Green Faith
- See also: Green Faith acolyte
The Green Faith (also known as the Old Faith, the Great Eld, or the Wyrd)1 is a naturalistic philosophy based on the belief that natural forces are worthy of attention and respect.
Followers of the Green Faith meditate daily, commune with natural forms of power, and show respect to nature in all things. They often hang fresh herbs from the lintels of doorways as a sign of respect for nature. Although the Green Faith is based on nature, one need not be a druid to value its tenets, nor do all druids necessarily count themselves as members of this philosophy,2 although almost all of them appreciate its values.3
History
The Green Faith is one of the oldest forms of worship in Golarion, as evidenced by the numerous druidic symbols found in the cave drawings of early man. According to legend, in the earliest years of its existence, the Green Faith was split into four factions. One group venerated the strength and endurance of stone, another the power and ferocity of wild beasts, a third the bountiful earth, and the last, the cleansing purity of fire. For years, these four factions fought for supremacy, each claiming that the aspect of nature it venerated was the most important.2
Finally, the leaders of the four factions agreed to resolve their conflict through single combat. Before the battle could begin, however, a multicolored geyser sprang from the ground, equal parts water, earth, and flame. The geyser was followed by an enormous flock of multicolored birds, which flew off in all directions. The faction leaders saw this as a clear sign from nature that no one element could be more important than another, and that ultimately, the four factions shared the same basic philosophy.2
Worshipers
As a shared philosophy rather than a religion, the Green Faith has no formal church. Followers often form or belong to at least one order focused on a single aspect of nature, whether as broad and common as the Order of the Leaf or as specific as the volcano-revering Order of the Rift.4
The Green Faith often attracts druids and rangers for their close connections to nature. Champions of the Green Faith are much rarer but equally devoted when compared to those of nature deities.4
Moot of Ages
The Moot of Ages is an annual meeting held on the summer solstice, hosted on the Isle of Arenway by the druids of the Wildwood Lodge. The Isle, one of the great centers of the Green Faith, is located within the Verduran Forest of Taldor at the confluence of the Sellen and Verduran Fork rivers. Druids from all over Golarion travel there to present their findings to the assembled Green Faith community. Conclusions are generally not reached through logic and the enforcing of dogma, but rather by listening for and interpreting the Will of the World, the collective intelligence of nature itself.56
Holidays
The worshipers of the Green Faith do not need calendars, which are just constructs of civilization. The markers they use are the changing of seasons. As a result, the Green Faith mainly celebrates, with simple rituals, the equinoxes and solstices.7
Sacred text
The Green Faith has no single sacred text to follow.4
Followers of the Green Faith record knowledge as runes in stone and do not use paper.84 These texts are complicated, and one usually needs to read on multiple stones to understand a single document, which helps to protect the faith's secrets from infidels. For the same reasons, orders of the Green Faith have strong oral traditions, and initiates of the faith must be able to remember large amounts of information84 organized into topical collections referred to as circles.4 High-ranking members sometimes compile their thoughts on the Green Faith's teachings into songs or speeches,8 and members traverse the circles as their knowledge deepens and responsibilities grow within their order.4
Relationships
Followers of the Green Faith are generally on good terms with those who worship Golarion's nature deities such as Erastil, Gozreh, and the Eldest. The Green Faith is hostile to religions that corrupt or shackle nature (such as the cults of demon lords, Urgathoa, Rovagug, Nethys, etc.)38
On Golarion
On Golarion, the Green Faith is centred in Andoran, Nirmathas, Taldor, the River Kingdoms,8 and the Mwangi Expanse.4 Sarkoris, prior to its destruction at the hands of demons, was formerly the Green Faith's greatest bastion. During the century of demonic occupation, members of the Green Faith continued their fight to protect nature from the corruption of the Worldwound.8
Humans, elves, and aiuvarins make up the majority of the Green Faith's members.8
References
Paizo published a major article about the Green Faith in Demon's Heresy, and an article in Gods & Magic.
For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.
- ↑ . “Green Faith” in Faction Guide, 18–19. Paizo Inc., 2010
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 . “Chapter 3: Religion” in Campaign Setting, 176–177. Paizo Inc., 2008
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 . “Philosophies” in The Inner Sea World Guide, 236–237. Paizo Inc., 2011
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 . “Philosophies and Spirituality” in Gods & Magic, 96. Paizo Inc., 2020
- ↑ . “Taldor, Empire in Decline” in Taldor, Echoes of Glory, 8. Paizo Inc., 2009
- ↑ . “Chapter 1: Characters” in Campaign Setting, 44. Paizo Inc., 2008
- ↑ . “Social: Religious Holidays” in Faiths of Balance, 31. Paizo Inc., 2011
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 . “NPC Gallery” in Demon's Heresy, 63–69. Paizo Inc., 2013