Midge

No discussion of Hazelmoss Woods or the creatures there can be complete without mention of Margerie Theacen Bristlebark, known by all within the Wood or without as Midge, Grandma, or The Old Matron. One of if not the oldest living resident of the Isles, Midge has seen, in her own words, “more seasons and hardships than I care to recount, and more’n anyone should stomach!” Widely considered by the residents of Hazelmoss as the Matriarch of the Wood, most major decisions that affect the region wind their way to Midge’s favorite rocking chair, along with those coming with gossip or seeking advice on everything from the season’s harvest to what color to wear to the next festival day. Most are shoo’d on their way with a grumpy comment on the behavior of “youngsters”, but Midge has her favorites who she takes into her care and confidences.

Nobody except Midge herself can now recall a much, much younger porcupine, just setting out to find her place in a world wider and more awe-inspiring than she ever could have guessed. Drawn onward by a wanderlust nobody now would ever ascribe to her, Midge set out from her home in Hazelmoss aboard one of her family’s merchant ships setting out with a hold full of tea leaves to parts Beyond. The way Midge tells it, what followed was nigh on a decade of trial and hardship, from facing the rage of ocean storms to the attention of pirates and other, stranger encounters. How much of her tales are real and how much are made up to scare the younger generations is unclear; her children and grandchildren are pretty sure that her story of being shipwrecked for nearly three months is exaggerated, and nobody has ever seen the metal vessels that she describes haunting her crew through the Mysts. Midge swears by every word however, and grouses at any who question her about respecting their ancestors.

Weary after long travels, Midge returned home to oversee her family’s ancestral homesteads and to rest and support her family. She quickly found herself the focus of the Theacen clan’s attention, her wisdom and experience combined with her sharp wit and blunt, stubborn nature slicing through complications and obstacles. Wielding respect for the traditions of the Wood and plain ornery go-gettedness in equal measure, Midge steered her family, then her community, and then the whole of the Wood with the same steady hand with which she captained her ships.

Having passed the bulk of her responsibilities to her relations and others who have impressed her with their effort and skill, Midge spends most of her current days sitting in the warm sun by the family shrine, knitting in her favorite rocking chair while others come to pay their respects. Those who approach might hear her carrying on a spirited conversation with her siblings or mentors who have passed on, grousing at someone for wasting her time, or pulling one of a horde of youngsters onto her lap to tell them tales of the Woods and hills and trees. While she has no intention of leaving before her time, she knows the day will soon come when the Isles were call to her, and she feels nothing but comfort in knowing she will soon be able to rest.