Reference Guide - Maps

Editor's note:  When I first asked Niri if she would draw a few maps of her journey or perhaps even make a few sketches of the people, creatures, and places she has encountered, she laughed derisively and gave me a look as though she thought me slightly mad.  

"Maps!" she exclaimed with a laugh.  "You want me to draw maps?!"  

When, in response to this, I merely smiled and nodded sincerely, she looked quite crestfallen and with a soft groan dug her knuckles into her eyes.  "Oh," she said sombrely.  "You are serious about this."   

Niri sat in thoughtful silence after that, staring into the distance for quite some time before finally shifting her gaze back to me and sighing hugely.  "Well," she said, taking another deep breath.  "I have never been much of a cartographer.  I am a sorceress.  One who is lucky enough to have in my safekeeping a very remarkable, enchanted map that long ago chose to be my companion and guide.  If ever I am in need of directions, I have but to ask this enchanted map, and it will show me the way.  So, I have never had much need for maps." 

I began to think that I was not going to get any maps from Niri.  Or any other sketches, for that matter.  But something of the disappointment I felt must have reached her and found a mark, for suddenly she shot me a look of consternation and seemed to relent.  Breathing out in another long sigh, she said, "However... I can see this is important to you, so I shall try.  But only if you understand from the start that I am no good at it.  No good at it, at all.  And so what you expect from me may not be what I can provide." 

I clasped her hand and eagerly nodded my consent, trying not to let my relief show too obviously on my face. 

"Right then," she said, sounding rather unsure.  "I shall do what I can."  

I thanked Niri profusely then, as I did again several days later when she came to me with her first map - a small sketch of her home at Log Hollow, deep in the Old Forest.  Having been well warned by her not to expect too much, I was pleasantly surprised by how it looked.  I was even more surprised when later I found the note she had attached, which read in part, "Thank you for encouraging me to attempt this task.  It has rekindled many fond memories, some even that I had thought to be long forgotten."

Log Hollow:

More maps of the Shadow World - Coming soon.  So Niri has promised!