Revealed

It's never easy to learn something unexpected about someone you thought you knew, but it's even harder to live day after day, knowing that you're hated, reviled, and feared for simply being different.

It all started when we came across the small hamlet of Stoneyvale on our way Deverania. We had to take Barron to own kind, where he would be able to take the artifact underground and safely away from Nassiral Hate. The townsfolk were all on edge, but we were able to convince them that we might be able to help. A few of the townspeople had been killed in mysterious circumstances, with throats slashed open. I immediately suspected the Cult of Bascaron was involved, but Ili, in her typical close-mindedness, started talking about how all lycanthropes were vile and evil. I tried to explain (again) not all Lycanthropes were evil, though I don't think it sinked in.

Still, I welcomed the opportunity to destroy any of the Bascaron, and we set forth a day later. We found a set of tracks that didn't appear to belong to either animal or humanoid. It was easy to follow, and after about a day, we came across a small cave opening. It didn't feel too right, but we went forward anyways. That's when they struck. There were about a dozen of them, and they came at us fast. In less than a blink of eye, they were upon over us. One of the tougher, meaner looking ones told us to surrender. Upon looking at him, I could tell that he didn't have the twisted appearance of the Cult of Bascaron. I didn't know what they wanted, but I also didn't think that they'd kill us, so I encouraged the rest of them to give themselves up peacefully. Ili was more thickheaded, and it took a few more kicks before she calmed down.

Their leader circled us a few times, seemingly smug at having bested us. He stopped near me, and somehow, he knew. He said that he'd kill us all unless I would be able to defeat him in single combat. I was allowed to my feet, and to cast several spells to heal myself and increase my combat poweress. However, he looked very dangerous, and I didn't think I'd be able to defeat him in my normal form. So for the sake of everyone else, I turned into a half bear. Everyone in my group but Borrow looked shocked, and I rushed forward to attack. I fought as harder than I had ever fought, carving gashes into him that would have killed a normal man five times over. However, it just wasn't wasn't enough, he was preternaturally tough, and his blows were easily able to overcome my battered splint mail. I fell to unconsciousness, but I was woken up a few moments later. He told me that I was going to be branded, and I was in no position to resist. It hurt, but it wasn't the worst I've endured. After the ritual was complete, I could sense the presence of the others. So that's how they knew.

As they walked away, they told us that a party of adventurers had passed through the woods and into the mountains a few days ago. We followed after them, but I could tell that the others didn't trust me, especially Ili. I suspected that at first chance, she'd contact the church and try to have me "dealt" with. Perhaps with my newfound "gift" I would be able to find new friends in the church that would understand. Borrow seemed to have taken it the best, having no prior experiences with Lycanthropes, good or evil. We headed toward the mountains, but we couldn't pick up a trail, and returned to Stoneyvale. There, we met the sole survivor of the adventuring party that we were trying to follow. He had returned alone just a day before us. He seemed to be quite distressed, talking about how a great shadow had enveloped his friends and that only he was able to get away. He was able to describe to us where that had happened, and we planned to head back right away. Perhaps I could use this opportunity to prove once and for all that not all Lycanthropes are evil.