Oghma, a form of worship in its most base form. It is the responsibility of those who follow the Lord of Knowledge to preserve and distribute knowledge, but to do so judiciously and responsibly. Knowledge is a mightier weapon than any blade or arrow, and must be used as such. Ideas are to be heard, even if they seem absurd or foolish, and duly considered. If the idea is truly meant to spread and be known, then by the will of Oghma will it be, else it die a secret with its origin, never progressing beyond the private form of idea between the Binder and the thinker. It is worse to be ignorant than to hear and refute an erroneous idea.

However, secrets are a different matter. Not an idea that never takes flight or a fizzled inspiration, to intentionally hide away knowledge and restrict it so that it may not be known is abhorrent and vile. Be wary of lies, of deceit, of theft and secrets, of restrictions on thought. All of these are affronts to Oghma, and so the faithful should take care and be mindful of the machinations of Cyric, Mask, Bane, and others of their propensity. So too is the destruction of knowledge, a destruction of that which is sacred and ought be cherished and protected, and so too must the faithful be wary of those who would sow destruction and threaten knowledge in this way.

The Binder is not without allies, however, and the faithful may turn to others for aid in combating those that act against Oghma. The Namer’s subordinate gods; Deneir, god of art, Gond, god of invention, and Milil, god of song, as well as similarly aligned deities such as Lathander, god of creativity, and Lliira, goddess of joy, may prove reliable allies.

THE CHURCH

In its more unified form or in its post-schism state, the general structure of the church remains much the same. Priests are oft referred to as ‘Loremasters’, though there has been a rise in the use of the term ‘Namer’ in the 1370s DR. Alternatively, the term ‘Oghmanyte’ is a confusion-free option for those wishing to avoid the nuances of which term is appropriate.

As for the faithful, Oghma’s followers come from all walks of life, every race, alignment, social status, philosophy; all are welcome in the pursuit of knowledge, and many followers are the learned or creators. Sages, scholars, scribes and teachers, artists, inventors, bards and wizards are frequent faithful.

Fittingly, the premier symbol of Oghma is a blank scroll. Often worn as a silver scroll pendant, the blank scroll is emblematic of Oghma in a way no other symbol could be. Representing the material of many professions among the faithful, a blank scroll is vital to the preservation of knowledge, the scribing of scrolls, and the keeping of records. This blank state is almost as much a treasure as a written work from just this, but the emptiness of the page represents something far greater that illustrates why the blank scroll is so apt. Before pen can be put to paper for any purpose, to draw or write or design, first there must be an idea. This return to the purest form of knowledge between the Binder and the writer is a deeply personal and religious thing, and that we use this as the symbol of our faith is a testament to the sum of all knowledge, extant and future, and so it must be protected and preserved.

Another lesser-known symbol is a gesture of the hands, called a ‘chelsinara’. This term means ‘I learn’ and is made by cupping the hands, touching the thumbs and with fingers pointing upward. This symbol can be used to signify one’s faith to others, and has been used by the clergy since the early days of the church.

For youth that follow the Lord of Knowledge, there is a special ceremony called the Naming. Oghma knows instinctively the true name of every non-deific thing, and knowing this name reveals one’s true nature and affords one a great deal of power over that thing. The binding of fiends to serve is one of the most well-known forms of this, another speculation as to where Oghma received the title. This Name can be used to influence and control the Named, and in the Naming ceremony, their True Name is revealed to the youth. The profound nature of knowing your own True Name is a powerful thing, and should, in theory, allow one to exercise greater control and discipline of themselves, and to become more resilient in the face of adversity. To know oneself is half the battle in any confrontation, and to be armed with this knowledge of self, so we are equipped.

In closing, it is my most fervent hope that all may come to understand and welcome Oghma and his teachings. It is the responsibility of us all to advance innovation and scholarship, and to foster and encourage it where it may be found. Be understanding, and intelligent, and most of all, discerning in your endeavors. May you all find erudition under the watchful eye of the Binder. I shall leave you all with a short prayer. Walk wisely.

“Whatever I may say, you know already. Thus, I will speak our knowledge to those without it.”

Elrendil Danodin, Arcanist and Oghmanyte, 1383 DR, 183 AR

[Royal Blood]

The idea behind this is that it's a tome from a Yathrin who has disappeared or been killed somewhere in the Arelith Underdark. It's all dry ilythirii tradition etc but this letter tucked in the tome summarizes the core principles of Lolthite faith in a way that is both IC and hopefully compelling and informative to a reader!

The deity represented here is Lolth!

Title: A dusty Tome From Menzoberranzan

Description: The worn tome likely travelled with an Ilythirii from Menzoberranzan. The tome is filled with ragged pages regarding Ilythirii rites and traditions. Most interesting however is a letter tucked near the front of the tome.

A Letter To The Arach-Tinilith

From the high Temple of Lolth within Menzoberranzan I, Yathrin Yvella write this introductory text to the novices of the Arach-Tinilith that they may find Lolth in all Her splendor and power. It is your duty as a Lolthite to maintain your connection with the Queen and draw upon Her strength for the benefit of our people and Her ultimate glory.

Do not fail.

Lolth is the great queen of the Abyss. Her domain is known as the Demonweb and from there She rules and expresses Her great and terrible power. Chaos is the core of Her dominion and from it we are made stronger. We are vessels of Her vengeance and hatred both to dominate the Underdark and ultimately orchestrate our revenge against the Seldarine, the elven pantheon of gods, and their so-called children, the elves.

To find favor with Lolth is to display your prowess through cunning and great ambition. To lack these things is to fall short of the Queen. Your struggle, the chaos, and violence that comes from it is the greatest worship you could offer to Lolth. Your cunning is what allows your ambition to flourish. If you are brutish in your presentation you may find yourself quickly cut down. Be as the spider is, careful, quiet, but violent when it finally strikes. Weave your web with courage and be both capable of boldness but equally of subtlety.

Though ranks and titles may vary from city to city the most common references for those of Lolth’s clergy are the following

Yathrin, (Priestess)
Yath’tallar (High Priestess)
Ulath’tallar ((Arch Priestess)

Study the great artworks that depict Lolth in Her beauty and terror in Her drider form. Regard the many tapestries, the stonework our people are fabled for, and the devotional prayers written by our yathrin of old. Revel in the legacy of your bloodline, child of Lolth and find strength through the abyss and its unrelenting chaos.

May you go in her blessing, may she test you and find you eager to serve.

Lolth Tlu Malla,

Yathrin Yvella Nabrisonash

[Zyrka Bru]

TITLE: Luthic: The Cavemother, Patron of Female Orcs, Healing and Home

Author: Gorlock Longtooth
Elder and Priest of the Tuskian Warband

This book is about Luthic, the Cavemother, patron of female orcs, who provides healing and home. I, Gorlock Longtooth, have gathered the information through my life, known about Luthic. May it serve everyone to show what she stands for.

She embodies the patronage of female orcs, and her divine dominion extends over the realms of healing and home. Known by the name the Cave Mother, she is the epitome of maternal strength, nurturing her offspring within the earth's embrace, fostering both resilience and ferocity. With the tenacity of a mother bear, she fiercely defended her brood from all threats. Within my culture (the orcish culture), she serves as a foundation to all orcs, providing stability even amidst the tempestuous fury of her husband Gruumsh. As the lifeblood of orc existence, her presence was felt from birth to death, guiding their endeavors in the eternal pursuit of validation before Gruumsh's relentless gaze. She is the one watching over us.

One day, in the midst of a huge battle, I prayed to her in our most dire moment. Suddenly, there she was... a strong female Half-Orc, towering three or maybe even four meters tall. Her strong, stone-like claws reached out to me, almost touching me. I felt her presence, her power coursing through my veins. Her healing energy flowed through me, keeping my kin on their feet. And with her blessing, we won our greatest battle.

Other stories have been written; when she appears, our warriors get frenzied, blood-raged into battle. She protects her kin and her dominion. She appears to the ones worthy of her presence.

She draws her strength from the earth itself, or so they say. While underground in her lair, amidst the cave systems, she is truly in her element. These caves... she carves them out with her own claws, building a home for her kin. In her way, she teaches us what a home means. But these claws are not only for carving out homes for Half-Orcs. It is said that even the Orcish pantheon feared her deadly, unbreakable claws.

It is widely known (but should be said either way) that Luthic is the mate of Gruumsh the one-eyed, he who watches. And that her son is the great Baghtru. While Gruumsh did not take heed of the advice of his wife Luthic, it has been said that Baghtru followed the commands of his mother.

In a tribe, it is normal that female kin follow the ways of Luthic. I might be one of the few male clergy of Luthic. As my mother taught me her ways and I will continue to teach Luthic's ways to my kin. Do not forget, Luthic’s worshipers are the ones who raise the young ones into fierce warriors. A tribe cannot function without Luthic’s presence.

I have once read a tale from the kin of the past. These clergy were called The Claws of Luthic. An aspiring fact of these clergy was their devotion to her. They imitated her claws and did all they could to raise the newborn offspring. They organized the caves, provided magic rituals, and with their own power, used healing and protective magic to care for their kin. I myself try to do this for our warband. And like them, I defend my kin by any means necessary, that is what Luthic wants of me.

Apart from Luthic’s teachings was the importance of the earth itself. Since everything comes and goes back to the earth, it is an integral part. Caves were made in the earth, and life comes from it. Staying in caves, understanding what it means to endure life, fighting, and strengthening the tribe for survival is an integral part of her teaching.

One overlooked quality for outsiders is that Luthic is the orcish god of fertility. She stimulates the tribe and the orcs so they would become bigger and bigger. Preparing caves was a part of this; Luthic herself dug many caves and dwellings for her children. So they may find safety and have a living space and with that multiply.

Coming back to the fertility part, we smear dirt on our bodies as a sign of fertility. A small ritual to appease her. The ones who are adept in magic and clerics that gain their powers through their gods pray when the moon is at its highest. All the known holy days are always linked to the moon. One big holy day is the Feast of the Moon and Coming of the Winter Cave, where the tribe prepares for the harsh winter, eating and mating as much as possible. These would be used to bolster the future ranks and bring strong warriors.

If it weren’t for Luthic and her followers, most tribes wouldn't be more than small bands of wandering nomads. The tales of the great hordes wouldn't be there if it weren’t for Luthic herself. Also, looking back to the first orcs that were around and seeing the half-orcs of today, one can see the clear difference between the so-called savages of the first ages and the Half-Orcs that walk around today on this island. Our Half-Orc civilization would not be the same without her. Luthic, I thank her every day for her teachings. She is the example we all should follow. She is the mother to our kind. In my power, I try to follow her ways the best I can. Carving out a home in my own way and teaching her ways of strength and unity. Why it is so important to stay together. And that the ways of the old aren’t the way today. We are here to stay, and by Luthic’s grace, we do.

Strength and Valor my kin, and to all outsiders reading this, i hope i have shown you another side of our beloved Luthic.

[Shadowy Reality]

Deity: Malar
Book title: The Hunt

“All hunts honour the Beastlord, no matter if you are hunter or prey, if you are strong and skilled, if you survive, you have Malar’s blessing.”

The First Hunter
For as long as the Realms have existed, so has the Hunt and its embodiment, the Beastlord. In the early days, when even the ancient races were young, the Beastlord roamed the Realms. Hunting, tracking, watching.

In the most numerous humanoid races, Malar found primitive beings, mostly fit only to be prey. They were soft-skinned. They had no claws or talons. Most had dulled, weak senses. Yet, he found a surprising exception in Humans. Possessed of ingenuity and a strong will to survive, they shaped stone and wood into claws and talons of their own. From the carcasses of their prey they crafted thick hides and camouflage. With fire, they illuminated the darkness that their eyes could not pierce. The Beastlord watched them take down great beasts. Here, he had found the hunting spirit.

As a reward for impressing him, the Beastlord bestowed upon these hunters his blessing, allowing them to take the shape of beasts and return to their human forms: they became the first Lycanthropes, Malar’s chosen people. He also made it so that their bite would confer this blessing unto others, making it so prey that escaped being hunted, but not unscathed, would in turn be blessed likewise.

Our Hunt
The Hunt encompasses all, there is no rest from it, there is no escaping it. Survival is not a right, it is a privilege fought for and earned by those possessed of strong will and strong physique.

Let your emotions and instincts run wild. They push you to your limit. They keep you alive. To deny them is to deny yourself.

Always hunt with tooth and claw. Stare prey in the eyes as they breathe their last. To kill foes from a distance is to deny them a chance to prove themselves as worthy. Only mindless undead are an exception to this, for they are abominations undeserving of such respect.

The young and the pregnant are exempt from the hunt and must be protected, for it is through them that hunter and prey remain plentiful. A slain pup will never become a mighty wolf. A slain fawn will never become an elusive stag. The young must be allowed a chance to become what they must, be it predator or prey.

The Deepspawn are blessed by the god himself, capable of populating the wilds with new creatures and thus are also exempt from the hunt.

The Hunt must be clean. If disease or affliction is visited on hunters by a beast, the clergy of Malar must do all they can to root out and exterminate the taint, so that bloodlines and beasts in the wild remain strong.

Work against the encroachment of civilization and against those who would tame the wilds. Against them who would tear down trees and break rock to raise high walls and call it protection. These walls are but a cage in which they would lock themselves in. As with all great beasts that find themselves caged, the body withers and the senses dull.

Sacred Rites of the Hunt
Feast of Stags: Just as a panther cub learns of the hunt from its mother and eats from her kills, so must the faithful of the Beastlord teach and share. Before the first snows of the year, prepare a grand feast in a chosen town. Invite all to partake in the bounty of your hunts, so that they may see and hear of the Hunt and the Beastlord.

High Hunt: Only through the hunt may one prove itself worthy. While the faithful mostly wander the wilds and concern themselves with the stalking of great beasts, there is a deep meaning in the hunting of a sentient humanoid. Capture one such individual that knows not the meaning of the hunt, that believes themselves outside of it; a lumberjack or city dweller, preferably. Put a bone knife in their hand and set them loose in the wilds, and then, let the hunt begin. The faithful have a day and a night to track, chase and kill their mark. Should the outsider escape, or survive, they have proven themselves in the hunt and are exempt for any other High Hunt. In addition, they may make a request of the Huntermaster leading the High Hunt.

Packs
Followers often band together in Packs led by the Huntermaster, a title that can be earned by any of the faithful, not solely priests. The church of the Beastlord concerns itself little with ranks and hierarchies, above all else, it is devotion to the hunt, skill and strength that dictate one’s place. One seeking to lead a Pack needs only take the title, most often than not, through violence.

[JelliedJoseph]

Lolth, the Dark Mother of All Drow

"Love? What is love, or respect? Bah! Soft, useless feelings that none can lean on. Fear, now - fear is as strong as steel, and can be leaned upon. I want to be feared."

• One of the credos of her clergy

THE BASICS:

Known variously as the Spider Queen, the Demon Queen of the Abyss, Weaver of Chaos, the Dark Mother of All Drow, and so on, her fate and the fate of the drow are wholly intertwined, and one would be hard-pressed to understand one without understanding the other, given how widespread her worship is among the drow.

Her symbol is a black spider with a female drow head hanging from a spiderweb, and her followers delight in decorating everything with spider motifs. She is the one responsible for the survival of the drow communities under her ward and the state of constant chaos and infighting they find themselves in. Why she does this, I do not know. The obvious answer would be that she is, as most say, insane, and simply delights in suffering, even of her own followers. I'm of the seemingly minority opinion that if that was the case, I cannot find a good explanation for why the drow enjoy such success within the Underdark.

Perhaps the Spider Queen's methods aim to prevent the drow from becoming complacent and to ensure her church's supremacy? It might also be possible that both are true, that she delights in the suffering as well as strives to ensure her church's supremacy.

She upholds her commandments by using her clergy, which is mainly-female and impossibly proud, to enact them for her. They do this, supposedly, with violent enthusiasm.

HER CHURCH:

I have had many issues in trying to codify how their church is structured. For example, the sources I talked to discussed the Temple City of Lolth, which has no less than eight titles for her clergy's hierarchy! Other cities appear to structure the hierarchy of her church in their own special way (and usually with far fewer titles). And while there are rumors of male clergy, it seems to be understood that Lolth does not grant them much power, so that even when they do exist, they aren't allowed (or able) to rise particularly high, nor to become actual priests.

Her priestesses are the rulers, police forces, judges, juries and executioners of drow society. They appear to be merciless and prefer to whip first and ask questions later. Supposedly the priestesses (and possibly all drow?) seek to gain Lolth's favor, and it is believed that something good happens to the souls of priestesses who die in her favor and something bad to those who die in her disfavor. What this is changes with the time and place of the drow saying it. In my experience they are quite confused about such matters.

Some examples of what I have heard: Those priestesses who die in her favor go to the Abyss and become yochlol (also called handmaidens of Lolth, demonic shapeshifters) and other servant creatures. Those who die in her disfavor meanwhile pass on to another plane to suffer, possibly being reincarnated as a snake or spider.

HER DOGMA:

Fear is strong, love and respect are soft. Destroy non-believers, the weak, the rebellious, and those slandering Lolth. Males or slaves of other races who act independently of Lolth's dictates must be sacrificed to Lolth. The disloyal must be eliminated. Arachnids of all sorts are to be revered, those who mistreat or kill a spider must die. Questioning Lolth's wisdom is a sin. Aiding non-drow against drow is a great sin.

From what I've found they do not follow these dictates blindly, even thinking that doing so is foolish and will surely lead to a swift death - I imagine because they realize their Goddess's capricious and chaotic nature.

HER ORDERS:

THE MILITANT MYRLOCHAR, also known as the Order of Soul Spiders, is a rare military order, due to being present only in cities where Lolth is revered and males are permitted to enter Lolth's priesthood. They directly serve the ruling Matron Mothers of the city they are based in, serving as unquestioning destroyers of anyone they're ordered to kill and anyone who prevents them from doing so. Supposedly their missions end most often in death.

THE HANDMAIDENS OF THE SPIDER QUEEN, also known as the Daughters of the Yochlol, are an order of female crusaders without permanent ties to any individual city. Serving as an instrument of Lolth's terror against cities falling out of line, they have proven their loyalty by destroying entire cities for her. But when not assembled into such destructive armies they harass Vhaeraun and Ghaunadaur worshipping cities and merchants with hit-and-run tactics.

These are the words of the dwarven scholar Shorn Stoneaxe, who we have thus far failed to capture. A crushed venomous spider at his desk proved that he had managed to evade our Queen's wrath (not to mention our scouts) after penning this book. The male who found his book has been whipped for failing to destroy such blasphemy, then rewarded for bringing such important evidence to my eyes.

Most of what's written about ourselves is patently and ridiculously false, lies spread by us, yet this dwarf has found some truly reliable sources for his book. Until we can manage to find and interrogate him I suggest that I, being clearly the most reliable among us, serve as the chief investigator to root out the traitors hiding among us.
- Priestess Hatchrin Barnek

[Crookedblossom]

The Savage Revelry: Malar, the Beastlord

“...the High Priest looked upon me as I lay my offering atop the altar of our Beastlord - a white stag slain on the sacred grounds of that dreary old oak god. I prayed then, making known my desire for strength and surety. He offered no comfort and no smile, only the streak of the stag’s blood across my brow as he sang. No longer was I fated to die an old man, comfortable in my bed. I would die in the savage garden of His hunt’s bloody delights.”

AS HE COMMANDS

To a novice, the doctrine of our Beastlord may appear simple on the surface - an advocation of savagery and the fueling of strong emotion in order to shun reasoning and careful thought. It is through reasoning and careful thought that we cease action, that we become stagnant and wait and by this point, our goal - or our proverbial prey - has moved on.

It is through these supposed simple lessons that we foster confidence and divine indignation that our savagery is warranted. And why is it warranted? Because balance and propriety are lies.

All civilization, all society, was built on bloodshed. What He revels in is the uncomfortable truth of the nature of all things; that violence wins and brutality earns respect. They have built walls of stone, or in the case of druids - glades of grand trees, thinking themselves sheltered from His inevitable truth. It is our duty to remind them of their roots.

In His name, suffer no druid to live, for their “balance” sets the weak and strong as equals and has paved the way for weak rulers and sickly herds. Though slay no young beast or those with child, as we must ensure His hunting grounds are always plentiful.

WHERE HIS FAITHFUL DWELL

Within shadowed forest glens, within vast mazes of wood and stone, our Hunt congregates.

As with any hunting pack, there is some form of loose hierarchy. However, since death is a constant in our world, these positions are easily and swiftly replaced. The Huntmaster is our leader and most powerful of all in our congregation, and is often bestowed with the gift of lycanthropy.

We refer to our priests as Lords of the Hunt, or Huntlords, for they are the voice of His will and must be given their due respect for this.

Old Hunter is a term used to refer to senior members, those who have outlasted brutal hunts far longer than expected.

For all others, and indeed most, we call them Brother Stag or Sister Wolf, recognizing some mighty beast they have slain alone, armed with only a knife and their hands. For this is how a novice ascends into our bloody fellowship.

Our numbers may be small, but this is by design. For not all prey can ascend to predator, and not all who are weak are possessed of the will to become strong.

HIS MOST HOLY HUNTS

The Feast of the Stags
In the autumnal dying months before winter, when settlements celebrate their Highharvestide, we come and promenade the severed heads of our kills through their village or city, and lead all who would come to feast with us. The feast is provided by our clergy, and just this once, the Peace of the Table requires that we even entertain a druid, should they attend. Our Huntlord priest declares that through the coming winter, we will provide for a chosen group of invalids - be them orphans, the elderly, the widows or so on.

The High Hunt
By His will, we must celebrate at least one High Hunt during each of the four seasons. In this, we adorn ourselves with the bones of our prey and are given but a single knife. We are then tasked with hunting a man, captured and set free in the wilderness. However, to ensure fairness and a worthy hunt, the man is given whatever arms and armor he wishes, outside of magics, and is then hunted to his death. However, if he is able to elude us for a day and a night, or escapes our established boundaries, he not only wins his freedom but may also ask a favor of the Huntmaster - if it is within the Huntmaster’s power to give.

We cannot choose fellow followers of the Beastlord, though often, we choose druids. If he fails and is hunted successfully, he is burned and his ashes fed to our Beastlord.

“The crux of life is the challenge between the hunter and the prey, the determination of who lives or dies.” - The Beastlord’s own philosophy.

• Written by Brother Jaguar, Huntlord and blessed lycanthrope of the Black-Blooded Pard

  [Edited to give sources: 2e Faiths and Avatars and 3e Faiths and Pantheons]

[A MAN DRUNK ON POWER]

Note: Formatting might be lost on this post. Here is a dropbox link to the .txt file I wrote this book in: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/72xdh4sz ... ysp85&dl=0

Title: Horus-Re, the Pharaoh of the Gods, Lord of the Sun

Table of Contents:

1. Who is Horus-Re?
2. His Tenets - Dogma, Portfolio, Basic Beliefs, Relationships
3. Orders of Horus-Re
4. Celebrations & Holy Traditions of Horus-Re

1. Who is Horus-Re?

The Lord of the Sun, Pharaoh of the Gods, Master of Vengeance, and Ruler of Mulhorand - Horus-Re, Peace Be Upon Him. He is the ruler and chief deity of the Mulhorandi Pantheon of Gods, and the supreme authority in our Lands. It would not do to leave the reader ignorant of the basics of the Mulhorandi culture and faith, so a brief overview will be provided here, to give context to the identity and character of our beloved Horus-Re.

Mulhorand is a land built from the ashes of empire and oppression. Many many centuries ago, all were enslaved to the horrible Imaskari Empire, who kidnapped us from our long forgotten home far from the confines of Faerun, and pressed us into brutal slavery. But we never wavered in our devotion or prayers, and in time, our Gods answered - on the highest peaks of the Godswatch Mountains, east of what are now the "official" borders of Mulhorand (though culturally and internally this is disputed by some), our Gods came down in great manifestations, proceeding to empower us and lead us to victory over our horrible Imaskari slavers.

The results were brutal, and effective. We were freed. Horus-Re, known then only as Horus, slew the evil emperor of our oppressors, and freed us, thousands of years ago, in personal combat. It was the zenith of the conflict. For this, we are eternally and gratefully in his service and debt.

Horus-Re is actually the second to bear the name of Re and rule over the Sun, for our former chief deity, Re, the God of the Sun and Horus' father, was slain in battle with Gruumsh long ago, in defense of these holy lands from the plague that is Orc kind. Many gods fell in those wars, but Re transferred himself to his son Horus, who now bears the mantle, responsibility, title, and powers, of being our chief god and Lord of the Sun - Horus-Re. He watches over all, sees all, and annoints all in his Holy Light. He ordains the rulers of Our lands, and it is by his will that we continue to rule and prosper in Mulhorand. Without Horus-Re, there is no Mulhorand, and some including myself would say, no hope. Praise the Sun.

1. His Tenets - Dogma, Portfolio, Basic Beliefs, Relationships

Horus-Re is a goodly and just god, but also a god of vengeful wrath to those who wrong his people or fight against him. His people believe in Justice, honor, order, and fealty to authority - but authority in turn must always shine bright and purge itself of treachery and wickedness. Chaos is viewed as unnatural and destructive by Horus-Re and his closest adherents.

In Mulhorand, all are what westerners would call "slaves" - but this is a deceptive term. It is not like slavery practiced in most other nations. In Mulhorand, all serve the gods, and the godking - or Pharaoh - of Mulhorand, and are treated well, even the lowliest of among us. This is because all in Mulhorand are viewed as the children of the gods, as well as servants, and this relationship of service to the Gods, and protection given by them, is the essence of what it means to be Mulhorandi. We are the children of Horus-Re and the other gods, and in turn for obedience, they shelter, protect, and care for us. This is a lesson important to adopt to all life for the faithful. It is a fundamental belief of our society and is integral to both Horus-Re and especially Osiris' dominion. To assault a slave is blasphemy and vandalism against the Temple. To kill one, a capital offense. All slaves are educated - for we are all in service to our Gods, and all must be made better and wiser for our service to be truly Holy.

The portfolio of Horus-Re lies first in the Sun, and the holy right to rule - he is the Lord of the Sun for a reason. The eyes of our Holy Lord shine brighter than any mortal light can imagine, when angered, and when His People are threatened or harmed, he is the Master of Vengeance - Life, the right to rule, the sun, royalty and kings, and vengeance are all under his purview and ownership. As a result of his nature and portfolio, Hawks are especially holy to him, and used as divine servants and omens at times, for they represent rulership of the skies, closeness to the sun, and are vengeful hunters. Our Lord's visage is not dissimilar to the noble Hawk.

His relationships with several western gods are amicable. Lathander, the Morninglord, is particularly considered an ally, for their shared interest in divine light, the sun, and benevolence to those underneath you. It is rumored that since Horus-Re became the chief deity of our pantheon, the relationship has slightly dimmed, but it has never fully faded. Of our own pantheon, of course, Horus-Re is close allies with Isis, the Lady of Rivers and All Love; Osiris, the Judge of the Dead; and Thoth, the Scribe of the Gods. Set is our Lord's, and our people's, singularly greatest enemy, for he has tried to usurp control from our Lord and plunge our people into darkness for as long as any can remember. Opposition to Set is commonplace among all in Mulhorand, save for his worshippers themselves.

1. Orders of Horus-Re

2. Claws of the Sun and the Ankh

This is the first order of paladins formed in Mulhorand that did not worship Osiris as their patron deity. The holy order of the Claws of the Sun and the Ankh worship the Lord of the Sun, and they - we - combat and hunt the followers of Set relentlessly, as is our sacred duty to safeguard our people from his malign influence.

1. Celebrations & Holy Traditions of Horus-Re

There are three daily celebrations that true followers of Horus-Re typically celebrate. They are:

Greeting of the Lord
Each morning, we celebrate the rising of the Sun, at sunrise.
Zenith Aspirant
When the sun is at its highest point - usually midday, but this can depend on the region of the world you are in, and the season - a sermon will be given by the clergy.
Girding of the Guard
Clergy of our Lord take up arms at night, to defend our people at Home and our diaspora abroad.

In addition, there are other, less common celebrations and holy days. These include:

Midsummer's Day
On this day, the clergy and priests celebrate the Lord of the Sun all day. The government of our Homeland, which is ruled by the Temple of Horus-Re, is shut down for the day.

A Solar Eclipse
A solar eclipse signifies our Lord's right to rule. On these days, we are especially vengeful and hunt the followers of Set - who betrayed our pantheon and people, and seeks to usurp rule of Mulhorand - especially fervently.

• Signed, Akhotep, Month 3, Year 183, Arelith Reckoning.

[Emotionaloverload]

Faith and the Faithful: Ilmater

Ilmater: He Who Endures

The Church of Ilmater has one of the largest followings in all of Faerun. The Church is known for healing the sick, providing for the poor, comforting the lost, and defending the oppressed. Unlike other faiths in the Triad, the Church of Ilmater is organized into loose hierarchies without a central governing leader.

Instead the faithful gather in regional temples, chapels, abbeys, monasteries, shrines, gardens, and chapterhouses. Nevertheless, senior clergy frequently hold informal conclaves to ensure cohesion and coordination across regions.

The Faith thrives locally because Ilmater is one of the few gods who bestows sainthood upon exceptional followers. He is believed to have the most saints of any deity. These Saints are honored in their respective region.

While this text cannot provide an exhaustive list, it will provide details for the regions that I am familiar with.

Region: Damara
Saint: Sollars the Twice Matryed
Flower: Yellow Rose

Sollars dedicated himself to serving the needy and the oppressed, embodying the virtues of compassion and selflessness that are central to the teachings of Ilmater. His first martyrdom occurred when he was captured by enemies of the faith and tortured to death after he would not renounce his faith. Legend has it that Ilmater granted him life again so that he could continue his work.

Sollars faced his second martyrdom in his homeland of Damara. During a famine, he tirelessly worked to alleviate the suffering of his people, sharing what little he had and offering solace to those in need. This drew the ire of those in power; he was charged with treason. He did not defend himself and accepted his death with humility.

The Monastery of the Yellow Rose, which honors St. Sollars, is located high in the Damaran mountains. The monks dedicate themselves to hard work, seeking beauty, enlightenment, and fulfillment through hardship. Every member of the monastery is trained to survive the harsh Damaran climate.

The monks are divided into three Orders.

Order of the Chisel - Monks dedicated to Ilmateri art and crafts such as the monastery's famous blueberry wine.
Order of the Rose - Monks dedicated to fighting evil; physical and spiritual threats.
Order of the Scroll - Monks dedicated to caring for the library and the museum in the monastery and amassing knowledge.

Region: Arelith
Saint: Lenore the Pure
Flower: Lady's Tear

Lenore, a paladin of Ilmater, was among the first travelers to arrive on the shores of Arelith. In Cordor, she rose to prominence under the title of First Knight. As the shadow of Amn's influence loomed over Cordor, Lenore recognized the need for a sanctuary for those seeking refuge from oppression.

She founded Wharftown, a haven where refugees and dissenters could find solace away from the tightening grip of Amn. Lenore's legacy is marked by her unwavering commitment to combating evil in all its forms. Her most famous campaign was the destruction of the Mylocks, minotaur-like golems, that plagued the Skull Crags.

As faithful of Ilmater, Lenore's compassion and patience extended even to those with evil intent, as she sought to guide them towards paths of redemption. Her martyrdom came when Lenore stood against overwhelming abyssal forces during a harrowing attack on Arelith. She would not concede to retreat.

Her shrine is located in Arelith Forest, and those who erected it in her honor are referred to as the Cult of Lenore.

Region: Damara
Saint: Dionysius
Flower: Red Poppy

Dionysius was a military man before he was struck with divine visions from Ilmater. It set him on the path to priesthood. He roamed the country preaching the faith while also teaching his followers self-defense.

Unlike other sects, followers of Dionysius created well-defended cloisters to protect and provide for the sick, the poor, and the lost. Due to the demands of defense and combat, his followers became specialized field medics. The strain of their duties led them to more frequently seek a Plea of Rest, a period of respite from Ilmater's dictates. This practice fostered a culture of wine and drink, which Saint Dionysius became famous for.

In Damara, he pioneered the practice of having nobility and royalty include Ilmateri advisors and spiritual guides in their councils. He was martyred in combat when battling against undead hordes and their lich overloads. Legend has it that Dionysius called upon Ilmater, in his final moments, to protect his companions when he knew he had been struck with a mortal wound.

Through Dionysius' divine visions, the Monastery of the Yellow Rose was built and while it is dedicated to Saint Sollars, Dionysius is also honored there.

Written by Osric Sternenlicht, faithful of Ilmater, Sentinel of the House of Vigilance.

[WitchyEvil]

Sinful Restraints - A Graz'zt Primer

I live for the moment when I can turn something pure into something perverse.
–Graz’zt

Graz’zt, the Dark Prince
The Shadow King, The Prince of Pleasures
Lord of Azzagrat, the Triple Realm of the 45th, 46th, and 47th Layers of the Abyss.

Of all the demonic princes and powers, there is none that appears more deceptively human than the Dark Prince, Graz’zt. A being that is both beautiful and terrible to behold, he appears as an ebon-skinned man nearly nine feet tall; marked by his pointed ears, yellow fangs, ominously glowing green eyes, and the six fingers upon each of his hands that remind an onlooker that it is indeed a demon before them.

Graz’zt enjoys those tactics that play upon words and false promises, matters of guile and twists of seduction. One does not need to exert force to hold control and power, but rather Graz’zt prefers to engage clever wits and tricks to claim the power of others for his own. Yet despite these manipulations and secrets, Graz’zt remains one of the most powerful and deadliest demons of the Abyss when pressed to physical combat.

The only demon lord to lay claim to three Abyssal layers, many other demons of power and influence have tried to accomplish this task with their neighboring layers, yet Graz’zt alone has been successful in claiming and maintaining a tri-realm. This triple-realm is known collectively as Azzagrat, and it consists of the 45th, 46th, and 47th layers of the Abyss. Graz’zt’s own home, the Argent Palace, is said to exist in all three realms at the same time, creating the essential lynchpin that binds the layers together. The palace itself is one of the greatest fortresses in the known realms, composed of sixty-six towers of white stone smuggled from Mount Celestia that stands as a center for all decadent pleasures and horrific punishments.

Azzagrat also boasts a ‘safe-haven’ for merchants and traders who seek to offer wares, both of the magical and more perverse, with the understanding that a portion of their wares and profits be donated as tribute to the guardians for their protection.

Despite his power and influence among the realms of the Abyss, the mortal following of Graz’zt is contained among small sects of cultists that seek to grow the Demonic Prince’s power, and their own, into the Material Plane.

"Prince of Shadows, Oh Graz'zt! Grant me thy favor with your poisoned kiss!" ~ Invocation of Ritual.

Graz’zt favors those who are beautiful and glib, individuals who indulge in cunning treachery and deception to rise as corrupt leaders of influence. As an ever present testament to Graz'zt's own dark libido and whispered seductions, those rising foremost to power among his faithful are primarily females whose ambition is said to match the Prince’s own.

Ranks of the Faithful
Chosen - Cultists who have been indoctrinated by a Priestess, after surviving the Ritual of the Hollow Feast.

Priest/Priestesses - While typically Lamia or Succubi, these may also include dark mortal temptors who have devoted themselves to the Prince and have been blessed with Graz’zt’s favor after completing the Ritual of Proving.

Witches - Beautiful and sinister consorts to the Dark Prince, these are mistresses of evil lore and dark secrets of the arcane that have been taught to them by Graz’zt himself.

Regardless of rank, Graz’zt’s followers all maintain the Dark Prince’s expectations of decadent hedonism with the pursuit of knowledge and power through their wily and seductive means in order to grow their faith. To this end of luring in souls, there are many tenets whispered from the Faithful that often gain appeal from those of selfish ambitions.

Greed, is Good. To want and to claim for yourself is something to be encouraged and pursued. To claim something for yourself without letting society or expectations define your ambitions is to retake your power, and in this, empower the Prince.

Restraint, is Sin. To deny yourself that which brings you pleasure is to deny your own being. You should never be so limiting to your own ambitions as to hold back from seeking that which you truly wish, and in this again as you embolden yourself to empower the Prince.

Faithful of Graz’zt who have truly devoted themselves to the Dark Prince, will each bear a mark upon their flesh where the six-fingered hand of their lord has touched their lives and lifted them into his favor. There is no set location for where one will find this marking upon any given Faithful, only that the lingering touch will forever be carried with them, surely as the Priestesses Ritual binds the soul.

Other markers of iconography include; A pair of looming emerald eyes that appear to watch over everything. A sigil of infinity that has been wrapped in thorned roses to overlay a skull, and six golden rings that are often found intertwined.

It is known that the Dark Prince commands a number of insidious plots to increase his own power, while those of the Faithful would state that such are only the very surface of Graz’zts designs. While these remain intentionally unstated, it is worthy to note that the Graz’zt has little interest in the Blood War and its clashes as he seeks a loftier ambition. What is stated is true of all Abyssal Powers: Souls are Belief, and Belief IS Power. And in this pursuit of such knowledge of the Demonic Prince the power of Graz’zt continues to grow.

With this comes the understanding that this serves as a most basic primer on Graz’zt’s cult and the Dark Prince himself, should one look to pursue more studies on this subject they can be found in tomes by the Witch Queen, Iggwilv and among those secret tabernacles where the Faithful gather.

Author’s Note: The Rituals mentioned herein are sacrosanct to the Faithful, and as such a description of thus will not be penned for the unworthy. Prove yourself unto the Prince and his favor, that the ways be opened.

Penned thus;
The Witch LV

[DarkMoonBlade]

Title: The true story of Revenancer.

Contents: “Many now know her as Kiaransalee, the lady of the dead. A lesser deity of the dark Seldarine, a vassal of the Lolth, governing undeath in drow culture. But... few happen to know what she truly was. Not just to their society, but as a living being.
Before her ascension, Kiaransalee was an exceptional woman, confident and self-reliant. She believed that the true strength of the Drow wasn't taken away by the curse that has driven. And was not afraid to prove it, even if it would cost her everything. She shose as her path not the servitude to the Spiderqueen, but the studies of the arcane. Lone, long and tedious it was, yet despite the hardships she kept striving to unlock the potential of the drow people, a hope on the fate better than living and dying at the whims of the demon-queen. It seemed so distant, yet posed a very real danger. The fate of the Illithyri apostate is ever harsh, but her thesis appealed to some mages, and they followed Kiaransalee in her exile... But only to the extent of their fear. Of their ambition, of their treachery.

One by one, they abandonned her, betrayed. Forces, loyal to the Spiderqueen, traced her on every step. And with each and every one her followers died, by her own hand in retaliation, or by other harmful means, it mattered not. Yet... in an attempt to shield those who still viewed her as a leader, the future Revenancer made a first step towards solving the grand question of the drow fate.
Death of her kin had not just one outcome how it was believed before. And in the demonic seance, Orcus, prince of Undeath, showed her the way. A way to shield her followers from the clutches of Araushnee reborn... to grant them a chance to yet serve. To give the enemies of her a chance to see her truth. And as such, the first drow undead has risen, to drive back the living who encroached on the future godess. Now, just beginning to realize the potential that the in-between state held... which was hampered severely by the fact that these had no will to continue this existance. No will to suffer in the rotting carcasses. No will to keep on following her ideals.

Then a second step was discovered. Through the bonds of hate and pain, the will of Kiaransalee was manifested. It became her extension through those who've shambled in her wake. Never to disappoint her. Never to question. Never to betray. Control, is the foundation of the order, and order is ever a stepping stone to achieve something greater... something, that the drow people desprately needed, but were too scared to admit. The third step. Which was yet to be revealed by the prince of Undeath, who was pleased to see the progress of the witch. But... a steep price has been put, like an adamantine lock, beckoning the woman, draping her in coat of desperation. With every close moment death was close. With every moment a soul bound, was released and drawn back where it had originally been destined to go. With each failure to push through... He drew Kiaransalee closer to dependance, to submission.

But the consciousness of the drow was clear enough to see - it is the fate, not dissimilar to one she fled already. Not to serve a different master she endured all that she has. A deadly threat rose above her corrupted soul, as Orcus, being the progenitor of undeath, could take a hold of her thralls at the moments notice, punish her for an attempt at defience by adding to the feral flock. The demon lord reveled in how well the scheme went... up until the trapped witch made her move. At this moment, she gathered all her formidable magical prowess to commit previously unthinkable... the tortured souls of foes and friends alike, were not just torn apart, snuffed out, consumed, they were outright destroyed. No strings were attached at that point. In the emptiness of their husks, flown her own soul, the one that dared to defy gods. They were her, the extension of a mind both shattered and uniform.

Third step was made on her own, at the brink of the end, she realized the only path to true freedom for an Illithyri was one beyond the reach of any god or entity. In the blissful oblivion, the deathly calm that comes after the last step towards non-existence. The thought itself at first was baffling. But the more she reflected upon the perpetual suffering of her people, the more Kiaransalee realised the truth of her newfound way. Yet, she alone... the prodigy, could yet thread it. Not before bringing salvation to the people that despised and feared her... but she was set on her goal. And her enemies, willingly provided her with the clue about what she was to become.

The ferocious Zeal with which she has been opposed by the followers of her former queen, the blind ambition of those necromancers who was seeking to supplant her, the scions of the overworld who've seen her for a blasphemous abomination. They were all being driven by one force. the conflict, in all of it's shades - disparity, aversion, hatred... and most of all - vengeance. The latter, is in it's nature, a wheel that turns and spreads, as the dust on the road of retaliation, sticks on on as minor quarrels and collateral damage, and with each turn, they harden into the layers of animosity. And only the complete erasure of the conflict's side could stop it from consuming the world whole. That was the key, the meeting point of her philosophy and of the world that was put against her.
And the taking of it's form, in the eyes of others, turning her power onward to those who slighted the people she desperately wanted to save from the eternal abyssal torment, was the fourth step. An multitude of her withered faces cried out, each time, the grudge was settled once and for all, adding each disturbance to her yet dissonant choir. Which had just one step to go before achieving harmony and uniformity.

And it was discovered with Kiaransalee's observation of the following: In the absence of conflict, the lack of target for revenge, it brings solace, peace... from which there is one step towards reaching it's eternity. Only a soul that has reached inner peace, repaid all it's grudges, is ready to undergo such transgression willingly. Ever since, she never attacked first, didn't prey on the innocent and provided the souls she claimed with an inevitable way to redemption for the wrongs commited to her and her people. She closed the wheel of vengeace, overwhelmed the souls of the fallen with guilt, and for complete penitance, granted them long-coveted oblivion. When the burden of guilt was first removed through selfless redemption. She has made a fifth step on the path of ascension.

Time flown, the choir of salvation attained harmony, established order and put and end to all conflicts it came across. Not only through death and claim, but through the matters of word and understanding. It was evident, that the softer was the end, the easier it would have been to attain inner peace. And not just among the Illithyri spread the sound of her voice. More and more creatures of the world had chosen to listen rather than spark the conflict. And such, the queendom of her, formed. In it's boudries, were first established the rules meant to stabilize the chaotic structure of the drow society, the price of transgression was utter destruction and subjection to the repentance and through it, atonement, manifesting in the sweet embrace of oblivion. The system proved effective, her domain prospered. And in time, the people of the world came to worship her. Out of fear, out of respect, out of understanding. Every one who adhered to her teachings, who respected her laws, was to live out in peace, tending to the living and undead alike.
It's that acceptance and mutual understanding that became her sixth step. The harmony of her many voices was nearing perfection.

And when this fateful moment came, Kiaransalee realized what she has become. An embodiment of unified opposites. She was living and undead. She was the peace and the war. She was salvation and demise. She was made complete through her actions of defiance. And found yet another path to salvation. Attained divinity. Through undergoing the last step - Unison.

Yet, now, when she entered the outer planes as a godess in her own right, she made a fatal mistake by stepping into the worlds, where the spiderqueen's grasp was still strong, while simultaneously invading Thanathos, the layer of abyss where Orcus dwelled... It was meant to be a grand crusade of vengeance upon those who wronged her so long ago, who tried to subjugate her, who almost took away her destiny! She could almost taste the sweetness of properly served vengeance. But misjudged the power and cunning of those she strived to oppose. Orcus and his hordes of undead and demons battled on the unified whole of Kiaransalee's choir. They too numerous to overrun, but too dissynchronized to have the upper hand. The gears of war were grinding slower and slower... While on the other stage, once the presense of the Revenancer, how she's come to be called through her home world for being just vengeance personified, has become impossible to ignore and too difficult to remove outright even with the combined might of the conquered words... Lolth has employed her trickery and influence in the fullest extent. And throughout her domains, among all the drow, Kiaransalee was welcomed into the Dark Seldarine, at the time only comprised of former Araushnee and her progeny. But... her image was entirely formulated by the church of the Spiderqueen. Painting Kiaransalee as her vassal, tearing out only those aspects of her ideals and dogmas, that could have been used in the grand game she played with the entirety of the drow. Every true disciple of the Revenancer was hunted down diligently, and her teachings were butchered and censored, painting her as a deranged vengeful lich-queen, who hungered only to slay and enslave. And that new way she was seen, attracted a stream of worshipers, who spread the tainted teachings, and ultimately weakened the godess, with very following driving her to desperation. As time passed, the very faith in her, drawn from a myriad of worlds, changed her. Once the master of diplomacy, became quiet, preferring to listen to her own choir rather than twisted prayers, that eclipsed the stream of pure faith coming from the world she was born in. Ever wandering the 333-d layer of the Abyss in an attempt to secure a place for her true worshipers, who are not guilty, not subjected to the integration in the choir, but chosen as her apostles, to lead the drow along the path she paved. Onward, to salvation. One way or the other.

Both branches of her church are not strictly structured. The clerics of her are always female. And their temples are hidden.
In the corrupted branch, it's the power, experience and the deeds that do determine the authority among the clergy. The lesser priestesses flock around the greater or elder and unite in action, that is driven by what little sense left in the teachings of Kiaransalee after the Spiderqueen's scheme. Each midwinter eve, they assemble the ritual of Graverending. During it, they defile the resting grounds of the dead drow, given them unlife and about a cycle to commit vengeance against those who wronged them in life, creating a chaotic mess of vengeful undead, each trying to get to their quarry, and destroying everything that barred their way. For such practices, even among the Lolthite communities, the corrupt brunch is seen with a dose of distrust. As they are unpredictable and secretive, trying to conceal true scale of their work from the eyes of Lolth's and Vhaeraun's disciples alike.
They believe that Kiaransalee does reside in the demonweb pits, when in fact, there is only a prison, waiting for Kiaransalee's defeat. For the queen of spiders is no less spiteful than she paints the Revenancer to be, and is eager to enact revenge on the once mortal drow who managed to successfully defy her.

In the pure branch, the clergy is structured in accordance to the steps of the godess. And each rank depicts those the priestesses have undergone. Each is reflected by a ritual action, performed by the aspirant without any help from other priestesses, which serves to reflect the lonliness of Kiaransalee's journey.
First ritual is killing one who wronged the acolyte and and raise them as an undead, of a type corresponding to the type of slight that was commited. Upon completing it, the position of aspirant as a cleric of Kiaransalee is recognised by the faithful.
Second ritual involves perpetual binding of a soul of an individual towards the controlling cleric, enabling to call upon the same one, incarnating it's undead form wherever the punisment is more suitable.
Third ritual consists of forcefully destroying the soul of an undead that has served it's purpose to the fullest extent, for it to never return again. This rank is the first on which the cleric is given the right to preach. Albeit with utmost caution.
Fourth ritual, for it's completion the cleric has to completely close out a minor conflict, usually through complete eraducation of the side who have caused undue harm to the faithful and as such became a target for vengeance.
Fifth ritual, requires to lead a living or a sentient undead to the inner peace, completely relieving them of the burden, that keeps them not ready to undergo a transgression to the blissful oblivion. Granting the former in the same instance is not required, although, commends greater amount of respect and prestige among the clergy. Only those who've completed this ritual can lead other faithful and guide them on the sacred path.
Sixth ritual, requires to raise up and bring a willing convert from another culture into the faith, teaching them the extent of true Kiaransalee teachings, leading them to understand and accept her ways, without duress or deception.
Seventh and final ritual, most difficult one, requires the cleric to embrace the opposites in one's personality and synchronise them, put them in a balanced state, which would almost certainly require reaching inner peace for the priestess herself. Those who do it sucessfully, are granted several choices. First is to destroy their own soul Willingly, having completed all their duties. Second - to live, fervently serving her ideals untill the very death to then become a Kiaransalee's apostle. And the final one - is to descend into the abyss, while mantaining the inner peace, reach the 333-rd layer and join the living army of the Revenancer, bearing the name "Legion of the Vengeful Banshees" as knights. There, they stand ground, battling the forces of Orcus for eternity, being reborn unto Kiaransalee's domain, disallowing the prince of Undeath to use their corpses. They are the force that keeps her domain shielded from the outside incursions.

Kiaransalee is the one, who put her life on the line, in order to find salvation for her people, stuck perpetually in a cycle of strife and servitude, she not only succeeded in her research, but brought balance to the ever-crumbling drow society. Her cautionary tale is not an excuse to give up your pursuits of meaning. Salvation of the Illithyri lies not in the embrace of the Spiderqueen. Not in vain delusions of grandeur made up by her son. Not in the forgiveness and return to the light, naively preached by her daughter.
Renounce the life enslaved, Renounce the wakeful death. Embrace the true end, for in Oblivion, your pain shall finally subside.

[JelliedJoseph]

The Elder Eye

You have felt Its pull too, haven't you? The oozes and slithering trackers that spread among the dark cracks under your feet. Your life, which has been stymied by the weak and the rigid. You, too, seek something different, don't you? Or perhaps you seek revenge on those who cast you out?

The Elder Eye sees you! As It has seen everything since the very dawn of time! It knows, oh, It knows all too much! And It waits, and It hungers.

THE ELDER EYE ITSELF is an amorphous purple blob with many tentacles. It has plagued the darkest reaches of the realms above and below the ground since these have existed. It is venerated by the largest slimes, oozes, slugs, crawling things and Its solid followers.

THE ELDER EYE'S DOGMA contains these words, burn them into your heart and carve them into stone:

All creatures have their place, and all are fit to wield power. The hunters weed out the weak and strengthen the common stock. The rebels and the outcasts find new ways and thereby advance their races.

The Eye reveres and represents power and the energy of life, so grow strong! Make sacrifices to It! Persuade others to sacrifice themselves to That Which Lurks! Slay all clergy of other faiths, plunder their temples and holdings to better your own lot and to further the Ancient One's worship! Further the knowledge and the fear of That Which Lurks, and in the end give yourself to It in unresisting sacrifice!

PRIESTHOOD OF THE ELDER EYE. Whoever you are, whatever you are, you may join Its Church, for the Eye values devotion over ability. Your duties are simple: ensure the Eye regularly feasts on the sacrifices you bring to its altars. It delights in creatures that offer themselves to it with no resistance - whether they do this sincerely, charmed with spells or coerced, it does not matter to It.

You are to do whatever pleases It best and serve the Eye absolutely. You are to wear clothing pleasing to it in the colors It likes best. You are to wear shades of red, copper, purple, lilac, black or silver. You are to become familiar with poisons, acids and flaming oils. The Church's titles are as amorphous as Itself. Of the many titles chosen, some have been Loathsome Ooze, Spawn of the Pit, Eater of Wastes, Noxious Slime, Creeping Doom and Amorphous Annihilator.

Its Church is unknown on the surface, where only few don't balk at the Ancient One's wisdom and Its gooey servants. But underground the knowledge of its accursed form spreads like the tendrils of Its amorphous servants. The drow are among those who know most of It, even if their Queen's priestesses forbid even the uttering of Its name.

Know Its name: Ghaunadaur!

[Margrave]

This is my first submission. Its title should be "Paean on the Summer Queen"

And whence do these golden boughs reach,
Whence does their shimmering bounty spring?
What wisdom does this poem teach,
Which of the Queen of Light shall sing.

• From Myodema Trapecitus, Servant of the Summer Court

Oh, great mother of the fey, your verdant tresses shelter multitudes. Within them the seasons revolve, and life flows from your gentle touch. Where cold and bane destroy, your joyful smile sparks hope and bliss and flourishing vines spread whence you tread. The seelie court bows to your whim, and your lineage shall sing your hymn forevermore.
With diamond-sceptre and immortal magic you weave fate’s bands into a tapestry of your creation, neither mortal nor beast can withstand your command.

Both fey and mortal have joined in your sylvan trysts, but forever by your favour kissed, shall Oberon be, the Lord of Beasts, huntsman of the green realms, beloved by his subjects and her Grace.
Sing of the halcyon realms of Ladinion, and the shores of Cwm Glas, lost now to the strands of night, severed from the glory of the light which the smile of Titania brings. The bitter discord which rules the mirrored throne, dragon-carved and icy-pure, reflects the summer grace of yore, two sisters as one, their fates entwined.

As mortals do you homage pay, Oh beauteous Queen of Light, your love shows them the way, to lead a happy life: To taste fully of the bounty, which the woodland realms provide. To fete with a pure heart, and part, knowing they shall be carried to Arvandor, and join the merry throng.

So come to me, ye woodland-dwellers, ye revellers, ye tale-tellers, ye who feel the kinship of the Fey, and wish to swell the chorus of her praise: Sing now, of Titania’s endless patience and infinite jest, of strong enchantments that leave towers of fear in wreck, of mischievous dance and true love and coy smiles and a sprinkle of pixie dust, spread in the service magical wiles.

[The Vandals of Rome]

Source: Demihuman Deities

The (nearly) Complete Book of Lords of the Golden Hills

Foreword:

This reference was penned by a Sapphire of Garl to share with a human adventuring friend. I believe he had lost a bet,and left writing the work until nearly no time was left. We do not traditionally keep written record of worship of the Lords of the Golden Hills. After conferring with my fellow Jewels of Garl, we've agreed that the reference is good enough for wider publication.

Herbert Fernstone, Ruby of Garl

Introduction:

When the world was young the heart of the wild places glittered bright, and Garl walked from them. He was one of many gods, and filled with an adventurous spirit. He explored a lot and found a cave filled with the first gems. When Garl met the gems, they knew Him by his glitter, and so they came to life. These were the first gnomes. Garl told us a great joke. It was about a mule, and humans are too young to hear it. The joke gifted us with the whimsy we'd need to love life, and the world, even when Scott makes you stay up all night writing about an oral tradition. Those gnomes that were emeralds went to the woods and became the forest gnomes. The diamonds made their homes in the earth and became the rock gnomes. The most precious stones were the rubies. They took after Garl and explored the depths of the earth. They're the Svirfneblin.
Garl had also found family in his travels. Where? In seams of ore or precious gems. The Lords of the Golden Hills. Brothers all. Bearvan Wildwander, Baravar Cloakshadow, Callarduran Smoothhands, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Nebelun (Gond) and Segojan Earthcaller. Those are our gods, our guides. I guess Garl also met the Crawler. He didn't vanquish It so we'd know what hate looked like.

All of the Lords are men. They have sisters but the fate of the Ladies is a divine mystery. If a young gnome wants to go out and adventure it's traditional to tell her community that she is going to go looking for the Ladies of the Golden Hills. We don't really have scripture or strict religious practice. I guess some gnomes take it more seriously than others. It takes all sorts, you know? The Lords are celebrated in story, and song. You'll find different stories in different communities. Especially stories of adventure and heroism. Our Lords are present in our lives as we live them (that's the important part after all).

That means a gnomish hero is never alone. She embodies one of our Lords. Especially if she did something that makes a great story. Or if the story is told well. For example Scott, it isn't that the dragon we vanquished recently was slain with the help of a clever priest of Garl. When I tell the story back home, it's Garl who kept the creature talking long enough for you to sneak up on it! This is part of how we honour or Lords. Not with hours of tedious ceremony, but by making them a part of the lives we live. Especially the dramatic parts. Which is why a written reference is a little bit redundant.

I'm gonna cover the Lords in detail now.

Garl Glittergold

Overview

He's our Watchful Protector. The Joker. He's Lord of humour, illusion, protection, trickery, cutting gems, artful smithing and all gnomes. It's a really long list. But Garl's also all about sharing. Community. That's why He lets other gods borrow bits of His kingdom. He shares with most of His brothers in the Golden Hills. But! He also shares with the gods of other races, too. He likes friendship (if you're not a villain!) The Joker is never without His faithful friend Arumdina the justifier. She's an intelligent axe. She's His weapon in war, and friend in peace. That's because Garl reckons that you have to be prepared for hard times, but you should live for friendship and community. Even His weapon is a friend first.

One of Garl's most famous deeds is the defeat of the infamous Kurtulmak (now god of the kobolds). Kurtulmak was building a great city in the earth. Which is good for him! Sadly, his kobolds were digging up unborn gnomes, and enslaving them to build that city. Garl saw how we suffered and so He acted. He pretended to be a lost gnome, and allowed the kobolds to capture Him. Once He was brought before Kurtulmak He asked that the gnomes be set free. He promised Kurtulmak that only ruin would be found in hate and tyranny. Kurtulmak, cold and arrogant, refused Garl. So Garl told the foundations of the city a joke so funny, that they shook with laughter. The nascent city of kobolds collapsed on the arrogant Kurtulmak, and the gnomes walked free. Kurtulmak has never forgotten his defeat, and teaches kobolds to hate still.

Ethos

Garl teaches us to take to life with good humour. To seek community with other races and our own by sharing the burdens of work and the joys of play! To have fun writing a reference for Scott even if you didn't want to. You learn to love life for its quirks, its strengths and its weaknesses. To Garl your value to a community is not in what you can produce, but in the unique way that you make your community sparkle with joy. Those with authority should never be self serious or entitled; they should know the mantle of leadership is only one role of many. We should never fear change or new things; seeking always the best of the new and our fellow inhabitants of the world. Everyone matters. Especially you.

Church Structure

Novices are called the Uncut. Full priests are Jewels. Our titles are: Amethyst, Topaz, Opal, Jacinth, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby and Sapphire. In that order. That's right, Scott. I'm right at the top. Well. Almost. Our high priests are Star Sapphires (if male) and Star rubies (if female). Neither gender is higher ranked. It's just how we do it. Some priests undergo special instruction to become Glitterbrights. For ceremonies we wear a gold plated helm and belt. Ideally also gold chain or plate (I can't afford that much gold). We all wear a chunk of gold as a holy symbol (it's rude if you spent less than ten gold pieces on it).

Baervan Wildwanderer

Overview

The Masked Leaf. The Forest Gnome. He taught the gnomes of the forest how to make friends with all wild things, and how to hide from the things that forgot friendship. He's patron of travellers and wild places (though he shares the underground wildplaces with Segojan). He's a trickster who gets on well with the keepers of the Sylvan realms. In one story He tries (and fails) to earn the affections of the fair Verenestra. In another He is in trouble because He fell asleep at a gathering of Silvanus and Rillifane. His constant companion is a giant raccoon called Chiktikka Fastpaws who is impulsive enough to get into trouble a lot but clever enough that Chiktikka and Baervan can usually get back out of it.

Ethos

Baervan teaches us to live curiously and kindly. To go out and see the beauty of the wild places. To make friends with ferns and foxes both. That our community extends to all life, no matter how small. We should nurture the life we share this world with, and defend it from those who would destroy it.

Church Structure

Novices are Acorns. Full priests are Wildwanderers. Their titles are: Chipmunk, Squirrel, Opossum, Hedgehog, Marten, Red Fox, Lynx, and Wolf. Some priests learn special rites and are known as Fastpaws. For ceremonies they wear a green cap (you MUST wear it at a jaunty angle) and brown garb. Their holy symbol is an extra large acorn. It's collected by asking the oak tree that bore the acorn if it can be used in Baervan's name. Explaining the nuances of faith to a tree must take almost as long as it takes to teach Scott.

Baravar Cloakshadow

Overview

Also known as the Sly One or the Master of Illusion. Baravar is our god of illusions, snares, wardings and magical practice. Garl taught us illusion but it was Cloakshadow who mastered the art. He taught us how to think on our feet, prepare cunning traps and kill goblins. Garl is typically rather forgiving with his pranks, even when pulled on the wicked. He hopes they will learn their lesson! The Cloakshadow doesn't really care for all that. He's quite legendary for killing goblins. He doesn't much care for trying to reform the goblin, orc or kobold. If you're a danger to the community, Baravar will use cunning and subtlety to bring about your end. He's a prick. But he's our prick!

Cloakshadow is also the god oof magical study and practice amongst the gnomes. Our wizards still venetrate the good lady Mystra, too, of course. But it is to the Cloakshadow they pray for the wit to understand their work. For the sudden realisation of solutions to complicated problems. Our wizards don't tend to focus so much on the goblin killing and traps in their worship, mind. He also hates that Cyric fellow. I can't say I blame him after our last encounter with The Harbinger!

Ethos

Cloakshadow teaches you to mind the dangers of our world. To prepare for the worst but hope for the best. To trust others only if they prove reliable, but to offer goodwill even so. He says you should be suspicious of taxmen but just because a man is here to collect taxes it doesn't necessarily mean he is cruel. He may be a human, who has not yet understood that the fruits of the world belong equally to all. He teaches us not to openly flaunt the laws of dwarves and men but to break them secretly if it serves the community. Like lying to the tax collector about the expense of plating your armour in gold. He teaches us to do what need be done in times of war, to ensure your community prevails. Even if it's dishonourable. Finally, he teaches us to love others as deeply as we love our crafts and studies. For without love, how can you know you're doing the right thing?

Church Structure

Novies are called the Cloaked. Full priests are called the Illusory. If you ask any two Illusory what their title in the church structure is they'll give you completely different answers. There probably isn't one. Maybe. The holy symbol of Cloakshadow is a little tarnished silver dagger. Their holy vestments are a black cloak and hood, gray mask and a silver dagger. Of course, you wont see such things ever, probably. When they gather for the monthly Cloaking it's always in some public place, and the rites are conducted without anyone else around any the wiser. This is the origin of the joke on the Sword Coast that a public gathering of two or more gnomes is "another meeting of the illusory".

Callarduran Smoothands

Overview

Deep Brother. Master of Stone. Lord of Deepearth. When the world was young, Callarduran led the children of the ruby deep into the earth in order to settle the underdark. Where the races of the underdark tend to be bitter and wicked, the svirfneblin remained the staunchest allies of glitter and good in the depths. Smoothands is a legendary killer of drow and firm ally of Eilistraee and Shevarash. He defends svirfneblin communities from the many evils of the dark, and teaches them to drive drow back wherever they are found. He gifted the svirfneblin with the secrets of calling the earth itself to protect them, and teaches them to seek the glittering gifts of the earth.

Ethos

Smoothands teaches his followers to appreciate the beauty of the underdark. The glittering things to be found in the depths, and the life down there. He teaches that the life of the depths should be nurtured, and defilers should be driven off. He says one must protect the interests of their community first in all things. To avoid the many dangers of the underdark and to strike down that which cannot be avoided. To guard against the hateful races of the dark. He encourages svirfneblin to seek and meet kin gnomes and the goodly races.

Church Structure

Novices are called the Unworked. Full clergy are the Smoothed. Their ranks are (this is not a joke?) First Facet, Second Facet, Third Facet, and so on until Eighth Facet. The high priests are called Rubies. I heard the clergy are all men. The holy symbol of the clergy is a ruby. The bigger the ruby, the higher the more Facets there are. High priests wear star rubies. Their ceremonial garb is a gray robe studded with gems, a circlet of silver or mithral and a set of steel sandals.

Flandal Steelskin

Overview

The Master of Metal. The Pyromancer! Is his skin really made of steel? I don’t know. It’d be uncomfortable to hug, wouldn’t it? Flandal is god of mining, smithing and crafts in general. He is why even dwarves admit that our smiths are as good as their own (never tell them you’re better). He knows the ways of fire intimately, and took a fire elemental as a bride.

Ethos

All the beautiful things in life are earned with hard labour and dedication. This is true of the gifts of the earth as well as life in general. He would see us master our crafts and share that mastery with our community. We must also stay physically fit! Steelskin’s devotees are always the most handsome of men, Scott.

Church Structure

Novices are called the Unworked. I don’t know if Smoothands got the idea from Flandal, or Flandal from Smoothands. Both take credit. Full priests are called the Tempered. Their ranks are: Tinsmith, Bronzesmith, Brasssmith (with three s’s), Coppersmith, Silversmith, Electrumsmith, Goldsmith, Platinumsmith and Steelsmith. Their ceremonial garb is a steel helm and metal armour. If a priest has served for a long time, the armour is tinted red, as it is touched by the forge. The holy symbol is a tiny steel hammer engraved with flame (you can arm a mouse with it).

Gaerdal Ironhand

Overview

The Stern. Shield of the Golden Hills. This guy. You’d really get along with Him, Scott. He’s serious, dour and all about rules. We love Him, of course! But he’s no fun at parties. He’s the vigilant defender of gnomes and the good. He’s close to the Triad and is said to never smile. Garl still makes him laugh, though. You can’t escape the Joker, Scott.

Ethos

Gaerdal believes that defense should be proactive. It’s why he’s the Vigilant. He teaches defenders to go out and observe the communities of other races. To deal with villainy where it stirs so that it does not find its way to your doors. He is like a dwarf in that He teaches strict adherence to hierarchy, the chain of command and duty. But! He allows for one to question any order once, if it is morally or practically questionable.

Church Structure

Novices are called Eyes of the Shield. Full priests are known as the Vigilant Host. Their specific ranks are a series of words with Stern in front of them. Like Stern Watcher. After that is Observer, Guard, Sentinel, Sentry, Guardian, Defender and Protector. The church is mostly (but not all) men. They take their duties much more seriously than any other Lord’s church. They even have Chapters. We love and appreciate them, of course, but they’re so dour! Remind you of anyone, Scott? Their ceremonial attire is a suit of mail with an open faced helm and a shield with Gaerdal’s iron band emblazoned on it. Their holy symbol is an iron band, worn on the right forearm.

Nebelun (Gond)

I wont go into any detail here. Traditionally, we have treated Nebelun as another name for what humans call Gond. I can’t be bothered detailing Gond’s church as you should know it. There is a more recent cult of Nebelun claiming He is distinct to Gond. Is that true? Who cares! They’re both jolly good fellows if they’re separate.

Segojan Earthcaller

Overview

Earthfriend, the Rock Gnome, the Badger, Digger of Dens. He has many names because he’s old. Old as Garl, some say. Segojan is Lord of the earth and the creatures that live within it. He placed the gems and ores of the world by hand. He was once our god of magic but has since let Cloakshadow take it over. He remains our god of the dead. When a gnome passes away, they are given to The Earthen Embrace. The body is slathered in special mud and magics are used to harden it into the likeness of the gnome within. An illusion is cast on the mummy over the three days it takes to create so they appear as they did in life. On a bed of furs of burrowing animals, they are carried to a gathering spot. The community gathers to share stories of the deceased before the remains are blessed and interred in a burial niche.

Ethos

We are children of the earth and heirs to beauties both living and mineral. Segojan teaches us to live in harmony with the natural world below. This is why Olivia bit you, Scott. She’s a badger who shared the burrow with us, but we don’t tame animals as humans do. We just live alongside them. Segojan also teaches us not to be greedy, for that is the road to the Crawler.

Church Structure

Novices are called Unearthed. Priests are called Earthcallers. Their ranks in order are: Shrew, Mole, Vole, Ermine, Goundhog, Wolverine, Badger, and Aurumvorax. The church is mostly women. Ceremonial attire is a suit of leather armour, a fur cap (worn STRAIGHT). The armour is made of the hides of burrowing animals, for Segojan teaches that no piece of a burrowing animal should be wasted if you hunt them. The holy symbol is a gem that has a special continual light spell cast into it. So long as it serves as a holy symbol, the light shall never go out.

Urdlen

The Crawler below. Kill His worshippers with hammers. They’re worse than kobolds.

Conclusion

That’s all of them, Scott. So you can stop asking. I’m never gambling with you again, I swear it.

[Xerah]

Title: Words of Alvudd Nobleeye, Prophesier of Savras

"The novitiate stands on the cusp, but all is visible to the opened eye." ~ Prophesier Nobleeye

~ ○ ~

Eye open, Mortal.

Is what you see the truth? Or is it what they want to see? Can you solve the riddle of ‘Truth’? There are those who would try to deceive, lie, misdirect, and you, follower of the All Seeing Eye—you, are the only ones capable of rooting out The Truth.

Look forward. Look behind. But, look. Look! For blindness is the origin of all mortal folly.

There is more to knowledge than what you see with your eyes. Use all your senses, but most importantly, use your mind. An expanded mind opens the blessed third eye; Savras’ gift to the true faithful.

Do not forget to use time and diligence. Find the hidden motives before you act and do not further the goals of these Deceivers.

Eye Open.

~ ○ ~

We are not large, but we are ordered. We know the future, thanks to our devotion to Him. But many futures exist, and it is our responsibility to determine which truth is The Truth. We are the oracles, we are the prophesiers, and we are the realm’s magistrates and judges.

Begin and end your day in meditation and pray to Him. Let Him guide you to know what blessings will be needed in the coming days. Know that your time in mediation is preparing you for The Vision.

The realm knows us as the divinators. You will be known as Truth Seeker until He begins to look down upon you. Once you start to feel your eye opening, you will start to learn the Truth and we will call you Truth Speaker. From there, you will progress through the ranks as you widen your open eye; from Speaker to Savant, Scholar, Sage, Clairvoyant, Soothsayer, Prophesier, and Prophet. Finally, aspire to become the next Oracle of Savras, the All-Seer’s Voice of the Truth.

Grab yourself in pale robes of yellow and ascribe His symbol, a crystal ball containing many kinds of eyes, on your chest. Tie a muted red or brown sash around your waist and take a simple pair of sandals. Once your eye begins to open, you will tattoo your third eye on your brow. Use magical ink, as your tattoo will change as you further open your eye. And when you fully open it, you will undergo the Bonding when we place a crystal in the center of that tattoo.

When travelling, use the visions He has given you to know what blessing to prepare and what gear to bring. Ignore the comments from those with closed eye until they thank you for having exactly what was needed. Avoid armour. Avoid edged weapons.

The All-Seer will protect you if you have faith in Him.

~ ○ ~

With an open eye, you are welcomed into His embrace to endure The Vision. While others are out celebrating and remembering the past at the Feast of the Moon, we of the Third Eye, look to the Future. First, you must find a place of mist, haze, or darkness and spend the entire day in prayer to the Lord of Divination. Your vision is secondary to His Vision.

If you seek The Truth.

If you have opened your eye.

If you have devoted yourself to Him.

Then you will be blessed with a vision from the All-Seer.

~ ○ ~

Scribed by Truth Speaker Rolsuldrei Lightstream during a convocation of potential Truth Seekers by Prophesier Nobleeye – 8 Uktar, 1371 DR

[Crookedblossom]

Leaves of Green: Silvanus, the Oak Father

“The Oak Father’s Ironwood Word is writ upon the very soil of the earth, by root and leaf, and every thing encompassed in His great All. From the loftiest oak to the humble maple, all is within harmony. Those who bring wanton destruction, unnatural decay and careless flame shall be abjured by we stewards of the wood, by spear and spell and claw! Black-blood and all those Furious powers that wreak havoc, take heed! For the Oakfather wards here!”

THE WORDS WRIT UPON LAND
To the profligates within civilization's walls, the Silvanite faith must surely seem akin to some peaceful forest-hermit commune aggrandizing mere trees and speaking grim omens on this Balance. But this is far from the truth of the matter. For a Silvanite, we are tasked with drawing and maintaining the line between civilization and the unspoiled wilderness. It is within the untamed wilds that we keep and teach old ways, which threaten to be lost to the grasping hand of progress.

Forever and always, the motivations behind civilization's actions will be the expansion of their society and the procurement of more material wealth. And this will always result in these settlements making efforts to take from what they believe to be nature's bounty, but in truth is the life-blood of Toril itself.

It is therefore a devout Silvanite's duty to stand firmly on the side of wild Nature and the Balance therein, over any civilizing force. To banish unnatural illness and spurn the weavers of undeath . To foster the new birth of saplings frequently, keeping the unspoiled wilds hale and plentiful. To seek, befriend and serve the dryads of the forest. To destroy careless fire and those who would employ it. Beware also, the orcs and their lineage - for they cleave His domain in haste and imprudence.

THE GREENLEAF PRIESTHOOD

In times before man encased himself in cities of stone, Silvanus spoke true to us, as freely and clearly as though he were walking beside us. It was He who first awakened the druids of old and granted them an understanding of the equilibrium of life - the turning of seasons, the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.

Those druids of yore took this terrible, wonderful knowledge and proselytized to any who would join them in this reverential endeavor - to steward this tenuous Balance in the domain of our Father. Thus was the Greenleaf Priesthood formed.

It bore no hierarchy and was instead very much like a tree. We are the many branches of His grand oak, equal in our station and purpose. Some bear greater, heavier loads than others, but that is by His design and they are no more important than the thinnest of His branches. And of course, Silvanus Himself is the mighty trunk and root that holds us aloft.

Of all the truths the priesthood has come to terms with, the inevitable foes of Fury will stand against us as surely as the sun rises. The Oak Father instructs that violence be wielded as any other tool - carefully, and with purpose. To employ patience and observe your foe's every step. Whereas the Fury will hurry and take small victories where they may, we faithful must bolster our confidence and understanding of the grander perspective, that we may reap the larger victory in one final maneuver.

Patience.

HIGH CEREMONIES

In His name, did I conduct the Call of Oak, Ash and Thorn. Gather these leaves three and set them adrift on calm waters. Invoke the Oak Father and give him prayer.

In His name, did I conduct the Vigil to receive His favor and power. Benighted with a paste of crushed acorn, mistletoe and spring’s water, I lay with flesh bared against the moss of an ancient tree for a single night. Until His voice soothed my turbulent soul and I had my answer.

In His name, did I conduct the Song of the Trees after the careless flame and unnatural decay blighted His domain. A haunting chant, from shrill to deep in tone, I weave His power through song to ease the suffering of His trees.

In His name, did I conduct the Dryad Dance in wild revelry with the oaksisters of the forest. To empower and shield them from dark days to come, that they may abjure all maladies for until the next full moon comes.

In His name, did I conduct the Thorncall when all else failed. Beckoning deadly and tearing thorns to burst forth from the soil and shield the grotto against despoilers who would upend the Balance His faith keeps with such devotion.

“...the young priest, newly ordained, stepped forward in our worried moot. “You have heard it said that the way of the Oak Father is to resort to violence only when pressured by time or aggression,” he declared with vigor. “But I say unto you, when a city has sounded the call for yet more lumber, we have been pressured enough! Route every lumberjack you see! Send them fleeing from the wilds, or carry them bloodied back to their cities for their own priests to tend to!”

• Written by Cadogan the Oaksworn, of the Greenleaf Priesthood

[Sources drawn from were: Faiths and Avatars 2e]

[Peacelily]

Against the Grain; the Earthmother; Chauntea

You hold in your hand a book bound in leather, from cows reared for meat and skin, who ate the grass and hay of farms. The paper is made from pulped wood, grown from the earth, or from pressed flax, or perhaps even of thin vellum. The ink is likely from harnak and iron, grown, mined, ground and crushed to a dark stain. You hold in your hand a gift from Chauntea.

• Thulthee Lichenseeder

There is an irony in the workings of the Earthmother. The more bounty she gives; the richer the farms of a city-state, the more fertile and settled the land, the further so many grow from her. For those reading these books, it is likely that little thought is given to where the next meal will come from, how the clothes on your back are sourced. the cultivation of the lumber for your homes. This, too, is the bounty of Chauntea, for the more her gifts are evident in a land; the more they are taken for granted.

For most deities of what we might loosely term a druidic bent, the notion of fostering civilization would seem uneasy at best. Yet the Goddess of Grain takes a delight in it; marking one of the true distinctions she holds. Chauntea is not a deity of the untamed wild; but of the races of this world living together with that world.

The Golden Goddess may best be thought of as a gardener; with Toril as her garden. Ceaselessly, she toils to bring fecundity to each part of the Realms; from the smallest fungal extrusion of the Underdark, feeding on the faltering faerzress, to the grass of the savannah under the endless sky, to the algae farms of the waters. Each is a reflection of her work, her garden, and her boundless attention to each of us.

It is not an exaggeration to say that without Chauntea, there could be no life, for it is through her endless work that we are fed, and clothed, and warmed; through her work that the cycles of the land turn and we are sustained.

Though her love is bountiful, when people move to spurn her gifts without cause, the Mother of All Flowers has been known to show her thorns. This is not when famine hits; when crops fail, no, for these, she weeps and swears she will work harder. It is for those who shun the gifts of the land; the monk eating the stalest of bread, the least of water; the wizard who conjures food in the midst of plenty and lets the remains vanish; the lord who takes the farmers from his land to feed his army and return only blood for the soil, who turn her eyes cold. Even to these, who try her so, she seeks endlessly to turn them from their paths; and return them to the reverence of the earth.

Those who walk in the steps of the Earthmother give their thanks each dawn, as the first lights spread and the flowers begin to wake, the dew begins to steam from the grass as the land lets out the breath of the night. Places the land opens to the sky; a newly turned field, a deep well, these are those places they swear one feels her presence most closely.

Her church holds one formal celebration in all places of any worth; the beginning of the harvest. All of hale body and mind bend their thoughts to the coming task, and their knee to the Goddess, for they know their labors are less than hers; their sweat over the coming weeks but a shadow of her endless toil. It is as great a prayer as any may offer, akin to the blessing sought by those of more martial faiths on the eve of battle; as hunger is fought back for another year.

On Greengrass, though, when the winter has passed and Spring comes? The followers of She Who Shapes gather. The fields lie barren, empty, but the year is full of potential; something they give thanks to in far more earthly ways as they encourage the land to emulate the fertility they seek to show.

For, despite all, as many turn their faces from Chauntea, she endlessly toils for the betterment of all races of all lands. Her love is boundless, her gifts abundant, and the laughter and the pain in her eyes is matched by the voices of those who call out to her, in birth, in death; in all passing of time, for the first gift of Chauntea is life.

[Itikar]

DARK SELDARINE: VHAERAUN AND GHAUNADAUR

The Spider Queen Lolth holds the prominent place in the hearts and the worship of the overwhelming majority of the Ilythiiri, also known as Drow or Dark Elves. However also the other Dark Seldarine, albeit in much lower numbers and to a lesser extent, hold a significant place in several cities and organizations of the descendants of the Ssri Tel'quessir. In some cases the churches of these deities can trace their lineage back to the time before the Descent of the Drow, in the age of Great Ilythiir, on the surface.

VHAERAUN

Aliases: None.

Common Titles and Epithets: Masked Lord, Masked God of Night, Masked Mage, Lord of Shadow, Shadow Lord.

Symbol: black half-mask, a pair of black glass lenses that form a mask, black mask with blue glasses inset over eyes.

Portfolios: Thievery, Drow Males, Activity on the Surface, Activity against other faiths in particular that of Lolth.

Realm: Ellaniath.

Adjective: Vhaeraunan, Vhaerunite, Vhaeraunite.

The Masked Lord Vhaeraun is the most important deity among the Ilythiiri, after his mother Lolth. According to the myths, Vhaeraun is the son of Lolth and Corellon, who was always closer to his mother and grew to become her advisor. Together mother and son plotted to overthrow Corellon and take control of Arvandor. When their plan failed, however, and Lolth was banished to the Abyss, Vhaeraun was also exiled. From then onwards Lolth and Vhaeraun became bitter rivals, blaming each other for the failure of their plan, and most importantly, competing with each other for influence over the Ilythiiri.

It is unclear if before the Descent of the Drow into the Underdark, during the Crown Wars, the two churches of Lolth and Vhaeraun were entirely hostile, but they are certainly enemies at present. There is little room for compromise between the stated goals of the followers of Vhaeraun and those of the followers of his mother. Following the mandates of Vhaeraun, his followers plot relentlessly to achieve the collapse of the Matriarchy that holds sway in most cities of the Ilythiiri in the Underdark.

When they can come out in the open, the Vhaerunites promote an egalitarian society, in which males can hold the same roles of females, and can hold all leadership position based on skill. They often come to clash directly with the followers of the Spider Queen, whenever they have any significant chance to overcome them. This however is rarely the case in the Underdark, so many of his followers stay undercover and act through sabotage and assassinations of notable and particularly vicious females. They also tend to aid any drow thieves who find themselves in difficulty even if female.

Where the Church of Vhaeraun is overwhelmingly dominant, however, is among the Drow that dwell on the surface. The Church of Vhaeraun hopes to re-establish the ancient power of Iltyhiir on the surface, and to do so in a relatively short timeframe. The numbers of the Ilythiiri that have settled on the surface are small at the time of this writing, but in continuous growth. In particular, ceaseless Vhaerunite activity is reported in the forest of Cormanthor, spearheaded by House Jaelre. Other areas of reported Drow surface activity are the Forest of Mir and the Yuirwood.

To achieve this goal Vhaeraun encourages his followers to multiply, even if this involves mating with human or elven females. In this regard his Church is less hostile toward elves, particularly to those elves that willingly submit to the Drow or, even better, if they embrace his faith. A few Vhaerunite priests on the surface have even developed a heresy that postulates the Unity of the Elven Races and the full restoration of their ancient domain over Faerun as it was the case before the Crown Wars. This belief is vehemently opposed by the more orthodox Vhaerunites, in particular in the Underdark.

Among the open centres of worship in the Underdark, there is merit in the mention of the city of Eryndlyn, that has a large sector inhabited by followers of Vhaeraun, and Sshamath, that has an open temple devoted to the Masked Lord. The city of Chaulssin in the Northdark was an important centre of worship of the Masked Lord in the past, but it lies in ruin after it was destroyed by the armies from Menzoberranzan in the past.

The priests of Vhaeraun are usually called Nightshadows, and the customs of the Church mandate that they wear a mask when wearing their priestly robes. Another type of priest of Vhaeraun is the Masked Traitor, which poses as a priest of another faith, usually of Lolth, while secretly promoting the agenda of the Masked Lord from the shadows.

GHAUNADAUR

Aliases: Juiblex, Elder Elemental God.

Common Titles and Epithets: Elder Eye, That Which Lurks, Slime Lord, Ancient One.

Symbol: purple eye on purple background surrounded by black circles.

Portfolios: Slimes, Ooze, Jellies, Ropers, Outcasts, Rebels.

Realm: Cauldron of Slime, Dismal Caverns (or Deep Caverns).

Adjective: Ghaunadan, Ghaunadauran.

Another important Faith among the proud children of Great Ilythiir is that of the Elder Eye, or Ghaunadaur. This ancient deity of slime and ooze is usually portrayed as a huge amorphous mass with a single purple eye that directs an alien glare upon all beings. It is unclear how ancient the worship of Ghaunadaur may be, but it is certainly ancient. According to the legends and myths of its Church, the Elder Eye was worshiped by amorphous beings for aeons immemorial. Its power however diminished immensely, when in a fit of rage he deprived most of his followers of sentience, thus losing the power that derived from their prayers. This is usually used to explain why slimes are usually non-sentient.

Even though the Elder Eye remains undoutebtly the power of preference for the sentient slimes and oozes that exist, the majority of its followers now are among the Ilythiiri. Its faith was already practiced on the surface, before the Descent of the Drow, and its crusaders were particularly vicious in raiding the neighbouring elven kingdoms during the Crown Wars. With the Descent however, and the pre-eminent position taken by the Church of Lolth, the faith of the Elder Eye entered a period of decline.

As followers of an alien power that cannot be empathized with or even fully understood, the Church of the Elder Eye focuses on sheer power and how every creature is fit to wield it. Might makes right elegantly surmises the core belief of the faith of Ghaunadaur. This makes the cults of the Elder Eye particularly popular among the poorest and more oppressed parts of Ilythiiri society, in particular among rebels and outcasts. His worshipers often raise great numbers of slimes and oozes or turn themselves into such beings, to further spread havoc and destruction against their rivals, be they the followers of the Spider Queen, or any other faith. In this regard they do not discriminate, every worshiper of another power must convert to Ghaunadaur or be destroyed and so should any altar or depiction of other deities.

Any creature can worship the Elder Eye, regardless of race, gender or shape. Humanoid beings or those of any fixed shape are seen as inferior to the amorphous ones, that can morph freely into any shape. The lack of this freedom represents as a pitiful limitation that must eventually be overcome through the power of Ghaunadaur. Innovation is considered a great goal to pursue, and breaking free of old bounds is seen as a great accomplishment, compared to the acquisition of a new shape, and the abandonment of the old one. Every worshiper of the Elder Eye is also considered a minister and formally clergy, even though dedicated priests tend usually to take a specific personalized title, that is unique for each of them. Examples can be the Amorphous One, the Shapeless, the Oozing Sovereign, and so on. The final fate of any Ghaunadan should be to become a sacrifice for the Elder Eye.

The Elder Eye is not particularly demanding in regard to of worship and devotion, but cares primarily for sacrifices to be provided in great number to feed its hunger. Willing sacrifices are preferred over forced ones. Any who invokes the holy name of Ghaunadaur is said to call upon themselves the sight of its Eye. The Elder Eye does not mind if those who invoke it are sincere worshipers or impostors, in fact, it has sometimes provided power and boons to false worshipers, whereas other times these were devoured immediately. For this reason, Ghaunadans consider taboo voicing the name of Ghaunadaur aloud, unless for grave and important reasons, for which the follower is ready to potentially encounter their final fate.

The Elder Eye does not have a unitary church but its worshipers are split in a myriad of cults and churches that often fight each other to the death. Ghaunadaur encourages this behaviour among its followers, even to the most extreme consequences. Open internecine conflict is extremely common and brutal among the communities of Ilythiiri that follow the Elder Eye.

The major centre of worship of the Elder Eye is Llurth-Dreier, the City of Ooze, located in the Southern Underdark. This ancient city used to be a main Lolthite City until, after the retrieval of ancient artifacts of the Elder Eye, the Houses of the city began to convert to the Elder Eye hoping to receive power from it. Eventually a series of civil conflicts called the Webfire Wars erupted, and at the end of the last of them, the Church of the Elder Eye led by a group of aboleth savants obtained total control of the city. An avatar of the Elder Eye itself eventually emerged from the depths of Lake Dreier, thus sealing the fate of the city. Today this is the site of pilgrimage of many Ghaunadans, including many aberrations that worship it. Sizable numbers of Ghaunadan worshipers also exist in Eryndlyn and in the Forest of Mir, on the surface.

Aunrae Hlairyn, AR 182

[Itikar]

DARK SELDARINE: MINOR POWERS

Previous volumes of this series have detailed the faiths of Lolth, Vhaeraun and Ghaunadaur, which cover the great majority of the worship performed by the Ilythiiri, also known as Drow or Dark Elves. However, within the group of powers known as the Dark Seldarine there are also several minor powerrs that still have a following. Most of these powers are either demigods, heroes or mythological beings that are not usually considered divine beings by the majority of the Iltyhiiri.

KIARANSALEE

Common titles and Epithets: the Revenancer, the Vengeful Banshee, the Lady of the Dead.

Symbol: female drow hand wearing silver rings.

Portfolios: Undead, Vengeance.

The Revenancer, according to the legends, was the first being to be called Drow. Her myths narrate that on a distant world called Threnody, belonging to a different crystal sphere than Toril, Kiaransalee was a powerful queen and necromancer. Her husband, the king of Threnody, banished her after he discovered what sort of unholy experiments she performed on the dead. Seething with revenge for this betrayal, the beautiful queen, continued her experiments for centuries, until she was ready to strike against those who wronged her. In the end Threnody became a dead world, as her army eradicated any living being from it, and Kiaransalee fled to the Abyss to avoid the wrath of the Seldarine. These events are often assumed to have happened even before the fall of Lolth from Arvandor. When Lolth however arrived to the Abyss, Kiaransalee soon became her servant, albeit not willingly, for the Lady of the Dead only trusts the company of the mindless undead. It would not be surprising, in fact, if Kiaransalee plans revenge even against Lolth herself.

Worshipers of Kiaransalee are usually few and isolated, her cults are popular mostly among necromancers, occasionally even among non-Ilythiiri. Other worshipers of the Vengeful Banshee are individuals who have lost everything, such as survivors of House purges, that see in revenge the only goal that remains for them to achieve.

Priests of Kiaransalee are exclusively female with no exceptions, and they take the specific title of Yathrinshee, a fusion of the word Yathrin, priestess, and Banshee. Their rites and ceremonies are particularly perverse and invariably involve the presence of undead or the raising of undead.

Other than isolated shrines and catacombs, the only known significant center of worship of the Revenancer are the ruins of V'elddrinsshar, once a city devoted to the Spider Queen, that was ravaged by duergar armies. Here the followers of of Kiaransalee erected to her a temple of black marble and awakened many banshees and raised other undead to stalk the surrounding ruins for any undesired guests.

EILISTRAEE

Common titles and Epithets: the Dark Maiden, the Lady of the Dance, Lady Silverhair.

Symbol: an unclad female drow dancing before a full moon and wielding a silver bastard sword, a silver longsword outlined against a silver moon with silvery filaments in a nimbus (ancient symbol).

Portfolios: Song, Beauty, Dance, Swordmanship, Hunting, Moonlight.

Eilistraee is anomalous among the the Dark Seldarine, as she promotes values and goals that stand in complete antithesis to those of the other powers of this group. Overall, the role of Eilistraee among the Dark Seldarine can be compared to that of Urdlen among the Lords of the Golden Hills, the Gnomish Pantheon. She embodies emotions and features, such as love and kindness, that are seen as a weakness and a danger by the majority of Ilythiiri, not unlike how the Crawler below embodies the vulnerability to greed for the Gnomes.

Eilistraee, according to the myth, is the daughter of Corellon and Lolth and sister of Vhaeraun. During the conflict for the control of Arvandor, Eilistraee was tricked by her mother to shoot her arrow at Corellon, almost slaying him. After those events she went in exile along with her brother and her mother, but she chose to do so willingly, to balance their evil influence over the Drow. The myth also explains her preference for the sword as a weapon and symbol and her forswearing of ranged weapons, that never appear in her iconography.

The myth also clearly illustrates how the other Ilythiiri relate to the followers of Eilistraee, that is, as traitors to be slain and agents and spies of the hated elves. Because of this, their presence in the Underdark is absolutely minimal, and the few that reside there do so in hiding. Her worshipers are definitely more active and present on the surface, as a core belief that they hold is that the Ilythiiri ought to reclaim their rightful place on the surface.

Here they try to coexist peacefully with other denizens of the surface, resorting to violence only when directly threatened. When they are called to violence, however, the followers of the Dark Maiden are said to be swift with their blades, to end the conflict as soon as possible. In general they try to aid other beings, regardless of race, but they hold particular regard for the Ilythiiri that they wish to convert and bring to the surface. They stand in opposition to slavery, promoting the freedom of any individual to choose their own path. Communities devoted to Eilistraee are said to adopt a matriarchal structure, since the clergy that directs such communities is almost exclusively female.

SELVETARM

Common titles and Epithets: the Spider That Waits, Champion of Lolth, the Spider Demon, Thane of Lolth, Prince of the Aranea, Lord of the Venomire.

Symbol: crossed sword and mace overlaid with the image of a spider

Portfolios: Drow Warriors

Selvetarm is portrayed as a giant spider with a male drow head, wielding a mace and a sword in his claws. According to the myths he is the son of Vhaeraun and a power of the Yuirwood known as Zandilar the Dancer. He drifted for a long time between light and shadow, but eventually, upon suggestion of Lolth, he slew the Spider Demon Zanassu. His desire was to use the deed to impress his aunt, Eilistraee, however Lolth's trickery made so that he was so utterly corrupted by the Demon Lord's essence, that he became not only wholly evil, but also Lolth's servant and consort. He holds only hatred toward any living beings, and only relishes in violence and destruction. He is however capable of patiently preparing for the right moment to strike, and to restrain his battle frenzy until his foes have fallen into his ambush.

Since then the Spider That Waits has acted grudgingly as the champion and protector of the Spider Queen and her Church. In particular when brutal might was required against enemies of her faith. During the Time of Troubles Selvetarm appeared in Eryndlyn, where he guided the Lolthite armies against the united forces of the Vhaerunites and Ghaunadans. Eventually, albeit with great losses, the allied forces managed to withold the onslaught, but such appearance left a significant impression among the Lolthite warriors.

Since those years a small cult began to emerge in the Lolthite half of Eryndlyn, with warrior priests of Selvetarm calling themselves the Selvetargtlin. Allied with the Church of Lolth, they began to grow a cult that had increasing draw upon the male warriors of the city. Nevertheless, with the rise of power of this cult, its members became more bold and some began to address Selvetarm as a proper deity. This was however not tolerated by the clergy of the Spider Queen that decided to drive these followers of the Spider That Waits out of the city.

MALYK

Common titles and Epithets: the Dark Mage

Symbol: a multihued vortex.

Portfolios: Rebellion, Wild Magic.

Malyk was an aged and powerful Ilythiiri mage who became a lich. A practitioner of the most wild and destructive forms of magic. His ascension was relatively recent and after it occurred, select wild mages that called upon him received power and blessings for the purpose of destabilizing Ilythiiri cities ruled by the clergy of Lolth. Some areas of wild magic that emerged in recent years in areas of the Underdark have been attributed to the deeds of Malyk's followers. There are no centers of worship for this cult, but in many cities, including Sshamath, his followers and their practices are banned.

ZINZERENA

Common titles and Epithets: the Hunted, the Princess of the Outcasts.

Symbol: black cloak and short sword.

Portfolios: Illusion, Assassination.

Zinzerena is a famous hero of many Ilythiiri folk tales. A rare occurrence in a culture that tends to put emphasis on the society rather than on the individuals, her tales have continued to endure, despite a certain dffidence in their regard on the part of the Church of the Spider Queen.

Zinzerena was said to be a female, that her parents had study magic and stealth, instead than attending the clerical academy of her city, taking her away from the church of Lolth. She grew up to become an assassin and an illusionist of unmatched talent, able to murder beings and individuals of great power. In several tales she comes often in contrast with priestesses of Lolth that try to punish her for avoiding her service to the Spider Queen. The most famous tale of her deeds however was how she slew a very powerful beholder, that she found busy in battle with a slaad, when she entered into its lair. Zinzerena waited patiently for the beholder to overpower the slaad, and when the eye tyrant was greatly weakened she made quick work of it. She then took up the sword of the slaad and his cloak, and she used subsequently her powers of misdirection to avoid the slaadi that came to reclaim them.

The sword enveloped in the cloak is also used by those who worship her as a deity, or demigod, to symbolize her hidden menace. Among the downtrodden and the most exploited members of Drow society, her cultists have managed to obtain a following, cementing and organizing the hatred and resentment of the lower classes against the nobility and the clergy of Lolth. A famous proverb of them is: "the legs of the spider are made to be broken".

Aunrae Hlairyn, AR 182

[Seekeepeek]

Congratulations for the work and awards, didn't even know this was a thing before I did a forum search on it.