Welcome to The Misfits

Off the beaten path, in a quiet part of the city, stands a relatively, if not for its size, unassuming building. A sign over the main doors reads "The Misfits". Your search has come to an end, but you get the sense that a grand adventure awaits you on the other side of these doors.

Pausing for a moment before heading into the building, A'ramis stands in the empty street and notices another walking in his direction. Markus approaches the stranger in front of the guild they both are hoping will welcome them.

A'ramis was being as nondescript as he could be, a largely impossible task everything considered. The hood could not entirely hide his ears even when up, and his tail could never be covered by anything less than a full cape. As trapping his ears and tail within the confines of fabric was incredibly uncomfortable he rarely tried, unless for weather. Right now, though, his hood was up and his tail was tucked close to his legs. If someone paid attention they could see the oddities, especially his eyes. As the street was currently sunny, his feline pupils were a 'normal' size. That wasn't always the case which, while helpful with vision, often drew unwanted stares. Not that he wasn't used to that. Still, it was a new city and he liked to observe things as much as he could before the inevitable exposure. Only his head, hands and tail weren't covered by clothing constantly. His bag rested on his back, as did his rather unique bow. Since he was within city walls the bow sat underneath the backpack as he wouldn't be needing to grab it here. If something happened here, the bow wasn't the best option.

The building before him, and the city he was in, was probably his best bet at finding a steady home and job. Wandering was good for a while, but A'ramis had never wanted a nomad's life. Travel? Sure, that was great when one had a home base. But the courage to walk in was another thing altogether. He had the feeling it would have been easier to walk into hostile territory - that at least was familiar. But this idea of possible acceptance was both tempting and terrifying. Hope was a good thing to have, a painful thing to lose.

A man, that A'ramis has assumed was simply using the street, stopped near him. His tail subconsciously flicked near it's tip as he shifted his gaze from the building to the man. Someone who worked here? Someone also interested in "The Misfits"? Or something else entirely? He watched the other man for a minute or so, before his gaze shifted back to the door. Was this city small enough that a greeting was expected? He didn't spend enough time with others to know, so he decided to possibly seem rude instead of taking that chance.

Markus stopped in front of the stone building. His eyes moved down from the sign saying Misfits and to the cloaked and wrapped young man before him. Unlike this man, Markus's body was on full display. Dark skin and a medium height with athletic build. But his eyes immediatly and sometimes irrationaly was what garnered most attention to him. They had an eerie purple glow that was as imposing and offputting as it was beautiful.

"Hey. How are you? You a Misfit?" His voice is warm and deep, but with an edge that makes it feel like he could be violent at any moment. "I'm thinking of joining. How do you like it?"

A'ramis blinked when the man spoke to him, the one expression of surprise he couldn't quite stop from happening. He turned his head to look closer at him. The other's eyes were certainly interesting, and his voice would take some getting used to, but if they were both hoping to join the Misfits perhaps he would have time to. Being an outsider himself, he wasn't overly bothered by other outsiders simply from appearances or nature.

"Hello. I am a Misfit hopeful, as you are it seems." It was a beat before he answered, but his voice was even when he did. Mid-toned and faintly melodic, it had a rather unique accent to it that he just couldn't get rid of. "Entering the building seems to be the hardest part so far. A'ramis, at your service." He gave a slight bow when he introduced himself, and lowered his hood when he straightened back up. It was usually polite to do so when talking to people...he thought so, anyway. He could be wrong.

Markus looked the other man up and down. Then extended a hand to shake. Without smiling or any nirth really, he said. "I’m Markus. Yeah, I figured I’d join. It’s a good way to get some access to resources and if everyone is a misfit, maybe I won’t be singled out as much." He looked the cloaked man up and down again, noticing the catlike ears. Strange, but not the weirdest thing. If they ended up working together he’d have to ask about them. But until then, he’d been treated like enough of a pariah that he didn’t feel like he needed to ask questions to understand why he may be joining.

"Well, let’s check this out. " he said as he began to walk up the stairs leading to the door.

A'ramis shook the offered hand, and nodded in agreement with Markus's stated reasons for hoping to join. He walked up to the door with the other man, it was easier to do when not alone. "Do you suppose we knock? I don't spend much time in cities." For obvious reasons, but it did leave him lacking in knowledge about what to do in basic situations.

As the door opens, you are greeted by a wall of cacophony. Given the near silent street outside, the difference in volume is almost deafening. After reeling from the noise, you realize you are looking into the main hall of the guild. Tables fill the room and many of these tables have individuals sitting in groups, sharing stories over cups of ale and plates of food.

The entire mood in the atmosphere is both raucous and jovial. It is not until a few moments of taking in the scene that you realize that these people are all very different. Many look roughly human, but a few are of a...design you wouldn't have imagined. One such individual catches your eye.Before the door can close behind you, a large and very imposing bipedal bull walks up to the two of you.

"Ah! New faces!"

The expression on his face seems to be a mix of menace and joy. Given the general levity of the hall, you suspect that the menacing is something that cannot be turn off.

"Are you here to join our ranks? Nevermind that for now. Please take a seat and have something to eat and drink."

He leads you to an empty table and seats himself while waiting for the two of you to do the same. He motions to a squat, aproned female near the bar who nods and disappears into what you assume is the kitchen.

"Have you two travelled here together? Or is it serendipity that brings you both here at the same time?"

A'ramis's ears pin flat to his head in an attempt to lower the shock of the sudden noise. He took in the room and the various people, and felt like he wasn't the oddest in the room. It was...nice. As he slowly lifted his ears, one voice caught his attention. He searched around the area with his eyes, and landed on an extremely short woman.

She was loud, enthusiastic about whatever her topic was, and the tankard in her hand contained alcohol of some kind - that she seemed to be drinking like a fish and yet also did not seem drunk. Physically he wasn't sure what to call her. She had long elven like ears, but was at most three feet tall (once he saw her feet on a tall stool) and was...round. Her face and body seemed to have almost no angles, but not from being overweight. It was as if she was a large, cherub like pixie. She was cute and yet...he instinctively didn't want to mess with her.

When the bull man greeted them, A'ramis followed to a table and sat down in a position to see as much of the room as he could. He wasn't fond of having his back to a room but he also wasn't about to offend someone right off the bat for ignoring the invitation - especially not someone this...dangerous looking. So he settled for what he could get. "Serendipity, I suppose. We just met out front."

As Markus follows the bull and A'ramis to the table, he takes all of the motion and activity in with interest. It's been a while since he's been near so many poeple and they haven't immediatly stared at him and grown hostile.

While his gaze moves through the crowd, he sees a woman in heavy armor. Full plate. She looks tired as she picks at her plate, but she has a couple of people near her, one of them ribbing her. Some friends. Before he notices much about them though he keeps looking at her. She has black hair and dark skin. Her eyes, while tired, do seem otherwise playful and... present. A smile that the tiredness hasn't touched yet is on her face while she eats. Her hands can be seen, gauntlets resting on the bench next to her next to a large spear, are wide and thick, muscled, but still subtle.

Other than that, she's seems to be covered head to tow in armor, which seems interesting at a time and place like this. But who is Markus to judge.

"No. We just met outside. I've been traveling for a while to get here, so thanks for the welcome. I'm here to join. I heard you guys take all kinds and I could use a bit of a network and a place to put down some roots."

The squat, aproned female reappears from behind the nearby counter carrying a tray with a pitcher and three mugs. She sets the three mugs on the table and fills each with the brew from the pitcher. As she sets the pitcher down, she addresses the table.

"We got vegetable stew, whole chicken, and steak-"

Her eyes glance at the large bull-man sitting at the table. He gives her an equally intense stare. You sense an entire silent conversation going on between these two in the short glance.

"-and everything comes with a roll. Which would you all like?"

The large bull-man clears his throat before speaking.

"I was just about to do some introductions, perhaps we should start there before going any further."

His words for the entire table, but his gaze is squarely on the lady with the apron. He then shifts is attention to the two of you.

"My name is Dohavin and I am this guild's one man welcoming party."

There is a slightly unsettling grin on his face as he mentions his role.

"And this is-"

He begins to motion towards the woman who had been serving you, but she cuts him off before he can finish.

"The name's Myrre (meer-rah) and I do most of the cooking."

Another silent conversation is held between Dohavin and Myrre as she fixes an intense stare at Dohavin. At this, Dohavin's grin abates.

Markus notices the intense looks and tries to suss out what is going in them. Are these lovers? Rivals? Either way he's curious. He trusts his gut and what he learned on the streets as a kid. He trusts every thing he’s learned and seen from people reacting over the years.

The seats were comfortable and the aroma coming out of the kitchen was wonderful. His stomach began to grumble and his mouth to water at the sound of food. "... I'm Markus" he says to both, looking each in the eye in turn. "Nice to meet both of you. And I'll have the chicken."

He thought briefly to tell them that he's a monk of the Order of Lysander, but decided against it. It rarely got him anything other than trouble. And they'd find out in time if this was a place for him to stay around.

A'ramis gave Myrre a nod as she introduces herself, and then listened to Markus. His ears shifted frequently as they tilted this way and picked up different noises in the room. He wasn't used to this volume. Ever.

When he sat down, he had carefully and tucked his tail to the side and now, as he did his best to remain calm, it flicked and wrapped around his leg.

"A'ramis. Pleased to meet you." Mostly, he wasn't used to this. "I am also here to join, similar reasons. Perpetual travel is only appealing for so long." He glanced at Dohavin before continuing. "I'm not fussy food wise, so I'll have whichever is easiest. If I may."

Markus is able to discern that there is a rivalry of sorts going on here. Specifically as it pertains to food and perhaps the kitchen. Given Myrre's antagonistic demeanor towards Dohavin, Markus surmises that she is being defensive of either her role as the guild cook or Dohavin's intrusion into her kitchen.

---

Myrre nods at Markus and gives A'ramis a less than amused stare.

"It's all easy, kid. I wouldn't offer it if it wasn't already available. And I'm no mind reader, so if-"

"How about this, I will also have chicken. And since we already have two chicken plates coming to the table, why not make it three?"

Myrre gives a stern look at Dohavin then back at A'ramis. She then waves her hand in the air as she walks back toward the kitchen mumbling something about 'children'.

"You'll have to forgive her, she is a wonderful cook. But a terrible server.
And since we are through with introductions, let us discuss the two of you. What are your stories? And what brings you here?"

Markus says thanks as Myrre walks away. Then he focuses back on Dohavin. He thinks on what to say and how to say it. This man doesn’t need his full story and certainly hasn’t earned it. "I was born in a pretty village, seemingly a world away from here. I was born different though. My eyes were like this. At first it didn’t seem to bother folks, at least from what my parents said, but every year I was treated worse and worse. And my parents, as much as I loved them n and they loved me, began to treat me poorly.

Markus such his head and closed his eyes. Not to hold back tears but anger. " So it was time to leave. I wandered for a bit, my anger at everyone treating me poorly growing. I Cursed everyone. My parents, myself, the gods. And slowly that anger turned solely toward the gods and in particular the one who did this to me. That anger led me to the Order of Lysander. They trained me, taught me, honed me. Then set me free. " a smile comes over his face now.

"I resumed wandering. Taking jobs and doing what work I could. I heard about you folks. A place where the strange and misfit can fit in. So I came. "

He listened quietly to Markus tell the abbreviated version of his life. It had a familiar echo, oddly comforting despite how dismal it was. When he fell quiet, A'ramis spoke up. "My life is simple to sum up. Unpleasant. I've stayed away from others for most of it, so I'm afraid social norms escape me sometimes. Hopefully I haven't offended Myrre too much. I have been...trained shall we say, to always be as unobtrusive and invisible as possible. The idea of 'ordering' anything, or stating a preference is something I will have to get used to." That wasn't to say he didn't have them, just that he learned not to express them.

He glanced down at the table as he continued, he decided he could afford to give basic information, considering he would like to join. There was always a cost to these things. "I have had my fill of most people and have been an easy scapegoat from birth. Fae cursed, my mother's people called it. A child toyed with in the womb by trickster fae, meant to bring misery and best killed right away. Three people in my life have gotten close enough to matter, and they have all passed away. Wandering stopped most of the abuse - it is hard to attack someone who isn't there after all. But it is wearisome, and I'm smart enough to know all people are not bad. When I heard of this place, I thought why not? If it was true, I could possibly have a home and allies. If it wasn't true, nothing changed. A similar tale to others, I am sure."

Markus lifts his mug after here A’ramis’ tale. "Hmmm.. truly a familiar story. And although we just met, theres one thing we definitely have in common then. Cursed from the day we were born, but still here. " He tilts and pushed his mug toward A’ramis in a toast. A mocking gesture of celebration for their bad fates.

"Well we’re here now. For now. Let’s make the most of it. "

An amused look flashed across A'ramis's face at the toast. A wry smile crossed his face as he responded. "Indeed. It would seem it is easier to blame an infant for your issues rather than solve them. Yet, as you say, we are here for now. Should prove diverting, at the least." He gave a small shrug at the end. Experiences were valuable, even the shitty ones.

Myrre returns from the kitchen balancing three plates in one hand, each with a small, pit-roasted chicken and a couple of root vegetables. As she deftly places the plates on your table, Dohavin gives her a smile and small nod and she pretends not to see it.

"If you need anything just holler for me, I'll be around."

An individual on the other side of the room holds up a tankard and shouts "Myrre more beer!" She nods and waves at the individual and heads toward the bar.

Dohavin easily removes a drumstick from the chicken and takes almost the whole thing in a single bite. His large size seems almost comical compared to the size of his meal. He swallows before speaking.

"It is a common story amongst those here."

He gestures toward the rest of the room.

"Although, some individuals found their misfortune later in life. And since we are sharing, I came to this guild ten years ago after being an enslaved gladiator turned mercenary. Since then, this place has become my home and its people, my family."

He finishes the first drumstick and begins to work on the second.

"You'll find that the tasks we accept are often of an odd nature. Essentially, jobs that other guilds won't or can't do. It is perhaps the primary reason we exist and continue to be welcome in this city.

So, tell me what you bring to this guild."

He thinks... what can he bring to the guild... He looks back over the Spearwoman he noticed before. "To be perfectly honest with you there's not much that I can add that you probably don't have in spades. I'm good with a blade, my fists and on my feet. I'm no coward and I'm usually more loyal to others than they are to me." He takes another drink again, then adds "Depending on the job, I can be a great help. At the very least I won't be dead weight."

He grabs a wing off of the chicken and thinks for one more moment. "But what can the guild offer me other than work that I can't find on a bulletin board somewhere?" and bites into it.

A'ramis takes a moment before trying some of the food. His eyes scanned the room and, like Markus, he doubted he could add anything new to the guild. Well, nature spirits seemed to like him but that wasn't quite something he would say was useable by the guild. Or he just didn't wish to mention it - that was entirely possible. Some things he could do could end up rather unpleasant for him and were best used sparingly, if at all.

"I'm decent at defending myself and others. I can work with people even if I greatly dislike them, which isn't quite a talent but it is there. I am a good learner, and good at recalling what it is I have learned. While I have never truly had a standard to measure it, I appear to be reasonably intelligent. Knowledge is often useful, and I can pick things up easily if need be." He loved to learn and to figure things out, especially about the past, but didn't bother to mention that. It wasn't exactly relevant at the moment. "I have made what living I have with my services as a herbalist. Healing is my specialty with it, although it has led to knowledge of poisons. And what tastes good, generally. I'm good with plants over all, tending them usually goes rather well for me. I suppose I'm generally competent, won't cause problems, and might keep a few people alive."

A'ramis said it all not as if he was attempting to sell himself but as if he were going down a list of facts. There was no sense of embellishment. And yet, if one were perceptive enough, there seemed to be things left out. When he mentioned plants especially, his tone slightly changed and it could leave the feeling that there was something else that should have been there. But he moved on without hesitation as if nothing had happened.

While he thought Markus's question a good one he didn't echo it. Anything he had was based upon getting work from desperate people - often the ill that no one else would look at - or he had to spend the entire time hiding every feature. Both were exhausting, the first often led to customers that changed their minds when it came to paying and the second was not a solution long term. He knew what the guild could offer him, what he could offer in return, and he was willing to take what potential stability he could. And the chicken was tasty, so that was a plus. Even if he had possibly offended to chef already.

Markus squinted his eyes and nodded his head in a kind of salute. A look of appreciation and acknowledgment of skill.

Dohavin nodded, listened, and demolished the rest of the chicken meal as Markus and A'ramis answered his question. He took a napkin and wiped his mouth and hands clean.

"A fighter and a healer. Serendipity indeed."

He smiles and reaches into one of his pockets and pulls out a pipe. He gives an intense stare to the end of the pipe as it sparks and ignites. He blows out the small flame and leans back into his chair slowly puffing on the tobacco. He looks up at the rafters of the large common room as he begins to speak.

"What does the guild offer you? In the short term, a roof over your head and access to relatively consistent work. In time, I imagine it can provide the same things it has provide many of us here, but that will have to depend on whether you are looking for a home and people you can hope to depend on or not.

But before we can make a decision here, the guild will need to see if you are up for a simple task. You will of course be compensated for the work and we will make a determination based on your success."

He looks at the two of you to see if either of you have any objections to being tasked.

A'ramis nodded at the idea. There was no reason to assume otherwise, if the guild didn't test their abilities they could simply say whatever they wished about themselves. "A trial is to be expected, really. If we get to depend on the guild in the long run, then the guild needs to depend on us as well." He was curious about how the pipe had been lit, had a brief mental debate on asking, and decided not to. He wasn't researching Dohavin, or strange abilities, or anything that would make the question more than idle curiosity. Well, there was a thought. Perhaps he'd have the ability to do research here, in the future. That would be nice.

Markus nodded and kept working on his chicken. Dohavin ate fast, and Markus had barely started. Magecraft? Witchery? He wasn't sure how he ha managed to light that pipe, but it didn't really matter to Markus, so long it wasn't some divine blessing.

"All of that sounds about right. What do you need?"

"Very well, I have a task in mind, but let me see if I can find a couple of individuals to join you.

For the time being, enjoy your meals and I will return with a task and some others to join you."

Dohavin stands up from his seat and begins walking around the great room talking to different individuals and groups. He leaves the two of you alone to finish your meals.

While he eats his chicken, Markus raises an eyebrow and addresses A’ramis. "So… a healer huh? And a pretty accomplished one, it sounds like.

What do think about this place now that you’re here? I’m not getting any weird feelings yet. Seems on the level so far. What do you think?"

A'ramis eats as well, even if he didn't enjoy it he would have finished it. Food wasn't something to waste. He thinks as he looks around the room before replying to Markus, giving the question due consideration.

"It seems a good place, but experience has taught me that things too good to be true usually are. Perhaps my standards for that are low, but I have yet to see or be told a downside to this place. Which, in it's absence, makes me nervous. We will know more once we have the job, and even more once we return from it." He turns his gaze back to Markus, and then looks down again from habit before he says more.

"I'm not sure about how accomplished I am. I was taught what I know from necessity, as there was no one but myself to care for my ailments, and from a mentor I met. She gave me a better working knowledge of what does what. I can't save everyone I treat, but I can at least make it less miserable for them.

I would imagine that you have some knowledge of it yourself, being more of a combatant. You seem well built for fighting, and your natural intimidation must help with that. From what I can see, you're body is taken care of and not terribly damaged which means you either have talent or have fought very little." Before he realized, A'ramis had looked up and was clinically assessing Markus from what he could see. It was an odd habit he had picked up through treating others - it was helpful to be able to sum up a person's condition and extrapolate details from that. "In your case I'm leaning towards talent and skill."

He gave thought to Markus's proposal. The idea was tempting, and the pros and cons formed rapidly in his mind. In the end, A'ramis didn't see enough reason to refuse. They seemed to have basic common ground between them, and their skills complemented each other nicely. Another thing on the plus side was that neither person seemed phased by the other's oddities.

"I think it could work. A temporary alliance that could go either way in the end. We seem to have been through enough to not stab each other in the back for no reason." He gave a small smile and a nod. "Works for me."

Markus remainder unsmiling but gave a nod of acknowledgment to A’ramis. It’s good to have an allies.

"So then since we’re looking out for one another and have a few minutes to ourselves…" he looked around the room to spot Myrra and Dohavin. "Is there anything you just won’t do? Anyline you won’t cross? Personally, I’m not going to pick on kids. And if they want me to kill someone, the Misfits are going to have to convince me they deserve it. "

"Our lines seem similar. I need a reason for action, and not just one that convinces them or others. They have to convince me. I'm not adverse to doing what needs to be done, but blind faith is something I will never give. Trust in specific people, yes. And still I would only be trusting they have a good reason for their actions that will be explained to me." Children were largely off the list but, if he was honest, children could be just as evil as adults. Different actions would be taken though - children could generally still be saved after all. Still, A'ramis wasn't sure that was something to be said here. If it came up within this alliance, he would defer to Markus. Unless he felt particularly strongly about it, but that was a rare thing.

Dohavin returns, still smoking his pipe, followed by two individuals.

"I found two Misfits who are able and willing to aid in the task we have in mind for the two of you. This is Wraith Moonflower, a mage."

He motions toward a very short woman who waves and smiles at the two of you."And this is Megan Cole, a warrior."

His hand raises, almost comically so, to a woman of normal height wearing armor and and wielding a spear and shield. She nods, stoically, at the two of you."As for the task, there is a bounty on an unnatural and elusive creature terrorizing some nearby farmland. It is supposedly the failed experiment of some unhinged, and probably now dead, mage. As for why this is a task for the Misfits, let's just say that the other guilds have already failed to address the issue and are saving face by saying it is a task below their station.

The creature has been noted to have some feline aspects and some reptile aspects. But there has not been any direct confirmation of its appearance. As for task completion, you can either kill the creature or capture it, but how you accomplish this task will be up to you two. Wraith and Megan are here to support your plan, as long as it is sensible.

Do you two have any questions?"

"Sounds like you and I will get along just fine then. " After saying Markus just sits and eats. He finds his eyes wondering over to the woman he noticed earlier, then trying to move them back to his plate.

A'ramis blinks quickly when he realizes that the woman who had drawn his attention earlier was here now. He switches his attention back to Dohavin and listens intently. "A couple, yes. Firstly, what kind of terrorizing are we talking about? Eating the crops and livestock, destroying the land and property, or killing and possibly eating the people who live there? Is this the area where trouble has started, or has it moved here from somewhere else? I would also be interested in any knowledge you have of its behaviour patterns - they could tell us something important." He pauses for a moment to think before continuing.

"You say that other guilds have tried, and failed, to deal with it. You may not be privy to the information, but what have they tried? Knowing what hasn't worked could save us a lot of time and effort in the long run. I am curious as well, if there hasn't been direct confirmation of its appearance, how do we know it is both real and the correct creature? Or is it something no one survives to tell the tale of, or only comes out in the dark, and so forth?"

Animals - and beasts - generally had patterns to their actions. And clear motivations. Being a strange experiment - if true - could throw that out the window, but there could still be useful knowledge in understanding exactly what has been going on. Having a problem to solve let A'ramis focus on the job at hand, giving him a calmer demeanor than when he was just sitting and waiting.

"Some wise questions."

Dohavin sits back down and takes a long drag on his pipe before continuing.

"So far, no deaths. Some bad injuries that are consistent with the claws of a large cat. And some lost livestock. It apparently is only active at night. Which probably explains why no one has a clear idea of what the creature looks like. There is also some uncertainty about where it come from, but these farmlands are at the edge of some untamed wilds, so it could have travelled some distance before reaching this area. What is clear, is that it isn't moving on from the location.

As for what was tried by others, I can't say. I only know that the bounty has been attempted by others without success. And given the simplistic nature of the task, I can't imagine that the other guilds haven't tried to complete it. Perhaps they underestimated its difficulty and never sent individuals experienced to catch or kill the beast. And after failing, hid the failure by stating that they wouldn't take on such a task. Regardless, the bounty writer decided to cancel the open bounty and instead posted it here, for the Misfits.

See, we don't take public jobs. We only accept work that is directly sent to us. It keeps us from stepping on the toes of bigger and more politically supported guilds. So, it is always in our best interest to complete any work we accept, otherwise our reputation will dissipate."

Markus nodded to the women as they walked up. A mage and a fighter, huh? Handy. Those had been good questions A'ramis had. Unfortunately it seems there is more unknown than known. And being a detective wasn't his forte. "What kind of provisions do we get? Cages or anything? And what proof do we need to show that we got the job done? Bring back a head or the whole carcass? Are there any common occurances in the attacks other than at night and by a vaguely discribed cat-claw? How are the victims describing what attacked them if they aren't dead? "

Markus started immediately devising plans to capture this thing that would work for whatever the creature is.

A'ramis thought on the answers for a moment and listened to Markus's questions. It was interesting, how they seemed to think of different things while complimenting the other. This partnership might work out better than he had thought - might. "I apologize but...what proof do we have that it does exist? You've given reasons to show that something is certainly happening there, but if it is on the edge of wilds...it might not be some 'monster'. It could be a group of strange animals, or strange people, that moved closer for some reason. Feline like claws seem to be the only clear knowledge?" It may be repetitive, but even things like cages couldn't be planned for if they had no idea on size. The entire thing was strange, really.

Dohavin bites down on his pipe and rubs his chin for a moment.

"There are no additional provisions provided by the contract, but you are welcome to purchase any supplies here at the guild. As for proof... I'd imagine that whatever you bring back would be sufficient. The thing that anyone cares about are the attacks stopping, so long as that happens, you may even get away with just your word.

And to your questions of veracity. We have a contract about farmlands being terrorized. Whatever the cause is, it is the aim of you four to see it come to an end. I can only tell you what the contract writer has told us: others have failed, eye witnesses describe something unnaturally a mix of feline and reptile."

Dohavin stands up and motions toward the Wraith and Megan.

"Perhaps these two will have some ideas. As for me, I have some tasks I must attend to and you may want to get going soon as it may take you a few hours to get to the area in question."

As the large minotaur leaves, you suddenly realize you have yet to introduce yourselves to Wraith and Megan.

A'ramis doesn't say anything more to Dohavin. He hadn't expected resources as they weren't officially in the guild, but it would have been nice. The run down of simply 'solve the problem' and not 'solve the mysterious beast' was a much more comfortable goal.

When Dohavin leaves he realizes that he is now with two more people who are probably expecting...something. With a blink he focuses them and eventually says something. "Hello. I'm A'ramis."

That was right...right?

"Hello. I'm Markus. Megan, I noticed you... r spear before while you were eating with your friends." He takes another sip of his drink then continues. "So now that the boss is gone, do you two know anything about this job or the area we need to head to?"

"Hyyiiii~!"

Wraith waves her entire arm as if the two of you were across the room. The intensity of her voice in actions seem to be inverse to her diminutive size.

"Welcome to the guild~! Or, um, almost welcome! I'm Wraith!"

In stark contrast to Wraith's demeanor, Megan gives a slight look toward her spear and speaks just loud enough to be heard through the din of the room. And when she speaks, it feels as if the words are rehearsed or forced. There is something unnatural about how she speaks, though it is not immediately obvious what that thing may be.

"It is...a unique spear.

Welcome, as you already know, I am Megan. And I know as much about the job as you two."

Wraith places a hand on her chin and gives a thoughtful look.

"Hmmm, it is rather odd that such a task would end up in our hands. It seems far too straight forward, given the stuff we normally get. In any case, we are here to help you two out, so tell us what you plan on doing!"

She points at the two of you with a grin, as if giving a pep talk.

Markus has been formulating a plan about this ever since Dohavin started telling them. "Since none of us know much about the town, I'd suggest we find a map or something and get the lay of the land. I guess we could also go there first and get it. I'd suggest we get some tracking and trapping gear... rope, some tent poles, manacles maybe. Better to get it here in the city so we don't get out there and they don't have anything. After we get there, I'd suggest we track down the contractor and get his info. Other than that... we'll have to replan when we get there. " He looks around to the group. He voice was confident and steady the whole time he spoke.

"What do you all think? What am I missing?"

A'ramis can't help but find the two woman cute in their contrast. Mind you, Wraith was almost too cute. She might not be good for his heart in the long run - it was like being constantly exposed to puppies. He turned his thoughts to the job at hand and Markus's plan. It was barebones, but that was all they really could make considering the severe lack of information. "We should bring with us some medical gear - herbs, bandages, and such. Even if we don't end up needing them, someone there might. I think gathering information about the town ahead of time is a smart move and, if we can, we should see what rumors are travelling around regarding the job, town and contractor. There has to be something someone is saying - and, if not, that is suspicious."

He looked to the two women to ask his next question. "Is there a place where we can do most of that in one go? Travelling to the town in the dark would be less than ideal, we should probably get settled before nightfall if we can, so it would be convenient - if potentially unrealistic - to gather as much as we can as quickly as we can." He stood up from his seat and replaced the hood over his head. A'ramis didn't like wearing it, but it was also odd to not wear it in the company of others. The familiar weight was comforting in its discomfort.

"Sounds good to me. Yeah, there has to be a shop or market around here. "

Megan holds up a finger and pulls out a rather large piece of folded paper. She then unfolds a part of it and places it on the table.

"I purchased this map when I first moved here. While not cheap, it is relatively to scale and accurate with landmarks."

The map is unfolded with Ulentor in its center. Megan pointed at a spot of the map that was to the northwest of the city.

"This is the farmland in question."

On the map, near her finger, you can see a few scattered rectangles that you can assume are farmhouses, one does seem a bit larger than the others. A little to the north is the edge of a forest that you presume continues past the fold. A river runs through the forest and wanders to the east of Ulentor before reaching the Praddic Sea to the southeast.

"Wow. That's a pretty nice map you got there!"

Megan looks down at the diminutive Wraith, who is standing on the tips of her toes to get a good look at the map.

"I decided to get the most accurate and detailed map I could afford. I have had to make very few alterations since I purchased it."

A small amount of pride can be heard as she states that last part. Megan then shifts her attention to the whole table.

"As you can see, it isn't too far from here, but if we want to get provisions, we had best do so before leaving Ulentor. Between Wraith and me, we should have enough knowledge of the city to find the merchants you need if there is anything that you aren't able to find here in the guild."

Wraith raises her eyes from the map to the two of you.

"It sounds like the two of you are interested in capturing whatever is terrorizing these farmlands. If it is indeed a creature, we'll probably need to rent some pack animals to pull the cage, which the guild doesn't provide. Also, I am pretty sure the guild doesn't sell any cages."

A'ramis leans over the map and follows Megan's descriptions while also doing his best to commit to memory as much as he could. The area there was fairly close to the forest, if he had his scale correct. That could prove useful for him. He glances up at Wraith when she mentions buying pack animals and a cage.

"I'm less inclined to capture it in a cage. To trap something you need to understand what will draw it in, and I don't have that information. I'd rather go simpler routes. The main goal is to help the farmers - be it medical or eradicating the creature. My other goals, although less important, are curiosity based. I'd like to know more about the creature, what it is and why it has shown up now. It is quite possible that we will need to slay it to complete the main goal, but should another solution present itself I'd be open to exploring it."

Assuming it was a creature and not something else. With no real evidence to understand the beginnings of what it was, it was hard to say. Even if people were behind it, that did not mean the creature did not exist as a tool or biproduct. He didn't say it, but sometimes death was the kindest thing you could offer. In the end though, A'ramis held no attachment to this beast, or any of the people that lived there. He would be there to do a job, and that was what he would do.

His gaze fell on the woods once more, and the larger rectangle. "Those woods, are they close to the farmland? Also this rectangle, if it is a house or building, what is it? If you know." After a brief moment, he reached into his clothes and took out an old, but cared for leather notebook. He flips quickly through to a page with enough space before he begins a rough sketch of Megan's map. The basics that he might need are there, but it is quick and simply functional. A'ramis makes a couple of little notations beside it, and adds little notes on any information they might tell him about what he asked.

Megan looks at A'ramis.

"Yes, the farmland buttresses the woods. And the larger home is probably held by the one in charge of the farming cooperative. I believe it is customary to have on representative speak for each cooperative, and as such, they got larger homes. This is speculation, as I have not interacted with any farmers since my arrival in Ulentor."

"Oh! I know of someone who can help with the net!"

Wraith interjects and begins walking toward the front door.

"We gotta hurry so we aren't travelling in the dark!"

---

Wraith leads you to an establishment that sells exotic animals. After discussing the situation with the person working behind the desk, you are able to procure a net that is bigger and heavier than a net used for catching people.

"See? I knew this place would have what we needed!"

---

As the four of you are walking toward the city exit, A'ramis spots a small apothecary store and picks up a few local herbs to add to his supplies.

"Wraith, I think this will be perfect! Good thinking. " Markus follows with the group, procuring what they need. Then when the time is right, sets off with the others for the village and the mystery ahead.

"We should, perhaps, begin with whoever lives there. It would be an ideal location to monitor the woods and fields, if they'd let us. They should know the most as well, if they generally run the area. People like that often gather information." The forest being close was an excellent bonus. He finishes his notes and sketch before stowing the journal away again.

---

A'ramis moved uneasily through the streets as they walk around gaining what they need. Unfortunately, the net is far above his meager price range but the herbs are not. The selection he has found is pleasing and the things he doesn't know he asks about. There is only time for the basics, but that will be enough. He'll...ask the plants later. The information gained is noted in his journal as they leave the city, having nothing else to do in it.

In a few short hours of walking, you find yourselves approaching the largest farmhouse in the area. It is nearly sundown and most of the fieldworkers have either finished or are preparing to finish the day's tasks. After knocking on the door, you are greeted by an elderly, perhaps 60-years-old, gentleman with wispy white hair and medium frame. He holds a simple cane in his right hand that helps him walk. It is obvious that, in his prime, he was once strong enough to maintain the farm on his own. He examines the four of you.

"You must be here about the beast. Come inside. We can answer questions over some tea, especially if you are planning to face the creature tonight."

The walk to the village was fine. Quiet on his part. Surrounded by new people, on the way to a new job. It was a lot to take in. He tried to get to know the others a bit but mostly kept to himself. The more they know about him, the more they can hurt him.

Markus takes in the old man and his house. He feels almost as fresh as when he started the hike earlier in the day.

"I’ll come in. But no tea for me, thank you." Years of being an outcast has caused him to wary of… niceties.

A'ramis remains fairly quiet on the trip as well, but replies when spoken to. A few time he has to glare down at the ground, which causes a plant or too to slowly slide away from him. He gets it, and he sends a silent promise to talk to them soon.

When they arrive, A'ramis thinks to himself that the man seems to be in good health. He does enjoy tea quite a bit, but assumes that this man knows they are 'misfits'. His attitude would be the important thing. "Thank you, we were hoping you might have more details on it. Does it appear reliably each night?" That, while not outside possibility, would be a rare thing for a beast to do in his experience. Mentally he increased the potential intelligence of the threat, as a reliable nightly attack would hint to some form of planning.

The elderly farmer leads the party to a modest kitchen and sets a black pot on a warm stove and prepares four cups with a spoonful of herbs in each.

"Details from the farmers here are scarce. In fact, the only ones that have laid eyes upon the creature are adventurers that have already failed to rid us of this menace. What we are aware of, is it seems to hunt livestock primarily. As such, the farms nearest to the forest have had to change the way they handle their pastures. Some have had to temporarily trade some livestock to farmers who live further away."

A high-pitch whistling interrupts the man's words and he responds by taking the pot and pouring very hot water into the four cups. He then brings the cups over and sets one for everyone except Markus.

"Best to give it a few moments to let the leaves steep in the water and for the temperature to be more manageable.

Where was I? Oh yes, It seems to now hunt a much wider range than just near the forest. As we have had to change how we farm, so to has it changed the way it hunts. And, yes, I believe at least one farmer has had some lost livestock each night. Except after a cow is killed. If I recall, it spent a few days without attacking any livestock after that."

"Does it just kill? Or does it kill and eat? Also, do you know anything about what it looks like? We couldn’t get much information before we left to come here. "

A'ramis followed the man to the kitchen, being careful of their possessions and to keep his hood in place. When he was given the cup, he smelled the tea in an attempt to discern the plants used. He listened to the man, and one point caught his attention. When Markus paused, he spoke up. His voice was a bit slow as he thought at the same time but still his usual even volume.

"What livestock does it normally take? If it uses them for food, or whatever it needs them for, and a cow lasts a few days then it would be good to know what it needs nightly. It could give us an idea of size and how energy conservative it is."

The tea has a robust earthy scent with notes of tree bark and nuts. The taste is slightly bitter with a hint of cocoa. A'ramis can't discern all the ingredients, but he knows enough to replicate the tea through trial and error if he wanted to. Also, the tea is very caffeinated.

---

The elderly farmer rubs his chin in thought.

"No one I have spoken to has had a good look at the creature. They say it has the head of a feline, but instead of fur, it has scales like a snake. We know that it has large claws and sharp fangs from the carcasses we have discovered in the morning. I mean, if we had only the remains of its meals to base our assumptions on, I would say it was a mountain cat the size of a bear.

As for what it takes each night; a couple chickens or a sheep or a goat. I would hazard a guess to say it eats everything it kills, and the only creatures it has attacked and not eaten were people. Though, it seems to only attack those that get too close to the edge of the forest."

The man takes a sip of his tea and lets out a sigh.

"No one has been spared in the co-op, even I have lost a few hens."

"Hmmm… I see. It certainly sounds formidable and I’m sorry you lost those hens. We’ll do what we can to end this threat to all of your livelihoods and lives."

Markus looks at his companions to see if they have anything to add or ask. But he feels like the best thing to do is get out there and hunt.

A'ramis makes a note of the tea, as it is quite good overall. It would be an interesting base to work from, at the very least. But he pays attention to the man, and tries to tally up the amount of food needed in one night. So, nocturnal. Hungry, but doesn't like the taste of people. Territorial, feline like but scaled. Bear sized wasn't horrible, he had expected larger and so was pleasantly surprised. "We will do our best to assist. How close do you have to be to the forest to get attacked? And can you go in or near during the day just fine?" If it didn't care during the day, perhaps it slept heavily or sunlight was actually an issue for it.

"Not many people have been attacked. All from behind and only back when we didn't know what was going on. Those that were attacked are the farmhands that work for farms closest to the forest. I can't say for certain what they were doing, but some of those fields are right next to the forest.

However, the attacks only happened after a few livestock had already been lost and some effort was spent looking in the forest to see if a culprit could be discovered. Needless to say, once people started being attacked, none of the farmers have dared enter the forest."

"Good questions A’Ramis. When the people were attacked, were they alone? Obviously no one saw the creature, but we’re they working the fields alone or just separated from the other fieldhands?"

A'ramis took out his journal and began to write what they knew in short form, on the page with the sketch of Megan's map. Something in it might be important. He looks to Markus when he speaks. "That's a good point. It may not like groups of people." And if they were in groups, it might be fairly stealthy. Or there could be more than one, if multiple people all got attacked from behind.

"I think it prefers to attack those who are alone, but it has also attacked groups of people. And even the lone farmhands weren't too far from another person as they were quickly found and aided.

To be honest I can't rightly say how it feels about groups of people. I'm thankful it doesn't see us as food, though."

Markus nods again. He’s not sure how much to trust this man, their host, with, but he has a plan. He leans back in his seat, and waits for the others to finish.

He makes sure to look to the women and ensure they don’t have any questions and aren’t being over looked.

A'ramis nodded and jotted down a single note before he closed his book and tucked it away. He had to admit confusion about these accounts. This creature was large and dangerous, yet only took livestock usually. It did not seem to care if there was a group, but went for them one by one while being so stealthy about it that no one could get an actual look at it. It stayed mostly to the woods, but by their knowledge it wasn't territorial enough to care when someone went in if it wasn't hunting. Perhaps the community was holding something back, but why? He looked around at the other three, although it may have been difficult for them to see that. "Any other questions or comments? If not, we could head out and compare ideas." Even if the flora of the area had nothing to convey, he could enlist its aid to keep them safe should it get to that. Pits were always useful, for a start. But did he want to do so with these three? Hmm, there lay the problem.

Markus waited a few seconds to see if any of the ladies had any questions. If not, he stands up and offers to shake the hand of the host. "Thank you for the hospitality, sir. I hope to see you again once this is all resolved. "

The old man finishes his cup of tea and leads the four of you out of his house.

"Thank you all for your help. For all our sakes, I wish you success."

As the four of you stand outside, Wraith looks at the two of you and asks.

"Well, were to next? Are we camping or are we hunting!"

The cool air of the night is illuminated by a partial moon. Megan looks up to sky.

"It seems that we will have clear weather for tonight, so we may be able to avoid using a lamp or torch to get around. If we are indeed planning on searching the area tonight."

"I'm not entirely sure that camping would be the best bet, but if we can figure out a relatively central location to the attacks we could have a little base set up there. From the sounds of it, waiting for it to come to might be dangerous with how stealthy it seems to be. The entire thing feels a bit...odd, but not impossible." A'ramis paused, and continued. "If we can get within a decent distance of the woods the earth may be able to help. At the very least, I can lay some groundwork for possible help later on." He didn't like surprising it with need for help unless there was no other option. It often worked better that way. He was nervous as he spoke, which came across in tone and with how restless his body seemed.

Markus tests his muscles. The walk to the town was long, but not overly arduous. He feels pretty sort still. "Let’s hunt. Or at the very least try to lie in wait. We’ll go towards the woods now, and see if we can spot any potential targets. If so, we’ll try to set up an ambush. If not, we can rough it, sleep in shifts until morning and then figure out another move. What do we think?"

"That could work. We could always try to make ourselves the targets. Risky, but might be faster. I can say more, perhaps, once I've asked about it." A'ramis decided to let it go, after all he would most likely need to show them at some point. He closed his eyes to look for the tug he wanted, and when he found it he opened them and turned towards the woods. Now that he had alerted it, the earth didn't like to wait long. So he began to walk as the grass played along his path. He wasn't a stranger to co-operation, but he also knew the woods were his element far more than any city or town, and so wasn't overly concerned if the others followed or not. As he let himself open up to it, the feeling let him know that yes, this was his world.

Megan and Wraith follow behind A'ramis as he begins to walk toward the forest.

After walking only for about thirty minutes, the treeline comes into view. Stillness and silence fill the air as the moon's twilight reveals the forest.

The two guildmates ready their weapons and look to wear more serious expressions as the keep an eye on their surroundings.

The group cautiously approaches the edge of the treeline and pauses for a moment.

Wraith breaks the silence first.

"It might be safe to assume that the creature is out hunting, so we might be able to find where it spends its days and ambush it when it gets back."

"Or we can track it while it is out hunting for prey."

Megan adds to Wraith's words, with barely a breath between the two.

"Hmmm. Well, this is technically not our hunt. Whatever you choose, we'll follow."

Wraith gives an exaggerated wink to A'ramis.

A'ramis didn't respond and knelt down on the ground. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he opened them. There were various plants where he had stopped and he held his hands out to them, reaching out with that odd magic he'd been born with. "I'm here." Some of the plants moved to wind around his fingers in greeting, and to ask what he needed. It was a warm, familiar feeling and he found himself smiling. This strange connection to the earth and it's flora may have made his life worse in many places, but this was something he would never want to give up. "There's something in these woods that is scaring the farmers. It kills their animals, and has threatened them as well if they get too close. I want to learn about it and see why this happening. If you could show me where it lives, or a place where I can learn what I need to know, I would be grateful." He could feel as the earth understood his request and waited for the reply. It was always different in how it showed up, which he chalked up to the personality of the local flora. He'd most likely need to focus on what they gave him to get the most amount of use out of it.

"New. New. New. Asking for new. Different. Unfamiliar."

A chorus of voices reach you as if flora was conferring with each other as they replied to your question.

"Unbalancing. Killing. Hunting."

A'ramis immediately gets the feeling that the creature is harming the natural ecosystem of the nearby forest as well.

"Sleeps nearby. Home. Sunlight sleep."

The leaves of the trees shift slightly, as if pointing in a direction into the woods.

"Follow. Safe."

A'ramis stands up carefully, aware that some of the plants could break if he doesn't. "Thank you, I'll follow." He starts to follow the directions of the leaves while he briefly explains to the other two. "The earth doesn't like whatever it is as the creature isn't natural to here and is thus causing problems. It sleeps during the day, and the flora will lead us to where it sleeps. From the sounds of it, at least. Wherever we're led will be helpful to us."

The plants guide you to a tree flanked on both sides by a small stream. The tree itself has a large branch that looks to be where it rests. There are also claw marks and dried blood on the trunk of the tree, presumably where the creature would climb up the trunk. You imagine the spot would be rather beautiful in the daylight.



"Here. Here. Sleeps. Here rests. Eats."

Nearby you can see the bones of many different creatures.

A'ramis thanks the forest for the guidance and crouches down to look at the bones that lay everywhere. It's so...wanton almost. His eyes go to the bloody and clawed tree trunk. Well, time to see what he can figure out. There was a lot he already knew, but A'ramis took out his journal to see if Kara had taught him anything about the things he didn't know already. Or perhaps he'd noted it himself before. He took the time to check the map as well, to add where this was and perhaps notice anything he needed to know regarding how it was positioned.

As A'ramis pulls out his journal, Wraith gives a quizzical look to A'ramis.

"Watcha lookin' for? If you've got any questions, you know can ask us, right?"

Megan interrupts Wraith's line of questioning.

"We will keep a lookout while you read. Let us know if you find anything."

Wraith throws a pout toward Megan, but gets the hint and starts looking out, away from the tree.

---

A'ramis' search starts slow, but eventually he finds a promising section. Unfortunately, by the time he finishes the section he finds he has wasted his time and discovered nothing within.

A'ramis sighed as he closed his journal. Of course there wouldn't be anything. It narrowed the field slightly to things unknown to him, but that didn't narrow it by much. While asking his companions had crossed his mind, the guild knew nothing about what this creature was. He supposed the two with him might know something now that they had seen evidence, but it might be another waste of time. A'ramis went forward and tapped the tree trunk as he thought before he half turned to the others. "If we ignore the actual area we are in geographically, would these signs mean anything to either of you in different terrain? Even if it seems contradictory?" If the thing had been forced here, then it was entirely possible nothing made sense on the surface.

"The first thing I can note is that this creature doesn't act like any large cat I have ever encountered."

Megan begins immediately, as if she had been holding in the words since they got here.

"That branch is too low. Most cats take their meals much higher as they are most vulnerable while they eat and want to avoid another creature coming to take their meal. Whatever this creature is, it looks to be pantomiming what a feline would do without actually understanding it."

"Also, I don't think it actually knows how to climb a tree."

Wraith chimes in as Megan finishes her thought. She stands at the base of the tree

"These claw marks look completely haphazard."

Megan walks over to give the tree a closer examination. She does little to avoid the trickling water at the base of the tree.

"Is it just me, or is it a bit odd that it would pick a tree in the middle of a waterway?"

A'ramis felt oddly amused. "You know, you don't have to wait until I ask you something to say what you think. I agree, I don't think it's a cat. As for knowing how to climb a tree...I've seen worse. It also might not be trying to climb - or look like it's climbing - at all. The marks could have an entirely different purpose. I've seen them used to mark territory before. Depending on the intelligence of this creature, it could have set up a warning on purpose, including the bones." The water was strange though. "Do you know where this stream comes from? Perhaps it needs the water and not the tree."

Wraith winks and gives A'ramis a thumbs up.

"Well, the whole point of this mission is to see how well you'll fit in with The Misfits. So, we can't do all the thinking for ya!"

"More importantly, there are no lone-wolves in the guild."

Megan doesn't look up from the map that she is now looking at with a critical eye.

"The world has turned its back to us, so we must learn to trust each other if we are to thrive."

"'Thrive' is the key word there, A'ramis. Surviving is something we all have had to do alone. But to truly live, people need a community."

Wraith smiles warmly at A'ramis.

"The river comes from the nearby mountains and travels through mostly untamed wilderness forest. However, there is a note about ancient ruins within this forest. It would be reasonable to believe that these ruins may be adjacent to the river."

A'ramis might have responded to being a lone wolf, as that wasn't actually what he'd tried to do, but the mention of ruins made him stop and look at the water. "Ruins... depending on what's in them it could be the draw to the water. And possibly why this creature is so odd to begin with. How far would you say they are?"

"The map doesn't say. Just a mention that it exists. In fact, most of the forest here is uncharted on this map."

Megan raises an eyebrow and looks up at A'ramis.

"But I'm not against adding more detail to this map."

"Ummm, we probably ought to take care of the creature first."

A'ramis wasn't sure the two weren't connected, but he might be able to get a better answer from the plants. "The creature is odd, right? Perhaps it originated there. Which means that area might have answers. Might not too." He crouched down once more to touch the ground and talk to them. "This creature, why does it choose this spot? Did it come from upriver or somewhere else?"

"Too late! Here. Here! Here. Approaches! Danger!"

A'ramis barely has time to finish his spell before he is it with a cacophony of many different floral voices. Looking around, A'ramis notices two things immediately: one, he can't see whatever is causing the plants to freak out; two, neither of his companions seems to be aware of the danger.

A'ramis pulls off his hood to use his ears properly at the same time as he slams the palm of his left hand onto the ground. His eyes shift from their pure red to contain flecks of different colours as he works through a hopefully adequate response. "Defend us, trap it." As he gives the basic instructions verbally, he envisions a possible response - a wall of solid ground, a pit for the creature, a burst of growth to entangle and restrain it. He's never quite sure what will be chosen, but as he feels the scars over his heart change to crystal he hopes it will be as effective as he needs. Doing this more than once in succession was not a good idea.

A'ramis's words are quickly followed by the sound of tree branches crashing into the nearby forest, southwest of your position. At the same time, ground foliage quickly grows tall around the clearing.

"Where is it?"

Megan snaps as she deftly draws her spear into a ready position. Wraith quickly takes position next to Megan and pulls out a wand.

The three pairs of eyes scan the darkness, but the forest and night obscure the scene. Only the sound of crashing branches can be heard.

His ears flicked around as he stood up in an attempt to pinpoint where the thing may be. He kept himself as much in the same orientation as he could, to attempt to eliminate his own movement messing up his directions. A'ramis readied his bow, the crystal it seemed to shimmer with different colours once he griped it in his hand. A string of light formed, but he still did not reach for any ammo. Or even have any. His main focus was to find the thing. "I've got southwest so far, but I might be able to narrow it down."

A'ramis couldn't get a visual indication of what was happening, the magical growth around the clearing his line of vision, but he could where the action was happening. His ears were also telling him that the spell failed to trap the creature and that it was now moving east. If A'ramis had to guess, the creature was attempting to approach the clearing from another direction.

Also, the magical trapping spell was no longer making enough noise to easily track the creature.

"It's moving east, and started out southwest, but it's moved enough I can't hear much of it anymore. It certainly doesn't like that we're here, so it might try from another direction." A'ramis told the other two what he could as he kept attempting to find it by sound. Even if he could warn them which direction was dangerous that could help.

Megan and Wraith turn and face the east in near unison, but it is obvious to A'ramis that they cannot detect the creature's movements. Luckily, a nearly imperceptible sound catches his ears and he is able to hone in on a specific direction. It is at this moment that A'ramis catches a small glint, like an eye, of a creature through the darkness and foliage.