In the world of Solmork, three vast continents exist, each separated by great, unyielding seas crawling with ancient water beasts. The first of these lands is Paxnoctis, the dwelling place of the Edel and the Boshaft, as well as lesser creatures that get demolished by the Boshafts, unworthy of name or glory. The second, Vithryst, is a realm forsaken by man—where the dominion of beasts reigns supreme. Within its boundless expanse, monstrous beings roam: Golems, hewn from earth and clay, brought to life by sorcery unknown; Cyclopes, titans whose single unblinking eyes gaze upon the world with unchallenged might; Aqrabuamelu, the distorted fusion of man and scorpion; Griffins, sovereigns of sky and land; Gargoyles, stone-born demon of ancient ruin; Leshy, the spirit of the wild, an elder of bark and beast alike. Each more terrifying than the last, each a nightmare that has long ceased to be legend.

  Yet, beyond both, there lies a third land, nameless and forgotten, resting upon the farthest edge of the known world. A place no man has tread in centuries. It exists as a shadow upon the maps of Solmork.

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  Paxnoctis itself is split thrice—to the east, the land of the Edel; to the west, the dominion of the Boshaft; and to the south, the land where the Great Hunts take place. A perilous woodland, the Forest of Hallucination, guards the Edel’s domain, shielding their lands from the vile sea beasts, the land of boshaft and the lowly creatures of the south. The forest itself bends reality. And though the Boshaft, with their unyielding power, could bring the forest down, they have chosen not to—for it is the Hunt that they seek, and the Hunt that they take pleasure in.

  I learned of these truths in the Library of Whispers, a place I spent years in order to figure out who I am. And now, I seek more than mere knowledge. With careful hands, I took out my Tagari, a handwoven, rectangular woolen satchel. Within it, I placed two sets of clothes, a map, a compass, a cloak, some nuts and a small dagger I made myself.

  Stepping beyond the threshold of my home, the city stretched before me in quiet slumber. The first rays of dawn had yet to pierce the horizon. I turned once, casting a final gaze upon the life I had always known.

  A deep sigh, laced with relief and worry, escaped my lips. I pressed a hand to my chest.

  I am ready.