Nephinae (Neh-fih-nay)
The Moon-Mother
For more information on all deities, see: Deities
Embracing freedom and passion as her guiding principles, Nephinae, the Moon-Mother, champions that in the dark is where one finds truth, intimacy, and courage. As a goddess of the Moons and patron to the moon elves, she safeguards those who live, love, and walk in the quiet night. Revered across elven realms, Nephinae is bound to the elven pantheon’s ancient cycles of seasonal governance. Once, she shared the seasonal throne with her former lover, Cylas, but as his grip tightened, Nephinae rebelled, and their love turned to rivalry. Now, she opposes him from the shadows, a beacon for all who reject tyranny.
Physical Description
The Moon-Mother has as many depictions as there are stories of her meddling with mortal romances. She is often painted as a light-blue-skinned elf with white hair, her form tapering into wavy strands of silver moonlight that blend with the shadows. Some portray her as the Moons themselves, gazing upon the world below. She carries her silver longbow, Moonsliver, or, at times, a nightbloom—a flower that only opens at night. Folk tales state that if two lovers confess their love in the presence of one, Nephinae herself will bless their union.
Divine Realm
Scholars debate whether Nephinae is distinct from the Moons or is the Moons themselves. Regardless, legends speak of the Throne of Dusk, her serene domain on Estella the Greater, the larger of the two Moons. Here, nightblooms flourish, and still waters mirror the heavens, where Nephinae watches over mortal love and rebellion akin to theater. Astronomers occasionally claim to have glimpsed a fleeting purple glow on the Moon’s far side, believed to be her realm.
Tenets of Faith
- Seize your own destiny by pursuing love and happiness.
- Let the shadows protect you from the blinding zealotry of the Sun.
- Walk unbridled and untethered, forging new memories and experiences.
Worshipers
Nephinae’s clergy, shrouded in mystery, serve as mystics, seers, and spiritual guides, particularly to moon elves and half-elves seeking transcendence or love. Known by their silver diadems, they use illusions and divinations to protect their lands from sun elf inquisitors. Nephinae is especially revered by women and mothers, with milk, a symbol of motherhood, central to her rites. Worshipers often leave a bowl of milk out on full Moon nights. Beyond elves, Nephinae draws followers from those who labor under night’s veil, the lost, and seekers of solace. However, non-elves often see her as a chaotic force, promoting whim over order, unsettling rigid societies like those of dwarves and humans. Even the capricious azata revere her, viewing her as one of the few deities who share their perspectives. These celestial beings occasionally serve as intermediaries between mortals and the Moon-Mother, acting in her stead when divine avatars are absent.
Paladins of Nephinae
Paladins of Nephinae exist to protect the downtrodden, safeguard lovers, and defend personal freedoms from oppressive forces, such as Cylas’ followers. Unlike many paladin orders that focus on direct confrontation, her’s often employs stealth, guile, and illusions to achieve their goals. They act as protectors of the night and shadow, believing that true justice can be found by shielding the innocent and empowering the vulnerable. Their primary mission is to ensure that passion and creativity can flourish, unencumbered by authoritarian rule or rigid dogma. They seek to counter the corruption of tyrants and zealots by sowing seeds of rebellion, nurturing love, and providing sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. While they often find themselves against those who follow draconian tenets, Nephite paladins generally swear to fight for the same set of ideals:- Defend the Free Spirited: I will protect those who seek to express their love, passion, or freedom, even if it means using unconventional methods.
- Embrace the Shadows: The darkness is a shield, not a prison. I will use the shadows to cloak the innocent and strike down oppressors.
- Foster Hidden Truths: Truths often hide in plain sight, buried by deception. I shall seek out these truths and reveal them in their proper time.
- Nurture Passion: I will encourage others to follow their hearts, to embrace love, and to find their own way through the world.
- Subvert Tyranny: I will oppose tyrannical rule in all its forms, using misdirection and stealth to undermine those who would impose their will on others.
Holy Books & Codes
Followers of Nephinae avoid formal codes or written scripture to prevent theft by enemies, relying instead on oral tradition. Their beliefs, while diverse, consistently champion individual freedom and expression. Interpretations of Nephinae’s relationship with Cylas vary: some see his followers as adversaries, while others advocate for harmony, valuing cooperation to achieve balance.
Contacts & Relations
Cylas
Long ago, Cylas and Nephinae shared a love as radiant as the Sun and serene as moonlight, ruling the Caelerium in perfect harmony. Their union brought forth a child, Phaendar, a living symbol of their love. But as the ages passed, their differences grew insurmountable. Cylas saw Nephinae’s chaos as a threat to the order he valued, while she viewed his rigidity as stifling. Their love unraveled into discord, culminating in a bitter betrayal that shattered their bond. Now, Cylas and Nephinae are bitter rivals, locked in a relentless struggle for control of the Caelerium, each claiming the seasonal throne as their destiny.Norret
As a fellow deity of the Moons, Nephinae finds Norret to be endlessly amusing and endearing. His chaotic nature, free-spirited wandering, and rejection of rigid paths resonate with her own embrace of unpredictability and mischief. She sees him as a fitting representative of the lesser Moon, a creature who thrives in the uncertainty of the night, much like the shadows and illusions she weaves. The tales of Norret slipping past hunters and evading even the most determined pursuers delight her—a living trickster, always one step ahead. However, while Nephinae admires Norret’s cleverness and defiance of order, she finds his lack of deeper introspection frustrating. She values the complexities of emotions and the subtle games of influence that shape the world, while Norret often moves through life with carefree abandon, uninterested in the ripples he leaves behind. Still, she grants him her favor under the cover of night, watching with amusement as he bounds through the world, leaving stories of luck and misadventure in his wake. Sometimes in her own moments of whimsy, Nephinae crosses paths with Norret, sharing a silent understanding beneath the twin moons—the goddess and the hare, both elusive, both impossible to capture.Phaendar
The bond between Phaendar and Nephinae is warm and nurturing. The Moon-Mother encourages her son’s curiosity, guiding his cosmic explorations with gentle whispers and delighting in his discoveries. Despite their mutual respect and shared love for the night sky, tension arises from the broader conflict between Cylas and Nephinae, as Phaendar’s dual allegiance occasionally clashes with his mother’s unpredictability.Divine Traits
General Information
Alternative Name(s)
Elven Goddess of Chaos
Elven Goddess of Illusions
Elven Goddess of the Moons
Elven Goddess of Love
The Lunar Empress
Matron of Misdirection
The Moon-Mother
Alignment
CG
Follower Alignment(s)
NG, N, CG, CN
Tier of Divinity
TEXT
Pantheon(s)
Elven Gods
Area(s) of Concern
Illusions, love, moon elves, the Moons, motherhood
Favored Weapon(s)
Longbow
Sacred Animal(s)
Deer
Sacred Color(s)
Indigo, silver, white
Symbol
Crescent moon turned upward, strung like a bow
Worshipers
Assassins, azata, illusionists, mesmerists, moon elves, pregnant women, refugees, rogues
Worshipers' Adjective(s)
Nephite
Divine Realm
Throne of Dusk - The larger Moon, Estella the Greater
Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Domain(s)
Moon, Trickery, Twilight
Pathfinder 1e
Domain(s)
Chaos, Charm, Darkness, Good, Trickery
Subdomain(s)
Ambush, Azata (Chaos / Good), Deception, Espionage (Trickery), Love, Moon, Night, Shadow (Darkness)
Pathfinder 2e
Domain(s)
Darkness, Moon, Passion, Trickery
Alternative Domain(s)
Freedom, Truth
Divine Ability
Dexterity or Charisma
Divine Font
Harm or Heal
Sanctification
Can choose holy or unholy
Divine Skill
Deception
Cleric Spells
1st: Illusory Object
2nd: Penumbral Disguise
3rd: Moonlight Ray
7th: Moonburst
Children
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