The Thin Peaks Alliance Town, The Town for short, was a large sprawl of waddle and daub buildings. The tiled rooves making the entire place look as though it were a stereotypical medieval city.
Children, laughing and playing, ran the streets in large groups. The adults, few in number, were mostly elves and members of the golemoid species. Being longer lived they had a longer wait before the system would grant them a class.
Human children were typically housed in the crafting and agriculture districts to be closer to their families. Though this was a soft rule as members of every sentient species were found in Town.
The skies held birdfolk of all ages. The skies like their own personal highway. They carried out their daily tasks, appearing to have not a care in the world.
Refugees were plentiful. Most farm houses had a guest house as part of the evacuation procedures. These were all full. The suburban area was equally packed any spare bedrooms put to good use.
“Will we be able to find rooms?” Glenn asked a hint of concern in his voice.
“Probably, if not though you still have your tent right?” She answered waiting for a reply. Seeing Glenn nod she continued. “We can always camp then if we have to.”
Glenn nodded, camping in a town seemed odd but who was he to judge. “Well what do you want to do first?” Glenn asked letting Alica show him the sights. “I have to find something for The Guildmaster before I forget.”
“Oh what did he want this time? He normally pushes fetch quests onto me. As one of the few guild members able to go into town, people ask me to run errands for them often.” Alica explained.
“Rock candy.” Glenn replied suppressing a smile. “I felt it was a little on the nose, but I wasn’t going to point that out to him.”
Alica, a laugh in her voice, replied “I should have known. Let me help you, it can be hard to find.” She led him through the market, rows of stalls with wares of all types. From tools to food, clothes to cookware, anything for day to day life could be found here.
“I thought there was no money used in town?” Glenn had asked.
“Sure, but there are still merchant and crafting classes. This is how they gain experience. Even if the goods are given away to others contribution to town is counted and used. It is a form of currency I guess. If you don’t have enough contribution, you can only receive basic supplies.”
“How would they know?” Glenn asked.
“Some classes and titles grant access to the contribution list, like merchants or the Guild receptionist title. You’ll see the rest when we get there.”
“What is a title? Why is Guild Receptionist a title, isn’t it a job?”
“Titles are like jobs, but if you have a job and not the class, you wouldn’t be able to perform certain tasks of that job. Titles allow you to perform that job by giving you temporary access to certain key skills. While you have the title.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Glenn replied. “But why wouldn’t they just change classes?”
“How?” Alica replied “You would have to perform that job while also doing your class quest. If you can’t do that job though, wouldn’t it make it nearly impossible to be offered the class you want?”
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Glenn fell into thoughtful silence for a moment. “I think I get it.”
The rest of the walk through the stalls was peaceful. Several packs of children could be seen running through the streets. They were playing some game Glenn had never seen. One would throw a rock as high as he could, whoever it landed nearest took on the role of the monster and the other children would chase them through the streets. The children never once touched each other, instead, trying to trap the “Monster” with their bodies. If the monster was cornered they threw the next rock. If, however the “Monster” escaped they would yell “Monster Wave!” Whoever threw the stone last became a monster as well and then the “Monsters” would try to catch others like a game of tag.
“It really is peaceful here.” Glenn said wistfully. “I can’t help but think that it’s a shame everyone can’t live like this.”
Alica nodded in agreement.
The two arrived at an old worn down building. One of the few in town that had obvious signs of years of neglect. “Here we are.” Alica informed Glenn. “Ernie’s Edibles.” A sign read faded from years of being in the sun. Alica seemed comfortable here, as she opened the door. “Uncle always sends me here to pick up his sweets, he said there is just something in them he can’t get enough of. Ernie only sells to high level adventurers though. “
Glenn was extremely curious but as the goods were packaged he noticed that Ernie, A balding middle aged looking man, placed the goods in a bag and sealed it by wrapping a very uniquely colored and visually distinct string around it. When he pulled his hands away Glenn could see that he hadn’t tied it he had just removed the ends making it one piece of string. Tamper seals Glenn thought. While removing the string would be easy, each thread had a distinct color he knew he would never be able to make look right.
“These are for Guildmaster Vainstrom.” He informed the shopkeeper as he finished wrapping up the rock candy. Seeing Alica was with him the shopkeeper just nodded while staring off. “Alright, send the old bag of rocks my regards. Also tell him his special request will be available in another week if you would.” The last part was said to both of them. Alica finished by finding chocolates for Mark here and they went on their way.
“Next we should work on a place to sleep. The guilds have a few bunk houses in town. We should check with them.” Alica said informatively.
“Sounds like a plan.” Glenn replied. “Lead on tour guide.” He replied in a playful tone. The atmosphere was really helping his mood.
They arrived at the local alliance office. Alica leading the way.. “Excuse me.” She said trying to get the receptionist’s attention. “We are from the Glass Cannon Guild would you happen to have a room we could use for a couple days, two rooms if possible.” Adventurers were used to sharing a room but having privacy would be nice.
“I am sorry ma’am, all of our rooms are currently in use. You understand I am sure. We do have some places that have offered extra lodging I could direct you too though.” The man behind the counter, an old, likely retired adventurer, Julius, behind the counter replied. “We have loosened our rules on who may stay in the bunkhouse due to the present situation, I am truly sorry.” He gave a slight bow of his head.
“We understand, where are the extra rooms at?” She asked by way of reply.
“There are a few stables down the way.” He said gesturing toward the eastern road into town. “The only option in the town proper, is a loft room in the warehouse near the market.” He answered.
“I think we will go check on the warehouse.” Alica replied. “Thank you for your help.”
As they turned to leave Julius called out. “Would you like me to keep any rooms that might free up available?”
“That won’t be needed.” Alica said looking back before leaving the building.
The warehouse was packed. The town obviously was well prepared for a long siege. With the amount of farmland and crafting abilities inside the wall it was likely they could survive as long as the wall held out. They made their way to the loft, informing the warehouse master that they would be there for the next two nights. They settled in for the night, Glenn set up his tent so they would have somewhere to change in private as needed. While not truly tired, the town was getting dark. While they may not have needed sleep the others in town did, the town would lock up for the night, including the warehouse. Thankfully they found rest easily. It would be a while before they would find peace again.
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Valtrix was old, this world had been good to his kind. Beasts and monsters were plentiful. The class wielding races kept themselves in a corral. They had already seeded the world to his kind, the dragons, as was only proper.
One of them, however, had been audacious enough to chase off his children's diner. That meant only one thing to him, time to hunt.
