Flames of Chaos

Limgrave

Stepping out from the stranded graveyard, the young astrologer finally got to feel a nice cool breeze, taking in their surroundings. Beautiful scenery, though often disrupted by cross strung bodies. And a figure standing near a cliffside. They slowly approached him, unsure of his intentions. Until he lifted his head and the vile, eerie smile this man likely had hidden with a mask, but it can be heard.

"Oh yes... Tarnished, are we? Come to the Lands Between for the Elden Ring, hm?" He scoffs. "Of course you have. No shame in it. Unfortunately for you, however, you are maidenless."

What?

"Without guidance, without the strength of runes, and without an invitation to the Roundtable Hold... You are fated, it seems, to die in obscurity." Though before the Tarnished could speak up with a complaint, the white masked man raised his hand in protest. "Luckily for you, however, there is one shining ray of hope for even the maidenless. Me. Varré. Take care to listen. Are you familiar with grace? The golden light that gives life to you Tarnished. You may also behold its golden rays pointing in a particular direction at times. That is the guidance of grace. The path that a Tarnished must travel."

Turning to see a small campfire-esque golden light behind them. How did they not even notice it? Or maybe the Erdtree in the far distance was a distraction. There was a golden trail, indeed pointing into the distance. Where to? Even the tarnished did not even know. The man, now known as Varré, cleared his throat to capture their attention again.

"Mm, indeed. Grace's guidance holds the answers. It will lead you to your grave," followed by an obnoxious chuckle, "It will lead you Tarnished to the path forward, most certainly." Though now he does turn part of his body and motioned to the castle amongst the distant golden tree and hills. "To Castle Stormveil, over on the cliff. To the home of the decrepit demigod, Godrick the Grafted. Ah, well, it's time you set off, I should think. To Castle Stormveil, on the cliff, where grace would guide you. If you seek the Elden Ring, maidenless as you are."

The white masked man waved them off with a chuckle, seeming so uncaring despite trying to seem like he does. Where does one find a maiden? Is a maiden really that important? And why is he so sure they would die? The grafted beast they faced upon reawakening proved they were not ready for the world, but surely enough through exploration, they should be able to handle this perfectly fine. Granted, what would've been nice was another clue of where to find... something to assist with this. Or a warning about the horsebound knight wandering the trail they could see would help them follow the golden trail arcing into the distance.

A trail leading to an old crumbled church. Thank the stars. It took sticking to the creeping along strewn about ruins and bushes to avoid instant death for safety. Safety that held another site of grace and in the corner of the dilapidated building was— a small camp. A man sitting in front of a fire and a strange emaciated horse standing nearby.

As the Tarnished approached, the man looked up at him, strange eyes almost staring into their very being, though also seeming rather unbothered by their presence.

"You are Tarnished, I can see it. And I can also see... that you're not after my throat. Then why not purchase a little something? I am Kalé, purveyor of fine goods." Lowering the instrument in his hands to engage with the potential customer. Someone finally properly allowing them to speak.

"..What would you suggest is most important for a first time traveler?"

The merchant hummed in thought, moving his bow into the instrument hand and pushing something towards the Tarnished. "You know, if you can spare the runes, you should buy yourself a crafting kit. A crafting kit allows you to make basic items on your own. Essential really, if you intend to survive out here for any duration. The kit costs a bundle, and I admit, I do take my cut. But the important thing is that you survive. Every customer counts, after all."