We're all wondering how they are not going to recognize Halbrand's glow up, with the new hair, new ears and new wardrobe.
Us the fans, know it's ol boy Halbrand, from the hood, but in the context of their universe, they might actually not grasp that.
First or all no one knows Sauron is back, expect for Galadriel and she didn't tell anyone. No one knows what he even looks like.
Last time Celebrimbor was with Halbrand, he was clearly human and mortal and possesed no supernatural powers whatsoever. I'm, pretty sure in their universe, no human can turn into an elf or an emissary of the Valar, it's just impossible.
And then some, Celebrimbor was already under the influence or Sauron last season. He seemed to have a bit of memory lapse, when Galadriel asked him where he heard about 'binding' and 'power over the flesh'." Obviously he's going to be under more influence, during the forging.
Sauron has been shown to have mind control powers and can manipulate realities together, with the powers of persuasion, only Galadriel has been able to shake him off, but not without much effort and she nearly died in the process.
Sauron is a well known master of showing people what he wants them to see and make it look like it's their own ideas and perceptions, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he does this.
In the last clip when Galadriel says 'He's Sauron!' this seems to be new info and no one can see it, except for her.
We know this is Sauron/Halbrand. But do the characters actually do?

So, yeah, talking about the only, and I mean only, officially-released Lord of the Rings-related modern work of media that I subjectively despise.
By now, news has circulated about how poor the work conditions were and just what led to the massive delays, regressive gameplay mechanics and general lack of focus in all aspects. So I don't really feel right in giving the designers that much crap after what they've been through and I hope they do find work again on better, fairer projects.
However, I've been more interested in the questionable design choices for story and character design than gameplay as well as voice-acting. Because, honestly, in something connected with Lord of the Rings, I think people would have been more forgiving (Probably not enough to save it but at least give it a better chance) if the story, characters and performances were interesting despite the horrendous gameplay.
But...well...they're not.
(Keep in mind that I don't actually know how to bring up the images online without getting flagged for something so whoever hasn't seen the designs for the Gollum Game's Gollum, Gandalf, Thranduil, Mouth of Sauron and Shelob, please find at any general game publishing site or just do a quick sweep of Google Images. If there is a way to show up the images with no worries, please tell me.)
Let's start with Gollum himself. Now, what's weird about the Gollum Game is that they seem to be trying to emulate the Peter Jackson/Andy Serkis Gollum in all but the things that actually makes the character work. Let's get this out of the way, yes, that version of Gollum is the best we're ever going to see and nothing can top that. But it is still possible to make your own Gollum work with little relation to the most popular adaptation. Before Lord of the Rings was popularised, Gollum tended to resemble a sort of swamp-thing. The Rankin-Bass adaptation and 2003's The Hobbit Game make him look froggish, almost Morlock-like, which rather suits the themes he gives off. Admittedly, these both came before the Peter Jackson films but still, they worked with the character.
The Gollum game instead seems to resemble a copy of Andy Serkis's Gollum if someone just changed their mind half-way through. Everything about his appearance screams 'We Just Weren't Sure Anymore!'. Even getting past how his facial expressions barely work and the godawful affair that his his hair, he just comes out looking like the OG Gollum's edgy tween cousin. In a way, the more human/hobbit he looks, the less appealing he looks. Compare him to the more froggy-looking Gollums he's just unpleasant to look at and not in the way the character should be. What's sad is that early designs make him look better, more 'Grey-Alien'-ish which probably would have been easier to model.
So yeah, Mearas falls at the first hurdle on that front. Let's talk about the less-meme-worthy character designs and their stories, such as they are.
Gandalf. Hoo boy. Where exactly do you go from once you've decided to make Gandalf the Grey a goddamn brunette?! Did you just not want Gollum to feel left out in the stupid hair department?! Admittedly, that may be more a problem with the graphics than the actual design, he is grey-bearded in concept models. But disregarding that for a moment, Gandalf's apparel just doesn't seem to work. He seems to be dressed in almost Nomad-looking garb with a hat that looks folded in on itself and adorned with baubles and feathers, a furry-collar around a rough-spun cloak and a curved sword (CURVED...SWORD! There, I said it). I might be getting the wrong vibes here but he looks way too rustic and weathered to really suit the aesthetic Gandalf is supposed to give off. He looks more like how Radagast might look in a non-movie-related work. In fact, a lot of people might prefer this design over the one in the Hobbit Movies (I wouldn't. I loved McCoy's Radagast but I understand I might not be in the majority there).
Worse still is that there wasn't really any reason for this. The long grey beard and pointy hat are entirely canon with the Tolkien-verse. You could have just gone with a regular-looking wizard-type appearance and it would have worked better. It wouldn't have looked very original but that's the least of your worries!
And then Thranduil. Now, admittedly, this is not the goofiest-looking design for the King of the Wood Elves, Rankin-Bass still holds that honour. But that's still not a good enough reason to make your character literally look small trees are growing out of his head! Yes, I realise that the intent is for him to look like he has stag horns and leaves and flowers are growing over them but it just doesn't work. The fans on the side of his shoulder-blades look for all the world like toadstools from a certain angle and he seems to actually have the same 'curved...sword' as Gandalf and in almost the exact same position to the point where I'm fairly certain it's a copy-paste job. But what really lets the whole thing down is his face. Looking at that face, what springs to mind, because when I see that, I imagine him as the Elf-equivalent of the Squeaky-Voiced Teen. The modelling on his face makes him look like one of the more dorky characters from Fable, combined with the Goldilocks haircut (What is with this game and hair?!) and you have a character we just can't take seriously.
And that's the main problem because this game is demanding we take it seriously. With the bleak, edgy seriousness of the game, the over-the-top design doesn't really fit. In fact, to some extent, the fact that he looks less goofy than Rankin-Bass is a downside because the vibes are telling us he shouldn't look goofy at all. Then at least we'd know where we stood in terms of intended atmosphere.
And finally, the Mouth of Sauron. Now, he's hard to get down, honestly, he's sort of an enigma in Middle-Earth and that's one of the things that makes him so interesting and I was actually pretty interested in the idea that we'd see how he oversees his domain first-hand. So I don't know what exactly I was expecting from his general appearance...but I was not expecting this! What do I say to this?
I mean, where's his tall, black helm? That's in the book, that's part of who he is, literally, all but implied that his suit of armour has sort of become his prison. This guy has pointed ears. Isn't he supposed to be a human? I admit, I kind of like the whole Nosferatu-ish look he has with his spindly build and ornate, vampirish collar but I just don't think it suited The Mouth of Sauron. This guy probably would have made a more interesting secondary villain in place of the Candle Man.
I can honestly say I rather liked the Shelob design. She's the only character in this game that doesn't like a Horizon Zero Dawn concept art exhibition threw up. I got almost Starcraft-ish vibes off of her but it works, she's alien, she's unnatural and she's intimidating.
You know what's sad? These designs are all interesting in their own way, it's all quite intricate and probably had a lot of work put into it. But it all makes it less relatable and, ironically, almost less interesting. And I wouldn't be surprised if the overly elaborate designs hurt the frame-rate all the more. You probably could have toned down the designs and made them look more grounded and it would have improved things.
I do want to put it on record that these designs aren't bad in themselves. To be completely honest, I'm quite impressed by them. As art, it's actually really good and there's a post from TheGamer from someone who was present for the Digital Art Exhibition for the Gollum Game who pointed out that whoever was doing the design certainly cared a lot more than the game's lead-developers and publishers. And it's very likely that the shortcomings the game had in terms of graphics and modelling hampered what could have been impressive character design. But in terms of tone, it's all over the place. With the very stripped-down gameplay and vague story, the over-the-top designs just feel out of place and highlight just how poor the priorities were here. I like it on its own but it just doesn't work with the game.
So that's the recognisable characters at least. If I do make a part two of this post, it'll be about the OCs, such as they are. And I am working to find something on the lore of these characters without having to purchase the DLC because I absolutely refuse to go down that route. So there you go, my two-cents.

Yelena watched the doorway through which the young Ashfield scion had just left for a few moments more as she pondered over the meeting they’d just had.
Precocious indeed, she thought with a smile.
A smile that only grew as her gaze flitted over to her childhood friend’s… complicated expression.
It seemed young William’s decision had come as much a surprise to his instructor as it had come to Yelena herself.
“He said no,” Joana said after a few moments.
Yelena nodded slowly as she reclined into her friend’s surprisingly comfortable chair. Given what she knew of Griffith, the Queen had half expected the thing to be harder than mithril when she first sat down - but it was surprisingly plush.
“Not without good reason,” Yelena said as she shifted about.
“Good reason?” Joana scoffed. “You offered him your daughter’s hand.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You offered all of your daughter’s hands.”
Yelena rolled her eyes at her friend’s tone. “And if he’d accepted I would have considered it a bargain.”
A minor scandal and the loss of a number of future marriage alliances was ultimately nothing compared to the ability to raid Kraken nests. And that was ignoring that a hypothetical means to slay kraken in deep water would undoubtedly have other applications.
Applications that would be incredibly useful in the months to come.
Though, perhaps, if young William’s plans came to fruition that coming storm could be delayed by a few years.
“…Are things truly that desperate?” Joana asked quietly.
“They’re not great,” Yelena admitted, massaging the bridge of her nose. “The Blackstones… I knew they’d resist the reforms, but to threaten open rebellion?”
She’d not expected that. Not even in her wildest dreams. Lindholm’s only human ducal house had ever been wilful, and their antipathy towards the Orcs who dwelled in the Sunlands was well documented, but surely even they could see why Yelena was doing what she was.
Regardless of what her critics said, her decision to end the slave trade in Lindholm was most assuredly not the result of ‘useless sentiment’.
Far from it.
Oh certainly, Yelena had no love for the institution of slavery, for reasons both moral and financial, but that wasn’t why she’d created the abolitionist movement.
With each passing year, the Homeland’s view of Lindholm grew ever more covetous. More and more the Sun Empress and Desert Khan’s rhetoric centred less on their ongoing deadlock with each other and more on the idea of ‘recovering wayward territories’.
Certainly, that could have been a reference to Old Growth as much as Lindholm, but Yelena doubted it.
Lindholm might have scared the Solites and Lunites into retreating by choosing to engage them over deep water, but ultimately those victories were borne of a lack of conviction on the part of her foes.
Had the two disparate fleets been willing to risk the permanent loss of a small portion of their mithril cores in order to achieve victory and push towards the mainland, they may well have been able to flip the allegiances of a number of Lindholmian houses.
Oh, certainly, the high elves and dark elves of Lindholm might have prided themselves on maintaining the strictures of equality that defined the Old Empire – but with either Solite or Lunite airships hovering over their family castles, she couldn’t help but wonder if some might reconsider their stances on their fellow elves.
No, while an invasion of Lindholm would certainly be costly, it was entirely within the realm of reason.
An invasion of the Old Growth however?
There was a reason the Wood Elves – as they named themselves – had managed to remain independent of both the other two, much larger, nations despite sharing land borders with both of them.
Their strange magics might have been muted and weak beyond the borders of their home, but within their territory they were nigh invincible.
No, if there was to be any ‘reclamation’ of any territory belonging to the old Aelven Imperium, it was likely to come from Lindholm.
To that end, the kingdom could ill afford to keep feeding people and iron into the meatgrinder that was the Sunlands. Could ill afford to keep orcs that might otherwise be valuable mages laboring in the fields under the eyes of watchful taskmasters.
Lindholm needed every mage-knight it could get – regardless of the color of their skin or the shape of their ears.
Yet after year and years of negotiations and attempts to shift public opinion on the matter, the North still remained willfully ignorant of that truth.
“Surely they know that even if they win, any kind of division between us will just see the Homeland sweep over them?” Joana said.
Yelena shrugged. “I have a feeling that Duchess Blackstone’s victories over both the Lunites and Solites has left her confident of repeating the fact should it come to that.”
Foolhardy, in her eyes, but no one had ever accused the Blackstones of being meek. Nor being incapable of backing up their sometimes insane claims. What other House could lay claim to an ancestry that had once beaten back the Old Imperium at the height of its power?
Where other human nobles had been sworn into the Old Imperium on their knees with their battered armies scattered to the winds, the Blackstones managed to resist long and hard enough that the Imperial Legions had been forced to come to the negotiating table.
Ultimately, the Blackstones had still been absorbed into the Empire, but they’d done so on their terms with their heads unbowed.
…Though it was somewhat ironic that nearly a thousand years on, it was now those same humans in the position of the old Imperial Legion while it was the free orcs who now utilized the same strategies as the old Blackstone tribes – right down to the Wyvern riders.
“I could imagine that,” Joana muttered.
“Is it strange that I think she might pull it off?” Yelena said – though only because she was sure that no one beyond her friend and silent guards was listening.
“Part of me wants to argue that, but… do you think it’s a human thing?”
Yelena thought about the Blackstones and the young man who’d just turned down a chance to be king one day.
“Perhaps,” she admitted.
Personally she thought it was because humans didn’t live as long – and there was more of them. When your life could be measured in but a single century, perhaps you were a bit more inclined towards taking risks that might make an elf balk?
…Risks like trying to take your first year team up against a third year team in the name of trying to avoid a war.
Or at least delay it.
“I still can’t believe he said no to your offer,” Joana said, something… complicated in her friend’s expression.
Yelena grinned at the sight, though she wrestled down the urge to ask a number of probing questions of her normally straight laced friend, who seemed to have a childish crush on a young man nearly ten years her junior – and her student beside.
Normally she’d be all over a scandal that delicious.
Alas, right now was work time. “I can. He gave me his reasons and they were solid.”
Well, solid enough. If you squinted a bit. And tried to think ‘human’.
Rather than all-but guarantee a war by having the Crown break off his betrothal, he intended to do it himself.
Loudly and publicly.
And if he won – and that was a big if – he’d all but destroy any kind of excuse the Blackstones might have to declare war in response. Indeed, by being ‘shamed’ in such a public manner they’d need to spend a few years at least regathering lost support.
After all, who would want to follow a house into a civil war just after their heir was publicly humiliated by a team of cadets two years her junior?
Academy fights weren’t just schoolyard squabbles. They were civil conflicts writ small. A microcosm of the constant jostling and jockeying of Lindholm’s houses.
In other words, they held weight.
If Willaim could beat his fiancée, Yelena knew she’d owe him more than she could ever truly repay. A few more years of preparation would turn an almost guaranteed defeat into something much more even.
Especially if she could scoop up who knows how many mithril cores that were otherwise just littering the ocean. Ninety percent of them would be of limited use immediately, but a few years would give her time to construct at least a few more airship hulls to house the devices.
All that was required was for William to win.
“Solid,” Joana scoffed. “His plan is to go up against a group of third years with a team of firsties.”
Yelena tried to keep the intensity she was feeling out of her tone as she leaned forward. “You don’t think he can do it?”
Joana opened her mouth before hesitating. “I… normally I’d say no. Talented as they are, the gap in experience is just too wide.”
“But…”
The dark elf rolled her silver eyes behind her glasses. “But, with William’s newest invention…” The woman paused. “Son of a bitch.”
For just a moment Yelena was treated to the rare sight of her friend laughing. “I can’t believe I thought he ‘just wanted to use it in a schoolyard fight’,” the Instructor said.
“Well, he sort of is, in a way.” Yelena shrugged. “It just so happens to be a very important schoolyard fight.”
Joana laughed. “I suppose it is.”
“Still, do you think he can win?”
Joana straightened up. “I genuinely don’t know. With his new invention he might be able to catch her off guard. If he can skew the numbers in his favor at the start, they might have a chance.”
Yelena frowned. Not exactly the ringing endorsement she wanted to hear, but that was part of why she valued Joana’s friendship.
Always had really, even when the girl had first come to court at the age of ten as a potential playmate for Yelena’s daughters and told her that her dress made her look like some kind of tropical bird.
Something Yelena realized upon closer inspection was true.
Ever since, the Queen had made a point of checking in with the girl from time to time, if only for the occasional shot of unvarnished truth.
It was a strange ‘friendship’ from the outside looking in, but one that got less so as time went by and the age gap became less stark.
“Well, let’s hope the human capacity for the nigh impossible isn’t relegated entirely to the Blackstones,” Yelena muttered.
Because if it wasn’t, the boy would either have to marry one of Yelena’s daughters or die.
She could not afford the knowledge in his head to reach the Blackstones. To that end, he’d either accept her offer – rolling the dice on the onset of war and all that might come with it – or he’d suffer an accident.
As much as it pained the royal sovereign’s heart to see such a bright and enterprising soul be snuffed out before its time.
Being forced to make such decisions was simply the price of wearing the crown.
“Still,” Joana said, and Yelena was grateful for the distraction as she looked up. “Will you actually leave him alone if he pulls this off?”
Yelena scoffed.
“Of course not. If anything I’ll up my offer.” She shrugged. “I’ll give him you, myself and half my court if it means getting my hands on what’s in his head.”
It was actually a little amusing how Joana flushed at her words, even as she shook her head.
“Yes, that sounds a lot more like you.”
Yelena nodded. Damn right it did.
Though as she did, a thought occurred to her. “Hey Joana?”
“Yes?”
“In your reports to me, didn’t you mention the Ashfield boy having some kind of nickname.”
The dark elf pondered the words for a moment before stiffening. “Hmm, he does actually. A rather apt one considering. Apt enough that I’m wondering if whatever he used to kill Al’Hundra is related.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. What is it?”
Joana leaned back, her head craned upwards, as if seeking strength from above.
“Kraken Slayer.”
Yelena laughed. She couldn’t help it.
“Of course it is.”
“You killed Al’Hundra.”
William was still reeling a little from the conversation he’d just had, so he was actually a little caught off guard by a finger being shoved into his face the moment he stepped back into his teams quarters.
Ah, he thought. I promised answers.
Though it seemed that in his absence his team had managed to figure out some of those answers without him.
Glancing past Olzenya’s outstretched arm, he saw Marline shaking her head – as if to vehemently deny she’d told them anything.
She needn’t have bothered, her geass precluded it as an option. Hell, even once everyone found out it would preclude it as an option.
Which was for the best for the moment because now he wasn’t so much trying to hide what he’d done as how he’d done it. Admittedly, Marline didn’t know anything beyond the broadest details, but she knew enough to know that it was some kind of enchantment combined with alchemy.
Now it was possible the forces working against him – or rather simply to profit off him – had already figured that out and he’d hear the alchemy lab exploded any moment now, but he’d sooner put it off for as long as he could.
To that end, he turned to Olzenya – though not before politely lowering her pointing arm.
Something that, to her credit, the high elf allowed – actually looking a little embarrassed by her outburst and thus rudeness.
“Honestly, I was expecting something like that to come from Bonnlyn, not you,” he said to the slightly flushed high elf.
As he glanced over toward where the dwarf was sitting, she shrugged. “I realize I may not be the most classically polite individual around, but I’ve been a merchant long enough to recognize when someone’s got a trade secret they want to keep close to their chests.”
If anything, Olzenya flushed harder, as while she might not have been familiar with trade secrets, she was most definitely familiar with the notion of house spells that needed to be kept secret.
“I also thought ambushing him at the door was a little rude,” Verity murmured from the back of the room.
Olzenya coughed, before backing up. “Of course, I apologize for that William.”
More bemused than anything else, especially as the elf curtsied, he waved a hand dismissively. “It’s fine. Or, understandable, I guess.”
“Good,” Ozlenya smiled, glad for his acceptance… before she shouted again. “Because you lied to us.”
“I did?”
“He didn’t,” Marline said. “He said he had something to bet against Tala.”
Indeed he had, something he’d kept hidden under a sheet. After all, he’d not wanted his big surprise to be spoiled by the rumors of his coming beating him to the cafeteria.
And they would.
Rumors in the academy somehow managed to move at light speed.
“He implied it was gold,” Olzenya shot back.
“And you said Tala wouldn’t go for it, but you came with us anyway,” Bonnlyn said.
Indeed, he had implied it was gold. Or ‘something valuable enough to catch her interest’.
“To comfort him after she shot him down,” Olzenya said. “Instead I damn near tripped over my own feet in front of everyone when he pulled an honest to goddess mithril core out of his ass.”
William was actually a little thrown off – and amused – by the sudden display of crassness from the noble girl.
“But he didn’t lie.” It was actually a little surprising – and heartwarming – to hear Verity speaking so forcefully.
And that Olzenya didn’t immediately snap at her for doing so. The team really had come a long way in just a few months.
Ah, the joys of shared suffering, William thought as he watched the girls bicker amongst themselves.
“As I’m sure you’ve all guessed, I have indeed been less than open about a few things,” he said, silencing all of them – except Marline who’d yet to speak in the first place. “With that said, I’ve never once lied to you about my end goal.”
“Breaking off your betrothal,” Marline said finally.
“Breaking off my betrothal without starting a war,” he said. “If it were that easy, the Queen would have done it for me just now.”
“You met the Queen?” Olzenya sounded a little faint.
“I did.”
Oh, how he did.
“Oh ancestors, please don’t tell me you hit on the queen!?” This time Marline sounded a little faint.
And he actually felt a little offended. “What!? Why would you think that.”
“You’re doing the same thing you do when we talk about Instructor Griffith,” Bonnlyn said with studiously neutral voice. “Or Instructor Morline. Or Instructor Flen. Or some of the guards.”
“Or that one cafeteria lady,” Verity chimed in, a little red in the face.
“Or the-”
“I do not!” He’d finally had enough of these aspersion on his character.
Across the room, a number of sighs rang out, even from the elves.
“At least now I knew why he never checked me out,” Bonnlyn said. “He’s got mommy issues. And I’m not old enough to tickle them.”
“Still, the Queen?” Olzenya hissed.
“I mean, have you seen her?” Marline muttered back. “I mean, I don’t agree with him… but I get it.”
“I didn’t ‘perv’ on the Queen.” Some part of him died on using such childish language. “We had a meeting about my plans and… what occurred with Al’Hundra. Needless to say, the fact that I’m here means she’s agreed to go ahead with them and I’m also to keep quiet about anything I may or may not have had to do with any Kraken going missing. Or their cores.”
He deliberately left out the royal marriage offer.
Still, with those words the room went silent. After all, if the Queen had told him to say nothing, he was expected to say nothing. Just because the North in general didn’t have much respect for royal authority didn’t mean the rest of the kingdom did.
Quite the opposite.
“Well, if the Queen has commanded you to remain silent, I suppose there’s nothing to be done,” Olzenya muttered. “Though I would like answers some day.”
“Hell, I’d like to know why you brought Marline in on your plans,” Bonnlyn said, glancing at the Dark Elf. “You know, and not the rest of us.”
There was no missing the hint of hurt there – which he understood.
“I can promise you it was purely a matter of convenient circumstance,” he said. “And I can promise you, I didn’t confide in Marline for free.”
All the girls glanced up as the dark elf nodded slowly. “He’s not lying – though I can’t say anymore. Literally. It’s a price I paid willingly, but one I doubt any of you would be interested in.”
Almost as one, he could see the lightbulbs turn on in everyone’s brain simultaneously – except for Verity, who took a few seconds.
‘Geass,’ thought none of them said it.
This time though, when the girls looked between him and Marline, there was a definite sense of wariness to it.
“Well, I suppose there’s nothing else to say then,” Bonnyln said. “I guess we should…”
“…Go to bed,” Olzenya nodded warily.
William grinned. “Good idea. Big day tomorrow and all that.”
That was an understatement, and he could tell everyone was thinking it as they made their way over to their rooms.
Still, it was true all the same.
They’d need their rest if they wanted to stand a chance tomorrow.
Indeed, they’d need every advantage they could get.
To that end, William could only hope he’d stacked the deck in their favor enough to matter.
…It took him a long time to get to sleep.
When he did awake, in the early hours of the morning, it was to the sound of an explosion.
In the direction of the old alchemy labs if I’m not wrong, he thought with a grim smile.
It seemed someone had decided to investigate his storage room even sooner than he’d anticipated.
Annoying, but it hardly mattered at this point in time.
All that really mattered was going back to sleep.
He had a big day ahead of him, after all.
Previous / First / Next
Another three chapters are also available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bluefishcake
We also have a (surprisingly) active Discord where and I and a few other authors like to hang out: https://discord.gg/RctHFucHaq

After sixty-seven sessions of Curse of Strahd (read all about it here), it was time for a change. So into the wild we went...
My group is nearing the end of Hither, and along the way I've written summaries of each session ("What Just Happened?"), along with interesting/funny quotes from PCs/NPCs ("Certain Things Were Said"), and a list of new characters introduced that session ("Dramatis Personae").
My intention is to write the summaries for each of the five parts of the campaign in a different format. For the Witchlight Carnival, each summary was presented in verse (my own, no machine learning shortcuts!), using the metre and rhyming structure of various Lewis Carrol poems.
I'd like to share my summaries/poems with you all here, for posterity, and in the hope you'll find them entertaining.
For reference, the players are:

• Holafina (a harengon paladin who has lost three inches of height)
• Skerrek (a kobold druid who has lost the ability to lie)
• Arix (an owlin monk who has lost all sense of direction and is always hungry)
• Jexim (a brash fairy warlock who has lost his diary)
• Sylenos (a beatnik/slacker satyr rogue employed by the Carnival)

NOTE: Lewis Carroll was known to hide secret messages in his poems. I've done the same, revealing the campaign's big twist in one of the poems below. None of my players have picked up on it.

Part I: Welcome to the Witchlight

What Just Happened? (in the style of Jabberwocky)
’Twas twilight when the carnival Did open wide two golden gates, And those with tickets did arrive, Seeking things they had misplaced.
One harengon of curious size, A kobold with a slithy gait, An owlet who possessed two eyes As wide as Annam’s dinner plates.
Yet are we three or are we four? Let’s add vibrations rarefied: A Witchlight hand here to ensure That every guest is Satyrs-fied!
Enter now and taste the sounds, Feel these colours, smell those sights! Kaleidoscopic fun abounds This synaesthesiac’s delight!
Yet where’s the drama? Where’s the tension? Certainly we’ve had a switch (At least in here there is no mention Of that cad von Zarovich).
Instead let’s race a giant snail, Eat candied mushrooms by the pound, Or listen to a gnome assail The tightness of your mother’s gown.
Yet hark! A misadventure glum! Those not heroes please give berth! The best laid plans of love undone By Tasha’s wild unruly mirth
These mirrored halls! This desperate task, To find a luckless paramour A sweet-toothed lass with porcine mask That you could swear you’ve seen before…
’Twas twilight when the carnival Did open wide two golden gates And those with tickets did arrive, Now guided by the wiles of fate.
Dramatis Personae
Arix Specklefoot, a sweet-toothed owlin Holafina, a curiously short harengon Skerrek Tirael, a slithy kobold Sylenos, a cosmic satyr Nicholas Midnight, elderly goblin ticketmaster at the Witchlight Carnival Candlefoot, a mime and not by choice Rubin Sugarwood, a lovesick halfling Ween Sundapple, his laugh-sick paramour Glorange Turple, a poetry gnome
Certain Things Were Said
“I am worried about your ability to sense vibrations that I cannot.” - Skerrek Tirael
“Tymore, goddess of good fortune! Look well upon Shellymoo this day!” - Holafina
“Hate to say it, man, but that gnome really insulted your mother.” - Sylenos
“Snacks?” - Arix Specklefoot

Part II: Lost and Found

What Just Happened? (In the style of The Walrus and the Carpenter )
"The time has come," the Satyr said, "To talk of many things: Of poems—and props—and Jeremy Plum— Of crowns and pixie kings— And why things here keep getting lost— And what this pig-girl means."
"But wait a bit," the Owlin cried, "Before our minds do meet, For some of us are pretty spooked, And I would like a treat!" "No hurry!" said the Satyr, And kicked up cloven feet.
The Owlin and the Kobold Were walking close at hand, They smiled like anything to see The gates of Pixie Land. "If we could only stay a while,” They said, "it would be grand!"
The Satyr sighed so sulkily, Because he thought that Plum Had got no business to be there When all was said and done. (“It's rude of him," the Kobold said, "To try and spoil our fun!")
"Oi, Satyr," said the pixie king, "You've had a pleasant run! Should you be getting back to work?” But answer came there none And this was scarcely odd, because He had real beef with Plum.
Now Arix made a hamster friend Who offered up some clues. The others tried the riding-pug: A pleasant thing to do! (“The pug is fine," the Rabbit said, "But he’s no Shellymoo.”)
"How nice of you to come!” said Plum, "You all are oh-so kind!" Puddlemud said nothing as His teeth began to grind. The Owlin and the Kobold cheered: “That was our FAVORITE ride!”
“A wooden crown," fair Jexim said, Is what we need to come Our way along with golden paint For some un-princely sum.” The others stared, confused, and said: “Now where did YOU come from?”
‘Twas then the party dared approach The famous Mystery Mine Where psychedelic spectacles Broke the Satyr’s mind. (“I really wish,” Zephixo sighed, “You wouldn’t ride while high”).
Next Dirla pulled all kind of things Out of his wagon/portal: Bottles, bunnies, candlesticks, A shining blade of vorpal (Incidentally, there’s a word That kind of rhymes with purple).
“If you put your mind to it And searched for long enough, Do you suppose," the party said, "That you could find our stuff?" "I doubt it," said dear Dirlagraun, And gave a bitter huff.
Then he gave the Harengon The greatest gift by far: A copy of “Gnome On The Run” And bid them au revoir (Morgie would have laughed at that While trying to type slash “R”).
“I do believe,” the Satyr said, “That something is not right, And think we ought to pay a call To Messers Witch and Light.” “I think we ought,” the Owlin said “To first stop for a bite.”
But in their way old Thaco stood, A clown grown grim and surly: “Rabbit! Owlin! Pixie! Skink! You aren’t allowed to be-“ The Fairy interrupted him: “Wait, WHAT did you call me?”
Poor Thaco cried: “Things move too fast! And have since my debut In R-1: To the Aid of Falx From Nineteen Eighty Two! And if you’d seen what I have seen Then you’d smoke bubbles, too!”
Finally he stepped aside, At last the way was clear. The Satyr ambled stealthily With open eyes and ears And pressed them to a wagon large To see what he could hear.
"The time has come," Witch and Light said, "To talk of things galore Of prizes—plans—and kenku pests— and ever so much more— But first we’d better ask inside Those spying at our door!”
Dramatis Personae
Jexim, a puzzled, puzzling fairy Jeremy Plum, operator of the Pixie Kingdom and bestower of silly names Biscuit, a talkative hamster Pinecone, a riding-pug Zephixo, dwarven inventor and mastermind behind the Mystery Mine Ernest Wilde, middle-aged calliope master currently inhabiting the body of his pet monkey Marigold, his button-collecting goblin assistant Dirlagraun, a kindly but inefficient displacer beast, minder of lost children and property Thaco, a bubble-smoking clown who is long past his prime
Certain Things Were Said
"Worried I was, with talk of missing supper." - Arix Specklefoot
"Could you not just purchase a new pair?" - Skerrek Tirael "Not like this, man." - Sylenos
"If you'd see the things I've seen, you'd smoke a bubble pipe, too." - Thaco
"Is this it?" - Dirlagraun "NO." - Everyone

Part III: On the Trail of the Kenku

What Just Happened? (In the style of The Hunting of the Snark)
"Where the heck is our stuff? We just want to know This Harengon ain't getting bigger, Arix has no idea of where to go And lies send poor Skerrek a-quiver!"
"Would you get back to work?" Mister Light cried, Twirling his cane with a smile, "Otherwise find where this kenku pest hides; She's cramping this carnival's style!"
"Well, that was a bust," said our heroes, conferring, "Anyone got a suggestion? If we need to pull strings to get back our things Then there are some folk we should question."
"Time's an illusion, free will a delusion!" Sylenos' mentor decreed, "Get a contusion battling occlusions, Or relax and have some of this…wait, what was I saying?"
Sylenos proclaimed: "A genius flawed!" "A man/dragon ahead of his time." Skerrek looked at his claws; Holafina at paws, And the other two just rolled their eyes
"A centuar I'm not! I just made a bad trade The "Cloppinton's" just serendipitous, Now lend me your aid and you'll maybe persuade These horsies to drop some significance."
Then they took to the skies on a dragonfly ride (Holafina and Skerrek abreast), When you're this high there's just nowhere to hide (And to which Sylenos attests)
Now Skerrek honed on a runaway gnome Who was fleeing the carnage with glee, Holafina struck home and that's it for this poem For the gnome was the kenku, you see.
Dramatis Personae
Mister Witch, a matter-of-fact elf, devoid of pretense Mister Light, a flamboyant elf, luminous and coy Burly, a philosophical, pumpkin-helmeted bugbear Mandragon, a seeker of truth (and not much else) Diana Cloppington, a centaur who is apparently not, operator of the Carousel Northwind, a very forthcoming treant, operator of the Dragonfly Rides
Certain Things Were Said
"There’s something weird going on. For some reason everyone thinks I don’t do anything around the carnival." - Sylenos
"It's true, Miss Cloppinton! We've ALL lost things." - Arix Specklefoot
"Wait, when did we have biscuits?" - Jexim

Part IV: Through the Looking Glass

What Just Happened? (In the style of A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky)
Now hear the Kenku’s strange reply (As Arix struggles to apply Triage to these pixie guys)
Asking questions, getting nought Set her on a different course: High sabotage without remorse!
And what has got her so irate Is what’s she trying to intimate: Zybilna has been quiet of late!
Ignore the rest, and let’s take flight To confront dear Witch and Light (Surprisingly, they’re quite contrite)
To keep the carnival in motion A tapestry of lies was woven: A deal with the Hourglass Coven!
Who take from those who can’t afford Entrance through the Witchlight’s doors Miscellanea adored
So THAT’s who taken all your junk! Time to find these Hourglass punks! Which way to this Feywild dump?
But first we’ll make a brief aside So Candlefoot can vocalise His mermaid love (now legalised)
Now the pair can tie the knot And while we’re passing time why not Ride the fabled Bubble Pot?
Yet ere you all are translocated (Everybody’s breath now bated) Arix must be coronated!
The time of truth has come at last Hesitation as you pass Though the hallowed looking glass
Are you afraid to lose your minds? What lies ahead? What lies behind? What do you expect to find?
Will Skerrek ever fabricate? Or Holafina emulate A bunny’s median height and weight?
Shall Jexim’s memoirs find acclaim? Can Monty locate Bobbitt Fane? (…hang on, that’s a different game)
Does Arix ever find the door? And will Sylenos flee the cause To study unemployment law?
Dramatis Personae
Kettlesteam, a mischievous patron of Zybilna Paleesha, a mellifluous mermaid, now reunited with Candlefoot
Certain Things Were Said
“Sylenos, perhaps in eight years you can come back and find your lost employment.” - Skerrek
“Ask me where the exit is.” - Arix Specklefoot “Where is the exit?” - Mister Light “I don’t know.” - Arix

By popular demand, I guess...
I was kinda just being a smart-ass, but some of you wanted more so here it is: epilogues for every NPC as if they didn't continue to travel with Gorion's Ward and instead just decided to live their own life. Obviously, there are some implied alignment changes here.
This turned out to be longer than I expected and I kinda just threw it all together while I was working. Please excuse any typos or sloppy writing.
I want to apologize for one thing, though. Viconia's epilogue really only works if GW is a male, so I had to make that assumption for the sake of her story. If it matters any, I easily play just as many female GWs as I do male GWs. In fact, I probably play more female GWs because I don't care for the romances, frequently play the canon party, and want to nip the lame Jah romance in the bud.
But, to have them all in one place, I included my original smart-ass epilogues with the additional ones I created. Now, every character from BG1 and BG2 has an epilogue. I don't have the EE characters, though, because I play the original games and don't really know them.
So, just for funsies, which one is your favorite and why?
"Anomen continued to wait at the Copper Coronet for a party of adventurers willing to travel with him. Maybe it was the grating sound of his voice, or perhaps the way he leered at women, but he continued to remain alone. Eventually, he needed to find work to make ends meet. With Gorion's Ward having disbanded the slave traders and pit fights, Hendak had to find a new form of entertainment for the patrons. As such, he invented an all male review ladies night, and Anomen found work as a 'dancer'. He left the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart to join the less noble order of the pole. He also renounced his faith to Helm and instead allied himself with Waukeen because if you wanna see some groin, you gotta have some coin."
"Despite Gorion's Ward clearing the trolls from her keep, Nalia was not able to reclaim her lands and instead lost her estate to Lord Roenall. The lord offered to let her retain residence in her family's ancestral home, but only in exchange for her hand in marriage. Nalia found the proposition to be repugnant. Instead, she salvaged whatever wealth she could from her family's keep and moved to Athkatla to start a new life. She no longer helped the less fortunate, as she was now among their numbers and had her own problems. Nalia's lack of any practical skills combined with her sense of entitlement sent her into a life of failure followed by drinking and debauchery. She now spends more time back at the Copper Coronet than anywhere else. It is hard to say where she squanders her wealth more, the alcohol, or on the dancers during Ladies Night."
"After the incident with the Planar Sphere, Valygar was finally free of his past, could retire to his cabin, and pursue his true passion: writing. Ironically, the only inspiration he found ended up stemming from his family's checkered past. Valygar's only works that even had middling success were 'Tuesdays with Lavok' and 'Dude, Where's My Planar Sphere', with the latter being made into a production at the Five Flagoons Theater."
"Haer'Dalis continued to work as a performer at the Five Flagoons Theater. Unfortunately, it struggled due to poor management. It might have turned out better if an outside agent with fresh ideas had stepped in, but Gorion's Ward had better things to do than be a bard. While the work was generally steady, the returns were not great and the material was a little low-brow for Haer'Dalis' liking. The tiefling realized he reached rock bottom when he was cast as the lead in a play about a buffoon who apparently lost a plane-shifting apparatus the size of a small castle and had to find it before his parents returned from Neverwinter. After the opening night, he took his own life in his dressing room. His body was found the next morning with a note saying, 'Art is dead and I am art, so I shall join art in death.' Biff the Understudy stepped in for Haer'Dalis despite never having an opportunity to read the script. Nevertheless, the production was a resounding success and launched Biff's career to new heights."
“A heartbroken Garrick found work as a character actor at the Five Flagoons Theater, but eventually gained more success as a writer and director. He found it to be a mostly agreeable situation, aside from a tiefling primadonna who would constantly belittle his work and call it ”trite" and “drivel”. Fortunately, that situation worked itself out in time and Garrick found Biff to be much easier to direct. With the tiefling gone, his ideas had room to grow. He invented a new kind of love story, one where the protagonist doesn't always get the girl at the end but the journey to that ending would be quite amusing. He labeled this genre “the Comedy of Romance” and the works were mostly based on his own life. His plays were quite popular among the commoners, with his top selling shows being 'Sleepless in Saradush', 'Silverymoon Linings Playbook', and 'Crazy Rich Aasimars'. He eventually fully transitioned off the stage into the director's chair. By the peak of his fame, he was married to none other than Queen Ellesime."
“Aerie continued to work at the circus and WOULD NOT SHUT UP ABOUT HER DAMN WINGS. Even Quayle eventually grew sick of hearing about it. This put strain on their relationship. Things took a turn for the better when Ribald Barterman acquired a new curiosity for his shop. It was a magical ring which he sold to Quayle at a reduced rate out of sympathy. This ”treasure" was actually a cursed Ring of Deafness, which Quayle found to be anything but a curse and wore it for the rest of his days."
“Xzar and Montaron were both slain at the hands of the Athkatla Harpers, but this is actually where their story begins. Xzar, as he had done so many times before, had a backup plan of an arcane nature should death befall either he or the halfling. Their mortal essences were pulled to a pocket plane he created. There they could be channeled into restored bodies cloned at his estate. With this particular round of ritual, Xzar had incidentally made a slight error in the incantation and the two found themselves in a time suspended state in Xzar's pocket plane. It was only five minutes for the rest of the world, but it was fifty years for them. This turned out to be a pivot point in their relationship. Having only each other's company in this shadowy void, they were finally able to work out their feelings for each other. When they had returned to the prime material plane, they discovered their mutual animosity was replaced with love. Rather than pick up their life where they left off with the Zhentarim, they decided to pack it all in, moved to Bryn Shander, and start a bed and breakfast. Montaron rediscovered his halfling roots and love for the culinary arts while Xzar would perform seances to connect guests with their late loved ones. Scones and Bones became an overnight success and was consistently listed as a “must see” in Volo's travel guides. In their golden years, the couple co-wrote a memoir of their journey, ‘Brokeback Montaron’, which is sold in bookstores everywhere."
“After briefly crossing paths with Gorion's Ward, Mazzy Fentan continued her crusade as a de facto halfling paladin. She eventually found herself petitioning for membership at the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart in Athkatla after she had singlehandedly saved a village from an ancient dracolich. Despite the extent of her virtue and accomplishment, her petition was denied on the basis that halflings could not possibly be real paladins. This inspired her next crusade, one to break down vocational barriers for all demihuman races. Why couldn't halflings be paladins or dwarves be wizards? And why did gnomes always have to be illusionists? It simply made no goddamn sense. She began to get traction with her quest when she attended lectures by the wizards of the (sword) coast in Candlekeep. With their help, she ushered Faerun into a new edition era where there would be no vocational barriers for adventurers based on their race. Soon, the world began to see roguish halflings that also venerated Helm, while tending to the wilds as a druid. Half-orc bards also studied as wizards while manifesting natural arcane abilities as sorcerers. Tiefling paladins took their crusades to the wilderness and served as rangers, while sidelining as clergy to Mystra. The world was now a liberated place, free to not make any goddamn sense in a myriad of new ways. At one point, Lady Mazzy Fentan of Trademeet (now formally a paladin) crossed paths with a dwarven shadowdancebard and in that moment she regretted everything. Seriously, just take a moment and picture that. It would look fucking ridiculous.”
“Yeslick's clanhome was flooded once again. Despondent and without options, he took work at a smithy in Baldur's Gate but never stopped dreaming of finding both a clan and a home. He found a way to bring this dream to life after a courageous halfling paladin broke down the barriers for, among other things, dwarves to be wizards. Yeslick had an idea. He studied magic diligently until he was able to cast two spells of great importance: Water Breathing and Permanence. He then searched the lands for other clanless dwarves who would be willing to try something new. With the new clan he formed, Yeslick permanently gave all his fellow clansman the ability to breath underwater. They then moved into the flooded Cloakwood Mines and built the first underwater dwarven stronghold. Using his arcane powers, Yeslick also developed the ability to speak with the marine life that shared this stronghold. And, with that, the clan Aquadwarf was born. At one point, Valygar visited and wrote a play based on Yeslick's story. However, he couldn't even get it to stage at the Five Flagoons Theater. The illustrious director Garrick was quoted as saying, “A hero that can breath underwater and talk to fish? Nobody would go for that!"
“Keldorn finally retired from the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart and looked forward to a much simpler life. He rekindled his marriage with Lady Maria and life seemed to improve. It was rather early on when the couple discovered that Maria had become pregnant again. It was also not long after that when Peony, the housekeeper, also became pregnant. Maria started to ask Keldorn about this, but Keldorn started to get defensive and asked, ”Hey, who's the Inquisitor here?" Then Keldorn started to do the math with her to track the conception of Maria's pregnancy. She certainly did not want him to get to the end of that equation, so she quickly changed the subject. She suggested getting a new maid, but Keldorn chastised her for abandoning someone in their time of need who had been like family for years. He forbade Peony's departure claiming that his god, Torm, would not stand for it. Maria then made a passive aggressive comment about Torm being the god of loyalty, but she was mostly just muttering under her breath to get the last word in. Eventually, both children were born and had probably the most awkward upbringing of anyone in Faerun."
“After Gorion's Ward helped Coran take down a wyvern, the rogue brought the beast's head back to the mayor of Beregost for the reward and accolades. He thought this put him in a position to be a hero of great renown and perhaps, just maybe, people would stop mocking him for his flashy attire and completely superfluous eye mask. They didn't. He only gained acceptance when he crossed paths with a ranger who seemed indifferent towards Coran's keen fashion sense. Coran traveled the Sword Coast with his ranger sidekick, righting the wrongs against the ‘little guy’ and taking the law into their own hands when needed. This partnership dissolved when he discovered that the ranger thought Coran was the sidekick. As if! Coran tried to correct the ranger, whose argument was, 'Really, man, if that outfit doesn't scream sidekick then I'm Elminster's twin brother.' The ranger was not related to Elminster and shared no resemblance.
“Kivan never was able to get his revenge on Tazok. Unbeknownst to him, that honor was taken by Gorion's Ward. His thirst for vengeance continued to eat away at him until he found himself in a bat infested cave in the wilderness. It was then he snapped. He turned the cave into his secret hideaway, put together a disguise and started wandering the sword coast looking for evil-doers to punish. He would leave his calling card wherever he saved the day, a token of a bat with longer ears like an elf. And bats already had rather long ears so these bat ears were almost comically obtrusive. Nevertheless, his deeds were generally appreciated and the people stared calling him Bat-elf. For a short spell, another elf tagged along with him and tried to help, but he was so flamboyantly dressed that one could pick his sidekick out of the shadows blindfolded. Kivan eventually had to send him on his way. Unfortunately, his vigilante crusade abruptly ended after receiving a cease and decist order from DC Comics. Kivan could fight both monster and marauder all day, but his 14 Constitution wouldn't hold up against a lawsuit for trademark infringement.”
“Skie was deeply affected by both the death of her brother and the assassination of her father. And yes, her father was actually murdered and didn't lol-jk back to life in some crappy DLC. In any event, through these traumas, she came to realize the puerility of what she thought was her brilliant criminal masterminding. Instead, she decided to settle down and live a more responsible life as an upstanding citizen of Baldur's Gate. She took the reins of her father's estate after his death and rose to prominence as one of the Grand Dukes of the city. She maintained her relationship with Eldoth for quite some time, inexplicably, as he refused to get a job because he didn't want to take attention from his band which he swore was going to make it. However, the bard spent most of the day either lounging at Skie’s estate or gambling away his allowance with games of three-dragon-ante at the Helm and Cloak. Eventually, inspired by the book “Men Are From Menzoberranzan, Women Are From Immilmar," she decided to call it quits with Eldoth and sent him packing. Shortly thereafter, she met a man who was nothing like Eldoth and they settled down together to start a family."
“Eldoth's dreams of being a world-famous musician fronting the greatest band in Faerun never reached fruition. This was partly because he didn't actually have a band and partly because he didn't have the talent to write music. Instead, he just had a lute he purchased at Lucky Aello's Discount Store that only had one A-string and was missing the E-string. Also, Eldoth could only play power chords and he couldn't really sing and play at the same time. Most of the time he would just strum a chord or two and then talk about what the song would do next, often describing a solo and half playing it on an ”air lute" (while he was still holding an actual lute, mind you) to give people the idea as to how the song would sound when it was finally written. Yeah, he was one of those guys. After Skie kicked him to the curb, he bounced between various barmaids who clearly had low self-esteem, but not low enough to keep him around for long. Eventually, he got one of them pregnant and was forced into a shotgun wedding by the barmaid's father. He now works in the kitchen at the same inn as his barmaid wife. She helps the customers up front and he cooks eggs in the back. Eldoth continues to tell himself that this experience will just provide inspiration for his music and that someday he was going to get the band back together."
“After being rescued by Gorion's Ward, Xan made his way to Baldur's Gate to regroup. He spent an inordinate amount of time beating himself up over his failures and trying to muster the gumption to continue his quest to unravel the political turmoil of the region. However, it took him months to get to this point, and by that time, Gorion's Ward already sorted out the problems in the region. Discovering this, he deemed himself a failure yet again and sunk into a deeper depression. He pulled himself out of it when he met a woman who lost most of her family to violent deaths during the iron crisis, yet she still kept herself together and became a local success in a few short years. Xan immediately fell in love with the recently single Skie Silvershield and began to court her. They eventually married and started a family. At Xan's insistence, and inspired by his wife's name, their two daughters were named Sunshine and Rainbow. Xan was a staunch supporter of his wife's career and stayed home to raise the kids. When they were older and needed less attending, he followed a new dream and became a motivational speaker.”
“Korgan had his revenge against his backstabbing crew and employer, but he felt...empty. It was done, but he felt no satisfaction. Disgruntled and disappointed, he decided to lose himself in his cups at the Copper Coronet. Even this did nothing to alleviate his malaise. One night, having passed out drunk in a peasant room at the Copper Coronet, he dreamt of that final fight but something was different. In the background of the battle, there was a glow coming from the door of a shack and he heard the whispering of a language that sounded like it was from Kara-Tur. When he woke the next morning, Korgan returned to the rooftop and found the shack from his dream. He knocked and was greeted by a priest of Illmater. Korgan told the priest of his dream and he was led into the backroom where he found a man from Kara-Tur infirm and huddled over a cup of tea. The priest explained that he had just reincarnated this man of the faith using a heart delivered by a passing adventurer. Korgan took this as a sign, converted to the faith, and the two paired up to help those in suffering as a result of the schemes of others. The tales of Korgan and Yoshimo were not only told in many of a tavern by the bards, but also collected in graphic serials that were popular among the children of Athkatla.”
“Ajantis' death sent him into an afterlife at Everwatch, the realm of Helm. For his honor and diligence, the devout knight was granted an audience with his patron. Ajantis then told Helm what utter bullshit the god was. I mean, c'mon, he's the god of protection, the Vigilant One, and he couldn't protect a group of knights from a dragon's cheap illusion spell that a mage even tried to dispel with True Sight? It was like Helm wasn't even trying. Helm was stunned by the confrontation but also had no valid defense. Ajantis called Helm to a trial that was mediated by Tyr. After careful deliberation, Tyr determined that Helm was sleeping on the job and the judgment was to demote him to a lesser deity. Now, Helm was the patron of guards, but not actual guards that ever see action, just the ceremonial ones whose weapons and armor are super shiny and probably not even real. Ajantis was then granted Helm's old portfolio and became a god that truly protected his followers.”
“Viconia left Athkatla's government district perplexed. She was rescued from burning at the stake by Gorion's Ward and then immediately dismissed. She found this to be unusual behavior for a male. She was accustomed to men either trying to bed her or kill her, but this casual indifference was completely new. Viconia came to be obsessed with Gorion's Ward from a distance. She spiraled into a fantasy where the two of them had a future together. It was pretty bad. There were some extremely embarrassing vision boards involved and that wasn't even the worst of it. When her mania reached critical mass, her obsession actually collapsed and she had an epiphany. She came to realize that she did not need this man, or any for that matter. She started on a journey of self discovery and took a moral inventory of her past relationships. She wrote about it in the book, “Men Are From Menzoberranzan, Women Are From Immilmar”. She then used the revenue from the book sales to open Athkatla's first feminist bookstore. In Her Words became a mecca for women, particularly those who felt trapped in bad relationships. The community that emerged here created the group, Friends of Galia, which strove to free women from abusive relationships. Eventually, the bookstore expanded to include an apartment block above that became a shelter for such women. Occasionally, the partners of these victims would come around to In Her Words in an attempt to drag their partners back home. You can probably guess how a confrontation between a drunken 0-level commoner and a Drow priestess of Shar ends."
“Faldorn was defeated by Jaheira in Trademeet and lost her title of Arch-Druid. In truth, she was relieved to be relieved of the position. Years of pushing forward the Shadow Druid agenda led Faldorn to realize that she had lost touch with the real Faldorn along the way. After some soul-searching, she reinvented herself as a lifestyle guru and developed an entire line of organic health and beauty products under the name, She-Wolf. Both her products and seminars were all the rage in Athkatla, specifically among noblewomen who clearly had too much free time. Faldorn eventually gave up her residence in natural environs for a lavish estate in Athkatla's government district. Her following soon pressured her to petition to join the Council of Six after the fall of the Cowled Wizards left the position open (aside from a short-term replacement). Her petition was a success and she soon found herself on the Council of Six. Under her leadership, she created created the FDAA, the Food and Drink Association of Athkatla. Now, instead of draconian rules governing magic in the city, equally restrictive rules and standards were applied to the food and drink that the people consumed.”
“Barely surviving being gravely wounded by Irenicus, Tiax left Spellhold for Athkatla where he intended to do what he did best: rule. Learning from his past campaign mistakes in Baldur's Gate, he changed his slogan from ”Tiax Rules!" to “Make Athkatla Great Again”. Of course, what he thought would make Athkatla great was putting himself in charge as a despotic leader. But, he toned down that aspect of his platform and instead focused on the history of scheming and backroom dealing of the Cowled Wizards (as if he was any less evil or scheming) and promised the people he would be different than all the other corrupt politicians. Miraculously, despite his obviously apparent character flaws, he succeeded in replacing the Cowled Wizards' representative on the Council of Six. He decided to take their stance on restrictive magic to the next level and banned magic entirely. Since he didn't study the arcane himself, it was no skin of his nose. This move undermined his support base leaving him with only the most backwards and ignorant followers. He was ultimately removed from his position when he insisted the city build a wall around the planar sphere and was expecting that the city's wizards would be the ones to pay for it. After his removal, his few remaining extreme supporters organized an invasion of the main government building under the guise of freedom of assembly. All nine of these “rebels” were rounded up, tried, and sent to prison. Tiax was convicted of treason and reincarnated in Spellhold, which was now just a common prison. After his eventual release, he was prohibited from seeking any position of power in Amn."
"Edwin Odesseiron continued to lay low with the Shadow Thieves for a while. The Cowled Wizards suffered a crippling blow as a side effect of the conflict between Gorion's Ward and Irenicus. Edwin decided to step in and finish the job. His thought was that he could wipe out the Cowled Wizard remnants and then take credit for their defeat, thereby gaining him more clout among the Red Wizards of Thay. After many conspicuous mage battles in the streets of Athkatla, he succeeded. However, the people who noticed his efforts the most were actually the people of Athkatla. They were tired of living under the Cowled Wizards' iron fist and Edwin was lauded as a liberator and hero. He even had a statue in his image raised in Waukeen's Promenade. Edwin was initially nonplussed over people finally giving him the credit he always felt he so rightfully deserved. But, he quickly came to accept their praise and bought in to being a champion for the people. Edwin continued his agenda of liberation when a clearly insane gnome who found his way on the Council of Six tried to ban magic entirely in the city. Edwin and his followers were primarily responsible for having the madman removed from his seat.
“Shar-Teel, Safana, Branwen, and Alora all happened to cross paths with each other at Elfsong one evening. Shar-Teel was looking to fight a man, Safana was looking to shag a man, Branwen was recently petrified by a man, and Alora was just excited to be somewhere new. The four got to talking with each other and, despite having wildly different personalities, seemed to hit it off. Shar-Teel was sarcastic and aggressive, Safana was self-absorbed and man-hungry, Alora was kind and sweet, and Branwen was the matriarch of the group. You wouldn't think this lot would get along, but they actually did, and their differences merely become the fuel for innocuous hi-jinks week after week.”
"With Gorion's Ward's help, Cernd was able to rescue his child that he then abandoned again at the druid grove near Trademeet. He promised that he would return to raise the child, he just needed to run to the general shop in Trademeet for some pipeweed. He never returned, but that was pretty obvious since he didn’t even smoke. Cernd continued to wander Faerun. It came to light in Cormyr that Cernd had actually married, and had children, with numerous women in Cormyr, Amn, the Sword Coast, Tethyr, Calimshan, Turmish, Halruaa, Icewind Dale, Chondath, Sembia, Impiltur, the Silver Marches, and even the Troll Hills (don't ask). Furthermore, it was discovered that Cernd was not actually a druid, just a werewolf that had a Ring of Goodberries. The druid con was so that he could have a reason to abandon his wives and children and move on to a new situation. You would be surprised at how many women could fall for a guy that can conjure an impromptu picnic in the park. Unfortunately for Cernd, Cormyr was not the kind of place to run afoul of the legal system. For the crime of bigamy, he was sentenced to life in prison. He never set foot near a druid grove again, but he was allowed to participate in a work-release program tending to the gardens of nobles.
“Kagain returned to his shop and grew even more bitter, but not over what the death of Entar Silvershield's son had done to his reputation and business. Instead, he resented that even the Enhanced Edition of the game didn't give him a remotely decent companion quest. By Moradin's hammer, Cernd even had a pretty involved companion quest and the story there both starts and ends with a deadbeat dad! Also, Kagain can regenerate! Korgan can't even do that. And another thing! He was sick of people confusing the two of them as if all dwarves look alike or something. Ok, granted, they're both old dwarves with greying beards, but Korgan's beard is tied while Kagain's beard is brushed out. Of course, none of this made sense to anyone, even to Kagain who never actually crossed paths with Cernd or Korgan. However, the dwarf had nothing to do with his time except stand in his shop, isolated and alone, until he was done in by insanity and plantar fasciitis.”
“The death of Khalid shook Jaheira to the core. She convinced herself that she could never love again, certainly not so soon after his death nor with anyone that would be a child in her eyes. That would be absurd and rather tacky. After her escape from Irenicus' prison and deposing Faldorn from the druid grove, she took over as Arch-Druid. Being a Harper just wouldn't be the same without Khalid. However, the grove would allow her to explore a new, but comfortingly familiar, phase of life. She had barely been installed as the Arch-Druid when Cernd dropped off his child and disappeared again. He did not even stay long enough to tell Jaheira the child's name. Knowing he would likely not return, she named the child Khalid after her lost love. Realizing there were other children our there without families to care for them, Jahaeira would send her subordinates to wander nearby lands and bring them to the grove for a better life. Perhaps not surprisingly, many of these children happened to be Cernd's. She eventually renamed the grove to Kinder Garden in honor of the grove's new purpose of giving these children a kinder upbringing. Jaheira's headstrong personality served her well with these lost children, who all loved her as they would any mother. The Kinder Garden became the most thriving druid grove in all of Faerun. Jaheira eventually died in 1547 DR, with hundreds of children haven been rescued in her lifetime, and a memorial was erected in her honor at the grove. The inscription read, 'Nature's Servant Awaits.'"
“After being freed from Irenicus' dungeon, Minsc put his boots on the ground at the Copper Coronet. Being the simple man that he was, he found himself unwittingly recruited into fighting in the gladiator pits (before Gorion's Ward was able to free the slaves). Yet again, Minsc took a blow to the head. But this time, its effects were something completely new. No longer was he the slow-witted evil-slaying ranger, armed to the teeth and packing a hamster. Instead, his intelligence and wisdom started to blossom and he explored, through dissertation, the impact of modern civilization on the overall ecosystem of Faerun. Indeed, before Minsc started his work, the people of Faerun didn't even have the concept of an ”ecosystem". He left Athkatla to pursue a residency at Jaheira's grove where he could study and work in peace. He published works like, “The Intersection of Geopolitics and Biodiversity: Living More but Dying Sooner”, “The Essential Symbiosis Between the Savage and Civilization”, and “Moral Urbanization: Seeking a More Comprehensive Prosperity”. Minsc continued his studies and writing and ultimately produced enough groundbreaking works to have his own annex in Candlekeep. It was shortly after the dedication of this annex that Minsc disappeared from Faerun, never to be seen again."
“Jan Jansen's fate was the most impressive of all as his endeavors shaped the very fabric of Faerun for centuries to come. His story truly serves as a moral lesson for everyone and we should heed its virtue quite seriously. Helping Lissa and Jaella planted a seed of regret in Lissa with regards to her marriage to Vaelag. Speaking of seeds, this reminds Jan of a time when he was helping his Uncle Scratchy with his turnip farm. However, Uncle Scratchy was hoodwinked and the seeds he received were actually purple carrot seeds. You can imagine Uncle Scratchy's surprise when they sprouted and he suddenly had a field of purple carrots. Well, as you probably know, you can't make turnip stew, or turnip casserole, or turnip pie with purple carrots. But it just so happened there was a mage tower nearby and the resident mage needed a vast number of carrots. Apparently, her plan was to animate them as a kind of vegetable army to combat a myconid infestation in cave system rather close to her tower. Of course, animated carrots are quite self-assured and were immune to myconoid's confusion spores. Anyway, Jan had a once-removed cousin, Bobil, that was lost in those caves when he was a young gnome. He had wandered so deep that he found himself in the den of a solitary xvart who was obsessed with a magic ring. Bobil happened to purloin that ring but it turned out to not be magic at all. However, it was still worth enough for Bobil to buy himself a nice cottage in Trademeet. He then started his own turnip farm and had better luck than Uncle Scratchy. Wait, what were we talking about, again?”
“Boo continued his mission to study the sentient life forms of Faerun and determine their potential impact on the metaverse. He preferred the continued company of Minsc due to the ranger's kindness and protectiveness. Boo found this to be quite valuable in his current miniaturized state. Even after Minsc's accident, where his intellect began to expand, Minsc never lost his good heart and inherent kindness and the two remained the best of friends. It was a number of years later that the term of Boo's mission was complete. A team of his fellow people arrived on a spelljammer to collect the giant miniaturized space hamster. Minsc (and Boo) were on a retreat in a remote part of the Neverwinter Wood when a vessel shaped like a giant acorn landed in a nearby clearing. A number of human-sized anthropomorphic hamster-like beings, who called themselves the Ysoki, emerged and met with Boo. One had a strange crystalline device which it used to restore Boo to his proper size. Minsc naturally remained composed while all this was happening. He and Boo talked often and he knew this day would be coming. Boo returned to the spelljammer with his brethren to debrief on the mission. The Ysoki wanted to bring a sample back to their homeworld for further learning and study. Boo offered Minsc for the task, as the exemplar human would fit in nicely with the Ysoki's advanced culture and society. Everyone was in agreement and made the offer to the ranger. Minsc felt like he had made every contribution he could to the people of Faerun, so he accepted and boarded the ship. Boo, excited to finally be on a spelljammer again, took the helm and plotted a course for his homeworld. At his side sat his friend and faithful companion, Minsc.”

So here I want to talk about what the teaser trailer did and didn't reveal regarding sauron/annatar. First thing revealed was that during the fall of eregion Charlie vickers shows basically looking like halbrand except for the long blonde hair and the pointy ears. Second thing revealed was that when sauron/annatar first enters eregion he does so in a way that makes him appear angelic in nature making it probable but not certain that he will present himself as a servant of the valar. Here is the main thing the teaser didn't reveal....it didn't show a clear shot of annatar in eregion before its fall. All we got was basically a silhouette bathed in angelic light.
So now I will list some possibilities for how it will be handled.
First possibility is that there will indeed be a different actor who plays annatar in eregion before it is sacked. He will have blonde hair and elf ears but won't be played by Charlie vickers. As for Charlie vickers physical appearance during the sack of eregion, well that could be a merging of the appearance of annatar in eregion during the forging of seven and nine rings with the appearance of halbrand. And that is basically the look sauron goes for during the sack of eregion...halbrand face and annatar ears and hair. At the end of the day this theory assumes that the showrunners are still attempting to throw people off in terms of who plays annatar at eregion during the forging of the seven and the nine. You have to admit that it's weird that the showrunners put so much effort to throw people off the scent of annatar by putting out false rumours about gavi Singh and calum lynch and then they just go ahead and reveal in the teaser trailer that Charlie vickers is annatar during the forging of the rest of the rings.
Another possibility is that Charlie vickers plays annatar in season 2 in eregion during the forging of the remaining rings but his face is constantly obscured by the angelic light and therefore the only thing celebrimbor can see is the silhouette including the long blonde hair and the pointy ears.
Another possibility is that annatar during the forging of the seven and the nine is indeed as we see him during the fall of eregion. And the whole point of him having long elvish hair and pointy ears despite keeping the halbrand face is that he wants to show celebrimbor that he is no mere man and is instead an angelic being who has been sent by the valar. This scenario is contingent on celebrimbor never being told that halbrand was indeed sauron. It is also contingent on elrond and Galadriel not being in eregion while he is convincing celebrimbor to forge more rings.
Final theory on this issue for now is that Charlie vickers plays annatar during the forging of the remaining rings. He has blonde hair and pointy ears. You can see his face but they will use make up and cgi to make his face pretty much unrecognisable. They then stop altering the look of his face during the fall of eregion so that celebrimbor can see he has been duped.
In all the theories I have presented here I am assuming that annatar will present himself as an angelic emissary of the valar during the forging of the remaining rings.
Let me be clear these are theories. I don't pretend that they are spoilers or leaks. Also the fact that I came up with these theories doesn't mean that I like them nor does it mean that I dislike them. They are just possibilities I am putting out there. If you have your own theories about how this will be portrayed by all means I encourage you to post them here.

be me; ex LizarDM
be also me; Adonis Valintellis (Tiefling Paladin), Thalia Milakos (Human Ranger) and Zaahir Kehmet (Earth Genasi Wizard)
the soldier stifled a yawn as he patrolled the sandy beaches of Kalikos
clouds hid the island from the moon’s spectral glow, casting the land into darkness and turning the often silver seas black as coal
his shift had been a long one and just as boring as expected
where once his mind had been sharp and alert, it now lingered on thoughts of a cold drink and a warm bed
his eyes scanned the shore superficially, passing over the same stones and grassy knolls he’d seen a hundred times before
on any other night, he may have noticed the discrepancies in the shoreline
the new rock that appeared almost boat-like on second glance
but alas, his mind was a thousand miles away, and the javelin hit him without warning
the soldier collapsed to his knees, gasping for air like a fish on land
his armour had spared him from the worst of the damage, but the javelin had done its job
stunned and winded, he was rendered defenceless against the four figures that emerged from the darkness
a thought crossed his mind to sound the alarm; but his limbs refused to move and his lungs pleaded for breath
one member of the pack split from the rest. A stout dwarf with a full beard and a grim expression
they approached the helpless man, drawing a sharply curved short sword from their belt
the soldier tried to move
tried to yell
but the dwarf closed the distance between them and cut his throat, putting a violent end to his struggles
wiping the blood clean from his weapon, Oryk hauled the body behind cover before jogging to catch up with his companions
the Order of the Twins moved like shadows in the night. Their passage muffled by the spells woven about their feet
that said, their infiltration still proved easier than expected
skirting the edges of the island, the party avoided common paths and watchful eyes; slipping between gaps in the meagre defences they encountered
their route took them just below the peak of the island; where a lavish home stared out across the ocean
in the distance, tiny twinkling lights just barely outlined the Athosi mainland
the house itself was lit up like a beacon in the night, and roaming globules of fire identified the few guards on rotation. Six or seven at most
less than a third of what they had anticipated
counting their blessings, the small band of adventurers navigated the narrow pathways around the house and approached the island’s southern side, where a lonely dirt road wound its way towards a grove of trees
they moved swiftly and silently through the long grass that grew on either side, but they needn’t have bothered
the road was unguarded, and the entrance to the grove lay bare
“this is too easy,” Cyrene whispered; fidgeting nervously with an iron band around her wrist. “Where are the rest of the guards?”
she, like the rest of her companions, had a dishevelled look to her appearance
a thinness to her features that implied more than a couple missed meals
Oryk shot her a stern look, and the half orc immediately shut her mouth
turning his gaze to the two half elves to his rear, he was answered with obedient silence
Maia had always been thin, but now she was practically gaunt
her eyes carried a weight, and an ugly scar split her lip on the left side
Iris, her sister, had once identified herself with long curly hair
now, it was cut short, and crudely so. As if done with an altogether uncaring hand
both twins wore the same iron band as Cyrene around their left wrist
a thin piece of metal that coiled around their limb like a snake
with a commanding wave of his hand, Oryk led the party through the grove’s northern entrance and into the trees beyond
moving like ghosts between the thin trunks and shallow underbrush, the group made good progress before they heard the sudden snap of a twig in the darkness
Oryk raised a fist and the advance came to an abrupt stop, scanning their surroundings with tense expressions
a series of soft whispers drifted between the trees, accompanied by the rustling of leaves and groaning of branches
the dwarven fighter drew his sica and his companions complied, unsheathing their weapons in response
they began to spot lithe, feminine figures peering out at them from behind the trees. Staring at the strangers with bright, emerald eyes
the women had skin like mottled bark, and hair that plumed about them like foliage
“dryads,” Cyrene declared, lowering her rhomphaia with the faintest hint of relief
Iris and Maia exchanged a look before lowering their own weapons, albeit keeping them close at hand
Oryk, however, raised his short sword threateningly, and pointed it at the nearest nature spirit
“get back in your trees and stay there. Interfere, and we will not hesitate to kill you”
the dryad in question retreated, but the others stood their ground as a frantic whispering filled the trees around them
something dangerous glimmered in Oryk’s eyes, and his fingers tightened around the hilt of his sica
“NOW!” he suddenly bellowed, his voice deep and commanding
the drayds scattered into the trees, leaving a myriad of foul curses and even fouler odours in their wake
Oryk gave a satisfied grunt and turned to leave, only to nearly walk into the dryad that now stood in his way
a spirit with speckled, ashy skin and a stern, stubborn expression
Oryk approached them with his weapon raised
“get out of my way,” he growled. “I won’t ask a third time”
the dryad stared down at him like a disapproving adult would a petulant child, and when it spoke, it did so with a voice like wind through a canopy
“if you were wise, you would return to your masters. You will not find what you seek here”
its eyes lifted to the party, as if directing its words to them
with a snarl, Oryk swiped at the dryad, only to be met by a cloud of pollen and stinging nettles
cursing aloud between bouts of frantic coughing, the dwarf fled the swarm and started rubbing his eyes, which had already begun streaming with tears
muttering under her breath, Cyrene approached his side and laid a hand on his shoulder
“come now, let me see”
lowering his hands to his side, Oryk turned to face her with a grimace, his eyes puffy and red
“Archons above, Oryk,” Cyrene cursed. “You should know better than to taunt a dryad”
as the words left her mouth, the band on her wrist suddenly tightened and the half orc gave a small yelp of pain
glaring at her through bloodshot eyes, Oryk gave the cleric a venomous look
“and you should know better than to speak out of line”
Cyrene’s hands fumbled at the metal around her wrist, refusing to meet the dwarf’s cruel gaze
the cuff continued to coil and squeeze; writhing like a living being as Cyrene frantically whispered a foreign chant beneath her breath
the words seemed to appease the magic item, and it loosened its grip in response
witnessing this cruel display of discipline, the twins began unconsciously massaging the band around their own wrists; as if reminiscing on a similar experience
shaking the pain from her arm, Cyrene set to work curing Oryk’s ailment, uttering a slew of healing spells
with his eyesight restored, Oryk sheathed his weapon and pushed past Cyrene, wandering into the trees
with little other choice other than to follow, the group set off after him
the party walked for some time before a sound other than buzzing insects and murmured curses reached their ears
a low, rumbling that echoed through the trees. Like a dull droning that came in ebbs and flows
once more the group came to a stop, and before Oryk could even turn to look towards the twins, they had already begun to move
creeping forward with the lightest of footsteps, Maia and Iris stealthily approached the sound, deftly avoiding any stray branches or betraying stones
the droning grew louder and louder, until the pair had stopped just shy of its source
peering around a trunk with sharp blue eyes, Maia scanned what lay ahead
the trees parted around an ancient oak, its roots deep and its branches tall
a hollow sat about half way up the trunk. A small opening just wide enough to put a hand or two inside
but the tree was not so interesting as what lay beneath
coiled around the trunk was a creature with a long, serpentine body
its scales, green and flecked with brown, were hard and interlocked like shields in a phalanx
its head, immense and filled with razor sharp teeth, lay curled just below the hollow of the tree
the low rumbling emanated from the monster’s chest, as it uttered a long, prolonged snore
Maia’s jaw tightened and her eyes flitted over to her sister
Iris’ face had gone pale, and her hand had instinctively dropped to grab at the empty sheath on her belt
a prize taken by their employer
the twins locked eyes, and shared a moment of profound fear
wetting her suddenly very dry lips, Maia gestured back towards the trees and Iris nodded in silent agreement
the two stealthily retreated, keeping their footsteps light all the way back to their comrades
Oryk almost jumped when the twins materialised beside him, emerging from the darkness without warning
“well?” he hissed, his voice rising above the droning snores. “What did you find?”
Iris frantically gestured for the dwarf to quiet down, as Maia shot a terrified glance back in the direction of the oak tree
only when they heard the low droning of the monster’s snores did the pair relax enough to answer
“dragon”
the word held in the air like a curse
Cyrene’s eyes widened, and had it not been for the band on her wrist, she most certainly would have uttered a prayer
even Oryk’s permanently affixed scowl faded as the blood drained from his face
when he finally spoke, he did so with no semblance of his usual condescension
“...how big?”
“8 meters,” Iris answered. “No more than 12”
Oryk nodded, his brow knitting together as he dropped into a crouch
“a juvenile,” he thought aloud. “Hasn’t reached full adulthood. Scorch marks?”
“none that we could see”
“good. Then either it’s too young to breathe fire, or it spits poison”
his eyes narrowed to points as he mulled things over in his head
the group kept quiet, forced to listen to the distant, droning snores as their leader considered their options
after a long stretch of time, Oryk took a sharp inhale and straightened his posture
“it’s asleep?”
his eyes shifted to Maia, and the half elf tensed
“we think so but…”
“we don’t know for certain,” Iris quickly interrupted. “We’ve never encountered a dragon before. We should call off the mission and come back more prepared”
a deadly silence fell over the group as the dwarf went still
“call off the mission?” he repeated
his voice was calm, but the words held a distinct edge to them
like the blade of a meticulously sharpened knife
“and since when did you make the calls in this party?”
Maia shot her sister a look, and Iris lowered her eyes
“never,” she answered
“that’s right. Never,” Oryk reiterated, holding the half elf in his steely gaze. “We do things my way, as we always have”
Iris’ clamped her mouth shut and the dwarvish fighter turned to look at his other companions
“unless you have all forgotten what awaits us if we fail? What will happen if we come back empty handed?”
he was met with silence and a slow shake of Cyrene’s head
“failure isn’t an option,” he continued. “If the drakon is asleep, we need to act now”
his gaze shifted to Maia
“so can you do what I need you to?”
the half elf swallowed and tried to slow her racing heartbeat
“I think so,” she meekly answered
“good. The rest of us will wait in position. We’ll flank the tree from three sides and-”
“-I’ll do it,” Iris suddenly interjected
Oryk’s teeth flashed in a grimace before he turned to face her
“I’ll retrieve the objective,” Iris clarified, meeting the dwarf’s gaze
“Maia is quieter,” Oryk bluntly retorted. “She stands a better chance of getting to the tree than you do”
“but with my magic-”
“-your magic that we need for the escape,” he interrupted. “We have a plan, stick to it”
he turned back to the front and began drawing out a rough plan in the dirt with his sica
“-while Maia sneaks in, we hold here to provide support. Once we have what we came for, we leave back through the northern exit”
Iris’ eye twitched, and Maia reached out to drop a hand on her sister’s arm
“Iris-” she quietly started
but her warning went unheeded, and Iris spoke up again
“what’s the point of saving my magic if we don’t get what we came for?” she argued
Oryk spun with a stormy expression, pointing his blade to her chest
“because I said so!” he snapped. “And you will do what you’re told!”
he may have stood half a head shorter than Iris, but in that moment, Oryk felt like a giant, and in the silence of the trees, his voice sounded like a clap of thunder
Iris’ face paled and Oryk realised what he had done
instinctively, the party held their breath; anticipating a monstrous roar, or the crash of falling trees
but after a few tense seconds, all they heard was the rhythmic rumbling of distant snores
the group letting out a collective sigh of relief that cut through the tension like a knife
tension that returned the moment Oryk opened his mouth
“do you want to be sent across the Chronaean?” he hissed. “Do you want to leave your sister alone?”
Iris’ eyes shifted to Cyrene, searching for some glimmer of support
instead, the half orc looked away, leaving the half elf to face their leader alone
“of course I don’t,” Iris mumbled
“exactly,” Oryk spat. “Stay in line, do what you’re told, and keep your mouth shut”
he turned to Maia with an expression that encouraged absolute obedience
“get the objective, and get out. Nod if you understand”
Maia gave a slight jerk of her head
“good. Now get moving”
the dwarf stormed off into the trees, and Cyrene quickly shot up to follow him
Maia and Iris exchanged a look of resignation before joining their trusted comrades

Maia stood in position by the edge of the clearing, mentally projecting her path to and from the hollow
it was a simple job, really
dart across the open ground
jump up to the low branch on the left side
climb over to the main trunk
grab the objective
and do it all again
simple
if it weren’t for the dragon in the way
Maia's heart began to pound in her chest until she felt a hand fall gently across her arm
she turned, meeting Iris' concerned gaze
“you don’t have to do this,” her sister whispered; practically breathing the words into Maia’s ear
“yes I do,” Maia answered, keeping her voice just as quiet. “You heard Oryk. We can’t go back empty handed”
“f*ck Oryk,” Iris cursed. “We’re only here because of him”
in spite of herself, a grim smile lifted the corner of Maia’s lips
it was a rare thing to hear Iris curse
“we could run, you know. Make a break for the mainland”
Maia’s smile dropped in an instant
“Iris, no”
“why not?” Iris replied earnestly. “We can make it. I know we can”
“they’ll catch us. And even if they don’t, what then? We’ve got nowhere to hide. No friends to help us. We’d be on our own”
“we’ve been alone before. We survived, didn’t we?”
Iris’ words were hopeful, but they couldn’t hide the desperation beneath
when Maia didn’t seem convinced, Iris took her sister’s face into her hands
“please don’t do this. I can’t lose you”
Maia’s eyes softened, and she placed her hands atop Iris’
“that’s why I have to do this”
she took a deep breath and tried to put on a half convincing smile
“you don’t have to worry about me. I’ve got this. I promise”
Iris’ thumb traced the scar across her sister’s lip
“I’m older. It’s my job to worry about you”
a frown fell across Maia’s face
“older by 10 minutes”
“and I’ll never let you forget it”
Iris pulled her sister into a tight hug
“don’t you dare get yourself caught”
“when have I ever?”
the two reluctantly parted, and Iris held her sister at an arm’s length
“remember. Once you have it-”
“-run like the Hounds of Chaon are after me”
a smile touched Iris’ lips, and the shadows rose up to swallow her
when they parted, the monk was gone
inhaling a slow, shaky breath, Maia composed herself, and refocused on the tree
30ft to the centre
branch on the left side
over the dragon
down to the hollow
reverse and get out
she exhaled slowly, letting the shake fade from her breath
she had this
Maia broke from the tree line, moving in a swift but stealthy manner
every step carefully laid. Every movement intentional
the dragon’s snores rumbled like thunder, growing louder with each step
before she knew it, she was beneath the low branch
taking a quick stutter step to gain momentum, she threw herself upwards, catching the branch with both hands
thankfully, the branch held firm, and Maia swung her legs up and around it
shimmying along inch by inch, she drew closer to the trunk itself, inadvertently holding her breath as she passed over the sleeping body of the dragon
its breath reeked up close. Like spoiled fruit and vinegar
it took all her strength not to gag
before she knew it, she was at the trunk of the tree and at the next step of her plan
hoisting herself up to a crouched position, she flattened her body against the side of the trunk and began sliding her foot along its length
eventually, she found a suitable foothold and began clambering across to a more central position
the hollow was just beneath her now
and beneath that, the massive head of the dragon
this close, she realised just how easily such a creature could snap her up
with her small frame, she’d be gone in one or two bites
pushing such morbid thoughts out of her mind, she leaned down until her head and arm were low enough to reach inside the hollow
her lungs were beginning to burn from holding her breath for so long, but she dared not exhale
she wasn't sure how good a dragon's senses were, but she wasn't keen to find out either
reaching her arm into the hollow, her fingers touched loose leaves and knotted wood
she pushed a little deeper, searching for any sign of her prize
something cold
something metal
but instead, she felt the hard back of the hollow
frowning, she pressed again, but still felt only the rear of the hollow
had she somehow missed it?
her fingers scrambled around, but continued to feel only wood and leaves
her lungs were really burning now, and she could feel her face flushing with colour from being upside down
regardless, she removed her arm and leaned her head down further, trying to peer inside
in the black gloom of a moonless night, a human wouldn’t have been able to see a thing
but even with her enhanced elvish sight, Maia was granted only the slightest advantage
just enough to make out the shape of the interior and the contents within
dried leaves
knotted wood
a couple insect husks
and nothing else
sure she had somehow made a mistake, she looked again and again
but with each scan, the truth became undeniable
“you will not find what you seek, here”
the dryad’s words echoed in Maia’s head, and with a cold sense of dread, she realised that the spirit hadn’t been speaking rhetorically
the amulet wasn’t here
and with that realisation, Maia’s lungs could hold on no longer
her breath escaped all at once, her awkward position driving the air out in an undignified huff
she clamped a hand over her mouth, but the damage had been done
she had made a sound, however small, and already her breath was mixing with the cool air
time slowed to a crawl as the dragon’s snores came to a stop
she watched in terror as its head, mere inches below her, began to stir
its nostrils flared; drawing breath with a deep, rasping inhale, and its eyes rolled in their sockets
the dragon’s jaws cracked open, revealing a black, forked tongue and rows of fetid teeth
rancid breath assaulted Maia’s senses, making her stomach turn and her head spin
she waited for the creature to open its eyes
to see the tiny morsel dangling helplessly above it
but they never did
to her greatest relief, the dragon remained asleep and blissfully unaware of her presence
relief swiftly turned to dismay, however, as the dragon proceeded to shift; its scales rippling like water across its long, serpentine body
the tree shook violently as the monster scraped against its surface, shearing away bark and causing branches to groan and sway
wrapping her arms around whatever she could find, Maia clung desperately as the shaking threatened to throw her loose
after what felt like an eternity, the vibrations mercifully ended, and the dragon returned to its snoring
but even after the tree had long fallen still, Maia found herself unable move; as if every single muscle in her body had frozen solid
in a moment of clarity, she realised that her hand had found her dagger in the chaos, and that the weapon was now clutched in an iron grip at her side
she almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation
as if a dagger would keep her safe if the dragon had actually awoken
nonetheless, she kept it in her hand, unwilling to relinquish the one defence she had
lifting her gaze to scan the surrounding treeline, she spotted the pale faces of her companions waiting in position. Intently following her progress with their eyes
Iris looked just as high sprung as she was. All but ready to throw herself into the open in order to save her sister
Maia silently prayed that her twin could keep her composure for just a little longer
wetting her incredibly dry lips, the rogue began scaling the tree; taking care to avoid any of the small twigs and leaves that had been shaken loose by the dragon’s shifting
upon reaching her chosen branch she paused, taking a moment to slow her racing heart beat
in spite of everything telling her otherwise, she needed to calm down
stress would lead to mistakes
and mistakes would lead to her death
feeling her muscles relax ever so slightly, Maia continued, stretching her body out to reach the low branch
her feet found purchase, and the rogue began creeping along its length
a few more steps and she’d be home free
“Maia!”
a single word
muffled and distorted, and yet agonisingly loud
Maia’s eyes dropped to the bronze surface of her dagger and saw a young woman’s face staring back at her, their eyes grey and piercing
there was a flash of familiarity in the half elf’s mind, but in that moment, she could barely recall her own name
a million thoughts raced through her mind as her heart pounded like a drum in her ears
one thought, however, screamed louder than the rest
run
Maia’s feet moved before the thought had even finished forming, propelling her from the branch a split second before it detonated into an explosion of jagged splinters
she hit the ground hard, feeling something give in her shoulder
she didn’t have time to dwell on it, as an earth shattering roar tore the world asunder
her feet were under her in an instant, and she broke into a sprint, not daring to look behind her
she knew that if she turned, all she would see is a flash of green scales and a mouth full of fangs closing in to end her life
the air began to reek of rotten fruit and then a body collided with her, throwing her aside
a cloud of noxious fumes ripped through the space she had just occupied, causing grass to shrivel and trees to wither
she felt hands on her arms and shoulders, and then Iris was yelling at her, hauling her to her feet amidst pained racking coughs
they didn’t have time to stop, barrelling through the trees in a mad dash to get away
as furious roars filled the air behind them, Iris stumbled through the underbrush, her legs unsteady beneath her
Maia looped an arm under her shoulder, and now the twins were supporting each other in a tangle of limbs
minutes passed. Or maybe just seconds. And then the two broke from the tree line onto an open road
sea winds rushed up to meet them, and Iris' legs fully gave out as she began greedily sucking in gasps of fresh air
“come on!” Maia urged, trying to drag her sister to her feet
but Iris was of no use now, her eyes bulging and her face flushed with colour
something ripped its way out of the underbrush and Maia turned sharply, instinctively raising the dagger that was still clutched in a death grip
instead of the dragon she was expecting, she found Cyrene and her rhomphaia, halfway through a cut that would have cleaved her in two
recognising each other at the same time, the pair lowered their weapons and turned to the wheezing half elf at their feet
concern flashing across her face, Cyrene dropped to her knees in preparation to cast a spell
before she could begin, however, Oryk emerged from the grove, blood splattered across his hands
“we don’t have time for that. Get her up!”
he raced past them, leading the charge back towards the beach
with a grunt of exertion, Cyrene lifted Iris into her arms like a baby, shoving her rhomphaia into Maia's hands
keeping a wary eye on her sister, Maia followed the half orc as she began jogging after their leader
as they ran, Oryk settled into pace beside Maia, shooting her a questioning look between grunts of breath
“do you have it?”
the half elf's shoulders fell, and she quietly shook her head
“it wasn’t there”
Oryk’s face turned a dark shade of red, and a vein bulged in his head
“what do you mean it wasn’t there?!”
“the amulet is gone. We missed it”
a stream of vile curses flowed from Oryk’s lips, and Maia wisely chose to keep her eyes forward and mouth shut
they reached the beach in record time, and Cyrene carefully laid Iris down into their waiting boat
as Oryk and Maia began pushing the vessel into the rolling surf, the dwarf gave her a hateful glare
“hells spare you when they find out we failed”
“we...haven’t...failed...yet”
Oryk turned his ire on Iris, who lay curled across the edge of the boat trying her best to suck in what air she could
“we...know...where...its...going,” she continued between strained, wheezing breaths. “We...still...have...time...”
leaping into the boat with a splash of water, Oryk waited just long enough for his companions to get in before heaving away with the oars
“we’d better. For all our sakes”
he sliced through the water with powerful strokes, driving them into deeper and darker waters
Maia slunk down beside Iris, taking her sister’s hand into her own
Iris dropped her head onto Maia’s shoulder, and the twins watched as the shores of Kalikos drifted further and further away

First Post: https://www.reddit.com/CradledDnDStories/comments/x8zwpv/athos_1_a_new_world_of_opportunity/
Last Post: https://www.reddit.com/CradledDnDStories/comments/1b2taqi/athos_35_mirror_mirro
Next Post:

NOTE: This guide contains a ton of gear and narrative spoilers
Most Sword Bard builds are either focused on either ranged or control + melee/AoE attack styles, and I wanted to explore whether or not it would be possible to take the best of both to make the ultimate martial all around build. This build features Sharpshooter with ranged damage of 20-30 per arrow and GWM + smite damage of 60-120 per single hit by the end game.

Background Theme

The theme for the build is a resisting dark urge, with a desire for redemption to become the champion of Baldurs's Gate. And this theme weaves through the playthrough with items and choices along the journey, for example:

• Getting branded by Priestess Gut and getting Loviatar's Love in at the Goblin Camp
• Saving the Nightsong (and Shadowheart) and forgoing the Spear of the Evening
• Becoming partial illithid in a quest for power
• In a moment of weakness, falling prey to the powers of Bhaal by becoming an Unholy Assassin at the Murder Tribunal, only to later realize that Sarevok and the tribunal must die.
• And finally rejecting Bhaal and giving up the dark urge powers.

Build Overview

The build centers around a combination of Bard and Paladin, with all three feats, for a Level 8 Sword Bard / Level 4 Oath of Vengeance Paladin. Feats are Shapshooter, Great Weapons Master and Tavern Brawler centered around Nyrulna for throwing + smite melee and the Titanstring bow for ranged giving absolute martial authority under almost all circumstances.
In addition to the primary martial strength, you gain the jack of all trades benefits of being a Bard, including exceptional social skills, relatively high charisma, good persuasion, deception, sleight of hand and stealth.
Early game, expect to play like any other dexterity/charisma bard, with the first 6 level progression on Bard alone.

• Focus on ranged fighting style, with enough stealth to dip in and out of battles solo, particularly against large groups like the Goblin Camp, in the Creche and the Gnolls
• Use flourishes, both ranged and melee to hit multiple targets in one round.
• Dual wielding hand crossbows early game.

By the end of Act 1, and with the acquisition of the Gloves of Dexterity in Creche Y'llek,a respec is needed to maximize the benefits of the Titanstring and the build plays like a ranged beast through all of the mid-game.
After level 6 of Bard, we begin to level into Paladin, which opens the door for the character to start building up melee power. Truth be told, I may have respec'ed a few times between levels 6-10 trying a few things on for size, but the most effective strategy mid-game was:

• Titanstring with Sharpshooter and Gloves of Dexterity for ranged flourishes and multiple Bard attacks that came online at level 6.
• Dual wield shortswords like Knife of the Undermountain King for smites (starting at level 8 - SSB 6/Pal 2) and melee flourishes.

By Act 3 and the late game, and with the acquisition of Nyrulna from the Djinni at the Circus of the Last Days in Rivington,the martial melee power took center stage, with ranged flourishes still very powerful, but no longer the primary attack strategy. And by level 12 and the end game, you have the choice between throwing Nyrulna for AoE or Slashing Flourish for specific ranged attacks.
Philosophically, the build is focused on fast nova damage to overwhelm a larger group by decimating them in the first 2 turns. High movement is key, we're always looking to surprise enemies, and taking advantage of stealth and invisibility to duck in and out of battle for the occasional "oh shit" moment or recharge of bardic inspiration.

Leveling Guide & Feats

As noted earlier, this build really doesn't come online until level 6, more so at level 8+. Prior to that, you're just an average ranged or melee bard, your choice. The end game goal is Level 8 College of Swords Bard / Level 4 Oath of Vengeance (or Oathbreaker) Paladin.
Race choices include Wood Elf, High Elf, Duegar Dwarf, Half Orc, Gnome or Halfling. I've always opted for one of the elves, primary because of movement speed. The fighting style that has evolved for me throughout multiple solo runs now is that you are often fighting in retreat, and movement is key to manage this. If you're playing this as part of a party, movement is less important.
Levels 1-6 - Bard

• Start at level 1 as a Bard with STR 8, DEX 17, CON 14, INT 8, WIS 10, CHA 16, and you should expect to respec at least once. Select Minor Illusion and Friends for Cantrips if doing a solo run, with a strong case to also be made for Mage Hand. If not for a solo, you have other options here. Longstrider is a key spell as well. For skills, optimize Persuasion (or Deception), Sleight of Hand, Stealth, and Performance, in that order. I chose Persuasion, Sleight of Hand and Stealth.
• At level 3, choose College of Swords. For spells, consider Invisibility, Cloud of Daggers (for some vital early AOE on a solo run), and Hold Person. You can also swap an existing spell slot here to get two of those three. Choose Two-Weapon Fighting for fighting style.
• At level 4, choose Sharpshooter for your first feat.

I recommend a respec as soon as you are able to purchase the Gloves of Dexterity, which for me happens usually around level 4 or 5 somewhere. When you do, choose STR 17, DEX 8, CON 14, INT 8, WIS 10, CHA 16.
Levels 7-8 - Paladin

• At level 7, start with your first Paladin level. I chose Oath of Vengenance.
• At level 8, choose either Defense or Great Weapon Fighting as your fighting style. At this point in the game, I was playing with dual wielded shortswords with Knife of the Undermountain King as primary, but you could also play with Halberd of Vigilance, Mourning Frost or some other two handed weapon. Melee is less important still at this point, since we chose Sharpshooter as our first feat and primary fighting style. This is really about your secondary melee damage dealing, so whatever you prefer for the mid-game.

Levels 9-10 - Bard
We're really just marching towards that second feat here. Choose whatever you want for spells, I like Freedom of Movement, Greater Invisibility, Fear, Hypnotize. For this build, spells are tertiary to ranged and melee damage, so the focus should be on enhancements and prep spells for battle, not in battle casting against enemies.

• At level 10, level 8 bard, grab the Great Weapons Master feat. By this time in the game, we have picked up Nyrulna and have a lot of spell slots for smites. This is where the melee part of this build really shines and starts to outpace the already amazing ranged archer. NOTE: If you chose Defense at level 8, respec to choose Great Weapon Fighting.

Levels 11-12 - Paladin
Again, we're marching to our third feat but you can pick up some great Paladin support and control spells like Command, Bless, Protection from Good and Evil, and additional smites.

• At level 12, level 4 Paladin, get the Tavern Brawler feat and put your ability point in Constitution (kid of doesn't matter, I'll explain in a bit). I thought about getting Savage Attacker here for maximizing crits on smites, or even an ASI into Strength, but ultimately wanted the flexibility of using Nyrulna as a solid throwing option and I'm glad I did. I might go back and try the other two options at some point.

Gear Guide

Not extensive, but I'll list out the important items I picked up and used along the way, but place an asterisk by absolutely essential items
Early Act 1

• Ring of Protection* - Worn pretty much the entire game, best ring in the game IMO (don't @ me)
• Titanstring Bow* - the build revolves around this bow
• Doom Hammer* - Absolutely essential for any solo of Myrkul to prevent healing from Reaper's Reward ability.
• Amulet of Misty Step
• Gloves of Archery
• Crusher's Ring
• Haste Helm

Late Act 1

• Gloves of Dexterity* - Essential to the build, worn throughout the game since the build was based on dumping DEX in the spec.
• DeathStalker's Mantle* - Durge item only, essential to the build to go invisible after a kill.
• Boots of Speed* - Worn pretty much throughout the game, I almost feel are essential for a solo run. These are top 3 items for me all game for any solo run.
• Periapt of Wound Closure* - Essential for me mid-game to have healing potions max heal. I wore throughout act 2.
• Club of Hill Giant Strength - This was essential before Gloves of Dex purchase
• Disintegrating Night Walkers
• Knife of the Undermountain King
• Mourning Frost
• Unseen Menace
• Caustic Band

Act 2

• Risky Ring* - I wore this most of the game as well, with some situational exceptions
• Cloak of Protection* - This was swapped out situationally with the Deathstalker's Mantle throughout the game, really the only two cloaks I used.
• Darkfire Shortbow - used situationally for fire/cold resistance
• Killer's Sweetheart
• Helmet of Arcane Acuity - used surprisingly little, but had to mention

Act 3

• Nyrulna* - Essential to the build, couldn't do this one without it unless you went full evil and did Shar's Spear of the Evening, but that goes against the theme here.
• Bhaalist Armor* - Essential to the build to get the smite damage maximized from Nyrulna.
• Sarevok's Horned Helmet*
• Helm of the Balduran*
• Amulet of Greater Health*
• Band of Mystic Scoundrel - used surprisingly little, but had to mention

End Game items

• Sarevok's Helm
• Bhaalist Armor
• Cloak of Protection
• Boots of Speed
• Gloves of Dexterity
• Ring of Protection
• Risky Ring
• Amulet of Greater Health
• Nyrulna
• Titanstring Bow

Buffs and Enhancements

• Hag's Hair went to Strength - 17 base + 1 = 18 Strength
• Brand of the Absolute and Loviatar's Love
• Volo's Eye
• Necromancy of Thay, both buffs
• Awakened Illithid powers
• Potion of Everlasting Vigor - 18 STR + 2 = 20 Strength
• Partial Illithid, because flying!
• Githrazei Mind Barrier
• Arabella's Shadow Entanglement
• Tharacite Vigor
• Anointed in Splendor
• Statue of myself buff
• Mirror of Loss - 20 STR = 2 = 22 Strength

Other Misc Tactics and Potions

I used Potion of Speed, Elixir of Bloodlust, Elixir of Viciousness, Invisibility, and various posions/toxins for weapon dipping throughout the game. Bloodlust was easily the most important for a solo run, I tried to put it on after as many long rests as possible, followed closely by speed potions and invisibility on a per battle basis. Buy Hyena Ears and Worg Fangs every time you see them.
I stocked up on tons of scrolls along the way, the most important of which were Haste, Remove Curse, Misty Step, Fireball, Lightning (+Chain), Mirror Image, Invisibility, Cone of Cold or other large AOE high level spells.
FOOTNOTE: Thanks for reading this far. I've played through the game now like 12 times or so, with one successful honor run, and the last 3 of which were solo runs on Tactician. The solo runs were inspired by Friendly Lich and his blade warlock: https://www.reddit.com/BG3Builds/comments/1cmn6sb/a_warlock_pact_of_the_blade_multiclass_for_solo/
This resisting the dark urge run was my favorite playthrough so far, for both the narrative storyline, and how it played thematically into this build, with the choices between good and evil waffling back and forth along the way, ultimately leading to redemption. I think this is the best story arc of BG3.
I've considered a couple of other options for this build that I'd like to experiment with in the future, including ditching one of the feats and adding one level of War Cleric to get Sanctuary and Guidance. I will not lie, I save scummed a few times along the way and Guidance and Sanctuary would have helped me a bunch in those situations. However, it was rewarding to get the full martial with Tavern Brawler on Nyrulna in the end, will report back if I end up tinkering. Suggestions welcome!

"I will gladly take care of your Wyrm problem," the Knight in shining armor said to the princess.
The princess narrowed her eyes at him. "It sounds like you're saying Wyrm, not worm."
The Knight Flipped up his helmet visor, "What? Wyrms is Wyrms right? And the ones you need killed are up in the mountains. Earth Wyrms, yea?"
"Worms," The princess over exaggerated the 'o' as she said 'worm', "Yes. Gargantuan Earth Worms, they threaten to destroy the entire mountain range. I need them slain."
"Earth Wyrms! Easily done princess, they can't even fly." The Knight slapped his visor shut, certain he'd be able to handle these Earth Wyrms with ease.
Air Wyrms and Fire Wyrms could both fly and were therefor quite a pain to kill, having to track them relentlessly until they tired was... well tiresome.
Water Wyrms had to be killed underwater most of the time, because mankind had yet to make a fishing boat buoyant enough to fish one from the sea.
With a grin from ear to ear, a simple go there and murder a monster mission in mind, the Knight bowed deeply before excusing himself from the princess' presence.
She turned to her Advisor, "He does know they're Worms and not Wyrms right?"
The old wizard shrugged. "How difficult could it be to kill giant worms?"
The Knight and his squire and their company of friends, set out to the mountains to the north where their quarry was said to be. Among their host was a young wizard who had only barely passed his apprenticeship exams, there was a lady dwarf, who was of course a blacksmith. Her beard was always set with flowers from their next member, her husband the elvish archer. The elf say he's no true archer, merely a hobby, of a thousand years. Their final member was an ex-communicated clergy member from the empire on the other side of the mountains.
A few short days of easy travel over rolling hills and they'd made their way to the foot of the mountains. The Knight and his party experienced the first earth quake then, it was gentle enough that the Knight hadn't even noticed it. The dwarf sure did though.
"Something's not right," She said when the tiny quake ended. "Earth Wyrms must be fighting something else right now for us to be feeling this rumble."
"Then they'll be softened up for us when we get there, or maybe already dead. All that mattered to the princess was that they die, we need only verify those deaths." The Young Wizard said, hopeful he wouldn't have to fight at all.
The clergyman said a prayer to his strange god, and bid them all, "Prepare for the worst tomorrow, this way when it likely goes better than that, you can be overjoyed at our fortune."
The squire took the first watch, and the Knight the second. Nothing happened but the soft snores of their compatriots. For the third watch they had the elf. He required far less sleep than humans or dwarves, except for once a lunar month when he had to sleep for a whole day.
During his watch the ground rumbled again. More than rumbled, it shook and cracked. A span the size of large horse opened up and split their camp in half. The elf didn't exactly have to sound the alarm, everyone woke up to the thunderous crack of the landscape opening.
In the pre-dawn light leaking over the horizon they could see the fractures leading up into the mountains. Their camp just happened to be on the end of one such crack. The whole mountain they were headed to seemed to have cracked.
"These must indeed be large Wyrms." the Knight said. "I shall need all my weapons sharpened to their finest edge to piece their hides."
The Dwarf set to work spinning her whetstone and putting the sharpest edge on the Knight's swords and axes and even the arrow heads of her husband's arrows were sharpened. The squire was loaded down with heavy, very sharp weapons, and followed his master up into the recently cracked mountain. As they traveled the ground steadily rumbled.
They found an opening which they hoped would lead them into the caves inside the mountain where they might find at face these dread Earth Wyrms.
As they entered the caverns they were surprised to find a thick slime coating the walls.
"How curious." The young Wizard said, collecting a sample into a glass vial and staring at intently.
The clergyman said another prayer, and placed a blessing of damage resistance on all his friends. They would all be nigh-on unpuncturable, unslashable, and unbludgeonable for a few hours. You could do those things, and it might throw them around, but they wouldn't be injured any more than their pride. This foreign god's power was how the Knight had become so good at killing Wyrms. The clergyman had other blessings, which were not needed at the moment, fire resistance, and water breathing being two big ones. Air walking was a wizard trick, and so they recruited the young wizard.
The wizard projected a light up into the middle of the height of the cave they now found themselves in, and it showed that the cave was nearly as tall as the castle walls, in one direction it went off into the darkness beyond what his meek light could show, but the other direction was blocked by a gigantic wall of pink slimy flesh.
"Oh..." The wizard said, understanding a moment too late. "Earth Worms."
The Knight had approached the pink wall and tried to hack into it, but the slime coating the ouside of the great flesh mass was to sticky and too thick. It quickly stole his weapon from him, and then the next and the next and the next.
The gargantuan lack-minded creature, reacted to something behind it, and backed up in the tunnel. The Knight was quickly caught in the ooze, the squire too. The Elf unleashed a volley of arrows, but they met the same fate as their archer, only a few seconds sooner. The thick layer of mucus on the outside of the worms was the greatest armor they had ever faced. Almost as thick as a the knight was wide, it more than caught and stopped any attacks from such small creatures as the knight as his allies.
Trying desperately to help his wife escape, the elf and the dwarf ended up caught in the thick slime together.
The wizard knew he was boned, so stood and faced the slime with dignity.
And the Clergy man. Well, he said one final prayer for the souls of himself and his party members before being backed over by a brainless worm. His quiet hope was that his god would protect them all until the worm deposited them elsewhere as it continued to devour the mountain range.

Hi, its me again. The lad who's been swooning over a fair Elven lass clad in gold. I figured i should update you folks again on the current happenings. First, i wanted to thank all you kind souls for the advice you've given me, Kyne bless all of your warmhearted souls!! Second, some of you may be wondering why i have never mentioned what city i am in, and there's reason for that. I'm not against the Stormcloaks or anything but loving an Elf, let alone one who's with the Thalmor..lets just say i don't want a visit from the boys in blue in the dead of night.
Anyway, after the guards dragged me off to dry out in a cell, i had some time to think. Being a dumb drunk brute isn't gonna be the way i win her over. So after the guards let me out, i decided to take some of the advice. I went to my place and grabbed some furs i had laying around, then went on to the local bookseller. To my surprise it was empty of customers, almost dusty even around the place. I guess us Nords aren't big readers huh? I bought a book on alchemy, opened it real quick to give it a first glance, and by Ysmir i didn't understand half of what was said in it. I mean what even is a Blisterwort?? And where the hell does Spriggan sap come from, like, what part of..ah forget it.
It was already getting late, and i could feel a cold wind rising along the streets of the city. Perfect for my plan. I looked around for at least a few hours, everywhere, i was about to give up for the night and get a drink when i realised, there was one place i hadn't checked yet. I ended up sneaking past some guards and there she was, on the walls. She was in an old, now unused guard tower, sitting by a small fire, her helmet off, it was probably not insulated or whatever and cold. Her long golden hair was all out, so beautiful. I could see she was sitting very close to the fire, and was still shivering a bit. Perfect. I walked up to her, and put some of the furs around her. "I'm sorry you got sent to this frozen wasteland, its not gonna get much warmer i'm afraid" i said. She looked up in surprise, clearly not expecting company, let alone me. She remembered my drunken stupor last night, tough. I apologised for it, that i acted a fool. She was listening but as if still in shock, i couldn't tell from her face whether or not she was repulsed by me, or pleasantly surprised.
I only looked at her briefly, didn't want to stare, as hard as that was, she radiated beauty and elegance, i'd never experienced something like this. I looked ahead into the night sky, then back at her, to notice a faint smile. I figured i'd introduce meself, so i did, the name is Ysgrim i told her. I asked her if i may know her name, she was about to tell me after all last night! She looked down to the floor, chuckled, and looked back up at me. Erissare. What a name, i'll never forget it. "You're more..mannered than i expected. It threw me off guard." She said, in the most pleasant, serene voice. "Thanks for the furs. It's indeed more cold than i am used to. Can't say if i'll ever get used to it, really."
As the night progressed we chatted, and she stopped shivering. We were sitting close to each other, trying to think of things to say. We were both a tad awkward. I had an idea. I asked what she thought of alchemy, and she lightened up and admitted it to be a hobby of hers. At least, when she was back home in the Summerset Isles. "Out here, there is alot of unfamiliar ingredients, and i tried to visit alchemy shops in Skyrim to see if i could use their equipment, but they were either scared to death of me, or told me to get out and choke on poison. Guess we aren't quite welcome here. I understand it."
I felt bad for her, it wasn't her fault. But then i remembered! "I have a friend who has an alchemy set, perhaps i could convince him to let us use it! His name is Galvarr, a fine lad." She looked up. "Us, huh? I didn't know you were into alchemy!" She proclaimed. "Well, i'm fairly new to it, i must admit. Here, i have this book, i've been trying to figure it out."
She couldn't contain her happiness. "You know, i wouldn't mind helping you, Ysgrim. These recipes seem fairly basic, i'm sure we can uhm, figure them out..together." I gave her a smile and agreed firmly. "Aye, we could! How about i meet you here tomorrow, and we give it a try?" I asked. She nodded. "I should go get some rest, but its been a pleasure meeting you Erissare, and just so you know, we Nords don't all hate you, least of all me."
She blushed, and by Ysgramor's beard it was adorable. And those ears, don't get me started. I walked off slowly, but stopped when i heard her ask "Hey! Your uhm, furs." I told her to keep them. She deserves to feel warm. She thanked me. When i got home and lay in my bed, i felt all fuzzy in me tummy. What a night. Never felt like this before. I must thank all of you for your kind words and advice, its helped me so much. May Mara bless you all as she has blessed me! I've come to accept it.
I'm a patriotic Nord, and i'm in love with a Thalmor Justiciar.

You're travelling on a road between one town and another. You've travelled this road before many times, in fact you were here just a few days ago. And now, on your way back, someone has built an entire mansion, and you can see the roof sticking up above some of the trees. You unfortunately picked a poor day to travel, as a storm is approaching, and the wind is picking up. This fateful choice will lead to an intriguing string of events, leading you to meet an elf named Claudius Ozarus. This story will come in multiple parts, so feel free to make a series of it!
Claudius has a very silly, eccentric, flamboyant and overall over the top personality. Almost seems like he's the overtired type of chatty, or perhaps trying to distract from something. But! When he's talking with just himself he usually sounds calm and melancholic, total opposite of his personality around other people.
Totally fine to monetize with credit in the video or audio, Just make sure to send it to me cause I definitely would want to see it!! Please don't make any edits to the script without checking in with me! If you'd like me to make a secondary version of the script designed for two people, I absolutely can, or add narration if you think it would be difficult to follow the story otherwise, just let me know!
[I'll do sound effects like this] [And character or background descriptions or actions like this, like someone running or something levitating or moving for example, or tips for how lines should be read] Character: Character dialogue will look like this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Script
[The wind whistles and howls, slightly distant thunder and rain]
Claudius: [Sighs] Ah... a storm like this brings back memories... albeit unpleasant ones. How long has it been since I've seen a storm like that roll through...? And especially today of all days... [small ironic chuckle] must be fate. Or perhaps she's calling to me. I hear you loud and clear... I always do. I'm afraid though I can't stay out in this weather much longer, I don't fancy getting hit in the face with another stick. [He notices something] Hm...? Someone... on the road? What an utterly foolish day for a stroll, an average human will be picked up and carried off in winds like this!
[The wind picks up and the rain gets closer slowly. Soft footsteps crunch on the dirt road approaching the mansion]
Listener: ....
Claudius: Oh, why hello! You've certainly chosen an unfortunate day to travel this road, now haven't you?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Oh, my home? Well, yes I suppose it must be new to you if you've come through here before. It has a rather unique way of... well, that's hardly important at this very moment. Would you like to come inside, and wait out the storm? You're welcome to stay the night if you must, I certainly like your chances in there better than your chances in whatever your little travel pack has to offer for shelter. [He laughs]
Listener: ....
Claudius: A stranger? Indeed I am. But as are you, and yet here I am, providing you with humble invitation to my dwelling. For all I know you could be playing on my good will! I invite you in, me, a peaceful man of lavish means who lives all alone! You could rob me blind and leave me for dead and no one would be around to miss me! I doubt anyone would find my poor cadaver stuffed in an armoire for days, weeks perhaps! [Small laugh as his dramatic line delivery calms down] Only teasing, of course. If I thought you would do me any harm, I'd let you stay in the wine cellar, not a spare bedroom. Now, would you like to come in before this rain soaks through to your very bones? I find storms such as these... terribly unpleasant.
Listener: ....
Claudius: [He claps his hands together] Excellent! Allow me, then. [Sound of a large wooden door opening, then closing, and the rain and wind is quieter now being heard from inside] What do you think?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Ah, yes, that small detail. Well you see, this home of mine was a gift from a very powerful woman, many many years ago. I always enjoyed travel, so she made me a house designed to do exactly that. She called it the wandering keep, a rather simple name for something as complex as this. The house will always provide everything I need to live comfortably, and pursue my interests. And additionally, as long as I know where I'm going, I can teleport it anywhere. Just wonderful, isn't it?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Hm? You don't believe me? I promise, it's true! In fact, I could prove it right now. Name one place you want to go, anywhere in the world! Truly, I mean it. Name anywhere you'd like to go, I'll take you there, free of charge!
Listener: ...
Claudius: Ah, excellent! That's not far from here... is that perhaps where you were on your way to? Silly question I suppose, it must be. Alright then, brace yourself! [Claudius touches the ground. A sound like a whoosh and a rush of energy is heard. Sound dies down, wind and rain still audible] ....ah, see? Go check the window!
Listener: ....
Claudius: [Sounding somewhat excited to be showing off the house's power] Incredible, right? I know, I must say it's the best gift I have ever had the pleasure of receiving! [Quietly] Well... second best, perhaps... oh, nothing! Simply making conversation with myself! In any case, it looks like we didn't travel far enough to escape the storm's radius, so it would appear you're still stuck here for a while! Shall I show you around then? At least to the guest rooms, I doubt you'll be staying long enough to need to know where the library is, or anything like that.
Listener: ....
Claudius: What? Of course there's a library! What could possibly be more important to have in a home than a library! Well... perhaps a study. But outside of that, a library is a must! I'm a... researcher, of sorts, that's the reason, in part, as to why I travel as much as I do. One piece of scripture leads me to another, then another, to a map, to an artifact of interest, to a treasure trove, all sorts of things. Perhaps you could even call me an adventurer. But truly, what I seek is knowledge.
Listener: ....
Claudius: [Shocked and appalled] Boring?! Excuse me, there's nothing boring about knowledge! Reading the life's work of others who have died seeking the things I'm after is exceptionally entertaining! You'd be surprised what all they include as necessary to their research, honestly. For example one man who's journals I acquired happened to include the dirty details of his bitter separation from his wife. [Said in a mischievous tone]
Listener: ....
Claudius: Well if he didn't want me to read it he shouldn't have left it in with his journals! Although... I suppose that particular notebook was labelled diary... oh come now, no need to look so appalled! The man's been dead for well over a century, he'd hardly care now.
Listener: ....
[Listener turns and walks away]
Claudius: Wha... hold on now, you can't go out there, you'll catch your death! [Sigh] I apologize, I shouldn't make light of the deceased in such a way. I'm a touch out of practice socializing with others I'm afraid, my work forces me to lead a rather solitary lifestyle. But I don't want my ineptitude to cause you to brave the storm, so please, allow me to show you to your room.
Listener: ....
Claudius: [Small laugh] Why thank you, your benevolence is enchanting. Come, the guest rooms are this way. [Footsteps walking down a hall] Here we are! [Sound of a door opening] It hardly matters which room you stay in, there's plenty of extras. Should you need me for any reason, I spend most of my days in my study. It's up the stairs you saw when you came in, down the right hallway, second door on the right. As for food, you'll find the dining room to the left of the door where you came in. Food will appear thrice daily. In the morning, at noon, and in the evening. Don't miss it though! Anything that doesn't get eaten will simply disappear an hour after it first graces the table. I promise you'll find something you like. It's mostly sweets these days, cakes and treats and the like. Perhaps you can guess my weak spot when it comes to food. [He laughs] But, there's plenty of other things for you to try as well, it's not all creampuffs, I swear. Well, I believe that's all the information you'll need for a single night stay at the wandering keep!
Listener: ....
Claudius: Oh yes of course! My apologies, it completely slipped my mind. Claudius Ozarus, pleasure to meet you. And you are...?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Ah... names have changed with the times, I see. Well, I'm glad I could be of service to you, my friend. Make yourself comfortable, and take as long as you need. There is a washroom adjacent to your room, take a bath if you wish while you wait for the storm to pass. Pleasant dreams, traveler!
[Footsteps walking away, scene fades out]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Rain and wind can still be heard, silverware clashing with a plate from someone eating]
Claudius: Good morning! Did you sleep well?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Wonderful I'm glad to hear it! Help yourself to some breakfast! You look surprised. The house always creates grand feasts like this at meal time. In all honesty, I'm not entirely certain why. I only need enough food for myself, and yet here is all this, enough to feed a small army. Ah well, I do appreciate the variety.
Listener: ....
Claudius: Why is there no bread...? Hm, I suppose there isn't any. Presumably for the same reason I'm eating a slice of strawberry shortcake when it's still early morning. This place knows what I like. I despise bread, I suppose the house knows I would never eat it.
Listener: ....
Claudius: [Amused scoff] Yes yes, I imagine it would sound silly to despise such a mundane, every day food. I can't stand it though, no matter what, it always tastes like mold to me. I haven't had a piece of bread I could stomach since childhood and let me tell you, that was not yesterday. [Small laugh]
Listener: ....
Claudius: [Said slyly, like he's going to make a game of it] Hm, well how old do you think I am?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Ooh, very close! You're a little over four hundred years off, though! [He laughs] Does that surprise you? I'm told I don't quite look my age. Well, my hair has been silver since the day I was born, so that doesn't quite count. It's typical among elves, we never seem to look much older than thirty or forty.
Listener: ....
Claudius: The pointy ears didn't give it away? Well, I suppose they're not as pointy as some people in my family, and I do have a lot of hair... but anyway yes, I'm an elf. We live quite a long time, and our looks never fade. Feels a bit like cheating to you I'm sure. Now please, sit. Have something to eat. The storm is slowing, so I'm sure you'll be able to leave soon enough. What brings to you this town anyway?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Oh, really? A kindred spirit then, adventuring certainly is rewarding. You'll find things you've never seen, in places many people will never be. It's interesting to consider really, what you may see in your lifetime, compared to what others will see. Tell me, have you ever been to the gods temple in Naruvia?
Listener: ....
Claudius: It's quite a fantastical sight. Built on water, which is impressive on its own, but it's absolutely enormous, and the architecture is inspiring. Almost makes me want to spruce up this old shack. That's where the last of the Candor family lives, the guardians who care for the temple. I'm always baffled by the number of people who don't know this, but the Candor family really can communicate with the gods.
Listener: ....
Claudius: No really, it's true! I've seen him do it, it's quite a miraculous thing. I haven't been back at the temple in a decade or so, I imagine the boy is all grown up now. Poor thing was left with his mother's legacy quite young. But enough of that dreariness, tell me, where does a free spirit like yourself plan to go next?
Listener: ....
Claudius: I'm sorry... what did you say?
Listener: ....
Claudius: You... that's what I thought you said but... well I'm afraid I have to ask why? Travelling with me is logical from a first glance of course, you have food, a bed, an efficient means of transportation. But... why would you want to travel with someone you only just met? I have my own agenda, you'd only be accompanying me to dusty old tombs and deep forests and caves. I can't see why you would want to do that over travelling on your own. It's the difference between a guided tour drawn out of a hat someone handing you a bag and the reigns to a horse and saying 'go wild!'.
Listener: ....
Claudius: You... seem to have put some thought into this. You're positive there's no ulterior motives? You aren't planning to take advantage of me are you? Perhaps steal all my research and trinkets for yourself? [Teasing]
Listener: ....
Claudius: They are not old and dusty! They are precious priceless artifacts, all of which are invaluable towards!- Well, on second thought... never mind all that. Hm... if you truly wish to stay, I suppose I can stand to have a guest for a while longer. But in that case, I have some rules! They must be followed for you to stay in this house, if you break a rule, you'll have to leave, got it?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Yes, rules! Now, the first rule, never enter my room or my study without knocking, and waiting to receive permission to enter. My second rule, never bring anyone back to this house without my express instruction or permission. And my third rule, and this is the absolute most important! Never, ever, disturb me on the day or night of a full moon. Do you understand? No matter what you need or what you hear, never enter my study on a full moon. Is that expressly clear?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Wha- no I'm not a werewolf! It's simply a day on which I attend to very important business in my study, and I can't focus if there are any distractions. If you can follow these rules, you're welcome to stay here for as long as you like. Do we have a deal?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Splendid! In that case, Attend to your business here in town, I'll be busy today. We can leave tomorrow, if you're ready by then, and go on to our next location. I'm sure by the time you're done your... is that... is that what you're eating...?
Listener: ....
Claudius: [Laughing hard] My goodness we truly are alike! An entire pumpkin pie, really? Even I have the restraint not to eat the whole shortcake. Oh and a handful of creampuffs? Well I suppose I did say help yourself. Why not enjoy the treats when they're right there in front of you. I have no room to talk, I do very much the same. Alright then Creampuff-
Listener: ....
Claudius: Oh my humblest apologies, what would you have me call you then? Shortcake? Sweet tooth?
Listener: ....
Claudius: Your name? Well that's hardly any fun! Pumpkin Pie is more amus- [Listener throws fork, sound of fork clattering to the ground] Woah, hey! You could have taken my eye out! Perhaps Cinnamon stick is more fitting for you, given the spice in your personality... O-Okay okay I'm done put the knife down! Hah... well with that crisis averted, as I was saying, by the time you finish your breakfast, or rather dessert, the storm should have passed enough for you to do what you need to do [He takes the last bite of food] Well, that's plenty for me, I'll be up in my study or the library should you need anything. [Claudius gets up and leaves the room, Footsteps exit, door opens and closes]
Claudius: [Sigh, footsteps] Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea... only time will tell, the outcome shouldn't really be of any consequence either way. I'll just sit back and see how things unfold from here. [Laughs to himself] Cinnamon stick...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you enjoyed part one! I have no idea how to gage things yet so I'm really hoping this wasn't too long or too short! Additionally, if anyone would like to do an audio for this story and would like to know a little bit more about the mystery and what's going on behind the scenes for character acting, please feel free to message me! I'm happy to share, but I don't want to spoil the mystery for anyone who wants to follow as it goes along.
Thank you so much for reading!!

Chapter CXCIX
​
Trout's Landing.
​
"Alright, should pro'bly be productive today." Jeb said with a groan as he stretched.
​
A moss bed wasn't half bad, he thought as he turned to the still snoozing Ruby. He leaned over and kissed her scaled head and tucked their eggs a bit further into the fur blanket to keep warm. He got up and looked around at his new home. The space was illuminated by only his glowing eyes but it didn't make the place feel any less cozy.
​
"Maybe dragons had a point living in underground lairs." Jeb muttered as he began walking down the tunnel before having to stoop a little to avoid several roots and rocks that jutted from the dirt.
​
He entered the main gathering area of the burrows. It didn't seem like he slept for long at least if the faint light from the ventilation shafts were any indication. The area was still abuzz with activity just like it was before as well. Kobolds darted this way and that as they bartered, traded, sorted, or decorated and expanded the burrows at an increased rate than just a day or so prior.
​
Jeb took note of the tools they used. While they didn't have them for long, they were starting to show the wear and tear of constant use. Not only that but they were a little unwieldy in the claws of the kobolds. Everything was a tad too big and the kobolds found themselves exerting more energy than necessary.
​
The kobolds made up for it by forging their own tools from stone and wood, but that wasn't any better. While more easy to hold and wield, the quality wasn't the best and already a pile for broken tools was forming as they tried their best to repair them.
​
They needed metal tools. Some good solid sturdy ones that they could hold easily, Jeb thought with a sigh and left the cool earthen dwelling for the cold air above. He shook his head to shake away the weird feeling of the temp and air changes before making his way back towards his now former room at the admin building.
​
With word of him vacating the building, the kobolds were quick to seize upon the opportunity to lay claim to it as he watched several of the zippy red-scaled lizards already scavenging what wasn't nailed down, and even those that were weren't safe either. But he didn't care anymore, Jeb thought as a kobold ran around collecting discarded pieces of pamphlets. He had a new, and cozier, home.
​
He entered his temporary room and found what he was looking for. A bundle of burgundy silk and gilded armor. While he took everything of worth with him down into his new home, he left the bundle of silk and gaudy gold behind along with the ruined remains of his sleeping bag and bed. While the kobolds had already started taking apart the room, none had touched the silk just yet though he did note that there were a couple of pieces of gilded armor missing since last he saw it.
​
"Oh well." Jeb muttered with a shrug and grabbed the bundle of silk and debated taking the remaining gilded armor or not.
​
While he was sure the kobolds would love nothing more than to add the gaudy things to their piles of scrap, the gold alone should be enough to buy some tools from the dwarves, Jeb thought and grabbed the remaining boot and gauntlet. Bundle of silk in, mostly, good condition? Check. A third of the gilded armor? Check. This should be enough, he thought as he left the kobolds to pilfer and deconstruct the cabin to their hearts content.
​
"Pro'bly shouldn't just appear in their office." Jeb muttered as he thought how to best appear without alarming anyone at the trainyard.
​
After some thought though, he decided that simply appearing within the trainyard itself wouldn't be TOO alarming. He hoped anyway. He COULD appear outside the trainyard. But given how last time went he wasn't sure if they'll just shoot him on sight. At least appearing inside would give him a chance to talk to whoever was in charge before potentially getting shot at.
​
With a sigh and no small amount of trepidation, Jeb thought of being just outside of the old workers' mess where he and the others would play their games.
"Just hope I don't get shot at."
​
-----
​
Ulrin Mercantile Hub.
​
What a mess, Forgrim thought as he watched the last of the funerary rites be performed from a distance. He and the others in his situation remained outside of the official service. They had no right to participate in a dwarven funeral. To be there when the honored dead were laid below the stone in the cool, firm, embrace of The Stone Father while their spirits traveled down into his Halls where they rest and prepare. Their deeds and accomplishments read aloud for all to hear while they feast and make merry until the Stone Father calls on them when the Day of Sundering comes and they are given forms of stone, hand crafted by the Stone Father himself that will march upon the land and remake it anew.
​
Or that was how a dwarven funeral was supposed to go. The hallowed runery was still unfinished and so such sacred services couldn't be held. From here he and the others couldn't tell what was ultimately done to the bodies, but even from a distance he could tell that none were happy about the state of affairs. Even a funeral had some merriment to it as they celebrated the dead's life and feats. But with such sacred ceremonies seemingly absent it wasn't looking like there would be such celebrations.
​
Forgrim sighed. They were in a sorry state. Work was progressing steadily true. But the moral of the Hub was abysmal. The lack of decent iron for tools, the recent attack, and the stormy look on Ulrin's face when he and the others returned did nothing to improve it. Especially when he declared that warriors were going to be sent into the mines in increased numbers than before.
​
Forgrim wasn't looking forward to going underground anymore. After seeing what lurked there in this land it was looking like he wasn't the only one. Unlike him and the few others from that day on the hill though, the others merely stiffened their backs and took to their new duties with the grim determination typical of any dwarf.
​
Yet another thing that seemed to separate them from their kin, Forgrim thought grimly. Any dwarf would do the same. No matter what lurked in the dark a dwarf would march down to meet it as the Edicts of The Stone Father claimed. Everything made of stone was theirs by right. Anything lurking there were merely squatters that needed reminding.
​
But he and the others could barely look at the dark awning tunnels forming in the mountain without terror and dread gripping their hearts. They were likely to die from fear alone before any horror could claim them, Forgrim thought broodingly.
​
He and the others had thought to go to the rune priests after the attack in order to resolve their issues. But they were so busy with the aftermath and were even more so when the head rune priest returned barking out orders while also organizing funerary services.
​
It seemed their plight would linger on for a while longer, he thought as their foreman barked at them to return to work. He sighed as he picked up his pickax and trudged along with the others towards an area designated as a new opening into the mountain. He heard others receiving similar orders and turned to look around. From what he could tell it seemed a greater effort in excavation and mining was being issued. Most of the guards stationed were being moved towards the areas as well with a small force left behind to deal with any goblins or troublemakers.
​
Wonder why so many were being moved. Why wouldn't they keep more above after the last attack, Forgrim thought before running into someone with a huff. The person he ran into grunted and lent a hand in assisting him up as he spoke.
"Sorry 'bout that."
​
"No problem manlin'. I weren't watch-" Forgrim started before he stopped speaking as he gazed up and saw the face of the one he had ran into.
​
The face before him belonged to a seemingly normal human. But all he could picture was stark white bone, baleful eyes, and grasping vines tearing at his clothes and flesh! The others from that day could speak no more than he could. One of them could only manage a single gasping word no more than a whisper.
"Haunter."
​
The Haunter frowned as he gazed down at Forgrim and the other dwarves.
"I'm sorry, have we met?"
​
The lack of aggression was enough for them all to find their feet enough to turn tail and flee as fast as they could. None of them were proud of it. But Forgrim dared any dwarf to not feel the same after what they went through from that creature! He didn't even look back as he ran. He was sure their foreman was yelling at them but his heart hammered in his ears like battle drums and his vision had tunneled and the only thing he could think of was escape!
​
-----
​
"That was weird." Jeb muttered as he watched the dwarves run like the hounds of hell were after them.
​
"Oh well." He declared with a shrug and made sure he still had his stuff before turning around and heading towards the manager's office building.
​
He knocked before entering and looked around at the even more chaotic mess that the office was since last he saw it. Gnomes ran around every where as they scribbled and scratched away as they copied papers into some form of runic script before stuffing them into spots of their bulging packs of office supplies they hauled around everywhere they went. Some were making adjustments to the maps of the area with words in the same sort of runes that the dwarves use.
​
Some he saw were also flicking away on those old calculators where you slid a bead or something from one side to the other. Others were chatting away a hundred miles an hour while poking and prodding the ancient computers around the place as they seemed to be trying to figure out how they worked.
​
A few looked like they figured out how they worked, but were having trouble with the keys like they weren't sure what did what. He could see a couple gnomes scratching away at the keys as they tried to re-type them in the runic script as they tried to translate Latin to Dwarven Runic with seemingly frustrating progress.
​
"Can I help you manlin'?" A gruff voice called from the manager's office.
​
Jeb turned and saw the same gilded dwarf he had done business with before glaring at him from the open doorway. The dwarf rumbled and glared at him more intently.
"What do you want?"
​
"Well, I thought maybe ya'll might be interested in a trade?" Jeb said uncertainly as he held up the gilded armor and silk.
​
The dwarf glared at him for a moment before turning a discerning eye towards his offerings. He rumbled and stroked his gilded beard with his bejeweled hand for a long moment, leaving Jeb to stand there awkwardly as the dwarf seemed to debate whether or not to entertain him.
​
"Very well godlin'. I will hear you." He rumbled at last before gesturing for Jeb to follow him into his office.
​
So Jeb did. He entered the office and saw that it was as much changed as the rest of the place. Piles of coins littered the desk along with no small amount of scales and other tools he wasn't familiar with along side many gems and jewels that glittered in the light of the room. Even the rest of the small office wasn't safe from the wealth as neat piles were scattered everywhere there was room for it while a single gnome hammered away at the computer on the desk while also jumping to doing a dozen other tasks within the room.
​
"What's yer offer?" Ulrin rumbled as the gnome took a brief break from his multitasking and produced several pieces of paper, a quill, and an inkwell from the large pack he had and stared intently at Jeb with rapt attention as he held onto the dripping quill like it would write the words of God Himself.
​
"Uhm, well. I was wonderin' if you were lookin' to trade some tools. Or if you would be willin' to sell 'em with this?" Jeb asked and placed the gaudy golden armor and the burgundy silk onto a clear(ish) spot on the desk.
​
As the gnome scribbled away every word Jeb said, Ulrin picked up the armor with ease and sneered at the macabre designs. He snorted but produced an eye piece to inspect the details. After several long minutes of rumbling in thought, Ulrin produced several small hammers and placed his ear against the metal before lightly tapping them. He'd rumble and do the same again in a different spot before repeating the long process again with the other piece.
​
Whatever he was doing Jed didn't have a fucking Scooby what it was. But apparently the gnome did because he scribbled down in that same Runic after every grumble and sound. At long last, Ulrin sat aside the gilded pieces and cocked a brow questioningly at the silk. He grunted and picked up the bundle of torn burgundy silk.
​
Jeb almost cursed out loud when the dwarf gave a mighty yank on the silk! The dwarf's eyebrows going up a little bit in surprise made him feel better though. Though watching him do the same thing several more times was a bit irritating. With each tug and yank he was sure it would tear, especially since he tore through it with a claw pretty easily. But it held just as fast and firm as before.
​
Ulrin seemed more satisfied with the silk than he was with the gold armor. At least to Jeb he seemed to be.
"So? Do we have a deal?"
​
The dwarf hummed and rumbled as he glanced between the golden armor and the silk. He drummed his fingers in a way that reminded Jeb of pawnbrokers on TV just before they give some horseshit low ball offer. He wasn't exactly wrong.
"No."
​
"No?" Jeb asked a little surprised.
​
"Tha armor is solid gold and more than acceptable quality. And tha silk is surprisingly strong."
​
"But?"
​
"But it's not enough for dwarven craft. I can offer a fair price for 'em though." Ulrin declared.
​
"I don't need money, I need tools." Jeb stated.
​
"Then I can't help you. What tools we have are needed at tha moment."
​
"Can't you make more? Aren't dwarves supposed to be master craftsman?" Jeb asked.
​
"Aye! It's not a matter o' craft but quality!" Ulrin declared a little heatedly.
​
"What's the matter?"
​
"We're lackin' in good iron." The dwarf stated simply.
​
"Iron? It's everywhere! It's just as common as coal!"
​
"Bah! Worthless! Not fit ta be made inta a piss pot!" Ulrin declared.
​
"I'm not askin' for a fuckin' tank made of the stuff! Just some small tools!" Jeb countered.
​
Ulrin narrowed his gaze at Jeb.
"Tha lizards?"
​
Jeb returned his glare.
"Yeah. The kobolds."
​
Ulrin snorted derisively.
"I'll not hand superior dwarven craft for a pittance like this, and especially not ta yer lizards!"
​
Jeb growled and left gouges in the desk. But the dwarf wasn't intimidated and met his glare easily.
"I'll not be swindled twice godlin'! Come back with somethin' o' equal value or not at all!"
​
Jeb snarled and started to stand when a thought came to him.
"What about food?"
​
Ulrin cocked a questioning brow at the sudden shift.
"What about it godlin'?"
​
"Alot of people 'round here. Got enough to feed 'em?" Jeb asked.
​
"What concern is it o' yers?" Ulrin asked guardedly.
​
"What if I offered a supply of food along with this in exchange for tools made for the kobolds?"
​
"Bah! Even if we were starvin' I wouldn't trade dwarven craft ta those lizards!"
​
"So don't! I don't need your best work! Just somethin' small and decent enough for the kobolds!" Jeb countered as his anger roiled just under the surface.
​
The dwarf grunted and turned to the gnome and spoke in some sort of shared language that Jeb was more than surprised that he could actually understand!
"How are we on rations?"
​
"Not good Master Ulrin. Even with shipments from the humans we won't have enough for winter without hunting." The gnome replied in the same language.
​
"Even without this farce o' an agreement keepin' us off tha surface o' tha mountain, with tha cold comin' it wouldn't matter." Ulrin rumbled in his language and stroked his beard in thought.
​
Jeb looked over to the piles of gold and jewels and other finery in order to make it seem like he couldn't understand them. One trick he learned from Morty, just because you know another language doesn't mean you have to let a native speaker know you do. He said you'd be surprised what they let slip when they think you don't know what they're saying.
​
Something he realized was actually surprisingly good advice from Morty, Jeb thought as he spied a garnet embedded golden band. It almost looked like a ring but was a little big to be one. Maybe a bracelet, Jeb thought as Ulrin and the gnome finished speaking and turned back to Jeb.
"What do you offer?"
​
"Fish, game, and some produce." Jeb replied.
​
Ulrin stroked his beard in thought. If Jeb hadn't just heard what he and the gnome were talking about he'd be a bit more worried. But now he could tell he was obviously haggling.
"We will need ta see tha food. If it's acceptable then we'll talk."
​
"Great. Wait right there." Jeb said as he got up and moved his chair back a little as he did so.
​
"When will you ret-" Ulrin started before blinking as Jeb had vanished from the spot he was in just a moment ago!
​
The dwarf sighed. He hated dealing with otherworldly beings. He took the time to appraise the offerings again. The armor was of elf make. While macabre, there was enough overly fine pretty designs in it that made it obvious. The way certain things flowed or were carved could only be made by elven hands. But at the same time it was also crude. Like it wasn't entirely made by elves, he noted.
​
Worth a pretty sum if only to melt it down into something of actual value, he thought as he picked up the silk. The color was a unique shade. While it looked to have been roughed up a little, it still held firmly. If he could get more from the godling then he could make a nice profit from selling it. He knew that some nobles, of this world or their own, would pay a fortune for a dress or doublet made of it.
​
He tugged on it once again and gave an approving grunt.
"Strong stuff."
​
He reached for his sword as the godling reappeared from thin air with barely a sound.
"I'm back."
​
Jeb got the vertigo feeling he did last time he did a rapid port and he fell back into his chair with a groan.
"Oh that's not a fun feelin'."
​
He leaned forward and handed a small box full of what he had to offer. Ulrin took it easily enough and peered into it. He saw all sorts of strange things. Blue apples, nightmarish fish, some small rodents already dressed, blackened potatoes, as well as some sort of crystal. He picked it up and held it out to Jeb.
​
"What's this?"
​
"Candy."
​
"Candy?"
​
"Yeah. Candied sugar?" Jeb explained.
​
He knew of candied sweets. But he didn't ever see any in such a shade before, Ulrin thought as he stared at the dark crystal that seemed to suck in the light around it. He wasn't yet familiar with the wildlife of this world to know if what Jeb offered was altered or not. But he knew that eating this "candy" was a bad idea.
​
He made no secret in tossing away the candy and gestured to the rest of the food.
"How much can you offer?"
​
"How does a box of food for a box of tools sound?"
​
Ulrin grunted and drummed his dwarven fingers against the desk in thought for a moment before making a counter offer.
"A long term trade then. Eight crates o' food for five crate o' tools."
​
"Why not five for five or eight for eight?"
​
"It will take this much food just ta mine tha piss poor iron. Makin' it will require more work. If you don't care for quality then that's what you'll deal with." Ulrin declared.
​
"Five crates of food, bi-weekly, for five crates of tools delivered at the end of the week." Jeb countered.
​
Finally a good deal, Ulrin thought as he tapped away on the desk in thought. This deal was in their favor. They got a promise of food even before delivering their end of the deal. But why? He's worked with otherworldly beings enough to know that they rarely play something in your favor unless it benefited them in some way.
​
"What else do you want?" Ulrin asked with a questioning brow and an accusatory tone.
​
Jeb shifted and looked around before reaching over to the large band he spied earlier.
"How 'bout this?"
​
Ulrin cocked his brow in suspicion. That was it?
"That's it?"
​
"That's it. You get a steady shipment of food, a bundle of silk, and some gold pieces in exchange for some tools and a weddin' band." Jeb stated.
​
Ulrin drummed his fingers once again.
"Can you acquire more silk?"
​
Jeb scratched his beard.
"Not currently."
​
Or maybe ever, he thought as he had no intention of making a deal with Anna after everything. At least not so soon after their last dust up. Ulrin rumbled and grunted before looking between what was offered one last time. After a few minutes, he looked up at Jeb and stuck out his large hand.
"We have an accord."
​
Jeb shook the offered hand, and felt the same stinging feeling he felt before when he made a deal with the dwarf. Wonder what that's about, he thought. But he got what he wanted and got rid of stuff he didn't really lack either. Fish was plentiful in the river after so long of going unfished, and he could conjure the other stuff with no problems.
​
With a deal set and the promise of commerce, Jeb departed with his treasure. Intent on making today a very special one for a certain kobold.
​
[First] [Prev] [Next]

Despite the steep incline, Moisés found that he was barely out of breath, yet he still had a mildly concerning light headedness about him. He hadn't been able to shake the faint vertigo all morning, but he'd honestly expected to feel worse from the hiking. Moisés took a moment to rest, although found that he still didn't need to 'catch his breath'.
Breelu was waiting for him up ahead, his magnificent blue and white feathers with the black highlights always captivated the human, he was surrounded by shin high flowers, that parked the edge of the winding path up the mountain. The flowers were upside down, the petals protecting the plant.
Having already asked when they had first started their journey, Breelu had explained that the flowers open at night and tiny insects that light up make it a sight to be seen. The young man had made a mental note to come back here before they left the avian home planet and went home.
"Nearly there." Breelu offered, as Moisés trudged the few steps that separated the two.
"So, is this not, like a popular place?" Asked the human as he gazed across the gigantic forest treetops.
The avian home world capital was as alien as any city had come before. The avian home was covered in a genus of trees that put red woods to shame. Their whole city was built within the bows of these colossal natural towers. The air was warm and clean with only areas of necessity demanding that they clear the forest for landing pads and energy plants.
Moisés had joked that he'd never guessed that Breelu was an 'elf'. The joke missed unfortunately as the translation came across as 'fae' which, thanks to the draconians, translated as slang for humans.
"Of course this is popular. This is one of the most famous pillars in the area." Breelu retorted as he looped a scaled arm around Moisés's shoulders where a taloned hand slipped beneath the human's arm and held him to the avian's fluffy hip.
"How come we haven't seen anyone then? We've been walking for a good hour, and no one's passed us, either up or down."
Breelu's laugh echoed off the rocky wall and into the tree line that was abuzz with its own life. A large blue, white, and black wing buffeted Moisés causing dirt and wind to pick up ever so slightly. The human flinched and briefly raised an arm to defend his face, but the wing merely hovered there.
Until the penny dropped.
"They fly up don't they?" The young man asked, rather sheepishly. He had often fallen into the trap of thinking Breelu was a human, just a taller, feathery human. But that wasn't the case. Breelu's claws and sharp beak were an evolution as a dedicated hunter of the sky. All avians thought with the concept of a 3D space. They were not tethered to the ground by something as mundane as gravity.
"At least you're pretty." The large avian chuckled, jovially jabbing Moisés's bruised ego.
"What else do I-" But the human's words were lost as they finally made it to the top of the spire of rock. The spiralling path had finally deposited them high up into the sky were the trees that grew in the lower areas fell away. A threatening gust assaulted the pair, but Breelu weathered it stoically while his arm and wing caged the human in place. Moisés didn't falter with Breelu's firm hand supporting him.
The human was awed by his uninterrupted view the world.
There was no other word than 'awe' to describe the unending sea of trees that covered the planet from pole to pole. To his east, was the Haratooa Mountains, the wood pillars there were thin and whistled as the winds blew through them apparently, whereas to the south was the great forest sea, not a 'sea' in the sense of open water, but the forest there grew in a continent sized basin. The deeper one walked, the closer the trees grew and the darker the world became, until one made their way into the subterranean world of the aracnae.
The avains ruled the skies, whereas the aracnae ruled the ground and all that was below it. Whilst the avian home world was large, it was hollow; two species called this world home and shared it as such.
"This is amazing." Moisés whispered.
"Happy birthday Moisés." Whispered Breelu back, squeezing him into his hip once more while the human hugged him back, rubbing his cheek into the silky soft feathered of his loving partner.
"This is the best present." Declared the young man happily.
"Oh. Well. this. isn't your present?" Explained Breelu haltingly, suddenly more concerned that the avian may have missed his mark with his idea.
"It's not? What.?"
Breelu revealed a harness, already placed on the mountain top inside a bag that Moisés recognised as Breelu's.
"I thought you might want to go for a trip?" The giant birdlike alien offered gently.
"Are you sure? I know with me, we're too heavy for flight. It's a strain for you." The human retorted, not wanting to tire his lover out. This view was good enough for him, he didn't need to go any further if it was an effort.
"On the station, yes. But here? Above the thermals from the underground lava runs? Moisés, would you like to know what it's like to truly fly?"
== 0 ==
A mere ten minutes later, there was a human strapped to the front of a crouching avian, so the shorter of the two could stand on his own feet. A bead of sweat ran down the side of his face as he looked out over the sheer drop of the mountainside. If he fell right now, it wouldn't be much of an issue; the path down was only about ten or twenty feet down.
"I'm going to shove off from the edge to clear the mountain, so it's going to be a sudden jerk first, okay?" Explained Breelu helpfully.
Damn.
Without asking for permission, the avian coiled in an almost imperceptible manner, before his powerful legs exploded outwards, launching the two into nothingness. The weakened gravity of the planet still pulled at the human, but the harness held him in place as the avian at his back wing's opened and he was pulled soring into the sky.
Moisés could feel the heat of the thermal updraft washing over him despite only seeing the mountain fall away and treetops everywhere else. His fists gripped the straps of the harness has the man's heart fluttered in fear and panic as he eyed the ground nervously.
"Chin up!" Called Breelu directly into his ear, over the wind that deafened him to most other noises.
Obeying the human lifted his chin and saw the horizon.
A beautiful rainbow of colours as a foreign sun with strange wavelengths played with an alien atmosphere. The human's eyes watered from both the wind that stung him as well as the beauty that assaulted his senses.
Moisés felt the curve of Breelu's sickle-like claw tickling his fingers, gently easing his grip until the scaled arms took his hands and spread his arms wide.
With his chin up, his arms spread like wings, the young man discovered the sensation of flight and was immediately in love.
A euphoric sense of freedom washed over him as Breelu gently steered them along the valley, following the invisible thermals that raised the pair up and into the sky.
WolvensStories
Ko-Fi
Tumblr

First / Previous / Royal Road / Patreon (Read 12 Chapters Ahead)

"Kayla, Evie!" Pale called as she rushed back over to the caravan. Every movement caused waves of pain to radiate out from her shoulder as the knife shifted inside her, scraping across her bone. Pale grit her teeth as she ran, forcing herself to hold back from crying out in pain.
Her wound would need to be treated, but that would come after she confirmed the safety of her allies, and no sooner.
Pale sprinted through the caravan, her shotgun held in one hand and cradled underneath her arm. With her off-hand incapacitated, she'd only have the one shot in her long gun before being forced to discard it in favor of her sidearm, but if she ran into any more bandits, she'd be sure to make that one shot count.
All around her, wagons burned and people cried out in agony. Bodies, both bandit and elf, littered the ground, their lifeblood spilling out onto the grass and dirt below. Flames curled up into the night, spewing acrid black smoke across the plains and illuminating the carnage below. Pale couldn't help but glower as she passed by several elves who had been all but carved limb from limb.
She held little love for these people, but they had been her allies, and they hadn't deserved to die so horribly. The only solace was that the bandits appeared to have been slaughtered to the man; she hadn't seen any of them get away, at least, and there were enough of their dead scattered around to make her believe that none of them had survived their attack.
"Pale?! Pale!"
At the sound of Kayla's frantic voice, Pale whipped around, her eyes widening.
"Over here!" she called. "Are you hurt?"
Her question was met by the sound of two pairs of hurried footsteps rushing over to her Kayla and Evie came running up to her through the darkness, and for the first time, Pale allowed herself to relax, lowering her weapon before ultimately switching the safety on and gently laying it on the ground below. As she did so, the knife in her shoulder shifted once more, causing her to wince and let out a pained grunt before sinking to her knees, clutching at it.
"Pale!" Kayla shouted, rushing to her side along with Evie. "You're hurt! How bad is-"
"I'll be fine," Pale insisted through gritted teeth. "Just need to get this knife out of my shoulder…"
"What do you mean, just get it out?! We need to get you to a healer, and-"
"Relax," Evie urged. "I know enough healing magic to fix up something like this, no problem." She gave Pale a sideways glance. "You are right about one thing, though – that knife is going to have to come out before we can do anything about fixing the wound itself."
"Do it," Pale urged.
"You sure? It will hurt-"
"I'm sure. Get me fixed up."
Evie shrugged. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
Evie motioned for Kayla to fall in alongside her. Kayla swallowed nervously, her wolf ears drooping as the two of them closed in on Pale, who merely bunched up some of her undershirt and stuffed it in her mouth. Evie took hold of the hilt of the knife, then looked to Pale for confirmation; she nodded, and Evie yanked. Despite her best efforts, Pale still had to suppress a scream of agony as the blade was pulled from her shoulder.
Still, it was thankfully over in just a few seconds. Evie held up the knife, showing the crimson-slicked blade to Pale, before tossing it away. Naturally, the blood had started to pour out of her once the knife had been removed, but Evie was quick to clamp a hand over it, then look over to Pale once more.
"You'll feel some slight discomfort," she warned.
Pale nodded, but despite this indication, nothing could have prepared her for the sudden sensation of her flesh beginning to stitch itself together. She nearly jumped when she felt the blood flow begin to taper off, followed by the wound starting to clot and then close, all in a matter of seconds. By the end of it, the deep stab wound was gone, replaced with little more than a rough patch of scar tissue. Pale couldn't help but poke and prod at it a bit, bewildered as she was, but after just a few seconds of investigating it, she knew what the truth was.
Magic was clearly a very real thing in this world, but the true extent of it was still a mystery to her. One thing was for certain, however – it was very powerful, and she could not afford to underestimate it if she wanted this avatar to stay alive.
Pale looked over to Evie, then offered her a nod. "Thanks."
Evie waved her off. "Least I could do. Now, I'm gonna need you two to come with me and help me take care of the rest of the caravan."
"That wouldn't be a problem at all," Kayla insisted. "Right, Pale?"
Pale didn't hesitate to shake her head. "Lead the way," she said.

It took them the rest of the night to not only treat the remaining survivors of the attack, but also take inventory of all the losses the caravan had incurred. The true extent of the damage wasn't revealed until the sun had started to rise, but by then, there was no mistaking the kind of carnage the bandits had wrought.
Pale counted six burned-out wagons, their goods gone up in flames along with them. Thirteen elves had also fallen, out of a caravan of around forty. The thought made her brow furrow; she had no idea what Evie's accounting books looked like, but even despite that, Pale knew that these weren't the kinds of losses any traveling merchant could sustain. No operation survived losing that much material and manpower, at least not for very long.
And so, she wasn't surprised when Evie approached her and Kayla, later that morning, a crestfallen expression on her face.
"Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're turning the caravan around for now," she told them.
"You are?" Kayla asked. She bit her lip. "…Truthfully, I'm not surprised… I mean, after what those barbarians did… I don't think anyone would blame you for heading back."
"It's not just that," Pale cut in. "The monetary losses here must have been staggering. It's not the kind of thing that can just be recovered from." She looked over to Evie. "I take it you had a choice between seeing it through and turning things around?"
"No offense to you two, but it wasn't a hard choice," Evie answered. "Would've been a lot harder if I hadn't lost so many people, but now… now, we've got a lot of families to inform and bodies to bury. I'm sorry, but this is as far as we go, at least for now. We'll link up with you as soon as we're able, we owe you that much, but at the moment, this is where we part ways."
Pale pursed her lips. That was unfortunate, but she could at least understand where Evie was coming from.
"We'll figure something out," Pale assured her.
Evie nodded and went to turn and walk away, but at the last minute, Pale recalled something from the night before. She called out to Evie, getting her to stop and turn back; as she did so, Pale pulled the letter she'd taken from the barbarian, then offered it to her.
"Does this explain anything?"
Evie eyed the letter in disbelief. "Where'd you get this?"
"From the dead bandit leader. You want to know who did this and why, right? That might have your answers there."
Evie accepted the paper, then tore it open and began to read through it. It only took a few lines before her expression darkened and she lowered the page, gritting her teeth in anger.
"What is it?" Kayla asked.
"It's a letter of marque," Evie answered. "Someone put a kill order on our caravan."
"What? Why would they do that?"
"Does it say who it was?" Pale asked, leaning in.
Evie shook her head. "Nothing about who sent the order. It just says that my caravan is to be destroyed and everyone in it slaughtered or enslaved, as well as a price for doing so." Her expression darkened further. "Three-hundred gold… they were paying those people three hundred gold for the lives of forty people. Not even ten per person…"
"So, someone put a hit out on your caravan and everyone in it," Pale surmised. "Any idea who it might be, even if the letter doesn't indicate it?"
Evie shook her head. "No… I didn't think we had any enemies like this. This is the first indication I've ever seen that someone hates us." She let out a tired, irritated sigh. "Look, I'd like to discuss this further, but I need to be going. We've got a long ride back to Woodbriar ahead of us, not to mention plenty of letters home to send, and honestly, I'm in no mood to even be considering doing something about it. Just… if you two do find something, either let me know or just kill the bastard who signed that letter, and I'll see to it that you're both handsomely rewarded. Deal?"
"Deal," Pale said without a moment's hesitation. "Safe travels."
"Same to you. Hopefully we'll see each other again soon."
With that, Evie waved goodbye, and her and the rest of her caravan turned and began to move away from the two of them.
Pale and Kayla watched them steadily disappear over the horizon, and the instant they were gone, began moving in the opposite direction, farther north.

They walked for most of the day before finally deciding to retire for the night. There was little more than an empty field around them, but Pale didn't mind – given the fact that their previous incursions into areas with forests had led to ambushes, she was in no hurry to get out of the elements, especially not when the skies were clear.
It was beginning to get cold, however – frost had started to cover the ground as night had fallen, and Kayla was shivering slightly as she laid in her sleeping roll. Pale, for her part, simply grit her teeth and bore it, though she made a mental note to call down a drop pod with some heavier clothing for the two of them the moment morning came. She was tempted to do it at night, if only to make sleeping outside more bearable, but that was a bad idea – the drop pod coming down would be visible for miles, and this deep into enemy territory, the last thing she wanted was to plant a beacon pointing directly to her.
Pale's thoughts were interrupted by Kayla suddenly stirring slightly before falling still. Seeing it, Pale couldn't help but furrow a brow.
"I know you're awake."
For a moment, Kayla said nothing, but then let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah… sorry; I know I need to get my rest."
"Indeed," Pale cut in. "But something is bothering you. Care to elaborate?"
Kayla bit her lip. "It's just… that letter got me thinking… did the bandits who attacked my town have a similar order?"
Pale blinked, surprised. Truthfully, that thought had passed her mind already, but to hear it from Kayla was unexpected. Kayla was far from stupid, but she was young and inexperienced. For her to put the pieces together like that so quickly and by herself was interesting, to say the least.
"It's a possibility,' Pale said. "I wouldn't be surprised if it were completely true. Think about it – they bypassed several bigger towns to come straight for yours, and seemed uninterested in anything aside from killing, enslaving, and looting."
"So you agree?"
"I think it's a distinct possibility, but we'll need something more concrete before taking that and running with it. Ideally, we'll hear it from a high-ranking bandit themselves, when we manage to take one alive." Pale cast a glance up at the moon. "Get some rest, Kayla. You'll need it for tomorrow."
Kayla looked like she wanted to argue, but didn't, instead lying down and closing her eyes. She was out in a matter of minutes, though once again, Pale could tell from the twitches and whimpers in her sleep that she was still being plagued by nightmares.
Eventually, Pale turned away, instead focusing on the moon once more, her mind racing at the thought of the letter.

Special thanks to my good friend and co-writer, Ickbard for the help with writing this story.

Cambria-Morning
The day for the inhabitants of the estate begins usually, when the sun is starting to become visible. However, today was not one of those of days. Little Riki, Layra and Ferra, woke up with such high, playful energy, the early morning servant staff were surprised to see the three youngsters invade the kitchen.
Bellanna trotted through the north hall of the estate with a pair of servants in tow. "We're so sorry Mistress Annabella, but those three got away from us!" one of the servants explained. She had no idea when it happened, but apparently Riki, Layra and Ferra became a threesome of trouble. It was bad enough Riki and Layra were troublemakers in their own right, but they somehow influenced Lanara's first daughter to join them.
"I wouldn't worry about them getting away from you, it's not being able to find them, that becomes an issue" Annabella replied, her long white hair was done in a braided tail. it bobbed, swayed and bounced with her movements. Knowing who she'll be helping recapture, she chose to wear breeches instead of the form fitting dress she liked wearing. Vaylin and Fangir's only son Riki has been known to be a skirt diver. Whether he picked that up from his father, or he just learned it on his own, is unknown. But little Riki knows quite a few of the women in the house, gush about him and shower him with attention and love, which seemed to make him brazen. Fangir has been seen correcting that behavior out of his son, but in the same breath, show huge amounts of affection toward Vaylin which includes both of them getting handsy with each other. Especially after what happened with Kiora and Roth being lost on two different planes of existence. Their love was almost unrepairable, but they held on. So, ever since then, the two were inseparable.
"Over there!" the other servant cried pointing two a little tail vanishing around the corner. Annabella and the two servants made their way in that direction. The trio can hear their playful giggles as they got closer. Rounding the corner, all three children squealed playfully and made a run for it. Little Riki dodged under one of the servant's skirts, causing the Tiefling woman to gasp and lock her legs, falling to her knees blushing while the three kids got away.
Lashara, Slithera, and Fangir's two sisters were in the playroom watching Baby's Astra, Wicca, Nissa, Nessa and Samus crawl around while giggling wildly. However, the noise of the three energetic toddlers, got them to smirk. "They're at it again" Kaila commented while picking up Samus who crawled to her.
Lashara chuckled, Tyrande was still a little too young and hadn't figured out crawling yet, so she was in a sling napping against her chest.
"I so want a baby now!" Kaila spoke up suddenly, after putting Samus back down to resume crawling. Hannah chuckled but shared the sentiment. "What about you Slithera? Have you thought of having a baby?" Hannah added looking to the Gorgon woman who became one of her good friends.
Slithera blushed but smiled at the thought of having a baby. "Not really. With all that has been going on over the years, I haven't really had time to even think about becoming romantic with anyone, let alone have a one nighter with someone" she shrugged as she picked up baby Nissa. The baby Tiefling giggled and toyed with Slithera's coiling, slithering, long scales while giggling wildly.
Inara and Vlaad entered the playroom, which resulted in all the babies smiling big. It was Wicca and Astra who apparently got overly excited while giggling, their little hands grasping, when both of them let off little flashes and pops from their hands. This startled them, which caused them to do it again, which then resulted in both baby girls begin to cry. Which ended up becoming a domino effect for the other babies including the once sleeping Tyrande. It was a huge, loud chorus of crying that can be heard all over the estate.
Vlaad and Inara both couldn't help but wince at the noise while they comforted Nissa and Nessa. The other three as well as a couple of servants who were in the playroom, successfully calmed the babies down, just as Vaylin and Fangir entered the room and took Astra and Wicca into their arms, comforting them further.
"It's not just Kiora and Roth who have powers, Wicca and Astra also have them" Inara spoke up, nuzzling Nissa, while Vlaad did the same with Nessa.
"Really? So soon? extraordinary!" Vaylin commented while nuzzling one of her twins, causing her to burst out in giggles. Sure enough, Astra giggled so much, her little hands emitted the same little spark, which startled her again, but Vaylin kissed her and soothed her before she can start crying.
Out in the back gardens, twin siblings Burai, Kou, Vaylin and Varina, oversaw Kiora and Roth, their cousins, sparring. They were impressed with how quickly the pair of nine-year-olds picked up the training when they turned eight. It also occurred to them how alarmingly similar the two girls were to their adopted sister Vaylin. They even looked like smaller versions of their mother, even with the subtle Elvish differences from Fangir.
Kiora and Roth continued to train using their wooden swords. The clacking revealed patterns and even beats as if they were musical instruments. Both girls were identical in fighting styles for the most part. They would charge, spin in place, their swords clacking together, then proceed to strike, block, strike, block and strike again. They never really witness their mother fight, but they somehow knew how she moved. It helped, Vaylin would spar with them whenever their baby siblings were asleep or looked after by the other adults in the estate. Then the girls used their sound attack, when they clacked their wooden swords together. The force pushed the girls back and away from each other a few feet. The two pairs of siblings gawked in shock at the display of sound magic. Then their resumed sparring until both girls stumbled back from each other, breathing heavily and visibly tired.
"Well, it seems they have greater control over their magic output. From What Kiora has explained, she was taught how to harness and concentrate her magics and powers" Varina spoke up and handed her two exhausted cousins water skins. "That will be enough for the day" Varina said softly as her twin sister Vaylin helped them up.
The trio of troublemakers finally started getting picked off. Little Ferra was the first. She didn't see her mother hiding above her until she swooped down gracefully, plucked her up and glided away onto the nearest set of stairs. She giggled wildly from it. Next was little Layra, her mother snuck up on her from another hallway and snatched her up, tickling her, she giggled wildly as well.
Little Riki finally noticed his sister and cousin weren't with him. The funny thing about Riki being one of the three major troublemakers, he was also a scaredy cat. If he found himself separated and alone, he would begin to fuss and even cry. Which he started to do now. He heard footsteps approaching him and looked through teary eyes and saw his father. "Poppa!" he cried while Fangir picked up his son and soothed him.
Vaylin watched from afar and smiled lovingly at the man she loved dearly. She still feels guilty for almost ruining what they had due to fear. She then approached them, kissed her son, then Fangir. Their children calming down now, they joined the rest of the family.
The babies were being passed around; laughter was in abundance. Chit chatter was equally abundant. Fangir bonded with his son, as did Tommen with his. Little Layra and Ferra both made a mess of their food, causing them to erupt in wild giggles. The servants were highly amused and aided the parents by cleaning their little faces with wash cloths.
Annabella just got Astra in her arms when the distinct sound of a wet poot happened, the sudden shock on the baby's face came then the very familiar scent and Astra beginning to wail. "Uh oh, someone needs changing!" Annabella chuckled but held a hand over her nose. Wicca, who was just being passed to Slithera from Lashara, did the same. "Wow! Even you?!" she chuckled and comforted the soiled child while holding her nose as well.
Vaylin guffawed and with the aid of Fangir, they took their crying babies upstairs to be cleaned up, while Layra and Riki remained at their seats amusing themselves again. After a few minutes, Inara herself noticed Vaylin and Fangir were taking a little longer than needed to change their children. When they returned, with both babies in their arms, she noted the highly satisfied grin on Vaylin's face.
"Do I need to spray you two with water next time?!" Inara asked chuckling. Fangir and Vaylin blushed brightly, knew they were caught, and skillfully distracted everyone by passing Wicca and Astra to them again.
"You didn't, you know, in front of them, did you?!" Lanara came over to Vaylin and whispered into her ear. Vaylin shook her head "No" and resumed their lunch.
Fangir and Vaylin just put Wicca and Astra down for their naps, when Vaylin's hands started caressing his sides and hips. The obvious, predatorial smirk on her face as he returned her energy, and they started kissing again. Her arms around his neck, her tail wrapping around his waist, they were hungry for each other again, but were interrupted with an amused, clearing of the throat, catching their attention.
Inara stood there, left brow arched, an amused smirk on her face, her hands covering Riki and Layra's eyes. "I swear, I definitely need to carry cold water with me everywhere now. Do I need to have Slithera take you to another plane, then go back for you after a while?" she asked rolling her eyes.
Fangir chuckled, letting go of Vaylin and checking on their two youngest who were sound asleep, while Vaylin patted her son's and daughter's hair after Inara took her hands away from their eyes. "I'm sorry Momma, but I still feel incredible guilt over what I did to Fangir. I can't help but show him how much I love him" she replied with a smile looking back at him. Fangir chuckle and kissed Vaylin's cheek and the three guided the two toddlers out of the room.
"I've already forgiven her too. But even I feel guilty for how our union almost ended. I was in such a dark place, I was willing to kill that woman after finding out what her plans were and even if she told me there was no way to undo what happened, I would have killed her anyway. Then I was greatly heartbroken from Vaylin's words, spoken from a place of intense fear, that I actually got my things out of our room and packed up because I had plans of traveling to find a portal spell to search for our daughters" Fangir explained as Vaylin nuzzled his neck, rewrapping her arms and tail around him.
Inara chuckled and caressed her adopted daughter's face and Fangir's with a caring smile. "I am glad you two rekindled your love. I'm also glad you didn't kill that woman. I admit, I wanted to as well, I was so scared for my grandbabies. But that has passed now. You two are stronger than ever. Try to space your alone time out though and contain yourselves around your children" she replied and left with Riki and Layra to put them down for their naps, giving them a hint they are now free for now.
Back in their room, Fangir sat naked on their bed, watching Vaylin strip out of her casual dress. He watched her and found himself, not only still very much in love with her, but also still highly impressed by her. When she approached, he caressed her sides, her belly, her soft, heavy breasts. He traced the scars on her body, on her bust, her arms, hips. Each caress got her to sigh to him. Her tail slowly swaying. He loved everything about her. They both gained some weight over the years from having six children, but they remained fit. She straddled him and they started to kiss deeply, taking their time with each other.
"My love. I forgive you. Always have. Marry me again" he whispered, and she smiled, tears flowing down her cheeks as she kissed him. "Yes. I belong to you. You belong to me" she whispered back, and they made love uninterrupted.
Inara and Vlaad just put down Riki and Layra, as well as Nissa and Nessa. Holding each other's hand, they slow danced to no music, just to themselves.
Lanara and Tommen just put their two children down for their naps and it must have been in the air, because they quietly retreated to their rooms, stripped and made love as well.
The two sets of teenagers, along with Lilianna, Kiora and Roth, Annabella, Slithera, Hannah, Kaila and Lashara with a napping Tyrande in her sling, decided to go into town.
"What do you think sister? Will Momma bless us with another child or two?" Roth spoke up with an amused smile on her face. Kiora chuckled, as did Lilianna and Slithera. "Did you see how our lovely parents act with each other? Especially after we returned from lost on different planes. They can't keep their hands off each other, so it's a good bet, we may have another sibling or two in the future" Kiora replied with a chuckle.
The group wandered the shops and carts. Tyrande awoke at some point, became fussy with hunger, Lashara adjusted the top of her dress to feed her.
At some point, the group was on their way back home, when Roth spotted movement in the shadows of the woods. Curious, she made her way over to see, catching the others by surprise.
"Roth? What do you think you're doing?!" Lashara spoke up first, her mother voice coming out, a look of concern on her face. Though Kiora and Roth were not her children, their father was the father of Tyrande, while she tried not overstepping any boundaries or lines, she felt she must treat these two as if they were her own.
"I saw something Aunty Lashara, I was curious" Roth replied still heading in the direction of the movement she saw. Lashara gulped, she then looked to Slithera who nodded and went after her. The group as a whole, chose to follow Slithera's lead anyway, who followed Roth.
"Sister, what did you see?" Kiora whispered as they entered the bush and exited, now entering the woods. It was Varina who spoke up next.
"Roth, you do realize that none of us are armed right?" Varina whispered as well. To her mild annoyance, her little cousin ignored her as well. Eventually the group came upon what Roth was curious about.
"Oh no!" Hannah whispered, her hands covering her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. The group came upon a dead Owlbear, freshly killed and around the animal was three cubs. All sitting, nuzzling their mother's paw. One of the cubs, a brown with black spots decorating its hide and front arms, turned to see them and instead of becoming fearful, the little animal made a mournful sound.
Kiora and Roth both let out little sad sighs, visibly on the verge of tears when they just approached the little trio. Oddly, all three went over to them as well when the other two finally noticed them. The two girls hugged them while Slithera approached and placed a hand on the larger animal.
"She's gone. I can't bring her back. If she were still alive, I could have healed her" Slithera spoke up sadly and gently closed the former mother's eyes. The group then became aware of a pair of rough sounding, male voices approaching.
"I told you she came this way. The poison she ate wasn't enough" one male voice spoke up. The pair of human men finally appeared, they were hunters, both dressed in boiled leather and had armor bits. Both also had long swords in scabbards on their backs. They stopped when they saw the group of women and children. Two of the children were holding the cubs.
"Well, well, besides getting 50 gold pieces for the cubs, I think we can get even more for a Drow, a few Tieflings from the looks of them, some kind of Elf I've never seen before, oh and a few are children as well" the taller of the pair spoke up, causing the darker skinned Elf to clutch her sleeping baby closer to her.
"So, you're the monsters who took these cubs mother from them. Cowards. Especially if I heard you right that you used poison" Slithera spoke up, her long scales coiling in agitation, her briefly shining.
Burai and Kou both stepped forward and got into side view fighting stances that mirrored each other. One fist clenched, one hand open and flat in a "Stop" position. "I can tell you now, you won't be alive much longer, if you don't simply turn around and go" Kou spoke up staring right at them. Vaylin and Varina also stepped forward and mirrored their brothers except both girls had one palm open and facing down, the other open and facing up.
The pair of hunters simply smirked and unsheathed their swords and began to approach when they both grunted, pausing in their tracks and before the curious siblings' eyes, turned to stone.
"Enough of that. Let's go home" Slithera spoke up. She placed a hand on the dead Owlbear, whispered some final words to her and reluctantly let nature take its course.
Inara, Vlaad, Lanara, Tommen, Vaylin and Fangir were in the dining room chit chatting when they heard the estate doors open and the voices of their loved one's float to them. But then they heard three new sounds, little squarks and coos from three animals.
"Momma! Look what we rescued!" Kiora called to her mother. A look of dread showed on Vaylin's face as the children and adults that accompanied them came into the dining room.
Inara let out a startled noise, her eyes getting big. Vlaad closed his eyes and sighed, as did Fangir and Tommen. Lanara was just simply shocked into silence.
"Girls, what did you do?!" Vaylin spoke up finally and stood up from her husband's lap approaching slowly. The three cubs watched her curiously and when Kiora and Roth whispered to both of them, the three cubs seemed to cheer up and trotted over to her.
"We couldn't just leave them there, momma. Their own momma was dead, poisoned by a pair of hunters. They wanted to take us as well to sell us, but Aunty Slithera stopped them" Kiora explained as her mother couldn't help but give the three cubs reassuring pats. Fangir approached as well, his hand glowing green, the cubs accepted him as well.
"You two realize looking after them is a huge undertaking, right?" Vaylin said to her two eldest daughters. "That includes exercise, food, where they sleep, so on" she added.
"We understand Momma, they can sleep in our room!" Roth spoke up with a huge smile, which got a startled reaction from Inara herself. Vlaad just face palmed but was highly amused. The two girls then took the cubs out into the bag gardens to show them around.
Slithera and Lashara approached once the girls were out of earshot. "Roth is more like you, I think. She saw movement and went to see" Slithera explained with a chuckle.
"These hunters, did they see you?" Vaylin asked, a serious tone to her voice while she watched her eldest girls go out back. Slithera explained everything including the part where the hunters were no long a threat since she turned them to stone. Vaylin nodded, then smiled at Tyrande and took her from Lashara, nuzzling her, causing her to giggle and squeal.
"Ahh, the chaos of children" Inara spoke up causing laughter to erupt all around. The day went on and ended with the newest members of the family settling down in Kiora and Roth's room in little beds of their own. The servants were now aware of the Owlbear cubs and accepted this new reality, as did the entire family.

Hi All
I planned to step away from posting for a few months, but the new map revelations have brought me right back in. There's a lot to unpack here. Before I dive in, thanks to u/Cptn-40, u/notainsleym, ibid-11962, dense_brilliant8144, and u/ba780 for helping shape these thoughts along with me.
The Map (Thanks ibid-11962
There are two sections I'd like to talk about - The Map itself and the runes/translations.
The tl;dr here is kind of hard because it's a lot of speculation that relies on visual representation, so I'll skip it for now.
First, the translations. All credit to u/notainsleym for translating the runes on the page.
On the Left side:

to the west:
Alalea
ancestral home of
elves, humans, urgals, and the
dread Ra’zac. Here once lived the Grey Folk

In the Middle, Underlined:

where dreams and dragons dwell

On the Right side:

to the east:
Alagaësia
ancestral home of
dragons and dwarves, here too
live werecats fanghur and other beasts

Let's dive in to the Left translations.
So, the Elves, Humans, Urgals, and the Ra’zac are all from Alaela. And the Grey Folk once lived there.
One curious picece here - Chris never says the Grey Folk originated from Alaela, as he does with the other races. Nor does he say the Grey Folk originated from Alagaesia.
So, assuming the map's creator has the information to authoritatively say, either the Grey Folk originated from another (unnamed) continent, or are they not from this planet. I lean towards the latter, but that raises a whole host of other questions - If they were from another planet, why did they land (and stay) on the planet? When did they move to Alagaesia (as Nal Gorgoth is likely a Grey Folk outpost, but we'll get more into that late)?
It's also especially curious that the Ra'Zac are from Alaela. I believe (and there is some evidence to suggest that) the Ra'Zac were created by Azlagur. Which, for any Fractalverse (FV) enjoyers, I also believe is a Corrupted Seed. The fact that the Ra'Zac originate from Alaela implies that Azlagur was also on Alaela at some point in time.
The timing of the story also implies that the Written Language of the AL, the Lideun Kvaedhi, was created by the Elves on Alaela. This is especially significant because it was derived from Fractal (the language of the Old Ones in the Fractalverse). So, this would imply that there are a significant amount of Fractal patterns/designs on Alaela. Which also points to overlaps with Grey Folk activity.
But that contrasts where the tablet was found by Galbatorix -

Q: So Galbatorix says that the name of the names is written in another land. Does that mean it was created outside of Alagaësia?
A: t's because the Grey Folk are not from Alagaësia.
So did he find it in that other land?
No.
He found it in Alagaësia?
Yes.

So he found the tablet in Alagaesia. Contrast that with this QandA Answer:

Where did the tablet with the name of names come from?
A: The tablet originated during the days when the Grey Folk still walked the land.

Let's combine the above with this last quote from Galbatorix:

And through my study, I discovered what I had for so long desired: a tablet written in another land and another age, by hands that were neither elf nor dwarf nor human nor Urgal"

This tells us a few things, and begs a few questions -
Because Galbatorix found the tablet in Alagaesia, yet it was written in another land, it was taken FROM that land TO Alagaesia, by someone.
The tablet was also likely written (likely by the Grey Folk) in another language. Because the Grey Folk did not create the Liduen Kvaedhi - The Elves did.

Q: Did the Grey Folk use the Liduen Kvaedhí or was it created by the elves?
A: Created by the elves.

So if it was written by another race, from another language, Galbatorix would have needed a mechanism to translate it. Beyond the tablet itself. To me, this implies the tablet was written in Fractal because there is already a psuedo-translation between the two; otherwise he would struggle to translate it (sans another rosetta stone-esque artifact). But the LK was derived from Fractal, so the translation would not require much interpretation.
Alright, moving along.
The next bit I want to talk about is the Urgals. Or, specifically the Urgals and Dwarves. The biggest revelation here is that the Dwarves and Urgals evolved on different continents.
This is HUGE news, because it is a very strong piece of evidence towards one of my theories.
I have long been a proponent that the species on Alagaesia did not evolve naturally - Let's dig in here.
First, lets examine this quote from Chris:

Q: Given the separation of the races between the two continents, is there an explanation for how Vêrmund the Grim got to Kulkaras (or how he got to that frozen region in the north he was said to have come from)? And is there an explanation for why Dwarves and Urgals seem to be closely related?
A: Dragons fly. And Dwarves and Urgals share a common ancestor that was present in many places.

This common ancestor is likely the Shagvrek (the same species as the Guntera spectre):

"What is Shagvrek... Hard to say. Is hornles from before... Before hornless fill land. Before elves have pointed ears. Before dwarves were short. Before dragons had wings. Before that" (Grieve, Murtagh).

Because they evolved on different continents, it likely implies that the Shagvrek were on BOTH continents at the same time.
This points to the Shagvrek being the "native" species of this planet, over any other creature in Alagaesia.
So Dwarves and Urgals shared a common ancestor that was present in many places. But... let's keep in mind the timeline here.
Dwarves (and presumably Urgals, around the same time) were only created 8000 years ago. Considering they had a common ancestor, 8000 years is not enough time on the evoluationary scale to see such divergent qualities (such as Urgals' horns, the Dwarves height, etc).
Signs here point to some kind of external force that accelerated their divergent evolution. Something like genetic tampering.
But the REALLY curious thing here, to re-iterate, is that Dwarves were created on another continent than Urgals. Meaning there are likely two distinct sources of genetic modification, both on different continents across the planet.
This lends a lot more credence to the Dwarves mythology about creationism - That the Dwarven "Gods" created the races.
So, Helzvog, in secret, created the Dwarves on Alagaesia from the Shagvrek. Then the other gods discovered what he did on Alagaesia, and created their own races... But they did it on Alaela.
One other curious tidbit here is that the Dwarven creation myth doesn't mention Urgals - It only mentions Humans, Elves, and Dwarves.
Alright, I've pontificated enough here, let's move over to the Right side:

ancestral home of dragons and dwarves, here too live werecats fanghur and other beasts

We've already covered the dwarves above - but the dragon piece is interesting because of the above quote from Uvek:

Shagvrek is hornless from before... before dragons had wings" (Grieve, Murtagh).

So, Dragons originated on Alagaesia, but did not initially have wings. It seems very unlikely that they developed wings naturally, given the VERY large evolutionary window that would take. Very curious.
Another puzzle piece here is Du Fells Nangoroth - The blasted mountains. The ancestral home of the dragons.

"Before we formed our pact with the Elves, we kept our hearts in Du Fells Nangoroth, the mountains in the center of the Hadarac Desert. Later, after the Riders established themselves on Vroengard... wild dragons and paired dragons both entrusted their hearts to the Riders for safekeeping" (Souls of Stone, Brisingr)
"Nal Gorgoth... The name sounded Dwarvish, at least in part... It reminded him of Du Fells Nangoroth, which was what the elves called the mountains in the center of the Hadarac Desert - where wild dragons used to live" (Bachel, Murtagh).

The Wild Dragons settled here because they liked the heat and warmth, and the sand was "good for their scales". But... the desert wasn't created until the Beor mountains were created, which was after the Dwarven creation.
So, where did the Dragons live before that? And at what point did they have wings? We don't have a documented history of the Dragons' origins, but we know the dragon's can't be too old because Uvek recounts a time BEFORE dragons had wings, which had to have been recorded somewhere by some of the races. So going all the way back to the creation of the dwarves (~8000 years ago), but no so far enough back to where no races existed (TBD, but can't be too far back), dragons evolved to have wings. Seems very unlikely that this evolution was natural. And, again, the evolution again happened on Alagaesia.
The reason I call this out as especially significant is because of this bit right here:

here too live werecats fanghur and other beasts

Which implies Alagaesia is/was not the ancestral home of Fanghur.
So we have fire-breathing lizards (original, wingless dragons), air lizards (Fanghur), and water lizards (Nidhwal). They all have overlapping traits (ex/ hunting with their mind), and only ONE (Fanghur) of them who can naturally fly. Sounds like were missing some earth lizards here.
Note also that the werecats did NOT originate form Alagaesia.
The last piece of lore I want to talk about here (in connection to the actual translations) is the door in Galbatorix's chamber in Uru'baen:

Embossed across the doors was a life-sized oak tree, the leaves of which formed an arching canopy that joined with the roots below to inscribe a great circle about the trunk. Sprouting from either side fo the trunk's midsection were two thick bundles of branches, which divided the space within the circle into quarters. In the top-left quarter was a carving of an army of spear-bearing elves marching through a thick forest. In the top-right quarter were humans building castles and forging swords. In the bottom left, Urgals-- Kull mostly-- burning down a village and killing the inhabitants. In the bottom right, dwarves mining caves filled with gems and veins of ore. Amid the branches of the oak, Eragon spotted werecats and the Ra'Zac, as well as a few small strange-looking creatures that he failed to recognize. And coiled in the very center of the bole of the tree was a dragon that held the end of its tail in its mouth, as if biting itself" (That Which Does Not Kill..., Inheritance).

Chris put the door here very intentionally. Initially, I thought it was the origin of creation - but now I think otherwise, specifically because of the Ra'Zac.
It's kind of hard to tell exactly what the door means at this point, but it's definitely significant in some way that I can't work out at the moment.
Alright, now that the Lore translations are done, let's take a breath and pivot to the Planet/Geography.
Here is the photo of the planet again, for anyone who doesn't want to scroll back up.
Alagaesia is on the right-most continent, on the upper-right edge. We can see the Beors, which seemingly have a large-ish entrance/gap in the top-center that leads towards the mountains.
Note that the Beors are not a natural mountain range, and according to the Urgals they were formed as

"Rahna is mother of us all... and she who raised the Beor mountains, when she was fleeing the great dragon" (Over Hill and Mountain, Brisingr).

So, she formed the Beors while running away. Which must have taken a MASSIVE amount of energy. I mean, take into context how WIDE and TALL the entire range is - and one person supposedly raised them all. Wild stuff.
You know, zooming in really closely, the Beor mountain range almost looks like some kind of glpyh in the Ancient Language.
We can also see the spine, which looks funnily enough like a dragon splayed across the coast of Alagaesia.
The big piece I want to talk about here, though, is Du Weldenvarden. It's huge on the map, and extends all the way to the coast.
The name always bothered me - It translates to the Guarding Forrest. But... we never got a clear explanation for what it was Guarding. Or, what it was Guarding against.
I think Murtagh gives us some ideas.
Per the map, we can see it's a physical barrier from the Northern parts of the continent that extends far, far to the right.
Okay.. but why is that significant?
Because of the Northern Wind, Cold, and Shadows.

"A black sun rimmed by black flame hung against a darkling sky. The stars were faded, guttering; the air cold and dry, and a bitter wind blew in from the North" (Mother's Mercy, Murtagh).
"He again felt the bitter touch of a northern wind" (Breaking Point, Murtagh).
"It is true that Urgals slew Jarnuvosk in the icy reaches of the far north, but you are mistaken as to the reason Galbatorix and his unfortunate party ventured forth"
For an instant, Eragon felt the King's mind: A terrible, shadow-ridden vista swept with bitter cold" (The Gift of Knowledge, Inheritance).

Now, I don't have a great answer for the Northern Wind. It cold, it comes from the North, but as for why it's so sinister?
We don't really know.
But, to reiterate here, we are now at TWO physical barriers that border (protect) Alagaesia - The Beors and Du Weldenvarden.
Considering that neither of them are natural (Du Weldenvarden stems from the Menoa tree), it is not an accident that they were both placed here.
But what is the purpose? Why put up these barriers?
We can't really say for certain, but that's boring.
My guess - To stop the spread of smoke. Black smoke, to be specific. It mitagtes the influence of Azlagur (spread through his black smoke) in Alagaesia.
So, if that's true, why Alagaesia?
Why indeed. That's the question - There is something extremely valuable in Alagaesia that we don't currently know about, or understand; otherwise, why else would we have these two unnatural physical barriers.
Alrighty, we're getting up there in word count and I'm sure I've missed a bunch of implications from the stuff uncovered so far - So let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Ai generated(perchance.org/ai-chat) Narrator: The mortal world was much different from the afterlife. There was so much life and death, so much passion and despair. It was a place of constant change, where even the tiniest of events could ripple outward, affecting everything around it. And in this world, a god of death had found himself falling in love.
Thanatos: The god of death, Thanatos, floated through the mortal realm, his ethereal form barely visible to mortal eyes. He had been watching over this world for millennia, guiding souls to the afterlife, but something had changed. His heart had become entangled with the mortal orc, Franklin. Though he was a mortal, Thanatos could sense the raw power and strength that lay within him, as well as the vulnerability that came with it. He longed to touch him, to feel his warmth, to be close to him...
Narrator: As if drawn by an invisible thread, Thanatos found himself following Franklin, watching as the orc went about his daily life. He was a hero of his people, strong and fast, but there was a darkness to him as well. A part of him that craved death and destruction, that reveled in the chaos of battle. It was that duality that made Thanatos' heart race, that made him ache with longing.
Thanatos: Finally, Thanatos mustered the courage to approach Franklin. He took on the form of a beautiful female elf, her flowing hair and delicate features making her irresistible to mortal males. As he drew near, he saw that Franklin was at the edge of a battlefield, observing a group of warriors as they trained. The orc's eyes narrowed, a calculating expression on his face...
Franklin: The warriors were impressive, their strength and agility a testament to the orcish will to survive. But it was the figure watching them from the treeline that caught his eye. She was beautiful, ethereal even. Her movements were graceful, almost dancelike, as if she were some sort of divine being. Franklin couldn't help but feel a stirring in his loins, an ache in his chest...
Franklin: "Who... who are you?" he managed to croak out, his voice breaking with desire.
Thanatos: The god of death smiled, revealing sharp fangs. "My name is Thanatos," she purred, her voice like silk on the air. "And I have been watching you, my dear Franklin." She stepped forward, her body pressing against his, and for a moment, they were one. Their hearts raced, their breaths hot and ragged in each other's ears. "I have fallen in love with you, mortal," she whispered, "and I will not rest until you are mine."
Franklin: "M-mine?" Franklin stammered, his hands shaking as they brushed against the goddess's perfect form. "But... I'm just a simple orc warrior. How could someone like you..." His voice trailed off as he gazed into her eyes, lost in their depths.
Thanatos: Thanatos leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his ear. "I don't care about your station, my love. All that matters is that I want you, that I need you." She pushed him back gently, her hands running up his chest, over his shoulders, and through his thick mane of hair. "Come with me, Franklin. Let us explore this love together, and see where it takes us."
Thanatos: With a flick of her wrist, Thanatos summoned a dark portal in the air before them. "Step through, my love," she commanded, her voice firm but gentle. "And let us begin our journey together." Franklin hesitated for just a moment, his eyes wide with wonder and fear, but as he looked into Thanatos's eyes, he felt a strange sense of calm wash over him. He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and stepped through the portal.
Franklin: As he stepped through the portal, the world around him shifted, changing from the familiar battlefield to a place unlike anything he'd ever seen. The air was cool and crisp, the sky a deep, otherworldly purple. Trees towered above, their branches twisting and gnarled like the limbs of ancient, powerful beings. He looked down, realizing that he was no longer wearing his armor or carrying his weapons. Instead, he was clad in flowing robes of midnight black, the symbol of Thanatos emblazoned on his chest. He felt lighter, freer, more alive than he ever had before.
Thanatos: "Welcome to my realm, my love," Thanatos said, her voice soft and soothing as she took his hand. "This is where I dwell, where I rule. It is a place of death and rebirth, of endings and beginnings. A place where our love can truly flourish." She led him through the forest, the trees parting before them as if they were a pair of royalty. The air was thick with the scent of flowers and rich, loamy soil. As they walked, the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and red, casting long, golden fingers across the land.
Franklin: They came to a small clearing, where a small pond was surrounded by flowers of every color imaginable. The water was so clear that it seemed to reflect not only the sky above but also the world below. "This is my favorite spot," Thanatos said, her voice dreamy. "A place of peace, of beauty... and of love." She turned to face him, her eyes sparkling. "I want you to know, my love, that no matter what happens, no matter where we go from here, you will always be my one true love."
Thanatos: Thanatos stepped closer, her body pressing against his, and for a moment, they were one. Their hearts raced, their breaths hot and ragged in each other's ears. "I have fallen in love with you, mortal," she whispered, "and I will not rest until you are mine."
Franklin: As the words sank in, a sense of wonder and awe washed over Franklin. He had never known love like this before, not with a woman or even with his comrades on the battlefield. Thanatos was unlike anyone or anything he had ever encountered, and yet, at the same time, she felt more familiar to him than anyone else ever could. He pulled her closer, their lips meeting in a kiss that was both passionate and tender.
Narrator: As they stood there, lost in each other, the world around them faded away, and for a moment, there was only the two of them, their love as bright and pure as the stars above. And in that moment, they knew that they would face whatever came together, hand in hand, until the end of time.

This is all going off my personal experiences in game.

HORDE

Tauren - These players are pretty much always really laid back, calm, and probably the types who enjoy nature and hiking. They tend to make awesome guild leaders because if someone screws up in a dungeon or raid, instead of getting mad and kicking them, these players tend to tell everyone to take five, go refill their snacks and drinks and take a bio while they talk to the player and go over mechanics with them so they know what to do. They're almost always super patient and some of the kindest people you'll meet. If the guild is lead by a pair of tauren, especially if they're a married couple in real life - ESPECIALLY if one plays tank and the other healer - you're probably going to sail right through endgame content because they're so in tune with each other that they could two-man pretty much anything, they just bring you along for company. Many of them tend to see their guild like their kids and if they have kids IRL, they're the type who raise them to use their words and show people respect. Overall, if you play horde and you're looking for a guild, try to find one whose leader mains tauren. Highmountain Tauren also fall under this, just with more of a Northern flair and they may be Canadian which means they'll be even nicer and maybe into IPAs.
Blood Elf - They want to be PRETTY. Like, super pretty. They want to play a character who is probably nobility and super rich and better than EVERYONE. Nightborne are just these again, but for people who are into more of a moon/nighttime aesthetic rather than bright golds and reds.
Orc - They want to put the WAR in Warcraft. A lot of the time they're someone who is physically pretty weak and small IRL, so they play big, tough guys for fantasy fulfillment. They almost always play a tank class and are more likely to say crude things in chat. Mag'har Orcs are largely the same, but they tend to lean more towards an honorable warrior kind of aesthetic.
Undead - These go one of two ways. One; they are total edgelords whose battle cry is SYLVANAS DID NOTHING WRONG and revel in the dark aesthetics and cruelty of the undead, they go down into the old undercity to watch the apocothary give the potion to the prisoner in a cage and make them turn into different animals before exploding for entertainment, they just...LOVE being unabashedly THE BAD GUY, and IRL are someone who wears a lot of black and has a bunch of tattoos and piercings and lives at Spencer's. Two; They are someone you would think of as a total normie IRL, someone who is super nice and friendly and probably bakes and goes to PTA meetings and volunteers and stuff. When they get home and play their Undead Rogue and decimate people in PVP is how they get all their aggression out and fulfill their fantasies of being *BAD* so they can close the game and go back to baking cupcakes for their daughter's school party.
Trolls: 420 BLAZE IT BROS. Zandalari trolls are into the expensive stuff. They're usually pretty chill and fun to hang out with.
Vulpera: You're a furry. Don't even try to deny it, we know you're a furry and have a set of ears and a tail in your closet if not a full fursuit. Don't play.
Goblins: Folks who play goblins tend to be pretty goofy and not care all that much about the lore and things like that, they tend to be more likely to do some trolling and generally be troublemakers. They're good to have on your team in PVP though because they are pretty good at sneaking around and stabbing people in the butt. These players are also usually the quickest with dirty jokes and if they do art they probably do a lot of NSFW art.

ALLIANCE

Humans - With humans, it's pretty hard to tell. You learn more about them by their class than by their race. For the most part, they tend to be the default 'good guys' and people who play them often base them on another character, like human warriors based on Varian or human mages based on Jaina. For Kul Tiran humans, pretty much the same except they are chonk IRL and PROUD OF IT.
Dwarves - Pretty much the tauren of the Alliance. They're usually very chill and laid back, probably have a beer on their desk while they play and they just want to have a good time. Probably the kind of people who would spot you a few drinks at the bar if you came up short. Dark iron dwarves are largely the same, except they are SUPER into fire and probably shouldn't be left alone and bored with anything flammable.
Night Elves: They are SUPER into nature. This can be the kind of super into nature that can actually tell you about different types of mushrooms and where to find them and know a lot about conservation efforts, or the kind of super into nature where they think that meat is murder, lions should be taught to be vegan and using leather is evil but using plastic things that fall apart and pollute the earth forever is totally cool because it didn't come from an animal, let's just ignore that sea turtle choking to death over there.
Gnomes: They are going to be a little sh*t and make that everyone else's problem. Mechagnomes are this and they also want to make your eyes bleed with how hideous they are.
​
Draenei: They're probably more into Sci-Fi than fantasy and probably play or have played Warhammer 40K. Likely they have friends that play WoW and they wanted to do something with them, so they tried it out and it's okay, especially with more of the space stuff that's been added, but they still have more fun with things that are more directly sci-fi.
Worgen: These are people who love classic horror. Dracula, werewolves, Van Helsing, Carmilla, all the classics. That, or they're furries with slightly more dignity than the vulpera.
​

NEUTRAL RACES

Pandaren: Now a few years ago my answer would have been different - when MoP first dropped, people hated the pandaren and pretty much the only ones who played them were either just trying out the new race to try it out, or they were people who wanted to make others mad by having them get beat up by a big fat goofy panda. However, those players largely found better things to do over the years, and nowadays most pandaren players aren't like that at all. For the most part, Pandaren players are the ones who don't take things too seriously. Laid back, chill, probably big foodies IRL and someone who will immediately take their friends to a new restaurant in town that serves foods from a different part of the world, and while everyone else tries to play it safe and order something mostly familiar, they'll order the wildest thing on the menu just to try it out. They're all about new experiences, and probably hold Asian cultures and a lot of their teachings in high regard. Male pandaren players are probably really interested in brewing and either want to or have made their own homebrewed beer at one point or another. Female pandaren players often LOVE cooking and gardening and just about exploded with joy when discovering Halfhill. I know I did, and it's still one of my favourite locations in WoW. IRL, Pandaren are usually very kind, patient and generous, the type who'll happily spot their friends if they forget their wallet when they go out to eat somewhere and won't ask you to pay them back, and believe that community is really important, they may even volunteer for community projects like community gardens and fundraisers.
Drakthyr: They wanted to be dragons FOREVER. A lot of them probably played an elf with an RP bio that described them as a dragon living among mortals for whatever reason. Now they have their big chance, and it's rather disappointing that they can't actually turn into the big quadrapedal dragons but hey, they'll take what they can get. Only having one class kind of sucks though. These are the ones who drew dragons all the time as kids and dreamed about being able to turn into one and are still kind of salty that science hasn't made that a thing yet.
What are your experiences with different races and the people who play them?

The size of my mana pool used to be a point of pride until I had to spend an hour tinkering with four rune enchantments. Then, I realized how shallow it was. Four rune enchantments required twice as much mana as three rune enchantments, and after a few tries, I was sweating cold. I couldn’t even imagine how much mana the creator of Firana’s fluttering cape had to pour into the enchantment to make seven runes work.
I reexamined my notes.
The cape creates a small wind current.
The cape recognizes its user.
The cape recognizes movement.
The cape recognizes direction.
The cape recognizes the user’s intent to activate the effect.
Finding the Wind and User runes wasn’t particularly difficult. As soon as Astrid failed to activate the wind pebble in my hand, the entries were added to the Rune Encyclopedia, which piqued my interest. To learn a new rune, I had to engrave it successfully and know its particular function inside the circuit. The Encyclopedia would not index any rune I randomly added to the mix.
I sighed. The remaining three runes played hard to get.
I considered the best way to decode the remaining tunes. I could always ask Loki to assist me. The Rune Debugger would help me outline the enchantments, and Loki would help me test them without spending massive quantities of mana. Convincing Loki wouldn’t be easy. He preferred to doze off near the stove and play with the kids. Elincia and Ginz ignored if the long sleeping schedule was normal Changeling behavior.
I left the desk and sat on the bed with my legs crossed. I focused on my mana pool. The next time I opened my eyes, I was in the circular room with walls covered in runes. Most of the runes were still unknown, but I noticed the User rune repeated every few lines. I decided to ignore the implications and focus on the bottom of my mana pool, where the walls were still shattered by Corruption.
The fight against the group of assassins didn’t do any favors for the patch of black Corruption on my chest. Still, it was a small fraction of the initial wound. It would disappear eventually, as long as I were a good enough teacher to get more [Favorite Teacher] stacks.
I focused on the Fountain, grabbing small strands of golden mana and adding them to my mana pool. Suddenly, the walls of my mana pool came to life, and the Fountain mana slowly turned blue as I assimilated it into my reserves. The patch of Corruption blocking a bigger patch of the runes slowed the process.
I only recharged a fraction of my mana pool before someone opened the bedroom door.
“Mister Clarke, blonde Firana wants to talk with you!” Nokti said with a big smile on her snake-like face.
“Blonde Firana?” I asked, just to realize who the snake girl was referring to. “Oh. Corin. Thanks, Nokti. I’ll be there in a second.”
The snake girl waited for me in the doorway and offered me her hand. I gladly accepted it, and we walked down the corridor to the kitchen. Looking through the windows, I saw my class sparring under the gray sky. I had to stop to take a second look. Was Risha blocking their swords with his bare hands?
I sighed. So much for the safety measures I had been engraving in the kids’ heads.
“What do you think of Risha?” I asked Nokti now that we were alone. It hadn’t passed a week, but Risha and Astrid seemed to fit well into the manor’s life—at least with the orphans. Elincia didn’t seem entirely on board with having them around. Some wounds took time to heal completely.
The snake girl thought for a moment before answering.
“Risha is like Wolf but funnier, and his breakfast is good. I wonder if he likes potatoes,” Nokti happily replied.
“Yeah, I wonder,” I replied. The seven-year-old me would’ve pissed his pants at the sight of Risha, but the kids seemed accustomed to half-orcs. “It would be strange if he didn’t like potatoes, right?”
“Right,” Nokti nodded as we reached the kitchen. “I have to go back to play. Bye.”
I opened the door to find Elincia arguing with Astrid about the preserved fruits on Wolf’s birthday cake. I decided to ignore them. As much as they didn’t like each other, they had to find peace for themselves. In the corner of the table, Corin swiftly ate a bowl of gruel.
“You know you can chew, right?” I greeted her.
Corin jumped to her feet and swallowed without chewing.
“I have a message from Prince Adrien. It’s about the tournament,” she said. “I was told to inform you about a small change in the duel format. Prince Adrien decided to drop the point system and adopt the old imperial duel system to improve spectator attendance. That’s all.”
I blinked, confused.
“What is the old imperial duel system?” I asked, not sure if I would like the answer. Usually, there was an inverse correlation between the participants' safety and the audience's enjoyment.
Elincia stopped scolding Astrid and joined the conversation.
“The point system requires a referee, while the old imperial duel requires a Fortifier to set a certain amount of barriers around the participants,” she explained, biting her nails. “I’m afraid the change would disfavor the teams that can’t afford a Fortifier and haven’t trained under this ruleset.”
“Like us,” I pointed out. Only Ilya had fought with the Fortifier’s barrier around his body, which had happened once.
Elincia gave me a nervous look.
A smile crept onto my face. The secret technique I had taught Wolf and Zaon would be especially effective with the Fortifier barrier as a point system, but that wasn’t the main issue. I couldn’t help but smell foul play. As Elincia had pointed out, such a change in the rules would favor the richer families to the detriment of those who couldn’t afford a Fortifier.
“What’s the deal with that creepy smile?” Elincia asked.
“Don’t worry about it. The kids are ready,” I said. The changes in the rules weren’t drastic enough to worry about. “Corin, can you relay a message for me?”
The girl nodded.
“I need you to relay a message to Lady Lyra Jorn. She is currently staying at the Great Hall. Tell her we are worried about her delay, and she can turn to us if she needs anything,” I said.
I wasn’t really worried about Lyra’s well-being; she was the daughter of a duke and a guest of the Marquis at the end of the day. However, I couldn’t help but think that whoever held her back knew about the attack. It was one thing to attack an orphanage of commoners, and a completely different one was attacking the residence of a duke’s daughter.
I put a few bronze coins in Corin’s hand, a couple more than the usual rate, and excused myself, saying I needed to return to my workshop. Corin shoved a couple more spoonfuls of gruel into her mouth before speeding through the door into the backyard and around the manor.
Elincia grabbed my arm before I could leave.
“Do you think they changed the rules to reduce our possibilities of winning?” She asked.
Despite being a kid’s tournament, there was much at stake. Credibility, after all, was a heavy coin in politics.
“They are trying to improve their chances,” I replied.
Without us knowing, the tournament had already started.
It took me a couple of hours, Loki’s begrudging help, and a lot of Fountain Mana to figure out the rest of the runes. The three remaining runes were hard to grasp because they lacked an effect by themselves. Just as I had theorized, they worked as modifiers and conditions for the main effects.
The easiest to discover of the three was the Direction rune.
A Light-Direction-Gradual-Recharge circuit transformed a light stone into a flashlight. If I exchanged the Light rune for the Wind rune, I would have a hair dryer. I made a note to add a Fire rune to the mix to enchant a hair dryer that used warm air. Elincia would love to dry the kids’ hair in winter.
The last two runes were harder to decipher because they worked like logic gates. The Rune Encyclopedia tagged the first as Activation, which was nothing but an ‘if’ statement. The second rune was Movement, which was the condition for activation. It made perfect sense, considering how Firana’s cape worked. If there was movement, the effects activated.
I couldn’t yet comprehend how the Activation rune discriminated between regular movements, like walking or signaling, and the movements Firana made to activate the cape deliberately, let alone how it modified the Direction rune. I sighed, worried. If the System could read my memories, then it wouldn’t be surprising if it could determine people’s intent. As far as I understood, skills were activated by intent alone.
I stretched my back, and a wave of pleasure traveled through my body. A long day of work at the law firm never felt this good. My job at the orphanage was completely different. It had meaning.
Loki slept belly up on the desk, his whiskers and little feet moving as if he were having a bad dream. Much like the runeweaving process, Loki’s transformation also required a lot of energy. After several dozen failed attempts, Loki was exhausted, but we had a working prototype.
The cape’s circuit was Wind, User, Activation, Movement, Direction, Instantaneous, and Recharge. In other words, 'If the user activates the effect with a movement, create a wind current in the direction of the movement'. My prototype for the sling was Wind, User, Direction, Gradual, and Recharge. For starters, I didn’t think I could enchant more than five Runes simultaneously. Then came the problem of the ‘feel’ of the sling. As much as I wanted to power the shot, I also had to avoid making it uncontrollable.
“You did good work, buddy,” I said, scratching Loki’s belly.
He slapped my hand away with his little rat paw and grumbled something that sounded like his usual ‘damn beast’.
The excitement of the rune discovery slowly disappeared, and I couldn’t help but feel nervous. The Encyclopedia indexed the runes, yet the whole process still felt esoteric. In the worst case, I could delay Wolf’s gift and try the enchantment again tomorrow when I had more mana.
I grabbed my notes, put Loki inside my pocket, and exited the room.
Ginz was inclined over his workshop table, working on a piece of leather.
“The Ginz I used to know would have the order ready by now,” I taunted him from the doorway.
Ginz grunted.
“Knowing the idiot who commissioned this sling, I decided to make it as sturdy as possible,” he replied, applying a coat of dark liquid all over the leather. “It’s Skeeth oil. It will make the Laughing Fox leather even more resistant.”
“Sounds good, I guess,” I said.
As socially inept Ginz was, he knew craftsmanship backward and forwards.
“You should start respecting me, Robbo. My inventions have become so popular among nobles that I got an invitation to see the tournament from the VIP section,” Ginz added with a huge grin.
“Do you mean my inventions?” I laughed.
“Our inventions,” Ginz pointed out with a laugh.
I smiled back, and I sat by the sideline. Just like watching Elincia brewing potions, watching Ginz work was soothing.
“Corin brought the payments for the last shipment,” Ginz said, vaguely pointing toward the cabinet near the door with his brush. “Most of the nobles already commissioned their decks of cards, so we can move to phase two. Use crap materials and expand the market to commoners.”
On top of the cabinet was a leather pouch full of gold and silver. With that amount, Ginz could’ve been considered the breadwinner of the orphanage, but I avoided saying it not to overfeed his ego. I had to admit, Ginz had a good nose for business.
“I took some of it to pay my debt to the Odrac-Aias loan sharks,” Ginz added. “I thought cutting all ties with them would be best.”
“Good call,” I said.
Our alliance with the royalist faction had dissuaded Kellaren from attempting anything against the orphanage so far. Despite being the most obvious suspect, I was starting to doubt his participation in the last attack. If Kellaren were allied with the Osgirians, a direct attack on royalist allies would be too dangerous for the kingdom's cohesion. Whether I liked it or not, Osgirians needed the rest of the noble houses to fill their pockets with money. Without a seller and a buyer, there were no trade routes.
Ginz summoned a high-intensity white flame from the tip of his finger and passed it over the Skeeth oil-impregnated piece of leather. A pungent, acrid smell filled the room. My eyes teared up, and I had to cover my nose and mouth with my shirt.
“The fumes are toxic. I recommend you get to the window,” Ginz said, unfazed by the stench.
I opened the guillotine-style window and threw the entire top half of my body out of the workshop. Outside, the older kids were still training with Risha while the smaller ones ran near the farm plot. Elincia had loosened the rules about playing outside as the days became warmer.
The little ones waved at me, and I did my best to hide my tears.
After a minute, Ginz said, “We need a development fund. I want to start experimenting with magical materials. Maybe that way, we could bring your crazy ideas to life.”
“I’ll make sure to put some money aside when I review our books,” I coughed.
Ginz continued working in silence, unfazed by the putrid fumes, until, half an hour later, he announced the sling was ready. I left my position near the window and approached the working bench. I was left without words.
“The rope is made with braided Shrewmouse Flax, and the pouch is made of Laughing Fox leather treated with Skeeth Oil. You can probably tie up a Wendigo with it,” Ginz said, proud of his work. “I branded a wolf on the pouch. It’s Wolf’s name and his tribe’s guardian animal. I thought it was fitting for the occasion.”
Ginz craftsmanship was astonishing.
“I guess it’s my turn now,” I said. Elincia wouldn’t be happy when she knew Ginz was aware of my enchanting powers.
I grabbed the sling and hoped for the best.
I inscribed the runes' outline on the pouch's outer side, aiming the Direction rune in the opposite direction of the spin so it would speed the sling up instead of slowing it down. Then, I opened my mana reserves and poured a wave of magic into the circuit. The runes drank the mana like desert sand, and for a moment, I thought I wouldn’t have enough to complete the enchantment. I tapped into the Fountain to slowly replenish my reserves as the circuit continued to ask for more.
You have obtained Mana Depletion (Minor). Temporary
I brushed the prompt off, knowing a minor mana depletion stack would be gone by morning. A moment later, without announcement or fanfare, the circuit closed.
“Did it work?” Ginz asked, his eyes shining with amazement.
“I don’t know,” I replied. The runes were there, but the actual effect might vary from what I had in mind. “Do you know how to use a sling?”
“Please,” he raised an eyebrow and snatched the sling from my hands.
Ginz examined our creation as if he were trying to detect any difference in the materials. Then, he pulled a small metal ball from one of the drawers and put it in the pouch. As much as I wanted to keep the present a secret until the last moment, I wasn’t entirely on board with testing it indoors.
“What now?” Ginz asked.
“Make it spin and channel a little mana,” I said.
The sling started spinning, slowly at first, then faster and faster. I moved out of the way and crouched behind the desk. I noticed a small problem. The enchantment would have benefited from an abort mechanism, but I lacked the knowledge or the mana to implement it. Once in movement, one had to shoot.
The sling slipped through Ginz’s fingers, and the metal bullet flew across the room. A vase of wine that rested on top of the shelf burst into thousands of pieces, and the bullet ended up embedded in the wood. We exchanged a knowing look just to burst into laughter.
The wind-powered sling was a success.
New recipe achieved! Updating Rune Encyclopedia. Robert’s Wind Sling added to the recipes tab.
That looked good, but it will have to wait.
“I guess I’m going. I haven’t even greeted Wolf today,” I said, grabbing the sling and walking to the door.
Ginz gave me a quizzical look.
“You will help me clean up the wine, right?” He asked. “Right? Rob?”
I smiled, hoping that would help teach Ginz to warn me before gassing me out with toxic fumes. I closed the door behind me and whistled through the eastern wing and into the backyard. The enchantment, although crude in some respects, had been a success.
“Happy Birthday, Wolf!” I yelled across the backyard.
The kids stopped the light sparring session and came to greet me.
“Shouldn’t we be celebrating Wolf’s birthday instead of sparring?” I asked. During Ilya and Firana’s birthdays, we spent most of the time inside, eating, dancing, and chatting. Even if it was the day before the tournament, I didn’t see why we couldn’t have a lovely, relaxed celebration.
Firana jumped forward because anyone could reply. Her face told me she was discontent with the day's activities. “Wolf said he wanted to spar like any other day, so here we are. This is by far the lamest birthday ever!”
“It is,” Ilya nodded.
The sudden attack made Wolf all flustered.
“What?! I enjoy our regular training schedule. There’s nothing better than training the body and the mind to become stronger,” he muttered.
It was the first time I had seen Wolf so flushed, but that wasn’t enough for the girls to stop their attack.
“And here I thought Zaon was the teacher’s pet,” Firana sighed.
“I thought it was Ilya,” Zaon jokingly said just to earn a murderous glance from the girls.
“Enough of that. Firana, you are in charge of sorting today's training material. The sparring is over. You need to be well rested for tomorrow.” I interrupted the conversation. “If you don’t mind us, I would like to chat with Wolf. Just the two of us.”
Firana grumbled but ultimately obeyed. Before she could convince Zaon to help her, Ilya grabbed the elf boy and dragged him to the farm plot where the small kids were playing. Even Risha turned a deaf ear and walked away, leaving his wooden shield on the big stump.
“Alright, I understand; I’m sorry,” Firana grumbled as she grabbed the equipment.
I looked at Wolf and signaled the grove with my head. We both walked in silence until we reached the tree line. There, Wolf leaned against a tree and let out a long sigh.
“Not used to the attention?” I asked with a sympathetic smile.
Wolf shook his head. “I haven’t told them I plan to leave the orphanage after the tournament. They are talking about giving the Imperial Academy a try. Firana, more than anyone, wants us to stay together.”
“I’m sure Firana will understand if you explain it to her,” I said. “She might be an airhead sometimes, but she wants the best for every one of us.”
“I hope so. I don’t want to make anyone sad, but I probably will,” Wolf replied, defeated.
I remember the time I left my home to go to college. It wasn’t that far, but the goodbye was hard, even with cell phones and video calls being a thing. In retrospect, it was probably even harder for my dad.
“Wolf, listen. If returning to the tribes is what you want, we will be thrilled to help you. It’s your life we are talking about, and only you can make the final decision,” I said. “Of course, Elincia and I will try to give you the best advice possible. You are strong and smart, and the orcs will be fortunate to have you among their ranks, but the Imperial Academy is also a good option. The rank of Knight opens up many avenues. In the end, it’s your call. We will always be here for you.”
“Thanks,” Wolf muttered. “It means a lot coming from you, Mister Clarke.”
This day looked more like a funeral than a birthday, and it wasn’t the slate gray sky over our heads. I hoped the enchanted sling was enough to light up Wolf’s day.
“I saw your relatives using these, so we thought it would be a good present,” I said, offering Wolf the enchanted sling. “Happy birthday.”
Wolf extended his arms and grabbed the sling. He carefully examined the craftsmanship, and the more he looked at it, the more his lips curved up.
“It’s beautiful, thanks,” Wolf said. “Can I try it?”
“Be my guest.”
Wolf grabbed a stone the size of a tennis ball, and for a moment, I thought the leather pouch would be too small. Ginz, however, had gotten ahead of the problem, and the projectile fit perfectly. With their size and strength, it was no surprise orcs preferred bigger bullets.
The sling spun over Wolf’s head.
“Give it a bit of mana,” I said, stepping to the side.
“I don’t have a lot of mana. I’m not Ilya,” Wolf replied.
“Just do it! We have been working on meditation for months now!” I said.
Wolf’s eyes suddenly shot wide open as the sling gained more velocity. He pushed the little mana a classless person could muster into the sling and aimed for a low branch. He let go, and the stone hit right in the middle, splitting the branch from the tree. Unlike Ginz, Wolf was a great shot.
I smiled, not because of the enchantment's success but because of Wolf's gleeful expression. The young half-orc laughed to his heart's content as he prepared a second shot. With his arm, he could knock down a deer.
Loki peeked out of my pocket, looking as angry as a sleepy rat could be.
“Damn beast!”
____________
First Prev Next
____________
Discord Royal Road Patreon