The World of Areth
We had arrived in the night...
The darkness of the forest path offered little solace. It was the welcoming face of the Galenese guardsman that helped settle our nerves. We figured here was someone that knew what he was doing.
That's when the dwarf suddenly asked, "Did that tree just move?" The spellcasters in the group cast their light spells, and the green glow of the small sticks in their hands surrounded us. Yet it served more to illuminate us more than it allowed us to see into the trees. Being a stealth-conscious individual, I felt I should alert them of this fact.
"Let whatever it is see us," said the woman with the nasty-looking mace and unusual accent. "We'll teach it that the newcomers are no pushovers." She seemed to be getting swiftly accustomed to her role. "Speak for yourself," I muttered as I backed away into the trees off the path some, swearing that I had also seen movement.
"Death!"
The shout was unmistakable. Someone had cast a spell, and a packet flew out of the night, striking the guardsman. Imposing figures emerged grunting from the trees opposite to where I crouched down, drawing my shortsword. The cool air passed more swiftly in and out of my lungs. I heard my heart beating in my ears so loudly I feared it would give away my position.
"Ice dart! Sleep!"
That was one of the new guys throwing his spells. One of the figures that jumped us was down. It was hard to make out - did it have horns? Interesting... As the thumps of weapons matched the shouts of settlers, I saw my chance and took it. Sneaking up behind one of the figures, I tapped it on the upper back with the pommel of my weapon.
"Subdue?"
I wasn't sure if it would work. I couldn't help but grin triumphantly when it collapsed to the ground. Yet as more of us also fell, I was forced to agree with the timely decision to flee.
Sitting around quietly huddled and catching our breaths are the remaining three of us. We saw our fellow new settlers walk by not long ago. "Eidolon", was all they said to our hails. They were spirits, off to Death's Realm.
"I hope they come back," the dwarf muttered. "I'm just glad that's the end of that," I offered.
"No," the mace lady said. She had a very convincing vengeful glare in her eye. "This is only the beginning."
I simply sighed and shrugged, thinking, "Wonderful."