The settlement of Portsmouth is located where a river meets the sea, on the New World continent. It is the largest colony on this side of the world so far, and by far the best funded. Anywhere Albic looks he can see people of all professions go about their daily business. Many adventurers like him also walk the newly paved streets, and the air is filled with the scents of foods, goods, lumber and the sea. Despite being quite well-developed, the town is obviously in its' infant stages. Many houses are nothing more than shacks, construction is underway everywhere and everything is new. Nobody knows the way. A town crier is nailing signs to a signpost as if on queue with Albic's thoughts.

But despite the intensity and enormity of the new world, Albic is not alone. No, he has something important with him. On his back he carries his satchel with supplies. Some provisions, a torch or two, rope, sleeping-bag, flint and tinder... The basics. On his back he also carries his spear, and three knives of different sizes adorn his belt. But this important item is something else. It carries sentimental value above the others . . .

What is this item? (Choose one)

Devilwolf's Hide
A hooded cloak made from the hide of a frenzied wolf that once terrorized the countryside. Albic alone managed to slay the wolf and claim his hide as his own. From it he made a cloak that has exceptional defensive and stealthy capabilities when worn.

Orcblood
A broadsword made of well-crafted steel. Albic is unsure where it came from, but he is quite sure it was a leftover from his father. He had found it castaway half-burried in dirt one day in his youth and had cared for it ever since.

Wildred Necklace
A necklace made of fangs, claws and talons. Albic's deep connection with the wilds goes beyond mere survival and pathfinding. It is spiritual. This necklace is blessed by the spirits of the wilds, giving him deeper understanding of the beasts of the world.

Woodcarved Mask
A mask made of oak, carved to fit Albic's face perfectly. When worn, he can see things that people can not. It is blessed by the spirits of hawks, after all.

Affirming to himself that his prized possession is still there, Albic takes a deep breath. Determined, he looks around town. He has been given his assignment: travel deeper into the wilds to the west and establish contact with the reclusive elven neighbours of which the colony authorities know nothing about and see if they are friendly or not. Yet... Perhaps there is something he should do before he leaves. Will he look around town before leaving or will he begin his adventure now?

In life the beast had harvested many lives, small and great, in death it served Albic, its hide shielding him from the blows and eyes of others. He thought back on his contest with the Devilwolf with a slight smile on his face. With guile, strength and patience he had brought the creature down and he now wore its trophy with pride.

His mind came back as a passer-by bumped against his shoulder. His senses were assaulted on all fronts, hardly a sound could be made out in the busy noise of the settlement, little could be seen beyond the heads of those in front of him or the nearest shack, there was barely any space to run or move and his nostrils were beset by all the foul smells of crowded urban life. He wanted nothing to do with this place for as long as he could help it. He considered the wisdom in seeking a travelling partner, but those truly worthy would strike out on their own anyhow! It was decided, he had to see this new world for himself. He made for the fastest way out of Portsmouth, whichever direction that may be..

Deciding to head west, Albic made for the road heading out of town. Finally escaping the crowds, noise and smells, he could feel his mind regaining focus once again. The wilds was where he belonged. Out here, in the untamed lands of a new continent, he would be at his absolute best.
Suddenly he bumped into something with his foot. "Ouwf!" came a noise, but it wasn't his own. He looked down and saw a gnome, sitting on it's rear in the dirt. "Watch where yer goin' ye big goof!" said the tiny humanoid. Blinking a few times, Albic felt stunned. How had he not noticed this little person until he had literally walked into it? Though, she didn't seem to have noticed him either and seemed equally as surprised. "How'd you manage to sneak up on me like that anyway?" demanded the gnome. She was small, made aggressive gestures as she spoke and the words just poured out of her mouth, as is usual for gnomes speaking common. They were simply way too fast in their sentences sometimes, a biproduct of their own language being terribly fast and minds even more so.
She was dressed as a typical adventurer, if not a bit thuggish, and carried a way too large backpack with her. She had a few scars from old cuts across her face, confirming Albic's suspicion. She seemed like quite the rogueish type. A shortsword (not much more than a dagger to Albic) hung at her waist and a green-pendant necklace hung around her neck. She seemed upset, her face lighting up in red that made her freckles look like pink spotlights.

The halfbreed stood above most humans and positively towered over the gnome. Under his cloak his body mostly resembled that of a broad built human, but his lightly tanned skin had a tinge of green in it and his heritage became obvious when looking at his face, which had a frankly ugly mix of human and orcish features, with pointed ears and small tusks. He wore thick and protective clothing, a natural mix of brown and green in color.

"A traveller does best not to bring attention to himself." he replied curtly to the gnome "What are you doing sitting here anyway?" he lightly kicked the gnome's oversized backpack "That a burglar's bag?" his tone was not one of judgement. Albic's ears listened keenly to his surroundings, but his eyes remained firmly on the gnome. He didn't intend to let her nimble fingers anywhere near his knives or other possessions.

The tiny humanoid's ears flickered with rage. "H-how dare you?!" she exclaims as Albic lightly kicks her bag. She gets up from the ground and waves her hands in anger. "What am I doing sittin' around?! You knocked me on my arse so what the bloody hell do you think?!"
She didn't seem to have any interest in Albic's heritage or his belongings, only her wounded pride. [i]"What are YOU doing here is the better question, are you tryina' rob me or something?!"
Albic's awareness of his surroundings may have missed the gnome somehow, but it did not miss the rustling of leaves nearby. The path that they were on was nothing but a small trail after all, and the wilderness surrounded them completely. Still, it was bright day so any nightpredators shouldn't be out roaming about. This isn't the land that is so familiar to them, however.
The gnome paused her rage for a moment as she too heard the noise. "Oi. Was that you?" she said in a much much more hushed tone. Her fingers stroked the handle of her shortsword.
From the thick brush the pair heard the rustle repeat itself. There was indeed something in the bush. "Okay, that wasn't you was it?" the gnome said and drew her blade carefully. She seemed nervous, but not in an inexperienced kind of way... Just... Dislike, probably. Albic wasn't too sure of how to read people, he was better with animals and plants.
Out of the brush came a big black nose. Then a pair of yellow eyes. Then two furry black ears, and a big drooling mouth with teeth. That's a black bear, Albic realized. Not the largest of bears but still of size enough to rival himself or swallow the gnome whole, quite literally.
It didn't seem agitated yet, but it did seem surprised to see two living creatures so close. It seems the two had been so stealthy that even the wildlife had missed them.

Fight or flight, Albic? Or is there a third option?

Albic intended neither to run like prey nor to foolhardily try and fight a bear head on without preparation. He raised his arms high in the air, extending his cloak like wings, making his form massive and let out a great roar, belonging neither to man nor orc but more to a beast.

The bear, surprised and shocked, ran away back into the woods. It seems Albic's towering visage and inhuman roar was more than enough to challange the bear. For several moments afterwards, the odd pair stood in silence, listening as the bear disappeared into the wilds.
"That..." began the gnome, uncharacteristically out of words. "Was... Amazing!" she burst, the last word expressed so loudly that the birds would've flown away in fright if Albic hadn't already done that.
The gnome seemed to regard Albic for a few moments with both fascination and glee, and then straightened her posture, nodded to herself reassuringly and held forth her tiny hand for a shake. "I'm Binksy! It's short for Binksandradine, my given gnomish name of course."