Act 2: Upheaval I - The Werewolf

Steve can't help but agree with Fluffle. "Yeah, wow! I've read about it but I never thought I'd see the Arena. It's like walking into a history book."

Konrad places his hands on his hips. "Indeed, a grand symbol of peace and communion among the old tribes. Amazing what people can accomplish when they are stride together toward common purpose. Of course, it's purpose today is vastly different from what it's original architects had in mind."

Knowledge History: Natural 1

"Yeah, no more picnics."

Steve giggles. "It was the only surviving structure after the Flood. Odwaz was built on, and likely from, the remains of an important Pre-Flood Imperial town. They used it to entertain the masses."

"Oh." Fluffle looks back and forth between Konrad and Steve. His eyes then stop on the red mage. "Well, you were close."

Steve gives Konrad the double thumbs up. "The closest."

"What? An Imperial town?" he echoes, incredulous. "And where pray, did you learn that?"

"He went to school."

"I actually liked History a lot. I use to acquire a lot of books from the library to pass the time."

"Oh, of course, library of the vaunted Citadel," he huffs. "Within tomes written by prestigious tenured Free scholars and professors."

Steve smiles at Konrad. "Yes actually. Literally paid to do that all day."

Steve gives Konrad a confused look. "Konrad, most of them traveled here and consulted with local scholars when possible. Hell, two of the books I read included translated records from City Hall and other private clan records. One of them even specifically dedicated the book to the clan archivist that helped him."

Konrad quirks an eyebrow at Steve. "Hmmm...I'm not sure. I've known this since I was a child. Who was this archivist? What was their clan?"

Fluffle listens attentively to his companions.

"More importantly, what does it matter." - Mihai cuts in - "Fluffle, nudge Steve from inside the pocket if you sense any mind around us that isn't Human. Konrad, eyes open. Mindfuckers could be anywhere from this point on. Clear your throats if you pick up anything, and we'll go from there."

Verbally knocked back to reality, Steve nods and says, "Got it. I'll clear my throat if Fluffle gives me the signal. Like this." He balls his hand into a fist and places it to his mouth before coughing into it. It looks and sounds pretty natural so it should make a good signal.

"I'm on alert," says Konrad. To himself, he adds, "I hope we run into a tour guide."

"Oh, me too," Fluffle exclaims before hiding into Steve's pocket again.

Where does the party go?

With the others, Konrad approaches the two guards near the entrance they are guarding and greets them in the native tongue. "Good day, sirs, may we pass? We're expected."

The first guard is a man in his mid-thirties and wears a mail armor under a green gambeson. When the adventurers approach the main entrance, he tightens his grip on his spear and raises the shield he's holding in his left hand. The second guard is a slender woman, much shorter than her colleague but probably older than him. Her black leather armor and bracers are the only protections she wears, but her posture hints at her deftness. If she were to unsheathe the short swords on her back, there's no doubt that she would pose a serious challenge to any warrior or thug who threatened her.

Once Konrad divulges the party's intentions, the sentries scrutinize their appearance.

"And you are?" the man asks.

"Mihai, Konrad and Steve." - quickly answers a nonplussed Mihai trying to get it over with.

"As he says. I'm Konrad, and this is Steve." Konrad clarifies by pointing to the black mage.

Steve smiles and gives them a friendly thumbs up.

"Looks like them, alright," the woman scoffs. Her raspy tone combined with the rhythm of the Wytrwaly language makes her sound imposing, even though she's the smallest one here. She crosses her arms and leans against the limestone wall. "You here to save us all?"

Her colleagues loosens his grip on his spear but keeps his eyes on the adventurers.