A Druid's Tale the Story of Talidaar Vol. One

[Dungeon Master]

Warning, strong sensitive subject matter ahead.




In the Shadow Years of the Age of Despair…

A Druid's Tale
The Story of Talidaar
Character of Talidaar was created by DCR
Characters also appearing created by Tracy and Laura Hickman, Margret Weis,
Vol. I
Chapter One

Note: Talidaar’s Birthdate was sometime in 262 AC




Southwestern Ansalon



Qualinesti Forest






Once, long ago, in the hard years after the Cataclysm, during the Time of Despair-
an old Elven Grandfather left his home in the forest to travel to the Qualinesti city of Frenost. There he found the widowed wife Arlyn. Arlyn was married to his son, and the only other living person in the house, a young half-human son of three or four years of age. Arlyn was in a deep, deep depression and the boy was in danger of neglect. He nursed her back to health and took care of the half-human boy that was now his kin.

The Grandfather was a brown hood, a quiet order that had been nearly wiped out of existence in the time of Silvannos in the Age of Dreams. But some survived and came into the service of the speaker over the long millennia since. They served gods from the Balance and were on the whole always considered on the verge of being cast fully from the light. The thing that kept them around was their usefulness to the Speaker. But the coming of the fiery mountain has brought silence and seeming indifference from the Gods for the plights of the people. Healing is an art and only known about from tales of the past of great miracles performed by the Holy Orders of the Stars, when the Gods listened. They have been quiet these many hundreds of years.

And so, when called upon in these days, their herb lore, apothecary skills, anatomy awareness, and skills gathered over thousands of years of being passed down and shared within this small cult. They created an almanac after careful observations, they could tell when the best time to plant, and harvest, how to keep the soil healthy by rotating the crops. They were the closest thing to healers the people had at the time were charlatans, and priests of false gods in the Age of Despair.

The Grandfather would find out over time from his dead son’s wife that the first time the humans came, finally people came and fought off the humans. But it wasn’t soon enough for her.

Talidaar was the name given to the half-human child that was born a year later. Very fast for an elven birth, but then Talidaar was not elven. Arlyn’s husband tried to comfort her and took care of their girl Wydara and the half-Human Baby to give his wife time to recuperate. It was thoughtful in theory, but the dark days would continue for her for many years.

Just when things almost got back to semi-normal, Arlyn was starting to come back to life. Life for the family of Talidaar was awkward, but things, it seemed, were going to turn out okay.

But the Humans returned. And the people could not stop them, and anyone that tried got cut down by the edge of the sword.
They came to the house again, killed the son of the grandfather, abducted Wydara, and took Arlyn for a second time.
Arlyn thought she would die. She did not want to exist anymore. She would listen to the young child climbs around the house. She did not know if she could go on.

It was at this point the grandfather entered the story. He cared for Arlyn, cared for Talidaar. But soon, despite the care, Aryn gave in and ended her life.

He buried them together and says a prayer of hope that they could find happiness in the next life.

The grandfather looks down at his grandchild, who is looking up at him. He holds his hand and they walk from the only home that Talidaar had ever known and goes to live with his grandfather in the Forest.

[Dungeon Master]

The Story Talidaar
Vol. I
Chapter Two

Southwest Ansalon


Qualinesti



Life for Talidaar in the house of his grandfather brought discipline, education, and the ways that have been handed down for ages. Living in balance with the forest. Moderation. Herbal lore, and the sylvan language.
His Grandfather was a cold man since the death of his wife earlier in the Time of Darkness, the death of his son and his wife broke him down more, hearing that Wydara was taken away and who knows what will happen to her. Wydara had been named after his wife.

But he gave Talidaar as much knowledge, and even his love, in his way. Talidaar’s feelings about his grandfather, He was in awe, fear, and love. He burned through the cold heart and was able to get love from the old man.

Learned about Tree care, and its many types. The names of birds. The study of meteorology, the study of weather, clouds, and storms. Study of plants, and flowers, and their uses for medicinal remedies.

Occasionally, before Grandfather was too old and when Talidaar was old enough, they would travel between the Elven cities and towns and help who they could, for they could not actually heal. But they could bring some comfort bringing methods of very early primitive medicine, and apothecary herbal remedies. By now, Talidaar has amassed a lot of information and is a very measured child. He has been a great assistant for many years now.
But this trip was the next phase of Talidaar’s education. While the people were smiling, Talidaar began to notice the parents taking their children away from Talidaar, who could not fathom why.

While Half-Humans have been a phenomenon on the borders of Elven Nations going back to the time of Sithel Twice-Blest. Qualinesti, while being more tolerant in theory and practice early on, than the Silvanesti, is now just lip-service, and sentiments. They turn their looks from the half-human child. Though Talidaar did not understand it then, he would later understand completely. But there was a long time of perpetuating a hope of being accepted by a kind that just couldn’t. It would leave a long-lasting scar that just could never heal.

The Grandfather still helped these people even so.

[Dungeon Master]

A Druid's Tale
The Story of Talidaar
Vol. I
Chapter Three

Southwest Ansalon


Qualinesti



During the Spring of Talidaar’s fifteenth year. His Grandfather received a royal summons to attend the Speaker posthaste. The Missive goes on to detail the trouble. The speaker's son is suffering from pneumonia. He implores him to arrive immediately.

The Grandfather tells Talidaar to wear traveling clothes and bring his Robe while he gathers his supplies and medicines, He grabs the traveling cloaks and hands one to Talidaar when he comes back into the living space. The Grandfather tells him that to act out at all at all will bring great dishonor to our society, and him personally and could disgrace Talidaar’s future. The Grandfather takes his walking stick and hands Talidaar his own. They venture into the spring night.

It was Talidaar’s first visit to the great capital of Kith Kanan. He was Talidaar’s favorite protagonist from the old tales. Qualinost, in old Elven, means in memory of Quinara. Named for the Wife of Silvanos, the founder of the Silvanesti nation.

The sights left Talidaar in awe. The four great arched Bridges that spanned the city’s perimeter were suspended from the four towers named after Kith-Kanan’s beloved. Arculoallis, Sithel, Mackeli, and Suzine Towers. As much for conveyance and artistry, the bridges were defensive locations in times of banditry during these Dark Times after the Fiery Mountain crashed down.
At the center of the city was the great Tower of the Sun. Talidaar just looked up in disbelief at the scale of everything. It was everything he dreamed of and so much more.
They traveled to the speaker's Residence and approached from the back door. They are brought to the Speaker at once.
The Speaker tells them that his young son Gilthanas is very ill. He asks Talidaar’s Grandfather to do what he can to see that his son may yet live.
And so, for the next several months, Talidaar and his grandfather ministered to the young prince.

Talidaar learned to stay away from Prince Porthios, and his judgmental looks. His temper was on full display on several occasions.

An encounter with two elf maidens almost led to disaster. An Innocent conversation with two beautiful girls. Talidaar had almost no contact with the fairer sex his age. Nothing could prepare him in meeting these two incredibly beautiful elves. He asked for their names. Kira answers one, and the other reveals her name is Lauralanthalasa. Talidaar realizes his mistake and backs away and excuses himself as he moves away from them. He is positive he was seen by several attendants, walking through the residence. Talidaar slips in and tells his grandfather what happen, so he can prepare for any consequences that may be coming.

[Dungeon Master]

A Druid's Tale
Story of Talidaar
Vol. I
Chapter Four

Southwest Ansalon


Qualinesti


Qualinost, Capital of the Qualinesti Elves



The Royal Court of Solostarin Kanan



Through the spring, and onto the late summer months Talidaar and his grandfather were still guests of the Speaker, while they attended to his young son, Gilthanas.
Prince Porthios had made it his business to keep tabs on Talidaar. He overheard his sister and her friend talking about the Half-Human, though they were referring to him as a Half-Elf. His blood boiled.
One Half-Human around is bad enough, but now two. Filling these poor girls' heads with deviant thoughts.

Porthios was always of the mindset that the bloodline was remain pure. Sometimes it felt like it was slipping away before it was his time.
Witnessing the giggling girls when the Half-Human walked by gave Prince Porthios the idea. Now he just needed the will to carry it out.
He got an elf maiden of his to write a sweet, affectionate letter to the Half-Human. Then Porthios waited for the right moment to drop the letter where Talidaar would find it.
He then waited to see if it worked.
A time later, Talidaar left his grandfather’s side and went to the place indicated in the letter. Good sense left Talidaar. He had no idea she felt that way.

Talidaar found himself much too far into the residence for this to be real. He tries to make his way back to his room, but he hears that his presence has been spotted and there is a search for him.
Talidaar knows this is the end for him if he is caught. He will bring dishonor to his grandfather and his order. What a fool he was.

He hears Prince Porthios laughing and hears his sister say it is not funny if they catch him-

Talidaar uses every bit of stealth he can, but eventually, the game is up. Talidaar tried to say he made a wrong turn and got lost. They search him and find the letter.
He is brought before the speaker and made to explain himself.

Prince Porthios mounts the dais and walks to his father’s side at the throne.

Talidaar tries to explain, but he knows he is caught. There is nothing he could say to fix this.

“Father, I must be allowed to speak. “The elf maiden with the long golden hair comes forward.

Porthios’s smile disappears and he bends over and whippers to his father.

“Lauralanthalasa, it is far beyond time for bed. This is no place for you. The Speaker says tiredly.

“But father, Porthios set this whole thing up. He laughed about it.” The princess testifies.
Solostarin looks up at his son and can read the guilt on his face. The speaker tells his son to remove himself from his side. “You will need many more years of practice to get by me again.”

Porthios is heated but leaves after giving Talidaar a look of disdain.

“Laura, go to your room.”

“Yes, Father.” She climbs the dais and kisses him on the cheek before walking back down and eyeing Talidaar, and finally leaves.

“I wonder if you can sit down here by me, I want to talk to you” He gestures with his long fingers to the steps to the throne.

This might be the only way he doesn’t lose his head, so Talidaar sits at the place indicated.

“I know you were tricked; I know you know it now. Anytime the crown is involved, beware the vipers Talidaar. Court intrigues are not for the faint-hearted. I wonder if you fully understand where you went wrong?”

Talidaar takes in this piece of advice, and answers, “Any girl in this house is above me, I should not have done anything except what I’m here to do.

“I think you do understand Talidaar, at least, I hope you do. I’m sure you will remember this in the future.” The Speaker indicates that this audience is over with another hand gesture.

Talidaar says “Thank you great Speaker, and then leaves and goes to his room where his grandfather is waiting for him.

[Dungeon Master]

A Druid's Tale
Story of Talidaar
Vol. I
Chapter Five

Southwest Ansalon

Qualinesti


On the last day of summer, Gilthanas comes out of his illness and soon Talidaar and his grandfather are leaving Qualinost. Talidaar feels years older in these last few weeks. He learned many lessons.

They walk through the city and visit merchant shops. They made a sizable sum for their efforts for the Speaker. They look for anything they could use back home. They pick up a few things and agree that it is expensive here. They walk around until they agree better head for home. Taldaar asks himself if he would like to live here. It was absurd of course. He was questioning a lot these days. Talidaar gives a last look at the great Tower of the Sun and the arch bridges and turns around to join his grandfather on the road.

They arrive home in a couple of days. They unpack and set clothes out to wash in the stream.

They begin preparing for provisioning for winter and start gathering nuts and some berries.

Though they live in the Forest, they live on the fringes of society. This brought Talidaar into contact with various races he had before. Dwarven merchants, Kender, Centaurs, and Kagonesti wild elves all came around. He saw the odd elves at the Speaker’s house. He never made the connection. They were there as servants. The brown hood community trades with these outsiders and has built a relationship of trust with them.


Three Years Pass
Talidaar was starting to feel like he needed to see what was in the world. It frightened him. He loved his grandfather and the life he had here, but it would not last forever. The brown hoods will die out. Perhaps he could apply his trade to carry on what his grandfather did for the people.
But Talidaar’s trip to Qualinost held unhappy memories, and once and for all showed him he would not now, not anytime soon, would he be accepted by the people. It was a hard lesson to be sure. He does not know if it will be worse in the human lands.
He makes it a point to talk to his grandfather and spends time with him through the winter months.

Talidaar decides to tell his grandfather his plan to leave in the Spring. He says he knew this was coming. He says he will miss him, but it is good for Talidaar to find his way. He is proud of him and the man he has become. Talidaar asks him if he will be okay. His grandfather tells him he has a few more years before he passes from the world. He will be okay. They give each other a hug, and Talidaar thanks him for raising him, far giving him the care, he needed.


Spring Dawning comes and Talidaar says his goodbyes to the Brown Robes and hugs his grandfather goodbye. Talidaar takes his pack, and his walking stick set out into the world beyond.




Talidaar is eighteen years old.

End of Vol. One