Chapter 1: The Trial of Tenebrous Bloom
Spring approaches and the villagers of the Bhal community of Guthram are preparing for the Rite of The Nocturnal Bloom. Guthramites will give offerings to the spirits of the land and faeries of the deep dark woods in the hope they will grant them a year of plenty and spare them calamity. All around the village people busy themselves making preparations. Everything must be perfect, for to offend the spirits or fair folk of the woods could spell disaster.
Everyone has a role to play, and so a group of local children have been summoned to Druid Banek who is waiting in the shrine to the Old Gods.
As the Spring Equinox approached, Kitt Borovic, her brother Piotr, Astra Gavrilov with cousins Darya and Sofiya, Heinrik Wolny, his cousin Nilus Nemec, and young Karol embarked on a quest to gather the precious Moonpetal from Malgorza, the enigmatic Kamennazena who lived at the edge of Darklight Swamp.
The children departed Guthram, passing through Siltern's Reach, where they encountered the unsettling figure of Tanglebeard, a madman feared by the locals. Despite their caution, Tanglebeard seized Nilus, uttering cryptic warnings before vanishing mysteriously in a cloud of violet smoke.
Undeterred, the group continued and soon reached Malgorza’s cottage. Welcomed into her peculiar home, accompanied by her odd, yellow-skinned Goblin companion, the children successfully obtained the Moonpetal. Karol also claimed a small keepsake before they began their return.
Their journey home took a dark turn when confronted by Todor, Ygor, Sveta, and Jozef, notorious bullies from Siltern’s Reach. However, before the conflict escalated, goblins ambushed and captured all the children, imprisoning them in cages bound for an unknown fate.
A sudden attack by a mighty Wild Boar provided an unexpected chance for escape. Seizing this opportunity, the courageous children faced numerous dangers—quicksand, a menacing Ogre, and a monstrous Faerie wielding a hypnotic music box. Along the way the children learned much about themselves, exhibiting resourcefulness, tenacity, kindness - and cruelty. Finally, they confronted their captor, the sinister Goatman, a creature from terrifying childhood tales.
Summoning their courage, the heroes challenged and defeated the Goatman, driving him deep into the forest. Triumphantly, they rescued their friends and family, returning home as true heroes.
Yet many questions remain unanswered: Who is the mysterious witch the Goatman conversed with through the flames of his campfire? While Astra believes this witch and Malgorza are one and the same, Kitt remains cautious. What form will the vengeance spoken of by these conspirators take, and can it be prevented? What strange malady afflicts Heinrik, and will he recover? And will the villagers' offering to the Goddess of The Old Dark woods find favor? In such uncertain and dark times, only the future holds these answers.
The journey begins
As the Spring Equinox approached, Kitt Borovic, her brother Piotr, Astra Gavrilov with cousins Darya and Sofiya, Heinrik Wolny, his cousin Nilus Nemec, and young Karol embarked on a quest to gather the precious Moonpetal from Malgorza, the enigmatic Kamennazena who lived at the edge of Darklight Swamp.
The children departed Guthram, passing through Siltern's Reach, where they encountered the unsettling figure of Tanglebeard, a madman feared by the locals. Despite their caution, Tanglebeard seized Nilus, uttering cryptic warnings before vanishing mysteriously in a cloud of violet smoke.
Undeterred, the group continued and soon reached Malgorza’s cottage. Welcomed into her peculiar home, accompanied by her odd, yellow-skinned Goblin companion, the children successfully obtained the Moonpetal. Karol also claimed a small keepsake before they began their return.
Their journey home took a dark turn when confronted by Todor, Ygor, Sveta, and Jozef, notorious bullies from Siltern’s Reach. However, before the conflict escalated, goblins ambushed and captured all the children, imprisoning them in cages bound for an unknown fate.
A sudden attack by a mighty Wild Boar provided an unexpected chance for escape. Seizing this opportunity, the courageous children faced numerous dangers—quicksand, a menacing Ogre, and a monstrous Faerie wielding a hypnotic music box. Along the way the children learned much about themselves, exhibiting resourcefulness, tenacity, kindness - and cruelty. Finally, they confronted their captor, the sinister Goatman, a creature from terrifying childhood tales.
Summoning their courage, the heroes challenged and defeated the Goatman, driving him deep into the forest. Triumphantly, they rescued their friends and family, returning home as true heroes.
Yet many questions remain unanswered: Who is the mysterious witch the Goatman conversed with through the flames of his campfire? While Astra believes this witch and Malgorza are one and the same, Kitt remains cautious. What form will the vengeance spoken of by these conspirators take, and can it be prevented? What strange malady afflicts Heinrik, and will he recover? And will the villagers' offering to the Goddess of The Old Dark woods find favor? In such uncertain and dark times, only the future holds these answers.
Parent Plot
