“Aspects guide me, I have ichor in my veins, passion in my heart. I do not wait to be given, I take.”

Teachings of Koi Oracle Valor Caerme’onn.

21st of the Grand Harvest, 1660.

For millennia druii have seen with a blind eye. Simply examining nature on its most basic level. Those who have dared look deeper have been respected poorly, even on the formation of el’Naelurir I remember being respected as a shun amongst other druii alongside Salhassan and Artimec. In simple actualities, people are afraid of the true behaviour of nature on its deepest levels. Druii can be content with the minimal practices, even among el’Naelurir some believe in the most passive solutions. There is no democracy in nature, only absolutes.

It’s the blood and passion which lives in our veins which brings us closer to the Aspects, the fear for survival and the willingness to go to extremes for the balance. Many of my kin would shun violence, murder, however in times these things are the true solutions, for the passiveness of your kin could be your demise. I have seen it many times, to give haven or forgiveness to monsters has been an invitation for a dagger to the back.

Through the gifts we are awarded by the Aspects comes with a great burden, but an every greater honour. To find yourself in passiveness in these times is a sign of cowardice, find strength and passion as you walk amongst nature. For only this will unlock your true potential. The balance is a cycle of extremes, and a druii who is not prepared to work in extreme absolutes is unprepared to stand up for the balance.

Nature is in which what bind binds us together, and it's priority is higher. Our lives are less significant in the grand scheme as we choose to give it credit for. Our lives can be expendable, and we can be lost in the cycle. Although the preservation of nature and the future of our kin is what it means to dominate the survival. There is no such thing as good and evil, only work towards what you must. If you need it, take it. Be prepared to defend before it's taken from you.

Aspectism is a simple belief system which I have found myself in from a young age, however in my time I have begun to sprout my own set of beliefs from them. My honour is always to the Aspects, my kin and my tradition, but the methods in which I choose to uphold them are different from my fellow Naelurir. In my time I have also taught many Naelurir to walk as I have. So I choose to put my teaching finally in a time to pass onto the future of el'Naelurir.

The Ichor Way is a collection of my teachings, my thoughts, the way I feel el'Naelurir should uphold themselves. To fear the extremes is to fear the very nature of the balance. Embrace your emotions, embrace it's potential, never let yourself before passive. “Aspects guide me, ichor runs through my veins.” As long as you have blood to spill, you will find your strength. This the beliefs of the Ichor Way, and those who follow it. It's a difficult oath to pledge yourself to, but those who do can hold themselves in high regard, I pledge myself to these blood tenants and to this oath, and I will die before I break them, as well as anyone who sha'll pledge their blood to them too.

“Harmony doesn’t exist, there is only the rage of survival, a never-ending chaos for supremacy.”

To live towards your true self is what it means to walk perfectly alongside nature, not until you have suffered like nature shall you understand what it means to walk like it. Nature is a never-ending fight for survival, and the pain and chaos it continuously lives it can be echoed in yourself. Only then when you look past the serene nature of a forest, or a grove and look deeper at some plants struggle for sunlight, or a fly’s final flight will you understand that even if you cannot see it, or choose to ignore it nature is always wrought with survival and chaos.

Harmony is a simple word that we use to describe things that we do not truly understand, for there is never peace nor harmony in nature. We are always hungry, always tired, always emotional. We act often out of someone else expense. To try to live your life passively, to hide from the extremities of nature is pure cowardice. A simple sign that you lack the fortitude to accept how nature truly behaves, and what out instinct brings us to achieve.

“In the passion of nature, my emotions bring me strength, to go beyond convention.”

We mustn’t ever stagnate, for our passiveness can lead us to rest upon our laurels. To stop striving for greater. We should always be prepared to evolve, adapt and overcome. There is no end, for if we slow down eventually we will be overtaken. No matter the title you hold, it will mean nothing in chaos, or to nature. Passion is what keeps creatures alive, to continue to strive for survival. Should they ever begin to slow down marks the end of their life.

To believe that as descendants we are without the need of our simple passions and conventions alongside the creatures we live amongst is a lie. What you have achieved, what you have done will mean nothing in time. Those of the future will forget, or they will not care. Never stop, continue to drive. It’s our passion that will keep us on top.

“In the heat of my passion, I have achieved something that I could not describe to you in words.”

To work, to strive to earn your apex status on the land you walk through, is what it means to move together with nature. The strength I have found in my search for development is unspeakable. Although I have not shared it much, its potential brings fear to many. Although I rarely use it, it’s simple presence can intimidate many. It shouldn’t however, for those who strive for their own development should be confident in themselves, to live in fear and not let it shape you is cowardice.

I have known many druii in my time who are confident with their passiveness, their inability to fight. Yet when they’re faced with conflict simply shy away, how can you claim to be a patron of the Aspects when you claim harmony in the best of times, but let your fear cripple you in your worst times? There is nothing wrong with fear, another emotion. However, my students and I have been faced with many fears over the years, but in them we find strength.

“It’s this power I have gained in my time away which has earned me my titles, but worth more than my titles are the lengths I win for the Aspects.”

Words are worth a lot in theory to many in this day. I have seen many moots in my time, it almost childish how many among me believe we can solve our issues with words. Perhaps they are right, but it hasn’t been right yet. They simply hold their small victories up as a sign and brush aside ten failures for every diplomatic victory. It’s an ignorant approach to believe that things can always be sorted passively, trials and such.

Why is it that we call our self-guardian of nature yet refuse to go to extremes, we simply heal some blight and consider that our work done? What happened to the days where we would kill the source? Druii can be cowards, we are afraid to stand against the horrors of the lands, the magii and others determined to destroy our home, and we simply watch and clean up the aftermath. We continue to leave our lands in destruction and do not feel and guilt.

“I will continue to stack my victories, until nature and I are free from this burden.”

The vices of civilization make us weak, soft. Many burden themselves behind walls, with a keyhole look to the world around them. While the mass production of magii continues to grow, whilst atrocities go untested. The haven of the walls around you make you weak, we used to fight for our survival yet no we no longer need to we’ve lost our touch with nature. Many druii look at the strife of nature from their high horse, it’s one thing to recognize the true face of nature, but do you live among it?

I forfeit my vices, I do not need a weapon to hunt. I do not need to rely on my eyes to see. As I have shown my students, you rely of the things most precious to you too much. The constructs of civilization, they have made you weak. You are used to the read supply of food, these comforts keep you from experiencing nature. It’s only when you break away from your old comforts can you really be free, to walk among nature as if it were your own. He who has achieved victory whilst shattering all restrictions has walked closest with perfection.

“The Aspects guide me, but nature shows me the way.”

The Aspects are ambiguous, but there is much more to nature than what people can see, or choose to. I implore those to look deeper, to accept that extremes are necessary in dire times, to give up passivity and learn to accept your duties. Let the passion in your heart drive you towards absolution. For its only through this that you can truly see what it means to walk with nature.

I have already accepted many will choose not to accept my teaching, for as outlandish as they can be. However, their potential is unmatched. In my teaching I have seen greatness out of my students, as my mentors have seen greatness out of me. It’s no longer time to swear secrecy to these views, as they have been passed down for millennia, those who choose to look will find the way.

The Ichor Way:

Passivity is a sign of cowardice. To refuse to act is a refusal to perform your duties.

• Refusing violence is an ultimate sign of cowardice, not all things can be resolved in words, nor should they be.
• Always be prepared to fight for what’s just.Allowing yourself to stagnate is allowing yourself to fall victim to the cycle of redundancy. Regardless of your old achievements, you will be forgotten.
• Allowing fear to control your actions, or preventing you from making a decision is cowardice, let fear make you stronger. Release yourself from your passivity.

Civilization breeds weakness in the hearts of our kin, learn what it means to survive.

• Always be prepared to give up your vices, what is closest to you. To become dependent is weakness. If you want something always be prepared to fight for it.
• To not be able to hunt or fight is pure weakness, these are completely necessary in finding strength.
• If you need weapons and armour to fight or hunt, then learn to act without them. Always be prepared at the worst of times.
• To rely on only one of your senses is naive, learn to act with your ears, with your smell. Utilize what the Aspects have given you fully.

Strive for greatness, never let yourself fall off.

• Regardless of your titles and achievements, you can always continue to press yourself towards greater. As they can mean nothing in time.
• Don’t allow yourself to become passive, don’t let fear or your position stop you from gaining more.
• Regardless of the beliefs of others, you can take what you deserve with a heavy hand. But always be prepared to face the consequences.

Protect to teach but teach those to stand on their own.

• The young ones among us are impressionable, but eventually they cannot become passive and dependent, protect them as I have my student but to give them strength to fight their own battles.
• Make your kin strong, only by inciting these teaching can as a nation, seed, family we begin to show true excellence.

Walk with the Aspects, and none else.

• Only the Aspects will show you the way, even I do not bare the same teachings as my mentors. Let the Aspects guide you as they have me.
• Pass on your knowledge of the Aspects, let those know of their excellence and continue to demonstrate the potential of the Aspects through your strength and victories.

Learn from your history, your ancestors. Honour tradition, for they walked closer to nature.

• Examine the legends of the past, the Oracles and ancestors who shaped your kin to how they are. There are many lessons to be learned from them.
• Inherit their strength, for they survived in strife for you, do not pass on your weakness, pass on the strength that flows through you.

Honour your oaths. There’s no greater sign of weakness then unloyalty.

• Whether it’s to the Aspects, to nation or to seed. Your oaths are binding, to disregard them is an absolute sign of failure.
• Bring honour and victory to them, you have the potential to bring greatness to your kin in the name of the Aspects, use it well.
• Making an oath is not a passive task, always make them with a clear conscious, don’t forget what you stand for.

Achieve what you must by any means necessary.

• Never be afraid of extremes, but do not make them lightly. Many big extremes have caused my kin greatness. My old mentor turned student Kairn and I have learned a lot from each other in this.
• Phaedrus liberated the elven people from persecution, yet he went to extremes to achieve it. Regardless of the status quo, always be prepared to contest it for the greater good of you and your kin.
• Artimec contested the isolated rule of a circle order over the druii, through his efforts el’Naelurir have thrived. Regardless of the stigma of the time, in the end it’s brought us much respect.

Rites of Absolution

To hold yourself to these tenants would be no greater burden, but to uphold them would bring no greater honour, no greater power. To forever pledge yourself to the Aspects, to your kin and your tradition. To be uplifted in your emotions, to let them strive you towards greatness. There are many who wish to hold us back, to make us feeble, rise and show them what it truly means to stand with pride.

Walk with nothing, not because you don't deserve it, but because you don't need it. Cleanse yourself of your weaknesses, dependencies and vices. Find strength without them, then you'll know what it means to wield them. You do not run before you can walk, so never wield a bow before you can throw a rock. Find your true inner strength, suffer as nature has then you can walk among it too.

To take this rite is to fully pledge yourself, even in the darkest times, the hardest decisions, you will take them with a heavy heart but you will make them with a steady hand. To hesitate will release your cowardice, always be prepared to deal in absolutes, there is no place for hesitation when you walk amongst nature, to hesitate is to die.

Find yourself in nature, detach yourself for a week and learn to survive in the wild with nothing but the linen on your back. Only when you have suffered in nothingness will you deserve the tools you depend on. Blind yourself and hunt, show that you are not held down by your dependencies, that you don't need your gifts or the tools civilization has catered you on.

Only when you have shown your dedication to these tenants may you recite the oath:

In Common

"Nature is but the chaos for survival, serenity is false,

The chaos will bring me strength,

The strength will lead me to victory,

Through these victories I am free from my vices,

Aspects guide me, ichor runs through my veins."

Sigil of Passion

Once a Naelurir has had their oaths and dedicated themselves to this path shall their bear the sigil of this path. To be tattooed by a priest who walks the same path. This is a sign of your oath, and your dedication, therefore a Naelurir who bares it should wear it proudly.

“Aspects guide me, ichor runs through my veins.”

[!] The tome can be found around the dominion and the groves.

I - HAPPINESS IS THE FALSE NARRATIVE 

Ichorians for centuries have thrown themselves into the heat of danger and suffering, for a false narrative. It was always understood that the true fight for supremacy came to those who found themselves spilling blood for their righteous cause. The cause many chose to inherit was that of utter weakness. To truly be strong is to deny oneself the toxic ideas of safety and complacency, even at the height of one's power, you must continue to demand more. If you rose to overcome your suffering, your strength was not adequate, your suffering was inadequate. To be as a dragon is, you must not find strength so that you may bring upon peace, you must demand strength so that you can continue to declare war.

It is understandable that many would cling to their power as a means of preserving what comforts they have left in their life. To truly understand the ideas of the Ichorian Way however one must fathom that absolute power only comes to those obsessed with pain and suffering. The ails of life are the only fuel that will cause a Druii to surpass their mortal limit and adapt, to reach the apex of nature and fight for life, death and territory as the beasts do.

II - CHALLENGE YOUR MIND

The coddling of your havens have developed a weakness of the mind akin to a domesticated animal. Like a pet once released into the chaos of nature, unconditioned, they will soon perish. It has been observed amongst the Druii. Although you possess gifts both by blessing and birthright which allow you to survive if necessary, take those tools away and the weakness within you will consume.

To be one with nature, one MUST be wild. You must treat every creature like a potential threat, every desire as life or death. If someone were to deny you your want you must force it from them, if you are to die in this process then your body failed your mind. Do not let fear or cultural ideas cloud your own sovereign desires, there is no commune but the righteousness of your own passion. Fear and cowardice are the enemy, deny yourself this reprise and demand strength in your body to match the demands of your mind.

III - SUFFERING IS THE ALLY NOT THE ENEMY

Through the letting of blood one finds their inner strength. Deny yourself the idea you may die, or you may lose, if that is the case then walk the Eternal Forest with pride. The meaning of life is to suffer, it is the only reason to wake and to fight. To bleed is to know you are alive, to bleed more than your adversaries is to become as the gods are. The rivers that fill the creeks bare the blood of the Aspects, as their blood runs they still live, for they have the power to be so.

Find your power in knowing that the strength you cultivate is not that which will liberate you from your pain but will allow you to handle more pain than anyone could fathom. Through your responsibility to bare the burdens of nature, you must demand a higher responsibility of yourself. If this is what you cannot handle, you must push yourself to meet your responsibility or die trying, this is the only noble cause. If your responsibility generates stagnation, then you lack the responsibility that demands power.

IV - FAILURE IS THE OBJECTIVE

No creature is born powerful, it is a myth to believe that an Ichorian is always powerful. Ichorians in their nature as survivors. Those who have witnessed a death they could not prevent are blessed. If they have starved while watching a glutton eat, they are blessed. If you wake on a day and all you desire is vengeance you are strong.

To be blessed to bleed and wake the next day with the memory of your survival through trauma, you have the opportunity to walk our path. To fail along this path is to understand what is demanded from you to prevent a similar fate from occuring twice. On to the next battle to survive is the blessing of the Ichorian.

V - YOU CANNOT BE WEAK

Weakness is the curse that has caused the disbalance in nature. The Thuleans of old understood this deeply. It was through both the Druii and nature's shared suffering that their pain became a mutual sense of power. Nature cares little of our definitions of magic, it understands the righteousness of spilling blood in the honor of reclaiming the balance.

How then can a Druii justify their passiveness? To preserve what you can and condemn the rest to a fate you swore to prevent, while nature fights endlessly to preserve itself under the tyranny of civilization, how can you claim you do the same? To take the role of nature's guardian is a responsibility that demands power, but your fear allows you to flee, that is a path not awarded to a protector.

VI - TO FEAR PAIN IS TO BE DEAD ALREADY

Over the millenia Druii have been afraid of retribution by forces greater than themselves, which has cause them to become isolated an coddled. If the force is greater than you should work to match it, not bend a knee to it. If your faith in the Aspects is so strong then why do you have such little faith in nature's ability to develop your strength?

This fear will breed a coldness in you, one that masks your sadness and anger. This feeling of inferiority or powerlessness is a disease. Hold onto your passions, your emotions, it is the light that will direct you to the strength needed to wage the war your ideals demand. If you would ignore your responsibility and act as though you can do nothing then what difference is there to already being fated to death?

VII - YOU ARE WHAT YOU DEMAND

You will only ever be as strong as the desires that cling to your heart, your passions are where you will find the real Druii inside you. The blessing of the survivor is where the lessons become wisdom, relish in your pain as it creates the blueprint of your future. As your insecurities and inadequacies grow your opportunities will follow.

You will only understand what is missing until you need it, you must understand what you can’t do before you find the path to the can. Visualize the threat, the obstacle, adapt. Without adversity you will never know how to grow, like a budding plant you must grow towards your light, without your light you will be lost.

VIII - THE PATH OF MOST RESISTANCE

The only path worth traversing is the path of most resistance. It’s on this path that all your faults will be laid bare. A champion will only ever be as strong as his competition. If you refuse to continue to rise to every challenge that presents itself to you then your mind will always be imprisoned by the burdens of your own weakness. Through your passion your shackles are broken.

The Ichorian understanding of the past was in its infancy. This idea that you will be free from your burdens through power was misunderstood. Albeit a kernel of truth is within it, understand that once you are liberated from your burden your responsibility demands you adopt a heavier burden. A refusal to go back to war after your victory will be the meekness which will see you die in your next battle.

IX - LANGUAGE IS THE SIN OF CIVILIZATION

Words have power, this cannot be denied. The misuse of diplomacy has been the irk of Ichorians for centuries, however. An Ichorian should only ever speak in absolutes, statements, and demands. Like a wild beast demands you flee their nest. There is no discussion, those who would parley are to pluck at your weakness.

If the antagonist of your path is to deny you your demand then they must submit or die. If one is to ignore your statements then they will perish as a result of their own arrogance. If you truly seek power above all then there will be little room for words. Let the world know where you stand, let the world understand what it would mean to defy you, no more is needed.

X - BECOME THE DRAGON

Ichorians often tell tales of Dragons to their young; the truest apex of our times. To have become so powerful it is believed that suffering was their only form of love and happiness. To fight is their joy, to try to be killed is a sign of their dominance. Simply put; to be the biggest threat is to be declared the one who must be surpassed. It is through their nature they found their way to the top of the hierarchy of nature.

For any aspiring Ichorian, you must also live as though you are the greatest threat to all those who would deny what you demand. To die in this pursuit is to lay the path for the one who would surpass you, this is a great honor. Not all among us are destined to reach the peak of the mountains as the Dragons did, however all those who dare and demand to try are true Ichorians. Their blood is blessed, their life is witnessed and they will be met again in the Eternal Forest.

Perhaps I thought that writing down my convictions decreases their sanctity and purity. Perhaps I believed that my limited skill with a pen would not adequately portray the gravity and sincerity of the things I value. Possibly this piece, as a result of my jumbled thoughts, does not truly show what it is I am in the proper detail. Maybe even I fear that, if I live a long life, I will be required to write my contemplations again some day - a task I do not relish. Perhaps it is all of these things and many more. But here they are nonetheless. I hope that, when I am gone, future generations will find profit in these words and emulate the principles within. Maybe that is vanity, and the amateurish work will languish in obscurity instead. 

Nevertheless, continue on at your leisure, and continue our fight against the end. Now, I go to fight, and perhaps to die.

The Cinder Druid

IDEALS OF THE WARSWORN 

At the sunrise of all creation, the unknowable sculptor of all worldly things set out the blueprint for all that would be. Three beings of might and vision - Aenguls, deific entities in their own right, descended unto this newly forged plane and assigned themselves the endless task of maintaining the resplendence of what had been wrought. Flora of all varieties; plants, trees and flowers grew and flourished, decorating the world with a lush, lively verdance. But without maintenance, even that initial burst of life would wither and die. And so did the mother Cerridwen infuse the earth with her lifegiving touch. Trees stretched their roots and formed vast primordial forests, sprouting anew with life amid a sea of fungi and plant life. Grasses stretched from horizon to horizon as vast meadows, and the wilds were born. 

But life bloomed and flowered, continuing its ever-growth. Life bloomed so greatly that its vines and thickets risked throttling the entirety of the world. And so did the father Cernunnos join his companion and bring down a mighty spear, adding his gift to hers - the gift of death. The first animals awakened with their claws and fangs, devouring the mother’s fruits for their own sustenance. Plants and trees began to compete, some ascending to majesty while others were claimed by the cycle. But with the hunter god’s advent the balance grew imperiled once more. Death now weighed heavier than life, and Cerridwen’s creations gradually succumbed to destruction. And so did one final being complete the triarchy of wild gods, and give birth to the balance of the world. 

Then came the Four first ones and their flocks to inhabit the wilds and the forests and the plains that the aspects had brought to order. Meanwhile, did the triarchy merge their strengths into a single power and create their own dominion - a perfect throne from which to shield a perfect world for all time. Alas, the archenemy surged forth then upon wings of flame, to murder and break and despoil and maim. The shattered world and its protectors quailed and wept, Malin’s children routed to their final sept. The enemy failed and the nightmare did fade, but the world then would never break free of his shade. For all ages to come would the druii now fight, lest this broken plane be stolen by the blight. 

CONVICTIONS

“FIGHT OUR WAR, EVEN IF IT CANNOT BE WON”

The three divine aspects brought balance to a world unsullied by the archenemy’s black hand, unspoiled by the evils of outside parasites and all darknesses that have since come to infest it. Wage everlasting war to restore their creation to the ideal place it once was. Burn away blight and corruption wherever on the land you may find it. Bring Cernunnos’ wrath not only those twisted abominations brought into being by the aspects’ mortal foes, but also the vile traitor descendants that slave themselves to its dread cause. You are the vanguard.

CONTEMPLATIONS OF CINDER

“I am a creature of extremes. Someone must be.”

INNER IMBALANCE AS ULTIMATE BALANCE

Do not slave yourself to the flawed term balance. Do not allow the chained limitations of a mortal language imprison your inner fire. The ‘balance’ of the wild gods is the sum of nature and life in their ancient influence. Its order and its chaos, its growth and its death. All in perfect order with one another. In this way the components of the balance, in a contradictory twist, are actually not a balance at all, but an extremity on all sides that symbiotically oppose one another to become a balance, to become a complete whole. That complete, ferocious, delicate whole is what we protect as Mali. We, as Mali, however, are not the completed work. We are, each of us, an imperfect, gnarled root, cut leaf or snapped branch in the vastness of a great forest. Therefore, it is not our calling, nor is it natural at all to seek perfect balance within ourselves. An imperfect world of sorrow and loss has birthed imperfection and darkness in us. No one of us is capable of such an impossible task as to expunge this sickness completely. It is the brotherhood of all druii that unite in all their many imbalances and imperfections. Warrior druii - the warsworn; are claimed often by anger, by hatred and by bitterness in the pursuit of duty. We are but one, and our ways are good to the aspects. When you scorn the weak for their inability to do as you yourself are able to do, know in the back of your mind that they too are but leaves in the wind, settling into their allotted place within the aspects’ great work. Know it, but scorn them still. For such opposition, such conflict, such turmoil is the lifeblood of the ultimate balance, and is the way of life.

Remember, in the end, that neutrality, inactivity and passivity in the name of a spectral balance is folly. The greatest servants of the aspects have ever been those overpassionate druii, those beautiful few driven to act by the imperfections bestowed upon them by this ailed world.

INEVITABILITY OF THE END

It is indeed beyond doubt that, in the course of time, you will be granted the hunter-god’s gift and perish indeed, in spite of any agelessness you may possess as Mali. This is not a terror to be shunned. Nor is it the end of all things, as deceivers would have you believe. Rather, scorn the unworthy death. Do not waste your long years of strength and potential service sitting idly, performing vain duties and wallowing self-satisfaction while the encircling darkness continues to throttle the good. Do not discard your life in pointless or alien struggles, for it is a precious and rare thing. Do not commit suicide. Such an act disgraces what the aspects and your peers have done for you. Do, however, seek out the foes of the aspects and stand in their path no matter the great danger to your life. To forfeit one's own life to shield the balance against a mortal threat is not a waste, it is the greatest triumph we can achieve. Thereafter, your kin will cry your hallowed name as they charge into the wars to come, and your gods will embrace you in their great forest realm with open arms. 

Now, to the greater matter. Inevitability is not merely restricted to the end of we mortal creatures, but the balance itself, and the world it sustains. Accept, when you take up the sword, that it may be ultimately in vain. You may mete out Cernunnos’ wrath on a thousand thousand enemies. And yet, the very next may be the one to destroy everything the druii have toiled millennia to protect. The betrayer archenemy’s first great despoiling did unto the world a terrible, terrible injury, from which it may eventually bleed out and die a long death. It may be dying as I write this, as you read this. Accept this as truth. Only then will find yourself girded against the creeping pull of hopelessness. To struggle against the end is victory in itself, whether in the end we are finally defeated. And if that day ever comes when the final failure is complete, let the foes of the aspects remember your name and your blade. Let the thought of it fill their ‘victorious’, blackened souls with dread from beyond the veil. In that, we win anyway.

Then, when you have accepted and overcome the inevitable fall of every good you stand for, only then you may draw upon the sliver of light. The speck of hope that one day, long, long from now, we may truly win, and finally live in peace and harmony without need for the warsworn.

EMBODY FORTITUDE, NOT CRUELTY

As a warrior devoted to defending the balance, a druii must grow harsh, ruthless and sometimes even brutal in order to effectively carry out their role in an increasingly bleak world. A mewling innocent irreversibly corrupted by the archenemy therefore may need to be mercy-killed A warsworn must act without qualm or hesitation in such a circumstance, despite the outwardly dirty nature of the deed. Do what must be done. Know that constant exposure to such harrowing situations is likely to bleed unwittingly into a soul. Be vigilant of this inner poison, and do not allow such dark emotions to dominate your relationship with kith and kin. Do not take pleasure in the pain you must inflict, and do not inflict pain on those who are not your enemies. Be a paragon to those about whom you care, so that others may emulate your laudable qualities, and later do the same. Put aside, but do not forget your bitterness, your anger and your scorn for the enemies of the aspects at home. If heartlessness, cruelty and brutality rules the heart of a long-serving druii, then the aspects’ enemies have already defeated them. Are those monstrous creatures not also heartless, cruel and brutal? Do not emulate them. Slay them, and go home grateful that you are able to go home. 

ON THE ARTACENDRE AND REDEMPTION

Artacendre - the divine cinder - denotes a particular history or myth that took place at an undetermined point during the immediate decades following the year First Age 1400. The harrowing series of events, fictional or no, serve as the founding legends of Clan Csarathaire, passed down through the centuries since. From within the loamy earth of these scattered tales can be mined lessons of considerable use for the druii and mali of today. The story can be told in detail elsewhere, but I will give a brief summary here. Fleeing valah persecution in the lands of Anthos, a great caravan of assorted Mali refugees ventured into the untrodden waste between continents, seeking a life of peace and harmony. They found neither. After becoming caught in an ice storm or blizzard, the beleaguered Mali were massively reduced in number and almost wiped out. Then, burning wings of fire spread and split the sky, burning away the cold and providing succour to the desperate. Many saw this being as a representation of the aspects, and some versions of the tale do indeed state this. That is a lie. The great phoenix was a degenerated nightmare creature, masquerading majesty for its own gain. A creature of the archenemy returned, drawn like a malevolent moth to the familiar flame of Malin’s children suffering, just as they had so many ages before. The beast bound them in service, and they betrayed the aspects in their desperation. Csarathaire was forged from scattered husks, remnants of an apocalypse, into a clan of traitors. 

As newly turned slaves of this ancient, blazing terror, the Mali clan Csarathaire burned and razed in its dark name for years and then decades, committing atrocities and blasphemies fortunately lost to the scouring sandstorm of time. But the traitor phoenix-bearers grew into warriors of legend, forgetting their old purposes and, one and all, taking up the sword in the name of their terrible master. They were to serve in the final armies of darkness when the archenemy returned. But it was not to be. Memories of old returned in dreams, memories of gods once held dear, now discarded. A terrible kinstrife took place, setting the archenemy’s thralls against the unredeemed, who sought to free their people from the horror that had ensnared them. Most of Clan Csarathaire is said to have died casting off the blackened phoenix, and those guilty who lived killed themselves soon after. Only one branch of this clan is said to have survived, and its lone living member eventually arrived in Axios. Take from this tale that redemption, even from the greatest treacheries, is possible through the greatest of sacrifices. Take from this that the valah are never to be truly trusted again for their age-old crimes. You may conclude alliance with them, deal with them to defeat common enemies, but they will never be our friends again. Finally, learn a lesson that even against the steepest of odds, facing the greatest enemies, victory is possible in the aspects’ name.

CERNUNNOS’ FIRE

Despite their care for the state of our world and for us, their faithful, the aspects elect to maintain a safe distance. The wisdom in their choice is easy to see for those who look with open eyes. When gods descend to this place, destruction follows, willingly or not. And so the aspects, in their divine wisdom, lend aid however they can in order to keep the mortal world safe. They grant us a pale fragment of their power in the gift. They grant us tools with which to shield the balance, and send their created servants to serve as a vanguard against the dark. Counted among these gifts is fire. Cernunnos’ gift is death and endings, so that other life might continue to flourish. When an old forest becomes choked with vile rot and unlife, and begins an unending decay, flames wipe away the dead wood in a holy conflagration, and then feed the bare earth so that rejuvenation may occur. When evil emerges and the land grows ill, too ill for the tender gift to touch, fire scours away the blight and burns its spawn to ashes. That may of course beg the question: why does the gift not include fire? Simple. To contain the might of the inferno into a pale shadow of the aspects’ strength that is their gift to us would attempt to control its power, and thereby limit its effectiveness. Fire is an uncontrolled sanction for when all else has failed. In that, it is Cernunnos’ greatest gift. A deathbringer of great purity, and a restorer of life. Let the world burn, rather than fall to corruption.

VOIDAL PARASITISM

Words such as these are so redundant as to be utterly pointless, but they must be set in stone regardless, such is the world we inhabit. Any influence drawn from the outerplane parasite that is the malignant void, and any individual that either suckles from its malice or sympathises with those who do, are worthy of nothing but extermination. As all parasites are keen to do, the void and its repugnant monstrosities infest all that is good and right, spreading and destroying until it has devoured its fill of life. Slay, burn and expunge each and every single creature spat forth from the nightmare realm that is the void until they can no longer harm the world. Any profession, by druii or the aspects’ ‘faithful’, that the void plays any role, however slight, within the aspects’ balance is betrayal of the highest order. It is an ultimate, cunning lie, designed to subvert and weaken the resolve of those warriors who would defend life. Dread legends of black necromancy and other evil ‘dark’ magicks are no different from those blighted by the void. While taint and blight originates from the cursed archenemy, voidal malignancy originates from an equally dark source, however disguised it may seem. Abhor each with equal vigour, and punish their abusers.

HONOUR IN COMBAT

Grant honourable conduct unto those to whom honour holds meaning. The aspects’ faithful warriors must have a code, a series of principles to bind their lethal prowess to a just, upright cause. We are not unbound monsters akin to the uruk. Deliver on promises to kin and comrades. When testing yourself in combat against fellow brother warriors, fight face-to-face, blade to blade, fist to fist. Do not degrade yourself with trickery, deceit or underhanded tactics to achieve an undeserved triumph. Cernunnos values skill, strength, agility and tenacity in his loyal warriors, not the contemptible ploys of a coward. But to those monstrous beasts commanded by such forces as the archenemy or the great parasite, honour holds no weight. Furthermore, it is inevitable that the ways of a warsworn warrior druii are extreme, and not suited to all. There are those who, rather than taking up the spear and sword, were instead granted great skill in craftsmanship and other peaceable things. 

As an addendum to serving the aspects and protecting their instituted balance in the world, it is also your duty to protect those faithful mali kin who are incapable of protecting themselves. Whether they are incapable of fighting by choice or not is immaterial, protect them regardless. Defend any endangered oem’ii you come across with your own life, for they are the precious lifeblood of our people. Defend your lari’onn’an who harbour oem’ii within them, for they are among the greatest warriors of our race to birth the next generation. Place yourself between the evil and the vulnerable, and only give way when Cernunnos’ gift takes you. Last of all on this matter, never underestimate any foe, from the greatest of dragons to the humblest of halflings. Approach each and every clash with the same severe, focused mentality. Hubris is the death of victory.

ESCAPING COMFORT

If only for a short time, leave the tepid warmth and luxury of the deep forests we call home and experience the extremities of the world beyond, for they are also the aspects’ domain. Venture into the icebound tundras and the snow-capped peaks, risking bitter cold and tumbling snows. Delve into the most barren deserts of sand and stone, enduring scalding heat and its many illusions. Intentionally deprive yourself of abundant food and water. Know what it is to starve like an animal, for a time, and to have your mind bent towards nothing but survival. Therefore, learn gratitude for your place as a part of the aspects’ favoured people, at the apex of their assigned hierarchy. Realise your fortune at being able to act on and protect the balance, rather than an animal buffeted around by the often brutal winds of the natural world. When the grim necessity of war draws near and you are called to stand in the aspects’ service, expose yourself willingly to all the terrors you may face. Oppose them with your back upright and your blade raised. Do not fear such monstrosities. Rather, hate and revile them for what they have done, and what they represent. Then, when you have triumphed over the enemy and done the aspects’ work, allow yourself a moment of rest and dignified relaxation. 

ATTUNEMENT & THE GIFT

In many druii circles and cadres, the act of attunement has become routine and casual, rushed through as a mere formality on the way to receiving the aspects’ great gift. This is an untenable state of affairs to any person who claims to worship the wild gods. Those who are, in truth, unworthy, often undergo the experience due to the neglect or lacking care of their tutor. Let it be known and declared that the moment of connection is perhaps the most perfect moment in the life of a druii of the faith. Amid kith and kin the dedicant is placed into an ethereal sleep by their mentor and given a vision by the aspects themselves. They are graced by the power of the gods, who bequeath them a small portion of might to carry out their duties. Although cities, when weaved into the land in the proper manner, have a place in the aspects’ order, such bustling places abuzz with intrigue and chatter are no place to conduct the divine measure of attunement. Instead, venture out into the wilds and perform the act there, in a glade where the veil between us and the gods is thinner. It is not only a duty for the mentor to judge whether or not the student is ready and prepared to take the final step, it is the role of the student also to understand their own worthiness. If one is not yet ready for the responsibility, there is no shame in admitting it. Rather, be shamed if you steal the aspects’ gift when unable to fulfil your role.

BLADED HEXARCH OF THE WARSWORN

Warrior-druii who wish to bear a symbol of consequence, of accomplishment and of strength need look no further than the bladed hexarch. This tattoo, to be placed on either the centre of the back or the centre of the chest, is actually a fusion of six individual markings. Three separate segments of a split circle represent the aspects and their cycle. Three blades pierce the empty spaces between the circle segments, intersecting to form a secondary triangle. Each of these individual markings should be earned, before it is placed on one’s own body to form a collective whole.

TEACHINGS

Having committed oneself to worshipping the aspects and furthering their purpose for this world by the means of a blade, a warsworn must be granted the steeliest possible education and training in all necessary fields. This foundation of knowledge must focus on the martial, for a good druii is naught if not martial, with a background of history, so that the aspirant will know their heritage and what it is they fight for. 

FAITH

So that their path may remain clear in the mind, the aspiring druii should be tutored in the ways of the aspects, with a focus on Cernunnos - the hunter god, patron of warriors and bringer of death. More complex questions should also be discussed concerning the nature of the balance, its purpose and other things. When the tutor then deems their student worthy, they may begin speaking of greater topics such as the eternal forest. Methods of ritual, ceremony and rite should also be spoken of, that the student may be able to devote themselves as befits their personality. 

HISTORY

The druii and the mali race in its entirety are both plagued by lies and deceit meant to undermine Malin’s descendants and cast them away from the aspects’ rightful path. Often has our race suffered from these lies, such is the state in which we find ourselves today. Even a basic grasp of history, both recent and far, provides a firm anchor onto which a student might cling in the roiling ocean of false assertions. Teachings of this kind ought to include ancient accounts of how the aspects first came and brought balance to nature, how the Elvenfather Malin took counsel with them and the subsequent creation of the druii. Focus ought to be placed on the archenemy’s great war against the world and its terrible consequences. Other topics from the far-past include Malin’s great kingdom and its dissolution, the dawn of the Mali’ame and the Garthonian War. Recent history may include the Great Slaying of Mali at imperial hands in Anthosia, together with the war against the scourged dragon Setherien, the archenemy’s near return and other important events. 

COMBAT

The aspects’ order is perennially plagued by atrocities of all shades that wish it dire harm, and so a druii must be ready to confront and destroy them, whatever they may be. It is prudent to specialise in the use of one specific weapon type, such as swords, spears, axes or whatever you may wish, together with varieties of protective equipment. However, while gaining mastery in your chosen armament is a step toward ultimate prowess, do not focus only on it. Almost all druii alive at the time this text is released will still feel the heartache and rage of Emerald Sage Awaiti Aureon’s loss. This loss was caused, in part, by warriors not possessing the correct weapon skills to deal with the foe at hand. If the weapon which you are masterful in practicing is a bladed weapon, also take up a warhammer or axe as a secondary weapon to ensure that, whatever enemy emerges, you are able to kill it. Learn also of the various kinds of god-imbued weapons and the feats of which they are capable.

Thus draws to a close the Ideals of Brother Cinder; giving way to an empty void into which a warrior yet unborn might carve a chapter for their own.

The beast watches from the trees
and waits its turn to strike.
Day and night — snow and rain.
Come, the chance to bite.

Days pass by and limbs grow weak—
muscles ache and breath becomes meek.
Death comes swift with a whine and grunt:
For they waited too long; neglected to hunt.

The animal who does not hunt dies. They wait in their burrow for food to arrive; someday it might. It longs for the opportunity to eat, but it forgets that a forest of opportunity awaits those who act.

So, too, do we. We grow content with our philosophies and beliefs. We long for the chance to speak wise words and take action should it present itself to us first. We are not leaders unless called to lead; we are not guides unless the student seeks us out. This is not the way.

The Warden’s Way is for druids who are proactive in their beliefs. It encourages members to forfeit the luxury of passivity to seek out new and challenging opportunities to make the natural world a better place. In this path, to believe is to do — words are meaningless without actions.
 

PRINCIPLES OF THE WARDENS

PARENTHOOD

To be a parent is a commitment unmatched. Whether by blood or favor, we must act as parents to our kin. Support the endeavours of those we look after and push them to become the best at all they set their mind to. Allow natural lessons to run their course and be prepared to comfort and support loved ones when they fall. Love all who you take under your wings and never betray the compassion and faith you have in one another.

Many servants of the path opt to have apprentices, children and students in their pursuit of parenthood. Actively training, raising and teaching a young child provides ample opportunity and incentive in fulfilling the need to guide as a father or mother. Parenthood takes many forms, but it should always be at the forefront of a follower’s mind.
 

LEADERSHIP

Do not wait to become a leader — become one. Lead your kin and give them motive to follow. If ever someone needs support, you will offer it. If ever a call to action arises, you will accept. If ever someone gives you their trust, give them a reason to. Lead from among your kin and never stand above them.

To become leaders, followers create guilds or join militant groups. Communities like these allow us to nurture our skills and desires while also providing servitude to those we care for. Others actively teach people outside of their inner circle and become a leader of culture — like Laetranis of the seed Tahorran.

COURAGE

Never allow yourself to be the second to rise to a challenge — always be the first to step forward. You must take responsibility and punishment when it is due to you. Do not falter in your convictions. Do not allow fear to drive you — only ambition, pride and duty. Never turn your back to a foe.

Courage is fostered by making yourself uncomfortable. Conflict is natural and to run away from it is useless. Stand before debates, trials, combat and insults regardless of the source. If you choose to stand, you will remain standing. Having this courage is the only way to truly find justice in the world.

JUSTICE

Never allow injustice to go unanswered — even if it brings undue prejudice and danger. Evil dies in the light, and you shall be its torchbearer. You must also willfully admit your faults when a mistake has been made. To be truthful and earnest is required to deliver justice. The punishments you deal must be reserved: wanton destruction brings no peace.

DUTY

You must draw arms — be them physical or otherwise — when a threat comes for your loved ones, community or natural order. You must serve without hesitation and encourage others to do so, too. You must protect the weak and defenseless — to actively seek out the evils of our world and purge them. You must strive to remove unfairness, cruelness and deception from the realm. To falter in one’s commitments and servitude is to be marred with cowardice.

Duty is spawned from a sense of pride in that which you serve. Be it a nation, a guild or a druidic order, you must take joy in that which you give to and honor that joy by devoting yourself to it. The obligation of duty can only exist if you will it.

OUR PURPOSE

“To resolve only the affairs we see is to abide the travesties we are blind to. Bear the light of justice wherever you go, torchbearer.”

Words without action are useless; actions without purpose moreso. A fair and just leader is needed to bring justice, unity and initiative to the world. A warden is required to hold these principles and strive for peace among kin. The initiative required to be a follower of the Warden’s Way is great.
 

OUR ORDER

The Warden’s Way has no specified hierarchy or structure. Respect is what guides the members who claim to follow the path. All rites and principles are not enforced, but to ignore them would leave you less of a follower than those around you. As leaders, we must make the decisions as to what we believe and how convicted we are in these beliefs. You must be a leader and stand by what you claim to maintain. There is no easy path.

The Founder of the Warden’s Way is Onas Vuln’miruel. He claims no special claim to the principles nor those who follow it. He is here to guide as all Wardens are meant to do.

OUR DISTINCTION

You can often identify a Warden by the way they engage with their community and the natural world. They are leaders and paragons of justice. Many of the faith wear deep oranges and reds to symbolize the ever present reality of death — like leaves on an oak tree in Autumn. Members also refer to one another by many names: Warden, mal’onn, maln, haelun. Due to the Way’s reverence for parenthood, such titles can be interpreted to show a level of respect and care for one another. Regardless, members often see one another as a family outside of their own.

RITES OF THE WARDENS

THE ANNILER

This is a sacred rite of the Warden’s Way; however, it is very simple. Followers must nurture their growth into the role of leadership and initiative. To do this, they are tasked with the following: to guide elves — old and new — from the borders of the woodland realm to the home of the elves and druids for one year.

This task is meant to breed competent, patient and trustworthy leaders. Days will be spent at the border with no travelers to speak of. Bandits and other predators may prove to be a threat. A follower of the Warden’s Way, however, will overcome all of these obstacles and create familial bonds with those they guide across the woodlands safely.

THE TAELU

Failure is an important part of growth. However, being content in your failings is dangerous. A follower of the Warden’s Way must answer for all of their mistakes and failings.

If you have failed someone, you must speak with them and reach an understanding. Be it good or bad, it must be fair. If you have failed in any other regard, you must do your best to right the wrong and bring peace to both yourself and that which is involved. Only by addressing our imperfections can we seek to become proud once more.

THE MALN

Parenthood is one of the key aspects of the Warden’s Way. Without the ability to protect, guide and love those who we oversee, we are not just leaders. This trial calls upon followers to grow their “family of favor”. Undertake responsibility in a dramatic way — begin a guild, start a family, become a captain.

This trial is deceptive, though, for taking on such a heavy responsibility is not easily attained. This task is meant to be completed over time and with the intent to maintain your status long after the trial has finished.

14th of The First Seed, 1785.

Throughout the existence of the Order, the Druids have kept tabs on major events, occurrences and changes within the Order. These happenings have been recorded into the ages by differing scribes throughout the times by varying Druids. The most recent addition, from Axios to Arcas, was scribed by Trout Druid Kasfer.

Aegian History

The Age Of Founding And The Before Times

An elf arrived on Laurelin’s shores, brought by strange winds. The Wayward Druid Respiren Nox, the First Druid, had come to Aegis. Though little is known of him, it is thought that he travelled from a distant land, and a distant Circle to spread the seeds of Druidism- it is known that he thought himself a sewer of Circles, and was said to refer to the saplings he carried as the seeds of Groves to come. His beginnings were of a modest shack in the Holy Forest of Laurilen, though the intrigue that surrounded him soon drew others to his cause. As more and more Druids and Dedicants drew near to hear his teachings, the shack eventually grew into the massive construct that was the Grand Tree- a sprawling lifeform renowned for its endless tunnels, passages, and secrets. Generations of Druids built upon the ancient Grove, each adding its own layer until the colossal tree dwarfed all others, all drawn by the mystique of the Founder, and later, the Order he created.. Some of Respiren’s first and most notable disciples were Swifthide, Native, Petyr, and Aeirea, each of whom would go on to be important figures in Druidic Lore.

The First Age of Reconstruction

The First Age of Reconstruction was ushered in by the initiation of Dragon Druid Apollan into the Order. Apollan was the first to express interest in joining the Order after reading the "Myth of the Great War" and spent long hours in the Druid grotto after he was famously murdered outside the gates of Laurelin by a bandit. Apollan quickly moved up the ranks. Meanwhile, the Order grew. After initiating Apollan, Respiren expressed interest in 'rebuilding the Order'. Every day, new citizens of Aegis would show up in the grove wanting to become Druids. Most were immediately initiated. As the Order grew, so did a number of things including property and knowledge. During this time the order gained a lodge in Ravenhold, as well as one in the Laurelin docks. Additionally, two stalls were bought at the Laurelin Marketplace and hundreds of books were added to the Order's library.

The Age of Abandonment

Unfortunately, due to extremely casual and non-uniform initiation rites of the Wayward Druid, people were joining the Circle, only to wander into the wilderness never to be seen again. With no established Hierarchy, the Order lacked organisation and purpose. This was made apparent when an elf named Rowan arrived. Archdruid Rowan, arrived from a far off forest, seeking to re-establish his lost Circle, the Druids of Mother Aegis. Rowan is most likely the only citizen to have argued with the Order's ways. His only backing for the title of Druid was that he 'had a love of nature'. When Rowan became annoyed by the fact that he had to be initiated in order to be allowed into the inner library he stormed off claiming he would start his own order somewhere else. Rowan was last seen entering the wilds outside his home in the Ravenlodge, and was never heard from or seen from again. Fortunately the dark Age of Abandonment was brought to an end by the light of the Dawn Druid Maiavel.

The Age of Reformation

The Age of Reformation was brought on by the ideas and drive of one Maiavel. With her determination, she was able to rally the remaining Druids to create an official lore, hierarchy, rules, and sense of order. Her contribution was critical in giving the Order many of the things that define it today, and brought order to an otherwise unruly mob. Standardised teaching, clear duties, and a focused objective were brought into focus by the now-renowned Druid.

The Second Age of Reconstruction

During the second age of Reconstruction many more books were written and a Grand Tree in the Laurelin Grove was planted. New Dedicants were brought in but less frequently than in the first age, and the initiation process was more careful and uniform. During this age, the current Hierarchy was established with Apollan as Archdruid.

The Age of Knowledge

The Age of Knowledge was ushered in by Petyr, the Salmon Druid. His creation of the "Dedicant's Vow" and the "Attunement Ceremony" greatly helped the Order as did his other ideas, including spearheading the wiki.

The Age of Mushroom Transgressions

This age was brought about by the conflict caused by the differing ideals in the Order. Some Druids were becoming increasingly annoyed at the restriction that came with having a grove in the city (where trees/mushrooms could or could not be planted and the structure of the Druid tree). Other Druids argued that it was their duty to promote balance, and that the runway growth of mushrooms flowing from the grove was nowhere near natural. Some Druids wanted a new grove to be created outside the city and faraway. Others wanted the grove to be close. Still others did not want a new grove at all. However, it is important to note that most of these arguments were caused by misunderstandings, which is why this age is sometimes called the Age of Misunderstanding or the Age of Confusion.

The Age of Renovation

In the end, most mushrooms were removed from the grove when Maiavel stamped her foot and the mushrooms instantly broke (but were thoughtlessly left on the ground, only to be swept up by Deltaro). A new, secret grove was set up in the wilderness outside Ravenhold, (notable work from Mahten and Aeaira whom spent days working on the road leading to civilization). The Laurelin Grove continued to be renovated and improved on, with notable work contributed by Lunar Druid Bircalin and Dedicant Deltaro.

Post-Dream History

The First Age of Dreaming

For a long time it seemed that Nature was silent. For a great length of time, none had seen any feats spoken about in the ancient Druid tales. But then, as if a seed was planted, nature began to speak, and each Druid began to dream mysterious dreams. It was the Aspects of nature, Cerridwen and Cernunnos, calling to their newly found children. Wayward Druid Respiren called a Moot to discuss these dreams, leading into…

The Age of the Aspects

The Moot decided to embrace the two Aspects as their primary deities. Spurred by the particularly keen visions of the Salmon Druid Petyr, the Druids adopted the now keystone patrons of their faith- Cerridwen, the Aspect of Fertility and Growth, and Cernunnos, the Horned God, Aspect of the Hunt.

The Age of Little Occurrence

Nothing happened for a while, except for a few little things. There was a small Hierarchy change; The Archdruid position was given to three people and the Grand Druid's description was changed. John and Maiavel were promoted to Archdruids but Maivel soon retired. Her spot was filled by Petyr. Cleric Druid Mahten was also promoted to the rank of Druid Guide. A small recruiting strategy was initiated.

The Second Age of Renovation

During this age, the Laurelin Grove experienced a number of additions. A wall was created around the grove with a retractable gate. This was done to keep out a number of citizens that were harassing the Druids. In addition, all the entrances were covered up so that one must always use the front gate. More additions to the grove included: a kitchen, a melon and pumpkin farm, the cultivation of the Grand Tree's roots deeper into the ground, a tree farm, an elevator system and Druid dwellings at the top of the Grand Tree. Much of the growing was done by the Dusk Druid, who was a key player in helping the Grove take its massive height.

The Age of Poor Judgement

A lot of inner-Order augments and bad feelings culminated in this Age. Multiple parties were involved and no side was completely right. The end result was the leaving of Seeker Druid Deltaro from the Order. The bad taste left in the mouth of many Druids caused Apollan to create the Druid Code.

The Second Age of Little Occurrence

During this age, as its name would imply, not many things happened. The grove was given another renovation, mostly for aesthetic purposes. In addition, a Druid Order forum account was created as well as a blog. Unfortunately during this time, Archdruid John's mental health was also starting to slide.

The Second Age of Dreaming

During this age Salmon Druid Petyr had a vision in which the creation myth was shown to him by the Aspects. It foretold of the time before the four races and a great exodus to come. A second Moot was called and all in attendance agreed to accept the vision as truth.

The First Age of Mourning

Unfortunately during this time, John's mental state grew worse. One day, John snapped. Among a number of things he attacked the Dusk Druid. He then fled to his soul tree (Which he named Marcus) located in the pond outside the Laurelin Grove. There he made his last stand. The Druids present at the time were Dusk, Mahten, Apollan, Respiren, Saviticus and Thork the Betrayer (Thork the Blood Druid). In addition, several princes and bystanders were also there. John stood on the roots of his soul tree and attacked anyone who came near. There was a standoff for some time until all at once the Druids charged the tree. While some traded blows with John, Apollan worked to purify the water around the tree for he sensed that there was a taint at work. Suddenly the Dusk Druid produced an axe and chopped at the soul tree until only one column was left. It was then that; with that ability to see inside the tree, Apollan discovered the taint in the form of a block of netherrack. Before Apollan could share his discovery, Thork went into a blood lust. He cut down the last column of the tree rendering John unconscious. Then Thork stabbed John's body, killing him. In the days following, Thork was shunned for violating Druid Code. John's tree was turned into the place of his burial where his body was burned and the ashes scattered around Laurelin. His will named Mahten as his replacement as Archdruid.

The Age of Expansion

During this age, the Nature's Bounty chain was expanded by one new store on Kings Road. The Order was also expanded by one new member. Zannith (to be added later), the 10 year old son of the Dusk Druid and an unknown Elf moved into the grove. Much to the dismay of one Bircalin. Zannith later left the Druid grove to join the wardens and later committed suicide by jumping from the Grand Tree.

The Age of Knowledge

During this age the Druids took control of the library of the Cloud Temple of Aegis. Petyr also retired from his position as Archdruid and became a Hierophant. Dusk Druid Aeaira was elected to fill the spot and Saviticus became Head Teacher.

The Second Age of Mourning

During this age Archdruid Mahten transformed his entire being into a tree in the grove. As a result of his sacrifice, Druid Dusk was named(in his will) as successor to the position of Archdruid. In this time she began to bring new life to the Druids Tree, ushering forth growth and spread of new branches, and brought a new generation of Druids into the Dedicant rank.

The Second Age of Expansion

During this age, the Druid Order and Grand tree grew exponentially.

The Third Age of Mourning

During this age, Archdruid Apollan and Dusk we killed under mysterious circumstances. Apollan's position was given to his close friend Horizon Druid Makia and Dusk's position was given to Fox Druid

The Age of Poor Logic

During this age, everything the Druids knew was proven to be incorrect. Petyr proved that wood doesn't exist, then proved that it does. He also proved that magic isn't real, and that water is fake. Unable to hold all this nonsense, Archdruid Darrian was convinced that he had gone crazy and was only dreaming. After jumping to his death from the top of the Grand Tree, Faey Druid Vanyariel took his position as Archdruid.

The Age of Activism

During this age, many Druids had visions foretelling a coming destruction of all of Aegis. The Druids took it upon themselves to find and recover all ancient artifacts of Aegis so that they may be saved from the end and brought with them to new lands. With the help of High Princess Indelwehn, the Druids were led to the Druid Tree at the docks. There she showed them the Shadow Circle, a compound underneath the tree created by Apollan and Respiren to store the First Staff, Seed, and Sapling. It was later learned that Indelwehn believed the artifacts to be fake and intended to fool the Druids. But they were real and were taken back to the Mother Grove. Next, the Druids traveled to Galahar where they valiantly defended the city from an attack by bandits. They then asked the King for permission to excavate under the city in search of another artifact which they believed to be stored under the city. The King agreed but only if the Druids agreed to teach him magic. They also agreed. After many weeks, in which the Druids found a number of things, they broke into a grand cavern with a sandstone pyramid in the center. Inside the pyramid contained the Golden Mushroom and the Crystal Mushroom. These two were taken back to the Mother Grove. Next the Druids travel to the Mage's Guild House in South Laurelin. Inside the Mages Guild House was an artifact, an enchanted sword called The Bane of Arthropods. The Sword was rightfully the Druids' but the Mages refused to relinquish it. Negotiations were had with a Mage, Deltaro Black but they did not come to fruition. Finally using the combined power of eight Druids present, the force field surrounding the chest containing the sword and it's locks were forced open. The Druid then took the sword, bidding a hasty retreat and brought the sword back to the Mother Grove.

The Age of Treaties

During this age, peace was finally made between the Druid Order and the Mages Guild in the form of a contract written by the Druids. Although people tend to forget that the treaty was basically and utterly forgotten within the next five minutes of its creation.

The Age of Hasty Movement

During this age, the Order moved around quite a bit. First, they left the Laurelin Grove due to the fact of a rumor that all of Laurelin would explode after Vardak opened a portal at the Gauntlet. The Order took up residence in the Rose Grove for sometime after, though the miasma from the newly-created nether portal never reached the Grand Tree. The Druids and the Mages beat a hasty alliance, working together as one in an attempt to eradicate the taint entirely, though they found Iblees’ power to be too great., however. The Order eventually retreated back to their home forests as the Northern cities near which the Rose Grove was located began to fall to the Undead. With nowhere to go, the Druids grimly prepared to defend their forest. Afterwards, when the Cloud Temple fell, and with it, Lauirlen, the last of the Races’ homelands, the Order (artifacts and all) packed up and moved to the Verge. This age ended when Aegis was overtaken by the Undead and all of the inhabitants of Aegis traveled to the new lands of Asulon.

Asulonian History

The Age of Schisms

Upon arriving in Asulon, the Druid Order found themselves in disarray. Although there was much to be explored and to be done, this once great Order was reduced to small numbers in the treacherous waves of sea and the separation from each other by leagues of land. When finally congregating back in Elandriel, the Druids began casting their prayers to the Aspects in request of a great new grove. However, even as the ground began blooming before them, internal conflicts arose between the Druids, resulting in Archdruid Delfyr being removed from his position. Overcome with righteousness and anger towards the motives of some other druids, Rose Druid Delfyr and his once apprentice, Soul Druid Arik, made the decision to split the Order and bring about the Age of Schisms. Although this was a difficult decision, the Order as a whole emerged stronger for it, for the split of the Order had been the prophecy of the Head Teacher, Saviticus Irongut, who had urged the Soul Druid to speak with the Rose Druid years previously. In response, preparations had been made that ultimately brought both Circles out better. Both Circles became nearly empty, as the land of the Elves became less and less populated. During this time, Ice Druid Jameson was elected Grand Druid, and Wolf Druid Ouity was promoted to the position of Archdruid.

The Age of Reunion

Many Druids gathered one day -Jameson, Arik, Ouity, and a few others- and journeyed to Solace. Upon mounting the fertile land, they grew adamant that this was where they wished to stay, and in a unanimous vote, reunited the Circles after hastily calling a moot. After the moot, Twilight Druid Evelyn was shunned from the order for her lack of faith in the Aspects, and was last seen by any Druid fleeing the Alrasian army on a count of murder. The Druids were given a plot of land outside Solace, and construction on the new grove commenced.

The Age of Disarray

Soon, after the influx of new Druids and Dedicants into the Order in the 'Age of Reunion', the Order soon started seeing its key members disappearing. The 'Age of Disarray' began after the sudden disappearance of Archdruid Arik and the fall of Salvus. With the destruction of Salvus, the amount of visitors to the Mother Grove grew few and the Mother Grove became more secluded from the outside world. While its sister grove in Skravia flourished, the Mother Grove grew more and more desolate. The appointment of a new Head Teacher seemed to stem the tide of decline in the Mother Grove, with new Dedicants flocking to the grove. But it could only last for so long. The incident of the Scion Druid Alan being given a book from the witch Kyral, which was soon after lost in an accident, sparked a series of disastrous events for the Druidic Order. Out of rage for the lost book, the witch declared war on the Druids and attempted to conquer the Mother Grove in Salvus. At first, the Druids attempted to negotiate with the witch, seeking to attain peace. But after the Scion Druid lost the book, the Druidic Order was left with only two choices; they could surrender or fight. Left with little choice, the Druids decided to fight to protect their Mother Grove. At first it seemed that the Druidic Order would be able to sway the odds in their favour, with a deal struck with the Mori’Quessir. But alas, a pre-emptive attack from the witch crushed the resolve by the Druids, forcing them to surrender the Mother Grove in Salvus. These events had a catastrophic effect on the Druidic Order, throwing it into complete disarray. With the loss of the Mother Grove, the Druidic Order was scattered across Asulon. The Druids tried to relocate twice in the coming years, in an attempt to reorganize themselves. But it came to no avail.

The Second Age of Reunion

During this age, the Druidic Order finally succeeded in reorganizing itself. It moved to the great forest of Elandriel, and with the combined presence and power of the entire Order, the Elandriel Mother Tree grew to an extraordinary height, making it a suitable home for the Druids. With the planning of a new grove to be grown just outside the Cloud Temple Sanctuary, the future of the Order would surely see a massive intake of Dedicants. During this age the Order had taken its first steps into a second Golden Era.

The Second Age of Activism

After a long period of inactivity amongst the Archdruids of the Order, nothing was left but few Dedicants and a single druid, the Solstice Druid Callax. The Order seemed to have finally died, for years of nothing would happen. Eventually, Archdruid Valas returned to appoint the Solstice Druid to a Druid Guide. Alongside the appointing of Callax to Guideship, many Druids, including Spirit Druid Saviticus, returned to the Order, and new Druids were attuned who would be crucial in the coming ages. In the midst of the sudden burst of activity, Song Druid Arik reclaimed the Salvus Grove, making it a point of activity once more and the Wilting Druid grew a grove in the vast plains of Norjun. A curious seedling began growing just outside of the Mother Grove only to be revealed to be the daughter of the Mother Tree, Ethanriel, and Arik, Riel’a, an Ent who protects the forests across the realms. The Order had finally begun to roll to its feet once more.

The Age of Archdruids

In this age, there was much confusion of who was to lead the Order. A strange Druid by totem of Wild Druid, who was Archdruid of a different Circle, was appointed Archdruid in the empty third Archdruid position. She quickly left the Circle to leave Fox Druid Valas and Aura Druid Beleran as the only two Arches once more. Eventually, a moot was called by Aura Druid Beleran to discuss the inactivity among the two Archdruids and his departure from the position. At this moot, Scion Druid Alan stepped down from his Head Teacher Position. Song Druid Arik, a Hierophant, was voted to fulfill one Archdruid position, while the Order voted on Solstice Druid Callax to fill the other. The Serpent Druid was also appointed as a Druid Guide. After the moot had taken place, Beleran took Valas to the top of the Mother Grove where he gave his final goodbyes. His staff was handed over to Valas and Beleran jumped off the Mother Tree, Ethanriel.

The Second Age of Disarray

This was a short age in which the realm of Asulon came to a close, and amongst all the confusion in moving to the new lands, many Druids became lost once again. The transition from Asulon to Elysium was a long and strenuous one, and with the lack of Druids, the Order took a drastic step from its recent revival.

Elysium & Kalosian History

The Age of Desperation

As the shift to Elysium detrimentally decreased the number of Druids, only Archdruid Callax and Druid Guide Vi were left to rejuvenate the Order. They accepted an influx of Dedicants, and began teaching the Druidic ways, setting the stage for a prosperous future of the Order. However, when the Serpent Druid had been killed, Callax was left with a heavy load on his shoulders. Wilting Druid Giovanni had made his return and was made a Druid Guide. Together, Giovanni and Callax continued to teach their many Dedicants throughout their time dwelling on Elysium in hope to revive the Order to its true potential.

The Second Age of Mushroom Transgressions

Shroom Druid Milo, an Elysium attuned Druid, had chosen his totem of the Shroom for plenty of reasons; that being his obsession over any and all fungi. While the Wilting Druid and Solstice Druid argued over the ethics of potting plants, the Shroom Druid spent his time spreading his spores throughout the grove. Druids had mushrooms growing from their clothing and hair, soon enough! The battle over potted plants was joined with the battle of mushrooms.

The Third Age of Reunion

During this age, the Druidic Order followed the rest of races to the islands of Kalos. With diligent teaching, strict conduct, and purpose, the Druidic Order was, again, revived. Under the tutelage of above average guides, the Order was seeing some of its best days. Druids travelled abroad, teaching of the Druidic ways; they brought life in lifeless places and kept up with their up-keeping of nature. The relationship between the Order and Malinor was growing strong, too, as Prince Khel and the Archdruids made the efforts and conference with each other. Malinor asked the Druids to 'nature-ify' their forest and Druidic activity was boosted.

Anthosian History

The Third Age of Activism

The Order was successful in gathering on the new land mass of Anthos, not losing the amount of Druids it had in similar transitions in the past. These times saw an influx and variety of Dedicants. Within the new Mother Grove of En'Leawyn, the Mother Tree, the Druids saw success and activity in all forms. Oak Druid Thudrin stepped down as Archdruid, and was voted a Hierophant; Song Druid Arik, yet again, fulfilled the position. There was an institution of a new branch of the Order known as the Guardian Branch. The Guardian Branch was supposed to serve as an alternative route to the Guiding Branch, where Druids would serve nature more than the Order or the Circle. Song Druid Arik became an Elder Druid , paralleled to Archdruid, of that branch. Also during this age, mysterious seals were uncovered across Anthos, believed to have bound magnificent power or possibly serving as some sort of gateways. The Druidic Order, Shamans, Mages Guild, and many other groups participated in the friendly competition of discovering these seals. Discussions were held between the many groups until they eventually uncovered a possible link between the seals and the Aenguls and Daemons. The events ended suddenly and almost magically when the interest and search for the mysterious seals came to a halt.

The Age of Influence

To tighten the bonds between the Order and Malinor, the High Council of Malinor granted two Prince positions to the Druids. The two individuals voted, by the Order, to fulfill these seats were Hierophant Saviticus and Archdruid Callax. As members of the High Council, they advised meetings and added a Druidic influence to the city. Only half of the Druid Guides retained activity during this age, and Dedicants became somewhat difficult to regulate. Also during this time, the Deathsbane clan began to swell in numbers. A family dedicated to the Druids and their path, and led by the Bear and Wolf Druid, the Clan would go on to rival the size of the main Order, even surpassing it at times.

The Second Age of Archdruids

Archdruid Callax retired from the position and had then been voted a Hierophant. He passed the Archdruid position to Sunshine Druid Verden who, soon, passed it to Shroom Druid Milo. Dour Druid Dover also submitted his position, giving it to Shadow Druid Victivus. The Guardian Branch became inactive, with only Elder Druid Arik affiliating with it. The Order had been thrusted about in so many directions; regulation and conduct was getting loose.

The Age of Poor Conduct

Lost Druids became plenty, sparking this age. Druids were found affiliating with Shuns and ignoring their responsibilities to nature. Dedicants weren't progressing and Druid Guides weren't being regulated. After conflicting with the Shadow Druid for so long, Shroom Druid Milo retired, asking for Hierophant Callax's return. Clashing continued throughout Vivictus’ tenure. A number of Druids were keen on reviving the Order's service to nature and escaping the wretchedness withheld by others in the Order. A Moot was to make the announcement of this split; however the Song Druid responded, begging the Order not to make the mistake it had during the Age of Schisms. Stag Druid Gavin had believed from the start that he could do a better job at leading the Order than the Shadow Druid. The Song Druid discussed with the Shadow Druid and he was convinced to pass onto Gavin his Archdruid position while then taking a seat as an Elder Druid alongside Arik.

The Third Age of Disarray

With the Stag Druid Gavin serving as Archdruid, the Order was soon to find itself facing some troubling times. Some Druids had major disagreements with his ways of leading and many kept quiet about their opinions of the times. The Stag Druid was left as the sole Archdruid with only a few Druid Guides beneath him. After the Mother Grove was attacked by a corruption-harboring army from the North-lands and was repeatedly threatened and warred by Haelun'or, the Order was forced out to find a new grove. They had moved to the back of a giant turtle, a friend of the Druids known as Samuel. It was a while before another moot was called; the Song Druid retired the Guardian Branch of the Order when it was deemed purposeless. Seed Druid Kefi, who had served as an Elder Druid, was then grandfathered as an Archdruid alongside Gavin. All Druid Guardians then became Druid Guides, and progression became a bit muddled.

The Age of the Head Teacher

With the Guardian Druids all automatically acting as Druid Guides, the Order had a mess of Guides who didn't want to teach. Eventually Apple Druid Leyun, who previously led most of the Guiding work, was made Head Teacher, a title that hadn't been used in decades. All of the Druid Guides were purged from position so that the new Head Teacher could get the Guiding Branch rebuilt from scratch. A third Archdruid was needed to make up for the removal of the Guardian Branch, and Oak Druid Thudrin was chosen. The Order found that, with conflict subsiding, they could return to the Mother Grove, and it was reclaimed.The Druids finally left Samuel at peace, restoring the Mother Grove from its former corrupted existence. Thudrin retired as Archdruid and passed the role onto Leyun; the Head Teacher position was again shelved. Later, the Druidic icon Wayward Druid Respiren returned with his daughter and they took a hand in teaching new Dedicants.

The Second Age of Schisms

For the first time in decades, maybe even centuries, the Druidic Order had found itself in another split. The elder Druids who had returned felt as if their help was ignored and excluded by the youngest generations. Different sections of Druids all shared different views. The Wayward and Equidae Druids split off and began their own Circle far off, vowing to bring back the old ways of the Order. Archdruids Kefi and Leyun had made moves to expel Archdruid Gavin from his position. In retaliation, he left the Order and too founded a Circle, the Equinox Circle that he deemed as his own, with his own beliefs and views. The Grand Druid title was later reintroduced and bestowed upon the Sunshine Druid Verden to serve as the link between the three Circles.

The Third Age of Little Occurrence

The three Circles of Druids had failed quicker than their creations were thought a good idea. Druids were scattered too thin and no new attunements were being made. The Circles remained mostly stagnant and pride stood in the way of a reunified Order.

The Fourth Age of Reunion

Anxious for the return of the Cerridwen Grove, a band of Druids set forth to rediscover the artifact. The Order sensed the Stone’s power emanating from Haelun'or. The band searched throughout the city until it was eventually found. The stone was kept safe by the Solstice Druid who also used it to spark ideas about reforming the Circles. It wasn't long before other Druids began sharing the idea of reforming the Order and discussion picked up. After a series of moots and discussions, the Order had successfully reorganized itself with Apple Druid Leyun and Solstice Druid Callax as Archdruids, a unified front shaking off the cobwebs of inactivity.

The Age of Persistence

Not long after the Order had been reformed, a terrible plague fell over the forest of Malinor. The Elves of Malinor abandoned their dying home of Luminaire and founded the new city, nearby, of New Malinor. While some Druids began to disappear as the taint devoured the Mother Grove, it was decided to move locations to the island off of New Malinor's shore called Equinox Isle. To regain the island from a corrupting blood shard, the Song Druid sacrificed himself and was overwhelmed by the corruption that he, too, became corrupted. The Druids of the Order felt deep sorrow for his loss. The Druids did not give up on the forest, however, and searched high and low for the source of the corruption. The Ent Irgin appeared to them and led them to the far South where they discovered a lost, and ancient, Circle of Druids called the Snow Druids. Archdruid Zeremdos of the Snow Druids revealed to them how to find and rid of the source of corruption, and they set off to do so. When a team of Druids and the Spirit of Nature, known as Ernest, had finally found the source of corruption, the Spirit sacrificed his sanity for the Druids' passage. Together, Druids Leyun, Dain, Milo, Faolin and Aeras projected their power through Callax and they were successful in destroying the source. As the taint slowly left the great forest, the Order then focused on rejuvenating it. Led by Shroom Druid Milo, the forest was underway of becoming a magnificent nature reserve. For so long, the Elves of Malinor had neither shown interest nor care in what happened to their previous homeland, leaving it to rot away. However, soon after the Druids had begun their new project within the forest, the High Council threatened them with a note that ordered them to cease their work in the forest or they would face consequences. Being forced out of the forest and with the threats and ingratitude presented by the High Council of Malinor, the Order realized they weren't welcome there any longer. The Druids sought a new home, and quickly discovered a suitable location in the Crossroads. The proximity to the Cloud Temple and to the clan Deathsbane made it a very appealing choice to both consolidate the Druids into one place, and to be close to prospective Seekers.

The Age of Raids

During this Age, the Druidic Order resided near-to the Cloud Temple at the Great Nation Crossing. The Cross Roads grove was magnificently grown by Dahlia Druid Dalari and Shroom Druid Milo, and served as a great homestead for the Order for a good time. However, Orcish raids were frequent. Many times, the Druids successfully conned the Orcs away with useless trinkets, but as the population became scarce around the Great Nation Crossing, the issue of monster raids rose. However, as the Druids were soon to move on, the Crossroads grove was to be gifted to the Kharajyr, who were in need of a home.

The Age of Semi-Activism

Due to the growing threats during the Age of Raids, the Order decided to integrate with the Wood-Elven village of Leanniel. Dove Druid Elorna and Pine Druid Gi'Garun had already grown a beautiful grove, and the active members of the Order were easily situated. For a long time, the Order had seemed to grow and even saw the Dedicant and Druids boards overflow, however, the majority of the members were inactive or only semi-active. The Deathsbane family, making up a good portion of the Order, managed to carry the momentum of the Druids, compensating for the main circle’s decline.

The Fourth Age of Disarray

During this Age, the tainted and vile Harbingers and Scourge from the frozen Northlands yet again began to destroy the happy lives of the Elven people and their woodlands. Many deadly blood shards were placed over Elven forests by the Scourge, and the active Druids of the Order were on their toes trying to revive the tainted forests and fields. Bringing some hope into the fray however was the confrontation between the Wolf Druid Ouity and the Corrupted Song Druid.  Outside the shrine of the Mother Grove the Song Druid, corrupted by the evil he had absorbed, clashed with the Wolf Druid in a terrible show of power.  However, due to his state the Wolf Druid was able to subdue the Song Druid and free him of the corruption, sealing it and a part of the Song Druid in a gem.

The Age of Vengeance

This short Age was sparked with the revealing of the Golden Lance, a group who brought together the Descendent forces of Anthos to put a huge dent in the Scourge. Many Druids took up offensive positions in the Battle for Leanniel to re-obtain the corrupted forests to purge them of their blight and return them to the Aspects. An Elder Tree was discovered in the frozen Northlands, and it provided seeds that could cleanse the terrible blood shards. Many brave Druid risked their lives in cooperation with Golden Lance agents, striking deep into the heart of Harbinger territory to retrieve the seeds. Against all odds, and with the guidance of their new allies, the Druids managed a huge victory against the Scourge, claiming the magical seeds. This Age also brought the revealing of The Fringe, a landmass separate from Anthos but also connected through a hidden portal, which many of the Descendents moved to, including the Druidic Order, in hope to find it a safe-haven from the Scourge.

Fringe & Thalosian History

The Age of Dwarves

As the name of this Age implies, the Druidic Order obtained affiliations with the Dwarves of Urguan. At the transition to the Fringe, a group of Druids found a prime location to begin growth of a new Elder Tree. Claiming the territory surrounding this location was the Urguan Nation who, abnormally, accepted the positioning of the Druidic Order. With Malinor gone and the Order's relationships so deteriorated with the new Elven nation, this new affiliation with Dwarves would mark a great change in the Order's history.

The Age of Taxes

This was a short age where Shroom Druid Milo, a risky tax evader, was finally caught and cornered for his overdue taxes. A tax collector appeared at a moot of the Druids, demanding the seven minas Milo owed. United in their hatred of the government tax service, the Druids relieved Milo of his debt and sent the tax collector away from the grove. During this same moot, Frost Druid Dain resigned from his position as Archdruid, deeming Pine Druid Gi'Garun his successor.

The Third Age of Renovation

The Arkon Grove had seen many marvelous additions since its initial growth. Over the expansion of time, the Druid Event Hollow, or the Druid Thicket, was created as a place for congregation and mirth. Apple Druid Leyun built and tended to the Library and storage rooms while Dove Druid Elorna grew a simple Druid housing in a tree and set-up Dedicant housing in a cave. Pine Druid Gi'Garun put together the record rooms and later built a college and the majority of the Archdruid offices.

The Fourth Age of Activism

The Order began plans to reinstate Druidic activity. Endeavors were first made to relocate the grove near-to the Elves, but the Druids were forced away with the false accusations, insults, and hypocrisy of Haelun'or. They were welcomed warmly, however, to remain in the Arkon Grove near the Dwarves. During this same time, Archdruid Callax met with a Bishop of the True Faith of Oren to discuss the religious views and indifference between the Church and the Druidic Order, clearing up many false assumptions. Despite seclusion from the Mali, Druidic activity did begin to accumulate with the attunements of Squirrel Druid Veren, Salamander Druid Sorensil, Dandelion Druid Virella, and the accepting of new Dedicants.

The Age of Tension

Tensions between the order and the elves of Haelun'or had been steadily rising, and the influence of Oren had eradicated the grace that was once held by the Mali. Their vision of purity, and their heightist ways, had begun to agitate the Shroom Druid Milo, yet he let it pass. As a token of his good nature, he gifted the elves with a grove of peace. The blindness of Haelun'or was shown in a bombardment of void fire, setting the grove ablaze. Milo, along with the Pine Druid Gi'Garun and Salamander Druid Sorensil were chased back to Kal'Arkon with fire biting at their bottoms. Milo was not discouraged however, and returned to try and make amends, offering another grove. Despite his good intentions, the wood elves placed him under arrest. Negotiations were made by the Pine Druid, and Milo was set for release, until the S.A.S (Shovel Attack Squad), Ivybend's finest group of warriors bore down upon the walls of Lin'Ame, seeking to break Milo out with force. Eventually, they were calmed, but new damage had been done. A riot began in the Wood Elven district, caused by the Wolf Druid Ouity. The Sohaer, Kalenz, was badly injured in the resulting bloodshed, and  new laws were set in place, stating that the Order must be either ruled by Haelun'or, or purged. War seemed inevitable, especially with an eager call to arms from the Wolf Druid, and an unlikely alliance with both the Orcs and the Dwarves facilitated and invigorated the drums of war. It took a great deal of negotiation, and some fake shuns, to finally settle the dispute between the Druids and the Elves. Because of Milo's good nature and efforts by the Order, this age is also referred to as The Age of Good Intent.

The Third Age of Mushroom Transgressions

It wasn't long after Shroom Druid Milo, who was already notorious for filling groves with mushrooms, had overgrown the entire Fringe Grove in large mushrooms that everyone woke up in a new realm called Thales. Some Druids believed the mushrooms had got to their heads, others believed the mushrooms caused the already imbalanced Fringe to collapse in upon itself, and still others believe the mushrooms had no part to play in this shift.

The Age of Endless Winters

This was the age of Thales. After only residing there for a short while, the winters began to grow longer and longer. Even with Druidic blessings, the crops within the grove struggled to grow, and although the Pine Druid had nurtured a large tree to take shelter under, the bitter cold gnawed at the Druids. As the peoples of Thales began to build vessels to leave the frozen land, the Shroom Druid Milo and the Arum Druid Dover grew a magnificent boat to house the order on their journey westwards. Many games were played before embarking, and amidst the entertainment the Druids of Seed and Song loaded a mysterious trunk onto the ship. Whilst the Order frantically repaired their boat's wounds (brought about by a giant squid), Captain Alan commandeered the Druidic fleet, safeguarding the Love Sofa and the Holy Pooper through the duration of the great trip to Athera.

Atheran History

The Age of Contentment

The arrival in Athera was rather successful, with very few Druids getting lost amidst the transition. The new land held many natural wonders, perhaps the greatest being the grand Father Tree "Rui'thni", who watched over the new grove lands. It wasn't long before this grand Elder Tree gave birth to Rui'thorn, the only known Ent within Athera at the time. During these early stages within the new realm, the Archdruid Gi'Garun travelled to the Oren capital of Petrus, and managed to negotiate a peace treaty with the humans, putting a stop to a feud that had lasted since Anthos. The new-found peace did not last for long, as several members of the reformed White Rose sought to sneak into the grove and attack any elven Druids they met. Several incidents involving the Metal Druid Sharr brought the relationship with the Kharajyr onto thin ice. Luckily, Sharr conceded his actions and traversed with the Pine Druid and the Snow Druid to apologise. The apologies were accepted, and thus peace was restored.

The Fourth Age of Renovation

Having found a beautiful new grove, the Druids set to work on blessing their new home. The Scion Druid Alan grew housing within Rui'Thni's canopy and Cub Druid Gildun carved the Notable Druid statues, while many others set about growing the library and hollowing out the grottos. This time also saw the return of the Sequoia Druid Lillith, and the Frost Druid Dain, both of whom quickly returned to Guideship. A great influx of Druids and Dedicants also occurred in this time, and it seemed as though things were looking up for the order.

The Fourth Age of Mourning

Despite all the peace and contentment, the Solstice Druid Callax passed during this age, and the entire order was saddened by the loss. To add to the pain of the Order's members, the Betrayer, Iblees, made his return. Taint and corruption spread like wildfire, and the Order were on their toes fighting the waves of attacks that came upon the grove. One small shred of good that appeared in this age was the establishment of two new Nature's Bounty stores, one on the edge of the father grove, and another within Greyhaven. This age came to a conclusion with Pine Druid Gi'Garun's retirement from Archdruid. After delivering a speech about staying devoted to the order, (Many Druids had been spending more time out of the grove than in it), he stepped down from his position, naming the Sequoia Druid Lillith as his successor.

The Age of Sudden Tree-growth

This was a short age, in which the Wolf Druid Ouity tried to combat the imbalance in the world by growing several large trees within the human capital of Petrus. However, as the Druids admired his work, an almighty roar from the Seven Skies appeared, eradicating the trees and banishing the Wolf Druid from the realm. He would remain gone for some time before reappearing under mysterious circumstances.

The Third Age of Schisms

Tensions within the Order were rising again, several Druids forming their own groves and areas away from the primary Grove. This was because of a fierce debate raging, about whether the Archdruids were ‘inactive,’ with two sides arguing this. This would lead to the Order slowly degrading to such a point that Bear Druid Isabella attempted to self proclaim herself as Guide, resulting in a moot being called to address the state of things. This, along with the apparently premature attunement of the Honey Druid, would lead to Isabella leaving and separating the Deathbanes from the Druidic Order by creating the Spring Circle. Much later in time, a strange individual proclaiming themselves as the Cloud Druid began to whisper of an intent to form another circle, away from the tensions of Mother and Spring. The Verdant Meadow was initiated by the self claimed druid Marcus, and soon to follow was Cub Druid Gildun, Hare Taynuel, and Dahlia Druid Dalari. However with the exposure of Marcus being a fake, he quickly departed the realm and the rest of the Verdant Meadow returned to the Mother Circle. This age came to a close when after being persuaded by the Shroom Druid, Pine Druid Gi'garun retook the position of Archdruid, filling the gap left by the retirement of Elk Druid Danic.

The Fifth Age of Mourning

Milo and Gi had been put in charge of redesigning the grove, and Druids were beginning to return to it as the renovations were more inviting. However, just as the Order was beginning to recover, things took a turn for the worst. One harsh and windy night, the sky turned red as taint began to form in the center of the father Grove. From within it rose the Betrayer, his minions at his side. The Druids fought bravely, but had to back off, as even their combined force couldn't hold off Iblees' might. They retreated to a chamber, deep below Rui'thni, within which the Aspect stones were kept. Iblees was not hindered by the elderwood roots that sealed the chamber, and the Druids cowered in fear. From thin air, he produced the tainted Axe of Krug, and with one swift motion, he sliced into the Aspect stones, a blinding light filling the cavern as a huge blast of taint fell upon the Grove. Miasma rose from the once crystal clear streams, and the crippled Druids had no choice but to flee their once peaceful home. Wounded and mourning for the loss of the Sequoia Druid, who had died defending the stones, the Druids wandered the forests of Fiandria, searching for a place to settle and recover. They retreated to the Sequoia Grove whilst they healed their wounds and gathered food. It wasn't long before they discovered an island, just off the coast from the Oakhearth forests, and after praying to the Aspects, it was here that they decided to settle.

The Age of Resurrection

After settling on the island, which they named Elavriel, a group of Druids were summoned through a strange portal by unknown forces, where they emerged in a strange forest. Here they discovered the recently deceased Sequoia Druid Lillith and Solstice Druid Callax, whom both returned with them to the order’s great delight. Soon after, Archdruid Gi’Garun took a group of Druids to the ruins of the Father Grove to investigate a strange surge of natural energies that he felt amidst the taint. They uncovered a secret cavern at the base of the ruined Father Tree, where the last of the tree’s life had been diverted to protect three special seeds; the offspring of Rui’thni. One of these seeds was planted on Elavriel, and nurtured by Gi’Garun, Callax, Thudrin, Milo and Verden, until it became a grand Elder Tree named Rui’livri. During this time, Verden and Arinislia ascended to the position of Archdruid, and the trio soon had the order back on it’s feet good and proper!

The Age of Relapse

After some time had passed, both Archdruids Verden and Gi'Garun had vanished without a trace. With Archdruid Arinislia having to act in their stead, both Snow Druid Beth and Squirrel Druid Veren were voted in the elders' places to ensure stability, under the guidance of the eldest Archdruid. Peace was once more restored, shortly before Arinislia was captured and tortured. This then led to the recovery of the Archdruid, who wished to step down upon her return. Solstice Druid Callax was named as the successor. However, without the leadership of the original trio, the Order fell into one of its darkest ages with corruption. A number of both younger and older druids withdrew from the circles to instead wander.

Vailorian History

The Fourth Age of Schisms

The Fourth Age of Schisms was brought on by conflict between the different factionalized group of the Mother Circle. The Owl Druid, it was claimed by Callax and a few others, was said to be leading a split. There is no confirmation of this, but there is confirmation that Callax set watchers and people to follow the Owl Druid with the threat of a circle split as his reasoning. Many allies of Sister Owl within the Order would be agitated by this treatment of a fellow Druid, and strike out to make their own circle. Headed by Scroll Druid Kyral, the Stream Circle would soon be established. A long conflict would pursue, with attempts to unattune Sequoia Druid Lillith, Scroll Druid Kyral, Wheat Druid Renn, and a few others. It would eventually end with diplomacy, however, with the Owl Druid sitting down to communicate and explain the situation to the wroth Song Druid Arik. This would soon lead to the Owl Druid taking on the position of Grand Druid to communicate between the circles. However, those of the Stream Circle felt they could not forgive what had transpired, and soon left the realm for some time, leading to a somewhat abrupt end to the time of the Stream Circle. It’s members would return throughout history, but never so firmly or officially as during the Fourth Age of Schisms.

The Age of Diplomacy

In an attempt to improve relations with the Descendant nations, the Druids opted to move their Mother Grove to a plateau upon the land of the Wood Elves of Cerulin. Construction of the Grove soon commenced under the leadership of Pine Druid Gi'Garun, who was voted honorary Grove Grower in the place of Alan. During this time, a group of Druids, spurred to action by the return of several Hierophants, managed to convince the High Pontiff of the Faith to no longer persecute the Druids, and to recognize the Aspects under their religion. This brought about the greatest thaw in relations between the Druids and humans- a rivalry that had lasted since the fall of Aegis itself. Empowered by their new friendship, the Druids constructed a Grove outside of the capital city, Felsen, and relations thrived.

The Age of Diplomatic Falterings

Old rivalries between humans and Druids flared almost immediately following the promise of peace, constant human raiding and pilfering prompting the Druids to abandon their grove outside the city of Felson, returning instead to their grove near Laureh'lin. However, that too was jeopardized as heated meetings between the leaders of Laureh'lin and the Druids brought reason for the Druids to believe they were not welcome upon what the Wood Elves viewed as their land. Following many a moot, the Druids migrated to the desert of the Caliphate, settling near one of its many prosperous oasis, the Caliphate grove sprawling marvellously from its waters.

The Age of the Naelur’ir

Following the departure of the Mother Circle from the Wood Elven lands, there was a void of Druidic presence within Laureh’lin, filled as Artemic, the Hawk Druid founded the Naelur’ir, the Wood Elven circle of Druids housed within Laureh’lin. Viewed as the first consensual formation of a separate circle, the Naelur’ir operate within the city of Laureh’lin and beyond, worshipping the Aspects as the Mother Circle does, though primarily focusing on recruitment and education for the Wood Elves themselves. Diplomatic relations remained tense at first, though relaxed as the Naelur’ir developed and expanded as a circle, and relations became common and fortuitous.

The Age of the Grand Coalescence

After a dream passed the Elder Druids of the order, the Druids were drawn to a forest grove out in the wilderness.  There they were thrust into an underground grove where the Aspect Stones were separated.  Together the Druids roamed the grove and found the Sacred Stones.  As the stones came together, they bonded together and became a single artifact.  Their power emitted at once, and the Druids finally regained control over the power to stave off any blight from their lands.  This marked a moment of true triumph for the Druids.

The Age of the Grand Council

With two circles actively worshipping and serving the Aspects within the same Order, it soon became clear a single figure could not manage the complicated relations between the two separate groups of Druids. This prompted the circles to form a ‘Grand Council’, a group of elder or leading Druids both within their respective circles, and nomadic Druids that pledge allegiance to neither to discuss issues within the Order. The formation of the Council resulted in a dramatic drop in the amount of useless bickering exchanges between the two circles, promising to bring about even stronger relations in the future.

The Age of the Father Circle

With the return of the Mushroom Druid Milo, came the creation of the Father Circle within the once beautiful Verdant Grove, recreated under his guidance and renamed the Father Grove, with the help of the Grand Druid, Callax the druid of the Solstice, the Father Circle flourished and the druid of the Bull, Toren Camoryn, found himself under their tutelage and ended up becoming both a druidic guide, and overseer of the Grove.

The Age of the Grand Merge

With the Grand Druid, Callax’s advice, the three circle heads began making frequent meetings and go into deep conversations about the possibility of a merge, and only soon after Callax’s departure from the Grand Council, did the three circles officially become united under the Order once more. Being led by three archdruids; Artimec, the Hawk Druid. Taynuel, the Hare Druid. Toren, the Bull Druid. And with such a union, the need for the Grand Council was no more and the Aspects were happy.

The Age of Rose Transgressions

In an attempt to ward off the powers of the spirit Orgon, the Rose Druid, Puma Druid, and Phoenix Druid banded together to fill the grove with Roses in the hopes that it would suffice as a shield against the plague. Upon discovering the flood of roses, the Shroom Druid grew angry and demanded they be removed. When his demands were not met, he threatened to bring the Order down for what he perceived as an insult.

Axiosan History

The Age of the New Isles

Upon coming through the portal upon various boats, Taynuel and Toren led their brethren through the vast lands of the island they had landed upon, and came across an elder tree, proclaiming it the new grove. The Savannah Grove.

The Age of Jak’ol

The Savannah grove was stricken with corruption and blight through a feat of dark blood magic. Tearing the tree asunder, a dark and corrupted dragon was birthed from the depths of the structure. The druids were forced to evacuate, and the dragon was eventually taken down through the brave efforts of the Wisteria Druid Renn, River Druid Calius, and a few others who stayed to fight. Despite their bravery, however, the grove was beyond saving. Even as long as the druids remained on Axios, the ruins of the Savannah grove could never seem to fully heal.

The Second Age of Diplomacy

After the fall of the Savannah grove, the Druids sought a new grove location. Through diplomatic relations between the Archdruids and the Trade Princess of the city, the Druids acquired successful permission for a grove off the coast of the trade city. This grove, generally referred to as the ‘Sutican Grove,’ served as the central foundation for the Mother Circle for decades until tensions would eventually mount.

The Age of Union

A small sect of Shamans came to the grove, offering peace between the two groups, and gifts were given to symbolize this union.

The Second Age of Tensions

Several different events of druids causing tension between themselves and the nation of Sutica caused an unknown druid to bring up the vote of shunning two hierophants, Bull druid Toren and Rose druid Elswyen, for perceived offences that brought the mother circle into political danger. Soon after both were brought before a trial of neutral druids and their cases dropped, both later losing their shunned status to return. However in spite of such, Sutica demanded the departure of the druids from their land. Quite abruptly, the druids were evicted by the Sutican officials, being forced to move into the smaller, private grove of Anthron the Axolotl Druid.

The Age of Transition

A moot was called during this transitional period, with the Kitten druid was not able to continue her duties as Archdruid and in her place the Rose Druid, Elswyen, was nominated and voted in. The Solace Druid, Oliver, requested that he would be re-voted on personal request and failed the vote, however was soon nominated as a Hierophant and was voted in unanimously. The Wisteria Druid, Renn, had intended to challenge the Metal Druid, Sharr, for his position as Archdruid, however the Bull Druid, Toren intervened and pointed out the newly vacant spot from Oliver’s passing, and then nominated her to the empty position, which she took up after being successful in the vote. It was also at this moot that it was declared by Bull Druid Toren and a few others that a goliath turtle-isle had been discovered, communicated with, and named Bertha. The Druids would soon be on their way to a new grove.

The Age of Sanctuary

The mother circle moved upon the goliath turtle-isle, and things were at ease for decades. Tensions had begun to rise between different factions within the Order, but things remained calmed for a significant period of time. Cooperation was common and expected while the Druids settled into their new home, hosted festivals, and once again established themselves as defenders of the balance across the realm.

The Second Age of Raids

Axios was a land of high highs and low lows. Even as the Druids reestablished the Order and their duty, other forces were at work in the realm. The Xionists and their soon-to-be city of Devirad were on the rise, of great popularity amongst those with damned souls. Though the Druids themselves had no internal conflict for some months, Xionist cults and undead organizations raided the grove almost daily. The Druids, many of which having grown complacent from peacetime, once again learned to pick up weapons and defend their grove. Several attempts to drain the ample lifeforce of Bertha the turtle were made, and several times the Xionists were pushed back. These raids continued for the full length of Axios as a realm, but peaked and slowly abated after the move to Bertha. While negative, they sharpened the combative ability of many modern day druids who were Dedicants at the time, and would eventually strengthen the inhabitants of the grove.

The Age of Growing Conflict

The calm of the early Bertha period was simply the calm before the storm. The latter half of the Order’s time on Bertha was filled with interdruid conflict. Blackbag unattunements, artifact theft, and a variety of other conflicts would soon begin. The tension was building, and the Order was only held together through the strong Archdruids of the era. Such leaders include Lynx Druid Tailesin & Cosmos Druid Indra, as well as a few others who filtered through the position. Between the leadership of the Lynx Druid and the Cosmos Druid, the Order was held together through the encroaching time of conflict, arguments, and circle splits.

The Age of Fallen Solace

Solace Druid Oliver was an important Archdruid of the Sutican Grove and served as an important leadership figure for decades. However, the encroaching threat of Mordring in the Westerlands would result in his corruption. This corruption would result in a degeneration in Oliver to the point of being beastial,  attacking others and even close friends on sight. Eventually, his cave was broken into and events would lead to him being unattuned. This was a controversial decision, a not insignificant portion of the Order advocating for his purification and restoration to the Order. His unattunement, headed by the Bull Druid Toren and the others of his group, would further factionize the politics of the Druidic Order. The ‘Solace Affair’ can generally be marked as the point where conflict began to erupt in earnest within the Druidic Order.

The Age of Fish

Shark Druid Za’Kabar went on a fishing trip. He is recorded to have told the grove about this in explicit detail. It was apparently quite successful and he was quite happy with the amount of fish he caught. Additionally, he shared a few fish facts with the populace of the grove.

The Age of Theft

The Aspect stones, publicly viewable during this point of Axios history, were within a cave within the bowels of a garden on Bertha. Defended by the attentiveness of the Druids and the nature of the Stones, they remained there for a not insignificant amount of time. However, for a variety of political reasons and for the fact that they feared for the safety of the Stones, several Druids sought a plot to steal the Stones and relocate them. Pine Druid Gigarun, Axolotl Druid Anthron, Seed Druid Kefi, and the shaman Shagarath would successfully steal the Stones from the Mother Grove and place them within Anthron’s private grove, the one the order had stayed within mere elven months previously. This would start a short age of attempting to take, hide, relocate, and otherwise fiddle with the Aspect Stones between Druidic factions, which would eventually result in the Stones being split up between three different Druids and hid within three different spots, to prevent future brouhaha such as this. This served as one of the larger controversies of the Order's time on Bertha.

The Second Age of Sanctuary

The conflict between the Druidic factions would lead to many Druids attempting to extricate themselves from the situation, both for safety and so they could further pursue their Druidic duty away from petty squabbles.This would lead to the formation of the Cerulean circle, within the city of Sutica. Founded by the Owl Druid, the Cerulean Grove was promoted as a safe haven for all Druids for those who sought to get out of the politics and scheming. Many Druids would spend decades as inhabitants of the Cerulean Grove, as the circle lasted until the end of Axios and served as an important haven for all Druids. It was here that Bluejay Druid Hareven first rose to prominence, becoming one of the first Archdruids of the Cerulean Circle.

The Sixth Age of Mourning

The horrors of Mordskov spared none once unleashed, and the gentle Bertha was no exception. While the first cities and nations were collapsing, Bertha served as a gathering point and medical station for the wounded. However, in the water and on Tahn as she was, she was soon infected, torn asunder, and consumed by horrible horrors. Only a few of Bertha’s eggs were saved, her lineage almost dying out overnight. This would lead to a very rapid evacuation, resulting in the death of Bertha and the end of the Axiosan era. A few Druids risked life and limb to preserve artifacts & native natural life on Axios even as the horror and thanhium spread. Most notably among these Druids is Bluejay Druid Hareven, who risked death daily at the end of Axios to preserve that which would have otherwise been lost. A few other things, such as the famed Lettuce Giraffe and Yew the Spriggan, were rescued from the dying corpse of Bertha at the last moment by Trout Druid Kasfer.

Atlasan History

The Fourth Age of Little Occurrence

The move to Atlas was a quiet one. Indeed, even the first few months on the Atlasan continent were quiet. The grove, while not inactive, did not experience nearly so much conflict as they had experienced in Axios. The most notable occurrence recorded is that the Autumn Druid Nivndil, from Vailor, returned to the Order.

The Age of Vassals

The grove was once again assailed by almost daily raids, this time by the orcish populace. To protect the grove, thick and vast walls were grown around the diameter of the grove and the gate was kept shut unless manned. However, sometimes it proved to not be enough. Desperately, the Order vassalised themselves under the nearby Dominion of Malin, who agreed to protect the grove with their own Virarim in return for vassalship. Not much was asked of the grove as a vassal, but it was far from a universally popular decision. When the raids died down again and the grove could again stand for itself, it would eventually cast aside the perceived shackles of being a vassal.

The Fifth Age of the Disarray

The conflict between the Mother Circle and the Naelur’ir, as well as residual faction politics from the Axiosan era, would lead to another era of conflict. The unattunement of Quillian the Azaela Druid and the unattunement of Toren the Bull Druid. Both Quillian and Toren were the center of long, month spanning controversies. However, most of it is frankly personal business that isn’t relevant to history. However, the unattunement and death during this period rounded off an era of Druidic conflict, resulting in the collapse of many upstanding political factions within the Order. During this time, other conflicts include sudden mid-moot unattunements of younger Druids by Elders, the almost-duel between Wisteria Druid Renn and Song Druid Arik, and the disappearance of many Druids who succumbed to the pressure of the era.

The Second Age of the Naelur’ir

The Naelur’ir, once fallen into disrepair, once again sprung up with a grove within the Dominion of Malin. Innately tied to the religious life, cultural life, and structure of the Dominion, they waxed and waned as the Dominion did. This, however, meant conflict with the Mother Circle at several points. Fundamentally disagreeing on many principles as in the past, friction and disagreements popped up more and more frequently. Subsequently, the Archdruids of each circle met and discussed the terms of diplomacy. Autumn Druid Nivndil headed the efforts of the Mother Circle, while the Owl Druid headed the efforts of the Naelur’ir. Eventually, a mutually beneficial treaty was drafted and put into place, largely mitigating daily problems. This, however, did not erase the conflict altogether.

The Fifth Age of the Reunion

This conflict would eventually be weathered out and come to a close, ending the overdrawn era of Axiosan politics. This would be largely headed by the Autumn Druid Nivndil, who took on the mantle of Archdruid early into the conflict. Through her leadership, the issues would eventually abate and the Order could again look forward to preserving the Balance.

The Age of September

The September Prince and his rampage through the Descendant Realm marks an important point in Druidic History, with the revitalization of the semi-inactive Order to fight this threat. Led by Scorpion Druid Elenora, Sable Druid Ithuriel, and Autumn Druid Nivndil, the Druidic Order and its Archdruids were among the major allies that stood against September. Even as his advance seemed almost impossible to stop, they held strong and worked with all manner of allies through diplomatic excellence and wartime need. Many Druids worked tirelessly against this threat, and it was the Druids and their allies who would eventually stand victorious over the fallen dead husk of the September Prince. This would spark a new era of life within the Order, interesting many new Seekers to look for Guides. This would lead to…

The Fifth Age of Activism

The Fifth Age of Activism is the remainder of the Order’s time on Atlas after the defeat of the September Prince, during which a great many students flooded to the grove and a new generation of Dedicants & Druids joined the Order. Many alive today think of the Atlas grove as their first grove, and this large influx of activity allowed the Druids to better achieve their duty. Towards the end of the Order’s stay on Atlas, there was virtually not a spot of blight across the land, and there was an active chain of communication between most Druids regardless of circle. This allowed the Order to move strongly into the next realm of Arcas, and not lose many Druids during the chaos of the transitional period.

The Age of Sledding

The transition from Atlas to Arcas was a dreary one, the Descendant’s marching through the frozen stone wastes of Serrimore. During this period, the Druids brought with them a large sled built by Trout Druid Kasfer, Hedgehog Druid Harold, and Rose Druid Elswyen. This sled was magnificent, a bastion of hope and light and color in the otherwise dreary Serrimore. As such, it was a very popular point for all Descendants during the transitional period and travel, where one could relax and warm up from the cold and weary travel through Serrimore.

Arcasian History

The Age of Ascension

Soon after the transfer for Arcas, it was recorded that Ram Druid Jeremiah had passed onto the Eternal Forest. In honor of his century or more of persistent, active, and excellent service, he was voted on and granted the post mortem honor of Demi-Aspect. This is of some significance, as he is the first Demi-Aspect in many centuries.

The Age of Horror

An invasion by voidal horrors from beyond the veil struck an early Arcas. Many druids were at the forefront of this, standing strong against the antithesis to nature and order. Working with many other nations and organizations, as during the September crisis, the Druidic Order held strong during this time of tension and fought back against the Mother Tear, Grief Tear, and all the other gaping holes to the void that punctured the realm. The realm was forever effected and void-touched by such happenings, but the invasion was mostly negated.

The Age of Adventure

A mass trip to the old realm of Athera was undertaken by the Descendants, and many members of the Order joined this quest. They visited the old Atheran grove, sought to preserve missing Atheran history, and would be beneficial in the taking down of the corrupted tyrant Gudour. These adventurers from the Order would return victorious and well, with artifacts and knowledge from the old realm to bring to the new.

The Sixth Age of Activism

The Autumn Druid Nivndil, still Archdruid of the Mother Circle, sought to bring activism back to the Order which had grown marginally lax. As such, she created a pseudo-rank within the order: Ranger. To be a Ranger is to be one who is expected to actively go outside of the grove in patrols or individually, seek out imbalances, and report them to the Order at large. It was not considered an official position within the Order, but more of a disposition for Druids to pick up if they sought to roam the land for imbalance. By doing so, she broadened the ability of the Order to spot imbalance, and as such fix such in a timely manner. The creation of the ‘rank’ sparked active patrols of the realm, looking for any issues that may be of importance to the Druidic Order.

The Age of the Hells

Recently as of writing, demons from the realm of Moz Strimoza have invaded the mortal realm. This could spell the end of Arcas, and much hangs in the balance of this conflict. The druids, as ever, are involved in the discussion going on and the defense against these invaders. The end result, however, remains to be seen.

Scribed by Trout Druid Kasfer

Autumn Druid Nivndil, Archdruid of the Mother Circle

Hedgehog Druid Harold, Archdruid of the Mother Circle

Deer Druid Dwyn Lorenthus, Archdruid of the Mother Circle

The Mournful Corrupt, Vol. I

A bright, bellowing fire crackled within reticent silence. Few, frail figures presented themselves around the radiant gleam of orange gradient — desperate shadows cast by the flames danced and became distorted upon the lush landscape as daylight began to dim over the immense mountains that engulfed the gathering. As light faded, an array of vibrant colours painted the sky — each stroke revealing a soft, translucent pattern in a multitude of hues. Hurried footsteps ushered forth unusual audio throughout the overgrown scene, cluttered hum beside the evermore present source of light and warmth.

A mourning Mali’aheral found herself lost, in a grand forest of vast landscapes — an array of delicate shades casting broad shadows of the monstrous timber that surrounded her petite figure. As crystal tears formed upon sorrowful, heartrending visage of once innocent mind, the setting grew louder and louder, louder once again. The colossal trees battered in the harsh gusts of wind that crashed unto them; near-frozen waves harsher and more violent, deteriorating constructions of nature; and all creatures surrounding the evermore chaotic environment startled by the sudden emotion that echoed.

“Guide me.” 

An obscured countenance led unresponsive, lethargic motions around the woodland for a moment. Alas, the grieving Woman ultimately succumbed to the paralyzing conditions of fatigue and desperate plea. A small cardinal, of auburn gradient land beside her, chirping disorderly in hopeless aid to the fallen — the remaining creatures circled the air above, growing louder in the absence of cantillate utterance. As they became more aggravated, similar emotions corrupted the Woman.

“I am lost.”

A skeletal figure awakened from restless slumber, cadaverous countenance contorted in the howling wind that whistled against the acrid ambient, silence bestowed in the horrid scene — crippled only be the victim’s fading lamentation. The Woman wailed and wept for him, a once-powerful dream of love and prowess crushed in the maze that had settled in her own mind. There was no consolation, nor solace that allowed her resolution and her heart ached in melancholy and torment.

The tale of the Woman halted in frantic admiration of the desperate translucent beams of dim glow that reigned above her, narcoleptic saunter in the stinging vocalization that erupted from the aching, vengeful Woman. Her mouth became narrowed in few more muttered pleads, crepuscular figure in anguished path forth — unresponsive motions furthermore propelling slumberous traipse. Anew, announced chants became belligerent from undisclosed, unmoving and deteriorated shadow of darkened gradients, albeit the lips from where shrill speech continued to ooze.

“After all, I am now free.”

Welcome witches. Hail haunters. Greetings gravelings.

As promised our spooky seasonal festivities have been underway throughout the Elven Month. Our horrifying horde of trick or treaters have traveled across the continent, we’ve created blood-curdling concoctions, told spooky stories around the fire and it’s not even Hallow’s Eve’ yet. There’s even a murder mystery to solve in the Talus Grove!

However my tricksy troublemakers, you’ve been slacking and not snacking.

We invited you to trick or treat at our gruesome Groveyard and only the Halflings of Brandybrook have proven to have the seasonal stomach. Tsk tsk.

Throughout the remainder of the Elven Week, any trick or treaters who visit the Grove will receive extra treats and minimal tricks, in case you were frightened of a few Druids.

(( Trick or treaters still welcome all the way up to the 2nd of November. ))

As for the rest of you..

Hallow’s Eve 1740

If you’re still howling for grizzly games and creepy contests, then we’re giving you paranormally plentiful chances for a bite at the apple. Literally too, because we still have a whole freaky festival this year and everyone’s invited.

Costume Competitions

Stitch and sew. Paint and pin. Borrow and beg.

Assemble a truly terrifying costume, enter the contest and scare the competition away. Our preternatural parade of poltergeists and march of monsters will prove the best dressed for this year’s Hallow’s Eve.

Best Costume    Best Couple    Best Group

(( Mina prizes for category winners and runners up. Ribbons for secret cartegories))

Gore-geous Gourds

Cut open the top, scoop out the insides, gouge out some eyes and cut the mouth open. We meant pumpkins, what were you thinking of? Put your carving skills to the test, by making the most devilishly dashing, terrifically terrifying or creatively crazy jack o’lanterns. Receive a pumpkin and make Knox proud.

(( MS Paint drawing of jack o’lanterns. Mina and item prizes will be rewarded))

Pumpkin Brawl

Helm your head in Hallow’s Eve’s finest pumpkin and ready yourself for a challenge. Go headless to headless with other fighters in our twist on the usual tournament.  Not only must you best your opponent with a gourd upon your.. Well gourd, but the arena is filled with tricks to put you on uneven ground. Slog through the other contenders and be crowned Pumpkin King.

(( PVP tournament with a twist. Items and 3000 mina prize for the winner, plus monetary prizes for runners up! ))

Ghoulish Games

If that’s not enough, there’s more to sink your teeth into.

We’ve expanded our frightening festival grounds, to bring more activities to unlife for everyone to enjoy. 

Lose yourself in a maze, have your misfortune read or enjoy some pumpkin soup and pursue the market stalls.

Games and Activities include:

Apple-bobbing

Ring Toss

Archery game

Corn Maze

Fortune-telling

Concession stalls

Raffle with a chance to win Jollyb art

D’oth we hear you cry, Descendants?

“But where’st and when shallt we attend, devious Druids?”

Upon the Elven Weekend, we reply. At the Talus Grove, follow the pumpkins from the main road, shriek with delight and prepare for scares.

(Credit to @Trinn for founding Tiva lore. Credit to @Sorairo, @Starfelt and @sophiaa for helping me develop this more. Credit to @Aethling for helping me give this more elven flair and for putting up with my anoyingness in general during the writing process of this.)

[!] The following book would be found in the Talus grove, Irrinor, Sutica and Agreothond. Scrolls instead were rolled up and delivered to notable Elven leaders and charters, containing the same text.

Tiva

The language of the mali is often misinterpreted as strictly elvish, leaving a language, an art, and a system of survival left forgotten and in the shadows. Our ancestors utilized simple wreaths to weave stories through flowers, guide travellers home, or warn the same travelers from danger. Wreaths were weaved with messages through flowers and delivered when mali’ame were not advanced enough to read and lived without cities. Centuries of war and Seeds migrating seemed to have separated the main line of Tiva, leaving fractions of the language and the ashes of its glory. From what my mother taught me, and learning by mali’ame around me and from books, it seems there are very few branches of the language that remain the same across all seeds and families from separate regions, if any knowledge still persists. I’ve done my best to put the pieces together and share the blank spaces in common knowledge with the knowledge of my seed. Unfortunately, it is impossible to fully recover the language, but as a culture, as a whole, we can use and revive the use of what we still know, so that our offspring do not lose our culture at the rate we’ve lost it. 

I am splitting the contents of this book into four chapters:

Tiva’lye – Self Identification Wreaths

Tiva’annil – Guiding Wreaths

Tiva’illern – Ritualistim/Ceremonial Wreaths 

Saner’tiva – Speaking with Tiva & Gift Wreaths

~ Tiva’lye ~

Tiva’lye is the most commonly used branch of Tiva, worn by mali to denote facts about themselves and tell about their life, personality and family. The flowers are chosen from each category that applies and placed in a pattern which repeats throughout all worn wreaths.

True Calling

- Angrec -

Traditionally worn by druids and aspectists, or general people who seek to maintain the balance and protect nature.

- Gladiolus -

Worn by warriors, hunters and protectors. The equivalent of the fathers mark.

- Mandragora -

Worn by healers, doctors and caretakers. The equivalent of the mothers mark.

- Chrysanthemum -

Worn by tinkers, blacksmiths and those who work with any form of craftmanship.

- Bluestar -

Worn by sailors, fishermen and pirates.

- Mayflower -

Worn by those who have not yet found a true calling in life.

- Acacia -

Worn by those who have retired from their true calling.

Lesser Callings

- Allium -

Worn by kings, queens and anyone with a ‘royal’ status.

- Heather -

Worn by leaders.

Age

- Freesia -

Under 20.

- Alcea -

20-50.

- Azalea -

50-500.

- Aster -

Elders, 500+

Family & Relationships

- Lily -

Worn by those who are not in a relationship.

- Carnation -

Worn by those who are in a relationship.

- Hibiscus -

Worn by those who are open to being flirted with and forming a new relationship. I believe this flower was created to allow the possibility of polyamory.

- Bellflower -

Worn by those who are not open to being flirted with and who do not want to start a new relationship.

- Gardenia -

Worn by parents. One flower is worn for each child someone has, allowing multiple of these to be in a pattern line.

- Lotus -

A sacred flower worn by pregnant mali. One who wears a lotus flower is expected to be given gifts and being celebrated.

Personality Traits

(These flowers and their meanings can be used in other areas of Tiva, but I most commonly use them for Tiva’lye)

- Anthurium -

Hospitable.

- Bird of Paradise -

Joyfulness.

- Peony -

Compassion.

- Calla Lilly -

Graceful.

- Daisy -

Faithful/Religious.

- Gerbera -

Hopefulness.

- Lavender -

Discreet and quiet.

- Iris -

Smart and intelligent.

- Lilac -

Confident.

- Larkspur -

Gentle.

- Protea -

Courage.

- Ranunculus -

Bravery.

- Statice -

Sympathy.

~ Tiva’annil ~

Tiva’annil is the branch of Tiva used for guiding people to a destination or to tell travellers of the area they’re in, possibly preventing them from walking into danger if they're observant enough to any carefully-placed flower wreaths. There is no specific pattern, as each flower is self-explanatory and when used alone it gives the message well. Flowers can be stranded and hung from trees, or even planted in significant abundance by the road.

Racial Specification 

- Dandelion -

Home of Elves

- Anemone -

Home of Dwarves

- Amaranth -

Home of Orcs

- Laceleaf -

Home of Humans

Hospitableness

- Daffodil -

Hung or planted at the entrances of homes that are hospitable and welcome visitors.

- Begonia -

Hung or planted at the entrances of homes that prefer living in solitude and do not like visitors.

Area Traits

- Calendula -

Placed in areas that bring death and danger. “Do not enter.” May be a cursed place.

- Cattail -

Placed in sacred areas belonging to the Aspects. Usually used for druid groves. Druids used to remember how to get to fae rings by planting or hanging cattails on trees in a path to it.

- Dahlia -

Used in areas with an abundance of animals, welcoming hunters to use it as their grounds.

~ Tiva’illern ~

Tiva’illern is the most sacred branch of Tiva, holding the most important flowers denoting the Aspects. It is regularly used for worship, festivals, celebrations, and specific & notable events/occasions.

The Aspects

- Vervain -

Cerridwen, used in wreaths to honor the springmother and given as offerings.

- Snapdragon -

Cernunnos, used in wreaths to honor the huntsman and given as offerings.

The Seasons

- Helenium -

Autumn.

- Marigold -

Summer.

- Myosotis -

Winter.

- Golden columbine -

Spring.

Events

- Pansy -

Victory, used to celebrate winning in wars, etc.

- Cyclamen -

A flower used to mourn the dead.

- Magnolia -

Literally means ‘promise,' traditionally used in weddings.

- Zinnia -

Rememberance, used in memorials and celebration of things that no longer exist (perhaps stepped down leaders or fallen nations, separating it from Cyclamen.)

- Lathyrus -

Departure. Typically used for “going away parties.”

- Orange Bud -

A flower used that is believed to bring blessings from the Aspects and Mani. Used in worship festivals/rituals. If using in other branches of Tiva, it literally translates to “Blessings.”

- Pentas -

A flower used symbolizing duties in war and battle, used in abundance after severe loss in a battle has occured. Often found on the graves of fallen warriors.

- Rosebud -

“Birth.” In traditional elven societies, the birth of a baby was one of the most important celebrations, bringing every member of the Seed to praise the mali woman who was blessed with the rarity of pregnancy. Rosebuds were used as gifts after the childbirth and was used in these mentioned celebrations.

~ Saner’Tiva ~

Saner’tiva is the last chapter of Tiva. Literally translating to “To speak with Tiva,” in Mali, this section is used to give messages to people, and also contains specific words used to compliment the wreaths in all the previous sections. Most of the flowers are assigned a long message that is pre-made, however there are some specifics. Unfortunately, saner’tiva is mostly forgotten and the various specific words are impossible to remember and use as regularly and reliably as our ancestors once did.

Simple Messages & Gifts

- Linaria Bipartita -

“I love you.” Used as a gift for loved ones, typically an anniversary gift.

- Rue -

Repentance. The giver of a wreath using this flower has wronged the reciever, symbolising sincere repentance.

- Wild Hyacinths -

Gratitude and Thankfulness. Weaved into wreaths or baskets/boquets and given to someone who has given you a gift or done you a favor.

- Sweet Pea -

A flower given to someone to wish good luck and safe travels.

- Aconite -

A form of insult. Superstitious mali believed if one gave this on a wreath to someone or hung it near their house, it would bring them bad luck. Used for people you hate, or enemies.

Specific Words & Misc.

These are the loose flower meanings, few found after being scattered, they don’t quite fit into a much larger use but can be used to compliment wreaths and give small messages.

- Amaryllis -

Literally translates to “guidance.” This can be used as the Tiva equivalent of sayings such as “Aspects guide,” or “May the forest guide your path.”

- Poppy -

Dreams, imagination, or sleep.

- Orchid -

Rarity.

- Sunflower -

Friendship.

- Rose -

Respect.

- Magnolia -

Promise.

- Asphodelus -

Death.

- Baby’s Breath -

Innocence/babies.

- Oleander -

Maternal love.

- Pansy -

Victory.

- Clary -

Knowledge.

- Cornflower -

Growth.

~ Conclusion ~

The purpose of this book is to spread our culture, first and foremost. Secondly, I wish for all to use this sacred art that I have cherished over the years. It is simple to utilize Tiva in your daily lives – Simply look up at tiva’annil and plant a flower by your door saying you're hospitable or not hospitable, it’s as easy as that. Create boquets and wreaths, gifting them to your friends and loved ones. Explain to them the meaning of the flowers, once they find the meaning behind it they’ll understand the love and effort that put into the gift. 

Create a simple flower crown with the simple flowers in tiva’lye, not only does it hold meaning but it looks pretty, too. Encourage your children to learn this as a fun game so that when they grow they can hold onto the knowledge. 

If anybody has questions or needs assistance, do not hesitate to contact me. 

-~-

Written by Skylar Taliame’onn

The Rainbow Druid.

Fliers and posters appear around the realm, the paper of their making is thick and lumpy, likely from recycled pulp. Pinned to noticeboards or glued in other places with wads of sticky sap.

OOC: Sunday 8^th of September at 3 PM EST
~✿~

¤°✿｡ Games ｡✿°¤

Winners get Prizes!

Bamboo Parkour

See if you can make it to the end!

Shogging

Hit off your opponent off the log!

AND MORE

Sand Castle Building: Use your MSPaint skills!

Pull the Shovel from the Sand: Get your hands dirty and pull!

Dunk Tank: Throw with all your might!

Fishing Fun: Catch a fish before your opponent does!

¤°✿｡ Contests ｡✿°¤

PvP Tournament

Battle your foes one by one in a bracket!

Enter your name before 4 PM EST, or message HazelWazel#9667 to pre-enter.

First Place: 3,500 Mina, a Druidic Weapon and a Title!

Second Place: 1,000 Mina

Third Place: 500 Mina

Tug of War

Gather yourself and two friends to have a battle of strength! Pull the other team into the center sand to win!

Make sure to get your team together as this will start 30 minutes after the start of the festival!

First Place: Winners each gets a prize and 500 mina!

Swimsuit Contest

Wear your best swim suits, get a number, and take the stage! Your peers will vote for the best!

First Place: 1k Mina and a Prize!

Art Raffle

Three tickets per person. 100 mina per ticket.

Art is Chibi by the Lovely JollyB, Winner of the August Battle of the Arts!

¤°✿｡ Attractions ｡✿°¤

Lei Tiva

Tattooing

Portrait Paintings

Drug Corner Ft. Alcohol

Stalls of Druidic Goods!

¤°✿｡ We hope to see you all there! ｡✿°¤

[!]

Fliers and posters appear around the realm, the paper of their making is thick and lumpy, likely from recycled pulp. Pinned to noticeboards or glued in other places with wads of sticky sap.

~✿~

The Druidic Order would like to welcome all* to our Spring-Summer Festival.

The blooming of Spring, the growth, warmth and the flowering of Summer are a time for celebration and merrymaking. We welcome you to enjoy warm Summer days and evenings with us as we see nature’s cycle turn toward colour, sunshine and plenty. Hurtle down through white waters at the Great River Race, test your strength and lift the sword from the stone, have a Tiva wreath specially made for you, or just sit back and enjoy the sun with a refreshing drink. There are activities for all to enjoy!

*Shuns and banished persons will be refused entry into the Grove.

~✿~

¤°✿｡ Attractions & Games ｡✿°¤

Great River Race

Can you navigate the hazards of the river and finish in first place?

High-Diving

Take the plunge!

Parkour Puzzle

Frustratingly Fun!

Shogging

Don’t get wet

Sword in the Stone

They say whoever removes the sword will become King! Of where? We have no idea

Sand-Castle Building

There’s no tide to wash them away here

~✿~

¤°✿｡ Stalls ｡✿°¤

Lottery

What will you win?

Tiva Wreaths

Fabulous Flowers!

Tattooing

Traditional Wood Elf tattooing

Portrait Painting

I’ll take three

After the fun and games are over and the sun goes down, come to the tavern for a drink, or wander the Grove and soak up the beauty of nature.

~✿~

The War of September

By

Archdruid Nivndil

Preface

I preface this chronicle of the war against the self-anointed September Prince, with a warning to future generations.

Do not so willingly join a cause, simply because it appears just. Take caution to observe the forces at play first, and discern the truth of things for yourself. Losing but one Fae, or Drui to September was too many.

~ ✿ ~

The Rise of September

When hordes of undead assaulted several cities and nations of Atlas, we quickly discovered that corrupted Wonks, frog-people who inhabited the caves beneath the Wonkawood, were involved.

Idols were gathered from fallen minions and necromancers, then brought together within the Wonkawood to lure out their Dark Frog-God patron, Khurmt. The Descendants did battle with him and his horde. Orc, Dwarf, Human and Elf stood side-by-side to cut down the undead, while siege weapons, Druids and Mages brought Khurmt low.

When he fell, a purple light illuminated his eyes and he rose once more, claiming that only the Green Prince could destroy him forever. He was quickly vanquished again however, with a final charge from the Descendants.

The Battle of the Wonkawoods was won, but I felt a stirring in the land. Based upon the dreams of the Far Glade, which intruded upon the minds of sleeping innocents, and the words of March Ash, I concluded that this stirring heralded the awakening of the September Prince.

It was some years later when I returned to the Wonk caves and the Deep Door was opened by the blood of Orc, Human, Dwarf and Elf. Upon entering, we found ourselves within a chamber and experiencing a dream-like state.

Our party managed to recover a book from the library there, a record of Druids living upon Atlas prior to our own arrival and that of the Descendants. It indicated that September had arisen before and brought a great swath of destruction to Descendant civilisation, purging Atlas of the Elves and Orcs who lived here prior. Within the chamber an amber crystal was held above a pool of water, which we could only assume housed the slumbering September within. This was surrounded by animals and creatures, including an enormous snail and a wyvern.

A year later to the day, the magic of the Deep Door dispelled and it opened to admit all who would enter. Regrettably, this was surely the point at which September’s rise was inevitable. Realising what would occur when September awakened, I rallied the Order within the year. Alas in that time, many others sought to bring about his awakening and disturbed his chamber.

When we Drui marched upon the chamber, we used our Gifts to suppress September back into slumber. For though his powers mimic those of Gifts, we knew him for what he was. A creation of the Daemon of Dreams. Lyes, is what the Willow Druid called such a Daemon. We knew that September was so linked to the Far Glade, a dream-world surely created for the machinations of Daemons.

We pushed him deeper into stasis through our efforts and it was for a time, successful. From that point on, the Dominion of Malin stationed soldiers to guard the chamber against those who would come to awaken September. I myself joined in the vigil, where both Clerics and Mages also attempted to suppress him in their own ways. Under the protection of the Virarim, we were able to study the chamber largely uninterrupted. The Owl Druid Communed with several of the sleeping animals there, and determined that they followed September out of resignation- that where they may have once gladly joined him, they found themselves unable to leave his influence, now subjugated into his service. We Drui found this monstrous and an abomination of nature, to enslave creatures of the Aspects in such a way.

With each year however, I could feel September stirring still. Our attempts could only delay an inevitable awakening.

~ ✿ ~

The Meeting of the Minds

5th of Malin’s Welcome,1675

A summit was called in Holm by Azkel Frostbeard, to discuss how the nations of Atlas would deal with September. Talks quickly broke down, while Azkel and High Prince Abelas suspected that they were the targets of Mental Magery, from the Haelun’orian delegation. Sleights became vulgar insult and a skirmish quickly ensued.

Before another attempt at talks could be established however, explosives were detonated within September’s chamber, pushing his awakening over the edge.

September had risen.

~ ✿ ~

September’s Forest

All Drui felt it. A shift in the whispers of nature that spread across the continent of Atlas. From his chamber, a great aspen tree erupted toward the sky and sprouted leaves of glistening emerald. This would be the tree from which September emerged.

In the time of the chamber opening, we were able to recover more records of his prior rise. These later volumes of the first volume we’d retrieved in the dream-state, enabled us to discern a possible weakness. For though September was not Drui, much of his abilities mimicked our Gifts, and so he must also follow the same rules to an extent. We determined that the trees which had stirred with him, could be used to attack and weaken him. Thus we scoured the land for them and found many. Their glistening emerald leaves were distinctive and stood out against the native tree populace of Atlas.

Alas, Fae and Dryads had already been lured into September’s influence. They stood as guardians to defend his trees with a formidable zeal. Regrettably, we had little choice but to slay them, before destroying the trees themselves. Unattunement and magical fire like that of the Azdrazi proved effective. For the two years prior to the Battle of San’Kala we hunted for these trees, destroying them despite the harrowing experience it put us under to perform the Unattunements. Their guardians were fierce, including Cervitaur, Satyr, griffons and manticores. We were not without causality in our attempts.

Then came the day we were forced to confront him directly.

~ ✿ ~

The Battle of San’Kala

15th of The Grand Harvest, 1677

September’s forces gathered outside what was once the Orcish capital, which was now Dominion-occupied San’Kala. Anticipating this day we were not taken by surprise however. An alliance between the Elves of the Dominion, the Dwarves of Holm and Kaz’Ulrah, Orcs of Krugmar and the Horde, Humans of Renatus, Haense and volunteers from as far South as Sutica, rallied their forces.

We lined the defences at San’Kala as September stepped onto the battlefield himself. A towering arboreal figure, which cast us into shadow. Though he had brought titanic creatures with him as champions, we were many. As the battle ensued, we were hit with waves of Fae and beasts brought under his thrall. It fills me with woe to write, that we were forced to cut them down. September wasted no time in his attempts to destroy the city, calling forth fire to rain from the sky, which quickly tore through the wooden structures supporting our siege weapons.

The lower walls were damaged and his forces swelled in through the breach. We held strong however, and even when Descendants appeared carrying his banner, our courage did not waver. We Drui manned the lower walls to repel the beasts which clambered and leapt up from the field, our shields locked together protecting one another.

Only after extensive damage to the walls, did we retreat further into the city, via ladders dropped by our comrades from above. From the cliffs over the centre of the city, we then gathered together and pooled our strength. With the assistance of my Brothers and Sisters, roots tore through the ground and lofted a great boulder as a hammer head. When September pursued us we brought it down upon him, while High Prince Abelas and Hedgehog Druid Harold hurled rocks at him using catapults of vine and root. Shamans chanted alongside us, while the skirmishers repelled September’s forces to protect the flank. Despite a great gout of flame from Shagarath the Old and our hammer, without concentrated siege fire we could not halt September’s advance.

When his horde began overwhelming the defenders, we retreated further into the keep at the rear of San’Kala. From such a distance, the hammer was more difficult to control and lacking siege weapons, the keep only served as a rallying point before our escape. When the final retreat was called, our forces were exhausted, though truthfully our losses few. September announced himself victorious, before leaving the battlefield. San’Kala was torn asunder, and his forces moved in to purge the remaining defenders. We escaped the collapsing city using extensive walkways leading down from the keep, dropping down onto piles of hay and pools of water. Orc and Elf alike, carrying the wounded to safety.

The battle was lost, but we were not deterred and knew that we had at least offered greater resistance that September had anticipated.

~ ✿ ~

In the years after San’Kala, the Order continued to hunt for September’s trees. The Dominion offered the assistance of its Virarim soldiers. Leatherback Druid Kairn was gravely wounded in one such attempt, and Hawk Druid Artimec was briefly captured. Mages and Ascended also volunteered their aid in destroying these trees.

Knowing the forces we would face in the coming conflict, Ram Druid Jeremiah took it upon himself to prepare for the battle in earnest. With some assistance, he helped to birth an Entling guardian to combat September’s champions.

~ ✿ ~

The Battle of M’baku

6th of The Grand Harvest, 1680

M’baku had been captured by the Kadarsi from bandits some few years prior to the battle, but the town was not built to defend against a siege, least of all September and his followers. Fewer Descendants offered their aid in its defence than those at San’Kala. However, when the Mother Grove was assaulted by undead, the Kadarsi were among those who arrived to assist in its defence. Thus we Drui had no qualms about offering our own aid in return, particularly as it meant an opportunity to further harm the blasphemous ‘Prince.’

When we arrived, he had already amassed his champions. A Blood Ent, a skyshark and a colossal war elephant. Brother Ram had outfitted his herd of dire sheep with helms possessing anti-magic runes, to shield them from September’s influence. He’d equipped his Entling with the same, and rode upon its shoulder bravely.

When the battle ensued, we were set upon by harpies and minotaur. The war elephant quickly crashed through the wooden walls of M’baku, while the Brother Ram’s Entling fought hand-to-hand with the Blood Ent. We Drui knew to utilise our Gifts, summoning huge slingshots and hammers to combat September directly once more. It was to both our surprise and disgust, that we found more Descendants had joined September’s ranks. Having done so perhaps under the cowardly delusion that they might be spared his wrath, or at least would be the last to face it. They interrupted the defending forces, stopping our Gifts and those of Ascended and Clerics. In this regard, I admit they were effective.

With the defenders struggling to hold ground against the cowardly Descendants of September’s horde, we were forced to retreat. The oasis-town of M’baku was quickly overrun. As we looked back, we could see it bloom with lush new life, while the towers and few homes were torn asunder. It was beautiful, but we Drui would not fall for September’s deceptions.

~ ✿ ~

In the months after the Battle of M’baku, a member of the Dominion of Malin’s Council, Athos Corrin, suggested that the Dominion declare for September during court. Queen Renn, the Wisteria Druid, immediately refused such a folly suggestion. The other Lords and Ladies of the council, myself as Lady Reeve of the Mother Grove included, sincerely disapproved of Athos’ absurd, delusional idea.

It was then that Athos announced he was in league with September and his forces and was executed immediately for treason, by then-Praetor Evar’tir Ithelanen. We learned then, that September and his ilk were willing to pursue whatever avenues necessary to lure in Descendants to his false crusade.

The Order continued to hunt and destroy September’s trees, during these years. A small boon to our cause was that we were able to liberate some of the enthralled guardians from his control. During this time we removed a strange growth from an Ent to do so, and on another occasion were able to untether a Spriggan from his tree, upon their release they disappeared into the wilds. Free.

It was our ability to do these small things, which gave me strength, despite the weariness this war brought to my Spirit.

~ ✿ ~

The Battle of Okarn’Thilln

9th of The Grand Harvest, 1684

Unexpectedly, September’s path of destruction took him further South than we believed he would initially travel.

The Tilruir’tir of Haelun’or, Arzota, was keen to secure international aid in the defence of their capital city, Okarn’Thilln. Within the year, a summit was called at the Cloud Temple, for various nations to pledge their support in the coming battle. Humans of Nordengrad and Haense volunteered their assistance, as did then-Praetor Arwenia Silma of the Dominion, on behalf of Queen Renn. I attended with River Druid Cal, then-Archdruid of the Naelurir. Ibraheem of the Kadarsi Sultanate also attended, pledging the aid of his people. The Grand Prince of Fenn and his entourage attended also, but declared neutrality, refusing to pledge aid due to the lack of international support in Fenn’s conflict with the Vaeyl Order.

When the day of the battle came, we had a cohesive plan for the defence of the city. The Dominion leadership was in command of the defence, and secured supplies of ruibrium to create modified munitions for siege weapons. Elvira of the Ascended had worked tirelessly to create ruibrium-infused ballista bolts, while Clerics Velulaei and Aila blessed other munitions.

As September and his forces approached, we discovered saboteurs within the city. Sprites and other Fae attempted to destroy our siege weapons prior to the assault. They were however, disrupted before they could do much damage. With the first wave of the attack crashing against the walls of Okarn’Thilln, we Drui summoned huge hammers of root and stone once more, to guard the siege weapons from aerial assault.

Strangely, Little creatures were dropped onto the walls, which spread a peculiar magic amidst our forces. Unharmed, but unable to fight with their fullest strength, as if too weak to hold their weapons. While defenders on the walls were softened by this sorcery, dire-wolves and other beasts swelled into the square of the city, where the Descendant infantry awaited them with a wall of blades and spears.

The siege weapons continued their volleys, and Mages gathered within the library with Arzota, to prepare a tainted crystal with which to sunder September’s soul. After charging it with mana, it spewed a great beam of energy at September, tearing open a great wound in our foe’s chest. In his pain and outrage however, he summoned roots to tear through the outer walls. This forced us to retreat to a higher level of the city. Meanwhile my own hammer, aided by the strength of the Moonlight, Sable and Lynx Druids, knocked the returning skyshark from the air.

Swarmed with minotaur and other beasts during our retreat, the defenders of Okarn’Thilln were valiant souls. Holmite Brigadiers cut a bloody path through the skirmish, while from horseback Queen Renn of the Dominion charged down many foes. When I was struck and knocked to the floor, surely to my end- I saw a flash of ferrum armour as Leopard Druid Miklaeil shielded me, then helped me to my feet.

Each fought bravely, and without the grit of our siege crews, we could not have dealt September the damage which we had. Though as his roots erupted throughout Okarn’Thilln, they tore the siege weapons apart. Retreating further up, the Drui tried to gather our combined strength to force the roots to retreat. Harpies assailed us from above, but were met with shields and spears from us and our comrades. Our efforts were unsuccessful, for there were too few of us to force the roots back.

Rejoining the infantry at the Silver Council’s chambers, we became surrounded by the beastly horde. Manning the gates in groups, we created a bottleneck in which to funnel the attacking forces, but charging minotaur forced many defenders to scatter. We managed to hold them off for about half an hour before we then saw the white smoke, signalling the final retreat via a prior established evacuation route down the East cliffs. In the strait below, the Dominion’s Ironwood Armada awaited us.

I saw Virarim covering the retreating defenders, allowing us to board to safety. Bluejay Druid Hareven, after securing the main force of Drui, then returned to Okarn’Thilln to gather straggling survivors, including Rainbow Druid Skylar.

We were forced to retreat, but had dealt September a wound like never before. He bled, and was poisoned by ruibrium. Few of our own forces were lost in the defence, due to the leadership and cohesion of our forces.

In the hours after our retreat, Okarn’Thilln was destroyed in an enormous explosion. Either from some sort of device, or perhaps a strange obelisk, which I had been called to investigate in the months prior to the battle. Since then, its ruins have become occupied by a colossal ancient creature calling itself Xhar’vull, the presence of which pollutes the area and poisons all those who tread too close.

~ ✿ ~

The Battle of Boiling Blood, the Kal’Bogrin Offensive

11th of The Grand Harvest, 1685

Under the leadership of Ulhart Grandaxe, the Dwarven Kingdom of Bogrin rallied to counter-attack September-occupied Haelun’or a year after the siege of Okarn’Thilln. The Dominion of Malin, the Empire of Man, the Kadarsi Caliphate, Az’Adar, Holm, Kaz’Ulrah, Ascended and even the Hou-Zi State of Qin joined forces to halt September’s thralls from advancing further South.

Camps and forts were constructed on the foothills South of Haelun’or’s great plains and siege weapons assembled. Hedgehog Druid Harold and the Flora Druid represented the Order on the field of battle, while the majority of us sought out more of September’s trees to destroy.

Initially the Descendant forces were met with the cowardly cultists of September’s ilk, fewer in number now than before, or so it appeared. Through tactful leadership and coordination, the allies cleaved through them while sustaining only minor casualties themselves. Regrettably, the Dwarven camp was raided while the main forces were distracted and cultists slew the healers of the triage tents based there.

September himself did not appear, and instead likely hid within the Wonkawood, licking his wounds from Okarn’Thilln. The skyshark from the siege however had remained behind to defend his captured territory. It spewed lava-like blood onto the allied forces, which quickly burned and melted through the Elven fort. Meanwhile Mages and siege weapons wounded it gravely. Waves of beasts and Fae under September’s thrall were vomited onto the battlefield.

As the soaring titan reeled, the siege crews brought it down from the sky, while the skirmishers cut through the enemy ranks. When all was done, the fields were quenched in blood and littered with bodies, but the Descendant forces stood victorious. They had prevented September’s forces from marching further South.

During the Battle, the King of Ord Darek Hammerfist, and his kin had attempted to move the Kal’Varak into position with one of September’s trees in an attempt to imprison his soul. Ulhart Grandaxe rallied a force from the streets of Holm and they raced to the aid of Darek, finding his party wounded upon arrival.

Together the Dwarves of Az’Adar, Holm and Ord fought through an assault of bears guarding September’s tree, before dragging the Kal’Varak into place. They were successful and in doing so, greatly weakened September. Together they began to formulate a battle plan to take the fight to the enemy and end his false crusade.

~ ✿ ~

With September’s soul sealed within the Kal’Varak, his trees were rendered vulnerable. Their gleaming emerald leaves turned an autumnal red and they were unable to summon as many defenders to protect themselves against our attempts.

I was joined by Vailoen of the Paladins of Xan and her initiates in the destruction of one such tree during this time. While other Descendants followed in destroying these trees where they found them, no longer were we working alone in the background.

~ ✿ ~

The Second Kal’Bogrin Offensive

3rd of The Grand Harvest, 1688

Led by the Kal’Bogrin Dwedmar once more, the offensive against September’s birthing tree was readied. A fort was erected upon the foothills of the mountains flanking his tree, housing siege weapons and supplies for the coming battle.

When that day came, we Drui joined the Descendants upon the field once more and in greater numbers this time. From within the fort we were protected well, allowing us to use our Gifts without the interruptions of M’baku and Okarn’Thilln. As had proved effective before, I assembled a mighty hammer of root and stone, aided by the strength of Druids Sable, Willow, Lynx, Hedgehog and Moonlight.

September’s tree was not without guardians however, and our assault was met with a colossal horse and an enormous moth. Solomon had joined us for battles prior and had brought with him weapons with which to fell the titans. Upon his request, I brought our hammer low to then fling him up to the horse firstly. While he plunged his spear into the equine champion, we focused upon the moth and shattered its carapace. Meanwhile, the traitorous Descendants under September’s banner attempted to disrupt our siege. Volleys of arrows arced into the fort, setting catapults alight. Our continued use of Gifts went unabated thanks to the raised shields of Druids like Lynx and Willow.

The horse became paralysed, while a volley from the catapults tore off the moth’s wing. Beaten and bleeding, the titans were of little threat when the infantry pushed out from the fort to finish them. Lacking champions to defend it, we then trained the siege weapons upon September’s tree itself. Bringing the root hammer down upon a boulder, we reshaped the stone into a rough axe blade. Jagged and primitive, it would sunder the tree better than a hammer. Solomon climbed upon it once more, as it loomed over September’s tree. He jumped free as siege munitions set the tree ablaze, while the root axe cleaved a great wound into the trunk.

This mighty push from the allied forces could not be maintained indefinitely however, for September’s own infantry was still present, along with beasts such as harpies and minotaur. After delivering what damage we could, during which they assembled a counter offensive, we then prepared to retreat.

Weary, yet charged with victory we Drui gathered our party and withdrew together. Bogrin soldiers raised the rear gates and Virarim cleared a path, withdrawing forces leaping over trenches and embankments.

We were victorious, but not so bold as to stay longer than our ken. Quickly we Drui disappeared into the wilds to lose any would-be pursuit, before returning to the Mother Grove.

~ ✿ ~

The Battle of Al-Damashq

8th of Sun’s Smile, 1693

In the years preceding the battle, the Kadarsi had been harrying September’s cultists. During one such patrol, they tracked the cultists to a delve where the Kadarsi soldiers discovered a scroll which foretold of a means to combat September.

When the heretic turned his attention to the Caliphate, the Descendants rallied. The land surrounding Al-Damashq was salted in an attempt to disrupt September’s abilities which so mocked the Gifts of Drui. It was at this point, when the Rainbow Druid received a vision of the poisoned land, and so he and I went to investigate.

Upon our arrival, the Kadarsi explained the situation and invited us to see their ‘secret weapon,’ while requesting the blessings of a Drui to empower it. Elaborating as to its devastating power as beyond that of the destruction of Johannesburg, they were convinced that it would fell September once and for all. I then explained that my Gifts could not influence this scroll, and truthfully nor would I wish to bring such devastation upon the land, for it was counter to my duties as a Drui.

When the day came, the Order was still searching for September’s trees. Deer Druid Dwyn, Hedgehog Druid Harold, Leopard Druid Miklaeil and Lynx Druid Tailesin assisted in the defence of the City. A gruelling onslaught of bodies and the clashing of steel against flesh.

I was not present, but when the Kadarsi used their weapon I felt it. Even South of Kaz’Ulrah I heard and felt its impact, even its ‘echo’ through nature. The scroll summoned a meteor from the skies above, hurling it against September. In the wake of its impact, the Descendants thought him defeated, but alas he dragged himself away from the battle, broken and defeated. Surely withdrawing only to nurse his wounds.

~ ✿ ~

The Battle of Caras Eldar

10th of The Grand Harvest, 1696

In the months prior to September’s siege of Caras Eldar, Elestial the Elder Willow of the Mother Grove, gave birth to an arboreal champion of our own. Under our request and the sharing of our energies, the Elder provided us with an Ent guardian who was strong and dutiful in her vigil. Her name was Marihnsil’ame, ‘Great Spear of the Forest.’ From the Mother Grove, she descended through the Loftywoods to begin her protection over Caras Eldar.

When the day of the siege came, many Descendants had assembled in force. The Empire’s Legionnaires, the Holmite Brigadiers, the Legion from Agnarum, the Sylvaeris of Aegrothond, Uruk of Krugmar, the Avchirran of Gladewynn and of course we Drui, all rallied for the defence of Caras Eldar. Even soldiers of the White Vaeyl joined us to fight against September, despite their dislike of we Descendants upon Atlas.

The Uruk had brought spirits with them to fight alongside us. I am reminded of the carvings upon ruins I’d seen around Atlas, of a great army of spirits and Uruk assembled to defeat September centuries ago. Like the ruins of past Elven civilisations I had found, our rallied forces possessed an eerie similarity to these ancient depictions.

It was atop the canopies of the city that the Drui assembled, while Descendants manned the siege weapons and formed ranks in the square below. Druids Scorpion, Lynx, Hedgehog, Python, Willow, Moonlight, Tsunami, Melody, Rainbow and Dedicants Emac, Varan and Saelian prepared to do battle. This time, September’s cowardly cultists were even fewer in number and less than a handful were able to infiltrate the walls of Caras Eldar. When the battle ensued, the infantry in the streets below met them with spears and shields, rending their cowardly hides.

In the trees above, with the assistance of my Brothers and Sisters, guarded by Dedicants, we brought forth a haft of bramble, root and vine, lofting the great stone axe head once more. As we had done during the second Kal’Bogrin Offensive, Solomon climbed onto the axe and we ferried him to one of September’s titanic champions, a huge flying shrimp. He tore through the trunk of its body and scattered its shell to pieces, while outside the walls below, Marihnsil’ame rushed forward courageously to hurl her spear through a powerful griffon. The siege crews began their volleys, while the infantry gouged a swathe through the beasts under September’s thrall.

With Solomon, the siege crews and our Ent ally making short work of September’s titans, we brought the root axe back to us, to carry Arzota from the canopy up to September himself. What occurred up there I am unsure, but whatever magicks he employed crippled the heretical Prince, his arboreal flesh turning dark and rotten. With the cries of battle beneath our feet, we sundered the root axe into him, tearing through his body as it rotted.

Despite being flanked by September Cultists, the infantry on the ground were able to repel them effectively. It was during this time that the Scroll Druid readied herself with a small entourage, and under the escort of Marihnsil’ame, assaulted September with a spore-like spear said to be blessed by Cernunnos himself. When she struck him, the fungi took hold immediately, rendering September further weakened and unable to advance. We took this opportunity to throw everything we had at him. Another swing of our axe hacked a deep wound into his body, tearing into him and spilling sap-like blood.

The White Vaeyl assembled atop the canopy with us and took control of a ballista. Readying an object I can only assume was the Darkseed mentioned by the Cleric Aerith, perhaps a decade beforehand- they took aim and launched it at September to deliver the final blow. This seed’s destructive power could not be contained however, tearing through his husk and spewing outward. By this point, I was exhausted and we were in no position to withstand the force about to assault us from his corrupted and decomposing body. The Sylvaeri ascended the treetops to escort us to safety, something which I had not expected given the Shun of their patriarch, Belestram Sylvaeri- Nevertheless we prepared to evacuate Caras Eldar.

At the tunnel to the Mother Grove, though drained, Archdruid Elenora and I assisted others in their escape to the Grove before I joined them. She remained behind to see stragglers through to safety. It was during this time however, that a strange vision overcame us Drui- a figure ressembling a Mali’ame woman appeared to us, veiled and wreathed in red hair, flowers and plantlife, a mockery of Cerridwen. She restored September’s broken body, which erupted into flame as he mindlessly continued his siege of Caras Eldar. Elenora, Hedgehog Druid Harold and the Flora Druid, together bravely seized the root axe we had discarded in our escape and cut off September’s hand, before cleaving him in twain, suffering burns from the resulting inferno.

Returning to the Mother Grove, Brother Shark began work on Blight Healing Sister Scroll, while Sister Eclipse and Brother Ocean treated those who were injured. Elenora’s wooden hand had fused to her armour from the heat of September’s flaming body, soon replaced by Brother Shark, cuts to her face cleaned and stitched. I myself was uninjured, but was racked with exhaustion from the battle, a price I would gladly pay again to purge imbalance from the world.

September was destroyed. We had won.

~ ✿ ~

In the aftermath of September’s defeat, his body collapsed into the Loftywoods outside Caras Eldar. Without his Spirit to inhabit it, the corpse was merely wood and sap-like blood, which began to decompose. Around it a new ecosystem began to thrive, one of peculiar fungi and rot- though unpleasant to behold for Descendants perhaps, we Drui knew its part of the cycle. That death feeds the soil and brings forth new life, that all such life comes to serve nature in the end through this.

September’s enthralled beasts, Fae and even his Descendant cultists were freed of their bonds, the tyrant vanquished. In this way, nature had won and we Drui would go on to serve it, heal it and protect it as we always have.

Blessed be.

~ ✿ ~

Corrections & Misconceptions

A tome of thoughts and lessons by the Pine Druid Gi’Garun

Dear reader,

Herein lies many of the things that I feel should be engrained in the knowledge of all Druids and Dedicants; things I have learned during my time as a brother of this Druidic Order.  I hope this reaches many of my fellow servants of the Aspects, so that we can learn from the past and not get lost in old grievances and misconceptions that may threaten to derail the Order and turn us away from our purpose.
May the Aspects watch over you all.
Blessed be.
 

~#~ Gi’Garun Ibar’ker – Pine Druid & Hierophant ~#~

Duties: 

Until we pass on to the Eternal Forest our duties are firstly to the balance. They are secondly to the Order that we Druids swore an oath to upon our first day as a Dedicant. Do not let anything get in the way of your chosen purpose.

Respect:
All Druids are equal in importance. That fundamental principle has been a part of the Druidic Order for as long as can be remembered. Once a Dedicant becomes a Druid, they are held to the same standards and level of importance as all other attuned Druids. 

Elder Druids have seen and done much in their time. They deserve the respect of the younger generations for their commitments to the balance and the order. Wisdom comes with age and experience. Do not take the wisdom of your elders for granted. They have seen more than you could ever know and while not always right, are to be shown respect as you too will be by the generations that succeed you.

This does not mean that you cannot disagree with an Elder or a Hierophant, but if you do disagree with them, you must do so in a respectful and courteous manner, which they shall return in kind. Disrespect towards an Elder is unnecessary, and the wrath of an elder Druid has been known to come crashing down upon rudeness like an avalanche upon a spring morn.

Attitude:

A Druid should be stern but fair. Proud but humble. Strong but delicate. Aggressive but calm. Silly but serious. Learn to laugh as well as lecture, for a Druid forever walks the perilous line at the centre of the extremes. We are keepers of the balance, and we must make sure to find that balance within ourselves as well. 

Focus:
A Druid must learn to focus on what nature needs, not what they themselves desire. When we committed to the path of the Druid we agreed to put the balance first, and our own desires come much later. Do not allow desires to cloud your judgement and your approach to Druidism. 

The Gifts:

The Gifts are exactly as they are titled – gifts. Do not seek them before you are ready, and do not seek that which you do not yet possess. Gifts are not taken, they are given. This is something many Druids and Dedicants fail to realise and yet continue to seek that which they do not yet have. Control your lust and harness your humility.

Family:

The Druids are a family. Do not take your family for granted. Do not seek revenge on your kin and do not block them out. Too many good Druids and good friends have been lost by Druids who disagree with them forcing them away. Stand by your brothers and sisters as they stand by you, for together, we will roll over the earth like an ongoing storm, held in the palm of Cerridwen’s hand and strengthened by Cernunnos’ iron will as we drive all that threatens our precious balance out of existence and bring forth the serenity we swore to achieve on our first day as a child of the Aspects.

The Past:

The history of the Druids is long and full of great achievements. It is also full of great mistakes. Learn from these and use them to be better. Do not shame those who have made mistakes, help them up, dust them off, help them right the wrong and focus on their positive impacts over their negative ones. In my time I have seen many Druids shamed by those who didn’t know them, based on half-truths and ignorance. 

The Present:

A wise man once said, “Yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” Do all that you can to make today as good as it can be. Do not wait until tomorrow to achieve what you can achieve today. Time is a strange thing, and if I’ve learnt anything from my nigh on seven centuries on this good earth, it is that we will never truly know what is around the corner. The Aspects have trusted us to carry out their will so carry out their will we shall, as efficiently and as effectively as we can.

The Future:

It can be easy to forget about what we will leave behind; what future generations of Druids will have to deal with in the wake of our absence. We are duty bound to ensure the ongoing safety and security of the Balance and the Order, so that those that come after us have the best chance of continuing that which our earliest ancestors started, equipped with the knowledge and wisdom of those that came before. Be sure to leave the world and the Order with fewer problems to solve than there were when you came into it.

[!] A notice is sent out to the Druids of the Mother Circle, and a small, thin tome appears in their library. It is dated to 1700.

~{| Moot Guidelines |}~

• Only Archdruids can call a Moot. Anyone can approach Archdruids if they want a Moot to be called for whatever reason.
• Anyone can attend a Moot, except Shuns and banished (unless their presence is specifically requested). Archdruids have the right to remove anyone at their discretion.
• Archdruids lead the discussion at Moots. Attuned Druids may speak freely unless told to stop. Dedicants and outsiders may only speak if they raise their hand and are called upon. Any dedicant who speaks out of turn will be reprimanded.
• Some decisions will be made at Moots, although many are made by Archdruids. These decisions can be made by a simple majority vote among all the Druids attending, a majority vote among all Mother Circle Druids, or a majority vote among all Inner Circle Druids (Guides, Archdruids, and Hierophants of the Mother Circle).
• Nominations for Guideship or Hierophancy are made at the end of Moots. Nominations for an Archdruid are made immediately after that Archdruid retires. Nominations for Guideship may be made by any attuned Druid of the Mother Circle (including Archdruids). Nominations for Hierophancy may be made by any Inner Circle member, or any Mother Circle member who has been attuned for an elven year. Nominations for Archdruids may be made by any attuned Druid of the Mother Circle, except for current Archdruids. Nominees must be asked if they accept their nominations.
• Nominees for Archdruid and Hierophancy must be present at the Moot. Nominees for Guide need not be present, if they have previously indicated that they would accept their nomination.
• Only attuned Druids of the Mother Circle may vote on Guideships. Only Inner Circle members and Mother Circle members attuned for an elven year may vote on Hierophancies. To pass, a guideship or hierophancy must simply have more “ayes” than “nays”.
• Only attuned Druids of the Mother Circle may vote on Archdruids (except for current Archdruids). To be confirmed as an Archdruid, a candidate must have the most “ayes”. A “nay” removes an “aye” from a candidate.
• Shuns and unshuns may occasionally be decided via Moot, but are mostly decided amongst the Archdruids.
• Anyone may propose topics for discussion, subject to Archdruid approval, after all Archdruid-led topics have been discussed. They may come up to the podium to speak if the Archdruids allow them to.

[!] The notice, and the book, are signed by the three Archdruids of the Mother Circle at the time: 

Autumn Druid, Nivndil Duskhollow

Scorpion Druid, Elenora Zytiaear

Sable Druid, Ithuriel Tathron

The  guiding hand of the woods

(Credits to Phobs)

“Tread lightly around the flowers, my sister--for we are lost without them”

The Language of Tiva:

A History

The Language of Tiva is a craft founded under the gazes of the wild mali of the forests, of whom tread within the winding roads of their forests. The craft aimed to recognize meaning within each individual flowers, gradually forming a language as the flowers began to weave itself unto the daily life of the elves. The Language of Tiva was a craft that eventually became dedicated to aiding many of the other traditions found within the society of the elves.

The language of Tiva gave meaning to the flowers, and gradually the flowers would be intertwined together to create a certain message for those able to comprehend it--whether it be through wreaths or petal lines.

The Three Major Pillars of Tiva

Offerings, Guidance, Identity

http://theartofanimation.tumblr.com/post/94369990158/anie330  

As the Language of Tiva gained more complexity throughout their life within the seeds, the language began to serve Three major pillars within the traditions of the elves. The language remained the same within these pillars, however their purpose altered.

The First Pillar: The Aspects

The Second Pillar: Guidance

The Third Pillar: Identity

[x]

"Do not forget your duties, young one. Aspects guide you, you shall be reborn in ichor."

Teachings and practices of Koi Oracle Valor Caerme'onn

4th of the Grand Harvest, 1661.

Scarification

[Art by Trinn]

Scarification is one of the many practices of the Ichor Way, by the carving of the skin either through natural means, or by ritualistic patterning. The natural ways of scarification can vary, often from pain related trials of endurance and perseverance. The wounds of determination through pain should be cherished, as they also double as a sign of struggles past.

Through ritualistic scarification, certain symbols can be engraved into the skin. The lengthy and painstaking process is a true sign of dedication and can even be used over traditional tattooing. An Ichorian can use these to double up their current tattoos or add more over them. It's not an easy or soft process.

Other scars can be obtained from battle or trials, some of the common trials are having aspirants move through natural tundra like thorn bushes unprotected. The pain of this process can weed out the weak but bring up the strong.

Other combat with dull blades can cause lacerations on the skin, which can be respected as a sign of willingness to fight. Albeit wounds of the back are often seen as a symbol of cowardice unless they were formed in the defines of someone's behalf.

Markings in Ichor

The emotions are the catalyst of greatness in our kin, but they come in many forms. Especially before a challenging event such as battle, it’s looked down upon to reserve your true feelings. Regardless of the emotions you feel, you can utilize them for greatness.

The Ichorians brand themselves in their blood, and sometimes also the blood of their enemies or last hunt. Depending on the pattern is dependent on the emotions felt, even to mark yourself with a debilitating emotion is a sign of strength, because it shows despite that emotion you show determination and commitment through it.

Two lines from the eyes

This marking is synonymous with mourning or sadness, often when someone has suffered loss yet is still challenged with a great task they will display their sadness this way. The markings themselves aren't reserve for strictly combative scenarios, some may even choose to bare this mark at memorials.

Hand on face

A bloody hand is a literal translation to feeling suffocated, which has become a symbol of fear. Some can wear it on their face, others on their neck. Fear has become known as weakness, however Ichorians know that fear can breed greatness, so they show their fear with pride.

Two horizontal lines

These markings show someone’s calmness, sometimes in the gruelling experience of certain struggles, someone becomes completely desensitized to them. This can be a sign of someone’s dominance in a certain aspect, but to wear it falsely can mark anyone a fool.

Two lines under cheekbones

Lines starting from the ear under the cheekbone and sometimes straight down to the jawline is a sign of determination, bravery and loosely happiness. Someone's unwavering solidarity can be displayed through them, and in vast numbers it's a sign of camaraderie and perseverance.

One line from bottom lip to chin

To bring a line from either over the lip or under the lip down to the chin is a sign of a personal vendetta. If someone has a message to send, or a problem to settle, this is a mark of revenge. A murder in this light is often marked on the victim as well, the Ichorian will mark the corpse in the same marking in the victim's blood. It can be a warning.

Ceremony of the Beasts Carcass

[x]

Sacrificial ceremonies are a sacred part of Ichorian practice, they can take place no matter the occasion. The attendees can vary from other Ichorians, general Naelurir, Aspectists or even the unconverted. It's a way of demonstrating the core values of Aspectism and the Ichor Way.

Common occasions are generally after a hunt, or in preparation for bigger events such as monster hunting or battles. However, Ichorians can do it as a rite to the unconcerned or Aspectists to solidify their dedication to the Aspects.

The beast doesn't matter however, it generally applies to bigger game as there are many offshoots from the main ceremony revolving around the by-products of the carcass. This ties into one of the main Aspectists tenants off offerings, as well as the common practice of recycling and leaving little waste.

The beginnings of the ceremony generally start the same. To honour the beast’s death, an Ichorian will cut its heart out raising it all to see. The Ichorian will recite a prayer or a speech in Aspects name, honouring the life and death of the beast. Traditionally the ceremonial head will eat the heart raw, marking his face in the blood.

The next stage is removing the head of the beast, cleaning it off any meat and excess, this can either be repurposed into food for the attendees or as fertiliser for new crops. An Ichorian would comment on how in death, the fruit of the beast can be used for the growth of new life.

The skull of the beast can often be used for ornamental purposes for the rest of the ceremony, although it’s very traditionally worn as a headdress. This is seen as a representation of Cernunnos, as the ceremony continues the ceremonial head is acting as the spiritual vassal of Cernunnos’ will.

The rest of the carcass body is treated as regular, the pelts are moved on for use in clothing, some pelts are often worn around the shoulders for the rest of the ceremony to be repurposed later. The meat is divided for a feast, the inedible is used as fertilizer as aforementioned. Bones are used for a specific purpose known as bone tokens.

Bone Tokens

The bones are often cleaned and used for offerings, there are often enough for many of the attendees to participate to remove themselves and clean. This process can be a sign of dedication of Cerridwen's beauty, with bones being made into intricate designs such as carvings or necklaces to be offered at a shrine.

Certain bones such as the skull can also be mounted in sacred locations as an ornament as a symbol of Cernunnos’ watch. Ornamental bones often adore sacred locations such as shrines, as a symbol of the beast’s new life in the Eternal Forest, which is a status worth celebrating.

Smaller bones are again often carved and or made into decorative pieces often necklaces. These necklaces are often cared with sacred symbols signifying concepts such as; luck, bravery, good health and many others. These can be given as gifts, with personally or laid upon a burial site. Carving old elven into bones is also very common.

Monumental Totems

[x]

Similarly, to the practice of Oracle totems, after the occurrence of a significant event such as a grand monster hunt or a battle, an Ichorian will use his control to erect a totem pole. This can be carved by hand to signify the events that occurred there, as well as those who participated.

This practice is synonymous with ancient traditions of passing on the stories of old to the descendants. As well as a beacon of hope to all who come past it, a totem of perseverance to install strength and dedication into the hearts of its observers.

Often, we wander in our defeats, but what we gain in them is strength and these displays on strength and immortalized in wooden symbols of excellence, lest we forget them. They can be adorned by bone tokens and marked in blood also, as per other Ichorian practices.

Combat

Combat is an almost vital part of being an Ichorian, you must always be prepared to stand up for your beliefs at any time, as well as the fact you must train and pass on your knowledge of training to those who aspire. Combat scenarios can be waged in multiple different ways for many different reasons.

The equipment used is generally respective to the reason for the battle, sparring for battle practice is often done in armour with a sword. Whereas friendly combat can be unarmed with no shirts, personal quarrels and retribution can be done unclothed with weapons such as thorn whips or blunt blades which later goes on to add to scarification.

An Ichorian is not limited to the common trials, they can again be called for a plethora of different reasons and the conditions can always vary. However ultimately it works to make sure an Ichorian is always strong, always adaptable and ready to overcome all obstacles. To also accept defeat and become stronger despite it.

Coming of Age Trial

When the child of an Ichorian, or a young Ichorian aspirant comes of age, they are often trailed with fighting a fully-fledged Ichorian a match they will ultimately lose. However, it's not about winning, a demonstration of true determination and unwavering passion alongside the knowledge learnt from the elders. It's these which mark the passage of a young one who has passed into adulthood.

Trial by Combat

When words fail, it's not unlike us for our passion to take over. However, unlike the past senseless violence has been looked down upon. Ichorians can often challenge other Ichorians or any descendant to a trial by combat for the winning argument. The terms of this trial are agreed on mutually, but the result is final. Ichorians who lose these battles especially to non-Ichorians can often go on to do trials of retribution for penance.

Trial of Retribution

A trial of retribution can vary in many ways, some like to mark their failure through scarification. This can be through combat unarmed against someone with a thorny whip or unarmed against a beast with sharp claws and teeth. What specifically marks a retribution trial is the Ichorian will always be unarmed, to show that they don't need vices such as swords to be strong.

Prayers

“Cerridwen, grant me purpose.

Cernunnos, grant me power.

Ancestors, watch over me.

My kin, believe in me.

Aspects guide me,

Dominion follow me.

Ichor runs through my veins.”

((more soon [tm]))

I- Blessing

When a Druid is attuned, he is partially made new. Just as the blade of the scythe is made sharp, or the grime is wiped from the head of a spade, so too are the aberrations of civilization wiped from the soul of the Druid. However, rust still adorns these newly furbished tools. When the Druid steps from the attunement pool, his mind still festers with the refuse of civilization. For a Druid to truly flourish, he must take it upon himself to wipe away all that civilization has left him with, to scour the rust from his own steel and to make himself truly new. In his dedicancy, he is taught the methods by which this might be done, but only through his own action can he truly be a servant of the Aspects. A Druid might “serve” for decades, even centuries without realizing their corruption. It is these that deserve our pity, for they do not understand their sins against the Aspects.

II- Piety

A Druid’s first and only duty is to the Aspects, for the Aspects are the impetus by which we receive our blessings. It is vital that every Druid understands the relationship between Nature and the Aspects -- important that he understands that there is none, for to speak of one is to speak of the other. The Aspects are the only deities whose existence stems from the mortal realm; for where in the Nether or the Seven Skies does a tree grow, or a bird fly? Here in our realm do the Aspects originate, as herds of deer, packs of wolves, and every blade of grass beneath their feet. Theirs is a greatness beyond the scope of even other divinities, for the vast presence of the Aspects blankets the entire realm of man, beast, and their own great plane of the Eternal Forest.

III- Service

A true and righteous Druid is measured by his service to nature, for nature is the true identity of the Aspects. To serve nature is to serve the Aspects. To go against one is to go against the other. When a Druid fulfills his obligation to both, he upholds the balance. Meditation, prayer, and academic study of Nature all have their place in a Druid’s life. Indeed, a Druid must understand that which he serves or he will be lead asunder by his own mortal impulses. A Druid must not, however, allow his meditations to detract from his duties to the realm. It is these duties-- maintaining balance and serving the Aspects-- to which every Druid must be put to task. Some generations before have scorned their duties, choosing the safety of tame groves over the wild beyond our gates. It is these Druids who have come closer than any others to reaping the destruction of the Order, these peaceful few who have lead us closer to our end than even the most bloodthirsty of our kind.

IV- Intent

A Druid is tested in two parts- by his intentions and by his actions. A poor Druid might intend to serve the Aspects or the balance of nature itself, but in his actions compromise one, the other, or both. In contrast, a Druid might attempt the inverse, and where they may intend to cause harm, they instead bring balance. While we often speak of nature and balance interchangeably, here it must be noted that one can be affected negatively by the other. For example, a wild and unwise Druid might think to use his gifts constantly to build up a brave and untamable wild. While this indisputably “helps” nature, it disrupts the balance, for a rampant nature is just as bad as a repressed nature. A garden choked with weeds will not bear good fruit, and it must be remembered that great feats of Druidism bear their own “unnatural” connotations. A Druid must exercise a steady hand in his use of his gifts, and never use them outside a situation in which the Aspects’ will is being done. It is in this way, with careful measure and a clear focus on the Aspects' will that all Druids must exercise the might of Nature.

V- Justice

Society instills in its young a desire to do good and to battle its inverse, evil. This is the foundation upon which civilization was built millennia ago, and which continues to support every Descendant empire. From the Elves in their tranquil forests, to the Dwarves in their harsh mountains, the battle of good and evil dominates the hearts of man. Even the Aenguls and Daemons on high have followed this tarnished philosophy, to the end of great destruction in our own realm. This, Brothers and Sisters, is the true nature of our struggle  as Druids. This foundation is a rotten one -- one where balance cannot truly be achieved. Always, great swings will occur. Evil will rise, wreaking havoc on the world, only to be trumped by good. Populations rise, cities grow, and the festering sprawl of brick and mortar spreads across the land. Good, evil, these are poisonous seeds that the Descendants reap to their destruction. It is this struggle of good and evil, not magic, that lead to the Great War, and thus, to the first Druid. The true Druid, the one who rises above even his own brothers, is the one who discards utterly all Descendant constructs that weigh down his shoulders leaving only, truly, himself.

Wolf Druid Ouity Deathsbane

Heirophant

The Atlas Grove

9th of the First Seed, 1650

In the process of their warfare, the magess wrought vast devastation on the world. Forests caught fire and blazed til gone, islands sank into the sea, and entire races became extinct. Eventually, the great Goddess of Nature awakened from her sleep to witness the savage conflict. Shocked by the destruction, the Goddess sent a vision to a single human; the woman who would become the first Grand Druid. Through the vision, this chosen figure saw that she must found a body of Druids to preserve the fragile remains of her world's ecology. With the guidance of her Goddess, the order grew in strength until it finally had the power to intervene in the mages' war. The force of young Druids pooled their powers and together vanquished the members of both battling guilds, transforming the combatants into innocent wild beasts.

Once the former mages - now unable to fathom the concept of good versus evil - slithered, bounded, loped, and crawled off into their ruined habitats, the order began to heal the world. Since then, the Druids continually work to prevent such destruction from ever occurring again. Druids pledge to make sure the wards of good and evil no longer mar the precious earth. But, they also have bitter enemies in the ancient remnants of the guilds of warring mages; those good and evil mages who luckily escaped the fate of their fellows. Each guild claims it had been on the verge of victory and would have won, had Druids not interfered.

As recounted by Hierophant Pulver, Master of Dungeons.

With some modern druidic practices wandering astray, it has been necessary for me to scribe another text - that of Neo-Druidism. Throughout my travels and my meditative studies, I have had revelations unknown to others. It is important to understand that there is a special type of balance that druids themselves remember to study - action and non-action. Let me clarify. Action is motion, the motion of restoring balance, and of being the hand of Nature. Non-action is meditation and silence; invisible motion. You see, this is the only Way to truly understand Nature, the Universe, the "It". For, through non-action you may feel "It", and through action you may be "It". Call this "It" what you want; most druids will call it Nature. What is important is to understand what Nature truly is, and how it relates to you. To reveal this is the goal of this tome. 

Section 1 - The Unity of Nature *** The first fault in thinking is to make distinctions - those between you and Nature, between life and death, between good and evil. Everything is Nature, despite what any given piece believes. A druid does not use nature: a druid is merely a piece who realizes the profound truth. Through non-action, one may truly understand this concept and feel it course through them. However, while meditating in non-action, one also separates themselves from the flow; the Way, the path that Nature chooses for its pieces. To rejoin with Nature, one must practice action. 

*** Section 2 - The Way of Nature *** Nature does what it will, and while we realize this while meditating, sometimes we forget in action. We are merely moving along the river of life, the tides of balance. While we believe that we are restoring the balance, it is balance restoring itself in an everlasting self-conflict. Thus, through action, we are the hands of Nature, of balance, of the Way. One must not think of "using" Nature while playing their part, but of "being" Nature. This is a common mistake as well among young druids and non-druids. They think to restore the world by planting lots of trees... but that is not balance, nor is it even the way to achieve balance. Action alone is not the Way, for one forgets the purpose of action. Only with the mix of action and non-action can one achieve the goal: to have your cake and eat it, too. 

Section 3 - The Druid *** So as we can now see, the Druid is simply the most important hand, the piece Nature uses to govern itself. To truly try to understand is a task that lies within meditation and non-action. However, there is a limit to the mental reach of the pieces, for as no one truly knows all of themselves, Nature does not know all of itself. This is a fairly important observation: that even though Nature is unified, the unification is marked by threadlines of dubiousness and doubt. The Neo-Druid should not fret, however. There are uneven surfaces in every river. No tree has identical leaves. Just so, nothing, no "It", can be the symmetrical perfection one would like to see. Randomness and uniqueness are inherent in Nature, as defining as the unity itself. Paradoxical though it may seem, through balance of action and non-action, it shall be revealed to you, and only then will you understand the phrase.... 

"All is One"

The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors - that which it loves, and also that which it fears. Thus, circumstances do not make the Druid; they only reveal him to himself. It means that blessedness, and not wealth, is the measure of right thought; misery, not poverty or lack of family is the measure of wrong thought. A Druid will find that as he alters his thoughts towards Nature and the Aspects, Nature and Aspects will alter towards him. For you will always draw near toward that which you, secretly, most love. The Races surge with uncontrolled passion, are tumultuous with ungoverned grief, and are blown about by anxiety, doubt, and the wars and wills of Aenguls and Daemons. Only the wise Druid, only he whose thoughts are controlled and purified, can make the winds and storms of the soul, and indeed the world, obey him. The greatest achievement was at first, and for a time only a dream. Just as the oak sleeps in the acorn, and the bird waits in the egg, so dreams are the seedlings of realities. Beware therefore of what you dream of. For some dreams are given by the Aspects to inspire us by what may yet be. Others are planted within us by others, foul seeds that we harvest to our destruction.

II- Pride
There is but one way to truly gain mastery over nature, and that is to realize you cannot truly master it at all. It masters you. When one attempts to force it, compel it, command it, or otherwise exercise dominion over it-the power flees like a timid bird. This is because the Aspects know our innermost thoughts. They know how we intend to use Nature’s Gift. Man may deceive other men. But one simply does not deceive the Aspects. If their will is sought, they will come. If we emulate the principles by which they thrive, they flourish in us. Pride is poison to them. In reality, there is perhaps not one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as our pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as you please. It is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself. You will see it perhaps, even with in the most sacred grottos of the realm. For even if I, the Arch Druid, could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility. A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest, as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the hearts of the Races. My advice to new Dedicants is to squelch it all their days, for those desires lead to ruin.

III- Doubt
Many Dedicants arrive at the Groves with passion already instilled in them. They yearn to learn, they carry drive, and zest, and youth, and curiosity. When they enter our great tree, they have nothing, and leave with everything. However, a few lose what they have. The rigorous trials of Dedicancy begin to take their toll on them, or they submit their thoughts to the subtle poison of doubt. No lesson, meditation, or intervention can cure it, for these students do harm to themselves. The mind, like the body, can be moved from sunshine into shade. They submit themselves to the slews of myriad ways of Aenguls, Daemons, and the trickery of man, and they yield before this great power to sway one’s faith in the Aspects’ might. For those of you who would stay and train inasmuch as you strip yourself from jealousies and fears, and humble yourself before the Aspects, for you are not sufficiently humble, the veil over your eyes shall be torn and you will see. See all their glory and power, and know you are beloved. A servant of the earth, and wild. Having received the blessing of their attunement, a Druid should mentally mark out a straight pathway to service, looking neither to the right nor left. Doubts and fears should be zealously starved. They are disintegrating elements which break up the straight path, rendering it crooked, ineffectual, and useless. Thoughts of doubt and fear can never accomplish anything. They always lead to failure. Purpose, energy, power to do, and all strong thoughts cease whenever doubt and fear creep in. The will to do springs from the knowledge that we can do. He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure in all his endeavors, both as a Druid, and a person.

IV- Blight
In every era there comes a moment when the collective thoughts, whims, and motivations of arcane delvers and scheming politicians become so self-absorbed, so malignant, so unheeding that nature itself revolts. Man scars the land such that it finals rebels against him. As thoughts can spread despair and death like seedlings of weeds strewn by the wind, so they must eventually draw the Druids to pluck them out. The vetches must be pulled, roots and all. When this happens, the Aspects cease to bless, and instead they curse. Instead of healing, they spew poison. It happens so swiftly and terribly. The ancients of the Wayward’s time gave it a name, this culling process that blackens the world. They named it after a wasting disease that occurs in once-healthy groves of trees. They called it the Blight, and the first of these, the Great War.

I put this quill to paper here now so that others do not make the mistakes I did in my youth. Blinded by war and hate, my transgressions were many, and hard to earn penance for. Though I served the Aspects diligently for many lifetimes, I fear that in my heart, I have failed them. May the Aspects look kindly on me in the afterlife-
Xal ussta stath xunde mir dosst elamshinae.

-Wolf Druid Ouity

Retired Arch Druid of the Order

Elandriel Grove

19th of The Grand Harvest, 1612.

Throughout the existence of the Order, the Druids have kept tabs on major events, occurrences and changes within the Order. These happenings have been recorded into the ages by differing scribes throughout the times by varying Druids.

Aegian History

Post-Dream History

Asulonian History

Elysium & Kalosian History

Anthosian History

Fringe & Thalosian History

Atheran History

Vailorian History

Axiosan History

Rescribed by Axiosan Druids.

Signed,

Archdruid Renn, Sister Wisteria to the Druidic Order.

Head Teacher Toren, Brother Bull to the Druidic Order.

Librarian Aydalyn, Sister Mouse to the Druidic Order.