The first thing I noticed when I walked into the tavern was a large group in the back sitting at the table that those who were hoping to take the job were to meet. I walked up to the group and waited until they noticed me. The halfling in the group was introducing himself. "I am Berilac Stout-Earth Lake-by-Downs of the Noble house Lake-by-downs." He was about three feet tall and probably in the vicinity of 45 pounds. His skin was a ruddy color, with sandy-brown hair and mauve colored eyes. He was a strange looking little thing with a slight stocky build. Something about him made me think he wasn't telling the truth, well I didn't trust anyone anyway.
The next to introduce himself was a Genasi. "My name is Dendrick Ashdale and I like alcohol." There was a round of here-heres and light conversation was made about different drinks. He seemed like an open and honest person that was just a little bit out of control and an obvious Monk. He was a fire Genasi with Flame colored hair and ash grey skin. He was a tall, brawly man with silver eyes and burn holes in his cloak and clothes. He seemed honest but a little irresponsible.
Then the Half-Orc spoke up, "I am Morgrash." It was all he said and in a finalizing way. "Do you have no sire name?" The halfling asked him. "No." Morgarsh grunted out. "So do you have no family?" Berilac said continuing the conversation. "Don't know." He was a big overgrown teddy bear that wanted to be left alone. He reminded me of a story my mother used to tell of the gentle giant that would frighten people away so they would leave him alone. He was about seven foot tall with red skin. He had horns protruding from his temples and large teeth. And blue human eyes that show his nature. The gentle giant then went silent and looked at the other half-elf.
Said half-elf was using a rag to wipe his mug clean after using it. He was part dark elf and part human. It was obvious he was a little out of touch with the rest of the group. He looked up when he felt Morgrash's stare. "I'm Quillis. I'm a researcher and a bit of a hermit. Tell me, do any of you know anything about rare diseases?" He was definitely odd that was certain. He had strange… "Are you a dragonborn?" I asked in surprise. "Yes I am." he said looking a little put out that his question had not been answered. He had shoulder-length black hair that was super clean and he was wearing a pink cloak. He had scales around his cheekbones and on his lower neck area. Other than that he was black and compulsively wiping things down as if he was afraid of dirt. He was an idiot with gifts beyond his comprehension. Well perhaps he just couldn't help it.
"And you my Lady?" The strange little liar asked me. "My name is Valora Hazel. I'm a ranger from Evergreen Pass on Melia. I do not trust any of you." I told them honestly as I always did unless I didn't. Berilac took special offence to this though it did him no good. I am nothing if not sincere. Mother would say it was both a curse and a blessing and Sigurd would say it was the elvish part of me shining through. Not that I have ever met my father, there was no need for him between Mother and Sigurd. I didn't have time for this there were children and elders out there without enough to eat. I needed to get paid and soon.
Then our employer was there and I didn't even notice him come in. He was wearing a black cloak that hid his face which was very suspicious, or good business if he was hideous. "Well, hello there travelers. The job is a simple one you need to escort me to Brimm on Sheol and if no one dies and my cart makes it without damage or anything stolen you will be rewarded handsomely." He paused and then looked around at each of us, "Well if you're still interested in the morning be at the front of the tavern as soon as the cycle begins." And then he just left. Well that was very interesting but I needed to go to bed.
The next day as soon as the cycle began all of us were standing there waiting on our employer. He showed up with a large covered wagon and much to cheery in the morning to be trusted, EVER. So we set out from Melia to Sheol. Our world was made up of shards that floated in the sky around a center circular city and landmass named Crux. All the shards were named after the gods that ruled after them. Melia was the Goddess of the Great Forests and her sister Nylia was the ever flowing water. Mother said they had to be sisters because they got along so well and never seemed to fight one another like all the others. Sheol was the All Consuming Fire, and Cirrus was the God of wind and Dorn was the God of the almighty mountains. Crux was the light that fed all the shards.
The shards connected daily through bridges that were the most beautiful thing that happens in nature. The lights went from both shards until they connect in the middle and are strong enough to take full caravans. They are usually different colors depending on the shard you're coming from and going to. As we crossed the bridge into Sheol, Dendrick spoke up, "So how many of you have ever been to Sheol? None well just don't step off the path no matter what!" We all looked at him strangely and Berilac asked, "Why not?" "Just trust me on this you do not want to step off the path." We all nodded our heads and continued on our way to Brimm.
Sheol was a black sanded desert with little Willow Wisps lighting every now and then. The blue flames they produced light up areas that tended to be darker. The path we were walking on happened to be made of black brick or perhaps it was sandstone. Even the sky was different than the forests I was used to. The sky looked as if it were made of fire with reds and oranges painting acrossed it leading to the distance. Like all the great Creators Sheol held his beauty.