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[h2][center][i][color=tan][u]In Lock & Key Tavern's Back Room...[/u][/color][/i][/center][/h2]
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Faline gave a welcoming nod and soft smile as the tall Elvian man wandered close to her and Torsten, and then announced his name. [color=lightgreen][/color] she spoke as she sat up to catch a glimpse at what Amandine had in her pack to dine on. She raised an eyebrow at the sight of a Gray Pheasant that had been perfectly roasted and seasoned. Faline didn't know why she had the feeling the cooked poultry was a Gray Pheasant, just intuition she supposed. 

Faline suddenly remembered all the symbols her uncle had scribbled in his journal as if his life depended on it. Her train of thought was interrupted as the door opened again. Sir Dorian walked through the doorway two more times. The first time with a rogue-appearing fellow and the second time with a being Faline never thought she would see. The big blue-hued being had to almost duck to enter the back room. 

Faline had never seen a Northern Orc, or even a half-Northern Orc before. Sure, plenty of orcs had migrated to Vradia after the Seven Kingdoms united as one under the First Emperor, but Northern Orcs typically stayed in their territories outside of Vradia. 

Sir Dorian turned and locked the door behind him. He moved over to a large table with many chairs around it. He was completely unphased by the fact that Simbelmyne was in the room without seeing her current appearance walk through the tavern's front door.

Dorian smiled at the group of six. [color=blue]"Be at ease, all of you, please. This is a safe space for all walks of life,"[/color] he started as he gestured for everyone to sit if they wished at the long meeting table. Faline didn't budge at first from her place on the sofa. Her emerald gaze studied their host again. She cautiously stood and made her way over to sit at the table.

[color=blue][/color] he began to explain as he placed each token from Faline, Maltar, Amandine, Torsten, Gus, and Budi on the table. Dorian smiled.

Faline's green eyes widened with slight fear with Dorian's last word. [color=lightgreen]"Our predecessors? Does that mean-,"[/color] she started as the white-haired man smiled before cutting the half-Elvian woman off.

[color=blue]"Easy now, there's no need for rush conclusions. Your predecessors were working to solve a mystery that has been affecting the Ellezag Plains. A lot of the leads separated them. There is a need for all of you to step in for them in the area while they follow their quests to end those leads," [/color]Dorian elucidated in an attempt to ease any worry in the group.

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[h2][center][i][color=tan][u]Meanwhile in the woods with Pebble...[/u][/color][/i][/center][/h2]

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As Pebble and her newfound companion were on their way to somewhere private. They would walk into a brief break in the trees, a glen. The issue? Everything seemed to have been drained of life. Birds didn't sing, and the plant life was shriveled and dead before Pebble even had a chance to sing. 

In the middle of the glen, there would be a pile of dead bodies all piled up on one another as if someone was purposely stacking them. If one took the time to count, there were fifteen bodies. Pebble's man companion would begin to try and lead her around the glen, a safe distance from the dead vegetation and tower of bodies. 

Soon, Vradia soldiers [url=https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/056/126/074/large/loic-paulus-soldiers05.jpg?1668521577]dressed[/url] in a mix of armor and plague attire brought in another wagon filled with various dead beings that they added to the pile before setting the pile ablaze. 

If Pebble would continue, there would be a brief farming settlement on her way. The population was too small to be called a village. The settlement would be blocked off with spikes and fencing around its borders to prevent people from entering or leaving.