Emerald Enclave

Faction Overview

The actions of the Enclave influenced the lives of the high and low, its members avoiding good and evil to focus on the needs of the natural world and resist the growing influence of humankind. Despite their primary goal of preserving nature, members were not direct opponents of progress; they preferred instead to work with civilized folk to promote the health of the natural world without resorting to acts of violence
The Emerald Enclave is a far-ranging group that opposes threats to the natural world and helps others survive the many perils of the wild. A ranger might be hired to lead a caravan through a treacherous mountain pass or the frozen tundra of Icewind Dale. A druid might volunteer to help a small village prepare for a long, brutal winter. Barbarians and witches who live like hermits most of the year might defend a town against marauding orcs or barbarians. Members of the Emerald Enclave know how to survive, and more importantly, they want to help others do the same. They are not opposed to civilization or progress, but they strive to prevent civilization and the wilderness from destroying one another.
Members of the Emerald Enclave are spread far and wide, and usually operate in isolation. They learn to depend on themselves more than others. Survival in a harsh world also demands great fortitude and mastery of certain fighting and survival skills. Members of the Enclave who dedicate themselves to helping others survive the perils of the wilderness are more social than others who are charged with defending sacred glades and preserving the natural balance.

History

Founded on Ilighôn in 374 DR, the Enclave's initial goal was to protect the interests and resources of nature within the Vilhon Reach in the face of despoilers of nature. The House of Silvanus was completed a few years later. After a while, the Enclave began to concern themselves with the preservation of nature throughout all of Faerûn. To accomplish this feat, they started splinter cells in other areas that it believed may become threatened, such as the High Forest, Cormanthor, the Wealdath, and the forests of the Great Dale. These cells were small, often consisting of only a few people keeping a close eye on organizations dangerous to their aims. Such groups were known to keep a watch on the church of Talos and the People of the Black Blood.

Membership

Initiation

Initiates were required to serve neither good nor evil, to not serve any other organization (apart from the churches of Eldath, Mielikki, or Silvanus), to be innocent of crimes against nature, and to have performed at least one act that benefited nature (preferably one that proves a members ability to resist duress or in a case of conflicting interests). The rites of initiation were held each full moon at the House of Silvanus.

Titles

Depending on the situation, the Enclave was also known as the "Caretakers", "Nature's Chosen", the "Circle", and "the Chosen of Silvanus".

Structure

The Enclave was organized into a hierarchy of circles, each of which had a different responsibility:

• Circle of Initiates
• Circle of Earth
• Circle of Air
• Eldath's Circle
• Circle of Alluvium
• Planar Circle
• The Elder Circle

The heart of the Emerald Enclave lies in the Vilhon Reach, and those who wish to join the Enclave must travel to the House of Silvanus, on the island of Ilighôn. On the full moon of each month, those who would join go through the rite of initiation. Once the rites are completed, the initiates join the first of seven circles of the Enclave, the Circle of Initiates, and thus begin their journey as members of the Emerald Enclave.
When a member has proven their loyal they can join a circle. The first, the Circle of Earth tends to the groves and sacred places across Faerûn serving as guardians against dangers that would threaten such places of importance. The Circle of Air is a traveling circle of Enclave who tend to take the tenets with them with no set goals or specialization. They tend to be made up of those who wander such as adventurers who serve as explorers, or scouts to the world for the Enclave to bring news back to the Enclave and often act as messengers and assistance in times of need. The Eldath Circle, sail the waterways of Faerûn, searching for knowledge and secrets beneath the waves that would benifit the Enclave. The Circle of Alluvium, walk the lands of Faerûn, observing for any unnatural forces that need to be put down and ensuring there is a peaceful existence between civilizations and the wilderness. Lastly, the Planar Circle, pledged to watch for the most unnatural forces beyond the Material Plane. Many never return to the Material Plane, but send word through other means while they keep their vigilance.
Above all of these, there exists the Elder Circle, which has only a few select members. They are not only the most sought-after personalities of the Enclave, admired for their wisdom and hunted by those who wish to destroy the Enclave, but they are also said to be blessed and protected by the gods, Eldath, Mielikki, and Silvanus. It is said that they are immune to mind and divination magic. Tales also claim that they are impervious to all kinds of diseases, the effects of aging, and do not even need sleep. Within the elder circle, there are three ranks where the topmost is called the Grand Cabal of the Enclave. The second role is referred to as the Hierophant of the Emerald Enclave, and is seen as the spiritual leader of the faction, and should defend the proactive actions. The third role is that of the Elder of the Enclave, the role of rational and conservative thought.

The Emerald Enclave is a widespread group of wilderness survivalists who preserve the natural order while rooting out unnatural threats. The organization is decentralized, hardy, and reclusive. Barbarians, druids, and rangers of good or neutral alignments are commonly drawn to the Emerald Enclave.

Goals

• Restore and preserve the natural order.
• Destroy all that is unnatural.
• Keep the elemental forces of the world in check.
• Keep civilization and the wilderness from destroying each other.

Beliefs

• The natural order must be respected and preserved.
• Forces that seek to upset the natural balance must be destroyed.
• The wilderness can be harsh. Not everyone can survive it without assistance.

Member Traits

Members of the Emerald Enclave are spread far and wide and usually operate in isolation. They learn to depend on themselves more than others. Survival in a harsh world also demands great fortitude and mastery of certain fighting and survival skills. Members of the Enclave who dedicate themselves to helping others survive the perils of the wilderness are more social than others who are charged with defending sacred glades and preserving the natural balance.

Ranks

• Springwarden (rank 1)
• Summerstrider (rank 2)
• Autumnreaver (rank 3)
• Winterstalker (rank 4)
• Master of the Wild (rank 5)

Notable Members

• Yarvias "Mouse" Hograbbit

"No major activity within the Reach goes on without at least the tacit approval of the Emerald Enclave. That group of green-thumbed peacekeepers is the biggest threat to business and wellbeing that exists in the Reach. Not that I, personally, mind them, of course."
— Erixal the Black, Wizard of Alaghôn