Despite his reservations Ureck couldn’t help but let his eyes wander about the refugee camp as they passed through the crowd. The multitude of high-strung emotions, from the suffering apparent on the faces he saw to the desperation that ran rampant in their minds, clung to his heart like iron chains, weighing down every step he took through the despairing scene. Yet the idea that stung the collie most was one perhaps only he could see and understand.<br/><br/>Hope. That was the only reason they were here. From wherever they had come, they had heard, or maybe just felt, that Espen could offer safety. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched of an idea either, as least given what the collie knew about life beyond the city’s walls. As such, they had all packed their bags, left their homes and possessions behind to accumulate around Espen’s borders, all unified in their search for a better place. And what else could make them take such a risk, to give up everything they had for a respite so unclear, but hope? ...<br/><br/>They were chasing a lost sanctuary.<br/><br/>Ureck had spent his entire life within the cage they were trying to slip into, and he knew the truth. In its current state, Espen had little to offer them. Food was scarce, certainly not plenty enough to fill their empty bellies. The predators were still just as numerous, stalking the streets just as easily as they stalked the forests and hills. And what about protection? Talia and the few like her were hardly enough to save so many from their troubles, and most others in the position to help were ready to let things unfold as they would, like the nobles… like the Grangers…<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Damn them all.</span><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Knowledge (history) check: 1d20(15) + 6 = 21; failed</div></div></div><br/><br/>It wasn’t long before Ureck’s search for a weapon proved far more fruitful than he could ever have hoped. His spirits jumped for some time as he heard the otter’s offer, amazed at what luck had sent his way, but as he explained his circumstances further that sensation was immediately replaced with pangs of guilt. The sword that had been presented to him was quite possibly the most valuable things he had ever seen. Although Ureck was not familiar with the wars from which the blade dated, it had all the qualities of a hero’s weapon: perfect balance, intricate design, more than enough to have taken one through many a hardship. Even without a true appraisal, the collie knew that it was potentially worth an astronomical amount… yet the otter’s circumstances were forcing him to offer it for a measly amount…<br/><br/>He knew what they really needed. Even the finest blade in the world could do one no good if they didn’t have the strength to wield it, and from a cursory glance at the otter and his family, the collie could tell that was exactly the case. How he wished he could satisfy those needs directly, give them all the food he had in a heartbeat. Yet his backpack was just as empty of food as they were, a fact that only served to compound the gravity that dragged him down…<br/><br/>His hand disappeared into this pocket, snatching up as many coins as it hold could while remaining discreet. Drawing out his fist, he dropped his gold into the otter’s hand before cupping his own around it gently. The soft brown of his eyes met the otter’s.<br/><br/>“I have never been good with numbers, so I might have overcalculated a little…”<br/><br/>Before the otter could react, he took up the slimblade and broke away, hurrying after the others in his group. His knuckles were tense around the weapon’s sheath, evidence of how tightly he clutched his new find. Above, the soft glimmer of a single tear dropped from his cheek into the dusty earth.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">This blade will give you a better life. I promise…</span><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Ureck gave 50 gold in exchange for the elven slimblade.</div></div></div><br/><br/>.   .   .<br/><br/>Unlike his companions, Ureck wasn’t lucky enough to have a nice full belly to distract them during their travels, and as such his mind was free to turn itself inwards and linger on his own introspections. What were they doing? He had told himself they were trying to save Espen, to offer those within the town a chance to rebuild what they had lost. Yet the reality of the situation was something the thought hardly overshadowed. They were only three people, perhaps with abilities of a higher caliber than most, but they were only three people nonetheless. How could they possibly change the dynamics of a whole city, especially one with people like the Grangers in their way? It was a sentiment only intensified by the decrepit old house, and the bloodstain that came with it…<br/><br/>Putting the thought out of his head, his mind went to work on another thing he had begun to notice. Although though he strayed behind the others, his eyes constantly strayed to the bellies his fellow travelers sported. Even now, they continued to gurgle and churn around their prey, working to break them down into nutrients to be absorbed. Under any other circumstance, the experience probably would’ve been a terrifying one for the collie, having to walk amongst such obviously predatory individuals. Yet, for some strange reason, he was hardly fazed. If anything, he was fascinated by the idea of taking a person in, swallowing them down whole to turn them into little more than food to fuel their bodies… The thrill the idea gave him was so foreign to him, and it was making him feel more awkward by the second.<br/><br/>Fortunately for him, the raccoon would prove to be a fantastic distraction. He had never seen a creature of such massive proportions, nor had ne seen one in such a mangled condition. Having lived in an urban environment in his entire life, he was completely as a loss what to think of the situation, unable to make any conjectured beyond what was obvious. Upon hearing Sherani’s request the collie quickly obliged, snatching up a nearby granite stone in hopes that she, a native of the forest, could help him make sense of it. However, the shifter’s strange ritual only drove him further into his confusion, and he ultimately decided it best to let it slide, lest he make things worse for himself…<br/><br/>Time flew after the incident for the collie, and in no time the sun had already set enough so that they would have to make camp. Unlike his companions, Ureck had little more than a blanket to undo to set up his sleeping space for the night, but that was hardly enough to override his nerves. The image of the dead raccoon still fresh on his mind, he shivered at the thought of what else could be in the forest that could sneak up on him as he slept. His eyes trailed to the others. They had nice places to sleep, Sherani with her self-built shelter and Lillium with her fine tent. He began to shiver, feeling so out of place in the wilderness, his own vulnerability growing more pressing by the second…<br/><br/>He sighed sadly.<br/><br/>“Er… I do not suppose either of you two would mind my company tonight, would you?” he called to his two companions. “I’m afraid I’m not quite as… readily prepared as I should be…”<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">If either agree:</span><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">The relief Ureck felt was clear in the pace at which he ran over, the dangers of the night something he was eager to leave behind. Clutching his blanket and gear tightly in his arms, the collie sprinted over quickly, stopping in a small flutter of leaves before seating himself on the ground. His wide grin was another strong indication of his appreciation.<br/><br/>“Oh, thank you so much. I am sorry to impose, but it is a bit too… uncomfortable for me to have to sleep by myself out here.”<br/><br/>Laying out his blanket just outside their shelter he flumped down on his back tiredly, gazing as the night sky through the trees overhead.<br/><br/>“I would never have imagined I would be out here in my life,” he chuckled, trying his best to start up friendly conversation. “I have lived in Espen all my years, so being out here is a rather new experience for me.”<br/><br/>Again, silence fell over him, rolling his own thoughts and words through his head. His hand drifted down to his stomach and rubbed it softly, haven grown empty during the long walk. Out of the corner of his eye, he involuntarily glanced at the belly of his sleeping companion, and immediately his mind began to wander once again. He had to wonder…<br/><br/>“I am quite hungry I have to say…” he muttered half to-himself. “Vincent’s breakfast was fantastic, but I guess it can only carry someone so far. Of course, that does not seem like something you have to worry about…”<br/><br/>He lifted his head and turned towards them, his eyes bright with curiosity. “What does it feel like, to devour someone like that? ...”</div></div></div><br/><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">I've attached my finalized version of Ureck's sheet. :3 I redid his stats quite a bit to make him a little less... sucky. X) Also gave him a few more feats, so he can have a fair shot at nommage when the right circumstances come up... &gt;:3 I hope he'll be a little more useful to the team now in this form!</div></div></div>