Oakhaven was exactly as Adrian remembered it from his gaming days: a cozy, somewhat ramshackle collection of timber and stone buildings nestled at the edge of a dense forest. The guards, burly men with scarred faces and worn leather armor, merely nodded as he approached, their spears resting easy. "Good day, traveler," one rumbled. "New to Oakhaven?"
"Good day," Adrian replied, his voice surprisingly smooth in its human cadence. "Just arrived. Could you point me to the nearest inn and the Adventurers' Guild?" He made sure to keep his tone polite, casual, the same way he'd always approached NPCs in the game.
They gestured vaguely down the main road. "Inn's straight ahead, 'The Wary Wolf.' Guild's just beyond it, by the old oak." Adrian thanked them, his mind already calculating the quickest route, and stepped into the bustling thoroughfare.
The village, despite its small size, was a hive of activity. Farmers haggled over produce, children chased stray chickens, and the clatter of a blacksmith's hammer echoed rhythmically. He saw figures in adventuring gear – a stoic elf with a longbow, a boisterous dwarf whose laugh boomed over the general din, and several grim-faced humans. It was almost jarringly normal, the kind of scene he'd idly observed countless times through a screen. But now, the smells of woodsmoke and freshly baked bread were real, the murmuring crowd a symphony of distinct voices.
The Wary Wolf Inn was a sturdy, two-story building. Inside, the common room was warm and inviting, smelling of ale and stew. He approached the counter, relieved to see the familiar shimmer of gold coins in a pouch at his belt – the currency was indeed the same. He rented a middle-level room, enough for comfort without drawing undue attention.
As he settled into a corner booth, a young woman approached his table, carrying a tray of drinks. She had bright, curious eyes and a friendly smile, her brown hair tied back with a simple ribbon. "Welcome to The Wary Wolf, sir. Can I get you anything?" she asked, her voice light and welcoming.
"Just a glass of water for now, thank you," Adrian replied, his gaze sweeping the room before returning to her. "It's a lively place. I'm new to Oakhaven."
"It certainly is!" she chirped, placing the water in front of him. "Always something happening. My name's Elara. I help out here." She leaned slightly against the table, her genuine curiosity evident. "What brings you to our humble town?"
Adrian, slipping easily into his 'traveler' persona, offered a vague smile. "Just passing through, taking in the sights. And, perhaps, looking to try my hand at a bit of adventure. I was hoping to find the Adventurers' Guild."
Elara's eyes lit up. "Oh, the Guild's just a stone's throw away! Always looking for new folk, especially with all the... unrest lately." She lowered her voice slightly on the last word, glancing around. "Things have been tense, you see. More gnoll raids, whispers of something stirring in the Whisperwood. Even a few of the old, dusty prophecies seem to be making a comeback."
"Prophecies, you say?" Adrian prompted, feigning mild interest while his internal Nyxal persona absorbed every word. "And what about the various factions? Are they as... lively... as the rumors suggest?" He thought of the elves, dwarves, and humans all on the brink of conflict.
Elara sighed, her expression shifting to one of concern. "Aye, that too. The Elves of Silverwood keep to themselves more than ever, and the Dwarves of Stonefall have closed their gates tighter. Even the human lords, they're not seeing eye to eye. It's like the whole realm's holding its breath, waiting for something big to happen." She paused, then offered a more cheerful smile. "But for now, plenty of honest work at the Guild if you're looking for coin and a bit of excitement. They'll tell you all you need to know."
Adrian nodded, feeling a strange mix of relief and dread. The world was indeed mirroring the game's lore, but with a terrifying, tangible weight. "Thank you, Elara. You've been very helpful." He now had a starting point, a real one, to delve into the heart of this world. The Adventurers' Guild awaited, and with it, the truth of Aethelgard.