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The search for the Freehold was more arduous than initially expected. He thought it'd be easy to spot the camp of a fairy but apparently they are quite good at using geomantic principles to hide their freeholds. Only by finding the actual entrance, which could be anything from a rock formation, a bunch of branches in an arch or a hole in a tree. And all along the way as he searched he kept being ambushed by goblins. Though they were annoying and could not be underestimated they did bring a certain ease for the infernals' demonic companion. Apparently the lack of other, more complex wyld creatures or even hobgoblins meant this band of Raksha was still small and weak. This however did not help Jet with his growing sense of unease and dread.
Finally after hours of wandering the woods he managed to find what he thought to be the gateway to the Freehold, which was a particularly large circle of mushrooms at the edge of a clearing.
"You sure this will work?"
"I've been saying from the start that this won't work, you stubborn bastard. But once you step through you should be safe, to a degree. I'll try to help but you need to do exactly as I fucking say! Got it? First off, do NOT accept anything. No food, no water, don't even sit down if offered a seat and don't accept a handshake! Don't give them anything either! Use that Saffron moniker. Do not attack them, no matter what they do! Do not even move in a way that could be interpreted as an attack! If they start harassing you, let them."
"Are you serious?"
"I am and you better fucking do as I tell you! And for the love of the Yozi be careful! Keep your eyes peeled and remember, you are real, they aren't."
"What does that even mean?!"
"Doesn't matter! Just keep repeating the mantra! I am real, they are not! The rest is up to your ego..."
"Argh! Fine, whatever! I'm going in!"
He stepped into the ring and as he stepped out towards the clearing reality peeled back around him like a veil, revealing a scene he had a hard time comprehending. The empty clearing was nowhere to be found, in its place stood a magical kingdom built out of the roots, stems, leaves and petals of plants and crystals, as if it popped right out of a fairy tale. Even the sky had a saccharin look to it, especially as it shifted in colors. Two dozen tiny, red-capped gnomeish creatures blew into flowers in their hands that let out noises like trumpets. One of them was hammering the belly of an overgrown frog that sounded like a drum.
“Hear ye! Hear ye! Another foul villain hath cometh to challenge our good Laerd Cumhaill, The Greatest Xia, Slayer of Evil, Bedder of Princess Effluvia and owner of the Proud Fungal Blade! Rejoice! For the fields shall be blessed by the shed blood of the wicked!”
