When the world came back into focus the group found themselves in a temple hall. There was a clack of beads from there right as a Buddhist monk in an ochre colored kasya.

  “Amitabha patrons, I am your host for this portal scenario. I apologize for the need to use the standard system host, the pantheons and factions spent a lot of time arguing over who should get to host this season.” The monk’s voice was soft and welcoming.

  “Was there always supposed to be a person hosting instead of the automaton?” Arushi asked.

  The monk turned to her with a smile, “Yes, female patron, unfortunately the factions argued incessantly among themselves for the right. When no consensus could be reached it fell to the Buddhist faction to take over. We are already the mediators between various factions and don’t take sides in conflicts. Thus, we were the only acceptable choice to many of the more standoffish factions in the argument.”

  “Da, makes sense. Vhat is our task for this scenario, monk friend?” Viktor’s voice boomed through the temple hall.

  The monk gained a glimmer of amusement in his eye, “You must rescue a princess from a dragon.”

  The group fell silent, then Damian spoke up, “Is that it?”

  “Oh my, no! The kingdom of Vatgern had their princess kidnapped by a dragon that had been terrorizing their countryside. After losing many good knights they reached out to the MHL to help solve the problem. Your team was the one assigned, Sir Victor the Valorous, Lady Arushi the Wise, and Sir Damian the Swift. Any questions?”

  “I thought the scenarios were to show off parts of Earth? I have never heard of a Vatgern Kingdom.” Damian spoke up.

  The monk waved his hands, “It does, this scenario is set around a portion of your beliefs around dragons. You’re likely thinking of the purple portals, those tend to be set historical, if slightly altered, settings. They show off your society and the dynamics your people worked through to reach the present. The azure portals focus on cultural beliefs and collective awareness of certain creatures.”

  “I see! Any rule changes we need worry about it?” Viktor asked.

  The monk shook his head, “None, all standard rules patron. If that is all I will send you on your way. May Vajrapani bless you in your trial patrons.”

  The world swam again in their vision and suddenly they were seated in a tavern. On the table in front of them a map of the region was unfurled. It had a marked trail, likely the path they were to follow, and a circled location, the nest of the dragon. Damian leaned forward and started to study the map; it had been a decade since he last used one. His father used to love to pass down his survival knowledge and would take Damian camping, with just a compass and map to guide their way. It was some of his favorite memories with his old man. He noted a few distinct landmarks on the map waved over a waiter that was making the rounds.

  “What can I do for you, my lord?” The waiter asked.

  “Can you tell me about these landmarks? We are going to be heading out and are unfamiliar with the region. Knowing what to look for would be helpful.” Damian answered.

  “More than happy to help my lord! Now obviously you don’t need to worry about finding the Fellwood forest, it’s a straight shot from the eastern gate. The one you really need to look out for is Shale’s rock. It is rather hidden by the dense foliage of the Fellwood, but your path will take you straight to it. It is large boulder of limestone a pure white in color.” The waiter paused to make sure they were following. He continued at Damian’s nod.

  “Next on your path is Drowner’s pond, can’t miss it look for the floating corpses, word of warning they will try to drown you. Past that it’s a straight shot to your destination, long as you don’t get turned around.” The waiter explained.

  Arushi pulled out a small gem and passed it to the waiter, “Thank you. You were most helpful.”

  The man beamed at them and went about his work. Viktor started to get to his feet, “Come friends let us get started on our dragon hunt! It will be most glorious.”

  Arushi sighed and shared an amused look with Damian as they rose to follow, after rolling up the map. Once outside Damian sent Bronze to lead the way to the eastern gate. The city they found themselves was a staple of medieval fantasy, dirt roads, crowded market stalls, and filth being flung out windows. The people wore a mix of linen and hemp clothing, their shoulder slumped and seemed prematurely aged.

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  As they passed through the eastern gate Arushi asked, “So, how are we going to take down a dragon?”

  Damian shrugged, “My crossbow has a potent ability that is a once-a-month instant kill shot. I spent two months in the last portal and never needed to use it so I still have the charge ready to go.”

  “Boo! Zat is boring, Damian! Vhere is you sense of adventure?” Viktor complained.

  Damian gave a devious smirk, “In the dragon’s treasure hoard! We were only hired to kill the dragon, not return what it stole. With the market coming up I would love to get some trade fodder.”

  Viktor gave a hearty laugh, “Ha! True! Very vell I agree vith ze plan.”

  Arushi just shook her head, “You boys are taking this too lightly.”

  “Come on Arushi, think of the treasure!” Damian joked.

  Damian summoned a compass and, after pausing to orient himself with the map, led the way to the forest. The first few miles of the journey wound though farming fields and open plains, it wasn’t until evening that they reached the perimeter of the forest. The Fellwood was an expanse of towering, oppressive trees, their branches wound together to block out light. Their trunks were twisted in upon themselves, some beset with a perpetual rot. The only sound that emanated from the forest was wind rustling the leaves.

  “I vote for staying out here till morning.” Arushi deadpanned.

  Viktor nodded, “Probably best.

  They set up camp a good four hundred feet away from the forest, and Viktor brought out a large metal fire pit from his inventory. Viktor turned out to be quite the accomplished cook, turning simple campfire meals into dishes Damian wouldn’t be surprised to find in an upscale restaurant.

  “This is delicious Viktor! How did you get the spices so perfect without a prep space?” Arushi asked.

  “Lots of practice! When I was wee boy, my family fell on hard times. I had just graduated high school and my father passed in vork place accident. My mother, bless her soul had to rais my baby sister and brother by herself. She was unable to work due to health condition. I found only place willing to hire me, a kitchen in need of dish boy. I grew close to head chef and he took me under his ving. Rest is history.” Viktor shared, the smile never leaving his face.

  “Did you ever open your own restraint? I think you have a good shot at a Micheline star or two.” Damian asked.

  “Nah, is hobby but not passion. I always vanted to be engineer. Vas saving up to go back to college after sending off baby siblings. Vhen system offered me chance to learn engineering, I jumped at it. First tier perk even gave me books to study vith!”

  “Glad to hear it, Viktor.” Arushi said, “Are you going to look for blueprints or more texts at the integration market?”

  “Da! I learned from merchant demon friend, that space travel is important after integration. Did not explain vhy, but I vill build first rocket to take people to other planets! Mama, vill be so proud vhen she sees! Baby sister vill be able to become astronaut like she always dreamed!” Viktor exclaimed with determination and pride.

  The conversation for the night remained light, and friendly. They arranged a watch schedule that maximized the amount of sleep each member of the party would get. Once they entered the forest, they would be abusing their improved physiques to limit the need to sleep. It was best to enter in their best condition, as it would deteriorate quickly if they ran into complications.

  They had a hearty breakfast, curtesy of Viktor, and prepared their weapons and formation. Bronze would circle them and watch their flanks for anything trying to get the jump on them. Viktor would lead the group, followed by Arushi in the middle ready to assist any side that was attacked. Damian would bring up the rear, keeping the group on track and as ranged support. Arushi brought out a pot of what looked like eye shadow, and motioned for the two to come closer.

  “This concoction, when applied to your eyelids, stimulate the rod cells in your eyes improving your night vision. We will need to reaply it before it truly gets dark.” She dipped a brush into the powder and looked at the men expectantly. “Who is first?”

  Viktor bent down to give her access to his face, “Promise it vill match my complexion?”

  Arushi giggled, “Of course, Viktor. You will look quite handsome when I am done.”

  She applied a generous amount then turned to Damian. He closed his eyes and leaned forward so she could apply it to him as well. When Damian opened his eyes again, he gasped in wonder. The muted colors of the early morning, faded to greyscale as everything came into sharper focus. He could differentiate the subtle differences in a shadow and the dark wood ahead looked as illuminated as a hiking trail at noon.

  “Alright let’s get going. The eyeshadow will only last for a bout fourteen hours. We will have to reapply it before then.” Arushi informed them.

  “Very vell, onwards comrades! To adventure!” Viktor cheered and led them into the forest.

  All noise but those they made faded once they were a few hundred feet into the Fellwood. Shades of gray that Damian didn’t have a name for highlighted each shadow and shrub. The floor was surprisingly clean of leaves and obstruction, which was not a good sign. It spoke of either a higher intelligence at work, cleaning the forest floor. Or the woods had a subtle effect that they were unaware of. If it was limited to just keeping debris out of their path that would be great. Damian felt the crunch of a branch under his boot, but when he looked it seemed as if it crumbled to ash, rather than crushed underfoot.

  Looking at the rotting trees around them, Damian had a suspicion that anything that fell to the forest floor had its decay significantly sped up. He held off on voicing his concerns for now, no need to worry his companions. He took note and designated a partition of his mind to look for signs to confirm the though, and if true, figure out how to use it to his party’s advantage.