Fantasy Adventure's Guild: Macindaw Lockdown (OPEN)

[Meekakitty]

Joseph's attention was draw to a young man who didn't seem like he was from the area. The mans carried himself comically which amused Joseph. His food had finally settled so he was ready to go, but he wanted to share a drink with the newcomer. He rose from his tableando waltz to the bar.

"Hey friend, how about you have a drink, on me," Joseph offered. He towered over the young man. Through the gaps of the mans collar, Joseph noticed the leather armor underneath. "Where do you hail from?"

Howling

 

[Howling]

The bar tender looked down at the counter that had just been struck by James’ hand, then glared up at the boy, his mouth opened and ready to give the lad a good scolding, when suddenly a large figure appeared outside of his peripheral. His words caught in his throat as he looked up to Joseph, his mouth now opening in slight shock as the large brute of a man offered this boy a drink.

James, however, looked up to Joseph with a bright smile on his face. “A handsome man offering me a drink? Can’t exactly turn that down!” James gave a playful wink before turning back to the bar keep, waiting for him to attend to his order.

The man, looked from James to Joseph, still in shock at the exchange, before his shoulder slowly raised and he grumbled something under his breath about stupid kids hurting his bar. He yelled over his shoulder, sending the message of James’ meal to the kitchen and began pouring the lad his drinks.

James smirked happily before looking back to Joseph, finally registering his question. “Oh! I’m from Cirikia! But right now, I got my eyes set on Macindaw. How about you, sir…?” He raised an eyebrow, obviously searching for a name.

Meekakitty

 

[Meekakitty]

Joseph chuckled at the bartender. "Actually I was heading to Macindaw myself," he mentioned forgetting the returning questioning."Were you aware that Macindaw is under lockdown, only people with a Golden Royal Seal are permitted to enter." The boy didn't seem like he'd be A rank material, so Joseph assumed he probably didn't have the seal.
Joseph thought for a moment. "Hmmm, perhaps they'll let you in if your with me." He devised. It was still a six day journey to Macindaw, and traveling alone never suited Joseph. "Besides, I sure you'd make great company," he added with a strong pat to the lads back. He didn't know exactly what he'd be walking in to, so having a friend might be handy.

 

[Howling]

The bartender handed James over his cup of ale and walked to the kitchen to grab him his food as James stood tall, looking up to his new friend. His smile did dim just a bit however at the mention of Macindaw being closed off to anyone without a royal seal. A series of plans for sneaking his way into Macindaw started roaring in James’s mind, but suddenly, his attention was brought back to the bald man at the mention of traveling together.
“Wait, do you have a royal seal?” James smirked, finding himself enjoying the man’s company more and more with each passing moment.

 

[Meekakitty]

"Why of course I have a seal!" Joseph laughed."What do they call you?" Joseph saw a a bit of himself in the man before him. It seemed they shared the same spunky and upbeat personality. Perhaps he was guild material, that is of course if he's an adventurer.

Joseph decided to get to know this man during their travels. He loved the idea of having an apprentice, and now he may yet have his chance. Plus, expanding the guild is always a reward of its own. Joseph didn't have plans for a predecessor, and it was a good idea to start looking before he was old and frail. While kid seems like a possible candidate, he'll will have to be tested. Joseph will need to prove the boys worth and train him to be a leader. He smiled at the thought of someone like him taking over the guild, and continuing its mission.

Howling

 

[Divinyll]

Meekakitty Divon Mqueserasera NyxDarling

Cazimar was still singing after his shower was complete. Remembering that there were non guild members outside the bathing chamber, he changed fully inside the shower. Just a simple tight fitting black shirt and slightly looser black pants. He was still barefooted when he entered the kitchen. His blue hair was slicked back with a black rag resting on top. “I see you be makin’ yourselves at home. Master Setarn be wantin’ you out tonight, he been only so kind to let you all stay last night because of how hard he pushed you all in gettin here.”

Caz found himself four brown eggs and cracked them open into a cup. He then proceeded to drink the eggs yolks. “Thirty minutes and we leave. Azu, let’s get you some new clothes while we're up top, eh?”

Reilara didn't take long to scarf down her meal, eager to see an alchemist was needed for this quest. She wasn't here to make friends after all. Her only focus was to answer anything relating to alchemy. All she had to do now was wait.

Lord Setarn left the Armory and went directly for Azu. He held out his has and in it was a black and gold ring with a white arcana stone circling it. Cazimar looked at his master and said,”One of the Black Guard's Rings. Wearing it will solidify your membership in the Black Guard and also allow you to communicate and locate us. As our squad’s messenger, it is your most important tool. Do you, Azu, accept your responsibility and agree to the hostile and difficult life style of the Black Guardsmen?”

 

[Howling]

“James Wellington!” He proclaimed his name proudly as he extended a hand. “And you good sir?” He felt his skin jittering with excitement as he thought to himself of the potential adventures the two of them could get into He has a seal and has already invited me along his journey! And look at that armor! Maybe I can convince him to take me to the blacksmith that made it! And surely, a man such as himself knows the way directly to Macindaw, so that certainly cuts down my travel time! This may just be one of the best days of my life.

Meekakitty

 

[Meekakitty]

Meeka was glad to be leaving soon, and felt great knowing she wasn't invited back. She hated accepting the hospitality of men, but last night she wasn't in the mood to protest. Now she had the energy to find her own place, or set up camp if necessary. Also Cazimars timing was quite convenient. It gave her an excuse to leave the and refrain from elaborating to Walpurga.

Meeka went back into her room and doubled check her belongings. She wasn't going to forfeit her equipment to a la k of taking inventory. Once she had gathered up everything she went back to the kitchen. She slid in, grabbed an apple from the larder, and made her way to Kera. She offered the apple which was quickly decimated by the mare."That will have to hold you for now." Meeka told the horse while brushing her mane. She waited for everyone else to be ready to move out.
Divinyll Mqueserasera NyxDarling Divon
---------

"Joseph Murlock, guild master of The Oasis!" He spoke with enthusiasm as he accepted James's hand for a handshake. Joseph's smile held strong, but his tone grew slightly serious. "Once you've had your fill I'd like to get a move on. I have business to attend to, and I shan't be late." He chose his words cleverly. He gave some information about him which was meant to pull information from James. Joseph was fond of uses casual conversation to extract details from people without them knowing it. It was a skill he'd picked up during political relations with guild affairs. He wasn't good in comparison to political types, but it worked for the most part on most other people.

Still, Joseph let his guard down with James. He had a good feeling that they'd be great friends., then again he had that feeling with almost everyone he met. It was probably better not to trust his gut, but he honestly didn't care enough.
Howling

 

[Howling]

James handshake was firm as it always was, but he could feel it beginning to tremble once the words Guild master left Joseph’s lips. His hand dropped heavy to his side as he stared up at the man, only half the words registering in his brain as he nodded quickly. Guild master, guild master, guild master, guild master. GUILD MASTER!!!! “Y-Yes, of course sir!” James snapped back to attention, playfully saluting the bald master as a smirk played on his lips, but the faraway look in his eyes couldn’t be hidden so easily. GUILD MASTER?! He spun around to face the counter as his food was brought forth, and he began shoveling it all in his mouth, a bit too eager about the future to think about his manners and the mess he might be making now.

The bar keep could only watch in horror.
Meekakitty

 

[Meekakitty]

Joseph examined the reaction of James. He concluded that the boy was in fact an adventurer. Most people never really considered the status of guild master in high regard. It was really only appreciated among adventurers. However, The Oasis was famous throughout the Numarkian Deserts. Guilds still were famed, but the guild master title wasn't really valued to the common folk. Joseph waited patiently for James to inhale his food.

Howling

 

[Howling]

It took James only moments to gobble his meal up. Once it had all been consumed into the vacuum that is his mouth, James stood up straight, wiped his face, and smiled at the bar keep. He gave him the pay for his meal, plus an extra gold coin before turning back to Joseph and giving him a brisk nod. “Ready whenever you are, Captain.”
James wasn’t the most well informed man, but he had done his research on all the guilds he could find, and the Oasis came up plenty of times in his research to know of its popularity and status. He read tales of many of the missions the guild was sent on, and their incredible win streak was a tough one to beat! How in the world James had come across not only a member of a guild, but a GUILD MASTER of the OASIS?! It was honestly impressive at how well he was keeping his excitement in check at the present moment.

 

[Mqueserasera]

Walpurga was baffled by Meeka’s abrupt way to end the conversation, she wasn’t expecting the silent adventurer would pour her heart out or anything, but outright refusing to answer in kind with to the very question she herself had asked was just rude. It wasn’t even the once-noble mage’s ego speaking, it’s just common sense at large. But Walpurga just shrugged, there’re points where even she would stop trying to correct a hopeless person.

Instead, she finished the apples and went back to her room. There, she checked her equipment for the last time. With some silent words to motivated herself, the mage sorted all of them neatly into her travel bag.
“Okay, now I’m ready for any bloodthirsty diseased zombie” Said Walpurga to the world in general.

 

[NyxDarling]

Meekakitty Divon Mqueserasera NyxDarling

Cazimar was still singing after his shower was complete. Remembering that there were non guild members outside the bathing chamber, he changed fully inside the shower. Just a simple tight fitting black shirt and slightly looser black pants. He was still barefooted when he entered the kitchen. His blue hair was slicked back with a black rag resting on top. “I see you be makin’ yourselves at home. Master Setarn be wantin’ you out tonight, he been only so kind to let you all stay last night because of how hard he pushed you all in gettin here.”

Caz found himself four brown eggs and cracked them open into a cup. He then proceeded to drink the eggs yolks. “Thirty minutes and we leave. Azu, let’s get you some new clothes while we're up top, eh?”

Reilara didn't take long to scarf down her meal, eager to see an alchemist was needed for this quest. She wasn't here to make friends after all. Her only focus was to answer anything relating to alchemy. All she had to do now was wait.

Lord Setarn left the Armory and went directly for Azu. He held out his has and in it was a black and gold ring with a white arcana stone circling it. Cazimar looked at his master and said,”One of the Black Guard's Rings. Wearing it will solidify your membership in the Black Guard and also allow you to communicate and locate us. As our squad’s messenger, it is your most important tool. Do you, Azu, accept your responsibility and agree to the hostile and difficult life style of the Black Guardsmen?”

Azu stood abruptly as Caz spoke his name, jostling forward to get next to the knight. eyes flitting up and down the knights form. Noticing that his hair underneath a black rag, messy strands still dripping wet. "so we will have to find somewhere else than, I assume at least?" Azu smiled at the thought, sleeping out in the open suited her better, she was used to having the stars above her at night. Used to the smell of fresh air. and not the constant smell of magic and burning wood.
all this was interrupted by Lord Setarns rough movements. Azu stepped back briefly as the lord stepped up to him, acting only slightly intimidated. And than Caz spoke, his words heavy and potent with the air of importance. Azu straightened his back, clearing his throat quickly before nodding fervently "I, Azu. Accept the responsibility of being a Black Guardsmen" His voice squeaked with anxiety, eyes quivering as he realized all that was to come of his life. and how much had changed since the start of it. or what he remembered was the start of it at least. " thank you...for this chance. I will do my best to prove my worth" Azu smiled, warm, quick. And real. Divinyll

 

[Divinyll]

Meekakitty Divon Mqueserasera NyxDarling

Cazimar lead everyone outside once they all were ready. Only Lord Setarn did not join them, Cazimar explained to the group that Setarn was not concerned with this quest. He had more important business to take care of inside the Speltaint. Reilara shuddered at the thought of going into the Speltaint. From the legends and rumors she had heard, the monsters were unlike anything the rest of the world had ever seen. Many that see them do not live to tell the tale. Those that do either end up strong and angry like Setarn or shells of their former selves. Finally on the surface, Cazimar opened the gates. “I’m thinking we ought split up to cover our objectives quickly. Azu and me will go speak to the Mayor. At least one of us should go to the tax office to get client’s family out of the city, someone with a royal seal” Cazimar said looking at Meeka and Walpurga. Setarn had taken his own royal seals back from the rest of the party without their knowledge. Reilara, since you probably know alchemy better than I do, you oughta come with me,”

Reilara shrugged and step over to the one-eyed knight. “As much as I want to help that man’s family, I want to see this alchemy lab more. Don’t have a royal seal anymore either,” Reilara said. The one eyed knight was far less intimidating without his armor and weapons. All he had on him was a fancy looking book and a bag of money. Still was the type of guy you'd want to fight as a bar, but no longer held a dark appearance. She looked out at the street, noticing the grimness of last night had lessened in the sun light. Overhead the fences still gave a sense of oppression, but from the slim view of the sky she could see, the clouds did not block. It had finally stopped raining. She could even hear birds singing. She assumed it was only so bad because the rain, the darkness, and her mood last night. This morning was a much better start than last night.

 

[Mqueserasera]

Walpurga would rather get to the investigation right away, since no matter how you put it, uncovering the mysterious disease and saving the whole city still overweight a single family. But logically speaking, with Azu and Reilara going with Cazimar to the mayor, she was one of the two lowest rank adventurers left, and with a royal seal, she was the right candidate for this job.

“I will secure our client’s family then.” Said Walpurga, then turned to their silent companion, somewhat reluctantly. “Meeka, you should come too, I suppose you don’t fancy dealing with officials, no?

That was something the mage would enjoy doing – get acquainted to the ones in power. But the investigation had gone on for quite a while, it wasn’t likely that Cazimar and others would resolve the matter in a day or two.

“It will take a day or more for us to get the family to Serena and come back. I will try to get back here as soon as possible. One last thing, is there any way for us to contact you quickly in case something happens?
Divinyll Meekakitty

 

[Meekakitty]

Once again Kera was restless on the way up from the bunker. Meeka did her best to soothe her, and eventually she succeeded. Meeka remained silent otherwise. At this point her quiet nature was forming a reputation among the group. She was relieved when Lord Setarn opted out of joining them on their quest, but with Cazimar still there she still felt on edge, constantly resting her hand near the hilt of her sword. She mounted Kera just as they'd returned to the surface.

"On the contrary, we as a whole should bring the family into safety until we know it's safe to take them outside of the city. I recommend putting them into a bunker like your guild hall until we can get more information about was is causing this disease." Meeka suggested, ignoring Walpurga. "We can't risk it spreading until we know how to stop it. That is the purpose of the lockdown. The best course of action would be to escort the family into safety within the city. Then we can have one of us keep guard and defend them until we make sure it's safe."

Meeka wasn't familiar with Macindaw, so Cazimar would need help with finding a suitable hideout. Out of personal experience, splitting up is usually a bad idea. It was a common protocol when dealing with a quarantine. She had dealt with a few before, but those were on smaller scales. Macindaw was quite a bit larger than the previous villages that went into lockdown. They couldn't afford to risk another breakout. The more isolated the disease, the better.

Divinyll Mqueserasera NyxDarling

------

Joseph was impressed at the speed which James devoured his meal. "We have a long way to go and little time. Come quickly." He ushered leading James out of the pub. Joseph's horse was tied to a post just outside the enterance. The comparison in size between Joseph and the horse was alarming. Joseph was almost as big as the horse. He mounted and offered James to ride along.

Howling

 

[Howling]

Meekakitty
James looked between Joseph and the horse with slightly widened eyes, bewildered at how a horse could carry a creature of such similar stature. When Joseph offered James to ride on the horse as well, James’ eyes became somehow wider. “Uuuuhhh, you sure it won’t get too tired carrying two people?”

 

[Meekakitty]

Howling

Joesph thought for a moment. "Oh uh, yeah'" He mumbled. "Probably not, let me buy you a horse, I'm sure there's a stable around here somewhere." He scanned the trampled dirt street for a sign. Wilus Steeds was just down the road from the inn, near the edge of town. It was inconveniently on the south side of town. "Wait here, it'll only be a moment."
Joseph said just before cracking the reins and rode his way to the stable.

Inside the stable was an elderly man tending to the livestock, Joseph assumed he was the one in charge. He hastily dismounted and approached the old man. The two haggled for a horse, Joseph had plenty money on his person, so he didn't waste time bartering. The transaction went relatively procedurally, and Joseph returned to James with a large brown horse with white speckles spanning across the vertebrae of the mature horse. "His names Fortem." Joseph inform as he handed the reins to James.

 

[Howling]

“A drink and now my own steed? My my sir Joseph, if I didn’t know any better, I would think you were trying to court me with all these gifts.” James chuckled and shook his head slightly, looking away from the guild master for a moment. “But please, do not feel obligated to do such a kind thing for me, I have plenty of go- Joseph?” James looked back to see Joseph had already ridden off. “Well, darn… Eh, I’ll just pay him back later.”
James sighed and leaned up against one of the buildings and whistled to himself. The tune was actually quite pleasant, but just as he was getting into the groove of his music, he heard a gentle ding sound from his forearm, and the necklace he wore began to glow. He looked down at it for a moment and contemplated before ignoring the message. I’ll call her tonight if she doesn’t call again.

As soon as Joseph rode back into sight, James stood up straight and met him along the road. He walked over to the new horse and smiled brightly, gently petting its nose before looking to Joseph. “Fortem, huh?” He looked to the horse with a nod. “Well hello Fortem.” James took the reins and pet the horse as he walked to its side, making sure it stayed calm the entire time. Easily, he saddled onto the colt and sat tall on its back.
“Alright, your lead sir.”

 

[Meekakitty]

As soon as James mounted Joseph sprouted an idea in his head. He was grinning at the thought. "Try to keep up," Joseph challenged James before he bolted northbound out of the town and into the forest. Joseph peeked behind him to keep tract of James. He paced himself just enough to remain within eye shot, but only until James would be able to catch up.

Joseph wanted to insight James to be hasty to make up for the time lost. Challenging James to a race seemed like a playful but effective way to do that. Joseph had a way of discreetly influencing people's actions into making them more efficient. He didn't really consider it to be a manipulative trait, but if pointed out it make seem that way. He always did it in a way that was friendly and not controlling; which, made his way to being the leader he is now.

 

[Howling]

James’ eyes widened slightly at the challenge, but his emotions quickly changed from surprise to glee as he chuckled and charged after Joseph, or at least attempted to.
James was good on horses, but getting used to a new horse is a challenge for anyone, especially when Fortem had very little reason to try and please this new stranger. For a while, they lagged a great deal behind Joseph, the horse not wanting to put much energy into the race, but James stayed calm and looked about his surroundings and pulled the reins to stop his steed. Keeping a hold of Fortem, he hopped out of the saddle and walked over to a small apple hanging from a tree before turning back to his partner. “Alright buddy, we gotta beat Joseph so he’ll think I’m super cool and so I can be in his guild, okay? So recharge that energy” James plucked the apple from the tree and put it under Fortem’s nostrils “and I’ll buy you a hundred… ten apples. Deal?” He smiled softly as Fortem took the apple from his palm. “Alright!”
They were a long way off from Joseph at this point, but Fortem kept to his end of the bargain, and quickly gained speed. He certainly wasn’t the fastest horse around, but he was covering land faster than James had expected, and soon, Joseph was back in eyeshot. “Hell yeah Fortem! Whooo!”