Bustling Beginnings

Malik arrives in the trade city of Silverspan right on time. His journey, which lasted multiple months, was at the behest of a royal who wanted to discuss his unique identity. As he walks through the morning streets of Silverspan, he notices the cultural variety that the city offers. Many stalls litter the market in which the city is largely comprised of. Magic swords and armor are being showcased by the haughty shopkeepers who ignore passersby's personal space. The various smells of baked goods, fresh fruit, and sea salt cause Malik to grow hungry. After stopping by a fresh produce stand to buy some fresh fruit, he looks towards the sky and notices the large shadow the capital building looming over the city. 

He is speechless as the grandeur of the capitol washes over him. It seems to be a giant spiral tower, likened to a conch shell. It has several buildings along its surface with a path towards the top that winds like a screw. After a leisurely ascension admiring the architecture, he arrives in the royal court room. There, sits a woman with long flowing blue hair. Her hair sparkles and glistens as if harvested from the stars. Around her are several guards adorned with chains and pikes. The room mirrors the woman's hair as it is adorned with sparkling blue curtains, rich purple rugs, and large ornate windows.

“I apologize for the wait, madame," Malik says.

“You can address me by the name ‘Lady’,” the woman says.

Malik is amused by such a name for someone ruling a major city like this.

“You called for me, and I have arrived. I understand you wanted a meeting with me, a Summoned?”

“You would be correct,” Lady replies. “As I understand, you all aren’t of this world, belonging neither to the continents of Vespera, Runethrall or Sunderfall. I’m intrigued by your presence and your story. What are you, and why are you here? How has your journey across our world affected what you think of it?”

Malik wonders where he should begin. “Would you mind if I start from the very beginning?” Malik asks. “Although, some parts are a little fuzzy.”

“Of course.” Lady then gestures him towards a seating area next to a window with an elaborate mural depicting the city. The two of them go to sit, and on the table sits a tea kettle, and two cups. Lady claps her hands, and a servant appears and pours them a drink.

Taking a sip, Malik begins his story.

The first memory Malik recalls is sitting within a void, a never-ending dark expanse. His body was a figure of dark smoke. He could neither feel his surroundings, or talk. Though, he could hear, and see. He looks around and surrounding him were several other figures who looked just like him. A deep voice echoes throughout the void.

“You all have been brought here for a great purpose,” said the mysterious voice. “To influence and to save the world from an extreme threat. Your actions will not only influence the people around you, but the world at large. Be wary, and go forth to your new lives… in Vespera.”

Malik recounts that soon after, the only feeling he felt was falling.

Malik felt an icy chill before opening his eyes and witnessing a vast snowy expanse overtaken by a raging blizzard. He stands up confused, his body now taken form. His ears are pointed, and his clothes of fancy regard. He quickly discerns that he is an elf.

“If you were never here before, how did you know your race?” Lady asked.

“Well,” Malik began. “It seems that Summoned are able to recall some things even though we’ve never seen them before. Like for instance, monsters or plants we encounter for the first time. For some things, it’s like we are experts in the field. It’s like the information is already within our brains. The same with our powers. I discerned that I was a ‘Bard’ even though I’ve heard of that before.”

“A Bard you say? Of what college are you?”

“Although I didn’t actually go to college, I am proficient with the Music of Creation.”

Malik looks over to a suit of armor in the corner. He whisks out his bandolin and begins playing a jolly tune. The armor then animates, and hits an entertaining little jig.

“I can’t do this too often,” Malik says. “It takes a bit of energy to do so, but it's a great asset in combat, as well as a good party trick.”

Lady is amused. “Why don’t we continue your story?”

Malik has been walking through the blizzard for hours now. Fear is taking over him. He can't see more than an inch in front of his face and a haunting roar is heard every now and then in the distance. Malik decides to walk in the opposite direction of it. He stumbles and falls in the snow, and cries out for help. He stretches his arms out in agony and the cold burns his fingertips. The howling winds are so loud, he can’t even hear his own screams. Soon, Malik cant feel anything, and soon after that, he's on fire. The snow rapidly begins to pile on top of him as a figure appears. Malik instinctually, and worriedly, searches his body for a weapon, but only finds a dagger. Before he can come to grips with the situation, the figure is looming over him. They kneel down and pull back their hood, it seems to be a woman. She reaches out her hand, and he takes it. The woman drags him through the blizzard without speaking a word. Malik is worried, but he knows that he has no other options, as without her… he’d die.

After a couple minutes of walking, Malik begins to see lights through the raging blizzard. The woman leads him to what seems to be a village. The woman shoves him into what looks like a bar and slams the door behind them.

“Sorry for pulling you along like that,” The woman says. “My name is Lissa.”

She holds out her hand, waiting for Malik to reciprocate. He looks at her and notices that other than her rosy cheeks, she seems to be a fairly average girl. But how do i know what's "average"? He reciprocates her gesture, though he winces at the pain of his frostbite. Lissa doesn't seem to notice.

“My name's Malik. Where am I?” he asks, still shivering.

“You know, you are the third person to ask that. And my response is the same. You don’t just walk through Sunderfall without knowing where you are.”

Sunderfall? Malik wonders where Sunderfall could be. It wasn’t the “Vespera” the voice told him of.

“You can stay here tonight,” Lissa says, interrupting his thoughts. “There are a couple other adventurers like you, but they will be resting someplace else. We’ll talk once the blizzard is over.”

Lissa shows Malik to his room, and he gets comfortable as the weighted blanket removes the numbness from his body. He ponders his situation. What would have happened if I was never found. What is this "extreme threat"? How many more close calls will I have in this world?