JUNE 2018:
The first half of the day consisted of everything an adventurer could desire. Many perused the various town shops, eating delicious treats from the Gooseberry Bakery and getting to know the intriguing townsfolk of Ravenwood. Others hunted for treasure, fended off monsters, and engaged in town brawls with unsavory characters. Quests were completed, shillings earned, and allies or enemies made.
At the Great Ravenwood Archery Tournament, a prize of 15 shillings was offered for the victors. Following numerous trials, the contentious duo of Ada and Thokk beat out adventuring partners Mertag and Ivan to bring home the victory. It brought an end to the long-winded, heated disagreement between the halfling and half-orc, the source of which most townsfolk could not even remember.
Following the contest, in high spirits, the townsfolk all journeyed through the grassy glen to the dancing ring. In spite of the summertime heat, many enjoyed the intricate and fast-paced dance known as “Strip the Willow.” It filled the folks of Ravenwood with a sense of rare harmony, in spite of their many differences.
Dee, the local fusspot, was inspired by the dancing and joy to share his fleeting memories of a time before- a time without the threat of evil in the woods. A time before the Falcon reigned through terror with his gang of bandits. Though Dee knew not just how to face this evil, he suggested the various and often-disparate townsfolk return to town to share in talks of unity over a blueberry tart.
Yet, without warning, tragedy struck on their journey home. The party was ambushed by a group of bandits led by the Falcon himself. Several were wounded, but the bandits had singled out Dee. The despots speared him with a rare Nightsteele arrow. As the deadly poison in the arrow began to spread through his body, the other members of the party rushed him back to town to see if they could find a cure.
Once in town, they spoke to the wizard Meldryn who told them to go see his estranged brother, a healer known as Malcom. As they discussed, Dee began again to remember times before. He knew the Falcon personally, and over time came to see again who he had once been. He was the Raven himself, they discovered, betrayed by the Falcon a lifetime ago.
Deep into the woods the townsfolk went, discovering Malcolm the reclusive healer. He and his owl Aramis had not met strangers in many years, but were willing to help them. Malcolm spoke of an ancient pool, able to renew life. Parties broke off in search of this magical place, assailed by rogue bandits all the while.
Over hill and over dale they searched, until they came upon a pure, crystalline spring. Dee was brought to its banks, where he collapsed, beginning to succumb to his injuries and sorrow. He rolled into the pool, and cried out in jubilation as the curse of the arrow and the curse of his years as a hated wanderer were undone. The Raven stood before them, a new man.
The Raven rallied the townsfolk, at last unified, and hunted the Falcon’s horde into the woods. There they found him, having taken Malcolm captive. The tyrant wanted both the healer and the Raven dead. When he saw the unity of the villagers and their unwillingness to be cowed, the Falcon stabbed Malcolm through the heart in a fit of rage.
With a single cry of rage and grief, echoed by the townspeople, Meldryn’s daughter Zyana charged into the bandit forces. Bandit and villager fell together as the battle raged on, among the bloodiest in the history of Ravenwood. When it seemed that hope was nigh lost, the Raven faced the Falcon, and pierced his heart through with the Nightsteel arrow. For while the Raven had died and returned, the traitorous Falcon had been dead already for half a century.
The joyous shouts of the villagers turned to silent mourning. The water from Dee’s clothes could heal their wounded, but all that remained of Malcolm was his cloak, and a smattering of Aramis’ feathers. As Zyana took her uncle’s cloak in her arms, the moaning cry of an owl echoed through the canopy.
The villagers returned to town victorious yet grieving. Zyana brought Malcolm’s cloak to Meldryn, who confessed that the reason for their estrangement was his own jealousy of his brother’s heart, the heart of a healer. As he wept, the villagers engulfed him in their embrace, and wept for and with him.
Ravenwood had been saved and thus, there was a bountiful feast. Over food and drink, by the light of the fire, the Raven bid farewell to the town. He would go to other lands to spread the courage and loyalty that he had learned there. Together, the villagers rested their sore feet and sated their hunger, swearing to carry on the legacy of Malcolm the Healer and their other fallen friends.
Twas a sad but noble day!