Under benign scrutiny, the first to stand was a young man in purple dress trimmed in gold. Jet hair tressed down above the shoulders in hygienic fashion. With magenta eyes, he surveyed the nobility as a fierce horned owl perched impatiently upon his backpack. A pleasing smile shined outward as the lad spoke
" Pleased to meet you all. For those who know me and for those who don't, I shall familiarize you with who I am...nevertheless. My name is Splendor Glade and I hail northwest of this kingdom. I offer my services onto you, because mainly, I doubt any other you've selected can assist us through the Nalmiar Forest."
The owl hooted sharply, turned its head around and fixed its' eyes upon Phantinius who watched the young orator with whimsy.
The sorcerer ended " When I heard a hardship had befallen us all, well, I just cannot allow that." He nodded upon the administrator and sat down smoothly.

 A small-statured, elven mage named Aramil brought the assembly to serious thought with frank words of fealty while two dwarves; one fiercely boastful, Gulius; the other oathfully solemn, Oktavianus, stood and confidently calmed the procession with hearty promises of victory to come.

  A young man drew himself up to full height and smoothed the green tunic that he wore. He quickly threw the council a wry smile " I am Teflar. Both my father and mother served and loved this land. I am here partly for them, but I'm thinking that my reason for being here is much like yours... a quest! Life on the road in the service of a kingdom. There is no nobler or exciting task and I eagerly answered when called. Gods be with us, we shall right this wrong!"
The ranger bowed to the elders and returned to his leather chair.

An elven bard from Phertic, Salimen, sang a light song that he prepared, not an hour ago, that brought a smile to Princess Pelia. He assured the overseer he was prepared to meet any challenge and inspire his fellows if need be.
A bowman named Hebron kept silent for the most part, but held a constant smile as if enjoying the room's company.

" Sir, my name is Vaedamir." spoke a man of great lank " I come in full service to the King Meravedia and its overseer." The barbarian paused for royalty reaction. " By my might and by my will our treasure will be regained!!"

From a monastery came the respectful monk Torynth, from the Upper End Firs the druidess Leah, and from the House of Hovansted born the Paladin Nerendil; all of whom carried a tradition far beyond the seeds of this trek.
At last, a darker-clad female, Morray, stood and convinced the audience that her appearance was no mistake, but left a haunting query about her motivation.

A full hour passed under the directives of the crew and, at last, Fanditheer spoke
" I have heard great things about each of you and that is solely why you are here and not taking after the spoils you've grown accustomed to."

He rose from his cherry-carved chair and gave his first citation among them " You are to leave first thing tomorrow morning. That leaves us a few full hours in discussion of our first move."

" Should this be parlayed so openly?" ferried Treston as his eyes grew suspicious of the shuttered windows " Should we not ask them the road they ought to take?"

Fanditheer grew tense and said " I know what road they ought to take! Venyan scouts have combed the Landretta Downs and that is where the cold trail lies. From here, about nine miles due north, the trail splits in three directions."

" Hhrmm" growled Romulus to himself " Already we are being menaced with mad mind games."

" Still " stabbed Treston " ...we should ask our crew what knowledge they know of the areas. Did our scouts say anything about where these tracks were headed."

" We?" Who's this WE now?!" grumbled the dwarf ignoring Phantinius's earlier caution.

The Master Wizard responded quickly as the audience mumbled words of discourse. " The number of this fellowship which I deem you now 'STARPOINT RAVEN' shall stand at '13' for Gailwind of the Awnhall Masters shall inform any, who heed his knowledge, throughout this journey. He knows all intricate arcana of the lands and animals they face. Even the greatest naturalists cannot fathom the content in his possession!"

Gailwind blushed and paged through a notebook of some kind to distract himself from the sudden attention. He pointed to his scribblings adding
" The western path leads toward the Grizzledane Mountain Range; the eastern cut straight into the deserts of Ith-Beje. Quite odd runnings indeed!"

Fanditheer nodded and looked to his old warrior friend " Treston, you have driven home your point. If we are to have our best amongst us, why not let them decide for themselves." He looked at the new fellowship and smiled his old warm way. " So tell me, avian of Zegithir, what are the inquiries regarding your chosen fate?"