Stories of Vana'diel:
Chapter One: Introduction: From Humble Beginnings
Rihan walked into the city of San d'Oria, awed by the majesty and splendor of the stone streets and brick buildings, Castle and cathedral shining in the distance. In the square directly in front of her was a collection of Humes and Elvaans who live in the city. Coming from the city of Windurst, Rihan wasn't used to brick buildings and stone walks, or the elvaan people for that matter; it seemed that it was reciprocated. As she walked into the center of the town square, it seemed that all of the men and women were gawking at her…perhaps, at her…tail?
"I say, what is that creature?" said an old Elvaan woman.
"I don't know, man." Replied a Hume.
"I think its one of those Mithra creatures from Windurst." Shouted a scruffy Elvaan man from the corner of the square. He approached Rihan and observed her closely, then said, "Hmm…why do you come to San d'Oria, miss?"
"Errrrrrrm, I'm herrre to rrreply to a request for thieves by the king. Can you point me in the way of the Chateau?" asked Rihan.
"Follow me, Its just north of here." He said
And so, Rihan followed the mysterious Elvaan into the northern area of San d'Oria. As they approached the Chateau D'Orraguile the Elvaan nodded to Rihan and walked, moments later he came out with another, more official looking Elvaan.
The new Elvaan shook her hand and gave her a paper, while the scruffy man walked off into the distance. The Elvaan began to speak, "Hello miss, I am Monrolais Halver, Secretary of King D'Orraguile's court. For answering our call for aid, I reward you with the following: A set of bronze armor, a bronze knife, and 50 gil. Should you require any other help don't hesitate to come seek me out." He handed her the items, along with a map of the area and his card. A guard at the chateau looks at the confused mithra and says, "Can I help here, miss?"
"Hmm, I think you can fine sirrr." Answers rihan, "Can you point me to the gate into Rrrronfaure?"
"Sure can mam, follow me if you will. The gate is just west of the chateau and leads into West Ronfaure Forest, which will then lead you to La Thiene Plateau, Valkurm Dunes, Jugner Forest, the way to Bastok, and the way to Jeuno." They walk up to the gate, it is tall and decorated with marble pillars, "Here we are, miss…I didn't catch your name?"
"Oh, I'm Rihan. Thief extraordinaire from Windurst."
"Oh…I see. Well then good luck on your Journeys. Happy Hunting." The guard walked away.
Rihan begins to think to herself…
Hmm…I wonder if the monsters here are tougher than back at home…guess I hafta' find out.
Rihan slides her knife out of its sheath and sees an orc crawling in the corner, scrounging for something. She walks quietly behind it, silent and stealthy, and then stabs the orc in his back. The orc writhes about in pain as Rihan twists the knife and rips it out of his back. The orc falls to the ground with a loud howl.
Heh…that was cake! If all the stuff around here is THIS easy I should have no tro—
Someone began to yell from the gatehouse, "ORCS! A HUGE MASS OF EM'! THEY'S MOVING IN FROM GHELSBA! RETREAT TO THE CITY!" Soon after that a bell began to ring and arrows from a sentry tower over the gatehouse flew over her head and wizzed off into what appeard to be a large gray blob, shaped like a mass of orcs.
"Oh no! They're attacking the keep! I gotta get out of here!"