Gwynharwyf

Gwynharwyf (gwin-HAR-wif) is a powerful bralani eladrin and the celestial patron of barbarians, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. She is also known as the Whirling Fury. Her symbol is a vortex of wind behind a pair of crossed scimitars.

Creative origins

Eladrins debuted as several cards in the Blood Wars Card Game in 1995, including among them Faerinaal, Queen's Consort, Gwynarwhyf the Veiled, and Faerie Queen Morwel.

Publication history

Gwynharwyf appeared in third edition in Book of Exalted Deeds (2003).

Description

Gwynharwyf resembles a short, stocky elf with a wild silver-white mane of hair, a tanned complexion, and jade-green eyes. She carries a pair of scimitars that gleam with every color of the rainbow. She can also appear as a whirlwind of glittering sand. She is known as a ferocious warrior.

Relationships

Gwynharwyf is one of two consorts to Queen Morwel (the other is Faerinaal). Demogorgon and Ilsidahur once conspired to slay Gwynharwyf, but she was rescued by Morwel while the two demons were squabbling over how best to torture her to death. Kostchtchie also bears great hatred for Gwynharwyf, because she struck him down, sending his soul into the Abyss.

Morwel keeps Gwynharwyf on a "short leash" regarding Demogorgon (according to Iggwilv), but Gwyharwyf was part of the coalition leading armies to attack the demon prince at the climax of the Savage Tide adventure path.

Realm

Gwynharwyf dwells with her lovers Morwel and Faerinaal in the Court of Stars on the plane of Arborea. This timeless, autumnal realm seems eternally in twilight, and it can manifest on any of the three layers of the plane. There is no aging, hunger, or thirst on within the Court of Stars, although inhabitants may eat and drink for their enjoyment. Morwel dwells within a palace of crystal.

Worshipers

Gwynharwyf doesn't claim to be a goddess, for to do so would mean falling prey to the sin of pride. However, she sponsors many champions, mortal barbarians who seek to emulate their patron's mix of reservation and rage. They are guerrilla warriors against tyranny, delvers who seek out monsters beneath the Oerth, and relentless hunters of demons and devils.

Temples

The Church of the Whirling Fury is an organization based in Sasserine (on Fury Street in the Cudgel District), devoted to opposing the influence of demons on the Prime Material Plane. They keep a low profile, never openly announcing their goals to the public, for fear of inviting demonic retaliation. As a result, rumors proliferate about the church's actual intentions; some believe them to be demon-worshipers themselves. The church is small, with a total membership of only a few dozen, and of those few members who exist, only a few know the name of their patron. Members of the Church of the Whirling Fury are wary of the Witchwardens.

Additional reading

• Baur, Wolfgang. "Enemies of My Enemy." Dungeon #149. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2007.

• Bulmahn, Jason, James Jacobs, and Erik Mona. "The Adventure Begins." Dragon #348. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2006.

• Jacobs, James. "The Demonomicon of Iggwilv: Kostchtchie." Dragon #345. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2006.

• Jacobs, James, Erik Mona, and James Sutter. Savage Tide Player's Guide. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2006.

• Stark, Ed, James Jacobs, and Erik Mona. Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006.

• Vaughn, Greg. "Prince of Demons." Dungeon #150. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2007.