Quest 1 - Bramble Bush Brute

Newvale Adventurers Guild

Citizenry Request: Rank B

Attention Adventurers of all Grades and all Trades,

An Alpha-Class Boar has been sighted in the southern woods outside of Newvale. We are requesting a few able-bodied adventurers to dispatch of the foul beast before it calls for its cohorts.

Be advised! It is the dry season, and it has been particularly so, please be mindful of any spells or weapons that could set the brush ablaze.

For successfully dispatching of the fell beast:

3 silver pieces per each member of the successful party, and 20 guild points.

-The Village of Newvale District and Zoning Committee

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The sun beat down that afternoon, the woods were quiet. An interloper had found its way in, and the native wildlife took effort to steer clear of its path.

A pink haired, human girl hid in the bush. She was a pale thing, with long hair neatly kept. She wore heavier armor than would most spellcasters. Iron gauntlets on her hands and matching greaves at her feet. It was expensive gear for a newbie adventurer, and likely all she had to her name. Her amber eyes fixated upon her prey, a large boar.

The boar was Alpha-Class, as the name would suggest, these are the leaders of a pack, and nasty besides. Its fur, more like spikes, and eyes filled with murderous intent. His ilk were likely waiting just beyond the forest's boundaries while the strongest surveyed the land. Each step a tremor.

The girl's staff weighed heavy in her hand, grip loose, she trembled with anticipation. Her thoughts raced; Would I stack up? Would I earn my keep?

A steady hand rested upon hers.

"Clover, hold." The stern, whispered command of her guild appointed mentor broke through the anxiety.

She was a Harekin, rabbit folk, with white hair, and stood taller than Clover by a foot, two if you count the ears. Her tan complexion framed her green eyes, which were ever analyzing her pupil's actions. She wore a short bow at her back, and leathers for armor, equipped more for mobility than protection.

"Right, sorry, Marcherie," said Clover.

"March," Marcherie replied.

"March."

"We haven't been noticed yet. Ready your staff. Don't lose sight. Remember, line of sight is necessary for casting."

"I got it."

"Good, now I want you to cast 'Bind'. We don't want it going anywhere."

Clover's eyes narrowed, and she breathed deeply. Her grip tightened, reassured. She brought her staff up before her, her eyes widened as a green magical glyph formed before the orb at the top of her staff.

"Bind," Clover uttered, not a grandiose command, but with intent. It didn't matter how loud you declare when you cast, rather your purpose that defined the spell.

As the words left her lips, the glyph vanished as if it was accepting her request.

Beneath the boar the glyph reappeared, then, from within vines erupted, latching onto the boar's legs, bringing it to the ground.

"It worked!" Clover's eyes lit up with excitement.

"It's not over yet."

"Right." Clover emerged from behind the rough where they were hiding. With a flourish, she brandished her staff again. She aimed at the boar… "Lightni—"

March slammed into Clover, knocking her over, and interrupting the spell.

"W-why?" Clover continued.

"This is a forest! What if you miss? Or the cast is too strong? The whole place could go up in flames! Keep it to water or ice spells."

"I'm sorry!"

The boar's bindings were beginning to loosen.

"We don't have much time. Clover get ready to cast." March got up, arrow in hand, and drew her bow. Her aim was dead on. "If you can't finish it, I've got you covered."

"Alright." Clover picks herself up and readies her staff. "This time with feeling I guess." She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, then opens. "Ice…"

A light blue glyph appeared this time and began to spin. As it spun, a shard of ice formed before it, and was aimed at the boar's head.

"Shard!"

The glyph widened and faded as the spell was cast, as if a shockwave released from the shard launching towards its target.

Then, impact. The shot landed, firmly into the boar's head. The beast fell to the ground.

"I… did it?" Clover fell to her knees. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.

"Close," said March.

Clover's eyes snapped back to the boar, it struggled to rise to its feet, but it still clung to life. It prepared to call its kin.

March's arrow whizzed past Clover's head in a flash. It found its mark deep in the boar's skull.

The beast toppled back over then a pause. Its body turns to black and collapses into ashes. Nothing left behind, but a purple gem.

Quest Completed!