Processing and preparation

Heading into the mountain, you’re surprised by what you find within. You’re not sure what you expected, something out of a fantasy game or something, but this is more like someone took a city and set a mountain over it!

Wide, smooth streets with houses and businesses lining them, all well lit and well built. People of all descriptions mill about, going about their days. You see a lot of dwarves, of course, but also plenty of humans, and many other races as well.

The administration building is right where you were told, and you leave the horses outside as you head in. The girls follow, looking around as much as you are. Inside, there’s a reception desk, with a human man behind it. He smiles as you approach.

“Greetings! You look like the new traveler we were told to expect. And with three lovely ladies as well! Popular guy already!”

You chuckle, shaking the man’s hand. He appears to be a little bit younger than you, possibly mid twenties. Shorter, and slim, he has a big personality that belies his smaller size.

“Yeah, I’m Greg. Just came through the portal not long ago. Met Naia, Aisha, and Lylah along the way here.”

The man nods. “I get it, believe me. I was a traveler too, about three years ago. Came through right after college. My name is David, by the way.”

You nod. “Nice to meet you, David. You see a lot of travelers, working here?”

He nods. “Every few months a new guy shows up. Usually bringing a monster girl with him. It’s a long trip, a lot of distractions along the way.”

You laugh. “Distractions is a polite way to put it.”

Naia giggles. “Hey, we’re distracting in a good way, right?!”

You smile. “A very good way.”

David laughs. “I’ll admit, I’m impressed by how quickly you arrived with these three with you.”

Aisha smiles. “We wanted to get traveling done before we went crazy. Well, most of us.”

Naia grins, sticking her tongue out at her sister. You shrug. “It’s nice to have a permanent home.”

David nods. “Well, we should get you settled, then. Miss Gina is right down the hall here, she’ll handle the details. First door on the left.”

You thank him, walking to the indicated office. Inside is an older dwarven lady, who looks up as you walk in, greeting you with a smile.

“Come on in, Greg. I heard you talking to David. Have a seat, all of you!”

You sit, Aisha and Lylah sitting on either side of you. Naia looks for a moment, then grins and sits down on your lap. The woman, who you assume to be Gina, chuckles. “Affectionate, isn’t she? As you probably guessed, I’m Gina. I’ll be handling all your arrival processing. I understand you have a background in manufacturing, and a magical talent for manipulating metal and stone as well?”

You nod. “I’ve bounced around a lot of jobs, but yes. A lot of working with my hands.”

She smiles. “Wonderful! We have a perfect position for you, working with our siege engineers. They’ll be very excited to have a man of your talents around.”

Gina laughs. “Actually, now that I think of it, there’s a couple girls there that’ll be happy with you no matter what. But I won’t spoil the surprise. You’re going to be quite popular here, I think.”

Aisha leans over and whispers. “As long as you share…”

You chuckle. “What you’re saying is that I’m going to be tired a lot.”

Lylah grins. “I think that’s true regardless, Greg.”

Gina smiles. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full already! Ok, so you’ve been assigned housing as well, it’ll be a bit small for four, but there’s room to expand as needed. Three bedrooms, living area, kitchen, two bathrooms. Sound good?”

You nod, and she hands you a city map with a building circled. “Here’s your new home! Go get settled, in a couple days we’ll check in and see if you’re ready to get started!”

With that, she stands, shaking your hand. Naia gets off your lap with a grin, and the four of you head outside, preparing to head to your new house!