Basic Goals:
Alliances: Elbar, Cylad, Sylune
Enemies: Ytrewtsu Markov Jirah
Rules:
Being as MentMacro is a neutral goddess that does not see in the black and white terms of good and evil, she does not see any of the humanoid mortal races as inherently good or evil. Thus anyone of any race may join her following, as long as they present themselves as truly concerned with the
welfare of the forests and its creatures. The natural cycle of life and death must be held in the utmost respect, as should all of the natural creatures and their habitats. Any wrongs done to the forests must be restored (following the Green Path) and the abominations that harm forests should be eliminated. Abominations are any being that has been touched and twisted by the Rod of Destruction and that act in an unnatural manner when it is present in the realm. The Rod should be taken from the hands of those that would use it and under NO circumstances should it be given to anyone else or used by a member of MentMacro's temple. Using the Rod calls for excommunication as it goes against the goddess's most strict beliefs.
RP Aspects: Just like the animals in MentMacro's forests, from the meak mouse to the mighty bear, every member of her following holds the same importance to her in her eyes. MentMacro holds all of her plants and animals as sacred, no matter how they may be viewed by others. The predators are not evil, and
the prey is not good. She does not place much stock in the battles of good versus evil. She believes that all should live their lives as they choose, as long as they respect the sanctity of the woodlands.
MentMacro's followers are also like the creatures they protect in the manner that they all differ in their ways that they live their lives and tend to the woodlands. Some walk the Green Path by planting seeds for regrowth in gardens and caring for injured wildlife in a passive approach to the needs of nature. There are others that take a more aggressive stance to defend the forests by
seeking out the abominations and removing them and by giving their lives in battle for the sake of their charges. There are also varying degrees in between these examples, as not all of MentMacro's following are pacifists or warriors. The members of the nature goddess's temple answer her calling as they see best for who they are.
MentMacro also holds the changing of the seasons sacred, as they reflect the natural life cycle. Spring is seen as the season of birth/rebirth and growth, summer as the season of prosperity and vitality, autumn as a time of reflection of the life behind oneself and maturing wisdom, and winter represents death in many different aspects (not just dying physically) and cleansing of oneself
(i.e. making amends, letting go of something deemed unfit, etc). Often times there are celebrations at the peak times of a season (one for each season) in which her followers observe the seasons in the respect of each of their meanings.
Further Explanation of MentMacro's Alliances and Enemies:
Alliances:
Cylad, uneasy - Her followers should assist his in keeping the Rod of Destruction hidden from potential wielders as its use causes abominations in nature. She does not share his views on balance, she believes it will tip accordingly as is natural. Barbades, uneasy - The forest would wither and die without the sun; however, though she appreciates his benevolent spirit, MentMacro believes he does not understand that death is as necessary as life in the natural world. It applies to everyone, beast, man, or child. The term of good, or evil, does not readily apply in nature.
Sylune, strained - She appreciates the care some of Sylune's followers show to the forest, but she is wary of those who might take hunting beyond essential needs. She does not tolerate the hunting of her creatures for sport, but she does support the eradication of anything unnatural that harms the forests. She has no interest in Sylune's desire of laws and order established and maintained by mortals or judging who is evil or not. Her followers will aid Sylune's to preserve the forest, but
the aid usually does not go beyond the boundary of nature. MentMacro fears Sylune's followers might use the Rod if they were given a chance to against evil.
Elbar, uneasy - Its storms water the forests as it makes way for new growth and helps replenish life. She shares similiar views on the cycle of life, death, and rebirth with the storm entity and sees chaos as a necessary part of life as a little chaos is only natural. She only worries that its followers would use the Rod to create more chaos than nature can handle.
Asteri, strained - She agrees that people should have the freedom to do as they will, as long as they bring no harm to the forests and its inhabitants. A few of her own creatures even practice the mischief Asteri advocates. She does not consider him dependable due to his carefree attitude and fickleness when dealing with other gods.
Vyrul, strained - She supports the belief that the Rod must not be used and her followers will help keep it hidden. She does not share any of his other concerns and believes laws built by civilized society are not necessary, nature has its own laws that have worked well since the beginning of time. She finds little use in maintaining a balance of good and evil or in eliminating chaos.
Indifferences:
Mahrina - Rivers may bring more water to the forests than the storms, but MentMacro feels Mahrina spends too much time and effort playing in an intangible world of dreams while the natural world needs help. She does not agree with destiny as it conflicts with freewill. She does not see Mahrina as an enemy but as a child too wrapped up in her imaginary playground to see the real world is need of more help.
Kiradus - She is not concerned with the actions of his followers in their quests for wealth unless they become a threat to her domain. Greedy animals exist that hoard and prey off of other animals in the forests, so she only sees this behavior as natural until it becomes so great to be detrimental to all, including the thief.
Enemies:
Ytrewtsu - His desire to destroy the living world is enough to deem him an enemy in MentMacro's eyes. She does not care that he is called evil, but she cares that hewishes to use the Rod to wipe out existence and produce abominations. His attemptsand actions should be thwarted at any cost to preserve the natural cycle of life.
Jirah - MentMacro is adverse to manipulation and total control of those who do not wish it and Jirah advocates such things. Those who choose to submit to Jirah's followers have their right to do so, but not all mortals ask to be placed in chains. Every creature should have freedom to live as it chooses without forced control.
Markov - The soil and earth contribute to the welfare of the forests, but the wars Markov's followers wage against evil under his encouragement cause more damage than soil can help repair. His followers tend to place people first over nature to protect those they deem as "good and innocent". She does not care for pointing fingers at people and proclaiming them as evil and unworthy to live.
The bitter wind assailed her back as she walked through the collapsing rift. The tear that dropped to the thirsty ground went unnoticed as MentMacro's inner eye witnessed the horror over and over...
Aeon, her home for longer than she could remember, burning, with her lands ravished and the ground pummeled by a force that neither the gods nor all the magic in the land could prevent. The missiles of rock that fell from the sky broke more than just the land or her beloved home for more than 60 years; it broke her heart.
Her distraction with the fiery images soon had her face-down, breathing dust as she tripped over a gnarled root. Still, she couldn't focus. Blindly, she pushed herself up and crawled 'till she was stopped by a solid oak of great immensity. Her heart cried out 'What am I to do?' as her whole being wrapped itself into the misery of what she had witnessed. Even the knowledge that the great rift created by her companions Toroid and Ytrewtsu had allowed her to escape certain destruction didn't lessen the loss.
Soon sleep overtook her...
Ages passed, and time stood still, all thoughts jumbled, until a quiet voice whispered into her ear. 'Awake, my child, and breathe my voice, protect my forests, and always remember me, for I am but the last vestige of Irrail, destroyed by the imbalance in the land.' With this, she awoke, with the once barren ground now overgrown with ivy and a great forest all around her! Marvels of color and auras of power pervaded the air! Knowing she had changed, forever haunted by the past, MentMacro strode forth to once again find her purpose.
Years pass and the land of Tharel is in turmoil...
Sitting in front of her meager meal consisting of new concoctions of pickles, MentMacro looked puzzled. Immersing herself in learning all she could about the living, growing things and the ways of the heart had a curious side affect. She LOVED green pickles for their ability to STAY green and taste any way you wanted them to. Sweet, sour, hot, even cold. A tear slowly formed on her cheek without her even knowing it was there, for she still heard the whisper of death take yet another of her beloved creatures. The pickle lay forgotten as she stood and strode to the door only to fade from existence. A faint sound or whisper could be heard; 'For every death I will plant new life,' and the soft beat of a heart faded in the distance...
Striding forth, she began to gather those who also sought to restore the land of Tharel to balance and to keep the Rod forever hidden. Thus the Temple of MentMacro was founded and the future history now belongs to you...