S01E02 - South Crossing - The Wishing Tree
General Summary
Festival of Fog and Fables
04/26/2025, 12:32 PM MST
Ah, gather 'round, dear ones, and let me spin you a tale of South Crossing, where the sun peeked over the horizon, heralding the River Festival. The air was thick with anticipation, like the scent of ripe berries, but it began in a hush. There was Brutus Vogar, the Gentle Giant, tending to the remnants of merriment past, searching for his companions, the sprightly Fyfe and the ever-busy Cherry. Poor Davrim, the blacksmith, had retired early, his shirt stained with the day's toil and troubles, while Elder Stape, the village's wise alderman, returned home, his heart heavy with memories as he placed a weighty tome by his bedside.
Ah, but as the sun rose higher, Elder Stape stirred, ensuring the town was set for the day’s revelry. That book he found, filled with sketches of festivals gone by, held echoes of him and his beloved Lilibeth, long departed. Meanwhile, our dear Fyfe, a lively satyr drifter, sat by the riverbank, lost in his own musings. He spied a peculiar tree, white-barked and known as the wishing tree, and then, as fate would have it, he crossed paths with Brutus. They exchanged tales, their voices weaving together like threads in a tapestry, recounting the festival’s allure.
As they prepared their morning meal, Fyfe and Brutus spoke of an old woman named Marda, who dwelled near that very wishing tree. Their hearts turned introspective, pondering family ties and the gnawing loneliness that sometimes settles in the bones. The day unfurled like a blooming flower, the town alive with bustling energy. Elder Stape made his way to Davrim’s forge, where they mulled over the strange happenings at the chapel—oh, that mysterious book, damaged by fire! They speculated, those wise old men, about the fire’s origins and the peculiar warmth of Davrim’s forge, still glowing without a hint of fuel.
As the sun dipped low, the festival transformed, cloaking the square in lantern light, where townsfolk gathered 'round a bonfire. A masked storyteller spun tales of old, including the haunting story of a bride lost to the fog on her wedding day. Fyfe, curious as a cat, questioned Elder Stape about the truth behind such tales, while Cherry, fashionably late, regaled them with her own day’s adventures among the villagers.
Ah, but the night was not done with its mysteries! Fyfe felt the pull to seek out Marda, finding her near the wishing tree, humming an ancient tune. Their conversation was wrapped in riddles, for she warned of dangers in the fog, cautioning against crossing its threshold. Later, Old Marda ought out others that bear the Waking Marks. Cherry was approached, and Marda spoke to her, calling her the fourth with a waking mark—such ominous words, they were!
Then, like a shroud descending, thick fog rolled in, swallowing the village in its embrace. A chill settled in the bones as small, child-sized figures flitted through the mist, giggling and brandishing pointed sticks. Panic erupted among the villagers, a scream slicing through the night, and our brave party set forth to uncover the source of the commotion. They soon found themselves face-to-face with sablekin—mischievous little creatures, darting through the fog like shadows.
Character(s) interacted with
Sablekin
Sablekin are small, critter-like creatures with large heads, long ears, and glowing eyes. They have sharp claws and mottled skin that allows them to blend into the mist, making them difficult to see. One notable Sablekin wears a hat made from a rotten mushroom and carries a staff swirling with black mist, indicating a leadership role.
During festivals, Sablekin move in small groups, exhibiting unnatural quickness and a warping movement that helps them blend into the fog. They display aggressive behavior, surrounding villagers and attacking individuals such as Elder Stape and Fyfe. Sablekin are also observed performing a strange dance on a bridge, suggesting they are preparing for a significant event, possibly as a distraction from their true intentions. Their actions contribute to the panic among the villagers, as they harass and threaten the townsfolk.
Brutus Vogar
Davrim Harrows
Cherry
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