You are a citizen of Axiom, and that is what you have always been.
You have never been outside your fair city, never seen anything but the expanse of desert visible from the walls. There have never been scouts sent beyond the safety of the city, nor have any reached your gates.
Today, though, the first envoy from the outside world is set to arrive. You are among the lucky few selected to return with them, and, for you, the past week has been a whirlwind of preparation. Between the goodbyes, the advice the people around you have been convinced they were qualified to give, and the requests - largely from people who didn't know you well enough to be making them - for something to be brought back for them, you're almost relieved to be here, now, ready to leave.
When the newcomers arrived, they were accompanied in procession to the house of the Speakers for a diplomatic meeting. Unable to join the meeting, you had to stand with the Guard in front of the house of the Speakers, waiting to see these newcomers and see how they measure to your expectations.
Your patience was rewarded, then, as the procession reached its end, and you were finally able to see who you'd been waiting for. It was led by a woman, tall and imposing, dressed in impeccably clean and polished silver armor, her helmet tucked under one arm. She was pale, with white-blonde hair, and stern features that, for as much as she seemed to refuse to smile or even acknowledge the crowd there to greet her, was still undeniably beautiful. She was introduced as Lady Iryna Kozac, the heiress to the kingdom of Alran.
Behind her, and in as much contrast to Lady Kozac as you'd imagine someone could be, walked an elven man, leaning heavily on a cane. Where she was pale, he was tanned, with shoulder-length black hair. Where she stared straight ahead, uncaring of the crowd around her, he smiled winningly, waving and looking from face to face in the crowd like each and every one is a friend he hasn't seen in years. When he was introduced, it was as Rashid, the founder of the Merchant's Guild.
The two of them disappeared into the Speaker's house, alongside the Speakers and the Captain of the Guard, an older Gnome by the name of Xolani, leaving the rest of their envoy - mostly guards and assistants, it seemed - to disperse into the crowd and satisfy their curiosity.
Which brings us to now. Now, what seems like ages after their initial appearance, you, your compatriots, and the remainder of the caravan are called into the building. The meeting is over, whatever decisions that needed to be made have been reached, and all there is left to do now is treat your honored guests to a proper meal. You're introduced as you enter, and sat around a large table, laden with food.
The remaining caravan guard files in with you, introduced as you were, though you're not sure you can process them all at the speed they're called out at. You hear Cyrel, Jezra, Dimas, Sino, Bianka, and then they are at their seats, with most everyone left just as clueless as they were before as to which was which. You're not really given the time to ask for clarification, either, before Rashid and Iryna are examining your group, expectant looks on their faces. Whatever you are about to face in the desert, you feel like this examination may be almost as challenging an ordeal.
You are a citizen of Axiom, but you are not sure for how much longer that will be true.
What will you do?
