The tale of the dryad named Junipher is a tragic one. In ages past, she lived in the deep woods, undisturbed by mortals and frolicking in the sunlight and the shadowed groves alike with badgers and wolves. She swam in the ponds and creeks, and made friends with the freshwater fish that inhabited them. She made her home in a coil of brambles that caressed her skin, and she lived a happy existence.
But some time ago, evil came to the forest. A nest of vampires were chased from their homes and fled from those who would see them destroyed. These vampires made their way into the deep forest, where the terrain might favour them and where their fell will could forge them an army of beasts. Many lives were lost in overcoming these monsters, and the few who survived stumbled, ragged, into Junipher's grove, begging for succour. The dryad was curious, as she had never met beings like this. However, they showed kindness to one another, and respected her wishes, and even offered some of their meagre rations to her and her animal friends. One of them even showed that he wielded natural magic as a druid, although his powers were limited. She decided that whatever force had harmed them was worthy of protecting her own grove from, and agreed to shelter them, to guide them through the forest at dawn, and to help to find and destroy their enemies. The battles that followed lasted through a season of bitter winter in the forest. The snows were stained with blood, packs of wolves hunted at the command of the vampire masters, and Junipher and her allies made fast hit-and-run attacks, pruning off the lesser spawn of the vampires' nest. It was not until spring came, and the passes reopened, that the vampires attempted a final push to escape. At the mouth of the Kerropon Pass, the furthest Junipher had ever gone from her forest, they finally brought the vampires to bay, their backs against a cliff face as the sun began to rise. Radomir, last of all the vampires gathered, seized Junipher in the battle, and bit her savagely. Knowing that her time was ending, and that these evil beings would only spread further if allowed, Junipher called upon all the magic she knew, and transformed into a thick tangle of woody thorns, piercing Radomir through and rending him asunder. Heartbroken, the survivors gave thanks to Junipher and returned to civilization, except for one - the druid. This druid, having given his love to the brave dryad, swore vengeance upon all vampires, and called forth a weapon designed to slay them, grown from Junipher's arboreal body. This weapon, Heartsthorn, somehow made its way to civilization. However, a darker magic than he envisioned has played a part, and now, gorged on the blood it has drained, Heartsthorn waits to be fed enough to restore its mistress to unholy life, as a full-fledged vampire! While she may initially spare those who played a part in her restoration, her hunger will soon take over. Junipher's love for comfort may take her back to the forest that spawned her, but prey will be scarce there. And attempting to reverse this almighty curse, or overcome the vampire herself, will be yet another tale to tell. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 11 September 2021. Comments are closed.
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AuthorI'm Luke. He/him pronouns. Archives
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