Grimey - Casted Out

Treacherious bastard! I couldn’t believe what Smythe and I found in those woods where that man was digging the other night. Buried underneath the disturbed patch of dirt was the body of a young woman. The same woman that’s been missing. The same woman that was supposed to have been killed by some new monster. A monster that we can’t find, by the way.

Taking a look at her body we found that the woman had been stabbed. Several knife wounds dotted her upper body. If she were killed by a monster we would fine bite marks, claw marks, or something messy unlike the incision caused by a blade. Monsters don't use blades, people do.

Smythe and I took a trip into Woodlawn Village. People weren’t happy to see us as we were met will suspicious eyes but who cares. A woman was killed by one of her own. We were met by Eli, the village elder who's pretty much the leader of things around here.

“What brings the two of you here, Grimey?” He asked. Even though Woodlawn mostly keeps to itself we're still familiar with each other. Eli was a hunter in his younger days. Nowadays he's a peaceful man whose focus is spent on passing down his knowledge. He also knows these woods better than anybody else.

“We heard about the rumors of a new monster and came to check things out.” I said. Eli cocked his chin back questioningly. I continued before he could speak. “But we found something else you need to see.”

We led Eli to the woman's body. He noticed the same things we did: stab wounds, no bite or claw marks. A murder took place. Back in the village Eli gathered all the people and we pointed out the bastard we saw in the woods the night before. Eli had some trusted people raid his house and found a bloody knife next to a lock of hair that looked a lot like that woman's hair. The digger, knowing that he was cornered, admitted to murder. Said something about she betrayed and broke his heart. Whatever. People shouldn't kill other people. But here we were with somebody who did just that. So now what to do?

Some wanted to kill him. Others wanted to tie him up in the woods and leave him for dead. I’m not much for killin’ people regardless of circumstance and I'm also against giving monsters a free meal. So I suggested he be cast into the wood, exiled from Woodlawn. Eli rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“Our friend from Quarry has a good idea.” The elder said. “If he is worthy of living the woods will let him. Nature shall decide his fate.” And with that the murderer was sent off.

Me and Smythe were invited to stay the night. We were given a nice little shack in the middle of town equipped with two soft cots. Much better than camping on the ground. Good folk here. Glad they don’t get many real monster attacks. Be a shame to see good people hurt by mindless beasts. Well, except for that murderin’ creep. But Eli is right, he’ll get whatever he deserves out alone in them woods.

Grimey - Strange Digger

Smythe and me camping outside of Woodlawn tonight. Clyde stayed back, of course. Heaven forbid he bends some rules. Anyway, we spotted the usual beasts in the woods. Deadlings, nothing out of the ordinary. But since we got to Woodlawn we haven't seen a thing. That is until we spotted somebody sneakin’ outta town.

We followed him the lad. Something felt wrong about the situation. It's odd to see anybody leave a village after sundown, except for a hunter. But this guy didn’t carry a weapon. Lad only had a shovel! Smythe and I stayed low and quiet in the trees. We watched the man creep to a patch of dirt. Looked like it had been previously disturbed. Then the guy started digging. I figure it’s a good thing Smythe and I were there. If he was doing something wrong we’d see it and if a monster attacked we could save the lad.

Back in Quarry we got word that a woman had gone missing. Apparently she was killed by the new monster rumored to be in these woods. Smythe and I left immediately. That was a few days ago. Now that we're here there's no sign of a new monster and we're just watching this fool dig a hole.

A strange noise came from deeper in the woods. Sounded like a man trying to growl while gargling. Creepy, spooked out the digger. He stopped and hurried back toward Woodlawn. Smythe and I kept an eye on the fella until he reached the village then went looking for whatever made that sound. We couldn’t find nothin’.

Now that we’re settled for the night I been wondering what that guy was diggin’ up. I’ll take Smythe and check it out tomorrow. I've also been wondering about that sound. Never heard anything growl like that before. It was a low sound too. Means the beast has some size to it. We have some work to do.

The sky is clear tonight and every star is out. No moon though. It’s peaceful here. Very quiet. So quiet it seems even the air is resting. If anything is out there we’ll hear it. And once we know where to go it’s huntin’ time, and my axe is thirsty for a murderin’ monster.

Grimey - Rumors

Been hearing about some monster attacks down in Woodlawn. Small village south of here. Sometimes they send runners this way to ask for help. Me, Clyde, and Smythe usually go. From what I’m hearing I’m expecting a runner any day now. The gash in my shoulder from that damn Kingpin hunt is still healing but that won’t stop me if the call comes.

Rumor has it there’s a new monster down in Woodlawn. People been getting’ hurt real bad. Cuts and gashes, bites and bruises. But the monster is so clever that it hasn't been seen. Pretty good, I say, for a monster to sneak up and bite yer leg and not even be seen. Also this new monster walks upright like a person, not a common thing. It's smart at finding prey, has fangs, claws, those are normal. Horns, not so normal but some monsters got ‘em. Apparently the beast is strong and as large as a person. That's the rumor.

One thing is for sure though, it's not a normal thing for a new monster to show up. And if something new has arrived it’s a wonder nobody has gone missing yet. They got good hunters in Woodlawn but there's not many of them. Plus the village is so small it's pretty easy for beasts to sneak around the outskirts without being spotted. Any intelligent beast can stalk a villager for a long while before attacking. That’s why I’m surprised nobody gone missing yet. Well if it ain’t stopped there'll be a killing for sure. Makes me wonder why our town agreed not to help Woodlawn unless asked. Stupid agreement I say. If there's a monster out there to hunt, I say we hunt!

I think Smythe and I should go check it out. Make a helping offer. Clyde won’t come, he respects the agreement and won’t breach it. But Smythe, he don’t like beasts at all. Lad will go out of his way to hunt somethin’. Good man to have along. And hell, if a beast can stalk a village we should be able to go unseen too.

Leo - Hiking Foothills

It’s less than a one day voyage from our Southern Isle to the continent. On a clear day like today was the continent is visible on the horizon. Kane and I departed soon after dawn and landed a little after midday.

Our landing point is a small sandy beach surrounded by a light wood. The wood shields the beach from view giving it some privacy. We can leave our canoe here comfortable that nobody will spot it and get curious. A little ways through the woods is a path that leads east toward the foothills, the only manageable pass through the nearby mountain range. On the other side of the mountains is the small Foothill Village, which serves as our rest stop, and from there the continent is wide open for traveling. Kane and I secured our canoe to some trees and began our hike.

We reached the top of the mountain pass when the Sun began descending on the horizon. Mountains towered above us to the north and south. Their snow-capped peaks gleamed in the lowering sun. It's fascinating that the temperatures up that high are so cold but down here we sweat in the dusk. To the west the ocean, usually a brilliant blue but now turning a light purple, blankets the horizon. The shores of our Southern Island appear as a haze, almost an illusion. In the east Kane and I could easily spot the distant rocky-mountains where Quarry town lies. The sides of the mountains have been carved into revealing glistening white rock. Just ahead of us Foothill village lies on the hills below. Firelight danced in the streets and kitchen smoke rose from chimneys. Soon we'll be able to smell the aromas of supper upon the air. Kane and I wiped the sweat off our brows and continued on hopeful for a good meal.

We reached Foothill Village just after sunset. Kane and I greeted some familiar faces at the tavern-inn. A slow cooked beef brisket with gravy and vegetables was served for supper. It tasted especially good tonight and we washed it down with some very refreshing ale. After our meal Kane and I spent our time mingling with the town folk, which really meant he took a seat with a tankard of ale and I did the talking. Many asked what hunting expedition we are on.

“None.” I replied, “We’re heading to the archives of Thurn hoping to uncover a mystery of the seas.” I then told what we had witnessed at Northern Isle, I noticed Kane had another drink. Concern and horror swept the faces of the tavern-folk. None here know much about the sea. Not unexpected. One man, a hard-working farmer with a dirt-stained face, asked if the recent rumble may have something to do with it. They had felt the earth shake here a little but nobody felt the heated wind that ripped across Southern.

“I have no idea.” I said, “Hopefully some answers will be found at Thurn. Their records go back centuries and if this has happened before somebody must have written of it.” I hope as much, at least.