GM Mason's Hollow's Last Hope (Inactive)

Game Master Eminem80

As a boy, Fergal spent much of his time wandering the woods near their home, observing the animals, building forts of stones and mud (which he defended zealously against imaginary orcs with his tree-branch greatsword), and sometimes fishing with his father. Whether he went fishing or not, he was responsible from an early age for cleaning and scaling the fish as needed. His father also taught him how to hunt rabbits and squirrels and the like with a sling to augment their food supplies, and it was impressed upon him from an early age to respect the animals for their sacrifice and to never cause them needless pain. He also learned to fight with his fists from his father, who called the training a good way to both stay fit and defend yourself.

Their nearest neighbor lived about a mile away, closer to the outskirts of the woods. She was a doughty older woman called (to her face) Old Wenda. He would sometimes see her in the woods, picking berries or gathering herbs and plants. She was always friendly, and often shared her berries with him. Sometimes she would impart lessons on the plants, trees, or animals and they were always fascinating. After he became more comfortable with her, Fergal asked her once why she didn't mind people calling her old, and she replied, "Calling me old is simply acknowledging a truth. There's no harm in that, so long as it is done respectfully. Remember that." His father didn't like him to spend time with Old Wenda, claiming that she "did unnatural things", but Fergal never knew what that meant and simply didn't mention his encounters with the old woman.

When Fergal was sixteen, his father passed away. The shock and grief sent his mother to her bed, and the lad was forced to step up and do his best to look after them both. Old Wenda heard about what happened, and offered to help the boy. She taught him more practical information about plants and animals... what was edible, what wasn't, what could be used for medicinal purposes, how to find clean water in the wild and make shelter if need be. She taught him to read the signs of nature and She taught him to revere nature in thanks for its bounty. She taught him to hunt larger game. She showed him how to work with animals. How to understand their disposition, how to calm them when they were scared or agitated. How to train them to do various things. Fergal was soon able to provide for his mother by selling meat and animal skins, and producing bundles of herbs and herbal remedies for the local farm communities.

One day, two years or so into his lessons, he told Old Wenda that he had turned down some sales, because he felt protective of the items he was producing and didn't like that some customers seemed to be indifferent to nature. Upon hearing this, she stopped, smiling from ear to ear, and said, "You're ready. I'd hoped this day would come!", as tears began to roll down her cheeks. "What day?" he asked, genuinely confused. Old Wenda took him back to her home, made them some tea, and asked, "Didn't you ever wonder how I know the things I know, lad?" to which he replied, "I guess I just thought you learned from your dad or somesuch, like I did." She grinned at that and said, "Not quite. I had a teacher, in much the same way that I've been teaching you. Now, I need to show you something, and I need you to prepare yourself." and with that, she turned into a raccoon. He sputtered, spraying tea all over himself, as she turned back into a human again. "I am a druid." she said quietly. "And if you agree to continue to walk the path with me, you are my apprentice. If you do not agree, I will still be your friend and help you, but I can teach you no more." He was silent, still reeling from what he'd seen. Then he said, "Please, teach me to be one with nature."

From that day on, they spent time in the woods and on the plains, meditating, listening, and he learned to feel the spirits of the land. He eventually learned to tap into the inherent magic of nature to cast spells. She taught him a bit about fighting, and he learned the hard way that she was still spry for her age. One day, they had a conversation about animals, and choosing one as a companion. She mentioned that she'd had a badger for a companion for many years, but when he died, a combination of the pain she felt and her desire to mostly retire kept her from choosing another. She told him not to rush it, that the right time would come, and he would know it when it did.

Fergal's mother had never truly recovered from the loss of his father, and he was just shy of 19 when she passed in her sleep. He buried her behind the house, near the roots of the same oak where the remains of his father had been placed. He would sit there, sometimes, listening to the wind blow through the venerable tree's leaves, and feeling their presence.

A few weeks after the death of his mother, Fergal decided he needed to leave. To see more of the world, and experience more nature. To help people, if he could, in Her name. He spoke with Wenda, and explained how he was feeling. She told him that it was natural for a young druid to feel that way, and that sometimes even older druids felt the need for new surroundings. She told him he should go, rather than fight his nature and stay out of some sense of obligation. He agreed to do so, and asked her to look after his home until he returned. The next morning, he left her a bag with some of the coin he'd saved to cover any expenses and put water on for her tea. When he went to gather his things, he found a beautiful white oak quarterstaff leaning near his pack and boots. Smiling, he picked up the weapon and set off, wondering where his journey would take him, and determined to do his parents and Wenda proud.

Trained Skills
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Handle Animal +4, Heal +7, Kn. Geography +5, Kn. Nature +7, Perception +7, Prof. Herbalist +7, Spellcraft +5, Survival +9

Feats
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Improved Unarmed Strike
Toughness

Traits
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Beast of the Society
Deft Dodger

Wolf animal companion, druid's kit, studded leather, sling, dagger.

I will stat out the rest if you'd like. Let me know. Thanks!