Desert

Mike insteads tries a Water spell.

Ultra holds his knee is pain. then gets angry enough to slap it and run to Mike and Hides behind him

Ultra

Ultra slaps the scorpion and running before it can stab him with the tail.  Mike tries spraying the scorpion with water.  It doesn't do nothing this time, but it also seems to make the little giant bugger angry.  It starts marching towards Mike.


Pie

You stumble down the mountain and soon find those two that got you killed earlier fighting a giant scorpion.


Malefio

One of the guards shrugs.  "North side of town's been dangerous lately.  A lot more thieves about.  Also talks of 'rebellion' or some such crap.  The leaders of that little movement fled forever ago."

Another chimes in.  "I doubt anyone would bother challenging you to a duel, if you're worried about that.  Oh, but if you decide to challenge anyone else, you'll need to find a magistrate to officiate."

"If you're looking for information, just wander around and talk to people in the town square.  Or the shops in the noble district just to the north.  If you're not afraid, go to the far north and you can probably find plenty of info if you've got the coin," another says.

Tiptoe around them.

Pielover

You manage to sneak past the battle and into the desert. A large, blood-red river cuts through the heart of the desert. A wide bridge spans its length, conveniently placed along the 'trail' you've been following. As you approach the bridge, you notice a mermaid swimming your way from the south.



Malefio

Move to Solcina Plaza.



Ultra

You step back and make scary faces at the graham cracker, not that it's noticeable beneath the mask.

Mike baits the scorpion into stinging, then shifts back and slices the stinger off. The scorpion twitches and starts clamping its pincers at him.

That dragon that's been soaring overhead swoops down and tackles the scorpion. They both go skidding through the sand.

Ultra

Mike runs up to finish the scorpion off. He stabs it, and it stops moving. The dragon snarls and snaps at him.

Marshmallow on a graham cracker...  Now if you just had some chocolate.

Pie

You nope the fuck out of that situation.  The mermaid shows no interest in you as you go.  You walk along the path towards the town.  You see a young woman in glasses, dressed in a pink-and-purple dress with lots of ribbons and lace.  She's carrying a portable telescope as she walks down what passes for a path.  She steps aside to give you a wide berth as you get closer.  Past her you can see a guard outpost at the town gate.


JMAKATY

You continue to follow the river.  You can see a large, wooden bridge ahead - not as cool as yours.  Not by a long shot.  A small path through the desert heads west or east.  To the west, a young dragon and Mike are fighting over a giant, dead scorpion while a guy in a gas mask cheers.  Past them, you see a volcano-looking mountain.  To the east, a large town with a castle and huge wall.  A young woman dressed in a ridiculous (but not mainstream) outfit is carrying a telescope and walking your way, while an equally ridiculous boy is heading towards the town.

You spot that aura you saw before, the one the mermaid had, but under the bridge this time.