1. Special
2. The Conclave

Description:
In the course of the Longest Year and the following decade of chaos and upheaval, nature suffered as much as the civilisation of the Realms, though there were those among the wilds that dared claim the recent times had in truth exacted an even greater toll upon the natural world. Among such circles it was often said that the ignorance and disregard of the many - of the ‘civilised’ - played the harrowing role of worsening the apparent dearth of the Balance.

All across the Lands of Intrigue the natural cycle of life was without a doubt in a state of extreme and constant flux - a profound threat to the Balance, warned the zealous and overcatious, speaking of a world teetering on the brink of irreparable disaster.

In pockets of the wilds, underground, and the sea alike, animals and beasts were driven out of their natural habitats, whether by man or monster, forced to adapt in climates and terrain that defied the natural way of things… or doomed them to die in the attempt. Some creatures adapted to survive below ground, well out of sight and mind, whilst others succumbed to nigh extinction when magical beasts fleeing from the Longest Year took over their erstwhile homes, forcing the former occupants - bestial and insectoid alike - closer to the surface, if not directly upon it.

All the while divine servants of nature in the region, faced with a crisis unlike anything in recent memory, quickly dwindled in number in their inability to match the tides of change, at a devastating disadvantage without the might of magic. Druids, clerics, and rangers all were tugged into varying hardships, from the chaos wrought by the absence of magical protections that some habitats had come to rely upon, to the managing of both overpopulation and scarcity of countless creatures in the wake of destroyed and changing ecosystems.

While the hopeful and idle simply relied on the notion of nature always finding a way, there were those that urged their kin to action in the name of the Balance’s preservation. The druidic circle of Amn, the Keepers of the Blossom, and that of Tethyr, the Council of Deeproot, along with the Gyldath N’nothac and Naer’na Enduwath of the Wealdath, were called to a moot in Old Oak Dell, east of Mosstone, which in 1369 DR culminated in the forming of The Conclave; a gathering of druidic circles sworn to restoring and maintaining the sacred cycle of life.

Outlook:
The Conclave is a budding gathering of several druidic creeds, focused on combatting the impact of the Longest Year on nature. Devoted equally to maintaining the Balance, members of the Conclave have unique duties in the hierarchy of the Faction, dependent on the elemental Menhir they choose to devote themselves to. Faction specific duties range from external diplomacy to controlling human expansion, and much more. Established druidic circles and individuals often have many other goals beyond the recognised duties of a Menhir, particularly if part of an established church of the region.

Menhirs are a form of sub-organizations in the Conclave, describing the focus of its members without procluding them from the activities of other Menhirs. Conclave members must be recruited into a Menhir in order to advance from Attendant to Preserver. Recruitment can be done of any member of the Conclave of Conservator rank and above (into the Menhir they are part of), using the command !conclave induct <earth|water|air|fire|song>.

Menhir of Initiates

The Menhir of Initiates is responsible for tending to the needs of the Softfeet and Attendants who have recently joined the Conclave, who are largely tasked with simple and mundane tasks while they settle upon a Menhir to commit to. The Menhir teaches the basic purpose and philosophy of the Conclave and offers guidance and advice while new recruits adjust to life within the Wealdath. Such is the importance of this grounding that two senior druids make it their main focus, both of whom are storied among their respective races: Allaister Glent, the Elder of Initiates and the cir’thowe archdruid Marandir of Mhiliamniir.

Menhir of Earth

The Menhir of Earth is one of protection and conservation of the land and the forest. This ranges from tending and guarding the natural world, to rituals to encourage growth and banish malign influence. Influenced much by its Elder, Pendric Sutland, the Menhir of Earth embodies a great spiritual connection to the land and focuses much on opposing the Scar by keeping watch against its expansion, and opposing that through esoteric means. That is not to say that the Menhir’s servants will not defend the Wealdath through more direct methods when the situation demands.. Alongside its druids, the Menhir of Earth welcomes defensively minded rangers and other martial defenders. It is a natural home of shamans.

Menhir of Water

The Menhir of Water is one of healing of all kinds, whether mental, physical and spiritual, for the forest and all within it. Led by elder Cinaed mac Dhair it is a place for healers of the body, whether by magic or by studious craft, and the Menhir is at home healing the broken leg of a doe as it is a Conclave ranger. Those suffering from fatigue or trauma after facing the darkness within the Wealdath are also the charge of the Menhir of Water, as is easing tensions between members. But without a doubt, the healing of stretches of forest reclaimed from scar taint is the most weighty of their duties. Herbalists, mundane healers, clerics, and shamans who bargain with spirits of healing can be found here, alongside the druids.

Menhir of Fire

The Menhir of Fire is home to those with a militant focus. Whereas Water heals, and Earth protects and promotes growth, Fire scours away threats to the forest and its residents. Led by the towering Uthgardt druid Runvald Gundrsson, the members of the Menhir often appear savage to outsiders, red in tooth and claw when facing foes. Yet it is this Menhir that is charged in ensuring the other Menhirs are safe when venturing out into a dangerous Wealdath, a role that includes monitoring potential threats in advance. Unsurprisingly the Menhir of Fire is a natural home to warriors of all sorts, whether they wield blade or magic, but also has much call for scouts and rangers.

Menhir of Air

The Menhir of Air, headed by Elder Fall Brightwarden, is responsible for the Conclave’s relations outside the Wealdath, whether diplomacy with Murann, Tethyr, allied druidic circles and other factions. It also tends to the needs and worries of the rural populations in the region, either directly or in concert with the other Menhirs or local druidic circles such as those within Brost and Mosstone. The Menhir of Air thus requires a diverse membership: On a given day some members may be brokering deals, while others may be hunting packs of worgs that are terrorising a farmstead, or blessing and tending the crops of a remote village. Members of the Menhir of Air are of necessity a diverse group of diplomats and others with varying skills. Most of those who join are very amenable to travel.

The Menhir of Song

The newest of the Menhirs, the Menhir of Song is headed up by Elder Nyrie, one of the ancients of Y’tellarien and the most well respected member of the Eneyri tribe. The Menhir’s purpose is to guard and gather old lore and traditions, conduct magical research, and provide spiritual guidance, particularly from an elven perspective. It is the home within the conclave for arcanists, bards, scholars as well as the clergy of the Seldarine. While much of the lore and wisdom curated is elven in nature, it is not exclusively so, and the Menhir’s secondary purpose, to research ways to combat the Scar through arcane and study, calls readily upon all those willing to contribute to the task.


[Elder of Initiates] Allaister Glent
If the Conclave had a leader, Allaister would likely be the one the others turn to. A native Tethyrian, it was Allaister that had one of the largest hands in gathering the other druids together to form the Conclave. Despite his recent focus on helping the elves of Y’Tellarien, Allaister continues to help organise the Conclave in overseeing as much of Amn and Tethyr as possible. Though quite an austere man, he is always welcoming of others that respect the land, and few can help but respect his commitment and focus in his chosen duty.

[Elder of Song] Nyrie Otharyen
In recent developments, Nyrie has been appointed Elder of Song, a title bestowed in recognition of her mastery of the ancient art of Treesinging. She now bears responsibility for maintaining the Conclave's connection to the roots of the land and to its native inhabitants - a clear manifestation of the unity between the elves of Y'Tellarien and the Conclave. Her age and unwavering devotion to Y'Tellarien and its people make her a wellspring of wisdom and tranquility for the Conclave.

[Elder of Air] Fall Brightwarden
Despite her unusual name, Fall is a beautiful young woman and a relatively recent addition to the Conclave. In the handful of years alongside the elders, however, she has proven herself a valuable ally as she has been a deft ambassador for the druids in speaking to the leaders of the various communities, settlements and cities surrounding the Forest of Tethir - in no small part due to her sunny disposition, eloquence with words and physical appeal.

[Elder of Fire] Runvald Gundrsson
A colossal man with an equally colossal beard, it is clear by his accent, name, and by his swarthy skin, black hair and blue eyes that he is - or was - of the Uthgardt. Runvald has a dour look and a gravelly voice, yet in most dealings he is quite amicable. Still, the man is like a bear; terrifying when riled. Runvald is most concerned with the animals, and is a staunch enemy to Malarites. When battle is needed, the old Uthgardt is the greatest boon to the Conclave.

[Elder of Water] Cinaed mac Dhair
An aged Ffolksman who travelled to the mainland in his youth, called over - in his words - by Eldath. This calling brought him to Tethyr, where his faith and convictions were tested many times in his pursuit of peace and balance in nature. Drawn together into the Conclave by a greater calling, Cinaed is ever the one to promote peace and caution in their dealings. He is a warm man with a love of life and laughter, and the most beloved of the elves.

[Elder of Earth] Pendric Sutland
Pendric is a little.. odd. Unlike the others of his group, the man rarely maintains his cleanliness. Mudcaked attire, long matted hair laced with broken twigs and fallen leaves, and when he forgets to shave, a coarse beard pointing in all directions; the word ‘disheveled’ does not quite accurately describe the state of the man. But to offset that (admittedly harmless) eccentricity, Pendric has a tremendously powerful connection with nature - enough that in great times of need, he has gone as far as reshaping the woodland to conceal the Conclave or protect them from would-be assailants.

Breghan of Iriaebor
Hailing from much further North, Breghan is a middle-aged ranger in service to Mielikki. Though once upon a time he served as a spy for the Lords Alliance, Breghan moved away from his homeland to escape that life and instead devoted himself to that which was always his true calling. Yet, Breghan’s past colours his thinking and his interactions, and his relations with the elves especially is very strained. Instead, he generally serves the Conclave by protecting the humanfolk that dwell in the woods - or protecting nature from them, depending on the situation.

Lacia di’Casella
Playfully coined as the ‘urban’ ranger, Lacia spends as much of her time in and around Murann as she does with the Conclave. The woman is an Amnian native, and thus knows the country and people better than any other amongst their number. She is something of a diplomat and activist, trying to make city-dwellers aware of the problems in Tethir. To many of those city dwellers, she is seen as a pest - particularly the nobles, who often have to listen to her during city meetings.

Mourieth Cir’thowe
Scarred and stoic, Mourieth is the picturesque wild elf; lean, toned and covered in tribal tattoos. Deadly with her hunting bow, she’s known to have slain various threats to the Eneyri alongside her small tribe. The corpses of orcs, gnolls, hobgoblins, gargantuan spiders and even an ogre have been uncovered by the Eneyri throughout the forest, peppered with arrows and spear-wounds; beasts that Mourieth and her people have slain without informing their cousin-tribe so as to save them the worry. She, along with her brother Embril, are the only two true remaining descendants of the Cir’thowe. She, along with her brother, joined the Conclave in solidarity with the recent joining of the Elder of Song. She has been granted the rank of Guardian as part of the Menhir of FIre.

Embril Cir’thowe
Embril is much like his sister, Mourieth, and easily the largest and most physically imposing elf in the entire community. Both of them take particular delight in hunting, but while Mourieth apears as a wild thrillseeker, Embril sees art in the hunt and devotes most of his time to perfecting it. As a result, many of the younger wood elves of the Eneyri have been trained by Embril in blade and bow - and in doing so demonstrated surprising patience and care, given his otherwise savage appearance. Having joined with his sister, he was granted the rank of Guardian as part of the Menhir of Earth.

Joining the Conclave requires a current member of Attendant rank or above to vouch for you and recruit you. This can be done using the command !recruit.

Structure

1. Softfoot
2. Attendant
3. Preserver
   1. Preserver of Earth
   2. Preserver of Water
   3. Preserver of Air
   4. Preserver of Fire
   5. Preserver of Song
4. Conservator
   1. Conservator of Earth
   2. Conservator of Water
   3. Conservator of Air
   4. Conservator of Fire
   5. Conservator of Song
5. Keeper
   1. Keeper of Earth
   2. Keeper of Water
   3. Keeper of Air
   4. Keeper of Fire
   5. Keeper of Song
6. Shepherd
   1. Shepherd of Earth
   2. Shepherd of Water
   3. Shepherd of Air
   4. Shepherd of Fire
   5. Shepherd of Song
7. Guardian
   1. Guardian of Earth
   2. Guardian of Water
   3. Guardian of Air
   4. Guardian of Fire
   5. Guardian of Song
8. Elder
   1. Elder of Earth
   2. Elder of Water
   3. Elder of Air
   4. Elder of Fire
   5. Elder of Song

Rank responsibilities

1. Softfoot
   1. A Softfoot is someone who has just joined and is tasked with helping with simple and mundane matters for any menhir that asks. Their main goal is finding footing in the Conclave and understanding what it stands for, and what is expected of them.
2. Attendant
   1. Attendants have gotten a bit of experience in the faction and understand what it stands for a bit better. Their main goal is now understanding the different Menhirs and finding out which one they would fit in best.
   2. Attendants (and above) are also allowed to recruit new members into the Conclave as softfoots.
3. Preserver
   1. Preservers are freshly recruited into a Menhir and their main goal is finding their footing in it and learning how they can best help.
   2. Preservers also are in charge of helping initiate Softfoots in the ways of the Conclave. It’s a mentorship role, the expectation being that they share their experiences and help them navigate the landscape, more so than order than around (although in a situation of crisis, it is within their remit to do so)
4. Conservator
   1. Conservators have had some time to understand their Menhir and find their footing in it. They are the main force of each Menhir and are relied upon for most tasks that the Menhir requires doing.
   2. Conservators (and above) are also allowed to recruit Attendants into their Menhir.
   3. Conservators are also tasked with finding promising Attendants that would fit well into the Menhir and explain to them about their Menhir and why it would fit said attendant, becoming a mentor to their growth within the Conclave. In a situation of crisis, they can give orders to Attendants and below.
5. Keeper
   1. Keepers are veterans of their Menhir, and they understand the importance of its work better than most members. They are a pillar that can be relied upon as role models, and when the Menhir needs someone reliable - it is usually them they call upon.
   2. Keepers are tasked with mentoring Preservers into matters of their Menhir.
   3. In a case of crisis and the absence of a Shepherd or above, it is Keepers that take command of the present Conclave members. Their command primarily lies upon the members of their Menhir, but if there are no Keepers of the other Menhirs, they take charge of members of said other Menhirs as well.
6. Shepherd (DM gated)
   1. Shepherds are one of the first roles with broad responsibility and authority, having the explicit trust of the Elders. They are tasked with solving disputes, deciding on courses of action and advancing the Conclave’s interests, making use of the members of their Menhir appropriately.
   2. Shepherds are in charge of anyone below their rank at all times. An exception to this rule is the presence of another Shepherd of a different Menhir. In such a situation, each Shepherd has charge of the members of their own Menhir, and shared charge of members of Menhirs without a Shepherd present.
7. Guardian (DM gated)
   1. Guardians act as the right hand of the elders in their own Menhir, and as thoroughly tested and trusted leaders outside of their Menhir. They command respect and attention, as their word is what is followed when there are no Elders present.
8. Elder (DM gated)
   1. The Elders are the ultimate authority in the Conclave. They work together in a council-fashion to decide upon matters of most importance, and each Elder provides wisdom and guidance to their own Menhir. Their word is final on all matters.

OOC Notes:
The Conclave is the default nature Faction, home to Druids, Clerics, Rangers, Barbarians, Shamans, elves and nature oriented characters of many kinds. Its current druidic circles are predominantly True Neutral and/or Good in alignment and the faction is connected to the elves of Y'Tellarien, who are predominatly good aligned. Evil characters can find a place within, as the Faction is open to any background, race, and class, as long as they intend to serve nature and/or the Wealdath.

Those openly professing ideals and faiths that are hostile to nature deities, the elven way of life or nature will, however, not find a place here (examples include servants of the deities of Fury, necromancers and the like).