Tilia’s Field Notes: Teal

My water-loving druid brother-in-arms is ever the gentle voice of reason in our adventures. No one soothes ruffled fur and feathers, interjects needed social niceties, ensures that everyone’s voice is heard, or appeals to our better sensibilities quite like Teal.

Teal has wavy, bluish hair and big eyes, a sun-kissed complexion, and as we learned quite early on during the raid by river pirates, an unusual affinity for the water. He looks rather like merfolk-kin when he’s in his element, which has been a rare event to date, but it’s enough of a transformation that I’ve sketched his portrait twice over. With two druids in our odd little band, his aquatic prowess provides a nice complement to my link with earth and mountains.

Of course, Teal’s tale would be incomplete without noting his exceptional friendship with the bard Caedmon. When we frequented the inn in Dranseri where the fetching bard entertained patrons, Teal had eyes for no one and nothing else. On the road, I often see Teal pensively penning letters to his childhood companion by firelight. He does not speak of it often, but it is plain to me that he yearns to be with his music man.

And yet, Teal continues to keep company with our ragtag lot, rather than chasing what his heart clearly desires. This is, of course, part of the task of Aramenté – we must find ourselves by leaving behind the familiar and friendly faces of our youth. I feel we are lucky to have Teal’s patient, kind companionship on this journey, as well as his highly effective use of the moonbeam spell!