Hellrider's Pride (for Verso)

[hellrider]

As the world starts to calm a little in the aftermath of the Netherbrain's defeat, Zevlor finds himself at loose ends. For the first several months, he and his Hellrider friends were busy hunting the last of the ilithids and cultists that escaped the battle, and they were merciless. Now, though, that source of adventure has waned, and the remnants of his platoon have gone further south, scouting for new battles to fight. In the meantime, it's been Zevlor's business to guard caravans to and from Halsin's settlement in New Reithwin. The Shadow-cursed lands are cursed no longer, although the remains of battle linger like scars between the cherry blossoms.

On the road from Baldur's Gate to Reithwin, assorted camps and villages have sprung up, and he stops at one spot to refresh himself, only to hear tales of a skulking wanderer causing the residents no end of concern. Not a mindflayer, based on the description, but that doesn't mean he can't cause harm. Zevlor is properly skeptical, of course. Sometimes people are merely territorial without cause for real concern. Still, they ask him for help, and he wouldn't be much of a paladin if he refused.

He's well-armed when he heads to the ruins of a nearby farmstead to look for the man, but he doesn't draw his blade when he gets close. He's alert, wary, but not aggressive.