Guardian of the All Mother

## The Guardians of the All mother

Within the forest south of Neverwinter, a conclave exists of those dedicated to the protection of nature, and the insurance of its balance. Led by Yobu, Incarnate of the All Mother, these guardians revere the 4 aspects of nature: Growth, Decay, Wrath, and Tranquility, understanding their interconnected nature and the need for each to ensure continuation of the natural order. Guardians are trained in all kinds of pursuits, from the study of natural magic to craftsmanship to the martial arts. The guardians do their best to help the lost and needy in their forest, and frequently dispatch guardians to ward off the undead, aberrations, fiends, and even unwelcome celestial.

### Membership

While sometimes referred to as a druidic circle (and while it certainly fulfills that function for many of its magically inclined members), all are welcomed, as long as they are willing to devote themselves to the teachings of the All Mother and the protection of nature. Barbarians, Clerics, rangers, even sorcerers, and of course druids work alongside many non adventuring types such as potion brewers, cooks, natural scholars, huntsman, doctors, and staff and wand makers.

### Religious Beliefs

The religious system of the guardians centers around the four aspects, each thought to demonstrate a necessary part of both nature and one's life. Growth represents both the growth of new animals and plants in the natural world, and one’s personal ability to learn, improve, and better themselves. Decay represents the decay of natural matter to return nutrients to the soil, making way for new life to sprout forth from it, shown personally by grieving, sorrow, and failure, but decay is also found in the using of such feelings to turn those experiences into ones of growth. Tranquility can be found in the peace of the natural world, the holding pattern that allows life to flourish, as well as the ability to live happily in a simple life, enjoying life’s common pleasures. Wrath can be seen both in the ferocity of nature when defending itself, and in the fierce floods, storms, and fires that kill off life to allow for decay and eventually growth. Wrath is also seen in one’s willingness to defend the meek and helpless, as well as fend off those that would despoil the natural cycle as a whole.

### History and modern changes

The guardians originated as a druidic circle dedicated to the allmother, with similar aims as its modern form, save for a large distinction regarding their views on resurrection magic. The original circle held a high disdain for resurrection magic and those who had been risen from it, claiming it was against the natural order for something that had died not to stay dead. Hypocritically, these same members approved of the repeated use of the spell reincarnate on senior members, their logic following that the reincarnated guardian would do enough good in their reincarnated lifetime to result in a net positive over the evil of the profane act of resurrection. The constant resurrection of senior guardians resulted in some living very long lives, over the course of many bodies. The original guardians were ended after a devastating attack from an army of aberrations, from which only 2 guardians (Yobu and Agma) survived

The guardians in their current incarnation were founded after the miraculous apparition of the All Mother to the druid Yobu after retaking the base from the aberrations in an attempt to restart the group. This was particularly surprising, as previously the all mother had secretly been a false deity (a fact only known to the very highest ranking members), being simply a personification/metaphor for nature at large instead of a true deity. The goddess Chauntea, taking pity on Yobu’s noble goals of reforming the guardians with less harsh ideals, formed a new aspect, simply known as the All Mother, to protect the refounded group from being led astray by other more manipulative forces.

The modern guardians have softened their stance on resurrection considerably, no longer disdaining its use. However, they continue to reincarnate senior members, causing most high ranking guardians to live very long lifespans. The guardians are overseen by an incarnate, currently just Incarnate Carric, formerly known as Yobu in his time with the guild, who has taken the form of a sun elf. The incarnate predominantly teaches religious lessons, particularly those that stress the importance of harmony between the 4 aspects of nature. Each aspect has an exemplar known as “the aspect of [their respective aspect]” to help teach new recruits about each aspect of nature. The current aspect of wrath is a sorcerer known as Axel, a member of the Adventurer's Guild. The guardians maintain healthy relationships with the guild (with their two most senior members being guild members) and encourage advanced pupils to join the guild to gain “in the field” experience

## Character Background

*Within the forest south of Neverwinter, a conclave exists of those dedicated to the protection of nature, and the insurance of its balance. Led by Carric, Incarnate of the All Mother, these guardians revere the 4 aspects of nature: Growth, Decay, Wrath, and Tranquility, understanding their interconnected nature and the need for each to ensure continuation of the natural order. Guardians are trained in all kinds of pursuits, from the study of natural magic to craftsmanship to the martial arts. The guardians do their best to help the lost and needy in their forest, and frequently dispatch guardians to ward off the undead, aberrations, fiends, and even unwelcome celestial.*

**Skill Proficiencies:** Nature, Religion, and Herbalist Tools

**Languages:** Sylvan

**Equipment:** A well-worn diary, a hiking stick, a pouch of assorted nuts, seeds, and berries, a spellcasting focus of natural origins.

### Feature: Kindred Spirits

Non-Hostile beasts and plants recognise you as their protector, and start off with a positive opinion of you.