Welcome to Gaia! ::

A port city northwest of the Shattered Lands that is ruled by a gruff old pirate named Reddas. Though he may have the look of a brigand, Reddas is quite cultured and by no means an uncivilized swashbuckler. His reign has brought order to the otherwise lawless port of Balfonheim, and has thus kept him free of the Empire's ever-watchful gaze.

With the westernmost docks in the world, Balfonheim is the final stop before setting sail across the ocean back to the eastern ports of Meribia and Tokyo. Some have called the port city the "Gateway to the East", though that is not quite accurate when you consider there's quite an expanse of water between Balfonheim and the eastern cities.

At first glance, Balfonheim seems like a harmless (except, perhaps, to your wallet) stop on the map. Yet you will find (especially if you have a chance to speak with Reddas) that there are several secrets and adventures to be uncovered by those who seek them.

So, drink up, me hardy's! Yo-HO!

The water splashed to the side as the shining white ship, the Dragonship Destiny came to a halt in the port. Standing on the helm of this prized vehicle was none other than Ryo, seemingly proud and overzealous. "Men, guard the Destiny and pay the dock keeper. I will return shortly!" He spoke, grabbing a small bag of gold and a map of Balfonheim he had picked up during the time he had spent preparing for the voyage.

Looking at this now prized posession, he quickly targetted the home of Reddas..."I see. I wonder if he still lives there? This place is old, and its changed quite a bit, but hopefully it shouldn't be so far off..." He walked into the city, the gold still hanging from his belt.

At the docks of the port city, the word had spread like wildfire about the arrival of a great ship from the East. Some whispered that it was the legendary Dragonship Destiny of the White Knight, but most dismissed the thought as foolish, believing the vessel to be nothing more than myth. Still, the commanding presence of the ship and its captain made many uneasy, and even the bravest of thieves kept their distance from Ryo.

'Is that the White Knight?' one asked, backing away nervously. His friend smirked the boatsman's fear, but made no move to approach him.

'No way, I heard he's taller...and a beastman. That guy looks like a toothpick,' he mocked, watching him pass. Opinions and reactions varied amongst the locals as he continued towards Reddas's manse. As Ryo made his way into town, the rumors began to quiet, though his presence was still making waves. A nearby couple spoke as if they had no idea he was there.

'When will Reddas do something about that damned beggar in the tavern?' the elder woman grumped, obviously displeased with this alleged beggar. 'All she does is sit there and tell stories and sell those weird items all day, using the money to buy herself another meal! It's a scam, I tell you!'

The man next to her nodded nervously, his face barely betraying his disagreement. 'She doesn't really seem to be hurting anyone...does she? I mean, it's a legitimate business so long as she's not scammin' anyone, aye?'

The woman slapped his arm angrily, and the man jumped, then cowered in fear. 'You're only sayin' that bout that tramp cause you think she's better lookin' than me!' she accused him, prompting a quick response.

'N-never dear! You know you're the most beautiful...' he trailed off, blithering apologies and begging forgiveness. She seemed disinclined to grant it...

"I'm Takkar, nice to meet you! And there's nothing wrong with your clothes, you just don't see clothes that nice in Balfonheim very often. Where are you from?" the eager gentleman questioned, his attitude and unabashed enthusiasm drawing disapproving looks from around the

Ryo's ear inclined towards the couple, although he had made no motion that would have shown he was listening to those around him thus far. Taking the initiative, he turned and stopped near the couple. "Hey, uh, sorry to bother ya buddies, but could you tell me where to find this old woman? I'm looking for something unique myself, and I, uh..." Ryo smirked, seeming a bit nervous, which while normally that might have been true, seemed to be for effect to make him seem perhaps more baffoonish and regular to the general.

"Uh, I have some gold, and I don't know my way around the city...I thought I might ask." Ryo lifted the bag from his belt, but accidentally dropped it onto the table, revealing the large amount of money actually present within the small sack. "I, uh, don't know the going rate around here, but..."

The old couple gawked at the bag of gold the stranger produced, all their worries forgotten.

"Lad, for that type of money I'll CARRY you to meet 'er..." the old man laughed, standing precariously from the table and stretching his aching back. The woman continued staring at the bag as if she had never seen anything like it. It was certainly more money than she had seen in a long, long time.

"The Whitecap Tavern is this way, in the corner of the town square..." the villager told him, heading off in the direction he pointed.

The elderly gentleman walked down the streets faster than he had in years, bumping into a few random people who glanced at he and the stranger in annoyance. Whispers continued to spread about the gallant looking newcomer from the docks, not all of them inviting nor entirely uninviting. Nevertheless, the old man's purposeful stride brought them to the town square sooner than expected.

"There she is, the Whitecap...hope you find what you're lookin' for," the man told the captain with a toothy grin, before scurrying back to his wife to enjoy their reward.


The whispers in the Town Square were loud as well, but this time they had nothing to do with the White Knight and everything to do with the mysterious woman. A group of men nearby laughed, remembering their meeting with her.

'She was gorgeous! Them' dark eyes were somethin' differnt', weren't they?' one remembered fondly, getting a smack on the head from his friend.

'She was lookin' at me the whole time!' he glared, prompting his friend to argue vehemently.

'Quit dreamin'!' the third laughed, 'she's obviously into REAL men, like me.' Their argument continued, before drifting off into some other subject.

Nearby, another group of men and women remembered her in a much less favorable manner.

'Tain't right, I tell ya...just sittin' there sellin' what she finds n' usin it to eat...there's gotta be somethin' more to it...scammin' wench...' a man spat. The woman to his left agreed.

'Up to no good, she is...someone oughtta kick her outta here before she robs us all blind!'


The sentiments varied as such throughout the square, but one thing was certain, and that was that people were talking.

Many wary eyes casted their gaze upon the well-dressed newcomer in the tavern. He had a favorable look about him that looked out of place in the joint that was the Whitecap Bar. Many men whispered profanities, having imbibed more than enough alcohol to deprive them of their inhibitions. A few women shared the same lack of inhibition, though not all of their whispers were unfavorable.

As the knight neared the bar, a man could be heard complaining to the bartender quite boisterously about some recent hardship.

'And I tell you, that thing didn't do ANYthing! That wench is a liar...you should have her thrown in the dock, not just lettin' here sit there like that! It's a disgrace...' The bartender shook his head, cleaning out a mug before refilling it for the inebriated patron.

"Take it easy, Aren," he tried calming the customer. "You're drunk...and besides, she's good for business. People come from all over to see the weird things she's got..." The bartender trailed off, tending to another patron. Still, he noticed out of the corner of his eye the regal Meribian approaching his bar.