RELUNAR
Moonsong, Dream Shaper, Night Angel
Goddess of the Moon, Stars, Dreams, Travel, Luck and Night
Alignment: N
Cleric’s Alignments: N, NG, NE
Domains: Darkness, Knowledge, Luck, Travel, Trickery
Symbol:
Favored Weapon: Morningstar
Centers of Worship: Erenenlea, Glitterhome, Sea-faring folk, gamblers
Nationality:
Obedience (need the Deific Obedience feat):
Dance in a random pattern beneath the light of the moon and stars, trusting in the guidance of destiny. If no stars or moon are currently visible, softly sing or chant all of the names of the stars that you know as you perform your dance. Let your mind expand and turn your thoughts away from where your feet might land, allowing your steps to fall where chance wills. When the dance feels complete, cease dancing. Ponder the steps you took and the position in which you stopped, and consider what portents these subtle clues might hold for the future. Gain a +1 luck bonus on initiative checks and a +4 sacred bonus on Perception checks made to determine whether you are aware of opponents just before a surprise round.
Exalted Boons:
1. Slumberer (Sp): sleep 3/day, silence 2/day, or deep slumber 1/day
2. Splendorous Ally (Sp): Once per day as a standard action, you can summon a lillend azata. You gain telepathy with the lillend to a range of 100 feet. The lillend follows your commands perfectly for 1 minute for every Hit Die you possess before vanishing back to its home on Elysium. The lillend doesn't follow any commands that would casue it to take evil or overly lawful actions, and the creature could even attack you if the command is particularly egregious.
3. Blast of Motes (Su): Whenever you channel positive energy to heal living creatures, a shower of starry motes cascades over all of the living creatures in the area of effect. These motes do not impede vision or stealth attempts, nor do they reveal invisible creatures, but they infuse the targets with divine luck. Targets of this ability reduce any miss chance they face by 10%. In addition, when targets of this ability roll damage dice, they may treat all 1s as 2s. The motes and their effects last for 1 round +1 round for every 4 Hit Dice you have (maximum 6 rounds). If you don't have the ability to channel positive energy, you gain the ability to do so once per day as a cleric of a level equal to your Hit Dice (maximum 20), but only to heal living creatures. Whenever you use this ability, the beneficiaries are showered with starry motes, with the effects described above.
Evangelist Boons:
1. Travelers's Tricks (Sp): longstrider 3/day, darkvision 2/day, or phantom steed 1/day
2. Moonlit Caster (Su): Over time you have learned to focus your magical powers to better damage agents of evil. You add your Charisma bonus on your concentration checks, as well as on your caster level checks to overcome spell resistance. In addition, when you stand in moonlight and cast a spell that deals hit points damage, you can have it deal an extra 2d6 points of damage. This bonus damage is untyped, and it manifests as a glowing aura of moonlight around the spell's original effect.
3. Moon Eyes (Su): You gain darkvision with a range of 60 feet. If you already have darkvision of 60 feet or greater, the range of your darkvision instead increases by 30 feet. This extension applies only to natural, permanent darkvision, not to darkvision that is granted by spells or other effects. In addition, while you stand in moonlight the range of your spells (other than spells with the range of "personal" or "touch") increases as though your caster level were 3 levels higher.
Introduction:
Relunar is a goddess who delights in freedom, discovery, and mystery. She is a collection of mystery, darkness and light. She delights in leading others to their destination, but also lowering darkness on her foes so they are lost in a lightless night with no direction. Her neutrality can be considered aloof, for she can aid a mother in finding her lost child through dreams and starlight, but then again, aid a lithe rogue in finding that unlocked shutter to gain entrance to obtain a covetous gemstone.
Although her dominion over dreams, the moon, and stars means that many seers, diviners, and mystics revere her as an informal goddess of prophecy, she delights in the freedom of people to choose their own destiny. She prefers to use prophecy as a tool for exploration and creating choices, not for limiting action and snuffing hope, and finds "doom and gloom" prophecies and those that seem to guarantee good people will commit horrible acts. She hands out such warnings in the direst circumstances, generally in dreams, and if she must send dreams that portend despair, she may grace a follower in need with the benefit of a helpful spell upon awakening that persists throughout the whole day. Thus does she pair dark portents with hope that the outcome may still be bright.
When Relunar has a message for one of her faithful, she prefers to intervene in dreams, sending simple impressions, visions, or even prophecies that the sleeper clearly remembers upon awakening. When dreams are unsuitable or time is short, she indicates her favor with flights of swallowtail butterflies, sparrows, dragonflies, geese flying in a four-pointed star shape, or the timely arrival of messenger birds. She typically shows her disfavor with dreamless sleep that fails to refresh the sleeper (as if the person had not slept at all0, sore feet, message animals losing their messages, and minor travel accidents.
Relunar watches over those who travel for any reason. Trailblazers, scouts, adventurers, and sailors, all praise her name. (Although most sailors honor Aluhs in some fashion, they always need direction provided by the light Relunar provides.) Her influence over luck also makes her a favorite among gamblers, thieves, and others who rely on fortune for shady dealings.
Relunar encourages her worshipers to believe in themselves and express their inner strengths, often in the form of music, dance, or theater. Many songs penned by her faithful become popular tunes for dancing and gatherings. Some believe the custom of the traveling bard paying for her lodging with a song stems from Reunar's church, and like bards, followers of Relunar encourage young folk to since and dance in the hope of discovering hidden talents.
Relunar usually appears to her followers as a beautiful woman of the race of the most faithful follower present. In this guise, she aids people in need or suggests relevant excerpts from her holy writings, The Moon and the Stars, as a way to lead the faithful on the correct path. She is not above singing to lighten dour moods or dancing with those whose confidence is in need of reinvigoration. When Relunar wishes to reveal her true nature, she transforms her common clothing into a billowing gossamer gown and grows glittering translucent angel wings on her back, although in somber situations, the wings are opaque and dull.
Relunar's holy symbol is a crescent moon. Most of her clergy are clerics and oracles, although about one-third of her priests are bards or rogues, with a number of neutral good druids and rangers also choosing her as their patron. She is called Moonsong, Dream Shaper, and the Night Angel.
The Church:
Although many worship Relunar, she has few actual temples or settled priests and no formal chain of command. Physical and magical might and respected, as are knowledge and experience, with personal expertise in a field trumping mere combat prowess or spellcasting ability. For example, when dealing with a basilisk's attacks on a frontier town, a low-level cleric who has survived an encounter with the creature is accorded greater authority than a high-level character who has never faced one.
This structure means that Relunar followers have certain ideas about what they consider "informed" authority; they feel free to ignore nobles, politicians, and other "meritless" leaders if more knowledgeable folk are on hand to provide better advice. Although they can be competitive with others inside and outside the church, these are friendly rivalries; they prefer to move on if a disagreement is going to turn ugly- after all, there's an entire world of wonder to explore, so there's no sense wasting time on argument.
Services dedicated to Relunar include singing, dancing, storytelling (especially of unusual dreams), footraces, and music. Some use exotic substances, herbal drinks, alcohol, or animal venom to spark unusual or (for very lucky) lucid dreams. Many rituals involve sand because of its relation to sleep and the comparison to the number of stars in the sky. Dust made from crushed moonstones is used in the faith's rare ceremonies and blessings instead of water or sacred oil. Relunar priests carry holy moonstone dust in glass flasks instead of holy water. Some luck-seeking faithful carry dice or other luck talismans carved of moonstones.
Temples and Shrines:
Relunar keeps few temples, preferring unattended shrines at crossroads and places of secluded beauty, like hilltops or peninsula points. Although unmanned, these shrines often hold simple provisions and a place to scrawl notes or feelings if visitors are so inspired. Her association with the stars and night sky means that her temples sometimes double as celestial observatories, or at least have one room partially open to the sky. In many cases, these observatories have markers on the walls or windows to indicate positions of important stars on holy days (one-room churches might have a single hole in the ceiling to show a particular star's position, and keep the hole covered on other days to keep out the rain or snow). Temples in large cities often take the form of tall towers with observatories at their tops, and with small libraries of astronomical and astrological charts. Rural temples usually incorporate an inn or stable as a service to travelers.
Butterflies, moths (as well as their caterpillar young), and fireflies congregate at her holy sites; legends say the priests can call upon these creatures to defend the temple, devouring cloth and leather to leave would-be thieves naked but unharmed. Some temples maintain colonies of silk-producing moths, creating hardy and beautiful silk for use and sale by the temple. Every temple protects a small chest of silver coins (usually no more than 300sp), which it uses to help fund journeys by the faithful. Needy travelers can petition a temple for financing, but this funding is normally available only for frontier exploration or travel to exotic locations. Those who exploit this suffer bad luck in the long run.
A Priest’s Role:
Priests of Relunar - including clerics, oracles, bards, rogues, rangers, and druids - go where they please, earning money by telling fortunes, providing entertainment, and interpreting dreams. They help people when they deem it necessary and feel without their help, those in need can't complete the task. Common skills for priests are Diplomacy, Knowledge (geography), Knowledge (history), Knowledge (Planes), Profession (harrower), Ride, and Survival.
Many of Relunar's faithful are talented artists, writers, and entertainers, and the church expects all priests to at least be familiar with contemporary music, theater, and literature, even if they have no talent in those areas. All priests are taught to recognize and encourage others with talents to expand on them. Priests with these talents will perform at all festivals, local venues, and celebrations. The church also throws public parties to showcase such performances, and such events endear the church to the public, even if the offered fare is no more than cheese, warm bread, and watered wine.
A typical day for a Relunar priest involves an early prayer (often spoken in bed moments after waking), recording remembered dreams in a journal, breakfast, study (the arts if so inclined, geography or the culture of a foreign land if not), and any duties assigned by a more experienced priest if one is present. After a light lunch, the priest goes for a walk or ride, often to a new place. Once at his destination, the priest does his duties and will assist those who need his skills (entertain, read a fortune, fight off a beast). Once done for the day, seeks a place to stay for the night, dines, prays, and sleeps.
Priests of Relunar pray for their divine spells in their morning prayers after a nice night of sleep. They, like their goddess, loathe night hags and other creatures that prey on sleepers as well as spellcasters who use nightmare - priests go so far as destroying spellbooks and magic items that use that spell. Priests also will help common folk from attacks of intelligent beasts that willingly attack them.
Relunar followers have a tradition of exploring distant places and leaving marks indicating someone of the faith has been there. This "found-mark" might be as simple as the goddess's symbol scratched on a flat rock or tree trunk, as elaborate as a small shrine, or anything in between.
Adventurers:
Those who follow Relunar, follow their dreams. They accept and cherish the world's surprises, but sometimes see the world not as it is, but as it could be. There most cherished desire is to accumulate experiences, to find out what existence has to offer, and to expand their souls' understanding of the myriad delights of the cosmos.
Relunar's faithful are accustomed to making decisions quickly (though not rashly), because they don't want to miss out on an opportunity. They express themselves through voice, dance, music, or art, regardless whether they are any good at it.
Clothing:
Relunar's priesthood has no regalia or vestments beyond symbols of the night sky and their goddess's holy symbol. Worshipers have little problem recognizing each other, as they often work Relunar's symbol into jewelry, clothing, or tattoos, or bear her holy weapon, the morningstar.
Holy Texts:
The faithful care little for heavy tomes of holy doctrine or arguments over the most righteous path. They prefer their religion concise, entertaining to read, and easy to carry.
The Moon and the Stars: this collection of seven scrolls contain all the official doctrine of the church, summarizing Relunar's existence, her interactions with other deities, and the fixing of the moon and the stars in the night sky. The sixth scroll often sparks up debate as it contains the church's words on the behaviors of mortals. All of these scrolls can fit into two scroll cases.
Shrine Writings: Shrines around Raden are often covered with verses from traveling faithful of Relunar who depict their inspiration with lyrics, poems, or other written prose. It is said the goddess herself gives this inspiration to the authors of the writings.
Holidays:
Given their lack of unified structure and penchant for spontaneous celebrations, the church of Relunar has few formal holidays. Two major festivals stand out from the dozens of minor occasions and celestial events.
Ritual of Stardust: This ritual takes place on the summer (Crossan 1) and winter (Relun 1) solstices, bracketing the shortest and longest nights of the year (and thus the best day to travel and the longest night to view Relunar's stars). A great feast starts at dusk with several large bonfires. As dusk turns fully to night, the faithful sing until the fires burn down to glowing embers, then throw handfuls of sand laced with star gems (star rubies, star sapphires, moonstones, or rose quartz) on the coals or into the air downwind of the festival. Pledges of friendship and journeys follow the ritual. Some cultures include prayers for good harvests or mild winters as well.
Blue Moon Festival: This celebration occurs on the rare occasions when the moon is full twice in one month. The powers of Relunar are at their peak during this time. Faithful use the two nights where the moon is fullest as times of festival and gatherings where they share their artistic endeavors with one another. The days are spent meditating and sleeping in hopes that the night will bring them Relunar's inspiration to complete a grand piece of music, sonnet, art, or literature that will entertain all to the fullest. Dust from star gems (star rubies, star sapphires, moonstoes, and rose quartz) are often used in inks and paints to enhance the creativity.
Aphorisms:
Relunar's followers collect stories, phrases, and habits from many parts of the world. A few have become common among the faithful.
Be Ready for Challenges and Unexpected Friends: Worshipers should train in combat or magic so they can overcome adverse situations in their travels.
Feet Are for Walking: Relunar teachers it's better to wander and explore than to stay at home and grow stale in thought and habit.
Is it in the Stars? A question a priest asks someone who has to make a life changing decision to go against their normal way of life and takes a risk. Prompts them to take a risk since people can determine their own fate.
Relations with Other Religions:
Relunar is friendly with many of the other deities, however she is more of a lone wanderer who is interested in exploration and hopes that may come with new adventure. She doesn't not despise the twin sun goddesses, Fineral and Soleral, but does tend to keep her distance when their powers are the strongest during the month of Crossan.
Her main foe is Xellix, God of Madness, Monsters, and Nightmares. She will do all she can to prevent Xellix and his minions from spreading their evil into the minds and dreams of her faithful and the common folk.
She is friendly with Lorimar as she is both intrigued in the god's ability to master all magic and his great knowledge. She often exchanges stories with him and encourages her followers to study the magic of Lorimar when given the chance and partake in his follower's libraries and other institutions of knowledge.
Realm:
Relunar's realm is shrouded with mystery. Her realm is believed to be on the moon, or within the brightness of the star, Reluna, which never moves its position in the sky so travelers will always have a point of reference.
Other thoughts are she has many realms as she enjoys traveling across the expanses of existence. No matter where it is, it is believed her realm is filled with song, dance, and other beautiful sights that often fill her faithful's most wonderful dreams.
Planar Allies:
In addition to her servitor races, the thyrlien and lyrakien, the following are well-known servitors of Relunar, suitable for conjuring with planar ally or similar calling spells.
Starlight: This enormous firefly with a dark purple glowing bulb serves as Relunar's herald and rises to protect Relunar's faithful and combat her enemies in times of great need. Surprisingly stealthy despite its size, Starlight soars through the sky in near silence. Spotting Starlight is considered a sign of good luck and blessing of Relunar. Followers of Relunar who spot Starlight sometimes go as far as to set up shrines to the goddess marking the event. If destroyed, Starlight reappears later in full health, but Relunar's mortal worshipers consider attacking the creature blasphemy and go to great lengths to avenge the creature's temporary death.
Nighthawk (unique avoral): This fierce avoral has jet black feathers with white spots on the tips, and his eyes are a bright silver that becomes dull and opaque when he's hunting or hiding. He is especially proud of his ability to pull up out of a full plummet with only inches to spare. He has an excellent singing voice and often belts out heroic songs of his own composing mid-battle.
Jet, Prince of the Night Sky (unique djinni): This arrogant djinni appears to be made of dense white smoke or inky black darkness dotted with bright stars (alternating between the two at whim). In either form, he has a long black beard, which he keeps meticulously combed. For payment, he prefers jewelry and items that summon air elementals.
Morrowsong (unique lillend): This dramatic lillend is a composer and author. Her scales are a silvery black, and she wears dozens of black silk ribbons in her hair. While she enjoys helping mortals, she constantly complains that it takes time away from her study and writing. She prefers payment in the form of bardic scrolls or long-lost songs.
For Faithful Characters:
Priests of Relunar that follow his tenets and graces often are granted special powers by Relunar.
- During the month of the Blue Moon Festival, a priest of Relunar can sacrifice pieces of art that will expand her powers that will last the entire month of the festival depending on its value. Priests can sacrifice multiple pieces of art for multiple bonuses. Only one piece of art per bonus - no stacking.
1,000gp - bonus 1st-level spell slot
2,000gp - bonus 2nd-level spell slot
4,000gp - bonus 3rd-level spell slot
8,000gp - bonus 4th-level spell slot
5,000gp star sapphire - +1 luck bonus to attacks
5,000gp star ruby - +1 luck bonus to damage
5,000gp in rose quarts or moonstones - +8hp
- Sacrificing a moonstone of at least 100gp value in her morning prayers, will allow the priest of Relunar to get a reroll of 1 die of her choice for the remainder of that day. This ability dissipates at midnight the day it was started.
- Spreading the faith of Relunar is always encouraged. If a priest has taken the Leadership feat,she can attempt to convert a non-believer to join her faith (DC 15 + Will save, level , racial factors, aggression factors and Charisma of target). She may use his Leadership number to attempt this conversion. If the target of conversion has seen the priest perform a mystical feat that aids the convert, the priest may add 5 to her roll. If converted, the priest may call upon this follower to serve her until the next new moon if she then makes a Charisma check DC 10.