After some time, the DM Team came onto a long, long, long new/additional deities project. During that project we've added faiths like Tiamat, Gilgleam, entire Mulhorandi Pantheon and then some. Now we've moved ahead and decided to add 3 more deities, along with some more draconic and some Faerunian ones. The Elven Pantheon, also known as Tel'Seldarine, is being expanded by three new deities: Tethrin Veraldé, Vandria Gilmadrith and Melira Taralen.
What are the major changes that come with it, you ask? Well, first of all you have three new deities to pick. So if you wanted to have an elf that has a strictly elven patron of pure swordsmanship, one of justice, vigilance, war & strategy and grief or a deity that takes under patronage songwriters and musicians- now you can, because elves are special like that or something. (Not really)
Second of all, because we're running on 3rd edition mechanics, that means elves can now be paladins of Seldarine if they choose as a patron either Tethrin Veraldé or Vandria Gilmadrith (The rule as present in sourcebooks is that ANY deity that has Lawful Good, Neutral Good or Lawful Neutral alignment can have paladins (With only exception being Sune)).
We've managed to create a write up for the three custom deities. They originate from supplement sourcebooks & Dragon Magazine and the ones below are, now, considered canon for our setting.
Have fun!
Tethrin VeraldéTitles: The Shining One, The Master of Blades
Portfolio: Bladesingers, Swordsmanship
Domains: Strength, Elf, War, Good
Power: Demigod
Alignment: Neutral Good
Aliases: None
Home Domain: Arvandor
Superior: Corellon Larethian
Allies: The Seldarine,
Foes: Dark Seldarine, Malar, Orc and Goblin pantheons
Symbol: A longsword and a shortsword lying parallel to each other on a disk, their blade tips angled towards upper left; a tuater moon lies above the swords while a full moon lies underneath.
Worshipper alignment: Any Good or Neutral
Clergy Alignment: Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good
Favoured Weapon: Longsword
Thethrin the Shining One is the patron deity of bladesingers and swordsmen. Son of Corellon Larethian and Sehanine Moonbow(Or Angharradh, in moon elven theology), he has been slowly developing his following among elves. He's an adventurous, strident Power, believing in the power of elven blades and magic to win the day, and likewise encourages his followers to use such to protect and further elven causes. Tethrin has few enemies, save for Lolth (who would like to deal a personal blow to Corellon and Sehanine by slaying him), Selvetarm and Vhaeraun.
The Master of Blades is working closely with rest of the Seldarine, making sure that the elven arts of Bladesong and overall fencing is cultivated properly and with valor. He shares his realm with his father in Arvandor and helps him in his goals of defending all Tel'Quessir from forces that would wish to see them wiped out. He appears as a young, handsome male elf of long dark-blue hair, wearing a silver, gleaming elven chainmail and leather boots. He's most often seen with a longsword in hand, but the Master of Blades is reputed to be able to masterfully wield any kind of sword or dagger.
Tethrin's faith is present among all elven races, except Wild Elves and Drow. He's most popular among sun elven and moon elven warriors, including a good number of bladesingers from both of those subraces. It's believed that the Shining One oversees the training of each bladesinger on Faerun, to make sure their hearts are ready for it, as are their skills.
Cleric Training: Clerics of the Shining One can only be elven or half-elven. They begin their training as warriors, training in elven arts of fencing with all kinds of swords, until they develop a true combat skill in wielding those. They assist in training of Bladesingers, taking good care that any injuries are treated properly and practicing Bladesong is not disturbed by anyone. As they progress in their novice training, clerics of Tethrin Veraldé join guard duties around elven communities and personally assist Bladesingers in small tasks that they may need aid with. Finally, clerics of the Master of Blades take it upon themselves to train appropriate swordsmanship in elven communities and promote using magic to aid them in their battles, whether it be by spellbook, wands, potions or innate abilities. They are always ready to aid Bladesingers in their tasks of protecting elven communities and spreading virtuous values of elven culture.
Quests: Tethrin's quests typically involve finding and retrieving ancient elven weapons, relics and legacy of lost elven kingdoms or empires and promoting swordwork among elven people. Some quests require protecting a bladesinger or several while they're on an important mission. Out of more grim duties, they hunt down and kill those Bladesingers that become corrupted by evil and betray the People or deal with other races trying to steal secrets of bladesong from elves.
Prayers: Typical prayers to Tethrin involve praying for skill with blades and valor in fight. "May your shining spirit guide my blade and infuse my spells in combat" - goes one popular prayer. Asking for aid when facing difficulties often is spoken in a prayer as "Master of Blades, give me courage and strength to defend my people. Let my arm not hesitate from a killing blow dealt to enemies of the People".
Shrines: The Master of Blades doesn't have notable temples on Faerun. He, instead, has shrines dedicated to him, usually built of white stone (preferably marble), in Bladesinger Lodges or separately as a small place of worship which can also serve as an armory for elven swordsmen.
Rites: Tethryn’s holy days are in fact held on the same day as Sehanine and Corellon’s, whereupon they give thanks for the blessed union which brought forth Tethrin. Also, once each month a special day is held in which they show off their fighting skills and attempt to bring in new converts. Known as Tethrin’s Match, it usually brings a healthy amount of attention, and they generally succeed in their efforts. Already there are several orders of bladesingers and warriors’ guilds who are dedicated to him. As for what the clergy wear during holy days, they generally stick to blue and silver robes, though they’re favored for use in everyday situations as well.
Clergy: Divine followers of Tethrin Veraldé are collectively known as Tethryls. They otherwise have no formal clergy ranking, and the titles differ between each place of worship, each having unique ones to themselves. Tethrin’s clergy is comprised of clerics (60%), bladesingers (20%), and fighters (20%). They stress the value of swordsmanship as well as the mixing of swords and magic, among other things.
Herald and Allies: Tethrin calls upon many of the same creatures that his father and mother call upon as their servitors and allies. An otherworldly Sun Elf (NG) fighter4/bard8/bladesigner10 is his Herald upon Faerun.
Vandria GilmadrithTitles: The Steelheart, Lady of Grief
Portfolio: War, guardianship, justice, grief, vigilance, decision.
Domains: Law, Protection, War, Elf
Power: Intermediate Goddess
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Aliases: None
Home Domain: Arvandor
Superior: Corellon Larethian
Allies: The Seldarine, Red Knight, Tempus, Helm, Tyr.
Foes: Dark Seldarine, Orc and Goblin Pantheons, Queen of Air and Darkness, Gods of Fury (Talos, Malar, Umberlee, Auril).
Symbol: A red heart-shield shaped medalion with a left, elven eye crying a black tear.
Worshipper alignment: Any Good or Neutral
Clergy Alignment: Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Lawful Neutral, Neutral
Favoured Weapon: Longbow
War is never desirable, but sometimes it is necessary. When armed conflict is unavoidable, elves pray to Vandria Gilmadrith for prudent strategy and for victory with minimal loss of life.
The daughter of Corellon Larethian by his original consort Araushnee, Vandria was once as carefree and high-spirited as any other member of the Seldarine. However, when Araushnee led a treacherous assault on the Seldarine, Vandria gathered forces to defend the other elf deities. The resulting carnage forever sobered her and cemented her commitment to aiding her people at times when taking up arms becomes inevitable. Like Corellon Larethian, Vandria Gilmadrith is a war deity, but where Corellon epitomizes the glory of individual combat, Vandria embodies strategy, tactics, alliances, and close cooperation on the battlefield. Such innately lawful aspects of war are alien to the chaotic soul of the elf, so Vandria normally has few followers among the elf race. Still, even elves must sometimes learn to work together for the greater good, and her worship blossoms as never before when war looms on the horizon. Known as Steelheart for her steady nature and steadfast protection, Vandria represents the ability of the elves to harden their carefree hearts and band together in times of trouble. Vandria appears as a middle-aged female elf with white hair bound in a severe braid, bearing an expression of grim and sorrowful resignation. A pair of feathered, steel-gray wings sprouts from her back, and an ornate silver helm with no visor protects her head. Her elven chain gleams with a radiant light, and she wields a longbow and a greatsword in combat.
Vandria feels the death of every elf who perishes on the battlefield, the pain of every elf maimed in combat, and the grief of all those who lose loved ones to war. Thus, her primary interest is in preventing war and in shortening it when it becomes necessary. Ever vigilant, she keeps watch for dangers that threaten the elf race. On the battlefield, elves sometimes claim to see her folding her wings around a threatened unit to protect it, or pointing out a hidden foe. As the only lawful-aligned deity in the elven pantheon, Vandria holds sway over laws, contracts, alliances, and all other types of formal agreements. Elders weighing judgment in disagreements always invoke her and pray for the wisdom to dispense punishments fairly. Elves who need to make critical decisions sometimes seek her counsel when faced with a difficult choice.
Because of the sorrow she feels when war claims her people, Vandria Gilmadrith is also known as the Lady of Grief. All those who grieve, whether through losses from violence or through the normal passage of time, pray to her for solace.
Cleric Training: Clerics of Vandria Gilmadrith begin their training by serving in the watch, sitting with elders while they hear disputes, learning about the traditional enemies of the elves, and serving as singers at funerals. As they advance, they may lead watch patrols, serve as seconds for aggrieved parties bringing cases before the elders, help to shore up a community’s defenses, and assist the master of arms in training young elves with weaponry. When war threatens, clerics of Vandria help the ruler form alliances and plan strategy. They also instruct elf warriors in close combat techniques. As they are prone to telling warriors who tend toward too much independence on the battlefield, “A wave of arrows is better than a lot of single bowshots.” After a battle, clerics of Vandria retrieve the dead from the battlefield.
Quests: Vandria’s quests often require adventurers to visit rulers of other lands on diplomatic missions, to hunt down lawbreakers, retrieve stolen property, or to gather information critical to preventing or winning a war.
Prayers: Because Vandria prefers defense to offense, prayers to her often take the form of promises to defend others. “Let not my arm falter,” goes one common prayer, “lest the lives in my care be forfeit.” A prayer for aid in judgment or help in making a decision might be expressed as “Let my eyes see clearly and my heart be as steel.”
Shrines: Temples to Steelheart are usually hidden fortresses whose locations are known only to her worshipers and clergy. Situated in defensible caves, beneath huge trees, or in hidden vales, Vandria’s temples are stocked with weapons and supplies so that they can double as last retreats for the entire community. A few of her shrines are little more than simple tree houses situated at key vantage points so that her clerics can spot trouble on the horizon.
Rites: Vandria’s clerics bless alliances and seal contracts. They also bless troops going into battle and lead memorial services for those whose bodies could not be retrieved from the battlefield.
Herald and Allies: A celestial elf 10th-level fighter/10th level wildrunner serves as Vandria’s herald on Faerun. Her allies are formian taskmasters, formian myrmarchs, hound archon heroes, along with other archons, and some few Eladrin- chiefly Ghaeles
Melira TaralenTitles: The Songstress, Patron of Bards and Minstrels
Portfolio: Half-Elven bards, Elven Minstrels, Songwriting
Domains: Chaos, Elf, Good, Charm,
Power: Lesser Goddess
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Aliases: None
Home Domain: Arvandor, Hanali's home domain
Superior: Hanali Celanil
Allies: The Seldarine, Milil, Oghma, Lliira
Foes: Dark Seldarine, Orc and Goblin Pantheons, Talos, Malar.
Symbol: Golden Lute on a blue background.
Worshipper Alignment: Any
Clergy Alignment: Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral
Favoured Weapon: Rapier
Melira Taralen is a lesser goddess who, like many of her followers, has a patron (in this case, Corellon). It is said that her mother Hanali Celanil sent her to Corellon to serve as an apprentice, the Coronal of Arvandor, who found Melira's talent and being so fondly with her skills that he set a place in the stars for her. Melira is most often found alongside her mother, Hanali Celanil, at the fountain Evergold singing and playing while her mother relaxes. If she has any rivals, it is the Faerunian god Milil, whom she feels may be “poaching” in her territory. Still, theirs is a friendly rivalry, and he sometimes decides to engage in duets with her. She also enjoys Erevan’s exploits, though he’s often too roguish for her taste. Melira’s faithful tend to be musically inclined and appreciative of music. Not only are musicians favored by her, but also those who act as patrons, and those who treat their musicians well are said sometimes to receive a boon from the goddess.
The Songstress appears as a beautiful, female elf with breath taking long, golden hair. She always carries a golden-like lute with herself and it is said that her music can move even most grim and blackest of hearts. She appears in time of dire need of favoured by her adventuring musicians- trying to charm and confuse those wishing to harm her faithful. She also appears in times of great celebrations of elves, sharing her uplifting, joyful music and filling hearts of all participants with warmth and joy of life.
The majority of her clergy are multiclassed cleric/bards, the rest being a mix of half-elven bards, elven minstrels, and other sorts.
Cleric Training: While Melira’s clergy involves normal clerics, she’s only interested in having those with proven musical talent within her church. Not that she dislikes those with no talent- in fact, one of the goals of her priests are to help train others in singing, strumming, and songwriting. Such efforts warm her heart and as such, novices in the faith are tasked with learning how to properly write songs, how to sing and play on musical instruments, primarily various types of lutes, harps and lyres. As they progress with their training, they begin to teach others those arts and help finding them patrons who would help them create greater works of musical art. They also are present at celebrations and parties of elves, taking care that proper, beautiful music is everflowing and neverending.
Quests: They have few duties aside from perfecting their (and others’) musical skills. Quests for adventuring faithful involve recreating or finding old elven songs, seeking unique instruments of elven and half-elven minstrels of yore, and protecting minstrels from those that would wish to put them in harm's way.
Prayers: Prayers to Melira Taralen often involve asking for growth of their musical talent. "May your grace bless my talent so that I will bring you glory and joy of songs" - is one of popular prayers.
Shrines: She has few temples solely dedicated to her, instead preferring shrines placed in guildhalls as well as those within temples of Hanali Celanil. They all are built in the same architectural canon as the Lady Goldheart's temples are.
Rites: They have no set holy days, instead declaring a holy day just before the advent of a festival. On such days they’ll wear robes of bright blue, and they celebrate by singing, reciting poems, and dancing. Priests of the Songstress bless bards, poets and minstrels for their works to be ever more beautiful.
Herald and Allies: Melira Taralen calls upon same servitors as does her mother, Hanali Celanil. Her herald upon Faerun is a female Avariel (winged elf) Bard 14/Cleric 3/ Spellsinger 5