The Bridge to Nowhere

[Zilfer]

Darkon
Town of Karg
755BC


In the small town of Karg, life has been easy going. Trade passes through the town from the King’s Highway, all the time keeping the money flowing in and out of the town. King Azalin Rex’s return from the Grey Realm was celebrated a few years ago and since nothing out of the ordinary has happened in the small town of Karg.

During the winter months a particularly bad storm hit the area knocking out the bridge that connected the King’s Highway to Karg and further on into the eastern territory. When the destruction was discovered a messenger was sent to inform of the hault of trade and the need to send supplies to rebuild the bridge.

A week past with caravan’s arriving on both sides of the Tempe river to continue on their journey to Maykle and eventually further into Darkon. With such a bridge being out some braved the journey across the river awhile others tried to go down river looking for a cross road. Others waited for the builders to arrive and took residence amongst the city of Karg increasing the size of the city as the caravan’s built up.

Seven days after the messenger had been sent a slow moving fog moved down along the river side enveloping the town for a night and in the morning the fog lingered over the riverside obscuring the opposing bank. More curiously however is the bridge seemed to have been built though after trying to cross it a caravan came back saying that there was a mysterious black door at the end of the bridge though no sign of the other side nor the river on the bridge!

A Sentinel of the Eternal Order was dispatched to investigate the bridge and what lay beyond this dark door but has yet to return. On the thirteenth day most caravans have given up hope and headed back down the King’s Highway to make the trip next season when this is all sorted out. Some people in the city wonder if it is a sign of the end of days, perhaps it is a gate way to the Grey Realm. Not wanting his town to wither from lack of traffic or the mania of hysterical rumors the Mayor issued a 2,000 Gold Reward for anyone that could investigate this door and what is on the otherside.

[Metaflux]

Night cloaked the city in darkness as a large figure walked down cobblestone alleyways, from time to time glancing over his shoulder to make sure his instincts told truth. With the seizing of traffic across the King's Highway, thieves became restless for their crimes piled up without a means of escaping Krag. Often, darkness held more knives and blades than the hungry moans of the forgotten. Eventually, the townsfolk learned to dine at home, hours before the sun rested on the horizon. Although, this night, a man more accustomed to darkness than any other element, walked the avenues and streets as if the very sun guided his path, for indeed, that was the truth. A small symbol that resembled the source of all radiant skies, glowed in his palm, lighting his way in safety, all the while, rats and rogues coward from the brilliance that approached them.

[VAN]

From his room at the inn Terik checks one more time the deserted street. Neither a single person can be seen at the distance. The wizard paces impatiently in his room as if waiting something, anything that can get him out of the room and his boredom could be good for the average muscular dark hair Darkonian. His gray blue eyes fix at the tavern at the end of the road. Since he has already eaten decides to go the tavern to have an ale there. He has been at this inn for couple days now waiting news about the bridge and practically never left his room so with a last glance decides to leave the inn's safety and head to the tavern nearby.

[Zilfer]

To Terik:
Dexter watched yet another person walks into the already crowded tavern. It had gone through some name changes with the changing owners. It currently was, Riverside Tavern though it wasn’t exactly within view of the River. The light from the Tavern as well as noise was one of the few things the fell upon the silent night. Most were here to drink away troubles and worries. Others were here to socialize; needless to say the bridge had left more than a few resorting to drinking.

His table was the closest to the door and the only one with available seats. Most people always went for the back seats first. Upon looking at the man that had walked in he invited the man to sit at his table trying to be friendly.

“Have a seat; you’ll have trouble finding another one elsewhere... unless you have friends holding a seat for you,” said Dexter motioning to an empty chair at his table. A cheer went off in the background drowning out noise for the next few moments. He frowned before taking another drink of his brew. It would definitely be hard to have a conversation here with the current state of affairs.

[hr]

To Tammerin:
Lin had been out around town for most of the day. She had been left alone by the common folk most likely because of the longsword strapped to her side. The sun had faded rapidly tonight though the fog still held to the banks of the river. An Inn down the way spilled light down the street as well as laughter.

From the opposing direction a man holding up a light approached, and she saw the symbol. A holy man, she would guess though she didn’t recognize the faith, nor did he look like someone most would chance a conversation with. A weird armor made of scales, and a large bastard sword upon his back. Yes, no one would hold a long conversation with this one, definitely of the adventuring type though what exactly was he doing here she wondered as he approached.

Taking her stance off leaning against the wall of a building and uncrossing her arms she walked into the man’s path, but made no motion of blocking or anything of the sort. A sight like this made her curious.

“Hail, and well met. Do you always, stalk around at night looking like you just came from the Grey Realms Legion?” said Lin running a hand over the hair in her face and tucking it behind her pointed ear. “If you stay out here much longer you’re bound to run into trouble. Though I think from the look of you only the foolish or confident ones would attempt anything.”

There wasn’t much light in the street save for Tammerin’s light and the light spilling from the tavern. Though the night had been quite thus far it could change at a moments notice. That tavern was packed, it was surprised so many people could gather in the local taverns without incident.

[Metaflux]

Tammerin's face was revealed by the symbol in his hand. Scars met his right cheek as if something had clawed at it for days. The rest was remarkably intact. Chiseled jawline, brooding eyes with brows that never seemed to rise, and a nose as sharp as an eagle's, but without the girth. Warm hazel eyes glanced up as if a light had been turned on somewhere in the confines of their thoughts. And in fact, one eyebrow did rise for the sight of an elf at this time of night was often rare. Especially since this was the first elf the cleric had ever encountered.

In response, Tammerin spoke, "Yet, you're outside, alone, an elf wandering the streets of a profoundly large city, and a fine lady to behold." With that being said, the cleric bowed more gracefully than any human should, and tilted his head back up to resume his examination of who in the nine hells this lady was. "I'm of the notion that a rogue might be more tempted to take you for the night than I. Obviously you mean to speak to me about something and the darkness is creeping on us ever closer. Let's find a more...comfortable locale to discuss amongst each other. Preferably, the church. Inns are too cramped for me."

[VAN]

Terik get a glance of the crowded tavern and smiles at Dexter. Offering his hand to handshape he gets a seat and says:

"You are right my friend, thank you. My name is Terik Ablazer a scholar of Martira Bay. I came to here couple days ago. With the mess of the bridge was unable to return home."

Waving at the maid Terik orders an ale.

"Take another drink on me my friend."

While speaking the wizard sizes up Dexter, he isn't sure yet if he can trust the man or no. He shifts slightly to his chair as if to avoid a draft coming from the door, but his motive was to look the man better and see if he has armor, or weapons, or holy symbol or anything that can help the wizard understand something more about him.

[Zilfer]

A soft smile crossed Lin’s face before she spoke. “Be careful who you flatter. You may just get their attention,” she said looking out to the streets of Karg and the wall that surrounded the whole city. Sometimes those protective walls actually seemed more like oppressive ones at night. Her hair the color of nightshade in the present light fell past her shoulders as she turned towards the road that lead to the only ‘Official’ church in Karg. “Perhaps it would be best to get off the streets like you suggest.”

As they headed towards the church all was quite in the night, save for the fading sounds of the occasional Tavern or Inn. They approached a large temple, with spires flowing into the night sky. Cleric’s and officials were gathering for midnight prayer. The Church of the Sorrowful Dead, had large imposing figures to either side of the entrance, both figures looking like a form of a reaper. “Do you worship the death gods of Darkon’s faith? I remember one told me that we had stolen the spark of life from death himself.”

Dark robed figures continued to go about their business as if it was broad daylight outside but this was a common sight at least at the temple of the Eternal Order. Some joked it was the Church of Eternal Workers but none would say that in the presence of the Sentinels of the church. The holy men of the order were above reproach much to the dismay of commoners, and just another branch of the government.

[hr]

Dexter nodded as his cup was filled a second time. His hands are covered with leather gloves, dark like the rest of his garb. The man had a goatee though it seems that it was slowly moving towards the edge of unattended. Short black hair, along with dull hazel eyes and a mole near his nose. He appeared to be somewhere in his late twenties or early thirties, and definitely not the prettiest man in the world. A casual look turned up two swords on either side of varying lengths and a dagger on the side of his arm that looked like it was for hunting. Wolf fur on one of his shoulders might indicate him as a hunter.

“Dexter, and I’m a long ways away from home,” he said before drinking some more brew keeping his eyes on the scholar from Martira Bay. “I’m guessing you’ve been stuck here for a few days as well. Not much to do in this town save for staying out of trouble. The guards are a little more uptight than usual and have threatened to throw a few into ‘Black Hole.’ This really isn’t a good time to be in this city.”

Dexter finished his sentence with a sigh, drinking some more and looking over to another table that was growing rambunctious. They seemed to be playing cards for money, though one was winning more than the others. He turned to look back to Terik shaking his head at the gambling. “Most people are wasting away their money in this sinkhole, what’s your story friend? Waiting on the bridge to be rebuilt like the rest of us? The King no doubt has sent a few stone mason’s out already. He can’t afford to have trade stall like this. A day or two more I’d reckon.”

[Metaflux]

Tammerin's term of comfortable was redefined that day, for approaching the abyssal church of darkness was very much not to his liking. "No, quite the opposite. I worship the sun itself," said the brightly clothed priest. Bringing his holy symbol closer to view while they stood outside the facility, Tammerin revealed its design to the elf. Ornate of silver sun, the symbol also radiated holy flames that seemed to whisper angelic music. "I don't much like death, since I banish it whenever I can. I also understand that the populace believes in a deity or god, but my faith is not limited by those more powerful. Lastly, don't ask me where the singing comes from. All I know is when I brought continual flame to this artifact, it began to sing."

Looking back towards the temple, Tammerin spoke in a hushed voice, "Is there a less...er...gloomy environ that we can retreat to? This place runs ice down my spine like no other crypt I've ever been to. Besides, I'd rather praise the sun in a...brighter fashion than in dark hallways with statues that seem to glare at you as you pass by."

[Zilfer]

“Then you must be a stranger to these lands,” said Lin whose voice seemed to hold no irony in that. “The church of the Eternal order preaches the undead of the grey realm hate us for stealing life away from death. That is why they attack the living. They made this place to remind us of that, and there are great murals on the inside.”

“Sorry, I was raised going to church every day so I know a thing or two about the scripture but that wouldn’t interest a foreigner I’m sure,” said Lin as she moved away from the temple. “I’m afraid there’s few places open this late besides the church and the taverns. Both are open well into the night.”

She seemed to have a passing interest in the symbol of the sun. Though she did not comment upon the object at all. “We are seeing lots of foreigners these days because of the bridge making them unable to pass through town.”

[Metaflux]

Regrettably, Tammerin glanced back at the hooded robes that paced the building, and said mournfully, "Then, the church will have to do." As he walked through the architecture, he glanced back at the elf. "Why is it a beauty such as yourself resides in such a dismal city? Forgive me for my bluntness, but I have some theories that I would like to state. First, you are a fey creature whose capabilities reside more in the trees and forests than on cobblestone walkways. Second, I've found more hazards in this town, even in the daytime, than I would find in a normal village.. And thirdly, if you come to a priest of light, you must not prefer the dark ones that worship in mumbled word and coded phrase."

Realizing he still had his holy symbol out, Tammerin quickly smothered the voices and light in a pocket on the inside of his cloak. Buttoning the compartment to make sure no thief could reach it, he felt that instead of the sun giving life and warmth to him, the very abyss itself was tugging at past memories of haunt. The cleric drew warmth from the knowledge that if creatures did spring from the shadows, he still had his greatsword to protect the lady.

[VAN]

Terik gets a sip of his ale and says:

"My story will most likely annoy you my friend. I was born in Martira Bay as I told you, my father is an aristocrat but not a noble as you may have them in mind. We don't have fancy tower, servants or billions. No. My grandfather was from Richmulot, he indeed was a noble. But had a tragic death and his wife had to get the children, my father and his sister and whatever she could and flee to Darkon. There she opened a shop, a common shop where you can buy weapons and armors. My father infact is a blacksmith and now owns the shop. But the nobility is a tittle that you never lose they say so you can say we kept the tittle. My mother works at the shop as my brother. I never liked the hard work to be honest. I was always cared for knowledge, the unknown and the secrets of the "art" . My father says that I got it from my grandfather, he was a wizard. When I became 18 my father gave me a chest, in there were everything my grandmother manages to get with her from my grandfather. Were many books in there, all in great shape. I remember I passed weeks or even months closed at the study learning and practicing...once I was done the only thing I knew was that I wanted to learn more! To become even better. So I visited the library of Martira Bay and some shops searching knowledge, even forbidden...When I was done I decided to come here and later to Maykle to look for more libraries or shops where I can find books or scrolls. That's my story, so yes basically I'm blocked here as the rest hoping one day to be able to leave city and proceed my way."

[Zilfer]

"I'm here like most. I was hired onto a Caravan headed along the King's Road when we were informed that the bridge was out and that they were commisioning to have it rebuilt. My Caravan opted to leave back to where they came from. Albeit without me so they wouldn't have to pay the escort charge on the way back," said Lin as they moved to the front door. A member of the clergy was accepting tithe's and she dropped a few copper pieces into the bowl.

"Every small bit helps," muttered the priest in a low voice as he continued to hold out the bowl waiting for anyone else to come by who he would bother next. As they passed deeper into the place, murals of the grey realm and its residents were painted upon the wall with great artistic detail. Even a wall depicting when the choosen undead plucked life away from Death. At first Lin didn't answer any of the newcomers questions for awhile.

"I have less in common with the woods then you might think, warrior. Civilization and Wilderness each have it's own unique set of dangers," said Lin as a priest came up to a pedestal giving a brief serom.

"The dreaded Grey Realm encrouched upon us all brothers and sisters. Sentinel Angelo has not reported back from the gates, and we must send forth more of our members in order to quell this blight upon Karg. Azalin's will demands we sacrifice our lives for the sake of others in our quest to defeat and hold off the Hour of Acsension. This is a test of faith brothers and sisters one that the people of Karg will endure! I will be sending Sentinel William who has volenteered for the next outing across the bridge to that unholy door. If concerns you have I would hear them!"

"I don't know what I prefer.... Religious people are more prone to madness, just like those that know the Secret Arts. I am weary of your kind but still wish you well," said Lin looking away from the man over to the foreign priest who did not believe in a god. It was clear she found faith's questionable to begin with. "I heard the Baron is offering a Reward to anyone that will accompany him tomorrow, almost a ransom's worth. Been thinking about going, I need the money after my caravan fell through."


[hr]



“Nay, never annoy. It sounds like you’ve had a quite a journey in your quest for knowledge. They say knowledge is power, though mine is limited in your studied field,” said Dexter finishing his mug and setting it down. “Definitely hope your endeavors turn up results.” It seemed that Dexter wasn’t completely comfortable with the topic of magic.

“So lots of people talk, about the bridge being out but the mists have yet to leave the bridge either. No one can cross they say, caravans go in and come back saying there’s a door now though no one’s brave enough to go through it. There’s no sign of the opposing bank anymore, and that’s rather curious. I’m not really religious or anything but this town’s starting to panic I think,” said Dexter thinking aloud to himself wondering if he could catch the wizards attention with the buzz around town.

“Most people are stuck here sitting on their hands with a thumb up their rumps. I heard a rumor that the Baron Warbois is offering a reward to anyone brave enough to investigate beyond the gate, and since I’m not able to go anywhere because of it. I was thinking about checking it out,” said Dexter still seemingly talking to himself. “Though it wouldn’t be good to go alone, so I think I’ll wait for that priest going tomorrow morning.”

[Metaflux]

Pulling back his hood to get a better view around him, Tammerin showed a jaw line both sharp and unshaved for about two days. Brown hair fell in a neat cut to hang just above his shoulders. Thick of neck, with furrowed brow that showed lines of many frustrations, the cleric took another look around before returning his attention back to the elf. "My name is Tammerin Belvelyn Elacritus, the fourth. I would inquire upon your name since you have not spoken it, and as far as the whole black door goes, sure, I'd be more than willing to join in on such an occasion. My only question at this point is, where should we stop to get you armor?"

[VAN]

Terik listens carefully at Dexter nodding here and there agreeing that the situation with the bridge and the mysterious door was indeed strange for not say interesting...The wizard is always keen on learning new things and explore whatever gets his attention and this door for sure has done the trick. Terik's eyes spark when the word "award" is mentioned. The scholar knows that he has just started to be an apprentice of the art and for sure some more coins will be useful to get more spells and scrolls in future.

"How much is the reward Dexter? I can use some coins right now and who knows maybe at the other side of the door I come across to more knowledge or even better place where I can get more magic. Who else is coming? And what time do we depart?"

[Zilfer]

Dexter couldn’t help but grin. He had marked this man well, and would now have an ally in the investigation to come. Hopefully it was some simple matter but if arcane insight was needed it would be good to have a… not letting his thoughts dwell on that he went over the information quickly in his head.

“Now don’t quote me, but I believe the Baron was willing to fork over 1,000 Skulls,” says Dexter lowering his voice a bit since mention of money usually drew listeners. “I think the Baron may be getting desperate with how long they haven’t heard from the King as of yet. The sooner we do this the better odds that it is us receiving the award. As far as I know they are sending a Sentinel of the Eternal Order tomorrow and I figured that was my best bet. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind the assistance, though I’m not fond of the Clergy. So it sounds like it would be just three of us.”

Dexter strokes his beard twice before letting his hand fall down to his side. “Sounds like it will be an adventure. How’s about another round on me this time for adventure’s sake?” asked Dexter.

[hr]

“You may call me Lin,” said the Elven warrior in front of Tammerin doing an ever so slight bow forward. Her armor was tanned hide fit to her figure very well, she drew a shield with a rose upon the wooden shield and then placed it back upon her back. She couldn’t help but laugh softly. “I can handle myself you worry about your own, Sir Tammerin.”

“Perhaps we should question the Legate to see if he knows anything further about this matter? Though it is very late in the hour, we could instead meet tomorrow near the bridge outside the city? Which ever you would prefer works for me,” states Lin not pressing the matter too far.