Rikdah was awakened by the golden rays of the sun shining through the small window of the room rented by him. The dark elf still felt tired and sleepy after journeying yesterday. He put on his black cloak and went downstairs to get something to eat. The tavern’s main hall in broad daylight seemed different yet familiar. Rikdah was amongst the few to get up this early.

The dark elf glanced upon the bartender and owner of the establishment. He was an old man, somewhere around the age of 60. Most people didn’t live this long. Many died either serving their country or because of the many deadly diseases spreading through these parts of the island.

Rikdah calmly ordered some bread and an unknown kind of meat. He didn’t dare to ask what it was. It was going to be an uneventful day. The dark elf had nothing pressing to do and could just rest. After all, Habrion was just a week’s ride from here… His final destination was in the palm of his hand. But Rikdah didn’t know why he wanted to go to the capital city of a small country surrounded by fogs and located in the middle of nowhere. Though technically part of the continent, the island of Haon was surrounded by a sea of corrosive fogs. They could only be crossed by ships coated with a special kind of metal. Yet the isle was isolated and hidden within the Great Fogs.

In reality… Rikdah was exiled from his home country for an unknown reason. At least he didn’t want to share it. That didn’t matter now.

Nothing of interest was done other than drinking.

Evening was approaching, its darkness slowly enveloping the earth itself. Once more Rikdah found himself inside the inn. He wasn’t waiting for anyone in particular and waited for time to pass and for his stamina to recover so he could continue towards Habrion. His wish wasn’t going to come true.

Two people (if someone could call them that) entered the inn. One was 2,5 meters high with shoulders which were twice as wide as Rikdah’s. He had red scales and was a member of the proud Dragonborn race. The other was 2 meters tall with long white hair and angelic features marking him as an Aasimar.

The two walked to the bar where Rikdah sat. The dark elf wasn’t particularly strong when it came to physical attributes. But he was a Warlock and as such wasn’t to be underestimated, even if he was a low level one. The two strangers approached Rikdah.

“Why are you here?” asked the angelic being.

“Why would I be here? To go to Habrion, of course. There would be no other reason to visit this hole” neglectfully answered the Drow. Truth be told… He wasn’t very social even before being cast out. He would study ancient tomes instead of talking to others.

“So… We are going in the same direction. Are you interested in coming with us?”

“There seems to be no reason to refuse. And considering the Aasimar’s kind nature you two wouldn’t be interested in robbing me. I will accompany you.”

The Dragonborn wasn’t the talkative kind. That or he wasn’t able to speak. Rikdah was wondering why they asked him to join their group. It didn’t seem to have any particular reason. They would be able to defeat any treat that may come to them. And the dark elf didn’t look rich either so they couldn’t be after a reward. Whatever the reason might have been he didn’t mind having someone to watch his back so he wasn’t going to refuse.

“So when are we going to go? Also, I didn’t catch your name” asked the Aasimar.

“We should wait for morning. I don’t like traveling at night… Oh, and my name is Rikdah.”

“Well, in that case nice to meet you Rikdah. I am Baldor Arin and my companion is Dragondor Aleksious.”

With the pleasantries out of the way the newly formed group could go and rest for the night. They headed towards the stairs leading to the second floor of the inn. As they were about to climb the first step a man rushed inside the inn.

“An Oni appeared! Someone must get a message to the adventurer’s guild in Habrion” he shouted.

The Aasimar smiled as if he was waiting for someone to give him a quest, a reason to live. He went to the tired man hastily and said he’d deliver the message. Taking on such a request lacked any sort of logical thinking behind it. Why would he want to help out a random village in the middle of nowhere with zero incentive to do so?

To Rikdah it didn’t matter. He just wanted to get away from this place once and for all and to be enable to establish a new life somewhere else. He wasn’t concerned with other people’s business. But no, that one of his companions accepted such a silly thing. He could not help but agree to deliver it.

The plan to leave in the morning was canceled. They had more urgent business to attend to. The party hurried to the stables where their mounts awaited them. Once nearby they saw smoke coming from the forest. The locals had started a fire in attempt to chase away the monster. It was a futile attempt. Oni weren’t scared easily. Once inside the stables the party members hastily untied their horses, saddled them and set off on their journey to Habrion.