The Selesnya Conclave lore and key people

The Selesnya Conclave is a verdant and communal guild, a collective of druids, dryads, elves, and human devotees who believe that the only path to peace and salvation is through unity. In a plane consumed by urban sprawl and political strife, the Selesnya are a stark contrast: a spiritual and harmonious collective that seeks to bring all of Ravnica under its peaceful banner. They are not merely a guild; they are a living, growing, and all-encompassing faith.

### The Philosophy of Unity and the World-Tree

The Selesnya’s core belief is that all living things are part of a single, interconnected organism. They see the city not as a series of disparate parts but as a living ecosystem that needs to be brought into harmony. The guild’s mission is to expand its "community," a term for both its spiritual philosophy and its ever-growing physical territory. They believe that if all Ravnicans could just set aside their differences and embrace the Selesnya way, true peace would finally be achieved.

Their power is rooted in the **Vitu-Ghazi**, a massive, living tree that serves as the guild’s spiritual heart and central guildhall. Vitu-Ghazi is a symbol of the Selesnya’s core beliefs, a living testament to their power to grow and flourish in the face of urban decay. The tree is not just a building; it is a sentient being that serves as a central hub for the guild's telepathic network, allowing them to communicate with one another across the vast expanse of Ravnica.

### The Voices and the Guild's Structure

The Selesnya Conclave is not ruled by a single, powerful individual. Instead, it is guided by a collective consciousness known as the "Votary of the Worldsoul." This "Votary" is composed of the guild's most powerful spiritual leaders, including dryads, elementals, and powerful druids, who communicate with one another through the telepathic network of Vitu-Ghazi.

The Conclave's structure is decentralized. It is a series of "guild-gardens," each with its own local leader and a community of devoted followers. These communities are often self-sufficient, relying on their own agricultural magic and their communal way of life. When the guild needs to act as a single force, the Votary of the Worldsoul makes a decision, and that decision is communicated to the rest of theclave through the Worldsoul's voice.

### Key People of the Selesnya Conclave

The Conclave has been guided by a series of powerful and influential beings, each of whom has shaped the guild's destiny.

* **Mat'Selesnya:** The original Parun and founder of the Selesnya Conclave. Mat'Selesnya was a powerful elemental who embodied the harmony of nature. He was a force of peace and unity who believed that the only way to survive in a plane of conflict was to create a society based on cooperation and shared purpose. After the Guildpact was signed, Mat'Selesnya's spirit merged with the Worldsoul, a collection of nature spirits that guide the Conclave to this day. His essence is a part of Vitu-Ghazi itself.

* **Trostani, Selesnya's Voice:** The current leader of the Selesnya Conclave. Trostani is not a single dryad but a collective of three distinct dryads who share a single body. Each dryad represents a different aspect of the Conclave's philosophy: **Tey,** the spiritual leader; **Och,** the warrior; and **Emmara,** the empath. Trostani's three minds are a living embodiment of the Conclave’s core belief in unity, and their voice is the voice of the Worldsoul itself. Trostani is a peaceful and compassionate leader, but they are not naive. They understand that the Selesnya must be ready to defend themselves and their communities from the other, more aggressive guilds.

* **Emmara Tandris:** Before she was part of Trostani's collective, Emmara was a single, mortal dryad and a planeswalker. She was a key figure in the **Implicit Maze** and the **War of the Spark**, and her passion for peace and her unwavering dedication to the Selesnya way made her a symbol of the guild's ideals. Emmara was a powerful leader and a fierce warrior, but her true strength lay in her ability to connect with others and inspire them to join the Selesnya cause. She now serves as a part of Trostani, her experience and her passion adding to the collective's wisdom.

* **Vitu-Ghazi:** While not a person in the traditional sense, Vitu-Ghazi is a sentient being and a key character in the Conclave's lore. It is the heart of the guild, the source of their power, and the living embodiment of their beliefs. The tree is not just a building; it is a home for the guild's followers, a source of spiritual guidance, and a powerful weapon that can summon legions of elementals to defend the Conclave from its enemies.

* **Loxodon Heralds:** A race of sentient elephantine humanoids, the Loxodons are a key part of the Selesnya Conclave. They are revered for their wisdom, their strength, and their deep connection to the earth. The Loxodon Heralds are the leaders of the guild's military forces and are often sent to mediate disputes between different factions within the Conclave. They are a symbol of the Selesnya’s power and their commitment to peace.

### A Force of Nature and a Political Force

While the Selesnya Conclave preaches peace, they are not to be underestimated. Their power to summon massive armies of elementals and beasts makes them a formidable military force. They are a political force as well, using their influence to promote their philosophy of unity and to bring the other guilds to the negotiating table. The Selesnya are a constant reminder that even in the most cynical of worlds, there are still those who believe in the power of hope and the promise of a better tomorrow.