Winter Solstice was a time of revelry, family and friends. Travelers came and went from the shores of Taldora, celebrating the approach of another cycle, while remembering or sometimes cursing the events of the previous.
For those who stayed, one observation stood above the rest. The wild lands, untamed and deadly, filled with beasts, magics, and threats beyond measure were eerily quiet.
Scouting parties returned unmolested. Messengers delivered their bounty on time without hinderance. And adventurers began to think the well had dried. The first month of winter was uncharacteristically calm. Injuries and death were minimal, often attributed to negligence to stupidity. New trails were discovered, leading deeper into the previously impassible terrain. And the creatures of the land remained hidden, only attacking when provoked or cornered. All of these events were out of sorts compared to previous months.
Some began to speculate the land had finally given invitation to trespass. Others thought something big was coming, the wild elements of the world always being the first to know.
And then it happened.
The stench of sulfur filled the air. Purple lightning sparkled and danced, seeming from no source. A group of adventures stood watch over the wonder, uncertain as to what they were seeing. Lost in the wonder, they never noticed the tear in the air before them. A dark void split open, the lightning darting around and between the gap. Taloned claws with vicious spikes poked through the gap, entering the world. Large hands, bigger than a man’s chest gripped the sides of the tear, ripping it further. The void grew, widening until the massive creature on the other side could be seen.
It was tall, nearly twice the height of a grown orc, though muscular and lean with sharpened horns at every joint. Its flesh was black as night and covered with scarred scales. A glistening sheen of thick liquid coated it, oozing like an infected would. The stench was nearly unbearable to the terrified adventures, witnessing this nightmare enter their world.
The horned head of the creature ducked through the rip in the air. Vicious pointed teeth exposed in a near smile as its beady eyes took in the witnesses. It roared with pleasure and leapt nearly as fast as the threat had appeared, the rift sealing behind it. Before the first heartbeat could finish its drum, a man had been ripped to shreds.
It slaughtered all it all as easily as a man stepping on ants. And when it ran out of prey, it sniffed the air catching the scent of something. Then, it was simply gone.
The only survivor, cowering in fear beneath the corpses of his friends waited what seemed an eternity before clawing his way out. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him, returning to Outpost, hoping someone, anyone would believe his story.