appreciates the good she does in the dark of night and the tunnels within

Araleth Letheranil the earth. Outside of the elven deities, the Twilight Rider is on excellent
terms with the more adventurous powers and those who offer protection
(The Prince of Stars, the Twilight Rider) against evil in the dark of night. In a similar vein, he stands firm against
Lesser Power of Arborea, CG those deities who use the cover of darkness to commit their evil acts. He
PORTFOLIO: Light, starlight, twilight has established a firm friendship with the Oeridian power of stars and
ALIASES: None wanderers, Celestian. Both revel in the unique beauty of a star-filled
DOMAIN NAME: Arvandor/House of Glowing Stars night sky, and enjoy sharing that beauty with their mortal followers.
SUPERIOR: Corellon Larethian Araleth is fairly active, often sending avatars to aid elven
ALLIES: Artemis, Brandobaris, Celestian, Eilistraee, communities against the depredations of drow and other night-borne
Muamman Duathal, Sehanine Moonbow, Selûne, threats. His avatars make comparatively common visits to elven
Shevarash, Xan Yae, the Seelie Court, the settlements in wildspace, and it is said his avatar made a personal
Seldarine appearance in more than one major battle of the First Unhuman War.
FOES: Cegilune, Cyric, Erythnul, Hecate, Lolth, Malar, When he is not sending avatars to protect elven lands or combat threats
Mask, Nerull, the Queen of Air and Darkness, they face, he is known to travel to worlds with exceptionally beautiful
Shar, Shargaas, Talos and the gods of fury, night skies.
Tharizdun, the drow pantheon (except Eilistraee),
the goblinkin pantheons Araleth’s Avatar (Fighter 26, Crusader 22, Mage 16)
SYMBOL: A white shaft of light, small at the top and largest
at the bottom Araleth appears as a dusky-skinned elf with eyes that sparkle like stars.
WOR. ALIGN.: LG, NG, CG, LN, N, CN He wears his dark hair short, and is usually dressed in warrior’s clothes
and leathers of shimmering white. He often appears riding a twilight-
hued steed with eyes that sparkle like his own, named Twilight. Araleth
One of the younger generation of elven deities, Araleth Letheranil (AIR-
draws his spells from all schools save necromancy and all spheres; he
ah-leth leh-THAIR-an-ill) is the adventurous power of starlight and
never uses spells that create darkness, however.
twilight. He is a deity of the night, but not a deity of darkness; he
represents the beauty of a starlit night, and shining a light into the dark to
keep hidden evils at bay. He is earnest and somewhat impetuous, always AC −3; MV 15; HP 186; THAC0 −5; #AT 5/2 or 2
Dmg 1d6+13 (spear +3, +8 STR, +2 spec. bonus in spears) or 1d8+10 (long bow
ready to combat those who threaten elven peoples. +1, arrows +1, +8 STR)
Araleth is one of a group of younger elven deities called the “Second MR 60%; SZ M (5 feet tall)
Born,” so named because their emergence into the pantheon came after STR 20, DEX 21, CON 19, INT 20, WIS 19, CHA 18
the great formative events from Corellon’s battle with Gruumsh and the Spells P: 12/11/11/10/9/6/3, W: 5/5/5/5/5/3/2/1
banishment of Lolth. He is typically seen as a child of Corellon and Saves PPDM 2; RSW 5; PP 4; BW 4; Sp 6
Sehanine, and thus referred to as the Prince of Stars. As with most of the
elven deities, however, there are contradictory myths on his origin, with Special Att/Def: Araleth wields Starlight, a spear +3 that can
some portraying him as having sprung fully formed from the starlight that elongate into an awl pike or transform into any sort of lance instantly.
witnessed the elven grief and anger over the Descent of the Drow. The Regardless of form, this weapon can dispel shadowy undead (shadows,
aftermath of those events has had a great influence on Araleth’s slow shadows, wraiths, etc.) if they fail a saving throw versus death with
formation, for he has become among the most militant of the elven a −6 penalty. Even should such creatures succeed in saving, they suffer
powers. His myths are full of tales of daring exploits and desperate double damage, as do creatures from the demiplane of Shadow. If he
combat with the foes of the elven races, and these myths have inspired desires, the Prince of Stars can conjure up a sparkling longbow +1 and a
many an adventuring band over the centuries. quiver of twenty arrows +1.
Araleth’s most famous myth varies in the telling, but always Six times per day, Araleth can cast lance of starlight, light, lower
culminates in a battle with Lolth herself, which leaves him with a visible resistance, and starshine. Once per day he can cast Sol’s searing orb and
scar from her poisoned bite. In some versions, he and a number of other sunray. When he is fighting during dusk, dawn, or a night with stars in
young elven deities decided to capture the Demon Queen of Spiders and the sky, all saving throws are made against his magic with a −2 penalty,
deliver her to Corellon. This version always carries a moral about being and his opponents’ magic resistance checks are halved.
overconfident and overcome with hubris, as Corellon and other elder The Prince of Stars is immune to blinding and all light-based attacks,
members of the pantheon must intervene to save the youngsters. The tale as well as spider venom. He can always see through magical darkness
is not without inspiration, for the bravery and skill displayed by the perfectly, and he cannot be affected by faerie fire. He is immune to the
Second Born deities are praised, leaving no doubt that their heart was in special weapons of drow manufacture unless they have an effective
the right place. A less moralistic version of this myth is not as common, bonus of +2 or higher; otherwise he can be struck by weapons of +1 or
but still holds important lessons. In this version, Araleth is a part of a better enchantment.
mixed group of deities that often includes Muamman Duathal of the
dwarves and Brandobaris of the halflings as they are exploring some
ancient ruin or cave. Within they discover a massed army of drow led by
Other Manifestations
Lolth herself, ready to invade the surface world at any moment. Seeing The Twilight Rider’s manifestations typically take the form of a
that there is no time to spare for gathering allies or warning others, the glittering, starry aura around a creature or object. This aura renders an
band uses their skills to disrupt and delay the army, while sneaking into object completely immune to drow magic of any sort, and inflicts 6d4
the command tent to battle Lolth herself. They manage to put her to flight points of damage to a non-good drow who attempts to touch the object.
and scatter the army long enough to then summon allies, but not before When this aura appears around a creature, it grants a complete immunity
Araleth is grievously wounded and leaving him with his scar. to poisons of all sorts, and the creature gains 15% magic resistance
Araleth is on good terms with the rest of the Seldarine, and swiftly against drow magic. Further, any contact between this aura and magical
aids them if their followers are threatened by enemies of the elven darkness instantly nullifies the effect. Less commonly, he makes a
peoples. He is closest with the other younger members of the pantheon particular star glow brightly, even during the day, in order to lead a
who often work together as a cohesive group, but the deity he is most follower to safety or a specific objective.
strongly allied with is Shevarash the Black Archer. The two share an The Seldarine call on agathinons, asuras, and ancient treants as their
eagerness to fight the drow that most other members of the pantheon preferred servants, but Araleth is also served by aasimar, constellates,
don’t feel, and both are the most militaristic of the elven deities. eladrins (particularly ghaeles and shieres), firestars, radiance
Araleth’s determination to fight the dark elves and their gods is not due to quasielementals, radiant dragons, starfly plants, stellar dragons, and
revenge; instead, he sees them as an existential threat to surface elves. sunflies. He displays his favor through the discovery of onyx, star rose
The Prince of Stars does not share the Black Archer’s antipathy towards quartz, star sapphires, and other gems displaying asterism, as well as
Eilistraee, either; Araleth respects her efforts to change the drow and night-blooming cestrum and other night-blooming flowers. His
displeasure is shown through the appearance or discovery of pitch-black ceremony starts with the entire priesthood singing in a choir about the
night birds, black cats, black tourmalines, jet, and other pure black beauty of the nighttime stars; this usually lasts until twilight becomes full
stones, as well as a seemingly starless night. night. At this time, a circle of starlight is created with starshine spells and
each member sacrifices an item of beauty within the circle. Any item may
The Church be sacrificed, but items of silver and personal creations are favored,
although there is no stigma for those without artistic talent to sacrifice
CLERGY: Clerics, specialty priests, crusaders objects others have made. At the conclusion of the ceremony, a final
CLERGY’S ALIGN.: NG, CG, N, CN prayer is held, asking Araleth to grant them the wherewithal to continue
TURN UNDEAD: C: Yes, SP: Yes, Cru: No fighting for their lands and peoples.
CMND. UNDEAD: C: No, SP: No, Cru: No Major Centers of Worship: Small temples dedicated to the Twilight
Rider can be found in prominent cities in most major elven nations.
All clerics (including multiclassed half-elven clerics), specialty priests, Evermeet on Toril, for example, is home to the Dusk Halls of Twilight, in
and crusaders of Araleth receive religion (elf) and reading/writing Leuthilspar. This temple is favored by the sailors and navigators who call
(elvish) as bonus nonweapon proficiencies. that port city home, although this occasionally creates tensions with the
Araleth’s church is not particularly prominent on most worlds, clergy of Deep Sashelas.
although small communities of followers can be found in large elven On Oerth, in Greyspace, the Lendore Isles have many shrines and
nations, especially those with standing armies. Over the centuries he has small temples dedicated to the Prince of Stars, but they have fallen into
gained in popularity somewhat with elven youths, especially those for disuse due to the increasingly favored church of Sehanine Moonbow.
whom the draw of exploring and adventuring is strong. This has earned Still, there are many elven sailors who pray to Araleth before they sail,
the Twilight Rider’s church a slightly unfavorable view among older and and his cultic center in the Asterhall Tower has been somewhat insulated
more conservative members of elven society, who hold that the clergy to this pressure compared to the other temples and shrines. Only time will
encourages youthful rebelliousness. Exceptions to these views do exist, tell how the clergy responds to this change in the religious landscape of
however. The faith of the Prince of Stars is particularly strong among the their society.
wildspace fleets of the Elven Imperial Navy and the Sindiath Line, where Wildspace is another story altogether. Many elven colonies include
he is seen as guiding and protecting the common sailors and soldiers shrines to Araleth, and it is not uncommon to find at least one lay
throughout the spheres. member on any given Imperial or Sindiath Line ship. His most prominent
Temples dedicated to the Prince of Stars are built to have high domed temple is located in the crystal sphere Darnannon, in the major port
ceilings in the central worship area, with quarters and offices radiating Sorellithar. This port is not only a mercantile center, but also one of the
out from the center. The upper reaches of the dome are painted black or major elven shipyards, where flitters, men-o-wars, and other vessels are
dark blue, and set with clear gems enchanted to glitter like stars. These grown. The temple complex here, which is only modestly sized compared
gems are usually set to match the constellations in the night sky at the to the temples of Corellon, Sehanine, and others, is known as the Vault of
spring equinox. Windows are rare in the worship hall and any that do the Starry Sky. It is said that the clergy here are the ones who conceived
exist are opened only at night, so as to keep the hall illuminated as a of the new Radiant Ship design.
starlit night. Stellar observatories can often be found attached to long- Affiliated Orders: The church of Araleth sponsors only one military
standing temples, used for studying the night sky by astrologers and order, known as the Riders at Twilight. Contrary to the name, the order is
astronomers, who are held in equal regard within the priesthood. Shrines not specifically a cavalry force, although some branches are trained that
dedicated to Araleth are usually simple box-like structures with a quarter way. Consisting primarily of fighters, crusaders, and clerics, this martial
dome decorated with a portion of the night sky. Clear gems may be found order focuses on fighting in darkness or dim light in order to better take
in more luxurious shrines, but simple white paint suffices for most the fight to the foes of elves. Rarely consisting of more than 20
common worshipers. individuals in most elven nations, there are fairly substantial branches
Novices in the service of the Twilight Rider are called the Starry- throughout the elven worlds associated with the Elven Imperial Navy,
Eyed. Full priests of the Prince of Stars are called Celestial Watchers. In often reaching 100 strong.
ascending order of rank, the titles used by the Aralethian clergy are Besides this order, a great many elven and half-elven adventuring
preceded by the phrase Light of the Morning Star, Light of the Evening companies are sponsored by the church of Araleth or look to his tenets as
Star, Light of the Wandering Star, Light of the Nova Star, Light of the guiding principles. In addition, various guilds or collectives of astrologers
Asterism, Light of the Constellation, and Light of the Zodiac. High- and astronomers pay homage to the Prince of Stars throughout the elven
ranking priests have unique individual titles. Specialty priests are called nations.
twylar. The clergy of Araleth includes high elves (56%), grey elves Priestly Vestments: The ceremonial raiments of Araleth’s clergy
(31%), sylvan elves (4%), half elves of those ancestries (8%), and a small consist of white robes with silver fringes and small polished rock crystal
number (1%) of avariel, dark elves, lythari, sea elves, and half-elves of stones on the torso, with the number signifying rank. A white skull cap is
those ancestries. Araleth’s priesthood includes clerics (50%), including sometimes worn by both genders, although this varies from temple to
multiclassed half-elven clerics, specialty priests (35%), and crusaders temple. The holy symbol of the faith is a rock crystal gem carved and
(15%). The clergy is well represented with males (51%) and females polished to resemble a multi-pointed star with one long point projecting
(49%). diagonally down to the left. Alternately, any polished gemstone showing
Dogma: Darkness hides much evil that would do harm to elven asterism (star rose quartz, star diopside, star sapphire, etc.) can be used as
communities; be the light that illuminates and repels that evil. The beauty well.
of the stars brightens the night even when the moon is dark, and guide Adventuring Garb: The clergy of the Twilight Rider favors armor
wanderers and travelers to their destinations. Revel in the beauty of the that allows freedom of movement, such as mail. When using shields, they
night, but always be vigilant for the dangers it hides. use plain shields that are simply painted white and are otherwise
Day-to-Day Activities: Araleth’s clergy are often found among the unadorned. Spears, bows, and swords are the weapons most commonly
militaries or martial organizations of elven society, as they believe it is used, although clerics typically use maces and slings. Members of the
their duty to shield their homelands from harm, as well as being the priesthood wear colors suited to their fancy, although black and very dark
spears that destroy the enemies of their people. They are also common shades are frowned upon and seen as minor transgressions unless a
aboard sea-going vessels, whether they are martial or commercial in situation requires such garb, such as wearing the colors of a noble house
nature, where they are often navigators. Many choose a life of adventure out of respect or needing to blend into the darkness for stealth purposes.
as well, although most “retire” from this lifestyle as they get older and
join the military or sign on to a sailing vessel. Such changes are
Specialty Priests (Twylar)
especially common for wildspace elves. Members of Araleth’s clergy
make their prayers when the first stars start appearing at dusk. REQUIREMENTS: Constitution 12, Wisdom 13
Important Ceremonies/Holy Days: The most important holy day in PRIME REQ.: Constitution, Wisdom
the Aralethian church falls on the spring equinox. Starting at dusk, the ALIGNMENT: CG
clergy holds a ceremony called the Balance of Night’s Beauty. This WEAPONS: Any
ARMOR: Leather, scale, chain mail, elven chain mail, elven cannot be cast underground, inside buildings with no windows, or during
plate armor, and shield full daylight hours, but stars visible through a window and morning or
MAJOR SPHERES: All, astral, chaos, charm, combat, guardian, evening stars at dawn and twilight are sufficient to allow the use of the
numbers, protection, sun lance of starlight. This spell can always be cast in the void of wildspace.
MINOR SPHERES: Divination, healing, necromantic
MAGICAL ITEMS: Same as clerics 2nd Level
REQ. PROFS: Astrology or astronomy
BONUS PROFS: Blind-fighting or navigation Starry Strike (Pr 2; Enchantment/Charm)
Sphere: Sun
Range: Touch
 Twylars must be elves or half-elves. While most twylars are high
Components: V, S, M
elves or grey elves, elves and half-elves of every subrace are called to
Duration: 1 rd./level
be specialty priests in Araleth’s clergy.
Casting Time: 5
 Twylars are not allowed to multiclass. Area of Effect: 1 bladed weapon
 Twylars save against any magic or attacks that affect their vision with Saving Throw: None
a +2 bonus. This saving throw bonus does not apply towards damage
that such attacks cause unless only one save is allowed for both
damage and vision impairment. For example, twylars do not gain this With this spell, the caster enchants a bladed weapon to emit motes of
bonus against the damage from a crystal dragon’s breath weapon, but starlight. This grants no combat bonuses, but if used against creatures of
they do gain the save bonus against the secondary blinding effect, darkness and shadow, the weapon deals 1 point of extra damage per
since it has a separate saving throw. Conversely, they do gain the caster level, to a maximum of +10. Further, undead shadows and slow
bonus against the sunscorch spell, as the one save applies to damage shadows struck by a weapon enchanted with this spell are treated as if a
and blindness. turning attempt has been made by a cleric of equal level to the caster.
Lastly, the caster can sweep the enchanted weapon through a field of
 Twylars can cast light (as the 1st-level priest spell) once per day.
magical darkness in order to destroy it, with the same probability of
 At 3rd level, twylars can cast lance of starlight (as the 1st-level priest
success as a dispel magic attempt at twice the caster’s level. A weapon
spell) or starshine (as the 3rd-level priest spell) once per day.
affected by starry strike is treated as a +1 magical weapon for
 At 5th level, twylars can cast neutralize poison (as the 4th-level priest determining what it can hit.
spell) once per day. The material components for this spell are the priest’s holy symbol
 At 5th level, twylars are immune to magical blindness, including that and a small clear gem worth 10 gp.
caused by breath weapons and other special powers, so long as the
blindness is not physical. They do not gain an immunity to magical
darkness, however. 4th Level
 At 7th level, twylars can cast continual light (as the 3rd-level priest And The Stars Shall Guide (Pr 4; Divination)
spell) once per day. Sphere: Sun
 At 7th level twylars automatically save against all spider and spider- Range: Special
like (drider, ettercap, etc.) venoms. Components: V, S, M
 At 9th level, twylars can cast sunray (as the 7th-level priest spell) Duration: 1 hr./level
once per day. Casting Time: 1 rd.
 At 12th level, twylars make all saving throws against drow magic Area of Effect: Special
with a +2 bonus. Further, drow magic resistance is reduced by 10% Saving Throw: None
for determining if they are affected by a twylar’s spells. Driders and
drider magic are equally affected. By means of this spell, the caster calls upon the stars to act as a guide to a
specific location. A single star in the night sky will glow brightly for the
Aralethian Spells caster, and up to one additional companion per two casting levels; this
star will indicate a straight-line path to the location desired. The location
1st Level need not be familiar to the caster, but it must be a place, rather than an
Lance of Starlight (Pr 1; Invocation/Evocation) object or creature within a place. For example, this spell could lead the
Sphere: Sun caster to “the nearest inn” or “the stone bridge along the King’s Highway
Range: 40 yds. where it crosses the Blue River,” but not “the remains of the hero Callis”
Components: V, S or “the nearest green dragon lair.” The star will guide the caster and his
Duration: Instantaneous companions regardless of terrain; it does not take into account hazards
Casting Time: 4 such as swamps, mountains, or deserts and will not lead the caster around
Area of Effect: 1 creature them. At least one star must be in the sky for this spell to function; it will
Saving Throw: Neg. brighten a hidden star at dusk or dawn sufficiently for the caster to follow
it, but it cannot make any stars visible during daylight. This spell always
functions in the void of wildspace, but does not function underground.
When cast, this spell conjures a shaft of solid starlight to pierce a single
This spell functions on any planes other than the Prime Material Plane, so
foe. The target is allowed a saving throw to avoid the shaft of light, with
long as there is a night sky and stars; it cannot lead across planar
a success indicating the lance of starlight missed altogether. A creature
boundaries or lead the caster to a planar portal.
struck by this light suffers 1d6 points of damage, plus 1 point per caster
The material component for this spell is the priest’s holy symbol.
level. Creatures of shadow or darkness (shadows, slow shadows, shades,
shadow dragons, etc.), plus creatures summoned from the demiplane of
Shadow, suffer 1d6 points of damage, plus 2 points per caster level. Any
illusory creature created with the shadow monsters, demishadow
monsters, or shades spells that are struck by the lance of starlight are
instantly dispelled, whether or not the caster is aware of their nature.
Because of the piercing nature of this spell, creatures that suffer reduced
damage or are immune to piercing attacks gain that benefit against this
spell. Finally, this spell has a chance to instantly slay a vampire if it fails
a saving throw versus spell with a +4 bonus.
At least one star must be visible in the sky in order to cast this spell,
although normal overcast skies are not sufficient to prevent the casting. It