'This Darege fellow is bound to be a problem. He can't even hide his disdain at the non-great family pathfinders. His prejudices will only be a hindrance to our success.' Valen and Illua criticized inwardly.
'Trevheart doesn't even seem cautious seeing the fodder allying themselves with each other openly! Is she just a damned fool?! What if they seize control and put our lives at risk!' Larion screamed in his inner monologue.
'The walking skeleton's expression is unsettling, despite his dwindling life essence he seems rather composed. The Artisan on the other hand is overflowing with life essence, his scent is rather intoxicating. The tall one seems unfazed by everyone else' s gaze, his heart rate is steady and the scent of his emotions are neutral. This is going to be a handful…' Fleur sighed, shaking her head to ward off the incoming headache that would inevitably come from Larion's ranting.
The Guards, Atlan and Errin, watched the strange exchange of words and glances with a worried expression on their faces. They noticed the latent hostility and judgements, unsure of its nature. Not being able to understand the conversation only made their curiosity and paranoia grow, yet they didn't interrupt, instead they waited silently a few meters away. They attempted to make eye contact with Valen in order to give a silent signal, who only responded by holding up a lone index finger, making them grumble under their breaths.
"Valen here was just telling me how you all went through the space tear and landed here as well?" Cairo prodded the group to see if Valen's side of the story matched, still wrapping his mind around the bizarre youth's decision making.
"Yes." Illua spoke softly, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to herself. "After resolving the first conflict, I was pulled out of my path and brought to the edge of the forest, where I was attacked and lost consciousness shortly after."
"Same here." Akkod nodded firmly as he turned to look at the last two, who seemingly ventured on their path together.
"We also experienced the same turn of events." Fleur interjected before Larion could respond, attempting to keep the conversation as straight to the point as possible.
Larion, who didn't think much of his partner's alternative motives, decided to ask his question anyway. "Which would imply that Valen here is the original owner of this pathway correct? You seem to be the only one who hasn't shared his recollection of events with anyone yet."
Valen didn't miss Larion's accusation, however he didn't care to address it anyway. "Correct. This is my path. We all underwent the same attack from the monster's mental attack."
"May I ask how you were capable of conversing with the inhabitants? I believe most of us here have studied the known otherworld languages, yet our paths are not helping us translate the language." Fleur inquired feeling her oncoming headache grow with each word Larion spoke.
"Cairo had asked me a similar question. In short, I'm not sure." Valen stated bluntly, "I had originally thought that the path had assisted me in translating the language. However, It seems that that isn't the case. Instead of an instinctual translation, it was more like a series of enlightenment that allowed me to backwards engineer the language from dead otherworld languages."
Akkod looked just as confused as Cairo had when he first heard Valen's explanation. He knew serviceable knowledge of the pathways, and the general vocabulary for the most common otherworlds. His limited knowledge had served him fine during his first conflict, and should have let him easily overcome the second. He was now starting to feel out of his depth, with his previous plan foiled by the merging anomaly, yet he didn't let it show. The three Great Family members simply nodded, taking a mental note of their unknown peer.
Valen noticed the disparity of their reactions to his explanation, finding it concerning at best. Valen knew that the Great Family members would have a significant advantage in terms of pathway specific knowledge, however he only knew as much as public records shared, which gave him a vague understanding at best. Most of his relevant knowledge was contained in otherworld history, trade skill instructions, and monster compendiums.
"Then could you explain to us the current situation? Those guards over there are getting pretty antsy." Akkod gestured to Atlan and Errin, who were shifting awkwardly, waiting to get on the inside of the city walls.
"In short, we were bound and questioned in order to screen us for possessed individuals. After the Guard Captain confirmed that I wasn't possessed, he had me assist him in finding out what had happened to the rest of you." Valen delivered his prepared speech as if he was reading the most boring report in the world. "I informed him that you were all refugees of a disaster and were warped here randomly. He then left you all in my care while he went to fill out paperwork regarding this incident. We are to follow those two guards to some sort of registration building to file ourselves as refugees. I am to act as your translator and liaison until you all learn the language."
"You? I'm terribly sorry, but I do not want to be represented by someone who looks like he could be bested by a child." Larion snarled, his lip curled in reproach. "We are capable of fending for ourselves, just share with us their basic vocabulary and grammar and we will let our paths do the rest."
The rest of the group didn't defend Valen from Larion's unfair treatment, but they also didn't approve of Larion's uncooperativeness. Fleur was increasingly worried that Larion's poor behavior would drive a wedge between the group, something she considered to be a potentially fatal mistake.
"Ahem, Larion." Fleur's eyebrow twitched subconsciously.
"Yes?"
"Either shut up, or be cooperative." Fleur whispered in Larion's ear with a hushed but stern voice. "I understand that things have already gone poorly for us, but you are endangering us with your poor behavior. You do not know if we need these people or not. Not forgetting to mention that this was originally his path, if you are so disgruntled that you wish to die, do it on your own, don't drag me down with you again."
The color drained from Larion's face as he struggled to swallow his saliva. His eyes became glued to the dirt path, riddled with shame. Meanwhile the rest of the group silently rejoiced, their hopes of controlling Larion with Fleur's help prevented them from making any rash decisions.
"Please forgive him, our first conflict ended… unfortunately. I think we would all appreciate it if you could help us with the language if you are confident in your fluency, but that can wait until we have settled into the second conflict."
"I agree." Illua moved her silent grey eyes from Larion to Valen, "The Second Conflict is traditionally the first extended scenario, we should have enough time to get settled into this city and learn the language. Only then can we begin to split up and gather information to plan our next steps."
Cairo and Akkod simply nodded to display their agreement to the proposed actions. They both wished to ask more questions about the implications of an extended scenario, but decided to wait until there was more time to ask such questions. Both had read about the various conflicts of their predecessors, but weren't aware of any patterns in a Pathway's conflicts, so Illua's brief explanation was a revelation in and of itself.
'Traditionally? The Great Families aren't just aware of the Pathway Structure Theory, but have also confirmed it to be true? Those greedy bastards didn't think to share such information?!' Valen reconfirmed his biases, feeling his discontent and contempt with the Heartlands growing every time he heard the Great Family heirs speak.
"Can do." Valen finally turned away and walked towards the Patrolmen, who had been waiting on the pathway to the city gates. While the rest of the group followed along, Cairo nearly walked alongside Valen, with Larion and Fleur following at the rear. "Atlan, Errin, sorry about the wait. We are ready to go now."
Atlan nodded and began to lead the way to the city entrance. The Pathfinder group studied the reinforced walls with varying degrees of interest. The enormous bone white stone blocks formed an elaborate brick bond, with a pitch blank mortar laced in between the ashlar masonry. The walls stood roughly ten meters tall, and were thick enough for small roads to be placed on their ramparts, adorned with several observation platforms trained on the edge of the luscious forest line in the distance. While such a defensive structure couldn't have been built or completed anytime recently, the pristine stone blocks looked like they had just been mined out from the earth and freshly polished, unbothered by weathering and moss.
Cairo was enamored by the precise cuts and perfectly laid bricks, unable to find a flaw in the construction. Whereas Illua and Fleur were distracted by the strong mystical repellence from the white stone, and the pitch black mortar that attacked their senses. Larion and Valen considered the implications of such drastic defensive fortifications, neither were thrilled at the thought that they would have to deal with the impending threat that could potentially endanger the city. Akkod was simply impressed by the wall's size, but thought not much else about it.
"Welcome to the City of the White, Abalone." Atlan said proudly as the group approached the steel drawgate where armored men in matte white steel plates and glistening iron chainmail with black leather straps. Armed with various polearms and one-handed bastard swords at their hips, the guards stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the small crowd of merchants and caravans that were waiting for their inspection to be completed.
"The City guards of Abalone are called the White Hand. They serve the God of White, the God of Men and Enemy of the Supernatural. They are the main reason why despite the tragedies happening across Marrinon haven't affected the livelihood of our region. Outside of the current dangers of the Forest that the Goddess of Evergreen faces." Errin rattled on about the might of the City of White, while Atlan had stepped away to gain entry.
"God of White and Goddess of Evergreen? I thought you guys worship the Sun?" Valen immediately took advantage of their escort's chattiness to gather important information.
"Captain Rallo is a believer of the God of Gold, the Sun God. Did your folk not worship the Risen Gods?" Errin found the youth's lack of piousness concerning, referring to the Sun God as an inanimate object was often seen as an insult to the Followers of Gold.
"No, we were a reclusive people. We focused on studies, not much theology. Who are these Risen Gods?"
Errin frowned at Valen's response, his paranoia was worried about Valen being an infiltrator of a dangerous hidden cult. "The Risen Gods are the Gods who saved the lives of the inhabitants of Marrinon when the Primordial Gods forsake this world. It was due to their rise to power and sacrifice of their mortality that they were able to stop the Falling, and restore the balance between life and death.
"They eventually formed the Risen Pantheon, consisting of: The God of White, God of Men; The God of Gold, God of the Sun; Goddess of Evergreen, the Goddess of the Forest; The God of Black, the God of the Fallen and Death; The Goddess of Silver, The Mother of Creation; The God of Red, The God of war and conflict; The Goddess of Blue, the Goddess of Oceans and Storms; and The Council of Minor Gods, including the likes of the Goddess of Purple, Goddess of Witchery; The God of Yellow, the God of Healing; The God of Grey, God of Trickery and Deceit; And The Goddess of Orange, the Goddess of Passion and Choices." Errin listed with increasing enthusiasm, "Of course there are even more members of the Council, however they are influential enough to be titled with a color."
"Why is that? Shouldn't all gods be treated with equal respect?" Valen had never been religious, like most of the Heartlands. To the inhabitants of the Heartlands, Gods were figures that either caused indirectly the fall of their ancestral worlds, or ignored their fall. Worshipping such beings would be seen as ungratefulness towards the Heart that gave them refuge.
"Gods receive the title of a color depending on their influence and importance to the world. The same goes for the difference between Major and Minor gods. Major Gods are considered as forces of nature, or in the case of the God or Red and Goddess of Silver, the impacts of life on Marrinon. The Minor Gods are seen more as powerful beings of their respective authority, but they aren't comparable to the strength of natural forces. The Goddess of Purple would be the only exception, it is only due to the strength of the God of White that she plays a lesser role in the Pantheon."
"Because the God of White is the 'Enemy of the Supernatural'?"
"Precisely. Many blame the Goddess of Purple for the many supernatural phenomena and monsters that plague Marrinon, yet no one would say such things openly. The First Witch is also credited as the individual responsible for giving the Risen Gods the method of harnessing the inheritance of the Primordials after their abandonment. She is very important, but very dangerous, so treat her followers with respect but don't get too close." Errin warned Valen sternly, who simply nodded along while making mental notes to investigate the matter of the Goddess of Purple in depth at a later date.
It was only then that Atlan returned with a handful of white ribbons that he passed around to the group of pathfinders. "Make sure to wear these in a visible manner until your registration paperwork is completed. Without either of them, you would be immediately detained outside of my presence."
Valen relayed the instructions as he pinned the ribbon to a portion of cloth covering his left pectoral.
'The city is very cautious, which can normally be a good thing. Unfortunately, it will only make our investigations harder and more time consuming.'
As the group got in the non-cargo entry line, Valen shared with the group Errin's theology lesson. The group had more questions than answers at the moment, but they valued the information nonetheless. Divine Beings were always an important matter in other worlds, especially ones that were active in their society. Their first impression of the Risen Gods replacing the Primordials with the help of the First Witch was laced with the scent of a conspiracy, only a fool or a zealot would blindly believe such propaganda.