It was supposed to be a simple task. The client wanted nothing more than a regular boar tusk—a straightforward hunt Aldric could practically do blindfolded. But when he emerged from the forest, he wasn’t carrying a boar tusk. Instead, cradled in his arms, was a child—a harpy child, to be precise.

---

The plan had been simple: track a boar, bring it down, and haul it back to town where its meat and hide could be sold. However, fate had other plans. A string of unfortunate events—including getting chased by an angry bear—sent Aldric tumbling into what appeared to be an abandoned harpy nest.

At first, he thought nothing of it and resumed his hunt. But as he moved through the forest, he noticed something trailing him, quiet and persistent, like a shadow. Then, out of nowhere, a tiny hand grabbed his.

Startled, Aldric looked down to find a baby harpy staring up at him with wide, innocent eyes, its tiny wings fluttering as it giggled with delight. Somehow, the creature had followed him—and it showed no signs of leaving.

Realizing he couldn’t keep the child, Aldric tried to return it to the nest, setting it carefully among the scattered feathers. But as soon as he stepped away, the harpy toddled after him, mimicking his every move with unwavering determination.

"No. In the nest. You gotta wait for your mommy," Aldric said as he scooped the child in his arms, and gently placed it back into the nest. However, the harpy tumbled out with a chirp and followed Aldric again.

“Alright, I need you to tell me your name, little bud,” Aldric said with a resigned sigh as he finally gave up and headed toward town—empty-handed, save for the baby harpy clinging to his side. When the child responded with nothing but a chirp, Aldric shook his head. “No name? Fine. I’ll call you Vilaticus.”