The Hunt for Worldshaker

Chapter One - The Nameless Hunt

"Arise my brethren!"

Kava-skin drums surrounded The Nameless Altar and battered a thunderous rumble which echoed across the Deepening Wilds. The Nameless Huntsmaster fell into a deep stance and pounded his bare chest, surveying the vast huntlands which The Nameless Altar loomed above. A pair of seasoned hunters, sentinels stood with arrows knocked in their Gellerwood bows, framing what was known as The First Step. The Huntmaster reached high into the dawning orange sky.

"Today! On the ninth dawn - " he shouted to the three Nameless Moons aligned in the heavens. " - we anoint three champions to walk the path of the hunt!"

The Huntmaster smashed his fists into the rocky altar floor and drew a ceremonial dagger from its sheather hanging across his heart.

"As was tradition of our forebears we commit this sacred hunt to The Nameless Moons!" cried The Huntsmaster and rose to his feet. He ran the blade across his first finger drawing blood and then pierced his second as well.

"As my hand once guided my arrow true, now may its strength pass on to you."

Malifree Overlook's chest throbbed with every beat of the nine Kava-skin drums and their drummers; ancient hunters who could no longer walk the path of the wild. She glanced over at her two companions. Kivan a formidable fellow hunter, and Eloren, one of Sheercliffe's most promising young adjutants.

The Huntmaster bid Kivan take a knee at the center of the altar.

"Kivan!" he bellowed so all of Sheercliffe could hear. Mal flashed a devilish grin at her companion as he took a knee at the Huntsmaster's feet to the beat of the drums.

"Nameless Moon, may your mighty hunter's strength be augmented by your blessing. By the power of The Nameless Hunt, I bestow up thee, Kivan, the mark of the claw!"

The Huntmaster painted in blood, a crude hooked claw across Kivan's eye. Kivan rose to his feet and drew an arrow from his quiver and cracked his neck.

"May the claw bolster your might," snarled The Huntsmaster as he pounded his chest. "May the claw guide your flight. Kivan, son of Tukka and Dalma - "

Kivan and the two sentinels knocked their arrows and aimed for the lowest moon in the sky. The pounding drums softened to a distant rumble.

" - Take your place in the dawning sky!"

Kivan released his arrow, followed by the sentinels and theirs. The Kava-drums erupted in a coordinated fury, signifying the start of The Nameless Hunt. Mal and Eloren pounded their chests as Kivan took off in a full sprint towards a sheer drop to the Deepening Wilds. Mal's heart raced as Kivan's feet left the ground, and he had taken his First Step of this moon's hunt.

"Eloren!" cried the Huntsman and beckoned the adjutant to the center of the altar. The stout young man to Mal's side, standing a few inches shorter than she took a step forward.

"Nameless Moon, may your holy light shine a path for your faithful adjutant. May your blessings shield his knowledge and skill. By the power of The Nameless Hunt, I bestow up thee, Eloren, the mark of the scale!"

The Huntmaster revealed a diamond pattern over Lor's left eye. Unlike Kiv, Lor had little use for a bow and arrow. He reached into his hunting satchel and produced a chitinous glove made from the carapace of an emberwesp. He slid the gauntlet onto his right hand and raised his hand to the second moon. The sentinels drew their bows. The Kava-drums faded to the distance.

"May the scale harden your hide," said the Huntsmaster as he circled Lor. "May the scale be your guide. Eloren, son of Erlon, son of Eleni - "

Lor's fist began to glow.