Hasst | Naczach'sh | Wilderness

Here�re the skittles! (Heh, thought it sounded funny, yet oddly appropriate...hmm...)

Tahnn has recently erupted with activity, and not of the good time. It seems the entire kingdom is plagued by what some call the "Sun Cult". This group ritualistically slaughter all non-Ss'tiss and Misharr people they can get their claws on. However, recently they have taken more drastic measures.

The cities of Antoliam and Oasis have been closed due to recent attacks. The well, Antoliam's main source of fresh water, was poisoned and the fields which provide Oasis with its main source of food, set ablaze. Both actions called for the inhabitants to migrate elsewhere until the problems can be solved (the poison seeps out of the well, the fields begin to grow again).

Hasst and Naz are active as ever. Hasst is preparing for the Festival of the Sun, which is a competition to, supposedly, show that the city hasn't left the ways of the sun. Secretly, there is more to it. ;)

Naz is kicking up from the migration of humans from Antoliam. Many merchants, along with gangs, are setting up territory in their new home and staking claims. They are also preparing for the Naz Fair, which is a land competition, however I believe the seal was stolen so that fair is on hold.

Sipping a special brew of tea, a Ss�tiss with black fingerless gloves, fur cloak and cloth wrapping his head and feet stood in front of a host of dwarves in a landscape of snow covered grey mountains. �Hasst,� Tyssth hissed summoning the feel of scorched sand with his voice. �The capital of Tahnn is placed between the border of the desert lands and the cold and cruel ocean. Perhaps because of this contrast it has flourished, two extremes combining into something less forbidding,� he said letting the scenery be absorbed by his audience. Putting his empty tea-cup down, he continued, �It is also, and this I think interests you more, the centre of all trade from Tahnn. Wares from all over the kingdoms end up there, and with these wares, people. Such is the way of some, to be where there is comfort and wealth.�

�But comfort and wealth causes greed, and greed causes Evil. Hasst is as much as a deadly place as the perpetually dry Salt Flats-if one is not careful,� the young male Ss�tiss explained pulling his gloves tighter on his large clawed hand. Looming over his audience, he continued, �Being one of the people who end up in Hasst, Mirrash the female misharr had been captured by slavers during the attack on the beautiful Oasis. She lacks the strength to act, and seems destined to live her life as a slave. However, if the Sun is willing, she will find an opportunity to claim back her freedom.� He nodded to himself to demonstrate his trust in the Sun�s wisdom.

�Another, less honourable adventurer has been attracted by Hasst�s wealth,� he began sharply. �A lone goblin in the streets of Tahnn is trying to scrape enough money to survive, by stealth and quickness of finger. The Sun never looked kindly on those stealing from others, and it is likely the goblin, called Svindel, will meet a timely end at the Sun Square,� the Ss�tiss went on with complete lack of sympathy.

�Some have been in Hasst for quite a while, as is the case of the tribal female Ss�tiss Barrussielth and Flir, a human possessed by a foul and evil affinity to rats that can only be caused by magic. Both are in the good hands of a High Priestess,� he said doubt apparent in his voice at �good�, �within the hallowed halls of the Sun Temple in Hasst.� Tyssth himself had no use for halls. The Sun was honoured by actions and words, not by buildings.

�Somewhere in those halls in dark shadows lurk magic,� he condemned the Temple, but averted his eyes quickly. Tyssth, a male Ss�tiss not even through his trial was not supposed to be judging females who were more worthy and wise than him. But why could they not see?

Well, here I was again, stuck in this blasted desert. It is nice in the jungle now; there is moisture in the air, and the twittering of birds and all sorts of creatures - in these blasted lands there is not a drop of water in sight. I sought to seek refuge in the human city, the one I heard about, but instead only found a caravan of refugees moving towards the village.

Upon joining up with them, I met two possible sources - Amarys and Caede, their names were - but I could find out little about either of them before they went into some Misharr�s home.

Resigned to spending the rest of the day in a grumpy mood I still did my best to serve the queen (or at least justify my pay). Valuable information I have found.

A Misharr has been asked to give his body over to an evil mage, so others could battle it! I did not hear if he agreed too or not, because a Ss�tiss guard dragged me away from the small window I was listening at. I had to explain that the heat made me dizzy, so I had to lean up against it. I gather he didn�t believe me, because I was immediately dragged off to the station on the suspicion of theft.

On the way there I heard of a Misharr that was taken as an apprentice to the falconer. Somebody named Gorruh asked her to dinner, I heard, but then she would be unable to get to the healers on time. I could hear no more though, for my guard dragged me most brutally away from the gossipers before I could take the money that was simply jumping out of their pockets.

At the station, I heard more mutterings about white robed humans- ones out of Antoliam, my destination, I perceived, being the genius I am. I tried to listen to something else, but was thrust in a cell, where I currently await my execution, or at least, trial.

What do I know about the Wilderness of Tahnn? Why ask me? I am but a simple man who lives a simple life listening to simple rumours. Okay, okay, I will tell you since I know everything, or so I'm told. Truth is I know less than most, but enough about me.

What do I know about the Wilderness of Tahnn? Well, I heard, and from a fairly reliable source I might add, that there was, or is, a party of goblins travelling with two cats. The story that was told to me said that the goblins got drunk, wandered off and wound up in a lizard camp. Lucky for them their comrades were able to free them the following morning. Well two of them anyway, the third one had disappeared. The two cats, the two Goblins and a small group of lizards went to search for the missing goblin. Last time they were seen, they were charging over a hill, weapons drawn, ready for battle. They haven't been seen since.

Well, that's old news. Happens all the time that travellers get lost. Many are just off the path. Maybe the path lies just over the next dune, or under it. Some travellers run into strange beasts that travel in the wind and heat the sands, but that is just rumour, and I place no faith in the existence of such creatures.

As of late there is a new threat, or maybe an old threat. White cloaked figures attacking wanderers and caravans. Maybe this has something to do with that infamous cult that may or may not exist. Maybe the thieves have a new leader and they have just become more aggressive. Money does that to a man. Heck, look at me I'm relating rumours I heard on the street. Oh right, where's my gold?

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