(Warning: This story is a tad long. The publisher fired its editor in the name of timeliness.)

Syddnys Story

Syddny was born and raised in the protected community of Surefall Glade, north of the Hills of Qeynos. His mild-mannered parents, William and Clara, worked hard in the village, the community among the tall trees of the Jaggedpine Forest. Neither of them had ever been noticed or stood out in any way, but they were friendly to all and were generally well liked by the community. Syddny was their only child, for they were of modest means. They feared for his welfare, protecting him from the evils of the outside world. Sydd naively grew to believe that the world of the Jaggedpine represented the world as a whole.

The value of the Balance of Nature, the signs of Tunares creations, the language of fawn and fauna, these were the natural and intuitive lessons Syddny learned. Powerful Rangers and Druids lived and traveled through his world, mostly human. Occasionally, there were strange travelers, but none that he would ever consider talking to. Sydd spent his little free time fishing and swimming in the streams and pond of Surefall, earning small change for the fish he sold.

Unbeknownst to him or his parents, Syddny had grown to be a relatively strong young man with quick instincts. The Druidic Council of Surefall had taken note. They were interested in increasing their ranks to fend off the massive invasion of Gnolls from Blackburrow, growing daily. Syddny was quick with his druidic studies, but rather slow to grasp the arts of combat.

Jeffersin was a childhood friend of Syddnys. Being half-elf, Jeffersin had been training as a Ranger for some time. He was quick to volunteer as Syddnys protector. Together, they entered the vile world of the Qeynos Hills.

Such atrocities, vulgarities, and violence against nature, Syddny saw for the first time. And it wasnt just the Gnolls, but even the famed city of Qeynos smelled badly and was filled with angry people. The bats, rats, and snakes that came to feast upon Qeynos garbage were being slaughtered as vermin. Syddny was challenged to consider on which side to stand. Surely, Tunare never meant either of these creations to behave in this manner. Civilization had created gross abominations; all part of this world of Norrath that Syddny was to find as his own.

As the battle with the Gnolls continued to rage, Syddny became interested in entering the Inner Circle of the Surefall Druids. His test of manhood came in his eighth season; he was to deliver a live Yellow-finned Goldeye fish. The Yellow-finned Goldeye is known only to exist in the subterranean lakes of Blackburrow, or so he was told. Syddny devised a plan to sneak into the heart of Blackburrow, clear an area of beach and fish carefully for the Goldeye. Upon completing the effort, he was on his way to return to Surefall when an infamous train of Gnolls nearly swallowed him whole. Many attempts later, as he entered his ninth season, he succeeded with the quest and was officially inducted as a member of the First Inner Circle.

During his battles, Syddny often found gems of various sizes and colors. His interest led him to jewelers in Qeynos who began his training to make his own. The hobby was expensive and his friends recommended he find something more profitable, but from his first creation, Sydd always found the jewelry to be so pretty. He would never consider dropping the hobby, even when metals became prohibitively costly.

Over time, with the aid of Jeffersin and others, Blackburrow became significantly more controlled. As a member of the Second Inner Circle, Sydd was given knowledge of spells that allowed increased travel. The Council asked him to travel the perimeter of the land, through Highpass to Freeport and south and back, taking Tunares word and action throughout her land.

It was while exploring the land called Oasis that Syddny first met Kadanie. A wood elf ranger, she accepted Sydd when others were looking for more particular skills in people. Sydd had only heard of wood elves in travelers tales. And Kadanie was more than just any wood elf. Syddny was immediately taken by her, only to discover another, a monk, named Korlax, had already claimed her heart. Even so, Kadanie and Syddny spent many hours hunting together and sharing life experiences. Kadanie became Sydds bestest friend.

A couple of days before her marriage to Korlax, Kadanie stopped Syddny in his tracks. She had a question for him; she wanted to know if he would consider joining her female guild, the Maidens of Norrath. He had heard the stories of its formation. He knew its members came primarily from Faydwer and few were aware of Western Antonica, let alone this solitary druid of modest means. She explained that he would be given the position of Sergeant of Arms, Protector and Guardian of the Maidens of Norrath. It would be a role that he was accustomed to fulfilling. He would no longer need to be such a loner in the world. The weight of the question, itself, made a profound impact upon the man. No longer a child, he had entered the Third Inner Circle and was carrying Tunares work to the reaches of the land. Did he belong in a group? Could he uphold his ideals? What would be the choices for his life? He agreed to consider it further.

Then, as Syddny found his way to Felwithe, he chanced upon the name of the guild leader, Mojio. He called out to her, and she came to meet him. He was stunned to see her run around the corner. Beautiful both physically and her attire, she was a human, certainly not what he expected. They chatted about the prospects of joining the guild when suddenly an idea came out of nowhere. A surprise Wedding Shower was to be held that night for Kadanie. Mojio suggested that Syddny come as the dancer. Without his realization, Syddny was being tested for membership. He awkwardly agreed, willing to do anything for Kadanie. That evening, he met many of the Guild and found great pleasure in the warmth and light-natured elves and others of the Guild. His clumsy performance failed to dim the excitement and fun of the party. He agreed to join, if Mojio would have him.

The next day, Syddny was further honored by being asked by Kadanie to be the one who gave away the bride. Nervously, at the appropriate time, Syddny said the words to forever seal away his unrealized dreams. He was truly happy for the couple, and wished them well. But their marriage had also brought him to a new family. As time passed, he became more acquainted with many of the members of the Maidens. A majority was druid and shared many of the same values. Others, like Adany (a barbarian raised as a gnome), Tybia, and Amends, have pulled Syddny into their efforts and guided his development.

Bit by bit, each day, Syddny begins to realize how much more he can do.