[center][h3]Library of Valennia[/h3][/center] [@Seirei No Hai] The librarian leaned forward, his eyes on the curious gem in her hands. Unfortunately, he was but a librarian. Hired to keep the books here in order, he only knew where and what kind of books lay where or if they were at this great library. Still he gave the young girl an answer, [i]"I am afraid I cannot help you appraise this gem of yours, but perhaps someone at the Academy may be able to help you with that. On the other hand, I can also show you to the few books on Multi-Realm theory, and if you want the journals and public documents on the subject, I can find those for you too".[/i] Depending on her response, he would either let her be on her way, or show her to the books and documents on Multi-Realm theory. There were numerous documents. Multi-Realm theory is essentially the theory of there being multiple planes of existence, and the common belief is that this is where the gods reside. The main meat of the theory though is travelling to these planes. There was still no solid theory on this, but what exactly did the young girl wish to discover about this theory? In any case she had two obvious choices presented to her. The day was young and the Academy would be bustling at this time, on the other hand there was the whole day to peruse old texts about this topic, or even time to go out and ask should she find something interesting. [hr] [center][h3]Valennia Adventurer's Guild[/h3][/center] [@CaptainSully] It's been a good two or so decades since the founding of the Adventurer's Guild, starting here in Valennia. As such, the establishment was pretty upscale, but the atmosphere did not feel that way. The cafeteria hall was bustling as always just off the side to the reception, decorated nicely by cloth and carpeting, as well as armors and portraits of the guild's leading members from each of the branches in the world. It was a fairly grand place. Behind the counter was a giant magically projected board with requests, and just outside was the old noticeboard used for smaller requests, like the very days of founding when jobs at this guild were but finding lost pets, or being an extra hand at a restaurant. As Leolin posed the question to the receptionist, she sized him up... [i]"Oh! Leolin yes? Well, it seems you already have some history on being capable at combat, so it won't take long to get it approved aaaaand... Here"[/i], she handed him a kind of plate. It was made of copper, with the guild's symbol on it. A kind of license it seemed. The receptionist had a rather good memory, but it always took her a little time. After which she placed a form in front of Leolin, she would talk as he would peruse it, but basically everything on the form is what she's explaining. [i]"Okay, so, you may be a little confused. Basically Monster Hunting is a bit different from kill missions you may be used to. Hunts are focused on minimal damage to the target, while capturing or killing them. Hides and parts are not very valueable once they are broken, plus you will get less back if there is too much damage. As you will be Copper level, you cannot take anything higher than Copper, and if accompanied by an appropriate other hunter, you may do up to Silver level hunts. Normally you would only be allowed Bronze, but a proper combat background lets you bypass that, you can note that by the strike at the corner of your plate"[/i], [i]"If you have any questions feel free to ask"[/i], as she put herself on standby. A few other details not mentioned but are on the form is the terms to promotion. There seemed to be no test to become one, but it seems by completing hunts you obtain crests to be added to the plate, and with enough you can take your first hunt alone in the next difficulty rating with a senior hunter to watch. If completed, then you get your promotion. It seemed like a fair enough system. [hr] [center][h3]The Gargling Drake[/h3][/center] [@ItMeGritty][@EnterTheHero] The underbelly of Valennia was surprisingly, not called the Underbelly District, it was the Hinds District which is probably the closest there is with the other district names, such as the Wings, Fang, Claws, Scales, etc. The further up the dragon it was as a part, the higher class it was, the Fang District being the Royal Palace itself. In any case, here Mata Hari was called for a job here in Valennia. A surprising job for that matter, to be 'insurance' to another job. A hostage exchange was to take place, is all she was told. She was not to interact, but watch. If it looked like it would fail, or go awry, she was to assist. It seemed like babysitting duty, yet if only that were all it was. The job was an assignment from the leader himself... Or herself... No one knew who or what the head of their order looked like. This was not quite a direct order, Mata herself was just unlucky enough to be in the same room to be given the assignment. Still, even if it felt like she was just given this job out of other's convenience, it was a job from their own head. There must be some honour or prestige to be gained here. Furthermore, who were the two she was supposed to watch...? Or rather, if she found them so easily, maybe they were not so great. Who knows. As she sat at the tables, her well-trained ears, able to hear over the music she dances to, eavesdrops unintentionally over the bar itself... A lot of whisperings of rebellion or revolution, none of it harmful it seems, a lot of them disgruntled and badmouthing the governing class here, yet one stood out... [i]"So what, it's a noble and his daughter, how's she uhh-"[/i] [i]"She's barely a child really. I tell ya we're gonna be told to be 'gentle' or whatnot. As if these nobles are gentle to us, is why we formed this whole outfit anyway right?"[/i] [i]"Says you, you weren't 'ere when the leader formed it. We don't treat them as people, we're no better than them. We just want a fair lot"[/i], the talking went on for awhile. It was pretty non-specific, so at least they're careful, but what can be gleamed basically was they were that rebel outfit she'd heard of for awhile now. The Swords of Valor. A women stepped into the inn, making a beeline for that particular table. [url=https://safebooru.org//samples/1686/sample_25d9eca10b95a7cc2fc56fff60d851270704feaa.jpg?1765573]She stood out greatly[/url]. In a place like this, those of dark or questionable ilk blended in, but she was a shining example -at least in appearance- of righteousness. [color=aba000]"What are you all doing? It's almost time",[/color] [i]"L-look alright, okay let's get going. W-we're just... Getting the nerves under control an-",[/i] [color=aba000]"I don't care, we've been planning this for awhile now. We can't just miss it, now get your arses in gear. I swear if we don't make it I'm going to tell Raigh we missed it because a bunch of jackasses to decided to go for a drink in broad daylight"[/color], the men groaned and got up, slipping the fee for their drinks to the barkeep. The "Swords of Valor", they called themselves... Their objective as she heard was to capture an official and his daughter. A corrupt official apparently... The exchange was not to happen for another several hours, but it seems this inn was a nest of information. Perhaps she has found a common stomping ground ever were she to need information in Valennia. And this was just from eavesdropping, who knows how much deeper she can get if she were to find an info broker.