The Birth of The Nameless Fear

The victory over Ugrukhôr was remembered by those who survived not as a glorious battle, nor as some heroic duel sung by wandering minstrels.

It was remembered as silence.

The bridge had fallen long ago.

Only half of it remained, jutting out over a gulf that swallowed the light of Litharil's lantern before it reached the bottom. Across the abyss, the opposite span hung broken in the darkness, as though some giant hand had torn the stone apart.

She stood at the edge for a long while.
Not searching for a way across.
Only looking.

Cold air drifted steadily upward from the depths below. It carried no scent of earth or water.
Only age.

The Lone Lady

I continued me storytellin' to me grandkids about Beannaithe's journey across the the Land of the Five Streams...

'Beannaithe's adventure in Stone-land had thus far been uneventful. She felt, however, that it were about to change. She were correct.

Months had passed with no word.

No post, no rider, no winged familiar.

Cutch had every confidence in his Wife, perhaps more than in himself. Her skills and resilience would protect Her, surely, from any misadventure, and if She had needed him, She’d have sent word.

Greetings everyone! Today I shall present to you the tale of how I outwitted a dragon and saved spring! And I assure you, this tale is entirely true and I am not making it up right now! Well, let us begin! Our tale begins in the frozen, barren lands of Forochel. Have you ever asked yourself why such a land is so frozen and barren? Well, that is because it was cursed by a cold-drake! A cold-drake known as Glaursmaug the Cold-hearted! Many centuries ago, Glaursmaug plundered a Dwarven mine in Forochel, hoarding all of its vast silver supplies to himself!

“All right, lads. Team up, and we will see each other on the base camp on the other side of the hill. You will find challenges enough along the route, so let’s see how you do on your own. First team to arrive skips laundry duty!”