Say hello to Isére, the first character I ever made for Ancient Weald, way back in 2017. Their design is by vulturequills on DeviantArt, more details on them below!

Isére is one of the few Major Deities of Ancient Weald, whose life is tied to the Weald itself. They are particularly connected to the Birch and Aspen trees fhat make up a large percentage of all trees therein.

Their energy and activity follow the seasons and life of the trees.

The weald was started by the trees, and as a result Isére is one of the oldest Deities of the area. They inhabit the inner parts of the forest known as the Grove, and entry into it is marked by the trees becoming significantly larger as you go further in.

At its deepest point, where Isére calls home, the trees can reach over 300 ft high with a girth of nearly 80 ft. It does not match the weald viewed from outside, which looks merely like a standard birch and aspen forest.

Isére themself is a large being. A quadruped, they stand at 8 ft 4 in at the shoulder. With their tail included and neck outstretched, they measure nearly 40 ft.

The top of their body is mainly white and striped grey, while their underside and tail fur is a dark, almost black.

Their most iconic feature, their face, is covered in a black, horned mask. Their eyes glow white, and have no discernible pupils. They are not particularly expressive, and are widely regarded throughout the forest as a neutral being.

Speaking only through telepathy, their ‘voice’ resembles an overlay of several, both feminine and masculine.

They refer to themselves as “we” at any given time, leading many residents to wonder if they have their own identity or are simply a representation of the forest itself.

Of all the major Deities in the weald, Isére has created the most minor Vassals with their current total at 4: Aurèle and Rémi - and most recently, Iola and Vesper.

Though reportedly neutral in stance and personality, the Vassals are privy to Isére’s affection, and receive it commonly during visits. While not as open or vocalized, they are all often receivers of Isére’s gentle nuzzles.

To this day, they encourage the Vassals to return to the Grove for rest and rejuvenation in the form of Isére’s shared energy once the Vassals have completed their duties for the day.

As one of the oldest Deities, Isére has often interacted with humans who enter the weald - typically with those who become lost and unknowingly stumble across the Grove. Their reaction to these unwary intruders is entirely based on their actions in regard to the forest thus far.

They understand when humans use parts of the forest for fires at night, or to build shelters and mark paths, and do not appear to take offense.

Malicious actions, such as carving trees or openly disrespecting the forest itself, often lead to dire consequences.

Only a few of their abilities are known, with telepathy being the most notable. Others occasionally seen include manipulation of the forest, and illusions.

The abilities of their Vassals are said to be derived from Isére’s own, but have not been witnessed enough to be confirmed.

Isére is known by several names through the weald: The Flowing Tree, Old One, That Which Binds, the Body of the Weald.

Their name is only spoken by their Vassals and other Deities, and it is seen as incredibly disrespectful for other creatures to do so without permission.