Midleaf

## Description

Midleaf is very welcoming upon entering the city and mostly consists of Halflings. They often hold celebrations and have happy lives. The area is fully forested and the homes are made of clay and wood. Some homes are even tree houses. A nice manor made of logs sits in the very center of the town. The forest grows inside and all around the town. But, they have a dark secret. Every month, a tribute is placed in a cage for a creature to devour. The town has a deal with this creature that as long as someone is placed in the cage every month, the creature will not rampage and go on a killing spree.

## Tarnad Bronzespirit

A very jolly Halfling leader, and keeper of one of the Masks. Beloved by all. He has 6 children, but his wife passed away due to an illness. Tinli, Finli, Winli, Ginli, Kinli, Binli: children of Tarnad. He is very welcoming to any guest and has a heart of gold. That's more than just a saying. Tarnad has an intricately designed heart made of forbidden Claiborne gold. Tarnad used his Mask to kick start the heart, which then began its endless beat.

The heart was created by Gael, a skilled Halfling craftsman. Tarnad's love for all things cheese took a toll on his health. Celebrations for birthdays, holidays, annual events, and their monthly banquet tore his heart apart. The town hidden from trouble soon found itself surrounded by it. The damage was done. Tarnad's fate was sealed... with an asterisk.

The lost God, Claiborne, left behind remnants of her power in the form of a mineral. This mineral is known as Claiborne Gold. It can be found in the depths of Leanis. Scholars, sorcerers, and wizards alike unanimously deem it to be cursed. With this knowledge, Gael presented Tarnad with an idea. Harvest the gold and use its power make their great leader, Tarnad, immortal. Gael, being just a Halfling, did not fully grasp how dangerous a curse could be.

Tarnad returned to full health. The town rejoiced. The celebrations continued. All was joyous for many years, until one fateful night...

## The Fingers of Claiborne

Twelve times the size of a Halfling. Twelve fingers, lined with teeth, form the mouth. This monstrosity first arrived in the kingdom on a foggy night. Lured in by the ticking of Tarnad's golden heart, this creature seeks to feed on the crunchy citizens of Midleaf. Just one Halfling a month is all it takes to sate its appetite. Eventually, the citizens realized this.

Tarnad devised a plan to sacrifice one member of their kingdom per month. Others denied his way, and started religions in the name of the beast in hopes to earn its favor. Open worshipers of the fingers were banished from Midleaf. The rest continue to worship in secret.

Supporters of Tarnad's plan gathered once a month to vote for the next sacrifice. Most of the votes went to the town rapists. When there were no rapists, the votes went to the burglars. When burglars ran out, it went to the town drunks. When the drunks were spent, it went to whoever annoyed the voters last. They place the chosen sacrifice in a cage, handcrafted by Gael. By morning, the cage would be torn to pieces, and the blood would have to be cleaned by the departed's family.

## Gael

"It's a tricky thing, designing the cage. It has to be strong enough to hold the sacrifice securely, but not too sturdy that it would give the fingers any trouble."

The guilt weighed heavy on Gael. Years of crafting sacrifice chambers has worn him down. Thousands of Halflings asking the same question: "why us?" He's certain he knows the answer, but his, and Tarnad's life, depend on it being kept secret. After all, it's only once a month. A small price to pay for a great leader, and good times for years to come.

To ease this guilt, Gael presents Tarnad with a new idea. Venture out, invite new, varied people to our kingdom. Stockpile outsiders from the other lands and use them as sacrifices. No more Halflings. Tarnad, tired of seeing his people turning into buckets of sludge, likes this idea. In an effort to diversify the town, Tarnad sends Gael out to seek travelers in search of refuge.

It's not long before Gael stumbles upon a group a travelers...