| Corellon Larethian | |
|---|---|
| Dungeons & Dragons character | |
 Corellon Larethian | |
| First appearance | Deities & Demigods (1980) |
| Created by | James Ward andRobert Kuntz |
| In-universe information | |
| Race | Deity |
| Gender | Androgynous, but can choose to be male or female, or "both or neither" |
| Title | Creator of the Elves, the Protector, First of the Seldarine, Protector and Preserver of Life, Ruler of All Elves, Coronal of Arvandor |
| Alignment | Chaotic Good |
| Home | Olympian Glades of Arborea (2e-3.5e)/Arvandor, the Verdant Isles (4e) |
| Power level | Greater |
| Portfolio | The Elven Race, Magic, Music, Arts, Crafts, Warfare, Poetry |
| Domains | Chaos, Good, Protection, War |
In theDungeons & Dragonsrole-playing game,Corellon Larethian is the leader of theelven pantheon, and the deity of Magic, Music, Arts, Crafts, Poetry, and Warfare. Corellon is also considered a member of thedefaultD&D pantheon. Corellon is the creator and preserver of the elven race, and governs those things held in the highest esteem among elves. Corellon's symbol was originally a crescent moon; in the 4th edition Corellon's symbol is a silver star on a blue field.
The 5th editionPlayer's Handbook describes Corellon as "androgynous" andDeities and Demigods (1980) explains that Corellon is "alternatively male or female, both or neither."[1][2] The 2018 rule bookMordenkainen's Tome of Foes introduced the "blessed of Corellon" characteristic which allowsplayer character elves to change their sex any time they take a "long rest" (amechanic which is at least eight hours of in-game rest).[3] This ability for players and 5th edition's affirmation that "you don't need to be confined to binary notions and gender," make Corellon an important fictional character forLGBTQ inclusivity.[4][1][5]
Corellon Larethian was created byJames M. Ward for theDeities and Demigods Cyclopedia (1980).[2]
Corellon Larethian was detailed in the bookMonster Mythology (1992), including details about the god's priesthood.[6] Corellon's role in the cosmology of thePlanescape campaign setting was described inOn Hallowed Ground (1996).[7] Corellon received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms inDemihuman Deities (1998).[8] Corellon is described as one of the good deities thatcelestials can serve in the supplementWarriors of Heaven (1999).[9]
Corellon Larethian appears as one of the deities described in thePlayers Handbook for this edition (2000).[10] Corellon Larethian is detailed inDeities and Demigods (2002),[11] and the god's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited inFaiths and Pantheons (2002).[12]
Corellon Larethian appears in the revisedPlayers Handbook for this edition (2003).[13] The god's priesthood is detailed for this edition inComplete Divine (2004).[14]
Corellon appears as one of the deities described in thePlayers Handbook for this edition (2008). Corellon's alignment is listed in this edition as Unaligned. In 4th edition Corellon's symbol is a star. Corellon is also the seasonal god of spring and the patron god of theeladrin.[15]
Corellon also appears in theForgotten Realms Campaign Guide andForgotten Realms Player's Guide as one of the Greater Deities of the Realms. This version of Corellon is Good (as opposed to Unaligned), and is more similar to earlier portrayals of the god. Corellon's consort isAngharradh, as the Faerunian version of Sehanine is revealed to be an aspect ofSelûne.
Corellon is included as a deity in the 5th EditionPlayer's Handbook (2014) where they are described as "androgynous".[1] The sourcebookMordenkainen's Tome of Foes (2018) has a chapter on elves which includes their origin story as creations of Corellon.[16][17] This sourcebook also introduces the "blessed of Corellon" mechanic. Christian Hoffer ofComicBook.com highlighted that a major theme of this sourcebook is "that elves were once a mutable race. Their creator Corellon Larethian was an androgynous being and elves could originally change their forms at will".[18] While no longer fully mutable, some elves are blessed by Corellon which means they can "choose their biological sex whenever they finish a long rest. These elves can choose to be male, female, or 'neither' based on their moods or feelings".[18]
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In manycampaign settings, the elven pantheon of gods (also known as theSeldarine) consists of the leader Corellon Larethian, as well asAerdrie Faenya,Deep Sashelas,Erevan Ilesere,Fenmarel Mestarine,Hanali Celanil,Labelas Enoreth,Rillifane Rallathil,Sehanine Moonbow, andSolonor Thelandira. Other elven gods may be present in different campaign settings. Corellon is considered to be foremost among theSeldarine. Corellon's consort isSehanine Moonbow. Some myths claim that Corellon gave birth to the rest of the elven pantheon while in a female aspect, while others claim that Corellon fathered them with Sehanine Moonbow. Corellon raisedYe'Cind to the status of demigod by infusing him with a spark of Corellon's own power.
Gruumsh One-Eye, god of the orcs, is the god's greatest enemy, because Corellon took his eye in an ancient battle. The entire orc pantheon hates Corellon intensely. Corellon also opposes the deities of thegoblinoids. Corellon was also the one to banish thedrow goddessLolth (Araushnee in theForgotten Realms setting) to the Abyss. For this, Corellon can count all evil drow gods as enemies. Because of the god's keen friendship with theSeelie Court, Corellon is often at odds with theQueen of Air and Darkness. In theForgotten Realms, Corellon has most often been at odds withCyric,Talos,Malar, andMoander.
Corellon's truest friends are the rulers of the other demihuman pantheons:Moradin,Yondalla, andGarl Glittergold. Together, they work to ensure that the gods of the human and monstrous pantheons don't grow strong too quickly. Corellon is also allied withCyrrollalee,Ehlonna,Emmantiensien,Oberon,Pelor,Skerrit, andTitania. Corellon is also on good terms with Vanathor,Bahamut's golddragon advisor and bard.
In 4th edition, Corellon is one of the "Four Free Gods", along with a spouse Sehanine,Avandra and Melora. Corellon is on good terms withIoun (Corellon is patron of arcane magic and she of its study), and is therefore a potential foe ofVecna. Corellon maintains cordial relationships with the other seasonal gods,Pelor and theRaven Queen. Corellon's most hated enemies, of course, are Gruumsh and Lolth.
Corellon lives in the realm ofArvandor on the plane ofArborea. Also calledArvanaith in its role as the elven afterlife, Arvandor is said to have been taken from the gods of thegiants after a lengthy war. Ruins of giant citadels still dot the land there. The elven gods are thought to have invaded from the plane ofYsgard, hungry for a realm of their own. The realm is a place of deep forests and fey beauty.
Corellon dwells in a magnificent tower of marble in the center of the realm. In Elven, it is calledGwyllachaightaeryll, the Many-Splendored. The art that decorates the tower's many rooms is constantly changing. Only the central throne room is a constant.
Corellon desires to protect and preserve the elven race, return to the elven people their lost artistic heritage, and to thwart the schemes of the drow and the orcs. This also means guarding against the corruption within that resulted in the creation of the drow. Corellon advises his faithful to guard against stagnation as well, continually seeking out new experiences. They seek to bring out beauty through art, craft, and magic. Corellon is surprisingly humble, for a regent of his stature.
With the 2004 publication ofThe Complete Divine, Corellon added the domain of "Community" to his existing domains of Good, War, Protection and Chaos.
Elves, andhalf-elves (as well as manybards) worship Corellon. Corellon favors those who kill orcs and the followers ofLolth. Corellon blesses those who aid others and is upset at those who defile the dead, or flee from their foes.
Corellon's clerics wear silver circlets and gossamer robes of the brightest azure. They often wear blue cloaks. Corellon's favored weapon is thelongsword.
The Fellowship of the Forgotten Flower is a loosely structured organization made of elven knights dedicated to the recovery of lost elven relics from long-abandoned elven realms. Members must be elven warriors or elven paladins.
The Seekers of the Misty Isle are an elite order of elves dedicated to finding the Misty Isle which was whisked away by the deitiesGruumsh andKurtulmak.[14]
In large elven cities such asEnstad, temples to Corellon Larethian may be alabaster wonders with soaring spires. In smaller communities, they may be built among the branches of a large tree such as an ipp. Most temples are happy to lend aid to traveling elves and any other race that plans to do harm to the drow.
Most of Corellon's holy days are tied to celestial events and occur only once every few years or decades.
Once per month, whenLuna is at its quarter phase, followers of Corellon gather in moonlit glades for a ceremony known asLateu'quor, the Forest Communion of the Crescent Moon. There, they praise their Creator through song and dance and offerings of beautiful art. The art is not destroyed; sometimes it is physically transferred to the Upper Planes for elves to enjoy in the afterlife, while other times it is used to decorate Corellon's temples. Sometimes the very landscape of the glade is reshaped into a work of art.
Once per year, on the fourth ofRichfest, the holiday ofAgelong is celebrated. Elves hunt for orcs to slay in memory of Corellon's battle against the god of the orcs, Gruumsh.
Corellon Larethian is worshipped at natural geological formations. Corellon's rituals are integrated with the major events of elven life, such as births, coming of age rites, weddings, and funerals.
Prayers to Corellon, which are always in Elvish, begin "Hei-Corellon shar-shelevu," which means, "Corellon, by your grace grant..." Before battle, worshippers of Corellon recite a prayer called the Litany of Arrows.
Corellon appears in first edition AD&D Deities and Demigods. As such, the god is considered a "default" deity for the realm of Oerth.[citation needed]
Following theWar of the Spider Queen series, Lisa Smedman'sThe Lady Penitent trilogy continues the story of drow in the Forgotten Realms.[citation needed] In book 1,Sacrifice of the Widow, Eilistraee slays Vhaeraun and acquires Corellon's portfolio and thus many of the god's priests. Cavatina Xarann, a Darksong Knight, recovers the Crescent Blade and uses it to slay Selvetarm, Lolth's champion.[citation needed] In book 2,Storm of the Dead, Vhaeraun's clergy have been warily accepted into Eilistraee's faith, and the goddess now is known as the Masked Lady. A small faction of Vhaeraun's remaining clerics believe that, instead, Vhaeraun slew Eilistraee and is masquerading as her. A mixed force of Eilistraee's Protectors, Nightshadows and drow wizards go on a raid on the main temple of Kiaransalee, the drow death goddess. High magic is used to erase Kiaransalee's name from memory, causing the goddess' death from lack of worship. Qilué, uncharacteristically, orders the slaughter of the helpless former cultists of Kiaransalee.[citation needed] In book 3,Ascendancy of the Last, the Promenade is beset by the cultists and oozes of Ghaunadaur. The attackers have been baited by uncontented Nightshadows and the Balor, Wendonai, acting through the Crescent Blade and Qilué. In the ensuing battle the Promenade and the followers of Eilistraee are almost annihilated and Ghaunadaur's followers are rendered feebleminded. Qilué and Eilistraee try to save entire drow race from Wendonai's taint, but Qilué is killed by Halisstra Melarn while Eilistraee is possessing her body (supposedly killing the goddess as well), dooming their attempt to failure. Meanwhile, Q'arlynd Melarn succeeds in re-transforming the descendants of Miyeritar and followers of Eilistraee from drow to dark elves, whereafter Corellon Larethian takes this new elven subrace under his protection.[citation needed]
During the event known asThe Sundering, Eilistraee manages to return to life alongside her brother Vhaeraun, and is one of the deities with whom Mystra is sharing the Weave. Eilistraee has directly manifested to her followers through her avatar, and the dark elves whom her father protected during her absence have returned under her protection.[19][20][21]
Exandria is the world where theCritical Role web series is set;[22][23] it became an officialDungeons & Dragons campaign setting with the release of theExplorer's Guide to Wildemount (2020).[24][25] Corellon appears as one of the Prime Deities and is also known as the Arch Heart. They aregenderfluid and are considered the god of the elves, as well as the patron of the fey.[26][27][28] Corellon fought in the Calamity,[26] "a cataclysmic event in which the Exandrian pantheon exploded into a civil war that put the entire world in peril".[29] The Prime Deities ended the war by locking the Betrayer Gods and then themselves behind a Divine Gate to prevent all gods from "directly interfering" in the events of Exandria; however, they can "bestow power" and send lesser creatures on their behalf.[30]
Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep (2022), an officialadventure module, revealed that Corellon was one of three gods who blessed the mortal hero Alyxian during in the Calamity. Alyxian then preventedGruumsh from destroying the continent of Marquet, however, he ended up caught in a rift that became known as the Netherdeep. In the module, the godsSehanine,Avandra, and Corellon beseech adventurers to save Alyxian centuries after the Calamity.[30] The 2024 three-partDownfall special inCritical Role'sthird campaign focused on the fall of Aeor during the Calamity; it featured Corellon as aplayer character portrayed byAbubakar Salim.[31][32]
In 2014, James Vincent ofThe Independent identified Corellon as an example of D&D's embracing of LGBT characters, as the god is "often seen as androgynous or hermaphroditic," and some elves are made in the god's image.[4] Dana Rudolp, a veteran player and LGBTQ parenting author contributing toThe Huffington Post, explained Corellon's significance in terms of representation: "D&D has long attracted LGBTQ players, among others, as these examples of gay and transgender players (and my own experiences) show. Many of us have been bending our characters' genders and sexual orientations for years, but it's terrific to see the game officially embrace this. Kudos to the makers of D&D, Wizards of the Coast."[33] Nathan Grayson, forKotaku in 2016, noted the while some critics have attempted to claim that the inclusion of transgender characters inDungeons & Dragons properties is "unprecedented" and "modern", these claims are untrue as "even as far back as 1st Edition, Corellon Larethian existed with those characteristics" that are noted in the god's 5th Edition description.[34] Eleanor Tremeer, forGeek & Sundry in 2019, highlighted that Corellon's significance is that gender and sex fluidity is "built into the lore" of the game.[35]
The academic bookQueerness in Play (2018) highlighted that inclusive "queer representation has become mainstream in tabletop RPGs", noting that the 5th Edition ofDungeons & Dragons (2014) included "a nod toward queer characters and play" with the description of Corellon'scosmogony – "the passage, while brief and criticized both for being awkwardly worded and pandering, was relatively well received. It is a clear signal that after decades of silence,Dungeons & Dragons is now explicitly welcoming towards queer play."[36] Academic Sarah Donnelly, in 2020 for theLambda Literary Review, similarly thought the passage was "awkwardly phrased" while being "well-intentioned".[37] Donnelly commented "but I can't help but be frustrated by the idea that I need permission to play a trans or gender non-conforming character—that there apparently has to be a deity involved for an elf to be non-binary".[37] In 2023, academic PS Berge called theQueerness in Play description of the 2014Dungeons & Dragons passage "perhaps an understatement" when they simply called it awkward as the original passage potentiallymisgenders one of their examples and with another example "implies that misgendering, gendered assumptions about facial hair, and dysphoria are all expected parts of the game world".[38] Berge then highlighted the expanded description of Corellon inMordenkainen's Tome of Foes (2018) where the god is "described as beautiful in their transformative power—yet this is also linked to their treachery" as an oath breaker and opined that the description of Corellon's conflict with Gruumsh has "transphobic subtext" since it is Corellon's transformative traits that "drive Gruumsh to violence".[38] Berge also viewed the drow's opposition to the Blessed of Corellon as being centered on "racialized violence and transphobia" which is rooted in "the samebioessentialist logics of fantasy racism".[38] Berge wrote:
Corellon and the blessed elves embody the problem of positioning trans stories and bodies within the fantasy realist logics of D&D. To bring trans power into D&D's systems is to accept a reductive quantization: setting awkward and disturbing limits on trans power in the name of balance while centering hostility, violence, and shame to make transness an obstacle for narrative growth.[38]