Gathering Storm: Preparing for War

<p>After completing his training, Axel realized he needed his own equipment. He found a bag he had stolen from a trader, containing 20 gold coins. Axel decided to head to the nearby town to purchase the items he needed.<br/><br/>As he arrived in the town, Axel noticed that it hadn't changed much. He took a moment to familiarize himself with his surroundings, observing the bustling streets and lively marketplace. It was around noon when he spotted a street vendor with a small collection of items for sale, including a book, wristwear, a dagger, a black crystal, and a pair of leather boots. Among them was a book that caught Axel's attention.<br/><br/>Approaching the street vendor, Axel inquired about the price of the dagger. The vendor, looking up from his wares, replied, "It's priced at 5 gold coins." Axel, wanting to negotiate a better deal, confidently stated, "That's too much. Can't you lower the price? How about 2 gold coins?"<br/><br/>The street vendor looked at Axel with surprise and disbelief, responding, "Are you mad? Two gold coins is far too low for the dagger." Axel, persisted and replied, "No, I'm completely serious. I'm willing to buy the dagger if we can find a way to adjust the price. Take a look at the coins I have right here."<br/><br/>After a moment of consideration, the street vendor reluctantly proposed, "Alright, how about 4.5 gold coins?" Axel remained determined and said, "I can only offer 2 gold coins." The vendor sighed, replied, "I can't go any lower than 4 gold coins." Axel took a moment to weigh his options and then made a final decision. "If I offer you 4 gold coins, would you be willing to give me all the items?" he proposed to the street vendor.<br/>The street vendor hesitated but ultimately agreed, saying, "Really?, Give me 7 gold coins, and I'll give you all the items." <br/><br/>Although slightly disappointed, Axel agreed and handed over the 7 gold coins. In return, he received the dagger, the book, and the other items he desired.<br/><br/>With his newly acquired equipment, Axel headed to the blacksmith to buy a long sword and a pair of gloves. He carefully examined the selection and chose a robust long sword that felt balanced in his hand and a comfortable pair of gloves. Axel negotiated with the blacksmith, ultimately agreeing to a price of 13 gold coins for the long sword and gloves. Equipped with his new weapons and gear, Axel returned home, satisfied with his purchases.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, in the county of Northfall, all the members of the alliance gathered for a tribes meeting. Northfall was known for its peaceful nature and vibrant marketplace. Upon receiving the prophetic warning from the soothsayer, the Elves swiftly organized a meeting, summoning all the alliance members to discuss the impending threat and formulate a plan of action.<br/><br/>When the meeting started, the Elves began to share the prophecy delivered by the soothsayer. Their voice resonated through the room as they solemnly spoke, "The dead and war are coming. Many lives will be lost, and the war will prolong indefinitely." The alliance members listened intently, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern as the weight of the impending threat settled upon them. <br/><br/>The Human interjected, with a question, "Do we know when the war is expected to commence?" The Elves responded, "Regrettably, we do not possess such precise knowledge. What we do know is that the war is imminent, and it is orchestrated by the forces of the undead." The Dwarves chimed in, asking, "Are you referring to the dead lord who can control the undead?" The Elves nodded gravely, affirming, "Indeed, it is him."<br/><br/>Centaurs spoke up, inquiring, "Has anyone gathered news of the dead lord's current whereabouts?" The Fairies replied, "Sadly, we are unaware of his location. It is possible he resides in the treacherous lands of the Outerland." The mention of the Outerland caused concern among the gathered leaders. Humans voiced worries, "If he has sought refuge in the Outerland, how can we hope to confront him there? The Outerland is infested with an overwhelming number of demons and monstrous creatures." The Dwarves, acknowledging the formidable challenge of confronting the dead lord in the Outerland, suggested an alternative approach, saying, "Since it is unlikely that we can directly intervene in the Outerland, we must focus on fortifying our defenses and preparing for the inevitable clash within our own lands."<br/><br/>At that moment, the Gnomes spoke up with an idea, suggesting, "Why don't we deploy our scouts to search for any signs or information about the whereabouts of the dead lord?" The Elves stood and asked, "Is there anyone here who disagrees with this course of action?" A brief silence ensued as the assembly pondered the proposal. The Elves, united and resolute, stood before the gathered alliance with unwavering determination. "With unanimous agreement, let us proceed with this plan and make all necessary preparations for the impending war," they declared.<br/><br/>After one week, they dispersed and returned to their respective countries to make all necessary preparations for the impending conflict. They began mobilizing their armies, fortifying their defenses, and honing their skills in anticipation of the inevitable clash. With every passing day, they grew more ready and determined to face the challenges that lay ahead. The stage was being set for an epic battle, and they were actively working towards being fully prepared for the impending war.</p>