Shade in Vanthiren

About the adventure

In the small town of Vanthiren, on the planet of Sune (Soo-neh), all seems picturesque and peaceful to the eye of a passerby or lodging tourist. The town is full of green grass and vibrant flowers and many a tall, flourishing tree. The buildings are all well-kept, and during the day, children can be seen laughing and playing as if there was not a care in their minds. Sheep meander about; their shepherds and sheepdogs close by. Yet, if one is a keen observer, you might notice that no matter how hot the day becomes, no one that resides there is ever seen in the shade, yet alone not at night, and the children playing seem to be more watchful than one might think a carefree child would be. At night, the streets are all completely empty, save for a few guards that remain in the light of a fire or lamp post, never once leaving it unless a dire necessity. You might notice that all the buildings are lit inside, even at night, every window emitting a warm glow. If you were to visit, the local barkeep or hotel tender would tell you to avoid the shade, and to not travel at night unless an emergency, and then you must carry a bright light. If you were to ask why that is, you would be met with silence of the mouth, but a fearful, warning glance of the eye, and a shake of the head. If you were to disobey and prowl about at night, you might see a heedless, wandering drunk disappear into thin are or slide down into solid ground, and eerily fading wail escaping their lips. You, brave adventurer, have heard tales about what lurks in the shade and at night. In towns nearby you have heard bards singing of a creature in Vanthiren that can only be found or seen where light fails to tread. Since all who are thought to have seen this creature have vanished, never to be seen or heard from again, nobody knows what it looks like. But some say, that if you open a window at night or stand near the shade, you can hear the faint pleading cries of those who have fallen victim, and a faint, garbled and growling speech coming from somewhere within. Some say it is a physical creature, some say it is a god, some say it is an unseen force, but everyone agrees that it has somehow broken their heart or the heart of someone they know. At the bequest of a prominent judge who disappeared after a tumultuous hearing, many a lover missing their beloved, many a child missing their parent, many a parent missing their child, and many a friend missing a friend, you venture into the town to investigate and hopefully quell whatever evil may be lurking with the bounds of Vanthiren.