Worship of the Woods

A system of Belief, by the Elves of the Goldfang Woods.

[Published by IPCS on the 18th of Winterswane of the year 631. Special thanks to the Ayari Library for their donation.]

## Wisdom of the Trees

A spiritual way of life modeled off of the ancient woods that dot these fair lands.

All across Ardea are the ancient woods that have predated Kingdoms, outlasted wars, and existed even before the Gods themselves. These trees are spread thin in modern times, though in the past they covered every inch and plot of land on this fair and ancient land.

We stand to learn much from these woods, and though only most devout and blessed can commune with these slumbering giants, their knowledge to share.

In the far north stand the mighty redwoods, or the Tilaern. Studiest of all the ancients, the Tilaern's red wood can withstand the bashing of giants and the freezing temperature of the north. They teach us of strength, to be mighty as they may be.

Just below the redwoods stands the last of the great pines, Lysilomyr. In centuries past he had many brothers and sisters, as all ancients do, and their kind were the Chamae. Lysilomyr teaches us of vengeance, taking revenge for his family with his close attachment to Elvenkind.

Within the center of Ardea stands the mighty oaks, who are many in number, friendly, and generous. They are the Mimos, forgiving and benevolent to the mortals that walk amongst their roots. They teach us generosity, giving us fruit, as we should do to each other.

Within the mighty drylands stand the isolated and small Scarusts. They are a singular type of ancient, staying apart from one another when they can help it. They teach us of perseverance against even the most hostile of conditions, surviving against all odds and thriving.

Deep to the south stand the mighty mangroves of the fungal witchlands. The Maiol are mystical and inquisitive, spending their eons pondering the nature and how it moves in cycles. They teach us of magic and the spark of imagination, what with their constant thoughtfulness.

Lastly are the savage and brutal ancients of the jungles. The Mangides choke each other out in their struggle for floral dominance, and they are constantly vying for survival. They teach us savagery and embody the hunt, always staying on step ahead of peers and prey alike.

In the modern day these ancients are struggling to survive against the unending tide of modernization. One can show their appreciation and devotion to these great woods by a few methods. The first is the establishment of long destroyed shrines to the great woods. As of current, the only standing shrine is maintained by the Elves of the Goldfang woods, built at the base of Lysilmyr. These shrines once allowed people to bathe in the waters of the soil and cleanse themselves of taint. Offerings of jewels and metals were often deposited into these shrine pools so as to create a glittering base of metals and gems. This practice often led to these shrines being targeted as open deposits of wealth, though, often by greedy nonbelievers, and the other shrines have all fallen due to this over the last few centuries.

Secondly, one may also show reverence to these woods with the expansion of the woods and spreading of the trees. Planting bushes, saplings, flowers, and grass across Ardea can help expand the reach of the ancients and pave the way for more ancients to settle their roots and grow in the future.

Third and lastly, one can simply spread the tales of these ancient woods throughout Ardea. The reverence of these woods has long since been forgotten, and the mere spreading of this knowledge will go a long way to protect what few of these mighty and wise ancients that remain.

Go in peace and live as the ancients do, young child of the woods. May your roots spread far and your branches stretch high into the Ardean sky.