Fysian Temple

The Fysian Temple is one of the largest religious institutions in the region of Volodaria. Unlike many of the other religions of the Empire of Nara Tok, the Fysian Temple shares few roots with the Mylosian Church, instead inheriting many facets from the religion of the ancient Aeldrin. The religion's primary goddess is Fysia, the embodiment of natural beauty. It is most popular among Volodarin, though it has followers among many of the peoples of Aelderin.
The temple was formed in the aftermath of the Aeldrin-Imperial Frontier Battles, during Volodar's tenure as ruler of Astria. The story goes that a group of druids who worshipped Daisha made their way to Volodar's council to challenge him, for his failure to uphold the ancient Daishan Pact. Before they could confront him, however, they were taken into the throes of religious ecstasy, overwhelmed by a vision from the Goddess of Nature.
The goddess' message was simple. She encouraged the druids to find the sacred in all aspects of her domain, not merely the wild forest of her mother. Gardens of flowers, chirping birds, rich farmland and bountiful lumber - these were all her gifts, and whether wild or cultivated, they contained a piece of her divine spark. The path to enlightenment lay in the cherishing of these gifts, and the cherishing of one another. Fysia considered the Volodarin to be her siblings - children of her mother - and she encouraged them to share in this familial love with one another.
The druids were overwhelmed, but they decided at last to do as they had set out to do, and seek audience with the Astrian Exarch. They approached Volodar and told him their wonderful tale. Volodar saw the truth of their words by their conviction, and so he encouraged them to spread Fysia's word to the rest of the elves. These druids would go on to found the Fysian Temple, to spread their experience with their brothers and sisters. The temple proved popular: their message provided a new purpose for the lost among the wood elves, and allowed them to forgive themselves for their failure in fulfilling their ancient pact. In the years after its formation, the Fysians ranks swelled, and the religion would become an important facet of the new Volodarin culture.
Since its conception, the temple has evolved considerably, introducing many ceremonies and festivals intended to encourage mutual cherishing. Fysian weddings are usually held in public gardens, or untouched areas of wilderness. Fysian customs require the burying of the dead, so that in their death they might give back to the land that provided them with so much in life. Every year, the Temple holds a festival known as Cai'fer in which its followers bind themselves together with chains of flowers. Fysian druid-priests play a large role in Cai'fer, using their magic to grow mazes and gardens, or even tell stories with twisting vines.
The temple's structure is relatively lax. A council of seven Archdruids introduce new doctrine, and provide guidance to hosts of druid-priests. Below them, all share equally in Fysia's wisdom. Its largest followings can be found in the city of Astria and the town of Luria, Lumber Hub. The latter of these is where the Fysian Archdruids can be found.
Since its birth, the Fysian Temple has also grown its own controversies. Their Archdruids are the de-jure liegelords of the town of Luria, and rumours of their corruption persist. It is commonly believed that the Archdruids accept bribes from House Raducci traders, and played a role in allowing the Great House to establish its monopoly on lumber camps in the region, which the Raduccis have used to exploit their workforce and further impoverish the poorest among Volodarian citizens. As a result, they have earned the enmity of the Reclaimers.
The Fysians are also heavily targeted by the followers of Amar. Fysian priests are often slaughtered during raids by the Amarans, and their temples are commonly the target of Amaran plots. Despite this persecution, the children of the temple remain firm in their faith in Fysian ideals.