A Grim Tale of Darkness and Adventuring

Chapter II- Eswick, Town of the Abandoned

    You walk through the shadows and quickly make your way to the road. After a few minutes, a carriage comes into view. You raise an eyebrow, as you haven't seen one since you left the town. Going closer to it, you see that beside the carriage, two men, one half feline and one human, are talking about hiring mercenaries for their town.

    This is perfect for you! You approach them and introduce yourself, "Hello, dear gentlemen, I happened to overhear you talking about hiring mercenaries and inhabitants for your town. Am I correct?"

    The half feline, half human carriage driver interrupts you, "Yes, youngling. You would be?"

    "My name is Sam and I'm interested in your offer. Either as an inhabitant or as a mercenary, y'see, I'm pretty good with a blade and magic!"

    The human beside the driver laughs, "Ha! You have optimism yet don't even know what the town looks like! It's...for a lack of better terms, absolutely destroyed. Near it is a black hole in the sky, which we call the Tear. That thing made animals and people crazy, so around the town is a bunch of death and misery. Can't say it's different inside, either," he sighs, then looks straight at you, his tone shifting in a more serious one, "So, you really sure that you want to come, kid?"

    "Yes, sir! I'm really sure!"

    The half feline nods, "Very well. We can make space for another mercenary, you'll also get a house of your own, so no need to worry about that."
"Welcome to the family, kid," the human smiles, opening the door of the carriage for you.

   The ride has been quite peaceful, only the occasional gargoyles attacking the carriage, but that's something expected, since it's Gargoyle Drizzle month. Nothing unusual! After a while, the driver shouts back to the passengers, meaning you and the other human, "We're finally here. Welcome to Eswick, Sam."

    The carriage pulls down the street with the man looking out for upcoming dangers.

   After you've stepped out of the carriage, the human showed you around the town. Everywhere you could look was just death and misery. The town was attacked by demons and barely fought back, so most of the buildings are damaged in some way, plus many people are sick and dying. The human introduced you to a few of the mercenaries around the tavern, but most of them were doing their own thing. The half feline half human comes to the tavern, greeting the both of you.

    "Have a seat, guys," he says, waving towards two empty seats.

    "Ah, thanks! Uhm, this town may be pretty run down, but at least you guys are nice," you say, with your everlasting smile.

    The half feline lets out a snicker, as the other man sighs. "Trust me, it's ONLY us who are this kind to outsiders. Almost everyone else straight up ignores them or will murder them if they get too close. A piece of advice to you, from me," he says, as he adjusts his black hat, "If you want to stay alive, then don't get too close to others."

    "Ah... Yeah..." you say, as the half feline smiles.

    "Well, we should leave him to explore on his own, right Karl? If you need anything, just let one of us know, Sam," the half feline half human says.

    "Yes, you're right, Vic. Anyway, we'll be seeing you again soon, kid." Karl, the human, says, as the two leave the tavern.

Now, it's time for you to explore this new area. How fun and not at all dangerous!