The Old Gods

The worship of the Old Gods predates the Empire, the organization of the cities that would later become the provinces of Hrim that exist today, and even the long forgotten days of the Cirean Empire. While none of these creatures detailed below individually would themselves be deities as compared to Moradin, the Eladrin Gods, or the Halfling gods, these figures collectively are manifestations of something more powerful: the force of nature itself. Humans in Hrim that revere the Old Gods understand nature to be harsh, often fickle, but that it can also be swayed with gifts, service, and worship - shows of respect for the old ways. Clerics of the Old Gods are animistic and thus do not worship a specifically named deity; thus, they may choose any domain. Land Circle Druids in Hrim usually also serve the Old Gods and function as part of their "clergy"; these druids understand that to worship or parlay with the divine means dealing with a host of powerful fey creatures. Some of the more powerful manifestations of the Old Gods might even serve well as Archfey patrons for a warlock.

Several powerful fey roam the ancient places in Hrim:

• The Green Mother and The Ancient One - The Green Mother is an ancient dryad of immense power, and the Ancient One is a treant-like fey of the ancient woods. They can be entreated at a grove west of Steinbjorn.
• The Primal Sisters - these elder dryads are in the service of the Green Mother, protecting the woods and creatures of the forest.
• The Crone - a dark figure of Hrim, the Crone lurks in the shadows, making powerful deals and weaving dread curses.
• The Amber Father - portrayed as an ancient satyr of immense size, the Amber Father is a gentle soul, a source of wisdom, and often seen as a herald of rebirth.
• The Lord of the Bonfire - portrayed as an ancient, morbidly obese satyr, the Lord of the Bonfire is a spirit of dark debauchery.
• The Queen of Night - an ancient raven-haired fey of stunning beauty, wrapped in a gown seemingly woven from the night sky. She is the mistress of shadows and magic.
• The River King - this elder fey is often depicted in a cloak of foam-trimmed dark blue and a vest of woven green reeds and willow branches wearing crown that shines like the sun on a lake. He commands the rivers and waters of Hrim.
• The Bear King - An ancient fey of the woods, tundra, and mountains, the Bear King is often portrayed as a stout, powerful man dressed in hunting leathers with a thick bearskin cloak around his shoulders, a thick heavy beard, and with massive bear paws for hands and feet. He wears a crown of holly leaves, carries a blackened maul, and an ornate clay pot filled with honey hangs at his hip at all times.

Outside the more powerful fey, many other lesser fey also exist in the mountain, forests, and forgotten waters of Hrim, especially where the veil between worlds thins. Fortunate (or possibly unfortunate) wanderers might encounter any of the following:

• Menads, Satyrs, and Fauns
• Dryads
• Hags
• Undine
• Ala
• Ice Maidens
• All manner of lesser fey spirits including pixies, sprites, redcaps, beli, fraughashar, and others

Clerics and Druids of the Old Gods

Clerics and druids of the Old Gods have several titles that cover younger members - Aspirant, Ovate, and Initiate - and these titles are specific to certain levels. Once a cleric or druid reaches Level 10 in their specific class, they become a Brother (cleric) or a Druid (druid), and often found their own shrine or grove. Promotion above these respective titles is dependent on both class level and power within the faith; just because a character reaches level 12 as a cleric or druid does not automatically mean they become a Father (cleric) or Archdruid (druid) - they must also gain the respect of and authority over other lower-level clergy and increase the power of their shrine/temple or grove. Maester and Hierophant are individual titles - there is only one of each. Currently, there is no Maester of the Old Gods. Austmer of Steinbjorn is the current Hierophant of the Old Gods.

Titles:

• Maester or Hierophant (14+)
• Father or Archdruid (12+)
• Brother or Druid (10+)
• Initiate (4-9)
• Ovate (3)
• Aspirant (1-2)