u/TheWorldofOor

How did such a thing end up in the underground ruins of a frontier town, nearly a continent away? It was likely brought as an egg by poachers looking to sell such a specimen on black markets. Somehow, the egg made its way into the ruins and hatched. The creature that emerged found itself in a foreign land, where the very air it breathed was poison. Trapped in its underground prison, it grew malformed and soft, a far cry from the wondrous, angelic beings of its homeland.

A dying creature from a holy place. It longs for a home it never knew. Now, it seems only death can release it from its suffering. Although…if kept alive, who knows what miracles it may produce in time?

Beasts of Paradise

This text is printed in Azhmasūk and contains compilations of first and second accounts of expeditions into the land of “Paradise”. The accounts are compiled by Ēkutma Taefzhat-na, a renowned scholar of natural history in Umerea. Most of the texts appear to be ravings of madmen, recounting sightings of beasts that appear to be composed of features from many animals, especially reptiles, insects, fish, and even humans.

Excerpt 1

Beyond the blasted and desolate waste of the Great Interior, Paradise awaits. But what of those who dwell in Paradise? They are formless and beautiful, shifting and changing as if on a whim. They seem to melt and twist into the very land itself, which itself is warped and appears ever-changing. I do not understand it. No one can. It is terrifying and beautiful, and it haunts my dreams. But I cannot go back, or I will surely lose myself.

Excerpt 2

As we came upon the height of a great ridge of glassy, blackened rock, our ears were met with a disturbing sound coming from below on the other side. A wet, slithering sound, that seemed to pull the very earth along with it. We approached the ridge’s zenith with caution, and as we looked down into what was more or less a giant canyon our hearts stopped. There, crawling along the base was a massive worm-like creature. Or perhaps it was like some great serpent with large bands of glittering scales?

That was not the worst of it though, for as we looked on in horror, we could see it was propelled by many small legs like a millipede. But these were more like arms. Arms with human hands. We were certain that is what we saw, but we dared not look any more and risk being spotted. The creature continued on its way, and we fled back down the other side of the ridge.

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If you're interested in reading the other two excerpts from Beasts of Paradise, check them out on on Patreon for free: https://www.patreon.com/GlimlightScribes/posts/beast-of-far-162802897?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Lastly, if you want to see some closeups and sketches of this creature, you can find them on my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVfXfwkZDG/?img_index=1

I wanted to share some art for my in-progress homebew game of the Three Twins Commonhouse. This is essentially a tavern in my homebrew world, and just like your traditional tavern, commonhouses are often the heart of any community. The Three Twins is no exception, but has recently been suffering from what some in town think is a curse: rats have infested the cellar and a strange miasma lingers in the air, all stemming from a crack in the cellar wall leading to dark ruins below the town!

This scenario certainly isn't novel, but that's an intentional choice on my part. I wanted to explore what is a classic situation for many low-level dnd groups, but in the context of my homebrew world and without it becoming trite. Indeed, more than rats are infesting the three twins: rumors swirl of a conspiracy to sabotage Rèdik Lagur, the proprietor, and there are whispers of an otherworldly creature that lurks below.

What is a commonhouse? To your average southerner, it is a place of meeting, where locals and outsiders alike can gather, drink, gamble, and share local and foreign news. Essentially it is a tavern, and the exact purpose of commonhouse might very slightly from region to region in the south. Wherever you are though, food, drink, and rumors are constant. 

For the people of Ul Narneth, commonhouses are the beating heart of their town. Living on the “frontier” means there aren’t a lot of niceties, and so commonhouses make for a welcome retreat of the scorching sun and monotony of daily life. The Three Twins is no exception, and used to be one of the most respected establishments in town.

The Three Twins Commonhouse is no roadside hostel.

It boasts simple and hardy fare that entices weary travelers with full bellies. Large flatbread, white beans, and salted meat is a common meal. Dried figs and apricots, pickled chiles and garlic, hard, salty cheese, and olive oil are plentiful. Shòlp eggs, steamed in large baskets and served with rock sugar, are a delicacy. Local Gedhulanè drink fruity, thick wine called sugì. Outsiders gag at the stuff and prefer. brandy or barley-ale.

Because commonhouses are hubs for merchants and travelers alike, they are expected to pay tribute to their ruling clan. For the Three Twins, that is Clan Ūdheran. The heraldry of a shield emblazoned with a shòlp and bronze spear piercing a golden field hang proudly from the establishment’s beams. Clan Odima, who are some of the Three Twins’ best customers, is also represented. A blue serpent and blazing wheel on a field of green and gold is their emblem.

Rèdik Lagur, proprietor of the Three Twins Commonhouse, has fallen on hard times.

His problems began a few months ago when he funded the building of a shrine to Saint Bhezram, an Umerean idol worshipped by travelers and pilgrims. 

Not long after its completion, unknown perpetrators vandalized the shrine. Locals were happy to be rid of yet another outside influence, but behind closed doors many understood the weight of such an act. Foreign god or not, desecrating a holy idol was no laughing matter. Many now say Rèdik is cursed, as strange things have begun to happen behind the door of the Three Twins.

First came the rats, swarming into his cellar through a mysterious crack in the wall. While not native to the region, they are common enough pests in Ul Narneth. That was just the beginning, however. The rot came soon after, a symptom of the beast’s presence. Shelves were swept clean and barrels were torn open. Any food left became shriveled and decayed, and wine turned sour. A faint miasma filled the cellar. This strange odor was reminiscent of rotten flesh mixed with fresh vegetation that some say smelled “alive”. 

Repairing the hole in his cellar would be costly, and quickly became unfeasible as Rèdik lost customers. He took to moving surviving stock above ground and sealed off the cellar with large crates. Now abandoned, it was overtaken by rats. The Beast began stealing any remaining food and wine in the night. 

As his misfortunes compounded, rumors spread that Rèdik was getting his just desserts for placating himself to distant gods. With the Three Twins on the edge of closing, Rèdik is desperate for a solution and is willing to pay what little coin he has left for a solution. He doesn't know what to believe: if he is truly plagued by a curse or if someone has plotted to put him out of business.

Word travels quickly, and others are taking note of the Three Twins’ misfortunes. Magistrate Ilgala Gòr-Ūdheran wants the matter officially investigated. She will not stand to have one of the most profitable businesses in Ul Narneth close its doors, curse or otherwise.

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This story acts as the inciting incident for my upcoming game in the Glimlight Scribes setting, Foul Spirits. If you are interested in who is behind the plot against Rèdik and what is lurking below the Three Twins, check out this extended vertsion on Patreon for free:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/three-twins-full-157888712?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

I've also been tweaking the spelling/romanization of the Rèdalè language. If you've been following my posts here, you may notice some changes in spelling. For consistancy, I've created a pronunciation guide for some of its eccentricities on Patreon (also free!):

https://www.patreon.com/posts/notes-on-for-157884299?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Lastly, if you are interested in seeing a comparison of this illustration and the old one (which was frankly terrible), as well as a time lapse of the new one, check it out on instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYKjx61EeiU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==