The Societies of Nature

The world of Uyn Ajra is known to have fairly organized religions; the *Duodex Orthodoxy* being foremost among them. While the hierarchy of the *Orthodoxy* is prevalent on *Topside*, its reach is not universal even there. On either face of the *Disk* and throughout it's core are worshipers of the *Eight Elemental Lords*, and many cultures on the *Disk* have their own beliefs about lesser figures that appear in the *Codices*. Regardless of borders, religions, and geography, there are also those who revere the wonders of the natural world themselves.

### The Conclave of the Wilds

The *Conclave of the Wilds* are an escalation of power and organization of Feri that arrived over time. While in the past Feri were, from the outside, seen as odd individuals who often disappeared into the wild, in more modern times Feri have shown their hands and come together along the edges of more political societies. While these Feri were and are still rather unorganized, the groups of Feri that have been observed by the rest of the world are referred to as the *Conclave of the Wilds*. The *Conclave of the Wilds* is how Feri are referred to as a group, though it still barely constitutes more than a loose gossip circle. Given a sufficient threat to a habitat it is the individuals located in known gathering spots of the *Conclave* who are called upon for help. While the *Conclave* does act as a communications network for those of like minds, it is becoming increasingly apparent to some Feri that the complacency and disarray of the group as a whole is dampening the benefits the group brings.

### The Paths of the Wilds

Where the *Conclave of the Wilds* is a relatively informal organization localized to *Topside*, it merely represents a common community formed there. The *Disk* as a whole is home to many individuals who are in touch with the powers of nature, even beyond the ones that *Sorudra* and *Sozark* command. In general these individuals refer to themselves as Ferus. While their methods, powers, and abilities vary, all Feri have an undeniable relationship to the land and the life within it. Most prominently are those to whom the elements, fauna, and flora respond to directly: individuals who can ask the flora to inhibit their foes, request guidance from animals, and walk unhindered on the earth. Even still there are Ferus who embody the might and wrath of nature, or who pledge an oath to protect it. Many Feri eventually recognize if they have biases towards aspects of the natural world, and over time Feri with such biases have exhibited vague patterns. These patterns are called *Paths*. Feri who recognize one another as being of the same *Path* might assist one another, or offer guidance, where Feri who recognize individuals who follow different paths might guide them to the nearest Ferus of a like mind.

*Feri Paths*, while even less organized than the *Conclave* itself, represent general attitudes and principles towards interacting with nature. Any Ferus might simply deny all accusations of adhering to any path, but some find it to be the minimum amount of social organization they can tolerate. While you can find Feri nigh anywhere on the *Disk*, in any state, believing in any ideology, individuals who enjoy (or do not outright deny) the description of walking a *Path* are easiest to find in places where they can express said *Paths*.

* *The Growing Path*: While all Feri can and do call upon plant life to assist them, there are those who have a strong affinity to this behavior. Alongside them are those who ally themselves directly with the *Green Court of Fey*. Plant life and the presence of the *Green Court* make themselves known in many ways on the *Disk*, but the forests of *Lathar* are the largest swath of thick plant life. As a theme Feri who describe themselves as walking the *Growing Path* are often found in places such as *Lathar*, but the *Junion Forest* of *Dotteldell* and the wooded region edgeward of the *Korrag* mountains are prime locations to find individuals who desire the epithet.
* *The Howling Path*: Animal life of all kinds react favorable to the presence of Feri. Any Feri can learn to calm wild beasts, and many take on their forms. From time to time however a Ferus might discover their ability to guide and walk among creature of all kinds as something unique: these Feri are known as those who choose to walk the *Howling Path*. These Feri are rarely alone, finding the company of wild creatures and elemental beings to be their favorite. *Kollas of the Blue Court* keeps a pack of wolves, *Fytherwyn* is connected to insects and other bugs, and *Doredun's* shrines are often surrounded by bunnies, so some Feri also find themselves to be allied with the *Fey Courts* while walking this *Path*.
* *The Burning Path*: Fire is feared by many, and revered by many more. It is undeniable that fire has its place in the cycles of the world, and there are Feri who are drawn to it in particular. When discussion of healthy wildfires and natural sources of heat is important, a Ferus who chooses to walk the *Burning Path* is likely to be found nearby. While arsonists in nature would draw the ire of nearly any Ferus, those who choose to walk the *Burning Path* are often the most offended by such abuses of the element, as it is a rude mockery of the work they prefer to do in the world. Some who choose to walk this *Path* follow summer around the world, but others guard specific places.
* *The Flowing Path*: The waters of *Topside* flow towards the *Karallic* *Sea*, bringing life and cleansing power with them. The winds bring rains which cause mudslides and flood the land. Feri who walk the *Flowing Path* are aware of the cycles that water and wind bring with them, just as all other Feri are. Yet where one Ferus might overturn the earth and separate a forest to prevent the spread of a fire, a Ferus who has an affinity for the *Flowing Path* might jump to the conclusion that dousing an area in water is the best course of action. Neither solution is inherently better than the other, but those who focus on the complexities of weather will find themself most often speaking to a Ferus who chooses to walk this *Path*. Most notably, where you could find Feri of nearly any type anywhere, in the *Dragon Dessert* of *Imkhazh* the *Flowing Path* is fairly popular (as much weight as the word popular carries among hermits and wanderers) as general set of principles observed in that region.
* *The Dying Path*: The world of the living is, given *Authalax's* nature, always in the context of the world of the dead. When the spirit leaves the body the flesh is left behind. Be it eaten, decayed, or even sequestered by the machinations of a peat bog, the corpse is a universal phenomenon. There are Feri who focus on what place death has in the world, and those who do not. While not all Feri who respect the fate *Authalax* has in store for them choose to walk this *Path*, all who walk the *Dying Path* acknowledge the reality of the soul and its true fate. That being said, there are many who walk this *Path* that care little about the meat left behind, infusing the corpse with magics that make it more useful to their goals.
* *The Rumbling Path*: The earth and sky alike roar with the fury of the *Elemental Lords*, and of *Sozark* himself. Some might scurry and hide when such rumblings arrive, but others roar alongside them. Regardless of who they ally with, where they live, and what they request of the world, those who choose to walk the *Rumbling Path* are recognized by their attitude first and foremost. A Ferus who walks this path neither fears tumbling earth nor roaring sky, and those who challenge them often finds a ferocious fight before them.
* *The Shining Path*: The world of Uyn Ajra is larger than the *Disk* itself. The Moon and Sun are a part of the world, yet many Feri might dismiss them as fixtures of the world that simply bring light, warmth, and comfort. In contrast there are plenty of people in the world who see the Sun, Moon, and Stars for more than they appear to be. Among the Feri there are those who particularly focus on the Moon and Stars, seeking ways to directly ally with the *Blue Court*, and seeking truths about the stars above. Under the rarest of circumstances members of the secretive *Society of the Void* have spoken with Feri who seek similar truths, though it is unknown what is ever gained form such encounters. A Ferus who looks to the stars for guidance and assistance is often regarded as one who walks the *Shining Path*. Feri who ally themselves with the *Blue Court*, depending on their attitude and which *Fey Lord* they personally prefer to work with, are just as often described as walking the *Shining Path*.
* *The Rusting Path*: Little is known of Feri who claim to walk the *Rusting Path*. Oral tradition struggles to a degree when those who might be responsible for passing it on tend to be hermits. While many encounters with such individual Feri might be all but forgotten amongst groups such as the *Conclave of the Wilds*, some accounts do make themselves to more stable communities. Those who walk the *Rusting Path* share whispers of a truth hidden in the rust of *Underside*, though these Feri are usually also prone to claiming many insane things.