The Wheel
The Wheel is a decentralized group that believes in the balance of birth, death, and life.
Notable Followers of the Wheel
- Brackfeem--druid of the Swallows
- Szro--shaman of Sleeper's Notch
- Tulu Huddlefrugg--a kobold ranger who died fending off an undead rat horde, immortalized in the ballad "Huddlefrugg's Hop"
- Looping Coil, called Loopy--of the Binding River clan, savior of Rikklesglen
- Ashgax--who protected the stars.
- Garalnus Glongarr--who organized the first Truing
- Zorrion--a betrayer, who spoke lies and discord, immortalized in the long poem "Born of this Blackened Earth"
Structure
Due to its peripatetic nature, the structure of the Wheel is necessarily decentralized. Each commune within the collective--that is, each traveling unit--is automatous and expected to abide by The Creed of the Wheel.
The shared initiatives and goals of the Wheel are discussed and established during Truing --a gathering and festival held every three years.
Culture
Stewardship of the natural world--especially the natural cycle of birth, life, and death--is the prime responsibility of those that follow the Wheel. The Wheel takes an active, vested interest in maintaining this balance and will strive to correct any imbalances however possible.
The Wheel's emphasis on balance and nomadic lifestyles often result in the core membership of the collective being made up of druids, monks, and rangers. There are a number of trading families, however, that also constitute several communes of the Wheel.
Assets
While a vow of poverty is not expected of those of the Wheel, most share the opinion that too much material wealth would upset the Balanced Wheel.
History
The origins of the Wheel are hard to fully ascertain. Part of this is due to a lack of documentation, as the historians of the Wheel believe in passing on their history and traditions through oral stories and songs.
It is known that the Wheel existed as early as 531 AC. Rikoris Ulstrim is thought to be one of the first of the Wheel, and is thought to have codified the version of the Creed of the Wheel that most follow today.
Religion
While belief in a particular religious deity or doctrine is not necessary to identify as of the Wheel, many who follow the Wheel also offer loyalty to gods and goddesses concerned with nature and the cycle of life. Phoban, Qhenien, Xun and Otuna have worshippers among the Wheel.
There are also a number of communes that pay homage to an entity known as the Strawtooth Man, who is a presence understood to be older than even the Old Gods and is little understood, even by his followers.
The Balanced Wheel Turns
"The Balanced Wheel turns.
The Balanced Wheel does not stop turning.
The Balanced Wheel leaves no mark as it turns.
Each Spoke must be True to Balance the Wheel."
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