Yondalla

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Dungeons & Dragons Deity
Yondalla
Title(s) The Protector and Provider, the Nurturing Matriarch, the Blessed One
Homeplane Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia
Power Level Greater
Alignment Lawful Good
Portfolio Protection, fertility
Domains Good, Law, Protection (also Family and Halfling in Forgotten Realms)
Alias(es) (In the Forgotten Realms): Dallillia (Sword Coast south of Waterdeep), Perissa (Moonshaes),
Superior

In several Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings, including the game's default pantheon, Yondalla is the chief halfling goddess.

Yondalla is the goddess of Protection, Fertility, the Halfing Race, Children, Security, Leadership, Diplomacy, Wisdom, the Cycle of Life, Creation, Family and Familial Love, Tradition, Community, Harmony and Prosperity. Yondalla is also known as the Protector and the Provider, the Nurturing Matriarch, and the Blessed One.

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

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

Contents

[edit] Description

Yondalla has two aspects: the Provider and the Protector. As the Provider, she is a goddess of fertility and growing things, of birth and youth. She can make barren things fertile and increase the growing rate of plants and animals to any speed she choses.

As Protector, Yondalla wards off evil influences and intrusions and gives halflings the strength and determination to defend themselves. In this aspect, Yondalla most often uses her illusionist abilities to protect her worshippers.

[edit] Relationships

Yondalla's allies include Corellon Larethian and Moradin.

In the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, Yondalla is also allied with Chauntea, Helm, Torm, and Tyr. Her foes are Cyric, Talos and Malar.

[edit] Clergy and temples

Yondalla's clerics wear yellow-green saffron cloaks. Her sacred animal is the dove, and she is worshipped in the homes of halflings. Weekly food offerings are sacrificed to her.

Yondalla smiles upon her followers when they aid and help others and respect the dead. She frowns upon sacrifices and killing fellow halfings.

[edit] Holidays

Halflings set aside one day a week for worship of Yondalla (this day is called "safeday"), a day which is mostly spent in rest, playing, and eating.

[edit] Wayward Wardens

Yondalla has a special order of priests called "The Wayward Wardens". It is made of priests stricken with wanderlust who wish to see the world. They never settle long in one place for long periods of time. They come to the aid of halfling communities needing protection.

The Wayward Wardens are a loosely organized fellowship of Yondallan priests. Wayward Wardens serve the Provider and Protector by coming to the defense of besieged or threatened halfling communities in need of additional protectors.

[edit] Creative origins

James M. Ward created Yondalla for the Deities and Demigods Cyclopedia (1980).

[edit] References

  • Boyd, Eric L. Demihuman Deities (TSR, 1998).
  • McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground (TSR, 1996).