Spirituality

Welcome to the Black Cathedral, a haven for those seeking knowledge and enlightenment. There are several major deities worshipped throughout New Elenna. All of these deities are allied in one of two groups: Gods of the Wold and Gods of Testing. The Gods of Wold are older, and most people follow them, especially since they are the kinder and more beneficent of the gods. But every god represents a particular ethos or need, and your average citizen pays respect to whichever god governs the need they feel most deeply -- people look for help wherever they can get it, don't you know.

Of course, everyone has their favorites, but they still find time to honor them all. On the other hand, some people feel a special affinity for one or two gods, and consider them to be patrons. Those who have patron deities are most likely to formally join a temple and participate regularly.

There is one god who belongs to both alliances -- Gargul, who we honor here at The Black Cathedral. Just as we have devoted ourselves to the service of the God of Death and Life, we realize that on occasion people feel drawn to devote their life to the service of a particular god. Therefore we have provided information on the priesthood of each of the deities, in case you feel one of the gods calling you. You can explore details including responsibilities, symbol, details on worship, clerics in society, domains allowed, and detailed histories of the gods.

After the Year of Ascension, each god established sects to advance the issues that most concern them. Those who serve in these sects, making up classes of prestige, are also described herein.

You will also find narrative stories designed to entertain, illustrate, and edify.

We also offer information on the underlying cosmology of the Wold and on the distinctive practices of those who honor Nature, as well as those who honor the Immortal Powers of the Wold who are nonetheless not gods.

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Immortal Powers

An Immortal Power is a potent being who is not a god but who is is nonetheless open to veneration and honor.

Geography rules all Powers -- a votary cleric of an immortal Power can reagin spells and use gifts only in the Power's geographic region. Of all the Powers of the Wold, Maab and Eberyon have the greatest reach. Clerics who honor them can regain spells whenever they are in nature (that is, out of doors or in a natural cave, not in a city or town). Votary clerics lose their gifts and cannot prepare spells if they leave their Power's realm. Powers usually know the major events going on inside their realms to some degree. They must rely on agents and allies to learn about events and areas outside their realms.

Other Powers (aside from Ebryon and Maab) are MUCH more limited. Clerics of Culverwood can only regain spells while IN the Culverwood. This makes Powers far less attractive for most clerics.

Most Powers have only two domains. Minor Powers have just one. Eberyon is the exception with 5, because he used all four elements to create the Wold's Cradle.

Eberyon

King of the Fey, Creator of the Wold's Cradle

Maab

Queen of the Fey, Ruler of the Vales of Twilight in the center of the Lands of Rest

The Culverwood

The sentient magical forest in the middle of the Elennian Peninsula

The Crones of the South

Strange women who seek to guide the migrations and events of the Southern Continent

Boydos

A mad sleeping demigod trapped in his own dreams.

Three Powers of Al Mathir

Three reptilian Powers presiding over a race of intelligent bipedal reptile-folk

Burfell and Vé-Eldfjöll

Sentient mountains and enemies, lawful and chaotic, respectively. They are just becoming aware the other even exists at this time. They are opposites in nearly every way.

Celsiun: The original Power of Ice Vein

One of the original creations of Eberyon. An immortal fey and part of Eberyon's original royal Court.

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Natural Philosophy

Woldology

Woldsblood

Streams of a red, pulsating liquid exist in the Shadow Lands; it is the very essence of creation, and can can bestow great power. But in careless hands it can be terribly dangerous.

Shadow Tale

A tale of the Shadow Lands.

Creation Tale

A tale of how the Wold came to be.

Druidicism

Druid Feats

• Improved Wildshape
• Natural Spell Specialization
• Improved Natural Spell Specialization

Druid Prestige Classes

Some druids become specialists -- experts in one elemental form (like Air or Water), in a particular environment (like jungle or desert), or in a specific region (like Culverwood or The Cursed Swamp). Others stray even further afield into highly specialized study: the study of monsters, of plants, or of changes in shape.

Greenmage

There is quiet power and joy to be found in all living things that are green and growing. Those who study and shepherd plants and trees can learn their slow secrets. The greenmage knows those secrets, and they are the foundation of his magic.

Shapeshifter

Some natural philosophers believe that the essence of nature is change: night into day, new moon to full moon, beaver pond to meadow to forest, caterpillar to butterfly. Shapeshifters are the embodiment of this philosophy -- they advocate the idea of nature as the essential agent of transmutation.

Monstrologer

Monstrologers give the needs and interests of monsters primacy over those of their own kind.