TwilightWolf

Writing for the cowboy elf just became so, so much more fantastic.

Thank you

1 minute ago, DISCOLIQUID said:

"Where is it!?" shrieks Bard. 

An amendment has been made to the flier!

"...where all the druid kin go to boot, scoot, and boogie!"

Now serving for our soft opening!

Welcome to the Bayou Beer Garden of the Atoll Grove, home of feel-good music, soul food, and good company featuring the ONLY  living theatre in Almaris!

Come enjoy a pint of our infamous SWAMP FOX SOUR, an unusual green beer under the canopy of our garden's Dogwood Tree, or chow down on our tongue-torching GATOR BAIT: a secret recipe fried chicken that is a challenge for any spice lover.

Our Mascot Alligator has a comfy home in the waters of our music stage, which is set atop a giant live lily pad. Our Star Lady loves visitors! 

[not liable for loss of appendages]

BLUES NIGHT!

Our resident bard has a passion for storytelling and blues! As you settle on in with us, you'll find that nature will join in with our musical shenanigans. Even our weeping willows cry for joy on Blues Night! Hosted weekly, you may hear a tune or two inspired by world events.

Rambling bards welcome! We are hiring!

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

We have begun to expand our inventory to favored taverns around Almaris.

Currently, we are featuring Nevaehlen's Sweetbrier Barleywine, crafted by the BrewMistress of the Iron Antler.

Want your favorite drink on the menu? We'll gladly purchase and/or trade goods with fellow taverns!

Currently, we offer two staple drinks for bulk purchase:

The Bayou's Infamous Swamp Fox Sour

and

Legendary Fae Moonshine

Swamp Fog Smoking Den and Lounge

For downtime, we feature a natural cave with sauna and lounge. Among mushrooms and a natural spring-fed spa, there's plenty of ways to kick back.

House blends of Green coming soon!

Hello again! 

This is me 

     The woodland around the Vale seemed so much more alive since the Spring Equinox. Birds danced and fluttered along the winding, gentle breeze of the season, and so did the cowboy's golden song upon that same breeze. The flowers along the Archdruid's path back home bloomed with vibrancy, a reflection of a recurring theme in his mind: Hope. 

     His strides were easy and unbridled by the weight of his worldly conundrums. He had found the right path to take in his life, and sung easily of melancholic delight. Where the fork in the road seemed uncertain, he found that the wisdom of the people who loved him so truly and honestly made the flowers bloom like a blanket of white snow upon this path he had chosen. It was no coincidence, he thought, as he recited a poem of his druidic path in his mind.

From a Hound shall arise a Timber Wolf from Orison, a solemn prayer

WolfsBane will temper the Wolf's anguish

And his howl will confide to the Snow his deepest wish

     When he finally arrived at the foot of his beloved Dogwood tree, Lady Snow, she was in full bloom. The elf-lord's eyes looked up in wonder at the ever-entrancing beauty of the world he suffered willingly for, and smiled. It did not have to be so, for those he was unable to understand before have graced him with a font of wisdom thought to be unreachable, he thought. He saw the way that Liri looked towards him that evening with another great sense of Hope, the very same he has seen in Awaiti, in Emilei, in Nenar, and most of all - his dear wife.

     "I've gone an expended myself a little too fervently again, my dear Snow." the druid greets his tree with this admission. The elf had seated himself so that his back leant against the trunk of the tree. With his energy still sapped from his first attempt at infusion, he relishes in the quiet, faint communion of his companion tree even if he could not truly communicate in his usual way. Yet, that was alright, in his mind. He places a tome of the Way of the Sage next to him as he rested against the tree, as if Lady Snow would even understand this. He knew it was impossible, but took solace in her gentle silence regardless. She was a good friend to have.

     "I saw you in this book, today." he elaborates to nobody but the nature around him. Opening the tome, he thumbs to a page that details the Ilmyumier of the Sage Way, the tattoo of white woodland flowers upon a twisting branch. It was not of Dogwood, but the similarity was striking.

"You have a sister, too." he continues. "There is a druid that bears your name as her totem, my dear Lady... She says that the Aspects have guided me onto this path; to understanding and acceptance."

     Of course, there was no answer. Yet, the golden-headed elf smiles still and welcomes the empty response of the spring breeze upon his skin. "When I return, I will make the same promise to you as I did Sister Snow. To revere the Beauty of Life, to Accept the Reality of Death, to maintain the Flow of Balance, to Guide my Passion into Fury, and to embody the Soothing of Harmony." he recites carefully, the information still fresh on his mind.

     "I think I'm already pretty good at the last one." the musician jests, remaining at the comforting side of his tree and picking away at his banjo for the remainder of the day.

The Archdruid brings the parchment to the rays of light beaming into his canopy office. The room itself has been converted from a business space to a living space, as if an emergency move had just been made. Turning a glance back to his wife, asleep from toiling their things from Elysium to the very office they were living in for the time being. His lips thin, and he casts a sigh out towards the evening balcony.

"If that is the Oak's judgement, then it must be that important indeed." the TimberWolf hums. He lingers his focus upon the distant light of the early night stars, and longs for his best friend's smile.

"I must pay a visit, soon."

I'll bet Zilldude a free copy of Warhammer 3 that this gets taken down

The duty of the Druid is to protect, to heal, to preserve, and to serve the Balance. The Balance is simultaneously mighty in its enormity of influence and fragile enough to require the aid of Druids. From ensuring that descendants do not leech nutrients from the earth from over farming to snuffing out vile sorcerers, the duties of the Druidic Order are varied. They can be quiet, challenging, lethal or anything in between. For the development of Druids both early and late in their journey, it is important to collaborate with our kin. The Mother Circle has seen value in delegating tasks to any willing party of druids for the continued benefit of the Balance. Here you will find adventures to embark on with your kin, with potential reward for all involved, be them attuned or unattuned. Seek purpose here when your duties become light.

____________________________________________________________________________

Current Expeditions of the Mother Circle

Riverside Rumble

The Rivers beside the Atoll grove have had their natural flow altered by some means, affecting everything downstream. The lack of water has caused great thirst to the land and animal population, and the chance of wildfire by negligence has become dangerously high. Seek out the affected portion of the river using the provided rafts, find out what has caused their disruption along the natural flow and rectify it. 

Suggested party: 2-3

Suggested party composition: Dedicant, Young Druid

Combat: Unlikely

Hazards: Whitewater rafting, unstable wilderness, probable wild animal encounters

((Repeatable?: No))

Seashore Shenanigans

While the world’s political state has become uncertain with the Orenian and Dwarven war heating up, we’ve seen an increase of military cargo, trading ships, and pirates passing by our portion of the oceans. Some of these ships have sailed dangerously close to known coral reefs, and I am entrusting you and your kin to ensure that these fragile ecosystems are not disturbed by the passing of these vessels. 

Suggested party: 3-4

Suggested party composition: Dedicant, Druid, Blight Healer

Combat: Possible

Hazards: Underwater exploration, coral reefs, sailors

((Repeatable?: Yes))

The Laughing God ((Part 1))

Some travelers have been sending the Archdruids letters of warning for travelers traveling from the desert. According to them, there are ‘protectors of nature’ unknown to us that are robbing, stealing, and harming anyone who expresses a wish to travel to the Atoll Grove. One traveler has requested an escort party to help guide their pilgrimage to the Grove. Stay on your toes, team, we don’t have any other insight to the situation. 

Suggested party: 3-4

Suggested party composition: Any

Combat: Expected

Hazards: Harsh climate, potential bandits, lengthy travel

((Repeatable?: Yes))

Updated 12th of The Amber Cold ((4/4/22))

((OOC))

 "Many have spoken pretty words in the Vale."

Nenar spoke. The Raithean's voice was somber and unyielding, but was not unkind.

"I understand."

The Archdruid responds. He was tired, his body only just revitalizing from pushing it to the breaking point. Sweat still stained his brow, and his eyes were gaunt with weariness.

"Many have approached the Circle with promises that fell through. The Father is action, will, and strength."

     Nenar continued with an even, guiding tone. Her words dug deep, even if that which she was describing may have had nothing to do with him. He felt a deep, biting sense of accountability, and in his mind it didn't matter whether or not he was involved or not. People had entrusted him with their faith and he felt their eyes and ears upon all that he did even from afar.

     The yoke indeed was heavy, yet he placed the weight of it upon his soul regardless. 'To suffer willingly is to love most purely', he thought to himself. There was much depending on his success here: the respect of his peers, the hope of his teachers, the confident smile from his wife, his best friend's camaraderie, his students, and the aspiring gaze of his children. He did indeed love each one of them, and the thought of disappointment swallowed the fear of his pride's demise. Now was the time to act.

"I will keep Awaiti's expections of me... Always."

Aerendyl responds, a prayer to himself as much as a response. Now, there was Nenar to watch him keep to his word. His belly burned with the same, nauseating flame of determination as he felt with Dedicancy. With Nenar's acceptance of his goals, he bowed his head. It was time to do it all again.

"Know that any betrayal will be the only betrayal."  Nenar added.

It was time to act.

Aerendyl begins fashioning his legendary Rhinestone Cowboy git-up. Elvenesse had not been graced with his shiny, white ten-gallon hat for too many night.

Merida exits the crimson warmth of the Grandaxe hall not with her usual trot of jolly cheer and a smile, but in an orderly march towards the heart of the Mountain. The mighty forges of the Dwarves drank deep of the prospect of war, glowing bright with the red fury of an unsettled grudge. The percussive song of falling hammers and hissing, hot metal welcomes the inspiring voice of the Red Banshee of Urguan: beloved highland pipes of Dwarven might and pride.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

A letter from an old friend arrives to the hands of The Young Fox, bearing the seal of The Timber Wolf

     "My dear friend, it is of great comfort to me that the Balance remains still on the very forefront of your mind. It pleases me to know that even in your corner of the realm, you insist that the potential danger of the void is managed rather than the systemic oppression of otherwise ignorant people. This idea is of great interest to me, and I will ride to Ebonwood soon to discuss your thoughts.

                                                                                                                                Aspects Guide,

                                                                                                                                                             Aerendyl"

I like the mission statement a lot, good job.

I think a lot of people are going to resonate well with a more DnD approach and literary focus for conflict. Please bring back goofy and potentially inconsequential events involving conflict, I'd love to see some more accessible adventuring that can also be done again and again for many people! 

"To deny bright minds their voice is to turn those same bright minds against yourself." 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

      It was the first time that he had even seen the fruits of his wife's progress, to feel her particular way that she sways the song of nature in her own way. Sister Lynx was kind, observant, yet stern in protecting the limits of her student, his beloved. It reminded him so much of Orison, her deep love for building up those around her. It was what he had hoped that his own students would be able to experience and share, the greatest blessing of wisdom: the heart to share. Aerendyl looked up to the Winter Raithean with hope that he had not felt since Awaiti had seen promise in him, enough to guide him along her path and teachings. The elf-lord wanted to know more of this Circle's way.

"I should think I would like to teach, here... and learn." He had discovered another druid knowing as much as he did in a long time. It was invigorating, and spurned his desire to learn and serve the Aspects.

"I wouldn't count on it... but I'll bring it up with them." The Winter Lynx said.

     That was enough, for him. Hope. The familiar sense of hope that burned deep within his soul when he was still walking beside his beloved teacher, legend of the mali'ame. It was if a rekindled sense of faith from her bloomed from her memory to life within him again. His teacher believed in him until the moment that she was taken away from this realm. For this feeling, he would destroy himself to maintain. And that, he thought, was enough to see him through challenges again.

She gave him Hope.

Somewhere in the Wilds, a Druid Cowboy gives a MIGHTY laugh 

The path of the Aspect's Chosen is not paved with fame and fortune.

It is a quiet, woodland stroll, of silent suffering and wordless joy.

     The service that druids provide to the Balance, and subsequently the Aspects, is a long, storied, and arduous tale. There have existed druids so dedicated and steadfast in their attunement that we continue to pass their teachings on today, tomorrow, and ever more. There have existed druids so disturbed and troubled by their attunement that we pass on the story of their struggles in tandem. This is as it should be, for there is no great spiritual harvest without there also being a great spiritual winter, and the fulfillment of the complex flow of Balance is unachievable without equal portions of joy and lamentations.

     It is not without great caution that the Verdant Path is offered, yet it should be equally so that great caution is taken when withholding the path from the inhabitants of the realm. In this belief, perhaps the small yet industrious bee may offer their wisdom. The duty of the bee is immense; without the support of its kin the bee would die without the products of the hive. The flowers would go untended, their plants withering without the careful attention of their striped friends. The bear would never know the sweetness of the hive's determined industry, and the bird may never take nourishment that is the sacrifice of the bee. For the continuation of this harmony that is Balance, it is paramount that the role of the Student, the Druid, the Guide, and the Grove is defined to the best of literature's means in which it may serve as the pillars of the Druid's values, goals, and purpose.

The Student

The King and Peasant are not so much unalike, for both may thirst for the rivers of spiritual knowledge.

     To take the path of Dedicancy is that which is truly sacred: it is the agreement to learn, to submit one's self to strife and challenge in the hope of achieving deeper understanding of our tumultuous world. The Students are those among us that may make great discoveries, face indescribably challenging conflict, and learn lessons in which they foster a great desire to share. The Student's role is to learn, but it is also their sacred, unsung, and perhaps unintentional role to teach their Guide. To assume that a Student's Guide has experienced every challenge and hardship is not only irresponsible but demeaning for both. The seed is the representation of the potentiality of life, such as the student is the representation of the potentiality of great knowledge. Guides need only to foster their growth, and learn from their journey so that the next seed, or Student, may be just as enriched as their elders.

     The process itself of becoming a Student is very easy, and can be taken by anyone of good character and pure intent. When a seeker has discovered the inspiring acts of a druid and gained a thirst for deeper understanding, they may beseech the druid for their tutelage. In this gesture, the Student may be unknowingly granting the greatest honor achievable for a Druid: the affirmation of the value of their teachings and a desire to learn from that Druid. From there, their path may begin through a series of tasks and lessons that pertain to real, current duties of the druidic community of the time.

     The Student will immerse themselves in the realm of Balance's struggle, and gain valuable insight before the Student is attuned into the Great Family. These tasks may range from challenging, quiet, cerebral and physical. In preparation for the Student's body and soul to serve a the greater call of nature, they must incorporate themselves in the daily struggles of existing Druids. This should not be a path unhappily followed, for should a Student find that there is no value in that which is being taught it is just as vital to allow them to stray from the path or seek another Druid. While the desired understanding can and has been attained by a single Guide's teaching, it is an unnatural restriction to expect it totally from each Guide and Student relationship. The Seed, or Student, must be allowed to grow in accordance to what answers they seek, and secrecy will stifle their potential growth to an unknown severity. The Student is the Spring season of the cycle of the Druidic cycle.

The Druid

To willingly suffer on the behalf of those that cannot speak is to love purely and justly

     The baptism of a graduated Student in the energies of attunement is a right of passage all within the Great Family have taken. The great equalizer of druids is the process of Attunement, for once the path is taken and endured, they join a family of those that can see, hear, and feel that which was previously unknowable. Every druid, newborn and elder, hears the same voices, delights, and anguish of the natural world. It is the light of perspective that shines upon Druids and allows their individual strengths to blossom, and give a kaleidoscope of culture and meaning to an otherwise overwhelming sense of perception.

     Elders have often said that the culmination of all hopes, fears, struggles and bonds they have nurtured and severed bombard the mind of the newborn druid like a great tidal wave. Here, the Aspects are presented the soul of the Student and examine the dedication of the oath they have sworn to nature. All unsung accomplishments, the quiet deeds of kindness, and grand victories for the preservation of the Balance are seen and heard by the Mother and Father. If the Student has satisfied the tenets of each Aspect in Balance, they will bathe the Student in the first and most important gift of all of the gifts: Perception.

     Emerging from Attunement, which is often but not necessarily done within a quiet and secluded pool in a grove or the wilds, is akin to second birth. Where there was silence and lack of life now there is song, color and feeling. Attunement is never ceasing, for it is an eternal state of awareness in the delights and distress of all living things. It can be maddening, even fatally so. This is where the Great Family emerges like the eye of a hurricane for their young brother or sister. Druids have been acutely conditioned to recognize anguish, and some have mastered the arts so finely that they may enlist the help of that very thing they protect to support the newborn druid in kind. Even where druids may not possess the means to sway the song of the world so potently, they may possess other skills or acts of care in which to comfort and support the new Druid. As a mother and father of the physical world would hope that their children care for each other, so too should we assume that the Aspects would hope that their druidic children would care for each other. This is the core concern that arises when Druids murder or maim Druids: it is as symbolic violation of nature itself.

     The Role of the Druid is to practice. Attunement enables the Druid to reach for the Gifts that have been freely offered to us by the Aspects. While the Gifts can make the task of the Druid easier, it is not that which makes impossible solutions possible. The acquisition of the Gifts does not place the Druid in any state of higher or lower authority over Druids that do not possess the same Gifts, they are truly and simply Gifts. The beauty of receiving a gift in the physical realm is the sense of gratitude and appreciation for the self, and even so the desire to share the Gifts persists among the Great Family of Druids.

     Abuse of the gifts is an unfortunate reality that most Druids are aware of. It has, as well, created a platform for heated debate among Elder Druids, Students, and every Druid in between. The voice of the Student or Dedicant should never be silenced in a flawed desire to pursue perfect dialogue, for they may offer the most valuable insight and perspective simply unavailable to those who have been Attuned. Allow Students and Druids alike to voice their concerns among the matter of ongoing debates, great or small, difficult or easy. The Druid is the Summer season of the Druidic cycle.

The Guide

There can be no preservation of the Balance without the guidance of Spring's youth, for Winter always comes for the old.

     The progression of Druid to Guide is much like observing the flight of the songbird, and knowing that at one point that bird did not know how to fly. Yet, it is still very much a songbird, an equivalent to the bird that is still within its egg, unborn and innocently naive.  Much like the adult bird in this scenario, it is the role of the Guide to harbor growth and learning within that unhatched egg, so that one day a songbird may fly onto great things. It is also the duty of the Guide to ensure that a Student does not anguish unnecessarily or cruelly, but to allow them to face challenges in spirit of the Balance and in pursuit of ensuring the next generation may bring renewed sanctity to the journey of Druidism. Should the Guide find their spirit weary by the sheer amount of Students, it is the most honorable choice to refer the Student to another Guide.

     The Guide is a fount of knowledge both abstract and representational, but varying between Guides. It is not expected for a single river of the realm to offer water to every living thing of the world. Therefore we must allow many streams, or Guides, to quench the thirst of many kinds of students. Perhaps a callow teaching when pondered at first, but it is also of principal value to understand the innate wisdom of the Guide. For one who has lived and seen many things on their journey, it is also their discretion to deny a Student's request to learn. This should not be done without great consideration or reason, for it is an observable fact that when we stifle or prevent the learning from an otherwise valid druidic candidate we invoke the ire of talented minds upon ourselves. The ability to teach should never be conflated with an absolute requirement to teach. Additionally, most Guides are nominated to teach through great meetings between Druids called Moots, but it is by no means a requirement to begin passing knowledge to the next generation. 

     The Aspects, through their notorious silence, have clearly spoken in disinterest as to what a descendant may refer to themselves before taking the Verdant Path. The Guide may offer the Verdant Path to peasants, Kings, men, women, elves, orcs, dwarves etc. The state of existence is of no matter to the Aspects that grant us our abilities. Their chiefest interest in this world is and has always only been the Balance, and it is also the duty of the Guide to ensure that other Guides may hold themselves to the standard in which the Aspects have placed faith into and expect from Druids. The Guide will teach the Guide as fervently and kindly as they would their Student. The Guide is the Autumn season of the Druidic cycle.

The Grove

The Grove will envelop the weary druid and comfort them, nursing their spirit back into vitality

     The Grove is perhaps the simplest structure of druidic culture, but has been long and unintentionally involved in political affairs that the Druid should not strive to mingle within. At the core, the Grove is a sanctuary of flora and fauna that provides shelter, nourishment, and physical rest for the Druid. This allows a great many of druids to mingle beneath great canopies and among fantastic creatures, as well as pool the resources of gifts into a convenient place for Students, Druids, and Guides alike to access.

     Where the more intricate function of the Grove comes in is in management of the site. Typically a grove is maintained by the permanent residence of one or more druids, with some taking on various jobs. Historically, these have been called Archdruids, but there are many names that one may give the caretaker of the Grove such as Raithean, Keeper, etc. Speaking in terms of relevant change that this grants the Druid, there is very little. The Archdruid is granted no additional gifts from the Aspects, nor does their state of awareness within the confines of attunement alter for better or worse. Archdruid, much like Guide, is simply the title of a very important job that facilitates the cooperation of all Druids among the realm. The Grove is a beacon for Druids and Students to come home to, but there must exist one or more to remain and keep the fire lit. Caution is taken when an Archdruid is selected, for it is something that must be agreed upon by many that the person in question possesses the ability to remain steadfast in times of quiet or strife.

     Groves typically hold vital structures within its suggested borders, including a library or information hub, an attunement pool, memorial grounds, and Moot room. Of course, many groves hold further spaces for other purposes needed for cultural ideas or otherwise, but most have generally followed this list. These give a great feast of tools for the Druids to utilize, particularly on the topic of meetings, public attunement, and historical archives.

     Arguably the most important function of the Grove is to facilitate the formation of the Moot, or meeting. Students, Druids, and Guides will gather within the Moot area and will discuss threats to the realm, coordinate festivals or events, and consolidate gifts to share with other Druids. There has been a need to discuss any potential harm caused by Druids, for there have existed and will continue to exist those that abuse or otherwise twist nature to serve their own desires. These accursed Druids are known as Draoi, taken from the elvish tongue as a title for an evil or otherwise harmful Druid. While genuine Draoi are fairly few and far between, it is important for Druids to convene and discuss potential conflicts of interest as to better understand how to prevent or rectify the presence of a Draoi.

     For the Druid, the Grove is a safe haven to rest from the tiring duties throughout the realm. It is not extended only for those that are on the Verdant Path, however, and frequently they have been used to offer refuge for citizens of natural disaster, war, or to simply offer food and comfort for the unfortunate.  For this reason, it is a duty for all druids to protect and defend them wherever they may be constructed, be it in the wilds or in the nations of descendants. As nature has given us the means to survive, Druids will continue to offer that survival to all.

     The presence of one grove or many groves should not indicate a fracture in how the Verdant Path is joined, maintained, and protected. A Grove within the harsh desert serves the same purpose as the Grove within a glade of the mali’ame, a people historically very supportive of the Druidic Mission. Because the main purpose of the Grove is to support Druidic growth, the presence of many groves should serve as a testament to mission success. It should be the ultimate goal of the Druid to exist in harmony with all Groves, and allow the wayward druid to find their calling among all or none should they choose. Welcome, and indeed celebrate the Druid that serves many Groves, for the Balance is granted greater protection through it.

Number three! Time to take a break! 

"Aerendyl Hawksong for Archdruid."

     The words broke him out of his long, daydreaming stare towards the moot with a rather potent shock to his senses. Was that sentence really what Aiden spoke so clearly and confidently? Of course, it was from a nomination card, and it was truly no great feat to read words upon a piece of paper. Yet, it was as if somebody had called out to him nearly accusatorily, as if he should have seen this coming, or at least felt more of a sense of duty for it. His dusky eyes dart around the Moot. The Circle was small in number, but even then their eyes looked expectantly towards him. A deep sense of unease gnawed in his gut.

     He must have let a surprised sigh exit his lips at just enough volume for Minto to turn around and offer a smile of encouragement. The hobbit's sense of brotherly bond that glimmered in his small eyes froze the elf-lord's thoughts into a gentle, worried stream.

'Archdruid? Can I even feasibly do that?' he asks himself in thought, looking around his family. They were his family, after all. They did not care for his time in Elvenesse, his troubled journey, yet loved him still the same as a druid among druids. 'Do these people even support me?' he continues internally, before Aiden's voice pierces the silence again.

     "Do ye accept this nomination?" the Archdruid muttered. Aerendyl's eyes snap back up to Aiden. That is when the realization hit him: somebody had put his name in that dreaded box, hoping that he would accept. It was a trickle of hope among a quiet, forgotten grove. In that thought, he dips his head and comes to a startling conclusion... Somebody had faith in him. Just like he had had faith in his first teacher, Awaiti, and his second, Emilei. His students had faith in him to guide them down the path of service to the Aspects, a pledge that may very well take their lives. Yet, they still had faith, and he had made a solemn vow to always do the best with what he had. How was now any different?

     "...I... yes. I do." the druid finally stammers out. He nods as if to reassure not only himself, but those around him of his certainty. Either way, he would know one way or another if this was some silly joke played upon him. Then, the tallies came in. Aye. Aye. Aye. Abstain. Aye...

     Before he even had time to process what great change this would ultimately mean for him, he was at the flank of Aiden and Malii, his sister Archdruid elect. The chatter at this point had been greatly quieted in his mind. He thought back to Awaiti, of what sort of guidance he would have imparted onto him on this next stretch of his journey. His mind wandered to what Emilei would expect of him. Would they rather have seen him back down from the challenge that they had all prepared him for so genuinely in order to avoid embarrassment, or strive to test the merit of their teachings and offer his best for the good of the druidic realm as a whole?

     The alternative would be to let them all down; to give up without even so much as giving half of a decent try. To Aerendyl, this was unacceptable. Before long, he had emerged from his deep contemplation to answer the call of any final words. There were many, but he needed to keep his tongue and his mind from racing; there was much to do and little time for error or wasted energy.

"...My previous teacher, Awaiti, before she parted us for the Eternal Forest would often share the wisdom of the deep forests of the ame. Like some trees may create a root network to communicate with other trees, so should we with our kin. In this Moot, we see our numbers frail and fragile. Yet, the threats to the Balance are never ceasing. It is a cunning, dangerous threat that will impart doom upon us should we continue to neglect action on our part while our kin work tirelessly to ensure that the fears of our predecessors never come to pass. I promise this to you, Circle of the Spring Mother: I will rise to the challenge. I will work to ensure that a mutual, healthy cooperation is forged with our brothers and sisters in the realm, wherever they are. They have continued to support us even in our winter, when our spirit has faded and our verdant halls are quiet. We must, indeed it is imperative to our cause, that we extend our hand in kinship, in dedication to the Balance, and in spirit of the idea of druidism as a whole; to offer our lives for those voices that cannot voice their own. In this pledge I will hold myself to do no harm to this order, and I encourage you to support me in this self-anointed clause. Spring is here, kin, and so shall our spirits revitalize among the welcoming arms of our kin."

There, the TimberWolf departed side by side with his kin. There were many druids to speak with, many details to arrange, and many paths to tread. 

"The deer may pant for water even after it has drunken its fill from the river."

     These were true and wise words, in her mind, spoken centuries before even her birth. The elder had indeed drank her fill from the courts and cliffs of elvish legacy, ever thirsting for the purest, spiritual quench. Yet, it is the second, lesser known curse of elves that rots Titania's soul: the perpetual limbo of watching her people rise and fall in a cyclical hell of prosperity and stagnation. Gone were the days of Laurelin, the triumphs of the Undead Wars, the great cities of Normandor and Leumalin, the united banner of elves.  She had served, and led, with her best efforts with the circumstances given to her. And yet, with crowns and titles to her name, she thirsts.

     Titania easily ceded the empty halls of her kin to the Crown. Where there was another family in need, Hawksong would forever provide that which is not absolutely needed for their survival. She couldn't help but look to the paintings of her kin that she had neglected to see in years, to the dust atop the mantle of the great hall with a sinking sense of doubt: this was not survival. This was the Dusk of their cause: an oath that had been sworn before her birth.

"...and our lances will ever point to defend the shining legacy of the ancient father. The House will live and die for the throne of united Mali."

     Atop the back of silver steed, the Lady of Twilight looks remorsefully towards the city she was leaving behind. What could have been, what is, and what may yet come to pass. Even in her age she felt the intense pull of emotion, as if the city literally shone with the cherished memories of her mind's eye. To the veil of temptation shining against the waterfalls and verdant trees, she turns her head away and sheds a tear, addressing her kin.

     "The cost of spending our labor, love, and loyalty has become too much to bear. We waste away, our culture rotting so that our folk may uphold an oath to a nation that no longer exists." the golden voiced elder speaks. The wind blows upon their backs, like a sacred blessing for what she was about to convey. To those that had gathered upon their beloved steeds, she finalizes their unanimous decision. 

     A single lance had been placed in the throne hall of the Woodland Prince. An old and storied weapon, with secrets among the tattered red tail of banner fabric beneath the spear-tip. A scroll of fine parchment is tied to the weapon with golden thread. There, it waits, ready to share its quiet proclamation.

     "On this evening, the children of Andaeren's line, fourth son of the Elven Father, have retired from our sacred charge; the service of the heirs to the one elven throne. This is not without regret nor remorse, for there is no greater pain than understanding that a cause that one has faithfully served since time immemorial no longer exists. It is the curse of long life: to see many dusks without dawn. While the kin of elves prosper among those new ideals that their banners fly for, our own has faded into distant memory. To what cost do we allow ourselves to rot for pride in an oath for those that have passed from this world? For our House, that cost has become too expensive, and out of love for service and duty, we depart for greener pastures. We depart for purpose not yet known." 

MC Name:

         CornerianArwing

Character's Name:

         Aerendyl Hawksong

Character's Age:

         44o

Character's Race:

         Elf

Link to your accepted MA:

         https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/207537-blight-healing-ma-cornerianarwing/

What magic(s) will you be teaching?

         Blight Healing

Describe this magic or a creature as a whole:

Blight Healing is the next level of dedication that a druid can take in their dedication to the path of the balance. It is at its core the mending damage and purging harm from either unnatural means or direct descendant meddling. It is much more exhausting to the druid and by extent more dangerous for those that tempt fate via overexertion. 

Blight Healing does offer the practicing druid further utility with enchantments of many spells that it provides, granting those who have really determined to master the healing arts a potent arsenal of tools to further protect that which is important to their cause.

Are there different sections or subsections of magic? Can those be elaborated upon?

Blight Healing is a subsection of druidic arts, the user must both be attuned and have mastered communion prior to learning.

Can you give an example of a casting emote, of a spell of your choice?

Cleansing at T5

Aerendyl kneels to the ground, finally atop the peak in which an inlet stream fed the very beginnings of a creek that trickles down the entire mountainside. There, a forgotten campsite leans partially into the beginning of the small stream, letting rot and refuse taint the water from its source. After spending a while clearing the banks of garbage, rotten structure and rusted tools, he begins to focus on the stream itself.

[1] With a warm, golden gloom of twilight the druid's connection intensifies. 

[2] From their glittering hue, a heavy stream of moonlit smoke seems to pour from his eyes and parted lips, clinging to his skin like dew on morning grass. They begin to coagulate and form into a layer of sunset hue over the elf's face and neck.

[3] Like branching lightning, the smoke crawls and fluffs into the illusion of ghostly fur around his neck, chest and ears. His ears elongate in a wolven illusion of beastly, spectral and jagged ears. It was untamed and wild, ever flowing as if an unseen and unheard wind was billowing through this form. The glittering aura of fur extends all the way to his hands, cloaking them in soft light and offering the further illusion of 'claws' over his hands. They wave and dissipate, revealing that it was truly an incorporeal energy.

[4] The druid dips his fingers gently into the tiny stream, closing his eyes as he coaxes his energy and spirit into the water. Taking on a gentle golden shimmer, the water drinks in the energy offered.

[5] Slowly, the remaining pollution within the water, even if rather small in quantity, quietly and calmly washes away downstream. It is replaced, however, with cleaner water, that helps to force the impurities and harmful remnants of the negligent remains of the camp.

With an exhausted sigh, and his duty done, he stands and allows the wolven veil of his aura to fade away like mist in the morning sun. Then, he makes his way down the mountain again, for there was more work to do downstream.

Can you give an example of a teaching-emote (interacting with another) of a spell of your choice?

Blooming lesson with new student

"Communion is necessary preparation for what we are to learn today... Every lesson that you have learned has sharpened your focus, precision, and spirit so that you might be able to attempt the first teachings without killing yourself. Watch carefully, kin." the druid advises, raising the poor burnt flower towards the student with his hand.

"Connect first, always, as I'm sure you know. Listen and focus upon the pain of this small voice like I shall do now. Allow yourself to immerse yourself in its pain, so that it may stir genuine and pure healing from within you." he advises, the glow of his dusky eyes alighting like a bonfire as he instructs.

"Allow that sense of duty and healing to blossom within you, like a great bloom of mending." he hums, a dense mist of gloam pouring from his eyes like somber waterfalls down his cheeks, neck and should

Soon, those mists collect and burst like a spreading flame over his chest and shoulders, cloaking the TimberWolf druid with the veil of the Aspects' specific identity for this elf. Golden light and glitter, waving like rows of grain into a mane of wild fur covers Aerendyl's upper body. Eventually, they reach his hands that hold the delicate and burnt flower.

"Guide that sense, allow it to overflow and soak into your subject. Never force, only offer healing. If it is meant to be, it will heal." TimberWolf guides, the flower's burnt and wilted leaves giving a short shake of greeting to the druid. Then, after a long pause, the flower folds in upon itself and give a mighty stretch of rejuvenation. Leaves, petals, and stem all take on a golden shimmer as if it had been literally gilded in pure light, and with a great burst of misty energy the flower sheds its burnt form for a new, greener, and lively one.

"Take your time with this, and heed my words when I warn not to force this; I have heard of druids that have perished trying to overexert themselves."

Say your student powergames during or after teaching, how do you reprimand that?

During teaching is easy. That's the point of teaching! I will be sure to offer guidance and perspective about why certain things can't be done as they arise, and encourage a student to keep striving to get it right. If it continues, I may contact staff to assist for another opinion.

After teaching should be case by case, but if I hear of it before it is reported to staff I will report it. I believe firmly in setting players up for success, however, and will try to avoid it altogether by keeping a line of communication open with current and past students.

Do you have a magic(s) you are dropping due to this app? If so, link it:

         No

Do you agree to keep the ST updated on the status of your magic app?:

         Yes!

Have you applied to teach this magic on this character before, and had it denied? If so, link the app.

         No

Merida's usual cheer and rosey smile fades as she hears of the missive. Even she in the spring of her youth felt the accursed draw of glitter and gold, and muttered a thankful prayer that her dedication to her Clan saved her from a similar and all too possible path.

"Es a damn shame. T'ere's nuthin proidful en watchen' our lads fall tuu tha curses o' our people. Me 'eart es with those tha' be 'urtin from this."

Yes

See you later, friend

Trying to read this black text like 

But seriously good read. Some solid points made here