Sixty years have passed since the last great quest. In that time the Minotaurs have bloomed, spreading far and wide across the plains, significantly increasing their numbers. The Vyre have been spotted emerging from their island realm, and Furya have been found travelling deep into forbidden territory. In the human kingdom of Envael, the Palatinate, the zealous warriors of the Light, have grown in influence, garnering respect and fear wherever they roam. The Whitecloaks, as they are generally known, have come to abuse their power, and some have been accused of using black magic to further their aims. It is suspected that their leader, the Lord Winter Vayu, is a covert black mage, directing the Paladins as he wishes. Of course, many Paladins stay true to their honourable course, ridding the world of evil.
Only twelve years ago, a new kingdom was created: Anvar, the new promised land. It is whispered in corners that the legendary Umbar, the enemies of the Light, servants of evil, rule there, the power behind the throne, creating a new land so that they might feast on the pain and blood when they destroy it. Of course, this does not keep many from going. Life in Envael is hard, and Anvar promises a new lease of life, fresh land, untroubled pasture for those with the heart to seize it. It seems inevitable that Anvar and Envael will not see eye to eye, but so far relations have been nothing if not cordial. Construction of a fortress in Anvar to rival the indomitable strength of the Maughold began as soon as there were men to build it. When Anharad, as it has been christened, is complete, the two kingdoms will be truly equal. The king of Anvar has sent emissaries to each of the races of Arsencia, offering them free passage and land on which to build and make new homes in his kingdom, a policy which earned him respect from scholars but a deep mistrust from the upper echelons of Envael, suspecting him of building a multicultural army to eventually invade Envael. However, few non-humans seemed to take up the offer.
It was on the border of the two kingdoms, Anvar to the north, Envael to the south-west, that Theria Moriarty now walked. The long road had carried her from the farthest reaches of Minotaur land all the way back to human civilisation, and she was beginning to feel the same old stirrings. She looked at the skyline, noting that the sun was nearing the horizon. The next inn, she thought to herself, stopping just short of saying it aloud. When alone, that was all very well, but she had to get back into the practice of not talking to herself around others. That was a sure way to be refused admittance to a tavern. Or a town, for that matter.
The moment she thought of the word 'town', she caught sight of a fork in the road, hosting a sturdy and well-made signpost.
"Maughold, to the right, 250ish miles. How delightfully inaccurate," she mused, turning to the other branch. "Kavali, 2 miles. Never heard of it, but it had better have somewhere for me to sleep." She strode off down the left path, quarterstaff banging away on the dry ground. It was not long before she found she could make out the low wooden palisade surrounding the town, but the haze of smoke from the chimneys had given it away long since. Theria's stomach began to rumble; she had not eaten in nearly three days, but that was the beauty of her elven nature. Food was a luxury, unnecessary if she felt she could do without it.
Walking through the gate, Theria nodded companionably to the solitary gatekeeper, who replied with a friendly "My lady". She found the inn almost instantly, the single largest building in the town. A good place to meet people and earn a meal, she thought. And she was not wrong. The interior of the inn was well-lit, clean and spacious, quite possibly the most friendly place she had been since leaving the home of the Minotaurs.
"What can I get you, my lady?" asked the landlord, leaning across the counter.
"Something to eat, please," replied Theria, lightly. The landlord nodded and bumbled out to the kitchen. Theria settled herself down in the corner, and looked around. She was surprised to notice a dwarf, of all things. But that would keep to another time. Right now she was far more concerned with herself, and her stomach in particular.
((That dwarf was you, Matias. Everyone else, feel free to join us under whatever pretext you can think of. I hope you liked the history.
