Born when the laurel trees blossomed, Martena was left nestled in a patch of sweet woodruff outside the Forest Kin village, cooing up at the stars. The elderly herb-gatherer Otho nearly tripped over the faunling as she foraged for medicinals at dawn. Kindly Otho brought the horned foundling to the village elders. As there had not been a baby born to the kin in three seasons, they took her arrival as an omen of renewal.
The villagers raised Martena as their cherished daughter. She was a blithe spirit, playing little pranks like replacing acorns with garlic bulbs she “found” under Greta the cook’s work table. For her endless questions, she was lovingly dubbed “Why Fawn” as she trailed after the tanners, weavers and hunters asking how and why.
By her nineteenth summer Martena had grown into an uncommon beauty who turned heads at seasonal gatherings. Suitors traveled from afar, enticed by tales of her lively wit and generous heart, but she politely refused all courtship gifts. Martena instead devoted herself to studying medicinal arts under master herbalist Auntie Greytoes.
Martena's idyllic life among the Forest Kin took an unexpected turn when a tragic accident befell the village during a fierce storm. A mighty oak, revered by the kin as a guardian spirit, succumbed to the tempest's fury, its ancient roots upended and crashing into several dwellings. Amidst the chaos and destruction, Martena, in her fervent efforts to aid the injured, inadvertently found herself blamed for the calamity by some fearful villagers. Despite her innocence, whispers of superstition cast a shadow upon her once-welcomed presence.
Faced with unjust accusations and ostracization, Martena's heart weighed heavy with sorrow and betrayal. Reluctantly, she made the heart-wrenching decision to leave behind the only home she had ever known, bidding a tearful farewell to the kin who had nurtured her.
Venturing forth into the unknown wilderness, Martena embarked on a solitary journey, seeking solace amidst the verdant canopy that had cradled her infancy. Her travels led her across untamed landscapes, where she encountered the motley crew of travelers led by a former monk known as Brother Elias. Among them, a pudgy dwarf named Jonh, affectionately dubbed "Big Brother" by the group, became an unexpected ally and confidant to the wandering faunling.
United by shared hardships and the vagaries of fate, Martena found a semblance of belonging among this disparate band. Her healing abilities, honed through the teachings of Auntie Greytoes, proved invaluable to the group as they traversed perilous terrain and encountered diverse challenges on their journey.
Under Brother Elias' tutelage, Martena found herself drawn into a web of ancient lore and spiritual teachings, delving into the realms of mysticism and enlightenment. The former monk imparted wisdom gleaned from forgotten scrolls and whispered tales of long-lost civilizations, instilling in Martena a newfound sense of purpose and understanding of the mystical tapestry that bound their destinies.
As they roamed the lands, navigating treacherous paths and uncharted territories, Martena discovered that her journey was not merely a quest for redemption but an odyssey of self-discovery and resilience. She learned to embrace her past, finding solace in the companionship of kindred spirits, nurturing a newfound sense of hope and purpose amidst the uncertainty of their nomadic existence.