Completed A (not-so-warm) Welcome to Nyka

[Savio]

10th Day of Summer, 513

Savio looked up at the rather intimidating gate and surrounding walls of Nyka. It had been too long since he had been in a decent size town, but he had heard word that a man who was like a bear was teaching unarmed combat here. He had been traveling with a small caravan from Syliras for the last 15 days.

It had been a very long expedition, and quite tedious. But it had been much safer than traveling by himself. He most likely would have been killed or lost out in the wilderness. He had paid his fare by helping with the traders; tending to the horses, poor attempts at cooking, and whatever else the men and women needed help with.

It had been worth it, he had gotten food in his belly and much needed protection from the elements. So here Savio was: hot and sweating in the summer heat, walking towards the heavily guarded entrance gate.

The young man was stopped by an imposing mountain of a man who looked down his nose at him; in his hand was quite the impressive poleaxe. Lovely.

"State your name and business here, boy." The man said to Savio in a baritone voice.

Savio gulped and tried to straighten his back, which was difficult when one has a heavy backpack on. "My name is Savio Cazzola and I am just a lone traveler seeking a Master to train me. I was told that one in particular had started a school here, perchance you heard of him? He is called Ximal."

The giant man narrowed his eyes slightly. "Ay, I have heard of him. It seems his new school has grown in fame. You may enter. But stay out of trouble, or you won’t be leaving this city alive."

Savio's eyes widened slightly at the foreboding warning. Hopefully, the city its self was a bit more charming than its Guards. Savio thought worriedly to himself as he entered Nyka. Everything was a buzz around him. The low hum of many voices created a pleasant background symphony; the ominous threat from the guard quickly leaving the young man’s mind as he looked around in wonder at the city. The fashions and appearances of the native people were odd and interesting to the foreigner from Syliras.

[Savio]

Savio moved on from the gate, still looking around at the red colored buildings and all of their interesting symbols. But Savio learned one thing quickly about the citizens of Nyka; they disliked strangers. Every time Savi would ask for assistance, he would either get ignored or glared at until he retreated. He was able to gather some information, though.

A young woman with a sweet smile had told him that he could find a bed and resources at a place called the Safehaven Hostel in the Celestial quarter. But alas, she was pulled away from Savi by what he assumed was her mother before she could direct him where the Celestial quarter was. Savio didn’t need to understand the language of the older woman to know that she was most-likely informing the young woman of Savio’s colorful heritage and just how Savio was conceived.

Savio sighed as he continued forward until he reached what appeared to be a giant, gaping hole right in the middle of the city and a magnificent bridge went right across the very center of it. Strangely, though, the bridge was almost empty except for a maybe one or two people. There was something about the hole that just didn’t sit right with the young man. He felt jittery and cautious about it, even from afar. But he could see that the city continued on the other side of the chasm. Perhaps that was where the Celestial quarter was?

Savio took a deep breath and was about to step onto the bridge when a male voice spoke from behind him. “You appear to be a stranger to Nyka, boy.”

Savio paused and turned around to see what appeared to be a monk dressed in simple robes, holding a rather intimidating hammer. “I am, sir. I only just got here today from Syliras.” Savio replied with relieved smile. It was a pleasant reassurance that not everyone in the city thought he was invisible or cursed with the Blight.

The man nodded, and then pointed at the bridge that Savio was about to cross. “You are about to cross what most of us call ‘The Cursed Bridge.’ It’s a common known superstition that this bridge is unsafe and the shadows and monsters from the Aperture can harm those who cross it. Though, it is only a superstition.”

Savio gulped and looked back at the bridge with concern. “What is on the other side of it?” Savio asked, his voice holding the slightest quiver of fear.

“The Celestial quarter is on the other end.” The monk replied.

“Oh. Thank you, sir. I will be sure to be cautious.” Savio then flashed a confident smile at the man.

The monk sighed before shaking his head. "Just be sure to find a place to stay before sun down. Night is dangerous in Nyka. Only the strong or foolish wander the streets at night. You do not look to be the first, and one can only hope that you are not the latter." With that being said, the monk continued on his way.

Savio eyed the bridge with renewed caution. The day was growing late and Savio wanted to reach the Safehaven Hostel before nightfall. He gathered his nerves and started to cross the Cursed Bridge.

[Savio]

Savio continued to walk across the bridge, his eyes peeled for any sign of danger. The further Savio went the jittery-er he felt. He dared not look over the edge of the bridge for fear of what he would see in the darkness below. He had no real fear of heights but there was something about the Aperture that simply did not sit right with the young man. Perhaps attempting to cross the bridge had been a bad idea after all.

His fear made his pace faster, and before a bell had passed, Savio found himself on the other side of the bridge. His breath was slightly labored from his rushed pace but he was more than happy that he was on the other side of the Cursed Bridge. He also made a mental note to never cross the damnable thing ever again.

Once he caught his breath, he was able to examine his new surroundings. Savio found himself in the bustling heart of Nyka, the Celestial quarter. The people here were much better dressed and the air did not smell of sweat and stone like the Western quarter did. There were many shops selling their wares, and the overall tension of the quarter was much lighter.

"Perhaps the people here will be nicer?" Savio found himself thinking hopefully as he continued forward.

By leaving the bridge, he had managed to earn a few stares from those closest to him. Savio now understood WHY the Cursed Bridge was named as such. He felt dirty and tired and he wanted to put the slight suspicions of today behind him.

Much like in the Western quarter, Savio looked around with an astonished expression. It was here that the culture of the Nykans was more evident and Savio wanted to learn as much as he could. The people here seemed so much harder and stronger than those back home. It was very interesting, but also quite daunting. In a city of fighters and warriors, how was Savio going to find a teacher of Unarmed Combat? Savio had a feeling that this Ximal was going to become the proverbial needle in a hay stack.

Savio continued onward in search of the Safehaven Hostel so that he could sleep for the night before beginning his search for Ximal. But unfortunately, the citizens of the Celestial quarter proved themselves to be just as distrusting as the folks in the Western quarter. Many hardly gave Savio a second glance, let alone directions to the inn and the sun was starting to get lower in the sky.

[Savio]

As more time passed, the more Savio became desperate to find shelter for the night. He certainly did not wish to find out what kind of monsters lurked the dark in Nyka. Luckily, Savio came across another man who appeared to be a foreigner much like himself. The young man offered a small prayer to whatever merciful God or Goddess had been looking after him as he followed the other traveler.

In short time, the man had unknowingly lead Savio to a large and rather old looking building. Around this building were other men and women who also appeared to be outsiders to Nyka. Savio took a deep breath of relief as he stepped into the inn. The interior had a subdued atmosphere. Weary travelers ate in silence or spoke in low voices. Surely this had to be the quietest inn Savio had ever seen.

He moved further inside until he came upon a simple bar. A single woman stood on the other side, absently wiping down the cups and mugs that her patrons would use. She appeared to be in her thirties, but her whole demeanor spoke of no nonsense. Quite frankly, she was intimidating.

Savio greeted the women with a small sheepish smile. “Good evening, ma’am. I was hoping to rent a room for a few days.”

The woman looked up from her task and eyed the young man, weighing him. “A single room for a night is two silver mizas. To rent a room for the season will cost you 12 golden mizas.” Her tone commanded attention. Savio was more than happy to comply.

He sat his back pack down on the ground and fished out his coin pouch and supplied her with 12 gold mizas. He wasn’t too sure how long it was going to take to find Ximal or even if he would be able to stay at the man’s school once Savio found him. So renting a room for the season seemed to be the best choice.

“I would like to just go ahead and rent a room for the season, please.”

The woman nodded and took the currency from the young man and tucked it away. “I can tell you are not only new to Nyka, but also green to traveling in general. So here is how things go around here: The sale of food is a serious crime in the city. So you will be fed here. The food is charity, so do not expect top quality. While in the Safehaven, I will not tolerate rowdy behavior, slobs, and drunkards. You are safe while you are here, but if you don’t abide by my rules you will be dealt with swiftly and painfully. Do I make myself clear?”

Savio nodded in earnest. “Crystal clear, uh… Miss…?”

“Vysia. Vysia Prakmat. And your name, young man?”

“My name is Savio Cazzola. Thank you for allowing me to stay in your establishment.”

Vysia shrugged and waved him away. “There is an available room on the second floor, fourth door to your left. And I suggest that you visit Asra's Bath House first thing tomorrow morning. You reek. ”

Savio flushed in embarrassment before picking his bag back up and heading up stairs. He entered his assigned room and was surprised by how bare the room was. There was a simple bed off to the side, and a single nightstand that was barely more than an old stool. At the window sat a bowl of clean water, and in the corner sat a bucket to relieve one’s self in.

He closed and locked the door behind him before stripping his clothes off and rinsing himself off with the water from the bowl before lying out on the bed, using his blanket as a pillow since it was much too hot to use it to cover his body. In no time at all, Savio was fast asleep.

[Balderdash]

Delicious rewards! Happy days and jubilation!

Skill	XP Awarded
Observation	3
Interrogation	1
Persuasion	1

Lores: Ximal The Manbear, Nykans Hate Tourists, To the Hostel!, The Cursed Bridge Will Steal Your Babies, Nighttime Eats People, Vysia Eats Drunkards, Food Is Free! Holy ****!

Items and Consequences: A healthy fear of the Cursed Bridge.

N'aawwww. Poor Savio...

If you have any questions or concerns about this grade, please PM me. A happy you is a happy Balderdash!