Sylvia of the Wood raised Marigonia, Elsadora, Feodora, and Devonia as sisters. She gave them each the middle name of Goldenblossom because she said that like a field of wild flowers, they were all unique and shone with their own inner brightness. Although they each had their own family names from their lineage, they became known as the Goldenblossm sisters. When they were young they had no idea that they were orphans because they were never treated as such. Sylvia, a very wise and intelligent woman, was stern but playful and rarely of ill temper. Sylvia constantly tutored and trained the girls and as they each developed their own unique talents, she provided the means for them to explore their interests. Many nights were spent around the home fire as Sylvia told tales of her youthful adventures. Her words were magic to the girls. They felt each emotion as if they themselves were living the tales. For hours they watched the flames from the fire frolic and play, acting out the scenes from Sylvia�s stories on the walls of the small hut.
Marigonia the oldest of the girls, showed an affinity for the natural word early on. She was often found studying foliage, inspecting stones, and gazing at the heavens feeling the pull of the earth below her. She was sensitive and na�ve turned to nature and instinct when faced with danger. Sylvia encouraged Marigonia�s studies of the natural world and when the girl was old enough, sent her to her good friend the Guild Master of the Druids Guild. Marigonia was a very promising student and quickly developed into a young druid.
For a short time Marigonia�s studies were postponed, as Sylvia had taken ill with a sudden fever. Marigonia had learned much of the healing arts at school and administered to Sylvia constantly. After some time Sylvia recovered much strength, but she never fully regained herself. A mournful quiet settled over the hut as the girls watched helpless as their surrogate mother began to waste away. Marigonia soon grew weary of sitting by helpless and instructed her younger sister, Elsadora (who by this time had already began to learn) in the ways of healing. Marigonia returned to her guild to resume her studies but returned whenever possible to relieve Elsadora.
Upon the arrival of her older sister, Elsadora a dwarf, fled the small hut and journeyed for as long as possible to a neighboring city where she could be surrounded by her own kind and seek solace from her ill mother and the burden of two younger sisters. She spent time worshiping and praying for patience and strength in a temple in Keladorm. She confided her innermost fears and jealousy of her sister in the priests and they taught her ways of calling upon the god for strength and guidance. They often invited her to join the cleric�s guild, but out of respect for her ill mother and her sisters she always declined the invitation. Elsadora was always prompt returning home so that Marigonia would not be late returning to her guild. She never complained, she simply served with joy and was rarely sullen. She sought comfort from the gods and developed her own talents and honed her healing abilities out of need to comfort her dying mother.
The younger children, Feodora and Devonia were affected the most, stricken with grief at such young ages. Feodora�s parents had come to Keledrin from a distant land. They had been slain defending Feymeet from the Orc armies that were a greater threat in days past. Feodora was of barbarian heritage and different from other children she but was widely accepted because her parents were heroes. Locals would shrug off Feodora�s temper saying: �It�s just the barbarian blood, let her be�. Sylvia did not subscribe to this way of thinking and was constantly working to calm Feodora�s rage. When Sylvia took ill, Feodora felt the absence of Sylvia�s stern hand and reacted badly. As she grew older she tested the boundaries of the established laws and taboos of Keldrin. As a form of punishment she was assigned to the Warriors Guild where she would be taught discipline. This punishment turned out to be her salvation.
Devonia, the youngest, spent most of her time playing with other children. She had no responsibilities and seemed at first to be unaffected; but her world was one of fantasy and delusion. She had imaginary friends at an age inappropriate for children her age and acted as if there were no worries in the world. Some times Devonia, having never met her parents, would pretend her dolls were her parents and would play like a child much younger than she was. As a teenager, Devonia played less and less like a child but she still seemed reserved and withdrawn as if the only world in which she wished to live was a world of hr own making. A friend of Sylvia�s inquired one day about the intricate drawings Devonia had left around the house and asked if she had ever been tested in the natural ability of magic. The results of the magician�s aptitude test showed Devonia to be very sensitive to magic and she was inducted on scholarship into the Magician Guild.
When Sylvia finally died, all the sisters gathered together and spent a day celebrating Sylvia�s life and in the dark recesses of their minds celebrating her death and the freedom it brought them. They recounted the tales Sylvia told them so often in her more healthy years. All the girls� troubles were worlds away. The following morning they were awakened by loud knocks at the door and were summoned to the trading house. Upon arrival, the banker informed the girls that although Sylvia had some fortune in her account, she had not left the girls with enough to keep up taxes on the hut and they would have to leave immediately. Each girl divided the belongings and what coin there was and decided to continue their education in memory of Sylvia. Marigonia returned to the Druid Guild, Elsadora accepted her long standing invitation to the Cleric Guild, Feodora, now a warrior, spent all of her wealth to travel to the land of her parents, and Devonia continued training in the Magician�s Guild.
A member of Mystic Legacy, a different type of guild, approached Marigonia one day. She joined and requested that her sister, Elsadora be inducted as well. She hoped the common bond of guild life would strengthen the bond between them and heal whatever harm was done while Sylvia was ill. The girls missed Sylvia but they know that her pain had ended, she is at rest, and she has a strong spirit that will always influence the world. It is in her memory that they fight evil and help others.
Meeting
It was midsummer in Greater Feymeet and the trees were heavy with the early-morning dew. Marigonia crept through the tree-city, carefully avoiding the wood slats that made the loudest creeks and moans. She paused every few seconds and hid, waiting for the few other elves awake this early to pass her by. Keledrin was home to thousands, not all of them druids, but Mari (so she was called by friends and family) didn�t want to risk being seen by any of her sapling mates. Word of her sneaking out this early in training would surely disappoint the Guild-master.
Hiding in the shadow of an enormous tree-trunk, Marigonia carefully eyed her goal: The lift to the ground: FREEDOM. For weeks, Marigonia had undergone intensive studies. She spent hours twisting tiny blades of grass with sticks and branches into the difficult symbols, which were the foundation of her spells. Many nights she had only an hour of sleep (some nights she had none at all). Of course many of her peers only spent minutes at the task, but after starting the first bit of the symbols, Mari's mind always seemed to wander to some adventure and an hour later she would be sitting, staring at a pile of debris and twisted leaves and have to start all over. Before Mari came to the guild to learn to use her gifts in the service of Kelefey, the goddess of the elves, she envisioned a grand life of adventure and mischief.... not hours and hours of study and fatigue.
When the guards were turned from her, Mari stepped out of the shadows and leapt to the rope-slide, carefully releasing the tension in the ropes as she slid to the ground. The rope slide was a clever invention of the elves. The series of knots that released the small platform on which an elf stood prevented the slide�s use by anyone unfamiliar with it. The knots were actually an intricate weaving that allowed coils of rope to slowly unwind as the body weight of the elf pulled the platform to the ground. As the knots unwound, allowing the ropes to descend to the ground, they rewound behind themselves, drawing up ropes that were attached to an empty platform. The trick was: knowing which knot started the whole process and which knot would undo the whole thing, spilling the elf (or non-elf intruder) hundreds of feet to the ground. Such happenstance meant sure death for the untrained elf.
The guards turned when they heard the "thump" of Mari's feet hitting the landing platform below. Ready for danger, they were surprised to see a gangly wood-elf descending from where they stood. Puzzled, they looked at each other, and then shrugged. "Elf tricks" one of them mumbled.
Marigonia stepped off the platform and into the soft, dewy grass. Instantly she felt the mystical power of nature and creation soar up her legs and through her soul. She spent several minutes basking in the feeling. It was like the most comforting warmth and the most refreshing coolness combined. Mari felt every part of her body as if it were an extension of that great force that surged up from the ground. When she opened her eyes she stumbled back, startled. She nearly fell to the ground, when strong arms grasping her wrists helped her back to her feet.
A Human!! In Greater Feymeet!! With the wars at Vlaathin, humans and other races frequented the woods of Keledrin; but not all of them were to be trusted. Mari peered cautiously at his smiling face. He stifled a laugh.
"Are you ok? I didn�t mean to startle you,� He said.
His voice was deep and commanding. Mari glanced at his side where a fine sword was strapped and nodded, suddenly finding it hard to speak or to breathe. A Warrior! Of course! She looked into his eyes and saw the strength and nobility of those trained to fight and defend.
"Thanks" Mari half whispered, half choked in reply. "I... um..." searching franticly for something to say to this human, all Mari think of was a way to escape.
The human before her just smiled warmly and sensing her embarrassment cut in. "I'm on my way to investigate a group of bandits to the south a bit. I could use the help of a..."
"Sap�Uh! Druid" Mari interrupted, hoping he was inviting her. This was the chance she had been waiting for!! Adventure!! Excitement!! And she wanted to find out more about this human. If he were a spy she would surely get great acclamation for turning him in.
"Druid!! Well, even better. I have a good friend who is a druid, we could be a good team." He chuckled. "I am Kolder, I am a warrior in my 5th season in training."
And so the two traveled to the place Kolder had been told about. The camp was quiet and what remained of a fire was glowing in the dense darkness of the forest. It was still early so the bandits were mostly still sleeping off the night's debauchery. The two crept up and stopped a safe distance from the camp.
"We should make our camp here,� Kolder said. "This should be safe for us" He unsheathed his sword and prepared himself. "If I attack any one of these bandits, they will scream and wake the others, I'll need your help, druid. Do you know the spell Enslumber?"
"I.... er... um... I didn�t really learn that one yet. I didn�t think I would need it. What does it do?" Mari stammered, her face turning red.
Kolder let out the loudest laugh he dared to this close to danger and shook his head at the elf. "When you return to the guild hall, learn that spell." He said with a smile. "What about Furious Roots? Did you learn that one?"
Mari jumped from where she had been sitting on the grass and nearly shouted, "Yes! I do have the knowledge for that spell.� Mari quickly chastened herself for being so excited. She was supposed to be testing him, finding out his motives. So far all she had proven was her own inexperience.
Laughing and shaking his head at the elf he said "Okay that will help us. When I attack, please root any who might join in the attack. And how about making my skin like bark please?"
Mari nodded in agreement and prepared to cast the spell. In her mind she traced the intricate lines of the symbol of the spells she would need. When she had shaped the symbols of 8 spells, she stood. Looking at the human standing before her she began to gesture, holding the symbols aloft. She spoke the words that coincided with her spell and saw in her mind, his skin being covered in a thin layer of protective bark. When she opened her eyes she peered at him. Nothing!! Fizzle!! How embarrassing!! The tiny stick and grass symbol in her hand was supposed to fill with light, casting the same pattern onto the Human, toughening his skin with magic. He stifled a laugh and waited patiently pretending to adjust his armor for the ensuing battle. The second time, the spell succeeded. Mari slumped to the ground, waiting to recollect the energy needed for more spells.
�I have only begun to follow the path of a druid,� Mari explained, hoping the human wouldn�t dismiss her back to the protection of Keledrin and her Guild Master. �I�m still not completely familiar with all of my spells.�
Kolder stood and offered Mari a hand up. �I understand,� he began as he helped her to her feet. �I still have so much to learn myself. Perhaps we will learn from each other.� He smiled in his warm way that was already becoming familiar to Mari.
She gazed curiously at him. Who was this human? Why was he here so far from his own kind? He seemed amiable enough, but was he being sincere or trying to fool her?
�Besides�� Kolder broke through her thoughts �one day you will know spells much deadlier then a warrior and his blade.� At the mention of his weapon, he turned the sword in his hand, admiring the reflection from the well-crafted blade. The dim glint of light in the trees was enough to alert the patrolling bandits and Mari and Kolder were soon surrounded.
Kolder struck furiously at his nearest opponent as he assessed the situation. Three elves, all in tattered armor (he guessed to be stolen) had been on patrol. Two of them were armed with daggers and one was empty handed. Kolder hoped to divert their attention onto him, leaving the druid free to cast her spells. Mari looked around her at the three other elves and grew frightened. These were not the wood-elves she shared her home with. These were wild elves, hardened and bitter and corrupted from the ways of Kelefey. She and the human were outnumbered. This was a mistake!! Why did she sneak out tonight? Why didn�t she remain in the protective walls trees surrounding Keledrin? Tonight she would die and possibly get this kind human killed as well!! She looked over to where he stood, furiously striking out at one of the bandits and receiving several blows in turn.
�Root!! Root!!� He called out to her.
Mari�s fear subsided and she thanked Kelefey for this human, whoever he was, for his strength of mind in combat. She began her spell and muttered the words as fast as she dared, calling upon the Mother and summoning great roots to hold the bandit in place. The bandit screamed curses as she felt the mystical power entwine her ankles and legs, and fought furiously to no avail. The roots held true and Kolder drew the free bandits from reach of their rooted comrade. The plan had worked!! The bandits were separated!! Mari quickly rooted the next bandit as Kolder struck the final deathblow sending his opposition crumpling to the ground. One down, two rooted furious bandits to go. Much to Mari�s surprise Kolder sat in the grass a few paces from the corpse and began to bandage his wounds, dressing them with a slimy pungent salve..
�What are you doing?� Mari nearly shouted, �There are two more there, very much alive.�
�I�m hurt,� Kolder said almost whispering, as he wrapped a bandage tight around his upper arm. �We have some time, you can cast Blaze or Flamedancer��
Before he could finish Mari interrupted him, chanting almost prayer-like, symbol in hand. She was beginning a spell he was already very familiar with. Although the sensation was slight, a warm tingling washed over him. It seemed to come from the sky, drizzling down like heated oil, rolling in beads healing, rejuvenating, recreating. His mind was filled with a cool calm as if he had just awoken from a peaceful slumber; and when he opened his eyes he seemed to see the world through new eyes. The rich textures of the forest and even the smells seemed to dance with life. He knew from his dealings with other more powerful druids, that as the druid�s spells became more potent, so would the sensation. Mari would need to cast the spell several times over before he would be in any shape to face the remaining bandits, so he leaned against a tree and closed his eyes. When he opened them again Mari sat facing him in a trance-like state recovering her energy. Remembering the rooted bandits, Kolder leapt to his feet and charged one of them, hoping to get to them before they could break free and attack the druid. Mari blinked and emerged from her meditation and stepped to his side. She swung a heavy mace and struck the bandit hard in the stomach. The woman gasped for air, and recovering herself turned to face Mari.
�I�ll teach you to interfere with me!� the bandit gasped to Marigonia as she swung both fists furiously.
Kolder�s sword swung around, severing the woman�s head from her neck. �I�ll teach you to interfere with Marigonia!� He spat at the corpse. �You hit hard with that mace, druid. It�s difficult to keep their attention on me.� He chuckled.
Mari glowered at the human. Was he teasing her or was he really concerned? She stepped past him and walked up to the last woman standing. Before the bandit could act, Mari hit her in the arm, nearly sending the bandit reeling to the ground. Mari�s assault was answered with furious blows, the bandit punching and stabbing with her dagger. Kolder ran to the druid�s side and the last bandit was quickly cut down. Kolder stepped back, quickly assessing Mari�s wounds without trying to be too obvious.
�I�ll bind my wounds, you should heal yourself druid,� Kolder said as he began to wrap a bandage around his waist. He sighed when he felt the familiar trickle of energy that meant he was being healed. He looked up at Mari and shook his head. She was young, soon she would learn the value of her precious spirit-light and not to be so wasteful� he hoped. He had seen many a druid in the heat of combat use up too much of their own sprit-light. The results were devastating. The caster fell to the ground in convulsions and remained comatose for several weeks. Without careful attention from a cleric or more powerful druid, the comatose druid would die. Many druids in one final effort to dispatch a foe had sacrificed themselves this way.
Although the skirmish had taken place far away enough that the other bandits shouldn�t have been alerted, Kolder knew it was only a matter of time before the patrol was discovered missing. He sat, waiting for the druid to recover enough for more spells. She could recover a little spirit-light by resting directly after casting, but there were long-term effects that would not be restored for days. Kolder tried to decide on a plan of action. If they had enlisted a rogue, the rogue could sneak in and get a lay out of the camp and where each guard was posted. It was easier to fight them in small numbers, but it could be hours before the next patrol would emerge. If the bandits found a patrol missing, the whole camp would be up in arms. The best way to dispatch them would be to draw them out in small groups or, preferably one at a time. The longer they waited, the more danger grew.
�Stay here� Kolder said, hoping this time the elf would obey. �I�ll be right back. If you are attacked, just root them and try to be quiet.� He was gone before he got an answer. He ran down to the camp and paused behind the first tent he came to.
Mari propped her head in her hands and waited. Wait here? What kind of adventure is sitting around while he gets to go have all the fun? Mari stood, determined to join him. Just as she started to run, she saw him emerging from camp, running towards her with an angry bandit furiously striking him in the back. Mari paused unsure of what to do against only the one bandit. She swung her mace, narrowly missing the bandit�s head.
�Do you know the spell Flamedancer?� Kolder asked, as he struck the bandit in the arm and then in the stomach.
�Yes� Mari replied, puzzled. �But I don�t usually cast it. It doesn�t really do anything.�
Kolder laughed as he ducked his head to escape a return blow from the bandit. �It does a little damage over time. Cast it on these girls and while they are busy being burned, they become easier to hit.�
Mari sat in the cool grass and began to gather items for the spell�s symbols. She was startled out of her meditation by a sharp kick to her abdomen. She stood, gasping for breath. When her vision cleared. She saw Kolder standing over the bandit�s corpse looking at her with concern.
�When you prepare a new spell, you may want to do it away from a fight,� he said.
Mari blushed and sat back down. She couldn�t believe how little she knew about her own spells and about being a druid. Surely after tonight this human would never want to have her accompany him again. She couldn�t really blame him if he didn�t; she was clearly not ready for dangerous situations. She would get him killed!! When she looked up from her meditations he had vanished into the camp.
It seemed whatever Kolder was doing to draw them out was working. She wondered at that. Most of the bandits had been women, their men off fighting in the army at Vlaathin. A tinge of jealousy brought a blush to her face when Mari considered the implications. Wild elves were known for their frivolity. For hours the two killed the bandits one at a time. Finally when the camp was empty they decided they should pack up what they could and return to the tree-city. Once anything of value had been claimed, they set the tents ablaze hoping to deter the next band of brigands for a time and to send a message to any returning wild elves.
�Will you be free tomorrow?� Kolder asked, once they had arrived to Keledrin safely. �The woods are still full of orcs and goblins, we could do a lot of good together.�
Mari was surprised he had asked. She was stunned. �Sure!� she exclaimed, but suddenly remembered her duties to her sapling mates and what she was sure to be a severe lecture from her Guild Master. �I have some work to do� But I�ll hurry.� She emphasized the last bit, hoping he wouldn�t find some other druid to go kill orcs with.
Kolder laughed. �Okay, druid. I�ll see you tomorrow then.�
Mari stood and watched as he turned away and walked off towards the Warrior Guild.
