“The dungeon, child. Find it. End it. Consume it. Whatever must be done. There is nothing to be gained from allowing their unfettered growth. Destroy its very nature and stopper its strength. It shall not be allowed to fester in the earth and manifest its dark designs.”

A sudden gust of wind swept through the village, scattering dust and straw like the whisper of a forgotten god. Zeni blinked in the sunlight, her eyes squinting against the glare, as her mind tried to catch up to the reality unfolding around her. One moment she had been standing in her kitchen, the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air, and the next, she found herself crouching behind a haystack in a world that could not have been further from the life she knew.

Whose voice was that? She wondered. Dungeons? Destroying? Someone is running around out here unmedicated, that’s for sure.

With her heart pounding in her chest, she scanned her surroundings. The village, if it could be called that, was a humble assortment of mud-brick houses and sand-swept paths. Palm trees cast dappled shadows on the ground, and the scent of spices and livestock hung heavy in the air. People dressed in flowing linens moved about their daily tasks, completely unaware of the woman who had materialized in their midst. To her, it seemed as though she was dramatically thrusted into the middle of some kind of ancient Egyptian reenactment society. But, like, weirder. Then, as if suddenly awakening more fully, an intrusive, blazing realization hit her right in the brain.

I’m not on Earth.

Zeni swallowed hard and tried to gather her thoughts. She was somewhere else. Somewhere that was not even on her original planet. There was no sense of how she knew that, but she did. Something felt different. The air, maybe? It had a different, more…mystical quality, as though she was in tune with some kind of electromagnetic field, but instead of a normal, scientific frequency, it was filled with wizard shit.

She had never been one to believe in true magic or alternate realities—despite loving the idea of it. Most of her life had been spent appreciating and hoping there was something more to her world, though she never truly felt as though she’d reached anything resembling it. And yet, here she was, caught in the grip of a world that defied every shred of logic she had ever known. The air was hot and dry, and the sun bore down on her like a merciless hammer, so different from the cool autumn morning she had left behind.

Drawing a deep breath, she steeled herself for whatever lay ahead. Skulking suspiciously behind animal food wasn’t the most productive way to live, she knew. If nothing else, it would be incredibly bad for the knees. She couldn't afford to remain hidden forever, and perhaps someone in this strange land would be able to help her find her way back home. So, with trembling limbs, she emerged from behind the haystack and stepped onto the sunbaked path.

The villagers took notice of her almost immediately.

Ah, she thought to herself. Maybe I should have waited a little longer?

Some of the folk stared with open curiosity, while others looked upon her with narrowed eyes, clearly suspicious of this stranger in their midst. Zeni offered a hesitant smile to those who met her gaze, her hands held up in a gesture of peace.

Alright, Zeni, she encouraged herself. Here goes nothing! Strap those pearly whites in place and make yourself some friends—or at least avoid getting poked in the middle section with a pitchfork.

"Hello," she called out, her voice soft and uncertain. "This is a little weird, but…I, um, I seem to be a tad lost. Can anyone help me?"

There was a long moment of silence. No one said anything, until, eventually everyone seemed to just choose to ignore her. They muttered things that Zeni could not understand, and wandered away from the clearly raving lunatic.

Zeni stood there, dumbfounded. Just where the hell was she?

She puttered around for a bit, taking in the lay of the land on this strange location. Zeni ambled through the unknown village, eyes wide with curiosity and a sense of adventure. It was as if she had been dropped into the midst of a whirlwind of color, sound, and scent.

To her left, the marketplace was a hive of activity. Stalls brimmed with a riot of fruits and shiny trinkets, and an air of good-natured haggling filled the air. The intoxicating smell of bread hot from the oven flirted with her senses, competing with the earthy scent of metal and flame from a nearby forge. The villagers, each engaged in their tasks, created a lively tapestry of everyday life that Zeni found utterly captivating.

To her right, the gales of laughter from a group of children rang out, their game around a well a scene of pure, unadulterated joy. Not too far from their play, village elders sat under the cool shade of a tree, their faces etched with the lines of many stories and a mutual appreciation for a good yarn, judging by their chuckles and knowing looks.

Her wandering feet took her towards the largest structure in the village – a place that looked somewhat like a library. This was a surprise. A library seemed far too grand for a small village like this. But then, this place seemed to be full of surprises.

A large man sat on the steps of the library, a scroll in hand, his face set in an expression of intense concentration. Even from a distance, Zeni could see the spark of curiosity in his eyes, something she herself felt kindle within her.

As she ventured deeper into this unknown village, a middle-aged woman, radiating warmth and kindness, stepped forward with a serene grace. Her gentle eyes shimmered like pools of honey in the firelight, and her features held the softness of a nurturing embrace. The rustle of her linen dress, its rich hues echoing the colors of a desert sunset, whispered softly with each measured step she took. The very air around her seemed to hum with a quiet strength, and her presence was as comforting as a lovingly woven blanket on a chilly evening. She studied Zeni for a moment before speaking, her voice calm and measured.

"I see you’ve traveled a long way, haven’t you?" she asked, her eyes taking in Zeni's modern attire and her obvious confusion. “You’re from somewhere…else, aren’t you? You don’t appear to be local.”

Zeni shook her head, unable to understand the woman's words but somehow grasping the meaning behind them. Well…that was weird.

"No, I'm not native. At least, I don’t think so. I, uh…What I mean to say is, I don't even know where 'here' is."

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The woman's gaze softened, and she extended her hand, her expression welcoming. Zeni hesitated for a moment, studying the woman's face.

Well, she thought. What have I got to lose by trusting a kindly lady from an apparently alternate world? Probably a great many things I’m not currently considering—but, hey. I am super duper outta my element here.

She took the woman's hand, her own fingers slick with perspiration.

“Oh…” she said bashfully. “Sorry about that—I got the anxiety sweats.”

As their hands touched, Zeni felt a strange warmth spread through her body, and she suddenly found herself able to not only get the intent behind the words, but as the myriad sounds coalesced it became very apparent that she could understand the conversations around her. It was as if her mind had been connected to some unseen force, instantly translating the world for her. The woman, noticing the change in Zeni's expression, smiled gently.

"Ah. That seems much better, no? My name is Neith. You have arrived in the village of Kephri’s Rest, at the edge of the great desert. You are far from any city or kingdom, but you are welcome here."

"Thank you, Neith. I'm Zeni," she replied, still amazed by her newfound ability to comprehend and speak the unfamiliar language.

As she spoke her name, a subtle shift rippled through the air, and for a moment, the world around her seemed to shimmer like a mirage. The villagers nearby gasped, their eyes widening with awe, and Zeni felt a strange warmth spread through her body, as if something had awakened within her.

Neith, still holding Zeni's hand, paused.

"What is it? Are you alright?"

"I—I think so," Zeni stammered. "I can understand you now, which is ten kinds of weird, because I don’t think I’ve ever heard this language before. But there’s something else—I’m not sure. When I said my name…"

She trailed off at Neith’s expression. She smiled knowingly, nodding slowly.

"The gods have truly blessed you. Your presence in our world has activated a powerful resonation within you, one that will aid you on your journey."

“Uh…what journey?” Zeni asked, but she was interrupted.

As the words left her lips, an ethereal vision appeared before Zeni. In her mind's eye, she saw a series of shimmering icons. Though she wasn’t sure how she knew exactly, somehow it was clear to her: each icon represented a unique…class? Yep, it was a class. Well, that was strange. It also appeared that each class was associated with abilities rooted in something similar to the ancient Egyptian pantheon.

At least, that’s what it seemed like.

She recognized the general “vibe” of this place as being a bit “north of the Nile,” and heavily influenced by that sort of culture, but she wasn’t a hundred percent sure until she saw some of the depicted symbols. These classes were…kind of odd, but a little familiar. Something about them reminded her of a game—specifically a tabletop game. Some of those had classes right? Sure! It made sense.

Now she was getting more confident. She’d played a tabletop game or two in her time (though not much more than that.) So…It was clear that she would have to choose one to begin her life in this new world. Or something like that.

Zeni hesitated, her eyes scanning the array of options before her. There were classes based on the gods and goddesses of old, called things like the “Horus Avenger,” the “Thoth Scholar,” or the “Sekhmet Guardian.” The list seemed to go on, and Zeni could feel the weight of the decision pressing down upon her. Somehow the information sort of entered her brain, so she intrinsically understood it, despite only having what could best be described as a passing familiarity with Egyptian myths. She was always more of a Greco-Roman gal, if she was being honest. However, she loved a lot of the esotericism behind many cultural mythologies, and wasn’t upset at all to find that she was somehow finding this a bit thrilling.

After some deliberation, Zeni's gaze fell upon a class that intrigued her: the Heket Enchantress. From her seemingly innate-though-unnatural understanding, this class appeared to focus on powerful Elemental Invocations, ancient curses, and the art of enchantment and potion-making. Once again, she found it so very odd that she picked that knowledge up, but, not wanting to be a spoil sport, decided to just accept the information for now. Zeni, for some reason, felt a connection to the Heket Enchantress class.

Let’s see where this goes, shall we? She thought to herself.

As she made her choice, the warmth that had enveloped her body seemed to solidify, and she felt a surge of power coursing through her veins.

“Ooh,” she said aloud, startling herself. “This I like!”

Suddenly, a map unfurled in front of her mind’s eye, and she saw more detail as to who she was here and—more importantly—what she was.

Name: Zeni (No Title)

Race: Traveler

Class: Heket Enchantress (1st Level)

Prowess Markers:

* Vitality: 1

* Potency: 1

* Deftness: 2

* Intellect: 4

* Clarity: 3

* Perception: 1

* Influence: 1

* Attunement: 1

* Adaptability: 1

Ankhs: None

Speed: Medium Tier (First Level)

Protection: Low Tier (First Level)

Portents: None

Proficiencies:

* Weapon: None

* Armor Proficiencies: None

* Skill Proficiencies:

* Potion Making - Very Low Tier (First Level)

* Tool Proficiencies

* Apothecary Implements - Very Low Tier (First Level)

* Language Proficiencies

* Kemetut - General Tier

* Aarutut - General Tier

General Skills

Invocations known:

* Elemental Invocations

* Curse

Now, Zeni was a curious sort, so when she saw a little scroll icon, her wonder got the better of her and she focused on it, realizing that additional information was available to her.

[Personal Library] Entry on Prowess Markers

Vitality: Represents an individual's overall health, stamina, and resilience. A higher Vitality marker means one can endure more physical punishment, recover more quickly from injuries, and resist diseases or toxins more effectively.

Potency: Measures physical power, capacity to lift or move heavy objects, and effectiveness in the melee. One with a high Potency marker can deal more damage and execute physically demanding tasks with ease.

Deftness: Represents a combination of hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and nimbleness. A high Deftness marker allows one to perform delicate or intricate tasks with ease, such as picking locks, disarming traps, or performing sleight of hand tricks.

Intellect: Measures cognitive abilities, such as reasoning, memory, and problem-solving skills. Those with a high Intellect marker can solve complex puzzles, recall important information, and devise effective strategies in combat or negotiations.

Clarity: Measures the understanding of the world around an individual, and using this experience to make sound judgments even in unfamiliar situations. They are less likely to be swayed by false information, and can communicate their ideas in a clear and concise manner that inspires others to action. Higher Marked individuals are less likely to be deceived by illusions, and can maintain a clear head even in chaotic or stressful situations.

Attunement: Represents the ability to connect with magical energies, divine forces, or the spirits of nature. A high Attunement marker allows one to cast more potent invocations, harness supernatural abilities, or commune with otherworldly beings.

Perception: Measures awareness of one’s surroundings and ability to notice hidden dangers or discern subtle clues. Those with a high Perception marker are more likely to detect traps, spot hidden objects, and avoid being caught off guard by ambushes or surprise attacks.

Influence: Represents one’s ability to sway others through charm, diplomacy, or intimidation. Those with a high Influence marker can negotiate better deals, rally allies, or discourage potential enemies from taking hostile actions.

Adaptability: Measures the ability to think and act quickly under pressure. Those with a high Adaptability marker are more likely to react first in combat situations, seize opportunities, or adapt to changing circumstances during encounters.

Zeni struggled to rationalize what was happening to her. It was definitely beginning to feel as if she had been slam dunked into a fantastical game, with rules and systems governing her every move. The logical part of her mind rebelled against the idea, but as she looked around at the sand-swept village and the people who now regarded her with something akin to awe, she shook her head.

“Hell,” she said. “Why not?”

Taking a deep breath, she turned to Neith.

"I dunno why I'm here, or what my purpose is in this world, but…uh, well, I will do my best to adapt and learn. That’s really all I can do at this point anyway, right? At least until I figure out if there’s a way to get back. Thank you for your kindness, Neith. I don’t know if I would have had the ability not to slap me silly if I were in your position. I mean, seriously, some chick just shows up outta nowhere in weird clothes and an awkward personality while frantically babbling? Nine times outta ten, sister’s getting the hose turned on her. I think I’m going to need your guidance."

She quickly added, “ —if that’s alright?”

Neith smiled.

"I will help you, Zeni. All of us will help you. You are not alone."