[Driudic Grove]A Walk Through the Whispering Trees (Initiate Druidism)

[Eldrew Whiteone]

10th of Optia, Season of Summer, Era XIV pf

Eldrew followed the path that lead to the Drudic Grove. He was told by several of his fellow rangers that the grove was where he would find the training he needed. Humidity hung in the air making his white shirt cling to his skin. The trees stood at attention as the halfling strolled on toward his destination. The small one was unaware of the person he was to meet. Was this a joke, played on him by the others at the hall? Eldrew was hoping that was not the case.


The path lead to a clearing. Around him, the trees began to spread out, forming a circle. At the center, a marble bench was precisely set. Was this the spot? Tired from his morning training routine with the Naturan Rangers, he sat down on the bench. As if on cue, shade fell over him and a light breeze began to blow. The world around was quiet. Birds sang the songs of the afternoon. Frogs croaked nearby from a hidden spring happy to be alive. The sounds began to lull him to sleep.


A rustling sound jarred him back into the world. Shaking his head to clear the tired fog, he called out, “Hello?”

[Straylor Leonard]

Secrets : Name: H'annaeryth Appearance: A dryad, "her flesh was soft and clean, tinged a golden colour intermingled with the green of young bark. Silvery moss hung down in delicate webs from her elbows, whilst flowers grew freely in her hair, suspended on ivory white roots, and topped with the glints of morning dew." "Her eyes were without pupils, wide and darkest green, and looked through the human now, rather than truly at him. Her hair was as light as gold, and she wore a crown of flowers, suspended on delicate white roots that appeared as much a part of her being as her lips or nose. She was also completely naked, though seemed to be quite comfortable in this, and unperturbed by the fact that a man would be looking upon her now." She is short - around 5'3". Personality: She is often very flighty, but also fiercely protective of the Druidic Henge. She has a child-like attitude to her. Training: Acts as Dhwae's second in command, and does most of the training in Natura. Master Druidess.

OoC: Peer moderation approval from Kalinda via PM. Ask her!

The Naturan Druids Copse was something of a wonder in Telath. Unlike the lesser copses that dotted the wildernesses of the Empire, this one was truly a sanctuary of sorts; a living temple to Nature and the goddess Carmelya. As Eldrew passed the moss-covered cobblestones of Natura's town, he'd slowly pass through the outskirts until the cobblestones disappeared completely and transitioned into a dirt path with light trees and a variety of vegetation on either side.

As he walked, the branches of different ancient trees arched over the pathway, forming a blanket of emerald over his head. And as if on cue, a soft breeze swept through the woodlands causing each branch, leaf, and animal to seemingly sing a praise to their goddess.

Suddenly, a rustling sound indeed startled the lone traveler. In Natura, he was welcomed as one of them, a traveler, a fellow citizen. But here, in these woods, he was a foreigner, a possible threat.

"Where are you heading, strange one?" a voice called, high and feminine. Its source, however, remained almost impossible to tell since it echoed through the trees making it sound as if the trees of the woodland themselves were collectively speaking to Eldrew.

[Eldrew Whiteone]

Startled by the feminine voice, the halfling’s eyes began to dart about. Were the trees talking to him? No that was impossible. “I was told that I could train with the druids.” The halfling felt awkward speaking to nothing.


Back home his father told him about the wonders the druids of Aelyria could perform: controlling the elements, healing the dying flora and fauna, to name a few. That was why he was here. However, doubt began to cross his mind. “I mean no disrespect.” He began to ponder if the rangers had set him up.


“I am sorry. I shall leave.” Eldrew continued to scan the trunks on the forest around him. He could see no one. Only shadows from the high branches fell into his sight. The halfling turned and began retracing his steps out of the grove. “They are probably laughing at me.” He shook his head, envisioning his fellow rangers and the joke they just played.

[Straylor Leonard]

"Disrespect?", the sweet voice repeated as it was tinged with a soft giggle, "you are a funny man. What do your friends call you?" Again, the voice came from both nothing and someplace at the same time. Even if the halfling looked around and scanned his surroundings, he would find no hint of her presence in or around the trees.

After he answered, she'd giggle again and reply, "Eldrew? Like the dew that the earth cry before the Suns come up? Or drew like Andrew?" Rustling again, all around him this time, as if another breeze ran through the woodland. And then, several paces in front of Eldrew was a lithe form of a young woman.

Though visibly short and almost naked, the girl was unnatural by most standards. Her skin was a mix of gold and the lightest bark while her golden hair was tangled and webbed with flowers suspended by ivory roots which appeared as much as a crown would to a princess. Her features were sharp, almost human but not quite, and her wide eyes lacked pupils and were of a magical green. The only thing that covered her feminine features was some vegetation that looked just as equally a part of her body as her thin arms and legs, as if it grew out of her flesh.

"You have entered the Druids Copse", she said sweetly, "but you are not a druid. You seek training, yes?" She smiled. "For that, you must pass a test. My test."

[Eldrew Whiteone]

“My name is Eldrew Whiteone,” he spoke proudly. “The drew, as you say, would be like the name Andrew.” The small one straightened his white shirt, pulling what had stuck to his skin away, cooling him off. “And I am not a druid, but I do wish to seek their training.”


The halfling stood tall, with eyes scanning the features of this creature. This female looks tree like, he thought to himself. It was difficult for Eldrew to move his eyes from the wonder that emerged from the treeline.


“You speak of a test.” Eldrew cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. “What sort of test?” It became apparent to the Halfling that a new chapter in his life’s journey was about to be written. What could it be?

[Straylor Leonard]

The golden tree-like woman grinned when Eldrew spoke. He walked into the Druids Copse asking for training like he deserved it! And he asked for it like it was so freely given, too. Such naiivity, such fun this would be! "You offered me your name", she said lightly, "so it is customary for mine to be given in return. You may call me 'Mistress' or 'Wonderful One'. Either of those will work." She laughed melodically before catching herself. "Oh, the test. Right. Well, it's simple mostly." She continued with her grin intact.

"You have lost something, Eldrew who is spoken like Andrew", and with that she pointed at the halfling's trousers. "You should check your belongings before we begin." And should Eldrew follow the girl's instructions, he would find that his Visa was missing! Without it he was as good as the next barbari -- without rights and the protection of the Empire. "Ah, yes your test is to look for your item", she said simply, "I have no use for non-citizens here after all!" Her laughter rang, filling the air with music again. "But seriously, go. Come back when you've learned something."

[Eldrew Whiteone]

What?! Eldrew began the process of patting himself down. Pockets, nope. Shirt pocket, what. How?! The halfling paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. The panic, set upon him by this creature taking his visa, was greater than the deepest crevasse. She, this Mistress, this Wonderful One, could feel the fear. Gathering himself, he asked, “What am I to learn, when I haven’t been taught?” He raised his arms to the air and began swaying them at the trees. “How am I to find something so small in a world so big?"


This was the test? Eldrew recalled the words of his father: It’s like a needle in a haystack. “Wonderful One, you have taken my identity. I am nothing now.” This statement was very true. Without his Visa, the halfling knew he was no better than a barbari. “How…What do I need to do? A clue….” Eldrew was at a loss.

[Straylor Leonard]

"A clue?", the girl repeated, Wonderful One she was called, and grinned just as she began to leave. "Well, I guess there is no harm is letting you know that one of my friends took it." She shrugged then allowed her gaze to linger on Eldrew's form for a moment. And then, quite amazingly, her form shifted, twisted, and churned until where a lithe elfish girl once stood was no longer the Wonderful One -- an emerald eagle stood there, its wild golden eyes looking at the halfling until it stretched its mighty wings, flapped once, and was away in the sky.

[Eldrew Whiteone]

Eldrew watched as the magnificent eagle flew from his sight. He slumped to the ground utterly amazed at the transformation his eyes witnessed. How did she do that?

He was alone, surrounded by the circle of trees. “One of her friends took it. What did that mean?” The halfling’s brown eyes surveyed the area before him. “Gah….. Use your brain you half wit.” So there he sat, wondering what the word "friend" meant.

Time seemed to stand still. A voice in the back of his mind kept repeating itself. Baby steps, take baby steps. He had known that voice all his life. The voice that had given birth to him. The voice of his mother, Ella Whiteone. “Baby steps!” It was as if lightening had struck a dark corner of his mind. “Baby steps.” The halfling laughed. “How stupid can I be?” Obviously very at this moment.

Eldrew recalled a time when he was having an extremely difficult time trying to figure out how to tie the twine to the end of his fishing pole. Frustrated, he threw the pole in the lake near his home. “I am never going to figure this out.” His mother, who always was nearby, reminded him to take simple steps. “Slow down and walk through the progression of how it is to be done.” Baby steps is what she called it.

Sitting on the ground, he let all his frustration go. He began to listen. He began to think. The sounds around him were the same. The wind blew through the trees, but the sound was different; almost whispering. Birds sang their melodious tunes. No, the where giving directions.
Rising to his feet, the halfling walked over to one of the trees and touched its bark. The tree was old. Its life force still beating strong. From the feel of it, predated before Natura was founded and would live long after Eldrew turned to dust. “Excuse me, but I think you have something that belongs to me.”

[Straylor Leonard]

There was a moment of silence, which was generally disappointing to most people. But the halfling remained, his eyes filled with intent and determination to locate his lost Visa. He had a Test, and Eldrew wasn't about to fail it.

Another casual breeze swept through the woodlands ... and then, the impossible. Did the tree just twitch? Eldrew heard the tree moved at first, his eyes immediately darting to the treeline where its branches were, swaying toward the heavens. The breeze had long passed, yet ... some of its branches clicked?

Then quite abruptly, the same high-pitched laughter filled the woodland air like music. "Hah! You are a funny creature, talking to trees!", the green-skinned girl said as he simply manifested on the tree that Eldrew was speaking to. "Anyway, you're clever. Allen!" She kicked the tree well-naturedly, "wake up!"

There was a momentary groan as the tree seemed to stretch, its branches shaking causing some leaves to fall lazily to the forest ground. Then, it started to change. Its leaves began to blend into its branches, while its branches blended into its massive trunk. The girl easily hopped off the large branch she stood on, diving toward the ground, before her form suddenly warped and twisted into that of a small golden songbird. It flapped its wings, landed, then transformed again into the gold-haired dryad from before.

The tree, on the other hand, continued to shift, slowly shrinking from the giant it once was into that of a stout creature. Within a few short moments, Eldrew would witness a dwarf dressed in blue and red robes standing where an ancient tree once stood. He looked sleepy, as if just woken from a long nap. The dwarf looked .... younger than the average creature that the cether's met over his adventures. His visage hinted at a much more pleasant heritage, outside of the usual blacksmithing, stonemining, weaponsmithing kind.

He had a kind smile, and he waved at Eldrew then bowed solemly at the dryad. "Serale", he chuckled causing his blond beard to bounce lightly. "Sorry 'bout that. Got tired, I guess?"

"Gah, of all my apprentices!", the dryad said in playful tones, "I expected more from you, Allen, much more. Sad brightening, sad brightening. Nevertheless, please return our little friend's Visa."

Scratching his chin, the dwarf waddled over to Eldrew and handed him his Visa -- good as new. "It's all part of the test", he whipsered with a grin, "she's a good teacher, promise!"

"No whispering in class!"

"Sorry!" Allen straightened up and attempted to unwrinkle his robes.

"Welcome to the Naturan Druids Copse", the dryad said, "you may now call me Your Grace or My Majesty if you wish. And I accept you as my student in druidism ... Eldrew who is pronounced like Andrew."

[Eldrew Whiteone]

The halfing could not believe his eyes. What was once an ancient tree of the grove, now stood a fellow just a little taller than himself. A dwarf. Amazing. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Allen.” Eldrew said in a rather cheery voice. His eyes fell upon his teacher. He gave her a graceful bow.


In much of his time here in the world, Eldrew had seen many curious actions. He recalled a time fishing with his father. His mother had been expecting the pair to bring home dinner that night. The problem for them was that nothing had bit their lines. More than that, the family was barely able to feed themselves. A drought had hit and the usual feasts had dwindled to the bare necessities. His family had not eaten for over two brightenings.


Sitting on the bank of barely running river, the halflings’ stomachs were growling. His father, growing weaker from the lack of energy, slipped into a dreaming state. Well that was what he had told his son. He had really passed out. Eldrew feeling his life energy fading stared at the water. “We only need a few to keep us alive.” His soft voice spoke to the water.


One fish tugged at the line attached to the halfling’s pole. A good sized one. Eldrew frantically pushed on his dad. The line on his pole darting indicating a fish. Another big one. Then another poked its head out of the water. His father grabbed it with his bare hands. Whatever had happened that day had helped the Whiteone family survive.


For the longest time Eldrew believed it was all a hallucination. However, with the event that had just taken place, he was not too sure of that anymore. Was there something else to it? Did he actually communicate with the fish? Did they sacrifice themselves for his family? The halfling gazed into the dryad’s eyes. “If I am permitted to ask a question, Your Grace, how was it that I was able to… well, sense Allen?”

[Straylor Leonard]

The dryad merely regarded the halfling, amused, while Eldrew was caught in his reverie. And upon his question, the girl merely giggled before shaking her head. "We are all a part of Nature somehow, Eldrew who is pronounced like Andrew. For this reason, mortals have devised clever terms like 'fate' and 'destiny' and 'death'. When in truth, we are part of a cycle, a never ending one at that!"

"But don't worry your little head about such philosophical matters", she waved her slender arms dismissingly, "you wish to become a druid? Well, there's more to it than me Unbinding you, imparting my precious knowledge, teaching you, then sending you on your way! Hah!" The dryad then bounced off the ground and easily attached herself to a nearby tree. "First you must feel how it is to be Nature. Only then will you understand how Nature exists to coexist rather than dominate. Are you ready?" She grinned, that similar toothy one, which Eldrew grew worried of. "Allen, will you do the honours?"

The cheery dwarf chuckled softly before turning to face Eldrew. "Just stand still, all right?", he said with a nod, "this won't hurt one bit ... though it'll be weird at first. Again, don't worry. I'll be joining you along with the others soon 'nuff." With that, the dwarf sat himself on the dirt path, cross-legged, and began to hum. He closed his eyes and seemed to sway, a little, from side to side. He was meditating.

Eldrew would be left to watch the dwarf attempt to reach equalibrium with the Astral Plane. This was, by no means, a simple task. But within a few minutes he was one with Clara again and then something completely strange began to take place. At first, Eldrew wasn't sure if it was just him, or was his entire body suddenly feeling much, much stiffer? It wouldn't take long for him to realize that his legs were slowly changing, shifting into what many would agree to be roots. His trousers and boots were no where to be seen, instead a mesh of sturdy roots replaced them and dug deeply into the earth.

Should he panic, Her Grace would only chuckle loudly as she produced a third Animal Form spell to turn herself into her favorite form: the emerald eagle. She flicked her wings and was off, leaving Eldrew to enjoy the rest of his sudden transformation: his thighs were next, turning into bark, followed by his abdomen, chest, then arms. And as the spell worked itself upwards, the cether almost swore that he would die as his mouth, nose, ears, and eyes were replaced with a horrible, thick, dry sensation.

But then .... silence.

And before long, he could ... smell the various plants around him. The slightest breeze tickled his arms ... many of them, which he would later realize to be branches. His legs somehow brought refreshment, a sense of filling from the earth. Like a cool drink after a warm meal.


"heeeey....", a voice came, ".... you all right....?" It was like talking into a cave, with echoes almost indistinct but surely there. " ... it's Allen ... I'm right next to you .... don't worry, she does this to all the Initiates ... how does it feel to be a tree ....?"