1. Organizations

Elven Philosophy

Pantheon

Description: The core of elven philosophy revolves around two key precepts — their veneration of nature and belief that the natural state of the world is forest, and their centuries-long natural life spans and focus on excellence and perfection.

Elves believe that spirits or supernatural entities inhabit all of nature. These spirits (termed gaia in elven) are most commonly found in natural surroundings and living beings. In this view, the spirits of forests, individual trees, and other aspects of nature are the ideal state of the world. Other spirits are the essence of elves that have passed on and returned to the world,

Elven faith is more of a philosophy than a religion, as most elves do not worship gods. This philosophy (called Seldarine)encompasses not only the guiding principles of elven life but also transformation and dying.

Seldarine (or arete) is an ancient word, that in its basic sense, means "excellence of any kind". The term may also mean "moral virtue". In its earliest known meaning, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one's full potential.

The Celestial Paragons are elven beings who followed the philosophy of Seldarine until they transformed into the personification of an ideal or concept, and transcended the mortal realm without dying, traveling across the sea to the Blessed Isles of Arvandor and the Celestial Court.

An offshoot of elves, rarely spoken off, has turned to demon worship and darkness.

Celestial Paragons (Hero-Spirits)

Deity  Alignment  Weapon  Portfolio  Devotees
Ilsundal Unaligned (G) Quarterstaff Wisdom, Nature, Plants Treespeakers, Druids, Leaders
Corellon Unaligned (G) Longsword Swordplay, Magic, Excellence Swordmasters Wizards
Mealiden Unaligned (G) Staff Knowledge, Time Lorekeepers, Sages, Scholars
Sehanine Unaligned (G) Staff, Bow Moon, Stars, Travel, Illusion  
Nyx Unaligned (E) 2 edged sword Darkness, Shadows, Knowledge/Secrets ...also some Shadow Alfar (Druas), shadevari 
Sune Chaotic Good Silken Sash Light, Life, Beauty, Passion Lovers, Artists, Half-Elves, Adventurers
Solonor Unaligned (G) Sword, Bow Woodlands, Combat, Protection Rangers
Severash Unaligned (E) Sword, Spear War, Vengeance Warriors
         
Araushnee Chaotic Evil Dagger, Whip Destiny, Power, Beauty, Art some Shadow Alfar
         

Dogma

Seldarine teaches that everything inherently strives for arete, and that to become one with nature, or to become the ideal personification of a thing or concept is life's goal. Life rises from nature and having reached arete, either returns to nature, strengthening the world, or transforms into a pure form of spirit, that guides or strengthens a concept or ideal.

It also teaches that the natural world is composed of three main parts. The middle world, or the natural world of mortals and spirits. The sylvan realm, realm of celestial paragons, arch-fey, and idealized concepts. And finally, the nether realm, where tainted or unclean spirits, and cast off shadows dwell. Seldarine texts nevertheless do not draw firm demarcations between these realms. Seldarine places greater emphasis on this life than on any afterlife. Elven philosophy is singularly preoccupied with this world, with its emphasis on finding ways to cohabitate with the gaia and other beings. A common view among elven druids (or rare clerics) is that the dead continue to inhabit our world and work towards the prosperity of their descendants and the land.

Seldarine has a very basic and generalized set of precepts, there is basically no standard doctrine, except perhaps some of the temples dedicated to a Celestial Paragon. Elves, while not worshipping gods, recognize that such beings embody their portfolios in much the same manner as arete, and as such are normally very tolerant of other religions.

Tenets Of The Faith

  • Respect nature, honoring gaia and true spirit of all things.
  • Evil is not the natural state of things, most anything can be redeemed or purified.
  • Focus not on things that should be believed but on things that should be done.
  • Cultivate a sincere and pure mind, all else will follow.

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Structure

Druids (commonly called Speakers) are the most common form of religious figure within an elven community, with the appellation of "Treespeaker" , "Windspeaker", etc in accordance with their position or expertise. In some areas followers of elvish hero-deities or fey powers have formed small sects or temples dedicated to their patron, these priests are normally clerics.

Servitors