Private Western Brisshal Bothersome Bushcraft

[Creature]

Western Brisshal - Morning

This world was much larger than he initially imagined. There were large cities, small settlements, and far off kingdoms yet to be discovered. It was a bit overwhelming. But in a good way.

Creature was idled against a nearby building to watch as a decent sized crowd gathered in front of the headman's home. He was a short and elderly fellow, hunched over a wooden cane. From atop a stump he stroked his snow-white beard in thought while the people voiced their concerns.

"Headman! You NEED to do something about the Druids." One man cried.

"Their magic has caused so many trees to spring up around the village's walls, they're getting damaged!" Another man chimed.

A woman with a child in tow held the boy close while he in turn clutched the edge of her apron. "My son has suffered horrible nightmares of monsters dragging him off in his sleep because of all the holes in the walls from those damn trees."

So on and so forth. Each person expressed their thoughts on the druids and they were all negative. Headman was beside himself. Sure they had a few men trained to guard the village, but surely he couldn't send them to suppress the druids and leave this place without protection. Perhaps he could make the trip himself to attempt some kind of diplomacy with the Druid settlement. But the forest was dangerous, and in his old age he likely wouldn't survive for long. Perhaps the adventures guild could help? But with all their funds going towards repairing the walls they'd have no form of compensation. No money meant no mercenaries. Tired eyes scanned the crowd. That is until he found who he was looking for.

"Fear not!" He exclaimed while raising his cane toward a fiery-haired woman. An outsider, and a competent looking one at that! Before Creature could process what was going on the cane fell upon him as well.

"For these two have agreed to aid us in our time of need!"

With a curious blink, Creature's eyes locked on the beast girl. Wasn't expecting that. Though he said nothing one way or the other he was interested in how she would respond to the headman's gambit.

@Sol

 

[Sol]

Sol was on another one of her explorations, seeing the sights and gathering her bearings. This time, she found herself in a village, which she had been passing by when she was looking for something quick to eat before continuing on her way. This is how she was when she found herself passing in front of a building surrounded by people, a half eaten bread sitting in her hand. She cast her gaze over the group, standing near the sidelines far enough so that people wouldn't right away notice her, but close enough that she could hear what they were saying. The crowd sounded worried, concerned, and something about.... Druids? Whatever was happening, Sol had no idea.

They all seemed to be focused on a man in the middle to which Sol focused her attention on, taking another bite out of her bread as she tapped her fingers on it aimlessly. It was then that he spoke up with a surprisingly loud voice for such a small, old man, and she could swear his cane was pointing at her... Wait, it was pointing at her. She swallowed her bread a little heavier than she usually would as her eyebrows knit together in confusion. Was she getting pulled in for a surprise quest or something? Whatever it was, she definitely had not agreed to it in advance.

It was then that his cane moved to another figure, and Sol's eyes met with another adventurer. Maybe he was another player, maybe he wasn't, but with a quick entrance of investigation mode she could quickly tell that he was. Exiting the mode and taking another bite of her bread, she turned back to the old man and stepped forward, finishing off the last piece with a swish of her hand on her dress, dusting off any crumbs she had left over.

"I don't exactly remember... Agreeing, to anything. I don't even know who you are," she said with her mouth slightly full still, pausing for a moment to swallow the last bit of her food before continuing forward, coming to a stop right in front of him, "But I'll give, doesn't hurt to help out," she turned to look at the other adventurer once more, tilting her head to the side, "What about you? You in?" she asked him, tapping her side with one of her fingers as she waited for his answer.

@Creature

 

[Creature]

"Of course he is!" Headman bellowed with a hearty stamp of his cane.

Creature had a feeling these people wouldn't take no for an answer. With a shrug he sifted through the now parted crowd to join the woman's side. "Got nothing better to do."

Headman appeared overjoyed that his plan had succeeded. Two brave adventures would take care of their magical forest friends. He just had to sit back and wait. While twirling the tip of his mustache, he'd brief the outsiders on the situation.

"As you both already know, the forest surrounding this village is home to a group of people we call Druids due to their possession of Nature Magic. These powers are part of what makes this area so sustainable for those who live here. For that we are of course grateful. But as of late their spells have been doing more harm than good. See what you can do to remedy the situation. Keep in mind Druids are quite stubborn. I would like diplomacy but wouldn't be surprised if a more… Bloody type of convincing is needed."

With the details out of the way and a location of the Druid settlement provided to each of them, the villagers wasted little time shuffling the pair out the gates and into the wilderness beyond. A dirt path marked the way and it likely wouldn't take long to reach the Druids. Might as well use this time to get to know each other.

"They call me Creature. What about you?"
@Sol

 

[Sol]

Sol flinched slightly at the old man, giving him a small frown. She wasn't a huge fan of the headman's behaviour, but at this point she'd already given in to his whims so she couldn't say much. With a small scoff to let out her annoyance at the situation, she turned her purple gaze towards the man with a nod. She had to say that she was at least glad that she wouldn't be in this alone. Sol wasn't a huge people person, but it definitely never hurt to have someone else to work with on a mission. Besides, you couldn't get much done in a game like this solo anyways.

She looked back towards the old man as she rested a hand on her hip, listening to his story intently with a nod at the end. She'd intended to figure it out in the most diplomatic way, if possible. She wasn't against maiming or killing them if they caused too much of an issue, but it was always best to avoid that route if possible. She was given little time to think about the plan however before she was quickly ushered out of the village with the other adventurer at her side, throwing a dirty glance back at the village while they exited. She was pulled out of her annoyance though, as the man talked to her. So, as she began to walk in the general direction that was explained to them, she began to speak.

"It's Sol. Nice to meet you, Creature. You've got an interesting name," she said quietly bluntly, but there was no ill intent behind her voice as they walked, her eyes trained before them as they went. "You new to the game too? I just started not long ago." She added as she looked up at him, gauging a reaction from his face. She wondered if he was one of those rp folk, not that he looked like it. She didn't want to step on any toes, but if she did, then she would just have to deal with the consequences of her actions.

@Creature

 

[Creature]

Light trickled in through cracks in the forest canopy. When coupled with the buzz of insects and numerous bird songs, Creature felt a sense of peace unlike any he had known in the real world. Being a city mouse meant his life was usually void of these things. Despite her appearance Sol seemed like a kind woman for going out of her way to aid some village in the middle of nowhere. Watching her face, it was hard to get a read on her. So this was what it felt like, he thought.

"Likewise, Sol. I started maybe a week ago. Honestly, I wasn't expecting it to feel so… Real. Who knew technology like this existed?"

His reply was casual, but deliberate as he chose not to elaborate on his name. The sound of foliage crunched beneath his boots breaking up whatever dead air might arise in their conversation, if any. There was still some time before they'd face the Druids. Perhaps it'd be wise to talk about strategy now rather than at their doorstep.

"What do you think these Druids will be like?"

@Sol

 

[Sol]

Sol nodded in agreement with him, gently swatting away a fly the flew too close to them with her hand. She noticed that he didn't reply to her question about the different kind of name, but she also didn't push on the subject. If he wasn't going to let up, Sol wasn't going to pry nor was she going to take much interest. She didn't really know him much, either, so that played even more into the uninterest in her part. She was really one to put a lot of effort into conversations with people she wasn't exactly close to.

"I feel the same. Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that this is just a video game." she said as she reached out towards a passing bush, plucking off a leaf and then holding it out in front of her. Carefully she began to tear away at the parts of it like she would do as a child, exploring the forest. It would compart just the same, leaving little green string like pieces where it had been ripped. If you hadn't of known better that she was hooked up to a VR system and could log out at any point now, you definitely could get this mixed up for reality. A reality that had trigger happy druids going a little crazy with the nature magic, Figures.

She shrugged at his next question, dropping leaf on the ground as she went with a little rub of her fingers and thinking for a moment, "I, for one, am not looking to have to cause an issue unless absolutely necessary. Who knows, maybe the villagers are the ones in the wrong and the druids are just doing their thing. They did make it sound like they've been leaching off of them for a while." The Headman was too bothersome of a person to be completely innocent in this situation. Sol understand that they were villagers trying to protect their town, but she wasn't too tied to any side in this store. So whatever happens, happens.

She looked over at Creature, trying to get a read on him for a moment as she studied him, before speaking up, "You weren't expecting to go in all crazy, were you?" She asked, although it seemed like she was truthfully asking him, it could also be taken like she was judging him or trying to see if he was trustworthy. It was definitely partially the latter, but more that Sol just wanted to be ready for whatever behaviour her 'partner' brought to the field. Asking up front always seemed to be the best way possible to get an answer out of people.

@Creature

 

[Creature]

There was a small piece of him that wanted to ask what she meant by "go in all crazy". But he refrained from doing so since he could likely harbor a guess. Honestly he was fine with whatever Sol wanted to do. Besides, he wasn't the best at the whole talking thing, and it'd give him a chance to see what she was about.

"Nah, I'll just follow your lead. Hopefully they aren't the shoot first ask questions later type."

Her reasoning was sound and Creature didn't have any real complaints. Barging into a place while likely outmanned and outgunned wasn't a situation he desired to find himself in. Still, it'd be nice to be prepared in case things did take a turn for the worst.

"If a fight does happen though I think we should be familiar with each other's kits. I have slash, spirit magic and…"

He closed his eyes for a moment. When they opened they'd clearly shifted from their usual brown to a glowing, deep crimson. They'd remain that way as the Druid village came into view down the path on the horizon.

"Hyper sense. It's still weak but should let me see if there are any traps nearby. What masteries are you rocking?"

@Sol

 

[Sol]

Sol seemed to relax a little as he started talking facts. Statistics. Skills. It was then that she swiftly cut a scratch into the palm of her hand. From there, blood flowed out before forming into a medium side sword shape in the palm of her hand, to which she then waved in front of them easily, "Hemomancy, Pyromancy, and Slashing." It was in that moment that the sword then caught on fire, and she held it up in front of them as it turned off. And then, the sword faded away, blood returning to her palm of her hand before sealing up shut.

"It hurts a little to open the wound, but not too much. It's crazy, the realism of this game," she commented, looking forward as they walked, keeping her eyes out. She had put her sword away so that if any Druid's did show up randomly, they wouldn't take her as a threat. She would be alarmed herself if anyone approached her randomly with a blade made of blood, especially if she were up to questionable deeds.

"See anything with your sense?" she asked, returning back to the task at hand. In her brain, however, she was currently working up something to say to the druids once they got there. She was a little less than pleased about taking the lead for speaking, but what could she do. She would muster up something at least.

@Creature

 

[Creature]

"Damn girl, that's a neat trick."

Flaming, blood swords. It'd been among the most interesting things he'd seen in the game so far. Though the technique left him with more questions that the pair didn't really have time to discuss at present.

"Looks clear to me. Hold on a sec." Creature said. With another flash from his eyes a jet black suit of armor sporting a wolf motif would materialize around his body. A large sword was strapped to his back. Peering at Sol, he'd wait for her reaction.

"They might feel a little more willing to listen if one of us looks scary." He reasoned.

The good cop and bad cop routine usually worked on tv shows. He saw no reason why it wouldn't yield similar results here. Though he also enjoyed how the gear would obstruct his face, should things take a turn for the worse in there. The last thing he needed was a town of Druids hunting him.

"Ready to go in?"

@Sol

 

[Sol]

☀˚̣⋅ .

Sol raised an eyebrow as Creature suddenly changed before her eyes. Gone was just another basic player and in his place was a full armoured man, ready to fight. She met his 'gaze', however you can meet someones gaze when they're, you know, covered by a helmet, and felt an odd sense of him expecting her to react in a certain way.

She frowned a little bit as a shrug formed on her shoulders, turning her gaze away, "Or they're just more willing to attack us. I don't think that a bunch of aggressive druids are going to listen to you just because you look cool." Wait... Did that mean she was going to be the last aggressive one? Turning and looking towards Creature, she stopped dead in her tracks, an incredulous expression on her face.

"Wait... Are you expecting me to do the talking?" Didn't he already understand her vibe? It definitely wasn't one of talking, let alone persuading enemies to stop attacking someone. She could try, but it would be a bad experience overall for both him and her when she 'accidentally' intimidates the druid's and 'accidentally' causes a fight. She'd heard it all way too much in real life. People always judged a book by it's cover, and this cover had no intention to be read at the moment.

@Creature

 

[Creature]

"We don't know they're aggressive for sure." He'd reply with a shrug.

"Besides, looking the part is half the battle. You, my friend, need to work on your confidence. We'll be fine."

Avoiding her question he'd offer up a gentle pat on her back and a few words of encouragement instead. Though it would seem that time waited for no player, as the ground began to rumble. Further down the road an enormous stem would break the surface. A closed bud sat atop it. Slowly a red flower bloomed, its petals acting as a ramp of sorts. Four men equipped with blades crafted from rose thorns stepped down and formed a perimeter around the plant. In the center, a red-haired woman in an elegant green gown and sporting a thorny crown stood.

"What business do you have here, travelers?"

The woman's tone was direct, and authoritative but free of malice as far as Creature could tell. She peered down at them with calm, green eyes. Folding his arms, the armor-clad man would wait for his companion to break the ice.

@Sol

 

[Sol]

☀˚̣⋅ .

Sol seems slightly stunned at Creature's comment, falling behind him for a moment as an expression that can only be described by intense confusion falls upon her features, eyebrows furrowed as she watches his back for a couple moments, ... Excuse me? How did what he said make any sense? Giving her head a small shake and scoffing as if to get rid of whatever he said out of her brain, she quickly caught up pace with him, not acknowledging the words that came out of his mouth. So... Odd.

She shrugs off his pat on her back and gives him an annoyed look, but anything else after that is quickly caught off by the rumbling of the ground beneath their feet as Sol holds out her hands to keep her balance, eyes narrowed as she immediately begins to look around for whatever was causing the tremour. Spotting the red flower ahead, she stands straight once more, keeping an even gaze on the people that emerge, They must be the druids. Who else would make large flowers bloom in the middle of the road?

Eyeing up the lady that stepped out and spoke to them, Sol was quiet... Oh yah. "We're here representing the nearby village. What business do you have in the forest? They said you've been messing with their walls," She said, keeping her voice strong without any sugar coating. If she was going to speak, she was going to speak in the way she knew and wanted to, "We're open to speaking and hearing your side of the story, incase it's a misunderstanding. If not... Then we'll see what's to come." Crossing her arms over her chest, she met the woman's eyes with a very similar expression, except hers was just a little different in one way, her eyes reading 'Don't fuck with me'. Besides, this was just an NPC, what was she going to do?

 

[Creature]

The woman carefully watched the pair as Sol recounted her with the tale of how they'd come to be at the Druid's doorstep. Though she seemed unsurprised by Sol's explanation, and even less so fazed by her gaze. She'd simply nod before continuing.

"I see. Perhaps it'd be best if you saw for yourself then." She'd say before beckoning for her guards to lower their weapons.

"Lady Usubeni, are you certain that's-" One guard would start, only to be cut off with a glare. Usubeni then descended her flower and began leading her company back to the village.

No one had died yet, so things were going much better than he had anticipated. Switching back to his usual armor, Creature gave @Sol a thumbs up in approval before following after the woman. If they meant to do them any harm there likely would have been plants shoved up their butts by now, he figured.

***​

Inside the Druid village all the buildings fit perfectly into the trunks of trees or other large plants as if they'd always been part of the environment. Nature intermingled with society in every direction and people went about their business without much hassle. Still, a few of the elders and children stopped to stare as they weren't entirely used to seeing outsiders parade down their quiet streets. Creature did his best not to pay them any mind, rather intent on hearing what their leader had to say.

"This forest has been my people's home for generations. Our founder initially formed a pact with a tree spirit, which in turn granted us magical control over the natural world. This spirit is responsible for your damaged walls. But if you were to help us ease the spirit, then both our problems should be resolved."