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Sehanine Moonbow (pronounced: /ˈsɛhɑːnin ˈmnbSEH-ha-neen MOON-bo[14]), also called Daughter of the Night Skies, Goddess of Moonlight, the Lunar Lady, Moonlit Mystery, the Mystic Seer, the Luminous Cloud, and Lady of Dreams was an elven goddess of death, dreams, heavens, journeys, moon (full moon to be precise), moon elves, stars, and transcendence as well as the most powerful female member of the Seldarine.[15]

Around the time of the Spellplague, Sehanine Moonbow was the fey aspect of the Faerûnian goddess, Selûne.[7] However, with the coming of the Second Sundering, she was once again an independent goddess.[4]

Description[]

Sehanine Moonbow symbol

Holy symbol of Sehanine Moonbow.

In her avatar form, Sehanine Moonbow looked like a 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall youthful, ageless, female elf clad in a diaphanous gown, that looked like it was made of moonbeam and dropped moonbeam drops every 10 minutes, that could be bottled as potions of invisibility.[16]

Another depiction of Sehanine was as a male elf. This depiction portrayed the Protector and Sehanine as lovers. Characteristic about Sehanine's willowy male form were his eyes. They showed a sense of melancholy and tenderness when he was depicted with Corellon.[17]

Personality[]

Sehanine Moonbow priestess

A moon elf priest of Sehanine Moonbow.

The Lunar Lady was a very protective deity towards elves. She sent omens to keep her people from danger, crafted illusions around elven hideouts like Evermeet, Myth Dyraalis, Rucien-Xan, and Synnoria, and organized the journeys for elves to these lands.[15]

She hated undead and her followers made it their duty to destroy these beings.[14] She was intolerant towards necromancy in general, with the sole exceptions being the practice of white necromancy (only tolerated) and the creation of baelnorn liches, which she wouldn't tolerate if it was not necessary.[18][14]

Nonetheless, she was quite an aloof deity and apart from the aforementioned deeds, she kept herself apart from the happenings of Toril.[15]

As a general rule, she did not speak in a direct manner. Instead, she relied on dreams, visions, etc. to relay information.[15] This did not mean that she was incapable of speaking in a clear manner as she was seen doing that too.[19]

Abilities[]

Sehanine Moonbow was noted as the most powerful of the female elven deities but her power was not stable. To be more precise, it fluctuated with the phase of the moon. She was at her most powerful under full moon,[9] weak under new moon or fully eclipsed moon,[20] and practically powerless during daytime.[21]

She could cast spells from all spheres and schools but favored those of the all, astral, charm, divination, guardian, healing, necromantic, protection, summoning, sun, and travel.[16]

Illusion spells cast by the Lunar Lady were hard to resist against and just looking at her could cause a person to sleep for ten to forty minutes. She could cast sleep and false seeing, the former three times per day, the latter once every minute against one creature within 120 ft. (36.58 m) and was particulary hard to resist. While walking, she created a trail of motes of moonlight and shot it anywhere she wanted to shoot with it. Once every minute, she could create a moonbow and moonbridge. When casting dream, she did not need to enter a trance.[16]

The Daughter of the Night Skies was completely immune to illusions and any effect directed at altering her mind. It was impossible to hurt her with a weapon that was less enchanted than a +2 weapon.[16]

Possessions[]

Sehanine Moonbow owned the Moonshaft, a +2 quarterstaff with the abilities of staff of the moonglow and staff of night.[16] This weapon was her favored weapon,[14] but was not used as often as other items and abilities such as wands, spells, and her innate abilities. Other items of hers were her gown, a cloak of displacement, a wand of polymorphing, and a wand of paralyzation.[16]

Divine Realm[]

Sehanine Moonbow had her realm in Arvandor, which was found on the layer of the same name within the plane of Arborea.[15]

Activities[]

As mentioned under Personality, Sehanine Moonbow protected her people’s hideouts via illusions.[15] She directed her followers to use illusions to hide elven settlements, [9] guide elves to elven hideouts like Evermeet in the wake of the Retreat, kill undead,[22] and seek out/excavate magical lore, especially ones concerning divination and illusion magic.[9]

Elves believed in reincarnation and the Mystic Seer, alongside Corellon Larethian, were believed the ones to guide the elves towards an end point of perfection. [15]

Relationships[]

Seldarine[]

Sehanine Moonbow was a member of the Seldarine and had good relationships with the other members. She was either the daughter or wife of Corellon Larethian[15] and had at least one son, Tethrin Veraldé with him.[23]

Her personality trait of kindness was such, that she could bring Fenmarel Mestarine, who isolated himself after an affair with Lolth, to Arvandor on occasion, as well as to calm down Shevarash during his fits of rage.[15]

She was an aspect of Angharradh alongside Aerdrie Faenya and Hanali Celanil. However, she was the primary aspect and the others merely secondary ones.[15]

Dark Seldarine[]

Sehanine Moonbow was an enemy of the Dark Seldarine. She opposed Lolth and was specifically hated by Vhaeraun for escaping his prison. The one exception to this rule was Eilistraee, whom she considered an adopted daughter, but had a strained and distant relationship with.[24]

Allies[]

Sehanine Moonbow was an ally of Baravar Cloakshadow, Cyrrollalee, Dumathoin, Kelemvor, Leira, Lurue, Milil, Mystra, Oberon, Savras, Segojan Earthcaller, Shaundakul, Selûne, Titania, and Urogalan.[15][25]

Enemies[]

Sehanine Moonbow was an enemy of Cyric, Gruumsh, the Gods of Fury, Myrkul, the Queen of Air and Darkness, Shar, and Velsharoon.[15][25]

History[]

How Sehanine Moonbow came to be was unknown, but one theory posited, that she was Corellon’s daughter.[15] It was believed, that the elves originated from a mixture of Corellon’s blood and Sehanine’s tears.[14] She and Araushnee (later known as Lolth) were rivals over the favor of the Protector. She was one of those who participated at the creation of Sahandrian, Corellon's sword.[26]

When Araushnee tampered with the sheath of Corellon, so it would break during Corellon's fight against Gruumsh, he did so under a full moon, not only when Sehanine was at her strongest, but also in plain sight of her. When the sword broke, Sehanine came in to help Corellon prevail against Gruumsh.[27]

Sehanine confronted Araushnee during daytime, and got trapped and imprisoned by Vhaeraun. Around the time, when the War of the Seldarine ended, she came free under heavy but undefined sacrifices and kept Araushnee from poisoning Corellon. She then created Angharradh with Hanali and Aerdrie.[28]

Appendix[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 125–129. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  2. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 128. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  3. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (May 29, 2018). Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 43, 46–48. ISBN 978-0786966240.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 23. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  5. Jeremy Crawford, Mike Mearls, Robert J. Schwalb, Adam Lee, Christopher Perkins, Matt Sernett (November 2017). Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 978-0-7869-6612-7.
  6. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 59, 61. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Logan Bonner (August, 2009). “Domains in Eberron and the Forgotten Realms”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dragon #378 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 37.
  8. Rob Heinsoo, Richard Baker, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (July 2009). Divine Power. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 112–113. ISBN 978-0-7869-4982-3.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 129–130. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
  10. James Wyatt, Ari Marmell, C.A. Suleiman (October 2005). Heroes of Horror. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-3699-1.
  11. Skip Williams (February 2005). Races of the Wild. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 28–35. ISBN 0-7869-3438-7.
  12. Chris Perry (December 1996). “The Seldarine Revisited”. In Pierce Watters ed. Dragon #236 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 11–17, 25.
  13. Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. p. 11. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 129. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
  15. 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 15.11 15.12 Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  17. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (May 29, 2018). Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 47. ISBN 978-0786966240.
  18. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 125–127. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  19. Elaine Cunningham (1999). Evermeet: Island of Elves. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 46–47, 66–67. ISBN 0-7869-1354-1.
  20. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 125–126. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  21. Elaine Cunningham (1999). Evermeet: Island of Elves. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 48. ISBN 0-7869-1354-1.
  22. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 126–127. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  23. Chris Perry (December 1996). “The Seldarine Revisited”. In Pierce Watters ed. Dragon #236 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 11–17, 25.
  24. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 13, 36–37, 125. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  25. 25.0 25.1 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 130. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
  26. Elaine Cunningham (1999). Evermeet: Island of Elves. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 21, 43. ISBN 0-7869-1354-1.
  27. Elaine Cunningham (1999). Evermeet: Island of Elves. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 21–25, 46–47. ISBN 0-7869-1354-1.
  28. Elaine Cunningham (1999). Evermeet: Island of Elves. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 48–51, 66–67. ISBN 0-7869-1354-1.

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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