Chapter 1 - New Horizons

You were living your life, going through the same motions you do every day. In your mind, you had a vague idea of a plan, a next step towards school or your career -- but you were never really interested in that next step. In your spare time, you would immerse yourself in other worlds, devour novels, and imagine what it would be like to be someone else. You were a dreamer.

Well, dream on no more. You awake to find yourself on a small grassy hill with four other people sprawled all around you, a few of them seemingly still unconscious -- people from all different walks of life.

As you blink your bleary eyes and sit up, you immediately notice that things are... different.

The grassy hill you wake up on is one of many grassy hills in the area, seemingly stretching miles in every direction. On the top of a nearby hill is an old, abandoned building made entirely of wood.

You see in the distance a handful of trees with large blue fruits dangling from them, with remnants of seed pods littered all around the ground. At the base of the tree are a smattering of small green figures that seem to be arguing amongst each other - until one gives the tree a rough kick and a couple of blue fruits fall to the ground. The others pounce on the fruit and begin tearing into the fruit, blue juices streaming down their face onto their chests.

Further in the distance looms a particularly foreboding forest. It looks darker and denser than any other woods you've seen, the undergrowth spills out past the edge of the treeline and every now and then, a seemingly man-high bush rustles as something passes through them.


During the time you observe this, two people next to you are staring around with wide-eyed shock.

"Wha.... where AM I?!" exclaimed a small, petite Asian woman with glasses so big that they threaten to dwarf her face. As her owl-like visage pivots around to take in the scene, she whispers to herself, "I thought I was just getting coffee."


To her right sits up a frazzled looking man in a rumpled business suit. He wearily blinks around the scene and his eyes slowly widen as he mutters, "Oh damn. I'm going to be so late to work."

Vincent looked all around the smell of grass and earth was what first greeted him. He felt the grass on his face then as his eyes adjusted he beheld what was not his typical wake up scene.

"Shhhhh, to quote Dorothy, I don't think were in Kansas anymore. I don't know what those creatures are but they look unpleasant. Best not to draw their attention. Maybe if we roll down this hill and stay low we could make it to that building and possibly figure out what the hell is happening. Either we are drugged, hooked up in Virtual Reality or... well hell I just don't know." He said quietly to the others and then rolled down the hill to a place out of sight of the green things and hopefully to a place he could keep hills between him and them while looking off towards the wooden structure.

"Not in K-.....? The hell are you talking about? Of course we're not in Kansas. This cannot be real at all, must be a dream. I probably fell asleep at my desk again." A red haired woman dressed in well pressed executive attire, sits up on her hips in the grass, speaking louder with each sentence.

She pinches herself and when nothing changes, she slaps herself slight on her cheeks and rubs her eyes. "Well blast it all, that didn't seem to work." She stands up and her above average height for a woman becomes more apparent. She stumbles slightly as her high heeled shoes sink to different levels in the soft ground. She sighs heavily and pulls them off with an annoyed jerk. As she sets her feet down after removing her shoes she pauses for the briefest of moments....it had been awhile since she had been barefoot in grass.

She looks the odd group of people in her "dream" over and subconsiously begins to strategize her position, "It's tough to turn off, even in a dream" she thinks to herself. She walks over to the other female in the group and offers her a hand up. "Hi I'm Kimberly, call me Kim." She pauses as she helps the woman up giving her a chance to introduce herself as well.

"Oh, man," Colin said sitting up, "That party was wild." He looked around and scratched his bald head. "Ok, whose idea was to go camping? I know it was not me." He stood up and stretched his arms, groaning. "I see someone is still tripping," he said watching at the man rolling down the hill. Still hangover and with red eyes, he walked over to the man in the suit, wobbling a little bit, and asked, "Hey, man, do you have any smoke?"

The slightly-tanned young man quietly rolls into the bushes out of sight and the man in the business suit jolts as Colin addresses him.

"Hey man, you mean like a cigarette right? I don't do... whatever it is you do," says the rumpled-looking man. He pulls out a carton of cigarettes and offers a slightly bent one to Colin. He then turns to Kimberly and says, "My name is David."

"Oh, hello! My name is Eun," says the short asian girl as she bobs her head in an awkward greeting. "I thought I was on my way to class, but this doesn't look like Seoul...." She glances around anxiously until her eyes rest on the goblins clustered around the blue fruit tree, she lets out an involuntary, very loud squeak of surprise that catches the attention of the creatures.

The little green creature's beady red eyes turn to gaze at the group and their frantic kicking of the blue fruit tree stop. Realizing you are there for the first time, they slowly reach to their sides and pull out crude stone weapons and begin moving in your direction - slowly at first, and the steadily picking up speed when they see Eun take a step backward and trip over the last unconscious person on the ground.

David curses as he notices the goblins moving towards the group with crude weapons drawn, he glances around and grabs a fallen tree branch.

Vincent hopes the others will follow him. He didn't understand what was going on anymore then anyone else. Maybe he was tripping. He wasn't really into drugs so he had no way to really judge that. "Follow." he hissed low. Maybe he was wrong but he kept to the plan of moving and keeping low making sure the hill~s were between him and those whatever the hell they were.

Maybe that abandoned structure could provide some protection or at least some boards that could be used. In his mind he screamed ~Please follow guys~

He let his eyes look around for anything that could be possibly used as a weapon as he made his way towards the building.

Colin took the cigarette and lit it up. He exhaled the smoke with a sigh of relief. He didn't get to enjoy it for long as he heard the Eun's sudden squeak. He turned to see what was going on and only then he noticed green little creatures running towards them. "What the hell are those?!" He exclaimed with a surprise. He patted David's shoulder, "Good idea, Dave! But I think it would be better if we will get to that building first. Those could be children in some really ugly and well made costumes and I wouldn't want to get charged with child assault."

"Ladies, let's get moving," he said as he approached Eun to help her up.

Kimberly looks at the odd creatures and notices them draw weapons. Not wanting to stick around she helps Eun up the rest of the way with Colin, picks up her heeled shoes. Handing one to Colin and says "If they get close, perhaps these can work, they're called stilettos for a reason right?" With that she takes off towards the barn at a decent jog. Ensuring the Eun is keeping up the whole way.

As your group scurries towards the abandoned building, it becomes pretty clear that you are outdistancing the little green creatures pretty quickly. Even Eun, the slowest of your group, has managed to grow the distance between the pursuing goblins and yourself. Your group quickly approaches the the abandoned building which has clearly fell into disrepair.

An old sign hangs above the door of the building, which bears has a series of strange symbols on them. As you glance at them, a weird sensation clouds your eyes for a moment and a feeling of pressure builds up behind your eyes until suddenly, the runes become comprehensible. It says, "The Lonely Inn."

The door to the inn is hanging open, hinges barely intact. The inside of the rather small inn has a large bar and an assortment of old, solidly-built wooden tables and chairs with wooden bars instead of glass for windows. Everything inside is covered with a thick layer of dust. Just behind the bar, you see a staircase leading upwards (presumably to lodgings) and an even smaller doorway that seems to lead to a kitchen area. Everything in this room looks to have been stripped bare, but there are a few dusty old mugs and tankards scattered around the floor along with an ominously large blood splatter that coats the ground and part of a table.

As the group pauses just at the entrance of the inn, Eun and David scamper inside. By the time you enter (the PC's), Dave is grunting with effort as he tries to move the heavy wooden tables and chairs into a defensible position while Eun is looking around frantically.

Looking around and seeing the others enter hurriedly Vincent gritted his teeth.

"I guess they saw you ? It's ok we might be able to at least create a bottleneck in here."

Looking for what could be used as a weapon before heading up the stairs (But heading up carefully since the place is old)

"Um... Thanks," Colin said taking the shoe, "I hope we won't have to use them." He put it in the pocket of his leather jacket.

---

Colin goes to help David with the furniture. He grabs the other end of the table David was trying to move, "Let's block the door with it, yeah? They might not be able to move it, given their stature"

Kimberly heads to the kitchen to see if there are any butcher knives or heavy pots that could be used as weapons.

As Vincent moves quickly up the stairs, he runs past a room and does a quick double take. Looking through door, he sees an ancient corpse on the bed. The corpose is so old that the flesh has petrified onto the bone, creating a look like melted wax. Oddly, there is only an old musty scent in the room. The corpse is dressed in a fine leather armor and it's quite obvious how he died - a finely jeweled dagger is sticking out of the corpse's forehead.

In the room leaning against the wall is an engraved shield and a wicked-looking mace. The former owner's bag is open at the foot of the bag and an assortment of parchment, a vial labeled "Healing" that contains a red liquid, and some clothing. There might be more things hidden inside the bag. On the bedside counter is a pair of ordinary-looking daggers.

---

As Vincent heads upstairs, Kimberly ducks under the low door to the side of the bar and enters the kitchen area. Within the kitchen are some old carvings that are etched all along the cubbyholes that dot the kitchen. Inside some of the holes are surprisingly well-preserved grains and some older foodstuffs. On the counter lays an assortment of knives - including a large machete-like cleaver.

Within the fireplace is a large, heavy iron cauldron that rests over where a fire would be lit. You spy some heavy iron frying pans in a cubbyhole near the fireplace.

---

Inside the common room, some furniture is piled up in front of the door according to Colin's instructions. Eun and David are facing the door, each holding a crude make-shift club. Between them and the door is a maze of heavy wooden furniture.

In the distance, the squealing cry of the goblins grows a bit louder as they close in.

Vincent startles a moment and bites back some fear at seeing the corpse. He says a prayer for the dead and takes his keys out of his pocket. His crucifix ring he presses to the corpse. "May you find peace."
Finding the red liquid labeled healing kind of made the chaos of the situation settle, more puzzle pieces in place.
He took the mace and shield and secured the bag slinging it on.

Calling down the stairs, "Found some weapons, tossing them down the stairs for you. I will be down to help in a little bit but I think the stairs would be a good fallback bottle neck."
He tosses the two normal daggers down.

He took whatever cloth was on the bed and tore some there was no real time to put on the armor at the moment unfortunately they had not all snuck to the place. He wrapped the pommel of the jeweled dagger in the cloth. Prepared the mace in case well in case the corpse moved. "Sorry for what happened to you."

Holding his breath and not breathing he pulled the dagger free knowing it might be sold at the least but he didn't want to touch it just yet. Wrapping it in the cloth he slipped it in his own bag and headed downstairs unless something else happened.

"There is a body upstairs."

Hearing that there are actual weapons upstairs, Kimberly grabs only the cleaver and heads out of the kitchen. "When we get through this, there are some supplies in the kitchen, food and such, but let’s survibe whatever is coming before we worry about that. Is there a window upstairs? Can you see the.... the things? Are they getting close?"

(I would have checked for the things Kimberly asked for when she called up before heading down and answered if there was a window and if they were coming closer.)

Colin looks over the barricade they just made.

The squealing of the goblins continues to grow in volume until they almost seem to be outside and then quickly turns into hushed whispers. Harsh, gutteral sounds of the goblin tongue continue for about a minute and then cease.

David warily moves towards one of the barred wooden windows to take a look outside. As his face peaks forward, a flash of movement catches him in the face and David yelps as he's hit. He scrambles backwards, clutching his face as blood streams down. The goblin leans in from the window, a wicked grin painted across his face as he watches David bleed.

There is banging on the front door and little holes of light pierce through the door as it is gradually broken down, piece by piece.

Eun steels herself as she approaches David, "Let me look, I was studying medicine in school." Peeling back David's fingers, she let's out a small mumble as she sees the gash, "It's not as bad as it looks, head wounds just bleed a lot." She quickly rips a piece off her t-shirt and expertly wraps it around the gash.

Bleeding staunched, David wobbles back go his feet and holds a dagger with two hands with anger in his eyes.

By this point, the goblins break down the door and begin squeezing through the small opening one at a time. The first goblin just manages to squeeze half his body through the door as he yells, "Give me your thing things!

Colin pulls out the shoe he was given by Kim and tries to stab the goblin in the eye with it's heel.

Vincent with a shield on his arm and mace in the other moves to the door.
Seeing Kimberly he stops for a moment skin flushing and then his eyes move to Colin holding a high heel.
"There are some daggers at the base of the stairs too.

"Go up the stairs then, it is a good bottle neck point and I am going to fallback that way. he said to Kimberly, "If your squeemish, don't go in the room up there, a fairly horrible looking corpse up there."

His eyes flickered to Eun and David, "Miss ? In this pack feel free to reach in there is a bottle with red liquid. If you really need it, it should heal David."

He then turned to face the goblin by the door taking a swing and using his shield.
Initiative 7
Oh 15 is a hit ! just checked my sheet.
I don't know how much damage I do though ?

Vincent's mace cracks into the side of the goblin's head as it's crawling through the small hole and hits with such impact that part of the goblin's skull is caved in. It goes limp immediately and the sound of surprised yelps echoes from its comrades outside.

The goblin in the window narrows his eyes and hisses.

Vincent's mind had switched to game mode. If this was some kind of strange game like the potion suggested then all their lives were in real danger here. He swung hoping to knock out or drive off the little green man.

Seeing that Vincent went to deal with the goblin at the door, Colin approaches the one in the window, meat cleaver in one hand, the shoe in the other and a lit, slightly bent cigarette between his lips. Grinning, he attacks the goblin with the shoe.

The goblin moves faster than expected and deftly dodges away from the shoe strike, and turns to sneer - but the look of pure murder on Colin's face surprises it so much that it looses it's grip on the window and drops to the ground with soft "oomph."

The dead goblin in the doorway is being pulled back by it's comrades, with sounds of grunting as the goblins are trying to pull their comrade out with not insignificant effort.

On the bottom floor, the deceased goblin is pulled from the door and another goblin sticks his head through the door and gazes at the resistance in the room. He sees Eun holding a bloody rag, David wrapped up expertly in makeshift bandages, and a very angry Vincent holding a mace. His beady red eyes widen at the unexpected resistance and then chirps out, "We surrender!"

"Um. You no weak traveler. Mistake. We go now... please no hurt us?" the goblin looks at you hopefully. In the background, you hear the other goblins making chittering sounds and then the sound of feet scampering away.

As the goblin stuck in the door begins to pull himself out of the hole. His eyes widen and cheeks puff up as he appears to move in the opposite direction he intended - he goes through the door into the building instead. He lands onto the floor in a pile of limbs.

Through the hole in the door, you see another goblin looking shamefaced as he whispers to the door goblin before scurrying away, "Sorry, we vote. You sacrifice."

Vincent nods, "We accept your surrender."

Though Vincent is surprised to see them push one of their own and declair him a sacrifice.

"Well you could provide us with some information at least."

Looking to the others,"My name is Vincent."

He sets down the pack on his back on the ground.
Holding the shield up just in case as he looked to make sure that the creatures were indeed leaving.

If they were he turned back to the others.

The goblin plops down on the ground with a defeated look on his face. He's dressed in a shabby loincloth and looks (and smells) as if he hasn't showered in a while. Dirt coats him everywhere and his ribs are showing. The goblin is in bad shape.


"Um. Please no kill me. Other gobbos leave me behind so they escape - hope you no chase them because you full after eat me, " murmurs the goblin quietly as he stares down at the ground.

As he waits for a moment, David grunts out, "Are you freaking serious? They left you behind to be eaten?"

Upon hearing David's disbelief, the goblin looks up slowly with surprise painted on his face. He looks David in the eye and comprehension washes over his face as the goblin realizes that David is completely serious.

A little bit encouraged by the disbelief over goblin tactics, the goblin begins speaking a bit more, "I from Low Hills Goblin Tribe. We small and no much food, so we try to take food from softies. If we have no food from softies and it be winter... the goblin grimaces as he pauses. Slowly, he continues, "No food mean we eat dead gobbos.

It slowly becomes clear as the goblin speaks more that the livelihood of a goblin is linked directly with the food options available. Individually, goblins are very weak but they reproduce so quickly and so frequently that they can field great numbers. The goblin mentality is focused almost entirely on improving the situation of the group, often at the expense of individuals.

The Low Hills tribe is a small tribe, recently culled (according to the goblin) by a nearby town - something that's done frequently to keep the goblin population in check. When goblins reach a critical mass, they tend to gain significant confidence (usually a leader such as a [Warchief] or [Chieftain] emerges) and go raiding through the countryside.

The goblin does not know much about the nearby town, only that it is associated with "Quick Pursuing Death." You eventually learn that goblins have a tremendous number of ways to describe death. "Quick Pursuing Death" seems to describe a patrol of some kind hunting down goblins.

Vincent leaned against a wall the utter unreality of the situation coming down on him.

"No, were not going to eat you. What kind of people live in that town you mentioned ? Do they look like us ?"

The goblin stares warily at Vincent before speaking, "Uh, people? It be full of them lizard people and dog people. I think they call themselves Drakes and Gnolls but they all want to kill goblin. I guess there a few pink people like you there too.

He pauses for a moment as if deep in thought, and then lets out a large burp and shrugs, "I don't go close or else they try kill me."

Eun sits up when she hears the goblin give descriptions of the town inhabitants, "Wait, you said gnolls and drakes? They're not people wearing costumes or something like that? she says disbelievingly. The goblin just stares at her.

As Eun pokes and prods the goblin for more information, it becomes clear that the world has a lot of different races. The area that the Small Hills Tribe claims is just the area around the town. The town is built on a very large hill and is surrounded by many smaller hills (hence the Small Hills Tribe).

While your goblin hostage hasn't ever gotten close, he describes something that resembles more of a fort. Archers tend to shoot at goblins when they get close. Tall stone walls that are "ten goblins tall" ring the entirety of the settlement (or about 30 feet tall). The goblin has seen a fair amount of foot traffic enter and exit the town, often caravans that are under "unbeatable death" guard. The folks that the goblins prey on are often one or two people who wander outside at dark or drunkards that somehow manage to get lost.

The town's population is primarily drakes and gnolls with a small smattering of other races - most of which are just passing through. You do glean that humans are allowed into the town.

Vincent looks to Kimberly, "You said that you found some food here ? Think we can spare some for our prisoner ?"

He then looked to Colin, "Do you mind watching over him for a bit ?"

Vincent walks outside briefly and rested the head of the mace on the ground. Wrapping both hands about the pommel he then rested his head on his hands. Taking a moment to pray for the goblin he killed and just come to grips with well the past few minutes.

"Sure, killer," Colin said to Vincent, "I'll keep an eye on it." Colin walks over to the goblin and then exhales the smoke in its face. Looking in its eyes, he presses the remains of the cigarette against the wall behind the goblin, extinguishing it. "So, do you have a name?" he asks the goblin still looking in its eyes.

Kimberly puts the red vial in her pocket and heads into the kitchen to see if there is anything that could be considered ready to eat.

The goblin looks up at Colin with wide red eyes and says, "Name? Nobody ever ask me if I have name before..." He looks rather sad at the question. Thinking back to his scatterbrained explanation of goblins, the priority of the group meant that individuals very rarely get a chance to stand out. Getting named as a goblin is a Big Deal - something that this sacrificial goblin is clearly not.

---

As Vincent walks outside to pray, he sees the tiny silhouettes of the fleeing goblins getting smaller in the distance. They're dragging the body of their deceased comrade behind them, all of them tugging on a limb. They disappear from his sight as they crest over a small hill.

The inn sits on top of a small grassy hill - it's clearly been abandoned for some time. While the construction is good - very sturdy with much of the inn intact, there are telltales signs of wear and tear such as accumulated moss and dirt that's creeped into the nooks and crannies of the inn. Small clumps of grass grow along the sides and ceiling and a large-looking vine has wormed its way up to the second story of the inn. There are smears of goblin blood at the base of the vines, a goblin definitely attempted to climb it but didn't notice the dangerous-looking thorns until it was too late.

A small orchid stands to the side of the inn, more of those trees with little blue fruits scattered about in the branches. Roughly a dozen of them are to the side of the inn, some of them much larger than others as they were able to grow unchecked over the years. A few pristine-looking blue fruit lies at the base of the trees, along with large round seeds that are picked clean of the fruit. The seeds resemble oversized avocado pits.

It's late afternoon now, roughly high seventies in temperature. The nearby hills are all covered with a thick layer of grass, some of which gets as high as waist-tall on a person. Small trees dot the landscape and a forest lies to the West.

To the North, the hills extend until they gradually get smaller and smaller. Past the edge of the smallest hill is just flowing grassland.

To the West, past the smoothly rolling hills lies a forest.

To the East is a large river that cuts through the gently rolling hills. The hills continue past the river.

To the South lies mountains in the far distance.

---

In the kitchen, Kimberley takes a look in the various cubby holes. She finds an odd assortment of food - some loaves of bread, a good amount of honey, along with some butter, and a string of sausages. Strangely enough, some of the cubby holes hold food that seems to be preserved perfectly while other cubbies hold just dust and mold.

Hanging in hooks on top of the fireplace is an assortment of pots and pans - some of which are very familiar. There's a huge cylindric cauldron that's currently resting on what used to be a fire and a huge wok-looking pan lying in the corner - it's almost three feet wide.

Lying next to a huge block of wood that serves as a cutting board is an assortment of knives, ranging from small paring knives to the huge cleaver that Kimberly had in hand earlier. A bunch of baskets is stacked in a corner, and a cabenet holds dishware and silverware, made of what seems to be pewter.

Rolling

Vincent notices that there seems to be a spot in the grass around the blue fruit trees where all the grass seems to have melted. Right next to it lays a cracked seed of a blue fruit - the only cracked seed. It seems like the inside of the bluefruit seeds contains some sort of poison or acid - but the shell seems fairly sturdy.

Vincent pops in for a moment to gather the back pack where he set it down and head out to gather up some seeds. Then he will head back inside.
"Some more of those blue fruit trees outside. Not sure how safe the fruits are to eat."

As Kimberley examines the cubby holes in the kitchen a bit closer, she notices that there are runes carved around all of the cubbyholes that stored food. Something happened in the inn some time ago that caused a portion of the rune carvings to get damaged. Only the cubbyholes with fully intact runes had unspoiled food inside.

---

The sun is beginning to set now, the sky has bloomed into a golden orange color. Within the inn, the unnamed goblin is sitting on the floor, handcuffed to a heavy table leg (courtesy of David) as it stares at Colin, David, and Eun. David and Eun are conversing in hushed tones in a corner away from the goblin, but Colin can hear that David is pushing for the goblin to be kicked out or killed whereas Eun is lamenting the goblin as a "poor misunderstood creature that should get a second chance."

"I vote we keep him, though it might be difficult around this town. Besides, I am not going to just kill him."

Now that things have calmed down he will go through the pages he found in the back pack and also looks to the others.

"Does, anyone know, just exactly how we got here ?"

"Thank you." Vincent says nodding to Kimberly.

Accepting the food he takes a bite tasting it in his mouth seeing if the taste is familiar at all.

"So, what are you good at? What did you do before you were chosen to be a sacrifice?" Colin continues questioning of the goblin, "Maybe we will find some use for you... other than to become our dinner, that is." He then points back where David and Eun are standing, "You know, they are discussing if we should make you dead or not but I think you can be usefull"

Colin accepts the food and starts eating.

Eun and David accept the food from Kimberly and start eating. The sausage is a bit dry but pretty good. It's most similar to an andouille sausage, but there seem to be some strange spices that you are unfamiliar with.

"Well, I was studying medicine in university. I would have been going for residency next year, but...," Eun says as she motions to everything, "I'm here now."

"I figure that I know medicine pretty well. I mean, I got good grades and everything. I was practicing to be a dermatologist though, so I only know the basics of surgery," she says shyly.


"I'm something you can call a businessman," says David. He pauses for a moment, as if wrestling with something internally, and then just shrugs and spits out, "Fine, I was an accountant. All I did was push papers. I guess you can say I'm good with numbers and bureaucracy?"

There's a pause in the conversation as people gaze at the goblin. Looking up from his sausage (which he's eating surprisingly daintily) and with an expression of pure pleasure, he realizes that people were waiting for him to speak. He slowly starts talking and then says, "I am [Digger] Level 3. I dig holes for shinies to catch travelers' attention. Then we ambush."

Based off of his explanation, one of his small group's very rudimentary way of ambushing travelers is to put something shiny in the middle of the road and hope they bend over to pick it up.

Outside, the sun has dipped below the horizon and the air is getting a bit cooler. Crickets and other insects begin to chirp as the fields seem to come to life with the sounds of soft clicks and sounds.

"I mostly drove for a living, I am not sure how well that will translate here. You all seem calm and cool about being here ? Is this not a big change for you ? Eun, it sounds like you will be amazingly useful and David I am sure a good education and head for numbers will serve you well anywhere."

He then turned to the goblin, "You dig for shinies, like mining ? Why don't you stick with us, better then with people who might just eat you."

"I am going to see if I can get that armor, and maybe we can make a pyre for the person who died upstairs. Do any of you have a lighter ?"

"Ah, I see. I don't think he is a miner. He had a very important role in his tribe, he was setting up the stage for their ambush, which makes me wander why they sacrificed him. Perhaps some of them were jealous of him, maybe they didn't like him that much." Colin moves closer to the goblin, "Would you consider yourself worthy of a name? You were digging holes to ensure that your marks would lower their defences, you stepped inside to offer your surrender, and that's, by the way, takes guts, winning time for the rest of your former tribe to escape with their lives." Colin places his hand on the goblin's shoulder, "I think you are more than worthy to have a name, to stand out from other goblins." He then leans closer to the goblin, "I offer you a partnership, a new tribe, I will keep you fed and protect you from harm if you will help me... er... us, to learn more of this place and help me with other things."

"Sure, killer," Colin takes out his lighter from his jacket and hands it to Vincent.

There was a slight wince but Vincent took the lighter and a few moments later he was down with the body but it was wrapped in the blanket. He went outside to gather any fallen wood. He would make a pyre to place the body in and clear an area around it so it would not cause a fire outside the pyre.

If there was an outdoor oven or fire pit he would try and work with that to help.

*Ok with getting sleep and advancing, and he would return the lighter*

The goblin seems stunned to receive the offer to join up with the group, but also seems wary, "This is not trap? If not... I try help you but I no worth of name..."

Hearing his approval, Eun's face is illuminated by a large smile while David scowls as he steps forward to unlock the goblin from the table, staring at it warily.

Once freed, the goblin rubs his wrist while looking around the inn. He then says, "This safe place for night. If door is closed, no monster on hills can get in. Goblins already run away, they no come back." He

Vincent steps past the group with a large bundle wrapped in a blanket, which he places begins to burn outside. As the inn is on top of a small hill, the firelight illuminates the area, but the flame does not produce much smoke.

Inside, Eun has made a small next for the goblin in the common room corner, complete with a stash of old ratty-looking blankets that she scrummaged out from somewhere. David disappears for a few minutes in the second story before coming down, arms full of dusty pillows and a few moth-eaten blankets. He plops them onto a table in a large cloud of dust.

"Best thing I could find. Not exactly clean, but we don't have much options right now, " he says with a sigh as he examines the sad pile on the table. "There's more than enough blankets and pillows for everyone else, but this was the best of the lot I found. I figure we should all sleep here in the same room. I've seen enough horror movies to know that splitting up is a bad idea."

Rolling

(Kimberly did you succeed on that playing people roll ?)

(I am brand new to the system myself so willing to wait for her but for the sake of being a sucker ^_^ )

Vincent places a hand on Kimberly's shoulder, "Hey, were all ok now. At least were all working together, better then the UN." He smiled a bit to lighten the mood.

He perhaps held her green eyes longer then he had to, and was somewhat relieved when David showed up with the blankets.

"Oh hey, thank you David. Good thing this Inn was here."

As Xaya examines the ornate carvings on the cabinet, it's clear that they were carved deep into the wood. Whatever destroyed portions of the runes are clear - it looks like an edged weapon chopped deep into the wood, completely destroying the runes around it. As she gazes at the runes, her vision begins to swim and a bright light fills her vision for a moment. However, once her vision returns, nothing seems amiss. It felt just like having all the blood rushing to your head.

"Ha! Working better than the UN is a low bar, but at least we're beating that. I can cheers to that, " says David. He seems to be in a surprisingly good mood.

"Um. Me no know, you can call me Goblin? says the goblin uncertainly, poking his head up from the small nest of dusty pillows and blankets that Eun made for him. He seems uncomfortable with the idea of getting a name... but that could also be discomfort from Eun forcing him to pour water himself and vigorously scrub with a harsh soap that was found in the inn.

---

As night falls, both Eun and David have their pile of dusty blankets in the common area. David is snoring away peacefully while Eun's owl-like glasses are lit up by the illumination of a phone she holds in her hands. Outside, it seems to be quiet other than the gentle sounds of insects chirping.

Wonder what our perception roll was for.

Vincent's knuckles go a bit pale around the mace for a moment. As he makes his place on the floor comfortable.

As the two moons rise in the night sky, the sounds outside the inn have changed. The light rustling of grass and trees are still audible, but a chorus of insect chirps and strange calls echo through the night. In the common room, most of the group has fallen asleep - including your new unnamed goblin minion.

Kimberly As you sit through watch, you can't help but keep replaying the dizzy flash you had when you were examining the cabinet runes up close. As the runes dance around in your mind, there's a sudden "aha" moment where your vision flashes and when your eyes adjust, you see the entire room painted in energy. Wisps, lines, and dust motes of glowing red power seem to exist everywhere your eyes rest and you can start to see patterns between them. However, as time drifts by, the all-encompassing red in your vision slowly fades until you see just a dark common room filled with sleeping bodies.

Vincent When Vincent is roused for his watch by a slightly distracted Kimberly, he spends his time listening to the sounds outside. Initially a blur of different noises and sounds, you slowly begin to pick out individual sounds that the creatures are making. Amidst all the insect chirps and the strange whooping sounds that dot the night, you can pick out the sound of an enormous "whomphing" sound that echoes throughout the hills - clearly made by a freakishly large creature.

Colin As Colin takes his watch, he thinks back on past memories and how they almost seem to be from another world. Running through the cons you've done in the past - the successful ones and the failures, something begins to happen with your thougth process. Things become more clear - so much more clear. You are able to recall the minute details of some of these people interactions and you can pick out exactly when you caught them or lost them in your con. It's almost as if your mind is giving you a masterclass on human interaction, as if you've suddenly learned everything there is to know. As you ponder and ruminate, that clarity slowly fades until you are just yourself again, but armed with memories of that lesson.

---

When you wake up the next day, a window manifests abruptly out of thin air in front of each of you and it reads:

Colin
Diplomat Class obtained!
Diplomat Level 1!
New Skill - Insight

Vincent
Warrior Class obtained!
Warrior Level 1!
New Skill - Physique

Kimberly
Apprentice Class obtained!
Apprentice Level 1!
New Skill - Magic-Touched

"Something big was out there last night, couldn't see it in the dark but could hear it well enough. Maybe Sacrifice, can tell us more about what it might be." Vincent said looking to the Goblin and then stretched and folded up the blanket.

"Well Sacrifice knows where the town is and hopefully whatever was making those sounds last night is nocturnal. I will go take a look. Oh you and Eun are smart see if you can find a way to weaponize these seeds, they have acid or poison in them."

Necessity lead him to put on the leather armor before he looked around outside.

The goblin - seemingly named Sacrifice - doesn't respond until he notices Vincent staring at him after asking about the town. He points vaguely in the East and says, "Um. Town that way, close to river. Has super tall walls so easy to see.

Both Eun and David are staring at the windows that appeared in front of them in shock. Eun is poking and prodding the glowing window in an inquisitive manner, but all it does is shift the position of the window around. David, on the other hand, immediately closes the window and mutters under his breath, "What the heck does [Warrior Level 1] mean?"

Eun, hearing David's thoughts echoes it by saying, "Well, I'm a [Doctor Level 1] even though I never finished medical school. This is almost like a video game..."

---

As Vincent heads outside, he sees much of the same that he saw yesterday. However, knowing that the town is in the East, he does notice a few very thin wisps of smoke spiraling up into the air. In the bright sunlight, Vincent sees that the specks on the river are what seems like small wooden fishing boats bobbing up and down as the current moves.

Signs of civilization.

"Thank you, Sacrifice.

After looking around outside he heads back in.
"See signs of the town and fishing boats possibly."

Vincent says quietly to Kimberly, "Keep them, they make you one of a kind on this world. I imagine they look really nice on you." He hands Kimberly and Eun some of the nuts from the blue fruit trees.
"There are several of those blue fruit trees in the courtyard too, might be able to sell some in town."
He moved away after that.

He then helps in whatever capacity he can to get the group ready to head out. Though he taps on Physique to see if that brings up any information to him.

"I didn't check all the rooms upstairs, there might be some clothes up there."

Vincent nods, "I will go with you."

He walked over to head up with Kimberly.

Helps look for clothing.

Missed my check as well.

When Vincent taps on the "Physique" skill on his glowing screen, a secondary screen pops up but doesn't display much more information. It just says Physique - You have gained a warrior's physique.

When looking elsewhere in the window, it lists nothing other than Class, Level, and Skills. A bit disappointingly.... empty.

---

Kimberly and Vincent head up the stairs in search of clothing. They find a good amount of very old clothing, but almost all of it is eaten through by moths or other insects. Unfortunately, none of it is wearable. The search is not a complete loss though, both Vincent and Kimberly get an idea of the type of clothing in the world - it looks almost like something from a renaissance fair.

Most of the clothing is made of crudely-spin fibers, thick and fairly rough. Even though the clothing is faded and old, it seems like dyes were not used (or at least not for this quality of clothing). The clothing on all of your backs right now would definitely stand out, with the exception of a plain sweater that Eun is wearing.

Eun would have followed Kimberly into the kitchen, and is scrounging around for any other edibles. At this time, there's a fair-sized collection of bread, sausages, cheese, and a bit of honey sitting in the middle of a sheet in the common room. The goblin, now a bit confused if it's name is Sacrifice or Gobbo, is staring at the food longingly.

Vincent put on the armor when he went to look outside.

"Sure thing I will see what I can do about getting local clothes. Robes at the least I hope we can get for everyone."

Vincent will try and look for a textile or clothier in the town.

Eun and David have been gathering up whatever seemed useful in the inn during this interaction. Eun would have a good amount of food rolled up into a quilt, whereas David seems to have gathered up many of the kitchen knives and a heavy iron pot. The knives are stowed away into Eun's backpack. David only had a briefcase when he appeared, so he has a bedroll and the iron pot on his back.

When there is mention of heading towards the town, Eun nervously says, "I think you guys noticed too, but technology in this world seems.... behind. We should probably keep our electronics hidden, but our clothing is going to make us stick out anyways..."

David nods. He seems to think for a moment and then says, "Eun's got a point there. If all of us go strolling into town wearing what we have, we're going to draw a lot of attention. Maybe somebody should go on ahead and try to buy clothing for us...? Thing is, I'm not even sure what they use for money here..."

---

As Vincent tries to examine the town from afar, it's not really possible to see over the walls to get a layout of it. There are very few buildings tall enough to be visible over the high stone walls - all of them bear wooden roofs. If the goblin was telling the truth and that the walls are about 30 feet high, that would mean there are only maybe three or four buildings in the whole town that are higher than three stories -- assuming the goblin's estimate of the wall's height are accurate.

Can any traffic be seen leaving or entering the town ?

"Feeling different ? Not really different. How do you mean ? I mean I feel weirded out by this whole torn from our world thing. Did something happen to you ?" He looked at her concerned.

"Oh the screen, I have one as well, it's not red. Hey yours says apprentice. Could you look at something for me. I was going to sell this and split the money evenly." He takes out a wrapped bundle.

"Don't touch it, I am not sure if it is cursed. You might be able to tell if it is magic though as an apprentice. Usually that is something to do with magic in game type worlds."

Unwraps bundle to show jeweled dagger. "This thing was stabbed into the corpse, so it is a murder weapon.

"Sadly it just made me a warrior, I think by default from yesterdays actions and maybe from Colin, nonstop calling me Killer. I mean it is a dagger with jewels and I am sure it is worth something just have no clue if it is magical or not."

Vincent nods to her. He smiles a bit appreciative of the compliment blushing slightly.

"I agree, it usually takes a mix to survive.

He heads down with her and sees if perhaps someone has the ability to appraise even if they cant sense magic in the dagger.

"Might not be a good idea to try and bring our small ally into town. They hunt his kind there.

Gobbo hesitates when Vincent suggests going into the town, "Um. I no good at pretending. If they find me, they kill me..." he says hesitantly. On his face, you can see that he is quite frightened at the idea but a glint in his eye also signals a bit of curiosity as well.

David speaks up, "I mean, could we just say Gobbo is our slave or something? Do slaves exist in this world?" he asks questioningly as he stares at Gobbo. Gobbo shrugs and asks, "Whats slave?" as he looks back at David.

Eun looks at David, shocked. "We can't make gobbo our slave! That's so...inhumane!"

David holds up a placating hand and says, "Well, it was just a thought. We would be pretending that Gobbo is our slave... but we don't even know if slavery exists as an institution.." Shrugging, he says, "I guess it was a thought...

---

Turning back towards the group after their little exchange, Eun and David touch back on some earlier conversation.

"I like the idea of one of us going into town to pick up some cloaks, we can't all go in otherwise we stand out. I don't know much about classes, but it sounds like Colin's might be the best suited? Either way, we're going to attract attention the way we are, with or without our goblin friend," states David towards the group.

Eun nods in agreement as she says, "It sounds like the first step is getting some sort of disguise. Cloaks are probably the cheapest option, but a wardrobe overhaul could be worth it. Maybe we can sell some of our clothing? It's pretty warm, so I don't really need my sweater. I mean, it doesn't seem like there was a lot of dyed fabric among the stuff we found, maybe this is valuable." as she pulls off her heavy teal sweater and puts it on a nearby table.

"Yes, yes. Vincent already pulled that poor saps armor on so he blends just in. The bodyguard idea can work too, safety in numbers right? " he says with a wry smile. "A diplomat and a warrior walk into town..."

"No." Vincent starts heading to town.

"I will get the robes, I will go into town. I will not though go in with a goblin that might mark me, nor with a man who has a habit for calling me killer for the same reasons."

Vincent looks at her his hard gaze softens.

He then glances to Colin, "What say you ? Can you refrain from your mockery and give up your henchmen for a few moments so we can get the clothes everyone needs to fit in ?"

"Oh, so you know more ? Or the Goblin who is hunted by the people of this town will be able to provide help. I was going to obtain clothes the way people have for centuries, haggling. As for mature, it is curious a diplomat isn't able to open his mouth without being undiplomatic. I never liked politicians in our world, I like them even less up close."

"Haggling is generally with goods not money, we have goods. You might not claim it, the world seems to have labeled us. Just remember Soldiers who defended people returning home generally didn't appreciate those who called them killers. Look I will go, since everyone thinks this is our best bet I will go with you, but drop the killer bit or the city guard will proceed to ask questions. If possible Eun, I will try and see what the local equivalent of a medical pack is." he added in Eun's direction.

Vincent feels a blast of air and looks around.

Gobby looks nervously at the group and then slowly nods, "I can go town, no goblin has ever been into town before... " as he begins to get a little bit more excited.

David looks on skeptically and says, "I mean, you can try bringing Gobby into town, but what exactly are you going to dress him with? All we really have are rags... unless one of you happens to be a costume designer?

Eun sighs and says, "Well, Gobby IS the only one among us who is familiar with the world. Maybe he can be more helpful than we think. "

Gobby looks as if he's going to continue his sentence, but seems to freeze in place tonguetied as he meets Kimberly's gaze. Eun and David are busy speaking and don't notice the sudden freeze in Gobby.

---

Outside the inn, the morning is starting to mature as the weather gets gradually warmer. A slight breeze is rippling through the grass on the hills making waves of movement. In the distance, you can hear the gentle tinkling of a bell and the sound of laughter in the distance. The sound is faint but is getting louder very slowly.

Gobbo stiffens upon hearing the sounds, and then hisses out, "Travellers...

Rolling

Both Vincent and Colin are able to hear more as they hush everyone into silence. It sounds like there's at least two bells, possibly more along with the sounds of good-natured banter and laughing. Accompanying the conversation is the slow plodding footsteps of something large along with the creaking of rolling wheels. It seems like this could be a caravan of some sort, with at least two beasts of burden and their carts.

Colin is able to decipher a little bit more and hear bits of the conversation, which start off in a foreign tongue until the glowing window pops up again with the text Translating.... A slight *pop* goes through your hearing and you can suddenly pick up on snippets of what the travelers are saying.

"We're almost at Haven, I can see the smoke just over that hill ... surprisingly boring journey.... rumors that some weird folk popped up in the last town over.... humans, right? Always so strange..."

Vincent found what Kimberly said odd but nodded. He had seen her use magic and knew she had some means to defend herself still he stood ready to step in if necessary.

Eun and David share a quick look with each other.

"Before you go out, maybe some of us can hide nearby just in case? Maybe you can yell a safe word in case things to south, says David with a concerned look on his face as he puts his hand on the dagger he slid into the belt of his pants.

---

The noise of the passerbys is faint, but the noise gets a little bit louder as a bit of time passes. The direction of the noise draws Kimberly's attention to a small dirt road that winds past the inn, at the bottom of the hill the inn lies on top of. It seems like the travellers are taking this road, so they could round the corner in a few minutes.

Kimberly starts to head out the door and looks over her shoulder to Vincent and says "Have me covered if something goes wrong?" and smiles lightly.

As she gets out the door and heads down the path she rips her shirt at the right shoulder and pops a couple of buttons at her midriff, just enough to make herself look bedraggled. She starts to limp as she gets closer and lets her hair down to fall about her face.

As she gets close to the travelers she begins to speak in a distressed voice "P—p-please, tell me you can understand me?"

Vincent nods and crouches ready to sprint into action if he needs to keeping alert to if he is needed.

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.

When the gnolls and Wooster focused on Eun's special class and her very low level, they displayed extreme surprise. Not surprisingly, Colin can read that the adventurers are very interested in your group since everyone seems to be so different than what they expect from the world. Kimberly and Eun's newness to the system (as indicated by low level and "lack of class") results in the gnolls treating your group as if they are children - innocent and to be protected. Colin can see the beginnings of an almost parental protectiveness forming around the group. You believe with almost absolute certainty that these gnolls mean no harm.

"N-n-no class? How is that possible? mutters a gnoll as Kimberly speaks. It shakes its head in disbelief and lets out a loud sneeze.

"I. Uh. No class," murmurs Woosten thoughtfully as he scratches his chin with his claws. "Only newborns have no class, but even they get one quickly. It's almost as if you never existed here..."

"Well, there's many common classes. [Warrior], [Farmer], [Shopkeeper], [Thug]... lists Woosten as he rattles off a number of mundane type of jobs. "A bit more complicated are classes that require some sort of training or apprenticeship, like [Tailor] or [Blacksmith]. Then you have some rare classes, which usually have fancy names like [King], [Berserker], or [Spellblade.] Magic classes are pretty rare too, especially around these parts. "

The caravan is chugging along and soon, the high walls and gate of Haven is visible in the horizon. The city sits on a large hill and has towering stone walls, which hide the buildings inside. It seems as if the walls do not cover the whole city, as a small shanty town has spilled out around the main gate outside the walls. You can see figures moving around, the entire town bustling with activity. To the magical gaze of Kimberly, the stone walls are covered with multi-colored runes that glow brightly even during the light of the day.

Wooster just grunts, "I just got the [Warrior] class."

"Hahaha! The heck he does, Wooster was a [Farmer] too! And not a very good one!" chortles one of the gnolls in his party as the rest burst out into cackling laughter.

The gnoll adventurers quiet down as Wooster glares at them, but the twinkle in their eyes remain as you approach the gate. The gates to Haven are wide open and a dozen bored-looking guards stand in front of the gate. There's a small queue of people looking to enter the city, where a figure sits on a crate behind a rickety-looking wooden desk with parchment and pen taking notes.

The guard at the desk is not a gnoll. Rather, it looks something like a humanoid dragon. The guards next to him are a mixture of the same dragon-esque race and gnolls. Vincent, from his background of pen-and-paper games, recognizes these creatures as Drakes. Or are they lizardmen? One of the two...

Vincent will go along with whatever the general story is for getting into the city especially if they are going in with the gnolls.

"Those gate guards just check to make sure you're not smuggling anything or aren't wanted. I assume it's your first time in Haven, so they may want to have your record on file but it's nothing I would worry too much about. You're with us, after all!," says Wooster in a confident tone. As your group approaches the gate, you can tell that the guards are letting drakes through without any issues, but some of the travelling gnolls are being held up at the gate.

Wooster frowns and lets out a small snarl, but he does nothing as the caravan joins the queue. One of the other gnolls sighs and mutters, "Curse those scalebrains... ." As you guys wait in line, it's clear that Haven has some sort of racial tensions - while both Drakes and Gnolls are the primary races living in the city, it seems like Drakes hold the positions of power and aren't afraid to make it known. As your group nears the gate guards, you can hear their bored tones cutting through the air.

"Purpose for entering?" recites the Drake sergeant in a monotonous voice.

"[Merchant]. I bring pottery and baskets.," says a small grey gnoll as his beast of burden nibbles on the grass by his side.

"Do you have any of the following items: drugs, dark magic, artifacts worth over one thousand gold pieces...," says the sergeant as he continues to follow the script. There's a bit of back and forth and then the sergeant says, "Ok. That'll be an entry fee of 2 silver."

"W-w-what? That's outrageous! The drake in front of me only paid five copper!" splutters the merchant angrily. His anger melts as he meets the eyes of the drake sergeant, who he realizes will bar him entry if he doesn't pay. Wearily, the merchant reaches into his purse and slaps two gleaming coins onto the wooden desk and walks on through.

As you get closer to the gate, Gobby begins to get worried and starts to fidget. You have noticed a few instances where the gate guards required citizens to pull up their hoods, but it seemed almost random.

Eun frowns when she sees the overt racism and whispers, "Humans aren't well-liked in this region, right? If they're treating gnolls that poorly.... what will that mean for us?" as she eyes Gobby. Following her gaze, David looks at Gobby and frowns.

With Colin's stealth roll, he realizes that there's some space on the carts that that could fit a small person. Heaped on the back of one of the carts is all manner of products and fabrics, which will be very easy for Gobby to crawl into and hide if he needs to. Thankfully, there's nobody else behind you in line and the guards aren't really paying much attention to the queue.

Vincent moves back to talk quietly with his companions, "What are we going to do, we don't have coin."

Vincent looks to Kimberly, "You think the seeds or any asprin Eun has might be considered drugs, or that the dagger may be worth that much ?"

At the gate sits just a single guard on a rickety wooden desk taking notes of the incoming travelers, but to his side stand four other bored-looking guards.

Wooster looks at Colin incredulously when the "child" is mentioned, "Your kid is cursed? Wow, you must've pissed off a mage good. Well, there's an adventurer's guild in town, they can probably lift the curse for a fee."

As the group approaches, Kimberly whispers something under her breath and the desk drake sneezes for a moment before he continues taking names. He seems a bit dazed as he runs down the list of pre-scripted questions, waving travelers through absentmindedly.

As your caravan approaches, the Drake looks up and says, "Name and business?."

"Trade caravan. We're adventurers assigned as guards," Wooster begins to say. The Drake holds up a hand and massaged his temples as if he has a slight headache, and then just says, "Standard fee for two four-axle carts plus however many of you there are. Uhh... let's just say 10 silver."

Wooster nods and pays the silver, but his reaction to the price is quite easy to read. It almost seems as if gnolls have some similarities with dogs since his tail began wagging just a little bit before he caught himself and put on his poker face. As your group walks through the gate, one of the guards fixes his gaze on Gobby with a furrowed brow but otherwise says nothing.

As you get past the main gate of Haven, you can see a wide paved stone road run through the center of the city. Buildings advertising their wares and services line the side of the road. The area is rather clean and there's a steady bustle of activity, with drakes and gnolls running about completing their errands slowing ever so slightly to gaze at the humans that just entered the town. In the distance, you can see three rather large buildings, which Wooster points out as the Adventurer's Guild, the Merchant's Association, and the Guard Headquarters.

After the caravan passes the gate, Wooster turns towards the caravan owner and exchanges a few words. A small seal is handed over to Wooster, which the gnoll pockets. Shortly afterward, the caravan owner leads his carts down the large central road towards the Merchant's Association, leaving your group standing with the gnoll adventurers.

"Oof, that's a tough question. If I were weak, human, and broke... I figure I would head to the merchant guild and ask for a milk run. Deliver a message, clear out some rats in an inn, or maybe go goblin hunting if I'm feeling brave." Wooster says as he scratches his chin.

"My crew's going to be in town for a few days as we get rest. Gotta find another contract before we head out too, so if you need any advice. We like to stay at the 'Laughing Monkey'." says Wooster as his crew begins splitting up and wandering around town. "Well, I gotta head out. Promised a lady she would be my first stop when I get here, if you get what I mean?" says Wooster with a wink. He heads off at a not-so-discreet jog into the town cluster.

As the group disperses around you, you find yourself just a block or two off of the central square of the town. Eun and David look around and then say, "We're getting some attention here. Maybe we should step off to a side?"

"Well, the merchant guild would probably be where I can do the most. Accountant, remember?" says David with a small grin.

"W-w-well, I'm a [Doctor] so maybe I can be helpful at the adventurer's guild? It sounds dangerous, so I can try and patch people up...," whispers Eun quietly.

---

From where your group is standing and conversing, you can see you're just on the edge of a huge square filled with small booths manned by merchants peddling their goods. As gnolls and drakes pass by your group, you can't help but feel stares zeroing in on your group. There's a number of bars and more successful merchants that have brick-and-mortar stores surrounding the square. You can see a number of much larger buildings towering over its neighbors, presumably the important buildings such as the adventuring guild, merchant guild, and the guard headquarters.

"Yeah, let us see if we can get the dagger appraised and sold then we can split the coin for our new lives here. Eun, I think you will be very useful here. Doctors cant be too common."

Looking back towards the group, Eun dips her head in a quick nod as she scurries after Kimberly. David turns to follow her as well.

As all of you walk through the main square, a few things become very obvious. The goods are haphazardly piled up in front of each merchant stall and most of the merchant stalls look practically identical. There's very little in terms of color or what modern-day advertising has. Each stall just has a small sign that reads "Folley's Foods" or "Krishna's General Goods" -- there's a lack of clever names. There seem to be patrols of both the town guard as well as private security around some of the stalls. There's a steady stream of people flowing past all of the stands, which are making brisk business.

As Kimberly heads towards the entrance of the merchant guild, she passes by the adventurer's guild entrance. Loitering outside are all manners of folks of all manner of races. Kimberly spies some members of Wooster's crew mingling just outside the door, but also some other very large, very-capable looking figures including what seems to be a minotaur.

The merchant guild looms ahead of you, a large building that occupies an entire block. All manner of folks are streaming in and out of the building with various wagons parked just in front of it. Harried-looking attendants holding clipboards of parchment are taking inventory of the wares merchants are bringing in an out of the city. Once approved, merchants either set up a temporary stall in the square to pawn off their goods or drop off what they have with another, existing stall.



As the group enters the door, a scene almost reminiscent of a library greets you. People sit behind desks conducting brisk business as scribes are rapidly writing and taking notes - the walls are covered with books and ledgers documenting all the deals that have gone through town. There are a few better-dressed drakes ordering around the scribes and directing people to tables. All sorts of bulletin boards dot the walls with requests ranging from "Pest Exterminator Needed" to "Purchasing Goblin Ears."

"Damn, these people need an add campaign, or marketing firm, an illusionist, Heck do they have movable type printing presess here ? He shook his head and followed along after Kimberly.

He spent some time reading the posts.

As Kimberly peruses the job board, Eun and David are reading over her shoulder.

"Oooh, library assistant could be interesting! But... how do you think they organize scrolls and books here? I mean, how do you even organize a scroll? wonders Eun out loud as she scrunches up her eyebrows. She continues reading the board and then slowly says, "I can't believe it. There's no postings related to medicine at all! No diseases, no old-person care, no nursing. Every city has some sort of need for doctors, is this the wrong place to look?

"Well, I don't know much about libraries or medicine but this Lombard Banking job sounds interesting. Numbers are all that I can really do here, after all." says David as he listens to what Kimberly and Eun are saying. "Certainly seems odd that there's no jobs pertaining to medicine at all. Maybe there's like a doctor's guild or something?

As the group stands around the job board, one of the attendants at the merchants guild notices the group. An extremely large gnoll flops her way over to the group. Breathing a bit heavily from the exertion, she coughs to get the group's attention, "Uh. Hello there! Welcome to this here's local merchant association! What can I do you for?" she chirps happily at the group. "My name's Ein! Can't help but notice you humans were eyeing that job board, anything catch your attention?"

"Oh! Found something you like already did you? That's great!" beams Ein. "Now, Lombard Banking is a big old stone building just on the side of the square. Real ugly building, you can't miss it!" Ein points in the vague direction of where the Lombard Banking building is. Through the window, you can see the outline of a very short, very ugly grey building that looks as if it were squished by a giant weight.

"Now, I can't recall seeing you folks around here before! If ya'll looking to do some work, we gotta get you registered real quick-like! All we need is a name and a wee dab of blood!," chirps Ein cheerfully towards the group. She motions the group towards one of the empty desks.

"Hold on one moment. Did you say you needed our blood?" asks David skeptically as Ein begins moving towards the table. "What exactly do you need that for?"

"Oh honey, it's standard procedure! It's a way for [Mages] to verify you in the future... and also to track you in case you run away with valuables," Ein says, quickly muttering the second half of the sentence under her breath. "You'll have no problems if you don't steal nothing! Oh, you also only get charged 10% on each contract instead of 20% for jobs you get from that board there, so it's a win-win for both of us.

Kimberly attempts to gauge the authenticity of Ein based on what she had learned of this dog-like race by talking to Wooster, but it seems that this one is being honest as far as Kimberly can tell.

"So it is possible to work without joining the.... I'm sorry... what is this place called? The merchant's association right? Are there any other restrictions that come with this partnership? Are we allowed to work for other associations if we are member here? Are there other discounts we receive? It seems like a fair shake, but we want to understand our options before we blood commit. You wouldn't want anyone joining the association that wasn't willing to ensure they were entering a fair business deal would you?" she turns her tone into one that seems to be dripping with honey as practiced negotiation skills begin to bubble up.

"Well... it is possible to work the board requests without joining the Association," Ein sputters. She's a bit taken aback at the abrupt refusal of her pitch, eyes blinking furiously. "Of course, it is possible but I don't recommend it! After all, you'll be giving up all sorts of benefits, such as lower contract costs and the contractor insurance our group has! Also, you lose out on the chance to advance beyond just a contractor!"

Ein seems to get a second wind as she begins laying out all the benefits of joining the association. Much of it is basic concepts twisted with all sorts of fancy words and vocabulary. Basically, joining the Association makes it cheaper to take on work (the association takes 10% of earnings instead of 20%) and there's a way to advance into management positions within the group. It's not entirely clear to everyone else, but Colin recognizes Ein's carefully practiced shpeal. It's likely she gets a commission from every new signee.

Vincent just listens though, he wanted to go back and look for simple warrior type jobs at the board but socially he wanted to stick with the experts right then.

Ein frowns as Colin and chuckles nervously, "O-o-ok, I see what your concerns are. Um....." She glances around quickly, seeing that tables next to her are either in heated discussion or completely empty before leaning forwards and quickly whispering, "We don't check that the blood you submit is yours. Use whatever blood and you can sign up."

Quickly leaning back, she scratches her head nervously glancing around again before shuffling behind the desk and pulling out some papers. "Just fill out these papers here and come back with some of your blood in these here vials any time!"

---

Vincent would have seen a few contracts ranging from "be a bouncer at this bar" to "help us guard a caravan."

Vincent whispers to Kimberly, "Are you going to use your own blood ? Your a mage you know how dangerous that can be. I just don't want you hurt."

"Alright, alright." Vincent says with his hands up though he looks hurt over her response he accepts it. After all he really doesn't know these people. One battle and a scary night doesn't forge friendships.

He looks at his tube and wonders if goblin blood looks like human trying to remember the battle.
Slowly making his way back to the board.

Ein fidgets as the hooded small, weird-looking human child is thrust in front of her. "H-h-ha. Um. No, we don't do anything for single parents - that's a personal decision. The insurance covers only jobs, it protects yourself and the guild in event of job failure so the worst case scenario is just not getting paid by the client. That said, any destruction of property or criminal activity is still a problem for you.." Ein keeps rambling about the insurance contract that the guild has, and it quickly becomes clear that the vast majority of it just keeps the guild clear of any wrongdoing -- even though she's doing the best she can to make it sound like it benefits the contractor too. Kimberly is not entirely sure about the laws in the nation, but it sounds awfully rudimentary. Very eye-for-an-eye approach.

"Ok, ok ok. I think we got what the insurance covers," says David as he holds up a hand to stop her verbal regurgitation. "Just tell us if we get different treatment based off our job and levels."

"Oh! Yes, of course! Merchant guild law 24a stipulates that any individual over ten levels in a mercantile-facing position or over fifteen levels in a more... physical job is to be ranked as a Journeyman! You get all sorts of neat benefits, such as..." Ein continues to barf out words. As you parse through her information deluge, you come to understand that any merchant-sounding classes or magical classes such as [Accountant], [Diplomat], or [Mage] can join the guild as a Journeyman at level 10 whereas more combat-oriented classes get Journeyman at Level 15.

The merchant guild ranks are loosely:
- Apprentice (you would start here. Probably 70% of people in the guild are here)
- Journeyman (20% of the guild)
- Artisan (10% of the guild)
- Master (Just one hundred people)
- Guild Leader (Just five people)

"You folks would start as Apprentices unless one of you are of a more advanced level?" she asks the group with a questioning look.

Vincent rejoined the others, "Found some jobs for an apprentice warrior, one like the one we came in on, the other as a bouncer." Vincent shrugged, "Bouncer at the blushing drake bar, I guess I won't be falling for the dancers there."

"Just take this vial here and get it to me by the end of today," says Ein handing a vial over to each of the party members. She shortly hands over a small razor.

Eun looks at the razor dubiously before poking herself on her pinky, dripping a few drops of blood into the offered vial. Once the vial had just a pinky's worth of blood, Ein stops her saying, "That's enough!" David copies her and does the same. Once Ein takes in the forms, she does a cursory glance over them before offering a quick nod. "Everything looks to be in order. I'll send this up the line. In the meantime, pick out any contract that catches your eye."Eun stands up first and steps over to the contract board, where she pulls a sheet of parchment. Holding it up, it says: Library Assistant - Miscreants moving scrolls and books out of order. Help reorganizing needed.. "This might be a good start? Books could be a useful way to learn more about.... everything within bothering people too much."

David nods and then says, "Court scribe could be useful too. Whatever language this is, it seems like they write the same as us so I could do that too."

Littered on the board are a number of contracts, such as:
- Adventure's Guild Scheduler
- Lombard Banking - Buying/Selling curiosities
- Post Office - Mail Organizing
- Various caravan guard roles

There's a few stranger requests too:
- Willing test subject needed for completely legitimate (and safe!!!!) magical experiments
- Single Drake looking for girlfriend
- Double your money with this one trick that [Merchants] don't want you to know!

Vincent takes down the magical experiment one.

"Hmmm that looks promising."

"Hmmm it said it was safe and legitimate but sure. I will go with you all to the bank first. I was just thinking what if it was like that Captain America Experiment, I might be able to help you all out more if I was like that."

He follows the others bringing the vial along.