Seeking a Monster Scholar

Sorin had split up with Hunter for the time being within the city. He wondered how the young man would fare within a strange city so unlike his forest home, but they needed to cover more ground and would need to split up to do so. They needed to find someone who could tell them more about the monster they would be facing, but finding a monster expert or expert in strange woodland creatures proved more difficult than Sorin had anticipated.
Ishgard was a vast city and would have more scholars than the countryside Sorin was accustomed to. Sorin had to find a monster scholar or similar source of information. Hunter was a tough kid and he was an experienced monster hunter, but even he did not like the odds if he did not know what they were up against.
While thinking about the best place to find a monster expert, Sorin walked passed a familiar face. Sorin halted in the middle of the street and glanced at the young man beside him. “You’re that young man we met a while back after our sparring session, aren’t you?.” Sorin asked before dryly adding: “Would you know where I can find a monster expert or bestiary?”

The man was older than Sorin had initially thought. He looked very young for his age, that was for sure. Sorin’s hunch proved correct, however, it was indeed the man from a couple of days ago.
“I’m a monster hunter by trade.” Sorin explained. Often city folk simply saw other people as monsters rather than thinking about the monsters that still lurked in the wild reaches of the world.
“Specifically, the monster I am looking for is a strong, stealthy and agile boar-like monstrosity that has enough force to rip a person in two… If that narrows it down for you.” Sorin dryly added. He did not think the man would know anything about this particular monster he was hunting with Hunter, but perhaps the man could point him in the direction of someone who did.

Sorin was in luck, the man was not only as sarcastic and snarky as he was, he knew about the monster he was hunting. What kind of man was he? What kind of city stickler would know about an obscure boar-like monster from the forests of Avalon.
“I am an expert. I haven’t encountered this creature before.” Sorin explained before adding: “However, you are correct. It does dwell in Avalon. I believe it hunts from the safety on the Southern reaches, making use of the Nocturnal Woods as a lair.” He eyes the man up an down. It was very unusual to find someone with expert knowledge about such things. Was he a conman or a traveler with some obscure knowledge?
Sorin allowed his lycanthrope senses to be pushed to the forefront of his mind, something he hated doing in the cities, but he had to make sure. The smells of the cities permeated the area. Piss, snowfall, mud and iron were the most prominent scents in the area. The man however smelt like smoke and grass. A traveler…
“Might I ask how you know about an obscure monster from such a well defended place such as Avalon?” Sorin asked. He couldn’t rule out the possibility that the monster was more well-known to locals that traveled near there or, the Deities forbid, a shapeshifter.

As the other man nodded along to his explanation it became apparent that he indeed knew about the creature. It was shady however that some random traveler knew about this creature.
The answers the man gave did not clarify the matter… Like at all. Kind of dumbfounded by the apparent steadfastness of the stranger, Sorin just blankly stared at him. Something was fishy about the whole thing. The tribes of Avalon were very defensive and the monster was also quite obscure. Was he being messed with?
“The name’s Sorin, by the way, a fellow traveler.” Sorin calmly said, offering his hand to the man as a handshake. If Sorin did not know any better, he’d think this was a meeting amongst thieves. “Would you per chance know anyone within this city that would know anything about this monster?” Sorin asked honestly. If the man couldn’t help him with vague answers, perhaps he knew someone… He seemed the type to know just about anyone.