Herne

Herne the Hunter,
also called the Horned God (Venator Cervus)
Demi-God of the Hunt, Swamps and Forests
Lawful Neutral (Good)
Symbol: An antlered human face or stag head

The Horned god, the Green Man. Worshipped by many in Middenmark and the Duchy of Aerik. Many people have a celebration and make offerings to Herne each year at the Autumnal Equinox.

Herne is one of the Anganach or Ancient Ones. The worship of St. Ygg has replaced Herne in recent years, but there are those who still pray and offer sacrifices to him. Herne is the god of the northern woodlands, swamps, and the creatures that inhabit them. He prefers to take the form of a deer, or a man with an antlered deer's head. Herne chooses a favoured son, a druid, barbarian, ranger, or warrior, to serve him as the Guardian of the Forest. Some believe Herne is the son of Silvanus. The people of the region often use the phrase "Herne protect us" or "Herne protect you" as a toast or when parting company.

Each fall, the people of Helix celebrate the harvest by constructing a large effigy of Green Man or Herne in the village square made of dried peat, reeds, and hay.