Gydona

The Guide to the lost

Whenever someone got themselves lost in the wilderness, they sometimes glimpse a figure which leads them civilization or encounter a wild beast which either leads or chases them back to civilization. Some could argue that this was just the survivor's bias. But tales of this occurrence have been circulating since the dawn of civilization, and plenty of superstitious people have contributed these occurrences to some sort of woodland being, one which assists those lost and guides them back to civilization. With enough people believing this phenomenon, it wasn't long before this materialized in the shape of Gydona, a many shaped amalgam of people, beasts, all of which somehow in some story contributed to guiding someone to safety.
Gydona embodies a force in nature which guides people back to civilization. As the while ensuring these lost souls endure some sort of great experience, from resting at great vistas to finding shelter in a cozy cave or encountering some welcoming druid. Gydona is also a fickle goddess, as such not all who are lost return, and those who do might take years, often becoming a vastly different person by the trials they endured. Those that follow in Gydona creed find themselves often drawn to the wilderness, and venture far and wild, discovering lost places, just for their enjoyment, and as such make great guides.

The faith: Gydona's wanderers

Those that are drawn to this faith do so generally for two reasons, either they were lost and returned to civilization with the assistance with that they believed to be Gydona, or they always were drawn to the wilderness, and seek to explore it, no matter how far they need to go and how likely they are to lose their way. These wanderers can be found at the edges of civilization, providing their services as guides, or rescuers. Many of these wanders also have an unmatched knowledge of the natural world, ensuring they can live off the lands and identity rare herbs and plants, which they sell back at civilization.
Whereas these devotees are closely tied to the wilderness, they don't actively protect all it, and on a few occasions, these devotees where used to find suitable locations for logging operations. During which they ensured no sites on natural splendor or places of cultural significance where lost to the grinding gears of progress.
Some of these devotees have devoted themselves to mapping the wilderness, ensuring things of importance to travelers are mapped, creating routes through the wild which have become well-traveled over the years. These maps purposely neglect to mention motes sites of natural splendor and the routes avoid sites which most travelers should avoid, be it wolf-infested wood or druidic lands.

Shrines to Gydona

Build at the edges of cities, as to make the journey to the unknown slightly shorter. These buildings are often made from logs and stone, often filled with various herbs, plants, and strange objects found in the wilderness and maps showing paths to many unknown places of interest. Here they unite their services and prove their goods for service, be a guide, a map, or something more outlandish.

Quests of the Faith

Those that seek to gain Gydona's Gift often embark on the wilderness, where they gather rare herbs which are brewed into a potion which induces a dream state. During which the Wander receives their vision. This vision often directs them deeper into the unknown, where they are tasked to find something weird or encounter a great vista. When the Wanderer returned with proof of their adventure, often a written journal or a sketch which is added to the "book of journeys", the quest is completed.

Aspects of the Religion:
Structure: Spread out,
Activities: Exploring the wilderness, rescuing those lost from the wild.
Religious Gesture: Strech arms to the sky and look up.
Mantra: The wilderness is ours to explore,

Relations

• Dariël: Nature deserves its place.
• Grynza: If the nature would be less dangerous exploration would be easier
• Krisat: Information forms the heart of any expedition.

Diplomacy Diagram not available

The wilderness is ours to explore

The spirit of the wilderness, Gydona sees all who enter her domain, 

Name: Gydona
Domains: Knowledge, Nature and Life
Core Concept: Guidance, Discovery and Tricks
Divine Symbol: forest path
Alignment: CG

Alternative Names

Gydona's wanderers