In the land of Zakhara, there is a city known as Huzuz, the City of Delights. Among its many wonders, the Grand Bazaar, or main square, stands out as the heart of the city's bustling trade and commerce. It was here that tales of adventure and discovery were born, and where the daring and ambitious came to seek their fortunes.

When you set foot in the square for the first time, the vibrant colors and intricate architecture of the buildings surrounding the square immediately catch your eye. The square is bordered by tall, ornate buildings made of polished white marble, their façades adorned with intricate carvings and colorful mosaics. You are struck by the grandeur of it all and can't wait to explore the square further.

As you venture deeper into the square, the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, the chatter of shoppers and merchants bargaining for the best deals, and the calls of street performers vying for attention fill your ears. The square is filled with colorful stalls and tents, each offering a wide variety of goods, from spices and textiles to jewelry and pottery. The smells of exotic foods and spices fill the air, making the mere mortal's mouth water.

A visitor can't help but be drawn towards the Golden Dome of Huzuz, an impressive structure that towers over the square and serves as a symbol of the city's wealth and power. As they gaze upon its golden dome, they can't help but feel a sense of excitement and possibility. This is a place where anything can happen and where fortunes can be made.

As you continue to explore the square, you are struck by the diversity of people that it attracts. Merchants and shoppers from all over Zakhara and beyond, each dressed in their traditional clothing and speaking their own unique language can be seen. The square is a melting pot of cultures, where East meets West and the ancient meets the modern.

Suddenly you hear a faint, melodic tune that dances on the breeze. The notes of the harp intertwine with the tinkling of bells, creating a hauntingly beautiful melody that seems to call out to the adventurer. Without thinking, you slowly begin to follow the music, while you fell the pushing of the crowds of people.

As you arrive closer to the source of the music, you notice that the bazaar has become eerily quiet. People are leaving their stalls and tents, making their way towards the Golden Dome in the center of the square. You are in wonder as the square slowly empties, leaving only yourselves behind. The contrast from a few minutes ago is mind boggling and you almost feel the silence deafening.

Although looking around you realize you are not that alone, you count 4 other figures.


(OOG - Welcome to the game everybody! This moment is the perfect time to describe and introduce your characters to each other. We will wait for everyone's introduction before going forward.)

Direen was walking through the alleyways of stalls and tents amazed with amounts and different variety of goods for sale. She laughed but thanked kindly when she was offered some kind of a rug, that by sellers words, would looked amazingly in her mansion.

- I do not own a mansion, good sir... - she begun but was stopped abruptly

- You do not? Oh, my apologies young mistress, your palace.... Please allow me... - he begun, but then we both heard the faint melody.

A show? she thought and tried to ask the seller a question.

- Could you tell.... - ...and he was not there. Part of his tent showing his stock was now dropped and he was nowhere to be seen. 

Strange. she thought but at the same time the tune was heard even clearer. She grabbed her belongings and went towards the place she thought the tune was coming from. While following the people she has noticed the square was empty.

She was standing alone with quarterstaff in her hand and a backpack now dropped to the ground.

She is a fairly short for a half-elf young female just reaching 5", with deep green eyes and dark brown hair tied in a series of braids. Each of the braids is ended with a simple leather strap that holds it in place. She is dressed in a linen shirt and dark orange tunic. Her legs are covered by brown loose trousers and quite comfortable leather boots. Her waist is tied with dark orange belt with the emblem of a blooming flower.

- What the... - she began looking at the other three figures. The situation was surreal.

- Any idea what is going on? - she asked the nearest one holding her quarterstaff on her neck stretching her arms along the wooden staff.

 (She's the one without the earring ;) )

Morax Grimblehist walked along the aisles in the square, an imposing figure at 6 feet 6 inches, but made less so by his dress and his manner.   His red cloak with a green lining and black trim hid his muscular features, the brass Dragonborn moved with purpose and grace along the aisles, as if he were looking for something.  If you were to observe him, you would note that he picked up various objects, ignoring the efforts of most of the vendors, giving them a wan smile and a shake of his hand, but he would pick up and turn items over, as if examining them.  But if you were to keenly observe his behavior, you would note that he wasn’t really interested in wares, he was interested in people.   His eyes would wander, looking up and down the stalls, searching for … someone.  He was marking features, descriptions, looking for odd behavior, quick movements.  He smiled and nodded, moving along, going up and down in a methodical manner.  He appeared to be dressed as someone older and more refined than he was, he even had a monocle that he would bring out at times, pretending to examine an item more thoroughly, looking for a signature on the bottom of an odd vase, but meanwhile, he was really looking out of the other eye, looking up, gazing down the stalls..

When he heard the sound of the music, the strange tune and tinkling of bells, his head tilted, his senses aware.  He looked up and saw four others nearby, looking up and listening.  He saw the young half elf with a similar look on her face.  “That’s odd.” he says aloud, without meaning to.  “No, I have no idea what is happening.  Perhaps we should investigate?”

"HEY YOUNG MAN, HOW ABOUT WALKING IN OUR GORGEOUS TENT AND TAKING HOME A FREE GIFT FROM THE MOST DELIGHTFUL HUZUZ?"

Ryuji flinched at the loud noise belonging to a man wearing false golden garments. These noisy, crowded places ruin the beautiful scenery around here. One can invest in luxury, but never compliment yourself, unless you wish to be humbled. He loved this place. He hated this place. The detail and show appealed to Ryuji's love of novelty, but the people here took it too far. Excessive ornamentation is just superficiality.

With the ear-piercing howls of trained salesmen and cacophony of makeshift instruments, pots and pans, Ryuji could only shake his head in disgust, ignoring everyone who called out to him. These goblins(salesmen) only get more excited if you show any interest. Not to mention, the shadowy figure following him since he left the airship did not help the mood for shopping, but it does make him feel like a stand user. Probably a dog of the elders. They don't even see me as a threat, but already put a tracker on me? Nevertheless, I highly doubt they'll act. After all, they haven't in the past hundred years. Ryuji lowered his head and quickened his pace, weaving through the mountains of bodies, ignoring the glares from the shoppers. If those elders now take interest, perhaps I've truly discovered something that they hid? I'm salivating at this thought.

Ducking behind the body of a clockwork golem, Ryuji slips into a narrow alleyway, part of the less luxurious side of Huzuz, the residential areas. Ryuji's shoulders loosened. I've lost him, right? He hears the footsteps behind. Okay, I'm slow. He begins dashing through the streets, his normally quiet rogue footsteps making echoes on the cobblestone as he increases his pace. Flinging himself through the streets, Ryuji topples metal trash cans, carts of fruit, and ripping laundry lines, spilling clothes all over the dirty, cobble road. Several residents curse at him before rushing into the narrow alleys to salvage the carnage, slowing down his pursuer, just as planned. Suddenly, Ryuji catches a whisp of a faint melody, an ethereal tune reminiscent of the spirit musicians. He smiles. This! This kind of beauty is what I was looking for. Not excessively showy, but it stills shines, nonetheless. 

Despite his unawareness of his pursuer's location, he dashes toward the music and finds himself in an empty square. The settling dust and set-up wares indicates that this square was full of people just a moment ago, loud ones too. The eerie silence sends shivers down Ryuji's spine, but he smiles instead, trained never to show weakness. The four other figures appear as phantom silhouettes as Ryuji's eyes blur, adjusting to the sudden increase in light. Despite their ghostly presence, Ryuji sensed no hostility, and he respectfully bows deeply.

The other characters see a 5'7" male half-elf with white hair and pink eyes. He wears an ornately woven earring and, honestly, strangely interesting fashion sense that changes just as often as the wind blows. At first glance, he seems perfectly respectful and eloquent, but those that know him better can all guarantee his overconfidence and tendency to look down on others.

With a smirk, Ryuji recites, "Greetings, esteemed lords and ladies. I am Ryuji of the Hikari clan, third son of clan head, Kenzo, the Komainu (Lion dog) of the east. It is my honor to make your acquaintance." 

Lan walks down the bustling streets of the Grand Bazaar, focused on her work at hand. She’s a human female in her early twenties, slim build, medium height at 5’4. Fair skin, blonde hair cut straight in a shoulder length bob with blue highlights. She could easily mix into the crowd if not for the odd armor she wears, in a style you’ve never seen before. She wears what it looks like heavily-modified custom armor on her shoulders, front chest and forearms, leaving her midriff bare, showing tight lines of muscles and a purple-jewelled piercing on her belly button. On her legs she wears a pair of bulky cargo pants, with a million pockets all stuffed with different gadgets. The outfit might seem clunky on others, but on her slender frame it fits her well.

Along the streets merchants and vendors hawk at her for various merchandise, but she doesn’t hear any of them. She’s tinkering with a small metal ball, no bigger than her palm, held together by screws and small pieces of intricate mechanism. Metal rods stick out at the sides like little arms and legs. Almost done… just need something to power it. There’s an empty slot inside the object that might fit a little gemstone, she’s screwing on the last piece. She doesn’t seem to hear the music at all, maybe a part of her subconscious mind did, since her feet have taken her towards the source of the beautiful melodic music. She feels bodies pushing against her, but ignores those as well, thinking it’s the normal flow of people.

The person in front of her suddenly stops, and Lan, not watching her steps, runs into him. “Ow!” She yelps, stumbles a step back, rubbing her nose, finally looking up from her little project at hand. It’s a tall, muscular golden Dragonborn. “Jeez, I’m sorry, mister.” She apologizes, her eyes big and round, deep brown like a deer’s, and soon realizes they are the only people still remaining on the square.

“No… are they closed already?” Lan moans miserably, if she doesn’t get the materials she needs today, she’ll have to come back tomorrow, and that means she can’t make the deadline, not to mention the travel fare or the lodging she’ll have to procure today. “Cee-Cee is going to have my ass for this.”

Lan looks over to see the white-haired half-elf greeting them, rattling out a long string of titles. “Hi?” She says dubiously, it seems like he’s talking to her - them. But who introduces themselves like that? “I’m Lan.”

With a height of 1.87 meters, Arpagic cuts an imposing figure, reminiscent of a seasoned mercenary. A bow is slung over his shoulder and a quiver full of arrows at his waist, ready for any challenge that might come his way. His rugged appearance and sharp gaze suggest he's seen his fair share of battles, but now he's on the lookout for new work. Despite his rough exterior, he has a calm demeanor and is quick with a smile, making him approachable among the shopkeepers.

Upon hearing the music, his keen eyes scan the area, taking in his surroundings as he listens to Morax's words. With a nod of agreement, he prepares for whatever task may come his way.

Arpagic readied his bow, checking the tension of the strings and making sure that his quiver was fully stocked. He knew that danger was always lurking in the shadows, and he was prepared to face whatever may come his way. Whether it was a horde of monsters or a treacherous band of thieves, he was ready to defend himself and his companions.

As the music grew louder, the archer took a deep breath, steeling himself for the unknown.

"Ooop.  Oh, hello there."  Morax turns and looks at the one who bumped into him.  His monocled eye brings her into focus and looks large to her, assessing her.  "No worries my dear.  Do you hear that?  Where is it coming from?  My name is .. Morax, by the way."

Scanning the crowd of silhouettes, Ryuji singles out the well-dressed and draws close to the dragonborn. How interesting, the scars do not seem to fit his character... I wonder if he has secrets of his own.

Ryuji nods respectfully towards Morax. "Morax, legends say that this name is the name of a demon, commonly depicted as a minotaur." Ryuji smirks and whispers loud enough for everyone to hear, "I truly wonder where you're from, with such an intriguing name."

Without pause, Ryuji turns towards the melody. "But no more on that, I am not familiar at all with the tunes of these provinces. As for location, I believe the sea of heads mindlessly shuffling towards the Golden Dome should answer your question. However, I got lost around twenty times during my time in Huzuz, so don't believe a word I say. I have a sense of direction worse than a fish trying to fly."

The dragonborn's eye behind the monocle looks huge and wide, filled with kindness. Lan feels herself blushing at her own clumsiness, and stops rubbing her nose. It's a little red, but doesn't hurt anymore. The half-elf's teasing words and tone to Morax seems to irk her, and she turns to glare at him. "And what does your name mean, Ryuji of the Hikari clan?" She pronounces his title, raising an eyebrow. She likes him better before he started talking. She didn't see where people of the Bazaar went, too engrossed in her work just now. It makes no sense the Bazaar could close down this early. 

"I think the music is coming from over there. I'm going to check it out." She says, listening to the tune, and starts walking towards it. Maybe if she turns around now, she could find some other shop that sells her materials, and she would still be on schedule. But her heart is too curious to turn away from this odd scene. 

Perception (if needed, to listen for the music): 9 

Ryuji peeks at the human behind the dragonborn. "Haha, point taken. If you're curious, it means 'dragon,' so I was just teasing my fellow dragon brother. But I... do have a tendency to take jokes too far." 

Ryuji observes her fashion sense, concluding that they were kindred spirits in their pursuit of fashion.

Enthusiastically leaning in, Ryuji observes the strange, otherworldly design on her cheek and her ethereal blue hair. "Lan... perhaps that means a puff of smoke or smooth skin, truly intriguing! Do you have magical hair? Magical hands? Do animals talk to you? Were you poi-" *ahem* He tries to salvage some dignity before realizing Lan had already started walking away, either from ignoring him or simply from not hearing. Watching her stepping away, Ryuji feels a prickle of annoyance but suppresses this urge. Breathe... Remember the Way of Enlightenment. Hayate, I will be like the eternal peaks of Tokuyama. Calm.

(Quote from LiofDanzig)

Any idea what is going on? - she asked the nearest one holding her quarterstaff on her neck stretching her arms along the wooden staff.

Ryuji observes the elf ears, unable to conclude her true identity. Smiling, he asserts in elvish, "I have no conclusions; you look far more knowledgeable about the world than I am. Ah, do you also come from the Kozakura? And if you're comfortable, are you an elf or a half-elf?"

Quote from Araeious >>

Ryuji observes the elf ears, unable to conclude her true identity. Smiling, he asserts in elvish, "I have no conclusions; you look far more knowledgeable about the world than I am. Ah, do you also come from the Kozakura? And if you're comfortable, are you an elf or a half-elf?"

 - I am quite comfortable, thank you - she answers in elvish but continues in common.

- I'm a mixed breed - she smiles - My father is an elf and my mother is not... Is that a problem for anyone? - she asks but her tone is very calm. Not sounding as a challenge but rather "Well, then find a way to live with it" statement.

- I'm Direen - she speaks looking around - ...and I am not from here. Did I try to sell you anything in the past minute? - she smiles merryli, but continues in a more serious tone.

- It doesn't feel like a call to arms... Call to a prayer or some service perhaps?

"It means orchids, actually. Thanks for asking. And..." Lan turns to check the half-elf's weirdly impractical outfit, his wind ruffled white hair and the intricate woven earring that seems like could very easily get caught on something. Her eyes twinkle, a sly smile on her lips. "No, not as much of a princess as you are." 

Quote from WhiteByakko >>

[...]

She says, listening to the tune, and starts walking towards it. Maybe if she turns around now, she could find some other shop that sells her materials, and she would still be on schedule. But her heart is too curious to turn away from this odd scene. 

Perception (if needed, to listen for the music): 15 

 
Lan can identify that the music comes from the direction of the Golden Dome. Upon further listening to it, thanks to her interest in arcane studies, she realizes that it is not made by amplified musical instruments from the Dome, but more like a mass hypnotic broadcast which can be heard the same way by everybody on the square. Somehow Lan and the 4 other people are not affected by it's inviting message.

(OOG - didn't feel the need to roll again for Arcane)

Quote from LiofDanzig >>

[...]

- It doesn't feel like a call to arms... Call to a prayer or some service perhaps?

 
- 10 points for the lady with the nice staff! -  A voice coming from behind a fountain surprises you. A strange figure steps out of it's - not too long - shadows. He is dressed in a blue costume which seems way too warm for the climate of Zakhara. His skin is a pale shade of blue, giving him an otherworldly appearance, but his features are mostly obscured by a hooded cloak that is made of a shimmering blue material. Where you assume are his eyes, are two glowing points with a yellowish light. His hair is a deep shade of blue, and it cascades down on his shoulder in soft, flowing locks from under the hood. His costume is adorned with strange symbols and intricate patterns, and it seems to shimmer and change with the movement of the light. - Yes, they went to a public prayer... - he stops for a moment before continuing - Well, not all of them are religious person, but SOMEHOW they felt the need right now to make a prayer with their fellow citizens - he smirks - Anyway, I have a fun little task for you - he takes out a sack and a small box and places them on the edge of the fountain - This fine sack here contains 500 pieces of gold and a similar one waits for you at the possession of a boy, named Heinrich who happens to live in the small town of New Haran and eagerly waits to receive this small box here for it. Now, here comes the fun part: the quickest way to New Haran is to take the Zakhara Express to Quadim and travel 12 stops. The train leaves Huzuz at midday and you can find exactly 5 tickets beside the gold in the sack. Oh and don't forget... - he stops talking and silently points up to the sky. Your eyes follow his finger.

At the exact moment a large, loud, twittery, ringing-rousing mass of citizens come out of the Dome to continue their daily task after the prayer. When you look back at the strange man, he's now nowhere to be seen, but the sack of gold and the tiny lockbox is still there on the exact spot he placed it. 

(OOG - I would like to ask for a Nature roll from everyone please! Of course you can talk and RP, just roll one at the end of the post. Also, for the future: we will roll here in the posts, but please never edit a post which has a roll in it because it will roll again. If you tend to edit your  posts, you can always make a whole new post just for the roll, so it won't be affected by any edits.)

Direen looks a bit surprised with the whole situation.

- Who? Where? And last but not least: why? - she asks the sack taking a few steps towards it looking suspiciously at the bag and the box. She pokes the bag with the end of her staff.

- On the other hand... New Haran sounds like a plan. - she picks up the lock box taking a look at it.

- You comin'? - she looks at the others.

13

OOC - what time is it? The stranger has mentioned midday so I'd like to know how much time do we have.

You see the reserved Dragonborn take a completely different air after the sudden appearance and disappearance of the strange being in the blue robe and his odd proposition.  I’ve had some strange jobs before, but nothing like this.  I was told that he might be on that train, headed that way anyway…   Morax assumes a defensive stance, looking all around, checking for any associates of this man or thing, feeling uneasy with the proposition, but somehow intrigued.  

“Where the hell did he go?  Have any of you ever seen anything like him?  What was he pointing to?  And what is in that box?”

Nature : 18 

Perception, to see any sign of where the being is, or if he has any associates : 9 

Quote from LiofDanzig>>

- I'm a mixed breed - she smiles - My father is an elf and my mother is not... Is that a problem for anyone? - she asks but her tone is very calm. Not sounding as a challenge but rather "Well, then find a way to live with it" statement.

Quote from LiofDanzig >>

- Who? - On the other hand... New Haran sounds like a plan. - she picks up the lock box taking a look at it.

- You comin'? - she looks at the others.

13

 Ryuji rolls his eyes. "As your fellow half-elf, I wish to respect your opinion. But a word of advice, I am rather sure trusting a random, hooded Smurf and immediately following his actions is exactly how you reach the afterlife early. However, I do see your point, he doesn't mean us harm. We probably would be dead already with that strange influential music." 

I feel like a mouse, already caught in the hunter's trap. It's so frustrating...

With a plastered smile, Ryuji turns towards the others. "I do not know everyone else's circumstances, but I do not believe we have a choice here. Now I am rather stupid, but I am inclined to agree with Direen. Either we choose to abide by suspicious man, or we choose to be hunted by him for the rest of our lives."

Ryuji smirks, "As I am evidently a princess, though, following this suspicious individual offering free money means a big, strong man will show up and solve all my problems! What a deal, right?"

(OOC: Sorry I forgot to do the nature roll...)

Nature: 8

Direen looks at the box with a faint smile, and speaks to the others.

- I am far from trusting anyone... - and adds while whispering and looking directly in Ryuji's eyes giving him a wink - ...you included... - and follows in a more natural tone - ...but I was about to toss a coin where to go next. That direction is good to me as any other. I am looking for someone... who is not here and I have no idea where he might be, so... - she shrugs looking at the others.

“Five hundred gold pieces?!” Lan repeats, her brown eyes wide. That’s so much for an errand trip! Even they have to split it, think of all the things she could do with those money… she could finish her homunculus, buy a shield, maybe upgrade her armor. And that is so much more gold than she would’ve got from her job with Cee-Cee.

As soon as the blue-robed man disappeared, she picks up the sack to make sure it’s full of gold. She smiles brightly, holding up the sack to others and jingles it, the happy sounds of gold pieces clinking together. “You know what they say,” Lan beams, “never look a gift Smurf in the mouth.”

“That wasn’t music, that was a hypnotic broadcast. It was actually brilliant… and powerful. All of those people were affected, but not us. We were immune, somehow? But it seemed to be on purpose. Maybe there was a hidden tune in there that filters out certain people.”

“Don’t worry. If you’re scared, you can hide behind me, sweetheart.” Lan says to Ryuji, apparently enjoying it.