The Valley of Red Cloud Mesa

I arrived in Red Cloud Mesa to begin the Rites of the Earthmother, since I had reached the age of the Great Hunt. I introduced myself to the Hawkwind tribe. They were known for their abilities to hunt and to guide young members of the Tauren in the ways of Nature and survival.

So, I meet with Chief Hawkwind, who introduced me to his son to begin my training. But, he asked me while I was out in the Mesa, to look in upon his mother and see how she was. When I walked over to his son, Grull, he asked me to help the village out by proving my skills as a hunter. I was asked to gather supplies from the local creatures like feathers and pelts for clothes and meat for food.

I left the village and ventured out into the plains of the mesa. The mesa was a lush green with trees here and there. Looking upon the view, I remembered that as a druid, I should always stop for a moment in any new environment and take it all in. The wind blew through the valley over the handmade huts of the tauren, they had a feeling of nature and Tauren in harmony. As I went out into the valley, there was a wind-driven water well. I walked over to it to discover a older, but wise looking woman drawing water from the well. I judged from that this must have been the Chief's mother.

I introduced myself to the Greatmother of the Hawkwinds and told her that her son had asked me to check in upon her. She thanked me for the help and asked if I would help out by taking a pitcher of water back the village. I agreed and told her I'd pick it up upon my way back from gathering other supplies for her grandson. After gathering the other materials, I stopped off and grabbed the water pitcher. I first stopped by Grull and gave him the requested supplies, afterward, I walked over to the tribe's Chief and handed him the water pitcher and explained the where his mother has been.

Chief Hawkwind look upon me and told me that I had promise as a noble member of the taruen and that it was time for me to begin the Rites of the Earthmother. He sent me off to seek out Seer Graytongue. As I was leaving, the two Hawkwinds called out me. The chief handed me a note from a cousin of mine, Gart Mistrunner. The younger Hawkwind asked me to deal with the battle boars that were moving into the valley and disrupting the natural balance, plus they make a good stew.

I walked out to one of the other huts and meet with my Cousin, also a druid. We sat and talked about our ancestor's, the lands of Mulgore, and the wisdom that the Earthmother guides us with. He began to show me some of the gifts the Earthmother provides us with in order to help other and to protect those who would destroy nature. Another member of the village, Brave Windfeather, also asked me if would deal with the chief of the Bristlebacks, a Chief Sharptusk. The local tribe of quilboars, been warring with the village since its founding. I told him, I'd look into it.

I ventured out towards the other end of the valley, and came upon the Seer. The Seek looked over me and asked me if I was ready. I said, I walk with the Earthmother and I am will to show her my devotion. He said, "First you must pass the Rite of Strength. In this test you must prove your bravery by slaying enemies of the tribe." I was asked to hunt down more members of the quilboars. I went into the canyon and fought the enemies of our people, I fought my way to Chief Sharptusk. He proved to be a worthy of his title of Chief. As I was exiting the canyon, I came upon a cave, with maps and plans for attacking the poor tribesmen of Red Cloud Mesa.

I went to Brave Windfeather, and handed him the head of Sharpbeak. He thanked me for carrying justice. I walked over to Grull gave him the ingredients he had asked for. He looked happy as I walked off. I presented the battle plans I had found to the Chief who thanked me for the warning and walked off to prepare. I made me way back to the other end of the valley to show that I had passed the 1st Rite. Seer looked at me and handed me the totem of Hawkwind as a sign of my passing. He informed me I had 2 more Rites to pass and told me to present the totem to our people's Chieftain's son, Baine Bloodhoof. I thanked him and went on my journey.

I followed the road out of Red Cloud Mesa and a fellow tauren flagged me down. I had seen him around the Mesa, he was also doing the Rites. He asked if I could him a favor, his father needed some furs. I told him I would kind them along with me, since I was headed their anyways. He thanked me great and went off to finish his Rite. I followed the Path and looked out upon the rest of Mulgroe. I understood now, why my mother he fought to gain and protect this place, nature had not smiled on a more fair beauty this this land. I followed the path onward...

I walk with the Earthmother.
I am a Mistrunner.

Introduction: Growing up

The time for growing my knowledge of the Earthmother has begun. I am told that I need to inform the Elders of my past in order to seek my future with our people. So, as an old friend told me once, I start at the beginning.

My name is Davlen Mistrunner. I am a seeking to study the ways of the Druid like my father before me. My father was Hruon Mistrunner, a druid of Moonglade, his body was destroyed when his spirit was taken in the Nightmare of the Emerald Dream. My mother was Bessey Whitecloud. She was a talented miner and skinner. What I remember most about her was though the lessons she taught me in both. She died during the the taking of Mulgore.

The story of their meeting was given to me by my father's teacher,the Night Elf Druid Davlen Starfire. While my father was studying to become a Druid in Moonglade, a traveler was in passing though to research the ores of Winterspring. She was a great beauty for a Tauren, who my father took an immediate interest in. They spent days together, he showing her the wonders of nature, she showing him the resources that they provided. They were married by my father's teacher, Davlen Starfire. I was born not long after, however, my Mother was called away to help our tribes make a home. She was killed and my father went to bury her.

When he returned, he had changed. He was no longer the happy father I had known, but more colder, like the snow of Winterspring. He went to his teacher, Davlen and asked for guidence in what to do next. Seeing his troubled spirit, Davlen suggested some time in the Emerald Dream since the War had ended. I had not reached the age for the Great Hunt, so my father took his advice and went to sleep to seek his answers in the Emerald Dream. I was left in the care of Davlen Starfire. As time went on, the Druids began to see changes and sensed something was not right. It was when the Nightmare began. Davlen had entered the Dream to check the progress of my father, when my father ran to him to tell him of what had been going on. It was then that the raven god flew down and took my father's spirit with him. When Davlen returned, my father's body was lifeless. He was given a traditional Druid sending.

On the day of my birth, I was given a staff and told that according to my father, it was time I went on the Great hunt. So, I was taken to Red Cloud Mesa to begin my journey with the Earthmother. Davlen Starfire went to the Emerald Dream to fight the evils with in there. So, that is my tale. My path to the presemt has been written. Since he is not here, I have decided to write a tome of my journey though these lands, so that the only family I have left, knows what I've been doing. I now get to understand the ways of my people, and maybe one day, see my teacher again someday.

I walk with the Earthmother.
I am a Mistrunner.