Sigils, Sabers, and the Sorrow of the Gnarlpine
Betas arrives in Shadowglen certain the moon winked at him, thins the boars and sabers, and learns that the forest's oldest friends are dreaming of shadows.
The Road
I woke in Shadowglen in the late afternoon, and the light came down through the boughs in long gold threads, as though Elune had left the loom running. I stood still and let the place be discovered by me, or me by it. I am not sure which way round it works. The hush there is the kind you feel in your teeth.
From there my feet carried me to Aldrassil, the great tree itself, and I discovered it too. I said good afternoon to it, and it did not answer, but I felt it was being gracious about it. After that I went back and forth between the glen and the tree's roots all day, and by dusk I knew the path well enough to walk it with my eyes closed. I did not try this, on principle, and also because of the roots.
Battles
Fourteen creatures fell to me today, and I took no joy in it. Seven were Young Nightsabers, five were Young Thistle Boars, and one was a full-grown Thistle Boar. The last was a single Grellkin, and I looked at it a moment longer than the others. Tarindrella had told me the grellkin might be caught in some wicked enchantment, and it is a strange thing to fight what may not be itself.
My staff arm ached by the end in a pleasant, earned sort of way.
Deeds
Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me by remarking that the beauty of Shadowglen "never ceases to delight my senses!" I decided at once that he and I would get along. He asked me to thin the young nightsabers and thistle boars, since the spring rains were heavy and the beasts had flourished past what the glen could feed. When I returned, he said I had "performed your duties well." I tried to look humble, but I believe I looked like a man who has been given a biscuit.
He was not finished with me. There is more work to be done, he said, and this time it is mangy nightsabers and more thistle boars, seven of each, in the name of balance. He also handed me a Verdant Sigil from Mardant, my druid trainer, and asked me to read it and carry it to him. I did, and Mardant said he would be my mentor and guide. He spoke of how the spirits speak to us, and of the Emerald Dream, and promised that someday its call would take hold of me and I would sleep many years among the purest of forms. I nodded gravely. I was also wondering where the nearest food was.
Before all that, Melithar Staghelm told me the forest spirits had whispered that the dryad Tarindrella had returned to Shadowglen, and that this was a bad sign. I found her southwest of Aldrassil, as a Sentinel had said I might. She said I had "much to learn," which is true, and that Melithar was wise to send me, which is also true. She then gave me a task of her own: to gather eight Fel Moss and bring it to her, so we might learn whether the grells and grellkin are truly enchanted. That task is not finished. The moss is still out there.
Her second request I did finish. She wanted four Gnarlpine Totems from the abandoned furbolg camps, for their engravings might tell us what befell them. When I brought them back, she read the carvings and grew quiet. The Gnarlpine began dreaming of a great shadow that would wipe them out, and their fear turned to rage, and the shadow took the faces of their elven friends. "To be aware of your own mind slipping away from you..." she said, and I felt the whole grove listening. She thanked me, and I have not been thanked so gravely before.
At the end of the day Dirania Silvershine asked me to keep an eye out for her friend Iverron, who visits her at the same time each day and is now several hours late. He is likely by the cave to the north, where the spiders are everywhere. I have not found him yet, but I have not forgotten him.
Fellowship
I spoke only with the people of the glen today, and I was rather pleased with how well I did it. Terunne Bearshaper asked whether I cared to learn to gather leather from slain beasts, or needed new tools. I have been turning over ever since what a druid's answer to that ought to sound like. I suspect it involves fewer snacks than I first thought.
Spoils & Craft
Tarindrella, on hearing that I had found her, said she understood my kind enjoys books, and asked me to take one of hers to further my education. I have thought about that book more than is probably dignified.
I also learned Tanning and Skinning, so the beasts I fell need not be wasted, and there is a solemn comfort in that. I will be able to honor whatever falls to my staff with the knife and the needle. I have no snacks to report, and I would like Elune to note that this was a hardship.
Growth
In the middle of the day something rose in me like sap in spring. I was stronger, steadier and surer of my footing than I had been, and I stood a moment in the glen to feel it. My defense and my skill with the staff both sharpened, which I like to think the trees noticed.
Mardant then taught me the Mark of the Wild, my first true gift of the druid's way. I felt the whole forest lean in a little, as if to say there you are. I have decided the moon had a hand in this. It winked. I am almost sure.