After another hour or so walk, a town finally crested the horizon. “Fuck yea, some civilization.” Looking up, Owen noticed that the tiny sun was setting. “I still don’t know anything about this world. I wonder how much a random person should know?” Owen mussed as he extended his stride to get to the town faster. A short time later, Owen spotted a line leading from the wall. Once he started to get closer, it seemed the large gate was closed; they must be lining up for entry then. Owen casually strolled over and got to the end of the line. Eyeing over everyone nearby, he noticed most people were armed, and some weren’t even human. A large minotaur-looking fellow was standing with a centaur. Following down the line, Owen’s eyes landed on his neighbor, a middle-aged man with a large pack set on the ground.
“Hey, old man?” Owen asked politely, “Why are the gates closed?”
“BWAHAAH!” the man laughed, “I ain’t that old boy. Besides, if you young ones ever woke up before the Crown set, you would know. It’s just MoonKeep’s Law’s. They don’t believe in opening the city till the Crown sets out of respect for Crea. The Church of the Mother plays a huge role in the city, so most of their doctrine is Law. Enough about that boy; what has you out at such a dangerous time? Have your family lost their mind? An unclassed outside the walls with the Crown.”
“It’s only me…” Owen muttered out in response, “I’m all that’s left.”
“Oh.” the old man gasped, “I’m sorry, son, I didn’t think…what happened.” As the line slowly began to move, Owen decided to spin a tale. About how he got the Warrior class and wanted to hunt something to celebrate, how he had left the village, but when he returned, it was destroyed. He recounted how he slew the Elite and its crew before making his way here.
“Did you even have a plan for when you got here? Family or someone to stay with?” Owen shook his head in response, so the old man continued, “Alright, listen, you can’t tell anyone else your village is gone or that you slew an Elite, do you understand.” The severe and harsh tone made Owen look over to him, but before he could ask, the old man continued, “No! When you get to the gate, tell the guard you are here for provisions for your village. Then, head straight down the main road to the plaza and go right into the crafters’ zone. Keep going until you see the large building with the crossed swords. That’s the Mercenary’s Hall. You go in and tell the attendant exactly this. Gorden sent you to see the Chapter Captain. Understand.” Gorden finished and looked at Owen, awaiting his response.
“Got it. Here for supplies, go to the hall and speak with the Captain on your behalf. Now it’s my turn, why?”
Shocked to hear Owens’s response, Gorden looked him over with a sharper eye. “Good, you’re smart, at least. Honestly, son, it’s cause you’ve had it hard enough. You got Classed on Elasu’s and then lost everything, but here you are. It may be hard to believe, but just trust me. Talk to the Captain, become a good Merc, and live a proud life.” Just then, a guard shouted for Gorden to move to his station. “Good luck, lad. May the Gods bless you.” As he walked away, Owen used Inspect on him.
Gorden Hardsteel | Swordsman Level 22
Name: Gorden Hardsteel Class: Sword singer Species: Human Level: 26 EXP: 3187/33100 Health : 432/432 Stamina : 484/484 Mana: 403/403 Stats Strength: 22 Endurance: 18 Dexterity: 32 Vigor: 22 Intelligence: 15 Focus: 14 Skills Elite Sword Mastery, Evasion Techniques, Enchanted Strikes, Phantom Blade, Whirlwind Cleave, Dual Wielding, Conceal, Physical Mastery, Sylphid, Crealexis
Holy shit, Owen screamed internally before turning around as another guard called for him to move. Heading over to the station, the guard gruffly asked. “Name and reason for visit.”
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“Owen, sir, I’m here to get stuff for my village.”
“Commoners fee is 5 coppers.” The guard responded, holding out his hand. Grabbing his sack, Owen counted out 5 copper coins and placed them into the guard’s hand.
“Thank you, citizen. May the Mother bless you; now move along.” Owen nodded his head and walked forward into the town. As he entered, the sights and sounds assaulted his senses. People hawking wares and food, yelling as wagons were moving about, with people moving about in both directions. Owen continued to walk down the main street as he observed his surroundings. There didn’t seem to be much trash in the streets, with the roads themselves appearing to be brick and mortar. As his gaze wandered, he began looking into the storefronts he passed. Most had glass, and while it wasn’t as clear as he remembered in his life, they were clear enough. He walked by clothing, food, and even a boutique of some kind. As he took it all in, he soon made his way to a large square with a central fountain adorning it.
In the center of the fountain stood a six-winged statue. Continued forward, Owen got a closer look at it. It was a woman gently cradling a sphere; her six wings surrounded her in six vibrant colors. Red, Gray, Green, Brown, Blue, and White. These same colors were reflected in the tiara upon her head. After examining the fountain, Owen turned his back on it and walked into the crafter’s zone. Here, the sounds were louder but also more familiar. The sound of metal being beaten, of people laughing and cursing each other. A smile crept onto Owen’s face as he continued his walk. Soon, he approached a grand three-story building with the sign he sought. He couldn’t read the text, but the crossed swords are what Gorden said to look out for. Upon entering the building, Owen’s eyes went to work, taking it all in. To his left was a large eatery area, multiple tables with occupants, and a counter with an attendant. In front of him was another long counter with another attendant and a set of stairs on the far end. To his right were multiple boards with sparse flyers on a few of them. Walking down to what he believed was the main counter, Owen spoke up.
“Excuse me, this is the Mercenary’s Hall, correct?” Owen asked the young male attendant.
“Yes, Sir, how may we help you today?”
“Hello, Gorden sent me to speak to the Chapter Captain.”
“Ah, of course, Sir, right this way.” The young man responded, leading Owen up the two flights of stairs. They walked until a sizeable double door stood in front of them. Knocking on the door, the young man called out, “Sir, a young man sent by Sir Gorden is here to speak to you.”
“Send them in.” A voice replied from beyond the door. Opening the door, the attendant gestured for Owen to enter. As he did, the door was closed behind him. Owen’s eyes once again began scanning the room. Bookshelves adorned both walls, with a large ornate window as the light source; directly in front of him was a large, busy desk. Behind which seated a tall, lean woman. She sat silently, watching as Owen took everything in before speaking.
“Please sit,” she gestured to a chair, “I would like to know why Gorden sent a Level 2 Warrior to me, Owen.” Hearing his name made Owen uneasy as he used Inspect while sitting down.
Rose BladeThorn | Marksman Level 25
Name: Lotus SilverThorn Class: Silverthorn Sniper Species: Human-BranchWalker Level: 7 EXP: 142/475 Health : 395/395 Stamina : 535/535 Mana: 975/975 Stats Strength: 22 Endurance: 15 Dexterity: 36 Vigor: 25 Intelligence: 15 Focus: 30 Skills Windreader’s Aim, Camouflage Cloak, Eagle Eye, Rain of Arrows, Deadshot, Arcane Quiver, Serpent’s Strike, Conceal, Inspect, Physical Prowess, Sylphid, Crealexis
Sitting down, Owen once again retold his tale up unto his encounter with this deadly woman.