Permeating the wind was the smell of late autumn, musty from the rain as well as a cold that cut through most leathers. Mason pulled his overly large coat around himself tightly, Fighting off the viscous wind and cold. The Windswept cliff face road was notorious for hurling carts and unsuspecting travelers to the bottom. If only it wasn't the fastest road to Krain. The Largest City by far Krain Nestled on top of the same cliff ridge. Originally constructed, some say a retreat for the wealthy Krain became the home of trade and cultured life. That however was a few hundred years ago, or so people say. The valley below Krain Is Elysium, Mostly farmland with few acceptances the land is fertile and in a golden band ecosystem. Meaning they produce some form of harvest most times of the year. Farmers, though typically hard labouring, here lived peaceful lives almost free of interference. Six "cities" dot the landscape of Elysium Valley, along with four abbey sects.
Mason Looked back over the valley remembering the warm light of the afternoon's sun, The friendly residents, and the peace he had finally found. Looking ahead at the cliff pass the wind ripped up the path throwing loose dirt and stones towards Mason's face. Grumbling He started up the trail with his large boots digging deeply into the road. His destination was a large weathered inn built into a convex space of the wall, this provided some coverage for the Inn. Happily Named Whole of the Wall, the owners were a wealthy family from Krain and never visited. The inn keeper had changed over the years that Mason had traveled the cliff road but they were always welcoming. From the state of the stables built off to a walled side the Whole of the Wall seemed to be busy tonight, Mason would have to haggle for a room early. The wind whipped the sign hard enough that a weaker one would have splintered from the force. Mason pushed open the heavy oak door. His large frame made it impossible to keep the wind out as it whipped in past him knocking back papers and table cloths. Everyone felt the wind so everyone turned to see who left the damn door open. Most turned away immediately as they saw the reddish brown coat of the Verity knight standing in the door. Realizing the wind Mason closed the door and proceeded to the bar. Everyone stayed out of his path, no one cared to anger a traveling Verity, Mason's size also was quite intimidating. The inside of the Inn was very nice considering its clients. Most tables had set oil lamps and each was ornately carved with images of feasts and revelry. There were two dining floors the bottom had less tables and more room to move or dance if a bard was present. The second floor was mostly balcony tables with a few tucked back by the stained windows. The third floor and basement were lodgings.
Mason finally made it to the bar, when the Inn keeper acknowledged him while making his way over filling drinks and taking orders the whole way. "Sir knight what can I get for you?" "Just food,lodging, and some Ale if there are any left." "I can do the food and ale but the only lodging I have left is a damp basement room." "I'll pay extra just to keep everyone else away from it." "Right away, Did you want your things taken to your room or a table?" The inn keepers intentions were plain and normal for mason. Best to keep someone happily tucked away, particularly if they may start killing your patrons. Mason sighed heavily, he pointed his index finger upward in the direction of the balcony. "I'll be up there is there a visiting bard tonight?" "Not that I am aware Sir knight. I will bring your food up personally." He said as he passed an obviously cleaner and larger pitcher of Ale and a glass to Mason. Mason took this as his queue to leave and headed upstairs. Keeping verity around is harmful for Business, You see among their silver black blood, ability to use the arts, and natural abilities to detect lies Verity already are shunned, factor in that those on the cusp of becoming accursed will force a change or openly attack Verity to protect themselves. To avoid this Mason kept his eyes low to the ground as he made his way to the furthest back table. The window faced outward and illuminated shades of green and blue glass back into the inn, on less cloudy days you could see the overlook of the valley. Today the storm rattled the closed shutters, and no light shone through. Mason drank for a while drowning out the intentions of those around him, since childhood Mason showed the ability to sense Intent. This is the ability to know a person's Intentions in a statement or action, for Mason the range was about seven hundred paces in any direction. Growing up this made him no one's friend. Now it was just an annoyance and sometimes saved his life. Mason watched the life of the Inn from his small corner, People around sharing stories and some making deals. No one seemed to care about him as soon as he sat down he preferred this most times, though a thought crossed his mind as it was broken by the rich overpowering smell of the stew say in front of him. "Aye here you be sir, Venison stew with onion and potatoes, sorry to say we ran out of carrots sir." "Never mind the carrots, I thank you for the meal, here." Mason reached out and passed the man a few silver coins. To which the man's face jumped to glee. "Thank you sir, Thank you." "Aye." Mason watched the Inn keeper make his way back through the crowd and began eating, the murmur of the crowd almost soothing. It took most of the pitcher before Mason felt a slight warmth from the Ale. Once it had begun to set in Mason relented to sleep making his way to the room he acquired.
Mason stood on a great flat land, the edge of which seemed to be masked in clouds. Looking around Mason wandered lost or in a daze, as he approached the fog it seemed to move away from him. Taking a breath the fog seemed to move inward and then out as he breathed. With a sudden burst of intuition Mason took a last breath and recited calming prayer. The fog followed the manic state of his mind, as it calmed so did the fog fade. He could now see himself sleeping in the small bed, the walls around him seemed like thin sheets rather than stone to his unlocked senses. With a glance he saw enough, In a large Inn on the 'carriage way' there are plenty of sins. Content to allow his senses to calm further and hopefully drift away. Yet my eyes locked on a dark orb, maybe a room away. The dark orb seemed to be bobbing back and forth close to the wall. The other greyed shapes are in the middle of the room, normally where the bed is, as the night progressed the Orb grew in size and pulse. Mason pulled his concession back to his form. Looking up the candle had burned almost down, four hours, with a sigh he lifted himself from the bed keeping his eye on where the orb was. Leaving the room Mason kept a hand tightly gripped on his sword. Mason's fears were suddenly realised as a door he passed exploded outward with green and yellow flames a thick smoke followed with a large object smashing Mason back to the ground. Above a large crack shook the stone walls bringing the ovens and stoves above on top of the Verity.
Cursing Mason pulled a table next to him for protection on top of himself. Not much protection but the thick wood of the long table kept most of the heavy debris rolling to the side till it made a wall next to him. With sheer annoyance Mason tore his way through the rock and wood above him. It took just after midday for him to dig himself. The sight that awaited him was a horrid one, the entire Inn had collapsed inward. Many were dead from the Debris, the Accursed left worse. The Parts strewn across the ceiling like they had been smeared across the remaining walls. In a corner set the beast, sitting like a child in the fetal position. Mason shook his head as he pulled free a semi-broke hatchet from the inside of his torn coat. The beast noticed and started to stand, originally about four foot three the small form walked forward reacting under its breath, "Just forget, just forget." Mason stopped cold. It spoke, his mind raced, 'They don't speak, they don't remember how.' As he thought the form of the boy moved forward still repeating the same words. Mason had to try. "Forget what boy?" It stopped as its head drifted up toward Mason's eyes he saw the pitch black depths. Its mouth moved rapidly as if trying to respond then, his mouth moved so fast it dislocated itself still rattling free of its socket. Mason jumped back cursing his own kindness. Quickly the boy changed his small arms tore free of their sockets with a gruesome sound, new muscle and bone seemed to grow instantaneous with each movement. Soon his arms extended much longer than his body and split into two tattered halves veins of flesh and sinew formed grotesque wings. His legs and chest also grew out, His legs bending backward, becoming like talons. Within moments the beast was realized. Mason didn't wait and quickly moved in as he was changing, the creature caught a few blows from the hatchet to a left arm-wing before tossing the large Mason back into the Debris pit.
Hitting near the bar itself Mason heard the drip of liquid, looking to his right he saw a still intact wooden whiskey barrel. With a smile he lurched the table to barrel free and took a long swig, as he did he cut his palm on his hatchet blade. Standing back up Mason raised his Hatchet in the air and yelled "Neluk Contay" As he does the axe blade engulfs in a white gold flame. The creature quickly responds by bounding back and attempting to take flight only to land on the ceiling and begin tearing sections free from the roof. Bringing with it brilliant beams of light that illuminate the horror scene around Mason. Shielding his eyes from the light Mason slowly breath and with a hearty flick sends the Hatchet flaming and spinning toward the creature. A high pitched Howl Signifies the hit, followed by a large wing-like limb falling to the ground. Howls and Screeches mixed with the occasional "His Fault" filled the air as Mason lifted the heavy whiskey barrel and chucked it onto the already burning accursed. A sudden explosion ripped forth from the alcohol and flames, enveloping the Accursed. Within moments it was reduced to flaming embers. Mason plopped onto a broken chair cushion breaking it further remarking "All I did was want a nap." Tired, bruised and still hungover the larger Variety looked at the disaster grabbing a bottle of wine laying in the rubble. Taking a moment Mason got up and picking through the rubble he recovered his sword and stacked all the bodies from the collapse. Few escaped and though the fight was quick Mason working alone took hours to move the debris after his injuries. After stacking the bodies into the pire Mason set the inn ablaze saying a prayer as he did.
The fire took a silvery grey light as it burned the traces of Verity blood causing the change.
The road ahead was long, five days up steep cliff roads. No one questioned why farmers gladly sold to merchants in the valley allowing the merchants to make the difficult Trek. Mason being bandaged still managed a solid pace. Nothing was ever so easy for travelers though and Mason was only slightly different. This meant that when the Gobmar moved on him he heard them moving behind the rocks. Mason was tired having traveled the whole day after the incident at the Inn, so Mason dropped his large coat and bag. Shrieking the small deformed bodies of the Gobmar charged forward, their crude weapons swinging wildly over their heads. Mason let out his held breath, in the same second he drew his longsword swinging low turning his heel he caught the small creatures. Some caught his blade at the shoulder some the blade landed lower. Everywhere the long blade caught left severed bodies and limbs. Only two Gobmar we're alive do to attacking late they stood demoralized. Mason stood and walked toward the two frozen Gobmar, they both stood in fear only after Mason cut one of them in half spraying blood across the remaining one and it woke up enough to realize the danger. The remaining Gobmar dropped its crude club and turned to run. Mason reached forward and grabbed the creature by the skull dragging it to the side of the cliff. Lifting it up he stared into its beady eyes as it struggled against his grip. "If our paths were reversed you would have gladly gutted me." With this he spat to the side and with a flick Mason hurtled the tiny creature off the thousand or so foot drop. No service would be given for these creatures. Gobmar are considered smart apes that live below the ground. Smart enough to build tools but not enough to speak or trade they have survived attacking small bands of traders before they run away into the caves again.
Long ago the City of Krain was created on a cliff outcropping as a retreat city for the wealthy, after the outbreak of the accursed more and more showed up in hopes of safety. Reaching the edge of the cliff broke away into a forest that existed between a vast mountain range. This was also the point Mason knew he needed to make camp. The forest was dense and though the road was rarely patrolled those would be more scarce if any Accursed had been spotted. Mason traveled light as such his camps were very spartan, Mason set by his small fire and ate his dried jerky, four more days.