Felsen Skarn

Early Life

Much of Felsen Skarn's life remains unknown prior to his arrival in the Elae Valley. The Archdruid seemed particularly evasive and disinterested in sharing those particular tales. While much speculation has been had over the years by historians, no confirmed historical record seems to exist before the Hysen's crossing of the Dessica Desert in a caravan, presenting as a simple wandering bard.
Despite his innocuous appearance, Skarn first came to prominence under the title of 'War-Singer' following a chance entering of the Grimald-Martinet-Cerberos tournament held soon after his arrival. His talent in Geomancy and Proto-Druidry eventually carried him to a fateful fight against a man who would later be posthumously recognized as the first Emperor of Isegrad - Balin Sketch.
The battle went on for a great length of time, but eventually Skarn claimed victory - though soon after the arrival of a threat from beyond the valley would interrupt any chance of savoring it.

The Bandit War

Soon, an organization of outlaws and killers known as The Children of the Sand invaded the southern portion of The Valley. Tarn, the gateway to Elae, was fortified and garrisoned as a strong-point by the Valley's defenders. Among them, the former rivals Skarn and Balin. Surprisingly, both found each others combat styles to compliment each other well, and for a time a close friendship blossomed between them as both strove to protect The Valley from the ravages of the outlaws.
None could hope to strike back against them. By supernatural power, the villains seemed to have complete control over the desert sands, allowing them to buffet any who would follow their retreats with the strongest of desert storms.
Eventually, it came to be known that more than mere bandits, The Children were Anti-Spiritualists and actively working to destroy the Spirit of the Dessica - Ladis. An emmissary in the form of a Lesser Spirit approached the people of Elae and advised them to seek immediate audience with the Mother of the Sands.
Gathering a group of representatives from across Elae, the group performed a pilgrimage to meet with Ladis. Before meeting her, all were tested by their own deepest desires. After passing their trial, they were informed of the depths of the Bandits' sacrilege: the theft of an artifact of power bound with Ladis' essence. To accomplish their mission despite the Children's control over the desert sandstorms through Ladis' gem, they were gifted with her Staff with which to counter it. The battle was fierce and bloody. In the end, however, the forces of Elae prevailed, and the bandit threat ended. In the end, Ladis' gem was returned and peace for a time came to The Valley, but it was not meant to last.

The Exile

With the Bandits eliminated, Skarn, Balin, and their partner Dario all went to work to set up an administration in Tarn, which had previously been a simple lawless waystop of trade before the Elae Valley proper. With time and care however, the meek trading post could grow into a prospering town. Soon however, matters of faith flared among the otherwise cordial partners. Skarn, heading his own church dedicated to both Ladis and other Spirits, found himself vexed repeatedly by Balin's insistence on attaining personal Godhood, and preaching to others to seize such. Tensions would rapidly escalate over time as both sides' followers only intensified the conflict, and within weeks political and religious violence had spiraled away beyond the control of either Skarn or Balin. And so, for one last time, both men decided on a course of action together.
Addressing his followers, Skarn made one single proclamation:
"Let go of the violence in your hearts and come with me. I shall lead you to harmony."
The majority of those packed up their things, and so began the great exodus north up through the Valley's northern passages. Skarn, among the finest Geomancers in the world by this point, secured the route for the safety of his followers. None in that exodus would ever return to the Valley they once called home.

The Herald's Rule

In time, the exiles would come to the northern lands that would later become the Arlandrian Heartland. The soil was fertile, the waters clear, and the wildlife plentiful. Felsen Skarn, influenced by his own Druidic magics, lead his people in a distant-yet-personal fashion, encouraging them to adopt sustainable ways to live in harmony with both nature itself, as well as the Spirits.
As the first generation of Arlandrians aged, they found that their Archdruid barely seemed to match them. Whether by the power of his own magic, spiritual blessing, or something else, it seemed that the Archdruid would reign over his people for at least several generations. In time though, the already distant autarch withdrew further into his private domiciles and public appearances became a monthly, then yearly, than extraordinarily rare event... Eventually, he returned, and he wasn't alone.
On his right side stood the Faerla- refugees of the Faewild who now wished to call Rhyst their new home and share it with its people. On his left were the far fewer Hedera, those who he had created and raised in his public absence to life among the Arlandrian people and guide them when he could not. Perhaps it was good fortune, or wise insight to do so, for it would not be long until Arlandria would go bereft of its Archdruid.