Flora

Guardian of the Forest

Overview

She is a maritime legend from the Golden Age who chooses to reside in the human realms. She often becomes angered when called the "hick of Long Ears". When angry, she enjoys going to the tavern to vent with old friends, which often results in a ruckus and being asked by the owner to pay for the damages.

Chapter One

(11155–11414, Era of Frost Veil) Born into a Forest Elf tribe, Flora was expected to become the Forest Guardian with her longbow Locke. But in the Golden Age, what elf wouldn't dream of exploring the outside world?
Flora's father, Alex, was a rare skilled elf sailor, and her mother served the Elven Sovereign Enid as a maid. Raised mostly by her doting grandmother, Flora developed an unruly nature.
Flora's happiest moments were when her father, Alex, returned from his travels. She would cling to him, eagerly listening to his tales of the outside world. Names like Nuheillu, Yagol, Zinew Archipelago, and Ciaran were far beyond her young imagination.
Her father often animatedly recounted his sea monster hunts, but Flora found little interest in them. Instead, she was captivated by foreign cultures and artifacts, frequently pleading with her mother to borrow nautical books for her.
"Huh! If I, the noble Forest Guardian, ever goes to sea, I'll do better than father."
Fate often favored prepared elves. Now, it arranged a journey for an elf girl, also a great sailor.
During a routine patrol, Flora spotted a drowning Nuheillu on the coastline, foaming at the mouth like a dead fish. She had no idea that the old woman she rescued was the famous Favored One.
Seeing her father's astonished face, Flora, now an adult, was secretly pleased.

Chapter Two

The woman known as "Icaruth Grauder" held many titles, including "Favored One" and "the Star of the North." Despite this, she had lost her memories and was now a mere shadow of herself.
This person, indifferent to her memory loss, stayed at Flora's home daily, consuming food and drink freely. Alex knew her as the Favored One, the wealthiest on the continent.
Flora hadn't expected the revered figure to become a rogue. She even doubted her father's recognition of her, and her welcome was lacking.
Only during the queen's audience did Flora realize this irritating presence was someone of importance.
Flora saw the queen as a radiant figure of kindness, as her mother had described, but in person, the queen's brilliance was so overwhelming that Flora couldn't even open her eyes.
Only when a comforting breeze surrounded Flora did she finally see the queen: white hair flowing, green eyes uncertain, looking past Flora at Icaruth with bloodied lips.
"Favored One, your sire has asked me to bring his child back to the Zinew Archipelago. Flora, take her there, ensuring Yarve's favor with the Shirre Treasury forever."
As you wish, Your Majesty. "
The audience was short and hurried, the queen's intentions unclear. But Flora paid little mind, as her main focus was her upcoming nautical journey.
A fortnight later, more than 200 souls departed from Melaxi Harbor in a majestic fleet, leaving calamity behind them.
At that point, no one expected only three to survive the return to Yarve from this expedition. The Elves soon understood why the "Arbiter of Storms" lost its way in the vast ocean.
The fleet faced relentless attacks from sea creatures, their ferocity driving Flora's group to dwindle until even her father was taken, filling her with bitterness.
Why risk elven lives to protect a Nuheillu? These once fortunate brethren were forced from their homeland to face death because of an outsider.
As she prepared to face death, the raging sea suddenly calmed, the clouds above cleared, and the tempest gentled around her.
A heartbreaking scream echoed from afar, quieting the ocean once more, as Icaruth fell into a bloody sleep, her eyes never to open again.
Whispers circulated that the Favored One had bargained her soul to the devil to defeat the siren. As punishment, the divine cursed her, leaving the heir to the Shirre Treasury an empty vessel. This news swiftly spread across the entire continent.
For the first time, Bayes exposed the full extent of his methods: traitors and their families were hanged on city walls for five years, causing a brief disruption in sea trade.

Chapter Three

After completing her mission, Flora doesn't return to Yarve but chooses to travel around the world, exploring the continent Icaruth once went over. One purpose of this trip is to awaken Icaruth, which Flora has always wished to do.
During her journey, Flora discovers a world unlike her father's description. Elves face hostility in many areas, particularly in southeastern Ciaran.
At the start, Elven Flora creates a scene by mistaking human liquor for a drug in a tavern. Fortunately, her travel companions don't mock her; instead, they suggest she try the tavern's special drink: non-alcoholic bubbly tree sap.
Although Flora's companions see her as amusing, she feels unappreciated and works to prove herself. Fearing bullying, she often claims to be highborn. Through various adventures, she gradually adapts to human life and grows fond of them.
"Hey, Icaruth, I brought the medicine that can wake you up. When you wake up, remember to show some gratitude to me, the noble Forest Guardian. "
Getting this medicine is like taking candy from a baby. "
I'm leaving now. I heard there's a continent called Elgron to the east. I want to see it." "

Historical Notes

Flora's Birthday:
According to the Golden Chapter, Flora was born in 11155 during the Era of Frost Veil. She claimed her birthday was either June 15 or May 16.

Locke:
In their youth, Forest Elves create a personal object called a Locke. Upon adulthood, they meld it into their essence, receiving blessings and a title from elders based on their bond with it.

Icaruth:
Icaruth, the Favored One (11194–11237, Era of Frost Veil), was born to Bayes Graud, a wealthy Nuheillu magnate owning the Shirre Treasury. Dissatisfied with her father's lack of maritime experience, she left her inheritance at eight to pursue a life at sea. The influence of the Shirre Treasury isolated Icaruth, but her resilience made her a leading voyager, rivaling her father's fame. As a skilled wind mage, she helped Flora overcome oppression from Enid.

Alex:
Alex (11087–11205, Era of Frost Veil) was Flora's father. He captained an Elven trading convoy, regularly bringing new mainland goods to the Forest Elves and gaining popularity among female Elves. He often shared embellished tales of bravery with young Flora, leading her into amusing predicaments on the mainland as she grew up.

Enid:
(11184–11635, Era of Frost Veil) Known as the Pure One, Enid was chosen as Elven Sovereign at 15 by Karianthillae. Her reign saw rapid cultural and trade exchanges between continents and islands. Her integrity earned her respect from both Elves and humans. By being lenient towards rebels, she solidified loyalty while empowering Forest Elves, increasing her wealth. However, her policies led to the persecution of Forest Elves by the Calrissian. Despite this, her era marked significant progress for Elves.

Shirre Treasury:
Located between Ciaran and Yarve, Nuheillu has become a bustling trade hub and a center of crime, where wealth and power prevail. Legend says counting the coins in its treasury is a never-ending task—one could spend a lifetime without rest. It's rumored that the royal houses of Ciaran depend on loans from the Shirre Treasury.

Siren:
Gail, a siren infamous among humans and a scourge to sailors, was blinded and weakened by Icaruth. Her fate after her defeat remains unknown.