The Faith of the Wild

The faith of Ilmos reveres nature in its purest and most diverse forms, honoring Ilmos as the god who governs all natural domains—forest, ocean, mountain, desert, and plains. His followers believe in an interconnected balance that flows through each realm, encompassing all life cycles from growth to decay. Worshippers view Ilmos as a quiet, steadfast deity whose presence is found in the wild’s untamed beauty and raw power, rather than in temples or cities. The faith is diverse and decentralized, with various sects emerging based on each unique landscape, all unified by their reverence for nature’s rhythms and Ilmos's teachings of respect, harmony, and resilience. This belief system emphasizes coexistence over dominance, inspiring followers to live in harmony with the land, honor its gifts, and uphold the natural order in all its forms.

Structure

"In forest and ocean, mountain and plain, across the desert sands, we honor Ilmos who breathes life into the wild and guides the hunt. Respect nature's balance, tread lightly on her ground, and embody the strength of the untamed." - Central Creed

Each sect then builds off this creed, interpreting Ilmos’s tenets to fit their specific environments. Here are how different areas expand this foundation:
Ocean Sect

• Creed Extension: "The tides bring life and take it away; we sail in Ilmos’s rhythm, protectors of the waters that cradle all."
• Beliefs: Worshipers focus on the bounty of the sea, sustainable fishing, and maritime omens. Rituals honor storms and the cyclical nature of tides.

Forest Sect

• Creed Extension: "We move as shadows between trees, stewards of the green, where Ilmos’s breath is felt in every leaf and branch."
• Beliefs: This sect emphasizes guardianship of woodlands, sustainable foraging, and quiet reverence. They celebrate animal migrations and seasonal growth cycles.

Mountain Sect

• Creed Extension: "In the stones we feel Ilmos’s strength, unyielding and enduring. We are the watchers of heights, caretakers of what lies above."
• Beliefs: Mountain worshipers honor Ilmos’s might and endurance, with rites focused on the rocky landscapes and the resilience needed to survive there. They have rites to honor mountain creatures and respect paths for safe travel.

Plains Sect

• Creed Extension: "Ilmos grants abundance in the open lands, where life flourishes on endless horizons. We are the shepherds of the herd and the harvest."
• Beliefs: Plains followers prioritize the health of herds, grain, and harvest cycles. They practice communal rituals to give thanks for the plains' bounty and to respect the animals they rely on.

Desert Sect

• Creed Extension: "In the heat and sands, Ilmos’s resilience endures, where life is rare but tenacious. We walk with respect, conserving what is scarce and honoring the hidden strength of survival."
• Beliefs: Desert followers see Ilmos as the protector of scarce resources and the endurance of life in harsh environments. They celebrate adaptability and resourcefulness, practicing water conservation rituals and honoring creatures that thrive in such a sparse landscape.

Culture

Core Values

• Balance and Moderation: Followers of Ilmos aim to take only what is needed, upholding a balance that allows nature to replenish. They see themselves as stewards of the wild and understand that overuse of any resource leads to destruction, an affront to Ilmos.
• Respect for All Life: Ilmos’s faithful believe all creatures have a role in nature’s design, and harming any living being outside of necessity or the hunt for sustenance is forbidden. Even the hunt itself is revered, with prayers for guidance, swift and humane kills, and gratitude to Ilmos for each animal taken.
• Endurance and Adaptability: Survival skills are a fundamental part of Ilmos’s teachings, especially those adapted to harsh conditions. Followers are encouraged to view hardships as natural trials, honoring the resilience it takes to endure. Every challenge is seen as a lesson from Ilmos, teaching them to rely on their knowledge and strength.
• Unity in Diversity: Although divided by natural domains, followers of Ilmos believe that diversity strengthens the faith, each sect providing unique insights and wisdom about Ilmos’s gifts. Inter-sect relationships are highly valued, and each group respects the specialized knowledge the others bring.
• Reverence for Natural Mysteries: Ilmos’s faith teaches that nature is full of unknowns, and not all should be understood. Followers hold a deep respect for the mysteries of the wild—ancient trees, hidden valleys, or the quiet movements of creatures. This reverence for the unknown fuels a rich oral tradition, with followers sharing tales of encounters with Ilmos’s presence in unexpected forms or signs.

Followers of Ilmos live by nature’s laws, striving to adapt to the environment rather than reshape it. They revere natural cycles—such as birth, growth, death, and renewal—seeing them as sacred truths. Whether forest, ocean, or desert, each sect emphasizes responsible use of resources, such as sustainable hunting, fishing, and foraging, and sees wastefulness as a disrespect to Ilmos.

History

The earliest followers of Ilmos might have been nomadic clans or tribes who found themselves guided by natural events—like the migration of animals, patterns in the stars, or the timing of seasonal rains. These signs could be recorded as Ilmos’s original guidance, and stories of these early encounters may have been passed down as sacred lore, inspiring the first followers to live in harmony with nature.

Mythology & Lore

Ilmos once hunted an ancient stag called Orthan, the First Prey, a creature whose antlers were said to grow taller than trees, with hooves that thundered across plains and mountains alike. Orthan’s blood held the power of renewal, allowing vegetation to sprout wherever it walked, but it grew reckless, consuming endlessly and trampling smaller life in its path. Ilmos pursued Orthan tirelessly, neither hunting it to death nor allowing it to roam unchecked, forcing it to respect all living things.
In the early days, legend has it that Ilmos gave three gifts to humankind so they could survive in even the harshest environments. The first was the Fire of Endurance, kindled in the depths of the earth to warm those in cold mountain heights and to light the way for those lost. The second was the Water of Tenacity, hidden deep in desert sands, pure and sustaining, for only those who truly understood the land would find it. The third was the Wind of Wisdom, which carried seeds across forests and plains, scattering knowledge and the promise of growth to all who would nurture it.

Divine Origins

Before Ilmos was named, people across the world felt a guiding presence in the natural world. Survival depended on respecting and understanding the environments in which they lived, and they began to believe there was a spirit or force that shaped nature's behavior. People witnessed cycles—predator and prey, seasons of growth and rest, floods, and droughts—and gradually came to see these as signs of Ilmos’s will. By following these patterns, they survived, and over time, they began attributing their survival to a guiding deity.
The earliest followers of Ilmos weren’t an organized group but were instead scattered bands and tribes that looked to the wilderness for wisdom. Oral traditions began to form as people recounted tales of strange encounters with animals, plants, or weather that seemed too meaningful to be mere coincidence. These tales grew into an informal canon of stories and beliefs shared across communities, each adding their interpretations of Ilmos’s power based on the terrain they called home.
Over centuries, certain individuals known as Root-Seers became recognized as having special insights into Ilmos’s will. These Root-Seers were often skilled hunters, herbalists, or those who survived perilous encounters with nature. They were known for their ability to interpret signs in animal behavior, plant growth, and weather patterns, and they became the first teachers of the faith. Root-Seers had no formal authority; they were nomadic, traveling between clans and regions, teaching respect for the natural balance and encouraging others to develop a personal connection to Ilmos.
As humans settled and grew in number, the Root-Seers saw the need to establish practices that honored each environment’s unique qualities. They encouraged the formation of sects within the faith, each focusing on specific aspects of nature: the ocean, the desert, the forests, the plains, and the mountains. Each sect began to establish its own rituals, songs, and stories that aligned with its environment, leading to distinct ways of worshiping Ilmos. Yet, each sect remained bound by the core belief in balance, respect, and endurance.
As communities grew and stabilized, rituals developed to honor specific elements of life essential for survival—harvests, hunts, safe passage, and seasonal change. The Root-Seers helped formalize these rituals, creating chants, offerings, and rites that invoked Ilmos’s guidance and blessing. Key rituals such as the First Hunt, the Seasonal Circle (for planting and harvest), and the Survival Walk (a rite of passage for young followers) were formalized during this time, making the faith’s practices consistent and respected.
Over time, symbols associated with Ilmos gained sacred meaning. Followers created talismans from natural materials like stones, feathers, or carved wood. Each sect began to use specific natural items that represented Ilmos’s presence in their domain. These totems weren’t just for worship—they were practical, symbolizing Ilmos’s gifts in the form of tools for survival, such as the Plains Sect’s bone knives, the Ocean Sect’s water talismans, or the Mountain Sect’s carved climbing staffs.

Tenets of Faith

Live in Balance with the World

• Followers are expected to take only what they need from the land and give back what they can. Overuse of resources is seen as an affront to Ilmos’s teachings. The tenet encourages practices like sustainable hunting, selective harvesting, and preserving sacred or endangered areas. Each sect teaches that those who disrupt nature’s cycles invite calamity upon themselves.

Embrace the Cycles of Nature

• Nature’s cycles of birth, growth, death, and decay are sacred and should not be disrupted. Followers are taught to respect these natural cycles in their daily lives, ceremonies, and interactions with the world. Rituals are aligned with seasonal changes, and followers believe that embracing these cycles strengthens their connection to Ilmos.

Adapt and Endure

• Adaptability is seen as a virtue, with followers taught to honor the unique qualities of their surroundings. Each domain teaches followers to develop skills, knowledge, and resilience suited to their particular landscapes. Followers are encouraged to see challenges—like droughts, storms, or migrations—as tests of endurance rather than obstacles to be conquered.

Seek Harmony with Other Paths

• Ilmos’s followers are encouraged to respect other faiths and paths, as all life is viewed as connected under the natural world. While they may not fully adopt other beliefs, followers are encouraged to learn from them and seek common ground, particularly with those who also value the land and its creatures.

Practice Humility Before the Wild

• Nature is vast and unknowable, and followers are taught to approach it with humility. Pride, overconfidence, and attempts to dominate the natural world are considered transgressions. Instead, followers should strive to learn and grow, remaining aware of the limits of human understanding and control.

Pass Knowledge to Future Generations

• The faith of Ilmos is preserved through oral traditions, skills, and practices passed down through generations. Followers are expected to teach their children and communities about Ilmos’s ways, ensuring that wisdom, rituals, and reverence for the natural world endure.

Worship

Worship in Ilmos’s faith is an immersive, everyday experience woven into the lives of its followers rather than confined to temples or ritual spaces. Followers engage with Ilmos’s presence by honoring the natural world through daily actions, seasonal rituals, and communal gatherings that emphasize balance, respect, and gratitude.
Followers take time each day to walk, meditate, or simply exist in natural spaces, whether it’s a forest, desert, coastline, or even a small garden. Known as “Walking the Path,” this practice fosters a deep connection to the world around them, reminding them of Ilmos’s presence in every blade of grass or stretch of sand.

• Simple words of thanks are spoken before meals, particularly when consuming hunted game, harvested plants, or foraged food. Acknowledging Ilmos as the source of their sustenance, followers express gratitude for what they’ve taken from nature.
• Followers take time each day to walk, meditate, or simply exist in natural spaces, whether it’s a forest, desert, coastline, or even a small garden. Known as “Walking the Path,” this practice fosters a deep connection to the world around them, reminding them of Ilmos’s presence in every blade of grass or stretch of sand.
• Followers of Ilmos regularly observe nature’s signs, looking for subtle messages in the behavior of animals, changes in weather, or growth patterns in plants. This practice teaches them to “listen” to Ilmos’s will and find guidance.

Priesthood

The closest figures to priests in Ilmos’s faith, Root-Seers are respected guides and interpreters of nature’s signs. Each Root-Seer typically emerges as a leader within a domain (such as a forest, desert, or coastal region) but holds no strict authority outside their local followers. Instead of formal training, they often inherit their role by demonstrating unique insights, wisdom, and an exceptional ability to communicate with nature. Root-Seers may be called upon for guidance during difficult times, seasonal changes, or major life events like births, deaths, or coming-of-age ceremonies. Their role includes interpreting Ilmos’s will, leading rituals, and teaching followers to read nature’s signs.

Sects

The Grugach are a deeply insular race of wild elves who uphold the unyielding purity of nature. They believe Ilmos despises any manipulation of the natural world, especially technological advancements and modernization, which they see as perversions that defile the earth. They avoid all tools and advancements beyond basic foraging and hunting techniques. They shun anyone who uses “unnatural” objects or practices, from weapons to clothing produced by advanced means. Their survival tactics are primitive, focusing on a raw, direct interaction with nature. They view even mild modifications of the land (such as irrigation) as heresy, making them hostile toward followers who attempt sustainable agriculture, even if such methods are meant to honor Ilmos. The Grugach will often raid or disrupt communities they perceive as violating the land, going so far as to burn fields or dismantle water mills.
The Iron Antlers interprets Ilmos’s teachings on balance as a mandate for domination over the natural world, asserting that humankind has a role as a steward and enforcer of “order” within nature. They believe in managing nature with an iron hand, keeping ecosystems rigidly controlled to prevent any perceived “imbalance,” such as overgrowth or natural disasters. They engage in controlled burns, heavy culling of animals they deem invasive and engineered terraforming. They believe that by imposing their version of order on nature, they serve Ilmos's will. 
Followers of the Serpent’s Vine hold that nature's raw power and darkness are sacred aspects of Ilmos that should be embraced rather than tamed. They view poison, decay, and predators as expressions of Ilmos’s true nature, believing that survival of the fittest is the most sacred law. Members of this sect use toxins, poisons, and blood rituals as central aspects of worship. They conduct cleansings by spreading harmful herbs or poisons in areas they deem overrun or imbalanced, believing that only the strongest should survive. They avoid all forms of healing, viewing wounds, poison, and disease as natural expressions of Ilmos’s will. Followers of the Serpent’s Vine have been known to poison rivers, decimate livestock, and even wage warfare against nearby communities to enforce their twisted vision of natural order.
The Circle of the Last Seed is a small, highly secretive sect of druids and monks that believes Ilmos prophesied the decline of nature itself and that followers must prepare for a coming End of Seasons. They revere seeds as sacred items, collecting and hoarding rare plants and animals to preserve them in anticipation of nature’s demise. Members go to great lengths to collect seeds, plants, animals, and even bones or feathers, preserving them in underground vaults or within secluded groves. They often live in isolation and avoid leaving their territory to avoid spreading the contamination of the world. Their obsession with the end of nature puts them at odds with followers who believe in nature’s eternal cycles. Many criticize their practices as needless fearmongering, and some see the Circle of the Last Seed as hoarders who deprive ecosystems of biodiversity rather than preserving it.

“To follow Ilmos is to bear the markings of each domain—root and thorn of the forest, the salt of waves from ocean tides, stone from ancient mountain, the sun-warmed sand of desert dunes, and grass bent by the endless plains wind. In each sign is a lesson, in each path a way forward. When we bear these signs, we carry Ilmos’s balance within us, and only then do we walk the truest path.”

Deities

• Ilmos God of the Hunt and Nature

Divines

• Ilmos God of the Hunt and Nature

Location

Verdantia Territory