Chapter 16: Regaling royalty
The next morning, they enter the centaur village like proud warriors returning victorious from glorious conquest. Cheering, hooting and trotting around Pip as if he was the hero of their campaign.
The streets of the village, however, bore a stark contrast to their joyous celebration.
Stone stables lined the roads, crumbling from disrepair. Markets stand half-abandoned as women roam the streets listlessly with sad, tired eyes.
And the men, the few that still remained, lay slouched and splayed out in shady corners, smoking numbing herbs while preaching about the Great Mother's divine punishment and the virtues of celibacy to anyone that would listen.
"The curse is a gift!" one yells from a street corner, his manhood wrapped tightly in white cloth. "The Great Mother cleanses us! Forsake the pounding of flesh! Embrace the divine providence of celibacy!"
Pip surveys the village as they move, his core crystal droning softly as he watches the sad scenes around him.
His HUD flickers.
[ New Location Discovered: Centaur Village, The Green Sea]
[Population: 782]
[Males: 118. Females: 664]
[Local Affection Level: 12%]