Baervan Wildwanderer

Baervan Wildwanderer (pronounced bay-ur-van wild-wan-der-er), also known as The Forest Gnome, is the neutral good gnome deity of forests, travel and nature. He is gentle, good natured, and mischievous. His sacred animal is the raccoon and his holy days are on the full moon. He lives in the gnomish realm of the Golden Hills, which is a region in the Dothion half of Twin Paradises/Bytopia. Dothion was a bucolic land of old forests and huge meadows subject to mild seasonal changes and gentle weather.

Though Baervan sometimes plays jokes on other creatures, it is hard not to like him. The Masked Leaf's tricks are much more pointed than typical of the Forgotten Folk, and if Baervan wants to send someone a message, he does so in the form of a joke. Baervan is the patron of the forest gnomes, rare and secretive kin of rock gnomes.

Clergy and Temples

The Church of Baervan is loosely organized and consists mostly of regional sects, each of which is fairly independent. Members of Baervan's clergy are found mostly in outdoor gnome communities in the great forests of Abios, particularly forest gnome villages. Individual clerics often wander far afield, typically accompanied by a raccoon (or dire raccoon) companion. All members of the Masked Leaf's clergy are concerned with the protection of nature (and the gnomes who dwell in harmony with it), and they are actively involved in driving off evil creatures.

Clerics and druids of Baervan pray for their spells each day whenever the moon is highest in the sky. Baervan's clergy gather monthly in sylvan glens under the light of the full moon to dance, hurl acorns at each other, and offer up magical trinkets or other treasures to the deity. If a follower has been unable to acquire a magical gift over the course of the last three ten-days, a knickknack of some value temporarily given magic by means of some cantrip (often a light spell) is commonly offered. Many clerics and druids are also rangers and wear wood-brown clothes and green caps.

Relationships

Baervan tends to keep to himself, except for the company of Chiktikka Fastpaws, a sentient giant raccoon who is always getting him into trouble. He works closely with the nonevil gnome deities, and with other good animal and nature deities, as well as mischievous or exuberant ones such as Brandobaris, Clangeddin Silverbeard, and Gwaeron. He has few foes aside from Urdlen, although the Beastlord has earned the gnome deity's ire for his hunting of forest gnomes.

Baervan's closest friend was Chiktikka Fastpaws, a sentient giant raccoon. His superior was Garl Glittergold. Baervan considered Segojan Earthcaller, Brandobaris, Clangeddin Silverbeard, Gwaeron Windstrom and other good nature deities among his allies. Urdlen and Malar were particularly hated enemies.

Dogma

The Great Forests of the Outdoors await those of the Forgotten Folk daring enough to venture forth from their burrows. Wander the gret woodlands in search of excitement and sylvan sites of incredible beauty. Defend and protect the creatures of the forest and the woodlands in which they reside. Be ever curious, and follow life wherever it may lead.

— The Teachings of Baervan Wildwanderer

Divine Classification

Exarch

Species

Gnome

Honorary & Occupational Titles

• The Forest Gnome
• The Masked Leaf
• Father of Fish and Fungus

Gender

Male

Symbol

Raccoon's face

Home

Golden Hills - Bytopia

Alignment

Neutral Good

Portfolio

Travel, nature, forest gnomes

Domains

Animal, Gnome, Good, Plant, Travel

Favored Weapon

“Whisperleaf” (halfspear)

Cleric Alignments

CG, LG, NG

Worshipers

Druids, forest gnomes, rangers, rock gnomes, tricksters