Page 46 - Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes Deluxe

standing of their origin and a firmer grasp of magic, and
some enjoy a lingering telepathic connection with others
who have been initiated into the Mysteries.
Cryptic shrines to the Mysteries of Arvandor appear
throughout the planes, mostly sites where carved or
painted stars cover the ceiling of a cave. On the planes
that have hosted one of these rare events, elf priests con-
secrate and maintain temples devoted to the Mysteries.
Often these sacred sites are natural spaces that have
intrinsic magical properties.
Stories about the Mysteries are preached by many
theologians as examples of Corellon's abiding love for
his wayward children. Some sages imagine that, one
day, all elves will be given this opportunity, after Corel-
lon is satisfied by the completion of some great cosmic
quest, and elves will once again be a people of unfet-
tered form and unimaginable joy.

H ANALI CELANIL
Hanali is the elven god of beauty and love. Usually de-
picted as a beautiful female, in some stories the god ap-
pears to mortals as a gorgeous male. Hanali's gender in
a story seldom matters, for no matter how much heart-
ache and confusion the stories contain, they end with
affairs of the heart properly sorted out and everyone in
love with the person, or persons, they were fated to be Devotees of Hanali Celanil are known for taking the
with. Stories of Hana I i's romantic adventures among initiative in beautifying their surroundings without ask-
elves and other mortals are perennial favorites when ing or expecting others to follow suit. If a shrine to the
sung by elf bards and poets. gods is beginning to look somewhat untidy, her follow-
In Arvandor, Hanali maintains a hidden pool called ers will straighten things up, bring fresh flowers, and
Evergold. She bathes in it at least once a day. It's said refresh offerings of food, water, and wine. Especially
that the water of Evergold keeps her young and breath- vigilant individuals might even decide to clean up after
takingly beautiful, but this is certainly a poetic myth, others who carelessly spill a drink in a tavern or leave
since all the Seldarine appear young and beautiful, with their dinner table in a slovenly condition, all in humble
or without having bathed in this fountain. Mortal elves service to their god.
who are invited to join Hana Ii in the pool are said to
retain their youthfulness and to delay the onset of Tran- LABELAS ENOR ETH
scendence by at least a century. More than a few elves Even though elves live far longer than most other hu-
claim to have experienced this benefit, and the truth of manoids, they show few physical signs of aging until
it is attested by many bards- sometimes in all earnest- they become very old. By the time an elf's hair turns to
ness, sometimes with a knowing wink. silver and wrinkles appear around the eyes, the elf has
Priests of Hanali perform weddings between elves lived for centuries and probably has only a few decades
and preside over most other family-related ceremonies. remaining. For this longevity and long-lasting vitality,
Other than nuptials and a spate of spring celebrations, they thank and revere Labelas Enoreth.
the priests conduct few observances. Labelas is portrayed as an elderly elf with silver hair,
Pools of Beauty. Those who worship Hanali Celani! still-active eyes that once were bright blue but now are
build shrines in her honor around natural pools of clear clouded and gray, fine wrinkles around the eyes and
spring water- a representation of the purity and power mouth. and a right hand slightly impaired by the effects
of Evergold. Her priests often surround such an area of age. If anything, these symptoms of mortality make
with flowers or arrange stones in a way that accentuates the god even more handsome and stately in the eyes of
the natural beauty of the place. In a shrine dedicated to his followers than he was in his youth.
the worship of several elven deities, an alabaster bowl of Elves tend to give Labelas little regard until they ex-
water, usually with yellow flowers or petals floating in it, perience Remembrance. Like Corellon and Hanali, La-
is left in reverence to Hanali. belas makes few demands on his followers. A few min-
Hanali's pool is a symbol of rejuvenation, and its water utes each day spent thanking him for his gift of long life
has significance as well in representing the ever-flowing and good health, and occasionally placing a fresh flower
force of love. To Hana I i's followers, love is a living thing in one of his shrines, is generally all that's expected.
that flows like a river, moving around obstacles with When an elf develops unusual ailments in old age and
ease, and, if it must. carving a path through bedrock to appears headed for decrepitude, other elves might won-
reach the sea of unity where all love gathers to become der if these are the repercussions for not paying Labelas
one with the cosmos. As one would navigate a river, the his due.
faithful of Hanali are known for following their hearts, Most settlements have only one or two priests of La-
unwilling to deviate from the pursuit of ultimate beauty. bel as. These individuals are elves well past their prime

CHAPTER 2 I ELVES
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