Ashan 50th 720
The interior hull of the ship groaned as waves lessened their heaves, a fact that remained noticeable to the discontented thief. Normally the patterns of rock felt in his body meant they were still out at sea, so he took it as a sign that they were nearing shallower bodies of water. Which also meant they were to reach land some time soon, and given he'd spent a good duration of his season on a boat? The weary blonde couldn't help but sigh a little, just when he started to think he'd grown comfortable... or at least adjusted.
However the salty life wasn't his cup of tea, therefore as he shifted in his hammock Toan looked up to the boards above. The dark planks of the upper deck often echoed with heavy thumps, alerting those below of the activity the sailors put in to man the ship. Pretty soon they would be mooring in a strange new land to Toan, a place he had no idea existed until last Cycle. While it had been business that brought him here, he certainly couldn't ignore the tangible lust for adventure in his heart. "Melrath huh?" The thief mused at the name while he slipped a dagger from his belt, it's tip used to clean the buildup found beneath his fingernails.
He wondered about all the people here, what life must be like in this little corner of the world. Pretty soon he'd come to find out, once the ship had reached it's destination of course. "Head's up travellers," a gruff voice called out as a burly man with a beard the length of his collar bones walked downstairs, "we're fast closing in on Raelia, those of you seeking passage here need to be ready to disembark."
"Oh really." He muttered to himself lowly as he inspected the two nails he'd cleaned out. It looked as though he'd have to worry about the rest later, when a nice hot bath was available anyways. Eager as he felt Toan's inclinations were moreso at the level of a sloth's, which his movement seemed to heavily mimic when he lazily eased off the hammock. A modest stretch upwards invigorated a bit more energy and action into his form, as the blonde returned the dagger back inside it's scabbard. While he didn't really have much brought with him, inspecting his belongings was the apt thing to do before going topside. Travel supplies, body armor, crossbow and weaponry, all the credible gear that makes a merc who he is.
So that would imply that he would be the new mercenary in town, something more fitting compared to the life he left behind in Etzos. Thievery would only get him so far here, but of course that didn't imply he'd leave those skills in his past either. No they would be useful to him, and soon enough he'd find the first form worthy of his Spark. He'd thought long and hard about it, and while the sentient entity within yearned for one; he had displayed an extra sense of delicacy ever since Dallen gifted it to him. Magic being an avenue the thief hadn't fully explored, it was only natural he held onto the few reservations he still had. But now that he was somewhere new, someplace that might treat Becomers differently even, all bets were off the table the moment he stepped foot off the ship.
Which would come soon.
As the new merc mounted his travel bag and gear over the shoulder, he stepped onward plainly towards the steps that brought him on deck. As he came close to reaching the top, the smell of sea still overwhelmed him enough to stir a grimace. Yet within that salty brine there lingered another scent, a musky tone which implied nature within the distance. As he looked around to starboard side he saw it then, the glorious city of Raelia presented itself in a full robust view to the blonde. Overcast clouds still lingered over the bustling city, and the air still maintained a damp quality to it; as though the rains here had just ended soon. Yet within those grey skies above, sunlight managed to break through and greet the place. It was strange how alluring the rays casted themselves onto the city, and for a moment the old thief couldn't help but muse it a sign of fate or some such.
Well... more like cliche really, for how often does one hear stories of new mysterious lands welcoming the adventuring hero? Sad to say Toan was no such thing, nor had he the interest to be one. Thus after the ship was moored at the docks, the thief made off to be one of the first few to disembark. He was certainly eager to find that bath, but first a quick bite and perhaps something to wet his whistle took precedence. "Oy," He called to one of the sailors on the docks, "name a place where a guy can get some grub." The half dressed croon looked at him with a raised eyebrow, his sizeably proportioned arms crossed over as he grinned to the newcomer.
"Oi know a few, but it'll cost ya mate." He chided with a bemused chuckle, Toan exuded a weary scoff while his hand fished into his pocket; a coin pulled out and tossed toward the sailor not a minute later. "Heads toward The Ox's Bellow Tavern down yonder, dey gots what yer lookin for." Immediately Toan turned to start walking in the direction given, no second thought spared to the man he'd bought information from. "Wary o' the locals tho' traveller, folks 'round here aren't too crazy 'bout outsiders in der midst."
The warning brought a halt to the thief, as he turned to look past his shoulder curiously. "That a warning or just a bonus?"
"Hehe," the sailor flashed an array of yellow and brown teeth, "you'll find out soon enough." He added as he pocketed the gold coin he caught earlier, the laboring work of unloading imported goods quickly resumed after Toan furrowed his brow.
"Well that wasn't weird." The merc remarked as he resumed his march towards the tavern, still focused on the much needed meal with that hot bath to follow.
"Toan", "Follower", "NPC"
