The Forests of Elenia

"Notes of a Well-Traveled Pilgrim"
by Wehling Garuf,
also known as the Wanderer

"Even an experienced and wise traveler such as I was astonished at the variety of creatures that filled the forest kingdom of Elenia. And indeed these forests have a story to tell, for many a miracle did I witness there.

For example, I saw a tribe of forest creatures that write not with letters, but by pictures. Their shamans are able to communicate with the spirits of the forest, and can transform a dead tree into a living one, in the most literal sense of the word! And these forest dwellers mount an uncompromising struggle against any people who dare encroach upon their domain. The human settlement is then beset by an onslaught of crawling flowers, leaping stumps and stomping trees.

Yet what is truly amazing here are the farms! I visited one where, on an industrial scale and for every conceivable purpose, they grow insects, which they call buzzfly. I observed a poultry farm hatch a new breed of combat Kado, and train them in the service of knights. I popped in at a genuine fish farm and conversed with the special royal feeder of fish! It seems that this is, in fact, a most indispensible job. How amazing that we Wehling have, up till now, managed without such specialists.

I saw a factory that, from moss and swamp slime, did make a green wine with the most amazing color and bouquet. True enough, I did not dare taste it... I wandered amongst the stones of druids, trying to glean their ancient occult power. I spent there three long days of wandering and roaming, till I feared I should die of hunger - until the benevolent druid of Illiar showed me the path out. Perhaps I shall never know whether my imagination played tricks as I grew faint with hunger, or whether in real life I saw huge walking mushrooms, who attempted to converse with me. I recall that they scattered and fled the instant I clutched my sword.

I ended my journey in the village of Tumangan, which reminded me of my homeland with its acidic lakes and acrid, sulphurous fog. Local alchemists proved to be most kind and hospitable, but the price – it was so high that I was obliged to make haste and cut short my journey, and return home, bidding a longing farewell to all these wondrous marvels.

Many miracles did I see in the green forests of flowering Elenia, but much more remains yet unknown, wonders too numerous to imagine. And as soon as I raise sufficient funds, I will most certainly return to that far-flung borderland with its boistrous trees and the intoxicating fragrance of its flowers..."

Head of the Department of Wandering and Discovery
The World Academy
Master Traveler, First Class
Garuf han'Kargard

	Buzzfly Large omnivorous insect with four eyes. Individually, they are harmless. But a swarm can devour a wild boar!
	Dewdrop Strange creatures with an impenetrable nature. Even laboratory tests fail to help scientists comprehend this enigmatic plant/insect/animal.
	Ancient tree stump A typical stump, but animated by a forest shaman. It is capable of jumping quite high, and is a punishing opponent in melee. It only burns reluctantly: it would much rather attempts to leap clear of any nearby fire.
	Moss-chewer By its nature, it reminds me of our cows, which in Elenia do not gather in herds. They are foolish, but good-natured.
	Mantis At first I thought I must be asleep when I saw this grasshopper hatchling. And what was his only nourishment? Nothing other than Wehling! He was very keen to get a hold of me… Arrows cannot pierce his armor, and he can only be frightened away by fire and desperate houls.
	Beholders Best not to approach these – they will stare you to death. I managed to cut one low, so that I could study its fascinating anatomy more closely. Hardly could I believe my eyes, but inside the creature there was... a plant!
	Stone-eater It actually eats stones - I saw it for myself! Nevertheless, this creature spits so much, that it is wise to keep your distance.

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