Of this eclectic bunch that gathered here on this fine winter's day at Hearthstone Nariah had no thoughts of, or rather she had no time to think of such trivial inquiries, not when the rancorous odor of death and decay was choking out the pleasant scents of Vaele and in the distance smoke and smog rose in billowing black clouds to blot out the bright, early sun.  Climbing onto the woman's steed, she answered her, [b]"Thank ye kindly, lass.  Don't think I could've made it running in this damn armor of mine."[/b]  And off they were, their steeds galloping swiftly through the city streets, a panic as people darted to get out of their way and the guards rushed to pull open the gargantuan gate of the walled city.  But a surprise it was to find not a horse rushing beside them...but a man, the monk to be precise.  Just as the woman's steed rose its mighty legs in a majestic, thunderous sprint, so too did the man named Dorje, his legs and arms pumping vigorously and such a speed he had even able to keep up with the mighty horses.  [b]"By Auriem."[/b]  Nariah breathed rather astounded, but her gaze was soon put forward as a heat blasted her, and not a welcoming heat as the hearth back at the inn.

Fire, it was everywhere, engulfing the wooden huts left and right and burning them to nothing but piles of smoldering ashes.  [b]"Gods!  Looks like we're too late!"[/b]  Or so it may have seemed.  Just as they neared the ruined village, it caught Nariah and possibly her fellow adventurers by the ears, a vicious, terrifying screech, a screech that could only be heard in the bowels of the dark Abyss.  [b]"This is where I take me leave, lass!"[/b]  Nariah called to the healer as her horse was in mid-sprint.  Reckless as ever she dismounted and fell upon the ground going into a quick roll before climbing to her feet and drawing her sword.  And just as her blade left the sheathed behind her back.....

[url=http://belloflostsouls.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hellhound_redux____by_nicksketch-d48vjve.jpg]They[/url] emerged from the burning houses, twisted, horrific creatures of the likes Nariah never laid eyes upon.  Their wretched bodies were consumed in shadows...living, breathing darkness, and their eyes...they glowed like....like the infernal horror of the Abyss.  [b]"By Tha'agorn..."[/b]  In truth, upon seeing these terrible beasts, the woman was filled with fright, but also filled...with the urge to fight.  One of the beasts quickly noticed her and it let out a deafening snarl charging at her.  Nariah slammed the visor of her steel helm against her face and raised her shield clashing her sword against it crying out, [b]"Come get some!"[/b]  In a violent instant the two clashed sending Nariah to the ground.  The beast, dear gods!  His saliva was like fire to the woman as it dripped on her face, searing her and damn near melting off her helm.  The doglike horror gnashed its sharp teeth at the woman and snarled in her face, but finally she threw him off before giving a fearsome jab of her blade into its guts.  More soon arrived, as if appearing from the shadows themselves, hundreds of the ghastly demons....and they were swarming all over the village.  [b]"If this is the evil we're supposed to face, I'm not impressed!"[/b]  Nariah growled throwing off her badly burned helm, her face seething slightly from being doused in fiery saliva and her ice blue eyes alight with a bloodthirsty flame.  [b]"Come on!"[/b]