Gather around the campfire as I tell you the tale of the 18th part of my Hârn solo campaign, where Essryd and Moire prepare for their new lives on the island of Sános.
The story has been a long one so far and Essryd and Moire have made a journey most inhabitants of Western Venârivè never dare to dream of. In a world here most people rarely leave their villages, those to women crossed a whole continent in a desperate bet to flee from their past. Let us now hear what plans the gods have for these two barbarian girls.
Scene #52 – When knowledge is scant or conflicting, folklore takes over
13 Návek 720 TR
With preparations complete, Essryd and Moire set forth on their journey towards the enigmatic estate, a venture both promising and laden with the peculiar aura described by Thóren Pîdra. His adept negotiation has secured them the opportunity to settle under favorable conditions: providing for themselves while revitalizing the long-neglected property.
The exceptionally low price indeed stirs suspicions; in any transaction, such affordability often heralds hidden complexities or unspoken reservations. Essryd’s keen observation—the palpable nervousness whenever the villa is mentioned—only deepens this sense of intrigue and cautious anticipation.
Guided by Pîdra’s clear directions, they head north before veering east towards the coastline. The day unfolds with ideal weather conditions, the trail in exemplary state, facilitating a brisk pace that hints at an earlier arrival than initially expected.
Essryd’s pragmatic calculations suggest completing the journey within three watches’ time—a projection bolstered by the favorable circumstances. This efficient timeline offers them both the promise of swift progress and ample daylight to fully survey their new acquisition before nightfall—a crucial advantage given the estate’s storied past.
Thus, with a blend of optimism and cautious vigilance, Essryd and Moire journey towards their destiny on the southeastern coast, each stride drawing them closer to unraveling the mysteries and promises encapsulated in the abandoned villa. The scenic beauty described—cliffs and beaches framed by once-flourishing vineyards—awaits as both a challenge and a potential paradise they are determined to reclaim.
Their steady progress towards the villa is abruptly interrupted by a grim tableau: a peasant, crushed beneath the weight of a toppled wagon, wracks in agony with a shattered leg.
With decisive action, Essryd directs Moire to seek assistance from a nearby villa atop a southern hill, while she herself undertakes immediate intervention. Utilizing her strength and resourcefulness, she locates a sturdy beam—a remnant of a broken fence—and deftly employs it as a lever to lift the wagon just enough for the injured man to extricate himself.
The urgency of his condition prompts Essryd to improvise a splint from a piece of wood lying nearby, stabilizing his leg in makeshift but effective fashion. Moments later, Moire and slaves from the villa arrive on the scene, swiftly followed by its concerned owner, rushing to aid his distressed employee.
In gratitude for their timely and courageous assistance, the villa’s master extends an invitation for Essryd and Moire to spend the night—a respite both practical and welcome after the unanticipated delay. Recognizing the impracticality of pressing onward today, they accept the offer, allowing themselves a brief reprieve at this serendipitous waypoint.
As they partake in an opulent evening meal provided by their hospitable hosts, Essryd’s casual mention of acquiring the coastal villa elicits a marked reaction: shock and concern etched plainly on the faces of their host and his wife.
Their candid expression of fear—rooted in local folklore or perhaps genuine experiences—casts further shadows over the estate’s enigmatic reputation. While the legends persist, this visceral reaction from locals suggests that such tales resonate deeply within the community’s psyche, blurring the line between myth and possible reality.
Essryd, though outwardly composed, internalizes this renewed skepticism. The dichotomy of potential hauntings versus practical challenges deepens her resolve yet sharpens her awareness. Their host’s plea for reconsideration serves as a poignant reminder that while they pursue opportunity, unseen forces might indeed test their fortitude and adaptability.
Scene #53 – The man of many names
14 Návek 720 TR
Departing under the lingering admonitions of their hosts—a cautionary farewell echoing with warnings of divine disfavor and spectral threats—they proceed eastward towards the coast.
Moire’s voiced apprehension, though natural in light of recent counsel, is met not with dismissal but a pragmatic query: does her trepidation extend to abandoning their shared aspiration for peace and security at this pivotal juncture? Essryd’s straightforward challenge underscores their bond—founded on mutual support and the resilience born from common purpose. Her smile, both reassuring and gently chiding, serves as an unspoken pact to confront whatever they encounter with unwavering partnership.
As hours pass, the silhouette of the villa and its surrounding vineyard materialize against the horizon—a picturesque bay framed by structures seemingly frozen in time. Closer inspection reveals a paradox: an abandoned yet thriving vineyard, with fat, vibrant grapes belying years of neglect.
However, it is the tendrils—vivid green and emanating a potent scent—that catch their immediate attention. These tendrils serpentine along the vine rows, an invasive presence that defies conventional horticulture. As they approach the villa’s core, these strange vines extend with alarming tenacity, clinging to walls and roofs as if in a slow-motion struggle to consume the very fabric of the buildings.
Despite signs of life—chirping birds and traces of wildlife—the estate exudes an unsettling aura. The natural beauty is undercut by a palpable sense of unease, even Essryd conceding its peculiar atmosphere. This blend of verdant vitality and eerie foreboding creates a vivid contrast as they tether their horses at the villa entrance and begin to navigate this living enigma.
Their exploration around the main building reveals more layers of this inexplicable phenomenon, each step deeper into the estate heightening the mystery they are poised to unravel.
The villa complex unfolds as a sprawling entity: a majestic main residence, likely home to its former aristocratic owners, flanked by dwellings presumably for laborers and slaves, interspersed with functional structures dedicated to winemaking—barrels, presses, fermentation vats—a testament to the once-bustling agrarian life now stilled in time.
Further down a winding road through the vineyard stretch guesthouses, offering potential isolation even within community spaces. Essryd’s wry observation about ample privacy, intended as light-hearted banter, inadvertently highlights their impending shared endeavor—managing this vast domain together, with its inherent challenges and the delicate balance of their collaborative spirit.
However, their laughter, a momentary reprieve, is abruptly swallowed by an unsettling phenomenon: the tendrils’ voracious acoustics. The usually echoing sounds are absorbed as if the vines themselves thrive on sonic energy, casting a tangible silence that intensifies the estate’s otherworldly presence. This eerie interaction with their own voices serves as a stark reminder of the villa’s peculiarities and the vigilance required to navigate its unique environment.
The sudden, resonant cracking—so loud it trembles the ground beneath their feet—startles both women. Kneeling, Essryd’s hand pressed against the earth confirms her suspicion: the source is subterranean.
Moire’s plea for immediate departure is countered by Essryd’s unyielding pragmatism; they must understand the root of this disturbance before retreating. With cautious determination, they step into the main building, now eerily adorned with those invasive tendrils within its walls as well.
Guided by intuition and the visible concentration of vines near a stairwell, Essryd meticulously examines the origins of these mysterious growths, reporting her findings to Moire. Yet just as she turns, Moire’s presence is swallowed in an instant—her scream from outside breaking Essryd’s focused reverie.
Emerging into the daylight, Essryd finds Moire facing a weathered figure, his attire smeared with dark red stains—a stark contrast against his linen apron. Drawing her sword, she issues a stern command to distance himself from her companion.
The man’s raised hand, accompanied by a disarming smile and friendly demeanor, momentarily tempers Essryd’s vigilance. His explanation—that the abandoned villa’s grapes demand nurturing—comes with an authenticity difficult to dismiss outright.
Yet Essryd’s skepticism sharpens as she detects the same potent scent wafting from him, mirroring that of the pervasive tendrils. Her cautious advance, sword still poised, signals readiness should his words belie sincerity.
As he reveals a myriad of appellations—Ácratophorùs, Dêntritès, Ándrogýnos, and most cherished, Chthôniòs—each name an echo of past masters’ whims, Essryd discerns a complex identity bound to the estate’s very essence. His claim of serving through myriad names hints at a deeper connection, one perhaps symbiotic with the vineyard’s inexplicable vitality and its spectral growth.
Essryd notices his eyes that look like eyes of a much younger man than the old person standing before her. She turns to Moire and asks if she is alright as she sees Moire’s eyes wide open in disbelieve. Moire points to where the old man stood just a moment ago. He disappeard.
The inexplicable disappearance of the man plunges Essryd and Moire into an atmosphere thickened by palpable fear and uncertainty. The recurring ground-shaking cracks from below underscore the cellar’s central role in this unsettling phenomenon.
With methodical resolve, Essryd shares her earlier discovery, emphasizing the necessity to unearth the source of these disturbances. Despite Moire’s vehement protests, underscored by her tearful dread, Essryd articulates a determined plan: she must venture down and confront whatever lies beneath. Her assurance, a blend of steadfast conviction and a comforting grasp, seeks to allay Moire’s anxiety.
Moire concedes reluctantly, preparing herself with the defensive readiness of a dagger. She agrees to remain vigilant, safeguarding their retreat if needed.
Scene #54 – The more a thing is perfect, the more it feels pleasure and pain
14 Návek 720 TR
Holding her torch aloft, Essryd descends into the stairway, its depth surprising and amplifying her sense of foreboding. The tendrils lining the walls emit a faint luminescence as the firelight approaches, adding an ethereal quality to her descent.
Arriving at the cellar floor—approximately one chain below the surface—Essryd’s curiosity deepens regarding this subterranean expanse. She advances cautiously through the main corridor, drawn by a soft, otherworldly glow emanating from an oversized room.
Inside, her torchlight reveals not just tendrils but their source: a young man with curly locks and skin as pale as marble, nearly nude yet adorned in a living tapestry of vine. His melodic chanting, in a tongue foreign to Essryd’s understanding, halts as he becomes aware of her presence.
His disarmingly friendly greeting—a stark contrast to the eerie setting—leaves Essryd momentarily at a loss for words. When she queries his identity, his response is both poetic and cryptic: a reminder that myriad appellations have adorned him over time, now forgotten amidst the isolation of his underground domain. His voice, carrying a hint of ancient sorrow and serene detachment, suggests a being timelessly entwined with the villa’s enigmatic nature.
Essryd finds herself in a precarious dialogue, standing before someone who is both intimately part of this estate’s mystery and an embodiment of its haunted allure.
Dýonòs’ introduction—claiming descent from Sémalè and Zâgos, brother and lover of Céreiàs, goddess of agriculture—carries an air of mythic lineage, further entangling him in layers of legend and reality. His initial gentle demeanor shifts to a firm demand for explanation as Essryd intrudes upon his seclusion.
Her narrative, raw and unfiltered, unfurls her journey from Nurien through perilous escapes, culminating in their desire for sanctuary within this enigmatic estate. Dýonòs listens intently, the weight of her words seemingly igniting an internal deliberation.
His proposition for mutual aid, though veiled in ambiguity, sparks Essryd’s curiosity despite her evident puzzlement. In a swift, almost supernatural gesture, he produces a chalice filled with wine and commands her to drink. Despite her resistance, an inexplicable compulsion guides her hand, and she consumes the liquid in one resolute gulp.
Almost instantly, Essryd succumbs to a profound slumber, sinking to the ground as if enveloped by an unseen force. This act of consumption and ensuing rest suggest Dýonòs wields an influence that transcends mortal understanding.
Emerging from an ethereal slumber, Essryd’s vision blurs with a delicate haze, soon revealing the striking familiarity in Dýonòs’ eyes—a reminder of their earlier encounter.
Standing intimately close, he elucidates his plight: his ancient shrine, once venerated by devotees, now lies entombed beneath this very villa. His attempts to liberate himself from this subterranean prison have proven futile, necessitating the intervention of a willing mortal—Essryd herself. In exchange for her assistance in uncovering his sacred site, he extends an offer: aid in rejuvenating the estate and its vineyards, guaranteeing prosperity and security under his divine protection as long as their pact remains honored.
When she inquires about her role in this covenant, Dýonòs leans closer, whispering terms shrouded in enigmatic promise and expectation. After a contemplative pause, Essryd’s eyes close briefly—an internal negotiation with the weight of destiny—and she agrees heavy-heartedly, stepping into the alliance with Dýonòs.
Scene #55 – To dust you will return
14 Návek 720 TR
Re-emerging into the daylight, Essryd’s bewilderment is palpable. Her immediate surroundings—illuminated by natural light—offer stark contrast to the subterranean encounter. She clutches her torch, now redundant, and sprints up towards Moire, who anxiously awaits near their steeds.
Moire’s relief at seeing Essryd unscathed is evident, but her follow-up question holds a different layer of concern: an implicit worry about the cellar’s malevolent whispers. When Essryd responds to Moire’s hint with confusion, realizing that only moments seem to have passed for her companion, she glances back at the villa’s entrance—her mind wrestling with the dissonance between perceived time.
Essryd proceeds to recount her experience, painting a picture of an ancient god’s plea through carefully chosen words. She emphasizes Dýonòs’ promise of aiding their peaceful settlement in exchange for uncovering his forsaken shrine but prudently omits specifics about their binding pact, deeming some truths better left shrouded for now.
Moire listens intently, her eyes widening with astonishment at the vision of divine intervention. Essryd’s narrative—a blend of otherworldly encounter and mortal yearning—leaves Moire contemplative, grappling with both the hope for a peaceful refuge and the enigmatic force now intertwined with their destiny.
The old man’s emergence, announcing his pleasure at their prospective ownership, introduces an unexpected ally or perhaps a remnant guardian of this estate’s past grandeur. Essryd opts to withhold knowledge of Dýonòs’ true identity from Moire, crafting her narrative subtly.
Essryd’s vision for the villa—a sophisticated blend of vinery and a hostel promising hedonistic pleasures—is articulated with unexpected alacrity, hinting at an intuitive grasp or perhaps divine influence steering her plans. She emphasizes the creation of a luxurious retreat where fine wine, gourmet cuisine, melodic music, and esteemed companionship would thrive.
Moire’s skepticism flickers but remains unvoiced in deference to Essryd’s sudden conviction. The old man’s offer to steward the vineyards—a profession he claims mastery over for ages—provides a tangible support that bolsters their ambitious endeavor, aligning with an ancient legacy seemingly awakened by Dýonòs’ hidden hand.
Concluding her detailed vision to Moire, Essryd’s next move is driven by purpose: she seeks a suitable instrument and descends once more into the cellar. Unbeknownst to her, Moire shadows her cautiously.
Within the heart of Dýonòs’ hidden sanctum, Essryd begins dismantling floor tiles where the ground crack widens. Her labor is answered with a rumbling crescendo and an earth-shaking emergence—Dýonòs’ altar arises, a masterwork of fine marble adorned with inscrutable writings and symbols.
As this sacred relic fully materializes, the pervasive green tendrils, which have enveloped their estate, disintegrate into a fine, glowing dust that disperses into the air. The manifestation of Dýonòs’ shrine symbolically marks the breaking of his ancient confinement.
Scene #56 – Letters to good friends
15 Núzyæl 721 TR
With the passage of months, the villa stands transformed—its vineyards gleaming like jewels upon the rolling coastal hills. In this setting, Essryd finds solace atop a stone precipice overlooking tranquil beaches bathed in the final light of day.
Here, amidst the serene beauty and their hard-won sanctuary, she completes her letters—a testament to their journey, sacrifices, and the newfound harmony bound by ancient promise and mortal resolve.
In her missive to Fâlva al Ekàtriasa in Chélemby, Essryd meticulously details their odyssey through various landmarks, correcting discrepancies on Fâlva’s map with precise coordinates. Of particular note, she etches the new moniker for their residence—Villa Esúrua, a tribute resonant with her Hârnic heritage and noble lineage, symbolizing both her roots and the rebirth of this ancient estate under their care.
To Herwig and Ludecke Heren, Essryd’s letter encapsulates their burgeoning enterprise at Villa Esúrua, warmly extending an open invitation for free lodging should they ever grace Sános with their presence. She also highlights promising business avenues facilitated by her close affiliations with Thóren Pîdras and the Hlanéndès Bank, inviting potential collaboration in a landscape now rich with opportunity.
In her final correspondence, intended for Uncly Ynyr but entrusted via the Heren brothers to reach the Order of the Copper Hook in Hyen Keep, Essryd warmly outlines their peaceful establishment at Villa Esúrua on Sános. She extends a heartfelt invitation for Ynyr—a retreat from Rethem’s deceptive intrigues—to find respite and kinship within their newfound haven.
With a sigh, Essryd seals the letters and is going to leave her favorite place when she feels the urge for solitude.
Epilogue – New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings
23 Ágrazhâr 721 TR
In their new roles as esteemed custodians of Villa Esúrua, Essryd and Moire swiftly ascend to prominence within the Ázeryàn Empire, heralded for producing Ádarômè el Sánon—an unparalleled wine that becomes a symbol of luxury. Their establishment rapidly gains acclaim not only locally but across broader regions, earning renown as a sanctuary of refined pleasures, drawing patrons from near and far.
Despite lingering skepticism among some islanders about their mysterious origins and the enigmatic occurrences attributed to the villa, Essryd’s strategic alliances and growing influence effectively silence these murmurs. The duo’s reputation solidifies their place in Sános’ tapestry.
In a serene yet bustling atmosphere, Essryd warmly greets new patrons—a wealthy couple from a neighboring island—introducing them to the attentive concubines whose sole concern is their guests’ pleasure. Amid this tableau of opulence, an unexpected visitor enters carrying a meticulously packed bundle.
Thóren Pîdra’s presence brings initial joy to Essryd’s face, but his somber demeanor quickly shifts her mood. Handing over the bundle and a letter with a note about its Chélemby origin, he advises she read it in privacy. He then moves towards Moire, engaging her in conversation as Essryd steps outside.
In solitude, Essryd opens the bundle to find her uncle’s shield—a poignant symbol of his demise. The accompanying letter from the Heren brothers recounts a harrowing tale: the Order of the Copper Hook betrayed and Ynyr Gehwær claimed under dubious circumstances, shrouded in treachery.
Heart heavy with grief yet composed, Essryd re-enters Villa Esúrua. In the heart of their patrons’ revelry, she hangs her uncle’s shield prominently on a wall, silently honoring his memory within the sanctuary they’ve built.
“Welcome home, Uncle Ynyr,” she whispers.
Sources used:
– HârnMaster Kèthîra (Keléstia Productions Ltd.)
– The Adventure Crafter (Word Mill Games)
– Mythic GME 2nd Edition (Word Mill Games)
