With this in mind and the upcoming Runequest Downunder I present some thoughts on a Gloranthan (based on an Australian) Eucalypt Forest. I would place my example near Jhostrobbios on the eastern side of the Palarkri mountains.
The echidna waddled around the shrubs, barely making a sound on the dry undergrowth on its way to the ant nest . Sensing a prescence, the spiny anteater looked up to see a smiling eucalyptus elf staring into the distance. After making sure there were no pesky gumnut runners ( it was relieved not to find them) the echidna continued on its way to dinner.
Being a light green- light grey the elf blended in with both the colour of the leaves and the bark of the eucalypts and would have been difficult for a non forest creature to spot him for the trees. As sea season was still in full sail, Tallagoong's eyes were still a pale yellow, not the brilliant wattle yellow of fire or earth season. In addition, as Tallagoong was of the mountain ash and of age, he was tall, at least a head taller than that of other eucalypts.
Tallagoong finally heard the arrival of the Gumnut runners which had been unable to keep up with his pace. Dozens of Gumnut runners approached noisily, cooeeing to each other through the forest. He thought of them as babies, mostly innocent, simple and trusting, these Gumnut children of Aldrya.
It was only a few minutes before the Gumnuts arrived, most faithfully followed by their favourite bulldog ant of the day. The leader of this bunch of runners was Dr Hokus Stickus, the Chalana Arroy initiate, and she knew her work. Going directly to the sick fern tree, she ordered the other gumnuts to work.
As usual about half responded but that was all that was needed. The gumnuts chewed gum, sucked sap, squeezed juices, split hairs, mixed ant odour, and caught cockroaches each according to their preference. Just what was needed for this aphid infestation!
The other gumnut babies asked lizards for rides, bossed about sleepy possums, played leap-frog (with frogs!) or petted their bulldog ants. A wise old kookaburra even told them a funny story which even had the workers laughing.
Tallagoong smiled politely at the story (he had read it before on a scribbly bark tree) and nodded to Dr Stickus as he left, knowing that the treen fern and its red elf, still far away journeying in the swamps along the coast, were in capable hands.
The elf continued his chosen path. He meandered in order to let a gumnut baby follow him as its current focus of attention. Breathing in the forest, he knew the dryness, the buildup of undergrowth, the effect of the light streaming through the canopy and so he determined that it was time for the Banskia pods to do their work here.
At the gumnuts request he picked it up, who then complained the copper bracelet Tallagoong wore was cold. And then immediately requested he put down again so he could dance with a young blossom.
Upon having done so, the elf knew that the gumnut would not be in so happy a mood if he knew the banksia pods were coming. The gumnuts even called them banksia "men" though that was surely more derogatory than deserved. The banksia needed fire for their line to continue as did many plants here. Scorched, but hurt, there would be stronger regrowth and vital new growth. And the small fire-sweep (burn-off) would help prevent a large scale bushfire which would do cause major suffering and real harm. Still the experience was not pleasant for either the trees, shrubs, bushes and ferns and their alter elves and runners who were affected. But Tallagoong knew and lived "Death fosters life, Life ends in Death, Each is half of the same power".(1)
Courteously, Tallagoong also personally let a nearby awakened spotted gum
called Buangi know of the upcoming fire-sweep. Tallagoongs' own mountain ash
trees normally grew nearer mountains, though his cousins, the other eucalypts
were dominant to the coast. He also took pride in the fact that "Eu kaluptos"
(2), the primal tree still lived and lived in his forest. Strong and hardy
were eucalypts, both to the fire which was both life and death, and to
disease. Malias' power held no sway here in this fortress of the eucalypts
(3).
Overhead, a wag-tail or three darted about the head of annoyed magpie eating his dinner on the wag-tails favourite tree.
O
O O Eucalypt Elves
II
(1) Quote from what the priests say in Gods of Glorantha
(2) eu kaluptos - the greek for Eucalyptus in that the flower is well
covered being protected by cap before it opens.
(3) - Eucalyptus is known for its fortifying and medicinal properties.
From things I read Jelmre reside in Palarkri mountains and trade with elves to the north. They are also mentioned as a 'mistake' in GoG 'the Cheiftan speaks. What are Jelmre? (apart from being exotic inhumans)
A Merry Christmas to all
Brian
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