writing
AmWriting
AmWritingFantasy
DungeonsAndDragons
DnD
The Dark Maiden, Lady of the Dance, the daughter of Corellon Larethian and Araushnee (who later became Lolth), and sister of Vhaeraun.
Eilistraee (/ˈaɪlɪsˌtraɪi/ eil-iss-tray-yee) is a melancholy, moody deity. She is greatly angered by the evil of most Drow, but glad that some have worked their way free of the Spider Queen’s web. Eilistraee is a lover of beauty and peace, but is not averse to striking back against those who would harm her followers. She appears as an unclad, glossy-skinned Drow woman of great height with ankle-length, sweeping hair of glowing silver.
Aid the weak, strong, grateful, and churlish alike. Be always kind, save in battle with evil.
Eilistraeens were bidden to aid and protect all folks in need, of any race, whether weak or strong, kind or rude, and to promote harmony and acceptance among all races. They were to lend their help to all those who fought for good whenever there were ways to do so. Except when fighting evil, they were to be always kind, even to those who showed rudeness, and to aid others in acts of kindness.
They were to treat strangers as friends. Hungry travelers were to be fed and the homeless given shelter, under their own roof if needed. When traveling and while adventuring, they were to feed, help, and protect all those in need they met along the way as a prayer and offering to the goddess. They were also to patrol the surrounding lands, especially in cold winters, so that all those who were lost, hurt, or suffering the cold could be given appropriate treatment and shelter.
Eilistraeens were advised to bring happiness and merriment everywhere they went, lifting people's hearts with kindness, gaiety, songs, jests, and revelry. They were to nurture and create beauty, promote and practice music and dance, learn new songs and dances, and learn how to play, craft, and repair musical instruments. They were to pass this learning on whenever possible, and use it to bring joy to friends and strangers alike. It was said that feasts should always be joyful events and that food should be eaten with the accompaniment of music, save for sad occasions. The faithful were also told to practice swordwork, learning new techniques with the blade.
The faithful were meant to encourage Drow to return to the surface world whenever and wherever there were ways to do so. They were to promote peace between them and other races, thus helping the Drow forge their own place in the world and become part of its rightful, non-evil inhabitants. They were also to aid all Drow who were in danger or in need of help. If they were in combat, the fighting had to be ended as soon as possible, with as little bloodshed as possible. All Drow met, when not working evil on others, were to be given the message of Eilistraee.
Food could be a source of joy; the faithful were advised to learn how to best cook it and to gather new recipes and spices whenever they could. They were to feed themselves by their own gardening and hunting skills, and assist hunters when possible. If food was aplenty, part of it was set aside and given to all those in need (especially outcasts and individuals of other races); thus, Eilistraeens were advised to carry some food for this purpose. Any remaining food was given to priestesses of the Dark Maiden, as they would give it away in turn and none would go hungry.
Eilistraeens were commanded to repay violence with swift violence, thus quickly removing dangers and threats, so that the fewest might be hurt. The bodies of evil enemies were to be burned as an offering to the goddess, unless they were edible and non-sentient and hungry people were near. When faithful, friends, and allies fell in battle, priestesses of the Dark Maiden were to comfort and sooth those who were mourning the loss, and provide a funeral song and burial.
Wealth was to be used to buy food, swords, armor, and musical instruments and to assist the work of the goddess. When helping others, their price should be no more than a single tool or favor, or a good sword or armor, that could be used to serve the goddess' will.
Eilistraee and her church detested slavery and actively fought it whenever possible. Followers of the Dark Maiden were forbidden to take slaves. Prisoners of war (mostly Lolth-worshiping Drow or untrustworthy individuals who had acquired too much knowledge and were held for some time, so such knowledge couldn't be used against the followers of Eilistraee) were usually made to work for food and shelter, but they weren't owned and couldn't be commanded by anyone (only supervisors assigned by the decision-makers among Eilistraeeans could give them orders, in selected cases).
