yoobaba

Nylla Edani was born an only child on the outskirts of The Forest Realm of Irrinor. No one knows who her father was and her mother, Naenda, died when she was very young. She was raised by her grandfather, Oslae, and they lived a humble life and resided in a tree house to which they called their home. Though they lived isolated and estranged in the wild from the rest of the Wood Elven society, Oslae was still very religious and taught Nylla the way of the Wild Path; Elnarnsae’ame; and she came to love The Aspects and the Mani and worship them daily. 

As a child Nylla did not have any friends nor any family she knew to be alive other than her grandfather. She was always curious and asked many questions. She would wander the forests and loved to appreciate the beauty of nature and the wild, went on hunts and fished with her grandfather and would listen to the stories he would tell of his adventures and of his Seed. Oslae had been apart of a river tribe. When it was time to choose his ilmyumier, he chose Kwawkwani’s wings and became an explorer. He told her of the story of how he fell in love with Eryn; Nylla’s grandmother; who was part of a tribe full of artisans, and how he had lost her in a Malinorian Crusade by the Order of the White Rose. He fought in the Hansetian-Blackmont War. Sometimes when he would ponder and stare, Nylla could see his wisdom and pain in his eyes. 

He would tell her of the Seasonal Festivals and rituals at every equinox and solstice and they partook in them too-- worshipping and giving offerings to the gods with their own makeshift brazier, practicing the language of Tiva, reflecting on themselves in the Spring, dancing and celebrating Amaethon and the Silent Beast during Winter, and in the Autumn, sending lanterns for Eryn and Naenda so that their souls will have safe passage into their next life. 

Nylla had always wanted to be apart of a Seed to experience the festivals and their culture in person, but she did not want to leave her grandfather behind. She did not know why he had isolated himself so, but she had been too afraid to ask. She would often daydream about meeting new people, or what her ilmyumier would be, or even of a romance like her grandparents-- she had hopes of finding a lover or lovers and wanted to eventually have children. She was aware of Iblee’s curse on the Elven people; infertility; and always made sure to give offerings to the Mother Cerridwen during the Spring Equinox.

Nylla had a love of learning and took on many hobbies that Oslae taught her. She weaved her own clothing and loved to wear Tiva, often wearing blue hibiscus in hopes of forming new relationships, yet to no avail. She would talk to herself or come up with scenarios in her head and how she would react to them. Oslae taught her to always speak her mind and to never be afraid of who she was, and to be kind to everyone, but mostly herself. Because of this, she was always expressive of her feelings and never hesitated to tell them. 

Oslae feared that he had sheltered Nylla too much. She had turned out to be a kind and sweet girl, but from listening to how optimistic she was at times he thought that one day someone would see her kindness and innocence and take it for weakness. She believed that everyone had some kindness in them, and Oslae tried to teach her not to be so trusting of everyone. Alas, she hadn’t met enough people to have a good judge of character. Once during a hunt, Nylla wandered off and came across some strangers. She excitedly greeted them but they had attacked and trapped her with plans of taking her. When Oslae luckily heard her shouts, he came to rescue her. During the encounter though, he had been hit with a poisonous dart and fell ill.

They were not afraid of death, as they knew they were apart of the cycle of life. On his deathbed, Oslae told Nylla all he could about his adventures and what she should expect on her own if the Father Cernunnos claimed him. Oslae gave Nylla his two daggers Morea and Moccus (named after The Wolf & The Boar) and told her to carry them with her always and to never be too trusting of strangers. He told her she could seek solace with Wooden Elves like her. Oslae encourages her; tells her to live her life full of adventure, that she can do anything that she puts her mind to, to not be so naive and to stay safe, and most of all, that she is loved. 

When he passed, Nylla buried him next to their tree, planting a sapling of his favorite tree on top, and saying a silent prayer for his soul. 

Nylla is anxious about her future--hoping that she can take on a fulfilling path and hopes to find a family to call her own. She fears that she will not be accepted or fit in the Wood Elven society, fears that she will be alone, and doubts her own skills and intelligence--afraid she will not be good enough and make Oslae and her mother proud. She stays hopeful though, praying to the Aspects and asks that they will guide her. 

With teary eyes as she leaves the comfort of home and her Grandfather, with her daggers in tow, Nylla packs her few things and starts her journey.