Hermit

Morning

Hevi the Water Sijinn woke much later than usual. As he stretched and yawned, Hevi noticed the den was barren, save the cold vaporous emissions of his breath. He understood why. Today, was different.

Hevi felt a small satchel next to him on the stone floor. Gifts. Inside, he found fresh water, food and essentials, as well as a tear-drop crystal shaped from a shard of Ice. He smiled with the knowledge that the Buniru were deeply sentimental people.

Hevi sipped from the water-skin thankfully, and replaced the contents before he began morning meditation. Eschewing a meal, he needed to concentrate on the Buniru elders' lessons. Hevi needed their insights by nightfall.

Noon

As his meditations came to a close, Hevi felt small, curious eyes watching him from the threshold of the inner den. He made no sign of noticing. Instead, with deliberate calm, he rose, turning to his next task, content to amuse his interloper.

Hevi hummed softly while preparing a tonic, his hands moving with practiced grace through the herbs the Buniru had left for him. Each motion carried memory; each memory, a low and even note, transmitted in the space between them.

After several minutes of preparation, he waited for the mixture to cool. Leaning against the wall, Hevi remarked, "With this gift, I share the water of Life," smiling, he turned, "that song was gifted to me by my Mother..." but, the presence was gone.

He chuckled, a soft sound lost in silence, and gave a loose shrug before gathering his things. At ease, Hevi stepped into the scattered sunlight as its pale warmth washed over him.

Day

"During the day, Hevi found a mass of Buniru cooking over a large camp flame. Boiling peppers and pungent mossy aromas came from the pot. Hevi sat down with an elderly Buniru, and began to peel some of the vegetables. Once they had enough, he waited for the elder to return.

Then, children approached with a torn cloak, which Hevi was happy to mend. As he drew his thread from a pouch in his robes, one of the youngest, the son of the elderly Baenlo, tugged at his sleeve, "Do you have to leave?" The question turned many heads. Even the elder returned and sat by the fire, calmly awaiting his response.

"I'll know tonight," Hevi began, "I trust in the circle of elders." Hevi watched the elder Baenlo, as he ladled soup into a bowl.

"I think it's up to more than Buniru alone," the elder said, as Hevi and the Buniru of the village paused to enjoy warm soup.

Evening

Within the Inner Den, there was a hidden chamber, wherein lied the circle of elders that guided the Buniru. A small flame was ignited between the huddled hermits, awaiting Hevi and the elder, Baenlo.

At the head of the flame, Baenlo spoke low at first, "Hevi, you came to us, a stranger, and through four Winters, you remained as the Great Blizzard tried to sweep us from the land. We gather to appreciate your strength and support through these trying Times. We have learned much from you, and I expect you will learn much more about us."

The Buniru Hermits began to chant and intone, as a few began to quiver and dance. Their footsteps became mystical flames caught by leaping over the fire and together, the music and the beating of their cloven hooves became a swell. Sitting elders swayed beneath the pulsing beat, as Hevi recoiled from the heat of the flames against his cool skin.

Yet it was an inviting warmth- perhaps that was the shock of it. The Buniru's Spirits became like flame as a great Ancestor appeared between them, above the fire. Beneath its' spectral gaze, Hevi met the Ancestor, for what felt like an eternity, before it descended as a wisp, into the ash and cinders.

Each of the elders turned to Hevi once their ritual was complete. They waited until Hevi broke the long silence, 'I know what I must do.' Each of them spoke through the night.

Night

In the solitude of night, Hevi departed the village of the Snow-Den Buniru. He knew that he had to return to his people, so that he could share with them the stories of the Buniru. The Blizzard that had claimed the land for many moons no longer concerned him. He now had the strength he needed for the journey, and he had the Buniru to thank.

As the elders watched him leave, they knew that he'd one day return. The Ancestor would bring Hevi back.

In the pitch of night, Hevi was guided by the steady warmth of his Lantern and the presence of the Buniru's Ancestral Spirit, watching over his quest to share their Cultures and hopefully spare the Buniru from any further harm by maligned mortals.

Hermit's Progression

Hermit's Features