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In The Worship of Iaosia
Coven of the
Tiger
Those possessing true wisdom are aware,
all that can be built, can be undone. Civilizations can be founded,
lost, and rebuilt once again, but nature reclaims all in the end.
Iaosia's worship is unlike that of the other gods of the realm. Although
not without her priests, those that follow Iaosia are guided by a
coalithion of druids that are devoted to nature and balance. They are
not as strict in hierarchy as the other religions, all who devote
themselves to Iaosia have the right to speak. The whole of the coven is
comprised of smaller covens throughout the Empire. Each coven is led by
the most wise druid of the group, who is given the title Archdruid. The
Archdruids meet with each turning of the season to discuss what courses
of action will best preserve nature and serve the balance.
Hunters of Iaosia
These are the more militant members of the covens. Mostly rangers and
more battle oriented druids, these defenders have dedicated themselves
to the protection of Iaosia's creatures and forests. Those who wantonly
slaughter her animals or destroy her bounty will become hunted
themselves, the predators becoming the prey of the Coven on the Tiger.
These Hunters also carefully watch the interactions between Iaosia's
beasts, carefully preserving the balance of predator and prey to insure
one species does not grow overlarge at the expense of another.
The Varanite Scouts
While the military is mostly composed of males, there is one branch of
the military that is distinctly female. The Scouts of Iaosia were
instrumental in the victory over the lands of Dasaria. These females are
the most skilled of rangers, able to blend into the surrounding
landscapes and to move into the deepest of enemy territory. It is said
that the best of these scouts did rise within the ranks of the military,
earning the respect of Marcus and his advisers. These females are said
to be deadly with bow and blade, many chooseing to specialize in the
Shillelagh favored by their goddess as well. |