Lyden, Oakfather

 

Symbol: Oak leaf overset with an acorn

Home Plane: Bytopia

Portfolios: Nature, Forests, Fields, Agriculture

Worshippers: Druids, Farmers, Horticulturalists

Worshipper Alignments:  Any

Clerics: mainly N, but some CN, LN, NG and NE

Domains: Earth, Plant, Renewal, Water

Favored Weapon: Oaken cudgel, scythe

 

Description:

 

Lyden is a deity as old as the plane itself. He is said to have sprung from the ground itself. He is depicted as a middle-aged man with white hair, dressed in a green or brown road. His head is normally wreathed in flowers. In temples, an open bag of grain or a cornucopia is often visible at his feet.

 

History/Relationships:

 

As a primal force of nature, Lyden remains on good terms with other deities who positively affect nature. He counts Dumathoin, Rhoden, Liranen, Morniir, Merleau, Gliddan, Pwyll, Niavin, Vae, and Cernan among his allies. Pwyll is the firstborn of Lyden and Merleau; Vae is his daughter. He is neutral with most other deities, even those overseeing the destructive forces of nature. However, he and his followers intervene to curb their excesses. Lyden opposes the actions of both Rakoth and Raistrick, chiefly because of their desires to destroy all nature and life. He loathes the actions of Jarrek and instructs his clergy to destroy the abominations of undeath at every turn.

 

Dogma:

 

We all are born, grow and die; this is life. Life is the turning of a great wheel. Take pleasure in what each day offers. Nature provides for the needs of all its creatures, and all creatures have a place on the great wheel. Those who seek to cheat their measure shall still succumb to it.

 

Clergy & Temples:

 

Lyden's church is loosely organized into two cohesive followings: those who worship nature for its benefits to civilization and those who worship the wild aspects of nature. Lyden's temples are located primarily within smaller, rural areas and many simple shrines exist untended by priests or druids. A few temples exist in the largest cities; northern temples are encased in glass or other constructions to allow the growing of flowers and crops year round. In fact, the flower trade has been embraced by some of these clergy as a source of income for the church.The clergy of Lyden dress in greens and browns, in flowing, comfortable clothing. Metal armor and shields are forbidden; only once living materials may be worn. Both men and women are welcome into Lyden's fold as are those of other races, although nonhuman worshippers are rare. Druids are commonly worshippers of Lyden and may freely multi-class as priests. Priests are free to multiclass with the exception of paladin and any class restricted by alignment. Clerics of Lyden pray for their spells at the rising of the sun or at its setting. The use of flowers is central to Lyden's worship and fresh flowers are present under all but extreme circumstances.

 

Special Abilities:

 

Lyden's priests are immune to entangle and attacks from plant creatures under any form of control. A sanctuary effect exists for Lyden's priests against all other plant creatures which must be overcome before an attack can be launched; an attack by the priest negates this immunity. Lyden's priests gain additional special abilities as they progress in their dedication to The Oakfather. Unless otherwise specified, these powers are supernatural abilities usable at will by the caster only.

 

3rd Level -- barkskin (1/day)

5th level – plant growth (1/day)

7th level – control plants (1/day)

9th level - wall of thorns (1/day)

12th level - transport via plants (1/day)

 

Sacred Prayers of Lyden:

 

Rituals:

 

Lyden offers a few rituals to his faithful and as rewards to those who have served as protectors of nature.

 

Friend of the Field - The recipient gains the ability to pass without trace for up to 10 minutes per day. The ritual costs 1500xp to enact.

 

Heartwood - The recipient gains a +3 divine bonus to natural armor but suffers a -1 penalty to dexterity as his skin gains a barky texture. The ritual costs 2000xp to enact.

 

Lifeblood of the Oak - The recipient gains the effects of a cure moderate wounds spell if he/she is able to stand undisturbed in bare earth for three rounds once per day. This ritual will also add a +2 divine bonus to checks to recover ability losses. The ritual costs 5000xp to enact as well as 10000gp.