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I ventured out into the Wilderness with my map and compass in hand. One-thousand paces north, the tree in front of me had a notch that matched the one on the map. How did I happen upon this treasure map? Glad you asked. A noblemen was boasting at Yunsil's tavern and kept saying they were going to be rich the next day. They started playing some bone dice and I spilled my cidar on the table to creature enough of a distraction to grab the map for myself. Satisfied with my winnings I turned in to get a good night's sleep before I set off in search of this exciting treasure. Three hundred and twenty six paces west. The map had surprisingly detailed instructions. I thought treasure maps were supposed to be cryptic and mysterious? By now it was dark and a full moon was glowing brightly overhead. The distant howl of wolves made me quicken my pace. At last I reached my destination. A great oak stood before me. The back of massive tree had the notch I was looking for. I pushed the notch and the tree began to shake. A secret door opened and revealed a passage that descended into the darkness. There was a shrine dedicated to a warrior of some kind, Sonhi by the looks of it. At the base of the shrine was a pedestal with curious looking doll. It looked like it had been an angel but the wings had been torn off. There was nothing else of value so I pocketed the doll and left. Scratching my head curiously at acquiring such a strange piece of treasure. All of this just for an old doll? Maybe the Sonhi were more foolish than I thought. The howl of the wolves was getting closer. I crossed the stream and luckily enough it was wide enough to deter the wolves from perusing me. I heard a growl from behind me and winched in pain as a wolf sank its teeth into my ankle. I quickly drew my dagger and stabbed the wolf. It yelped in pain as I hobbled to keep my footing. Two more wolves leapt at me. I drove the dagger through the skull of one wolf but the other bit me in the shoulder. We both collapsed to the ground and I dropped my dagger. After a struggle I fought the wolf off. But the damage was already done. I was bleeding from my ankle, shoulder, and face. I bandaged myself as best as I could. But without help I was going to be in some serious trouble. If memory served me right there was a village nearby and maybe there was a Shaman who could treat my wounds. Painfully I stumbled in the general direction of the village. By some miracle I made it to the village and collapsed. My last thought was of the angel doll I had collected. The stumps were the wings had been seemed to twitch. I awoke in a hut. My backpack next to me. The smell of herbs and burned flesh filled the air. The old man that patched me up said you can't be too careful out there in the woods. I was lucky to be alive. I still felt exhausted and passed out again. The next night I awoke to screams. Sonhi warriors were attacking the village! They were carrying torches and setting buildings on fire. Villagers screamed and tried to escape the onslaught. I was still in pain but wasn't going to stand by while the village was attacked and do nothing. I ran out to fight but there was six Sonhi warriors waiting for me. They raised their swords and looked at me curiously. I was in no condition to fight so many warriors at once and just nodded my head in acceptance. The Sonhi warriors stabbed me repeatedly and I fell mortally wounded. As I drew my last breaths one of the warriors reached into my bag and pulled forth the doll. The wings on the doll were starting to reform! Regret filled me as I thought about the destruction I had brought to the poor villagers. I finally understood that the doll was some kind of Sonhi relic. The Sonhi warriors grinned to one another and held the doll up in the air for all to see. The doll flapped its wings and was glowing brightly. The relic illuminated the village like an angel of the night. Athreos | |