Dennis
**Aurelian Kallandrim**
**Gampouza Village, Somewhere in Terresol**

The metallic footfalls of boots treading upon soil happened at a steady, frequent pace. A tall, armored, and cloaked figure paced along the roads towards the small, dingy village of Gampouza. The lone Quipeccatum wasn't ordered to come here, although his Order was well aware of why he had left for this place. Strange happenings, possibly magical happenings, were afoot here, and Aurelian Kallandrim would have been a fool to not leap at the chance to deal with it. Aurelian's boots thudded further, carrying him to the gates of Gampouza Village, where he finally halted, solely due to the gates being shut. Aurelian clasped his armored hands behind his cloaked back and awaited the response of a guard. His stance was patient and unmoving, as if he himself were a metal statue.
Kenneth
Under the narrow shade afforded by the village's low wall, there was a single man sat on a chair. He had his arms crossed and his head bowed, face obscured by the wide brim of his wool-felt petasus, a sun hat worn by farmers and travelers, characteristic of rustics.

Hearing Aurelian's approach, the man looked up, showing a sun-tanned face with hard, dark eyes and a trim black beard. He gave the Venom a once-over, and hmphed derisively. One hand fell to the side of his chair, caressing a weather-beaten sword that leaned against the wooden frame.

' Hail, traveller,' said the guard, and he took a moment to contemplate Aurelian before prompting him with a nod. ' State your name and bloodcaste.'
Dennis
**Aurelian Kallandrim**
**Gampouza Village, Somewhere in Terresol**

Aurelian stood dead still until the guard finally looked up from his post and addressed him. Aurelian, in a fraction of a moment, assessed the guard as much as he needed to. As was typical of rustics, he had a dinky old sword that he probably had no idea how to effectively use. As the guard asked for the Venom's name and caste, Aurelian found himself softly scoff, a vocalization that was practically inaudible. Aurelian calmly responded, his helmet making his voice metallic and deeper than it usually was. In his voice was the faintest hint of a Terreme accent, although it was nearly fully masked by his somewhat terrifying voice.

"I am Aurelian. I have no caste. My order does not follow such a pantheon," The metal-clad man calmly delivered. Aurelian had every intention of getting into this town to investigate, one way or another. If he had to fight a guard, he would do so, although he didn't want to have to get to that point so early into his journey.
Kenneth
The guard lowered his face a little, eyeing him carefully, then showed a sardonic smile.

' Outcaste, eh?' he said at length, drawling the word in a mocking manner. ' This here isn't a place for outcastes. That's the next village over. Man there in the alehouse gives outcastes a drink on the house.' The guard seemed to take note of the sigil on Aurelian's cloak, but his eyes showed no recognition. He merely shrugged, and bowed his head again. ' So I suggest you go there, bonbonat.'

It was a Soltongue word, used to diminish foreigners with their strange accents and stranger tongues. He said it softly, offhandedly, shutting Aurelian off from his attention.
Dennis
**Aurelian Kallandrim**
**Gampouza Village, Somewhere in Terresol**

Aurelian stared calmly and blankly at the guard as he awaited an answer. The answer that was delivered was not remotely surprising to the Quipeccatum. The adherents of the Bloodcaste, especially the rustic ones, were always so painfully assured that they could simply shoo away anyone they wanted by throwing meaningless ranks out and about. Aurelian stood, unmoving, as the guard simply tried to dismiss him.

Aurelian spoke again, "I think you fail to understand me, nazamat. I came to this village for a reason. I shall _not_ be turned away."

Aurelian glared at the guard this time, his helm's steel visage seeming to accentuate his point rather effectively. Whether the guard saw reason or chose to antagonize the walking death-trap further was entirely up to him. The ball, figuratively speaking, was now entirely in his court once again.
Kenneth
The guard was still and silent for a moment before looking back up at Aurelian, his casual derision replaced by a black, searching look.

' Oh? ' he said softly, and just as gently reached for his sword. He held the weapon up before his chest and fingered its sharp tip with his forefinger, pouting at the man. 

' And what in Saris' name would that reason be, ellastim? '
Dennis
**Aurelian Kallandrim**
**Gampouza Village, Somewhere in Terresol**

Aurelian needed only glance at the simple blade that the guard produced to see that its craftsmanship, just like the guard's own intellect, was... Lacking. Terribly lacking. Aurelian chuckled at the guard's brave demeanor, finding it both refreshing and endearing. It was a pleasant kind of sobering to meet someone who wanted to try to call his bluff. Most others would crumple in fear from the mere sight of him, but this guard was something entirely different. The rustics around here were as brave as they were foolish.

"Very well. If only for a moment, I will humor you, before I walk through those gates. I am here to investigate the many allegations of magical happenings occurring here. Gatherings of mages, strange rituals, I'm sure you know the type," Aurelian calmly stated. One thing the guard may find a tad odd is that Aurelian's hands did not move from their clasped position at his back, nor did he make so much as a slight move to show his own blade, which rested snugly at the belt upon his armored waist. Whether this metal man was either foolish in his own right, or confident in his own immense skill, was something the guard would need to figure out for himself.