<div align="center">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/0b/Artwork-villages-fantasy-art-brown-wallpaper-night.png)</div><br/><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;">Noreina could confidently stride through the unknown town with no fear, or worry, that she might find herself in an unfamiliar part of town. It certainly wouldn't do well for her image if her sassy steps came to a brief pause and she was forced to backtrack her way through various alleyways or streets because she was lost. Especially when with the confidence and sass she showed in her movements, it made it impossible for those who passed her by not to give her their undivided attention. Whether it was her commanding presence that exuded an aura that forced even regular men and women to focus on her or the sultry and <em>captivating</em> nature of her curves that caused a ripple of emotion to run through the body of any man that laid eyes on her. It was clear, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Naroeina's body had a certain level of appeal to the opposite sex.<br/><br/>The same could be said about <em>The Sisters of Night</em>, it was hardly a surprise that the organization recruited young women who had a varying range of appeal to them when it came to their enticing curves and supple figures. It was never a prerequisite to joining the group. It was simply a fact that those who were inclined to connect and link with demonic forces were always those that would appeal to the worse nature of demons. The demons the Sisters hunted were the worst of the worst, the type of demons who found their ways under the skirt of women and ravaged them without restraint or concern. They were the type of putrid creatures who took pleasure in the defilement and acquisition of women. The Sisters didn't rely just on those cursed with demonic links, but also on those they trained to hunt them. It was just a splendid consequence that those who <em>dared</em> to take up the mantle as one of the Sisters coteries also grew to find their bodies were both supple and full. In their endeavor to ensure their newly fledged disciples were truly trained and able to sense out demons, the Sisters resorted to a variety of methods. Methods that, gradually, made the derogatory name that the public referred to the Sisters less audacious. Though, the inner workings of the Sisters' methods and what they did was a closely guarded secret even from the other members of the association's monster-hunting cohorts. Like many things, it wasn't a surprise that this new direction by the hierarchy wasn't something inspired by the general leadership of the sisterhood but encouraged by various churches.<br/><br/>It was because of this that the branch in <em>Oar's Rest</em> was becoming the most prolific and well-renowned. The church in Oar's Rest insisted, time and time again, to have a working in the upper management of all associations, organizations, and guilds that took part in the city's day-to-day activities. The leaders in charge of this particular branch, however, had no choice but to call upon the larger branches of the Sisters for help in the recent year's outbreak of monsters and creatures from the castle. The constant stirring from the castle long since left alone to be dormant, had worried even those most hardened of adventurers that lived in Oar's Rest. The church did its best to calm those who wished to cause panic, reassuring them that the hunters of today were better than those of yesteryear and would likely succeed where generations before them had failed. The bustling town of Oar's Rest, the large associations that made it home, was proof that the town had both the financial strength and public support to pressure those that would otherwise ignore the problem into lending a hand.<br/><br/>Noreina was given ample attention when she initially arrived in Oar's Rest, the Sisters of the Night Branch were more than welcoming of a fellow sister that came to deliver them from the embrace of the monstrous horde that might once more threaten to spill out of the castle. The branch in Oar's Rest was truly unique, thanks to the church's insistence it had far more recruits than it did actual hunters. The majority of which were simply those that were temporarily stationed within the city and who'd eventually move on or switch to another branch when the time came. But even then, the number of skilled Sisters was embarrassingly few compared to a few years ago. Now the day-to-day operations of the temple were carried out not by experienced members but by the of-age new recruits, young women who'd passed the age of eighteen and were able to become full-fledged Sisters. Those young Sisters were the ones to greet Noreina when she arrived, and the ones who relayed the branch's possessions to the experienced huntress. While their unsaid deeds behind the scenes may not have fit entirely with the true stronghold of the Sisters, they were still Sisters of the Night. They adhered to all the principles and rules that came with their titles, including the assistance of a fellow Sister they had called for.<br/><br/>The Sisters had not failed to notice that they were the most heavily hit compared to the other associations and guilds in the town. Skilled adventurers and risk-takers were disappearing all over, but the Sisters noticed those that were tied to them were more severely affected by the castle's new surge of life. Many in town began to call this period the Surge, accompanied by the surge of disappearances and the endless horde of monsters that surged from the desolate castle the name was quite apt. In the other associations, it was common to find the remains of those who ventured into the castle, either at the entrance or buried within the castle walls. The time it took for these adventurers to disappear fluctuated, but many vanished within one to two months from when they first step foot into the castle. It didn't matter if they withdrew, or if they returned to town to rest between their ventures, almost all would return to the castle and disappear within. There were more missing than those whose remains were found. But it was different for the Sisters, the members of the Sisters who ventured inside disappeared at twice the rate and time. Not only would more of them vanish, and usually within a month of entering, but no remains tied to the missing Sisters had been found in the last few months since the surge began. Before the Surge, the branch in Oar's Rest had only lost eight Sisters per year. A number that was slightly higher than the average for other branch locations, but well below those in more established cities and countries. Since the Surge, over twenty-three Sisters had disappeared in Oar's Rest. These months had been the most grueling and worrying for the elders of this branch, and it was the reason they called for experienced hunters similar to Noreina.<br/><br/>The possessions allotted to Noreina included a voucher at the local exchange for ten gold should the hunter need it, a token with the Sisters sigil that allowed her to access the branch, a contract by the branch to ensure her safety and prosperity in the city, and a letter which promised the services of the church would be completely open to the hunter. It also included a detailed list of the various properties within Oar's Rest, along with a detailed map. The latter of which was one reason why Noreina could walk with such confidence through the unfamiliar city. The list of various shops, their services, and their prices would no doubt be essential to many of the Sisters that would arrive in the coming days to explore the castle similar to Noreina. There were some things left unsaid because the Sisters were not able to divulge that information directly. They did expand on Noreina that the town of Oars Rest did have its own Black Market and to a lesser extent, there were rumors of a Corruptors Association. The former was verified by several Sisters, it was only that the entrance to the market could only be granted by <em>certain</em> shopkeepers and Noreina would have to discover that on her own. The latter remained just rumors and had no evidence, by the elders of the branch noted that should Noreina find any hints or leads that they would honor her with both the reward and renown due for such information.<br/><br/>Corruptor's Associations were no trifling matter. These dens of wickedness and debaucher seemed to spring up wherever monsters and evil resided. It should have hardly been a surprise that there were rumors of some near the Dark Castle, it had become a source of fascination over the last few centuries. Corruptor was the title that the citizenry gave to those that had dealings with monsters and devils. There were varying degrees of difference between those that held the title. Some became Corruptors of their own free will, some were unwillingly thrust the title as they were put in a dark creature's hold. Some were even known to assist in the corruption of humans, allowing the monster's devilish designs to spread unhindered. The Churches, in the end, were the ones responsible for dealing with such reprehensible subjects.<br/><br/>The list of notable locations provided by the Sisters included a list of acceptable housing that the Huntress might like. The three provided rangers from costly to affordable. A well-known inn in the center of town that charged ten silvers for a single night. While the price was grand the Sisters added it because the inn had a healer for the church working inside that tended to the visitors at no cost, and provided free meals and beverages for the duration of the occupant's stay. The second was more reasonable at only ten silvers a night, a little further from the center of town with none of the amenities of the first. This was the usual choice for out-of-town hunters who simply needed a place to rest. The last was the cheapest option, in case the hunter just needed a spot to rest their head and didn't instead stay long or spend anything. A single coin was certainly the cheapest, but it wasn't recommended unless the hunter preferred to sleep with a single eye open. Of course, the three locations provided weren't the only places a hunter could rest their head, just the most frequented. There were certainly other establishments, depending on the price the hunter was willing to spend. There was also a list of shops that many of the Sisters frequented. The price of two different blacksmiths that the Sisters guaranteed would return acceptable work and whose reputation was pristine for the price they offered. A single potion shop that the Sisters trusted as their sole source of magic necessities. They also recommended a church, and a healer's shop, for any assistance the hunter might need with injuries or poisons. Of course, if Noreina had any concerns or requests she could always head to the branch and directly receive information from any of the Sisters.<br/><br/></span><div align="center">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c0/Forest-near-castle-night.png)</div><br/><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;">It probably wasn't a surprise that the curvaceous hunter didn't choose to find comfort in an inn, find a new tavern to dwindle away the night till morning or begin her preparations for the night ahead. Some might have expected an experienced and skilled hunter to spend a few nights sizing up the nights ahead. Perhaps they'd search for information on the most common monsters in the Dark Castle and surrounding forest by heading to the adventurer's guild to purchase information, or perhaps they'd search the nearby shops for commonly sold potions to get an idea of what sort of dangers the average adventurer risked when stepping inside either hunting ground. What someone might not expect, was for a hunter who was both confident and experienced, to not rely on either of those sources. It wasn't uncommon for those with years of experience to arrive in Oar's Rest and immediately depart for the Dark Castle. A good majority of those returned learning their lesson, the Dark Castle was filled with dangers.<br/><br/>Noreina's choice was the best, and more reasonable option, scouting the Dark Castle by exploring the forest that lingered next to it. The forest was rife with various monstrosities, creatures, and demons that slithered out from the castle grounds. The smuggler's boasting wasn't exactly untrue, with no discernable way out of the castle other than the front door the only way for the surrounding forest to be so infested was if there were various crooks, dens, or caves around the castle and within the forest that allowed the creatures to freely wander in and out of the castle. This coincided greatly with the fact that the creatures that were often found wandering outside were hounds, feral creatures, demonic fledglings, and rotting zombies. There were many documents already circulating within the adventurer's guild that outlined these monsters were most frequently found on the ground floor of the castle, specifically the perimeter floors that were already explored.<br/><br/>Of course, no matter how explored they were the Dark Castle always seemed to reinfest any floors that adventurers successfully cleared. This phenomenon coincided with a blood-red sky and moon. It wasn't a blood moon. Blood-moons were well documented in occurring twice a year, sometimes three. But the phenomenon that drenched the moon and sky red around the Dark Castle occurred every month. The blood-red sky and moon could only be seen within a hundred miles of the Dark Castle, with the phenomenon seemingly centered around it. The event only added mystery to the imposing dungeon, but after several centuries no one had so much as discovered a hint to the cause of the red sky.  The townsfolks referred to this event as the <em>Bloodmist</em>. The sky and moon were the most noticeably drenched in red, but even the mist that prevailed in the forest, and leaked into town, was coated in red. Since that mist was what the townsfolk feared the most, the name coincided with it.<br/><br/>The next Bloodmist wasn't to come for three more days, so when Noreina's entered the forest to begin her scouting she was met with the natural white and hazy fog that usually obscured the forest roof. The slender tall tree's shot out towards the dark midnight sky, a coat of leaves and branches obscured the sky from view in most places. A few stray shades of moonlight poked out from between the leaves, lighting the way. But the fog diffused that light, making the path dangerously dark and difficult to navigate. While adventurers went missing in the castle, the townsfolks were most worried about going missing in the forest. Those inexperienced, or lacking a sense of direction, risked starving in the forest. Then again, there were worst fates, like becoming the meal of the monstrosities that had made the forest home.<br/></span><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c4/Forest_Exploration.png)</div><br/><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;">Scouting the forest was, in fact, much easier than exploring the castle. Not to mention, the first mile of the forest after leaving the town was generally clear and undisturbed. Ever since monsters had arrived in town, years ago, the adventurers and members of various associations had made a point of clearing the forest in the immediate vicinity of the town and it was only the several acres that surrounded the castle that was infested beyond help. Of course, they couldn't always keep the forest clear. Some creatures leaked out, here and there, and some fled away from the Dark Castle and away from town, infesting the mountain and forest in the backdrop.<br/><br/>It wasn't long after she entered the unsafe areas of this dark and demented forest that she'd end up encountering her first creature. Unsurprisingly, it was the most common monster that could be found outside the Dark Castle. In other towns or other countries, such creatures would be reserved for cemeteries and graveyards. It slowly lumbered its way towards her, obviously both rotten and decomposed. Though it was greatly decomposed such a creature was, likely, only a couple of months old. One could only imagine what it was that infected the pour soul's body to create such a creature. There were dozens of causes for the groaning monster before her; often it came because of infection, at other times because of dark magic that forced rotting corpses to come to life.<br/></span><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/6/6d/1Zombie%28c%29.png)<br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;">Result: 1 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=155748)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;">A zombie, which was decomposed to the point that it was close to breaking apart. The zombie's gut was cut open, revealing its rotten and blackened intestines that dangled from the long cut on the creature's gut. Its eyes were hollowed out, they likely rotted away in the first few months, revealing dark chasms that resembled an abyss. <strong><em>'G-guhhhh.'</em></strong> It didn't take long for the rotten zombie to notice her presence. Its withered arms out-stretching towards the slender hunter and slowly limbering forward. Every step it took seemed to cause the ground to crunch beneath it, but with nothing to rely on but deteriorated senses, it wasn't a surprise that the creature seemed to stumble and bump into various trees while making its way towards her.<br/></span><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fc/3Hounds%282c%29.png)<br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times;">Result: 1 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=155749) | 2 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=155750)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;">Such a simple creature likely wouldn't take long for a skilled veteran such a Noreina to dispatch. However, the death of such a monster would cause her more problems than not. It was the fresh blood that came from the monster's death, while it lumbered the scabbed black blood was still. But once slain it spilled out of its new gashes and wounds and spilled to the floor creating a foul-smelling scent that caught the attention of more nimble and certainly more threatening beasts. The loud howls, the guttural gasping, and barking signaled what was coming long before they arrived. Beasts that, just like the zombie, Noreina would be quite familiar with. A pack of hounds, three to be exact. They didn't bother to hide their numbers as they came scurrying across the forest floor in a hurry, fangs bared and red eyes glaring through the murky mist. Alone, a hound was just as simple to fell as a zombie. But together, in a pack, the creatures could attack and defend as a unit making them far more dangerous and difficult to deal with.</span><hr/><br/><div align="center"><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Player Notes</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times;">       - Deduct 6+27 Endurance from the tracker.<br/>       - Remove 30 Stamina for first Forest Exploration.<br/><br/>Known Creatures Encountered:<br/>(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e7/Zombie%28known%29.png)<br/>(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/4f/Hound%28known%29.png)</span></div></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Player Decisions</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times;">       - Return to <em>Oar's Rest</em>.<br/>       - Continue into the forest.</span></div></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">GM Notes</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times;">Successful encounters so far: 2</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>