voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2020-09-11 05:34 am
Entry tags:

Adventure On!

"Good Morning passengers. Today is day six of the month of Horseshoe." The voice echoes through the train as passengers wake up in their beds. Not long afterwards their SCA’s glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image will appear.

Preparation

The dressing room is indeed open as promised. The dressers and wardrobes are full of many different clothes. Shirts, tunics, skirts, dresses, robes, cloaks, leggings and even an array of fancy hats.

The cloaks are notable in that they look like standard fantasy cloaks but are completely waterproof, much like a modern jacket and they will keep them warm and dry. There are also a good selection of furs for those travelling into the tundra as well as some leather armour, both for protection against monsters and fire.

There are an array of tents- in more neutral colours, a lot simpler than the tents they have used before as well as some basic pots and pans for cooking. There are a range of bags and pouches for carrying any essentials!
They are a few hours before arrival and so there is plenty of time to prepare before the announcement. "Shortly arriving on world 5382110341. All passengers get ready to disembark. Next stop world 5382110341. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

Arrival: Royal Lake Hill

The train jolts and shudders as it leaves the void. It descends quickly and lands with a small bump. The doors open, it is a bit of a jump from the train to the ground but they land on soft grass. Anyone looking back at the train will find it almost not there… Unless they focus very hard it will seem just like a shimmer in the air, passengers jumping from nowhere.

They are a short walk from what seems like a small town, surrounded by walls. The gates are manned but the large group of people only get a quick glance before they are nodded in.

They get a few curious glances as they enter the town proper. It is not exceptionally busy, indeed everyone out and about are older or small children, who dart around unafraid of the strangers, staring openly at times.

A market place spans the square, predominately selling food, stalls are actually small huts, the front part open to the street for custom and a back room that is presumably used for sleeping. Some, like the blacksmiths are more solid with multiple rooms.

Each voidtrecker will have a dot on the map on their SCA showing them to the inn that their team should head towards. If they ask around they will learn that there is indeed a call to for adventurers at three of the town’s inns and they are to report there in early evening. As it is still early morning they have almost the whole day to explore, enjoy being in a town full of people and, for those who are keen, earn some spending money.

Whatever they end up doing with their day it is obvious when evening is approaching by the stalls beginning to be packed up, the streets quieting as people went home for their dinners. The inns are easy enough to find, even for those that didn’t find them earlier in the day.

Orange

Recruitment

Ducks in a Bucket is at the western gate. It is quiet, usually a tavern used by adventurers, the custom has dried up with all the adventurers protecting the kingdom. It is filled with large wooden tables and sturdy stools, not a fine dining establishment in any way but it has a friendly air to it.

Not long after they arrive a woman in a long cloak arrives. "I am here to hire adventurers. You will be aware, I am sure, of the blight storm that hit the kingdom. Many people across the land have been effected. Many areas are out of the crystals needed to restore those who have been blighted and there are rumours the army is in short supply as well. We require you to travel to the Singing Woodlands to harvest the crystals from the calla lilies that grow there. I have an image if it is needed."

Here she takes out a small scroll and passes it around, it is a painting of a simple, dark purple calla lilie.

"The huma have agreed to transport the collected crystals to the areas that need it. Unfortunately the land itself has been blighted and has become unstable, floating into the air. We can provide you each with two flight potions to help you travel up into the woodlands."

She holds out a bag to pass around, there are exactly enough potions for each person to take two despite the face she couldn’t possibly have known who was going to turn up to head the call.

"Please be warned that transportation magics have not been working in blighted areas and so you will be taken to the ground below. If you accept this quest please get ready to gate."

A moment later there is a flash of light and any who want to will vanish from the tavern.

Arrival

They will arrive on a grassy verge, in front of them is a canyon of dirt. If they look up they will see the land that should be filling it. In chunks the forest is floating on a series of islands stretching high up into the clouds.

Many of the islands feel too high to reach in ten minutes but there are a couple of lower ones that might be good places to aim for.

The potion works swiftly, making those who drink it feel lighter, all they need to do is jump and they are floating, moving in the air is easy, they can walk up as if on a ramp or swim through the air currents if they are feeling a bit more adventurous.

The islands themselves are teeming with life, plants of all kinds grow there and as they reach the lower islands they will see the huma birds and hopefully spot some of those calla lilies.

Purple

Recruitment

The Lion's Mane is the largest tavern in town. It has some customers, sitting in groups and drinking. There is a musician in the corner playing a lively tune and sat on a central table is an official looking man with a scroll case and a worried expression.

"Anyone." He cleared his throat, "Anyone who has come to be hired… As an adventurer please gather around. Now. Now. Can everybody hear me? Yes? Right. Well I am sure as you know the blight… Yes? Yes! Well there are some clusters of villages up near the dusty rivers, I can show you on this map..."

He unfurls a scroll, which shows a large expansive land mass. He points to an area in the far west. "They have a golem problem, their own golems that is. Turned on them." He shook his head, "Crystal magic, very susceptible to blight. They need some help, clear the area, purify the crystals. That sort of thing. You’ll probably be there a few days."

He rolled up the scroll. "I can’t gate you into the villages, earths all blighted. But I can get you close."

He did a quick head count. "If you don’t accept the mission please step back. Ready?"

He opens a gate, a few gates, and everyone who accepts vanishes from the tavern.

Arrival

They arrive in a small clearing in a wood. It is quiet, with not even the sound of birdsong. Trees are all around them though anyone checking their SCA will see that the village is indeed close.

A moment later there are footsteps, a young boy, no older than ten bursts into the clearing. He reels backwards at the figures, surprised to see them but then seems to realise that they are, for the most part, human.

"Quick! Come quick! The village!"

He turned on his heal and heading no call ran back the way he came. For those that follow the route leads them through thick overgrowth, there is clearly an easier way, to a small village.

A small village with a large golem and a large troll stomping through it. People are cowering in houses or behind walls as the troll swings its club back and forth, smashing things in its wake.

Red and Blue

Recruitment

The final tavern is The Thrice Struck Tree. It is small, dark and has a heavy air to it. There are a couple of customers, sat silently with mugs of ale in front of them. They give the voidtreckers suspicious glances.

They may wonder if they are in the wrong place but after a few moments a young woman in a smart looking uniform, dark blue tunic, shiny boots, enters. "Adventurers? I am captain Sienna of Irivar’s third guard. We have reports coming from the southern lands. The blight has depowered the crystals separating the frozen tundra from the fire lands. A disaster could occur if the are not recharged. They must be taken into the central fire mountains heart. It is a fair journey and the crystals must be carried. Please, for those that known the secrets of it do not attempt to place the crystals into the spaces between for easier transportation, it would be disastrous." She gave them a serious look before continuing.

"Furthermore the creatures of the area are reporting that the Glacial Sovereign has not been seen since the blight hit." She shook her head, looking worried. "You must find their guardians, the crystal wolves and attempt to regain contact with the sovereign." She paused again.

"Both the sprites of ice and fire have been corrupted by the blight and the area is very dangerous. I can gate you to the border and from there you must split, please decide amongst yourselves who is best to journey into fire and who is suited to the cold. I will give you a moment to be ready."

It is indeed only a moment before she opens the gate. Any who choose to travel will vanish from the tavern.

Arrival

They arrive in a strange place indeed. To the east there is black rock, lava streams and mountains billowing with smoke. To the west is white, icy bridges connecting land and glaciers. Far in the distance there is what seems to be a swirling mass of snow.

And right where they are is… a mess. Melted ice and frozen ash mixed together into a slippery sludge that sticks to their shoes and makes movement interesting.

But movement may be necessary as it seems their gate has taken them to a place surrounded by two packs of fire dogs and a few regular wolves. All look surprised at the sudden influx of people but it doesn’t take them long before the blighted creatures move in to attack.

Splitting

Once they are safe from wolves and dogs the teams can split. The crystals red need to collect are obvious, set out at even distances from each other. Red team are to head east, into the volcano range, Blue are to head west into the tundra.

Good luck void warriors!
10billionpercent: (Sentimental)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2020-09-22 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
He sighed a little bit.

"I can't lie and say I didn't, because of course I did." Senku exhaled. "But there's no point in giving you a task you can't accomplish."

He was crazy enough to try anything, whether he could accomplish it or not, that was just how he was. He set his sights on another parsnip and pulled it up, carefully cleaning it.

"While I'm talking about confusing people, I may have done something to Inigo."
swansongs: (To what I said)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-09-22 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
"They're not too expensive, actually. Buffet style restaurants are usually considered cheaper than other places." At least, in his experience. "I dunno why. They're pretty cool."
swansongs: (That I should really stick)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-09-22 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
Is it, though? [He was still laughing a little.]

It's not my fault I'm opposed to the idea of getting my head ripped off, serious or not.

[Considering that for a moment, he peered into the mirror again.]

Hmmm. I think you're right. Also, I like fancy stuff sometimes, but not usually.
laurefindil: (Default)

[personal profile] laurefindil 2020-09-22 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah." Glorfindel wanted to ask more specifics, but that was just him being nosy, and that really wasn't the best way to make friends.

"Which mission are you going on?"
swansongs: (To what I said)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-09-22 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
"On the bright side, maybe we won't have to fight anything. Maybe it'll be all smooth sailing." That would be nice, and to not have things go the way they had the last mission, with swarms of monsters. "But learning sometime anyway probably never hurt."
sendiintheclown: (Default)

[personal profile] sendiintheclown 2020-09-22 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
The corner of Trowa's mouth twitched upward. "Well, it is a three story robotic war machine."
fun_thementalist: (that's my line usually)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-09-22 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
"No, there isn't. You're very logical, fair, and straight-forward. It makes you extremely trustworthy, and shows just why most don't trust me," Gen poked fun of himself a little. "In time, Roland might trust you as well."

He looked at Senku then, not teasing this time. "What happened?"
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2020-09-22 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
"I...honestly have no idea." Senku offered first as an opening to this story.

He hummed a bit. "We were fooling around a little, but he was being really sappy after and I told him I don't like that." Which was something Gen would've heard quite a bit by then.

"Then he...I don't know, he said he wanted to get away from me then. I asked him if he could at least tell me what I did wrong, so I could tell you." Senku explained. "And he said he was sorry for making me uncomfortable which, he did, so I told him that." He shrugged. "I thought he wanted to know, but I told him he wasn't the worst at it and things make me uncomfortable all the time."

He paused a moment. "Then he just said he needed to leave and if I was going to guess, I'd say he was really upset."
fun_thementalist: (SNAFU)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-09-22 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
Gen thought about it, his expression a little serious. He remembered Ingio, of course. He'd made quite an impression. He seemed quite like a puppy, eager and excitable and wanting to please. Of course, there was the clue.

"Some people, Senku, are rather worried about how others see them," Gen ventured. "I'm only guessing, of course, having talked a bit with Ingio myself. And I suppose, in some ways most people are worried about what others think. It's a common trait."

"But some can become very distressed, if they believe they've made someone uncomfortable. Which isn't logical, my dear. I make you uncomfortable all the time. People aren't identical robots, there are conflicts. And while some can realize logically they're bound to annoy people sometimes ... some people feel like it's a personal flaw, or failing, that they can't please everyone."
comingorgoing: (Ho there!)

[personal profile] comingorgoing 2020-09-22 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
"The red mission." He was wearing his red hoodie, but would have given anything for a good red cloak instead. "I know they say the teams are just guidelines, and that I can go where I please, but it just feels proper to stick to the assigned role for my first proper mission with this group."
laurefindil: (Default)

[personal profile] laurefindil 2020-09-22 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, this?" He noticed the look Emporio gave the Arms Band. "It's an extra-dimensional space, called an Arms Band. It is from Roland's world. I bought one from the Train. It's quite useful," he said with a grin.

"That is from my world," Glorfindel said, still grinning. "It is a journey bread that can sustain you with but a bite or two, quite delicious, too. It is made with a sacred grain, and can also give you a lift when you feel a little down."
10billionpercent: (Kill Me Quick)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2020-09-22 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
"You don't typically bother me." Senku clarified, in case Gen thought he did, he really didn't. "You don't really make me uncomfortable."

Senku sighed and shrugged. "This is what's hard about..." He waved his hand, dealing with people. They didn't behave logically.

"I didn't say anything like that, I didn't say I didn't want to be his friend or anything just...you know..." He wasn't a big fan of mushy sharing of feelings. He never had been.

"Do you think you could talk to him for me? Tell him just to ignore my complaining or whatever, I guess." Senku grumbled. "But if he tries to hug me, I'm going to punch him."
fun_thementalist: (that's my line usually)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-09-22 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
Gen wasn't fishing for reassurance, but he was still glad to hear that. He grinned playfully, not letting on how comforting that was. "You're one of the lucky ones, I know some can be quite peeved by my antics ..."

But he sobered again, and nodded. "I can talk to him. He's probably not used to people like us, who are a little allergic to sap. Or he's run into that before and assumes it's because he's done something wrong. It's a simple misunderstanding, I believe - unless I'm reading this all wrong - I'll help get you both on the same page."
10billionpercent: (Slight Smile)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2020-09-22 05:04 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm sure they could be, but I'm used to you." Senku pointed out, and in a lot of ways, Gen was the best at respecting his boundaries. He loved Taiju dearly, he did, but that best friend of his kept trying to hug him and get in his space and he kind of hated that. "I wouldn't live with you if you bothered me."

Senku exhaled. "Appreciate it. I'm sure it is, but I already tried to fix it and I made it worse so really, I..." He glanced away a moment. "Think I need your help here."
strawberryprotector: (smile)

[personal profile] strawberryprotector 2020-09-22 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I got enough fighting last mission. I'm hoping for something a little more mellow this time." But if something did go wrong, he would be prepared.
laurefindil: (Default)

[personal profile] laurefindil 2020-09-22 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
"What do you think might distract you?" Glorfindel asked. "Are you a bird watcher, or something?" He could feel that there was something else there, but he wasn't sure what.
fun_thementalist: (Default)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-09-22 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Likewise," Gen said with a light smile, not putting the weight behind that that he would like to. Because, Senku didn't do sap. He was very aware.

"I'm happy to help," Gen told him, serious at first, but then he glanced at him and grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "But you know, you'd owe me a favor, then."
fun_thementalist: (whut)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-09-22 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
"Bright, shiny objects?" Gen lied. "People with interesting stories? A good sandwich with meat that isn't that pre-processed stuff on the train? I could think of many things in fresh air and with fresh faces that would call my attention."

He shrugged. "But then again, we should just be flower-gathering. That much I can do, I believe."
10billionpercent: (Ha Ha)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2020-09-22 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
With the serious request out of the way, and then that, he snickered again, mostly in surprise, but then again he almost always found Gen amusing.

"I guess I would, if we're still keeping score." He smirked at him. "What do you want in exchange, Mentalist?"
comingorgoing: (Awaken)

[personal profile] comingorgoing 2020-09-22 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
"They are still angels, yes, but..."

The angel actually looked uncomfortable, getting into this.

"We are...stubborn creatures, and are not good at change. It is a rare event for an angel to become so disgraced, but it is rarer still for one to turn back to the Concordance. And they are terrible creatures. Pray that you never meet a Thorn Knight, Pree Liddell."

He had been regularly consulting the roster, so as to attach names to faces.
strawberryprotector: (Default)

Re: Prep

[personal profile] strawberryprotector 2020-09-22 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
Snorting softly, Ichigo made sure the ends were tucked into his uniform. "Well, I'm glad to hear it. And it doesn't clash with my hair."
fun_thementalist: (swindle~!)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-09-22 05:15 am (UTC)(link)
"But why wouldn't we keep score?" Gen asked innocently. "Playing a game isn't as fun if the points don't matter."

He smirked. "Hmmm. Now, that's a tricky question. What could you get for me on that train that I'd want ..."
10billionpercent: (Slight Smile)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2020-09-22 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
"Are you sure I'm not up a few, since I gave you candy and flowers?" Senku quipped, teasing him.

"And got you clothes." He pointed out as an afterthought.

"But sure. What else do you want?"
comingorgoing: (Angels tend to lecture)

[personal profile] comingorgoing 2020-09-22 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
"It does you credit that you would stand up to those who would be bullies and thugs, but do not trouble yourself on my account. Insults do not have much effect on someone as old as I am."
fun_thementalist: (smug knowing look)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-09-22 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
Candy, flowers, and clothes. Like a boyfri Gen carefully did not think about analogies. He shoved it right out of his mind. He's a very good liar.

Gen grinned at Senku. "I'll think of something, my dear. Perhaps owing me an unclaimed favor will keep you on your toes. But I'm sure something will come up, that I'd love to have your assistance with."