Whispers of the Forsaken

No one goes deep into the northern woods unless they’ve lost something worth dying for. The Forsaken live there, or hide there — it’s hard to tell the difference.

People say the forest hums when night falls, as if the air itself keeps count of those who enter and never return.

The Broken Medal:

They say Rask still wears his medal from the war. Some claim he sold it for food, others that it was stolen — and he’s been killing quietly to get it back.

The Silent Hunt:

At dusk, a pale woman walks the woods barefoot, dragging a trail of ash. Those who call her name never wake up the same.

The Empty Camp:

Once a month, the Forsaken move their camp deeper into the forest. The old fire pits stay warm for days after. No one knows what follows them — or what they run from.

The Gold Trail:

Traders say the Forsaken carry dust that glows like the river’s shimmer. Some think they found a source of Golden Blood. The Church calls it a lie; the Crown calls it property.

The Hanging Lanterns:

Sometimes a single lantern appears on the edge of the woods, swaying in the dark. It’s said to mark a meeting — or a warning. Few stay long enough to find out which.

The Pact of Smoke:

They don’t kill travelers who share fire with them. But if you break bread and then betray them, the forest remembers your scent.