Old Faith
The Old Faith is the chief druidic order of The Known World.
Its Grand Druid claims authority over all lands and seas, though other, smaller druidic orders certainly exist. Though strongly associated with the faiths of Beory and Atroa, the Old Faith also encompasses other deities, principally those concerned with natural phenomena.
The Old Faith has divided the The Known World into nine separate regions, each under the dominion of a Great Druid. These regions are known colloquially as the Wooded West, the Marshed Reaches, the High Jungles, the Lost South, the Azure Islands, the Ancient East, the Inner Waters, the Land Beyond the Peaks, and the Outer Coasts.
All druids of the Old Faith within a specific region are organized into a Circle. Druids of associated deities make up the priests of the Old Faith. Common symbols are oak leaves, holly leaves, and mistletoe.
Druids of the Old Faith have their own secret language known as Druidic; it shares roots with the Common tongue, but is much more specialized, dealing mostly with the natural world and the growth of plants. Many druids also learn the languages of centaurs, elves, gnomes, green dragons, hill giants, lizardfolk, manticores, treants, and fey.
Druids of the Old Faith prefer to live in sacred groves, in small, simple houses built of logs, stone, or sod. At higher levels, they generally dwell in building complexes in woodland areas.
Old Faith services take place at megalithic stone circles or woodland groves. Oak groves are particularly common, but ash is also held sacred. Each type of tree has a different meaning among the Old Faith, and so the different groves serve very different purposes.
The four festivals of Needfest, Growfest, Richfest, and Brewfest are all observed by the Old Faith. The night of Readying 11th is also held as sacred.
The current Grand Druid of the Old Faith is Mainen Traynor.
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