Guidebook

Blessings Blessings are based upon the belief in gods passing judgment on the world as stars in the sky, and gifting their faithful followers with boons as marks of their favor. Though this religion was once unique to Ildhrune, with the opening of the land bridges and the mixing of cultures, it is now spreading far beyond that nation's boundaries. It is a personal decision whether each character truly believes in these so-called "star gods", but regardless of their faith, the stars oversee all. Every character will have been born beneath a star. Similarly, regardless of faith, a character may earn their patron's blessing -- they just may not see it as a "blessing" at all, or be aware of where it comes from. Only characters who are born beneath a given star may earn that star's blessing; ie, only a wolf born beneath the Mother can receive the Mother’s blessing.

The current constellations are as follows:

The Mother wisdom, integrity, intuition

The Father intelligent, fair, harsh

The Maiden sweet, patient, innocent

The Rivals proud, honorable, machiavellian

The Crone cautious, vengeful, omniscient

The Eldritch Tree forgiving, gracious, generous

The Mother

The giver of life, the nurturer. She guides, offering affection and understanding when others might turn to violence. Her love is unconditional, her patience vast. All who live and breathe are her children, each born with vast potential. Her stories are many and varied, for she is always the wise mother in any given fable. Common phrases include: "If the mother wills it so," and "with the mother's blessing." The Mother's symbol is the orchid. Those found under her stars are considered to be of particular interest to the great, benevolent goddess. They are often considered to be wise, to have integrity, and to possess intuition for the evil in others.

Blessing: Ability to discern a wolf's true personality alignment
Criteria: 50+ posts, complete 3+ threads with a mate or members of family

The Father

Husband of the Mother, he occasionally serves as the hangman and judge in stories. His role is the leader of all, the commander in battle. He oversees great battalions and grants the greatest lessons on foolhardy protagonists. His love is hard earned yet unbreakable. The man's loyalty is steadfast and he protects his family with his life. Common phrases include "The Father's judgment upon your soul" (insult), "A Father's love is hard won. The Father's symbol is tanacetum. Those found under his stars are considered to be seen as promising by the father above. They are often regarded as intelligent, fair, and harsh.

Blessing: Negates opponent's guild or blessing perk
Criteria: 50+ posts, complete 3+ threads with guild members

The Maiden

The Mother's past self in some stories, her younger sister and/or daughter in others. She is the quiet, gentle soul that seeks the good in others. In stories, she is the innocent child or the victim. Her end is not always happy, but her heart is always pure. The Maiden often serves as a cautionary tale. Common phrases include: "Oh, the Maiden's heart be blessed", "You are asking for the Maiden's end" (insult). The Maiden's symbol is ivy. Those found under her stars are considered to be demure and gullible. The Maiden admires the child's gifts or pities them for their tragic future. They are often regarded as sweet, patient, and innocent.

Blessing: Once per raid or event, roll a d8 and heal that amount (in addition to your attack on your turn)
Criteria: 50+ posts, complete 3+ threads in which you heal, comfort, or counsel another wolf

The Rivals

Always two wolves, often males, locked in combat. They are the rich and the poor, the loner and the pack wolf. Both have valid reasons for their anger, yet both extend their reach too far. They contend with one another endlessly, seeking only the ruin of the other. Never will they reach compromise. Common phrases: "The Rival's heart is a weary one", "May we be rivals,”, “May this battle be endless" (insult). The Rival's symbol is the orange liliy. Those found under their stars are considered to be focused wolves that fall prey to passion. Some suspect that the rivals wish to act out their will through those born beneath them. They are often regarded as proud, honorable, and Machiavellian.

Blessing: Once per raid or event, character stabilizes to 1 hp upon falling to 0
Criteria: 50+ posts, participate in 3+ raids or rolled events

The Crone

She is both the last stage of the mother and the secretive woman of prophecy. Her face is rarely shown, her body rarely described. She is but a shadow, a serpent, an omen. Her presence in stories marks a turning point, a great epiphany, the coming of a storm. Common phrased include "By the Crone's Eye" , "A traitor's whisper is the Crone's gift". The Crone's symbol is the snapdragon. Those found under her stars are revered as beasts of omen. Perhaps they too will become crones in later years, or perhaps they bring tragedy. Different groups view the crone as negative or positive, but all are wary. The children of the crone are often regarded as cautious, vengeful, and omniscient.

Blessing: Ability to divine the stars under which a character is born (even if they do not believe in the stars themselves)
Criteria: 50+ posts, meet 10 wolves

The Eldritch Tree

The oldest tree in Ildhrune. Its reflection exists within the stars. When it enters stories, it is a sign of tradition and forgiveness. Even the Rivals have never fought beneath its branches, and the Maiden will seek refuge against its trunk. The tree is a friend to all, ancient in its wisdom. It stands above strife and petty complaints. Common phrases include "Blessed be the Eldritch Tree", "Praise be". The Eldritch's symbol is the maple leaf. Those found under its stars are considered to be a fragment of the tree's soul come to stand among the living, or a wolf blessed with its endless affection. They are considered to be forgiving, gracious, and generous.
NOTE: The Eldritch Tree is only available as a star sign for wolves born prior to 1716, the year of its untimely demise.

Blessing: Force an opponent to roll at disadvantage (roll twice and take the lowest)
Criteria: 50+ posts, complete a thread in each nation