After the incident we gathered to hear Merin’s story. He began by telling us that he was the leader of a few dozen survivors. That these survivors were staying in the fortified buildings near the heart of the city and had served as the government center of the town. That these survivors were the last of a thousand souls that had lived in the region. The trouble had begun several weeks ago. There was a grove near the center of the forest that had served as a holy site for a group of men calling themselves druids. One day dark clouds suddenly appeared over the forest and a bloody rain fell upon the forest. Merin and others saw the strange rain fall over the forest. This was the beginning of the trouble it was after this strange event that strange events began. The first strange event was the appearance of a druid coming out of the forest. He came to the village looking tired and disheveled. He told them of something happening in the forest. That the forest had become dangerous that the animals had become hostile and attacked the grove. He also said that some new disease was spreading through the forest and could be seen on the hostile animals. The druid disappeared soon after no one was sure where he went. Most think that he ran away and was wise for the horrors that followed. The days that followed saw and increase in strangeness. The corruption began to spread the trees once strong and tall their silvered leaves began to take the red tint and began showed signs of decay. Soon sounds of animal screams and howls began to emanate from the forest and hunters who ventured in began to disappear. At the time Merin was serving as a counselor to the towns lord and as the town's mage. He tried to investigate the corruption but could not come to the forest without being repulsed by the smell of decay and death and a feeling of unending malice flowing from forest. It was several days more when the first abominations were seen. They came in many shapes and forms akin to animals from the forest. At first, they did little but watch the town, but one night the disaster came. The gates were closed at night but were not barred unless the town was in an emergency. The abominations came in the dark some coming over the wall and opening the gate they entered the town. It began with the screams and soon chaos reigned. The abomination smashed through homes and attacked people. Town guards tried to protect the people but few prevailed to stop the abominations. The only place that was safe from the chaos was the lord's stronghold. Protected by powerful wards and the best warriors set to guard it the abominations could not get in. Merin used his power to try and help the citizens to try and get to the stronghold and safety. The chaos lasted for hours the abominations storming through the town and indiscriminately killing. It was with the dawn that the screaming stopped, and the abominations went back to the forest. Of the almost thousand souls who lived in the town only about 200 had made it to safety and only a hundred that made it through. It was after this that the lord who had survived the attack decided to leave the valley. Many wished to leave with him, but Merin cautioned them not to go that they did not truly know the full extent of the danger. Yet they spent a day in preparation and then over 200 of the survivors left the town. Merin and those who remained only about 20 who chose not to leave at that time hoped that the party would make it. It was not to be, it was dusk when a group of 5 survivors returned to the town. They were wounded and torn; they spoke of how the group had been traveling cross country making for the fortress at the mouth of the valley. It was then that the abominations appeared suddenly they were all around and among the group. They began to tear into the group killing everyone they encountered. The five who made it out dd so only because of the abominations were so preoccupied. Of the five who made it out 4 died of their wounds. Merin concluded his story by saying that the abominations were wholly evil. They did not discriminate by man, woman, or even child they would kill everyone, and they left nothing but blood stains behind. As Merin told his story I watched the others who were in the room. Garrett, Archer, and Jax faces were stony, and I could see the anger just underneath. Kage, the spellcasters, and the priests just looked sick. Jay was next to me, and I could see he looked sad and there was even a tear was in his eye. I put my hand near his and he put his hand in mine. I could see a smile come to his face even in his sadness. I could also see archer across the room. He seemed profoundly unimpressed by the story his eyes never straying from me I saw the rage and jealousy in his face. As the story ended, we all sat or stood there thinking on the story.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.