lemoncrime

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.” Despite never encountering this strange lady before, Nol could not refuse their generous offer, especially after a long journey. "Ahernan, for your hospitality," the elf began to answer as he settled into the tent, resting his staff on his arm as the floating candles cast him and the hag both into view. "My-" Nol began as he rotated his staff which was now dimly cast in the light, pausing to examine it. Etched along the shaft were symbols, each representing apart of his recent journey; a rare flower, a bear, a pair of ice skates, among others. At the top, inscribed around the staff, read 'In sterquiliniis invenitur', almost ironic given where he currently sat. However, the resin finish was worn, and the wood was decaying. Soon he'd have to craft another and a new chapter of his life would begin, Nol was still a young elf, and there was much more to learn. "...Story?" Nol finished as the pause was broken. He gave the old lady a polite smile and introduced himself, "Nol Shinez, I am but a traveling cobbler. What's your name?"

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?)) Nol lowers themself onto the cushion, feeling the weight of travel settle into their bones. The swamp's damp air clings to his every breath, mingling with the warm light of flickering candles. He meets her gaze and speaks softly, “I am but a humble cobbler, a wanderer. I travel to mend shoes and share stories, for each step and tale carries something worth passing on. Perhaps, wise one, you’ve stories of your own?”

Dustin wasn't immediately suspicious due to the man's well dressed nature, but it was possible the man was trying to distract him while an accomplice did used sleight of hand to mug him. Akers checked over his shoulder, and their hands fell protectively into the pockets of his jacket. "None of the above," he answered the strange man, continuing after a pause, "Look, if you happen to know where the tavern is, that would be helpful though."

The wood elf showed hesitation when the dapper fellow greeted him, as his relative inexperience with common tongue made him unable to understand what a few of the larger words meant. Nol was only able to piece the sentence together with context clues. Nol answered as truthfully, telling the man he was here for adventure. When the elf turned away from the man, the busy city consumed them. He had not grown accustomed to packed streets of people in a hurry, commotion of vendors and customers haggling, or the fast pace of the city yet. When the elf turned back to the well dress man, he forced a smile and quickly added, "Why, this is...quite a lovely city indeed."