Selrana, Goddess of Nature
Name: Selrana, The Verdant Mother
Domains: Nature, Growth, Seasons, Wildlife, Wilderness
Symbol: A tree with roots that stretch deep into the earth and branches that intertwine with the sky, encircled by animals representing different species of The Folk. Some sects use a simple wreath of leaves, while others depict her as an intricate floral design that changes with the seasons.
Description:
Selrana, The Verdant Mother, is the goddess of nature, wilderness, and the cycles that govern life. She is the embodiment of the untamed wilds, the fierce beauty of the natural world, and the eternal balance between life and death that sustains it. Selrana oversees all aspects of the natural environment, from the towering trees and sprawling forests to the smallest streams and hidden caves. She is the force that nurtures life, ensures the changing of the seasons, and protects the sacred balance of ecosystems.
Selrana is often depicted as a towering, ethereal figure with the form of a great tree, her limbs extending into branches covered in foliage, while her body is adorned with vines, flowers, and animals that symbolize the diversity of life. Her eyes glow with a green light that reflects the primal wisdom of the natural world. In some representations, she is shown as a shapeshifter who can take the form of various animals, shifting between the forms of a great stag, a bird of prey, or a fierce predator to show her connection to all life.
Though she nurtures life, she is not merely a gentle force—Selrana embodies the wild, unpredictable, and sometimes dangerous aspects of nature as well. Storms, earthquakes, and wildfires are seen as her way of reminding mortals of their place in the grand scheme of things. She commands the respect of druids, rangers, and those who dwell in or protect the natural world.
Myths and Stories:
The Awakening of The Folk: One of the most well-known stories about Selrana is her involvement in the Awakening Ritual that transformed animals into The Folk. According to legend, it was Selrana who first whispered the idea to the dragons that they could reshape the world by uplifting the animals after they cast down the humans. As the dragons performed their ritual, Selrana infused the land with her essence, ensuring that the newly-awakened Folk would retain a deep connection to the natural world. It is said that she gave the animals the strength to thrive and the instincts to survive, making them capable of building societies that still honored nature’s laws.
The Seasons of Balance: Another famous myth tells of Selrana’s Dance of Seasons, where she moves through the world in different forms, shifting between the beauty of spring, the abundance of summer, the quiet of autumn, and the harshness of winter. Each season is a reflection of her moods and her desire to maintain balance in the natural world. When the balance is disturbed—through excessive magic, deforestation, or unnatural intervention—Selrana’s wrath is said to bring about great calamities, like storms, droughts, or plagues. However, when balance is restored, she rewards mortals with bountiful harvests and healthy lands.
The Battle of the Wilds: In the ancient days, when The Folk were newly awakened, some of them sought to conquer the wilds, believing that they could tame the world as humans once had. Selrana, seeing this as an affront to the natural order, unleashed her wrath upon those who would strip the land of its vitality. In the form of a giant bear, she led the wilderness itself into battle, commanding the trees, rivers, and beasts to rise up against the encroaching civilizations. This myth is often told to remind mortals that the wilderness is not to be tamed, but respected and protected.
Role in the Current World:
Selrana’s influence is felt wherever The Folk still live close to nature. While many races have built cities and embraced civilization, there are still those who live in harmony with the land, guided by Selrana’s teachings. The more primitive societies worship her as the ultimate protector of life and the earth. She also has a strong following among druids, rangers, and those who seek to preserve the natural world against the spread of civilization and technology.
In the current world, as factions prepare for war Selrana’s followers are torn. Some believe that the coming conflict will disrupt the delicate balance of nature, while others argue that nature itself will endure, no matter what destruction befalls the cities of The Folk. Many see the rise of steampunk technology as a dangerous force, one that threatens the harmony of nature with its reliance on industry and machinery.
Selrana is also at odds with other deities who represent civilization, especially Kardum, the Harmonious Law, god of order. While Kardum seeks to impose structure and rule over The Folk, Selrana believes that true harmony comes from respecting nature’s cycles and allowing life to flourish without strict control. This philosophical divide is mirrored in the tension between rural and urban Folk, with those who live in cities often favoring Kardum, while those in the wilderness revere Selrana.
Followers and Sects:
The Greenclaw Tribe: A group of druids and rangers who live deep in the forests, the Greenclaw Tribe serves as Selrana’s most fervent protectors. They believe that it is their duty to safeguard the natural world from both magic and technological advancement that threatens to upset the balance. They are known to be hostile to outsiders who disrespect the wilderness and often act as guides for those who wish to travel through dangerous, untamed lands.
The Verdant Circle: A more organized sect of nature priests, the Verdant Circle works to maintain the delicate balance between civilization and the wilds. They operate both within cities and in the wilds, seeking to remind rulers and leaders of the importance of preserving nature. The Verdant Circle believes that society and nature can coexist, but only if strict limits are placed on expansion and industrialization. They are often involved in political movements that push for environmental preservation and the regulation of resource usage.
The Wildwatchers: A group of rangers and scouts who roam the borders between civilization and wilderness. They serve as Selrana’s eyes and ears, watching for signs of imbalance or destruction. The Wildwatchers are often the first to respond to natural disasters, believing that their goddess sends these events as omens or warnings to The Folk. They believe that by understanding these signs, they can prevent greater catastrophes.
Personality and Nature:
Selrana is often seen as both nurturing and merciless, embodying the dual aspects of nature. She is the mother who gives life and abundance, but also the storm that destroys what has grown too large or too arrogant. She values balance above all else, and her followers believe that they must respect the cycles of life, growth, death, and rebirth. Selrana has little patience for those who seek to dominate nature, but she also shows great favor to those who protect and nurture the land.
Her teachings emphasize the importance of harmony with the natural world and the dangers of upsetting the delicate balance of ecosystems. However, she also teaches that death and destruction are natural parts of life, and her followers do not fear death as they see it as part of the eternal cycle.
Worship and Influence:
Selrana’s shrines and temples are often hidden deep within forests, built into the natural landscape rather than dominating it. Her places of worship are sacred groves, stone circles, and natural springs, where followers can feel the presence of the goddess in the untouched wilds. Worshipers often make offerings of flowers, fruit, and small animals, and many rituals involve communing with animals and the natural elements.
Her festivals are tied to the seasons, with spring and summer being times of celebration and renewal, while autumn and winter mark periods of reflection on death and the cycles of life. During these festivals, Selrana’s followers perform rites to ensure that the balance between civilization and nature is maintained, and they pray for the land to remain bountiful and healthy.
In areas where civilization and nature meet, Selrana’s influence is felt through the efforts of those who advocate for preserving green spaces and limiting expansion. Her followers are often involved in political debates regarding land use, resource management, and environmental sustainability, trying to find ways to protect nature even in the midst of growing conflict.
Domains: Nature, Growth, Seasons, Wildlife, Wilderness
Symbol: A tree with roots that stretch deep into the earth and branches that intertwine with the sky, encircled by animals representing different species of The Folk. Some sects use a simple wreath of leaves, while others depict her as an intricate floral design that changes with the seasons.
Description:
Selrana, The Verdant Mother, is the goddess of nature, wilderness, and the cycles that govern life. She is the embodiment of the untamed wilds, the fierce beauty of the natural world, and the eternal balance between life and death that sustains it. Selrana oversees all aspects of the natural environment, from the towering trees and sprawling forests to the smallest streams and hidden caves. She is the force that nurtures life, ensures the changing of the seasons, and protects the sacred balance of ecosystems.
Selrana is often depicted as a towering, ethereal figure with the form of a great tree, her limbs extending into branches covered in foliage, while her body is adorned with vines, flowers, and animals that symbolize the diversity of life. Her eyes glow with a green light that reflects the primal wisdom of the natural world. In some representations, she is shown as a shapeshifter who can take the form of various animals, shifting between the forms of a great stag, a bird of prey, or a fierce predator to show her connection to all life.
Though she nurtures life, she is not merely a gentle force—Selrana embodies the wild, unpredictable, and sometimes dangerous aspects of nature as well. Storms, earthquakes, and wildfires are seen as her way of reminding mortals of their place in the grand scheme of things. She commands the respect of druids, rangers, and those who dwell in or protect the natural world.
Myths and Stories:
The Awakening of The Folk: One of the most well-known stories about Selrana is her involvement in the Awakening Ritual that transformed animals into The Folk. According to legend, it was Selrana who first whispered the idea to the dragons that they could reshape the world by uplifting the animals after they cast down the humans. As the dragons performed their ritual, Selrana infused the land with her essence, ensuring that the newly-awakened Folk would retain a deep connection to the natural world. It is said that she gave the animals the strength to thrive and the instincts to survive, making them capable of building societies that still honored nature’s laws.
The Seasons of Balance: Another famous myth tells of Selrana’s Dance of Seasons, where she moves through the world in different forms, shifting between the beauty of spring, the abundance of summer, the quiet of autumn, and the harshness of winter. Each season is a reflection of her moods and her desire to maintain balance in the natural world. When the balance is disturbed—through excessive magic, deforestation, or unnatural intervention—Selrana’s wrath is said to bring about great calamities, like storms, droughts, or plagues. However, when balance is restored, she rewards mortals with bountiful harvests and healthy lands.
The Battle of the Wilds: In the ancient days, when The Folk were newly awakened, some of them sought to conquer the wilds, believing that they could tame the world as humans once had. Selrana, seeing this as an affront to the natural order, unleashed her wrath upon those who would strip the land of its vitality. In the form of a giant bear, she led the wilderness itself into battle, commanding the trees, rivers, and beasts to rise up against the encroaching civilizations. This myth is often told to remind mortals that the wilderness is not to be tamed, but respected and protected.
Role in the Current World:
Selrana’s influence is felt wherever The Folk still live close to nature. While many races have built cities and embraced civilization, there are still those who live in harmony with the land, guided by Selrana’s teachings. The more primitive societies worship her as the ultimate protector of life and the earth. She also has a strong following among druids, rangers, and those who seek to preserve the natural world against the spread of civilization and technology.
In the current world, as factions prepare for war Selrana’s followers are torn. Some believe that the coming conflict will disrupt the delicate balance of nature, while others argue that nature itself will endure, no matter what destruction befalls the cities of The Folk. Many see the rise of steampunk technology as a dangerous force, one that threatens the harmony of nature with its reliance on industry and machinery.
Selrana is also at odds with other deities who represent civilization, especially Kardum, the Harmonious Law, god of order. While Kardum seeks to impose structure and rule over The Folk, Selrana believes that true harmony comes from respecting nature’s cycles and allowing life to flourish without strict control. This philosophical divide is mirrored in the tension between rural and urban Folk, with those who live in cities often favoring Kardum, while those in the wilderness revere Selrana.
Followers and Sects:
The Greenclaw Tribe: A group of druids and rangers who live deep in the forests, the Greenclaw Tribe serves as Selrana’s most fervent protectors. They believe that it is their duty to safeguard the natural world from both magic and technological advancement that threatens to upset the balance. They are known to be hostile to outsiders who disrespect the wilderness and often act as guides for those who wish to travel through dangerous, untamed lands.
The Verdant Circle: A more organized sect of nature priests, the Verdant Circle works to maintain the delicate balance between civilization and the wilds. They operate both within cities and in the wilds, seeking to remind rulers and leaders of the importance of preserving nature. The Verdant Circle believes that society and nature can coexist, but only if strict limits are placed on expansion and industrialization. They are often involved in political movements that push for environmental preservation and the regulation of resource usage.
The Wildwatchers: A group of rangers and scouts who roam the borders between civilization and wilderness. They serve as Selrana’s eyes and ears, watching for signs of imbalance or destruction. The Wildwatchers are often the first to respond to natural disasters, believing that their goddess sends these events as omens or warnings to The Folk. They believe that by understanding these signs, they can prevent greater catastrophes.
Personality and Nature:
Selrana is often seen as both nurturing and merciless, embodying the dual aspects of nature. She is the mother who gives life and abundance, but also the storm that destroys what has grown too large or too arrogant. She values balance above all else, and her followers believe that they must respect the cycles of life, growth, death, and rebirth. Selrana has little patience for those who seek to dominate nature, but she also shows great favor to those who protect and nurture the land.
Her teachings emphasize the importance of harmony with the natural world and the dangers of upsetting the delicate balance of ecosystems. However, she also teaches that death and destruction are natural parts of life, and her followers do not fear death as they see it as part of the eternal cycle.
Worship and Influence:
Selrana’s shrines and temples are often hidden deep within forests, built into the natural landscape rather than dominating it. Her places of worship are sacred groves, stone circles, and natural springs, where followers can feel the presence of the goddess in the untouched wilds. Worshipers often make offerings of flowers, fruit, and small animals, and many rituals involve communing with animals and the natural elements.
Her festivals are tied to the seasons, with spring and summer being times of celebration and renewal, while autumn and winter mark periods of reflection on death and the cycles of life. During these festivals, Selrana’s followers perform rites to ensure that the balance between civilization and nature is maintained, and they pray for the land to remain bountiful and healthy.
In areas where civilization and nature meet, Selrana’s influence is felt through the efforts of those who advocate for preserving green spaces and limiting expansion. Her followers are often involved in political debates regarding land use, resource management, and environmental sustainability, trying to find ways to protect nature even in the midst of growing conflict.
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