<div align="center">(https://cdn.inprnt.com/thumbs/90/43/9043c0270b8e19910dec8956f7d16a00.jpg?response-cache-control=max-age=2628000)<br/></div><br/><br/>The nation of Astéri is dull this morning, the crackling light of dawn on the horizon. For whatever reason, you have found yourself on the road North. Rumour and innuendo of danger have spread through the land. The rumblings of fate and destiny, so often found at the start of the Myths told of great heroics and deeds done by the Champions of Gods and of Mortal Heroes alike.<br/><br/>One of the apprentices of the Oracle-King of Arkadia has supposedly been captured by a herd of Centaur. This herd has taken root in a camp near the village of Krinsest, a smaller hamlet that mostly serves to house farmers and fleecing folk. No one is sure why the Centaurs have made their home here for now, and even more confusing is why they still make their home here. Perhaps it is arrogance that leads these creatures to openly kidnap an Oracle's servant; or perhaps it is hubris. Perhaps they intend to draw the ire of the gods as a way to mock them, or perhaps they think the risk is worth taking.<br/><br/>Why this rumour interests you is a thing that will surely draw scholarly debate, should this truly be the first step on the mythical journey you will take. Perhaps you seek a worthy foe in these Centaurs, so as to venerate your God? Maybe it is the Oracle-King's apprentice you seek, whose power of vision may answer you a question that burns at your soul and defines your very being. Possibly it is the rush of combat you crave, or the gaze of another...<br/><br/>Either way, your journey starts as few journies do. You have not begun this tale in a tavern, or on a ship bound for destiny. This myth does not start with a prophetic foretelling of great destiny.<br/><div class="floatright">(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/6f/ff/04/6fff04c730611ccbe85393fed4e1fee3.jpg)</div><br/>No, this story starts at a Checkpoint.<br/><br/>Whether you are freshly arriving at the scene of this checkpoint, set up out of a ruined fortification that now sits as a natural barrier on the only road through the hills that lead to Krinsest, or whether you camped here overnight when the Overseer of the ten-or-so soldiers informed you 'politely' that he will see no more petitioners until the 'morrow, it matters little. Your way is barred at the moment; ten soldiers who watch the thirty gathered individuals trying to make passage into Krinsest. Mostly it is farmers or shepherds, trying to return from markets, caught unaware by the descent of Centaurs on their village and eager to return home. At least ten of the people here though are Warriors, mages, scholars, and others besides trying to earn the favour of either the Oracle-King, the Gods, or possibly just the fair apprentice herself.<br/><br/>Either way, the entire area seems to stir at the sight of the Overseer of this Checkpoint arriving at a tent set up near the centre of the space put aside for those who rested overnight under the stars. He is a grumpy man with tan-skin and a scruffy beard, left patchy by a rushed shaving attempt. His head is clean-shaven, with the thinnest hint of fuzz showing it is indeed by choice this man trims his crown.<br/><br/>Your Journey begins here. Alone, or together. Unified, or opposed. Hero, or herder. Each of you hearing the shout of a name being called out, none of which yet is yours.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">DM Note</div><div class="spoiler_body">This is your chance to introduce yourselves, and possibly interact with the group or with strangers here. If none of you do anything spectacular, the next DM Post will progress the scene to your Quartet being called up to meet the Overseer of the Checkpoint.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Header Example</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div class="codeheader">Code: <a class="codeoperation" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="return smfSelectText(this);">[Select]</a></div><pre style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><code class="bbc_code">[floatright][img width=200 padding=6]YOUR_IMAGE_URL[/img][/floatright][font=trebuchet ms][color=maroon][size=14pt][b][url=YOUR_CHARACTER_SHEET_URL]YOUR NAME[/url][/b][/size][/color][/font]<br/><br/>[size=8pt][b]Wearing:[/b] Leather Armor         [b]AC:[/b] 14<br/>[b]Wielding:[/b] Sharp Sword<br/><br/>[b]HP:[/b] 69 / 69                      [b]Hit Dice:[/b] 6d8<br/>[b]Resources:[/b]  [b]1st lvl Spells:[/b] 4/4 [b]Rages:[/b] 3/3 [b]Smite-Slots:[/b] 3/3<br/>[b]Money:[/b] 69 gp, 69 sp, 69 cp<br/>[/size]<br/>[spoiler=Prepared Spells &lt;If any&gt;]spell 1<br/>spell 2<br/>spell 3<br/>[/spoiler]<br/><br/>[hr] </code></pre></div></div>