The Game

Skyro replies, The kind of business that allows you to get so drunk after you get paid, you'll forget that embarrassing encounter never happened. he winks, How about I pay you 2 gold for complete directions? Just write down everything you know about both paths, and that's it. You get your gold, and you stay here without having to deal with us for the trek there, deal?

The dragonborn reaches into his coin pouch and pulls out 2 gold, and slams it on the table. He then leans back into his chair, and folds his massive arms, and awaits a reply.

The Professor nods agreement and hands over the one gold being asked. Whilst he didn't intend on taking the forest path it always helped to be prepared. Although he made a point to no longer mention hos offer of citations disappointingly.

"Thank you, friend," the gnome said looking up at the cartographer and collecting his new map with excitement. "May your quill run smoothly and your parchments stay dry. Perhaps on my return to this town I could buy you a drink and help inform the drafting of that regional map you are working on. Until then, good day."

The Professor, packing away his map and donning his pack, once again braved the rain of Feldoor as he exited the shop.

He paused a moment.

Perhaps that hunters lodge could provide a guide, he thought to himself. He looked at his pocket watch amd figured he could spare a few more minutes.

Making up his mind he crossed the muddy road and entered the Hunters Lodge.

I look at Lief. I am from where ever nature needs me. I was born in nature, I live in nature, I shall die in nature. I say and then look back to our travels.

Lief looks behind to see if anyone else is following from the tavern. Great, I hitched my wagon to a nutter. Guess I'd better make the best of it Well, that is fascinating. So you are into camping then I presume? Fishing maybe? I used to go camping when I was a boy. I come from New Fundy, just in case you were wondering. My father and I would hike out into the woods every summer for a week long camping trip. Great times.

Camping is for those who view nature as a getaway. I view nature as life. I don't "camp", I live. Nature can be fun, but it's also serious. My job is to protect the balance in it. I say this while never once looking at him. Are you going to talk this entire time?

I suppose I don't have to, I just figured since we had decided to partner up we should learn a little bit about each other is all.

Is your knowledge or lack of knowledge going to effect the outcome of the mission? Are you willing to do the job without knowledge or is that a requirement? I simply ask because I do not know.

Look, I'm here basically out of boredom. But I can assure you, I have no issues with handling whatever it is we come across. I merely prefer knowing who it is that I'm working alongside. I spent a number of years tracking people down and it became a habit to know who I was working with, for and after

Very well, ask whatever questions you may have, then.

Cato stops trying to hide his smile. His friend may chastise him, but the matter was too funny.

"I know I should take caution before laughing at the struggles of others, my friend," he says, "but the sight of that little gnome whirling about and lecturing. The boisterous drunk dwarf soiling himself just at the moment that he thought that he would appear wise. An elf maiden with sticks in her hair proclaiming "Nature! Nature!" storming out like a ruffled hen. A dragon man growling, licking his long tongue and barring his sharp teeth. Even you, somber one, must have been tempted for a passing smile when you saw such fast wildness in one room! HaHA!"

Cato walked along behind Asterion, letting the comment fall wherever it may. Perhaps his friend would be cross, but Cato did not care. He knew that he had to take these moments from time to time, to remind Asterion of the merriment of regular life, else he might descend into gloom and malaise.

"Step to it, guide! Don't soft step your pace because of the rain!", he jeers.

Nothing crazy..just curious about where you are from, what brought you here?

As I said, I am merely from nature. I have no parents that I know of. I merely am. Nature spoke to me, told me this is where I needed to be, so here I am.

Hmmm, thats a new one for me...then if not to sound offensive...WHAT are you?

Skyro nods in appreciation, Glad we can conclude business on a good note. Enjoy your gold.

He then immediately reads over the instructions.
Hmm... I better catch up to those other folk and make sure they're not heading towards their deaths. Hopefully that tree hugger won't hear the forest "calling to her".

If you're coming too, then let's go immediately. Skyro says as he packs up the instructions, and walks over to his old table to pick up his pack. Skyro then heads out to the center of town to wait for P.D. and possibly Deruvin.

I am a druid and a wood elf. I am sure I have family somewhere, I just do not know them.

Elon is not sure what to make of everything that took place in from of him. In all my families dealing I've never come across anything like this. These people are all unusual, who can I trust? My whispers are silent.

As Awenasa and Leif leave the tavern Elon waits a short time before following. They seem no better or worse than the others. I'll follow them for a bit to see if I can get a better feel for who they are.

The picture started to become a little more clear. Ah, I understand, I think. Lief let the Druid’s revelation simmer a bit, deciding against continuing the conversation for now. No sense in forcing too much too soon.

Vortrin looks about the Hunter's Lodge, happy to be in the warmth of the great fire.

As he it takes in the scene he notices the dragonborn behind the counter and makes a note to advise Skyro of the presence of his kin.

"Greetings my draconic friend," Vortrin cheerishly says to the dragonborn in the Draconic language he had learnt years earlier. "Forgive me for my intrusion into your grand lodge but I seek your and brethrens possible services would you be so kind as to hear me out."

The Professor proceeds to divulge the necessary information about his quest and his fellow adventurers making a particular point that a dragonborn was in their party.

"I had hoped," Vortrin concluded. "That a member of the lodge could either act as a guide or at the very least advise on the particulars of our planned expedition."

Vortrin looked about those present in the room expectantly.

Cato earns a small smile from Asterion before the half-elf returns his attention to the trail, his simple but expensive boots squelching in the mud.

Asterion is often amazed that a man such as Cato who has been through so much hardship should still find humor and positivity in the world. True, that may only be Cato's way of coping, but it's a light in the darkness without which Asterion would no doubt be lost.

Lost in the woods. Asterion had gotten lost in the woods as a young boy. Those two days and two nights alone, cold, hungry and afraid, were the worst thing that had ever happened to him, or since. Apart from that, Asterion has led a comfortable life. No tragic loss, no harrowing event, no defining moment. Asterion has no business, really, being anything but utterly happy and content. Nothing but the darkness within that he has known all his life that no one could possibly understand. No one but Cato. Or perhaps Dana, if she had lived. He's been told he had a twin sister but she had been stillborn. Nothing to mourn there - he never knew her. Even these what-ifs have never truly been anything but curiosity.

Rustling in the brush, a flash of russet in the corner of his vision. Too fast, it's gone. "Cato." Asterion says, his step pausing, "I've never told you my first name. Asterion is my family name. Fox. My name is Fox."