Chapter 1 - New Horizons

It takes a little while for the caravan to notice from that far away, but as she gets close to the group a large figure at the front of the caravan holds up a fist and the entire procession halts to a stop.

From what Kimberly can see, it seems as though these 7 or 8 people total along with two large lizard-like creatures the size of cows with carts hitched to them. When the order to stop is given, it takes a moment for the lizards to be reigned in where they hiss in protest before settling to a stop, eyes gazing around and blinking stupidly.

The members of the caravan gaze around the area warily, with a few of them resting their hands on the pommels of weapons they wear visibly. It seems as if all of the creatures are strange dog-like creatures. Being an avid roleplayer, Vincent's mind immediately draws parallels with this creature and artwork of gnolls in D&D rulebooks.

The large gnoll leading the caravan narrows his eyes at Kimberly as he sniffs the air. He's wearing heavy leathers with a battered-looking breastplate and he holds a spear in his hands. As he steps forward, he takes a breath and then loudly yells, "Halt, human! Don't take a step closer. What seems to be the problem?

The other gnolls around him are paying attention to the surrounding area with hands on their weapons.

The lead gnoll stares at Kimberly for a bit longer, until another smaller, grey gnoll steps to his side and whispers something into his ear. Grunting in acknowledgment, the lead gnoll gestures towards Kimberly and says, "Transported, you say? Well, [Mages] have certainly been known to play pranks... Why don't you come along with us into town, it's not far. After all, no traveler left behind, right?

The gnolls around the caravan sheathe their weapons as the grey gnoll gives the all clear. One of them begins rummaging around in a cart and pulls out a handful of cloaks, most of which are in a drab brown or grey color.

If Kimberly approaches closer, the lead gnoll will crack a small smile and say, "The name's Wooster. So, what did you do to piss off a mage this much?

Vincent hangs his mace on his belt since it looks like things are more peaceful and approaches in a likewise peaceful manner.

"Thank you Sirs, most appreciated." He gives a slight bow to Wooster.

Receiving the all clear sign, both Eun and David pop their heads past the inn door and slowly make their way down the hill to join. In the distance, Colin and a small figure wrapped in a blanket follows.

A single gnoll let's out a low whistle as your group slowly assembles. Wooster looks upon your group's strange clothing with a cocked eyebrow, but otherwise doesn't comment on it as he motions cloaks to be handed out.

"There's an awful lot of you humans. How did you say you got here again? he asks as he takes in the people in your group. "You haven't seen the city walls yet, but Haven is well known. It was a stronghold in the war against humans many years back, I'm surprised you didn't recognize the hills in the area. "

He pretends to glare at you when he mentions the war, but then lets out a bubbling belly laugh, "Ha! But the war was so long ago that gnolls this far north don't care so much anymore. Drakes, on the other hand, hold grudges for generations. Either way, just don't step on anyone's tail!" As you don cloaks, he motions you guys forward as the rest of the gnolls prod the huge lizards into motion again. Shortly, the carts become rumbling towards the direction of the city.

---

Based off of your interaction with Wooster (and any other gnolls you wish to talk to along the way), a few things become known. The area you're in is one of the north-most strongholds of a country called Drox - made primarily of gnolls and drakes. It seems like a few decades ago, there was an intense war between the human kingdoms of the north and Drox, which was fought into a stalemate and an uneasy treaty was forged. It's been many years since then and relations are still a bit frosty.

Since Haven is one of the closest Droxian cities to the various human kingdoms, the population here tends to see more humans pass through than other cities. It's fairly liberal, you learn. Humans are tolerated but not always treated the best. There's a strange stigma of humans being strange and full of outlandish ideas, but you guys aren't quite sure why that is.

The caravan that you guys are working with is actually composed of two groups. The two carts and the creatures are actually owned by a husband and wife caravaneer couple, but the rest of the gnolls are hired, guards. It turns out they are a Bronze-Ranked group of adventurers that picked up a contract to guard the caravan. Casual conversation suggests that there is a single adventuring guild that spans the entirety of the continent which is largely neutral in whatever conflict countries have.

Wooster shrugs and says, "No clue. Gnolls can't really use magic, or at least the fancy magic those snot-nosed brats at Wistram Academy use." His expression darkens for a moment when he mentions Wistram.

"There's a few mages among the drakes, but "classical" magic isn't all too common around here. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if some transportation spell gone wrong could mess with your memory, among other things. Magical side effects are nasty! There's an old story of a drake that turned all his scales inside out when he botched a beauty spell." Wooster continues explaining. His explanations point out that magic seems to have a few different forms and practices, with "classical" magic being the most flexible but rare.

The gnolls around him nod in steadfast agreement on the subject of magical side effects. When Colin asks what the group is transporting, the gnolls look at each other warily and then Wooster lets out a large laugh, "Ha! You're funny! Asking us what we're guarding. We don't even know, it's what keeps us honest!"

"I would be interested in learning more of this adventuring guild. What fee's do they charge and what benefits do you recieve ? I might wish to join such an order."

Woost shrugs, you suspect he would be blushing if it were possible. "Well, our group has only really been together for a few months, so we're still a bit new. Nothing too dangerous, other than goblins and the occasional bandit. Things are pretty timid around here, especially since Haven is so active with their patrols."

"As for the adventuring guild, it really is simple. You just sign up with your classes and levels. They usually ballpark a ranking based off of that, but you can climb based on your achievements. I'm only a [Warrior Level 18], but I got lucky with some skills that make me stronger than average," Wooster continues to say. When he states his level and class, some of the other gnolls snort and one says, "Wooster! Level 18 isn't all when we get to Haven!"

Wooster replies with an embarrassed cough, which he quickly covers up by saying, "If you guys are interested in joining the adventuring guild, what level are you guys?"

He looks to the others briefly to see if it is ok to admit their levels.

Hearing the Wooster speak, Eun is nodding along. When he asks the group their levels, Eun looks around the group and then says, "Um, I am a [Doctor Level 1] according to the window that appeared." as she ends up making eye contact with Wooster.

"Your class is... [Doctor]? Is that your only class?," asks Wooster with a look of bewilderment on his face. The rest of the gnolls have the same mix of confusion and surprise painted on their faces as well.

Eun looks around, rapidly turning red before quietly stammering, "Y-y-yes. That's my only class..." She looks at her shoes, not making eye contact with any of the group.

"That's impossible! ," gasps a gnoll on the side. Wooster motions him to shush, before slowly saying, "If that is indeed true, then this is something you must keep secret. I've never heard of this [Doctor] class before. Only children have a class level of 1 and most of them grow beyond that by the time they are 7 or 8... What about the rest of you? ." Wooster and the rest of the gnolls are glancing at Eun with incredulity painted on their face.

David stays silent.

Kimberly notices that the gnoll group is shocked upon learning Eun's class and level, but you detect no hostility or hint of greed from them. Kimberly notices that Wooster is treating Eun very delicately upon learning she has the [Doctor] class.

Vincent chooses to remain silent on the class thing after the warning and all. Realizing that they are most certainly in some kind of video game like world.