Skogen

Lesser Deity

At A Glance
Alias: The Green Lord Symbol:            A green serpent entwined around a silver oak tree Home Plane:        Wyldhome Alignment:         Neutral Portfolio:         Nature, the wilderness Worshippers:       Rangers, druids, barbarians Cleric Alignments: CN, LN, NE, NG, N Domains:            Animal, Plant, Sun Favored Weapon:    Sickle

History
Skogen was one of the oldest green dragons, and protector of a vast forest in the First Age. Urged on by Korinthar* and Sslira*, he joined in the rebellion against the Gods, and was banished to the Mists for his audacity. While trapped in the timeless nature of the Mists, he longed for the beauty and peace of his forest home, wondering what had happened to it. Upon his release, he immediately sought out his forest, finding strange little humanoids inhabiting it. Curious, he ignored them, content to relax in the beauty of his ancient home. When Sslira* the Black came to enslave and destroy the forest, he was enraged. Joining the side of Kunnia and Lognare, he fought against the Black, defeating her and sending her shrieking to Hades. His bravery to save the forest and to defend the lives of those within was noted by the Allfather, who raised Skogen up into the pantheon to serve with Elain and Kukka.

In this Age, Skogen is a primordial nature god, balancing Elain's savagery and Kukka's peaceful nature within himself. He rarely reveals himself on the material plane, though he does often visit as a small green drake, or rarer still a primal elf. However, he has little qualms about manifesting in his natural form, if the occasion calls for it. He has close ties with both Kukka and Elain, and also works well with Kunnia, whom he admires for her protective spirit, which he emulates for the forests.

Dogma
Nature is the source of all life in the world, so it should be cherished and protected. Defend the forest and the wilderness from the encroachments of this so-called civilization, and particularly from the corruptive natures of undeath and unlife. Slay those that pervert the cycle of life, and let their blood nourish the forest to repay for the death that they cause.

Clergy and Temples
Skogen's worship is never really followed within the city. Indeed, many more urban areas of the Empire actively prosecute his worshippers as terrorists and criminals. However, he has many followers in the wilderness, particularly among the lizardmen, primal elves, frost elves, wolfkin, and barbaric human tribes. Occasionally he sends his followers into the city, to convert those within to following nature's path instead of the lie known as civilization. These followers are often responsible for reshaping the city to be more 'in tune' with nature's beauty, creating parks and the like within the city limits.

He has a small order of monks that work side-by-side with his druids and clerics. Calling themselves the Guardians of the Fir, these monks emulate animal strikes with their attacks, such as bobcats, bears, wolves, and other creatures. Dedicating themselves to nature, these monks seek enlightenment through the ways of the natural world, rising to be powerful protectors of the wilderness in Skogen's name.