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You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.”

((How do you respond?))

Aoi halts a moment, scanning his host with piercing violet eyes. A gentle and kindly smile touches the corners of his mouth as he sweeps his gaze over the interior of the tent before seating himself in the gestured cushion.

'You have my thanks,' he says, in a formal, but kindly voice. After stretching out his spine and shuffling to make himself comfortable, an inquisitive look enters his face. 'You want my story?'. After a moments pause, in which he once again scans the old women in front of him, he goes on- 'Well, I doubt I'm to get anywhere else this night, and no harm should come of me giving you a short recounting.' He breathes slowly a few times, collecting his thoughts. 

'I hail from Vortice, most wise one, but I have unusual roots. My mother, who has always had a rather strained relationship with the rest of her kindred, is a high elf, a 'Mali'aheral' as they call themselves. She- being more liberal and rebellious than many other of her kin- met my father, a Human from Oyashima, while she was travelling. My mother has always been someone of martial prowess, a strong and smart warrior who has journeyed in search of challenge and a fight. My father, on the other hand, is a scholar by trade, someone who has studied deeply into the teaching of Hualian and the philosophers of his native land, is quite the opposite of my mother. With no love of battle, he is a worker of peace, who at first had no interest in my mothers fierce disposition. However, through a series of interesting stories and events, they came to love each other, with the result; me.'

Aoi offers a short, respectful seated-bow.

'My name is Aoi, and I am currently travelling in search of knowledge. My path is a simple one; to find wisdom from all areas of the world, wisdom which will banish the ignorance which pollutes our lives. Whether that path leads me to delve into the mysteries of the divine and archaic, or work under the scrutinous eye of a dwarven blacksmith, I will do all which is in my power to understand the secrets of this world- in this life or the next- and use it for the good of others.'

At this, Aoi grins sheepishly. 'Perhaps I'm speaking too prematurely- while my current goal is to seek out the knowledge of this world, to what end that will lead... Well, we'll see.'

After a brief moment, Aoi poses the question; 'But what of you, old one? You spoke earlier of expecting. I do not believe we have met... may I ask how you have heard of me-?'