Nūlbūzar

The porcelain hands of Shalia Nix turned another page of the Arbiter’s journal…
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Excerpt from the personal journal of Voah Sahnsuur

~ Arrival in Nulbuzar ~
The day started gray and drizzly. We drove past hill and hamlet and on through the famous Pentalith Gate where five great stones towered before us. Their hulking masses stood arranged in a slightly curved array that crossed over one side of the old road to the other, its chiefest of Pillars was carved through with a decorative Mizaran arch large enough for the carriage to traverse.

I must say, the ancient monument was an wonderous sight to behold; an impressive feat whose origins remain unknown to this day, even to the scholars of Orestes.

I hope to see more of such wonders in future.

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The weather has grown worse this evening with blustery winds and cold heavy rain and we have run into some trouble. As we rounded a bend below the steep, rocky hills, we came upon a blockage in the old road where a small tree had fallen due to a minor mud slide. As I assisted the driver, I thought for a moment that I could feel and smell the stink of magik on the wind. This suspicion only grew as the horses started to nicker nervously and refused to continue on without incessant urging from Kyn, the coachman.

Now night is falling and we are fast approaching the twin arched bridge to Nulbuzar. From this vantage I can spot several homes, their verandas, alcoves, and posts adorned with lanterns and sconces already burning bright and reflecting off of the rippling puddles in the streets.

We make for the manse of Auctor Merkïxh.

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The village Nulbuzar straddles the river Onsai. There the banks are walled like a canal with thick bricks and little fishing boats and ferries covered with cloth bob in place, moored to their short piers.

The Arbiter’s fiacre continued into the village proper where, at the end of the lane, they immediately found the manse of Auctor Merkïxh. It was a lavish, brownish red, two story home, roofed with earthenware tiles and bedecked with hanging gardens affixed under the outer sills.

Voah pulled up the high pointed hood of her crimson overcoat and stepped out into the street with a splash. Then, with the assistance of the coachman, she unloaded her trunk from the carriage hurried under the awning, and knocked on the door.

~ Later That Night ~

Auctor Merkïxh has proved thus far to be a suitable host. I have taken fare and have been arranged in a second floor guest chamber. I have collected some preliminary information and tomorrow I intend to promptly begin the investigation into the rumors of witchcraft.

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~ The Arbiter’s Notes ~

- hermit, Akgata
- follower of Panolis, natural healer, midwife
- lives in a cave in the hills overlooking the village
- strangers, nomadic visitors bearing gifts to Akgata
- dead animals found, slaughtered by blades, missing organs
- sacrifices? rituals? blood magik?
- missing child, Andil
- local ranger found ashes and bones, claims Agkata was collecting ash