Orlythae

The pantheon of deities worshipped by the ancient Tel'Quessir of the World of Crystals, and honored to varying degrees by Elves across the Web of Worlds in the modern era. As a pantheon, they are formally allied with the Light Gods of the Web Pantheon, but as a rule tend not to get involved in the conflicts of the human deities unless the circumstances are dire. According to legend, the Orlythae dwell in a great, primordial forest in Siranoire, called Eldamaar, where all Elves eventually go when they die.

One belief common to Elves just about anywhere is that they are quite literally the children of the Orlythae. Elven legend states that their race was born from the blood of the Elven Allfather, Larenthia Brightblade, when it mixed with the soil of Siranoire and the tears of the Elven moon goddess, Celestine Silverheart. It is believed that this is the source of the Elves' gifts of heightened senses and affinity for magic.

Sundering of the Orlythae

In a great foreshadowing of what would eventually happen to the Elven race millenia later, the Orlythae fell victim to a terrible civil war instigated by Larenthia's consort, Araennia the Weaver, Goddess of Fate. Araennia was jealous of Larenthia's power and sought to usurp his position as ruler of the Orlythae, and after a number of unsuccessful plots, Araennia allied herself with Thanatos and declared open war against the Orlythae. Joined by her children Vhaeraun and Kiaransalee, she raised an infernal host and was defeated, but not before nearly destroying Eldamaar in the process. For her perfidy, Araennia was re-named Sindrai'el (the Deceiver), and banished from Eldamaar and the Elven pantheon along with Vhaeraun and Kiaransalee. Eilistraee refused to join her mother in rebellion and instead sided with her father, but nearly killed him by accident; Vhaeraun deflected her silver arrow, intended for him, so that it pierced Larenthia in the heart. Of Araennia's children, she alone was spared their fate. Larenthia offered Eilistraee her fallen mother's portfolio as the Goddess of Destiny, but she refused. She voluntarily left Eldamaar instead, sensing that the Dark Elves would need her as a force for good. Though she is no longer a member of the Orlythae, they count her as an ally.

Ever after, there has been enmity between the Orlythae and what became the Drow Pantheon, also known as the Dark Orlythae.

Members of the Orlythae

• Larenthia Brightblade

The Elven Allfather, God of Magic, the Arts, and War. Larenthia is the just and honorable leader of the Orlythae and is venerated by all Elvenkind as father and eternal protector; even those Elves who do not specifically worship him honor him. Larenthia represents the the highest ideals of the Elven race; he appears as an androgynous male elf of unspeakable beauty and unearthly grace. He is the patron of aesthetic endeavors as well as warfare. His worship is especially popular with Elven bards, warriors and mages, and many knightly orders were devoted to him. Larenthia's symbol is the crescent moon, and he is strongly associated with the color blue. Outside the Orlythae, he is great friends with Tahran, and sees him as a kindred soul.

• Celestine Silverheart

Goddess of the Moon, Dreams, Mysticism and Death. Where Larenthia is the father of the Elven race, Celestine is its mother. The benevolent wife of Larenthia, Celestine is believed to watch over the Elves as they dream, and is a psychopomp, guiding Elves who have reached the end of their mortal lives to Siranoire. She is associated with subtle magics and divination, as well as the full moon. In particular, Celestine is seen as the guardian of journeys, and the High Elves (being the most adventurous of the Elves) revere her as their great patron. Elves exploring transcendental mysteries or undergoing tremendous physical or spiritual journeys invoke her for protection and guidance.

• Menelas Everseeing

The One-Eyed God of Time, Longevity, and Wisdom. Menelas is worshipped as the Lifegiver, who blessed the Elves with near-immortality and protects their bodies and appearances from the ravages of time. A philosopher god associated with learning, he gets on well with Aldur and Bleu (he has been romantically linked with the latter, though his priests dismiss such notions as nonsense). According to legend, the intensely curious god traded one of his eyes for the ability to see through time. He is the patron of scholars and historians, and rarely intervenes directly in the life of his charges; he is far more concerned with generational destinies than individuals.

• Khalressa Fairgreen

Goddess of the Wood, and Guardian of Nature. She often appears as a great treant, and is the patron goddess of the Wood Elves. She is a quiet goddess, given to silent contemplation, and is the most steady, least flighty member of the Orlythae. Khalessa's prime concern is the harmony and balance of nature, and as such is especially venerated by druids. The Xanthyr honored her as a face of their Great Mother, and believed the sen (nature spirits) to be her children.

• Thylarian Silverwolf

God of the Hunt, Archery, and Survival, and twin brother of Celestine. Thylarian is worshipped as the Great Hunter, and is the patron of rangers and bowslinging warriors. He is often invoked by Elven hunters seeking difficult quarries, and warriors who face impossible odds. A grim and taciturn god, though exceedingly kind, he exhibits little of the joy and merriment associated with the Elves. Thylarian has a great disdain for sport hunters, as he feels they do not respect the balance of nature. Some of the more obscure myths depict Thylarian as the lover of Eilistraee; one such myth names him as the one who gave her the silver arrows she always carries.

• Aphrael Windwalker

Goddess of Change, Fortune and Mischief. The Elven Lady of Luck, Aphrael is very much a trickster goddess, given to playing pranks and generally making a nuisance of herself (her pranks are rarely deadly, though). She's a fickle goddess, unpredictable who can (and does) appear as anything from a handsome Elven male to a chocobo, though her favorite form is as a charming little Elf girl. Aphrael never sits still, and meddling in mortal affairs is a treasured hobby of hers. Venerated by Elven thieves as the Goddess of Fortune, Aphrael nonetheless grows impatient with those who constantly rely on her, and favors those who make their own luck. Though she is a fun-loving goddess, Aphrael can be vicious when Elves or Elven interests are threatened.

• Sintaeri Goldstar

God of Love and Beauty, Sensuality, and the Fine Arts. One of the more popular Elven Gods, Sintaeri is often called the Golden Dancer, and is believed to be so beautiful that to look upon him is to lose one's soul. Though he most often appears as an androgynous male, he does take female form on occasion. Sintaeri is a kind God, though flighty and given to vanity, and delights in the happiness of lovers. He also has a melodramatic streak, and many of his appearances in the myths have to do with his mortal lovers and his inevitable grief over their loss. One myth tells the story of how Sintaeri loved the archmage and Prince Laurel of Vallithyre so much that when he was slain in battle, Sintaeri was so distraught that he shaved all his hair (which Laurel adored above all the god's features) in mourning and decreed that it would never grow back. Khalressa was so moved by Sintaeri's grief that she transformed Laurel into the first tree that would bear his name. True to his flighty nature, Sintaeri reversed the drastic decision about his hair when he beheld the tree, and ever after adored his hair with laurel leaves. Outside the Orlythae, Sintaeri is closest to Chrystalis, and maintains a playful rivalry with Tahran for the Goddess' affections.