quest log | wilder training

[faileas]

Who: Those who signed up for the High-Risk Quest "Wilder Training"
When: 08/09 to 08/12
Where: A camp on the south-western edge of the Wilde.
What: From the quest information itself: "Outside of the recruitment, the Wilders are also offering training for anyone who'd like it regardless of bonds and experience. They'll be taken into a safe, slightly infected area in order to hone skills of magic (both Witch and Monster based), how to handle different weapons available, have lectures on things to look for in the field, and finally a test to see what they've learned. No notes allowed."
Warnings: None in the log post itself; if anything comes up, let us know, and we'll make sure to add it here.

The Way There

The training camp party gathers just outside of the city's walls before the sun begins to rise; once heads are counted and everyone is accounted for, Yvette Tressa - the same Witch who led the expedition into Smugha Cave - will start the march through Dead Man's Land, following the river. It isn't quite dark at this period of dawn, the bare landscape painted a washed-out blue by what small light there is, and as the sun settles into the early morning sky they reach their first destination - the edge of the Wilde. Rowboats large enough to fit five or six people (or a few significantly larger people) bob gently up and down where they're tied, the runes marking around the area marking it as protected by a barrier; keen eyes will notice these are the same as what the Wilders and the Coven have been setting up around Smugha Cave.

The party is herded into the boats and sent up the river into the Wilde, the boats gently rowing themselves against the current. The trees of the Wilde have slowly, almost imperceptibly, been shifting to a new color as summer turns into fall outside of it: browner and fully dead, with fewer leaves hanging from their branches, as if winter has finally come. The air is also significantly cooler the deeper they row into up the river, the breeze a sharp string of cold when it blows, and several Wilders shiver despite their being used to it. The journey is a quiet one, the river ducking out of the Wilde when the sun is at its highest point - the area is changed from the familiar fields around Aefenglom around this small bend, with dozens of flowers waving their faint scent in the still chilly breeze. No two flowers look the same, but the boat ride doesn't stop there: it continues back into the Wilde, leaving the sweet smell behind them.

The sun is still visible where they dock, noting it as a little later in the afternoon; further ahead, the river splits two ways, and it's to the left side the party will be guided. As they come upon the split's left side, the trees begin to thin in a way similar to the area around Smugha Cave, their branches cleaned up and the start of infection scraped from their sides - and then abrupt barrenness as it becomes clear just what the trees now suddenly missing have been used for: A fortified camp, well-protected by its high, sturdy wooden walls, the tops of them sharpened to a point. As the party draws closer, runes of protection are easy to notice, carved line after line in the thick, wood logs.

Training Camp: Sauf

Located on the edge of the Wilde (the red dot; the navy dot is Smugha Cave, for a point of reference), Sauf is a fairly large camp equipped with all of the basic necessities. Used year-round for various training exercises, Sauf is home to around twenty "permanent" residents - that is, those who have volunteered to stay the year - and otherwise hosts trainees, instructors, researchers, and so on. Look-outs are positioned all around the camp's edge, manned by at least one pair of Wilders, and a large communal fire pit sits in the middle of the camp. The main entrance is on the south side, with smaller ones located on the other three sides.

The north side of the camp is where characters will find their living quarters for their weekend stay: large, sturdy tents designed to hold several dozen people comfortably. Given the Wilde's chill, these are kept toasty and warm through the use of small piles of heat stones similar to the larger ones found in the city during the snow last month. Also on the north side is the mess hall, where characters can get some grub or hang out and mingle with their fellow trainees, mirrorbound and native alike.

The east and west sides of the camp are where the training takes place. Each side has a different function, however: the east side is for more individual-based training, with dummies and moving targets, both magically-repairing, and instructors, while the west side is for arena-based training - that is, fighting one another. Any type of match-up is considered fair and reasonable, and fights go on intermittently over the days, as does betting.

Finally, the south side of the camp is home to the meeting hall, a large stone building; while not currently in use, it remains an important fixture nonetheless. The healer's wards are also located here as two tarped areas that hug both walls, which provides medical help for those coming in or who have been injured during training, and protection for those venturing out.

I. A Primer On Witches


In addition to weapons training - which, specific to Witches, comes in the form of long-reach weaponry such as lances, quarterstaffs, or halberds - they offer instruction in spells that come in handy while needing to defend oneself and others in the Wilde.

• Abjuration 1: Barriers, shields, alarms.
• Abjuration 2: Healing (both lower level and advanced courses), dispels.
• Alchemy 1: Potion-brewing for healing draughts, magic draughts, potions that can cure basic ailments (poison, paralysis, sleep).
• Alchemy 2: Arrays to create on-the-go bombs (palm-sized) of the offensive and smoke varieties, weapons of various types, all from materials able to be found around and on oneself.
• Conjuration 1: Temporary camps (tents and campfires), various magical weapons, food and water (not very filling nor hydrating, essentially as a just-in-case thing).
• Conjuration 2: Living creatures such as animals and insects, a variety from the harmless/watcher-type to more offensively-based ones.
• Divination 1: Scrying on the fly using pocket mirrors, running water as a medium, speaking with animals (sometimes not extremely helpful given their lower intelligence).
• Divination 2: Finding magic via a scavenger hunt, how to enter a dream-like trance to access the subconscious and interpretation of signs found there.
• Enchantment 1: Charm spells that work against either humanoids, Monsters, or animals, which make the target more friendly or a straight-up ally; some target will know they've been charmed.
• Enchantment 2: Strengthening spells such as for physical, mental, or magical power, as well as elemental imbuing for weapons and other objects.
• Evocation 1: Single-target elemental spells and how to control them, particularly fire and ice for the latter, with elements also including earth/stone, water, lightning, and wind.
• Evocation 2: Multiple-target elemental spells with the same instruction and types as above, as well as multiple-target healing spells.
• Illusion 1: Visual illusions (people, animals, items), larger illusions (areas, buildings, bigger varities of aforementioned types).
• Illusion 2: Audio illusions, how to tie them together with visual illusions.
• Transmutation 1: Transforming oneself or one's items and back again, as well as mending minor objects.
• Transmutation 2: Transforming other people or other people's items and back again, as well as how to do it sneakily.

II. A Primer On Monsters


In addition to weapons training - which, specific to Monsters, comes in the form of short-reach weaponry such as swords and axes - they offer instruction in the special traits and perks each Monster has, particularly ones that come in handy when defending oneself or others in the Wilde.

• Arachne: Speed/jumps and web-spinning, either as traps or in use as rope, whip, etc.
• Chimera: Fighting blind and/or deaf to avoid charms, illusions, and curses.
• Dragon: Breath abilities, both how to use them and the finer points of control.
• Fae: Creating illusions and seeing through them, with a heavy focus on landscape and areas rather than creatures or objects.
• Faun: Plant growth, with a focus on naturally revitalizing plants and ones with more offensive uses, such as bomb-nuts and carnivorous flowers.
• Harpy: Singing lessons, as well as flying lessons with the use of wind magic should one have it.
• Merrow: Water magic, with an experimental focus on purifying it for drinking or bathing purposes.
• Naga: Speaking to water and empathizing with it, as well as instruction on the proper and ethical usage of hypnosis.
• Puca: Impersonation practice, with shapeshifting into someone they know or see and mimicking their voice and way of speaking.
• Turnskin: Sense training, particularly smell and hearing, with the use of blindfolds.
• Vampire: Casting thralls, and proper measures to take against the sun.

III. Partnering Up


Skills and spells are both useful while out in the Wilde, but one's biggest asset is their partner - or partners, plural. The Wilders will pick at random two or three people to partner up and do a variety of things in order to build trust and clear communication, such as your ordinary trust-falls or a game of telephone, as well as things that might be a little more on the side of seeing just how far they can go: clothes-switching (you don't know a man - or Monster - until you've walked a mile in their shoes), taking care of an inanimate object together, and being connected to one another for several hours, courtesy of some enchanted pair bracelets that won't allow their wearers to move more than a foot from the other half of their pair.

Outside of that, they'll be offering up the opportunity for those without Bonds to try temporarily Bonding to whoever their eyes land on first (with a quick, non-ceremonial shot of silver liquid), as well as fighting together against other pairs or tamed beasts (with or without the Bond) in the arenas.
IV. A Little Exploration


On the final day of the weekend training excursion, everyone is once again gathered - this time for the test promised to them. It isn't a pen and paper test, however, but one to test how well they've retained the training offered to them. In the early morning, the group will set out north-west of the camp; the path begins well-trod, but overgrowth soon begins to get underfoot. Patches of frost begin to show up as well - perhaps it's the Wilde's odd season at work.

Or perhaps it's something else.

Entire trees are encased in ice, their branches looking like arms reaching out or twisted around themselves; the bark resembles faces, with hair curled to their chins, and while some may have the sinking feeling that appearances might not just be appearances, the humanoids frozen mid-stepping from similarly frosted trees may all but confirm it.

Dryads, frozen in time, the Cwyld dark and trapped beneath the ice - or maybe those are remnants of the fire that was an attempt at culling the infection before it could begin. Some of them are cracked and broken, their limbs lost, while others are perfectly preserved.

There won't be too much time to stop and stare, however; this is a test, and the enemies of the day become apparent:


• Ice wolves. With a chilly bite and a tendency to work in pairs and groups, it's worth doing just the same to take them down. Their paws are black and crusted with mud and Cwyld infection, their eyes bright and unseeing - and though they may be blind, the rest of their senses have become even stronger in response.
• Snow elementals. Large and actually made of a mix of ice and snow, their patches of Cwyld streak across their white bodies - it makes them easy to see in all the white, but gives them some resistance to the traditional use of fire to melt them. They primarily rely on ice spikes and other related magics, ut will throw a heavy punch if gotten too close to.
• Withered ents. Ordinarily peaceful, these normally massive moving trees are as tall as a one-story house due to hunching over from the cold and ice that covers them. Similar to the wolves, their large, gnarled hands are covered in the black of the Cwyld, but only one eye is the blind white that marks infection - the other is hollow and sunken in. Roots and heavy earth shakes are their primary skills, being otherwise slow to move, and they avoid fighting where there are dryads.
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Comments

Towa Herschel | OTA

[overworker]

I. One (Tiny) Beginner Witch

[While this training is in fact probably exactly the thing she needs, she can't say that she's not a bit concerned about it. Her orbal gun is attached to her hip, but getting that to work is still in the very early stages of experimentation. So it wouldn't be a bad idea to at least try to work with something different for training purposes. The longer reach is at least somewhat playing to her strength but-- they're all long weapons, and rather tough to wield for someone as small as her.

...it won't stop her though. But for safety's sake, she chooses the quarterstaff. At least that way she's not waving around something pointy. That doesn't make it any less difficult for her to get used to the way one carries it, and just how aware of your larger surroundings you have to be anytime you move it. The tiny girl with a large stick might accidentally give you a good bump with it if you're not watching. She's not trying it, but-- unfortunately, maneuvering something that's longer than she is tall is... difficult.]

Haaah... sorry!! I'm... a-are you alright?

[But then, when it comes to the actual magic-- while there's nothing she's not about to try, her focus is on evocation first and illusion and divination after. During which time, that staff is left FIRMLY on the ground... please don't trip over it.]

III. Won't You Be My Partner?

[Whether it's caring for an inanimate object or switching clothes or whatever-- these kinds of activities, Towa isn't against trying even if some of them are a little questionable.]

Some of these tests seem kind of fun, actually.

[Others, well-- Towa doesn't know how she feels about this kind of temporary bond scenario. Training for the eventual she understands, but just throwing two people together at a whim seems a little reckless. But she hasn't had the opportunity so she can't turn it down now. If the time comes that someone wants to rely on her, she wants to be ready to support them. So, even if it's for a short while she should learn to do this. Maybe she's not so confident now, but she'll do everything she can to make the bond work. Ultimately, she's willing to accept the bracelet-- and whatever bond it will get her involved in.]

IV. Practical Examination Time

[It's a little intimidating, since this is her first time really embarking on such a task. But that's not enough to stop her. If nothing else, she has her training from Thors to rely on-- and her gun is still locked in at her side, even if the staff that they'd given her for proper training purposes is also strapped to her back.

At least combat situations aren't new to her. So when the monsters approach, she's ready. Pulling the staff out in front of her she takes a deep breath and nods.]

...don't let your guard down. Focus on the enemies first. Once the area is secure, then we can investigate the area.


IV. Wildcard

[Towa is working hard to improve her skills so she feels ready to support her friends, so there's nothing she's not willing to try! She might be shaky on the bond aspect until her confidence is a bit more stable, but she's gonna give it an A+ effort...]

III.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[There's an older man looking over the bonding options and Towa's comment grabs his attention. Though he only had the start of horns poking out from his hair at this point, it's clear he's no witch. He should really try to find some to work with, so he will strike up a conversation with her]

I agree, quite the curious offering of tasks. Which might you be interested in, good miss?

[overworker]

I don’t think I could catch you, even if I wanted to.

[Being small as she is has several very serious downsides to it. That should be the only thing really off limits though. At least she can laugh about it.]

Taking care of an inanimate object doesn’t sound so hard though. What do you say? Are you up for the challenge?

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Everett gives a sad little laugh to the trust fall comment, waving his hands in a "no, no" gesture. Humorous as the image is, he'd not do such a thing to the poor girl. Knock that option out and another he'll joke about with her]

I don't believe we could fit into one another's clothing, either. [Everett is a tall, middle aged. Attractive as he might be in that skirt and those stocking, he will stay in his lane. Dressing up like that is not the reputation he's looking to make for himself]

Playing guardians is a fine choice. What sort of object will they give us, I wonder...

[overworker]

Eheheh, you're prooobably right.

[Not that it wasn't funny to consider for a second.]

That's true. I've seen a lot of people carrying very different things. I guess we'll just have to jump in and find out.

[What they're presented with is... a small glass mirror, delicate looking in every way.]

...well, I guess we'd better take extra care not to let anything happen to it. Who knows what kind of bad luck that might be.

[She's teasing but also. Maybe not.]

[rollfordiplomacy]

Another time, perhaps. [Everett jokes, though it's a rather cryptic and suggestive bit of humor. Moving on...

He'll inspect the mirror when it's handed to them. His first instinct to handle it with care and consider all the details.

And fix his hair in the reflection]

A fine choice, given my vanity. Perhaps you should hold onto it...

[overworker]

Heehee careful, I might just hold you to that.

[She has spent far too much time with those of terrible influence-- she knows how to handle these situations.]

Well... at least it's something practical. But it does look pretty delicate. I'll be very careful.

[They might not be doing anything crazy, but there's a lot of activity going on at the training site. They'll have to keep their eyes peeled.]

[rollfordiplomacy]

Oh, now, now, don't get my hopes up.[he chuckles at her response, enjoying a good bit of back and forth teasing. Though, here he is agreeing to work alongside her without even introducing himself. When the mirror is safely passed on, he'll off his hand to shakes hers]

Where have my manners gone? I am Sir Everett Vaughan. May I inquire as to your name, my dear?

[overworker]

[The natural flow back and forth had happened so quickly she hadn't realized that she'd forgotten to introduce herself as well. When he does so, even if it's only a bit, she blinks. It catches her a little off guard to think she'd let herself be so casual with someone who was of noble status. As a commoner she hopes she didn't offend him in any way.]

Oh! You're right, it totally slipped my mind. My name is Towa Herschel, it's a pleasure to meet you sir.

[rollfordiplomacy]

It's an honor, Miss Herschel. If you prefer to leave titles behind, Everett is just fine. Towa is quite the lovely name, I'm not sure I've heard it before. [Everett is a breezy sort, easily adapting to others preferences. He prided himself on his good manners and he thought being receptive to what others liked to be called was apart of that]

[overworker]

If you're certain, then... Everett it is.

[She doesn't get the impression he'd say that if he didn't mean it. And truthfully she was never very good with keeping up formalities.]

There are no need for formalities with me. [She giggles.] Although Miss Herschel does have a nice ring to it. But really, just Towa is fine.

[It's not every day she gets to hear things like that. It's nice, onc in a while.]

Heheh... you're not the first person who's said that. Even back home my name is a little unusual. It's definitely not something you'd hear in the empire anyway.

[rollfordiplomacy]

I'm terribly curious what a common name would be, in a world so unfamiliar to me! Everett is a bit odd, but I don't get comments from fellow Springtide. I knew more than a few Henry's, Oscar's, and Bennet's in my youth.[the Springtide have very victorian-sounding naming conventions, very different than the rest of Myddvai. Names were always so interesting for him to discover as he traveled.]

A lot in a name, I've always thought.

[overworker]

Well, for comparison...

[Let her think of some fitting classmate names to show the difference.]

there's Angelica, Alisa, Laura, Emma... names like that are more common.

[rollfordiplomacy]

Hmm! Now those are familiar names to mine, as well. Towa would indeed be most novel. What a fine name, indeed. [he considers a moment, before laughingly motioning to their mirror]

... should we give a name to our new charge? [that'll make it more fun to look after, right?]

[overworker]

I thought they might. [Everett wasn't a name that would be so unusual in the empire, after all. His earnest compliment however, catches her a bit off guard.] ...you think so? Thank you...

[Goodness. She'll have to be prepared around this charmer.

Ahem. Right! The mirror...

Heehee... why not? Did you have something in mind?

[rollfordiplomacy]

Hmm, I'm sure one will come to me! [Everett]

Let's... [Everett-]

Reflect for a moment.

iii

[sylphid]

[Towa's great, Fie really likes Towa. She was a wonderful class president, an amazing upperclassman, and a generally lovable person.

But all of that does not make their task any more bearable.

Fie stares at the decorative pillow about the size of a bag of flour in front of them. 'Take care of it.' What?]

Absolutely not.

[overworker]

[Towa doesn't know what she expected when they said participants would be asked to take care of an inanimate object but this decorative pillow wasn't it. It's... a task, alright. But she doesn't even have a chance to try and convince Fie before she outright refuses the idea.]

Ahahaha... I'm sure there's a good explanation for this exercise.

[Just... because she can't think of one doesn't mean it doesn't exist after all. R i g h t?]

[sylphid]

Explain to me how this works in the first place, and I'll consider it.

[And only because it's Towa. Fie herself will not be touching that thing, let alone holding it or... whatever they expect. She gives the older girl a look.]

This is stupid.

[overworker]

Just... think of it like an escort mission.

[That's super over-simplifying it, but it's the closest she can come to a rational explanation of the task asked of them.]

I'm sure it won't be too difficult. It's a pillow-- what could go wrong?

[Hmm. Well ain't that just the question of the hour.]

[sylphid]

Escort to where? [She'll try, Towa, but she needs more than that. Her scowl is still prevalent.]

I could lose my grip on my gunsword...

[Her tone is lofty, like she's actually considering it. Stop her.]

[overworker]

I... well...! Around, I guess.

[Oh no you don't--! Towa moves quick to prevent any pillow deaths. She knows all too well that it could have been over just like that.]

...haaaaaah. Well... think of it as someone you have to protect for a mission. It's delicate, so we'll have to work extra hard.

[sylphid]

[Fie sighs heavily, then nods.]

Fine. I won't damage it, I promise.

[But she isn't happy about it.]

[overworker]

[Phew. Tragedy averted.]

Thank you. You'll see this won't be so bad.

[With Fie on her side now, she's sure absolutely nothing can go wro--

She looks down at her hands.


It's gone.

It would seem that their charge is enchanted and has, in fact, decided that it's time to run off and play.]

W-where did it go?

[Parenting 101: Mystical Edition, start.]