It was dusk, the sun set behind the horizon yet still providing just enough light to see by. A collection of mud-brick homes sat between the hills by a river, with trees growing between them and across the landscape. In the village some Hain were walking and working, using the glowing yellow dust harvested from Duster Oozes to provide enough light to work by. These lights were a new invention, and their occurrence allowed the Hain to be outside and active hours past sunset, should they want to.

A mass of fur, string and hair snaked through the undergrowth, almost invisible in the shadows. It had been watching these developments, and it was excited. The Hain were playing themselves into its fibrous grasp, lingering outside in the dark where it could easily ambush them. It had stalked the village for a few days, watching their movements and anticipating a successful and enjoyable hunt.

Tonight, it found its target. A Hain child was playing outside, looking at the night sky and following the insects which emerged in the darkness, slowly straying from the village and the safe hands of the adults. Silently the Fiberling slithered closer, stretching over trees and through long grass until it stood only a meter behind the unwitting child, ready to pounce. It anticipated the rush of the attack, the tortured screams of the child, the terror of its village and parents as they watched on helpless as it dragged away its kill. It coiled up to jump and-

[color=Peru][b]"Halt."[/b][/color]

That word resonated through the Fiberling's core. It was not spoken particularly loudly, but it carried such absolute authority that the Fiberling froze in obedience to the command. The word was issued from a Hain, an adult male, wearing a leather apron and holding a well-crafted stone hammer in his hand. This Hain did not tremble in fear, nor was he driven to senseless violence against the being of the Other, but stood in absolute confidence and certainty.

[color=Peru][b]"Flee."[/b][/color]

The Fiberling felt a strong urge to run away from this village, but then it thought why it should follow such a command. It was its own master. It did not need to assent to the word of this Hain.

The child Hain had heard the call, saw the Fiberling, screeched in panic and ran towards the village. Seeing its prey fleeing, the Fiberling momentarily forgot the Hain commanding it and rearranged its hairs to pursue.

[color=Peru][b]"Halt. Flee."[/b][/color]

Again those words of power were spoken, this time more sternly, as the Fiberling was beginning to stretch his patience. He outstretched a hand, and the air around the Fiberling began to rise in temperature rapidly. If there had been sunlight, the air would be visibly distorted by mirage as temperatures soared, rising above the boiling point of water. The Fiberling felt this, and realised that if it didn't flee its hairs would char and then burst into flames. So, out of self-preservation, the bundle of hair flung itself away from the village as quickly as it could, disappearing into the trees.

The words, while directed at the Fiberling, had drawn the attention of the entire village, who felt the power ebbing in them. Villagers emerged from the huts to see what the commotion was. While a Fiberling attack was generally a tragic yet mundane event, something miraculous had happened that evening, and they knew it.

It was Gerrik who was the first to actually vocalise this suspicion. On top of sensing the power in the spoken words, he was also observant enough to feel the great heat emanating from the point where the Fiberling had been. "How did you do that? Those were no normal words you spoke. And what power could allow you to have heated the Fiberling up like that?"

Teknall realised that he would not be able to brush this display of power off too easily. Yet he still did not consider these Hain, even Gerrik, to be ready to know the full truth. [color=Peru]"I am a servant of the God of Crafting. It is his power, the power of Teknall, you have seen at work today. And, indeed, who has been at work ever since Gerrik and I arrived here, although in a less spectacular fashion."[/color]

This raised great interest amongst the Hain. They seemed to believe his explanation. Gerrik, however, found it odd that this had never been mentioned to him before. He did not speak against him, but he would remember this. Observe. Deduce. Question. If possible, he would find the truth behind the miracle this day, those on future days, and about the identity of Stone Chipper.

[hider=This time, in the adventures of Teknall and Gerrik...]
Jvan week contribution 1
A Fiberling stalks a village.
Fiberling goes to attack a child, but is halted by a divine command.
Teknall, enacting a miracle, drove off the Fiberling.
Teknall explains the miracle by claiming he is a servant of Teknall, the God of Crafting. Gerrik gets a little suspicious.

Of note, this forest village now has lamps made from bioluminescent material, collected from Duster Oozes. This technology will over time spread to any village with bioluminescent wildlife within hunting range.

No Might spent
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