[the phantom]

Along the southern edge of Brethil a stream spilled into the Teiglin. Four miles up that very stream was a small lake. And on that small lake was a small island. Or near island- for it was connected to the shore by a narrow strip of land, one hundred feet long and twenty wide.

On the island was a small village. The inhabitants were not all from Brethil originally, but they shared one common bond- each and every one were survivors of Werewolf villages. And so, when a chorus of howls broke out during the night, every last one of them knew what was ahead.

When the villagers exited their homes, they found the entire village surrounded by a dense fog. One villager tried to cross the land bridge through the fog, but he soon found himself emerging from the mist right back into the village. And so it was with everyone who made the attempt.

"This is new," said one villager. "I've survived two Werewolf villages and I've never seen anything like it."

The other villagers agreed. Not only did things look different- things felt different. But no one could quite say what the feeling was. "Something isn't right," said one. "I don't like it," said another.

Then there was a rumble, and a tearing sound, and at the land bridge a rent appeared in the wall of fog. Through the gap the villagers could see a shining figure, struggling to keep the vapors from closing. Nearly all the villagers felt a sudden and unexplainable sense of familiarity, and longed to embrace him.

"The enemy is few!" he cried. "Unite and you will be able to defeat them!"

"Help us!" shouted a villager.

"I will try!" returned the shining figure, who was quickly disappearing from view, his visage and voice being strangled by the fog. "Listen, my friends! You must know, this village is....."

But the remainder of his words could not be heard. The fog had closed completely. As the villagers turned and headed towards the village square, a voice spoke from the fog. It was powerful and beautiful, and more terrifying than any voice they had ever heard.

"Heed not the voice from the outside. It has no power to help you here in this place. Soon you will be dead. There is no escape. Kill, my children.... KILL!"