[Fairytales of the Realms]

[Equinox]

Book One: The Bloody Shadow

In the back-narrows of Waterdeep, amongst the whispers and stories told. One name sends chills down the spines of those who reside there, "The Bloody Shadow".

The shadow, according to folklore, was formerly a man of power, outcast from the society he loved by rebels. From loosing all his wealth and power, he went mad. Eventually he became so crazed, he scraped what he could together and purchased an axe. It was with this axe that he went on a killing spree.

The rebels who dropped him from power, and sought to weaken the society he once loved, he stalked. He followed them and watched, waiting.

One day, the ringleader of the rebels was standing at the steps of the place the shadow once called home. He spoke his falsehoods, and spoke how his reign would help the people who gathered to listen. And the shadow could no longer watch, he acted, Stepping from his hiding place with one cleave he beheaded the rebel, and fled.

Many chased him, but he slipped away. After that others attempted to take over, but the shadow always returned and they suffered the same fate.

The shadow became over time, a spirit, a man of anger and rage a killer incarnate, but no proof was found. However, some say that he still lingers. Ever watchful. And if you attempt to destroy the society like the rebel leader did. The last sounds you hear will be the wind rush of his axe, for the shadow knows no mercy.

[written and published by Patrician Iteyal Sah-Halir]