I can finally see the walls up ahead. They're still pretty far away, but I should make it there within the hour.
My name is Greyham Dunwatch, and I'm a druid. Specifically, I'm in service to the center tree; Sel'Fiir.
The world I live in, Uroloth, is governed by many different factions and races. I'm an elf, and a member of the druid order. Quite recently, I finished my tutelage under the Southern Tribe; the final tribe that I had to learn under to qualify for serving Sel'Fiir. Before them, I had studied under the North, West, and East Tribes. Now, having learned the wisdom of all four trees, I serve Sel'Fiir.
Roughly three hours ago, I received a message from Sel'Fiir. When the carrier dove first landed in my windowsill, I was worried that Sel'Fiir had decided that I was not needed. Luckily for me, it was instead a summons. And so, we are here, with me walking towards the grove of Sel'Fiir at an even pace. At this point, I'm about twenty-five minutes away. I should probably signal the guards, so as not to be fired upon.
I shout to them as I come within a few yards of the gate, "Guards! I have come to answer the summons!" As my voice carries across the forest floor, the guards turn to me so as to get a better look at me. I pull the note out from under my simple brown cloth cloak, and call over a nearby swallow to carry it to them. After a brief skim-through of the message, one of the guards signals the gate to be opened. I nod my thanks to him, and continue deeper into the forest.
I suppose at this point, since it will be a fair ways before we reach Sel'Fiir, that I should talk a bit about myself. As I stated earlier, I am an elf and a druid. I stand at just over six feet tall, and have light skin. My hair is a deep black, and falls in unkempt tangles and curls around my face, covering up my pointed ears. My clothing is simple and effective; brown cloak and boots, green tunic, and simple brown cloth pants. Adorning the tunic is an inlaid gold symbol depicting four smaller trees at different sides, with the roots connecting to the roots of a larger tree in the center; a sign that I serve Sel'Fiir. Clutched in my right hand is a simple oak walking stick. Underneath my robe, attached to a brown leather belt, are many pouches with various supplies and such in them. Also attached to this belt, is a decently sized knife for tasks such as carving and skinning.
By this point, I have almost reached the grove that Sel'Fiir resides in. I can just about glimpse her large branches peeking out over the tops of the other trees. The sun's rays dapple the forest floor in the places they can reach, as I trudge along through the forest towards my goal. I do not expect that I have been summoned for nothing, and am somewhat anxious as to just what Sel'Fiir could want with me. I can see the space where the trees begin to thin towards Sel'Fiir's grove. It is time.
As I step into the grove for the second time in my life, I still cannot get over how stunningly gorgeous it is. It is a large grassy area, populated by all manner of plants and creatures. To the left of me is a stream that runs through the clearing, babbling the gossip of the forest to the foxes and hares drinking from her. Sunlight streaks down from the sky, illuminating the field of flowers to my right as well as in front of me. In the center of the clearing is Sel'Fiir herself, an enormous tree stretching up as if to touch the heavens themselves. Some of her roots are visible, the thick appendages burrowing into the ground to collect the nutrients and water that she needs to continue to grow and live. High above, like a stormy sky, her leaves swish to and fro in the air as they try to collect sunlight for her needs. Moss and lichen cover various parts of her, eager to be near her majesty. In her presence, all are humbled.
I approach until I am just outside of the reach of her leaves, and drop to one knee with my head bowed. "How may I serve you, Magnus Arbor?" As the words leave my mouth, I find myself already nervous. I have met with Sel'Fiir only once before, and while she is kind and graceful, she is also one of the most powerful beings on the planet. To be confident in her presence, you must be very brave, or very ignorant.
A single, thin root emerges from the ground just below me, and extends until it is just brushing my head. I hear her soft voice call out to me in my mind, the gentle voice of the earth itself. "Greetings, Greyham. I am delighted that you could arrive so swiftly." At her praise, I feel my heart swell with pride. It had taken me quite a time to reach her from my position near the edge of the forest; I am elated to hear that I have in fact arrived in good time. "Unfortunately, a situation has arose that I cannot handle on my own." Cannot handle on her own? Her reach extends as far as the earth does, all the plants are her servants, and animals turn to mere thralls when they feel her. What could she possibly not accomplish on her own?
"I am aware that you find this difficult to believe, but this situation has arose due to the nature of the problem. For you see, the problem lies outside of this dimension." Outside of this dimension? That would explain why she can't solve this on her own. There have been a handful of cases in which druids are sent outside of this realm to solve issues, it is a fair assumption that this is a similar case. But, if that is true...
"Does this mean that you require me to leave Uroloth?" Moments pass. I find myself awaiting her answer with baited breath. If this is true, and I am able to succeed, I will be the seventh member in the history of the druids to achieve the rank of Audientum Vitae; the highest honor that a druid can be given.
After what seems to be a century of waiting, I receive my answer. "Yes. You will be traveling to a land that has no true nature. They control the weather, animals and plants, and believe it to be natural. And the one place that the animals and plants care for themselves, they believe to be unnatural." What? No true nature? This shall be a difficult task indeed, to persuade an entire population that their view of nature is wrong.
"I live to serve, Magnus Arbor. When do I begin?" As I speak the words, I hear multiple other roots tear themselves out of the ground around me, leaving me completely surrounded.
"Lie down, my child. Sleep. I will bring you into the realm which you must aid. May the grass be green, wherever you go." With those words, I feel the roots begin to wrap around me, encircling me in the warm embrace of Sel'Fiir. I feel the roots begin to drag underground, and find myself growing incredibly tired. I allow my eyes to close, eager to see what this new world is like, and to help bring nature to them.
