NOVPUBVulwin
Vulwin stepped through the portal with only slight apprehension. This wasn't his first time traveling between Planets but it would be his first going so far. Usually, jumps between nearby Planets only took a few moments.
The distance wasn't that far considering.
The distance between this new Planet and Dirvenguard was much longer.
Still, while longer than usual, it was much smoother than any jump he'd participated in. The Great System's assistance made it feel like gliding on Ice rather than some of the more... sketchy portals he'd been through.
While traveling, he reviewed the information they had on the Planet already. There wasn't much, as the Frost Rose Emporium was only headed by a High B-rank.
There was only so much they could do to Scry through the Great System's Protection. The layout was barebones, as they only had snapshots compared to real-time information.
All the pylons that weren't veiled, which was all of them considering the Humans didn't know how to hide them, at the time of the Scrying was all they could manage along with pylon level.
Vulwin doubted there had been any significant changes other than a few getting destroyed. They also knew the general layout of the Planet. Where the landmasses were and how large or small they were, but that much was basic.
It would be hard to make headway if they were dropped in knowing nothing.
Other than where the pylons were and what the land looked like, everything else was woefully unknown. They knew there were Humans, but not what the political situation there was or what the power structure looked like.
As an Elf, he had studied the Kingdoms of Man to get a better understanding but he wasn't sure how well that would serve him. The traditions and customs of Frost Elves were wildly different after all. Plus, those records were from established powers, this Planet was full of First Generationers. They could have completely different customs than he was expecting.
Not knowing the situation they were portaling into, Vulwin grasped his scant defensive treasures just in case. He hadn't been able to afford much, but a defensive treasure was a must have.
At least I don't have to ward against the atmosphere.
When his vision finally focused, Vulwin saw... death. So much death.
He'd read stories, first-hand accounts written by those of the First Generation during Integrations, so he knew they were tested. Hell, everyone knew they were tested, but seeing it first hand was different.
The rest of his team appeared behind him and he heard groups from other Trading Companies as well. His team of 8 wasn't the only to appear in the field of death.
There were no deserts near the Obelisk they had chosen to portal to, so the Timeless Sands weren't one of them, but he recognized most of the other Companies his compatriots were from.
A smaller team from Grass Sea Trading Group, one from Clear Breeze Isles, another from Nine Rivers, one from Mountain Heart, and a few others he didn't recognize. All together, there were around 50 people standing around him staring out over the pock-marked, burned, and smoldering land.
The bodies of the dead were Orcs and they were strewn about in the thousands. Vulwin recognized the Void sickness in them right away. The specific stench was something he would never forget.
Subconsciously he turned toward the Grass Sea Trading Group after seeing the dead. He and most others did as well, watching how they would react. Their Company was similar to the Emporium in that it wasn't made up of solely one Race and among its members were several Orcs.
Some of which were standing not ten meters away looking at thousands of their own kind. They were of different denominations, as the Orcs of the Grass Sea were taller and less hairy compared to the ones lying before them, but they were both still Orcs.
"Damarkta" On Orc spat to the side angrily, "Kazak-trakanda"
The other Orcs replied with similar curses. Vulwin didn't need his Skill to translate as he knew the curse. Succumbing to the Void wasn't an honorable way to go and Orcs, one of the fiercest Warrior Races, detested it most of all.
Most Races saw it similarly. Not only did the person cease to be of sane mind or spirit, they forced others, sometimes friends or family, to end their lives. Dragons went out of their way to put down those of their kind who had been corrupted.
A few Orcs who were more sympathetic knelt and offered rites of Passing, but most didn't join them, unwilling to bless those who had fallen to corruption. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝔬𝔪
While most had an eye on how the Orcs responded, they also noticed movement around them. All around them. The Humans had built a Wall surrounding the Obelisk and now that the Merchants' appearance was noticed, they were all coming out to see what was going on.
From what Vulwin could make out, a stream of Void-touched had come from the Obelisk and the Humans were forced to Defend against it. From the smashed fortifications and sundered Wall, it had been a hard-fought battle.
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From the amount of dead alone, Vulwin estimated that there had to be at least one or two hundred thousand Defenders. Anything less and they wouldn't have been able to survive without D-ranks.
From reports, there were only a few on the Planet, not nearly enough to stand against this without substantial help.
The faces kept appearing up and around where the rubble was thickest. His vision clearly picked out looks of surprise and curiosity on most faces. Nearly every person he saw was injured in some fashion.
"Well, Jekas, let's meet the locals," he muttered.
"Hello," Vulwin announced loud enough for the gathered crowd to hear clearly. As a Merchant, his translation ability was second to only a few others. "If you have a Leader, or Leaders, if you could arrange a meeting for us, that would be most welcome."
Most of the faces showed slight shock at being able to understand him, but none immediately rushed off or came forward. He was watching to see who was the decision maker but it seemed there wasn't one.
Odd.
Another Team Leader from a separate Company tried again using different words, but it had no different effect. Their words were only met with wary looks and estimating eyes of apprehension.
The initial awe wore off and some shuffling and shouts spread to those behind the Wall that he couldn't see, but there was movement eventually. All the Merchants stayed near the Obelisk so as to not provoke an attack.
They were severely outnumbered and while they had a number of guards as a group, all of them knew they stood no chance against so many.
Why did it have to be an Army test?
A man broke through the line of those gathered and approached from what Vulwin guessed was the South. They had maps, but he hadn't exactly been given ample opportunity to orient himself and everything carried the same color of destruction.
He wore simple armor, and it looked not entirely fitting, and he had a Halberd in his hands. It wasn't pointed threateningly, but he still held it. As if the damn broke, others from other directions followed the man's lead.
A remarkably dark woman near where the man with the Halberd came out approached next. She reminded Vulwin of the rare Dark Elf he had seen with a pleasing smattering of white freckles upon her face that stood out nicely compared to her midnight skin.
From the West, a duo appeared walking out together. The woman wielded a mace encased in dense earth while the man's fists steamed slightly. The man was especially displeasing as he reeked of smoke and flame.
The North had the most expensively dressed man and another person who reminded him of Dark Elves. The dark-skinned man set Vulwin on edge. He did not like the dark aura the man gave off. Death magics were forbidden on Dirvenguard.
Lastly, the East had another duo. One was bare-chested with wounds on full display under a thin sheet of frost and an axe of ice in one hand. The man felt overwhelmingly like Ice and smelled of home. The other was clothed in leather with a glaive that disappointedly lacked the same feeling.
Other than those eight, a few more appeared as well. Another woman with the stench of fire and vibrant red hair, a man with two axes, along with other small groups.
What began as a few people turned into a group roughly the size of his own coming out to meet him. All of the guards were on edge and, while not openly grasping weapons, were preparing in case their presence was needed.
No central leader then, Vulwin thought.
The Humans approaching also didn't come with weapons pointed at them, but they were out, rather than sheathed. All of them were at or near level 100, just like they were. The D-ranks mentioned in the reports must be elsewhere because Vulwin didn't see any.
Not exactly the most diplomatic welcome, but considering we're standing upon a recent battlefield, it'll have to do.
The man with the Halberd spoke first, "Who are you?"
After a quick look around and silent motions, they allowed the Human leader from Nine Rivers to do the introductions. All of them had translation skills so it didn't matter who took the lead. Maybe if they saw a fellow Human, things would go smoother.
"We are Merchants sent here to establish trade on newly Integrated Planets such as yours." the Nine Rivers team leader said, "Now that you have passed your Assessment, access has been granted for us to arrive and begin Trade."
A barebones explanation, but it did the job.
"How? It said we kept our Protections against aliens." A man from one of the group clusters pointed out.
Aliens was a rather harsh term. Hopefully they aren't xenophobic. Trade with xenophobic Cultures is always needlessly difficult and usually not worth the effort.
Not all Mono-racial Planets were like that, but they tended to dislike outsiders. It was their nature. For generations, they grew up, lived, and died without seeing someone outside their race. An inherent fear or apprehension was normal.
"I'm not sure of the exact wording of what you were told, but your Planet is now open to all at or under E-rank who wish to make the trip. If they aren't sworn to a Faction above that, of course." The Human Merchant responded before adding, "Besides us."
"What makes you special? Why do you get to come." Said one native.
"We won but we still have to worry about invasion?! This is bullshit!" another accused.
"Woah, woah, slow down and let me explain," the Human Merchant said, "We are special because we are Merchants. Part of the contract for First Rights forbids us from any and all Pylon Ownership and we can only send a certain amount of people. You are at no risk of invasion from us as our contract makes it impossible.
"Secondly, only E-ranked Factions or independent E-ranks are allowed to travel here and that is easier said than done. Without the aid of the Great System, like we had, the trip is ruinously expensive and no one but the desperate would waste the funds on such an endeavor."
The explanation worked to mollify most, but there were still a few with skeptical looks.
"Wait, you said your Merchants, right?" the one with expensive garments questioned. The embroidered lightning bolts were a nice touch.
"Yes, we are."
"Then you have the parts we need to evolve?" He clarified.
"Not every possible creature or Bloodline, but we have most available for purchase. Among other things." the Merchant answered concealing a sly grin. Getting right to business would break the ice and ease their arrival tremendously.
The Human trait, while fascinating in theory, was a massively profitable trade endeavor. Additionally, knowing they were being sent to a purely Human world, all of them had prepared their goods accordingly.
Even the most dull Merchant stocked up on creature materials and other parts they could get their hands on. Except for the very rare and expensive, or prohibited, all of the Companies brought along an assortment of options.
It was possible, once they were set up and established, to request other materials to be brought in but that required funds that Vulwin doubted the natives had access to.
"Do you have the Blazing Mane of a Crimson Lion?"
"Do you have the Hide of a Shadow Panther?"
"Do you have..."
The requests came in quickly and the number of different parts requested grew with every shout. All were at the threshold to evolve and it seemed like the last thing most were missing was parts.
Vulwin and the other Merchants concealed smiles. While it wasn't the most elegant or diplomatic entrance, getting straight to business had its own novelty.
