Youth- Anju was born in Mierani Forest in a Druidic tribe on the outskirts of Korvosa. When she came of age, she was put to the tests on the first solstice, as was the custom. Disaster ensued and the druids-in-training were attacked by a starving bear who followed the scent of food to their camp. Anju survived, along with only one other. Her training commenced not long after, and she made friends with the other surviving druid, Kasa who became her closest childhood friend.
Adolescence- Anju's early years were fairly easy. Along with her duties to the tribe, Anju continued to train as a druid. One day Kasa came back to the village with an eagle that he found who was badly injured. Anju and Kasa worked together and nursed it back to health. Once it had fully recovered, Kasa named the eagle Arden and made it his animal companion. Weeks passed by which soon turned into months and Anju had yet to find an animal companion. Kasa tried his best to console Anju and reassured her that she had to let nature run its course and that when the time was right she would find her animal companion...or perhaps it would find her. Anju would dream occasionally of a lone wolf leaving the forest, seemingly beckoning her to follow.
Notable Events- Despite being a little naïve and inexperienced with the ways of the world outside the forest, Anju felt that she could better serve nature by traveling the world, learning about all that nature held, and educating others about why nature must be protected. This yearning was only strengthened with Kasa's mysterious disappearance from the forest. Kasa had shared the same dreams as Anju about traveling the world but Anju never thought he would leave without even saying goodbye! Anju decided to stay in the village and wait for Kasa's return...
Recent- More months passed and there was no sign of Kasa. However, a mysterious old man in tattered clothes showed up at the village one day and he was welcomed by the village elder Calfuray and taken into his quarters. That night the druids sat around the fire with the old man who told everyone that the small sect of druids in Korvosa had reached a new level of enlightenment by drinking an elixir made from nature herself. He produced a bunch of small glass vials from his tattered robes which contained a liquid that almost seemed to glow in the light of the fire. He said “by imbibing these elixirs you will experience vivid dreams during sleep in which nature herself will fill your body with strength and knowledge unlike any that you have ever experienced.” The druids were questionable but they accepted the gifts nonetheless. The next morning the old man left and Anju went about her daily chores as usual. While she was preparing breakfast for the village when she noticed that Calfuray had yet to emerge from his hut. This was strange because he was usually an early riser who often would greet the sun as it rose in the eastern sky. In fact, many of the villagers seemed to still be fast asleep. Anju entered Calfuray's hut and what she saw made her drop the bowl she was holding. He was laid out on the floor convulsing rather violently yet he appeared to still be fast asleep. Despite her efforts, Anju could not rouse him. She heard screaming outside as other villagers were discovered to be suffering from the same symptoms as Calfuray. Beside all of the victims were the empty vials of liquid that the old man had passed around that night. Anju was sure that that old man had something to do with this! Anju vowed to inflict natures wrath on the old man and find a cure for Calfuray and the others. Anju's mother made her promise to return at least once per year, for the summer solstice, so that she could give her blessing to the younglings about to undergo the tests, and receive the forest’s blessing. Anju agreed and with that took whatever rations and traveling supplies she could find to aid her in her journey and set out to leave the forest.
Dreams and Aspirations- Anju had been raised in the firm belief that the druids were the guardians of nature, defenders of her lore, judges of those who broke her law, and final bastion of defense against those beings who might try to harm her. Anju believed that, as keepers of nature’s lore, druids were to try to help others understand why nature must be protected. Anju wishes to see as much of nature as she can, and educate others about nature as best she can, before she dies. She also constantly seeks to bring justice to those she deems to be harming nature, either through their actions, or by their very existence. This goes twofold for any undead and the old man who poisoned her village. She also has hopes of finding Kasa, her childhood friend, in her journeys.
Fears and nightmares- Anju fears the loss of her friends and family that will occur if she does not find a cure for the drug the old man brought. She will always return for the solstice, and tries to return to check up on her home when she is near Mierani Forest.
Personality- Anju is a very kind and caring soul, especially towards animals. She always carries a pouch on her belt filled with scraps of meat, crumbs, and bones, as well as other treats for her animal friends. Anju makes her best efforts to solve disputes between animals and other beings to avoid fighting if possible. Anju hunts things that harm nature such as undead, or aberrations, seeking their destruction. She also considers herself an arbiter of nature's law, and believes she has the authority to pass judgment on those who break that law. She is a bit naïve and inexperienced and does not know the ways of city folk very well at all. However, she does have a good sense of danger or bad intent and can pick up on foul play much of the time.
Appearance – Anju is very young for an elf being a mere fifty years old. She has the appearance of a woman in her early twenties however. She has long reddish-brown hair that she oftentimes adorns with vines or branches and stunning green eyes. Anju has the typical elven body, slender with delicate-looking features, and stands about five feet tall.
