a world of character-driven dramas
[A letter transcribed by Gisla, sent from Runeheim with a courier going south.]
Mom, dad, I know what we are now and I know what a sacrifice is.
I know what we’re trying to do here.
I don’t think we’ll be writing any more.
I hope you’re proud. I love you.
[A lock of Vogel’s hair and a shitty doodle by Gisla of the five Greywolves are tucked into the envelope.]
[A letter transcribed by Gisla, sent from Runeheim with a courier going south.]
Hi mom, hi dad. Great news. Virgil and Olof survived as well. They wandered in, two months after us, and I guess Olof carried Virgil out of the mountains. No surprise there. We hope the rest of the party is still out there, and we’ll see them soon.
I saved the hunt. Java took us down a winding path and we got surrounded by Skoder’s offspring. We had to fight our way out, and barely did. Vestri and I looked around after we got out, and came to the same conclusion, and I had to run. And it worked. I drew seven of its offspring away, and kept them busy long enough for the rest of the party to kill Skoder. But that should have cost my life. I was lucky enough to be saved by the priest that was with us. I shouldn’t be alive.
They’re saying I’m gonna be a branded man.
I don’t want that.
But Runeheim needs it.
Is my life decided for me already?
Thanks for your advice, dad.
PS I still see the eyes of the offspring. Green eyes in the branded.
[A tuft of Scogerblodi’s fur is tucked into the envelope. It has a very strong smell – like a wild beast, but not any one in particular.]
[A letter transcribed by Gisla, sent from Runeheim with a courier going south.]
Hi mom! Hi dad! I just wanted to write to you to let you know that I’m still alive. We got through a blizzard! We got lost in the mountains and I thought I’d lost everyone. By chance, Vestri and Gisla and I reunited and we made it out of the blizzard and the mountains to this town called Runeheim.
This is a very important town. There’s a knight here, a lady, a mage, and at least one branded man? And there are so many different people. The knight thinks we fight well, and that makes me proud. I don’t think the lady knows who we are, but it’s pretty cool to see her. Also, you lied, the mage is super friendly! There’s also this branded man, whose skin is so hard they say it’s made of stone. I don’t believe him, but he got stabbed three times and it didn’t look like it hurt.
(The knight is Sir Knut Witchbane, the lady is Lady Vindicta Dragomir, the mage is Java, and the branded man is Ragnar Stoneskin –Gisla)
We met a greater spirit, called “Skoder” (Scogerblodi –Gisla). He commanded us to hunt him next season. Do you have any advice? Have you heard of this before? Here’s some animals and some plants from around the forest if that helps.
I think we’re gonna stay here for a while and help the town. They seem like they need it.
With love,
Vogel
PS What’s a sacrifice?
[the line was written and then scratched out]
[A shed lizard skin and some leaves are tucked inside the envelope.]
Runeheim Leadership
I have scouted the area nearby the fort in the mountains, and send Astrid, Ulla, and Bil to do the same. The following is my report.
The mountains laden with fog and sharp stones gave way to a lush valley with green grass and open air. A dried riverbed ran along the groove of it and when I followed it to its conclusion there appeared to be some kind of constructed tunnel leading into the mountain. It was beyond my expertise to go further, but the valley looks peaceful and I suspect the tunnel is dwarven in make. I would suggest reaching out to Norri, or some of his dwarf-friends before beginning a dig in the area to see what lie beneath the earth.
I will call this valley Vlakislaaksoon, translated into the common tongue, Valley of the Dwarves.
I will be making my way back to the fort now.
-Torkeld
[There’s small, wrinkled spots on the page with ink bled into slightly rounded shapes from the written words in various places across the page. The paper is wrinkled from being crumpled and discarded, before it was unfolded by the reader.]
Mom,
I haven’t written to you in months, I think. A lot has happened since I left home and I just got around to thinking about the last time I saw you and Dad.
I met a boy and his parents while I was on the road after I left town. They helped me out, then I was in Runeheim recently. I’m in Hrafnakastali for the moment. It’s odd here but I don’t mind it much. The sudden move is a long story but I’m safe, if you were wondering.
I have a chicken now, feisty little thing but I think you’d like her. I named her Marigold. I don’t have a husband but Mom, trust me. The men here aren’t much better than the ones at home.
I saw Thyre a few seasons ago. She mentioned she was getting spring product ready last winter. I didn’t think to ask about you and Dad when she was visiting. How are you two? Did you make anything new for spring and summer? How’s the town and our neighbors?
Mama, I miss you and Dad. Can I come visit once things settle down? I can bring some ingredients, and we can make something special for a season. Are you looking for anything specific lately?
[The last sentence of the letter is roughly scribbled out in a block of ink. Unreadable to the viewer.]
[A folded note, written on the back of one of the flyers Fafnir spread the previous forum, with “Java” written on the outside]
One year ago, twelve brave souls left Kallevik:
Torgrim Ingrid Elna Sindri Arni Leifr Katla Olof Vestri Vogel Virgil Gisla
We did not leave in search of coin, or adventure, or glory, but instead on a dire quest. The She-Wolf Jorg had visited our village and found it wanting. We sought to find some feat that would make us worthy in her eyes – or at least if she would not turn a favorable eye on us, to at least spare our families.
I hope we’ve succeeded. If you found this, Java, we most likely have not. I’m sorry to have brought you grief, but I hope that we have helped you in some way as well. We have one last request – that you remember Kallevik and its final heroes. Please, take what we have gathered and put it to good use for Runeheim’s defense and give Fafnir hell.
Good hunting.
Gisla of Kallevik
[the Kallevik wolf’s head heraldry is drawn beside the name]
[A few blotches of ink from the pen tapping on the paper, as if the author thought for a moment about this last piece – it is an obvious addendum and written in a faster, sloppier hand]
Time is short – Her breath hot on the back of my neck – but you at least should know. “We” is a coward’s lie. It was always my fault. I’m sorry
Father,
I am settled now in Runeheim near the bank of the treacherous Keltana. I write now to plea for help for the smallfolk here settled. House Fafnir have arrived and seek domination of the people and take more than the land can give, Please bring notice to the Jarl of Shadowhall that a Thing were called here for Jarldom of the Bear Hide, challenging the sitting Jarl Overturner. The people here are good, but beset by darkness on all sides, and I fear there is trouble brewing north of the river that if not turned back will mean misery for too many. Please help us and send any aid you can to Runeheim. I look forward to hearing your response.
Your diligent Son,
Torkeld
[A letter from Ianthe Jovienne to Shaemus, a Dunnick trader from the caravan that visited Luisant last market. A continuation of “Absentee”]
Sheamus,
How are you, darling? Valko and I do hope your caravan is fairing well, and that the roads and trading merchants have treated you most handsomely.
I find lately that I cannot stop dwelling on the breadth of the world beyond our little town. I’m sure I’ve walked the length of Dunland’s coast in restless circles around Luisant; I’ve cataloged every tombstone, wild rose, and corbel. The sights are all the same– beautiful though they may be, they begin to bore. It would be a tragedy to die without know more than this.
To be frank, the state of Luisant has grown rather tumultuous since last we spoke. This market is poised to be the most well-attended in some time. It will be an opportune occasion to say our goodbyes.
Following this market Valko and I plan to explore the world; however, we would feel much more at ease provided your caravan’s guidance and numbers. There may be others likewise intrigued by our venture. We hope that you might have them too. Of course, we’ve no desire to stunt the speed of your journey. We would be glad to receive correspondence designating a place to meet you at an appointed date and time. We will do our best to be punctual. However, if this is to be our last correspondence, we wish you a warm farewell.
With love,
Ianthe
She signed and sealed it, daring to hope that they might convince others to join them. If all went well, and they escaped Chiropoler alive, this letter might be enough to ensure their future.
It wasn’t too late for them to start again.
To my Lady Delphine LeBlanc, and her seneschal, Teles LeBlanc,
I present my conclusions as Reeve of Wolves, after much discussion with the folk of the town.
My lady, your son and those few other children who were convinced by the pack’s promises of strength have been brought back into the fold by the courageous words and actions of Auriane LeBlanc, Colibri Jovienne, and Friar Henri. Auriane has suggested, and I agree, that the children of the town be selected for apprenticeship to help them grow, and to keep them out of trouble. I and many others have offered to teach them what we know. I offer that this is an important step to avoiding such problems of undue influence in the future.
Pascal’s daughter Esmé remains with the wolves, and must be rescued yet. To my understanding, his wife long ago promised her daughter as collateral against a bargain with the crone of the pack. The wolves believe that she belongs to them because of this, and are likely keeping her against her will but in no danger. I would recommend Pascal Rocheaux be involved officially and perhaps even made Armiger in this matter, as the risk is to be his should we fail.
Some in the town are willing to treat the wolves as just another hazard of the wood, and say that those who enter the forest after dark take their lives into their own hands. That nature red in tooth and claw is simply the way of things. While I agree that the deep wood will always be dangerous to the folk of the town, we cannot simply throw up our hands and do nothing. I will not make any person of Luisant face the dark alone.
When a hunter is mauled by a bear, do we shrug and say that she should have been more careful? No. We venture into the wood and hunt the bear.
When a party is robbed by bandits upon the road, do we shrug and say the roads are dangerous and that this is the way of it? No. We venture forth and capture those bandits, or kill them in the attempt.
When an herbalist is attacked by a troll in the hinterland, do we shrug and say that trolls are inevitable? No. We venture forth with steel and fire to end a threat that may hurt more.
Why should we treat these werewolves any differently? I will not throw up my hands and say that occasional werewolf attacks are acceptable. These folk with the hearts of wolves are predators, and they will never hold to whatever bargains they have made with the Circle. They will continue pushing until they are confronted.
Silver and steel and holy fury against those who would hurt our own. That is my recommendation.
My Lady, I await your further command.
Gérard Rocheaux
Captain of the Guard, Reeve of Wolves
Hadrien walks through the door to his home.
“Ma, Pa, I’m back”
“Oh, Hadrien, dear. Welcome back. Your father is resting,” Merle DuBois emerges from a back room, smelling of bitter herbs and dirt. “Please, please, tell me of Market. Was it good?”
“Well, I had a bit of a rough start, you know. Me and a few other folk got a bit twisted around in the mists and got a bit jumped by some walking corpses full of bees. We had a couple fellas with us who cut them down well enough, but it looked real painful, on account of the bees. Apparently the corpses had honey in them and everything, but also apparently someone tasted the honey later, and the honey wasn’t so sweet, so it’s anybody’s guess how much of the honey was people as opposed to, you know, honey. But anyways a little ways on we found some poor woman with her skin cut off who we had to carry into town. I shouted for some help, and they tried to bandage her, but I’m not sure how you bandage a person when they are missing all of their skin, so they took her to a tent, and I guess whatever they did works and she ended up living somehow.”
Merle could barely hide the shock on her face, “Well, that certainly sounds like an introduction to Market. But I am sure that is the only excitement that happened.”
“Well, actually, it was just a bunch of people standing around and talking for a while. But then I found our family, and they took me to the grove–”
“Oh, you met the circle. What did you think?”
“Well, I gotta admit, I don’t know how to feel about it. When we were walking to the grove, we met some kind of weird ghost or something who was offering us items and stuff in exchange for other stuff, but he was being real creepy, and later I heard he might have cursed the town, but the Mother was real enthusiastic about trading with him for simple stuff like wool, but I wasn’t sure how to feel about it until this man who looked real smart said something like ‘do we need to trade with these strange beings when we can provide for ourselves’. And I asked him straight if we was so hard up for food and supplies that we needed to make weird deals, and he was all ‘No, but some people are impatient’. And then later when we got to the grove, and elf just showed up–”
“You met an elf!”
“Yeah, an elf was there talking something about a spirit who wanted something and she wanted us to do something. I don’t know, I didn’t understand it, and I kinda zoned out a bit there, but a woman who I think was staying in my bunk came out, I think she was with the elf, talking about something. But apparently later someone said that the elf wants to kill a bunch of people, and that would be bad. But in the moment the Mother seemed real keen to do what the elf said the spirit wanted us to do if I caught the bits and pieces right, but someone else suggested we talk to the town about it, and I thought it was weird that the Mother was just jumping to do all these things, and other people had to bring up other considerations on how many to do things better. I just didn’t get a real leadership type vibe from her. But it’s a good thing we talked to other people about it, because that’s how we learned the elf probably just wanted to kill people”
“Oh, so you didn’t do what the elf wanted you to do?”
“Well, not exactly. From what I could tell the elf wanted us to have a big feast and worship the elf like a god like to make it bigger, but the next day Vecatrans and Benalians were like ‘What if tonight we have a party and instead of worshiping the spirit, we teach it what community is’ on account of maybe the spirit caused some people in town to eat people. I don’t know, it seemed like there was some history there that happened before. But anyway, the town was supposed to have a party in the woods to show it how much we liked each other, except when the elf and the spirit came apparently one guy was told the elf ‘you said you was my enemy before, and so you are my enemy now, and I wish you would go away’, which kinda killed the whole party energy, so people who just standing around all tense like. But, apparently the spirit said it found out what community was ok with it, but we needed to invite it to our feast in the morning and how it as our guest of honor, which I thought was kinda weird because I was told worshiping it wasn’t what we was supposed to do, and having something as a guest of honor sounded an awful like worship as far as a spirit was concerned. But anyway I almost got stabbed by one of my new friends, but he said it was an accident because his hands got possessed or something, and I wouldn’t have believed it if it wasn’t for something trying to make people stab and shoot each other after the elf and the spirit left, but no one got hurt. But I got real scared because we were all standing around while something was trying to creep into our minds, so I shouted real loud for us to get the fuck out of there, pardon me ma, but that seemed to do the trick and we all started moving back towards town. Then the next morning got kinda tense there because no one knew what to do with the spirit. Some people wanted to talk to it, but I think most people thought it best to just ignore it, but Mother got real heated because a magic guy who was suspicious of the spirit was, I guess, trying to protect people in the tavern, and Mother didn’t like that much, but he wasn’t doing nothing to her, but she called for some people to take him down anyway. Luckily someone else spoke up and talked some sense into her and said there was no harm being done so no harm should come to him, and things calmed down for a little while, and I think things calmed down after that. People were encouraging folks to be happy and jovial and not angry on account that we were trying to still teach the spirit about community, instead of how to yell at us I guess.”
“Oh, well, that does seem like an eventful market, but at least it sounds like no one was harmed. Well, no one besides that, umm, flayed woman you mentioned” Merle looked pale and felt for a chair to sit in.
“Oh, no that wasn’t all that happened. I went into a weird smelling old forge. They said some kind of earth wizard or someone built it a long time ago, and at the end of it there was a weird moving statue that people were calling an “atomatom” or some approximation, and that thing swung a real heavy sword real hard at us. I just kinda tried to run out of reach of it because I aint no good at fighting. But one guy did get got in the chest, and I had to hold the blood in him until we could get some bandages around him. A real strong woman ended up knocking the statue over eventually and hit it a bunch. And then there were the weird blood mud puddles in the forest that apparently hurt like hell if it got on you, and when it did it jumped at something else to try and hurt them too. I think some kids got caught in that stuff, but they turned out ok. And then there was a lot more corpse bees. And then I saw some trolls attacking some lady who sang real loud to call for help. And then apparently there were some werewolves around trying to attack people. And there were ghosts who were trying to kill the lord, but that turned out fine because apparently there was some lady in town related to an old king, and that made the ghosts go away, and she’s the head of the town now. And I think I saw some weird skeleton things, and it was all kinda blurring together.”
“Umm, I see. Well, Market seemed especially lively this go ’round. Thankfully it isn’t usually so….busy”
“Well actually I heard lots of people saying that this has been kinda normal lately, and there’s lots of problems happening that we didn’t have any right answers to, so it sounds like Market is gonna be quite busy for some time to come”
“I see, well, did you at least have any good points?”
“Well, I met a bunch of really nice people. Most of the people in my bunk house seems real nice. There was one who seemed like she was trying to get some of the Benalians to commit a bunch of sins without them knowing and then acting dumb when people were calling her out on it. She wasn’t too discreet like about it. And there was a wizard man who seemed kinda aloof and like he had a lot going on who I didn’t talk to too much, but I made him some ink, so that was something. But besides them everyone else was real nice. There was one lady with a big sword and shield who seemed honest and forthright enough about the happenings in the town, and seemed like she wanted to protect people. And there was a guy with a bunch of knives who seemed a little weary at first, but I made him some ink too, and they seemed real appreciative of it. He asked if I wanted to go out and gather in the forest, and when I said ok he asked how I defend myself, and I told him I hadn’t need to in quite some time, so I didn’t really have a way to, and he offered to help keep an eye on me. He was real impressive because whenever there was the slight hint of a yell in the forest he was off like a shot to go and help. I don’t think I saw a glimmer of hesitation in their eye the entire time I was around them. And there was a couple other people who offered to help too. One of them was a DuBois with a bow who kinda seemed like he was on the outs with the family, but he seemed to be alright and honest enough. And there was a woman who was small, but real bubbly and cheerful like, but carried a heavy looking weapon that was bigger than her. Her whole body must have been one huge muscle for her to carry that thing. I didn’t get to see her use it, but it must be a spectacle when she does. And then there was the guy who accidentally almost stabbed me in the chest. Like I said, I would have been more weary of that particular event if the whole town wasn’t fighting off some kind of crazy, but also the whole Market I saw him do nothing but work making stuff for the town, Vecatran and Benalian alike. And he seemed like he just wanted to work hard to provide for everybody, and it was real sweet watching him work, but it seems he might be overloading himself with all the responsibility. Well, actually, the same could be said for most of the people in the bunk. Well, anyway, there was another man who I think someone said had the charisma. And while he was real nice and charming like, and people really seemed to like him, I don’t exactly know if he was more charismatic than a lot of other people. But people seemed to think he was something special. He could tell things not to hurt him, and then they couldn’t, and then he would jump in front of things. I’m not sure how effective it was, but it was real entertaining to watch. I also met a person who sung real well, and made me feel all energetic and happy hearing them sing, and I think it was that song that gave me an awareness to jump away from the sword that one guy accidentally swung at me, so I was real appreciative towards them. And there was a bunch of nice people doing things.”
“Well, it is a relief that it wasn’t all bad. And I’m glad you met some kind people who you can lean on for the next market”
“Actually, Ma, I was hoping there wasn’t going to be a next market. To say the least it was scary as shit. And it seems like they already had people who could do what I could do and more. And mostly I felt like I was a liability on most occasions. So there’s no real reason for me to go.”
Merle paused for a moment and folded her hands under her chin before meeting Hadiren’s gaze. “Look Hadrien. Taking you in has been the best decision your pa and I made. You saved Pa’s life, and for that we will be eternally grateful, and we have tried to keep you safe and sound. But I fear we may have taken that too far. You said when you were out on your own you were still scared as hell on those streets, but you had some capabilities for hiding and scapping if you needed to. And while we tried to teach you useful skills, I’m afraid we might have coddled the scrap right outta you. Now, we can’t do much about the past, but we can try to instill a sense of confidence and capability in you, and you ain’t gonna find that around this ol’ house. Now, it doesn’t much matter that there are people out there who can do that same things you can. That isn’t what matters. What matters is that you can do it yourself, and you can provide for yourself and people and add to the helping that everyone else is doing. And it matters that you get to know people who can teach you to do new things, and who can help you make up for your shortcomings. What matters is everyone is able to do slightly different things, and all those things working together helps make the town and every individual in that town that much stronger. Now I know there was a little more than any of us bargained for this market, but you made it out alright because you depended on the people who could help you, and you helped some people in return, and maybe next time you can help a little more. And the more you help and the more people help you the more you grow, and I think you will grow to surprise yourself in what you could do.”
Hadrien looks down at the ground and takes a deep breath. “Ok, I think I know what you’re getting at. I’ll go to the next Market, and try to do what I can do for people. If I got past my fear this time I can do it again, and make you and Pa real proud of me”
“But Hadrien, you also need to be proud of yourself. You have already made us so proud, my son.”
“Thanks, Ma”.
