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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 wilderness and 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 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. Melora (elvish word for mother) is the spirit of "Mother Nature" or the world in its entirety. Melora is also known by the elves as "The Wildmother" 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 | |
| Shar (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 Melora 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.
Related Faiths
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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.