Tarannon, Hamadryad of Fiddler's Green

In the hidden glen of Fiddler's Green rises an ancient white oak, its twisted branches spreading wide to span nearly half the dell from atop the spur of stone around which curl its mighty roots. This is clearly a venerable tree, hearty and hale in spite of the ancient lightning-scar that scores its bark nearly to the ground. An aura of majesty seems to surround this tree at the heart of the glade.

The old oak is more than it seems, for it is the anchor of a gladeling inanimae, Tarannon, kubera guardian of the wood. Few kithain of Rowan-Oak have heard of him, as he prefers to watch unseen and decide whether it would be good to seek alliances or to remain aloof. He does trust members of the Buckthorn Tragos, who are pleged to keep his presence secret for now. Likewise he has on occasion met Master Coulkan, who respects the old hamadryad's privacy.

Tarannon prefers not to leave his glade, but does occasionally wander through the woods throughout the county, although seeing them diminished from their ancient grandeur depresses him deeply. Most of his news comes from woodland creatures, the satyrs who frequent the glen, or from the ondine, Se�mus, whose anchor is the spring that waters his roots, and who is far more gregarious than he.

In his Dreamform, which he prefers, Tarannon is huge, as large as a troll. His skin is greyish, in places craggy, like bark. His hair is twiggy and gnarled, terminating in oak leaves and knotted with acorns. His eyes hold old memories, and are dusty green. His voice is deep and hoarse, his speech slow, low and thoughtful. His features show an old scar running from his hairline to the short kilt of leaves which is his only garment. His build is muscular but not lean, although he is obviously in robust health. When he puts on a husk, his skin becomes smoother and his hair less obviously foliate, although still coarse and wild. His husks usually look young, as he seldom keeps them for long, but even when newly created are burly, and his eyes retain their wise regard. As a councillor of the Empire of Seeds, Tarannon has access to Forget-Me-Nots crafted in the kubera homelands, in order to acquire information for Her Majesty's use. He can also use these as trade items with his contacts in the Buckthorn Tragos, who value them highly. Tarannon arms himself with a chimerical club of prodigious size with which to defend the surviving old growth forest.

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