Titania (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Titania is the fey deity of Faerie folk and Realms, Friendship, and Magic. Her symbol is a white diamond with a blue star glowing in its center, the antithesis of the black diamond symbol of her sister, the Queen of Air and Darkness.

Publication history

Titania was first detailed in the book Monster Mythology (1992), including details about her priesthood.^[1] Her role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).^[2]

Description

Titania is described in Monster Mythology as a beautiful female faerie, only three and a half feet in height, with gossamer wings, pale skin, a perfect complexion and cheek bone structure, and penetrating blue eyes, carrying a diamond-tipped wand.^[1]

Relationships

Titania is the leader of the Seelie Court, a large confederation of gods, which consists of her consort Oberon, their children Damh and Verenestra, as well as the following gods: Caoimhin, Eachthighern, Emmantiensien, Fionnghuala, Nathair Sgiathach, Skerrit, and Squelaiche. The Seelie Court stands united in opposition to the Queen of Air and Darkness, and is allied with the Seldarine.

Titania has some intimate connection with the hag goddess Cegilune, her sister or other half. It is believed that if either Cegilune or Titania were to be destroyed, both would die.

Realm

Titania rules the wandering Seelie Court, which shifts erratically between the Beastlands, Arborea, and Ysgard. The light and climate of the realm change according to Titania's fickle moods.

Dogma

Titania believes in goodness and mercy, and it is almost impossible to drive her to anger unless the being offending her is extremely evil. If this is so, her wrath may be great.

Worshippers

Titania is revered by all non-evil faeries, but brownies, bookas, pixies, and sprites worship her as their special patron.

Other versions

Dragon #155 presented a different faerie queen, the greater goddess Rhiannon.^[3] In Dragon #263, a non-divine Queen Titania was presented, this version a lawful neutral, 20th level druid who carries a silver rod with which she can call up storms.^[4] Another non-divine Queen Titania was created for the world of Mystara in Tall Tales of the Wee Folk, where she appeared as a 25th level warrior sidhe of neutral alignment.^[5] In the latter two versions she is human-sized, and her attendants Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed, and her young pet human changeling boy, are all mentioned.

Shakespeare vs Dungeons & Dragons

Oberon and Titania, have switched roles in the Dungeons & Dragons universe from their Shakespearean counterparts as the King and Queen of the Fairies. In Shakespeare, Oberon ruled the fairies with Titania as his consort, but this is reversed in the role-playing game. The exact reason for this switch is not clear, although in British folklore the fey are usually ruled by an unnamed Queen.

References