Death Valley

It had been two weeks since the Mazi Company first left Albercus, Euthoria's capital for Edin.

Over the two weeks, they had slowly traversed the forgotten countries of Sidonia, Savorac, and Terran; fallen kingdoms that were now densely populated by scores of vicious barbarian tribes.

The only way to travel safely past these ever-warmongering clans was the good old-fashioned method of bribery.

A clan would only allow a caravan safe passage through their territory if they were paid something else on the side; a glorified tit for tat.

This exchange was further complicated by the tribes not viewing money as an object of value. They preferred to be paid in food rations, weapons, and magic artifacts.

Generally, they accepted anything granted that would aid them in their battles for supremacy against the other clans.

For travelers, this was an extremely dangerous game.