Sure enough, four creatures crawled out from the bushes and the early evening shadows soon afterward, looking a little like hairy, bipedal crabs. They don't make any noise, yet somehow everyone hears a faint chittering noise. It doesn't take long to figure out the source once the party knows they are there.
Immediately, Draj fires a bolt of arcane energy into the nearest creature, sending a howling noise into his head.


With some warning about what they are attacking from Draj (after he himself blasted it), the group was fully prepared for whatever the meenlocks had to offer. The warning gave Angela a good chance to weaken the group for everyone else; she fired an arrow at the same creature Draj had blasted, sending a hail of thorns out to the other three. Taking advantage of the thorns, Lorenthar leapt into the fray, pinning the first of the creatures on the ground with a nice rend and throat-bite, like the big lover he is.

Seeing its companion die, in addition to taking quite a few thorns itself, Meenlock Drei runs to the lion and slashes at him with one of its claws, for 7 damage. After this attack, it teleports into the nearby shadows. Meenlock Vier follows suit, digging one of its claws into him as well for 9 damage, before also teleporting to shadows on the other side.

Harriet, after giving everyone a chance to catch up to her lead (clearly), teamed up with Draj for a shared attack - her with her whip and dagger, and Draj with his longsword. Unfortunately, Draj's curse on the creature took him just a little too long, as Harriet's whip grabbed the creature's arm and jerked it out of the way and closer to her. (Likely) with a smug smirk to Draj, she jabbed her dagger into it, as well. With a flourish, she pushes the creature away...again thwarting an attempt on its life by her teammates, as Evyrless's rapier pierces the air where it had been. As she does this, a single holy note enters the big kitty's ears and he feels (4 HP's worth of) comfort.

Meenlock Zwei, annoyed at being moved more than anything else, and looking quite haggard, grabs Harriet's arm, nearly breaking it for 9 damage before also teleporting away. It's not immediately obvious where it went...but almost immediately after doing so, the entire group can hear it fall on its face behind them, apparently overbalancing after the attack and the teleport. This time on the ground gave Angela a chance to fire an arrow at the creature, but her shot sailed over it, landing on the ground between its feet.

Harriet follows the arrow, using it and her own skill to guide the dagger into the creature, then whipping it for her own sadistic pleasure. This attack was followed by a loud (and moist) cracking and squishing sound as the giant kitty crushes the creature like the giant insect it is, and roaring with such a powerful victory roar that he feels his health itself improve.

Everyone hears the roar, followed by a screeching and clawing noise in their heads as the other two meenlocks run up to Angela and Evyrless, respectively. The one charging at Angela slashes with its claw, somehow finding purchase (but only just) in one of the few areas not protected by her armor, dealing 6 damage. Its friend (or whatever relationship they have) does the same in an almost perfectly (and arguably beautifully) synchronized attack on Evyrless, for 7 points of damage.

Running over to save the priestess, in tandem with her, Draj swung his sword and hit! Only he didn't hit the meenlock. He hit the priestess' dagger. The two pull away, and in a smooth motion almost like a dance, Evyrless grabs her holy symbol and whispers to the Raven Queen for protection. There's a slight twitch from the creature as it watches her, but it is likely purely annoyance. The ranger by the other meenlock managed to fire a shot into it, even with it's attack claw slashing at her, and successfully pierced its thorax. It looked weak by this point, but was still able to stand.

Seeing the little beast dead and the two rushing down her old flame and this new woman who was smoldering in her own right, Harriet sprang into motion. She dashed the distance between the beast and herself, cracking the whip in her right hand as she neared it then sliding to a hault and slamming her dagger down into the crab thing. It is clearly not doing well.

Upon seeing Angela engage the enfeebled enemy, the big cat rushes past her, using her and her attack as cover to avoid an attack of opportunity, instead attempting to take down the last remaining enemy who seemed unchecked. Roaring up to it, the woodland beast swipes with both paws, left then right. It lands hard on the ground, when the beast takes a chunk out of the meenlock. While it clearly looks more stable than the other, it is also not doing well.

(Through some miracle of rolling for them) both Meenlocks first retreat from everyone's minds, then teleport away into the shadows before running further. Evyr, Draj, and Lorenthar close the distance somewhat, and the first two send spells in the direction of the meenlocks. Draj's eldritch blast careens into a tree (because I wanted to say careen), and an icy, spectral hand reaches out for one of the creatures, but fails to latch on.

With a flick of both dark, cupped feline ears, one before the other and a low proud snort, the great cat dug at the earth with a paw and let the rest of its body do the remaining communicating. If the Meenlocks, those that seemed to narrowly escape as they did, could understand the gesture, it would come across as something between territorial and arrogant; a direct challenge that they were too busy withdrawing to care for and perhaps even think of at all. Yet, there was no time to celebrate much further. They, the outsiders and the cat itself, were more taxed than they were before by the attackers, who now disappeared back into the brush, making noise before their hurried sound vanished completely.

This all settled, the tremendous animal withdrew, padding past the majority of those present only to pause and look back to them from over its shoulder. The emerald eyes suggested they best keep moving, if not outright following. Wandering the wood was an unwise tactic for anyone unfamiliar to them. The Syldran were as much a threat as the monsters were, but it appeared that things had escalated further. Meenlocks were uncommon, twisted fey that were rightfully hated and reviled by anything, but to have them appear so suddenly and boldly was more concerning. Side to side the tip of the woodland beast's tail twitched in thought, mulling over the events; it had looked away for a few moments then back to them expectantly.

The three women and the dragon-kin.

What an unusual collective they were... and familiar to these "Servants of the Fiend". Certainly not allies of them, that much was certain to the powerful beast; its once deep wounds had mostly staunched themselves from its invigorating roar at this point as they idled in the forest. It stung even yet, but not nearly as much as the draw to find out what had happened to the Gate. Someone or something had debts due, not just to the land and realm itself, but the higher heavens abroad. They needed a place to recover for the time being, a haven in the wilderness. There truthfully existed no shortage of these, but the tremendous tiger-like feline doubted they would be content to camp in hiding around a den, let alone have the knowledge who to keep themselves out of sight and mind. There had to be somewhere close suitable for them all...


But first they needed to leave this place and recover themselves before attempting that venture.

@Ermine@JBRam2002@Landaus Five-One@Ms Ravenwinter@Big Dread

There was little point in chasing after the fey creatures once they were on the run. It was obvious that they could outrun the group, and with any luck, they would not return. Besides, the presence of a giant cat was enough to constantly throw off Drajhan's aim. It mattered little however; the curse of his Hexblade did not care who felled an enemy, as long as its blood was thoroughly spilled. Draj sighed in relief as the wound on his side closed with magical energy. Thanks again, he silently prayed to his patron.

As the cat began to wander, Draj sheathed his blade, somewhat disappointed there was no reason to clean it. "I say we should likely find some shelter before they return, perhaps in greater numbers. It would be helpful for us to return to full strength before trying to leave this wood." His gaze met that of the Giant Kitty's and Draj's voice trailed off. "I mean, this fine, beautiful treed forest full of wonder and-- oh, I believe the Cat wants us to follow. Either he knows of a resting place, or he plans to take us to his den. And eat us. Terrifyingly. Let's follow!"

Draj jogged forward to catch up with the cat, and gently patted his shoulder. "Nice work out there with those meenlocks. You make a fine escort through this wood."

As a spectral claw reaches forth to grasp at air and brush, only to disapparate, a huff of frustration pushes past the raven cleric's lips. Panting was her only evocation, any words failing to release their clutch at her throat. She had accomplished nothing in this fight, save from begging sanctuary of her goddess. If it were a battle against a real threat then her failure to perform may have been the death of them all. She may have been more choked up about it if she weren't distracted by the seething ache in her side where the creature had torn her body.

"Wait," she coughed. With her and her allies sundered, immediate attention was needed. A several mile jaunt through the forest may not hurt them, but the profuse bleeding might. Evyrless bowed low where she stood, wincing as her wounds were compressed at the movement. She gave a prayer for a while that could be heard within a moment's walking distance. The Raven Queen replied, offering restoration to the cleric and her party's injuries. When the wounds were mostly healed, Evyrless stood and gave a silent nod to Lorenthar to carry on.

Angela put away her weapon back on her back and was grateful the fey creatures were gone. She felt the healing power from the cleric that is with them. She heard what Draj said and noticed where the big cat has gone. She jogged after the big cat and the two others that went on ahead mostly. She stayed quiet while staying with the group that was following the cat. ”I guess… I should’ve been more subtle,” Angela thought to herself. Her thoughts were all over the place, especially about her introduction mostly.

In a little over half an hour, and with no incident, the group reaches the abandoned hut. It looks big enough to hold everyone. It definitely seems to be suitable protection if the group wants to take a long rest, maybe share a meal of the now "wild" vegetables together.

Thankful for the surge of healing that had radiated from the new company, the strange priest in particular, the great cat kept a close eye upon the entire entourage as they made their way quietly through the forest. Fortunate for them all, the beast that was Lorenthar knew this area well enough to avoid the more obvious dangers and nuanced in detail to lead them to a safe place for the night. However, wandering through the thick of the woods, winding and weaving, following natural paths as they meandered was no mundane work. This all came with reason, after all, that which perhaps they would come to realize in time; it was intentionally disorienting. If for whatever reason the tremendous pantherine beast felt its company were as much a threat as they were a boon, it did not debate for a moment on disappearing into the wild and leaving them vulnerable in these hours of twilight.

Much to all their benefit, they seemed to mind themselves and the forest's approach from all angles. The reward for this was of relative worth, a grounds for resting during the night to come. A hovel, mostly fallen in on itself, laid on the grounds here alongside what was its crop many years ago; the plants having gone and grown wild, thick and lively. It was reclaimed from whoever had owned it and a unique landmark the beast took interest in as it made the best site for outsiders to venture to if they ever found themselves in the woods.

Although today, as night drew nearer with its efforts to convert the sky to purple and navy, it was also inhabited by the hunter of these woods; the cat itself. And without a word or direction, as it led them to this place of relative safety, it began to rend some of the bark of the trees present with its vicious claws. Bits of splintered wood and debris cascaded from them as it went about, making its mark. Perhaps they would know the purpose, perhaps not, that really mattered none to it in honest. What did matter to the predator was that other creatures now knew it was here and was to be avoided.

A fight not fought was often a fight won.

@Ermine@JBRam2002@Landaus Five-One@Ms Ravenwinter@Big Dread

((OOC: Combo between Drajhan and Angela))

There was little to be said during the long walk through the forest. Draj’s mind darted between the strange occurrences of the day, from the meenlocks to the arcane gate to the giant cat whose goal seemed to be more of potentially drunken meandering than walking in a straight line. One thing among the details that stood out to him was the prayer uttered by the (now-assumed-to-be) cleric. As the group settled down for the night in the ramshackled overgrown hovel that the beast had dragged them to, Draj offered to take first watch.

Draj watched as the others took their meal, himself not too happy about the lean pickings from the forest. At the end of the meal, he volunteered for the first watch as he was in better shape than most. Drajhan set up watch outside the so-called “building” they inhabited, keeping an eye out for anything dangerous, and hoping he could finally get some time to himself.

Angela had much on her mind. She noticed her betrothed set up a watch outside of the building they were in. She walked up to him. “Hello, Drajhan I hope you aren’t mad at me?” Angela asked kindly.

Draj looked up to see Angela walking towards him and scoffed at the comment. “Nah, not mad at you,” he replied. “A little peeved at Harriet for setting you up like that, but that’s just like her. She knew I was betrothed to some girl, so she had you yank my chain a little.” Drajhan chuckled to himself. “Good one. You had me going for a bit.”

Angela smiled a bit. “Drajhan, I wasn’t joking about my betrothal to you,” Angela said. “I had to get your name from my parents and that’s all they told me.”

It was about this point that Drajhan realized she was either really committed to the story, or she wasn’t lying. “Gods be damned... but you aren’t even a dragonborn. Heck, are you even a noble? What sort of ‘alliance’ am I supposed to form with you?”

Angela was surprised at what he said. “I am a Baroness, and from a kingdom north of yours,” Angela said. “The Gillian Nobles have been around for a long time that what they tell me.”

“Never heard of ‘em,” Draj replied curtly before sighing. “Look, I’m sorry, but I’m really not looking right now. I’ve kinda got this thing... I mean...” Draj’s voice trailed off before he pulled his sword belt around and drew his weapon. “Take a look at this blade. This weapon is a symbol of the Pact I made with my Patron. A lot of the dragonborn Houses are also warlocks with similar Pacts and Patrons. Right now, I’m following my Patron’s bidding, and he didn’t exactly mention settling down and getting hitched as part of it.”

Angela was stunned at what he said. ”That is okay about certain things,“ Angela said. ”This is the first time I am learning about other people. I have been sheltered most of my life. It is a very nice blade, what’s it called?”

“It’s just a longsword,” Draj replied. “The gemstone in the hilt is part of my spell focus. My Patron allows me to create a weapon and this gem appears in the center.” He sheathed his sword again. “Not every blade deserves a name. Just like people, they must prove themselves before they deserve to be exalted. This blade has not done so yet.”

The dragonborn stood up and looked down at the girl who stood before him, taking in her looks for the first time. “For a human, you aren’t half bad looking, at least. You will find I am not a typical nobleman in many regards. One such regard is that I don’t care much what’s written on a piece of paper. I will not consider you my betrothed until you have proven yourself worthy of such a title. My apologies if that seems harsh, but I have seen what a forced marriage can do when there is little love in the family. It can destroy homes, and it can destroy kingdoms. I will not allow that to happen to my lands.”

Angela was relieved with what he said but she was blushing. ”Sir, you are different in all respects. I try to keep all my people within my kingdom happy by being kind. I have a feeling this is why my parents kept this from me. I will earn your respect and love, Drajhan. It was a pleasure to meet you.” She smiled kindly towards him.

Drajhan nodded and looked out into the darkness of the forest for a moment. “If you are as naive as you say, perhaps it would be good to start your training on these matters early. Come, sit with me. Help me on my watch. Eventually, you will come to love the lack of sleep from these long nights.” He sat back down, shuffling over somewhat to make room for the ranger. “I will make but one promise to you at this point, Angela. I will at least give you a chance. I can give you little more for now.”

Angela nodded to Drajhan and sat down. ”I will help you on your watch. I am happy for what chances you give me. I have never done one of these watches before. I am grateful my parents allowed me to go on this journey to find you.”

About halfway through the watch, Drajhan spotted something prowling around. He held up his hand to shush Angela and pointed into the darkness. A pack of wolves were sniffing around at the trail where the group had recently come from. Drajhan tightened his grip on his sword, but kept his hand up, signalling Angela to wait. He had never had much dealings with wolves before, but he had heard stories from farmers about wolves running off with their sheep. Nothing that a dragonborn and a ranger couldn’t handle, though... hopefully.

Angela can calm Drajhan down a bit, assuring him they're not actively hunting right now. She knew only a few things about wolves and this knowledge is mostly from her father. She looked at Drajhan and used her hand to motion to let go of his weapon.

Draj nodded to Angela. It seemed having a ranger around might be helpful after all, but he wasn’t about to let the wolves wander into the building. With a wave of his hand, a shower of sparks appeared at the doorway, sudden enough to scare away the wolves. Draj loudly whispered “Sorry!” as they skittered away.

The two spent the next hour partially in silence, partially discussing some of the different aspects of their cultures. Small talk, as it were, despite one of them having a rather large personality. Drajhan found it difficult to open up much to this girl. If she were really his betrothed, there would be plenty she would find out about him eventually, and some of it need not be displayed on their first night. The poor girl had no idea what she was getting herself into, but Drajhan made a promise, and he would keep it.

((OOC: Combo post with Evyrless and Drajhan))

The first watch passed rather uneventfully, and the dragonborn woke up the great cat whose snoring was enough to keep Drajhan awake during his watch with little other effort. Before retiring himself, Draj decided that this seemed an opportune time to make up for an earlier misunderstanding. Draj sidled up towards the wood elf and plopped down nearby, clearing his throat in preparation for words that rarely were uttered. “Madam, I believe I owe you an apology,” he said softly.

The voice rung through the last drifting vestiges of Evyrless’s slumbering trance. Her back visibly tensed at the interruption before giving way with a long meditative sigh. Looking over to him with a blank, chillingly emotionless stare, she says, “But what must a Baron apologize for?”

“In truth, not much,” Draj replied. “But I seem to have misjudged your station earlier during our... let’s just call it an unpleasant altercation. You had slapped me, and I spoke harshly. I did not realize you were devoted to the Raven Queen as I am. In my defense... you had slapped me.” Drajhan shrugged as if this were an occurrence that happened with some frequency. “But I should have considered before I reacted. This, combined with the healing you gave us earlier, puts me squarely in your debt. And so, I apologize.”

“Trust me when I say this… sir,” she hisses the final word, “That won’t be the last time I’ll have to strike you.” Her gaze runs cold toward Draj before turning aside to view the site before them. Noticing the cat standing vigil before the camp, Evyr stood from her perch. Eyes forward rather than meeting the drake’s again, she said, “Apology accepted,” before stepping forward off the hut onto the grass below.

“I suppose another apology is in order,” Draj called after her before getting to his feet. “I was unaware that we had met previously, or have seemed to have forgotten.” He followed Evyr off the roof, somewhat less gracefully than the elf, but thankfully he landed on his feet. “Oof... anyways, it seems I somehow did not remember your face, as that is the only reason I can see why you would believe I would be someone you should strike multiple times. It must have been quite a foul relationship indeed.” Drajhan dusted off the grass from his trousers before looking back at Evyr. “If for some reason we have not met, I would request you take the time to get to know your companions before making such a brash decision. It is difficult to take back a blow that has been struck.”

“I will be precisely as brash as I must be.” Evyrless swiftly turned on her heel to meet Draj’s gaze. Her stance shifted, becoming less composed. Her face contorted into a snarl. “Where I come from, there are more sniveling, pompous, arrogant dignitaries than I could dare to count. And to think that I would meet one that would feign allegiance to my Queen. You’re lucky that I only intend on striking you with my hand.”

“I have also met my fair share of pompous dignitaries,” Drajhan replied. “And I have butted heads with several. Be assured that I have no intentions on forcing you to do what I say. That is a good way for a leader to become headless.” He smiled sweetly at Evyr, flashing a very toothy grin. “In addition, you may rest assured that my allegiance to the Raven Queen is as devout as any other allegiance I may have. I may not live up to all of the expectations that a member of the clergy may have, but I certainly shall do my best, and shall listen if you believe my worship requires a modicum of correction.”

Draj withdrew his blade slightly from his sheath, highlighting the jewel embedded in the center of the guard. “See this jewel? This is a symbol of a Hexblade, one of the Raven Queen’s many servants. It is from this Hexblade that I draw all of my strength and magic. My servitude to the Queen is sealed with an unbreakable Pact. Please remember this when you next question my loyalties.”

The almost forcibly reserved nature of Evyrless sunk back into her as she retracted her confrontational posture. She didn’t seem either impressed or convinced at the bejeweled metal, but it gave her reason to stay her frustrations for now. “We shall see,” she said. Turning away once more, she marched to her watch for the night.

“That is all I ask, milady,” Drajhan replied quietly as Evyrless walked away. This time, he declined to follow, instead returning to where he had made his bed for the evening. Perhaps “friends” was too strong a word for their new relationship, but both now understood they were on the same team. In the dragonborn’s eyes, that showed some progress.

The ambiance of nightfall was a welcome distraction from the earlier hours of the day, wherein so many of them had been preoccupied with hunting these outsiders down... only to fail, if any attribute could be attached to it. Very dead were these fiend worshippers, these interlopers, but more so pressing on the heart was that the Gate was no more. Not a stone or sight of it existed any longer; naught more than an empty clearing. So to claim any sort of victory was ill placed, if not spectacularly so.

The great cat, where it had concealed itself to sleep amidst a thick of brush, had more hours than it preferred to embellish these thoughts. It was not his particular fault, in fact, there was reasonably nothing he could have done, but what had actually happened? What really transpired?

Looking onward and upward to the stars, it huffed in quiet to itself without any answers. There were stars, countless of them as any other night, but beyond them there were great celestial heavens that stretched beyond time and place. They were eternal, unchanging in their ever-presence. But a way to see them, at least prior to death itself, was utterly ruined. And then those those things, disgusting vermin they were and shadows of the fey.

How dare they desecrate a place of sobering sadness? Had any other Circle been present, they would have mourned this rather than calling for blood. Content to feed their mortal emotions rather than enact justice as they were called to as defenders of great nature. Anyone and anything responsible deserved to endure its wrath until they could no longer bear it.

For the beast, as it looked over their calm camp among the ruins of a reclaimed hideaway, it needed them to lead it to the enemy. Answers that could only come in time rather than when most needed, namely now. More importantly, it needed to gain their trust. Some of which it seemed to hold, but that was tenuous at best, only born of circumstance rather than legitimate and sincere belief it was an ally rather than a potential enemy.

For the next few hours the large animal observed in the quiet, remaining alert and vigilant. After all, now would be the best time to travel... to hunt... to patrol.

@Ermine@JBRam2002@Landaus Five-One@Ms Ravenwinter@Big Dread

The sun rose, annoyingly shining directly into Draj’s eyes as they first opened. He squeezed his eyes shut and turned away from the morning interruption, rolling over and placing his arm around the person who he seemingly fell asleep next to last night, not noticing at first the long red hair that adorned her face. That particular realization hit him shortly after, and Draj quickly rolled away from Angela out of his bedroll and onto the hardened dirt floor.

Any semblance of morning peace was immediately shot as he remembered the conversation from the night before. Why in the seven hells did he choose to place his bedroll next to the redhead that night after his conversation with Evyrless? He must have been more tired than he thought. Giving her a chance did not mean waking up next to her. Not this early on, at least. His only hope was that she had not yet awakened to notice his blunder.

Breakfast was eaten in silence, and greetings returned with a huff. Before Drajhan had consumed his morning meal, there was little he wished to discuss unless there was a dire need. His smoldering gaze passed over the companions he was forced with. A cleric of the Raven Queen, his supposed bride-to-be, his former fling and compatriot, and this ... beast. The gaze stopped on the cat as he remembered the events of yesterday. Yes, the feline had led them to this fairly-sheltered location, but what now? He had done his best to make them lose all sense of direction, and even the morning sun did little to guide travelers out of a dense forest. Drajhan knew a town or city had to be nearby, but geography was never his strong suit. He figured he had two choices: Either pick a direction and start walking, or continue to put blind faith in this giant furball. Neither option seemed especially appealing.

As breakfast wound to a close, Drajhan closed his eyes and muttered an incantation before opening them again and glaring at Lorenthar with a gaze that shown with the fury of his Patron. His incantation placed a hex on the beast, clouding his mind [Disadvantage on Wis checks]. Drajhan stood and drew his blade as he approached the cat.

“I apologize for the rude awakening, Sir Beast, but I believe you should know that I have little reason to trust those who refuse to show their true form. I have been bit by them before. Yesterday, I was not at my best. Today, I have no qualms with ensuring that you speak to us, preferably in a language we can all understand. Who are you, why are you here, and what do you intend to do with us? Speak plainly, and I shall sheathe my blade. Hide your words behind clever lies, and it shall drink your blood.”

"You are nothing but a lot of talk, outsider." An unexpected voice answered, one neither pleasant or kind but oddly familiar in a way that was unsettling, "So willing to repay kindness and safety with threats... how expected."

The cat sprung up to standing, fading away thereafter. The motion was swift, practiced and reactionary, as though in the morning sun and the shade that fell on it, it was as much a part of them as anything else.

"I am a warden to this land and you are, in part, the reason I am here. You had boldly come to a sacred place like the other invaders, but it seems you are not as much an enemy as they are." The green eyes narrowed, unimpressed with the attempted show of force and going so far as to point out the gesture as foolish.

The dragon and his company were in hostile woods, that of which had other watchful eyes hidden away in places the former cat even knew not. Were it not for the willingness to stand with them and fight, the odds were not so much in their favor as they had been before. This Lorenthar knew and that he kept close to his heart. It was everything to not even the odds or up the ante, but he was an opportunistic sort; a fair fight like this blatant challenge was not the best approach - the night just hours prior would have been, but Lorenthar did not act on that chance as it wasn't his intent as much as it could have been.

"If you are intent on continuing to threaten me then I will leave you to whatever fate the wood has for you, be it the elements, the beasts or the elves rather than answers." Lorenthar paused, keeping his hands freely visible; they were not the weapons he needed as it was if this were to turn to a conflict. Rather, they were a distraction as they showed palms out at the sides of his hide and leathers.

This was the reason the druid was so loathe to deal with mortal men and their troop. They were quick to turn the very spoils and victories of the day before and make them sickly. Whatever good will Lorenthar had was soured by this, but he was not surprised. Rather, he was more aloof to it than anything and it showed; attempting to intimidate him was going to get nowhere.

"Call off your spell or that is all I will share."

She had a strange daydream. It was of what the future might hold or something from her past that stuck in her head. She looked at the Gillian’s Castle from its palace and she had a kind smile on her face. She was approached by her father. ”Father, what is it?” Angela asked. She looked at her father’s facial expression and it didn’t really bring confidence to her.

He shook his head and looked at his daughter and he was slightly nervous. “Angela… I have to tell you something important,” Rowan said. He wasn’t happy that he had to tell her this and not his wife. “The important thing is you are betrothed to someone from the south,” Rowan said. He sighed in relief when he said those important words to his young and impressionable daughter.

Her eyes opened wide when her father said betrothed. ”Dad, why are you telling me this now?” Angela asked curiously. She shook her head in disbelief in what is going on now. ”Is it... because you are ashamed of me?” Angela asked. She had tears going down her eyes.

He looked at his daughter’s degeneration to crying. “Because it is for the better the Gillian line if you marry someone of noble lineage like ourselves. We have told you for a while to stop what you’ve been doing,” Rowan said. He had no remorse in what he said and he was truthful in what he meant.

She started to cry. “Dad… you’ve never been this blunt though,” Angela sobbed. She walked by her father in tears. She had never cried this much.

He grabbed his daughter’s left arm. “I am sorry but would you liked being yelled at by your mother or me telling you this,” Rowan said. He let go of his daughter’s arm but he did tell the truth in this.

She heard what her father said and cried more. She ran into her room and laid on her bed with her face on her pillow. ”I-I… feel helpless… is this what other nobles feel?” Angela asked herself. After that, it went to black.

---

She slowly opened her eyes and noticed an empty bedroll next to hers. ”Uuh, who was next to me? Angela questioned to herself. She shook her head a bit tried to figure out that. She sat up a bit and put her hands on her face but was not in a good mood. She was about to go into tears but something stopped her. ”I hope… my day doesn’t turn out worse than that daydream,” Angela thought to herself. She pulled her hands away from her face.

She got up from her bedroll and stretched a bit. ”I miss my bed at home,” Angela said, ”It’s comfier than the ground.” She walked somewhere near a wall and leaned on it. She started to eat her breakfast and looked at everyone who was there. She had much to think about while she ate her food.

She was taken aback from what Drajhan said towards the beast. She was startled when she saw and heard what the man standing in front of Drajhan said. ”Oh my…,” Angela thought to herself. She stayed there watching but she was scared and confused. ”What’s... going on?” Angela asked. She wasn’t done with her breakfast when this happened.

"The Beast shows his face!" Drajhan exclaimed, a wide grin showing on his maw. "Oh, come now. You didn't think I was actually going to hurt you, did you? As long as you are honest and forthright with us, there is nothing to fear." The dragonborn dispelled his hex on the former cat and dropped his blade on the ground before approaching. "My only fear was that my allies would not understand my intention and would rush to my defense. Luckily for you, Sir Kitty, I decided to test their reactions mid-breakfast, which I must say is a terrible time to test one's reactions. They performed as well as I could expect."

Drajhan stepped towards the druid and held out his hand, an offering to shake. "You must forgive me. We have little reason to trust someone who refuses to show their true form, despite this somewhat comfortable abode you brought us to. I had asked for introductions much earlier, and you declined. That speaks to me of either a very private individual, or one who has aught to hide. As you have now shown us what I assume is your true form, I shall further assume that you are of the former persuasion, rather than the latter. However..."

Drajhan flicked his wrist and the blade reappeared in his left hand, its point down towards the ground in a defensive stance. "...You still have yet to formerly introduce yourself. So perhaps we should start over. My name is Caerziros Drajhan, Baron and Vindicator of the Southern Coasts. I fight for my Patron and my people. Tell me your name, honorable feline, so I can use it instead of calling you 'Kitty.' Unless, of course, that is the name you prefer." Drajhan continued to hold his right hand forward in a greeting, his eyes glancing between his own outstretched hand and that of the druid opposite him.

@The Harbinger of Ferocity

”What’s... going on?”

The new figure in the shape of a man rather than the cat did not dare withdraw his focus from the dragonkin, let alone did he not so much as drop an inkling of acceptance of the events against him. If anything it was now more suspicious and distrustful than before, having been tried and tested by threat of a sword and bite of a magic spell. This was not without reason, good reason at that, as the outsider had said one thing now but his actions a moment before were tellingly different, so different that had the druid not complied that the warlock might have actually attempted to force him to. Regardless if the dragonborn did or did not have that intent all along, the man did not judge from what might be rather what the perception was.

And when dealing with regular men unaccustomed or initiated to these things of the wild, that point of watchfulness was a factor to keep alive if only for one more day.

"My only fear was that my allies would not understand my intention and would rush to my defense. Luckily for you, Sir Kitty, I decided to test their reactions mid-breakfast, which I must say is a terrible time to test one's reactions. They performed as well as I could expect."

The dragon gestured with an outstretched hand, taking a step forward; Lorenthar mirrored in reverse, taking a step backward with the corresponding foot and closing his hands into fists, still intent on defending himself. The motion was an overt warning, something much more difficult to communicate as a man rather than an animal. In most usual circumstance, this would be accompanied by a withdrawing of ears to the head and a quivering of the jowls while rousing a throaty resonance would vibrate the air; the line was already crossed as it was, but it was clear the man of the wood wasn't intent on reciprocating the "greeting" wished on him. Rather, the dispelling of the dark magic only just now offered any form of repose and conscious thought rather than instinctual reaction.

But when the sword reappeared in Drajhan's grasp, that of the free hand but a hand all the same, it only settled that the earlier gesture of "peace" was not to be trusted. Despite this the druid continued to listen intently, looking back to Angela now as the Baron carried on with his introduction. Lorenthar attempted to keep watch of all the onlookers, but that proved difficult with the dragon so close; there was no luxury of actual introductions to be had here after such a brazen move.

"And I have even less reason to trust you now, regardless of what you might claim."

Lorenthar's remark came with the decline to take the hand, his posture changing some from being overtly defensive to more at ease, having established the respectful gap of distance once more.

"You may call me Lorenthar." The human said, plainly and with the same level of demeanor he had displayed.

The fact that name was obviously elven was probably a subject of question, but it was just as evident the man said it with a straight face and not a tell or break of character. This wasn't an attempt to mislead, in that he either legitimately had such a name or went by it, as strange as that was. What was not unusual about this was that a druid could even so much assume such a name, let alone in this wood. If anything it became a bit more clear as to just why the beast had been so standoffish.

"My intentions," He began, returning to the actual matter requested of him instead of the formal pleasantries, "Are to take you to a gathering where they are likely to have some answers as to what transpired with the Gate."

"So if you are through convincing me this entire endeavor of mine was unwise, I will see to it that we get on with our way."

Angela relaxed a bit and continued to eat her breakfast and she finished it up. She listened to what Drajhan and Lorenthar said. She had still no idea what is going on but Lorenthar did help them out. ”Thank you, Lorenthar for helping us to find a place to sleep,” Angela said kindly. She glanced at the ground because she was distracted with the dream she had. She put her eyes straight back onto the two talkative ones.

She stood up slowly from where she was sitting. ”I think… I should get my bedroll. And I might find out who slept beside me too,” Angela thought to herself. She had a smile on her face at that. She walked back in the direction of her bedroll but made sure she didn't step on the other person's bedroll. "All I want to do now is cry as if I am a child again. But I need to be strong for the Gillian Family," Angela thought to herself. She had tears in her eyes but wiped them off.

Any fight was worth having if it meant the air could be cleared and friendship could be forged. Of course, it could also distract people from eerie silences, especially those who weren't likely to notice such silence anyway (also known as Draj). The keen ears of a cat-man, a ranger, a wood elf, and someone who grew up among the trees, however, picked up the odd dispersal of birds as the silence fell, with only the wind being heard.

One of those could easily identify the cause, too, living in these forests so long, and knowing the general layout of the land and who would inevitably make a journey toward the gate after such a disturbance. Lorenthar knew it was only natural a nearby (or relatively nearby, as it was nearly half a day's journey for them) village of firbolgs would want to investigate, or at least send a large scouting party. There were no less than 20 that arrived, seeing Lorenthar first and moving toward the group. While Draj didn't seem to be in the most threatening position, he did still have his blade drawn on someone their druids recognized as an ally, if not the most friendly of their Order.

"Ho tha." One exclaimed. "Them'n tha bothern you, Brotha Lowantha?"
(for those not versed in 'firbolg common': "Ho there. Are they bothering you, Brother Lorenthar?")

The sounds of the woodland, rather the absence thereof, noted to the young druid that something was off. Perhaps at first he thought it to be the power the dragonborn invoked, whatever strange source it came from was tinged with aspects of darkness; not malevolent, as their entire exchanged would be even more different, but almost as though it were a spirit of some sort, something from beyond and the other side. This however was not the case, for when the conversation lulled, the young woman chiming in with her sincere thanks, that unusual lack was decidedly different and not related to what he believed before. No, it was instead something else, subtly familiar in a way that was only an inkling rather than explicit understanding

Looking over his shoulder some, eyes scouring the leaves of the forest's edge, the approach the beast of a man found was a welcome change. A band of firbolgs, the same that dwelled in a village none too far from this place and a people highly attuned - even more than he or the elves that claimed these forests - to nature's very whim. It was a breath of relief, particularly after Baron Caerziros' very forward concerns.

"As difficult as it might be to believe, the contrary, friend." Lorenthar shared one last look to the elegant drake and the rest of the company, turning to face the lead of the firbolg scouts, "These outsiders fought against the corruption..."

The druid approached them, being mindful to let the towering figures move freely about the thick grass and plentiful stocks of fruit and vegetable this reclaimed dwelling had sprung up with in its owners absence.

"... however, I am certain you can imagine why my spirit seems somber and my heart looking for answers."

Drajhan quickly sheathed his blade, attempting to be as unthreatening as possible. Even he knew when he was outnumbered, and the better peace that could be kept with these newcomers, the more likely that all would survive this journey unharmed. He knew little about these creatures, but they appeared friendly, at least to Lorenthar, albeit unrefined. Unsure whether they were dim-witted or just lived outside the nomal culture, Drajhan felt it best to not proclaim all of his greatness at once.

"Master woodsmen," Draj spoke up, approaching the company of firbolgs slowly, "we witnessed yesterday the destruction of an important Gate. My friends and I attempted to stop this attack, and Lorenthar was kind enough to aid us. We were, regretfully, unsuccessful in our endeavors, and from what knowledge I have gleaned about this Gate, it seems this loss shall be sorely felt for quite some time."

Drajhan's countenance darkened, showing his own contriteness before he continued. "Lorenthar then led us here to recover from our wounds. We were just now getting to know each other better before deciding upon our course of action. If I am not mistaken, I believe we may have been on our way to find you, or at least some gathering of people who could aid us with more information. Have you seen the Gate? If so, is it irreparable?"

Angela was distracted from her dream it still troubles her to this day for what her father told her. She heard a new voice coming from where Lorenthar and Drajhan are coming from but she cannot understand it. ”Who's that speaking?” Angela thought to herself. She looked up into the trees and sighed. She heard Lorenthar speak to the new arrivals and had a friendly demeanor to his voice as if he knows who these people are.

She overheard Draj speaking about the Gate and things towards the new arrivals. She lowered her head and turned to see who the two in question were talking to. She saw Firbolgs and had a smile on her face. She had only heard rumors this race existed from her father. ”My father told me some things about Firbolgs. But it is always better to meet them in person than overhearing stories of my father’s wild imagination,” Angela thought to herself.

She looked completely confused in what Drajhan and Lorenthar were talking about to the Firbolgs about the Gate. She had an air of naivety to her since she had no knowledge or experience of what happened past her kingdom to the north. She had no idea what she could add to this conversation so she stayed quiet standing by her bedroll.