The relatively cramped conditions of the guild hall were what struck Alison first. The air was thick with the smell of parchment and a hint of ale. The Brass Monkey was more of a bar establishment first and foremost while the Guild seemed to encompass all the support needs of the official adventure apparatus of the state. It was bemusing to Alison, to see themselves referred to as "adventures". Suppose it was a better phrase than "Semi-state-sanctioned Mercenaries".
That said, the atmosphere of the guild hall was about the same as the Brass Monkey. A handful of adventures that made up the patrons were tense with stress. The siege was coming to a head soon, the preparations in the streets showed that much. Through her Whispers, Alison had caught up on what was going around town during their walk to the guild. The preparations seemed to be proceeding smoothly, but she wondered how much of the city could truly held when the walls finally were breached.
Pulled away from her dark thoughts, a little dog-like creature came bounding up to them, yapping and excited to see James. However, when Alison leaned over from behind, she watched the dog shy away and flee back to its owner.
That hurt a little.
The owner behind the desk spoke with James before finally turning her attention to her. A local with sharp ears must be one of the more exotic races Alison had heard about in this world.
"Afternoon, Alison." She gave Alison a nod and then looked back at James. Alison gave a curt nod and a smile, letting James do the talking. After confirming their intentions, she gestured to the Source Crystal scanner. It was a strange device, almost looking like some sort of crystal ball with bits of brass sticking out. Again, it confused Alison how all of the place the world seemed in its development.
She wondered if they could set up some sort of wireless surveillance system...
She placed her hand on the crystal and smirked internally when it displayed an alias. Not even the magic ball seemed to see through her facade! That, or she was so in deep that "Alison Walker" might as well be her real name at this point.
"Alison Walker," The Guildmaster read on the system, checking a few other details before looking at Alison "You're not from here," she noted. "Have you been in Valhiem long?" she asked,
Alison simply shrugged. "I've been around for only a little bit. Lucky me to get caught up in all this." Alison joked. After a few motions on the monitor, the Guildmaster finished.
"Alright, you are now officially a member of Second Chance." The Guildmaster said and left the display up for Alison to read this auspicious message. Though she picked up on the shift in the Guildmasters demeanor. Some sort of piece of information she had seen caused her to look at Alison differently. Alison didn't like it. She may have been able to hide her real name, but clearly, she couldn't hide what she was. Cursing internally at the damn computer, she looked at the screen and began to read.
---
"Figures..." was all Alison said when she finished reading the message. It had finally confirmed her suspicions. They were being used as some sort of interdimensional last resort. Otherworld Volkstorm soldiers were drafted at random to fight in a war they didn't understand or had any stake in. Anger threatened to warp her otherwise calm demeanor, but she pushed it back down.
It was all so absurd.
Alison sighed and closed the message before turning to James. "I take it you didn't accept Miss "Rightful Empress"'s offer? Good call. So far she either isn't in control enough of her minions as she says she is or just wants to remove a potential threat in the easiest way possible. Why bother with using whatever crazy amounts of energy it took to bring us here to send us back when you could just snuff us out with a well-placed dagger or arrow?" Alison mused, crossing her arms. "Yeah, don't worry, I'm not buying what she's selling."
However, once they left the guild and away from prying ears, she leaned close to James as they walked. "That said, I think we can't entirely trust this Empire either. I think something bigger might be at play, and while they might treat us nicely while we're useful, nothing is stopping them from dropping us as well. We gotta stay close and watch our backs, kid. Take it from me, Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo..." she finished with a wink.
That said, the atmosphere of the guild hall was about the same as the Brass Monkey. A handful of adventures that made up the patrons were tense with stress. The siege was coming to a head soon, the preparations in the streets showed that much. Through her Whispers, Alison had caught up on what was going around town during their walk to the guild. The preparations seemed to be proceeding smoothly, but she wondered how much of the city could truly held when the walls finally were breached.
Pulled away from her dark thoughts, a little dog-like creature came bounding up to them, yapping and excited to see James. However, when Alison leaned over from behind, she watched the dog shy away and flee back to its owner.
That hurt a little.
The owner behind the desk spoke with James before finally turning her attention to her. A local with sharp ears must be one of the more exotic races Alison had heard about in this world.
"Afternoon, Alison." She gave Alison a nod and then looked back at James. Alison gave a curt nod and a smile, letting James do the talking. After confirming their intentions, she gestured to the Source Crystal scanner. It was a strange device, almost looking like some sort of crystal ball with bits of brass sticking out. Again, it confused Alison how all of the place the world seemed in its development.
She wondered if they could set up some sort of wireless surveillance system...
She placed her hand on the crystal and smirked internally when it displayed an alias. Not even the magic ball seemed to see through her facade! That, or she was so in deep that "Alison Walker" might as well be her real name at this point.
"Alison Walker," The Guildmaster read on the system, checking a few other details before looking at Alison "You're not from here," she noted. "Have you been in Valhiem long?" she asked,
Alison simply shrugged. "I've been around for only a little bit. Lucky me to get caught up in all this." Alison joked. After a few motions on the monitor, the Guildmaster finished.
"Alright, you are now officially a member of Second Chance." The Guildmaster said and left the display up for Alison to read this auspicious message. Though she picked up on the shift in the Guildmasters demeanor. Some sort of piece of information she had seen caused her to look at Alison differently. Alison didn't like it. She may have been able to hide her real name, but clearly, she couldn't hide what she was. Cursing internally at the damn computer, she looked at the screen and began to read.
---
"Figures..." was all Alison said when she finished reading the message. It had finally confirmed her suspicions. They were being used as some sort of interdimensional last resort. Otherworld Volkstorm soldiers were drafted at random to fight in a war they didn't understand or had any stake in. Anger threatened to warp her otherwise calm demeanor, but she pushed it back down.
It was all so absurd.
Alison sighed and closed the message before turning to James. "I take it you didn't accept Miss "Rightful Empress"'s offer? Good call. So far she either isn't in control enough of her minions as she says she is or just wants to remove a potential threat in the easiest way possible. Why bother with using whatever crazy amounts of energy it took to bring us here to send us back when you could just snuff us out with a well-placed dagger or arrow?" Alison mused, crossing her arms. "Yeah, don't worry, I'm not buying what she's selling."
However, once they left the guild and away from prying ears, she leaned close to James as they walked. "That said, I think we can't entirely trust this Empire either. I think something bigger might be at play, and while they might treat us nicely while we're useful, nothing is stopping them from dropping us as well. We gotta stay close and watch our backs, kid. Take it from me, Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo..." she finished with a wink.