Alexis is from the kingdom of Lafarigus, which is one of the largest elf kingdoms in the region, yet it is entirely integrated in the forest. Today, Alexis is in one of the outskirts of Lafarigus, sitting on a stone in a stream at the base of a waterfall.

(A nice pic: http://wallpaper4me.com/images...%2821%29-919926.jpeg )

  Matt is from Generic Not Quite Doomed Hometown (It was merely unpleasant for a while).  Of course, he's traveled a chunk since then.  Of course even with no skill check penalty (Suck it! Chainmail/Hide/Plate!), traveling on foot long enough in Scalemail can make taking a bit of a rest seem like a nice idea.

  A nice scenic waterfall base can be a good place to rest, though it seems the area already has an occupant.  "Hello.  Silly question, but you're not stuck out there?" White armor, brown cloak, no obvious Holy Symbols unless a slung hammer counts.

Alexis turns her head to look at Matt, having noticed him not long before he spoke. The waterfall is noisy, but peripheral vision is great. "I'm not stuck, but thank you." she responds before standing on the stone and walking on a few other stones that were barely peeking from the water to get over to where Matt is. "I'm Alexis. Who are you?"

  Stealth? What's that?  That's the thing sneaky enemies keep expecting to work on fighters right?

  "Oh, I'm Matt.  I Figured this looked like a nice enough spot to rest for a bit, if you don't mind the company."

Alexis says, "I don't mind. Here... lemme refill your canteen." she offers, holding a hand out.

  Matt says "Glad to hear I'm not intruding."  At Alexis's offer, he pulls out his waterskin and offers it over...  Well, as soon as he walks to the water's edge now that it's clear she is okay with it. "Thanks, rations don't exactly come with water bottles."

  Other alts would be more paranoid about a complete stranger handling his drinking water.  Matt's paranoia is on a dimmer switch, AND he doesn't care about poison.

Alexis is part of some evil cult that like using this particular waterfall as a well of poison for unfortunate passers by. Or she's just a nice elf. She proceeds to fill Matt's water skin. Then returns it to Matt. "So if you are "just traveling", did you know you have entered Lafarigus?" she smiles.

  Got Full Waterskin!  No Zelda item get fanfare or posing though, he just puts it away.

  "I knew at the very least the kingdom was close by, hadn't quite realized I had entered it yet though." High Perc score does not mean you have an innate awareness of political borders... Even if 'Lafarigus is made entirely of trees.  You are in the trees' should have made it more obvious.

  You know what real paranoia would be?  Someone convinced the Elves are sneaking in new trees to their borders when nobody is looking to expand their empire. 'They are adding one tree per night!  In two years they will have expanded their borders by one foot!'

"We're on the outskirts of the eastern border." she specifies. "So you can rest, assured that you're in a safe place. Is there anything else you need or want?"

  "There wasn't much really I needed, though the offer is appreciated."  He considers a moment more, then asks "I know we're on the outskirts, but I don't suppose you knew of an Inn a reasonable distance away?  More than used to camping out, but sometimes you just like to be indoors at night if it's conveniently availible."

  Matt shrugs, "Other than that, a heads up if there were anywhere I'm not supposed to go."

Alexis says, "I know a great place. Come with me." she leads the way. It's a short distance before Alexis gets Matt to a tree that has a burrow under it with mystical lights lighting the pathway down into it.

  Good old Indoor lighting, one of the top signs of civilization.  Well, not counting blingsight/Darkvision civilizations.

  "If the tunnels are this detailed, I wonder what the main architecture is going to be like."

It's a very homely burrow, with a warm feel to it. The glow of fire lights the place from both torches and a fireplace. It's a very cozy looking burrow and there is an orb laying on a counter. Alexis waves her hand over the orb and an illusory image of a male elf pops up. "Welcome to the treeburrow inn. Please make yourself at home. If you have any questions, simply wave your hand over this orb and I will answer them."

Alexis smiles over at Matt. "Tada."

  "Well, that answers that." Matt is impressed by the wonders of automated hotel service.  He takes up the orb's tutorial prompt and waves a hand over it asking "Where do I put my money for the room?"   Of course after asking this, he looks over the counter in case of 'obvious in hindsight' details.

  "Thanks for bringing me here Alexis, plenty of time until I need it but it's good to know where it is ahead of time." Unless the sunset snuck up on them while in the tunnel.

The orb says, "Simply place 5 silver into the tray behind the counter for payment."

Alexis nods and gives a light bow to Matt. "Sure. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here in Lafarigus. It's a great place."

  Matt pays for his room to make sure he doesn't forget later.  "Seems nice enough so far, I doubt I have anything to worry about there."   He might even actually take off his armor for once...  Yeah, he'll go for it then check out Lafarigus.  "I'm gonna check out my room for a moment, thanks for all the help.  I don't suppose you would be willing to show me around a bit more?  I understand if you have your own stuff to take care of."

Alexis gives Matt a smile. "I'd love to. I'll be waiting right here for you."

  Matt waves, and one swift scene transition later he returns minus worn armaments and 'there but nobody draws them' backpack.  (Of course, bag of holding can carry combat gear on the go... juuust in case <.<  >.>)

  "I don't suppose there was someplace around here you'd enjoy showing off yourself?  I'd hate for you to not get any enjoyment out of things just leading around someone new."

Alexis says, "I actually like this inn. It's very cozy and warm. Come!" she leads Matt to the fireplace and stokes the fire with him. Then casts a cantrip to cause miniature illusory people to appear as she proceeds to tell Matt a story about how Lafarigus came to be. Basically, the place was enchanted from the beginning and a bunch of fairies would protect it. When elves showed up long ago, the fairies welcomed them and soon found how much elves respected the place. So a partnership was formed and they nurtured the area while taking dead branches and such and putting them to use for building material. Many a tree ready to fall was enchanted to strengthen it, then parts would be hollowed out. The elves did an interesting combination of "how squirrels make homes", magic, and general ingenuity to build the kingdom.

  Well, one possibly unintended effect of that nice story is now Matt's player is imagining Elves raiding Bird Feeders due to the Squirrel comparison.

  "That was a nice bit of history, shame things like it aren't heard more often.  Was the hardest part of building the kingdom making sure bridges for the Elves didn't interrupt Fairy flight paths?"    Why is there a bridge up here? We can fly!   Oh, right.  The Elves don't want a repeat of what happened to the Everquest Wood Elf Newb area.

Alexis giggles. "You make it sound like fairies are organized. Naw... they don't have flight paths. What about you? Where are you from and what's its history?"

  Alas, the mental image of a Fairy waving around flight control sunrods is crushed.  "Nothing so interesting, not just compared to here but most places.  A small village on the outskirts of *Insert Humanish Kingdom Here*.  It was so far out of the way that when some bandits finally got around to stalking the trails, they were so lacking in anything to steal or eat they stumbled into town begging for food and jobs."

  Matt shrugged, "Of course, even the most out of the way place can fall victim to the dangers in this world.  Some small time necromancer thought rightly that there wouldn't be much in the way of anything to stop them from doing their works nearby, but they had to resort to catching and turning wildlife after finding out we cremated our dead.  So me and some locals got together and put a stop to it with whatever was on hand.  After that, I just sort of kept going."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:34, Thu 26 Jan 2012.

Alexis asks, "How come? What drove you to travel instead of staying home?"

  Matt considers this for a long moment, then says "I'm still not quite sure.  I had been there my whole life, it wasn't a bad place.  Maybe just the fact I had finally left it in the first place meant something to some part of me?  One's home is always important, but there is a whole world out there and I was out in it."

  It had nothing do to do with getting separated from the others, lost on the way back, and then on a string of distracting sidequests.  That would be crazy.