Theresa ot an Bol'hjar
The duo descended down the pathway leading into the port city. They came upon the outskirts full of old, shanty wooden houses, made from ship parts as it seemed. People were mulling about, many looking somewhat downtrodden. Above them all hung an old mast, with a blood-stained flag adorning it.
Seemed pretty average, as far as foreign port cities went. But there was always room to be surprised.
"Let's split up for now." Theresa said, "You can handle your business, I'll look for someone who can tell us more about the mainland. Find a lead to somewhere... interesting, maybe."
Ben nodded, and set off on his own. Theresa scanned the area around her, spotting what seemed like a tavern built within an overturned ship. Few people as there seemed to be, it was definitely the best place to start.
...
She stepped inside. Dim lights, foul stenches, drinks and chatter aplenty. Theresa stepped forth, turning a few eyes her way as she approached the bar. There sat an old man in a chair, wrapped in blankets, with bedraggled gray hair. Before Theresa could get the attention of the bartender, he spoke to her.
"You..." The old man piped up, "You're not from 'round here?"
"No." Theresa replied, "Sailed here off of Fernheid's Galleon."
"A visitor." The old man said, "What're you here for?"
"Exploring the Continent. Same as plenty others are doing."
"Then you'd best listen to what I have to say. For your own health and preservation."
Theresa took a step closer towards the man. She assumed he may just be some old cook, but... the prospect of learning any
hint of the Continent's nature still intrigued her. So she obliged, and said in return, "What, then?"
"Go no further than Rockvale. Step neither foot within the mainland. Find a boat, and
leave this place. If the Vigils see you exploring, they'll come for you, like they have so many others."
"The Vigils?" Theresa asked.
"The
Coastal Vigils, aye. You didn't see them, but you heard their calls." The man said, "The horns. They announce the arrivals of all newcomers. And if you're smart, then that's it, end of story. But if you go too deep into the mainland... they come for you. And they
mark you."
The man raised his hand, revealing a patch of skin along his wrist that was brown and writhing. Theresa eyed it curiously.
"
This mark. You have this, and you're no longer
visiting the Continent... you're a
prisoner within its confines. You try to leave... and it's not just the Vigils who'll hunt you down. I've watched monsters of the sea and crazed men rip apart people who've tried. And some don't even wait."
Theresa paused for a moment, before she replied, "So... you're trapped here yourself? Why's Rockvale not important to these... Vigils?"
"Rockvale's not their charge." The old man replied, "It's not under the Continent's Curse. It still has connections to the outside, however small they may be. This place is safe. And I'm too old to want to go anywhere else, anyway."
Theresa paused again. She processed everything the old man was saying, before she nodded and said, "Alright. Thank you for telling me all that."
The old man nodded as well. "Be smart, girl." He said, "Leave."
A lead wasn't important anymore. Theresa turned and proceeded out of the tavern, to go find Ben. Tell him what she heard.
This changed things.
