<em>The firewood crackled quietly, the old man's hand reaching to grasp the iron rod and shift the wood in the flames before turning to once more face the young heroes before him. This mentor had lived well past his own adventuring days to guide many eager youths on their way to challenge the threats to the Realm, and offered advice to the Kings. Yet as the old man now looked at these young people, his weary figure was far less imposing, the shadows dancing on the walls looming over the group and the seemingly frail old man.<br/><br/>"Mortanius was, and to this day still remains the greatest threat this Realm has seen. The alliance between humans, elves and dwarves has stood strong against the predations of the beasts through the ages, and many a hero has had a chance to prove themselves against small threats, but mark my words if Mortanius is awake once more then we are entering a period of history where great acts will be performed, and where historians will spend countless hours going through the most minute details in later years. To be chosen to this mask marks a great trust has been placed upon your shoulders, a chance to prove yourselves to the Realm."<br/><br/>Drawing a slow breath before lifting an old cup to his lips, the old man sipped on its contents quietly, but even with his age his hands did not shake, and despite the grey hair and wrinkles his eyes still held an icy look about them, a determined will that far surpassed his physical limitations. His gaze moved silently from one person to the next, looking at them all with his serious expression unwavering, before he set the cup down and continued. <br/><br/>"Kalem-Vor was built by man and dwarf side by side, and in the past its walls held back the savage wildmen, the green beasts, and the rotten hand of the unliving. It was a proud, strong rock against the rolling tides, but pride and carelessness erodes even the best of defences. Now, its broken ruin stands as a testament to just how easily so much could be lost. Yet below it lay the old vaults that Mortanius' servants used as their stronghold. Reclaiming Kalem-Vor was a costly task, and brough the fortress to an even worse state, yet despite the broken walls, and the collapsed towers it is still a place of foreboding presence."<br/><br/>Brushing his chin and the grey hairs on his chin, the old man finally nod his head, gazing at each one in turn. "You have a moment to prepare yourselves, and requisition anything you may deem necessary if you have the gold to pay the quartermaster for it. The Guard has been instructed to allow you the use of the old wagons and a pair of horses to pull them, along with the feed for the journey, and rations stacked up for the journey. This should help with reaching your destination, as well as bringing back anything of value you decide to gather."<br/><br/>The old man's expression seemed to shift to a faint smile, as he nod his head slightly, allowing a weary sigh to escape his lips before he looked away at the fire. Reaching again with the metal rod he shifted the wood, before grasping a nearby log to toss into the flames one handed, once more returning his gaze to his students. <br/><br/>"The place is old and a lot of its splendors have been long since looted, but its housed a number of different folks and monsters along the years. While your first task is to find any clues about Mortanius' state, there should be a chance to bring something back, and in the unlikely event you find prisoners such as lost guardsmen or the missing knight Dalien, then the wagons should prove useful in that as well. Your first priority is trying to find answers however, for as long as we remain ignorant the great enemy holds all the advantages."<br/><br/>Drawing a breath, the old man tapped his fingertips on his knee, the old robe's hem dark, showcasing just how pale the man's old fingers were. "If you have any questions you have to ask before setting off, I suggest you speak them now, for until your baptism by fire is over, I cannot offer you any more aid."</em>