“You'll be going mad for a long time, I'm afraid.” A pear-shaped woman in her fifties stepped into view, holding a small object wrapped tightly in dried leaves, which she put down on a low shelf. “But I don't think it will bother you so much anymore.” The roughly-woven smock she wore clung tightly to her bulbous hips and belly, then fell loosely around her legs, leaving her narrow ankles and uncovered feet exposed. Her body was an awkward shape all through. Her more natural looking round head with its hard-set features was topped by a mess of short, curly gray hair. “And those weren't dreams, except maybe that last one. Maybe. Your mind's been trying to work out something it couldn't possibly understand, so it put you in a safe place. You could have stayed there, you know. You might still get stuck there if you're not careful.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. sighed, closing his eyes. “What has been happening to me, then? I heard you could help…”
A strong smell wafted across the room. “Just a moment,” Uyithlyaw said, and left into what was presumably the only other room in the house. Shortly after, she returned. “I wonder if you're descended from an Osanderer. I have no way of knowing, I suppose. I'm not old enough. Probably just a fluke.” A sharp pain washed over Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak.'s head. “We'll take care of that later. You'll be alright for the next, oh, twenty-seven minutes or so. You're lucky. When I was discovering my ability, so many years ago, I lived a month in the Zioth. It's really going to happen, you know. Probably.
“What's been happening to you is the same thing that happens to all the people of Osander River Village, only to an extreme. Somehow, you've run into an ability more powerful than what anyone can do there, and it's more than you can handle. Imagine that you grew up as a slave, and then, suddenly, you're given land, and a castle, and servants, and are made to wear heavy armor and carry a sword like a knight. It's too much. You're mentally and physically exhausted all the time, and you may never get used to it. Now if instead, you slowly rise from slavery to knighthood, it isn't nearly so bad. It's bad, but not as bad.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. was silent for nearly a minute, so Uyithlyaw continued. “Don't worry too much. There's a good chance you'll be okay, if you do what I tell you and force your mind to slow down.” She left the room again, and Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. heard her stirring something in a large pot. “Don't you want to know why the Osanderers call me the Fortune Teller?” she asked from the other room. “It's because they think I can see the future.” She came back in, and wiped her hands on her smock. “They're right. You might be able to tell the future too, but I think you're more interested in the past. That's far more useful, with the past being so much longer than the future.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. frowned intently, thinking. “The Zioth really is probably going to happen? What mechanism would bring this about? What could stop it? I would normally greet such matters with skepticism, but given what I have observed recently… I believe it is best I take what information I can, and use it.”
“The problem with the future is that it changes continuously. Even the Zioth changes, each time I look at it. Sometimes it doesn't happen at all, and I can see right past it. Usually, I can't. Then there are some things that never change. There is the earthquake, for example, and the chaos it brings. This meeting hasn't changed, right down to the specific words we think we're choosing in our conversation.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. nodded, slowly, thoughtfully. “Where is this earthquake? What chaos does it bring?” He looked towards Uyithlyaw, smiling almost bitterly. “Do forgive my curiosity, but I would want to know as much as I could about the end of the world.”
“It happens in many places, and it begins very soon. It makes the substance of stories into reality. Where these inhuman creatures come from, I don't know – I can't look back into the past like you can, to complete the story. Everybody wants the same thing, and I don't know what that is either. Who will get it, whatever it is, in the end? That's one of the least clear events of all.
“You know, I spend so much time in the future that I can hardly remember my own past. I suppose the opposite will be your curse. You will spend so much time in the past that you won't be able to predict your own future.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. sighed, sitting up, rubbing his head. “If I could only get enough information to act upon… but, in any event. What do you know of the temple of the Orithory in Dunweigplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigYunim / Dunweig
by Arnell, edited by the DM
Yunim
Yunim is (in the year 577) a cosmopolitan trade center in the region of Meheiral, run by the Orithoran religion, led centrally from the great Temple of Justice. It is on the edge of Yunim Lake, making fishing one of its principal industries. The? It is only after I visited there, and it acted against my memory, that my visions began.”
“I know that there are more powers acting in the Barony of Huerten than the Jarramites, or your friends' employer Balban. As hard as the Osanderers and others try to stop them, the occupants of the ruined temple will play their part. The world is going to change a lot in the next few months and years.”
“Yes, but what is their part? Who are they? What are their capabilities and goals?”
“Their goal is to regain what they once had. Their capability is to succeed.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. chuckled ruefully, shaking his head. “In any event. Mineasia informed me that I required your assistance, and asking you questions only to receive cryptic answers is likely of dubious use to me. What assistance can you offer me?”
Uyithlyaw smiled. “It is the place of a fortune-teller to speak in riddles. It can be dangerous for anyone to know too much about his own future, and the benefit of riddles is that they become more clear as the future arrives. But I'll speak more clearly about the present.
“There are two ways to suppress this debilitating influx of power. One is to strangle yourself until you pass out. That will jerk your mind out of its musing and hold it back for a day or so, but it's not very good for you.” She left the room, and returned with a ladle full of steaming liquid. “The other way is to drink this, hot, every day after you wake up. It's not hard to prepare, and most of the ingredients can be found almost anywhere. This one, though,” she said, taking the leaf-wrapped package from the shelf, “is precious. It is called Hermeresth, or Fiilophe, or Carmarneer, which smells more pungent but is the same as the other two. There is enough here to last you a year, after which, I hope, you'll no longer need it. Keep an eye out for more in case you do. That is all there is to it. It took me a year to work out the best recipe, even knowing my future.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. leaned forward to sip at the mixture, carefully, resolved to, at the least, do what was necessary here. It was extremely bitter, and made him wince, but the after taste was sweeter and more tolerable. “I thank you for your assistance, madam. Is there any means I can be of service to you?”
“I don't know. Your future has become very unclear, as has mine. The moment you leave, I suppose, I'll have free will. It will be an interesting experience.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. sighed, nodding slightly. “Understood. I simply hoped I could offer something in exchange for the aid you have offered me, as would be fair.”
“I do what I have to do.” Something shifted behind him, and for the first time, Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. noticed that Mindolpha had been silently sitting behind him the whole time. There was an uncharacteristic look to her. A look of peace. “If you are going to do anything for me, it will happen whether I ask or not. Good luck in Huerten. Your friends will be in a bit of trouble by the time you arrive. They will be safe for the first two days, though, so I suggest you rest here and leave in the morning.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. nodded quietly. “I shall do so, then.” He turned to Mindolpha, smiling gently. “Thank you for your assistance, Mindolpha. I…” He trailed off, slowly shaking his head.
“You what?” Mindolpha was smiling, not the practiced seductive curve Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. had seen her use before, but a gentle, natural smile. Some of the lines on her face had softened as well, giving her an air of youthful beauty.
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. sighed heavily. “I am sure I could not have made it here without your assistance, and my illness placed a burden on you.”
“Burdens have been placed on me my whole life. Yours will be nothing memorable.” Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. could tell she was lying, but it was a white lie. “I'm glad you're feeling better.”
“Where are we going next?” Mineasia asked Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak..
“I suppose I should make my way to the city of Huerten now. I made a promise that I would rendezvous with those I was traveling with there. I would not ask you and your mother to accompany me; the pains of a whole city are beyond what she should endure.”
“But I want to go with you.”
“There is a way,” Mindolpha said, looking at Uyithlyaw.
“Mindolpha, I'll tell you what I've told you every time you've come here. There's nothing I can do for you. And you know as well as I that Huerten would probably kill you.”
“And what would be so wrong with that? Osander will also kill me. It will just take longer.”
Uyithlyaw shook her head, and then stopped and squinted at Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak.. “Strange. I'd never seen that before… At some point during his vague future, he might be able to help you, and I could…” She stopped squinting. “But if I were you, I'd leave her behind. She will be more trouble than she's worth.”
“And why would you wish to accompany me?” Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. turned to Uyithlyaw. “How could I help her? I wish to know enough to make an informed decision.”
“The future's a vague thing, beginning when you walk out that door. I see you closing your eyes and opening them, and Mindolpha smiling. Or I see you putting something around her neck, or a shawl on her head perhaps, and that dulling her senses. I also see her dying in Huerten. I also see her living in Huerten. There are many possibilities.”
“If you can rid me of this curse, I'm coming with you.” Mindolpha reconsidered and lowered her voice. “I'd _like_ to come with you. We won't be any trouble.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. sat, lost in thought, rubbing at his chin. “Very well, then,” he said, finally. “It is ultimately your choice, and I myself must take responsibility for my own decisions.” He smiled, an expression of self-mocking humor. “After all, to do otherwise would be unjust, yes?”
Uyithlyaw interrupted before Mindolpha could answer. “Very well, Mindolpha. I'll give you what you want, but you must use it sparingly this time. Remember, what I give Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. is a cure. What I give you is a disease. It will be ready by tomorrow morning. You,” she said, turning to Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak., “should rest. There is a good chance you have a difficult life ahead of you.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. nodded, and quickly fell asleep where he was.
The next morning, Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. woke to Mineasia's voice. “It's time to wake up! My mother's already packed. She told me there's hundreds of people in Huerten, and houses that never fall down when it snows, and people in shiny armor.”
“He'll tell you all about it on the way,” Mindolpha said from the doorway.
“Are you ready to leave?” This was Uyithlyaw, who was arranging pots full of soil near the window. “You may stay as long as you must, but your friends may need you soon.”
Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. yawned, slowly rousing himself. “I am up… indeed, Mineasia, there are all these things in Huerten. I simply hope your mother can withstand so many people…” He pulled himself out of bed, moving to prepare for the day's travel. Mindolpha cast a pleading glance at Uyithlyaw.
The Fortune Teller helped the travelers pack, providing them with food, water and a hardened leather bag of bandages and salves that she said they might need. The food was dried for travel, but had a myriad of pungent smells – cheese made from doe milk, hard cakes of unleavened bread baked with honey and herbs from the garden, dried fruits and vegetables wrapped tightly in preserved leaves – a wide variety of unusual foods.
Mist and the mule were tied up outside, ready to go and wearing their saddle-bags. Mindolpha led the way through the herb garden and tied up the last of their supplies. “Be careful,” Uyithlyaw said as Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. helped Mineasia onto the mule. “Once the ground shakes and stories come true, there will be much to fear. I don't think you will prepare yourself by watching the future, but keep an eye on the past. Remember – beware of new moons and unexpected events. And take this.” She reached behind the doorway and took out a piece of tree bark, two feet long and a foot wide, which glistened and sparked as if it had been glazed. “This is for Mindolpha, but I entrust it to your care. Give her what she needs when you think she needs it. I see that you might find a better way to help her. If you do not, she will have to return to Osander River Village.”
Ah, mysteries finally revealed, and Johannesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann
Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. is once again sane enough to continue on his journey.