Congratulations people of Terra-127, you have been chosen for an event!
For the next 100 days the branches of Yggdrasill will extend into this realm, accessible through archways located throughout the world. Yggdrasill is home to a great number of treasures from a great number of realms, the greatest of which are the fruits of Yggdrasill. Beware though, as treasures are rarely without their guardians.
The notification sent ripples throughout the world. Every organization across Anlasser was sent scrambling. The search for the Yggdrasil was launched within minutes of the notification appearing, the Adventurers Guild leading the charge. While it was underway the notification itself was studied and picked apart by some of the highest level System Researchers available.
Within an hour every inch of the continent was scoured, a total of three archways being discovered. Their discovery led to another, much less pleasant one, they could not be entered. Or rather, they could not be entered by anyone Tier 2 or higher. Whenever they tried the branches making up the archway would grab the offender and toss them far away. Even the fastest Speedster or the most powerful Spacial Magus couldn’t get past those branches.
An hour after the discovery a meeting was held. In attendance was every king, emperor, president and guild leader from every corner of the continent. The room was filled with tension, each figure eyeing each other with calculated looks. More than one of them was at war with other people in the room and if it wasn’t for the Event the room would already have been destroyed in a fight.
“Ahem. I think we all know why we’re here, so let’s begin.” The voice that broke the silence belonged to Carter, the head of the Adventurers Guild and the agreed upon mediator for the meeting. Since the Event was at least somewhat under his domain and he was one of only three politically neutral parties present the choice had been obvious. “Here’s what we know. The Archways only allow Tier 1’s through. This has been confirmed from a variety of sources.”
Exclamations rang out from multiple people across the room. Those that didn’t were the ones who either knew already or simply didn’t care. The leaders of the smaller countries knew where they stood on the ladder and had already given up on entering Yggdrasill. To them the news was welcome, higher tiers would have given the other countries a greater chance to gather wealth.
Carter waited until everyone had quietened down and, when it became clear that wasn’t going to happen, he snapped his fingers. The thunderous shock wave that came form it nearly blew a dozen men and women off their seats but it had the desired effect of shutting people up.
“Apologies for that, but as I am sure you all are aware, we are currently on a time limit and every second we waste complaining or dick-measuring is another lost treasure and I am absolutely sure everyone n this room doesn’t want that.” Carter paused for a split second. “Uh, except for you President Mocambe. I know your country has a strict anti-greed policy and I would never accuse you of being greedy.” President Mocambe nodded his thanks from where he was seated
“Alright, we’ve got a lot to get through so if everyone could hold their silence until the end that would be appreciated. Our researchers have been analyzing the notification but they haven’t come up with much other than theories. The phrase ‘rarely without their guardians’ suggests that Yggdrasil will be dangerous.”
“At the same time the fact that the greatest treasure is a fruit suggests that at least some of the treasures will be organic on nature. The words ‘branches’ and ‘fruit’ suggest a tree or shrub based environment, likely massive in proportions, but we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Rivers and roads both have branches and if people go in expecting a tree and end up drowned it’ll be our asses on the line.”
“The line ‘great number of realms’ bears a mention. As I’m sure you’re all aware, the multiverse extends far beyond the elemental realms. The researchers have raised a serious probability that Yggdrasill contains a method to travel to other realms or is perhaps a the method itself. Anyone we send may encounter threats none of us have ever seen. They may not even return to this world.”
Carter paused to let the revelations sink in. “I want to make one thing clear, this is an Event. The only other Event to have ever occurred in the history of this planet raised our civilization to new heights and allowed us to gain a beachhead on Endspiel. This Event may give us what we need to retake Endspiel completely. I know that temptations will be high, but as long as we don’t fight for small profits now we can gain major profits later on.”
“To that end, I wish to propose a plan. As of right now the Adventurers Guild has 50 well trained Tier 1’s. While I would be more comfortable sending only them in I know that no one would ever agree to that, so I propose that everyone here send in fifty Tier 1’s each. That way no one has an unfair advantage and everyone will have an equal chance to profit.”
The proposal was met with a few arguments and complaints but eventually everyone agreed. Plenty wanted to send in more but Carter pointed out that sending in more people would just mean more funerals. As it was the likelihood of the fifty returning was small.
After everyone had agreed Carter spoke again. “Now that we know who is going in, let’s talk about what to do afterward. The restriction of Tiers suggests two possibilities; either the treasures are only useful to Tier 1’s, which is unlikely, or the Event is meant to help the Tier 1’s in their future growth. Either way, I propose that we let those who enter Yggdrasill keep any of the treasures they find, and that we all sign a System Treaty stating so.”
Carters second proposal was like a slab of meat dropping into a piranha nest, creating immediate chaos and noise. Carter couldn’t help but sigh at the decidedly negative reaction. The problem he had with leaders was their perspective. Ever since the event began the various leaders had been thinking about what they could do with the treasures, who they could give them to or how they could use them. In essence, they had already thought of the treasures as theirs, not for a moment did the thought that treasures gained by their citizens as belonging to the citizens.
Carter held up a hand to try and stall them and, when that didn’t work, he positioned his fingers together as if he was about to snap them. The room immediately quietened.
“I would just like to point out that I am not proposing that the Tier 1’s be forced to keep the treasures, just that they won’t be forced to give them up. Treasures given freely or sold for a fair price are perfectly fine.”
That squashed most if not all of the arguments, if only because arguing any further would set the leaders in a bad light right in front of people who would not hesitate to use it against them. Eventually everyone agreed to the proposal, at least in theory. The meeting still continued for another four hours as the fine details of the proposals were hammered out but eventually it was concluded.
Exactly one day after the meeting was concluded hundreds of people were arranged in front of each of the three archways, all of them split into groups of fifty.
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Johann was brushing Malek,s fur. It was something he’d done since a kid whenever he was nervous. He’d done it every time before a test and whenever Torin went off on another crazy plan. Before he asked out Jenny in grade 9 Malek had ended up looking the best he’d ever done. In the days before his initialization he’d even considered plaiting Malek’s fur to see if it would help.
The notification had appeared three hours previously and Sergei had left almost immediately to see what was going on, leaving Johann and Malek alone in the grove. Johann started off getting used to his new spells, casting both until he ran out of mana, but eventually he ended up brushing Malek’s fur while worrying for the next few months.
He doubted that he’d take part in the Event but he figured that all the higher tiered adventurers would, leaving him without a teacher for the next hundred days. Granted, he didn’t really need one, but it would still be harder to train without Sergei’s help.
Johann was just beginning to wonder if he could somehow use [Grasping Roots] to fashion a proper brush when an archway grew out of the ground, Sergei appearing a moment later. Johann watched expectantly as Sergei let out a big sigh and ran his hand over his face before staring at Johann.
After a few seconds he sighed once again. “Kid, did you do this?”
“Do what?” Johann asked, confused.
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“The Event. Did you somehow create it? Did it come because of you?” Sergei asked
“What? No. Why would think that?” Johann asked, even more confused.
Sergei stared at him for a few more seconds. “Sorry kid, had to ask. Way, way too many coincidences.”
Sergei slumped down into a tree seat. “The big guys in the guild have sent word. The Event is probably tree or plant based, in other words perfect for a Druid, and restricted to Tier 1’s. The whole thing seems like it’s made for you, the guy already who has the ridiculous Trait.”
Johanns eyes widened as Sergei’s words sank in.
“Yup, you’re going in. Higher ups say the fifty rookies are stepping up. You, along with about a thousand others. Every country and guild on the continent are sending in their top fifty Tier 1’s, and you’ll be one of them. You, along with your team, which is the next thing we need to talk about.”
Sergei reached into a pocket and pulled out a small sheet of paper which he handed a still stunned Johann. Looking at the sheet Johann found the words Tank, Healer, Melee Attacker and Rogue written across the top with three boxes under each labeled 1,2 and 3.
“That sheet is your teammate request sheet. The three months of fighting weren’t just to get you used to fighting in a team, they were also so you could see who you work best with. Put the names of who you want on your team in order of who you’d prefer most. Once everyone’s sheets are in we’ll put you in teams that work best for everyone. I suggest you don’t think too much about it. I’m pretty sure I know who you’re going to put down and I’ll bet my left nut you’re at the top of their lists as well.”
Sergei smiled. He remembered when he was still a rookie agonizing for hours over who to put down only to find out that his top choices had put him down as well. His smile turned a touch melancholy as he remembered what had become of his team.
“Besides,” he added, “You only have a few hours to choose we want these teams set up asap so you better hurry.”
Johann took the pen Sergei offered him and got to work. The top names were easy, Gloria, Torin, Mary and Geoffrey occupying those spots. Johann felt a little guilty putting Geoffrey instead of Henri but even though Johann liked Henri better as a person his clumsiness could be lethal in an Event like this. Johann did put him second though, along with Rosa for the second tank slot.
The rest of the slots Johann filled with the people who were least annoying amongst the rookies. He’d had difficulty making friends with any of the other rookies ever since the … nickname. Johann looked up from the sheet to give Sergei a dirty look before returning to the sheet, leaving Sergei completely confused.
Johann quickly finished the sheet and handed it to Sergei and the two of them, along with Malek, returned to the training island through [Natures Trail]. After telling Johann to wait there Sergei disappeared, heading off to parts unknown at speeds faster than Johann’s eyes could see.
Johann had barely a moment to think about what to do next when he was tackled by a flying Torin. Even with his much higher stats Johann still ended up on the ground under his twin. A moment later Sharptooth joined the pile along with Malek who didn’t want to be left out.
Johann struggled for a few seconds to shift the pile of bodies off him before he simply gave up and used his new ace in the hole, [Icy Fog]. Using the minimal amount of mana Johann poured out the fog to create a small patch just above his body.
A fifth of a second later Johann found himself free.
“Oh holy crap that was cold, what the hel was that?” Torin exclaimed, now several feet away and vigorously rubbing his arms.
“Serves you right, I told you not to tackle him.” The voice of Johann’s other friend Gloria spoke up a moment before the lady herself appeared, bending down to offer him a hand while ignoring the fog like it wasn’t even there. “Hi Johann, how are you? See, that’s a normal way to greet someone.” The first part she said to Johann but the second was directed to Torin.
Torin shrugged. “Who ever said I was normal?”
Gloria paused. “Good point. Anyways, how are you doing Johann? The last we saw of you Sergei wanted a ‘Talk’ and then you disappeared for a month, what happened?” Gloria asked Johann.
Johann chuckled. “You won’t believe it, but Sergei’s actually my mentor. Turns out he’s actually a Druid.”
Both Gloria and Torin looked surprised. “Now way” “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Turns out he’s something called a ‘Primal Druid’. No idea what that means but he’s the real deal, even swore the mentors oath.” Johann said
“Oh holy hel, I’m so sorry Johann, the last month must have been horrible.” Gloria said, commiserating in Johann’s misfortune.
Johann shook his head. “It actually wasn’t. Turns out Sergei’s ‘Asshole Tormentor’ routine was just an act, he’s not too bad when he’s not trying to get people to quit.”
Gloria frowned. “Are you sure? I mean, he really seemed to enjoy it.”
Johann nodded. “No, I’m sure. He’s been really nice as a mentor.” He paused. “Actually, now that I think about it, he did leave me on a stormy mountain for a week, and I had to spend a month as a wolfhound. Huh, maybe he isn’t nice.”
“You spent a month as a wolfhound?” Torin asked, an incredulous look on his face.
“Yeah, you didn’t?” Johann asked, feigning a look of confusion.
“No, why would I?”
Johann reached over and patted Torin on the shoulder. “Aww, don’t worry little brother, you’ll get there eventually.” Johann said with a grin. He didn’t even see Torins fist strike his stomach, but fortunately he didn’t have to as he had already formed a [Mana Barrier] to protect himself. The hit still cracked the barrier somewhat, making Johann wonder just how much force Torin was putting in those punches.
“Arrgh, stupid Druid! And who are you calling little, tiny brother?”Torin said.
Johann smirked. “You may be tall, but you haven’t even transformed into an animal yet.”
“Since when did that become a thing?!” Torin exclaimed.
“Don’t worry, you’ll find out when you’re old-” Johann couldn’t finish his excellent quip as he was rudely interrupted by Gloria kindly asking them to stop talking in her standard way; by grabbing their heads and smacking them together.
“Ow!” “Gods woman, why?!”
“We haven’t seen each other for over a month, I’d prefer if our reunion didn’t have to involve violence.” Gloria said.
“But you’re the on-” Johann quickly clamped a hand over Torin’s mouth and apologized to Gloria.
“You’re right, sorry Gloria. So, how have you been doing?” He asked, trying to change the subject.
Gloria’s look of faint exasperation transformed into a wide grin. “Amazing. The guild really is something, even though my mentor isn’t someone with shape-shifting abilities they still managed to hire another Rakshasa to help me with my shape-shifting. Her name is Meliana and she is really nice. She helped me so much with my abilities, to the point where I figured out how to take on the characteristics of another without a full tranformation. That’s what let me ignore your fog, I took on a Glacial’s cold resistance.”
By the time she had finished both boys eyebrows were threatening to join their hairline and abandon their eyes forever.
“That’s amazing Gloria!” Johann said.
“Very amazing.” Agreed Torin. “I’m jealous. Here you two are, going through amazing experiences and learning how to transform into stuff which, why is that suddenly a thing? Did everyone agree to do it and forget to tell me? I mean, Gloria I can understand, but why are you suddenly turning into stuff?” Torin asked Johann.
Johann laughed. “Calm down, I never learned how to transform into a wolfhound. I used an item Sergei gave me and it was to master my [Animal Attunement], not for fun.”
“Aha!” Torin exclaimed, raising a fist in the air triumphantly. “I knew that wasn’t a thing. I’m still the big brother!”
Johann was about to respond when Gloria cleared her throat, shutting him up. “anyways, I’m guessing you guys know about what’s happening with the Event, right?” Gloria and Torin nodded. “Who’d you guys put for melee and healer?”
Gloria had agreed with Johann vis-à-vis the melee; Henri was simply too clumsy. Torin had put Henri above Geoffrey stating that a bit of chaos was far more fun than a well executed plan. Gloria slapped him. Other than that the rest of their choices had been relatively similar in that they didn’t much care for people outside of their friend group. They made sure to put down competent choices, even Torin, but weren’t too fussed who they got if they couldn’t have their friends.
Speaking of which, their friends had by that point shown up. While they had been talking more and more people had been showing up, arriving in whatever fashion their mentor chose to travel in. Portals were by far the more common mode of transport, being the most reliable form of long distance spacial travel, but there were plenty of more exotic entrances, including one rookie who’s mentor had apparently decided to just grab him and jump to the island, their arrival leaving a small crater in the ground.
The reunion was cut short as Sergei reappeared and started shouting. “Alright, alright, settle down! I know you’re all excited to see me again but we have a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in! By now each of you have filled in a Teammate Request Sheet. You’ll soon be put into your teams but while that’s being sorted out it’s fallen to me, the lovely and wonderful Sergei, to brief you on what’s about to happen!”
“So, here is how tomorrow is going to go!”