What Are Wayfinders?

What is a Wayfinder?

A Wayfinder is a person believed to be a seeker, warrior, or upholder of truth in the regions known as the Confederated States (or the Alliance Kingdom) and the surrounding areas extending as far northwest as Darthin and west as Respite. Interestingly enough, the Kasari of Ithliond and the monks and druids of Miyajima also hold the belief in Wayfinders though have different interpretations of it.

What are "Wayfinders"?

When a group is known as "Wayfinders" (or takes up the name), it comes with the expectation that they are to help to those who are in need. While there are some who do not know what the name means, to those that hear of tales, they know who to expect as word travels around. Of course, not all Wayfinders are good and not all will help out of the goodness of their hearts. Many Wayfinder groups have specialized names that they are known by which lets a town know the kind of group that they are dealing with.

Known Wayfinders

The Avengers

Base: Confederated States
Military, smithies, casters, constructs, and warriors from the Confederated States that have banded together to take back the lands that were taken over by rifts and the invaders. Many lands are currently being fought over with members of the Avengers being spread far across, some even rumored to be fighting on the other side trying to defeat the invaders from the inside out.

The Outsiders

Base: ---
Those who come from rift realms who are wandering the world looking for those who need a home. This nomadic group finds those stranded, whether from this world or another, and finds them good homes along their journey, protecting them and attempting to spread goodwill as they travel. They are known to be more diplomatic than all else and avoid political conflicts.

The Aíllhryhn

Base: Dragons Spine^?
A warrior group that takes to the sky either through means of mount, spell, artifice, gift, or curse-- they band together, traveling from place to place as heralds from above. They mean no harm and no ill will, and their aim is to gather what information they can of trouble in order for it to be known as they move from place to place. While renowned as messengers and collectors of information, they are also known to fight in the name of protection for the overall good of the people.

Dark Wayfinders

Those that are known and fall into this group are thought of as terrors come to life and nightmares made flesh. They are seen as bringers of Darkness and evil, sowing corruption where they choose. Their names are associated with calamities that have felled towns and cities, and stories of their clashes with adventurers and Wayfinders can be heard only by those with an ear to the ground.

Known Dark Wayfinders

These names are whispered and are rarely spoken of but many refer to these groups as as "Shadow Speakers", "Dark Seekers", and "Yalura" (“Divergents”).

The Shadow Spell

A group with the ability to either turn to wraiths by some form of magic or another.

Nevaeíle

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Keth'rac

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Where did the term "Wayfinder" originate?

It is rumored to have come from the northern people of the Dragons Spine down to the mountainous regions of the Vanishing City. As far as historians and archivists are concerned, no one is sure where exactly the term came from, but the word it was derived from translated to "wayfinder" in Common.