Kakemi

The travelers’ saying in The Dragon Wastelands is that the wind howls with lies, but the silence tells the truth. Kakemi learned to listen to the silence long ago. They were sharing a meager fire beneath a slick rock outcropping when another wanderer stumbled upon their camp, chattering nervously about ghost dragons and treacherous paths. Kakemi offered them a piece of dried fruit, their expression unreadable. They listened with an intense focus as the stranger mapped out their fears, their route, and their destination. Kakemi said little, just nodding occasionally. By morning, the traveler felt they’d found a kindred spirit in the wastes. They left with a renewed sense of confidence, never noticing Kakemi’s own path had changed to avoid every pitfall the stranger had so helpfully revealed.