[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/brNVeX6.jpg[/img][/center][hr][hr][center]
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6454rENbtc]♫[/url][hr][hr][sub]Silas Rieger[@Tackytaff], Yuliya Ilyanovich Vasilieva [@Suicharte], Nazih Iqbal[@Ziegenkonig], Esmi’nesta’tawaar[@BlackRoseSiren], Yvain de Berbignon[@jasbraq], Penelope 'Penny' Pellegrin[@Force and Fury], Sven Bjørnsson[/sub][/center]

The city the Biros appeared in wasn’t all that different from the one they’d arrived in to chase Harrachora’s flying messenger.  Even the portal they had emerged from was nearly identical to that in Hogh Munkhelad, save the missing colossal statue they had waited at.  The buildings were just as small, the sky remained a dark stoney ceiling, and the people milling around them were the short and stocky beings they’d come to know as Hegelans.  

Two in particular stood ready at attention not five feet away- waiting for them.

[colour=B84F79]“Welcome to Hoch Dorumvir!”[/colour]  The first greeted, in a voice that revealed her to be a woman despite the magnificently dark beard that was broken only by a wide smile of white teeth. Both her hands shot upwards upwards in greeting.  Her right reached to Yuliya and her left towards Penny; the first pair to have stepped through. The second of their welcoming party remained silent, arms and brow crossed as they regarded the single Yasoi in the group warily.

[colour=B84F79]“I am Chorily MochMurdo,”[/colour] Their first continued, vigorously shaking the arrivals hands in a surprisingly strong grip. “My partner Moira and I have been directed to welcome and guide you to our city.”  

[colour=B8B83F]“Missing one,” [/colour] Moira finally chimed in, tugging upon the reddish mutton chops that framed her wide jaw.  [colour=B8B83F]“Meant to be eight of yous.”[/colour]  Her penetrating gaze fell upon Marz next, and the sight of him seemed to give her pause.

[colour=B84F79]“It’s no matter,”[/colour]  Chorily hurriedly continued, bringing her hands together in a loud clap. [colour=B84F79]“There is much to do and-”[/colour]

The portal flickered to life for a brief second; spitting out a single smallish figure before vanishing again.  Silas staggered forward, running into Nazih, and beginning a domino effect within the group that nearly sent them all to the ground.  

[colour=7B68EE]“-Damned condescending stuck-up [i]prick[/i]”[/colour]  He muttered, kicking loose gravel and spitting in the place the portal had been before spinning to face the group.  [colour=7B68EE]“What’d I miss?”[/colour]

The Hegelan ambassadors lead the Biros through the mercantile district of the city.  Vendors of all sorts shouted out to the foreigners, promising goods at exorbitant prices.  Chorily headed them to pay no mind, and went so far as to point out the shops that would offer them good quality Hegelan brews and artifacts for their Constantian coins at decent cost between her other chattering comments on the city: Its great history, the unfortunate separation of the Hegelans, and most importantly how Hoch Dorumvir was truly the pinnacle of Hegelan society in culture, craft, and knowledge.

Their final destination proved to be a bunkhouse clearly designed for travelers.  The ceilings and doorways were higher, so that all save for Sven and Nazih were able to move about comfortably without crouching.  Even the beds indicated to them at the far end of the long hall were larger than the rest.  Only the smell; something damp and musky that permeated the entire building, tempered the hospitable atmosphere.  Even Moira’s stoney countenance was shaken after being in its presence for more than a few moments

[colour=B8B83F]“[i]Irkned[/i] Margukh.”[/colour] She grumbled, making a show of covering her nose with a sleeve.  “I’ll be outside once you’re done.” Without waiting for confirmation, she spun and walked out the door.

Chorily’s polite smile increased doubly as if to make up for her partner's manners. “Many find the smell uncomfortable, but it cannot be helped,”[/colour]  She motioned for the group to move towards a second door, opposite the entrance.  Past it was a stable; or something that resembled one.  Everything was made of stone, from the pens to the trough, even the floors had no hay to soften them.

There was only one sort of animal housed inside - though there were dozens, kicking and bleating in stalls.  Goats - the Constantians would recognize first, thought not like any others they had seen before.  These were larger beasts, with impossibly thin legs and narrow hooves supporting a mass of hair and horns; the latter of which curled ornately in perplexing twists so they reached far behind the creatures’ heads.  

[colour=B84F79]“Marguhk.”[/colour] Chorily explained, [colour=B84F79]“They’ll take you as far as Tagayungri.  A safe journey this time of year, doubly so with these friends taking you.”[/colour]  The Hegelan woman reached towards the closest stall, where a muzzle appeared in front of strange eyes with cubed pupils.  The Marguhk regarded the hand, and failing to find a treat there, began to make for the woman’s beard.

[colour=3469B8]“[i]Chied! Chied Remok![/i]”[/colour] A small pair of hands from some unseen person reached from within the stall to pull the Marguhk back by the horns.  It relinquished the woman gently, causing Chorily to giggle excitedly.  [colour=B84F79]“Not to worry! They’re sweet creatures, well mannered and trained - Will even find their own way home after taking you where you need to go.”[/colour] She gave the animal a final pat on the nose before ushering the Biros out back the way they’d entered.  [colour=B84F79]“Best speak to Moira,[/colour]” she urged, pointing to the door leading outside, in case they had somehow forgotten.  Then she too left, back into the stables where faint sounds of shouting in a foreign language could just barely be heard.  

Moira was waiting for them outside, leaning against a stone wall and licking a stone that appeared to be made of amber, which she quickly stored away in a pocket upon seeing them.

[colour=B8B83F]“Harrachora told me what you’re to do.”[/colour]  She began, already hurried to be done with the group. [colour=B8B83F] “In ten hours you’ll take the Marguhk through the southwest corner of Kyrguz towards Tagayungri - there’ll be a boat to take you from there to Kirimansk. Bring the cargo back upstream again and we’ll have transport to bring you back up the mountain as well. Questions?”[/colour]  The final word came out more as a challenge than an offer of help.

[colour=f7976a]“Why all this traveling?”[/colour] Penny spoke up, [colour=f7976a]“What was the point of using teleportation magic to take us only part way?” [/colour]

Moira sighed, and rolled her eyes before looking towards the one-legged girl. [colour=B8B83F] “Outsiders don’t use that magic in Vossoriya.”[/colour]  

Penny frowned at the non-answer, [colour=f7976a]“What about the cargo then? Will you at least tell us about that?”[/colour]

The Hegelan glared at her, produced the amber again, and popped the entire stone in her mouth.  [colour=B8B83F]“Strange words from down south,”[/colour]  She muttered around the object, her words even harder to understand than usual.  [colour=B8B83F]“Don’t know and ain’t my problem. Less we have to do with outsiders the better.”[/colour]  And, apparently deciding that was the end of the discussion, Moira left, leaving the Biros to their own devices for the few hours they had remaining before setting off.

[hider=Action Opportunities]Action Opportunities:

You have arrived at Hoch Dorumvir where you will be staying the night before heading south towards your final destination.
Stock up on any supplies, Hegelan or otherwise, you might need for your journey;
Investigate the stables;
Investigate the city;
Pry for more information from your hosts;
Discuss what you do know with your teammates and begin forming a plan![/hider]