Private Valley of the Sun Little Guild House: We've got mail.

[Plutopia]

Little Guild House on The Hylands:
We've got mail: Prologue

Starring: @Luthien @Chako @Dynamax @Herculean Drakecon
Coms Thread: https://terrarp.com/threads/comms-weve-got-mail.2204/​

===========================================================================================

Spoiler: People

Spoiler: Emma Peasea

Reference

The Guild Branch Manager.

A lander girl from the farming boonies with big dreams of living the city girl life. Was tricked into working in an even more remote location on the edge of human civilization.

Has big dreams and even bigger problems. But's she's not willing to pack it up and go home to the pea farm just yet...

Looks up to Cessia. Unlike Cessia, she's just a little bit lazy. Or maybe a lot.

===========================================================================================

Spoiler: Glossary

Spoiler: Sirosi-kotan

Sirosi-kotan
One of the biggest villages in the entire valley that is considered the meeting place for all Sun Claw. All important meetings, discussions, and rallies take place here. The majority of the buildings in this village resemble early Japanese architecture and have a bit more design and a flair to them than elsewhere.

Spoiler: Sun Claw

Sun Claw
The Sun Claw are a wolf-type beastfolk (Caenis) who revere the land and seek to carry out their sworn duty as its keepers. Sun Claws believe that Hylands is a paradise built for them by the goddess of the moon, Uene. To honor Uene's gift, the Sun Claw foster a deep relationship with Kamuy, Holy Beasts that protect and maintain the land.

Socially, the Sun Claw are composed of many different clans. Each clan is led by a chieftain, with a council determined by the most qualified persons in a kotan (village) in their field. For the Sun Claw, the person in the tribe with the closest connection to the Kamuys, serves as chieftain. The council is then formed from a circle of elders serving as masters of their discipline. These elders have an apprentice each, and their apprentice another of their own. To move up in station is to serve as a teacher to those who would follow the path you have walked in life before. Typically, these paths are familial in nature, but not always, as the Sun Claw are free to choose the path that best suits them.

These paths of passed down knowledge are as culturally significant as they are practical in ensuring the skills of their trade are passed on. Each path represents a ray of the sun reaching outward, from young to old as the most distant lights pass into the darkness before dawn, in reverence of the circle of life. Similarly, as a rule, all Sun Claw family names contain "Sun", which is converted into "Moon" in death, signifying a Sun Claw's passage into the next stage in life's cycle.

Although most Sun Claw are highly mistrustful and weary of outsiders, a friendship earned from one can last a lifetime and even beyond into future generations. On the other hand, the Sun Claw also hold painfully enduring grudges that are not easily forgiven. Despite their reclusiveness, the Sun Claw are very receptive to new ideas that improve their lives and work together in bigger villages to meet their goals; new paths are always emerging, and lost paths are sometimes retread. They are a slow-moving people who value harmony and living in the moment. But, when that harmony is threatened, the Sun Claw are the lesson for the dangers of awakening a sleeping beast in its den.

===========================================================================================

Prologue: On The Road with Friends(?) and a Tortoise Cart

Spoiler: theme song

It shouldn't be too much longer now. Though, I guess, that's when the work really starts...

Emma Peasea said with a long sigh, while continuing to keep her hands on the wheel of the Automatic Tortoise Cart (A.T.C.). It was a nice sunny day with plenty of fluffy clouds. Swishing grass danced in the gentle winds as far as the eye could see across the soft green hills. The ATC's legs moved in a gentle rhythm on the dirt road as you rode along with everyone else on the way to Sirosi-kotan.


...So what the heck is an Automatic Tortoise Cart? You can think of it like a pickup-truck-sized tortoise robot. Where a shell on the actual animal would be, there's a wagon bed instead, and that's where you're currently sitting. The shell is currently drawn down, convertible style, but it can be raised like a dome when there's rougher weather like rain. This is one of the Adventurer Guild's fleet vehicles that was commissioned from MIT. Emma's driving it.

And so! As you and the rest of the part mosey along you recall the meeting of how all this got started. It went something like this...

<Flashback Scene>

Yesterday Afternoon at the The Remote-Central Adventurer's Guild House (RC-AGH).

You are seated at a long table in the smallish yet cozy main hall. Emma sits at the head of said table blabbing and waving her hands around. This is what she's saying:

Ok everyone. I'm very glad you could make it! So, as you can see here...

Emma gestures to a large pile of letters.

We've been letting the Sun Claw mail pile up for a little too long now. Tomorrow's assignment, that you've all graciously agreed to help me out with, will be to deliver this mail to our drop off point at Sirosi-kotan---which I'm probably pronouncing totally wrong.

She continued to gesture to the massive pile of letters spread on the table like the loot from the end of a raid with both hands. Her hands are waving like in a "ta~dah~" sort of way.

Annnd that's it! We'll set out together bright and early tomorrow morning after breakfast! This is a routine thing we do here at the Guild House, so do your best to get used to it. Most of the quests are like this, actually. Any questions? Of course not. That's all! Dismissed! And~! Don't! Be! Late!

<Flashback Scene ends>

By this point it was nearing around 11am. You'd already been on quite the journey. You'd also lost an hour's start when one Emma Peasea slept through her alarm. And, cresting over yet another gently sloping hill, you began to Sirosi-kotan in the distance.

Yaaaaay~! There it is! And it's almost lunch time too! hehehe~

Emma was in somewhat uncharacteristically high spirits. Though she thought this job could be kind of a pain, she really enjoyed taking the Automatic Tortoise Cart out for a spin.

Right, but before I forget... As I'm sure everyone's already well aware, the Sun Claw are important trade partners, and the reason The Adventurer's Guild was welcomed into these parts in the first place. So we basically want to be on our best behavior. Though really, that just means delivering the mail on time. That's the main thing we do for them. We help connect them to Astorea. And Falderan too.

Emma waved her pointer finger as she spoke, as if she were conducting her own little solo performance.

But we can't work on an empty stomach right? Ooooh do I want noodles? I think I want Sun Noodles... ahh but what about Sun Dumplings? Grrr this is hard.

As you listened to Emma begin to chatter about narrowing down the choices of which local specialties she would try now and which she would buy to take back the Guild House... your mind couldn't help but wonder to how you got here.

And soooooo~

Why are you here? What caused you to accept this quest? And what do you think of the people around you?

This is only the prologue of your little misadventure, and once you arrive at Sirosi-kotan in the next cycle the quest will begin!

Spoiler: Post Mechanics!

• Come up with a simple backstory of why you accepted this quest.
• Decide how familiar you are with your fellow players.
• The adventure will begin in the next cycle at Sirosi-kotan.

 

[Chako]

Chako was quite frustrated to be sent all the way to the Hylands.

Like, hello!? She wasn't told she was actually going to be forced to do stuff when joining the Explorer's Guild! She just wanted a nice place to chat to other people who liked exploring! She might have not even joined if she didn't find the chuuni oath too hilarious to pass on!

And now she's here!? That's way too far from Honeyhome! It's gonna take forever to get back there! And for what!? For... What was even the point of coming here anyways?

So, she heard something about communicating with some Sun Claws or whatever, so... Why did they need this many people for a delivery anyways?

And most importantly... Did they really need a turtle truck to drive them there?

"Ugh... My immersion..." Chako grumbled as they moved forward. Why couldn't people just respect the settings they were in for a change? First there was all that stupid stuff with Trinity, and now a turtle truck. Chako was really frustrated at the kind of dumb things other Starcalled did.

Not like she could help it at this point though, so she jump slumped on the wagon's corner and stayed there, looking up to the sky... "I wanna get back to Honeyhome soon..." She mumbled. It was nice to have a place to return to while she was in Arcia at least. Made everything feel a bit more special, in a way.

For now though... She just looked around and saw who was here... Well, she did know Luthien a bit, and Dynamax... He was with Doggo, right? I guess it wouldn't hurt to make friends? It was far from the worst idea at least.

"Hey... Your first time in the Hylands too?" Chako decided to ask.

@Dynamax

 

[Luthien]

The scenery slowly rolled by as the A.T.C. made its way to their destination, her head supported against the palm of her hand as she leaned against the edge of the vehicle. Luthien had to admit the tortoise-like cart was unique, and its given name had instantly reminded the elf of @Glamora Dark… though she couldn’t remember if the little witch was part of MIT or not.

​

She had done her best to keep a neutral expression while Emma spoke, but even her mask hadn’t been able to prevent the furrowed eyebrows and sharp glare given to the large pile of letters before them. Sure, she’d been nagging at Beleg for a while now to give her an assignment away from the dull and never ending paperwork, but it had never worked until that evening… and now she understood why.

"You’re a perfect candidate for the job, and you’re even friendly with some of the members at Tranquil Falls!" His focus had turned towards one of the Sun Claw villages when she’d pressed her black whistle mentor. "It’s been a while since you’ve popped by, right? Think of it as a free vacation funded by the League~"

​

"Tch...!"

Her brows furrowed at the memory, and not for the first time Lúthien mentally lamented the fact that Beleg was UI locked. Explorers my ass… we’re just glorified messengers at this point. It meant she couldn’t rip her mentor a new one via voicemail, but Beleg would find himself sorely mistaken if he thought the time spent out here would make Lúthien forget what he owed her.

Still she couldn’t deny the charm this place held, a peaceful calm that could only be experienced in the remote outskirts—the distance serving as a shield of sorts from the burdensome and heavy atmosphere of a conflict brewing just underneath the surface back at the capitals.

A faint huckle escaped her as she listened to their cute little Branch Manager agonize over the culinary specialties of the village. "Why not both…?" Her voice popped up with what she thought was the natural solution, her attention on @Emma as the quiet chatter of @Chako and @Dynamax buzzed in the background.

 

[Dynamax]

Max had his arms crossed, sitting and waiting as patiently as possible. He usually wasn't fond to escorting quests and such, but he couldn't say no to quest rewards, and even less to meeting new areas. Maybe when fighting some monsters to protect this strange turtle-ish thing, a good loot would drop, and hell Max would sure shove a finger on the NEED button.

"Max..."

He continued with his crossed arms, pondering about loot.

"MAX!"

The boy frowned, glaring at the fairy. "What? You talk too much!" He hissed.

"This girl is talking to you."

The fairy pointed at @Chako, who looked vaguely familiar for some reason. His mind rewinded momentarily, trying to catch the question that was made while he was daydreaming, before huffing. "Yeah, it is my first time. And you..?" He asked, slowly looking over the cat girl.

"... Have we met before?" He frowned, then glanced at @Luthien, narrowing his eyes. "I feel like I've met you too. Ugh, the deja vu here is insane." Max rubbed his forehead, then looking at Emma.

"Damn glut—" Max paused, thinking of how his dad would be disappointed if her mistreated a lady. "... Just get us to the destiny first before thinking of food."

 

[Herculean Drakecon]

The hylands was a place of absolute beauty and home of the sun claws, Along time has passed since he had been around sun claws. The last time he vaguely remembered being in the area he was drunkenly headbutting a sun claw warrior in the face. His head began to thud in pain just at the thought of trying to remember. Seemingly the the last one to show up in travelers clothing standing back for a second to gleam some info at this party. His eyes glowed triggering his guard arts investigation mode to get some surface level information about them. The pupils zooming in on @Luthien turning counter clock wise then he began sweat a little. He had been admittedly been lazy with training but just a gleam of info from her sent his entire screen red.

While being easy on the eyes was equally dangerous at a quick glance, Shifting his gaze to @Dynamax and @Chako. The same result happened both were all really strong which he could appreciate. Not wanting to be a stranger he would allow dynamax and chako to continue to talk. The rather giant lizard folk would stand next to @Luthien. Catching her saying something about the explorers and before introducing himself would just smile giving her rather pat on the back. "Hey glad to see another explorer here i haven't worked with them in a while but they are surely more then that. They are life and blood of terrasphere without us it wouldn't be so ya know explored. Well with the help with other's like mit we all play our parts well." He would reveal the letter he has gotten from a sun claw warrior to emma."I am here on a uh favor of sorts, I need to repay a debt to someone i beat up a while ago. All i know is that i head butt him and he sent me this letter ,Don't know how he found me but figured i show up."

TAG PEOPLE HERE

 

[Plutopia]

Little Guild House on The Hylands:
We've got mail: Cycle 1

Starring: @Luthien @Chako @Dynamax @Herculean Drakecon
Coms Thread: https://terrarp.com/threads/comms-weve-got-mail.2204/​

===========================================================================================

Spoiler: People

Spoiler: Emma Peasea

Reference

The Guild Branch Manager.

A lander girl from the farming boonies with big dreams of living the city girl life. Was tricked into working in an even more remote location on the edge of human civilization.

Has big dreams and even bigger problems. But's she's not willing to pack it up and go home to the pea farm just yet...

Looks up to Cessia. Unlike Cessia, she's just a little bit lazy. Or maybe a lot.

Spoiler: Kotan Crossroads

Reference

The Kotan (chief) of The Path of Crossroads.

They are the mediators of the Sun Claw tribes and caretakers and administrators of Sirosi-Kotan. Originally shrine keepers, who stayed put while the other tribes roamed, their path eventually diverged to the city administrators they are today.

Kotan Crossroads himself is reportedly quite the elder gentlemen, but he was cursed to grow more handsome with each passing year.

He hates this.

===========================================================================================

Spoiler: Glossary

Spoiler: Sirosi-kotan

Sirosi-kotan
One of the biggest villages in the entire valley that is considered the meeting place for all Sun Claw. All important meetings, discussions, and rallies take place here. The majority of the buildings in this village resemble early Japanese architecture and have a bit more design and a flair to them than elsewhere.

Spoiler: Sun Claw

Sun Claw
The Sun Claw are a wolf-type beastfolk (Caenis) who revere the land and seek to carry out their sworn duty as its keepers. Sun Claws believe that Hylands is a paradise built for them by the goddess of the moon, Uene. To honor Uene's gift, the Sun Claw foster a deep relationship with Kamuy, Holy Beasts that protect and maintain the land.

Socially, the Sun Claw are composed of many different clans. Each clan is led by a chieftain, with a council determined by the most qualified persons in a kotan (village) in their field. For the Sun Claw, the person in the tribe with the closest connection to the Kamuys, serves as chieftain. The council is then formed from a circle of elders serving as masters of their discipline. These elders have an apprentice each, and their apprentice another of their own. To move up in station is to serve as a teacher to those who would follow the path you have walked in life before. Typically, these paths are familial in nature, but not always, as the Sun Claw are free to choose the path that best suits them.

These paths of passed down knowledge are as culturally significant as they are practical in ensuring the skills of their trade are passed on. Each path represents a ray of the sun reaching outward, from young to old as the most distant lights pass into the darkness before dawn, in reverence of the circle of life. Similarly, as a rule, all Sun Claw family names contain "Sun", which is converted into "Moon" in death, signifying a Sun Claw's passage into the next stage in life's cycle.

Although most Sun Claw are highly mistrustful and weary of outsiders, a friendship earned from one can last a lifetime and even beyond into future generations. On the other hand, the Sun Claw also hold painfully enduring grudges that are not easily forgiven. Despite their reclusiveness, the Sun Claw are very receptive to new ideas that improve their lives and work together in bigger villages to meet their goals; new paths are always emerging, and lost paths are sometimes retread. They are a slow-moving people who value harmony and living in the moment. But, when that harmony is threatened, the Sun Claw are the lesson for the dangers of awakening a sleeping beast in its den.

===========================================================================================

Cycle 1: Getting to work, after lunch anyway.

Spoiler: theme song

~ Sirosi-kotan Outskirts ~​

Yeah yeah~ Emma waved her arm from the front seat at Dynamax as if lazily brushing away his chastisement.

And what’s an immersion anyway? Is it a Starcalled thing? You Starcalled sure are weird.

Anyway! I bet you guys are wondering why I would bring along so many people just to deliver some mail. So this might be a good time for one of ol' Emma’s lessons~

There’s a few reasons, see:

1. Reason 1! All mail is special. You never know what it might contain. It could be the most important thing ever for the person waiting for it. It usually isn’t. But hey, wouldn’t you feel really bad if it was? I would. Because I would TOTALLY get chewed out if we lost something irreplaceable.
2. Reason 2! I’ll come up with it later!
3. Reason 3! You’ll find out soon!

—-And that’s why.

Emma winked. Later, she adjusted the rear view mirror to see Herco better.

Oh ho~ so you have a letter of your own? Hmm, yeah, well you’re going to be right at home on this little excursion. All the business we deal with... is kind of... like that…

Emma glanced up again. The ATC was slowing as you and friends gradually realized you were at your destination.

Good thing you folks are so chatty. Because on my end that last little stretch felt like it took over a week! Oof I’m sore.

Emma rotated her shoulders and then stretched like a cat in a sunbeam.

Okay then, let’s go see the chief and drop this stuff off!

Parking the tortoise in a clearing, Emma rolled up the shell-windows and locked it with a *Beep Beep*. She then motioned for one of you to grab the sizable mail bag and follow her. If nobody did, then perhaps that strange phenomenon where hikers sense an extra person in their party took care of it. Because Emma sure didn’t.

As you walked along the streets, a symphony of delicious smells teased your senses, as it was getting to be time for lunch. Emma seemed to start slooooowwwwwwlllly veering left or right towards those stalls before suddenly jolting with a startle and resuming the walk.

The streets had a sleepy bustle to them, and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Emma lightly waved at some folk as she walked by.

==============================================================================

~ At the steps of Crossroads Parlor~​

Eventually you and your friends(?) arrived at what looked like a bigger and fancier version of the many Japanese-like wooden buildings adorning the quaint roads of Sirosi-Kotan. Emma held up a hand to have the party pause.

Alrighty then. So everyone, this is the head house and business parlor of The Kotan of Crossroads. He’s kind of like a Kotan-of-Kotans. His path and those who help him on it are the mediators of the other paths and they were the first ones to settle here. They keep track of a census and other things like that. Or I think that’s what they do. I could be misremembering and making it all up.

An~y~way~ Old Kotan Crossroads is our business partner and the reason we’re able to operate way out here in the Hylands. We help each other out. So be on your best behavior, okaaaay?

So now we’re on the same page, I’ll show you how to make a proper Sun Claw house call.

Emma steeled herself and took a deep breath. And then she shouted.

OLD MAN KOTAN CROSSROAAAAAADS! HEY ARE YOU HOMMMMMEEEE~?

WHAT!? WHAT!? WHY ARE PEOPLE YELLING!?

An annoyed and not old-at-all-looking Sun Claw man came out onto the veranda of the place with an extremely annoyed glare.

Oh, it’s you Emma.

Yep we brought the mail.

Alright then.

Old man Crossroads took a deep breath.

SOMEBODY COME TAKE THE MAIL!

"WHAT?!"


A servant seemed to be shouting.

THE MAIL! THAT MAIL IS HERE FROM THE GUILD GIRL, COME TAKE THE GODSDAMN MAIL!

"ALRIGHT! BE THERE IN A SEC!"


Kotan Crossroads place his palm to his forehead as if nursing a headache.

Everyone here’s so laid back…

...

Well? Are you lot coming inside or what?

And then he went back inside as Emma motioned for the rest of you to follow.

===========================================================

~ Inside Crossroads Parlor ~​

Kotan Crossroads sat at a nice mahogany desk.

Seeing everyone come in he motioned with his chin for everyone to take a seat on the couches.

…

Help yourselves.

Thanks KC!

Emma beamed and began to dig into the snacks arranged on the table. They appeared to be donuts with red bean paste in the middle. Emma was eating one like a little squirrel. In pure bliss.

So these are the ones?

Kotan Crossroads asked, ignoring that Emma called him KC.

Mhmmm~

She nodded.

Well, alright then.

Kotan Crossroads shrugged. It was around then that some attendants arrived bringing iced green tea. Emma glugged it like she was at a college bender.

So! Much! Better! Thanks KC. Emma turned to the rest of the group. Remember point 3? I bet you remember point 3. Well, this is all about point 3. Point 3 is these.

Reaching into a little satchel she had, Emma produced a handful of scrolls, each sealed with red wax. They were the tell tale sign of a classic Adventurer's Guild quest contract. She placed them on the table. There was enough for each of you.

So the daily mail wasn’t all I was delivering today. I was also delivering each of you. Capable Starcalled who will respond to these quest letter’s recipients and solve their problems while we’re here. As I’m sure you’re aware, I -carefully- selected each of you for the job you’re about to receive.

As you hear these words, you may or may not recall that you’ve never really seen anyone else aside from the people here ever accept a quest from the Hylands Adventurer's Guild House.

And so without further ado, here are your missions! And when you’re done we’ll have a second lunch after enjoying the hospitality of our wonderful patron KC.

It was around then that Kotan Crossroad’s servants brought some pretty darn good sandwiches, pickled cucumber salad, and a cookie to go with each of them. Emma was positively in heaven.

When you had a moment, you were likely to take a peek at your quest. You could also speak with Emma and Kotan Crossroads if you wished. You could set out whenever you were ready.

I’ll be by to check on each of you when I feel the time is right.

Emma said between munches, with a thumbs up.

==========================================================================
~ The Quests ~

It seems you each have one addressed to you. It says your name right on the scroll!

Spoiler: Chako

Hey. Return this paperwork to Shrine Kamui Koi.

It’s a smaller shrine you may not have heard of, follow the map I drew on the back.

-Kotan Crossroads.

Spoiler: Luthien

My magia boyfriend dumped me! Could it be a system bug? Looking for relationship advice.

This is my address! K-THXzors!

-Sayuria Gearpoke

Spoiler: Jade

My well is talking.

-Karin Izakaya

Address: look for the talking well. It’s upsetting the customers. Seriously, hurry. I’m gonna barf.

Spoiler: Herculean Drakecon

(There seems to be something added to the top of the scroll in Emma’s handwriting:
Update:
You’re gonna have to beat the old guy in a fight. He’s annoyingly tough and stubborn. Get him to accept the letter no matter what before the sender starts asking questions.)

Please deliver this letter to my father to let him know my resolve. Tell him that I will await his reply.

Address: Dojo Evenblade.

Recipient: Jimshuri Evenblade

Spoiler: Post Mechanics!

• Enjoy the Crossroads Parlor until you're ready to set out.
• When you want to start your quest, let Plu know.
• There are no limits to posts this cycle---Plu will give you an intermission to advance your personal mission.

 

[Chako]

"Ah, immersion is like... A Starcalled word that means happiness!" Chako explained to Emma.

... Well, that wasn't the actual meaning of the word, but as far as Chako cared, it was pretty close to what it meant anyways, so she made no effort to elaborate.

Either way, Chako didn't really care too much about the reason she was brought here, since she wasn't brought here willingly in the first place... So, she didn't mind the fact that Emma didn't seem to have an actual reason for it.

So... Well, time passed, and by the time they arrived, Chako wasn't in the best of moods anymore, so she was happy to get out of the immersion-destroyer turtle truck and move on.

And the food smell was... Very overwhelming. Chako was not used to this kind of thing. Honeyhome never had so many different food smells in the same place, coexisting and in conflict with each other... Emma seemed to be enjoying it, but for Chako, it was quite disorienting. She could feel herself getting dizzier with each passing second.

Before she realized it, Chako was already leaning on whoever was next to her in order to keep on walking straight... So much for not wanting to rely on people too much in Arcia... Chako internally sighed... Still, she tried at least looking up to see who she was relying on, and was... "Sorry, Luthien..." She managed to mutter.

Either way, they just kept walking until eventually arriving at the destination... Emma said something, but Chako didn't process it very well. She was still dizzy from the overwhelming smells.

... Until the shout came. At this point Chako straight up fell on the ground. She tried covering her ears with her hands, but this kind of thing barely helped... It was just painful. Too dizzy to get up, too pained to try... And then more shouts came!

Chako started crying from the pain... This Adventurer's Guild nonsense was much worse than anything she had expected...!

Somehow, in one way or another, Chako entered the building when the doors opened... She honestly didn't know if she was carried inside, or she leaned on someone... She didn't even remember how she got up after falling down on the ground from the pain.

But... Well, everyone sat on the couch, so she sat too... Food was put in front of her, so she picked the food... There was some talking going on, but the ringing in her ears made her unable to parse through anything. The dizziness had yet to pass too.

Until some scroll was suddenly delivered to her... Had I known I would be handling paper, I wouldn't have eaten stuff with my hands... Chako thought.

What was even written there though? It was hard to focus, but Chako tried her best... It had... It had... Her name? Why was there a letter for her there?

She didn't get it, but she decided to open it and tried reading it... With stupid blurry vision from both tears and dizziness. If one payed attention to how much she was straining her eyes to read, they might think that she was mostly illiterate.

Return... Paperwork... Shrine... No good. She couldn't read the rest. She felt like she was going to puke if she kept trying it.

She pushed the scroll back to Emma. "Read it for me... Please?" Her voice was barely a whimper... It was much more pitiful than she intended to make it... Not like she could help it now though.

@Plutopia

 

[Luthien]

She chose to leave the young whistles, Herculean, and the fairy to their own devices—her attention focused on the scenery outside as the ATC made its way towards their destination. Although the ride was bumpy due to the unpaved paths it was still a more pleasant experience than the carriages she’d rode into Vintergard once, and the elf was grateful that Emma had the sense to pad the seats within the tortoise-shaped vehicle.

You called?

You called?

You called?

You called?

"Ugh, not really..." She was less thankful for the unwanted echoing that marred the experience, a look of annoyance crossing her face as a thought bubbled forth. Go back to sleep you old fart.

An eyebrow was raised as the vehicle came to a stop, having caught the inaccurate meaning for the word “immersion” that was given to Emma… before deciding she didn’t care enough to correct it. Can’t wait to see how this develops~ She might not know Emma well, but what little she’d uncovered so far in this trip told the blonde she was in for an amusing treat or two.

"Mmm, that was a long ride…!" Comfortable as the ATC was, she was more than happy to leave it behind for now, the elf taking a few moments to stretch her own arms and back while slowly surveying the village. "Pretty nice village they have here."

She was able to spot some similarities between their architecture and the one in Tranquil Falls, though it was quite evident each place had developed to better suit the environment that surrounded them. "Hey @Herculean Drakecon, mind showing that mail bag who’s boss?" She didn’t miss a beat as Emma started walking off, knowing full well their little “supervisor” wouldn’t think twice about their allegedly important deliveries.

The sounds, the scents, the view—"Sorry, Lúthien…"—her own appreciation of the place was cut short as she felt a pair of hands grip onto the belt at her waist, turning to find the smaller felis clung at her side and looking quite ill. "Don’t sweat it." A fleeting pat was given to the top of @Chako‘s head, making sure to keep her steps slow to match the smaller stride of the girl.

"I know heightened senses can be overwhelming at times…" It felt like a distant memory now, but she had struggled with them at one point of her TerraLife too—and that struggle never truly went away, you just developed a better handle for it. "... but you’ll have to figure out how to block the unnecessary stuff sooner or later, Chako."

Especially if the felis planned to rise up the ranks in the League… Some of those dungeons held some nasty surprises that could mean death if Chako didn’t learn to quickly recover from unexpected sensory inputs.

Granted, when Emma said she’d show them a proper Sun Claw housecall Lúthien hadn’t expected her to actually shout, but it seemed their little guide supervisor wasn’t pulling things outta her ass this time around considering how the Kotan himself had passed the message along to his own servants.

"Yeah… this is gonna be quite the interesting trip." Who knew, maybe she wouldn’t rip Beleg a new one when they finally made it back to Finweald.

​

"Don’t mind if I do~" Sun Claw food was quite the treat, and the very second Kotan Crossroads—or KC as Emma had dubbed him—extended his invitation to the tray a parchment wrapped pastry quickly found its way into her hands as the elf leaned against the armrest of the couch. A grateful nod was given when a glass of iced green tea was provided, a perfect match for the redbean filling her pastry had.

"Color me surprised, you weren’t making those points up on the spot huh?" Her glass was set down on a nearby side table before Lúthien picked up a scroll clearly marked for the elf, the last bite of her pastry taken before she unfurled it to reveal the contents inside—

"—hggk!" A choked gasp escaped the ranger as a piece of red bean paste went down the wrong path, courtesy of the very unexpected first sentence that was part of her assigned mission.

I -carefully- selected each of you for the job you’re about to receive.

The look Emma received was easily translatable to are you fucking kidding me right now?, before a heavy sigh escaped the blonde as she rolled the scroll back up and shoved it into an inside pocket of her vest. If I didn’t know any better I would think Beleg and her are related.

... at least the food here was nice.

 

[Herculean Drakecon]

He took the letter opening it reading it then nodding, He smirked ignorantly nothing a brawl to get the blood pumping. Putting the letter away safely and from the message of the letter he was going to fight. An eager grin came across his face. The sun claw clan were tough bastards and one that was stubborn and old was right up this alley. Place was beautiful at least and he didn't waste time to nor make too much of a ruckus. He stood at the gate the dojo stretching and warming up with a snap of finger his clothing changed. Turning his outfit to heavy combat gi. Taking in another breathing and exhaling as he transformed his legs and leaped over the wall effortlessly. He had make sure get their attention somehow and looked around for somethin important. Grinning as he saw some kind of totem or statue near him. With a delinquent grin and got a running start and summoned a great sword in his hand and brought right down the middle. Splitting the important item in half like it was nothing. Transforming for a moment and throwing it into a bell making sure everyone heard it.

"Oi i am here on a quest to deliver mail, Not sure if anyone knows me i have letter for someone father. Now my quest is to deliver this letter but i was promised a fight. One thing i don't ever miss is a chance to fight something big or small. Tell the Oldman come out to receive this letter and if i am feeling satisfied i will do repairs. So if your here old man which i know you are show your face run the hands and get your mail." He would effortlessly kick the other half of the totem at the bell again and roll his shoulders. His arms crossed with expecting something worth his time. "If this like a movie or something send me lackeys i can beat up to prove myself. You sun claw folk are strong and i want every ounce of the smoke you guys can bring." This was feeling that he didn't often to get entertain a strong sense of ruthless delinquency. This was peak of the feeling of the world of strong men and women.

TAG PEOPLE HERE

 

[Plutopia]

Intermission reply, @Chako @Luthien @Dynamax

~ Inside Crossroads Parlor ~

Receiving Luthien's glare, Emma placed her hand on her chin and nodded twice. The look from Emma said something like: "Yeah, I like your game face. I knew I could count on a pro like you."

Then, Emma reached towards Chako's scroll to read it to her, thinking, "Didn't know the poor thing didn't know how to read. Well, the manager can help things out at times like this..." As she did so, she addressed Kotan Crossroads's observing gaze.

I assure you, honored Kotan, these folks are very chea---capable. You can count on them to take care of these requests~

Oh, good. For a moment I thought you were going to say capable.

Well, we couldn't have that now could we---um, huh?

Ignoring her as her hand paused just before taking another bite of a red bean jelly donut, KC continued.

That one's from me little felis. Simply deliver the paperwork to the Koi Kamui shrine shown on the map. Surely that won't be a problem?

---And for the record Luthy Goosey, I don't make things up silly. Well not all the time. The right numbers, like the right plans, have a process before revealing themselves. You know? See? Your Guild Manager is very smart.

Emma then looked at where @Herculean Drakecon had been sitting.

It's alllll coming togetheeeerrr~ *nom*

 

[Chako]

The ringing in Chako's ears started subsiding, so while it was still a bit hard to understand what was being said, especially because her ears were still in pain, she managed to listen to what Emma and Kotan said to some extent.

"Oh, okay... So just follow the map and deliver paperwork... I can do that." Chako nodded.

"After I... Rest a bit." Chako rested herself against the couch and decided to wait a bit, with her eyes closed, to let the dizziness pass... Surely no one would think she fell asleep, right?

Either way, she really didn't know she could actually feel that bad while in Arcia.

But well, a few minutes later, Chako felt good enough to go, so she opened her eyes, wiped out any leftover tears with her hands, and finally stared at the map... "Mmmmmmm... Okay, I think I can follow this." Probably. She wasn't the best with directions, but she should be good enough to not get lost with a map in her hands.

... Though she might need to take some detours here and there to avoid particularly crowded places that are filled with food stalls... Still, it felt doable.

"Okay! I'll be off, then! Thanks for the treats!" Chako grabbed the appropriate paperwork, left the house, and started moving towards the shrine through some odd path that was definitely not what the map outlined... But that should still be going in the right direction, probably.

@Plutopia

 

[Luthien]

A deep sigh escaped her as she picked up Emma’s silent response, determined to not let the unexpected “mission” ruin her appetite considering the good food they were given. I guess some things never change, even for landers. The exchange between KC and Emma was mildly enlightening, at least it sounded like the Kotan understood who he was dealing with.

"I charge extra for therapist assignments." This was a headache and a half she wasn’t looking forward to, and she planned to be compensated accordingly. "But we’ll talk more about that after the job’s done~"

After all, gold wasn’t something that truly motivated the ranger—the small dragon hoard of golden coins within her inventory was already more than enough—but there were things even her precious coins couldn’t buy… and the Sun Claws were a trove of culinary knowledge she was eager to sink her teeth into.

@Herculean Drakecon was the first to finish his meal and head out, looking quite excited over whatever secret mission his scroll had contained. "... He’s gonna beat someone up." It was more of a statement than a question, her gaze shifting back to Emma to see if she’d hit the nail on the head as she took another bite of the absolutely delicious sammich they’d been offered.

"What about you two, anything exciting?" Her attention turned to @Dynamax and Jade next, unsure if the unusual quietness from the little monkey boy was a good sign or simply disaster looming over the horizon.

 

[Plutopia]

~ Intermission, The Evenblade Dojo ~ @Herculean Drakecon

JIMSHURI EVENBLADE

MINUSSSSSSS ONEEEEEEE POOOOOOOOOOIIIIINNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!

YEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

A voice boomed from somewhere. It was one Jimshuri Evenblade.

It was just after the dojo’s sliding back door flung open.

—AND SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOUR LUNGS.

WHICH IS—

MINUS. TWO. POINTS.

OH! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

He was crouched like a Dragon Ball Z character as he yelled this, going into a squat each of the two times. Again then, he straightened himself and placed one arm behind his back like a martial arts master.

Young man. Lizard Young Man. Lizyoma. LIZYOMA.

…

I like the cut of your jib, kid. But you’ve missed something crucial. A battle doesn’t start when you say a battle starts, a battle starts when a battle is starting. And this battle started before you were ever born. It is a battle I have been fighting and you have been fighting. The battle of battles. This battle is just the culmination of many much smaller battles that have led up to this very moment—OF BATTLE-BATTLE!

Hmmmmmm.

Listen well LIZYOMA. The Evenblade style is all about getting even. And you are already 2 battles behind.

The evenblade master held up two fingers as his eyes narrowed.

My name is Jimshuri Evenblade.

The one who was bested you in the “not-splitting-the-awkward-statue-of-myself-that-my-mother-in-law-had-commissioned-that-I-was-too-kind-to-pay-to-get-removed-battle”.

And also, the one who bested you in the “not-wanting-to-smoke-because-it-is-unhealthy-battle”.

But... you may call me JIM BLADE.

Yes, the very JIM BLADE who now asks you, LIZYOMA:

HAVE YOU THE ‘BLADE’ SPIRIT TO GET ‘EVEN’?!

YOUR TRAINING STARTS NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

***

Spoiler: Battle Theme

There was the sound of a duct tape being ripped off a cardboard package as reality gave way to a new battle dimension.

Within it, An old man was flying at you like a beyblade. Like, literally, he’d turned into a beyblade tornado torpedo.

It was around now that it might be good for a tutorial to pop up.

---Oh okay, there it is.​

Plu sez~!

Woah there buddy, looks like you’ve entered something akin to a TaeBlade super battle.

To match this Evenblade master, you may just have to become an Evenblade master yourself.

I’ve gotchu though~!

Imagine each of your limbs as a blade. This is the only way to win!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Roll this 4 times in our channel, and slot them into rows like this:

?r 4d4 #EvenBlader | LIZYOMA | Speen

1) Left Arm: # > # > # > #

2) Right Arm: # > # > # > #

3) Left Leg: # > # > # > #

4) Right Leg: # > # > # > #

These rows will clash against Jim Blade’s

Once your rows are set up, roll 1d4 to decide which row you will spin with first!



Jim Blade’s setup for example:

1) Left Arm: 2 > 1 > 4 > 3

2) Right Arm: 4 > 2 > 3 > 4

3) Left Leg: 2 > 1 > 3 > 2

4) Right Leg: 3 > 2 > 4 > 3

If you have any questions or need help just ping yours truly in the channel for this adventure.

---Fight well! At least one person is maybe counting on you.

 

[Herculean Drakecon]

The old man started yapping and he didn't care about any of that, Consumed by battle lust he transformed. His hulking form hungering for the absolute peak of strength. Taking a moment he had to breath gaining a moment of clarity. While he didn't have much time for a counter attack but he had an idea. Placing his palms on each other in a dark cloud summoning a great sword got down low. Breathing in for a second and with every part of his body and meet him half way clashing with him. Using the window to swing with every fiber of his being. The first swing to meet his clash the second three other arms would violently tear from his body wield similar sized weapons. Putting all the strength into one arm during the first swing caused him to focus harder. Having only enough strength to spread the powerful swings one after another. The second arm would comin a split second after the strike then another follow up strike from third arm. The last arm would attempt to reinforce blows.

"Your pretty good old man but show me a good time and don't take to long or i'll get bored"

Herculean Drakecon:

1) Left Arm: 2 > 2 > 4 > 4

2) Right Arm: 1 > 3 > 4 > 4

3) Left Leg: 2 > 2 > 1 > 3

4) Right Leg: 4 > 1 > 4 > 1

 

[Luthien]

She had taken her sweet time with the freely provided food and drinks, eager to taste more of the cuisine specific to Sun Claw culture… and hoping to avoid the inevitable for as long as elvenly possible. Right… time to get it over with. The drawn out sigh loudly gave away her apathy towards the task in her scroll, an unamused stare given to Emma as she stood.

"I’m off, see you guys later." A friendly wave was given to Jade, the only other sensible member in this group, before Lúthien made her way back into the streets of Sirosi-kotan. "Time to take a look at those directions…"

Sayuria had mentioned in her letter she’d provided her address… here’s hoping it was actually useful and not scribbled gibberish.

 

[Plutopia]

~ Luthien 1 ~ [ Sayuria Gearpoke ]


The provided address actually did turn out to be pretty useful.

This isn’t mentioning the unrelated sketch included with it in the corner. The one of of two muscular caenis interlocking hands, one smug, and the other matching his gaze with an embarrassed grimace. Their Kiminos loosely falling off their shoulders. “We mustn't…” “But the hunt calls… my raging moon cannot help but gaze into the blinding sun…”

—No, this isn’t mentioning that at all.

And so, Luthien found her way without incident.

She arrived at a wooden Japanese-style cabin with an accompanying forge and a surprisingly modern looking garage. It was as if a new car mechanic had moved into a historic neighborhood and used what was around them.

A clang of a hammer working metal guided her elfy ears to Sayuria’s location somewhere in the garage. But she could always poke around first.

WWLD? — (What would @Luthien Do?)

 

[Luthien]

She was in no rush to reach her destination and appointed therapy case task, and so the elf had taken her time to walk around the streets of the village for a bit. The ones lined by food stalls had priority after all, and it wasn’t long before an assortment of foods and treats had found themselves within the vast confines of her UI inventory.

Brows furrowed as Lúthien finally glanced at the directions scribbled on the paper. It wasn’t because they were hard to figure out or inaccurate, quite the opposite in fact, but instead due to the unexpected sketch found in one of the corners.

"What the…" Two pairs of caenis ears confused Lúthien as she stared, certain that the lovesick pup who’d submitted their request would’ve drawn themselves and their beloved magia instead.

Special attention had been given to the excessive musculature of both Caenis present too, and her mind could very well conjure the type of dialogue that @Sayuria had been envisioning while working on the piece. "Fuck me… it’s gonna be along day." An exasperated sigh escaped the blonde as the note was shoved into a pocket, having memorized the key places that would lead her to Sayuria’s home…

"This is… wow." The unexpectedly modern garage attached to the traditional Japanese-style home wasn’t on her bingo card, or the type of caenis her mind had assumed Sayuria to be.

From their name and the writing in their letter and the sketches Lúthien was certain it was some damsel type of beastfolk pinning for her AI crush. As the rhythmical clang of a hammer against metal echoed from the workshop Lúthien was forced to consider a different version, though she desperately hoped it to be wrong.

Fingers fluttered in the air before a paper bag materialized, the fresh pastries hidden inside meant as a small gift when visiting someone. She waited a moment as her ears adjusted to the sharp sound, before a pair of crimson eyes peered into the garage in search of the smith making such a racket.

Yelling might be normal here in Sirosi-kotan, but Lúthien knew better than to even try competing against the noise associated with smithing. { Hey, you’ve got mail! } Her voice would filter into their mind as Lúthien decided this was a more effective route, the particular phrase picked in the hopes that it wouldn’t startle them too much.

 

[Plutopia]

~ Luthien 2 ~ [ Sayuria Gearpoke ]

"Meep!"

There was a large crash. There was enough clattering of metal pings that it was almost orchestral.

This continued for a bit until a puppy-like caenis peeked out of the wreckage with a whimper.

"Is it realsies? Did the Kamuy really tell me that I have mail? Who would send mail to me anyway…”

The Caenis, Sayuria Gearpoke said as she looked up to see Luthien. Then, she gave another…

"Meep!"

…As she startled.

"Who–who—are—huh?"

Then something seemed to click in her mind.

"Oh… okay. Not mail, silly Kamuy, this is a delivery. Only alphas get mail. Zettatrash like me just get deliveries. But that's okay, I like deliveries. Because deliveries… deliveries, hm… deliveries… hm, hm, hm.. "

For the record she was literally saying all of this out loud with her hand on her chin, deep in thought, with little nods to punctuate. Her tail was wagging now. She liked deliveries.

"Um!" She said, looking at Luthien.

"Where do I sign…?! I… usually pick the no talk— ah — no contact plan but maybe you’re new… so... uhm... I don’t mind… talking… to you… welcome… uhm… where do I sign… … am… am… am I supposed to serve you tea…?"

Her voice was getting quieter and quieter as her sashing tail ceased to swoosh and her voice was little more than a whimper.

…

It wasn’t exactly clear when, but something had clearly broken Luthien’s brain, because she might have noticed around now that there was a card floating above Sayuria’s head. It looked like a minor arcana Tarot card. And the card said “Motivation”. Then, another appeared. And another....

Something odd had interacted with Luthien’s elven traits. Or maybe Luthien was just tired.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sayuria Gearpoke


+ Motivation: I shall strive…

[1] What should I do…? I don’t want to think about anything anymore…


+ Opinion of Self: I assert that I am…

[1] As a Zeta girl, I’ll happily live my life in the shadows. It’s what I deserve.


+ Passion: I derive meaning from…

[1] A garden of boys; Unsullied by feminine wiles; That is the ideal state of the world!

[2] The clang of my hammer makes me happy. Hard work never betrays you.

[3] ????????


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While perhaps distracted or perhaps not, Luthien eventually found herself in Sayuria's home. It was a quaint little room with stacks upon stacks of books along one wall. In the center where the two were seated on cushions was a well-polished low table.

Sayuria quietly poured Luthien iced tea while struggling to make eye contact. Slowly putting the filled glass on a cloth red and white polkdot coaster, she gently sliiiiiiiid the drink across the table and quickly returned her hands to her lap. Her tail quietly sweeping the floor.

"Um...!"

She would try every awkward couple minutes or so. But she was getting nowhere.


WWLD? — (What would @Luthien Do?)

 

[Dynamax]

"Ma-AH-AAAAAAX!"

Jade fluttered her wings, stomping silently midair while trying to implore Max to look at her, which he promptly ignored with crossed arms, looking at nowhere in particular.

"MAX! WE NEED TO GO ALREADY!"

He turned his face away, huffing with his ears lowering to squeeze against the side of his head, as if he was shutting them down. "Your name is in the letter, you can do it yourself!"

"Come. On. Max! MAX! Stop being so stubborn, stop being so jealous, I don't know why my name is in it, but it is meant for you!"

"No!" Max retorted, uncrossing his arms. "It isn't meant for me, it has your name in it. This means the exp and the loot will all go for you. So do it yourself." He averted his gaze.

"What. In. The. Alfather. Are. You. Talking. About?! Loot? Eh.. Es... Pee? Is that all that you care about?"

"Yeah. Why else would I come to this Naruto-Wannabe village?" He retorted, crossing his arms to look at Jade seriously.

"Na... Naru... Wannabe? You are too confusing today, Max..." The little fairy closed her eyes tightly, suppressing a headache while embracing the scroll with the quest. "In this case. Can't you at least do this for me? Help me out with my quest like I always help you then, what about it?" She smiled a little.

"Hah?" Max frowned. "Why? I'm not your summon or your pet. Go have fun, I will see if there is some stupid Ninja to beat up and get some loot. Explosive papers would be useful..." He walked off, leaving Jade speechless and dumbfounded.

...

"Fi... FINE!" She pouted, then looked down at the scroll. "I will do this! ... Myself."

Fluttering her wings, Jade flied off, asking around for Karin Izakaya, and find out wherever they lived to solve this Well problem.

 

[Plutopia]

~ Chako 1 ~ [ The Fortune Teller ]

And so Chako got lost. Probably. She had managed to avoid the noisy crowds and had kept herself from being overwhelmed by food stalls. And this had eventually led her down a light alley. It was like a dark alley. But not dark. An alley of light. But not a bright alley, mind you. It was quiet, with dappled sunlight and a rather pleasant breeze. The breeze turned quaint pinwheels in flowerpots as colorful unlit lanterns hanging from the buildings gently swayed in the breeze. It was a peaceful place.

Yes, this is where Chako found herself just off the beaten path.

And there, she saw a different kind of stall.

And from the stall, a smooth voice beckoned her over. It was coming from a playful but somewhat… ethereal natured caenis.

“Oh, why hello there little felis. Are you looking for something? Wondering about something? Care to have your fortune told?”

“Not a worry, It’s quite free, I’m just spending a little time. In my own way.”

She waved, beckoning Chako over.

“Come, sit. I could use the company.”

She said, with a pleasant smile.

Chako and The Fortune Teller were the only people here. Almost as if they had been gently spirited away.


WWCD? — (What would @Chako do?)