The sun elf slipped through the scharpteeth forest under the protection of illusion magic.
She settled down on the ground in a quiet spot.
Her gaze wandered over the surroundings.
Her disappointment about...herself...slowly gave way to peace. A black raven with white wing-feathers perched in the branches of a nearby tree and seemed to be keeping an eye on the surroundings.
Deep breaths in and out, the world became calmer for Naer'.
She hadn't been able to get hold of any new books to study. Knowledge was more strictly guarded than she thought when she set off on her journey.
So she turned her attention to other things. If the mind was not fed, then at least the heart should be nourished.
Wirg had advised a spiritual approach to what she wanted to achieve.
He pointed the way to the Church of Mystra, but Naer' knew better.
He was probably right, though.
Deep breaths in and out, the world blurred before her inner eye.
And so she sat there on the forest floor until sunset.
Alone and yet not alone.
Finally, she stood up and surrounded herself with invisibility again.
Cinnaelos’Cor nears, and maybe she would be able to use it.
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
She had left Cinnaelos'Cor at an early hour. For her Reverie, she wandered out of the safety of the village and searched for the golden tree, hidden in the depths of the forest. Faelyn had recalled it to her memory. She didn't care about her dress, as it was partly made of vines and simple fabric anyway.
It had been an eventful day of festivities and she was completely exhausted.
Her reverie had been deep and longer than it should have been. When she stood up, many tendrils of her dress had come loose. Fallen or blown branches and leaves had become entangled in her hair, which in turn had almost enticed a songbird to build a nest.
Naer' stood up after the long rest. She looked down at herself and thought about what her parents would say. And that they wouldn't like it. This made her happy.
So the sun elf walked through the forest, back towards civilization.
While Naer' was sitting in front of the "Golden Tree", watching the forest, a voice broke through the silence. A man who introduced himself as Teris had approached her. After an initial conversation, she followed him through the forest to the flower meadow at the Friendly Arm. They continued their conversation there at length. They talked about Edalth's teachings and his view of the cycle of things. Before they parted, Naer' asked him to pass on a message...
The next day, Naer' first met Rachel and then Natariel, Tirion and Deleniel.
Natariel suggested that Naer' collect herbs at the shrines of Silvanus, Mielikkie and Eldath and study the dogmas immortalized at the shrines.
Rachel seemed to recommend herself as a guide to the shrines - or rather she was recommended. Even if she seemed to have doubts about the distance. Solrialyn also joined them and seemed to be persuaded to join them.
Last edited by Sundown on Mon Aug 12, 2024 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
The day of departure arrived and Rachel, Solrialyn and Naer' gathered in front of the Friendly Arm. Naer' was nervous because she had planned something more than the actual quest entailed. If she was going to visit the shrines and the path wasn't easy according to Rachel, then she should at least say a prayer in her own way to introduce herself, so to speak. Even though she still had to get used to dedicating regular prayers to her patron saint, this was still a little more new for her. But so was wanting to cross the border from logic to the spiritual.
After checking their equipment and provisions several times, they made their way to the shrine of Silvanus. The street had been relatively quiet, as apparently a lady or gentleman in iron armor was on patrol.
Naer stood in front of the shrine and studied the tablet with the dogma, while the other two guarded it.
Then she pulls an acorn from a belt pouch and places it by the shrine.
She spoke with a devout voice:
Know that I follow the Lord Of The Leaves, but but I honor your name. And yet here I stand, contemplating the cycle of rain and drought, seed to tree to soil. I will work to understand the deeper truths behind this balance and take them into my heart. Please grant me your blessing should the time come.
Finally, Naer' wandered around the shrine to carefully harvest the herbs there with a small sickle.
Harvest at Silvanus Schrine:
2 x Strawberries
2 x Mugwort (good harvest)
1 x Elletaria
Last edited by Sundown on Mon Aug 12, 2024 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
They continued on their way and hiked along the Lions Way. A hiker caught up with them and greeted them from a distance. They stopped and greeted Tramahstha. The elf originally had his own path, but the journey of the three ladies piqued his interest.
The next shrine was that of Miellikie. Tramahstha spoke his own words of honor. Naer' also dealt with the stone tablet on which the dogma was immortalized.
The other two kept watch. Ready to slay anything foolish enough to approach in an aggressive manner
After a while of contemplation, she takes a jute bag out of her backpack. Out oft he bag she take a handful of dried maple leaves from and puts them down by the shrine.
Know that I follow the Wild One, but but I honor your name. And yet I stand here because the preservation of the forests does not rest on one shoulder. I am not a fighter, but I will preserve and promote harmony as far as my wisdom allows me. Please grant me your blessing should the time come.
The Third Shrine
The last stage led them to the shrine of Eldath. A wondrous place that amazed everyone. A truly friendly and at the same time quiet place.
Naer' originally wanted to make an offering of water, but given the purity and beauty of the place, she decided against adding more, possibly less pure, water. Instead, she placed a handful of berries near the shrine as an offering. Far enough away from the water so as not to cloud it.
Know that I follow the Great Oak, but but I honor your name. And yet I stand here, seeking peace within. Healing can also be given in many ways, so I will seek my way to give help. Please grant me your blessing should the time come.
They stayed for a long time, resting their limbs and refreshing their souls.
Then it was Solrialyn turn to lead them home.
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
As night fell over the treetops and the veil thinned, Naer' was given the honor of attending a powerful healing ritual. She was allowed to stay in close proximity to the circle of druids of the Green Enclave. She knelt down and buried her right hand in the ground. As if instinctively to ground herself in this place. With half-open and half-closed eyes, she followed the rite to help another elf.
Naer' not only saw, she not only heard but tried to open her mind. She slowed her breathing as if in meditation and pushed all thoughts of logic out of her mind. She pushed away even the desire to analyze the incident in depth. She was here. She would attend the rite. She existed in this moment.
While Emmanuel led the rite and the other druids did their part, the aspiring druidess felt something. Naer' heard the music. Felt the rhythm of the rite and surrendered to it.
And there it was...the energy...the life...the power of renewal that would bring spring. A small corner of her mind would have cheered, but she remained calm. She gently felt where the power was coming from and where it was going...
Overwhelming.
Instructive.
Perhaps the experience would help her to give healing by herself?
After the healing ritual, Naer' had spent her time deepening her connection to the land through further meditation. Now that she knew what to look for within herself and the world around her, so to speak, she found it. The ritual had not created her connection in the first place, but had only shown her how to deal with it without blocking her inner view. A moment of realization, you could say.
She proceeded to hold seeds in the palm of her hand as she harmonized with the land and the forest surrounding her. She wanted to focus the life force and channel it into the seeds. Days of introspective training passed.
Dangerous times called for unusual measures. Without the enclave behind him, Naer' could only make progress with self-study. Certainly the enclave had a lot to do, and an aspirant probably meant extra work. But in these times, she could not wait until her request for teaching and admission was considered. Perhaps it was also a silent test that she had to advance herself with wisdom and intelligence.
In these times of constant invasions and pressure on natural refuges, Naer' could not ignore the call.
Help came from Natariel, who showed her a spell with which plants could be made to grow. Naer' observed carefully. It was somewhat similar to her previous attempts at training. With patience and concentration, she connected with the waves of power dwelling in the land. Natariel spoke of imagining the result and so Naer' did. It took several attempts before the first plants sprouted.
Her first "spell" as a druid! Then, during the attack on Ulgoth's Beard, she used it with the greatest possible strength and prevented some of the enemy from advancing. It was unfortunate that the Flaming Fist left the position against the plan and ran right into them... However, this time she could do more than just bandage people.
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
After the battle of Ulgoth's Beard, Naer' had left for her new “home” with Deleniel and Natariel. Tirion appointed Naer' as the new village druidess of En Dharasha. Which was very premature, as Naer' couldn't really call herself a druid yet. However, the idea was that she would be able to learn from the true village druid Sane.
And so it was that Naer‘ met Sane and, through Natariel's mediation, Sane agreed to teach Naer’.
However, before a real introduction to the secret knowledge could take place, an oath had to be taken. Naer' gladly agreed to this without further thought.
Not that she was reckless, but she had been preparing herself inwardly for the next step for a long time.
And so the sacred words were spoken under the trees of the Misty Forest.
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
Demons poured in from all sides. With their backs to the wall of earth and rock. The golden tree nearby. Wounds gaped and the pain overwhelmed her senses, plunging her mind into a fog. It felt as if golden, animal-like eyes were looking at her for a moment. Her mind faded...
A wild dream of fangs and claws and base instincts.
Survive...
Survive...
Survive...
Protect...
Burning, disgusting odour in her nose.
Protect...
Survive...
Survive...
Survive...
These demon-beasts had to make way.
Out of her territory. Out of the forest.
Protect...
Survive...
All these other people on two legs.
Smell of metal and magic in her nose.
They seemed to help. That confused her.
Survive...
Protect...
Fangs...
Claws...
Then it was over. No smell of the beasts.
She was exhausted. She needed to rest and lay down behind a bush.
Long moments later, the world was clear again, but some things lay buried in the fog of her mind. What had happened? Was it over?
The petite elf looked around in confusion. She felt so exhausted.
Her body trembled again. A hesitant glance into the deeper Sharp-Teeth Forest. Rachel and Solrialyn had already guessed what was ‘plaguing’ her. She tried to control herself. Something inside her pulled her on four feet and into the deeper forest. A subliminal call or demand.
Tramasthas had expressed his concern days before that Naer might lose himself in an animalistic form. He had been worried. And now Rachel and Solrialyn too.
But the night was so beautiful. The moon cast its pale light through the treetops. Naer breathed heavily. She sniffed and thought she smelled something in the night air. For a moment, her animal side had the upper hand. Sweat dampened the sun elf's skin as she tried harder and harder to hold back. A tingling sensation spread. Her gaze wandered back into the forest. Why was she holding back... because she was a sun elf? She was already beyond that. It would be easier to let it happen and give in to the urge inside her. To see what would happen.
And yet she endeavoured to buy some more time.
She crossed the border to the nearby elven village and put her rucksack and equipment underneath. She took off the thick leather armour and changed into lighter clothing. It took the last of her willpower not to look too strange to the guards.
Then she stepped back into the forest. She took a deep breath. Her trembling increased, as if her subconscious had already realised that she was about to give in.
But she didn't try to give up all self-control straight away. Instead, she reduced her inner resistance bit by bit.
She had almost always been aware that she had a primitive, wild side. A smaller corner of her soul that she had suffocated under erudition and rationality. But now, with the blessings of a budding druidess, this side had a chance to be acted out and no longer to be ignored. It had already changed its form in dangerous situations, but now it was different.
The moon was high in the night sky. The forest was full of sounds and smells.
Naer smiled. There couldn't be a better time to let go. Her steps led north...
Her body trembled. Gently and consciously, she gave her wild side more space, a little more at each step She could feel it starting at her feet. She felt them turn into paws and the black fur began to spread. A few more steps and she had to bend forwards. She was now on four paws. Her nose was now closer to the forest floor in this position. She sniffed the scent of earth and plants with unusual intensity. As she searched for other odours with her nose, she felt the new weight of her body. Carried by powerful muscles. She felt the sensitive sensation in her paws and the swaying of her cat-tail. She briefly thought how strange an elf sniffing the ground with her nose must look before she realised that she now actually had a snout. Her whiskers had long since felt the gentle breeze of the night, but it seemed too natural for her to notice immediately. Yes, she was still herself and she was now an animal. Perhaps the animal was also a part of herself. A question she had to think about. But this hour belonged to curiosity and her awakened instincts.
The light of the moon broke through the treetops, a world lay before her to be discovered. She was more than ever a part of this world.
She wandered out into the night on four paws and disappeared into the thicket...
And so it came to pass that Naer'eanque organized the evening of Storytelling Day together with Tramahsthas. Naer's contribution was about two elf villages. The tale she told may still be remembered:
The White Stag
Once upon a time, a young elf was resting by a pond. He was surrounded by a light forest. The cool water refreshed him, as he had been hunting in the forest.
He fell forward and when he rose from the water, the clearing was completely different. The foliage was greener and the forest seemed older. He saw a stately White Stag. At first he froze in awe, but his village was starving. So he aimed at the stag.
“Stop, for he is my prey!” A female voice came from the other side of the pond. Another hunter, a moon elf, in more noble leather than he, also aimed at the stag.
Before the two could begin to discuss, a voice sounded in their heads: “Let me live and your settlement will be rewarded with as much food as you need for the winter! So go through the water and see.”
Both were undecided but agreed. They dropped into the pond and climbed out again. Each went to his settlement.
When the young woodelven hunter returned to his tree house village, he saw that the animals of the forest had brought enough berries. Even the bees came in swarms to offer golden honey.
He reported what had happened to the village council. They discussed it and agreed that the village would need to be guarded better. The Mathora of the village needed reinforcement! There was a lack of brave shields that would repel the numerous enemies. So they sent the young hunter back to the White Stags.
When he stepped through the water portal again, he saw the huntress from before just leaving. He aimed his bow at the stag again, but this time his hand hesitated. He did as he was told, however, and threatened the stag's life.
“Noble spirit of the forest, we would like reinforcements for our guard to defend our way of life! We need more shields and swords.”
The stag replied: "So be it. But not without a price. Go there...and see for yourself.”
When the young hunter returned, a line of armed elf soldiers with swords and shields had arrived, unaware of their location. However, some of their own dreaded archers were nowhere to be found. The village council became nervous and sent the young hunter out again.
This time he was to ask for strong walls. The missing archers would be found, but if they were not found, the dark horror might be lurking out there. And so the hunter left the tree house village. When he arrived at the White Stag, there was also the huntress. As if from one throat, they asked the stag:
The Moonelf huntress: “Dread lurks out there, our soldiers are missing, and we will not be able to defend ourselves with only the new archers. Hide our village under bushes and trees!”
The Woodelf hunter: “Dread lurks out there, our archers are missing, and we will not be able to defend ourselves with only the new soldiers. Give us stone walls ambued with magic!”
The stag began to laugh. “So be it!”
This time both hunters became dizzy and sank to the ground. When they awoke, they looked around: A big village surrounded by a stone wall. Overgrown with thorny bushes. Houses made of stone lined the trees. And in the trees were wooden houses.
Soldiers in metal armor and with sharp swords served with sharp-eyed archers who could disappear from view. Everything seemed familiar and strange at the same time.
Both hunters looked at each other in wonder and sought out the white stag to find out what had happened. But he was never seen again...
...in the the times of sunset, when the veil thins, you can still hear the stag's laughter among the rustling of the leaves.
----
((Copyright by me))
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
In the Sharp Teeth Forest, Elyssa, Lylan'Synor, Tramahsthas and Naer'eanque found a large number of animal bones.
They had been cleanly eaten by small teeth. It was Lylan'Synor's concern to remove the bones. Usually, the place where they found the bones was a very beautiful place and the stone circles and striking mushroom patches also highlighted the place as something special. So it was decided to remove the bones and bury them. Tramahsthas suggested a particular place in the forest where the soil was moist and similar to a moor.
The bones themselves seemed to be free of dark magic, but the circumstances were such that Naer'eanque did not want to simply return the bones to the forest. She insisted on cleansing them.
So the bones were taken to the proposed location. Before they were buried, the bones were placed on the ground and Naer'eanque performed the small rite. Tramahsthas accompanied her with a ritualistic chant to strengthen her words and emphazising her prayer not overtuning it:
She first spread her arms as if she wanted to embrace the bones, the whole place or even the forest.
Lord of the leaves, hear my words.
These bones...these animals...have fallen prey to dubious hunters.
We see no evil, and yet evil may be hidden.
Nevertheless, these bones shall nourish the forest and be given over to it.
Lord of the leaves...in your name may these bones be imbued with the kindness of spring.
May new life arise.
She lowered her arms and held them out in front of her. She made entwined gestures, as if she were drawing runes in the air. A deep calm lay in her eyes as she listened to the forest and opened her mind
A light breeze began to blow through the trees, rustling the leaves, while bright light sparkled around.
Honor to Rillifane
Honor to the Glimmerwood
After the cleansing was complete, the bones were broken and buried. Whereby Lylan'Synor did most of the work.
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
They were words worth pondering, spoken by Lia'vella.
Naer'eanque was sure that her attitude was not completely wrong.
Her arguments arose from what shaped her view of the world.
However, she was not yet an old sage.
There was still much to fathom and reflect on.
Her discussion with Lia'vella was about an orange tree, mercy, the eternal cycle and the consistency - the harmony - between all these things.
It stimulated Naer's thoughts and she sat down under a tree to reflect.
Next to her, her feline companion had made herself comfortable.
Then the song of the Glimmerwood changed. Additional notes accompanied the familiar singing of the leaves and trees.
Naer'eanque answered in her own words.
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
Naer'eanque and the last moments at the renewal of the grove
...Lightning had struck her and knocked her to the ground. With difficulty, she rose from the mud that the rain brought with it, her limbs shaking. She gritted her teeth and commanded her arms and legs to obey. Together with the others, she channeled a final burst of healing spells, of every kind. She called on Rillifane with fervor. Fortitude was an attribute of the Leaflord.
Her weak body now had to be a vessel for her mind and faith, whether it wanted to or not.
After the success. After all the healing spells and the adrenaline in her veins, she no longer felt the pain and the impairment. She was just happy and glad. Concerned for others. Fascinated by the dryad. Moved by what had been achieved.
Finally she joined the Archdruid. He spoke of exhaustion.
Exhaustion? There was something...yes...exhaustion...and pain. At this point her mind remembered what she had tried to repress. Her body made itself felt and reclaimed its place in her consciousness. Exhaustion...
She swayed and fell over to the side. During the fall, her form shrank. Red-brown fur covered her body rapidly. Finally, where an elf had been standing, there was a curled up cat. She fell into a deep, purring sleep.
She didn't even notice when Natariel picked her up and brought her to En Dharasha Everae.
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
Naer'eanque chose a secluded spot outside of Doron Amar, but within sight of the village. She assumed a comfortable sitting position and covered herself thickly with warm blankets. She took a deep breath before placing a palm-sized, burnt clay bowl in front of her. She lit a fire in it with some kindling and small branches.
On top of that, she placed a small tripod with a brass bowl, which she filled with a little water.
When the water began to steam, she added dried lavender flowers.
She breathed in and out deeply. Controlled. Focused.
She added mint and nettle.
Once again, she inhaled and let the scent fill her. She had to let go and relax.
Then she added dried echinacea and marigold to the water
With each breath, she tried to focus her mind and hold the focus.
Her soul should help the body to overcome the last inner wounds.
Finally, she added hop blossoms.
The elf channeled the forces of nature and, from the now focused state, worked the magic of regeneration and healing on herself.
She carefully extinguished the fire and let the brew cool while she emptied her mind.
After the winter temperatures had done their work, she sipped the brew from the brass bowl.
Slowly, she fell into a deep reverie. A large, grey-white cat snuggled up on her lap to warm and protect her friend.
Naer'eanque - "A nut for your thoughts" (Main-Character) Medeya Willowsong
