Forest Of Insects

Your name is Freia, a young blond elven girl from the town of Rjan'a.

You are a researcher on animals and nature, but you specialize in what goes on in the underbrush, the little critters that make all forests truly alive: bugs and insects.

This fascination began when you were young and your mother took you to the local river. There, you and your mother observed a cacoon's transformation into a gorgeous moth. Everything about life had been summarized in a few hours of peace and serenity. It was dreamy.

From that day, you would spend more and more time with bugs.

When your sexual drive began to awaken, the closest things were those same bugs so dear to your heart, and as your mother had died of an illness not long ago, you would have been alone without them. They became more than just a passion, they became the object of all your passions.

Sadly for you, once you had reached maturity, society called to you, and you had to take a job to afford your place in the world. You became a waitress at the local tavern.

This is where your final chapter begins.

"...so many of them! Nasty stingers and chattering mandibles...", you overhear from a nearby table.
You look up at the group of adventurers sharing a drink of pale ale.
"Well?", asks a redhead dwarf, "what's the big deal? We have seen insects everywhere, low-level monsters they are!"
"These are different", the human cleric continues, "these..."
She leans over the table and whispers:

"These...ones are vicious in ways I have never heard of. Of course, I have never been there, but I have heard that they will lure and immobilize their prey, to then...copulate with them!"

"What?", the redhead slams a hand on the table.

As everyone turned to look at the ruckus, the group quieted down. Your curiousity had peaked, but you couldn't idle much longer without drawing in suspicion.

You kept an eye on the group, waiting for the right moment. After many beers and loud vague proclamations, the group heads off. That is when you approach the blonde human .

"Excuse me, miss..."

"Ah, our cute waitress. Don't worry, we are not too drunk- we can handle much more than this!"

"With no doubt. I just wanted to ask...I overheard about the scary forest with the monster bugs. Do I have to fear venturing somewhere so nearby?"

"Oh no no, it's the forest of Viaiset, you know, behind the hill to the east? Plus, those bugs are only active in Spring, so as long as you don't go there for these few months you will be ok!"

"Thank you kindly! Safe travels!"

The human waved and the group disappeared into the night, leaving you behind with a grip on your heart.

That night, you explained how you had to go visit a family member who was sick. With much anger from the owner of the tavern and the promise that you would have to beg on your knees to be hired again, you head home and begin to pack. It was only a rumor, yes, but one you had read about in books before and heard on the streets from time to time. What you did not know was when the forest became so...alive.

Ready to adventure, dressed in your white and light green traditional elven dress, you head to the east, towards Viaiset forest. From the following morning, it will take only one day of hiking, lifts from merchants, and adventuring groups.

And after a restless sleep at a local inn...

You are at the entrance of the Viaiset forest. The smell of moisture, distant rustling and the romantic pink and orange lights of the dawn fill you with true joy.

Armed with a notebook in which you are planning to write all about the bugs' mating ritual, you step into the perimeter of tall acacia trees and berry bushes, and descend into nature.