Basic Information
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Text
Between Sister Moon, and Mother Earth
Beyond the Veil and Doors of Stone
Beneath The Oak, The Ash and Thorn
On Hoof, on Wing, Talon and Paw
Dwells my Spirit, Heart and Soul
///BASICINFORMATION
Animal Empathy/Kinship
Name
Dar
Gender
Female
Species
Famano
Age
167
Apparent Age
25
Height
5'11
Weight
175
Build
Lean Muscle Wide Hips, Thick Thighs
Hair
Crimson, Shaggy
Eyes
Golden Yellow
Skin
Tanned, Freckled, Striped
Other Features
Ram Horns, Short 'unicorn horn' Horse Tail, Elf Ears.
Dar's ability to communicate with animals has strengthened to the point that she can speak with -most- feral creatures. She understands what they are 'saying' and they can also understand her for the most part. This is of course limited by the animal's ability to understand and communicate. A wild creature generally does not 'speak' to her in full sentences but in vague ideas, impulses, and imagery. She has had much experience in interpreting these things to the point her mind can somewhat translate it into a mental speech of sorts. She can speak to an animal with her mind, or if she speaks normally animals tend to get the general intent of what she means.
While this does not apply to all animals, or every situation, the majority of feral animals will feel a connection and fondness towards Dar. This can vary in strength, from a wild predator merely not seeing her as a threat and being more or less non reactive to her presence, to a wild creature that would normally be highly dangerous to approach, coming to her side like a beloved pet, instantly enamored of her. This effect can seem sometimes almost random. She might run into a wild panther one day and it barely acknowledge her, and just walk away, and then another panther the following day might approach willingly and act almost like a friendly housecat.
The same effect has been observed in less mundane creatures, however it is not as common, and often not as strong. Less feral creatures, ones that think on a more 'human' level, and can speak, will not often feel as strong of a connection and rarely will develop an instant bond. They do however still tend to have a more amiable reaction to her, but are far less likely to feel compelled to do her bidding. There are always acceptations to this, on one extreme or the other.
The Famano are a closed species. If you are interested in them, you can purchase your own here.
http://famanoforest.deviantart.com
Profile Art by: lunibear -
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It had been so subtle at first. The sense of wrongness, a faint nagging sensation. She'd first realized it was more than just her imagination when the birds started leaving. By the time she'd begun searching for the source, the first of the plants had begun withering. They yellowed on the edges, and then rotted from the inside out, before they even had a chance to fully die at the roots. Even with the help of her companions and the countless friends in the forest, she could not find what had caused this, until she sought out the great tree, the eldest within the vast forest.
At an outward glance, the forest still looked as lush and green as ever. Fragrant summer flowers bloomed, velvet soft moss grew over aged and worn jutting boulders. Here and there, a rock would bare the marks of some ancient people's scrawlings. Runes, or pictures of animals, faded with time, mere echos and whispers. There were trees, with old thick dark bark, gnarled and twisting, but with branches that stretched up toward the heavens. There were places where the trees were twenty paces apart or more, but their canopy still blocked out the sky. Trees that seven people with joined hands could not encircle
There was lush, dense foliage and hanging vines, creeping ivy and mushrooms that were larger than her head. There were plants that grew soft vibrant broad leaves larger than the span of her outstretched arms.
But under all of that, was something else.
Touches of death lingered. Patches of plant life were dying with no real pattern or reason. There were very few birds, less insects, and far fewer animals roaming about. None of them seemed to know just what was wrong, only that the wrongness was there. There was a stench of decay, not the natural earthy smell of dead plant life returning to the soil, or even the smell of a dead animal that scavengers had not finished off. This was something unnatural, something tainted and oily and wicked.
It grew stronger as she made her way toward the center of the vast forest. The entire forest took weeks to pass through on foot, but as she lived near the center much of the time, it was a walk she could make in the span of three or four hours. Apprehension crept in, a twisting feeling in her stomach. Soon the only sounds were the creaking of her leather clothing, her footsteps. Her hand touched the hilt of her sword, Ciolecheir. There were other weapons more practical for the forest, such as the spear or bow, but she had become deeply attached to the blade, and it rarely left her side. Over time, it had been blessed by the Gods, and imbued with her own power. She'd almost considered renaming it something more fitting, but the name fit it's origins, and it brought a smile to her face when she thought on it.
The great tree, was at the very center. It was easily seven or eight times larger than any other tree in the forest, with great curving roots that burrowed deep in the earth, some of them arching and twisting from the ground, before plunging down and outwards, creating natural archways. Those roots were thicker than Dar's torso, and from some, dangled moss and hanging vines. Closer to the massive trunk, were smaller spaces that were home to countless animals, who burrowed under the exposed portions of roots for safety. The trees branches were home to countless birds and other creatures.
Dar had once asked a dragon she'd met if he knew how old the tree was, and he said it had been an old tree when he'd been a hatchling, which was a stretch of time difficult for her to even grasp.
The stillness was getting more and more unnerving, and this time her drifting hand gripped the hilt of her sword. The faint odor of decay grew stronger. As soon as she stepped into the clearing, she stopped dead in her tracks, only able to stare in horror.
At easily a hundred dead animals lay around the base of the great tree, in an eerily balanced circle. Deer, rabbit, squirrels, even a few smaller black bears. There were birds of prey, owls and hawks, and several herons. All of them, unmarred, with no visible sign of injury, but stone dead, and freshly so it would seem, as most had not even started to bloat or decay in any way. The great tree itself had thin ribbons of blackness wrapping halfway up it's trunk, and what looked like tar, starting to ooze here and there from breaks in the bark, rather than sap. The blackness began to curl outward from the bark, lifting away from it like tendrils of dark thick smoke, and the feeling of wrongness increased ten fold.
The thing that manifested was made of pure corruption. It's torso held an unholy fire within, and its body slowly melted from a humanoid shape, to a thick wisp of smoke, rooted to the base of the tree. The source of her forest's sickness, turned it's glowing eyes upon her. She saw it grin.
The abomination, easily forty paces tall, stretched, reaching out for her. Her blade flashed into her hands, green and gold fire licking along the blade. With a cry, that was more animalistic screech than anything human, she slashed at the reaching hand, that was still not fully corporeal. It recoiled, but only slightly, and then began to attack more directly. It's yawning maw and slicing claws sent her rolling for cover. Her blade's magic seemed to do little, barely even driving it back or turning aside blows. She knew this was futile, and she dare not call for aid, else she risk the lives of more wild creatures of the forest. She had one hope, one chance and she took it, tearing loose a pendant she wore, a small egg shaped crystal, on a leather thong. Green light danced and flickered within. As the monster gathered itself for another attack, she whispered the ancient words, and threw it toward the thing's face.
The crystal shattered, bursting in an explosion of blinding light. The monster, screeched and bellowed, withdrawing. But, that was only the first part. More ancient words, higher than her normal speaking voice and singsong, comprised mostly of vowels, came from her lips. She drew the runes on the ground, and the place where she'd traced with a finger glowed green. She raced at a sprint, tail streaming behind her, as the monster writhed, one of it's arms now pinned inside the tree. She drew the next rune upon the ground. It thrashed and howled, even pinned though it was, it almost got her again. She was now behind the tree, and she drew the third rune. Her lungs burned, sweat covered her from the exertion of it all, both the fight, and the running. It seemed to know what she was about to do, and it sent out tendrils of dark unholy power, lashing at her as it lost the ability to use it's arms. Now only it's snarling fang filled mouth was visible, partly embedded in the tree's trunk. She slashed at the tendrils, barely missing being struck, and finally reached the fourth corner.
She nearly screamed out the final words, and hastily scratched the rune with her dirt caked fingers. With a final howl of rage and horror, the abomination was sealed inside the trunk of the tree, and Dar collapsed, gasping, tears welling in her eyes, onto the forest floor.
There was no time however, for laying about feeling miserable. The seal she'd created would not hold forever, in time, the tree would die and the monster would break free. She had to get moving. She had to find some way to destroy the horrific thing once and for all. It was only when she'd pushed herself to her feet, that she felt the sting on her right calf. There was a blistering slash wound there, where one of the lashing tendrils had gotten her at some point. Scowling, she gave one last look back at the tree, now marked by almost twice as much blackness as before, and hobbled off. Normally she would insist on burying the bodies of the animals, or helping speed their return to the earth with her magics, but every moment counted. She had no idea what she was going to do, only that she had to find a way.
She made it back to her home. It was nestled against a large jutting rock the size of a house. She made herself a little hollow, partly dug out from under the rock, and then aided the growth of thick vines to make the rest of the home. The floor was made of smooth polished stones, with a mat of thick woven grasses and a few pelts for sleeping on. It was more or less, just enough room for her to sleep, and to store her possessions, which were not many. There, she tended the wound so it would not fester, making a poultice of white willow ash, lavender, burdock and honey, and wrapping it. Then, she began packing. She was going to have to seek council for this. She threw some provisions into a pack, hastily, rations and a water skin were joined by a long bladed knife, and a wooden pronged spear, and other things she might need on her journey. Arlo joined her as she packed, chirping and clacking his beak in concern. She'd need to take him with her, she didn't want him or her other friends that close to the source of the corruption.
It was nearly evening by the time she called Roahv to her, and placed the simple saddle and saddlebags on his back. She set off at an easy pace, Keerah flying overhead, and occasionally resting on the great stag-moose's antlers. Arlo trailed behind her, until he grew tired, and then he insisted on riding on Roahv as well.
The woodland elves knew nothing. She consulted the dragon, another fifty miles to the north, while he knew much, and was very wise, he knew not how to deal with this threat. She had felt a moment of despair once she was well outside of his den, sitting down on a rock while Roahv grazed, and Keevah hunted for grubs. Arlo, had fallen asleep, rather exhausted by all of this traveling, even if he wasn't the one doing most of the walking. She closed her eyes a moment. There had to be -something- else she could do. She prayed silently to her goddess, to the Earth Mother, pleading for guidance, or a sign.
And that was when she heard the voice.
"I know where you must go."
The Wood Sprite was a tiny thing, small enough it could have easily ridden upon a squirrel, or even a large mouse. It perched itself in the forking branches of a leafy shrub. It's voice was tiny and breathy, almost a whisper, and Dar dropped to the ground, sitting on her heels in order to be eye level with her.
"Where? Can the monster really be stopped...?" She asked, hope filling her.
"Far, far to the East, lies Sidea. You must pass the red hills, and cross the Narrow Sea. There, beyond you will find the path that takes you to Sidea. Hurry!" her wings fluttered. "My sisters and I will do what we can to preserve the binding, but we can only do so much."
"What must I find there? How will getting to Sidea help me?"
"Three things! Said the tiny fae. The number three is powerful. One thing is a person, one of your kind. One thing is a Stone, an artifact of legend, and the third you will only know when you have the first two."
"... One .. of my kind?" Not something she had seen much of, in fact she'd only met two other Famano, ever.
"How will I know where to find the stone..?"
"I cannot tell you more, I do not know more.." Whispered the Sprite.
Arlo stirred a bit, and rolled onto his back. Dar bit back a sigh.
"Then, to Sidea.. Thank you, small friend." She stood.
"Roahv! Keevah!" Arlo awoke, blinking sleepily.
"And you, dearest Arlo.. You won't be coming with us. But I will take you to the elves. They will care for you while I am away."
It was full dark by the time she made it back to the elves. She explained her mission, and they offered her more provisions, and several charms and blessings. They insisted she rest there for the night, she agreed, only because Roahv could use a good rest before they began the long voyage. She felt terrible leaving Arlo, but he would only slow them down.
The saddle that Roahv wore was made mostly of soft wool, and some leather. It was designed to give her a more sure seat on the powerful creature's back, as well as to be more comfortable for long journeys. His coarse fur chaffed over time if she rode bareback. She used no reins, but rather a woven harness, with a looped strap across the top of his shoulders, for her to hang onto. She fitted her bags, deciding to leave the spear behind this time, as it might be cumbersome, and she fished more for Arlo's sake than her own. Roahv, fresh and well rested, carried her out of the village at a swift pace, once she'd said her goodbyes, Keevah soaring overhead. The miles soon vanished behind them as the hours past. She road until the sun was high in the sky, and then stopped at a stream. Nightfall saw her further away than she normally traveled from her home. Days, became a week, then two, and was quickly approaching three when she reached the Red Hills, named for they were mostly comprised of rusty red iron rich rocks and red clay. It was another week to reach the Narrow Sea.
She had to pay passage on a ship, really no more than a small fishing boat. The man didn't want to take her or her mount and bird, without coin, but thankfully she had a bit. Once on board, he made some lewd comments and also informed her that Roahv would make some fine roasts. He made the rest of the trip, with a broken nose and arm, having to get one of his three crew members to steer the ship for him. He made some threats, regarding 'the law' and having her arrested once they made it to a port, and she calmly informed him that if he tried to immped her in any way, Keevah would have his eyes, her sword would have his dick, and the bottom of the sea would claim his boat. He seemed to think better of his threats. She however, did not stick around to find out if he planned on fetching guards or not. As soon as the boat reached the port, she was already on Roahv's back, and they were at a full gallop, leaping onto the docks, not slowing until they were a good mile outside the town.
It wasn't until two towns later, (towns that she spent very little time in) until she learned where this Sidea was, about sixty miles to the South East, of where she was now. She was thankful for Roahv's strength and endurance, and she did not feel it was a waste, the large bag of hazelnuts she'd bought from a traveler to feed to him, patiently cracking them one at a time between two rocks, and feeding him handfuls of the raw nut meat.
It was time for the final leg of the journey, where she was suppose to find what she sought. She planned to push on and get there, as swiftly as possible. Keevah rode for a bit on Roahv's antlers, but soon found it preferable to take wing, scouting overhead. The terrain was changing rapidly from what she was accustomed to. Normally she would spend far more time getting to know a strange new wild place, but for now, her thoughts were only on getting there, and finding what she sought.
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