Chapter 1: Becoming a Gross Adventurer

Chapter 1: Becoming a Gross Adventurer

My name is Olivia de Fenenna. I just turned 19 the other week, and as part of my, I guess you can call it independence, I moved out of my family's lodge outside the city walls. I walk the streets with sincerity, but let’s just say little coin. Becoming an adult, you could say, has definitely been more challenging than one would think. I was barely able to afford last month's rent. Eating scraps for dinner, short showers…even finding sticks to use for fire wood. This is why I stand in front of this door. It’s tall wooden stature, speaking in soft hums as it creaks back and forth. The wind softly blows around me. The oaky doors point to a sign above, Adventurers Guild.

It was not always my dream to be an adventurer, but sometimes you have to pay the bills. It's either I learn some new skills here or return to the family farm. I definitely don't feel like cleaning up horse’s former dinner anymore. I straighten my white blouse, connecting it to the navy blue skirt. The lightly heeled black shoes protect my feet from the dirty ground below. A deep breath escapes my mouth. I came to the city to try and be cleaner and more feminine, but here I am going to apply for a job that is all about getting bloody, dirty, and barbaric. My wardrobe will be replaced by the long protective clothing leaning into utility rather than fashion.

I find it difficult to move, my feet locking as my mind argues. Do I really want to do this? Didn't I come here to escape living like that? Didn't I come into the city to work a nice job? Didn't I come here to meet a nice young gentleman to marry? Didn't I come here to start a new life, not just a new path? Thoughts rush through my head as I internally debate with myself about the pros and cons of applying for a job here. Ultimately, I need money, and I need it quickly. I have barely enough money to live, let alone rent. Even more pressing, I'm desperately low on food. I pinch the edge of my blouse. This is just a temporary job, Olivia.

I take a deep breath. My hand reaches forward, grabbing the bronze vertical handle of the door. Pulling towards me, I open the trap of the easy money. My eyes dart around, taking in the sights. Men and women are drinking, smoking, and laughing at different tables. Some are wearing more fashionable clothes like dresses and skirts, but those are all grouped in a large party with rugged men and women dressed in the complete opposite, worn leather armor, stained iron plating, patches of blood on what seemed to be once former white under shirts. Their faces had a hint of pain in them, not pain but acceptance. The fashionable girls are full of glee and the look of innocence, like they're princesses of the group.

The banners raised above the dining area hold many different pictures. A picture of our country, its black and gold lion danced in the golden flames, a picture of the sprouting red rose with a black and gold background signalling the strength of our city to prosper in such harsh environments, a white cross with a yellow circle around it, a man hanging on it, a religious organization, I suppose. I crane my head across the room, spotting the purple witch's hat of the city's most studious magic organization. My feet braced in the doorway as a man bumped past me, his sneer directed towards me as if I inconvenienced him with my mere presence. I rub my shoulder, feeling for the black rose that my mom gave me before leaving home.

The cloth rose strap tightened tightly around my shoulder. I rub its woven, wonderful petals, reminding me of the last time I saw my parents. This parting gift is entrusted with a promise that whoever I give it to is the one to whom I give my life. I take a deep breath, knowing that my parents' expectations for my love life are as dreamy as my imagination.

My body resumes scanning the room. The other banners that were displayed at the place did not catch much of my eye, except for a banner with a silver knight holding a shield covered in red, representing the blood covering the cross of that religious organization. The knight stands defending an injured rose. Its body is kneeling behind the shield, just tall enough for the shield to protect the body, and the body tall enough to protect the rose. Oh, what a story that's so cool! Whoever made that banner has a fine eye for art, for sure!

Ok, snap out of it, Olivia. I softly pinch myself. I need money, I need a job, I'm not here to sightsee. I look around at the signs hanging above, and instead of words printed on them, they have images. Some images of a blacksmith, a large piece of a chicken drumstick, a gold coin, and a piece of paper. A piece of paper usually represents customer service-type jobs. Why? I don't know, it's just how it is in this city. I feel like a person behind a desk talking to a customer would be a better picture, but who am I to make that decision? It's been like this since I was born. Every time my mother and father brought me inside the city to run errands, customer service positions were always just represented by a piece of paper.

I walk towards the desk behind which sits a young woman dressed in a black vest with gold stitching, her blonde hair braided beautifully into a ponytail. Her hands are grasping her pen as she writes on a piece of paper until her baby blue eyes look up at me, a slight smile appearing on her lips. “Hello, is there something I can help you with today?”

My body jitters a bit. I didn't really mentally prepare myself enough for human interaction, but I gotta be normal. I straighten myself up a bit as I speak, “Hi, yes, um, I was looking to apply as an adventurer?”

If looks could kill, I'd be the safest person in the room. Zero surprise in the lady's face, zero hesitation in her voice, zero eye contact breakage, “Great!” She clasps her hands together, “Are you familiar with the process at all, or would you like a run-down on the whole process and what this job entails?” she asks the question with a slight head tilt.

Scratching the back of my head as I force a smile, “If you'd be so kind as to explain it all. This is kinda my first time.” I give an awkward chuckle.

The graceful lady who knows only confidence reaches for some papers and brings them to me. “My name is Elise Homewood and I'll be your contact here at the guild, my name is here.” She uses her pen to point to one of the papers. “I'll be responsible for handling your affairs and guidance. Think of me as a one-stop shop for all your adventuring needs.” She gives me a slight smile, “What is your name?”

“Olivia de Fenenna ”

She writes the name down while whispering my name back to me, or well to herself. “Ok, Olivia, do you know how to read and write?”

I die a little inside. Do I really look that much like a common adventurer? “Yes, I can read and write. Won't be a teacher anytime soon, but I know more than enough to get around, at least so far.” I give an awkward laugh at my attempt to infuse humor into the situation.

Elise just smiles earnestly as she continues her go-to presentation. “Well, when in some uncommon occurrence where you need some help with reading or writing,” She looks at me with a smile, trying to sympathize with my poor humor, “I'll be here. I'll also be here to help guide you on things such as quests and affiliations.” Affiliation? Is it something special the guild does? She pauses for a moment before continuing, “As you know, there are many different types of magic here. While magic in and of itself is usually practiced occasionally by your average citizen, we usually ask adventurers to put in a bit more work on magic that can be useful in combat. We do have a few study materials in our library that are not allowed to leave here.”

Elise puts her finger up with a tiny wag, “So whenever you want to try studying the introduction books of a magic system I'll have to supervise you the entire time.” Elise leans in closer over the counter putting her open hand to the side of her mouth as she whispers, “some bad apples always gotta ruin it for the rest of us.” She smiles as she relaxes back to her original position, and I nod in understanding. Her attempt at putting me at ease does the opposite as the pupils of my eyes drop down to the floor. “Do you have any combat experience or magical experience?”

“Um, kinda, I don't know if you'd consider this experience, but I've had to wrestle some bulls and other farm animals. Even had to chase down a horse before. I give a slight laugh, “It was not fun…so I'm a bit scrappy, I guess you can say. I also learned some basic magic control for seeing in the dark. Outside of that, I do not know much else.” I bring my arms up as I cross them. A bit embarrassing to be honest, after all the work my parents spent trying to teach me more about magic.

“Perfect.” Elise writes it down. “That's better than most who come in here, believe it or not. It means you at least have the basics of mana control and mana capacity understood. It should be easy to pick up on some of the beginner magics.” Her smile beams with enthusiasm, “which brings me to my favorite part. What type of jobs do you plan to take on?”

I look at her. I feel like she should know damn well that most adventurers don't get to decide. It's a job that pays notoriously badly for most folks and relies on doing dangerous tasks with little reward. Most people do this because it's a job that's always looking to hire, not because it’s good. “I'll be taking any quest I can since I need money.” I state the truth as to the point as I can. My insides are burning in embarrassment, but I know full well that's just my imagination talking.

Elise looks a little disappointed; maybe she didn't think I'd be your typical adventurer after all. She adjusts her collar, “Have you joined a party or are you alone for now?” Ouch, way to go point out the obvious.

My fingers drift down and pinch my blouse, “Alone.”

“In that case, would you like my suggestion on what magic to start with in our collection?”

“Sure.”

“I would recommend looking into rune magic. I personally suggest it to many of my adventurers as it's universally good, just requires some preparation. But it'll be a good magic in all walks of life. You can even sell some runes rather than questing all the time.”

Resting my hand on my chin, giving the idea some thought, “Makes sense.” I nod along.

“I will put in the request for you then for the basic book of rune magic. However, it is a bit occupied at the moment. If I may suggest we continue on your sign-up process in the meantime.” Her smile returns just as before, confident, natural, cool.

“Alright. What's next?” I ask.

“Well, as you may or may not know, the guild is funded partly from third-party organizations, which use us as a way to help filter potential recruits into their organizations. Is there any organization that might interest you from this list?” Elise slides me a piece of paper.

I take a look over it, recognizing some of the banners before. Such as the witches' hat, The Witches of Notre Dame read next to it. A short description of the organization, “We are a grade A organization that specializes in the study and prosperity of magic across the continent. We are recruiting adventurers at this time to help with protection jobs, resource gathering, and lab assistants. You will receive full support in housing, food, and studies, but with the condition of accomplishing tasks given to you by your branch master. Refusal of tasks will result in immediate expulsion.” This sounds…good but also…controlling…like what type of “tasks” would they be giving me? Also, how much time would these tasks take up? Not to mention. I already have a place rented. I continue looking through the list of organizations, spotting a yellow spotted lizard banner that catches my eye. “We believe in getting the job done no matter what. Any quest, any job, we do it. We don’t give up. We are the Undying Lizards!!!” Yuck-

A sudden crash cuts my thoughts short. A man bursts through the guild’s doors, his body moving with urgency. He rushes towards a neighboring desk, and I overhear the snippet of his conversation as his sweat-soaked body leans close to the secretary, his blue jacket moving in and out as he speaks, “The armies of the North have fallen.” Armies of the north? Since when were we at war with another nation?

Elise gives a slight cough into her hand, bringing me back to my homework. Oh, here's that knight. “The Order of Thuringia: We are an exclusive holy order of knights that focuses on defending and supporting the lambs of Maridium. While we are on the smaller side of about 50 members, our quality and complexity match our unwavering faith.” Exclusive? Interesting. I look up from the list, “Can you tell me more about the Order of Thuringia?”

“Yes.” Elise silently counts on her fingers, “The organization is about 50 total members, maybe a little more, but only 8 members from our adventurer guild. It's a pretty exclusive organization, and most members who were able to join there were approached by the organization itself, except one, maybe two.” Elise pauses for a second, “I would say even those members struggled to get in. It’s not really an organization you join early on. A larger organization like Witches of Notre Dame is better suited for beginners.”

I take a moment in silence, thinking about the prospects. None of these organizations really catches my eye, and it’s not like I am planning on being an adventurer for long. Do I really need to join an organization?

“Do you have to join an organization to be an adventurer?” I ask.

“No. But it is highly recommended. The guild's resources are pretty limited, but you can always look to join an organization later on.” Elise's mood gets more sincere. “I highly recommend joining an organization. A lot of new adventurers struggle with joining a party and,” Elise looks down at the piece of paper, her eyes pondering as she speaks, “Being an adventurer has a high fatality rate. These organizations usually have experienced adventurers that train new members, which the guild can not offer.”

I take Elise's words to heart, but ultimately decide that I would like to join an organization later. “Can we finish the sign-up process?”

Elise goes back to her active self, “Of course. But I would like to ask for 5 copper pieces, please. To finish this registration, and since you do not plan to join an organization, the guild has a sign-up and filing fee.” I reach into my coin pouch, handing Elise the 5 copper. Even less money for food, huh? She takes the copper and places it into a drawer behind the desk. “Please follow me this way to the magic library.” She gestures for me to come behind the desk into a backroom.