You look over the village before you. It’s maybe medium sized, fairly quiet for the time of day, but you notice a variety of tribes walking along the dirt tracks. There’s the occasional Dras or Waerd, even Brudvir and Kypiq, though it’s mainly To’resk, Neran, and Janoa. The buildings themselves also tell a story. You can see even from the outskirts that the inner buildings of the settlement are very clearly To'reshian, but the outer ones seem to also have Neran influences from their builders.

“Welcome, stranger!” you hear a voice call. You turn, finding a young womann approaching you. On first glance she appears To'reshian, but as she come closer you find her taller than most of her tribe, her build slighter.

“You’re looking a little lost.” She says, her dark eyes shining. “Can I help you find your way around?” You nod, following her as she sets off purposefully. You weren’t sure, but you could swear she was almost skipping she seemed so keen to show off the village.

“Well, there’s the smithy, and, oo, that baker makes the most amazing cranberry laverbread!” She turns, grinning ear to ear. “I know it’s not actually bread, but there’s no need to tell him that!” She carries on walking. “Over there is where most of our cavers live. Did you know, we make the instruments for a many of the best musicians in Al’Khezam?”

She stops, staring up at a tree surrounded by flowers. “This is one of Angelica’s fabled trees, who’s pinecones glow in her tears.” Her tone seems to drop, her gaze far away. “Nimueh Ambrosia planted this when she first became Mayeur here. This used to be the exact centre of the village, but of course we’ve grown a bit since then. Wonder what she’d make of us now…”

She snaps out of her daze, turning and giving you another dazzling smile revealing slightly pointed teeth. “This is the best place to sit and think, and to be honest I’m surprised there’s not a few of the composers from the guild around. Speaking of the guild, it’s just over there, connected to the inn! Another addition of Nimueh's. We train budding composers and musicians from all over the continent, sending many of them to noble courts, although some prefer to roam or stay here to teach. We’ve had quite the influx over the years, as you can see.

“Across the water there is the papyrus fields. My father thought it’d be a good idea to convert some of the old rice field seen as we use a lot of parchment in the guild. Cheaper than importing from another county, and we can sell it to the city east of us!” she continues.

“The house over there is my family’s estate, right by the river. It’s not great when it floods, but in the hot months you can jump off the end of the platform straight into the water!” she turns, beginning towards the inn. “But please, come out of the sun, let me buy you a drink while you tell me what you’re here for!”

“I didn’t catch your name?” you say as you catch up to her.

“Oh, my apologies!” she exclaims. “I’m Rhian Ambrosia, at your service. Welcome to Bescomb!”