will-o'-wisps here we come

[futhark]

Who: Archer, Caster (Cu Chulainn), Rider (Iskandar) & Waver Velvet
When: First half of Octeuril
Where: Wildes
What: High-risk quest: Quest #1 - Lights Between the Trees
Warnings: nothing so far, will update as needed



Who had decided on the idea first? Was it Caster, interested in the so familiar hearings about will-o'-wisps? Was it Rider, eager to take out of the city and into the Wildes? No one knows, they were after a few rounds of ale and wine when that came into question. What matters is that they decided to go, and their Bonded soon followed (or were they bullied into it? You will never know).

A trip into Wildes requires preparations, it's not a trip into a park, Archer would remind everyone and Waver surely would make sure that nothing is lost to the spontaneousness of the moment.

They began their journey early in the morning. While the colorful lights would appear between dusk and dawn, securing a campsite early meant more time for preparations. Setting up the tents, the fireplace, not to mention firing off protective enchantments— just in case. They have all the time till the evening, and it's probably for the best. Preparing food, hunting the food maybe, reconnaissance over the area to map and not fall into an accidental sinkhole, or worse nearby bog! Not to mention there is something about finding out about flesh-eating rabbits - vicious little critters, or getting lost in the caves? (Please don't)

Ah, there are also flesh-eating plants. Buds of flora open up to reveal tricksy traps that smell likes food for the hungry, swallowing any who lean too close to digest them. Have fun!

Either way there is a lot to do before the night falls, and even more to find after it does. The lights in the forest. Fireflies, and large ones, but near the bog they appear more ghostly like, more supernatural and yes, more dangerous (even if they are a natural occurrence). And then there is the bioluminescent elk...

Plenty of adventure

Comments

[boneofsword]

[Being called charming is fine, even if Archer disagrees with needing help. A hand is fine, though, of one person he'd come to rely on. Caster's hand radiates warmth he can feel through both his own and his partner's gloves. With the colder days coming Archer finds himself gravitating towards the warmth, which usually means a certain Witch.]

Something similar to your staff? [he asks, glancing around.

Archer is well aware of Cú Chulainn being a knight. Not the ideal that he chided Saber for, but a realistic one living in times when death was too often a closest companion.]

[futhark]

Yeah, I should have brought it with me... [ There is a reason he didn't, and it's kind of sentimental one. It's no longer a weapon materialized at will— quite literally it is just a staff. Nothing more, nothing less.

It would be a shame if it broke ]

Ahhh, damn—!!! [ It took him exactly four steps to suddenly fall up to his knee into a muddy, wet ground. His grip on Archer's hand momentarily tightens as he catches his balance ]

[boneofsword]

[It's obvious now that Archer thinks of it. Just like their bodies changed to suit this world's rules, their belongings lost any unique abilities. Perhaps he should make his Bonded a new staff - or a new weapon. Something worthy of the new path Cú has taken. Something as unique as his beloved spear. Something suited to his fighting style.]

!— [when Caster stumbles he yanks his hand hard. It's a possibility that his companion is in a different danger - of faceplanting into the broader dragon's chest.]

[futhark]

[ Archer is lost in thought, and while Cú gets read on exactly what it was, it always intrigues him. That "plotting something" feeling he gets. Maybe that's why he got so distracted to make the first step into the muddy earth

The yank back, tests his balance again and he nearly sits down— he manages to bend the leg (still on solid ground) and make a one-knee-kneel with no more accidents done.

Phew ]

See? Treacherous.

[ Proof right here ]

[boneofsword]

[How does Cú manage to stumble gracefully is beyond Archer. Most likely Fae blood and training from hell combined. It's definitely a boon.

Light rustle coming from nearby bushes has him half-turn towards the noise. All that he can glimpse is a flash of yellow. Perhaps an animal, but who knows. Archer rests one hand on the short sword strapped to his thigh, sure that Caster heard it too. While he may have draconic instincts, his Bonded spent his life in the wilderness.]

[futhark]

[ The gracefulness of a stumble is certain in the eye of beholder~

Caster's attention turn sharp, his senses focused. He had heard and seen it too, but because of the closeness and their Bond he's also tapping into the draconic instincts. Prey it says.

But it didn't run away in panic, it simply noticed someone else is here and decided to leave. ]

Careful, it was large— [ Which means it will leave tracks that are easier to follow ]

[boneofsword]

[This stumble clearly didn't hit the critic failure because of luck stat.

Archer uses all of his senses trying to find their prey. It can't be very far, though. He's unable to differentiate its scent, for everything smells like forest. No, wait, there are some mushrooms close. Not ones that can be eaten, perhaps Caster will be interested if those can be used for spells.]

It doesn't smell like a predator. Just shrooms and forest around.