[Lone Wanderer] 4 – A New Tarnished

Stumbling out of the round chamber that once housed the Three-Finger, I tried opening a portal to Limgrave, the region where the player would start their adventure. However, I collapsed as I felt my mind seize and twist, causing me to fall to my knees as the worst migraine I have ever experienced assaulted me.

Despite that, a portal did open before me, only this time the portal was distorted and looked to be on the brink of collapse or failure. Quickly stepping through the portal, I let it close behind me as I took a moment to stop and try to let the throbbing pain in my mind pass. 

"That's certainly new...A Tarnished, I take it?" A voice spoke up from nearby.

Only then did I recognize where I had...landed. The Church of Elleh is home to one Wandering Merchant, Kale, the player's first merchant. The items he sells are...alright, just far from anything I would actively consider good outside of the Crafting Kit. However...I was broke. I had no runes. I couldn't even afford the cheapest item he sold.

"...I am," I answered moments later.

"And you haven't raised any arms against my being, so would you perchance be interested in my Wares?" Kale asked, not bringing up the clear teleportation that I used to appear before him, either because of fear or not wanting to learn anything too dangerous for a nomad like himself. However, he did know Blaid, the Shadow of Lunar Princess Ranni of Raya Lucaria, who at the moment was likely crouched atop some ruins in Mistwood to the east of here. 

Damn. I just realized that I didn't even know the exact time I was in regarding the timeline. Has the 'Tarnished' that the Player would play already arrived? If so, I'd need to play catch up; if not, then I'd have some time to prepare for their arrival. Don't get me wrong, I did not want to be Elden Lord and become a true 'Avatar' of the Greater Will, becoming an Avatar of 'Order.' Though, Order must be subjective if Marika's Golden Order was any representation.

I shook my head, I did not want to get stuck in the Lands Between, even if in the end I became a God or whatever the Tarnished becomes in the end, I valued my freedom too much for that. 

"I am afraid I don't have any runes on my person at this very moment. However, once I get some, I'll make sure to check your stock," I smiled.

"Well, when you do, I highly recommend purchasing one of the Crafting Kits I have in stock; it'll help you survive out here in the Lands Between; every customer counts, after all," Kale recommended, shrugging behind his fire.

Kale was a Nomadic Merchant. There were not many of his people across the Lands Between, but his people were one of the few peaceful in the Lands Between, and if push came to shove, the Nomadic Merchants would fight back. 

"Thanks for the recommendation; I'll likely take you up on your offer when I get some runes to spend; in the meantime, have you seen any other Tarnished like me lately? Coming from the south, from the Stranded Graveyard? This Tarnished should be new to the Lands Between and unfamiliar with the Lands Between," I asked Kale.

"Oh? I'm afraid I have met such a Tarnished. They were quite...bare in arms and clothes and only just recently arrived in the Lands Between, I would guess," Kale answered, much to my surprise.

"What do you mean?" I inquired further.

"Well, I am afraid they did not speak much, only stringing a few words at a time, if any at all. Last I saw of her. She was heading North, moving towards Stormveil Castle, I reckon," Kale informed me.

Shit. I was late.

"When did you last see her?" I inquired.

"I'd say it's been half a day or so. Just this morning, She stopped by my shop to buy a sword to replace that shoddy club she was carrying around and one of my crafting kits. Though she still remains...quite bare, unable to afford even the most basic clothing I sell, at least she was wearing some undergarments to cover her modesty," Kale informed me, with a crack of a smile at the novelty of it all.

Who could blame him, a woman buying a sword with the runes they had instead of some clothes to cover their modesty?

"Thanks for the information. I'll certainly make sure to come back and purchase some things from you," I genuinely smiled, a smile that he returned.

"Why thank you; however, I must ask, if you come across any more of my people, please refrain from violence, and if you have the Runes, purchase from their stocks. We could always use more runes," He asked me, looking down into the fire.

"Have no worries. So long as your people do not attack me, none of them shall be harmed, and if I find any of your people in trouble, I'll try to give them some assistance if possible. I am afraid that there are quite a few across the Lands Between that would rather attack first than exchange dialogue," I promised.

Before he could say much more, I began walking away. Just based on my clothes, I knew I'd need new ones, and I'd need a weapon stat. Luckily, I had one in mind, though I doubt I'd have the strength to use it to its full potential. 

Along the dirt road bearing east was an encampment for Godrick's soldiers; at the back of two Carriages parked within the camps were Chests. If I remember correctly, one was a Flail, while the other had a Straight Sword. In the ruins was also a tunnel underground that led to a Whetstone Knife and Ash of War as well, if I remember correctly.

I remembered this because every time I decided to take the 'Wretch' start, getting nothing but a wooden club to fight and cloth myself, I'd grab the sword to fight with until I got a better weapon and the flail to bleed out the Elder Dragon Greyoll, 'mother' to all dragons in the Lands Between. However...I doubt I could cheese the Dragon in Real Life, as surrounding her were five Lesser Dragons that would no doubt wreck my shit to protect her, and I doubt she would be so...defenseless If I ever did decide to take her own, regardless of the large amount of Runes a person would get for killing her.

Though I knew where to find a weapon, it would be anything but easy, as just east along the road to the encampment in the ruins was a forest with Godrick Soldiers patrolling the forest. Not to mention the fucking Tree Sentinel that was likely still outside the church, not even a few hundred feet away.

Tree Sentinels were heavily armed Knights boasting giant shields and hammers. They could reflect magic back to the user, or at least this one could, and it was the bane of many Players who didn't understand the meaning of coming back to fight the optional boss later, and this particular Tree Sentinel was weaker than his breathern, and far from home.

Perhaps once I was strong enough, I'd have the confidence to challenge him for that Halberd of his.