The Gods of Tur An Tiel, Part One--The Aellari
The term "Aellari" is Elven in origin. It means (in a very loose translation) "The Folk who Shine With the Power of Righteousness". The predominant pantheon of Eldheim, the Aellari are Elvish in origin--or to put it more properly, the Elves are among the earliest worshipers of the Aellari. The Nibelungen have worshipped the same pantheon (with only a slightly different emphasis) for centuries, while Eldheim's humans adopted the worship from the Elves.
The Aellari are (though this is an admittably simplistic scheme) the Elven Pantheon of Good, the opposing pantheon to the sinister Murelli. The Aellari are united by a common love for life and creation (thus several neutral gods are counted as members), and a desire to defend against the depradations of Thanatos. The pantheon is dominated by two "family" groupings, with a good deal of overlap.
Terra, the Bountiful, Ruler of the Green
Neutral Greater Power (has mild good tendencies)
Description: Terra is the living representation of all nature in Tur An Tiel. She is the favored diety of Druids, Valesti, woodfolk, and all who respect nature. She is generally represented as a tall, beautiful matron, deeply tanned, with dark brown hair and green eyes.
Phoebe, Lady of Light, Mistress of Mistresses
Neutral Good Greater Power
Description: Oldest of the Lesei (or "Sisters of Light", for the non-Elvish among you), Phoebe is the Goddess of Light and Life, the diametric opposite of Thanatos. Phoebe is a gentle, loving goddess whose sense of compassion and mercy is only matched by her stern resolve in the face of evil. She is beloved by all good people, but is especially worshiped by Noble Elves, healers, the compassionate, and adventurers who fight evil out of a sense of duty, rather than profit. She is generally represented as a delicate woman (often an Alfari) clad in white robes. Her face is open and compassionate, the eyes bright and sparkling.
Surya, the Resplendent One, the Shining Sun
Chaotic Good Intermediate Power
Description: The third-born of the Lesei, Surya is a passionate and independent diety, who makes her own judgements, and keeps her own company. Surya is the goddess of the Sun, Passion, and Warriors. She is hedonistic, but an undeniably dedicated foe of evil. Her worshipers are good fighters and rangers (especially those of a rather independent streak), lovers who are more passionate than dedicated, and pleasure-seekers. She is generally represented as a tall woman with blonde hair and gold-tinged skin, wielding a greatsword.
Daphne, the Silver Lass, the Merry Trickster
Chaotic Neutral (Good) Intermediate Power
Description: Whimsical and unpredictable, Daphne is somewhat the odd one among the Lesei. Goddess of the Moon, Illusion, and Trickery, Daphne tends to follow her own caprices, rather than confering with her sisters. She feels that jokes, pranks, and deception can be used to broaden the minds of the good, and decieve and waylay the evil. She is worshiped by illusionists, bards, pleasant rogues, tricksters, and entertainers of all stripes. She is represented as a dark-haired woman with silver eyes, wearing a loose shift.
Aurora, the Edge of Dawn, the Just
Lawful Good Intermediate Power
The bravest and most honorable of the Lesei, Aurora is the Goddess of Dawn and Justice, she who sheds the first light so that darkness and chaos can be banished, and law and good maintained. Aurora is a strict goddess, though she is not without a sense of mercy. She is worshipped by judges, warriors who fight for fairness and law, and those who seek to redress crimes against them through just means. She is represented as a tall woman with red hair, clad in light yellow armor, and wielding an axe.
Astra, the Starry Seer, She Who Watches
Lawful Neutral Intermediate Power
Mysterious and quiet, Astra is the strictest of the Lesai, and the least sociable. The Goddess of the cool and dim light of stars, Astra is concerned with knowledge, the future, and (as an outgrowth of those interests) death. She is most frequently prayed to Astra deals rarely with her sisters, and in general keeps to herself. She is represented as a tall, veiled woman, clad completely in pale white.
Gonovon Worldshaper, the Wondersmith, the Dragonslayer
Neutral Good Greater Power
Slayer of the dragon Sabek, and the maker and shaper of the the world in Elven myth, Gonovon is a compassionate and strong being who encourages the act of creation. Gonovon's wife is Syme--his children are Lleu, Ogmha, Dian, and Pamona. The Nibelungen revere him even above Phoebe, and the Gnomari begin all prayers by evoking him. Most craftsmen revere him, as well as those warriors who face impossible odds to protect what they love. He is represented as an old man with a lame foot, carrying a hammer in his mighty arms.
Syme Jugbearer, Holder of the Boundless Sea, Lady of the Vine and Grape
Chaotic Good (Neutral) Intermediate Power
Goddess of the Sea and Wine, Syme is a merry power, but somewhat unpredictable. She is said to have created the oceans of Tur An Tiel, and all that live in them. Her brother is Cernunnos, and her husband is Gonovon, (who fell in love with her the moment he saw her dancing upon the ocean she had made). They have had five children; Lleu, Oghma, Dian, Pamona, and Atlante. Syme is revered by sailors, vinters, and merrymakers. She is represented as an attractive woman holding a jug, in which flow the Waters of the Five Seas, as well as the Wine of Merriment.
Lleu Lightbringer, the White Knight, the Brave
Lawful Good Intermediate Power (was Greater Power)
A resplendent champion of good, Lleu is a brave warrior who lives by his code, who never retreats in the face of evil, and whose sword is always ready. And yet he is also a god who sacrificed much of his own power to create the paladins. Lleu is a kind and compassionate being who will gladly sacrifice himself to save others. His parents are Gonovon and Syme; he is the lover of Phoebe, and the father of Polychrome. He is worshiped by all paladins (whether they know it or not), warriors who follow a code of honor, and those who give of themselves to defeat evil. He is represented as a tall, dedicated-looking man clad in white armor, bearing a sword of light.
Oghma Clubwielder, the Golden-tongued, the Laughing Warrior
Neutral (Chaotic) Good Intermediate Power
The fiercest of the Aellari, and yet also the merriest, Oghma is a diety of contrasts, a brawling gigantic warrior who loves drink, who can simultaneously debate contested scholarly stances with the most learned. Oghma is the god of eloquence, and strength, and a lifestyle that partakes of both. He is impulsive and headstrong, but simultaneously he respects the wishes of others (mostly). Oghma is the son of Gonovon and Syme; he is Surya's lover, though neither of them is particularly constant. His worshipers are many good bards, good warriors who tend towards chaos, but aren't chaotic, athletes, and those who rely on eloquence. He is represented as a handsome man, gigantic in size, wearing a crude shift, holding a club, and smiling.
Dian Healhands, the Heavenly Physician, the Peaceful
Lawful Good Lesser Power
A healer and a pacifist, Dian is something of a quiet one among the Aellari, who rarely acts with the others. He believes in healing any who require it, and abhors violence. Dian is worshiped by doctors and pacifists, as well as the desperately ill. He is represented as a tall man in a blue robe, holding his hands forward.
Pamona Brightface, the Flower Maiden, the Sweet One
Neutral Good Lesser Power
Youngest of Gonovon's and Syme's children, Pamona is the Goddess of Flowers and Happiness. A rather shy, quiet goddess, she is seen as a protector of children, and commonly invoked to watch over nurseries. She is worshiped by gardners, parents, and any who desire happiness. She is represented as a young woman wearing a flower as a dress.
Atlante Fleetfoot, the Wild Child
Chaotic Neutral Demipower
Twin sister of Pamona, Atlante is the rebel of Gonovan's children, who lives seperate from the others, the goddess of animals and wild things. The goddess of animals and the wild, she is evoked by animal lovers, and sometimes in conjuction with Pamona to guard children, though to some hold to evoke Atlante is to tempt fate and have wild children. She is represented as an unkempt young woman dressed in a lionskin.
Cernunnus, the Huntsman, the Horned
Chaotic Neutral Intermediate Power
Syme's brother, Cernunnos is a wild one, who lives by his rules. God of Animals and Hunters, Cernunnus is a rather mysterious god, who tends to follow his impulses. He will fight with the others in times of need, but prefers to stay by his self. He is worshiped by Rangers, Valesti, and hunters. He is represented a horned horseman whose face is hidden in a cowl.
Brigit Flamesblood, the Fiery One, Lady of Magic
Chaotic Good Lesser Power
Surya's daughter (her father is something of a mystery), Brigit is Goddess of Fire and Magic. The role of Goddess of Magic is a fairly recent addition to her powers--indeed Brigit is a young, inexperienced Goddess, known for her temper. She is worshiped by Sorcerors, good Evokers, and many chaotically aligned wizards. She is represented as a small young woman with bright red hair, and glowing eyes.
Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter, Heaven's Messenger
Chaotic Good Demipower
Daughter of Lleu and Phoebe, Polychrome serves the Aellari as a messenger. She is an absent-minded diety, with a tendency to get distracted, but her scatter-brained behavior belies her dedication. Polychrome has few followers at the moment. Most are heralds. She is represented a pretty young woman wearing a multi-colored dress.