Master Of None

The small farewell from the true dark sage left the party a little curious. They had heard of Walker meeting the merchant from the dark elemental plane, but it was surprising that the true dark sage would be giving that merchant permission to appear again in the world or at the very least, near the bridge to the dark elemental plane when it was connected with one.

”Having a merchant that can pop out of the shadows using dark mana might not be a bad thing. We have merchants that wander already right?” It was a simple decision since many of them had seen the wandering merchants.

There were always a few solitary merchants who popped up here or there in small towns, villages, or just on the edges of cities. They didn’t always carry illegal goods, they just preferred to remain alone and without the crazy hustle and bustle of a lot of people.

These types of merchants also wandered in to barren wilderness areas or more dangerous places to procure rare items for sale. Hence, wandering merchants were people with a class that could take a pretty substantial stance in terms of mercantile businesses overall. Some of these such wandering merchants would sell all their goods to larger merchant groups causing a surprise boost to rare goods in an area.

In turn, that area would experience a nice boost to their economy. Allowing for repairs, rebuilds, and even new building that would bring new families or business in to the area. That was just prosperity in one sense for the people and place.

”If more wandering merchants with skills to store their goods in shadows or spatial storage come along, we might have a lot of random large trade areas popping up here and there in the world or maybe the elemental planes.” His perspective was that it would just further enhance the growth of every single place these merchants go. A perfect benefit.

”If goods from you arrive here, we will need to check them for safety.” The words surprised everyone as a voice came from slightly further away. The party hadn’t walked in to the earth elemental plane just yet but the true earth sage had already made his presence clear to them.

And it was the actual true earth sage rather than just a golem made of earth mana being used to speak to them.

”Well, sorry for making you wait. We were a little distracted meeting a new race and taking on a little more responsibility.” Walker’s slight apology didn’t seem to affect the true earth sage at all.

”I waited because we already have some places I can show you. A few things I need to ask of you.” This made the entire party stiffen before they started to walk toward the true earth sage and cross the very small border between the dark and earth elemental planes.

As much as they wanted to be able to help out, they also wanted to explore a little. They had really enjoyed the calmness that came with meeting the ink lizard race. While they were small and very unique, they were also within a territory that they managed. Not necessarily wilderness, but not overly dangerous either. It had been peaceful to enjoy the nature of that area within the dark elemental plane.

Mostly, they had seen the way that the travelers who met and reached the ink lizard territory might live. They might be able to find some peace and rest. Not to mention the fact that they would be able to spend the time learning more about the way of life within the dark elemental plane as a whole. The real question was, would they be able to see that potential in the earth elemental plane?

”I think that is going to depend on what you are asking us to do for you.” As much as Su wanted to just change the subject or start conversations, she knew that Walker would want to hear the details plus, they all needed to know what would be the things asked of them.

Knowing the true sages, that could mean anything from asking for a race to be moved to the world, to fighting a monster that they know is causing issues. The potential that they could become very involved in another matter that could bring even more responsibility.

The issue with that was simply because they also wanted to head to the outer terminal planes. The areas where Walker might be able to find some space, life, death, and maybe even time elemental planes. Things that they could learn about the world’s aspects and what Walker himself could learn to grow himself as an origin being.

”We have a few travelers that would like to go to the world. They have been speaking amongst their own alliance and made the decision that they need to speak with you while you are here and can not wait for the emissaries to travel through the territories they are currently in.” The way that the true earth sage said this was like it was a consistent plea from this small alliance within the earth elemental planes. Maybe even so much so that whatever the guardsians looking over these races were also tired of hearing such things.

”What is their alliance like? How many races? What is it called? Why do they need to meet us and talk about coming to the world right away?” These were all valuable questions, but it was clear to Walker that Gil was pushing the questions since he wanted to see what they had for him to look at. He had managed to see the radiant light elf homes and knew that there might be an elf race within the earth elemental plane. But he also knew that if multiple races were together then they might be able to get a larger variety of materials for arrows and other things to be brought back with them.

”The mountain alliance is a group of fur races who used to be at war with one another over the several mountains within their territory. After they caused one mountain to crumble, we have the guardians step in. Now they are at peace whether they enjoy that or not. They do wish to have an edge over one another. As larger races, they have a lot of effect on the territory they live in.” Now it was easier to understand why the true earth sage was both here themselves and also why there was a little added focus on this thing.

”So they are a bit troublesome and want to stay ahead by getting better trade and travel agreements for themselves. What four races are they?”

”Descendants of Arachne, bronze dwarves, steel lamia, and mountain gnomes.”

Four races that the party hadn’t heard of. While the descendants of Arachne was familiar because one of the more well known ancient monsters was an archaea or the Arachne. Something known to change the landscape itself when they moved. A monster incredibly powerful and evidence of them within many ruins found so far.

The bronze dwarf race might be even more interesting since they could have ties to the world’s dwarves race was well. If that was the case then there would be a sharing of history and how the race split in ancient times. The ancient dwarven race must have been very different and learning how they changed over the years.

The steel lamia were somewhat known, there were similar races with serpent or scales but lamia were not really known. They were just forgotten or extinct monsters, not really a race in the world.

The mountain gnomes would be an interesting addition. Entirely new to the party since gnomes aren’t even within the world as far as what they knew.

The addition of eating four races also presented the interesting fact that when the group from Genesis arrived they would find things easier. The party wasn’t necessarily there to ensure that the races were peaceful and could easily work with the emissaries, but still, they could make it easier for them and if they could help, why not?

”I think we can meet them.” The sparkle in Alice’s eyes quickly compounded as Onyx and Midnight joined her looking at Walker together. Whether he liked it or not he was outnumbered and they would be meeting this Mountain alliance.

”It seems that we will meet them and set some preliminary rules for when they meet our Genesis emissaries. We can also do a little more trading with them for whatever they have available.” The true earth sage smiled, the more human form they had altered themselves to be seemed to be an effort to ensure that the party was more comfortable. And maybe just a little evidence that the true earth sage had spent time learning about Genesis and the world itself too.

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Please say no to piracy! Don’t take part in crime! Don’t patronize thieves!

Drop those golden tickets!