Dawn came as it always did, with Karastak standing atop the Inn's roof in only his trousers as he spread out his arms as though to embrace the glory and majesty of the golden orb of light and flame. Although this was true, it was only partly so. For he had opted to watch the sun's rays paint the sky above with its hues of reds, violets, and oranges in a masterful work of art. One that, as he had explained to his compatriots before, only himself and a few others could truly appreciate.

After a time had past, with the rising of the sun, he disappeared into the Inn and his room. Whereupon he held his hands out to his sides whilst invoking his magicks, “.” Lines of energy, faded blue in colour, wrapped themselves around his body, weaving themselves into what he so desired until they vanished and left the linen robe he had on the day before.

“.” He held out his right hand for this, as white energy condensed into a cylindrical shape a few millimetres between his palm and fingers. After which it stretched and thicken itself before becoming the basis of the same staff he wielded within and without the mines. When the shape was complete, earth tones were added to the staff itself, whereas a crystalline structure formed itself at the tip. One which had the same composition as a flawless diamond would have, but in the form of a spike the length of a grown Human male's hand.

Once completed, he donned his boots, badge and money pouch before fully exiting the room and into a short hallway. This led to the food court that the Inn housed, and one where twenty bodies in various shapes and colours sat upon benches to break their fast for the morning, whilst a dozen others had queued up to a few counters with a tired old man writing up anything and everything the people before him desired to eat. Be it the pig meat he had harvested, or something else, they all wished for something.

Just as he stepped past the food court, a little white body flew over and landed atop his head with a satisfied squeak. The cause for such a squeak was due to her being loved by one of the cook's own children. One who would always feed her pieces of organ meat and offal, the types no one wished to eat.

Smirking softly, he reached up and lightly scratched her back before moving forward once again and out the doors to the street. Whereupon he stepped forward towards the Guild Hall which lay directly ahead, and once inside, situated himself upon one of the many sofas whilst awaiting for them to fully open. For although their doors were unlocked to allow Adventurers to step through, no one else could until the sisters were seated upon their chairs or the Guildmaster was present somewhere within.

However, no one was present, and with a quick activation of his , couldn't detect any other bodies present, save for the odd rodent hiding within the walls, and the insects crawling under the floorboards. Therefore, he sat against the sofa with his head stretch atop and eyes closed as he opted to wait.

His patience did not have to stretch itself for very long, as a group of four individuals entered and paused in the doorway whilst speaking in low tones. However, he kept his eyes shut, even when one of their number approached his position. Whereupon this person then drew a sword from their waist, and swung it hard against Karastak whilst shouting, “!”

*****

“Is this the place we're supposed to meet Master Tanin and the other one?” growled a gruff voice which came from a muscled bound Human wearing heavy leathers all about his body, a pair of slender scimitars laid strapped to his thighs, and a battle axe was hooked across his back. He was walking down the dirt packed street of Orley with three others towards the Guild Hall where they were to pick up someone named Karas before heading off on a week long trip to the port city of Grey Water further west past the mountains. Afterwards was a boat trip to the city across the massive lake Grey Water was situated upon.

What was seen of the man's head was of a more squared shape with short cropped, dark hair and a face which had been beaten and broken one too many times. Whereas one of the people in the group next to himself was the complete opposite of his stature.

For this one was a petite, young Halfling wearing a white robe and a twenty rayed sun, denoting her as a follower of a Lord of Light. Her own features were soft with a heart shaped face, jade coloured eyes, and a little button-like nose. Whereas her hair was the colour of blue ice, and was done up in a ponytail which arced upwards in a forty-five degree angle before dipping towards her lower back. With a white staff in her hands, she appeared to be a child playing at being a Priest, what with her being half the male's height of one and a half metres in height.

The last two were a pair of white Wolfwomen sisters with ice-blue eyes who wore the same clothing, talked the same way, and performed everything together. From sleeping and bathing with each other to fighting the same foe, they did everything, but only together. Their clothing consisted of tight leathers which revealed everything to the world, but as their chest consisted of very little, and their desire to not speak when working, many believed them to be male.

Especially when their mannerisms could change on a dime from grunts and barks to a sensual and effeminate speech. This, coupled with the fact that their entire race looked very much alike that of a true wolf, but on their hind legs, only a trained eye could discern who was whom.

However, these ones carried many forms of knives and daggers sheathed across their outerwear, and even a few hidden somewhere against their furred bodies. Along with their clawed paws, not many were willing to spar against the pair in a fair fight. Not to mention these probably wouldn't fight fair, either.

“It's a dump,” sniffed one of the sisters, who then scrunched her facial features with disgust.

“It's a backwater town, sister,” whispered the other whilst hugging her arm, “You can't expect pristine streets like back home.”

“Elena, Elanor,” came the high voice of the Halfling, as she placed her hand on her hips whilst scolding up at them, “These are humble people leading humble lives, and yes, Korin, this is where we're to meet Master Tanin. So lets get over to the Guild Hall and wait for him there, okay?”

“You're not the boss of us, Pip-squeak/Priscilla,” chimed in the twins.

“That's enough, you three,” growled Korin as they approached the Guild Hall, but stopped due to the Halfling Priest wanting to cast a spell she just learned a few towns back.

“!” she called out with enthusiasm, and the group watched as a ball of iridescent light form upon the tip of her staff, and released a thin, tall beam of light which brushed up against the whole of the building's front three times before vanishing. “Huh,” her voice released slowly.

“What'd you find?” grunted the Human of the group.

“Well... nothing except for a few rats and bugs.”

“Guess no one's home just yet,” chimed in Elenor.

Which her sister agreed by adding, “The sun just came up,” then pointed towards Priscilla, “Did you praise the sun yet?”

“Yes,” she drawled slowly, grumbling at the comment.

After which the grouped entered inside, whereupon they noted the few tapestries and map which were this place's “decor”. However, the twins were pointing towards something off to their left. For there, upon one of the many sofas, sat a pale man with sharp features, shoulder length white hair wearing a blue robe, and had a strange staff within in large hands. They didn't know who the person was, but they did have a guess.

“I thought your said there wasn't anyone here,” whispered the twins.

“It didn't,” the Halfling whispered back.

“Then How do you explain him?” came the whisperings of Korin.

“I don't know, but is that who we're picking up?” they watched as Elanor pull out an iron disc with many engravings upon its surface. After pressing one of the many symbols, it activated with a soft hum, revealing the face of Karastak, who was similar to the man resting on the sofa. However, next to his portrait was a status box which appeared as follows:

Karas

{Race: Goliath}

{Age: 25}

{Level: 18} {STR: ???; DEX: ???; CON: ???; INT; ???; WIS: ???; CHA: ???}

{Health: ???/???} {Mana: ???/???}

{Class: Enchanter} {Subclass: Wordsmith}

{Skills: ?????}

{Passive Skills: ?????}

{Titles: Soul Bound}

{Titles Equipped: Soul Bound}

“What are you doing, you battle freak?” scream-whispered the Halfling as she watched her compatriot march over to the supposedly sleeping giant as he unsheathed one of his scimitars.

“I'm going to see how strong he is. Maybe he's an overpowered Hero, or something.” Whereupon he grinned as he raised the weapon above his head before roaring, “,” and brought down a glowing, red blade which threatened to slay the pale man as he slept.

Instead, however, the entirety of the hall rang out as the scimitar's blade landed upon the tip of the diamond spike. After which the eyes of Karastak opened to reveal a pair of shining, crimson orbs, and a feral growl was released from his throat as well. What came next, startled everyone save for the pale giant. For a stream of energy was fed into the staff, causing the gem to glow with the colour of fresh blood, and shattered the blade it was connected to. Thus resulting in the musclebound oaf of a Human to stumble back and stare dumbfounded as the giant stood tall at half again Korin's height.

Whereupon he took a deep breath, filling up his lungs to full capacity, before releasing a wail like none other upon the group with their Human compatriot taking the full brunt of the sound wave. Thus bringing him to his knees as he clamped his hands over his ears whilst blood trickled out of every orifice. No doubt his and everyone else's eardrums had cracked from the force of his , but he could only speculate.

For just as the group had collapsed, a large crowd of Adventurers rushed inside the Guild Hall with their weapons drawn whilst searching for an enemy to slay. Unfortunately for the eager, they only found an annoyed Karastak, or Karas as he is known within the territory, and four knocked out Silver Rankers collapsed upon the floor.

“[Well now,]” spoke Azazel as she walked through the group which grumbled and pointed, “[if this isn't awkward, then I'll eat my dress.]” She grinned up at her Goliath who glowered down upon her position with pinprick-like eyes whilst a small, white bat squeaked underneath the mass of hair atop his head. Of which was accentuated by a small patch of it flopping up before settling down into place.

*

“I will not apologise for what had occurred,” growled Karastak as he sat upon a sofa within the Guildmaster's study, “The Human attacked me first, and I responded. Besides, they are healed up, so why bother me with anything more?” He waved at the group who were across from him upon the other sofa, each giving him a variety of looks in his direction whilst Little Mother squeaked in agreement upon his head.

The Human of the group was glowering in pent up rage, mostly for being bested from a simple wail, as well as the breaking of his weapon. Whereas the little girl in Priest garb tried to make herself as small as possible whilst doing her best to not look as fearful as she felt. As for the twins, they held the appearance of one who was interested in something new and exotic.

“Though, having a child in the midst of this group is a little disconcerting. Therefore, I shall apologise towards her for taking the force of my cry.” To which he bowed in her direction, not noticing her flustered appearance which contorted into confused indignation.

“[That's a Halfling, Karastak,]” Azazel pointed out from her seat on the desk, swinging her legs as she leaned back with boredom etched into her eyes.

“Truly? A Halfling?” he reared back with an eyebrow quirked.

“Yes a Halfling,” frowned Priscilla, “And who are you talking to?” She had noticed the flicker of his eyes darting towards an area of the desk where Guildmaster Grayson sat behind, but found nothing there.

“To you, currently,” came his response, the eyebrow still raised as he made a mental note to watch her.

“He's Soul Bound to the bat on his head,” came the husky voice of Elena, who noted another squeak from Little Mother hiding amongst the strands of white atop his head, “They probably talk to one another.” She shrugged as his gaze fell upon her, but made no mention to contradict her. Thus causing her to smirk as though she made the correct guess.

“Regardless,” sighed Grayson, “Karas, you fought against a fellow Adventurer, and will be given a strike against you.” Of which caused the younger Human across from him to smirk, believing he was getting away with something, but soon frowned when the pale giant spoke.

“No,” he glowered at the foolish old man, “I defended myself against an attack made by the Human there, and in the rules it states no infighting between Adventurers unless to defend one's self against deadly force from another. Therefore, I do not deserve a strike, but that one does. For I simply defended myself by incapacitating the aggressor. The others were just collateral, and as they are a part of his group, they did nothing to physically or magickally stop his attack. Therefore, they are just as guilty as he for threatening my life.”

A slow clap came from the doorway out, and those within the room turned towards the one who interrupted the meeting. Whereupon Karastak's eyes fell upon an old Elf with a Mithril amulet draped across his chest whilst beaming a smile towards the Guildmaster. “He got you there, Grayson, so retract the strike and add it to Korin.”

“What?!” rumbled the musclebound Human, who surged to his feet whilst giving off an aura of rage. One that terrified the females and older Human present, but did nothing to the pale giant and Elf. Whereas Little Mother just gave off another one of her squeaks from underneath his hair, but he also felt her little body shiver with fright, and turned towards the aggressor with hatred in his eyes.

“Sit down Korin,” sighed the newcomer, but when he didn't respond, commanded, “, Korin.” To which the Human obediently sat, but Karastak could see that the other was trying to fight against the invisible bonds.

“Tanin,” Grayson sighed slowly.

“Don't you 'Tanin' me. I just came back from the Diviners, and it's true,” his eyes drifted from the old Guildmaster to the robed Goliath and back, giving meaning to something more, “Korin used a against Karas, had his blade shattered, and the party incapacitated. Only Priscilla here yelled out a question, but they didn't try to stop him in any way, and now they reap what they sowed.”

“It is as he says,” glared the pale giant, who focused his gaze upon the twitching old Human who could not refute the words of a Mithril Ranker.

“Now, Korin,” chimed in the Elf called Tanin with a slight smile and a wink as the Human smoldered against his bonds, “this is your second strike. Which means you are going without pay for a full month, but are still obligated to complete any and all quests and missions you have queued up. So don't run off, okay?

“And Grayson, aren't you going to tell Karas here what else he was called up for?”

“Fine,” he drawled slowly, and steeled himself to the best of his ability towards the Goliath who was not at all amused by his actions and words, “Because of the circumstances surrounding the incident with your pet, and because you have no quests queued, you are hereby ordered to escort Master Tanin on a quest to Rosenburg. The quest is dangerous and long, but I'm sure you will be fine.”

Karastak just sat there, staring at the Human who spoke the words whilst not understanding what was occurring. Of which was explained by Azazel, “[He's kicking you out because the Duke said so. Because he can't have your pet, and the fact that you slew the assassins who kept coming after you, the oaf doesn't want you within his territory due to fear.]”

“Is that so,” he spoke slowly, understanding dawning within his mind, “and it's all because of the Duke who was refused?” To which the old man physically jumped as soon as the words reached his ears. Whereupon his eyes widened greatly as the other continued with, “You're just afraid of a lowly Duke who is throwing a tantrum and just want me gone because of a petty dispute? Very well, but you'll have to explain to the triplets, Dean, and townsfolk why one of their favourite Adventurers has been kicked out of their town. Even after one of the key policies of the Adventurer's Guild is to remove themselves from the politics of the world.

“And yet, here you are. Smack dab in the middle of it all. I wonder what the other Guildmasters will think of you if and when word reaches their ears?” After which he excused himself from the room, and heard the muffled laughter of someone within as Azazel appeared atop his right shoulder. Whereupon he made his way down the stairs and towards a brightly dressed Elf who sat in a corner strumming on a lute. Of whom was the town's Bard, and was specifically targeted by the Goliath for his rapid fire mouth which had the ear of the many.

“Ah, Karas,” came the singsong voice of Reginald, who was wholly male, but could transform his voice into any gender, “what can I do for you?” A gentle, but knowing smile stretched across the Bard's face, as he had seen the same look of frustrated anger in many a customer. However, such a glance could end up as one of two things for himself. Either the robed giant wanted to release his pent up aggression through the use of a bed, or was about to reveal a scandalous secret which would be within the ears of everyone by nightfall.

“Do you remember the incident with the Duke?” growled Karastak as he pulled up a chair to sit in front of the Bard. Whereupon the little girl leapt down upon the floor, placed her hands behind her head, and decided to walk around the common room with a knowing smile whilst Little Mother poked her head out from under the strands of hair to squeak at the Elf.

“How could I not?” he laughed gently, musically, “It is a tale that has been spread to many other towns nearby, and from the lips of friends. Why?” His eyes sparkled, believing there to be more to the story at hand.

“Well,” began the other, who then proceeded to speak of what he just learned by Guildmaster Grayson own lips. As well as the speculation he had garnered from the encounter, much to the delight and horror of a Gossipmongering Bard such as he.