If you're new, you might want to start at the beginning of these letters
The 7th of Spann, 468th Year of the Empire
My Palatable Patrons,
This morning we awoke with a rush and cornered Ishael about her words the previous evening. She reluctantly wove a tale from her past. I discovered deep secrets our little bard had previously held close to her chest. Secrets that make me fear the night here in Fairhaven.
She wove us a tale of her hometown of Eldermist. Ishael grew up near a forlorn cemetery, shrouded in legends and superstition. This cemetery was known for its Weeping Willows. These were no ordinary willows trees. They actually whispered mournful tunes in the evening breeze. However, as Ishael relayed to us, beneath the somber beauty lay a chilling secret.
Generations ago, a malevolent spirit, the Echoing Wraith, had been imprisoned in an indestructible magical amulet by the town's most skilled bard. The amulet had been hidden in the roots of one of the Whispering Weeping Willows. The amulet bore an enchanting, yet haunting melody that served as a warning to the townsfolk. Each year, during the winter solstice, the melody would emerge, playing over the town at sunset, casting a deep melancholy over the inhabitants.
Those who succumbed to the sorrowful tune were said to be possessed by the Echoing Wraith, wandering into the darkened streets and their lives being taken by the wraith. It became a grim annual event, remembered with dread and grief. Over time, the bardic tradition of Eldermist evolved to include guardians known as "Melody Keepers," tasked with ensuring that the malevolent spirit remained trapped and the melody kept silent and unsung year after year.
Ishael's family had a legacy of Melody Keepers, and she was trained from a young age in the lore and arts of bards who protected the town from the Echoing Wraith. However, on her coming-of-age night, an unforeseen event occurred. The amulet was stolen by a mysterious rogue, and the Wraith and the Haunting Melody were released into the wider world.
Desperate to prevent the tragedy that had befallen her town in the past, Ishael embarked on a quest to reclaim the amulet and return it to its rightful place in the willows, silencing the Haunting Melody for good. Her father lost his life to the Wraith as he and Ishael found a cultist who had stolen the amulet in an attempt to free the Wraith.
With the jewel returned and others trained to protect it and keep the Haunting Melody unsung, Ishael left her home to find adventure and forget the pain of her loss. Which brings her to this moment. This place. Nearly a thousand miles from Eldermist, the melody has found her again. Someone has stolen the amulet and brought it here.
What, if any, connection it has with our bard, we promised her we would discover with her.
Ishael is fired up with the flames of vengeance, and it was all we could do to hold her back from rushing into the mayor's home to grill him for information.
I suggested we partake in a quick repast to ensure we are prepared to conquer the day ahead.
This establishment has the most fascinating menu item. It is a drink made with frozen fruit and is truly a wonderful experience for the taste buds and is refreshing easy to make.
Daleforth's Moonlight Elixir
*Ingredients:*
- 1 cup of freshly squeezed juice of your desired fruit
- 1 ripe banana
- A handful of strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries- frozen through spells or enchantments
- A cup of yogurt
- A sprig of mint, ground
- 2 cubes of ice, crushed and chipped- the same spell or enchantments used on the berries will work here as well.
*Instructions:*
1. Combine all of your ingredients in a sealable glass vessel.
2. Stir the elixir, letting the flavors meld together in harmony.
3. Once well mixed, seal the vessel and shake vigorously. Keep shaking beyond when you think you should stop.
This will create an smooth and flavorful mixture that is refreshing and revitalizing.
Upon imbibing this draught, we found it improved our perception and agility. My awareness informs me that this boon will continue for at least the next few hours.
I hope you enjoy this as much as we have.
Hopefully, by my next letter we will have moved on and will be well on our way to slay the dragon.
Until next time,
Hathorn Rophine
PS- if you enjoy these letters, and want them to continue, I encourage you to toss a few coins to this enchantment to keep them coming.
Comments
Post a Comment