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{{Greyhawk Deity|fgcolor=#fff|
{{Deity
image=|
|image        = [[Image:Kelanen01.jpg|250px]]
caption=|
|caption     = Kelanen, the Prince of Swords, as depicted in ''[[Dragon mag|Dragon]]'' #71 (1983).
bgcolor=#000|
|name         =  
fgcolor=#fff|
|alt_spelling =
name=Kelanen|
|titles      = The Sword Lord,{{cite dungeon|106|52}} Prince of Swords
title=The Prince of Swords|
|home         = [[Material Plane]]
home=[[Prime Material Plane]]|
|rank        = Hero-deity
power=Hero-deity|
|gender       = Male
gender=Male|
|class       = Fighter 20/Magic-user 5/Illusionist 5/Thief-acrobat 10
class=Fighter 20/Magic-user 5/Illusionist 5/Thief-acrobat 10|
|alignment   = Neutral
alignment=Neutral|
|portfolio   = Swords, Sword Skills, Balance
portfolio=Swords, Sword Skills, Balance|
|domains     = Travel, War
domains=Travel, War|
|alt_name    = none
alias=none|
|super       = unknown
super=unknown|
}}
}}
'''Kelanen''' is the hero-deity of Swords, Sword Skills, and Balance. Possibly the most popular hero-deity in the Flanaess, Kelanen's symbol is nine swords arrayed in a star shape, points outward.
'''Kelanen''' is the hero-deity of Swords, Sword Skills, and Balance. Possibly the most popular hero-deity in the Flanaess, Kelanen's symbol is nine swords arrayed in a star shape, points outward.


==Description==
==Description==
Kelanen is traditionally depicted as a fair-skinned human male bearing a silvery scar on the right side of his face, though he can appear in any humanoid form. His true form is slender and sinewy, just under six feet in height. He wears elfin chain mail and prefers garments of gray or blue-gray, wearing ornaments of silver or platinum.
Kelanen is traditionally depicted as a fair-skinned human male bearing a silvery scar on the right side of his face, though he can appear in any humanoid form. His true form is slender and sinewy, just under six feet in height. He wears elfin chain mail and prefers garments of gray or blue gray, wearing ornaments of silver or platinum.


Kelanen is always accompanied by his intelligent swords, ''[[Swiftdoom]]'' and ''[[Sureguard]]''.  
Kelanen is always accompanied by his intelligent swords, ''[[Swiftdoom]]'' and ''[[Sureguard]]''.  
Line 27: Line 26:


==Realm==
==Realm==
Kelanen has a demiplanar stronghold, but is usually found on the [[Prime Material Plane]], either on [[Oerth]] or some parallel world as the adventure takes him.
Kelanen has a demiplanar stronghold but is usually found on the [[Material Plane]], either on [[Oerth]] or some parallel world as the adventure takes him.


==Dogma==
==Dogma==
Kelanen is obsessed with all types of swords, as well as preserving the balance between Law, Chaos, Good, and Evil (the "Four Dooms"). He has been known to aid any of these alignments in order to centralize the balance of power. He encourages the mastery of swordsmanship among all his followers, and warns them to avoid all extremes.
Kelanen is obsessed with all types of swords, as well as preserving the balance between Law, Chaos, Good, and Evil (the "Four Dooms"). He has been known to aid any of these alignments in order to centralize the balance of power. He encourages the mastery of swordsmanship among all his followers and warns them to avoid all extremes.


==Worshippers==
==Worshipers==
Kelanen is worshiped throughout the [[Flanaess]], especially in the [[Sea Princes|Hold of the Sea Princes]], the [[Wild Coast]], and neighboring lands. His worshippers can be of any alignment.
Kelanen is worshiped throughout the [[Flanaess]], especially in the [[Sea Princes|Hold of the Sea Princes]], the [[Wild Coast]], and neighboring lands. His worshippers can be of any alignment.


===Clergy===
===Clergy===
Kelanen's priests are forbidden from using any weapon that isn't classified as some sort of sword (including falchions, rapiers, scimitars, and two-bladed swords), dagger, or crossbow. The vast majority of his priests are neutral, for those with adherence to any other alignment are seen as having no regard for his teachings.
Kelanen's priests are forbidden from using any weapon that is not classified as some sort of sword (including falchions, rapiers, scimitars, and two-bladed swords), dagger, or crossbow. The vast majority of his priests are neutral, for those with adherence to any other alignment are seen as having no regard for his teachings.


Priests of Kelanen practice their sword skills assiduously and spend much of their time teaching others. They work to support the cosmic Balance, making temporary alliances with groups of every alignment and breaking the alliances when they are no longer perceived as being needed.
Priests of Kelanen practice their sword skills assiduously and spend much of their time teaching others. They work to support the cosmic Balance, making temporary alliances with groups of every alignment and breaking the alliances when they are no longer perceived as being needed.
Line 42: Line 41:
===The Order of the Star===
===The Order of the Star===
The Order of the Star, named for Kelanen's holy symbol, is an organization that spans the western nations of the Flanaess. Its members honor the Prince of Swords and seek to personify his teachings.
The Order of the Star, named for Kelanen's holy symbol, is an organization that spans the western nations of the Flanaess. Its members honor the Prince of Swords and seek to personify his teachings.
===The Fraternity of the Brazen Blade===
Ostensibly a religious order dedicated to Kelanen, the Fraternity of the Brazen Blade is actually a violent revenge society made up of minor nobles of the old [[Hold of the Sea Princes]] regime.


==Temples==
==Temples==
Line 52: Line 54:


==Myths and legends==
==Myths and legends==
Kelanen is said to have wrested the now-lost blade ''[[Fragarach]]'' the Answerer from the hands of an alien god. He is also said to have discovered the location of three magical blades known as the Pillars of Heaven. Kelanen created the renowned [[Swords of answering|"Final Word" swords]], upon which his holy symbol is based.
Kelanen is said to have wrested the now-lost blade ''[[Fragarach]]'' the Answerer from the hands of an alien god. He is also said to have discovered the location of three magical blades known as the ''[[Pillars of Heaven]]''. Kelanen created the renowned [[Swords of Answering]] or "Final Word" swords patterned after Fragarach, upon which his holy symbol is based. The Prince of Swords also once possessed the sword ''[[Vilharian]]'', having won it in a duel from the hero [[Sellanus]].<ref>[[Living Greyhawk Journal]] 3, pp.11-12</ref>
 
The Prince of Swords also once possessed the sword ''[[Vilharian]]'', having won it in a duel from the hero [[Sellanus]].


==History==
==History==
Kelanen is an ancient being of unknown race and origin, having been around since at least the [[Great Migrations]]. He only recently crossed the boundary between quasi-deity and hero-deity, however, having gained the ability to grant spells to his clerics only in the last century.
Kelanen is an ancient being of unknown race and origin, having been around since at least the [[Great Migrations]].  
Roughly two centuries ago, in Bissel, he fought and defeated in a duel, [[Dorl Tavyani]], a vain, mortal man with aspirations to divinity, cursing Tavyani's followers and a temple dedicated to him.
Kelanen only recently crossed the boundary between quasi-deity and hero-deity, however, having gained the ability to grant spells to his clerics only in the last century.


==Creative origins==
==Creative origins==
Kelanen was created by [[Gary Gygax]].
Kelanen was created by [[Gary Gygax]] with assistance from [[Francois Froideval|François Marcela-Froideval]].{{cite dragon|71|21}}


==Publishing history==
==Publishing history==
Kelanen appears as one of the assembled [[lords of Balance]] in Gary Gygax's novel ''[[Come Endless Darkness]]''.  
Kelanen appears as one of the assembled [[Lords of Balance]] in Gary Gygax's novel ''[[Come Endless Darkness]]''.


==Bibliography==
==References==
=====Citations=====
<references />
=====Bibliography=====
*Baas, Walter, et al. ''[[Treasures of Greyhawk]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
*Baas, Walter, et al. ''[[Treasures of Greyhawk]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
*[[Anne Brown|Brown, Anne]]. ''[[Player's Guide]]''. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998.
*[[Anne Brown|Brown, Anne]]. ''[[Player's Guide]]''. Renton, WA: 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]
*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]
*[[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''Come Endless Darkness''. Delavan, WI: New Infinities, 1988.
*[[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''Come Endless Darkness''. Delavan, WI: New Infinities, 1988.
*-----. "Greyhawk's World: Quasi-deities." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #71 (TSR, 1983]).
:———. "Greyhawk's World: Quasi-deities." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #71. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
*-----. ''[[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
:———. ''[[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
*[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]]. "The Kingdom of Keoland." ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #1. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
*[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]]. "The Kingdom of Keoland." ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #1. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
*-----. "Silent Sorcery: The [[Silent Ones]] of Keoland." ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #4. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
:———. "Silent Sorcery: The [[Silent Ones]] of Keoland." ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #4. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
*[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean K Reynolds]], and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
*[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean K Reynolds]], and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
*[[Mona, Erik]], ''et al''. "Critical Threats: [[Dantalion]]." ''[[Dungeon]]'' #106. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004. Page 53.
*[[Mona, Erik]], ''et al''. "Critical Threats: [[Dantalion]]." ''[[Dungeon]]'' #106. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004. Page 53.
*[[Moore, Roger E]]. ''[[Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins]]''. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998.
*[[Moore, Roger E]]. ''[[The Adventure Begins]]''. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998.
*[[Sean K. Reynolds|Reynolds, Sean K]], and [[Chris Pramas]]. ''[[Slavers]]''. Renton, WA: TSR, 2000.
*[[Sean K. Reynolds|Reynolds, Sean K.]], and [[Chris Pramas]]. ''[[Slavers]]''. Renton, WA: TSR, 2000.
*Reynolds, Sean K, [[Frederick Weining]], and Erik Mona. "Blood of Heroes." ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #3. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
*[[Sean K. Reynolds|Reynolds, Sean K]], [[Frederick Weining]], and [[Erik Mona]]. "Blood of Heroes." ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #3. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
*[[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[Ivid the Undying]]'' (TSR, unpublished). Available online: [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads]
* [[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[Ivid the Undying]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995. Published online. [https://greyhawkonline.com/download/16370/?tmstv=1727302323 PDF by William Allman with maps].  Original RTF archived:[http://web.archive.org/web/20081218001449/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Wizards.com]. WGR7 or WGRx
*[[Greg A. Vaughan|Vaughan, Greg A.]], and [[Erik Mona]]. "Touch of the Abyss." ''[[Dungeon]]'' #117. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004. Page 38.
*[[J. Bradley Schell]]. "Vanity." ''[[Dungeon]]'' #93. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2002. Page 14.
*[[Greg A. Vaughan|Vaughan, Greg A.]], and [[Erik Mona]]. "Touch of the [[Abyss]]." ''[[Dungeon]]'' #117. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004. Page 38.
{{index}}
 


[[Category:Gods of neutrality]]
[[Category:Deities of neutrality]]
[[Category:Greyhawk deities]]
[[Category:Human deities]]
[[Category:Martial deities]]
[[Category:Deities of war]]

Latest revision as of 06:09, 28 April 2025

Greyhawk Divinity
Kelanen
Kelanen, the Prince of Swords, as depicted in Dragon #71 (1983).
Names and titles
Alias(es):none
Title(s):The Sword Lord,[1] Prince of Swords
General information
Portfolio:Swords, Sword Skills, Balance
Home:Material Plane
Alignment:Neutral
Gender:Male
Class:Fighter 20/Magic-user 5/Illusionist 5/Thief-acrobat 10
Superior:unknown
Rules items
Domains:Travel, War
Divine rank:Hero-deity

Kelanen is the hero-deity of Swords, Sword Skills, and Balance. Possibly the most popular hero-deity in the Flanaess, Kelanen's symbol is nine swords arrayed in a star shape, points outward.

Description

Kelanen is traditionally depicted as a fair-skinned human male bearing a silvery scar on the right side of his face, though he can appear in any humanoid form. His true form is slender and sinewy, just under six feet in height. He wears elfin chain mail and prefers garments of gray or blue gray, wearing ornaments of silver or platinum.

Kelanen is always accompanied by his intelligent swords, Swiftdoom and Sureguard.

Relationships

Kelanen temporarily allied himself with Zagig Yragerne, Keoghtom, Heward, and Murlynd in order to bind Iuz beneath Castle Greyhawk, and therefore bears Iuz's eternal enmity. Kelanen has no real friends or confidants, however, apart from his swords.

Realm

Kelanen has a demiplanar stronghold but is usually found on the Material Plane, either on Oerth or some parallel world as the adventure takes him.

Dogma

Kelanen is obsessed with all types of swords, as well as preserving the balance between Law, Chaos, Good, and Evil (the "Four Dooms"). He has been known to aid any of these alignments in order to centralize the balance of power. He encourages the mastery of swordsmanship among all his followers and warns them to avoid all extremes.

Worshipers

Kelanen is worshiped throughout the Flanaess, especially in the Hold of the Sea Princes, the Wild Coast, and neighboring lands. His worshippers can be of any alignment.

Clergy

Kelanen's priests are forbidden from using any weapon that is not classified as some sort of sword (including falchions, rapiers, scimitars, and two-bladed swords), dagger, or crossbow. The vast majority of his priests are neutral, for those with adherence to any other alignment are seen as having no regard for his teachings.

Priests of Kelanen practice their sword skills assiduously and spend much of their time teaching others. They work to support the cosmic Balance, making temporary alliances with groups of every alignment and breaking the alliances when they are no longer perceived as being needed.

The Order of the Star

The Order of the Star, named for Kelanen's holy symbol, is an organization that spans the western nations of the Flanaess. Its members honor the Prince of Swords and seek to personify his teachings.

The Fraternity of the Brazen Blade

Ostensibly a religious order dedicated to Kelanen, the Fraternity of the Brazen Blade is actually a violent revenge society made up of minor nobles of the old Hold of the Sea Princes regime.

Temples

The Chapterhouse of the Star is the headquarters of the Order of the Star in Istivin. Most were slain defending the city against giants, and it is currently under the charge of the aged swordsman Baldram, who has been training a new generation to replace the old.

A temple to Kelanen once existed in Elredd, but it was destroyed by followers of Turrosh Mak. Wrathful at this affront, Kelanen has dispatched his priestess Fina Fen Kela to rid Elredd of Turrosh Mak's humanoids and rebuild his temple. Kelanen views Turrosh Mak's hordes as an unbalancing presence on the Wild Coast.

Rituals and holy days

The Tocsin of Kelanen is a swordmeet held annually during Brewfest in the County of Cryllor in Keoland. Participants from throughout the Sheldomar Valley gather to display their skill, adding considerably to the coffers of Cryllor's count Ignas Manz in the process.

Myths and legends

Kelanen is said to have wrested the now-lost blade Fragarach the Answerer from the hands of an alien god. He is also said to have discovered the location of three magical blades known as the Pillars of Heaven. Kelanen created the renowned Swords of Answering or "Final Word" swords patterned after Fragarach, upon which his holy symbol is based. The Prince of Swords also once possessed the sword Vilharian, having won it in a duel from the hero Sellanus.[2]

History

Kelanen is an ancient being of unknown race and origin, having been around since at least the Great Migrations. Roughly two centuries ago, in Bissel, he fought and defeated in a duel, Dorl Tavyani, a vain, mortal man with aspirations to divinity, cursing Tavyani's followers and a temple dedicated to him. Kelanen only recently crossed the boundary between quasi-deity and hero-deity, however, having gained the ability to grant spells to his clerics only in the last century.

Creative origins

Kelanen was created by Gary Gygax with assistance from François Marcela-Froideval.[3]

Publishing history

Kelanen appears as one of the assembled Lords of Balance in Gary Gygax's novel Come Endless Darkness.

References

Citations
  1. ↑ Dungeon #106 (Jan 2004), p.52
  2. ↑ Living Greyhawk Journal 3, pp.11-12
  3. ↑ Dragon #71 (Mar 1983), p.21.
Bibliography
———. "Greyhawk's World: Quasi-deities." Dragon #71. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
———. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
———. "Silent Sorcery: The Silent Ones of Keoland." Living Greyhawk Journal #4. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Come Endless Darkness 60, 68, 248
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Dragon magazine #071 21, 22
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Ivid the Undying 157
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 100, 102
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Living Greyhawk Journal #1 14
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Living Greyhawk Journal #2 11
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Living Greyhawk Journal #3 11, 12, 19
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Living Greyhawk Journal #4 17
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 5, 20
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Polyhedron magazine #163 107
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, Slavers, AD&D 2e 65, 66, 127, 128
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, The Adventure Begins 100
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, WG8 Fate of Istus 39
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, WGR2 Treasures of Greyhawk 51, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, WGR5 Iuz the Evil 5
Kelanen (The Prince of Swords) (Sword Lord) Deity Prince of Swords, Native of: Material Plane, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 33, 36, 37
Kelanen, Temple of (Elredd) Building Temple, Slavers, AD&D 2e 65
Kelanen, Temple of (Elredd) Building Temple, WG8 Fate of Istus 39
Kelanen, Temple of (Monmurg) Building Temple, WGR2 Treasures of Greyhawk 58
Master of Swords {Kelanen, Bladelord, Lord of all Blades} Deity Reference SEE Kelanen
Specialty Priest of Kelanen People Group Religious order, Slavers, AD&D 2e 127-128
Tocsin of Kelanen Calendar Living Greyhawk Journal #1 14
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