Damp, uneven ground covered in moss and lush grass lay sprawled out before you. Enormous boulders jutted out from the earth below, a tangled mess of tree roots wrapping tightly around them with moss clinging to its surface. Sunlight filtered daintily through the trees above, scattering speckles of light across the forest floor. The humidity in the air left a light fog clinging close to the ground as the gentle breeze pushed and pulled it through the trees around you. The forest itself was eerily quiet. You could hear the chirps of birds in the distance, but it was very feint. The fluffy green felvarg you met in the Inn the other night told you to go here, to wind your way into the depths of Melrakki's forest in search of a fellow felvarg who supposedly would lead you to where you needed to go. It was weird to you; however, that this she-wolf referred to her pack mates as 'flock-mates'. 

Deeper and deeper you went, carefully placing one paw in front of the other. The ground was uneven in this forest, you had even stumbled a few times. It wasn't until well into the day that you stopped, fully convinced you were lost. Worry crept in, how would you get out if this didn't work? You pulled the coin from your pouch, the gold glinted and glowed in the sunlight. Something rustled in the foilage ahead, startling you, causing you to drop the coin into the grass. With a light curse you desperately searched for it as the rustling continued. If this was the pack mate the she-wolf spoke of, you would need the coin. 

Just as the glint of gold caught your eye and you reached for it, a blurry figure dived in from above and snatched the coin from the grass below.

"No!" you called out looking all around for the theif. Your eyes locked onto a raven, feathers black as night. Tucked firmly within its beak, was the coin you so desperately needed. "Give that back! I need it!" you called, chasing after the bird which took flight deeper into the forest.

Stumbling many times at first, you slowly grew more confident in your footing as you raced through trees and around boulders, jumping over creeks and fallen logs while trying to keep the bird within your sight. Deeper and deeper into the forest you ran, your stamina waning as the raven finally perched upon a branch high above. It's caw was muffled from the coin as you glared angrily up at it. Before you could speak, more ravens fluttered around you from the nearby trees. A strange sensation washed over you then, like you were being watched... and it wasn't coming from the birds. 

Looking around revealed a cave, overgrown with draping vines and moss and various roots. Darkness was all you could see within. Melrakki. As if the forest wasn't eerie enough. 

"You made it." came a familiar voice.

Startled, you swung around to come face to face with the she-wolf from the previous day.

"I'd give you the coin but a raven stole it..."

The she-wolf laughed, "You need not worry about that now." she smirked, there was a slyness to this felvarg. You could tell by the way she carried herself that she knew more than she revealed. "Follow." she ordered and you fell into step behind her as she led you into the dark cave ahead.

Darkness swallowed you, the only thing that kept you from becoming disorientated was the pawsteps from the she-wolf. It didn't last long; however, one by one small runes appeared upon the cave walls, etched into the stone. They glowed softly in hues of blue. You weren't sure what they said, but you guessed they served as a guide to navigate the maze of caves.

"There are many caves within Melrakki, many remain untouched, empty. They all connect though... supposedly." the smirk was clear in her tone as she walked on, "This entrance is my packs, the Ravens of Ulfrheim." she paused at a split in the caves. It was feint, but you could swear you smelled baked goods wafting from the left.

"You will find Woodwick Grotto to the left. A bustling marketplace even my pack uses regularly. But to the right..." she led on, trailing off. Up, down, left, right... the path before you twisted and turned downwards... upwards... until the cave walls widened into a large cavern lit with lanterns that dotted the walls. Various paths branched off in the distance leading to unknow places. What drew your eyes in; however, was the large slab of ground surrounded by water ahead,  dotted with various stalls and tents that were occupied by other felvargs. Above, in the ceiling, was a large crack where light beamed inwards and ravens flew freely in and out of the cave. You could swear some carried little objects in their talons.

"Messengers, adventurers, seekers of fame and fortune... if you have a goal to achieve I'm sure somefel here can help you reach it... but not for free." she smirked, winking slyly your way.  A white raven with gold painted on its wings fluttered into sight, perching upon the she-wolf's shoulder, dropping a familiar coin into her paw. She offered it to you, "Take this, and I will open up a new world to you. Or... decline, and I will lead you back. The choice is yours."

You hesitate, paw outstretched. You wanted to know one thing first though, and it held you back.

"Who are you?" you ask.

The she-wolf smiles in that familiar sly way, "I am Viridis, keeper of secrets and alpha of the Ravens of Ulfrheim pack."