Gloomveil/World Map/The Library of Lore/The Hillsprite Scrolls

Of the Hillsprite clans that actively worship the Great Badger, fewer still have much organization to the religion. One clan in particular, Clan Blackberry, is possibly the only well-organized Badger-worshipping clan having a skilled militia and a small school of martial Monks. Clan Blackberry is known to other groups of Fey Folk as being the most tenacious bunch of Hillsprites in history. The Clan has survived countless attempts to dominate and obliterate it, and has gained a reputation for being as tough as stone. Shortly before the Great Plague, the Clan moved out of the mists and across the human lands, settling on the edge of the Copper Woods. The Clan named their final destination Badger's Bramble.

It was with wonderment and fear that these newcomers were greeted by the Coppermen. The humans of the Copper Woods have since learned to leave the Clan alone, or at least to approach the Clan with respect and this has been reciprocated. The forces of the Kingsfolk haven't yet had much to do with Clan Blackberry, but rumour and superstition keep them away from the Clan's territory.

Over a thousand years ago, the Clan was formed by the marriage of two Hillsprite Homesteads- the House of Edrin, and the House of Grimsby. It was customary at the time for partners in marriage to shed their House names and start anew. The Clan did not get off to the best start, however. Only one hundred years or so into it's existance, Clan Blackberry became entangled in some political difficulties. The troubles began during a feast at which representatives of the largest Fey groups were gathered. A gathering of Goblins, expecting no resistance from Hillsprite, began to verbally abuse the sons of the Clan for not attending to "their females' needs." This behaviour continued throughout the feast until, reaching the limits of his patience, Master Edrin Blackberry threw a heavy mug of ale in the direction of the offenders that lodged itself in the skull of an important Goblin diplomat. To make matters worse, young Krin Blackberry pointed out with sincerity how ridiculous the diplomat looked with her new crown. A huge row broke out, which surely would have resulted in fatalities had not the Dragon who was hosting the feast stepped in and magicked everyone to sleep. The reprocussions from this sad event echoed for years to come. Clan Blackberry was kept at a distance from the rest of the Hillsprite community, due to their "violent and unpredictable" nature. Certain Aelfin communities kept their distance, although several Hobgoblin clans openly supported the upstart Clan Blackberry. The rest of the Goblin people were bitter, the Fauns thought Clan Blackberry were just bad sports, and the Dwarves were jealous that the Clan's exploits were talked about so much. The Clan was grumbled about for years, despite the fact that they had moved their homestead to the edge of the Mists. It was at this time that the children of Clan Blackberry were sent into the world of the Mists to seek their fortunes. Young Krin Blackberry's exploits became famous, and the clan name was eventually restored to health, but that is another story altogether.

A Hillsprite in need is a Hillsprite who needs you. Never abandon your fellows unless they really really don't want your help. Even then, the least you can do is offer them some cake.

Master Krin of Clan Blackberry is legendary amongst his people. He is a very old Hillsprite, and a Master Monk of the Badger. He has educated three generations of Hillsprites in Badger's Bramble (Home of Clan Blackberry), but not before his astounding adventures as a youth.

It is said that Krin of Clan Blackberry began life in the Mists. Krin Blackberry (the eldest child), his four brothers and his five sisters were the first to bear the Clan name by birth.

Life in the Mists was easy and carefree for the young Krin. He spent his early years as a student of Art and Philosophy, apprenticing to Relkin the Fifth, one of a long line of mysterious Monks of the Badger. Relkin was Faerie-Gifted with the ability of True Sight, and could see into a person's soul. It was because he could see Krin's clear mind and untainted spirit that Relkin took the youngster as an apprentice. Relkin met with Clan Blackberry twice weekly to tutor the boy in the ways of the Badger and the ways of Fine Art, a practice which continued for some years. Krin was taught to always be completely honest about his work, about others' work, about his devotion to the Badger, and to always afford everyone an initial amount of respect. In the years of his adolescence, Krin became a devout follower of the ways of the Badger, and adopted the philosophy of brutal honesty wholeheartedly.

Over time, Master Relkin had helped develop young Krin's own Faerie Gift- the ability to become impervious to harm for a short time. Krin learned to summon this power by exclaming "Strength of the Badger!" The tales of this ability are tall indeed, although I have witnessed Master Krin's powers for myself and was duly impressed.

As Krin became a young man, Clan Blackberry became entangled in political difficulties. The Clan was grumbled about for years, despite the fact that they had moved their homestead to the edge of the Mists. It was at this time that the children of Clan Blackberry were sent into the world of the Mists to seek their fortunes. Lord and Lady Blackberry, tired of their family's tarnished name, had hoped that each of their talented children would help return honour to their household. It was with this mission in mind that the young adult Krin embarked on his mythical adventures, and together with his four brothers and five sisters managed to restore the Clan's name to honour.

In the last several hundred years, Master Krin has re-united with his remaining brothers and sisters at Badger's Bramble, the homestead of Clan Blackberry. Krin has always been regarded as the spiritual leader of the family, and had been taking care of the Clan since the passing of the Blackberry founders. It was Krin who decided the family should leave the Mists, appointing Nerik as Clan Lord.

Nerik is the best fighter of the family, and was best equipped to lead the Clan from the Mists to the dangerous Human lands.

Krin's unwed younger sister Eidin acts as Clan Mother, advising the women of the Clan in times of need.

Master Krin and the Gargoyle.
Krin was travelling through the woods. He came to a deep chasm running through the middle of the forest. There was a bridge spanning the gap, but a fierce Gargoyle was standing at the entrance. Krin asked if he could cross the bridge, but the Gargoyle demanded payment in gold. Krin looked at the sun, and noticed it would soon begin to set. He kept the Gargoyle busy in conversation while the sun slowly sunk. The river at the bottom of the chasm began to pick up color from the sun. "Look, it's a river of gold!" said Krin, and the Gargoyle stared down at the river, marvelling at the shimmering water. Krin then twisted the Gargoyle's wings in a knot, and shoved the beast off the bridge, where it plummeted into the river unharmed. The bridge was never guarded again.

Master Krin and the Ravenous Dragon.
Krin was travelling across the mountains. He stopped to eat some lunch, and was scooped up in the claws of a Dragon. Krin was taken high up to a cave, where the Dragon said it would take a nap and then eat the Hillsprite for a snack. While the Dragon was sleeping, Krin took off all his clothes. He placed them over the Dragon's tail, which he then carefully covered with straw and bones. When the Dragon woke up it pounced upon its tail, and swallowed itself whole. Krin found a new change of clothes and a silver-shod staff in an old chest, and made his way down the mountains, 100 miles closer to his destination than he was before.

Master Krin and the Faun Baby.
It so happend that Krin was spending some time in an isolated Faun community who were fond of Clan Blackberry. One day he was approached by two squabbling and tearful Faun women. When asked what the trouble was, each Faun said that their only baby had been abducted by the other. When it was determined which woman had the child at her abode, Krin asked that the baby be brought before him. The other woman was to bring a carving knife. When both were presented to Master Krin, he again asked who the baby belonged to. Both women had the same story. Krin seized the baby with one hand and the knife in the other and shouted "Very well, then you can share the child! I could split the baby in half!". One of the Faun women fainted from fright, and the other hesitated before runing away. Krin helped the fallen Faun back to her senses and gave back her child. The treacherous Faun who'd run away was forever exiled.

Master Krin and the Jealous Orc.
Krin was travelling through the foothills. He stopped to set up camp and have some tea. Soon after his tea, he fell fast asleep. He awoke to hear the sounds of laughing Orcs. Krin was being tossed around likea hot potato while all the Orcs looked on. Krin asked them to stop, but they told him that "Clan Grizzly doesn't listen to Hillsprites." Krin used his powers of mind-reading, looked at one Orc and said "Oh really? Are you sure? Perhaps some of you here wish they were Hillsprites." The Orcs got very angry at this and insisted it wasn't true. The one Orc that Krin knew to be jealous of Halfings began to cry. Stunned, the rest of Clan Grizzly left the two in disgust. Krin and the Orc had some tea and scones and discussed Hillsprite lore.

Master Krin and the Giant Leech.
Krin and his Orc friend travelled together through the marshes. Krin stopped to re-tie his leggings, and a fifty-foot long leech burst from the wet swamps, and began to suffocate him. The Orc began to hack on the leech with his axe, and Krin was freed enough to call to the Badger for protection. The leech turned to the Orc and began to suffocate him instead. Krin took his jar of salt out and prayed to the Badger for help. The salt began to multiply, and the leech was soon dried up and dead. Unfortunately the Orc perished. Fortunately for Krin he no longer had to share his scones.

The Great Badger, a Hillsprite Deity

The Great Badger is part of a pantheon of gods thought to belong to the Fey, but mostly worshipped by Hillsprites. Many religious Hillsprites believe in certain ideals and concepts that are represented by specific creatures. The Great Sparrow is one such Hillsprite god. The Great Badger represents Honesty, Wisdom, Shrewdness, Tenacity, and Neutrality.

Devout worship of the Badger is not widespread. Only a few Hillsprite clans actively worship the Badger, while most simply refer to the Badger with some respect. Many Hillsprites treat the Great Badger as somewhat of a myth.

Common followers of the Badger dress simply and unassumingly, eat and drink as the rest of their ilk, and live off the land as much as possible. Followers of the Badger aren't interested in accumulating wealth, rather they take interest in self-improvement. Many Badger followers have simple skills, often related to working with their hands, whether it be craftsmanship, baking, or farming. Many live in and around the forest, and tend to get along with Fauns and Aelfs more than other Fey people.

Militant followers of the Badger (very few of these are known to exist) have developed a unique hand-to-hand fighting style called "Badger's Claw". Fighters employing this style use short bladed weapons in each hand, and are adept at getting close to their prey. Other fighters use the "skill of the Badger" in foraging for the right branches, rocks, and other natural weapons in the forest. It is considered respectful of the ways of the Badger to have derived one's weapons and armor from the environment in which one lives.

Monks of the Badger consider themselves the great mediators of Hillsprite-kind. They preach honesty, and wisdom, and will often represent individuals or families in times of dispute or negotiation. Monks will always attempt to be impartial in a dispute, and strive to provide the fairest solution to all parties. The judgements of Monks are rarely questioned openly, as most Hillsprites doubt their own ability to judge for themselves. However, there are often quiet grumblings about the enigmatic and sometimes notorious decisions of these Monks. Monks of the Badger are generally respected amongst the Hillsprite populace. Most Hillsprites consider Monks of the Badger to be wise, stubborn, and often puzzling in their neutrality.

Although very rare in comparison with other Hillsprite gods, the Badger has been known to endow certain of his followers with special abilities. Some devout Monks of the Badger are blessed with psychic and/or magic abilities. These Monks usually take to travelling from one Hillsprite settlement to another, offering help, guidance and training to those in need.