A growl rumbled deep in Barghest's chest, a low, guttural sound that was more of a vibration than a noise. His crimson eyes scanned the room, darting from the masked man at the head of the table to the other silent figures, his hands twitching with the primal urge to tear and rend. He took in the opulent surroundings, the soft fabrics, the rich food—all of it foreign, all of it weak. A faint, almost imperceptible scoff escaped his fanged mouth. This was not a feast; it was a cage.

When Mortimer spoke, his voice was smooth, too smooth. The word "guests" tasted like poison on Barghest's tongue. He was no guest. He was a weapon, a tool brought here for a purpose. Mortimer spoke of a "wonderful game" and a "legendary hunt," and Barghest's feral grin widened, revealing jagged teeth. Yes, a hunt. He understood that. He understood the thrill of the chase, the scent of fear, the glory of the kill.

The part about contracts and deals made his lip curl. Words, empty words. A weak human's way of trapping others. He had his own contract, one written in blood and marked with the scars of his torment. He had made a deal with his own curse, not with some pale-skinned man in a silk shirt. The man's final warning about protective magic drew a silent, mocking laugh from Barghest. He wasn't afraid of their parlor tricks. He was the one they should fear. He was the beast in the hunt, and he wouldn't be the prey.

Barghest didn't sit. He wouldn't. He remained standing at the edge of the hall, a coiled spring of muscle and malice. He eyed the table and the rich food with disdain. He didn't need their weak food or their even weaker wine. He was fed by blood and the thrill of the hunt. He just had one question for the man in the fox mask.

"Who are we hunting, man with the mask of a fox?" he rasped, his voice a low growl that carried through the room. "And who is hunting us?"

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[Hider=Stat Block]
[B][URL=https://v1.dicecloud.com/character/Guk4dwdiFeTNDecQj/Barghest-Feral-Hide]Barghest Feral-Hide[/URL][/B] | [B]Blood Hunter (Order of the Lycan)/ Barbarian[/B] | [B]Level 5[/B]
[hr][B]HP:[/B] 67/67| [B]AC:[/B] 15 | [B]Speed:[/B] 30 ft | [b]Passive Perception[/b]: 12 | Hemocraft Save DC: 13
[hr][B]Stats:[/B] Str 13 (+1), Dex 15 (+2), Con 16 (+3), Int 9 (-1), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 8 (-2)
[hr][B]Proficient Skills:[/B] Acrobatics (+5), Athletics (+5), Insight (+5), Investigation (+2), Survival (+5)
[hr][B]Languages:[/B] Common, Goblin, Infernal
[hr][B]Currently wielding:[/B] N/A
[hr][B]Weapons: [/B] Unarmed Fighting: +4 hit, 1d8+1 blunt | 
[hr][B]Weapons: [/B] Claws (Lycan Form): +5 hit, 1d6+2 Slash | 
[hr][hider=Crimson Rites and Blood Maledict]
Crimson Rites: Crimson Rite Damage/ Activation Cost: 1d4
* Rite of the Flame
Blood Maledict
* Blood Curse of Binding: BA, Any target W/ 30ft, Str saving throw
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