Arvoreen

Arvoreen

Game background
Title(s)	The Defender, the Vigilant Guardian, the Wary Sword
Home plane	Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia
Power level	Intermediate
Alignment	Lawful Good
Portfolio	Protection, vigilance, war
Domains	Good, Law, Protection, War (also Halfling in Forgotten Realms)
Superior	Yondalla
Design details

In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Arvoreen is the halfling deity of protection, vigilance, and war. He is also known as "The Defender."

Publication history

Arvoreen was first detailed in Roger E. Moore's article "The Halfling Point of View," in Dragon #59 (TSR, 1982).^[1] In Dragon #92 (December 1984), Gary Gygax indicated this as one of the deities legal for the Greyhawk setting.^[2] He also appeared in the original Unearthed Arcana (1985).^[3]

Arvoreen was detailed in the book Monster Mythology (1992), including details about his priesthood.^[4] The deity's role among his followers was expanded in The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings (1993).^[5] His role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).^[6] He received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities (1998).^[7] He is described as one of the good deities that celestials can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).^[8]

Arvoreen's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons (2002).^[9] He was detailed again in Races of the Wild (2005).^[10]

Relationships

In many campaign settings, the halfling pantheon of gods consists of the leader Yondalla, as well as Arvoreen, Brandobaris, Cyrrollalee, Sheela Peryroyl, and Urogalan.

Realm

Arvoreen lives in the halfling realm of the Green Fields on the plane of Mount Celestia.

Worshipers

Clergy

Arvoreen's clerics wear silver chainmail and helmets. His sacred animal is the war dog.

Rituals

Arvoreen is worshipped before battle. Silvered weapons are typically sacrificed to him when followers seek his blessing.

In other media

Arvoreen's most well noted follower is perhaps Mazzy Fentan, of Baldur's Gate II fame.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ Moore, Roger E. "The Halfling Point of View." Dragon #59 (TSR, March 1982)
2. ^ Gygax, Gary (December 1984). "From the Sorcerer's Scroll: Clerics live by other rules". Dragon (Lake Geneva WI: TSR) (92): 22. ]
3. ^ Gygax, Gary. Unearthed Arcana (TSR, 1985)
4. ^ Sargent, Carl. Monster Mythology (TSR, 1992)
5. ^ Niles, Douglas. The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993
6. ^ McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground (TSR, 1996)
7. ^ Boyd, Eric L. Demihuman Deities (TSR, 1998)
8. ^ Perkins, Christopher. Warriors of Heaven (TSR, 1999)
9. ^ Boyd, Eric L, and Erik Mona. Faiths and Pantheons (Wizards of the Coast, 2002).
10. ^ Williams, Skip. Races of the Wild, Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005

Additional reading

• Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online: [1]

• Dragon magazine #171 - "Defenders of the Hearth"

• Living Greyhawk Journal no. 3 - "Gods of Oerth"