Hanweir Excerpts

This collection of letters and documents chronicles recent events in the village of Hanweir (southwest of Thraben in the Viddens Perish, Gavony).

Note from the mayor

Farmer Roller, You must cease the rumors about my daughter and that dim-witted thatcher! I'd geist-lock Lorelai before I'll let her marry a buffoon like Pitre.

Jurgen Garensun Mayor of Hanweir

Public Decree



IT IS HEREBY ANNOUNCED

On the 13th of Hunter's Moon There shall be, in the town square A FEAST Of most delectable proportions To honor our most famous Town Hero!

Deliverer from Evil!

Vampire Killer!

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Pitre <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">the Thatcher

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Flowers and Laurels are welcome and expected.

FAREWELL LETTER FROM PITRE

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Dearest Lorelei,

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">You will not understand why I am leaving, which is why I have left in the night, this letter being my only explanation.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">The awful truth is that I have not earned the town's accolades. The vampire I killed was just a whelp who I caught unawares while he was feeding on the chickens.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">He didn't even see me, and that's how I was able to take his head off with my spade. I do not think he ever knew what happened!

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">When I took the head to the mayor, I was set on telling him the truth. Once he saw the fangs poking out from the horrid thing's mouth, he started <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">a big fuss, and before I knew it, he dragged me out into the square and announced my supposed victory to all.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">I've been caught up in all this mess, and living with the truth has driven me to near madness. I'm going to Erdwald in Nephalia to find a real vampire, and kill it. I cannot live with myself, nor marry you, until I have fulfilled the destiny that has been attributed to me.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Yours,

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Pitre <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">11th of Hunter's Moon, Ava. 719

<p style="text-align: left;">PITRE's LETTER

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Dearest Lorelei, <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">It has been a harrowing journey, to be sure. Erdwald is so much bigger than Hanweir! I fear my life has ill prepared me for such a place as this. <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">I've been relieved of my meager kit by a gang of footpads that greeted me at the town's gates, saying they were "inspectors." They were out of sight before I realized they had fled with all I brought, save the clothes on my back. <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Fear not my love! For adversity is the soil in which opportunity sprouts. I have taken in with the church, and they have greeted me with open arms! A priest has given me food and shelter, and only asks me to perform menial tasks in the upkeep of the church yards. It is a job <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">I am all too well suited for! <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Yet Avacyn has a plan <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">, even for me! My priest has also been instructing me in the art of vampire hunting. I know it sounds dangerous, and it is, but you can be assured that when I return, you can hold your head up high as we march through the town in our wedding procession! <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Yours, <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Pitre <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">14th of Hunter's Moon, Ava. 719

<p style="text-align: left;">PITRE'S LETTER

<span style="background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; ">Dearest Lorelei,

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Day of days! My training is complete, and now I am on the trail of that most unholy of abominations — Vampire. The one I hunt is clever, there is no doubt. But I have faith on my side! Faith in Avacyn, faith in my training, and above all, faith in the truth that the blessed sleep is nothing compared to living a life with you.

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Yours, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Pitre <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">23rd of Hunter's Moon, Ava. 719

<span style="background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; ">LETTER TO THE ABBEY AT LAMBHOLT

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">32nd of Hunter's Moon, Year of Avacyn 719

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">I know that it was necessary, I know Pitre would want just this. Cut off the head - the only way to prevent the conversion, and there was no way to verify whether he was bitten or not. But his blood is now forever on my hands, and only Avacyn gives me purification. <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">For this reason, and for many others, I pray you take me in your humble order. For me, there is no more sense to stay here in Gavony.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">With faith in Avacyn,

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">your sister, <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Lorelei

<p style="text-align: left;">PUBLIC DECREE

<p style="text-align: left;">

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Town of Hanweir <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">It is hereby decreed <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">On this 33rd day of Hunter's Moon

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">the area of the graveyard and especially <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">THE BLOOD-SOAKED GRAVE <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">is forbidden and furthermore

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">-DAILY- <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">CHUCH ATTENDANCE IS COMPULSORY <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Until such time as the curse is deemed broken

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">by order of <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Jurgen Garensun <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">The Mayor of Hanweir

<p style="text-align: left;">RABEN, CATHAR OF AVACYN'S JOURNAL

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">60th of Hunter's Moon, Ava. 719

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">This book was once a place of solace for me. A refuge. Now that its prayers have somehow faded from its pages, I cannot help but think that it is a sign that Avacyn has forsaken me.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">My father has sent me on a mission for yet another of the weapons. I haven't the heart to tell him that each of these quests has proven to be near fatal. I cannot let him down is it heresy to say that I fear his disappointment more than Avacyn's?

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">He has given me the name of a village; Hanwier. After a long journey, and a short battle with a band of brigands, I arrived this night to the shuttering of windows and closing of doors. Whether this place is cursed as its inhabitants believe remains to be seen. The curse of mistrust is flourishing however.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">So this book, once a place I went to for enlightenment, now becomes a place that will hopefully enlighten others. For I have little doubt that this is my final sortie. If I do not return, I pray to Avacyn that this book finds its way home.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Father, if you are reading this, I am sorry for failing you.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Raben

<p style="text-align: left;">RABEN'S JOURNAL

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">61st of Hunter's Moon, Ava. 719

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">A most enlightening day, indeed.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">The town, appearing most deserted, was in fact filled with cowering peasants. I presented my patents to the mayor, a fattened calf named Jurgen. He eyed the scroll and waxed seals nervously, then relented to their obvious authority.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">He then proceeded to stammer out the story of a local thatcher who had returned to the village after a journey, bleeding and near death. Once he had reached the chapel, he fell dead at its doorstep.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">What came next confirmed my suspicions that this was the man I was sent to find. The mayor led me to the graveyard, where a grave ringed in red dirt resided. This blood-soaked grave could only be the final resting place of the man who had been kissed by the blade I seek.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">To the sheer horror of the humble townsfolk, I ordered his body exhumed. There was much protest, but the power of the church prevailed and the digging commenced. The work proceeded until dusk, when the worker's shovels at last clanked against wood.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">The simple casket was saturated with blood, its timbers nearly falling apart. Once opened, a bloody tide poured forth, to the screams and gasps of the gathered locals. Floating within, body of Pitre the Thatcher rested.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Just as Father had told, his wound continued to pump forth blood. It is no wonder the people of this town feel they are cursed. After sketching the message that had been carved into his flesh, I had his remains purified by fire. May Avacyn show him the mercy that this life did not.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(225, 228, 242); ">Raben



<p style="text-align: left;">