High stakes in Zatakia

”Welcome to the North, fellow traveller! What you see across those hills over there is the city of Zatakia, the capital of these lands. I guess you already knew that since that is your destination after all. But what you might not know is that the city is as old as the world itself and that it has seen many rulers throughout history, most of them long forgotten. There are deep catacombs underneath the city that may hold some of the old secrets, but I wouldn't venture in there if I were you. There are many myths and legends about the city, and I would tell you a few if our journey wasn't almost over.

Anyway. If you continue on north, you will reach the Highlands. Nice enough place, with mountains, forests, fjords and whatnot, but it's a little cold for my taste. It's home to a hard breed of warriors – and some even harder and deliciously tall and busty women.

And speaking of wild women, ride some weeks west of here, and you'll find yourself on the fringes of the vast Wildwoods. There is a tribe of amazon women somewhere in those woods. Crazy bitches the bunch of them if you ask me. And don't get any ideas – there are also bandits, goblins and all sorts of annoyance in there, so I suggest that you stay the fuck out.

Do you feel that breeze? That's the great ocean over at the bay to the east. Zatakia has the only real port to speak of around here. You can catch some big and juicy crabs there – and just not the kind you eat... Eh? Oh come on, that was funny... well alright, have it your way then, you prune. Hmm, anyways, used to be mostly fishing boats coming there, but the war changed all that.

You must know about the war, right? Well, to make a long story short, some time ago Zatakia emerged victorious after endless bloodshed in the great war against the southern kingdoms. The old balance of power shifted, and vast areas of the southern lands have been crushed and conquered by these barbarians. These berserker bastards even gave the Osinthian legions a good match before they stopped. It was brutal, my friend.

Well, so these northerners ravaged and sacked the southern lands, and they returned with enormous treasures. Gems, ivory, priceless art, silk, tombs of ancient wisdom, thousands of poor slaves. And – of course – gold!

And you know, my friend, when gold goes somewhere, a lot of fucking people will follow. The streets are packed with them these days. Drunken soldiers wasting their plunder, refugees from war-torn lands, daring adventurers, shameless mercenaries, shrewd merchants and bankers, thieves, pimps and willing wenches. Shady characters from all parts of the world, even those dark desert men from the far south! And dwarves, can you believe that? Look, I'm not saying that they all don't belong here, it's just getting a little crowded for my taste is all. Can't say I mind those wenches though. I know this neat and clean little brothel tucked away on a backstreet in Oldtown where they have the finest and bustiest damned sluts on this side of...

Oh, what do you know, we are here. See that large gate? That's your entrance to the city. You'd better hurry before they close for the night and you'd better get out of this fucking rain before you catch a cold.

Me? Well, let's just say that I prefer to enter the city without involving gates. The city guards and I aren't exactly on speaking terms. And speaking of the demon, as they say, I think that guard over there at the gate has seen us.

So, traveller, this is where we part ways. Thank you for sharing the road with me, and I wish you good luck on your adventures. From what you told me you will probably need it. So long, traveller!”

The guard at the gate called out, ”Halt stranger! Who goes there?”