Tales of Shirani Planeswalker

The Tasks of Queen Titania

Shirani had traveled for what seemed like eons across the Feywild. At this time, she was still Shirani Smith and unfamiliar with the geography of the planes. She was not yet used to the shifting landscape and deceptive mileage of the worlds beyond the Material Plane. But after seemingly unending travels, she found herself at the gates of the massive tree that housed the Summer Court. It rose higher than any tree in existence. Its golden leaves could be roofs for the inns in the humble little village Shirani hailed from. In comparison, Shirani was but an ant, but she strode forward undeterred.   The guards that would normally bar the passage of sudden intruders such as she could sense the determination in her soul and silently stepped aside so she could approach. Shirani entered the halls of the Summer Court, and they moved before her steady determination to give her a clear path to the throne and the splendid Queen there. Upon the throne in all her golden glory was Queen Titania.   “You are no child of the Fey.” Titania said upon seeing Shirani. “What brings you to my court?”   Shirani stood firm before the piercing gaze of the Fey Queen. “We share a common enemy, and I come seeking your aid.” Shirani replied.   The Queen stood and approached Shirani. Her eyes looked deep into Shirnai’s soul and understood her pain and desire. “I see.” Titania said. “A member of the Gloaming Court has taken something dear to you.”   Shirani did not falter under the Queen’s understanding. She stood tall and stoic.   “I will help you.” The Queen declared. “But I cannot do so as of yet. The creature you hunt is powerful, and before you can face her, there are materials you must gather.”   Wary of the tricks of the Feywild, Shirani almost declined, but she knew she would find the help she required anywhere else.   “What are these materials?” Shirani asked.   “First, you must travel to the dark depths of the Feydark and obtain a piece of Darkest Night.   “Then, you must go into the heart of the Wild Woods and gather the heartwood of the Eternal Tree.   “And finally, you must procure the splintered shards of the heart of a heartless creature.   “When you bring these items to me, I will be able to grant you the power to defeat this creature and find what you’ve lost.”   Shirani nodded. “Then I will do so.”   And she turned and strode out of the Summer Court, heading Duskward.    

Shirani and the Swamp Hag

Shirani traveled Duskward until the land turned from Summer forests to Autumn fields to Winter mountains and beyond. The world steadily became darker as she traveled towards the endless Night, and as the world became darker, the land became more treacherous. What was once sun-dappled forests became dark and craggy woods. What was once snowy mountains became sheer cliffs and rocky passes. What was once golden fields became a deep and foggy swamp.   Here, Shirani’s trek was slowed as her feet sank into the soggy ground. Massive flying insects bit and pecked at her as she pushed onward. Each step was a struggle as the earth sucked and clutched at Shirani’s feet with every step.   Just as she felt her strength waning, Shirani felt solid ground beneath her boots. Through the fog, she spotted the warm light of a fire through windows. In hopes of finding a safe place to rest, Shirani turned toward the lights. Soon enough, she found herself before a quaint cottage, nicely thatched and warmly lit.   Shirani stomped the mud off of her boots and knocked firmly upon the door. A moment later, the door opened to reveal a beautiful young woman. She was fair with a sprinkle of feathers across her cheeks and fiery red hair. Wide blue eyes looked up at Shirani in her doorway.   “Oh my, I was not expecting travelers to come so far to my home.” The pretty young woman said. “You look tired, please come in.”   Eager to rest, Shirani gratefully entered the cottage.The woman urged her near the warmth of the fire and took her traveling cloak to hang and dry. The woman looked at Shirani with eager, curious eyes.   “What brings you so far Duskward, traveler?” She asked.   Shirani explained her task to travel to the Feydark to retrieve a piece of Darkest Night for Queen Titania. The woman’s eyes widened with wonder. “To come all the way from the Summer Court!” The woman exclaimed. “You must be truly exhausted! You must be hungry and thirsty as well. Please, let me get you some refreshments.”   Wary of the potential dangers of eating the food of a Fey creature, Shirani was hesitant to accept. “I have intruded on your hospitality enough as it is.” She said, reaching into her pack. “I have my own rations to eat. All I ask of you is some water to drink.”   The young woman frowned, but nodded. She brought Shirani a cup of water from a jug. But the woman also set out a pitcher of warm spiced wine and a tempting spread of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and aged cheeses. “In case you change your mind”   The scent of the food and wine was a strong temptation, especially compared to the bland cracker and lukewarm water in Shirani’s hands. She had only had trail rations for her entire journey and she was unsure of how much farther she had to go. But she was wary of being entrapped so early in her quest. She remained where she was and ate only her own food.   After Shirani finished eating and drinking, the young woman approached her once more. “Your journey must have tired you. You must want a place to rest your head.” She leaned in close to Shirani, blushing a little. “I am willing to share my bed if you would like.”   The young woman gestured through a doorway toward a bed, thickly stuffed and heaped with inviting quilts and pillows. Shirani’s bones ached from her journey and the thought of a comfortable bed to sleep in was sorely tempting. Her joints were stiff and she had not had a moment’s rest since leaving Titania’s court, and it felt like it had been a lifetime since she had felt the comfort of another person. But she was still wary of the tricks of the Feywild, and no pretty face could distract her from her goal.   “I have intruded on your hospitality enough as it is.” Shirani replied. “All I ask of you is a spot by your fire.”   The young woman’s face fell, but she nodded. She set a simple chair in front of the fire for Shirani to sit upon. Then, she went to her bedroom, stripped out of her dress and sank into the bed, leaving the door open and the blankets turned down. “In case you change your mind.”   The thought of a comforting touch and a warm bed was tempting, especially compared to the stiff wooden chair Shirani sat in, but she stayed put and eventually drifted to sleep.   Shirani awoke to the same sight of tempting food, wine, and comfort, exactly as it was when she fell asleep. She stood from her spot by the fire and went to retrieve her cloak from where it hung. The young woman appeared in the doorway of her bedroom.   “You’re leaving?” Her eyes were wide and imploring.   Shirani nodded. “I must continue on my journey.”   “You could stay one more day, couldn’t you?” The young woman pleaded. “The Feydark is full of dangers and you only just arrived.”   Had Shirani been younger and less experienced, she would have been tempted to acquiesce. But had Shirani been younger and less experienced, she wouldn’t have been on her journey at all.   “I have intruded on your hospitality enough as it is.” Shirani told the woman. “ I must be on my way.”   The young woman’s pleading expression turned into anger. The warm light of the fire turned sickly and green. The tempting meats and cheeses on the table writhed with maggots and rot. The soft and inviting bed melted away into a pile of bones of less wary travelers. The young woman withered, her hair turned ashy and frizzled, her arms lengthened and fingers turned to wicked claws.   “You filthy wretch! I have offered you food and rest and comfort and you dare to refuse?” The hag screeched, reaching out to slash at Shirani.   Shirani braced for the attack, but the hag’s claws stopped short of breaking her skin. The creature roared with rage at being unable to complete her strike.   “I have not taken your food. I have not taken your bed. I am grateful for the warmth of your fire and the safety of your home, but I leave with no debt to you.” Shirani said.   The hag stopped her feet and tore at her hair, enraged at the truth of Shirani’s statement. The Feywild would not allow any of its denizens to break its rules, and so she was powerless to stop Shirani from leaving her lair and continuing on her journey Duskward.