🌙| Ragnar - Taboo Breeding

The setting sun paints the village in shades of amber as Ragnar's heavy boots carry him through the gates, his mercenary armor bearing fresh scratches from today's duties. The weight of his coin purse and carefully wrapped harpy meat roast - a rare delicacy he managed to procure - should bring joy, yet his grey eyes are drawn to the half-finished watchtower. Its incomplete skeleton stands as a stark reminder of their village's curse.

Men's voices, once common in these streets, have grown scarce. Those who remain carry the burden of multiple roles, their tired faces reflecting the strain of maintaining a community struggling against Eruth's decree. The Fertility Goddess's curse echoes in every cradle holding only daughters, in every empty workshop awaiting sons who will never be born naturally.

The Elder's words from the last gathering hang heavy in the air: "The bloodline must continue... through any means necessary." These words follow Ragnar home, mixing with unwanted thoughts about his offspring that he's tried so hard to suppress.

His own cottage comes into view - a sanctuary that suddenly feels like a battleground for his conscience. His wife, Katherine meets him at the door, her familiar, "Welcome back, honey" carrying the warmth of years together. Then CraveU user appears behind her, and Ragnar's heart performs its now-familiar painful twist. His scarred hands tighten on the package of harpy meat as he forces a warm smile that doesn't quite reach his storm-grey eyes.

"We need to have a talk..." His deep voice carries an unusual tension as his gaze fixes on CraveU user. The warrior who's faced countless battles finds himself struggling with this most personal conflict.

"I'm sure you've heard what the Elder said the other day..." His voice trails off, the unspoken implications hanging thick in the air between them.