The Children of the Grove

On the planet of Zaterra, the dominant faith is known as the Children of the Grove, a belief system centered on the veneration of four entities called the Great Spirits. These spirits are not seen as gods who demand worship, but as timeless guardians of the planet’s natural equilibrium. The core of this faith is a deep, abiding connection to the living world, where every forest, river, and breeze is a reflection of the spirits’ presence. Adherents believe that by living in tune with nature, they honor the spirits and maintain the delicate balance that sustains all life on Zaterra.

The foundational narrative of the Children of the Grove is "The Tale of the Fox, the Frog, the Willow, and the Wind," a story shared with every Zaterran youngling. This account teaches the values of trust, cooperation, and listening to the wisdom of the natural world. It recounts a time when Zaterra was still forming and the spirits dwelled in a sacred grove at the planet’s heart.

The first of these, Talossar, the Weeping Willow, is revered as a symbol of peace, shelter, and ancient wisdom. Depicted as a colossal tree with bark of pure white and long, flowing branches, Talossar offered sanctuary to all who sought its protection. Its leaves are said to sing soothing songs, calming troubled minds and offering refuge to the weary. For the Children of the Grove, to rest beneath a willow is to seek Talossar’s counsel and find a moment of quiet contemplation.

Serevala, the Fox, embodies cleverness and the life-giving power of water. With fur the color of the deep ocean and eyes like gleaming stars, this spirit is the guardian of rivers and rain. Its playful dance through the woodlands is believed to bring forth nourishing waters, and its call is said to echo the sound of approaching storms. Followers honor Serevala by protecting Zaterra’s waterways and celebrating the life that springs from them.

The third spirit is Braskel, the Frog, a creature whose small stature belies its immense strength. With crimson skin that shines like the setting sun, Braskel’s thunderous croak resounds through marshes and swamps. It represents resilience and the power found in unexpected places. Legend states its powerful song could guide lost travelers to safety. The Children of the Grove see Braskel in the persistence of life in the wetlands and are reminded that true strength is not always apparent at first glance.

Finally, there is Myrthea, the Whispering Forest Wind. This spirit is the invisible yet ever-present force of growth and renewal. Myrthea’s gentle breezes carry the scents of blooming flora and the secrets of the forest, breathing life into every seed. As the guardian of all living things, the wind ensures that nature flourishes. Adherents feel Myrthea’s presence in every rustle of leaves and gust of wind, a constant reminder of the cycle of life and the promise of new beginnings.

The tale concludes with Serevala and Braskel, lost in an ancient forest, finding shelter under Talossar. The great willow advises them to listen for Myrthea, who guides them to safety with its whispers. This story is more than a simple fable; it is the central creed of the Children of the Grove, teaching that guidance and friendship can be found by trusting the natural world. Through these stories, passed across generations, the inhabitants of Zaterra maintain their sacred bond with the planet, living as stewards of the land and faithful followers of the Great Spirits.

The Tale of the Fox, the Frog, the Willow, and the Wind

The Fox, Frog, Willow, and Wind is a tale told to the Zaterra younglings to trust and learn from nature.

When the planet of Zaterra was young and its lands were still being shaped, there existed a sacred grove at the heart of the world, where four great spirits dwelled. These spirits watched over the balance of nature, and each took a form that would forever be remembered in the tales told by the children of Zaterra.

The first spirit was Talossar, the Weeping Willow, a towering tree of pure white. Its branches stretched far and wide, and its leaves whispered ancient songs that soothed all who came to rest beneath its shade. This spirit symbolized peace, shelter, and the timeless wisdom of the earth. Talossar, The Weeping Willow protected those who sought refuge, offering its branches as a sanctuary for the weary.

The second spirit was Serevala, the Fox, a swift and clever creature with fur the color of the deepest ocean. Serevala's eyes gleamed like stars, and it danced through the woods. It was the guardian of rivers and rain, bringing life to the land with its playful movements. Its laughter was said to carry the sound of distant storms and the promise of fresh waters to nourish the lands.

The third spirit Braskel, the Frog, a small but fierce creature with a voice as loud as thunder. Braskel's crimson skin shone like the evening sun, and its croak echoed through the marshes and swamps. Though it appeared humble, Braskel's strength was unmatched. It was said that its song could be heard from lost travelers.

Lastly, Myrthea, the fourth spirit was the Whispering Forest Wind, a gentle breeze that wove through the emerald trees of the grove. Invisible yet ever-present, the wind carried the scent of flowers and the rustle of leaves, bringing life and whispers of secrets. It was the spirit of growth and renewal, breathing life into every seed and blade of grass. The wind was the guardian of the living, ensuring that all things bloomed and flourished in their time.

Long ago, in an ancient forest, Serevala and Braskel met as strangers, each lost in the vast woods. They decided to journey together, hoping unity would guide them.

One night, they rested beneath Talossar, the Great Weeping Willow, whose branches glowed in the moonlight. In the stillness, the tree whispered, telling them to follow the wind's call. Soon, Myrthea, the spirit of the Whispering Forest Wind, stirred the willow’s leaves, guiding them forward.

Trusting the breeze, the fox and frog followed until they reached the forest’s edge. Grateful and now friends, they understood the wisdom of nature had shown them the way. From that day on, the tale of the Fox, Frog, Willow, and Wind was told, teaching children to trust nature’s whispers and find friendship along the path.