jaeofthevoid

You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.”

((How do you respond?))

"Oh, I just, uh…" you stutter, tensing up. You eye the crone, then back outside the tent. For a moment, the air thickens with anticipation, until… 

 Elsi ducked her head through the tattered fabric of the tent, her eyes shifted cautiously through the room, taking in her surroundings as the old woman spoke. "Expecting- right.. hah" a tinge of doubt in her voice as she sat down with a thud onto the cushion. Her wide frame made her seem too big for her environment, and she thought carefully for a moment before she spoke again. "Where should I begin.. lets see. I was raised in a small village on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Balian. My mothers and I were poor. I remember sweltering nights, the summer heat seeping in through the cracks of our small, cozy home. The winters were more bearable, as I, in all honesty, prefer to be too cold rather than too- ah, well I'm rambling. Even so.. we weren't unhappy. I had a fairly simple childhood, although most of it was spent working to help support my mothers and I. I remember playing with the other kids in the street when I found too much time on my hands, which was a rare treat.." She'd wave a hand vaguely at the notion before continueing, "My mother Itihl died when I was just about 12 to a horrible fever. My mom.. Nevenrah, she didn't speak much after that. I knew it was my job to get us out of there. I worked constantly after that, while trying my best to care for my grieving mom. I couldn't stop to contemplate the loss of my mother, I knew she'd want us to move forward, try to make a better life for ourselves. Eventually, I'd saved enough to get my mom and I to Linnormr, I knew they were seeking workers and with luck on my side, I found myself running a small Tavern in the heart of the city. My mom died about a year after moving to Linnormr. It pains me that she can't be beside me today, but I know shes much happier being with my mother once again. I'm satisfied running the Tavern. Often I'll meet folk even stranger than you.." A poor attempt at a joke as she eyed the old crone. "Well than.. satisfied?"