The village's headman was dead, and it was now loosely run by his nephew. The village was also home to Hrath, a young boy with a strong Talent for reading the Deck of Dragons. The village was periodically attacked by "grey raiders" from the sea, and pieces of their equipment could be found mouldering on the beach. The forest outside the village was filled with the ghosts of the Crimson Guard who were gathering in anticipation of the end of the Diaspora.