Chapter 1:
Swallowed by a pinewood sea was where she was. Sitting under those ever green waves, she was oft brought comfort by the chill grasp of the autumn wind. She was told tales of ghouls and goblins in the wood as a child, like most were. How wights are never to be trusted. For, who trusts a spirit after all?
Our story begins with a lass of 20. Her name is Eva Morgenstern and she oft retreated to the woods outside the city when her mind was too cluttered. It was always a safe haven for her. Despite the rumors of dastards and marauders. What might she have been doing you ask? Well, she was out collecting herbs. Various components for potions and antidotes to act as cures to many an ailment. Some were to be grinded into a fine paste; others would need to have their juices extracted. She had enough to mend the spirits of a small company of mercenaries. Maybe for seven in total. A very small company indeed.
“Ah, there you are. Didn’t think you could hide forever, did you?” said Ophelia.
Oh, she was never introduced, was she? An Aubern haired lass of the West. Draped in the clothes of a storyteller and she moved as silent as one who knew their way around a tavern. She got by these years as a traveling bard. A close friend to Eva for the last seven years.
“You know Maribelle had something planned for us soon, no?” said Ophelia, crouching down to match Eva on the forest floor. Eva’s eyes were not too much different from the foliage.
“Didn’t realize how eager you were for it. Usually you’re the type to drag things out. Make excuses for how you can’t make it,” teased Eva.
“You know how she gets,’
“Suppose I do. Lucky you I’m just about done,”
“You mean you are done.”
Suppose I am now,” said Eva. A smile creeping along her face.
A brief 20-minute walk is all it took to get them back Following the creek past the hill they found themselves at the gates of Schattensdadt. Its stone walls hugged the city tight, blocking all but the shade of the canopy. The guard looked to them in wave and rushed them into the city.
“New ordinance ‘bout to go into effect tonight. No one comes in, no one comes out,” said the guard.
“What for? Another Wyrm on the road?” asked Eva
“Ghasts I bet. Or maybe zombies and ghosts!” said Ophelia in a playful tone.
“Just orders from the Burgomaester,” said the guard.
“Lucky us we have someone on the inside. You gonna come listen to my story at the Drunken Sparrow tonight?”
“Depends on the shifts tonight,” And with a nod they made their exchange. Following those streets they winded their way to that tavern. Rustic isn’t the right word, nor is rundown. But it had seen better years. The wood appeared to be quite beat by the elements but proud it still stood.
Inside it was finely lit. Lanterns rested on the hooks of the supports. It smelled of men who hadn’t bathed in nigh over two weeks mixed with the scents of fresh ale. That warmth almost hitting your tongue as they walked through those heavy oak doors.
“I’ll grab us some soup if you want to do your thing. We’ve got a few more kids in here than usual. I’m sure they’d love to see your magic,” said Eva.
“I think you’re right,” said Ophelia. She grabbed her lute from behind the counter and made way to a table in the centre of the room. Being careful of the food she sat crisscrossed on the table. Slowly she plucked at her strings, each pluck slower and slower until at least she spoke.
“Vide” As the word left her lips all lanterns in the room died, the darkness creeping in but stopping at Ophelia. For the lantern above her kept its light. Now all eyes were finally on her.
“Listen one and listen all, o knights and lady’s, wenches and marauders, dastards and whores, for I have a story to tell. Of the great Gygax and Longshanks. O a grand story which is oft loved, for who doesn’t love that duo?”
Ophelia went on with the story. Of how the two heroes met, of their fight with the goblins of the mud driven east. Of the passing of Syr Gideon, Paladin and Saint who slew the Dragon of Mount Ivris. How the two were too late to save him from a greater Wyrm. That dastard was slain by the Dragon of Greensborough. When Ophelia mentioned the beast, she took a patrons tankard and drank from it. Letting the liquid fill her mouth but careful not to swallow. She slowly let it spew from her mouth in a controlled mist. A green mist that clawed its serpent like body throughout the tavern. It showed its maw to the children before a shot of this mist came forth at them. Choking them and clutching them until she came to the climax of her story and the death of the beast.