[Post here first] Border crossing for Kalkador

"What in the name of the ancestors is this place?"

A large caravan full of goods, mostly food and medicinal plants, had made its way across the desert. These caravans were specifically designed for long term travel and scouting. The items were magically preserved to survive several weeks at a time.

Flanking the caravan were war rhinos and several mages traveling on a floating platform of earth.

Their mission was to make contact with what was supposedly a desert civilization. The Land-Tillers were still somewhat naive in the ways of the world, and so far had only encountered more or less friendly civilizations. But as they approached the black stone walls, they had to question whether or not this civilization would be welcoming to outsiders. Even the lead ambassador got the sense that their luck was going to run out.

A few of them began to notice strange statues made to look like mummies, and the presence of small dunes that seemed out of place...

As the realization of what the creature was dawned on them, a few of the people began to panic, and there were murmurings everywhere. A few of the mages were already charging spells when-

"EVERYBODY SILENCE!" The man held his hands up so that the entire caravan could see him.

He then turned towards the undead gentleman and pulled out a bag of his, containing some medicinal herbs and precious stones. He handed it to the guard. "Forgive us. We are ambassadors from a land known the Land-Tiller's Expanse. We seek friendship and trade, and nothing more. My name is A'Shen." He looked back at everyone else. They all practically had their breaths held.

"Forgive us. Our people have had cause to fear... many things in the past. We've been isolated for so long, we forget that differences sometimes go beyond mere clan names. If you will not forgive our transgression, we will happily leave. But if you will allow us to get to know your kind better, I'm sure there is much we can learn from each other."

A'Shen was done rambling nervously. He waited for a response.

Nodding in acknowledgement, A'Shen waved the caravan through. They slowly wheeled their way passed the gates, one cart at a time. The guards remained wary, but hopeful. A few people were beginning to open up and wave at the... undead.

<Exit>

As the figure condensed into its final form the undead soldiers guardians began to form into a defensive ring around the black gate. Their primitive spears and arrows blazing in the dark with magical energy, pointing at the shadowy figure. The Watchmaster, moved slowly forward, awaiting for the creature to speak. 

There was a brief minute of silence. Then the great black gate began to swing open with out a sound. "Granted" was all the watchman said before returning to his original position.

From the darkness appeared six figures, wearing shining bronze breastplates and holding spears shining bright green. They appeared out of the very sands, as if the very dunes had formed around them. They created a defensive posistion around the gate, while another figure stepped slowly forward. This creature also wore a helmet of bronze, covering his entire face except for a T like split down the middle. Stopping an arms distance away from the self proclaimed necromancer. There he stood for over a minute, completely silent.


Then he growled one word as the great bronze doors slowly opened. "Accepted"

He then turned around and went back to his original position, the sands beginning to pool at his feet already. 

   On yet another errand for her patron, Xivri, Goddess of life and health, Treva found herself in the middle of a large desert. It was only thanks to the orisons of her clerical training that she had managed to stay alive during the trek. The days were blistering hot and the nights were bitter cold. The divine energies of the orisons kept her temperature somewhere between, sometimes still uncomfortable, but not deadly. Creating small amounts simple food and water was also within her power, thanks to Xivri's diving blessings.

   Finally, after several days of travel, a city had risen over the horizon. What on earth was a city doing way out here? They must have a large oasis to provide them water and food. Treva looked forward to being able to bathe again, as she hadn't seen water in days. As she approached she saw the tail end of a long caravan of large carts being pulled by some horned, grey beasts that looked heavier than any bear she had seen. The whole thing was bristling with magic. This city must be quite something for it to have caravans with that much value.

   She took a drink from her waterskin and then hurried her pace. Hopefully catching up to the caravan before it made it into the city, she planned to inquire what exactly a city was doing way out here and to try to get enough information to determine why Xivri would send her way out here.

A tall, imposing figure approaches the border, munching on what appears to be a boiled rutabaga. He stops when he reaches the gate, and puts away the vegetable.

"Hello! I am Ern of the Rambutan tribe, and I've come from the Land Tiller's Expanse to see the grand library!"

The man stands, hands behind his back, waiting for a response.

   "Greetings," Treva called out to the men at the rear of the caravan. "I am Treva, cleric of Xivri. Could you perhaps tell me what city this is? My goddess has led me here to help them with some matter, but I've never heard of such a grand place so far into the desert."