Barong

Art by Corvidus

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Travels through the unmarked, the unmapped, and the unknown are not for
the frail nor the scittish. Many find themselves in territories
never before retold through journals nor heresay. Might there be a reason
none have come back from these lands alive to tell the tales? When night
falls, danger lurks in every corner. It's claws leave marks against wood,
their drool coats the ground. Whatever resides within the unknown, will
likely stay that way once it locks onto your scent.

There is one lurker of the night, however, who is not so nefarious.
Legends tell of a Skydancer who prowls uncharted areas, steps so silent
you'd have swore it was as light as the feathers upon its wings. It does
not speak any language you or i have ever heard, nor could begin to
understand. There isn't much to say anyway, however.

If the legends
are correct in their telling, Barong searches far and wide in aid to
those who need help traversing out of wherever they had found themselves
lost. A trail of smoke, color undetectable in the night, yet scent strong
as honey wafts through the air. It is said that following this scent will
lead you to the legend herself, perched upon a tree.

Gold markings litter her body, posture bold and affirming. Her eyes shine,
though not nearly as bright as the wonderous halo around her,
illuminating the deadly dark that surrounds you both. She makes not a peep,
only making sound when the wind jostles her clothing about. Turning her
head slightly, she stares into an opening. It is a subtly hidden, yet
visibly clear area that leads to a much more familiar part of wherever
you have veered off into.

And as soon as you realize what has happened, you may find yourself
turning to her. To ask a question? Maybe a few, maybe a hundred. To give
her thanks? Whatever the reason, you never get the chance. A gust of wind
flows through the trees, the sand, the water; and suddenly, the candles
blow out. It is once again, pitch black. The bleak darkness now consumes
the area once again, almost as if nothing were there.

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Written by PidgeGunderson

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