[Valier]

A tall cloaked figure stood silently, hidden from the group of waiting adventurers. Stepping out of the foliage the figure approached the waiting group. Not one of the group noticed his approach, they were all preoccupied with their own thoughts and busying themselves with their tasks. He stopped and stood not ten feet from them with not a word. Suddenly one of the group, an Elf, spied the cloaked figure and before the Elf could cry a warning, the cloaked figure raised his hand palm out in a quieting gesture. The large group was instantly silent as they became aware of his presence.

Reaching up the figure uncloaked his face. There stood a majestic regal Elf.
" I am Eoln" again he raised his hand, before a protest could be sounded. "I am sent here by Berrick, he gave to me instructions that I have been paid grandly to deliver here, today, to you." He pulled from beneath his cloak a scroll of paper, tied neatly with a Golden bow. The now gathered group looked around at each other and back to the Elf.

Eoln gracefully undid the ribbon in one quick motion and unrolled the parchment and began to read.

You have come from far and wide to this spot on this day, it is not coincidence that each of you here has chosen to make this journey. You are all great adventurers. I myself could not be there, I am an old man. I have sent Eoln in my stead, he will be watching, always watching. I have given you all a list of items, I dare anyone to bring more than I asked....Eoln has a temper and I would hate to see someone robbed of all their things before the end. Now there are paths that you must follow, it is up to you which way you will go, but do not stray off the paths, for danger lurks everywhere and only on the paths can Eoln provide you all with at least some protection from the evils around you. You shall all travel alone and that is how it shall stay until the end. Beware of the race boundaries....do not travel beyond the Gray mountains or the horrid Ash mountains. You will meet and see many strange or unusual things ion your way, but be strong ands good luck, may you all travel safely and may the Best Adventurer win.

All mouths stood agape. Eoln stood silently before replacing the scroll inside his cloak. Then as suddenly as he arrived , Eoln turned on his heels and about to vanish from whence he came, when a high pitched voice shouted, "Now what?"
Eoln sighed and turned to face the group again, they all stood staring in his direction. " Now you go." he said simply. "Go? what do you mean go?" shouted a large man from the rear. " Eoln smiled, a queer sorta smile that looked as if he would erupt with laughter. "You have all now been racing for about five full minutes and since that there Dwarf is the farthest west then most of you, he is now in the lead." With that Eoln turned and was gone. Each individual looked at the nearby Dwarf who stood slightly apart, as he turned around and took off into a sprint. Every person in turn began to quickly depart. The race had begun.