Mother continued moving forward as my siblings and I were frozen in place.

You have been afflicted with: Fright

Your resistance to a higher tier is zero

You are affected for 1 hour

You will receive a 20% reduction to all stats until this debuff runs out

The popup grabbed my attention and I saw that the distance between us and mother was starting to grow, I snapped out of my haze and quickly ushered my siblings to follow after her. They all began jogging to catch up with our mother and I was about to join them when I noticed Tasar. His face was pale and I could see that he was shaking.

Inspection Inquiry

The individual is afflicted with: Fear

Their stats are significantly reduced and movement has been impaired

“Come on Tasar we need to catch up with Mother!” I declared and seized his hand dragging him forward. He took a single uncertain step and his knees buckled under his own weight, I barely managed to catch the young goblin before he collapsed to the ground. I felt myself start to panic, the longer we stood here the further the others got and the more likely we would lose them. But I couldn't carry Tasar by myself, even though he was small I could feel that reduction in my attributes even though it was only one point of strength. Suddenly a second pair of hands reached out and grabbed Tasar's arm, draping it over his shoulders.

“Mal!” seeing my brother instantly eased my anxiety, I wasn't alone in this anymore. Malkadian grabbed Tasar around his waist hoisting him up.

Fright has been dispelled

New Soul Tip: Afflictions can be negated by items/skills/interactions

“Grab his other arm! We can still catch up!” I quickly closed the pop-up window and did as he said, together we carried our youngest brother through the throng, doing our best to run and we managed to catch up with the group. It took a long time, but eventually, Tasar calmed down enough to walk on his own, though he still looked pale. And by the looks of it, we were all still very shaken. I wasn't a hundred percent sure what was in that stew, it had been just the briefest flash, but I could smell the roasting meat and the spiced broth it was cooking in. Remembering it made me feel sick.

We continued to walk on, I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but we no longer were distracted by the sights and sounds of the camp. Instead, we simply did our best to stay as close to our mother as we could. I was startled from my dazed state when our path was suddenly blocked by two Orcus, decorated in leather armor and wielding weapons. Behind them stood a large palisade that looked to be constructed from wood and bone, they appeared to be guarding the gate. Others passed through the gates and allowed a glimpse at the structures that lie beyond each time they opened.

There were more yurts, but these were of a similar size to our own with multiple yurts connecting to form one dwelling, unlike the ramshackle structures we had seen before. I also noticed the people coming and going appeared healthier, stronger, and with better quality clothing as well. The difference between the two areas was blatantly obvious and it made me wonder. Did we live in the slums of the encampment? It would seem to be the case. But why? We clearly had resources, skills, and money, there was no reason for us to be resigned to the outskirts of the camp. Aren't those with skills and means usually have higher standing within a group? Something doesn't feel right.

“Urana!” One of the Orcus addressed our mother. “Stop! You know that you cannot enter the inner circle. Not until the trials are over.” He was the larger of the two men and wielded a partisan, which he pointed directly at my mother. She gestured at my brothers and me, signaling us to stay where we were without looking back, and took several steps towards the towering Orcus. Stopping with the blade of his weapon only inches from her neck.

“Unas.” her voice was even but I recognized the subtle threatening tone beneath it. “I knew your great-grandmother's mother. I reforged your Halberd with runes of fire when you broke it trying to pass your first Mythonic Rite. And you dare block my path?” Urana's body started emitting heat, I could feel it even from my spot several feet away, and her hair appeared to rise from her shoulders.

“Urana,” The Orcus, Unas, replied standing firm in front of my mother. “The fact you were not attacked on site for even attempting to pass this checkpoint, is already a grace that I risk my life and honor to grant.” He spat back his response, but he suddenly felt much smaller and his voice was far less confident. The other Orcus began to fumble with what looked like a horn hanging at his belt. Mother spotted this and shot the other man a chilling glare.

“Taruk, blow that horn and Sadash may be the one to respond. Do you really wish to take that chance?” At the mention of that name, the Orcus's orange-red skin paled nearly to a comical shade of light pink and he dropped the horn, smashing it beneath his foot. Appearing satisfied with his response, my mother turned back to look at Unas.

“I am going to meet with the inner circles' Rites Seer. I will purchase the right for each of my children to complete their ceremony,” she stared the men down with a fierce gaze. “With blood, if I must.” her words seemed to placate the Unas as he considered her declaration for a moment, before stepping aside to allow us passage. Taruk quickly seized a flag that hung nearby and affixed it to a long pole, he firmly planted it in the sandy ground and I watched as the flag fluttered high above the yurts. It was crimson with some sort of carrion emblazoned on it in black along with a large number one above it written in Fire Mythan.

“Though you are already aware, I will remind you that your presence is being announced with this flag. You must exit through this same checkpoint when you leave the inner circle. The lowering of this flag below the yurts will be a sign of either your execution or complete banishment from the horde,” Unas stated, it was becoming clear he was the one in charge of this checkpoint. “I must also remind you we are close to a hive city. So I do not recommend risking banishment,” he concluded. My mother gave him a curt nod and with that, the two Orcus opened the gate and we passed into the inner circle.

I barely had time to process what had just happened and the words exchanged before I was accosted by the sounds and smells of merchants, animals, and food. If I had thought the stalls and sellers we had seen before were mesmerizing this was on a whole new level. Everything from the goods to the food to even the animals seemed to radiate prosperity and power, simple metal jewelry was now replaced with intricate metal work with dazzling gems, simple weapons were now glistening blades with finely decorated hilts, and the food, just the smell was enough to fill me up. Something caught my eye in one of the displays. It was a golden armband, dangling from it were delicate golden chains decorated with small golden coins, and blood-red gems hung from it. The largest stone was embedded in the band itself. I could feel something radiating from the beautiful piece, but I wasn't sure what, I tried to scrutinize it further.

Inspection Inquiry

Failed

You are not high enough tier to Inspect this item

I frowned at the message. Really? Was I really so weak I couldn't gain information on a simple piece of jewelry? Or maybe the bangle was more than just a pretty decoration. I pondered this as we delved deeper into the camp. Eventually, mother stopped and I found that we had arrived at a large yurt that appeared to be made entirely of bones. While some of the bones were clearly from animals others appeared more . . . humanoid. I thought back to the pot and shuddered. Judging from the way my brothers all clung to our mother their thoughts were no doubt in a similar place.

We drew closer and I realized just how massive the structure truly was, it easily dwarfed our own home and even had a second story, it was the only yurt I had seen that was that tall. Upon coming closer to the building I heard a sound begin to echo from its doorways. It was raw and guttural, the sound morphing into words I couldn't seem to understand, it was chanting. Or maybe a hymn? The sound seemed to follow a rhythm and I could hear the faint sound of what I was certain were drums.

When we were mere feet from the entrance our mother stopped abruptly and turned to look at us. Her gaze racked across us and she appeared to be counting, when she confirmed that all eight of us were there a look of relief flittered across her face, and she turned back to the bone yurt. During this entire day I had never seen my mother worried, even when she was being threatened with a weapon, but now standing in front of this place she was worried. Something wasn't right. I turned to look at my brothers and found Malkadian and Drazahar looking back at me, worry clear on their faces.

I squeezed Malkadians hand, and all of us held on to one another as we followed our mother through the yurt door. Inside it was far darker than I expected, almost as if they were intentionally blocking out natural light. Lanterns that burned in vibrant colors filled the air above our heads, everything was engulfed in the dim light but we could still see our surroundings clearly. Every nook and cranny was filled with intricately carved wooden totems that looked to display images of animals, I recognized the depictions of Wargs and some Staghorns, but other animals were unknown to me.

There appeared to be giant birds, small animals with long ears, horns, and pointed teeth, and some massively long serpent-like creatures. There were wooden tables that held what looked like alters, decorated with candles, daggers, jars of blood wine, and a red-clay figure of a man holding a flickering flame that I knew was Ignis. The bone walls were covered by large tapestries, some were intricately woven and stitched, and others were painted on leather hide, but they all depicted various battles.

As we drew closer to the center of the room the drums and the chanting grew louder, but I couldn't see where the voices or the drums were coming from. The sound persisted and I began to feel dazed and lightheaded, outside of myself, before I realized what was happening I found that my siblings and I had formed a line behind my mother. We had ordered ourselves from oldest to youngest, with myself leading the line and Malkadian behind me, and Inash and Tasar bringing up the rear.

Reaching the yurt center I spotted A woman, she was clearly older but her form was massive and well muscled. Her skin was a deep burnt yellow color and two tusks protruded from her mouth, covered in carvings, and a few metal rings pierced through them and her eyes were closed. She was not the first Hoblin woman I had seen but she was certainly the largest. She wore a deel that closed in the front and it was the most magnificent piece of clothing I had ever seen.

Every inch was covered in intricate stitchwork with fine silk thread, and her clothing was a patchwork of colorful silk and satin cloth in breathtaking orange, red, yellow, and gold. Her head was adorned with a cylindrical hat covered in ornate beadwork, from it extended her headdress that consisted of more beads than I had ever seen at one time, ranging from the size of my pinky nail to larger than my thumb. They draped across her forehead and in large triangular shapes on the sides of her face and down her shoulders. My wonder at her appearance was broken when she opened her mouth and her deep rasping voice spoke.

“You have come Urana and I know why. You know the price you must pay. But are you willing?” The old woman asked my mother and her eyes shot open. I felt myself gasp as I saw the Hoblin woman's eyes, they looked like a raging pit of endless fire.