--==+++==--
Adventurer Quest
Arc 1: A New Frontier
Chapter 5
--==+++==--
Day 277 of the Year 290 AW.
Mid Afternoon.
Weather: Overcast.
[X] Plan Nervous Newbie
-[X] Talk to the Sun Elf and Bovine Beastkin.
A calm smile on your face, you head directly towards the table with the Elf and Beastkin. The woman seems to be troubled over a quest of some sort. Maybe you can help, or make allies at the least. The innkeeper watches you cross the floor for a few seconds before turning away. None of the other patrons seem to notice or care however.
The Beastkin catches your approach and his hand tightens around the shaft of his weapon. Not threateningly, you dont think, just prepared.
"Hi, I'm Lireal!" You chirp, hoping for a positive reception. Your wings are tucked in to reduce the size of your profile and you have a calming smile on your face. "I'm a new adventurer and just got here today."
The Elf sniffs but doesn't bother to look up. The Beastkin gives you a curt nod.
"Uh, yeah..." You continue, unsure what to do with such blatant dismissal. Even that Orc shopkeeper wasn't this rude. "Well.. you look a bit troubled. Do you guys need help with something?"
The Elf sniffs again and you can see her frown deepen. The Beastkin looks to her for a moment before turning to you and leaning forward. The action jostles the small chain around his neck and you catch sight of a golden Plate peeking out. High level adventurers.
"The thought is appreciated little Fae," He rumbles out, the gravely voice resonating from deep within his armor. "but the Lady Jastra does not wish to be disturbed at this time. I must ask that you leave us."
"Oh, uh, okay." You reply, backing away. Well, looks like they're not up for conversation right now. Oh well, maybe next time. Having such experienced adventurers as friends and allies would be awesome. Taking another glance around between the table of boisterous Dwarves and the shadowed stranger, you decide to-
[X] Investigate the giggle.
-take a look upstairs.
You take the stairs two at a time and come to the second floor of the inn. Immediately in front of you is a closed door with a thick brass knob. Six more such doors line the walls, all closed. To your immediate left is a windowed door that seems to lead outside, to the porch from what you can tell. Lastly is a seating area overlooking the floor below, the tables and chairs are all empty however.
You hear the giggle again and immediately pinpoint the source. One of the closed doors. A bit unsure, you stalk up to the door and press your ear close -another giggle, a deep grunt, a soft moan- and immediately back away. Right, not going in there.
[X] Go outside and talk to the cloaked quartet.
Blushing, you dart out the door to the porch and look around. It's just you outside. The cloaked figures are gone now, three empty mugs resting on the table. You stick around for a moment, taking deep breaths to calm your nerves before heading down the stairs and back through the main door. The innkeeper catches your eye and raises a brow in question, you smile nervously and make your way over.
[X] Talk with the innkeeper.
"Hello." You greet, receiving a nod in return. "I'm Lireal."
"Alog." He grunts in reply. "What can I getcha?"
"Oh, uh, nothing thanks." You say, glancing at the menu above. "I'm kind of a new adventurer and new to the area, can you tell me anything?"
"Hrm." He shrugs. "Well, the regions divided inta four main parts. This here's the
Mushy Quag, monsters here are weak as it gets and the camp's here. Then ya got the
Bottomless Peat Bog, not a lotta monsters there but the sinkholes make it very unsafe ta walk around in. Afta that is the
Deep Marsh, lots of dangerous monsters round those parts. Last is the
Misty Woods, no one much knows what's in the Misty woods. Other then that, look out fer the Crocs I guess."
"Crocs?" You ask in confusion.
He nods.
"
Crocodyls, got a village of em somewhere out in the swamp." Alog explains, setting down the now clean mug in exchange for another. "You'll see em swimming or walking round the Bog and Deep Marsh sometimes. Lotsa other adventures been going missing round there, gotta be the sneaky buggers at work. Never found the bodies though so ah suppose they must've ate em too."
[Roll 1d20 + 1 (Dungeoneering) = 11]
You nod slowly, trying to recall what exactly a Crocodyl is. All you can recall is something about feral Lizardmen though. Alog seems to take your nod as acknowledgement and moves on.
"Be careful bout where you go stepping too. Lotsa sink holes, hidden roots and deep water. Check the ground before you take a step and keep an eye out for
Mushds, they blend in well but they shouldn't give ya too much trouble." He continues before nodding to your wings. "Dont forget to look up if you go flying low too. Them trees always got something in em. Snakes, leeches or some of them damn
Scarabs."
[Roll 1d20 + 1 (Dungeoneering) = 5]
[Roll 1d20 + 1 (Dungeoneering) = 19]
"Mushds? What are those?" You ask, curious as this is your first time hearing the term. Scarabs you already have an intimate knowledge about. Annoying insect monsters the size of your head. They live primarily in forests and swamps like this and have an annoying affinity for elemental magic dependent on the color of their thick shells. The lake near your hometown has had an infestation of the Blue variety for years now.
"Mud monsters." He grunts, spiting off to the side. Gross. "Small little things but they can hide really good in the swamp and will drag you into the water if you get close. Keep an eye on the ground, you can tell em from the regular mud cus they're browner than the stuff out there."
You nod in understanding.
"That's about it." The Orc says, looking up in thought. "Just be smart and careful out there, you go missing and there ain't many that're gonna risk themselves looking."
"Oh, thanks Alog." You reply with a small smile. The advice and warnings are really well appreciated.
The Orc grunts and goes back to cleaning his glass so you look around before moving off.
[X] Talk to the partying Dwarves.
The table of Dwarves is still a loud affair as you approach. There's drunken singing, tankards clanking and fists pounding on the table. They seem to be celebrating something. Even the normally dour Nethers are raising a ruckus. You're not sure the reason but you have a feeling there's probably treasure involved.
You try to get a word in but they're all too distracted and loud. You can't really get their attention without ending their fun and that would defeat the purpose of things. You hover around the table for a few seconds before deciding to head off.
[X] Check the mission board.
The mission board seems to be calling out to you, so you head over to take a look. There are over a dozen nails on the board but only seven papers remain. It would seem that others have already taken their pick. Of the seven remaining papers, two are really old and don't seem like they are meant to be taken off as they are long standing bounty posters.
A Rank - Bounty: 'Man-eater' Crocabulia!
A heavily scarred member of the Dread Swamp Crocodyl tribe. Crocabulia is often in the village but sometimes roams the Deep Marsh with a small squad of his fellow tribesmen. Crocabulia is a powerful Barbarian known to wield a pair of cleaver like axes.
Wanted dead for the slaying of various adventurers.
Recommended Level: 50.
Reward: 20,000 G.
D Rank - Bounty: 'Bullseye' Welton!
The last surviving member of the Ruby Crows bandit gang. Welton is believed to be hiding out on the outer fringes of the Bottomless Peat Bog. His hideout is believed to be well hidden and trapped. Welton is an expert Ranger utilizing a high grade crossbow stolen from an Imperial weapons shipment.
Wanted dead or alive for the crime of Banditry.
Recommended Level: 15.
Reward: 5,000 G.
You make sure to memorize the provided sketches in case you come across either one of the criminals. Below the wanted posters are papers for available mission requests.
B Rank: Crocodyl Extermination.
Mobs of Crocodyl have been seen roaming the swamp and attacking any they come across. Cull their numbers before they become a great danger to the inhabitants of the Frontier Town.
Kill at least ten Crocodyl and bring their tails to Foreman Hedwick.
Recommended Level: 20.
Reward: 250 G/tail, limit 20.
C Rank: Scarab Extermination.
A Scarab hive has been spotted near the Frontier Town. Cull their numbers before they become a danger to the inhabitants of the Frontier Town.
Kill at least fifteen Scarab and bring their shells to Foreman Hedwick.
Recommended Level: 5.
Reward: 100 G/shell, limit 40.
D Rank: Silver Herb Gathering.
A requirement for mid level healing potions, Silver Herb can be found growing around the Mushy Quag and Bottomless Peat Bog.
Bring twenty Silver Herb to Alchemist Jiho.
Recommended Level: 5.
Reward: 1000 G.
B Rank: Golden Scarab Capture.
The rare Golden Scarab has reportedly been spotted in the Mushy Quag. It can likely be found nesting with others of it's kind.
Capture the Golden Scarab alive and bring it to Alchemist Jiho.
Recommended Level: 10.
Reward: 2000 G.
D Rank: Lost Medallion.
A medallion belonging to a Cleric of Lumino has been lost near the Mushy Quag. The Cleric reported seeing the item sink into the body of a Mushd.
Kill various Mushd to find the medallion and return it to Cleric Hamil in the Church of Light.
Recommended Level: 5.
Reward: 500 G.
Looking through the mission requests, you decide to try your hand at the:
*choose as many as you want but if you dont complete them in a timely manner you will either fail the quest or receive a greatly reduced reward.
[] Crocodyl Extermination.
[] Scarab Extermination.
[] Silver Herb Gathering.
[] Golden Scarab Capture.
[] Lost Medallion.
[] None.
Do you ask anyone for help?
[] Elf Maiden and Beastkin.
[] Partying Dwarves.
[] Write in.
[X] Talk to the dark stranger
Finished with that, you turn towards the dark corner where the cloaked figure was sitting. Only to find them gone and an empty glass on the table. So much for that.
Where do you go next?
*it is now late afternoon.
[]
The Frontier: you can explore the region or perform a quest.
[] The Mushy Quag (Recommended Level: 5 - 20)
[] The Bottomless Peat Bog (Recommended Level: 20 - 30)
[] The Deep Marsh (Recommended Level: 40 - 50)
[] The Misty Woods (Recommended Level: 50+)
[] The Inn: You can sleep here for a fee, gather information about the area, pick up a mission or hire party members for a quest.
[]
Weapon Store: sells weapons.
[]
Armor Store: sells armor.
[]
General Store: sells potions and misc items.
[]
Profession Workshop: can gather resources or craft items.
[]
Bank: stores money and items for a fee, can be accessed from any branch.
[]
Your Cabin: You can sleep here and store items for free.
[]
Church of Light: pray for blessings.
[]
Write in.
--==+++==--
Voting is Closed.
