The Adventure

IC stuff goes here.

You're in Rackon's Bluff, a small settlement of roughly 200 souls in the southern part of the Deep Wilds. As the name implies, the village sits on a small hill, surrounded by a palisade wall. As with most places in the Ironlands, the buildings are simple wooden structures with thatched roofs.

The village is named after Rackon Thalken, a legendary Ironsworn...and infamous womanizer. It's said he had twenty children from six different women, but nobody knows for sure; the numbers change depending on who's telling the tale.

After Rackon retired from adventuring, he decided to found a small settlement with his "family." Though the quarrels between all involved were as legendary as Rackon himself (and sons, daughters, and lovers frequently departed in a rage), the settlement held together. More people joined them. Now, centuries later, the Bluff is well-established.

Though there are a few tidy plots of farmland at the base of the hill, the forest presses close. Hunting and gathering are primarily how the villagers sustain themselves. Occasionally someone will stumble upon something interesting in the wilds, and travel to other villages to barter it, but generally there isn't much trade.

It's the end of autumn, and the weather is still cool. But winter is coming. Snowstorms, biting winds, and bone-chilling temperatures will be here soon enough.

You sit in the home of Caldus Thalken, a distant descendant of Rackon. He's the village elder, as this title traditionally goes to the eldest Thalken, male or female. Like Rackon, he's a former Ironsworn, now retired.

Though white-haired and a bit stooped, veins bulge on his hands and forearms, and his gaze is penetrating. This is a man who's seen much, and who would still be a dangerous foe in battle, were he pressed into action.

His two-room home is tidy and Spartan. A fire crackles in the hearth. Perhaps surprisingly, you see few trophies from his life of adventuring. The only truly eye-catching objects are a sword hanging above the fireplace, some green gems inlaid in its pommel, and a humanoid skull hanging right above that.

Gevin sets off at a good pace. The forest is filled with chirps, squawks, and chatters, but luckily none of the animals hinder him. He also doesn't see any sign of the Broken.

However, the wind switches after a bit, bringing in warmer air. Gevin has to drink more from his waterskin than anticipated, and there are only a few drops left when he arrives at his destination.

Gevin spots the clearing up ahead between the trees. He's not completely sure there's a spring nearby to refill his water skin, but perhaps one the village foragers will be there too. They would surely know the way.

There is a small spring nearby, as well as a hidden cache of water (both waterskins and a few barrels), in case something befouls the spring.

However, you first notice a red-haired woman sitting on a log, her right leg splayed out in front of her. The leg is bandaged at the thigh; you notice some blood has seeped through. The woman doesn't seem to be in critical condition, though, as she waves at you pleasantly as you get closer.

Once you're within earshot, the woman addresses you....