---

Neith stayed silent the whole time and waited until her new accomplices, she still didn't know what to call them as it would be a stretch to call them her friends, finished doing their introductions and arrived at the inn to settle in. At this point, the elf had a pretty good idea of everyone's strengths and weaknesses as individuals. They all didn't know how to work as a team yet but Neith figured they'll do pretty good. Neith actually thought they had a very solid line-up although she couldn't help but be confused by their weird taste in humor.

"Cool... Well, glad to make your acquaintances, fellow adventurers." She didn't show it but she was cringing on the inside so much, she felt like she was going to puke. She really wasn't used to working in a team and just calling them 'fellow adventurers' sent shivers down her spine and made her stomach flip on its own. She's not exaggerating, she's really not used to having any friends, let alone acquaintances.

She waved at the innkeeper and asked if they had anything non-alcoholic for her. Neith then turned to the group. "I don't know much about that particular forest, to be honest. I just heard some random rumors but that's about it. I'm guessing it has all the usual critters living in it like what we typically see in a normal forest but something tells me the creatures living in it are going to be very different than the ones I know. Judging from what Micah said, I'm going to bet that forest is hella cursed. It's a good thing we have mages on our team aye?". She said, playfully nudging her elbow at Micah

Time had passed, and the adventurers were the only people in the tavern, except for the attractive barmaid, who would be closing before long. She heard small bits and pieces of the group’s conversation. The forest, the big one’s axe, the other big one’s sword, that sorta thing. She gathered that they were on their way to give the forest a piece of their mind. Damn shame. The woman meandered over to their table and asked in a low tone, ”Can I get you all anything? It’s late, and we’ll close soon.” The woman worked here the latest out of the others, but rustling noises could be heard in the roof. That was another person who worked here, about to turn in themselves.

---

Meanwhile, man was staring out an opened but somewhat cloudy window, one floor above the adventurers. Did the tavern even have a second floor? He could also hear muffled conversations of the band of adventurers through the floorboards. He stared, leaning his elbows against the windowsill out into the windy night, a candle lighting the entire small room. It was peaceful, and almost entirely quiet in the man’s room. His thousand yard stare was aimed into the trees picking out pieces of their conversation, with a sigh.

@baraquiel @Jerkchicken @Utrax

Micah Aarseth

Micah looked over towards Nieth; rising a eyebrow underneath his mask. Being cursed was a understatement; the creatures in the forest were quite dangerous. Something made him anxious about the prospect about venturing inside of the forest. He thought that before they were going to go into the forest; that he should meditate and see what kind of issues they will face. But before he could do that he should tell the others what they could expect.

"We have seen brief images of what lurks inside of the forest; twisted creatures made out humans and animals. Creatures made out arms and eyes eating the flesh of ambitious adventurers" He said with a noticeable sense of fear in his voice. "And the great eye watching us at all times; you may not see it but the eye is watching us every night...disguising itself as the moon" He blurted out the last part sounding damn sure that the moon was watching them.

"We believe that before we explore the forest; we should prepare ourselves for what we see" Nodding his head. Thinking that they should mostly keep to a group; and he would have to make sure they do not go insane seeing these creatures.

Guritag raised a brow at the 'fellow adventurers' remark and YAWNED quite heavily while Neith and Micah spoke. Was she listening at all? Nope. In fact, Guritag had began taking a walk through her own thoughts-- so she was going with a group now? Already, she inwardly laughed at the fact they were just a mish-mash of random strangers. Some of her previous adventures had been with bands that at least had some kind of pre-existing knowledge of one another. Of course, her small adventure in getting to know Dion was something different, but this? How was a group of complete strangers supposed to do anything marginally successful together? Did any one of them have a single thing in common? Could they work as a team? Would they all just be self-serving when things got rough?

"... disguising itself as the moon..."

Guritag caught the the last bit of what Micah said but gave him a bored stare, before lapsing back into her own thoughts. Well, it seemed she would at least try and stick with Dion, if the rest of them decided to look out for themselves, but only to a certain point. While risking yourself to bring back an epic tale to the tribe was expected, you definitely had to be alive to, you know, bring it back.

She looked a mixture of bored and tired as she turned her attention quite suddenly toward the Barmaid.
A local.
That wasn't wearing a goat head.

"Beersling--" she yawned with a wave at the woman "--what info's ya got on th' local spooky forest?"

Dion would stir the slush with a metallic straw. Slowly the others would appear in the inn. It seems they might be doing this as a group after all. "Yeah she's pretty ok." Dion would cheekily say as Guritag introduced herself. His silvery eyes would pass over all of them as he did a head count. Seems like there was no one new here that had arrived. Once assured that they were already here he would speak.

"Alright, I'll keep it short and simple for you all. I'm working on behalf of the Arcanium and am looking for some aid in investigating. the forest. Helping you out will net you some pay. It'll be decent since this is pretty dangerous. Additionally I'll be giving aid in ID'ing stuff. Given the background of the forest, it's safe to assume there's plenty of stuff that's cursed or holding something unpleasant in it and I can help in dispelling. Anyway, It's your choice to take the offer; I'll be leaving in the morning so meet up here if you're joining me. Any questions?"

There'd be a barmaid hovering around their periphery. Dion was aware of her, but was focused on pitching his proposition. He was also caught looking at Micah funny when he said the moon was watching them. Truthfully he had no idea how cohesive whatever team from these randos he could pull together. He was hoping their desire to not die horribly and greed would create some mutual interest in working together and that it would sort itself out. Rita would beat him to the punch in asking about rumors. Instead he would say, "Sure, how about two more beers?" He might as well get some drinks in before the bar closed.

”Mm, the forest. Well, it’s a scary thing, folks don’t really go in expecting to come out.” The barmaid said, on her way back with a few beers for the travelers, yawning a little. ”Not much more to tell, really. If I were you, I’d keep out and move along.” The tone in her voice was different from earlier, like she was thinking about it more than she actually should...”Enjoy your drinks, there’s an inn across town you can stay in, we don’t have rooms...” Having said that, she sauntered a little ways over to behind the main counter, there was a door leading upstairs...She swung it open and called up the staircase.

”Tolan! I’m heading home, close up the place for me before you fall asleep up there, yeah?” an audible “mhm” noise was the only reply. The woman pulled a pin out of her hair upon closing the door, resulting in her bound up mop dropping past her shoulders. She made her way across the floor and out the front door to Yellowgrass. Meanwhile, a sound or two could be heard upstairs as someone was coming down them, lazily, to handle things. That was when a man emerged from the door, messy blonde hair that draped just past his ears, a cotton shirt with a low neck line, stubble all over his chin and mouth, and a tired look upon his face, it would almost be attractive, were it not for the fact that he looked tired.

”Bar’s closed, don’t stay too long.” He said while grabbing a few empty mugs off the counter to store away, oddly enough, he wasn’t at all put off by the large half orc or the monk, maybe it was too late in the evening to care. Either way, the only thing that really stood out to this one man skeleton crew of a person, apparently named Tolan was that occasionally his shirt sleeves would ride up, and a weird looking mark on his arm would show ever so slightly. It wouldn’t mean much to anyone.

”Let me guess, here for the forest.” Tolan said, a table or two away, cleaning up a spill.

@baraquiel @Jerkchicken @Utrax @Blizz

Micah Aarseth

Micah was mumbling something about why people would not listen to him; “It is true; we are not lying” He waved his arms before folding them. Brooding a little because he was certain and could prove he was right. One way he could prove it to the others was to show them though a hallucination; however that could end up with them tearing their eyes out. This was something he did not want; because he felt that it would haunt him forever. Turning his attention towards the man speaking to them; “We are going to journey into the forest;Do you have any information you would like to share?” He asked noticing a strange symbol on the man's arm.

His eyes widened underneath his mask; “A very interesting tattoo you have; we have one similar; would you like to see?” He asked standing up and moving towards his table. “Where did you get that tattoo?; Is the person still alive?” Standing a few feet away form the table where the man was. “Do you know any magic? Does the hounds of Durran chase you?” He asked curious about the stranger.

^@Jerkchicken

Her eyes narrowed at the Barmaid, but she said nothing. It was only after watching Tolan for a beat, then listening to Micah, that Guritag tilted her hat back slightly, then made sure to lock eyes with Dion. "I'd be tellin' talke were I t'say I'm confident 'bout this. What's t'say that man--" she indicated Micah with a tilt of her head "-- ain't just gonna up n' turn out t' be the local blood drinkin' maniac?" Shaking her head, Guritag stared at Micah as she continued to ask Dion, "And what's Arcanium's deal-- sendin' only you? You'd think the rumors'd justify sendin' a whole team or some sort. Ya sure they ain' just tryna' kill ya?" Of course, she reached across the table then, to take one od Dion's beers. Was this expected? Possibly. Was he going to let her do it? Who knows.

There was a definite anxiety starting to creep up on her though-- she wasn't even trying to repress it. Whatever was making her anxious needed to be sorted out. Between Micah, how strained the Barmaid's voice sounded, and the rumors, Guritag could help but begin to think this probably wasn't worth it. Maybe fighting several Kraken naked would be a good tale to recite to her village instead-- and likely just as risky, the way things sounded. Quite to herself, Guritag smirked slightly as she pictured it.

---

Neith listened intently to what Micah said. Despite the limited time they had in talking with each other, the elf could tell he was genuine in his words and acts, and everything he says should be taken seriously. She wasn't liking anything he was saying either, especially the part about 'the great eye watching over like the moon.' Was it something symbolic or did he meant the literal moon? Neith was quiet while she pondered everything that she heard. What in the hell did they put themselves into?

Dion then explained why he asked them to accompany him in the forest. "Hmm, I do like the part about me receiving some pay. It's just weird though. Why don't they investigate the forest themselves instead of hiring someone to do it for them? Are they scared?" Neith replied to Dion at which the barmaid came and ask if they liked more drinks. The others asked for some but she wasn't that much of a drinker so she just gave a dismissing wave to the barmaid.

The barmaid then gave her two cents about the forest which confirmed Neith's suspicion that the people of Helsend do not like that forest at all. It was also supported by the townspeople quickly returning to the safety of their homes when night came. It's as if they're scared of what the darkness will bring forth from the cursed forest. The barmaid then left and down came a man called Tolan who was definitely Neith's type. Micah quickly approached the blond man and began asking him questions about stuff while Guritag made her comments.

"He seemed to be a genuine person to me. No use passing judgment on people you barely know. Besides, if he did turn into a blood-drinking maniac, I'm sure you won't hesitate to bash his brains out the first chance you'll get so it doesn't matter." Neith told Guritag and then turned to Dion. "The bard's right, y'know. Are you sure the Arcanium isn't sending you off into a suicide mission?"

Dion would let Guritag snatch the ice-cold beer slush. She would find that Dion had already conveniently placed a straw before she had taken it. "We'll see, definitely off, but can't tell if malicious." He'd reply. It was too early to tell with that one. As weird as he was, Michah's ability and knowledge would come into use. The only person he could trust and worked before with was Guritag, so not like any of these people weren't possibly suspicious.

However, it seems attention would shift to him and the mission. Both Guritag and Neith were looking at him both saying it was a suicide mission. "Yes, no." He said with cavalier nonchalance. "No one knows what's inside and do they want to be discrete. An army of mages sent to quell whatever lurks can be done. But it can tip off whatever might not want their attention and things might get complicated if the town is part of the conflict. However, if I fall or if we find ourselves retreating back to town after seeing some shit, they'll be coming to burn things down."

Dion's eyes would settle on Guritag. "Enjoying that beer Rita?"

@Jerkchicken@baraquiel@Eviledd1984

The masked man’s face didn’t really bug the sleepy bartender, what actually bothered him was the questions he received at the expense of seeing the weird mark on his arm. How does someone else know about that? Then again, he did look like a lunatic to Tolan. ”I’m gonna pretend you didn’t ask any of that, and tell you to mind your business, traveller.” He made sure Micah wasn’t getting too close. It was too damn late at night for this. ”No. I don’t know magic. I’m a bartender, not a wizard. He said plainly. Granted, the mark on his wrist seemed to betray that information, as did his lack of shock at the appearance of a goat mask, an elf, six feet tall muscle people, and Kaze’s sword. The man was putting away a few more glasses and mugs before he deftly swung a chair around a table way from the adventures and faced them. Especially Micah.

”What’s your business here in town?

@Blizz

Micah Aarseth

Micah was a bit disappointed that the man did not properly answered his question; Standing where he was studying the man in front of him. Curious what kind of life he lived; what kind of experiences he had and what kind of hardships he endured. His third eye could see a hazy image of the man and another figure; the figure dressed in similar clothing as him burning the symbol in the bartender's arm. "We apologize for our rudeness; we have a similar marking on our body. Let us show you?" He asked disregarding the other man's avoidance of the subject.

Pulling back the sleeve showing the bartender the symbol on his forearm;https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSYYplI2ZMc/WXyk9KJSwII/AAAAAAAALWU/pxnjXLQhsyYD9-yTWR7ZHPkb9pfI4OmeQCLcBGAs/s1600/2000px-Solid_unicursal_hexagram.svg.png The strange symbol seemed to be burned into his skin. "We are going to venture into the forest; do you have any knowledge of what lurks?" He asked grinning behind his mask.

The man gave Micah a long, drawn out look before answering his question.

”Turn around and leave. There’s nothing in that forest for anyone. You’re wasting your time here. Stay out of the forest.” He was addressing the entire party as a whole. Tolan’s voice didn’t change, but it was clear that this guy wasn’t playing around. ”I don’t know what you’ve heard. I don’t know what you’ve been told. I don’t care. There is nothing in that forest for anyone. No one goes in there for a reason.” It was roughly 11pm by now. The moon was dragging itself across the sky outside, and Helsend was dead silent with the exception of Toland and the adventures. Every street lamp outside had already gone dark. The atmosphere around Tolan himself was perfect for the night. Yellowgrass had a single window beside the door a little walk away from the party’s table, but it was pitch black outside. Not a sound could be heard outside, and the full moon was the only source of light to shine on Helsend. Everyone else in town is asleep. It’s like a whole other world right now.

Tolan’s demeanor looked just as far away as the look he gave Micah

”You’ve come here for nothing. Go home.”

^{@Jerkchicken@Blizz@baraquiel}

Neith speaking about "not judging people" caused Guritag a very obvious amount of amusement. While she didn't respond to the statement, she did sit there and snicker about it, as she secured her beer, and began a long period of staring at Neith-- taking in the details as it were. Yes, this gaze would probably be weird to be under, especially since Guritag didn't bother to make it any less obvious, and didn't let up on the staring, even as Micah and Tolan began doing their thing. "Aye you'd bet 'm enjoyin' it," replied Rita to Dion, in a rather distracted manner, before Tolan told them to Go Home.

For whatever reason, this was the statement that caused a very significant shift in Rita's demeanor. Over and over the people of this town had said nothing but 'go home' and avoided answering questions. Maybe it was the fact that Rita, despite the cold beer, was still feeling a bit anxious about the whole thing, but she had officially had enough of that answer.

"Look'ere, scout," Guritag began in a very serious tone, her voice edged with annoyance, "I'm half-past tired of y'all up n' tellin' us to leave cause, if ya been through this afore, then you know's good n' well ain't a thing you gonna say o' warnin' that's right ta put fear in th' hearts o' Venturers, sides the Godsdamned truth." Guritag took a deep pull of her beer before going on, "So if it's runnin' me off ya wants-- for I ain't one ta speak fer the rest o' these folk-- then you'd best be tellin' me somethin' awful plain n' fearsome. You'd best be tellin' tale of somethin' that'll strike fear like thunderclap in me, else I'll be waltzin' in there like rest o' em. Let down ya vague n' speak word o' truth, scout. Give ya blunt n' honorable word.

@Blizz

Micah Aarseth

Micah was not easily swayed to drop the subject; if anything it made him more curious. "We believe that their is knowledge that we cannot comprehend; We are going inside the forest to learn this knowledge wither you help us or not" The masked man knew that Tolan was trying to not speak about the forest. Moving a bit closer towards him so he was standing over him; placing his hand on the man's shoulder muttering something under his breath. Using a little bit of magic to see what he knew about the forest; that could benefit the group. He was not going to give up just yet; he felt they were just starting to gain some traction to the forest. If their was nothing useful he could learn then he would not bother the man further.

---

Neith just sighed. It looked like the only real clue that they got regarding the forest was the drawing that kid gave them a while ago. The only things they could learn about that damn forest was that it's haunted, probably cursed by some magical lunatics some time ago, and whoever entered it may or may not be able to live another day. 'This just kept getting better and better', Neith sarcastically thought to herself.

She looked at Micah being so fascinated with the man, especially with his tattoo. It must be something of significance to Micah or he was just excited in seeing a symbol that could potentially align with magics of any kind or the occult. She watched him as Micah put his hand on Tolan's shoulder and muttered something indecipherable, perhaps casting a spell to get some kind of information from this man.

"My lovely companion here is right, handsome. There's nothing you can say that can stop us from going to that forest. Who knows, maybe our group could finally discover the secret behind that mysterious forests and all the rumors will finally be put to rest. At least we're helping in our own way too." Neith stood up from her seat, sauntering over Tolan before sitting on his lap. "I just couldn't help but notice you're so tense, handsome. Maybe we can work something out, I'll help you feel the most relaxed you've ever been in your life and you can share any information you know about that forest." She then leaned in to whisper in his ear. "If we managed to find some money in there, I'll make sure you'll get a generous cut."

Neith then sat upright on Tolan's lap and smiled. "So what do you say, handsome?". The elf was willing to do anything just to help them with this seemingly impossible task. She wasn't showing it but she was beginning to lose faith on the inside because everything just seemed to be against them. Neith just had to make herself strong for whatever their group was going to face in that god-forsaken forest.

Seeing this...flighty woman...climb into Tolan’s lap sure as hell wasnt amusing to say the least. She probably thought she was going to seduce him or something, little did she know it was almost midnight and he should’ve been intoxicatedly asleep by now. He didn’t even notice the orc’s words were meant to be intimidating as a result of that wild accent, and he didn’t humor the magician with the mask, all he did was violently grip Nieth’s shoulder and fling her off of him and onto the ground. He was just a little annoyed by the harlot they packed around. ”Go sell yourself someplace else, wench. You’re not my type.” Of course, Micah’s attempt at magic would only slightly help. To the outside world there was nothing to be noticed, but across the inside of Micah’s mask were entirely esoteric images. Expressions of Tolan’s mind flashing in Micah’s.

It was all a mess, and it wasn’t until Neith was on her ass in the floor that Micah’s hand got thrown off of him. ”And keep your magic to yourself.” Tolan acted as if nothing happened, like nothing at all happened. Did Tolan actually notice Micah’s attempt to see inside his mind, or was he simply assuming based on his perception of Micah?

Everything wa

s off. Either Tolan

was su

bconsiously aware of Micah’s presence or

Brandings.

The night sky.

C

on

gre

gations.

Yellowed pages in dust covered books.
_Moonlight he just had a foggy head.

The clearest thing in Tolan’s head was a young voice.

Sk ele_tons .

@baraquiel @Blizz

Micah Aarseth

Micah was a little annoyed that Neith's attempts to seduce the man failed; he was hoping that she could get some information out of him. Watching her landing on her behind after being thrown to the ground; “How rude” Thinking he could repay the favor by messing with the bartender's mind. But his focus changed to the images he was seeing; The images he was seeing was quite perplexing; but he was gaining slight insight of Tolan's life. Trying to figure out what these images could mean; the best guess would be Tolan or Tolan's master performing a ritual of some kind.

“We see...very interesting; thank you for the information" He said giving Tolan a big hug. Moving away form him afterwards looking towards Neith. "I think we are done here; he has given all of the information i can gain form him" Adjusting his mask with Tolan getting a quick glimpse of his third eye though on of his eye holes.

Rita stared at Tolan like a disappointed Math Tutor, eyed Neith on the floor, then rested her gaze on Micah for a beat. She tilted her head back, downed the rest of her beer slush whilst fighting off brain freeze. To say she was annoyed would be an understatement-- she knew when to call it quits. Casting a long stare toward Dion, whilst raising her brows in a non-verbal fashion that asked, 'What just happened?.'

With a sigh she shook her head, then got to her feet. "I'll meet ya 'bout where ya found me in the mornin'. Bout time for sleepin', I reckon," she walked over to Dion and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder, "I'm sure if ya find somethin' of import you'll tell me." And with that, she headed for the door, bound for the Inn, which was not this room with these people.

^{@Blizz@Jerkchicken}

---

Neith would be lying if she said she wasn't expecting this to happen. That said, she yelped and groaned in pain when her bum was suddenly dropped down to the floor. "Yeesh, just trying to be friendly." She grumbled while rubbing her butt. She was about to complain as she looked up and saw Tolan slapping Micah's hand away but the masked man seemed to be focusing on something. Did his weird mumbo-jumbo work? She just raised her eyebrows in confusion when he suddenly hugged the mean guy and told her he got all the information he needed. If only she knew he would've eventually got the job done himself, Neith wouldn't have to be all 'friendly' with Tolan and her butt in pain from being pushed down the floor.

"Okay... If you say so." Neith said, fairly impressed at Micah's talents as she got up and patted herself off. She then turned to Tolan. "You might be in a bad mood. Let's try it again sometime when you're feeling better, yeah?" She said, giving him a wink and blowing him a kiss. "Let's just meet again in the morning. This has been a very long day and if we're going to face some freakish horrors in that forest, then this elf needs some beauty rest." She said to the others, going to the door but looked back at Micah before she really headed out. "Coming?"