Lucien Sul'te'kal
The Voice of Syl'thenal Lucien Sul'te'kal (a.k.a. Omen)
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Tall and lithe, he may appear skinny at a distance but he's actually well built and lean, giving the illusion that he's thinner than he actually is.
Body Features
Save for his face ahead of the jaw line, the front of his neck, his hands, feet and his back above the waist and below the shoulder blades, his entire body is covered in thick, golden brown fur. His nails tapper into large and sharp black claws, just under an inch long.
Facial Features
While a human nose comes to an apex, his lays flat and broad against his face, not unlike that of a wildcat. His teeth are sharp and long like a canine's but are surprisingly well kept. His ears are immediately identifiable as that of a wolf but far larger, reaching back just behind his head.
Identifying Characteristics
Most people identify him by the mask he wears when not behind closed doors. A black wolf mask with gold trimming along the edges, used together with his hood and scarf to hide his appearance completely.
Physical quirks
He has a tendency to quickly glance at the slightest noise, a change in tone, a heavy thud, even a stifled cough will catch his attention for at least a moment. When nervous or stress, he instinctively starts to lower himself in a slight hunch or in severe moments, a low crouch, primed to respond to any threat.
Apparel & Accessories
His outfit changes depending on the location but on the streets he usually wears a set of fine grey and brown city clothes while in the country side, he prefers more durable and breathable blue and brown traveling clothes. Regardless of his current outfit, it is almost always accompanied by his mask and scarf face covering.
He bears a green earing made of some kind of plant and several braids decorating his hair. He also wears two rings and several necklaces but the details of these adornments may require further investigation.
A young Shifter Dream Druid far from home and his comfort zone. Cautious by nature, patience and a kind heart might reveal a compassionate and fiercely protective ally with a soft spot for both fauna and flora. Heed his bark, the bite is far worse.
Character Location
Alignment
Chaotic Good
Age
21
Date of Birth
Far the 20th of Nymm, 2039
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Vibrant green which grows darker as it approaches his vertical slit pupils
Hair
Very light brown with strands of brilliant gold scattered throughout, brushed up and back into a spiked mess
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Light skinned with a very slight tan though mostly covered by his golden brown fur
Height
5'11"
Weight
185 lb
Dream Druid's Guide On Herbaric and Alchemic Flora
Far, 6th of Barrakas 2059
---Mundane Flora---
Archibald's Peppermint: Cultivated by and named after a peculiar Firbolg druid with a knack for popping up in the strangest places, this is no simple mint leaf. This peppermint is much stronger than ordinary mint and makes excellent tea. This herb's scent is so strong in fact, smaller creature like insects, squirrels and rats vehemently refuse to go near it making it an excellent way to protect your garden.
Blood Marc: This gothic flower is in many ways the inverse of the Wukan Bell Flower. Rather than the Bell Flower's numerous small white blooms, this plant sports solitary flowers with broad, blood red petals, the base of which are looped in black speckled rings. The nectar from this flower gives off a very unique musky scent, with a slight hint of what smells like red wine. Strangely enough, this nectar is actually used to make the richest wine on the continent of Ruinfell, Vyscarian Wine.
Juneberries: These blue, purple and red wildberries grow in dense clusters on their shoulder high bushes. They have a rather tart flavor when first eaten but after a moment they have a deeply sweet after taste and are excellent in pies, juices, jellies and even several kinds of alcohol. Thought it should be noted, the smaller unripe berries tend to be fairly sour, though that may have its uses as well.
Mint:
Rose:
Sunflower:
---Magical Flora---
Dancing Dandelion:
Peeping Pine:
Razorleaf Vine:
Whistling Nettle:
---Herbalistic Flora---
Black Rose:
Blood Lotus:
Blue Tongue Lily: Snow white petals with bright blue stamen and pistils will make this flower stand out in any garden, as well as earn it its name. Vyscaria has a long tradition of using this plant to fight off illnesses, and rightfully so. By either eating the flower raw or by steeping into a tea, it can be used to suppress the symptoms of many illnesses, allowing the body to better fight off the disease naturally. Additionally, Vyscarian healers have figured out that by combining this with Tundra Thistles into an edible herbal blend, you create a curative for a common seasonal respiratory disease known as Winter's Kiss. Though do be warned, due to the pigments in both the flower itself and its nectar, eating it or drinking its tea tends to stain the mouth blue.
Chauntea's Blossom:
Death Blossom: This dark black, ominous flower is by no exaggeration one of the most poisonous plants I have ever had the chance to work with. Found growing only in soil where the decomposition of flesh is readily available and death holds dominion, such as the aftermath of a grim battle or a great beast's fetid bone pit, great caution should be taken in the handling of this deadly plant. The roots of this flower are unimaginably toxic, placing even the heartiest and most robust creatures on the brink of death upon ingestion. The smell of this flower's nectar closely resembles the stench of rot and decay and exposure to this miasma for more than a moment will inevitably bring about delirium and disorientation as well as maddening hallucinations. I have found that this effect seems to dissipate around five feet away from the flower. I give warning that only the most experienced Herbalist even attempt to work with this dangerous flower and even then, insist they take the greatest measures of preparation before laying hand on its form. A strange point of interest with this flower is that it does not behave as such. Despite my best efforts, utilizing every druidic technique at my disposal including no small amount of magic, both fundamental and tiered, the bloom simply refuses to bear seed or respond to my guidance in any meaningful way. After reviewing what sparse accounts were available from individuals that have worked with this flower in times past, I have but one notable theory. The Death Blossom is not actually a flower, not in the usually sense at least. It is understood that when any living creature dies and their spirit passes from this realm, an essence is left in it's wake which is neither body nor soul, rather the life energy that binds those two together temporarily altered, the very same energy used in many necromantic magics, such as the creation of mindless undead. It is possible, that in a place of great death and tragedy, the concentration of this essence can grow so dense, that it begins to bleed into the land itself. As the land and the energy it holds is in constant change, nurturing life, driving growth forward, this essence cannot stay there, so it is filtered through the land like light through a lens, taking the form of the Death Blossom. I believe that the Death Blossom is not a flower, rather, it is a physical manifestation of the cessation of life, the final step in nature's cycle given form, it is not a blossom, it is death itself. The question this now poses, if such energy can manifest physically in high enough concentrations, could the same occur for raw life energy?
Dragonlily: This beautiful orange, red and golden flower is a blessing for any Herbalist or Healer to have in their garden. While rare, if cultivated properly and tended to regularly, a patch of these will provide you with a near never ending supply of powerful healing ingredients. The flower naturally secretes a fire retardant nectar which can be used in the creation of sun burn gel and fire resistant salve as well as treating burn wounds when applied to the skin. The roots of this flower can be ground into a orangish paste for use in Healing Potions and Potions of Poison Resistance, among other powerful restorative agents. Even the stalk and leaves are saturated with heavy smelling oils that are excellent in soaps, moisturizers and perfumes. Stepping into the field of Herbalism, you will find yourself constantly wishing you had more of this amazing herb.
Dragon’s Blood Tree:
Dragon Scale Lavender: This flower, as its name implies, bares a striking resemblance to mundane lavender flowers though rather than the recognizable light purple of its namesake, these blooms are hued a rich burgundy and have a more staggered and layered pattern, not unlike the pattern of dragon scales. Care should be taken when seeking out this flower as they primarily grow around dragon lairs and other sites that have been touched by the primordial magic that suffuses such creatures and as such holds high favor amongst Kobold shamans and Dragonborn seers. Ironically, the very same plant that thrives on draconic energy is adept at nullifying the effects of such elemental magics. When prepared correctly, burns, poisons, frostbite and paralysis can be treated with near any part of the herb, it can even be used to neutralize acid. One of its most important properties however, is its inherent ability to fend off destructive elemental energies. When appropriately concentrated, the extract from these plants can serve as a potent base in the creation of Potions of Resistance, around twenty flowers should yield enough extract for such a mixture.
Elder Tree:
Ember Horn: Unseelie Feydark.
Hanging Moss: Reagent used in Potion of Climbing
Heaven’s Poppy: These bright orange and gold poppies create a nectar with incredible restorative properties. The flower alone is enough to create magical ointments that mend wounds, heal scars and even alleviate negative ailments such as poison or diseases in a similar manner to the spell Lesser Restoration. This ointment is commonly known as Restorative Ointment, though it also goes by Keoghtom's Ointment, named after its original creator long ago. Interestingly enough, this flower also has uses in combating the curse of Lycanthropy. The seeds from this flower can used to create an antidote to the poison known as Blood of the Lycanthrope, cleansing the poison and its effects from the body. These seeds can also be used with a solvent made from Wolf's Bane to suppress the effects of the curse from other sources as well. A creature given a dose of this theriac will not transform come the next full moon. If the creature has not transformed before, this will also prevent the curse from fully taking hold, as it is the first transformation that anchors the curse and makes it more difficult to cure. This will give you time to seek out a remedy, which conveniently can be made from this very same suppressant, albeit with a great deal more complex preparation.
June Rose:
Kelar's Rose: These imposing looking vines bear intense red flowers and produce long hard thorns tinted with the same vibrant red. Beauty aside, within these menacing thorn lies a powerful irritant which the plant uses to defend itself, when harvested however, it has amazing qualities. Once prepared properly, this irritant can be turned into a potent anti-toxin with a range of uses I have only begun to explore, its most striking use however, is its key role in the creation of a curative for the Skin Rot caused by the poison of the Plum Forest Dart Frog.
Lemillis Mushroom:
Lissie's Lily:
Maeve’s Thistle: This ceremonial herb can be used as a substitute for Holy Water when mixed with fresh spring water for the purposes of rituals and spellcasting. Additionally, it is frequently used as incense in sacred ceremonies and rituals as a way of invoking blessings and protection. This herb can be most commonly found throughout Valheim.
Moonshroom: These curious mushrooms can be found in large clusters and identified by their pale white coloration which almost seems to glow in moonlight. This elusive fungus only sprouts when the moon is bright to spread their spores then wither back into the earth so you will have to be quick to find and collect them. Once harvested, they have a key role in the creation of Potions of Night Vision.
Mottled Mistress: This dense climbing vine sports small, white, cup shaped flowers and renown for ensnaring unwary travelers. My people know this plant as Chain Vine, while ours is much less aggressive in both its growth and grabbing habits, it is much larger and stronger than this plum forest native. There are frequent stories of travelers passing through the plum forest, wandering off trail, either to camp or perhaps look for a shorter route only to end up hopelessly tangled by these vines. It is incredibly difficult to move through them as they tug and cling at you, seeking purchase and they are also rather dangerous in gardens as well, as they have a habit of clinging to other plants for support to grow upwards, only to gradually choke the life from them. While I personally have yet to find an herbalistic use for this plant, the Vyscarian Woodland Rangers have discovered that by enriching a clump of these vines with growth stimulants, nutrients and simple nature magic after sealing it in a flask, you can create what they call an Entangling Flask. When next the vines are exposed to soil, most commonly by shattering the flask on the ground, the vines erupt outwards in a frenzied growth, snaring anything too slow to get out of the way, nearly identically to the spell Entangle.
Mugwort: This oddly named plant is a powerful and versatile witches herb. It can be worked into a healing balm to reduce the difficulty of tending to and treating open wounds and severe injuries by a factor of 5. It is a key ingredient in the creation of Restorative Ointment as well as being useful in the sanctification and facilitation of dream. When burned as incense, it enhances an individual’s ability to control and manipulate dreams as well as protecting against nightmares. Additionally, when made into an oil and spread on the forehead and temple, it fends off unwelcome mental influences at rest, such as the Dream spell and wards against possession. It can be found most commonly in the North-Eastern region of Syl’thenal and scattered across Valheim’s forests.
Musk: Universal aphrodisiac component, male counterpart to Sune Daisy.
Nettle Leaf: These prickly stalked plants grow in dense patches all across Ruinfell, sprouting clustered purple flowers very similar in appearance to common lavender and is one of my personal favorites. Small, semi-rigid pointed structures grow along its form, the word my people use for these most closely translates to quills, as they are neither thorns nor spines. These quills contain a mild irritant that cause a somewhat uncomfortable stinging sensation so the first step to preparing this plant after harvesting should be to blanch them in boiling water for a couple of seconds, this causes the quills to rupture and fall off. The leaves and flowers of Nettle Leaf are both rich in oils that have a list of uses in relaxation, a resource which you may discover can come in short supply as a herbalistic healer. When used in incense and tea, it is very effective in combating anxiety, panic and stress, calming the mind and heart. Both of these creations also work to facilitate deep, restful sleep. The aforementioned sleep inducing qualities are so pronounced in fact, that a solvent created from these oils can be used to create a decoction that behaves near identically to a potion commonly known in alchemic circles as the Potion of Watchful Rest, allowing the imbiber to stay awake and alert while still retaining the effects a full night's rest. When mashed into a paste and eaten, Nettle Leaf can be used to cure indigestion and stomach discomfort. This very same paste, if correctly strained, can be used along side Mugwort to create a Balm of Wound Closure, for dealing with severe injury and scaring. I've also found that by taking an incense made from June Rose and a few other basic ingredients and impregnating it with this oil, the resulting product elicits an effect in creatures that can smell it which is very similar to the spell Calm Emotions. From one Herbalist to another, if you are going to be dealing with the injured, the sick, or the stupid, I heavily recommend you have a large supply of this herb readily available, you will thank me later.
Nightshade: This flower has many names, Belladonna, Beautiful Death, Devil's Cherries, or most commonly, the Deadly Nightshade. My people know this flower as Fàrsanach Bàs which roughly translates to rambling death, as the most pronounced symptoms of Nightshade poisoning are delirium, hallucinations, slurred speech, convulsions, and eventually, heart failure. This has been incorrectly interpreted as madness in the past, as victims are usually seen sweating profusely, panicking, and babbling incoherently. Highly toxic flowers can be used to increase the potency of most poisons by a factor of 2.
Olympiaed Wildflower:
Orris Root: Advantage on concentration check when burned as incense.
Plum Forest Dragonlily: This strikingly ornate magenta and white speckled flower is endemic to the Vyscarian Plum Forest. Similarly to its sister flower, the common Dragonlily, this lily has a number of uses with the elements and in healing. Nearly any part of the flower itself, save the seeds can be used as a stabilizing reagent in a Dragonscale Lavender solvent for the creation of Potions of Resistance. I recommend you include this step when creating such a potion, as elemental energies are notoriously volatile and while not likely, there is a small chance an unstabilized elemental solvent will spontaneously attune to one element and burst into flame or dissolve through your equipment. The petals can be used as a catalyst to create a brew that mimics the breath of dragons, though ingredients will be needed for each element, alchemist know this potion, rather unsurprisingly, as the Potion of Dragon's Breath. Lastly the nectar has vast healing properties much like the common Dragonlily. This nectar, along with the plants roots, can be worked into a cream that heals and sooths cuts, bruises and burns, even reducing the severity of scaring. This cream can then be used to amplify the potency of healing potions, compounding their effects into their more advanced versions.
Plum Poppy: This beautiful red and purple flower is fairly unassuming to those who don't know what they're looking at. An iconic flower to those in and around the Plum Forest, its seed pods contain an extremely powerful opioid which can be harvested to create painkillers ranging from basic pain relief all the way to medical anesthetics and powerful sedatives. If you are going to be dealing with the wounded, it will become necessary to have a supply of this flower readily available. It is also worth noting that it is the primary ingredient in the highly addictive Vyscarian narcotic, Popeye. Due to the extremely addictive and illegal nature of this substance, a recipe for its creation will not be included in this book as there are much better, far less addictive substitutes listed here.
Poet’s Rose: Powerful oil promotes beauty, creativity and balance.
Primrose: These beautiful and delicate flowers come in a array of vibrant colors from a soft eggshell white to rich purple or pink, some more intricate patterns exist as well, whorls, striped and splotches not being uncommon. All these varying colors are likely due to the fact that these flowers are extremely easy to breed together and create new color variations. All parts of the plant work to counteract the effects of venoms and poisons, as such this flower has a fundamental role in the creation of general antitoxins, standing in as the most common source of a base solvent. It is also an excellent help in the process of creating more specific antidotes and should be able to aid in countering most any toxic malady.
Purple Lady Orchid: A curiously named orchid, though admittedly, aptly so as the flowers on this plant bare no small resemblance to a white and purple spotted ball gown. Unlike so many other orchids, fragile and difficult to care for, this flower is impressively resilient, which may have something to do with its herbaric properties. The stem and the leaves of this plant contain a yellowish, slippery sap that when correctly concentrated can be used to create a stimulant that bolsters the body, very similarly to the spell False Life. The flower's nectar also has use as a general painkiller, dulling ones feeling of pain and calming the mind.
Ruby Coast Belladonna:
Ruthless Vine:
Starlight Dandelion: When blown on, twinkling stars seem to float off, primary ingredient for Faerie Fire Oil.
Sune Daisy: Named for the goddess of beauty and love, this pink and maroon daisy lives up to its name. Well known for its alluring smell, this flowers nectar and petals contain a powerful aphrodisiac, which when prepared, serve as an excellent reagent for charming and enchantment based concoctions, as well as anything meant to aid in seduction. The Philter of Love, Autumn Haze and the Potion of Animal Friendship all make use of this bloom. The Sune Daisy is often viewed as the female counterpart to the Musk plant, commonly associated with femininity and womanhood. I would recommend nose plugs and gloves when working with this flower as, while not necessarily dangerous in any way, working with these ingredient unprotected can very quickly become, distracting, to say the least.
Tundra Thistle:
Wolfsbane: This unassuming purple flower has a repulsive smell to creatures subject to lycanthropy (as well as lycan kin) and can be used to create substances to combat said creatures. The flowers from this plant can be used to create a suppressant against the progression of lycanthropy. This suppressant can then in turn be used as a solvent to create an alchemic curative for the curse. Additionally, an oil made from these flowers can be used to coat a blade and overcome the inherent tolerance lycanthropes have to unsilvered weapons.
Wukan Bell Flower: Naturally found exclusively in Vyscaria's Wukan Jungle, this arboreal vining plant sprouts hanging tendrils of densely clustered, bell shaped white flowers. A healthy patch of these can make any surface they grow from look like a mass of soft white clouds, making it a favorite at weddings and galas. Beauty aside, these small white flower have another use, they innately accelerate the natural healing process and when eaten while resting, they allow an individual to recover more effectively from injury at least until they can get some proper sleep.
Preparation And Procedure
Autumn Haze: Sune Daisy petals and nectar, Musk shoot.
Restorative Ointment: 6 Mugwort Oil, 1 Kelar Rose, 3 Nettlebane mush, Antitoxin, Potion of Healing, and spell concentration of Protection from Poison and Cure Wounds. Dwarven recipe.
Races Of Ruinfell
Zor, 5th of Barrakas 2059
Here I will give my account on the various races and people I have encountered in my travels. Though it may me difficult to give a general description of an entire people, I will give testament to what I have experienced with those listed.
Humans: The other half of my heritage, this widely varied people hold an unmistakable resemblance to Shifters, though, the wild and primal side we pride ourselves on controlling is completely absent in them. It is hard to provide an overarching summary of these versatile and adaptable creatures. It has been my experience that the only limitation to what Humans are capable of becoming is the extent of their own determination. I have yet to find a occupation, rank or setting that Humans have not found some way to infiltrate and thrive within and have found them to be spectacularly passionate and inarguable dedicated when they set themselves to a task. I have met proud defenders, brilliant inventors, benevolent healers and masterful artisans; just as I have met heartless killers, skilled thieves, manipulative charlatans and apathetic lords and ladies. Beware and be assured that there is very little Humans are unwilling to master and even less that they are incapable of doing.
Goliaths: Standing easily six feet tall at the shoulders, these slate grey giant kin live up to their name as mountains of strength and athleticism. While my only interaction with this towering people have been confrontational or too brief to draw conclusion, I have little doubt they are strong and determined workers, if not a bit stubborn. Utterly hairless, tattoos adorn a great deal of their bodies in patterns that seem unique to each individual. My only advice would be to take care not to drive them to anger as I can say from experience, their size does not slow them down a bit.
Dwarves: Short stout folk resembling burly well built and hairy humans, I have yet to meet one above five feet tall yet this vertical shortcoming bothers them not as they are skilled and proud people. I have have the privilege of handling both Elven and Dwarven blades and I can honestly say that while Elven steel is far better for precise and dexterous combat, I have yet to find a more durable blade than one of Dwarven make. Honor their name, respect their work and offer them aid when they need it for they will not ask, you will earn a stalwart and loyal companion.
Halfling: Shorter still than the Dwarves are the Halfling, again, bearing a resemblance to Humans, small but lively people with enthusiasm and optimism flowing from everything they do. One of the few peoples to look past the prejudice against the Shifters during the Purge so long ago, they are a kind and generous people who are more likely to give you a drink than the time of day. Celebration and revelry is in their nature and they hold no hesitation in spreading it around. Even with their lengthy lives, they tend to live everyday like it's their last and if you can't keep up, you'll feel like it's yours come morning.
Gnomes: Even shorter still than the Halflings are the Gnomes who, I am ashamed to admit, I originally thought to be a strange step in the Humans life cycle. Bearing an appearance like the Elven equivalent of Halflings, these incredible small people make up for their stature in raw intellect and wit. Their minds rival that of even Human scholars and their ingenuity is a site to behold in it of itself. Dependable, enthusiastic and intensely dedicated, these minute people make no gripe about their size when their presence has no issue overshadowing their taller companions.
Tiefling: One of the more exotic in appearance peoples I have had the chance to meet, these bipedal Devil-kin may have infernal blood coursing through their veins but that has posed no limitations on their capacity for good. Inherently mischievous and sly by nature, Tieflings tend to hold a silver tongue and a sharp wit. While they may hold this disposition to manipulation, they are no more bound to their heritage than the Shifters and regularly prove to be passionate, clever and benevolent friends and allies. It seems these inherent traits and behaviors vary not just with upbringing, but with the exact lineage of their infernal bloodline, different lines holding different common traits. While it is advised not to make deals with a Devil, their friendship has proved to be nothing but a boon.
Orc: Large, built and powerful, these green skinned warriors by blood have no problem throwing their weight around and letting their voice echo out amongst a crowd. Though my experience with Orcs has been... complicated in the past, I bear no ill will towards the people as I understand my experiences to be the minority. Orcish blood in its very nature is hearty and stubborn and few other races I have met can come close to meeting the raw endurance proudly sported by these hook tusked warriors. My advice to Orcs is the same to that of the Goliaths, keep your path off their bad side as these tough skinned people make far better friends than foes and will prove to be lasting and battle worthy allies.
Half-Orc: The offspring of a Human and Orc pairing, these unique hybrids bear both the adaptability of their Human kin and the indomitable might of their Orcish blood. Boisterous by breed, their emotions lay heavy and loud upon their face and heart as a happy Half-Orc will make their stance known. Though I can see the fire of their Orcish heritage strains against the mild temperament of their Human half I have yet to fail in finding the good blazing within their hearts and they are just as capable as both their familial lines in both body and mind.
Wood Elves:
High Elves:
Dark Elves:
Half-Elves:
Eladrin:
Summer:
Spring:
Autumn:
Winter:
Firbolg:
Goblin:
Tabaxi:
The Gleaming Plains
Wir, 4th of Barrakas 2059
WIP
The Hold of Eldergarden
Wir, 4th of Barrakas 2059
At the time of writing, I have seen a great many impressive places. I've seen Eladrin cities that defy description and in some cases the laws of nature, Wood Elven cities that live and breath, shaped by magic long forgotten to those outside their walls. I've seen the defiant ingenuity of the Fomorians deep within the depths of the Feywild and the awe inspiring gargantuan metropolises of the Humans. But Eldergarden is unlike anything I have seen before. Even the approach to the city was breathtaking. A cobblestone path, lined with arcane candles winds through lush sprawling fields that never seem to end. Farms laden with harvest of Autumn and Summer hues pepper the valleys between rolling hills. Younglings and families run and play amongst the flowing grass. And the land itself, every breeze, every step, each numberless flower speaks of the Great Mother's love and care, this is her domain, as sure as the night parts for Selune's light. Then, set within, no rising out of a hill, like a great oak sprouts from an acorn, stands Eldergarden itself. Twisting and climbing stonework woven together with bridges, archways and towering buildings stretching into the sky. The peerless and imposing stonework I'm told is the hallmark of Dwarven masons, has been shaped with an Elven touch, their masterful flourishes and architecture stand proud and unphased by time. Stepping through the ring of trees that surrounds the base of this earth born city and past the main gates, I was struck by the sheer volume of wildlife that dwells within its walls. Deer freely wander the city, birds and flying snakes dart to and from shops, bringing food and deliveries, foxes play beneath the plentiful trees, a city in harmony with the land. The palace is its own sight to behold, held up with Druidic magic from the branches and bark of two giant oak trees which twist and meet above, standing tall above Chauntea's Garden. The temples, the shops, the parks, every part of the city is stunning and expect I will be visiting again in the future, as it is a great relief from the urban stress of Gleanhold while still remaining in Vyscaria so I may tend to business.
Gleanhold, The City Of The Phoenix
Wir, 4th of Lharvion 2059
We arrived at the gates of this monumental settlement, standing tall and defiant amongst the farms and fields that surround its imposing stone walls. Stepping through the towering archway that gives passage to its interior gave way to an assault of sound, color, and smell I shall not soon forget. The clamor and commotion of its market street which stretches from its gate to its center was near deafening and I found myself struggling to keep my bearings. The assault of scents from countless strange creatures, mounds of foods, spices and herbs and some smells I still cannot identify all of which blurred my vision and clouded my mind, threatening to take consciousness from me. This was only matched by the explosion of vibrant colors adorning every person, shop, cart and stall like a sea of the most vibrant wildflowers silhouetted by a cold grey foundation of stone. I managed to regain my bearings in a small trinket shop of sorts before slowing venturing out again, incrementally adjusting myself to the torrent of stimulus. At any given moment there were more people in eyesight than I have ever met in all my years in the forest. Races I had only heard of in stories and many more which I had not. The buildings are giant and as varied between one another as its people are. Stepping between the many districts is like traveling a new city all together, each place equipped for a task, full of those whom are skilled its workings. To try and describe all the different worlds within these towering walls would take more space that I have in this book so I will refrain from trying. As amazing as this incredible city sounds and is, all is not perfect, so I will leave you with this. After spending some time in the city I met many good hearted people whom I am proud to call kith and met many more who I will speak of for years to come, but every light must cast a shadow. The city has its shortcomings and as horrible many of them may seem to me, I accept that I cannot hope to understand the complexity that is required in maintaining a city this vast. Hundreds people go days on end without food, water or shelter and many more are riddled with disease and abused by the cold hearted criminals of the cities shadows. Individuals who possess more money and goods than my entire tribe could hope to muster in a years time command most of the cities action and are met with discourse from its less fortunate. I feel it is not yet my place to give voice on who should and should not wield power in a culture so vastly different to what I know but my heart tells me these common folk should be heard and heeded, for no life gains value from coin, only the good it can bring to the world. I have hope however that this vast network of winding stone walls and tightly packed shops can learn and change for the better, there is a fire that burns at its center and should it go ignored for much longer, I feel it may rage into an inferno, wiping clean its societies foundation and giving room for a new, brighter world to sprout and grow, to control the blaze, is the challenge.
The Plum Forest
Zol, 3rd of Lharvion 2059
The first stop on my journey to seek out the other two members of the prophecy was this expansive temperate forest populated by a wide array of flora and fauna, some of which were familiar to me and countless others which were completely foreign to me. The forest is host to countless flowering trees, the air heavy with the smell of fresh and fermenting fruits on which numerous creatures relied for food. If Syl'thenal is the fortress of Sylvanus then surely this vibrant blossoming expanse is enveloped in Chauntea's loving embrace. Though our first endeavor into the forest was uneventful save a troop of monkeys who took a liking to us, I later learned the bountiful canopy conceals a plethora of threats ranging from Owl Bears to Ghouls and a seemingly never ending variety of poisonous life. Our trek through the veil of fruiting trees was short, as with my brother guiding our path, navigation was child's play in comparison to the twisting labyrinth of our home. We quickly stumbled across the first road we would ever walk and it conveniently lead us directly to the front gates of our destination, the towering stone walls of Gleanhold
The World Away From Wood in the Eyes of Dreamsight
Mol, 2nd of Lharvion 2059
As I travel away from home for the first time, the first of my people to step foot outside the bulwark of bark and bough that has shielded us since we were driven into Syl'thenal, I write this journal to make a record of what I find beyond the treeline. Though it has been brief at the time I write this, my experience of the land beyond our sea of green has been strange, frightening, fascinating, overwhelming and above all, breathtaking. I've seen places and peoples I didn't know existed, learned of stories and heroes that push the limits of anything even my dreams could manifest, discovered strange and beautiful plants and animals that seem almost alien to me. I write this journal, this account of distant lands so that when I return someday, my people and any people who have yet to set out themselves can understand the countless wonders that lie over the horizon, and prepare for the journey yet to come.
