5.2 - Housekeeping

Haruka and Yumi have just finished their trainee guild registration and have become full fledge bronze adventures. Haruka has learned the healing spell basic as well as a basic light spell. Yumi has gained the range badge in archery. With them, they marked the 6 and 7th members of house Dreamweaver to receive the rank of bronze completing their training.

“Hey, Mackenzie, how are you” her eyes sparkling with anticipation with a bigger question soon to follow.

“Hi, Haruka, and Yumi, Congratulations on becoming full-fledged members of adventures guild. Your dedication and hard work have paid off.”

"Hey, Mackenzie, can we tag along on one of your quests?"

"Sure, Haruka. We would be glad to have you both join us. It's always great to see new faces eager to learn and grow. It's been boring doing the same quest, changing to mix it up will be fun!”

Today was a special day for Yumi and Haruka, as they would embark on their first quest. Early they wanted to do a quest but were hesitant to do it alone. The team had grown in strength and numbers, and they were more than ready to showcase their skills to the world. With Kendra, the vanguard, Yumi, the skilled archer, Silica and I, the formidable mages, and Haruka, the devoted healer and support, our party was well-rounded and prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.

“Hello Nana, any news?”

“Hi Silica, yes actually a request just came in earlier that a wolf pack has been spotted attacking a cattle ranch. Would you be interested in investigating”?

“Wolves? Are they big and scary” hesitated Haruka

“Yes, they can be quite big and come in packs bigger than 6, they usually don’t attack humans or cattle.”

“It might be challenging to locate a pack of wolves within a 14-hour timeframe. Should we consider a different quest?”

Nana pondered for a moment before responding. "You raise a valid point, Kendra. However, I suggest you at least investigate the area and gather information. If necessary, you can report back, and we'll assign another group to handle the situation."

Silica added, her voice filled with excitement, "We could also take the opportunity to deal with any goblins we might encounter during our investigation. It's always good to eliminate multiple threats with a single quest."

Nana nodded approvingly. "Very well, I will put you five down for an investigation. Remember, gathering information is just as valuable as completing the quest itself. Stay vigilant and be prepared for any surprises.”

With the mission set, the party made their way to the cattle ranch, where they met with the farmer to gather information about the wolf attacks. Silica's charm spell proved effective in extracting crucial details from the farmer, revealing that the farm had lost two cattle in the last three days. It was an unusual occurrence, as wolves rarely ventured into human territory unless driven by desperation. With Yumi being a hunter, we found some tracks quickly.

Yumi, using her keen hunting skills, discovered tracks that resembled those of wolves. "I think these are wolf tracks, but I can't be certain. Fluffykins' parents had similar-sized prints, but it's hard to say for sure," Yumi pointed out, her eyes scanning the ground.

Following the tracks, the party ventured deeper into the wilderness, their anticipation growing with each step. The tracks led them to a small dugout cave, and Silica exclaimed, "Black wolves! I've fought them before, and they're not overly strong. Just be careful to avoid their bites."

Well, dah. Why would you let them bite you? As we studied the area, seems like there is 5 total. They seem to be sleeping but are twisting and turning as they slept. They haven’t noticed us yet.

we observed the sleeping wolves, we outlined a plan and strategized an attack. Silica took charge, outlining a plan of action. "On my signal, Mackenzie and I will unleash fireballs at two of the wolves. Yumi, you shoot an arrow at the closest sleeping wolf. Kendra, be ready to intercept if they charge. Haruka, blind the first wolf that charges us, but be careful not to blind Kendra." “Got it” Yumi and Haruka both agreed. Silica is a fast thinker and had good strategies and she had top tier leadership skills.

The party members nodded in understanding, ready to execute the plan. "On three. One... two... three!"

Silica and I began casting are fireball spells, Yumi released an arrow, striking the nearest wolf in the side. The air was filled with the sounds of thuds, yelps of pain, and the crackling of fireballs hitting their targets. The wolves were awake! Their attention now fixed on the intruders.

“They are awake now and mad!” called back Kendra.

Amidst the chaos, Yumi managed to hit one of the wolves in the side, causing it to run into the cave in pain. The remaining two wolves stood guard, their eyes filled with aggression and rage.

"Yumi, shoot another arrow!" I called out. As Yumi fired another arrow but missed, Silica unleashed another fireball, striking one of the wolves. The injured creature let out a crying yelp, collapsing to the ground. However, the commotion had awakened something far more formidable.

Whooo! A loud, echoing roar reverberated through the cave as a massive, two-headed black wolf emerged. Its presence was unlike anything they had encountered before. Towering above the other wolves, it exuded an aura of power and danger.

Silica gasped; her voice tinged with awe. "What is it? A Cerberus?"

Kendra shook her head, her voice filled with uncertainty. "No, it doesn't quite match the description of a Cerberus in mythical terms. A Cerberus has three heads. It could be an Orthrus with two heads, it’s possible that this is a mutation or an entirely different creature."

Undeterred by the uncertainty, the party braced themselves for the ultimate challenge. They unleashed their combined firepower, casting spells and launching attacks at the ferocious beast. But the two-headed wolf proved to be incredibly fast, effortlessly evading their attacks with its agile movements as predicting us.

Kendra, the stalwart vanguard, engaged the creature head-on, blocking its advances and defending her comrades.

“Silica I called out. I will take care of the last of the smaller wolves, you and Kendra focus on that thing! “Yumi you focus on the one with the arrow in its side that ran in the cave!”

“Fireball!”

Bang! Hit the side of the cave as it crumbles a little.

Fireball! Fireball! Dam this one fast!

I have to wait till it moves and aim for where it wants to move. I held my cast. There! As it Lungedtoward me for a biting motion. Fireball! As it is only 5 feet in front of me. Bang! A direct hit! The key to hunting was to wait for the beast to spring its attack on you. Their defense goes down when they do an all out attack.

I look over toward Yumi and the wolf is ten feet away and ready to pounce on her. I pull my sword as there was no time to cast. It jumped directly at Yumi; I jump into missing my sword swing. I more or less just tackled the beast. The beast is the same size as me. The wolf was injured and had more muscle than me. I was not going to this fight off raw strength alone. I need to do something, as held its neck away from bite my face. Droll and foam raging from its mouth. Dripping onto my face.

A sharp whin right in my ear as Yumi pelted another arrow into its side. As it jolts up. I lifted my sword towards my body as the wolf jumped up in shock and landed right on the blade. With its body weight, the sword goes right through. It's body weight fully collapse on top of me.

As the best with two heads draws closer to Kendra, it takes a wide bite motion that Kendra dodges. Another bite from the other head snaps as Kendra stumbles.

“Two heads double the bite trouble,” Kendra said

Haruka stepped forward, casting a blinding light spell, targeting one of the heads. The blinded wolf recoiled, giving the party a brief respite. Silica encouraged Haruka, "Great job, Haruka! Keep shining that light.”

“Haruka shine a light on its right head, it seems that head controls its body and movements!” Kendra pointed out.The wolf is blinded no longer to see. Bang! A fireball strikes its side. Kendra moves in dodges the first head bite and stabs its sword into the chest of the two head wolf. Ting! As the sword goes in. Bang! As the wolf falls onto the ground.

“Kenzie!” as I’m underneath a raging wolf. Stab!

“You ok Kenzie?”

“Just a few scathes, I will be fine” The wolf got me a few times with its claws as it was on top of me.

“Here let me heal those.” As Haruka ran over.

“Thanks, Haruka” as she heals my wounds.

“Are these worth anything” questioned Yumi.

“I heard that talons and fangs are used in potions” committed Silica.

As the battle ended, we gathered a bag of nails and fangs to take back to the guild. We ended up taking our horses and riding them back into town.

“Hey Mackenzie, want to ride on my horseback with me so you can let Haruko or Yumi ride yours? Teased silica

“ no no, I’ll be fine with my horse”

As Haruka and Yumi jumped on the horse behind Silica and Kendra back to town. We got back to town rather quickly and told Nana about the two headed black wolf.

“A two headed wolf! I don’t think it was a Orthurs, they are found in other countries. And they are usually white and red.”

Without confirmation on what it was we handed is bag of nails and fangs and received 50 Silver and 5 silver for the quest. Quite a big hall for 1 day’s quest. We split the reward evenly. 11 silver each. Yumi and Haruka was happy. For a treat, we celebrated with a glass of Tropical fruit drink at Jarvan’s!