Umberal The grand palace [center][img]http://www.art-prints-on-demand.com/kunst/joseph_nash/banquet_baronial_hall_penshur_hi.jpg[/img][/center] The first thing one would see in this massive city is the lack of inhibition. Nearly nude men and women alike walk through the streets, stepping over the drunken bodies below. This was a festival of huge proportions. Massive walls guarded the palace' main hall but only from view as the sounds of loud banter flowed freely outside. Inside, glowing fires cooked meats of exotic nature, some even human carcasses. It didn't matter here one bit. Slaves were nothing more than servants and livestock to most. At the head of the longest, grandest table sat Nina alone. Her eyes shifted left to right and her best smile was forced upon the crowd. The compliments, 'oh I love your hair' or, 'we are so lucky to have you.' Brown-nosers.. Every one of them. The nearly sickening display of aggressive gratitude was dispatched by the sound of a bell. A single ring was enough to hush the hall. "Welcome Patriarch Golan, happy birthday!" The crowd cheered as Golan appeared from the shadows upon a massive staircase. His form was covered by a thick black coat which had a tail akin to a wedding dress. Four young maidens were working hard to keep the coats tail under control. When he finally reached the head of the table, Golan's hand reached from the coat to touch Nina's shoulder. She turned to see his long red fingernails. "Oh.. Please not again." Golan took his hand from her and removed his coat. As it fell from his body, the maidens hastily removed the coat but no one really noticed as Golan stood before them wearing nothing but a corset, flanked by a tight black pair of what would appear to be women's undergarments. He spoke in a higher pitched tone , "Welcome!" Nina brought her hands to her face, covering as much as possible. It was even more uncomfortable when she realized he was excited. She could've swore it was looking at her. He finally sat down and reached out to one of the shiny metal cups that dotted the table. Before he could even drink the food came out. Polished bronze plates were delivered to the tables and with a massive and awkwardly presented birth day chant, the feast began. After the food was eaten, festivities began in the form of dance. Bin refrained but Golan couldn't resist. As he stepped onto the floor, people began to clap as his body began to roar to life. Legs motioned in ridiculous but well timed ways. He swung side to side and spun a few times before finally slowing into a graceful posture. His arms then extended, revealing a tuff of braided black hair in his arm pits. Nina slowly sank into her chair before catching sight of a hooded man slinking through the doors. This was her chance to escape the scene Golan was showing. And the entry of what could only be described as an iron age flash mob, she had to get out quick. It was at the opposite and most secluded side of the room did Nina meet the hooded fellow. The figure spoke with a very masculine tone, "I have completed the search. The north holds the most promise." Nina crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "What of the barbarians... Things are already bad enough. Starting a war would only make things worse." The figure smiled but through the dark contours of the figures face shadowing detail left this smile unseen. "Matriarch, you tasked me to find lands to spread population to.. Fertile lands for farms." Nina folded her arms. "I suppose I did. Well done on your mission." She looked to Golan who was now in the middle of a crazed dance with nearly half of the visitors. "Find a place for a pioneer fort to coordinate northern efforts." She unfolded her arms and clasped them. "Once you find a good spot return here. Hopefully Golan can stay clean long enough to make an informed choice." The masked man nodded and turned away. Nina turned back to Golan who by now was imitating a bird with, shamefully, a flock of other men and women... --------------------- Eastern Umberal "aesior" a strange androgynous voice said in a whisper. Behind the voice was a spiral of strange green colors and fields of bright grass. "aesior!" The voice shouted and the image of a city appeared in the distance. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the city was close enough to touch. Then the eye appeared, the volcano's eye. Its image was vague but there was no denying what was seen.. And in that instant, the world turned black before reality brought the light back. "Darnil! A feminine voice sounded. The man, Darnil had once again awoke from a strange vision. He was a frail man with skin pale as snow and a cold touch to match it. His twilight years were filled with strange visions that benefited his guild, the "explorers guild". It was more of a relic acquisition group at this point, reporting to Golan and showering him in gold. Golan was still a good patriarch though, pouring the majority of that gold into welfare programs. Regardless, that guild was rich and its biggest pay-day to date was on its way.. A volcanic relic. "Galfree!" His aged voice called out. A few minutes passed before a young slave walked through the doors. "Yes? What can she do for you." The old man smiled. Go grab some grogar.. That randar fellow." "Ramnok" she corrected. "yes, summon nomkon." "ramnok." The old man shook his head, "Have him summoned and I will have you accompany him." "But she cannot care for you if she is sent away." The old man smirked, "Did you really think I purchased you from the military to act as a sitter?" He frowned, "That whore from the brothel nearly outbid me. Apparently some men like it rough and Galfree, you're rough." Galfree gave him a puzzled look. Causing him to speak again, "I mean you are strong and aggressive." She smiled, "She would've broken many men." The old man smiled, "Some men want to be broken." Before Galfree could respond, he waved her off once more. "We are done here." ..... Within a day or so, a runner would've tracked down Ramnok with a simple note. "Ramkon, I've been told that you've helped my guild a few times in the past. From what I've heard there were no complaints so I am calling on you in person. Please come to the city of Havalona to see me, It'll be worth your time. -Omus Darnil, on behalf of the Explorers guild."