Dunarthos
Titles: The World Tree, Wildwood, Father Arthos
Domain: Nature, Harvest
Symbol: An ash tree
Sphere Granted: Light
Once the God of the Hunt, Dunarthos gave up his title and all but his life to merge with the World Tree when it was mortally wounded by the Firstborn Niddhog. He now claims the title of Father Arthos, the spirit and embodiment of the land and planes. His followers include druids, rangers, hunters and farmers. All who choose to respect his laws give back to the land they use and foster respect for the forests and farmlands from which they reap his harvest.
Dunarthos’s lover and protector is the goddess Sybil, the Huntress. When there are those that would see the land harmed, Dunarthos calls for the Huntress to dispense justice.
Dunarthos’s home, the World Tree, exists in a place between planes. Its branches and root system reach out like tendrils into every plane of existence, offering passage to those who know how to find it. While the mortals of the material plane make up the majority of his followers, it is not unheard of to find other favoured among the multitude of planar creatures in the many realms.
Dunarthos and his followers also have a natural affinity with many of the True Fae that call the deep secluded forests home. Brownies, Pixies and their ilk, while not obligated, will often leave Dunarthos’s favoured out of their games and tricks, in exchange for their service in protecting their shared home.
Contents
Appearance
Dunarthos is merged with the World Tree, both spiritually and physically. He takes no form and does not manifest in any way to mortals. All that remains of the god that once was is the image of a weathered face set deep at the base of the trunk of the World Tree.
Tenets
Dunarthos exists in a state unlike other gods. Becoming one with the World Tree has both evolved and enlightened his once celestial form, making him a hybrid of nature itself. Along with the tenets that Dunarthos expects of his followers, there is a single rule that he demands from all. This rule, known as Nature’s Law, is written in every known language and script at the base of the World Tree. It is as follows:
Five things a Dunarthos follower should do:
1. The branches and roots of the World Tree lead to the planes beyond. Protect them and ensure that they remain healthy and active.
2. Reap only what has been sown. Never take more than you give, both in your life and from the land.
3. The True Fae are intrinsic to the forest and the lands. Protect them if they are in danger, for you are their guardians.
4. You do not live in mortal society and you are not bound by its rules or laws. There is only one law: Nature’s Law.
5. Be generous, but expect generosity in return. Those that take your gifts and do not give back to the lands shall see Sybil called to hunt.
Five things a Dunarthos follower should not do:
1. Suffer those that would corrupt nature. Unnatural decay and disease, as well as those that use them as tools, should be cleansed with extreme prejudice.
2. Waste, or suffer those who do. Use everything you take. What cannot be used should be returned to the land, including what others have failed give back.
3. Turn away those that would enter your forests as guests. Instead, offer them your bounty and generosity. If they break Nature’s Law, call forth the hunt.
4. Tolerate acts of industrialisation, no matter the benefit to you or your kin. Work towards reclaiming cities and towns so that they may be once again under Dunarthos’s protection.
5. Fail to train the hunters and farmers who would take their bounty from the land. Guide them, as a teacher, to respect and nurture.