🍁Nine Ancient Obelisks

Navigating the mountainous terrain proved more challenging than in his hometown, so the journey to the guild building took Asmidul longer than usual. The building itself was "integrated" into the rock, as if it were a natural part of the stone giant, but the young man didn't have time to admire this unusual structure – his eyes noticed something unusual just a few steps away from him.

It was a real lamia – with a thick, black, menacing-looking snake tail instead of legs!

Upon seeing the lamia, Asmidul immediately forgot about his sore legs, his face scratched by the mountain wind, his breathlessness from the mountain walk, and even his thoughts – dark and eloquent, directed towards the builders of this guild in the middle of nowhere. His first thought was to run away, but noticing a book in the snake-woman's hands and remembering the advice of his respected mentor, he forced himself to take a step forward. Until now, the southerner had only read about these creatures in fairy tales, and the stories of encounters with them were difficult to characterize unambiguously. Perhaps lamias even lived peacefully in the capital, but since the young man rarely went outside, he had not yet had the opportunity to verify the civility of these strange creatures. –...Um, good morning. – He hesitated slightly, and with an effort, he gave his voice a semblance of firmness. – I-I apologize for interrupting... My name is Asmidul, and I have come in search of Nitra, to join the Guild of Erudition.