The Verdant Mantle
The Verdant Mantle (Faith of Oakenfell)
OverviewThe Verdant Mantle is the faith dedicated to Oakenfell, Prime Deity of Nature. Followers view Oakenfell as the sacred breath of the wild world—the guardian of forests, rivers, beasts, and all living cycles. The faith emphasizes harmony with the land, the sanctity of natural cycles, and reverence for the quiet power of growth, decay, and renewal.
While it originated among elven druids—especially in Nemsarai—it is now followed by Firbolg enclaves, rural communities, and druidic circles across Wakodia.
Symbol
A towering tree with mirrored branches and roots forming a circle, often etched into bark or carved into stone. The branches represent the cycle of life, and the roots echo ancestral memory and death.
Mythology & Lore
The First Sprout: Oakenfell’s breath awakened the first forests of the world. With each heartbeat, he grew a new tree—birthing wilds, beasts, and balance.
The Seasons' Pact: Oakenfell forged a sacred pact with the other gods: as long as the natural cycle was honored, the land would remain bountiful. If broken, the wild would sleep or rise in wrath.
The Silent Watcher: When mortals entered the world, Oakenfell watched in silence. Those who honored nature were shown omens and blessings; those who defiled it met thorns and beasts.
The Seasons' Pact: Oakenfell forged a sacred pact with the other gods: as long as the natural cycle was honored, the land would remain bountiful. If broken, the wild would sleep or rise in wrath.
The Silent Watcher: When mortals entered the world, Oakenfell watched in silence. Those who honored nature were shown omens and blessings; those who defiled it met thorns and beasts.
Divine Origins
The faith began in elven lands, especially around the Great Vale in the Ardren Forest. As druidic practices spread, so too did the worship of Oakenfell—taking root in Firbolg tribes, forest-dwelling dwarves, and other nature-aligned peoples.
Cosmological Views
The world is a living body—its forests are lungs, rivers are veins, and mountains are bones. Oakenfell is both guardian and embodiment of this form. All creatures have their part in the breath of life and death.
Tenets of Faith
Honor the Cycle: Life, death, and decay are sacred and must not be interrupted.
Protect the Balance: Defend the natural world from corruption or excess.
Walk Lightly: Take only what is needed, leave what is sacred.
Hear the Land: Listen to the wisdom of nature in silence, dreams, and seasons.
Protect the Balance: Defend the natural world from corruption or excess.
Walk Lightly: Take only what is needed, leave what is sacred.
Hear the Land: Listen to the wisdom of nature in silence, dreams, and seasons.
Ethics
The Verdant Mantle emphasizes stewardship, patience, and simplicity. Greed and exploitation are grave offenses. Kindness, humility, and seasonal awareness are virtues.
Worship
Daily Practices: Observing wildlife, meditating in natural spaces, planting offerings, and honoring animals seen as signs.
Festivals:
The Rooting: A springtime celebration of growth and planting.
The Breath of Stillness: A midsummer dawn ritual, observed in silence.
The Great Molt: An autumnal rite of release and shedding—of burdens, items, or names.
Festivals:
The Rooting: A springtime celebration of growth and planting.
The Breath of Stillness: A midsummer dawn ritual, observed in silence.
The Great Molt: An autumnal rite of release and shedding—of burdens, items, or names.
Priesthood
Titles: Grovekeepers, Mantlebearers, or Greenwatchers
Roles: Healers, omenseers, and guides who perform seasonal rites and protect sacred wilds.
The faith is loosely organized—decisions are made by circles of elders or through signs from nature.
Roles: Healers, omenseers, and guides who perform seasonal rites and protect sacred wilds.
The faith is loosely organized—decisions are made by circles of elders or through signs from nature.
Granted Divine Powers
Nature’s Shelter: Protection while in forests or natural terrain.
Voice of the Wild: Ability to speak with beasts and plants, especially ancient groves.
Cycle’s Renewal: Healing abilities tied to moon phases or seasons.
Voice of the Wild: Ability to speak with beasts and plants, especially ancient groves.
Cycle’s Renewal: Healing abilities tied to moon phases or seasons.
Sects
The Grovebinders: Druidic circles focused on healing and land restoration.
The Silent Canopy: Nomadic watchers who protect sacred sites in secrecy, moving with the seasons.
The Silent Canopy: Nomadic watchers who protect sacred sites in secrecy, moving with the seasons.
“Even the tallest stone gives way to the patient tree.”
Founding Date
Circa 9,000 BX
Type
Religious, Druidic Circle
Demonym
Mantlebearers or Keepers of the Wild
Deities
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