Church of the Golden Sister
The “church” of the Thellynites, if it deserves so lofty a name, is a loose collection of clergy and holy warriors, all of whom prefer the isolation in the woods to the company of other people. The golden altar to Thellyne in the triads usually stands unattended, except by a variegate priest, as the triads are usually found in the cities Thellyne’s clergy abhor.
Thellyne is popular among trappers, hunters, and those who live in the woodlands, but such poor folk do not make her church rich or prominent. Hidden away in the woodlands, small shrines honor her. They’re built by devout commoners, or by her wandering clergy. These simple, small shrines are altars made from natural outcroppings, with boughs of trees gently bent into shelves. They are found in serene and lovely parts of the woods, and dark things dare not disturb them.
Thellyne is almost unaware she even has a church, and fittingly, the church barely exists. Thellynites revere unspoiled nature, and just as they rarely disturb the forest, they avoid calling on Thellyne, nature personified, so that they won’t degrade her with petty, mortal desires. This is exactly as she likes it. She is perhaps the humblest of the gods (though Anwyn has a strong claim to that title) and doesn’t avoid prayer out of haughtiness, but a desire to be one with beasts, birds and endless trees.
Thellyne grants clergy powers, but rarely visits or guides them. Only the most powerful members of her faith stand a chance of knowingly meeting her in the deep woods, but these are rare occasions. Yet Thellyne loves those who respect the woods, and smiles on her followers. She gives them gifts if she meets them, but they do not always know that the lone elf, hunting cat or whispering winds were her.
Thellyne is popular among trappers, hunters, and those who live in the woodlands, but such poor folk do not make her church rich or prominent. Hidden away in the woodlands, small shrines honor her. They’re built by devout commoners, or by her wandering clergy. These simple, small shrines are altars made from natural outcroppings, with boughs of trees gently bent into shelves. They are found in serene and lovely parts of the woods, and dark things dare not disturb them.
Thellyne is almost unaware she even has a church, and fittingly, the church barely exists. Thellynites revere unspoiled nature, and just as they rarely disturb the forest, they avoid calling on Thellyne, nature personified, so that they won’t degrade her with petty, mortal desires. This is exactly as she likes it. She is perhaps the humblest of the gods (though Anwyn has a strong claim to that title) and doesn’t avoid prayer out of haughtiness, but a desire to be one with beasts, birds and endless trees.
Thellyne grants clergy powers, but rarely visits or guides them. Only the most powerful members of her faith stand a chance of knowingly meeting her in the deep woods, but these are rare occasions. Yet Thellyne loves those who respect the woods, and smiles on her followers. She gives them gifts if she meets them, but they do not always know that the lone elf, hunting cat or whispering winds were her.
Tenets of Faith
“There was nature before the Eye opened. Trees grew tall before the Fair Sister ever stirred. Our lady reveres a power greater and older than she, and so too must we. It is a fool who believes himself greater than nature, and folly has its price.”
—Woodwarden Hillace, “The Fair Sister Speaks”
The Thellynites believe the lesson of the The White Hart is easy to understand, though perhaps difficult to fully accept. As the mortal races grow in power, one might assume it eclipses that of anything else in the world. The Three Sisters gained power on their Journey to the East too, yet still saw forces greater than themselves. So too must mortals learn to respect the Earth, which came before Thellyne, and set her upon the riverbank of her birth. Nature is more powerful than mortals will ever be, so the Thellynites seek to follow its laws, as follows:
—Woodwarden Hillace, “The Fair Sister Speaks”
The Thellynites believe the lesson of the The White Hart is easy to understand, though perhaps difficult to fully accept. As the mortal races grow in power, one might assume it eclipses that of anything else in the world. The Three Sisters gained power on their Journey to the East too, yet still saw forces greater than themselves. So too must mortals learn to respect the Earth, which came before Thellyne, and set her upon the riverbank of her birth. Nature is more powerful than mortals will ever be, so the Thellynites seek to follow its laws, as follows:
Silence
Thellynites learn to be still, listen deeply, and observe, rather than to act. All the best things in the world are so subtle that if you traipsed and trammeled through life, you’d miss it all. The Thellynites sanctify celebrations with silence, and their religious ceremonies involve more listening than speaking. They are an observant people, like the Sister they serve.Natural Cycles
Even the most powerful mortal will die someday, his flesh consumed by the worms and turned to dirt. If we believe we are above the cycles of nature, we are fools, and will be destroyed. There is more power in the little animal that knows its place,than in a great wizard who believes he can break the cycle natural order. This doctrine ensures Thellynites oppose anyone who would twist nature by, for example, changing animals and plants, raising the undead, or living forever.Caution
The woods teach dangerous lessons. Assume you are safe, and the woods send a bear to eat you. Trust the firm ground beneath you, and the woods send quicksand. A Thellynite must always show caution and never assume he knows his surroundings, even if he’s been there a thousand times.Respect
Thellynites demand respect for the ancient places of the Earth: woods, ancient caves, stony mountains, and other grand, natural places. They oppose those who disrespect or mar these places, whether for selfish gain or to win some advantage for their people. The key to the doctrine is the premise that the natural cycle is innately good. Thellynites believe that left to its own, the natural world would grow into perfection and goodness. However, evil forces both mortal and unnatural, undermine the natural cycle. Thus, Thellynites oppose them.Worship
The most common Thellynite prayer is silence. The length of the silence is determined by the holiness of the occasion. Sometimes a group of Thellynites sit silently in the woods for an entire day, simply listening to the sounds of nature.
Priesthood
Woodwardens of Thellyne
Young woodwardens wander the world, seeking a forest in need of a guardian. When they find one they take up residence, protecting the people and animals living there. He balanced their needs, but never allows people to ravage the wild. Hunted animals must rebuild their numbers. Gathered plants must be allowed to regrow. Among some primitive or woodland societies, the woodwarden might be the spiritual leader of an entire people. Unlike druids, their order does not require reclusive behavior. They are clergy after all, and minister to groups, small or large. In remote areas, their only congregants might be the animals, but they serve nonetheless, keeping dark things from the woods. Some woodwardens never settle in a single forest and adventure around the world, battling the enemies of nature. These priests are rare, but considered just as devout as their settled counterparts.All woodwardens share the same basic tenets: The natural world should be protected, the people and animals who reside therein served, and the laws of the Thellynite faith observed. The differences between the woodwardens are based on where they choose to practice.
Most woodwardens protect the largest wild places, seeking to do the most good. Other woodwardens seek woodlands near civilization. Taking up residence in the forest or a neighboring town, they teach people to honor nature, and tread lightly upon it. Many of these woodwardens minister to towns of loggers, teaching them how to properly respect and replenish the trees. Many woodwardens might settle anywhere. Those who live near civilization dissuade people from damaging the woods in any way. This might lead two woodwardens into conflict.
Members of the woodwardens are addressed as “warden.” In the rare formal introductions, the woodwarden is introduced as, “a woodwarden of the Thellynites.”
Joining the Woodwardens
Initiates seeking to become woodwardens must find an established member of the order and become her apprentice, spending up to five years learning woodcraft and Thellyne’s teachings. When the master deems his training complete, she leads him to the depths of the woods, strips him of all possessions, and leaves him to find his way back. Students who manage this become woodwardens, clerics, and masters of their own destinies.Sects
Hallowed Hunters of Thellyne
Like many rangers, hallowed hunters drive evil creatures from the woods, but unlike rangers (who they often count as allies), however, they receive powers from Thellyne, the goddess of the hunt. Thus the order trains powerful hunters, who might even lead good rangers against nature’s enemies. Hallowed hunters must protect woodlands, and must not willingly allow evil to take over natural places. Hunters cannot knowingly do evil, or assist in the commission of evil. Hallowed hunters keep the company of those who love the woodlands, especially rangers and woodwardens. While they might join other good people, they do not stray from the woodlands for long, and have no real desire to spend time in cities or towns. They do not long abide the company of those who do evil, and actively oppose those who would harm the natural world.Hallowed hunters are called “hunters,” or “huntresses,” and are addressed as such.
