Din Yuva

The Ghoul
Character Profile
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A dark veil of clouds shrouded the eight moons of Khurun, leaving but a glimmer of pale light to illuminate the path towards the village of Misaya. It was a humble, and wholly unremarkable, cropping of single-story dwellings built on raised earth foundations and sloped roof structures along the winding river.

Unremarkable, if not for the malodor of sickness and stagnant water permeating the night air.

The people of Misaya were, according to rumor, struck by a sudden wave of illness. It first manifested as an unusually high fever, then followed by full body shivers and pains. Those afflicted found it impossible to eat. Food turned to rot inside their mouth and water tasted acrid. After a few days without proper nourishment, the ill spiraled into bouts of delirium, becoming a danger to not only themselves but to those around them as well.

Was it an outbreak of plague, a man-made consequence of hoarded wealth and pitiable living conditions, or a symptom of Blight taking root in the valley? Regardless of the source, one must diligently prune a tree of its dead branches and withered roots if it is to survive the coming seasons.

Wisps of rolling mist parted as Yuva emerged from somewhere within its depths. Were it not for the delicate chime of the bell affixed to the sash around his waist, his presence would’ve certainly gone unnoticed to the average citizen.

”You walk under an ominous sky tonight, stranger.” He raised the paper lantern as he strode past the traveller, fanged half-mask glinting in its orange-yellow glow. ”Travel with caution.”
 
"The air is stale," came the muffled sound of Kiriko's voice. A well wrapped cloth, covering her nose and mouth.

1737846127660.webp"Foul," her bodyguard, Buru, said in agreement. His broad hand raised up to press down against he cloth about his own face.

Kiriko looked over at Buru with a tilt of her conical hat, her coal colored eyes taking him in a moment. "I am sorry, Buru," she confessed, and looked down to the floor. "I forget that your nose is still more sensitive than my own,"

The big man gave a laugh. "There is no need to worry," he said with eyes that smiled. "The ash still helps, but I wonder," he said as he looked up at the swirl of mist that shrouded the village. So thick one could hardly see steps ahead of themselves. "If this mist might not ruin its effects?"

Kiriko's head bobbed up, her eyes widened with realization. She had not-

A bell chimed soft ahead of them. The bright bob of a lantern glowed warm in the tarnished-silver-mist.

A masked stranger bade them warning, and passed them by.

Kiriko's eyes watched the man carefully. Though she said nothing as he passed, she kept her staff firm in her hand. The finial figure atop it almost alive with the kiss of the lantern's light. The Ash Phoenix, with its wings spread proud, a ring of flame around it, and six rings hung there beneath it.

Buru leaned his weight on one leg, and clicked his teeth. "It may be that he knows something of this mess,"

Kiriko turned towards the village, away from the masked stranger. "We should see the villagers first,"

"And if he is one?"

"He is not,"
Kiriko affirmed, and continued into the village. The rings upon her staff chimed warm with each stride.

Buru chuffed a laugh. Gave a nod, and followed behind her.
 
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