Account of the Sky Druids

The druids residing on the Skull Crags mountain go by many names. The townsfolk have always referred to them as the Mountain Druids, but among themselves, they refer to their commune as Sky Druids or Sky-Talkers. The account below was spoken to us by the High Shaman of the Sky Druids, Screaming Eagle, when we visited the ruined Mountain Grove one cold, misty night.
She is now presumed to be dead.

Those of Guldorand have always logged upon the mountain, but during the arrival of the Amnish a century or so ago, the felling of trees became more frequent. The two had entered into a bargain with one another, with Guldorand agreeing to sell its lumber to Amn. They used strange metal creatures to help uproot and carry off trees. They did plant trees in place of the ones cut, but a sapling is no fair payment for a full grown tree.

The Sky-Talkers decided they would strike at Guldorand, to instill fear into the town with the hopes their logging would cease. Instead, Guldorand and the Amnish came together to do more damage. They could not reach the Secret Place of the druids, betwixt leaf and twig.

And because they could not find the druids, they could not destroy them when they would retreat after battle. But Guldorand knew the magics that kept them hidden were magics of the mountain. So Guldorand committed three terrible ills to reach the mountains druids:

Firstly, they ventured to the High Place and slew the Totem Spirits of the mountain. These are the same ones druids draw from to use their shifted forms. Their death was not permanent, but at the time, it meant the druids could not commune with the spirits in order to shift forms. This also left the animals of the mountain weak and less fertile. They are still recovering as of this penning.

Secondly, they came to the Mountain Grove and toppled the standing stones, creating the ruins. The mountain druids have replaced what they could, but it will take many more years before they settle and can draw power from the earth once more.

Lastly, they came for the Holy Trees, for the power of root and plant and twig. They cut down the Holy Trees, which slew the dryads bound to them. From this, the land was weakened and the druids could not draw power from it as effectively. It is important to note that one does not fell a dryads tree by accident. A dryad will do all she can to protect the tree she is bound to.

This does mean that Guldorand knowingly and willingly slew their mountain's dryads. Though youngling dryads have moved in and taken the place of the old ones, they are but saplings as o this penning. Weak and vulnerable. The mountain druids hide them in their Secret Place. It will be many decades before they are strong enough to renew the power of the Mountain Grove.

The destruction of Stone, Animal and Plant was enough to weaken the mountains spirits. The Amnish and Guldoranders were now able to enter the Secret Home of the Sky-Talkers. The High Shaman of old called for the highest of rituals; to awaken the mountain itself. A Prince among Earth elementals - the very mountain itself, to rise up and fight off the interlopers.

But the ritual was interrupted. The people of Guldorand invaded and slew the High Shaman and many others. Those who did not fight to the death were captured, the elders and the small children. They were either taken across the sea by the Amnish, or put to work in Guldorand.

There are few of the tribe left upon the mountain, with an even fewer fringe group striking out against travelers on occasion.

Screaming Eagle, the current known High Shaman, said if Guldorand would take four of their villagers, nail them to the trees outside of town, tear their hearts from their chests as gifts to the Furies - Talos, Malar, Auril and Umberlee and let their blood water the trees, she would consider opening negotiations.

The Mountain Druids suffer no magical blight to speak of, no curse or madness. Theirs is purely a rage that has survived decades and been passed to the next generations. They are now what we refer to as Lost Druids.

- Account taken in the twelfth month, Nightal, of year 144
By Beryl Whitestorm and Edgar Linneaus