Background
Through the bars of your cage, you watched the procession leading the village. At its head, the king, Rancibrawn. Fully clothed in armour, with horned helmet and double headed battle axe, he was an imposing sight, despite his diminutive height. Behind him, his warriors. Fierce, and ready for battle. Behind them, the Dwarven archers. Finally, bringing up the rear, were the trumpet bearers. Blaring music filled the air as Mirewater prepared for war against their sworn enemies, the Dwarfs of Stonebridge. Quite where the battle was to take place, you did not know. Perhaps an attack on Stonebridge itself was planned, or maybe a pitched battle on the Pagan Plains. Or maybe the Dwarfs were heading for Darkwood Forest itself.
For many, Darkwood Forest symbolises pure, monstrous evil. Its murky depths hide all manner of creatures, from wild animals to orcs and goblins, from gremlins to giants, from pixies to the undead. It is perhaps understandable that most avoid the forest wherever they can, preferring to travel around it. You, however, long to return to its dark interiors. You are a Shape Changer- stolen many years ago from your mother by the evil King Rancibrawn of Mirewater. Kept as a pet, you have been forced to use your abilities to change form for the amusement of your dwarven captives. Throughout this humiliating life, you have longed to return to Darkwood Forest- to its safety and security. You have dreamed of escape from these dwarfs, and their leader Rancibrawn, but even more, you have longed for revenge. Although you could have escaped from your cage many times over the years, you have waited for a chance to get even with the dwarfs. Living in such close proximity to the dwarfs, you have a rough idea of the world outside of Mirewater (see map, below).
For the last few weeks, Mirewater has been at war with their enemies- the Dwarfs of Stonebridge. The village has been a buzz of activity as soldiers have donned their armour, polished their shields and helmets, and practised with their weapons. Children have been waging excited mock wars against each other in the shadows, and the womenfolk have been busy preparing food and clothing for their men. You care little for their wars, however, and are merely thankful that it has diverted attention from you. Using the respite to recover your energy- the dwarfs' demands on you can be very draining- you are now physically and mentally fitter than you have been for some time. One night, you allow yourself to relax, and to stretch your mind out to those of the dwarfs surrounding you.
You receive vague impressions at first. The king at the front line with his warriors. The next meal. A great eagle. A battle. A hammer. The war has clearly been going well for Mirewater, as the Dwarfs are showing great expectations, and you can almost touch the sense of imminent victory. Disappointed, you begin to withdraw from their minds. Whilst this is clearly of great importance to the dwarfs, it isn't of any use to you. Then, unusually sharply, you learn something of great interest.
One of Rancibrawn's advisors is concerned for his king. In four days time, the king will be meeting with the leader of his enemies- Gillibran- within Darkwood Forest. There, they will negotiate terms for Stonebridge's surrender. Although both parties will bring soldiers into the forest, the final discussions will be made by the two kings and their first advisors alone. The location of the meeting has been kept secret- for obvious reasons. Gillibran is incapable of treachery of any sort, but one of his warriors might take the matter into his own hands. There is nothing more that the advisor can now do. All precautions have been taken, all foreseeable dangers have been assessed. Any conceivable threat has been neutralised or countered, and yet still the advisor is worried. What if there is something that has been overlooked, or some factor that has not been considered? If Rancibrawn were killed, it would be a disaster for Mirewater.
You recognize that this is your chance. If you can escape to Darkwood Forest, you may be able to learn where this meeting is to take place. Without his guards, you will have a chance of killing Rancibrawn, gaining both revenge against their King, and against the dwarfs of Mirewater. The irony of the situation hits you- to cause pain to the man inside Darkwood- the place where your own pain began, such a long time ago. Determined to make the best use as possible of this opportunity that has presented itself to you, you start to lay your plans. Darkwood Forest offers itself to you as the means for your vengeance, and of a refuge afterwards, should you need it. You long to live a freer life, in the Forest of Dreams.
If you go down to the woods today,
Be sure of a big surprise.
There's lots of fun in the woods today,
But better go in disguise.
For every Dwarf that ever there was,
Is gathered there for certain, because
Today's the day the Dwarven folk
Have their picnic.
Ancient nursery rhyme
Original author unknown