[centre][h1]Daggerford, Delimbiyr Vale, Sword Coast.[/h1]

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JN6fgZX3KsOnZNID5nl9fhMDwHfRzseKDqzhbWRRchT4QPHjO4m-tH0qSMkLoqeZ7xK0LPkpenq8lAdOV4zPm-n3u-yTFJnKI-zo_KRu_WB0QTuXtSXi2eNdKaUNZ4idcoxwEHVFjg[/img][/centre]

The sun was just beginning its gradual ascent into the sky as the group began to assemble. They were a varied bunch, each with their own skills and specialities - brought together and hired through various contacts. Some had reputations, some did not – but for one reason or another their employer was confident in their abilities. 

The werewolves that had attacked time and time again had become more than just a nuisance. They had proved themselves to not only be capable and savage fighters, but also cruel monsters. They had slaughtered families and livestock alike as well as having taken children into the forest. Prior attempts to stop them had ended in either death or disappearance and the local population were now living in constant fear. 

Several nights ago, some of the group had met with the Duchess and her captains to discuss the situation. They had learnt that throughout the raids one of the werewolves had been captured. Though thoroughly unpleasant and uncooperative they had managed to pull [i]some[/i] information from the creature before it had been put out of its misery. It had divulged that the werewolf pack itself has a dozen members, but their numbers are also augmented by many wolves. The leader of the pack is a man named Kiril, whomst they agreed must be dealt with for the threat to be considered dealt with. 

Though the origins of this seemingly well organised group of werewolves was still unclear, the origins of the attacks were not. They were each launched from the Misty Forest, always accompanied by a strange and thick fog that had rolled out as if on command to engulf the area surrounding the attacks. They had too decided, that if possible, the source of this mist must be determined and brought to a stop. Of course, there had too been talk of payment, and it was clear that the Duchess was determined to see these attacks halt with the rewards she had offered. 

They had agreed on the location and timing of their meeting, and sent messages to those who were not in attendance. That time was now upon them and stood before the gathered group was a rather large and well-groomed man. He was wearing an almost regal set of half plate mail augmented by a fine red tabard. He had a hulking Greatsword slung across his back and a longsword at his hip, both were adorned with the sigil of House Morwen. He was Captain Lanniver of the Duchess Morwen’s guard, grunting greetings to some as they arrived, silent nods of acknowledgment at others. This wasn’t the first meeting for most of them, but for some it was. He was not a man to mince words and wasted little time on pleasantries. Once they had all assembled, he eyed each of them wearily before he began to pace back and forth as he spoke. 

[b]“I’ll keep it quick. There was another damned attack last night”[/b] he began, his tired eyes darted from one to another as he did. His voice was hoarse and the deep bags under his eyes showed that he likely hadn’t slept the previous night. 

[b]“The beast struck at the Floshin Estates, killed several of their best guards and worst – they’ve taken more children for the gods knows what foul reason. Two of them are Lord and Lady Floshin’s own”[/b] he paused as if almost for dramatic effect as he ran his mailed fist through what little hair he had. 

[b]“As well as wiping out those foul creatures we need you to bring the children back.”[/b] He hesitated for a few moments before adding [b]“of course you’ll be rewarded far beyond and above whatever contract you’ve agreed with the Duchess, but [i]only if you get them back alive and well[/i]”[/b]. 

He waited no more than a few moments more before adding [b]“head towards the Misty Forrest and that dammed fog. Hopefully, you’ll find them before they find you”[/b] the big man didn’t linger for questioning, he simply turned and began trudging back towards the castle pausing only briefly to add [b]“oh, and eh… good luck”[/b] as he gestured behind him. 


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[centre][img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sXHfFL5qt0mfngtbWgjiBWsDqF0UTDutCYfEL_pijSkq54Mv5rCgnKaevrnuVlMoMjtWQirDyGjUAwXtyCcGzyfUue_xEVJFePrfD6DR_wZATBY945REaECayGuP8xDUEsUlzAFMHQ[/img][/centre]


Not more than a few minutes travel outside the settlement and a thin fog already began to descend and drape itself about the landscape. Through the morning haze it made everything look somewhat surreal and almost otherworldly. Fortunately, the ground was almost littered in scattered wolf tracks and they were fairly easy to follow – almost guiding the group towards the distant trees of the Misty Forest. The morning was not unpleasant despite the situation and ignoring the thin fog the weather was good. 

A few hours later they had reached the first few trees as the Forest loomed before them. The journey up until this point had been easy and uneventful, the tracks of their quarry easy to follow. A distant wolf howl echoed from somewhere ahead of them, almost like a greeting as they took their first few steps under the canopy of the forest. 

As they moved deeper into the woods, the trees around them soon narrowed their ranks and their surroundings darkened and became dim. The further in they went the more their needle-covered arms interlocked as if to intentionally blot out the sun. The shroud of mist that before had only covered the ground now slowly became a creeping wall of grey fog that silently enveloped everything. Soon, even the werewolf tracks began to disappear, and things started to feel… strange and almost like they were being watched despite the fact they could not see anyone.  

Suddenly they noticed that there was no longer any birdsong or indeed any sounds of life and the trees around them now looked almost sinister, gnarled and twisted as their branches reached out like grasping claws as they passed. The ground and indeed everything else around them too seemed to have taken on a more sickly and deathly appearance – dark and waterlogged. Though the transition had been very slow and gradual, it was if suddenly they were aware of it, or rather if somehow as well as being slow and gradual suddenly everything had changed in in instant. 

The air was split by another long wolf howl, this time however it was only some short distance behind them. It was answered by several closer howls, some before them others off to the side of them no more than a few hundred feet away. It very quickly became apparent that they were suddenly the ones being hunted and the howls narrowed in on them. 

A few moments later a huge snarling wolf emerged from the mist as its eyes seemed to stare into each of their very souls. Its fur was thick and black, shaggy and matted with dirt, covering its powerful and muscular form. Thick saliva was dripping from its maw that was of course lined with razor sharp pointy teeth. 

All around the group, more snarling and growling wolves emerged from the mist and began to stalk around the edges, disappearing in and out of view as they hungrily eyed up the adventurers. 


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[hider=OOC Info] 


You my friends are about to be attacked by a pack of vicious wolves. 

In your initial post, depending on how long you want it feel free to split it into 2 parts. You can do an intro, anything before the group sets off (maybe hearing about the job or meeting the Duchess or whatever seems appropriate). Ofc its not a requirement and you can instead jump right to the morning meeting and traveling to the forest. I’d also suggest making sure to describe your own character’s appearance more than usual in the opening posts, so we can all get a better feel for them. 

Then we get to the battle: These wolves, whilst not werewolves, are larger and more savage looking than any you have seen before. There are about 15-16 of them in total, and they will dart in and out of the mist as they attack, biting and clawing - trying to drag any one of you that gets separated from the group away into the mists. 

Though fearsome the wolves almost seem to be holding back - they seek an easy meal as they welcome you to their land, but should you prove to be more than an easy meal they’ll likely flee after harrying you for a while. 

So I’ve explained this part of the post so you can handle how the start goes for your character and write in the wolves in the above manner. But obviously this is mostly just the introduction to the battle. Next posts can be fully focused on this fight, but I though't I'd get us stuck right into it. 

[/hider]