Merrav, also known as the Wild God or God of Beasts, is a major god of Hazeron. His domains are beasts, forests, and health. His symbol is often depicted as a set of antlers at the foot of a tree. While Aeltra is generally known to preside over the fey-touched forests of the world, Merrav's domains seem to be more earthly in nature. He is often worshiped as a god of the hunt.
Description
Appearance
Merrav is known to be fond of taking the form of various animals and beasts, either as prey or predator. His preference appears to sway chaotically, but he seems quite fond of the elk. In many older depictions, Merrav is seen as a large, tree-like humanoid with large, branching horns of bone.
On the rare occasions when Merrav takes a humanoid form he will take on the guise of one who is normally found in a forest, such as a lumberjack or a hunter.
Personality
Merrav tends not to communicate through direct speech, ost often utilizing animals and plant life to manifest signs to others. Merrav appears to possess a somewhat animalistic mindset, but as a god, he is likely capable of higher thinking despite his predilection for the natural and wild.
Merrav is fond of pretending to be a mundane creature of the forest. He is not known to be a jealous or vindictive god, but is also not one of pity.
Belief and Systems
Merrav is a chaotic neutral god. He believes in the laws of nature, in that one should only what they need, give back what they can, and pass when they are no longer fit to survive, empowering the next generation. Merrav believes the those who are fit to survive, should. Merrav seems to believe that the natural cycle will lead to the evolution and ultimate apotheosis of mortal life.
Merrav prizes those with straightforward and earnest qualities as well as the strong, quick, and cunning.
The extent of Merrav's interactions with the mortal world is hard to pin down; as the god seems to enjoy manifesting unannounced, it is unknown just how often he does it. He is generally viewed as a less passive god than others, but the gravity of his actions tend to be less grave. He does not seem to be fond of grand gestures.
Pacts
Those of the forests tend to find the most success in establishing a relationship with Merrav, and even still he seems somewhat selective on who he chooses to empower. Powerful hunters and druids tend seem to earn the most favor. Establishing a pact with Merrav requires patience and perseverance.
Devotees
Druids, hunters and forest dwellers often worship him, as do many animal men and savages. Small communities that subsist off of forests will tend to at least offer Merrav an occasional prayer, if they do not worship him outright.
Beyond individual sects of specific forests, there are not many centralized organizations of worship for Merrav. The Denaren, a somewhat widespread network of druids, appear to venerate Merrav, but do so with other gods as well.
Commandments
- Purify the self, train your form, and grasp the limits of your potential
- Forge your unspoken bond with the land, beasts and trees.
- Engage in the cycle, do not watch from afar.
Legends
Levonida's Hunt
The following is an excerpt from a famous legend involving Merrav and his interaction with a hunter.
And Levonida could not believe this scene,
that in front of her lay the golden-horned stag
her shot had pierced cleanly through the neck
a swift kill
Upon the performing of the rites of the forest
Levonida was shocked to hear the fallen stag speak
"You have proven yourself the truest of hunters.
No longer will you suffer under the ridicule of your people"
and the stag ceased to move, and as Levonida prepared its body
its flesh did glow with a golden and powerful light
Levonida returned victorious, and shared her bounty with her people
the flesh of the stag never spoiled, and those who partook were blessed with long and healthy lives
with the horns, Levonida fashioned a bow that could pierce the skies
and the pelt, worn upon the shoulder, would transform its wearer to a stag
The rest of the story contains various heroic deeds performed by Levonida using these treasures of Merrav. Eventually, she dons the pelt permanently and becomes a stag, later killed by a skilled but starving hunter who uses the body to feed his family.