Graded [Frontier] Perilous Puddles

[D. Rex]

Earlier this morning...

... one of the group took on the task. A simple pamphlet on the notice board asking for ingredients from a certain area in the woods. A great opportunity for any new face in the guild. Low risk, but with a fairly priced reward.

As the party congregates, planning to go out together, they see the old guard of the Adventurers guild raise their glasses to them in laughing salutes, and wishing them luck. They snigger and tease them to watch out for salamanders sneaking off with potions or thinking your toes are big grubs and trying to eat them. They tell the apprentices to watch where they step, while some tell them to jump in the first puddle they see.

All in good nature of course, mostly. But skinny Ole' Bart, who was tending the desk that day, he did give some advice.

"You kids watch out, its been raining this past week in that neck of the woods. Them puddles run deep. You stay out of them. Its giant salamandar season too. You will see a lot of them out there. But don't worry about the guys... we wouldn't send you out there if they were dangerous. Salamanders don't like eating people all that much." He laughed and patted one of the party on the back. "I can't think of a better task for some greenhorn to cut their teeth on. Mind you though... you need to get the ingredients back here by tomorrow. So go on and get. Times a moving."


"And remember. He only wants the Blue Sponge Lillies. Those are the blues one that... well... grow in sponges. Roots and all. At least five, but if you can get more, then I bet he'd be pretty happy."







Present...


Pocked Spring Caverns





It wasn't a cavern at all! It was Ryken Forest.... and not even all that far in. But it was known by the group that the caverns were underneath. The woods spread out in front, with glassy ponds both big and small dotting the forest floor. Some of the larger ponds were mostly shallows, not but ankle deep, and the group quickly learned that the darker patches of water were.... deep. Very very deep. Such a labrythine network of underwater tunnels that nobody had yet been able to even begin map it out.


The walk was a safe one, so long as they minded their step. Monsters were minimal. Nothing that the group couldn't scare off with a shout. Most regarded Pocked Spring Caverns as relatively safe place. Aside from the salamanders. And boy were there no shortage of those.

Lounging in what sun peaked through the canopy, or sitting with heads high and mouths open, trying to catch any falling bugs the rain might have dislodged... there were indeed large yellow salamanders, with pink ring shaped spots across their slimy skin. Beady black eyes and silly looking grins. From head to tail they were easily as large and thick as a grown man's leg. To as small foot. They could see where one might see a big toe as a grub. Yet aside from having to shoo some out of the way, the salamander did not seem very hostile. Or worried. They were many in number, in a matter of ten minutes of travel one might easily count two dozen in passing.


Peaceful. Surprisingly Peaceful. The group seemed well ahead of schedule. As even now, they began to see patches of the dirty yellow sponges. Small, though, no bigger than a cluster of fists. Alas, none seemed to have blue flowers.


The group was in the right place. Now the real work began.

Rev IX
accursedjobber
Malacina
Shadow Dancer
slifer37

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus decided to apply to join the adventurers guild because it was a lot easier to gain various kinds of experience and paid better then the odd jobs he had been doing for the past six years. Besides what better way to better discover the surprises this body of his held then exposing himself to potential danger. Now after a lot of jokes and advice from the older guild members Indicus set off with the fey man he was to help escort and two humans also playing escort.

One human was carrying around a strangely shaped club and from Indicus's experience from his past life looked sketchy as hell. The second human carried no visible weapons so it could be assumed he was a mage of sorts or he was hiding a dagger. As for the fae he seemed quite agile but like the second human carried no visible weapons so he also could be a mage or just a non combatant thus why Indicus and the two humans were given this task as a requirement for joining the Adventures Guild .

Indicus decided to strike up a conversation to pass the time as they looked for the Blue Sponge Lilies. "So if I may ask, why did you decided to join the Adventures Guild?"

 

[Rev IX]

Senjou Kanno
​

After a few hours debating how to become the most amazing wizard this world has ever seen, Senjou's most recent ambition, he ended up in the Adventurer's Guild looking for an in. A group seemed to be forming for what appeared to be an application test of sorts. Senjou's grin grew wide as he approached the group, deaf to the (ill) advice of older adventurers. "Congratulations! For I, Wondrous Wizard Senjou Kanno, have decided to grant you assistance. Fuhahaha!" He heartily laughed.

Paying little attention to the man working the desk today, other than noting this shouldn't be a big deal. "Of course we'll be fine, worry not. For I shall make sure we all come back safe and sound, fuhaha!" He then struck a dramatic pose with a spin to make his cape flow in the air for a moment, pointing at the exit with his index and ring finger "Now then, onward!" He added that last part mostly to himself, but really there was not much else to do other than get started, so paying heed would be wise.

Fast forwarding to their present, Senjou gaited down the forest. Humming to himself a tune from an anime he liked as a battle theme to hype himself up should his amazing hellfire be needed, treading on visible ground and eyeing the occasional salamander with his peripheral vision, ready to wipe that goofy smile were it to pose a threat to the others.

Not quite lost in thought, as he still had the mission in mind, he heard the lizard man threw a question out there. Senjou graciously decided to answer as he walked along "Simple, my scaley friend. For a wizard as wonderful as I, adventures as wonderful must be told about him. Instead of roaming the land and looking for them, the adventures will come looking for I, fuhaha!" He cheerfully commented.

Interactions Shadow Dancer accursedjobber Malacina

 

[Malacina]

• Post
• Character

• 
  
  Kimberly "Hermes" Parrish
  ​
  Wᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ʟᴀᴜɢʜ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴅᴅs ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏᴜʀ ʟɪᴠᴇs sᴏ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛʀᴇᴍʙʟᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇs ᴜs.

  Kimberly repeated the words,"blue, only blue, sponge Lillies. Roots and all. Sponge Lillies. Blue sponge Lillies. Five," to himself as he walks away from Ole' Bart and the desk. He probably should have listened to what Ole' Bart was saying more closely, but he wasn't all that concerned. There were four of them after all! And one of them was an actual wizard! Surely, they could handle it. The guild wouldn't have let him take the quest if it was too dangerous, he thinks grinning at the others.
  
  As the group left the city and entered the forest, Kimberly tried to keep track of how far they walked and in what direction, however, the distractions were many as his thoughts moved from the task at hand, wondering who might want these Lillies, and looking over his escorts. There were three of them. One of which was the wizard that stood taller than Kimberly by at least a foot. Kimberly wasn't sure if he was just a taller human or something more cool. Now, if only he could remember what the man's name was. The second man was much more standard in height and carried around what Kimberly wanted to call a baseball bat. However, much like Greek mythology, baseball wasn't something of this world and so he was probably wrong and it was just some weird club. The last man was a lizard with iridescent blue scales and an actual tail which was definitely cool.
  
  They made good time, even if Kimberly thought they were in the wrong place at first given that the area, Pocked Spring Caverns, was not actually caverns at all. At least not on the surface. On the surface the area was more water than land, the past rain having soaked even the land, and greenery that was definitely unique to the area. There had been a lot of chatter when they took the quest about the area housing a network of caves, connecting all the small ponds. A network of caves that hadn't been properly explored, let alone mapped. Stopping at the edge of one of the ponds, the center of which was a deep blue, Kimberly tried to picture what lay beneath. He only broke his concentration, when he noted the others still moving forward, and he quickly turned to catch up to the others.
  
  Kimberly smiled, his steps getting a little lighter, every time they saw a salamander, pointing them out with large motions to others as if they could have possibly missed them. "They're soo cool! They said it was their season - do you think we'll see babies? I bet they're cute." He rattled off mostly to himself spotting the small patches of yellow Lillies growing along the path. None of them were blue. Would they have to go deeper into the area? Would they have to into the water?
  
  His attention was only dragged back to the group when one of them asked a question. He wasn't sure who spoke and looked between the three until the wizard replied to the question. Chuckling Kimberly nodded along to the man's answer. "It's cool having a wizard with us!" Even as he talked, he pointed out at one of the salamanders that basked in the rays slipping through the tree's leaves, before answering truthfully, "I joined because I want to help. I wanna make maps that are actually useful. What about you...um, oh wait, what was your name? Did you say it before? I'm sorry, I don't remember" He asked looking at the lizardman and then the others, scratching at the back of his head as he scanned the ground for sponge Lillies in the right color. He knows the wizard introduced himself but did the others say their names when he was looking around.
  
  Rev IX accursedjobber Shadow Dancer slifer37 D. Rex
• Link: Character Sheet Page
  Name: Kimberly "Hermes" Michael Parrish
  Height: 5'6"
  Weight: 167lbs
  Equipped Titles:
  
  • [Fae] Fae are creatures infused with magic and nature. They are the least numerous people in the world but some of the longer-lived.
  • [Ryken Adventurer F] Character is an adventurer of the Ryken adventurer guild. Known for being proficient in a number of terrains including water, Ryken adventurers tend to be diverse and capable. F grade characters are still learning the basics. They may not be fully equipped or able to handle many quests by themselves.
  Stats:
  
  • Strength: E (7)
  • Precision: E (7)
  • Intelligence: E (7)
  • Vitality: F (0)
  • Speed: D (14)
  Skills:
  
  • Fast F
  • Jumping F
  • Acrobatics F
  • Perception F
  • Magic F
  • [Wind] Affinity F
  • Feature [Ambidexterity]
  • Feature [Direction Sense]
  • Feature [Joint Dislocation]
  • Connected [Adventurer's Guild] F
  Abilities:
  
  • Parkour - Fast F, Acrobatics F, Perception F, Jumping F, Feature [Direction Sense] - A character is able to move through an area, negotiating obstacles rapidly and efficiently without the use of equipment by running, vaulting, jumping, climbing, rolling, and other movements. Activation of the ability allows for the character to chain movements that can move the character X distance. X is based on the Grade of Fast & Jumping. Without the Climbing skill, these movements cannot be used to scale vertically without aid.
  • Hypermobility - Feature [Joint Dislocation], Acrobatics F - A character has an unusually or abnormally great range of movement in a joint/joints without damaging ligaments or putting strain on the body. Activation of the ability allows for an abnormal range of motion without harm. The degree of movement range and harm that is displaced is based on the Grade of the ability.
  Items:
  
  • Bedroll, Hammock, Waterskin [1], and Rations [7]
  • Messenger Bag & Travel Sack
  • Waterproof Map Case & Multiple Maps
  • Simple Compass
  • Graphite & Parchment [3]

 

[accursedjobber]

Johnny Scoville
​

Truthfully applying for the adventurers guild wasn't his first choice, when he got dropped from his hitchhike to the city the idea of adventuring for coin had never crossed his mind to be honest until he thought it through. Adventurers must be able to sneak and snag a lot of extra valuables or chip off the coffers, even as he took the job offer he planned to steal a couple of these 'Blue Sponge Lillies' for himself justifying it as a wanted good despite his lack of knowledge of it's actually use . Not to mention the scouting potential of networking Individual's for later use, or the easy money jobs such as this one.

Still though the mannerisms that wizard showed was entertaining to say the least, having caught the ending remarks when he applied in the guild made him grin remembering the faces of the inhabitants as he snuck in after his exiting remarks. Apart from that the signing up process was easy, sure he had to pickpocket some of the applicant forms and dump them to increase his chances, and he noted the faces of those that remarked on their exit placing a mental note to return and attempt to get payback when he returns in petty spite.

Presently though Johnny was trying his hardest to prevent the damp environment from impacting his fine clothing in a sad attempt that already failed his boots having been soaked through already as he walked at the back attempting to avoid puddles or moisture in general even as he eyed his companion's wares and goods. The hymns of a war song sung by the wizard and the energetic pointing out the salamanders that seemed to pollute this forest, in case blindness was contracted in the walk over.

Until the Lizardman spoke starting a conversation, the wizard answered first his declaration drawing Johnny's concern about the impacts of magic on the mental health of wizards as once again he heard their ramblings, fortunately the blonde pulled the slacks on the idea of a normal conversation with his response though to be honest map making was a pretty bad lie to tell, no way would someone want to make maps as a passion. Taking a breath before Johnny decided to introduce himself as he threw his Dynamo lily into his other hand to point it at the blonde then with a tip of his hat started speaking " The name's Johnny Scoville, I joined up to look for flowers in a swamp and the prospects of a adventure as a side job after we're done with this chore. Happy to be here with the lot of you " Introducing himself for the first time and taking advantage of the peaceful air best leave out the part about his greed and go for something general was the thought process as he finishes and unable to hide his disconcert with this job in sarcasm, then turning to the only one who hasn't introduced themselves.

Malacina Shadow Dancer Rev IX

 

[Shadow Dancer]

After asking his conversation starter Indicus continued to look around for the blue flowers growing on the swamp sponges. As always the large lizards native to this area just watched as they passed through. It was in the moment of his companions responses to his question that Indicus fully realized he was in the company of eccentrics, though it wasn't as if he could say much seeing as he was a hermit that lived in a cave located in a forest.

As the group walked Indicus just kept praying inside his mind to what ever deity, demon, spirit or whatever that was listening that the fae did not decide to try and find out how cute giant lizard hatchlings were. The energy and curiosity of the fae man was admirable but damn was he scatter brained. Interestingly enough, Indicus found the shady man with a club that called himself Johnny Scoviille to be the most 'normal'. Well, at least in the 'is able to hold a steady conversation' sort of way.

Both realizing he never gave anyone his name and for the sake of continuing the conversation Indicus said, "I guess I never did give everyone my name did I? Well my name's Indicus, I joined the Adventures Guild mostly for the practical experience and extra coin never killed anyone, well at least on it's own."


Malacina Rev IX accursedjobber

 

[slifer37]

Granny Flores
​

Once everyone who had signed up arrived, they would be greeted by a cheerful older woman, their Adventurer's Guild Representative.

At first glance, she looked like an old lady with a cane and a bag slung over one shoulder, with an oversized . But if one were to look harder, they would see inconsistencies in her apperance. The shawl didn't cover how surpsringly muscular her arms were under the tunic, her hair was magnificent and silver, and her posture was regal and straight- as natural to her as breathing.

"Oh Sweeties! It's so lovely to meet all of you! My name is Granny Flores, and my job is to see how you all fare on this quest! It's terrible buisness if the Adventurer's Guild sends untried adventurer's without a little guidance. It's standard for first-timers like you. Keeps the death count low." She pulled her pack that was covered by her shawl, taking out four individual little packages with names writted on them in nice handwriting. "I made you all something to eat." She then would say their names one at a time, passing food to each person-first Indicus, then Senjou Kanno, then Kimberly Parrish, and finally Johnny Scoville. Whoever opened their care package would find surprisngly high quality bread, cheese, a small portion of juicy, tender meat, a few pieces of vegetables, fruit slices of apples and oranges, and most importantly, a beautiful home-cooked chocolate chip cookie. It was obvious that food had been cooked that day- with a surprising amount of love, considering they had just met that day.

Though, even though she had given them food, she stayed mostly quiet on their way to the Blue Sponge Lilies, letting the four interact with each other- to get a feel for each other. She was only meant to supervise them on their first mission, not interfere unless the situation was dire. If they truly needed it, she would first give some guidance- a small nudge in the right direction. Then, if they were loosing the battle, she would aid the fledgling adventurers.

 

[accursedjobber]

Okay, he had standards okay and these standards included this innocent old woman in front of him, why couldn't it of been someone he could steal off of without feeling like he disappointed his grandmother, though her words were to be honest were a bit ominous unless one of them has a allergy he didn't know a way that the death count would rise. Johnny looking inside his package almost instantly as it was handed to him, a banquet of fresh goods laid inside, glancing around though and noting identical packages given to those around him his mouth watering as he witnesses the cookie it's excellency sheltered inside, the only thing stopping from eating it was the idea of not having anymore of them apart from this one.

Slipping a piece of apple slice into his mouth as he turns to the companion that he believes he can swindle out of their cookie first "Hey Indicus, I heard that chocolate is poisonous to lizards, so I'll take that cookie off your hands" making up a excuse as he attempted to gather the prized cookies for his own consumption from the lizardman as he held his hand out noting and scheming how he could get the other cookies even before he had his answer, practically salivating over the idea of eating them.

Shadow Dancer

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus gratefully took the food package given to him by Granny Flores. When she mentioned the reason she was accompanying the group he honestly started to wonder how strong this old lady was to be a escort in a forest that while not immensely dangerous still was not the safest place to casually walk about. This thought lead him to thinking about the food he was given. It was fresh so fresh that the cookie was still soft and warm. Then Indicus just shook his head he decided not to wander down his current train of thought, he just decided to note that Granny Flores was more then she appeared to be.

Indicus ate the food given as they traveled and unfortunately for Johnny Indicus had already started with the cookie a couple of crumbs could be seen on the scales around his mouth. "Sorry there Johnny already ate it, I may have a slight sweet tooth." Indicus gave Johnny a grin that was clearly not sorry at all.

accursedjobber

 

[Malacina]

• Post
• Character

• 
  
  Kimberly "Hermes" Parrish
  ​
  Wᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ʟᴀᴜɢʜ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴅᴅs ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏᴜʀ ʟɪᴠᴇs sᴏ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛʀᴇᴍʙʟᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇs ᴜs.

  Kimberly filtered about noting the names given out - Indicus, Johnny, Granny Flores, and...San...Senko? Kimberly is sure he's close on the wizard's name, for sure wrong, but definitely close. Close enough that Kimberly put aside any worry about actually getting it right. "You guys can call me Hermes. It's what I go by anyways." He calls back looking around while holding onto the gift bag from Granny Flores, still wrapped tightly with his real name scrawled across. The package was warm and smelled good and it was tempting to open, but Kimberly's attention kept getting taken up by the giant salamanders. He really wanted to see a baby and you know, there were plants he was supposed to be looking for.
  
  Kimberly laughed at Johnny and Indicus, before offering his own package to Johnny, "you can have the cookie from mine, Johnny." Then quickly looking back at Granny Flores with a bright grin added, "I appreciate the food, Granny! And I'm glad you're here." Truth was, he did appreciate the food, but it gave a hallow memory of his own grandmother in a world that wasn't. Besides, unlike Indicus, Kimberly didn't actually like sweets. Idly, he wondered if everyone got a second chance like himself. "Sharing is caring." He rattled off still holding the bag out to Johnny and looking around for baby salamanders.
  
  Rev IX accursedjobber Shadow Dancer slifer37 D. Rex
• Link: Character Sheet Page
  Name: Kimberly "Hermes" Michael Parrish
  Height: 5'6"
  Weight: 167lbs
  Equipped Titles:
  
  • [Fae] Fae are creatures infused with magic and nature. They are the least numerous people in the world but some of the longer-lived.
  • [Ryken Adventurer F] Character is an adventurer of the Ryken adventurer guild. Known for being proficient in a number of terrains including water, Ryken adventurers tend to be diverse and capable. F grade characters are still learning the basics. They may not be fully equipped or able to handle many quests by themselves.
  Stats:
  
  • Strength: E (7)
  • Precision: E (7)
  • Intelligence: E (7)
  • Vitality: F (0)
  • Speed: D (14)
  Skills:
  
  • Fast F
  • Jumping F
  • Acrobatics F
  • Perception F
  • Magic F
  • [Wind] Affinity F
  • Feature [Ambidexterity]
  • Feature [Direction Sense]
  • Feature [Joint Dislocation]
  • Connected [Adventurer's Guild] F
  Abilities:
  
  • Parkour - Fast F, Acrobatics F, Perception F, Jumping F, Feature [Direction Sense] - A character is able to move through an area, negotiating obstacles rapidly and efficiently without the use of equipment by running, vaulting, jumping, climbing, rolling, and other movements. Activation of the ability allows for the character to chain movements that can move the character X distance. X is based on the Grade of Fast & Jumping. Without the Climbing skill, these movements cannot be used to scale vertically without aid.
  • Hypermobility - Feature [Joint Dislocation], Acrobatics F - A character has an unusually or abnormally great range of movement in a joint/joints without damaging ligaments or putting strain on the body. Activation of the ability allows for an abnormal range of motion without harm. The degree of movement range and harm that is displaced is based on the Grade of the ability.
  Items:
  
  • Bedroll, Hammock, Waterskin [1], and Rations [7]
  • Messenger Bag & Travel Sack
  • Waterproof Map Case & Multiple Maps
  • Simple Compass
  • Graphite & Parchment [3]

 

[accursedjobber]

"Hermes, you're my favorite" Johnny said with blunt earnestness as he quickly reached inside the offered package and grabbed the cookie shamelessly ignoring everything else inside than placing it in his own package for later consumption when he attained the final piece of the new trilogy. Eyeing the remains of the fourth it's delicious crumbs wasted on Indicus's mouth, how dare he eat his cookie and taunt over Johnny over it that smile a key sign of this slight against his very being, vowing vengeance upon the smug lizard for another time.

Spinning to quickly meet the other of their entourage trying to attain the final piece before it was lost forever. Not sparing a glance at Granny Flores in spite of her generosity, moving under the assumption that she had no more beverages or wouldn't give them to him. Gran's always hated when you have more than one cookie in his experiences, food always tasted better taken from someone else anyway. "Yo Senjou, I wanna help you out a bit, so mind if I carry your meal package for a bit?" Trying for a more subtle approach given his last attempt, taking in Herme's advice in a way that benefits him, while trying to avoid the eyes of Flores and his companions having a plan that only required he hold a meal package.

Completely ignoring his adventure guild goal for the purpose of this visit as this acquisition was obviously more important than some flowers to his mind right now right now, he was sure Hermes and Gran got that part of the job sorted.

Rev IX Malacina

 

[Rev IX]

Senjou Kanno
​

Senjou tilted his head slighly sideways, before clicking his tongue and giving the blonde one a thumbs up "The respect for the craft is always appreciated!" He commented, happy that he was being given respect just for the fact he could use magic. He did not lose eyes off the prize though, he still had an eye out for those peculiar flowers. As he moved along, he noticed people introducing themselves. He had already done his part on that regard, so he kept to himself, simply taking note of the names. Also noting a certain someone's dissatisfaction with the task at hand.

He also noted that Flores, the veteran lady, kept to herself too. Maybe not much to say when you're there to supervise, he supposed. He reached within his cloak for the package she gave him, but didn't pull it out. He went back to her comments of her part in this on his mind. Senjou wasn't scared by any means, but he figured the ones not cut out to be adventurers would.

Regardless, cookies were being discussed now. Again, this Johnny guy seemed a bit suspicious in how he acted. First with Indicus, then he was indulged by Hermes, and now him. Yes, this was about cookies right now, but his approach to get more didn't sit well with Senjou. Was he being paranoid? Most likely. Did he notice it as such? Not by a mile. Fuhaha! I may be a wizard, but I am not as frail as you think. I can carry a package, worry not! Still keeping an eye for flowers, he wanted this job done properly.

Interactions accursedjobber

 

[D. Rex]

It has been a quick trip here, the party having made good time, but it was still a trip. With the sun high in the sky, and the light coming from the copy from the tall trees making a mottled light show on ground and waters. It did wonders to emphasize the light-hearted banter of the party. But even so... adventurers do need to eat. Unless they had been snacking on the way here, then hunger may be beginning to rear its inconvenient head.

Be that as it may, there was a job to be done, as our dutiful adventurers knew very well. For if it took half a day to get here... that meant half a day back. Far better for them that they do not have to make the trek back in the dark. Even places like this shed the facade of peace when night falls on Ryken Forest.


Kimberly would be happy to note, that the further in they got, the more of the salamanders there appeared to be. And they would not shy away from the strangers to these parts. But there were a few whose beady eyes locked on to the lunchboxes and cookies.





Flowers could be seen. Of various colors from red to yellow. Simple wild flowers the dotted the paths. Yet... it was Senjou that noticed it first. The patches of dirty yellow sponges were getting bigger. The further they went, the larger the clusters became. And he could even spot one not too faraway that was the size of a small Boulder. It was that one that he would see stalks of green shoots sprouting from it. No flowers, sadly. But they were on the right track.


The sponge growths were getting bigger.... and so too were the ponds. Bigger, and deeper. That if one were to look down the crystal clear waters... well one probably shouldn't look too close, lest one might see shadows in their depths of life deeper down.

 

[accursedjobber]

" Fine, but remember it is a adventurer's custom to eat together after the job's done " Johnny lied as easily as he breathed not yet abandoning his plan for complete fiefdom over the sugar control even as he felt tiny eyes drawn to his food, furthering his discomfort as he continued "It's after all extremely rude to put your own pleasures before the job" giving Indicus a earnest dirty look as he preaches values that he has no intention's of following.

Quickly turning away and stealthily swallowing a apple slice with a quick sleight of the hand on himself than startling back upon feeling water on his shoes, the ground becoming increasingly harder to avoid it's water the journey becoming evidently more overgrown as the distance from town increased. Though after finding nothing after a cursory glance around his suspicions of the true purpose of their trip, it would make sense tell new recruits to find a flowers in a vast forest for entry. Johnny's skepticism now on high alert as he crept towards the most experienced member of the party.

"Hey GranGran, is this some sort of hazing ritual?" Johnny whispered out of mostly paranoia at this point tricking himself into a cautious state as he saw no signs of a flower and his impatience making him worry if this was a waste of his time even more so if this really was a prank with most importantly no cash reward.

Rev IX slifer37

 

[slifer37]

Granny Flores
​

"You're welcome Hermes." Granny Flores replied to Hermes, instantly latching onto the nickname the being in front of her gave. Hranny was a good sort, and respected what a being wanted to call themselves.

Granny Flores knew the area, and so walked with confidence behind the group, her steps made sure with experience of having walked, and in past ran, the whole trip. She would let them take the lead. They had to experience this mission on their own. But it was also nice to be with a new group of young'ns like this. They seemed like a nice, lively bunch. She was walking with them at a reasonable pace, but she could keep up with them- showing no signs of slowing down.
She hoped everyone ate her food. It always warmed her heart to see everyone eat her creations, that were made with grandmotherly love.
"I suggest all of you dearies stay away from the water. I do not know if any of you know how to breathe underwater, but the creatures down there don't like intruders." Granny informed them once they were near the water. She had seen a group jump in the water to cool off- and start fighting in terrain they were not prepared for. Then again, that group was the reason she went with the new ones in the first place.

Granny Flores beamed kindly at Johnny in an attempt to soothe his fear. She loved the nickname he gave her. IT felt good to be establishing a rapport "No Johnny. It's not a hazing ritual. Any laughter you heard was in memory of their own first mission. Everyone goes through their first mission, making silly mistakes. You'll be fine. I am here with you. Though I do suggest you eat up. Wouldn't want you to be hungry on your trip." She gave him a wink, like they were sharing a secret. She couldn't tell them what was going on this early- considering they just made it to the field. She just hoped they all decided to eat all of what she made. OR at the very least 75% of it.

 

[Malacina]

• Post
• Character

• 
  
  Kimberly "Hermes" Parrish
  ​
  Wᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ʟᴀᴜɢʜ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴅᴅs ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏᴜʀ ʟɪᴠᴇs sᴏ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛʀᴇᴍʙʟᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇs ᴜs.

  Kimberly grins, eyes squinting, as Johnny rifled through the gift bag for his prize before the fae took the bag back, eyes now looking around as the group traveled deeper into the forest. Now that the gift bag was already open, Kimberly absentmindedly picked at the items Granny Flores had given them all. He hadn't realized he was hungry, but the food warmed his stomach easing the unnoticed pangs.
  
  There's talking going on around him and normally Kimberly would be part of it whether people wanted him to be or not, but the increasing number of salamanders was taking his attention. The beasts were increasing in numbers and activity. One, in particular, emerged from the water. It hauled its long body up onto a large rock scattered with sun spots seeping through the leaves. It lazily stretched out and settle down to rest, skin still peppered with water droplets. The creature had time to be lazy, but the adventuring group certainly didn't, not that time was a particular concern for Kimberly. They would either make the mark or they wouldn't, they would get paid or they wouldn't, and to Kimberly there wasn't much of a difference.
  
  The blond stepped along the edge of the group, not caring about the increase in the spongey, watery undergrowth beneath his feet as the air got heavy with water. He was inching closer to the ponds as they walked along, closer to the water than his party. When Granny Flores called out her warning, he corrected his path for a few steps before wandering back and forth between safe and careless not giving either option much thought.
  
  "Hey, Mr. Wizard! What are the blue Lillies for?" Kimberly asked recalling the original request as the yellow Lillies increased in number around his vision. The post had mentioned the Lillies as ingredients. "They gotta be for potions, right? Or is it more of a fancy chef thing? Can we eat these?" He asked the last bit to the larger group as he plucked one of the yellow flowers in between his fingers trying to remember if he knew anything about Lillies in general.
• Link: Character Sheet Page
  Name: Kimberly "Hermes" Michael Parrish
  Height: 5'6"
  Weight: 167lbs
  Equipped Titles:
  
  • [Fae] Fae are creatures infused with magic and nature. They are the least numerous people in the world but some of the longer-lived.
  • [Ryken Adventurer F] Character is an adventurer of the Ryken adventurer guild. Known for being proficient in a number of terrains including water, Ryken adventurers tend to be diverse and capable. F grade characters are still learning the basics. They may not be fully equipped or able to handle many quests by themselves.
  Stats:
  
  • Strength: E (7)
  • Precision: E (7)
  • Intelligence: E (7)
  • Vitality: F (0)
  • Speed: D (14)
  Skills:
  
  • Fast F
  • Jumping F
  • Acrobatics F
  • Perception F
  • Magic F
  • [Wind] Affinity F
  • Feature [Ambidexterity]
  • Feature [Direction Sense]
  • Feature [Joint Dislocation]
  • Connected [Adventurer's Guild] F
  Abilities:
  
  • Parkour - Fast F, Acrobatics F, Perception F, Jumping F, Feature [Direction Sense] - A character is able to move through an area, negotiating obstacles rapidly and efficiently without the use of equipment by running, vaulting, jumping, climbing, rolling, and other movements. Activation of the ability allows for the character to chain movements that can move the character X distance. X is based on the Grade of Fast & Jumping. Without the Climbing skill, these movements cannot be used to scale vertically without aid.
  • Hypermobility - Feature [Joint Dislocation], Acrobatics F - A character has an unusually or abnormally great range of movement in a joint/joints without damaging ligaments or putting strain on the body. Activation of the ability allows for an abnormal range of motion without harm. The degree of movement range and harm that is displaced is based on the Grade of the ability.
  Items:
  
  • Bedroll, Hammock, Waterskin [1], and Rations [7]
  • Messenger Bag & Travel Sack
  • Waterproof Map Case & Multiple Maps
  • Simple Compass
  • Graphite & Parchment [3]

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus quickly finished the lunch pack that Granny Flores gave him not quite trusting Johnny to not try and swipe it from him. By the time he finished eating they were now much deeper in the swamp and upon Granny Flores warning Indicus looked down one of the deep caverns near the waters edge and shivered as he swore he saw the faint reflection of a creatures eyes.

That was all the motivation he needed to avoid the water entirely. Indicus kept on high alert noticing the increase in the salamander creatures and the eerie feel this part of the swamp held. As a result he kept his attention on where everyone was and his surrounding the conversation around him nothing more then background noise.

Indicus remembered and frequently practiced an old habit from his past life of keeping enough tension in his body to react while still being flexible. And he put that old habit to use as he moved through the swamp with the party.

 

[Rev IX]

Senjou Kanno
​

"I am one who enjoys his meals in solitude" Senjou shared, with his usual tone. While not false, as nobody could handle his awe provoking aura for long, he didn't want to mingle much with Johnny. However "You do have a point, that's why I had a hearty breakfast. That ought to keep me satisfied for a while, fuhaha!" That much was true, hunger wouldn't be an issue for a few more hours in his case.

As he eyed the massive sponge, treading carefully through the relatively dry spots he could find as he did, when Hermes asked him a question. "Hm? I wouldn't know." Senjou shrugged "I'm not an alchemist nor a chef. My art is all about fire!" Senjou confidently stated. Lying would do no good in building his legend.

Senjou continued scanning the area as he spoke, minding every step, observing every detail he could focus on. He didn't want to be caught off guard. He seemed to have a knack for concentration. Though the extremely quiet ticking that went along with his heartbeat on his chest was a testament of that already.

 

[accursedjobber]

Letting out a breath of levity, as in his experience hazing routines were a pain in the ass taking the gran's word for it as he carried on his way. Taking her advice to heart as he once again sneaks some food into his mouth though saving the best for later while avoiding the water as usual. His expectations of a actual adventure vastly depleted as he just walks through letting his mind wonder taking care not to gaze into the water.

Though once again as he looked through the group he noted how some haven't eaten yet and since there was nothing else for him to do in his eyes ignoring the goal of their trip, he decided that some good old fashion gambling was in order as he pulls out his deck of cards and starts his attempt at entertainment well aware that the most valuable thing to gamble were the other's food.

"Anyone up to play some cards?" Johnny said towards the general group delegating the task of actual progress to other people as he attempts to pass the time in this search.

 

[D. Rex]

It was not much farther when it was Senjou who spied the first glimpses of blue above the waters surface. It was vibrant and eye catching color, that would have been particularly hard to miss. Save for its height...

Just off the shore of a particularly large pond, still in the shallows not but seven or so feet from the bank, was a tall and single thick mass of that spongey growth. It could not have been any higher than ten feet, and nearly twice as big around. If they hadn't already passed hundreds of examples of the specimens before, it could have been suspected to be a large porous yellow brown boulder.

Atop the large sponge. Plants of various species grew like small wig of hair. Yet the own flowering plant was that blue lily that they had been searching for. It grew quite well, too, for good two dozen flowers could be seen.


Kimberly schlopping around... thankfully the worst that affliction that his careless brought on were boots full of water. And a discovery that the sponges were indeed quite soft. Squishily soft. While he had pondered, he could remember something of lilies being used in medicine. But what specifically for, was beyond him.








Approaching the mass, it was quite clear they would need to climb or jump or some other method to reach the top. Unless there was a way to bring them down intact... yet a couple pokes to the large sponge would it was... a sponge. While structurally form, it was rather soft. And wet.


And... to Kimberly's delight... there was life within. Several glimpses of tiny orange salamanders could be seen in some of the pores, and even tinier salamander larvae in the pores which pooled water. This must be were such salamanders laid their eggs, and let them hatch in the relative safety of a spongy fortress.

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus saw the sponge their goal and the little salamander hatchlings and sighed he knew that this could get problematic real quick.

Indicus turned to the group, "Well I can make a nine foot jump up the sponge and climb the rest and that would probably cause the sponge to compress a bit making it easier to climb the more of us that got on. The problem is this will probably disturb the nest and piss off mommy and daddy salamander and we will be in for a fight, so once the first person starts the climb everyone else will have to quickly follow. One person will have to gather the flowers the rest defend the gatherer from the pissed parents and possibly other salamanders that come to check out the disturbance. So any other ideas, thoughts, concerns?"

 

[Malacina]

• Post
• Character

• 
  
  Kimberly "Hermes" Parrish
  ​
  Wᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ʟᴀᴜɢʜ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴅᴅs ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴏᴜʀ ʟɪᴠᴇs sᴏ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛʀᴇᴍʙʟᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇs ᴜs.

  Kimberly nodded at the wizard's words, noting that they didn't give him a real answer one way or the other. He plucked a few of the petals off the flower, and deciding that it probably wouldn't be that poisonous, ate it. The flower had an odd flavor, but it wasn't bad and it was almost sweet in a way. Shrugging and slightly disappointed, Kimberly let the stem of the flower fall from his hands.
  
  "I can't play cards and walk at the same time," Kimberly answers Johnny's offer, waving a hand around as if to demonstrate his words in some way. Sure they had a quest, but it wasn't like Kimberly never put things off, even when there was a deadline. It was just a shame he didn't know how to play cards and the salamanders were so much more interesting than a peice of paper with fake royalty on them.
  
  Mr. Wizard pointed out the blue lillies sitting onto of what at first looked like a large porous rock. It took Kimberly a moment of stepping around the smaller sponges on the ground to reconcile witht the fact that this massive flowering rock was in fact a large sponge. "Woah..." He breathed in awe, unconsciously and uncaringly taking a few steps off the bank.
  
  A flicker of moment caused Kimberly to trip back onto shore, only to shout in delight when he saw the tiny salamaders moving through the pores of the rock - no, sponge. It was a sponge. A sponge full of baby salamanders. "Ah! Look at them!" He gushed, lighting up as he looked from the babies to his commrads.
  
  Kimberly's face screwed up in confusion when Indicus started outlining some sort of plan. "Fight? What no - wait, we can't step on the sponge - it could hurt the baby salamaders. There has to be another way other up, right? Like a tree that we could reach the top from or some kind of magic or..." Kimberly talked, looking around closer at their surroundings. Damn, suddenly Kimberly wished he was better at the magic within him.
• Link: Character Sheet Page
  Name: Kimberly "Hermes" Michael Parrish
  Height: 5'6"
  Weight: 167lbs
  Equipped Titles:
  
  • [Fae] Fae are creatures infused with magic and nature. They are the least numerous people in the world but some of the longer-lived.
  • [Ryken Adventurer F] Character is an adventurer of the Ryken adventurer guild. Known for being proficient in a number of terrains including water, Ryken adventurers tend to be diverse and capable. F grade characters are still learning the basics. They may not be fully equipped or able to handle many quests by themselves.
  Stats:
  
  • Strength: E (7)
  • Precision: E (7)
  • Intelligence: E (7)
  • Vitality: F (0)
  • Speed: D (14)
  Skills:
  
  • Fast F
  • Jumping F
  • Acrobatics F
  • Perception F
  • Magic F
  • [Wind] Affinity F
  • Feature [Ambidexterity]
  • Feature [Direction Sense]
  • Feature [Joint Dislocation]
  • Connected [Adventurer's Guild] F
  Abilities:
  
  • Parkour - Fast F, Acrobatics F, Perception F, Jumping F, Feature [Direction Sense] - A character is able to move through an area, negotiating obstacles rapidly and efficiently without the use of equipment by running, vaulting, jumping, climbing, rolling, and other movements. Activation of the ability allows for the character to chain movements that can move the character X distance. X is based on the Grade of Fast & Jumping. Without the Climbing skill, these movements cannot be used to scale vertically without aid.
  • Hypermobility - Feature [Joint Dislocation], Acrobatics F - A character has an unusually or abnormally great range of movement in a joint/joints without damaging ligaments or putting strain on the body. Activation of the ability allows for an abnormal range of motion without harm. The degree of movement range and harm that is displaced is based on the Grade of the ability.
  Items:
  
  • Bedroll, Hammock, Waterskin [1], and Rations [7]
  • Messenger Bag & Travel Sack
  • Waterproof Map Case & Multiple Maps
  • Simple Compass
  • Graphite & Parchment [3]

 

[accursedjobber]

"Eh speak for yourself" Johnny shrugging at the skill issue Hermes revealed to him, slotting his deck back inside a inner pocket as the group halted upon observation of their actual real target of the journey. The lizard pests serving as a moral and physical obstacle for the job, Johnny following along begrudgingly with Indicus's thinking taking in his words, before deciding to contribute for the first time towards the quest by adding towards the conservation.

"Instead of fighting them in there why don't we distract mommy and daddy here on solid ground, y'know like start a fire or something get them real pissed enough to leave the nest unguarded, thus allowing the gatherers to be more gentle on the babies." Johnny punctuated this statement by tapping his bat on the ground, coming to the conclusion that fighting the salamanders on their own turf would be a bad bet on his terms.

"I propose Hermes as the main gatherer, he probably knows how to gather them probably, maybe just throw a bag of lillies down to granny to catch. While the rest of us bodyguards distract or deal with the actually dangerous part of the job, Indicius I imagine you could loop a couple of salamanders, Senjou does whatever a wizard does. And I shall keep lookout for any oncoming threats."

Johnny's plan conveniently left himself out of the action and in the safest position, his latest attempt to weasel out of danger, hoping that his role's usefulness would be ignored though there was a unknown factor, Johnny turning to ask him.

"Hey Senjou, what can you magic up anyhow?"

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Malacina
Indicus looked at Kimberly confused looking around the sponge there seemed to be no tree near enough to help get on the plant. "Sorry to say this Kimberly but there are no trees near enough to use and even then the gatherer would still have to get on the sponge to gather the flowers. So there is no way we can avoid disturbing the little lizards and that means we will be dealing with angry parents as a result. This is just the way things are. Though the quicker you get the flowers the less we have to fight and the more salamanders live."

 

[slifer37]

Granny Flores
​

Granny silently looked at the group, hoping they would develop their group cohesion on their own, to get the flowers without hurting the salamanders. Each member had talents they could use- and they didn't seem like bad eggs who would start committing mass homicide. They had to solve the problem by themselves by making a plan, coming to agreement about said plan, and executing said plan as best as they could.
Though, each group had reacted quite differently to the challenge in front of them, it was nice to see that they were placing in the middle where she liked them to be. Not too stupid, like that one group who dove into the water even with the waterbugs that resided within, or the other group who had immediately started to murder salamanders upon seeing them.
Her presence was like a dual-edged sword. She was there to help, but a part of it was to observe how they acted in their first trial, to report if they were psychologically a good fit for the Guild as well. The bar wasn't exactly high for joining- it was more for those who were too cowardly/incompetent or too murderous to be worth admitting in, as those kinds of people would stain the reputation of the Guild, getting themselves and innocents killed. If they did well, they could have her as a contact within the Guild if needed.

She hoped they wouldn't hurt the salamanders too badly, as they could fight the salamanders without having to murder them. She gave Johnny a small nod, as she agreed with his plan, and liked his way of thinking. IF she had been alone, she could interact with the salamanders, as they knew her from her repeated trips here, but while supervising new adventurers, she had to stay back unless she was truly needed to help them out. There were ways to chase out the babies so they wouldn't be hurt, as Kimberly had suggested. She hoped they all ate her food, as it was always best to eat Granny's foods- with how delicious and good for you they were.

​