Chapter 1: Welcome to Etria!
Welcome to Etria!
Jessica
Etria: The Town of Explorers, as it’s called, is the Capital city of Lagaard and one of the most frequented cities in the country by Explorers! What, might you ask, draws adventurers here? Thrill! Glory! Fame! And most of all, riches beyond comprehension! For you see, Etria offers this and so much more to those willing to brave the recesses of...The Yggdrasil Labyrinth! Dun-Dun-DAAAA! The Yggdrasil Labyrinth is a multi-floor dungeon of “Screw You”, filled with traps, monsters, and all sorts of goodies just waiting to drag you to the undertaker! And that, my dear friend, is where I’m headed!
My name, is Jessica Irving, and after many days of venturing across Terrasen to reach this city and its deadly labyrinth, I’ve finally arrived at Etria.
Readjusting my pack, I push through the dense, bustling crowd of people to reach the main entry gates. “‘Scuse me! Pardon me! Just passing through!” I hadn’t exactly planned for it to be this packed, and having so many people clustered around me is a little unnerving. Shoving my claustrophobic thoughts aside, I weave through the horde of civilians, and soon arrive at the entrance gate at last.
The grand structure has two arched entry ways carved into it. A larger one, likely for carriages and other vehicles, and a smaller one for pedestrians. Each gate is adorned with carvings and symbols, and sentry statues line the upper portion of the wall. A positively massive line of people (most Explorers by the looks of it) waiting to enter the city has formed, stretching depressingly far back. Guess I’ll just have to wait a little longer before my voyage is finally over.
A gust of wind comes billowing through, and I shiver slightly due to the early winter chill, regretting not wearing my sweatshirt today. It was beginning to smell rather rank, and I think it might even have developed some mold though, so I decided against it. Hopefully it isn’t this cold all the time.
Tharsis was the sort of place where it was always warm, regardless of the season, so I’m not exactly used to the nippy chill of Etria’s winters. Perhaps I’ll try and grab a new sweatshirt in town tomorrow, unless I’d rather suffer through the cold for another two months.
Caught up in the memories of my hometown, I fail to notice the wall of a man intersecting my path, headed towards the entry line. I knock into him, letting out a startled yelp as I’m shaken from my thoughts and knocked to the ground.
“Goodness!” I here the man call, glancing around until he spots me stuck on the ground, the weight of my pack making it rather difficult to stand. “Are you alright?” he bends down and reaches out with his hand.
I graciously accept his help, correcting my pack when I’m finally upright. “Yes, yes, I-I’m fine. I’m...terribly sorry about that.” I stutter, attempting an apology.
The man shakes his head. “Nonsense! I should’ve been paying more attention” he gestures towards the entrance line. “Come. Let’s reserve a spot in line before it gets even longer”
I nod and follow behind him, joining the sizable line of newcomers to the city. “Another Explorer, eh?” The man asks rhetorically, eyeing my pack and broadsword at my side. I didn’t take note of it before, but he looks to be a Fortress Class, based on his ridiculously heavy plate armor and shield slung over his shoulder.
In response, a girl with pink hair tied in ringlets whips around and glances at me before replying to the man. “Anyone coming to Etria these days is bound to be one! It’s an Explorer's paradise!” she exclaims cheerfully, winking at me. I’d bet my life she’s a Nightseeker. Her Class isn’t that hard to determine, considering the skimpy outfit and whip at her side. The man nods in agreement with her comment.
“It’s quite a change from my hometown. Port Noir is practically a deserted wasteland compared to the Capital. I’d never planned to come as far inland as Etria, but I suppose this goes to show that you can’t prepare for everything”. He leans to the side to get a better look at the line ahead. “Looks like we’ve got some time. Might as well get acquainted, eh?”
The three of us chat for a while longer about what brought us to Etria, what we’re hoping to do, etc. The Nightseeker (Gybril, I learned her name was) is hoping to get rich off of the materials found in the labyrinth, along with some...less than desirable goals that she shamelessly admitted. Bertrand (the Fortress) wishes to earn enough money so that he can finally settle down in the Capital with his wife after many, many years of adventuring together.
One of the things that makes Etria so wonderful is the diverse population! These two are a perfect example of that. The city’s comprised almost entirely of residents who’ve moved from other towns and cities, so no one's quite the same. In addition, it contains one of the most balanced populations of the Races!
Soon enough we reach the head of the line, and the two of them present their papers to the sentry and enter the city. Just before phasing out of view, the Nightseeker glances back once more and gives me a cheerful wave. “See ya!” she calls as she disappears into the crowd.
I hand my ID papers to the guard and fidget nervously as he looks them over. He squints at the papers before retrieving a pair of spectacles from around his neck. Honestly, it’s as though he’s trying to draw out this process as long as he possibly can, just to keep me from the reaching the city for that much longer. At last he nods and returns the papers. “Everything looks to be in order. Welcome to Etria Miss Irving!” I can’t help but let out a gleeful yelp as I burst through the entrance into the town square. A giddy grin overspreads my face as I take in the city; the busy crowds, bright lights, market stalls, and buildings as far as the eye can see! I’m actually here! I’m in Etria!
Okay, great! I made it! The Question is, what now? It never exactly occurred to me to plan what I’d do once I was finally in Etria, aside from explore the Labyrintq of course, but there are things that need to be done before that.
Unable to come up with a better plan of action for my first day here, I wander late into the night, inspecting every street, alley, shop, and structure. Everything’s just so different from my home town, Tharsis! Way west in the Outland Country, Tharsis is the only civilization around for miles and miles, but even it isn’t nearly as busy and bustling as this place. I suppose this is the sort of thing I should expect from the capital.
Before I know it, the streets are nearly emptied of people and most shops are closing up. I’d best turn in for the night. After all, tomorrow, I begin my career as an Explorer!
Turning my gaze upwards, I spot the Yggdrasil Tree looming far in the distance, overshadowing Lagaard like a guardian angel, its expansive canopy shining with a luminescent glow, showering the city in a pale light.
Seeing it brings to mind a passage from one of the lore books I’d studied shortly before coming here. Yggdrasil: The tree so massive it can be seen from just about anywhere in the country. Yggdrasil acts as a source of resources for the towns dotting the land around it, and is home to the infamous Yggdrasil Labyrinth.
Raising my arm, I point towards the colossal structure and strike a confident pose. “You’d best prepare yourself Yggdrasil! There’s a new Explorer in Etria, and she’s gonna scale you all the way to the top!” I shout triumphantly.
Okay, That was probably the most childish thing I’ve ever done, but I don’t care. I’m too ecstatic to care! Realising there are others watching me who do care (and likely thinking I’m mentally ill) I lower my arm and continue on my way. I’d be great if I could find a place to spend the night. I don't even remember the last time I slept in an actual bed! As comfortable as leaves and moss are, it’ll be a welcome change.
Now, If my sources (a random man I met on the street) are correct, there should be an inn or something that I can spend the night in. “There are countless inns throughout the city, but the Rooster Inn’s the best!” He’d said, pointing down the road a ways. He speaks Etrian, but with a thick Lagaardan accent, which makes understanding him a challenge to say the least.
“The food is fabulous, the housing’s cheap, and the owners the nicest boy you’ll meet. Just head down the main road and take the second left, then a right, then two lefts, another right, maybe some more lefts, and another right or two. You’ll find it on the right side of the road about four doors down”. T
he dude seemed friendly enough, and looked as though he knew his way around town, so I’ll trust him.
Attempting to follow his stupidly vague directions, I eventually locate a pleasant looking inn on the edge of town. Granted it took about two and a half hours of searching and numerous stops to ask more knowledgeable folks for directions, but the point is: I found it!
The building looks a little rundown on the outside. The siding looks as though it hasn’t been replaced in twenty years, and the aged paint is peeling in places. Carved into a wooden banner above the glass doorway is the name of the joint, along with a slogan of sorts underneath. “The Rooster Inn! Rated #1 Inn in Etria for Explorers and Adventurers!”
Hm. Sounds like a nice little place. Just above the banner is an iron rooster poised elegantly (if a rooster can look elegant) as if gazing over the streets of the city. Frankly, I hadn’t realised just how much this town caters to Explorers. It’s like the place was built for us! Pushing open the heavy oak doors, a small bell chimes, and a boy at the front desk glances up to greet me, smiling cheerfully.
“Welcome to the Rooster Inn! Might I help you with anything?” He looks as though he can’t possibly be any older than me, with flawless skin and curly brown hair that looks in need of a trim and falls in his face as he turns to take a look at me.
Glancing around at the lobby, I’m actually rather impressed. This place isn’t nearly as shabby as it looks from the outside! Quite the opposite actually. The lobby is brightly lit by a series of lamps hanging from the ceiling, and a roaring fire in the far corner keeps it warm. The heat is a welcome change compared to the nighttime chill of the streets.
The building itself is built of drywall and spruce wood, giving off a homey, cozy cottage sort of feeling. Most surprisingly though, is that there only appears to be about one other person in the lobby, and it’s the clerk.
“Seems rather empty for ‘Etria’s #1 Inn’” I remark glancing around once more.
The clerk’s pleasant smile shifts to a look of minor annoyance. “Well it is nearly midnight Ma’am. Most people are already asleep” He retrieves a small notebook and pencil from his desk.
Perhaps that comment was a little uncalled for. Jessica Irving: Master Conversationalist! “Goodness, is it already that late?”
The clerk nods in response. “Miss, if you don’t have any business here…” he trails off, his gaze shifting to the exit.
“Oh! Right...I’m sorry. I was rather rude wasn’t I? I’d like a room to spend the night in, if you have one”.
He flips through his notebook, brushing a strand of his sierra hair out of his face as he does so. He abruptly stops at a page and plants his finger down on a room number. “As it turns out...we have exactly one room left! You’re in luck miss! It’ll be 40 Ental for one night’s stay. That alright?” He asks, already retrieving a key from the rack behind him.
“Of course!” I reply, placing a small stack of coins on the counter.
He unhooks the key from the pegboard and drops it into my hands. “Room 20. Breakfast is served at 6:30am, so don’t sleep in too late!”
They even serve breakfast! This place isn’t half bad! The clerk points towards a staircase located at the far end of the lobby that I assume leads to the upper floors containing the rooms.
“Thanks! And...sorry for coming off as being so rude. I didn’t mean anything by it…”
He dismisses me with a wave of his hand an amused smile. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it, and have a pleasant sleep!”
Calem
As the girl retreats up the stairs to her room, I sit at the front desk, quietly cursing myself for my own course of actions. “Idiot! Stupid, incompetent idiot!” Lightly, I smack myself on the forehead as I state this, reminding myself once more that I am, in fact, an idiot. “A cute girl wanders into your inn late at night, and your immediate response is to drive her off?” I sigh and lean back in my chair. “Idiot.”
Jessica
Pushing open the door to my room, I immediately toss my pack into the corner, strip off my armor, and change into my nightgown. Flopping down onto the bed, I stare up at the ceiling, reflecting on the day. I’m really here! In Etria! I know I’ve said it a thousand times, but I’ll say it a thousand more!
Rising from the bed, I cross the room and pull back the curtains and open the window. I gaze over the city, taking in every building, every alley, every road in sight. Half a year’s journey mostly on foot finally coming to a close. Of course, a whole new adventure is about to start very soon!
Throwing on the nightgown I packed, I curl up in bed and wrap myself in blankets and puff out the candle, encasing the room in darkness, save for the rays of moonlight seeping in through the window.
Tomorrow, I truly begin my journey on the path to becoming an Explorer! It’s an arduous, dangerous path, but I will make it. No matter what. Shorty, sleep takes hold, and the exhaustion of the day’s travels melt away as I dream of the events to come. Chapter 1, End
Rising from the bed, I cross the room and pull back the curtains and open the window. I gaze over the city, taking in every building, every alley, every road in sight. Half a year’s journey mostly on foot finally coming to a close. Of course, a whole new adventure is about to start very soon!
Throwing on the nightgown I packed, I curl up in bed and wrap myself in blankets and puff out the candle, encasing the room in darkness, save for the rays of moonlight seeping in through the window.
Tomorrow, I truly begin my journey on the path to becoming an Explorer! It’s an arduous, dangerous path, but I will make it. No matter what. Shorty, sleep takes hold, and the exhaustion of the day’s travels melt away as I dream of the events to come. Chapter 1, End