Trading stories

JP with Lucian, Winteroak and Bandorchu

Ekero seemed quiet happy to talk. It was clear that maybe he didn't have a lot of opportunities to do so. Judging by where his little farm was based in Desdem maybe he was still a bit of an outsider. Regardless of how many years here had been here.

The young boy smiled as he started to translate a bit about where the thinker was from.

He had been in Desdem for over a decade. Growing his cactus and peppers while spending his time on his Inventions.

Hel's Maw was a large area in the north of Arcadia past the Desert of Skulls, made up of small groups of fishing villages. Many of their people were also pirates and raiders engaged in blood and religiously feuds that spawned generations.

It was a harsh land by the sea, where life was hardy and dangerous. He explained that a decade ago he travelled to Gra'akast on business selling his wares and eventually settled in Desdem wanting to leave his old life behind.

Berus translated that the man asked how long their trip across the seas had taken and where they were from.

Tarmen had to admit he was fascinated by the sound of the man’s homeland. A place of vandals and blood wars sounded all too familiar and it drew him closer to the conversation. When the shaman gave Ekero’s question, he spoke first.
He gave a short overview of the trip here and the grueling days at sea. Storms, bad food, and Wim’s cheating were just a part of the mishaps that had assailed them.
When it came to where he was from, he chose to end his breath loosely describing Kru’ll. A dangerous, but beautiful jungle, filled with mercenary towns and native tribes that… mostly got along.
He had to admit as he looked to Alexis to see if she would speak, Ekero was growing on him.

Alexis smiled as Ekero willingly shared his tale. She listened no less attentively to Tarmen’s words, nodding her agreement to his account of their journey - they travelled on the very same vessel after all.

When it was her turn she spoke of Garrah and his mountain ranges, the beautiful valleys and breathtaking heights, and of course of its sturdy people and never resting forges.

The short farmer took it all in, making notes with a charcoal stick as Berus translated Tarmen's and Alexis'words.

He seemed genuinely interested especially on your trip and the vessel that brought you to Arcadia.

He explains that not many people believed that other lands existed across the oceans. There the very few seafaring races in the continent do not have the technology or knowhow to craft vessels that could last more than a week or two at sea.

He grins at you and Berus explains that Ekero believe you are not the first foreigners to have made to Arcadia.

Alexis nodded solemnly. They actually knew they weren’t.

Their run-in with the Sentinel warriors had reminded her very effectively of their suicide mission to the isle months ago, and as such of the mysterious vessel under Allos flag they had no chance to conclusively deal with.

She couldn’t help but wonder wether the tale of ‘different looking’ people on the isle Zargari spoke of might be connected to that.

Tarmen figured Alexis was having the same thoughts as him, wondering if they should clue the tinkerer in on how correct he was.
Instead he chose to remain aloof with their own involvement in events, mentioning hearing the same rumors in Fang. He then turned the conversation towards the man’s hobbies. Specifically the cactus.
There were plenty of prickly plants to be found at home, but something that thrived in this barren place caught his attention.
He asked what their use was and if they were useful to harvest.