Private - Taking The Purple: Witch Ops Initiation Trial 2 | Page 5

Rias watched the situation escalate in front of her and took notice of all the remarks and ideas each had, @Kepler was smart enough to give everyone their role which at this situation seemed to be useful since they were many members however none knew what position they would take when the monster attacks. Of course simple strikes might be effective but neither knew what type of enemy they would meet and what would be it's attacks. Thinking about it a little bit more she was almost sure that Majolica planned something...mysterious.
"I don't think the Witch Ops care about wether we die or not and how that will affect their reputation, they are loyal to themselves...As players we respawn after our death so that won't be effected by the npcs which the team fights to protect. The only idea it might give is that the challenges are hard and to become a part of the Witch Ops you need to have courage, bravery and skill...everyone love a challenge at an MMORPG game and at the end we all want to be acknowledged, be the choose one...so if there is any type of impression it would give...then it would be of this kind." The archer spoke up looking at @Madison Freebird who was the other one of the few people to give an idea about how they should fight. After her speech she turned towards Kepler and smoked with a nod "As for the scouting and flank guard, I'll be your eyes and...I am good with maps and orientation so unless anyone else wants to get a hold of that I can lead you ahead." She added taking another look at the map and the forest in front of them.

Rias was very positive about reading the map and leading everyone where they needed to go because of her masteries. She can keep track of their road and check if they walked by a place twice..."Hmm..." placing a hand on her chin she looked at the trees and despite getting too paranoid she decided to give them an advice. "I think we should mark the places we go to. And if possible then with magic...I always expect the worse so if this forest is having a spell laid on it to cover our tracks I would want to avoid it from the start before it's too late to realise it." Fixing the items she was handed by the Witch she moved them in her backpack and was basically really to move on whilst the maiden kept quiet inside the spot she had in the pocket as well.

 

A smile appeared on the edge of Corvella's lips as Majolica mentioned that there might be something between her and her fellow illusionist, Bound Prince. "Yeah, about that." She chuckled, her face looked like she's holding back a laugh. "I omitted some information on the previous mission report. It's one hell of a story, though. I'll tell you later, when we have time to chat."

She frowned in confusion when Majolica mentioned heavy armor, her decision to wear one specifically. "Ah, yes. As long as the armor doesn't hinder the spellcasting. It wouldn't be easy to wear one, though." Her hand reached to scratch the back of her head. "For mine, sadly they're broken beyond repair. But I ordered a new set, claimed to be exponentially more durable than my older one! It's composed of proto-blacksteel and organic material. I'll see for the design myself, hehehe." Corvella chuckled in excitement.

"Oh, I need to say good luck to the rest of the recruits." As Majolica went to go with the with the witch frogs, Corvella walked towards the group of people that apparently are building some kind of tactics. Looks like the challenge is harder than the first Witch Ops trial. "Hey, everyone. I'm looking forward for you all to pass the test and come back for a celebration. I'm sure with your powers and teamwork, you can easily overcome this challenge. Good luck!"

Then she went into Majolica's cottage to rest, as walking all the way to the city is tiring and expensive.

 

Witch Ops Trial Part 5.1: The Beginning of the End

Hidden: Interview Thread Rules and Notes

• Current Witch Ops members cannot post until after the final trial (part 6).
• Posts should remain between 100-600 words.
• Please do not post directly after yourself.
• One post in maximum in this section.
• Updates will come more quickly now so please attempt to respond ASAP.
• Initiates that take too long will be skipped which may or may not come with consequences.

After discussing possible tactics, formations, and theoretical philosophy behind this portion of the trial, the team was ready to set out. Unfortunately, no one had grabbed any of the items as of yet and time was ticking.

Rolling his eyes, one of the Witch Frogs started handing out gear. Since @Rias seemed confident in her navigational abilities, the frog handed her the map and the compass. Next, he took the rope and with a groan threw it on the ground in front of @Madison Freebird (if you're wondering what a frog groan sounds like, trying groaning out loud but deeper than usual. Did you do it? Good, because a frog groan sounds a lot like you being a dummy. Hehehe...).

There was no obvious reason for the Witch Frog to throw the rope on the ground in front of Madison except that maybe he didn't like her? Who knows? Mad disrespectful though. Next, the Witch Frog handed out lanterns and canteens to everyone including Madison, though he shook as head as he did.

Other items were also handed out to various members. The items given out may or may not have been through random choice, but they all seemed as though they could be useful in a certain situation.

To @Kepler the Witch Frog handed a small and ordinary looking utility knife. If tested, one would find that the knife blade is quite sharp. The handle is made of simple, comfortable wood with a minimalist frog design carved into the side. All-in-all, the knife seemed to be a quality piece.

To @Luna Avalbane the frog handed a red handkerchief that was long enough to be used as a bandanna. If inspected, the bandanna appears to be made of soft cotton. The handkerchief, like the knife, is well made but displays no magical or extraordinary traits. Maybe this would change if the enemy drew first blood?

To @Hanno Futaba the frog gave a toy horn. The horn seems to be made out of a plastic-like material and is bright neon green. If blown, the horn gives a very toyish, but very loud "tooot!" sound. Honestly, it's kind of embarrassing but who knows, maybe it will come in handy? For convenience's sake, the horn also had a loop with a string allowing it to be warn around the neck (very stylish).

To @Sean Poteitoku the frog handed an unlit torch. As he did, the frog nodded and winked. Why he did this was uncertain, but he didn't hand over anything to light it with either. The torch was made of wood, though the part you assume would be lit had some metal built around it as if to cage the fire that would be there if the torch was lit, but it wasn't lit. It could probably be used as a club as well if you're into that kind of thing?

If @Rias examined the map she would find it extremely detailed and easy to read. In fact, it could probably be surmised that whomever had written this map was probably a master cartographer. Following the map and leading everyone would be easy. On the map, there was a large "X" right next to an excellent drawing of a cave. From this, it could be surmised that whatever they were going to fight used this cave as their den.

Though the map seemed relatively straightforward, the compass was a different story. If inspected, someone good at tracking would quickly realize that the compass did not point north. Not only did it not point north, but it also didn't point towards the cottage, as that would be really cliché and easy. Instead, the compass currently pointed north east. Cross-checking the map with the compass would show that the compass also was not leading towards the direction of the cave. In fact, it was leading the opposite way, which again was currently north east of everyone's position. Where did it lead? Who knows? But the boar would probably need to be dealt with first anyway, I mean, that is what Majolica said (*wink *wink).

Finally, If @Madison Freebird decided to pick up the rope from the ground, she would find that it feels like rough, well-made, sturdy rope. She would also be able to tell that the rope was of a good length, and would make for an effective utility item. The real question now was, what she pick up the rope? Or would she leave it behind on the ground and do that scowl thing I often imagine her doing?

Now that everyone had their gear, the Witch Frog shoo'd them out of the cottage clearing and on to the path into the forest. As the team entered the forest, the last light of the setting sun illuminated the forest in gentle golds as shadows began to stretch out as if reaching to greet the approaching night. The forest smelled sweetly of flowers and herbs. Fire flies began to prance about letting out a gentle glow.

With night approaching, the team was now on their own. They had their mission. They had their supplies. Now all that was left was to find the enemy and vanquish it.



@Luna Avalbane @Kepler @Madison Freebird @Sean Poteitoku @Hanno Futaba @Rias

 

Rias took the map handed by the frog gently, her fingers slide against the scroll like material before she would reveal the map to herself and everyone that would want to take a look. Surprised, her eyes widened cause of the beautiful art and details drawn on the map, it was very clear where they had to go and of course easy to find their way into the × sign where was located a cave. There must have been their target according to the Witches words. "It looks like we won't have troubles finding our way to the cave..." she muttered taking the compass out to check the direction. "Hmm...I think this might be broken." she would shake it a few times in attempt to fix it however not trying too hard since it wasn't that big of a deal when the map was basically all they needed.

"Are we all ready?-...I should say that the compass is not showing at the direction of the cave. Majolica said it will help navigate to the place on the map but...this is not going to help." Rias thought it was good to let everyone know about this information in case they weren't that good at reading compares as she placed it back inside her pocket and stood quietly awaiting for what everyone had to say, she would go with any idea as long as they decided to cooperate. If one thing she understood from the witches words and what she's trying to accomplish is that they should all work as a team, their choices have to be made together even if they are wrong because then they can all help each other stand their grown and move on continuing from their checkpoint.

@Luna Avalbane @Kepler @Madison Freebird @Sean Poteitoku @Hanno Futaba

 

Madison's scowl only deepened as the little anthropomorphic pile of warts and disapproval chucked a coiled rope at her feet, before doing its best Tina Belcher impersonation and hopping away. The witch only stared at it while everyone else got handed more useful tools, like a map and a torch and a knife (which was ultimately pointless; Terrasphere being a VRMMO and all, everyone present was packing some sort of sharpened steel... probably. Junk-tier equipment and all).

She nudged it with the tip of her boot, partially expecting it to spring to life as a Lisa Frank cobra and bite her in the shin. Satisfied and partially relieved that wasn't going to be the case, Maddy bent over and picked it up.

If her face could twist in any more disgust, it was going to stick like that. Madison turned to @Luna Avalbane, holding the rope like it were someone else's sick child. "Yeah, sure, let's give the women that can pop vines out of the earth a friggin' rope."

Madison rolled her eyes and stuffed the coil in her inventory. "Or maybe Majolica wants me to hang myself."

It was probably the latter.

The dark druid watched the others mill about, fawning over their tools for the task and talking to one another. Each of them left Madison alone. Fine by her--she was better off not dealing with their sickening saccharine politeness and support for one another. The woman could hold her own against anything the Grand Witch would throw her way. She'd keep an eye out for Luna, of course; and if the going got a little too tough for either one of them, Maddy would steal away the white-haired arcanist.

Overhead, the sun began to set. Shadows danced across the forest, covering everything in a thick blanket of darkness. Madison peeked at the map, noting the path leading to the giant X that marked their destination and the sort of scale marker telling them how far they had to travel. It was going to become completely dark by the time they got anywhere. And that wouldn't do at all.

Kneeling down, Madison produced a playing card and pressed it to the soft grass. It began to hum with cerulean energy, which dissipated in waves. Soon, stalks of fungi began to sprout around her, growing taller and thicker with each passing second. As the energy in the card ebbed away, the mushrooms began to glow with a cool sky blue light that softly illuminated the forest around them.

Madison put the spent card back into the deck and snatched up two mushrooms. "Hey, everyone," she called out to the Witch Ops hopefuls. "It's getting pretty dark out. Here, take one of these. The spores are bioluminescent, so they'll light the path for us without threatening to burn down the forest."

Whether or not they did; well, that was on them. She tried being a team player. It was now on everyone else to be a player with her. Turning to Luna, the witch extended her hand, offering the arcanist one of the mushrooms with a small but friendly nod.

 

After the argument was settled, the Faerin just stared at the Frog handing him a toy horn. Hanno inspected it momentarily, putting it on his mouth and blowing softly, making it let out a quiet and funny 'tooot!'.

'Oh? Neat, this will be useful.' He chuckled and looked at it, wearing the horn around his neck. After giving small check, he turned to @Rias to give a thumb up. "I'm ready! Just warn me if I'm going at the wrong direction and we will be fine, since you will be much better at finding our way than me!" The Faerin gave a nod and looked at everyone else that was getting prepared as he tried to understand the map and... It didn't look hard or complex at all, in fact it was pretty direct and intuitive.

Hanno blinked and smiled. "Well, this shouldn't be hard." Then he looked up, seeing that things were going to get darker. Peharps he would need to call Kibou? But the mini-pet couldn't illuminate well enough to keep things safe for everyone. The Faerin frowned and crossed his arms, trying to think on something before looking at Sean. The boy had a torch... And he had fire magic. 'I don't think this should be for me, but I think I will need to ask him to lend this to me.'

But before the Faerin could ask to Sean, the witch summoned a few glowing mushrooms.

He blinked. The woman was actually helping out, making Hanno feel happy that she was willing to work with the group. "Oh, nice!-" The Faerin stepped closer to the mushrooms and gently pulled one of them. 'She even had the worry to care about the forest, huh? This person couldn't be bad, could she?'

Hanno smiled at @Madison Freebird. "-Thank you! This will be very useful!" He said while attatching the mushroom on the string of the toyish horn, so he could have his hands free.

Without the worry of being in the plain dark, the Faerin gave a step forward, turning back to look at @Kepler, @Sean Poteitoku and @Luna Avalbane. "Time to kick a monster's butt! Kepler, make sure to give us a nice cover!" Hanno grinned, waiting for his comrades to follow.

 

As all the equipment was handed out, Sean was handed an unlit torch. There was nothing to light it with, but he didn't need it. "Uh, thanks, I guess?" He gave a confused grin before deciding to go chat with the others.

Sean walked over to where the others were before the one with the shield talked. "Oh, yeah!" He took out his sword and put his torch where the sword is usually sheathed. "I don't need the torch. I got fire magic." He reached into a pocket with his free hand and took out a small ruby ring. Sliding it on, it shone and a small ball of fire appeared, hovering over his shoulder. "This should be helpful for lighting our way without burning everything down. I can send it forwards if need be." He demonstrated by having the fire ball zip ahead and back. "And before you say anything about me not using the ring earlier... I wanted to make it more dramatic."

 

"Sure thing Hanno~ just, ya know~ watch your step, okay~? I'm getting the feeling that this all won't be as straightforward as we think..." @Hanno Futaba

Glancing at @Rias, Kepler nodded, as she continued:

"...I mean, your compass acting haywire could mean that we're under the effect of another illusion or some kind of magnetic interference... or something... Or maybe the monster has access to some kind of magic maybe~? Ahaha~ that'd be the worst... I mean, since we are apparently hunting some kind of aberration..."

Graciously taking one of the glowing mushrooms, Kepler used it to study her knife. Opening and closing it several times, Kepler noted that it was of fine craftsmanship. A useful tool, though its purpose was yet undecided, Kepler decided that it would be wise to keep it close. Nodding to herself, Kepler put it on her belt where she could quickly access it if needed. Then, since she hadn't had a chance to address @Madison Freebird, Kepler took the opportunity before they set out:

"Thanks for the mushroom, it's pretty super interesting. Convenient too~ I'd love to ask you about that sort of magic, but I guess we're busy, huh~ Oh well, maybe next time~?"

Kepler smiled.

"Either way, I'm awaiting your orders Captain~ So take good care of me, okay~? I know you have your own opinion of our potential future Commander's character... but even so, I'm kinda finding it hard to share your level of faith in her....restraint... might be the word for it, maybe~?"

Voicing that small concern, Kepler gave Madison a little salute and turned and peered out against the growing darkness. Kepler had a feeling that it was going to be a long night.

 

Well, now that all was said and done and equipment was being handed out, it looked like the time for action was about to be upon them. Luna blinked, accepting the strange cloth with an awkward smile and a nod of appreciation to the Witch Frog, wondering what exactly she was supposed to do with it. It was admittedly a nice cloth, but it didn't really feel like it served any kind of purpose.

She hummed, wrapping it around her right wrist for now, trying it off tightly enough that it wouldn't come undone, but she made sure that she was careful enough to not cut off the circulation to her hand.

That was when @Madison Freebird approached her with a rope in hand, saying something that was maybe a pretty dark joke? Luna wasn't sure if it was a joke or not, but Majolica didn't seem like the type to want people to hang themselves, at the very least. Though maybe Madison and Majolica didn't really get along? But in that case, why was she even here then? Could the witch really stand to work beneath Majolica?

Still, she accepted the mushroom with a wordless nod of appreciation, settling into march with the others as they took up formation. She was only slightly eager to see what the next stage would be. And to actually prove her worth.

 

Witch Ops Trial Part 5.2: Hold On To Your Butts

Hidden: Interview Thread Rules and Notes

• Current Witch Ops members cannot post until after the final trial (part 6).
• Posts should remain between 100-600 words.
• Please do not post directly after yourself.
• Two posts maximum in this section.
• Updates will come more quickly now so please attempt to respond ASAP.
• Initiates that take too long will be skipped which may or may not come with consequences.

Thanks to Rias' tracking and map reading abilities, the group progressed smoothly through dense forest to the location marked on the map. Thanks to the map and Rias' tracking, the party avoided several traps. One was a log trap using a trip wire. Another was a field of several pit traps... grasses and weak tree limbs had been placed over deep pits with sharpened sticks planted at the bottom. At first, the adventurer's may have thought that these were a part of the trial. But logically thinking, if they were a part of the trial why were they given a map avoiding the traps? One of the more logical adventures may have surmised that these traps weren't actually meant for them at all, but for whatever it was they were hunting. From the sheer amount and variety of traps, it was obvious that whatever these traps were meant to catch was ferocious indeed.

Finally, the group reached the area marked on the map. Upon arriving, the group would get a clear view of the area. The cave itself was formed from the side of a small hill in the forest. Tall trees surrounded the area along with large rocks partially covered grass and foliage. Sunlight scattered down through the trees illuminating the area in shady green. Other than the standard chirping of birds and scampering of small forest creatures, there was no "bestial" sound or anything other indicator of an enemy anywhere. Regardless, this was definitely the place and Rias' directions had led them to the exact area on the map.

Now the group had some options. From their current vantage point, which was to the side of the cave, they couldn't actually see how deep the cave was or if there was anything within. A braver member could lead the way into cave with the other members at his back ready to attack. Alternatively, a sneakier member could scout the cave while the others made preparations, such as a trap, to catch the enemy. They could also forgo subtlety and simply try and bombard the cave firing into the entrance with whatever magics they had to see if anything would come out.

Of course, each member still had their item given to them by the witch frog, so those could also be tested if they desired. What would they do?


@Kepler @Sean Poteitoku @Luna Avalbane @Madison Freebird @Hanno Futaba @Rias

 

Carrying the glowing mushroom, the Faerin frowned at every single trap he needed to avoid and stop. Being the frontline was a little problematic, because if they fell for a trap, the first one to be affected would be Hanno, so he had to walk carefully on the forest.

'Whatever that we are going to hunt now, it sure doesn't have a good time living here...' Hanno frowned, dodging another trap that the girl scout warned about.

Passing around a final trap, the Faerin sighed in relief as they finally got to be in front of the cave. Looking at @Rias, Hanno gave a thumb up. "Thanks for covering me, if it wasn't for you I would have fell for five traps at this point." Then he turned to see the cave, trying to have a small glimpse of what was inside there. But whatever that was inside there it couldn't be seen, because it was too dark and too deep.

Wielding his Gargantuan Shield, he pondered a bit. "We need to see if it's completely safe to enter first." Hanno said, before looking at @Luna Avalbane. "Uhm, since you can turn into a feline hybrid... Sorry if this sounds wrong. Anyway, do you have night vision or something? This way we can have an idea of what is in there. Otherwise we can think on something else."

The Faerin looked at the cave again. "At the worst case, I will just have to get in there on blind to give a 'facecheck'. Since it's a cave, it have a limited space between the walls, so it shouldn't be hard to deflect any surprise attack. Specially with my shield, that is big enough to block almost half of the cave's hole."

'At least protecting everyone from getting hit will be fairly easy if the cave keep being narrow enough.' Hanno considered his options. He wasn't the best person of the world to make up strategies, but at least he could give his opnion.