The Snowpetal Wardens Of Eirlys

A chilled wind drifts over the peak of Corona Nivea, the Snowy Crown of the Ashen Crown Mountains. Ever tipped in snow, it rises high above the surrounding peaks, a silent sentinel watching over the range below. There, peeking through the frost-laced drifts, winter blooms emerge—most sacred among them, the snowdrop. These delicate flowers grow in scattered patches, and ungloved hands of the Snowpetal Warden reach gently to gather them into small, reverent bundles. The cold bites at their cheeks, painting them with the kiss of winter, while thick, woven robes shield their forms from the mountain’s chill. At the heart of this icy crown stands Templum Glacialis, the first and most hallowed temple of Eirlys. Here dwells a sacred order of botanists and flower-keepers—devotees who tend to the rare winter blossoms that flourish only beneath the Snow Goddess’s gaze. Each bloom they collect embodies a different aspect of the season: silence, endurance, grace, and the promise of renewal.

Spirituality

The Snowpetal Wardens follow a deeply rooted spiritual tradition that honors the natural cycle of the seasons, especially the profound stillness and renewal found in the depths of winter. To them, the mountain’s rhythm is sacred, and every bloom is a whisper of Eirlys’ divine presence. Among all flora, the snowdrop holds the highest reverence. It symbolizes hope, endurance, and the gentle promise of rebirth. When a loved one passes in the mountain villages, a Snowpetal Warden will make the solemn journey to deliver a bouquet of snowdrops to the grieving family—a gesture of comfort and a sign that the departed soul may safely reach the Undersanctuary, the sacred resting place beneath the snow. When a child is born, the Wardens bring snowlilies, delicate white blossoms that herald new life under the Snow Goddess’s gaze. At weddings, they present a ceremonial blend of snowdrops and snow crystal moonflowers, offering a blessing for unity, love, and the harmony of winter’s grace. Beyond these are rarer and more mysterious blooms found only in hidden crevices or at the highest peaks—each with its own purpose, meaning, and sacred use. Every flower the Wardens gather is believed to be an extension of Eirlys' Grace, a quiet miracle rooted in frost and faith.

Snowdrop Flower

Snowlily

Crystal Moonflower

Career

Qualifications

The Snowpetal Wardens are born among the icy reaches of the Ashen Crown Mountains, in small, weather-worn villages nestled between Shaunala and the jagged borders of the Craglands. Only a rare few are chosen—or endure long enough—to walk the path of a Snowpetal Warden, for it demands not only rigorous study but a life of hardship and solitude. Training requires the ability to withstand brutal cold, to read the language of wind and bloom, and to live for long stretches within Templum Glacialis, the remote high temple of Eirlys. Far from isolation, however, the Snowpetal Warden’s life is one of quiet dedication—not withdrawal from the world, but a lifelong devotion to observing, protecting, and understanding the sacred winter flora of the mountains. To become one is to pledge oneself to the snow-covered heights, to learn to move across perilous peaks with grace, and to reach altitudes few others would ever dare. There, among the biting winds and sacred frost, the Snowpetal Warden watches over the goddess’s flowers—guardians of beauty, symbols of rebirth, and whispers of the Snow Goddess’s will.

Payment

Snowpetal Wardens do not typically receive a traditional wage. Instead, they reside within the serene halls of the Templum Glacialis, where their needs are graciously met by the temple itself. Food, clothing, education, and rigorous training are all provided, ensuring the Wardens can devote themselves wholly to their sacred calling. While coin is seldom exchanged, it is common for them to receive gifts—particularly fine brushes, rare inks, and art supplies—to aid in documenting the delicate life cycles of the flowers they so lovingly protect in service to the goddess. Many dedicate their free time to creating detailed journals about the flowers of the Ashen Crown and the creatures that dwell among its snow-frosted peaks. They also craft ornate tapestries and other intricately floral-embellished garments. It is said that the greatest gift you can offer a Snowpetal Warden is a genuine appreciation for the beauty of nature and all that the goddess Eirlys so graciously provides.

Perception

The Snowpetal Wardens are held in the highest esteem throughout the Ashen Crown. Theirs is one of the most noble callings in the mountains—a sacred duty that blends spiritual devotion with the guardianship of nature’s quiet majesty. To the mountain folk, the Wardens are more than caretakers; they are living symbols of harmony between the land and the divine. Their work preserves the delicate balance of the highlands and honors the will of Eirlys, the Snow Goddess. Wherever they walk—through drifting snows or blooming frost-fields—they are met with deep respect and quiet reverence.

© Sorianna Choate. All rights reserved. All written content, including character, setting, and lore, is the original creation of Sorianna Choate. Artwork and imagery are original works by the author. No part of this piece may be copied, reproduced, or used without explicit permission.