Children of Danu (The Old Faith, nature worship) (updated 2009/08/19)

In ages past primitive humans worshiped the many spirits of nature. People, trees, animals, the seasons, and the land itself all flow with vibrant spiritual energy of life. The cycles of life held great power in the hearts and minds of our ancestors, the greatest of which was motherhood.

All of the spirits, whether weak or terrible, were born from the earth mother Danu. The priesthood was primarily female, led by the Hichana wise women. Each tribe had a circle of Hichana who met and considered spiritual affairs, conducted blessings, named children, and cared for the spiritual well-being of the tribe. This council was at least equal to the tribal chieftain, except in matters of war.

Separately, a council of Istari carried the law across the land and between the tribes. They adjudicated matters of tradition, honor, and justice. When an Istari was initiated into the sacred priesthood, he ceased to be a member of his tribe, for now he represented the law before all the people, and was inviolate. This allowed the Istari to carry news between the tribes, even across fiercely contested territories or in times of war. This also allowed the Istari to broker treaties and work towards peace--or rally the fiercely independent tribes against a common foe. The most famous circle is the Istari of Belerion, who spread the law of the Ithil'Rhi amongst the Kith people, from which they forged the Alornean people.

The traditions of the old faith were passed down by stories, songs, and sacred days. None of the barbarian tribes were literate, save for the secret Ogham script of the Istari. Many of the stories employ symbolism, for example the seasons have special meanings for those who follow the old ways. Spring is the green time of new life and healing. Summer represents warmth and fire. Fall represents wealth and the harvest. Winter represents endurance, sleep and frost.

Nowadays the "Old Faith" of Danu-worship is often viewed as quaint or barbaric. True nature worship is uncommon except in the wildernesses at the ends of the world where primitive cultures still thrive, such as Kith and Rochir. However, most of the new faiths have elements of the old traditions--if nothing else at least the concept of a "soul" can be traced back to the "Old Faith".

Worshipers: Alorns (especially those of Belerion), Drunes, Kith, Rochir

Gods Worshiped: Danu is the earth mother, the mother of all living things as well as the land itself. The Allfather is worshiped as Wotan in the form of the World Tree. Hyakki, Lunara, and Xohm are worshiped as various representations of Danu, the earth mother. The "Horned God" Cornun is revered as an embodiments of nature and beasts, particularly by Kith berserks.

God Opposed: The Duirgurth and Wendigo, who are worshiped by the Drunes.