The Conclave
Description:
In the course of the Longest Year and the following decade of chaos and upheaval, nature suffered as much as the civilisation of the Realms, though there were those among the wilds that dared claim the recent times had in truth exacted an even greater toll upon the natural world. Among such circles it was often said that the ignorance and disregard of the many - of the ‘civilised’ - played the harrowing role of worsening the apparent dearth of the Balance.
All across the Lands of Intrigue the natural cycle of life was without a doubt in a state of extreme and constant flux - a profound threat to the Balance, warned the zealous and overcatious, speaking of a world teetering on the brink of irreparable disaster.
In pockets of the wilds, underground, and the sea alike, animals and beasts were driven out of their natural habitats, whether by man or monster, forced to adapt in climates and terrain that defied the natural way of things… or doomed them to die in the attempt. Some creatures adapted to survive below ground, well out of sight and mind, whilst others succumbed to nigh extinction when magical beasts fleeing from the Longest Year took over their erstwhile homes, forcing the former occupants - bestial and insectoid alike - closer to the surface, if not directly upon it.
All the while divine servants of nature in the region, faced with a crisis unlike anything in recent memory, quickly dwindled in number in their inability to match the tides of change, at a devastating disadvantage without the might of magic. Druids, clerics, and rangers all were tugged into varying hardships, from the chaos wrought by the absence of magical protections that some habitats had come to rely upon, to the managing of both overpopulation and scarcity of countless creatures in the wake of destroyed and changing ecosystems.
While the hopeful and idle simply relied on the notion of nature always finding a way, there were those that urged their kin to action in the name of the Balance’s preservation. The druidic circle of Amn, the Keepers of the Blossom, and that of Tethyr, the Council of Deeproot, along with the Gyldath N’nothac and Naer’na Enduwath of the Wealdath, were called to a moot in Old Oak Dell, east of Mosstone, which in 1369 DR culminated in the forming of The Conclave; a gathering of druidic circles sworn to restoring and maintaining the sacred cycle of life.
Outlook:
The Conclave is a budding gathering of several druidic creeds, focused on combatting the impact of the Longest Year on nature. Devoted equally to maintaining the Balance, members of the Conclave have unique duties in the hierarchy of the Faction, dependent on the elemental Menhir they choose to devote themselves to. Faction specific duties range from external diplomacy to controlling human expansion, and much more. Established druidic circles and individuals often have many other goals beyond the recognised duties of a Menhir, particularly if part of an established church of the region.
Members of the Conclave
[Elder of Initiates] Allaister Glent
If the Conclave had a leader, Allaister would likely be the one the others turn to. A native Tethyrian, it was Allaister that had one of the largest hands in gathering the other druids together to form the Conclave. Despite his recent focus on helping the elves of Y’Tellarien, Allaister continues to help organise the Conclave in overseeing as much of Amn and Tethyr as possible. Though quite an austere man, he is always welcoming of others that respect the land, and few can help but respect his commitment and focus in his chosen duty.
[Elder of Song] Nyrie Otharyen
In recent developments, Nyrie has been appointed Elder of Song, a title bestowed in recognition of her mastery of the ancient art of Treesinging. She now bears responsibility for maintaining the Conclave's connection to the roots of the land and to its native inhabitants - a clear manifestation of the unity between the elves of Y'Tellarien and the Conclave. Her age and unwavering devotion to Y'Tellarien and its people make her a wellspring of wisdom and tranquility for the Conclave.
[Elder of Air] Fall Brightwarden
Despite her unusual name, Fall is a beautiful young woman and a relatively recent addition to the Conclave. In the handful of years alongside the elders, however, she has proven herself a valuable ally as she has been a deft ambassador for the druids in speaking to the leaders of the various communities, settlements and cities surrounding the Forest of Tethir - in no small part due to her sunny disposition, eloquence with words and physical appeal.
[Elder of Fire] Runvald Gundrsson
A colossal man with an equally colossal beard, it is clear by his accent, name, and by his swarthy skin, black hair and blue eyes that he is - or was - of the Uthgardt. Runvald has a dour look and a gravelly voice, yet in most dealings he is quite amicable. Still, the man is like a bear; terrifying when riled. Runvald is most concerned with the animals, and is a staunch enemy to Malarites. When battle is needed, the old Uthgardt is the greatest boon to the Conclave.
[Elder of Water] Cinaed mac Dhair
An aged Ffolksman who travelled to the mainland in his youth, called over - in his words - by Eldath. This calling brought him to Tethyr, where his faith and convictions were tested many times in his pursuit of peace and balance in nature. Drawn together into the Conclave by a greater calling, Cinaed is ever the one to promote peace and caution in their dealings. He is a warm man with a love of life and laughter, and the most beloved of the elves.
[Elder of Earth] Pendric Sutland
Pendric is a little.. odd. Unlike the others of his group, the man rarely maintains his cleanliness. Mudcaked attire, long matted hair laced with broken twigs and fallen leaves, long coarse beard pointing in all different directions; the word ‘disheveled’ does not quite accurately describe the state of the man. But to offset that (admittedly harmless) eccentricity, Pendric has a tremendously powerful connection with nature - enough that in great times of need, he has gone as far as reshaping the woodland to conceal the Conclave or protect them from would-be assailants.
Breghan of Iriaebor
Hailing from much further North, Breghan is a middle-aged ranger in service to Mielikki. Though once upon a time he served as a spy for the Lords Alliance, Breghan moved away from his homeland to escape that life and instead devoted himself to that which was always his true calling. Yet, Breghan’s past colours his thinking and his interactions, and his relations with the elves especially is very strained. Instead, he generally serves the Conclave by protecting the humanfolk that dwell in the woods - or protecting nature from them, depending on the situation.
Lacia di’Casella
Playfully coined as the ‘urban’ ranger, Lacia spends as much of her time in and around Murann as she does with the Conclave. The woman is an Amnian native, and thus knows the country and people better than any other amongst their number. She is something of a diplomat and activist, trying to make city-dwellers aware of the problems in Tethir. To many of those city dwellers, she is seen as a pest - particularly the nobles, who often have to listen to her during city meetings.
Mourieth Cir’thowe
Scarred and stoic, Mourieth is the picturesque wild elf; lean, toned and covered in tribal tattoos. Deadly with her hunting bow, she’s known to have slain various threats to the Eneyri alongside her small tribe. The corpses of orcs, gnolls, hobgoblins, gargantuan spiders and even an ogre have been uncovered by the Eneyri throughout the forest, peppered with arrows and spear-wounds; beasts that Mourieth and her people have slain without informing their cousin-tribe so as to save them the worry. She, along with her brother Embril, are the only two true remaining descendants of the Cir’thowe. She, along with her brother, joined the Conclave in solidarity with the recent joining of the Elder of Song. She has been granted the rank of Guardian as part of the Menhir of FIre.
Embril Cir’thowe
Embril is much like his sister, Mourieth, and easily the largest and most physically imposing elf in the entire community. Both of them take particular delight in hunting, but while Mourieth apears as a wild thrillseeker, Embril sees art in the hunt and devotes most of his time to perfecting it. As a result, many of the younger wood elves of the Eneyri have been trained by Embril in blade and bow - and in doing so demonstrated surprising patience and care, given his otherwise savage appearance. Having joined with his sister, he was granted the rank of Guardian as part of the Menhir of Earth.
OOC Notes:
// The Conclave is the default nature Faction, home to Druids, Clerics, Rangers, Barbarians, Shamans, and nature oriented characters of many kinds. Though its current druidic circles are predominantly True Neutral and/or Good in alignment, Evil characters can just as easily find a place within, as the Faction is open to any background, race, and class (within reason, Dread Necromancers and Blighters for example are forbidden), as long as they intend to serve nature.