![[Ehlonna.png]] **Ehlonna of the Forests | Goddess of the Woodlands** **Also Known As**: Ehlenestra **Divine Rank**: Intermediate Deity **Alignment**: Neutral Good **Portfolio**: Forests, Woodlands, Flora, Fauna, Fertility **Pantheon**: [[Greyhawk Pantheon]] **Divine Realm**: The Grove of the Unicorns, Krigala, [[Beastlands]] **Divine Domains**: Animal, Good, Plant, Sun; also Celerity and Purification in later sources **Favoured Weapons**: Longbow and Longsword **Holy Symbol**: A Rearing Unicorn or Unicorn's Horn **Known Divine Servant**: Novelee, a Planetar --- ### **Overview** **Ehlonna**, known throughout the [[Flanaess]] as Ehlonna of the Forests, is the ancient and benevolent goddess of woodlands, flora, fauna, and fertility. She watches over the living beauty of the natural world, protecting its forests and inhabitants from those who would exploit, despoil, or destroy them. Revered by rangers, druids, woodland communities, and creatures whose lives remain closely bound to the wilderness, Ehlonna embodies the belief that nature is a precious gift to be cherished rather than a possession to be consumed without restraint. Unlike deities who regard the wilderness as a place of relentless competition, Ehlonna sees goodness and beauty within its living abundance. She teaches that mortals may dwell among the trees, gather the resources they require, and sustain themselves through the bounty of the land without bringing ruin upon it. Her protection is therefore extended not only to animals and plants but also to those who seek to live responsibly within the forest. The relationship between civilisation and wilderness need not be one of inevitable conflict, provided that those who enter the woodlands understand the obligations accompanying their presence. The goddess is commonly depicted as a woman of extraordinary beauty, appearing either as a dark-haired human or as a golden-haired elven maiden. In her elven manifestation she is known as **Ehlenestra**, a name particularly familiar to elves who honour her alongside the powers of their own pantheon. Her eyes have been described as deep blue or striking violet, while her clothing ranges from the practical garments of a forester to the delicate robes of an elven noblewoman. Whatever form she assumes, her attire is characteristically pale green, reflecting her enduring association with the forests she protects. Ehlonna is closely associated with unicorns, whose grace and supernatural purity reflect the ideals expressed through her divine nature. These creatures are frequently encountered within her realm, and her elven manifestation possesses particular authority over them. She also commands horses through her human aspect, demonstrating a connection with animals whose lives have become intertwined with those of mortal peoples. Such relationships distinguish her from more remote nature powers, for she recognises the value of bonds formed between living creatures rather than insisting upon the complete separation of civilisation and wilderness. Although Ehlonna is benevolent, her compassion should not be mistaken for weakness. She opposes the wanton destruction of forests with determination and has little patience for those who persist in exploiting the natural world after being warned of the harm they cause. Her clergy are instructed to begin with understanding and education, but they are equally expected to employ force when persuasion proves insufficient. The protection of the woodlands is not merely an expression of affection; it is a sacred duty that may demand considerable courage and, when necessary, violence. Ehlonna's antiquity is well established, although her precise origins have never been revealed. Her worship has endured across generations of human and nonhuman peoples upon [[Oerth]], particularly among communities inhabiting the forested regions of the Flanaess. Her continued influence reflects an enduring conviction that the wilderness possesses beauty and value beyond the immediate needs of those who draw their livelihoods from it. --- ### **Domain and Influence** Ehlonna's divine influence encompasses forests, woodlands, living plants, wild animals, and the fertility through which the natural world renews itself. Her protection extends across ancient groves, secluded valleys, forest settlements, and the innumerable places where creatures flourish beneath the shelter of trees. Unlike a deity concerned solely with untouched wilderness, she also watches over those who make their homes within the forest and depend upon its resources for survival. Her teachings emphasise that the needs of living communities must be reconciled with the preservation of the land upon which those communities depend. Her principal divine residence is the **Grove of the Unicorns**, a magnificent sanctuary situated within **Krigala**, the first layer of the Beastlands. This plane embodies the unrestrained vitality of the natural world, its forests and open country inhabited by countless animals, intelligent beasts, and the spirits of creatures whose lives were devoted to nature. Within this environment, Ehlonna's realm represents a place of exceptional peace, where the living creatures of the wilderness coexist without the hostility and fear that so often govern their relationships elsewhere. The Grove lies beneath an immense cluster of sequoias whose towering trunks and vast branches form a natural cathedral. Their lowest limbs rise hundreds of feet above the ground, allowing winged creatures to pass freely through the open spaces beneath the canopy. The forest floor is sheltered by these ancient trees, whose extraordinary size creates a sanctuary of living wood rather than a temple fashioned by mortal hands. Ehlonna shares this realm with **[[Mielikki]]**, the benevolent woodland goddess associated with the Forgotten Realms. The two powers possess closely related responsibilities, and their shared residence reflects a friendship founded upon the protection of forests and the creatures inhabiting them. Although their worshippers originate principally from different worlds, the Grove of the Unicorns provides a common sanctuary where the distinction between their religious traditions becomes less important than their shared devotion to the wilderness. The realm is particularly renowned for the unicorns gathering within its boundaries. These creatures wander freely among the trees, while herds of bariaurs and other inhabitants of the Beastlands also enjoy the sanctuary's protection. The intelligent animals of the surrounding plane hold Ehlonna in considerable affection, and their willingness to communicate with her allows the goddess to remain aware of events occurring far beyond the immediate boundaries of her realm. Not far from the Grove lies the domain of **[[Skerrit]]**, the divine patron of centaurs. The proximity of their realms reflects the compatibility between their responsibilities, and the inhabitants of the two sanctuaries frequently move between them. Centaur petitioners may be encountered within Ehlonna's woodland domain, while unicorns from her Grove sometimes wander into Skerrit's territory. The supernatural properties of Ehlonna's realm also reflect her protection of those who live in harmony with nature. Ranger magic becomes especially effective within its boundaries, while spells intended to provide food and water produce an extraordinary abundance. These effects demonstrate the generosity of the sanctuary, where the resources necessary to sustain life are readily available without requiring the destruction or exploitation of the surrounding forest. Upon Oerth, Ehlonna's worship is particularly influential among the forested communities of the western and southern Flanaess. Her followers are found in the Ulek States, the Kron Hills, the Wild Coast, and regions where elves, gnomes, halflings, and humans maintain close relationships with the wilderness. She is also honoured in Highfolk, Hardby, and other settlements whose inhabitants depend upon the preservation of surrounding forests. Her faith possesses a particularly determined presence within the **Adri Forest**, where Ehlonnan worshippers actively support rangers defending the woodlands against hostile incursions. Their involvement demonstrates that the goddess's influence is not confined to peaceful sanctuaries. Her followers may become militant defenders of threatened forests when the actions of invaders leave no possibility of peaceful accommodation. --- ### **Symbols and Icons**  Ehlonna's most recognisable holy symbol is the **unicorn**, traditionally depicted rearing upon its hind legs. The creature embodies the grace, innocence, and supernatural purity associated with the goddess, making it an appropriate representation of her protection over the woodland realm. Later religious traditions also employ the **unicorn's horn** as her emblem, preserving the same connection through a simpler and more immediately recognisable design. The importance of the unicorn extends beyond heraldry. Within Ehlonna's divine realm, these creatures are among the most cherished inhabitants, moving freely through the ancient groves and gathering beneath the immense sequoias. Her elven manifestation is particularly associated with their protection and command, while the appearance of a unicorn may possess considerable religious significance for those who honour her. Ehlonna's clergy traditionally wear garments of pale or forest green, reflecting their close connection to the woodlands. Their clothing is commonly practical rather than elaborate, allowing priests to travel through dense vegetation, maintain sanctuaries, and undertake the duties expected of forest guardians. Her divine manifestations likewise favour pale green attire, whether she appears as a ranger travelling through the wilderness or as a richly dressed elven maiden. The longbow is another important object associated with the goddess, particularly through the weapon she carries in her divine form. Her favoured bow, **Jenevier**, is fashioned from pale white wood and possesses extraordinary magical properties. Although the longbow is not itself her recognised holy symbol, its association with Ehlonna reflects her willingness to defend the wilderness through martial strength when necessary. Flowers, living trees, woodland animals, and other natural objects are appropriate subjects within religious art dedicated to Ehlonna, but the unicorn remains the emblem directly established by her published divine descriptions. No independent official symbols representing a first unicorn created from tears or a mythical starfall have been documented. --- ### **Worship and Tributes** The worship of Ehlonna is founded upon the belief that the forests and their inhabitants are gifts deserving protection, understanding, and restraint. Her faithful are encouraged to learn the secrets of the woodlands and share that knowledge with others, allowing communities to survive without exhausting the resources upon which they depend. The goddess does not teach that mortals must abandon the wilderness entirely, nor does she condemn every act of hunting, woodcutting, or gathering. Instead, she requires that such activities be undertaken responsibly, taking only what is needed and recognising that the continued flourishing of the forest is more important than immediate profit. This distinction allows Ehlonna's faith to attract followers from a broad range of occupations. Rangers, druids, foresters, hunters, trappers, farmers, and woodcutters may all honour her, provided their activities are guided by respect for the natural world. Elves, gnomes, half-elves, and halflings are particularly common among her worshippers, while brownies and other benevolent woodland beings may willingly assist those acting in her name. Religious observances are generally conducted within forests, where the living environment provides a more appropriate sanctuary than an elaborate stone temple. Ceremonies employ vessels fashioned from horn and wood, together with herbs, pipes, and flutes whose music accompanies prayers and celebrations. Invocations addressed to Ehlonna traditionally praise the positive qualities of the woodland, emphasising its beauty, generosity, and power to sustain life. Fertility also occupies an important place within her religion. Ceremonies acknowledge the renewal of plants, animals, and communities, recognising that the continued flourishing of the natural world depends upon the successful reproduction and growth of living things. Children participate in the more innocent celebrations, reflecting the importance of preserving the forest not only for those presently inhabiting it but also for generations yet to come. The most meaningful expression of devotion is often practical service. Planting trees, protecting threatened species, teaching responsible woodland practices, and preventing the destruction of ancient groves are all activities consistent with the goddess's teachings. Her followers recognise that reverence becomes meaningless if the worshipper simultaneously contributes to the ruin of the land supposedly held sacred. Ehlonna's faith does not possess a single universally documented festival calendar comparable to those of some agricultural and seasonal deities. Although celebrations associated with woodland fertility and natural abundance form part of her established worship, no specific annual Festival of the First Unicorn or Starfall celebration is recorded in the principal sources. --- ### **Clergy and Temples** Ehlonna's clergy are devoted guardians of the wilderness, combining religious responsibilities with the practical knowledge necessary to preserve forests and their inhabitants. They commonly live within the woodlands they protect, maintaining close relationships with local rangers, druids, elves, and benevolent fey. Their duties include monitoring the condition of the forest, defending threatened creatures, guiding travellers, and teaching communities how to obtain the resources they require without permanently damaging the environment. The priesthood traditionally contains a high proportion of women, particularly among human, elven, and fey worshippers. Nevertheless, devotion to Ehlonna is not restricted to a single people or sex, and her followers may come from any community whose members sincerely seek to protect the woodland realm. Her clergy generally favour practical garments of green, suitable for travelling through the forest and performing work that frequently requires more endurance than ceremony. One of the most distinctive obligations of her priests is the protection of a particular species of plant. Each cleric may select a plant whose continued flourishing becomes a personal responsibility, ensuring that it is respected and that its usefulness and place within the forest are understood by surrounding communities. Many carry seeds from their chosen species while travelling, allowing them to establish new growth and preserve the plant beyond the boundaries of their ordinary home. This practice reflects a central feature of Ehlonna's religion: the recognition that the preservation of nature requires knowledge of individual living things rather than devotion to an abstract idea of wilderness. A priest charged with protecting a particular species must understand the conditions in which it grows, the animals that depend upon it, and the dangers posed by careless harvesting or destruction. Such responsibilities turn religious devotion into a lifelong discipline of observation and practical stewardship. When confronted with those damaging the forest, Ehlonna's clergy ordinarily begin with persuasion. Their first response is to explain the consequences of destructive activity and encourage the offenders to change their behaviour. They may teach alternative methods of gathering resources, demonstrate responsible woodland practices, or attempt to resolve a dispute without violence. However, those who ignore these warnings should not expect unlimited patience, for the priesthood is prepared to drive persistent despoilers from the forest through force. This determined aspect of the faith is particularly evident in regions threatened by warfare, monstrous incursions, or aggressive exploitation of woodland resources. In the Adri Forest, Ehlonna's worshippers have supported armed rangers defending the wilderness, demonstrating that her religion can become militant when the survival of the forest is at stake. Temples dedicated to Ehlonna are usually established within natural surroundings. Some are open-air sanctuaries sheltered only by the branches of living trees, while others take the form of secluded lodges carefully concealed within the surrounding woodland. Such structures are intended to serve the needs of the clergy without imposing unnecessary damage upon the environment. Small shrines may also be found within forest villages, allowing communities to honour the goddess without travelling deep into the wilderness. The most sacred sanctuary associated with Ehlonna remains the Grove of the Unicorns within the Beastlands. Its immense trees and peaceful inhabitants represent the ideals her clergy seek to preserve upon Oerth, providing a divine example of a woodland in which living creatures flourish without needless exploitation. --- ### **Powers and Abilities** As an intermediate deity, Ehlonna possesses considerable supernatural authority over plants, animals, forests, and the restorative powers of nature. Her magic encompasses the abilities traditionally associated with powerful rangers, druids, and clerics, allowing her to defend the wilderness through healing, transformation, supernatural perception, and extraordinary martial skill. Although she generally prefers to preserve life and prevent unnecessary conflict, her divine abilities make her a formidable opponent when the woodlands or their inhabitants are threatened. **The Guardian of the Woodlands** Ehlonna possesses an extraordinary awareness of events affecting the welfare of forests within her divine concern. Her published powers allow her to perceive disturbances threatening a woodland as they occur, retaining knowledge of those events long after the immediate danger has passed. Living trees may also serve as points through which she extends her supernatural senses and communicates across great distances. This awareness enables Ehlonna to respond to threats without maintaining a constant physical presence within every forest. Her divine manifestations may be dispatched to confront intruders, investigate disturbances, or warn those whose activities threaten the natural world. **The Command of Animals** Ehlonna possesses considerable authority over woodland animals and other creatures associated with her portfolio. She can calm frightened beasts, establish supernatural communication with them, and compel hostile creatures to abandon their aggression. Her powers also allow her to summon animals and call upon unicorns, whose association with her divine nature is among the most recognisable features of her mythology. Her human manifestation possesses particular authority over horses, while her elven aspect is especially associated with unicorns. These relationships reflect the differing forms through which she is recognised by the peoples of Oerth, although both remain expressions of the same divine being. **The Sovereignty of Living Plants** The goddess can influence the growth and movement of vegetation through powerful divine magic. She may encourage plants to flourish, restrain hostile creatures with entangling growth, or create formidable walls of thorns capable of protecting threatened woodlands. Her mastery extends to the command of plant creatures and the summoning of powerful guardians formed from living vegetation. These powers provide both protection and a means of restoring the natural environment. A forest damaged by careless destruction may benefit from the growth encouraged by her magic, while hostile intruders may discover that the surrounding vegetation has become an obstacle to their advance. **The Restoration of Life** Ehlonna's magic includes powerful healing and restorative abilities associated with her benevolent nature. Her divine powers allow her to protect living creatures, counter certain destructive supernatural influences, and support the continued growth of the natural world. These gifts are particularly important to her clergy, whose duties frequently involve preserving vulnerable animals, protecting woodland communities, and responding to injuries sustained during the defence of the forest. The goddess's concern for life does not imply that she regards every natural death as an injustice. Predation, ageing, and the ordinary cycles of nature remain part of existence, and her teachings distinguish these processes from the deliberate destruction of living things for cruelty or unnecessary profit. **The Bow of Jenevier** Ehlonna's most distinctive weapon is **Jenevier**, a magnificent longbow fashioned from pale white wood. The bow possesses powerful holy enchantments and reflects the goddess's mastery of archery, allowing her to confront enemies from a distance with extraordinary accuracy. Her divine combat abilities also include the use of a longsword and dagger, demonstrating that she is not solely dependent upon archery. The weapons associated with her published manifestations are magical armaments rather than instruments of ceremonial display, and their existence reflects her willingness to employ decisive force when the protection of the wilderness requires it. The original account's celestial bow firing invented arrows of pure radiance is unnecessary, for Jenevier itself is a documented weapon possessing considerable supernatural power. **The Transformation of Form** Ehlonna can assume animal forms through her divine and druidic abilities, allowing her to travel through the wilderness in ways unavailable to ordinary mortals. Such transformations are consistent with her intimate understanding of the natural world and her capacity to communicate with creatures whose senses and instincts differ from those of humanoids. Her manifestations may also take human or elven forms, reflecting the varied traditions through which her worshippers recognise her. The ability to appear as a creature familiar to those she protects allows her to intervene without revealing the full extent of her divine nature. **The Protection of the Grove** Within the Grove of the Unicorns, Ehlonna possesses authority over the supernatural conditions governing her divine residence. The sanctuary's peaceful inhabitants benefit from magical protections, while ranger spells and magic intended to provide food or water become exceptionally effective. Ehlonna and Mielikki may alter the magical conditions of their shared realm when necessary, ensuring that its supernatural properties remain consistent with the purpose for which the sanctuary is maintained. These abilities demonstrate that her authority extends beyond individual plants or animals to the preservation of an entire divine environment. --- ### **Treatment of the Faithful** Ehlonna regards those who sincerely protect the forests with benevolence, extending her concern to woodland communities, travellers, and creatures whose lives depend upon the wilderness. Her favour is most closely associated with those who demonstrate restraint, compassion, and practical understanding of nature's needs. Worshippers who seek to preserve the forest while respecting the ordinary requirements of survival embody her teachings more faithfully than those who merely praise the beauty of the wilderness without undertaking the work necessary to protect it. Her clergy receive divine magic suited to their responsibilities, including abilities associated with animals, plants, goodness, and the sun. Such gifts allow them to heal injuries, defend threatened groves, communicate with woodland creatures, and oppose those who seek to destroy the environment entrusted to their care. The goddess's power therefore strengthens the practical work of her priesthood rather than establishing a separate system of rewards unrelated to its duties. Ehlonna's protection is not restricted to those who have never harmed a forest. Her teachings encourage priests to begin by explaining the consequences of destructive behaviour, offering offenders an opportunity to change their ways before resorting to violence. This willingness to educate reflects her belief that mortals can learn to live harmoniously with the wilderness, even when their existing practices have brought them into conflict with its guardians. Nevertheless, the goddess does not require her followers to tolerate continued destruction. Those who persist in despoiling the woodland after receiving warning may face determined resistance from her clergy and the creatures allied with them. Such action is not regarded as a contradiction of Ehlonna's compassion, for the defence of vulnerable living things sometimes requires the use of force against those unwilling to exercise restraint. Her most important gifts are therefore inseparable from responsibility. The ability to protect a grove, restore damaged vegetation, or defend a woodland creature acquires religious significance through the purpose for which it is employed. Ehlonna's faithful are expected to understand that divine favour does not place them above the natural world, but binds them more closely to its preservation. --- ### **Myths and Legends** **Ehlenestra, the Golden-Haired Maiden** Among the elves of Oerth, Ehlonna is known as **Ehlenestra**, appearing as a golden-haired elven maiden whose beauty reflects the living grace of the woodlands. This manifestation differs from the dark-haired human form recognised by many other worshippers, although both represent the same divine power. The two appearances have encouraged different cultural understandings of the goddess. Human foresters and rangers frequently depict her wearing practical clothing suited to the wilderness, while elven traditions may present her in the more elaborate garments of a noble maiden. These distinctions reflect the peoples through whom her worship has spread rather than separate divine identities. Her closeness to the elven pantheon is particularly important, for Ehlonna maintains friendly relations with the [[Seldarine]] and is widely respected among woodland elves. This association has allowed her religion to flourish within communities already possessing strong traditions of reverence toward forests, animals, and the supernatural inhabitants of the natural world. **The Grove of the Unicorns** The Grove of the Unicorns is among the most celebrated sanctuaries associated with Ehlonna. Situated beneath immense sequoias within Krigala, the realm is a place where woodland creatures may live in peace beneath the protection of the goddess and Mielikki. Planar travellers describe a grove whose boundaries conceal a realm considerably more magnificent than its outward appearance suggests. Those who possess genuine affection for the natural world may discover the sanctuary through an encounter with a unicorn drinking from a clear pool, while less worthy travellers may pass through the surrounding trees without recognising the extraordinary place they have entered. The sanctuary's secrecy preserves its purpose as a place of peace. Dragons, unicorns, centaurs, bariaurs, and numerous other creatures may find refuge within its wider environment, while the intelligent animals of the Beastlands maintain an affectionate relationship with its divine guardians. The Grove therefore represents more than Ehlonna's personal residence. It is the expression of the woodland harmony she seeks to preserve, a living sanctuary in which the interests of different creatures are reconciled through the generosity and protection of its divine rulers. **The Friendship of Ehlonna and Mielikki** The relationship between Ehlonna and [[Mielikki]] is among the most significant associations linking the divine traditions of Greyhawk and the Forgotten Realms. Both goddesses protect forests and woodland creatures, and their shared residence within the Beastlands demonstrates the compatibility of their divine responsibilities. Their friendship reflects a common belief that the wilderness deserves protection from those who seek to despoil it. Although their worshippers belong primarily to different worlds, their mutual concern extends beyond the boundaries of any single pantheon. Within the Grove of the Unicorns, the two powers maintain a sanctuary where their followers may find a common purpose. The relationship demonstrates that divine powers whose histories arise from different worlds may cooperate without requiring their religions to become identical. **The Gift to Obad-Hai** The relationship between Ehlonna and [[Obad-Hai]] has long been characterised by disagreement concerning the proper understanding of nature. Yet an ancient tradition preserved through a surviving divine relic reveals that their relationship was not always defined by hostility. According to the account, Ehlonna once fashioned a magnificent suit of armour from the red, yellow, and orange leaves of the forest. The leaves were joined together into a protective garment possessing extraordinary magical properties, allowing its wearer to merge with the fallen foliage and disperse upon the wind. She presented this creation to Obad-Hai as a gift during an earlier period when their relations were sufficiently cordial to permit such an exchange. The armour subsequently became associated with the worship of the Shalm and was remembered as the **Armour of the Fallen Leaves**. The gift provides a rare glimpse of a relationship otherwise remembered principally through rivalry. Although Ehlonna and Obad-Hai disagree concerning the nature of wilderness and the proper duties of its defenders, the existence of the relic demonstrates that their shared association with the natural world has not always prevented cooperation or mutual respect. **The Raptor Arrows** A particularly important legend associated with Ehlonna is preserved through the relics known as the **Raptor Arrows**. According to the tradition, a great wyrm green dragon once rampaged through an ancient forest, threatening the living creatures and woodland growth within its territory. Ehlonna confronted the dragon and employed a set of five extraordinary arrows against it. These weapons possessed magical properties allowing them to return to the bow from which they were fired, while their supernatural enchantments made them especially effective against designated enemies. The dragon was slain, and the arrows acquired the status of sacred relics through their association with the goddess's victory. Their continued existence preserved the memory of a direct intervention in defence of the forest, demonstrating that Ehlonna's benevolence did not prevent her from destroying a creature whose actions threatened the woodland realm. The tale remains one of the clearest documented examples of her martial protection of nature and provides a direct connection between the goddess's established powers and the sacred objects preserved by her followers. **The Protection of the Adri Forest** The influence of Ehlonna is particularly evident within the Adri Forest, where her worshippers have supported rangers defending the ancient woodlands against hostile incursions. The forest has suffered threats from neighbouring powers and dangerous creatures, making its preservation a struggle requiring more than ordinary religious observance. Ehlonna's faithful have responded through organised resistance, adopting a notably militant position toward those threatening the woodland. Their participation demonstrates that the goddess's teachings possess practical consequences within the political and military struggles of the Flanaess. The defenders of the Adri do not regard their opposition to destruction as an abandonment of compassion. Rather, they recognise that the forest and its inhabitants cannot be protected through persuasion alone when confronted by enemies determined to seize or devastate the land. This episode forms part of the documented history of Ehlonna's worship upon Oerth, demonstrating how her religion has influenced the defence of a real and threatened woodland rather than existing solely within the peaceful surroundings of divine myth. --- ### **Allies and Enemies** Ehlonna maintains friendly relationships with numerous good-aligned deities, particularly those whose responsibilities involve the protection of nature, renewal, and the welfare of living creatures. Her close association with Mielikki is demonstrated through their shared divine realm, while her friendship with the Seldarine reflects the considerable overlap between her worship and the woodland traditions of the elves. Among the gods of Greyhawk, Ehlonna is allied with **[[Atroa]]**, the benevolent goddess of spring and renewal. Their responsibilities are closely related, for the arrival of spring brings new growth to the forests and restores the vitality of plants and animals after the hardships of winter. Their association reflects the importance of renewal and fertility within Ehlonna's divine portfolio. Her relationship with **[[Obad-Hai]]**, however, is markedly different. Although both deities exercise authority over aspects of the natural world, their philosophies are not identical. Ehlonna emphasises the goodness and beauty of unspoiled woodlands and encourages her followers to intervene against those threatening their survival. Obad-Hai regards nature more impartially, recognising its savagery, competition, and destructive forces as essential aspects of the whole. These differences have produced an enduring and sometimes hostile rivalry between their religions. The clergy of the two powers may maintain formal courtesy, but their differing interpretations of woodland protection frequently place them in opposition. Nevertheless, the ancient gift of the Armour of the Fallen Leaves demonstrates that their relationship has possessed moments of cooperation and mutual respect. Ehlonna is also opposed to **[[Karaan]]**, a malevolent power associated with the darker and more destructive aspects of nature. The conflict between them reflects the distinction between Ehlonna's protection of living beauty and the unrestrained brutality represented by beings whose savagery threatens the wellbeing of the natural world. The goddess is served by **Novelee**, a planetar of exceptional purity whose presence is closely associated with unicorns. This celestial servant demonstrates the relationship between Ehlonna's divine authority and the good-aligned inhabitants of the Upper Planes. Although other deities such as Chauntea, Malar, Talona, and Lolth possess portfolios that may bring them into thematic agreement or conflict with Ehlonna, the principal Greyhawk accounts do not establish all of them as her direct allies or enemies. Her documented relationships with Obad-Hai, Atroa, the Seldarine, Mielikki, and Karaan provide a firmer foundation for understanding her place within the divine order. --- ### **Encounters with Ehlonna's Influence** Encounters with Ehlonna's influence most often occur through her clergy and the woodland communities that maintain her worship. Travellers entering a forest protected by her priests may discover carefully preserved groves, concealed shrines, or settlements where the inhabitants have learned to gather resources without permanently damaging the surrounding environment. Such places are not necessarily free from danger, but they reflect a determined effort to preserve the living abundance of the wilderness. A ranger or cleric devoted to Ehlonna may approach travellers whose activities threaten the forest, initially offering guidance rather than hostility. Those gathering wood, hunting animals, or clearing land may be instructed in methods that limit their impact upon the environment. Visitors willing to respect these teachings may find assistance and safe passage, while those who persist in destructive conduct can face increasingly determined opposition. In regions suffering from monstrous incursions or hostile occupation, Ehlonna's faithful may be encountered among armed defenders of the wilderness. Their service can involve protecting ancient trees, escorting threatened creatures, resisting destructive armies, or recovering woodland territory seized by hostile forces. The goddess's concern for living beauty does not prevent her followers from employing considerable force when the alternative is the loss of an irreplaceable forest. More extraordinary manifestations may involve unicorns, animals displaying unusual calm in the presence of danger, or the appearance of one of Ehlonna's divine servants. Such encounters reflect the creatures and powers associated with her established nature, although no universal omen guarantees that a particular animal or natural phenomenon represents her direct intervention. An adventurer who reaches the Grove of the Unicorns encounters the most complete expression of Ehlonna's divine protection. Within its boundaries, the peaceful relations between animals, the abundance of its resources, and the extraordinary beauty of its ancient trees demonstrate the ideals her worshippers seek to preserve upon the Material Plane. Direct encounters with the goddess are exceptionally rare. She may manifest in human or elven form, appearing as a dark-haired forester or golden-haired maiden whose clothing and bearing reflect her close relationship with the woodland realm. Her arrival may be intended to warn those threatening the forest, protect vulnerable creatures, or confront an enemy whose actions demand divine intervention. Those who approach Ehlonna with genuine respect for nature may encounter a benevolent and understanding power. Those who persist in the destruction of the wilderness should remember that the same goddess who shelters unicorns and protects the flowering groves possesses formidable weapons and divine magic, and does not hesitate to employ them when the survival of the forest is at stake. --- ### **Conclusion** Ehlonna of the Forests is an ancient and benevolent goddess whose authority encompasses the woodlands, their flora and fauna, and the fertility through which the natural world continues to flourish. Revered by rangers, druids, foresters, and communities whose lives remain closely connected to the wilderness, she teaches that nature must be understood, cherished, and protected rather than exploited without restraint. Her divine realm, the Grove of the Unicorns, represents the fulfilment of these ideals. Shared with Mielikki and sheltered beneath immense sequoias within the Beastlands, it provides a sanctuary where animals and woodland creatures may flourish in peace. Its supernatural abundance reflects Ehlonna's concern for the preservation of life, while its protection demonstrates the extraordinary authority she possesses over the natural world. The teachings of her clergy combine compassion with determination. Those who seek to live responsibly within the forest may receive guidance and assistance, while those who persist in destroying its beauty and resources face increasingly forceful opposition. The worshippers of Ehlonna recognise that the preservation of the wilderness requires both understanding and the willingness to defend it. Her relationships with other deities reflect the complexity of this responsibility. She shares friendship and common purpose with Mielikki, Atroa, and the Seldarine, while her rivalry with Obad-Hai demonstrates the differing interpretations of nature maintained even among those who honour it. Her opposition to Karaan further distinguishes her benevolent understanding of woodland life from the darker savagery that threatens its continued flourishing. Ehlonna therefore endures as one of the principal guardians of the natural world within the Greyhawk pantheon, a goddess whose beauty is matched by her resolve and whose compassion is inseparable from the duty to protect the forests and all who depend upon them.