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Practically dancing around her room, Zoe was busy prepping her backpack for her first quests with a new party. She thought sheprobably couldn’t participate in their trial quest, already being a copper level adventurer. However, she could offer her support and watch them in action. Mr. Spooky, her cellar orb weaver familiar, put the tip of a leg down onto her nose to get her attention and then pointed at the cabinet holding her potions.
“Ooo! I’ll give you a treat later, I can’t believe I almost forgot those,” Zoe exclaimed. She started shoving the potions into her bag haphazardly like everything else she had packed. A soft knock on her door made her jump. “Eeep! I mean, uhh, yes mom?”
Opening the door to her bedroom, a strikingly similar satyr wearing a simple tunic with red flowers woven through her raven hair gestured grandiosely with a serving spoon. “Daughter of mine, don’t go destroying your room just because you have finally found a new party to adventure with. I can hear you through the walls. I am sure you will make a great first impression on them when you go questing.”
Blushing at her mother’s chastisement Zoe started poking two fingers together. “I know mom, I know. Thank you for writing the introduction letter for me. I was so scared approaching the party leader, but it worked!”
Zoe had been waiting in the adventurer’s guild for weeks looking for the right group to approach. Her last party had been comprised of entirely elves beside herself.While they had not treated her with any outward hostility, she knew she would never truly be part of their group. It didn’t matter if she had a common elvish name or not, as a satyr in the Tempest Treetops she would always be on the outside.
This band of new adventurers was already mixed, and there were other fae. Sure, satyrs, gnomes, and faeries all came from different parts of the fae plane, but they were more commonly found in the Seelie Court than the Unseelie. She knew that if she put her best hoof forward it might work out.
“I’m very happy that you potentially found a new party my little alfalfa sprout, but they still have to pass their trial quest do they not?” Blackreed asked.
Bundling up her pack, Zoe nodded. “Yeah, they do, but it shouldn’t be due to a lack of strength. All three of them have spent time at the academy. If anything, they may fail the character or representative portions of the trial, but my horns tell me they won’t.” Zoe toyed with a long curly strand of her hair. “The leader, Cire, was… umm, disarming? I almost felt comfortable enough to actually talk with him, like you or dad. Odd, right?”
Blackreed shrugged, then with a playful smile she gave her daughter a rambunctious hug. “I bet he has high Charisma and you are taken with him? As long as I get grand kids, I approve!”
“Goddesses above and below! No, mother, no.” Zoe shoved her smothering mom away from her and pouted as her cheeks flushed crimson. There really wasn’t any romantic interest in the elf with the golden hair, he made her feel comfortable was all. Now how was she going to be able to be around him without blushing.
“I am just joking dear. Besides, you know the rule, do not get involved with anyone else in the party. Other adventurers like when your father met me, completely fair. You never want there to be complexities when you are dividing the loot, or worse.”
Bringing focus back to the reality of adventuring wasn’t as bad as dousing her daughter with cold water, but it was close. Blackreed gave her another unavoidable squeezing hug. “You come back safe you hear. Now, get going, you have to get clear into the center of town from so far away. We can’t have anyone put a stain on the Darkwine name.”
While waiting for everyone to gather in the adventurer’s guild hall, Cire took another look over his new equipment. The sword staff, or glaive, Eliana had given him from the spoils of engagement with the gnolls had taken a bit of effort to get identified. However, after visiting a few weapon shops they finally found someone with enough skill. The leather clothing and accessories all came identified already by the shops.
Glaive of the Pack Leader – Phos Tribe
Description:
An exotic bladed weapon that provides long reach, significant striking power, and is effective against cavalry. While its major magical effects have been uncovered, there is significantly more history to this weapon. It needs to be identified by an expert to uncover its true potential.
Attack: 1d20 (Slicing) or 1d8 (Bludgeoning)
Rarity: Rare
Quality: Professional
Restrictions: 13 Strength minimum to use without a severe penalty.
Effects:
1. +1 morale to all party members.
2. +1 Critical Chance and +1d6 against mounts or mounted opponents.
3. Cleave Skill Ability – Once per day double the amount of damage inflicted for a single strike and +1 chance to sever your target.
Elven Leather Breeks
Description:
This is a mundane, but excellently crafted piece of clothing. These pants provide protection from environmental hazards and elements.
Rarity: Common
Quality: Professional
Effects:
1. +1 armor against slashing and piercing weapons.
2. +1 resistance to bleeding effects.
Elven Leather Jerkin
Description:
This is a mundane, but excellently crafted piece of clothing. This vest provides protection from environmental hazards and elements.
Rarity: Common
Quality: Professional
Effects:
1. +1 armor against slashing and piercing weapons.
2.
Minor Belt of Support
Description:
This basic magic item has been infused with earth mana to increase you ability to haul materials and goods. Recommended for use by laborers.
Rarity: Uncommon
Quality: Professional
Effects:
1. Increases the amount of weight that can be held without being encumbered by 10%.
2. When lifting large items +1 to Strength.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Shoes of Sure Footing
Description:
This is item has been crafted by an expert and imbued with a minor magical effect. A concentration of mana in the sole of the shoe provides the effect, when it wears out the item will lose its bonuses.
Rarity: Uncommon
Quality: Expert
Effects:
1. Increased movement speed by 10%.
2. Increased ability to move over difficult terrain by +1.
Leather Bracers of Basic Deflection
Description:
While not as robust or effective as a shield, these bracers offer the ability to deflect weapons. They were made with inset steel plates and hardened leather. They are mundane, but excellently crafted.
Rarity: Uncommon
Quality: Professional
Effects:
1. +1 chance to deflect or parry an incoming melee attack when using these bracers.
2. +1 armor against slashing weapons.
Unstoppable he was not, but Cire felt far better outfitted now than when the class had gone on its patrol. He had been hesitant to ask Selene for support in this fashion, but that had been his boar headed pride at work. In order to bring out his true potential he couldn’t wear armor, so he needed some specialty equipment.
More importantly, the leather clothing was far more durable than the cloth pants and shirts he kept wearing into battle. Cire didn’t have a blacksmithing, leatherworking, or inspection skill that let him see the durability rating of his items unfortunately. It was pretty obvious that leather would last longer and be easier to repair than cloth.
Selene had come with him and was doing her own cursory look over the quest posting. There was still some time until midday, but Cire expected that Fizz would arrive early. First day jitters wasn’t exactly what Cire would call it, but he felt energized and excited. He had a feeling he would be talking a bit too quickly and loud so he tried to consciously remind himself to slow down.
Philip and Lander the two frontliners from their student patrol group waved as they entered the hall together and spotted Cire. The trial quests were all within the walls of the
, and apparently it was common for people to watch from a distance. When Cire had learned this fact he had invited the two heavy armor wearing elves. He doubted either would be enticed to leave the academy, but it was nice to stay in touch and keep the connection fresh.
Barreling into the backs of the two brawny elves and then falling down in a disorganized heap was Zoe. She had rounded the corner without enough time to stop. Cire had been planning to introduce her to the two elves, as she would be observing their trial with them, but his plans were going to be less impactful.
Already on his way to greet Philip and Lander, Cire made the extra step and leaned down to offer Zoe a hand up.
“That didn’t look very fun. You did bump into the right people though. Zoe, meet Lander and Philip. They are both students at the academy, and from the same cohort as Fizz and I. Lander, Philip, meet Zoe. We haven’t actually worked together yet, but she is going to join our party prospectively to see if we mesh well together.”
Mr. Spooky waved his legs about regaining balance while perched on Zoe’s shoulder, and communicating his disappointment with her. Zoe took Cire’s hand and stood up giving him a nod and a small wave. Then the satyr bowed quickly to both Philip and Lander before scurrying out of the way, and over to where Selene was looking at the quest postings. She had learned that Selene’s tight-lipped nature meant that the two of them could be at ease with each others silence.
Smiling at Zoe’s awkward nature, he realized that the distraction was exactly what he had needed. Cire gave each of the two elves a forearm clasping handshake, “Thank you both for coming. Glad we could give you an excuse to get out of the academy while there is sunlight. Now, don’t heckle us too much, it wouldn’t do to be embarrassed in front of the auditor.”
Lander grinned wickedly, “We wouldn’t do that to you, maybe Fizz though. He is still an open target right?”
“Ohh, of course. You can really let him have it. Besides, I am still hoping that one of you chooses to join us.” Guiding the two to the bar, he bought them each a drink and they shared a laugh. After he made his way to Zoe’s side. He could see her cheeks still glowing crimson through the dim lighting of the hall like neon lights at midnight.
“You don’t worry about any of that now. I have some nerves myself. By all accounts the task should be simple, but that still has me a bit on edge.”
Sniffing, Selene rolled her eyes. “He’s talking big now, but only a few months ago he was running through the forest naked being chased by dire boars.”
Zoe’s eyes went wide as she took in what Selene had said, and she did a double take looking back and forth between the two. Her head tilted slowly to the side questioningly. Even Mr. Spooky seemed shrug his spindly legs in inquiry.
“Ugh, okay, it wasn’t a dire boar. It was a mountain lion and Charon dumped me naked in the snowline when he transported me from my home plane.”
Looking like a war between curiosity and shyness was playing out inside her head, Zoe look both perplexed and desperate to ask follow up questions.
Cire waved her queries aside, “I know you want to know more and I would be happy to fill you in if we work out. Let’s say during our first quest as a party after the trial we work on getting to know one another?”
Zoe nodded hurriedly. A clap of hands sounded to their side drawing all of their eyes. A plump, friendly looking female elf with auburn hair adorned by a thin gray streak smiled at them.
“So, you are my prospective adventurers? I am looking for Ciresil Eventide, Fizzilius Coppersprocket, Selene Silverstar, and Honeydrop Cinnamonswirl. I don’t see a fairy anywhere, or a gnome. Members of your party are missing?”
Caught of guard, Cire nodded slowly. Honey had signed up to be an adventurer and joined their trial? He knew she wanted to join them, but that she would be unlikely to be able to sway the frolic, the fairy equivalent of a town hall meeting. It was a very welcome surprise.
Out of breath and sorts, Fizz dashed into the guild hall with Honeydrop flitting beside him. The diminutive fairy had her traveling gear on, but if Cire had to bet most of her gear would be in Fizz’s pack. It was much easier for her to fly around without extra weight.
Cire was ecstatic, “Honey, you were able to convince them? That’s fantastic news!”
Looking very guilty, Honeydrop halted moving forward and buzzed in place before Cire. She toed the air and shimmied back and forth. Holding up a hand in a plaintive gesture she looked like she wanted to speak, but couldn’t form the words. It was Fizz who provided them.
“She’s doing it without their blessing and hoping they agree after she has signed up. I told her it was a terrible idea, but little Ms. Sparklebutt here thinks she can get away with it.”
Positively affronted, Honey flicked Fizz’s nose with a tiny finger. “They will agree once they know I am in a good party and it is truly what my heart is set on.”
The auditor looked amused watching the antics of the two latecomers. Having had enough, she clapped her hands sternly together to draw everyone's attention. Her voice was even, but authoritative, very motherly.
“I am Calliope Goldenspring, your guild auditor. We will be taking care of a minor infestation of dire gophers who have taken up residence in the royal Orchard of Dancing Winds. Once we get to the orchard I will give further instruction. Suffice it to say, word of your trial has gotten around and you should expect a bit of an audience.”
Cire knew better than to express any displeasure at her statement, but now he was worried about a host of issues. Primarily he was going over what he knew about the orchard. It had been a point of interest when he had asked about notable areas in town, but he didn’t have access and he hadn’t gotten out much so he had never laid eyes on the trees. It was a heavily guarded location with unpredictable and powerful wind currents near the eastern wall, that was about all he knew. Cire didn’t even know what type of fruit was grown there.
The other members of his team had varying reactions. Zoe looked mortified even though she wasn’t going to go through the trial. He guessed it was because there would be a large crowd watching them, and so far she had demonstrated clear social anxiety. Fizz didn’t seem to be affected one way or another, but Selene’s typically stoic countenance while in the Tempest Treetops gave way for a flash of a moment. A dark, painful, and intensely resentful expression was gone as quickly as it appeared. However, it was Honeydrop that let out a very unfairy-like groan before slapping both of her small hands over her mouth.
Calliope didn’t give anything away she walked over to the main doorway with the expectation that the group would follow her out and where she led them. To be fair, she was correct and the whole group gathered up behind her. There was a some jostling, but by the time they had made their way down the administrative pillar, and into the inner town proper, they were readily listening to the auditor’s explanation of their trial quest.
“Your group will be responsible for eradicating any gophers in the orchard that you can find today. For the quest to be a success you need to kill at least ten, but preferably twice that number. Now, we don’t expect you to dig them up, or burrow underground. That would be amusing though.
“The guild will be providing a full set of lures. You can set one off when you are ready and the little beasties will be drawn up out of the ground as long as it is giving off smoke. They will be in a bit of a frenzy because of the scent, so while they normally would not be aggressive that will not be the case when exposed to the lure. You are to approach this like an accepted quest from the guild. Any questions?”
Questions, Cire had plenty. He knew there was a balance between asking too many, and asking the right ones. They were being evaluated on more than their fighting prowess in the end.
“Yes, Auditor. Will you be giving us any additional information on the gophers preferred skills or typical stats? Any environmental dangers that we need to keep an eye out for?”
Her face a mask of indifference, Calliope shook her head in the negative.
“No. You will be expected to assess the conditions once we arrive. In fact, I will not be providing any assistance besides going to the orchard with you and providing the lures. For the rest of the day you should treat me as an observer only.”
Cire had expected that response, but felt it was important to ask in the first place. Looking to each of his other prospective party members, they weren’t official yet, he raised an eyebrow in question.
“Anyone else have anything they think we should inquire about? Any parameters that we might not be prepared for or have thought about?”
Selene rolled her shoulders, “Obviously it is expected that we do not damage any of the trees. Are there any special instructions for operating around them or the fruit?”
“The gardeners will be able to give you additional information regarding the state of the orchard,” Calliope’s responses were getting more clipped and it signaled an end to the questions.
The group made their way out of the dense inner neighborhoods around the pillars at the center of town. As the buildings spread apart and the roads widened their travel became easier. Each of the prospective professional adventurers began readying themselves. Even if the potential foe was little more than an overgrown pest, that didn’t mean it wasn’t dangerous.
Approaching the orchard, they could see the tops of trees poking over the thorny hedge wall. Glistening with still clinging morning dew, fist sized golden citrus fruits similar to a cross between a lemon and orange. However, the delectable looking fruit was glowing while swaying in a constant swirling wind. A faint tinkling sound made its way over the wall, but not a single gust followed.
Standing rigidly with regal bearing, two sky elf guards manned either side of the entrance they approached. Each held halberds with visible magic runes and wore armor tailored to their winged forms in the livery of house Tempestnight. This was the first time that Cire had seen sky elves outside of the central pillars, and most certainly the initial instance he had seen them performing such a function.
The guards were of note, but they hadn’t arrested the groups momentum like the crowd waiting bunched around the entrance. Selene’s siblings, a positively thrumming swarm of fairies, the majority of their classmates from the academy, and plenty of others that Cire couldn’t recognize at all. He was beginning to think that rushing things instead of keeping them under his hat was a bad idea.