Solonor Thelandira
| Greyhawk Deity | |
|---|---|
| Solonor Thelandira | |
| |
| Solonor Thelandira, as depicted in Dragon #60 (1982). | |
| Title(s) | Keen-Eye, the Great Archer, the Forest Hunter |
| Home Plane | Olympian Glades of Arborea |
| Power Level | Intermediate |
| Gender | Male |
| Class(es) | |
| Alignment | Chaotic Good |
| Portfolio | Archery, Hunting, Survival |
| Domains | Animal, Celerity, Chaos, Good, Plant, War, Weather |
| Alias(es) | |
| Superior | Corellon Larethian |
Solonor Thelandira is the elven god of Hunting, Archery, and Survival in Wild and Harsh Places. Solonor teaches his followers the arts of hunting, including archery, moving unseen, and hiding in wild places. He watches over the borders dividing wilderness and farmed land and seeks to maintain the balance between the two. His symbol is a silver arrow with green fletching, and his sacred animal is the stag.
Description
Solonor is never in one place for long, since he is always hunting. His magical bow can fire as far as the horizon and his quiver is never empty. He does not kill for the sake of killing, but rather to maintain the balance of nature and to destroy evil. He does not close with his foes, but tracks them and shoots from a distance. Solonor can create an arrow of slaying and, if this strikes home, it will kill all enemies; many fiends have fallen to a single shot.
Relationships
Solonor is on good terms with his fellow Seldarine, especially with Fenmarel Mestarine. In fact, some say Fenmarel and Solonor are brothers. Solonor's advocacy of sport hunting draws him into conflict with Rillifane Rallathil, who believes in hunting for survival only. Despite this, Solonor strongly believes in the balance of nature, and instructs his followers to avoid sport hunting in forests Rillifane protects.
Among the non-elven powers, Solonor is closely allied with other deities concerned with the natural world order, including Skerrit the Forester, and the various Animal Lords, particularly those concerned with hunting.
Solonor despises powers that favor despoliation over nature, and actively opposes the efforts of all such gods and their followers. His greatest foes are Lolth and the Queen of Air and Darkness.
Realm
Solonor lives in the realm of Arvandor, on the plane of Arborea. His domain is near to the Pale Tree, a white tree with silver leaves thought to have mystical powers.
Dogma
Worshippers
Solonor is worshipped chiefly in elven ruled lands, such as Celene, Highfolk, Sunndi, and the Duchy of Ulek, though he is also worshipped in realms with large elven populations, such as Ahlissa, Geoff, Keoland, and Veluna.
Solonor is primarily revered by beings especially drawn to nature, elven and half-elven rangers, hunters, woodsmen, and even fighters. Elven hunters, in particular, appeal to him, for they are better catchers of game. Elven warriors trapped within hostile territory also call on him for aid. In more recent centuries some humans, most notably hunters, have joined Solonor's faith as well.
Clergy
Priests of Solonor dress in elven chainmail, with silver accouterments, and overlaid with robes having leaf-green hoods. His priests pray and meditate when the moon reaches its highest point.
Temples and rituals
Services to Solonor are conducted deep inside heavy forests. Monthly sacrifices of hunting trophies are made to him.
Bibliography
- Boyd, Eric L. Demihuman Deities. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998.
- Boyd, Eric L., and Erik Mona. Faiths and Pantheons. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002.
- Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:[1]
- Gygax, Gary. Unearthed Arcana. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985.
- McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996.
- Moore, Roger E., and Georgia Moore. "The Gods of the Elves." Dragon #60. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
- Sargent, Carl. "The Elven Pantheon - Completed!" Dragon #191. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
- -----. Monster Mythology. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
