[right][h3][b][i][color=rosybrown]𝕊hall 𝕎e 𝔹egin?[/color][/i][/b][/h3][color=rosybrown]≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎[/color][/right]
	A large group has formed at the gate. As the first glimpse of the gate came into view in the distance, the only sound that broke the silence of the woods was the travelers who had dared entered the forest of Shadowell. It seemed as everything was abandoned, that was until in the distance at the other side of the gate men on horseback came tearing down the path. Dead leaves kicking up beneath their hooves as viscous looking dogs barked and bared their teeth; saliva dripping from their jowls with each snap of their jaws. Seven riders and six dogs come to the far side of the gate. 

	Guns drawn but not lifted to fire, yet, as they come to a halt at the gate. A round man dismounts from his stallion whose nostrils flare and steam rises from them. The man looks to be over six feet in height, nearly as tall as the walls that surround the grounds. His bulging eyes are so green they seem to glow as he eyes you all, there is a twitch on his weathered face and his short mustache looks to frosting over in the cold. His gray hair is long but only on half of his head. The other side is shaved clean to reveal his scalp. 

	"Hrmph," comes between his lips as the dogs bark cuts through the air. An iron key ring is produced from beneath his coat. Many keys, old and worn, hang heavily from it. One is chosen as he unlocks the gate and steps though. The sound of the gate opening is like a cry of pain that cuts through tension, the dogs go silent. The rest remain on the other side. "Dismount your horses, exit your carriages, they will be tended to for you. Bring what you care to carry and present your invitations to Leo at the gate. No one but those with invitations are allowed past the gate. Any others attempting will be shot." His voice is gruff and firm as he speaks, walking towards you all and through the crowd you have created. Repeating himself several times to ensure he has been heard. 

	On the other side of the gate another man dismounts as the name Leo is spoken for the first time. Leo is shorter than the man that is speaking, yet he seems much more imposing physically. The man is massive in his build. His pallid skin seems as if it has taken on the feel of the very air itself. His bright orange hair stands out starkly against the color of the forest and is pulled back in tight thin corn rows against his scalp until their blend together in a long thick braid that comes to his waist. Golden eyes flicker beneath droopy eye lids. Each of his foot falls is like the stomping of a giant. 

	One side of the gate is opened by Leo and it screams again from the motion. He stands there with a hand out to accept and check each invitation as it is presented before motioning to a spot inside the gate. "Wait there," Leo says. His voice is uncharacteristically high pitched from such a large man. It is comical in its tone, even coming from the mans slightly attractive face. 

	The men on the horses watch each of you closely, adjusting their guns as they rest in their saddles and keep their mounts in place. Several of the dogs are snapping again, growling venomously. Once inside the gate, you can see on the inside of the grounds, that was hidden by the wall, is a track of iron. Two lines running parallel to each other. They look old and slightly rusted where they lay on the ground and the thick lines seem to be partially buried in the ground. There is a thick line of trees and shrubbery on either side of the road that leads off into the distance that you cannot see beyond, it feels as if everything could close in on you at any moment.