The Autumn After Next

An earnest wizard missionary named Neeshan has been sent to the rain‑soaked village of the Free'l, a people whose enthusiasm for magic is matched only by their habit of getting the ingredients wrong. Their clumsy circles and miss‑cast spells turn a simple seasonal charm into a farcical ritual, and Neeshan's patience wears thin as they stubbornly refuse to follow the exact steps.

Determined to prove a point, Neeshan breaks the circle, draws a precise sigil and summons a tiny lizard‑like demon that instantly delivers melons, a jeweled necklace, and a pile of straw for the villagers' wishes. The Free'l marvel at the quick result, but their leader Rhn shrugs, calling the whole process “dreeze” and hinting that magic should be fun, leaving the missionary both amused and exasperated.

Back in his modest hut, Neeshan activates an ancient tooter to receive a terse report from his distant headquarters, reminding him that failure is common among missionaries but success would catapult him to the highest warlock ranks. The enigmatic message sets the stage for a perilous balancing act between doctrine and the Free'l’s unconventional ways.