~[@Silver Carrot]~

[quote=Eilidh Chiron][color=9B1436]"Oh! Ah, I was escorting a charge from Sonarra, who were under my protection. It was a good thing, too, or they'd have most definitely been arrested on the journey without my help. Relations between Sonarra and the Varjans are souring and they wanted to leave before a full blown revolt kicked off."[/color][/quote]

"[color=92278f]I see. Well, what town under Varjo has good relations with its ruler?[/color]" The Dark Priest replied. "[color=92278f]I'd say I would wish them luck but... many others before them have tried to separate from Varjo and...[/color]" She trailed off, her expression was one of sadness.

The Dark Priest then shook her head. "[color=92278f]Anyway, you are lucky that you have not received any grievous injuries.[/color]" She remarked as she finished healing all your wounds. "[color=92278f]That should do it. Are you feeling alright? Does it still hurt?[/color]" The Dark Priest began wiping away any of the spilled blood. "[color=92278f]I must ask though, how did you get a charge all the way in Sonarra? Did someone there or from there ask you for help?[/color]"

"[color=92278f]Wait a second, you don't happen to be part of that new guild, are you? The one doing all sorts of requests?[/color]" The Dark Priest faced you. "[color=92278f]There was a gentleman who came from the guild yesterday. He was very, very rude but he did do what has been asked, kind of, so I prepared a reward. Though, it's not a conventional reward of gold but supplies of food.[/color]"

[hr]
[b]A Tempest Looms[/b]
~[@Rune_Alchemist]~

[quote=Arletta Dupain][color=8882be]"I...I would be fine, if you are suggesting flying to our destination."[/color][/quote]

"[color=red]Splendid![/color]" Valerie smiled as she grabbed both your arms and with one flap of her majestic wings, the two of you were in the sky. "[color=red]We would be much faster this way.[/color]"

Valerie then began the flight towards Ravager's Rest with you as her sole passenger. "[color=red]The people of the shrine would always try to reach out to these bandits. You know, with the 'we come in peace' and the 'you are welcome here' stuff.[/color]" She then sighed. "[color=red]Unfortunately, Varjan refugees have grown up in an environment of unending violence and distrust and thus responded to our welcoming arms with swords and axes.[/color]"

The two of you have reached the fort and hovered above it. The stone stronghold was built into the mountain but like your guildhouse, it was also in very poor condition and had clearly seen better days. It was still quite large though, covering enough of the mountain to probably house an army. "[color=red]We still get through them though.[/color]" Valerie continued. "[color=red]But not without sacrifice. I knew a set of Apsara twins who were always ready to jump at the call. Ready to meet those bandits without hesitation. I knew they were going to bite it sooner or later, I just prayed they did so at the same time so one need not face loneliness. Unfortunately, Eros isn't the goddess of Death.[/color]"

"[color=red]Anyway, it looks from here that it doesn't seem that--[/color]" Valerie was cut off when you both spot a huge fireball shoot from somewhere in the fort towards the two of you. The Valkyrie gasped as she tried to manuever away but the flaming missile detonated and the resulting shockwave temporarily knocked you out.

Once you regain your senses, you may have anticipated pain since being incapacitated in midair would definitely result in a very steep drop. But you did not, you instead find yourself in the arms of Valerie and the two of you were heading to the ground in a much slower speed and a much softer landing. She then quickly dropped you to your feet. "[color=red]Are you all right? It's a good thing I recovered quickly or else both of us would be in a world of pain.[/color]"

The neighing and galloping of horses caught your attention and there seem to be an entire group of horsemen heading towards you. There was [url=https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/catalog/product/600x620/99120201048_ChaosMarauderHorsemen360.jpg]one[/url] who rode ahead and was at spitting distance from you. Before you could react though, the Mounted Brigand leapt from his horse and landed on top of you.

His hands immediately went to wringing your neck. You could tell he was strong but maybe not stronger than a monster.

[hr]
[b]Herbal Medicine[/b]
~[@13org] (FYR)~

You dispatch the pea-shooting plants with single arrows but more of them just keep sprouting. Still, you kept fighting and dodging the pea projectiles and still, they kept firing large peas at you.

But then you felt the ground rumble a bit and you see, over at the distance that [url=https://orig00.deviantart.net/95db/f/2016/035/4/d/pvz2___cob_cannon_by_lolwutburger-d9qgfms.png]a huge corn on the cob on a wagon[/url] has arrived. Then, multiple new plants arose from the ground around the yellow crop. These were not the peashooters you were fighting earlier but they appeared to be [url=https://orig00.deviantart.net/4ade/f/2013/351/f/5/plants_vs_zombies_2_melon_pult__r__the_melon_pult_by_illustation16-d6yc38b.png]watermelons hurling other watermelons like a catapult[/url]. The cob then pointed upward and it was clear to you that it was going to launch its corn at you. 

Judging from the size of it, you were unlikely to evade the corny impact. You had to stop it before it fires. However, the melon catapults surrounding it appear to be protecting the corn on the cob. Besides lobbing huge watermelons at you, you see that their eyes were watching cautiously at your next move. You need to take them out to dispatch the huge corn on the cob.

But to do that, you may give the cob ample time to launch at you. But on the other hand, ignoring the watermelons may let them exploit an opening and overwhelm you. What shall you do?

[hr]
[b]Laying The Foundations[/b]
~[@The Irish Tree]~

[quote=Magnus Eissenhoeff][b]"Um...Why are you so interested in Male Monsters anyways? And aside from that, do you um...have any siblings?"[/b][/quote]

The Dwarf was incredulous at your first question. "[color=0054a6]Hoh, well why shouldn't I? You're a bloody male monster! That's never happened ever since the current Demon Lord took ovah![/color]" He answered before finishing his mug. "[color=0054a6]All the monsters turned female and all their children were female monsters. To have a male born from a monster is literally the main objective the Demon Lord has. You're a miracle, lad![/color]"

"[color=2e3192]Well, anyway...[/color]" The Dwarf cleared his throat before moving to your second question. "[color=0054a6]I have one brother. He's... he's not with us anymore.[/color]" He gripped his mug as he stared at the floor. "[color=0054a6]Bloody damn Varjans and their bloody damn Queen... And bloody damn Order for siding with 'em. Traitorous scum, all of 'em.[/color]" The Dwarf realized that he had just derailed the topic. "[color=0054a6]Ahh, sorry 'bout that lad. I suppose it's too soon for me.[/color]"

He then sighed. "[color=0054a6]Welp, I guess that's enough time for mucking about. Time to get back to work. Got to show the lads that I don't just bark orders 'round here.[/color]" He said before getting off his seat. Spotting that you had barely drank from your mug of ale, the Dwarf looked at you. "[color=0054a6]Are you gonna finish that?[/color]"

-----

The rest of the day was uneventful but you did see the gradual transformation of the dilapidated guild building into a functioning hall suitable for adventurers such as yourself. By nighttime, the Dwarves were almost done. What you see was a structure made good as new though its overall aesthetic was changed into something Dwarvish. The walls and foundations were dominated by stone instead of wood. Even the staircase that led to the second floor was stone, its wooden predecessor replaced. The insides were lit with bright torches and the windows only had curtains to close it, no glass.

While you were outside, a familiar, gentlemanly figure appeared.

[hr]
~[@13org] (BST)~

Aragahst sighed. "[color=firebrick]You talk too much, magician.[/color]" He remarked before picking up the floating card in front of him. "[color=firebrick]However, your outlook in life is... compatible with Lord Joshua's personal circle. You say you are a pursuer of knowledge and secrets, yes? I see. I shall recommend you to my lord. I'm sure he will find you... Hmm, I really can't say. His Majesty is a fickle one if I am to be honest. Especially if his sister is around. Regardless, I expect you to come when you are called?[/color]"

-----

It was nighttime when you reach the guild but once you got there, you see not the old, decaying structure but a new, refurbished building made good as new though its overall aesthetic was changed into something Dwarvish. The walls and foundations were dominated by stone instead of wood. Even the staircase that led to the second floor was stone, its wooden predecessor replaced. The insides were lit with bright torches and the windows only had curtains to close it, no glass.

You first come upon a familiar and large figure.

[hr]
~[@13org] (BST), [@The Irish Tree]~

"[color=f26522]Oh! So these where you were.[/color]" Bart greeted both [u]Bast[/u] and [u]Magnus[/u]. First he turned to [u]Bast[/u]. "[color=f26522]Hey Bast. I don't recall you returning to the guild yesterday. What happened?[/color]" He asked with a worried look.

"[color=f26522]But anyway, the Dwarves are almost finished. Well, finished actually and just putting on the last touches. Anyway, what they've done is this...[/color]" Bart then explained the building's features. 

The left hall of the first floor was the dining area for the guild. The northern half was the kitchen while the southern half was the dining room. Meanwhile, the southern half of the right hall was the lounge where the guild members can hang out and maybe read some books stored in the bookshelf there. The northern half was a large bathing room with toilets included. The furnace that was in the north area of the first floor was divided into the armory on the left side and training room on the right.

Bart continued that the second floor would be where the guild's quarters were. It was divided by twelve, six on each side. Meanwhile, Bart also had the Dwarves build a stables left of the building itself. The horses the guild currently has were already stationed there.

"[color=f26522]So guys. What do you say? Do you have any complaints? Because this is our last chance to have anything changed.[/color]"