Account of the Forest Golem

An extract of the Anglon Opus, written by Spyrehead William to describe his encounter with a Forest Golem, or what is know thereafter as a Treebark Dryad. The contents were transcribed to be in Common Anglic by Holheim, Anglic loreholder of the early Platinum Age.
The Dryad this describes would be known as Thistlebark - who in the Silver Age would migrate northwest into Faywood, unfortunately being afflicted by the Blighted Forest and being known as the Blighted Ent.

Contents:

Date: 28th of Frethune, 9 AC* (141 Origin Age)
Location: Midbreak Woods, Timbervalley
Many mysteries lie under the blanket of tree-tops and shrubbery, unseen by those who fear nature's workings. My expedition through the unknown forests of Timbervalley have been insightful, and today was no exception indeed.
The Suns had begun their descent beyond the canopy of ancient oaks, casting dappled rays of golden light upon the forest floor. I strolled along a narrow trail carved by what I can assume to be a deer; the wind was calm and waved its currents around the maze of tree trunks. Of all forests I have wondered, not one lacked its magical allure. The towering trees whispered through their rustling leaves and the gentle hum of woodland creatures answered back.
Upon evening's advent, the wind hushed and I sensed a presence unlike any I knew before; a calm presence unperturbed by any and all that encompassed it. My curiosity tugged at my legs as I quickened my pace, following an inexplicable pull towards the heart of the grove.
And there it stood, a magnificent behemoth of bark and leaf, a Forest Golem*, a guardian of the ancient woods. It was shorter than the trees yet no smaller than triple my size, its limbs formed from massive tree trunks, bound together by vines and covered in lichens and moss. Its eyes - oddly human - peered out from deep hollows in the gnarled bark, and a crown of leaves and flowers adorned its colossal head. A beard of creeping ivy hung from its chin and the antlers of a great deer sprung from the sides of its face.
The Forest Golem exuded an aura of ancient wisdom and benevolence, yet an unmistakable power lay dormant within its immense frame. I stood in awe, rooted to the spot, unable to tear my eyes away from this living embodiment of nature's might. As if sensing my presence, it turned its gaze upon me, holding no hostility in its innocent eyes. Instead, I felt a sense of recognition, as if it could see into my very soul and understand my deepest thoughts.
With a long hmmm, it greeted me with a low rumble, its voice a deep resonance that seemed to echo throughout the forest. Though it did not speak our Elthunic tongue, I understood its message. For what felt like hours, we stood in silent communion, connected in a way that transcended words. It was as if the golem and I shared a bond - a shared purpose in safeguarding the harmony between nature and civilization.
As the sun retreated below the horizon, the golem marched away into the depths of the forest, becoming one with the foliage and shadows once more. I plan to return one day and teach them our tongues, so that others may understand and not fear them. To me, the golem was a reminder of the delicate balance that exists between mankind and the natural world, and the importance of preserving the harmony that defines the community of Anglon.


Notes by Holheim
*AC was the short-lived first use of the Anglican Calendar, beginning upon the founding of Anglon. It was later changed to a system of Ages after the domain of Thamor was founded.
*We only officially started calling them "Dryads" after they understood our language, and deemed the word more suitable for them. The term "Golem" usually refers to an inanimate object being given life through another creature's soul, however the Treebark Dryads state this is not their case. Their origins - like Forest Nymphs - remain unknown to us.

Read the Document

Account of the Forest Golem

Date: 28th of Frethune, 9 AC* (141 Origin Age)
Location: Midbreak Woods, Timbervalley
Many mysteries lie under the blanket of tree-tops and shrubbery, unseen by those who fear nature's workings. My expedition through the unknown forests of Timbervalley have been insightful, and today was no exception indeed.
The Suns had begun their descent beyond the canopy of ancient oaks, casting dappled rays of golden light upon the forest floor. I strolled along a narrow trail carved by what I can assume to be a deer; the wind was calm and waved its currents around the maze of tree trunks. Of all forests I have wondered, not one lacked its magical allure. The towering trees whispered through their rustling leaves and the gentle hum of woodland creatures answered back.
Upon evening's advent, the wind hushed and I sensed a presence unlike any I knew before; a calm presence unperturbed by any and all that encompassed it. My curiosity tugged at my legs as I quickened my pace, following an inexplicable pull towards the heart of the grove.
And there it stood, a magnificent behemoth of bark and leaf, a Forest Golem*, a guardian of the ancient woods. It was shorter than the trees yet no smaller than triple my size, its limbs formed from massive tree trunks, bound together by vines and covered in lichens and moss. Its eyes - oddly human - peered out from deep hollows in the gnarled bark, and a crown of leaves and flowers adorned its colossal head. A beard of creeping ivy hung from its chin and the antlers of a great deer sprung from the sides of its face.
The Forest Golem exuded an aura of ancient wisdom and benevolence, yet an unmistakable power lay dormant within its immense frame. I stood in awe, rooted to the spot, unable to tear my eyes away from this living embodiment of nature's might. As if sensing my presence, it turned its gaze upon me, holding no hostility in its innocent eyes. Instead, I felt a sense of recognition, as if it could see into my very soul and understand my deepest thoughts.
With a long hmmm, it greeted me with a low rumble, its voice a deep resonance that seemed to echo throughout the forest. Though it did not speak our Elthunic tongue, I understood its message. For what felt like hours, we stood in silent communion, connected in a way that transcended words. It was as if the golem and I shared a bond - a shared purpose in safeguarding the harmony between nature and civilization.
As the sun retreated below the horizon, the golem marched away into the depths of the forest, becoming one with the foliage and shadows once more. I plan to return one day and teach them our tongues, so that others may understand and not fear them. To me, the golem was a reminder of the delicate balance that exists between mankind and the natural world, and the importance of preserving the harmony that defines the community of Anglon.


Notes by Holheim
*AC was the short-lived first use of the Anglican Calendar, beginning upon the founding of Anglon. It was later changed to a system of Ages after the domain of Thamor was founded.
*We only officially started calling them "Dryads" after they understood our language, and deemed the word more suitable for them. The term "Golem" usually refers to an inanimate object being given life through another creature's soul, however the Treebark Dryads state this is not their case. Their origins - like Forest Nymphs - remain unknown to us.

Close

Type

Study, Scientific

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

141 Origin Age, Dexune 28th

Authors

• Spyrehead William

Signatories (Organizations)

• Anglon, Hallowed Dominion