[center][h2]Old & New Partnership[/h2] [sub] Collab by [@Riffus Maximus] & [@Lasrever] In response to [@Ever Green]'s party call [/sub][/center] [hr] Fayt looked around, seeking the familiar giant muscled merchant. Now seemed like a good time to talk to Marken. The Thief sneaked up behind the big guy who was busy rummaging inside his cart. Then, a green hand abruptly fell on Marken's shoulder as Fayt half-shouted enthusiastically in his usual loud and friendly orcish deep voice. [color=red]"Marky! Good to see ya here man! How's it goin'?"[/color] Marken tended to take surprises in his stride, and seeing as this one was accompanied by a familiar face, he didn’t seem to startle at all. In fact, the man’s face practically lit up as soon as he realised someone was talking to him, his movements taking on a new, excitable, energy. [color=98fb98]“Great, as always! Just, ah, making sure nothing important vanished in all that weirdness.”[/color] Stepping back from his cart, Marken broke into a wide grin, laughing as he turned to Fayt with a conspiratorial wink. [color=98fb98]“Looks like the booze is still there anyway, so nothing for you to worry about.”[/color] [color=red]"Thank god! Ya had me worried fer a minute!"[/color] Fayt laughed along rather loudly. [color=red]"We'll need to open one, celebrate fer a new campaign."[/color] The orc returned the wink with a scheming one. [color=red]"So an'way, how didya find out 'bout this place? Was plannin' to tell ya 'bout it next time I visit yer shop, but seems like ya foun' it already too."[/color] Marken glanced back at his cart, nodding. [color=98fb98]“Once we know what’s happening, I’ll certainly share some. No fun in starting a grand new campaign without a party to match, after all!”[/color] Still, there was a question to answer. He didn’t appear concerned; he’d put down his appearance here as being a glitch with some new content. You couldn’t go expecting technology to work perfectly all the time, or you were asking for trouble. [color=98fb98]“As for here, I was just out travelling, and there was a shrine I’d never seen before. Figured there had to be some kind of reason for adding it, but I got disconnected. Maintenance or something.”[/color] He shrugged. [color=98fb98]“It must’ve warped me here when I logged in next.”[/color] [color=red]"Strange stuff."[/color] Fayt responded after Marken finished, seemingly interested in how his friend got to the.glitched area. [color=red]"Y'see, I was solo raidin' the Sunken Hydra Lair. Made it to the boss room unnoticed. Was just 'bout to open the loot chest with the boss still 'live, but I got here 'nstead of havin' loot. Got booted out for maintenance though. Went back here after I equipped a glitched item I must've got from the chest or whatevs."[/color] There was some sort of excitement as the Thief told his tale, like he was proud of his achievements as well as the strange occurence that led both of them here. [color=98fb98]“Kicked before you could steal everything not nailed down? Shame - some of the items in there could make us both a tidy profit.”[/color] Marken didn’t seem to give the whole thing a second thought, accepting the strangeness caused by the maintenance at face value. [color=98fb98]“So, what’s your take on all this? I’ll admit I may not have been paying so much attention to the details.”[/color] He’d gotten slightly distracted with the rabbit. It wasn’t that he meant to be weird about stuff, but he’d gotten a little overexcited. [color=red]"Hmmm, I dunno..."[/color] Fayt looked pensive as he turned to the gate, watching the other players, the NPC and the changing sceneries inside the portal. [color=red]"I'd say players got randomly picked for game testing."[/color] Then the feral humanoid turned to his associate with a mischievous look in his eyes and a wide grin. [color=red]"Bit strange, but hey, can't complain. New stuff to see, new loot to pick. If we get to keep it all, imagine the profits."[/color] [color=98fb98]“You’ve got that right. Saying that...”[/color] Marken thought for a moment, before breaking into a wide grin. [color=98fb98]“I say we gather up all the loot we can carry, start trading, and once we’ve raked in enough cash?”[/color] He laughed, giddy at the possibilities. [color=98fb98]“You and I take our mountains of gold, spend like madmen, and we have ourselves the greatest party World’s End has ever seen!”[/color] The whole ‘conquest’ thing wasn’t really Marken’s style. Far too grand. He didn’t play to take things all seriously - mostly, he was here just to talk to people. Making people happy, spreading a little joy even in a virtual world, that was his idea of fun. [color=98fb98]“I suppose we should decide where to go, though.”[/color] [color=red]"Sounds like a perfect plan to me!"[/color] Fayt laughed, enjoying the idea of hosting the greatest party ever thrown. Much like Marken, Faith didn't consider the whole 'conquest of a new realm' the most interesting of this campaign. Rather, it was the possibility of riches that could be made. The idea of a party was making it even more enticing. Looking at the locations displayed in the portal, the Orc was considering the possibilities. [color=red]"They all look pretty... anime-cliché? Not that the whole mansion and pink trees look cute as hell, but I'm curious what is inside that mansion. If we're to set base somewhere, looks like a nice spot to stay, yeah?"[/color] [color=98fb98]“I’m leaning towards the village myself. Should be plenty of opportunity in someplace like that.”[/color] Marken paused, thoughtful for a moment. [color=98fb98]“Anywhere that’s got something built up is good enough for me, I think. I’d rather that than be stuck wandering the woods or fighting in the middle of nowhere.”[/color] [color=red]"Ya got a point. Though we'ren't sure if tha locals be friendly."[/color] The thief scratched his head, wondering which approach would be safer. It's not like a Thief with no combat skills and his Merchant friend had much to protect themselves if it got messy. [color=red]"Thing fer sure, sunflowers look pretty, but what do you think hides in those? Toes-eating insects? Not trusting that open field." "Speakin' 'bout fightin', whatcha think of the others? Think it'd be wise to get in a party with 'em?[/color] [color=98fb98]“Well, don’t know how difficult the new areas are gonna be, that's for sure. Better safe than sorry, I say.”[/color] Marken grinned. [color=98fb98]“Besides, two’s hardly enough for a world-shattering celebration! Best we go ahead and join a group - I’m not bothered about the balance, so long’s there’s a few who can take a hit and they know how to have fun.”[/color] He’d never meshed too well with the over-serious types. They’d always try and rain on his parade, and while it never worked completely, it did get a little tiring. Not being able to cheer people up was upsetting. [color=98fb98]“Guess that makes it your pick. Just tell ‘em we’ve got booze, and I’ll throw in a free cart ride if they're still not sure."[/color] [color=red]"Sounds good, mate! A'right, les'see who we got here..."[/color] Taking his eyes off the portal, Fayt looked around more intently at the players who have gathered. There were plenty of warriors, judging from the equipments. Already, a few people had started forming parties, as it was expected from venturing into a new area. There were two groups more prominent than the others. Both had their odd ones, that was for sure. and looked pretty much filled already judging from their numbers. There was this one obvious Acolyte (judging from her clerical attire) who had drawn his attention with a flare. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like there were tough-looking fellows, but a Healer wa always welcomed, and she wasn't swarmed with the others yet. The orc's gaze shifted between the three possibilities of partying up, taking into consideration both their survivability and Marken's preference for light-hearted playing style. It was hard coming up with the decision, but in the end, Faith decided to go with the less crowded choice. [color=red]"How 'bout the priestess-looking woman and the guy allergic to wearing shirt?" [/color] [color=98fb98]“Fine by me.”[/color] Marken nodded, pausing to look at the mentioned pair as well as think over what they’d been told. [color=98fb98]“If it doesn’t work out, I get the feeling we’re all headed to the same place anyhow. Nothing to lose!”[/color] Gesturing for Fayt to lead the way, he grabbed his cart. Nodding after Marken's approval, the orcish Thief took the lead and walked towards the white-robed Acolyte. As he approached her and the half-naked Mage, Fayt rose a hand as a casual greeting. [color=red]"Heyo, fair lady and good gentleman."[/color] He swished his arm into an exaggerated bow. [color=red]"We've heard yer party call. My big friend here..."[/color] Fayt gestured to his Merchant partner with a thumb pointing backwards [color=red]"...and I'd be interested to join in on the fun. We've got booze and mercantile, thieving and party skills to offer! Whaddaya say?"[/color] Catching up to his partner, Marken raised a hand in greeting as he chuckled. [color=98fb98]“Really, it’s mostly the partying. But it’s good to have an adventure every now and then; if you’ll have us, of course.”[/color]