Clueless Delver

"Looking at you, you must be well travelled, what brings you to the Twin Sprigs?" Poso asked. Gumue fell silent for a moment before speaking. "I'm on a long journey - and I'm looking for passage to the Doused Sprig," Gumue spoke truthfully - she knew for certain that no one in the Twin Sprigs would know even the name of it - for it was far up upon the Firm Qeleres.

An infamous decentralised clique of assassins known for always leaving behind a single footprint that appears to be left behind by a person with three toes. The clique's activities main occur within Ninur-Sin, Kal-Absur, and Agash. It is rumored that if sacrificing two of one's toes would allow one to be eligible for audience with the Three Toed assassins, though how exactly to contact them remains a tightly kept secret to this day, and the truth is not known to this day.

"Thanks again... Umm..." Gumue replied in gratitude, her voice trailing as she realised she had not even learned the elderly lady's name. "I'm Poso," she replied swiftly as the wagon shook slightly as it's wheels rolled over a bump on the path.

Statue of an emaciated kneeling beast with the body of a stout ape and the head of a bald horse, representing a noble ascetic beast that once preached wisdom during the early days of Gur-Qet. The worship of the Solemn Beast is considered taboo within Gur Qet and is said to be the result of influence from Shur-Qamet. Despite these restrictions, there is a huge following of the Solemn Beast especially in Gardens bordering Shur-Qamet.

Gumue soon realised that the wagon she was on was along the circumference of the bark of the Sprig, and a line of travelling peoples and riders advanced behind and ahead of the direction she travelled. "You're awake!" the elderly woman spoke without turning, sensing Gumue from behind her.

A living fossil of a plant rumored to have descended from the heavenly realm  It takes the form of a shrivelled, scaly black bean with a single long scaly sprout that curves about in the cave it resides making it resemble a dead adder. Located in a restricted area deep under the surface of Lal-Mit, only accessible to certain individuals, that exclude even the Cauldrons. According to the Forbidden Archives, the Adder Bean is surmised to be an early attempt at attaining immortality by the Serpent Men of the Primordial Age.

Gumue sat up as she rubbed her bleary eyes with her sleeve as she took in her surroundings, which was bathed in bright. To her right she saw the colossal face of the bark of the towering Sprig, and opposite it was the low Anthre under which she saw the Buttresses she remembered running through.

A ceremonial tall white cap shaped like a rounded pillar, worn by the warrior-clerics of the Holy Ka-Abir, known for its unusual tallness which is said to represent grace from the heavens. There exists also a shorter pillar cap which is used for everyday wearing, and also a variant which is armored, worn by the heavy infantry of the Holy Army.

... Gumue soon found herself awake as she began to feel cold. As she sucked in air, she felt the wagon shake as it travelled along a sloped dirt path.

A type of lesser panacea harvested from the termite hives. As opposed to Royal Jelly gained from within beehives high in the treetops, Plebian Jelly is gained from hives that grow on the ground. While not as potent in is curative effects, it is considerably more potent than most herbal remedies and is thus sometimes called the Beggar's Panacea.

Gumue climbed onto the back of the wagon and lay among the barrels as she shut her eyes. And as she began feeling the rocking of the wagon as it continued it's journey, she closed her eyes and felt herself embraced by warm darkness.

An unusual bronze goblet known for its unusual interior structure. Unlike most ceremonial goblets which have 4 legs, the Diviner's goblet has 8 legs, fashioned often in the likeness of serpent heads or turtle heads. When liquid is poured into it, it always comes out of a random head, and is thus is used in various drink related divination rituals.

"Many thanks..." Gumue said as she bowed in gratitude. "Aight, get on in the back - there should be enough space for ya to lie down," the elderly woman spoke as she gestured to the back of the wagon.

 A set of intricately carved colossal sculptures found in the deep south of the marshlands of Gur-Qet, arranged in a distinctive arrangement of 6 points. The site of the Sages is considered forbidden ground by the leaders of Gur-Qet, and few have travelled there except for brave explorers who managed to sneak into the site to describe the statues. The most successful of these explorer, Nal-Azat, born from the union of a Ninurian and Lal-mittan, managed to create an engraving of the likeness and positions of each of the statues, and escape Gur-Qet unscathed, and settled in Lal-Mit where he created his magnum opus that recorded his discoveries in the land in 13 large volumes. Due to the scant record of all things Gur-Qet, the book is highly popular, and is considered absolutely necessary to have all 13 volumes within a library in Lal-Mit.

 As Gumue turned toward the source of the voice, she was greeted by the sight of a rickety wagon carrying large barrels drawn by an iguana. Seated at the driver's seat was an elderly lady with a prominently broad rimmed straw hat that cast shadows across her wrinkled countenance - her eyes obscured by long locks of gray and white hair. She gazed at Gumue for a few moments before speaking. "I've never seen one as drowsy as you. Hrmmm... You look like a wanderer, How about I let you on my wagon and you help me with a bit of work when we're up the Sprig?"

A large river Delta that debouches into Sea of Toads, south of Ulrunir. It is known for its unusually large distributaries which were said to have been formed by colossal serpents that swam through them during the Primordial Age. This was determined from the excavation of numerous colossal fossils of shedded scales that Archaeologists working in the region discovered across nearby swamplands.

"Outta the way! Coming through!" The voice of an old woman came from behind Gumue alongside the sounds of chitinous feet plodding mud. "Clear the way! We got goods to move!" the elderly voice rang louder as Gumue finally stepped to one side, realising that she was in a half-asleep state. "Oy! You drunk or something?" the elderly woman spoke as the sounds of plodding mud ceased for moment.

A stout breed of mules that are found roaming underground plains only accessible via hidden cavern entrances that dot the Ulruniri realm. Cave Mules are known for their pearl white hide which are used typically to make the raiments of the holy peoples of Ka-Abir. They are also known for their hardiness and ability to climb steep slopes even when laden with baggage.

Thereafter, Gumue waded among the crowds only dozing off slightly while hiding among some shrubs before treading onward. There was little doubt that people would be after her - so she could not afford to let down her guard, and decided to press ahead after a brief respite.

A party of four sworn sisters notorious for their mastery of the sicklesword, each of the are from different regions, namely Agash, Ninur-Sin, Kal-Absur and Lal-Mit. During their prime, they were known to have slain numerous dangerous beasts and individuals, making them the most sought after sellswords for nearly half a century. They are said to still be alive to this day despite their advanced age, though they no longer sell their services and are rumored to be living in hermitage.

It was due to sheer luck that she managed to slip through a narrow gap that her pursuer was unable to pass through, though it was at the cost of her manteau which was torn into shreds by the obstacles that were in the way of her passing through her way of escape.

A basic grade incense commonly crafted by Incensers of Agash. Commonly tied in bundles by a short length of hemp rope. These incenses have particularly strong scents and are typically use to mask foul odours that are said to be common among the rabble of Agash.

It had been two cycles since Gumue managed to escape her pursuer after she crossed the wall of the Buttresses. After her immediate outrunning of the one eyed woman named Glass, she was dismayed to find eventually discover yet another pursuer, who was clad completely in armor - likely one of the sentinels of the Buttress walls.

An exotic dance said to have originated from a distant land far south of Ulrunir, where the skies are said to be covered by multicolored haze due to the forest fires of many forests. It is said that a good dance can redirect the haze to a specific direction, clearing a region of the otherwise suffocating atmosphere.

Gumue trudged wearily along the thoroughfare headed to the trunk of the Right of the Twin Qeleres. Convoys of iguana and frog drawn wagons and carriages moved past her as she advanced slowly on foot. The weather felt unusually hot despite the frigid light that glowed from the morning sky.

An extremely dangerous creature spotted only at night deep within swamplands. Known for its unusually large eyes resembling that of owls and it's large powerful jaws studded with sharp teeth of alligators. Due to its ferocity and difficulty of slaying, it is often considered a significant trophy amount beast hunters in the land.

 "Alright, you've said it yourself! Don't regret your decision!" the feline spoke as it turned about to face Hajer who nodded in response.

A secret tunnel said to cut accross from the heart of Shur-Qamet across Ninur-Sin, leading to Agash. Said to have been created by the transcendent Breathless Ascetic, who became enlightened of the principle of breath, and thereafter needed naught to breathe. It is said that he acquired a strange ability to turn rock into mud and dug deep underground in search of the Greater Ocean, that is rumored to exist several leagues away from the western wild-lands. Yet, despite many records on the Breathless Ascetics' feats, the entrance to the Path of Mud is still not known.

And so considering this, Hajer decided to make a gamble. "Tell me about your method, and you shall have half of this offering," Hajer spoke directly. The three eyed feline opened its left eye and gave a sidelong glance at Hajer, as though considering his offer. "You can't be serious..." the scarred apparition spoke, slapping his forehead.

A breed of hound known for its speed and ferocity. Bre myd in large numbers by the Kennel masters of Kal-Absur. The hound is known for its striking red band on its coat of fur which goes across from it's shoulder to its bottom. Every year, each Kennelmasters gather in the city of Sunul-Ak to take part in the competition to crown the fastest hound in the region, with even Kennelmasters outside of Kal-Absur participating.

Realising that he could not get any more from the two apparitions - Hajer's brows furrowed. Indeed, he knew for a fact that the Underbark was likely the way to scale the Sprig discreetly. Yet, Hajer could tell by his gut that scaling it through the Underbark was not going to be straightforward, even with the help of the knowledge from the scarred apparition.

 A vein of extremely rare native bronze found in the Sandtree Border which separates Agash and Kal-Absur. Said to have been left by one of the arrows of the Deity of Archery, Tol-Unu, who slew the Primordial Cow who terrorized the lands, piercing through the creature and cutting through what is now the Sandtree Border. Tol-Uni's Arrow is also surrounded by an underground lake of black sludge which gives off a strange aroma, rumored to be Primordial Ichor that was let from the innards of the Primordial Cow.

 "Not a way that the likes of you can go by. Is that all? Just leave this grimalkin in peace," the feline spoke in a tone tinged with disdain as he whipped its head again to one side away from the scarred man and Hajer.

Said to be one of the most legendary battles in the history of wars in Ulrunir. The Battle of Nine Chariots involved the Nine Thrones of the Heroic Covenant, in the face of all odds, defeating the legions of the King of Beggars, Alak-Sor, who were nearly 50,000 strong, threatening to sweep across Ninur-Sin's initially small territory at the time. Through tactical prowess and mastery of sorcery, the 50,000 Sickle-beggars were routed by only nine.

"What? Got some other better way up there?" the scarred apparition provoked the three eyed feline with a wide grin on his face.

A mythical creature of omen, representing caprice. Said to be spotted before the happening of strange occurrences such as the emergence of multiple fireflies during the Battle of Rising Snow where the sudden emergence of a huge swarms of moths caused the retreat of the armies off Tilu-Golod, the Bronze Hand of Agssh, and Akta-Ol the Grand Strategist of Kal-Absur.

"Well, there can only be one way! The Underbark!" the scared man spoke as he described a hidden entrance near the Buttresses that led to an Underbark commons which the Spiderkin built ages ago. The feline whipped its head about with soft harrumph once the scarred old man was done with his explanation.

The profane crown of the Sanguine Princess who once usurped the throne of Nheruns during the Age of Petty Kingdoms. She was known for her mastery of enchantment which allowed her to bewitch her follows and was also known her vicious skill in Blood Magic which is said to have been empowered by 5 blood red rubies that were set into the moths of copper frogs which were shaped as part of her crown.

Tell me of the secret ways to scale the Left of the Twin Sprigs, and I'll give each of you half of this," Hajer went straight to the point. The feline narrowed its eyes while a big grin grew on the face of the scarred elderly man.

A mythical tool of Dinrut, the Deity of Words, who bestowed the first words to the first peoples during the Primordial Age. Said to be made of a star of extremely polished copper, which is said to be able to alter the nature of reality upon inscription of sacred words, which were said to be the basis upon which sorcery incantations were formulated in the early days of magic.

With only two apparitions, the chance of gaining useful information would signficantly fall. Yet there was no forcing it. With the triangle becoming half-cooked, Hajer decided to get as much information as he could.

"Well, that's one less old fogey to deal with..." the apparition of the scar-faced short man said as he smirked. "Indeed,," the strange feline apparition concurred. Hajer's brows furrowed at their words.

A chrysalis made of yellowing leaves of the colossal Eucalyptus. Made by the Floating Ascetics who see fasting as a way to reach the True Path. Floating ascetics train for decades fasting to remove what they call the weight of the spirit, which is said to shackle souls to eternal suffering. The first step of attaining the True Path through this method is being able to dwell within this Chrysalis of Leaves without it breaking off from a colossal Eucalyptus.

A primitive instrument shaped from the horn of a Coiled Horn Bull that used to exist in the Primal Age.  The bull was said to be giant in size and it's horn was nearly half the size of an adult man. When blown through the small end, it produces a clear, deep sound that is said to be able to cut through noise and cacophony. It is not known what the horn was used for, and it was named after the archaeologist Lal-Mittian Renu who discovered it in the Ruins of Grass.

As the the apparition of the feline took shape, it soon revealed itself to be an unusual cat with long ears and a third eye at the centre of it glabella. Expecting a third apparition, Hajer flipped the triangle on its underside, releasing more aromatic fumes, yet no further apparitions formed.

A wooden mask of a depicting a heartily smiling ascetic, its eyes squinting in the expression of sheer joy. Often worn by apprentice ascetics on their journey to discover the joys of asceticism as the grandmaster ascetics claim to be the nectar they subsist on.

As the scents of the triangle that was being cooked began to surge out from the hole in the wall, one of the curling convergences of smoky aroma slowly morphed into the likeness of a short man dressed in in rags, with a gruesome, jagged scar across his eye. As he took form, he gazed at the cooked food while licking his lips but also eyed the stout Jumian that was Hajer, turning the triangle about, causing another burst of scents to gradually take the form of a feline.

A mythical creature said to once serve as the mount of Uleu-Ia, the Goddess of Retribution, who wields a sword made of the shadows of lightnings that strike the earth. Other than it's six powerful claws, it is known for its mighty cry that can create hurricanes, and it's extremely long, white feathered tail.

As smoke began to billow from the embers that burst from under the small grate, Hajer retrieve a triangular object wrapped in black leaves slightly smaller than half of his palm. Swiftly and precisely he peeled apart the black leaves revelling a triangular inside bearing a dark brown color which gave off a slightly sweet but astringent scent. Softly, Hajer placed the object onto the grate allowing the embers to scorch it's underside.

A mythical creature known for its remarkably round and swollen chin akin to a croaking toad. Known as a symbol of patience. Due to its unusual appearance it is sometimes drawn as decorative ornamentation in the margins of illustrated manuscripts and books.

Hajer slipped into the shadows and lightly rapped at the stone bricks that composed the canal. After a while, he found a loose brick which he pried out with his axe and then placed a small grate the size of half of his palm within the small hole in the walls of the canal. Thereafter he threw some tinder on the floor and set it alright with flint and steel.

A type of herbal flower known for its healing properties and vibrant viridian colour. When made into ointment said to be able to aid in the formation of scabs over deep cuts quickly, but in excess it may cause poisoning and delirious fevers. It is typically found bordering swamplands, particularly between Lal-Mit and Gur-Qet.

Given such an outlook, Hajer decided that he would have little choice but to really on himself for the rite. As he briskly walked ahead, he spotted a deep shaded canal that was completely dried up, which leapt into quietly.

A mythical creature that symbolizes bounty and abundance. It is said that all bulls used to bear horns as sharp as whetted copper, and they aided the early people in harvesting as well as plowing. But the line of sickle horns quickly diminished as conflict between the early peoples erupted.

In order to reach the Librareiter's island, he needed information. Yet the more Hajer walked through the streets, he found only silence and little sign of life. This was quite unlike what he was used to during his time on the Fruthmel Sprig. Though some settlements were empty, there were at least a few establishments which bore some signs of activity.

The 3 symbols of royalty held by the Kings and Queens during the Age of Petty Kingdoms. They comprise the Crown of spiral horns - fashioned from bone of a white horned ibex, the Mace of Grand Copper - made from the purest of copper ores, and the Malachite Tablet of Laws, upon which the laws of the land are chiselled in ancient calligraphic text. There are few specimens of the Regalia that exist to this day, with the majority being Malachite Tablets, hoarded by the archaeologists of Lal-Mit - as it is said to have no magical powers and is not made of particularly precious material. The Crown and Mace on the other hand are said to be typically enchanted with magical powers, and no records of their appearance exist in recent times.

Hajer shook his head as he refocused himself on the present. Other than reflecting on what he could have done better, it was more critical to focus on his immediate goal. Now that he was on within the Buttresses, he had to find a way on that Librareiter's island. That was his best, and fastest ticket to the Grand Blade.

A rumored evil spirit which is said to reside in the Cursed Desert of Niru-Karn, within the Lost City of Seruk.  Once the Capital of the Prosperous Kingdom of Silver, Narash - a devastating drought and famine obliterated what was once the hegemon among it's peers during the Age of Petty Kingdoms. Seruk was home to numerous ancient sorcerers who served the line of old Silver Kings of 54 generations who were all buried in opulent mausoleums locked within sand and shadow. Ilu-Agar was said to be an insane archaeologist who dabbled in necromancy and managed to transplant his soul within the body of a mummified Silver noble, and had since stood vigil in the ancient city, building his horde of undead in what he claims to be the safeguarding of ancient treasures. Part of his degenerate ways include the mummification and enthrallment of the adventurers and explorers he slew to populate Seruk into the cursed city of undead it is now infamous for being.

 Hajer walked down an alleyway silently with a calm expression. Not too long ago he had by a great stroke of luck managed to sneak past the stationed guards while the two giant boars chasing him were rampaging in the township square he was in. Considering the how the square was set up, with pikemen in formation and barricades set up, it appearaed that the guards there were prepared for whatever was coming their way.

An illness that indicates gradual wasting of the eyes. Bearers of the disease are said to see the afterburns of numerous closely packed dark holes whenever they close their eyes. The cause is said to be due to over exposure to the light of the sun. However, Ascetics of Shur-Qamet walking the Path of Light see Gravelsight as the first stage of enlightenment.