Sotillion
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, Sotillion is the Oeridian
goddess of Summer, the South Wind, Ease, and Comfort. Her holy symbol is a winged tiger of pure orange.
(1983), by Gary Gygax
.
Sotillion was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes
set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign. Sotillion is described as one of the good deities that celestials
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999). Sotillion was featured in the article series on the Oeridian Lesser Gods in Dragon
#264 (1999).
Sotillion's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
(2000).
Sotillion rarely wields a weapon, but she owns a sickle called Deshaand that looks as if it has never been used.
, whose prosperity allows her to retain her favorite comforts. She is the daughter of Procan
and cousin of Merikka. As one of the Velaeri, Sotillion is the sister of Velnius
, Telchur
, Atroa
, and Wenta
. The Summer Queen dislikes her husband's brother, Kurell
, who spurned her sister Atroa in order to pursue her.
She is Atroa's twin, though the two sisters look nothing alike. Sotillion is slightly younger than Atroa, although she is more mature in appearance.
's first layer is called the Green Fields. She is also sometimes found in Grandfather Oak in Arvandor.
There are no sects in the church, as divisions of this sort are thought to be too much trouble and likely to cause discomfort among the priests.
Sotillion's priests wear loose, comfortable clothing, usually silk robes of bright blue or green. They wear comfortable shoes, and wear wide-brimmed hats to protect themselves from the sun. Adventuring clerics wear the same thing, but cut shorter to allow greater freedom of movement.
, the former Great Kingdom
, Highfolk
, Ket
, Keoland, Ratik, Sunndi
, the County of Urnst
, and Veluna
. Though worship of the Velaeri is forbidden in the Theocracy of the Pale, they are honored in secret by many farmers and country folk.
Small shrines or statues of Sotillion can be found sometimes in the common rooms of inns, indicating that great comfort is to be found there. A few natural places of worship can be found outdoors, in places thought "blessed by Sotillion."
The grandest of Sotillion's temples is the Cathedral of Delight in Niole Dra. It was built in -87 CY by followers of Telchur
, but the expense bankrupted the local clergy. The edifice was bought at cost by the church of Sotillion, who renovated it to suit their more refined tastes. The temple is octagonal in form, with stained glass windows of extraordinary size. It is upholstered with thick rugs and pillows, and a huge, marble statue of the goddess (showing her asleep on a couch) dominates.
is especially important to Sotillion and her faithful. Regular ceremonies are held every other Godsday
. These services consist mainly of light singing accompanied by stringed instruments. Falling asleep during this time is considered a righteous and laudable act.
Bedtime is considered the holiest time of the day.
into doing the work instead.
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...
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...
, Sotillion is the Oeridian
Oeridians
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Oeridians are a race of humans living in the Flanaess...
goddess of Summer, the South Wind, Ease, and Comfort. Her holy symbol is a winged tiger of pure orange.
Publication history
Sotillion was first detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game SettingWorld 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), by 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....
.
Sotillion was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes
From the Ashes (Dungeons & Dragons)
From the Ashes is a supplement for Dungeons & Dragonss World of Greyhawk campaign setting. It was published in 1992 by TSR as a boxed set of materials...
set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign. Sotillion 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). Sotillion was featured in the article series on the Oeridian Lesser Gods 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...
#264 (1999).
Sotillion's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
Living 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).
Description
Sotillion appears as a beautiful human woman of about twenty-five dressed in diaphanous clothes, accompanied by a winged tiger of pure orange. She has wild, red, shoulder length hair, and typically wears a toga or another loose, comfortable garment. She is usually depicted reclining on a blanket, enjoying a bottle of fine wine. Always seeking to enjoy comfort and avoid unnecessary activity, Sotillion often finds herself being prodded to her duties by her friends and family.Sotillion rarely wields a weapon, but she owns a sickle called Deshaand that looks as if it has never been used.
Relationships
Sotillion is the wife of ZilchusZilchus
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Zilchus is the Oeridian god of Power, Prestige, Money, Business, and Influence...
, whose prosperity allows her to retain her favorite comforts. She is the daughter of Procan
Procan
Procan is a fictional deity in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. Procan is the Oeridian god of seas, sea life, salt, sea weather, and navigation...
and cousin of Merikka. As one of the Velaeri, Sotillion is the sister of Velnius
Velnius
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Velnius is the Oeridian god of the Sky and Weather...
, Telchur
Telchur
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Telchur is the Oeridian god of Winter, Cold, and the North Wind...
, 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...
, and Wenta
Wenta
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Wenta is the Oeridian goddess of Autumn, Brewing, Harvest, and the West Wind...
. The Summer Queen dislikes her husband's brother, Kurell
Kurell
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Kurell is the Oeridian god of Jealousy, Revenge, and Thievery...
, who spurned her sister Atroa in order to pursue her.
She is Atroa's twin, though the two sisters look nothing alike. Sotillion is slightly younger than Atroa, although she is more mature in appearance.
Realm
Her realm on YsgardYsgard
Ysgard is the Outer Plane of Chaotic Neutral / Chaotic Good alignment in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It is also called Asgard, Gladsheim or The Heroic Domains...
's first layer is called the Green Fields. She is also sometimes found in Grandfather Oak in Arvandor.
Dogma
Sotillion promotes all the joys of comfort: warm weather, good food and drink, pleasant company, good conversation, and relaxing quiet. Stress and hard work should be avoided when possible. One's comforts should be protected and defended with zeal, as a life without comfort is worth little.Worshippers
Sotillion is usually worshipped with her siblings as part of the Velaeri, the Oeridian agricultural gods. She is thus revered by farmers and others who depend on the land's bounty. Sotillion is also often prayed to by those seeking any type of comfort or relief from their burdens.There are no sects in the church, as divisions of this sort are thought to be too much trouble and likely to cause discomfort among the priests.
Clergy
The priests of Sotillion, called Luxuriates, aspire to the "good life." They like being pampered, and enjoy attending casual social events where they can meet interesting people, sample good food and drink, and listen to soft music. The Summer Queen's clerics often find work as diplomats due to their ability to make people feel so at ease. They travel in style, whether by carriage, on horseback, or upon a litter, when attending parties and visiting acquaintances. Some of Sotillion's priests believe that comfort and ease become stale and boring without times of hardship and distress. These priests often go adventuring, both to experience these hard times and to acquire wealth with which to purchase the comforts they desire. The net is their favored weapon.Sotillion's priests wear loose, comfortable clothing, usually silk robes of bright blue or green. They wear comfortable shoes, and wear wide-brimmed hats to protect themselves from the sun. Adventuring clerics wear the same thing, but cut shorter to allow greater freedom of movement.
Bards
Loosely associated with the clergy of Sotillion is a fraternity of bards called the Soothers. They sell their services to insomniacs, and sometimes play during Sotillion's services.Temples
Places of worship to Sotillion are often dedicated to the Velaeri as a whole. These locations are found throughout Oeridian lands, including Ahlissa, Blackmoor (only rarely), the Bone March, the Gran MarchGran March
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Gran March is a political state of the Flanaess.-Geography:...
, the former Great Kingdom
Great Kingdom
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Great Kingdom, or the Great Kingdom of Aerdy, refers to an empire that varied in size at various points in its history.-History:...
, Highfolk
Highfolk
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Highfolk, properly known as the Free Town of Highfolk, is a political city-state of the Flanaess...
, Ket
Ket (Greyhawk)
Ket is a political state in the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Because it lies in the only gap in the north-south spine of mountains that divides the eastern Flanaess from the western Baklunish Basin, Ket is a nexus of important trade...
, Keoland, Ratik, Sunndi
Sunndi
In the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Sunndi is a political state situated in the region of the Flanaess. Sunndi was originally given a very brief description by Gary Gygax in 1980's World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting...
, the County of Urnst
County of Urnst
The County of Urnst is a political state in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It is situated on the east coast of the Nyr Dyv, and bordered by the Duchy of Urnst to the southwest, The Kingdom of Nyrond to the south and east, and the Bandit Kingdoms...
, and Veluna
Veluna
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Veluna, properly known as the Archclericy of Veluna, is a theocratic political state of the Flanaess.-History:...
. Though worship of the Velaeri is forbidden in the Theocracy of the Pale, they are honored in secret by many farmers and country folk.
Small shrines or statues of Sotillion can be found sometimes in the common rooms of inns, indicating that great comfort is to be found there. A few natural places of worship can be found outdoors, in places thought "blessed by Sotillion."
The grandest of Sotillion's temples is the Cathedral of Delight in Niole Dra. It was built in -87 CY by followers of Telchur
Telchur
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Telchur is the Oeridian god of Winter, Cold, and the North Wind...
, but the expense bankrupted the local clergy. The edifice was bought at cost by the church of Sotillion, who renovated it to suit their more refined tastes. The temple is octagonal in form, with stained glass windows of extraordinary size. It is upholstered with thick rugs and pillows, and a huge, marble statue of the goddess (showing her asleep on a couch) dominates.
Holy days
The midsummer celebration of RichfestGreyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
is especially important to Sotillion and her faithful. Regular ceremonies are held every other Godsday
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...
. These services consist mainly of light singing accompanied by stringed instruments. Falling asleep during this time is considered a righteous and laudable act.
Bedtime is considered the holiest time of the day.
Lady Harvest
When Atroa and Sotillion were first born, it was declared that it would be Atroa's job to plant in the spring, while it would be Sotillion's role to harvest in the summer. "Sod that," said Sotillion, who - still an infant - talked KurellKurell
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Kurell is the Oeridian god of Jealousy, Revenge, and Thievery...
into doing the work instead.
Additional reading
- Brown, Anne. Player's Guide. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 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
- Gygax, Gary, 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 EvilThe Temple of Elemental EvilThe Temple of Elemental Evil is an adventure module for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, set in the game's World of Greyhawk campaign setting. The module was published by TSR, Inc. in 1985 for the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules...
. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985. - Reynolds, Sean K. "The Gods of OerthOerthIn 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...
." Living Greyhawk JournalLiving Greyhawk JournalThe Living Greyhawk Journal was a periodical published by the Role-Playing Games Association as a stand-alone magazine from 2000 to 2004. The publication was intended to supplement the RPGA's Living Greyhawk campaign, though many consider the content within to be canon for the Greyhawk setting in...
#3. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.