Church of Silvanus

The church of Silvanus is often referred to as the Greenleaf Priesthood after the symbol of its deity. Silvanus has a strong base among both clerics in urban areas and druids in the wilder territories. Like Chauntea he calls both his dear children, but in his case the druids are the favored of the two. Silvanus also has a few shamans among the nomadic and barbarian societies of Faerun who spread his word of balance and respect for nature while tending to their tribes' needs.

Silvanus's clergy are spread throughout Faerun, favoring small communities over large cities, though there are several large communities of Silvanites in major cities such as Waterdeep. Druids are the leaders and backbone of the greenleaf priesthood and are most favored by Silvanus if they dwell in the forest and live in harmony with the land, where they are best able to be the stewards of Faerun's wild places. Urban clergy of Silvanus more often become gardeners, trying to create a walled corner of wild forest in the city (or guard and revitalize an existing miniatute wood). They often seek to attract followers by preaching of the peace and purity of the wilds and dispensing herbs and sweetsap drinks (especially maple syrup, mint teas, and sweetroot brews).

Assets

Major Centers of Worship

The most major center of Silvanite worship is Old Oak Dell in the heart of the Forest of Tethir, due east of Mosstone in Tethyr. Lyon's Oak south of the River Icehilt in Impiltur, where a vast forest has been planted all around by Silvanite clergy, is fast rising to challenge Old Oak's supremacy. Another strong contender for supremacy is the island of Ilighon in the Vilhon Reach, where the Emerald Enclave has set up a faith magic zone.

Priesthood

You lair in the presence of the god of wild nature. Your vestments are leather armor decorated with interlocking leaves.

Resources

Greenleaf priests know the local wilderness, and can provide insight on local predators and prey. A Greenleaf can find an abandoned animal den or other place of shelter from the elements. A Greenleaf priest may request a minor favor from the local church (such as the casting of a 1st-level spell, or an item made by the local herbalist.

Piety (Renown)

A follower of Silvanus earns piety (or renown) by protecting nature and preserving the natural balance. Civilization is not evil, but the growth of civilization needs to be directed in such a way that it doesn't destroy the wilds. Unchecked growth is the enemy. The Greenleaf Priesthood helps towns and villages live in harmony with their surroundings. Beast and monsters might be dangerous, but don't need to be confronted unless they cause an imbalance in the local ecology. Aberrations and undead need to be destroyed on sight.

Granted Divine Powers

Leaf of the Great Oak (1 Piety)

A beginning member of the Greenleaf Priesthood is known as a leaf. Leaves begin to learn the secrets of Nature from Branches. Leaves are expected to report any suspected disturbances in the balance to the local church and are assigned missions to root out undead and creatures endangering the local ecology. Leaves gain access to the resources of the Greenleaf Priesthood.

Branch of the Great Oak (3 Piety)

Those who show ability then become Branches. A Branch can request minor favors from followers of the Old Ways. A Branch may learn of the local fey in an area and arrange an introduction, but must bargain with the creature for any favors requested.

• Branches may request hospitality from any follower of the Old Ways

• Branches are trained in the ways of Nature and are taught Animal Handling, Nature, Survival, or Sylvan. If they have all of these skills, they may choose to learn another language.

Root of the Great Oak (10 Piety)

All Branches eventually strive to become Roots. A Root learns the Rite of Safe Passage and are able to meet safely with nearby fey. They can request the aid of other members of the Old Faith.

• Speak with Animals. Members of the Faith may communicate with natural beasts as if under a Speak with Animals spell.

• Natural beasts are not automatically hostile to Roots, and begin with an attitude of indifferent at worst. Roots can use Charisma checks to influence the reactions of natural beasts.

Oakheart (25 Piety)

A Root who has earned 25 renown is given access to a pristine area to construct a sacred grove and can call upon the following resources:

• The Circle will provide training in the following languages, Druidic, Aquan, Auran, Ignan, Sylvan, or Terran. The Oakheart can gains one of the above languages at 25 renown and an additional one each time he earns 5 additional renown.

• Elementals and fey creatures are not automatically hostile to Oakhearts, and begin with an attitude of indifferent in normal circumstances.

• Normal animals normally start with an attitude of friendly when encountering an Oakheart. For all purposes, animals treat the Oakheart as if he were a leader of their pack, though this does not give the Oakheart any supernatural control over the animals.

Oak Lord (50+ Piety)

An Oak Lord is assigned to oversee a region or area of concern for the natural world and all Oakhearts, Roots, Branches, and Leaves of that area. If an Oak Lord wishes to challenge the reigning Great Oak for leadership they issue a challenge. The winner of the Challenge becomes the Great Oak, while the loser of the Challenge suffers a loss of 5 renown. Each Great Oak is assigned the services of three Seeds (1st-level druids or Greenleaf Priests) who follow their directions as long as they are treated fairly and not placed in undue danger. These Seeds gain levels as you gain levels and do not count as followers.
Oaks can access the following resources:

• Gain the assistance of a shambling mound, treant, or fey or of an intelligent plant of similar power. The Oak Lord may assign one task or ask one favor of the creature which can last no more than a week. Each time the Oak gains renown, he regains this ability.

• Gain an audience with the Grand Oak.

• Gain the ability to challenge the current Great Oak of the region. In his or her area, the Great Oak is the final authority for the organization and wields the executive powers of the Circles. A Great Oak is also responsible for rendering judgment and assigning tasks to those Roots (of any circle) who focus on the same area.

Among the Great Oaks, one is chosen to be the Grand Oak, who is Silvanus' representative for an entire continent and gains the powers of a Chosen of Silvanus. Some whisper that the Grand Oaks of different continents know each other and meet to discuss matters affecting the entire world - but that may be nothing but hearsay or speculation.

Sects

Affiliated Orders

The church of Silvanus does not have any affiliated knightly orders. It has firm connections to several orders of rangers who serve Mielikki, since she in turn serves Silvanus, and its holy groves and forest pool shrines are often guarded by the seldom-seen clergy of Eldath along with the druids and clerics of the greenleaf priesthood.

The Emerald Enclave, a large and aggressive society of druids active in the Vilhon Reach, has close ties to the church, but its members considered a tad radical by many Silvanites elsewhere in Faerun who see their actions as likely to provoke a negative backlash against the Silvanite religion in the future.

Finally, the church of Silvanus also has ties with the Harpers, an organization working against the rise of great powers, which tend to endanger all natural life and conditions around them by trying to reshape Faerun, and so endanger the Balance.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Alternative Names

Greenleaf Priesthood

Deities

• Silvanus