[@POOHEAD189]
[hider=+]
[center][img] https://i.imgur.com/q02ppEL.jpg[/img][/center]

Gapip Whitefern had never been one for human lands. While the young gnome had no animosity at all toward the tall folk, even having made human friends over the years, he preferred to be among his own kind and in the secluded safety of the forest over wide open terrain in the midst of their towering towns and cities surrounded by strangers. It was the first of winter and the snows had come. Normally right now Gapip would be settling in to his cozy house for the evening, a fire roaring to warm his bones and cook his dinner. And yet he here sat just outside of his small tent, shivering near the pitiful little blaze he had stoked after a meal of stiff bread, cheese, and wine. 

He had set up camp along the north edge of “Snowtown” as the locals called it. A cluster of shanty houses, small cabins, and tents like his own. Most of its occupants were hunters, vendors, and those who just preferred to live outside the walls. That or couldn’t afford to live within Deadsnows. In truth Gapip would have preferred the warmth and comparable comfort of the large tavern he had seen within the walls but alas he had no coins and he knew that was all most humans would accept as payment for anything. Gapip couldn’t understand it, if he were to offer to let someone board in his home he would gladly take a sack of fresh vegetables as payment over a handful of metal any day. But such was the oddity of humans.

[i]I can’t leave, no matter how cold and miserable this is. Graevelwood needs help, and surely someone here is willing and able.[/i]

The only reason Gapip was even this far west - in a human settlement - was because his village was in danger. Two weeks before his people were attacked by a horde of vicious creatures, many gnomes were killed but they were able to use their skills as hunters and their knowledge of nature magics to drive their attackers away in the end. Two days later a band of trappers were attacked in the forest and the next day Gapip himself had spotted more of the fiends lurking about the fresh springs where he would get water. After much deliberation the decision was uneasily made that the gnomes needed help from the outside world, namely the humans of Deadsnows who the gnomes would often trade with in the spring season.

It was a tough decision to be made. The folk of Graevelwood had always kept to themselves never making the location of their village known. Even their traders would work to cover their tracks when returning to the forest, often taking the longest routes back as an added precaution. In the end the Clanlord made it clear that without help Graevelwood would be doomed. Their people were not warriors. The Clanlord dared send only one person to seek help from Deadsnows and Gapip was the first to raise his hand believing that he was the best suited for the task.

After a long journey west Gapip had arrived only to be told Deadsnows had no help to offer. He persisted for three days and was finally threatened with imprisonment if he continued to “bother the captain”. Undeterred he began querying around town, even asking to see Deadsnows leader but was met with only sneers. His persistence only brought him more threats of imprisonment, a solider even raising a weapon at the small gnome. [i]I will not give up,[/i] Gapip swore to himself, [i]if the soldiers will not help then perhaps some of the hunters here will. Or some travelers to be found.[/i]

As Gapip half-wearily raised his eyes from the crackling embers before him he wondered if perhaps Garl Glittergold had finally decided to sway his luck for approaching the solitary gnome where he sat was a tall, shaggy human. A sword at his hip and armor glittering in the snow.
[/hider]


[@Kassarock]
[hider=+]

When the two watchmen at the gate caught site of what was obviously an orc approaching the gate they at first were preparing for a heated scuffle or an outright fight. Their hands tightened on their spears and they instinctively raised the balls of their feet within their boots should they have to make a move. As the orc drew near they further tensed, their steely eyes focused on him like two wolves eyeing a kill. 

The lute was the first thing they saw that made them rather curious, even if still on guard. Not to mention how noticeably hesitant the orc male seemed to be acting. The way he approached was like that of a shy boy hoping to get past a bully that was awaiting him in the street. Not typical of a chest pounding mountain orc here to make trouble. The meek smile was what finally brought the two guards down from their defensive demeanor, followed by the coy little request for permission through the gate.

The watchman on the right was the first to react, his expression one of amused disbelief, “You… want inside, greenskin?”

“We better let him in,” piped up the man on the left, “he might have our heads after all.”

The first snorted and replied, “Never mind that, he might start singing to us if we don’t let him by.”

Both burst into laughter, the one on the right slapping his knee half bent over, “I’d as soon be gnawed on by a kobold as serenaded by a damned orc.”

The one on the left still grinning eyed Ash up and down. He was armed and armored to an extent but that wasn’t surprising, any sane traveler would be kitted as such. Were it not for the jittery demeanor the young orc displayed the man would have pegged him for a sellsword, that or just a typical traveler, likely he was the latter. [i]Still, he’s so damned shifty for an orc. Or anyone that wanderers the roads.[/i] the watchman thought.

“There’s no actual law against your kind here,” the first watchman said flatly, stood up straight again, “and I doubt your here to start collecting skulls by yourself. Go on in, but [i]we will be watching you.”[/i]

“Everyone will be.” said the one on the left with a cold smirk.

“There’s a curfew just so you know,” the one on the right added, “‘gates close at sunset and no one is allowed to be on the streets after dark. Mind you that isn’t enforced out in Snowtown if you go there but those folks won’t like some greenskin skulking around after dark either. Anyway, go on in.”

“Stay safe.” Another cold smirk.
[/hider]