[ The cover of the book appears to be made of bark, with crystalized blood shaped into a circle held up by an antler crown. The pages are rougher than normal paper, and feel more durable. ]

Introduction:

The Holy Mother is the goddess of the Wilds. They rule over life, nature, and growth. Over the centuries, they have gone by many titles, Deas Sanguine, the Caretaker, Horned One. Regardless of what one may call them the Mother holds claim over all life. 

Beyond their core domains, they also rule over blood, conflict, balance, and rebirth. They hold dominion over the beginning of the Great Cycle, and maintain it alongside the other members of the Triumvirate.

The Holy Mother:

While the Mother is caring towards their followers, they are also very harsh to those that fail to meet expectations. They place great value in those who take action themselves rather than ask the divine for assistance at every turn. They believe that the strong are the worthy and that strength is proven by survival. They are welcoming to new followers, but heavily dislike those that go against the Wild Law.

When it does not concern their followers, they are a  neutral entity. They do not follow any concepts of good or evil, only survival. There is a case to be made that they are a lawful entity, however. As when it comes to the Wild Law, they enforce it strictly and without mercy.

Prayers & Rites:

When praying to the Mother, it is important to take care as to not offend them. 

Common offerings include: things of a bloodier nature, trophies taken from strong opponents, nature-attuned items, spoils of your hunt or harvest, and items from the blessed Reau'san Jungle.

It is best to make temples in an area overseen by the Mother, as to not cause conflict between the divine.

The Mother has a myriad of forms they manifest as. Though they often will be tied to nature or blood in some way. While any specific manifestation may not have a guaranteed meaning, there are common trends when they interact with mortals. The manipulation of blood is a common sign, and is not one that should be taken too gravely despite many people's initial reaction. Being a more neutral manifestation, however, means it can also be a threat. Another common manifestation is as vines. These are often a more positive sign, allowing them to reach out and embrace, without necessarily injuring them. Brambles are aless positive sign, though. Often the most threatening way they choose to manifest. Their brambles are incredibly sharp, and often prove themself as such. This is normally a sign they are not the happiest.

They also have a litany of servants they can send to act on their behalf as well. They are many in number, yet rare all the same. They seldom appear, usually only to convey that which needs a more precise language to tell. These forms range from wolves formed of blood, massive horned beetles, vines that speak, and many more. When you are unsure if an act or item would offend the Mother, it is always advised to speak with a local member of the clergy to verify whether these fears are warranted. The Mother does not see mistakes, they see choices. So be careful, lest you move to the next part of the Great Cycle. There are many rites performed in the name of the Mother, all with different roles and purposes. None are to be taken lightly, and all are important.

The Rite of Survival:

A trial of combat, meant to show the strength of an individual. In this ritual, an individual faces a litany of foes, the stronger the better, with survival being the goal. These are frequently performed in arena style temples, though any area works. 

The Rite of Blood:

A ritual for penance, seldomly performed. It is an extreme act to be carried out in only the most extreme of cases. Performed by the self as an act of repentance or by another as a punishment, the result is the same. An offering is given, and then the blood is drained from the individual. If the Mother is sufficently pleased with the penance, then the life of the individual will be spared. If not, they will perish. There is a temple where this rite is most often performed in the far east.

The Rite of Renewal:

A peaceful ritual, involving a region giving tithe of their harvests and hunts, both as thanks and as a request for new or continued prosperity. A ritual very commonly performed all over the continent, as if it is neglected, the region may be afflicted with locusts, famine, and onslaughts of all manner of beasts. 

Rite of Transition:

A funerary rite, performed exclusively for individuals who followed the Wild Law in life. It is a sacred rite performed by one of the Mother's holy folk. It is performed upon a holy site, the deceased placed into a coffin made of enchanted wood, the bark still attached, nailed together with bones. Beneath the body, a bed of thorns is made. 

Once the body is prepared in the coffin, they are to be placed upon an altar. The rite can start in earnest. Each person in attendance shall empty an amount of blood their blood into the coffin in amount proportional to what the person to them.

This is an incredibly important event for followers of the Wild Law, as from this blood the body and the armaments of the deceased are formed in the afterlife, molded to fit their soul.

After the shedding of blood, the coffin is nailed shut, and the final prayer is to be performed on behalf of the deceased. If they have followed the teachings and laws of the Wild in life, then in death, the Mother shall call them home. 

The coffin is not to be touched until flowers begin to form upon the coffin. If a soul was accepted, then the coffin shall be covered in an array of deep crimson roses. Care is to be taken to not disturb these roses during burial. As any who are to disrupt the coffin at this point shall face the wrath of the Mother. Conversely, if a soul fails to meet the standards the Mother has set, withered flower petals shall spill out from within the coffin. In this event, what is done with them is irrelevant.

Hemathyl:

Hemathyl is the realm in which the Mother resides. It is where the souls of faithful go in death, and an eternal battleground. It is a harsh afterlife, but one incredibly fulfilling to most of their follower's. With bodies and weapons forged by blood, this realm is an eternal battleground where these souls fight, die, and revive endlessly. Constantly honing their skills, fighting in as many unique ways as there are people. The realm is incredibly varied in terms of terrain, with large flat plains, dense and uneven forests, jagged mountains, etc. Some regions have become dominated by factions, with large group warfare occuring endlessly, some fight in death games of wit, and others fight in gladiatorial arena in endless duels. It can be considered a truly heavenly place. Some call it a hellscape, this is incorrect.

Divine Law:

The law of the Mother is also known as the Wild Law. It is both a system of belief and a rule of the world. It is simply, 'Survival of the fittest'. It is different from mantras such as the might makes right  as it is not about who has more power, or can win in a fight, but simply who survives. 

Furthermore, all life exist to grow. Falling into stagnation is no different from death.

There are also a number of things expected of all those faithful to the Mother. Life is to be held in respect, and taking it senselessly is a heinous act. 

Growth is to be fostered, not stunted. With that said, weeds should be pulled out from the ground, as to not spread and prevent others from reaching their potential.

It is wise to remember from where the benefits of what you reap come from, for as the Mother blesses you with it, they can just as easily take it away.

Overreliance on others is a crutch that stunts growth. While cooperation is acceptable, becoming dependent is not. "All are welcomed into the Mother's embrace, as long as they can stand the thorns" is a saying often uttered by followers of the Mother. It refers to the principle that none are barred from the Mother's grace, but that does not mean it is easy to receive. The Mother is harsh, and true.  

Final Notes:

The Holy Mother is the goddess that sits atop the Triumvirate. They are a powerful entity, loving to their faithful, but fair to all. They are a harsh mother, but that is to allow for all to grow. Do not become overly reliant on them, they value those that take matters into their own hands. They provide the tools and means to accomplish tasks, they don't do it for you. Growth comes from within, and can only be brought by yourself. Though it is not a path you must walk alone. There are many ways to grow, find yours, find all of them.