### Mages A rumor has spread both throughout the wilds and The Undercity: skilled persons, especially mages were wanted for a well-paying job. The Misala village was the meeting point, an abandoned village at the frontier of Altea's slowly expanding civilization. Due to unrelenting bandit raids, the village was simply abandoned and it's inhabitants relocated. Now it serves as perfect meeting spot for those who want relative privacy, as long as you don't mind the constant danger of being robbed. While many dismissed it as some kind a trap or a hoax, __ decided to check it out. There are bound to be others who will be there, and the path itself is dangerous. Dangerous wildlife, bandits and large woodlands where you can get easily lost. And yet, the allure of a well-paying job makes them take the risk. -------- ### Luminous Knights The fresh graduates, having just celebrated getting their title, got a message from their now captain to gather at the HQ for a mission briefing. Their first one. To be considered a full Paladin and be able to join a covenant, or get a promotion, one has to serve two years under the supervision of a veteran paladin. For the next two years, this guy is going to show them the ropes, and teach some practical experience. As to what kind of assignment it was, they were not sure. There were rumors of Paladin outposts being attacked by someone, outposts which construction has started only recently. And so they made their way to Meridian, the capital of Altea. And there they would go their way to the HQ, the very place were they trained hard to become what they are now. ------ ###Alicia von Eternus Saying colds farewells to her father and Master Oriano, Alicia set off to the capital. They were proud of her accomplishment, however minor. Pride... Was she just a tool for them to feel better about themselves? Of course, Alicia was also a political move, and she very well understood that. Her father was already one of the richest people in Altea, owning the most renowned non-dwarven covenant in the land. As far as the public and his employees were concerned, he was a saint, someone people would aspire to be. Even though civilians have no say in politics, the sheer economic and public pressure Deliah von Eternus has allows him quite a bit of freedom when compared to everyone else. And now his own daughter was to be the ultimate protector of the land. Already a rising star, her two year mandatory practical training was just a formality. Various high-ranking positions were already lined up for her, all thanks to her abilities and her family's influence. But all that meant nothing for her. She was raised as nothing more than a tool for Deliah's political ambitions. Other people, especially the people she graduated with, envied her status and skill. This disgusts Alicia like nothing else: they had a choice, they joined this line of duty because they wanted to. Alicia, even before she was born, her entire future, her entire life was already planned. The sense of duty and patriotism others possessed, the driving force for them to be the best they can, was absent in Alicia. Hollow inside, Alicia had already accepted long ago that her life did not belong to herself. At last, her carriage arrived in Meridian. At least she would meet her friends. The only little light of happiness in Alicia's life. Maybe she would not laugh to their jokes, maybe she would rarely if ever show any emotion, but being considered a part of something, a human being, was too much for her to let go. -------- ### Eddy Misala was not far. The multiple humanoid footsteps, broken branches and kicked up little stones meant that others were near. Or maybe just bandits passed through there. Either way, any jobs where employers would actually pay you instead of trying to kill you after you are no longer needed were rare. The hotspot of various bandits, outlaws and hugs, this region has been deserted for a reason. Not even paladins would want to spend the manpower and resources to clean it up. Wars between various bandit gangs were commonplace, as well as raids on anything that's raid-able. Eddy knew of quite a few entrances to the Undercity as well, and most of them were in good working order. Probably because of the high useage. Climbing on top of a tree, and scaring off a few confused ravens, the elf scouted the area. He could see the center of the village, quite overgrown. The wooden walls even started sprouting branches of their own. Within the village square, a few tents were already pitched. According to the rumor, the said employer would show up within a few hours. Up in the distance Eddy could also see a few other people heading towards Misala. He was trying to look for possible hiding places, possible ambush locations, and yet, could find none. Whoever wanted them there, wanted everyone to feel relatively safe. There was no way to sneak up to anyone within the abandoned village. Deciding to go there himself, he spotted a rabbit running around below him. Sniping the poor critter from the tree he's sitting, Eddy jumped down, retrieved his arrow, and placed the rabbit on a special hook on his belt. The elf might as well have a snack while waiting around for their mystery employer.