Greenward

Children of Root and Moon, Keepers of the First Wild

“The tree does not apologize for growing where stone wished to rule.” — Greenward elder saying

Greenward are the primal branch of the Children of the Veil, heirs to the oldest forests, first hunts, moonlit rites, and living covenants between people and wild land. In distant chronicles they would be known as wood elves or forest elves, yet in Erosia they are older and less tame than either title suggests.

Before towers rose and courts argued etiquette, the Greenward listened to rivers, tracked stars through leaves, and learned the names of every season by scent. They believe civilization is useful, but dangerous when it forgets it is built atop living earth.

Many Greenward hold sacred ties to Ulvexa, She-Wolf of instinct, hunt, and pack-bond, and honor the body as truth rather than shame. Some maintain druidic circles capable of shapeshifting rites, beast communion, and memory songs sung to ancient trees. Where Luminari perfect structure and Umbrel master secrecy, the Greenward remember what the world was before either became necessary.

Greenward Appearance

Greenward are elegant but unmistakably physical peoples.

Many possess:

• athletic or lithe builds
• elongated ears
• swift reactive movements
• powerful legs and balanced posture
• eyes that seem always alert
• easy comfort with their bodies

Skin tones favor earth and sun hues: bronze, copper, olive, rich brown, bark umber, golden tan, deep sable.

Hair is often thick, windswept, braided, or adorned with bone, flowers, beads, feathers, leather ties, leaves, or carved wood rings.

Eyes commonly appear amber, green, hazel, blue-green, gold, or storm grey.

Their beauty ideals prize vitality, confidence, scars honestly earned, movement, scent, laughter, and the grace of unhidden emotion.

Greenward Society

Greenward societies vary widely, but most reject needless rigidity. They favor:

grove clans
tree-settlements
wandering circles
sacred hunting lodges
river camps
moon shrines
root halls grown from living wood

Common values include:

Freedom. Possession must never become prison.
Reciprocity. Take from the land, give to the land.
Strength. Use power in defense, not vanity.
Truth. The body speaks before the mouth does.

Greenward can seem unruly to city folk, yet their customs are often deeply structured through oral law, seasonal rites, and communal responsibility.

Greenward Adventurers

Greenward Names

Greenward names are often natural, rhythmic, and earned through deed.

Masculine: Thorn, Kaelor, Brann, Vaelor, Riven, Tarek
Feminine: Sylra, Mira, Elowen, Kaessa, Brynna, Talia
Neutral: Ash, Rowan, Vale, Briar, Kest, Lark

Clan Names: Mossrunner, Moonfang, Riverroot, Thornstep, Wildbranch, Oakshadow

Greenward Traits

Your Greenward character has these traits.

Creature Type. Humanoid
Size. Medium
Speed. 35 feet.
Life Span. Greenward mature at a similar rate to Silkborn and commonly live 350 years or more.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Verdant.
Darkvision. You have darkvision out to 60 feet.
Forest Born. Gain proficiency in Survival or Nature (choose one).
Swift Stride. Your walking speed increases to 35 feet.
Wild Instinct. You have advantage on initiative rolls.
Leafshadow. You may attempt to Hide when lightly obscured by natural foliage, mist, or terrain.
Beast Tongue. You can cast speak with animals once per long rest without using a spell slot.

Greenward Cultural Lineages (Optional)

Choose one lineage if your campaign uses them.
– Moonfang Greenward. Gain proficiency in Intimidation or Athletics.
– Rootwise Greenward. Gain proficiency in Medicine or Herbalism Kit.
– Stagrunner Greenward. Your jump distance is doubled.
– Misttrail Greenward. Gain proficiency in Stealth.

Racial Feat. Heart of the First Wild

Prerequisite: Greenward

Your primal blood answers danger and moonlight.

• Increase Wisdom, Dexterity, or Constitution by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• Your speed increases by 5 feet.
• When initiative is rolled, you gain temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus.

Roleplaying as Greenward

Choose Greenward if you want to play:

• a primal elf hunter or druid
• someone deeply tied to nature
• a free spirit who hates cages
• beauty expressed through vitality
• a shapeshifter tradition warrior
• a protector of sacred places
• instinct guided by wisdom
• joy mixed with ferocity

Closing Verse

They run where roads grow timid.
They laugh where walls stand silent.
They remember the first language of wind.
And the moon still knows their names.