Henwin, the patron spirit of hedges, is venerated by
humblefolk of all kinds. They are the Amaranthine of
balance, and teach that all things in the forest must
be respected, as all are connected in a great web of kindness.
It is thanks to the sun that the plants grow, and because the
plants grow, all living things have food. Decayed food turns
into soil, which nourishes more life. The teachings of Henwin
ask followers to take into consideration the many kindnesses
which brought each of them into being and nourished them
throughout their lives.
It is only fitting, then, that Henwin is said to be a hedgehog who spends their life in the forest.
Storytellers say that
they reside in an ancient part of the world, hidden from the
eyes of most mortals, where they inhabit a tangle of roots from
every forest that has ever grown. Here they tend to a garden
of moss, fungi, and insects, helping to keep the living roots
healthy. Henwin ensures that even the husks of withered plants
can provide for the vegetation and creatures who rely on dead
things for sustenance.
Unlike other Amaranthine, Henwin is not described as
male or female. Being a spirit of balance, they are considered to
possess traits of all genders. They are often depicted carrying
a yellow rose, which is their symbol. When a yellow rose
blooms, it is said to be Henwin, blessing a forest with the
beauty of their quiet grace. These roses are often given as
tokens of friendship.
Henwin teaches understanding, and respect for the web
of kindness that connects all life. If death is dealt indiscriminately, the web may become damaged.
Although it is resilient,
the web is still as fragile as one made from spider’s silk. It is the
duty of all who follow Henwin to strengthen the web and to
help maintain the balance which supports all living things.
Henwin is followed by druids, who take the message of
nature’s web of kindness to heart. Henwin’s druids can be
found protecting groves and leading communities, keeping both safe from those with harmful intentions.
Priests of
Henwin often invoke the Amaranthine Henwin’s name to
protect the fauna, flora, and folk under their care. Gardeners
honor Henwin by keeping plots filled with a diverse array of
complementary plant and insect life.