The Festival At Glenelg — Richard Lee Byers

The Festival at Glenelg is a novella set in the world of Accursed. It tells the story of Erik Nygaard, a bard who also happens to be a Dhampir. When the festival he is attending is joined by a contingent of cauldron-born in service to the Morrigan, Erik must decide if he should flee on his own or attempt to battle the banes and perhaps redeem his soul.

About the setting:
In a world of dark fantasy and perilous adventure, the forces of evil have triumphed. Those who remain uncorrupted by wickedness must rely upon monsters to fight against the darkness. Witches have ruled the land since the last battles of conquest, but their Grand Coven has been sundered, leaving behind remnants of a once-mighty army. The remnants of the horde include captured citizens of the conquered nations that fought as the Witches' shock troops.

These are the Accursed -- the Witchmarks burned into their flesh and souls transformed these men and women into monstrous forms. Now, unable to return to their former lives, the Accursed wander the land, giving aid to those in need in an attempt to atone for past sins. Some have joined the Order of the Penitent, an organization devoted to ridding the world of the Witches and their evil influence. Others offer their skills as warriors, alchemists, and spies to the highest bidder. Yet others have succumbed to corruption, greed, or insanity.

Light has failed, darkness is ascendant -- only those bearing the forms of monsters can stand against the tide of the Witches' evil. The Accursed are this world's only hope -- they must learn to embrace their curse or to fight against it, and find some way to free themselves forever of their Witchmark.