Encounter
Li sat cross-legged in front of the edge of the Winterwoods, the forest line of trees behind him standing tall like castle walls. He closed his eyes and had his hands together in a meditative pose, feeling the flow of life circulating from the woods behind him.
It was past midnight, and this time, there was no full moon to illuminate the woods with its aesthetic silvery sheen. There was but darkness, black like tar and just as thick, the stars themselves shy to shine tonight.
Li thought about the approaching force of orcs. He had made contact with them beforehand, actually, before he had even called the adventurers to battle.
Throughout the early morning, he was keeping tabs on them through a remotely controlled Shadowfly.