OCtober Day 11: Penumbra, the Obscure

I’d been travelling this realm alone for the better part of my time here. I lent my aid a few times to passing parties of adventurers, but I felt it best not to get too attached. One quest here and there was fairly harmless. However, though the land and seas were full of riches, those came at a price. Chaos and destruction were a natural part of the order here. Whether it be a wild creature, an unholy demon or a wayward soul, blood would be spilt. Much of it I bore witness to first hand. My role of observer often made it difficult to change things; there’s only so much of my power I can let be known.

It was a late evening. The stars were just starting to peek through the twilight veil in the sky. Shops were closing up, and I had come wandering in, weary from walking miles through the countryside. My feet dragged through to the closest inn. Luckily, there were still rooms free, so I paid for a bed, a hot meal and a good sized tankard of ale. Once settled, I’d only begun chewing on the gristle when a pleasant melody permeated the room. My ears twitched, looking for the source. 

It took a moment, but thanks to the small crowd that had gathered, I managed to spot the tiefling standing on one of the tables. They were playing a unique, and soulful tune on a violin. The tiefling stood about average height for their race, skin a bloody shade of red, and eyes as dark as the hair and horns on their head. The demonic fellow was dressed in beautiful black robes. Any tools, bags or weapons were laid by their feet on the table, guarded by two mischievous looking imps. It seems the tiefling had caught me staring, as with a wink they switched up the tune to something more playful and lively. This resonated well with the audience, as party members and regulars alike began dancing along in drunken delight. Myself, I did not join in, for I still had a hot meal to eat. So, I simply sat and watched. Seems I caught the interest of the entertainer, as I noticed those shadowy eyes glance my way every so often. There was another reason I didn’t want to play into their frivolities quite yet. Something about the darkness emanating from this seemingly fun loving tiefling. It was familiar, and unsettling. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it though, so once I had cleaned my plate, I hauled my things off to bed for a night’s rest.

When the morning sun rose, and I had wandered down for breakfast, I was not remiss to find the tiefling still loitering around. The horned being saddled themselves across from me. Clawed hands clasped under their chin as they stared, a smirk present on their face. Things are quiet for a moment. Eventually, I bite and speak up.

“Is there something you needed from me?”

Their eyebrow raises coyly.

“Why, I was just admiring the masterpiece before me” they purred.

“Ah, I’m flattered, but I’m just passing through” I say, trying to be friendly about it. They shrug, seeming casual about it.

“Well, perhaps you could still give me the pleasure of your company for a short while?”

“Oh, well...why me?” I ask curiously. That uncertain suspicion is slowly creeping back, but I’m trying to suppress it.

“You were so quiet at the shindig last night. Quiet people are mysterious, and I’m drawn to mystery. My name is Penumbra, by the way. Some like to add ‘the Obscure’ on top of that, for I too am considered quite the mystery” they finish with a flourish of the hand. To add to the drama, on the beat of the gesture come flying in the two imps from last night. “Find Familiar is a useful spell. Thelma and Louise, my travelling companions. Now, what may I call you?”

I sigh, resigning myself to the conversation. This eccentric tiefling seems interesting anyhow.

“I’m known simply as M”

Penumbra whistles.

“Very shady, I like it. So, what brings you here?” they ask slyly.

“Exploring mostly. Been up and down most of this land by now” I explain whilst working my way through the eggs.

“No party with you?”

“I can take care of myself. How about you? I see no party with you either, aside your small friends here”

Penumbra leans back in their chair, nonchalantly glancing over the groups of warriors ready to set out. They let out a quiet, almost sad “hmm”.

“It’s just me right now, has been for a while” they begin. “Although, I’m hoping to find a group that’ll take in eventually. It’s not been...easy”

That confuses me.

“Based on your performance last night, you seem quite a charismatic fellow. It strikes me as odd that you’ve any troubles making friends”

Penumbra scoffs.

“The burdens of one’s past can be quite detrimental to your future self. In other words, let’s just say my younger self was something of a bastard” they chuckle, looking back at me. For a moment, flames from the kitchen flicker in the corner of my eyes, combining with those dark orbs of theirs...and I remember something.

Something distant, something vague, and something horrible. 

A child screaming echoes in my head. Quick visions of a town engulfed in flames, people dragging each other out from ashes, and a shadow fleeing the scene.

When I come back to, I notice Penumbra staring me dead in the eyes. Their expression has become quite serious all of a sudden. Before I can open my mouth, they speak in a deep, hushed tone.

“How much do you know?”

Unsure of how to respond, I pause for a moment. Then, I realise, I can just play the same card.

“...Ebonstall. The town that burned to the ground in one night. They said it was troubled townsperson who did it, but they were never caught”

Penumbra looks panicked, immediately gathering their things.

“And they never will” I hear them mumble. 

Realising the implications, I try to stop them leaving. I want to ask more questions. There’s clearly more to the story here, based on the way this young tiefling is trembling. Thelma and Louise fly in-between us, so I can’t get close. Penumbra looks away from me, though offers one last answer

“Look...I’m trying. But, I can’t stay as long as anyone knows. I can’t...let it catch up to me. If you have any mercy, you’ll tell no-one we that we ever spoke” the words spill quickly, like liquid fire burning a bridge between the rapport we began to build.

Penumbra runs, imps following soon after. I choose to have mercy, and do not follow.