[hider=Croc Crush]
[color=#0054a6][CENTER] [img]https://i.imgur.com/FvetaES.png[/img][/CENTER]
[table][row][/row][row][cell][center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/NNM745n.png[/img]
[color=0054a6][sup]_______________________________________________[/sup][/color][/center]

[indent][b]Difficulty[/b]: ⭐⭐
[b]Reward[/b]: 2000G

[b]Inventory[/b]: None

[/indent]


[/cell][/row][/table][/COLOR]
[/hider]

[@Enkryption][@Polaris North][@The Irish Tree]NPC(s): Lapis

"[color=red]Uwaaahh![/color]" Keith let out a girly yell as he was struck in the chest by Scarlett's tendril-chain. It was then pulled out of him as Shavis confronted Scarlett, but Keith was still standing with his wound slowly closed as the seconds passed.

"[color=red]Sort this out?! Do you not see the hole in my chest courtesy of your buddy?![/color]" Keith replied to Hector. "[color=red]I'm afraid that ship has sailed, my good sir![/color]"

The mercenary moved to the side and threw several shurikens at Hector, while also throwing one for each bullet that he suspended in the air. He then switched targets, unsheathing two swords and going after Lapis. Twirling his blades in the approach to deflect any projectiles or to slice away any of Hachigan's tentacles that neared him, Keith would slash at the azure esper once he got close enough.

This would prove to be the case, as Hachigan’s appendages did little to stop the onslaught of the merc’s swordplay. Now on Lapis, she attempted to block Keith’s slash with an ice bolt. It worked, but he quickly kicked her away into her own summon. Knocked back a bit, with a groan she regained her stride, but she quickly looked over to Scarlett. In a seemingly delirious state of mind, Lapis looked on with shocked eyes as the iron-blood alchemist took on a more feral form. Lapis had an ominous feeling in regards to the mana that flowed out of her, she’d never felt anything like it…

She then shot a glance at Shavis, who combined with Shadar and prepped to stop Scarlett from going rampant. That only left Hector to assist Lapis against the masked sellsword. Amongst the conflict, however, there was a menacing snarling sound that could be heard coming up from outside. Accompanying it was a sudden rumbling of Keith’s makeshift safehouse, the walls shocked and creaked while the floor quaked beneath them. [color=6ecff6]”It’s the Makara, they followed our trail!”[/color] Lapis exclaimed. Due to the fighting, she only now was able to feel their raging ids, if it weren’t for that she could’ve warned them sooner. With a cracking explosion, a scaled claw erupted from the floorboard, slashing Keith’s leg in the process. The wound began to heal as soon as it was cleaved, and the merc had the presence of mind to quickly move out of the way before the entire beast was on him. More soon followed, and at that point roughly five of the creatures were on the party and Keith. Two jumped at Shavis, who was still focused on Scarlett. Another made its way toward Hector, who at first had his gun pointed at the merc. The other two continued their attack on Keith, with Lapis being added to the list. Keith slashed at one, the deep wound exposed pale tissue from which ran crimson blood. This, however, did not deter the beast and it already had Keith pinned to the grow before he could prep for a second attack. With its strong jaws and claws, it began tearing the merc’s body apart; one of his arms already rolled over to the side. With his girlish screams, Keith struggled in vain to break free. The fresh smell of blood immediately attracted the second Makara, and the one that was originally stomping toward Lapis. Rushing the squirming Keith, all he could do was make panicked yelps as the crocs made a supper out of him, eventually his yelps were drowned out by the sounds of snarling and tearing flesh. Soon, much of the floor was covered in red, and whatever parts of Keith the beasts didn’t care for. 

[color=6ecff6]”You see, this is what happens when you don’t respect nature!”[/color] She yelled at the now deceased Keith. She said that, yet on the inside Lapis felt sick to her stomach. She only attacked him in self defense in an escalating situation, and she certainly didn’t mean for him to die in such a gruesome way. 

The group had another problem, with the feral stomping of the beasts the shack would likely give way. If they didn’t think of something soon, the entire hut would come crashing down on them.

[hr]

[hider=Badland Heist]
[color=#007236][CENTER] [img]https://i.imgur.com/QfTqgf1.png[/img][/CENTER]
[table][row][/row][row][cell][center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/JITx4pu.png[/img]
[color=007236][sup]_______________________________________________[/sup][/color][/center]

[indent][b]Difficulty[/b]: ⭐⭐⭐
[b]Reward[/b]: 3000G, New magitech inventory available in shop

[b]Inventory[/b]: None

[/indent]


[/cell][/row][/table][/COLOR]
[/hider]

[@PaulHaynek][@Silverstein] NPC(s): Evelyn

With a reluctant smile, Evelyn took Leon’s hand and was thus helped off the ground. [color=ec008c]”You’ve my thanks.”[/color] She said, [color=ec008c]”It seems you have some manners, after all. You’re alright for a shady rogue.”[/color]
[color=ec008c]”Ha! Well, [b]I[/b] could’ve fought on for even longer. I would’ve made you lightweights feed your lunch at the Tower to me for a year if I had to pick up your slack!”[/color] She said, replying to Einer’s and Leon’s statements. She could feel her scrapes and bruises fade away at Einer’s healing tune. Although her wounds were healed, the mana she lost still hadn’t fully replenished. 

[b]”Come on, follow me inside. No tricks, I promise.”[/b] Said the conspirator. 

Following the worker inside, much to his word nothing was amiss. It seemed that all of the bandits who were inside came out to deal with the reavers. Eventually, an assortment of crates and burlap sacks came into view. [b]”Don’t worry about those, they’re just supplies.”[/b] He said. Walking past them, they made their way into a large spacious room in the back of the cave. It looked to have been converted into a makeshift safe house. Over in the corners of the room were casings with see-through glass, of which various weapons could be seen. They also bore the company insignia of the company. 

[b]”Alright, as promised, here are all the stolen goods.”[/b] Said the worker, turning to the group. 

[color=ec008c]”So…are you going to explain why you decided to go gallivanting with a bunch of thieves and throw away your job? Not that I care…””[/color] Evelyn interjected, still leaning on Leon for support. [color=ec008c]”Were you press-ganged into working for them, or…”[/color] Her eyes narrowed. [color=ec008c]”Did you sell them out on purpose?”[/color]

[b]”It’s…more complicated than that…”[/b] He said, unable to look at the group at eye level. [b]”Josef, he’s…he’s not as good a person as you may think he is…”[/b] Evelyn looked at the man with perplexity. 

The party could press the man further for his thoughts, or they could just leave his fate with the authorities and collect the stolen goods.

[hr]

[hider=Necropolis]
[color=#9e0b0f][CENTER] [img]https://i.imgur.com/oQ93ZTC.png[/img][/CENTER]
[table][row][/row][row][cell][center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/e25aL6N.jpg[/img]
[color=9e0b0f][sup]_______________________________________________[/sup][/color][/center]

[indent][b]Difficulty[/b]: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Special Request)
[b]Reward[/b]: 5000G, Notoriety increase

[b]Inventory[/b]:

[/indent]


[/cell][/row][/table][/COLOR]
[/hider]

[@Hammerman] NPC(s): Ruecian, Rozemyme

Roze would quickly feel the lingering pain from her wounds dissipate as Lanus’s Nymph did her work, the gash closing up almost completely. [color=8882be]”Thank you, Lanus.””[/color] She said to the Fae invoker. 

Ruecian, on the other hand, wasn’t having as much relief in consulting Rana. That was when Renee came up to her, making direct eye contact whilst detailing her accounts of dealing with the effects of miasma first hand. She seemed to be more receptive of Renee’s words, snapping out of her depression for a moment. She wiped the tears from her eyes and began to address her. [color=0076a3]”Even so, things didn’t have to be this way.”[/color] She said. [color=0076a3]”They put us in a position where we couldn’t refuse this mission. But, thank you. To you as well, Ruecian Valeniquen, I suppose…”[/color] She referred to the latter with a more sober tone. 

[color=00aeef]”Uh, sure, no prob…”[/color] He replied, scratching the back of his head. Roze was now up and seemed to be walking fine, walking over to Rue, Renne, and Rana. Acknowledging her presence, Rue turned to the group as a whole. [color=00aeef]”I think we’ll go ahead and call this a day then, let’s head back and report to the statesman.”[/color] He said. 

–

Appearing back at the base camp, they explained the situation to the statesman in charge. He seemed to understand, and was satisfied with the results. [b]”Well met, I see this Tower of yours has no shortage of talented fighters. I look forward to seeing more from you, perhaps I’ll even have the luxury of relying on your services in the future.”[/b] He said to the group, handing them their payment. He then gave an apathetic glance at Rana. [b]”You’ve fulfilled your role here as well, Rana Schuellen, you are dismissed.”[/b] He then left the group and began making preparations for fully purifying the area. Rana was surprised by the apathy displayed by her former superior. 

[color=00aeef]”Hmm, Rana, what do you intend to do now?”[/color] Rue said to her. 

[color=0076a3]”Well.”[/color] She began, [color=0076a3]”I originally took this job so I could acquire more funds for research. But with all that’s happened, I’m not sure about that anymore…”[/color] Her tone was one of defeat and uncertainty. [color=0076a3]”There's no reason for me to stick around here, not that I would. I suppose for the time being I’ll travel back to Morgenröte with you all, after that…I’ll figure something out.”[/color]

[color=8882be]”You could come to Eon with us.”[/color] Roze interjected. [color=8882be]”I don’t doubt that you’d be welcome there. ”[/color] Rana went wide-eyed for a moment at Roze’s statement. [color=0076a3]”I-I don’t know about that. I mean, why invite me there when-”[/color] She cut herself off, her face full of an unknown guilt. [color=0076a3]”Nevermind. Besides, that Irvin man is gathering those with exceptional talent and resources. I don’t see why a b-list magus like me would be welcome there…[/color]

[color=00aeef]”We won’t twist your hand.”[/color] Rue said. [color=00aeef]”But, you should know that Arteus isn’t like what you may think.”[/color] Rana glanced at Rue after his statement, but went back into her own world not a moment after. 

With everything settled, the group was set to load up back into their vehicle and return to the Tower. It was early evening, and would likely be nightfall by the time they returned. They were free to head back if they so desired. They could inquire further into what may be on Rana's mind if they wanted to pry...