Alaron's feet ached and his throat was parched. The journey from the Imperial City had been taxing on his body. He had deliberately left early for Valenwood, only possessing enough money to afford a carriage as far as Skingrad. He was no adventurer, and this showed through in his preparedness for on foot travel. By the time he had reached the border to Valenwood he was already dehydrated, carrying with him only a meager amount of water. His affliction was only amplified by the foolish decision to continuously smoke his pipe throughout the journey. 

The thought of passing a border checkpoint frightened him. He was given assurances that the documents he received would fool the guards but it did little to comfort him. 

Miraculously he managed the crossing only receiving minimal questions despite a heavy aroma of tobacco and moon sugar. The guard had seemed almost hurried in his processing of Alaron, perhaps an indication that his shift was nearly over and had important plans for the evening.

Alaron progressed towards Arenthia, keeping a slight westwards heading as the notes instructed. He felt the heat was almost unbearable in his fur-lined coat, but sadly it was the only coat he owned. Steadying himself on tree trucks and wheezing through a throat with sandpaper texture by this point he felt he must be nearing on the meeting site. He propped himself up against a tree to catch his breath and listened to his surroundings. A few birds called in the distance and the vegetation sounded as though it was scraping and brushing against itself in a constant war for sunlight. He pulled at a few leaves, continuing to gasp for air till he heard voice in the distance. A loud call rang out from between the trees. 

Alaron's body plummeted beneath the vegetation. The voice sounded comforting, like a greeting. Still, Alaron wasn't about to take any chances, certainly not in a place as foreign as Valenwood. His breathing slowed as he focused, edging his way towards the source of the voice. Foliage was not a terrain he was used to creeping through and every leaf that scraped along his coat rang out to him like a siren. As he grew closer he could hear murmurs. Short conversations grew louder and louder till his body reached a breaking point. The dehydration had wrapped its arms around his legs and pulled the man to his knees, partially toppling and snapping a small bush. Alaron could almost feel the campsite's gaze loom over his sweat glossed face.

By this point he couldn't take any more punishment and needed a break from his journey. Panting like he had run a marathon he emerged from the undergrowth and passed by a few trees, finally finding the campsite. His vision was blurred, and he made for the first upright tree once he was in view of the party. He attempted to make his descent to the clear ground graceful and scanned the group members who had arrived ahead of him.

His eyes were first drawn to the shimmer of steel armor worn by an Imperial. Alaron looked in disbelief and wondered how he wasn't as in poor condition as he was. Next was a Dark elf, who had the look of a college type about him. He noticed the containers strapped across his chest and it reminded him of the Imperial City's researchers he viewed taking samples from the surrounding water.

Alaron could make out another man, tall with long dark hair and he could make out a battle-worn face. He thought of the hired muscle and large doormen he encountered working for various crime syndicates. Next was a Khajiit, and Alaron's eyes lingered on the creature's black fur. It was like staring at a walking shadow, and Alaron felt envious seeing the advantage of such camouflage.

Lastly was what Alaron assumed to be a Wood Elf. Once he managed in a great show of willpower to pull his gaze from her attire he took note of the extensive tattoos covering the wood elf, particularly adorned upon her face. He would have gawked a moment longer but had to wipe the sweat from his eyes. It felt as though someone was pouring a jug of sticky mead atop his head, except at a boiling temperature.

He drew a few more gasps for air before uttering his first words to the group.

"Greetings." he winced, unable to sustain eye contact with any of them.