CHURCH OF CORELLON LARETHIAN

 CLERGY: Clerics, crusaders, specialty priests, wizards

 Corellon is venerated by all the Tel'Quessir who have not turned to dark powers, even those who do not specifically worship him, for the Fair Folk were born of his blood, and they do not forget their debt to the Creator. Likewise, Corellon's role in banishing Lolth and the drow from the surface, thus ending the madness of the Crown Wars, has earned him the eternal, if largely unspoken, gratitude of elves across the multiverse. Curiously, the clergy Corellon's church is somewhat removed from elven society, and the Protector's priesthood is less involved in the governance of elven realms , than a N'Tel'Quess might imagine. While the Protector's followers are held in high esteem for their unflagging contribution to the defense of elven realms and the breathtaking beauty of their artistry, in general their place in elven society reflects the guardian and creative aspects of Corellon's nature far more than his position as Coronal of Arvandor and Ruler of All Elves. Some theologians suggest the warriors and wizards who predominate in positions of authority in elven society in a sense comprise the priesthood of Corellon in his leadership aspect, but this view is not widely accepted.

Corellon is venerated in rocky areas of natural beauty, always with a special place for viewing the moon and stars. Temples of the Protector are rare, however, since the elves are individualistic when it comes to his worship. Shrines are more common, but they are little more than clearings with a good view of the sky. His temples are shaped from great natural geological formations, including shallow caves entered from above, natural amphitheaters, and great rock spires. Trees and other plants are woven into such edifices, resulting in great natural cathedrals woven of stone and plants.

Novices of Corellon are known as the Faerna. Full priests of the Protector are known as the Faernsuora. In ascending order of rank, the titles used by Corellite priests are Aegisess (Protector), Adoness (Peacekeeper), Kerynsuoress (Holy Warrior), Ivae'ess (Lightbringer), Avae'ess (Joy-bringer), Syolkiir (Wltdstar), Lateu'suoress (Crescent- Moonblessed), Araegisess (Great Protector), Aradoness (Great Peacekeeper), and Ark-erynsuoress (Great Holy Warrior). High-ranking priests have unique individual titles but are collectively known as the Cormiira (Blessings of Corellon). Specialty priests are known as feywardens.

The song of joy and the dance of freedom shall ever soar on the wings of those who dare take flight. Guard against the slow death of stultifying sameness by seeking out new experiences and new ways. Ward against those who seek only to destroy in their inability to create and commune with the natural and mystical world. Be ever vigilant in force of arms and might of magic against any return of the banished darkness, and also be strong in heart against the corruption from within which allowed the Spider Queen to foment the chaos and evil of the Crown Wars.

Day-to-Day Activities: Priests of Corellon are expected to serve actively in the defense and artistic development of elven communities and to work to mediate disputes that arise among the Fair Folk or between the elves and other sylvan deities. In service to the Protector, many Corellite priests serve in the armed forces of their homeland, defending elf-claimed territories from the relentless expansion of other races and training their fellow elves in combat skills and magic. Others work closely with elven artisans and craftsfolk instructing them in the skills they need to create works of wondrous beauty, as well as using their own creative talents in similar pursuits. Finally, members of Corellon's priesthood are often called upon to act as diplomats and arbitrators between the various clergies, the various subraces of elves, the various classes of elven society, and even between elven communities. While few priests of the Coronal of Arvandor actually serve as rulers or councilors, many work behind the scenes to ensure the smooth functioning of government.

Holy Days/Important Ceremonies: Corellon's faithful celebrate a great number of holy days, most of which are tied to astronomical events and occur only once every few years (such as Shieldmeet) or decades. Of particular import, once per lunar month, when the crescent moon softly illuminates the night sky, Corellon's faithful gather in moonlit glades to celebrate the gifts of their deity in a festival known as Lateu'quor, the Forest Communion of the Crescent Moon. Devotees of the Protector offer up their praises through music, song, dance, and the offering up of their most beautiful creations. True works of art are sometimes brought up to Arvandor so as to be appreciated by the spirits of those elves who dwell among the Seldarine, while others are kept within Corellon's shrines and temples so that the Fair Folk of Faerun may wonder at the fruits of Corellon's greatest gift: creativity. On rare occasions such revels spontaneously unleash a glorious magica ceremony whose results are guided only by the Creator of the Elves. Sometimes the landscape is reshaped, and the site is thereafrer considered sacred to the Protector. At other times, the communal magic coalesces into an item-usually a sword, long bow, set of cloak and boots, suit of elven mail, or musical instrument-of unearthly beauty. Such items art-then enchanted by Corellon's seniormost priests and are thereafter considered holy relics of the faith.

Major Centers of Worship: Corellon's Grove, located near the center of the northern half of Evermeet at the heart of the great forest that blankets the Green Isle, is held to be the site closest to Arvandor in all of the Realms of Faerun. Many Tel'Quessir claim to have seen Corellon Larethian himself, as well as other members of the Seldarine, wandering amidst this oasis of unearthly beauty. Corellon's Grove is visited by the Fair Folk of Evermeet for 123 solemn ceremonies, private worship, or simple private meditation. The trees that surround Corellon's Grove magically weave their branches together, preventing entrance to the shrine. Treants sometimes join the guardian trees in watching over the shrine, as do the countless sylvan creatures who roam the Green Isle.

Wrought iron gates entwined with ivy and blooming roses yearround permit passage only to Tel'Quessir who approach wishing to worship Corellon and the Seldarine. Gleaming white marble walkways flanked by tall columns adorned with ivy and roses, like the entrance gates, lead through the heart of the Grove and connect the numerous shrines found within. Magical fountains are scattered throughout the grove, and their enchanted waters are said to confer one or more effects similar to those of potions of healing, elixirs of health, potions of heroism, potions of invulnerability, potions of extra-healing, and potions of vitality.

Within the Grove may be found shrines to Aerdrie Faenya, Hanali Celanil, Labelas Enoreth, Rillifane Rallathil, Sehanine Moonbow, and even the king and queen of faerie, Oberon and Titania. Each shrine contains a white marble statue depicting one of the Seldarine or faerie monarchs, and elves who pray before them are said to sometimes receive magical blessings from the power so depicted.

The Ar-Tel'Quessir who constructed Corellon's Grove chose not to include shrines to the rogue powers of the Seldarinesuch as Erevan Ilesere, Fenmarel Mestarine, Shevarash, or Solonor Thelandira or to aspects of the Seldarine worshiped by the other subraces-such as Angharradh, Bear, Eagle, Raven, or Wolf, but all such powers and aspects of powers are nonetheless venerated in Corellon's Grove by the Fair Folk. Corellon's shrine is the largest by far found within the Grove, a great dome of green marble woven into the forest canopy. The First of the Seldarine and Creator of the Elves is portrayed traditionally as a tall, unnaturally thin, androgynous elven figure with a thin face, high cheekbones, and narrow, slanted eyes. The figure is clad in scale armor and carries a long, slim sword. A delicate coronet graces the brow of the Coronal of Arvandor, and a sense of peace and contentment radiates from the statue itself. Any of the Fair Folk who pray here may receive a special blessing from Corellon, although at most one such favor is granted per year.

Corellon may manifest as discussed above, or he may grant the ability to cast cure light wounds or cure serious wounds once at some future time. Some elves report after praying at the shrine that the Protector gifted them with an item of magic (usually a weapon or article of clothing), while others have found woodland animal companions or mounts such as giant eagles, moonhorses, or pegasi awaiting them as they completed their supplications.

In the aftermath of the destruction of the Grove caused by the rampage of the Elf-Eater in the Year of the Unstrung Harp (1371 DR), Corellon's Grove is rebuilt by all the Fair Folk and expanded and changed considerably. When completed, the reconsecrated Grove contains shrines of all the known powers and distinct aspects of the Seldarine, and its design better represents the diverse architectural styles employed by the various elven subraces.

Affiliated Orders: Corellon is the divine patron of many knightly orders, many of which claim to trace their heritage and membership hack to the Time of Flowers. Such orders are typically composed largely of crusaders, warriors, and wizards (particularly fighter-mages), but their composition has varied widely over the millennia and from culture to culture.

Notable orders in ages past have included the Knights of the Golden Wyrm, the Blade of Sahandrian, the Fey Staghorns, and the Swords of the Seldarine. On Evermeet, the Wings of Yathaghera, the Knights of the Alicorn, the Weavers of Bladesong, and the Vassals of the Reverend Ones are all pledged to support the Protector in the defense of the Green Isle. Few orders have remained on the mainland of Faerun since the Retreat began in the Year of Moonfall (1344 DR), but of those that remain, the Swords of Evereska are the most notable for their unwavering defense of that alpine vale. Outside of elven homelands, the most frequently encountered agents of an elven knightly order belong to the Fellowship of the Forgotten Flower, a loosely structured organization dedicated to the recovery of lost elven relics from long-abandoned elven realms.

Priestly Vestments : Ceremonial vestments for priests of Corellon- often worn in normal situations by choice, although such attire is not required-consist of azure robes made of gossamer and embroidered with silver quarter moons. Silver circlets engraved with the Protector's symbol are worn on the brow. The holy symbol of the faith is a silver or mithral lunate pendant worn on an slender chain hung from the neck.

Adventuring Garb: When adventuring, Corellon's priests generally favor sky blue cloaks, elven chain mail, long swords, and long bows in conscious imitation of their divine patron. Clerics, restricted to bludgeoning weapons, favor clubs, slings, staff slings, and staves, although maces and flails are employed as well. Leather, studded leather armor, or elven chain mail is favored in situations requiring stealth, in addition to elven cloaks and boots, whereas elven chain mail or elven plate mail (or N'Tel'Quess approximations) are favored in situations requiring direct melee combat.

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