The Shepherds of Icladreaf
The Shepherds of Icladreaf are an ancient, multi-racial organization tasked with the stewardship and protection of Icladreaf, the World Tree, which stands as a sacred symbol of life and power. Formed in 1093, after the tree sprouted from nowhere seemingly overnight, the Shepherds were strongly influenced by the walrus-folk, who played a key role in uniting the diverse peoples of the region, including elves, orcs, dwarves, and humans, to safeguard the land. The Shepherds are charged with ensuring the sanctity of Icladreaf and the surrounding fertile lands, maintaining peace among the various races, and preserving the tree’s divine energy. Their duties extend to the protection of sacred grounds, the education of the population about the tree's origins, and upholding the belief that any harm to the tree or disruption of its energy is punishable by death.
Structure
A council of elder representatives from each race and major city from the continent that guards the tree. They ensure that all races have a voice in decisions affecting Icladreaf and its lands. Their responsibilities include coordinating the seasonal transitions of guardianship among races and maintaining records of traditions, laws, and lore tied to the world tree. Each race's involvement in protecting Icladreaf varies by the season, and the leadership ensures smooth transitions between these periods. While the Shepherds hold authority over the sacred land, they work closely with local settlements and cultural leaders to ensure harmony.
Public Agenda
Preservation of Icladreaf and Its Ecosystem
- To protect Icladreaf and its surrounding lands from harm, including natural disasters, invasive species, and human exploitation. They also ensure that the tree remains a thriving source of life and purity in the barren tundra.
- To maintain harmony and cooperation among the races that share the duty of protecting the sacred lands and to foster mutual respect through shared traditions, rituals, and responsibilities.
- To uphold and enforce strict laws regarding the sanctity of the tree and its lands, ensuring that no harm comes to the ecosystem and to educate visitors and inhabitants about the cultural and spiritual importance of Icladreaf.
- To preserve the balance of life that emanates from Icladreaf, ensuring it continues to provide fertility and vitality to the tundra. This is where the guardianship comes in so they can maintain a watchful eye over potential threats, whether mortal or supernatural, that could disrupt this balance.
- To serve as guides and caretakers of the sacred land, offering blessings, rituals, and spiritual counsel to those who seek Icladreaf’s sanctuary. This also includes passing down the myths and histories tied to the world tree.
History
The Shepherds of Icladreaf were founded in the year 1093, nearly 57 years after the fall of the Goddess of War in 1036, and their creation was deeply influenced by the region’s unique cultural and spiritual dynamics. The fall of the goddess marked the creation of the world tree, Icladreaf, which grew around her dormant form and became the focal point of life in an otherwise barren tundra.
(1036-1050)
After the goddess fell to the mortal plane, a sense of awe and reverence spread across the lands. Various races—humans, elves, dwarves, and orcs—were drawn to the sacred site of Icladreaf, seeing it as a divine occurrence. However, there was no formal system to oversee the sanctity of the tree or its surroundings. The first few decades were marked by disorganization, as different factions attempted to claim ownership or leadership over the land.
(1050-1075)
The walrus-folk, known for their deep connection to the tundra and their traditions of stewardship over the land, played a significant role during these early years. For generations, they had lived in the harsh, frozen lands and had developed an intricate understanding of nature’s cycles. Recognizing the divine importance of Icladreaf, they took it upon themselves to protect the tree and its sacred grounds, albeit without any formal structure. They established seasonal traditions, such as the rite of passage where one from their village, Uron, would guard Icladreaf for a year and a day, a practice that continues today.
(1075-1093)
In 1075, after years of informal guardianship by the walrus-folk and a few neighboring races, tensions began to arise as other factions sought to exert their influence over Icladreaf. The orc tribes, with their warrior culture rooted in war, demanded a more structured and militarized form of protection, while the elves, known for their spiritual connection to nature, advocated for a more harmonious approach. The humans and dwarves also expressed interest in establishing a more permanent presence in the region.
In 1093, a council was convened at the foot of Icladreaf, attended by representatives of all major races, including the walrus-folk who had long been its protectors. After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that a unified, cross-racial organization should be formed to protect the tree and the land surrounding it. This led to the official founding of the Shepherds of Icladreaf, a group dedicated to ensuring the sanctity of Icladreaf while maintaining peace among the various factions. The walrus-folk, as the first protectors of the tree, played a central role in the formation of the Shepherds, with their elders becoming the first leaders of the organization.
(1093 - Present)
rom the time of their founding, the Shepherds of Icladreaf took on the dual role of spiritual guides and guardians of the land. They established strict laws around the protection of Icladreaf and the surrounding lands, codifying what had once been informal customs. The Shepherds acted as peacekeepers, enforcing the flow of life that emanated from the world tree, and they became a stabilizing force in the region, preventing any faction from gaining too much power. The Shepherds also codified the seasonal rotations of protection, with the humans watching over Icladreaf during the summer, the elves during the spring, the orcs during the winter, and the dwarves in the fall. The walrus-folk, while no longer solely responsible, continued their vital role in ensuring that the cycle remained unbroken and that the tree was never left unprotected.
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