EndRealms

╰── 🌿 ──╮ “You did very well today, Xil. You've grown into quite the druid. I am very proud of you.” “..Ahernan, Maln. Ahernan for taking me in, and teaching me. For being the Maln I never got to have.” “Ahernan for letting me be your Maln.” “Of course. I will never regret it- it was the best decision of my life.” “I’ll never regret it either. You and your sisters mean everything to me. I could not possibly ask for a better family.” “..Me neither. You've led me to be proud of being a Caerme’onn, and even prouder of being a Darkstone- I'm ne sure what I would have done if you had’ne dragged me along with you. Come on- why do’ne we head to the den and share a blunt? We could tell stories, just like in the Vale.” “Ti, that sounds like a great idea.” ╰── 🥀 ──╮ ..This wasn’t the story she ever wanted to tell. And it was one she may never get the chance to. She was just going out to the Glade of Hileia- with all of the fights that had been happening as of recent, and the increased darkspawn activity, she wished to seek guidance from some of the surrounding Mani, and from the druids that had passed on. She went to Sasha’s grave- one of the few she could remember now, from when she had first become an Epiphyte. The one who had helped her move her tree, from its original spot by the river. She passed a few others, making sure to pay her respects to the unknown names that died in service to the Aspects… until she got to Nenar’s. A Pale Knight stood before her grave- she couldn’t hazard a guess as to why. Nor did she particularly want to find out. But as she stepped away… CRACK A branch she hadn’t noticed before, now snapped clean in half by her foot. There was a grating of stone as the Pale Knight’s head snapped over to watch the druid, who had frozen in place. “You. You are not mortal. Not mortal, yet you still dare to interrupt my time of silence?” “I may ne be mortal. But I am still ‘Ame and a Drui, and your presence is disrupting their graves.” She knew that she wouldn’t win this fight. There was no way she could. But her words spoke true, and she wouldn’t let her desecrate the graves of the fallen druids, to the best of her ability… even if that meant she would join them. As she infused her staff, and began for battle, the Pale Knight came lumbering forth. From the start, it was uneven. She couldn’t land a hit- all of them either ending up caught, or needing to be abandoned for her own safety- but she couldn’t escape, at this point. She had locked herself into a duel, unable to retrieve any help. She did what she could- but her abilities paled in comparison to a behemoth of stone possessing orc-like strength. Her staff was snapped in half, almost every attack caught, or forced back, while she took a hit that shattered her left arm. Eventually.. As she delivered a blow to the being’s head, it’s mace struck her left side, knocking her back, and leaving her prone. Before she was able to fall, she was caught by her neck, and was lifted in a chokehold to be slammed into a tree, over.. And over.. until a translucent blue sap leaked from her head, and she was barely conscious. Only then, was she dropped, and set against the tree in a sit. “And here, I thought you were to be the one who gave me trouble once I took a fair fight. No, you are just as weak as the ancestors who blessed your lineage with life.” “What is your name, soldier.” “...Geyser, is the only name you need to know.” There came a pause from the felled epiphyte, then. She was beaten, nearly dead. She knew it was coming soon, and there was a part of her that just wanted to accept it. She had done her duty, hadn’t she? She tried to protect the Glade, somewhere that held the memories of everyone who had died doing their duty to the Aspects. Yet.. there was a part of her, screaming, that THEY needed to survive. Not she, no. There was no true care for the ‘Ame. In that moment, all she was was a body, a host. Someone who needed to survive, simply so that another thing could keep on living. Her good arm went to push herself up, to fight once more, to figure out a way to run and get help, to survive. But eventually.. That arm stilled. Pain was already wrecking the epiphyte’s form… a bit more wouldn’t hurt. “Kill me. Release me from her. Please. I am a slave to a plant. Free me.” She begged for her death. She didn’t fully know why. She still had much to live for- family, friends, her duties, the Sun Circle… she still had so much to learn, as well. But in that moment? When she knew she couldn’t survive, that there was little chance that there was a way out? She fought against those instincts that had ruled her life ever since she shoved herself into that tree, desperate for comfort. She begged, begged this abomination to the balance to free her. To send her to those in the Forest, where she could continue on without having to bend to a plant's whims. When she would arrive… she would apologize to Nenar, she decided. For not listening, for starting arguments over such a thing. And she would thank her, for teaching those around her, and getting them to attempt to help her. “Forgive me, for this will be the last breath you take upon this realm” “..Ahernan. Be prepared for The Hunt.” As she uttered those last words, that mace came crashing down upon her skull. And the world went silent, for the first time since she’d been attuned. ╰── 🪦 ──╮ There were so many other stories she had wanted to share… how she came to the Vale from Amathine, how she had become a Caerme’onn, how she had become an Epiphyte, what she had experienced while in the wilds, her tasks and trials to become a druid, the fights she had been in during the end of Aevos- but the realm had decided that she had had enough time. That she didn’t tell the stories when she should have, that she squandered what time she had had with her family… And so, those stories would never be told, as the last leaf on a withered Truespring Geyserian fell. Xilvyre Cairora Darkstone Caerme’onn, Sister Geyser (1972 - 2082) As her room and belongings were being gone through, some letters were found, and sent out:

The Abdication of the Paramount This is not a missive I would have hoped to post this soon, but it’s one that I must post for both my own good, and the good of Virú. Due to a multitude of issues I have come across personally, I must step down from the podium that had been gifted to me by my Tia. In my stead, I leave the post of Paramount to Sloane Kunya Pachakutiq, my Pani. May she lead well, and lead Virú to brighter futures. Aureliano Paqar Pachakutiq

+1 Please give us fun little things to do with our plants!! (Also oh my god the formatting is so pretty-)

Karin Oem “Go out, and befriend an animal without taming them” That was the task given to the Epiphyte- her final one, before her Grand Task. One of the last steps to take, before getting attuned to nature's gifts. And after years of having to tiptoe around the Empire, and some… unnerving realizations, she was glad to have the excuse to slip into the wilds for a few months. She packed some rations, and camping gear- and set out. By nightfall, she found a quiet place in the middle of the wilderness, along the side of the stream. With soft songs sung under her breath, she quietly set up camp- A small, covered area that wouldn’t disrupt the local wildlife, and a few places to safely store her food. The next morning, her trial would start. Karin Niut The next morning, she quietly sat next to the riverbed, her legs folded beneath her in the mud. Her first goal was making herself known to the wildlife around her- and known that she was natural. That she would be there, consistently- and would not harm nor interfere with those around her. It would be a long, and quiet process- one that would leave her many nights to think of recent happenings. The war, the most recent killings, Fenric and Kelpie’s return, how many memories she’s truly lost… she had all the time in the world to ponder it all. And if a few freshwater tears mixed into the mud at her knees, who would be around to tell? Mar’karin Oem Eventually, a month passed of her staying out in the wilderness. A few of the braver chipmunks and squirrels had drank from the stream next to her- but she was still mostly avoided. She was still a foreign part of their world- accepted, but regarded with suspicion. But it was still a step in the right direction. She kept her breathing steady, a constant rhythm of in, and out. Any small variation to her routine, to her being, would scare off those around. Yet when she heard a soft padding, and sniffing to her side- she couldn’t resist cracking one lichen eye open. Next to her, stood a black bear cub. It slowly stepped out of the treeline, consistently making strained, screaming sounds. It seemed to be a little over a year old… old enough to have learned parts of how to live and hunt from its mother, but young enough to still need her. It continued on, desperately calling for its mother- who after a few minutes of quietly observing, never came. Despite how much she wished to help, to intervene- she stayed still. After a few more minutes, he eventually ambled back into the woods- his call echoing back out towards the stream. That night, a fish was laid on the riverbed for the starving cub- close enough for it to seem like it had jumped out itself, if the small puncture wound through its mouth did not say otherwise. Mar’karin Niut This went on for another month- during the night, she’d lay out fish, inching it closer to the water every day. After two weeks- she witnessed the cub hunting for the first time. It struggled, by itself- but it would eventually be able to catch its own fish. She also spotted it foraging for its own food at times, gathering small berries and nuts. As she sat a small smile crossed her face as the cub started to survive on its own. Though by now squirrels would climb onto her lap, and birds would perch in her hair- she stayed, determined to ensure the cub was able to thrive. Though she knows it may be disrupting the balance if its mother died of natural causes- she can’t help but worry that a hunter may have killed her, and this cub could’ve had a mother had someone not been so careless. As the second month of her being in the wilds drew to a close, and the moss had started to creep up her legs as she stayed in place, she suddenly felt a presence next to her. She peeked her eyes open once more- pausing as she saw a sleeping black bear cup curled up next to her, sucking up the small amount of heat she radiated. It had been slightly colder recently, as nature transitioned to spring- so it makes sense that he’d seek out a source of heat. And even if she didn’t have much.. She was alive. Breathing. Something perceived as safe, and close enough to what his mother would be like. She looks down, a smile playing across her face as she watches him sleep- glad that she could provide him some comfort for the night. The next morning, she packed up. The cub was safe, and could take care of itself now- and she can only hope that it continues to thrive in the forest. But for now- it was time for her to return to her home.

The epiphyte hadn’t expected much when she went out into the woods that day- maybe a dead animal or two, such is the way of the balance. But when she ventured closer to the valah settlements… she stumbled across a stag, its foot trapped within a metal trap created by those who couldn’t bother to hunt themselves. As she approached, the creature lifted its head slightly to look at her- watching her every step, as a quiet plea for help. She stepped ever closer, kneeling gently as not to disturb the foliage around it. “Llir… what happened to you?” She murmured quietly, eyes sweeping over the injured creature. It tried to get up, stumbling as it did so. The epiphyte quickly held her hands out- reaching out to help it back down, to rest. “Shh… let me work, oem’ii. I can heal you, and set you free. The valah hunters will’ne find you here. Ne on my watch.” She moved down to where the stag was trapped, working quickly. She retrieved two sturdy sticks- using one to hold down the spring, and the other to keep the trap propped open as the stag pulled itself out. It stumbled away, leaving a small trail of blood after it. “Wait- ne!” She quickly stood, jumping out of the way as the trap re-engaged. She stepped after it, holding her hands out. “I can help you- heal you enough you can get away from the hunters.” She held up a hand- a small branch of tippens root starting to grow from her palm. After- small blades of grass, pricking up beside it. “Come… let me help.” The stag had knelt next to her quietly as she worked- a tippens root salve leaking from her finger as she traced along the wound to staunch the bleeding, and amberriddle sap leaking out shortly after to seal the wound. She lightly pet the stag as she worked, trying to keep it calm. “Ellaurir’Valleiansae, Hamatsa, siyueran myan’ehya ito heya’leh lye, kaean’leh ortilrun nae illerae.” She murmured the prayer quietly, almost like a song as she tried to heal the poor creature. “Kaean’leh Sirame ay’nae’leh lye myumierae. Oh lle orwaleh’ehya Hamatsa, nae’leh ahern kae illera.” As she finished the prayer, she retrieved a cloth from her medic pack to wrap the wound with- making sure to tie it in such a way the stag could shake it off, if needed. “Narn lin, oem’ii. Be free” She stood, wiping her hands on the cloth of her armor as she gives the creature room to leave. She watches as it stands, and stalks off into the forest- pausing to look back at her one more time, before setting off back to its home with a limp. “Be safe” was her last whisper, as she looked back to the metal trap laying on the ground. “Idiot el’orar” She muttered, picking it up. “Can’ne even hunt properly.” She looks around the area, pausing as she saw another glint of metal a little further away. She grabs a longer stick, moving over to prod at the glint- and flinching back as another trap was revealed. As her lips thinned she looked around- starting to search for and collect various traps left out in the wilderness. Once she was sure she gathered everything, she held up the metal traps, inspecting them. “You may work well for a new blade… a new form that allows you to hunt properly, without cowardice.”

Eira couldn't have done anything. He was dead, before she woke up from whatever sleep she had been put into. Yet she blamed herself. “To think… one name could have prevented this.” It was her fault. She could've prevented it. Yet.. it was too late. All she could do now, was cry at the base of the statue. ---- Astraea took the letter with shaking hands- still mourning her late Kasaan. She started to read through the letter- tears brimming as she continued. "He tells us to fight... yet, how could we?" She turns to her sisters, shaking hands setting the letter down.

FULL NAME: Aureliano Paqar Stafyr Leomonte AGE: 21 PRIOR EXPERIENCE: Fought against the Mountain as a teen, and participated in other organized combat SIGNED NAME: METHOD OF CONTACT: EndRealms on both Discord and Minecraft!

Sa'Cozamozilin reads the missive, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "They've lied and overexaggerated in their past missives- this one trusts nothing in this one either. She wishes those involved luck.. but they've shown they're no family of this one." She tosses it to the side, heading to the aviary to pen the letter to renounce her Fi'smaa'd name.

Xilvyre stands, staring down at her now-dead brother with silent tears streaming down her face, though hidden by her visor. Memories flashed through her mind- from play fighting with him a few elven days ago, to that fateful evening at the Squid Mani rite where they had met. All of it, gone in an instant. But she pushes her almost overwhelming grief down- for now, there's work to do.