Within the Kingdom of Ghanbar, among the arid savannah, rests the city of Abarion, a sprawling maze of flat-roofed homes and market stalls, built with sandstone and acacia.

Generations ago, the city had been built by the then-king of Ghanbar, the Wealth King Abarion. The city had been named after him, and had been his seat of power after he had inherited the throne.

In this day, the city was as bustling as ever. It was, after all, the place that saw the most foreign activity in the Kingdom. A place of merchants and wanderers, there was much to see in the city. The pleasant scent of incense and the unpleasant scent of live animals drift through the streets.

Colorful flashes of color can be seen, as the capes of extravagantly-dressed merchants flit to and fro, eager to make a profit despite the early hours.

---

By the northern edge of the city, a caravan is parked. A number of merchants argue with the guards at the gate. The topic of the conversation is a strange one.

Talonor knows he is being argued over. He doesn't exactly speak the language of the men he had been accompanying, but this much is obvious given the body language. Standing just over six feet tall and powerfully built, Talonor looms over most people, at least among the folk of this land.

While his bronze skin does not set him apart, his red hair certainly does.

Talonor's clan had been tragically wiped out after being attacked by a beast many had thought a legend, the Long Claw. However, Talonor had managed to avenge them, and defeat the wounded beast. The damned creature was capable of eating a moose in one sitting, and just that can tell you it had not been an easy fight. But, Talonor - and his young bronze axe - had triumphed over the creature, tasting its blood. Now, he wore a mantle of its flesh. Just the creature's lower jar was enough to cover his broad shoulders.

It was a great conversation starter, he had found.

Since his clan had died off, Talonor decided he needed a new purpose in life. He had wandered the Iderran Wilds, but ultimately decided without his clan, he would not join another group. So, he headed south, as he had heard stories of a magical valley where beasts never attacked, but food was not an issue.

Eventually, Talonor encountered this group of merchants and got sidetracked. He had saved them, as they had been under attack by a Hill Panther. Talonor was an expert hunter, and had managed to sneak up on the occupied beast, and split its skull in twain with a single blow. The merchants had been very impressed, as had Talonor. These things were usually tougher to take down. Perhaps he had gotten lucky? Must have.

Anyway, the strangers spoke an unfamiliar tongue, but clearly they were well-off, adorned as they were. They were very grateful, that much was clear, and Talonor decided he would stay with them. He could continue his quest on foot, but it would be a shame if he died in the wild - a real possibility considering he would have to fight (alone) for every meal, given he had no real supplies on him.

Thus, Talonor had joined the group. They must have been cursed or something, because two further beast attacks took place on their journey, but Talonor managed to fend the wild creatures off both times. One had been what his people called a Kefal (Lion) and the other a Razak (Boar). The first he had scared off by acting loud and bigger than he was. The other he had been forced to fight. Razaks would sooner die than retreat from a charge, and he knew that. So he had let it stampede towards him, meeting its charge with an axe to the face.

Anyway, Talonor now stood a little awkwardly, as merchants argued with guards about him. It seemed the guards of this city were uncomfortable letting him inside... He picked up a few words here and there, but this language was far more complex than the one his people had spoken back in the wilds. So many damn words! How many things were there really to talk about, in the first place?

At least the merchants seemed to be loyal, clearly putting in some effort to repay him for his toils.

What will Talonor do?