Origins
The Weald is an ancient, nature-based religion. Its followers believe that a goddess named Remedia created Ilisara. She carved lakes, rivers, and valleys for life to flourish in. When Remedia was finished molding the planet to perfection, she laid down to rest on the continent of Aldemere. Her torso became the mountain range that splits across Aldemere, while her lower half are the hills sprawling across Oros.
From Remedia’s heart grew the great world tree, Aslaug. Aslaug is so ancient and powerful that its roots stretch under the entire continent of Aldemere and Oros. Nature spirits make their homes inside these roots, and rise to the surface when it rains to collect water for the tree. Sacred places like lakes, rivers, cliffs, and bushes are also homes to spirits.
The moon, the sun and the stars are especially important to worshippers of the Weald. They are celestial bodies that Remedia placed in the sky. They stars as guidance at sea; the sun warms and encourages crops to grow; the moon controls the tides and fertility cycles. All of them are considered Remedia’s gifts to mortals.
Worship
The Orosians are the primary worshippers of the Weald, along with humans and others who live in Aldemere. However, their worship is not governed by strict tenets or rigid beliefs. Her followers provide sacrificial offerings to nature. They throw weapons into lakes, rivers, and bogs — places considered special — or place material treasures in the trunks of trees or buried between their roots. The Orosians believe giving these valuable objects keeps the spirits appeased and prevents natural disasters.
Rarely, Orosians may even slaughter animals or humans in rituals. Their seers have been known to accurately predict the future by reading the entrails of dead sacrifices.
Druids of the Weald are particularly powerful. Nature magic seems to come more readily to those who worship the Weald and the world tree, Aslaug.
Tenets of the Weald
Followers of the Weald believe there were supernatural forces in every aspect of the natural world. The Weald provides a few simple tenets that have many interpretations:
Respect nature.
Cultivate yourself.
Be good to others.
Love your family.
Enrich your community.
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