First Light in Shadowglen, First Wink Confirmed

The Road

I came into Shadowglen in the late afternoon, when the light slants gold through the boughs and the whole glen seems to hold its breath. I stopped. I am told I stopped for some time. The place has a hush to it, like a lullaby sung so softly it is almost only a memory, and I stood there quite certain the moon, faint above the leaves, gave me a small private wink. I have decided to count it as the first of many.

After that my feet carried me back and forth between the glen and Aldrassil, the great tree itself, which I greeted aloud by name. I will not say whether it answered. I will say I waited a respectful moment.

Battles

Fourteen beasts fell to me today, and I took no joy in it, only duty. There were seven Young Nightsabers, five Young Thistle Boars, one full-grown Thistle Boar, and a single grellkin, whose wild look I will not soon forget, for it spoke of something wrong in the forest. I did not fall into darkness once. I would like Elune to note this.

Deeds

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me by saying the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight her senses, and I nearly wept, for I agreed so entirely. She asked me to thin the young nightsabers and thistle boars, since the heavy spring rains had let the beasts grow too many for the glen to feed. When I returned she said I had "performed your duties well," and I have replayed that sentence in my head several times. She then asked for more: seven mangy nightsabers and seven thistle boars, in the name of balance. That one waits for tomorrow.

She also gave me a Verdant Sigil from the druid trainer Mardant, and I carried it to him in Aldrassil. He said he would be my mentor and guide, and that I may return as often as I like. I intend to, often, possibly too often.

Melithar Staghelm, who had heard strange news through the whisperings of the forest spirits, sent me to find the dryad Tarindrella, long absent from Kalimdor's forests. I found her to the southwest, and she told me I still had much to learn, then gave me a book for my education. I was moved. I have not opened it yet, but I have looked at it lovingly.

She then asked me to search the abandoned Gnarlpine homes for totems. I brought them back, and she read their engravings aloud: the Gnarlpine began dreaming of being wiped out by a great shadow, and fear turned to rage, and the shadow took the face of their elven friends. To be aware of your own mind slipping away from you, she said. I did not speak for a while.

Last, Dirania Silvershine asked me to watch for her friend Iverron, who is hours late and who usually visits her by the cave to the north, where spiders are everywhere. I said I would. I have not yet found him, and I am worried, and slightly worried about the spiders.

Fellowship

I spoke with no companions today, only the glen's keepers, whom I have set down above. Terunne Bearshaper asked if I cared to learn how to gather leather from slain beasts, or needed new tools. I said yes to the first with great dignity.

Spoils & Craft

Tarindrella gave me a book, which is the finest thing anyone has given me today, a competition with few entrants. I also learned Tanning and Skinning, so the beasts I have slain need not be wasted. Their hides will find a use, and I shall try not to be strange about it.

Growth

Strength came to me quietly in Shadowglen: a warmth in the arms, a steadiness in the stance. My skill at Defense and with the staff both rose to five. Then Mardant taught me Mark of the Wild, and I felt the forest lean a little closer, as if it had been waiting to be asked. I have already offered it to a tree, which did not object.