Posts from Ad aspera

Unus arrived in Tirren while traveling from the northeast. He had never been to such large cities before, but he had read that they were a concentrated repository of vice, where there were 10 sinners and 1000 sins per square meter. And finding a righteous person in such places was harder than finding a virgin in a brothel.
- Although, technically, a virgin could be there. Sinners often use other orifices for intercourse... - Unus pondered.

The bloody haze finally cleared from his eyes - Krait Karlsson blinked and found himself in a completely unfamiliar place.
Behind him lay a field, once overgrown with tall grass up to his waist, with wild flowers and bushes, now riddled with craters, trampled, and turned inside out. Krait raised his hammer closer to his eyes and nodded with satisfaction - he had, after all, killed that damned mosquito that had angered him by daring to attack his flesh.
Shaking the dirt off his weapon, he looked around and saw in the distance something that resembled a road or path, leading somewhere to the southwest, towards a settlement barely visible from here.
Shrugging, he headed there.

And where are the shadows and shelters more abundant there? (From the northeast, please)

Passing through the eastern gates of Tirren, Unus, absorbed in philosophical thoughts, certainly could not have paid attention to two men in cloaks with the city's coat of arms, halberds in their hands, and a bored expression on their faces. But they certainly paid attention to the paladin's distinctive Ardorian cloak, perked up, instantly assumed a formal stance, and, exchanging gestures that were clear to them, surrounded Unus as soon as he was behind the walls of Tirren.
-- Ahem... esteemed sir," the first, younger and thinner, began hesitantly, blocking the paladin's path with his halberd.
-- Please come with us," the second finished. There were no insignia on the guards' uniforms, but from the second's stern tone, it was clear that he was in a higher position here.

Arriving before the city gates of Dunkaniel, Knuud presented no more interest to the half-asleep guards, leisurely leaning against the wall and slowly consuming their simple breakfast of bread and beer, than the sparrows pecking at crumbs beneath their feet. One of them, stocky and in his early thirties, looked intently at the elf, trying to determine if he had seen him before, but Knuud's face was so ordinary that the poor fellow couldn't even recall whether this was a local returning or a foreigner arriving. He could pass through without hindrance, but perhaps Knuud would want to find out something about Tirren from the guards.

Traveling overland from the south.

The sea voyage from the islands to Turan was difficult for the overseas traveler, but fortunately, without any major adventures. She was unable to rest on land for long, and soon her feet were once again on the surface of a boat. Finances were limited, and therefore wasting time was unacceptable.
up the river from the south

- May the All-Father bless you! - Unus greeted the men with a kind smile. - Evidently, you are representatives of the local law enforcement. Well, if I must come along, then so be it.
Unus calmly follows the guards.

Grim Knuud, to put it mildly, was quite tired from the journey, and in any case, these people, like the entire city in general, certainly didn't interest him any more than other barbarian settlements. All he needed was information, but not the kind that a couple of greenhorns could tell him, even in the most optimistic scenario. Dunkaniël entered the city, following his (and Tenebris's) creed: don't stand out, don't attract attention, and quietly do his job. However, it wasn't as if he consciously tried to be this way; after decades, it had become a habit.

The warrior surveyed the column, glanced at the city, and sighed heavily.
- Hello, - he nodded to the man. - You're doing well. Could you give me a ride to the gate?

After handing over their duties to their comrades, the city guards escorted the paladin to the city guard headquarters. Before entering the captain's office, the two of them straightened up and became so stern that the half-asleep guards at the eastern gate would not have recognized them even if they tried.
-- Sir! We... -- the junior guard stammered slightly, but continued more confidently. -- During patrol at the eastern gate, we apprehended a foreigner from Ardor. He is armed. He is likely from the order of paladins. We have brought him to you.
The captain of the guard, sitting at his desk, stared at the two who entered with an unblinking gaze, waited for another second, and said quietly:
-- Well?..
-- Um...
-- Name! Exact occupation! Purpose of arrival! You should have found this out yourself and immediately, you damned idiot, instead of wasting my time with such **nonsense! When will you devils learn...
-- Sir, I apologize. Sir, it won't happen again.
-- Apologize to your father for raising such a worthless idiot. You will rot in patrols, both of you... Get out. Get out of here!
The guards darted out the door. The captain sighed, wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead, and stared at Unus with the same lifeless, unblinking gaze. The captain was apparently not young, but his vacant gaze and the stoop of his posture at the desk made him look much older. He kept shrugging his shoulders, as if the armor was still very uncomfortable for him.
-- Roberto Neri. Captain of the city guard of Tirren. -- he said slowly and quietly, but with a very impressive tone and in short, abrupt phrases. -- Come closer. Name. Surname.

Tirren is great, and there are few travelers at this early hour. The only thing that is clear is that most people from the area near the eastern gate are heading towards the river, towards the center of the city. However, you can wander the streets aimlessly, starting from the current area of the city.
You can't just ignore the scout's skill...

Unus calmly accepted the scene unfolding before him. He only shook his head slightly, pondering how such work hardens people.
- May the All-Mighty bless you, Captain! - said Unus and approached the man. - My name is Unus, my surname is Antinish. I am a preacher. I bring the word of the All-Mighty to ordinary people. Accordingly, the purpose of my arrival is to preach, save the souls of the lost, and teach literacy.
While talking to the captain, the paladin looked him directly in the eyes. With due attention, one could notice a cold determination of a fanatic in Unus's gaze, which only death could stop.
Alex, can my character teach NPCs literacy? If not, then don't consider the last sentence as an answer.

interfered with the operation of brothels

Shinomi doesn't need to go through the bureaucratic hurdles that merchants and foreign officials have to endure, but the captain apparently failed to mention her status on the ship, and most of the guards are now focused on the woman standing alone on the deck in strange attire, and even stranger – with a bow and quiver.

Incapable.

Teacher [3]
The character has the ability to teach another character once a week what they themselves know. No more than 1 Skill, 5 Knowledge.

— Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the local customs, but I would not want to cause any trouble for the local residents, so if you don't mind, could you tell me about my rights and obligations during my stay here?

(blind go)
*I don't know how long elves live. According to the description, it seems like they live practically forever, but if that's not the case, let Alex correct me.

- Just as hard peasant labor coarsens the hands, so does hard work with lost souls coarsen the soul. Come to our church, Roberto, and you will feel better, - saying this, Unus tried to discern in the captain's eyes the potential for saving his soul. After a short pause, the paladin asked a reciprocal question. - What is the amount of the tax?

Is this the only way to learn?