Elar the Earthmother, Spirit of Harvest
| Favored Race | Ethron |
|---|---|
| Element(s) | Water & Earth |
| Home(s) | The Forest of the World Tree, The Heart of the Firiel |
| Alignment | Lawful Good |
| Symbol | trees, branches, leaves |
| Porfolio | forests, Ethron, harvest, fertility and birth, plants, natural order |
| Worshippers | non-evil and non-chaotic naturalists, farmers, villagers, Ethron |
History in Avendar
Sages tell that the origin of Elar dates to the beginning of creation; to when Jolinn willed life to Avendar. As the spark of life that animated the beasts of the field and the trees of the wood spread, it is said, the interconnecting web of energies gave rise to a linking spirit. So formed, this consciousness lay dormant in the wake of its creation.
It was not until Jolinn was freed from his slumber during the War of Fire that this spirit of the wood awoke. Roused from the sleep of ages by the return of Jolinn and his magics, the being turned its attention to those folk who populated her wooded realm. Those who had venerated her sleeping spirit in whispers. So the Ethron came to know their mother-goddess, Elar. Under her guidance, the Ethron learned to harness their homeland, tapping into the potent magics of nature and the ancient lore of the woods. In time her followers would rise to be stewards and protectors of the forest, as well as tillers of the field.
Goals and Methods
The Earthmother seeks to preserve and protect the forests and fields of the land and purge Avendar of the aberrations that defy the natural laws. To those ends, she and her followers spread the teachings of the wood that the wildlands can be defended from depredation. Her faithful spread Elar's teachings on the ways of cultivation to those who till the land as well, teaching farmers how to improve their harvests while respecting the land. This combination of stalwart defense and the spreading of wisdom have insured Elar a wide-reaching body of worship.
Organizations and Followings
There are few true loners amongst the faithful of Elar, as her portfolios encourage both cooperation and community. What follows are a few examples of the groups that have formed in worship.
The Addects of Firiel
"For too long you have thwarted the will of the earth. I shall put an end to your unnatural existence, lich!"
The Addects revere Elar in her role as the guardian of nature's order. Worshipping at the altars of the sun, moon, life and death, these faithful seek to safeguard the natural order. Blasphemies against the natural order, such as those who cheat the cycle of life and death through artifice, necromancy, or demonic dealings are sought out and destroyed. Those who seek to bring harm and imbalance the woods and their denizens are also targets of Firiel's guardians. When not protecting the balance Addects often act as caretakers of the woods or spend their time in contemplation deep within the forests.
Voices of Lunus
"You should rethink how you tend your fields, lord. One can work the land and yet respect it."
The Voices serve to spread the knowledge and influence of Elar beyond the borders of her people's woods. They spend much of their time traveling from place to place sharing tales and knowledge. These faithful befriend those they meet, creating allies and possible converts to their cause. Many a farmer has turned to the worship of the Spirit of Life after having been taught to better make use of his land. The Moonspeakers, as they are sometimes called, have also acted in the roles of diplomat and ambassador. Members of the order sometimes elect to walk amongst the city folk, taking roles within them so that the wishes of the forest-dwellers will not be ignored.
Wise-Folk of the Wood
"Wisdom is a creature of understanding; I cannot walk the path for others, merely illuminate it."
A collection of village elders, midwives, seers and shamans, the Wisefolk practice their crafts within their communities. Most serve as stewards and healers in their villages, tending the ill, telling futures and blessing unions, births and harvests to be fruitful. A few travel the world seeking a greater insight into the world, to better hone their crafts. Wisefolk often offer their services as both healers and soothsayers to interested parties, seeking to gain allies for Elar. Wanderer or no, all of the wise-folk celebrate Avendar's feast days. The Quickening and the first day of Sundering are particularly holy to Elar's faithful for their ties to fertility, growth and birth. Wise-folk are known to preside over the festivals thrown on these days.
Individual Followers
Elar's following is primarily that of Ethron and lawful or good inclined naturalists. Those followers who are lawful are rarely so due to a dedication to Iandir's law but out of a desire to serve the natural order and to form organized groups. The forestsworn often come into conflict with the followers of the dark gods when their schemes take them into the wilds, and even those lightwalkers who impune upon Elar's will may find themselves at odds with her followers. Her agrarian faithful have been known to clash with the more chaotic factions of the realm, Girikha in particular.
Relationships
As the most potent of the three gods of Nature, Elar commands a measure of respect from Girikha and Sythrak howevermuch the pair might resent her primacy. Though they may work against her, they do so quietly, as not to incur her wrath. Amongst the pantheon of Light, the Lady of Harvest is noted for her generosity and even-handedness in her dealings. It has been noted that Elar seems to respect Jolinn as one might a father, their mutual understanding born of their connection to life and their centuries in slumber. Only Bayyal amongst the dark gods has truly found themselves at odds with the Spirit of Life. The Hateflame's minions often run afoul of her followers in their fiery assaults on Avendar's forests.
