Under the ancient boughs of the Tanglewood Forest, where the dense canopy casts perpetual twilight on the forest floor, Aranwen, the wood elf ranger, followed the faintest trails left by woodland creatures. Her keen eyes, accustomed to the dim light, spotted signs of unusual activity. Recent footprints, too heavy for any forest beast, and broken foliage spoke of intruders—humans, most likely, from the expanding settlements nearby.
Raised in a secluded elf village, Aranwen had always felt a deep connection to the natural world, a bond she feared was under threat by the encroachment of civilization. Her people whispered of the sky’s strange new rift, seen even through the thick branches overhead, and spoke of omens and ancient prophecies revisited. Feeling a mix of curiosity and duty, Aranwen decided it was time to leave the comfort of her home. She needed to understand this phenomenon and protect her beloved forest from the disturbances it might bring.
With a light step and the faint rustle of leaves, she set out towards Velloria, the City of Spires. It was there, she hoped to find answers and perhaps allies who shared her respect for nature. As she journeyed, she stayed off the beaten paths, using her unparalleled skills in stealth to avoid unnecessary confrontations with both beast and man. Her favoured longbow, crafted by her father, hung at her side, a comforting weight and a ready defender should trouble arise.
Aranwen’s arrival in Velloria coincided with the gathering of many others drawn by the rift. The city buzzed with a mix of fear, excitement, and speculation. From the hushed tones of robed scholars to the boisterous debates in the taverns, the rift dominated every conversation. Aranwen, however, sought the quieter corners of the city, gathering information and observing the diverse array of adventurers and emissaries from a distance.
One evening, under the eerie glow of the rift-lit sky, a chance encounter set her path. In a less-frequented part of the city, she came upon a small group of creatures—beasts, strangely altered, their forms shimmering unnaturally as if mirroring the sky itself. Without hesitation, Aranwen stepped forward, her presence unnoticed until the last moment, when she drew an arrow and aimed it at the largest creature. But before she could lose it, a voice called out—a fellow adventurer, perhaps, seeking to understand these creatures rather than slay them.
This moment marked the beginning of Aranwen’s true journey in Velloria, as fate seemed to weave her story with that of others who had come to the city. Together, they would delve deeper into the mysteries of the rift, the altered beasts, and the balance between civilization and nature.