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[!] The following is personal character information, that would not be known to anyone. Do not metagame. Khazaefron walked through the fae gardens of Hefrumm. The beautiful colors of the forest brushed the vision. The smell of the flowers filled the air, it was as smelling the fragrance of Belka’s hair. As they continued the walk Khazaefron came upon an old tree, this was no ordinary tree however, this tree was the tree of a fellow dwarven epiphyte of the Blackroot clan, one that was now dead and gone. When their comrade died they did not come back in a new form, their tree just slowly died out. “Anbella has released you of service sooner than expected eh?” Khazaefron would place their hand over the tree. “Yer service to Anbella es at an end kin, may ye enjoy tha eternal reward en her realm.” As he did this a surge of sorrow and anger flowed through them, the idea of loosing another clan mate fogged their mind. Khazaefron would slam their fist into the dead tree cracking the old bark opening a layer that was still not as decayed yet. The breach started to leak resin onto their fist. A reflection of themselves shone through the resin but it was not the face of Khazaefron that was looking back at them, it was the face of Karl Blackroot. “Is this what has become of my clan?” He said. “Is this what has become of me?” “Is this worth tha deaths our forest dwed brothas and sistas?” “We rebuilt their kingdom knowing fullwell et wes nevah fer us to rule, tha es woi we stayed ‘efrumm.” “Es ‘aving a forest dwed wearing tha crown ef tha outlanders worth tha state of our folk?” Khazaefron shook their head. “No, et be neccesareh fer tha forest dwed to choose their own path.” Karl would stare through the sap into Khazaefron his image slowly turning into Mao’s. “Is this the fate that you will allow to come to our uncle’s project? Are you to allow Hefrumm to slowly die? Let its roots dry out? What will happen when the Blackroots, the roots of Hefrumm, the roots that connect what was is and will be, what happens when these roots dry out?” Khazaefron frowned. “A’ will net allow et to ‘appen. A’ will serve ‘efrumm, we will always be ‘ere to ‘elp our folk remembah whot wes, our memoreh will nevah banish.” “Will you tho?” answered Mao. “Have you not already forgotten your fallen epiphyte dwed, all those that died because of the hatred of the outlanders towards us? Towards the forest dwed wae ef life.” “A’ ‘ave net forgotten, a’ will nevah forget.” Khazaefron lashed back. Asketil’s image would appear over Mao’s in the resin. “Aye…we will net forget.” Khazaefron would snap out of their vision. With a new found determination they would drain the resin from the dead tree. In their work place they would go over the books of Karl looking for anything and all things for inspiration, with Karl’s determination and imagination they though and imagined the old arts of the forest dwed, those arts lost in the blood age due to the genocide and cultural extermination of the forest dwarves. “Amber…” said Karl in Khazaefron’s mind. “We could recreate the gifts of Anbella which is found in Grimdugan’s depths.” Responded Mao. “Weth tha dwed foundries and Mossborn smithing, we surely ‘av tha technologeh and skills to recreate et!” Answered Asketil. Through the roaring fires of the dwed forges and intense pressures created by their machinery Khazaefron formed the resin into a gem like substance, a copal material. They would lift the material above their head being able to look at their own reflection through the transparent material. In the copal he would see a young Karl Cottonwood in his non-epiphyte form being touched by the lady of the forest and turning into an epiphyte and the first Blackroot High Chief, they could see the gifts of the depths of Grimdugan being granted to the young Mao for his faithful thievery, they could see the Asketil’s training under the Mossborn smiths. All of them coalesced to reflect Khazaefron’s image back to them. For four years Khazaefron would work on the project, from the material creating an armor. It was amber in appearance, that treasured gem in Grimdugan’s realm gifted to him by the blood of Anbella’s trees. It was certainly not the strongest material just as strong as silver or gold. But just like these materials the amber held the power of the Brathmordakin, the power of symbolism and ideas. By this armor Khazaefron would make a vow one to their clan, Hefrumm, and the Brathmordakin, a vow to continue the Hefrumm project, to assist any and all those seeking to build upon it. Lastly, they also cut their palm and made a blood oath upon this armor. “By this blood that is also the blood of the Paragon, A’ swear tha a’ will see ye again uncle, and when a’ do a’ will stare ye en tha eyes as an equal. A’ will create a path tha will allow our forest kin to reach yer ‘ights so tha our folk can reach further beyond!” “Under these oaths, we place our purpose, undah thes armor we place our singulariteh. We be multiple, and we be one, a world made ef worlds, one en reflection ef Yemekar’s creation an ef Anbella’s Balance.” [!] Depiction of amber armor [!] Depiction of the different personas making up Khazaefron, including themselves.

The Epiphytes of the Green Collective History The Epiphytes of the Green Collective where the founders of the order in Hefrumm. In 1742 of the First Age the Folk Council of Hefrumm created the Green Collective pushed by the Epihytes of Hefrumm and other Fae related beings that were living in the village. From the start the epiphytes led the organization as they were seen by the community of Hefrumm as dwarves that were chosen by Anbella to be part of her natural realm. Through the years the epiphytes of the Green Collective grew and prospered, creating families, achieving political ranks in the village, and becoming leaders of dwed. The creation of the Green Collective enabled the legal recognition of epiphytes as dwarves in the lands of Hefrumm, something that years later would lead the wider Urguan to also declate Epiphytes born as dwarves to be dwarves. During the war against the Inferi the first dwarves to lend their assistance in the fight against the Khorvadic spawn were the epiphytes of the Green Collective, despite the Inferi flames being more of a danger to them than any other descendant. While the Green Collective has never shied away from battle the way of Anbella teaches them to seek a diplomatic bloodless resolution and only wage battle if diplomacy has failed. Because of their association with Anbella and the fact that some epiphytes are among the oldests members of Hefrumm they tend to serve as keepers of knowledge and culture, with those that do so becoming Seers of Hefrumm. After the Green Collective the Seers of Hefrumm is the order of the forest dwarves with the most epiphyte members. On the opposite side outside the forest dwarf lands there are a couple groups which declare strongly their opposition to epiphytes, with their members believing a variety of things that trigger their hatred for epiphytes, especially epiphyte dwarves. Despite these challenges epiphytes of the Green Collective have been able to reach positions of prevalence even in Urguan, with the Prophet of Belka and Anbella having been an epiphyte, and the daughter of Grand King Garedyn the Emerald also being one. [!] Depiction of Maggie Cottonwood, former Chief of the Cottonwood Clan. Culture Dwarvenhood and Epiphytehood The Dual identity of being dwarves and epiphytes brings honor to members of the Green Collective. Being a dwarf is already generally considered by the dwarven race as being the chosen people by Yemekar to keep his balance, which is an honor that all dwarves value greatly. At the same time being an epiphyte that believes in the Brathmordakin gives the foresters the sense that they have been chosen by Anbella to become epiphytes and hear her call in the call of nature. [!] Depiction of a dworc epiphyte. Caretakers The Green Collective views itself as the protector of the natural balance of Anbella, which is the organization's objective at all times. Because of this, the matter of politics does not matter unless it is to achieve said aim. Wards Foresters have a close connection to all beings of nature, they share fraternal care for other epiphytes as well, even if they do not believe in the Brathmordakin. These epiphytes are viewed as beings that need to be taken care of as they are often unable to perceive Anbella in the call of nature. Wards that are able to hear Anbella in the call of nature and generally worship the Brathmordakin and seek to help the dwarves attain Anbella’s and Yemekar’s Balance are considered members of the Green Collective. [!] Depiction of Fae creatures Cultural Mixingpott Due to it being composed entirely of epiphytes the Green Collective cannot reproduce more members through the matting of their members. Instead, the Organization relies on epiphytes, especially dwarves joining. This results in the accumulation of cultures from various clans. Cultural diversity is not seen as something wrong, rather it serves to reflect the wider nature and Hefrumm itself which like the Green Collective envelops multiple cultures united through a uniting characteristic and belief. Religion Epiphytes of the Green Collective are dwarves and pious ones at that. The order like any other order of dwarves follows the dwarven Brathmordakin and the moral codes of each of the Brathmordakin depending on their trade. Due to most members of the Green Collective being forest dwarves the style of faith of the forest dwarves is prevalent in the way the members of the Green Collective practice the faith, focusing mainly on traditional forest dwarf rituals as seen in Hefrumm. Like all dwarves of Hefrumm the Green Collective members have a close connection to the seers, members of the community that serve as advisors and teachers on matters that relate to culture, history, and religion. [!] Depiction of High Chief Karl Blackroot doing a Seer ritual. Yemekar’s Balance Yemekar’s Balance is an important concept for the dwarves. It is in a very real way the essence of their existence, this applies to all organizations created by dwarves like the Green Collective. According to the dwarves it is their duty to achieve and protect Yemekar’s Balance. This means that it is the duty of the dwarves to ensure that creation remains in order in accordance to the will of Yemekar by following the teachings of the other Brathmordakin to be able to achieve the broader balance. Anbella’s Balance Apart from Yemekar’s Balance another important concept to the Green Collective is Anbella’s Balance. Anbella’s Balance is highly important to the forest dwarves and it is seen as an essential section to be able to achieve the broader Yemekar’s Balance. Anbella’s Balance stands for the balance of nature in accordance to Anbella’s teachings and hence in accordance with Yemekar’s will for creation. Chosen of Anbella It is a common belief in the Green Collective and in the larger forest dwarf culture that those dwarves that become epiphytes have made a pact with Anbella where they serve her and dedicate their soul to her. In this process Anbella claims the soul of the dwarf and takes it to her realm directly after the death of the dwarf, ensuring the dwarf that in the after life they will go to Anbella’s realm and not any other Brathmordakin. Epiphytes also hear the call of nature, something that epiphyte dwarves of the Green Collective interpret as Anbella’s call. Because of their belief of dwarves being chosen by Yemekar to keep the balance they view their interpretation of the call as correct interpreting any Fae related thing as somehow being subjugate to Anbella’s will. This perception of the Fae has allowed multiple dwarves of the Green Collective to become druids, and to befriend elves and other groups that revere the Fae. [!] Depiction of epiphytes of the Green Collective. Ranks and Organization Wanderer Dwarven epiphytes that do not play a formal role in the Green Collective are classed as wanderers, due to their position as dwarves and citizens of Hefrumm and/or Urguan they receive full protection, representation, and vote from the Green Collective. Pupil A pupil is an Epiphyte that has decided to learn the teachings of the Green Collective, this includes the teachings of the Brathmordakin, the role of the Epiphytes in Yemekar’s work, and the protection of the Balance of Anbella. Mentor Mentors are those that have learned the teachings of the collective and are able to pass on the knowledge to new generations. Mentors have the ability to vote and run to become Chosen. Chosen The Chosen is the elected representative of the Green Collective, they represent the collective in official meetings with other groups and institutions. [!] Depiction of a Wanderer Epiphyte. “Ranks” outside the organization Outlander Epiphytes Members of other epiphyte communities are considered outlanders. These epiphytes are granted the support and council of the Green Collective as despite not working for the goals of the Green Collective their goals do not go against the Green Collective’s own. Wild Epiphytes Wild epiphytes are those epiphytes that do not believe in the Brathmordakin and do not belong to any epiphyte community. These lone epiphytes are protected by the Green Collective as they can be educated to serve a neutral or positive role in Anbella’s balance by stopping them from becoming feral. Feral Epiphytes Feral epiphytes are those that broke away from Anbella’s Balance and serve a Khorvadic corruption of it. The most wellknown examples of feral epiphytes are those that serve the september prince. [!] Depiction of a Feral Epiphyte. Previous posts of the Green Collective The Green Collective Act : https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/196376-the-green-collective-act/ The Green Collective: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/204297-the-green-collective/ [Interested in becoming an epiphyte? Interested in joining the Green Collective? Message me in discord at: mateolog. You can also try to join the Hefrumm discord if you are interested in joining the community: https://discord.gg/tZyec7JTU ]

Epiphytes of Hefrumm Ever since their subrace’s creation caused by the actions and lifestyle of Glin Treebeard, the forest dwarves have had a big cultural connection with the aspects and the fae realm. As dwarves, most forest dwarves worship the dwarven deities, the Brathmordkin. These two factors caused the eventual assimilation of the aspects and the fae realm into the Brahtmordakin mythos in multiple different ways. Some saw the aspects as Anbella, some saw them as different entities that served her, that they were her avatars, that they are allied, and more. History of Epiphytes of Hefrumm In Hefrumm, the first forest dwarf nation to ever be created, this assimilation continues. Hefrumm’s religious culture is witnessed through the perspective of the seers as they are the main teachers of the community in cultural and religious matters. Under this perspective the dwarves of Hefrumm see the aspects as entities that serve the balance of the tribunal, a tripartite of the three Brathmordakin Anbella, Belka, and Dungrimm. By serving the tribunal the aspects serve Anbella’s balance, a type of balance in nature which is required as part of Yemekar’s balance, a balance of existence which dwarves believe to protect. Hefrumm’s seers also see the realm of the Fae as the realm of Anbella. When there is a Fae related issue that tends to be an indication of Imbalance in Anbella’s balance, hence the damage is seen as a warning of something worse to come if not restored. When nature acts in ways that it harms Anbella’s balance this nature is called feral. Hefrumm’s dwarves are extremely devout followers of Brathmordakin and aspect teachings. This was due to the founder being a druid, and also a dwarven Paragon (dwarven saint), Bjor Cottonwood. All this devout belief in the Brathmordakin and in the aspects causes interesting cultural relations to Fae beings compared to other dwarves. Forest dwarves have always been keen on fae since the early years of the Treebeard clan, some dwarves were druids and such. It was not until the Seers chapter in Hefrumm was formed that it started to be seen as a gift of Anbella. This positive attitude of the community towards the change allowed the epiphytes that were in Hefrumm and that had gone through Seer training to create a holy ceremony, Communion of Anbella. In the communion of Anbella the epiphyte takes the initiate to be turned. All initiates are per the ritual told of all consequences and possibilities. Some say that this ritual kills the body of the dwarf, some say it kills the dwarf it self, and other say that the dwarf is just more wooden now it does not change the dwarfness; The way most Hefrumm culturally see it is as a show of devotion, a sacrifice of the body to lend in service of Anbella and her balance. In essence, they become paladins of Anbella’s Balance. Hence, those that do the ritual already have the mindset of dedicating their lives to Anbella’s balance, something most Hefrumm have as they believe that they are responsible to keep it. An epyphyte ‘born’ from another epyphyte’s fae tree/shroom is considered their rootbrother/rootsister or sporebrother/sporesister. These bonds between fellow epiphytes eventually created the Green Collective, an order in Hefrumm dedicated to the protection of the rights of epiphytes. Noticeably the epiphyte dwarves tend to be the ones that use these rights the most as they are the ones whose rights are trying to be protected by Hefrumm. Nonetheless, the Green Collective is allowed to be led by a non-dwarf and some of their rights also help non-dwarf epiphytes. The Green collective differentiate between three types of epiphytes; those that worship the brathmordakin which are usually but not only dwarves, those that just follow the aspects, and those that have not been educated in any religious form, these later ones being what is considered feral. A epiphytes of the Brathmordakin can agree and understand the beliefs of a epiphytes educated in the fae, however, they would not be able to understand or relate to a feral epiphytes. This leads to feral epiphytes being allowed in the Green Collective but never welcomed as they are seen as a potential threat to the stability of the Green Collective and the safety of their Fae gardens. [!] Romanticized depiction of a epiphyte Hefrumm seer. Religion and beliefs Most epiphytes of Hefrumm are worshipers of the Tribunal Brathmordakin and the other Brathmordakin. Due to this they have a bias towards dwarves as they are beings that fufill Yemekar’s balance, which requires Anbella’s balance. Since the community of epiphytes are able to grow and thrive in Hefrumm this is seen as an indication that their ways are beneficial for the balance of nature and their fae plants. Despite the fact that most known epiphytes do not eat meat, Hefrumm epiphytes still hunt. Hefrumm is a tribal community founded on the concept of collective greed. Since members of Hefrumm work for the collective greed not for the individual epiphytes of Hefrumm tend to join hunts and other events even if they themselves will not eat the meat. [!] Depiction of a Hefrumm epiphyte hunter. Epiphytes' Rights in Hefrumm Due to Hefrumm’s view of epiphytes, there was a political will for Hefrumm to pass laws giving epiphytes rights. The rights given by Hefrumm to the epiphyte through the Green Collective Act were as follows: -=- Right to be protected from physical harm and persecution -=- -=- Right to work in Hefrumm -=- -=- Right to trade -=- -=- Right to Parent (have an adoptive family) -=- -=- Right to Ancestry (An individual has the ability to identify as the race they were born in) -=- -=- Right to live in Hefrumm -=- -=- Right to vote for a Chosen of the collective -=- Thanks to these rights and to these shared goals and beliefs the epiphyte of Hefrumm were able to quite easily mingle with the rest of Hefrumm society. The rights given to the epiphyte by Hefrumm allowed dwarven epiphyte to reach the heights of Hefrumm society, becoming a seer, being a clan chief, becoming the high chief of Hefrumm, all are things that dwarven epiphyte by the right of being considered as one’s race and not just as a epiphyte can do and has been done. [!] Depiction of High Chief Karl Blackroot. Relations to other dwarf groups Hefrumm is a nation inside the Nation of Urguan, the Kingdom of the dwarves. Due to this fact epiphytes of Hefrumm could deal with dwarves from the capital in their day to day. The opinions of the dwarves of the capital on epiphytes vary, some see it the same way as Hefrumm, some do not care, and some dislike it. Since some dwarves do not share the forest dwarf understanding of the aspects and the fae, there are cases of dwarves seeing the epiphytes as a curse or disease. This has caused cases of discrimination against epiphytes in the capital of the dwarves. However, the discrimination is always extreamly limmited as epiphytes are part of Hefrumm’s culture and a depiction of the way these forest dwarves view life, and those that discriminate against epiphytes need to tiptoe in their actions. [!] A slanderous depiction of a horde of epiphytes taking over the realm. Related posts: Legal Rights of the Green Collective https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/196376-the-green-collective-act/ History of the forest dwarves https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/215313-history-of-the-forest-dwarves-tome-of-hefrumm/ Green Collective post https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/204297-the-green-collective/ Epiphyte lore https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/187145-%E2%9C%93-ca-race-lore-epiphytes/?tab=comments#comment-1744396

Citizens of Hefrumm, If you are a dwarven epiphyte and have decided to dedicate yourself to Anbella’s service it is recommended you avoid the capital of our Grand Kingdom of Urguan. There has been threats made towards Epiphytes by Darek Irongrinder to ‘exterminate the heretics and those that harbor them.’ While this is also a threat to Hefrumm’s culture and those who respect it, these words themselves are not an immediate threat. The call is abhorrent and goes against the sanctity of dwarven life, we have no way of protecting our folk in the capital. We call for the rights that are given to our people in Hefrumm to be extended and recognised by the laws of our Kingdom. This however cannot be done overnight. Until then it is recommended for epiphyte dwarves to remain in Hefrumm and areas friendly to Hefrumm where their security is assured.