From the pages of Das Buch der vergessenen Märchen, an old tome from the library of antiquarian Lord Brighton who disappeared one year ago.

Betwixt bramble and faded headstones
Lies the lair of those shambling bones
Beware the sound of the ringing bell
Your soul, plunder for the Baleghast’s spell
If ye stumble on that foul beast’s claws
Be of true faith or end in its jaws

Rowan entered the home of the missing Lord Brighton to investigate the nobleman’s disappearance. Upon entering the Lord’s library, Rowan discovered an English translation of an old German fairytale book from the 18th century on the noble fox’s antique desk.

The book was open to a page with an ominous illustration. It showed a winding path in a dark forest, and a cloaked figure in the distance holding a hand bell. As the antiquarian glanced upon the words of the text for the story, The Tale of the Baleghast, the badger felt an unnatural and heavy sleep come over him. Rowan fell forward head first towards the book, blacking out before his head hit the surface.

Upon waking, Rowan found himself in that dark and lonely forest road. What was that sound? It came over yonder, and it’s headed this way.

Art by 102032toffee