Amongst the streets of the small village, many people milled about, most of them commoners or farmers with some craftsmen mixed in. None of them really stood out from the bunch, well except for one that is, but only if one were really paying attention. A heavily cloaked figure made her way through the cobbled streets of this unremarkable settlement, long gray hooded cloak obscuring her hair and part of her features. She was careful to blend in because her kind were not welcomed here, especially not during a time of civil war amidst the nation. Connloath, a kingdom of pride and industry, openly made their distaste and prejudice towards those of the magic-wielding type well-known amongst everyone whether they lived in the country itself or not. And to top it off, she wasn't exactly human either.
Obsidian walked carefully through the streets looking for an inn to stop at, to rest and get some much needed food. Trail rations only did so much, even journey bread which was more wholesome and filling than one's average dried fruits and nuts, had its limits. Besides she had fresh run out of journey bread, having eaten the last of it on her way here. While she didn't particularly eat much meat, a little at this time wouldn't hurt plus some soup if she could get it.
With that thought in mind the moon elf continued onwards until she found such a place to stop at. "Traveler's Respite," the dilapidated sign read, standing at a tilt from the ground. It was far from luxurious but any rate, luxury did not matter at that moment. It was warm and dry and a place where she could get some much-needed rest and a hot meal. Granted, most elves technically did not need to sleep, although that's not to say they didn't rest, entering a light meditative state where they could recharge their energies. In some cases, sleep would be required but not as often as humans needed to. Regardless, Obsidian felt the toll on her travels weigh heavily upon her as well as the reason why she was here to begin with.
After all she was not here for some mere visit especially not in this nation, not with the war going on in many parts of it. Her guild, The Elementalists' Guild had tasked her with finding out whatever she could about a very rare and powerful object. This object was said to take different forms depending on whom ever guarded it, although it is thought its current form was now that of a small medallion. The object itself, despite how its many 'variations' or physical appearance may differ, its magical essence remained unchanged-and therefore the powers it harbored within.
Supposedly the medallion contained great elemental power of an astronomical amount, able to lay waste to kingdoms and cities alike but at great cost to the wielder. For it was said the object was cursed, slowly able to erode a person's sanity over time the longer they remained in contact with it, rendering them mad eventually. The artifact's powers were also quite chaotic as such, therefore having the effect of wearing away at favorable probability, in other words, one's general luck in life. Naturally such an object was extremely dangerous as well as valuable and there was no telling what sort of chaos and mayhem could erupt from its usage.
The lunar mage had been given explicit instructions to find out what she could about its location, who currently owned it, what they planned to do with it and anything else of value to find out. However, touching it was not advised and she was to keep her distance from it as much as she could. As if this weren't difficult enough, Obsidian had to maintain a low profile while in Connloath as a whole to avoid interrogation or capture from Connloathian officials. Her staff, book and mage attire had to be left behind in favor of nondescript garments to don instead, a worn leather outfit and a gray cloak with a hood complete with black leather boots.
The moon elf stepped inside the inn and nodded her head at the innkeeper, a burly man whom she could tell right away was in this business for the money. The greedy gleam in his eyes as he spotted yet another customer revealed all to the lunar mage. "One room please and a meal as well." she got out her coin purse and paid the innkeeper who readily accepted the coins quickly, his hands fast grabbing all the money in one fell swoop, depositing them behind the counter where all the money was kept. The man nodded his head at her jovially, apparently only caring that she had the money to pay and nothing more.
As Obsidian seated herself at an empty table, something caught her attention. It was subtle at first, but there nonetheless. A faint trace of magic, its residual residue lingering in the dim of the common room where she sat. The feeling alarmed her as she could sense the destructive power behind it as well as the scent of chaos left behind by whatever had left its mark here. The object had been here there was no doubt about it, but not anymore. Otherwise the energy would be much much stronger. The residual amount that Obsidian could discern seemed to lead out the door from which she had just came in, but had not noticed at first. However, the trace was even fainter there, barely noticeable unless one really was paying close attention.
She turned her head back to the initial place where she had first noticed the magic. There was nothing out of the ordinary there, except for what she could sense. Whoever had the object was now gone, but they couldn't have been gone for too long at any rate. But none of that mattered at the moment, she needed a place to stay and she could continue her search tomorrow with this new found knowledge. Obsidian was too tired to do much of anything else now. Her food was soon brought to her and she dug in, enjoying the warmth and wholesome taste of everything.
After Obsidian finished her meal, she was given a key to one of the rooms upstairs, two doors down the hall from her right she was told. Making her way there the moon elf soon settled in for the day, the shadows of late afternoon cascading across the floor with the promise of evening to come. Her last thoughts before she laid down in the comfy bed there were, I hope I am not too late.
