[h3]Vigil, U'Nunlo, Regis, and Gen[/h3]

Regis' tail flicks from side to side in contemplation and a subtle agitation. At the question? At memories? It is initially unclear, but Regis' gaze swivels to focus on Gen and her antics as Vigil speaks. At last, after a pause, he responds;

"Gen saved me. Me, Behemoth, one of the Tribefolk, protector of the Badlands...Saved by a human girl with a dagger and a song. A Great Beast came from the Lands Beyond. I was in training. I was to be a hunter. I can move quiet. I can stalk prey. All I could do when the Beast came was hide. It was terrifying." This revelation comes hard for the young man, but his respect for Vigil obligates him to share in it. "And my people perished. The Tribe of Gen was born in the aftermath of the destruction of the [i]Tribe of the Shrouded Fang[/i]."

[b]Vigil would have heard of this tribe; Regis' story corroborates the general consensus of what must have happened to the elusive tribe of shadow-seeking hunters. It was an old name, one that had faded suddenly and recently; in short, the disappearance of the Shrouded Fang tribe was a spark on the powder keg of growing Behemoth dissent. Having seen Fenhall, and travelled the Dale Lands briefly as he has, Vigil can likely reconcile the feelings of abandonment and neglect the greater Behemoth community is feeling in their role of Protectors of the Realm with the destitution and slow decline of the Dale Folk.[/b]

Regis continues;

"I was hid, halfburied, in the shade of a boulder. I watched as my chieftain claimed the Beast's eye. I watched as the tribe fought as one, trying to bring it down. 'For the safety of the Realm!' they cried. It still haunts me, some nights. That war cry. To the last, protectors of Aesithas." He growls low in his throat. Anger, sadness, all of it rippling through his body. "But it was Gen who protected [i]me[/i]. Only the Gods know why she was in the Badlands- but when she came across me, she was as wild as any beast and as crafty as a serpent. The Great Beast was lingering on the Tribe Grounds, and so I was stuck. Hidden there. Waiting. After what must have been days I was delirious. I thought I heard the Gods speaking to me, telling me everything would be okay. Turns out it was just Gen, and she sang to the Beast as she dug me out of the earth. Watching such a creature slumber while a girl sang..."

He snorts.

"I put my faith in her now. The Gods are good, but Gen is right there. She has a good head. She just can't remember anything before the Badlands besides 'hearing Prospero play'. She raved about it, and so we travelled here to find an instrument. At first she wanted to beg for the coin. Try to find jobs to do. But in the end, when the Tralaya attacked, she resolved to just steal the lute. She intended to come and pay it back. I would have just left the city."...

And so his elaboration concludes and he marches forth to engage with U'Nunlo and Gen once again, Vigil free to engage deeper or leave as he sees fit...

[hr]

[h3]Fenhall, Gathering The Party[/h3]

Regardless, the Party is Gathered. The Journey soon to begin. Tomas Smithson, garbed in what must be hand-me-down garb of Ser Pyke's, cleaned up well enough- but hot baths and new clothes cannot wash out the upbringing and hard-wrought traits of the smith's son. His hammer is looped upon his belt, and as everyone gathers at the gate they witness Ser Pyke teaching him how to properly strap a shield upon his arm- the same shield that Iris saw being repaired in the Castle Smithy. Seems Pyke was bestowing it upon the boy who was to be his new Squire.

Alison and Crimson make their appearances promptly upon the designated time; U'Nunlo manifests from the nearby Noctem Shanty as if she had been waiting for people to gather in a state of ambush; Regis comes, dragging a half-asleep Gen along on her feet as she mumbles a sleep-addled count of her and Regis' supplies.

At last, as the party gathers in full with the presence of all of you, Ser Pyke steps away from Tomas and addresses the gathering.

"There will be one other to join us. Another Knight has taken up the Summons, and been tasked by the Princess. She will be joining us; I know her to be true, and a powerful warrior in her own right. Take note, Tomas, for there are more ways than mine to take heed of. Let us make our introductions and be off- Castle Lancre awaits. I will begin; I am Ser Pyke, and have born the title of the Ashen Knight in my time as Lord Commander of the Palace Guard. Tomas Smithson I name my Squire."

"T-Tomas Smithson." Tomas jumps to the introduction at that. "I met most of ye before the um..Tralaya attack. Born a smith, but it didn't feel right to hammer out horse-shoes and nails when all the news we was getting was so bad. When Ser Pyke came to my village, I left with him. To try and help the Realm."

"U'Nunlo. The name, er, I mean. Ranger of wild places. Dreamer of big dreams." U'nunlo says, keeping it brief. Their spidery limbs straighten for the introduction, the being bowing deeply to formalize it.

"Alison of Waltone. Attended by Crimson, sworn sword of Waltone. I wield powerful sorceries, as has been the birthright of my family since long before the Line of Braedan ruled these lands." Alison says with a prideful and regal tone. Crimson looks down at his breastplate and twirls a finger in his cloud-puff-moustache as he shines a smudge off his armor- silent as ever.

"Regis." Gen says happily, clapping the young Behemoth upon his shoulder. Today he was back into a more lithe, leathery, appearance for the travels. "And Gen!" She flashes a smile that could light up the black of night. "of the Tribe of Gen. Heroes!"

And with their introductions out of the way formally, the group has a chance to reintroduce themselves and (re)familiarize with the party before the Quest begins in earnest...