Complete Challenge High March Just Another Escort Quest

[Santiago Marlin]

...Oi, why were you moving so close to the massive stone creature so closely, brat? Hey, he doesn't look that friendly, you know, are you seriously trying to trick it like it's a fairytale troll? Sure you're about the same height as a fairytale protagonist, but that isn't exactly a role you want to adopt, you know? Oh no, even the smelly drunk is coming closer- and giving a terrible sales pitch that doesn't seem period accurate! And now that shady woman is just trying to scam it with a cube like it's one of those radioactive amulets from Amazon!

The old man instinctively steps close to the golem soon after Chako steps, and only realises he's stepped too close soon after. A look of brief fear and apprehension of his face- but somehow, it quickly fades as he seems to steel himself.

...Shit, it looks like I've got something to say, and I shouldn't back out because I'd rather not find out what makes the golem mad...so, I'll have to say something, huh?

Pragmatically and very reluctantly accepting his fate, the old man clears his throat, puts on his sharpest, most erudite look for a travelling, mercantile elder and turns to where he supposed the eyes were on the walking piece of terrain- if it had any, who knew if they were nostrils or something. "You seem like a down-to-earth, reasonable fellow." Well, down-to-earth was easy when one was sedimentary rock, and reasonable was yet to be seen, but he digressed.

"I'm sure you have faithfully guarded this domain for many years, good sir-" An particularly audacious assumption of sexual identity of a literal rock- "and we shan't contest your claim." Hell, for all he knew, considering that guy was a rock it might have really been sitting here since before man discovered agriculture.

"So let me implore to you, Sir Sandstone-" Shit, he should have asked the rock for its name first, but he was past that bridge already- "that by letting us flatten your lands, we are increasing the value of your domain- by clearing out a path here, more travellers will come, inevitably, drawn by the clear road, and more travellers means more tolls in the long term, and they will continue to come so long as you guard this road. I hope the cube presented to you as payment for the toll and the benefits of our service are enough for you to grant us passage, and dare I say..."

He now had to say something audacious but not entirely unreasonable, so that the stone person, even if they were conservative, would be bargaining down from the offer he had presented.

"...If you wouldn't mind, as the rightful owner of this domain, if you would escort us across your domain, that would be a great favour to us, and would give us the protection to clear out a road across your lands safely."

There. That was an entirely accurate, period accurate pitch for a wise merchant! Take that, drunkard!

 

[Tarkya]

Just Another Escort Quest
Eastbound Road, High March, Astorea

The stone person stares blankly at the small crowd of Starcalled as they began to weave an elaborate lie - one of early payment and previous benefits. Words and thoughts tumble through its mind like stones. You can almost hear the sound of them, as the stone man tries to piece together the situation.

It is not a stupid creature, really. Slow, perhaps, at least compared to the lightning-quick thoughts of the fleshlings before it. But inevitable, always moving towards its destination.

And the destination it approaches is a simple truth.

This is far beyond its pay grade.

"...noisy," it rumbles, lowering its hand. The hollows that Santiago identified as "eyes" seem to glitter as it turns towards the cube. It takes one heavy step, and it's all Bartholomew can do to keep Wintermute from jumping it immediately as it approaches Eva.

"...this," it says, opening one stony palm to Eva. "I will... take. And you will... follow. Squeaking mice... should be quiet. Around cats."

Stone Person's Checkpoint

Weather: Cloudy | Morale: Wavering | Risk: Unknown​

The stone person has been satisfied... for now. But one can't help but wonder for how long.

Winter's previous mood could be considered relaxed compared to the literal aura of frustration emanating from her. The plodding pace and circuitous route the stone person is leading them on isn't helping. Every so often it stops, as if trying to regain its bearings, and then demands the group cut across some new, rougher path.

Even Bartholomew looks like he's itching for a fight. Or maybe that's just his usual itching. But the way he keeps looking up at the darkening sky betrays a different sort of anxiety.

“Storm's coming...”

And indeed, clouds seem to be gathering on the horizon...

@Chrys @Chako @Santiago Marlin @Eva

 

[Chako]

Chako felt it was really rude of the golem to refer to her travel companions as squeaking mice, like... Come on! We have an elderly in our group! Be a bit more respectful!

But at the same time, Chako figured it wasn't a good idea to anger a big scary golem, so she figured she just needed to talk for everyone else to compensate! It would be bad if the road got too quiet, after all!

"By the way, I want to say your road has been really well-maintained, mr. Golem. You sure have been working hard here, and we're very glad to help you out in your endeavor to keep it clean. Also, what rocks are you even made of? That's some very pretty formation near your head! I'd love to know more about your history with this road too!" And so, Chako kept on going on and on with the chit-chat while the group traveled forward. It was important to keep their host entertained, right!?

If that was why the group has been forced to travel through rougher and rougher roads, then Chako will probably never know about it.

Either way, when Chako heard about a storm coming, she figured she finally found something to do again... Not like she had ever tried to dance a whole storm away, but hey, what's the harm in trying?

"Excuse me, mister Golem, but it's time to get to work again!" She jumped off her seat and into the road again before starting her new dance.

Luckily enough, this was actually something she practiced before. She never had found an actual use for it so far, but she thought it must come in handy at some point, so it was practiced!

... Especially because she liked the choreography, but that's besides the point.

So, Chako started a traditional ceremonial rain dance... But in reverse! What better to draw the rain away, than to do the rain dance with mirrored steps!? Surely it must work!

One step at a time, Chako kept moving. Her steps flowing with the wind, and a gentle blue light emanating from her and flying up to the clouds... Was this actually going to push the clouds away? Chako really didn't know, she never tried doing this while actually putting magic into her steps, and she could feel her energy draining away fast... I guess rain dances aren't simple rituals after all... Major environment changes actually consume a lot of energy... Who'd have guessed?

Either way, she didn't feel weak enough to faint yet, so she would continue moving... It really was a relief that her practice was paying off. Tripping now would not be the best of ideas.

 

[Eva]

Well, it was apparent that the sheer amount of conflicting information that was fed into it from all the different sources was too much for it, so it decided just to take it at face value.

Hardly the ideal outcome, but passable for now. There's no telling that the Stone Person would change its mind halfway through the journey or realize that it was tricked, so for the time being, Eva considered it a liability. That's why the cube was there as an assurance.

"Alright, we should move again."

It was safe to say after several moments that the journey would be way easier if they had dispatched the Thing before. Not only did it move ever so slowly, but the quality of the route was questionable, so Eva looked around to see whether anyone else was also uncomfortable with this while the small Felis was trying to keep the Stone Person entertained.

“Storm's coming...”

A storm was indeed approaching.

Assessing the situation, she quickly consulted the caravan leaders. "Do we have the luxury to be behind schedule?" As someone who was tasked to protect the shipment, the white-haired woman expressed her concerns and reasons for her suggestion to perhaps wait out the storm.

"The added risk of the stormy weather combined with this terrain might be too much."

 

[Chrys]

《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》

❰ Adventurers Guild ❱

Eastbound Road, High March, Astorea (Escorting an MIT caravan of equipment and supplies)

Chrys heaved a sigh of relief. If he had come down to it, he wouldn't have hesitated to explode the stone creature from inside out with his geomancy. It would've been a gruesome turn of events, but as much as he didn't want to think of that option, it would've been his last resort. It has been so long since last I fought... He narrowed his eyes toward the stone creature as he just stood there, letting everyone else move past him.

Once he felt ready, he made his way near Bartholomew. For a change of peace. Wintermute might have seemed to calm down, finally, but Chrys wasn't going to risk ruining that moment for her. And for everyone else. Maybe the golem was right. Maybe it was time to stay quiet.

Still...

"What did that golem say about...cats? We're mice... You think something else, something more dangerous, is waiting in the shadows?"

Chrys muttered his question, though it was loud enough to be heard by Bartholomew, the only person worth hearing his thoughts. The Stonelord Sovereign looked toward the darkening sky, squinting. He did not like that view one bit. It looked like it was an omen for terrible things to come, like a game master setting the mood for a worse turn of events. Hopefully, that's just rain...

 

[Santiago Marlin]

Well. Me and my big mouth.

From his seat beside Chako, Santiago somewhat anxiously looked on at the multi-ton boulder walking at an uncomfortably fast pace for any geological formation, that, by some potentially unholy turn of events, was now leading them through the place like a disgruntled safari guide instead of extorting them like a bridge troll.

With each hefty thud of its steps, the realisation of biting off more than he could chew slowly but surely sunk into the unfortunately convincing old man.

A pang of regret from his gut, as if hindsight had a gut feeling- but once one had mounted the back of a tiger, there was no leaving it.

Well, this situation wasn't... strictly negative even- the atmosphere was just weirdly stiff now.

He was happy to compile with the golem's instructions, and go on their merry way until the next juncture, but...

He turns subtle side-eye towards Chako, who was decidedly not being a quiet mouse, but in fact, the diametric opposite of one, in a very literal sense- a loud cat.

Damnit, what 'Sir Sandstone' said wasn't literal- it's a metaphor, a metaphor! Cats caught mice, but got squished by big rocks, you know?!

Still, things were fine for now- apparently the stony nature of the golem did extend to its patience so some extent, despite its earlier words. He wasn't going to add fuel to the fire by causing more of a ruckus in attempting to stop her, instead settling for watching them closely, just in case.

Wait, what was Chako doing? Was she....

Trying to dance the rain away? The heck? Was she a Cherokee? Also, wasn't the scale of such a feat kind of ridiculous?

But well, Santiago was a bumpkin that knew nothing of pagan sorcery magic, so instead of moaning about the impossibility of it all he kept quiet, instead watching her movements. The way her steps swayed, and the rhythm of her motion, as if she were one with the very currents.

Santiago didn't know magic, but what did he did know, was a beautiful dance when he saw one. He couldn't help but let out a small cheer as he clapped in appreciation.

 

[Tarkya]

Just Another Escort Quest
Eastbound Road, High March, Astorea

Bartholomew glanced towards Eva, a resigned smile on his face.

"We aren't short on time, but we'll probably see a lot of logouts if it gets bad enough."

He looked forward towards Chako's improvised dance. As her steps grew more sure, a few others gathered near, clapping or muttering their own chants and prayers for clear weather...

Plip, plip.
Hisssssssss...

...but their efforts fell upon deaf ears as the first drops of rain began to fell. Light at first, but soon a dreary gray curtain surrounded the caravan, turning the road into sticky mud and slick stone.

The stone person halted suddenly, its grumbling echoing like an avalanche. Could a rock look annoyed? It certainly seemed grumpy. With heavy steps it turned around. "I... will go. Mud is... unpleasant."

"Oh please, it's just a little-"

The stone person's next steps were quick, far from its previous plodding pace. Bartholomew flinched as the stone person loomed above him.

"I will go. You will go. Or... I will call the cats. Understand?"

Winter unsheathed her claw, runes of magic glinting across it. A few other followed suit, raising weapons and focii. Bartholomew gulped, hands raised.

Patter, patter.
Hsssssssssssssssss...
(...and what was that cloud of mist rising from the black wagon?)

Stone Person's Intimidation

A stormy stalemate. Fight, or relent? Perhaps man and mineral weren't meant to be...

Weather: Cloudy | Morale: Tense | Risk: Moderate​

@Chrys @Chako @Santiago Marlin @Eva

 

[Chako]

It didn't take long for Chako to realize that this really wasn't going to work... Well, Fina, I guess I have my answer now... Rain dances are absolutely harder than watering a field with magic! Like, wow, she just had to stop, because she knew she would collapse if she kept putting magic into her steps.

So, Chako panted heavily, trying to recover her breath... She vaguely noticed some other people using magic too, maybe they were trying to help her, but... Everyone probably arrived at the same conclusion... This won't work.

And soon enough, the rain drops started falling... Chako wanted nothing more than to get inside a covered wagon right now... She needed to rest.

So, when Mr. Golem decided to go, Chako couldn't really say anything in response, like... Yeah, sure, you go, Mr. Golem, find some shelter before it gets stronger.

For some reason though, a person from their group tried to argue, but Mr. Golem didn't seem like he was having any of it, so Chako took a deep breath, and tried talking it out, "Okay, okay... No need to call me, I'm right here... If you wanna go, you can go! And we... We go too, right? That's what we wanted to do anyways?" She asked the guy, whatever his name was, that was talking to Mr. Golem... As in... Telling us to go meant we went our merry way and continued on this road, right?

Though when Chako thought about it, Mr. Golem said cats, not cat... Did he know more cats, then? Wouldn't it be wild if he ended up calling Ruby to meet them? As if that was gonna happen... But it was fun to imagine it.

And this kind of silly thought kept Chako going and prevented her from collapsing on the spot from exhaustion.

@Tarkya

 

[Eva]

"We aren't short on time, but we'll probably see a lot of logouts if it gets bad enough."

She didn't answer, but simply nodded. They have to maintain the pace then to avoid unwanted complications. And speaking of complications, the hulking, rocky being already stopped advancing all of a sudden, deciding to go back. There was no reason to keep the stone person around, anyway. If it dislikes mud so much, it'll only slow them down.

But then Bartholomew said something that seemed to offend it for some reason. Everyone became tense all of a sudden.

"If you wanna go, you can go! And we... We go too, right? That's what we wanted to do anyways?

"Yes, and we're... thankful for the help."

The white-haired woman already assessed the stone person and didn't deem it too much of a threat, but she'd rather not pick such a useless conflict, especially when it puts the cargo at risk. If it goes hostile, she can always detonate the small cube she gave earlier.

Also, speaking of the cargo.

She turned back, noticing an amount of mist coming out of the black wagon. Eva tapped Bartholomew on his left shoulder before pointing with her thumb at the wagon. "Should I be worried?"

 

[Chrys]

《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》

❰ Adventurers Guild ❱

Eastbound Road, High March, Astorea (Escorting an MIT caravan of equipment and supplies)

Cats? Chrys narrowed his eyes toward the stone Thing. If he had a nickel for every time something absurd like this happened... My nickel, was that a threat? The glorious god of geological...goods wondered how that fight would go should he stand his ground against a fellow mud muncher. Would definitely be an earth shaker.

In the end, however, he simply heaved a sigh and did nothing to instigate a rocky face-off, not quite in the mood for some clobbering time. Instead, he waited patiently for the rest to make up their minds on whether they would throw the first stone. What was he if not a simply a mere pebble in the rockery (Google that, it counts) of this entire congregation?

When his amber eyes caught a glimpse of the smoke emanating from the black wagon, he tilted his head, fingers on his chin, as he tried to figure out what it was. It was hard to tell what it was. Or if it was dangerous or not. Chrys was not a student of smoke, only of stone (I am running out of rock words). He dared not smell it, though, instead choosing to wait for anyone else to notice or come up with an answer to the wisp's identity.

Worst case scenario? That entire wagon explodes, taking out a couple of people. Fortunately for Chrys, he is always ready to rock, able to turn hard and defend himself from such things. Such was the way of the websterite.

 

[Tarkya]

Just Another Escort Quest

Eastbound Road, High March, Astorea

Winter hissed softly as the group chose the path of no resistance. Or maybe that was the steam rising from her gauntlet, now warm enough to cause the air to waver around it. "We can't just keep letting things happen to us-"

"Alright. We'll let it go." Bartholomew raised his voice. "Thank you for the escort, sir." He didn't sound particularly thankful, but at he was at least backing off.

"Yes. I go." The stone person turned its body, pausing briefly as it looked at Eva. "Thank for. Cube."

And then it finished its rotation, and began plodding back in the direction the caravan had come. It wasn't long before he was lost in the haze.

Bartholomew sighed, then raised a hand. "Alright everyone, lets get moving. We're almost there."

As the caravan began rumbling foward, Bartholomew walked up to Winter. He leaned close, his muttering covered by the rumble of wheels and the white noise of rain - but not so softly that those with good ears couldn't catch it.

"You need to calm down, or she's gonna wake up."
"Let her wake up, this whole time you've been bossing me around-"
"Don't make me put you under too, Winter."

The stalemate lasted long enough that conflict seemed possible. Slowly but surely, Winter folded her metaphorical claws. "Fine. But we're finishing this later, Barty."

With a final grumble, Winter returned to her post. Bartholomew picked at his arm as he watched her go. He shook his head, dropped the bloodied yellow tendril on the ground, and walked away.

Temporary Base Camp, High March, Astorea

Light flicked through the sheet of grey rain, promising an escape from the dreary storm that had swallowed the caravan whole.

The light was followed by silhouettes, then sound, and then finally, detail. Tents and wagons nestled in the ruins of an abandoned village, one that had a distinctly Starcalled flair.

As the caravan slowed to a stop, the camp came to life to unload the wagons. Conversation sparked to life, somehow cheerful despite the pouring rain. Most of it seemed to be about food.

The small party of hired help was quickly shooed into a tent near the outer edges of the MIT(?) compound, presumably to sort out their pay and give them a place to rest. But it wasn't hard to tell that they were being sheparded away from the encampment's core - the place where the strangest of wagons were being taken.

Perhaps one day, the curious sort would have a chance to see what lay at the heart of the camp. But for now there was warm food, dry beds, and a paycheck (maybe with a little extra, considering the rain and gravel and giant stone people). MIT mysteries could wait for another day.

Challenge Complete

Was hoping for this to be done a long time ago, and to have a fancier ending. But Terrasphere is sleepy, and 3.0 creeps ever closer.

Thanks for joining the caravan, and see you in 3.0! Hopefully it's real this time...

@Chrys @Chako @Santiago Marlin @Eva