Fharlanghn
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, Fharlanghn, the Dweller on the Horizon, is the Oeridian god of Horizons, Distance, Travel, and Roads. He is a well-known deity on the world of Oerth
. He wanders that world in person, his petitioners present in spirit form at crossroads and in mysterious oases. His symbol is a disk with a curved line representing the horizon, and an upturned crescent above that.
He is the brother of Celestian
, and is said to make his home on Oerth
. Fharlanghn is of neutral alignment, but his worshipers can be neutral along the good/evil or the law/chaos axis, or both. His holy symbol is a crescent over a curved road.
in Dragon
#68 (1982). Fharlanghn was subsequently detailed in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
(1983), and in Greyhawk Adventures (1988).
His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996). Fharlanghn is described as one of the good deities that celestials
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
(2000).
Fharlanghn is also detailed in the Manual of the Planes
(2001), and Deities and Demigods (2002).
(2004).
Fharlanghn can, if he wishes, summon a dust quasielemental, earth elemental, magma paraelemental, or ooze paraelemental to serve him. He cannot be harmed by earth spells, and cannot be surprised while on the Prime Material Plane
.
, goddess of the east wind. He is allied with Atroa
, Celestian
, Lydia
, Brandobaris
, Keoghtom
(whose apotheosis he sponsored), Charmalaine (whose apotheosis he co-sponsored), Murlynd
, Olidammara
, Heward
, and Aasterinian
. Fharlanghn's brother Celestian
, who is popular among planewalkers, is attempting to spread knowledge of Fharlanghn on the planes as well, though (as there are precious few horizons on planes other than the Prime Material) this is slow going.
, but seldom does so.
The souls of those dedicated to Fharlanghn in life remain on the Material Plane as well, often lingering near crossroads.
Journey's End is a legendary location that few even among the faithful have heard of. It exists, according to myth, in the center of the largest desert in the world, a tiny, hidden oasis where temperatures are not as uncomfortable as elsewhere in the region. A copse of magical orpheus trees enhance the powers of recuperation among those who rest beneath them. Their round, fist-sized fruits each function as a full day's rations. The beautiful waterfall there heals wounds and cures diseases. Those who swim in the crystalline pond will find that Fharlanghn himself will answer up to five simple questions they might ask.
. His symbol is often seen in inns and stables across the continent of Oerik
. His followers include adventurers, merchants, and itinerants of all sorts.
The Guardians of the Road are fanatical worshippers of Fharlanghn who give away all their belongings and take to traveling full-time. They also seek to protect the secret of Journey's End.
The Striders of Fharlanghn are a neutrally-aligned organization dedicated to the destruction of the Cagewrights.
Because the road is the best teacher, initiates are trained in the ways of Fharlanghn by being taken on long trips. They are dismissed if they ask when the journey will be over, because to the faithful of Fharlanghn, the journey never really ends.
Clerics of Fharlanghn are found throughout the world on various journeys, but are most active in the Central and Southwestern Flanaess
. There are two kinds of priests: urban and pastoral. Urban priests wear brown robes and maintain small chapels in cities and towns. Pastoral priests wear green and spend all their time wandering.
. Many cities, villages, and towns, including Greyhawk
, have churches to the Dweller on the Horizon. Every road and trail is sacred to him, and instead of traveling to specific destinations, wandering itself is a sacrament for Fharlanghn's pilgrims.
Prayers to Fharlanghn are anecdotes intended to teach a lesson. Many of them involve a wise old man and a foolish young man, often crossing a river. His rituals, apart from the Eternal Pilgrimage, are short and to the point. His services are usually held outdoors, preferably beneath a sunny sky, with the horizon in view. The faithful of Fharlanghn rely on other deities to bless their births, marriages, or dead.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, Fharlanghn, the Dweller on the Horizon, is the Oeridian god of Horizons, Distance, Travel, and Roads. He is a well-known deity on the world of Oerth
Oerth
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Oerth, pronounced as "Orth" or "oyth", is the name of the fictional planet on which one of the earliest campaign settings, the World of Greyhawk, is located...
. He wanders that world in person, his petitioners present in spirit form at crossroads and in mysterious oases. His symbol is a disk with a curved line representing the horizon, and an upturned crescent above that.
He is the brother of Celestian
Celestian
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Celestian is the god of Stars, Space and Wanderers. His symbol is a black circle set with seven stars. His color is black....
, and is said to make his home on Oerth
Oerth
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Oerth, pronounced as "Orth" or "oyth", is the name of the fictional planet on which one of the earliest campaign settings, the World of Greyhawk, is located...
. Fharlanghn is of neutral alignment, but his worshipers can be neutral along the good/evil or the law/chaos axis, or both. His holy symbol is a crescent over a curved road.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
Fharlanghn was first detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game in "The Deities and Demigods of the World of Greyhawk" by Gary GygaxGary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#68 (1982). Fharlanghn was subsequently detailed in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
The World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting and the World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting are two closely related publications from TSR, Inc. that detail the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
(1983), and in Greyhawk Adventures (1988).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
Fharlanghn was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign, and appeared again in Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins (1998).His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996). Fharlanghn is described as one of the good deities that celestials
Celestial (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, celestials are a class of creatures and monsters known as outsiders who are of wholly good alignment....
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
Fharlanghn appears as one of the deities described in the Players Handbook for this edition (2000). Fharlanghn's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk GazetteerLiving Greyhawk Gazetteer
The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is a sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Despite the title, the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is not exclusive to the Living Greyhawk Campaign...
(2000).
Fharlanghn is also detailed in the Manual of the Planes
Manual of the Planes
The Manual of the Planes is a manual for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. This text addresses the planar cosmology of the game universe....
(2001), and Deities and Demigods (2002).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
Fharlanghn appears in the revised Players Handbook for this edition (2003). His priesthood is detailed for this edition in Complete DivineComplete Divine
Complete Divine is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast...
(2004).
Description
Fharlanghn appears as an elderly man. His skin is wrinkled and weathered, but his green eyes sparkle with life. He wears unremarkable, travel-stained clothing of leather and unbleached linen. He carries the Oerth Disc, a magical version of his holy symbol.Fharlanghn can, if he wishes, summon a dust quasielemental, earth elemental, magma paraelemental, or ooze paraelemental to serve him. He cannot be harmed by earth spells, and cannot be surprised while on the Prime Material Plane
Prime Material Plane
The Prime Material Plane is the central plane of existence in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game...
.
Relationships
Fharlanghn is the lover of AtroaAtroa
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Atroa is the Oeridian goddess of Spring, East Wind, and Renewal...
, goddess of the east wind. He is allied with Atroa
Atroa
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Atroa is the Oeridian goddess of Spring, East Wind, and Renewal...
, Celestian
Celestian
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Celestian is the god of Stars, Space and Wanderers. His symbol is a black circle set with seven stars. His color is black....
, Lydia
Lydia (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Lydia is the Suel goddess of Music, Knowledge, and Daylight...
, Brandobaris
Brandobaris
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Brandobaris is the halfling deity of Stealth, Thievery, Rogues, and Adventuring. His sacred animal is the mouse. His symbol is a halfling's footprint.-Publication history:Brandobaris was first detailed in Roger E...
, Keoghtom
Keoghtom
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Keoghtom is the hero-god of Secret Pursuits, Natural Alchemy, and Extraplanar Exploration. His symbol is a round disk, bisected by an upward-pointing arrow....
(whose apotheosis he sponsored), Charmalaine (whose apotheosis he co-sponsored), Murlynd
Murlynd
In the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Murlynd is a minor deity. He began as a player character created by Gary Gygax's closest friend Don Kaye in 1972 for the second-ever session of the game that would become D&D...
, Olidammara
Olidammara
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Olidammara is the god of Music, Revels, Wine, Rogues, Humor, and Tricks. He is often called the Laughing Rogue.Olidammara is one of the more...
, Heward
Heward
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heward is the god of Bards and Musicians. Heward is notable not only for his musical prowess, but also for his technological skills....
, and Aasterinian
Aasterinian
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Aasterinian is the draconic deity who serves as Io's messenger. Her symbol is a grinning dragon's head....
. Fharlanghn's brother Celestian
Celestian
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Celestian is the god of Stars, Space and Wanderers. His symbol is a black circle set with seven stars. His color is black....
, who is popular among planewalkers, is attempting to spread knowledge of Fharlanghn on the planes as well, though (as there are precious few horizons on planes other than the Prime Material) this is slow going.
Realm
Fharlanghn wanders the roads of the Prime Material Plane in person. He is always willing to stop and chat, but not at great length; the road calls to him, and he must continue wandering on. He occasionally travels to the Elemental Plane of Earth, but seldom enters the Elemental Plane of Air. He has the ability to travel to any Inner PlaneInner Plane
The Inner Planes are the innermost planes of existence in the standard cosmology of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. They are the building blocks of the multiverse, the elements and energies from which all of the material universe is made.The Inner Planes, the material building blocks of...
, but seldom does so.
The souls of those dedicated to Fharlanghn in life remain on the Material Plane as well, often lingering near crossroads.
Journey's End is a legendary location that few even among the faithful have heard of. It exists, according to myth, in the center of the largest desert in the world, a tiny, hidden oasis where temperatures are not as uncomfortable as elsewhere in the region. A copse of magical orpheus trees enhance the powers of recuperation among those who rest beneath them. Their round, fist-sized fruits each function as a full day's rations. The beautiful waterfall there heals wounds and cures diseases. Those who swim in the crystalline pond will find that Fharlanghn himself will answer up to five simple questions they might ask.
Dogma
Fharlanghn insists that everyone travel in order to discover and learn new things. He urges people to look to the horizon for inspiration.Worshippers
Fharlanghn is the patron of all those who travel long distances, whether on the surface or in the depths of the UnderdarkUnderdark
The Underdark is a fictional setting which has appeared in Dungeons & Dragons role-playing campaigns and Dungeons & Dragons-based fiction books, including the Legend of Drizzt series by R. A. Salvatore...
. His symbol is often seen in inns and stables across the continent of Oerik
Oerik
In the Dungeons and Dragons World of Greyhawk Campaign setting, Oerik is the largest continent on the world of Oerth, where the Greyhawk campaign takes place.Oerik is named after the Oeridians, a human people who settled much of the continent...
. His followers include adventurers, merchants, and itinerants of all sorts.
The Guardians of the Road are fanatical worshippers of Fharlanghn who give away all their belongings and take to traveling full-time. They also seek to protect the secret of Journey's End.
The Striders of Fharlanghn are a neutrally-aligned organization dedicated to the destruction of the Cagewrights.
Clergy
Clerics of the Dweller on the Horizon travel to exotic lands, bless caravans, scout for armies, and record their experiences for others to learn from. They act as translators and diplomats, and help in the construction of roads, bridges, and hard-wearing shoes. They usually wear simple clothing of brown or faded green. They wander frequently, and seldom it is that one would encounter the same group of priests ministering at the same shrine. Fharlanghn's favored weapon is the quarterstaff.Because the road is the best teacher, initiates are trained in the ways of Fharlanghn by being taken on long trips. They are dismissed if they ask when the journey will be over, because to the faithful of Fharlanghn, the journey never really ends.
Clerics of Fharlanghn are found throughout the world on various journeys, but are most active in the Central and Southwestern Flanaess
Flanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
. There are two kinds of priests: urban and pastoral. Urban priests wear brown robes and maintain small chapels in cities and towns. Pastoral priests wear green and spend all their time wandering.
Temples
Roadside shrines to Fharlanghn can be found throughout the FlanaessFlanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
. Many cities, villages, and towns, including Greyhawk
Free City of Greyhawk
The Free City of Greyhawk, also known as Greyhawk City and the "Gem of the Flanaess," is a fictional city-state in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
, have churches to the Dweller on the Horizon. Every road and trail is sacred to him, and instead of traveling to specific destinations, wandering itself is a sacrament for Fharlanghn's pilgrims.
Rituals
After spending an entire year preparing themselves by walking outdoors for 8 hours a day, a worshipper of Fharlanghn may elect to undergo the Eternal Pilgrimage. The Eternal Pilgrimage has no set time limit, direction, or length. It lasts as long as the pilgrim feels is appropriate. The pilgrim must only travel by walking, and may not visit the same location more than once a day. They offer company to lonely travelers and always share their fires with strangers. Those bandits who would take advantage of the pilgrims' friendly reputation to pose as one of them usually vanish, only bloodstained robes hanging from nooses by the side of the road remaining as evidence of the vengeance of the faithful.Prayers to Fharlanghn are anecdotes intended to teach a lesson. Many of them involve a wise old man and a foolish young man, often crossing a river. His rituals, apart from the Eternal Pilgrimage, are short and to the point. His services are usually held outdoors, preferably beneath a sunny sky, with the horizon in view. The faithful of Fharlanghn rely on other deities to bless their births, marriages, or dead.
Relics
- The Boots of the Unending Journey are black boots that leave no footprints where they walk. It is said that Fharlanghn grants them once per century to a traveler he finds worthy, then grants an ordinary cobbler the ability to make a new pair. (Complete Divine)
- The Milestone functions as a compass, and casts a find the path effect at will.http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20030609a
- The Oerth Disc, six inches in diameter, is made of many kinds of wood and inlade with turquoise and jade, with a bright amber gemstone set in the middle. By concentrating on this artifact, Fharlanghn can produce a tiny image of any location on the Prime Material Plane. He can teleport to this place after viewing it for a round. The Disc can also shoot burning golden rays, which can illuminate, blind, or burn.
- The Rapier of Unerring Direction was a gift to Fharlanghn from OlidammaraOlidammaraIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Olidammara is the god of Music, Revels, Wine, Rogues, Humor, and Tricks. He is often called the Laughing Rogue.Olidammara is one of the more...
, but has since been copied several times by Fharlanghn's priests. It is said that this sword can pierce hidden, incorporeal, displaced, or fast-teleporting creatures. (Complete Divine)
- The Rod of Leagues is a walking stick that can produce expeditious retreat and teleport effects.http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20030609a When used together with the Milestone, it can direct a traveler to the secret garden of Fharlanghn, Journey's End.
- The Shoes of Fharlanghn are thick-soled shoes that never wear out. Those who walk in them will never tire from ordinary walking. Those of neutral or neutral good alignment who wear them gain a variety of additional benefits, including immunity to being tripped, slipping, falling into a pit, or tiring from climbing hills. Those who worship Fharlanghn cannot become lost or surprised, and can use the Shoes to climb even vertical surfaces. (EX1The Land Beyond the Magic MirrorThe Land Beyond the Magic Mirror is an adventure module, written for use with the First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is set in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting.-Plot summary:...
)
Additional reading
- Brown, Anne. Player's Guide to Greyhawk (TSR, 1998).
- Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip
- Findley, NigelNigel FindleyNigel D Findley was a game designer, editor, and an author of science fiction and fantasy novels and role-playing games .-Biography:Nigel Findley was born in Venezuela, in 1959...
. Greyspace. (TSRTSR, Inc.Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, 1992). - Gygax, Gary. The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Gygax, GaryGary GygaxErnest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
, and Frank MentzerFrank MentzerJacob Franklin "Frank" Mentzer III , is an American fantasy author and game designer best known for his work on early materials for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He was a performing folk musician from 1968 to 1975, and played one concert at the White House during the...
. The Temple of Elemental Evil (TSRTSR, Inc.Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, 1985). - Stan! "Fharlanghn's Garden." Available online: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20030609x Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003.
- Living Greyhawk Journal no. 3 - "Gods of Oerth"