The Living and Venerated ones see, now-a sole woman, in the center of Meglengrads market square. She is young, and considered beautiful by some-her light tan cloak and tunic serving to accentuate, rather than hide her delicate features, blue eyes and dark hazel hair.
This woman was born at sea during a raging night of storms, and sometimes the Gods still send her vivid dreams of the stinging taste of the salt water spray on her lips, biting chill winds, her fathers strong tanned arms sheltering her, her mothers light laughter.
She will live a Wanderer for the rest of her days, feeling a mild discontent-always wondering if she might have more.
She will die hearing birdsong, and will then be at peace.
Her name is Fatima Adan, and she is right now telling stories for meager coins-a task she had done often enough, her knowledge of the old tales and myths finding those rare fertile imaginations to seed.
She is the WANDERER. Her card is drawn. Note the long staff, dipped one end in gold, the other in blood. The open book and the roving eye. The subtle tounge and the soft touch. The many masks that flurry around her, for she is cunning and her true form is difficult to perceive.
Her fate is now drawn to the service of the Stonewatch, this singer of tales and a lover of gentle peace set against the most unclean-Ancient Beings and longforgotten Gods, their servitors and bondsman, those both highborne and the under-dwellers...she is not alone, but they are many...and she is one.
Maybe one good person standing against them is yet enough, even now.
...
Fatima turned to the crowd, waiting in anticipation for the end of the story. She smiled slightly, glad that the day was not unnaturally chilly or rainy-though, it was not uncommon for a kindly young man to offer her shelter at that point. This one was no courtesan...but she had her tricks.
Today, though-the tricks were purely benevolent.
"...and the Hero Grens mighty axe clove straight through the Giant Fangdrakes neck-he sang the old songs, and it gave him power. As the Dwarven steel cut so heavy a dent in those embittered ancient scales, cutting her spirits tether from it's source. The ground shook, and Gren laughed-though he had been alone, he had slain Great Devourer and egg bearer, chiefest foe of the wild lands.
But, in his moment of triumph, a wild shadow fell upon him-the God Fearow, the beast master and lord of the Hunt...purveyor of chaos and natures bounty. His offer was sly and full of promises of power and glory.
And he answered-"I serve the Father of the Dwarves, Appariton! I will not betray him!" in a resounding tone-though the walls of his people shook with the Gods laughter, but he was not slain, and his people suffered no misfortune-for Fearow was also wise and patient in his madness. The storm to come would bide its time.
And, as for the last Fangdrake...the Gods were merciful, and allowed the Great Mother to finally rest after a life of long labor and battle. For she was the last of her kind, the final Fangdrake we shall ever see. For she was not mortal, and only a beast-and her tale is short and brutal, only a footnote to our own stories and tales. The Gods, though, can be merciful-and cast her simulacrum to the stars, where you can still see the great serpent twisting among the great dark, when the moon grows thin and the clouds light. The Gods gave this so we would know, and tell, for they had grieved at the loss of such beauty, life and power. As they always do, for they care about every living thing, high and low.
...But, in the end...it would have no greater a loss then if Gren had warmed the Fangdrakes belly instead, for he had many more adventures to come. As you will soon hear."
Fatima smiled, bowed slightly-accepting the small applause. A twinkle of silver, or was that gold...
As a Wanderer, she has learned to speak and listen, and did her work well...as a Stonewatch, she had another duty. While she told one story, she listened and watched...rumors abounded, for one with patience enough to hear them.
Action: Fatima uses her knowledge of mythology to tell stories in the town square for coin-but in truth, she is listening and watching for rumors of interest to the burgeoning Stonewatch.
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Topic: Witchhunter Chapter 1: Humble Beginnings... (0/3 Open) (Read 3133 times)