A Druid's journey

Hello good sir or madam, if you so happen to find my journal would you be so kind to deliver it to my mother. Her name is Yanita Grunbel She lives in the forest West of Moghdun. She is a very nice lady, be kind to her please.

Bloomrich 54th

So, hi mom (potential finder). My name is Fenren Grunbel, your friendly forest dweller! I've never gone this far from my own home. Mother said that the outside world is frightening! So I sticked to the forest for all of my life, befriending the flora and fauna… we've become great friends at least! 

Today is my birthday, I finally turn 45 years old! Now mother has allowed me to get out in to the world, make friends, even go on adventures! I'm a grown man now, come at me world! For I shall show kindness and love to everyone!

Anyways, I can't take all of my current friends with me… It is sad that I'm going to goodbye to them soon tho, I'm really going to miss them. But I'm going to take a little friend with me on my journeys! He is my squirrel friend Nibbles, he's a real snacker.

All right, I'm all packed up and ready to go. My mom even packed me my favourite sandwiches and a slice of her delicious roast chestnut pie! She's the best. I'm really going to miss her cooking, her warm hugs, her kindness… 

Okay I've said goodbye to mom, Nibbles just arrived! Time to say goodbye to the rest of the forest, and head off to our first stop. The city of Moghuldun, a city where everyone is accepted for who they are. It sure takes a long time to get to Moghdun. When mother used to go it took her 15 days to return, she stayed 3 days and headed back. Luckily I'm not going back. There is even more to see beyond Moghdun. 

I've gathered all of the fauna in one place, and I've said goodbye to every single one of them, and said to spread it to every forest dweller, tree, flower they see! I'll say goodbye to the rest of the flora on my way over. Time to head off.

It is getting pretty late now, I'm writing this by the last sunlight I have. I'm having a bit of trouble with getting it started. I'll get it at some point. Mom's sandwiches were delicious as always. I'm eating the last of the chestnut pie too. Big day ahead of us tomorrow.

Bloomrich 55th 

Today started off really weird, I saw a glowing white stag passing through the woods. It even stood still and looked at me. I haven't seen him around the forest yet. That was pretty cool. Let's continue on our journey to go to the river. I need some lunch and dinner.

Nibbles has been running around and suddenly the stag appeared right before him with a bright white light. He walked away as if he wanted me to follow him. I'm going to after him, I need to know what he wants and definitely become great friends. Dear me we are going to have some good times! We'll walk through the forest, gossip about other forest animals and Ray the tree (he is a silly old tree, very cranky at times) maybe even ride on his back If he wants to. I'll tell you all about it later

So uh… A LOT HAPPENED, apparently the stag is mother nature HERSELF! I could not believe my eyes. She said she has been watching me for a very long time, and applauded my kindness and generosity I have brought to the forest. She asked me if I want to be able to do more to help nature, add a little bit of magic to my deeds. Of course I said yes, I love to help the forest. 

She gave me a task for me alone, a real quest. She called it the trial of the druid, a long gruelling task to see if you're worthy to become like the ancient druids.

After all of that she summoned a portal. It transported me to some kind of enchanted forest. There is a path that lies ahead, I'm just going to take a quick moment to collect myself because HOLY COW THAT WAS INTENSE! Nibbles had to stay behind, I couldn't even take him.

I followed the path to a stone slab with some weird symbols on it. I couldn't understand it at first, then I suddenly felt a weird tingling in my head. I looked back at the symbols on the slab and I understood everything on it!

"Child of the forest, unknowingly you have already finished the first task to become a druid. This language you're reading is the old druidic language, it is very important for all that you're willing to do. Look for the red fox to guide you. But beware, he is a mischievous little bastard"

This feels so cool! Next to the stone slab there lied a staff of some kind. I'm taking it, I'm sure that mother nature intended for me to find it. I haven't seen the red fox yet. But I'm sure he will show up eventually. There is no time to waste, I'm going to look for him myself!

I found the fox and followed it to a large pool of water. It looks really clear, it must be very pure. I looked back to the red fox and he was gone again. Instead there was a person in a red cloak. I'll see where that's gonna lead to.

Bloomrich 57th 

OK MOM A LOT HAS HAPPENED, IT SCARED ME SO MUCH. I TURNED INTO A BEAR MOM! A BEAR!!! I went closer to the water looking at the red cloaked figure and I felt this strange feeling down my spine followed by a weird pain. I felt my bones grow and shift in an instant! I looked into the water to see my reflection and I turned into a bear!

The woman in red came closer to me, she looked friendly at first but then she revealed what she had hidden behind her back. It was this huge knife. I've never seen a face like that change from friendly to possibly murder mode. I can't tell you how fast I was running for my life. I thought I'd lost her, but then she started killing innocent plants and animals. I had to put a stop to her. I jumped her the first opportunity I had and slashed at her. SHE VANISHED INTO THIN AIR MOM! 

A couple of moments later the red fox appeared again holding some sort of letter, I tried to take it from him and the little bastard just ran off into the forest! I had to be clever for this, but first I had to get rid of this bear form.

I COULDN'T GET RID OF THE BEAR FORM. I wandered aimlessly through the forest, and then I saw him again. The red fox, I snuck towards him. The letter was now placed on top of him. I guess bears can be pretty stealthy because I leaned closer and took the letter and ran as fast as I could. Whilst I was running I felt my bones morph again. Instead of turning back into myself, I TURNED INTO AN EAGLE! The letter flew out of my mouth in front of me. Since I had no idea how to fly, I fell to the ground. I could still read, the letter said something about the final task was waiting in the big tree.

I looked up a bit, and it couldn't be easier to see, I've noticed it before. A giant old oak tree, probably around 400 feet tall! I had to work how to fly, I took a running leap and flapped my wings. I didn't think that it would even work, flying through the air towards the big tree.

As I was soaring through the air I could hear the big tree crying out to me. This couldn't be good. I landed in front of the tree and somehow turned back to my usual self. So I immediately started writing this again before I died or something. There is a big open gate in the door, I think it's time for my final test and get my druidic powers.

I entered the big tree, the doors slamming shut behind be. A booming voice echoed through the tree. It was mother nature again. "My child, dark magic has hurt this tree. As a druid it would be your job to help it get better again. For this final test I'll grant you the power of magic. Use it wisely…" 

In the inside of the tree stood some kind of spiral going up, I followed the spiral and about a quarter of the way up were A LOT OF SPIDERS! I freaked out and readied my staff I SHOT A FIREBOLT OUT OF IT! I saw the spider slowly burning down in flames. I was scared I hurt the tree with my fire but it left no marks on the bark. There were already many dead spiders on the floor, there may be other people here

I continued on burning giant spiders until I reached the top. I saw four other people ACTUAL PEOPLE! Three of them were trapped inside of a spiders webbing. I came closer in the room. One of the other people was busy freeing the others and froze as soon as he saw me. He said "Run, quickly run towards me!" I had no idea why, so I turned around to look a spider dead in the eyes about the size of a tree! It was the fastest I ever ran. The man told me his name as he shot a firebolt at the spider. "My name is Nigel, nice to meet you" I told him my name and started freeing the others.

It was an intense battle, all of these people were Druids just like I was going to become! I did my fair share of hurting the big spider. At one point we combined our spell to shoot a giant flaming ball at the spider killing it. The other guys were grateful for freeing them, their names were Bertrand, Henry and Sylpha. They all thanked me and told me to stay here as they went down the spiral cleaning up after themselves. Mother nature floated down and told me I was successful in every way. The red cloaked woman might have been overkill. With this out of the way I officially became a druid. Are you proud of me mom!

Mother nature opened up another portal, pretty close to Moghuldun. Nibbles was already waiting for me. It was already getting pretty late so I set up camp a little bit into the forest. Tomorrow I'll finally be in a real city.

Bloomrich 58th

I woke up pretty early today, finished the last bit of food I had. I looked in the bottom of my bag and I noticed a small coin purse. Mom must have left it for me. I now have 20 silver to my name. She even packed my smoking pipe with my favorite pipe herbs, I smoked a little bit. It helps me calm my nerves. Luckily it's a common weed found in the forest. I think I'll pick some on my way towards the city gates.

The city is beautiful, all kinds of different people around me. Humans, Dwarves, Elves and a lot of other kinds I don't recognise immediately. I went to the nearest Inn to check in for a while. I have a lot of time on my hands so I'm planning to stay quite some time. 

I got my own room for now. The innkeeper was very nice to me, he welcomed me with open arms and gave me some great places to visit. His name is Viktor, he said he was an adventurer too once and then he opened this Inn. The wary Kobold. Its still early in the day so I'm going to check out what the city has to offer. Our first stop is the adventurers guild, Victor said it was an important document for adventurers. Can't go anywhere without them apparently.

The adventurers guild was HUGE. I went inside and there were all kinds of different magic light sources like glowing orbs, flying candles, magic fireflies. There was also this big tree in the middle of the building. I headed to the reception. They can apparently define your class affinities here. They got it right the first try, a druid. They showed me around the guild hall, the mission board. The adventurers tavern too, a place to meet up with fellow adventurers to adventure with.

I felt confident though, after the tour was over I looked for solo missions. Then I found one, gerbil problem. Doesn't seem too hard, gerbils are pretty friendly. I take it from the board and head to the location of destination. Hardew Farm. It wasn't that far, about 3 hours of travel. So I arrive at the farm and talked to the farmer, Tansin told me some gerbils have been gnawing at his carrots. At this point the bright blue sky turned gray and a light breeze swept by.

I went to check out the damage and for any tracks. I don't know what I saw but those must be some big gerbils. And just as I was about to search for tracks this huge bolt of lightning struck down from the sky right in the middle of the forest. I stopped what I was doing and went to check out the damage to the surrounding trees. The closer I got to the middle, the stronger the wind became. I already saw some of the culprits, flying past me. They were pretty big. 

Right in the middle of it was a man screaming to himself. He looked about 30 years old, sides shaved, hair in a braid with a braided beard. A red robe and arms full of runes. Lightning surrounded him, I pushed myself through the storm. I barely got through, I took my staff and gave him a good whack on his noggin. 

The storm immediately subsided as he fell to the ground. I took him back to the farm to help patch him up. I told the farmer that the gerbil problem had been taken care of, but if they came back he should ask for me again. I also asked for half the coin he was offering for helping me take care of this man. It was getting pretty late. I said goodbye to Tansin and the guy I knocked out and headed back to the Inn.

Bloomrich 59th 

I have a good feeling about today, I woke up a little earlier so I could go to the farm. It is a three hour trip after all. Better buy some ink too if I want to keep on writing. 

I went to the farm to see the stranger eating some breakfast, thank god he was awake. His name is Zaquan Arcan Pierce. He said he came from a city called Stonepass. He had absolutely no memory of how he got here. Sometimes he also talked to himself. Guess we'll figure it out as we go along. 

I went back to the forest to look for any damage, some trees were completely burnt up. I tried to the best of my abilities to heal the trees, but some were beyond saving. I feel sad for them and the animals that made those trees their homes. I know Zaquan didn't mean to hurt them, but I'm going to make him make up for his deeds.

It was a bit later in the afternoon, so I picked up Zaquan from Tansin's farm. After that I got my signature from Tansin to claim my reward at the adventurers guild. We'll be able to do harder quests as long as we are together.

A couple of hours went by and we arrived at the guild hall. I looked to the bounty board again and there was a quest to check out the forest. I took that one because it already has been resolved and I have living evidence right here. The lady at the front desk told me they would check it out later tomorrow and gave me my reward for solving the gerbil problem.

Zaquan and I were getting pretty hungry so we walked to the adventurers tavern for a bite. We talked a bit about ourselves, and I asked why he was talking to himself sometimes. Zaquan explained that it was nothing to worry about, just some weird voice in his head that talks to him. He's looking for someone but he has no idea who they are or where they are, only that it is the wife of the voice in his head?

It was all very confusing to me, but I've decided to party up with him. I already received 5 silver for solving the gerbil problem, if we do some harder ones we'll have plenty of coin in no time! Zaquan and I parted ways for the evening and said we would meet up back at the guild tomorrow. He apparently doesn't have a license either and the front desk was closed at this point.

Bloomrich 60th 

It has already been a week since I departed from home. Mother was right about the outside world being frightening, but it is also loads of fun! It's time to head to the adventurers guild, lets see what today will bring us!

I waited a bit before Zaquan showed up, we went inside and let him register himself. He's a sorcerer! I'll be able to see real magic in action! I let Zaquan pick the next quest for us. He looked over the board a bit and picked one of the posters from it. Hostile Goblin camps spotted along the road to Comerth. I asked the front desk lady if there was an adventurers guild in every city, apparently there are! So we don't have to come back here and go straight towards a different city wow! Zaquan and I decided it was best to stock up for the journey ahead.

We went to a couple of different shops. I bought myself a studded leather vest and a healing Potion, it might come in handy. But that left me barely any coin. Potions are expensive. I wanted to see more of the city so we went sightseeing. I started smoking some of the weeds I had gathered, Zaquan liked it too! I better give him a pipe for himself. 

The city is really beautiful, towers everywhere, all kinds of different races living in harmony. This seems like the perfect city! I would never want to leave, but this is only the beginning of my journey. There is still more of the world I have to see! Even at night the city is beautiful. Everything is decorated in pretty little lights. It's like a dream. It was getting pretty late so we decided to have one last drink before we hit the hay. 

Something strange happened on my way back to the Inn though. Nibbles ran around my shoulders looking back quite a lot. But when I turned around there was no one there, the streets were empty. Let's not think too much of it. We have a big journey ahead of us.