The Emerald Spiral
Runes
Earth, Plant, Fertility
Mythos and History
The Emerald Spiral take its name from one of Erik's avatar forms, in which he appears as a majestic, towering pine rising out of a rocky tor.
Nature
The Emerald Spiral is the conservative wing of the worship of Erik. Members of the Spiral recall a golden age when the world was uncivilized and all men lived in harmony with nature. Other gods gave their people grains and taught them farming. When this knowledge came to the Rjurik, the pollution of the golden age began. Since then, the druids have struggled against the further corruption of the Rjurik way of life by outside influences.
The Emerald Spiral prefers to see chiefs of tribes advised and guided by druids. Where Rjurik have settled down, the Spiral sees the jarls and eorls as the successors of the chiefs, and resists the power of the kings. The Spiral has no use for any kind of guilds, for guilds engage in practices offensive to the memory of the golden age. The storage of wealth, the unequal distribution of wealth, the weakening of self-sufficiency by craft specialization, the pursuit of wealth above the care for nature, these all offend the Spiral. The druids teach that we should all take from the world only what we need to subsist. As such there is no storage. When we only have what we need, we have what our brothers and sisters have, and no one has more than any other. When nature comes before all other things, man is content to subsist, and let nature's glory reflect Erik's will unhindered by man.
Organization
The Grand Druid of the Emerald Spiral is Gretta Seligsdotter, an old and wise woman who discourages competition between the two temples of Erik while quietly looking down on the lack of tradition in the Oaken Grove. She also officially discourages conflict between nomadic and urban Rjurik, but does little to stop it when it does arise. Under Gretta are various High Druids of individual realms and further subordinates beneath them. While the top level structure of the cult is well defined, beneath the High Druid rank is very loosely organized.
Membership
In the more remote and rural areas of the Rjurik lands where the Spiral holds sway most residents join the cult as Lay Members. Due to the strongly traditional views of the Spiral few urban or non-Rjurik people join. Such 'outsiders' may be allowed to join, but would likely face a more difficult proving process.
Ranks
| Rank | Title | Requirements | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | Lay Member | Express desire to join church, Small donation | Automatically find teachers for cult skills, though cost is not changed; protection of the cult |
| Dedicated | Neophyte | Know at least 5 cult skills at 50% or higher | Get training in cult skills at 25% discount; Considered a Lay Member of all allied cults |
| Proven | Druid | Be an Initiate for at least 3 years, Know at least 4 cult skills at 70% or higher, Render valuable gift or service to the cult | Get training in cult skills at 50% discount; May call for Divine Intervention |
| Overseer | High Druid | Be a Druid for at least 5 years, Know at least 3 cult skills at 90% or higher | Get training in cult skills at 75% discount; May call on congregation's resources for free |
| Leader | Grand Druid | Be a High Druid for at least 10 years, Know at least 2 cult skills at 110% or higher, Elected by council of High Druids | Get training in cult skills at 100% discount; May call on cult's resources for free |
Restrictions
- Never take more than you need from the wilderness
- Never settle in a community larger than a homestead or small village
- Never linger in a community of any size for more than a season (Druid rank and higher)
Hero Quests
- Walking the Spiral
- This quest is performed at the small spiral in Vjelthelma. It is used to initiate members into each of the ranks beyond Lay Member. The initiate walks around the tree and faces a number of trials based on the rank they are initiating into. If they pass they speak to an avatar of Erik (the tree) and exit the quest having gained a gift from Erik. This may be a new spell, ability, or other as Erik wills.
Skills
Athletics, Devotion, Endurance, Exhort, Folk Magic, Lore (Herbs), Rjurik Hunter Style, Survival, Teach, Track
Magic
All members are eligible to be taught Folk Magic. The offered spells are: Alarm, Beastcall (Chicken/Cow/Dog/Goat/Goose/Horse/Pig/Sheep), Bladesharp, Calculate, Find (Chicken/Cow/Dog/Goat/Goose/Horse/Pig/Sheep/Sickness/Tool), Heat, Might, Mobility, Pathway, Pet, Preserve, Repair, Slow, Speedart, Vigour, Warmth
Neophytes gain access to the skills of Theism and can pray for miracles.
Miracles offered are:
Neophyte: Behold, Blessing, Dismiss Elemental, Dismiss Magic, Elemental Summoning (Gnome), Heal Wound, Ripen, Soul Sight
Druid: Beast Form (Choose any one animal), Bless Crops, Cloud Call, Consecrate, Entangle, Fecundity
High Druid: Excommunication, Extension, Growth, Outlaw, Rejuvenate, Tree Communion
Gifts
Those who show true and selfless dedication to the cult, whatever their rank, are gifted with Healthy. Grand Druids are gifted with Sanctuary
Allies and Enemies
The other cults of Erik are allies, if somewhat tense at times. Cults of Avani and Ruornil are also considered allies.
The various goblin and giant cults are chief among the enemies of the Spiral. The cults of Belinik follow close behind. Cults of Kriesha are generally unfriendly, but do find common purpose from time to time.
Rituals, Ceremonies, & Holy Days
Midsummer
Midwinter
Marriage
Marriage is one of the pillars of Rjurik society. As the most traditional of the Erik cults, the Emerald Spiral's ceremonies hearken back to the earliest days of the rjuven. The partner's tribe(s) and/or village(s) join together for a ceremony and giant party.
The ceremony starts with a ritual gauntlet run by the groom. He has to fight his way through 4-6 men, usually relatives of the bride, to get to her. As a ritual, no one is expected to put up serious resistance to the groom, but it's not completely unknown for jealous rivals to be included in the group and try more seriously to stop him.
The handfasting consists of a druid calling for the blessing of Erik on the couple and casting a Fecundity spell on the bride. The hands of the couple are bound together with a worked leather cord which is to stay on until they retire for the night. This cord is then often used by the bride to bind up her hair as is proper for a married woman. If the cord should break or fall off during the ceremony or break or be lost later it's considered a very bad omen for the couple.