Book One – Chapter Two – Part One
Waking up today once again to the rooster crowing and me feeling great is most welcomed. The past few days since my arrival had me a bit out of place. I feel more refreshed and not hungry like before. Today I will embrace the journey to Varrock. I do not see the need to build a fire to cook or for warmth. Soon I will follow the road north to that great big city. It is exciting to think of what may be in store for me once I arrive. If the road is not to dangerous I feel things will soon get much better. Looking at the map it shows two roads that will lead to Varrock. One I have been on already and from there it is not far to the city walls. The other road leads past the Goblins across the river Lum then winds northward. It splits in two different routes. One moves back along the river while the other heads a bit east then winds back west before going north. This may be longer but more interesting. I think I will take the safer and shorter way.
With everything in the bank except my tools and fishing equipment I begin the journey. My new friends Jon and Joan are not where I last saw them. Maybe they are at that meeting place they told me about. But it is a bit early so who knows. The sign post at the Lum river bridge reads Varrock is either direction. There is another sign post directing Draynor Village and Falador are to the west. The sign at the bridge also points east to Al Kharid. I stop and study the map further and see these towns are not far from here. The map shows the entire world of Gielinor is divided into different kingdoms. Al Kharid is a city in the Kharidian Desert. There are the cities of Menaphos and Sophanem to the far south. The towns of Uzer Mastaba, Bandit Camp and Bedabin Camp are in the middle regions. It seems these kingdoms are united under different rulers. There is also marks noting pyramids and other small villages. Even though it looks like the entire region is desert a river cuts through the middle of the area. To the east across the sea from the region are two islands marked The Pirate Islands. I would love to one day explore this area.
The area I have been living in is marked as the kingdom of Misthalin. Varrock is the capitol and Lumbridge, Draynor, Edgeville and Barbarian Village seem to be the larger cities and towns. There are places marked as Wizards Tower, Lumbridge Swamp and a place named Dorgesh-Kaan which seems to be in Lumbridge castle. I never saw anything marked as Dorgesh-Kaan here. Maybe that is where the cave under it leads? Wizards Tower must be the place where magic is taught and maybe where wizards live.
To the east is a kingdom named Morytania. There are two islands off that coast. One is un-named and the other says Botany Bay. Morytania has three cities. Canifis, Mort’ton and Port Phasmatys. The area looks to be mostly swamp in the southern half of the region marked Sanguinesti Region. And oddly the map says Vampyres and Werewolves be here. I thought they were only myths. There seems to be three large castles in this area too.
To the north of Varrock is an area marked the wilderness. I can see the wall that Hans had told me about between Edgeville/Varrock and the wilderness. To the northeast an area is marked Daemonhiem beside the ocean. It looks as if there are many volcanic areas in the wilderness. It seems the only way to reach Daemonhiem is by going through the wilderness. You can see what looks like towns but nothing is named in the region. Hans said this was where the god wars took place and that is why it is barren. I must study more about the gods when I find a library.
To the west is the kingdom of Asgarnia. Falador looks like a walled city with a castle. It is marked as the regions capitol. There are other cities and towns. Burthorpe to the north looks big but has other towns nearby marked Taverley and Goblin Village. To the south of Falador is Port Sarim and Rimmington. Off the coast is small Crandor Island. I remember duke Horacio telling me this is where the dragon lives, on Crandor. The larger island off the coast above Crandor is named Entrana. Goblin Village? Interesting they have their own place but seem to hang out in Lumbridge. North of Burthorpe it is marked Troll Lands and north of it is marked Frozen Wastes. The Frozen Wastes marks the fortress of Ghorrock. To the west of Burthorpe is Wolf Mountain. Above Falador there is a small mountain near a place marked dwarves mine. I can see there are small details of places all over the map that indicate a hole with a ladder too. It seems there may be other places marked by rock circles in various areas. Somewhere there must be a map or maps of greater detail showing where everything is.
To the south of Asgarnia is the continent of Karamja. On the north side of Karamja is a large volcano near a town marked Brimhaven which looks like a port city. Below Brimhaven it appears to be the Kharrazi jungle where the village Tai Bwo Wannai is marked. I recall Lumcook telling me this is where the mahogany and teak wood come from. To the far south is Shilo Village. The east coast has a marked Shipyard where on the west coast is Cairn Island. Once I get a home I will need to go there and get some fine wood to build furniture. Musa Point on the northeast of Karamja details some fishing docks and a shipping port near a few buildings. I am guessing the pineapples and bananas we bought in Ashdale came from here. I am thinking monkeys live there too. In the south sea of Karamja are three islands marked Ape Atoll and below these an island marked The Void Island. I remember hearing of these places from people of my home island. Just to the west of Void Island is home… Ashdale. Though it seems smaller on the map I know it is larger. From what I can see I am a very long way from home.
Far to the west of Asgarnia is a very large kingdom marked Kandarin. This is where I was born. It is directly north of Ashdale. The beleaguered state capitol is Ardougne. A huge divided city said to have the insidious plague in its western part. Also home of the Gnomes who maintain two cities in the region. Ardougne is a wealthy capitol. The eastern part of Ardougne is ruled by King Lathas and the west by his brother King Tyras both sons of the late King Ulthas. King Tyras lives with his army in the Tyras Camp after he returned from a war campaign against the Elven King. This I remember from my studies researching Kandarin. It would be my goal and worthwhile to travel there as soon as I am able. The map shows Ancient Caverns, Baxtorian Waterfall, towns of Catherby and Seer’s Village to the north of Ardougne. In the far northwest lies the Piscatoris Fishing Colony. To the southeast is Witchaven on the coast which marks a fishing platform. Hemenster is a small town north of Ardougne and south of Seer’s Village on the west coast. The Fishing Guild and Rangers Guild are both marked as being here. Seer’s Village marks a small castle named Camelot. The Tree Gnome Village is a large fenced area west of Hemenster as marked on the map. Southwest of West Ardougne is the Tree Gnome Stronghold. Between the two places is a large area marked as the battlefield. East of the battlefield and south of West/East Ardougne is a Zoo. The map shows a medium sized city to the south as Yanille marked as the Wizards Guild. In the far south of Kandarin below Yanille is a jungle area listed as Feldip Hills. To the north east of Yanille is Port Khazard a fishing area. The far north of Kandarin, above Seer’s Village is The Fremennik Lands. The only town marked is Rellekka. There is a lighthouse on the northwest coast. The eastern side is marked Keldagrim and nearby Mountain Camp. There are six islands in the sea north of Rellekka. Lunar Isle, Waterbirth Island, Miscellania, Etceteria, Jatizso and Neitiznot. There is also an island marked as Iceberg.
The last area marked on the western edge of the map is the kingdom of Tirannwn. It seems this entire region is only accessible by climbing over a mountain west of West Ardougne. The route is marked Arandar. The largest city is Prifddinas located near the center of the kingdom. Lletya is a smaller city to the southeast. There seems to be a village marked Elf Camp to the south. In the far southern region an area is marked as Poison Waste. The entire kingdom area is known as Isafdar Forest. I have heard of this area since I was young. This is the kingdom of the elven peoples. Gielinor is a huge world when you look at it from a maps view. It may take me years to even get to Kandarin. I look up into the morning sky and see our moon Zanaris fading as the sun rises. Even Zanaris has people different from humans living on it. So much to explore, let the journey begin.
I guess once I spend some time in Varrock I will come back this way on the other road and explore further. I can see Gillie across the river milking cows in the field. And as I round the bend in the road Millie is gathering grain in the wheat field. Farmer Fred waves to me as I pass the chicken farm, motioning something like a fight pose. He laughs. I will never live down the day a chicken almost beat me. One day though I will come back and show-off my fighting skills. As I pass over the small bridge I see that Goblin walking near what looks like a Gnome. Curiosity calls being I have never seen one before except in books. Walking over toward the man I notice he seems very busy cleaning the area. “Hello!” I called out to the strange looking man. “Hi. I don’t have time to talk I have to cleanup this area where the Gnomecopter Tours once were.” The man explained. “Gnomecopter? What is that?” I asked. “Flying machines we Gnomes built to take people on tours around Gielinor. Our King has ordered us to stop services and return the flying machines home to the kingdom for military service. All we have left are Gnome glider service to travel customers around. Go travel by Gnome when you can and visit our village. I must be off now, good-bye.” The Gnome explained as he moved off to work. So much to learn in this world who would have ever thought Gnomes could fly, I thought.
As I walked closer to the capitol of Varrock I passed by a nice mining pit. A couple people were busy cutting into the different looking rocks. One guy said he got silver ore and another said he was mining iron ore. Nearby was a farming patch next to a building with a sign that read Combat Guild. In front on this building was the corner of a very tall, long and sturdy looking stone wall. I could see some guards in the distance near what looked like an opening. As I approached the men I saw they were well armored and had expensive looking shield and sword. Just past these men where some fanatic looking wizards wearing black hooded robes. The guards waved me through the entrance into the city. I could see buildings on both sides of the street. Some tall buildings and longer than any I had ever seen. A stray dog was walking near a man who looked about as stray as the dog. The street had an intersection and other streets went east and west. There were banners crossing the roads tied from balconies and lamps on post to lighten the night. A little way up the avenue I saw it! The Blue Moon Inn. Praise Saradomin! Finally a room and board to stay. I walked through the door and saw both men and women sitting at tables drinking beer and eating foods. There was a long ell shaped bar with stools for dozens of people. In this place alone were more people than in all of Lumbridge. A barmaid stopped and asked what I was drinking. “Are there any rooms in this inn?” I asked. “Certainly! Just talk with the guy over there behind the bar.” She replied. “New in town babe? Let me get you a beer, no charge. Come back once you get settled in. We make the best steak and baked potato in town. I’m Mavis Gray by the way. Just ask for me honey.” She said as she handed me a tall glass of light colored ale and disappeared in the crowd. Wow I thought. How nice. The man behind the bar was a larger than life man. Huge by any standard. “What can I do for you son?” He said in a gruff voice. “I need a room, sir.” No problem young man. Its 25 gold coins for the night unless you are paying by the week then its 35 gold coins for the week unless you are staying for a month then its 78 gold coins by the month. You are new in town right? Well you probably are staying for a while, maybe a couple months. I’ll tell you what, make it 50 coins a month. Pay me tomorrow. Rooms are upstairs. Take one on the back north corner, less noisy. The crowd gets a little rowdy late at night. See me tomorrow. I might have some work for you to do. Hey, take a beer with you.” The man rattled off. He handed me another beer and a key and walked toward the other end of the room. I downed the beer the barmaid gave me and carried the other one as I walked up the stairs. Still wondering what just happened. Pay me later, have a free beer. Take the best room… maybe a highway man hit me over the head on the way here and I am dreaming. Maybe I’m dead. This is weirder than that talking pig. I pinched myself to see if it hurt. It hurt.
I opened the door to the room and could not believe how big it was. The bed was larger than any I ever slept in. The bathroom was nicer than I could ever dream. For 50 coins a month I could stay here a year just on what money I have in the bank now. He also said he had work for me too. What more could I ask for? There was a knock at the door. I opened the door and it was Mavis. “Hey babe. I am sorry for being so rushed earlier, I forgot to ask you your name.” She inquired. “I’m Puissantius.” I replied. “Nice to meet you Puissantius, I’m Mavis. But I already told you that. I know you are new in town so I wanted to welcome you to Varrock. We have so much to see in our city and many shops. I’m sure you want to freshen up a bit before you eat. Maybe you would like some new clothes, a shave and nice shoes. Just a few houses up toward the town square is a shop on the left. Thessalia is the owner and she makes clothes. She gives away complete outfits for free just to show off her fine line of custom clothing. If you want to go and get some new clothes while I send a maid up to stock your room with towels and soap she should be done by the time you return.” Wow thanks Mavis! You are a wonderful girl. I appreciate everything you have done. You are making me feel very welcome in Varrock.” I replied. “Well Puissantius you are in the greatest city in all of Gielinor and our hospitality says it all. Now supper will be served at six. We are serving grilled steak, baked potato with choice of filling, corn on the cob and apple pie. We have a wide assortment of beers or tea. Now don’t be late.” Mavis smiled a big grin as she closed the door behind her. I put my things in the drawers and closet and headed downstairs then out the door into the street. There were a lot of people coming and going as I walked north toward the town square. Just before the last house on the left was a sign that read Thessalia Fine Clothes.
I entered the door and saw an elderly woman sitting in a rocking chair to the right. She was knitting something and called out, Thessalia you have a customer. A young woman came out from the back room. “Hello sir I’m Thessalia. I can see from the worn and tattered clothes you are wearing you have come to the right place. Here look in my catalog and pick out any colored outfit in any of the styles listed as free items. Once you make your selection step into one of the booths over there and your clothes will be changed by magic. Once you have a new wardrobe step out into the area. And please take my catalog when you leave or place your order before going. My custom clothing line is sure to please the ladies and gents in many settings. I thumbed through the book and decided on a blue outfit of a stylish contemporary design. I stepped into the booth and suddenly felt necked and clothed all in the same moment. When the curtain rose I had a complete new stylish outfit. Thessalia was nowhere to be seen and the older woman just continued to rock and knit. I took the catalog with me and thought I would look at later. When I got back to my room the maid had already finished stocking. I undressed and got into the bathtub. The water was hot and felt so refreshing. I washed, shaved and got ready to go downstairs for supper. The dinner was rather amazing. I drank a few different beers and hung out with the people. There was dancing, singing and such a merry evening with everyone. I took a cup of hot tea with me and went back to my room. I stood out on the balcony for a spell looking at the stars and Zanaris. Life doesn’t get much better than this. I am glad to be alive. I went back inside and climbed into bed. This was perhaps the most comfortable bed I have ever been in I thought. I closed my eyes and was asleep in moments.
Authors Post Note
The world of Gielinor is vast with many continents. This post doesn’t list in great detail just how large the world of Gielinor is. I only wanted to give the reader some idea of the different areas. In every city players will find a multitude of shops, non-player characters and quest. There are many dungeons throughout the world which greatly increase the world area. Even the moon is a separate world. The sixth age (present day) allows players to visit other realms through the newly rediscovered World Gate. Adventurers may also play a number of mini-games found in various cities. Questing is something I have once again begun to engage in. There are over 200 quest to play. Most will tell a story and give a player more historical references. Recently I complete one of the master quest; Love Story. It is about the NPC “The Wise Old Man” and his long lost love “Zenevivia.” With completion of this quest I achieved 300 quest points.
Wade Lancaster 