Harran (the Wise) walked and walked. He'd been walking for a very long time. He'd walked so far that he was starting to wonder if he'd need "boots," like a foreigner. The ground here was so much more rocky than back in the swamps...

He'd come looking for a town-- a town with "a dungeon" near it, because he'd had a a vision from the gods. Whether it was from Noric or Ossiga, he wasn't sure. Maybe both. But he'd--

He'd been looking down at his feet, trying to avoid stepping on sharp rocks, but a sound made him look up.

It was a horse, tied to a post.

He was on the outskirts of a town. "Say there," he said to a man nearby. "What town is this?"

"What town? Why, this is Blacktree! Where you tryin' to get to? You lost? You're many miles from the swamps, fella..."

"This is the town... with the dungeon, yes?"

"Oh, you're an adventurer! Should'a known. Yes, this is the right place for you, then... Welcome to Blacktree..."

(Uagu, Yorin: You have just arrived at the town of Blacktree, about 40 miles east of The Cage, where the land has dried out and one can actually see large mountains far to the east. You're aware that there's a dungeon here, but that might not be why you've come here, exactly (or it might)... Please make a post (like the one above) about your arrival...)

Uagu pauses a mile short of Blacktree. He finds a secluded spot to change out of his dusty traveler's clothes and puts on his gambeson which displays the sigils of an Order Mage and the Frog Monarchy. He laments not having any kind of a mirror, but it likely would have broken during the travels. He fixes his clothes as best he can. Appearances are important, especially since he will be representing not just the Order Mages, but the entire Holy Order of the Frog Monarchy.

When he is pleased that his outfit looks as sharp as it is going to, he puts his pack back on and resumes his walk. He enjoys the countryside, and nods politely to any passerbys he encounters, subtly checking that none of them happen to be Gligga. Rumor is that she had attached herself to an adventuring party and they were dungeon-delving.

"Dispicable," Uagu mutters to himself after passing another group. "That a bard of such high standing would leave her role to descend into some foul tomb, or an ancient ruin, just for a good story. And now I must chase her instead of furthering my arcane studies." He shakes his head.

Uagu inhales deeply as he walks into town. He puffs his chest out, the gambeson expands to shows the sigils in all their glory. "You," he says pointing his holy scepter at a guard, "I am new to town and wish to find a place with a cold bath and colder drinks,"

"Yes sir! I recommend the Golden Dove, downtown-- right down this street, sir!" says the guard. "Best hospitality for those with coin to spare!"

Uagu lifts his scepter to his brow to salute the guard and thanks the guard before walking in that direction. Once he is a few steps past the guard he relaxes his breath, allowing the gambeson to relax on his body as well.

Coming along the road to Blacktree is a cat-like creature walking upright. Folks know this cat lady to be a Hapid, a wandering nomadic traveller that's always looking for fun under the sun. Yorin was no different, she stared at the town with fascination. It was her first time coming to a place like the swamps, and so far it's been a blast. The folks in the Cage especially, were friendly townsfolk they were, too much Smokeweed for her liking though. They do make some delicious desserts though.

However, she didn't have time to focus on old places she visited, there was an abundance of fun to reminisce about later and in the near future. But first, she needed answers. She looked toward the guard near the town,"Excuse me, but you wouldn't happen to hear the word on missing Hapids now would you?"

"Missing? No, haven't heard about that..." He pauses. "...How could anyone tell if they were missing or just went off adventuring somewhere?"

Harran walked up on this conversation, and paused with interest to see what the Hapid cat-woman would say next. If people were missing, it might be relevant to the vision he'd had...

(Uagu, I invite you to wander up on this conversation, too.)

After saluting the guard with his scepter, Uagu can't help but overhear the hapid speaking with the other guard. "My understanding is that there is a place of interest near here yes? A place for foolhardy adventurers to test their mettle and maybe find an item of value? If someone went on a week long jaunt to such a place, and two weeks later has not returned, then I dare say they've moved from 'adventuring' to 'missing'."

Uagu turns to the hapid and inhales deeply to puff out his gambeson and show the fine embroidery of his holy symbols as he introduces himself, "I am Seeker Uagu, of the great Frog Monarchy. I too am looking for someone who has gone missing. I was planning to go to the Golden Dove to freshen up and inquire about it. If many are going missing around here, then perhaps our charges know each other, either way we might combine our efforts and search together."

Uagu lifts his scepter to his brow again as a salute and bows to Yorin.

"Is that where yer Hapid friends have gone?" Harran asks the cat-woman. "Into a dungeon? Dark and still? Then that's where I want to go. I have business down under these strange dry parts of the earth..."

Yorin was surprised to meet two others that look to have shown interest in her inquiry. She turned toward the human first,"Huh, dungeon? I don't think they would disappear like that, but then again a dungeon sounds like a highly plausible trap. In fact, I can't help myself but feel a bit giddy on the mention of a dungeon, did that guard over their said something about foolhardy." she says, her ears can't help but perk up in excitement of something dangerous, she then turns toward the Frogger,".... So you too have been affected by this string of missing folk. Very well Seeker, and also human, three heads are better than one as the Hapid saying goes."

Uagu turns when he hears Harran's voice. "Can't say I understand anyone wanting to go into a dungeon; whatever would you want in there? Alas, it does seem the most plausible reason that my missing frog would venture to this town."

Uagu thinks a moment before adding, "It is merely an educated guess on my part. I plan to ask around at the tavern first, I might be totally off base."

"Ahhh. I am Harran the Wise of the Uglolla people, wielder of the Blessed Staff of Bavra-Guk, formerly apprenticed to Dyauga the Mad." Harran gives them a look that means: Yes, that's right-- the Staff of Bavra-Guk. The Dyauga the Mad.

(However, Uagu and Yorin have never before heard of either the Blessed Staff of Bavra-Guk nor of Dyauga the Mad.)

"I have had a mystical vision... there is great danger under the ground, danger that could threaten those of us up here on the surface... all of us. I do not understand the nature of this danger, and I must. These disappearances, I wager, are connected to my cryptic vision of foreboding."



"Yessss, seeker. Ask your questions. Leave no vine unmoved. When you are ready to journey unto the unknown-- as I predict you will-- I shall accompany you."

Uagu takes a deep breath, expanding his gambeson to show the sigil of the Bishops and that of the Frog Monarchy. "A pleasure to meet you, Harran the Wise. You sound like a learned man, a man of magic, which I admire greatly. As you can tell from this symbol, I belong the Bishops of the great Frog Monarchy."

Uagu tries to hide the skepticism in his voice, but there's more than just a hint of curiosity at the mention of visions. "Visions..." he starts, unsure how to phrase his reply. "Well visions have been important in fables and stories for a long time. They are not something we study at the academy, but I would love to hear what your vision entailed. And your assistance will certainly be appreciated."

He bows again then lets the air out of his lungs and his gambeson to fall slack around his body once again.

Seeing everyone starting introductions with their titles and big name items, the Hapud didn't wanna be left in the dust,"The name is Yorin, The Quick and The Swift. Master of The Tricks and The Dance." she says, making a quick pose, then resetting back to a normal position,"Ah, but visions of something dangerous underneath sounds like a dream, I can't help but he excited for what we might face on that dungeon. But for now, we should to Golden Dove, snoop around for info and whatnot." she says, her priorities still something she focused on.