The town of Tolbi was abustle with activity today, just like any other day of the week. The merchants called out at passerbys that were crowded shoulder to shoulder in the streets, trying to call anyone and everyone to check out their wares. Tolbi was the largest and most powerful city in Gondowan, the coliseum and palace being the most notable land marks. They were more than that though, these great structures were symbols of power and strength, a testament to Tolbi's reign and longevity. This was the same city, after all, that had once held a powerful adept girl held hostage while it forced her hometown to build another grand structure, and that was only after the former leader had raided an ancient civilization to increase his life for centuries. Tolbi had a list of high crimes almost as grand as its accomplishments, but what's in the past was in the past.
An armored man moved through the crowds, occasionally getting the odd look but never being stopped. Anyone else simply ignored him, Proxians weren't a rarity in the world anymore, not since the rise of the Golden Sun. They made journeys into the world all the time now, it was even encouraged by parents for their children to go see the rest of Weyard so that they could understand that the world went beyond the edge of Prox. Of course they were also encouraged to always come back home and help with the village. When you grow up in a culture that lived in isolation for centuries, family became extremely important.
Cale pushed his way through the crowds and eventually stopped at an armorsmith. The main was going to town on his anvil when Cale called out to him.
“I'm looking for something a little bit lighter than what I've got, any ideas?” Cale said. The man stopped what he was doing and looked back, giving Cale a once over before he approached table which Cale stood across. The armor smith reached out and placed a hand on Cale's armor and shook his head.
“If you're looking to compete in Colosso in a few weeks you know it doesn't matter what armor you wear. They strip you barebones. Or are you trying to hunt those adept raiders we've been hearing about?" The smith said. Cale raised an eyebrow.
“Colosso? That's the big tournament you guys have every year, yeah? They don't let you have your own armor or weapons?” Cale asked. The smith shook his head and ducked down behind the counter, shuffling through some unseen materials as he spoke loud enough to be heard.
“Supposedly it's a way to test your mettle. You run through an obstacle course, grab the best gear at the end if you're first and then fight until you or the other guy goes down. So not that then eh? Maybe the raiders?” The smith asked. Cale once again shook his head. This time he knew what he was talking about. He had heard a few reports on his way into the city.
Apparently there had been some strange wildfires on the outskirts of Suhalla. A few people had gotten hurt, others killed. For fires to just randomly spring forward made people think the prime suspects were adepts. There was no proof of this since no adepts had been spotted near the sites, but people will talk.
“Well your gear is pretty good, but you could stand to use some magical components. Unfortunately I don't have any artifacts in right now. Come back in a week or two and maybe I will. Good luck out there.” The smith said. Cale gave a nod and moved back into the crowd.