Merlianianious glared intently at the forest around him his staff thumping rhythmically as he went. He glowered at the young woman that walked up next to him, "were going to Eihwaz, it's a small costal village just two days walk through the wilderness. From there we will be taking a boat to Bërshen. That island is the land of the bane so were likely to find a portal to The Beyond there. If not then we make one," he replied in a grumpy voice that let everyone around him know that Merlianianious was not interested in chitchat of any kind. He wasn't the friendly sort.<br/><br/>Merlianianious had just finished speaking when the boy ran up and grabbed him. True to his nature Merlianianious lifted his staff and slammed it across the boy's shoulders. Not too hard to cause any damage, just enough to startle the child, "listen boy this isn't a game. So you smarten up now! Or go bother the woman-folk. I got no time to play games! This be dangerous lad."<br/><br/>As soon as he'd said that much the strange feeling and voice could be heard. Merlianianious fell instantly silent. He stopped walking. Staff held in one hand lightly pressing into the ground. Power flowed through him as he opened his senses causing the runes and sigils in his staff to glow a light green like emeralds resided within them. He closed his eyes, for it was not his bodies sight that he needed. He heard the arrival of the others and didn't bother with introduction or even his typical grumbling about being late. Instead he sensed the presence that had spoken. Ignoring the being's words. He smiled, "A dryad," he said almost to himself.<br/><br/>He thumped his staff down on the ground and grumbled, "We don't have time for games forest-spirit come out and speak," he called out clearly not in the mood to play games. He looked over at the man he thought of as a 'barbarian type' and said in an equally annoyed voice, "Don't you be spilling blood on a Dryad's ground you hear, that will have you strung up by your toes in no time!" He looked to the other side and noted the other man and his.... familiar... Was that a demon? Merlianianious grumbled under his breath about waisting time and strange people. "I think we got just about enough people for this venture. We certainly have more then I'd like!" he grumbled loud enough to be heard.