Burin the Earthly, and the Heartwood Saga.

[Glowing Mushroom]

I really love Photo Mode in games. I take, literally, thousands of screenshots and photographs in video games whether on PC or consoles. Neverwinter Nights doesn't have a Photo Mode, but you can at least do some fancy tricks with the camera and turn the HUD off!

So, I will chronologically post screenshots from when I brought Burin back to Arelith, and the history of his involvement with the archipelago. Starting before he became Archdruid and up to the present time! All of the moments in-between - The adventures and misadventures, the memories and the legends!

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Exploring the forest and meeting Myon was the first thing Burin got to experience. I will never forget when he requested to meet Aurlyn the Elk, and he came riding through the trees on horseback with Buppi also on horseback. Very Tolkien-esque! From there, Burin learned Elven extremely quickly, I think one or two RL days, and established a close friendship to Myon which lasts to this day.

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Myon was the first place to take Burin in, and with it came many adventures and long lasting friendships.



Eventually Burin began spending more time in the Grove; so far it was still very quiet, though there was the occasional exciting interaction. For example, when a Firbolg meets a Forest Gnome!

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The Sister Ravens, Ansuz and Fehu, had come to Burin many centuries ago. He found them as chicks within his pocket one morning, as he sailed a ship to nowhere in particular. It was then he realized that the path of the Druid came to him just as much as he came to it.

The Sister Ravens have helped Burin unlock the mysteries of his past, but even they cannot guide through all the fog. It was later when Burin made a significant stride in his practices of Druidry, when he was able to call upon the Runed Ravens: Nauðr, Ehwaz, Tiwaz, and Ür.



Burin's many adventures across Arelith took him to all the realms, including the vast and green Minmir realm. Little did he know, however, of the occupants there and their faith.

As he battled the giants and ettins in the forest, he came upon two others who were also beset upon by those monsters. Without second though Burin sprinted in to assist their battle, and after, introductions were made.

Flowers would sprout behind Burin's step as he walked before gently fading away. Some however, were stomped upon by one angry man of faith in particular.

The lady, however, Burin continues to be infatuated with to this day!

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After countless adventures and becoming friends with many people - Including folk from all the major realms such as Bendir, Brogendenstein, Cordor, Guldorand, and Myon - The subject of the Heartwood was brought up between two extraordinarily wise and talented Druids. Adilshahsa the Bear, and Meriam of the Fuzzypaw.

The Grove was vapid and quiet, echoing from its former self. People would come and go on occasion, but there was no Circle at the time. Burin had heard very good things about the previous Archdruid Beryl, but she had left suddenly. And the Grove went silent without her. The need to create a new Circle and revitalize the Grove was ever present, and Burin with the other aforementioned two discussed what could be done.

It was then they in fact suggested and encouraged Burin to hold a Moot to become the new Archdruid. He did not think himself worthy - But because of this they knew it to be the right choice.





And so Burin called out across the realms and held that Moot. More then thirty people showed up to hear his words and challenge his oaths and beliefs. In the end, not a single person said "Nay" when Burin asked if they would have him as their Archdruid of the Heartwood Grove.









And so began the new legacy of the Grove, and a new saga for Burin and the Circle!

[Glowing Mushroom]

Someone who became one of Burin's oldest and most loved friends was Adilshahsa the Bear. First they met each other in Myon, and as time went on they would embark on Nature Walks. Sometimes joined between the Dark Heart and Heartwood Groves, and sometimes just they two.







Burin's relationship with Brogendenstein continued to grow deeply as well. He had many incredible interactions with Mighty Thane Falgrim Vintergard on their own - And the rest of the Dwarves seem to have a profound respect and acknowledgement to see a Dwarf as the Archdruid.

The Runed Ravens began to whisper more secrets - And eventually a final name was revealed. Mímisbrunnr, the Ancient One. A Raven of the ethereal and the cosmos. Burin was given the wisdom to perform a ritual to summon this giant raven, but he could not do so alone. So he approached those whom he shared heritage with most - The Dwarves.

Others joined as well as a ritual within the barrow grounds of the Dark Spires was held. Drums were beat and throat singing was heard atop the chilly spires, and with a glorious blast - the Ancient One came forth. He questioned why he was there, and Burin spoke to him. Burin said he wishes to see the skies as he once did, to feel the voice and the world. Mímisbrunnr replied, "Wisdom is not given through drink, but to be gained after that which has been drunk. If you wish to see the world as you did before - A sacrifice must be made. Sight...for sight."

Knowing full well what the sacrifice entailed, the cost was nothing compared to how much the quest meant to him. And so the great raven plucked out Burin's right eye with his beak and gobbled it down.

The raven disappeared, and in that moment, a great flaming wrym flew overhead and crashed down upon Burin. At long last he had learned the True Shift of the Dragonshape.

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Many exciting plots unfolded as Burin continued to expand his and the Grove's relations across the many realms. One such plot was brought up with some amazing people from Guldorand, who offer twists and turns as a plot involving the shamanistic hags of Arelith's dark wilderness corners played out. Burin even got to carry people on his back as a dragon as he flew to take them home!









Burin would also attend Angela the White's many arcane classes. She would get very grumpy towards him if he were ever late!



And let us not ever forget the Libram Servitor, a tiny mechanized golem found within the depths of Umbrick. Burin lead an investigation of lore when an ancient arcane scroll was found, and they sought to unlock what secrets it might contain.

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The many adventures continue as Burin continues to forge friendships and cooperation across the realms.

Great climbs up the Eastern Mountains,



And deep meditation upon the Nexus Falls.



Large moots are seldom held, but when they are, people from all across Arelith are brought together to answer Burin's call.





Even into the deepest reaches that the Underdark goes, exciting and worthwhile journeys are carried out with powerful fellowships.





Back again throughout the hills of the Dale,



And across the Trackless Sea to all corners of the archipelago.

[Glowing Mushroom]

Burin's travels by his lonesome and with others go to great lengths, and even across the sea.

A journey to the frozen tundra of the Dun Umra, and the mysterious Grove that lay within.





They head back again to secret lakes beneath the Western mountains. Here he speaks with Yowyn the Mushroom, a powerful and reserved Druidess from the Deep. It is with she Burin begins to spend more time, especially as relations between the Heartwood and the Zurkhwood are given great importance.





A dangerous plot begins to unfold in the Arelith Forest, as the restful dead rise and fiends spill from the fallen Light Keep. To fight back against their encroachment, the most powerful shows of strength are summoned to keep their advances stalled.







But even as a dangerous new war is waged, Burin teaches that there must always be time to find presence in the living moment, and peace with simple deeds.

He invites all to join him on a special pilgrimage to the Zodiac Stones in the mountains of the East, to seek introspection and learn of each other.

[Glowing Mushroom]

The complex and dire plot of the Dread Zhentarim and powerful witches that plague the Arelith forest continued to treacherously grow. Undead and devils spilled from the Fallen Light Keep of Benwick and encroach upon more regions of the forest, so far as to the Shallow Wood as well. Skeletal archers were not uncommon to see, and they were just as dangerous if not moreso than the deadly hordes found in the Minmir Realm.

The Gauntlet, lead by Emma the Stunning, built a warcamp in the Eastern Crossroads of the Shallow Wood to fortify a position against the armies of the undead and devils coming from Benwick. Massive battles were fought as many goodly folk would come to aid the protection of the forest and the vanquishing of evil. Burin would call upon the Dragon Spirits to take to the form of Hoununraunrak, the sorrowful and vengeful ancient red dragon, whose anger would shatter and scorch the Earth.













In order to further combat this horrific incursion, Burin saw the need to a grand call for unity.

He called to all the realms. Bendir and Brogendenstein, Cordor and Guldorand, Myon and the other Groves to Moot.

One of his greatest achievements, Burin's voice as the Archdruid had grown to its crest. To discuss the war and inspire unity with each other, to battle through values of love and righteousness, those folk from across Arelith did come to Moot in the Grove.

At the height of the Moot, more than 64 people were gathered together. In cooperation and in goodness, the Moot discussed many things, and all were respectful and pragmatic. The Moot discussed the potential need to build a Bulwark force around Benwick, as suggested by Tilly the Tilly. The Moot discussed values of togetherness and equality, and Burin emphasized the importance of gathering together with differences set aside so that all may work together to protect the people and lands they love.

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The war against Ophellia and her fiendish armies eventually ended in the forest, as brave heroes from across Arelith lead campaigns against it. The Gauntlet of Cordor and the Kuldarn of Brogendenstein most notably took to the spearhead of the effort and finished off the hordes of undead and devils. Peace and Balance was restored, and at long last there was calm throughout.

Burin has been Archdruid for some years now, and Members of the Circle were growing up and advancing to great places in their lives. One such place took some of them to matrimony, and they would ask Burin to officiate it for them. Burin has officiated two couples in a wedding, now!

First in the Shrine of the Heartwood.







And again in the Golden Hall of Brogendenstein.

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Burin's most favorite activity as Archdruid (And mine OOCly) is quite simply meeting new people who come to the Grove. Whether they are Nature Walkers of the new generations or visitors and friends, the greatest pleasure he finds is in the kindly and elegant act of getting to know new folk, teaching them, and learning from them.

A special pilgrimage to the Zodiac Stones is once again held, and the journey begins upon the Cordor Frontier.











One of Burin's greatest and treasured friendships is of course with the Keepers of one of the Heartwood's sister grove's, the Zurkhwood. With the Zurkhwood's Keeper, Yowyn the Mushroom (With whom Burin is also quite struck with), she and Burin go on many adventures together. Some are dangerous, some are important meetings regarding matters of the Balance and nature. And some yet are simple walks of the Planes.

[Glowing Mushroom]

Burin's time as Archdruid drew him to reform strong bonds to the logging village of Westcliff (then Guldorand). With the tumultuous and otherwise unpleasant history between Westcliff and the forces of nature, including the previous Circle, Burin found it important to rebuild the bonds of cooperation and mutual respect.

As the Balance is being cared for across the Eastern mountains, it is noted that the slopes of the Skull Crags in particular have been plagued by an outpouring presence of the faithful of the Storm Lord. Mt. Valtheran is likely to blame, but little can be discovered with visitations there. Only that the Balance itself is consistently in and out of equilibrium. Large battles are fought across the slopes and foothills of the crags as the Talasians continue to press further in, to be beaten back.

Eventually - Burin suggests a profound idea. With the history of Westcliff and the ancient druids of the mountains, the Archdruid thinks it wise to seek out those very druids of the mountain's past. So he and a druidess of the Circle, Cheryl the Rat Witch, follow a secret river path to meet the Sky-Talkers.

Upon meeting the reclusive and aggressively territorial people - Who are dangerously few in number - Burin and Sherry emphasized that they did not seek the Sky-Talkers about for hunting, nor battle, nor trade, nor anything else of worldly matters. They simply went as Druids - To meet other Druids. To exchange cultures and wisdom; to seek culture and wisdom.

After speaking a long while and gaining a modicum of trust, Burin and Sherry eventually agreed upon taking the trials of the Sky-Talkers. Though it was arduous and demanding in many ways - The two druids passed, and became known as full members of the Sky-Talker tribe. Burin and Sherry were each granted one wish of their own when they met the Heart of the Mountain, and they will forever be welcome to visit again in open arms.

Spoilers below for rare in-game secret areas!

[Glowing Mushroom]

As the moment of the gates of Guldorand to be opened drew closer and lingering threats from Benwick the Fallen Keep remained present, the many people and leaders of the realms were in constant talk with, and sometimes against, one another in preparation. One such meeting was called forth by Burin to moot once again in the Heartwood, where once again many people from each corner and all settlements answered the call.





Though not long after this, the Arcane Tower went through a sudden and dramatic change in leadership as representatives of the Iron Throne took up residence and office there.

Archmage Yusmena herself was caught in a controversy with the leadership of Westcliff as it was in an especially stressful time while Guldorand prepared to be opened.







Atop the Weatherstone she was there, with mercenaries from her army, and her own apprentice in magic. Using the Weatherstone with supervision from Westcliff, the tension began to swell as onlookers and members of the Circle watched on. Irate and displeased with the circumstances of the use of the stone, Burin felt it was being abused, and by an apprentice of Necromancy no less. The infamous Rampage Atop the Weatherstone then unfolded in a swift and remarkable second.

With a cast of Stonehold, Burin encased not only the mercenaries around him in the rock and mist, but his friends and allies as well. Ensuring they would not interfere or come in the way, Burin acted quickly next as he drew to the terrible and awesome powers in Druidry and shifted to the shape of an ancient red dragon. The sorrow and anger of the burning-ruby Hoununraunrak shatters the earth, and it was unleashed with flames and talons to the mercenaries in a slaughter. Only two escaped with their lives, and the dragon roared into the sky with a blast of vengeful fire to their retreat. To prevent reinforcements, Dregan the Green cast down a bombardment of boulders to the walkways of the Weatherstone, and blocked passage to the portal.

In the following weeks, tensions between Westcliff and the Grove were understandably high, as were they elsewhere. The Founder's Council of Guldorand itself of course took great notice of this event, and with Burin's message sent though it, representatives from the Iron Throne and Evermeet saw fit to meet in the Grove to discuss the politics and seek resolution.







With the importance of the Grove and the nature walkers across Arelith placed firmly upon the map, and their stance and beliefs in the face of great forces, a delicate peace was indeed established following the small moot.