Athar

The Wyldfather

Also known as the Wyldfather, Athar represents all sides of nature. He is nature at its most brutal and nature at its most kind. Those that practice the arts of Wyldfae seek to earn his blessing to strengthen their magic. The Wyldfather is depicted mainly as an observer. He lurks deep in the trees, usually only visible by the gleam of his eyes or a shadowy silhouette. Depictions of Athar take the form of a body made of twisted branches, crowned with either a circlet of flowers or the skull of a deer. The are no records or stories of what Athar martyred to ascend to divinity and some folk believe he is the only god to not sacrifice anything at all. When actually manifested, Athar’s body takes the shape of twisted bundles of branches and his eyes glow like a cat’s eyes in the dark. The shine out from the holes in the deer skull that sits on his face. Those who claim to have seen his manifested form tell tales that when it disappeared, it was consumed by vultures that landed on its shoulders. Churches of Athar, when built in cities, are not resplendent holy halls but instead small indoor gardens, tended to and cared for, but allowed to consume the building they dwell in, growing wild and free as the Wyldfather would wish.

Divine Domains

Nature

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Athar is represented by twisted branches, animal skulls, thorny briars and blooming plants. Depictions of the God are that of a figure made entirely of branches, sometimes with its head replaced with that of a deer skull. Statues of Athar are not made of stone and instead are twisted from bundles of branches, adorned with antlers and sometimes a crown of flowers.

Tenets of Faith

Athar believes in the balance of nature, both brutal and kind. He looks kindly on those who respect nature and make attempts to nourish forests, plant-life and animals. Athar does not scorn hunters, as he sees them as a part of nature, and in fact smiles on hunters that help to cull invasive species, and protect the land. He does however, scorn poachers and industrialists, those who would defile the sanctity of his forests.

Holidays

Those who practice Wyldfae, and those who live near forests, will celebrate Wytchwood Eve. This humble festival is held when the flowers begin to bloom, usually mid-spring. Festivities include weaving flower crowns, cooking meals that hunters have procured on fires, and sleeping outdoors under the stars. The festivals are usually held in clearings in the woods, or in flowery meadows. The flowers are often decorations within themselves, but other decorations include small paper lanterns, trees decorated with wreathes, and dresses sewn from grass and flowers.