Active [Greystone - Ryke] The Howling Depths

[Maxxob]

Maxxob | Adelhein
TheTimePiece | Scarlett
Gwen_Temi | Demeter
Rev IX | Aureus
Spoiled Bread | Aqua

The Ryken Adventurers Guildhall was a hub of constant activity, but today, it was nearly bursting at the seams. A wall-sized board displayed notices for work, from mundane escort missions to high-stakes monster hunts. Yet one notice drew most of the attention, its bold lettering impossible to ignore:

"URGENT REQUEST: INVESTIGATORS AND COMBATANTS NEEDED."

A crowd of adventurers clustered around the posting, murmuring with excitement and unease. The details were both sparse and unsettling:

A sinkhole of unprecedented size has swallowed the village of Greystone overnight. Survivors from nearby areas report strange phenomena. The Guild seeks skilled individuals to investigate the sinkhole, ensure the safety of surrounding settlements, and uncover the source of these events. Reward: 50 silver rykes per participant, with additional compensation for actionable findings.

Edvar
​

At the far end of the hall, Guildmaster Edvar—a grizzled half-orc clad in a mix of well-worn armor and a crimson Guild cloak—stood atop a raised dais. His booming voice carried over the clamor:

“Listen up! The reports coming out of Greystone are unlike anything we’ve seen. This isn’t just some bandit raid or monster nest. Whatever caused that sinkhole is big, and we need the best of you to get to the bottom of it—literally.”

He paused, scanning the room, his sharp eyes daring anyone to back out. “Caravans carrying survivors are heading to Greystone’s edge now. If you’re interested, make your way to the guild's quartermasters, sign up, and prepare to leave by dawn tomorrow. This is high-risk work, but the pay’s worth it. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Around the hall, conversations erupted in every corner. Some debated the nature of the incident—elemental disruption? Ancient curse? Rogue summoning magic? Others were already forming parties, scanning the room for capable allies.

A table near the guild’s hearth had been set up for additional details. A young guild scribe, looking overwhelmed by the crowd, frantically scribbled names onto a growing list of volunteers. Next to her stood a weathered adventurer offering survival tips to first-timers, clearly relishing the attention.

Guiseppe
​

Meanwhile, an older human merchant was arguing with a guild official about the fate of his trade wagons last seen traveling near Greystone, his voice rising above the general din: “Forget the silver—I’ve got heirlooms on that blasted route! If any of you find them, I’ll make it worth your while, I swear it!”

The sense of urgency was palpable. The mystery of Greystone—and the promises of silver—hung over the crowd like a storm cloud, crackling with potential. As the sign-ups grew, the question remained: would this be the opportunity of a lifetime, or would the depths swallow these adventurers whole, as they had the village?

 

[Maxxob]

Adelhein El-Melloi von Breyer // Artoria // Gilgamesh

​

Titles:
Adelhein: [Isekai], [Human], [Adept Magus] Color - #e60e0e
Saber Alter: [Isekai], [Construct], [Adept Swordsman] Color - #470c85
Gilgamesh: [Isekai], [Construct], [Adept Mage] Color - #d3fa5c

​

Spoiler: Influences

Corruption

0%

Saber Alter's Influence

15%

Gilgamesh's Influence

5%

TheTimePiece Gwen_Temi Rev IX Spoiled Bread

El-Melloi's Mansion​

Earlier that day...

​

The morning rays had peered through the window of Adelhein's chambers at a very early hour, not even the dark velvety curtains could stop the piercing light. The young magus turned on the bed, trying to shield himself from the brightness and hopefully get a few more hours of sleep. For all his commitment and desire of attaining great heights, one fact didn't change: the teenager was not a morning person.

But his attempt was frustrated with the double doors of his chambers being opened and closed after a trio walking inside of it.

"Now, now, a king in the making can't really let the day escape him like that. Free indulgence will come after the sovereignty is properly secured." Gilgamesh was the first to speak, an amused smile gracing her lips. The sunlight reflected against her golden armor, further adding to the impossibility of ignoring her presence.

"She is right, Master. There is much to be done to further your own position above these weaklings and your name the prestige it deserves." Artoria followed quickly, not missing a beat, her expression stoic as always. And, differently from the golden one's armor, her pitch-black one absorbed the light which reached it, making it glimmer almost ominously.

For all their differences and agendas, pushing Adelhein's forward was a common goal between both Servants.

The third member of this intrusion was a mercurial maid, carrying clean, folded robes.

"Fine, fine! I'm getting up..." Knowing that there was nothing he could do about it, Adelhein threw the sheet aside and got up from the expansive bed. And, snatching the robes, marched behind a dressing screen.

While still not happy with not getting more hours of sleep, it wasn't long until he was fully dressed and heading downstairs towards the dinning room.



There, all those who decided to stay in his mansion would have had access to a varied and rich breakfast.

---

Ryken Adventurers Guild
​

Was it fortune, destiny or merely happenstance that made Adelhein be at the Ryken Adventurers Guild when such a posting was made available? The young magus was unable to answer that question, his going to the Guild only happening thanks to both Demeter and Scarlett's passing comments on how working with them might be a very effective way to spread the influence of his name and faction. There was something else about helping people, but he didn't particularly care for that.

His Servants, Artoria and Gilgamesh, had practically pushed away the crowd as they walked into the Guild, remaining close to the teenager to make sure no one approached him too freely.

"A sudden sinkhole? Now, that is something not even I remember of having witnessed. And I have seen much." Gilgamesh commented to the group, her crimson eyes narrowing. Upon hearing the hypothesis that came from the mongrels' mouths: from natural to a summoning, her lips showed the faintest of smiles. "Looks like this world has something to keep me... entertained. Besides you that is, my dear Adelhein." She finished her sentence with her attention turned to the young magus.

Artoria, who had been away from battle for more than she would have liked, felt the excitement bubbling inside of her, even if her stoical mask remained unchanged. Yet, the gauntleted hand which rested on top of the pommel of her sword closed around it, a fleeting betrayal of her eagerness to coat her blade in blood. "Master, this looks like the perfect opportunity to advance your goals. Will we take on this request?"

"Indeed we will. It will also serve to test what we have practiced so far and apply it to a real situation." His answer most likely didn't surprise any of the group. He himself was excited, despite the sluggish morning. "Let's head to the quartermaster and sign up." Adelhein added, looking at his apprentices.

 

[Crescent King]

The Cat


The guild hall sat in its usual state of bustling activity, with adventurers coming and going, merchants peddling wares, and the faint clatter of practice weapons echoing from the training yard. But just outside the hall, perched on the sun-warmed stone steps, was its most steadfast occupant: a cat.

It wasn’t clear who the cat belonged to, or if it belonged to anyone at all. With sleek fur black as night and piercing golden eyes, it seemed far too dignified to claim ownership over. Most of the guild members simply called it "Shadow," though the merchants whispered it had a dozen names, each given by a different adventurer passing through.

Shadow's daily activities were a mix of calculated laziness and occasional bursts of energy. Even as the hall seemed more active than ever, the cat remained uninterested. Instead deciding to clean himself by licking his paw and brushing it over his face repeatedly.

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Aqua

---

"H-here kitty kitty..." Aqua didn't seems to be too enthusiastic about coming to the adventurer guild, but she came along anyway. She wanted to believe that she had outgrown her past self and wouldn't repeat the same mistake of spending half of the time running around in panic but its clear that she's still nervous about it.

She would let the others handling the quest they're going to take though, she trusted them to take the most suitable one for the group. Aqua instead had been distracting herself by trying to give some treats to the black cat that had been loitering in the guild. She gently extended her hand forward, offering a piece of shredded chicken breast. A small part of her lunch that she cooks herself in the dorm's kitchen with [Domestic Art F].

Action:
1) Gives food to cat Crescent King​

 

[Crescent King]

‘Shadow’ was no stranger to free food and would gladly accept, stretching out his neck and body to sniff the chicken for a moment before gingerly taking it from the girl and lowering his head to the ground to munch away. After finishing the chicken he raised his head back up and let out a soft meow of gratitude and greed, looking and sniffing around for more food.

‘Shadow’ stood up and arched his back forward, stretching down onto his front legs before marching forward and rubbing against Aqua's leg, purring the entire time. He has learned that being cute often leads to more treats. He looked up to her with his golden eyes and released another meow.


Spoiled Bread

 

[Gwen_Temi]

Demeter
​

Demeter stirred to life not long after the rising sun’s rays began to peek through the blinds to her bedroom window. With a yawn, she slowly sat up; covers falling away to reveal that she slept completely nude beneath the sheets. She scratched her side and, before she even had a chance to get out of bed-

-a robotic butler burst into the room and raced over to her bedside.

She leaned back, eyes wide, ready to blast the ever-loving shit outta this invader before it could attack… but the construct simply paused, motionless; a humming sound emanating from its chassis for a moment before it spoke.

“Wellness overview scan: complete,” Demeter’s brow furrowed in confusion as she listened to the strange machine, “How are you doing this morning, Mistress Demeter?”

Her eyes flickered away from the machine for a moment before she met… what she assumed to be its eyes once more.

“...Fine?”

“Wonderful.”

The machine began to scurry away and Demeter’s sights slowly drifted towards her window. She yawned once more and turned her sights to the window; the rhythmic clanking of the machine’s footsteps filling the room all the while. A heavy plop shook the bed as something mildly heavy was dropped onto the quilt over her legs. Then, a shadow slowly grew to loom over the young fae.

She turned to catch sight of the maid holding open a blouse as though it were prepared to force it over her head.

“Would you like to wear this red blouse with golden accents today? The contrast of the red against your skin, coupled with the accents that match your eye color shou-”

“No thank you.”

The machine paused for a moment, folded the blouse with a startling speed, then grabbed another from off of the bed.

“Perhaps this green-”

“No thanks."

Another.

“How about this tan colored-”

“No.”

“Perhaps a standard white-”

“I don't want a shirt!”

“Mistress Demeter! Master Adelhein has chosen you as his second. You have a standard to uphold. You must make yourself decent before-”

Somewhere along the way, Demeter began to summon petals that slowly wrapped around her and bonded together into a covering that concealed anything that might've been considered inappropriate. The maid paused once more.

“Recalibrating…”

…

“Would you like me to show you to the bathroom where you can brush your teeth?”

“Where I can what?”

“Brush your teeth, Madame.”

“... what??”

“Have you not been practicing proper dental hygiene l, Madame!?”

“...no-no?”

“Oh dear! Mistress Demeter, proper dental hygiene is of the utmost importance. Without it, you could develop cavities, lose teeth, contract horrible infections and even die!”

“WHAT???”

“Ma'am, may I request an urgent dental examination?”

“...okay.”

“Open your mouth for inspection, please”

As soon as Demeter exposed those pearly whites, the construct rushed over and began her examination.

“Oh goodness! Saliva PH: 9.3. Dangerously Alkaline. Enzymatic Concentration: Dangerously high. Oh dear…”

The young dryad started getting nervous.

“Cavities Detected: Zero. Enamel Decay: Zero percent. Tissue swelling and discoloration? False. Dental bleeding? False. Bacterial presence: Negligible,” the construct slowly began to back away and Demeter closed her mouth, “Recalibrating. Updating homeostatic profile for [Subject: Demeter]”

A heavy silence hung over the room as she awaited the machine's verdict.

“Great job taking care of those pearly whites!” the construct spoke, as though it were reading from a pre-written script, “Please join us downstairs when you're ready for breakfast.”

…

“R-right.”

—-------------------------------------------------------------------

After a mildly unsettling morning, Demeter was met with a gratifying surprise that, honestly, warmed her heart a bit.

She had suggested that those in Magno Sapiente Victori join her for a question at the Adventurer's Guild, and the idea of going on adventures with them excited her, but she didn't actually expect for it to happen so quickly. Knowing that they listened to her put a smile on her face. And yet, despite the whole thing being her idea, a few new concerns found their way into the back of her mind that she'd never fretted over on any of her previous adventures. The thought of someone getting hurt, dying or otherwise meeting a horrible fate never bothered her too much. It was simply part of the job. But then, prior to today, she'd always signed up for quests with random people that she doubted she'd ever see again. Not, well...

...not with people that she even remotely considered to be her kin.

A few of the maids words echoed in the back of The Dryad's mind as she sat at one of the guild's tables alongside her companions. She watched Adelhein chatting with his servants. She watched Aqua playing with a cute little cat. She watched Guildmaster Edvar describe the dangers of the quest. Then, she nodded and whispered the maid's words to herself.

"I have a standard to uphold now."

Adelhein's words brought her back to the present moment. And when Gilgamesh took interest in the sinkhole quest, the young fae had no objections.

“On it.”

Demeter knew this place well. She began making her way over to The Guildmaster to sign up for the quest, but the shouting of an older gentleman drew her attention away from him along the way. The dryad wasn't one to pass up opportunity, after all.

“Well, why not both?” Demeter made her way over to Mr. Giuseppe, extending a hand to shake with a warm smile drawn across her face, “I’ll keep an eye out for your heirlooms. Anything in particular I should be looking for while I'm in the pit?”

​

 

[Rev IX]

Aureus Albion
​

It had been an odd couple of days for Aureus. Which went from homeless, to live in a mansion. That said, he still second-guessed his actual worthiness to live under the tutelage of Adelhein. Which made him anxious of leaving his room much, as much as he wished to take a trip to the library or other visually pleasing areas of the estate he was not aware of. He only left his room to train, eat, and quick baths when he was sure nobody else would want to use it. Be it in the dead of night, or far before the sun rose for the day.

Aureus finally showed himself for something other than the activities that forced him out of his room. Having bathed quite a few hours ago, he spent a few hours trying to figure out some details about runic transmutation and the result of meditating his way into his strange to small bits of memories from the dreams of light he had. Which were now more lucid and frequent.

A mercurial maid brought him yet another set of clothes. After the maid left, Aureus turned off his lantern and went to inspect it. He once again felt a mix of deep gratitude and a sense of not being worth all that he was being given. As he fit his clothes, he silently thanked his teacher for being so welcoming.

Since they were heading out, Aureus decided to finally don the glasses he was given. Apparently they allowed his eyes to rest.

The guildhall was uncomfortably packed. But his group certainly made their way around with ease, much to his relief. Demeter took off to discuss matters with a struggling merchant, while Aqua picked up the attention of a cat, or upon further looking, the opposite was the case. Adelhein made his way to the quartermaster. Aureus silently followed, trying his best to pick up on whatever he could hear that might be useful to know about this mess.