Jade can be seen leaving the Seshtau. She notices the commotion and walks towards it to see what is going on. As she gets closer she recognizes Vesta. Jade gasps and rushes over to her.

"Vesta! Oh Vesta! I was so worried! I tried to send you a missive and it didn't go through. Are you alright?"

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Saige starts to run off, only to be abruptly yanked back when Storm catches her by the cloak. She giggles, turning back towards her.

“Okay okay! No surprises. I’ll be totally chill!”

She takes Storm’s hand and immediately begins swinging it wildly between them as they walk towards Vesta, bouncing with every step. The draconian’s restraint does little to dampen Saige’s enthusiasm.

As they draw within earshot, Saige perks up even more.

“HIIII THERE!!”

Vesta freezes mid-step.

Her shoulders tense. Slowly, painfully slowly, she turns her head just enough to catch sight of the approaching elf and draconian.

Saige waves enthusiastically with both hands, her fangs on full display as she beams from ear to ear.

“I’m Saige! Do you want to be my friend?!”

Vesta stares at her.

Then begins walking faster towards the city gate.

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Storm grins and lifts her arm to point at the ramtovi walking down the street with her arms folded across her chest. "That one. BUT!"

Storm quickly grabs the back of Saige's cloak before she can dash off. "She doesn't look too happy. So maybe we don't surprise her?"

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Saige, her hood pulled tightly over her head, waves her hands animatedly at the poor townsperson as she rambles on through some increasingly elaborate story. When the unfortunate soul attempts to escape, she simply follows a few steps behind, continuing without missing a beat.

The moment Storm speaks, however, Saige's attention snaps towards the draconian.

“Another friend?!”

The townsperson is immediately forgotten.

Saige practically crashes into Storm, throwing her arms around the draconian's shoulders with absolutely no regard for personal space. She peers out over Storm's shoulder into the crowd, then reaches up and tugs a few strands of Storm's hair forward, letting them fall over her own hood to shield her face from the sunlight.

She scans the crowd eagerly for this mysterious new target of her attention, bouncing excitedly on the balls of her feet, though with considerably less energy than usual thanks to the harsh sunlight.

Her arms tighten around Storm.

“Which one?!” She demands, practically vibrating with anticipation. “Who is it?!”

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The knight watches her get up. "Can I-?"

Then he watches her turn on heel and walk away with her quiet thanks. He stares after her for a moment before he also turns away. He begins marching back towards the fighting.

Storm sighs heavily as she watches the interaction between knight and ramtovi. "Welp..."

She turns to Saige, who is distractedly bothering a poor townsperson. "Saige, want to meet another friend?"

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Vesta squints harshly against the sunlight, raising a hand to shield her eyes.

She frowns up at the figure offering her a hand, staring at it for a long moment. Eventually, she sighs and takes it, allowing the knight to pull her to her feet.

Once upright, she looks down at her own hands, turning them over slowly as she studies them. After a moment, she lets out another deep, weary sigh.

“...No.”

Her gaze drifts over herself, the clothes hanging loosely from her frame, her bare feet, and disheveled hair spilling around her shoulders. She shakes her head, pressing her lips into a thin line.

Then, she turns on her heel.

“...Thanks,” she mutters over her shoulder.

Vesta starts walking, her arms folded tightly across her chest.

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In the middle of town square, a body suddenly appears on the street. The people around the body all step around her and continue on their way. Soldiers rush from the guilds back to the fray outside of town and townsfolk continue on their own personal missions. Except one. A knight in full plate mail wearing a yellow and blue favor on his hip stops and reaches a hand out to the form on the ground.

"My lady? Are you alright?" He asks, offering his hand.

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• News of the attack on His Majesty and the castle in Kinsbaile has started to reach the masses. The depth of the war is starting to sink in. Townspeople who were already panicked are beginning to lose all hope. What does this mean for our way of life? Will we be oppressed? Will there be new leadership soon? Are the heros letting this happen? Nobody knows…
• A huge beam of light struck the palace in Kinsbaile and obliterated an entire wing. Is the king still alive?
• Draconian reinforcements were seen descending on the Leib Olmai soldiers attempting to occupy the palace. With the Draconians assistance, Leib Olmai forces have been pushed back into the courtyard once more. Is there still hope for Ariad?
• With supplies effectively cut off to the city and farmland not yet harvestable, there has been a significant rise in crime. Theft, break-ins, and assault have increased as people quarrel over the remaining supplies. Food, components, anything that will fill their bellies or their pockets.
• In desperate attempts to keep themselves safe, some townsfolk are trying to switch sides. Some are pledging loyalty to Leib-Olmai in return for safety. Some are even joining the army of Leib-Olmai. It is said that if you paint a white snake on the door of your house you will be passed over by the raids.
• Earlier in the month, Haltija in Seshtau gathered for the birth of the first known Haltija child to be born on Ariadnian soil. The birth went well and mother and babe are being kept safe by the Baroness herself. Roman is now a proud father to a healthy son named Orion.
• Some Ariadnian soldiers reported enemy soldiers discussing a “shapeshifter” among their ranks. They claim this shapeshifter can take on any form but generally appears to seduce them. Several camps have been taken out by this seductive shapeshifter and it has the soldiers shaken up. Now they are leery of anyone they find attractive.

• A bright beam of light from the east blew through the gates of the graveyard and left massive destruction. What was it? Will the graveyard take their losses out on Volaire? So far everything seems to be alright. But undead don't die naturally so when will the seek retribution?
• The land is of the Ariad are healing! Crops are starting to grow and game is returning to the forests. Food is still hard to come by as the land returns to what it once was. What could have happened to fix the blight? No one is sure.
• A large commotion was heard at the Seshtau embassy. Rumor has it that the baroness sicced her flesh golem on someone. Is her temper getting out of control? Maybe someone more level headed should take over if she can't control her emotions.
• The disgraced noble Tristan was arrested for trespassing in the Foresetidale Embassy. He walked in intentionally. What was he thinking?
• Lines at the Tuatha’s borders are shorter now as citizens are being allowed to freely enter again.
• Acting Baroness Shi’Kari has appointed Lord Protector Vaerin Mercair to Seneschal effective immediately.

• Small game is returning to the forests and spattered areas of land are recovering from the curse. The heroes have been hard at work it seems. Many say it’s about time they stopped their squabbling and fixed the problem!
• The Weeping Rose has reopened for breakfast AND lunch
• Sir Fallin Drakesong was found among the dead in Dalefaer and Baroness Charlotte has not been seen. Was she captured? Killed?  No body has been found. With no Baroness and no Seneschal, Warlord Shi’Kari has taken charge and the city of Dalefaer has been secured, Leib Olmai forces successfully pushed back out of the city.
• Umbris is secured and Leib Olmai has been pushed back into the swamps. It is only a matter of time before all of Seshtau is secure again.
• Tuatha’s borders remain closed, even to merchants and wayfarers.
• The palace is still under heavy siege but King Vlastimir, his forces, and the army of undead are holding their ground. King Vlastimir himself is leading the charge against Leib Olmai.

• The hunters stalls in market square have been full of small game recently.
• Seshtau has been successfully holding back the tide of Leib Olmai however they have still not given up their assault entirely.
• Guerrilla warfare outside of town has been pushed back somewhat. However, Leib Olmai continue to hold ground.
• Ramtovi across the kingdom are saying that their seers all had the same frightening vision. What could it mean?
• Dalefaer has been occupied by Leib Olmai.

Barely a day after the heroes finally purge the Leib Olmai forces from the citadel and palace, the air suddenly tears open. Simultaneous portals ignite across the realm—flaring to life in the center of Volaire's town square, and within the central plazas of Dalefaer, Umbris, and Almuril. Panicked townsfolk scatter at the magical eruptions, while nearby city guards hurriedly draw their steel, bracing for yet another invasion.From the shimmering gate in Volaire steps a commanding figure, proudly bearing the crest of the Draconian Kingdom. Clad in immaculate military finery with a breast heavy with gleaming medals, he wears twin swords resting confidently at his hips. He pauses only a second before stepping aside to make way for the heavy, rhythmic thud of boots. A legion of soldiers, flying the same Draconian colors, marches relentlessly out of the portal behind him.

 

She nods her head once to his remarks, before she looks beyond you and steps around, continuing on.
Her boots pat along the rough earth, her eyes shifting between each building.
She pauses for a moment, then walks up to a commoner.

"Hello, may I ask where..."
She pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts,
"Would you happen to know where Zuigrii may be?"

The man pauses for a moment, scanning her, then pointing down the path to a sturdy building, smoke bellowing from a chimney.
She nodes to him, traveling on.

She longed for answers...closure... Possibly even help? But she knew the wolf was the only way to acquire those things. In addition, she couldn't help but be irrevocably curious about his appearance being similar to hers.

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Julien nods. "Well alright then."

He looks around at the passing townsfolk and shrugs. 

"Well, should you find yourself in need of anything, I am opening an Adventurer's Guild here soon. Hopefully when things with Leib Olmai settle down a bit. You'd be welcome to come by and see if we have any work for you." Julien smiles again. "Otherwise, I suppose I'll leave you to it. I'm needed elsewhere. Safe travels."

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She sort of pauses for a moment, you honestly can't tell if she's offended or just puzzled.

She lets out a small chuff for a moment before nodding.
"Yes. I can fight, and I'm not afraid to defend myself"

Her golden eyes cast you a slightly fierce glare.

"I appreciate your offer. But I am not looking to join any of your towns... Cults..."

Her eyes then wander to look for any part of signs or guidances around the surrounding town.

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Sylvia folds her arms across her chest and smirks. "Hm. I tell you what... Why don't you decide if he's worthy of joining the guild. Consider it one of your first tasks as Guild Protector. Determine if he would be a benefit to the guild. Give him a task of some kind to determine if he's got what it takes to join us."

She shrugs one shoulder. "If you need an idea of how to test him, you could have him fetch components for us or craft an item of some kind. I leave it in your capable hands, Guild Protector."

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Zuigrii aproaches before talking. “Fighting is constant but the lines are holding steady. That last shipment should get there before things get too desperate. As for my friends, that’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. One of the newer members of the party is looking to join the guild. He knows the basics of armor and weapon working and some about working with raw hides and leather. He’s also a skilled alchemist. I don’t know what you would want to do with him but he’s out front. If you want to go talk to him I can take over here for a little bit.”

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As the ward lowers and the cacophony of sounds explodes out of the guild, there is one voice booming above the noise.

"Get yer ass-! No no no! You hit it like this! Like this! These men need weapons and armor NOW! We don't have time to redo things!"

A tall woman with long blonde hair tied back loosely to keep it out of her face is hammering away at a sword. "Alright. See here? See where it's warped? Don't do that! This is how you do it."

She hammers down hard a few more times before she passes the hammer off to a sweaty young man who is nodding quickly. "Yes ma'am! I see now!"

"Good! Now fix it! We don't have time for mistakes!" She steps away from the forge and looks up, wiping her brow. 

She spots Zuiigri and nods to him. "What are you doing here? I expected you'd be on the front lines with the other Heroes. Ah. Or you need something?"

 

Zuigrii chuckles before saying “We’re at war. Weapons and armor are in constant need of repair but no need to worry about tools. We have plenty. If you want to step inside I’ll go get the guild mistress so we can get you working on things. Help is definitely needed these days.”

As they enter the guild there are soldiers milling about in the lobby area. Some are freshly bandaged, some are resting in the chairs around the room or against the wall, and some are preparing to rejoin the fray. Zuigrii points to an area Morris can wait before lowering the wards and stepping through. For the few moments that the wards are lowered, a cacophony of metal banging and scraping can be heard from the workshop. 

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