Tipping the Scale

His Eyes (Part 1)

The magical race referred in common tongue as demons, have formed the source of superstition and fear for as long as humans have existed. The term covers a range of magical peoples most commonly found in current Fireste. While studying the records of the Royal Library of Fireste, scholar Minerja Val'urzem found descriptions of over 256 species of demonae. The most well known of which are the devils, who make up the noble classes. Their characteristics like their pointed tail and long fangs specialized for their diet of blood, are the ones often found in depictions and myths of demons today.

It is speculated that this intrinsic human fear stems from the Golden Age of Fireste during which it conquered the eastern half of the continent and enslaved humans for free labor and as a food source.

Most of our current knowledge on the demonic peoples came from the before mentioned scholar Minerja Val'urzem, who lived among demons and even married one later in life. Based on her studies, she proposed devils to not be demons at all, but rather a different branch of elves. A claim that was refuted by demons and elves alike, and rejected by the scientific community.

However, recent evidence has been found at the Dragon Order of Lynoës that there might be truth in these claims. ~ The History and People of Magic by Sir Rainaldus Gale

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Sitting at the bar of the Traveler's Rest, Lidea listened in as Warchief met with his informants at the table behind her. They were a colorful bunch, ranging from maids to merchants, some local residents while others were mere visitors. Each greeted Warchief with the familiarity of an old friend, engaging in lively conversations about their lives. Initially, Lidea had been impressed by their acting skills, only to realize that they were genuinely unaware of their role as informants for the resistance. They truly believed Warchief to be a longtime acquaintance. How had he managed to get close to so many people in such a brief span of time?

As another informant entered the establishment, she heard Warchief's accent change completely as he greeted her with enthusiasm. It was unnerving how easily he slipped from one persona to another, his charm adeptly masking any discrepancies they might notice.

The woman bore a distinct accent whose origin eluded Lidea, leading her to assume that she was a visiting merchant, in town for the upcoming midsummer festival. The thought of the approaching celebration filled Lidea with a sense of nostalgia. Known as the Festival of Plenty, it spanned three weeks, turning the city into a bustling center of activities. The first week, aptly named the Week of Struggle, showcased skill competitions ranging from melee combat to archery, horseback riding, and culminated in a grand joust that determined the kingdom's greatest knight. The second week, the Week of Merriment, highlighted cultural events. The streets teemed with street performers, minstrels, and every market square transformed into a dancing fest. Eventually, the festivities peaked on the summer solstice, with a magnificent banquet that opened at sunrise and continued until dawn. Both citizens and visitors were free to feast and drink with abandon, courtesy of the crown.

Finally, everything ended during the week of rest, as everyone joined forces to clean the city and the revelers prepared to return to their normal lives.

It had always been Lidea's favorite holiday, especially because her birthday coincided with the end of the Week of Struggle. Regardless of how busy he was, her father always made sure to take her to witness the Great Joust in celebration, and she would giggle while bestowing her blessings upon one of his numerous knights.

Gloom tainted the tender memory, as she recalled that they were all gone. Just then, the sound of a drink being placed on the bar startled her out of her reverie.