These are dark times. Hope fades. All live in fear. My fear, my pain began on my eleventh birthday, when the gifts of my heritage revealed themselves. The day I was cast out of my home and family, for being different. For I am a Gatherer. There are other names for people of my profession, Soul Catcher, Reaper, none of them accurate.  In my twenty-five years I have seen many horrors. I have seen other Gatherers cut down as they worked, people tortured and mutilated to strengthen the life force released. I have seen the aftermath of a troll attack, on humans and Eldritch alike. In death we are all equal. I fear my end and yet I welcome it as a release from my responsibilities. But I will not waver; I will strive to the last for I, Ryshel Huntress, am a Gatherer. And I know nothing else.