Deadman's Land

Nineteen (The Crimson Book)

Such a path doesn’t seem to exist, the closest thing seeming to be the sparse natural trails created by wandering creatures. Some seem more used than others, the ground flattened into an icy sheen on such trails. If Nineteen were to lower himself to look at them perhaps he would see the prints of various creatures, along with several strange pairs of parallel lines.

Nineteen (The Crimson Book)

The path would wind through mountains and valleys, through ice and snow, seemingly without end. At one point in the path, after descending into a valley a fork would appear. From one direction a faint sound could be heard periodically, something akin to the crack of a whip.

Nineteen (The Crimson Book)

The whip sound draws nearer, along with the snarls and yelps of some strange animal. Around a bend in the road a sled nears, drawn by 6 demonic looking wolves, with pelts of ashen black, eyes that burned with a desire for fiery destruction, and from their mouths leaked flames to match their desire.

The sled they pulled was a sturdy wooden device with a front decorated with the skull of some large and toothy creature. Near the back behind its pilot stood a small pile of strapped on crates, above which a banner hung.

The pilot wore clothes fashioned from furry animal pelts, consisting of pants and a simple vest, upon which some light armor lay. His face was half covered by a helm and his full beard did well to cover what little was exposed. Upon his back he carried a halberd and a round shield. His exposed arms were muscular from years of work and battle. In one hand held the whip which had been heard earlier, used to provide the wolves with the motivation to move and in the other hand held the reins to give them direction.

Upon the seeing the strange being floating upon the path the man immeadiately pulled back on the reins and brought the wolves to a sudden stop. He regarded the being with suspicion, befor finally addressing him.

”Oy! Who is't art thee and what business doth thee has't h're?”

Nineteen (The Crimson Book)

The man regarded Nineteen with suspicion as floating skeletons aren’t a common sight, especially those who don’t immediately attack the living. “Thou art in the deadman’s lands, wh're nothing valorous liveth.” He pauses. “Although thee don’t liveth i supposeth.” He chuckled slightly at his joke, before addressing Nineteen again. “I am a messang'r, and as a visiteth'r thee shouldst cometh with me to the most wondrous capital of Ískaldur.”

Nineteen (The Crimson Book)

“Ho, if 't be true thee wanteth to cometh i shall taketh thee th're.” He cracks the whip over the head of the black wolves, who begin to move. “Followeth me.” He heads further along the path, towards the Gates of Ískaldur.

Nineteen (The Crimson Book)

“Ískaldur is a lodging of the stout, wh're those with strength ruleth. Our capital is locat'd on the top of the w'rld, and guards the sacr'd cryst-.” He pauses suddenly and unexpectedly. “Colours me, I might has't hath said too much.”

Nineteen (The Crimson Book)

The messanger turns to look at Nineteen. “Aye, and if 't be true anyone asks, thee didn’t h're of t from me.” He says, a slightly threatening tone creeping into his voice.

Nineteen (The Crimson Book)

The viking messanger falls silent, and they continue travelling. It appears that the messanger isn’t planning to start any more friendly banter, and on their current path they would arrive at the Gates of Ískaldur before long.