![Image](http://i.imgur.com/h5blydG.jpg)
22nd Day of Fall, 514 AV
The hour was early.
Too early for the average man to have risen from his slumber. Just early enough for the drunkards to sneak in a final drink before passing out on a tavern floor. The light of day was only just beginning to make itself apparent to the slumbering city of Sunberth, and typically this time of day was quiet. Sure, there was the typical din of violence in an alleyway somewhere; or the din of a brothel conducting its business...but for the most part, early morning was a rare time of peace and quiet within the city. However, despite the trend, a tumult laid in wait.
In the northernmost portion of the city proper, nestled in what was once the heart of Daggerhand territory, stood the ruins of an estate. 'Twas the personal residence of Robern Dalanger himself and was aplty-dubbed the Rotten Mansion. In seasons past, this manor was a reflection of the wealth and power accumulated by Daggerhand...and it was also one of the many targets to fall victim to the Mob's vengeance. Overnight, a pyre was set to the magnificent mansion which reduced it to little more than ashes and stone. The consequences of this destruction were felt almost immediately, for the organization was soon crippled due to the subsequent loss of its leader. However, some consequences often take seasons before they are revealed to the world...And now was such a time.
BOOM!
With a terrible thunder, the very earth began to tremble! Mighty cracks rent themselves open upon the charred earth, prompting the ruins to scream in protest. In but the blink of an eye, what little remained of the Rotten Mansion began to descend; crashing down onto its broken foundations. These, too, gave way in response to the cracks and cascaded through. The earth, charred into a shadow of its former might, gave way to the weight of its all; and at once there was a final, thunderous crash!
BOOM!
For a moment, all was obscured by a cloud of ash that had been kicked up by the collapse. A literal mountain of black flew skyward; enough so that it could clearly be seen from every corner of the city. Slowly. Surely. The winds began to blow their way through the blanket of black in order to reveal what ruination laid beneath. Where once the Rotten Mansion stood, there was literally nothing left. In its wake was a chasm whose mouth spanned several meters in every direction. A glance down was not enough to determine just how deep this abyss went: a fact that would keep most scavengers at bay. However, now was a rare and shining opportunity, for what riches or plunder could be taken from the chasm? Were there hidden treasures veiled beneath the ash? Would there be more to find in the chasm?!
Only the truly brave would descend into the darkness to find out.
Of course, such a scene would not go unnoticed. In fact, far from it! In the chimes following the collapse of the Mansion, there was a sudden jolt of activity within the city. Denizens leapt from their beds, half-dressed, and made for the source of the cataclysmic racket. They flocked in mob-fashion to the Chasm and formed a gaggle about it. A tumult of conversation gripped the people as a small handful dared to draw near. Careful, well-placed steps led these brave fellows forward; yet most did not have the courage to continue on to the edge of the Chasm. In fact, only a single man made it to the edge and lowered himself to a crouch. A low whistle escaped his aging lips whilst a gloved hand scratched at his patches of graying hair.
Old, yet spry, this individual was the sore thumb of the morning. His clothing was, of all things, clean; and he carried himself in a manner foreign to the denizens of the city. At a glance, one would assume that Sunberth was not his home nor place of origin; and that glance would indeed be correct. With an accent that could only hail from elsewhere, the man mused to himself whilst looking into the black. "Now this ought to be interesting..." he began, before turning his gaze to those forming the gaggle. "Would any of you lot be interested in taking a peek down below? Anyone?" he inquired, allowing his lips to curve into a slight smile. Of course, the gaggle didn't budge...not even an inch.
.
The hour was early.
Too early for the average man to have risen from his slumber. Just early enough for the drunkards to sneak in a final drink before passing out on a tavern floor. The light of day was only just beginning to make itself apparent to the slumbering city of Sunberth, and typically this time of day was quiet. Sure, there was the typical din of violence in an alleyway somewhere; or the din of a brothel conducting its business...but for the most part, early morning was a rare time of peace and quiet within the city. However, despite the trend, a tumult laid in wait.
In the northernmost portion of the city proper, nestled in what was once the heart of Daggerhand territory, stood the ruins of an estate. 'Twas the personal residence of Robern Dalanger himself and was aplty-dubbed the Rotten Mansion. In seasons past, this manor was a reflection of the wealth and power accumulated by Daggerhand...and it was also one of the many targets to fall victim to the Mob's vengeance. Overnight, a pyre was set to the magnificent mansion which reduced it to little more than ashes and stone. The consequences of this destruction were felt almost immediately, for the organization was soon crippled due to the subsequent loss of its leader. However, some consequences often take seasons before they are revealed to the world...And now was such a time.
BOOM!
With a terrible thunder, the very earth began to tremble! Mighty cracks rent themselves open upon the charred earth, prompting the ruins to scream in protest. In but the blink of an eye, what little remained of the Rotten Mansion began to descend; crashing down onto its broken foundations. These, too, gave way in response to the cracks and cascaded through. The earth, charred into a shadow of its former might, gave way to the weight of its all; and at once there was a final, thunderous crash!
BOOM!
For a moment, all was obscured by a cloud of ash that had been kicked up by the collapse. A literal mountain of black flew skyward; enough so that it could clearly be seen from every corner of the city. Slowly. Surely. The winds began to blow their way through the blanket of black in order to reveal what ruination laid beneath. Where once the Rotten Mansion stood, there was literally nothing left. In its wake was a chasm whose mouth spanned several meters in every direction. A glance down was not enough to determine just how deep this abyss went: a fact that would keep most scavengers at bay. However, now was a rare and shining opportunity, for what riches or plunder could be taken from the chasm? Were there hidden treasures veiled beneath the ash? Would there be more to find in the chasm?!
Only the truly brave would descend into the darkness to find out.
Of course, such a scene would not go unnoticed. In fact, far from it! In the chimes following the collapse of the Mansion, there was a sudden jolt of activity within the city. Denizens leapt from their beds, half-dressed, and made for the source of the cataclysmic racket. They flocked in mob-fashion to the Chasm and formed a gaggle about it. A tumult of conversation gripped the people as a small handful dared to draw near. Careful, well-placed steps led these brave fellows forward; yet most did not have the courage to continue on to the edge of the Chasm. In fact, only a single man made it to the edge and lowered himself to a crouch. A low whistle escaped his aging lips whilst a gloved hand scratched at his patches of graying hair.
Old, yet spry, this individual was the sore thumb of the morning. His clothing was, of all things, clean; and he carried himself in a manner foreign to the denizens of the city. At a glance, one would assume that Sunberth was not his home nor place of origin; and that glance would indeed be correct. With an accent that could only hail from elsewhere, the man mused to himself whilst looking into the black. "Now this ought to be interesting..." he began, before turning his gaze to those forming the gaggle. "Would any of you lot be interested in taking a peek down below? Anyone?" he inquired, allowing his lips to curve into a slight smile. Of course, the gaggle didn't budge...not even an inch.
.