Howling Forest
Surely the boat has made a mistake bringing you to this island. No sooner than you set foot on the dock and make your way to the wild grass are you convinced that nothing can be found here. The forest before you is thick and grows unbothered by human civilization. The boat departs and sounds of howls or panting sends a panic through you. There is little choice now but to venture forward into the wood hoping to seek shelter from the predators abound. The trees howl above you as you wonder through the lush forest. Pushing past the high brush, you realize an entire village is before you, hidden away from the easy gaze cast from shore.
The village is alive and wonderful to behold. All the huts are made from the wood of the forest and people move from home to home. They either navigate the many trees between one building and the next or travel the barely visible paths. The village looks as if it has been untouched since before the time of darkness. It seems like a simple and pleasant life, one that endears you to it almost instantly. The fear from earlier has melted in the warm embrace of the village, until you set eyes upon the large castle. It stands at the very heart of the village and it is easy to notice that none dare to tread near. It is as if an invisible wall repels them and not even one pauses to raise their gaze to it. It can seem that they do not see it until they purposely avoid coming too close.
The castle is run down by the ravages of time and the very roof has crumbled to the floors below. It was a place of splendor in its day, but now it is only the memory of what it once was. Here is where the mystery of the island lies. Legend has it that it was the headquarters of the guardians of the moon. It was from this palace of stone that they watched the village with unrelenting eyes. It was here they played gods in the lives of newborns. Something terrible has come to pass and that is where the legends end. All that is known for certain is that the guardians of the moon are no more and this place is a reminder of that. Never again will a small group of humans decide the destiny of this village.
As night falls, the village is plummeted into darkness. None dare light a torch outside their door for fear of bringing a forest fire. It is a very sensible fear with thick old oaks and pines but a foot from each building’s foundation. Strangely, the center castle casts a faint glow though it was surely abandoned long ago. It is the only source of light in a sea of darkness that now swims before you. Again the howling comes and the boat will not return for some time yet. Hopefully you can make your way to the inn for a place to stay before the savage noise finds you.
