The year is 835 PD. The long-time conflict between the Dwendalian Empire and the Kryn Dynasty has reached a boiling point and it is a power keg, ready to explode. Smaller armed clashes have become commonplace along the border between the two major powers, displacing locals on either side in the area and forcing them to flee elsewhere. Our adventure puts us in the middle of the conflict, deep within the Brokenveil Marsh of Xhorhas, near the border of the Dwendalian Empire, specifically in the mobile settlement of Urzin. A settlement of about 6.000 people built upon the backs of the native horizonback tortoises, its close location to the border has caused a small influx of about 100 refugees, who have dared to venture through the treacherous marshlands in search of refuge from the war. Although it falls under the rule of the Kryn Dynasty and is guarded by a few members of the Aurora Watch, the goblinoids and gnolls of Urzin are welcoming those, who are willing to work and defend the settlement against the dangers of the marsh and from the war, should it reach that far.

The rank odors of the Brokenveil Marsh mingle with the musty aroma of a fleet of gargantuan reptiles upon which the settlement of Urzin has been built. The rickety rope bridges between the tall, ramshackle buildings creak and scrape under the weight of the settlement's inhabitants. Goblinkin, gnolls and even orcs make up the majority of the population, which to most of the recently arrived refugees seem outlandish and strange. Most of these refugees have set up tents below the buildings, directly on the shells of the enormous tortoises, while a few drow clad in dark armor keep a close eye on them. The number of refugees has steadily dwindled over the past couple of weeks as many were caught stealing or robbing - crimes which the settlers of Urzin does not take kindly to - and promptly exiled to wander the trecherous marshlands. However, those willing to work and find their place in Urzin are welcomed and treated with the same respect as any other local. This melting pot of monstrous races is surprisingly functional and unprejudiced compared to many other settlements.

During your stay, you have noticed that there are other prying eyes. Local guardsmen have been keeping a close watch on you, though the reason for this odd behavior has eluded you. That is, until today, as hobgoblin guards discreetly approach each of you. "Lord Buhfal requests your presence," is all they say as six of you are led across a wider rope bridge to the large, tottering hall of Ogre Lord Buhfal II—a towering structure of haphazard timber and scrap. The din of the swamp and the hushed chatter of Urzin’s residents is muted as you step through the folds of a heavy leather curtain into the chamber beyond. There, the reek of the marsh is quickly replaced by the favorable scent of roasted meats and spiced wine. A couple of orc attendants stand off to the side, near another entranceway covered by a red curtain. It appears Lord Buhfal is not yet present.

Distrustful but interested, the young woman just silently stares at the hobgoblin guard who adressed her and nods to show the guard that she understood the request, but she does not speak back. She does not know who this Lord Buhfal is, but she can guess it must be a person with authority. And if there was something about civilized life that she remembered well is that such people had to be obeyed... Even in the cases when they didn't deserve it. Relieved by the presence of orcs and other races around, but not trusting whoever this Lord was just yet, she decided to keep quiet for now.

This woman does not look like the type of person someone with authority would normally take pay attention to, just a normal half-orc who for whatever reason was as short and slender as an elf. Greyish green skin that faded into a silvery teal tone on places like her hands and the tip of her ears, golden eyes and long, pointy ears. Her dark hair is long and unkempt, and the delicate features of her face are somewhat hardened by her tusks. But the strange thing about her appearance was how she was wearing only leather and furs, the most costly things on her person being an old travelling backpack and a black opal pendant on her neck.

She's holding a wooden staff, and in her back she carries a stone mace.

Petra walks towards the other people who had apparently been called here just as she was, but she's evidently a little more interested on the smell of food now in the air. "...Is tis a dinner?" She asks to the group, her words and diction a little butchered due to how long it has been since she last spoke to another person. "Hav we been invited to dinner by tis Lord? I would lik to know why we are here..."

Being in Urzin for only ten-day and oblivious about the local politics, Valzes has no idea who Lord Buhfal is. However, the hobgolblin seems pretty determined, so she shrugs her shoulders and follows him.

Following the hobgoblin is a blue tiefling wearing outlandish clothes - a dark green vest coat with a white shirt underneath. A pair of black horns protrude from her long braided black hair and curve to the back of her head. Her long pointy tails whips left and right as they make their way to the hall. Even in this city which inhabited many monster kin, she still can be a pretty odd one. 

As they pass through the curtain and into the hall, her gray eyes dancing around the hall looking for the source of the smell. She takes a long sniff at the scent. "Is it roasted meats? If I'd know this, I wouldn't have eaten those dry and plain breads." Then she puts her hand on the hobgoblin's shoulder. "So where is the lord and... food?" She asks the hobgoblin with a grin on her face. 

When the hobgoblin, Violetta pauses for a moment, wondering just how to react to the invitation. Accept? Refuse? Eventually she decides that accepting would be the more polite thing at this moment in time than flat out refusing, she follows the Hobgoblin. Tying her brown hair back as she follows him across the bridge, her brown eyes seem to be scanning everything she comes across, checking every detail. She smiles when they finally get over the bridge and into the hall.

She doesn't hold any equipment that would at first glance give away what she does, but at second glance it seems that she has an orb shaped lump in the pocket of her clothes, perhaps a mage? Even when she arrives, she keeps looking around, trying to memorize every detail of what she's seen here today. She wears a simple blouse, pants, and worn in boots, like she's done a lot of walking. She wears a cloak wrapped around her shoulders, hood pulled down.

When asked, "Since they haven't mentioned anything about a meal, I would assume there wouldn't be one. Perhaps they're cooking for someone else?" She seems uninterested in the food, but seeing both the half-orc and teifling seems to peak her interest.

Shortly after the hobgoblin walks what would normally be a rather tall, grey figure, but a pronounced hunch in the refugee's demeanor makes it seem much shorter than originally expected. Even from afar, the figure appears to be constantly at motion - he carries a set of tools and trinkets he uses to absentmindedly assemble, disassemble, polish, and stow equipment from a small sack he carries. 

The tumultuous din of Urzin did nothing to alleviate the obvious trepidation of the figure. The grey Tabaxi's head is constantly turning towards each and every figure that passes by, and any unexpected noise causes him to slightly jump out of anxiousness. He carries two shortswords in well-cleaned scabbards crossed on his back. A pair of similarly-polished daggers are strapped to his belt. In one arm he wears a shield - contrary to the impeccable state of his other equipment, his shield seems to be so worn and sanded that whatever symbols had been emblazoned on it have long since faded away. Given his hunched stature, abundant equipment, and nervous behavior, the shield gives him a comical sense of someone attempting to hide from his fears. 

He gives a halfhearted smile at the menagerie of figures that have been assorted inside the makeshift hall, glancing around at the architecture of the swaying building. Had he not been inside of it at the moment, he might have been fascinated as to how the buildings were constructed atop the massive creatures the settlement relies on. He eyes the room warily, content to listen to what the others have to say first.

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