Stryche’s Saga I: Hunter’s Moon

Hunter’s Moon — The beast in the village

The Hero remembered fighting monsters beside Stryche, an old friend. As more attackers pressed in, Stryche sent the Hero to find Marchosias, the Mooncursed Beast. He would distract the others and follow. Marchosias had last been seen in the town square to the east.

Hunter’s Moon — Two apprentices

The Hero called for Stryche’s help during the fight. The scene shifted to Elder Xubo addressing the Hunter’s Moon Clan as he prepared to retire. Voland, the King of Bears, had shown him two apprentices. Marchosias had the courage and ruthlessness to defeat his enemies. Stryche had the patience and wisdom to hold back. Marchosias asked whether they should compete for the one place. Xubo said the clan needed them both. He would seek Voland’s guidance on changing the ritual.

Later, a younger Stryche beckoned the Hero to hide. He did not recognize them. The Hero recognized Stryche and suspected they had fallen into his past, though they could not remember what had happened. Stryche could not explain how they got there either, but they sounded like a friend and he needed help.

Hunter’s Moon — The elder is gone

Dark fires burned in the village. Every flame the Hero put out was answered by another spark, and strange beasts kept coming. Stryche hoped Elder Xubo would know what to do. When they reached him, Xubo was dead and the Skull of Voland was missing. Stryche remembered Xubo’s faith in him and vowed to save the village, find who was responsible and avenge him.

Stryche asked the Hero to burn the fallen so they could be put to rest. He had noticed that some masked attackers were human and suspected some were villagers. The people calling themselves the Blood Moon Clan said Marchosias alone should lead and receive Voland’s power. Stryche doubted Marchosias would support a mutiny. Then he realized that if Marchosias had taken the power for himself and upset its balance, it would explain the curse.

Hunter’s Moon — The Skull of Voland

Stryche prepared a ritual to locate the missing skull. The Hero lit torches with dark fire and collected six vials of cursed blood from the Eclipsed Ones. The ritual pointed to one of Marchosias’s loyal followers. The Hero recovered the Skull of Voland and met Stryche at the Tree of Wisdom behind the village.

Stryche needed more energy to break the curse. The Hero gathered fallen shards of moonlight and Moon-Struck Souls from those the curse had touched. Stryche regretted asking for the souls, but saw no other way. He told the Hero to place the skull on the mound in front of the tree.

Hunter’s Moon — The curse is lifted

Burning moonlight replaced the dark fire. Stryche said the curse had lifted and felt Voland’s spirit within him. He understood that Marchosias had claimed the skull and left Voland’s power dark and out of balance. With Stryche holding it, the darkness had gone, but the imbalance remained.

Stryche meant to confront Marchosias and try to restore the balance. The Hero said they had fought Marchosias together in the future and had failed to win. Stryche said they could still try. He reminded the Hero how many challenges they had already overcome.

Hunter’s Moon — The Spirit of Voland

Voland’s spirit called to Stryche, but it felt wrong to him. Stryche told the Hero to touch the skull and summon the Spirit of Voland. The spirit could teach the Hero to fight Marchosias, though it could not help defeat him directly. After the Hero prevailed in the trial, Stryche thought there might still be hope.