xenon

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Crusader Lord@Zapdos@Jay009

"How could I be so stupid?" Clarissa Shields muttered.

How could she have ignored the clues? The WellSprings temporarily dry up due to Universal Tier, top secret magical rituals being performed in Capitol City. A few days later, unprecedented, revolutionary technology is delivered to her doorstep by a party whose Ranger outright tells her that she was from another world. And now she's finding out that the Cleric who leads them is blessed by the entirety of the Quinity and their kin. Not to mention that this same party somehow managed to kill Aurok the Maneater.

"Excuse me?" Areleth asked. It was he whose instincts had led him to the highly classified library of The Academy to research the possibilities of Second Chance's presence in the city. The findings were clear.

Clarissa looked at him and shook her head, then turned to the closest subordinate in the office. "You... go down to the city and find the party; Second Chance. Take whomever you need. They must be somewhere in Valhiem. I want them here as soon as possible."

"At once," the subordinate replied and disappeared.

Mayor Pendlebury frowned. "Will somebody tell me what in the world is going on?"

Areleth bowed his head. "I'm afraid this may above all of our stations, Mayor." He then looked at Clarissa. "Mytheria hangs in the balance."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

But Second Chance were no longer in the city of Valhiem.

The party had gathered together and were gone before the morning was out. Joji never did show up at The Mended Drum, but replacing him was Barracker Kassel, the paladin monster hunter. The vampire had finally been introduced to Lillianna and Second Chance were now headed towards the Temple of Hades in the local region. They had made good headway during the afternoon, using the well-kept roads of the local region.

The mission sat firmly in all of the adventurers' minds: Arrive outside the temple on the hill by nightfall, and the full moon's light would reopen the entrance. Once inside, they would find their way to the main chamber and do battle with the Greater Wraith that had taken control of the temple and enslaved it's followers. It would not be easy, but success would take them all one step closer to the answers they sought.

Eventually, the party would come across a wagon that was going the opposite way. The driver recognized the attire of the adventurers and stopped to speak to them.

"Afternoon there, adventurers," he greeted, tipping his hat. "You ain't, per chance, on business in the area, are you?" He pointed back the way he came. "The village of Cherrad's up yonder way. They're in dire straits, right now, what with Hades' Temple gone rogue 'nd all. They've been waiting for the Adventurer's Guild to send some help about that."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZoolYep, you're saddled with us, I'm afraid. Try to stay emotionally stable

@ZapdosI remember 'Greens Grocery' but I'll have to go back and read again to find the others.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Wow, it's reigning puns right now!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Zapdos

Old Gilligan grumbled to himself as he grabbed the things MacKensie needed to patch up Adam. But he did so a little more quietly than usual. And a little more softly. He also handed her a potent healing salve to apply before the bandages. Then he went to the fireplace to sit down, adjusting his chair to make sure his back would be completely to his unwanted guests.

After getting a fire going, he sat back, ignoring the chatter from the youngsters.

"Don't even think about asking to stay the night because it's not happening," he told them randomly. "When you're hale enough to walk your skinny little behinds back down my mountain, you can scram."

He would however, explain anything Adam asked about the transformation, including that it would cost him a lot of energy to activate it until he gained more experience and passed further trials. Once a day would likely max him out until then, and he wouldn't be able to hold his shape-shifted form for very long. He also warned that the first couple of times he did it, he would struggle to think rationally and logically, and be himself mentally. But with practice, he would soon learn how to keep his mind human, and at higher levels, he would even learn how to speak common tongue.

And last but not least... "That was no easy task for a new Druid. Well done."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zapdos

Gilligan sneered as Adam made eyes at MacKensie, then shouted at the young man when he got slashed across the chest. "Focus, you idiot!" Then he turned his anger on MacKensie. "What did I tell you!? Pointless distraction!" he shooed her away. "Back off."

Then Adam's clever maneouver blinded the Black Bear who was stunned as Adam rose and charged. The beast swung a paw, but Adam's connecting punch staggered the animal and it's swing diverted and just whiffed over Adam's head. The bear staggered backwards a step and swung again, but Adam's impromptu fighting stance meant that he took the blow on his forearm, an excellent block that left the bear vunerable to a continuation attack!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Crusader Lord

Simon waited for Lillianna to locate the spell in her mind, a relaxed and content expression on his face. The thought of a Cleric-led adventurer party had warmed his heart and boosted his spirits, so for once he wasn't thinking about the next thing he would complain about. When Lillianna told him that something was wrong, he just figured it was regular newbie struggles, so he gave her some encouragement.

"You can do it, miss. I promise you it's there." All with the Light Domain affinity had access to this spell. Sometimes, hidden abilities required regular sessions of meditation to find within the mind, but something like a basic Spirit Bolt should've been able to be easily found once a wizard had read the spell from a book. "Keep looking."

Then she found... huh? ...something else?

Simon's hands moitioned in unison, the special hand movements required to silently cast Lesser Ward. The magical shield materialized in front of him.

"Spirit wha-" Simon was interrupted as the blast shot his way and hit the shield. The shield shattered completely and Simon flew backwards into the wall and then dropped to the floor. "Oh, shit," he cursed in pain. "What the hell was that?"

That was something like a Spirit Bolt, but bright like higher level version of it, and boy did it pack a punch!

Simon struggled to his feet. "By the winged sandles of Iskara, that was amazing. Spirit Gun? I've never even heard of that, before." He walked over to her, his face a mix of admiration, confusion and perhaps a little fear. But he managed to smile through it all. "You think you could do that again? I mean, is still there, in your mind?"

@Zapdos

Adam's punch landed squarely on the bears nose and it reeled backwards with both paws covering it's hurting snout, it's head trying to shake away the pain.

"That's it, Adam! Show it who's boss!" Gilligan shouted.

The bear growled and roared after recovering, then rushed Adam. With a left, it threw an uppercut and it's claws slashed Adam's chest, drawing blood. The right paw came around with all the bear's might, aiming for a knockout blow.............

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Crusader Lord

In listening to Lillianna, Simon's attention was taken away from the poor adventurer he'd been lecturing just long enough for the young man to get away. He mulled over Lillianna's request for a moment, before double-taking at the empty space where once stood his victim. "Hey, I've not finished telling you about Dormes & Fretias blessings."

"It's okay, I'll figure it out," the young man said as he disappeared around a corner.

Simon shrugged and muttered. "Suit yourself." Then he looked at Lillianna. "Yeah sure, I can spare some time. Combatting spirits huh? This way." And with that, he led Lillianna into the maze of tall shelves, passing by the odd student or attendant. "So..." he said over his shoulder. "A new student, you say. Are you an adventurer or just a researcher? For your sake, I hope you're not a Cleric."

When they arrived at the right aisle, he fished out some books on foundational understanding of Spirit Magic and Introduction to the Light Domain. "These two books should give you a broad perspective on the subject." He handed them to her. "But for combatting spirits specifically, I'd suggest you get to grips with your Spirit Bolt spell. It's pretty easy to get the hang of, but there's some tricks that will speed up your casting and reduce the cost of your energy, enabling you to fire more often without getting too fatigued." He walked her down the aisle further and grabbed another book. "Reading this will deepen your understanding of the spell." He thought for a moment, then mentally made a decision. "Hey come on, let's see what you've got."

He took her to an adjoining study room that was empty and he pointed out the Spirit Bolt spell that lay within the first few pages of the book he was holding. "It should already be sitting in your mind somewhere, just think for a second."

When she was ready, he walked ten paces away from her and turned to face her. "Fire a Spirit Bolt at me. Don't worry, I'll block it with a Magic Ward."

@Zool@Zapdos

The light emitting from Adam's forehead started to stay more consistently green. Old Gilligan was pleased. For the first time, his voice even softened slightly and he managed to say the younger Druid's name correctly. "That's it, Adam. You're close. Stay focused."

Not too long after, the ghostly form of a bear manifested in the middle of the clearing. It blew out of it's mouth loudly, then barked an almost-human sounding noise. Then Adam, eyes closed, spoke back to it.

Gilligan looked at the animal with interest. It was beautiful. And powerful. "Rise Adam," he commanded as the Black Bear slowly turned from a ghostly form into a physical one. It shook it's body and fuzzied up it's black fur, then it stood up on it's back legs to match the height of Adam. "Your spirit animal has manifested. Now you must subdue it and gain control. Now you must fight it."

Before Adam could react, Gilligan looked at him. "No magic. You must fight it on equal footing. Bare hands versus Bear hands. Heh." The bear growled and shouted once more, then dropped to all fours to charge. "Now Adam! Make it sumbit to your will."

The bear attacked, closing in on Adam then took a swing and a miss, then swung with it's other paw and clubbed the Druid in the shoulder, knocking him to the floor. The Black Bear stood up once more to it's full commanding height, then pounced at Adam again with another massive swing for his head this time................

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Zapdos

Gilligan was stunned for a moment at the sheer speed of the tree's growth. Adam didn't even look like he was trying either. Bronze Tier party. Ascended - not sure. Specialization - not sure. It made no sense. Quickly the old man fixed his face back to normal.

When the tree was done, Gilligan walked over and rested his palm on the trunk. He could sense no complications with the internal structure. For all intents and purposes, it was perfect. "Hmph," he grunted.

"One thing though," Adam said after he was finished, Gilligan turning from the tree to young Druid, "she isn't pointless."

Gilligan cast a glance at MacKensie, then back to Adam. "Aw, offend your mommy, did I? Or is she your girly?" Gilligan somehow managed to laugh with an annoyed facial expression. He hobbled a few steps toward them and shook his head with disappointment. "Soft. But not to worry - walking this path will toughen you up... If you survive it."

"Can we begin the lesson please?"

So, it would actually be a long day. Glee certainly knew how to pick them. Gilligan spoke to MacKensie. "You. Pretty Miss Pointless Distraction. If you're not going to leave then at least go over there." He pointed at the campfire. There was a wooden seat next to it, if the Ranger wanted to sit down. "No talking," he told her.

"And you. Adahl," his angry eyes turned back to Adam. "Take that jacket off. And your shirt. And your shoes. Then sit down at the tree and cross your legs."

Once he was bare-chested and bare-footed, sat in a meditative position at the tree of his own making, Gilligan began hobbling back and forth in front of him. "Meditation is an important practice that will benefit many Adventurer Classes for different reasons. And Druids are no exception."

Without warning, he muttered a spell and blasted Adam with it, the green sphere hitting the younger Druid dead in the chest. It wouldn't hurt, but Adam would feel the impact, and he might feel a little strange. What he wouldn't realise is that his forehead was glowing with a red light.

"Close your eyes and search deep within your heart. Find your spirit animal." Gilligan kept pacing, managing to keep his eyes on Adam the whole time. "It's there. Rid yourself of thought. Rid your sense of touch, taste, sight and smell. Hear my words only."

And so began a long and difficult process that would last the day. Gilligan was tireless with his walking cane, hobbling up and down, speaking advice to Adam.

"Stop thinking about irrelevant nonsense! A day thinking about what could happen, should happen, or what might have been is a day missed."

"Nothing beyond this tree matters. But distractions are everywhere, even in your mind. Notice what takes your attention, acknowledge it, and then let it go."

"In letting go, we cease trying to make something happen, and then the mind naturally opens. It is like watching a flower grow - free from effort, its petals naturally unfold to reveal its beauty. Reveal your animal spirit. You will know it when you see it. And it will know you."

Five hours passed without success. But there were moments when Adam was close, the red light on his forehead teasing to turn green a couple of times. Yes, he would find his spirit animal, even if he had to sit there all night. The sky began to darken......................

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Zapdos

It took a minute for the door to open up after Adam knocked. When it did, the door moved sharply and angrily, but only wide enough to show the head of an old man who wore an annoyed expression. This was Old Gilligan: Master Shapeshifter and, once, a Diamond Tier Druid.

"What?" As soon as Adam started talking, he was interrupted. "Not interested."

And the door slammed shut. Old Gilligan rarely got visitors and he liked it that way. The fact that someone had managed to find his home was infuriating. He grumbled about the rudeness of showing up at someone's house unannounced and uninvited, but then his brain registered the last thing he'd heard Adam say: 'My friend Glee...'

"That big-headed rascal giving out my location, Quinity damn the man," he cursed. But this was Glee John Artorius. An admittedly good student and insightful Druid. Gilligan sighed and shook his fist. "Alright, Glee, you bastard," he muttered before turning around and hobbling back to the door. Then much louder and just as angrily, "Alright!"

The door sharply opened again, this time all the way. Old Gilligan was tall and slender like most elves. He wore long sleeves and pants of basic brown furs, walked with a wooden cane and had an unchangable resting bitch-face. He looked at each of the adventurers, sizing them up, before hobbling out and up to Adam. "So, Glee sent you, did he? What was you name? Adahl?" If Adam even tried to correct him: "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR NAME IS!"

Then he hobbled over to MacKensie. "And you... look like a Ranger to me. A pointless distraction."

Now back to Adam. "Adahl... rank of your party - speak." After that. "Ascended? Specialization?"

He gestured to the soil. "Show me your skills. Replicate a small tree native to this moutain. You walked past enough of them right? Well, chop-chop!"

Best case scenario, Adam would not show the necessary skill and speed of casting that signified a potential student. Or better yet, he wouldn't even try, unwilling to take the rudeness and vitriol of Gilligan, and just leave. Worst case is that Glee John Artorius was a good judge of student, and this would be a long day.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@xenon Simon and Appsro look like fun. Please make them recurring somehow xD

@Zool

I'll see what I can do.