Xan Yae: Difference between revisions
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==Relationships== | ==Relationships== | ||
Xan Yae was served by the demigod, [[Zuoken]], before he vanished in 505 [[ | Xan Yae was served by the demigod, [[Zuoken]], before he vanished in [[505 CY]]. After his release from the [[Godtrap]] in [[597 CY]], they continued their association. She is a close ally of the [[Cat Lord]], Rexfelis, and of [[Kurell]]. | ||
Xan Yae opposes both [[Pholtus]] and [[Pyremius]] because they both espouse radical beliefs which are not in balance, and their teachings support light eradicating the shadow sacred to her worship.{{cite polyhedron|139|20-21|Powers That Be: Xan Yae}} | |||
==Realm== | ==Realm== | ||
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==Worshippers== | ==Worshippers== | ||
Those priests dedicated to the worship of Xan Yae are known as "D'ai Shaton".{{cite polyhedron|139|20-21|Powers That Be: Xan Yae}} | |||
In far western [[Baklunish]] lands, the "Way of the Lotus" is practiced by worshippers of any social station from noble to peasant or cotter. It is based on tenets of Xan Yae's teachings.{{cite polyhedron|139|20-21|Powers That Be: Xan Yae}} | |||
Xan Yae is revered in [[Ket]], the [[Plains of the Paynims]], [[Tusmit]], and [[Zeif]]. Though a Baklunish goddess, the Perfect Mistress has some measure of popularity throughout the [[Flanaess]], especially among rogues and monks, thieves and less savory sorts, young lovers, and those of cautious nature. Xan Yae's worshippers seek out dungeons and labyrinths full of hidden lore. | Xan Yae is revered in [[Ket]], the [[Plains of the Paynims]], [[Tusmit]], and [[Zeif]]. Though a Baklunish goddess, the Perfect Mistress has some measure of popularity throughout the [[Flanaess]], especially among rogues and monks, thieves and less savory sorts, young lovers, and those of cautious nature. Xan Yae's worshippers seek out dungeons and labyrinths full of hidden lore. | ||
===Clergy=== | ===Clergy=== | ||
Xan Yae's clerics wear cloaks of gray and typically carry falchions or those weapons associated with | Xan Yae's clerics wear cloaks of gray and typically carry falchions or those weapons associated with monks. They are agents of harmony and discipline, seeking out extreme alignments and factions and bringing them toward balance. They train others in the martial and mental arts, study with gurus, and seek out evidence of the Universal Mind. They are active in seeking to change the world. They pray at dusk. | ||
==Temples== | ==Temples== | ||
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Because she teaches mastery of the unseen, Xan Yae's temples and monasteries are usually very hard to find, typically in secluded settings. In urban areas they tend to be large but disguised as some other form of building. | Because she teaches mastery of the unseen, Xan Yae's temples and monasteries are usually very hard to find, typically in secluded settings. In urban areas they tend to be large but disguised as some other form of building. | ||
One of Xan Yae's better-known monasteries beyond the [[Baklunish Basin]] is the [[Twilight Monastery]], located three hours northwest of [[Diamond Lake]] in the [[Cairn Hills]]. | One of Xan Yae's better-known monasteries beyond the [[Baklunish Basin]] is the [[Twilight Monastery]], located three hours northwest of [[Diamond Lake]] in the [[Cairn Hills]].{{csb|Age of Worms Overload (2005)|29}} | ||
==Rituals== | ==Rituals== | ||
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==Holy days== | ==Holy days== | ||
Worshipers of Xan Yae celebrate the [[Autumnal Equinox]], marking the day of balance between darkness and light. Two ceremonies are held on this day, one at dawn and another at dusk, and during these ceremonies neophytes are initiated into the greater body of the church. | Worshipers of Xan Yae celebrate the [[Autumnal Equinox]], marking the day of balance between darkness and light. Two ceremonies are held on this day, one at dawn and another at dusk, and during these ceremonies neophytes are initiated into the greater body of the church.{{cite polyhedron|139|20-21|Powers That Be: Xan Yae}} | ||
On the 27th of [[Greyhawk Calendar|Harvester]], worshipers of Xan Yae celebrate the [[Day of the Legion Will]]. On this day, every member of the church meditates from sunrise to sunset, as deeply as they can, attempting to come in direct contact with the Universal Mind and bend the fabric of existence with the collective will of the church. | On the 27th of [[Greyhawk Calendar|Harvester]], worshipers of Xan Yae celebrate the [[Day of the Legion Will]]. On this day, every member of the church meditates from sunrise to sunset, as deeply as they can, attempting to come in direct contact with the Universal Mind and bend the fabric of existence with the collective will of the church. | ||
Revision as of 18:12, 13 December 2021
| Xan Yae | |
|---|---|
![]() Xan Yae, Lady of Perfection, as depicted in Polyhedron #139 (1999). | |
| General information | |
| Portfolio: | Twilight, Shadows, Stealth, Mental and Physical Mastery of Mind over Matter |
| Home: | Outlands |
| Alignment: | Neutral |
| Gender: | Female |
| Class: | Thief-acrobat 14, thief 4, monk 18, psionic ability 1 |
| Rules items | |
| Domains: | Celerity, Knowledge, Trickery, War |
Xan Yae is the Baklunish goddess of Twilight, Shadows, Stealth, and Mental Power. Her symbol is a black lotus blossom.
Description
Xan Yae appears as a Baklunish human of any age or sex, slender and graceful, wielding a pair of magical falchions that she can shrink to easily conceal. She is usually dressed in cloth of dove gray, dusty rose, or golden orange.
Relationships
Xan Yae was served by the demigod, Zuoken, before he vanished in 505 CY. After his release from the Godtrap in 597 CY, they continued their association. She is a close ally of the Cat Lord, Rexfelis, and of Kurell.
Xan Yae opposes both Pholtus and Pyremius because they both espouse radical beliefs which are not in balance, and their teachings support light eradicating the shadow sacred to her worship.[1]
Realm
Xan Yae's realm in the Outlands is known as the Tower of Iron Will.
Dogma
Xan Yae's highest ideal is the mastery of the unseen. Anything that achieves true balance attains invisible perfection. The greatest mysteries are hard to find.
In Xan Yae's philosophy, there are three great universal principles:
- The Universal Mind. All things exist because the mind created them.[1] This is the creator and sustainer of the universe. One mind is all minds.
- Perpetual Harmony. Symmetry and balance between Good and Evil, light and shadow, and all things. When the individual achieves a similar state of balance, harmony with nature can be attained.
- Internal Peace. The mastery of the mental and martial arts can be combined to attain a higher level of existence.
Worshippers
Those priests dedicated to the worship of Xan Yae are known as "D'ai Shaton".[1]
In far western Baklunish lands, the "Way of the Lotus" is practiced by worshippers of any social station from noble to peasant or cotter. It is based on tenets of Xan Yae's teachings.[1]
Xan Yae is revered in Ket, the Plains of the Paynims, Tusmit, and Zeif. Though a Baklunish goddess, the Perfect Mistress has some measure of popularity throughout the Flanaess, especially among rogues and monks, thieves and less savory sorts, young lovers, and those of cautious nature. Xan Yae's worshippers seek out dungeons and labyrinths full of hidden lore.
Clergy
Xan Yae's clerics wear cloaks of gray and typically carry falchions or those weapons associated with monks. They are agents of harmony and discipline, seeking out extreme alignments and factions and bringing them toward balance. They train others in the martial and mental arts, study with gurus, and seek out evidence of the Universal Mind. They are active in seeking to change the world. They pray at dusk.
Temples

Because she teaches mastery of the unseen, Xan Yae's temples and monasteries are usually very hard to find, typically in secluded settings. In urban areas they tend to be large but disguised as some other form of building.
One of Xan Yae's better-known monasteries beyond the Baklunish Basin is the Twilight Monastery, located three hours northwest of Diamond Lake in the Cairn Hills.[2]
Rituals
The worshippers of Xan Yae perform all their religious rituals during twilight. Her focus on balance of body and soul, mind and reality, is emphasized by the balance between darkness and light, day and night, at dusk.[1] Xan Yae's services include dance-like exercises, meditation, reading, chanting, and prayer. The light is always shadowy and dim, and breezes tinkle bells and chimes to create peaceful background noise.
Holy days
Worshipers of Xan Yae celebrate the Autumnal Equinox, marking the day of balance between darkness and light. Two ceremonies are held on this day, one at dawn and another at dusk, and during these ceremonies neophytes are initiated into the greater body of the church.[1]
On the 27th of Harvester, worshipers of Xan Yae celebrate the Day of the Legion Will. On this day, every member of the church meditates from sunrise to sunset, as deeply as they can, attempting to come in direct contact with the Universal Mind and bend the fabric of existence with the collective will of the church.
References
Citations
Bibliography
- 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:[1]
- Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual II. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- -----. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Hawvermale, Lance. "Powers that Be: Xan Yae." Polyhedron #139. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Miller, Andy. "The Oeridian Lesser Gods." Dragon #263. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
- Mona, Erik. Age of Worms Overload. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005. Available online: [2]
- Noonan, David. Complete Divine. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004.
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty Priest of Xan Yae (D'Ai Shaton) | People Group | Religious order, | Polyhedron magazine #139 | 21 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | Dragon magazine #236 | 13 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | Dragon magazine #263 | 50 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 30 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | From the Ashes: References Card | #4 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 67, 83, 115, 136, 184, 188, 190 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 19 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 18 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | Monster Manual 2, AD&D 1e | 23 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 20 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | Polyhedron magazine #139 | 20, 21 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil | 120 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | WGR6 City of Skulls | 8 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 64, 77, 78 |
| Xan Yae {The Perfect Mistress} | Deity | Lady of Perfection, Supreme Mistress of Petals, Native of: Concordant Opposition, | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 48 |
| Xan Yae, Temple of (Beit Castan) | Building | Temple, | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 18 |
