Scene 1
The Bard's Tale at Shadow's Haven
Setting: Shadow's Haven, a dimly lit and mysterious tavern owned by Madame Liora Moonshadow. The tavern is bustling with activity, filled to capacity due to the raging snowstorm outside. The flickering candlelight casts eerie shadows on the walls, setting the perfect ambiance for a story of dark magic and ancient curses.
Characters:
Bard: Elian Silverstring, a charismatic storyteller and musician.
Madame Liora Moonshadow: The enigmatic owner of the tavern, watching from the shadows with an enigmatic smile.
Rurik Thornblade (Kilroy): A well-known ranger from Northern Lights, entering and bringing a blast of icy wind.
Borin Stonefist: Sitting at a table with two guards, playing knucklebones (and winning).
Eldrin the Wise: Sitting at the bar, drinking wine and browsing a broadsheet.
Rango Star (Shade): Sitting by himself in a dark corner, sipping soup and wearing a cowl over his face, watching the crowd.
Patrons: A mix of locals, travelers, and adventurers.
Elian Silverstring stands on the stage, his lute resting against his side as he prepares to regale the audience with a tale. The flickering candlelight casts eerie shadows on the walls, setting the perfect ambiance for a story of dark magic and ancient curses.
"Gather 'round, friends and travelers," Elian begins, his voice carrying through the tavern. "Tonight, I shall tell you a tale of three wicked sisters, the Rhenne Hags, whose dark deeds have plagued the Theocracy of the Pale for centuries."
The crowd leans in, intrigued by the promise of a thrilling story. Borin Stonefist, sitting at a table with two guards, glances up from his winning streak at knucklebones. Eldrin the Wise, perched at the bar with a glass of wine, lowers his broadsheet slightly, his interest piqued. In a shadowy corner, Rango Star (Shade) sips his soup, his eyes never leaving the bard.
Just as Elian begins to weave his tale, the heavy wooden door of the tavern creaks open, letting in a blast of icy wind and snow. The patrons turn their heads, and a hush falls over the room as a figure steps inside, shaking off the snow from his cloak.
Rurik Thornblade, known to many as Kilroy for his extensive travels and adventures throughout the valley, stands in the doorway. His rugged appearance and the aura of experience that surrounds him make him an unmistakable presence. He closes the door behind him, sealing out the storm, and makes his way to the bar.
"Rurik Thornblade!" someone whispers excitedly. "Kilroy himself!"
Elian pauses, acknowledging the ranger with a respectful nod. "Welcome, Kilroy. It seems even the fiercest storm cannot keep you away."
Rurik nods back, his expression serious. "Aye"
Elian smiles and resumes his tale, the interruption only adding to the evening's mystique. "As I was saying, these three sisters, the Rhenne Hags, have long been a scourge upon our lands."
He strums a chord on his lute, the haunting melody lingering in the air. "First, we have Hanna Crow, the most vile and sinister of the three. She dwells in the cursed Troll Fens, where the very ground itself shifts to hide her lair. It is said that she commands an army of trolls, ready to march on Griffwatch at her command. Rumors whisper that she has allied with Grognog Thrakka, a fearsome warlord who plots to invade our lands."
The patrons murmur among themselves, the tension in the room growing.
"But Hanna is not the only threat," Elian says, raising his hand for silence. "In the woods near Tristor resides Tadda Crow, the eldest and wisest of the sisters. Though some say she is a healer, mixing potions and salves for the forest folk, do not be fooled! For she too holds dark power, and her potions can be as deadly as they are healing. Her hut, like her sisters', moves with the whims of the forest, evading capture by the Theocracy's hunters."
Elian pauses, letting the suspense build before continuing.
"Lastly, there is Tabithina Crow, the youngest and most spiteful of the hags. She makes her home near Redmond, where her curses lay waste to crops and livestock alike. The farmers live in fear of her crow familiar, knowing that where it flies, disaster follows. Some say she can turn the very soil against those who tread upon it, making the land itself a weapon."
The bard's voice lowers to a conspiratorial whisper, drawing the listeners closer.
"Some say the hags communicate through their crows, plotting and scheming against the Theocracy. But here is a tale most dire: it is said that Grognog Thrakka, with Hanna at his side, plans a grand invasion. His forces gather in the shadows, and the hags' curses weaken our defenses. If these rumors hold truth, then we are on the brink of a war unlike any other."
Elian strums another haunting chord, the notes echoing through the tavern.
"So beware, good people of Rakervale. Keep your eyes sharp and your hearts brave, for the Rhenne Hags and their allies may already be upon us."
As the patrons fall into a hushed silence, the weight of the bard's words hangs heavily in the air. Madame Liora Moonshadow watches from the shadows, her enigmatic smile suggesting she knows more than she lets on. Rurik Thornblade, now settled at the bar, listens intently, a furrow of concern on his brow.
The sense of unease remains, a reminder that even in the heart of civilization, the dark forces of the world are never far away. Borin Stonefist, having just won another round of knucklebones, exchanges a worried glance with his companions. Eldrin the Wise, his curiosity piqued, folds his broadsheet and turns to listen more closely. Rango Star (Shade) continues to sip his soup, his sharp eyes watching the reactions of those around him, ever vigilant for any signs of trouble.
