A timid touch of the sun against a gentle air, the invigorating feel of dew in the grass between one's toes give a never tiring sense of refreshment from a new day. The light in the sky gives vibrancy to greyed clouds travelling the brilliant blue in the great beyond, its smile making even dirt and wood all about seem colorful, and the greens shine excellently, giving its own appearance of wealth and prosperity for the people of the wolves.
Out here, life for the races in the village is the same as the wolves: they hunt, they gather, they travel as a pack. Respect for the animals of the woods is understood by their acknowledgement of their superiority and mastery of the fickle workings of nature; a wise man understands that even the warrior that bests the largest beast still has much to learn from those whose knowledge of the woods and hunting remain mysterious and secret in many ways.
A boy's nose tingles from the itch from the smoke. In the center of the village, an owlbear is stripped of its fur, its meat glimmering over the embers that carefully paint the carcass into what will eventually become a dark and golden feast. Men, elves and human alike celebrate a harvest of nuts and berries, cheering the blessed season and a wonderful reward. Already his mouth is watering, eager to partake in the indulgent tastes from the finest spoils of the season.
Faces all about gaze with interest and wonder as the warriors that guard the village from evil beasts march in tandem at a restrained pace, striding to the village entrance with spears upturned alongside themselves. Curiosity besting caution, the boy clicks his tounge a few times at the hut he had emerged from, calling forth a little grey creature, whose obsidian eyes sparkle and whose tounge hangs over its jaw, mouth muscles upturned just enough to look like the little cub is always smiling. It springs to the boy, joining him by his side for the little adventure they are about to make for themselves.
Making his way around, the duo crawls into a set of thick foilage near the entrance, allowing them to watch closely without being caught by the adults.
Strange people of a vast variety of shapes and colors are met by the tribe's warriors, barring their entrance. The apperances of the outsiders are like nothing he's ever seen before... But the most striking of the two are those that lead their pack...
One is like a monster given the form of a man, who appears like a shadow even in the brightest of days. He appears to be a hunter of some sort, equipped with a bow that appears stronger than any the hunters of the village use. Beside this dark man, is a strange wolf, both black and white and lacks the nobility of his kind. This wolf interests the boy, it almost seems like a monster in its own right, yet somehow accepted as an equal for the strange man. Perhaps they are both monsters and that is how they became friends?
The other is a tall and proud stature, a wolf given the form of a man who stands firmly between those that approach him and in front of those behind him. With him is a brilliant white wolf, an exotic rarity only once seen before. The boy can't help but watch this man, almost immediately sensing a proud warrior and a leader within. This will become an image that will never leave his mind; he will want to become strong like this man, and the cub he has will join him on his aspiration.
A tribe warrior speaks to the group, instructing in common, "We do not allow outsiders into this village. We live a sacred life here, we do not want travellers to disrupt it with their strange ways." But as if on cue, another warrior plows between his peers and calls out, "Wait! That wolf! That is Nanna! That is Nanna, the white wolf!" And suddenly in alarm and realization, everyone is looking between themselves, "It is Nanna! If this man has Nanna by his side then that must mean he is..." In that following moment the warriors surround the party, and a warrior leading them instructs, "Please, come with us! You are welcome here!"
Soon, you find yourselves being led through the village. The spearmen use their weapons to discourage any foul movements, and the people discard their duties to watch with mix of wonder and concern, wary of your intentions here in the village.
As you are taken closer to a thicket at the farthest reach of the village separating the great tree from all else, the leader of the warriors states to Alf in particular, "The village elder will want to see you. Please proceed." The branches before you, tangled and woven together tightly begin to unravel on their own, pulling away at each side to make an opening to allow passage. Stepping aside, he allows passage... Lady immediately steps forward, forcing Alf to follow along; afterward the branches close off behind them, separating them from the party. The warrior states from the other side, "You will be seen alone. We will allow the others to be our guests, as a friend of Nanna." With that, the others will be taken to be invited as guests to the feast that will be made, allowing an evening of rest for the group.
Alf will see a large grove, isolated from the village and other life. There is a sense of peace here, as birds and small creatures gather under the safety of the grand tree, and flowers blossom around forming a natural kingdom of prosperity. Nanna moves forward, as if beckoning Alf to follow. When he does, he'll eventually find himself at the base of the great tree... a man looks down with a smile, greeting the young druid from atop his place... embedded inside the great divine tree, allowing his body to be given to it.
With a homely voice, he welcomes the man, introducing himself and saying, "I am a man known as Odin. I can see that you have become a very strong, man called Baldur. It has been long since I have been able to gaze upon your face again..."
He continues... continues with the next two words that will surely change Alf.. or perhaps, Baldur's, life for the rest of his days, "..my son."
