And thus, after a surprising meeting with his new friend, Bakkla (And dark-skinned John) pranced their way into young adulthood.
The two youths had many adventures through their city, mischievous and at times morally questionable, but still did they find eachother good company. They fought in play-fights, they pranced about acting like noble warriors and wicked wizards, they saw who could steal more things from people in their respective sides of the city. (Bakkla always won)
In the meanwhile, Bakkla pursued his newfound interest in illusionism. The performer disappeared almost as suddenly as he came, and some for the first few weeks he was stuck waving a dirty stick around like a lunatic where he thought none could see him. John found for him a book on the other end of the city, and, though disappointed him by revealing the blackjack was required, took great pleasure in seeing his friend grinning like an idiot at the colorful pictures.
John, Bakkla found, was taking a profound interest in adventuring. "I'd like to become a spellsword," he had said, staring over the city wall, "so that I'd be able to get the best of both worlds, you know? Think we could climb over?" His feisty smirk didn't seem to waver in the slightest when he was reminded they'd probably be shot if they tried.
At times, the smaller of the two confided to John that they wished to always be together.
But, as that conflicting set of circumstance was wont to do, adulthood seemed like it was bound for separating the pair forever. And that was a fear that set the silver-haired teen into a tizzy of uncomfortable feelings. Once you were eighteen, you were kicked out of the orphanage and made to strike out on your own, in or out of the grim city.
And when that night struck, the two found themselves together at the nearby pub.
"I just... don't know what to do, really," Bakkla admitted, hair frizzled from the night of drinking. "I mean, what are my talents good for? Do I become a professional thief? Maybe I could come with you on your voyage and act as a pack mule."
The other young man, by comparison, was barely functioning. He picked himself up from the bar, mug of ale in danger of slipping from those rough fingers of his. "You should... you should follow your dreams, like I'm doin'," he said, "you always liked those illusionist boys, right?" He slapped Bakkla's shoulder a little too hard, pulling the other youth in with a cheeky smile. "Go on. Apply to become an apprentice, or whatever."
Bakkla gulps. "Alright," he says, standing up, hoping there's a performer somewhere around town.
Your name is Bakkla. You have a rather submissive disposition, but on the flipside, you are responsible and not easily tempted. You also have a penchant for thievery, and some knowledge of how to utilize illusions, though you've never put it into practice. Additionally, you have a slight feeling you may not be human. I mean, silver hair?
You make yourself stand up, despite the pounding headache seemingly intent on making your skull cave in. You recognize yourself on one of the roads to Dustton, your city (your OLD city, you remind yourself - technically, you're homeless). You try to remember what happened last night as you pick up your things, thanking God no one seemed to have stolen from you.
You realize you have a pamphlet from the International Institution of Illusions and Imagination, or "four Is". As you continue to read it, your face seemingly blanches as white as your hair. You've been accepted as a possible member of the Institution, and have been assigned a tutor, which you're supposed to meet... today. And there's going to be a test of your aptitude in six months.
But, as you've said before, you've never conjured an illusion in your life!
You shiver with embarassment. What do you do? Perhaps you could meet your tutor and tell them there's been a big misunderstanding. Etiher way, you need to pick a direction to go in to meet them. It says that you're supposed to meet them in...
[ ] Atania, to the north. A friendly town, hidden in the mountains and usually welcoming to travellers. Many of the people there are beastfolk, and rumor has it the mayor is actually a dragon.
[ ] Paiderum, to the west. A rather strange city, allowing travelers as long as they don't break any of the city's strict rules. Many of the people there are, well, humans. Would they really accept such a suspicious character as you?
[ ] Mapahaki, to the east. It exists in a sweltering desert, dry and unforgiving. The town itself, though, seems like a paradise in comparison - flowing water, the sound of song and mirth heard all through the night, the works. Rumors of something dark and ominous lying underneath the surface, however, float by. Many of the people there are elven.
[ ] Nandor, to the southwest. You gulp. Whereas Mapahaki only has rumors of villainy, this place is seemingly open about it's relative corruption. Slavery, public humiliation and even legal extrajudicial killings are commonplace. There is a surprisingly large population of illusionists here, however. Many of the people there are nagas.
[ ] The... wilderness?! (Write-in for what kind of wilderness)