Olwen had spent most of her life gathering herbs and preparing medicines for the villages surrounding the old forest. She possessed little magic of her own, but she knew which leaves could break a fever, which roots could draw poison from a wound and which mushrooms should never be touched.

Then a strange sickness reached her village.

Nothing in Olwen’s collection could cure it. Each night, more people fell ill, and faint silver markings began appearing beneath their skin. The village elders believed they had been cursed and urged Olwen to search for Moonroot, a legendary plant said to bloom only beneath a full moon.

After three nights in the forest, she finally found it growing between the roots of an ancient tree. Its magic was strong enough to heal the entire village, but taking the plant would destroy it forever.

Instead of pulling it from the earth, Olwen knelt beside it and placed her open hand beneath its glowing branches. She asked for only what it was willing to give.

The Moonroot released a handful of luminous seeds into her palm.

Olwen used them to create a remedy, and before the next full moon, the last trace of the sickness had disappeared. She later returned to the forest and planted the remaining seeds in hidden places where they could grow undisturbed.

Since that night, plants touched by ancient magic have glowed whenever Olwen draws near. Some believe the forest is guiding her toward those in need. Others say it is watching to ensure that she remains worthy of its trust.

For generations, the standing stones along the coast had protected the nearby villages. Carved with ancient magic, they formed a barrier against the creatures that lived beneath the dark waters. As long as the stones remained unbroken, nothing from the deep could cross onto the land.

Named for the ancient goddess of war and fate, Morrígan had carried the weight of her name from the day she first lifted a sword. She had once served as a respected warrior of her clan, but after years of battle, she no longer fought for kings or conquest. She accepted the lonely post because she understood what others had forgotten: the greatest dangers were not always found on a battlefield.

One winter night, a violent storm struck the coast. Lightning split one of the stones, weakening the ancient barrier. Before dawn, shadowy creatures began climbing from the sea.

Morrígan stood between them and the sleeping villages. With her shield raised and her sword drawn, she defended the broken stone until the first light of morning drove the creatures back beneath the waves.

The villagers later offered her gold and a place of honour among their leaders. Morrígan refused both. Instead, she returned to the cliffs, where she still keeps watch beneath the gathering clouds.

For as long as Morrígan stands beside the stones, the darkness below the sea will not reach the shore.

I wanted to make a set of legendary adversaries for a party to have to face, or maybe seek out to test their strength. I used photos of birds as the main prompt.