the vale

The last few weeks were hazy at best, but what was certain was that whatever that thing had done to them... it was over. For now. But after that, what came was not something they were all prepared for... Ánië had been traveling for weeks now, and she had been given little choice but to...

I: Cedar and Yew Which is the deadliest form of a broken heart? That which comes after months or years of suffering, or that which strikes as unexpectedly as lightning from a blue sky? The elf pondered this in the back of her mind as she cradled the golden-furred fox. Burning tears dripped...

Smoke rose over the horizon. They'd ridden into Dawndale fifty horses strong that morning. All of those villagers were just beginning their day when the first blade fell. Their defenses were meager. No doubt the local Lord had little time to prepare a proper defense for what was to come. The...

The village of Aegerslant was nestled away amidst the woodlands of the Vale. East of the Reach, and near the borders of minor houses, and all the peoples who toiled amongst the soil there in. It was one of the many villages frequented by Knights Sworn, and the squires they brought in tow...

Last time he had gone out to forage, Arkobold the VI didn't have the best time. Well, no. No. Not true. He thought as his long knife turned over a clump of forest stuffs, stuck together by lichen and webs and other sticky filth. Nothing there... but maybe the webs and the lichen were good for...

There she ist again, walking barefoot. At least, he could only guess the figure was a she. She glowed too brightly in the sunbeams, draped in translucent cloth that seemed to hang with dampness. Her hair whipped about as she turned her head to check on him, guide him down a path in these...

x

The Northern Vale They had been traveling for hours, headed North on a quest of their own. It had been some time since Galvanhad had left the Monastery for this long, he had seldom left since he took on his role as teacher. The same could be said for his counterpart: Master Brambleshell. She...

[art cred] Noa was not quite at the Astenvale Monastery although she was most definitely on route towards it, not that the blind knight felt any sort of rush. It was a bright spring day, not yet noon so the heat from the sun was still warming the fresh air around them. Birds flitted between tree...

[art cred is by Philipp Urlich] Noa knew it was evening from the serenade of crickets that surrounded her and to speak now would only emit an echoing tune of dissonance within the peaceful chorus of the wood near Astenvale Monastery . Ne nudged Noa’s shoulder, a single snort telling the blind...

The Wyvern's Nest Safely tucked away in a village in the Vale, not so far from Astenvale Monastery is the Wyvern's Nest. A business made to sate an adventurer's every need, be that for weapons, armor, medicine, or a cup of tea. Though all are welcome there, regardless of their occupation or...

Some time ago... "...Why are you crying?" "You're stronger than I am. All of us, Syr Raye," the young Squire said, his face flushed red with frustration. "I understand the technique. You've drilled it into us since the wee hours of the morning. How are all of us supposed to overcome you?"...

The day had been hot as hell. It was only when storm clouds chased the burning sun back behind the mighty hills did it's rays become more gentle. A breeze came in the gentle night that was welcome for now. A breeze was always welcomed by a noble warrior until there was blood on the wind. Then...

Soft rays of light from the sun danced with the breaks of tree limbs, giving way to patches of warmth that Ashling found herself entranced with. Those teal hues disappeared as she closed her eyes, welcoming the warmth upon her face. It had been months.. Or perhaps weeks, since her escape. There...

[art cred] The song of birds could be heard before the sun had even began to rise. Despite the early spring chill, small woodland creatures that resided in the winter-like depths of The Spine were out and about, already working on foraging for the day. White colored pine martens were dashing...

Some Five Years Ago... Tall and with a straight back, Helena reminded herself. One hand on the scabbard, with eyes upon the horizon. She remembered Master Hiling's advice, and while the Dawn's Master of Life was a half-dwarf who stood some four feet and a half, Helena could never deny how...

Roughly a weeks ride north of the Monastery was the river town of Lanoline, where trade barges frequently stopped on their ventures up and down the great Wda. It was a bustling place, near as close to a city as one could get this far east of the Reach and West of the Spine. Of course, there were...

Art by Loanne Rosset It was a quieter day at the knoll, and Hector was glad that Roki was in charge of the meal prep today. "What's for lunch?" The young squire asked his orc counterpart. Marta Nael Roki, normally bright eyed and energetic, seemed tired, and like he would rather be...

It had been a long time since he'd been at this spot. There were times when he thought back to being a youth, of how unfair he'd thought the world was and the little moments that made it possible to believe in a brighter future. Karnie, the smallest crow that he fed perched not far from him on...