A Cat's Guide to Rise of the Runelords

A Cat’s Guide to Rise of the Runelords, Part 2

Travis HerringFiction Leave a Comment

Having no idea where I was going or what to do about it, I had to quickly decide whether I would make for parts known or unknown. Terrenhault is only a day’s ride north of Haven, on a hill at the southern edge of the Sanos Forest, just west of the Shimmerglens marshlands. From the walls, it is a matter of an hour’s ride around the lake to enter the wild forest between the Malgorian Mountains and the Iron Peaks to the northeast. Known to harbor wild elves, Terrenhault long ago made a pact with them to allow a trade route between Terrenhault and Ravenmoor (so long as the traders and pilgrims do not leave the well-marked trail.)

I could head to Terrenhault if I wished. After all, my mother was there visiting my grandparents. She might have choice words to share with my father if I told her what had happened, but that reminded me too much of when I would run to her and cry about how unfair he was when he would yell at me as a child. I had brought this on myself. There was no point in running to her over a decision I made of my own free will.

A Cat's Guide to Rise of the Runelords, Part 1Map Copyright Paizo

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Besides, she would find out soon enough.

“And really,” I told myself when I considered the option, “what would she be able to do about it anyway?” It pained me that there would be no last words between us, but it would only stir up more trouble if I went to Terrenhault. Besides, people there knew me, and my reputation would eventually catch up and cause issues for my father if I stayed.

It was better to go, as I said, anywhere else.

From Haven, the trade road ran directly south to the gnomish town of Whistledown, on the Dry Way. From there, I could choose to head west toward Wartle and, eventually, Magnimar. Or east to Ilsurian and far-off Korvosa. The Saint had gained Her title in Korvosa when Iomedae had protected her from a Hellknight duel she refused to contest. Her following was, if possible, even larger there than in Terrenhault. A half-blood would draw more attention and, likely, my reputation would follow.

I could not go to Korvosa.

“Magnimar it is,” I whispered, standing there south of the gates of Haven. At least there, people would be less likely to have heard of The Saint, and I could possibly find a position at a temple of Calistria and continue my training. Besides, I’d always heard stories of that great city, with its colossal architecture and cosmopolitan ways. It would be fun to go somewhere my reputation was unlikely to follow.

Glad to have a destination, I set off. Hiking my pack to fit better, I set my first steps on the long road. Little did I know that something far more interesting than disappearing into the population of that great city lay in wait.

Haven sits perhaps twenty miles south of Terrenhault’s Trade Gate, beyond a low rolling set of light hills. After that, the way is flat and clear with the occasional copse of trees or stubbornly independent farmer’s home until one comes upon the glittering waters of Lake Syrantula and the rising smoke from the chimneys of Whistledown. So named because of the wooden charms the gnome residents carve and the eerie melodies they play in the evening breezes, Whistledown’s population is half human and half gnome, with the occasional mix of wayfarers from elsewhere. While the market is built for human use, most of the town is gnome-sized, with tiny homes and industries scattered throughout the hillside community. A single inn takes in travelers along the Dry Way.

Having walked the trip between Haven and Terrenhault many times, I was somewhat prepared for the forty-mile journey to Whistledown, but had no idea that my legs would be in agony by the time I arrived, well after dark. With naught but a bedroll and a blanket, and no prior experience sleeping in the wild, my mind played tricks on me as I forced my aching muscles to carry me another step until I saw the moon glinting off the lake and the lights of the town at the road’s end. Staggering into the inn, I asked for a bed to sleep in, a meal to eat, and possibly a bath to rejuvenate my sore legs.

“You have not been to Whistledown before, have you?” asked the young man behind the counter, grinning.

“No. Why?”

He looked me over, eyes catching on my ears before remembering to meet my gaze as he spoke. “We have one of the best hot springs east of Magnimar!” he boasted. “Your room includes access to the springs!”

“Wonderful,” I muttered, rubbing my legs and wishing I could use Sarushna’s techniques on myself. I could, to some effect, but it would not be the same. The fatigue of the long walk would cause a loss in efficiency, and all I really wanted was something to eat and a warm bed.

“Let’s get that belly sated,” he said, hearing my stomach rumble. “Some good food, a nice drink, and a soak will set you right, I tell you. It does for every other traveler who comes through!”

My smile was less than full, but I nodded and made my way to a table after dropping the requisite coins on his counter. A few minutes later, a trencher of bread filled with a stew of potatoes, carrots, venison, and herbs was set before me, along with a glass of Whistedown Red. I barely tasted the stew, I ate it so fast. The wine set my head to buzzing, a blend of black pepper notes, red cherry, red plum, and blackberries that went down so smoothly that I was light-headed after just the one glass.

The youth woke me from my daze when he came to clean the table. “Don’t go sleeping yet, milady,” he said gaily. “After a long walk, a bit of wine will do that, but I assure you, you’ll be hurting in the morning if you don’t take care of yourself. The springs are in the back, thataway.” He gestured at an archway. “Take your time and enjoy, but don’t stay in too long!”

The hot springs were in the back of the inn, surrounded by a high wall to protect privacy. A number of chests were set up with keys in the lock for anyone to use while they bathed. Separate rooms allowed the visitor to strip down, grab a towel, and step onto the low wooden porch overlooking the springs. Once I had removed my garments, I stepped into the hot waters, hissing at the heat before slowly making my way to the back of the pool and relaxing against a tall stone. I kept the key rolled up in a cloth I could use to wipe myself down, setting it on the stones next to me while I closed my eyes and letting the warmth work its way into my body.

I was more tired than I thought. I passed out for a time from weariness and the wine, only to jolt awake when I heard someone else join me in the steaming waters. Blinking in confusion, I looked for the source of the sound and found …

A blue-skinned woman with long white hair …

I blinked again, sure I was still dreaming. She was utterly captivating! Her skin was a powdery blue, her hair the white of new-fallen snow. A snowflake-shaped pin made of blue crystal sat in her hair, keeping her long locks from her shoulders. She was slightly bigger than I, with pleasantly round hips and a chest to match hidden behind crossed arms. When she turned to see me staring, I saw that she had the clearest blue eyes. Apparently, she had the same sort of reaction to me, as her eyes went wide and she stared, her eyes roving my figure and focusing on my ears.

I suppose I should take this moment to describe myself. I am Half-Blooded, as I said earlier. Half-Bloods can be of any coloration, whether that be skin tone or hair. It has nothing to do with our parents, it seems, being something random related to the artifact or whatever allowed The Saint and her wife to become pregnant by one another. I happen to have been born with pale skin, green eyes, and red hair a shade brighter than anything I have ever been able to match in fabrics. Like other Half-Bloods before me, I am small in stature and slender, especially when compared to catfolk. Even male Half-Bloods are rarely as tall as humans of their sex and females tend to be more slender than our human compatriots.

“What … are you?” she asked after a moment, gazing at me in absolute surprise.

And that is how I met my best friend, occasional lover, and travelling companion, Mina Cutiva.


A Cat’s Guide to Rise of the Runelords” is an unofficial fiction not endorsed by Paizo. It takes place in their “Inner Sea” game setting and explores the “Rise of the Runelords” adventure path.


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Game master for over 30 years, father of one, author of a self-published novel ("Zero" - available at Amazon.com) and several short stories/character pieces. I speak Japanese near-fluently, have lived in Japan and have a BA in Japanese Cultural Studies and an MBA focused in International Business. I am a fan of anime of all kinds, play Pathfinder weekly with a group of friends and play a lot of video games. Best known for my Halo 3 Master Chief, Halo: Reach Noble 6 and Warhammer 40K Space Marine cosplays. While I have a ton of experience, I am not always right, so if you bring an argument, back it up with facts and you might actually change my mind!

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