“There it is!~” Ravina sang into the air as she spied the Adventurer's guild. The building, a truncated two-story structure, occupied a prominent spot in the bustling town square. Squashed between a decaying herb house and a smoldering smithery, the guild house stood out strongly with these dark and depressing places. Curiously, it was the herb house that seemed to attract the most foot traffic.
The once green paint on the herb house had faded under the sun's relentless rays, revealing the dark, weather-beaten boards underneath. Despite being only a single story, it stood tall enough to house a young tree within. The narrow structure could accommodate only a handful of people. Its tall, slender chimney spewed smoke just as well as the open door, while the adjacent open storage area was bounded by a metal fence, now overtaken by ivy. This very space, cluttered with worn-out tables and desks laden with boxes of herbs and powders, was a hub of activity. Customers, haulers, and even guild representatives all busied themselves here.
The smithery, originally a pristine open-air white edifice, revolved around a high-quality forge. This forge had bathed the white wall in soot and ash. Blackening everything in the area and was definitely responsible for the surrounding storefronts giving up trying to keep their own areas tidy. The bright midday sun somewhat overshadowed the forge's glow. Sturdy iron tables and containers were arranged systematically under the shelter, showcasing an array of gleaming weapons and various rustic tools catching stray sunbeams from their open crates.
And then there was the Adventurers guild itself; the second story seemed as if they ran out of materials, cut lazily in half. Still, the large building could fit everyone in the square inside and more. It was a simple construction, redwood planks interlocked inside each other—a foreign feat long adopted by the guild to both show off its mastery of crafts and also save on the cost of screws. Traces of soot and ash from the adjacent smithery smeared across one side, gradually fading as they extended rightward where a destitute sea of green grew to swallow the building itself.
For most passersby, the structure appeared as just another aging building flanked by equally timeworn establishments. Yet, for Ravina, it was a sight to behold. In many ways, she had eagerly anticipated this discovery. The guild epitomized the fantasy realm for her, as magical and awe-inspiring as any elf she might encounter.
Unfortunately, despite crossing paths with countless creatures of this world, she had yet to eye an elf.
"Look! Look! It's the Adventurer's Guild!" The age-worn buildings couldn't diminish the young girl's enthusiasm as she grasped Aurelia's arm with one hand and pointed with the other. Dressed in a simple travel garb, Ravina was hidden in the light colored sand shirt tucked into a pair of grey pants while a deep green cloak covered half her body. Aurelia however was dressed in her previous combative attire. Not only was it a subtle dress that protected her vitals and allowed her elegant movements, but it was also quite comfortable. And as a long standing member of the guild, Aurelia figured there was no point in hiding her identity and Ravina agreed.
Ravina herself however was going as Emilay Grant, the forlorn daughter of a fallen noble, The tale went that Aurelia, honoring a promise made to Emilay's deceased mother, had kindly taken the young girl under her wing. The narrative was one of tragedy, devised to evoke sympathy and deter further prying.
Ravina was quite proud of the story. Shamelessly taken from her favorite light novel. For the story of course, and not because of its skillfully told 18+ material…
While Ravina almost dragged Aurelia behind her in her excitement, the older woman smiled at her uncouth enthusiasm. Something like a memory brought her mind to when she first joined the guild herself. Much like Ravina, Aurelia pulled her father behind her, excited to join him on his daring adventures. It was so long ago… she shook the thought from her mind as they crossed the open threshold.
The first thing you noticed when you entered the adventurer's guild was the smell. Fine oil filled your nose. It mixed with the fruity aroma of alcohol both fine and crude, but there was far more oil stained into the floorboards than drink spilled.
A mere twelve steps would lead you to the reception desk. This station was manned by a guild associate whose primary role was to direct individuals to their appropriate destinations—whether that be an unhindered view of the expansive message board that dominated the entire left wall or a detour to the right leading to the spacious tavern-style bar. This reception area of the guild primarily served to swiftly process requests and review tasks for its members. It was also the designated space for adventurer registrations.
"I still can't believe I agreed to this," Aurelia murmured to herself. Despite its charm, adventuring was quite dangerous. Yet here she was bringing a girl she was hired to protect to apply for a position with the highest mortality rate. Nevertheless, she let herself be led to the reception desk where a middle-aged woman sat.
The woman's face displayed mature lines that deepened with her smile. She studied the young girl through slender-framed glasses, her faded brown hair neatly tied into a bun. She adjusted the amber sleeves of the adventurer's uniform she donned and ensured her collar was in place.
"Good morning, Aurelia!" Her voice, brimming with cheerfulness, resonated like a gentle bell chiming in the breeze. “And to what do we owe the pleasure of having a glorious knight enter our shabby abode?” her eyes twinkled in the light of her soft jest.
“Knock it off, Patricia.” Aurelia dismissed her in an attempt to distract herself from the heat tickling her face.
Patricia, feigning shock, stifled a laugh, "As you wish, my lady knight!"
"You know, Patricia, perhaps you should bow. Go on, I'll wait," Aurelia said with a smirk, propping her elbow on the table and signaling Ravina, who fell back with nerves, to come closer.
“At once your grace!~” Patricia quipped. Instead of a bow, she quickly raised her arm, flicking Aurelia on the forehead. "Now, get your hands off my pristine counter," she admonished.
Ravina cautiously moved forward after Aurelia’s signal only to find her repealed back by a… well, modest looking woman.
“Oh, stuff it.” Aurelia said as she looked past her, “Gil isn’t here.”
“Yet, you know he has a habit of turning the corner when you least expect it!”
“For fu–Cia, He’s out of town!”
"Exactly my point! I'd least expect him to be here right now!"
After a moment of bickering, Aurelia introduced her charge.
“This is… uh,” it took a painfully long time and a few blinks but she finally managed, “Ravin!”
Her words caused Ravina to winch. They had rehearsed this. And despite the effort Ravina had exerted in crafting a compelling pseudonym, Aurelia seemed quite incapable of lying.
Farewell, Emily Grant. Gone too soon.
Patricia, hiding a knowing smile, played along and procured a clipboard with a pre-prepared form. Ravina didn’t know, but aliases were quite the norm here. The guild seldom concerned itself with moral dilemmas, operating more on a 'don't ask, don't tell' principle regarding potential infractions. After all, the guild needed jobs completed–not laws.
"And can 'Ravin' spell her own name?" Patricia inquired with a hint of mischief.
With a small laugh, Aurelia answered for her, “Of course.”
“Amazing, and at such a young age.”
“W-well I mean–”
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“Lia, you really need to let the young girl handle these things.” with a soft chuckle, Patricia pushed the clipboard to Ravina. “So, Ravin, you just need to fill this out and bring it to the kitty corner over there. Careful not to get scratched.”
"Kitty corner?" Ravina echoed, directing her gaze past Patricia to the indicated desk. It was a slender section, an extension of the expansive desk that spanned the entire length of the building. This design effectively shielded the wall and the trio of doors behind it from public access. The registration desk was tucked away in a corner, seemingly encroached upon by another section labeled “small parts turn-in.”
“Careful not to get scratched,” Patricia repeated with a smile.
“Oh… kay…” picking up the clipboard Ravina took the paperwork to the section of chairs while Aurelia and Patricia caught up.
“I can't believe you became a knight. And for the count no less.”
“Yeah, well… things kinda happened.”
“Thanks at a bar, with someone else paying?”
“Wha- but I mean, it's not like I don't have the skill.”
“Oh sure, your temperament matches your blade, I'm sure.”
Tuning out their conversation, Ravina pulled the pen from its setting at the top of the clipboard and looked over the form. The crisp clear lettering of the form looked like they used a typewriter, which would make sense given the exacting detail, but did seem oddly advanced for everything else she had seen already. Still, the form was more complicated than she would ever expect.
ADVENTURER’S GUILD REGISTRATION FORM.
If you cannot read this, please seek help at the front desk.
Self-filled form requires members to accurately fill out the details of themselves to the best of their knowledge. When filling out the form please provide a self-ranking of skills, for example, for Combat Skill Weapon Proficiency if Sword is filled please indicate a skill level between 1(Basic Knowledge) and 5 (Mastery). Please note you will be tested in all aspects above skill level 1.
Name:
Race/Species:
Age:
Emergency Contact:
Reason for application:
COMBAT SKILL;
Weapon Proficiency:
Hand-to-hand combat:
Tactics and Strategy:
SURVIVAL SKILLS;
Tracking:
Hunting and Fishing:
Fire-making:
Shelter Building:
Foraging:
MAGECRAFTS;
Primary School; Fire / Water / Earth / Dark / Light / Green
Spell casting:
Magical Knowledge:
Spell Sense:
Natural Resistance:
Astronomical Sign:
SOCIAL SKILLS;
Negotiation:
Languages Spoken:
Etiquette:
CRAFTSMANSHIP:
Basic smithing:
Leatherworking:
Cooking:
Other:
MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE:
First aid:
Herbal medicine:
Apothecary:
BASIC KNOWLEDGE:
Geography:
History:
Monster Knowledge:
Animal Knowledge:
Plant Knowledge:
SKULLDUGGERY:
Sneaking:
Lock picking:
Disarming traps:
TRAVEL ABILITIES:
Climbing:
Swimming:
Riding:
Navigation:
MISCELLANEOUS SKILLS:
Bartering:
Service:
Performance:
Seamanship:
Weather prediction:
I hereby declare that the above information is true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any false representation may result in the annulment of my guild membership but not the dissolution of any responsibilities or obligations I may have towards the guild.
Initial ___
Date:______
Signature:____________ Printed Name:____________
- - - - - - - - - - - The Rest is to be filled out by the Guild Representative. - - - - - - - - - -
DO NOT MARK!
Application filled out by: Associate / Self
Visual Health: 1 2 3 4 5
Competency: 1 2 3 4 5
Recommendations: Yes / No, Who:______________
Application Fee: Paid / Due / Waved
Entry Fee: Paid / Due
The list was rather daunting but Ravina felt she could easily tackle it. Little did she know, however, that this simple form would defeat her so utterly...