Sharindlar

Sharindlar
Game background
Title(s) Lady of Life and Mercy
The Shining Dancer
Alignment Chaotic good
Portfolio Courtship
Dancing
Fertility
Healing
Mercy
The moon
Romantic love
Design details

Sharindlar is a fictional god in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, a god of the dwarves of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.

Sharindlar, also known as the Lady of Life and Mercy, is the chaotic good dwarven deity of healing and mercy. Sharindlar represents a side of dwarven life rarely observed by outsiders. As of late her command of fertility has expanded her clergy's influence over animal husbandry along with the developing of new varieties of crops.

Publication history

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)

Sharindlar was introduced in Dwarves Deep (1990).[1] Sharindlar received a detailed description in Demihuman Deities (1998).[2]

Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition (2000-2007)

Sharindlar is described in Faiths and Pantheons (2002).[3]

Description

Worshipers

When a dwarf is struck down in combat, he often utters prayers to Sharindlar, making no secret his veneration of this benevolent goddess. When dwarves abandon their taciturn moods for an evening of dance, or when a hardened warrior softens to accept the vows of marriage to his childhood love, Sharindlar is invoked as a deity of gaiety, romance and dance.

Clerics of the Sharindlar are known as Thalornor or "those who are merciful". They spend most of their time ministering to the needs of the sick or injured within dwarven communities. When not engaged in this manner, they to instruct dwarven youth on proper courting rituals. Sharindlar's clergy pray for spells in the morning.

Holy ceremonies dedicated to Sharindlar are most often practiced when the moon begins to wax, at Greengrass, Midsummer Night and whenever the moon is full. At such gatherings, dwarves dance around a natural pool, chanting to the Lady of Mercy while casting gold items into a sanctified cauldron. Temples most often are large halls with ample space for dancing and celebration, along with plenty of intimate guest rooms for visiting celebrators.

Relationships

Over time Sharindlar has established good relations with her entire dwarven pantheon, including strained friendships with the likes of Laduguer, Deep Duerra and Abbathor. The Lady of Life and Mercy occasionally acts as intermediary between Moradin and those exiled deities when these opposed deities are forced to act together. Sharindlar shares great kinship with Shiallia, who is believed to be her daughter with Tapann.[2]:99

References

  1. Greenwood, Ed. Dwarves Deep (TSR, 1990)
  2. 2.0 2.1 Boyd, Eric L. Demihuman Deities (TSR, 1998)
  3. Boyd, Eric L., and Erik Mona. Faiths and Pantheons (Wizards of the Coast, 2002).