Divinity's Trial

THE PILGRIM OF KNOWLEDGE

**The Journey Begins**

As dawn broke over the ancient ruins of Tabrees, the city now stirred with the sound of dwarf hammers clanging against stone, bringing life back to the long-forgotten streets. **Tur** stood at the gates, his gaze fixed on the horizon, where distant lands awaited his arrival. The wind whispered through the broken towers, as if carrying with it the voices of both past and future. He had waited long enough. The time had come to begin his journey, to gather the knowledge and allies that would lead him to the **World Engine**.

Tur's heart was heavy with responsibility, but his resolve was ironclad. He knew the weight of his mission—not just the restoration of Tabrees but the salvation of his people from Ortuzar. Every second he lingered here was a second lost to time, and time was the enemy.

**Tur, whispering to himself:**

*"To restore my people, I must first restore this world. And to do that... I must unlock its deepest secrets."*

Valnyr, his sentient artifact, hummed at his side, its inscriptions flickering with a soft, knowing glow. The journey ahead would be long and perilous, but he was not alone. The power of the dwarven prophet Ahtop's artifact, combined with his own mastery of combat and magic, would guide him through.

Before leaving, Tur gathered a few supplies—dwarven rations, enchanted maps, and scrolls that could aid him in battle. The dwarves had worked tirelessly to prepare him for the journey, even though they knew their true task lay in Tabrees itself.

**Dwarven Elder Tharnan approached, his eyes filled with respect and caution.**

*"Yer headed into uncharted lands, lad. Remember, the knowledge ye seek ain't always in the brightest places. Tread carefully, and remember the dwarves of Tabrees stand behind ye."*

Tur clasped Tharnan's forearm in gratitude.

*"I will return when the time is right. Keep working, and keep the secrets of Tabrees safe. Soon, we will have a new home, a place where all can thrive."*

**Tharnan nodded, a somber smile on his face:**

*"Ye better come back in one piece, Tur. The world's countin' on ye now."*

With those final words, Tur turned his back on the rising city, stepping into the wild lands beyond. His path was unclear, but his destination was certain. **He needed to travel across Elarion**, visiting each of its civilizations and gathering their ancient knowledge. There were many who would resist, others who might be allies, and some who held secrets even they didn't fully understand.

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### The Tritons of the Abyss

Tur's first stop was the underwater kingdom of the Tritons, far in the eastern seas. They were said to possess ancient magics of water and time, keeping the memory of the world's creation alive in their deep archives. Their connection to the flow of time could hold the first clue to finding the World Engine.

Days turned into weeks as Tur ventured toward the **Abyssal Depths**, home to the Tritons. Traveling through mountain ranges, dense forests, and eventually the jagged coastline, Tur felt the wild energy of the land beneath his feet, as if Elarion itself was stirring in response to his journey.

Upon reaching the coast, he used Valnyr to create a **spell of breathing**, allowing him to descend into the depths of the sea. The waters of Elarion were both beautiful and dangerous—glowing reefs teemed with vibrant life, but dark shadows lurked beneath, creatures that had not seen the light of day in millennia.

At last, he saw it—**Thalassia**, the capital of the Triton kingdom. It was a city made of coral and shimmering pearls, bathed in the soft glow of bioluminescent flora. The architecture curved in spirals, mimicking the flow of water itself.