Fantasy The Hunter’s Inn || Monster Hunting RP [OPEN]

[soulofeden]

Stan looked pleased as punch to be praised for his music.

“He was good, wasn’t he.” He commented as Fain mentioned Xenophon. “Hopefully Beryl doesn’t get any ideas about replacing me.” He joked, but his giggle ended abruptly because… what if she did?

“… sorry?” The Bard wasn’t sure if he’d heard Fain correctly. Join her on a quest? Maybe she was winding him up? As she continued to explain things however, he soon realised she was being serious and he started to grin.

“You really want me to come?” If he sounded unsure it was because nobody had asked him out on a quest in a long time (for so many reasons).

“I mean, yeah, sure, I’d love to.” Stan attempted to play it cool, but he couldn’t hide the excitement behind those baby-blue eyes. “-and you’re in luck, I’ve actually got plenty of experience being an escort.” Well… gigolo. Tomato, tomahto.

Fain offering to play bodyguard was surprising, but appreciated none the less. “Alright. Count me in.”

Stan
Location: Guildhall

soulofeden

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  fitted black traveling dress and blood-red hooded cloak

  
  

  
  
  

  
  
  
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  heading up to the Guild Hall
  

  
  
  

  
  
  
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  Stan ( Genii )
  

  
  
  

  
  
  

FAIN

the chameleon

To Fain's own surprise, when Stan accepted her invitation to come along on the quest, her neatly-placed, coy smile transformed into something more genuine.

"Great,"

she said.

"I'm sure both the professor and the minotaur will be pleased that your presence will be included as well."

She stepped around Stan to take a few steps up onto the staircase, gripping the wooden banister beside it as she did so.

"In that case, everyone involved is going to meet at the city gates at daybreak. Pack accordingly -- and make sure that you bring whatever you think will be useful along with your lute. No telling what could surprise us once we venture past Baylin's Wall, yes?"

She bid the bard goodnight and then continued her way up the staircase. She was sure that the second floor was already completely occupied -- after all, there were several people crowding the tavern earlier in the evening, and they all had to be members or else they wouldn't have been accepted at the Bar in the first place. She climbed up to the third floor of the Inn and ventured down the long hallway, trying to make as little noise against the wooden floorboards as possible -- not a particularly difficult feat for a Rogue.

The door to the last room before the end of the hallway was ajar, and before entering it, Fain peeked her head around the door to make sure that the room wasn't already taken. When she saw no one resting inside, she stepped into the room and shut the door carefully behind her.

This place isn't much for flair or for decoration, that's certain -- but no matter. It's a decent place to reside, and that's all I need.

She slipped the medium-sized rucksack off of her shoulders and placed it on the ground next to the bed. No use in unpacking -- I'll simply have to take everything inside of it on the journey tomorrow anyway. The one thing that she did pull out of the bag, however, was a simple wooden box the size of a typical book, and she placed it onto the floor beside the rucksack.

She then pulled the blanket off of the bed, lifted the straw-stuffed mattress, and pushed it up so that it was leaning against the wall of the room. From a strap on her right thigh, she unsheathed one of her stiletto daggers and stabbed it into the mattress to cut a small slit, no larger than six inches. Fain picked the wooden box up off of the floor and carefully slid the box into the mattress. After doing so, she took the blanket and laid it on the bed box where the mattress previously rested. This can act as a net for now to catch any spare straw that falls out. The box can also act as a shield against that, but I'm not sure how effective it will be. I can simply find pins to keep the mattress in tact later -- for now, this makeshift solution will have to do.

Once the blanket was placed, she flipped the mattress back down into the bed box, box-side-down. The tiredness was beginning to sink into her heavier than ever before. I'll just change clothes before I set out in the morning. For now, sleep is the priority.

She placed her stiletto daggers on the wooden desk beside her bed and climbed onto the bed. Using her cloak as a cover, it wasn't even ten minutes before she drifted into unconsciousness.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[Genii]

Time skip - Guildhall, the next morning.


The Guildhall wasn’t so rowdy the next morning. One or two of its occupants were quietly lamenting their choice to overindulge in drink the previous night.

Colin the cook was dumping plates of fried eggs and sausage down in front of everyone, in an attempt to prepare them for another day of monster hunting.

Stan the bard was snoozing away on one of the wooden benches, hands behind his head and his patched up lute resting on his stomach.

Percival was up and sat alone at a table, eating and waiting for the rest of his hunting party to make an appearance. He’d removed his armour, cloak, and gambeson, and looked a lot smaller for it.

As usual Barry the Dwarf was behind the bar, ready to serve up some ‘hair of the dog’, should anyone require it.

 

[Gwenymoo]

Ramirez made his way down, fully armoured with his blade, did he even take the stuff off? He collected a stacked plate from Colin and clomped over to the tiny look Percy.
"mornin lad, sleep well?" he stabbed his fork into two sausages at once and ate them with one bite.

 

[Genii]

“Good morning.” Percival greeted the Hunter and any worry on his face was wiped away.

“I… yes, thank you.” The teen lied. The room he’d chosen had soon filled up with snoring (and rather flatulent) warriors, and his bed wasn’t nearly as comfortable as what he was used to back home. However, he was way too polite to mention such things.

“I hope you slept well too.” Percy wondered how Ramirez didn’t choke as he watched the man practically inhale his breakfast.

“I suppose you know your way around Colby. How long do you think it will take us to reach the farm?” He wondered.

Percival
Location: Guildhall

Gwenymoo

 

[Lost Echo]

Meg
The artwork is from gelynele on DeviantArt. I highly recommend checking out her gallery.

Early Morning
Location: Colby
Starts: "The Fixed Fox" a tavern, she grew up at
Ends: "The Hunter's Guild"
Interaction(s): Genii (Barry the dwarf)​

It rained last night. It had been a sign, as she laid on her mat in the attic listening to its rhythm, Meg decided. Come dawn, she would do it. The Innkeeper’s gaze, a heavy weight on its own, had shifted to lingering touches, somehow worse than any patrons. For she could not protest. The best defense she had was pretending not to notice. Well that, and leaving.

She’d told the others, thankful for their silence, and had painstakingly written out a note thanking the keeper’s generosity and promising to no longer be a burden. He wouldn’t care. For all that she helped, she knew everyone could do their jobs. He just didn’t have to pay her beyond shelter and food. As for his gaze…Cook assured her his lust wasn’t insatiable. She’d just have been a convenient bedwarmer, nothing more. But Meg wanted to be more than that.

So when she woke, with Cook who had to start the fires for the day, she dressed to leave. She wore everything she owned: her skirt, trousers, and leggings. Her bodice held the cotton shirts beneath. Then the two gold necklaces she had. Or, well, her mother had on when she died. And then finally her best acquisition: a pair of boots with a heel. They were soft inside, molded to her feet. She tied them up, wrapping the long laces around her ankle for support, then stood. She wrapped her arm with a leather strap, protecting it from glancing blows, whenever a brawl got out of hand. Then another on her hand, to better grip her staff. After picking up her waterskin, she was ready.

Leaving as the sun broke over Colby, she headed straight for the guild. Her boots found every puddle they could, the small splashes bringing a little bit of strength. The trip was quick; she gave nods and smiles to those she passed, letting them assume she was on an errand for the Innkeeper.

She kept her steady pace as she entered the guild. Her eyes scanned the crowd and she wanted to freeze. Aren’t we supposed to be hunting monsters???¹ They are worse than I am. But she kept her face calm and her stride even as she stepped up to the bar, giving a nod to the--thankfully a being--dwarf behind it.

“Morning” she kept her voice soft, letting it stay around them, not penetrating the blanket of quiet. “I’m looking for the guild master, Beryl?” She kept standing, leaning against the bar, a familiar stance for her, patient for the answer.



1. ((This does not have to refer to anyone in particular; if you want to use it, feel free. Or it can be about a random hunter.))

 

[Genii]

Barry the barman raised one of his overgrown orange brows. He was about to answer the young woman, but stopped because Beryl had just stepped up behind her.

“I am she.” The Half-orc made her presence known. She made no attempt whatsoever to keep her volume down for the hungover Hunters.

“How can I help?” She asked as she regarded Meg.

Barry & Beryl
Location: Guildhall Bar

Lost Echo

 

[Pokeking]

Xenophon yios Calix​

Location: Dormitory, Guild Hall
Mentions: Beryl ( Genii ), Meg ( Lost Echo )

(ooc: insert your favorite "health is restored at the inn" jingle from any RPG here)

"Ohh Telemachus, your eyes sparkle like topaz." A slumbering Xenophon nuzzled the pillow as he dreamed of Telemachus yios Euyin, one of his father's guards. His dreamed of Telemachus's brown eyes and black fur, short wavy black hair. Good strong horns that curved inward. He had been infatuated with the handsome archer. They would regularly pass by each other and oftentimes sat next to each other in the dining hall. Their fond eyes would met, but nothing happened between the two males. Not that his society saw anything wrong with such a relationship. A certain feeling told him it was time to wake and his eyelids opened.

Xenophon got out of bed and headed to the bath to wash up. Although he knew that he would look less clean as the day progressed, he wanted to look groomed when he met Professor Hatkins. He washes his bovine face and then took a salve to his horns and polished them. He peered at his reflection in a mirror and satisfied, he returned to his room to dress. If there was anyone there who encountered him bare-chested wearing only his kilt and underclothes underneath, he apologized. He pulled his tunic over his head, laced up his leather gauntlets and greaves and sandals. He pulled his cloak on and fastened it with his brooch. He gathered his belongings and left the room as bare as it was when he entered. He headed downstairs with his will in his hands.

There she is and another new face. Xenophon headed in the direction that Mistress Beryl stood and nodded to indicate that he wished to speak. He maintained a respectful distance, about ten paces, however so that woman wouldn't think he was intruding on their conversation. Before he sat down to eat, he wanted to hand her his will.

 

[Gwenymoo]

"About an hour by foot if not everyone has a mount to ride...though Thunder could probably carry another..." He mused as he inhaled a stack of bacon rashes and washed it down with ale. "You excited then?"

Location Guildhall
Genii

 

[Lost Echo]

Meg
The artwork is from gelynele on DeviantArt. I highly recommend checking out her gallery.

Early Morning
Location: Colby "The Hunter's Guild"
Interaction(s): Genii (Beryl)
Reactions(s): Pokeking (Xenophon) Genii (Percival)​

Meg spun around, letting her staff stand still before she grasped it with her left hand. Her smile widened. “Mornin’ to you as well then. Word is you be taking applicants, even beginners.” With her free hand she gestured to herself, knowing she looked like a tavern wench, “I know how to handle a crowd of rowdy drunks, but those monsters,” at this, her eyes flicked to what seemed to be a walking bull, before returning to Beryl’s face, “are at a different level. Do you take those new to hunting too?” Her eyes flashed to the pale young man, who, in her opinion, looked less ready than she did.

 

[Genii]

“I am.” Percival nodded. He either had butterflies in his stomach, or the food he’d eaten last night hadn’t agreed with him. It looked as though he’d hardly touched his breakfast, although to be fair the portion sizes here were pretty massive.

“There was a note left for us on the quest board. Someone named Saen wishes to join us.” Percy informed Ramirez before standing up to get dressed. “I’m not sure who that is, but they said they’d meet us at the bar.”

“Lamia.” The ‘snoozing’ Bard (Stan) joined in the conversation. He knew who most people were because he handled all the guild contracts.

“Pardon?” Percival’s voice echoed out from the neck hole of his chest plate as he tried to squirm back into it.

Percival
Stan
Location: Guildhall

redraider Gwenymoo

_______

“Everyone has to start somewhere.” Beryl said, briefly glancing over at a rookie (Percival) who appeared to be stuck in his own armour.

“As long as you’re of age… willing to learn and train hard… and listen to our more experienced Hunters… then you might just stand a chance.” The Half-orc said in a friendly, yet authoritative tone.

Becoming a Hunter was tough and not everyone could hack it, but she had been a scrawny scar-free rookie herself once upon a time.

“Go see Stan The Bard. He’ll get you signed up.” Beryl nodded over to a blonde haired human who was currently lounging around on a bench close to Ramirez and Percival’s table.

Once she’d given her instructions, the Guild Master finally turned to acknowledge Xenophon.

Beryl
Location: Guildhall bar

Lost Echo Pokeking

 

[soulofeden]

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  longsleeved black traveling dress tied with a rope at her waist

  
  

  
  
  

  
  
  
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  in the Guild Hall, getting breakfast
  

  
  
  

  
  
  
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FAIN

the chameleon

The morning light streamed through Fain's window, which overlooked only a small part of the sleepy city of Colby, but she was already awake the moment the light hit her floorboards. She'd been able to get four or five hours of rest, but anxiousness made her rise out of bed early -- although she didn't want to admit it, the concept of today's journey being her first quest for the Guild made her nervous. It wasn't that she doubted her abilities or her combat skills -- it was about how she would get along with her colleagues, and how she might compare to their skills.

But I won't focus on it. I am being absolutely ridiculous and I won't have it. This is a job, and you shouldn't care as much about who you do it with as long as the job gets done.

She nodded to herself reassuringly. She'd already packed and unpacked her rucksack twice, just to make sure that she had everything she needed. She'd picked a different dress than the one she'd worn last night -- this one was tighter and allowed for more mobility, and she'd wrapped a common rope around her waist and her hips and tied it securely just in case they would end up needing it. The cursed thing wouldn't fit in her rucksack with everything else -- so why not wear it?

The scent of cooking meat filled her room, and she knew that it was finally time to go downstairs and fuel up to prepare for the road ahead. She wondered if she would meet her questmates in the Guild Hall, or if they'd already left, and she'd catch up with them at the city gates, where they were all supposed to meet Professor Hatkins. As a finishing touch, she braided her hair into a messy side pleat, tied it with a small strip of leather at the end, and slung her rucksack across her back, accidentally colliding it with her quiver of arrows. She ensured that her rapier was in the belted sheath at her waist and then grabbed her oak shortbow off of the desk and headed downstairs, locking the inn room behind her with the key that had been placed on the desk before her arrival.

As she descended the staircase, Fain also recognized the smell of fried eggs, and her stomach growled. She'd forgotten that all she'd eaten the night before was a stout -- and while filling for the moment, it certainly hadn't lasted. She approached the table of food, nodding at Colin the cook as she passed him, and began to fill her plate with food. Although she recognized a few of the people that were already sitting in the Hall, she decided to play it safe and sit at one of the empty tables. She hung her shortbow on the back of the chair before she sat down.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[Maxxob]

Location: Guild Hall Bar
Interactions: Barry Genii
​

The previous night had not been the easiest for the crusader, so to speak. Because of the heavy rain in the previous night, his sleeping conditions were, at the very least, precarious. Having managed to find whatever shelter it was available, he couldn’t have a decent sleep. Yet, it wasn’t so much because of the precarious situation he had found himself in, but the weight of the responsibility the man had on his shoulder, due to his own decision. Surely, if his cause is just, there would be no possibility for him to fail, would there? And, with those thoughts in his mind, the rainy night trudged on, every hour dragging to an almost endless amount of time.

With the first rays of sunshine peering into his eyes through the small crevices of his helmet, Adolphus slowly opened his eyes. He looked around the wet clearing and hoisted himself up with his arms. He resumed his walk towards an inn, which was a well known place for adventurers to gather, The Hunter’s Inn. His steel boots sank into the wet dirt as he walked through the sea of green. The man had become used to such luscious, yet dangerous landscape, his senses always on alert for what could be lurking behind every tree.

After much walking, which seemed like an eternity, he came with contact with a large, decaying outpost. The humongous construction was only seen from a distance, sporting large holes onto the stone walls, as if it had been destroyed violently. As the crusader lifted his sights upwards, he had an interesting sight: a shredded flag being displayed on top of the walls, almost like a testament to the current state of affairs. His right hand closed the grip on his gigantic mace further, squeezing as so much that his steel gauntlets complained, with a low, metallic whimper. Renewing his resolve, the man left the abandoned the old construction, following the dirt path just besides it.

It didn’t take too long for his eyes to set upon a distant city that, which each soggy step, became bigger and bigger. When the man crossed its gates, something that he hadn’t seen for a long time played in front of his very eyes: the busy life of a bustling city. People walking around, chatter at every corner, children playing just near a water fountain. It was almost as if the visage of the abandoned outpost was nothing, but a mirage. His legs, however, never stopped walking, knowing his objective was closer than ever before.

And, after a few minutes, the man stopped, observing the building in front of him. The Guild sure was impressive, creating an almost offset with everything else in the city. He couldn’t imagine what kind of adventurers would be inside of it or what kind of quests would he embark on, but there was only one way to find out. Pushing his way inside the building with his left hand, the very same arm where his shield was attached to, he walked with heavy footsteps, his armor extremely noisy with each movement. The very first thing he noticed, before anything else, was the bar. He NEEDED a drink.

While he moved steadily, at normal pace, it would take nothing short of a battalion to stop Adolphus from reaching the counter. When he did so, he directed himself to the dwarf, which seemed to be the bartender: “Good ser, would you be so kind as to serve an ale?” - the voice that escaped his helmet was very rough and low-pitched. Without knowing much of the place, he placed his steel fanged mace on the counter and reached to both his coin purse and also his flask, placing a few golden coins and the flask also on top of the counter - “Could you also fill my flask for my travels?”

 

[Lost Echo]

Meg
The artwork is from gelynele on DeviantArt. I highly recommend checking out her gallery.

Early Morning
Location: Colby, Guildhall, Bar
Interaction(s): Genii (Beryl|Stan) Gwenymoo (Ramirez)
Reactions(s): Pokeking (Xenophon) Maxxob (Adolphus)
Near: Genii (Percival)​

“Thank ye,” she murmured, feeling less loquacious as the bull thing came closer. She gave the two a nod, then forced herself to do the same with a smile at the bull. The man that came for a drink was easily stepped around, then she quickly moved over to the slumped man.

The smile grew true as she caught sight of what must be the bard. Humming first, she spoke with a lilt of a tune as she neared, “Frère Stan~na|Frère Stan~na|Dormez vous?” She caught the eye of the redhead, inviting him to share the joke. In truth she did not mind; she knew he had likely spent the night entertaining, so sleep was deserved. In an even tone, she added, “I’m in no hurry Sir Bard. I merely wish to apply and was guided here.”

 

[Genii]

“I’m up… I’m up-“ Stan made a funny grunt sound as he did his one and only sit-up for the day.

“-no rest for the wickedly handsome. Are you here to join the Guild? I’ll grab you a contract.” The Bard chatted as he retrieved a heavy box of scrolls from under his bench.

With a dusty thud he let it drop on a table and started pulling out parchment, quill pens and a glass pot filled with blood red ink.

“It’s pretty straightforward stuff, but do let me know if you need me to read it aloud for you.” Stan smiled, no judgement whatsoever if the newcomer couldn’t read, plenty of the Hunters couldn’t.

Stan
Location: Guildhall

Lost Echo
________



Beryl’s eyes tracked the armoured stranger all the way to the bar as she waited for Xenophon to speak.

Barry The Barman had a grumpy look on his face, but that wasn’t the stranger’s doing. The Dwarf wasn’t a morning person… or a midday or evening person either really.

Once Adolphus produced some coin however, Barry got to work pulling an ale, which he pushed towards the man once it was ready. He didn’t take the flask.

“That’s yer lot, unless yer lookin’ ter join the guild o’ course?” The Dwarf grumbled.

Beryl
Barry
Location: Guildhall bar

Maxxob Pokeking

 

[Maxxob]

Location: Guild Hall Bar
Interactions: Barry Genii
​

The steel-clad wall kept his eyes on the dwarf as the prepared the ale, not that it could be told as his helmet kept his eyes covered, away from curiosity. As the tankard was within his grasp, without a second thought, Adolphus took it in his hand. Bringing it towards his own face, he used the tankard’s rim to push the visor on his helmet slightly upwards, giving his mouth access to it. His black beard could be seen slightly, as his lips connected to the bottom part of the container, in which laid the beverage he sought after for so long.

His gulping was loud, not even a rest between each time he swallowed. Nothing but sheer pleasure was felt from the liquid making contact with his tongue and, albeit, it was not as sweet as he had hoped for, it clenched his thirst for alcohol. After drinking until the very last drop of it, not letting a single one of them spill, the man placed the tankard on the counter, just in front of the bartender, closing the visor of his helmet with his now free, right hand.

He gave a look at his lonely flask, sitting on top of the counter and, in turn, directed his attention towards the dwarf - “That is exactly what I am here for” - the man grinned behind his helmet. He collected his mace from the counter, setting it to rest on top of his own shoulder - “Who would be in charge of new members?”

 

[Genii]

“You’ll want ter speak Stan, The Bard.” Barry said, already clearing away the stranger’s empty tankard. “He deals with contracts n’ the like.”

“Get yer’self signed up… and we’ll see about that flask o’ yours.” The Dwarf nodded over at Stan and Meg, to give the warrior some idea of where to go.

The Bard in question had a lute slung over his back, so hopefully Adolphus wouldn’t have too hard a time finding him.

Barry
Location: Guildhall

Maxxob Lost Echo

 

[Maxxob]

Location: Guild Hall Bar
Interactions: Barry/Stan Genii
Reactions: Meg Lost Echo Beryl Genii
​

The towering armored-man looked at the same direction the bartender nodded towards. He could see, at the distance, a man with carried a lute on his back. In addition, there was a girl next to him which, one of physical traits could not pass without his notice, were her ears. While Adolphus was not a stranger to different races, his order was made up entirely by humans and, as such, his interactions with others outside his kind had been pretty limited.

“I will leave it in your care then” - the man said, glancing at his flask and at the bartender, in succession. He then started to make his way towards the duo, with steps with seemed lighter than when he had entered the Guild Hall, but not before taking a look at the female half-orc which, unbeknownst to him, was the guild’s mistress. The man walked, stopping behind the girl which appeared to be already be in conversation with Stan, the bard. Waiting for just a brief beak from their conversation, he spoke up: “Are you Stan, the bard? I am here to sign a contract with the guild” - Adolphus said, peering at the man from over the girl’s head.

 

[Pokeking]

Xenophon yios Calix​

Location: Guild Hall
Interactions: Beryl, Percival ( Genii ), Ramirez ( Gwenymoo )
Reactions: Meg ( Lost Echo ), Adolphus ( Maxxob )

Those monsters? Did my ears hear right? Was she referring to me? She looked my way even if just a glance. Xenophon was disappointed, but not surprised. How many passerbys had though the same thing? Even in my homeland, many humans considered us minotaurs to be the Other rather than fellow countrymen. Even after 200 years. To be fair though, we haven't fully assimilated. In the Province of Aldebaran, Cretan glyphs dominated Dreemlyn letters. In the rest of Dreema, it was the other way around. To the human who found themselves in Aldebaran, it was like visiting another country.

The new arrival had moved on. She seems shy around me. Xenophon kept his distance from her but returned her smile by placing his hand on his heart and tilted his head. Once had an opening, he approached Beryl. He held the scroll in both hands, palms up. It was an element of his culture. If something was important to give to another, give it with both hands. In succinct voice, "Mistress. I have heard that with every mission, there's always an element of danger and I have accepted that. I have prepared this will stating my wishes should I perish. I give it to you for safekeeping just in case."

There were other aspects of minotaur culture that would become more evident sooner. First, minotaurs did not often wear pants. They preferred kilts because they felt that they afforded a greater freedom of movement. Pants were for winter or for special occasions. The wedding of of his brother Altair and Carmina and the subsequent installation of his brother as Lord Aldebaran last year was the most recent time he wore pants outside of winter. Second, there was no such thing as foods meant for breakfast or lunch or dinner. Food was food and was acceptable at any time of the day. In his hometown of New Simeon, in Aldebaran, fish and other seafood was often on the menu regardless of the time of day because they lived on the coast. The Dreemans were all about having specific foods only at specific times of the day. He had read the dossier about their culinary habits, but to actually see it in action.

Xenophon had a couple of hardboiled eggs, two sausages, a biscuit, and a banana. In a free hand, he had a mug of coffee. He sat at the same table as Percival and Ramirez. A nod to them and "Morning". He prayed and then began to eat. He took a swig of the plain coffee and looked at the large armored man making his way around the Hall. I would rather have him as an ally than as foe.

 

[Genii]

Beryl accepted Xenophon’s scroll, showing a similar amount of respect for the parchment that contained the Minotaur’s last wishes.

“I shall keep it safe, though I hope I never have need to open it.” She gave the Rookie a nod before he left, then walked away herself - most likely to store the will somewhere in her office.

A flustered looking Percival had managed to squeeze back into his armour. He sat back down to resume eating whatever was left on his plate and returned Xenophon’s greeting.

As the heavily armoured newcomer approached, the teen went quiet and discreetly hid his face behind his hand. Occasionally he’d peer through his fingers at the stranger, or glance over at the Inn’s exit.

Beryl, Percival
Location: Guildhall

Pokeking Gwenymoo

______

“Yep. Stan, Stan, The Music Man - at your serv-.” The Bard looked up from chatting with Meg and didn’t hide his surprise as his eyes found Adolphus. “Whoa… Hello there! [Long whistle] Monsters are gonna run a mile when they see you.”

“Er, yes, contract…” He turned around to grab another scroll from his box and held it out to the wall of a warrior.

“Just sign your name at the bottom and you’re in. Food and lodgings are provided. We’ve also got a bathhouse… healer… and a blacksmith should you need them.” Stan explained to the two Rookies at once.

Stan
Location: Guildhall

Lost Echo Maxxob

((Stan is just at one of the dining tables, next to where Remirez, Percival and Xenophon are eating. I'll try to make a floorplan eventually, but Inkarnate is being a pain. ))

 

[Lost Echo]

((Oh! Thank you. I'll definitely edit my earlier post then.))
Meg
The artwork is from gelynele on DeviantArt. I highly recommend checking out her gallery.

Early Morning
Location: Colby, Guildhall, Stan's Table
Interaction(s): Genii (Stan) Maxxob (Adolphus)
Reactions(s): Pokeking (Xenophon)
Mentions: Genii (Percival) ​

Meg smiled again, glad the bard kept the cheerful atmosphere she’d set up. It was easiest to get things done when everyone pretended to be happy. Perhaps he was, she certainly wasn’t unhappy but perhaps if she focused on them, her nerves would overtake her.

She wrinkled her nose, going for cute, at the dust cloud surrounding the box, before ignoring the slight burn in her nose to watch him closely. Ah, so there was a contract. The details, she’d overheard at the small tavern, weren’t clear. They spoke of something binding the members, but from how they told it, there was some ritual that let each hunter communicate through their minds. She’d figured that was hogwash, but still…that ink…She’d have to read that paper herself. Even if those magic types could probably hide the real contract with something simple.

Giving Stan a smile, she picked up the contract and started to slowly work her way through it. Almost immediately she reached a word she didn’t know, but she knew ‘sign under’ so figured it was just fancy noble talk. She wasn’t very far before a shadow drew over her. She tilted her head back, exposing her soft ears with a flinch, to look at a suit of armor. It wasn’t that she was surprised when it talked, it was just…a lot. Still, no need to make enemies--especially heavily armed ones-- “Aren’t you a big one?” She smiled, invitingly before stepping to the side so that the newcomer could stand next to the table.

Her attention returned to the contract, one--already exposed!--ear listening to Stan. She desperately wanted to pull her hair over them once more; she should have worn a bonnet. Still, she supposed that if they have other mon--the walking co-bull, those horns meant bull, she knew that much without ever stepping foot on a farm was coming toward her. Was he also going to sign? She’d missed him coming in (how could she miss that?) But he’d definitely done the first step of talking to the guild master. It was with relief that he sat with the skinny, now armored, boy and the other hunter. The giant was one thing, but a fellow monster…she was already hideous with those ears, she--

Ripped her thoughts back to the parchment. She was not a good enough reader to think beyond the letters on the page. Most of it made sense--keeping the possibility of a real contract hidden beneath, but the last one…she knew what perish meant…it meant death. But what did ‘Pet-it-tion for Re-sur-rec-tion’ mean? And dare she ask and admit her ignorance? He’d already assumed she couldn’t read so with a steadying breath, she moved to place the paper on the table, beside the bard. Pointing she asked, “What does this mean?”

 

[Maxxob]

Location: Guild Hall Bar
Interactions: Stan Genii / Meg Lost Echo
Reactions: Percival Genii / Xenophon Pokeking / Ramirez Gwenymoo
​

“They may try to run, but it will be useless” - a stifled, sinister giggle came from the small crevices of his steel helmet. Never once was the concept of mercy taught inside his order and battles were always taken to their ultimate end, unless whatever they were fighting were quick enough to make it impossible to give chase. While the armored titan waited for the bard to set his contract on the dining table, he felt someone staring daggers at him. This made him turn his head to the table where a trio were eating.

The first one he noticed was a well-built, bovine creature. While the being was sitting, Adolphus made an educated guess of how tall it stood: certainly close to his own weight. He wondered how its strength compared with his own, and sure was looking forward to seeing what it could do in a fight. The next one was a young teen, possibly 17 or 18 years old, by the look on his face. He was lean and smaller than the ox counter-part, but the crusader didn’t judge his possible combat prowess by his looks, a trait he was dutifully taught, in first hand, during his sparing matches within the order. The last one, was another human and this one distinguished himself as much bigger than his other two companions: certainly that alone would confer him a kind of barbaric strength.

He was brought back to his current affairs when he heard the voice of the female in front of him. Seeing her smile was curious, making his mind wander. The grandmaster always taught him to be careful of smiles, as they can either be genuine or just a façade for something sinister. And still, he couldn’t bring himself to think there was any ill-will towards him on such a simple gesture. Was the man simply too naïve? - “‘Your natural size makes you the shield of the order. Our teachings will make you the hammer’, as the grandmaster used to say” - he answered her comment with the quote that was burnt in the back of his mind to this very day, stepping forward and standing beside the half-elf girl.

The man then focused on the piece of paper in front of him. Grabbing it with his left hand, he brought it closer to his face, but not before the shield that was strapped to his arm rubbed against the wooden dining table and slightly nudged it out of place. His eyes quickly scanned the contract, his clerical teachings being ever so useful as to deal with written information, having no doubts about it.

He watched on the sideways, looking at the slender figure besides him read the contract with much attention. When she placed the contract on the table towards the bard, pointing at her doubt about it, he intruded, answering for the man - “It means if you want to be brought back to life in the off-chance you die. Dying is a curious experience… but seeing there is no priest of the order around to summon the Miracle, better to be safe than sorry” - the man said, placing his own contract back on the table and fastening the mace which rested on top of his shoulder on his belt. He then grabbed the pen and signed his name on the contract, as well as marking the petition with a Y, pushing the contract towards the bard - “All done”

 

[Genii]

“That’s right.” Stan said as Adolphus explained what resurrection meant. “Don’t ask me how it works, because I’ll just say Magic .” He embellished that last word with a mysterious voice and waggling fingers.

“Oh, and don’t worry - it doesn’t hurt a bit, and you don’t come back weird or anything.” The Bard reassured Meg, clearly having some experience on the matter. “It only works if you still have your head… so try not to loose that.”

“Thank you-“ Stan paused to read the name from the man’s contract. “Adolphus… and welcome to the Guild. It’s tradition to celebrate with a shot of Dragon’s Fire, but it’s pretty strong stuff so you might want to leave it till later.” The Bard casually advised as he filed away Adolphus’ contract.

Stan
Location: Guildhall

Maxxob Lost Echo

 

[Gwenymoo]

Ramirez nodded to xenophon "mornin' sleep well sir?" The hunter finished clearing his mountainous breakfast, giving Percy's armour a wack down to pop the lad's head out. "So you settled on a quest then? Might have more companions, seems we have a few more newbies this morn." He looked to the pair signing up with the bard. "Never seen the place so busy. Hopefully they stick."

Location - guild hall
Genii Lost Echo Maxxob Pokeking

 

[Lost Echo]

Meg
The artwork is from gelynele on DeviantArt. I highly recommend checking out her gallery.

Early Morning
Location: Colby, Guildhall, Stan’s Table
Interaction(s): Genii (Stan) Maxxob (Adolphus)​

Meg didn’t exactly want to be a shield. Maybe a hammer? Still, she figured he was just one of those knights that was a little dim outside of battle--too many hits to the head, she assumed. So when he answered her question, it was with some surprise. “Holy Herne.” Was that reassuring? Yes, she acknowledged death was better than a bedwarmer for coin, but to come back seemed…monstrous. But she did want to learn more…sinfully even about that. And what the Miracle was. And the order, now that she thought about it. And, “Okay.” she nodded, carefully circling the Y before spelling out her name in awkward letters.

“And I’m called Meg,” she offered Stan the contract, then nodded at the knight. “And thanks for your explanation Adolphus; I must admit it wasn’t what I was expecting.” Maybe he could explain his Miracle thing and his order? Questions bombarded her mind before she forced them back. Practicality first. Figure out if lessons were to be had, or if they simply expected her to die until she improved. Maybe there would be beginner’s quests?

 

[Genii]

“Many thanks.” Percival smiled politely at Ramirez… then subtly checked his shiny armour for any dents or blemishes. The Teen seemed pretty determined to keep it all in good order.

He looked up and caught Meg’s eye. The stick wielding girl looked a little lost, which was understandable, he’d felt the same way himself the night before - perhaps for different reasons, but still. Percy gave her a small wave as Ramirez and Xenophon talked about quests and all the new recruits.

Percival
Location: Guildhall

Gwenymoo Pokeking Lost Echo