The Deadlands were a quiet and barren place. Nearly totally drained of Shroud, almost nothing could survive there for any substantial amount of time. The fresh water from Dragon’s Teeth turned sickly as it made it’s way through. The surrounding area rapidly sucking away whatever Shroud it brought with it. The reason for the absence of The Shroud was none other than the city of Cindersend. Although it began as a city of Elven exiles, it had swollen into a den of vices and pleasures that had become home to all the peoples of Khurun. The city took every whisp of Shroud that the world managed to send its way and devoured it non stop.
It was for this very reason that a great beast of a cat was currently running through the Deadlands just outside of Cindersend. Due to the cloudy evening blocking out the light of the stars the deep and steady ’Thu-thu thu-thu thu-thu’ of it’s paws on the sand was the only proof of it’s existence, and a testament to it’s immense size. If one were to look out from the city at just the right moment, they might catch a glimpse of a black blur occasionally cresting the dunes.
Taresh was pissed. He had forgotten how miserable the Deadlands were and this trip had reminded him full force. Combine that with the less rational state of his primordial form, and he was livid. It was normal for him to travel great distances in this form because of how much faster it was, and because the hunger that you might expect a great beast to have was often sedated by the energy of the Shroud. Except there was NO Shroud in this forsaken hell hole. He had been stuck in this form for days now, worried that if he shifted to his mortal form he would not be able to shift back due to the lack of ambient Shroud. Oh, and he was HUNGRY.
Also, he was so tired of tasting the leather of his travel bag that had been dangling from his mouth for the entire trip. He couldn’t just run around without money, or clothes, but mostly money. He had found that people didn’t like to feed him if he didn’t pay. And towns would be more than happy to send hunting parties after him if he stole cattle.
But hope had appeared on the horizon, in the form of the dull glow of a city that never slept. The great black cat seemed to obtain a burst of energy as it barreled for the city entrance. Stopping a few dunes away, the cat let the leather bag fall from its foaming maw as it sat and panted. Once its breathing had returned to normal it began to change. It’s great mass seemed to fold in on itself, and suddenly it was gone. In it’s place stood a hulking grey figure, it’s six and half foot body rippling with bulging sinuous muscles. Grey horns sprouted from the figures large brow, curving up and back over its long black hair. Yellow feline eyes glinted in the soft glow from the city that barely managed to reach them. The figure smiled, revealing a predator’s teeth. When it finally moved, it stretched its long clawed arms up over it’s head and let out a deep breath.
“Oooh that feels gooood.”
Taresh groaned as he felt his muscles stretching. Once he was done, he quickly pulled his black rough-spun garments from the leather bag and put them on. After putting on some dark leather boots, he pulled a matching black cloak over his body, hood up, and put the pack over his shoulder. He left his Warhammer tied to the bottom of the bag, no need to look any more dangerous than he already did. He had found that city guards got pretty nervous when he showed up.
Grumbling about the sand that he felt in his boots, Taresh crested the last dune and found what passed as a road leading to the city gates.
As it turns out, getting inside was much easier than he expected. He had explained that he was working for The Kyvoli’s, a traveling troupe of performers that wanted him to see if they should add the city to their list of stops. Of course, the guards didn’t care in the least bit for why he was there, he paid the ‘toll’, which he was certain didn’t exist and was just them shaking down someone who didn’t know any better, and found himself entering the city.
Despite the smile on his face, Taresh was burning with hunger, and being in the Shroud deprived city always made him feel miserable. Without much thought he walked along the main thoroughfare until he saw a sign with a picture of a plate and a mug on it. He didn’t even read the name of the establishment before he walked in and found a seat in the corner. He saw people watching him, but that was normal, his hulking form had always drawn interest…and fear.
"Beer and three plates of the evening’s meal please.”
He said with a toothy grin when the barmaid finally approached. As she walked off he sat back and finally let some tension leave his body. First things first, he would eat, probably sleep, and then gather information as quickly as possible before getting out of this hell hole.
It was for this very reason that a great beast of a cat was currently running through the Deadlands just outside of Cindersend. Due to the cloudy evening blocking out the light of the stars the deep and steady ’Thu-thu thu-thu thu-thu’ of it’s paws on the sand was the only proof of it’s existence, and a testament to it’s immense size. If one were to look out from the city at just the right moment, they might catch a glimpse of a black blur occasionally cresting the dunes.
Taresh was pissed. He had forgotten how miserable the Deadlands were and this trip had reminded him full force. Combine that with the less rational state of his primordial form, and he was livid. It was normal for him to travel great distances in this form because of how much faster it was, and because the hunger that you might expect a great beast to have was often sedated by the energy of the Shroud. Except there was NO Shroud in this forsaken hell hole. He had been stuck in this form for days now, worried that if he shifted to his mortal form he would not be able to shift back due to the lack of ambient Shroud. Oh, and he was HUNGRY.
Also, he was so tired of tasting the leather of his travel bag that had been dangling from his mouth for the entire trip. He couldn’t just run around without money, or clothes, but mostly money. He had found that people didn’t like to feed him if he didn’t pay. And towns would be more than happy to send hunting parties after him if he stole cattle.
But hope had appeared on the horizon, in the form of the dull glow of a city that never slept. The great black cat seemed to obtain a burst of energy as it barreled for the city entrance. Stopping a few dunes away, the cat let the leather bag fall from its foaming maw as it sat and panted. Once its breathing had returned to normal it began to change. It’s great mass seemed to fold in on itself, and suddenly it was gone. In it’s place stood a hulking grey figure, it’s six and half foot body rippling with bulging sinuous muscles. Grey horns sprouted from the figures large brow, curving up and back over its long black hair. Yellow feline eyes glinted in the soft glow from the city that barely managed to reach them. The figure smiled, revealing a predator’s teeth. When it finally moved, it stretched its long clawed arms up over it’s head and let out a deep breath.
“Oooh that feels gooood.”
Taresh groaned as he felt his muscles stretching. Once he was done, he quickly pulled his black rough-spun garments from the leather bag and put them on. After putting on some dark leather boots, he pulled a matching black cloak over his body, hood up, and put the pack over his shoulder. He left his Warhammer tied to the bottom of the bag, no need to look any more dangerous than he already did. He had found that city guards got pretty nervous when he showed up.
Grumbling about the sand that he felt in his boots, Taresh crested the last dune and found what passed as a road leading to the city gates.
As it turns out, getting inside was much easier than he expected. He had explained that he was working for The Kyvoli’s, a traveling troupe of performers that wanted him to see if they should add the city to their list of stops. Of course, the guards didn’t care in the least bit for why he was there, he paid the ‘toll’, which he was certain didn’t exist and was just them shaking down someone who didn’t know any better, and found himself entering the city.
Despite the smile on his face, Taresh was burning with hunger, and being in the Shroud deprived city always made him feel miserable. Without much thought he walked along the main thoroughfare until he saw a sign with a picture of a plate and a mug on it. He didn’t even read the name of the establishment before he walked in and found a seat in the corner. He saw people watching him, but that was normal, his hulking form had always drawn interest…and fear.
"Beer and three plates of the evening’s meal please.”
He said with a toothy grin when the barmaid finally approached. As she walked off he sat back and finally let some tension leave his body. First things first, he would eat, probably sleep, and then gather information as quickly as possible before getting out of this hell hole.
