27 Observing the nature (1/2)

I haven't even started learning anything but I was already surprised. When I finished my prayer a buff appeared. While I was climbing down the tree I almost fell down. Buff was four times stronger than usual. My tittle Fiest Believer grants me double effect than it already is. In village regular buff gives 5 points in strength and endurance and 10% reduced damage from beasts. That gives me, 10 points and 20% damage reduction. But when I prayed right now I gained 20 points in strength and endurance and 40% reduced damage. That means that if any other player prayed in the forest they would gain 10 points in strength and endurance and 20 % reduced damage from beasts.

Even duration is extended to 12 hours, or in my case 24. A whole day buff, I couldn't believe it.

While I tried to come to myself from shock I heard Veran's voice from behind me. How did he already climb down is a mystery.

, What is wrong young Novak, you seem unsettled, are you sure that you are ready for what is to come.\”

, I am ready, but I want to ask you something. How is it that when I prayed to Veles in the village I gained a smaller blessing than when I prayed now?\”

, Haha, that is what's bothering you? It's easy to explain. Where are we right now?\”

, In the forest.\” I answered. I mean we are in a forest, that is obvious. But what has that to do with having a greater blessing. I saw Veran looking at me expecting that I will find the answer. Then it came to me. Of course, this is a forest and also the domain of the Veles, God of Forests, Fields, and animals. It is perfectly normal that Veles will give you a greater blessing if you pray to him in his domain.

, I see that you figured it out. Our Lord presides over nature so it is no surprise that his blessings would be greater in this kind of environment.\”

, Is it the same with other gods? What of God of War Yarilo, he doesn't have a domain does he?\”

, You are still naive my young disciple. That is good for me because I will teach you more. The War God also presides over the Moon, so night is his domain, especially with the moon high in the sky. War is also his domain. His blessings are the greatest when warriors are praying to him before the battle. Not all domains are physical and in a specific place. But it will be time in the future to talk about other gods. We should start with your teachings.\”

, Great, what should I do?\” I couldn't wait anymore.

, I like your enthusiasm, but I am afraid that you will be disappointed. We priests of Veles, or any other druids, in general, are a peaceful bunch, with some exceptions, or in cases, our forests are in danger. Just like that, beginnings for becoming a druid are also peaceful. So the first and only thing you are going to do today is to walk around the forest and observe.\”

, Observe? Observe what?\”

, Everything around you. Earth, grass, trees, leaves and flowers, animals which live here. If you want to serve the God Of Forest you must know his domain and denizens that live in it. It is easy to become a warrior, hunter or a thief. You just need to take a sword, bow or a dagger and kill something or someone. All druids learn to live in cohabitation with nature and its inhabitants.\”

, But how druids learn their disciples in towns and cities, there are no forests there?\”

, Haha, of course, they don't teach them there. That is because there are no druids in towns and big populated places. There are some exceptions, but even if they live in such places they do not take in disciples. You won't see any temples dedicated to our Lord in such places. There may be some temples but they are for our Lords another persona which presides over fields and cattle. Farmers are his believers also. Enough chitchat, you should go. My territory is marked with specific trees so you will not lose yourself and wonder out somewhere. Return before nightfall, then we are going to talk about what you learned.\”

Having said that Veran disappeared right in front of my eyes. It almost looked like he entered a tree. But I didn't have time to be amazed because I heard something that made me feel flabergasted and lucky at the same time. There are no druids in towns. Which means that I couldn't have become one if a haven't manage to come here. Are those ten points in luck attribute working or not I couldn't know. Not wanting to lose any more time I looked around me and started walking through the forest.

I didn't walk in any general direction. I walked in one direction then another like a lost child in a shopping mall. Since Veran said that I will know when I reach the end of his territory I didn't need to worry about finding trouble or trouble finding me. Walking through the forest, I did as Veran told me. I observed.

Green grass which grows from the earth, trees rising high in the sky, and a few small animals here and there. To be honest, I don't know how is this going to help me, but it must have some use. I tried to see as much as possible until the day ends. I don't know if it was enough, but all around me, everything was the same. Same trees, same grass, flowers, and animals were maybe the only thing which had a little more variety.

When lunchtime came I found a quiet place and ate my meal for today. I still had jerky and several apples so I didn't need to worry about being hungry. I should be able to find something if I stay here more than I planned to. Maybe that bet isn't mine to win. When it started getting dark I decided to return to the Veran's tree house.

, Come up and tell me what you saw.\”

I heard his voice coming from all around me and with great awe climbed up. Speaking like you are the part of the forest must need a lot of...Exercise? I don't know what will I need to do to be able to do that as well.

I entered the house and saw him sitting in a wooden chair like the one we sat on yesterday. Another one appeared from the floor and I sat down.

, So what did you see?\”