Yondalla
- The Protector and Provider, the Nurturing Matriarch, the Blessed One
- Yondalla's Children (Halfling Powers): Yondalla | Arvoreen | Cyrrollalee | Sheela Peryroyl | Brandobaris | Urogalan | Tymora
| Aliases: | {{{Deity Aliases}}} |
| Gender: | {{{Deity Gender}}} |
| Demonym: | {{{Deity Demonym}}} |
| Power Level: | Major Power |
| Symbol: | Shield with a cornucopia motif |
| Alignment: | Lawful Good |
| Portfolio: | Protection, fertility |
| Worshipers: | Halflings |
| Domains: | Family[1], Good, Halfling[1], Law[1], Protection |
| Arelith worshippers' alignments[2]: | LG, LN, NG |
| Aspects: | {{{Deity Aspect1}}}, {{{Deity Aspect2}}} |
| Arelith Aspect 1 | Arelith Aspect 2 |
|---|---|
| Hearth and Home | Knowledge and Invention |
Dogma:
"Those who seek to live in accordance with the way of the Provider will be blessed with a cornucopia of riches. Although violence should never be welcomed, the Protector's aegis extends to those willing to fiercely defend their home and community. Lead through example, knowing the activities of those you lead so you can shoulder their burden if need be. Treasure your family, for your parents gave you life and your children are your future. Care for the aged and the weak, for you never know when you may be one of the strong laid low."
Background:
Yondalla created the Halfling race in her own image, and it is due to her charming personality, friendly demeanour, curiosity, loyalty and sense of mischief that halflings are among the best-tempered of the goodly races. As the matriarch of the halfling pantheon (and indeed the entire race), all halflings revere the blessed one. Even those who have rejected the traditional values of the hin respect Yondalla for her guidance of the race as a whole. Yondalla serves as an example to all her people, espousing harmony among halflings, good relations with other races, and strong defence when faced with the affronts of enemies. It is Yondalla's wish that all her children are safe and prosperous, treat each other well, and live interesting, full lives. Yondalla is forgiving, slow to anger, and kind, but when her charges become threatened she acts with bravery and ferocity that has gained the respect of even her most warlike godly contemporaries. Yondalla knows that her race represents a truly good creation, and does anything within the boundaries of honour to nurture and protect it.
Perhaps surprisingly, Yondalla's clerics build few temples. Worship of the Nurturing Matriarch is so ingrained into nearly every aspect of halfling society that the hin treat the idea of specific services to their goddess once a ten-day with bemused dismissal. This isn't to suggest halflings have a theocratic culture, but rather that Yondalla (And by extension, her clergy) presents through her actions (as interpreted through stories taught to all halflings in their youth) the values a halfling should embrace to live life to its fullest and to benefit the community, namely: acceptance, community, love gaiety, curiosity, loyalty, diplomacy, tradition, and well-developed sense of mischief. The fact that many members of the clergy double as community leaders reinforces the influence of Yondalla's credo upon halfling society.
Clerics of the Protector and Provider pray for spells in the morning. Though organized common rituals and celebrations are rare, most halfling communities hold periodic gatherings in which clerics of the Blessed One minister to the public. Even nonhalflings are invited to take part in the festivals through the local enclave that gives village elders the opportunity to share locale lore with the youngfolk and visitors, strengthening the sense of community. Clerics offer even secular guidance to their communities, often acting in important governmental roles. Clerics of Yondalla rarely multiclass, though some few with a militant bent decide to become paladins.
History/Relationships:
Over the millennia, Yondalla has cultivated strong relationships with Garl Glittergold, Corellon Larethian, and Moradin, and generally can count on their support for her positions. Though her love for her halfling subjects knows few limits, she holds even greater admiration for her fellow members of the halfling pantheon, sometimes known as Yondalla's Children. Though the Blessed One is content to ignore those evil deities who do not threaten her "families" (mortal or divine), she holds deep grudges against certain deities who have crossed her in the past. Such beings include Bane, Cyric, Talona, Talos, and the Deities of Fury.
