LudicSavant
2015-11-20, 08:42 AM
Part of my ongoing series on the mythology of my world, where my goal was to take "classic" D&D gods and remake them into more complete religious ideologies people might actually want to worship. (See Wee Jas (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?450352-Wee-Jas-the-First-Lich), Nerull (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?443831-My-pantheon-s-take-on-Nerull), Olidammara (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?445953-Olidammara-the-Laughing-Rogue), Erythnul (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?445290-Erythnul-the-Many&p=19869433&viewfull=1), Hextor (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?451475-My-pantheon-s-take-on-Hextor&p=19966308&viewfull=1), Lolth (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?480130-Lolth-Lady-Luck), The Deep Ones (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?448397-The-Deep-Ones-Twisted-Seas-and-Alien-Light))
Also, intended to be readable in any order, and for it to be easy to transplant individual parts into other settings.
Corellon Larethian, The Protector and Preserver of Life
https://s8.postimg.cc/m02xera7p/2508ff48b4e2b5970ff8ab604eb5a6fd.jpg (http://www.deviantart.com/art/God-Of-Evanescence-288862361)
"It is no waste for a whole garden to be planted, grown, and trimmed just to capture the bloom of a single, perfect rose."
- Corellon Larethian, from the epic poem "Estherian Odyssey"
Expanded Domains: Animal, Celerity, Chaos, Charm, Community, Craft, Creation, Elf, Fey, Feast, Good, Herald, Knowledge, Liberation, Life, Magic, Nobility, Plant, Pride, Protection, Revered Ancestor, Renewal, Spell, Time, War
Portfolio: Archery, Arts, Bards, Blood / Breeding, Civilization, Crafts, Elves, Finesse, Forests, Gardens, Grace, Glory, Greatness, Heraldry, Heredity, Land, Life, High Culture, High Magic, Highborn, Music, Nobility, Patriarchs, Pedigree, Poetry, Preservation, Protection, Royalty, Seed, Warfare, Warrior Poets
Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLUX0y4EptA&feature=player_embedded, http://listenonrepeat.com/watch/?v=H_otf-mQyL0#Dream_Evil_-_Into_the_Moonlight
Knowledge (Religion) DC 10:
Corellon Larethian is one of the two highest rank deities, known as the "Twin Kings." While he is deeply revered by many elves, to simply label him as the god of the elves would be... insufficient. Known as the Architect of Blood and Seed, the Author of Culture, and the Protector and Preserver of Life, Corellon Larethian is responsible for seeding the earth with life and cultivating sentience. His portfolio includes all of the functions of "high civilization," including art, poetry, craft, nobility, music, magic, and warfare.
The great destroyer, Gruumsh, led a treacherous revolt that aimed to cast Corellon Larethian from his rightful throne. Corellon personally met him in battle, cut out his eye, and left his essence bleeding into the aether. He then nearly drove Gruumsh's favored subjects, the orcs, to extinction. When he learned that his wife Lolth had aided Gruumsh in this sacrilege, he cursed her and her followers. Forever destined to be blinded by the sun, Lolth's followers (now "Drow") were driven deep into the underdark, where they remain to this day.
There have been numerous other conflicts with Corellon Larethian. It never goes well for the other side. In fact, there is a whole lot of art of Corellon Larethian stabbing epic foes. Or shooting them. Or hopelessly crippling them with magic for eternity. You know, that sort of thing.
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/forgottenrealms/images/2/2b/Randy_elf_god.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080810211359 (http://toddlockwood.com/dungeons-dragons/randy-elf-god/)
Corellon Larethian looks a lot less foppish when he takes the gloves off.
Knowledge (Religion) DC 15:
In the dawn times, Corellon, Moradin, and Gruumsh had a close relationship, much like brothers. Together, these Three Kings forged the world as we know it today. Moradin forged the minerals of the earth, Corellon sowed it with blood and seed, and Gruumsh wrapped it in sky. Moradin forged souls as the core of experience, Corellon gave them art and imagination, and Gruumsh gave them tempestuous wills and fiery hearts. Each are accomplished gods of war. Each is a major aspect of nature... mineral, organic, and the ethereal. Each is a major aspect of civilization. Moradin represents labor, tradition, and the skilled middle class. Corellon represents nobility, "high culture," and an empowered upper class. Gruumsh represents the underclass as well as non-stratified societies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acephalous_society). Their natural aspects tie in with their cultural ones as well. The earth only gives up its bounties with hard physical labor. Life gives up its services with the application of breeding, social acumen, and leverage. The sky provides a roof of stars over every head, the wind blows where it will, and the rain blesses the land of its own accord. Strong as these gods are, though... they are not without their flaws. Corellon represents many of the flaws of foppish nobility and chivalry, and has a tendency towards apathy or pride. Moradin is nothing if not set in his ways, and he never forgets a grudge. He also has a passionate fervor that can twist into a foul temper. As for Gruumsh, he became convinced that the other two had to be destroyed, and waged an ill-fated war upon them.
Corellon is often a distant god, aloof and quiet like the elves themselves. He has few wants, cares, or needs other than his own gratification; pretty much everything already runs the way he wants it to. In stories, it is often difficult to tell whether Corellon is plotting something or simply doesn't care. Corellon does seem to have an ironclad sense of honor when it comes to certain things, however, such as oaths and certain types of appeals. This seems to be a similar sense of honor to that which is often seen in the laws of the fey (and, of course, the elves). There are many stories of Corellon Larethian's adventures, as he often takes the guise of mortals to travel the planes. (Think Zeus. Yes, in those respects too. The ones you're thinking of right now.) Corellon Larethian and Lolth were the parents of the first Obad-Hai, who was slain long ago by Nerull. Some believe that this contributed to the rift that grew between Corellon and Lolth.
The teachings of Corellon emphasize bringing out the greatest potential of talented individuals, much as a good gardener nurtures his plants until they can grow as healthily as possible. According to Larethian scripture, inequalities between different people and classes are an acceptable consequence of channeling resources to the brilliant individuals who can accomplish great projects. To have inventors, leaders, and other great men, you must give them the leisure time to develop their talents. It is only right that society channel its resources to those exceptional individuals so that they can achieve as much as they can; the great fruits of civilization—libraries and palaces, cities and aqueducts—would not exist without them.
The elves themselves exemplify this ideology. Corellon's favored children may appear carefree and aloof, until it's time to work on something... then they produce some of the finest craftsmanship anywhere. To the faithful of Corellon Larethian, great sacrifice is well worth it for great glory. All lives end, but the achievements of culture are enduring. Indeed, Larethian chroniclers characterize history as being but the biography of great men. (Basically, the Great Man theory (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Man_theory))
Knowledge (Religion) DC 20:
It is said that Corellon defines Chaotic Good, and Moradin defines Lawful Good; indeed, many theologians speculate that they may have written these philosophies into the cosmos (and defined anything that didn't fit their "Good" side as "Evil"). This is sometimes disputed by pointing to Hextor, who acts as the general of the gods, and is Evil. Others will claim that this merely indicates that Corellon and Moradin, in their wisdom, can find uses for even those that displease them in some way.
The followers of Corellon Larethian exalt high culture, refined tastes, and nobility. Everything they do should be raised to a level of exquisite refinement... lest it become droll or uncouth. Archery, swordsmanship, and spellcraft are treated as fine arts, and fencing, spellcraft, and archery competitions (including hunting) are part of some sacred traditions. The formal duel is also based in the traditions of Corellon's church, and some of the finest duelists in the world are clerics of Corellon Larethian. The churches of Corellon Larethian often seek to protect or promote fine arts, supporting exclusive museums or acting as patrons for bards. Adventurers may even be commissioned to procure art objects.
For the followers of Corellon Larethian, high civilization and wild nature should ideally be intertwined, and one reflects and complements the other. Noble houses or churches may incorporate beautiful natural shrines, and entire forests may be kept as sacred hunting grounds for nobility. Parables of how the ideal gentleman should conduct themselves often use plants and animals as illustrative examples (some theologians may note that Lolth's priests are similar in this regard, pointing to nature to illustrate ideal conduct), and things like fine stallions or elaborate gardens are treated with great respect.
While Moradin and Corellon are theoretically equals, Moradin tends to focus on running day to day affairs of creation while Corellon tends to make and announce the big political calls which could change the future of the pantheon. According to followers of Corellon, this shows how Corellon is willing to take on the burden of upholding the face of a monarch, with the strength to make hard choices and to take the blame for controversial decisions upon himself even if they may not in fact be solely his decisions. Proponents of Moradin counter that Moradin is really the one who's making the world turn, and leaves the petty politics to Corellon. Over time, Moradin and Corellon seem to have grown apart, and sometimes quarrel. They remain friends, but any tension between such power players can have great consequences.
Larethian clergy scoff at Gruumshar blasphemies about their god being a parasitic cosmic tyrant. The fairness of Corellon's teaching is self-evident, they say, for kings and peasants alike benefit from the infrastructure and developments of a civilized society. Every person has a role to play in the grand design, and some roles enjoy different privileges as a just and indeed necessary reward for their greater responsibility. No true noble disregards the peasantry. After all, nobility obliges (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesse_oblige), and what is a garden without grass? The Protector and Preserver of Life has no interest in oppressing his lowborn children and loves them dearly. They need only remember not to track mud on the nice carpets.
According to them, Gruumsh and Lolth have absconded with the crucial domain of Fate, upsetting the divine plan and preventing the world from achieving the full splendor of the paradise envisioned by Corellon Larethian. For them, it is these rebels who are truly to blame for the suffering of the people. This sentiment inspires a deep-seated hatred, and races seen as the servants of Gruumsh and Lolth are sometimes targeted by campaigns of extermination. However, some Larethians still hope to civilize their lost kin, convincing them to abandon their misguided ways and unite in common purpose.
Knowledge (Religion) DC 25:
During the Age of Winter, the gods faced the potential extinction of all of their followers. All their culture, works, and songs of worship would be gone forever. Facing such a dire fate, Lolth convinced many of the gods that they should preserve their faithful by means of undeath, the unfamiliar art Jehenna had used to sew Hextor's armies back together after each encounter with Nerull. So it was that the gods sought to emulate Jehenna's techniques, each creating a new form of undead.
Corellon was among them. His chosen faithful were to be blessed not only with eternal life, but with a broad assortment of other powers. Their blood was something new and truly noble, cleansed by divine empowerment. They were a template for a new and glorious form of life which would replace life if Nerull could not be stopped. Corellon's second try at designing life, as it were.
After Pelor exposed the truth of undeath's consequences to the other gods and they withdrew their blessings, it was Corellon's lost children who became the first vampires. Deprived of their divine blood, their bodies began to decay, so they were forced to feed on the blood of others in order to sustain their spirits; the more similar to their own species' blood, the better (the blood of non-sentient life was almost entirely worthless for sustaining vampires). Some of the church of Corellon's most hateful and enduring enemies have been powerful vampires, seeking revenge for what they perceive as Corellon's abandonment.
A vampire's fangs are said to be the very mechanism by which life was to be converted to a new model which could survive the Age of Winter (indeed, the intended conversion is said to be the reason why so many undead have the ability to create spawn). It is also said that the reason vampires will not enter a home without invitation—not to mention their antipathy for running water—is because of their inherent nobility, however eroded it may be from the gods abandoning undeath as their backup plan.
Knowledge (Religion) DC 30:
The Serricet Scroll tells the heretical legend of Leraje, Corellon's first herald, who taught the elves how to make and use bows. One day, Leraje helped Corellon and Lolth defeat an ambush set by the last of the Deep Ones, pinning the thousand limbs of Panzuriel with a single arrow, if only for a vital moment. Lolth praised Leraje for her skills, claiming that not even Corellon could fire an arrow so well as his herald. Leraje beamed under the compliment, and a bemused Corellon challenged her to an archery duel to settle the matter. When Leraje agreed, Corellon declared the target: her heart.
Corellon expected his servant to realize the error of her hubris and yield the contest, but Leraje instead brought up her bow, took aim, and drew back the string. Surprised, he raised his own bow and fired at her. Leraje released her bowstring at the same moment, aiming not at the god but at the arrow that sped toward her heart. Leraje's arrow met that of her deity in midair and ricocheted back, piercing her heart. As punishment for wasting her life for the sake of her stubborn pride, Corellon Larethian condemned Leraje to a fate worse than death, banishing her soul from the cycle of reincarnation.
Lolth denied Corellon's advances for a century afterward.
(This is a slightly altered version of the legend of Leraje from Tome of Magic)
Organization: The Heralds of Glory
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e5/fb/6f/e5fb6f7e8f3f347f7f9323b06a2db3f9.jpg (http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/v5748dyo5lb9s?Pathfinder-Advanced-Players-Guide-Preview-5)
"The time has come! Great Corellon calls for all of noble heart to rise against the forces of Evil!"
- Admiranda Silverfrond, a Herald of Glory
The Heralds of Glory are not so much a single cohesive organization so much as they are a time-honored bardic tradition. It is they who ride into the countryside, rallying the populace to the call of nobility and glory. They trumpet warnings of incursions, shout royal decrees, or stir up the people to join a crusade. But they are far more than simply messengers carrying news.
Heroes live or die by their reputations. In a world of swords and sorcery, people want to know who can actually take a fire giant, and where to find them. Not to mention that if somebody finds an ancient dragon slain, its hoard of dangerous treasures looted, and nobody's taken credit, people are going to freak out and the powers that be are going to have to invest in finding out who's responsible and what the heck went down. That's time, resources, and manpower that could have been spent on, well, anything else. That's just bad news for all involved... and can sometimes put would-be-heroes on the wrong end of an ugly misunderstanding. Thus, part of the idea of chivalrous honor is taking credit for your deeds and amassing glory. (Chivalry and bushido both include ideas about formalized bragging, advertising your actions, etc. "Live by honor and for glory." See also stuff like the Beot (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beot))
This is where the heralds come in. In addition to spreading the word, the heralds also gather it. They journey the land in search of glorious deeds, and chronicle them. Sometimes, this means they serve as the heralds and historians of noble houses. Often, it means that they accompany adventuring parties, serving them by chronicling their adventures and maintaining their reputations and connections with society. This also serves the people, the church, and the nobility by keeping them abreast of the movements of such power players.
In many cultures, etiquette demands that a heroic feat be followed by a gloryfeast, a somewhat ritualized occasion at which a herald should be present, if possible (or, failing that, notified next time you see one). Kinda like how a marriage is required by etiquette before consummating a relationship, and you need a priest. The gloryfeast is traditionally staged by those indebted to the heroes. Adventurers who save the king's son might be the toast of a city-wide gloryfeast, whereas adventurers who defend starving refugees from goblin raiders might see a gloryfeast consisting of a loaf of fresh bread and half a wineskin, consumed while huddled under a roadside tree for shelter from the rain.
In noble houses, heralds often serve the role of recording family trees, a crucial service that makes it difficult for pretenders to a title to claim legitimacy. Heralds can be requested to testify on matters of disputed succession, making them key factors in cloak and dagger affairs. This reflects a larger role of Larethian bards and chroniclers as official witnesses.
Those registered as Heralds may check in at least once a month at local Larethian temples or outposts for a stipend, food, amnesty, and any new messages that Heralds are to spread. They aren't super organized; that's kind of the point. They are supposed to obey church elders but some are pretty carefree about following orders to the letter. Others are fanatically devoted and spend all day ranting on street corners. Many heralds know other heralds they can't stand, though they'd never show disunity to an outsider.
Some heralds show initiative, acting as agitators in the name of Corellon. For instance, a herald might take it upon herself to call for everybody to go do something about all the goblin refugees in the slums, or to go show the clerics of another deity whose local influence is getting too high who the people really hold highest. The church or nobility may not actually directly sponsor such heralds, but they are quick to punish a herald who rallies the masses against, say, the social order or church hierarchy. Of course, this also means that if the church was to give instructions to such a herald, they can maintain plausible deniability.
Organization: The Court of Honor
http://i1042.photobucket.com/albums/b429/LudicSavant/06a4944825ed3c08f6b9e1fe5f1ffb0d_zpsf0jproz7.jpg (http://ptitvinc.deviantart.com/art/dragon-fog-565103228)
"A trial by combat reflects the will of heaven, for no force can turn the arc of a divinely inspired strike."
- Kukulkan, Cleric of the Court of Honor, from his treatise "The Petal's Edge"
In a duel, a person need not defend their honor personally. True nobility draws champions to its cause. As such, a duelist may accept a champion to defend their honor in their stead.
The Court of Honor is an international Larethian order specialized in providing these champions. In their employ are powerful clerics who specialize in buffing themselves all the way up before a fight... and ending them in a single elegant blow, demonstrating the overwhelming superiority of their charge (Surge of Fortune, from Complete Champion, is an especially popular and feared buff for master Larethian duelists). They have also been known to contract celestials... even going so far once in the past as to field a Solar in a duel.
The Court of Honor lends a great deal of political power to the church of Corellon Larethian, for it is they who decide who to represent. Ostensibly, the Court of Honor abides by a divine mandate, relying upon heavenly wisdom in order to choose those worthy of their service. They often take on charitable causes, electing to lend their services according to their own judgment, and there are many heroic tales of a societal underdog whose hopeless cause was saved by the intervention of a Larethian knight. In higher profile cases, the organization's elders and oracles often take a direct hand in advising champions on which cases to take.
Though nominally a charitable organization which is not beholden to its financiers, the organization as a whole is quite rich, funded by generous donations from wealthy benefactors. After all, nobody wants to challenge a generous benefactor of the Court to a duel... or be challenged by them. Gaining the attention of the elders of the Court of Honor all but guarantees you a capable champion... so long as you toe the party line, of course.
Code of Conduct: Paladins of Corellon Larethian
http://i1042.photobucket.com/albums/b429/LudicSavant/110131_sylvari_guardian_zpsgtcshfsr.jpg (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/540994973964599913/)
This code of conduct applies to those who would call themselves paladins of the faith, not just any follower of Corellon Larethian.
- Noblesse Oblige. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesse_oblige) Act with the etiquette and grace befitting a noble even if you aren't highborn, for a paladin of Corellon is always a noble in spirit. Be the very picture of a gentleman. Capture elegance in every movement of your body and soul. Be first in valor. Be unimpeachable in dignity. Let your deeds transcend your words.
- Respect nature and the sanctity of beauty.
- Respect the function of higher station, and act to facilitate its sacred purpose.
- Detest those who have done detestable things. Do not fraternize with enemies of the pantheon. Gruumsh-worshiping orcs, Lolth-worshiping drow, and so forth should not sully your dignity, and deserve no sympathy from you. Wipe out Evil.
- Your sworn oaths are as unbreakable as a fey pact... but, like fey pacts, just because they don't break doesn't mean that they aren't flexible or open to interpretation. Also, you can lie in any circumstance where you aren't making a formal pact.
- Take credit for your accomplishments. Live by honor and for glory. Be worthy of song.
Also, intended to be readable in any order, and for it to be easy to transplant individual parts into other settings.
Corellon Larethian, The Protector and Preserver of Life
https://s8.postimg.cc/m02xera7p/2508ff48b4e2b5970ff8ab604eb5a6fd.jpg (http://www.deviantart.com/art/God-Of-Evanescence-288862361)
"It is no waste for a whole garden to be planted, grown, and trimmed just to capture the bloom of a single, perfect rose."
- Corellon Larethian, from the epic poem "Estherian Odyssey"
Expanded Domains: Animal, Celerity, Chaos, Charm, Community, Craft, Creation, Elf, Fey, Feast, Good, Herald, Knowledge, Liberation, Life, Magic, Nobility, Plant, Pride, Protection, Revered Ancestor, Renewal, Spell, Time, War
Portfolio: Archery, Arts, Bards, Blood / Breeding, Civilization, Crafts, Elves, Finesse, Forests, Gardens, Grace, Glory, Greatness, Heraldry, Heredity, Land, Life, High Culture, High Magic, Highborn, Music, Nobility, Patriarchs, Pedigree, Poetry, Preservation, Protection, Royalty, Seed, Warfare, Warrior Poets
Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLUX0y4EptA&feature=player_embedded, http://listenonrepeat.com/watch/?v=H_otf-mQyL0#Dream_Evil_-_Into_the_Moonlight
Knowledge (Religion) DC 10:
Corellon Larethian is one of the two highest rank deities, known as the "Twin Kings." While he is deeply revered by many elves, to simply label him as the god of the elves would be... insufficient. Known as the Architect of Blood and Seed, the Author of Culture, and the Protector and Preserver of Life, Corellon Larethian is responsible for seeding the earth with life and cultivating sentience. His portfolio includes all of the functions of "high civilization," including art, poetry, craft, nobility, music, magic, and warfare.
The great destroyer, Gruumsh, led a treacherous revolt that aimed to cast Corellon Larethian from his rightful throne. Corellon personally met him in battle, cut out his eye, and left his essence bleeding into the aether. He then nearly drove Gruumsh's favored subjects, the orcs, to extinction. When he learned that his wife Lolth had aided Gruumsh in this sacrilege, he cursed her and her followers. Forever destined to be blinded by the sun, Lolth's followers (now "Drow") were driven deep into the underdark, where they remain to this day.
There have been numerous other conflicts with Corellon Larethian. It never goes well for the other side. In fact, there is a whole lot of art of Corellon Larethian stabbing epic foes. Or shooting them. Or hopelessly crippling them with magic for eternity. You know, that sort of thing.
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/forgottenrealms/images/2/2b/Randy_elf_god.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080810211359 (http://toddlockwood.com/dungeons-dragons/randy-elf-god/)
Corellon Larethian looks a lot less foppish when he takes the gloves off.
Knowledge (Religion) DC 15:
In the dawn times, Corellon, Moradin, and Gruumsh had a close relationship, much like brothers. Together, these Three Kings forged the world as we know it today. Moradin forged the minerals of the earth, Corellon sowed it with blood and seed, and Gruumsh wrapped it in sky. Moradin forged souls as the core of experience, Corellon gave them art and imagination, and Gruumsh gave them tempestuous wills and fiery hearts. Each are accomplished gods of war. Each is a major aspect of nature... mineral, organic, and the ethereal. Each is a major aspect of civilization. Moradin represents labor, tradition, and the skilled middle class. Corellon represents nobility, "high culture," and an empowered upper class. Gruumsh represents the underclass as well as non-stratified societies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acephalous_society). Their natural aspects tie in with their cultural ones as well. The earth only gives up its bounties with hard physical labor. Life gives up its services with the application of breeding, social acumen, and leverage. The sky provides a roof of stars over every head, the wind blows where it will, and the rain blesses the land of its own accord. Strong as these gods are, though... they are not without their flaws. Corellon represents many of the flaws of foppish nobility and chivalry, and has a tendency towards apathy or pride. Moradin is nothing if not set in his ways, and he never forgets a grudge. He also has a passionate fervor that can twist into a foul temper. As for Gruumsh, he became convinced that the other two had to be destroyed, and waged an ill-fated war upon them.
Corellon is often a distant god, aloof and quiet like the elves themselves. He has few wants, cares, or needs other than his own gratification; pretty much everything already runs the way he wants it to. In stories, it is often difficult to tell whether Corellon is plotting something or simply doesn't care. Corellon does seem to have an ironclad sense of honor when it comes to certain things, however, such as oaths and certain types of appeals. This seems to be a similar sense of honor to that which is often seen in the laws of the fey (and, of course, the elves). There are many stories of Corellon Larethian's adventures, as he often takes the guise of mortals to travel the planes. (Think Zeus. Yes, in those respects too. The ones you're thinking of right now.) Corellon Larethian and Lolth were the parents of the first Obad-Hai, who was slain long ago by Nerull. Some believe that this contributed to the rift that grew between Corellon and Lolth.
The teachings of Corellon emphasize bringing out the greatest potential of talented individuals, much as a good gardener nurtures his plants until they can grow as healthily as possible. According to Larethian scripture, inequalities between different people and classes are an acceptable consequence of channeling resources to the brilliant individuals who can accomplish great projects. To have inventors, leaders, and other great men, you must give them the leisure time to develop their talents. It is only right that society channel its resources to those exceptional individuals so that they can achieve as much as they can; the great fruits of civilization—libraries and palaces, cities and aqueducts—would not exist without them.
The elves themselves exemplify this ideology. Corellon's favored children may appear carefree and aloof, until it's time to work on something... then they produce some of the finest craftsmanship anywhere. To the faithful of Corellon Larethian, great sacrifice is well worth it for great glory. All lives end, but the achievements of culture are enduring. Indeed, Larethian chroniclers characterize history as being but the biography of great men. (Basically, the Great Man theory (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Man_theory))
Knowledge (Religion) DC 20:
It is said that Corellon defines Chaotic Good, and Moradin defines Lawful Good; indeed, many theologians speculate that they may have written these philosophies into the cosmos (and defined anything that didn't fit their "Good" side as "Evil"). This is sometimes disputed by pointing to Hextor, who acts as the general of the gods, and is Evil. Others will claim that this merely indicates that Corellon and Moradin, in their wisdom, can find uses for even those that displease them in some way.
The followers of Corellon Larethian exalt high culture, refined tastes, and nobility. Everything they do should be raised to a level of exquisite refinement... lest it become droll or uncouth. Archery, swordsmanship, and spellcraft are treated as fine arts, and fencing, spellcraft, and archery competitions (including hunting) are part of some sacred traditions. The formal duel is also based in the traditions of Corellon's church, and some of the finest duelists in the world are clerics of Corellon Larethian. The churches of Corellon Larethian often seek to protect or promote fine arts, supporting exclusive museums or acting as patrons for bards. Adventurers may even be commissioned to procure art objects.
For the followers of Corellon Larethian, high civilization and wild nature should ideally be intertwined, and one reflects and complements the other. Noble houses or churches may incorporate beautiful natural shrines, and entire forests may be kept as sacred hunting grounds for nobility. Parables of how the ideal gentleman should conduct themselves often use plants and animals as illustrative examples (some theologians may note that Lolth's priests are similar in this regard, pointing to nature to illustrate ideal conduct), and things like fine stallions or elaborate gardens are treated with great respect.
While Moradin and Corellon are theoretically equals, Moradin tends to focus on running day to day affairs of creation while Corellon tends to make and announce the big political calls which could change the future of the pantheon. According to followers of Corellon, this shows how Corellon is willing to take on the burden of upholding the face of a monarch, with the strength to make hard choices and to take the blame for controversial decisions upon himself even if they may not in fact be solely his decisions. Proponents of Moradin counter that Moradin is really the one who's making the world turn, and leaves the petty politics to Corellon. Over time, Moradin and Corellon seem to have grown apart, and sometimes quarrel. They remain friends, but any tension between such power players can have great consequences.
Larethian clergy scoff at Gruumshar blasphemies about their god being a parasitic cosmic tyrant. The fairness of Corellon's teaching is self-evident, they say, for kings and peasants alike benefit from the infrastructure and developments of a civilized society. Every person has a role to play in the grand design, and some roles enjoy different privileges as a just and indeed necessary reward for their greater responsibility. No true noble disregards the peasantry. After all, nobility obliges (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesse_oblige), and what is a garden without grass? The Protector and Preserver of Life has no interest in oppressing his lowborn children and loves them dearly. They need only remember not to track mud on the nice carpets.
According to them, Gruumsh and Lolth have absconded with the crucial domain of Fate, upsetting the divine plan and preventing the world from achieving the full splendor of the paradise envisioned by Corellon Larethian. For them, it is these rebels who are truly to blame for the suffering of the people. This sentiment inspires a deep-seated hatred, and races seen as the servants of Gruumsh and Lolth are sometimes targeted by campaigns of extermination. However, some Larethians still hope to civilize their lost kin, convincing them to abandon their misguided ways and unite in common purpose.
Knowledge (Religion) DC 25:
During the Age of Winter, the gods faced the potential extinction of all of their followers. All their culture, works, and songs of worship would be gone forever. Facing such a dire fate, Lolth convinced many of the gods that they should preserve their faithful by means of undeath, the unfamiliar art Jehenna had used to sew Hextor's armies back together after each encounter with Nerull. So it was that the gods sought to emulate Jehenna's techniques, each creating a new form of undead.
Corellon was among them. His chosen faithful were to be blessed not only with eternal life, but with a broad assortment of other powers. Their blood was something new and truly noble, cleansed by divine empowerment. They were a template for a new and glorious form of life which would replace life if Nerull could not be stopped. Corellon's second try at designing life, as it were.
After Pelor exposed the truth of undeath's consequences to the other gods and they withdrew their blessings, it was Corellon's lost children who became the first vampires. Deprived of their divine blood, their bodies began to decay, so they were forced to feed on the blood of others in order to sustain their spirits; the more similar to their own species' blood, the better (the blood of non-sentient life was almost entirely worthless for sustaining vampires). Some of the church of Corellon's most hateful and enduring enemies have been powerful vampires, seeking revenge for what they perceive as Corellon's abandonment.
A vampire's fangs are said to be the very mechanism by which life was to be converted to a new model which could survive the Age of Winter (indeed, the intended conversion is said to be the reason why so many undead have the ability to create spawn). It is also said that the reason vampires will not enter a home without invitation—not to mention their antipathy for running water—is because of their inherent nobility, however eroded it may be from the gods abandoning undeath as their backup plan.
Knowledge (Religion) DC 30:
The Serricet Scroll tells the heretical legend of Leraje, Corellon's first herald, who taught the elves how to make and use bows. One day, Leraje helped Corellon and Lolth defeat an ambush set by the last of the Deep Ones, pinning the thousand limbs of Panzuriel with a single arrow, if only for a vital moment. Lolth praised Leraje for her skills, claiming that not even Corellon could fire an arrow so well as his herald. Leraje beamed under the compliment, and a bemused Corellon challenged her to an archery duel to settle the matter. When Leraje agreed, Corellon declared the target: her heart.
Corellon expected his servant to realize the error of her hubris and yield the contest, but Leraje instead brought up her bow, took aim, and drew back the string. Surprised, he raised his own bow and fired at her. Leraje released her bowstring at the same moment, aiming not at the god but at the arrow that sped toward her heart. Leraje's arrow met that of her deity in midair and ricocheted back, piercing her heart. As punishment for wasting her life for the sake of her stubborn pride, Corellon Larethian condemned Leraje to a fate worse than death, banishing her soul from the cycle of reincarnation.
Lolth denied Corellon's advances for a century afterward.
(This is a slightly altered version of the legend of Leraje from Tome of Magic)
Organization: The Heralds of Glory
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e5/fb/6f/e5fb6f7e8f3f347f7f9323b06a2db3f9.jpg (http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/v5748dyo5lb9s?Pathfinder-Advanced-Players-Guide-Preview-5)
"The time has come! Great Corellon calls for all of noble heart to rise against the forces of Evil!"
- Admiranda Silverfrond, a Herald of Glory
The Heralds of Glory are not so much a single cohesive organization so much as they are a time-honored bardic tradition. It is they who ride into the countryside, rallying the populace to the call of nobility and glory. They trumpet warnings of incursions, shout royal decrees, or stir up the people to join a crusade. But they are far more than simply messengers carrying news.
Heroes live or die by their reputations. In a world of swords and sorcery, people want to know who can actually take a fire giant, and where to find them. Not to mention that if somebody finds an ancient dragon slain, its hoard of dangerous treasures looted, and nobody's taken credit, people are going to freak out and the powers that be are going to have to invest in finding out who's responsible and what the heck went down. That's time, resources, and manpower that could have been spent on, well, anything else. That's just bad news for all involved... and can sometimes put would-be-heroes on the wrong end of an ugly misunderstanding. Thus, part of the idea of chivalrous honor is taking credit for your deeds and amassing glory. (Chivalry and bushido both include ideas about formalized bragging, advertising your actions, etc. "Live by honor and for glory." See also stuff like the Beot (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beot))
This is where the heralds come in. In addition to spreading the word, the heralds also gather it. They journey the land in search of glorious deeds, and chronicle them. Sometimes, this means they serve as the heralds and historians of noble houses. Often, it means that they accompany adventuring parties, serving them by chronicling their adventures and maintaining their reputations and connections with society. This also serves the people, the church, and the nobility by keeping them abreast of the movements of such power players.
In many cultures, etiquette demands that a heroic feat be followed by a gloryfeast, a somewhat ritualized occasion at which a herald should be present, if possible (or, failing that, notified next time you see one). Kinda like how a marriage is required by etiquette before consummating a relationship, and you need a priest. The gloryfeast is traditionally staged by those indebted to the heroes. Adventurers who save the king's son might be the toast of a city-wide gloryfeast, whereas adventurers who defend starving refugees from goblin raiders might see a gloryfeast consisting of a loaf of fresh bread and half a wineskin, consumed while huddled under a roadside tree for shelter from the rain.
In noble houses, heralds often serve the role of recording family trees, a crucial service that makes it difficult for pretenders to a title to claim legitimacy. Heralds can be requested to testify on matters of disputed succession, making them key factors in cloak and dagger affairs. This reflects a larger role of Larethian bards and chroniclers as official witnesses.
Those registered as Heralds may check in at least once a month at local Larethian temples or outposts for a stipend, food, amnesty, and any new messages that Heralds are to spread. They aren't super organized; that's kind of the point. They are supposed to obey church elders but some are pretty carefree about following orders to the letter. Others are fanatically devoted and spend all day ranting on street corners. Many heralds know other heralds they can't stand, though they'd never show disunity to an outsider.
Some heralds show initiative, acting as agitators in the name of Corellon. For instance, a herald might take it upon herself to call for everybody to go do something about all the goblin refugees in the slums, or to go show the clerics of another deity whose local influence is getting too high who the people really hold highest. The church or nobility may not actually directly sponsor such heralds, but they are quick to punish a herald who rallies the masses against, say, the social order or church hierarchy. Of course, this also means that if the church was to give instructions to such a herald, they can maintain plausible deniability.
Organization: The Court of Honor
http://i1042.photobucket.com/albums/b429/LudicSavant/06a4944825ed3c08f6b9e1fe5f1ffb0d_zpsf0jproz7.jpg (http://ptitvinc.deviantart.com/art/dragon-fog-565103228)
"A trial by combat reflects the will of heaven, for no force can turn the arc of a divinely inspired strike."
- Kukulkan, Cleric of the Court of Honor, from his treatise "The Petal's Edge"
In a duel, a person need not defend their honor personally. True nobility draws champions to its cause. As such, a duelist may accept a champion to defend their honor in their stead.
The Court of Honor is an international Larethian order specialized in providing these champions. In their employ are powerful clerics who specialize in buffing themselves all the way up before a fight... and ending them in a single elegant blow, demonstrating the overwhelming superiority of their charge (Surge of Fortune, from Complete Champion, is an especially popular and feared buff for master Larethian duelists). They have also been known to contract celestials... even going so far once in the past as to field a Solar in a duel.
The Court of Honor lends a great deal of political power to the church of Corellon Larethian, for it is they who decide who to represent. Ostensibly, the Court of Honor abides by a divine mandate, relying upon heavenly wisdom in order to choose those worthy of their service. They often take on charitable causes, electing to lend their services according to their own judgment, and there are many heroic tales of a societal underdog whose hopeless cause was saved by the intervention of a Larethian knight. In higher profile cases, the organization's elders and oracles often take a direct hand in advising champions on which cases to take.
Though nominally a charitable organization which is not beholden to its financiers, the organization as a whole is quite rich, funded by generous donations from wealthy benefactors. After all, nobody wants to challenge a generous benefactor of the Court to a duel... or be challenged by them. Gaining the attention of the elders of the Court of Honor all but guarantees you a capable champion... so long as you toe the party line, of course.
Code of Conduct: Paladins of Corellon Larethian
http://i1042.photobucket.com/albums/b429/LudicSavant/110131_sylvari_guardian_zpsgtcshfsr.jpg (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/540994973964599913/)
This code of conduct applies to those who would call themselves paladins of the faith, not just any follower of Corellon Larethian.
- Noblesse Oblige. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesse_oblige) Act with the etiquette and grace befitting a noble even if you aren't highborn, for a paladin of Corellon is always a noble in spirit. Be the very picture of a gentleman. Capture elegance in every movement of your body and soul. Be first in valor. Be unimpeachable in dignity. Let your deeds transcend your words.
- Respect nature and the sanctity of beauty.
- Respect the function of higher station, and act to facilitate its sacred purpose.
- Detest those who have done detestable things. Do not fraternize with enemies of the pantheon. Gruumsh-worshiping orcs, Lolth-worshiping drow, and so forth should not sully your dignity, and deserve no sympathy from you. Wipe out Evil.
- Your sworn oaths are as unbreakable as a fey pact... but, like fey pacts, just because they don't break doesn't mean that they aren't flexible or open to interpretation. Also, you can lie in any circumstance where you aren't making a formal pact.
- Take credit for your accomplishments. Live by honor and for glory. Be worthy of song.