Epona (Rhiannon)

Epona the a protector of horses, donkeys, and mules. A goddess of fertility, the goddess and her horses are leaders of the soul in the after-life ride, with parallels in Rhiannon of the Mabinogion. Unusually for a Celtic deity, most of whom were associated with specific localities, the worship of Epona, “the sole Celtic divinity ultimately worshipped in Rome itself”,was widespread in the Roman Empire.

Epona (20th Level Rogue / 10th Level fighter)
Size	Medium Greater God
Hit Dice	25d10 + 20d6 + 225 Hit Points: 436
Initiative	+16 (+12 Dexterity, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed	30 feet
AC	34 (+12 Dexterity, +12 Natural)
Attacks	Unarmed Strike +33/+28/+23/+18/+13 melee
Face/Reach	5 feet by 5 feet / 5 feet
Special Attacks	Cause Chaos, Crippling Strike, Sneak Attack +10d6
Special Qualities	Defensive Roll, Evasion, Good Journey, Horsebound, Improved Evasion, Slippery Mind, Uncanny Dodge(Dexterity Bonus to AC, Can’t Be Flanked, +4 Against Traps)
Saves	Fort +21, Ref +26, Will +13
Abilities	Strength 26, Dexterity 35, Constitution 21, Intelligence 16, Wisdom 15, Charisma 21
Skills	Escape Artist +28, Hide +45, Jump +26, Knowledge (Geography) +30, Move Silently +26, Pick Pocket +26, Ride +41
Feats	Alertness, Ambidexterity, Blind-Fight, Call of Nature’s Fury, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Expertise, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Improved Unarmed Strike, Iron Will, Mobility, Run, Skill Focus (Open Lock), Skill Focus (Ride), Spring Attack, Track, Whirlwind Attack
Alignment	Chaotic Good
Domains	Travel, Equines, Protection

Cause Chaos (Sp):

With this ability, Epona can cause the minds of those around her to swell into an unrecoverable chaos, driving them mad with a full knowledge of the sheer instability of the world. Those who fail a Will Save at DC 30 are overwhelmed with chaos, their minds infinitely shattered, and will never be the same again. After this ability strikes them, they become nothing more than autistic, gibbering shells of themselves.

Good Journey (Sp): Epona has the ability to place a blessing upon those she favors. Once blessed with this ability, all travel times for the beneficiary are cut in half. The target will always find safe travel and will never be assaulted or otherwise molested while journeying through the world.

Horsebound (Su): All of Epona’s skills increase by +10 if she is mounted upon a horse.

Celtic druid and the Tuatha de Dannan

By Dominique Crouzet

Full netbook can be found on the followng website

Dom of D20 / D&D 3e Netbooks and Downloads.

Epona, who is sometimes also known as Rhiannon, is the goddess of horses and horse breeding. She is among the most widely worshipped Celtic deities. This is no surprise, due to the importance of horses (either in agriculture, travels, or war) in the Celtic world. In any case, aspects of the goddess include not only fertility (horse breeding) and travel (or migrations), but also communication with animals.

Epona is also especially favored by cavaliers for she offers protection both for the rider and his mount. Those who travel a lot also often call upon Epona’s blessings during their journeys. All representations of the goddess include at least a horse. Often, Epona will be depicted sitting sideways on a mare, and sometimes standing or sitting beside or between horses.

• · Alignment: Neutral Good
• · Domains: Travel, Equines, Protection
• · Symbol: Horse. The filidh of Epona wear a small figurine of a horse as a medallion, for Holy symbol.
• · Favored Weapon: none.
• · Area of control: horses, breeding and healing of horses, and travels.
• · Typical worshippers: horsemen, charioteers, and wanderers.
• · Duties of priesthood: Filidh of Epona must be accomplished horsemen (i.e.: have 4+ ranks in Ride). They are expected to help and protect animals from abusive harm, especially horses. Ceremonies in honor of Epona are usually held in relation to horses, or when a journey is about to be made.
• · Special Benefit: Filidh of Epona get Ride as a class skill (in addition to their normal class skills).

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the Mabinogion of Welsh mythology Rhiannon is the horse goddess reminiscent of Epona Rhiannon was a daughter of Hefeydd the Old. She was married to Pwyll, and later, Manawydan.

Story of Rhiannon

Pwyll first met Rhiannon when she appeared as a beautiful woman dressed in gold and riding a white horse. Pwyll sent his horsemen after her, but she was too fast. In fact, she was riding no faster than Pwyll and his knights; her horse’s swiftness was a mirage she created for Pwyll’s and her benefit. After three days, he finally chased her himself. When he spoke, asking her to stop,

Rhiannon told him she would rather marry him than the man who was being forced upon her, Gwawl. She made a tryst with Pwyll and after a year from that day, he won her from Gwawl by following Rhiannon’s advice to trick Gwawl into Climbing into a magic bag that Rhiannon had given to Pwyll, striking an agreement to free him in exchange for Rhiannon.

Rhiannon gave birth to a son after three years of their rule; however, on the night of the birth, the child disappeared while in the care of six of Rhiannon’s ladies-in-waiting. They feared that they would be put to death, and to avoid any blame, smeared blood from a puppy on the sleeping Rhiannon, and lay its bones around her bed. Pwyll’s counselors imposed a penance on Rhiannon for her crime, to remain in the court of Arberth for seven years, and to sit every day near a horse-block outside the gate telling her story to all that passed. In addition, she was to carry any willing guest to the court on her back.

The child appeared outside a stable of Teyrnon, whose mares had just given birth but the foals had disappeared. Teyrnon had been watching his stables when he saw a mysterious beast coming to take the foal; Teyrnon stopped the beast by cutting off its arm at the elbow, and found the child outside the stable. He and his wife adopted him. The child grew to adulthood in only seven years and was given the foal which had led Teyrnon to the stable. Teyrnon realized who the child was and returned him to Pwyll and Rhiannon, who named him Pryderi (care).

Pryderi married Cigfa and became Prince of Dyfed after his father died. He then invited Manawydan (his stepfather) to live with him in Dyfed. Soon, Dyfed turned into a barren wasteland and only Rhiannon, Pryderi, Cigfa and Manawydan survived. Manawydan and Pryderi, while out hunting, saw a white boar which they followed. Pryderi and his mother, Rhiannon, touched a golden bowl that the boar led them to and became enchanted. Manawydan and Cigfa were unable to help them until they captured a mouse which was actually the wife of Llwyd, Rhiannon’s enemy (seeking revenge for her treatment of Gwawl), and the spell was lifted.

Liber Mysterium

The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks

By Timothy S. Brannan and The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks Team

This Welsh Goddess is well known for her appearance in the Mabinagion. In penance for a crime that she did not commit, she sat for seven years outside Pwyll’s palace and offered to carry any visitor on her back like a horse. The singing of her three magic birds could be heard over the sea, could wake the dead and could lull the living to sleep. She was also identified with Epona (a horse cult). The Roman Calvary favored Epona and her shrines were covered with roses.

• Alignment: CG
• Areas of Influence: Horses, Fertility, Women
• Sacred Animal: White mares, song birds and doves.
• Symbol: The comb and mirror.

Epona of the Forests, Goddess of the Woodlands

Intermediate Deity

Symbol: Rearing unicorn
Home Plane: Beastlands
Alignment: Neutral good
Portfolio: Forests, woodlands,
flora and fauna, fertility
Worshipers: Elves, gnomes, half-elves, halflings, rangers, druids, hunters, farmers,woodcutters
Cleric Alignments: CG, LG, NG
Domains: Animal, Good, Plant, Sun
Favored Weapon: Longsword
Epona (eh-loan-nuh) sometimes appears as a raven-haired human and sometimes as an elf with golden tresses. Her garb varies, ranging from the serviceable clothing of a forester or ranger to the delicate gown of an elven princess, but it is always pale green. Epona watches over all good people who live in the forest, love the woodlands, or make their livelihood there.

Dogma

Epona watches over all good people who live in the forest, love the woodlands, or make their livelihood there. She likewise protects forests and woodlands from destruction or overuse. Epona exhorts her followers to live in harmony with their woodland homes, taking only what they need. The bounty of the forest, Epona teaches, is a gift to be cherished and appreciated, not a treasure to be coveted or looted.

Clergy and Temples

Epona ‘s clerics usually choose serviceable attire of forest green. They live in forests and keep on friendly terms with the local rangers, druids, elves, and fey. They keep guard against encroachments by evil folk, loggers, and others who would exploit and ruin any woodland. When confronting anyone who would despoil a forest, they tend to be gentle but firm, at least at first. If the invaders persist, Epona ’s clerics can be ruthless in driving them out. Many of Epona ’s clerics take it upon themselves to teach woodcraft, plant trees, or both.

Woodland temples to Epona are often open-air affairs with only trees for a roof. Small shrines to her are occasionally found in forest villages.

Epona
Ranger 20/Druid 10/Cleric 10
Medium-Size Outsider
Divine Rank: 15

Hit Dice: 20d8+160 (outsider) plus 20d10+160 (Rgr) plus 10d8+80 (Drd) plus 10d8+80 (Clr) (1,000 hp)
Initiative: +16
Speed: 60 ft.
AC: 78 (+16 Dexterity, +15 divine, +28 natural, +9 deflection)
Attacks: +5 dancing defending longsword +69/+64/+59/+54 melee, +5 dancing holy dagger +68/+63 melee, or +5 mighty holy composite longbow (+9 Strength bonus) with +5 arrows +84/+84/+79/+74/+69 ranged; or spell +59 melee touch or +65 ranged touch
Damage: +5 dancing defending longsword 1d8+15/17–20, +5 dancing holy dagger 1d4+10/19–20, or +5 mighty holy composite longbow (+9 Strength bonus) with +5 arrows 1d8+19/19-20/×3; or by spell Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks: Turn undead 12/day, domain powers, salient divine abilities, spell-like abilities.
Special Qualities: Divine immunities, DR 50/+4, fire resistance 35, spontaneous casting of divine spells, understand, speak, and read all languages and speak directly to all beings within 15 miles, remote communication, godly realm, teleport without error at will, plane shift at will, favored enemies (goblinoids +5, dragons +4, giants +3, beasts +2, magical beasts +1), nature sense, resist nature’s lure, lowlight vision, trackless step, venom immunity, wild shape (Small, Medium-size, or Large 4/day), woodland stride, SR 47, divine aura (1,500 ft., DC 33).
Saves: Fort +55, Ref +63, Will +56

Abilities: Strength 31, Dexterity 42, Constitution 27, Intelligence 26, Wisdom 29, Charisma 29.

Skills*: Animal Empathy +67, Bluff +42, Concentration +56, Craft (bowmaking) +48, Craft (woodworking) +48, Diplomacy +56, Handle Animal +64, Heal +64, Hide +69, Intimidate +44, Intuit Direction +52, Knowledge (arcana) +33, Knowledge (nature) +76, Knowledge (religion) +33, Listen +64, Move Silently +69, Profession (herbalist) +82, Ride (horse) +55, Scry +46, Search +61, Sense Motive +42, Spellcraft +56, Spot +64, Swim +35, Wilderness Lore +73.
*Always receives a 20 on checks.

Feats: Alertness, Combat Casting, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Far Shot, Improved Critical (composite longbow), Improved Critical (longsword), Improved Initiative, Improved Two Weapon Fighting, Mobility, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Quicken Spell, Rapid Shot, Shot on the Run, Spring Attack, Still Spell, Track, Weapon Focus (composite longbow), Weapon Focus (longsword).

Divine Immunities: Ability damage, ability drain, acid, cold, death effects, disease, disintegration, electricity, energy drain, mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison, sleep, stunning, transmutation, imprisonment, banishment.

Salient Divine Abilities: Alter Reality, Area Divine Shield, Avatar, Call Creatures (animals), Call Creatures (unicorns), Control Creatures (fey), Create Greater Object, Create Object, Divine Archery, Divine Blast, Divine Ranger, Divine Shield, Divine Weapon Focus (composite longbow), Extra Domain (Sun), Gift of Life, Grow Creature (animals), Mass Divine Blast, Mind of the Beast.

Domain Powers: 15/day use animal friendship; cast good spells at +1 caster level; 15/day rebuke or command plant creatures; 15/day greater turning.

Spell-Like Abilities: Epona uses these abilities as a 25th-level caster, except for good spells, which she uses as a 26th-level caster.

The save DCs are 34 + spell level. Calm animals, hold animal, dominate animal, repel vermin, commune with nature, antilife shell, animal shapes, creeping doom, shapechange, protection from evil, aid, magic circle against evil, holy smite, dispel evil, blade barrier, holy word, holy aura, summon monster IX (as good spell only), entangle, barkskin, plant growth, control plants, wall of thorns, repel wood, changestaff, command plants, shambler, endure elements, heat metal, searing light, fire shield, flame strike, fire seeds, sunbeam, sunburst, prismatic sphere.

Cleric Spells/Day: 6/8/7/6/6/5; base DC = 19 + spell level.

Druid Spells/Day: 6/7/6/5/5/4; base DC = 19 + spell level.
Ranger Spells/Day: 6/5/5/5; base DC = 19 + spell level.
Possessions: Epona’s favorite weapon is Jenevier, a +5 mighty composite longbow (+9 Strength bonus) of pale white wood. It has the holy special ability.
Caster Level: 20th; Weight: 3 lb.

Other Divine Powers

As an intermediate deity, Epona automatically receives a die result of 20 on any check. She treats a 1 on a saving throw or attack roll normally and not as an automatic failure.
She is immortal.

Senses: Epona can see (using normal vision or low-light vision), hear, touch, and smell at a distance of fifteen miles. As a standard action, she can perceive anything within fifteen miles of her worshipers, holy sites, objects, or any location where one of her titles or name was spoken in the last hour. She can extend her senses to up to ten locations at once. She can block the sensing power of deities of her rank or lower at up to two remote locations at once for 15 hours.

Portfolio Powers: Epona senses anything that affects a woodland’s welfare the instant it happens and retains the sensation for fifteen weeks after the event occurs. Any living tree can be the focus for Epona ‘s remote sense and remote communication power.

Automatic Actions: Epona can use Craft (woodworking), Knowledge (nature), Profession (herbalist), or Wilderness Lore as a free action if the
DC for the task is 25 or lower. She can perform up to ten such free actions each round.

Create Magic Items: Epona can create any light or medium armor, any simple weapon, any bow, and any item related to woodcraft or stealth, such as a cloak of elvenkind, as long as the item’s market price does not exceed 200,000 gp.

Avatars Epona’s avatars vary in appearance, just as she does. She sends them to watch over woodlands and to remonstrate with beings who despoil woodlands or harass their residents.

Avatar of Epona : As Epona except divine rank 7; AC 62 (touch 42, flat-footed 46); Atk +61/+56/+51/+46 melee (1d8+15/19–20, +5 dancing defending longsword), +60/+55 melee (1d4+10/19–20, +5 dancing holy dagger); or +76/+76/+71/+66/+61 ranged (1d8+19/×3, +5 mighty holy composite longbow (+9 Strength bonus) with +5 arrows); or spell +51 melee touch or +57 ranged touch; SQ DR 42/+4, fire resistance 27, SR 38, divine aura (700 ft., DC 27); SV Fort +47, Ref +55, Will +48; all skill modifiers reduced by 8. Salient Divine

Abilities: Call Creatures (animals), Call Creatures (unicorns), Divine Archery, Divine Ranger, Divine Shield, Divine Weapon Focus (composite longbow), Extra Domain (Sun), Grow Creature (animals), Mind of the Beast. Spell-Like Abilities: Caster level 17th; saving throw DC 26 + spell level.