Circle of the Forest Keepers

The Eraati culture sprouted many religions, Circle of the Forest Keepers being one of them. They are a sizable group of mainly druids and their followers, who follow the forest god Rathuu the Forest Keeper.

Druids and the trees:

druids are recognized as the religion's officials, who follow the profession's ranking system, and guide the religion's followers.
They build huts high up in the trees, where they meet or even live with their followers. These tree houses tend to develop into full-on comunities.

Laws and beliefs:

Circle of the Forest Keepers claim to be the protectors of trees. They take care of them and protect them from being cut down, as they believe the nature will give back for their deeds.

Tree care:

Every follower should spend a portion of their free time taking care of trees that need it, such as watering them, cutting off dead branches, planting saplings, dealing with pests an much more. It is believed the trees will give back in the form of food, shade and enviroment for other plants and animals.

Protectors of trees:

Followers are prohibited from cutting down trees, or hurting them in other ways, such as fire. This also applies to non believers, who are often harrased or even attacked when they hurt a tree.
Cutting down a tree is only allowed when it's sick, or close to death, as that's seen as relieving the tree of it's pain.

Family trees:

Each member of a family that joins the religion has to chose a sapling they'll take care of. When a family member reaches adulthood, they are also given a sapling, preferably from one of their parent's tree.
Each member has to take care of it until their death. Afte rthat, it is left alsone, or other amily members take the mantle.
These trees grow to stand out from the others, as years of perfectioning dealth with any deformities or imperfections. They are true works of art.
Failing to take care of the tree however is seen as a failure resulting in being kicked out from the religion, or in better cases having to work each day, taking care of the forest, until their failure is deemed to be payed off.

Events:

Birth of trees:

During the early season of Bloom, a celebration is held, no different to any other Eraati celebration. It is about young trees and saplings, who are welcomed to the world, as a new part of he forest. This is also the time when new members get their family saplings.

Day of withering:

Opposite to the pervious celebration, this one is held in the early season fo Rest. It is appreciation of all the old trees an a goodbies to the ones close to their death. It is much calmer, mainly consisting of prayers towards the trees and Rathuu the Forest Keeper.

Type

Religious, Druidic Circle