Nylea

Nylea is the wild, carefree god of the hunt. She claims dominion over the whole of the natural world, particularly hunger and predation, the seasons, metamorphosis and rebirth, and the forest.

Nylea is among the most gregarious of the gods, and can be spotted frolicking joyfully with her Nyxborn lynx, Halma, or her favorite nymph, Theophilia. But she also savors solitude, and on the hunt she is deadly serious, almost animalistic, in her mood. She is nearly as quick to anger as her brother Purphoros, enacting swift revenge on those who harm the natural realm.

Nylea is worshiped by hunters, but her concerns go far beyond humanity's ability to subsist on the bounty of the natural world. She controls the turning of the seasons. Usually, she ushers each one in and out on schedule, but when angered, she might refuse to change to the next season, or even call upon one out of its proper time. Mortals pray to her to ward off unseasonable weather, both natural and supernatural in origin. Nylea's association with metamorphosis makes her the target of prayers from those who seek to dramatically change their own nature or identity. She is worshiped by those who want to reform or transform society in ways less violent than those favored by gods such as Purphoros and Mogis. She is also revered by those who cherish the solitude and serenity of the forest.

Nylea usually appears as a green-skinned dryad with woody extremities. Her hair is made of vines and leaves that change with the seasons. She might also appear as a majestic specimen of any animal, most frequently a lynx or a wolf. When she desires stealth or solitude, she might take the form of a tree, usually an oak or an olive.

Alignment. Neutral Good

Realm. Nyx, the Realm of the Gods

Allies. Ephara, Heliod

Enemies. Iroas, Mogis

Edicts. heal any sick or injured wildlife, stop those who hunt for sport or profit, prove your worth with archery or showing expertise in the hunt, slay aberrations, fiends, or any undead you encounter

Anathema. killing animals for any reason other than necessity, dedicating buildings or making sacrifices to any god, including Nylea, protecting cities or farms from natural dangers

Areas of Concern. archery, hunting for sustenance, metamorphosis, nature, the seasons, wild beasts

Worshipping Nylea and his Champions

Mortals all over Theros pray to Nylea when they rely on hunting or nature's whims for their livelihood. Her most ardent followers are Satyr, Unknowns, Humans (particularly those who live in Setessa and in the wilds), and nymphs of all kinds, especially dryads. Few Leonin worship any of the gods, but of those who do, many favor Nylea with their prayers.

Nylea blesses those who are kind to animals, considering such acts as wordless prayers. Those who must kill a dangerous natural animal or cut down trees often pray to Nylea for forgiveness, sometimes leaving food for other animals or planting new trees as atonement.

Nylea's Champions

Alignment. usually neutral, often good

Suggested Classes. Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Ranger

Suggested Cleric Domains. Nature

Suggested Backgrounds. folk hero, hermit, outlander

Most champions of Nylea understand the cycles of nature--embracing life, death, and rebirth. They might commit violence when necessary but never revel in it, advocating for the proper treatment of animals, plants, and the natural world.

Nylea's Favor

Nylea chooses champions who will tirelessly defend the natural world, regardless of their mortal ties and associations. She cares more for consistency of actions than for vows of loyalty and expressions of devotion. Whether you are silently devoted to her or vociferous in your praise, it is your actions in her name that will prompt her to continue her support--or withdraw it.

Because her interests are often tied to natural forces, Nylea's attentions can be unpredictable. What made the god turn her attention to you? What act of charity or feat of skill made her think you would be a good champion? The Nylea's Favor table offers a handful of suggestions.

Nylea's Favor

d6	Circumstance
1	You were born at dawn on the spring equinox, a sign of Nylea's favor.
2	You healed an injured wolf, which then revealed itself to be Nylea in disguise.
3	You won an archery contest with a truly stunning shot, but afterward chastised onlookers who compared your skill to Nylea's.
4	Lost in the forest as a child, you were raised by wolves. Nylea intervened to teach you language and enable you to one day take your place in society as one of her champions.
5	A unicorn has appeared to you several times in your life, often after protecting animals or nature.
6	You lived alone in the wilderness for a year. In all that time you never heard another mortal's voice, but Nylea spoke to you regularly.

Devotion to Nylea

Nylea calls upon her followers to defend the natural world and oppose those who would bring it harm through cruelty or greed. As a follower of Nylea, consider the ideals on the Nylea's Ideals table as alternatives to those suggested for your background.

Nylea's Ideals

d6	Ideal
1	Devotion. My devotion to my god is more important to me than what he stands for. (Any)
2	Nature. The beauty of the natural world fills me with serenity. ( Neutral)
3	Freedom. I yearn to run wild. (Chaotic)
4	Stewardship. We must care for the natural world as it cares for us. (Good)
5	Savagery. It's eat or be eaten, and I plan to be the one with the full belly. (Evil)
6	Purity. I won't sully my body or my soul with the taint of civilization. (Any)

December 1st, 2023

Piety with Nylea

You increase your piety score to Nylea when you expand the god's influence in the world in a concrete way through acts that enforce her edicts.

Your piety score to Nylea decreases if you diminish Nylea's influence in the world, fail to defend nature, or offend her sensibilities through acts in her anathema.

Nylea's Devotee

Piety 3+ Nylea trait

As a devotee of Nylea, you have proven yourself a guardian of the wilds. You can cast hunter's mark with this trait a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

Nylea's Votary

Piety 10+ Nylea trait

You can cast speak with animals with this trait a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell. In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned.

Nylea's Disciple

Piety 25+ Nylea trait

When a beast is about to attack you, it must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature must choose a different target, or the attack automatically misses you. On a successful save, the creature is immune to this trait for 24 hours

Champion of the Hunt

Piety 50+ Nylea trait

You can increase your Dexterity or Wisdom score by 2 and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.