[Warning. Story is pretty gruesome, so if you don't like that kind of thing, please don't read this.][This is a short story from the perspective of Brian of Bloomvale, during the Sea Dragon event. Thank you Dee!] Brian of Bloomvale stood amongst many on a rocky outcropping by the lighthouse. Dead made of wax and strange ships that shot flame harried their group. A mage, unknown to Brian, had cast a magical dome to protect their fellows from the falling flames. Yet, he sees a person fighting beyond the safety of the dome. She was running across a bridge, as everyone was screaming for those beyond to take refuge, but he could see she wouldn’t make it. So, he decided to do what he could. Brian felt the magic of the dome slide across his skin with a cool sensation as he rushed forward, across the bridge. Passing the crowd, he tuned out the calls to return, as he focused on his destination. He’d make it just in time, shield held aloft in the hope it would block the coming flames. He had seen others do it earlier, so why couldn’t he? Then, the sun fell upon them. Searing agony filled Brian’s nerves and raced along his exposed skin. He felt himself being burned alive as his hearing failed him. He had no idea if his shield did anything for the poor woman, as he fell to a knee from the force of the flames. His vision blurred, his teeth clenched so hard they might crack; He forces his feet back under him. Willpower and adrenaline sharpens into a tunneled focus as he looks to the woman, who still seems to be alive. His voice, so distant, yells at her to start running as fast as she can. He can barely hear the reply through the ringing in his ears as he follows behind her back to the safety of the dome. Beyond the crowd, he finally gets a moment to breathe. Scorch marks coat his armor, burns cover his skin, and the sash at his torso crumbles away into flakes of charred cloth. He stands in a daze, trying to focus in spite of the pain, and failing all the same. He feels his legs shake beneath him, and he stumbles away from the crowd. Brian does not get far before they finally give way, and he crumples into a ball on the ground. Everything becomes a blur after, as if the fire seared his memories away as well. Unbearable agony. The taste of honey. Labored breathing. One foot in front of the other. The feeling of an uncomfortable bed. Skin being cut from his flesh. Where was he? Did that other person make it? Did they make it? I hope they made it. I hope I did something. Was it enough?No, probably not. Brian’s consciousness slips as he fades away into a tortured sleep.

[!] There is a notice posted onto the board. The words are large, in the hopes of attracting attention. Do not go toward the sea alone. If you see the ocean begin to boil, steam, or otherwise act strange, then immediately run to town and call for help. The undead will soon follow.

[!] This document WAS intended as worldbuilding for my character’s backstory (Brian of Bloomvale), but I have created this in case anyone else wants to use this for themselves as a backstory for their own characters. Through a lore submission, I was able to canonized this and am sharing it with the community in case someone else wishes to use these villages for characters or npcs. (Do note, these are only a handful of villages in the region of Duchy of Rulan. This does not encompass all that Rulan has to offer.) Meadowdew Background: This farming village is but one of the numerous villages residing within the Duchy of Rulan. Founded within a fertile meadow, it was soon made into a farming village with the main purpose of yielding cotton, with families owning small gardens or orchards to help supplement food on the table. Due to this village growing one of the main exports of the Duchy, it is common to hear grumblings of tax collectors coming for their share of the cotton upon harvest season. Yet, in spite of their complaints, the people of this village are ever loyal. Bloomvale Background: Another farming village found within the Duchy of Rulan, situated within a day’s walk from Meadowdew and half a day’s walk from Silvercreek. Bloomvale’s main export is grapes, but some families own flocks of sheep that they tend to. The generous but hardy people that reside here are wonderful to be around, especially upon harvest season. The vineyards from Bloomvale keep the village flush with coin, with their grapes being sought after for wine as well as dyes. Silvercreek Background: Silvercreek, the town situated between Bloomvale and Meadowdew, is a place of dye makers and weavers. Settled by a creek, in a meadow known for its abundance of flowers, it was seen as ripe territory for an industry. It is also common to find traveling herbalists making their way here in attempts to procure flowers and herbs needed for medicine. The people here are a vibrant lot with a mercantile mindset to them, due to their industry.   Regional Facts The three villages all have a symbiotic relationship between themselves, with Silvercreek being the main benefactor of the three.  All three villages have a tradition of sending at least one family member to another village to apprentice for a year. No one knows how this tradition started, but it provides a few benefits: Diversification of skills and strengthening of relations to name a few. Some say this was a decree from the Duchy in ages past, but who knows for sure? It is rare, but arranged marriages between families from different villages have been known to happen. In such a case, the receiving village of the new family takes on the burden of responsibility of making a home for them. Over time, all three villages developed a deep, interconnected web of family trees. This has led to a common practice of visiting distant relatives at other villages. The three villages commonly send shares of their harvests to each other, as a token of good faith and generosity.   Thank you @Moony and @Reedie for you allowing this.

[!] A notice is nailed to the board. The script simple, the message simpler. "Seeking to apprentice under a carpenter. I am a farmer, strong of body and mind. Able and willing to learn. I can be found at the Militia barracks." -Brian of Bloomvale   OOC: Character wants to become a carpenter. If there are any characters willing to teach him, contact me on discord or on the forums if you're feeling fancy to set up an rp session. (Nomad | Brian of Bloomvale is my name in the discord)

Character sheet is in a complete enough state to say go wild. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please send your feedback to: brianofbloomvale@gmail.com