Edris, the Grovekeeper of Dragon's Reach

Edris is an elderly elven woman with a serene and earthy presence. Her long, wavy gray hair, streaked with subtle shades of brown, is tied back with a delicately twisted corsage of wildflowers that cascades down her back. Wrinkles around her gentle eyes hint at her age and wisdom, while her high cheekbones and pointed ears proudly display her elven heritage. Edris's well-worn robes, once a vibrant green, have faded over the years, yet they still carry a touch of their former splendor. Her movements are fluid and graceful, like leaves swaying in a gentle breeze, and her eyes often seem to gaze off into the distance as if she is communing with the spirits of the land.

Early Life and The Grove

Before the founding of Dragon's Reach, Edris inhabited and nurtured a grove known as Everspring Grove. This lush, verdant area would eventually become the site where Dragon's Reach was established. As a druid with a deep connection to the land, Edris helped the grove flourish, creating a harmonious sanctuary for both flora and fauna.

The Ancient Dragon's Demise

When the ancient dragon met its end and crashed down near Everspring Grove, Edris witnessed the event and approached the dragon slayers. She pleaded with them to let the dragon's body decompose over the course of a year, allowing its rich essence to return to the land. To accelerate the process, Edris performed the Ritual of Reclamation, which harnessed the natural energies of the land to break down the dragon's remains more swiftly. As the dragon decomposed, Edris ensured that its scales were preserved and set aside for the dragon slayers to claim.

The Last Scale

As soon as the last dragon scale fell from the decomposing dragon corpse, Edris knew it was time for her to leave the site of Dragon's Reach. With a deep sense of purpose and a heavy heart, she bid farewell to the town and ventured deeper into the forest, seeking solace and communion with nature in the sacred Whispering Glade. This decision allowed her to maintain her spiritual connection to the land and focus on her duties as a guardian of the forest and member of the Circle of the Verdant Heart.

The Whispering Glade is considered the very heart of the forest itself. Rich with the vibrant energies of nature and teeming with life, Whispering Glade offers a sanctuary for Edris and her fellow druids to practice their craft and maintain their spiritual connection with the land. The Circle of the Verdant Heart remains a steadfast guardian of this mystical grove, preserving the delicate balance of life and ensuring the continued harmony between the forest's denizens and the citizens of Dragon's Reach.

Nature Spirits and Their Bodies

Edris is renowned for creating physical forms for nature spirits to inhabit. Three such spirits who received bodies from Edris are:

  1. Verdant Eyes: A small, humanoid-shaped tangle of smooth vines, their limbs allow them to climb trees and manipulate objects with ease
  2. Spiny Underfoot: A small, hedgehog-like creature covered in pine needles, providing it with both protection and a means to blend seamlessly with its surroundings.
  3. Autumn Foliage: A majestic, tiny stag with a magnificent set of antlers made from intertwining branches adorned with brilliantly colored autumn leaves.

Legacy

Edris's contributions to Everspring Grove and the founding of Dragon's Reach have made her a revered figure in the town's history. Her unique talent for creating bodies for nature spirits has fostered a harmonious coexistence between the spirits and the citizens of Dragon's Reach. Even as the town grew and prospered, Edris remained a guardian of the grove, ensuring the continued well-being of the nature spirits and their sacred home.