Moments after the world around him had turn to black an Introductory Cutscene had appeared to give him some history on his race, class, and element. A man cloaked in black, leaving only deep yellow eyes, with snakelike pupils to be seen, appeared before him. The scenery around him slowly passed over the Shadowlands as the man began to speak.
"So you have chosen the life of a Shadow Remnant Assassin I see," his brows dropped in sorrow. " A hard life indeed, for many hardships and treacheries await you on your path. But for those that persevere, the rewards are great. You, as one the last living pieces of the Creator's power on Alrisia, must revive the Shadows and bend them to your will. Only then will you unlock the secrets this forbidden land has to offer. Good luck young hero. May the Creator always watch over you."
He vanished as did the scenery around him and immediately he appeared within the login portal in the center of the Citadel of Shadows. He sighed as he took his first steps off of the platform, he was finally here. The first step in the beginning of a long journey that could easily turn into a career if he played his cards right. But that was wishful thinking until he was level capped at eighty-five. What he needed now was to find the Assassin's Guild and request a trainer. This was the other reason he chose to skip the tutorial, he was free to find trainers of his choice for his race, class, and element respectively. All of which could be found within the walls of this Citadel.
He looked around and didn't see any other players in the immediate area, there wasn't even conversation going on in the Regional Chat, meaning there was little to no chance of other players even being in the Shadowlands at the moment. He needed information, and he would have to settle for whatever an NPC would give him when asked. Zalin surveyed the NPCs in the vincity and decided on a shady looking vendor near the entrance of a dark alleyway. He was in a safe zone so he wasn't worried about being attacked and approached the vendor at a casual pace. The name above his head read Shady Merchant Zeal.
"Good evening Merchant Zeal," Zalin said smiling beneath his mask as he approached.
"Bugger your good evenings," replied Merchant Zeal with a snarl.
"I've come seeking information, and you look like the sort that has it," Zalin replied
Shady Merchant Zeal eyed him suspiciously and put out his hand.
"Three copper and I'll give you want you want."
Zalin pressed three coppers into the merchant's palm and closed his hand. He leaned forward and whispered.
"I need to find where the dusk meets the darkness, a crevice into the shadows."
This is the phrase recommended to locate the Assassin's Guild and begin the Shadow Assassin bloodline quests. A special series of quests said to be hidden within the World. The Shady Merchant Zeal eyed him suspiciously, then he looked around nervously. Leaning in the merchant spoke quickly and quietly.
"By approaching me with the right question you have already found the crevice you seek. Prepare yourself and explore the Citadel young Assassin. They will be in touch."
The Shady Merchant Zeal gathered his cart and wandered off down the dark alleyway until he disappeared from sight. Words appeared before his eyes in the space in front of him.
"Congratulations You Have Received the Special Quest: Shadows of the Lost Lands."
Zalin smiled as he read the system message. Then then message continued.
"Achievement Bonus for unlocking Special Quest one of sixteen in the Shadowlands: One Thousand Gold."
The bonus was unexpected but welcomed nonetheless. He needed better starting equipment, to learn his primary and secondary professions, skills, and unlock his basic tier elemental abilities. All of these things cost gold, and they weren't cheap, so the bonus was going to help him cover the cost.
He decided to go for a walk through the Citadel and see what he could find of interest. The Merchant told him to prepare himself, so he figured that would be the prerequisite for the Assassin's Guild to contact him. The first NPC he was looking for was a Black Alchemist, from whom he could learn the herbology skill and the poison making skill, his primary professional skills. As well as purchase the items he'd need to get started. He just had to find an Alchemist in a long black robe with a silver snake emblem adorning it. With that he set off down the road.