Aldrya ([AHL-drih-uh]), the Great Spirit rules in all regions where trees dominate: pine forests, deciduous woodlands, and tropical jungle. She commands everything within the woods including plants, animals, wells and springs, bright glades and dappled glens, emptiness and shadow, ghosts, and terrifying spirits.

Aldrya is also mother of all the sentient species of the forests -- the Aldryami -- such as elves, Dryads, sprites, and runners, all of whom are her servants in the forests. In an ancient time referred to as the Green Age, Aldrya and the Aldryami ruled all the world. She is now bitter about the loss of her preeminence, which explains why woods are intrinsically creepy to mankind.

Song of Aldrya

All Aldryami have an innate connection to their native forest that they call the Song of Aldrya (which outsiders and the ignorant call Elfsense). The Song keeps them in tune with the ryhthms of life and provides empathy toward plants. The song shows someone who can hear it when there is a disturbance in the forest and gives them increased abilities while within the Forest. (It is useless elsewhere.)