After the fields that fed the port of Bemdo were left behind, the ground began to rise, and trees became more common until the travelers found themselves in a thick wood. Those with keen eyes or ears might begin to sense that though they could only see the accustomed woodland creatures -- birds, squirrels, rabbits, deer, occasional foxes, perhaps wild boar or bear --there were others somewhere around them. The undergrowth closed in until there was only one clear path before them. Finally, they came to a place where two great ancient oak trees leaned against each other across the path, forming a natural gate. Guards in mottled green and brown awaited them there, leaning on great yew bows, with full quivers of long arrows on their backs and plain but powerful broadswords hanging from their sturdy leather belts. More of the guards silently appeared from all sides to encircle them. One of these by the gate who bore a silver badge on his shoulder hailed them in an archaic form of the language of the Free Isles, asking
"Who be ye who would come to the Wood of the Free Folk?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:08, Sun 19 Feb 2023.