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Milil (pronounced: /mɪlˈlɪlmil-LILL[1]or: /mɛˈlɪlmeh-LILL[13] about this audio file listen) was venerated as the Faerûnian lesser deity of song, poetry, eloquence, creativity, and inspiration. He represented the whole song rather than just one part, such as the music or lyrics, not just the finished thought, but the whole process that took an idea from its conception to its completion. In the mindset encouraged by the Lord of Song, life itself was like a song, beginning at birth and ending upon death.[6]

Description[]

Milil appeared as a young, charismatic 10 feet (3 meters) tall male with shoulder-length golden hair,[14] indistinguishable as either human or elf. His clean, handsome good looks were exceeded by hauntingly beautiful voice. He dressed in the bright, elegantly patterned clothes of a troubadour accented with gold jewelry and other eye-catching decorations.[2]

Manifestations[]

Milil often appeared on Toril as haunting music or as a beautiful disembodied male voice that resonated within woodland clearings.[2] He enjoyed planting beneficial visions in the minds of performers and artists that pleased him, which included locations of treasure or the whereabouts of long-lost loved ones.[6] Another favored manifestation of Milil was that of a shimmering radiance, emanating from a bard, poet or other performer who was in the throes of inspiration in the pinnacle of a performance. The sight of this brilliant aura could move audiences to tears, bring them to give generous donations and offerings or act in blindfold obedience of the performing artist.[2]

To signify his approval of artistic work, whether it be a song, epic poem, theatrical performance or the like, Milil would conjure a golden-lined image of two dancing hollyphants. This appeared out of thin air or, if on parchment, as what seemed like glowing yellow ink.[2]

Personality[]

Milil was a consummate performer and possessed a confident, constantly inspired personality. He possessed an impeccable memory as well as a broad knowledge of lore from across Toril that served to bolster the facile improvisations of which he was more-than-capable. However, Milil was also quite egotistical and adored being the center of attention, and was easily bored when this wasn't the case. He was also extremely flirtatious, with both mortals and other deities alike.[1]

Powers[]

Along with his vast knowledge of many magical spells, particular those from the charm school of magic, Milil's singing voice could destroy any magical silencing effects and pacify any beings within his vicinity. He could masterfully play any instrument and had perfect memory of any song heard by him or any priest in his service. Milil was immune to any spells or effects of a vocal or musical manifestation and, by touch, could cause or confer deafness or the specific knowledge of a song, including exact tune and lyrics so that it may never be forgotten by the recipient.[2]

Possessions[]

Milil's favored weapon was Sharptongue, a magical rapier he would, on occasion, lend to mortals performing great quests in his honor. He could also conjure a harp of magical flames, which was a favored display to demonstrate his divinity.[2]

Relationships[]

As a deity, Milil, along with Deneir and Gond, served the greater power of Oghma. Despite this shared service, Milil had little in common with Gond, and they had a slightly strained relationship.[2][1]

Milil maintained very good relations with a number of powerful gods, including Mystra, Sune, and Lliira, as well as with the gods of the elven pantheon. He felt that Finder Wyvernspur showed some promise, but Finder did not feel the same about Milil.[2][1]

After Milil made a mocking ballad about Cyric and his insanity, the Prince of Lies became an enemy of the Lord of Song.[1]

Worshipers[]

Milil symbol

The holy symbol of Milil.

Main article: Church of Milil

He was predominantly worshiped by human, elf, and half-elf bards but attracted other musically inclined individuals such as troubadours and poets.[2] The faith of Milil was an organized group that attracted attractive, sensual, and musically inclined followers. In addition to their affinity with song and musical instruments, they tended to appreciate good food and wine, and the beauty found in both nature and civilized society. The church was composed primarily of clerics, but also included bards, mystics, and spellsingers.[6]

Orders[]

  • Harmonious Order: This group of personable and swaggering paladins encouraged bards to accompany them to create ballads based on their exploits taken in Milil's name.[7]

History[]

This section is a stub. You can help us by expanding it.


In the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR, Ayryn Farlight held a scrying session for select members of the Society of Sensation, using her sorcerous gift to observe various deities of Toril. When she attempted to scry Tymora, her magic sight was redirected by the goddess to observing Jasmine and Joel of Finder Wyvernspur's Band. Eventually, her sight was focused on Milil who was delighted to have an audience. The deity used magic to affix the scrying and performed the following songs: The Baker's Daughter; a jaunty hin tune known as Pipeweed Dreams; a lengthy ballad called The Seven Sisters; Three Thayvian Roses; The Purple Dragons of Cormyr; and a number of Faerûnian folk songs about such mundane things as milking cows, weather, and crops. Eventually, the Sensates started getting bored of the performance and Milil responded by starting to sing an operaThe Fall of Myth Drannor. The long and torturous performance was a punishment for trying to spy on a god.[14]

During the Era of Upheaval, Milil was simply an exarch of Oghma.[10]

Soon after making a mocking ballad about Cyric, Milil was ejected from the pantheon and banished to the Fugue Plane. As a result, musical prayers went out of fashion among bards. Some time before the late Year of Lost Ships, 1400 DR, Lord of Song was rescued by a mysterious being called Withers, who pulled him out of the Fugue Plane. However, as payment, Milil had to "honor the worthy", whenever Withers asked him to, a favour he was eternally invoking.[1][15]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Novels
Tymora's Luck
Video Games
Baldur's Gate III

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 102. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 116. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 21, 34. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  5. Troy Denning (February 1998). Crucible: The Trial of Cyric the Mad. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 1–2. ISBN 0-7869-0724-X.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 117. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 118. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  8. Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 56. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
  9. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 60–61. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 81. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
  11. Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 235. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  12. Hal Maclean (September 2004). “Seven Deadly Domains”. In Matthew Sernett ed. Dragon #323 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 65.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 13. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb (December 1997). Tymora's Luck. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 1, pp. 11–12. ISBN 0-7869-0726-6.
  15. Larian Studios (October 2020). Designed by Swen Vincke, et al. Baldur's Gate III. Larian Studios.

Connections[]

The Faerûnian Pantheon
Major Deities
AzuthBaneBhaalChaunteaCyricGondHelmIlmaterKelemvorKossuthLathanderLoviatarMaskMielikkiMyrkulMystra (Midnight) • OghmaSelûneSharShaundakulSilvanusSuneTalosTempusTormTymoraTyrUmberleeWaukeen
Other Members
AkadiAurilBeshabaDeneirEldathFinder WyvernspurGaragosGargauthGerronGrumbarGwaeron WindstromHoarIstishiaIyachtu XvimJergalLliiraLurueMalarMililNobanionThe Red KnightSavrasSharessShialliaSiamorpheTalonaTiamatUbtaoUlutiuValkurVelsharoon

Deities of the Post–Second Sundering Era
Ao the Overgod
Faerûnian Pantheon
Akadi | Amaunator | Asmodeus | Auril | Azuth | Bane | Beshaba | Bhaal | Chauntea | Cyric | Deneir | Eldath | Gond | Grumbar | Gwaeron | Helm | Hoar | Ilmater | Istishia | Jergal | Kelemvor | Kossuth | Lathander | Leira | Lliira | Loviatar | Malar | Mask | Mielikki | Milil | Myrkul | Mystra | Oghma | Red Knight | Savras | Selûne | Shar | Silvanus | Sune | Talona | Talos | Tempus | Torm | Tymora | Tyr | Umberlee | Valkur | Waukeen
The Morndinsamman
Abbathor | Berronar Truesilver | Clangeddin Silverbeard | Deep Duerra | Dugmaren Brightmantle | Dumathoin | Gorm Gulthyn | Haela Brightaxe | Laduguer | Marthammor Duin | Moradin | Sharindlar | Vergadain
The Seldarine
Aerdrie Faenya | Angharradh | Corellon | Deep Sashelas | Erevan | Fenmarel Mestarine | Hanali Celanil | Labelas Enoreth | Rillifane Rallathil | Sehanine Moonbow | Shevarash | Solonor Thelandira
The Dark Seldarine
Eilistraee | Kiaransalee | Lolth | Selvetarm | Vhaeraun
Yondalla's Children
Arvoreen | Brandobaris | Cyrrollalee | Sheela Peryroyl | Urogalan | Yondalla
Lords of the Golden Hills
Baervan Wildwanderer | Baravar Cloakshadow | Callarduran Smoothhands | Flandal Steelskin | Gaerdal Ironhand | Garl Glittergold | Nebelun | Segojan Earthcaller | Urdlen
Orc Pantheon
Bahgtru | Gruumsh | Ilneval | Luthic | Shargaas | Yurtrus
Mulhorandi pantheon
Anhur | Bast | Geb | Hathor | Horus | Isis | Nephthys | Osiris | Re | Sebek | Set | Thoth
Other gods of Faerûn
Bahamut | Enlil | Finder Wyvernspur | Ghaunadaur | Gilgeam | Lurue | Moander | Nobanion | Raven Queen | Tiamat



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