The Six Altars of the Royal Basin

## The Shared Principals

### History and Ethos

Before the legendary coming of the Nexus, the Source Comet, that many historians refer to as the Source of all magics, the power of the Wyld planted the seed that would grow into the tree of power from which all branches of Magic grow. The ancient peoples of Daer Akmir, not simply the Royal Basin, were spread across the continent in small groupings but it is known that there were seven great tribes called the Earth Tribes who concentrated their
power to the North of what is now the Razorback Mountains. These simple people tended the land on which they lived and took from it only what was needed to survive and tended to the ancient Gillieabad of the land. In return for gifts and kindness the Gillieabad would give voice to the leaders of the Tribes and grant them insight into the location of the most fertile areas and coming weather patterns. In this form a Tao formed, an ideal to be attained by the people that respected the Gillieabad in which the foundation of our current society can be found.

#### The Gillieabad and our Evolution

The spirits that we serve now have been tiered by scholars and our own Melkarr over the years; some are more powerful than others and if for no other reason than safety, it has proven wise to do so. At the top of that tree is the power of the power of the Gillieabad, the power of three, Ravage, Quinrath and Avvannah they are named. In the days of our forefathers all the spirits that flowed were of the Gillieabad and they had no names but their power could be felt. In those days they roamed the world free, stories say that they slept in the roots of great trees and inhabited the bodies of monstrous beasts, the only living things that could cope with the power of their mighty spirits. Unfettered they were and woven into the very fabric of the world of Vaklam that gives us life and sustains us. It was in this time that we had our strongest links with them:

In ways, long forgotten and lost to us, we learnt to leave offerings to the Gillieabad who strengthened the land; garlands of flowers, hard worked artifice of wood and bronze, at the places where the Gillieabad touched the world: Tree's sacred pools, great rocks and where violent storms might be held. The wisdom is of the Great Spirits could not be guessed at but their benevolence was plain and soon, in return for these gifts, they began to speak through our leaders, those that become known as Augers or Druids. Special times of the month and the year were identified and at these times majestic festivals of gifting, dancing and other celebration of the Gillieabad took place. The Gillieabad would speak through our ancestors and seed knowledge in their minds; a greater understanding of the world and what was in it, through such activity humanity prospered. The teachings came in the form of farming, tool working, family, crafting and the like all of which would benefit both ourselves and the Gillieabad.

#### The Void and the Gift of Blood

At some point during the Age of Blood and long before the Nexus, the threat of the Void came and with it a darkness that would drown the Sun in the sea of the night. The exact connotations of what occurred is probably known only to the oldest of the Fae or the Skagriagaard but it was foreseen that only the blood of an Earth Tribe could hold back the darkness. From the line of Fae known as the Mora Mari was born a warrior called Skagridd, a warrior for this new age of war, one more formidable than any who had come to life before. He tore his way into the world a full grown soldier and called to each of the seven tribes to send him their greatest warriors. It is believed that these men and women came together somewhere in what is now the Harthalian Woods or Rhygahrea and affirmed their loyalty to him as the Guard of Skagridd. Thus the Skagriagaard was born.

As one the Skagriagaard dug a great pit in a place most sacred to the Gillieabad and there they called to the tribes and said that two thirds of all that lived among them must pour their life blood into the pit as sacrifice that the Gillieabad of Battle - Ghul might bless them and make them strong against the void. It was the first time that a name had been given to the Gillieabad and none knew how they themselves had come to know it. Still the deed was done and blood was spilt and Skagridd and his guard were anointed in sacrificial magic of a proportion that had never been seen before nor again. The story of the battle of the Void is well known but it is believed that at this point much changed within the Gilieabad with the first sacrifice of blood, indeed when the guard returned they did so with Blood Druids and Blood Magic, a now forbidden art.

#### The Fettering and the Rise of Kethlan

For many decades, unrecorded, the Skagriagaard and their blood magic ruled in the North, over the seven tribes from who they originated. Both their physical and magical prowess were much greater than that of the lesser tribes but still the latter continued in their worship of the Gillieabad as they always had. More and more of the Great Spirits were given names by their people and here, we believe, there was a decline in their power linked to that naming and there may be correlations to the utter sundering of power that occurred upon the arrival of the Source Comet: Generations of the Blood Druids and the Augers saw visions of the heavens on fire and a great shift in power. The Skagriagaard retired to their great feasting halls to sleep for an eternity but the Augurs stayed to protect the spirits that they lived to protect.

When the comet came it cause great changes across the face of the Tao that would cause repercussions for millennia to come. Great changes overcame the Gillieabad for reasons that are still unclear to us; many were scattered into the Calician (Kal iss E on) or Spirit World with their power much diminished, others became anchored to the places of power to which once they were called for but moments. Others still vanished into the deep Calician Wylds and have not been heard from since. In that one cataclysmic night the voices of the spirits fell silent, the great Gillieabad trees that sustained them vanished and the beasts in which they roamed the earth were gone. It seemed that the days of the spirits, the druids and the augurs were over. Along with them the seven tribes were split asunder as the races of the Comet were born from their flesh and the migrations to the South began. It was not long after this that the formation of religions based upon the Focus of the new magics began to shape the world and all seemed lost.

#### The Rise of Kalarm

For several centuries the art of the Tao fell into memory, only a handful of the most dedicated and skilled could find a contact with the spirits and they found them weaker than before. The age of powers like the Felakiq and Galafeli had begun. However much of the ritual that had been learnt, the ways of contact and the powers that had been manifest before were forgotten by the disillusioned and the powerless. The persistent attempted to contact the spirits and instead, unknowingly, were visited by other creatures, wicked creatures, that took on the guise of their former patrons. During these dark days many atrocities were committed by what was perceived as the Tao which led to the rise of a misperception of the Druidic and Taoic culture which still has persistence to this day, specifically around the worship of Blood Pits and Daemonic influence there.

Whilst this was occurring the Gods of the Royal Basin were gaining momentum and their forthcoming ascension to the heavens was causing belief to spread throughout the South like wildfire. The loose coalition of the Tao was led, at this time, by Kalarm a powerful druid and named Hierophant, or defacto leader, of the Tao. He was immensely popular and ruled from the legendary Dreff Wood (explained later) where he held his grove. It was there, whilst addressing his followers that Kalarin, Malice and Tremalian slowly rose to the heavens off of the back of the belief of their followers. Such was the potency of their action that Kalarm could not help but absorb the belief of his own kind and rose with them. In the action of one night Kalarm vanished and the whole face of the Tao changed, its followers and peoples with it. Instead of ritual and communication with the spirits and favour for boon relationship the Tao conformed to the practice of prayer and reverence in return for the granting of miracles, a form of religion that was to last for hundreds of years.

#### The Return of the Spirits

Kalarms rule lasted for many centuries but the spirits still existed and the old ways never truly vanished; churches were not built and like before the followers of the Tao gathered in places that were once powerful to the Gillieabad and chanted their words into the air. People still left gifts and offerings at these places and one by one the Gillieabad began to return to their followers. A Pantheon of Spirits begun to spring up, spirits that could be contacted and spoken to by the Melkarr and the Ulmargarn. When Kalarm was supposedly killed in the Pantheonic wars it was these spirits that took his place and continued in the same vein ostensibly as Gods; these spirits were Kethlan, the world Spirit and its followers Ravage Avvannah and Quinrath. No-one is sure if the Gillieabad actually understood what was happening around them or if they connected with the worship directed at them but the transition back occurred relatively swiftly.

As the prayer continued so the spirits communicated the forgotten secrets and ways of the Tao and slowly things began to return to a shadow of the past. As this was happening the foundations for the current Tao were being laid: Groves, or Altars if you will, were springing up on the crossing of Ley Lines and unsettled spirits were being bound to them and given names. The Harthalian Woods sprang to life as the Yuirfarvallen people gathered the true secrets of the Tao to them, spurning the falsity of religion and creating a new grove of the Hierophant. In Dreff the legendary Moss learned to speak directly with Kethlan and the legend of the Malefic Tree became known. Slowly religion became community and the laws and social politics of the new Tao were born, paving the way for the culture that we attach ourselves to now.

### The Modern Tao

The Tao is a way of life that is shared across many sections of Daer Akmir and exists, in one form or another away from the Royal Basin. The system works around several key principals that are carried over from the days of the augers and the old tribes. Community is all important; sharing burdens and workloads and with a mutual respect for whatever position is held by the individual. In all things the spirits lead us: The Ulmargarn are our politicians, we call upon them to dictate policy and to settle dispute. The Melkarr speak directly to the spirits they are our loremasters, historians and Ritualists. The Ele-Strom are feared as our Justicars and law bringers and finally the Vormearn; our soldiers, our warriors and our protectors. Each one is led by the spirits and it is to them that we give thanks and sacrifice for their efforts.

#### Altars and Groves

Like any of the other "Guilds", "Colleges" or "Churches" the members of the Tao require places for its followers to gather, learn and prepare themselves for their service to the Tao. In the Royal Basin these places are called Altars although they are more commonly referred to as Groves or Lodges in other lands. They are generally built around existing Gillieabad related places of power where Ley Lines cross and hold the collective knowledge of the ages of Ritualists that have dwelt there. Each Altar teaches a specific style of ritualist that will go on to support a specific part of the Tao.

### The Guidance of Dreff

* The Land is the Gillieabad
* There are few habitats available to them and they must be preserved if we are to survive
* There are corners of the world that have bred the most terrible corruptions, corruptions that stand against everything we are a part of. The must be fought.

#### The Guidance of Azilir

* The Spirits guide us, they are free and belong to no-one.
* From them flows the wisdom that brings us to the Tao and the Tao to us.
* The Tao is the way of life that has preserved our knowledge and power for thousands of years.
* In the Tao none stands above the other in station but respect is to be shown to any who have earned it.
* You will respect the will of the Tao and show deference to the laws of the land in which you, as a Taoist find yourself.
* Protect the people of Vaklam that stand under the remit of Dreff.

## The Twelve Trees

The Twelve trees is the direct voice for Kethlan's Kingdom within the and is the Basanic voice on the Hierophants council, although they are strongly contested by the Creeping Vine. As one of the two Foster Altars they are responsible for the government of druidic society within the and the interaction of Kethlan’s Kingdom with the six duchies. As a Foster Altar (political Altar to the common folk) the Twelve Trees understands the temperament of Kingdom, that no matter where the power of Kethlan is found the nation holds true as one. The strength of Kethlan’s Kingdom is to be found in Rhygahrea or the Harthalian, depending on your point of view and the seeds of this nation have grown in all the kingdoms of this continent. Each continent contains two Altars, although differently named, with the community of druids there deciding which of them rules, this often changes, The ruling Altar sits on council with the other five from each nation in Rhygahrea, making policy that changes the face of the nation across Kethlan’s Kingdom.

The Twelve Trees is truly a civilised Altar that has been at the heart of the Royal Basin since the three kingdoms became one. As such their affinity with the true heart of Kethlan’s power has been slightly diminished. Since the turning of industry began to move in the Basanic lands and the progress of machinery and artificery have increased so the spirits there have begun to change. With the growth of cities and the happening of urbanisation new spirits of buildings and the thoughts of civilisation have begun to appear. Where once the Twelve Trees called upon Kaka Guie and Ditaolane instead they called upon Mwuetsi and his followers Ssirateth the Spider and Kyaliane the builder. The people of the Twelve Trees learned long ago to co-exist with the populations of cities, travelling with merchants and to new cities, continuing to expand their influence as the power of the cities that they inhabited grew.

Several hundred years ago as the Basin began to spread both politically and financially the twelve trees gained position among the merchants and burghers of the Basin, carefully spreading their influence and wealth. They parlayed their druidic power and ability to speak with the towns and call upon the blessings of roads in return for stronger political strength and responsibility within the basin. Rumour also speaks to their involvement with various criminal organisations from which they gained wealth and power. It was during this time that the Twelve Tree’s truly began to realise the potency of the Cities and the towns and the spirits that were growing to life within them.

As Ssirateth and Kyaliane grew the Twelve Trees learned to summon forth the spirits of the factories and the ancient buildings of power, the colleges and the like. They soon came to realise that the cities were just as powerful as the forests and the deserts, for surely Kethlan had given them all life. It is even said that Golothan Crisp (Senior Foster), many years gone by, summoned the great spirit of Maryat and that it appeared as a great King with tired eyes and cankered skin. To this extent the Twelve Trees forge forward in the Basin bringing the cities and towns under their control and working from within to strengthen Kethlan’s Kingdom in the world of Dukes and Barons.

#### The Guidance of the Altar of the Twelve Trees

* Guide the affairs of the Kethlanic community towards a harmonious existence with the Royal Basin.
* Embrace both the ways of the Basin and the Tao of Kethlan; we are children of Kethlan but only through an enlightened understanding of both can we create a perfect society where all societies are together under one banner.
* The old ways have their place our great cycle and should be honoured by the Melkarr but it is our duty to embrace the new ways and ideas of others and lead our people into the light of a glorious future.
* Ensure diplomatic ties between each Tao from each different nation where it finds purchase.

**Words of the Altar of Twelve Trees**

*There is always a peace to be found even through war.*

## The Creeping Vine

The Creeping Vine is the shadowed voice for Kethlan's Kingdom within the Royal Basin but has no direct place on the Hierophants council, although strongly contested by the Twelve Trees for governance in the Royal Basin. As one of the two Foster Altars they are responsible for the government of druidic society within the Royal Basin and the interaction of Kethlan’s Kingdom with the six duchies. As a Foster Altar (political Altar to the common folk) the Creeping Vine understands the temperament of Kethlans Kingdom, that no matter where the power of Kethlan is found the nation holds true as one. The strength of Kethlan’s Kingdom is to be found in Rhygahrea or the Harthalian, depending on your point of view and the seeds of this nation have grown in all the kingdoms of this continent. Each continent contains two Altars, although differently named, with the community of druids there deciding which of them rules, this often changes, The ruling Altar sits on council with the other five from each nation in Rhygahrea, making policy that changes the face of the nation across Kethlan’s Kingdom.

The Creeping Vine are an ancient and traditional Altar, or grove as they prefer, that finds its routes in the heart of the Harthalian Woods. It is said that the first Lord of the Creeping Vine was a Force of Nature, nurtured by Avvannah, taught by Ravage and led by Quinrath. Their blood was favoured and they should, by right lead the way of Kethlan’s Kingdom. The original Grove splintered away from the Binding Vine Grove, an ancient and respected Grove that still functions in Rhygahrea. The Creeping Vine are stalwart traditionalists who migrated into the basin a few decades after the Twelve Trees. Many say that had they been first they may have been able to master the emergent spirits of the cities, instead they clung defiantly to the old ways.

The Creeping Vine vie for dominance on the various councils across the Royal Basin but have only found any strength in Ironstone Bay. Their hard-line policies on the growth of cities and the use of farmland made them unpopular although their control over harvests and blight has been put to good use in Ironstone bay. However their continual acts of barely veiled terrorism against civilisation has led to open battle and conflict with the Basanic army, which leads to a use of the Altar of the Stone Circle that none of the Druidic community can tolerate. Action by the Altar of the Broken Lady seems inevitable. Their efforts to extend the Groves, reclaim land that has been built on and free spirits that are being affected by the new spirits of the towns have cost many lives, especially of hapless villagers that have fallen foul of their pestilence.

### The Guidance of the Altar of the Creeping Vine

* Preservation of the ways of the Wyld and the prevention of the growth of cities, towns and civilisations outside of their manageable means
* Areas of pure, clean and wild lands are our protectorates; oppose those that would violate them
* It is our duty to represent those of similar mind and we must enter the council of Hierophant eventually finding a place there as the whisperer or Kethlan
* Gather to yourself allies that will assist your cause and undermine the political power of those that would destroy Father/Mother Kethlan
* The Wild shows no mercy those that enter it wrapped in the cushion of civilisation shall find us no less forgiving.

**Words of the Altar of The Creeping Vine**

*Words are weapon, like poison they spread fast and deadly.*

## The Gorgon

Silent whispers passed down from tongue to tongue, the ancients secrets of a time long passed. These words and rites are handshakes with the spirits and the powers beyond the pale of mortal folk. They give us strength and teach us the wisdom that we need to be the nation that we are, united against the corrupters of the wild places and the darkness. But who should wield these weapons? The Ulmargarn? With their politics and their movement in cities and their ever changing view of laws and rites? No. Then the Ele-Strom or the Vormearn? No they serve their purpose and keep the peace but they are brutal people, they do not understand that life is a gift from Kethlan, to be savoured, not a war to fought and won. We the, Melkarr, we are touched by the spirits and charged to keep the secrets of the past to teach others around us the wisdom that is needed to create peace between the peoples of the nations of the world and the children of Kethlan’s Kingdom.

We are not strengthened by embracing the violence of hatred that strengthens the powers of corruption and leads to the darkness that civilisation has embraced, greed, uncontrolled expansion and political war. Instead we are strengthened by the commitment that we have to Kethlan and all the things that it represents. We share the vision that Kethlan is the mother of the world and is sharing with us her love as children. We understand the sacred secrets of Kethlan; to share in her bounty is to rule out fear and barbarism and to create family and pack, to act against selfishness promotes the power of togetherness through empathy and that only by meeting hostility with peace can we truly end conflict.

We have given ourselves a powerful yet difficult mission; we must create peace in a land where the rising of chaos seems to be unstoppable, where war is an ever-present constant. We are the shining light of the mother, the peace bringers, whilst the other groves give in to anger and hatred we maintain our peace and sow the seeds of friendship in the fields of anger.  We heal, protect and nurture and we are closer to the mother than any other.

### The Guidance of the Altar of the Gorgon

* Guide the affairs of the Kethlanic community towards a harmonious existence with the Royal Basin.
* Promote peace within the auspice of any situation that can clearly be resolved without conflict.
* Nurture the secrets that have been passed to the Melkarr, keep them safe from the unworthy and available to the few.

* Offer the hand before the sword to all but those corrupt of the mother.

**Words of the Altar of The Gorgon**

*With a rational mind and loving heart there is no inequality or social status*

## The Emerald Willow

The power of the natural world doesn’t flow from belief in the same way that Focus Gods do and nor do the groves work in anyway similarly to the Churches of the Basanic Gods. The druids rely on the triumvirate, the power that comes from being alive; from blood, blood is life, from the strength and power that flows through the veins of the beasts that live. From the energy that comes from growth, experience and wisdom, from living from everything that is taken in during the journey of life. Finally the third of the triumvirate from the energy that is released in the final moments of life and as a living being passes over into death. All of these pass into the realm of Kethlan giving strength to the spirits in the land beyond the physicality to whom the druids speak and learn from, nurturing them and accepting their gifts in return. This brings with it its own traditions, rites and powers that are held sacred and understood by those who are masters of the rites, the Emerald Willow guard many of these traditions, specifically those held by Avvannah and Ravage.
The old ways have fallen! The traditions of the groves have become polluted with the taint of cities and gunpowder! Only the Emerald Willow remain in the Royal Basin to hold to the traditions of the old ways and few even among our ranks have the truth of everything. Only through communication with and the guidance of the ancient spirits of the past can we hope to keep the traditions alive. We hold to the belief that the spirits of our ancient Theurges will fill us with the strength to maintain the old ones outside of the cities and retain the powers of the wilderness. One day the cities will fail and give strength to the beasts that water in their ruins and until that day we shall keep the old ways alive.
The rites and the honour of old have fallen into abuse but the council has elected the Twelve Trees to rule time and again and we are bound by tradition to serve them. But this Altar will not touch the new rites that are bought to us by the council. If they are the work of Kethlan then they have grown here and that puts them into the hands of the followers of wood and stone. The wild ways are vanishing and we must put them right lest our cousins of paw and claw fall to the poisons of thumb and fist, the ancestral culture must be kept pure. We must remain true to our roots, enshrining the traditions of our predecessors.
External corruption, even spectatorship of our rites must be kept to a minimum. Fierce and proud we are, but we must never be bloodthirsty needlessly. Yet if we are betrayed or insulted then we are merciless, the land and its beasts are our sacred trust. The ways of beast are ours to master, none can escape the eyes of the woods and the will of Ravage, we are his claws and teeth, through word and deed and blood and ritual, claw and tooth, rip and tear, dance the rites and gut your enemies. Stand proud and tall and snarl your rage, summon your foes fears and confront them with them, lap their tears of terror

### The Guidance of the Altar of the Emerald Willow

* Preservation of the old ways of Kethlan and the wild ways against the encroachment of civilisation and the machinery of its peoples.
* Support the creeping vine in its efforts to gain political power within the Tao of Kethlan.
* Keep the ancient spirits of Kethlan pure and do not allow their secrets to fall into the hands of the unworthy.

**Words of the Altar of The Emerald Willow**

*The battlefields are many and we are always present.*

## The Broken Lady

Justice, secrets, balance and mediation, these are the roles of the Ele-Strom. One grove in each land is marked at the Ele-Strom, they are feared and loved, reviled and worshipped. Few groves would be quick to accept this role and we are no different. Once we were of the Ulmargarn, long ago and in the Harthalian we were powerful and great, Our stock was the stock of Hierophants and Gods and greatness and strength and honour. But we were foolish, we overstepped our boundaries and tried to wrest power when it was not freely given. Then we learnt the power of the Ele-Strom, why they exist, what they do, Why they are hated. They came for us, they took our power, rightly so, the Grove of leavened whispers, brave and bold and true to their nature. In our arrogance we called the for the Vormearn and they came and they fought and the whispers were heard no more. We were powerless and we should have been put to death for our crimes. But the council were merciful, ha. They gave us back and power and sent us here to this Great Basin to serve, us, to serve. We are the Ele-Strom, feared and loved, once of power now servants, and yet, and yet…

We understand our role, we know what must be done. This society of Kethlans, it is a great serpent that writhes and undulates, few can see the twists and turns or what the curves of its great body hides. But we can. Its shadow causes all beneath to lose the sun and wither and die. We bring them light. Many choose to hide in the skin that it sheds, pretending that they are the serpent and that they should be listened to. We find them. Many speak with the serpents voice, that sibilant hissing, telling lies and bending fact. We hear the truth. Others still suckle on the serpents power and twist it to their own purposes, trying, teasing, making themselves above the others who move with it. We bring them down.

We are the Ele-Strom, we watch from the shadows, we listen from above and no secrets can be kept safe from us. We will find the corrupt, the lawbreakers and the weak, We will route them out and we will bring them to justice. Of course we are still balance, we mediate, settle disputes, we organise games and competitions, we lead when others fail. We follow the middle path, we are the fulcrum that balances the altars and the groves, we understand, infighting gets us nowhere and that our honour, the honour of the Ele-Strom must be Impeachable. And we never, never ever forget.

#### The Guidance of the Altar of the Broken Lady

* The laws of the Tao of Kethlan are to be preserved and justice must be met with a fair and even hand.
* The position and power of others is of no interest to the Elestrom. Kethlans justice is the only concern of those accused and it is found in the hands of the Ele-Strom.
* The guidance of the spirits is paramount in all matters, we may not be traditionalists but we know well enough to allow them to guide the way.
* Fear gives the power of justice strength as much as truth. Fear is beast driven by pain, intimidation and suffering.

**Words of the Altar of The Broken Lady**

*Justice*

## The Stone Circle

The Ulmargarn rule us, with words and politics and buildings and more words. The Melkarr remember the old ways, chanting and dancing and shaking the bones, dancing and chanting. The Ele-Strom enforce the rule from shadows, in darkness, justice, resentment, anger and bones. All their eyes, so many turned in, to look at themselves and jostle and vie for power and strength, crawling across the skin of Kethlan trying to be the most important flea. The rules are set and placed, protect Kethlan and the places that have been given to us, protect the words and the dancing and the shadows. Keep your eyes to the outside and your swords sharp, protect, protect, fight and stab. The Stone Circle, built long, long ago, standing tall and proud, its purpose has changed over the decades its rulers, it mission but the stones? The stones have never changed. And nor have we.

We are the Vormearn, or were, the Rangers they call us, and we wander the land. We are the vessels for Kethlans strength we are the claws of Ravage’s fury. We are the hunters eyes of Quinrath we are the merciless thought of Avvannah. We are battle frenzy and rage and blood and death and war. We are the wild pack, the lone wolf at once alone and many. When we are young we howl our blood fury at the moon and know no fear, brutal and strong and invincible. When we are old we are wise and canny, pain is the greatest teacher, swift and deadly, cunning and hard. We know no fear.  When we are old we go to Dreff where we are fear and we become the creatures of legend, the children of Kethlan.

Many believe that the Stone Circle are savage, violent and remorseless. That would be correct. But we have to be. There is no room for second guessing, Strength is our gift and coupled with the wisdom that we learn we use them to fulfil our duties. To guard our charges, the Ulmargarn and the Melkarr, to protect our borders, to uphold the rule and laws of rite and ritual. We labour, we build, we tend, we shape and craft and when the time is called we meet together, brothers and sisters ready for battle. In that time we fight, fight to the bloody end and ramming home the sword, rending limb with axe and tearing out the enemy’s throat with our teeth, aye, we are born for it. But we understand and we serve.

### The Guidance of the Altar of the Stone Circle

* Service of the Melkarr, Ulmargarn and Elestrom of the Altars; their protection, advice and guidance. They are our charges and our council but they are not above errors and mistakes. It is our duty to shepherd them through their own burdens; they are as children in the wilds of the world compared to those of stone.
* The wilds are an untameable place that we must wander; we do not seek to tame them but to keep them unchanged and to test ourselves against their dangers.
* The smallfolk of Kethlans Kingdom are often below the notice of the other guardians of the Tao. The Vormearn protect, act in vigilance and come to the aid of these people when called upon.

**Words of the Altar of The Stone Circle**

*Loyal. Incorruptible. Enduring.*

## The Oaths of the Tao

Followers of the Tao are taught from the offset of the various
layers that exist within its structure, of the most spiritual of its places, of
the hierarchy made up by the senior Fosters and Melkarr and of the Spirits
themselves and how they play a part in our lives. Each Ulmargarn, Melkarr,
Elestrom or Vormearn will take one of the Oaths and be part of that life, this
before any other Path of Way of the Tao is taken. (A character chooses one of
the Oaths to represent their tradition.)

#### *"To honour the traditions of the Melkarr and the Gillieabad"*

This Oath symbolises the adherence to the rituals and the Tao,
to nor defile or misuse the powers and rites that have been gifted to us and to
never cross the boundaries into corruption.

#### The Oath to Azilir

*"To strengthen the ties of the spirits to the mortal through pure*
lineage and Blood"

This Oath symbolises the binding of the spirits to the mortals
that work with them through the purity of and strength of their blood.

#### *"To bridge the gap and be at one with the Spirits"*

This oath symbolises those that spend great periods in deep
meditation, their mind in the spirit world, to better understand and serve the
Gillieabad

#### The Oath to the Altar

*" To be the mark between the people and the Tao and the Tao and*
the Spirits."

This Oath symbolises the duty of the ritualist to help those
within the Tao understand the spirits and keep those that have made such oaths
aware and informed as to their power and intention.

## Choosing a Path

When choosing your path as a follower of Kethlan you must
choose the spirit that will be your patron. This spirit, one of the great
three, becomes your patron and defines the way that you will have taken before
taking up apprenticeship with the Melkarr, Ulmargarn and the like. Once you
have chosen your spirit you gain the associated gift and will have chosen to
follow that spirits ideals. You then chose your profession (way) and gain the
responsibilities and boons allied to that way. This continues to be your way
regardless of your status and power. The followers of Kethlan continue to
remember their origins and fulfil even the humblest of duties.

### The Path of Quinrath

*Quinrath is one of the Gillieabad, powerful and true, he is closest to*
the heart of civilisation and the speaker, the watcher, the guardian.

#### Overview

Quinrath, often called farmers
friend, is what the Monarchy of the Basin would call a “civilised god”, that is
to say that it seems more orientated towards civilised peoples of the world and
is happy for its followers to teach woodlore and the ways of Kethlan. Its
nature breeds co-operation and the passing on of information that the world can
be at harmony and there will be no need for destruction of what its teachings
hold. For example, if there is a village being constructed or expanded upon
followers of Quinrath are often on hand to show where to take wood from the
forest and to explain the value of planting saplings to replace the trees that
have been cut down. Farmers are instructed on the correct ways to farm their
land so that they do not take everything from the earth without returning some
of the goodness that they have taken. It is a guiding hand in political matters,
understanding and shaping the need for the advancement of the Tao among
cultures through debate and democratic process.

#### The Four Ways of Quinrath

The Follower of Quinrath chooses to gain guidance from the Tao
or way of one of its four Abberundy that serve it.

##### The Way of Omukuru

Way of Meditative
Enlightenment

The Way of Meditative Enlightenment is one that is taken by
those Tao followers who wish to cast the future of their charges through
solitude meditation and calmness of souls. Their responsibilities fall under
providing guidance for individuals when they call upon the spirits. They are
also trained to understand mysteries and grant wisdom and insight into such
things.

##### Way of the Deep

Those that take up the way of the deep are responsible for
tending of the waterways of the Tao and those that utilise them for their own
purposes. They have found affinity with the spirits if Ditaolane and hear many
things from the beasts and tides. Their responsibilities include the reasonable
harvesting of the seas, updating of coastal charts and passing knowledge from
the deep to the land

##### Way of the Warrior

The Way of the Warrior brings the follower of Kethlan to the
attention of those worthies that defend the borders and territories of the Tao.
The responsibilities of the warrior are to protect those that fall under the
Tao, the lands claimed by the Tao and to obey the words and actions of their
chieftains.

##### Way of the Craft

Those that follow the way of the craft are trained to provide
specialists roles in Kethlanic society that will support and build the
community. They are the weavers, smiths, bakers and overseers of the peoples,
the bedrock on whom the others can stand and place supports and foundation.
Without the Way of the Craft there would be no society.

### Master of the Path of Quinrath to the Altar of the Twelve Trees

**Senior Foster: Billik File (Tzi Tzain Ulmargarn):** Billik
File was born in 1742 in the great city of Shi Ashlan on the once great
continent of Helgath. It is the affairs of that nation that have led the Altar
to question whether or not Billik is fit to lead the council. He was once the
greatest of Ulmargarn; a lightning wit and mind that cut through the politics
of the Tao like a hero’s sword through Dragon hide. He was bought from Helgath
by the Hierophant of the day; Gereth Blackwood, to offer support and guidance
to the burgeoning Ulmargarn Altar. Having excelled in the Henges of the
Northern continents File was failing to move up the hierarchy of their groves
due to his name and title, he was never one of the ruling class. So Blackwood
offered the young Tzi Tzain the chance to shine in the Royal Basin, a chance
which the ambitious young man fell upon like a hungry wolf.

However the war in Helgath has worn heavily on the soul of
this young Eaölf, his heart breaking the day that Orbolom’s power sprang forth
and overwhelmed the defences of his beloved homeland. His family, his friends
and the Henges that had been his home for so many years all fell before the
will of the daemonic lord and with every acre of land conquered so too was a
portion of Billik’s soul. Since that day the Lord of the Twelve Trees has begun
to falter, his resolve wavering. Facts and dates and knowledge of opponents
strategies seem to slip from his mind leaving him weak in the seat of political
battle. He has begun to rely more and more on the council of Jeleth whom he
knows idolises him, but faces stiff competition for his position from the power
hungry Alya who matches his strengths each day.

### Master of the Path of Quinrath to the Altar of the Creeping Vine

**Senior Foster: Ledley Keane (Human Ulmargarn):** Born in 1962 to a human family within the Creeping Vine, Ledley has served in the defence of the grove for as long as he has been able to. He is one of the few members of the Altar to have received extensive training outside of that provided, training that he achieved off of his own back when attended the University of Strabain at the age of twenty one where he studied Law and Anthropology, passing with first class honours. It is this training that has made him an instrumental figure in the advancement of the Vines powerbase throughout the Basin, Keane having gathered to himself a number of likeminded individuals that have formed a powerbase of notable up comers from the ranks of the Altar. He remains as ruthless as his closest ally, Naer, and has recently been appointed to the temporary Hierophants Council where a permanent position beckons and perhaps the position of first Vine Hierophant.

### Master of the Path of Quinrath to the Altar of The Gorgon

**Senior Foster: Puedam Eman (Human Melkarr):** Elected during the chaos of the Rhygahrean wars (2008 ppw or Dazak 3) Puednam was born in Haven in the year 1987ppw. He was originally trained as an Ulmargarn of the Twelve Trees but has shown remarkable aptitude for the rituals of the Melkarr and made his decision to switch to the Altar of the Gorgon in the same year that he was elected to governance. He led the Altar wisely and well during those wars although he never physically made it into any combat his rituals were amongst the most potent when it came to clearing the Daemon taint of the Rhygahrean Woods.

### Master of the Path of Quinrath to the Altar of The Emerald Willow

**Senior Foster: Elisabeth Smith (Human Melkarr):** Elisabeth is an extremely young senior Foster being born in 1985 but she has a good level of competence and is a formidable combatant. Originally she trained as an Ulmargarn and much of her political motivation comes through at council. She is often instrumental in making sure that the more aggressive policies go through and has very strong support for the Creeping Vine.

### Master of the Path of Quinrath to the Altar of The Broken Lady

**High Foster: Jane Rewarath (Human Ele-Strom):** Born in 1932 Jane Rewarath was originally a member of the Emerald Willow, a Melkarr born to a great and noble family who had long been powerful with the Tao of Kethlan. From birth she was groomed and fawned over by her seniors, presuming that she was destined for greatness. Her laziness and inability to focus on anything other than her own self importance were legendary. Regardless her elders chose to overlook her blatant disregard for the true and proper ways and she, enabled by their belief in her bloodline, maintained her blasé attitude and allowed the reverence of her being by her fellow Melkarr.

In her second year as a Melkarr she was selected to lead a ritual designed to bless a Tao friendly township with good harvest after a blight caused by an Undead Plague. The results were disastrous; three Ravage spirits were summoned and tens of villagers died. Rewarath was held wholly responsible for the deaths, her negligence and indeed flippancy in the wake of the incident led to a harsh judgement by the Ele Strom. She was taken into the ranks of their number as a student again and began her teachings from the beginning as though she were an infant, her judgement to serve the Altar until the day she died.

Initially Jane was resentful of this treatment but she quickly learned the lessons of fear and respect from the Senior Fosters of the Altar. Within three years she was truly a daughter of the line of Rewarath; the power of the Broken Lady clearly reflected in her powers and her spiritual form. She became unrecognisable as a person; where once had been silk now there was only Iron, where once a frivolous nature ruled now there was only resolve. This was over fifty years ago, the deeds of Jane Rewarath in the name of the Altar are now legend and none gave been sage from her judgement. Now she sits at the head of the council of Ele-Strom, iron haired and iron willed, though she is passed retirement age her punishment binds her to her duties until she dies and she has no intention of making a plea for leniency for good behaviour!

### Master of the Path of Quinrath to the Altar of The Stone Circle

**Vormearn: Brennan Harden (Orcish Vormearn):** Brennan is a younger Vormearn, born in 1992 who has been recently elevated to the council. He fought in the Rhygahrean wars for the Basin attempting to break the stranglehold that Longclaw had on the Harthalian Woods. His career in the field has been cut short due to the infection of his blood with the Orbolomic Lycanthrope disease that is only kept in check by a powerful draft that is brewed in Dreff. This does not stop him keeping up to date with all Tao based affairs and running the Altar with efficiency and skill. Harden is a tactician and a war leader who takes his duties with the greatest seriousness.

### The Path of Avvannah

*Avvannah is one of the Gillieabad, powerful and true; she is the cycle,*
the tick of the clock, life and then death and then birth and then life.

#### Overview

Many consider that Ravage is the most dangerous of the three aspects of nature as it is the most vehement and violent of the three often in the case of Avvannah this is not true. It is the
true aspect of the Earth, sometimes kind and caring, sometimes harsh and unforgiving, it reflects the unpredictability of Nature. The untamed wilds, the soft warming breezes, the decay of dead mater and the birth of new life, all these aspects got together to make up Avvannah. Its interests are in continuing the cycle of its domain, truly understanding that the circle of life and death is essential to continue the function of the world.

### The Four Ways of Avvannah

The Follower of Avvannah chooses to gain guidance from the Tao or way of one of its four Abberundy that serve it.

#### The Way of Congal Cláen - The Way of the Past Watcher

The Past Watcher is the historian, the keeper and the teacher of the ways of not only Kethlan but the society and the peoples as a whole. They play a pivotal role in the shaping of each community within the Tao and are called upon to recite tales of old to inspire the people and to enlighten the young. They are keen seekers of new histories and it is their duty to note and
keep such records.

#### The way of Cyheuraeth - The Way of the Voice

The voice is the communicator, the harmony of the grove that compliments the rituals and the ways of the Altar. The mediator the leader and often the reason within a Tao based community. Their duties include the maintaining of many protocols, the shepherding of new folk into a group and of course any mediation between parties.

#### The Way of Dian Cecht - The Way of the Cycle

The Way of the Cycle deals with the cycle of life and its impact on the community of the Tao of Kethlan. Those that bear this burden are responsible for the rituals and rites of those that pass and their dedication to the spirits in the spirit world.
The Way of Mug Ruith The Way of Legends
The way of legends deals the lores and the contacting of those creatures that fall into the supernatural and in some cases unnatural. It is vital that the people of the Tao maintain vigilance against the unnatural and to cultivate the powers of the natural world that will aid the community in the days of chaos. Those of the Way of Legends are the speakers to such things.

### Master of the Path of Avvannah to the Altar of the Twelve Trees

**Senior Foster: Jeleth Lionsgold (Human Ulmargarn):** Jeleth was born in 1989 and is in a unique position amongst Basanic folk. She was certainly born to be an Ulmargarn,during her years at University she excelled in the histories of the Altars and moved to train in the Twelve Trees when she was 20. It has been her political clout and money within the Royal Basin that has seen her rise to such a position of power within three swift years. She offers the Council a way to
influence the Golden table and the regime that controls the Royal Basin which to the council is extremely valuable. However her natural ambition and Lionsgold upbringing have given the council something of a political animal to work with both outside and within the Twelve Trees. Her belief in Billik's leadership is extreme, he was the first to have faith in her as a druid and she supports every move that he takes and fills in the gaps that he leaves behind in his currently fragile state.

### Master of the Path of Avvannah to the Altar of the Creeping Vine

**Senior Foster: Curith Naer (Human Ulmargarn):** Curith is known to be a Lycanthropic individual although what breed is unknown, although many speculate a badger, or whether he is fully a Lycan or just carries the heritage of one. He was born in 1889 to a noble human family of the Royal Basin, again little is known of them, he certainly changed his name and speaks little of his past, no-one of the Altar appears to have been brave enough to poke around in his past to find out. It is widely believe that he heard the call of the wild at an early age and was contacted by various members of the Altar who sought to use him to undermine the power of the Basin from within. However his temperament was too turbulent to control and he slew his parents, brothers and infant sister, some say he devoured them in his hybrid form after, and fled the Basin to live amongst the creatures of the wilderness.

He rose to power in the Altar through a ruthless sequence of both political and actual assassinations, destroying his opponents either through propaganda, perhaps learnt as a noble, or with the blade. By the time he was thirty he was amongst the forerunners of his pack and leading the Creeping Vine and the Emerald Willow who support them into a violent period of their history that would still be prevalent to this day had it not been for the wars that have intervened in his overall plans. Despite his advanced years he appears as a man in his mid forties and is as active as he ever has been. Recently he has managed to push to get Ledley Keane elected to the temporary Hierophants Council as the groves deliberate over who will be the next governor if Kethlans power in Daer Akmir.

### Master of the Path of Avvannah to the Altar of The Gorgon

**Senior Foster: Makaross Glem (Human Melkarr):** Elected during the peaceful times of 1972 ppw Makaross Glem was born in the sleepy hamlet of Delve in the Northern parts of the Western Marches, long ago in the year of 1949. He has served stoically and well teaching many of the Melkarr that now ply their trade throughout Kethlans Kingdom. He is notable for cultivating his own tobacco called Glems Delving which is famous in many taverns in and around the townships of Greenlakes.

### Master of the Path of Avvannah to the Altar of The Gorgon

**Senior Foster: Paradime Jorek Levek Roan (Zumatakan Melkarr):** An unusual individual, Roan is over a thousand years old and has visited all the spirits that Kethlan possess, or so he says. He acts as the senior instructor in matters of the spirits and the rituals and has many stories of Avvannahs wisdom for the young. Whilst he is true member of the Willow he is more an Avvanarite than a Ravager and is considered by some to be dead wood. He is trusted and respected by Holkar Rek however.

### Master of the Path of Avvannah to the Altar of The Broken Lady

**Senior Foster: Cooper Shadowmane (Human Ele-Strom):** Born in 1972 to the Shadowmane family many say that Cooper was an unusual child who shunned company and spoke only to his imaginary friends. In truth he was whispering to the spirits who had taken an interest in this young man who had been marked for a future within the Tao by Foresit the Lord of Justice. Coopers path was marked out for him and led him unerringly to the Altar of the Broken Lady where he was received by the Senior Fosters who had been prepared for his coming and were rewarded for their patience with a strange but gifted child with influence among the courts of the Royal Basin.

Cooper rose quietly and skilfully through the ranks of the Altar showing aptitude for all areas of the teachings but specifically for finding the guilty and discovering corruption within the Altars and Groves of the cultures of the world. His name became synonymous with the hunting and eradication of dark powers and he was instrumental in the combating of Orbolomicly infested nodes during the cataclysm wars; many daemonic powers came to know and to fear him. Since the wars he has remained within the Altar structure passing on his wisdom and stoically seeking a younger Ele Strom who will take up his mantle in the field, this individual has been promised to him by Foresit.

### Master of the Path of Avvannah to the Altar of The Stone Circle

**Vormearn: Evelyn Stone (Human Vormearn):** Evelyn is old for a Vormearn; born in 1965 she is heavily scarred and carries the permanent wound of a missing left eye and ear from a battle long ago against the Voushnazi. This has done little to stem her reckless nature and the spirit of the ancient Vormearn that sustains her in battle can be seen raging in her violet eyes. Of the council she is the most commonly seen instructing the younger Vormearn, preparing them for their coming trials with the tales of her youth and explaining where every mark and scar on her battle hardened body.

### The Path of Ravage

*Ravage is one of the Gillieabad, powerful and true; it is the hunter, instinct breathing, prey tracking, life ending, fear bringing.*

#### Overview

Ravage, fearless pursuer of foes of Kethlan through the darkened hearts of the deepest sanctuaries of the wild. Ravage is all in favour of fearlessly hunting down anyone who steps into the boundaries of its land. Ravage epitomises the bestial part of nature, the part of all creatures that relies on instinct rather than rational thought, a killer, a hunter, a beast that lives only to destroy those who would cross the threshold of the Forests, the deserts and the seas and perpetrate against the will of the spirits.

### The Four Ways of Ravage

The Follower of Ravage chooses to gain guidance from the Tao or way of one of its four Abberundy that serve it.

#### The Way of Borghild Gudrun - The Way of Oath Taking

The way of Oathtaking is a role of great responsibility amongst those that take on this duty; they are allowed to participate over ceremonies of great joy such as weddings and the naming of the young, dedicating their spirit names. However when making a warriors oath or an oath of vengeance they become responsible for the hunting down of those that would be called an Oathbreaker.

#### The Way of Oden Njord - The Way of the Chieftain

The way of the Chieftain is often thought to be the way of the leader of the people amongst the Tao, instead this is the path of the battle leader and one that brings renown and respect to the successful chieftain and humiliation to those that fail. The burden of leadership is often too heavy for a warrior to bear and they are oust from their position by a younger or more experienced warrior.

#### The Way of Sigurd Verdandi - The Way of Judgement

The way of judgement is often a tedious task and one favoured by the Elestrom of the Weeping Lady. The responsibilities of the way leads the follower to sit in neutral favour during any manner of settlements including bartering and minor legal issues. Often one is called upon to adjudicate at competitive events, political debates and even border issues but they are not Elestrom.

#### The Way of Ing Skuld - The Way of the Hunter

In every camp, township and even pack the role of the hunter is a top tier one and one that is coveted and sought after by many of the younger and upcoming followers of the Tao. Their primary responsibilities are to feed their dependants whilst at the same time maintaining the herds that
support them. They are also responsible for ensuring the rights of each pack to different hunting grounds.

### Master of the Path of Ravage to the Altar of the Twelve Trees

**Senior Foster: Alya Eaihain (Yuirfarvallen Ulmargarn):** Born in Rhygahrea in 1472, Alya was a survivor of the Mandragoran wars and the exodus of the Yuirfarvallen following that tragedy into the Royal Basin. The Eaihain were amongst those that travelled to the Basin in 1583 and they carried in their hearts the Tao of Kethlan. The groves of the wild ways of Rhygahrea differ massively from the Altars of the Duchies however and Alya’s parents were faced with a difficult choice; their political skills made the choice of Ulmargarn for her clear but they needed to find strength in the Royal Basin so they chose the Twelve Trees. For many years she trained with the Twelve Trees but she could not keep the wild out of her heart, nor her contempt for their growing reliance on cities and their ways. She has tried, as her power has increased, to steer the Altar to a more centralised position between the old ways and the new. With Billik's failing psyche she has taken many chances to attack his position but found herself politically circling with Jeleth at each step.

### Master of the Path of Ravage to the Altar of the Creeping Vine

**Senior Foster: Jasmine Rush (Human Ulmargarn):** Jasmine Rush was born in 1984 in Rendrith to a common family who pushed her into service as a prostitute at age eleven amongst the many other dock workers in that busy port town. After only two months of abuse she killed her first man and within three weeks of that event the militia were on the hunt for a serial killer. She escaped by stowing away on a vessel bound for the Rice Empire and whilst onboard she met a woman called Laria Emmerson, a member of the Altar, who sheltered her and taught her how to harness the rage that Ravage had given her. After her initiation into the Altar at the age of fourteen she travelled the world returning at the age of twenty four to take her place on the council. She was so skilled in the art of ritual and of diplomacy that many saw her as the natural Alpha, a role that she declined, for now. It is rumoured that her journeys took her to the Greater Teeth and the Sea Hag, the Harvest Plains and the temples there and even the ancestral lands. Wherever they took her the gleam of Ravage is still strong in her eyes and her knife still calls for blood from her hip.

### Master of the Path of Ravage to the Altar of The Gorgon

**Senior Foster: Prilly Folney (Gnomish Melkarr):** Elected in 1980 Prilly is the oldest serving member of the council being born as she was in 1930 ppw. Gnomes not being the most famously long lived of individuals many consider that her long life stems from the many visits that she made to the sacred groves of Rhygahrea during her youth. Indeed many point to Prilly as being the power behind the downfall of Kalus Sing, the Undead Scourge of Fellgorge burrows back in the 50’s! She can often be found playing her Skavamareen much to the delight of the children of Green Lakes.

### Master of the Path of Ravage to the Altar of The Emerald Willow

**Senior Foster: Golkar Rek (Orcish Melkarr):** Golkar Rek is an extremely powerful Melkarr who commands the complete respect of many of the lesser spirits and the guidance of those more powerful. Very little is known of her past or her age but it is known that she arrived from the spirit realms with the blessings of Kerth and since that day has ruled the Emerald Willow through fear and strength. She is not a Melkarr to be trifled with her word and her will are law and any who choose to oppose her are swiftly dealt with.

### Master of the Path of Ravage to the Altar of The Stone Circle

**Senior Foster: Lord Slick knife (Sidhe Ele-Strom):** Lord Slickknife came to the Altar in 1752, already an accomplished druid and master of ritual he was found unconscious and heavily wounded in the Marekoth Grove in Old Harthalian surrounded by the bodies of dead daemons. The Unseelie had clearly been at the point of laying down his life to defend the grove and he was carried reverentially by the Melkarr that discovered him back to the Altar of the Gorgon where he was healed. His talents lay in meting out punishment to those that crossed the power of Kethlan and whilst he was clearly not a power of Vaklam he agreed to assist and aid those that had recovered him by joining the Broken Lady.

The Sidhe took his position extremely seriously and travelled with the high council for many years before becoming one of them. His mastery over the punishment rituals is second to none, when performed by the Fae they are more potent, virulent than when cast by any other. Slickknife is ready to dispense any levels of justice, whether that be through the ritual or the swinging of an axe he does not step down; those that have committed sin are punished. Noted for his trademark duster and heavy brimmed hat Slickknife imbues in others the will of punishment and radiates a fear born of some inner struggle that makes him one of the most formidable powers in Kethlans arsenal.

### Master of the Path of Ravage to the Altar of The Stone Circle

**Vormearn: Sillik Harthness (Human Vormearn):** They call her the Night Shield. She is the protector of the wildest parts of Kethlans Kingdom and she operates mainly during the nocturnal hours. Born in 1988 to a Vormearn family operating out of the woodlands around Dreff she was bought up and raised a warrior of the wild. She is still very much active, young as she is, blades dancing death to the enemies of Kethlan in the night. She is part of the High Council of the Vormearn and her voice is well heard, she even occasionally appears to train the worthy, taking special note and interest in those exceptional cases and blooding them in the field.

## Training at the Altars

Each Altar trains the guildsfolk that come to them to fulfill a specific role in the Tao and carry out the duties that come with those roles.

### Training at the Altar of Twelve Trees and the Creeping Vine

These Altars prepare but one type of ritualist for the world of the Tao; the Ulmargarn: The Altars that represent the interests of the wild across all lands, they are political and diplomatic Altars, dealing primarily with governance. There are always two Ulmargarn, usually with radically different approaches to governance of the Rhygarheans living in the country that they have emigrated too. The Ulmargarn are the people behind the political ambition in Rhygahrea and responsible for that influence in foreign lands. The ruling Ulmargarn of a land is decided by the four Altars  not attached to this section of the grove hierarchy, the ruling Ulmargarn leader sits the Hierophants council in Azilir

### Training at the Altar of The Gorgon and the Emerald Willow

These Altars prepare only one type of ritualist for the world of the Tao; the Melkarr: As noted the power of the natural world does not flow from the power of belief in the same way that the Focus Gods do. When the world opened to them Kethlan taught the druids the power of rite and ritual and how to worship the world, its powers and one another. Each Land and each of the two grove in those lands carries sacred lore an ritual that sustain the flow and regulation of Kethlan, keeping traditional values and necessary rites flowing in time with the political and social needs of a society that cores itself in Rhygahrea but at the same time has fragmented across the entire continent. The Melkarr is at the same time subservient too and overriding of the Ulmargarn in that it must obey, indeed adapt too, the laws laid down by the Ulmargarn and respect its policies but at the same time they hold to the ancient traditions that define the ways of Kethlan and by the oldest of oldest laws they cannot be broken.

### Training at the Altar of The Broken Lady

The Broken Lady prepares but one type of ritualist for the world of the Tao; the Elestrom: As noted the power of the natural world does not flow from the power of belief in the same way that the Focus Gods do. The Kargalat – In Rhygahrea the Kargalat are a feared body. In their two forms they represent the two active arms of druidic society. In one there is the Ele-Strom; they that deal out the justice of Kethlan, they are judges in disputes, they ensure that rites are observed correctly and that the power of Kethlan is not being abused in any way. They also monitor the power of any growing user of the wild and ensure that any who seem to be growing too quickly or without constraint are tested in certain rites before they continue. The Vormearn; or those of the wild are what many refer to Rangers, travelling the land claimed by Kethlan’s Kingdom they act as the teeth and claws of the Groves, protecting rituals, championing causes and protecting the borders of the land from interlopers and dangers, sometimes hunting down beasts and eliminating dangerous threats. They also make up the bulk of the armed force of the Kingdom and can be called to a Mustering of Crows should the need occur.

### Training at the Altar of The Stone Circle

The Emerald Willow prepares but one type of ritualist for the world of the Tao; the Vormearn: As noted the power of the natural world does not flow from the power of belief in the same way that the Focus Gods do. The Kargalat – In Rhygahrea the Kargalat are a feared body. In their two forms they represent the two active arms of druidic society. In one there is the Ele-Strom; they that deal out the justice of Kethlan, they are judges in disputes, they ensure that rites are observed correctly and that the power of Kethlan is not being abused in any way. They also monitor the power of any growing user of the wild and ensure that any who seem to be growing too quickly or without constraint are tested in certain rites before they continue. The Vormearn; or those of the wild are what many refer to Rangers, travelling the land claimed by Kethlan’s Kingdom they act as the teeth and claws of the Groves, protecting rituals, championing causes and protecting the borders of the land from interlopers and dangers, sometimes hunting down beasts and eliminating dangerous threats. They also make up the bulk of the armed force of the Kingdom and can be called to a Mustering of Crows should the need occur.

## Day to Day Activities by Altar

The Altar of the Twelve Tree's has held the role of elected government of the Basanic Tao for many decades and as such its members are expected to act as dignitaries and ambassadors for the people of that community. When not in council in its their duty to travel the lands of the Royal Basin and to gather the thoughts, needs and direction of their constituents: The Ulmargarn is as much a listener as they are a talker and are expected to be able to fairly represent the views of the those that support them. They are able to perform ritual and have a duty to do so when called upon, many outsiders would consider them to be leaders or rulers but they are in fact mediators and servants of their people. However they are canny and hold the interests of their people and their spirits above all else, often providing skilled and active debate.

The Altar of the Creeping Vine has hovered on the outskirts of Tao politics for a very long time; their hard-line policies only seem to be accepted when war is close by and even then they are only allowed to look in through the window rather than come in through the front door. The Altar spend their days in the wake of the Twelve Trees, following their trail of peace and unity and ensuring that the people of the Tao understand the other options that are available to them. When the Trees make agreement to allow cities to spring up in the Wyld it is the duty of the Vine to undermine those foundations and strike back at those that would rape Kethlan of its resource and deprive Ravage and the Gillieabad of their habitat. If Kethlan falls, if the Gillieabad lose their homes then the world will fall and on that day we all lose. The rise of civilisation must be stopped. No matter the cost.

The Altar of the Gorgon and Emerald Willow survive as two of the Melkarr traditions with a firm duty to pass on the stories of the Spirits and to interpret their visions for the benefit of those people that follow the rites and rigours of the Tao. Such a duty sees them as very much servants to the people often travelling great distances to be present at harvest festivals or to address the issues of poor crop or mineral yield from farms or mines that are supporting a Tao based community. In times of danger they are called into the field to support Vormearn and Elestrom with ritual and the sacred knowledge that is passed down from Senior Foster to Foster. Without them the Ulmargarn would have no council and the spirits no voice; in short they are the heart and the soul of the Tao and all that are supported by it.

Within the Altar of the Broken Lady The Elestrom exist to serve Justice; they have no other function. When they are not active travelling to and from places of judgement they are pouring over or listening to reports of the Vormearn regarding the activities of various supposed nefarious folk. When they are called forward they serve to inspire fear as well and to serve as a reminder to all what an Elestrom truly is as their Vormearn restrain those to whom they dispense that Justice.

Vormearn are the most often seen by the standard or common all garden follower of the Tao of Kethlan. Whilst the Ulmargarn sit in their vaulted halls and wax on regarding the running of the Tao, the Melkarr chant in their forgotten groves of wisdom and tradition and the Elestrom consider the punishments of the transgressors of the Tao; the Vormearn walk. From township to township, patrolling the edges and the darkened holes of Tao society, checking in on the welfare of those that rely on the power of Kethlan to protect them. They act as militia for the people, army for the land, monster hunter and warrior but they also stop to help repair a damaged well, restore a ruined barn and to offer passing advice on the nature of a fallow field or the finer points of hunting. Vormearn are the ultimate protectors of tradition, the people, the Tao and its Ritualists and of course, each other.

## Major Festivals within the Basanic Tao

The Twelve Trees celebrates every festival that the city of their Altar celebrates and works towards learning them all and also towards making those festivals as much a part of the Basanic celebrations as they are the Tao of Kethlan. More importantly the Trees also works long and hard to pinpoint the exact date of the founding of the townships that they inhabit. Specifically they examine the time when the spirits first gave sponsorship to a place of civilisation and dedicate a day or sometimes up to a week in reverence to that spirit or spirits. These are the most important days in the calendar for the altar when the spirits come forth and join in the celebrations, giving guidance for the coming year and assisting with the growth of the cityscape in a way most compatible with the Tao’s guidance.

The Altar of the Creeping Vine wisely chooses to follow the guidance of the Melkarr that owe it fealty. This is not through a want to avoid the need to observe their own ceremonies but through the dint that the traditions demand that the Melkarr are the Lords of ceremony and ritual, tradition is the way forwards. Throughout the calendar there are festivals to celebrate the power of Avvannah and Ravage but there are only three major ones that occur throughout the year. The guidance of the Spirits takes place in Frostmelt although no specific date is set. During the ritual specific Melkarr are sent into the world of the Spirits and here seek out Beyla who instructs the Melkarr as to certain targets that have broken oath or faith with the Altar and who must face the displeasure of the Lord Ravage.

The Altar of the Gorgon celebrates the major harvest and planting times, calling upon Avvannah and Quinrath to bless the endeavours of those that follow the Tao. During Earthnew the First of the festivals to celebrate sowing occur all the way through to Blossom wake. The months of Sunrise through to Sunsdusk are reserved for monthly harvest festivals as different crops are returned to the silos ready for the winter months and to feed livestock. Meanwhile The Ele Strom of the Broken Lady consider every passing of judgement as a festival of sorts and hold to no specific festivals of the natural world. It is for others; Melkarr and Ulmargarn to mark passing of seasons and moments of old glory. It is for the Ele Strom to pass their judgements in the here and in the now.

The dates for every major ending of a wartime, usually coinciding with the signing of a proclamation of peace are always a signal that a yearly festival will be held by the Altar. These Festivals gain more importance should the war have directly involved the Wild in some way even if this could lead to some denigration of the Kethlanic way. Example Festivals in this vein are the 17th of Frostmelt (The end of the first Gabrak Wars), the 24th of Leavesdown (The End of the 2nd Codex Wars) and the 23rd of Sunsdusk (The end of the Rhygahrean Wars).

Throughout the Willows calendar there are festivals to celebrate the power of Avvannah and Ravage but there are only three major ones that occur throughout the year. The guidance of the Spirits takes place in Frostmelt although no specific date is set. During the ritual specific Melkarr are sent into the world of the Spirits and here seek out Beyla who instructs the Melkarr as to certain targets that have broken oath or faith with the Altar and who must face the displeasure of the Lord Ravage.

The Second is the Summons of Ing Skuld, whereby during the months of Sunrise and Sunspeak, the Melkarr of the Altar are given a criminal to the Tao of Kethlan who has been condemned to death by the Altar of the Broken Lady. This individual is then hunted down and punished after being given the freedom to survive should they escape the hunt. The final festival is the festival of all Ancestors which takes place in the deeps of Frostfall. During this festival the Melkarr give thanks and honour to all of the spirits that the grove worships and respects. In return they are blessed with three nights of revelry with those spirits during which time great secrets and wisdom is revealed.

Only one festival is observed by the Altar of the Stone Circle directly each year although many Vormearn end up observing the festivals that are taken up by the Altar to which they are allocated. However the Memorial Festival is held each year in the original Altar of the Stone Circle during which as many Vormearn as possible attempt to reach this hallowed location. During mid Sunsdusk they converge here and together speak the names of all those that have died in service to the Circle and of their deeds in prior years. Then the names of those that have died since the last memorial was held are added to that list and the great story recommitted to memory. At this time the ceremony takes over three days to complete during which time the Vormearn involved fast, relying on their abilities to sustain them through any hardship.

## Major Altar Locations of the Basanic Tao

Unlike other Altars the Twelve Trees are based exclusively in cities; its members following local fashions and trends, socializing with the best of them. Altar locations are most likely to be inns or local landmarks and certainly amongst the oldest of the buildings in the city or township; here the spirits of Kethlan linked to towns are more powerful, statues more easily animated and hearths more easily contacted. The older the building and the more frequented it is the more powerful that it is likely to be; such buildings often generate their own lay lines and give power to new groves and Altars as they grow. They are always well defended both in the real world and in the spirit world by Vormearn and Hearth spirits respectively, both are bound to the Altar and are well tended and in the case of the spirits sacrificed to with goods and materials.

The largest Altar to the Twelve Trees is in Maryat, the old and abandoned capitol of the Royal Basin. Its buildings and the spirits bound to them are over two thousand years old and the power that is locked away within the ruins of that edifice is legend. When the city of the Great Basin fell to Undead and Daemons, an eon ago,  the Melkarr and Ulmagarns of that time spent long days in ritual whilst the Vormearn battled to the last protecting them. They sealed the greatest Altar with word and rite and the spirits that served it where likewise locked there. It is said that if the Altar is reopened then the power of the tired day will be released.

There are Altars to the Creeping Vine scattered across the lands of the Royal Basin, all of them are deep within the confines of the wild lands of Kethlan. The Altar of the Great Pack is a secret to all but its members but it is rumoured to be built at the heart of the lost town of Woodford. If the stories are to be believed then the town was bought low by the Altar and through the sacrifice of the “civilization” of the place so Ravage grew in strength and in power. It is this action that has been the inspiration for the growth of other Altars within the borders of the Royal Basin. Ruined temples, farmsteads, abandoned hamlets even areas that have become overwhelmed by force or subterfuge all serve as the hearths of the fires that blaze in the centre of the Altars power.

Obviously the oldest Altar for the Gorgon that still exists can be found nestled in the roots of an ancient Kavortis tree that leans like a wearied elder in the Northern fields of Green Lakes arable sector. It provides an ample view of the township and the fabled lakes themselves. The council hold sway here and many of the Melkarr indulge themselves in this idyllic location at least two or three times a year. Major festivals of the Altar always take place in Green Lakes, two large fields have been set aside for just such a purpose and well tended to year in and out.

The original Altar still exists at the heart of Maryat but powerful rituals of sealing where conducted there years ago during the time of Maryats fall. It is know that there are many relics sacred to the Tao still locked away there but that any expedition to recover them would still be a fool hardy endeavour. The council has ruled against such plans in the past but still disputatious voices are heard. Of course powerful Altars can be found in all of the major Tao held areas of the Royal Basin but beyond the two mentioned both Strabain and Rendrith boast sizeable Altars which have birthed many notable Melkarr over the years and indeed attracted Ritualists from several noble families most notably the Hertisans.

The main altar of the Emerald Willow is located in the wilds of the Gielden Woods on what the Royal Basin identifies as the border of the Bitter Vale and Iron Stone Bay. The Altar is at the centre of ancient Hunting Lodge that was built during the Canorsay Ways over sixteen hundred years ago and as seen the summoning of practically every spirit that is known to the Tao. Over the years areas of the land that the Hunting Lodge rests on have been dedicated to different causes and now acres of the woodland is populated by the Melkarr and their followers. Asides from the Lodge the Willow has Altars in most of the deep recesses of the darkest woodland. Most are centred on areas of great populations of those beasts that are sacred to Ravage and rather than being fixed points the Melkarr tend to move through the wilds never setting down permanent roots.

It is said that every time an Altar or Grove falls to corruption it becomes a candidate for the power of the Ele Strom. It becomes their duty to reclaim it and then to dedicate it to the Broken Lady or which grove is responsible for the vindication of Justice in that era. To this end the Altars to the Broken Lady are drab unglamorous affairs that are without the expected support of a community of workers and specialists as many of the Altars do. Instead they are few and far between radiating the raw power of Kethlan whilst assuming the horror that they underwent during their corruption; they are places to be avoided by the normal populace at all costs.

The main Altar is located in what was once the Grove of Resplendent Zeal; a forerunner to the amalgamation that flies under the flag of the Emerald Willow nowadays. It is located partially in the Hartwell Woodland but was also driven into the near Spirit Realm when it was taken and possessed by the power of Thraxilluis Culn, a Wight like entity in service to one of the houses of Caravek. It is believed that the creature is still imprisoned within the Spirit World; when the Ele Strom arrived they lay the enemy to destruction and reclaimed their grove leaving the submersion in the spirit world as it was to enhance their own power with them.

The original Stone Circle Altar is located in the Northern part of Rhygahrea but now falls into a section of the woodland that is hallowed to the forces of nature that roam free. Sadly it can longer be accessed or used by the Vormearn but on occasion it is visited for the purpose of ceremony. Now the only Circle is settled in the Tao controlled community of Ironroot in the Western Marches in the foot hills of the Razorback Mountains. The Altar fills the three villages; Darkridge, Handfast and Fall Shale, that make up Ironroot. There are many normal villagers that support the Altar, working the farms and facilities that keep the Altar running.

The area is littered with various training grounds and barracks as well as halls for lecturing on the finer arts of hunting and the identification of flora and fauna. The local forests are kept packed with game and training filters out into the field as the new generations of Vormearn chase down prey and emerge exultant with their first rabbits and deer. Indeed it is mainly the young that dwell here and the villagers have seen many young arrive but never return on their placing with another Altar; the life of a Vormearn is often a short one.

## Azilir

For long years the great Kingdom of Rhygahrea was the seat of the power of the Tao and as such drew great and unwholesome attention from the enemies of the Wyld. Many struggled to overcome this ancient bastion and eventually the power of the Daemon Realm made its way into the lay lines that criss crossed it. This began the fall of the greatest Empire of the Gillieabad in Mortal hands and almost ended in the death of Kethlan himself after Robar Redwolf, the Hierophant was killed. Yet Kethlan provides and after the survival of the Wyld he created the
great land of Azilir to the South of the Royal Basin as a seat of power for the new Hierophant. The land is secretive and those that dwell their elusive but there is no doubt as to the power that rests there.

## Dreff Wood

Whilst Kethlan’s Kingdom has gelled into a forward moving economical and political power many traditionalists have pointed to a falling away from the teachings of the early hierophants and the direct words they have learnt from Kethlan itself. Since the dawn of the time of the new ways, however, Dreff Wood has been at the heart of all things Wyld. It was the place of the death of Kalarm and the awakening Kethlan, here the Lady Mogaddon sought to enhance her status by mastering the art of the Wild. Here St Lucien built his ghost priory and was defeated by the Stonecrow, here both Sarkith and the Dark One was born and here the Hunting Horrors were born. All of these evils have come to Dreff Wood and each and every one of them has been driven back by the power of Mosses Grove, the Grove of Dreff, where the most feted Druid of all ages bore his power.

Dreff has become the “Holy” place of the Wild, those of the grove of Dreff are held in greatest reverence by all of those within the culture. It is regarded as a bastion of all things truly of the Wild, all wisdom, power, strength and purity flow from the grove. To walk in the presence of a member of the Grove is an honour to all who show reverence to Kethlan and any insult to a Dreff Druid is returned with blood. Such is the power of the Druids of Dreff that even the Hierophant bends the knee to them and any decision made by the Hierophants council can be overturned by one word from even the lowest member of the order. To reach Dreff is said to be unlikely as it rests far out to Sea on an island surrounded by mists, only seven ways are known to reach there and each one is impossibly guarded.

## Moss and the Hierophant

These two figures, the first responsible for Dreff and the other responsible for the Tao itself, are two powerful, legendary figures that few within the Wyld have had cause to know or even to meet. Their names are well known to the peoples that they serve but only that. Beyond this they are shadows, whispers and above all else a story for the wind.