[center][h2]Kichi[/h2][/center] The Goblin tribe chief gave a slight nod at Rekzild’s question. Certainly a fair one, given that the current prospect was of going to a village in which only one of the group had even slight comprehension of the language spoken. [color=fff79a]"The name of this forest, Ironwood, isn't simply a title. Each of the trees within the forest is infused with the spiritual energy of Lord Yggdrasil, and save for the weaker ones on the outmost fringes of the forest, their wood has a strength on par with metals."[/color] He explained, gesturing around himself as he led the group forwards. [color=fff79a]"Lord Yggdrasil allows the humans to harvest some trees, but they always need more than they can personally take, and for that they come to us. Outside of that, you can acquire human currency through appropriate goods or services. Instead of using a Horned Rabbit's pelt for clothing, for instance, you can sell it to the humans, or you could agree to work in a human establishment. Sabu will also likely show you what the humans call an 'Adventurer's Guild', as he is a member, which is another way of earning human currency."[/color] The Bugbear finished. At Iris's question, though, Kichi couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle. Right, he'd forgotten that information on the gods wasn't included in the knowledge that the world gave them. He'd always wondered why that was the case, really. [color=fff79a]"Knoth and Anekanta are the chief gods of this world. Knoth is the god of creation, he who is said to have created the world. In this land, he is the most worshipped by humans and monsters alike. His priests are essentially researchers, those who strive to learn more about the world and create things which have never been created before, though...if you were to ask my view, I would say that to the average being, Knoth's faith has become so broadspread that it has become generic and largely meaningless. That's not a bad thing by any means, though. Among the humans, he has chosen a champion who holds the title of the 'greatest inventor' in this world. I'm sure you'll learn about him very soon, many of mankind's creations originated in his mind."[/color] [color=fff79a]"As for Anekanta, she is not evil, but she is undoubtedly more...troublesome. The sacred goddess and the sinful goddess, twin ruler of purity and corruption. She is extremism made manifest. A righteous paladin may follow her, as may a serial murderer, but one who walks the middle road may not. Her center of worship is the landmass across the sea to the north, a place of eternal war between order and chaos. You can obviously see why her granting you all a blessing would have slightly more worrying implications than it would with Knoth. Her chosen champion among the humans is the great demon-slayer, a paragon of morality, though it's also been rumored that she has a second champion for the half of sin."[/color] [color=fff79a]"The other gods are lesser than those two, but still notable. Esid, the god of the natural world and elements. Shaiv, god of the soul. Vaish, goddess of doorways. And...En, goddess of taking. En has been sealed away by the others for her transgressions, though; you would do well to avoid mentioning her name in public. The story might be one from eons ago, but it is still one that has left scars."[/color] He explained, his face tightening slightly towards the end of the exposition. His head then turned to Lyminia, mouth opening to answer her question, only to stop himself as he realized that they had reached the edge of the forest. [color=fff79a]"...ah, I'll explain the matter of my Evolution later. For now, it looks like we're here."[/color] [hr] The Bugbear came to a halt as the foliage faded out into the open air. A small field of dense grass spread out from where the forest had ended, and not far in the distance was some sort of stone structure, what looked to be walls; no doubt, that was the entrance to the human city. However, more noticeable than this were the two presences who stood in the grass outside the forest. One, a Goblin who stood over a foot above the newborns, dense musculature lining his form. Fitted over his body was a finely-crafted set of leather armor, a far cry from the furs that Aya had been wearing, and gripped in his hands was a crimson spear. Most noticeable, though, were the scales that were visible along some parts of his body that were not covered by the armor, something that would seem more at home on a reptile than a Goblin. His body seemed to crackle with power, a buzz filling the air around him and a broad grin splitting his face. Standing opposite him was a form unfamiliar to the newborn Goblins, a human woman, dressed in what humans would call business attire, who was only a hair shorter than the Goblin she faced. Neck-length black hair and dark blue eyes gave her a chilling visage, but this was more than offset by the manic glint in her eyes and what looked like a black fog that was emanating from her body. Around her was the same sort of presence that the Goblin had, the same crackling of power that filled the air. Equally notable was the fact that, unlike the Goblin, she seemed to lack any sort of weapon. [color=f7976a]"?"[/color] [color=7ea7d8]""[/color] [color=f7976a]""[/color] Conversing in a language that, among the newborns, only Kluuto would be able to roughly understand, the two laughed under their breath before their expressions firmed back up. The Goblin's eyes glinted as something within him ignited, his muscles tensing up as a deep red fog, similar to the black one around the woman but with a different sort of "presence", manifested.