The Herbalist’s Grove, or more commonly known as “The Glade's Secret,” is a small but infamous herbalist store nestled among the tall pines and oak trees of Dreametchers’ Glades. More than just an herbalist shop, the Grove is a place of curiosity and quiet reverence, drawing those with a penchant for the mystical, the medicinal, and occasionally, the illicit.
The shop itself is unmarked, with its location spread only by word of mouth or through subtle symbols carved into nearby trees—a leafless branch crossed over a crescent moon, often seen as the Grove's emblem. Entering the store, visitors are met with the scent of dried herbs, aged wood, and an undertone of something metallic and earthy, which some suspect is derived from rare minerals sourced from the fungal caves west of Thermosatch. Rows of shelves line the walls, laden with jars filled with all manner of dried plants, powders, and concoctions.
Much of the store is dimly lit by hanging Bluelight Lanterns, which are said to help preserve the potent qualities of the herbs and ward off dream-spirits that might accidentally be drawn in from Wanderlake’s Dreaming affinity. The lanterns cast an eerie, blue-tinged glow over the shelves, adding to the store’s cryptic atmosphere.
The herbal offerings at the Grove go beyond the usual medicinal herbs. Its shelves hold items rarely seen in Ethereia’s standard herbal markets, including:
At the heart of the Grove's mystique is its enigmatic owner, Edrik Mossbeard. Tall and wiry, with silvery hair cascading past his shoulders and a long, braided beard decorated with charms, and with an unnatural greenish tint.
Edrik is an herbalist with a storied history. Many rumors circulate about his origins—some claim he’s an undergrounder who emerged decades ago to live a quieter life, while others believe he’s a native of Dreametchers' Glades, born to a line of forest-dwellers who possess secret knowledge of the Dreaming.
Edrik is known for his meticulous approach to herbalism and for a quiet, almost unnerving, intuition about his customers' needs. Often, he has remedies prepared before customers even have a chance to voice their ailments. He's also known to be exceptionally cautious about whom he sells his more potent products to; new customers are usually required to demonstrate a respect for The Dreaming and an understanding of the herbs' powers.
The Grove's reputation as “notorious” is partly due to its unconventional stock but also due to suspicions that Edrik may be linked to the less understood aspects of the Dreaming. Some say he’s a dream-walker himself, able to navigate its pathways and perhaps even affect the waking world through it. This reputation has drawn visitors from beyond Dreametchers' Glades—therapists, mystics, academics, and occasionally law enforcement who suspect the Grove may harbor goods unfit for general public use.
Despite the skepticism and occasional attempts to investigate, the Grove continues to operate freely, protected by its community and the quiet respect of its patrons. For the people of Dreametchers’ Glades, Edrik’s shop is a cornerstone of their traditions, a place where knowledge, caution, and reverence for the unknown converge.
Danish
Abonnér