The Witch Light's ethereal brilliance suffuses the heavens from horizon to horizon. Misty wraith-like ribbons of green, blue, and purple dance and conspire overhead, casting a soft, foreboding glow upon the valley below, yet somehow bolstering the darkness where shadows lurk. This should not be. The phenomenon - predating recorded history itself - has come far too early, a bad omen to those who deal in superstition.
Standing on the ramparts of Raven's Reach, you can hear the sound of beasts in the distance, like a rising storm. The Broodmother had been just the first of them. More are coming. Many more. It is as though the whole Deepwood moves to thwart your efforts, an intense focus on you that seems to come from all around. You are not welcome here. Your intrusion into the Deepwood's heart will not be tolerated.
Shaking your head to clear it, you remind yourself of your mission. Perform The Keening, draw the monsters from the Heart of Darkness and get inside. The last chance of Verum lies within. The Keening needs to happen now.
Dark clouds gather above and a heavy rain soon follows. You have precious little time to prepare. Defenses must be bolstered and the pyre must be built before The Keening can commence. As you distribute tasks to your soldiers, a blinding flash of lightning streaks across the sky, silhouetting a dark figure perched on the eyrie of the fort's central tower. Small, brilliant eyes glare at you through the darkness as a second bolt of lighting strikes overhead, illuminating what appears to be a short beak jutting from the figure's head. An Avi.
Suddenly, a voice registers in your mind, feminine and grim, "The Darkness calls your name. We hear it also. As above, so below. The end of paths draws near, where madness is reason, and reason is madness. Darkness or Death will be your choice, and your choice will it be. No other's. Choose wisely, Marked Ones, for the world turns on it."
Thoughts swirl in your mind as you send voiceless words in reply to the Avi, demanding she speak plainly and explain what choice she refers to. Fierce, avian eyes peer back with deep knowing.
"If you were told, there would be no choice. And without choice, all becomes nothing," the Avi silently replies, gesturing her long arms wide to the world.
In the beat it takes to share a look with your companions, the Avi disappears into the night.
