Of Ygdrassil and Elves
W02: The Light Woods
It's Tariday, Eatonis 13 16:00:57 1020. The full moon isn't up. The tide is low and rising. Fair weather clouds sail across the blue sky, propelled by light breezes from the west. It's warm in the sun, cool in the shade, and the air is clear and dry.
Out here, in the woods, but not within the sacred presence of the Ygdrassil sapling that anchors the nearby druid grove, Ga'Elian is fire-roasting a brace of rabbits that he's hunted and cleaned earlier. The smell of cooking meat attracts even more attention than the thin stream of smoke, but that is to be expected. Not far from the cookfire, the griffon Erithamiel frolics in a swift-running mountain stream, cooling himself in the snow-melt in the heat of this sunny afternoon. Ga'Elian is tending the fire, humming to himself.
A curious buzzing sound is heard nearby, and the form of a giant beetle can be seen, descending to the ground nearby. Upon its back is an orange-haired Gnome. She waves to Ga'Elian, and the beetle comes to near the fire. "Good afternoon, Ga'Elian. It looks like you have caught yourself a good late lunch, or perhaps an early supper?"
Ga'Elian watches the druid's approach, and replies, "Yes, indeed, and I have also a pot of honey and some fresh waybread. Will you join us?"
Tawyse jumps down from the beetle, and sees to his needs first, before turning and settling beside the ranger. "I would happily join you, but all I can offer is some hard biscuits. I have not hunted today." The Gnomish woman runs a hand through her hair, pulling bits of leaves from it.
Ga'Elian chuckles, and says, "Not necessary. I'd save those for when they'll answer a need. Anyway, I'm glad you ran into me. I've been meaning to talk with you about the Ygdrassil Union. Do you know the origins of it? or the legend of Gunahkar and his attack upon the Tree of Life in ancient Quelynos?"
Tawyse nods to Ga'Elian. "I can always get more, but they pale in comparison to the meal you have." She grins and nods to his questions. "I am a follower of Dana, so I do know the story of the Tree of Life, at least from her perspective. I have heard of the Ygdrassil Union also. Like the Green Word, the Union worships Dana and Gilead, but also focuses on the larger picture of life and nature, as opposed to the things many a local Druid circle would focus on."
Ga'Elian nods, "Just so." He turns the meat, prounounces it, "nearly done," and says, "It is the same story that tells of the primeval ancestors of the Sildanyar. Those ancient ones were more like the fae than we now are. They were said to have been immortal, and to have born posterity in much greater numbers than we who descend from them on this plane. The black spear of the Destroyer dealt us an awful blow. Despite being the longest-lived among mortal races, we now are alien to Quelynos, mortal, and subject to remarkably low birth-rates. But it was a fate our ancestors accepted in order to save the seedlings of the Tree. When the Green Mother distributed those seeds across Ea, our ancestors took it upon themselves to guard and protect them in perpetuity. Later, there was a division in which the Llyranesi split off to tend the flow of mana and refine the practices of wizardry, but we Sylvanori remained dedicated to the cause of Nature. 'Twas from the ancient Sylvanori that the druidic tradition sprang, as revealed by the Green Word. In my own life, I feel honored and honor-bound to uphold the ancient role of my people. For this reason, have I devoted myself to the Ygdrassil Union."
Tawyse sits quietly while Ga'Elian recounts the undoubtedly shortened version of the beginning of the mortal elves, and nods in response. "It is an honest and sacred duty both, the guardianship of nature and the land, and of magic itself. Something the elves have paid dearly to do." She shuffles closer, and reaches out to squeeze his forearm. "Just remember that while you feel honour-bound, you are not chained, yes? In your hours of despair or need, remember that you may still freely go."
Ga'Elian accepts the contact willingly, but looks a bit puzzled. "The service of Nature and the protection of the Wild are all about life and freedom as I see it. The Ygdrassil Union doesn't chain me in any sense. 'Tis more about strength from productive relationships freely entered into, than about imposing agendas, at least in my experience. Perhaps in those places where the majority of its local membership are Charnish, or Khazadi, or Arvek, or Oruch, or Dranei, perhaps to some extent, but I have never felt compelled in my choices toward it. And any time I feel the yearning for solitude or exploration, Erithamiel and I are quite capable of sharing a freedom that few indeed ever have the blessing to experience. When one soars the air currents up where the cities and villages of men and gobbers shrink into mere spots among the green seas of forests and plains, there is little to compare with it. No, I assure you, my service to Nature is borne of my own love for the unadulterated Wild."
Tawyse nods slowly and settles back on her hands. "You are blessed then. I have seen some who do not look at it as you have. Some who felt they had no choice but to be a guardian of nature, simply due to their birthright." She rubs at her cheek. "Not everyone is able to be a guardian of the wilds, of Nature."
Ga'Elian nods. "That is true. Now I must confess, Ive not learned much of the origins of gnome-kind. It is connected with the origins of the khazad, isn't it?"
Tawyse grins shyly at the elf and looks away a moment. "So they say, so they say." She runs a hand through her hair again, pulling few more leaves and twigs. "Our origins are murky. Clouded. And it seems that the Gnome race as a whole is content to leave it at that."
Ga'Elian grins, "Well, I suppose some mysteries are better unsolved. Perhaps the wondering is better than the knowing. In any case, the meat is ready, and I'm ready to dig in."
Tawyse chuckles to that and nods. "In the end, only the scholars and paranoid will want to know the full truth of our origins. I don't think our beginnings were nefarious, so I am not bothered by not knowing. I am here, in this world, and I will live my life as I see fit." Her eyes widen a little at the pronouncement of dinner being ready. "My thanks for your generosity.", the Gnome says quietly. "And your teachings."