Scribblebark: Language of the Leshy

The Leshen is a guardian of the woods who has roamed the The Valley of Leshiven since the beginning of the world itself. Whether it is a creation of the hearth itself or an interloper, none are sure. What can be certain is that it is the protector of the lands much as The Sea Dragons guard the ocean.

Gilded Leaves, Barkskin, Antlered

The Leshen are mysterious creatures who decorate themselves with the life of each season. Thus, it can never be entirely diserned how a Leshy might appear to anyone. A Swamp Leshy might be decayed bones covered in algea and soggy reeds, while an Arctic Leshy would be barely more than snow, polar bear pelts, and a cruel skull jutting in in defiance of their cold circumstances.

The Woodsmen of Leshiven

In the case of the Leshy native to the valley, the Leshy is often covered in pelts, mud, bark, and bears the skull of an antlered deer. It's long bones are sinewed by blades of grass, and its entire body makes and remakes itself with every season, just like all of its kin.

Scribblebark: using the Antlers as a pen

The Leshy, because of their composition, struggle to make a sound to those who are not connected to the land. As such, they will mark their territory and messages about it by scratching rocks, bark, and solid, hard surfaces with their antlers. It is a kind of Caligraphy that can decribe the nature of ones territory, where dangerous beasts lie in wait, and other notable features of the land. However, often a Leshy leaves these marks to trick outsiders; honestly, if the Leshy can already communicate with the people who abide on its land, why would it have a need to talk to anyone else. Still, these fae-like writings are left to test the mettle of outsiders, their hearts and designs to as to disern whether a Leshy should make themselves known to communicate with them.