[quote=@Caldizar]
*I push open the doors to the village elders cabin and step inside, not even bothering to pay the guards stationed on either side of the door so much as a glance as I approach the wizened looking man hunched over a cluttered desk at the opposite end of the room*

Village Elder: *Looks up from a stack of yellowed and old looking parchment, his eyes narrowing as he takes note of my clothing and stance* You another one of the Kings lackies? If so, I'll tell you what I told the last one. Trot your pompous ass back to your master and tell him to shove his taxes and "protection" where the sun don't shine. We're more than capable of defending ourselves. We don't need some greedy and egotistical ruler along with those vultures he calls lords to keep us safe.

*I halt midstride, cocking an eyebrow in response*
I think you might be a bit confused there. I know not of this "king" of which you speak, nor am I here in his service. I am simply a traveler who has lost their way.

Village Elder: *He squints, examining my apparel closely* You've got some fancy clothes for a simple "traveler".

*I shrug, gesturing to my clothing*
Where I come from, this is modest.

Village Elder: *He nods slowly, scoffing at my words* Hmph. Must be a [I]real[/I] shitty place then if you all look that pretentious. Bah, but enough of that. If you want directions to someplace, go ask Lucia. She runs the Dire Horse Inn here in Ebongrove. Lucia used to be a blade for hire before retiring a few years back. If anyone can tell you anything about the surrounding lands, it's her. *He looks back to the papers on his desk ignoring me completely*

*I stare at him for a couple of minutes before nodding and taking my leave of the place. Once I get back outside, I begin heading towards the western side of the village, quickly making my way to the dire horse inn*
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???: *the hooded figure slips into the shadows, keeping an eye on the building*