The Petrified Forest (Open)

The howl of a distance shadow wolf rolled through the forest, The Grey Warlock turned his head in the general direction of the sound and frowned. Though he did not commune with the animals, he knew their calls, and there was an intruder in their forest. Multiple other howls rose up into a chorus of resounding echos making it near impossible to tell when one howl started and another finished.

Gregori Hastur frowned, very few dared to enter the Petrified Forest due to the dark magical nature of the area, his dark gaze swept through the stone trees in an attempt at catching a glimpse of who, or what, had dared entered the territory of the shadow animals. He pulled a small wooden carving of a wolf from his pocket and whispered to it, "Suchen, Schatten Wolf."

A black form erupted from the small wooden carving looking almost like a pillar of black smoke for a few moments, when it clears the form of a coal black wolf stood, it's pure white eyes seemed to pierce the natural dark contrast of the forest and set upon something in the distance. It sniffed the air and uttered a low guttural growl, the scent of an intruder made it uncomfortable... The Shadow wolf then suddenly took off and ran in the direction of the intruder, its powerful legs barely seemed to touch the forest floor as they propelled it through the forest. The Grey Warlock simply followed it, not running, but he simply walked.

The wolf's eyes would be the first thing Veigar noticed in the darkness, moving in and out of sight behind the stone trees as the beast hurtled towards him, it's heavy breaths sounded in short breaths with each bounding leap. It came to a sudden stop a few meters away from the yordle, it's eyes never leaving him as its master calmly approached from behind it.

"Greetings..." His eyes lingered upon the small forms grey robes, The Grey Warlock placed a hand upon the shadow wolf's head, his voice conveying his uncertainty "I am Gregori Hastur, of The Grey Order, and you?"

The shadow wolf's lips pulled back into a snarl, a low growl sounding from the beast as if challenging the intruder.

"The Dark Child is indeed my daughter." The Grey Warlock looked towards the yordle, his expression impassive, unphased by Veigar's introduction, "There are very few the creatures of this forest welcome... Do not be offended. They do not welcome those of my order, simply tolerate, magic is something they know to be wary of."

Gregori then gestured with a hand to the yordle before him, he spoke in an even tone, "What would a Master of Evil want from a forest such as this? It has been here for a very long time... Why are you suddenly interested?"

The shadow wolf kept it's unsettling piercing gaze upon Veigar, if it had pupils they wouldn't have moved since Gregori placed his hand upon its head. It was clear that The Grey Warlock was someone of immense power. Veigar would notice the howls from the wild beasts had stopped as Gregori simply watched Veigar, slight curiosity flickering across his face.

The Grey Warlock raised an eyebrow, his eyes boring into Veigar, "If you studdied Tibbers, then you would know about how the creatures affinity for magic works, correct?" He simply stared, just judging the apparent master of evil. Gregori did look to be interested in the dark hole that appeared rather then Veigar himself, "An interesting ability you have..."

Gregori listened with all the patience he had. His face impassive as he allowed the yordle to continue speaking about the dark magics he possessed. Certainly interesting, even if the explanation was rather vague at times.

As if annoyed, the shadow wolf lets out a low rumbling growl, Gregori pet it as if to calm it,
"We were talking about what brings you to this place, the purpose of your research."

White eyes emerged from the darkness, low growls sounded through the forest around them. A pack of Shadow Wolves had surrounded Veigar while he talked, their great bodies slightly bigger than Veigar himself, Gergori glanced around,

"You have angered them..." he looke back to Veigar, his face still impassive as the animals eyes all bored into the yordle, "This is the result of rune magic from many rune wars ago, you cannot simply corrupt a creature of nature in such a way with a simple click of your fingers."

The pack of wolves began to slowly close in on the Mast of Evil, angry that someone would dare enter their territory and have such intentions. The Grey Warlock's own wolf simply watched, a low growl emitting from it's throat once more.

The Grey Warlock tapped his chin in thought, Gregori spoke evenly in matter-of-fact kind of way, "If you wish to discuss this further without interruption, then I invite you to come speak with me within the colony." He looked around, "It seemed you have offended the animals and they wish you to leave. To do so would avoid you gaining enemies."

Gregori then turned to leave, the shadow wolf at his side turning to do follow him.

The shadow wolves that had now advanced upon Veigar were letting out savage growls, an opening in the circle they had formed leaving a path after the Grey Warlock. They were close enough now that they could easily pounce upon him and rip him apart.