Athiria History

[Detomah]

Creation Story
The great being sighed, sending a small rocky planet hurtling across the galaxy to crash into the larger of two suns. As the planet was engulfed in an explosion of shattering rock and burning gas, he paused. For the past several million years the being had searched galaxy after galaxy for some harbinger of intelligence. To his great chagrin, he had been unable to find anything in the vast void except masses of burning gas and countless dead planets. He was about to flick another planet into the second sun when he stopped suddenly and a small grin crossed his face. He knew what he had to do...

In the beginning, there was only Calaron the Supreme. Through accident, or perhaps a metamorphosis, Calaron exploded, seeding the existing universe with a raw element, known as Calarite. Calarite is the basis of all intelligence, appearing as an energy spirit that can be absorbed by any living thing. A duality congealed from the largest masses of the element. These two conscious beings, Amithorn and Benithorn, emerged as the most powerful of the preternatural remains of Calaron. Many other less powerful entities (Caluvians) were also formed from the free-floating Calarite. Amithorn was created from the immoral, unprincipled, and chaotic essence of Calaron. Benithorn, on the other hand, was formed from the moral, virtuous, and ordered essence. The consequence of this inception resulted in eternal conflict between the two great entities. The remaining Caluvians, if they were capable of greater awareness, realized their place in the new order and chose sides.

He couldn't remember when things had started to change, only that they were very different. Benithorn watched as a sparkling strand of Calarite floated past his face. He could feel the warmth of the power emanating from it. This was the essence of his life; what made him conscious and sentient. None of the Caluvians could really remember how they came into existence, they just had. Benithorn blinked and brought his thoughts back to the moment. Amithorn had been gathering together with more and more Caluvians and his power had been growing. Yes, things were very different now - something was about to happen...

Amithorn and Benithorn, being diametrically opposed, entered into an epic battle. Vast amounts of ethereal energy were unleashed. Galaxies were torn asunder and reshaped. Thousands of star systems were completely destroyed, with new star systems formed from the remnants. When the dust cleared from this terrible holocaust, there was no sign of either Amithorn or Benithorn. Taken off guard by their absence, many surviving Caluvians scattered. The remaining Caluvians began to scramble for power and sought ways to enhance themselves. Lacking what we would consider to be inhibition, they did whatever they pleased to wrest power from the others. Each sought to become superior. They soon learned that obtaining, and absorbing, new quantities of Calarite would increase their powers. Through guile, some of the more naïve of the Caluvians were tricked into giving themselves up to their unbeknownst enemy, and were absorbed. Those wise enough to resist the subtle attempts at deception quickly learned that unwilling Calarite was as powerful a guard and weapon as it was a means of achieving enhanced sentience. Eventually, several Caluvians became so saturated with Calarite that the element would no longer be absorbed. Thus, other means of acquiring Calarite were sought.

Weary of conflict following the titanic battle, many Caluvians wanted peace and solitude. Two such Caluvians departed the aftermath of that chaotic event. They had seen some of their naïve allies maliciously absorbed by ravenous, malevolent Caluvians, and were outraged. Without Benithorn to guide them, and in the absence of any leadership, they felt the urge to get as far away as possible from all other Caluvians.

Ethereal energy undeniably existed throughout the universe. This was the first thing they discovered as they traveled. Looking closer, they found galaxies that painted beautiful pictures against the canvas of the void; their bright stars emanating warmth and energy. Wandering comets, with their comas blazing to life, added a spark of brightness to the scene. Calarite permeated many of these objects. Its signature was easily detected when they passed within galaxies and close to individual star systems. However, it was planets that were exceptionally surprising.

Since Calarite is the basis for intelligent life, Caluvians, therefore, seek it out. They did find such life, but it wasn't always life as they knew it. The ethereal energy of Calarite was a Caluvian's life-blood, their biologic makeup. The beings they found on many planets, however, weren't the same. Planets always contained varying levels of ethereal energy, as did their native life forms. Compared to the Caluvians, they contained mere traces of it, and it was not their life-blood. This pair of Caluvians studied the biology of the various planets they encountered. Rarely was there anything interesting enough to keep their attention, but that was about to change...

Discovering Athiria
Noticing a particularly strong presence in a small binary star system, they drew closer to investigate. Seven objects orbited the twin suns. Upon arrival in this solar system, they felt energized as never before, and discovered the strongest signature of ethereal energy from the third planet. This planet contained an abundance of plant and animal life, all of it teeming with calarite. Curious and patient while enjoying the glow emanating from this untapped source of energy, they watched and learned.

Moving invisibly among the creatures of the world, they watched birds flying through the light blue sky, and fish swimming in the deep seas. Soaring overhead, they followed great herds of gazelle running across the grasslands of the central plains. Traveling deep into the forests of the north, bears were slumbering in their dens. However, the dominant species over most of the planet was a primitive humanoid race, settled primarily on the planet's largest continent. There were several varieties of these humanoids, each with traits derived from the thousands of generations of life they had adopted due to their differing environments. One trait, however, was common among all creatures ... inherent calarite!

The humanoids formed hundreds of wandering communities. Their roaming was not aimless, the Caluvians discovered, but took them along a fixed course passing through the same areas every few seasons. By hunting and gathering in this way, they allowed the plant and wildlife to renew, ensuring their survival. Every community followed different routes, with their paths crossing at times so they could trade and spread news of their world. Each variety of humanoid named themselves after the areas of land where they spent most of their time.

The peaceful Silar were found mostly among the forests of the land. Their homes are found where the trees are tall, and whose foliage bestows a year-round canopy. Thin and agile, the Silar build their homes from wood on the thick, strong branches of the most mature trees. With sharp facial features, large bright eyes, and silky flowing hair, their physical beauty is unmatched by the other humanoids of Athiria. Their long, pointed ears are conducive to hunting and perception. Large bright eyes aid them in gathering berries and nuts, as well as spotting fish in streams.

Preferring the swamplands of the south, the Querca are large, muscular, and excellent swimmers. They have thick, bark-like skin, and are often mistaken for the oak tree common to the swamplands, and for which they are named. They also have large heads with small beady eyes. While not agile, their skin allows them effective camouflage so they can grab unsuspecting meals with their large, powerful hands. Belligerent in nature, they often fight over matters as trivial as a stolen piece of meat. The wide variety of fish in the swamp provides the Querca with plenty of bartering power with other communities, enough to overcome even the harshest of their poor manners.

Living among the mountains makes the Subadi a hearty variety of humanoid. From the grassy, rolling foothills to the steep rocky slopes, they created their living spaces mostly from existing natural caverns. They developed thick limbs and extremely strong hands over the centuries of working with rock and stone. Curious by nature, they are more likely to ask "What's inside that hill?" rather than "What's on the other side of that hill?" When not exploring above and beneath the mountains, the Subadi are expert mountain hunters and trackers. Dealings with the Subadi always include trinkets made from stone and the pretty gems found during their ventures underground.

Leamen are named thus due to their lives spent among the flat grasslands and meadows. They have great speed and stamina developed from their ability to run great distances non-stop. This allows them to hunt the swift herds of animals inhabiting the plains. Leamen have almost as keen a sense of nature as the Silar, from which arises profound respect for its rhythms. They take only what they can eat and use for shelter and clothing. The plains are also home to the widest variety of fruits on the planet, from which the Leamen gather bartering power. A few from each community are given the task of handling this trade, and as a result they hunt and gather items well liked at the next crossing.

Life was fairly peaceful between the races. Sometimes hostilities did erupt between different communities, but mostly only during seasons of drought. Every community participated in trade to varying degrees. In this way they maintained contact with the rest of their world. The individual communities were typically led by a small number of elders, but sometimes only by a single strong-minded person. Since hostilities were uncommon, such leadership did not often change. There was no overall organization or leadership binding them together.

During many dozens of orbits did these two Caluvians study the life of the planet, which the natives had named Athiria. The role of the ethereal energy of calarite in the development of life on this planet was just as intriguing as the way it energized them. Desiring to continue their studies first-hand, they chose to appear to the Athirians in their own form.

Face To Face
The Silar woman crouched by the banks of the pond, gathering berries from bushes and watching the waterfall cascade down the side of the cliff face. A warm breeze blew through her long blonde hair making it flutter and wave at the trees behind her. She blinked as hundreds of tiny water droplets began to break off from the main flow of the waterfall and hover in mid air as though they were holding a discussion with each other. The droplets began to coalesce into the translucent shapes of a man and woman, finally solidifying as they stepped forward out of the waterfall. Both had long white hair and wore long flowing robes of an unknown material. Turning toward the woman, she gasped and dropped her pouch of berries, freezing motionless. Their gaze piercing her very soul, she fell to her knees, prostrating herself in the soft dirt of the forest floor. Nodding slowly, the pair smiled as they walked across the surface of the water to greet her...

To their knowledge, no Caluvian had ever assumed form in the Material Plane. They weren't even certain it could be done anywhere but here on Athiria where the concentration of ethereal energy was so strong. The idea of shaping their energies into something physical had never before entered their minds. Inspired by the exhilarating calarite present in this world, they knew it was possible. With a suitable location chosen, they began to form an image in their mind that would be pleasing to the humanoids. With the fluidity of the water in which they stood, their energies shifted, flowing into the desired physical forms. Where previously there was only a stoic awareness of their surroundings, there were now additional sensations available to them. Quickly adapting to their new forms, they greeted the surprised woman that had witnessed their transformation.

While the natives had their own language and ability to live their hunter-gatherer lifestyle, they were still essentially primitive. They had no explanation for why their suns rose and traveled across the skies, or for why there were seasons of warmth and cold. They knew bodily injuries could kill; such knowledge allowed them to hunt successfully for food. Internal sickness, however, was one of many things remaining a mystery to them. Needless to say, no Athirian had ever seen fire started out of thin air, or wounds healed instantly right before their eyes.


Crouched, completely unmoving, the Querca watched silently as a large gray rabbit fed itself from the greenery of a nearby plant. Beyond the rabbit, a small lizard lay sunning itself on a fallen tree, large round eyes intent on an insect crawling within easy reach. By instinct and experience, he knew the lizard would soon strike to capture its meal. He knew that would distract the nearby rabbit for a brief moment, allowing him just the opportunity he needed to break his statuesque pose and grab his next meal. Patient in his tree-like stance, he waited. Finally, a sticky wet lash of the lizard's tongue sucked the insect to its mouth. The brief rustle of leaves was exactly what the Querca was waiting for. Sudden noises on either side of the rabbit froze it in its tracks. Diving forward, he firmly grasped the rabbit, controlling it easily with his powerful hands. Squeezing hard behind the creature's head, a small bone snapped and the animal stopped moving. It was a small meal, but food none-the-less. Any remaining fur would help make a new coat or blanket for the upcoming cold season. The commotion scared other wildlife in the area. Birds flew away into the late afternoon sky or their nearby nests. Other animals took cover as best they could; not knowing exactly what caused the disturbance. The Querca peered up at the two suns bathing the forest with warmth and muttered a small prayer of thanks...

News of the strangers spread fast. Runners were sent to the closest groups, who in turn sent runners even further out. Most prominent among the news was their ability to heal the sick and injured. But soon the naïve Athirians began to attribute everything to the strangers, from successful hunts to the rising and setting of the suns. It was for those suns that the Athirians named them … the primary sun Kitrus for the man, the smaller sun Aravaine for the woman. Although their original community numbered somewhere between 50 and 100, it grew in size quickly as smaller groups of nomads, as well as entire other communities mingled with theirs.

Just as they had felt energized entering the Athirian star system, they became increasingly aware of their own power growing as more and more Athirians joined them. While the native Athirians gained an apparent understanding of their world from the Caluvians, Kitrus and Aravaine discovered that they received the added gain of the calarite contained within each follower. Realizing they had discovered the means for a saturated Caluvian to increase their power, they grew both excited and worried. If any malevolent Caluvian also discovered this, they feared a repeat of the battle that separated them from Benithorn.

A more pressing need, however, concerned the growing size of their already huge following. Their new community was far too numerous to continue a nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle. The solution was obvious; therefore Kitrus and Aravaine were wholly responsible for civilizing the early Athirians. Moving to the center of the continent, they established Athiria's first city, which they called Caluvia in memory of their brethren lost in battle against malevolent forces. Amassing vast numbers of Athirians to their city, Kitrus and Aravaine were compassionate and kind, yet strict in their teachings. In order to feed them all, basic agriculture and irrigation were taught. Domestication and breeding of animals was also a top priority. All citizens were very busy farming, harvesting, and building irrigation canals as well as pickets for their herds. Within a few dozen years of hard work, the city was fully self-dependent.

Brisk trade developed between many groups of Athirians that remained apart, never joining them inside the city. Some native communities simply preferred their original nomadic lifestyle. Other groups were not quite so friendly, and raided the city's farms and herds. Not even this idyllic life was free from violence.

With care and maintenance of their food supply now in a predictable routine, Kitrus and Aravaine kept their citizens occupied by more fully developing the culture of their city, including basic architecture and art. They instructed citizens in the pursuits of their choice, assuring that all basic necessities were taken care of, including defense. Many new concepts were introduced to the Athirians, including advanced mathematics to allow them to build magnificent structures, and advanced farming techniques to allow them to feed their ever-increasing population.

The city continued to mature as the years passed, and the natives were no longer quite so primitive. Impressed with their ability to learn and adapt, the Caluvians seized upon this opportunity to see how well they had taught the Athirians. Never far from thought was their ever-increasing power, growing along with the size of the populace, and a fact they kept to themselves. Thinking back to their discovery of this star system, they were reminded of the rush of power they had felt. While they were never considered the strongest of Caluvians prior to discovering Athiria, they were entirely certain their powers were now increased several times over. Was there any limit? This was an issue that required further investigation.

To this end, both Kitrus and Aravaine chose different methods for their research. Under the guise of establishing a personal retinue, Aravaine enlisted a wide variety of citizens for her research. How deep was their ability to learn? With the population continuing to increase, many citizens felt an irresistible urge to travel. Kitrus challenged them to return to their native lands and build cities to rival Caluvia. Would these new cities continue to augment their power? Could this secret be kept from malicious enemies?

Outpost Truskar
The Andwir Mountains are one of the most dominant geographic features on all of Athiria. Stretching north and south along the entire eastern coast of the largest Athirian continent, the Andwir features the tallest snowcapped peaks on the planet. The rugged terrain is home to a few hardy species, but mostly the Subadi. Andwir’s foothills are much less harsh, providing sustenance to a variety of plant and animal life. The jewel of the Andwir range, however, is the largest peak, named Rol Wegir. Within is the home of the Subadi capital city of the same name. The Subadi have made their home within Rol Wegir ever since the first exodus from Caluvia, taking the knowledge learned from Kitrus and Aravaine to build themselves a self-sufficient home and legacy. The Subadi mastered living among the mountains, and eventually expanded out from Rol Wegir with outposts along the entire length of the Andwir range. Nothing traveled an Andwir mountain pass unnoticed by the Subadi.

One such outpost was Truskar, far in the south of the Andwir range. As with all outposts, Truskar was originally a natural cave, sculpted and expanded as necessary with expertise typical of Subadi stonework. Manned with a commanding officer and several veteran hunters, each outpost was secluded, defensible, and had a varying complement of personnel. Messengers were always coming and going, keeping news and supplies flowing throughout the entire mountain range. Few amenities existed, but everyone was guaranteed a cot to sleep upon and plenty of ale.

Drinking one of those ales was Hannar, recently returned from a patrol with his partner Raugin. Hunters usually traveled alone, except during times of conflict or when they were training a new hunter. Hannar was a hunter-in-training, but almost at the end of his apprenticeship to Raugin. Hannar had a natural aptitude for hunting and tracking. His parents, both hunters themselves, were very proud of him. When combined with Raugin’s excellent leadership and training, he was highly thought of and would soon be on his own. Thus, nobody was surprised to see him return early and alone from his patrol. The news he brought, however, was very surprising.

The commander of this outpost, Captain Thalig, merely raised an eyebrow when Hannar told him of the advanced party of goblins. It was quite an accomplishment to get any reaction at all out of the normally dour-faced Captain, but this news was unexpected. They normally had advanced warning of these types of incursions from outposts closer to the foothills. News of this particular group had not made it to them yet, however, and he silently worried about that.

Sitting at a table in the common area of the outpost, Hannar drained the last spot of ale from his cup and finished his report. "So there it is, Cap’n. When we knew it was a scout party, an’ that more was comin’, Raugin had me come straight back ‘ere to tell ya. He was goin’ to stay hidden an’ count the lot o’ them so we’d know how many t’ prepare for." The Captain stood up from the table, patting Hannar on the back. "Good job Hannar. Rest up a bit while ya can. I be sending ya back out after hearin’ what Raugin has t’ say." While the Captain went over to stand, leaning, against the cave’s entrance to the common room, Hannar got up to refill his cup from the open ale barrel at the back of the common room.

The few hunters currently at the outpost were tense with anticipation, anxiously awaiting a command for what to do next. A couple of hours passed before a lookout spotted Raugin making his way back up to the secluded outpost. Unusually out of breath, he entered and went straight to the ale barrel and threw back a quick drink before making eye contact with the Captain. "Trouble be brewing, Cap’n sir. Did we get reports from the lower outposts about local goblin activity?" Captain Thalig shook his head no, "Not since a month ago." Raugin moved over to a table and sat down with the others. "Well now that’s just odd! Y’think they’d know if five score goblins came strolling up the hill, wouldn’t ya?" A couple of gasps could be heard as the Captain stood up quickly, knocking his chair over backward. "Five score?", he half-screamed, incredulous. Raugin continued, "Aye, five score. An entire clan of ‘em, an’ with their chieftain! Moving fast they was too. Is prob’ly why we hadn’t heard ‘bout it yet." Captain Thalig leaned over to pickup his chair and sit back down. “Might want to stay standin, sir, cause there’s more." This time both of the Captain’s eyebrows rose as Raugin finished his cup of ale and continued. "Not only was the chief goin’ with ‘em, but there was six cloaked things too. They wasn’t goblin, too tall. Don’t know what they be. After they was gone, I checked their tracks, an’ I ain’t never seen nothin’ like ‘em, sir, not in these parts or any where else I been."

Seemingly unphased by that last bit of news, Captain Thalig sat back down at the table. Decisively, he gave his orders, addressing all of the hunters. "We can worry on those new things later. Can’t do nothin’ ‘bout them now, but we can do our jobs an’ tell other outposts and the Commander back at Rol Wegir." Motioning to each hunter as he spoke, the Captain explained his plan. "Aur, Tulan, get on the trail o’ these things an’ see where they be goin’. Don’t follow past the foothills if they be just passin’ through. Undal, you heard as much as I did, head off to the other southern outposts an’ tell ‘em ‘bout this. Kinan, same thin’, but go north an’ make sure this goes all the way to the Commander." Finally looking back to Raugin and Hannar, he gives them a task. "Both o’ ya, get back to their trail, an’ find out how they got up here without us knowin’ it. Follow ‘em down to where they entered the foothills, then backtrack to the closest outpost an’ see if they still be alive down there."

Raugin noted that the Captain just gave travel orders to the entire complement of hunters currently in the outpost, which was not supposed to happen. "Cap’n, sir, that would leave ya all alone up here, ya sure that’d be safe?" Captain Thalig shook his head. "You all go on as I said, I be left with plenty o’ company", and pointed over to the ale barrel.

Trolling For Information
Hannar chuckled as he thought to himself, "Can't let the Captain get it all!" Winking at Raugin, he ladled out a small serving from the ale barrel. Raugin laughed out loud, "A quick hit for the road, eh lad? Good idea, pour me some too!" Draining their cups, they make a pass through the pantry on the way out to refill their small travel packs with some cheese and dried meat.

Last season he was too inexperienced to join an outpost, and there was nothing exciting patrolling close to Rol Wegir. So Hannar was anxious to get out and be an important part of the Hunter's Guild. He felt suffocated living around the capital due to the expectations that followed him as a nephew of King Daerros and son of Orvar, leader of the Hunter's Guild. Wanting none of that attention, he gladly accepted one of the few outpost positions that came available, especially since it meant training under Raugin.

Orvar had spent much time with Raugin before ascending to guild leadership. They were both well known for their exploits patrolling and fighting against goblins to the south and raiding parties of Siladra to the north and along the coast. Orvar knew Hannar would develop excellent skills from his experienced partner.

Raugin saw many similarities between father and son. But, where Orvar was comfortable with leadership and politics, he could see that Hannar was not. Hannar preferred to do. This was a good thing because, while titles meant little to the Subadi, bloodline relations still meant expectations were high.

So while the meaning of this group of goblins was potentially a bad portent, Hannar left the outpost with Raugin in an upbeat mood. This lasted until they reached the pass where they originally found the goblin scout path. As yet uncovered by winter snow, the path was solid stone. Few plains dwellers would have seen these tracks, yet the Subadi excelled at mountain tracking. The path of this goblin scout overlooked the floor of the pass by ten to twenty feet. Even at that distance both of the hunters could plainly see marks and even debris left by the passing goblin company. Still cautious out in the field, Raugin whispered, "A bold group t' leave such a clear trail. Or more likely a stupid one." That thought alone brought Hannar out of his upbeat mood and back into the reality of an unknown and still risky situation. "Could there be more coming?" he thought to himself. Seeming to think the same, Raugin put his finger to his lip in a gesture of silence, then motioned that he would move to the other side of the pass as they followed the trail downhill.

The goblin trail remained an obvious one. Raugin and Hannar, keeping each other in sight, descended quickly and silently in parallel to it. Moving below the tree line they spotted the usual wildlife, which was a good sign that no large force was in the immediate area. The foothills at the base of the mountain marked the outer range of their normal patrol. Outpost Gannin patrolled from this point to the rolling plains below. Hannar looked over to Raugin, who was already approaching silently through the pine filled forest. He caught a scent of cedar as Raugin came up to him and whispered, "We'll keep going, lad, but watch for a Gannin hunter. It be nice t' run across one an hear what they know of this."

Shortly thereafter they approach a large natural clearing in the forest where the stone of the mountain was exposed in a few places. Some hearty large alder shrubs grew where there was soil to support them. A cool evening breeze blew toward them across the clearing, but something wasn't right. Hannar froze in his tracks as the wind brought a sickly sweet odor toward them. Raugin soon joined him, with a worried look in his eyes. "Is a good thing we're downwind, lad," he said in less than a whisper, pointing to the right side of the clearing. Hannar could see the back of some creature there. It was crouched over a small pile of something that he couldn't quite see. Looking around the rest of the clearing he saw several other piles, and realized they were the remains of recent campfires.

Raugin asked, "Know what that be, lad?" Hannar had heard stories of some forest creatures that scavenged abandoned campsites. Then he remembered the sickly sweet odor he had caught scent of just moments ago. Mountain troll! "I haven't seen one yet, but that has to be a troll!" he whispered back in reply to Raugin. "That's right, lad. An' if we wasn't downwind, he'd have left already. Mountain trolls don' usually come this far down, unless they be scared or real hungry."

Tall and strong with long limbs and fingers, mountain trolls typically lived at high elevations or other inaccessible places. They were very cautious creatures with excellent sensory perception allowing them to avoid the Subadi with whom they shared the mountains. Rumor had it they could speak, but sightings were rare so nobody knew for certain. Trolls were also thought to be extremely aggressive, but Raugin knew otherwise.

He continued quickly, still whispering. "On patrol once, me an' your father, at a safe distance mind ya, watched what we thought was a family of 'em foragin for food. We was downwind just like now. This same odor too. Not only the odor did the wind bring us though, but voices." Hannar raised both eyebrows in surprise. "That's right, lad, voices. They can talk almost just like us, but they don' do it much so it sounds broken. Most hunters know this, but not all of 'em. They still be dangerous, but mostly they just forage for their food. They mind their own business, so it don' hurt none for folks t' think they be savages. I bet if we offer him some food we might learn something about these goblins. Move silent lad, t' the edge of that clearing. Don' move t' touch a weapon or you'll spook him for sure."

Hannar moved forward confidently with Raugin, but his movements disguised his apprehensive mood. With their better view of the clearing, there was no doubt this was a campsite for the goblins last night. Several burnt patches showed where they had their fires, and a couple clouds of flies loudly signaled the location of their garbage.

Raugin had taken some dried meat from his pack, and now held it in front of him as he called out, "Food?" Startled, the troll quickly turned around toward the sound, tilting its nose upward and sniffing the air while its eyes scanned the clearing. Hannar could see the troll's eyes narrow as it stared fiercely back at them. "Sneaky", it spoke slowly in a deep, raspy voice.

Tossing the meat onto the ground halfway between himself and the troll, Raugin held his hands up showing his bare palms and spoke again to the troll, "We trade? Food for you, info for us?" The troll glanced at the meat, then back to Raugin and leaned its head slightly to the side, as if it didn't understand. "Want food. What enfo?"

Raugin replied, "Info is talk. We want to know who made this campsite. Was it goblins?" At the sound of the word "goblin" the troll shook violently and spit on the ground. "Nasty goblin. Taste bad."

The troll kept eyeing the dried meat on the ground. Raugin tried to keep the troll's attention, "Goblins were here then?" The troll nodded. "Goblins here. Subadi here too. Goblin eat Subadi." Raugin was shocked at that news. "Goblins ate Subadi?" They had never been known to do that.

The troll nodded again. "Ate. Me follow goblins. They not see. They find Subadi den." The troll pointed to the southwest in the direction of Outpost Gannin, then smacked a tight fist again his open palm. "Goblins hit. Kill Subadi. Me follow goblins." The troll was now pointing to the ground indicating he followed them here. "Goblins burn Subadi. Big goblins eat. Me watch. They still not see. Sleep, then leave." It pointed in the direction of the trail uphill. "Me want food."

Without taking his eyes from the mountain troll Raugin said, "Toss it some of your food too, Hannar." Pointing toward the southwest he said to the troll, "We go to the Subadi den to look. Take this food to yer den to save for the winter." Silently he waved his hand in a beckoning motion for Hannar to follow and starting walking away from the troll. When they reached the opposite side of the clearing, Hannar looked back to see the troll move from his crouched position, walking on all fours, toward the food. Stepping back into the forest, Raugin spoke again, "Don' pay it no mind Hannar, it won' be followin'. From what I seen of 'em they wake and sleep with Kitrus. With it setting soon, it be headin' back to its den for the night. Both Aravaine and Hetos are up tonight, so we got plenty light t' reach Gannin an' see what happened, if anythin'."

Kitrus fully descended in the west as they continued. Its reflection off the moon Hetos, combined with the pale light from Aravaine, still allowed them to follow the goblin trail with ease. Though weary, the need to reach Outpost Gannin drove them on.

It was the middle of the night as they came near the outpost. Because it was located in the lowlands of the Andwir, and below the tree line, Gannin was constructed mostly of timber, as opposed to the stone structures or caves used at higher elevations. Raugin had visited this outpost regularly over his years, so he knew it well. Like most of the Subadi, they didn't really care for the crudely built timber houses. But, this was only a hunter's outpost, and not their home. Still, it was disheartening to smell the odor of burnt wood…

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