Eldertown

A few months ago.

The news of Syzoth's act of betrayal spread like wildfire.

How he cold-heartedly murdered a member of the hero's cohort. A cohort he himself was a part of.

His victim was shortly known to have been the newest recruit. She was the charmer. It is said, that the ability her patron gave her was to charm any man, woman beast. Her beauty was also beyond anything this world has to offer.

Many heard the legends of how this hero was caught by the deviled one's months after the heroes arrived to this world.

All those decades she has been at their mercy. But then, she was saved.

The heroes had lost many members during the years. And it is also known that they were incredibly happy when they not only managed to finally not only find, but save their long lost companion.

How bitter was it that one of their own took her life shortly after.

Most believe the tall that the alchemist, the most cold-blooded amongst the group, for the first time in his life, found love. But, after he opened himself up, she rejected him. Why? Probably because she loved the hero, the light bringer, the chosen one (much like any normal woman would). Consumed by jealousy, the legendary alchemist killed the woman he loved most.

Some say that the alchemist killed her the same day she rejected his advances.

But the most interesting part of it wasn't that he killed her. It was how she managed to charm the alchemist.

Was it because Eros, son of the goddess of love, finally decided to shoot at him?

Was it because she was his student, and something clicked?

Or was because they knew each other in the other world, that Syzoth always loved her, and only now managed to get the courage to tell her about his feelings?

Nobody knew the actual truth.

But there were people who tried to defend the alchemist. Some say that it was incredibly out of his character to kill someone out of jealousy. It is possible that it was just a mimic that turned into the lizardmen, killed the victim, which then caused this entire ruckus.

In other places they say that it wasn't the fault of the alchemist. He was most likely forced because he had a cursed weapon, or that a demon managed to possess him.

But there were others who had the most ridiculous theory of them all. They say that the newest companion never was a hero to begin with. Some say that whatever the cohort found in that castle was actually a deviled one, who then infiltrated them and started corrupting them. That the alchemist was the only one who wasn't charmed by her dark powers and acted, trying to save them.

Those people were mostly other reptiloids, alchemists or just fanboys of the murderer, desperately trying to defend their icon.

But they were only laughed at, if not outright banished from spouting their nonsense.

That, if the city was nice enough.

The hero and his companions, also didn't tell much.

The only thing they said was that Syzoth no longer was part of their cohort, but a traitor, a murderer, and that he must be found immediately.

It is said that they themselves believe that Syzoth was most likely mind controlled into doing what he had done, and now they want to save him.

This message made the heroes cohort look much more virtuous in the eyes of the public.

Who wouldn't see only the good side of their icon?

But the hero said that he wished Syzoth to be found.

If anyone had any information to his location, they would be rewarded.

For those lucky one's who managed to capture him, the reward would be even greater.

They would get a blessing from their very gods.

This new news also spread like wildfire.

Every assassin clan, every household, every city, every mortal, everyone started their search for the now hiding lizardman alchemist.

As for the alchemists, and even lizardmen at large, they were highly looked down upon.

Every single one of them was spied on, and most of them lived a life that was incredibly similar to hell.

But they were sure that the truth would one day come out. And that one day, their hero would come and liberate them from this injustice.

That most the case for most of the cities.

But in one, those people lived slightly better.

The city was called Eldertown, an it is most famously known for being the first city the hero and his cohort managed to save from the deviled ones.

The city was always known for its diverse population, where humans, elves, dwarves and even beast-kin coexisted in harmony. Every year since they were saved, the city celebrated its cultural diversity through festivals and events that showcased a rich tapestry of traditions, music and cuisine.

After a few weeks, many lizardmen migrated to the city in hope for its protection. And protection is what they got. Many other lizardmen would have come into the city, completely overflowing it, if the hero himself made it abundantly clear that he wished every lizardmen in the city checked. 

When Syzoth wasn't found, he told the lord of the city to only allow those lizardmen that were either family members of the already migrated lizardmen, or that they had to pay a ridiculous price just to get inside.

That of course put a toll on the city because now most of the lizardmen merchants had to lose profit just for entering Eldertown.

The hero however did say that this rule would no longer exist if Syzoth were to be found.

If the lizardmen wished to live like the others, they better report.