1 The Way of the World

"When a world comes into being, no matter how it happens, there will be laws that bind it together. For instance ours has ones like gravity or motion. Each world may have it's own laws and some may even contradict each other but they will always have laws. Laws that will potentially become their undoing. As time where's on each of these worlds will grow until it collapses under its own weight or is destroyed by its inhabitants.

"One such world walking the fine line of self-destruction has a unique law. With this one stray law everything changed. The innumerable planes of existence trembled like harp strings each time the law was invoked.

"But you didn't come here to be lectured about ruminations beyond your comprehension did you boy? You just wanted to try to butter me up and beat the price down on artifact components ... Well what are you waiting for; either pay up or get out! You'll scare away the good customers."

It has been six months since Baldric had left his home town to seek his fame and fortune in the ducal capitol. In those six months he had done odd jobs from hunting stray wildlife, fetching uncommon herbs, or escorting people and cargo from city to city. When he finally arrived he was confronted with a cold reality. Life was hard. Even harder for second class citizens like him.

Walking the wide streets of the capitol Baldric was once again confronted by this as he watched many people just like him along the curb holding signs and shouting to potential employers desperately searching for jobs to try and get enough money for a night indoors. For the natives of the Mystbound Isles they were condemned to a life of labor as is tradition for those who lost to the Cornelian Imperium. While most accepted this fate and work in the islands' many fields, forests, and mines there are always a few like him who try to move up in the world. Some even succeed. The Duke himself is even a native despite being viewed as a traitor for playing the role of a puppet.

Just as night fell he found himself shuffling into a small pub to try and find work. it was there that he met the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her name was like silk his ears and her smile warmed his heart despite the harsh wind outside. Faleena spotted him from across the room and sauntered over. "Hey there handsome. You must be new in town because I would remember you. how about you take a seat right over there and I'll get you a drink." As she says this she eyes Baldric up and down every movement she makes drawing his eyes to her form fitting dress and tightly synched corset. He quickly tries and fails to pull himself together replying, "I-I-I'd like that. Do you have anything spicy?"

First one mug, then two, then seven. Baldric drank and talked. With his vision blurring he opened his eyes to see that he was no longer in the tavern but in the back of a wagon being carted off to a small fort right outside the city. 'Who would have thought that a couple drinks with a girl would get me caught up in this mess? I hope I didn't do anything rash.' While the wagon wheeled its way through the gates of the fort he could see the look of pity in the eyes of the legionaries. From aspiring adventurer to legion conscript, so was the way of the world.