Deeds

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me with "the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" and I agreed so loudly that a bird left. She asked me to thin the young nightsabers and thistle boars so that nature's harmony would be preserved. I did, and she said I had performed my duties well. I have decided to carry that sentence with me always. She then asked for seven mangy nightsabers and seven thistle boars more, so the balance is not yet kept. She also handed me a Verdant Sigil from Mardant, to be read and carried to him.

Melithar Staghelm sent me next. The forest spirits had whispered to him that the woodland protector Tarindrella had returned to Shadowglen, and he feared something was amiss. I found her to the southwest, and she said, "I see you found me, young night elf." She told me I still have much to learn and gave me a book to further my education. I was moved, and also pleased about the book. She then set me a second task: to find eight Fel Moss among the grells and grellkin. That one is not finished.

Tarindrella also asked me to search the abandoned Gnarlpine camps for totems, four of them, to learn what had befallen the furbolgs. I brought them back, and the engravings spoke of terrible dreams: a great shadow that would wipe them out, fear turning to rage, and the shadow taking the face of their elven friends. She said it was worse than she had thought. I thought about "a mind slipping away" for a long while afterward, and I did not reach for a snack, which shows how serious it was.

Last, Dirania Silvershine told me that her friend Iverron had not come by at his usual hour, and she was worried. He is said to spend his time near the cave to the north, where spiders are everywhere. I said I would keep an eye out for him. I have not yet set out.

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me by saying that the beauty of Shadowglen "never ceases to delight my senses!" I agreed so loudly that a bird left. She explained that the heavy spring rains had let the nightsabers and thistle boars flourish beyond what the glen could feed, and she asked me to thin them. When I returned she told me I had "performed my duties well." Then she asked for more of the same, this time against mangy nightsabers and thistle boars, seven of each. That work is still ahead of me. She also gave me a Verdant Sigil from Mardant, the druid trainer, and asked me to read it and carry it to him.

In Aldrassil, Melithar Staghelm told me that the whisperings of the forest spirits had carried strange news: the dryad Tarindrella, long absent from Kalimdor's forests, had returned to Shadowglen. He asked me to seek her out. I found her, and she said Melithar was wise to have sent me, though I had "much to learn." She then asked me to gather eight Fel Moss from the grells and grellkin, to see whether the Gnarlpine furbolgs had truly been corrupted by it. I have not gathered that moss yet.

She gave me another task as well: to search the Gnarlpine camps along the western edge of the glen for four totems and their engravings. I brought them back, and she read them. The Gnarlpine had been dreaming of being wiped out by a great shadow, and their fear had turned to rage, and the shadow had taken the face of their elven friends. "To be aware of your own mind slipping away from you," she said. I stood quietly a while after that.

I delivered the Verdant Sigil to Mardant Strongoak, who said he would be my mentor and guide, and that I should return whenever I liked.

Last, Dirania Silvershine told me that her friend Iverron had not come by at his usual hour, and that he spends his time near the cave to the north, where spiders are everywhere. She asked me to keep an eye out for him. I have not yet gone looking.

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me with "the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" and I agreed so enthusiastically that it was briefly awkward. She asked me to thin the young nightsabers and thistle boars, because the spring rains were heavy and the beasts had flourished past what the glen could feed. When I returned she said I had "performed my duties well." I will treasure that sentence forever, or at least until tomorrow. She then asked for more: mangy nightsabers and thistle boars, seven of each, "in the name of balance." It is not finished yet.

In Aldrassil, Melithar Staghelm told me that the forest spirits had whispered of the dryad Tarindrella's return to Shadowglen, and that something must be amiss. I found her southwest of the tree, as the Sentinels had said. She told me Melithar was wise to send me, but that I had "much to learn." Fair. She also asked me to gather eight Fel Moss from the grells and grellkin, who may be caught in its wicked enchantment. I have not finished that task yet.

She then sent me for Gnarlpine totems, four of them, from the abandoned furbolg camps along the glen's western edge. I brought them back, and she read the engravings with a heavy face. The Gnarlpine had dreamed of being wiped out by a great shadow, and their fear turned to rage, and the shadow took the shape of their old elven friends. To be aware of your own mind slipping away from you. I stood very quietly after that. Even I had nothing dorky to say.

Ilthalaine 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, to teach me what the spirits say and the secrets of the Emerald Dream. He spoke of a day when its call would take hold of me and I would hibernate for many years. I nodded gravely. I was also wondering if there would be a snack before that.

Last, Dirania Silvershine asked me to look for her friend Iverron, who is hours late and was last known to visit the cave to the north. She said it is full of spiders. I have taken up the search but not begun it.

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me with "Ah, the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" and I agreed so fervently that I said it back to her. She asked me to thin the nightsabers and thistle boars so the forest's balance holds. The spring rains were heavy, she said, and some beasts have flourished while others suffered. When I returned she said I had "performed my duties well." I'm going to remember that line for a long time. She then asked for more of the same, this time against mangy nightsabers and thistle boars, and gave me a sigil to carry to Mardant.

Melithar Staghelm, in Aldrassil, had heard through the whisperings of the forest spirits that the dryad Tarindrella had returned to Shadowglen. He sent me to find her, southwest of Aldrassil. I found her, and she said, "Only in Nature do we find purity." She was gracious and told me I have much to learn, which is true. She offered me a book to further my education. I intend to treat it with great reverence, and not to look for crumbs in it.

She then spoke of the Gnarlpine furbolgs and the wicked Fel Moss, and asked me to bring eight bundles of it. That task is still ahead of me. She also asked me to search the abandoned furbolg camps for totems, and I did. When I brought them back she read the engravings and grew grave. The Gnarlpine dreamed of being wiped out by a great shadow, and that 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 stood there quietly for some time afterward. It is a terrible thing, and I felt it in my chest.

Mardant Strongoak took the sigil from me and called me "brother," which I will be writing about for a while. He will be my mentor and guide, and he spoke of the Emerald Dream calling to us in time. Before I left, Dirania Silvershine asked me to look for her friend Iverron, who is hours late and was last seen near the spider cave to the north. I have not found him yet.

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.

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me, delighted that "the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" I understood her entirely. She asked me to thin the young nightsabers and thistle boars, since the spring rains were heavy and the forest cannot feed so many. When I returned, she said I had "performed my duties well." I carried that sentence around for a good while. She then asked for more: mangy nightsabers and thistle boars, in the name of balance. That task is still before me. She also gave me a Verdant Sigil from Mardant, my trainer, to read and carry to him, and I did.

Melithar Staghelm sent me to find Tarindrella, the woodland protector, whom the forest spirits say has returned after years away. I found her southwest of Aldrassil, and she said I still had "much to learn." Fair. She then asked me to hunt the grells and grellkin for Fel Moss, eight pieces of it, and that task remains open. She also sent me for Gnarlpine Totems, to read the engravings of the furbolgs who left their homes. When I brought them back, she read them and grew grave. The Gnarlpine dreamed of being wiped out by a great shadow, and their fear turned to rage against their elven friends. To be aware of your own mind slipping away from you. I felt cold for a moment, and I thought of them.

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

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me with "Ah, the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" I could not have agreed more, and I was glad to have said nothing out loud that would have spoiled it. She asked me to thin the young nightsabers and thistle boars, because the spring rains were heavy and the beasts had grown too many for the glen to feed. When I returned she said I had "performed my duties well." I have decided to have that carved on something. She then asked for more of the same, this time against the mangy nightsabers and the thistle boars. That work is not finished.

In Aldrassil, Melithar Staghelm told me the forest spirits had whispered that the dryad Tarindrella had returned to Shadowglen. Her presence had not been felt in the forests of Kalimdor for years, and he was troubled. I found her, and she said Melithar was wise to send me, though I had "much to learn." She offered me one of her books for my education, since she understood my kind enjoys them. I do. She then set me a task about the Fel Moss that has corrupted the Gnarlpine, but I have not yet gathered it.

She also asked me to search the abandoned Gnarlpine homes for totems, and I brought them back to her. Their engravings told a terrible story: the Gnarlpine dreamed of being wiped out by some great shadow, and their fear turned to rage, and the shadow became their old elven friends. "To be aware of your own mind slipping away from you..." she said. I sat with that for a while. It is the saddest thing I have heard in a forest.

Conservator Ilthalaine also gave me a Verdant Sigil from our druid trainer, Mardant. I read it and brought it to him in Aldrassil. He said he would be my mentor and guide, and that I should return as often as I liked.

Last, Dirania Silvershine asked me to look for her friend Iverron, who had not come by today and is by now several hours late. He spends his time near the cave to the north, where there are spiders everywhere. I have not yet gone.

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me by saying that the beauty of Shadowglen "never ceases to delight" his senses, and I agreed so loudly that a bird left. He asked me to thin the Young Nightsabers and Young Thistle Boars, because the spring rains were heavy and the beasts grew too many for the glen to feed. When I returned, he said I had "performed my duties well." I carried that sentence around for the rest of the afternoon like a warm roll. He then gave me a harder charge, to slay seven mangy nightsabers and seven thistle boars in the name of balance. He also handed me a Verdant Sigil from Mardant, my druid trainer.

Melithar Staghelm met me with news the forest spirits had whispered to him. The woodland protector Tarindrella, a dryad not felt in Kalimdor's forests for years, had returned to Shadowglen. I found her to the southwest of Aldrassil, and she said Melithar was wise to have sent me. She then told me of the Gnarlpine, the furbolgs who once lived peacefully and now amass under a name of rage. She said the wicked Fel Moss was to blame, and she asked me to gather eight pieces of it. She also asked me to search the abandoned furbolg camps for Gnarlpine totems. I brought them back, and she read the engravings and grew solemn. The Gnarlpine dreamed of being wiped out by a great shadow, and that fear turned to rage, and the rage turned on their old elven friends. "To be aware of your own mind slipping away from you," she said. I thought about that for a long time. It was the saddest thing I heard all day, and I had a snack afterward, and then felt a little bad about the snack.

I read the Verdant Sigil and took it to Mardant Strongoak in Aldrassil. He said he would be my mentor and guide, to teach me what the spirits say and the secrets of the Emerald Dream. Last of all, Dirania Silvershine told me her friend Iverron, who visits her at the same hour every day, was several hours late. He often goes to the cave to the north, where spiders are everywhere. She asked me to keep an eye out for him. I have not found him yet.

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me by marveling that "the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" I felt the same, so I took it as a sign of kinship. She asked me to thin the young nightsabers and thistle boars. The spring rains had been heavy and the beasts had flourished past what the glen could feed. When I came back she said I had "performed my duties well." I will remember that line on dark days. She then asked for more of the same, this time against mangy nightsabers and thistle boars, "in the name of balance." I have only begun on that. She also handed me a sigil from Mardant.

Melithar Staghelm sent me to find Tarindrella, the dryad, after the forest spirits whispered that she had returned to Shadowglen. I found her to the southwest, and she said, "Only in Nature do we find purity." I wrote it on my hand so I wouldn't forget it. She said I still had much to learn and offered me a book to further my education. Then she told me of the Gnarlpine, furbolgs once peaceful and now twisted, and asked me to gather eight Fel Moss. That task is still open. She also sent me to search the abandoned furbolg camps for totems, and I brought them back. Their engravings told of nightmares of being wiped out by a great shadow, and of fear turning to rage, and the rage turning on their elven friends. Tarindrella said, "Oh, it's even worse than I thought." I thought of a mind slipping away from its owner and had to sit down for a moment.

At Aldrassil I read the Verdant Sigil and brought it to Mardant Strongoak. He called me brother and said he would be my mentor and guide, to teach me the spirits' speech and the secrets of the Emerald Dream.

Last, Dirania Silvershine told me her friend Iverron is hours late, and that he usually haunts the cave to the north, where the spiders are. I said I would look for him. I have not yet gone.

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me with "Ah, the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" I felt precisely the same, and was relieved to be understood. She asked me to thin the nightsabers and boars so that nature's harmony would hold. Shadowglen, she said, can only feed so many mouths. I sympathized deeply with the mouths. When I returned, she told me I had performed my duties well. Then, being a thorough soul, she asked for more: seven mangy nightsabers and seven thistle boars, in the name of balance. That task still waits.

In Aldrassil, Melithar Staghelm told me that the forest spirits had whispered of Tarindrella, the woodland protector, returned to Shadowglen after years away. I found her southwest of the great tree. She said Melithar was wise to send me, though I had "much to learn," and offered me a book to further my education. I took this very personally and very gratefully. She then spoke of the Gnarlpine, once peaceful furbolgs, now twisted, and of Fel Moss that may be at fault. She asked me to gather eight pieces of it. I have not yet done so.

Her second request I did finish: four Gnarlpine Totems from their abandoned camps, and she read the engravings. They told of furbolgs who dreamed of being wiped out by a great shadow, whose fear became rage, and whose rage found their old elven friends. "To be aware of your own mind slipping away from you..." she said. I did not speak for a while. The wind in the leaves seemed quieter.

Conservator Ilthalaine also gave me a Verdant Sigil from the druid trainer Mardant, who wished to speak with me. I read it, and brought it to him in Aldrassil. Mardant said he would be my mentor and guide, and teach me to read the spirits and the secrets of the Emerald Dream.

Last, Dirania Silvershine asked me to look for her friend Iverron, who is hours late and was last known to spend time by the cave to the north. She said it is dangerous, with spiders everywhere. I said I would look. I did not say I was excited about the spiders.

Conservator Ilthalaine welcomed me with "the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" and I agreed so loudly that I think I startled a bird. She asked me to thin the nightsabers and thistle boars, for the spring rains had been heavy and the beasts had flourished past what the glen could feed. I did so, and she said I had performed my duties well. I wrote that down twice. She then asked for more: seven mangy nightsabers and seven thistle boars, "in the name of balance." She also gave me a Verdant Sigil from Mardant, my druid trainer, who wished words with me.

Melithar Staghelm spoke of strange news carried by the whisperings of the forest spirits: the dryad Tarindrella had returned to Shadowglen, and it had not happened in years. I was sent to find her, and I did, to the southwest. She said Melithar was wise, that I had much to learn, and gave me a book for my education. Then she asked me to gather eight Fel Moss, because the Gnarlpine furbolgs have deserted their homes and something wicked is at work. She also asked for four Gnarlpine totems from their abandoned camps. I brought them back, and she read the engravings with a grave face. The Gnarlpine had dreamed of being wiped out by a great shadow, and fear turned to rage, and the shadow wore the faces of their elven friends. "To be aware of your own mind slipping away from you..." she said. I did not have a joke ready. I just stood there a while.

Mardant Strongoak called me brother, which I treasured, and said he would be my mentor and guide. He spoke of the Emerald Dream and the long hibernation to come. I had the sigil read and delivered by then, and I felt very official about it.

Last, Dirania Silvershine told me her friend Iverron had not come by at his usual hour. He often goes to the cave to the north, where there are spiders everywhere. I said I would keep an eye out. I did not yet go, but I am already keeping an eye out, a little, in general.

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me with delight at the beauty of Shadowglen, and I nearly wept to find someone who understood. She asked me to thin the young nightsabers and thistle boars, for the spring rains were heavy and the forest could not feed so many. I did so, and when I returned she said I had "performed my duties well." I have decided to have that carved on something. She then asked me to thin the mangy nightsabers and thistle boars as well, and I have not yet begun. She also gave me a Verdant Sigil from Mardant, my druid trainer, who wished to speak with me. I read it and carried it up to him.

Melithar Staghelm, in Aldrassil, had heard through the whisperings of the forest spirits that the dryad Tarindrella had returned to Shadowglen, and he feared something was amiss. I found her to the southwest, and she said I still had much to learn, which was fair, and gave me a book to further my education, which was kind. She asked me to gather Fel Moss from the grells and grellkin, and I still carry that task. Then she asked me to search for Gnarlpine totems. The engravings told of furbolgs who dreamed of being wiped out by a great shadow, until their fear turned to rage and the shadow took the face of their elven friends. Tarindrella said it was worse than she had thought. I felt the hush of the glen change around me as she read.

Last, Dirania Silvershine told me her friend Iverron had not come by at his usual hour, and she was worried. He often walks by the cave to the north, where the spiders are. I said I would keep watch. I said it very gravely. I then did not go, because it was nearly night, but the intention was grave.

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.

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me with "Ah, the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" and I agreed so loudly that I think I startled him. He asked me to thin the young nightsabers and thistle boars, because the spring rains were heavy and the forest can only feed so many mouths. When I came back, he said I had "performed my duties well." I have decided to treasure this. He then asked for more of the same, this time against mangy nightsabers and thistle boars, and I have not yet done it.

Melithar Staghelm sent me to find the dryad Tarindrella, who had returned to Shadowglen after years away. Word of it had come to him "through the whisperings of the forest spirits." I found her, and she told me I still had much to learn, which was fair. She then asked me to gather eight Fel Moss from the grells and grellkin, and I have not done that yet either.

She also sent me to search the abandoned Gnarlpine camps for totems, and I brought them back to her. Their engravings told a sad tale. The Gnarlpine dreamed of being wiped out by a great shadow, and that fear turned to rage, and the rage turned on their old elven friends. She said it was worse than she had thought. I stood quietly for a moment, because it is a terrible thing to feel your own mind slip away.

Ilthalaine also gave me a Verdant Sigil from the druid trainer Mardant, and I read it and carried it up to him in Aldrassil. Last, Dirania Silvershine asked me to look for her friend Iverron. He is several hours late for their daily visit, and she is worried. He was last seen near the cave to the north, where there are spiders "everywhere." I said I would keep an eye out. I did not mention that I am very bad at keeping an eye on things.

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.

Conservator Ilthalaine greeted me with "the beauty of Shadowglen never ceases to delight my senses!" and I could have hugged him. He asked me to ease the balance of nature: the spring rains were heavy, the nightsabers and thistle boars grew too many, and the glen can only feed so much. When I returned to him, he said I had "performed your duties well," and I intend to remember that always. Then he asked more of me: mangy nightsabers and thistle boars, seven of each, in the name of balance. That work is still ahead.

In Aldrassil, Melithar Staghelm told me the forest spirits had whispered that the dryad Tarindrella had returned to Shadowglen, and that this was surely a bad sign. I was to seek her out. I found her to the southwest, and she said Melithar was wise to have sent me, but that I still had "much to learn." Then she told me of the Gnarlpine furbolgs, once peaceful, now gathered under a corruption she believes is Fel Moss, and she asked me to bring her eight pieces of it. That request is still open.

She also asked me to search the abandoned Gnarlpine homes for totems, and I brought them back. Their engravings spoke of furbolgs dreaming of being wiped out by a great shadow, until the fear turned to rage and the shadow took the face of their old elven friends. Tarindrella said it was "even worse than I thought." I stood very still afterward. To be aware of your own mind slipping away from you. I do not have a joke for that one.

Ilthalaine also gave me a Verdant Sigil from my druid trainer. I read it, and carried it to Mardant Strongoak in Aldrassil. He named himself my mentor and guide, and promised to teach me the spirits' meaning and the secrets of the Emerald Dream.

Last, Dirania Silvershine asked me to watch for her friend Iverron, who always visits at the same hour and has not come, though he is hours late. He is often by the cave to the north, where the spiders are. "I am a little worried," she said. So am I, a little, and I have not yet gone.

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.

Conservator Ilthalaine set me my first task, fretting that the spring's heavy rains had let the nightsaber and boar populations swell past what the glen could feed — "thin the boar and saber populations," he bade me, "so that nature's harmony will be preserved" — and when I returned he judged that I had "performed my duties well," which I intend to have embroidered on something. Melithar Staghelm then sent me to seek the dryad Tarindrella, whose sudden return had reached him on the whisperings of the forest spirits; I found her, and though she pressed a book into my hands, she also told me plainly that I still had much to learn, which stung slightly less coming from someone so ancient and green. She sent me after that into the abandoned camps of the Gnarlpine furbolg, hunting totems whose engravings might explain their turn to madness, and when I laid the totems before her she called it "even worse than I thought" — nightmares of some great shadow, she said, curdled slowly into rage. Ilthalaine, not finished with me, set a second task besides: to hunt the older mangy nightsabers and thistle boars now that the young ones were seen to. And Mardant Strongoak, my new teacher within Aldrassil, had me carry him a sigil, and spoke of a distant day when the call of the Emerald Dream will take me under for a long green sleep — a day I am, frankly, both terrified of and enormously looking forward to.