middleofsomewhere | Adventure On!

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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!

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[Roland might be surprised to find that Trunks is not afraid to rush right in. At either the trolls or the Golem, and with no weapons. At least none visible.]

I can knock it down if someone wants to get the crystal!

[Which, Trunks will proceed to do by method of a punch or two, followed by a hard round house kick to knock the golem flat. He's used to fighting much tougher and faster opponents than this.]

[ Roland's definitely impressed; Trunks seems to be functioning on a speed and skill that he didn't expect at all, fast and furiously fighting with just his bare fists. ]

Good going, Trunks! Hold on, let me dispatch the troll first! Keep at that thing! [ And said troll was already making its way back to the civvies. Unacceptable. Roland runs after and his sword swings in an impressive combo, moving decisively, each slash and thrust hitting its target until the troll finally realizes it's being attacked from behind and gives Roland his full attention. ]

That's it. Right on me, big guy. [ Roland's fought monsters before in the second world. This was normal, for the first time in a long time. ]

[Trunks meanwhile, is not letting up on the golem. Adding a few effective, if small, kiblasts to his barrage has kept the pretty thoroughly occupied. A wild swing of rocky-fist manages to connect, causing Trunks to brace himself and skid back a few feet. Unhurt, but annoyed, and moving in with a targeted strike of fist and ki to smash said rocky-fist and arm so the golem can't do that again.]

Edited 2020-09-12 20:01 (UTC)

[ Roland is pretty confident in Trunks's ability now, so his full focus is on the troll. With narrowed eyes, he gains some distance and attempts to disarm the beast before it could strike against the earth. His sword lowers itself against his side as his other arm charges up a move, the Arms Band equipped to him suddenly covering his body in bright light. The troll roars and charges forward, but it gains little speed as soon as Roland finishes charging up Pressure Drop, designed exactly for beasts like it.

He extends his arm out and a wide slash of energy bursts forth from him, weak in attack but strong in gravitational pull. The troll trips and falls down immediately, hitting its head for a stun, its club skidding lamely against the ground. Roland doesn't waste time, he runs and jumps and slams the tip of his sword directly against the troll's exposed back. It screams and wriggles, still empowered by blight. He clicks his tongue against his teeth and removes himself from it after dealing damage, its legs wobbling to get back up. One more should do it... ]

Trunks, you good over there? [ Roland brandishes his sword once more, back to first position. He's glowing again, charging up for a move. ]

Doing fine! [Getting the blighted crystal would solve this yes? It was supposed to be in the head. Trunks kicked off the ground enough to be level with the Golem's head, concentrating his strikes now on the arm and upper torso while he looked for the crystal.

Another targeted ki-blast and a hard kick, and the rocks of the golem's other arm crumbled. Leaving it disarmed, literally--although the rocks from the first arm were rumbling and moving back towards the Golem. Time to end this, as Trunks narrowed his eyes.

Looking for the crystal, and you'd think it could be a different color or...THERE! It was shining slightly.]

[ As Roland bombards the troll with another steady combination of strikes, slashes, and thrusts, masterfully executed with enough force to stagger him a second time, the ki-blast coming off of Trunks manages to get his attention enough to watch the sequence of action unfolding.

Trunks was closer to the golem at this point, so Roland whips out his gun and charges it for a few seconds, his body thrumming with fiery light. Then, he lets go, extends his other arm now, pulling the trigger as a massive energy beam shoots out of the barrel, aimed directly at the golem's other arm. It shatters in a similar fashion, giving Trunks a better opening to take what he needs. ]

Let's end this!

[Roland ensuring that the golem's other arm doesn't reform helps provide the opening Trunks needs. Diving forward, shoulder leading, Trunks slams himself into the golem's face and shoulders, aiming to take it to the ground. Especially as he reaches up to snatch at the crystal keeping it together.

Nor is he bothered by the impact, as the pair crash and the golem crumbles. Trunks rolls with the impact to come up in a combat-crouch. Already charging another ki blast in his other hand as turns towards the troll.]

[ He grins as he watches Trunks rip off the crystal with ease. The guy's got some pretty impressive moves of his own, and Roland felt more confident that someone as capable as Trunks was helping out Purple this round. When he turns his attention to the troll that was just about to get up, Roland decides to join in with a magic blast of his own. He charges himself up one last time, body a-glow with prism. Then, as soon as Trunks releases his ki, Roland extends his right arm and does the same with Static Wall, joining up their energy.

Needless to say, the troll was permanently down for the count after that assault, its club skidding across the ground, far away from the duo. ]

[Trunks stays crouched, blue-eyes alert just in case there were more than just the one golem and troll to take care. Only after it's clear there aren't, does he stand up more straight and approach Roland.]

I don't mean to brag, but I've faced worse. Any idea what we do with these?

[Trunks holds out the blighted crystal from the golem.]

Not a brag at all. You're good at what you do. [ He nods in approval, taking note of Trunks's seemingly supernatural feats of strength...fists unharmed, skin unscathed. He walks towards Trunks and studies the crystal up close as he speaks. ]

According to the briefing we received, the crystals need to be purified at some shrine. Keep it with you until we can get more information on where that is, and how to do it.

[ He looks at the work around them, troll and golem both down for the count. A surprisingly easier feat to accomplish with Trunks's aid. ] Think it's safe to head onward?

[He really hasn't seen much of what Trunks can do yet. Tucking the crystal safely in one of his pockets, he's quiet for a moment in thought.]

I'm less worried about us and more the others...

Yeah. You're right. [ He throws a worried look over the villagers huddled away into safety, some scattered, others holed up. There's a notable, heavily barricaded area though - somewhere the villagers were trying to protect most of all. ] Then it's time to get to work, Trunks. Do you have your SCA connected? [ He taps his earpiece; the ones from the Music Car that connect wirelessly to the watch. ]

I didn't know that was an option. [They could hook their wrist-thingies, that was the SCA right, up somehow to communicate with each other? Useful. Trunks was kind of surprised he didn't think of asking about something sooner.

Then again, this was his very first mission in a situation he'd been literally kidnapped into so...]

[ Roland shakes his head, lightly dismissing it. ] Not a problem. Something for next time. The SCA still works anyway, the earbuds just add a bit of convenience.

[ He makes a determined fist. ] So our lines of communication remain open, no matter where we are. Help's never too far.

No, that makes sense. You're one of the people who heads up the Black squad right?
[Trunks is going to start walking, because they can patrol/look for more monsters AND talk.]

I meant to ask you about that.

[ He follows easily, all his equipment sheathed and tucked away for now. ] That's right. Interested in signing up? The Black Squad could use someone of your talents, that's for sure.

I want more information about it first. What's in the brochures isn't much at all.

Sure. I'd be happy to answer your questions. What kind of information do you need to know? [ He folds his arms across his chest, but this aside, he is all but accommodating, body faced towards Trunks. ]

[No no Roland, keep walking. They need to make sure there aren't more trolls or blighted golems around. And that the people are safe. Walk and talk.]

Just give me full information on what it is, and stuff. The brochure mentions it and that's kind of about it. Other than to see you, Kumoko, or Misa.

[ He follows easily. Roland can definitely walk and talk. ]

Alright. This was Kumoko - Spider Seamstress's project. Back then, before you and I were on the train, another passenger named Yuffie decided to forego her team and create a covert Black Team that could aid any which color on a mission, given the discrepancy of members. [ Roland makes a gesture with his hand. ] If you hadn't noticed yet, Purple has the most number of team members, while Red and Blue barely make half our numbers. Combined. And historically, they seem to get assigned the most battle-heavy jobs too.

[ Not to mention how many children there are on Blue. ]

When Yuffie disembarked for good one platform day ago, Spider Seamstress decided to continue the legacy. She asked Misa and myself to help her announce a new and improved Black Squad, with the same mission as Yuffie's original plan, only this time with the added benefit of Spider's powers. [ He reveals the black band that Trunks has probably seen before, wrapped around Roland's wrist. ] Upon joining the Black Squad, Spider will give you this wristband. It's a marker so that she can locate you on a mission, and teleport you somewhere else with another marker, someone else with a wristband in another team. That way, if an emergency comes up, no one team is crippled or left defenseless.

Is there a way to communicate between teams, or just the devices on our wrists? Because this definitely sounds like something I want in on. Like I said when we last talked, I'm used to protecting people. This?

[Gesturing around them a bit.]
Well... I'm pretty hard to kill, more resistant to heat or cold environments than most humans, I'm skilled in ranged or close combat, and I'm used to having to watch out for civilians and keep them hidden or safe. I'm also no slouch with basic computer and mechanical skills involving programming or engineering.

[ Having someone so adept at such a variety of things was definitely going to come in handy with the way the Black Squad was structured. Though he sort of admits it would be nice to have Trunks pop back to Purple if things needed a bit of extra firepower - he's seen him in action already, after all. ]

Just the SCA, I'm afraid. Unless you've got another special skill in your arsenal that can help us out on that? Heh. [ He jokes easily, not surprised if Trunks did have something to extend their comms capabilities... ] In any case, the Black Squad would be happy to have someone of your skills onboard. We can arrange it as soon as we get back from the mission.

I mean, I could look at the SCA but I'm sure others already have. They already seem better than walkie-talkies or radios too.

[No, no special communication skills. Sorry Roland.]

Well, for now let's focus on our mission here, and I'll definitely poke you about it when we get back on the train.

Please do. [ And he could mean both - looking at the SCA's or poking him on the train about the Black Squad. Though if track record is to be believed, tampering with anything provided by the train was probably going to fail. ]

Well, then. Let's get to work.

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Adventure On!

04

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