The Silent Hunt
Name: The Silent Hunt
Deity: The Groove Guardian, the Wild Spirit (a god of the hunt, nature, and survival, often depicted as a wolf/fox-like beast)
Beliefs: The Silent Hunt is the guiding creed for hunters, rangers, and those who make the wilderness their home.
These individuals, be they human, elf, halfling, or dwarf, share a deep reverence for nature and the balance it maintains.
They do not merely seek to survive within the wild—they are its guardians, protectors, and sometimes its fiercest predators. Their patron deity, The Guardian, the Wild Spirit, represents the untamable forces of nature, the predator and prey cycle, and the harmony that exists within the wild. Followers of the Silent Hunt believe that The Guardian watches over the natural world, not as a master but as a fellow traveler.
The Guardian embodies the wild, unpredictable yet balanced, and hunters who follow this path strive to embody the same traits: strength, cunning, patience, and respect for nature's laws. The creed teaches that the hunt is not a sport but a sacred act that maintains the delicate balance between life and death, survival and destruction.
Teachings:
The Hunt Is Sacred: Hunting is a necessary and honorable practice, but it must be done with respect. Hunters of the Silent Hunt are taught to never kill without purpose and to honor the spirit of the prey they take. Every life in the wilderness has value, and taking it must be done with reverence for the natural cycle.
Live by the Land: Followers of The Guardian do not merely survive in the wild—they thrive in it. They are skilled in tracking, trapping, foraging, and navigating the untamed land. They believe that true strength comes from understanding and living in harmony with the natural world. Balance Is Everything: Nature is a balance of forces—predator and prey, growth and decay, life and death. Hunters are charged with maintaining this balance, ensuring that no single force becomes too dominant. Sometimes this means culling a population of beasts to prevent overpopulation, and other times it means protecting vulnerable creatures from extinction.
Become the Stalker: To truly honor The Guardian, one must become part of the hunt itself. This means adopting the traits of the wild—cunning, stealth, patience, and swift action. Hunters strive to be as silent as the wind, as swift as a hawk, and as strong as a wolf, blending into the wilderness around them. Practices: The Rite of the First Kill: Every hunter who follows the Silent Hunt undergoes the Rite of the First Kill, a sacred ceremony marking their entry into the creed. During this rite, the hunter must track and take down their prey alone, with no aid or tools other than those they can craft themselves. The kill must be clean and respectful, and the hunter is expected to offer a part of the prey to The Guardians in gratitude for the gift of life. The rite teaches self-reliance, respect for nature, and the importance of balance.
The Moonlit Hunt: Once every year, hunters gather under the full moon to embark on the Moonlit Hunt. This event is both a celebration of The Guardians blessings and a test of skill, as hunters setout to track and capture elusive prey under the cover of darkness. It is said that those who are successful in the Moonlit Hunt are granted The Guardians favor for the year to come, blessed with sharper senses and greater stealth.
The Bond of the Beast: Many hunters form a deep connection with an animal companion, a bond that goes beyond mere partnership. Known as the Bond of the Beast, this practice involves raising or rescuing a wild creature and forming a lifelong bond of mutual trust and respect. These animals—whether they be wolves, hawks, bears, or even more exotic creatures—fight alongside their hunters and share in the spoils of the hunt. It is believed that The Guardians blesses these bonds, making them unbreakable.
The Vigil of the Stalker: During times of great hardship or when seeking The Guardians guidance, hunters undergo the Vigil of the Stalker. This is a solitary journey into the deepest, most dangerous parts of the wilderness, where the hunter must survive alone for an extended period. The vigil is both a physical and spiritual challenge, pushing the hunter to their limits while offering them the opportunity to commune with The Guardians in the heart of the wild.
Sacred Symbols:
The symbol of the Silent Hunt is the Claw and Feather, representing the dual aspects of predator and prey, and the balance between them. The claw symbolizes strength, ferocity, and dominance, while the feather represents agility, stealth, and The Guardians teachings.
Sacred Sites:
The Cradle of Beasts: Deep in the wilderness lies the Cradle of Beasts, a sacred grove where it is said that The Guardians first walked the earth in animal form. This grove is protected by ancient magic, and only those who have proven themselves true hunters may find it. Pilgrims to the Cradle often leave offerings of food or fur in exchange for The Guardians blessings.
The Stones of the Hunt: Scattered throughout Aedelore, these ancient stone circles are said to have been built by the first hunters. Each stone is carved with the image of a different animal, and it is believed that performing a hunt near these stones ensures a swift and successful kill. Hunters often gather at the Stones of the Hunt to share stories and pass down knowledge to the next generation.
Hierarchy:
The Silent Hunt follows a loose, natural hierarchy based on skill and experience rather than formal titles. The most respected hunters are known as Wardens, individuals who have mastered the ways of the hunt and serve as mentors and protectors of the natural world. Wardens are often called upon to settle disputes among hunters or to guide them through particularly difficult challenges. Below the Wardens are the Trackers, experienced hunters who have proven their worth through many successful hunts and trials. Trackers often lead hunting parties and are responsible for teaching newer hunters the ways of the Silent Hunt.The youngest and least experienced hunters are known as Fledglings. They are still learning the art of tracking, stalking, and living off the land, and must undergo the Rite of the First Kill to ascend within the ranks.
Core Tenets of the Silent Hunt:
- Respect the Wild: The wilderness is not yours to conquer. Respect it, and it will provide. Disrespect it, and it will take from you.
- The Hunt Is Sacred: Kill only what you need, and honor every life taken. The balance of nature must be maintained, for predator and prey are two sides of the same coin.
- Live by Your Wits: Strength alone is not enough to survive in the wild. You must use your cunning, your patience, and your knowledge of the land to thrive.
- Become the Stalker: Move silently, strike swiftly, and become one with the wilderness. Only then will you truly honor The Guardians.
Advantage: +1 in Agility and Survival
Disadvantage:
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