valen wilds

Early Winter, 373 In the North Eastern Allir Reach, The town of Viyantil, West of the Grand Lake Brullyrd A silvery curtain of mist swirled about the streets of Viyantil, a cold that clung to a person and sank down into their bones. It was of no help then, that the grey sky seemed near...

Dawn cracked its yolk over the heathland sprawls that sprawled before Isander's eyes. He crouched low in the grass, dew-slick ankles creaking from the strain. Swathed in fitted leathers and padded linen, he made a survey of the land. Leagues separated him from the nearest hamlet, and he would...

As the sun painted a lazy line across the sky, so did Isander approach the hay-roofed hut on the outskirts of Svapna. He carried a saunter in his step, an ease about his crest. Routine, almost, some measure of familiarity guiding him. Svapna sat on the frontier, a town of small layers stitched...

art by Kris Kukko Winter of 373 Astenvale Monastery, Within the Valen Wilds In the Sanctum of Operations "I understand your misgivings, Syr Damir, but Lord Dunstable would have been left in the wind had we sent none to support," Helena's eyes were trained on the map of the Valen before them...

Some time had passed since Roki’s misstep in battle with, as the Knights would soon learn, Rory Bellamy. Syr Noa had felt a twinge of pride that Roki had sorta-kinda-almost outwitted one of the Bloody Bellamy’s that were known to cause more trouble than Roki had. More importantly, she was glad...

A storm blustered, inside and out. But the cool drops of rain that soaked clothes, and clung to curled tresses and warm skin did help damp the fire in her belly. A thing that twisted and turned with doubts, even as the sound of all the cold shower about her filled her ears. What a fool she...

In a puddle of rainwater about two inches deep, was a day-old corpse. And not just any, but that of a knight, an actual titled and landed Lady. It was writ on the garb and features, kempt and unblemished save for a little scar at her cheek from some previous scrap. What had hit her this time...

Deep in the wild's Valen did Ryiek's willowy frame pay grace. Palms uplifted, lips turned in gratitude, he pranced with each limber step; pallid lurch and trickling tumble tossed him to and fro, laughter cooing from his throat. Deigned a merry tenor, it ensconced the wide canopy of trees...

A being of cascading sheepskins, crowned by three pairs of livestock horns and made mountainous by concealed stilts, turned in the firelight in an ominous dance. The wooden visage was carved roughly with a chisel and hammer, and resembled neither man or animal but rather a mix of the two...

They passed down the old path one last time, the Hunter at their backs and the twisting shadow of a lost guardian before them. Softly whispered songs crossed their lips as they went, step by step, into the silent mist of the late evening. They mourned not their fate, only the legacy of...

Some years ago... A crackle and hiss, warm and emberic as the little tongues of gold and red wriggled and waved, fast with excitement, they ate up the tinder. Wood shavings and pine needles, and cracked open cones. Bebin smiled, and gave the small flame a nod, pleased with fruit of his...

From Within the Eastern Study of Damasque Hold "Ah, You've arrived," came a voice from across the study. The armored guard that had escorted the high risk courier through the estate looked the vagabond for hire over one last time. Grunt, and jut his chin toward the young master. "Go on then,"...

The sleepy village of Liogne stirred. Sheep were found with their white wool stained red with their blood, and fowl weren't found at all after going missing. Missing birds were frustratedly attributed to mere foxes slipping through wire and stealing away with their prizes. The sheep couldn't be...

“ He should’ve been back by now. “ Syr Leinas had broken the silence, standing at the edge of the darkening copse with his shoulder against the oaken giant that overlooked the broad dirt road. They’d settled at a bend where visibility to both directions was no more than fifty paces, the way...

Nestled betwixt the evergreen woodland and an abruptly rising rockface, lay the wash-house. The sun was only rising, the old wooden beams holding up the roof much akin to the surrounding trees with their vibrant gradient of dappled light. A little out of breath for the last stretch of a hike...

There was not a sliver of sky to be seen, the high afternoon sun a dull, barely visible blot of light amidst a blanket of grey hanging above. For it, the air was cooler than it had been for days — a godsend. Amidst the fields the wind had grown stronger from a previously pleasant breeze, in it...

Segale of the Twin Branch has been seen again swimming in the waters of the Wda river. The great fish spirit has long been dormant, and its return bodes well for the surrounding forest. However, an old wives tale says that each one of Segale's scales will grant a wish if the great fish is...