Zool

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

The more Gildor thought about the proposition, the more MacKensie liked her chances. When he eventually spoke, it was to tell the frenchwoman that he could not part with Finsiraya. MacKensie immediately bowed her head graciously. "I understand," she said. "The other crossbow, however... surely it is not unreasonable to make the deal for this. I will still give you all the money I have, and not a copper less."

MacKensie counted out the remains of her funds in front of him to hopefully convey transparency. An experienced businessman like Gildor would probably be cold to such a show. It's not like she couldn't have just left some money behind at The Mended Drum. Still, she would endeavor to prove she was not up to any tricks. The two agreed a price, with Gildor kind enough to leave her some silver to get by.

"What's the name of your Adventurer party?" he asked and she answered clearly, giving her name and the name of James too. "I will go to the Adventurer's Guild, this evening, and if a contract can be made, it will be waiting for your leader to accept. After that is taken care of, come back to the shop and we will make the exchange."

"You do me a great service, sir," MacKensie told him, placing a hand on her heart. "I am forever grateful."

Gildor nodded as he brought out a pen and some paper from behind the counter to note down the details she'd given him. It was at this time that the little bell on the door sounded and MacKensie looked over her shoulder to see, "Zell."

"Oh, alright Mac..." She smiled as he approached, then watched the interchange between the two men with some amusement, covering her chuckle with her fingers when the focus was turned on her, by Zell, while Gildor strongly objected to the idea that he and Zell were friends. "You buyin something?"

"Um, not exactly," she told him, not sure if she should give details on the deal she'd made with Gildor. For one thing; it wasn't even a done deal yet - the guild may not allow this kind of thing. And secondly; Gildor might not appreciate her putting ideas in other customers heads that they could pester him to give them loans too. "I seem to be a little short on cash for the weapons upgrade I'm looking for, but there is hope yet that I might be able to work something out for the upcoming battle." Hopefully that explanation would suffice, at least until they were not in front of the blacksmith. "And yourself?"

When Zell gave the affirmative and turned his attention to Gildor, starting with declaring budgetary constraints, MacKensie could only smile. "I too have been irresponsible with my spending," she said. When Gildor went to fetch the buckler shield that Zell had requested, the two friends talked whilst they waited. "Yes, I believe my block are a good bunch. They vary in skill, but I cannot fault their heart or their work ethic." She crossed on foot over the other as she stood there, putting a hand on her hip. "The day has been long, though. A little overwhelming at first, but I think, by the end of the afternoon, I had a good grasp on what is expected of me. I have a man - Sergeant First Class - who I have made my right-hand. He has been a boon, today. Smart, experienced and helpful. With him, I think I will be fine. My duty, from tomorrow onwards, will be; to be a mouthpiece for his commands. His suggestions will be the orders I give. I am to lead the block because of my strength as a Crystal Bearer. This, I can do. But I would be wrong not to delegate control of our days leading up battle, to my more experienced Sergeants."

She wished she had more to offer, and perhaps she would find ways to be of more help in the coming days, but she was a simple Ranger. Leading by example on the battlefield was always going to be her strongest suit.

"How about you?" she asked before smiling as she assumed, "I'm sure you got along just fine, no?" Zell was a perfect fit to be an infantry commander - loud, brash and brave, and on top of that; a sharp mind for the tactical elements of combat. "My block is on the Right Flank," she also added, when appropriate. "And you?"

Once Zell's business was concluded... "All set?" ...MacKensie reiterated her gratitude for Gildor's help and bid him a good evening, so that she and Zell could take their conversation outside. "I'm eager to know what James and Adam have been up to." The doorbell jingled once more as the two left the shop. The darkening sky signalled evening. There was still a warm breeze, though. "I wouldn't expect them to be on the front lines, but I still have no idea how the magic-wielding forces will be deployed. The flexibility of James with his blessings and Adam with his plants, will be boundless. A keen strategist's dream, I imagine."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@SaiyanGet lost, you.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@xenonThat was mean. The dice gods frown on me :(

@ZapdosI'm an involuntary martyr, taking the bad luck upon myself to ensure the success of the group. That is my role, I guess. Saint Zool xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Please, I need to know the DC for the Finsiraya persuasion check! And the roll result too, please xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

"A loan?" Gildor repeated, to which, MacKensie nodded. "Do I look like a bank to you?"

After a long day, learning on the job to be a Captain, MacKensie had left the military centre and gone back to the Mended Drum. She'd changed out of her Ranger gear, took it to a tailor to be patched up, and was now back in the renowned shop of Gildor Hammerfist. As she had learned the day before; her lax spending habits had left her with not a lot of options, when it came to upgrading her weapon. Gildor had been nice enough to show her everything in the way of one-handed crossbows, from what she could afford, to what was possible. After considering her options, and with the mountainous task ahead, she'd come to the conclusion that 'a new option' was worth a try.

"It would literally be for the battle. All I can afford would be yours and I will return the weapon. You lose nothing in this agreement."

The weapons in question were extremely expensive. MacKensie didn't even have enough gold to purchase the cheaper of the two, let alone pay for the other. Two different types of crossbow - a one-handed crossbow based on the Heavy Repeater that was invented by Dark Elves long ago, but improved upon with new-age tech. The other; light enough to be held one-handed, once cocked, at least, but it could hardly be called a 'one-handed' crossbow. In fact, it could hardly pass as a 'crossbow' at all!

MacKensie would summon all she had in the art of persuasion to negotiate for both. First, she would try for the far more expensive weapon, then if that failed, haggle down to the cheaper, but still expensive, purchase.

The cheaper crossbow - which MacKensie would be able to afford if she earned another gold tier reward or borrowed some money from a friend. 60 gold pieces - something she would have been able to manage, had she been more conservative with her spending. It was a one-to-one upgrade on her current weapon - roughly the same size and weight, yet the enhanced cables and firing string made it more powerful. It also came with a thin magazine that was to be fitted along the length of the barrel, which was enchanted with a light version of the same kind of Source magic that made an Adventurer's inventory able to hold more space and weight than physically possible. What looked like it could hold an extra bolt - one could drop up to four bolts into mag and, once the crossbow had been initially cocked, the semi-automatic repeating action would make for quick and easy shooting.

It was a beautiful weapon and MacKensie wanted it quite badly. However, the other crossbow (if one could even call it that,) was truly something from another world. Priced at 8 Platinum chips, MacKensie would have to kill Aurok the Maneater twice over, on her own, to afford it and still require borrowing money from friends! She was under no illusions that Gildor would likely refuse to part with it, but desperate times caused for desperate measures. She had to try.

The other crossbow was a feat crafted with something approaching the limits of Gildor's famous talents. No expense spared, the finest materials, some of the rarest elemental stones, and a deluge of talent in engineering and enchantment that few could bring to bare. Named after a legendary Lightning Dragon from the Mythic Age, the blacksmith called the weapon...

Finsiraya

Finsiraya was a thirty-five inch long sniper's crossbow, which looked like some kind of magical assault rifle, until one held it with the intention of aiming, at which point the limbs, cables and firing string glowed into ethereal existence. It was much lighter than it looked, powerful enough to puncture most heavy armour, and added a lightning effect to any bolt fired, making it a viable match for any kind of enemy. There was no fancy Repeater-tech engineered into it - it was a regular bolt-action - with such power and range that it even had a sight-attachment.

"Absolutely not," Gildor said, shaking his head. "Even if I could trust you, what if you lose it?"

"I would guard it with my life," MacKensie retorted. "If it is lost, then it is likely that the battle is lost and you will be too dead to complain."

There was a moment of dead air as MacKensie held the blacksmith's gaze with a stubborn air and pursed lips. Gildor looked away first, shook his head again.

"Preposterous," was his eventual comment. "You would try to use the siege to lean on me."

MacKensie stepped forward and put her hands on the counter, insulted by the implication on her character. "I most certainly would not," she snapped back. Searching for the right words, she stalled before finding them. "I... I am simply being honest about the situation. I am not familiar with the laws of sale and purchase, here. I only wish to exhaust all possiblities, so that I might be in the best position to save this city." She hoped he understood, and tried to soften her tone, but there was still a residue of offence-taken in her voice. "I am not trying to gain an advantage over you. I am trying to gain an advantage over our enemy." Noticing that residue as she spoke, she stopped to take a breath and collect herself, then continued. "Whether you will do this for me or not, I intend to stand against the invaders and die before I let a single civilian come to harm. On this, there is no compromise. I just thought that maybe, some kind of contract might be a viability, seeing as I am an Adventurer, I might be bound by the Source Code or something..."

"A contract?" Gildor interrupted. "Through the Guild?"

"Hm?" MacKensie was thrown off her train of thought, which had nothing to do with actual Adventurer contracts but something more akin to criminal liability but... "Ummm, sure."

" 'Defend the walls of Valhiem,' " Gildor posited. "With the terms of the loan written into the contract. A special mission reserved for your party only to accept. With a zero-sum reward. I don't think it's ever been done, but... I don't see why it wouldn't be possible. Hmmmmm..."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

MacKensie stood and stared at her cohort, who were stood in salute, for what felt like far too long. While it didn't seem awkward to them, it certainly was for her. As her eyes scanned around, her attention caught the flag flying on the pole next to the regiment of one hundred - A white rabbit on a backdrop of navy blue. How fitting; the blue (her favourite colour,) the agility of the animal on the flag, (also the tendancy to be scared.)

So... we are the rabbits, she thought. Okay. Fine.

Coming from other blocks and other captains was talking, movement, general noises. But inside this vicinity was a sphere of deafening silence that engulfed The Rabbits. It was time to remedy this. She straightened her posture; squared shoulders, chin raised, then cleared her throat. "My name is MacKensie. MacKensie Trydant. Of Second Chance." There were a few murmurs of surprise. "How do you do?" she added politely before moving on, supressing the reflex to bob a quick curtsy. There was probably no room in the military for curtsies. "Please raise your hand if you hold any rank in the army." Four hands went up. "Come forward." Two men and two women emerged from the block. As they did, MacKensie observed them, one by one, holding each of their gazes for moment, guessing their ages, noting their disciplined body language but most of all, trying to project her own image of strength and fortitude. "Please state your names and ranks," she asked, nodding her head to the man on the very left of the four to start proceedings.

"Corporal Maviel Dima, Ma'am." Tiefling man. At a guess, he was young but it was really hard to tell.

"Gregory Grimes, Sergeant First Class, Ma'am." Human man. Couldn't have been older than thirty years.

"Punah Bruuzz, Corporal, Ma'am." Half Orc woman. Probably on the younger side.

"Jennah Aramayah. Staff Sergeant, Ma'am." Another human. Woman. Middle-aged. Valhiem seemed predominantly human, from her experience, so it made sense that there'd be more human representation in the ranks compared with the range of races in Mytheria.

"And the highest rank among you?"

"That would be me, Ma'am," Gregory said, taking a single step forward from the line.

"Thank you. Please," she gestured him to her side and he obliged, then she addressed the other three. "My experience is in battle but not in training. Can I trust you three to operate and oversee the continued development of our block for the rest of today, while I orient myself." She was met with affirmatives, with Staff Sergeant Aramayah taking initiative and command. "Very well. We will reconvene at the end of the day."

With them taking away The Rabbits for training, MacKensie was left with Sergeant Grimes, who was stood to attention until MacKensie gave him the "At ease," saying that she'd heard a few times in movies that featured soldiers or marines, or something of the sort. Honestly, her entire understanding of the military in Mytheria was currently based on fictional content from another world. It was hardly sufficient, but unfortunately all she had.

MacKensie took Grimes for a walk around the facility, asking him to summarize operations of The Military Centre and the garrison, inquiring for detail where she felt it was appropriate for her to know more. Grimes was more than helpful and seemed extremely knowledgeable, able to answer any and every question without any hesitation or doubt in his voice. She asked him about himself and, as she guessed, he was a distinguished soldier who had served as a squire in his youth, converted to soldier at the earliest available point and earned his promotions faster than average due to exceptional performance in the line of duty. She was glad to inform him that he would be her right-hand for the duration of her time as Captain.

Eventually, after a short stint observing The Rabbits in training, with Grimes explaining the discipline exercises her cohort were undertaking, MacKensie and her new right-hand left the Military Centre and went to the location on the city map where The Rabbits would converge when the alarm was raised for battle. There, they continued to talk and build a rapport.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Right Xenon, I swear I'll be writing tonight lol xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

I'll be posting tonight. I hope everyone's enjoying their weekend xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@xenonI stopped short of the GM update post, but I'll be sure to use the material you've given us, next round. So much to write with so little time, today. I need to start writing a little earlier in the week xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

"What I am trying to say is... sorry Mac, I fucked up and forgot to warn you"

MacKensie gave James a soft touch on the arm. Her smile was small and did not reach her eyes, but it was heartfelt. "I accept your apology, James. Please... do not punish yourself. Everybody makes mistakes." Even if she felt like holding a grudge - which she did not - there was an existential threat outside the walls of Valhiem. If they were to overcome that, then there was no room for rifts amongst them. "As far as I'm concerned, the matter is resolved."

They parted ways, MacKensie going to her room. On her way, she saw a maid and asked the woman if she would relay a request of some dinner to Frederick, downstairs, to have sent to her room. The R&R of the spa could still be felt all through her body and she enjoyed lounging on her bed while she waited for her food. For the first time since coming to Mytheria, she actually missed her cell phone. This would have been a nice moment to browse her socials. Nonetheless, she was content to stare at the wall and think things through, this time with a more optimistic and resilient spin.

...................................................................................................................

Oh no, she thought, after James informed the group of their duties. She'd forgotten to get her Ranger gear repaired and while it was no bother really to go out, in the morning, and do her stretching exercises in the torn clothing, she really would have rathered be presentable when reporting to military officers. But what could she do? Turn up in her fancy casual olive and black? Or funnier yet; her ditzy floral sundress!? (It was still a mystery as to what on earth had made her buy that one.)

She would have to wear her damaged Ranger gear. So, when Fenna went to get her spear and Zell, his weapons and armour, MacKensie went and got ready herself.

On the way through the city, MacKensie was content to walk in relative silence with her friends. Zell had seemed out of sorts, all morning and she was concerned for him. After hearing the bit of conversation between him and James, two days ago, it was clear that something was wrong. She wondered if it was related, but didn't want to pry.

"Makes sense that they'd spread us out as Captain's of soldiers, rather than let us fight as a party."

As Zell glanced sidelong at her, she looked back with curiosity, waiting for an elaboration. Then, once he explained, she understood. "That is true," she agreed as she remembered the extremely short encounter outside the temple with George and his ambush squad. Since their Ascension, they'd been fighting like superheroes. The power of their weapons, the resilience of their bodies... She just hoped that their were plenty of Source Crystal users in the city. Just the sample size of enemies they'd seen so far told her that their were would be plethora of different powerful types of creatures in the army of Saladin.

"We'll be more useful to the defence, this way. And I know that we have the ability to lead. Each of us can do this job. I believe in you both."

"We can do this," Fenna added.

MacKensie nodded to them both. "We can and we will." Because we must.

She was not so confident in herself to lead as she was in Zell and Fenna. Both of them projected such a strong image, she just knew that soldiers would rally around them. She would have to dig deep and try to do the same. This was now her duty, after all. And she started by giving Zell a little elbow upon entering the Military Centre.

"If something is bothering you, you'll only make it worse by overthinking;" His own advice for her, one time. Now she was giving it him back. Her gaze lingered on his for a moment and she gave him a cocky smirk (a smile of reassurance but in his own language.) Once they had an understanding, she turned her attention to the crowd of gathered adventurers and Vice Commander Jeremiah, who addressed them all a short time later.