Volunteers of Banewood
Ah, the Volunteers. Where the Observers clutch at the past, the Volunteers race toward the future with arms wide open, claiming they are touched by change. Whether this is wisdom or folly depends on who you ask. To the older Yv’anda, they’re merely restless youngsters with too much energy and too little patience. But dismissing them would be a grave mistake, for the Volunteers are the lifeblood of Banewood’s evolving politics, bridging divides and carving new paths through ancient traditions.
The Volunteers find themselves intertwined with both the Harrat Wing and the Harras, acting as arbiters, guides, and healers in equal measure. They shy away from direct participation in the Harrat Wing’s brutal raids on Dragsa, but their magic is a powerful ally to the newly freed Kutauri. Their spells mend wounds, soothe trauma, and weave strength into the weary. In these acts of compassion, the Volunteers wield their greatest power—hope.
Seekers of Knowledge
Curiosity defines the Volunteers as much as their willingness to adapt. They eagerly pursue the healing arts, seeking out the secrets of medicine and magic alike. The inventions trickling into Banewood from Lake Frothloch and Encura intrigue them, and they are relentless in their polite but endless inquiries. Share your knowledge with a Volunteer, and you may lose a night to their questions, but you will gain a friendship that endures for years.
A Bold New Look
If the Observers embody the forest’s roots, then the Volunteers are its vibrant blossoms. Their faces are adorned with fluorescent paint, and their clothing is a riot of vivid hues inspired by venomous snakes, poisonous toads, and the lethal plants of Banewood. To outsiders, these decorations might seem frivolous, but they are a statement of identity and defiance. Each mark, each colour, tells a story of adaptation, survival, and strength.
Do not mistake their flamboyance for folly. Beneath the vibrant patterns lies a sharp mind and a clever heart. Volunteers are masters of creative solutions, using their knowledge of Banewood’s flora and fauna in ways that even the ancient Observers might envy. Their bright colours may attract the eye, but their cunning will outwit the unprepared.
The Heart of the Volunteers
To truly understand the Volunteers, we must see them not just as innovators but as dreamers who long for a Banewood that thrives in harmony with the world beyond its borders. They challenge the old ways not to dismantle them but to grow something new from their roots. They are not perfect; their impatience sometimes leads to mistakes, and their enthusiasm can be overwhelming. But in their hearts lies a spark that cannot be extinguished—the desire to make Banewood not just a sanctuary but a beacon.
So, adventurer, if you cross paths with a Volunteer, do not turn them away. Hear their questions, share your knowledge, and perhaps you will see the forest through their eyes. And if you are wise, you will recognise that change, whether feared or embraced, is as much a part of Banewood as the Oldest Tree itself.
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