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Eichenwald is a hive of activity in the late morning or perhaps it's already noon? It's larger than you expected for a place often described as ''only tens of thousands.' While it won't rival Fallerin capital, there's a far bigger density of people gathered here than you expected: you can see the city center from the plains, and everything there is made of solid stones but all the other districts you've seen are using the easily available wood to erect suspiciously large homes.
It's a big place. You can't see, or maybe recognize the monster district from the way in, unfortunately. And, even more strange is the lack of walls. Despite its proximity to the Wildlands there are not even any hints of a palisade for the outer parts of the city; people are herded toward one of three gates but these look honestly far too hastily to be proper defenses.
''City is giving me mixed impressions.'' Your mom says.
''Mhm, I hope dad won't have it hard in the enclave.'' You reply, keeping close to her.
''How should we react if he comes back home with a pair of monsters in his arms?'' There's a dangerous glint in your mom's yellow eyes.
''He will have a very good reason.'' You easily shoulder her intimidating stare. ''Right?''
''Right.''
Eichenwald city center isn't any different from the many bigger cities you've visited. The ''marketplace'' consists of a large open-air area where people set up stalls while bigger establishments surround them with people rubbing elbows in the crowd as they need to deliver whatever they're transporting in there.
The city's main church sits atop an artificial elevation, giving it a sense of prominence. Like the city it represents, it is grand, perhaps even a little excessive. Built from stone in the popular gothic style of the faith, it boasts two towering bell spires to the east and west, an array of spearpoints along its roof, and stunning stained glass windows that hint at deep-pocketed patrons. A few statues of the Mother dot its walls. You've seen your share of churches, and this one might rival a cathedral in gravitas.
Loud voices, sometimes angry screams, a few cases of heckling, money changing hands, the loud pings of a forge having the luck of being here... A cacophony of life. Sometimes you wonder how so many souls gathered so close look for the gods.
You've never liked crowds but you're not afraid of them either.
''I don't like the idea of them open stalls so-''
Heavy steps that sound far too close heralds coming problems.
''Hey, ladies-''
''Mother Mercy, fuck off!''
Your mom’s sharp insult stuns the approaching men. Three of them stand in your way, and their strange, unfamiliar garb is the first thing you notice.
