Bacael

The Winter Wood
Bacael is the caretaker of the forest, the god of nature. He oversees all of the beasts of the land and skies, revered by hunters and feared by those who would wantonly destroy nature. If life itself were to have a champion, it would be Bacael. Bacael is said to have been a spirit of the forest elevated to godhood after he had been consumed by rage at the burning of his woods. When his vengeance was sated, it is said Artessa herself reached down from the heavens to calm Bacael's wrath and raised him to her pantheon. Bacael is depicted as an Ent, with the branches from his upper body reflecting the current season.


 * Nature
 * Beasts
 * Agriculture
 * The Seasons

Worshippers and Temples
Bacael is worshipped by hunters and farmers who pray for bountiful harvests. Most common-folk tend to pray for Bacael's favor for one purpose or another. Bacael has few temples, instead smaller shrines to his visage can be found in places where nature is strong. Farmers often carve small tokens of Bacael as gifts to be placed at these shrines. Unlike some other deities, Bacael has no organized armed forces, nor do his followers go out and spread his teachings. Instead, those who dedicate themselves to his service have formed a loose and informal organization of wardens who protect natural locales. They can serve as guides for the lost or fierce protectors from bandits and poachers. Collectively, they are referred to as the Brethren of Bacael.

Dogma
Bacael's legend and teachings speak to the power of nature and the importance of its preservation. Bacael is not so extreme as to ban the hunting of deer in his woods, nor the felling of trees for construction. However there is a balance that must be maintained between nature and civilization. Overhunting, especially of rarer creatures, is one of Bacael's most despised acts. Those who worship Bacael understand the beauty and importance of nature and seek to preserve it in a world slowly filling with civilization.