Beasts of the Surface, a Druidic Perception by Gwen Estalwen

Skull Crags Druid Grove:

Located North of Guldorand on the Skull Crags Mountain. Inspection of the sacred grounds of this grove will show that the ground has been dug up and that large sacred stones have been overturned. Also the trees of the mountain have roused themselves in order to aggressively stand in protection against any that would try to press into the lands. Even to the present day people continue to venture to this sacred ground to break apart any stone that they can find in order to haul back to their cities. These observations have led us to believe that not only are the druids of this land angry but, even beyond that, they may be cursed. It is difficult to know who first pressed into lands that the mountain druids watched over, but it is obvious that at some point a group of travelers crossed a line when they defiled the druid’s grove. In the end, the druids failed to protect their sacred land and have fallen into darkness until they are able to heal their lands and bless the grove again. Like the Barbarian of the Spires, these druids may need to be shown resistance to their aggression at times. Perhaps even leading to their numbers being culled. If should always be kept in mind that these druids may not be fully in control over their own thoughts. In regards to this, we do what we feel must be done although we do so with a heavy heart We continue to keep hope that someday a gathering of druids may come together and stand beside the druids of the mountain in order to help lift the curse. That has befallen them. Additionally, people should be encouraged not to take stone from the lands of the grove.

Worgs

Although smaller in appearance and base behavior as wolves, wards are a different breed of beast entirely. Magical creatures possessed of a higher intelligence, demonic features and an evil disposition, worgs are typically much larger than the wolves they resemble and can be found co-coordinating in small packs or as lone hungers; operating in gloomy forest regions and dark planes. Often found in the company of orcs, kobolds and goblinoids, worgs possess many of the destructive traits shared by other evil monsters and should be hunted and driven back from nature with impunity.

Wolves

We do not hunt these animals unless we are in need of the gifts of nature. Over the years we have heard many different theories as to why the wolves of the island dare so aggressive. We have chosen our current path after a few observations. We have watched over the years as the ogres snatch up any food they can find and leave little to nothing left for the other predators. The ogres do not fear the wolves and the wolves cannot content against the strength of the ogres. This forces the wolves to alter their nature to that of the scavengers, to wait alongside a gathering of ogres for any scraps that may be left behind. With little left for the many wolf packs to survive on, there is always a fight for food. They fight not just to gather food for themselves but for their cubs that may be starving back in their den. People will content that these wolves cannot be calmed and, therefore, there must be something unnatural effecting them. This leads to a desire for these people to kill wolves whenever possible. We find it easy to understand that even the calmest at heart may not be able to distract these creatures from their starvation and desire to tend to their packs and their young. It is for these reasons that we choose to avoid them, lead them away from the trails and settlements, and encourage others not to excessively hunt them as if the wolves are evil enemies of all those who pass across these lands. We choose not to blame these creatures for their desire to survive. We will continue to fight to see them returned a peaceful existence.

Golems

Golems are unnatural constructs that are given life though magically binding an unwilling earth elemental into a crafted body. These bodies can be made from many different things that are taken from the lands. Some of the most common on this island are stone, iron and bones. We have three main concerns when it comes to these constructs. These concerns are the forced binding of an elemental spirit, the resources that are taken from the lands to make them, and the destruction that they often cause as they are led about. The destruction they cause is dependent greatly on the lands they are treading on; for example, a golem stomping within the depths of a cave would not cause any concern to the safety of these lands. Alternatively, a golem being led though the forest would be unacceptable and it should be led out of the forest or destroyed, and it’s remains hauled off. The second concern about the materials that are used comes from a belief that this magical animation of the land is a perversion of the blessings of nature. These resources are pulled from the lands, not to aid in the life and cycle of creatures but in order to increase ones power, and to b e used as devices of war. The final concern is the potential to eternally bind an Earth Elemental spirit. Most care little about this as they view the elemental spirit as they would an animal, something for them to use and control. From their perspective this is slavery as they are bound as if in chains within the shell which their masters will impose upon them.

Malar Panthers

These are panthers that have had the hand of Malar laid upon them. They are imbued with the essence of the Beastlord and their minds are bend towards a thirst for the hunt. They live and act outside the bounds of nature. We take no joy in having to hunt these creatures but their thirst is unquenchable, so they must be put down.

Snakes

It’s been said that snakes are not native to the island. At this point in time, this information has been restated by enough people for us to begin to believe that it is true. Snakes are a creature that has no natural predators and can breed rapidly. This creates a dangerous situation within a species that is unnaturally introduced to a new territory. We my never be able to remove the snake species from the island but we will have to remain diligent to cull their numbers and keep their impact on the land to a minimum.

Ogres Ogres are greed monsters that are never satisfied with what they have. They seem to wish to live outside the laws of nature, and as such they destroy all they come across. After the lands of Minmir flooded, the ogres discovered all that could be found in the forest and chose to make it their task to take all they could find. We now hunt these monsters tirelessly in hopes that some day we may drive them from the forest and end the destruction and waste that follows in their wake.

War Pigs

When the mind of an animal is broken and they are trained to act outside of their own preservation there is little that can be done to permanently quell their anger. These pigs have been caged, beaten and starved by bugbear tribes as they hope to direct the ferocity and strength of these animals to their enemies. Not all boars of the forest have been tortured in such a way but we hunt for those that have had their connection to nature broken. Care should be taken to end their lives as quickly as possible so they may be at peace once again and rejoin the cycle. It is our hope that we can at east treat their bodies as the gift of nature that they are and do our best to utilize all that we can find of them.

Giant Termites

Termites have their place in nature as any creature does. We hunt the termites of Arelith forest not out of fear of loss for the forest we live in but because it has been seen that the breeding and release of these termites may be the result of a planned assault by minions of Malar. Deep within the hollowed ground of the forest, the termites are bread and released. The bugs themselves seem to be acting in self preservation but they must still be hunted as their numbers are unnaturally boosted in order to cause as much destruction as possible.

Barbairans of the Spires Mountains

The Barbarians of the Spires remain diligent in their defense of the land that they call home. They do not claim it so that they can clear it or tame it. They seem to wish to maintain its beauty. This could be respected and their willingness to lay down their lives in defense of it could be admired. However, as more people press into their lands and take up their resources, these barbarians of the mountain, in desperation, turn to others for aid. They have allied themselves with the Frost Giants and Champions of Auril’s Cause. It is for the latter allegiance that they must be watched closely and, if need be, their numbers culled. History has shown us that their boldness increases as their numbers well. At one point, while feeling that they had the advantage, they worked even more closely with the forces of Auril on the mountain to drawn the essence of Auril into a human host in order to cover the island in destruction, cold and darkness.

In spire of that, it is important to remember that, when you must take one of their lives, you should not do it with anger or hatred in your heart, and that their bodies should be respected and allowed to rejoin the cycle. We must keep in mind that each life is a blessing and each man or woman that you kill could be someone else’s brother or sister, father or mother.