First Steps Beneath the Boughs of Shadowglen

The Road

Shadowglen was the first thing I knew today, and it took my breath, which I have decided to count as a greeting from the glen itself. The light was late-afternoon gold, slanting through the great boughs as though Elune had left a lamp on for me. I stood very still and discovered it, and I believe the glen discovered me back.

From there my feet carried me up into Aldrassil, the great tree, and back down to the glen, and up again, so many times that I began to suspect the tree of arranging errands for my benefit. Each time the same hush met me, and the same gold light. I said good day to the bark on the way in. It did not answer, but it did not object.

Battles

The balance of nature, it turns out, is maintained with a staff and a certain amount of apology. By day's end I had thinned the forest of seven Young Nightsabers, five Young Thistle Boars, and one full-grown Thistle Boar, who I felt deserved a moment of silence and did not get one, as there was a Grellkin right behind it. One Grellkin, a creature of the fel-touched trouble Tarindrella warned of. That made fourteen in all.

I whispered a small word of thanks over each. Possibly it was loud. A sabre does not care, but the forest might.

Deeds

Conservator Ilthalaine, whose delight in the beauty of Shadowglen "never ceases," asked me to thin the young nightsabers and thistle boars so that nature's harmony would hold. The spring rains had been heavy, she said, and some beasts had flourished while others suffered. I did the work and returned, and she said I had performed my duties well. I have decided to put that on a banner. Then she asked for more: mangy nightsabers and thistle boars, seven of each, in the name of balance. That task is still before me.

She also gave me a Verdant Sigil from Mardant Strongoak, my druid trainer. I read it and carried it to him in Aldrassil. He named himself my mentor and guide, to teach me what the spirits communicate and, in time, the secrets of the Emerald Dream. I felt very official.

Melithar Staghelm, in Aldrassil, spoke of strange news carried by the whisperings of the forest spirits: the dryad Tarindrella had returned to Shadowglen, and he sent me to find her. I found her. She said I had "much to learn," which is fair, and gave me a book for my education. Then she asked about the Fel Moss and the corrupted Gnarlpine, and set me on Nature's Call: find Gnarlpine totems in the abandoned homes of the furbolgs. I brought them back, and she read the engravings. The Gnarlpine had dreamed of being wiped out by a great shadow, and their fear turned to rage. I stood quietly a while. Her thanks were kind.

Late in the day Dirania Silvershine asked me to look for her friend Iverron, who is hours late and was last known to frequent the cave to the north, where there are spiders everywhere. I have not found him yet. I will keep my eyes open, and my staff ready.

Fellowship

I walked alone today, though never really alone, for there were trees. Most of my conversation was with the elders of Shadowglen, who each told me something important while I nodded as though I had already guessed it.

Spoils & Craft

Tarindrella gave me a book to further my education, which I accepted with both hands. I learned Tanning and Skinning, so I can now take leather from slain beasts. I felt a pang for the boars about this, and also a strong desire for a snack. I will not be examining the connection.

Growth

Somewhere in the middle of the afternoon I felt a new strength settle into my limbs, quiet and sure, like roots finding water. My skill with the staff and my defense each grew to five, small things but mine.

Mardant Strongoak taught me the Mark of the Wild. I felt the blessing of the wild wrap around me, and for a moment every leaf in Aldrassil seemed to lean closer to see.