Stillsong

In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Stillsong is a mysterious god undergoing a complex elemental transition. His symbol is a translucent, golden sphere of crystal.

Publication history

Stillsong was first detailed in the book Monster Mythology (1992), including details about his priesthood.^[1] His role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).^[2]

Description

Stillsong manifests himself as a sphere of song some 40 feet in diameter that cannot be heard by those outside the sphere. Those within the radius hear an unearthly chorus of heart-rending beauty, which entrances them and stills all desire for conflict and violence. If he chooses, Stillsong may leave behind a globe of invulnerability, create magical hope, or bestow magical fear in those of evil hearts. Once per day, he can change key in order to temporarily stop time, or to sing a holy word as a mantra. He may also create food and water, or even a Mordenkainen's magnificent mansion, for those in need. He is often accompanied by 1-4 moon dogs. Stillsong sometimes comes to the aid of good creatures in peril, but does not have any offensive abilities, and ignores all attacks made against him.

Relationships

For the most part, Stillsong's relationships are unknown. Many myths claim the lesser god Water Lion is ceaselessly roaming the Material Plane in search for a lost child or lost god who is his best friend, however, and those myths that place this lost one as Stillsong seem closest to the truth.

Stillsong seems to have some link to moon dogs, as well as the upper planar fish known as delphons or song sharks.

Realm

Stillsong wanders the Prime Material Plane. He is paralleled by similar manifestations of the same entity in the Upper Planes and the Elemental Plane of Air. In the Upper Planes, he generally stays near the banks of the River Oceanus, accompanied by delphons and moon dogs.

Myths and legends

Stillsong left behind his true name before history was first recorded, and sages can find no trace of it remaining. Stillsong seems to be purifying himself through trials and rituals associated with the four elements. He drowned and was born again in water; he was crushed and regrown in earth; he was burned and purified in fire; and now he has almost completed dissolving himself in the element of air. When he has completed this final task, he will submit himself to the final judgment of the Creator Gods. The identity of these gods, and how they will judge him, is a secret that the gods refuse to reveal to even their wisest and most trusted high priests.

References

Additional reading

• Boyd, Eric L. Demihuman Deities. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
• Martin, Julia, with Eric L. Boyd. Faiths & Avatars. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996.
• McComb, Colin, Dale Donovan, and Monte Cook. Planes of Conflict. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.