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The Ecology of the Giant Beaver (unpublished AD&D 2E Ecology article)
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<blockquote data-quote="Richards" data-source="post: 3654981" data-attributes="member: 508"><p>That was not the last I ever saw of them, however. Many years later, when I had risen up in the ranks of the druids, I had occasion to travel through the same forest once again, and I decided to drop in on the People of the Lodge. My memory served me well, for I found the place with little effort, but it was deserted. The shore all along the lake was filled with the typical pointed stumps of trees I had come to associate with giant beaver territory, but growing among them were the newborn stalks of young saplings.<strong>[6]</strong></p><p></p><p>By this time, I had mastered the druidic ability to change shapes, so I became a hawk and took to the skies. With my incredible hawk- vision, I soon spotted a nearby lodge, and headed there, landing on the shore and resuming my human form. It was midday, and there were no giant beavers to be seen, but I assumed they were probably napping inside, and, not wanting to disturb them, I contented myself by spending the time waiting for them in beaver form.</p><p></p><p>I had worn the form of the beaver several times before, and each time I was amazed by the change in the senses. I, a human, am so used to being a predominantly vision-oriented creature that it is always a wonder to experience the senses of other animals first-hand. As a beaver, I found the sense of smell to be predominant. Such a world of scents! Over there, a fragrant patch of berries ripening in the sun. And there, the unmistakable scent of an otter, frolicking somewhere upstream. I found I could hear the sounds he made as he played, even though my limited vision (by human terms) could not spot him.</p><p></p><p>Underwater, it was a different world. I could see fine, and my beaver-eyes were particularly good at detecting motion. I swam upstream, past the lodge (overcoming the urge to enter it, for I could see perfectly well the various underwater entrances and exits), and found the playful otter, and together we whiled away the better part of an hour, until I thought it time to return to the shore and resume my human form once again.</p><p></p><p>Like before, those many years ago, I saw the giant beaver emerging-from-the-lodge ritual, with the oldest male circling the dwelling, looking for danger, before allowing the rest of the colony to emerge. To my surprise, this time it was none other than Dives Deep. He saw me, and headed in my direction. I took the time to cast a spell, allowing us to talk.</p><p></p><p>"Hello, Dives Deep. It's been a long time."</p><p></p><p>"Delbert! I thought that smelled like you!" He came up, out of the water, and I got my first good look at his true size. He had grown. Nose to tail, he must have been no shorter than a good seven feet.<strong>[7]</strong></p><p></p><p>"You grew fur on your face!"</p><p></p><p>I ran my hand along my chin, feeling the beard that I had allowed to grow. Rather than go into the concept of beards, I just nodded.</p><p></p><p>"So how are things going, Dives Deep? I see you're leading your own colony now."</p><p></p><p>"Yes. I am mated to Berrypicker. We have three kits."</p><p></p><p>"Well, congratulations! How is everyone doing?" I asked the question automatically, making small talk. I was not prepared for the answer, or for the matter-of-fact way that my friend responded.</p><p></p><p>"My mate will die soon."</p><p></p><p>I was dumbfounded. I managed to stumble out a question or two. "Die? How? Is there anything I can do?"</p><p></p><p>It took some convincing, but I think I managed to get across the idea that my magic might be able to aid my friend's mate.<strong>[8]</strong> In the end, it might have been nothing more than the fact that I was a friend that finally persuaded Dives Deep to allow me to see his ailing mate, in the People's inner sanctum, the lodge interior.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Richards, post: 3654981, member: 508"] That was not the last I ever saw of them, however. Many years later, when I had risen up in the ranks of the druids, I had occasion to travel through the same forest once again, and I decided to drop in on the People of the Lodge. My memory served me well, for I found the place with little effort, but it was deserted. The shore all along the lake was filled with the typical pointed stumps of trees I had come to associate with giant beaver territory, but growing among them were the newborn stalks of young saplings.[b][6][/b] By this time, I had mastered the druidic ability to change shapes, so I became a hawk and took to the skies. With my incredible hawk- vision, I soon spotted a nearby lodge, and headed there, landing on the shore and resuming my human form. It was midday, and there were no giant beavers to be seen, but I assumed they were probably napping inside, and, not wanting to disturb them, I contented myself by spending the time waiting for them in beaver form. I had worn the form of the beaver several times before, and each time I was amazed by the change in the senses. I, a human, am so used to being a predominantly vision-oriented creature that it is always a wonder to experience the senses of other animals first-hand. As a beaver, I found the sense of smell to be predominant. Such a world of scents! Over there, a fragrant patch of berries ripening in the sun. And there, the unmistakable scent of an otter, frolicking somewhere upstream. I found I could hear the sounds he made as he played, even though my limited vision (by human terms) could not spot him. Underwater, it was a different world. I could see fine, and my beaver-eyes were particularly good at detecting motion. I swam upstream, past the lodge (overcoming the urge to enter it, for I could see perfectly well the various underwater entrances and exits), and found the playful otter, and together we whiled away the better part of an hour, until I thought it time to return to the shore and resume my human form once again. Like before, those many years ago, I saw the giant beaver emerging-from-the-lodge ritual, with the oldest male circling the dwelling, looking for danger, before allowing the rest of the colony to emerge. To my surprise, this time it was none other than Dives Deep. He saw me, and headed in my direction. I took the time to cast a spell, allowing us to talk. "Hello, Dives Deep. It's been a long time." "Delbert! I thought that smelled like you!" He came up, out of the water, and I got my first good look at his true size. He had grown. Nose to tail, he must have been no shorter than a good seven feet.[b][7][/b] "You grew fur on your face!" I ran my hand along my chin, feeling the beard that I had allowed to grow. Rather than go into the concept of beards, I just nodded. "So how are things going, Dives Deep? I see you're leading your own colony now." "Yes. I am mated to Berrypicker. We have three kits." "Well, congratulations! How is everyone doing?" I asked the question automatically, making small talk. I was not prepared for the answer, or for the matter-of-fact way that my friend responded. "My mate will die soon." I was dumbfounded. I managed to stumble out a question or two. "Die? How? Is there anything I can do?" It took some convincing, but I think I managed to get across the idea that my magic might be able to aid my friend's mate.[b][8][/b] In the end, it might have been nothing more than the fact that I was a friend that finally persuaded Dives Deep to allow me to see his ailing mate, in the People's inner sanctum, the lodge interior. [/QUOTE]
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