Overcast skies mark a dull September day. You have been wandering about for days and have only a day’s worth of supplies each. You arrive at a clearing near the entrance to a valley, a good sign; as depressions such as these tend to occur near existential settlements.
As you arrive you are stopped by an official and officer of the IPTC. Just to the side, there are travellers arriving along with you, some just after, others appear to have arrived only momentarily earlier, all of them appear confused, annoyed and tired. The officer looks aggressive, drawing a weapon but the official holds him back and tells him to stand down. The officer then introduces himself and his friend, named Nakset and Blackbird respectively.