Rînsirion

The River Queen

Since legendary times, before the recorded histories of man- and dwarf-kind, the Rînsirion has ruled the Delannwood. The legends of the Delann say that when the elendhrimm first came to the world of mortals, they found danger on every side from the beasts and spirits that inhabited these lands. Only one did not seek to slay or enslave them: the great river spirit known as Mithonnen. While the elendhrimm huddled at the edges of his river, hiding from the dangers of the wilderness around them, they were safe. It seemed that the other creatures of the land would not come near the roiling mists that came off the river at dusk and dawn. In time, the singing of one of the elven women drew Mithonnen into physical form, and he came among them, enchanted by her song.

"Come away with me," the great spirit asked, but she replied that she could not, while her people were imperiled. So, Mithonnen taught them the things to hunt and the things to eat within the mortal world, the weaknesses of its beasts and how to speak to its spirits. For an elven generation, he taught the refugees of the Feywild, until they could survive on their own. Then, once again he returned to her, and asked again.

Though she was saddened to leave her people behind, she was grateful for the aid he gave them, and so agreed. And Mithonnen took her away to a palace under the river's waters, where he might visit her and listen to her song at his leisure. Eventually, then the elendhrimm needed the aid of Mithonnen once more, they prayed and called to him, but he did not hear them. So, instead, they called to her, to his queen of the river, naming her the Rînsirion, and she heard them. She came to him on the behalf of her people, and the spirit always listened, so in love with her song was he. For her efforts, the elendhrimm revered her and made her their queen as well.

Since time forgotten, the Delann have had a Rînsirion, always an elfmaid who goes to the river. Sometimes he loves her for her beauty, and sometimes for her magic; sometimes he loves her for her battle prowess, or the crafts of her hands. But most often, he loves her for her song, and this elfmaid always becomes the next queen of the river that bears the name of that spirit, Mithonnen.

Governmental Power

The Rîsirion is not like the rulers of other nations. She dwells in the Glânsirrond, the Hall of the Shining River, a great