[center][h3] Eidolon Plains - The Northern Nation [/h3][/center]

Marshal Orzen rode up towards where a band were grazing their herd. His spear felt heavier in his hand today. Someone had saw him coming, and the band-leader came out to greet him. He carried a long stick, used to help herd animals and scare off wild animals, however at his age he had used it more to support himself as he walked. He was followed behind by four men, one wielding a spear. 

Performing the customary greeting, Orzen locked hands with the band-leader. The marshal nodded his head twice to signal that the other felt joy. In return, the band-leader blinked twice to signal he felt fear, "What troubles you, marshal?" 

Two of the men following the band-leader walked around the group, and took the steed away to be tend to. After he watched to make sure they weren't being rough with his horse, he turned back to the elder and answered, "The nation-leader sent me. There has been word that there been intruder attacks in this area. Have you anything unusual, or has anyone new joined your band?" 

After a glance from the band-leader, the story-teller step forward. "Two travelers from the south joined us. We ensured that they had did not bleed the foul blood of the intruders. They were separated from the rest of their band by weather and wild animals in the Night Territory. They said shortly before it happen, a beam of light burst from the group and struck the sky. But we all well know that intruders and strange occurrences are common there. Let us thank the ancestors that those two survived the long journey by themselves." 

When she said that, every did lower their heads for a moment in reflection. Aftward, Orzen turned his focus back to the story-teller expectedly and she continued, "I must admit that I have not heard about any nearby threats, however we have only recently moved to this area from further east." 

Orzen nodded, splitting his attention between the herd-leader and story-teller, "Before I continue to pursue the intruder issue, is there anything else that needs to be addressed?" 

The elder tapped his staff against the ground before replying, "It is nothing urgent, but should you find the time could you spread the word that our Gurov band is in need of lumber? We have spare yarn clothe in exchange."

Wool was rather valuable. A small amount of wool could reasonably be exchanged for a large amount of timber, more than most bands this far west would carry. Raw sheep hair was rather plentiful, and was exchanged for a pittance. However it required giving a skilled artisan a sizable amount of time in order to shape it something more than stuffing for your sleeping hide. He wasn't going to pursue the matter. Several bands were as suspicious of the Wooded Territory as the Night Territory. 

He nodded in agreement, before turning to the man with the spear, "I presume you are the chief hunter?" 

The huntsman nodded. Orzen continued, "Can I ask that you organize your best trackers, and a slinger or two if you have one." 

The hunter nodded again, and walked off. 

The band-leader ushered him towards the rest of the band, "I am sure that it was a long journey to reach us, I insist that you eat with us and rest before doing something dangerous on our behalf." 

Orzen could hardly refuse. While eating, he spoke with the two survivors from the south. They were brother and sister, originally apart of the Four-horn Culture. Apparently, their marshal was harsh on them because the brother refused to fight against his fellow Eidolon. While they didn't compel him directly, the two began to be mistreated. His brother was targeted because his affinity for the sling. He seemed like a good person, and he said that he was excited because his sling would kill a monster instead of another person. It was good that he escaped that senseless violence and joined the Zelen. 

He was offered an additional serving, as where everyone who was going out to hunt the intruder. He placed the dried meat in a pouch. The others prodded him about it, but it was not uncommon. A marshal can be alone with their horse for days, and a good one would be prepared.

The Night Lord presence fell upon the ground, and Orzen was the first to sleep. The herd-leader was correct that it was a large journey to reach here, and he expected it might be longer still. 

[Hider= Story] 
We peak into Northeast Eidolon, and follow a marshal of the Zelen Nation. Orzen was sent to an area because there was rumors of intruders, and meets with a band to see what they know. He then recruits some of the band's hunter to help him track down the monster, and specifically asks for a slinger as well. 

There is a slinger from the Four-Horn Culture that was selected. He left with his sister because the two were mistreated for not joining the war effort, despite the brother having excellent aim with a sling. However, they were separated from the band that they were travelling north with by a bolt of energy that shot up from the Night Territory. 

It is also established that some textile knowledge has reached the north, however they have to do it by hand and so it takes a lot longer and they can't make anything to big yet. And that while the north has access to wood, there is about as much superstition regarding the Wooded Territory as the Night Territory.  

The marshal eats with the band, and goes to sleep. 
[/Hider]