Fiction:The Forgotten Lands

Northeastern Koldenwelt, 31 NA. In a city named Uskolia, an independent territory owned by a Deiwos family, a number of adventurers were invited to talk about the Forgotten Lands, a place which intrigued many. The person who invited them, a Néva named Riad, waited in a bar of a somewhat insalubrious nature. Riad was reading a book on the mythos of the ancient world, stories revolving around the Orichalcum Elves and Colossi. The Collector had traveled for days to get to this city, no problem, he had walked for longer. There was a good reason, the guy who had invited him to come said that in the reward would be artifacts. He arrived at the bar, he wished that the host paid drinks. As Riad turned a page, he noticed an ink print sketch of a ginormous demonic figure, with intricate designs. The book labelled him simply as 'The Adversary'.

Before he read more, he noticed The Collector and shut the book. Walking into the bar was a human who stood jut above two metres tall. His face was obscured by a thick, worn brown-green hood. He sat at the counter and slumped over it, he had heard rumours of a journey up north. Slung over the back of the human's shoulder was a greatsword strapped to a leather sheathe that allowed for him to slip it out at the side. A black vulture flew outside of the bar and then landed on the window. It had bright green eyes which watched the others on the room. Riad went over to The Collector but also noticed the tall human there as well. He sat between them, ordering three drinks. He put his book on the counter, and took a long sip before stopping.

A blue-furred Lagosi with a rather intricately designed wooden arm walked into the room, carrying a katana on his side and a rather noticeable sword of a curious nature upon his back, like it was a massive dagger. The Lagosi tripped and stumbled onto the floor. The vulture laughed at the Lagosi's fall. Riad turned around, turned back, and then sharply turning back, realising he was one of the team. He got off his stool and offered the Lagosi his hand. The human, Marcos, looked to his side a little. Finally, seemingly out of nowhere. a small, lithe draconic figure wearing a monocle flew into the room, landing on the floor. His clothes were simple, suited for adventures, but at the same time were made of rare materials which signified his status as a noble.

Lekren-Lax - Greetings, sir, and well met. Riad - Need some assistance, there?

The Lagosi looked up and blinked before holding out the hand not made of wood. Marcos grabbed the tankard he was given and drank it down.

Hachi - I-It would be appreciated.

Riad pulled Hachi up to his feet, looking curiously at the dagger on his back. The Collector also noticed the dagger.

Riad - ''I see that almost all of us are here. Well, if you please, come this way.'' Collector - Hey Lagosi, isn't that a Draonggr dagger?

Riad walked through the bar, to a back room which was empty, and sat down in the main chair. Marcos lifted himself from the seat, one woman at the bar stepped back seeing him as he walked though into the back room.

Hachi - ''Huh? This crappy old thing? Yeah, I guess it's a dagger.'' Collector - I reconocize the Draonggr work when I see it, where do you get it? Hachi - I-I'm afraid that's none of your concern...s-stranger. Lekren-Lax - May I join the discussion?

Lekren flew to the Collector. Hachi followed Riad, an innocent smile on his face. The vulture jumped off the window and was enveloped into a blue energy, morphing into a tall, beaked humanoid. Riad waited for the rest of the party to sit down. The Sea Witch walked up to Riad's location and sat down, but in the air.

The Collector - ''Yes, sorry... mister... sorry I forgot your name.''

Lekren sat on one of the smaller chairs, looking at his employer with interest. Marcos leaned agaisnt a wall and folded his arms. He pulled down his hood to reveal a combed mass of strawberry-blonde hair and deep chestnut eyes. The Collector looked his employer impatient. Hachi didn't reply and looked towards Riad, he had enough of talking to the Collector. He didn't trust strangers much. Or rather, wasn't very confident around them.

Marcos - I hope you don't mind if I stand. Riad - ''Hm. Well stand if you must.''

Riad stood up, and went over to a cupboard. From it, he pulled a large scroll, almost as large as himself. He dragged it to the table, laid it on there, and unfolded it. It came to reveal a vastly detailed map of Koldenwelt.

The Collector - Koldenwelt, I think. Riad - ''Koldenwelt indeed. I suppose you're all wondering why you're here. My name is Riad, and you are all a group of adventurers looking for different things from this. But I haven't told you where we will go just yet.'' Lekren - Hm-hm. Marcos - An impressive map. Hachi - ''Koldenwelt? What's that?''

Riad looked confused at Hachi.

Riad - ...The world? Hachi - ...It's called Koldenwelt? Riad - ...Yes? Sea Witch - ''Great. You invited a child who doesn't even know the name of the world he lives in.'' The Collector - Oh, for the Ensimmäisen Seppä! Archavior - <> Hachi - I was never taught in school! Riad - ''The place we are going to is a place that has long since been...forgotten by memory. Quite an apt name really.'' Archavior - <>

The Sea Witch leaned forward, still floating. Riad reached his fingers over the map, until it rested on a secluded point in the far northeast of the world. The name was simply 'Forgotten Lands'.

Lekren - ''Ah, the Forgotten Lands. I've heard of it. Many a traveler have tried to explore it... none returned.'' Hachi - ''The Forgotten Lands? Never heard of it.''

The Sea Witch smiled. Riad sighed and his posture lowered as Hachi said what he did.

Riad - ''...Yes. The Forgotten Lands. Anyone familiar with the legends surrounding that place?'' Sea Witch - I've heard of some. Hachi - ''Unicorns? Pegasi? ...Horses? Are they there?'' The Collector - ''Storms, dragons, monsters... artifacts.'' Marcos - Weren't there once dragons living up there? Sea Witch - Legends say the greatest of dragons once called that place his home. Archavior - <> The Collector - The fallen dragon, I heard about it. Hachi - Hah, everybody knows that Archavior is the stro-- Uhh, I mean, t-that sounds interesting. Marcos - Archa-what? Hachi - N-Nobody. Sea Witch - ''Dragons are always interesting beings...unless it's Kimorgos. He's no fun.'' Riad - ''Ah. So you know that this was a kingdom of dragons at one point. Nalúnt Earth-Scorcher was the name. And the main city in the Forgotten Lands is called 'Polis-Nalúnt', or Nalúnt's City. And then you know the whole deal with The Adversary destroying the place, I assume.'' Lekren - Indeed we are. Sea Witch - I might tell you more later if I feel like it. The Collector - Nalúnt?

The Sea Witch shuddered at the mention of the Adversary.

Sea Witch - The Adversary is said to be linked to...the crystal monsters... Riad - ''...Nothing. You can tell me later. Anyway, the journey is around 200 miles north, and from there, we turn northeast for 400 miles until we reach Nalúnt's City.''

The Collector looked at the roof, making the accounts.

Sea Witch - Any idea of what lives in there now? Riad - ''I'm afraid I do not know. The Forgotten Lands have been left bare for 200,000 years. Perhaps little longer.'' Hachi - ''600 miles travel? Hah, easy peasy! So, where are the horses? The carriages?'' The Collector - ''This is around... 20 days or more.'' Riad - ''Oh, how silly of me. I do believe we're missing a member.''

Riad counted the number of people.

Riad - Definitely missing one. The Collector - ''One? You can are talking about... Him...'' Hachi - Hey, I'm just wondering if he can afford the horses to take us here. Marcos - *muttering under his breath* ''A stunted dragon, a beastman, a selfish giant and a hag. I'm better off making the journey on my own...'' Riad - ''Horses? Well...for the first 125 miles or so Horses are optional. It does get cold...then mountainous...then even colder...''

Hachi's jaw dropped.

Lekren - ''My brother is a respected member of the Zeppelin Guild. He could help us with transport.'' Hachi - I-I have to walk...over 500 miles... Riad - Not to mention, the winds are severely biting. Sea Witch - ''Pfff. Flying machines.'' The Collector - I always wanted to take a zeppelin, it is a fantastic machine. Marcos - My horse is hardy. Hachi - Hey, who is the guest we're missing?

Whilst the group were talking, Hachi began to notice another presence in the room. Hachi tilted his head and then his ears perked.

Riad - ''I hope he doesn't keep us waiting. Money doesn't do it for him.'' Marcos - I prefer travelling alone.

The figure was sat behind the group, well wrapped in clothes, legs folded and was smoking a pipe of sorts. Hachi turned slowly and coughed as the smoke entered into his nose.

The Collector - Great...Now the expedition could be interesting. Sea Witch - There is a reason no one goes to the Forgotten Lands by themselves.

Riad turned, and noticed the figure behind them. He was avian by nature and his wings obscured a majority of his features. Marcos - I happen to travel faster on my own. Lekren-Lax - ''She is true. One does not simply go to the Forgotten Lands.''

The Sea Witch looked at the figure and groaned.

Riad - ''Hm. I guess our last guest was here before us all.'' Sea Witch - Oh great, it's "him". Hachi - ...Kinmoe Runs Raid Rivers.

As the avian figure stood up, it almost leveled Marcos in height. It turned around, and walked to the group.

The Collector - ''It's him... The World-Walker.'' Lekren-Lax - ...who's that?

Marcos turned to the figure and had a slight smile on his face.

Kinmorunddraver - Bold attempt to pronounce my name, Hachi but it's pronounced 'Kinmorunddraver'. Sea Witch - ''Someone who thinks he owns Koldewelt. Bhhrg.'' The Collector - I always want to know you, Mr. Kinmorunddraver.

Hachi stared at the figure for just a moment, before running forward and wrapping his arms around Kinmorunddraver's leg.

Marcos - ''I've heard stories of you. I imagined you'd be taller.'' Kinmorunddraver - ''A lot of people tend to think I am tall. Size tends not to matter.'' Archavior - <> Lekren - ''I definitely agree. Size does not matter!''

Lekren-Lax flew higher in the air.

Riad - ''...Back to the task at hand...I guess. The Forgotten Lands. Around a 600 mile journey...it should take us around 20 days to reach the city's gates...and I don't think horses might be suitable for the cold weather. There are some Dzep at the gates of the town which I had to buy.'' The Collector - ''I am always informed about the best... designs of weapons.'' Kinmorunddraver - ''Well, let's put it this way. I wouldn't trade the Eye for this sword.'' Hachi - Kinmo loves his sword very much, it's best not to touch it. The Collector - ''Yes of course... I can understand it... If I had this...beautiness I never change it for nothing.''

Sea Witch - I need no steed. Riad - Will you need a pack mule though? Marcos - It will be a shame to leave my stallion here. Hachi - Don't worry, Mrs. Bird, I can carry your stuff for you! Kinmorunddraver - I surely hope you didn't buy one with me in mind, Néva. Riad - ''...None of you need steeds? Hm. I guess i'll have to persuade the stable owner for my 400 coins back.'' Hachi - I need a steed! Kinmorunddraver - ''Hachi, you walked more than 600 miles when you were with me. What makes this so different?'' Hachi - W-Well...it's a luxury you know, Kinmo? Kinmorunddraver - I thought I taught you that luxuries were weaknesses. Marcos - ''Now, when will we leave? I don't enjoy staying in one place for too long. It... gets dangerous.'' Sea Witch - ''You might need something to survive your way there. Me?''

The Sea Witch teleported around the room.

Sea Witch - I need nothing.

Kinmorunddraver - Save your tricks for later, 'Sea Witch'. Riad - ''In that case, take the horses to carry provisions. We will set out at first light tomorrow morning. Tonight would be an idea to enjoy yourself or get provisions, weapons or whatnot before you say goodbye to civilisation for three weeks.'' Kinmorunddraver - When you put it like that, it seems almost depressing. Hachi - ''Enjoy myself? Oh boy! Anybody have any soothing cream?'' The Collector - I said goodbye to it centuries ago. Marcos - Perhaps I could do with a rest in a more comfortable bed... Riad - ''Very well. I will see you all here in the morning. We'll leave with or without you, so please be here soon.''

Riad rolled up the map, walked out and got the book before going upstairs to sleep.

Sea Witch - ''I expect you all to die on me. Except mister invincible over there. So I see you all tomorrow, I suppose.'' Archavior - <> Marcos - Hrmph, I have survived much you know.

The Sea Witch turned into a rat and entered a hole in the wall. Kinmorunddraver turned to leave the room, before putting his hand on Marcos' shoulder.

Kinmorunddraver - ''I'd be careful of that Lasogi over there. More so of the dagger.''

Kinmorunddraver then turned away and walked out.

Marcos - *muttering* Name me something good borne from dragons... Hachi - ''Eggs! Dragon eggs! I heard they're tasty!''

Kinmorunddraver left the bar, walked through the town to stand upon an overlook a couple of hundred metres from the town's gate.

Lekran - They aren't tasty, you Lagrosi ruffian! Hachi - *whispering* Hey Arch, did you ever lay dragon eggs? Marcos - ''Well I kind-of agree with the Lagosi. Also scales, good for shields.'' Lekron - ''Hmph. We're living, breathing beings like you. If we are cut, shall we not bleed?''