Carella looks around the store, but doesn't purchase anything. "No ready." she says quietly.
She notices the clouds, but doesn't give any extra notice to it.
Vasilios calls his companions to attention discretely, using his elbow. "Hey, guys, don't look now, but there's a fella there that's too much interested in us."
Twang growls to himself. Why can't people learn to leave well enough alone? He risks a peek...
Kartakass -
The cloaked figure pulls back into the alleyway slowly and ever so slightly beckons your group to follow.
Yes, but carefully.
Carella shrugs and follows. Nothing ever bad came from following someone into an alley.
Vasilios lets the others go first and he follows, ready to burn to ashes whoever wants to trick them.
Kartakass -
As you enter the dusty alleyway the shadowy figure, who is half-way towards the other side of this open alley, raises a hand as if you have come close enough, "You are strangers in this land. Some of you I have seen before, others I have not.
How have you come here and why do you return to Harmonia?"
You tell me. mutters a deeply suspicious Twang.
Vasilios has heard that intro before.
"You made us come here for questions? I thought people here had manners."
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Kartakass -
The shadowy figure laughs at Nezter, "That's a funny one, I'll have to remember it".
He pauses for a moment at Vasilios and Twang's suspicions, "I understand your trepidation. Strangers arriving in a strange land, though by far not the strangest lands on this continent I can assure you, and a cloaked figure asks you to step into a dark alley with but a gesture. A reason to be suspicious is not outright hostile.
Your manner of dress and selection of weaponry gives your presence as strangers away, especially in Harmonia.
I am Vanifirous Gortndam. I hail from a nearby land, to the north named Darkon. I work with a man who has spent many years trying to understand the very questions you are likely asking yourselves. How did I come here? Why did I come here? How do I return?
We have few answers but we are always seeking out those who would be willing to aid us. Perhaps in helping us, we can help you?"
Vasilios scratches his head. "Wait, do you mean this place is full of people who don't know how they ended up here?" He turns to his new friends and shrugs. "Dear God! And how long have you been trapped here?" he asks, again to the stranger.
Twang isn't sure if he's comforted or disturbed that a significant number of the population are basically prisoners without bars. His question is the same as Vasilios', so he just looks over to the talking robe.
Carella studies the stranger. "It depends. Has your friend been able to find a way home for anyone? What do you need our help with? As much as I like mists, and werewolves, I'd really like to go home soon. I had deals going."
Kartakass -
The man responds, "No, I was born in Darkon. Most peoples were either born in these lands or were "brought" here by some calamitous when these lands formed. It's... complicated.
So few can see such patterns as if there is some force at work that makes the appearance of new locations seamless. Some sort of normalizing hypnotic trance is what the Doctor believes it to be. Those from the outside are more readily able to identify the oddities experienced in this place.
Yes, we know of some who found their way home though we know of more who died trying.
Where are you currently heading?"
Vasilios looks puzzled. "The Doctor?"
Kartakass -
"Yes, Doctor Rudolph van Richten".
"Here. We were headed to Harmonia. We had business here. Where is the doctor? Is he nearby? We might have time to speak with him. I'd like to find a way to return if possible."
She looks at the rest of the group. "What do you think? Do we have time to speak with this Doctor?"
"I guess time is all I've got" Vasilios shrugs. "Let's see if we can trust this Doctor."
Very well.
Kartakass -
"I fear I have gievn you the wrong impression, the good Doctor is in Darkon, my homeland. I was simply reaching out to ascertain whether we could work together at some point.
If you've no purpose here and are merely wandering I can certainly lead you through to Darkon to meet with him now".
"I'm afraid we do have another task to complete before we can meet with the good doctor. How can we contact you when we are ready to meet with him? I'd be happy to go now, but our task is a matter of a young ladies happiness." She gives the gentleman a quick grin.
"And you know, I would never leave a young lady unhappy..." Vasilios winks.
Kartakass -
He nods, "To where will this adventure take you? Are you sure your group is well equipped for such a quest?"
"Well equipped?" Vasilios frowns. "What do you mean, are you going to sell us something?"
It's not a quest. I'm not a knight. Twang interjects. And I think we're good. Do you know something we don't about our own task about which we've told you next to nothing?
”We’ve only arrived with what we are carrying. I don’t have any traveling gear myself. What about the rest of you?” she looks to her companions. ”I don’t have much in the wa of gold either.”
"I don't have much, but there's not much I can purchase anyway."
Kartakass -
Vanifirous frowns, "You seem to know little of what you get yourself into. I do not seek to offend as I find myself in the same predicament with great frequency.
Dark forces lurk in the shadows and in the light, what little light there is, in these realms. I seek to sell you nothing but I am well provisioned from my latest journey and may have resources I can share with those who seek to right wrongs and fight the good fight. I am loathe to do so if you are unsure what if any dangers you may be facing".
He slings his backpack over his shoulder and draws two items, a wand and a short sword. "I am not entirely sure what these do but you may have them, especially if you will agree to journey one day to meet with the Doctor".
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alright Vanifirous, we are going into the wastelands to retrieve an item for a Lady. We are low on supplies to be sure and could use some of those resources you speak of. We will travel the day to meet the Doctor in return for your kind gifts. We could use some travel supplies as well if you had them.
Kartakass -
Vanifirous nods, "I do indeed have some travel supplies I can spare. I will wait here in Harmonia unless you need to return north? I assume you came from Skald as they are really the only two cities within Kartakass to speak of".
Vasilios thanks the man, and promises to come back to see the Doctor. Then he and his new found friends bid farewell and continue their seeking.
Kartakass - the Gorge
Khalid sighs and looks at the group, "I have lost too many already, my people, the Vistani are here somewhere. I am going to seek them out and find my own way out. I bid you all good luck but I will not go forward to a dark place for a stranger".
---
Two days after leaving Khalid behind in Harmonia and taking a boat to close in on the place where they have been asked to go the small crew, including Nadima, arrive in the area that seems to be the location of the Gorge. To the east is the land of Bluetspur, the change form one land to another is quite striking. As much as the stone of this area in Kartakass is bereft of vegetation, the next land over seems almost scoured of life as opposed to bereft. It is dark here in Kartakass but this land of Bluetspur it seems even darker though it is less than 100' away from you! In the distance are lighting strikes and a low rumbling thunder.
The gorge slants downward into a dark space. It appears that you can head into a valley within the gorge or take a high road in the upper cliffs.
Nadmia shivers, "Ahead I see a gorge. I am not sure what we will face but we may wish to enter this place prepared or is it too soon?"
Vasilios snaps his fingers and a small ball of light appears. "I don't want to tread on something that could eat me" he smiles, indicating with his head that he's ready of the rest also is.
I'm not sure I want to be in that gorge when that storm hits. That could be really nasty.
"Mmmh... Where do you suggest we find shelter?"
Kartakass - the Gorge
Out here, there are not many options, perhaps in the Gorge there may be. The storm is unlike anything Twang has ever seen, or heard of, literally it appears to be raining lightning bolts! It dances ever closer to your position as you watch it comes quite swiftly, giving the group the urge to rush somewhere anywhere. Then as suddenly as it charged towards the Gorge it dissipates leaving the horizon bleak one more.
Whatever it is, it is not natural, at least not where any of you hail from. Vanifirous did mention that different Realms produce oddities such as this though. It seems that it is lucky that the Gorge is as far as your group needs to go...
Well. That was not natural, in case anyone was wondering. Let's not wait for it to happen again. he picks up his gear and makes for the Gorge.
Vasilios follows, casting balls of light as often as needed to at least don't stumble on a stone or something worse.