The Trials of Altis

1. The inciting Incident

Our story begins in the wild and unforgiving lands of Nordheim, where the winds howl with the fury of ancient spirits. In this harsh wilderness, there lies a settlement unlike any other. Nestled in the shadow of frost-capped mountains stands a humble cottage, a sanctuary amidst the wilderness. Here, a collection of formidable beasts finds refuge. From the fierce saber-toothed cat with fangs like daggers, to the towering Elk King with antlers that scrape the sky, to the grizzled Old Dire Wolf, each creature is welcomed and cared for by Alicia of Vanaheim and her trusted companion, Packbearer Altis. Even the mighty mammoths, though nomadic, visit this sanctuary from time to time. The beasts roam freely around the cottage, their loyalty earned through respect rather than fear. But as the cold winds blow and the days grow shorter, a new threat emerges from the depths of the frozen wilderness.
Alicia had set off on one of her many adventures, leaving the cottage and its surroundings in the capable hands of Altis. The beasts, accustomed to her calm presence, watched her departure with knowing eyes, but there was no unease. They trusted Altis, the one who had tended to them, mended their wounds, and fed them in the darkest of winters. Yet, this time, the challenge ahead was unlike any they had faced before.
The first sign of danger came with the scent of blood on the wind—a sharp, metallic tang that caused the great beasts to stir uneasily. Altis, ever vigilant, caught the scent as well, her heart quickening with a sense of foreboding. She moved through the settlement, her eyes scanning the horizon beyond the cottage, knowing that something was amiss.
As dusk settled over the land, the poachers emerged from the shadows like wolves circling wounded prey. Hardened men, driven by greed and the promise of coin, they had heard tales of the legendary beasts that roamed around Alicia's cottage. To them, these creatures were nothing more than trophies to be hunted, their pelts and claws to be sold in distant markets. They crept closer, their movements stealthy and calculated, weapons at the ready.
But the beasts were not so easily fooled. The dire wolf growled low in its throat, ears pinned back as it sensed the intruders. The saber-toothed cat prowled restlessly, muscles coiled like springs. The Elk King snorted, its antlers gleaming in the fading light, ready to charge at a moment's notice. Yet, without Alicia to lead them, there was hesitation—a reluctance to act without command.
The story continues...

The Gathering Storm

The night deepened, and with it, the shadows seemed to creep ever closer to the cottage. The winds howled through the frozen pines, carrying with them the scent of danger and blood. Inside the settlement, Altis felt the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders like a cloak of ice. The beasts, so used to Alicia's presence, now looked to her for guidance. She could see it in their eyes—the saber-toothed cat pacing restlessly, the Old Dire Wolf's hackles raised, and the Elk King standing tall, its massive antlers silhouetted against the moonlit sky. They were ready to defend their home, but they needed a leader to rally them.
Altis knew she couldn't hesitate. The poachers were closing in, their greed-fueled determination palpable in the air. They were seasoned hunters, skilled in tracking and killing, but they had never faced anything like the beasts that roamed this sanctuary. And they had certainly never faced someone like Altis.
She moved with purpose, her boots crunching through the snow as she approached each creature. She whispered to them, her voice low and steady, instilling confidence where there had been doubt. "They think they can take what is ours," she murmured to the saber-toothed cat, running her hand along its sleek fur. "But they don't know what it means to be a part of this land, to be bound to it like we are."
The cat's golden eyes met hers, and Altis could see the resolve building within it. The great beast ceased its pacing and stood still, muscles tense but ready.
Next, she approached the Old Dire Wolf, kneeling to meet its gaze. "You’ve survived countless winters, faced foes far stronger than these men. Tonight is no different. We stand together."
The wolf let out a low growl, not of aggression, but of agreement. Its eyes gleamed with the wisdom of many battles fought and won.
Finally, she reached the Elk King. Its immense form towered above her, antlers spreading wide like the branches of an ancient tree. Altis placed a hand on its flank, feeling the raw power that coursed through its body. "You are the guardian of this place," she said. "They will know fear when they see you, and they will flee or fall."
The Elk King snorted, a cloud of mist forming in the cold air. It stomped the ground, ready to charge at her command.
With the beasts rallied, Altis turned her attention back to the treeline. The poachers were now in sight—figures moving through the darkness, their weapons gleaming in the moonlight. She could hear them murmuring to each other, voices hushed but filled with anticipation. They believed they had the upper hand, but they were wrong.
Altis positioned herself between the poachers and the cottage, her stance firm, eyes unyielding. She raised her hand, signaling to the beasts to hold their ground. The poachers crept closer, oblivious to the danger that awaited them.
"Now," Altis whispered, her voice barely audible. It was the signal the beasts had been waiting for.
The night erupted into chaos.
The saber-toothed cat lunged first, a blur of fur and muscle, its fangs flashing as it took down the lead poacher before he could even raise his weapon. The dire wolf followed, its jaws snapping with lethal precision as it tore through the ranks of hunters. The Elk King charged, antlers lowered, scattering the poachers like leaves in a storm.
But just as Altis felt the tide turning in their favor, a sharp pain shot through her side—a crossbow bolt fired by one of the desperate poachers. She staggered, clutching her wound, and fell to one knee. The beasts continued their assault, but Altis knew that without her standing strong, they could falter.
Through the haze of pain, she saw a figure emerge from the darkness—a massive man, the leader of the poachers, clad in furs and hardened by years of hunting. His eyes locked onto hers, and a cruel smile spread across his face. He raised his sword, ready to deliver the final blow.
Altis gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stand despite the agony. She would not let this man, or any other, destroy what she had built here with Alicia. She clenched her fists, prepared to fight to the last breath.
But before the poacher could strike, a deafening roar echoed across the clearing. The poacher froze, his eyes widening in disbelief as a massive shadow loomed over him.
A mammoth, one of the great beasts that occasionally visited the settlement, had returned. Towering above even the Elk King, its presence was awe-inspiring. The poacher's confidence shattered as the mammoth trumpeted, its tusks gleaming in the moonlight.
The poacher turned to flee, but it was too late. The mammoth charged, and with a single, mighty blow, it ended the threat.
Altis watched in a daze as the poachers scattered, their leader crushed by the very wilderness they had sought to conquer. The battle was over, but the victory was hard-won.
The beasts gathered around Altis, the saber-toothed cat nudging her gently as the dire wolf stood guard, wary of any lingering threats. The Elk King lowered its antlers in a gesture of respect, while the mammoth lingered, its great form a silent sentinel in the night.
Altis, though wounded, felt a sense of deep connection with the beasts. They had fought as one, and in that struggle, they had gained a newfound respect for her, not just as a caretaker, but as a leader, a protector of their sanctuary.
Yet, even as the night grew still once more, Altis knew that this was not the end. There were always new dangers lurking in the wilds of Nordheim, and while they had won this battle, the war to protect their home would continue.
The story, as it often does in Hyboria, would go on.
The story continues...

Plot type

Settlement Arc

Related Characters

• Alicia of Vanaheim
• Packbearer Altis