Mood Music: Tsujiyoko Yuka - Comfort's Call
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To join Chapter 1:
Refer to the Imperia map in the setting thread.
Roll 1d9 to see which gate you enter the city from or if you are already in the city.
If you are already in the city, roll a D33 to pick a district from the list. (All districts within the inner wall are considered to be on the mountain)
1 North - Yosef
2 NE
3 East
4 SE - Rosaly, Herp, Embra, Blythe
5 South - Eglath
6 SW - Tae
7 West
8 NW - Nefele
9 Already in the city
Post in this thread.
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Tae stared up at the massive form of the mountain in the center of Imperia, as the rain poured down her body. She had seen similar rock formations in the Underdark, but none were quite so massive, so majestic, as the towering monolith before her. Atop its peak stood a castle of stone, with some smaller, slightly less impressive estates built into the sides of the mountain. A spiraling path went around the perimeter of the mountain.
It was not only an impressive sight to behold, it was also strategically sound; they had the high ground, and any enemies trying to make their way up the mountain would either be forced to take the long, winding path, or climb up the nigh vertical cliff face. Either way, they would be exposed to bombardment from the castle’s rangers and spell casters.
She had to give the humans of Imperia some credit for that. They had picked the location of their capital city with at least some forethought.
The hybrid Elf fought off a shiver as she and her erstwhile companions walked towards the gates that would grant them entrance into the city proper. The rain had appeared so suddenly; the most they had encountered on the journey was some fog, but as soon as they got within sight of the city gates, a vicious downpour greeted them, as if by magic.
She had heard of rain before – many times, in fact, but having never been to the surface, this was the first time - as with many things, including the sun - that she had seen it.
A guard stood at either side of the gate, donning nearly identical sets of chainmail, visored helmets, and a halberd. They stood utterly still despite the cold downpour of rain, steadfast in their duty.
Tae glanced over at the plate-mail clad fighter - the apparent leader of the five adventurers she had traveled with for the past two days. He looked uneasy for some reason, though she could not fathom why. She could only hope it didn’t mean trouble for her.
“Is something the matter, Master Regdar?” She asked in a pleasant voice.
“As a matter of fact,” The man began with a heavy sigh. “There is. We’ll be parting ways here,” He explained. “Best of luck to you, Tae Syl’Esril. May you find what it is you are looking for.”
There were some grunts and nods of agreement from the other adventurers, and she blinked for a moment, caught somewhat off guard by the sudden revelation.
“Ah… I see,” she began, forcing a mask of gratitude onto her face. “Very well then. You have my thanks, all of you,” She said with a gracious nod. “Fare thee well, Master Regdar.”
After she made the last of her goodbyes, the human adventurers turned and began walking through the grass, away from the road. Odd. From what she had heard, they were on their way to Imperia themselves, so there was no reason for them to go in another direction…
She wasn’t nearly endeared to them enough to watch them go, however, and simply turned and made her way towards the city gates. As she neared, however, the two guards lowered their halberds, blocking her path.
“State your business with the good people of Imperia, Sub-human.” One announced.
She blinked. First, in surprise, then, with a furrowed brow, several more times, in disbelief.
“Excuse me?”
“I said state your business,” The man repeated. “Sub-Human.”
She frowned. The other man made no objection to his derogatory remark, which meant he either approved or didn’t care. If that sort of attitude was normal around here, this was not a place where she wanted to be for long.
‘I suppose the surface-dwellers aren’t so different from us after all.’
She cleared her throat, and though she wiped the displeasure from her face, she refused to show them any sort of complaisance.
“I am here seeking guidance to another land, a land called Tindharia.” She said. “But for now I would like to find a place to dry off and rest, until the weather passes.” She said.
The two men stared at her for a moment, then shared a glance, before they burst out laughing. She frowned, wondering what could have possibly set them off. They quickly regained their composures, however.
“Very well. You may enter,” One said, raising his halberd. The other did the same. “Though if you’re planning to stay until the weather passes, then you may be here for quite some time.”
She frowned. Things were looking up now, but that last bit did not sound good in the least.
“Does it rain here often?” She asked.
The man snorted.
“Every day.” He said. “Go on. Get out of here.”
She refrained from deepening her frown at his dismissal, and instead walked through the gates, where she soon joined a roaming crowd of people.