Nylannor
The Sya'Nau faith consisting almost entirely of dead gods, and their Prophets.
Structure
Nylannor has not had a Prophet since the Long Night, so the head of the faith is now carried by the Arhcdruids of Mythnara. below the Archdruids are the Druids of the various circles, Clerics beneath them, Shamans and Spirit-Walkers.
Culture
Nylannor influence are felt throughout Elven Culture in Sya'Nau. respect for the land and its bounty, guiding nature and doing their best to reach a symbiosis with their environment as opposed to shaping it to their own wants. Nylannor teachings impress the importance of this symbiosis, leading many Sya'Nau elves to still live in burrows and dens, tree's. careful structure for hunting and gathering to avoid disrupting the balance. Traditional Nylannor garb is typically woven branches, leaves, and natural fibers to create seasonal garments. this was also used to dye hair colors and for tattoos as part of various titles and rituals among the Unity.
Public Agenda
Nylannor serves as the spirtual guidance for all Sya'Nau Elves, to safeguard their sacred groves and attain a balance between Elfkin and the lands they inhabit. Because of this, the Nylannor faith is vehemently opposed to the Ravan occupation.
History
Nylannor is said to be the first prophet entrusted by Umeran himself before his death and rebirth. as part of their pact with the Fae-God Nylannor and her house would enshrine Umeran's teachings in the hearts and minds of all Elfkin. Nylannor's sons and daughters became the prophets to which many of the tenants were carried, each returning to Umeran upon their 800th birthday to return to the Wilds as they promised. the cycle of life, death, and rebirth is paramount to Nylannor and her Prophets teachings. for every fruit plant two seeds, gift and return, and so on. Despite the deep roots of Nylannor's faith in the Elven culture, the Sya'Nau eventually strayed and instituted a caste system for safety and security of the groves. many Nylannor traditionalists would break away from the faith and leave to found their own circles. after the Fall of Unity, Nylannor was restructured to influence each of the houses in a more direct fashion. each of the houses would raise their eldest to become a Druid and guide the spiritual growth of their house in tandem with the Nylannor Circle.
Mythology & Lore
Nylannor venerates a long list of Prophets, Nylannor is chief amongst them along with her children. the list ends with Eohr who used his foresight to preserve as much knowledge from the burning of Sya'Nau as he could. Eohr represented a radical idea that knowledge and life was more sacred than the balance Nylannor represented, and with new enemies it demanded new ideas.
Cosmological Views
Nylannor's Prophets teach that Irindoth is the remnants of Umeran and Azaxoth final battle. with Azaxoth forming the lands which Umeran's soul would propagate with life. Despite the Dragons initial hostility towards all other Mortals, the Elves saw them as kindred souls. firstborn of Umeran and Azaxoth's dying breaths.
Ethics
Nylannor have few stated rules or ethics for their faith. disrupting the land or the oath that Nylannor swore to Umeren are chief among them. many are encouraged to safeguard and tend the lands but this is not a requirement, so long as no Elf go against these tenants they are permitted to rejoin the World Spirit. One of the chief principles outside of Nylannor's oath is that no Elf slay another Elf, this is what led to the exile of the Dark Elves from Sya'Nau and their exclusion from the World Spirit.
Worship
Nylannor hold numerous rituals and holidays in regards to the stars, and the passage of seasons. with each new moon a gift is returned to the land they live upon, as thanks for the gifts they have taken in the month prior. another example is the life and death of an Elf, when one is killed before their 800th birthday that Elf's history is recounted in detail in the hopes those that hear it will one day impart some of the deceased's wisdom to the World Spirit.
Priesthood
Joining the various circles of Nylannor is dependent on ones birth, and the alignment of their stars. the Nylannor Shamans are responsible for reading the stars and celestial bodies to decide newborn childrens early learnings. After the Elfling becomes an adult they are permitted to join or leave any circle they wish, though they may only hold status of one circle at a time.
Granted Divine Powers
Nylannor Druids and Priests enjoy a special harmony with the world. in places where they have developed a friendship to the land, they can influence the growth of plants and animals to such a degree as to grow cities.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Nylannor have taken a more direct approach to their influence following the Fall of Unity, each House required to raise their eldest child under the tenants of the Druid Circles.
Demonym
Nylorians
Deities
Location
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
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