Experimental World 463 "Tirn Dulag" is simple in its set up. The planet, originally modelled just like a standard origin life planet, floats freely in space. Its core is engraved with Model 5 of the Gravitational Rune Complex, as well as a set of standard atmospheric and environmental runes, Models 12 and 7, respectively. A dense sphere of light element orbits its circumference at a suitable distance imitating distance. A total number of five dense spheres of advanced moon element rotate around the planet on various orbits, replacing the more complicated reflection moon system usually used. All in all, the planet is made up of the bare minimum necessary to create worthwhile life. Admittedly, that has caused it to have a curious geography.
- Experimental Logs #3454658, written by Absendur
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Though Markus had been perfectly accurate in his words - the pedestrian queue was indeed much shorter - that didn't mean it was much faster. All citizens returning to the city had identity card issued by the city that recorded their basic information. They were quickly waved through after the guards checked whatever luggage the citizen carried and recorded their entry. New visitors on the other hand had to go through complicated procedures. Zyros was no exception.
"Name?", the guard asked grumpily.
He hadn't had a very good day up till now. Looking up, he saw a young boy standing in front of him, barely 8 years old maybe. Zyros had grown tall. The guard thought that 8 years was still quite young to travel, though such independence wasn't improbable in the surrounding villages. Zyros couldn't have come from there, considering his general appearance. In fact, Zyros's vibrant blue eyes and clean, blond hair were a sign of significant status. Considering all of that, the guard straightened up, looking forward to the answers to his inquiries.
Only to be disappointed when Zyros simply wrote down his name on his small blackboard.
"A mute?", the guard wondered.
Zyros nodded.
The guard lost interest immediately. Low tiered with disabilities were generally considered dead meat by society. Nevertheless, the data had to be recorded. Looking at Zyros's clothes, he had some hope that might work.
"You know how to write?"
The guard was still surprised to see Zyros nod. Maybe the kid could still become some sorta scholar. Reading at the age of... something below ten was uncommon, even among nobles. The guard grabbed a piece of chalk and a small blackboard. They were actually in stock at every gate for this kind of purpose. Didn't help that most of the peasant population couldn't read or write but the noble who thought of that was unable empathize with peasants. Nobles had that trait often.
"Write down your name, age, and your reason for entering the city."
Zyros received the chalk and the board, scribbling down the requested information swiftly and in impeccable handwriting.
The guard almost couldn't believe his eyes. He only ever saw this kind of standard on official documents written by nobles, more importantly: adult nobles.
The writing said: Zyros; 8 years old; seeking to experience the world, following the orders of my master.
Don't worry. You didn't miss a three year time skip somewhere between Markus and the gate. Queuing didn't take that long. It's just that Zyros knew that he was going to fare better, the older he was acting, so he bumped his age up by three. It's not as if he wasn't mature enough.
The guard copied Zyros's information, albeit in much worse handwriting.
"You are under the age of 14 and can therefore enter and exit the city without charge. The city gates close at sunset, unless there are special circumstances. I will issue you a temporary ID but you will have to come back in less than seven days to prove that you have found a place to stay and - if possible - a job. If you do, you will receive your official ID. You may choose not to, we will not hunt you down, but you will never be a proper citizen of this city. Now go on. Hopefully, I'll see you soon.", the guard finished standard procedure and stepped aside.
Zyros hesitated for a moment and then walked past him.
He had only taken a few steps when the guard called out to him once more. Zyros stopped and turned around to listen.
"Go to the city library. The librarian is looking for a boy competent at writing and reading who needs a job.", the guard advised him.
Zyros nodded in thanks and walked on. 'That's nice of him', Zyros thought when someone violently bumped into him.
Zyros gritted his teeth as his head hit the ground with a moderate amount of force.
"Watch where you go!", the hurried man hollered as he passed, paying no attention to the boy he'd knocked off his feet.
Zyros quickly recovered from the moment when the next few people came dangerously close to his aching body. He hadn't expected Fayford to be this busy. Quickly retreating to the side of road some distance away from the city gate, Zyros looked for some sort of vantage point. He chose a wooden cart which was currently being unloaded and climbed up.
Looking out over the bustling crowd, Zyros was simply shocked. He had never seen this many people in his life. He expected something similar in accordance with some paintings the Master had shown him in the past but never to this extent. From his position he could see hundreds of people. There young people, old people, children, men, women, animals, poor and rich. This variety was simply breathtaking.
"What are you doing?! Get down there!", the cart's owner's voice proved to be a rude awakening to this small moment of fantasy, Zyros allowed himself to experience.
Zyros got down there and, thinking swiftly, grabbed his little blackboard to chalk up a short inquiry.
[Good sir, could you please tell me how I can get to the library of this city?]
The man, already annoyed, simply pointed to the straight road that led directly away from the city gate towards the city centre.
Zyros accepted that answer, wanting to avoid any possible conflict, and left promptly.
He followed the road, the man had pointed out to him, doing his best to navigate the crowd. It wasn't long until he figured out a good technique and found the opportunity to look around and take in the unfamiliar environment.
He saw many different people in the crowd. There was young blonde with dirtied hair and ragged clothes carrying a child and holding boy by his hand. She probably wasn't well off and couldn't support her children at all. Though judging by her own skinny appearance and comparing it to the two relatively better looking offsprings, she seemed willing to sacrifice.
Not far from that women walked a middle-aged man in expensive robes and with a large potbelly. He carried a delicate cane he clearly didn't need and was accompanied by a youth in well-made but less expensive robes who scrambled after presumably his master.
From the lessons Zyros could glean that this was most likely a master-apprentice pair of some magical profession. Magical since no other type of profession would ever support that kind of stature. That magician coincidentally also noticed the poor woman immediately looking at her with obvious desire that Zyros would come to know as lust later on. One mustn't guess how well a fat magician attracts the fairer sex.