Welcome

Trying to wrap my head around everything I finished the last of the biscuits in the bag and then drank the rest of the water, slowly starting to feel less like I had been run over by the wagon and more like a passenger now.

The wagon slowed as we approached a walled town, white-grey stone hiding the buildings from view, but barely visible movement at the top showing it was patrolled well. We rolled to a stop in a line of carts and folks on foot, talking quietly with those they came with or others in the line. Glancing at the teamster in concern, "Is there any issues with me being here? With what happened.." Glancing back at me he smiled, "Not here lad, The kings men don't take kindly to lawbreakers, but that applies to the kings law, not the churches. This ain't their land, and I won't be headed back that way any time soon, neither will you if you know what's good for ya." Relaxing slightly I enjoyed the wait and nodded a bit nervously at the guardsmen who came by to chat with the old man when it was our turn to pass through.

Pulling up in front of a building with a large wooden sign out front the old man flipped a coin to a young man out front in what I guessed was a uniform, "Watch the load, water the horses would you?" Nodding the youth ran up and grabbed the reins as the old man gingerly climbed down. "This is your stop boy, now lets get you settled"

Blinking in confusion I jumped down from the back of the wagon, grabbed my meager pile of belongings, and followed him inside. Immediately flinching at the noise, the room inside was full of people either standing in lines at a counter or sitting around tables talking and yelling in various tones and mostly in languages I couldn't understand. The old man clapped a hand on my shoulder and pulled me along roughly, firmly pushing throw some of the crowds to a set of stairs leading down.

Stumbling on the rough wood steps, I tried to keep up as we passed a small counter and headed down a hall with doors on spaced out on both sides. He pushed on open after waving at whoever was at the counter and pushed me inside. "Alright," He started gruffly, "This is a guild hall for folks who make a living out hunting in the wild. This room is yours for the week and this is what the Mad God agreed to." Tossing me a head sized bag that was tied shut, "This is as far as I take you boy, the Mad God doesn't work for free, and neither do his followers. Good luck to you, try not to die!" Chuckling to himself the old man started to back into the hall.

Jerking forward, "Wait! What do I do now? How do I live?" Nervously trying to grab his arm I tried to plead. Shrugging me off, "That's not my issue lad, you've enough knowledge to get you started and the Archons bargaining got you this far and with you belongings. Now either you figure yourself out or you die, simple as that" He chuckled and stomped out.

Holding the bundle numbly in my arms I sat on the small cot and stared at the open doorway for a minute.

Almost two weeks of travel time with him and he never told me his name or much else, but honestly I wasn't thinking straight either or I would've asked more questions. Damn it, I never collected the quest either or explored the system. I've been so stupid!

After pausing to breath for a minute and settle my belongings in the rooms only other piece of furniture a small rough wooden chest.

"System?"

*Ding* Host just needs to think commands, no need to verbalize them!

The same chirpy voice. Great.

Alright then, I want to collect my reward.

*Ding* You now have access to your status page! Congratulations, you didn't die!

Thanks for that I sighed. Opening the bundle that the old man tossed at me I found a small book, three stones that seem to have a symbol carved on them and pouch with coins. Glancing at the pouch I was able to see a two gold coins and a handful of silver and copper. Well that's useful I muttered playing one of the stones. What the heck are these?

*Ding*

You found a Stone of Babble!

Use it to learn the written and spoken form of another language!

Well that sounds useful but how does it work and you stop the chimes? It's very distracting!

Host can use the stone by holding it and and wishing to use it while hearing or attempting to read a foreign language. "Thanks for the help and for toning the noise down," Setting the stones aside I glance through the book, "Well he didn't totally screw me over then, this is a guide to the local area and some information about local laws." Looks like I've got some potions on how to make a living and aside from not breaking any laws I'm not required to do much. I'll need to start making money in order to stay here for find somewhere else to live. Maybe just hunting for a bit wouldn't be so bad. Everything else feels like it's gone mad.

Host has decided to build a new life! Quest created!

-Get a Job you bum!-

Obtain a job or find a way to make money:

Reward: access to Mad Gods exchange and Market

After reading the new quest everything hit me all at once again and I was scared and tired. Tears slid down my face for a moment until a knock on the open door startled me. "Hey ther-" A young woman stood in the doorway staring at me. Rubbing my face "Hi, what do you want?" I nervously asked wondering if I needed to pay for the room. Her face tilted as she looked me over "Nothing from you, looks like you've had a rough time of it and honestly I doubt you could afford me given what you're wearing." She turned abruptly and stepped out of my sight and I heard a knock in the hall from another door. What? OH! I could feel my face heat up. Getting up and closing the door I fell down on the bed. All I could think about was how to try and build a new life here as I drifted off, hearing thumping noises from the other wall that distracted me with other thoughts.