That was one area of several they differed in.

"Do you remember what this area used to be like?" she asked after yawning.

Heather considered that before replying "A little. It was a wilderness, very dry. I think that's why the research base was built where it was," she continued "few people came to the area."

"So, like a desert?" Mao asked. "Wow, that is different."

"Yes, things are very different," Heather said as the group walked. Around them, the town was coming to life shops were opening, and people were heading toward the fields.

"I guess our small town isn't that impressive in comparison," Mao said.

"No, no," Heather said "This is wonderful all on its own," she said "I feel free here? something like that at least."

"That's awfully kind of you," Mao said.

Several of the townsfolk greet the group, showing interest in Heather.

"Oh who is this?" Maria the Otterfolk owner of the Inn asks. "I've not seen you about before."

"This is Heather, we met her in the dungeon and she'll be staying in town for a bit," Mao said.

"Oh, now that must be a tale worth telling," Maria said as she shook Heather's hand "It's lucky that I ran into you, if you could pop into the Inn later I might have some work for you."

"Sure, that sounds good," Mao said.

"Good, good," Maria said "See you all later then," as she headed off on her errand.

Mao waved as she left.

"There's really just a few other shops to show you," she said to Heather.

Heather nods as they walk, "She seemed very nice," she said as the group walks. "Everyone seems very friendly here"

"You do end up knowing everyone in a small town," Mao said.

"Ah..Yes, I see that does make sense," Heather said.

Mao introduced her to the remaining people, and showed her what little shops they had.

It was early afternoon by the time the introductions had finished and the group heads to the Wainwright Arms.

Inside they find the early afternoon crowd beginning to gather, Maria is behind the bar and greets the group as they enter.

"Ah, welcome. Welcome. Take a seat," Maria said and quickly poured mugs of frothy dark ale "On the house to welcome our new resident."

"That's might kind of you," Mao said. "What job did you have?"

"Well I was expecting some fresh meat and some rarer mushrooms and herbs to be delivered," Maria explained "But the idiots I hired got themselves mauled by a Ghost Wolf." she sighed "They'll live thankfully, but I'm going to run out of ingredients soon. So I want you to get me the stuff, and deal with the Ghost Wolf."

"Okay, so we get the ingredients and deal with Hodric's relative," Mao said. "That sounds easy enough."

"Excellent I'll pay you of course. And you'll get a house discount," Maria said and held out a list, "This what I need."

Mao took a look at the list.

The list wasn't too long some game meat, a few kings cap mushrooms that only grew deep in the forest and an assortment of herbs that would also be found in the forest.

"Seems simple enough," Mao said. "Let's go!"