The Willow Wardens

I have seen the guardians of the groves myself, they are by no means, fearful men. I rather say the opposite to use honest words; caring, inviting and rouse! But if their sacred places are in any way threatened, I still don't want to be their enemy.
— Everam, Teller of Nimenra
Sacred groves exist inside woods, forests and out in the wilderness many of which are dedicated to Rhyn and are locations for pilgrimages both local and international. Yet many of these sacred groves are threatened by nature itself or by other, malicious people such as bandits and unbelievers who would rather destroy or take than allow the groves to remain as they are. For these reasons the Willow Wardens exist, to protect the groves from the evil that might fall upon the area.

Protectors of faith

Unlike many other holy and protective orders that carry weapons, the Wardens do it only out of a necessity to protect the religious sites. As acceptable as it might be for a rhynic man to defend their grounds, many try to find other solutions to solve conflicts, especially with nature itself. Using cunning with traps to entangle or insight fear into or knock out creatures so they leave without hurting or threatening a grove is the prefered option.
Groves are still a location many prey animals find as a refuge from threats and the Wardens tend to prefer defending the harmless rabbit from a carnivorous wolf. This goes without saying that people who run away from danger can also find their refuge in the groves but the laws of the country are still abided in the groves, no murderer, bandit or other criminals can find peace if they were to try.

Groves inside The Great Forest

Forest of Telamirein is said to hold several of the religous sites to Rhyn. Some well known ones are on the edge between the known and unknown and the Wardens there are some of the most veteran and skilled hunters. gatheres and survivalist one can find. The Marrion Grove in Willrowia that is located one and a half kilometer into the forest has a treasurous and dangrous path leading to it. It is also protected by fourteen Wardens, making it one of the most protected groves in Telamirein.
Type
Religious Order
Structure
Semi-independent Groups

Religious
Diety
Rhyn
Subsediery to
Worshippers of Rhyn
Protects
Groves and other religous sites related to Rhyn, some find their home in His temples as well.

Explore Nimenra

Rowian
Ethnicity | Jul 30, 2023

Members

The Willow Wardens are semi-independent from each other but keep in local contact through messengers and on a larger scale through Worshippers of Rhyn which they are partly connected to. There is nothing known about any leadership or hierarchy among them, unlike other similar religious organisations. There are only veterans and non-veterans. One similarity to The Worshippers of Rhyn is the fact that very few women are amongst the ranks of the Wardens. If there is any reason related to this remains mostly unanswered from them when asked. The women that are Wardens tend to be tall, independent and handle themselves more than even the Relinnias.

The Groves

Typical groves that are protected by the Wardens are located on the fringes of settlements but most are found in nature further away from them. These are mostly known by locals or dedicated belivers in Rhyn who search for them. The groves are hidden away and can be a small water spring in the hills or a tree sorrounding by standing stones of importance related to Rhyn. Willowtrees are almost a staple of these groves, be it a mighty lone one or several smaller surrounding a pleasant field of flowers with one of His statues.
The Willow Wardens find their home inside the grove but most of the time no buildings that they live in, instead they stay in smaller shelters crafted from the surrounding area. Larger pilgrimage sites might have a more organized building that is not just a camp but still would be considered barren.


Cover image: by A of Worldkeymaster (Artbreeder)

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