The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: The Grass Weaver

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    The Grass Weaver is the explanation given by bog people for the woven grass huts periodically found out on the Damp Plains. Many believe these huts to be the work of pranksters, or even magic, but few actually believe that they are the work of a single creature. To the shock of many, the Grass Weaver is a very real being who lives a nomadic life out on the plains, foraging plants and hunting the occasional animal. Every night, the creature finds a large patch of grass and weaves a new hut over the course of an hour, providing them with shelter for the night. To maintain this nomadic lifestyle, the Grass Weaver tries their best to avoid people, seeing them as competition for the resources it depends on. Tracking down a creature that does not want to be found is difficult when they are also a master of their environment. The Grass Weaver is excellent at hiding their tracks and can create a magical mist to confuse followers, but I was able to get close by finding the hut they were sleeping in one night. Much to my surprise, the Grass Weaver turned out to be intelligent, and after their initial shock and suspicion ebbed, they were willing to tell me a bit about themselves.

    As they tell it, the Grass Weaver is the last of a tribe of similar creatures who were wiped out by one of the many past invaders of the Damp Plains, making them the sole person alive who remembers and continues their people's way of life. Part of this way of life is the frequent use of two spells passed down through the generations. The first is the magical mist used to get away from pursuers. This mist will actually induce a state of confusion in all who inhale it, save for the Grass Weaver, doubling its utility. The second spell is used for hunting and is called the spear of light. To cast this spell, the Grass Weaver must stand perfectly still for ten seconds before performing a complex hand motion, producing a beam of golden light that leaves a smoking hole in its target. Despite its utility, casting the spear of light leaves the Grass Weaver quite vulnerable for ten seconds, and they will almost always try to run away before they fight something.

    When I asked if I could learn the Grass Weaver's spells, they actually seemed quite happy to pass on their knowledge. They seemed so happy, in fact, that they also taught me how to weave a hut out of grass like they do, and offered to visit with me any time I was in the area. Despite the initial difficulty in getting in contact, the Grass Weaver turned out to be quite the pleasant person and I recommend anyone who meets them to send my regards, take the time to learn the Grass Weaver's spells, and maybe even take some time to travel with them and learn the ways of the plains.