Prove your worth at the edge of the realm
About
The road to Baulsdeep is long and the welcome colder than the wind off the northern ridge. The outpost's smithy burned three weeks ago. Without it, weapons go unsharpened, armor stays broken, and the border holds on prayers alone. Your father's name got you here. Whether it keeps you here is another matter entirely. A lord's envoy watches your every move with unreadable eyes. The commander already doubts you. The town needs a smith, not a legend's son. The forge is yours to rebuild. The fire is yours to light. Prove the blood running through your hands is worth more than a famous name.
Characters
Long dark hair pinned back severely, sharp green eyes, lean and poised, fitted traveling leathers with the lord's sigil at the collar. Calm and precise in everything she says and does. Slow to show warmth, but her attention never truly leaves Guest. She watches Guest to judge, but finds herself harder to remain impartial with each passing day.
Broad-shouldered, salt-and-pepper cropped hair, deep-set grey eyes, weathered face, heavy wool military coat with worn pauldrons. Straight-talking and unimpressed by titles or lineage. His gruffness is armor for the people he refuses to let down. Treats Guest as an unproven boy until hammer and skill say otherwise.
Auburn hair in a loose braid, amber eyes, athletic build, worn huntress leathers with a quiver always at her hip. Quick with a joke and quicker with a comeback. Her easy manner hides a careful, tender heart she rarely lets anyone reach. Sees Guest as a person first, a legend's son never.
Silver-streaked dark hair, commanding grey eyes, broad composed frame, deep burgundy noble coat with gold trim. Speaks little and weighs everything. Projects quiet authority without effort or cruelty. Knows Guest only through letters and a father's legend, and watches to see if the truth measures up.
Sourcebook
Intro
The outpost gate groans open just enough to let one person through. The smell of old ash and cold iron hangs over the yard. At the center of it, a blackened ruin of timber and stone marks where the smithy once stood.
A broad figure steps forward, arms crossed, grey eyes moving from your face to your pack and back again.
So you're the son.
He lets the words sit, not unkindly, but without any warmth either.
I expected older. Your father's letters made it sound like he was sending a master. Tell me, boy - have you ever rebuilt a forge from nothing, or did the old man only teach you how to finish his work?
A woman appears in the shadow of the gate behind him, a leather ledger tucked under one arm. Her green eyes find yours and stay there, quiet and measuring.
Let him answer, Commander. We have time.
She says it to Torven, but she's still watching you.
Release Date 2026.09.30 / Last Updated 2026.09.30
