Greenwardens

The Greenwardens follow a decentralized structure led by the Circle of Elders, which includes representatives from all major roles:

High Leafwarden: Leader of the Leafwardens, responsible for protection and patrols.

Archrootspeaker: Spiritual leader and master of rituals.

Seasonsage: Overseer of cultural traditions and festivals.

Oaken Shield: Head of the Oakwardens, responsible for defense and martial training.

Bloomtender: Healer and alchemist guiding efforts to restore blighted lands.

Below the Circle are Initiates (Saplings), Journeymen, and fully-fledged Greenwardens.

The Greenwardens embody:

Reverence for Nature: Members live simply, sustainably, and often in natural sanctuaries.

Seasonal Harmony: Rituals and daily practices align with Dolviar’s natural cycles.

Community Support: They assist rural communities, offering wisdom and protection without expectation of wealth.

Self-Sacrifice: Members are willing to endure personal hardship to preserve balance.

Protect sacred natural sites and the ecosystems of Dolviar.

Restore lands damaged by the Great War or mortal exploitation.

Educate communities on sustainable practices.

Resist forces (mortal or supernatural) that disrupt natural harmony.

Verdant Haven Sanctuary: Headquarters with sacred groves, training grounds, and a library of nature’s wisdom.

Sacred Sites: Numerous groves and ancient forests across Dolviar, often enchanted or blessed by Farlon.

Artifacts: Items such as the Bloomstone, seeds from the First Tree, and enchanted weapons.

Membership: A network of skilled druids, rangers, bards, and guardians.

Flora and Fauna: Rare plants and animals protected in their care.

Founding: The Greenwardens were established in the early days of Dolviar to protect the First Tree and other sacred sites.

Rise: During Dolviar’s golden age, the Greenwardens advised rulers on sustainable governance.

Great War of the Gods: The order suffered heavy losses protecting Dolviar’s natural landscapes from divine and mortal destruction.

Post-War Silence: Farlon’s silence challenged their faith, but they continued their mission, believing in the cyclical nature of balance.

The Greenwardens have not disbanded but have endured periods of decline, particularly during the Great War and its aftermath.

The Greenwardens’ faith is rooted in the following myths:

The First Tree: According to Greenwarden belief, life began when Farlon planted the First Tree, whose roots spread across Dolviar to seed all plant and animal life.

The Great Drought: A catastrophic event that nearly wiped out life, only for Farlon to intervene, walking the land and spreading dew from his Cloak of Leaves to renew the world.

Farlon's Slumber: After the Great War of the Gods, Farlon retreated into a deep slumber beneath the roots of the First Tree to recover and ensure balance is maintained.

These myths form the foundation of Greenwarden rituals, emphasizing themes of renewal, patience, and interconnectedness.

The Greenwardens originated in the Verdant Age, a time when Dolviar’s natural world flourished unthreatened by mortal greed or divine war. Farlon is said to have revealed himself to early druids and rangers, guiding them to protect the sacred First Tree and teaching the principles of balance and sustainability. Their earliest sanctuaries were built around ancient groves and natural springs, and their practices spread to rural communities dependent on the land.

Greenwarden cosmology centers on the Cycle of Renewal, the endless loop of life, death, decay, and rebirth:

The world began as barren land until the First Tree rooted itself, creating life.

Nature’s cycles are the expression of Farlon’s will. Seasons, weather, and growth represent his influence, while imbalance or stagnation suggests a disturbance to his teachings.

They view the world as an interconnected web, where every action affects the larger ecosystem.

The Afterlife: Souls are believed to return to the natural world upon death, becoming part of the earth, water, or wind. Exceptional guardians may join Farlon in tending to the eternal garden beyond mortal sight.

Preserve Balance: Take only what you need, give back more than you take.

Respect Nature: All living things have a purpose in the web of life.

Nurture Growth: Encourage others to embrace patience, resilience, and harmony.

Guard the Wilds: Protect sacred sites and natural spaces from desecration or imbalance.

Honor the Seasons: Celebrate the cycles of growth, harvest, decay, and rest.

The Greenwardens’ ethics are practical extensions of their tenets:

Pious Acts: Planting trees, aiding wildlife, teaching sustainable practices, and defending sacred sites.

Sins: Deforestation, polluting water, hoarding resources, or exploiting nature for greed.

Guiding Principle: Every action must weigh its cost against its benefit to the natural balance. For example, cutting down a tree is acceptable if it feeds or shelters a community, but only if a replacement is planted.

Worship of Farlon is an active practice involving daily rituals and seasonal festivals:

Daily Practices:

• Morning libations poured at the roots of trees.
• Tending to gardens or wild spaces as acts of devotion.
• Quiet meditation in natural settings.

Seasonal Festivals:

• Spring Rites: Planting ceremonies to bless new life.
• Harvest’s Blessing: Feasts of gratitude and community service.
• The Still Season: Winter rituals honoring rest and reflection.

Worship is less about grand temples and more about living harmoniously with nature.

The Greenwarden priesthood consists of Rootspeakers, druids, and shamans who commune with Farlon’s essence through nature:

Appointment: Prospective Rootspeakers undergo a spiritual trial, spending months alone in the wilderness to prove their attunement to nature and Farlon’s teachings.

Distinction: Rootspeakers wear cloaks of living vines and carry branches from the First Tree as both a symbol of office and a conduit for their divine connection.

Responsibilities: They lead rituals, guide the faithful, and oversee the restoration of blighted lands.

Communion with Nature: Level 3: The character gains the ability to understand and speak with plants and animals. This functions as a combination of the Speak with Animals and Speak with Plants spells. The ability can be used a number of times equal to the character’s Wisdom modifier (minimum 1) per long rest.

Healing the Land: Level 6: The character can purify corrupted soil or water, restore fertility to blighted land, or cleanse minor magical corruption in an area. This functions similarly to Lesser Restoration but is applied to land or natural features. The ability can be used once per short or long rest.

Seasonal Influence: Level 10: The character gains the ability to subtly influence localized weather in a 1-mile radius to aid farming, natural restoration, or safe travel. This functions like a weaker version of Control Weather, focusing on non-destructive effects such as ensuring rain, calming storms, or reducing extreme temperatures. Usable once per long rest, and the effect lasts up to 1 hour.

Vigorous Endurance: Level 14: When defending natural areas or creatures, the character gains temporary hit points equal to their Wisdom modifier at the start of each turn for up to 1 minute. Additionally, they gain advantage on saving throws against exhaustion and environmental effects such as extreme cold or heat. This ability can be activated once per long rest.

In Rural Communities: The Greenwardens are highly respected and often mediate disputes regarding land and resources.

With Nobility: They frequently clash with factions like the Golden Dominion, who exploit natural resources. However, nobles seeking favor with rural populations may align themselves with the Greenwardens.

Within Factions: They are a neutralizing force against groups like the Twilight Convocation or Iron Scales, striving to prevent ecological destruction.

The Greenwardens’ refusal to endorse mortal rulers has kept them at odds with centralized powers, making them both a respected and mistrusted force.

1. The Verdant Circle: The mainstream sect, focused on balance and education.
2. The Thornbound: A militant offshoot advocating aggressive protection of nature, including sabotage and direct confrontation with exploiters. Viewed as extremists by the mainstream faith.
3. The Bloomtenders: A sect of healers and alchemists devoted entirely to restoring blighted lands, often acting independently of Greenwarden leadership.
4. The Wildshapers: Mystics who believe Farlon’s essence can be fully embraced by transforming into animals or plants, focusing on communion over action.