Skerrit
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game, Skerrit is the deity worshipped by the centaur
Centaur (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the centaur is a large monstrous humanoid. Based upon the Centaurs of Greek myth, they resemble humans with the lower body of a horse.-Publication history:...
race. Skerrit is also known as the "Forester." His symbol is an oak growing from an acorn.
Publication history
James M. Ward created Skerrit for Deities and Demigods (1980).Skerrit was detailed in the book Monster Mythology
Monster Mythology
Monster Mythology is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Released by TSR in 1992 and written by Carl Sargent, with interior illustrations by Terry Dykstra, John and Laura Lakey, and Keith Parkinson, Monster Mythology was released as a companion volume for...
(1992), including details about his priesthood. His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground
On Hallowed Ground
On Hallowed Ground is an accessory book for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, for the Planescape campaign setting.-Contents:This book contains information about deities' planar domains from 20 separate pantheons...
(1996). Skerrit is described as one of the good deities that celestials
Celestial (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, celestials are a class of creatures and monsters known as outsiders who are of wholly good alignment....
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).
Skerrit was described briefly in Defenders of the Faith
Defenders of the Faith (Dungeons & Dragons)
Defenders of the Faith: A Guidebook to Clerics and Paladins is an optional rulebook for the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons, and notable for its trade paperback format.-Contents:...
(2000). His priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine
Complete Divine
Complete Divine is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast...
(2004).
Description
Skerrit may appear as any creature of the forest. Sometimes his spirit will temporarily possess various plants and animals in order to do his will. Centaurs often portray him as a perfect member of their own race; satyrsSatyr (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the satyr is a fey creature. Satyrs started as standard D&D creatures, and later became a player character class. Satyrs are the children of a satyr and dryad union, while half-satyrs are the result of a satyr and human woman union. Satyrs are...
and sylvan elves
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
presumedly do the same. In his centaur form, Skerrit wields a bow and a spear. When he is in the forest, the branches and leaves of the trees move to impede his foes' attacks.
Relationships
Skerrit is a member of TitaniaTitania (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Titania is the fey deity of Faerie folk and Realms, Friendship, and Magic. Her symbol is a white diamond with a blue star glowing in its center, the antithesis of the black diamond symbol of her sister, the Queen of Air and Darkness.-Publication...
's Seelie Court
Seelie Court (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Seelie Court is a large, loose confederation of gods that consists of the leader Titania and her consort Oberon, as well as the following gods: Caoimhin, Damh, Eachthighern , Emmantiensien, Fionnghuala, Nathair Sgiathach, Skerrit, Squelaiche, and...
. He is part of the Outer Circle of the Seelie Court, which also includes Caoimhin, Emmantiensien
Emmantiensien
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Emmantiensien is the god of treants, trees, and deep and hidden magic...
, Fionnghuala
Fionnghuala
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Fionnghuala is the deity of swanmays, communications, and sorority...
, and Nathair Sgiathach
Nathair Sgiathach
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Nathair Sgiathach is the fey deity of mischief and pranks...
. There is no friction between the sylvan elves who worship Skerrit and those who worship Rillifane Rallathil
Rillifane Rallathil
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Rillifane Rallathil is the elven god of Nature, and patron deity of wood elves. His symbol is an oak tree...
, who considers Skerrit to be a close friend. Skerrit is allied with Corellon Larethian
Corellon Larethian
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Corellon Larethian is the leader of the elven pantheon, and the god of Magic, Music, Arts, Crafts, Poetry, and Warfare. Corellon is also considered a member of the default D&D pantheon. He is the creator and preserver of the elven race, and governs those...
.
Realm
Skerrit's Glade is located on the Outer PlaneOuter Plane
In the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, an Outer Plane is one of a number of general types of planes of existence. They can also be referred to as godly planes, spiritual planes or divine planes. The Outer Planes are home to beings such as deities and otherworldly creatures such as...
of the Beastlands
Beastlands
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Beastlands is a neutral good-aligned plane of existence...
, near Ehlonna
Ehlonna
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and in the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Ehlonna is the goddess of Forests, Woodlands, Flora, Fauna, and Fertility...
's Grove of the Unicorns. Though he is probably the best known member of Titania's Seelie Court, he prefers to maintain his own realm separately.
Dogma
Skerrit represents Nature's great guiding hand, keeping the Balance between all things. He maintains the forest so that all within it may serve their proper roles. For hunters, he provides prey; for the hunted, he provides bountiful flora.Worshippers
Skerrit is worshipped mainly by centaurs and satyrs, and by those sylvan elvesElf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
who are more neutral in alignment.
Clergy
Skerrit's clerics wear tan leafy vests. They are leaders of their bands and pass on their role from parent to child. They protect hunters, determine migration routes, and officiate at the sacred dances and mock hunts.Rituals
Ritual hunts and dances are held to honor Skerrit.Every month on the nights of the full moon, up to a dozen bands of satyrs may come together, telling stories of Skerrit's hunting exploits, followed by mock hunts and wrestling contests held around the fire. The winner receives the title of "Hunter" which lasts until the next full moon, during which time they get the choice food and are honored by the band leader's bodyguards. A huge feast finishes the ceremony and the bands disperse before dawn.
Additional reading
- 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: http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip
- Menzies, Gordon R. "The Ecology of the Satyr." DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#155 (TSR, 1990). Summarized online http://narzil.tfcentral.com/ecology.html