The Stars Align

Cloaked Figure

The dawn of a new day greeted our eclectic gang of misfits: a devout cleric, a ranger with a penchant for treasure, a skittish mage, an astute rogue, a charming bard, a half-giant barbarian, a noble with a shadowy history, and an ex-assassin. We're packing up their camp and continued on their journey. Emon is the capital city of the Republic of Tal'Dorei. Constructed on the Bladeshimmer Shoreline by the Ozmit Sea, it is the largest city on the continent.Emon stands as the cultural cornerstone of civilization on Tal'Dorei, serving as its capital and a hub for politics, justice, industry, and education. The city itself is encircled by a robust, 60-foot-high wall extending from the eastern fields to the western shore, with entry possible only through its gates, port, and skyship. The city is enveloped by dense farmland and extends beyond its walls near the northern and southern gates.

The city's districts are segmented by smaller walls within the main enclosure. A network of canals known as the Ozmit Waterways snakes through Emon, facilitating swift movement and the transport of goods citywide.

The forest resounded with noise as the gang navigated its depths, accompanied by the chirping of birds and the scurrying of squirrels gathering supplies for the winter. Suddenly, the gang's attention was drawn to the sound of Scalon rummaging through the bag. "We need to stock up on supplies again," he declared, pouting with the rumble of his hungry stomach. The twins merely scoffed and shook their heads before Keyleth interjected, "I know of a village nearby," prompting the group to halt and face her. "It's the village of the Jahara clan, known for their swift speed and rapid fighting techniques. They're also known as the guardians of the land we tread upon," she explained. The group appeared hesitant about visiting but eventually shrugged it off. "Anything else we should know?" Vex inquired, squinting her eyes. Keyleth, growing nervous, scratched her arms for comfort. "Not much, except that the entire village is full of cats," she revealed, causing everyone to look astonished before bursting into laughter. "Did you say cats?" Scanlon roared with laughter. "Yes, cats. There are all sorts of them, and they look human, just with fur," Keyleth affirmed with seriousness. The group's amusement turned to intrigue, and after a mutual nod between Vex and Vax, Vax declared, "I think we should stop by and stock up," a sentiment Vex and the rest of the team shared, their curiosity propelling them forward swiftly.

With their early start, they reached the village by midday. The sun climbed high in the sky, shining brightly over the bustling village teeming with life. The group's eyes widened at the stark contrast to what they were accustomed to; it was almost magical. Keyleth bent down, placing her palm against the ground, feeling the surge of magical energy coursing through her body. Her eyes opened wide as she exclaimed, "This land is ripe and full of magic," her gaze sweeping around in excitement. The crew nodded, proceeding into the village amidst the bustling market crowds. Stalls were laden with food, clothes, and accessories—tempting loot, yet the vibrant market scene stirred a sense of guilt at the mere thought of theft. As they traversed the waterlogged streets, they realized Keyleth was correct; every individual they encountered was an anthropomorphic cat, dog, or similar creature, all coexisting peacefully. The group dispersed to various tables, each absorbed in their own world as they perused their possessions. Grog and Pike ventured to a distant stall selling magical jewelry. The enchantments within these trinkets were extraordinary to Pike, but for Grog, they were just another day's baubles.

Meanwhile, the gang relished some leisure time, unwinding in the village. However, leisure for them was often short-lived as something invariably occurred. They opted to visit a pub, markedly distinct from any other; it appeared small from the outside, yet the interior was vast, adorned with round pinewood tables, cozy chairs, and framed pictures gracing the walls. Pleased, the gang settled at a round table, and as they took their seats, a waiter approached them.

"What may I serve you?" asked the dog-like servant politely, notepad in hand. "We'll all have pints of beer, and please keep them coming," replied the half-elf lady. The waiter nodded and hurried away.

Eight pints later, the tavern was alive with people laughing, singing, and dancing; it was a completely different atmosphere. When the clock struck twelve, the gang decided to call it a night. As they left the tavern, their drunken feet carried them through the streets that were still illuminated, aware that danger lurked around every corner.

The following day, the sun shone brightly in the sky, its rays awakening the group from their slumber. As they sat around the table, they grumbled, weary and hungover from the previous night, all except for Keyleth, who greeted the beautiful morning with high spirits. "Good morning, everyone!" she exclaimed. The others grumbled in response, not sharing her mood, but she carried on as usual. After grabbing breakfast, everyone prepared for the day ahead, although they were on call for the capital, there hadn't been much to do.

The gang hastily departed from their lodging, and to their astonishment, nothing was destroyed—a first for them. Sobriety brought seriousness, and they resumed their original purpose. As they roamed the streets, they were drawn to the west of the village by the sound of cheering. Upon arrival, they encountered a crowd chanting a name in such harmony that the gang couldn't discern it.

"What's happening here? What is this?" Vex inquired, turning to the cat-person beside her. The cat, with eyes wide, gazed back at the curious elf. "It's an annual competition to crown the best of the best," the cat-man explained, refocusing on the event. "And what else?" Vex continued. "Each competitor demonstrates their unique strengths and abilities—some are swift and nimble, others possess great strength; the variety is vast," Dax, the cat, elaborated. The group nodded and advanced to the front for an unobstructed view. Their gaze settled on the two contenders: to the left stood a tall, muscular Doberman-like figure clad in baggy pants and a vest, his chest bare; to the right, a masked entity shrouded entirely, save for eyes pink as the first light of dawn—the most captivating eyes Vax had ever beheld, he mused, watching the enigmatic figure gripping a staff of unknown origins. The Doberman's chuckle broke the silence, "You scrawny thing, think you can best me? Why not shed that cloak, or are you too frightened to reveal your frailty?" he taunted. Across from him, the masked competitor's eyes narrowed but offered no reply.

"On your mark... get set... go!" bellowed the wolf-like figure into the microphone. At that signal, both cats charged at each other, one faster than the other, showcasing remarkable speed. The masked figure swiftly circled the dog and used her staff to sweep his feet from under him, causing the dog to grumble before rising again amid the cheering crowd. "What a sneaky trick that was, little kitty," he said, charging towards the figure who, at the last second, flipped over the dog and landed behind him. They crouched down, leg extended, spinning before darting towards the dog. The figure slid between the dog's legs, kicking backwards with the strength of their legs, then used her staff to topple him once more, pinning him down with the staff across his back. The fight concluded swiftly, leaving the crowd thrilled with the outcome.

The masked figure stepped back from the man, retracting their staff and securing it behind them. Amidst the crowd's cheers, they bowed respectfully before rising again, their gaze settling on the peculiar creatures. In a sudden turn, the dog leapt from the floor and seized the figure, who had no time to evade. As they struggled, the cloak fell away, revealing the person beneath to all. A collective gasp filled the air as her blonde hair cascaded down when the hood was removed.

================================================================================Finally the female lead enters the game! let me know what you think I'm curious lol.