It wasn’t the Pharine’s who named it the Somber Woods, but the human invaders during the last war with the kingdom of Thytosusia. This was the farthest they ever got before being slaughtered by Leborn the merciless. It was a short skirmish by that point, for only far ranging scouts managed to stumble into the thick foliage of what they would call the Somber Woods, broken off from their main force, and got lost under the carpet of crimson red leaves. 

      Rumors had it their spirits still lingered here, wailing in the night for mercy that would never come. If that were true, Junipor had little sympathy for them. They deserved to be hunted by the forest spirits after so rudely impregnated the woods with violence. Humans had no place here, which is why the branches stirred as the human in their group stumbled forward. He seemed to trip and fall over every tree branch on the road. Roots seemed to lay in his path at uneven angles, and rocks came out of no where to greet him. It got so bad, Junipor actually felt sorry for him, for it seemed the woods had no sympathy for the human who had done nothing threatening.

      Fennecs prowled on either side of the narrow path, hissing and whimpering at the newcomers. Only a few stopped to linger and watch them with calm suspicion. Francesca hopped onto Junipor’s shoulder, suddenly seeming tense.

      There were many paths through the Somber woods. Most lead to overshadowed groves, or listing streams. Many lead absolutely nowhere, leading potential intruders in endless directions. Junipor knew they were on the right path when they saw the effigy’s. 

      They decorated the trees, long strings of frayed rope dangled offerings to the goddess. From down below they looked like tiny figurines dancing in a red sky of the Repentou trees. Some bore trinkets, small coins, or tiny wisps of hair. Others were not humanoid shapes at all, but tiny cages carrying precious stones. As the sun died down, the lantern lights reflected off the tiny gemstones in their cages up above, mimicking fragile starlight.

      Shielded from the branches, there was less snow carpeting the ground in the Somber Woods. It was always cold, there was always a frigid breeze that seemed to claw its way to the bone. Even Junipor’s thick skin failed to keep the sharp icy wind at bay. It wasn’t long after the sun died down that Junipor put on her bear pelted robes, although it didn’t fit well over the armor. 

      A unique brand of safekeeper guarded the inner sanctum of the Somber Woods. The first ranger they spotted was a lean female, garbed in animal hide, and tanned trousers. Her bow remained strapped over her back, but her eyes remained fixed on the group. Another ranger trailed them only moments later, and by the time they reached the crest of a hill overlooking the road to the sanctuary, dozens more had made themselves known. 

      A den was erected on the summit, a vast log cabin built to hold an entire troupe if necessary. It was the unofficial capital of the Somber Woods. A tree sprouted from the center of its construction, and a vast collection of gemstone effigy’s decorated its branches. 

      Junipor was no fool, she understood the only reason they hadn’t been treated as a threat was due to the priestess leading the way. Some of the rangers regarded them harshly, while a few kept their hands on the pommel’s of there axes at all times. Their eyes were cold, like the harsh wind, and their gaze was fixed on them. Once it was discerned they had come on behalf of the temple, even with a blight born and human in their party, the rangers lit up the braziers along the path and ignited a hearth fire in the den.

      As they approached the entryway to the log cabin, a warrior monk stood in their path. He was rather squat and bulky, his barrel chest exposed to reveal layers of scars. The monks jawline was grim, his cheeks hard edged. Cold grey eyes looked at them all with a shockingly hostile expression. The source of the icy wind seemed to be born from his eyes, as a chill surrounded him, and his gaze was every bit as contemptible as they were severe. 

      “What brings you to these woods?” Surprisingly, his voice was rather calm, perhaps even stoic, which betrayed his outward image. Junipor found herself confused, trying to gauge the level of threat facing them.

      The priestess stepped forward, her robes swaying with her hips, and offered a bow to the warrior monk. “The goddess in all her wisdom has gifted us with knowledge to an oncoming threat, and provided us the means to stand against it.” Her voice was sweet and tender, that of a lover. 

      The warrior monk returned the bow, then looked over the priestess’s shoulder at the rest of the group. He looked at the human, although he seemed more alarmed at the Teifling. “I suppose these strangers amongst you are part of the goddess’s plan?” He tried to sound respectful for the goddess, but Junipor could tell he was aggravated.

      “Yes, these guests are friends, and have come from a great distance to stand against the darkness.” The darkness, that was a polite term for what they faced according to Caius and Domitilla. Yet that was the term the church decided to use for it.

      The monk’s eyes narrowed, his jawline clenched. He looked upward toward the sky of dark red leaves and glistening jewels. He took a deep breath of air, then grunted. “A foul stench grows heavy from the south, and no one can deny the tension in the air. The fennecs are nervous, and have grown especially anxious towards newcomers.”

      “Tis a…” The priestess paused, her tongue seemingly tied. “Tis a Necromancer. A blight born of insidious nature has come to threaten our sacred home.” The word necromancer laid heavy in her voice.

      “And just who are these…guests?” 

      The priestess motioned for the newcomers to approach. “Allow me to introduce…” 

      Junipor turned away, quickly growing bored from all the introductions. She desperately wanted to go into the den where it was warm, rather than remain standing outside in the frigid cold. The rustling of the tree leaves was complimented by the jingle of effigy’s. She was drawn toward the edge of the road, where the jingling was the loudest.

      “You there,” a voice called out from the trees. 

      Junipor was in mid-stretch, trying to relieve the knot in her shoulders when she was so rudely interrupted. She looked up to find a ranger perched on one of the Repentou tree branches. Junipor couldn’t help but feel unnerved. The rangers skill was superb, he even knew how to hide his scent from her.

      “I’m just stretching.” Junipor scowled, and fought the temptation to reach for her axe.

      “Stay on the road.” The Ranger commanded with a stern voice. 

      Just as Junipor took a step back, her ears twitched as the introductions had passed. The next words out of the warrior monks mouth sent shivers down her spine. Even Seldie, who had been silently keeping her pace, yipped when she saw Junipor’s reaction.

      “To enter the heart of the Somber Woods, you all must bathe in the purity of our natural spring waters, and prove your loyalty to the goddess. You shall all disrobe, and disarm. Then you will be allowed to enter, and be guided to the cleansing springs. Those of pure intent shall be embraced in her loving bosom, those bearing ill intent will suffer her unquenchable wrath.” The monk spoke with absolute authority, and with the hearth fire burning behind him, it made him appear almost menacing. 

      “You want us to disrobe here?” Junipor gasped.

      “Yerrobe vem?” Seldie was suddenly standing next to Junipor, and judging by the shock in her voice, the Zakinae had understood, to some extent, what Junipor was saying.