Fantasy Realms of Nymserine: Main Thread [[CLOSED]]

[BugDozer73]

I watched as the troll broke the clearing, chasing a fading ball of mana. It stepped in between the trees and its contact triggered the trap. The runes began to glow, and water began to spurt up from the earth, clinging to the body of the now frantic troll, who flailed his arms and howled in anger. More and more water came and the troll became incased up to its next in a floating droplet. It struggled, but couldn't swim out of the constantly swirling orb.


I ran forward with a smile and cheered. "Hey it actually worked! We did it!" 

 

[Purize]

My mana depleted and had to blink several times to clear my head. That was more difficult then i'd thought it'd be. Carefully, I made my way back over to Roland and looked at the troll squirming in a mass of water, the sight made my skin crawl, so I looked at Roland. "And we didn't even have to pick a fight. That's a neat trick, Roland." I nodded at his trap. 


"But now we have to get it back to the town." I shot him a look. "How long is that going to hold him?"

 

[BugDozer73]

"Depends" I said, looking over the thrashing troll. "If I move too far away from water, it will be easier for him to escape." 


I thought about the trip back, and the possibility of the orb just spilling over, and the very real possibility that we could have a very large, very angry troll to deal with. I looked over at the women I was working with, admiring her figure. 


Focus I thought. Wouldn't do me much good to impress her if I lost focus and ended up having to kill the troll. 


"I think If i just focus on it hard enough, I can hold him. And as for moving him..." 


I held out my hands towards the water and moved them to the side in a flowing motion. The floating orb slowly moved with my motions, sending the troll into more fearful temper tantrums. 


"Pretty neat, huh?" I said, trying not to sweat with the effort is was taking me to keep the troll under control.

 

[Purize]

I nodded, but I was still unsure with the method of transportation. "Maybe It'd be easier if we knocked him out?" I muttered, watching the thing thrash around in agitation. I was not keen on the idea of it escaping somehow and having to climb another tree to escape it.

 

[BugDozer73]

I looked over the captive. "they have very thick skulls and not a lot of brain. How do you suppose we do that?" 


To knock out a troll we would need tremendous force. I could torrent him with more than enough, but all my mana was focused on keeping him detained.

 

[Purize]

I took several steps back and tilted my head at the troll, sizing it up. "You may want to move back." 


I planted my feet firmly on the ground and pressed my palms together. I closed my eyes and focused on concentrating all my energy into a compact ball of mana, steadily it grew in between my palms, getting hotter and hotter and the energy swirled violently and then taking one step forward I released it, blasting the mana at the troll, aiming for the head. With a loud wooshing sound, it shot through the air and collided with it's target. The troll's head snapped back and it's eyes rolled to the back of it's head. It looked dizzy for a moment before it's eyelids fluttered close, it's tongue lulling out repulsively.


I crinkled my nose as drool oozed out of it's mouth and looked at Roland. "That should do the trick for now. Let's hurry up and get back."

 

[BugDozer73]

I stared in shock at Verity, then shook myself and nodded. I began moving the trolls bubble, which was now significantly easier without him thrashing about.

 

[Purize]

We walked through the forest, slowly but surely, with a troll in hand. I pulled the parchment out of my pocket and re-read over the details of the job. 


"They guy we're delivering to lives just outside of town in an old watch tower. That should be relatively easy to spot." I folded the paper again and replaced it. I was eager to get this job done and get paid... but what would happen when we were done? I glanced at Roland out of the corner of my eye. 


He agreed to do the one job with me, and that was it. I wondered if he would simply return to his crew when we were done, but Sylas's words the night before still haunted my mind. "You need all the help you can get in your travels. The boy you met today is not ordinary, and would be a good companion for you in the journey to come."

 

[BugDozer73]

The less energy I had to put into keeping the troll moving allowed me to let my mind wander. "So how much are we looking at payment here?"


After a moment, I asked a more important question. "Also, whats next for you??"


We had only been together for a short while, but she was cute and smart, and we made a good team. Not to mention I had no intentions of returning to the ship currently.

 

[Purize]

I grinned at him. "Such a typical pirate, always looking for treasure. The reward on the flyer was six gold pieces and four silver pieces, sometimes if they're really grateful they will give a little extra, but I figure we can split that in half easy enough and still make a decent profit." 


I considered his other question a moment and shrugged. "I travel city to city doing guild jobs... but I also train. My dream is to be strong enough to join the Circle in Nymserine's city capital, Aerilon." 

 

[BugDozer73]

In truth, Gold wasn't of all that much importance to me. I listened to her speak about traveling from city to city. Would she leave here? Most likely, but that made me unhappy. Then she mentioned the circle. "The Circle? Whats that??" 

 

[Purize]

I looked at him in surprise. "Really? You've never heard of them? They are the most elite guild in all the lands and do jobs directly with the king and the royal guard. Only the most powerful and exceptionally skilled warriors become members of the circle... it's a pretty prestigious position... not to mention a great payroll." I flashed him a smile.


The town was now visible past the tree line, and the shape of the old watch tower could just be made out in the distance. "We're almost there."

 

[BugDozer73]

"Hey that sound pretty cool. Think you really have a shot at getting in?" I noticed the town coming into view and was silently thankful the walking was almost over. The solid ground beneath my feet wasn't as forgiving as being surrounded by water. 


I then realized what I had been implying. 


"Not that I think your not good enough, like your totally good enough. Super Talented, smart, cute.." I shut my mouth and tried to think of something else to say, but no words came. 


Fucking wonderful

 

[Purize]

I opened my mouth to reply but when he continued, I stopped, stunned. I felt my face tint with warmth and knew I was probably blushing, so I looked ahead and started walking a bit faster. "I think that if I keep training and doing my best, I'll have a shot." I said quietly.


Did he just call me smart and cute? 

 

[BugDozer73]

she hadn't noticed.. thank god


I exhaled and felt my heart flutter a little. 


"It sounds like a lot of fun. Heh, maybe I could tag along." I jested with a chuckle. 


I wondered what life outside the sea was like though. As much as it was my home, that hardly meant I was content to not explore.

 

[Purize]

I paused momentarily and stared at him. "Really? You would actually consider that?"


I continued walked, but I help but think of Sylas and how I hated that he was always right... but would he be right about this? Roland was a man of the sea, anyone could tell that about him. And besides, I've been traveling on my own for a long time now. I could manage myself even when it got lonely sometimes... but the reality was that I wasn't good at working with people outside of jobs. I had a good business and strategic persona that allowed me to get things done in my travels... but make friends? I'd never had the time or need, so I never tried. I knew enough about it to know that it wasn't strong suit.

 

[BugDozer73]

Her enthusiasm caught me off guard. "W-what? I mean, yeah ,of course. I was looking to get off that ship anyways." I said, sounding only a little flustered.


"I mean, I don't think I have what it takes to be an elite warrior." I laughed at the thought of me being some rich kids lap dog.


I noticed the tower off to the left several paces. 


"Hey, is that the place your were talking about?"

 

[Purize]

I shrugged "We don't know if we don't try."


I looked ahead and nodded. "Yep. We're here." I jogged ahead and knock on the old oaken double doors to the tower. After a moment's wait they creaked open, revealing an older man with wiry grey hair that had balded on the top of his head and resorted to growing on the sides. 


"Yes...?" He said, "How may I help you?" 

I smiled a business-like smile. "Hello Sir, I believe you posted a job in the guild about the capture of a live troll." I gestured behind me where Roland still had the thing captured in a bubble of water. 

The man's eyes widened with delight. "Why, I'd put that darned thing about about a week ago. No one wers 'bout to mess with them trolls." He shook his head. "I'd have done it myself, but I don't quite have the strength of youth anymore." He smiled a sort of sad smile and opened the doors wider. "C'mon in, I already have a space prepared for the specimen." I looked to Roland and nodded before walking into the tower.

 

[BugDozer73]

I followed them in and gently eased the troll into the door, who was now starting to wake. 


"I got this" I said.


I began making fists, and his head began to get pulled under water, until he was completely submerged. 


My hands closed completely, and from the bottom up, the whole sphere froze over, perfectly trapping the troll and preserving him.


The sphere, once frozen, dropped onto the floor, smashing the flooring.


"Sorry about that" I said bashfully, trying not to look the man in the eye.

 

[Purize]

On the inside of the tower, bookcases and glass observation cases lined every wall and were filled to the brim with bottled creatures, body parts, books, scrolls and eerie candles that green-tinted flames. I was so absorbed in the... er.. decor, that I jumped when the troll hit the floor. I winced at the damage and refrained from cursing out loud. The man however, didn't seem too concerned.


"I really do appreciate the help." He said, looking in admiration at the troll now encased in ice. "He will be a fine addition to my collection and research." 


I shifted uncomfortably. "Is that a sort of hobby of yours? Collecting, I mean." I gestured to the cases and jars of preserved... things. The man nodded, pleased with himself. "Oh yes, I've always had quite a fascination for the creatures of Nymserine." A wrinkled smile spread across his face. "When I was a young lad, I'd go deep into the forests and sketch whatever I happened to find, then later in life I met a skilled trapper who taught me a thing or two." He winked. "And so I started to capture different species to study them up close..." He wandered off in his own thoughts for a moment until he snapped back, his abruptness, making my jump. Again.

"Now. For your pay." He brought out a worn leather pouch that clinked as he handed it to me. "Six gold and 4 silver pieces. I appreciate the hard work, adventurers."

I nodded to him and smiled. "Pleasure doing business with you sir, have a good day. We can show ourselves out." He waved his hand in farewell and I tried to not outright run for the door. Once I was outdoors again I let out a huge breath. "Phew... talk about creepy." I gave Roland an exasperated look.

 

[BugDozer73]

We stepped outside, and I turned to Verity. "I don't know, he was kind of cute for an old man, in like a childish way." I said with a smile. "Ive always admired people who love the world." I scratched behind my ears and turned to the town. "So whats say you and I use some of this to get some food? Im starving." I said laughing. As added effect, my stomach rumbled loudly.

 

[Purize]

I laughed at him and shrugged. "Sure. All in a hard day's work. Do you know this place well enough to know where a decent place to eat is?" I crinkled my nose thinking about the grungy tavern from the night before.

 

[BugDozer73]

I thought about it, and scratched my head as I gazed out thoughtfully over the village. 


"Im new here too. Im not sure whats good, but the chef in the ships galley is a fine cook. And he's free too. I suppose its up to you, we could go back to my ship, or we could take a gamble with a pub in the town." I wouldn't care with way, I was just having fun being with someone my own age, someone fun and exciting. Someone with a beautiful soul

 

[Purize]

Intrigued, I stared wide-eyed at Roland. "A pirate chef!? What do you guys eat...?" I thought for a moment and then added, "Just seafood...?"

The thought of eating seafood everyday of my life unnerved me, but I was enthralled by the fact that they had their own pirate chef. I imagined myself sitting at a long dining table with the whole crew gathered around, some wolfing down food while others danced and sang sea shanties in between huge swigs of rum. The thought had me smiling from ear to ear, as an adventurer, I appreciated new experiences.

 

[BugDozer73]

"Actually no." I said with a smile, all the memories of the delicious food sailing back into my mind. "One of the things we stock when we dock is food for him to cook with. Just the other night he made us this incredible noodle dish with a tomato sauce with chunks of sausage meat in it. I think he called it 'Calabrese' sauce? Something strange like that, but it was delicious." I could feel my tastebuds begin to whimper under the growing pool of drool forming in my mouth. 


"So is that a yes on the Mr. Brooks?" I laughed at the was her eyes lit up when she first heard mention of the idea.