ROs:

THE RESEARCHER: Vyn (they/them)

A scatterbrained researcher and magizooligist, who is fascinated to see a creature even they don't recognize. Excitable and driven by their unending curiosity, Vyn insists on tagging along on your journey. They're incredibly smart, and have been offered multiple positions at various prestigious institutes... that they've turned down in favor of spending their time staring at bugs. Vyn’s tendency to wander makes them difficult to form a real connection with, something they’ve insisted they’re fine with—but they’d be lying if they said it didn’t get a bit lonely sometimes.

(Themes of neurodivergency, loneliness, and finding your place)

(Vyn is aromantic. They can be "romanced," but not in a traditional sense. You can be friends, queerplatonic partners, or romantic partners. In a romantic route, Vyn is still aro! They're not going to engage with this relationship like an allo person would.)

THE ACADEMIC: Lyra (she/her)

The daughter of the prestigious Augusti family was born with very little magical energy, a stark difference from her family. Lyra has been sheltered and kept mostly a secret since birth, both for her protection and the protection of the Augusti legacy. Though a bit late, Lyra is embarking on her Quest to throw off her family name and come into her own identity as a scholar of magical theory. As gentle as she is stubborn, Lyra has spent her life learning the intricacies of magic, and how she can make it work for her.

(Themes of disability, self acceptance, and growth)

THE ARTIFICER: Aster (he/him)

An engineer specializing in integrating technology and magic. The only thing Aster loves more than machines is his Phoenix companion—his pactmate is the most important thing in the world to him, and the two are so closely bonded they may as well share a soul. Aster is an open book, and exudes the kind of genuine warmth that makes you feel like laughing with friends around a campfire, but the burn scars that cover his left arm point to his fierce dedication and willingness to jump into fire for those he cares about.

(Themes of community, companionship, and loyalty)

THE GUARDIAN: Eilivur (she/her)

Born with enough magical energy to make her glow in the dark, but preferring a greatsword, Eilivur found the life of a knight far too restricting for her. Instead, she protects the places that often fall through the cracks. Her very presence is intimidating enough to ward off crime, but the locals know she's the one to turn to when they need food, muscle, or just a shoulder to cry on. Ei isn't the most open of people—basing your identity and sense of self around being a protector doesn’t exactly lend itself to vulnerability—but she's a steady presence for those who need her.

(Themes of classism, community, and vulnerability)

THE GUIDE: Jae (xe/xem)

Parents tell their children stories of an old witch in the woods who will eat them if they get lost. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Jae is a guide of the dead, a ranger who has sworn an oath to silence among the living. Xe’s not bothered by the stories, though—the woods are dangerous, and xe has enough passed children coming to them confused. Xe’s very private, and if people find xem unsettling, that just means xe can do xir work in peace.

They say there’s a witch in the woods. That’s why you need to stay in town. The witch knows the way around better than you ever could. You can’t hide from them. They don’t want you there. They’ll eat you, some say. When children get old enough to roll their eyes at that tale, they still whisper about human sacrifices and being slowly drained for blood.

There’s a witch in the woods, so stay in town.

Carolie meant to listen, really. She believed the stories, even the silly ones, and she didn’t even play the games the other kids did, taking a couple steps in and then running back, giggling nervously. She’d never wanted to be anywhere near the woods.

But Fletcher had run in. He was shockingly fast for a cat so old, and he’d just skirted out the door when she’d opened it. Immediately, she’d thrown her bag to the ground, school forgotten, chasing after him, but froze when she reached the forest's edge.

Being a rather anxious child, she’d once asked her father what they would do if Fletcher got into the woods. He’d paused for a very long time, and then carefully told her that as much as they loved Fletcher, the woods…

He hadn’t finished his sentence, but she’d understood. They would not go to retrieve him.

What could she have done? Her parents wouldn’t go for him. She couldn’t just leave, she couldn’t. Fletcher was older than her. She didn’t know how to live without him.

She’d planned, of course. All of her scout training had finally come in handy, and she’d ventured into the trees prepared with water, snacks, and a compass. She’d refused to turn even slightly, forcing her way through brambles to ensure she didn’t get turned around.

The witch did not make the woods dangerous. The woods did that themselves.

Her compass wouldn’t work correctly, needle spinning. A root tripped her, and all the grass seemed to sharpen to scrape her palms as she fell. The wind through the trees sounded almost like laughing, strengthening as the ground began to give way, solid dirt unnaturally melting into peat and swampland.

Carolie had scrambled to her feet, stumbling backwards. She couldn’t do it. Not when the ground itself threatened her. She turned, ready to run to her father and cry, but the edge of the forest was gone. It was all just endless trees, leering at her.

She hadn’t been walking long enough for that. Not nearly long enough. The laughing of the wind grew stronger, and she began to cry.

Three of the stories about the witch in the woods are true. Xe knows the woods better than anyone, you cannot hide from xem, and xe does not want people in xir forest. The others are nonsense, but xe doesn’t mind them, if it keeps people safely within the town’s borders.

Jae stiffens as xe hears soft sobbing. The sound is unfamiliar, too messy to be an illusion. Carefully, xe creeps towards the source, stepping daintily between roots and plants so xe doesn’t upset anything. The sound grows louder, and xe ducks under a fern to see a young girl curled at the edge of a bog, sobbing into her arms.

Jae knows immediately that she is dead, and xir heart sinks.

Xir job never gets easier, especially when it concerns a child.

Jae kneels beside the girl, clearing xir throat. It is sore from months of disuse—or has it been longer? The tattoo on xir wrist binds xem to silence with any but the dead, and xe will not complain about less chances to use it.

“Child,” xe says softly, and winces at how raspy xir voice is. The girl jumps, turning to xem, eyes red from crying. Her face is one of panic, and Jae quickly raises xir hands, attempting to make xemself as non-threatening as xe can be in what must look to the girl like a funeral dress.

“You’re—” the girl stutters, and Jae nods.

“I am who you know as the witch, but I am not here to hurt you. My name is Jae. Can you tell me yours?”

The girl hesitates. “You can call me Carolie,” she says after a moment, and Jae notes her wording: not giving xem the name. Clever girl. Xe won’t take it from her, but plenty of things in the woods would.

“Carolie,” xe says. This part never gets any easier. “I’m sorry to tell you that you are dead.”

Xe’s seen every reaction under the sun. Most don’t believe it, not at first. Some get angry. Some are too young to even fully understand what that means. One young man that sticks out particularly well in xir memories had smiled and told xem he’d meant to be.

Carolie’s reaction is not new. She crumples, like every part of her has finally given up. Her body is wracked with sobs, like the tears are happening to her rather than something she is doing. Jae doesn’t say anything, and simply lets the child cry.

“So,” Carolie sniffs, hiccuping through their tears. “You… What are you? Are you dead too?”

“No,” Jay says. They stand, and offer a hand to Carolie. After some hesitation, she takes it and stumbles to her feet. “I am a Reaper. Have you heard of us?”

“Um, I don’t think so.”

“That’s alright. We’re not as common as we used to be. But places like this… still need us.” Xe shows her the tattoo on xir wrist, a raven with its head tucked in, and begins to walk with the girl back to xir cabin. “We’re monks, I suppose. We speak with the dead. The newly dead. We… help them cross over. People get lost here.”

“What happens when they get lost?”

Jae sighs. “It’s my job to make sure they don’t. Or, they don’t stay lost, at least. I’ve never seen it happen, but my Teachers have. Too long lost, and they start to blend with everything around them. They lose themselves. Scatter until there’s nothing left but shadows sinking into the ground. Some choose that end, but… not here.”

Beside xem, Carolie shivers. She won’t feel the cold of her own body, so Jae knows it’s from the thought of eternity as a part of this forest.

They stop in front of Jae’s cabin. Xe prides xemself on making it comforting, not just for xem, but for the poor souls that spend their last hours there. In the starlight, the glassware they’ve collected over the years glitters, and the lichen on the trees that have learned kindness glows.

“Pretty,” whispers Carolie, and Jae smiles.

Xe leads her inside, lit with magically safe candles, and crouches to greet xir companion. Xir bond with Aria has not waned over the years, and xe feels his shared warmth and grief at the return.

Carolie stiffens when she sees the cat. “Fletcher,” she chokes out, beginning to cry again. Aria bounds away without a word from Jae, who sits on one of xir many pillows and nods for Carolie to do the same.

“Who’s Fletcher?” xe asks gently.

“My kitty,” Carolie cries. “He ran into the woods, I was chasing him. He’s too old to be alone.”

Jae pushes down xir own emotions. There will be time to cry later. Now, xe is a vessel for Carolie, a guide, a Reaper.. This is not the time to scream at the stars that her death is not fair.

“My birds will search for him,” xe says instead, keeping xir voice steady. “Cats are very good at surviving this place.” In the back of xir mind, xe feels Aria purr at the praise. While he's far from a normal cat, xe's right: light pawsteps and a good eye go a long way. Xe chides him to get back to searching. The least they can do for this girl is show her cat to safety.

Sniffing, Carolie sits. Jae reaches for xir usual tea, and then pauses. She can't be older than ten. Maybe not tea, then. "Would you like some cocoa?" xe asks instead, and the girl nods. With a flick of xir hand, the water pot begins to heat.

"What…" Carolie says, rubbing at her eyes. "What happens to me now?"

"Nothing yet," Jae assures her. "We have some time. Rest, child. Aria will return with your cat soon. Fletcher, right?"

"…yeah."

"Alright. Lets leave the rest until then, okay?"

Carolie sniffs again, but nods. "Okay."

By the time Aria returns, a purring tabby (covered in burrs, but unharmed) trotting behind him, Carolie has relaxed. She's gleefully giggling as she beats Jae at her favorite card game for the third time. Jae swears xe's not just humoring her: the game is deceptively simple, something that could only be conjured by bored children.

"Fletcher!" Carolie cries, opening her arms as the cat launches himself at her. She giggles as he roughly licks her face, and Jae feels Aria threatening xem to never hold him like that. Xe swears xe won't, though the idea is amusing.

Carolie frowns suddenly, watching Fletcher curl in her lap. "I'm… I'm dead, right?"

Jae flinches, almost imperceptibly. "Yes," xe says, trying to keep xir voice from shaking.

"Why can he touch me?"

"Cats are special," xe says. "Some, like Aria here, can walk freely among the dead." As if showing off, he fades, and Jae feels his barely-there tail brush xir face. "But most have just enough magic to see what others can't." Xe chuckles softly. "And the stubbornness to make it see them, too."

Carolie laughs, but it dies quickly. "What now?"

Jae glances out the window. The sun is setting. There is never enough time. Xe stands.

"Follow me."

There is a clearing in the forest. A place where the looming trees shrink back, allow the air to breathe. The creeping moss gives way to gentle grass. Directly above is Rashi's constellation, no matter what time of year. Jae swears xe can see it even in broad daylight. One of those quirks of the woods xe's never quite figured out, xe supposes.

Sitting there with Carolie, xir seldom-used voice gives the same answers xe always gives. The only ones xe can.

"Is it going to hurt?"

"I don't think so. The hard part is over, I hope."

"What happens? Where do I go?"

"I don't know. Somewhere kind, I hope."

"Can I stay?"

"…no. Not as yourself."

Carolie tugs at the grass, frustrated tears brewing in her eyes. "You're supposed to help me. You don't know anything? It's not fair."

She's right. None of it is fair: Carolie being in the forest, or Jae's helplessness to ease her journey enough to even half make up for it.

"I'm sorry. I wish I knew more."

A moment passes in silence.

"Would you like to hear what I think happens?"

Slowly, Carolie nods.

Jae looks up at the stars. Xe'd sat here with an old man once, who spoke fondly of his late husband's love for Rashi's story until he faded.

"I think it's like waking up. Slowly, not suddenly. You hear muffled voices in the next room. You can't quite hear what they're saying, but they sound happy. They're laughing." It's a lie. Jae doesn't know what death is, any more than Carolie. Xe doesn't have the faintest guess what awaits her. But xe hopes it's something like this, and maybe that's enough. "Maybe the sun starts to creep up, and the birds start to sing. And the voices become clearer." Beside xem, Carolie takes a deep, shaky breath. "You wake up, like it's a weekend and you're ready to go to the park with your friends. It's not scary, or exciting. It's just natural."

"Can I have a hug?"

"Of course," Jae whispers, and Carolie clings to them, crying softly. It's not fair, but it's happening. It's not fair, but death never is. It's not fair, but neither is life. Xir job isn't fairness, just a home in between.

Silently, Jae recites xir prayers. Carolie deserves better than being stuck here. Death is not fair, but it will show kindness enough to take her from the branches if summoned correctly.

"Wake up, Carolie."

Jae stays in that clearing long after Carolie's soul has faded. It never gets easier. The only movement xe makes is a slight jump at Aria's nudge in xir mind, an image of Fletcher returned home. Jae thanks Aria for sparing xem the sight of grieving parents.

There's no body to return. The forest takes everything for itself. By the end of the week, not even bones will be left.

Xe can't stay here forever. Xir gardens need tending, and rest of the forest needs constant surveillance. Carolie is not the last person to wander through. Xir duties never end, and xe can't skip a day tomorrow just because xe's grieving.