The Spirits of the Past is the primary faith practiced by the Tairnadal elves. Followers believe that they have a special bond with one of their ancient legendary ancestors and must emulate that hero in their own life to preserve their ancestor.[5] The priests of the faith are known as Keepers of the Past.[6][7]
Worshipers[]
Followers of the faith are known as revenants. A revenant believes that a particular ancestor has chosen to be their patron, and that by carrying out actions in their life similar to those of their patron ancestor, they allow the ancestor to live through them and guide them. If a revenant's ancestor was a master of arcane magic, they might study to become a wizard, or if their ancestor fought giants, they may seek a similar great foe to defeat.[5][8] Revenants study the stories of their ancestors, learning all they can about their ancestors' deeds to know how best to emulate them.[6]
Rites[]
Services for the faith often involve retellings of great deeds done by the ancestors. Revenants also spend time resting entering into a trance to commune with their ancestor.[5]
Clergy[]
The Keepers of the Past are the primary clergy of the faith. Many are clerics or bards.[7] The Keepers of the Past maintain temples, keep records, and tell stories and songs of the deeds of their people.[6] When a Tairnadal elf comes of age, the Keepers of the Past divine which ancestor has chosen to form a bond with the elf.[5][8]
Symbols[]
Clerics who follow the Spirits of the Faith use an object associated with their patron as a holy symbol. Other symbols commonly associated with the faith are the zaelshin, an amulet bearing the seal of a revenant's ancestor, and the zaelta, a veil worn over the face so that enemies see the ancestor, not the revenant.[5]
History[]
The Spirits of the Past honor elven ancestors from thousands of years ago, primarily the elves who rose up against slavery at the hands of the giants in Xen'drik, like Vadallia and Cardaen, but also other ancestors who became known for their deeds fighting dragons or goblins.[6][8] Followers believe that the souls of these heroes stay alive by reincarnating in their descendants.[7]
Since the occupation of Valenar by the Tairnadal in 956 YK, some humans and half-elves have also sought to become followers of the Spirits of the Past. However, the Keepers of the Past have declared only elves can form bonds with their ancestors, citing the elven trance to commune with their ancestor as evidence that the faith can only be practiced by elves.[5]
Notable Ancestors[]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 141. ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 87. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
- ↑ David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 16. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
- ↑ Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 142. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 147–148. ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 258–259. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 143. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Keith Baker (January 2021). “Eye on Eberron: Vadallia and Cardaen” (PDF). Dragon #407 (Wizards of the Coast).