In the worship of Iaosia - The Coven of the Tiger

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:02 pm

Coven of the Tiger

Those possessing true wisdom are aware, all that can be built, can be undone. Civilizations can be founded, lost, and rebuilt once again, but nature reclaims all in the end.

Iaosia's worship is unlike that of the other gods of the realm. Although not without her priests, those that follow Iaosia are guided by a coalithion of druids that are devoted to nature and balance. They are not as strict in hierarchy as the other religions, all who devote themselves to Iaosia have the right to speak. The whole of the coven is comprised of smaller covens throughout the Empire. Each coven is led by the most wise druid of the group, who is given the title Archdruid. The Archdruids meet with each turning of the season to discuss what courses of action will best preserve nature and serve the balance.

Hunters of Iaosia

These are the more militant members of the covens. Mostly rangers and more battle oriented druids, these defenders have dedicated themselves to the protection of Iaosia's creatures and forests. Those who wantonly slaughter her animals or destroy her bounty will become hunted themselves, the predators becoming the prey of the Coven on the Tiger. These Hunters also carefully watch the interactions between Iaosia's beasts, carefully preserving the balance of predator and prey to insure one species does not grow overlarge at the expense of another.

The Varanite Scouts

While the military is mostly composed of males, there is one branch of the military that is distinctly female. The Scouts of Iaosia were instrumental in the victory over the lands of Dasaria. These females are the most skilled of rangers, able to blend into the surrounding landscapes and to move into the deepest of enemy territory. It is said that the best of these scouts did rise within the ranks of the military, earning the respect of Marcus and his advisers. These females are said to be deadly with bow and blade, many chooseing to specialize in the Shillelagh favored by their goddess as well.