Updated: August 22, 1998
Player : Mike Olson devlin1@vcn.bc.ca
Sources
Core : PHB1st&2nd, DMG1st&2nd, MMI, MM2nd, FF, DDG
PO : PO:C&T
PHBR : Druid, Ships & Sea
GH : Folio, WoG, CoG, GA, GH:PG, GH:TAB
Name : Reynard Yargrove
Race : Flan-Oeridian w/minor suel
Plane : Prime-Greyhawk
Sex : Female
Hair : Auburn, full waves, shoulder length
Eyes : Deep brown
Skin : Tawny-bronze
Hand : Right
Features : None
Height : 5' 5"
Weight : 120 lbs
Age : 44 yrs (looks mid-thirties)
Birthday : 16 Patchwall, 541 C.D. IV
Align. : Neutral
Church : Grove of the Dreadwood
Deity : Obad-hai; Nature, Wildlands, Freedom, Hunting, Wild Beasts; N
(Intermediate God; 6th level & Quest Spells)
Symbol : Oak Leaf with acorn
Class : Druid
Level : 14th
XPs : 1,600,051
Str : 14 H/D(+0/+0), Wgt(55), Press(170), OD(8), BB(7%)
Dex : 16 RA(+1), Miss(+1), Def(-2)
Con : 14 HP(+0), SS(88%), RS(92%), Poison(0), Regen(Nil)
Int : 13 Lang/Prof(3), SL(6th), Learn(55%), MaxSp(9), Immunity(-)
Wis : 18 MD(+4), Spells(1/1/2/2/3/4), Fail(0%), Immunity(-)
Cha : 18 Hench(15), Loy(+8), RA(+7)
Com : 14
HPs [ 57]: 14 Numbed
29 Useless
Wounds: None
AC [ 3]: 5 Surprised Armor Types: Cloak of Protection +3
3 Shieldless Leather
5 Rear
10 Unarmored
7 Mental
Special defenses: None
THAC0[12]: Cmbt Init: Fast (base)
Fast (staff)
Average (scimitar)
Average (sling)
Average (spear)
Special attacks: None
Sav Thrws: 5 Paralyzation, Poison, or Death Magic
9 Rod, Staff, or Wand
8 Petrification or Polymorph
11 Breath Weapon
10 Spell
Modifiers: Dex(+2), MD(+4), +2 vs. fire or electrical attacks,
Cloak of Protection(+3)
Movement : Land Swim Climb: 40%
12 Base 1
11-9 Light Sink Jog x2 14 rnds (Con +0/rnd) = 14
8-6 Moderate Run x3 (Str +0) = 14 (Con -1/rnd)
5-3 Heavy Run x4 (Str -4) = 10 (Con -2/rnd)
2-1 Severe Run x5 (Str -8) = 6 (Con -3/rnd)
Cmbt
13 Base + Dex React Adj + Str ToHit bonus
Charge x1.5: No Dex Bonus; +1 to AC; +2 to Hit
Run x2 : No Dex Bonux; +1 to AC
Sprint x3 : No Dex Bonus; +1 to AC
Encumb. :
Fight : Weight (32.9) Bulk (9.6) Encumbrance (None) Movement (12")
Travel: Weight (57.5) Bulk (22.5) Encumbrance (Moderate) Movement (7")
Mount : Weight (##) Bulk (##) Encumbrance (type) Movement (##")
Riding: Weight (##) Bulk (##) Encumbrance (type) Movement (##")
Moderate: -1 to Hit
Heavy : -2 to Hit; +1 AC
Severe : -4 to Hit; +3 AC
Fatigue : 15 Fresh
Light x1: 3/4 move
Moderate x2: 1/2 move; -1 to Hit
Heavy x3: 1/4 move; -2 to Hit; +1 AC
Severe x4: move = 1; -4 to Hit; +3 AC; (Dex +0) = 16 to move
Mortal : save vs. paralyzation or die; 1d6 hrs unconscious
Race : Human (Flan-Oeridian w/minor suel)
Class : Druid of Obad-hai
+ Access to Spheres
Major: All, Animal, Elemental (all), Healing, Plant, Sun,
Weather
Minor: Charm, Divination, Necromantic, Summoning
+ Fire/electical resistance: +2 bonus to saving throws
+ Secret language: berla na filied/ogham
+ 3rd level: Identify plants, animals and pure water
Pass without trace
Learn woodland languages (must pay cost)
+ 7th level: Immune to woodland charm
Shapechange
+ 16th level: Immunity to natural poisons
Vigorous health
Immune to aging affects
Alter appearance
+ 17th level: Hibernate
Enter/Survive Elemental Plane of Earth
+ 18th level: Enter/Survive Elemental Plane of Fire
+ 19th level: Enter/Survive Elemental Plane of Water
+ 20th level: Enter/Survive Elemental Plane of Air
+ Weapon selection: Bolas, boomerang, club, war club, dagger, bone
dagger, stone dagger, dart, grain flail,
javelin, kama, knife (any), lasso, machete,
net, quarterstaff (1st), scythe, sickle, spear
(any), staff sling, khopesh, sapara, scimitar
- Armor restriction: Hide, leather and padded armor, wooden shields
Kit : Beastfriend
+ Animal Sphere Knowledge: Animal saves at -2
+ Bonus NWP: Animal Lore
+ Empathy with Animals
+ Functional NWPs: Animal Training, Animal Handling
+ Lycanthrope Recognition
- Code of Honor (Protect Animals; Cannot kill Animals)
- Prohibited NWPs: Etiquette
- Reaction Penalty: -1
NWP :( 4) + 3 (Int Prof) + 4 (levels
( 0) Animal Lore (Int +0) = 13 + 4 = 17
( 0) Animal Handling (Wis -1) = 17
( 0) Animal Training [type] (Wis +0) = 18
( 1) Ceremony (Wis +0) = 18
( 2) Healing (Int -2) = 11
( 2) Herbalism (Wis -2) = 16
( 1) Poetry (Int -2) = 11
( 0) Read/Write (Ogham) (Int +1) = 14
( 1) Religion (Obad-hai) (Wis +0) = 18
( 1) Spellcraft (Int -2) = 11
Lang :( 0) Keold (native) (Int +0) = 13
( 0) berla na filied R/W (Int +0) = 13
( 1) Aerdi (Int +0) = 13
( 1) Treant (Int +0) = 13
( 1) Elvish (Int +0) = 13
____
0 Slots left
WP : 2 + 3 (levels)
( 1) Two Handed Style
( 1) Staff
Attacks: 1/1 ToHit: +0 Dam Adj: +0
Wt: 4 Size: L Type: B Spd: 4 Dam: 1d6 1d6 Knock: d8
Reach: 1
( 1) Spear
Attacks: 1/1 ToHit: +0 Dam Adj: +0
Wt: 5 Size: M Type: P Spd: 6
One-handed Dam: 1d6 1d8 Knock: d6
Two-handed Dam: 1d6+1 2d6 Knock: d8
Reach: 1 ROF: 1/1 Rng: 10/20/30
( 1) Sling
Attacks: 1/1 ToHit: +0 Dam Adj: +0
Wt: 1 Size: S Spd:6
Bullet Wt: * Type: B Dam: 1d4+1 1d6+1 Knock: d4
Rng: 50/100/200
Stone Wt: * Type: B Dam: 1d4 1d6 Knock: d4
Rng: 40/80/120
Reach: - ROF: 1/1
( 1) Scimitar
Attacks: 1/1 ToHit: +0 Dam Adj: +0
Wt: 4 Size: M Type: S Spd: 5 Dam: 1d8 1d8 Knock: d8
Reach: 1 ROF: - rnd Rng: -
____
0 Slots left
Spells : Preserver; 385 pnts; max 7th level; max 9 spells per level
Memorized:
----------
385
(###) [Spell #1; level; options (greater effect, reduced power, etc.)]
(###) [Spell #2; level; options (greater effect, reduced power, etc.)]
(###) [Spell #3; level; options (greater effect, reduced power, etc.)]
_____
-- Spell Points remaining
Valuables:
----------
3 sp
Holy symbol of Obad-hai
Magic Items:
------------
Rods (+1): None
Staves (+2): None
Misc. (+3): Figurines of Wondrous Power (onyx dog)
Stone of Controlling Earth Elementals
Relic (+3): None
Rings (+3): Ring of the Ram (6 charges)
Ring of Chameleon Power
Wands (+3): None
Potions (+4): Diminution, Plant Control, Water Breathing
Scrolls (+x): None
Armor : Leather cuir bouille +2
Protection : Amulet of Proof against Detection and Location
Cloak of Protection +3
Weapons : Staff-spear +1, Sling of Seeking +2
Equipment:
----------
Weapons: Weight Bulk
Staff-spear +1 (in hand) 4 0 (6)
Scimitar (belt, scabbard, left) 4 5
Sling of Seeking +2 (tucked in belt) 1 1
Armor:
None 0 0
Head - AC: 10 DP: 0
-0 to Surprise
-0 to Vision
-0 to Hearing
Leather 15 (1)
Torso - AC: 9 DP: 10
Up. Arms - AC: 9 DP: 1
Up. Legs - AC: 10 DP: 0
Dex Adj (-0)
None 0 0
Foes: 0 - AC: +0 DP: 0
Dex Adj (-0)
Clothes/Cloak: 5 0
Full Body - AC: 10
Long russet woolen robe
Cloak of Protection
Amulet of Proof against Detection and Location (neck)
Holy Symbol of Obad-hai (neck)
Hands (bare)
Ring of the Ram (right)
Ring of Chameleon Power (left)
High Soft Boots
Lwr Legs - AC: 9 DP: 5
Feet - AC: 9 DP: 5
Belt: 1 0
Pouch, Small (right-front) 0.5 1 (1)
Bladder, Small 0.1 0 (0.2)
Potion of Water Breathing 0.2 0.2
Bladder, Small 0.1 0 (0.2)
Potion of Plant Control 0.2 0.2
Bladder, Small 0.1 0 (0.2)
Potion of Diminution 0.1 0.2
Pouch, Small (left-front) 0.5 1 (1)
Sling stones (10) 1 1
_____ _____
Combat Weight 32.9 9.6
(10.6)
Slingbag: 2 1 (14)
Bag, Small 0 0 (1)
Nuts 1 0.25
Pouch, Small 0.5 1 (1)
Stone of Controlling Earth Elementals 1 0.1
Figurine of Wondrous Power: Onyx Dog 1 0.1
Pouch, Small 0.5 1 (1)
Coins 0.5 0
Whetstone 1 1
Rations, Dry (6 meals) 6 3
Sack, Small 0.1 0 (3)
Ceremonial silver sickle wrapped in cloth 3 2
Ceremonial golden bowl 2 1
Spell Components (3 castings) 5 2.5
Waterskin 1 0 (1)
_____ _____
Travel Weight 57.5 22.5
(23.5)
Deity:
------
Obad-hai; Nature, Wildlands, Freedom, Hunting, Wild Beasts; N
(Intermediate God, 6th level & Quest spells)
Obad-hai is an ancient Flan nature deity, whose worship has spread
throughout the Flanaess. He is a lover of wilderness and nature, a
patron of druids, and a friend to those who live in harmony with their
natural surroundings. Because of his neutrality, there is enmity
between him and Ehlonna of the Forests. He is most revered by druids
who live in very wild places: those of the barbarians and other
underpopulated lands.
Obad-hai is represented as a lean, weathered man of considerable age, as
if a hermit, pilgrim, or simple rustic. He can also appear as a
gnome, dwarf, or halfling, and has his worshipers among those folk; he
is also represented in the form of wildland animals of diverse kind.
Shrines of Obad-hai are usually wooden structures found in rustic
settings. Services to him involve the consecration of living flowers,
earth, water and fire.
Priesthood:
-----------
The priesthood is non-hierarchical, treating each other as equals,
irrespective of level. Age is a basis for deferment among them.
Raiments -- simple russet garments.
Henchmen (advisors):
--------------------
1 Druid (Human, 11th level)
Gauntlets of Dexterity, Scimitar +2, Oil of Fiery Burning
1 Druid (Half-elf, 11th level)
Spear +1, Shield +1, Ring of Animal Friendship
(10 charges)
1 Druid/Fighter (Half-elf, 11th/9th level)
olven Hides +1, Spear +2
Character relationships:
------------------------
Thinks Agath is sanctimonious;
Despite following Ehlonna, strangely attracted to Rowena
Description:
------------
Reynard stands approximately 5'5" tall and is in excellent physical
condition (all that clean living...). Her slender face is framed by waves of
soft, auburn hair, usually unkempt, that reach just past her shoulders.
Although at first glance she looks to be in her mid-thirties, a surprising age
for someone of her stature within the Order, her full forty-four years of
experience and wisdom are plainly evidenced in her deep brown eyes. Reynard's
bronzed skin is a clear sign of her Flannae heritage, although she herself pays
no particular attention to race or nationality. She has often said that she
finds it difficult enough to deal with people as it is, and that worrying about
their lineage or origin would only complicate matters further. Although she is
a kind, caring woman, she is much more at ease interacting with the woodlands
she calls home than with humans or demihumans. In particular, she feels a
strong affinity towards the wild beasts of nature, and frequently compares
(mentally, if not aloud) those of "civilized" society whom she meets with the
animals with which she is most familiar. So long has she dwelt in the solitude
of nature, overseeing matters in the Sheldomar Valley, that she finds the
civilized world strange and unnecessarily complex. Animals of the natural
world, on the other hand, have none of the hang-ups or neuroses the vast
majority of people do, for which she much admires them. Some have said she is
favored-- "touched" is a word frequently used-- by the Shalm, having run off as
she did at a young age to fend for herself in the wilds, but she is too modest
and humble to agree. She works well with others, fully aware of the
contribution each individual has to make to the world as a whole, but always she
keeps the Balance of All Things in the forefront of her mind. Taking a cue from
the treants that populate her wood, she is never impulsive or reckless, choosing
instead to weigh carefully the consequences of her actions. Frequently she
thinks she "knows best," as it were, but rarely will she make an attempt to
directly impose her will upon another. Despite her gender, she is much
respected among the mostly-male druids of Obad-Hai, and many consider her a
credit to the Order and a likely candidate for the role of Grand Druid someday.
Her own ambitions, however, have much less to do with ruling the natural world
than with simply being a part of it.
Background:
-----------
Once all of Keoland and states immediately to the east were under your
purview, a realm you often tread. The wars have changed all that with both
Sterich and Geoff overrun by humanoids, and the Hold of Sea Princes lies now
under the heal of the Scarlet Brotherhood. What's worse is your beloved grove
within the rolling hills of the northern Dreadwood is threatened and has
actually come under attack several times by guerilla forces from the south. You
note the urgency of the summons and now must decide how to fulfill that request
and guard your woods.
-----
The squirrel was insistent.
She had been patrolling a small parcel of her territory-- more of a
pleasure stroll, actually-- when the furry little animal accosted her. Most
anyone else might have taken no notice of him, but Reynard, possessed of a
singular affinity for the denizens of the forest, knew that his presence
signified something important. Bending low, she extended one hand. The
squirrel perched upon it without a second thought, and remained there fearlessly
as she met his quiet, intelligent gaze. Her free hand went to the
intricately-carved oak leaf and acorn talisman hanging from her neck, and, with
a sotto voce prayer, divine power flowed through her and into the beast.
"What is it, little one?" she asked gently.
"Someone approaches." Its tone, pitched too high for human speech, was
almost comical in its timbre. Still, Reynard regarded the creature with utmost
respect.
"Someone you know not?"
He nodded, in a fashion. "Big. Big like you. But not the other
three."
A stranger, then. Unusual. "Well done, my friend. Find the others, if
you can, and tell them to join me at the stones. Do you understand this?"
"Yes, Lady," he replied, then hopped down and scampered away.
Reynard watched him go, a barely-perceptible crease of concern forming
on her brow. So much had changed, and so quickly, at that. The Balance of All
Things, so long preserved by her and the members of her Order, was shifting
dangerously towards Chaos. Euroz and other humanoids had conquered Geoff and
Sterich, lands well within her territory. The secretive order of the Scarlet
Brotherhood had gained control of the lands to the south, and she knew it was
only a matter of time before a pitched battle would be waged within the
Dreadwood itself. Already there had been raids which, though easily resisted,
were portents of worse yet to come. Perhaps the intruder was an emissary, or
worse, a scout or spy.
Perhaps today would be the day.
She noted the direction from which the squirrel had come and started
down it. Less than ten paces later, it was not an auburn-haired human but an
inconspicuous squirrel which followed his trail. She took to the trees, leaping
from branch to branch with inhuman speed and agility, until at last she came
upon the individual to whom the squirrel must have been referring.
He was not an orc, nor did he bear any resemblance to the foul humanoid
races. Young, human, and clad in simple garments of green and brown, he tread
lightly, supporting himself with a staff of yew. A wooden disc marked with a
semicircle and a horizontal line showed clearly on his breast, denoting him a
follower of Fharlanghn, God of Travel. Whomever he was, and whatever purpose he
may have had, Reynard feared neither; The Shalm and The Wanderer were allies of
old. She dropped to the ground behind him, unnoticed, and resumed her human
form.
"What do you here?" she asked.
He was startled, without question, but she noted with quiet approval
that he recovered quickly. To her mild surprise, he answered in Keold, her
native language, rarely spoken outside the Sheldomar Valley, and the tongue in
which she had queried him. "I bring tidings, m'lady-- a missive." He reached
into a satchel and withdrew a page of parchment, rolled into a scroll and sealed
with wax.
"This is not the place. Come, follow me." She turned and strode off
purposely towards her home. He, somewhat taken aback by her abrupt manner, took
a few quick steps to catch up with her, then kept pace. The air was crisp and
cold, the sky overcast, the ground moist beneath his feet. Soon spring would be
upon the land.
Today, she reflected, would not be the day.
-----
Twenty minutes of silent travel later, they stepped from the forest into
a wide clearing. A spring bubbled forth from the depths of the Oerth in one
corner, and the whole was dominated by a ring of tall standing stones in the
clearing's center some ten feet tall surmounted by equally-massive lintels. The
messenger noted the fact that Reynard purposefully skirted the stones to reach
the small cottage on its far side, but said nothing. The interior of her home
was, to say the least, sparsely decorated, and looked more like the den of an
animal than a human's dwelling. She sat cross-legged on the floor wordlessly
and gestured for him to do the same.
"As I said, I bring a missive," he repeated after seating himself.
Again, he proffered the parchment, and this time she took it. The seal was
marked with a symbol that she only vaguely recognized, but she gave it little
heed. For several moments Reynard regarded the contents, examining them
carefully, then handed it back to the messenger.
"Read it. Aloud." Her tone was neither commanding nor belittling.
"Your presence is requested on the first day of Readying in five hundred
and eighty-five, C.D. IV, at the Mist Dragon Inn, the Village of Magepoint on
the southern shores of the Nyr Dyv. Accommodations have been arranged in
advance to include accompaniment by one manservant. Your stay will be brief."
There was a mark at the letter's end, that of a circle enclosing a lazy eight
which he knew not how to vocalize properly, but since she had seen it, he
considered doing so unnecessary, in any event.
She sat in silent thought, quite ignoring his presence for five minutes
or more, then got to her feet without warning. "There is food, and rest," she
said to him, almost as an afterthought, and walked outside. Waiting for her
were three half-elves, two male and one female. Apparently the squirrel had
succeeded in finding them before her gift of speech had left him.
"I have been called away," she began. "I have been asked to appear on
the shores of the Nyr Dyv in one month's time. My absence should be short, but
it is wise to make preparations nonetheless. Do you have concerns?"
The woman spoke up. "Why does the Great Druid answer a call from an
outsider so?"
"The world changes, Faerbol. No longer can we confine ourselves to our
woods and work subtle alterations to maintain the Balance. We have waited
long-- too long, some would say-- to involve ourselves in the wars of the
outsiders. If we wait longer, we may find ourselves fighting the Chaos alone.
Do you understand this?"
She inclined her head respectfully. "Yes, Lady."
"There is a stranger inside, a follower of the Wanderer. See to his
needs. I do not doubt that he has had a difficult journey in bringing me this
message. I have other matters to attend, for now." She walked off into the
woods, leaving them to their duties.
-----
Though she did indeed have business elsewhere, she was glad for the
solitude among the leaves and branches of her wood. Though lacking the social
graces required to effectively interact with most of humanity, the emotions of
her initiates were as clear to her as a cloudless summer sky. Daen and Gallach
respected her-- she was the Great Druid of the region, after all-- but, like
most other males of the Order, they were uncomfortable with a woman among their
ranks, let alone a woman in a position of authority. Obad-Hai's followers were
predominantly men, but from a youthful age Reynard had felt an inexplicable
yearning for the forests that could not be denied. When she ran away from home
to fend for herself in the wilds of nature at the tender age of ten, some of
those she left behind said that she was chosen of The Shalm and not meant to
live among humanity. They may have been right; certainly, if Reynard had heard
them speak thusly, she would have agreed with them. Despite conventions to the
contrary, her all-consuming devotion to Obad-Hai had made her the first and only
female Great Druid of his faith in the history of Oerth.
But, she mused as she walked, perhaps not the last. Her daughter
Faerbol, conceived beside the bonfires of the spring festival and born in the
ring of stones, had seemed to inherit her single-mindedness of purpose. The
Order respected age and seniority above all things, so it was some time before
she was assigned to serve one of the ranking Great Druids. Reynard seemed to be
the natural choice. Although some might have thought that a daughter serving
under her own mother would quite likely receive a good deal of favoritism, the
Order knew better. Reynard was as even-handed as she was wise, and Faerbol had
been treated no differently than Daen or Gallach. There was also a darker,
unspoken reason Faerbol served Reynard: no other Great Druid wanted a female
initiate.
As might be expected, the senior druids of Obad-Hai were rather set in
their ways. Tradition had maintained the Order for countless generations, they
argued; why change it now? The answer was simple, to Reynard's eyes.
"Change comes to all things," she said, mostly to herself.
"Indeed it does," came a rumbling basso voice behind and above her. And
far too quickly, for my liking."
Reynard turned and smiled. "Does anything _not_ occur too quickly for
your liking, Old One?"
The treant, a gnarled, towering oak, looked down at her with eyes which
bespoke of deep and ageless wisdom. "Certainly. The setting of the sun, the
passing of the seasons, the growth of saplings... all these are as they should
be," he answered ponderously. "It is the world of the walkers which passes too
hastily."
"You are right, of course, but I cannot live as you do."
"More's the pity, Lady!" he laughed. He shook his head, sending a
shower of raindrops down upon her which she playfully tried to avoid. "But you
have not come here to discuss such matters, have you?"
"You are perceptive, Old One. I am not disturbing you, am I?"
"No," he replied, "I only just fell aslumber at the last fullness of
Luna. I had hardly drifted into sleep when I awoke to your words. Do you seek
me?"
She nodded. "That I do. I require your assistance, one month from
now."
"A month?!" he bellowed, raising his mossy eyebrows questioningly.
"Such short notice!"
"For that, I apologize," she said sincerely, "but I myself only heard of
this news earlier today. I have been called away, to a place called Magepoint,
far from here. I should only be gone briefly, but... I fear the worst."
"Hroom!" It was an exclamation of understanding and appreciation that,
knowing the language of the treants, she knew at once. "You feel the pull of
nature, Lady-- the instinct of animal and plant. You feel the future of things,
though you cannot see it."
Reynard bowed before him, flattered at the credit he gave her. "This
may be true, Old One. Whatever the case, I will require the help of you and
yours while I am absent."
"A month is little time, but I will do what I can to fulfill your
request. What do you need?"
"I am concerned for the sanctity and safety of my grove while I am away,
especially with the humanoids on the move. My initiates will maintain our
network of animal spies to warn of impending danger, but I would ask of your
folk that you assist in our defense, if necessary. It is my hope that your help
will not be needed."
"Hmmm... yes, Lady, I believe we will assist you, although a moot will
be required to finalize this matter. We can surround a good section of your
territory, and if any burarum cross us, we will be happy to crush them-- for you
as much as for ourselves."
"When will your moot take place?" she asked. "I wish to attend."
"I will notify you, as always. But now, I had best be about gathering
the others. Good day to you, Lady of the Wood."
"And to you, Old One." She bowed again, and he tramped off, his
deliberate, ground-shaking rootsteps fading off into the forest.
-----
Fireseek was coming to an end, and the appointed meeting in Magepoint
was a mere three days away. The treants had taken only two days to reach a
decision, a clear sign that they were eager to lend their aid, and even now were
spread out defensively around Reynard's grove, the spiritual heart of the
Dreadwood. All three of her initiates had gathered there, with explicit
instructions to remain nearby. Reynard's plethora of animal friends and spies
were likewise kept on alert, and, with the assistance of Daen, Gallach, and
Faerbol, would rapidly report any suspicious activity in the vicinity. In the
event that an incursion actually did occur, she knew that the treants would
mobilize, the animals would provide an early warning, the initiates would call
upon the power of the elements to befuddle or strike down the intruders... yet
still she was uneasy. Not that this was out of the ordinary, of course; any
steward of a consecrated grove did not leave it with a light heart no matter
what precautions were taken, and Reynard was no different.
She packed a small bag with several necessities, should she encounter
difficulty in or en route to Magepoint: sprigs of preserved mistletoe cut with a
silver sickle and caught in a golden bowl on Midsummer's Eve, a wolf's tooth,
sawdust, sand, clay, a small quantity of mercury, and any number of other bits
of paraphenalia necessary to calling on Obad-Hai's divine influence. To her
side, she girt a sheathed scimitar, and in her weapon belt she secured an
enruned and embroidered leather sling, specially enchanted and laden with primal
magicks. In one hand she carried a stout staff of oak, and her thick,
rust-brown cloak covered a sturdy russet and green breastplate of hardened
leather. To the common bandit, she might seem a simple traveler, but woe betide
any who mistook her so.
At last, the time came to depart. Her initiates were before her.
"Lady, I feel I must speak," Gallach said. A gesture from Reynard told
him to continue. "The precautions you have taken in securing the grove... is
such a violent response really necessary? The euroz have no less value or worth
than the stag, or than ourselves."
"I perceive your concern, Gallach, and I too feel it," she replied.
"For many years the Balance of All Things has been maintained, with neither Law
nor Chaos reigning supreme. However, that time is at an end. New Evils stalk
the land, conquering all before them; these orcs are but one example. The
Balance has been swayed, and if it is to be set right again, we must resist this
new infusion of Chaos into the world. Defend the grove, fight the orcs, but
always know, Gallach, _why_ it is you do these things. More important than
self-defense is the proper maintenance of the Balance. If these invaders were
from a human nation expanding its borders and conducting a genocidal campaign
against the orcs, for example, our duty would be the same: to preserve the
Balance by combatting those who bear it no regard. Whether the enemy is human
or orc has no bearing, only that the Balance is restored. Do you understand
this?"
"Yes, Lady." His words were not entirely truthful, she knew, but he
would obey her.
"Do you all understand this?" she asked. They others responded as
Gallach had. "That is well. And now, I must take leave of you. May The Shalm
guide you in all things."
"And you, Lady," they answered in unison. She vanished into the woods.
-----
It took her roughly ten minutesto find what she sought. Naturally, she
knew its location already, as she was intimately familiar with each and every
tree within a wide radius of her grove, and this giant oak was no exception.
She walked close to it, put her hands on its trunk, felt the strength of its
ancient lifeforce... and stepped into it. A nearby sparrow chirped in surprise,
then flew off.
One minute later, a similar sparrow was equally surprised to see her
emerge from another towering oak very much like the one she had entered apart
from the fact that this tree stood at the northern edge of the Gnarley Forest,
several hundred leagues away. She stole a furtive glance to either side, took a
few steps forward, and flapped the wings of the owl she had just become.
High above the world, she looked down upon the destruction wrought by
the wars which ravaged the Flanaess. Her keen avian eyes saw the carnage and
devastation of battle wreaked on a handful of fronts, and she screeched in
despair. Too long, she thought, too long; she hadn't known how true her words
to Faerbol less than a month before had been when she had spoken them. Too long
had she cloistered herself away in her grove, defending it when need be, but
that only treated the symptoms, not the cause. Change comes to all things, and
the time had come to take an active part in the events of the world-- not for
the sake of the petty rivalries and land grabs which motivated them, but to
restore the Balance of All Things which they had unwittingly disturbed.
Her resolve was strengthened. She flew on.
Roleplay:
---------
See "Description" above.
Miscellaneous:
--------------
Reynard isn't hasty in any aspect of her life; combat is no different.
She will not rush into any dangerous situation (unless an animal is threatened,
of course -- then all this caution stuff goes out the window), choosing instead
of weigh her options and take the best course of action based on her analysis.
Now, what do _I_ hope to get out of this? I'm in it for the money.
When Keith offered me a stipend to play, how could I turn it down? *L*
Access:
-------
I have an excellent crappy email program, web browser, and ISP-- it's a
matching set of mediocre Internet tools. I check my mail a few times a day, and
can gain access to a better computer when needed.
| Alternate Oerths / Keith Horsfield / afn09454@afn.org / updated 22 Aug 98 | Back to Heroes & Heroines |