Fharlanghn

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Fharlanghn
intermediate power, "Dweller on the Horizon"
Pantheon: Oerthian Pantheon
AoC: Travel, distance, roads, horizons
Worshippers: Wanderers, nomads, traveling merchants, bards
AL: N(NG) WAL: Any
Symbol: Disc with a curved line across it
Home p/r: Prime/Wanders
Allies: Atroa, Brandobaris, Celestian, Charmalaine, Keoghtom, Lydia, Tarsellis Meunniduin
Enemies: None
Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff
Domains: Earth, Luck, Protection, Travel, Weather
Subdomains: Defense, Exploration, Fate, Metal, Seasons, Trade
Known Proxies: None

A prominent power in his home sphere on the planet of Oerth, Fharlanghn (far-LAHNG-un) is still far from such on the planes. Thanks to the influence of his brother, the Astral power Celestian, this has slowly been changing, however, especially within the Outlands, one of the few planes with a horizon to be sought after. Fharlanghn stands as patron to all who wander purely for the sake of wandering, always journeying and never settling in one place for long, and it is just this attitude that has brought many of the planewalkers that now travel in his name under his fold. Unfortunately, his reverence for the horizon has led to many stumbling blocks in his spread throughout the planes, for many hold no such icon at all, whether it be due to a lack of solid land or an odd configuration of space. Further, many sneer at following any power that chooses to keep itself upon the Prime. In spite of all these obstacles, however, Fharlanghn is very slowly gaining ground beyond the Material.

Despite his Prime connections, Fharlanghn does have some experience on the planes themselves, if slight. He has made a number of journeys to the plane of Earth, as befitting his great respect for that element, his great gratitude to the soil and rock for bearing so many travelers upon its back. More rarely has he made the trip to the plane of Air, largely encouraged by his lover Atroa, goddess of the east wind. Such trips, however, do spell the limit of his planar excursions; he personally is far more satisfied walking upon the world's surface, seeking to explore the entirety of Oerth — and perhaps other worlds following — keeping to the somewhat Oerthian habit of manifesting as a physical being in his journies, a moderately-sized, middle-aged human with deeply tanned skin and sparkling green eyes.

History

Little is known of Fharlanghn's life in any great detail; it is certain that he is the brother of Celestian and that he is linked romantically with Atroa, but the details of his parentage, his birth, his influence upon Oerth, and other parts of his past history are largely unknown. The most recent solidly recorded instances of his actions are his sponsorships in a pair of apotheosises within the last few centuries. First of Keoghtom some time in the mid-4th century CY, now a hero-deity of alchemy and exploration, and second, alongside Brandobaris, of Charmalaine within the last decade, now a hero-deity of keen senses and narrow escapes. Both were devout followers in his name, and his mentorship in the rise to godhood of two figures so relatively near one another has suggested to some that Fharlanghn is turning his eye towards more direct deific involvement in mortal affairs.

Priesthood

Priests of Fharlanghn, as can be expected, tend to be wandering figures travelling from town to town and aiding those in need where able. Often times an entire order of one or two dozen priests will travel as one, keeping temporary shrines and holding services across a land. On the planes, this is little changed, if only expanded to a broader scope. Chuches of Fharlanghn are a rare site, even more so on the planes where his followers are so rare as it is. Many serve as itinerant guides, diplomats, or translators, one or two hold moderate rank in some trade corporation or another, and a select few even serve as ambassadors-at-large. The most devout of his followers, the guardians of the road, give up all property, everything but what they must carry with them, and devote themselves entirely to what they call the "eternal pilgrimage".

His clergy most often preach through the use of short anecdotes and parables, befitting the brief time they spend among any one congregation; many of these focus on the travels of a wise older man and his foolish young ward. They tend to be short on ceremony and ritual, performing their duties and offering their abilities in as direct a manner as possible. In fact, many rely on the ceremonies of allied deities when it comes to births, marriages, and funerals, as there quite simply is no standard for such amongst Fharlanghn's faith.

Most often, his clergy garb themselves in natural-toned robes — greens, browns, greys — and comfortable boots, keeping an ironshod quarterstaff as both a walking stick and a symbol of their deity. There is no formal wear as such amongst the faith of Fharlanghn, though most do keep some more nicely-tailored robes packed away for when they stop and see to the needs of their flock.

Dogma

People need to move about and see new things. Be open to travel, as the world may change overnight and you may be in need of a new home or perspective. Look to the horizon for inspiration—the far end of the world has new peoples, new cultures, new magic, and new roads to walk.

Open-mindedness is key to followers of Fharlanghn. When one is always moving from place to place, one must be open to all walks of life, all types and measures of culture. Those that engage in the greatest travel cannot afford to be stubborn in their ways, or they will quickly find all maner of avenues closed off to them. One needn't approve of all ways, but one should always at least grant them the courtesy of acknowledgement and consideration.

References

  • Complete Divine, pp.111-112
  • Dragon #68 - The Deities and Demigods of the World of Greyhawk, pp.64-66
  • Dragon #236 - The Seldarine Revisited, pg.16
  • Fharlanghn's Garden
  • From the Ashes - Atlas of the Flanaess, pg.87
  • Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, pp.170-171
  • Living Greyhawk Journal #3 - Blood of Heroes, pgs.9,12
  • On Hallowed Ground, pg.166
  • Player's Handbook v.3.5, pp.106-107