Patrons

[reefwood]

"We are the Wild."

Patrons are creators or parents or guides. Patrons are hot or cold, cruel or kind, tender or harsh. Patrons are large or small, fast or slow, quiet or loud. Patrons are feminine or masculine or both or neither. Patrons are the soil or water or air. Patrons are the light or the dark or the shadow in between.


Midwinter: Wisp the Burning Frost, Patron of the Skies

Vernal Equinox: Sprig the First Breath, Patron of the Forest

Mid-spring: Rill the Ever Flow, Patron of the Waterways

Summer Solstice: Vine the Boundless Fury, Patron of the Jungle

Midsummer: Brim the Inner Flame, Patron of the Caverns

Autumnal Equinox: Stalk the Twilight Hunt, Patron of the Grassland

Mid-autumn: Tor the Burial Mound, Patron of the Peaks

Winter Solstice: Silt the Silent Decay, Patron of the Marsh

[reefwood]

Patrons and Caretakers and Corruption

Each patron embodies the essence of a different region - the beasts, the plants, the terrain - within the valley. The influence of a patron is felt throughout its region all year round and ripples across the valley when a patron comes into being. This manifestation occurs once per year - at a different time of year for each patron - and lasts 24 hours.

Manifestation is preceded by a ritual that begins the day before and is led by the caretaker of a region with support by the other caretakers. Upon coming into being, a patron communes with the caretakers in order to provide aid, guidance, and training. If the caretaker of a region has died, the other caretakers must use the day of ritual to find a new animal for the patron to awaken.

A single animal is awakened by each patron to serve as caretaker for its region. Caretakers are observers and nurturers and guardians. They allow nature to flourish unimpeded and only interfere to maintain balance or expunge corruption.

Corruption destroyed the world outside the valley. Industry stripped the land and poisoned the air and tainted the water. Wizardry deformed and twisted and warped all forms of existence. Disease and destruction and death ran rampant in their wake. The effects of corruption continue to haunt the world, and caretakers must remain ever vigilant to prevent the valley from being despoiled.

[reefwood]

Non-PC Patrons and NPC Caretakers

Caretakers are ranked from eldest (first) to youngest (eighth) based on how long they have been awakened.

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Patron of the Skies (Midwinter)

Wisp, the Burning Frost, is the Mother of Storms and Father of Swells. A small biped covered in tiny white feathers with clear butterfly wings patterned by gray swirls, stripes, and spots. They flutter constantly and chill the air while icy blue eyes fluctuate between alluring and aloof. She is quick-witted and temperamental. He is charming and fickle. They value freedom and enjoy blanketing the ground in snow, washing it away with rain, warming it with sun, and cooling it with wind.

Wisp is the air and all it holds. The clouds and the contents they release. The wind and those which take flight upon it. The breath which all must breathe.

Caretaker of the Skies: Talon the Pteranodon, Fourth Caretaker

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Patron of the Forest (Spring)

Sprig, the First Breath, is a medium biped covered in bark with a slender trunk, branches for limbs, a head full of leaves, and hazel eyes which attentively take in the world. He is kind and encouraging, values curiosity and vibrance, and allows room to grow while providing support.

Sprig is the forest and the burgeoning life from which we all spring. The bud and egg. The cub and pup. The chick and calf.

Caretaker of the Forest: Oak the Elk, First Caretaker

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Patron of the Waterways (Mid-spring)

Rill, the Ever Flow, is a medium biped covered in silver-blue scales with webbed fingers and toes. Gills run along his neck and thin seaweed dangles from atop his head. He is nurturing and soothing, values determination and versatility, and promotes cooperation while appreciating the need to take command.

Rill is the babbling brook and steady stream, the calm creek and raging river, the flood that cannot be stopped and the trickle that finds a way. The water and the life it holds. The root of life from which all must drink.

Caretaker of the Waterways: Crest the Heron, Third Caretaker

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Patron of the Peaks (Mid-autumn)

Tor, the Burial Mound, is a huge, bulky quadruped with dark gray skin nearly as hard as stone. Pale gray eyes hold a cold, unnerving stare. Curled horns and a short snout full of crushing teeth round out her imposing image. She is steady and still but can come crashing down in a thunderous frenzy.

Tor is the peak that none can summit. The height too high to reach. The inevitable end.

Caretaker of the Peaks: Maul the Dire Wolverine, Second Caretaker

[reefwood]

Caretaker Rankings

Past Caretakers
Oak the Elk, Caretaker of the Forest (1st at time of passing)

Elder Caretakers
1st: Maul the Dire Wolverine, Caretaker of the Peaks (mentor to Gorilla)
2nd: Crest the Heron, Caretaker of the Waterways
3rd: Talon the Pteranodon, Caretaker of the Skies
4th: Wolf, Caretaker of the Grassland (mentor to Spider)

Younger Caretakers
5th: Gorilla, Caretaker of the Jungle
6th: Spider, Caretaker of the Caverns (mentor to Centipede)
7th: Centipede, Caretaker of the Marsh (mentor to Skunk)
8th: Skunk, Caretaker of the Forest

[icnivad]

Considering all of the other caretakers have names, Spider will henceforth be known as "Silk the Spider".

[reefwood]

Jan 25, 2016 13:20:08 GMT -5 icnivad said:

Considering all of the other caretakers have names, Spider will henceforth be known as "Silk the Spider".

I like it!