Sheela Peryroyl
Encyclopedia
In many campaign setting
s for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, Sheela Peryroyl is the halfling
deity of Nature, Agriculture, and Weather. Her symbol is the daisy. Her sacred animal is the butterfly.
As with all halfling deities, Sheela Peryroyl has countless alternative local names.
In many campaign setting
s, the halfling pantheon of gods consists of the leader Yondalla
, as well as Arvoreen
, Brandobaris
, Cyrrollalee
, Sheela Peryroyl
, and Urogalan
.
's article "The Halfling Point of View," in Dragon
#59 (TSR, 1982). In Dragon #92 (December 1984), Gary Gygax
indicated this as one of the deities legal for the Greyhawk
setting. She also appeared in the original Unearthed Arcana
(1985).
Sheela Peryroyl was detailed in the book Monster Mythology
(1992), including details about his priesthood. The deity's role among her followers was expanded in The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings
(1993). Her role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground
(1996). She received a very detailed description for her role in the Forgotten Realms
in Demihuman Deities
(1998). She is described as one of the good deities that celestials
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
Sheela Peryroyl's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
(2002). She was detailed again in Races of the Wild
(2005).
Sheela is generally depicted as a pretty halfling maiden with brightly colored wildflowers woven in her hair. She is quiet, though her face is smiling and her eyes are dancing. She may also be depicted as laughing. Her singing causes flowers to bloom, trees to bud, and seeds to sprout, and living plants grow and flower wherever her feet have touched the earth. She brings good weather when she is pleased, but may also summon droughts or floods if she is angry.
, Arvoreen
, Brandobaris
, Cyrrollalee
, and Charmalaine, but is closest to Urogalan
, the grim Lord of the Earth. Other allies include Aerdrie Faenya
, Baervan Wildwanderer
, Hanali Celanil
, Rillifane Rallathil
, Segojan Earthcaller
, and various Animal Lords. All nonevil nature deities value the cool, level-headed mind of Sheela Peryroyl, making her the perfect mediator when tensions rise up between them (presumedly including the rivalry between Ehlonna
and Obad-Hai
, or the enmity between Obad-Hai and Phyton
). Among mortals, even some non-halflings honor Sheela Peryroyl before entering an important negotiation.
Sheela strongly opposes those gods she sees as corruptions of the natural order, including Urdlen
and presumedly including Karaan
.
In some communities, Yondalla, Sheela Peryroyl, and Cyrrollalee are seen as aspects of a single goddess.
, druids
, farmers, gardeners, halflings, and rangers
.
Other major festivals include the Seeding, which is celebrated during Planting
, and the High Harvest, which is of course celebrated during Harvester
.
During Seeding, a priest of Sheela Peryroyl dispenses seeds stored in the local temple to the farmers of the community while giving praise to the goddess. During High Harvest, offerings of seeds are made to the temple to be stored until the following year.
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...
s for 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...
, Sheela Peryroyl is the halfling
Halfling (Dungeons & Dragons)
The halfling is a fictional race found in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Halflings are similar to humans except about half the size...
deity of Nature, Agriculture, and Weather. Her symbol is the daisy. Her sacred animal is the butterfly.
As with all halfling deities, Sheela Peryroyl has countless alternative local names.
In many campaign setting
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...
s, the halfling pantheon of gods consists of the leader Yondalla
Yondalla
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Yondalla is the chief halfling goddess and a member of the game's 3rd edition "core pantheon". Her symbol is a shield with a cornucopia motif....
, as well as Arvoreen
Arvoreen
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Arvoreen is the halfling deity of protection, vigilance, and war. He is also known as "The Defender."-Publication history:...
, 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...
, Cyrrollalee
Cyrrollalee
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Cyrrollalee is the halfling deity of Friendship, Trust, and the Home. Her symbol is an open door...
, Sheela Peryroyl
Sheela Peryroyl
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Sheela Peryroyl is the halfling deity of Nature, Agriculture, and Weather. Her symbol is the daisy...
, and Urogalan
Urogalan
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Urogalan is the halfling deity of earth and death. His symbol is the silhouette of a dog's head.-Publication history:...
.
Publication history
Sheela Peryroyl was first detailed in Roger E. MooreRoger E. Moore
Roger E. Moore is a designer of role-playing games. He is best known for his long-running tenure as editor of Dragon magazine, and was the founding editor of Dungeon magazine.-Early life:...
's article "The Halfling Point of View," 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...
#59 (TSR, 1982). In Dragon #92 (December 1984), Gary Gygax
Gary 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....
indicated this as one of the deities legal for the Greyhawk
Greyhawk
Greyhawk, also known as the World of Greyhawk, is a fictional world designed as a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
setting. She also appeared in the original Unearthed Arcana
Unearthed Arcana
Unearthed Arcana is the title shared by two hardback books published for different editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1985).
Sheela Peryroyl was detailed in the book Monster Mythology
Monster Mythology
Monster Mythology is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Released by TSR in 1992 and written by Carl Sargent, with interior illustrations by Terry Dykstra, John and Laura Lakey, and Keith Parkinson, Monster Mythology was released as a companion volume for...
(1992), including details about his priesthood. The deity's role among her followers was expanded in The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings
The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings
The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1993....
(1993). Her 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
On Hallowed Ground
On Hallowed Ground is an accessory book for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, for the Planescape campaign setting.-Contents:This book contains information about deities' planar domains from 20 separate pantheons...
(1996). She received a very detailed description for her role in the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
in Demihuman Deities
Demihuman Deities
Demihuman Deities is a Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition: Forgotten Realms campaign accessory, published by Wizards of the Coast. The book was designed by Eric L. Boyd...
(1998). She 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).
Sheela Peryroyl's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
Faiths and Pantheons
Faiths and Pantheons is a campaign accessory for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons, for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.-Contents:...
(2002). She was detailed again in Races of the Wild
Races of the Wild
Races of the Wild is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Contents:Races of the Wild contains background information on the elves and halflings, introduces a race of winged humanoids called "raptorans," as well as giving rules for...
(2005).
Description
Sheela is distant and somewhat aloof by the standards of halfling deities, being patron of the balance between work and play, both toil in the fields and celebration afterwards. She plays no favorites in the tension between pleasure and woe.Sheela is generally depicted as a pretty halfling maiden with brightly colored wildflowers woven in her hair. She is quiet, though her face is smiling and her eyes are dancing. She may also be depicted as laughing. Her singing causes flowers to bloom, trees to bud, and seeds to sprout, and living plants grow and flower wherever her feet have touched the earth. She brings good weather when she is pleased, but may also summon droughts or floods if she is angry.
Relationships
Sheela is allied with all of the halfling pantheon, which includes YondallaYondalla
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Yondalla is the chief halfling goddess and a member of the game's 3rd edition "core pantheon". Her symbol is a shield with a cornucopia motif....
, Arvoreen
Arvoreen
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Arvoreen is the halfling deity of protection, vigilance, and war. He is also known as "The Defender."-Publication history:...
, 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...
, Cyrrollalee
Cyrrollalee
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Cyrrollalee is the halfling deity of Friendship, Trust, and the Home. Her symbol is an open door...
, and Charmalaine, but is closest to Urogalan
Urogalan
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Urogalan is the halfling deity of earth and death. His symbol is the silhouette of a dog's head.-Publication history:...
, the grim Lord of the Earth. Other allies include Aerdrie Faenya
Aerdrie Faenya
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Aerdrie Faenya is the elven goddess of Air, Weather, Freedom, Impulse, Fertility, and Birds.Her symbol is a cloud with a bird silhouette.-Publication history:...
, Baervan Wildwanderer
Baervan Wildwanderer
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Baervan Wildwanderer is the gnome deity of Forests, Travel, and Nature.-Publication history:...
, Hanali Celanil
Hanali Celanil
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Hanali Celanil is the elf deity of Romantic Love and Beauty. Her symbol is a gold heart.-Publication history:...
, Rillifane Rallathil
Rillifane Rallathil
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Rillifane Rallathil is the elven god of Nature, and patron deity of wood elves. His symbol is an oak tree...
, Segojan Earthcaller
Segojan Earthcaller
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Segojan Earthcaller is the gnome deity of earth and nature. Unlike Baervan Wildwanderer, who is a god of the plants and forests of the surface world, Segojan's area of concern is the deep earth and the life within it...
, and various Animal Lords. All nonevil nature deities value the cool, level-headed mind of Sheela Peryroyl, making her the perfect mediator when tensions rise up between them (presumedly including the rivalry between Ehlonna
Ehlonna
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and in the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Ehlonna is the goddess of Forests, Woodlands, Flora, Fauna, and Fertility...
and Obad-Hai
Obad-Hai
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Obad-Hai is the god of Nature, Woodlands, Hunting, and Beasts, one of the most ancient known. He is often called the Shalm....
, or the enmity between Obad-Hai and Phyton
Phyton (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Phyton is the Suel god of Nature, Beauty, and Farming. Phyton's symbol is a scimitar in front of an oak tree.-Publication history:...
). Among mortals, even some non-halflings honor Sheela Peryroyl before entering an important negotiation.
Sheela strongly opposes those gods she sees as corruptions of the natural order, including Urdlen
Urdlen
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Urdlen is the gnome deity of greed and blood.In many campaign settings, the gnome pantheon of gods consists of the leader Garl Glittergold, as well as Baervan Wildwanderer, Baravar Cloakshadow, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Nebelun, Segojan...
and presumedly including Karaan
Karaan
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Karaan is a vile god of savage lust and wanton destruction, representing the dark side of nature...
.
In some communities, Yondalla, Sheela Peryroyl, and Cyrrollalee are seen as aspects of a single goddess.
Realm
Sheela's realm of Flowering Hill can be found in the Outlands. It consists of a single orchard and a wide farm, where the souls of those who worshiped her in life learn how to appease nature and their bellies at the same time.Dogma
Sheela teaches of the balance between the wild and the tame, the feral and the tended, and decrees that it is necessary to preserve the wilds to balance cultivated land. She is not opposed to changing natural landscapes, but believes this must happen through slow adaptation rather than crudely introducing upheaval to the land.Worshipers
Of the halfling gods, Sheela is most loved after Yondalla herself. Sheela is worshiped by bardsBard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The bard is a standard playable character class in many editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The bard class is versatile, capable of combat and of magic . Bards use their artistic talents to induce magical effects...
, druids
Druid (Dungeons & Dragons)
The druid is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Druids wield nature-themed magic. Prior to 4th edition, they gain divine magic from being at one with nature, or from one of several patron gods of the wild, while in 4th edition, they gain primal magic...
, farmers, gardeners, halflings, and rangers
Ranger (Dungeons & Dragons)
The ranger is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They are protectors of nature, skilled woodsmen, and often live reclusive lives as hermits....
.
Clergy
Sheela's clerics and druids, who are known as the Green Children (Green Daughters and Green Sons), wear green robes. Novices to the priesthood are known as Seedlings. Green Children pray for spells at dawn. Their favored weapon is the sickle. They oversee disputes, sanctify marriages, heal blights, and protect their communities from beasts. They also ensure their communities treat the wilderness with respect.Temples
Sheela's temples are open-roofed affairs constructed of stone and soil, with curtains of vines and arrangements of rocks and living plants. Animals roam freely among them, and there are patches of wildflowers, gardens, and weeds.Holy days
Sheela's holy festivals, known as Gatherings, are held when Luna is full. Gatherings are both religious festivals and communal feasts.Other major festivals include the Seeding, which is celebrated during Planting
Greyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
, and the High Harvest, which is of course celebrated during Harvester
Greyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
.
Rituals
During Gatherings, all members of the community are expected to bring seeds and produce from the most recent harvest. The site of the Gatherings changes every month, moving from community to community, in order to strengthen the bonds between neighbors. Halflings pray to Sheela during courtships, weddings, and galas.During Seeding, a priest of Sheela Peryroyl dispenses seeds stored in the local temple to the farmers of the community while giving praise to the goddess. During High Harvest, offerings of seeds are made to the temple to be stored until the following year.
Additional reading
- 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
- Dragon magazine #171 - "Defenders of the Hearth"
- Living Greyhawk Journal no. 3 - "Gods of Oerth"