The Hunt of the White Deer

Day 1

Outskirts of Karbala

The sun began to disappear little by little, leaving a reddish sky.

A cart of street vendors was traveling along the Royal Road to Karbala. The coachman Cerik was a gray-haired old man with cataracts, next to him was his Shine, a teenager girl with red hair and freckles on her face.

- Grandpa, I'm a little scared, why have we come to Shadowdale? Is it a kingdom at war, isn´t it? - - War creates needs, little girl, and we must be there to take advantage of those needs. - - And what will happen if we meet a patrol from Shadowdale, Sirion or Eponllyn? - If they are soldiers from Shadowdale we will give them gold, if they are soldiers from Sirion we will tell them that we fled to Sirion because Shadowdale is an evil kingdom and if they are from Eponllyn we will tell them that we have met before with a Sirion patrol that they have let us pass. - - I do not get it...- - You are too young to understand it -

At that moment, the horse began to whinny and get nervous. Cerik had to stop it.

- What's wrong Carrot? - Shine asked the horse smiling - I told you not to name the horse, girl! - - I'll give it whatever name I want and you'll eat your words when you see that it obeys me when I pronounce it - Shine said as she stuck her tongue out at him.

After that, something began to buzz down the right side of the road. That buzzing turned into a loud noise coming from the forest.

At that moment a large herd of deer came out of the forest crossing the road, there were almost hundreds for Cerik and Shine. However, something left them speechless. After the entire herd crossed the road, a large white deer emerged from the forest right side, it had large white antlers, larger than any of the males that have passed by, even the animal looked bigger than an ordinary deer. The white deer looked at Cirek and Shine and then disappeared.

-...Holy Cow! Girl! Was it my eyes or was that deer really white ?! - Yes, Grandpa, it was white! I've never seen one, is it normal in this kingdom? - - Normal? I have never seen a deer like this in all my years of life, let's go to town and sell this information to the highest bidder ... ha! -

Karbala

Sitted in one of the Grand tarvens of Karabla Jafaria and her ladies were relaxing. After having a hard training they each needed.

"Tormentor why do you push us so hard. We just joined less than a day and already 16hrs of hard training!? We're all well trained as is and have hunting experience as you were looking for ." A Huntress asked barely able to even left her arms for ale. "I've been slacking on the Frontlines and have spent to many nights trying to survive with only Pilar and Veronica. Surviving on little and being able to push yourself in dire needs is going to make a big deal for us. Lastly I want us to be prepared as quick as possible so that we gain more skill and take unique opportunities. " She replied.

"Hey Pilar go get us another round of drinks ok" she asked

"Ugh.. fine" She groaned..

She goes to the bar and a big crowd surrounds the mixers. In fact the is a big crowd everywhere in here large groups of people. "Ugh this is going to take a while". As she stands in line she overhears several different conversations at once but, one sticks out can't clearly thought. "Deers...large...white..." her ears perked so she listened harder and tried to locate where it was being spoken. She looked around till she's see a old man and a little girl surround by yet another large group of what looks like adventures and hunters.

"I gotta check this out for there to to be such a big crowd." She walks towards the table of the man and girl. Her equipment stands out amongst the gather people at the table and people notice almost immediately.

"..Holy Cow! People. Was it my eyes or was that deer really white ?! - Yes, Grandpa, it was white like the hundredth time we've said it. Never seen one like it, is it normal in this kingdom? - - Normal? I have never seen a deer like this in all my years of life."

Pilar says nothing as she joins the table and the crowd eventually go back to listening to the old man and the girl as they tell their story.

"I sell the information of where we spotted the White deer for a price of 30 gold! So who wants to know" old man excitedly speaking "Grandpa thats a lot" ​​​​"Yes but, you and I both saw it with our own eyes and is mostly definitely not a normal thing to find. It was even larger than our horses remember that"

Pilar leaves the table go tell Jafaria

"Tormentor there is word of a large deer bigger than a horse to have been spotted".she states immediately without addressing. Jafaria head tilts in attention." And its a white stag"

Her eyes went wide a smile stretched from ear to ear. "Where did you get this information!" She commanded with thrilk in her voice. "Over there where the old man and girl sit surrounded by the crowd of people." As she points to the table. "Ladies if this is true we're about to take a great hunt. And you'll earn your place in the Wolfvern hunting Lodge.."

Jafaria springs up and heads straight fir the table. The Huntresses follow in toe and surround the table.

Jafaria easily makes her way through the crowd and sit next to the pair.

"You two tell me what you know of this white stag"

Day 2

Rumors of a great white deer have invaded the city. In all the taverns, markets and guilds there are people talking about that unique prey.

Merchants are even selling hunting items such as crossbows, bows, nets and javelins, in addition to strong long-legged horses and hunting dogs such as greyhounds and hounds.

Day 3

As Maria sat down and had dinner with her family, conversation drifted to rumors among the peasantry.

- Do you honestly believe the rumors of a large white deer. That is a prime example of a wives tale.

The Man speaking was Marias father, someone who despite his build was evidently pushing 40. Even someone with no knowledge of the nobleman would notice the slightly graying hair and the formation of wrinkles. They would also notice the tense relationship between the father and the daughter.

- Well, father, I do indeed believe it. The way the beast was described was to vivid to not at least take a little seriously. - Please, Maria, if their really was a pale white dear as large as a horse drawn wagon you would have thought we have heard about it before. - Even if it is not real I do intend to hunt it. At the very least it will give my troops some bonding experience before we head out to war. - If you are willing to pay the cost of such ridiculous venture than fine. Just don't come crying to me about your wasted gold. - And you don't come crying to me when I bring the hide of the beast as a hunting trophy, Father.

Day 4

Like every morning and afternoon for a month, the doors of the Grey Palace were opened for the people of Karbala to come to ask for justice.

Lindow was in the throne room, sitting on the throne while a queue of people requested an audience. The throne room was a rectangular black and white marble room with six black columns extending from the doors to the royal throne. Upon entering, to the left of the room were three large windows with beautifully decorated blue curtains, while to the right were beautiful canvases of past stories. The throne was a complex but majestic carved white marble structure.

After several matters attended to, Valentina, the captain of the Grey Guard arrived with an old man.

- Your Majesty, I bring this man before you. She is accused of defrauding various citizens of Karbala with rumors of a white deer in the forests of this city - Valentina said. - How many citizens did he rips off, Captain? - Lindow asked. - Fifteen, your Highness - - What evidence is there against him - - Here are the fifteen men who may want to testify against him-

The fifteen that made up the accusatory were testifying one by one and all agreed that the old man was selling them false information about the places where the deer roamed and the ways to hunt it in exchange for gold. - Old man, what is your name - Lindow said - Uhh Cerik, Your Majesty - - Do you have something to say? - - Your Highness, they lie, my information is true, the only thing that they have followed my instructions wrong - - Fifteen people in different situations have followed your instructions wrong? - - Yes, Your Majesty! - Cerik said in a dignified way Suddenly Captain Valentina hit him in the gut with her fist causing Ceric to fall to the ground coughing. - This before the Shadow King Lindow Moonsun, show more respect! - Lindow raised his hand for silence - Accused Cerik, after the evidence presented and given your lack of arguments, I, the Shadow King Lindow Moonsun, found him guilty of fifteen crimes of fraud, being sentenced to return all the money obtained as well as to lose his tongue as protection of your lies in the future ... -

Suddenly in the middle of the room a scream was heard, distracting Lindow from his delivery of the sentence

- Nooooo !!! -

A red-haired girl approached and knelt in front of Lindow.

- Ma ... Your Majesty, I have come before you begging for mercy for my grandfather - The mysterious person said. - What is your name, young girl? - Lindow asked. - Shine, Your Highness - - Young Shine, did you know the crimes for which your grandfather is accused? - - Your highness, my grandfather does not lie. Two days ago he and I were traveling along the royal road to his city. However, misery made us meet a great white deer. My grandfather spread this information in order to make money but never claimed it was true. - - That's right? - Lindow said looking at the fifteen witnesses who made up the accusatory. - Your Highness, we paid a lot of gold for that information, we deserve it to be true - One of the fifteen accusers said. - So did you know that they were just mere rumors? - - Yes, Majesty, but as I was saying ...- - Stop it! I've had enough. Accused Cerik, you are acquitted of the accusations of scams, thank your granddaughter for intervening - Lindow looked at the fifteen men very seriously and said - And you, I want you to disappear from my sight now or I will accuse you for false testimony -

The fifteen men ran out of the room and then Shine and her grandfather Cerik came out freely. Lindow continued to deliver justice until sundown.

Day 5

Lindow was having breakfast on the terrace overlooking the garden. Next to him was his faithful butler Sebas.

Lindow ate an assortment of ham, cheese, and fruit dishes for breakfast, while thinking about yesterday's strange case about the existence of a white deer. - Sebas, do you believe those rumors of a white deer? - - Your Highness, I believe what you believe ... But if you want my opinion, these rumors are generating disturbances in some parts of the city - - Rumors are fought by putting them to the test - - What will your majesty do? - - I will call a hunt where all the great noble families of Shadowdale can participate, I will add more details later - - Your Majesty, in that case I will go to prepare your hunting inventory - - Thank you, Sebas -

Sebas bowed and left, Lindow was silent, enjoying his breakfast as he gazed at the woods outside the city as she thought.

"The Hunt for the White Deer begins now"

Report of Lindow Moonsun

Shadowdalians, I announce the call for a great hunt in Karbala. The main prey is a huge white deer. Whoever manages to hunt the main prey will earn the nickname of Great Hunter and receive a prize of 300 gold. Answer me who is interested and travel to Karbala quickly. Those who are not interested, comply with the orders announced in the standing orders and move to Braga to support the takeover. In the Shadow,

Lindow Moonsun Shadow King of Shadowdale Royal of Shadowdale Duke of Shadow's Bluff Margrave of Karbala

Day 6

More rumors about the great white deer reach to Karbala.

A farmer declares to have seen the white deer with his sheep, prompting some to follow him.

A hunter affirms to have seen the deer and, while trying to kill it, heard a voice and fainted.

A group of students from the Grey University in Karbala have seen the white deer leading a herd west of the city.

Day 7

"Ladies fan the area and look for traces of the Stag" the Captain ordered" time to prove your skills like you've said". The hunter said he saw in very wooded area where the river ran clear and the and plenty of buches to hid in.

Follow the red wood trees to the center of a Red Baron's Woods. And make a right against the flow to find the hoves that are sunk below

The instructions of the Hunter echoed throughout Jafaria head as she as well searched for traces. Only finding wild boar, squirrels, bear, and other woodland creatures you'd normally expect. Once in a while they'd spot a deer but, no stags in sight. As if was like they were hiding or possible watching from afar.

And what of the screaming where did he hear that from. He never said be clearly remembered it as it broke his nerves.

Mores hours of searching will be needed

Day 8

"Ready! Aim! Fire!" The captain's command rings through the field alongside a volley of arrows as Calvert approaches.

"Adriana. How is the training coming?"

"Their aim isn't improving much, but there's little room for improvement in the first place. They're fine shots, it's not like they're beginne—"

"Right, of course they already know how to use a bow." Calvert interrupts. "I'd be disappointed if the best hunters I could find needed training in the basics of archery. No, the purpose of this training is to turn these hunters into a coherent unit. How are they in that regard?"

Adriana sighs. "They've still got a ways to go."

"As I expected. They'll need to learn to work together fast if we have any hopes of finding this deer, the subject of so many intriguing rumours. I trust you can help facilitate that?"

"Of course. Ready! Aim! Fire!"

Day 9

Palaces Square

The Palace Square is the place where both the Grey Palace, residence of the Shadow King, and the Lunar Palace, reserved for ministries and government bodies are located.

Lindow walked out of the Palace where the rest of participants were waiting for them. There were Duchess Luna Tempest, Tormentor Jafaria Wolfvern, Sir Calvert Visimar, Lady Mara Ivy Blight and Sir Ellian Shadeblossom, also with them their horses, hunting dogs, scouts and guards.

Lindow descended the palace stairs and mounted his pearl horse. Everyone present bowed and Lindow approached them.

- Hunting Companions, I welcome you to the White Deer Hunt. I remind you that the forests of Karbala are large and lush, so we will establish three hunting groups. The first group consisting of the Tormentor Jafara Wolfvern and Sir Calvert Visimar will explore the woods to the west of the city, the second group consisting of Lady Mara Ivy Blight and Sir Ellian Shadeblossom will explore the forests south of the city and the third group formed by Duchess Luna and Sir Vic DerClerck will explore the woods southwest of the city -

Lindow looked at everyone

- As a sponsor of this Hunting I will not be a participant but a judge in said competition. Any questions that arise during the hunt inform me by letter or go to the camp that will be raised one mile from Gates of the Royal Road. Any questions now? -

Vic was petting some dogs while his squad was getting ready. He smiled happily, its been a while that he went hunting, he sure had missed it. A great distraction from all these wars and battles. He liked those too ofcourse but he has lost many men.

"We are ready sir!" Captain Erdred said to him.

"Good good, the rumors said it went that way, lets use the dogs to sniff it out!"

"Yes sir!" The captain ordered the troops in formation and gave the signal to the dogs.

Vic saw the squad moving, they werent all in sync, some of the archers were new afterall, replacements for the once he had lost in battle. But they were all archers none the less so shooting the deer should be no problem.

With her small retinue ready, the Duchess of Fontan waits with the others to leave Karbala city to search the southwestern woods. Luna had practiced archery as much as any noble, but she couldn’t help but wonder if she could even hit the thing if she found it. Still, a personal invitation from the Shadow King could not be ignored.

West: First Group

A lumberjack reports that in the woods west of Karbala he has seen a herd of deer passed by, headed by a large white one.

Calvert stares blankly at the courier cocooned in a net, then turns to his hunters. "And how, precisely, do you all explain this?"

"You told us to take the deer alive if possible, right? We set some traps. Not our fault this messenger wasn't watching his step and ran straight into one."

Calvert cuts the courier free, takes the letter, and breaks the seal. "I suppose his haste can be forgiven. All nobles are supposed to be in Braga as soon as possible, on the King's orders. Suppose we'll have to make this hunt fast."

Captain Adriana suddenly cries out and points to a gleam of white, barely visible through the foliage and fog. "There's our quarry! After it!"

The west wood of Karabla was more of a scattered forest. It had the typical feature to expect but, the actual size of it is a bit deceiving. A well place to be if wanted to get lost.

"The lumberman said spotted the herd somewhere in these woods. Keep a look out for their are marks or hoove prints on the ground." Pilar announced

An hour passed with little signs of the herd.

"Alright I think its time to split up. Everyone get in groups of to. This will be your hunting partner. Everyone is a experienced hunter so their will be no holding of each other back besides different styles. Go find and making your tree stands and use everything you've learned. Remember to cover your scent, find your line of fire, and travel like a queitly. I brought apple scented products to help attract the deer here. You have 2miles to spread out in and regroup at dawn.

Everyone split into pairs and prepped for the long wait.

Your path takes you to a deserted area within the forest. You find the two of you alone and in front of you a great white deer looking at you.

You prepare your weapons and when you were going to proceed to hunt it, something or someone disarms you very easily. When you realize it, you see a hooded man with green and brown clothes and a large cane.

- I am the custodian of Aras-rass, protective spirit of these forests and symbol of prosperity, only those beings of great cunning can be worthy of taking his life - The custodian made a silence and then shouted - If you are cunning beings, answer me correctly these three questions! The first is this, you are in a room locked with a rooster, a dog and a monkey, who is the most human of all? -

"Gods, we're doing riddles? I must say, I didn't quite take you for a bard. But you're obviously strong enough to take both of us and you've chosen to spare us anyways, so I'll play along. The one in the room that is most human would be me."

"Uhh yeah same I didn't expect a riddle. Mystical stuff is one thing but, not this." Thinking for a few moments she ponders. "Monkey since they have the same similar hands and feet. They also behave more like humans compared to the other two."

The custodian watches you in silence, you have given your answer.

- There is a right and wrong answer -

The custodian looks at Jafaria and says:

- The correct answer is "me, since I am the human in the room" -

The custodian automatically raises his hand and blows some dust that invades Jafaria's face. Jafaria starts to feel tired and finally she falls asleep on the grass.

The Custodian looks at Calvert and says

- Do you want to continue or do you retire with your partner? -

"It is unfortunate that my ally should fall so soon, but nevertheless I shall continue."

Seeing that you were not leaving, the custodian began to relate the following riddle.

- The king of a distant country had no heirs. As his death was near, the king decided to choose his heir from among all the children of the kingdom, for this he delivered a pot with a geranium seed. The child who brought the most beautiful geranium would be chosen as heir. After a year, all the children accompanied by their parents brought their geraniums, they were all very pretty. The king saw all of them including that of a lonely girl carrying just the pot with the seed. Finally the king chose this girl as heir, why? -

"Ooh, this one's a bit trickier. I'm not very well-studied in botany, so I might be completely missing the mark here. But, to hazard a guess? The girl was the only child who attempted to use the king's geranium seed and didn't cheat. How did he know? The seed he provided was false and would never grow—he wasn't testing his suite of potential heirs on their gardening prowess, but on their honesty."

The custodian stroked his chin.

- Even though it is not the most correct answer, it can be a valid answer to be well reasoned -

The custodian sighed and said

- You find locked in a room where there are only two doors. You know that one of them leads directly to freedom, but the other only leads to certain death. The problem is, we don't know which is which. In front of each door there is a guardian. One of them always tells the truth, while the other always lies. Again, we don't know which is which. We can only ask one question of one of the two guardians. What would be the correct one to be able to achieve the desired freedom? -

Calvert grins. "Turns out all that time in my youth spent being pestered by bards and their inane riddles wasn't for naught. I spent weeks trying to solve this one, the first time I heard it. My answer is to choose one of the guardians at random, and ask: 'If I asked the other guardian which door leads to freedom, which door would he answer?' Then, I would enter the opposite door. If the guardian I asked is the truth-sayer, he'd point to death's door, as the other guardian would lie. But if the guardian I asked is the liar, he'll also point to death's door, as the other guardian would point me to the door to freedom. So, whichever door is pointed to, I would merely need to enter the opposite door to reach safety."

The custodian remains silent and extends his arm as a sign of allowing you to pass

- You are therefore worthy of hunting the white deer, but you can choose between the glory of hunting it or the prosperity of the forest wherein we are -

The deer was nearby, watching. You could see perfectly how it was, it was white as snow, with great fur around its neck and a large antler from which cherry blossoms sprouted, it was a unique animal and a great hunting prey.

"You know, all this talk of riddles has me thinking about taking unexpected options. Here's one: might I be allowed to take the deer, not as prey, but as a mount? I've been searching quite some time for a suitable steed, and this great stag seems large enough to carry a man much heavier than I. If the deer wills that I be its rider, of course.

If that's not an option, though, I shall go with this forest's prosperity. This deer is truly a grand creature, and I would hate to see its blood spilled."

The custodian looks at you strangely and says

- Would you accept that another creature mounted you? Your answer is the same as the Aras-rass -

You have the deer very close and you can look closely little plants sprouted that grew, bloomed and died at every step of the deer.

It looks at you and tilts its head towards each one. You may think that it has greeted you.

"Very well, then. I shall spare the deer and relinquish the glory of the hunt, and in turn accept the prosperity of this forest."

"Very well, then. I shall spare the deer and relinquish the glory of the hunt, and in turn accept the prosperity of this forest." Calvert said.

After that, the white deer began to shine more and more until it dazzled Calvert. You could only hear something that rang in your mind

"Thank you"

When Calvert regained his composure, he found himself in the middle of the forest with Jafaria who woke up. Before long, your men found you and informed you that the white deer had been hunted southwest of Karbala and all hunting parties must go to gather at the camp that the Shadow King Lindow had set up south of the city.

South: Second Group

The scouts' cries are a sign that the white deer is in the forests south of Karbala. Hunting dogs do not stop barking eager to chase after their prey.

The dame knew a good hunt when she saw one. All those years as a hermit had taught her hunting means to think thrice but act quickly.

The brilliant white tantalized her as if in a dream.

Always chasing but never nearing.

She lost herself in the thrill and excitement of it all. The dogs barking, the horse’s pounding sides, the comradeship of flesh and steel.

If only to catch it! The glory! The beauty of the beast forever treasured!

At that moment a large herd of deer leaps over you, causing all the dogs and scouts to follow. However, you have observed something that has gone in another direction and you decide to follow it.

Your steps take you to an area of ​​hills within the forest, there at the top you see a large white deer looking at you. You advance to get closer to the animal but suddenly a javelin is stuck in the ground. You look at your right and you see a hooded man in red and yellow clothes near de deer.

- I am the custodian of Aras-rass, protective spirit of these forests and symbol of prosperity, only those beings of great cunning can be worthy of taking his life - The custodian made a silence and then shouted - If you are cunning beings, answer me each one correctly these three questions! The first is this, you enter in a room and you see a rooster, a dog and a monkey, who is the smartest of all? -

Ellian, initially in shock about the appearance of the hooded figure, quickly regains his composure whilst considering the riddle.

"A rooster, a dog, a monkey..." he muses over the answer while he surreptitiously observes the mysterious figure. Where had they come from? Were they of this plane of existence, or perhaps a magickal being from a forgotten time? No matter, best to answer quickly and confidently.

"The answer you seek is I: I shall be the smartest once I've entered the room!"

He watches the figure closely, trying to glean any information at all from them, while signaling his men to stay at the ready. One can never be too cautious...

The custodian threw one of his javelins near you and said - You got it right, but you won't get the next one, get ready! - Then the custodian began to relate the following riddle. - The king of a distant country had no heirs. As his death approached, the king decided to choose his heir from among all the children of the kingdom, for this he delivered a pot with a geranium seed. The boy who brought the most beautiful geranium would be chosen heir. After a year, all the children accompanied by their parents brought their geraniums, they were all very cute. The king saw them all, including that of a lonely girl carrying only the pot with the seed. Finally the king chose this girl as heir, why? -

- The girl was chosen because the seeds were dead. Only the girl was honest to bring the pot of dirt with the dead seed.- Mara Ivy said.

Ellian thought on this for some time. He seemed to be quite stumped. "Pot...seed...year later..." he mumbled to himself, trying to pit one and one together.

"Milord, the best I can surmise is the little girl's name is Geranium. Is this why she was chosen to be the the Kings heir?"

The custodian seemed restless and impatient.

- You take a long time to answer ... -

Finally when you give your answer it says

- There are many possible answers to this puzzle if reasoned correctly, but it is not your case -

He pulls out a blowgun, blows out and the dart pierces Ellian's neck, knocking him unconscious.

- Fine! Fine!, and you, woman? Are you going to want to continue playing or do you want to leave with your partner? -

“I wish to play. Tell me what I must do.” Mara ventures.

She stands firm but unsure of her position in the game.

The custodian jumped for joy

- Great! Fantastic! So let's continue with the last question! -

The custodian sighed and said

- You find locked in a room where there are only two doors. You know that one of them leads directly to freedom, but the other only leads to certain death. The problem is, we don't know which is which. In front of each door there is a guardian. One of them always tells the truth, while the other always lies. Again, we don't know which is which. We can only ask one question of one of the two guardians. What would be the correct one to be able to achieve the desired freedom? -

Mara Ivy said - I ask both “If one door would lead to freedom, what door would the other guard point to?” And then I go to the door that is not selected. -

The custodian seemed angry after your answers.

- Ahh you got all the questions right !! You will have been lucky ... now you can continue on your way, damn human arrg! -

And the custodian disappeared from your sight very enraged. You only have the white deer in front of you and at a very close distance.

Emboldened by her own wit and the visible frustration of the custodian. Mara ivy aimed and placed the deer in her sights.

The arrow flies and the anticipation of the thunk of the connection to meat is intoxicating.

The arrow struck the deer and made a sound so sharp that Mara Ivy lost consciousness. Shortly afterwards you both woke up and saw a dead white deer in front of you, however it was not the white deer that you had seen before. The great white deer that you had seen was bigger you would swear it had cherry blossoms on his big antlers but what you were seeing was a simple albino deer.

Soon your men arrived who congratulated you on your prey. They loaded her into a wagon and took it to the camp King Lindow had set up south of Karbala.

Southwest: Third Group

The morning wakes up with some fog. The greyhounds and hounds are anxious and constantly barking, it seems they have found a trail in the forest southwest of Karbala.

Vic recieved the order of the King, seems he had to cover the south west side of the town. Perfect, it was basicly the only forest he had been through before, it was the one closed to Fontan. Fontan is where he has some land and arrived here on the boat not to long ago. Vic was also glad to hear the other squad that had to cover that flank was no other than Duchess Luna Tempest, the Margravine of Fontan! She was the one that gave him some land in Fontan. He wouldnt mind loosing the bounty to her, if they would happen to come across the deer. Infact maybe it would be a good idea to work together to share the reward. If the money went to him or her, in both cases it would be good news for Fontan and the land he has there.

"Men, give me a minute! I will go talk to Lady Luna. Don't feed the dogs but let them rest for a bit. If they are hungry they will hunt better, but they will need to be well rested to have energy to run all day!"

With this last order Vic walked towards Luna.

"Greetings Lady Luna, it has been a while! I havent been able to visit Fontan for some time with all the battles that had to be fought on our northern front. I hope you are doing well! I have an offer that might benefit us both. We could work together to hunt the deer! You have more knowledge about this land and its creatures, but i have an army of well trained archers!" Vic said to her, he hadnt wasted much time on the small talk. He didnt want to take much of Lady Luna's time if she wasnt interest afterall. He was just a small young noble compared to her. He was confident his proposition was atleast a bit interesting, he did have an army of archers afterall and he himself too had quite a good aim. Vic would be happy with just half the reward of gold, maybe even less, all the gold he earned so far was thanks to her land afterall. However getting a title would be really great to boost his renown.

Luna regarded her knight with interest as he approached and enthusiastically asked about herself, talked about the hunt, and his archer unit. He was a few years younger than her but she had immense interest in getting to know all of her knights, especially those known for their thirst for knowledge like she was.

“Well met, Sir Vic” His Liege greets him with as kind a smile as kind as her tired face would allow. “Of course we should man this hunt together, from my time in Evora I learned to track all sorts of game. Working together, the others have no chance.”

A little fake confidence, something to spark the excitement of competition in them both. With Luna leading the way into the South Western woods the beginning of their search seemed like it would be totally unfruitful. A leisurely ride through the forest more than anything resembling a hunt as Sir Vic’s kennel ran amuck through the brush and trails searching for a scent.

There is an uncommon excitement in the way his hounds work, Luna can tell it is not just the nature of the pack, and her intuition proves right. All at once the hunting dogs are whipped into a frenzy, those that aren't pointing are barking to alert their master “They’ve got a scent”

Lady Luna’s excitement at the thought of actually seeing the Stag spurs her forward, she whistles to the dogs and they race off down the trail. “Now for the fun part, Sir Vic.” With a squeeze of her heels her horse takes off in a gallop behind the hunting dogs.

Vic was glad he could ride together with his Liedge. She was a bit older than him, her extra years on this continent sure would give them the edge they needed. Even with her eyes looking so tired, Vic could see she was genuinely kind, her smile says it all. Unfortunatly there was no time to talk with eachother a bit more right now, as the dogs started barking. They have caught the scent!

Vic smiled at Luna's remark, the fun would indeed start, he was curious to see this magical deer. He quickily followed Lady Luna and the dogs!

The followed the dogs deep into the forest, the fog that seemed quite thin this morning seemed to get thinker and thinker while they went deeper into the forest. But a little fog wouldn't stop them!

Vic turned a corner around a big tree and there it was! He saw the rear of a gaint white deer just jump to a bush for sure! It was hard to see in the fog, but it couldnt ahve been anything else!

"Did you see it Luna?! There in the bush! It really was white! Dont let it get away!"

The forest was uncommonly misty, if she had not rode these trails so often in the past she might have gotten turned around. The racket from the dogs lead them forward and she kept a close eye on her Knight. Sir Vic would not be getting separated from her in the mist if Luna had anything to do with it.

At the same time, they see the glimpse of white in the brush “I see him!” Luna confirms with an excited whoop as she urges her horse forward in pursuit. One hand clutches the reins while she readies her bow with the other.

“Let’s see if we can’t get the fellow ourselves before your army of archers catch up!”

You chase the silhouette of the deer but in so much fog you end up losing it. However, you arrive before a small river, you find the other but the rest of your men are scattered throughout the forest.

Suddenly you see to your right, 20 steps away, a great white deer drinking from the river. You proceed to approach the prey but something makes you fall to the ground. You get up and you see a hooded man in blue clothes and carrying boleadoras in his hands (that you can intuit that this is what has produced your fall).

- I am the custodian of Aras-rass, protective spirit of these forests and symbol of prosperity, only those beings of great cunning can be worthy of taking his life - The custodian made a silence and then shouted - If you are cunning beings, answer me each one correctly these three questions! The first is this, you are in a room locked with a rooster, a dog and a monkey, who is the smartest of all? -

"Woah what a beautiful deer." Vic tried to approach it but fell down.

Then he saw the other person, "who are you?" he asked confused after the fall. He rubbed his head, he might have hit it on a branch, but it wasn't to bad. He checked if Luna was alright, but she seemed fine, just as confused as he was, no maybe less, she probably was used to weirder things than he was.

A riddle? that sure was an odd thing to happen, not something he expected from a deer hunt. But this was fine, he was good at riddles. This place sure was weird, but fun.

"Aha! If im locked up in a room with them then clearly the human, me, would be the smartest!" He shouted, he would not be mislead by something like that! So sure of his answer he smiled triumphant at the man and Luna.

The custodian made a silence after Vic's answer and said

- that's correct -

Then he looked Luna and began to relate the following riddle.

- The king of a distant country had no heirs. As his death was near, the king decided to choose his heir from among all the children of the kingdom, for this he delivered a pot with a geranium seed. The child who brought the most beautiful geranium would be chosen as heir. After a year, all the children accompanied by their parents brought their geraniums, they were all very pretty. The king saw all of them including that of a lonely girl carrying just the pot with the seed. Finally the king chose this girl as heir, why? -

The pause from Luna before she answered was not to think of her reply. She had spent many years growing her mind in the university and it was not the riddle that stumped her but question of.

Why?

​​​Her mind lingered on the parents who had neglected in Beluaterra, then drifted to the man she had once thought of as her adopted father. All of those things had been left in her past, she didn't need them anymore and they hadn't needed her from the start. Did this mysterious man with his test KNOW something about her?

A hard swallow hides the thoughts swirling in the Duchess of Fontan's mind and she answers at last:

"The others had their parents. She was the only _child_ who brought anything at all."

A feeling Luna knew a little too well.

Vic thought for a second, that story sounded familiar, the man made it quite short tho...

He knew it had something to do with the other kids cheating, but he only read that child story so long ago it slipped his mind.

The question also seemed directed to Luna so Vic didnt quite answer yet, maybe she remembered it better than him.

Oh yes the parnets, how could he not remeber that.

He had read it in a book tho, seems like Luna had experienced it herself.

Vic looked at the man, wondering what the last question would be.

The custody approached, dancing with her feet in the river.

- Young girl, I feel a difficult past in your words ... be like water and let the past flow towards its mouth -

The custodian left the river and said

- Answer me both of you, you find locked in a room where there are only two doors. You know that one of them leads directly to freedom, but the other only leads to certain death. The problem is, we don't know which is which. In front of each door there is a guardian. One of them always tells the truth, while the other always lies. Again, we don't know which is which. We can only ask one question of one of the two guardians. What would be the correct one to be able to achieve the desired freedom? -

Last Tempest considers the riddle carefully, it is tricky but once she thinks through both scenarios the answer becomes clear to her. "Sir Vic" she regards her knight with a calm smile, these riddles while odd are just the sort of thing Luna enjoyed about life. Thinking, riddling, then outsmarting.

"It is a tricky question my knight" Luna reveals with a playful smile on her lips. "One question. . ."

She leans close to Vic, whispering her idea into his ear so he might agree or disagree, then nods at him to tell the stranger the answer.

Vic heard the question, its a tricky one indeed. Ofcource the liar is the big problem, to be sure the question would have to involve both the guards somehow... Luna whispers a suggestion in his ear. As soon as he heard it he knew the answer was right.

So he replied it to the man.

"The question we should ask is: If I asked what door would lead to freedom, what door would the other guard point to?" Vic said and then continued to explain it.

"No matter who you ask, the guards tell you which door leads to death, and therefore you can pick the other door!"

The custodian smiled and extended her arm as a sign of allowing you to pass

- You are both worthy of hunting the white deer, but you can choose between the glory of hunting it or the prosperity of the forest in which we are -

The deer was nearby, watching. You could see perfectly how it was, it was white as snow, with great fur around its neck and a large antler from which cherry blossoms sprouted, it was a unique animal and a great hunting prey.

The deer sure was something Vic had never seen before, so white and majestic... He didnt quite understand how the cherry blossom grew on its horns, but it looked amazing.

"Prosperty of the forest? What do you mean, what would happen if we let it go? The deer has been causing quite a comotion in the kingdom, tho it seems to be important if it has you as a guardian... Then again you allow us to hunt it if we please?" Vic scratched his head, he didnt quite understand all of this. Was it important or not?

The woman smiled, wrapped her arms around her body in a hug and said

- I am the custodian of the Aras-rass, my duty is to test the minds of humans as the only intelligent beings that they consider themselves. The Aras-rass is a proud and prestigious being and symbolizes the prosperity of the forest and so it´s been for centuries. However, man's progress has distorted the world, changing it little by little to their liking. So it is your decision hunting it or not, you can move near the Aras-rass, it will not leave as you can see...good luck in your future -

You saw the white deer, it seemed not to be scared by your presence, it was upright and with its head raised looking at you. When you looked back at the custodian, she had already disappeared.

Confused he looked aorund but she had dissapeared.

"Where...huh this is weird. Miss Luna, this is above my understanding. You know more about these kinda creatures right? What do you think we should do?" He asked her.

Seeing the majestic deer upclose, he didnt quite feel the urge to hunt it anymore. However, the king ordered the hunt, and the dear has been causing some trouble so it definitly cant stay in this forest, could there be a way for both to work? Maybe only get the weird antlers? Hmm most deer trophies are the whole head tho... Skinning it alive would require a lot of skill to not kill the dear in a painfull death and the result would be gruesome. He did not know of any magical ways to take away its white fur and weird antlers without killing it.

Luna once again considers the situation carefully. Sharp blue eyes scan the scene and she knows she has to make a decision. They had left the city under Lindow's order along with many others. She knows there is a preciousness to this beast and she knows that the forest it also precious to the King himself. Naturally she wants to serve the forest, nature had favoured her in the past by bringing Apollo to her...

Luna's personality was such that pragmatism always won with her, and her answer is born of pure logic. " There are a dozen hunters combing these woods for this Stag. If we do not get him another will."

As she raises her bow to aim and shoot the Duchess of Fontan pauses, holds her fire as a new realization dawns on her and causes the hairs on her neck to stand on end. The forest is as quiet as death around them, obscured by fog and lacking a certain ruckus they arrived with "Wait...Vic..."

Luna lowers her bow "where are your dogs?"

Luna lowers her bow "where are your dogs?"

Vic agreed, if they couldnt bring anything with them, noone would believe this story so the hunt on the deer would continue, it would only be a matter of time... He grabbed his bow too.

Then he looked around, "Hmm no idea... its been kinda quite the moment we found the deer and its guard... I hear no birds either... Must be the fog thats really thick here?" he wondered, not sure of the reason, the fog sure had been weird tho.

"How long have we been here anyways? I kinda lost track of time while we were chasing the stag..." he sighed and rubbed his head, he felt a little swelling, seems he really had hit his head hard earlier when he tripped... Who knew maybe he even had fainted? The custodian sure had appeared and dissappeared suddenly.

In fact, nothing is heard, not even the sound of flowing water. You could only hear the footsteps of deer on the ground, from which if you looked closely, little plants sprouted that grew, bloomed and died at every step.

You have the deer very close, the closer you are, the more you realize its true size because it is as big as a horse and does not seem to fear it.

It looks at you and tilts its head towards each one. You may think that it has greeted you.

Vic was getting a little nervous, No sound? Whats up with the plants that grow and immediatly die? It seemed rather smart sure, but he still didnt get the custodian.

Because the plants that grew near its hove died as soon as he moved, Vic didnt think the deer was that important to the forest tho... Only if it would just stand still for ever it might be good... Wait thats it?! If it never left the forest it wouldnt cause problems to the people anymore! And maybe the plants it grew would grow larger and larger to hides its body!

"What if we could prevent it from moving?..." he asked. "Hm would it still needs its head for things to grow out of his hoves?" he mumbled more to himself than to Luna. He had no idea how magic worked, it would be nice to bring something back to the king, that way the other hunters would stop looking for it, they also wouldnt need to trap it if it cant move.

Seeing that you were doing nothing, the great white deer turned and the fog began to cover it so fast that you did not have time to react. You try to chase it but finally you ended up coming out of the forest where your men were waiting for you.

Your men approached concerned because of they have lost your steps as well as to inform you that the great white deer had been hunted south of Karbala and the Shadow King had ordered all hunting teams to gather at the camp.

Hunting Camp

It was dusk when all the hunting parties gathered at the camp. The enclosure was made up of several tents, nobles had their own but the largest and most ostentatious was in the center of the camp and was the King's.

You were all gathered there, drinking and enjoying food when the Shadow King Lindow said

- It is time to show the prey and to recognize the merit of its hunter, bring the deer! -

Servants brought the deer in a wagon. Indeed, all of you realize that that was an albino deer and not what you had seen in the forest.

- Lady Mara Ivy, Hunter of the White Deer, come here and tell us how you hunted your prey, how was the hunt in your area? -

The rest of you begin to wonder if what you saw was real or not, if it would be appropriate to comment on a supernatural fact without any proof.

“My hunt was splendid!” Mara boasted. The disappointment of not downing the mystical deer but a common deer tinging her tone.

She congratulated her fellow nobles on their own hunts.

All the new events of her life swirling in her head she sat and enjoyed her mead.

Lindow was a bit surprised by Mara Ivy's quick exposure.

"Mmm very short of words, is she a shy person when she speaks in public?". Lindow thought, then he got up from his chair and approached the table with all the participants. He grabbed a jug of mead, poured himself his glass, and looked at the rest.

- Shadow nobles, how was the hunt in the rest of the areas? Something to highlight? -

Following days

According to the people of Karbala, the forest of southern Karbala withered, the trees were dying, the grass was slowly rotting and animals were fleeing from there. However, the forest west of Karbala germinated numerous flowers including some that were not typical for this climate, in addition to numerous cherry trees and strong Oak trees. The forests southwest of Karbala were as usual.

Acknowledgements

Players of Calvert Visimar, Ellian Shadeblossom, Jafaria Wolfvern Family, Tempest Family/Luna, Mara Ivy Blight and Vic DerClerck thank you for your collaboration in this roleplay. I am sorry that there have been time problems and schedule mismatches. I hope to continue creating more role-playing games and with better arguments.