Your Journey Ye Ol' Path to Cunningham:- Over rolling hills and so far away from the civilization of the Human land, Hides one of the most beautiful and wondrous Kingdoms you could set your eyes on. Only in some of the children’s fairy tales would you see such a place... A Place like Cunningham. Riding on horseback or in the caravan of your Gypsy home you ride up alone path as the breeze blows through your hair, views all around of rolling hills as the skies kiss the earth, Such peace never known before or could you ever think to find on earth. A vast stretch of land where deer roam free and the wolves feral and wild, Yet such a hint of extraordinary knowing behind these animals... Could they talk? ... Do they understand? You could indeed spend hours under a tree and think the day away. Would you rather root around in the earth to see what items you could find and what treasures have been lost or buried in the past, or perhaps you are out walking for some ingredients for your home-cooked meal or potions?... Maybe even an essential item to remedy yourself from your ailments? Take heed when walking alone, It has been known that some bandits or outlaws would wish to rob you of your worthy possessions. It is said that when the Gods are angered or when their emotions change, the weather can turn from moment to moment. Never come out unprepared, You could just find your end. Surely though if it's a clear day and all goes well, You would come across a little mountain pass where an old wooden rope bridge swings to and fro over a small canyon and river below. You look up and you see fire lights and smoke from the chimneys of the houses in the village, the sounds of the villagers and Gypsy's dancing and listening to music. It entices you with comfort and protection from your long travels...No? Cunningham Village & Tavern:- You take those precious few steps across that bridge and find yourself on safe solid land, Is everything in the place so dangerous or a test of skill?... It could well be. Your next sight is an old wizard who's very blind, yet oddly he knows you are there and with his old wrinkled lips he calls to you and passes you a trinket... This could come in handy one day, you never know. Thanking him in a timid and unsure way, as you are not accustomed to strange random gifts you walk on past a tall building and found yourself in the glow of the village. Dancing gypsies and village folk are out enjoying their time as best as they can. You can hear church bells ringing in the distances as you let your eyes wander and you follow your ears you look across another bridge and see the quaint church with the priest handing offerings out of good will to those in need. Sounds of the bard and his music all but enhance the mood as you wander around, chickens and small farmyard animals graze freely in the grass, to your left you can see a sign over a strange building with horses tied up outside. The smell of homely food and ale is too good to resist and so you peer your head into the welcoming doors of the local tavern, so you eagerly tie your steed up outside and let him rest, quickly stepping into the door, you are instantly greeted by a warm fire and a very busty barmaid pulling pints in tankards over the bar. Jeers and sound of merriment fill the air as the locals and pirates relax after a hard day or nights work, you could easily find a seat and slip into the crowd and drink your ale with the good feeling of homeliness you get. Like any Tavern you get your fights and with the big men and their pride some nights tables go flying, but perhaps this is not something you should worry so much about?.... Why, you ask? ... Well, Let me tell you, Not everybody is from around here you know? We have the pirates and gypsy’s looking to make a quick deal with you and no doubt they are up to no good. You’d be wise to keep your personal and loved belongings to yourself and hidden correctly or you could find yourself out of pocket. Your eyes wander round the musky tavern and out of the corner of your eyes you see a strange man in stood by the fireplace; he’s all shady with a hood covering his face. From a distance, you can just about make out his pale lips with a crooked smirk. Does he give you the chills or does he look like a dealer of the black market trade out for an illegal and expensive sale to the right buyer? Deciding you are growing tired from your long travels you pay off your tab at the bar and give the cheeky barmaid a tip, she smiles at you all too innocently and you enquire about a place to stay for the night. All too happy to help you she points out the door and as your eyes follow her aim you spot a large building across the village. Leaving the roars of laughter and music of the tavern you step out into the cold night’s air and glance to the fireflies that linger so peacefully round the lamp posts, checking your belongings are safely attached to you and you still have all your gold you decide to walk under the trees and towards the Cunningham Guesthouse and Inn. Along your way a small metal clanging can be heard as the Blacksmith finishes off his day's work, the smell of burning wood and an extinguished fire hits your nose as he closes shop for the night. He spots you and smiles giving a polite nod from the distance, He is an elder man with large muscles and a very dirty face and hands, yet his smile was golden and warm... You couldn’t tell if it was his gold teeth of just the fact he was a happy soul? Either way, you nod in return and come to the Inn’s doors and meet a man and wife who are stood keeping records of the guests. They greet you and ask politely if you were planning on spending the night with them... Of course, you are that’s why you are here isn’t it? ... Sign the guest book my friend and pay them, your clean warm bed is just a few steps away but not after a nice hot meal that waits for you on the table! Eat your rabbit and vegetable stew and find your room... Tomorrow has a lot in store for you so rest up! You lay in bed and you think to yourself... How long has Cunningham been here...Even the trees look so old and wise... Perhaps they are? You fall asleep and your dreams come alive with excitement and adventure, Pirates...gold-filled caves and so much more. You run through forests with the hunters and ride through the lands with new sights and things to be explored. Cunningham just seems so connected almost like every person or everything has a job or serves a purpose, it makes you want to stay...makes you want to fit in and be part of it... But who would you go to about seeking a home in such a place? By morning, the sun shines through the stained glass of the Inn and you wake up with glorious patterns all over the walls and floors of little diamond blocks of reds, greens, yellows and blues. The smell of cooked bacon fills the air as breakfast is prepared and being laid on the table. You have a great big stretch and realize you have not slept that well in such a long time that it could feel like forever. Getting dressed you rush to greet the Landlady and pay her for your meal while you sit down and chat to the Land Lady she tells you of a large castle North of the Market and Port. Leaning into her chatter with interest she at once gives you directions that could help you on your way, after eating you decide to make use of the outhouse and facilities before carrying on your travel. It was no good after all for you to meet a King all dirty and gruesome. Collecting all of your worldly goods and bidding the Inn and its occupants a fond farewell you come outside as the fresh morning wind blows through the trees and the busy hustle and bustle of the Village resumes its natural order, You can hear the clanking of the blacksmith and the laughter of children as they chase the animals. Cunningham Firefly Forrest:- Dogs yapping in happy merriment as they play in the straw and grass, with the directions from the Land Lady you head North to another bridge with a well-rooted sign post. Timidly you walk up to it and whisper carefully against the knotted wood "Are you facing the right way dear sign post?" The post remained silent and you would feel slightly like an idiot and just as you tilt your head To inspect the inscription carved on the post the wind across the bridge whispered to you. "He faces the right way and you are heading in the direction you seek my friend." Shocked, bewildered and amazed you gather your things and tiptoe across, as you carried on in the bright sunshine the grass got longer and the trees started to get thicker; you notice that the path got a little more rugged as you carried on your way. The forest got deeper and thicker so the day turned what seemed to be night but in this magical forest it was never dark, everywhere you turned soft glowing mushrooms of glorious colours flickered and the fireflies twinkled brightly like stars. Hours pass and you feel energized and lively but something bothers you in the back of your mind, you feel eye's watching you very where yet none could be seen so far! Every now and then you could swear you'd see something dash away from the corner of your eye, shaking your head to discourage your worry another whisper in the wind encourages you. "Keep going my friend, those who are lost and scared will always find safety in the Kings land.." Breathing deep you pick a mushroom and whisper an apology as you hold it up to see where the voices came from. Even after you picked the blue dancing mushroom it glowed in your hand and on closer inspection you see a tiny faerie sat on the top of it giggling at you. Jumping back you blink and the little thing flies off into the shrubs, panicked and breaking from the path you barge through the bushes and stand right in a ring of mushrooms and relic stones. Before you knew it you were whisped back onto the path again in a whirlwind of colour and voices uttering spookily "Do not stand in the #life circles for each time you do a deceased soul is lost to the dark forgotten world!" Now you were terrified and ran as fast as you could through the path that seemed to never end, your heart beat and chest pounded then before you knew it you saw blurs of browns, greys, and blacks run past you as the local pack of wolves felt your adrenaline and joined in. Watching the beasts you ran faster to keep up with them as they jumped and dived with such energy through the forest, under branches over rocks and roots until you could see daylight again. Thankful for their help you howl in gratitude and fall breathless against a tree as they howled and disappeared back into the forest, regaining your breath the tree you perched against moves its branches as giggles in the wind could be heard again. This time, you look in the direction that the tree pushed you and you saw a huge castle with flagstone bricks and ivy covering the walls, you stand for a moment in awe as you glanced at its majestic beauty. Cunningham Castle:- The flagstone path leads you right to the mighty oak doors and you admire the carvings of a witch, a wolf and a man you see the hinges were the details of the forest and magic around in wrought iron decoration. Gathering all your might you look to the door knocker to see it inscribed with something; The mighty must love the weak. You finally knock and wait in anticipation as the door opens itself and you finally get a glimpse of inside the Castle... What do you see? Who is there? Step inside and see... ...Cunningham welcomes you... #Cunningham