A trip to the Towering Wood
by Korlita Yulgeri, for the Korranberg Chronicle
"The wonders of new cultures are for anyone to enjoy", or so the message should be! Last Therendor I travelled with a friend to Greenheart, as there was a little caravan pilgrimage towards near the Shadowcrags. Well, I admit that I was the friend being brought along, as my my friend would volunteer her healing abilities to some sick people in the way, and by my Tio's beard, I was far more grateful for the trip after returning than I was expecting as I departed from my little desk in Korranberg.
One from Khorvaire's heartland would imagine the Eldeen Reaches to be wildland, but for my experience I felt quite safe with the Wardens here, especially from the odd terrifyingly big beast roaming around outside the city. The caravan, of course, was well prepared, and so was I, although the citrus cream I had for the bugs happened to bother a few people. No matter, though; I wouldn't be waving my arms around to avoid getting bites!
Some of the groups we met on the way north-west were either settlements or stationed caravans, the latter of which had the most ill people to heal; thankfully my friend didn't let me sit around, and each time we were working by day, and revelling by night. My most memorable experience was in one of the villages, which were giving around sweets for the children, and I just couldn't resist! After that, when I slept, it was the most relaxing and fulfilling sleep I ever remember to have, and although my friend told me not to ask for the recipe or anything, I really can't wait to visit them again, maybe with a few treats from Zilargo in my bag to thank them!
The more mystical part of the journey happened to come at the end of the path and outside the wood, where we met a very old orc ascetic who actually lives under a rock, for whom eating is a ritual! After the initial ritual, of course, we talked; and I found out that his abilities extend to talking every language with his druidic magic. He was very happy to see new faces in the caravan, and offered a few words of wisdom; as thanks, I gave him a little bracelet I had knitted myself when I was little; a little after he spoke with everyone, he went back to his cave, and the big boulder was set in its place one again.
I know that in the grand scheme of things people can do as they like, but I believe that we are to learn a bit from the people which we do not know, and honestly, as I write these pages and ponder the moment, if I ever retire, a place like the Eldeen Reaches would be the place to be, or if not that, then certainly I would like to visit them soon again.