Yondalla
YONDALLA The Protector and Provider, the Nurturing Matriarch, the Blessed One
- Symbol: Cornucopia on a shield
- Home Plane: Green Fields on the plane of Mount Celestia.
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- Portfolio: Protection, Bounty, Halflings, Children, Security, Leadership, Wisdom, Creation, Family, Tradition
- Worshippers: Children, halflings, leaders, paladins, parents. Yondalla smiles upon her followers when they aid and help others and respect the dead. She frowns upon sacrifices and killing fellow halfings. Despite her widespread worship among halflings and her central role in their society; her temples were unusually rare, those that did exist were designed to look like a well-hidden halfling burrow-home and were filled with weapons and food so that the communities that surrounded them could hold out against possible invaders. Her clergy were afforded a lot of respect by the followers of other gods for their defensive capabilities in spite of their small stature.
- Favored Weapon: Hornblade (Short Sword)
- Cleric Alignment:LG, LN, NG
- NWN Domain: Good, Healing, Protection, Trickery
History Relationships: Yondalla had close bonds with Garl Glittergold, Corellon Larethian and Moradin. With the passion with which she loved and admired her fellow halfling deities, sometimes known as 'Yondalla's Children', she scorned certain evil deities.
Dogma: Those who seek to live in accordance with the way of the Provider will be blessed with a cornucopia of riches. Seek peace and comfort, for a life lived with both is true wealth. Although violence should never be welcomed, the Protector's aegis will extend to those willing to fiercely defend their home and community. Lead through example, and know the activities of those you lead so that you can help shoulder their burdens when need be. Treasure your family, for your parents gave you life and your children are your future. Care for the aged and the weak, for you never know when you may be one of the strong laid low.
Day-to-Day Activities: Perhaps surprisingly, Yondalla’s clerics build few temples. Worship of the Nurturing Matriarch is so ingrained into nearly every aspect of halfling society that the hin treat the idea of specific services to their goddess once a tenday with bemused dismissal. This isn’t to suggest halflings have a theocratic culture, but rather that Yondalla (and by extension, her clergy) presents through her actions (as interpreted through stories taught to all halflings in their youth) the values of a halfling should embrace to live life to its fullest and to benefit the community, namely: acceptance, community, love, gaiety, curiosity, loyalty, diplomacy, tradition, and a well-developed sense of mischief. The fact that many members of the clergy double as community leaders reinforces the influence of Yondalla’s credo upon halfling society. Clerics of the Protector and Provider pray for spells in the morning. Though organized common rituals and celebrations are rare, most halfling communities hold periodic gatherings in which clerics of the Blessed One minister to the public. Even nonhalfings are invited to take part in the festivals that follow these congregations, which often involve a tour through the local enclave that gives village elders the opportunity to share locale lore with the young folk and visitors, strengthening the sense of community. Clerics offer even secular guidance to their communities, often acting in important government roles.
Holy Days/Important Ceremonies: Halflings set aside one day a week for worship of Yondalla (this day is called "Safeday"), a day which is mostly spent in rest, playing, and eating. Yondalla is worshipped in the homes of Halfling with priest going from house to house leading each family in brief devotions. A feast is prepared from the food offerings, sacrificed to Yondalla and the families gather together in eating, drinking and story-telling. In the late afternoon, the Small Folk are led by a the highest ranking priest on a walk-around, symbolically joining Yondalla in her defense of the settlement then back to finish the day with more festivities. Unlike other the religious ceremonies of other races and powers, allies and even strangers are invited to contribute and partake in the feasting and merriment. Strangers, unknown to the community are discreetly watched, just in case.
Affiliated Orders: Yondalla has a special order of priests called "The Wayward Wardens". It is made of priests stricken with wanderlust who wish to see the world. They never settle long in one place for long periods of time. They come to the aid of halfling communities needing protection. The Wayward Wardens are a loosely organized fellowship of Yondallan priests. Wayward Wardens serve the Provider and Protector by coming to the defense of besieged or threatened halfling communities in need of additional protectors.
Priestly Vestments: Yondalla's priests wear yellow-green saffron cloaks over loose-fitting green and brown robes, keeping their heads bare. They carry a shield, usually wooden, emblazoned with the cornucopia symbol of the goddess.
Adventuring Garb: When expecting combat, priests wear the best armor available and always carry a shield, mblazoned with the cornucopia symbol of the goddess. They favor short swords, hand axes, slings, short bows, short spears, hammers and morningstars.
