Roland isn't really speaking to anyone in particular, the way he mutters to himself, chin tilted up to the ceiling as he awaits to disembark by the standard car. Not that the idea of coming to a place familiar to him is going to stop him from doing his best during the mission, but it does inspire him somewhat to do marginally better than before. Void active or not, civilians were in need, and he was ready to get into the thick of it sooner than later.
Until such a time that the Voidtreckers commence their journey, Roland can be seen stationary in this area, fixing supplies, polishing his pistol, or sharpening his swords imbued with magic. From time to time, he can also be seen ferrying advice for newcomers, so this would be a good time to ask questions.
[ b. ] setting: the weary wanderer.
He helps arrange tables to make the area more communal for their mission up ahead, his brows furrowed deep and his eyes focused on the maps provided. He's used to this kind of work, but from time to time, he's distracted by the hustle and bustle of the inn.
Or better put, his eagle eyes were already scouting talented folk; gaps in their personnel that he might need to tend to, among others.
He spends half his time helping the innkeepers with the amount of void travelers that come in and out. From waiting and serving food to carrying cargo, Roland's eyes and ears are everywhere. He may even be chatting with the locals to help gather info.
The rest of his time is spent with the Voidtreckers themselves, purple team or not. "What's your plan? We only have a basic idea of where things are. We can't get too excited."
[ c. ] setting: forest.
It's not as quiet as one might expect a regular forest to be, on account of the swirling storms and clouds that thunder across the atmosphere. But from time to time, rustling of leaves and bushes can be heard, close to the ear yet far enough to avoid detection. Then, out of nowhere, a blur drops from the heights, steadying itself into a timed barrel roll back unto its feet.
Roland has his pistol out - not an ordinary gun by any means, but an enchanted weapon with a grappling hook attached to its barrel. He doesn't seem to be any sort of bothered from his descent as he looks around. Spotting the closest Voidtrecker, his serious demeanor only slightly softens as he approaches, gun pointed to the ground.
"There's about three or four people a few meters from here, but they're not looking too good."
An invitation, of course. If his frown is any indication…
[ d. ] setting: farmlands.
Are you perhaps attuned with magic and spirits, better than the rest?
Maybe you're secretly a good person with a heart of gold, even if traditional narratives are ready to paint you out to be the bad guy of your tale?
If you're one such type of person, you may hear them before you see them: tiny sprites that glow with an abundance of magic, as if phenomena and emotion in physical form. They squeal in high pitched higgle! piggle! like a chorus in the void, and despite their size, they seem to have sentience, scattered in areas around a dense gathering of grass leading further inwards. As the earth cracks into claws, sprawling into jagged terrain, the leader of these creatures begins to jump up and down, louder in its squealing than the others following its lead. This one was a bit bigger, with a crown upon its head and a billowing cape on its shoulders.
And though they lacked the words, those who can hear him know he is signaling for something. Or for someone.
If you follow this trail, or if you deign to trust your instincts that resonate like a heightened sense of resolution, you will eventually find Roland a little worse for wear, blood dripping from his nose, his hand cradling the side of his head.
He's kneeling on one leg, and all around him are pieces of debris from what looks like a split boulder, bigger than four of him combined.
There's an attempt to say something from Roland's end, but his vision is still blurred, and his gaze is dizzying as the world moves in a pace he can't follow. What happened? What is he trying to say?
[ e. ] wildcard.
Go crazy! Am up for all sorts of adventure. Message this journal or HMU on Discord for ideas.
A NOTE ON HIGGLEDIES: They can be seen by anyone who is pure of heart. How you define that is completely up to you as a player, and how your character perceives themselves and their overall intentions. The prompt doesn't close just because they don't fall into this category, however! Higgledies can be heard and felt even if they can't be seen, as they are essentially the phenomena of the environment who decided to grow tiny arms and legs.
Or, you know, feel free to encounter Roland on your own without the little ones :3
roland crane (purple) | ota
[ b. ] setting: the weary wanderer.
[ c. ] setting: forest.
[ d. ] setting: farmlands.
[ e. ] wildcard.
A NOTE ON HIGGLEDIES: They can be seen by anyone who is pure of heart. How you define that is completely up to you as a player, and how your character perceives themselves and their overall intentions. The prompt doesn't close just because they don't fall into this category, however! Higgledies can be heard and felt even if they can't be seen, as they are essentially the phenomena of the environment who decided to grow tiny arms and legs.
Or, you know, feel free to encounter Roland on your own without the little ones :3