The wind gusted softly through the trees here, but each gust gave those that traveled through it pause. Mingled among the towering trees were equally towering mushrooms. While they were not so deep in the territory that spore storms were known to happen, those who had heard the stories or seen the effects of those poisonous gales knew to be wary of the wind. Alex was not normally one to hesitate, but even she was watchful for such an event. Her bulky, heavy armor that concealed her entirely from the world, would be little good against toxic miasma. She did not have magic or alchemy herself to protect from such an event. Alex would have to rely on the supplies and countermeasures of others to help her if such a thing happened. It was risky, but despite her concerns the aspiring defender had seen and heard the message asking for aide and was compelled to help them. A small camp in the rocky region of Esuilus, comprised of mostly harvesters, scientists, and botanists, had a few wagons that needed protecting on their return trip to Astorea. It seemed that one of those feared spore storms had injured or killed a portion of their usual security, during an expedition deeper into the northern reaches, and they were in need of additional help to replace them. It was a chance to get out and see more of the world, as well as do good work protecting others. Exactly the kind of adventure Alex sought out. She had been excited to lay eyes on the open rocky plains, as well as the towering patches of mushrooms and trees. The temptation to venture further North than her goal was strong. The whole reason why this trip was necessary was the only think keeping her from giving in to that urge to explore. Instead she used the map the emissary from the camp had given her and followed it directly towards her destination. As she continued to head that direction, Alex also wondered what manner of other adventurers she would encounter so far from the relative safety of Astorea and Brisshal. Surely they would be the upper echelons of bravery and justice. Proud and clever warriors who ventured far for the cause of justice, just as she did, no doubt. “Are you lost. little knight?” the unexpected voice calling out caught Alex by surprise, but not nearly as much as when she looked up in time to see them jump down from the cap of the nearby mushroom. They landed in front of her in a billowing flurry of cape and rose to a full human height. “This is no place for children, and weak people. You should turn back.” The figure that spoke to Alex stood at least six feet tall. They wore a long flowing cape with a high collar, and red lining. Under that cape they wore a long flowing coat that also had a high popped collar, and red lining. Their outfit was a mixture of spikes and straps and unnecessary belts all over that reminded Ursula, of something she might have seen on an early morning cartoon. The figure wore black gloves, many silver necklaces, mostly featuring chains. In fact there were bits of chains in random places all over this person's attire. Their hair was also black, long, and flowing; but the thing that drew one''s eye the most was the mask he wore on his face. It was a white mask that concealed his entire face, and was covered in a bizarre pattern of black abstract jagged shapes. Through the eye-holes were two clearly visible eyes, one red and one purple. They way they stood they seemed to be slouching as if indifferent to.... something, even having one hand resting in a pocket. The other, however, was holding an overly large scythe, the blade of which seemed to be black and red rather than metallic silver. They were certainly.... distinctive. “Hail, friend.” Alex's voice echoed with a metallic quality inside her helmet that made her gender impossible to distinguish by voice alone. “Thank you for your concern but I am on a noble quest to aide a nearby camp on their travels.” “Feh!” the masked individual scoffed. “A pipsqueak like you wont last out here. I wont need your help.” with that he turned on his heel, coat and cape both billowing from the swiftness of his turn, and began to walk away in the same direction Alex intended to head. “You better not get in my way, or I'll cut you down too!” Watching them depart in bewilderment, Alex did not know what to say to... any of that. The strange person approached a mushroom, and with a gust of wind managed to leap up to the top of it again, where they began running and jumping from one mushroom cap to the next. Alex got the sinking feeling this trip was not going to be at all what she expected it to be. Eventually she crested another hill and saw the camp in the valley below. Wagons were still being loaded up by the members of the camp, and people were scattered all around. Some standing, some helping. Alex was unsure who she should be reporting to, if anyone, and so as she reached the bottom of the hill she looked around for someone that seemed like they might be in charge. @Corvella
An unusual shield-maiden with a winged shield on her back can be spotted moving a pile of boxes into the nearest wagon. Then she leaned on the back of it, shifting her visor to wipe the sweats from her face. Corvella was supposed to be one of the security details that escort the wagon into the heart of fungi-filled forest, guard around while the scientists get their samples, and get them out. It was a simple job on a paper, but apparently the mercenary leader did not anticipate what was coming for them. The fact that it was a doomshrooms assault combined with the spore storm that caught they in the open to the hazard. Noticing a well-armored individual coming down a rocky hill, Corvella looked and slowly made her way towards her. The knight stopped to look around the camp, giving Corvella the feel that they might be guard replacement. She walked up to @Alex Marquardt "Greetings. Are you the replacement wagon guard?" With heavy armors equipped and fully covered the knight, it was hard to determine whatever someone is supposed to be identified by. The knight was much shorter though, a Faerin maybe? Can't tell. After Alex reacted to Corvella's question, she introduced herself shortly after and filled in the situation "Name's Corvella, yours?" she extended her hand for a friendly shake "I'm in charge, well, supposed to be in charge of the remaining wagon guards." Corvella sighed before continuing "One researcher and the mercenary leader is dead, two guards injured. The rest of the researchers can't fight at all, of course." Slowly made their way into the tent in the middle of the camp, Corvella examined the other knight's equipment while they talk. Shield user, armor sets concentrated for total coverage just like her, very uncommon in Terrasphere.
Alex was relieved when someone approached her. Searching through crowds of gruff mercenaries sometimes resulted in repeatedly being called a child, and being told not to get underfoot. If this person was approaching her, they were more likely receptive to her explanation if they made the same mistake. Alex was even more delighted when, instead of mistaking her for a youth, the person that approached believed she was a guard instead. Alex nodded her helmet eagerly in agreement and straightened her posture to look more formal and official in her armor. The person appeared to be female. Unlike Alex, their heavy armor seemed more tailored to explain the figure underneath. Neither Alex, nor this woman's armor were practical in the real world, but in the game finding another fully armored warrior seemed to be a rare occurrence. The woman introduced herself as Corvella and extended her hand. “Alex Marquardt.” she answered as she reached up and shook their hand briskly. Alex listened intently as Corvella explained more the specifics of the situation at camp, and her place within it. While Corvella explained she quickly lead Alex towards one of the only remaining tents left in the camp. Alex noticed that the woman was eyeing her shield and armor, and in return she examined the other woman's visible equipment as well. Her armor looked sturdy, and allowed for a little more Agility than Alex's heaps of solid metal. Still she preferred her extra defense and stoutness for herself. The shield however, that shield was almost enough to make her jealous. It looked beautiful, and strong, and Alex wondered if the wielder of the shield was a similar case. “I can imagine how you must have your work cut out for you. Trying to manage the chaos. I think I met one of the other new arrivals on the way here. Some of our fellow adventurers seem... eccentric. Still every extra hand helps right?” Alex's resonating voice tried to deliver what seemed like a confident laugh. “Speaking of which, what would you like me to help with first? I may not be tall, but I have a strong back and a sturdy shield. You can count on me.” As soon as Alex said that, the tent they were in was suddenly removed from its stakes, as several eager scientists began folding up the canvas to pack in to another wagon.
Raising her eyebrow and the left tip of her lip, Corvella smiled "Eccentric, that's one way to put it. Never be too picky on this kind of situation, though. Might get us a friend or two." The tent was suddenly removed in the middle of conversation, but she acted as nothing happened. She pointed at a map rolled on a wooden table "You were given a map too, right? Ideally, we would go through this route..." she pretended to draw on the map with her finger, making a short line toward Astorea "—but wagons cannot go through there, and the scientists insisted to rotate through this area..." she continued to draw something that looked like an U-turn "—to collect the last sample before going straight to Astorea. You know how hard is it to reason with scientists" Corvella ended with a long sigh, but turned her frown into a chuckle shortly after. The rest of the scientists were done with the packing as their table is also moved away from them. Corvella walked towards a group of them, signalling them to tell the others be ready to move soon. She stopped and looked at the tall tops of the spores, eyeing them with Investigation Mode activated. No signs of further spore storms, but it might be her investigation senses that lack the means to capture such detail. "I will send the new arrivals, mainly agile ones to scout approximately fifty meters ahead. When they give any signal, stop all five wagons." She gestured Alex to follow her to the middle wagon, which is the third wagon. The sounds of their armor are echoing through the ground as they walk side by side. Upon examination, this wagon is filled with injured guards and scientists. There is also equipment and standard protocols should they encounter a spore storm. A sharp whistle was heard and soon after the line of wagons began to move forward through their planned routes. The recons spread out, one jumped to the heights of gigantic mushrooms and the others followed either up or on the ground. Corvella took the shield from her back, wielding the wings proudly on her right arm while keeping her sword sheathed on the back. She looked at Alex slowly, thinking that how reassuring it that there's still someone that devoted to protecting the others, burdening themselves with the heaviest equipment one can get and not getting any recognition at all for their efforts. "As there is not much guards left, we shall take the front." Then she looked at Alex while grinning, pointing to the foremost wagon. out that Alex were to oversee the whole line from foremost position and guard it with Corvella. "We do what we do best. We protect."
Alex listened to Corvella speak with rapt attention, noticing how formal and focused the woman was, even when the tent they stood in was disappearing all around them. Alex had to admit she was a little more distracted by that fact but did her best to continue paying attention. When the human woman asked about her map, she nodded in agreement and produced her own so she could follow along independently and form her own mental picture of the strategy being explained to her. Like Corvella, Alex was not thrilled at the idea of doubling back and meandering any longer than they needed to, so the scientists could collect extra samples. It would have been much easier to protect a small party on that venture rather than an entire convoy, but as a hired protector it was her job to play the hand she was dealt rather than trying to re-shuffle the deck. Alex was impressed by how deftly Corvella issued commands and instructions to the others and seemed to not be bothered by her responsibilities in the slightest. Alex could only hope to similarly bear the weight of duty so easily on her own. For now she was glad to be a participant who had an opportunity to watch someone more capable handle the burden. It was an opportunity to learn. The middle wagon contained more injured than Alex had expected to see. In fact the entire convoy was larger than she had expected to deal with. The number of guards they had standing, even with the additional help, did not seem like enough to give them proper coverage of every angle. Then again there could have been more strange individuals like the one she met on the way here, that went out of their way to not be seen. Just barely after she had time to be shown around a little, things were already on the move. They had not been messing around when the envoy had said it was urgent, and that they would be departing soon. Alex wondered if any more additional help might arrive late to an abandoned campsite and assume the worst. The convoy was not making an effort to hide their tracks so likely any stragglers would be able to show up and assist if they needed to. Something about the way Corvella brandished her shield felt innately... heroic. There was no other word for it. Alex admired her, already, and she barely knew her. The woman seemed reasonable, strong, honorable, and smart. All qualities easily determined simply by the fact that Corvella did not flounce around in armor that barely counted as armor, and wielded the weapons of a proper knight. Anyone in heavy armor bearing such a majestic shield had to be a sensible person. And the way she seemed to look at Alex made her feel a little more proud of herself in her heart as well. She tried to look just as noble as she drew her own round shield and carried it with pride. Alex had no sword to wield, but she felt she did not need one. She was a protector, and what her shield could not guard against, it could strike down. Corvella's smile was warm, and when she pointed to the front Alex was more than happy to obey as she stayed by her side. When Corvella stated that they would do what they did best, without even truly knowing Alex, she felt like she would work harder than she ever had, just to prove her right. “Indeed. As bearers of shields and wearers of armor, it is our duty to take the blows meant for others, and guard those who can not guard themselves.” Alex immediately blushed inside her helmet as she heard the words come out of her mouth. She felt ridiculous, like she had gotten swept up in a moment only she felt, and suddenly tried to put on a play and try to impress someone. She felt foolish and let out a nervous laugh. Trying to move away quickly from her embarrassment, Alex tried to push a conversation forward. “So, do you expect us to run in to much trouble? What should we expect to encounter? I have not traveled to Esuilus before, and have only heard about spore storms and the kinds of creatures that live here in rumors and stories.”
As they walked along with the wagons, little creatures can be seen running from the east. Some small lizard-monkey-like creatures hop from one gigantic mushroom to another, bringing few small fungi on their tail. One of the researcher on the foremost wagon reported "We were right to leave fast, the eastern region has been hit by a spore storm already." Corvella nodded, issuing them to move the wagons faster with hand gesture. The formation speed up along the forest, fortunately the road were friendly. Alex seem to be the type that appreciate small talks on the way. Corvella would like to chat a little, but in situation like this she'll better give Alex more information "I myself had only been in this region on two occasions. We've avoided a spore storm but since we're doubling back, there's a risk of encountering doomshrooms again." She elaborated more on this Doomshroom thingy "Stronger than average mooks, equipped with weapons, smart, and one strike might end an unarmored man." Her eyes shifted at the middle wagon behind them. Yeah, that's actually what happened with the merc leader and the rest of the guards, no joking about it. "There might be some your usual bandits once we exited the forest, but I'm certain they pose little to no threat to you whatsoever" she laughed. Few moments passed in silence as the sound of the wagon wheels occasionally creaking can be heard along the way, wind blowing through the gaps of tree-like mushroom forest. They should have arrived to collect the last sample in a few minutes, but there's no report from the scouts; not that it means something bad though. Still, Corvella feel uneasy about all this. Then a noise was heard; a scout can be seen running from the front. "Three armed doomshrooms spotted heading this way. Should we engage?" he asked. Corvella stopped for a while to think about the situation presented. The doomshrooms would be here any minutes now, no time to set any ambush or anything, except what they already have now. There's no way the scouts can handle three doomshrooms on their own. "Let them come to us. Set up an ambush with all the recon squad from the north when they spotted our wagon." Corvella's attention switched to Alex after the recon guy left the formation to alert the rest of the squad and had the wagons stopped. "Alex, you're up. I trust you to lead the guards and the recon team when the doomshrooms come to meet the wagons. In the meantime I would try to channel some illusion magic to help hide the wagons from them." After she placed her shield down, her hands began to move in such motion that one certainly notice that she's performing an incantation for a magic. Before fully concentrating, she jokingly commented "Make sure not to let some hot-headed people die." The recons were ready above. In the quiet, yet menacing ambience, finally few footsteps were clearly heard. Three two-metered mushroom people, complete with stone swords walking as if they were on a patrol.
