Masque__

Your character has just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As they look around, their gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. They 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?))

"Me? Ha ha, well its been a long while since anyone's been expectin' me." Joran slowly leans down, using his walking stick for support as he sits down in the cushion. He crosses his legs, places his walking stick on the ground at his side and lets out a deep sigh as if to imply the movement exerted him. "Well, I expect I've come here for the same reason anyone else has.. care if I take a guess?" He strokes his bearded chin, a grin on his face. "Hmmmm... must be... a place far away.. maybe you come here avoidin' trouble.. maybe cause there's no where left for ye.." Joran lets out a boisterous laugh. "HAHAHA! Am I right?" He pauses for a moment, gathering his breath.

"Hmm.. what was it.. ah! Askin' about my story eh? It started quite a while ago just like yours I'm sure! Ha ha! Well I used to be a soldier. Before that? Same as any other soldier.. raised well by my dear parents... but oh dear they raised a fool. A bold fool, an overconfident fool. One who thought he'd be king of the world." His tone lowers and becomes more serious as he talks, his jolly demeanor fading out. "Yes... a soldier. Many I served would say a good one, but followin' orders is the only thing they look for right? Got in a fair couple a scraps in my youth.. I aged out of it is what most would say.. though in truth, I was tired of followin' orders. Left my service. Wandered, worked, took what I could and somehow ended up here. Spent some time there, some time here...." He trails off and grows silent, a look of deep reflection in his eyes, reliving battles past and choices made long ago. Coming back to his senses, he perks up, putting on his joyous attitude that made the first impression and chuckles. "Haha! The things we do for pride eh? But enough about me... who exactly are you, and, I wonder, what business do you have expectin' this old man in a place like this?"