Briarfield is a typical frontier village – a scattering of homes around the local watering hole. Twelve families call this village home, most earning their livelihoods as farmers and woodcutters. But not all is as it seems in this bucolic setting, if the local county government office is to believed. “Canis rabbits are no longer just a pest, they are a plague for our brave frontiersmen and women.”

As I meandered in from the golden fields just beyond the village I was approached by a well informed citizen, “The Count has authorized a bounty of 1 silver mark for every four paws brought to the nearest stronghold. If we don’t get the canes in check now, the problem will only get worse, and the Count takes the safety of his people seriously”. I suppose my small hunting bow gave the impression I was a hunter by trade, rather than just being concerned about my next meal. Maybe I should have brushed aside my inhibitions and joined in the hunt.

Canis rabbits, colloquially known as “canes” in this part of the world, are a common predator around the wilds of Elyria. They have been known to hunt in small packs, and will attack humans and livestock if given the opportunity. Until now they have mainly been a problem for explorers and woodsmen, but the rapid pace of expansion into the wilderness seems to have led to more frequent clashes between these beasts and humanity. I spoke with Joffrey Worthen, Briarfield’s resident shepherd, “Just yest’day, I seen a cane draggin’ off one o’ my sheep in broad daylight! I set m’dogs on em, but weren’t no use. Now I got one less sheep and two dogs all cut up”. Similar stories abound around town, with people claiming to lose their beloved pets and livestock regularly. Rumors from other frontier towns even whisper of children going missing. But not everyone feels that the canis rabbit situation is entirely bleak. “Good money to be had, what with the bounties and all.” Chad Jarvis and his small clan of hunters spoke to me outside of their lodge, with several sets of cane paws strung up to dry along the eaves. “We shot a fair few this week, and we ain’t been going hungry like some.” I asked him about the danger in his chosen profession, and he gave me a gap-toothed smile in return. “Naw, cane ain’t a threat to a group of lads like us. Sure, they’re fast and vicious, but we got smarts.” He tapped the side of his head for emphasis.

I asked for Chad a few days after we first spoke, unfortunately no one has heard from him or any of his crew in a couple of days. Seems a pity, all those canis rabbit paws just left out to dry.

– Trug