You spend most of the day walking atop cliffs and bluffs several hundred feet above the ocean, but when midafternoon passes you descend again into a small valley. At the bottom of the valley a river wends its way down to the sea, and after fording the stream, you come to another road which runs along the north bank of the river.
There is a signpost here...
North: To Demon's Neck, Eagle Cliff.Southeast: To The Elven Coast Road and the Trackless Swamp.
Southwest: To Koltalla and Drugger's Rush.
As you pass the intersection, a figure steps out of the bushes. He is clad in leathers, and wears a grey cloak. A longsword hangs from his belt, and a longbow with a quiver of arrows is slung over his shoulder. He is a grey elf.
"Milord," he says to Valdar. "You have come."
"That I have," Valdar replies. "How fare you, Vondar?"
"Good. These lands are neglected but strong and pure. Our people would enjoy them. The enemy stronghold is about one and a half day's march from here."
Valdar introduces the elf to the rest of you.
"This is Vondar. He is a ranger of Dorian. He has been scouting the area for me."
You continue on your way for a few more hours. Vondar accompanies you, and when you camp for the night, he stays with you.
As the party makes camp, Niko introduces himself to Vondar ."Pleased to meetcha, Vondar. The name's Niko. By chance do you dice or play cards?"
"Ummm...no," Vondar replies, wincing slightly at Niko's boozy breath. "I whittle."
"No problem, " replies Niko cheerfully. Rattling his dice, he turns and asks, "Any of you guys up for a quick game of bones before we hit the sheets? Or how about dragon poker?"