Page 48 - Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes Deluxe

•• •

of mysteries as much as anything else. Many non-elves dreams for signs. But Sehanine has another way of
find it easiest to think of Sehanine as the companion sending messages to the elves of the world. The cres-
of Corellon and the god of the moon, but to elves she cent-shaped cataracts that appear in the eyes of an
is much more than that. The moon passes from one elderly elf at Transcendence are symbolic of the moon-
phase to the next, and Sehanine watches over all such bow, an astronomical phenomenon with which she is
cycles, be it from season to season or cradle to grave. associated. It appears in the night sky above the moon
She is midwife to elf mothers, ushering souls into the as a luminous arc of refracted light, no brighter than the
world. She is also thought to stand beside dying elves, moon itself. Only elves and some half-elves can perceive
to greet their departing spirits and set them on the path this sign, for it is meant only for Corellon's people. What
to Arvandor. Sehanine serves as patron of the lost and it signifies depends on the phase of the moon. Above a
any who travel, as well as those who seek meaning. full moon, when it is most often detected, it means that
Elves beseech her to provide relief from madness, and an elf of great importance and advanced age will soon
they mark her symbol on graves and tombs to invoke journey to Arvandor. Elves who see the sign might be
her protection of the dead. In these comforting aspects, compelled to seek out this individual to commune with
Sehanine is often imagined as a willowy, gentle male and learn from before the elder departs the world. The
elf with shining eyes that reveal both melancholy and moonbow appearing above the moon during its other
tenderness in their gaze when depicted alongside his phases can be interpreted in many ways, depending on
beloved Corellon. the season and the timing of its appearance. A moon-
In stories of the Seldarine, Sehanine is Corellon's bow appearing above a new moon is the most dreaded
steadfast companion, the one being who can persuade sign, for it is said to signal a coming period of great up-
Corellon to pause and reflect rather than allow his heaval and many deaths.
emotions to rule him. Corellon can be resplendent with Lunar Worship. Temples to Sehanine Moonbow are
joy or shaking with anger, but a word or a look from almost always aligned with the heavens to enable the
Sehanine is enough to check or subtly alter Corellon's priests to track the motion and phases of the moon. The
mood and behavior, redirecting the god to a less ex- sleeping quarters of the priests are positioned such that
treme course of action. Some elven legends treat Se- a shaft of light from the full moon falls on them while
hanine as Corellon's spouse or as a favored child, but they are sleeping, and this silver light of Sehanine can
other stories hint at a deeper truth. They say Sehanine influence their dreams and impart messages to them.
was formed from the first drop of blood spilled from Offerings to Sehanine are mostly made from silver,
Corellon's body, and so she reminds Corellon that even often shaped in a way that is reminiscent of the full
as a divine being, he can be harmed. moon. Cups, bowls, cloak pins, and plates of silver are
Sehanine's priests often seek her guidance by enter- found at her shrines, as well as those dedicated to the
ing into a state of true sleep and sifting through their Seldarine collectively. The weapons and gear used by

CH AJ>T.CR 2 I ELVES
47