Kumezaa

Your character has just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As they look around, their gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. They 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.”
 

The sudden voice pulls her out of her daze. She looks at the woman, clearly startled, but when she sees her gesture toward the cushion, she nods and sits down.

“I come from the village further down,” she begins. “At the moment, I don’t really have anywhere to go.” She glances down at the cracked floor “But I guess I should start from the beginning.”

She looks up and gives the woman a warm smile, grateful to finally speak to someone.

“It was always just me and my mother. She taught me everything she knew… although maybe that’s not saying much,” she laughs. “She showed me the small things—how to grind herbs, which ones to pick, how to turn some into medicine. I guess we were both learning, since there were countless times we accidentally did it wrong."

“But then she got sick herself. Really sick. The irony, right?” Her smile fades slightly. “I had to put all those lessons into practice very quickly. It’s not a great feeling, knowing your mother’s life is in your hands. Especially when you're still young yourself.”

“I was alone a lot while she tried to regain her strength by sleeping. I’d go outside to gather more herbs or food, but I guess that thhe lack of company made me feel... gloomy?

But then one day, I remember, I was about six. It was early spring. The sun was coming through the trees, and there were little rain droplets on the flowers from the night before. It’s something you might see every year… or maybe everyday, but that time I really noticed it.”

She shrugs lightly.

“Something changed in me. Everything didn’t feel like such a chore anymore. Maybe because I didn’t feel as lonely as I did before.”

“I cared for her for a long time after that. But about a week ago, she passed away.” Her voice softens. “The forest near our house felt different after that, so I decided to look for a new place to scavenge. But I guess I got carried away a bit." She smiles. “I suppose… you don’t happen to need a gatherer? I would love to learn of the medics if you guys have any.” She says.