[center][h1]Final Fantasy: Reverence[/h1]
[h2]Chapter 1: Raelin[/h2][/center]
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[center]The city of Valennia. The crown jewel of the archaic nation of Raelin. As old-fashioned as many of it's buildings and people are, it is without a doubt still a nation of excellence, yet it is little surprise this ancient nation with centuries of history, stained with both blood, and both magic runes and blades engraved with blood. Still, a certain tension pervades the air around the capital, Valennia. Whispers of a rebellion are on the streets themselves, a group they say, calling themselves the Swords of Valor. To the common person it is a simple matter of rabblerousers trying to get their lot in life in the wrong way, that they should just join the Adventurer's Guild if they just want to fight for their money. These days after all, there is no shortage of monsters or bandits, as conditions beyond these high walls worsen, bit by bit. Though the grip of this deterioration is not as noticeable as one may think.[/center]

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[@13org][@Jollan]

The nation of Raelin was a more temperate climate than that of the icy grip of Escain. The two bounty hunters would find themselves in something a little lighter for their stay, yet did not compromise on any tactical advantage doing so, yet today they were not wearing that, or their thick Escainian coats. Today they wore some finer garments. Today, they stepped through to a VIP lounge in the prestigious Royal Garnet, a high class establishment that hosts from celebrities to government officials. The two knew whatever job they were about to be told about... This may be serious.

As they arrived to the room, two guards welcomed them in, with another two standing guard inside, and sitting in the lounge setup in the center was a man, not anyone of particular renown as far as they know. Likely a senator of Raelin, but not anyone with any fame behind their face.

[color=662d91]"Well now, good afternoon, I see you are as punctual as I am told, and the lady as charming as her name appears"[/color], so a charmer was he? As they got closer, they recognized his uniform... He was...

[color=662d91]"I see the look of confusion. That is correct, I am not a Raelin official, as you may have expected. I represent the Sultan of Ayntayikk"[/color], he states. Interesting. He motioned the two to take a seat. As the two got closer and sat down, they beheld their client's features. Long hair, a shoulder cape, and a long coated somewhat militaristic uniform, yet it would also be recognized as noble garb. Still even then, his own features did not resemble any of Ayntayikk heritage, what with his fair skin and almost white hair, he seemed more like a Frinian if anything.

[color=662d91]"Aah Raelin, ever the grandiose with a hollow soul..."[/color], he began, taking a swig of the alcohol prepared on the table. "Anyways, I know you two were expecting a Raelin official, but trust me so was I. He was my friend you see, and could not attend to this meeting, and so I am here in his place. Whoever recommended you two to him, must be an immensely trustworthy friend to him, but enough chit-chat", he snaps his fingers and one of the men behind his sofa walk over. Soon he procures a bag, it's gil, even before seeing it almost shackle the table as it lands in front, it was obvious it was a large sum of gil. 

[color=662d91]"... This is a ransom"[/color], he says, after a pause, watching their reactions. [color=662d91]"Right right, the job. Okay so, basically this is all Ayntayikk coin. My friend who is a Senator is currently in the court of Raelin, attending to matters he is forced to tend to. You see someone in the Raelinian Court wishes to see him silenced, and to be honest I would not be helping him if not for his benefit to me, and... Let's say trade agreements with my own home country. The task is simple. Kill who's paying the kidnappers, and rescue this poor man's... Daughter I believe, these men will give you the picture of the daughter so you can identify her as you walk out. Take this big bag with you too. The ransom location is somewhere in the Hinds District, near a broken aqueduct I hear is being used for various smuggling operations as it also leads outside. The time is tonight, when the moon is approximately 45 degrees in the night sky. I'm sorry that the ransom time and place is so soon, but if you wish for any clues, might I suggest a visit to the palace? Maybe you can see who his political opponents are? Who knows. Anyways, off with you two, the sooner you go the more time to investigate you have"[/color], he says, snapping his fingers to away them.


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[@EnterTheHero]

A man bearing a Dragoon's armor would do nothing but attract attention, yet he was a brazen one, and so was his mentor. The Hinds District was not a popular place, but for many it was also the only place they had. The Gargling Drake was a small inn setup in this dark side of the city, a place many of disrepute and occupations of dubious nature would convene to speak, yet amidst this dark and not quite misunderstood lot, is a pair of misunderstood and rather intimidating knights.

[color=2e3192]"Good of you to come Malik, come a long way have you? Well, it's been a month since you'd formally completed training under me, there is little else I can show you as a Dark Knight, other than what you on your path will lead you to learning"[/color], he says. [color=2e3192]"Anyways, I did not call you here for a social call"[/color], he leans in. The blue and dull silver knight, with clothes that seemed marred with dirt from afar, yet up close would be recognized as more unworldly. As he himself would put it, the darkness has tainted some of his cloth and armor, after such long use. Apparently this is the same armor he used back during his days as a Dragoon. In any case...

[color=2e3192]"I have firm belief they are moving, and so I need you here in this city while I go... Investigating. There are other strange occurrences too, such as the corrupting beasts that I have been cleaning up for the last month, but the adventurer's guild so far has that under control, so I can leave that worry for a little while... Anyways, as I was saying, someone's stirring up in there. The Swords of Valor that were formed a few months back have suddenly been stirring them up"[/color], he informs, almost whispering. The Swords of Valor... Yes the rebel outfit, led by a former Raelinian General. He has good intentions and according to other accounts by the Dark Dragoon, is a good man. It wasn't too much of a secret that he was helping him.

[color=2e3192]"Basically, I want your ears on the ground, while I go dark... Or darker, I guess",[/color] he then leans back again. [color=2e3192]"I will not be gone long, but until then, protect the people of this town in my stead. We share this common drive and a common history, though not directly, our wings were clipped the same ways. The poison of the nobles of this city must be purged, lest they rob others of their lives and loved ones... Now I am off, before I begin ranting again as I do. I know how much you dislike that"[/color], he states, standing up, grabbing his gigantic blade off the wall it was leaning on, and then walking out, flipping a coin at the barkeep to pay for his drink. So what to do then... Protect the good people, where to start... Just go patrol? Or perhaps take an active participation? Well whatever Malik's way as a Dark Knight was, neither could go wrong.


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[h3]For Others[/h3]

Please feel free to explore the city. There are some questlines available to you that will lead you to the main story of this chapter, it's just some characters have relevance to it and are introduced in such a way. Pursue the questline and you too can join them eventually, or go your own way and pursue your own goals. It's up to you.

[hider=Locations]
[b]Library[/b]
 The Library of Valennia is filled to the brim with knowledge on anything related to magic. Located in the Eastern Wings district, the Library of Arius, named after the strategist who advocated the scholarly arts, as well as establishing this library. Over the years it had actually been rebuilt and renovated several times. The Library is said to have a forbidden section too, but such a thing would be difficult to obtain.
[b]Topics Available[/b]
[list][*]History, and Myths of the Raelinian Empire
[*]The Multi-Realm Theory
[*]The Boundless Mana Theory
[*]True Sorcery Theory[/list]

[b]Adventurer's Guild[/b]
 The Valennian Adventurer's Guild is the most well-known branch, and the biggest. A huge thriving community of it's own, their aim is largely to be a network that people can submit to in order to have some odd jobs and monster slaying quests done. They also have a special Monster Hunters License which is given to people who wish to and qualify for hunting large marks.

[b]Guardstations[/b]
 There are various guard stations around Valennia that have small little things posted, such as missing pets, people, or bounties. If you need directions, they can also help you out.

[b]The Royal Garnet[/b]
 This dazzlingly high class inn is filled with influential individuals from many nations, located in the Fang District near the Royal Palace. Many are going to be heading home soon following a half-yearly meeting that takes place in different countries. One can learn a lot about the various country's affairs just by talking with some of the people here... That is if you look the part. This prestigious Inn is fairly strict on who it lets in.


[b]Gargling Drake Inn[/b]
 In the Hinds District of of Valennia is this small dingy Inn, almost constantly filled with questionable individuals. There are many other inns around the city, but this is the one you want to go to if you want information on marks or bandits, or connections to do unsavory deeds. Or maybe someone has the odd job that needs to be done.

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