Mist rolls in from the hillside, as you tread lightly on these wooded lands. On the horizon hidden by the mist is the Jerosian Mountain range, and it had been a rather interesting trip for you. Along the way, you meet a caravan full of gnomes peddling you fake Denovian Cheese, whom you had a fight with after explaining to them why the cheese is fake.

You reach the base of the mountain by the break of dawn, stopping for breath as well as an opportunity to break first breakfast. The sores are apparent on your feet, and you unsheath your sword to prepare it for sharpening. Old memories flood back upon the sight of your sword, named Bloodsbane, as many were slain by this sword, yet many were also saved by it.

Bloodsbane is a rather cunning weapon, and like most enchanted weapons, they come with a mind of their own. They do not possess sentience, but they possess certain appetites. Bloodsbane, as you have it, can only be defined by blood, and you used to be able to find plenty of that in the war, but as it is now, you slit your palm with Bloodsbane.

Overhead, you can see the early dawn has woken up Sun Deers, and Dawnlings, a rodent-like creature which is said to imbue the essence of dawn into the surroundings. You have half a mind to go trapping for Sun Deers, but being this close to the Jerosian range means you have to get permission from him before hunting any wildlife.

After a quick bite, you pack up and head up the trail leading towards the peak. Your journey here is important, you remind yourself, as only he can help you find the others, for you are out of touch with the rest.

*CRASH*

Suddenly, you are pelted with stone spikes from the air, you quickly take a knife and draw blood from the fresh wound of your palm, creating a vortex of blood, sucking the spikes in. You draw your blade looking around for the assailant.

“You should not have come here,” said a deep voice from the ground.

“It wasn’t a conscious decision, and this is not the way to greet an old friend” you reply.

More stone spikes come flying your way. You parry them with a blood shield melded from the vortex you had conjured.

“Look, I just need your help in finding one of the others.”

Suddenly a figure appears from above, as a shadow of a winged wyvern hangs above you, you see an orc riding the dragon while multiple giant stalactites hover around him.

“I know what you are and I am not like the victims you usually fool” he bellows.

Realising that he won’t let you off so easily, you begin to imbue Bloodbane with blood magic, increasing the reach. The orc flies down towards you, sending the massive stalactites down towards you. As you attempt to dodge the blow, you swing your sword upwards towards him creating a red after shadow behind which dissipates into a mist.

The orc jumps off the stone wyvern, as your sword slices it to pieces. He then begins to channel energy from his LifeCore, trapping you within a metal cage within moments. You take out a dagger and fling it towards him, a thudding sound is heard as the dagger hits the orcs leather.

“Ok, we are probably going to go at this forever, can we just halt and listen to what I have to say” you plead.

The orc looks at you with a grim face.

“Your tricks won’t work here, and I have seen them all, speak your piece before I rend your LifeCore from your body”.

You know that he is not joking about the rending affair considering you had once seen him tear a Kraken apart with the snap of his fingers.

“Alright, Bobo-!”

“Do not dare use my name as if you had earned the right to use it?” said the orc

“Ok then, milord, through your connections with the earth, I am sure you must have seen me through one of your Stonescrying Sessions before haven’t you?.”

He nods

“State your point” he mutters.

“Well, then I believe that a certain goblin of rogueish origins may have stumbled upon one of the last few artefacts from the Daemonic Prince which we fought against all those years back, and I had happened upon the item called the Dagger of Ukmatow.”

The orc reveals a look of surprise.

“ And where is this dagger now?”.

You point over towards the region where the valley looms.

“Probably over there.”

The orc snaps his fingers and immediately, the stone cage condenses itself holding you in place, covering most of your body except the head.

“You are truly an insufferable human, you truly deserve the name Blood Jester of Bandolia”.