The pig was too thin.

So were the sacks of grain.

Three houses stood empty. Beastmen had taken some. Fever had taken others. The tax collector had taken what remained from one family.

Winter was coming.

And the villagers were preparing a feast.

**Stacy:**
“They don’t have enough.”

**Caelwyn:**
“No.”

**Stacy:**
“And they’re giving it away.”

**Caelwyn:**
“Yes.”

**Stacy:**
“Why?”

By sunset, the gates were barred.

Protective charms hung above the doors. The militia watched the forest. Morrslieb stared down from an unsafe sky.

Inside the walls, someone lit the fires.

Bread was broken.

Beer was poured.

The dead were remembered by name.

A widow danced.

Children disappeared beneath the tables.

Strangers were given bowls.

And when something screamed beyond the palisade, every hand briefly reached for a weapon.

The music stopped.

Only for a moment.

Then it began again.

**Stacy:**
“They never really forget what’s outside.”

**Caelwyn:**
“No.”

**Stacy:**
“Then why celebrate?”

Caelwyn watched the villagers dancing beneath the dark.

**Caelwyn:**
“Because this is what they have to lose.”

Hunger says: keep what you have.

They share it.

Fear says: trust nobody.

They make room.

Grief says: the dead are gone.

They give them a place at the table.

Chaos has not disappeared.

Neither have war, disease, monsters or winter.

The people of the Old World do not celebrate because life is good.

They celebrate because they are still here.

And perhaps that is why Chaos understands celebration so well.

It does not need to invent hunger, grief, desire, anger or joy.

It only needs to wait beside the fire and see what people do with them.

**Stacy:**
“If tomorrow were uncertain…”

She looked at the dwindling food, the empty chairs and the people still dancing.

**Stacy:**
“…what would you bring to the table tonight?”

## PLAY EPIC. FEEL THE STORY.

Enter the Old World — a place where surviving until tomorrow is never guaranteed, and that makes tonight matter.

Campaigns:
https://startplaying.games/gm/dunchan

Explore the history, religion, folklore and philosophy behind Mythveil Chronicles:

https://www.patreon.com/c/mythveilchronicles_bydunchanhuntergames

**Stories that remember. Worlds that change.**