Breathing in a sharp breath, Karrick shakes his head and stumbles back a few paces. Behind his goggled lenses, he blinks a few times and isn't sure whether the winged creature is just another hallucination like he perceives the gnoll was, or actually is something real.
"I'm not--" It's at that exact moment Karrick realizes he's likely talking to himself, and abruptly stops. Eyes shut for a moment, he exhales a slow, frustrated breath and bends down to sheathe his knives and pick up his backpack and bundle of armor. I'm not even going to wonder, he muses to himself, it's been a strange enough day as it is.
Presuming he's simply been up too long and stressed, Karrick starts he march down the last legs of the journey to Martel.
The gates couldn't come soon enough.
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Almost exhausted Karrick reaches the gate. Who are you and what is your business in Martel. The sentry asks his hand gripping an odd looking firearm.
Watching the Inglis gunman as he approaches the gates of Martel, Karrick has had just about enough of the wastes. Dusty from the trail and legs aching, his patience wears whatever vaneer of deception he might have been able to paint an equal measure thin. "Just goin' t'see yer mom," Karrick grunts, continuing his leisurely pace towards the gate, gripping his sack full of armor tighter. "I'm f*ckin' tired an' I don't have time for this."
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One of the sentries behind him looks over to the one talking to you Look at him, he's a mutant. That's why he could travel alone.
Looking back at you the Sentry who seems to be in charge that has been addressing you asks Where did you come from? I understand you are tired, but the safety of our citizens comes first.
Before Karrick can respond he hears the familiar high pitch voice from earlier.
STOP BEING MEAN TO MY FRIEND ! The two sentries have a glazed over look and are just standing there. From the top of the walls you hear Arazni Spawn! And shots of energy based weapons are being fired at the creature behind you.
Ythl Initiative
Inglis Guards Initiative
"Alkenstar," seems like a safe enough answer. "City's on martial law, can't get back in," isn't entirely a lie either. "Look," Karrick's voice drops a little as he starts to close the distance, eyeing the wall for a moment before looking back to the guard on the road. "I don't want no trouble, I just want t'--"
And then everything goes crazy.
"God damnit!" Karrick shouts as blasts of energy go ripping over his head. Ducking down Karrick rushes past the dazed guards in a hustle, looking back over his shoulder to the gunfire and the mutated fey creature. He has no intentions of getting caught up in this mess and blamed for it by mutant-association, so he makes a break for the gate, using the battle as a distraction.
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Seeing you want to go through the gate the now mindless sentries happily open it for you and you quietly make your way into the city while those on the wall are engaged with Ythl. Hey Friend where are you going? Ythl asks as he dodges the first volley of shots and turns back in visible. Its gone Invisible get out your masks.
Karrick comes into the town known as Martel. It is a nice looking town, made with more of a Human influence than a Dwarven one. Most homes are made of wood and above ground. He slips to the right along the wall's shadow as a platoon of men come hurrying down the road causing a commotion among the residents on a morning stroll or preparing to go to market. Shh don't say anything. I am going to come with you so they can't see me. I told you the other humans are scared of me. You feel the creature attempt to settle itself in the space between your back and your backpack. *Edit* In between your shoulder satchel I guess is more appropriate.
Stealthily ducking into the city, Karrick is quick to move again once the cavalcade of guards goes rushing past. Emerging onto the street, Karrick moves swiftly enough as he merges into the morning crowds on the streets. Once he's amidst other people, Karrick sharply whispers over his shoulder to the thing hitchhiking on him.
"I ain't yer friend," he's quick to note, much as he has to the others. "That guy just wanted a kick-back, a little gold and I would've been in. You could've gotten me killed." He grows quiet for a moment when a young couple passes by, then picks up his hushed conversation again.
"What do you want?" Everyone wants something, right?
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Ythl doesn't understand humans sometimes. Ythl wants a friend. Ythl likes you because you are not scared of Ythl and I can tell you are a changed one like me. Have you been to many cities? I have only been to a few. The ones in Geb are boring and the humans that live there are not afraid of me but they have nothing to say. Some of them no longer have mouths to speak with though. I thought maybe you were one of them humans from Geb cause they don't need to sleep and you traveled all night, but they usually hide from the sun so maybe you are not. Where are you from? I am from Mechitar. It is true that I know Arazni, but I do not know why they call me spawn. I am almost as old as Arazni and she did not spawn me. What a funny idea. Humans make no sense a lot of times. Will we sleep in a stable? I have always wanted to sleep in one, but the animals don't like me and can feel my presence it seems even when I am invisible. The humans here have some fancy glass that they can see me with too. I might take some of it now that I made it inside finally. I did one time fly over the wall, but they gave the glass to the ones that protect the vault and they shot me! I almost died! Luckily I got away and the desert witch helped me. Have you ever met the desert witch? She doesn't like humans either so maybe you better not.
The strange creature seems to have an endless supply of conversation as Karrick seeks a place to rest.
Groaning frustratedly, Karrick shoots a look over his shoulder at -- nothing -- and then looks back. "I was born in a deep, dark hole in the ground. I crawled to the surface, covered in blood. Nothing special." Murmuring to the fey creature as he weaves through the streets, Karrick keeps looking for marker shingles for an inn.
"I am going to be staying at an inn, you can-- do whatever you want as long as you keep your mouth shut when we're around other people, or talk all you want when you aren't around me." Stopping to let a carriage cross the street, Karrick shifts the weight of the sack over his shoulder.
Then, considering things, Karrick comments "You talk too much."
Oh silly I can talk in your head the others won't hear us. What's your name anyway? I am Ythl. You probably haven't heard of me. I will sleep under the bed. I used to sleep under a child's bed in Alkenstar, but they kept telling their parents there was a monster under their bed and even though I never found it I started to believe them and left. The monsters in the Mana Wastes are pretty strong. You don't talk much do you? I like that you sleep in the day and are awake at night, that's how I like to do it too.
Ythl continues to divulge his thoughts without any provocation. So far you see no sign of the Duchess, and the town seems quiet.
Covering his face with one hand as the creature continues to prattle on with a hollow din in his mind Karrick grumbles ever so audibly. "Karrick," he finally says aloud to the voice in his head -- and on promptly realizing that's exactly what is happening, Karrick sweeps his hand over the top of his shaved head to remove his hood, exhaling a tired sigh as he does.
"An' no, I don't talk much. Talkin' get you noticed." Still searching for an inn, Karrick wonders how Kera and the others are going to find him in a settlement Martel's size.
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Oh ok. Hey that's a nice Inn. We should go there
Ythl reveals himself and points at a very nice Inn called The Travler's Home and it certainly appears to live up to its name. It is one of the largest buildings in town, 7 stories high.
******************** Welcome to Level 3**************************