© Daniel S. Wall, April 11, 2026.
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“Humans think themselves privileged, because elves sometimes allow them to pass freely through the forests. They think themselves honored to fell a tree or two and build a house, so long as they pay their respects to the wood. They think the Lady of the Woods a mere mystery, and take her goodwill for granted. Time was when man knew her darkness.
“Time was when men knew of those lost in the woods. She has them all. It is the foolishness of mankind that it forgets the loss of a small child and congratulates itself on obtaining safe passage for the day. The Lady of the Wood may have helped mankind in times past, yet her favor is uncertain. When the final struggle of good against evil breaks upon this land, only a fool would count upon her and her minions to stand with mankind.”
– Kormund Coalspear, Dwarven Bard.
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Effinthistle was born a little before her brother, Ogath Sjkull-Gritter, God of the orcs. Not long after the birth of her first brother, a second brother was brought into the world quite dead. The second brother remains ever nameless. There is little doubt but that their deceased brother was killed in the womb. Whether it was Ogath or Effinthistle that killed him remains a topic of great debate within the halls of the Library Philosophic. Elves and orcs fight over the same question all across the forests and the wastelands. It is of course quite possible that the Ogath and Effinthistle together slew their younger brother. Whether the death of their brother was an act of self-defense or outright murder is also a topic of great dispute. In either event, neither Ogath nor Effinthisle have ever spoken a word about it, but their hatred for each other was evident from the moment of their birth, and by all accounts, the demise of their brother is the source of their conflict.
Effinthistle appears as a young elven woman of stunning beauty clad in a green dress. She is actually one of the most ancient beings in all existence. Effinthistle carries a bow and a sword, as well as a great quiver filled with several dozen arrows. She carries another filled simply with 12 more arrows.
Effinthistle and her minions favor wilderness forests and meadows as a home, sleeping under a forest canopy on most occasions. She is said to look after the welfare of the forests, though the boundaries of her anger have never been terribly clear to men. Many a tree has been felled without raising the ire of this goddess, but woe be unto the city that grows too large and clears too much forest. Exactly when this line may be crossed is a question commonly answered in hindsight.
Effinthistle is known for great knowledge, particularly regarding things of a magical nature.
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Religion: The Priesthood of Effinthistle consists almost exclusively of elven spell casters. Her worshippers include a variety of Sprites in addition to virtually all of elven kind, save for the Dark Elves that live underground. It is rare to see humans or other creatures worship Effinthistle. She and her followers are often regarded with great suspicion by those dwelling in great cities.
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Domains: Elves and Woodlands
Symbol: The Symbol of Effinthistle is a Pine Tree.
Favored Offerings: An arrangement of flowers, pine cones, and other plants from the forests. Each must be gathered in prayer and gathered into an arrangement.