Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Is h a, Go d d e s s o f Fe r t i l i t y
a n d Ma g i c
Isha is known as the Mother of
the Elven Race, the Earth Mother
and protector of the natural
order. The Asrai believe that the
natural world is Isha’s divine
body, shaped by forests, mountains
and rolling hills. Rivers and oceans are Isha’s blood; the
fertile soil her womb, endlessly birthing new life. Isha bestows
every living thing with a spirit: animals, plants and rivers – even
rocks and thunder. The first Humans that inhabited the Old
World worshipped a deity called Ishernos, now believed by the
Elves to have been derived from the union of Isha and Kurnous.
The first druids also adopted the Asrai’s animistic belief system.
All Wood Elves venerate the Earth Mother to a greater or lesser
extent, because natural harmony is the ultimate path to spiritual
Yenlui. In fact, worship of Isha is so integral to every aspect of
Asrai culture that priests of other deities offer prayers to her on a
daily basis. When a priest of Vaul acquires materials for crafting,
or a devotee of Kurnous honours a kill, Isha’s name is praised.
If necessary, Wood Elves will perform acts of cruelty to enforce
Isha’s will.
Pr i e s t e s s e s o f Is h a
Priestesses of the Cult of Isha are intermediaries between Elves
and forest spirits, maintaining Yenlui in the natural order. Only
Asrai Priestesses are eligible to join the highest echelons of the
cult known as the “Glamourweave Kindred”. Priestesses of Isha
wear robes and carry wands and staves like other elven spellcasters,
although their divine aura of tranquillity is unmistakable to
those with magical sense.
Priestesses take the lead in all fertility rites, including Ostaliss
(“Even-Night”) a ritual event celebrating the demigods Orion
and Ariel’s rebirth in Athel Loren (pg. 35 & pg. 52). Devotees
Principles
• Respect life and all its gifts.
• Thank Isha before harvesting from the forest, and take only
what is needed.
• Honour family and kin, for their life is yours.
• Tend the world-garden and gain Isha’s blessing.
• Remember Isha’s love on the Spring Equinox and Summer
Solstice.
of Isha, female and male, are also known to be especially fertile
themselves. Handmaidens from the cult occasionally couple
with heirless nobles solely for the purpose of providing offspring.
These “birth compacts” bolster the cult’s influence within
the halls of the Highborns and male stewards of the cult have
been known to offer themselves as surrogate fathers in exchange
for continued membership in the priesthood.
Th e Bl e s s e d Trinity
“The New Moon is the white goddess of fortune and dreams;
The Full Moon, the red goddess of birth and growth;
The Old Moon, the black goddess of fate and death.”
The divine triumvirate of Isha, Lileath and Morai-heg is central
to many aspects of Asrai culture. From the moment of conception,
Wood Elves’ lives are influenced by Isha who oversees
their birth and then continues to spin the threads of life as they
grow older. The hopes and dreams of Wood Elves are shaped by
Lileath, through whom they seek guidance and enlightenment
to reach their potential. When Wood Elves die and become
one with the forest, they enter the domain of Morai-heg who
governs their ultimate fate.
The few priestesses dedicated to this divine trinity are called
Oracles. Elves are expected to make a pilgrimage to an Oracle
at least once in their lifetimes. The most prescient Oracle in the
Old World can be found at the Glade of Eternal Moonlight in
Athel Loren.
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