The world was dangerous, these days. Warring nations, creeping devils, and feuding tribes. Endless horrors plagued the darkest corners. And now, populations were thinning out. People and monsters were getting desperate for any scraps of meat or land they could land their claws on. Many were taking deadly risks that backfired, resulting in a clan getting wiped out in one way or another. Others remained holed up, too fearful to act, and thus suffered for inaction. But there were some groups that had potential.
In the Craeth Grasslands, a small patch of trees had crown tall. Though the grasslands were lush with green plantlife, the trees were a different story. Gnarled and dark with thorns jutting out from the branches, this ‘oasis’ warded off most intruders, and for good reason. Within that huddle of trees lived a sorceress. Though her home appeared humbled on the outside, the inside was a different story. The exterior was a mere deterrent, something to fool onlookers into believing nothing of value lingered inside. But the interior had been turned into an extraplanar space, doubling the size. Rich silks and a massive collection of bizarre ingredients littered the inside.
The strangest object of note lay in the center of the room. On top of a small table sat a crystal ball that hovered an inch above its pedestal. Normally it was completely clear. But now, with the wicked sorceress herself gazing into it, an image emerged from the ether. She grinned to herself, seeing a pack of Gnolls approaching her territory.
”Well, well…I wonder who fooled them into coming after me,” she pondered aloud. She dragged her nails over the crystal surface, seeking the pack leader. Once she was able to pick him out, she couldn’t help but stare. She let out a dark chuckle, finding herself enamored with the way he looked as well as how he commanded his pack. ”He’s perfect…”
She knew what she would be doing. There was no need to wipe out these Gnolls. She waved her arms, letting her magic loose inside her hut. In a flash, all of her important trinkets and clothing were gathered in enchanted bags and the rest was simply left to scatter. The walls closed in, the wood suddenly resembling the dilapidated look of the exterior. The only thing that didn’t appear to lose its quality was the sorceress herself. Beautiful, curvy, and clad in a tight-fitting silk dress that was beyond scandalous. The rich violet color definitely stood out against the darkness of the trees. With the moon rising high, the only light within her hut was a small lantern. With any luck, the Gnolls wouldn’t notice the juxtaposition and assume she was just a helpless woman in the middle of nowhere.
”Come and get me. It’s time for me to leave my mark on this world."
In the Craeth Grasslands, a small patch of trees had crown tall. Though the grasslands were lush with green plantlife, the trees were a different story. Gnarled and dark with thorns jutting out from the branches, this ‘oasis’ warded off most intruders, and for good reason. Within that huddle of trees lived a sorceress. Though her home appeared humbled on the outside, the inside was a different story. The exterior was a mere deterrent, something to fool onlookers into believing nothing of value lingered inside. But the interior had been turned into an extraplanar space, doubling the size. Rich silks and a massive collection of bizarre ingredients littered the inside.
The strangest object of note lay in the center of the room. On top of a small table sat a crystal ball that hovered an inch above its pedestal. Normally it was completely clear. But now, with the wicked sorceress herself gazing into it, an image emerged from the ether. She grinned to herself, seeing a pack of Gnolls approaching her territory.
”Well, well…I wonder who fooled them into coming after me,” she pondered aloud. She dragged her nails over the crystal surface, seeking the pack leader. Once she was able to pick him out, she couldn’t help but stare. She let out a dark chuckle, finding herself enamored with the way he looked as well as how he commanded his pack. ”He’s perfect…”
She knew what she would be doing. There was no need to wipe out these Gnolls. She waved her arms, letting her magic loose inside her hut. In a flash, all of her important trinkets and clothing were gathered in enchanted bags and the rest was simply left to scatter. The walls closed in, the wood suddenly resembling the dilapidated look of the exterior. The only thing that didn’t appear to lose its quality was the sorceress herself. Beautiful, curvy, and clad in a tight-fitting silk dress that was beyond scandalous. The rich violet color definitely stood out against the darkness of the trees. With the moon rising high, the only light within her hut was a small lantern. With any luck, the Gnolls wouldn’t notice the juxtaposition and assume she was just a helpless woman in the middle of nowhere.
”Come and get me. It’s time for me to leave my mark on this world."