[@BurningDaisies][@Xaltwind][@Rockin Strings]
[hider=Team Floofs and Goblins]
Once all preparations were made and the group set out for the area described by Rodias, the threesome would be capable of traveling swiftly in the midst of night. Along the way minor signs of cultist activity, as well as a few patrols would prove to be only minor speed bumps to the three otherworldly beings, each possessing enough strength to fight off an endless army of the basic peasantry who were armed with little more than a dull knife and a flimsy sense of self worth. It wouldn't be until they reached the more central area of the forest that Gromgard would begin to notice the trademark footfalls of Goblins upon dirt...the likes of which didn't belong to him.

Goblins dressed in similar garb and masks to the cultists were observable while the group trekked, giving them the idea that whatever this cult was, it at least had enough power to bring a group of monsters beneath it. Ashara in particular however would note something sinister arising from the area. Something...or someone powerful was dwelling within. At least on par with herself. An overwhelming sense of malice seemed to reverberate across the woodland, as if whatever deranged madness present in this cult was all concentrated into one being. 

...Also, Chompy Bits might get a bit of inspiration from how intricate their ritualistic dismemberment seemed to be from the semi-fresh corpses strung up. Maybe they could share tips.
[/hider]

[@Xaltwind][@Guess Who]
[hider=Team Bookworms]
Once the twosome had convened and received the bag of Olms from Rodias to use as payment, the two women of learning would depart. They had a singular objective: To find a library and learn everything possible about this world, as well as to find a way to make money. Charme was given whatever alchemical materials that were found usable in this new world; After all, even low level medicinal herbs could make a basic healing potion with her skillset. The two would encounter little trouble on their way to the city...save for the occasional traveler gawking at Charme. Kath dressed far more humbly, and as such was spared from ogling. 

Their journey to the city east of Amberden was relatively quick, especially given that the two had magic on their side. The city’s cobblestone roads and simple, yet cozy architecture gave the area a feeling of warmth to it. It wasn’t an exceptionally busy city, but more than enough business was being conducted at the marketplace that they could easily see all the different races prowling about, many of which they wouldn’t recognize from YGGDRASIL. The Library, as they would be told after asking a passerby, was up the hill and near the governor’s mansion. It was free for all to partake in, so long as they could pass a test of literacy. One that could easily be passed with Kath’s already established Cipher. 
[/hider]

[@Stern Algorithm][@Lucius Cypher]
[hider=Team Maid and Monster]
Mamoru’s appearance thankfully didn’t cause any problems on her arrival into the city. It seemed that though Dragon-Scarred were more common amongst the general populace, a good number even receiving her kindly...though, the glances burning against her back let her know that it was a unilateral acceptance. They would direct her towards the Lord’s Manor, the Duke of Amberden who was living there. The Governor seemed to be a seperate body, as his residence was much larger. Humans were simple, at least. 

The various maids and butlers tending to the gardens and grounds would turn their nose at her garb, but would eventually consent to giving her a chance to make an impression on their lord. They didn’t seem to suspect her of carrying anything, which made the simple slip of the wrist to deposit Salem’s remotely controlled verminoid doll in a potted plant in passing, giving the doll ample opportunity to explore at his leisure.

Mamoru however would immediately be greeted at the door by a man well into his years, easily approaching 60 judging from the growing grayness of his hair. His eyes were serious and bagged, as if he was plagued by long nights of unrestful sleep. Looking her up and down, a certain sneer crossed his face before he said: [b]”A Dragon-Sworn...the last thing I need is more of your kind. What do you want?”[/b] he would ask, kind in no part to Mamoru. It was clear that this man held a disdain for whatever “Dragon-Sworn” were, and that they were different from “Dragon-Scarred”, as many of those roamed the halls as maids and butlers.  

[/hider]

[@Archmage MC]
[hider=Team Homebodies]
Rodias was genuinely surprised that Light wasn’t in the least bit excited to play board games. Mostly since, as far as he knew, Fredrik was a huge tabletop nerd. I mean, who else makes a bunch of Cthulhu related things tie into an NPC but someone that played too many non-electronic RPGs? Still, Rodias wasn’t able to just skip straight to fighting. Foreplay always came first. 

Picking out the Dice Beasts game, Rodias would begin a thrilling game of random chance with Light, culminating in the overall result of the games being 6 to Light, and 3 to Rodias. Seeing that the game had quickly worn its welcome out, Rodias would smile at Light, saying: [color=f7976a][b]"To be honest, I was never much good at any of the Chateau’s games. One time, Lord Loss stripped me of all my gear. Took a week of me running around the Chateau naked before he gave it back to me."[/b][/color] With a light chuckle, Rodias would rise and begin leading Light to the Beast Pen arena. It was a perfect place to spar without fear of death, and largely any status effects would be removed after both participants left the arena. Standing a fair number of paces away from Light, Rodias would lower his stance, exhaling as the full brunt of his presence, prepped for combat, laid bare for Light to see. He would wait for her to make the first move in their spar, curious to see the vault guardian’s fighting style. 
[/hider]

[@Xaltwind]
[hider=Team Eye in the Sky]
All at once, one of the ESPER wings would be made aware of a tremendous spike in power as...someone, or something in Amberden momentarily undid whatever False Data spells they had up, revealing their true natural level…

Of 100. 
[/hider]

[@Lugubrious]
[hider=Team Nefarious Hand Rubbing]
Rodias was beyond thankful that nothing interrupted his trip to visit Graft this time. After all, talking business meant that one had to keep their head cool...and, getting pissed and killing someone for speaking out of turn wasn’t a good way to do that. Graft was a shrewd businessman, a dangerous combination of brilliance in exploiting things to make a profit, but having the far-sightedness to realize that just brutalizing and enslaving the people will only cause problems later on, despite the initial advantages. Rodias likened it to a strategy game where you could either get a large sum up front from a resource by destroying it, or a permanent small percentage each turn from keeping it around. Only an idiot would take the lump sum. That would be like writing a book and not wanting any royalties. Rodias had a problem with bartering away what they had...but, he already had a solution in mind for that. More worrisome was the idea Graft put forth. Ruling the world with coin...Rodias thought it sounded good. But then, it probably sounded good to the highest percentage that owned the world back where he once lived. But...who was to say he shouldn’t just do what they did? Live it up, and step all over those beneath him for daring to be born in the way? The palpable feeling of the temptation wrapped around his heart for a moment, before Graft began explaining the functional uses of Amberlyte. 

So, it was toxic in a way...that was worrisome. But, Graft seemed to have already thought of effective ways to utilize this toxicity that plagued one’s mana. It was an item type that had never been implemented in YGGDRASIL; Probably because Leak was considered so annoying, the developers were afraid of giving players access to it. Rodias was hoping that it would prove more useful, but an MP Sapping powder was a potent tool indeed. Finally sensing a turn in which to speak, Rodias would chuckle, having fully considered the implication of ruling the world. [color=f7976a][b]"As interesting as ruling the world might be, I’m afraid I’d either get so bored I’d become a tyrant, or that I would simply be too poor at it. But, I am a fan of increasing our wealth subtly. What I’m not a fan of however is bartering off the guild’s possessions…"[/b][/color]

Rodias would stand slowly, tracing a hand along the chair’s arm as he smiled ever so faintly, a look of nostalgia on his face. [color=f7976a][b]"Its pure selfishness Graft, pure and simple. And yet, I can’t bring myself to just...sell off the things my friends treasured. Besides, there are other ways we can bring in start-up revenue,"[/b][/color] the Sable Lord said, regaining his neutral expression as he turned once more to Graft. [color=f7976a][b]"We’re going to have one of our members pose as an Adventurer. And then, we’ll create a disastrously strong threat...but not so dire as to draw the strongest in the land. And then, we’ll ‘invent’ a hero. Even a medium tier threat to a city would warrant lavishing a savior with riches, no?"[/b][/color]
[/hider]

[@DracoLunaris]
[hider=Team 'Zouyu is banned from using Triple Maximize']
Zouyu tried to keep up with the conversation at hand, eyes spinning in his head as most things went over his head. But...he did understand two things: Everyone seemed mad at Chuunitrixx...and it was because she wanted to prevent things like his toy being eaten by Chompy Bits from happening. This would cause a certain guilt to build in the weretiger’s gentle heart, which would show rather plainly given Zouyu’s simple nature. But, Kaldorna agreed to help train him, so he would at least have something to look forward to. That and...seeing Ashara again. Remembering that hug, Zouyu’s cheeks would grow a tinge pink on the mounted travel, before Zouyu would strangely ask Kaldorna: [color=fff79a][b]”Um...Kaldorna...do you know if Ashara is...m-mating with anyone?”[/b][/color]

That awkward conversation aside, the journey the beast-hunters undertook on behalf of Rodias would lead them nearer to the coast than before, allowing them to see more of the coastal life. Large crustaceans the size of boulders slumbered beneath the sands, waiting to feast on the drifting kelp and various small sea life brought along by the waves gently lapping at the shoreline. Given the nearly impassable mountains in the area that the Chateau rested upon, this area had likely never once seen the kiss of humanity’s expansion. Save for the washed-up wreck of a sizeable ship that rested on the beach, marooned on the shoreline. Seeing that ship, Zouyu’s eyes lit up. [color=fff79a][b]”Is...is that a ship? Maybe there’s stuff in there Rodias might like! Oh, but uh...we’re supposed to just look for animals. Right?”[/b][/color] he questioned, prompting the vampires to evaluate if the wreck was worth looking for. The large crabs seemed to be incredibly docile despite their relative strength. And, judging from the luster of their shells once washed, they would be delicious to eat. 
[/hider]