Order of Earth Mother (Followers of Chauntea)
The Order of the Earthmother has been a fixture on the Moonshae Isles for 1,500 years, since the Ffolk first arrived on the shores of Gwynneth. Their primary goal is to maintain the balance of nature and preserve the power of the Earthmother throughout the isles. While druids of the Earthmother are common among the Ffolk, they are a rarity among the Northlanders.
One of the key objectives of the Order is to expand north and purify the lost moonwells of Norland, Norheim, and Gnarhelm. The most senior druids tend to these moonwells, which are considered sacred to the Earthmother. The druids are loosely organized and make decisions through consensus. They convene several times a year to resolve disputes, make decisions on various issues, and welcome new druids into the fold. The council acknowledges three Great Druids, one from each of the isles of Gwynneth, Alaron, and Moray.
Chauntea is considered by many in Faerûn to be a crucial aspect of the assumed cycle of life. She is the manifestation of the earth itself, the avatar of the twin worlds Abeir-Toril. Private landowners and destitute farmers alike often visited the clerics of Chauntea for divine guidance on how to aid their harvest. In times of plague or drought, farmers looked to Chauntea with the hope that she would save their harvest, given her love of nature. The church welcomed all, regardless of gender or race, and had a preoccupation with femininity that attracted more women than men. Although female attendees outnumbered men, there were still many men who worshipped Chauntea.
Chaunteans preferred simplicity when it came to apparel, with druids typically wearing brown robes and priests wearing a brown cloak with more standard livery such as a tunic underneath. Her temples often housed extensive libraries dedicated to agriculture. Despite having a diverse collection of followers, Chauntea was fervently worshipped by peasants, servants, druids, gardeners, and anyone who earned a living from working on farmland.
Clerics and druids prayed for their spells at sundown, and many led dual lives as gardeners or farmers. They were industrious people who were expected to appreciate natural beauty and possess a meditative spirit. The clergy instructed Chauntea's followers to make entreaties every sunrise, and they appointed few holidays compared to other faiths. However, they did observe a festival during Greengrass, which encouraged excessive consumption and uninhibited behavior. Abundance was considered a vital part of life when worshipping the Great Mother.
A rite of passage for many Chaunteans was Holy Communion. Newly married couples were instructed to spend their first night in fresh fields to ensure a fertile marriage. The clergy observed and followed the dogma set forth by Chauntea herself and read the High Prayers of the Harvest at an annual ceremony, usually at the beginning of the harvest. Chauntea's clergy were known for their willingness to minister in rural communities and work in the fields alongside the local farmers.
Recent rumors are swirling about a potential rift between the Order of the Earthmother and High King Derid of the Moonshae Isles. Adding to the speculation, Antola Pilark, the arch druid of the Order, has not been seen in Caer Callidyrr for several seasons.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Permeated Organizations
Deities
Related Traditions
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