Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

The Keepers of the Elder Circle

The Protectors of the natural lands of The Sword Coast region. A diverse group of races who are bound together by a common goal, drawn together to prepare for the Grand Druids return. And now that his return has been ushered in we have been set about the lands being caretakers and watchers.

The Keepers itself is not a single guild but the alliance of druids, under the leadership of the Archdruid Galen'ael Glenstalker and their guardians, Rangers of Mielikki, under the guidance of Daelthrien and his Rangers.

The Rangers of Mielikki

(The Supreme Ranger, Our Lady of the Forest, The Forest Queen)

In 1369 DR, Mielikki ordered the reorganization of her church and reintroduced druids among her clergy to counter the waning of her faith. All the faithful of Mielikki are known as Walkers of the Forest Way. They are now organized into three branches of devotion: the Heartwoods, the Forestarms, and the Needles.

The Heartwoods are the heart of the faith, and serve as voices of the spirits of the trees themselves. These members of Mielikki's faithful include dryads, hamadryads, and treants.

The spiritual followers of Mielikki, known as the Arms of the Forest, or Forestarms, are the clerics and druids of her faith. They protect the forests of the world. Mielikki's priesthood is open to all good and neutral humans, demihumans, and members of other woodland races, but tends to be dominated by human and half-elf women of battle experience, passionate character, and adventuring interests.

The Needles are rangers. They are considered to be the most beloved of the Lady of the Forest. They sometimes serve as clergy, but most often act as the warrior arm of the faith and serve a defensive role protecting the forests from marauders, humanoids, and the followers of the god Malar. Included in this branch is a small religious order of druid/ranger woodland knights known as the Shadoweirs (SHA-doh-weerz).


The guild's alignment is Neutral, which means that teorically, there can be Neutral Good characters but there also can be Neutral Evil. It brings good RP to the guild (In the present time there are only good characters within the Ranger aspect and no evil rangers are to be accepted because they have a duty with Mielikki according to Lore).

We strive to uphold these Tenets:


•[1]Preserve nature in all its forms

•[2]Control human expansion

•[3]Recognize that nature encompasses more than just forests

•[4]Agree that magic should not be used for mass destruction

•[5]Warn against the use of magic on a grand scale for fear of unexpected side effects

•[6]Present a united front to the outside world

•[7]We will not wear metal armor as it supports destruction of the land (currently suspended).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Members of The Keepers of the Elder Circle are required to follow one of the following deities:

General/Human Deities:
Chauntea Animal, Earth, Good, Plant, Protection
Eldath Good, Plant, Protection, Water
Mielikki Animal, Good, Plant, Travel
Shaundakul
Silvanus Animal, Plant, Protection, Water

Demideities:
Gwaeron Windstrom
Lurue
Shiallia

Elven Deities:
Aerdrie Faenya Air, Animal, Chaos Good
Angarradh
Fenmarel Mestarine
Rillifane Rallathil Chaos, Good, Plant, Protection
Solonor Thelandira Chaos, Good, Plant, War

Dwarven Deities:
Thard Harr

Gnomish Deities:
Baervan Wildwanderer Animal, Good, Plant, Travel
Segojan Earthcaller Animal, Earth, Good

Halfling Deities
Sheela Peryroyl Air, Earth, Luck, Plant

Once The oaths are taken, the character stays bound to the circle for his life. That means if someone betrays the Circle, the penalty is death (no perm). PC's may only belong to the Circle, no other faction. If they do, their are conseqences and it will be RP'd fairly. Any considerations for anything outside these requirements (Class, Alignment, God/Goddess, etc) will be reviewed upon request but require DM and/or Player Lead approval.

The information in this post is OOC and for informational purposes only.

Leave an IC RP post here if you wish to make contact to join or find a member in game.

Eleanor leaves a message with the dryaad keepers for the Elders.

Elders,

I've just noticed an abomination of odd statues in the woods close to the camp, past the farmlands. My fingers itched to burn them with strike of flame they so marred the natural beauty of that forest area. They had odd and grotesque poses, most unnatural and made of wax I think. I left them for now, please advise.

Eleanor

((ooc, I appreciate that CartMid may have left the server, but that doesn't mean to say that the druid/ranger guild RP is dead perhaps this might kick start things again. Not an issue if no one takes up Eleanor's "please advise" I just wanted to post her points anyway and interact in related forum RP on those statues....neat idea by the way ))

sugarandspice wrote:I appreciate that CartMid may have left the server

//Hey! I still read the forums! No need to celebrate yet

////well, i have been mening to post something, but im not a member, barely in the testing face. and wasnt sure that it really was active anymore

mute83 wrote:////well, i have been mening to post something, but im not a member, barely in the testing face. and wasnt sure that it really was active anymore

//Non-members can post here when it involves the Keepers. So feel free to go ahead and do so.

Isenduil walks into the Grove, and leaves a note

During my travel, in the minotaur maze, i have found, what looks like a portal. i havnt seen it active. And also a sarcophagus. I have not been able to open it, but perhaps the portal should be looked into.

Isenduil

Jeygh returns briefly to the druid circle, but finds nobody but the dryads there. Unable to speak with anyone, he asks to see the notes left and then proceeds to read them through. He leaves a brief message for the two in case they return.

I have only recently returned from a long trip to the north in search of Tarsakh, but to no avail. Seek out Keeper Azrael for further guidance in these matters.

He looks at the brief note, nods and then quietly exits the grove with Rumm following close behind.

Isenduil come running into the groove. "i found this note. it is proberly something we should keep an eye on" then leaves the note:

the note:
showing a giant orc with only one eye, his left hand pointing to the viewer and a spear in his right. Below this is a map, showing the way to the Temple of Bhaal. Beneath this, in crudely written common, says...


"Followers of Gruumsh! Behold, a temple of cowards who worship a weak God! Come with me, kin, and let us claim this Temple in the name of the One Eyed God, in the name of Gruumsh! Let us spread His will to all and forge a path to Glory!"


Below this is the symbol of Gruumsh, a tri-pointed stone plate with a bone sticking out each side, then the signature "Praol Groll, most loyal of Gruumsh."

Elohir has been by the statue of Mielikki many times to worship and gain advice and guidance on where to find Daelthrein so that he may gain entrance into the Keepers of the Elder Circle. He has come so far in his training as a Ranger of Mielikki, but desperately desires to be brothers with the other Rangers of Mielikki in the Keepers. So he decides to leave a note at the base of the Statue of Mielikki hoping someone will find it and be able to guide him in the right direction.

Warden Daelthrein; as a Ranger of Mielikki, i have traveled the forests of Faerun in search of a home, and I have found it here in the forests surrounding Baldurs Gate. I have completed most of the trials to gain membership among the Keepers of the Elder Circle, but have been unable to finish the trials as everyone seems to have vanished into thin air. As a Ranger of Mielikki I have already accomplished so much, but now I desire to serve Mielikki as a member of the Keepers. If you find this note, please search me out in the forests near Baldur's Gate so that I may complete my trials and become brothers with the rest of the Keepers.
May Our Lady of the Forest guide your way.
Elohir

Eleanor lumbers past the statue pauses to rest on her hind legs, scratches her furry belly lazily with a claw and eyes the lady with a new found respect. Her gaze catches sight of the note and leans forward to read it being careful not to displace it but ends up still leaving a damp patch on the parchment from a touch of her wet black nose.

I should tell Raymond of this Elohir...another Mielikki follower and ranger. The Circle would be well blessed to have both of them as warden...*she swears lightly* I wonder where that gnome Azrael has gone...for I would help and welcome both those rangers join me in the grove Circle....

She shifts briefly back to her normal form and leaves a message of her own against Elohir's.

Elohir, ranger of Mielikki

Seek me out, I am unable to give you access to the inner Circle for yourself, I rarely see an Elder, but I would gladly make your acquaintance and show you within. Good luck with your remaining trials.

Eleanor

Eleanor penned a note and left it in the inner sanctum of the grove

Elders of the Circle

I have three names interested in joining and being tested to become wardens of our Circle

Valer
Raymond
Elohir (who has already once met and started the tests, his note to you I found at the foot of Mielikki's statue)

Please, I beseech you, help me bring these good men into our fold.

Eleanor

*notices are left in the following locations: at the druid grove, the Elfensong Taven, the Burning Wizard, the Inn at Candlekeep and one is also pinned to a wagon at the camp by the bridge near the farmlands. Another couple are left at the statues of Mielikki and Silvanus*

Summer Solstice "Light of the Shore" Ceremony

To druids, wardens, rangers and wellwishers

I call upon anyone who wishes to join in the ceremony to welcome in the new sun to meet in the woods north of Beregost at midnight before the breaking of dawn on the eve of the solstice.

((EDITED in RL: Saturday 20th June, GMT+1 from 7pm, Ceremony approx 8pm))

A vigil will be held through the night and a there will be a Dawn Ceremony marking the time of the sun's rising on this most powerful day followed by a feasting.

I bid any interested woodsmen, wardens and rangers of the area who are skillful to assist with escort for those less able to get safely to the area and to also act as guardians to the ceremony.

I also call upon any Elder, brother or sister who would like to assist me in performing this ritual.

*the notices are signed simply with an elegant flourish*

Eleanor
Novice druid and member of the Circle

((Any DM who wishes to assist in any way here, drop me a line or just come along, a nice sunbeam effect on the dawning plus a solstice fire for afterwards plus some stuff for feasting, and/or some wood spirits assistance as guardians to help with the goblins and also if should any people 'dare' to cause trouble to a peaceful event (that is 'not' an invitation lol) would be great, but not essential. Also, I really am a novice in such druidy things, hope I am not treading on anyones toes and hope I am doing this ok, just making stuff up as I go for a laugh! will happily take some advice, but am there for some fun group creative RP and a giggle:) ))

*Raymond allready knowing from word of mouth, regards the notices*

Would be nice to meet some brethren and sisters I guess....exchange experiences....how they handle stuff...

YEAH! *Lyraa jumped up and down all happy like* AND GUIDE THE PEOPLE HERE! SO MUCH FUN! MAYBE SOME SPIRITS WILL BE THERE FOR ME TO PLAY WITH!!!!!!!!! *Lyraa bounced all over the place and was squeeking happily*

*Raymond chuckled and looked at Lyraa with a warm smile*

Hey...Lyraa....now that I am going to be a official father....won't mean I am going to neglect you....just want you to know that....ok?

I know Ray! I never doubted that! *she grinned at him with half closed lids*

Good...*he nodded* never forget that

--deleted, posted twice in error---

"I need more help" she mumbles to herself as she sploshes her bare feet through the pools in the druid grove

"There is food and drink to be organised, a bonfire to gather and build, campfires will need tending...oh and not forgetting some bards to seek out for the music, song and dancing at the feasting...hmmm, and folks to gather and escort to the place of ceremony..much work to do, much to do" the dryads and sylphs that usually floated and fluttered about were unusually absent as soon as she started to mention 'work''"

"I need more help" her expression was wry as she caught the flutter of sylph wing making its escape past the corner and away from her.

She pinned another note to each of the locations as her last, tacking it below

Summer Solstice Ceremony

((EDITED in RL: Saturday 20th June, GMT+1 from 7pm, Ceremony approx 8pm))
This event is open to all wellwishers, townsfolk, farmers and their families who wish to celebrate and welcome in the new sun. I seek assistance from afew who can attend and would aid me in organising. Please seek me out or leave message.

Rangers and wardens (see earlier notice)
Bards, muscians
Cooks and assistants
General help in acquiring resources to support the festivities

Eleanor
Novice druid and member of the Circle