Into the Woods 1: Entryways
Everywhere forests grow, there are the borders between the woods and the lands beyond. Typically, road builders take the path of least resistance and follow the border to their destination. But sometimes, a trail must go into the depths of the greenery. The lone stone wall, perhaps a remnant of an old structure or the foundations of a new dwelling, marks such an intersection.
Sylvana ( ‘Syl’) Willowsinger, 143, Wood Elf, is a woodcarver who owns The Ordinary Wolf, located in a nearby town. He is tall, lean, and has a stoic demeanor. He has leaf-green eyes and silver hair, which is dyed green at the tips. Syl can be charming, and his smile lights up the room. He wears black trousers and a yellow tunic. He carries an oaken staff that he made years ago. His favorite item is a special knife, made for carving, that his uncle gifted him many years ago.
Syl works from Wednesday through Saturday. He has carved everything in his shop and delights in making toy figures for children. Many parents receive a christening gift of a carved figure of their newborn. The business has performed well enough that Syl is considering taking on an apprentice. He hopes to expand his business this way and bring the joy of wood carving to a new generation.
Every Sunday, Syl travels into the forest to this location. The remnants of his family's house are among the rubble here. When Syl was 12, a forest fire burned the cottage to the ground, taking his parents and uncle’s lives. His grandparents took him in, but he still misses his family. Syl brings his lunch and talks to his loved ones, bringing them up to date on all that has happened during the week. During the afternoon, Syl attends the local Unity Church and spends the time praying for his lost family.
