Finished [ArborHaven]Fangs of Honor, A Knights Journey

[Crescent King]

The tension in the air mirrored the weight of the decision now resting on Cassian’s shoulders. He turned the seed over in his hands, his brow furrowed in concentration. The idea of carrying something that could attract monsters made his stomach twist uneasily, but the thought of helping Nyelle accomplish her task, of being part of something greater, kept him steady. His fingers tightened around the seed as he looked at the wagon and nodded.

“We’ll do it,” Cassian said, his voice steady despite the nerves bubbling under the surface. He met Nyelle’s gaze, offering her a reassuring nod. “It’s important to you, so it’s important to me. We’ll make it to Arborhaven and get the seed planted.”

Cassian crouched to Hideki’s level, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t worry,” he said softly, scratching behind Hideki’s ears despite the large dogs disdainful expression. “We’ll keep it sealed and stick to the plan. I’ve got you watching my back, don’t I?”

Cassian straightened, strapping his sword securely at his side as Hideki fell into step beside him. He cast a glance at Reynard, who gave a cheerful wave before disappearing back into his cabin. “Guess we’ll see how much nettle it takes to cover all that fertilizer,” Cassian muttered to himself, shaking his head with a wry grin.

As they loaded up and began their journey, the road ahead felt heavier with uncertainty, but Cassian’s resolve burned brightly. He was determined to prove himself, not just as an aspiring knight but as someone capable of making a difference, even if it meant tangling with the monsters that lurked in the shadows.

 

[Moonberry]

The wagon rattled along the uneven path, its wheels creaking against roots and stones that jutted out from the earth. Hideki padded beside it, his paws making barely a whisper against the damp forest floor. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above in fractured streams, painting the ground with patches of gold and shadow that flickered as the breeze stirred the leaves. The world here was quiet—too quiet, Hideki thought, his ears twitching at every distant rustle.

Despite Reynard’s warnings about the fertilizer, their progress was, to his surprise, uneventful. No howls echoed in the distance, no heavy footfalls shook the earth. Only the soft hum of nature surrounded them, the faint chatter of birds and the occasional rustle of a rabbit darting through the underbrush. Even so, Hideki’s body remained tense, his sharp gaze darting to the edges of the path, searching for the slightest hint of danger.

The wagon creaked louder as they passed a bend in the trail, where the forest thinned and the road opened to fields of tall grass swaying gently in the wind. The air felt lighter here, free from the dense weight of the trees. Hideki allowed himself a small huff of relief, though his tail stayed low and still. The breeze carried with it a hint of wildflowers and sun-warmed earth, but there was also the faint, acrid tang of the mulch in the wagon. It clung stubbornly, a reminder that their journey wasn’t without risk.

As the hours passed and the sun dipped lower, Hideki noted the change in the air—cooler now, touched with the early chill of evening. The shadows stretched long across the road, and Nyelle finally pulled the wagon to a halt near a shallow brook that glittered in the fading light. A suitable spot for camp. She climbed down and began organizing supplies, her movements brisk and efficient as she muttered something about needing more firewood.

Hideki lingered at the edge of the clearing, his gaze sweeping the horizon. The fields stretched endlessly around them, broken only by the occasional cluster of trees that stood like dark sentinels against the painted sky. The wagon’s bulk cast a long shadow, and the sound of trickling water blended with the rhythmic creak of leather straps as Nyelle unloaded their provisions.

He padded back toward the camp, his gaze instinctively drawn to the fire as it began to flicker and dance. The scent of ash from earlier campsites mingled with the fresher aroma of wild herbs crushed underfoot. Hideki paused near the newly budding fire, his ears swiveling at the faint sounds of the evening settling in around them: the chirp of crickets, the rustle of grass in the breeze, the occasional splash of water from the brook. His blue eyes studying Cassian and Nyelle as they went about their chores.

---

Crescent King

 

[Crescent King]

Cassian ventured into the nearby trees, his sword resting at his side as he gathered an armful of fallen branches. Each crackle of twigs underfoot set his nerves alight, but he pushed the unease aside, focusing on the task. By the time he returned to camp, the sun was dipping low, painting the clearing in shades of amber and gold.

Dropping the firewood beside Nyelle, he offered her a quick smile before heading to the brook. Kneeling by the water, he scrubbed his hands clean, the cool stream washing away dirt and sweat. He splashed his face, the chill refreshing after the long day, and lingered for a moment, watching the ripples fade into stillness.

Rising, he cast a glance toward the campfire where Nyelle and Hideki sat, their silhouettes framed by the flickering flames. With a deep breath, he straightened and walked back, ready to settle in for the night. "Guess things are going well. No sign of and monsters or ghouls so far." He looked up at the sky as the light slowly faded away. "So, about the seed, we just leave it out to soak up moonlight?"

 

[Moonberry]

The fire crackled steadily, casting shifting shadows across the camp as Hideki lay near its edge, his blue eyes half-lidded but alert. He watched Cassian return from the brook, his footsteps light despite the day’s fatigue. Hideki’s ears flicked as Cassian spoke, his voice casual but tinged with curiosity.

Nyelle, kneeling beside the wagon and sorting through a small pouch of supplies, glanced up at him. The soft glow of the firelight painted her face in warm hues, and for a moment, she seemed lost in thought. Then, she straightened, brushing her hands on her knees before offering a small smile. “Moonlight will do,” she began, her tone thoughtful, “but not just for tonight. The seed needs to absorb it for seven nights straight. Each night, we’ll have to recreate the magic circle to guide the moon’s light and balance the mana it draws. Without it, the energy could become unstable—and unstable mana doesn’t just vanish; it attracts things.” She gestured toward the surrounding forest, her meaning clear.

Hideki’s ears twitched as she moved toward a flat patch of earth near the fire. “We’ll keep it simple,” she said, mostly to herself. She retrieved a small pouch from her pack, filled with coarse salt and a bundle of dried herbs tied with twine. “Salt will form the circle,” she explained, sprinkling it onto the ground in a deliberate motion to create a smooth, unbroken ring. “It’s a natural barrier—good for grounding magic and keeping the energy focused.”

She placed the bundle of herbs at intervals along the circle’s edge, muttering quietly as she worked. “These are just calming plants—lavender, sage, a bit of rosemary. They won’t do much on their own, but together with the salt, they’ll help keep the mana flow steady.” Her movements were steady, precise, as she set each sprig in place.

Hideki padded closer, his nose twitching at the faint, clean scents of the herbs mingling with the smoke of the campfire. He watched as Nyelle carefully placed the seed in the center of the circle, its pearly surface catching the faint silver of the rising moonlight. She stepped back, brushing her hands clean on her pants, and cast an appraising eye over her work.

“There,” she said, a note of satisfaction in her voice. “The moonlight will soak in overnight, and by morning, the seed will have absorbed enough mana to begin its first cycle. We’ll have to do this each night for the next six. With each night, the mana it draws will grow stronger.” Her voice softened as she added, “And with that strength comes more risk. Mana like this… it calls out to things that shouldn’t hear it.”

She continued, her gaze shifting between Cassian and Hideki. “We’ll take turns keeping watch,” she said, her tone firm but not unkind. “This is the easy part—if we’re lucky, the night will pass without incident.” She glanced at Hideki, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Though I have a feeling you’ll let us know if luck’s not on our side, won’t you?" She laughed a bit, before waving her hand. "I'm going to sleep first, if that's fine with you." Before Cassian had time to argue, she was already pulling out her traveling cloak to curl under near the fire.

Hideki let out a quiet huff, his tail giving a single slow sweep across the ground. He wasn’t one to trust luck. But as he settled himself into a watchful position near the circle, his golden eyes sharp and steady, he resolved to see this task through. If trouble came, it wouldn’t catch them unprepared. Not on his watch.

The night settled heavily over the clearing, the fire crackling softly as its warm glow flickered against the dark. Hideki lay near its edge, his sharp blue eyes scanning the camp’s perimeter. The faint hum of the magic circle and the soft glow of the seed added an eerie stillness to the scene, but the forest around them was alive with subtle sounds.
To the right, near the brook, came a faint splash, followed by rhythmic chirping. It was soft but unusual enough to catch Hideki’s attention, his ears swiveling toward the water.
From deeper within the forest came the rustle of leaves, followed by a low, mournful hoot. The owl’s call was familiar, but something about its tone made Hideki’s hackles rise.
Near the wagon, a soft creak broke the quiet. Hideki’s gaze locked onto it, catching a faint movement in the shadows beneath the frame. It could have been a rodent, but the wolf’s instincts told him not to dismiss it so easily.
He huffed softly, glancing toward Cassian, then back to each point of interest—the brook, the forest, the wagon. His body tensed, urging the young man to act. The quiet clearing seemed calm, but the night was watching, waiting. Something was out there.

---

Crescent King

 

[Crescent King]

Cassian's eyes widened as he took in the magic circle Nyelle had meticulously crafted. The salt glimmered in the firelight, and the herbs gave off a faint, calming scent that mingled with the smoke from the flames. “Wow, Nyelle, that looks really impressive,” he said, admiration evident in his voice. “I didn’t realize how much went into this. I hope it works as well as you say it will.”

Things seemed calm around the camp except for the sounds in the night, Cassian nodding at Nyelle's suggestions about taking first watch. “Rest well, I will protect us. Along with my friend here.” He motioned to Hideki.

Things seemed to be going fine as the night continued, the low rhythmic hum from the magic circle lulling Cassian into a lethargic state. He nodded off for just a moment when he heard Hedeki huffing as if something was wrong. He ran his hand across his face and stood up, gripping his sword in one hand and drawing it forth as a sense of unease washed over him.

The creak from the wagon drew the most attention and he slowly walked over, kneeling down to peer under it into the darkness beneath, hoping that it was just a trick of the wind or the wood settling in the cool night air.

 

[Moonberry]

The creak of the wagon’s wooden frame hung in the air, the stillness of the night pressing in like a heavy shroud. Beneath its shadowed undercarriage, the faint firelight glinted off something smooth and wet, a detail almost lost in the muted hum of the protective magic circle nearby. The rhythmic thrum seemed to keep the oppressive silence at bay, but it wasn’t enough to mask the sudden tension in the air.

Hideki’s low, rumbling growl broke the quiet, his posture stiff and his blue eyes locked onto the darkness beneath the wagon. Without hesitation, the massive black wolf lunged, jaws snapping shut with a sickening crunch. A high-pitched screech tore through the night as Hideki dragged a writhing, insect-like creature into the open. Its bulbous body gleamed faintly under the moonlight, countless legs flailing wildly, while sharp mandibles clacked in furious defiance.

The creature thrashed violently, but Hideki was relentless, throwing it to the ground with decisive force. It scrambled upright, hissing sharply, its glowing yellow eyes darting around in frantic calculation. Its body curled as if preparing to lunge, but Hideki crouched low, muscles coiled and ready to strike. He waited, his sharp gaze steady, his every motion a warning to the creature.

A final, swift strike ended the threat, leaving the camp in an uneasy silence, broken only by the crackle of the fire. Nyelle stepped forward, her gaze lingering on the remains of the creature. “That must have been drawn to the seed,” she said, her voice low, tension threading her words. “We’ll have to stay vigilant.”

The days that followed blurred into a steady rhythm of travel and caution. Each night, the seed was carefully set out to bathe in the moonlight, its glow a quiet beacon. Nyelle’s protective rituals masked its magical aura, but the group remained alert, wary of any creatures that might sense its power. Hideki’s constant vigilance never faltered, his sharp senses attuned to every sound and shadow in the wilderness.

At last, they reached Arborhaven. The clearing where the legendary tree once stood seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting for renewal. The ground was soft, bare, and quiet, bathed in the cool silver light of the moon. Nyelle carried the seed with reverence, her steps measured as she approached the center of the space.

Kneeling, she pressed the glowing seed into the freshly turned soil, her hands moving with practiced precision. A quiet incantation flowed from her lips, the words weaving into the air like threads of an ancient tapestry. The soft glow of Reynard’s enchanted powder danced around the seed as she sprinkled it over the site, sealing the ritual.

As she worked, Nyelle’s voice softened, her gaze thoughtful as she looked at the soil beneath her hands. “This spot,” she murmured, “is more than just a place for a tree. There’s a leyline running directly beneath us, a current of magic that flows through the earth. The old tree must have drawn its strength from it, connecting the town to the land itself. This seed… it will do the same. With the leyline’s power, it’ll grow faster, stronger. And maybe… maybe it can restore what was lost.”

The earth pulsed faintly, a gentle exhale of magic rippling outward. Hideki stood at the edge of the circle, his blue eyes reflecting the faint light, his ears flicking as the hum of mana settled into the soil. A sense of calm washed over the clearing as the ritual concluded.

As dawn broke, golden light spilled over the horizon, painting the clearing in warmth. Though the seed was only beginning its journey, the promise of its growth was undeniable. The ground seemed alive with potential, a quiet echo of what once was and what could be again. Hideki lingered, his steady presence a silent testament to the journey they had shared.

---

Crescent King

(Due to circumstances Crescent is unable to continue. Thus the RP Is being concluded..)

 

[Moonberry]

1. **Narrators Involved**
- MoonBerry

2. **Narrator Standing**
- C
3. **Summary of the Roleplay**
- A woman recruits a man and his supposed "Dog" to help her fight off monsters while she smuggles a magical seed into Arborhaven and plants it in the spot where the GIant tree dissapears. On A Ley Lline.

4. **Goal Achievement**
- Cassian: Spread mothers ashes: Achieved.
Narrator Goal: Establlish a Ley line, and Plant a sapling for a giant tree achieved

5. **Criminal Acts Perpetrated**
-None
6. **Lore to Establish**
- Planting a saplling of a magical tree that will eventually grow much larger. Also establish the sapling resides on a Ley line in Arborhaven.

7. **Partial Participants**

8. **Partial Participant Invaders**

9. **Full-Time Participants**
@CrescentKing Cassian

10. **Characters with Point Boosters**
none

11. **Recommended Titles**

12. **Assets/Titles Roleplayed For**