Phaedra

Tremas, his inner circle then the rest of the druids and "the folk" - some of them are the former refugees who Tremas has "converted to the faith".

Tremas is secretly fanatical and hates the encroachment of technology and machines. He reserves his special hatred for Cyriss but also the Alchemists and mages who are transforming the surface of Icthier. However, he is patient in his way, and tolerates the city and it's inhabitants as longs as they stay away from Widower's Wood and do not too aggresively harvest it. He has made it difficult for the axmen of Corvis to penetrate much beyond the entry of the wood to cut timber, they believe Widower's Wood is well named, for the very beasts of the forest will attack isolated men and even larger parties if they camp in the woods at night. However, only Tremas' inner circle is aware of the rituals he conducts to turn the beasts of the forest again the axmen.

The Grove is located about 50 miles east of Corvis and is protected by both spell wards of untraceability and natural guardians like Fell Creepers (CR 6 animated plant) and packs of wolves.

Tremas is actually interested in the Tharn, though he considers them an enemy, primarily because of their relationship with the Tharn Howlers that Tremas believes he can breed to serve as guardians of the forest and also possibly as army of sorts if he needs them against the armies of Corvis. Of course, he needs to obtain enough breeding stock to found a pack. [Quest Hook: Enter into the Thorn Woods and steal a litter of strong pups].

The Circle consists of the following full members (all druids):

Tremas-leader, 9th level, Druid, animal companion, a dire wolf, pack leader of the wolves in Widower's Wood, her name is

The council is formed of second tier druids, three of them:

Veriman, human male, 7th level druid, in charge if Tremas is absent. He is fanatically loyal to Tremas who adopted him when Veriman's family was slain by bandits and left the babe to die. Tremas raised more or less as as his son.

Veriman knows of the Vigils who patrol the forest, and is on friendly terms with their leader, Hurtanis, a 7th level ranger. The Vigils patrol the wilder areas for the Duke and serve as a early warning system for the kingdom. They range over hundreds of miles so they are only seen infrequently, but they are near Corvis because they are on the trail of the Reaper, the Cryxian Blight Warden who's task it is to weaken the southlands by spreading plague and poison. [Quest Hook: Help Hurtanis analyse the blight spreading on the farms to the west]

Shetanis, human female, 6th level druid, she is remote and seems emotionless. She has given herself wholly to druidism and lives as ascetic, only wearing natural fibers, and will not eat of any animal flesh (these are self-imposed taboos, not required by Tremas). She cares nothing for lives outside of the Grove. She is actually trying to reach an ancient spirit of the forest, which has slept since the time of the Orgoth, and if it is roused, it will shake the roots of the Wood and make it a place hostile to man. She has not even told Tremas about this (he believes her faith unquestioning so he gives her much leeway). [Quest hook: Stop Shetanis from waking the spirit]

Geroola-sovagtuk-Bodot, female gobber, 6th level druid, a kind, gentle steward of the land. She is a warm individual who seems in complete harmony with her surroundings. Her tribe is from Bloodmeath Marsh, though she left them to learn under Tremas. The tribal elders were unhappy with her choice to follow human teachings over her own kind's but, Geroola plans on return when she has finished her training under Tremas to help her people live more in harmony in the land. They are currently engaged in skirmishes with the Cynarian soldierly, who have lately began to occupy the area since the invasion of Llael. Geroola is worried that conflict will occur and lives will be lost. [Quest hook: Adjudicate the dispute].

Generally, items of concern to the Circle are dealt with by the Circle first, and then Tremas if necessary is the ultimate arbiter. Most decisions rarely require his ear and typically since Shetanis is absent, they are argued primarily by Veriman and Geroola.

At the moment, the primary concern is the refugees from Corvis and whether or not they will try to encroach on the forest in search of housing (given that they now have money are looking to build at least temporary places to live outside of the city). Shetanis believes they should be strongly discouraged from this and even has advocated setting the beasts of the forest upon them to drive them elsewhere.

The other members of the Circle basically fall into two camps, Veriman's and Geroola's since Shetanis does not care to have any followers even if anyone wished to.

Moricia, human female, 4th level druid, and Veriman's lover at present. She is loyal to him primarily due to person reason's and not so much due to her devotion. She is an attractive woman of slim build in her early 20s, and left her family's farm from the south some years before. She was rescued from the forest creatures by Veriman, and has been with him since.

Fredakin, human male, 4th level druid, Veriman's assistant and ritual partner. Fredakin is very devout but also militant and believes that the Woods should be left free of human occupation (except for the Circle of course).

Injumis, human male, 3rd level druid, previously of Corvis, a former drunk and layabout, he was exiled from the city and wandered the woods for days starving and helpless before he made a pact with the woods (actually the dreaming spirit that Shetanis is trying to wake). He was transformed overnight and found the Grove without assistance, granting him immediate access. Veriman treats him as a figure of inspiration and even a little fear since Injumis will sometimes speak of things he should have no knowledge (he is accessing the spirit's memories of the past). [Quest Hook: figure out what is happening with Injumis before Shetanis makes his a vessel of the spirit].

Interesting, Injumis seems to be only member of the Circle that Shetanis is interested in (she senses his connection to the spirit).

Casterell, ogrun male, 4th level druid, 1st level cleric, Casterell was a priest of Dhunia who changed his allegiance when the Khadorians butchered his village and he lost his faith. He now takes solace in the peace of the Wood and is a quiet patient being. He follows Geroola because of her kindness to him when he first came wandering from the north.

Soolas-stego-Rasteras, gobber male, 3rd level druid, a recent addition to the Circle, Soolas is from Geroola's tribe and came of his own accord to be with her. He is a cousin, and went against his clan Father's wishes to become a druid. Because he is fairly new, he is still a bit rough around the edges, and does not seem very "druidly", and frequently advocates opinions that are somewhat more direct and urgent than the deliberate tone of most of the Circle. Geroola tolerates this because of the sacrifice he made and that she believes he will calm down in time.

Initiates:

These are low level newly invested druids (like Phaedra when she started out) and all either first or second level. Since they are still in training, they are not allowed to participate in any decision making, nor are they allowed to leave the Grove except under special circumstances. They are variously taught by members of the Council or their assistants. They are a varied unruly lot, still coming to terms with their choice of vocation.

Each Initiate must declare a path, Harmony or Strife, representing the two aspects of nature. Veriman represents Strife, and Geroola, Harmony. A third level, they must choose their path. There are six initiates currently:

Dasharin, 2nd level, female human, formerly a camp follower who was abused and cast off. She is an angry bitter woman, and will definetely be following the path of Strife. She is about to reach the third Circle while Phaedra is there.

Tielacote, 2nd level, male human, formerly of Llael, an older man who was a palace attache and tired of the civilized life and "retired" to the woods. He is kind if weary and will opt for the path of Harmony.

Ferent and Shayla, human twin brother and sister who's parent abandoned them when a dreadful winter forced them to choose between their children or themselves. They knew of the Circle and had heard legends of children being saved by the "spirits of the wood", and fortunately, Tremas did. Each twin seems to embody the opposite path, Ferent is an moody youth destined for Strife, and his sister is gentle, destined for Harmony. The Council is watching them closely as twin are rare, and twin Druids rarer still. They are both halfway to second level and both 14 years old.

Grevastik, Trollkin male, first level druid, fourth level fighter, he is a recent convert and still a violent individual. He was called by the uneasy spirit that sleeps in the woods, and converted instantly when he discovered the Circle. He is the Circle's enforcer as well, and is firmly allied with Veriman even though he is still an acolyte.

Vaulk, human male, first level druid, a young man, who lived an undifferentiated life as a cooper before hearing the call. He sabotaged the factory where the barrels were being made, suddenly seeing them as an abomination (they were poisoning the nearby river with the coal runoff from the factory) and found the grove. He is still trying to choose between Strife and Harmony at present.

Desmor, Phaedra's horse

A frantic gobber arrives, wounded, seeking Geroola, to tell her about the attacks by the soldiers, his name is Rak-ahg-khanoos.

The pack will inform Veriman that the farmers are at the edge of the wood, having made the proper rituals to the Circle. He needs someone to meet with the farmers about the blighting of their lands. He knows strife does not have it's place, so he will request someone go. Hurtanis will arrive later.