It was a pleasant, quaint little cottage deep within the forest. Jerrafon lounged upon a wide, soft couch. Across the small table sat his gracious host, Harkon Lukas. Jerrafon munched on a few finger sandwiches, while Harkon swirled a half-full glass of some imported wine.
"So, let me get this straight," started Jerrafon. "You rule Kartakass? A king of sorts?"
"Something like that, yes."
"Forgive my impertinence, but why is it I've never heard of you? Nor have I heard anyone mention the name Harkon Lukas? Apart from 'the famous bard Harkon Lukas,' of course."
"Of course! To answer your questions, however, you need a bit of background. You've heard the name Strahd von Zarovich, ruler of neighboring Barovia? Or perhaps Vlad Drakov, lord of Falkovnia?"
"Naturally. But the stories I've heard are of invading armies, or extreme intolerance. Not men that would invite a nobody into their house. You hardly seem the type," countered the young Caldur.
"Ah, but they are no longer 'men.' The two I've mentioned are vampires, now. I just want to make sure you have all the facts. I may be no vampire, but I have more in common with them than you might think." Jerrafon squinted, obviously confused. "Basically, each of the rulers in this place were given land by some greater, sinister power. The land sort of 'grows' outward from the center, originally formed as Barovia. That's what Strahd claims, anyway."
"But, how are the lords brought here? And how are these 'grown' lands populated?" prodded Jerrafon.
"Ah, that's a bit complicated. Nearly all the rulers were brought here from other places, other times. Myself, I was born and raised in a land called Cormyr, on a world called Faerûn. The lord of Hazlan, a mad wizard named Hazlik, hails from the land of Thay, also on Faerûn. But I get ahead of myself.
"From what I can gather, young Caldur, all rulers of this place have done something terrible and evil in their pasts. This act, whatever it may be, triggers us to be brought here. I started in the land of Barovia, but it was not for me. Somehow, I found my way here, and have ruled over it ever since."
"If I may be so bold, Master Lukas, what act caused your relocation?"
"Be so bold you may, Jerrafon! It was once my greatest desire to lord over those lesser than myself. I killed many, hoping to take over through fear. Strolling through a village one foggy night, I found myself lost in heavy mist. A few moments later, I found myself in Barovia. I tried defeating Strahd there, but was driven back. And here I am."
Jerrafon thought for a moment, then said, "Kartakass is nice and all, but it's not much of a kingdom, if you ask me." He suddenly felt very stupid saying that.
"Hah hah, yes! It is my own curse, handed down by whomever created this place. My desire may be to rule, yet, as you so dangerously point out, there is little in Kartakass worth ruling. Hence, I try to keep a low profile, letting the regional mayors do the administrative grunt work. I'd rather travel, hunting and singing.
"In answer to your next question, the residents of a new land appear various ways. Many are drawn here from other worlds, either due to some evil act of their own, or because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Second, people may end up here at random, trying to escape other lands. Finally, some people are created out of nothing, like the land. Your mother is one such example. Regardless of method, anyone here inherently knows of this land, as if it had always existed. Only rulers of the domains are immune. We always know when new lands are formed, or old lands are destroyed. However, rulers can never leave their own domain. Another of the little jokes at our expense."
"Then, Master Lukas, why tell me this? It seems to me, if you're keeping a low profile, you wouldn't be in the business of telling wandering farmhands about it."
"You are a smart one, Caldur. I recently received information that you would be nearby. The recent events in these lands have something to do with you, as best I can tell. I'm told I can't kill you, so pleasant conversation seemed the next best option." Harkon Lukas began to chuckle to himself. "You have a power in you, one I would like to know more about. Perhaps when you master it, you might come back and tell me about it? Ah, I see the hour grows late. Being the 'master bard' that I am, I enjoy singing before I sleep. Might you join me in a song or two before we surrender to fatigue?"
Jerrafon Caldur and Harkon Lukas sang duets until the early morning hours, having a grand time.
Jerrafon was dreaming, of this he was sure. He stood in some sort of tavern. The taproom was abuzz with chatter. Mostly humans populated the building, but there were a few elves, some dwarves, and a few humanoids Jerry didn't recognize. Outside, the air was hot and dry. Figuring he didn't have anything else to do, Jerry approached the bar, to order himself a drink.
Hearing a familiar voice, Jerrafon turned around, noting a much younger Harkon Lukas regaling patrons with some fantastic (and most likely fictional) tale. Elsewhere, he spotted a bald-headed man with wild eyes, blue tattoos decorating the red-robed man's pate. "Hazlik, I presume?" muttered Jerrafon, under his breath.
Snippets of conversation drifted to Jerry's ears.
"Did you hear? Another three murders last night! I hear tell it was wolves! Tore my neighbor to shreds, they did! I'm sleeping with the windows boarded, to be sure..."
"They say the agents of Bane are on the loose. To what purpose, I don't know, but wizard or no, everyone in Thay is at risk!"
"Aye, the fog be rolling in thick. Thick enough to get lost in. I know this one guy..."
Jerry tried to tune it all out, as he sat at the bar. A few seats to his left sat a small blue creature. Not quite a man or dwarf, he did seem somehow wizened. "Confused and lost? Yes, of course. Shall I clarify, Mr. Caldur?" The voice was squeaky, but belied a great power and understanding.
"Excuse me, but have we met? I think I'd remember a blue friend."
"We have, and we shall. This be not your time, Caldur. This is the before time. Experience the after time, you will. Upon completion, shall you return to the before time, and reset the future to your past. It is then that we have met. This is your destiny, be you ready or not. I wish thee luck, Jerrafon Caldur of Kartakass."
The room faded from view, and Jerry again found himself floating in space. Below was a new planet. He felt a power growing within him, a deeper understanding of the nature of things. Jerrafon concentrated on the planet below, sensing thousands of people. Some of these residents felt his presence, and looked to the sky; looked at him. In their hearts, Jerrafon felt hope; a need for direction, of protection. It was then that Jerrafon knew. He could provide that direction, with nothing but a thought.
Jerrafon felt it inside. He knew everyone on this planet, intimately. He knew their hopes and dreams. What they felt, who they loved, when they were born, when they died. He could follow their bloodlines and fates down through the centuries, back to creation. Then, he felt the darkness.
Just as before, the darkness crept in slowly, from behind. Pure hatred. Pure evil, given form. The planet was doomed. Only Jerrafon stood in the way, but he didn't know how to stop it. The darkness had a different idea. As it passed, it tried to envelop him, to bend him to its will. Jerry could feel it, taste it inside himself.
In the blink of an eye, Jerry was once again ripped from his dream. Bolting out of bed, Jerrafon knew he no longer stood in Kartakass.