Adventure On!

[voidtreckermods]

"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!

Comments

[shutupnail]

It took a moment to form, but eventually the Namekian let a small smile curl his lips slightly. He nodded his approval and hoped the rest of him was encouraging enough for a change to get the message across.

Just this once, he could be encouraging in a different way. She had made it this far on her own. It was a good accomplishment. Now if she wanted a little bit of help, that was fine. She could do more next time on her own if she felt like it.

Or in other words, Madoka had broken through to him a bit and he wasn't worried about saving face or concerned with honor and pride--but just here to be nice for a change and indulge in that strange friendship thing that was pleasant on its own. Not that he didn't know that, but all his friends back home were martial artists and, well, they had their own way of being friends. Anyway.

"I'm sure."

He kept his hand out for her, waited patiently for her to make her decision.

[happyends]

That small confirmation is all Madoka needs. Her hand no longer awkwardly hovers in midair, but instead continues on, reaching out all the way until she can take a hold of his much bigger hand. Her hold isn't too tight - of course it's not, Madoka is only a 14 year old, after all - but it's a little firm all the same, like she wants to make sure to not let go. Especially in this dangerous situation.

She waits a moment, as if to let him adjust, and then she starts walking. This time with Piccolo by her side.

It doesn't even feel really shameful, thankfully. She at least managed to do a bit on her own, right? Is it then so bad to have a friend to rely on for the rest of the way?

"It's a lot easier like this.." She admits as she walks. "It's like I have nothing to worry about when you're there, mister Piccolo."

[shutupnail]

Well that was adorably frank. Piccolo felt a blush work its way up his cheeks. What a silly thing to say! Never mind the fact that it was true... Piccolo wouldn't let anything happen to her so long as he was around to protect her. He didn't want anyone to get hurt and would protect anyone he could, but with her there was something more personal in that feeling, too. He spent time with her, conversed with her on a friendly basis, had formed an attachment to her--she was important and held a special place in his heart.

His grip was firm but gentle and it remained that way as they made their way past the rest of the ice bridge. Piccolo pointedly looked elsewhere than at Madoka as they moved forward. His face was carefully controlled--but he knew from the heat in his cheeks that the flush had probably made a visible appearance.

At the end, as Madoka took the last few steps off the bridge, Piccolo mumbled something quietly. "Of course you don't. As long as it's in my power, I won't let anything happen to you."

[happyends]

At least Piccolo never has to worry about Madoka calling out that flush that's so very, very easily visible on his green skin. Maybe sometimes she somehow misses it, and the rest of the time she's just much too polite to bring up how flustered someone else looks - but regardless of the reason behind it, there's no mention of the blush.

Instead he gets a small smile from her when Madoka turns towards him once they're properly over the bridge. There's definitely some relief in there as well, because Madoka sure is glad to have left this experience behind her now.

(No one tell her about all the ice bridges that are still left on their path..)

"Thank you so much.." For helping her now, sure, but also for what he's saying. It's the latter fact that makes her grow quiet for a moment, slowly letting go of his hand - if not just so she can instead shyly and awkwardly press her fingers together as she thinks. "Y-- You've done so much for me. I really should find a way to make it up to you one day. I mean, you even just saved my life.."

Or, well, attempted to. It would have been nice to have that help if she hadn't managed to upright herself at the last moment back on that bridge!

[shutupnail]

He was silently grateful for the fact that Madoka never mentioned the blush, relieved honestly. It didn't matter whether she just didn't notice or had the bearing not to call attention to it, it made it easier to relax more quickly and not worry about it. It allowed him to save face. That was good.

Reputation intact, for now, he nods at her thank you. His mouth thins a bit at the rest of what she says though rather than looking angry he looks more like he wants to object. She didn't have to do anything like that.

"...It's fine, Madoka. I would have done it no matter what."

He rather liked less attention anyway. (She would just have to surprise him with something thoughtful on her own one day if she really wanted.)