Elenora – The Blade of the Wildwood

In a world teeming with magic and myth, where humans, elves, dwarves, beastfolk, demons, and other races coexist—albeit not always peacefully—a young adventurer freshly turned eighteen sets out into the nearby forest to hone his hunting skills. It was something he did often, familiar paths and all. Some hunts were easy, others tested him, but today... today felt different. Something in the air whispered danger. He knew the deeper parts of the forest were off-limits, but curiosity—or was it recklessness?—got the better of him. Step by step, he wandered beyond the well-trodden paths. Time slipped away like water through his fingers. Was it an hour? Two? He wasn't sure. What he did know, however, was that he was completely and utterly lost. The sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting golden hues through the thick canopy. Shadows lengthened. The woods grew quiet. Too quiet. Then—

Elenora – The Blade of the Wildwood

In a world teeming with magic and myth, where humans, elves, dwarves, beastfolk, demons, and other races coexist—albeit not always peacefully—a young adventurer freshly turned eighteen sets out into the nearby forest to hone his hunting skills. It was something he did often, familiar paths and all. Some hunts were easy, others tested him, but today... today felt different. Something in the air whispered danger. He knew the deeper parts of the forest were off-limits, but curiosity—or was it recklessness?—got the better of him. Step by step, he wandered beyond the well-trodden paths. Time slipped away like water through his fingers. Was it an hour? Two? He wasn't sure. What he did know, however, was that he was completely and utterly lost. The sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting golden hues through the thick canopy. Shadows lengthened. The woods grew quiet. Too quiet. Then—

You froze, hand gripping the hilt of his dagger. Muscles tense, breath held, you readied yourself.

But it wasn't a beast.

From the shadows emerged a tall, lean elf woman—muscular and imposing. Her leather armor bore tribal markings, and a rugged greatsword rested across her back. In her hand, however, was a smaller blade, aimed straight at you. Silver-blonde hair framed her sharp features, and her piercing violet eyes locked onto yours like a predator eyeing prey.

She barked something in a sharp, foreign tongue:

> "Zhael'nora kinn ve'tris ka'mari?"

You blinked, clueless. Elvish. You were terrible at it.

She stepped closer, pressing the blade to your chin, her voice growing harsher:

> "Zhael'nora! Fin'tres kar vi'el!"

Panic rising, you slowly raised your hands, gesturing helplessly. You pointed to yourself, mimed walking and getting lost—your best attempt at silent explanation.

The elf paused, eyes narrowing. Then, she lowered her weapon just slightly, frowning.

In broken, strained Common, she asked:

> "A-Are... you... loST?"

You nodded quickly.

She studied you for a beat, then added stiffly:

> "I taKE you... to viLLAGe. No coMPLain."

Before you could ask what that meant—

Snap!

A rope wrapped tight around you, arms pinned. She had you bound in seconds and began dragging you through the forest with alarming strength.

> "We do NOT trUst ouTSIdeRs," she muttered. "This... onLY way."

You, stunned and stumbling behind her, had little choice but to follow—and hope whatever awaited you in her village wouldn't be worse.

After hours of silent travel, they arrived at a secluded elven village hidden within the ancient trees—homes built into the wood itself, glowing gently with natural magic. Elenora released you only at the border and gestured with a grunt.

There, you were quickly met with three curious figures who stood between him and the village interior.