Into a world of illusion

[twohares]

Nestled in the shade of the Great Tree, Yggdrasil, the shadowy city of Charon has flourished for thousands of years thanks to the rich farmlands and forests that surround it.

However, in recent years, the woodlands that embrace the town have turned sinister. A recent increase in monster sightings and attacks has pushed the local government to call for adventurers from across the lands to come to the city, explore its lands, and uncover the source of this increased aggression.

Although you are young and have little to your name but the clothes on your back and the weapons in your hand, you have answered this call along with several other adventurers much like yourself. Your journey has only just begun.

The first order of business for any adventurer entering Charon is to register at the Explorers Guild: a crowded place that almost seems overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who have been drawn to the city. A formal record of registration is required of all adventurers in Charon, both for the safety of the city and the adventurers themselves. It's a record that they were here in case they never return from their explorations.

It's a cold, hard fact that weighs heavily on Genis as he looks over his certificate of registration again and again. Genis Sage. Male. 13 October XX24. Heimdall. If he goes into the forest alone, he may never come back, and this will be the last trace left of him. He might have come here alone, but he didn't intend to keep it that way. There were so many people here. Men, women. Some older than him, some his age. Humans, elves, half-elves, and races he never even encountered before. Surely, with all of these people, he couldn't be the only one without any companions.

Right?

When so many people have already clustered together in the hall, plotting their future explorations, it's not too hard to spot the few people who are alone like him. There's one right there. A boy, probably not too much older than him, with bright red hair that stands out even in this crowd.

"Excuse me," Genis starts.