VitaVitaAR

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

At least they seem as if they know what they're doing. I haven't been lumped with Adventurers who were stuck at Copper rank or something else equally frustrating.

I guess it's not surprising that the hundi is good with a weapon. Their race almost universally trains with some kind of combat. There's no such thing as a hundi who comes from a family without martial history.

I guess a there's a lot of them in adventurer's guild branches, or something like that. If they're so inclined towards heroics, then it only makes sense.

The other guy sounds like he's at least somewhat capable too, but---

'You'll get there in time'? Hmph. He's already underestimating me, isn't he? Exactly what about me gives him a reason to make a judgement like that, hm? Could he explain it to me? I bet he couldn't. That, or he'd come up with something completely, thoughtlessly insulting that would come tumbling out of his mouth without any brains behind it, because he couldn't think for few moments before speaking. It's not like I'm a child or something, after all!

That's it! He's going to get a piece of my mind. I'm not about to---...

...

Before my eyes is a small piece of stiff paper, displaying the crudely-written word 'Raven' with an even more crudely-written bird beneath it.

The nem, having been the one to produce the paper in the first place, looks far more proud of herself than she should. No-one should be this proud of showing off something like this. Pride in this is like taking pride in falling off a bridge into a pond and getting coated in mud and slime.

What is this even supposed to indicate? She hasn't said anything at all. I can guess by her weapons she's an adventurer, obviously, but...

Ugh, whatever. There's no use in trying to wrap my brain around that nonsense, I just hope she doesn't get herself hurt and drag everyone down.

"I'm Rylia," I say, introducing myself as I rise to my feet, "A paladin of Reon, trained in the ways of her justice and righteousness. I can mend some injuries, but I'm best at smashing right through the enemy."

I fold my arms over my chest.

"Don't get in my way, and I'll show you I'm plenty capable."

That's right. I'll crush the goblins and make him regret telling me that I'd 'get there'. Hmph.

It's time to bring the job to the desk.

---

So this is Fort Magrial.

At least it didn't take very long to get here, even if the it's the edge of sunset. I've never been to it before, but it's not as if I'm some uneducated bumpkin. I learned about Talderia in school, and so I an recognize the circular outer wall, the three-and-two sets of short and tall towers, and the rounded structure of the fort itself in the middle. It's not in the best shape, with the walls collapsed in at least two places visibly, one of the towers having fallen down, and the gate on this side completely gone, but despite that most of the dark stone is still standing and it's easy enough to see that the fort was once quite defensible.

"I don't see any goblins," I comment, "But I guess the college archaeologists didn't see any either."

Come to think of it---

"Aren't most of them magi? How did they miss a bunch of goblins?"

@SilverPaw@Eisenhorn@RolePlayerRoxas

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

"..."

---What in the world is this? Who is this person? Why are they feeling the need to be so obstructive? This entire situation is utterly inscrutable to me. I wasn't briefed on this 'Artoe' individual, but it appears some of the early members of the Kirins are plenty familiar with him. The other man is someone I can at least pick up more information about simply by context, and the mention of his name. Sagramore-san's response to him only further put flesh upon the skeleton of my initial assessment of him based upon his words and actions.

That doesn't make this scenario any less irritating, however.

Our duty lies ahead. We can't just wast time dealing with whatever it is that's happening here. We need an efficient and clean path forward, not whatever this is.

I don't fully understand the words that were being spoken by 'Artoe', but they hardly sound particularly pleasant, either. Not that I'm fond of Demet-san's personality, to be entirely honest, but the situation seems to have stemmed entirely from 'Artoe's' actions in the first place.

If not for that, we would quite possibly have made our way forward already.

I should not allow emotions into my actions, but I can feel my eyes narrowing, centered on the belligerent man and the people accompanying him.

Removing the source of the problem is often the quickest and most simple path forward.

I step back, repositioning myself to be closer to Mathiassen-san. 'Artoe' is from his homeland, after all, so I assume he will have better knowledge of the situation.

When I speak, it's softly, and quietly.

"Would subduing 'Artoe' end this situation more quickly?"

The Metian Institute: Project Gungnir

If they've come here in the first place, then they should be well-prepared to make this sort of trek. I feel no need to assist anyone in the climb, if I'm being perfectly honest. Besides, I would have to go more slowly if I was using Repulse to lift someone most of the way. And that would just be inconvenient for everyone involved.

Beyond that, this area appears to have been some sort of factory or warehouse. At least, that's the clearest conclusion that I can make based on my initial observation. The old crates indicate the purpose of storage, and the mechanical limbs don't appear to be carrying any form of weapons.

Quite intriguing, already, but we're still not very far into the site. This is all surface-level.

At least, aside from that blue gas.

Hmmm...

"I can't make any solid guesses at its nature simply by observation, but you'd have to be a fool to try walking through any of the rooms that have been flooded with it."

As I speak, my staff lowers and I step off of it, gripping it firmly in my right hand as I eye the vents.

"Repulse should be able to clear it, but with no-where to go and no indication of the source it would simply fill the rooms again. Do we have any further analysis?"

@Rune_Alchemist@Raineh Daze

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

Figures.

Handling the undead should be my priority, but the people who've glued themselves to me would rather pursue the goblins instead. I suppose I can see the logic, given the goblins have already caused actual harm to the college's archaeological staff and so far the undead haven't harmed anyone. But, it's only a matter of time, isn't it?

Regardless, it's not as if violent goblins are out of the scope of a paladin's duties. We destroy evil wherever it appears, and evil can come in a variety of different forms.

Still, it's frustrating not being able to choose on my own. If I knew where to find them, I'd give those evaluators a piece of my mind.

"Hmph. I suppose it was my second choice," I say, rising to my feet, watching the nem girl's hand retreat after she pointed to the mission to drive out the goblins. I pause for a moment and glance at those surrounding me. The nem girl, a hundi man, and a fellow human. I don't know what any of them can do, but I suppose that the nem is most likely suited to stealth. She's certainly quiet enough, given I haven't heard her speak a single time.

"And since they won't let me take a solo job, I suppose this saves me some time."

I have no intention of hiding the annoyance in my voice.

Leaving the other listings on the table, I pick up the listing from the college.

"What do you people do, anyway?"

I turn my gaze towards the people who've gathered at my table.

Not that I'll really need to know, given I feel perfectly confident in my ability to handle goblin rabble, but if they're going to insist upon sticking to me like they have so far then I guess I should ask.

I hope this won't take too long.

@SilverPaw@Eisenhorn@RolePlayerRoxas

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

---I don't know them particularly well. I know they had been a part of the party, and I know the others consider them comrades, but beyond that my knowledge of them is purely in terms of their capabilities and contributions to the mission.

As a result, I cannot say I feel anything in particular at the departure of Neve-san and Eve-san, though I must admit there seems to be some kind of strange coincidence with their names.

Still, the certain loss of their abilities to contribute to our efforts is something that must be taken into account in the future, albeit I do not have any particular experience with them and thus I cannot be certain of any conclusions I can make.

I have never been to Skael. I'd been briefed on it and prepared for it, as best as I could be, but prior to this mission it had never been a target for any of my prior objectives. As a result, I cannot form solid opinions beyond the information that I have already been given. With that being said, to be frank---

The revelation of Sagramore-san's true heritage makes me only more unwilling to approach Edren. I already didn't want to go there immediately if it could be avoided, but the fact those names aren't unknown to me only makes me want to put it off even more.

Of course, my personal feelings should not be taken into account when it comes to the completion of our objectives, but it seems like a conclusion has already formed regardless that falls in line with my instinctive rejection of the Northern destination.

"I would prefer to be better prepared before setting foot on Edreni soil," I say, simply, my arms folded over my chest. There is no need to explain my feelings in detail, especially given the destination of Skael seems to be the consensus to begin with. Of course, Mathiassen-san's points aren't irrelevant, but even if they had not been mentioned this would be my opinion on the matter of our next objective.

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

There.

I'm at an empty table, I don't have to worry about people shoving in any more.

---Tch, except for the ones who followed me. The nem girl isn't being loud and annoying, at least, but still!

"Fine, it's not as if I can stop you from looking. Hmph."

With a huff, I spread the job listings out on the table, scanning them quickly as I do. Since the guild's evaluators are stupid, I can't take anything actually appropriate for my abilities. I'm aware that Iron-rank adventurers can take Steel-rank jobs with a sufficient party and adventurers of a higher rank accompanying them, but annoyingly I can't count on something like that, so I have no real choice but to focus on the Iron-rank listings.

I'm not going to entertain the idea of picking up a copper-rank job. Killing some large rats in someone's basement is not the work of a Paladin of Reon.

"Hmmm..."

I lean over the listings. There's a few here.

My cows keep getting taken by a hungry griffin! Please help! My farm is south of the capital, if I lose any more cows I don't know what I'm going to do! I think it might belong to someone, so I can't have it killed either!

Missing: 1 Gold Wedding Ring with a large diamond. Last seen 50 years ago in the Abandoned Rocksplitter Mine near Haesting. The mine was closed down due to an infestation of great spiders, so it may be dangerous. If found, return to Varoc Helmbreaker.

---50 years?! Seriously?! Damn it, how the blazes is anyone supposed to find something like that?! It's not like he great spiders will be a problem, but finding a ring dropped somewhere in an old mine, what are they thinking?!

From the Venne Mage's College Archaeological Department: We are in search of talented adventurers of Iron Rank or higher to clear the ruins of the Talderian-era Fort Magrial of goblins. The goblins stole equipment and injured several excavation workers, and may be intending to raid nearby towns. Fort Magrial is located North of Walverrest, near the Town of Stonefield.

There have been strange sounds and disturbed earth in the graveyard at Aronsgrove, South of Pelle. We suspect undead may be lurking in one of the mausoleums. Please put these lost dead to rest.

If I could pursue a quest by myself, I would select the last one, certainly. While the goblins are definitely a problem, the disturbances that walking corpses cause are unacceptable. As a Paladin of Reon, it's my duty to put a stop to such things as soon as possible.

---Unfortunately, these quests don't allow solo adventurers of my rank. Hmph.

@SilverPaw@Eisenhorn@RolePlayerRoxas@Coda

---

The various disgruntled adventurers who had been disrupted by the spilled ale had now been even more scattered by Hyseleia using her own body as a battering ram. Still, they weren't about to push the issue, instead trying to get as close as they could around her, some taking down a listing or two to read them over rather then take up more space at the board.

There were still a considerable number of listings for all ranks remaining. For those suited for Iron-ranks, they included:

Lord Alexander Knightstar Lowell of Venne urgently requests the assistance of all adventurers of Iron Rank or higher. The Lord's beloved griffin stallion, Blackbeak, has gone missing. Despite repeated attempts to locate Blackbeak, he has not yet been found, though there have been sightings south of Venne. Please locate and capture Blackbeak unharmed. His favorite treat is beef hearts, so you may be able to lure him safely by using them as bait.

I live outside of Everett, in Greenleaf. There's been strange noises every night, and mysterious lights out in the woods. One of them even tried to lure my daughter away from town. As a representative of the concerned citizens of Greenleaf, I am requesting aid to drive away whatever presence is inhabiting the forest.

@Pyromania99@Rune_Alchemist@Raineh Daze@The Otter

The Metian Institute: Project Gungnir

The temperature is chill. The trek, not exactly easy.

But why should a genius have to worry about things like that? The simple answer is that they shouldn't. And if they haven't thought about a way to circumvent some things, then they simply haven't reached my level.

I swing my legs over my staff, and the world grows ever-so-slightly further away as I seat myself on it sideways and it drifts off of the ground. No need to walk, and its built-in heating system means the cold is far less of a problem for me as long as I remain close to it.

Aren't I amazing?

I don't need an answer to such a question, as I already know that I am.

In any case, this means I'm plenty warm for the whole trek to the site itself. I assume those using power armor have some method of keeping themselves insulated, but aside from that I'm not particularly concerned. If they're here, they should be able to handle this much, shouldn't they?

... That's how the entrance looks, is it? Well, danger is hardly a reason to hesitate in the pursuit of knowledge. I can handle it, certainly. rather, it's more surprising they didn't put a little more effort into making it at least look sturdier.

"Of course we've been briefed," I declare, "Besides, I would expect all of us have at least put some effort into our research before setting out to enter an unknown ruin."

I can feel my heart beating quicker as I eye the entrance. I'll assume that everyone here is qualified, even if they're not possessed of my intellect. So, it hardly matters who I'm paired with, as I can assume that everyone is a good enough partner to assist in traversal and exploration.

Rather, it's my excitement that's driving my heart to pound faster and faster. Such an ancient, mysterious ruin is the perfect place to pursue knowledge, to further my own research. The very act of discovery is enough to make my spirit fly, to warm me from deep within.

"Mmm, just what secrets lie within...?" I comment, mostly to myself as I drift closer astride my staff, before looking over my shoulder.

"If we can pinpoint a source of the mana flow, that would be ideal," I say, louder, towards the others, "I may be able to mitigate its effects, depending on its nature."

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

"They're hogging the board."

It's obvious. They got there first, but they'd clearly had plenty of time to pick a job and be done with it. So why should they be blocking me from accessing them, too?

It's unfair, obviously. At least a few of them should be ready to move out of the way and let someone else take a look.

---Is that a drunk? I know that there's a bar, but seriously? Is someone actually getting completely drunk in the middle of the day? Aren't people here between jobs or looking for a new one?

That's completely shameful for an Adventurer!

Even more shameful is the way he's spilled all his ale, and the way he's bumping into people, and the way he's deciding to express his drunkenness directly to me. Couldn't he find someone else to harass? I'm not in the mood to deal with someone who can't talk or think straight, my situation is already---

...

Suddenly, he doesn't sound so incoherent. In fact, his voice is perfectly clear as he tells me 'now's your chance'.

---Tch.

"Hmph. I already said I didn't ask for help."

The only reason I'm taking this chance is because it's my first chance. It's not like I'm about to thank him, or anything. Still, there's a gap in the crowd, a clear path for me to go right up to the board and find something suitable.

Unfortunately, suitable doesn't mean something actually suited to my capabilities in this case, but suited to the rank those evaluators decided to force on me. Hmph.

But now is my opportunity. I can look over all the jobs on the board.

Hey---?!

Ugh, someone just bumped into me from behind. Some ingvarr lady, pushing against me like that. She made me lose my footing and she hasn't even apologized, she's just reaching up to try and grab a sheet from the board. She's way too close and she's not caring one bit about... about---

I feel something push against my shoulder. That's some other idiot, urgh, it's way too crowded---!

Fine!

I reach out and snatch a handful of listings, ripping them from the board and turning to get away from the crowd as soon as I can. If they're going to push me around like that. I'll just take the listings somewhere where I can look at them in peace!

@Coda@Eisenhorn

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

It looks like someone did hear me over their own noise. Unfortunately, it's not any of the people blocking my way. He's a hundi, older than myself. I don't know him, but I suppose I don't personally know many of the adventurers here yet.

He's trying to give me advice, but...

"Hmph."

I let out a huff, my hands slipping down from my chest to rest on my hips. First of all, I didn't ask for any advice.

"So I shouldn't expect them to be considerate?" I ask, "I'm looking for a job, too, would they like it if they were walled off and unable to even see the listings?"

The answer is plainly obvious. There's no need to elaborate any further. No-one would be happy about it, and so my irritation is completely justified.

"Besides, it's not like I can accept a job I can't even read about," I add, looking him over again. Tanned skin, silvery hair, leather armor and green clothing. I have to guess he's some kind of hunter or other kind of lighter-equipped fighter, something along those lines. He doesn't look unexperienced, but it's not like I was trying to get assistance.

Besides, if that was his goal, he didn't help at all.

I suppose I could try and listen in and ask a receptionist about the challenge rating of a specific listing, but wouldn't that just give them more work? He did just describe them as overworked, after all.

Hmph.

If he really wanted to help, he should have tried to make some room himself, but he's just sat down and started listening in rather then trying to get someone to move.

In that case---

"I said excuse me!"

@Eisenhorn

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

The air was warm. There was the sound of children playing in the streets, of dogs barking, and of birds singing. Throngs of people strolled over the cobblestones, stopping to perform deliveries, to buy goods, or for idle chatter.

It was Summer in Venne, and the city's people were taking full advantage of this fact. The mild, pleasant weather made conditions ripe for a variety of activities, both for business and for pleasure. Nobles conducted business and political dealings, merchants sold their wares, farmers tended to their livestock.

But these ideal conditions merely applied to the weather. A perfect world where nothing goes wrong, alas, does not exist.

That is why the Adventurer's Guild was also busy today. Good weather didn't wasn't only beneficial to Estival's citizens, but also to beasts and other creatures that could threaten them. Not only that, but it also meant that the archaeological digs by the Mage College had started up again, which was another avenue of work for Venne's Guild branch.

A tall, sloped roof marked the building itself, the interior quite wide with an arched cieling supported by high beams. The first floor was split into the guild reception area to the right and a recreational tavern meant for the guild's members to the left. Above was the guild's housing, available to any guild members who required it. It was often quite full, mostly due to the convenience of living right above the job board.

Just like the streets, the guild was currently bustling.

A large number of new jobs had been posted recently, for all different levels of adventurer. Taking care of bandits who had step up on the road between Keelsgravv and Pelle, looking for lost livestock, handling pests in the basement of a recently-purchased building, and even a job asking for adventurers to deal with a dragon that had apparently been harassing Dansbell.

---That last job posting may not have been entirely serious in nature. Surely there would have been news of a dragon near one of Estival's cities before a job was posted at the guild branch.

The receptionists at the desk were currently a little swamped. With all the jobs coming in, there were plenty of adventurers accepting them and registering with the guild. Today, the Gold-ranked party lead by Alan the Hawk was present, registering some difficult quest or another

Other adventurers were more relaxed near the bar, ordering food and drinks. The hulking figure of the male ingvarr adventurer Magnus, still clad in his heavy armor, towered above many others even seated as he drank beer after beer with seemingly no sign of stopping.

And yet, some adventurers were in less then fine moods.

---

---Hmph.

It's ridiculous.

Is ridiculous even harsh enough? Maybe it's more like an insult.

After all this hard work, after everything I've done, all the success I've earned, and crushing every single walking corpse in that tomb---

Iron.

The word stares back at me on my guild registration, as if it's trying to taunt me.

How is this fair? How am I only iron-rank?

The fact I've had to earn experience this way was already frustrating. It's not as if there's any problem with adventurers. Plenty of paladins sign on with adventurer's guilds for convenience's sake, and in order to be able to assist the local people on a regular basis. There's no problem with that.

But that's not why I've been made to sign on.

I'm here because despite everything, despite my capabilities and dedication, they think I still need experience.

It wouldn't be so bad, but---

Iron!? Seriously?!

"Hmph!"

I stuff the registration in my bag and cross my arms over my chest. Seriously, how badly mistaken can you possibly be?

Even Steel would be more accurate. I'd have accepted that just fine, but the people in charge of guild evaluation said something about 'lack of experience' and---

Ugh, just thinking about it makes my blood boil.

Fine. If they think I'm just Iron-level, then I'll just have to show them the truth. I'll take on a challenging job, the highest rated job I can possibly accept at this level, and conquer it easily in the name of Reon. That will show them how badly they've underestimated me.

---Nngh, why does it have to be so crowded today?

I can see the backs of various adventurers hanging around the job board, examining the listings. There's not a lot of room to squeeze in, at the moment, and they're all blocking my view.

I lean to the left, putting my weight into one foot as I try to peer around them, clenching my teeth in irritation.

I can't see past the crowd. I stretch with my feet, rising on my toes to try and see if I can peer through any gaps, but it's not enough to make out any of the listings. There's plenty of them, of course, but that doesn't help when there's a bunch of morons blocking the way. Can't they tell I'm trying to see? Are they blind?

There's definitely not any other reason, after all.

There's no point in trying to be patient any longer. If they won't let me in, I'll simply have to let them have it.

"Excuse me!"

@Rune_Alchemist@Raineh Daze@Eisenhorn@The Otter@Pyromania99@SilverPaw@Coda@RolePlayerRoxas