Briarwood of the Wyld Faith

Steel Realms

The Wyld faith does not stand on structure and built edifices. The sacred spaces of the wylding are referred to as a Briarwood (Briarwood of the Wyld Faith). It is a stand of local trees, with dense foliage and twined trees instead of walls. These can be shifted to create “rooms” as needed. Briars wind through it and around it for defense, giving it its signature name. Animist Figurines are found in Beastwoods and Briarwood have them as guardians, triggered by a common Wyld Rite. Druids of the Wyld in their Briarwoods are often in contact with rangers who have settled nearby. “Those Who Range“, despite the fact that they range far, they often have a place where they call home. Where the people and animals know them and accept them and they can find refuge guaranteed.

Briarwood Cycling: Once a year, the configuration of the briarwild changes slightly. In civilized places less so, in the untamed places it can shift its entire location. Cycling is an accelerated process where plants grow or die (or both). Roots move, barriers are shifted, and blossoming occurs. This is usually done in the spring. It happens in many briarwoods but it doesn’t change the general size and geo-location.

The Druids of the Wyld Faith are guardians of the sacred spaces – Briarwoods and Beastwoods. These are also fortifications for them and the Wylde Horde.

In civilized places, it is the interface between the untamed lands and the managed lands. It is cared for by the Green Church, who are used to the politics and ways of civilized lands. Such Briarwoods are organized and well kept. The dead wood is gathered every day for the sacred fire by 1-4 acolytes. The blossoms and sprigs are cut as needed to promote growth outside of the enclosure. Curatives are made.

In The wild places, it is maintained by the wild faith. It is a place of natural strength. A place where druids commune with the spirits of the Earth and sky and water. Such elemental magics are more powerful in these places, and woe be unto any who seek to assail them.

Place of Refuge: The area is filled with birds, snakes, rodents, bugs and all manner of small creature which use it as a refuge. There are flowers and the center is warm all year round as long as the sacred fire burns. The center is surrounded by trees that can be brought together to form a cover and keep the rain out of need be. A Briarwood is immune to normal fire, and the briar, brush and trees can be animated by Druids (and cannot be used against them). There is usually a small spring of drinkable water, and gardens that produce a huge bounty.

Briarwoods serve as hubs for the project of Reclaiming the Wyld. Moonlit Weapons are often created in these places. These places should, in all ways possible, represent the Loop of Life. Briarwoods can be made into a “true” Lair using Laey power.

  • Briarwood Ash Pouch: A pinch detects disease and poison on the target it is sprinkled upon.
  • Briarwood Gourd: Drinking from it allows the imbiber to breathe underwater and gain minor healing.
  • Briarwood Bark Rope: Can be wrapped around a target for bark-like armor, or looped around an area to speak with the plants
  • Services: Medicine, herbalism, animal husbandry, animal care, crop care, basic disease and poison care. Minor healing for followers. The tenders of the Briarwood never get sick from natural sources.
  • Sacrifice: The sacred fire can consume minor offerings and sacrifices.
    • Tier 1: The Briarwood can offer elixirs of minor healing or poison/disease purgative.
    • Tier 2: The Briarwood can offer a Blessing.
    • Tier 3: The briarwood congregation of 10+ can pray for those who aid it to begin each day with a minor boost to their life/health. Each 10 can effect a single target who is acting in the interest of the Briarwood, Green Church or Wyld Faith.

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    Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic