[center][h1]Nero[/h1][/center]
"I'm just going to take a look down there" said a  Neroan slave driver to one of his co-workers as he prepared to descend the shaft.  Ancient burial grounds such as this would typically contain treasures of untold value for those who got there first, and with the King out on a trip,  a golden opportunity presented itself.

"Relax Dominick, if I find anything of value, I'll split the earning's from selllin' it with you and the rest of the boys."

Slowly, the lone slave driver began to descend into the seemingly endless chasm below.   A quarter mile down, he'd finally reached what appeared to be the bottom; a flat, dusty surface, no graves in sight.  "Well that's disappointing..." the disgruntled man mumbled as he detached his harness from the rope.  Taking a single step forward, the ground softly crackling, light vibrations tickling his feet.  With a gasp, he lunged for the rope, but alas, he was too late. The ground beneath him gave way.  A rush of stale air; tainted with the lingering stench of death, exploded upward, reverberating through the tunnels leading to the chamber.

Somehow, the slave driver managed to grab onto something as he fell.  Nervously, he looked around the newly opened area.  Around him, were massive chains, covered in faded, ancient runes. There were thousands of them.

But they were all broken…

Every.

Single

One.

The man screamed as he realized that this was no burial ground...

[center][h2]It was a [color=8A0707][b]PRISON.[/b][/color][/h2][/center]

Above, torches all about the city of Nero began to flicker, not constantly, but every so often.  Slowly, an eerie, almost unnatural, yet ever-so-subtle chill crept into the air, the perverse feeling growing stronger with each passing moment….

It was quietly busy on the streets. The darkness kept at bay by the light from high above the city and the flickering flames set around the dark corridors. People found nothing to be amiss and continued about their day. The gates opening to allow the return of the King of Nero.  His path  was kept guarded by many shadow elites sitting like gargoyles above the buildings that lined the streets.

The smell made all take back their progressing steps into the mouth of the void. None were able to move beyond their sight and guards around the entrance of this secret underground construction were able to sense the presence of something ancient and foul. "We should prepare for the worst." One spoke in confidence. His partner not too wary. "Ancient tombs always have rotted pests that make its walls a home." They both looked towards the entrance they kept at their backs. They were inside a building within Nero's lower domestic homes. 

The building merely hid a deep canal. Those within its depths could only hold fast as their senses would be stung with the smell. "Light the fires!" And so they were, dozens of them. Their commander was a tall and slender man who kept a hat on despite his horn piercing through them. His eyes almost glowed in the dark. He lit a cigar. "These chains..." He said. As if eyes broke through the dark. "Something is free now." The other miners looked to him in shock. Their size growing smaller as they edged toward the exit. "If you try to leave those guards are going to guarantee you don't make it out of here. Best keep pressing on.." The torch in his hand waved forward in the lead. 

Stepping into the darkness..
[hr]

[center][h1]Gaia / Pearl[/h1][/center]
Time: 1:00PM
[center][i]Regardless of their efforts to make it to the town on time the group was stalled not only by the rough terrain but by their concern for their fallen. Though not many words were spoken between the travelers they found themselves revealing secrets even without their knowledge. It was not long after they entered the forest did they have eyes on them. Nomads travel where they are able to. Outside of the major cities and towns. However their children, lost or orphaned, are allowed to come and go. Many take this opportunity to weave in and out of the forests. Coming closer to the town of Pearl, which was free of walls, did the group come under the curiosity of nomads hidden in the terrain.
[hider=Town Pearl][img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/moon-guard/images/2/2c/A257274be7ea9b2f0fe07961159437ea.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20171014142617[/img][/hider]
The town of Pearl was quiet from the outside. Its simple white stone structure reflected the sun's glaring light brilliantly. Their roads were clear and smooth. These roads turned far down to the south towards the mountain that led to Gaia's capital city. The rest of the buildings were mostly homes. A few were markets and sold nearly everything within one. A fresh and aired place. A farming town growing fruits and vegetation. Their meats are met through hunting game rather than farming them. The head quarters of the Merchants guild is also here. A bar & inn named 'Savvan's Inn' sits next to their large market building, with multiple floors for each category of goods.[/i][/center]
[@Jollan][@geurls][@Guy0fV4lor][@RumikoOhara][@Dread][@Verticus]