Aerdrie Faenya (pronounced: /ˈɛərdri ˈfɑːɪnjə/ AIR-dree FAIN-yuh[8]), also known as Queen of the Avariel, was an elven goddess of the Seldarine. During the time of the Spellplague, she held her position by serving as the fey aspect of the Faerûnian goddess and primordial, Akadi.[2] However, with the coming of the Second Sundering, she was once again an independent goddess.[4]
Personality 
Edit
She was free, chaotic and impulsive, and did not like to stay in any one place for too long.[8]
While she delighted in creating unpredictable weather, including some fairly severe thunderstorms, her primary joy was simply to feel the air around her as she flew high above the ground.[8]
Somewhat distant, Aerdrie seldom involved herself in the culture of her fellow deities.[8]
Usually disregarding the other elves of Faerûn, Aerdrie mainly concerned herself with the affairs of the few remaining avariel.[8]
WorshipersEdit
The church of Aerdrie Faenya was small, with little organization and only a few scattered temples. The clergy was primarily concerned with exploration and maintaining good relations with other sentient avian races, such as giant eagles and aarakocra.[8]
As the avariel declined in number, few elven clerics of Aerdrie could fly without magical aid. As a result, many of her priests worked to create new spells and items by which magical flight became possible and were sometimes given the gift to levitate by the deity herself.[8]
Clerics and druids of Aerdrie Faenya prayed for their spells at dawn, just as the first breeze was felt drifting across the land.[8]
Aerdrie Faenya was worshiped by almost all aarakocra anywhere in Faerûn, and she was known to appear to them in the form of a brilliant white giant bird. The feathers that fell from her plumage during these apparitions became some of the most treasured items in an aarakocran nest.[13]
Some of the djinn of Zakhara also paid homage to Aerdrie Faenya, and she had a mosque at their Citadel of Ice and Steel.[14]
RitualsEdit
The Dance of Swirling Winds, held semiannually on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, celebrated the changing of the seasons in honor of Aerdrie. The winds always blew strongly on such days when followers gathered. Celebrants offered beautiful feathers and performed an aerial ballet danced to the music of wind instruments played by others.[8]
RelationshipsEdit
Aerdrie served Corellon, working closely with the rest of the Seldarine. She opposed the drow pantheon, with the exception of Eilistraee. Aerdrie also works against the Deities of Fury and was allied with like-minded deities of wind, flight and rain; these included Akadi, Cyrrollalee, Isis, Koriel, Lurue, Remnis, Shaundakul, and Sheela Peryroyl.[8]
HistoryEdit
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DogmaEdit
| “ | The ever-changing reaches of the sky are the great gift of the Winged Mother. Take flight into her windswept embrace, and gambol amid the clouds. Honor those who dwell with the Aerdrie and cherish the birds dancing on her tresses. Change is beautiful and chaos births new life. Ascend, soar, glide, dive, and ascend again and relish in the freedom that the Winged Mother bequeaths. | ” |
| — [8] | ||
AppendixEdit
Further ReadingEdit
- Roger E. Moore and Georgia Moore (April 1982). “All About Elves: The gods of the elves”. Dragon #60 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 9–12.
ReferencesEdit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Eric L. Boyd (1998). Demihuman Deities. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 94. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 130. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ Thomas E. Rinschler (2001-06-06). Deities (PDF). Wizards of the Coast. p. 3. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2017-07-23.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Kim Mohan ed. (2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 23,107. ISBN 978-0786965809.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 62–63. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 238–239. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Thomas E. Rinschler (2001-06-06). Deities (PDF). Wizards of the Coast. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2017-07-23.
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 123–124. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (1998). Demihuman Deities. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 94, 95, 96. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Carl Sargent (May 1992). Monster Mythology. (TSR, Inc), p. 23. ISBN 1-5607-6362-0.
- ↑ Roger E. Moore and Georgia Moore (April 1982). “All About Elves: The gods of the elves”. Dragon #60 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 9–12.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Wizards of the Coast. p. 10. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 131. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. Genie Lore. (TSR, Inc.), p. 19. ISBN 978-1560766476.
External linksEdit
- Elf deities#Aerdrie Faenya article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
ConnectionsEdit
Corellon Larethian • Angharradh
Intermediate Deities
Aerdrie Faenya • Hanali Celanil • Sehanine Moonbow • Deep Sashelas • Labelas Enoreth • Rillifane Rallathil • Solonor Thelandira • Erevan Ilesere • Vandria Gilmadrith • Tarsellis Meunniduin
Lesser Deities
Fenmarel Mestarine • Araleth Letheranil • Melira Taralen • Kirith Sotheril • Naralis Analor • Rellavar Danuvien • Sarula Iliene
Demipowers
Shevarash • Tethrin Veraldé • Mythrien Sarath • Alobal Lorfiril • Darahl Firecloak • Alathrien Druanna
