Aelwyn Mossbottom had always felt more comfortable among trees than people. Trees, after all, rarely expected her to make conversation, and the occasional squirrel was far less intimidating than a crowded tavern.
A shy Skyborn Elf with a nose perpetually buried in a book, Aelwyn had devoted herself to the study of nature, druidism, and the delicate balance of the living world. She adored forests, flowers, birdsong, and the quiet rustle of leaves. She could happily spend an entire afternoon identifying mushrooms or reading beneath an ancient tree.
There were however, two rather significant obstacles to her druidic ambitions.
First, Aelwyn was spectacularly clumsy. She had tripped over exposed roots, fallen into streams, walked face-first into low branches, and once managed to get herself tangled in a bush while attempting to admire it. She maintained that the bush had moved.
Second, and considerably more troublesome, she was dreadfully allergic to acorns.
For reasons that nature herself had apparently decided not to explain, even the sight of an acorn could send her into a sneezing fit of legendary proportions. A particularly unfortunate encounter with an oak tree had once left her sneezing so violently that she accidentally shifted forms in the middle of a botanical lecture.
Despite these shortcomings, Aelwyn remained determined to become a fine druid. She carried a little journal everywhere, filled with observations, pressed flowers, sketches of wildlife, and the occasional apology to whatever creature she’d accidentally startled that day.
She was kind, curious, and always willing to help, although approaching strangers usually required several deep breaths and a small pep talk.
Her greatest ambition was to find a quiet corner of the world, surrounded by books and greenery, where she could study the wonders of nature in peace.
Preferably somewhere without oak trees.
And definitely without acorns.
Especially acorns.
