Alder

Alder Longfeather is an elderly condor who roams the world of Hiraeth in a yearly cycle, tending to small and forgotten gods along the way. Originally from the high reaches of the Pale Crown range to the north, Alder studied the divinities in the High Eyrie at Kyre's Peak for a time before setting out on his lifelong pilgrimage across the world below.

Appearance

Alder is an elderly condor, though he looks healthy for his age: wrinkled, but not withered. He is tall and lean, though the weight of years has emphasized his hunched vulture shoulders. His feathers, mostly black with some white accents around the inside of the arms/wings, are still glossy but droop with age. His feathers form a large, fluffy collar around his neck and shoulders, above which his head is bare: leathery, pale red skin dappled with faint spots around a bone-white beak. A patch of much darker skin sits on his brow and between wise, golden eyes. His hands and feet are knobbly and taloned, as most birdfolk; his wingspan is over two fathoms across.

Apparel

Alder dresses quite modestly, with simple tunics, trousers, and the occasional priestly robe. He prefers to walk barefooted, though he has a pair of sandals for rougher terrain. A plain, white, ceramic mask hangs at his side, for use in some religious ceremonies. On his shoulders, he bears a large and weather-worn knapsack with all of his worldly possessions -mostly tools and supplies for making camp along the roads. Atop his head rests a battered, wide-brim felt hat almost as old as he is.

Notable Possessions

Alder's most striking possession is an ornate wooden walking stick adorned with feathers, runes, wind chimes, and other talismans. This walking stick curls into a crook at the top, and this crook holds a candle lantern. The other significant possession on his person is an old, hand-bound book. Within the pages is an attempt to Name all of the gods, written by a dear old companion.

Small Gods

As a caretaker, Alder is always surrounded by a little entourage of small and forgotten gods. Most are transient, only staying beside him for a little while before finding a new place to settle down. However, there are a few constant companions:

• Wick, a candle god who lives in the lantern in the crook of Alder's staff. (passionate, luminescent)
• Woad, god of a mossy cairn who is linked to a talisman on Alder's staff. (resolute, mighty)
• Guile, god of autumn winds who is linked to the wind chimes on Alder's staff. (watchful, oracular)
• Spray, god of all things cast adrift, who recently joined the pilgrimage at the Coral Beacon and is linked to a beautiful whelk shell strung on Alder's staff. (relaxed, empty)
• A nameless, ancient god seeking refuge. (lost, hurt)
• A small bug who has no place among gods. (friendly)