Volgaia, the Lone Outcast

So you’re looking for some shelter? Such an odd request to give a man like me.

I wouldn’t be asking unless I really had nowhere else to go.

Oh? So you must be the one the city’s in an uproar about. You caused quite a mess at the royal palace, and that’s putting things lightly.

Hold your tongue gypsy! The royal family wasn’t the only one victimized by that.

“Oi, you okay?”


 * Groaning*

“Come on boy, wake yerself up.”

My eyes slowly open, adjusting themselves to the incoming sunlight. Once the blurriness went away, my gaze was met by a bearded man leaning over me. His face reminded me of the dwarves I used to hear about in the fantasy tales of my youth. The man gave a sigh of relief.

“Oh good, I didn’t think ya’d wake. Ya look like ya took quite a beating.”

I motion the man to move, pushing myself up into a sitting position. I decided to start by checking myself for anything off. The man’s words were indeed true, my brown jacket and pants had numerous tears and holes; but strangely, aside from some soreness, I seemed to be unharmed.

“Well, thanks I guess. Although I seem to be just fi-” As I spoke, I turned by attention back to the man, but I stopped myself after seeing the scenery that surrounded us. Dilapidated stone buildings surrounded us from all sides. The once grand structures were now eroded and covered in plant life; it was as if nature took back the place that belonged to it. The man obviously noticed my surprise.

“What seems to be the problem lad? Did you bump yer head too hard?”

“I, uhh… umm… Where are we… exactly?”

I thought the man would laugh at me for asking such a stupid question; surprisingly, he simply smiled at me, as if he was expecting this.

“Makes enough sense now. Ya must be a newcomer. In that case, let me be the first to welcome you to Templehelm."

“Templehelm? I’ve never heard of this place in my life.”

“Tis quite the place, full of mystery and adventure. Heck, even the gods themselves love ta make their presence known. I wonder which one of ‘em ya decided ta follow. If ya ask me, ya got the looks of a mighty fine Deserman; or maybe Netharnan.”

“Woah woah woah, slow down there. What do you mean by gods? Do you mean, like, divine being type of gods? ”

In all honesty, I thought this was a pretty innocent question; but this inquiry nearly sent my new acquaintance into a state of panic.

“You mean you came all the way here without making the decision of who ta follow? Oh boy, that’s not good…” The bearded man began muttering to himself, as if trying to solve something.

“Go on,” I urged him, “How is this bad? I can’t do anything about it if you won’t explain.”

“Well… It’s just that people who chosen one of the six deities don’t last very long here.”

“That’s hardly fair,” I muse out loud, “especially for one clueless as I.”

“Aye, indeed; but that’s how things work around here I’m afraid.”

“Well, maybe these gods understand enough of my situation that they might give me some time to consider my options. Seeing how I’m here, it’d be a waste to just off me." The man chuckled at my words and took a moment to pull something out of his knapsack. He hands it to me; from what I could tell, it seemed to be a book and quill.

“I hope you’re right. Here, at least take this; It’ll help you keep your head straight while ya travel.” I nod, taking the book and quill from his hands.

“Oh dear, I completely forgot.” I bowed slightly, “My name is Volgaia, noble and merchant of Baticul.”

“Nice ta meetcha Volgaia, I’m…” The bearded man stops himself mid-sentence, “nah, I’ll save the name for later. You best come back with some stories fer me. I doubt you’ll be calling yourself ‘of Baticul’ fer much longer. Now get out there and find a calling.”

“Okay, sheesh. You’re as bad as my-“ I tripped over this statement, I thought about it to myself for a second. ‘my what now?’

“Yer mother?”

“Yeah… That sounds about right. Anyways, I’ll see you later.”

Saying my goodbyes, I began to head southwest. There was a large jungle in the distance; if fortune was good to me, food should be easy to come by there.

- Volgaia