First Light in Shadowglen, Moon Still Winking

The Road

I came into Shadowglen in the late afternoon, when the light slants gold through the branches and the whole glen seems to hold its breath. I stopped and simply looked. The moon had not yet risen, but I nodded to where it would be, in case it was watching.

From there my feet carried me up into Aldrassil and back down again, several times. I found Tarindrella in the glen. I am sure the trees were pleased with me. I did not ask them.

Battles

Fourteen creatures fell to me in the forest today, and I do not say it lightly. Seven young nightsabers, five young thistle boars, and one full-grown thistle boar. There was also a single grellkin, who bore the sickness of the Fel Moss. I looked at it a long moment afterward.

I did what the balance asked. I told each creature I was sorry, quietly, though the boars were not listening.

Deeds

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me, sighing that "the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" I agreed so loudly that she gave me a look. She asked me to thin the nightsabers and thistle boars, because the spring rains were heavy and the forest cannot feed so many mouths. I did, and she said I had performed my duties well. I will carry that sentence with me always. She then asked for more: mangy nightsabers and thistle boars, seven of each, in the name of balance. That one remains before me. She also gave me a Verdant Sigil from Mardant, which I carried to him.

Melithar Staghelm told me the forest spirits had whispered that the dryad Tarindrella had returned to Shadowglen, and he sent me to find her. I did, southwest of Aldrassil. She told me I had much to learn, which is fair, and gave me a book. She then asked me to seek out the Fel Moss and the corrupted grells and grellkin. After that she sent me to search the abandoned Gnarlpine camps for totems. I brought them back. Their engravings spoke of furbolgs dreaming of a great shadow, whose fear turned to rage, and the shadow into their old elven friends. Tarindrella said it was worse than she had thought. I stood very still afterward, and the wind seemed to stand still with me.

Last, Dirania Silvershine asked me to look for her friend Iverron, who is several hours late and was last seen near the cave to the north, where the spiders are. I have not yet gone.

Fellowship

I spoke with no companions today, only the people of the glen. Terunne Bearshaper asked whether I cared to learn to gather leather from slain beasts. I said yes with great dignity, then dropped my coin purse.

Spoils & Craft

Tarindrella gave me a book to further my education, which I consider the finest gift of the day. I also learned Tanning and Skinning, so the beasts I thinned need not go entirely to waste. The leather will be, I think, my snack of the soul. (I do not mean that I will eat it.)

Growth

Strength came to me gently, like a tide, and I felt myself grow a little stronger. My skill with the staff and my defense each rose to five, and I did a small pose. Then I went to Mardant Strongoak, who called me "my brother" and promised to be my mentor. He spoke of the day the Emerald Dream will call me to hibernate for many years and walk among the purest forms. He taught me the Mark of the Wild. I felt it settle upon me like moonlight through leaves, and for a moment I was entirely unafraid.