Vildread

[Zet]

Common Difficulty: Unknown

The capital of Silveria of Pride. Vildread can often be compared to a more traditional capital, having tower-like pagodas and various other buildings that line the location. With roads taken care of and homes plentiful, the streets can be found occupied at almost all times of the day with businesses, shops, and the general populace and silent at night for when others turn in save for the red-light districts that operate primarily at night. The people are able to live freely and without much stress, as under the current position of no single leading power their voices are often heard if things do begin to go amiss. But much like the roads that led here, it appears as though something may be bubbling just beneath the surface. And whatever it is brings with it a storm that may even engulf all of Silveria itself with its far-reaching changes.

[Phen]

(From Ardent Road)
The capital cities were always somewhat of a dangerous place depending on who you were, but they also tended to be diverse enough that even abnormal features were more often seen. It made a precarious situation for the man in some countries, but this was his first time in Vildread. A busy and well maintained city contrasting to the smaller settlements in more remote regions he had been staying in for the past few years, with a fairly relaxed atmosphere for an area so populated.

The man followed the roads into the city with buildings beginning to populate the landscape. He pulled his cloak close to hide his features further, as it wasn't long before he had made it into the city and the streets became populated with locals and outsiders alike. He would stop just before the main shopping district, where he intended to restock supplies following his and Jax's retreat.

[shast]

(From Ardent Roads)

It had been many years since Jax had seen a village. The biggest he had ever seen was a two story building in a small hamlet like the previous town he had been to. To be here, in a city as large as Vildread with buildings as tall as this, a populace this numerous, and with this much commotion put him into almost visual disarray even with the relaxed atmosphere it exudes. He held his composure but definitely let slip his discomfort with tourist-like looks at everything as he past, and a few beads of sweat. Thank goodness he had a companion who felt a little more at home in places like this than him.

[Wraith]

From the start of the journey until now, time had passed, and nightfall was steadily encroaching upon them as the sun was beginning to set. The district was still full of life enough to not cause it to hinder them or to make Jax any more comfortable. While diverse, Sorin's experience while Jax's touristic view would make things interesting for the pair. They would have the time to restock their supplies and to also look around and potentially search for clues. The air from Sorin's experience despite the bustling and populated nature had something of a somber air to it, almost as if some news had spread around.

[Phen]

The grim air about the area was unlike he was used to, and it was despite the people milling about. He motioned Jax to follow him through the main streets as he looked around for a sundries shop. He had some funds available for supplies and curatives, and it would be a decent chance to ask about the tone of the people. After a short walk through the various street stalls and storefronts he came to such a location and stepped inside the building its sign was blazoned on, the door opening ringing a bell hung overhead. Through some small talk on the transaction Sorin listed out the supplies he was looking for and mostly emptied his purse for the cost, but the supplies would last a while he figured. As he packed away the purchased supplies he probed the shopkeeper on the state of the capital.

"As you might expect, my companion and I are from out of town." Sorin motioned to Jax as he mentioned him. "The city's buildings looked amazing from a distance, so we were excited to get here. But now that we're here everyone seems a little on edge, did something happen?"

[Wraith]

The patronage was much appreciated. It was good to see that the outsiders here were traveling together and aware of how important it was to carry supplies on hand. This one seemed like he was quite an experienced wanderer at that, perhaps just someone who liked to see the world and take in its wonders. With his questioning, there would be an answer to be had just the same for it. It was a strange thing indeed, causing the shopkeeper to frown but answer all the same. "We take a great deal of pride in our capital here, though recent stirrings have us a bit on edge. There's something strange going on at night here. Some strange noises and shuffling about that happens around the red-light districts. It doesn't really help with the rumors going around about some kind of uprising being led by the outcasts."

[Rubedo]

She had whiled away her time, but still was timelier than she needed to be. Nightfall was when she had wanted to arrive, largely because she presumed that would be when all the signs would have already revealed themselves for her. Both fortunate and unfortunate she supposed. She would have to simply wait until then, electing to stay on the outskirts rather than enter the capital proper. It was still much too crowded for her liking, looking for a discrete spot just outside of the city to wait for nightfall to arrive and their particular festivities to begin.

[shast]

Jax wandered through the store, collecting the supplies he'd needed for his journey. He often had to make his own while out in the jungles. What couldn't be made by hand was often made by the druids magics. So to acquire them this way was a rare experience he'd partake in once every few years. He brought up his goods to the counter just as the shopkeep replied to his companions inquiry. Shuffling at night and a potential uprising? Jax raises an eyebrow and gestures with a thumb to a passing guard as they stroll by.

[Phen]

So the activity at night in the Red-Light district was abnormal, and talks about an uprising from those on cast out from the city. If there was a place for danger to lurk, that would certainly be a great place to hide nefarious activity. It was though those loyal to the city were on edge in fact because their pride was on the line against those deemed unwanted. Though Jax made a fair point as well about the guards, the man nodded to him before replying to the shopkeeper. "Have the city guards not been addressing these issues?"

[Wraith]

Jax's goods would be taken care of now too. And it was a good question to ask. With the guards and the like, most nefarious activity was kept to a minimum. The only problem with that was the changes recently. Something he personally attributed to the strangeness instead as he looked around first before leaning in a bit closer, whispering as he spoke to as to be certain no was listening in. "The guards have been looking into it, but if no one else has noticed it, I've noticed that a few of them have been rotating out. And by that, I mean some of them have been going missing and others are picking up their shifts. Enough to make a guy worried."

With missing people added to the list of potential dangers and not aiming to raise alarms with the people, it made sense for those who noticed to be more concerned. He would add something else to the list of goods that Jax had, sliding it in as a complimentary along with the rest of the goods that Jax had purchased. "You don't seem like a bad lot, so take this with you, on the house. And be careful if you're planning on looking into anything past dark around here."

Jax obtains: Skill Scroll - Hissatsu Killer.

Hissatsu Killer: Reduces damage taken from Hissatsu Attacks by 50%. Your own Hissatsu Attacks are increased by 50% in damage.

[shast]

Jax collects his goods into his bag and then picks up the scroll, nodding in appreciation to the merchent while putting the scroll in his bag as well. He slides a glance to his companion, nods to him, and looks back out at the direction the guard went. Perhaps investigating this district at night would grant some answers. His own quest would have to wait in the face of this immediate threat. Jax steps outside and awaits his companion while scanning the area for signs to the red light district. If they arrive before nightfall they could get a lay of the land and perhaps have some kind of advantage over whatever is causing the guards to disappear.

[Wraith]

Obtaining the lay of the land was perhaps something of a specialty for Jax, or at least a subject he would be rather learned in. They could arrive before nightfall and even wouldn't have too much difficulty finding the proper direction. The buildings in the area each had something of a different design to them that differed between four different preferences, with lanterns set out along with the streetlights that were red in color, perhaps lending to the name of the district more than other notions of red lights performed for them. Rather expected in two regards, the guards were centered more around here, and the activity was lower in the day. Of note, two of the sections shared thematic building with each other, denoting that they were shared but different in nature. Two were not all that different from the buildings that were here already, native to the samurai who lived here. Others looked as though they were built upon with rammed earth and wood built upon it, the distinctions likely more prevalent at nightfall. To perhaps go along with a more recent fear of theirs were trees in the area with differing leaves, perhaps denoting the time of season or just the different climate on this continent as opposed to the others Sorin was familiar with.

[Phen]

"You certainly know how to find your way around here." The man remarked, following Jax into the Red Light district while they looked about during the daytime where most of the establishments were closed, though guards unsurprisingly populated this street. The trees here seemed fairly healthy at least which was a good sign, with appropriate colors for the season and no apparent indication of tampering going on. They could absolutely poke their noses around where the guards are gathered about, but he'd rather not make them intentionally apparent to the guards suspicious of those in this area. As such, the man would lean into his companion's expertise that was just displayed in getting here so easily.

"I do think we should leave the guards to their own business, I'd rather like to avoid drawing too much attention from them if we can. Have anything in mind aside from waiting until things open up?" the man inquired, awaiting the silent reply.

[shast]

Jax nodded at Sorins compliment. It wasn't often he was given praise for a skill that in his circle was so common. His council of avoiding the guards attention and allowing them to focus on their protection of the streets was got a second nod from him in agreement. The large man stood in the street pondering for a moment of two. Eyeing various alley outways, earthen style buildings, and even the two twin-like structures. His eyes eventually settled on some pathways that lead to some vistas that overlooked the district while giving a clear view of the similar buildings. Perhaps from there they would have a better vantage to spot suspicious activity.

[Wraith]

There were multiple layers that could be applied to this plan. Heading for the vantage point, one could use it to stake out or to observe activity. Or in another situation, discover anyone else who might be overlooking things from a similar vantage point. On their way there they would pass by another who was leaving that area, a man in white garments with an opening at the stomach and down to show that there were black underclothes worn with dull gray boots up to his lower shins, the white garment reaching down to the boots on the sides and back with a brown belt around his torso to keep the garment together, a hood worn to conceal his features on top of what looked to be a black blindfold over his eyes and black gloves. More than likely another traveler not unlike Jax and Sorin themselves given their own fondness to similar raiment at the time. Whether he had noticed them or not was up for debate, as he didn't look to address them or anything while he was on his way.

[shast]

As the white cloaked figure and the duo passed each other Jax took a quick look at the mans appearance. Unfamiliar as it were it gave off the same feelings of a travler in search. Perhaps this man too was after the cause of these disappearances. Regardless, as with all potential suspects Jax would keep an eye out for the cloak this evening should the figure be related to this mess. Jax left this notion as just a thought and continued on, opting to leave the man to his presumed detective work while they pressed on to find somewhere to set up a watch.