Wylde Horde (Davrosian Numinous Spirits/”Great Spirits”)

Steel Realms
Wylde Horde – The Finders; The divine Wyld Entity Numinous Spirits of natural world cycles, predator and prey, fertility, ecosystem and balance, cycles, and associated beast and animals as well as the symbols associated with them.

The modern age is heavily defined by the clash of faiths in the “Affray of Darkness and Light” in which the entities play a secondary part (mostly guided by Darupet).

Role: The Finders of the Way (Predator & Prey); Secondary foe of those who wish only to conquer and destroy and/or corrupt nature

The Wylde Horde (as it is often referred to) is a collection of primordial everlasting Numinous spirits that correspond to animal species. Each represents the archetype of its species, embodying it in its ideal. As animals, their urges and needs are mostly survival based, and the elevation of the animal in its material form. The moralities of civilization and those outside of the natural order are mostly irrelevant. They were first tapped into by the Nakrian shaman Bhe-Davros. The Bronzemen referred to them as Naannum. None of these entities has unequivocally affirmed participation in The Godspeak Accord. The Wyld Horde is known to be able to draw upon elements of the Vexation of Nature. 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.

The premise of Worship: The archetype’s place in the world requires champions for representation and proper veneration of their role in the natural order. These natural creatures are a vital and core part of the cosmic order. People need to realize this, to understand the greater universal natural ordering of things. A Bond of Compact is made to promote the place of the creature(s) represented by the Archetype.

Cults, Sects, & Splinter Groups: The primordial archetypes are diverse in their very nature – animistic and their worship is highly localized and specialized. As such, there are no “cults” per se, just groups of followers or followers who hold loose ideals related to the strengths of the animal(s) as it is important and symbolic to the follower. Any follower or believer in a single animal archetype has a general belief in all of them – though may revere others less for their symbolic attachment.

  • Favored Followers: There are few favored peoples, races, places, etc. which gain better capabilities. The Merovin are obviously connected to these spirits – those of the tribes related to a direct animal aspect, though they understand they are not to be drawn upon in the struggles of man against man.
  • For those friendly with the natural animal population represented by the archetype, they may be favored or appreciated regardless of their tie to the faith itself. Those who’s job it is to protect the related animal can receive blessings and intervention (minor dream sending’s, visions), or even agenthood, in extreme circumstances.

General Outlook and Observances: [Neutral Alignment] The emphasis is placed in their value directly. Complex morality has no place in thought other than promoting awareness and appreciation. The natural order is paramount rather than a particular side – best to stay clear of moral questions and do what seems best at the moment. Any code of conduct is based on preservation and protection of the related species is appropriate. Followers working with a formal clergy as part of the Green Church should be expected to participate in the common social/community rites which mark life events and progress towards understanding of the faith – unions, births, deaths, and seasonal passing. There are no official clergy members for the primordial animal archetypes – just local “wise” folk with experience and understanding of the associated creatures that others look to.

Broad Tenets

Broadly all tenets are to survive and ultimately flourish as an individual or community as appropriate, reproduce and create a family. As part of the natural order their portfolio is strong perseverence, respect of the elements, appreciation of clean food, air, and drink. Respect for elders and their teachings, tradition and adherence to bonds to create the web of support that nature weaves.

Specific Observances?: There are few that have any strict observance of a holy days or specific holy acts – there are favored colors, seasons (spring for fertility), and environments – but it is not critical to emulate them to stay in good standing. All followers should be expected to participate in the common social/community rites which mark life events and progress towards understanding of the faith – these are unions, births, deaths, and seasonal passing’s. The most common form of penance is to lose the support of the community, the knowledge that the animist spirits bring, and the loss of the “bending of the way” – a path made easy by the spirits for their favored. There are no official clergy for the primordial animal archetypes – just local “wise” folk with experience and perception that other look to.

Symbols: Life Loop / Loop of Life > (common the Wyld Faith) Life is a cycle – birth, conflict, development, age, and death are natural and promote the greatest diversity and greatest drive to excel and express.

Invoking the Numinous Spirits

The followers of the Green Church and Wyld Faith often invoke the great numinous for protection and security. All spirits are revered and often invoked in the aspects of “providers”, “hunters”, and “fertility” (as related to them and in general) for their populations and the populations of their followers.

Universal Pilgrimages and Sacred Places/Places:

Basic Drive to Flourish: Its most widely known basic tenets for the great spirits/archetypes are the biological drive to survive and flourish as an individual or community (as appropriate), reproduce and create a family, perseverance, respect of the natural world, appreciation of clean food, air, and drink.

Afterlife of the Great Spirits

The General Promise: In the beyond, as awareness comes and goes in endless dreams, the primordial will send its servants to care for the follower. The planting is done by the higher orders and the harvesting and disposal by the animal servants. Each cares for the other in a comfortable loop with no war, bad weather, or instability. The cycle endures, though there need be no pain in the transitions to one form or the next – each new form is a chance for the follower to bring back more of the world through the eyes of the animal.

Other References

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