The Guardian

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Guardian of the gates of Theede

Letting none but the worthy pass.

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You come across a plain path in the middle of a silent old wood, lined with scrubby plants. The path is not often traveled, you can see that from the weeds growing around it, but nothing really stands out to distinguish it from any other out-of-the-way trail. However, you feel compelled to follow this path, and you see that it ends rather abruptly, with some sort of large, crumbling stone structure. Sitting on a fallen log near that structure is a thin figure, seemingly standing guard over nothing at all -- a tall man who appears to be in his late thirties or so. You note that his hair and clothing are all of a style that went out of fashion centuries ago, though perhaps because he sits out here in the middle of the forest, he does not look concerned. He regards you with a curious look, little more than a glance out of the corner of his eye.

"You do not belong here," the man says quietly, still not looking your way. "You should turn around and go back." You feel as though you really should listen to this soft-spoken suggestion, but you chance a second look past him at the stone structure again. Nothing but a crumbling relic -- certainly no reason to keep you away, you think. The man turns to face you now, and his serious face and serene eyes watch you carefully. After a moment of silence passes between the two of you, you turn to leave, heeding his command.

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The way to Theede is deceptively simple; the path to travel there looks no different from many other forest trails in Pridd. However, that man with centuries-removed fashion sense is Heimdall, and in reality, he is hundreds and hundreds of years old (though he will never age past his current appearance, as he is a resident of Theede himself.) The stone structure at which he stands -- and will continue to stand -- is the entrance to Theede, the land of the gods. Heimdall gladly continues to serve the gods, and he will continue to deter both mortals and the unworthy alike from entering that alternate plane for all eternity.

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