Spoiler: SachaDasos Forest, Megali
Sacha had only been a demigod for a little less than a week now and already people were on edge. While she was still discovering how to control her powers, she had inadvertently diseased a few people and animals of her small town of Anakalypsi, even destroyed a farmer’s crops. With her new wings evident to all, the villagers had rightfully pinned the entire thing on the young girl and driver her out of town with torches and pitchforks. She had been in the forests surrounding her hometown since, living off the land and following the advice of druid spirits that had since passed on.
”Sacha dear, I’m picking something up from the spirits around here.” It was Sacha’s companion spirit, a being of pure compassion that had been with her all her life. ”A human walked through her not too long ago, and he seemed to have some odd powers himself. He was connected to the beasts and the plants, but did not detect the spirits that watched him pass. He is not far from here, they say, a mere day to the north. We should go speak to him!” She giggled in Sacha’s head, trying to force her feet to move.
Spoiler: LysanderZoi River, Diafthora
Three days ago, Lysander had been visited by an odd fish figure in his dreams, claiming to be his father. He could hardly remember it, but it had forever changed his life. Rain had followed him everywhere since, and those he passed by had received healing from his mere touch. It took only hours to figure out it was a newfound power of his, but where it came from, he still had no clue.
The little Halfling known as Gaire that ran the riverside stall looked down at Lysander as he passed. The two had known each other for some years, after Gaire had decided to settle down near the Merfolk she seemed to have grown fond of. She was a historian in her own right, but was more adept at gathering current information than anything. ”Lysander! Lysander! Come here for a minute!” She waved him over happily.
”I know it is quite a ways to the north, but I have been hearing some troubling news about some winged demon that is spreading disease in a small town called Anakalypsi. Word is that the villagers drove her out of town, but she still stalks the edges of the village, dragging women and children into the night and visiting their men in their sleep. Perchance we should check it out?”
Spoiler: KhodattasForest Kingdom of Oladove
The humans ran as fast as they could, but the very woods around them seemed to leap up and trip them whenever they could. The two men had been carrying Elven women away from the edge of the forest for many days now, subjecting them to unknown tortures and trading them away to be slaves to equally vile creatures. This time though, the two men had dared to venture into the forest, and Khodattas had caught their trail. He was not allowed to encroach on the human lands, but this time they were in his domain, and he was granted free reign to do with them as he saw fit.
The smaller and fatter of the two screamed as the Wood Elf caught up with him, looking for his buddy who had continued to run towards the tree line and potential safety. ”Please knife-ears, don’t kill me! I was just doin’ ma job! No harm intended, right?” He shrugged awkwardly. ”I’ll tell you where they are if you let me go! Please, I promise you!”
These humans had always seemed so insignificant to Khodattas, but after he was given his divine birthright Daeris, they seemed even less so. And also much easy to kill. It was no secret that the Wood Elves looked down on these humans.
Spoiler: JaceEisig, Sterne
The copper pot whizzed past Jace’s head. ”We don’t welcome your kind here, half-beast!” This was the third such establishment in Eisig that had attempted to assault the Half-Elf. Despite the revelation of being the child of a human deity, his Elven side kept him as a lower class citizen. Barely even slaves here, the Elves had never been treated kindly, and a Half-Elf was an affront to the very people who lived here. Being half-Human was the only thing that was sparing him in the harsh and icy lands. Standing in the falling snow outside the in, he could look up and see the brilliant stars above him. Legends told that is where his divine parent came from, but the truth was much more complex.
Two humans came through the gate not far from him, a new Elven slave in chains between them. She was unconscious, bruised, and bleeding. She more than likely came from the Kingdom of Oladove to the east of Eisig, only a couple dozen miles down the river. From the knowledge he possessed, he could tell this woman was a priestess and would be missed dearly. It was the first one he had ever seen in person, and now she was doomed to become a slave.
Spoiler: WilliamDasos Forest, Megali
William sat in his small cave along the northern edge of the Dasos Forest, a small bear cub resting beside him. Its mother had been killed by hunters and the little cub had wandered into a bear trap looking for food. If William had not found it when he did, the little beast would have died long ago. It had been following him for days now, completely helpless on its own. It would remain that way until it was healed again, which would not be long from now, mostly in part because of the medical attention of the young druid.
A strong wind blew in from the south, causing the little bear to jump up from its slumber and run to hide behind the druid. It growled lightly, then called out in fear. It could smell something on the wind, but whatever it was, its scent escaped William. After a few moments it went to look out the opening of the cave, then returned to the druid’s side to nap once more.
”Hello?!” The voice rang out through the cave, powerful yet small, likely belonging to a small but stout creature. Dwarf, by the sounds of it. ”I got lost and I don’t know where I am! Can you help me by chance?”
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