Eilistraee (EYEL-iss-TRY-ee)
Lesser Goddess of Beauty, Song, Dance, Freedom, Moonlight, Swordwork, and Hunting Eilistraee Tangiadesh (a.k.a. The Dark Maiden, The Lady of the Dance, Lady Silverhair, The Dark Dancer)
The daughter of Lolth and the opposite of her, instead taking after her Grandmother Ryra. Is the twin sister of Vhaeraun and is younger by a minute. Her colour is lilac.
(https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Eilistraee)
Eilistraee became one of the patronesses and protectors of the few dark elves who longed to return to the surface and live there, at peace with other races, and to abandon the endless conflicts and intrigues that dominated the lives of most drow.
Personality
Due to a history of grief and losses, and to the suffering of her people, melancholy and sadness were deeply rooted in Eilistraee's heart. It was a hard battle to endure, one that could weigh her down. However, it had also taught her to search for and nurture beauty everywhere, even in places like the Underdark, where it didn't seem to belong. Eilistraee fought her melancholy by striving to bring hope and joy where there was sorrow, so that no moment was lost to gloom, and to make life flourish wherever she went. She learned to find happiness in peace and arts, especially music and dance; in simple things like seeing artists composing and performing, craftsmen at their work, and people doing acts of kindness. She especially took delight in helping the needy in various practical ways, with a soft spot for outcasts, and in blessing artists with sudden bursts of creativity and inspiration. Eilistraee valued love in all its forms, be it passion and dedication towards something or someone, the act of deep and unselfish love, longing, noble sacrifice, lovemaking, and love and loyalty towards one's family and kin. Seeing lovers during tender moments made her happy.
Eilistraee dreamt of finding the love of her life with whom she could share eternity, marry and have a proper family. At the same time, the prospect of childbearing was faced with the cruel reality that her mother still lingered over her life. Not wanting her children to be born in a world where Lolth's web holds dominion, the goddess wished for their first breaths to be the trumpets of a new dawn free of the Spider Queen's tyranny. The Dark Dancer would treasure the love of an immortal human, cherishing them above all else. Such a human would act as a trusted confidant, best friend and consort.
As a young goddess, Eilistraee was a free spirit with an unpredictable temper. Even as she matured, these traits never really left her: she had a fiery streak and was prone to wild action, especially in the protection of her faithful when they were harmed. The evil that was inflicted upon—and perpetuated by—most drow caused a burning anger within her, one that could cause her to lash out, but she was comforted that some worked their way free of the Spider Queen's web.
The Dark Maiden was particularly close to her people. Aside from providing practical help in their everyday life, she was known to offer comfort and support in various ways, including listening to them as they let out or vented their personal emotions and experiences. When the right time came, she also personally accompanied her followers who didn't die in battle to their afterlife in a moving celebration known as the Last Dance. According to Rowaan Vrinn, Eilistraee didn't test her followers, as the challenges of life were enough of a test themselves. She valued the intent behind their actions more than the actual success. Moreover, Eilistraee refused to act as a commander: she saw herself fit to give advice and help in practical ways, to uplift and make people fulfil their potential, never order.
Though focused on the drow, Eilistraee accepted folk of all races who danced along her path, who delighted in life and in the free-form expression of it in all its forms. She fought so that all races could live peacefully together, helping and accepting each other despite their differences, and strongly believed in the possibility of redemption for those who had fallen to evil, especially the drow.
Divine Domains
Life, Light, Nature, Twilight
Artifacts
A bastard sword
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Unclad female drow with long hair dancing before a full moon with a silver bastard sword.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
When, during her youth, a host of drow who worshipped Araushnee (her mother) assaulted her home, Araushnee's treachery almost made her slay her own grandmother. Even though she was cleared of any guilt, Eilistraee chose to share her mother and brother's exile because she knew that the drow would need her light in the times to come. After the descent of the drow, Eilistraee tried to be a mother goddess to her people and bring them the hope of a new life since she had assented to become a lesser deity. She fought to lead them back to the lands of light, helping them to flourish and prosper in harmony with other races, free from Lolth's tyranny and the conflicts that dominated their lives. Hers was an uphill battle, however, as her power was little and she was opposed by her family. But, despite having to overcome many hardships and setbacks, Eilistraee never gave up fighting for her people. Her conflict with her mother over the souls of the drow race ultimately led to Eilistraee's defeat and disappearance. It lasted for about a century, until the Second Sundering, when Eilistraee returned to life and to her followers.
Relationships
History
Because Eilistraee has a difficult relationship with her mother Lolth, Ryra became like a second mother to her, not just her Grandmother.
Relationship Reasoning
Ryra is Eilistraee's Grandmother and mother figure.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
They share a love of dancing and the arts as a whole.
Shared Acquaintances
Vhaeraun and Lolth
History
The relationship between Eilistraee and Vhaeraun went through significant changes over the ages. After her self-imposed exile, the Dark Maiden fought Vhaeraun's warmongering influence on the dark elves. After the Descent of the drow, while the two siblings shared certain goals, their views on how to achieve them clashed. Eilistraee wished the drow to peacefully return to the surface and build friendships with other races, while Vhaeraun wanted the drow to reclaim the ancient prestige through violence and conquest. The Dark Maiden didn't hate her brother, but was saddened by his cruelty and selfishness. Nonetheless, their conflict eventually escalated when Vhaeraun's plan to assassinate his sister backfired, and she temporarily took his power. However, after their return during the Second Sundering, Eilistraee and Vhaeraun had gained a new understanding of each other. As a consequence, they were closer and became more open to each other's ways and goals. They reached a truce and even friendship, although some of their followers remained foes and skirmished often.
Relationship Reasoning
They're blood siblings.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Taking down their mother.
Shared Acquaintances
History
Lolth was Eilistraee's chief enemy. The Dark Maiden was infuriated by her mother's evil and corruption, and constantly strove to help the drow break free from her oppression and find their way back to the surface world. Lolth ordered the persecution of all the worshipers of the Dark Maiden and the suppression of all information and records about her. The Spider Queen's clergy worked to hide Eilistraee's existence from the drow, fearing the impact that such knowledge would have on the status quo. They were particularly wary of the Dark Maiden's call, which would lure the dark elves to the surface and show them the beauty of a kind of life that they were denied, and did all they could to prevent the drow from hearing and feeling it, afraid that they would choose to follow it and abandon the Way of Lolth.
Relationship Reasoning
They're mother and daughter.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
The drow
Shared Acquaintances
Comments