Anelle (Ah-nell)
Tranquility's Presence
For more information on all deities, see: Deities
Anelle, also known as Mother Leath, is the halfling goddess of peace, kinship, and understanding. She is the embodiment of empathy and curiosity, forever fascinated by the thoughts, experiences, and stories of others. With a gentle smile and an open heart, Anelle delights in observing the intricacies of mortal lives, believing that every voice carries wisdom worth hearing. Unlike the rest of her family, she holds no desire for grand feats or material creations—her devotion lies solely in fostering understanding and harmony. To Anelle, all perspectives have value, even those shaped by bitterness or cruelty. So long as one remains willing to speak and listen, she believes transformation is possible.
Physical Description
Depictions of Anelle often show her as a serene, middle-aged halfling woman adorned in flowing, earth-toned robes. Her hair, streaked with hints of silver, is braided in the traditional style of many halfling elders, symbolizing wisdom through experience. In her hands, she carries a simple wooden staff, often carved with symbols of unity and peace. Her presence is said to bring a calming warmth, and her followers often invoke her name during tense discussions or moments of conflict.
Divine Realm
In the heart of Réimse, where the bustling streets weave together the cultures and customs of countless travelers, lies the Aphrotheater—a grand yet inviting space dedicated to the Mother of Kinship. Unlike the fortified temples of other deities, the Aphrotheater has no gates and no locked doors. Its wide archways welcome all who seek council, refuge, or simply a place to be heard. The structure is built of polished limestone and warm oak, with large circular windows that flood the space with natural light. Inside, communal tables of all sizes fill the vast chamber, their surfaces worn smooth by years of shared meals and spirited debate. The walls are adorned with colorful banners and tapestries, each representing the stories and traditions of the city’s many peoples. Above the central table, an intricately woven chandelier of bronze and glass glimmers—a symbolic reminder that even the most fractured pieces can create something beautiful when joined together. Here, disputes are brought to be resolved, treaties are negotiated, and friendships are forged. Diplomats, merchants, and envoys gather beneath Anelle’s watchful gaze, their conversations echoing with the constant hum of dialogue. Quiet alcoves offer space for more delicate discussions, while wide balconies overlook the city, inviting reflection and perspective. It is said that those who enter the Aphrotheater with open hearts may feel a warmth settle over them—a gentle nudge from Anelle herself, reminding all who gather that understanding begins with the willingness to listen.
Tenets of Faith
- Everyone deserves to be heard, from the mighty to the meek. True understanding comes from listening, not just speaking.
- Where harm has been done, balance must be restored so all may stand as equals.
- Differences are to be explored, not feared. The world is vast, and every culture, belief, and tradition holds wisdom worth knowing.
Worshipers
Anelle’s teachings emphasize the importance of equity, ensuring that those who have suffered are uplifted and given a voice. Her presence is most strongly felt in halfling society, where her influence ensures that even the smallest voice can find a place at the table. The faithful of Anelle gather in communal spaces to share stories, mediate disputes, and host discussions where all opinions are welcomed. Many halfling villages have a dedicated Circle of the Heart—a place of open dialogue where grievances can be aired and understanding can be fostered. Through her guidance, the bonds of community grow ever stronger, ensuring that no one is left unheard. Anelle champions inclusivity, urging her followers to welcome strangers without prejudice, celebrating the differences that enrich the world. Her followers often act as diplomats, mediators, and wanderers, traveling far and wide to learn and promote dialogue. They seek not to win arguments but to bridge divides, encouraging communities to see the worth in differing perspectives. While they are not pacifists by nature, they exhaust every opportunity for resolution before resorting to violence.
Paladins of Anelle
Paladins of Anelle are known as Dovetillers, sworn to uphold harmony and understanding through diplomacy, empathy, and justice. Unlike armored vanguards of war, Dovetillers forgo imposing displays of strength, dressing instead in elegant, practical garments. Their presence alone is often enough to soothe tensions, and their words are wielded with the same precision as any blade. A Dovetiller’s oath is not to conquest or domination, but to the preservation of peace and the mending of fractured bonds. They travel where conflicts threaten to escalate, standing as impartial mediators and advocates for understanding. When words fail and violence looms, they rely on protective magic and non-lethal tactics to quell hostility, valuing restraint above aggression. Even in combat, their goal is to disable and disarm rather than to destroy. Though they serve no ruler or nation, Dovetillers are often called upon by councils, guilds, and communities to settle disputes. In cities, they walk alongside Anelle’s priests, ensuring that all voices are heard and justice is served with compassion. To break one’s oath as a Dovetiller—to act in anger, escalate violence, or deny a plea for understanding—is a grievous failure. Yet Anelle, ever patient, offers the chance for redemption through reflection and renewal. For Dovetillers, the truest victory is not the defeat of an enemy, but the forging of understanding where none seemed possible. Those sworn to Anelle swear an oath to face the world with nuance and fortitude:- Listen and Forgive: I will seek understanding, even where none is offered. All are worthy of a second chance.
- Stand Against Suffering: I will stand between anger and bloodshed, a shield against needless harm.
- Violence As a Last Resort: I shall not raise my hand in violence unless no other path remains.
Holy Books & Codes
Words at the Table
Anelle has no single, rigid holy book. Instead, her teachings are collected in a series of writings, letters, and philosophical reflections known as Words at the Table. This ever-growing collection is not written by Anelle herself, but by her followers—diplomats, mediators, travelers, and scholars who have sought understanding and resolved conflicts in her name. Words at the Table are often shared like stories, passed from hand to hand or read aloud in gatherings. They contain accounts of successful negotiations, parables on the nature of compromise, and records of debates where even the fiercest rivals found common ground. Some volumes feature dialogues between opposing sides, preserved to illustrate how even bitter disputes can lead to understanding. Others offer reflections on empathy, patience, and the value of hearing perspectives that challenge one’s own. It is said that no copy of Words at the Table is identical to another. Each community may include their own contributions, adding new stories and lessons to the collective wisdom. Anelle’s faithful believe this practice reflects her belief that every voice has worth, and that true understanding is never final—it is a conversation that continues without end.Contacts & Relations
Kaskin
Anelle adores her husband with a patient, enduring love—one that has weathered countless adventures and debates. While his restless spirit and impulsive nature often clash with her calm and measured demeanor, she finds joy in the spark of life he brings to every moment. His boundless enthusiasm and hunger for experience fascinate her, and she listens intently to every exaggerated tale of daring-do he shares, even when she knows the truth is a little less dramatic. Though Kaskin's penchant for reckless escapades sometimes leaves her exasperated, Anelle seldom scolds him. Instead, she encourages him to reflect on the lessons his journeys offer, believing that even the wildest of adventures can lead to understanding. In turn, Kaskin respects her unwavering perspective and often jokes that she’s the only one who can keep up with his endless stories—though even he knows she can talk circles around him when she wishes. At the heart of their relationship is a shared love of people. While Kaskin thrills in the boldness of their deeds, Anelle delights in understanding their hearts. Together, they are the embodiment of halfling kinship—the laughter around a campfire, the warmth of a shared meal, and the countless stories that bind a community. He pushes her to embrace spontaneity, and she reminds him of the beauty found in stillness. For every wild tale Kaskin weaves, Anelle ensures its lessons are not forgotten.Moira
Anelle and Moira share a profound and affectionate bond, one built on mutual respect and the understanding of life’s quieter joys. While Moira tends to the hearth and ensures the well-being of the home, Anelle nurtures the connections that fill it—the laughter of family, the comfort of friendship, and the peace of reconciliation. Anelle admires Moira’s resilience and practical wisdom, recognizing the strength it takes to build and sustain a household. She often praises Moira's unwavering care, believing that the warmth of a well-kept home is the first step toward fostering harmony in the wider world. For her part, Moira deeply values Anelle’s calming presence, knowing that her words can mend wounds and settle disputes that no amount of labor could resolve. While Moira can be stubborn in her ways, preferring the simplicity of action over lengthy discourse, Anelle understands her perspective and rarely takes offense. Instead, she listens patiently, finding insight in Moira’s grounded outlook. Likewise, Moira respects Anelle’s dedication to equity and diplomacy, even if she sometimes teases her for her fondness of “talking things to death.” Together, they represent the heart and soul of halfling society—Moira tending to the body, ensuring warmth and nourishment, while Anelle tends to the spirit, fostering peace and understanding.Norret
Anelle sees Norret as a living reminder of the joy found in the unpredictable nature of others. While his mischievous streak and unpredictable wanderings might exasperate her at times, she cherishes his free spirit. To Anelle, Norret’s boundless curiosity and refusal to be tethered are a reflection of the vastness of experience that the world has to offer. She admires how he embraces both the good and the bad of his journeys, believing that every encounter—be it with friend or foe—has value. His knack for stumbling into strange places and stirring up chaos amuses her, and she savors the vibrant perspectives he collects along the way. While she might occasionally try to encourage him to reflect on the consequences of his actions, she would never seek to tame him. After all, to restrain Norret would be to snuff out the very essence that makes him who he is.Wenser
Anelle holds a deep fondness for Wenser, viewing him with the warmth one might have for a stubborn but well-meaning elder. She admires his dedication to craftsmanship and community-building through shared effort. In her eyes, every creation he inspires is a testament to the bonds that tie communities together. While she values his commitment to tradition, she finds his rigid views a bit limiting. Anelle believes in compromise and adaptability, often encouraging him to listen more and judge less. Yet, beneath it all, there is mutual respect—Wenser’s belief in fairness and honest labor aligns with Anelle’s vision of a just and equitable society. Wenser holds Anelle in high regard, though her boundless patience and open-hearted nature sometimes leave him puzzled. As someone who believes in clear agreements and decisive action, he often finds her willingness to listen to every side—even the dishonest or the cruel—both admirable and infuriating. "A deal’s a deal," he might grumble, "but not everyone at the table came to bargain in good faith." Still, he knows that without her guidance, disputes would escalate, grudges would linger, and even the most prosperous markets would crumble under mistrust. Though he views diplomacy as tedious, Wenser respects her ability to find compromise and occasionally seeks her counsel, though he’d insist it was only to hear “how the other lot thinks.” In return, Wenser offers Anelle a quiet sort of support, ensuring her envoys are granted fair passage through guild territories and helping to build the bridges—both literal and symbolic—that bring peace to communities.Divine Traits
General Information
Alternative Name(s)
Halfling Goddess of Kinship
Halfling Goddess of Peace
Halfling Goddess of Understanding
Mama Leath
Mother Leath
Mother of Kinship
Tranquility's Presence
Wife of Kaskin
Alignment
NG
Follower Alignment(s)
LG, LN, NG, N, CG
Tier of Divinity
Lesser Gods
Pantheon(s)
Halfling Gods
Area(s) of Concern
Diplomacy, forgiveness, patience, redemption, teamwork
Favored Weapon(s)
None
Sacred Animal(s)
Dove
Sacred Color(s)
Brown, ivory
Symbol
Sprig of mistletoe in the beak of a bird
Worshipers
Artists, bards, diplomats, halflings, linguists, performers, romantics, travelers
Worshipers' Adjective(s)
Leathin
Divine Realm
The Aphrotheater, Réimse - Iomlán
Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Domain(s)
Peace
Pathfinder 1e
Domain(s)
Charm, Good, Liberation, Nobility, Rune
Subdomain(s)
Aristocracy, Freedom, Language, Leadership, Love, Redemption, Self-Realization (Liberation)
Pathfinder 2e
Domain(s)
Family, Freedom, Glyph, Passion
Alternative Domain(s)
Introspection
Divine Ability
Wisdom or Charisma
Divine Font
Heal
Sanctification
Must choose holy
Divine Skill
Diplomacy
Cleric Spells
1st: Cycle of Retribution
2nd: Empathic Link
4th: Telepathy
Children
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