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== References == | == References == | ||
=== Notes === | === Notes === | ||
In previous editions, Yolande was detailed as a [[grey elf]], rather than as just an [[elf]]. {{csb|PG|26}}{{csb|LGG|39}} In the [[Gord the Rogue]] novel, ''[[Artifact of Evil]]'' (1986), her skin tone described as "white".{{csb|AoE|123}} Art in the 2024 revision of the ''Player's Handbook'' and in ''Scions of Elemental Evil'' depicts her with a darker skin tone. | In previous editions, Yolande was detailed as a [[grey elf]], rather than as just an [[elf]]. {{csb|PG|26}}{{csb|LGG|39}} In the [[Gord the Rogue]] novel, ''[[Artifact of Evil]]'' (1986), before racial diversity was the norm in D&D, her skin tone described as "white".{{csb|AoE|123}} In later editions, all species can have varied skin tones without being separate races, just as humans do. Art in the 2024 revision of the ''Player's Handbook'' and in ''Scions of Elemental Evil'' depicts her with a darker skin tone. | ||
<references group="note" /> | <references group="note" /> | ||
=== Citations === | === Citations === | ||
Revision as of 15:10, 19 June 2025
| Yolande | |
|---|---|
| Error creating thumbnail: File missing Queen Yolande casting her spell Yolande's Regal Presence. Art by April Prime (2024). | |
| Names and titles | |
| Title(s): | Her Fey Majesty, Perfect Flower of Celene, Lady Rhalta of All Elvenkind |
| General info | |
| Occupation: | Monarch |
| Home: | Celene |
| Alignment: | Chaotic good |
| Gender: | Female |
| Species: | Elf |
| Class: | Wizard 13/ Fighter 2 |
| Patron deity: | Sehanine Moonbow |
| Family | |
| Spouse(es): | formerly:Prince Triserron and Prince Fasstal Dothmar |
| Dates | |
| Age: | 200+ |
Yolande is the grey elven queen of the elven kingdom of Celene. Her honorifics include "Her Fey Majesty," the "Faerie Queen," the "Perfect Flower of Celene," and "Lady Rhalta of All Elvenkind."
Description
Yolande has lilac-colored eyes[1] and is breathtakingly beautiful. She is described by Gord in Gary Gygax's novel, Artifact of Evil, as being "more beautiful than any other woman [he had] ever seen."[2]
Relationships
Yolande is advised by her chief advisor and cousin, a noble elf named Onselven. Prince Brightflame, better known as Melf, is also a cousin. The elven noble Eldrich Silversteel is a first cousin.
Yolande has taken a number of Royal Consorts during her reign, the first being Prince Triserron, whose death prompted the Hateful Wars. Her most recent consort is Prince Fasstal Dothmar, wielder of Concluder.
Home
Yolande makes her home in Celene's capital of Enstad, where she resides in the Palace of the Faerie Queen. She is protected by the Knights of the Companion Guard.
History
Originally from the Celene settlement of Bellmeadow, Princess Yolande was already an accomplished fighter and wizard when she ascended the throne in 361 CY. Yolande was chosen by the princes of the realm to unite the nation against expansionist Keoland. When the Keoish garrisons were expelled, Yolande organized Celene's defenses, whilst her consort, Prince Triserron, defeated the Keoish forces in a number of minor engagements.
Near the end of the fifth century CY, Triserron was ambushed and slain by orcs in a narrow pass in the Lortmils, just south of Courwood. The death of her beloved led Yolande to lead her nation and the Ulek States into the Hateful Wars of 498-510 CY, clearing the Lortmils of every orc, goblin, and other evil humanoids. For her role in the hateful Wars, the Grand Court of Celene awarded Yolande the Mantle of the Blue Moon, naming her "Lady Rhalta of All Elvenkind."
Such honors have done little to soothe Yolande's grief, however, and though she has since taken a number of consorts to with whom to engage in the Faerie Mysteries, many believe she has never recovered from the loss of Triserron. Speculation holds that the Prince Consort's death is they key reason that Yolande has led Celene down an ever-increasing path of isolationism, a policy which not all of the people of Celene (notably the Knights of Luna) agree with.
Celene's isolationism had grown so strong by the 580s CY that Yolande failed to offer assistance to the Principality of Ulek to turn back the orcish hordes of Turrosh Mak's Pomarj during the Greyhawk Wars of 582-584 CY. Though some speculate that Yolande may be controlled by evil forces or advisors, the truth is simply that the queen views elven lives as too valuable to waste in conflicts outside her realm. Some time after the Greyhawk Wars, Yolande lost another Royal Consort, Fasstal Dothmar, when he entered the mysterious Moonarch of Sehanine and never returned. Yolande's diviners have yet to determine his fate.
Gallery
-
LGG (2000). Art by Vince Locke.
References
Notes
In previous editions, Yolande was detailed as a grey elf, rather than as just an elf. [3][4] In the Gord the Rogue novel, Artifact of Evil (1986), before racial diversity was the norm in D&D, her skin tone described as "white".[1] In later editions, all species can have varied skin tones without being separate races, just as humans do. Art in the 2024 revision of the Player's Handbook and in Scions of Elemental Evil depicts her with a darker skin tone.
Citations
- ↑ a b Artifact of Evil—Gord the Rogue novel (1985), p.123.
- ↑ Artifact of Evil—Gord the Rogue novel (1985), p.125.
- ↑ Player's Guide (1998), p.26.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.39.
Bibliography
- Beeman, Mike. "Playing the Political Game." Dragon #90. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1984.
- Brown, Anne. Player's Guide. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Gygax, Gary. Artifact of Evil. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1986.
- ———. The World of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.
- ———. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- 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.
- Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Sargent, Carl. Ivid the Undying. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995. Published online. PDF by William Allman with maps. Original RTF archived:Wizards.com. WGR7 or WGRx
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | Artifact of Evil | 121, 123-125, 128 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 24 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | Dragon magazine #191 | 68 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 7, 24, 79 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 68, 69, 80 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book | 11, 19 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 15, 38, 39, 40 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 31 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 26, 27 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 13, 123 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | The Adventure Begins | 35, 36, 90 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | WGQ1 Patriots of Ulek | 5 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | WGR4 The Marklands | 10 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 20 |
| Yolande (Queen) (Lady Rhalta) | Non-player character | Female, Elf, [3e M13/F2], | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 17 |