Vhaeraun (Vay-rawn), also known as the Masked Lord and the Masked God of Night, is the drow god of thievery, drow males, and evil activity on the surface world. His worshipers include assassins, male drow and half-drow, poisoners, shadowdancers, rogues, and thieves. Vhaeraun resides in the Demonweb Pits, where he has a territory permitted to him by Lolth although the two entities, mother and son, are opposed to each other.[citation needed]
Description
Vhaeraun appeared as a black-masked (or purple-masked[4]) male drow that was masked in shadows, had a short sword and dagger, and wore leather armor and cloak. He had long white hair highlighted with red. He spoke High Drow. When he appeared to Inthracis in 1373 DR, he was missing a hand.[5]
Worshipers
The church of Vhaeraun is loosely organized, mainly due to persecution from the priestesses of Lolth who rule over the majority of the drow race. Vhaeraun's clergy is almost entirely male, and they practice a passive opposition to Lolth. Aside from that, Vhaeraun strives to reclaim the surface world from which he was forced to flee. This leads to frequent conflicts with the clerics of Eilistraee, benevolent drow who strive to live in peace with the surface folk and gain redemption for the evil ways of their kind.[citation needed]
Some priests of Vhaeraun advocate unity of the elven races in order to more easily dominate the surface world. Most, however, view this as heresy.[citation needed]
Priests often wore ceremonial veils of black silk.[6]
Orders
House Jaelre was formerly a drow house of Menzoberranzan, driven away from the city for being a house of heretics. They roamed the Underdark for many years. In 1372 DR, they were based in Minauthkeep, an abandoned elven fort in the forest of Cormanthor on the surface world.[7]
The Jaezred Chaulssin were a patriarchal house of skilled assassins. Their goal was to rid the drow of the tyrannical rule of Lolth and her priestesses. They were "based" in the ruined drow city of Chaulssin, from which they got their name. In truth, they only visited Chaulssin to hold secret counsels. Members were actually spread throughout most of the Underdark, with agents in most major drow cities. During the Silence of Lolth in 1372 and 1373 DR, the Jaezred Chaulssin instigated a number of rebellions in drow cities in an attempt to overthrow the Lolthite priestesses. Their actions led to the Siege of Menzoberranzan, the destruction of Ched Nasad, and the restructure of society in a number of other cities, including Eryndlyn and Maerimydra.[8]
The Dragon's Hoard was a merchant band led by Nisstyre of Ched Nasad that formed a small community in the High Forest. Their main base, however, was located in the deep dragon Pharx's lair in the notorious trade city of Skullport beneath the great human city of Waterdeep. The band was involved in the slave trade in Skullport and were almost completely obliterated in 1361 DR by a group of Eilistraeean followers led by Qilué Veladorn. Assisting this group of Eilistraeen followers were Liriel Baenre and her human companion, Fyodor of Rashemen.[9]
Relationships
Vhaeraun and his son, Selvetarm, dueling
Vhaeraun was fiercely opposed by his son Selvetarm, who resented Vhaeraun's machinations. They fought during the Silence of Lolth as Vhaeraun sought to destroy Lolth in her weakened state.[10]
Vhaeraun enjoyed a working relationship with Mask, Shar, and Talona.[citation needed]
Vhaeraun was known as the Sly Savage to the followers of Eilistraee.[11]
History
Vhaeraun was the son of Corellon Larethian and Lolth and the brother of Eilistraee. He was cast out of the elven pantheon, along with his mother, after their betrayal was discovered.[citation needed]
In 1372 DR, during the War of the Spider Queen, the drow of Menzoberranzan send a contingent to Lolth's Demonweb Pits where they discover Lolth defenseless. Their guide summons his god Vhaeraun to attack the defenseless Lolth, but Selvetarm appears and in the ensuing battle they both fall off the web and plummet into the darkness below.[10]
Vhaeraun was later (Nightal 20, 1375 DR[12]) killed by his sister, Eilistraee, when he attempted to enter her realm and assassinate her. His portfolio was taken by her at that time.[13]
Notable followers of Vhaeraun
Clerics
- Tzirik Jaelre, high priest of House Jaelre (1372 DR).[6]
- Xorthaul Barriath, Patron Father and head priest of the Jaezred Chaulssin (1373 DR).[14]
- Shakti Hunzrin, traitor-priestess of Lolth and Vhaeraun (1361 DR).[15]
- Henge, drow priest in the Dragon's Hoard in 1361 DR.[16]
Worshipers
- Nisstyre, leader of the Dragon's Hoard (1361 DR).[9]
Appendix
Appearances
Novels
External links
- "Citadel of the Mask Lord" — contains tons of information on Vhaeraun and his clergy and churches, weapons, and orders and dogma
- Vhaeraun and Selvetarm Do Battle — Image by Steve Prescott.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 236. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 237. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Thomas E. Rinschler (2001-06-06). Deities (PDF). Wizards of the Coast. p. 12. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2017-07-23.
- ↑ Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 356. ISBN 0786932023.
- ↑ Paul S. Kemp (February 2006). Resurrection. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 8–11. ISBN 0-7869-3981-8.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 248. ISBN 0786932023.
- ↑ Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0786932023.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (2007-04-25). Dragons of Faerûn, Part 3: City of Wyrmshadows (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Dragons of Faerûn. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2009-10-07.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Elaine Cunningham (July 2003). Daughter of the Drow (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0786929290.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Warning: edition not specified for Condemnation
- ↑ Template:Cite book/Silverfall//MMP
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 158. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Lisa Smedman (January 2007). Sacrifice of the Widow. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-4250-9.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (2007-04-25). Dragons of Faerûn, Part 3: City of Wyrmshadows (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Dragons of Faerûn. Wizards of the Coast. pp. 5–6. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2009-10-07.
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham (July 2003). Daughter of the Drow (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 212. ISBN 978-0786929290.
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham (July 2003). Daughter of the Drow (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 299. ISBN 978-0786929290.
Further Reading
- Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
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