Folian S'pae

[hellspawn]

•Aliases: The Longstrider, Prince of Wolves
•Race: Wood elf
•Worshippers: Wood elves and rangers
•Governs: Hunting, Predators, Shape Changers, Survival, Wilderness
•Mantras: Natural, Nomadic, Private, Selfless

Folian S'pae teaches that everyone is born into a pack. Like the wolves he protects, everyone in this pack has a role and purpose that they must accomplish for the survival of the whole. Like the wolf pack, each has his own role: protector, hunter, gatherer or scout. Pack leader, matriarch, father, mother, or pup, all working together in harmony is what makes the pack strong and allows it to endure. All members of a pack should make efforts to harmonize with their companions. The young need to be protected and nourished so that a good future of the pack is guaranteed. The safety and sanctity of hunting grounds should be protected, there should be enough food for all, but care should be taken to not hunt to excess and never only for oneself. You are part of the pack. Regardless of how you feel about another of your pack, do not let these feelings get in the way of the good of the pack.
Remember that the hunter and the prey are essential parts of nature. However, do not hunt into extinction since that upsets the balance. Use what is needed for survival of the pack, but do not use more than you need. If you have to take from the lands and forests, you are expected to give something in return sooner or later. You are the stewards of your hunting grounds, and all that live in it are under your protection. While some may be prey, they should be loved and protected nonetheless. Defend your grounds against those who would destroy them needlessly. Allow yourself to adapt to change. The passing of seasons will test you in new ways each year. And do not allow yourself to fall victim of illpreparations. Be an example to those who learn from you and mark each step safely, because those who come after you will benefit from the paths you tread.

[hellspawn]

Followers of Folian S'pae are also known as Those of the Pack and aim to be like wolves as much as possible. This is reflected in the way they dress themselves and the weapons they use. Each and every follower of the Longstrider bears a dagger because that represents the claws and fangs of the wolf. However, other weapons are also common, as long as they are made from natural materials (like wood, bone, or leather), because these materials are readily available from nature. Metal weapons are a rarity and only come into a follower’s possession after taking it from prey; even then, they’re used reluctantly. Amongst Those of the Pack, the use of metal shortswords is common for Wolfswood Rangers; due to the many incursions into their forest over the years, they've acquired many a metal weapon when protecting their hunting grounds. It is customary for Folian's followers to create their own weapons and clothes. However, as the Longstrider does not approve of wasting things, the preferred way is to hand down older weapons within the pack when its owner passes away or no longer requires it.
Clothing is always made from natural materials, usually leathers and hides, but woven materials or breastplates made of wood or carapaces are also not unheard of. The primary requirement is that the armor or clothing does not restrict movement or make a lot of sound since this would limit its use in the hunt and would give away the location of the pack. The preferred colors are green and earthy brown so as to blend in with the surroundings as much as possible. Of course, this depends on where a pack lives, for example, those who live in mountains would use rock-like gray.

[hellspawn]

As is to be expected for a deity that advocates living in packs like wolves, the structure of the church is also that of individual wolf packs. All packs respect one another but are in principle independent. The hierarchy within a pack is highly similar to that of a wolf pack as well.




Prime Pair
The Prime Pair are the respective female and male leaders of a group headed by followers of Folian. Each of these two roles has an equal standing but with unique roles. The Prime Pair are not leaders in the normal sense of the word; they don't give orders to others but instead have the most freedom to wander the lands. Thus, when spotting a wandering Folianite, chances are that they are quite high in the hierarchy and are one of the two in a pair. Otherwise it is likely to be simply a member of a pack bordering their home grounds and not traveling far from it.
The Prime Male is entrusted with matters of the hunt. They scout their territories and often go beyond them to know where their food lives. Their role is to make sure there is always sustenance, but it also involves a greater wisdom of making sure the other creatures of their hunting grounds are well kept in their roles. They will often protect their prey from outside elements and take into great consideration not preying on pregnant or strong counterparts of their opposition, instead opting for the weaker ones so that they are weeded out from the cycle.

The Prime Female is in charge of exploring for places that can support living. They look for locations that can support life with the passing of the seasons and often wander very far from the pack. It is because of them that the group survives or dies. Thus, their responsibility is often seen as greater than their male counterparts. Most Prime Females are stealthy creatures that can glide through forests completely unseen and are encouraged to do so because, in case they enter hostile territories, they lack the support of the pack.

One of the notorious Prime Pairs known throughout most of the faith make their home on Voltrex. Plus, despite the continental division, their names are heard in many places outside the elven heaven.

Threlion Lytahl is a mahogany-skinned wood elf nearing his third century who leads the community above the Iansalan. Threlion carries himself with a determined step and protects the forests where his people live with an adamant resilience. His mood depends entirely on who he deals with, and it can shift from that of a benevolent healer one moment to that of a fierce combatant the next. He carries with him the Wolf Blade, an heirloom of his family that was shaped and sharpened from the femur bone of an ancient dire wolf, and it has survived many generations. Threlion has been known for often conflicting with the Sadinian cousins that neighbor his territories and has been heard to say ills of elven isolation.

Zeariella Saerid is a lithe and petite wood elven druid that wanders the Voltrexian continent as a Prime Female of the Ulan dwellers. Her shape is inconstant and she uses this to her advantage— entering all territories that might be barred from her natural form. Zeariella is an odd individual. She fulfills her role as protector of the elven homes by watching for changes in the weather and any potential threats that may come to the continent. She only speaks to her wolf companion, Craisol. She never addresses anyone else unless it is through her friend. She hears the messages from beyond through the trees and some claim to have heard musings in response from far distant lands bearing her wisdom.

Shortstriders
The more localized clergy of the Longstrider fall within the ranks of Shortstriders. Their role is to administer all the goods and care to their community. They learn not only of the healing arts but flourish in the tending of fields and the forest. Shortstriders have a tendency to be sedentary; however, this does not make them idle. In fact, the protection of their settlements is given to them. In wood elven villages, the role of guardians and border patrols exclusively falls on the Shortstriders—making this the most diverse step on the hierarchy of the Folian S'pae church.

Pup
The youngest members of the Folian church are called Pups. Still learning many of the ways of their people, the Pup is the helper of a pack. They make sure those older than them are fully supplied with any tools they might need. Improvisation and a quick mind are rewarded so long as they do not place the Pup or the group in danger. Their eagerness is, at times, leashed by their elders for reasons they do not understand most of the time. Pups are told to observe and learn seeing that one day they will care for the group themselves. Yet, they are protected more than anyone in the pack simply because they represent the future of the faith.

Lone Wolf
Not all followers of Folian S'pae are blessed with a family built to protect them, and they endure any threat both natural and created by outside forces. There are those who adhere to the beliefs of the Longstrider yet prefer a life of solitude. Moving from one natural environment to another to protect the creatures of nature and act as shepherds of the wild, these Lone Wolves are often seen patrolling the edges of their homes. A Lone Wolf is not particularly frowned upon, but they should never be depended upon for long periods of time. After all, it is not known when they will take to a road to continue their path upon Folian's way.

[hellspawn]

Each pack is a sect in itself, the largest being the Wolfswood Rangers, a group of rangers who tend to the forest going by the same name in Alindor. Numbering a couple of hundred strong, they watch fiercely for all movement within their lands, particularly any that may answer to malefactor Milara. The Wolfswood Rangers came into being through the need to hunt a particularly dire creature within the forest—ironically a werewolf that was ravaging the settlements within. After they supposedly removed the creature, they decided to stay and guard the lands and are now one of the most renowned militant forces in this continent. They take only the most proficient rangers; their devotion to the Longstrider is commendable.

[hellspawn]

Temples to Folian S’pae are found throughout the woods and forests of Layonara. Many try to mimic wolf dens and hence are found inside or underneath huge hollow trees. And though actual temples are rare, small shrines assembled by traveling hunters are often found in common camping areas through Layonara’s vast wilderness.



Iansalan
The center of the faith lies within the isolated realm of the elves in Voltrex. Deep within the Ulan Forest, the wood elves make their homes amongst the trees. There they pay tribute to Folian as the head of their race and culture. Known to them as the Iansalan or the Wolf's Abode, this natural temple is a massive yard of ancient fallen logs—that tended with elven magic have sprung smaller trees that offer protection from the weathers and act as pillars for the canopied elven homes above. All wood elves place a memory from their first hunt upon the bark of the fallen trees and the walls of the Iansalan. Plus, whenever a wind passes by, small clatters of sound are heard making it a very relaxing and pleasurable environment.
Forest of Fog Temple
The other widely known and newer temple is located in a secluded grotto in the Forest of Fog of Dregar. After many years of feeling isolation from the Voltrexian faith, the efforts of Enzo Reynolt along with willing emissaries from the distant elven land, managed to gather the resources needed to establish a central location for Folianites to congregate to discuss matters of faith. This harmonious grove sees a lot of activity from the many eager forest dwellers who seek refuge within its grounds. This temple is flourishing into a memorable holy place of the faith, a home away from home.

[hellspawn]

Prayers
There are no fixed times for praying to the Prince of Wolves. Clerics will pray for childbirth since that is a momentous occasion for a pack but also for a good hunt or for strength in defending a pack’s hunting grounds from outsiders. They do prefer to pray outside and often leave cities or towns they are in in order to find a proper spot for prayer. Because of the individualistic, pack-like structure of the church, many packs have developed their own set of prayers passed down from parents to pups, generation by generation. A common theme in all prayers is the hunt, the seasons, and the well-being of the pack.
Prayers are generally short, often not more than a sentence or two, like: "Longstrider, make the wind turn so my scent does not carry toward my prey."

Most of the time, pack members pray individually, and each member chooses his own time to pay his respects to the Longstrider. There is one prayer that a pack utters together at the same time and which all packs recognize. This prayer, Wolves of Spring, is uttered at dawn on the first day of spring:

"Longstrider, winter has passed and we thank you for bringing our pack through it. Difficult as it was, with your guidance and foresight we now step forward into the dawn of the new year after our months of hibernation. Bless our pack with bountiful hunts that we may provide for our pack and have it expand. Give us strength to protect our hunting grounds and those that inhabit it against those who would destroy it. Grant us insight so that we will become like the wolves you love."

Holy Days
Because the only common prayer revolves around spring, it is not surprising that the Folianites give great importance to the first day of this season. To them, this is the day the new year starts, coming out of hibernation and starting the cycle of life again. A modest celebration is held from sunrise to sunset and it is on this day that a pack accepts newcomers who would like to join and grow the pack.

•Twilight Watch
In addition to observing the change of the seasons, followers of the Longstrider celebrate a particular time called Twilight Watch during the month of Oclar. Varying from year to year, Twilight Watch involves nightly watches during the month awaiting for both Ausir and Orn to wax into full moons. When this occurs, the new year for the Folianite truly begins, and they meditate upon all the events that happened in the year that just ended. Many set themselves on new objectives and redirections of old ones are analyzed for change if necessary. The night ends with an offering of freshly caught prey, which is cooked on a gentle fire but not consumed.

[hellspawn]

•Allied:

◦Beryl
◦Ilsare
◦Katia
◦Lucinda
◦Shindaleria

•Friendly:

◦Aeridin
◦Deliar
◦Kithairien
◦Prunilla
◦Vorax

•Neutral:

◦Aragen
◦Dorand
◦Goran
◦Grannoch
◦Mist
◦Rofirein
◦Toran

•Unfriendly:

◦Az'atta
◦Grand
◦Shadon
◦Sulterio
◦Xeen

•Enemy:

◦Baraeon Ca'Duz
◦Branderback
◦Corath
◦Pyrtechon
◦Vierdri'ira

[hellspawn]

•Alignment:
◦Neutral Good



•Cleric Alignments:
◦Neutral Good
◦Lawful Good
◦Chaotic Good
◦True Neutral



•Domains:
◦Animal
◦Good
◦Plant
◦Sun



•Notes:
◦The most popular domains are Animal and Plant