EVENT #3: VORRUN WELCOMES YOU

[diceofthegods]

A CALL FOR AID

Charlie comes on the network with a grim expression. Some papers are held in one hand and Dimitri stands like a statue behind him.

"I have received an urgent request from our neighbors to the east, Vorrun. Their council has heard of your good work for the local communities and has requested assistance with a sudden influx of aggression in the local wildlife and a disturbing trend of monster attacks. Vorrun has suffered losses in the past and the current population is struggling to keep these assailants at bay.

They have requested our help in not only fending off the attacks, but figuring out the source of the issue.

We will secure transport to Vorrun via a small wagon caravan.

This is wholly optional and you may stay in Town if you like! Or, you can visit Vorrun as a tourist during this time. I just ask that you are polite and sensitive to our hosts. We will be leaving tomorrow at eight AM. Dimitri will remain in Town for those who do not wish to attend."

To do what, exactly? Well... Now might be as good a time as any to begin testing your skills as a newfound dragon.

To those that will be traveling to Vorrun though, Charlie ends with: "Thank you, we hope to see you bright and early!"

HAPPY HELPERS

Vorrun is a city-state located in a steep valley nestled between two mountain ranges. As such, it is blessed with a verdant landscape and plenty of rain. The mornings often come covered in mist that lifts throughout the day but adds an ethereal quality to the locale.

The people of Vorrun tend to be largely Beastmen due to this being a sanctuary for them. Very few children of men live in the city, but there are some here and there who have earned the local's trust and respect. The architecture is reminiscent of what some offworlders recognize feudal Japan.

All around, the locals go about their business as usual. There is an undercurrent of anxiety due to the recent attacks yet most appear to be doing the best they can to remain optimistic. They are also wary of newcomers given the rather isolated nature of the place. Once you engage with the people though, they are overall polite and friendly.

While offworlders learn for more information on how they'll be helping as Charlie and Nobu meet initially, there are a handful of things to do around the city-state.

⁂ Hot Springs - Vorrun has natural geothermal pools that anyone is free to use. There is a venue that is co-ed, but also one separated by sex for people's comfort. Choose whatever suits you or you're most comfortable with! For those bonded with dragon souls though, they'll find that the physical draconic features of their half-shapes may be more pronounced in the warm waters.

⁂ Community Service - If you're Ardyn Izunia, this is mandatory. For everyone else or the non-combatants among the population, the people of Vorrun need help similarly to how those in Town might. Running errands isn't the most glamorous thing in the world but it will help endear the local populace.

⁂ Enjoy The Local Plum Wine - If you help out around the city-state, then you might also be offered some of the local delicacy: plum wine! This drink provides an increase in luck. This will be subtle, but offer you an advantage in nearly everything you do for up to eight (8) hours after consuming it.

⁂ Hide & Seek - One of the favorite people in Vorrun is a lovely tanuki woman everyone simply refers to as 'Ma.' She is one of the kindest and most welcoming individuals that will be come across as she offers food aplenty and matronly advice.

She does have a request though for people visiting: find her kids and tell them that supper is almost ready. How many? Oh, well, it's hard to keep track but she thinks only about twenty or so are scattered around Vorrun still. The rest are working, patrolling, or already here at home.

Ma will warn people though that her children, being mischevious tanuki, have likely disguised themselves as every day common objects throughout Vorrun. Their disguises aren't very good (their tail might be obvious, they're too wiggly, most inanimate objects don't giggle) so they shouldn't give you too much trouble at least!

HUNTING FOR ANSWERS

GAL-OTHY-MOS by Hiroyuki Sawano

1:15 / 5:09

▶︎

Click here to listen.

Hiroyuki Sawano is a Japanese composer, arranger, lyricist, pianist, and music producer best known for his work on many anime series, video games, television dramas, and films. His pieces tend to have exceedingly strange titles, featuring numbers, symbols, and letters from various different alphabets. He stated that he decided this because he wants "people to be able to listen to the songs in their own way and have their own reaction."

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After a day or so of delegations and working through red tape, offerworlders are allowed to investigate among the mountain range. Their instructions are provided by Nobu who appears to be an authoritative leader.

Everyone is warned again about the increased aggression of the surrounding monsters, but hopefully a cause might be found.

It is recommended to work in pairs.

ABANDONED BATTLEFIELD

The war-torn remnants of an old battlefield from Vorrun's war with the orcs. Old, broken weapons and armaments stand as ghostly relics of the horrors that this place saw.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Poltergeist, Troll, Troll Mutate

⁂ Item of Interest: Ornate spear - Amongst a collection of broken spears, this one is intact and without wear

ROVAAN NAH'S GRAVE

In the bottom of a crystal clear pool, the massive bones of an Ancient Dragon lay undisturbed. This is the final resting place of the great Draconic Saint, Rovaan Nah: The Roaming Fury.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Allosaurus, Boar, Elk

⁂ Point of Interest: Black, oily sludge seeps from a rock nearby the water. It hasn't contaminated it yet but appears to be oozing that way.

MOUNTAINSIDES

The high cliffs make for a difficult hike, but for a dragon with wings, they are no obstacle. Lush moss hangs from every surface and the ferns are thick. This old-growth forest feels just packed with secrets.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Awakened Giant Wasp, Giant Lizard, Roc, Corrupted Orc

⁂ Item(s) of Interest: A bundle of scrolls is hidden in a tree somewhere. Trying to read them gives one a headache and appears to be in a language that is indecipherable to most.

CASCARA PASS

You can only come through this way with an escort from Vorrun. The pass is dark and full of winding passages. One could easily get lost if they did not know the way by memory. Take care and avoid deep pools of water here. Tempting as they might be to jump in, the escort advises against it.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Aurumvorax, Cloaker, Dire Flat Worm

⁂ Item of Interest: Abandoned along the pass is an old, charred painting of a woman in a veil, with inscription "fire purifies all" along the bottom.

WAYSIDE BAY

A hidden bay that Vorrun receives their trade through. It is a small but busy port is bustling at all hours and well-guarded. They will, of course, let investigators come through and see what they can find. Yet, they will be under close watch so no funny business.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Elemental Spirit (water), Flail Snail, Giant Enemy Crab

⁂ Item of Interest: Hidden by the sand under a dock is a Draconic Medallion. It is of obvious importance, but exactly what can't be determined.

Notes

⁂ If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback relating to this post then you can leave it here.

⁂ The partner plotting post for this event/quarter is up!

⁂ Please sign up here to see if your character finds the item/point of interest listed in the searchable areas. We will be RNGing for who finds them. Even if your character doesn't find the artifact mentioned in the post, we will be giving other clues, information, and so on to everyone that receives something if investigating.

⁂ These artifacts are also meant to spark discussion and theories among characters rather than actually answer what's going on here. We encourage those who find the artifacts to share this information ICly! All will be revealed... in due time! For now, have fun putting the puzzle pieces together.

⁂ The sparring requests page is now live! We hope it's a fun little surprise that people enjoy utilizing. It's for fun, mostly, but also to provide an IC avenue for characters to get more comfortable with their new dragon selves.

⁂ Thank you for your patience on this post as we recovered from a difficult April! We hope you enjoy visiting Vorrun and look forward to the changes we'll be making re: the quest board and a couple of other adjustments planned!

⁂ Full Navigation ⁂

Comments

[avanture_time]

A hero indeed. The strain's already left his voice as he gives Popp a comforting pat. "It's fine, it's fine, I'm better suited to taking damage than you are."

A quick glance behind him confirms that the snail is headed in this direction and, okay, he knows what he should do. "You've done well up until now," he says as he extracts himself from Popp's grip. "But this foe is a bad match-up for you. I'll take care of it."

He pulls his glasses from his face and presses them into Popp's hands. "Hold onto these for me, would you? I wouldn't want them to get broken again."

[snapp_crackle]

It's true - Avan's even the one wearing armor here, and he's fresh to the fight, and he's not facing a dark lord with a grudge. This is just a snail, and Avan does have a grasp on the things he can and can't do. Or... maybe he doesn't, and this is courage in action?

Popp clutches the glasses to his chest like a talisman. If all he can do is believe that Avan can handle it, he'll believe as hard as he can.

"O-okay."

His voice comes out as a whisper. He really, really doesn't want to not help, but... it's a bad match-up.

[avanture_time]

Avan turns away from Popp and draws his sword, only to briefly look back over his shoulder with his usual cheeky grin and a thumbs-up with his free hand.

"It'll be over before you know it!" With that, he darts forward to close the remaining distance to the snail, and as he engages it, two things will become obvious to Popp in quick succession.

The first is that Avan is a lot better than he's been pretending to be. He dodges, blocks, and counters the snail's flails with ease, and the number of tendrils is rapidly decreasing. There's no doubt that he's well-trained and quite talented, anyone would be able to tell that.

The second thing that Popp, specifically, would be able to tell is that Avan is a lot worse than the Master he'll someday be. The snail's not a serious threat to him, sure, but it's enough of one that he's still focused on the fight ahead of him, no goofing off. He's not as fast as Master Avan, his hits don't have the same power, his technique isn't as smooth and polished.

But he doesn't have to be as good as Master Avan to take out the snail, right? It sure seems that way as he shears the last tendril off, but then the snail pulls its head back into its shell and it starts... wailing?

"Uhhh...?" Avan half-lowers his sword uncertainly, not quite sure how to handle this new development. And the situation doesn't improve any as the water in the bay shifts. A giant crab surfaces, and the displaced water coalesces into a third monster, an elemental. They approach, clearly drawn by the snail's cries.

"Oh, that's not good."

[snapp_crackle]

Oh, that is not a rise in ability brought out by a miracle and the power of friendship, that is some classic Avan holding back bullshit that Popp's been falling for months..! He can't even be mad about it, he's just glad to see Avan saving the day in action, relieved to see that hanging out with Popp for all this time instead of fighting Hadlar hasn't set back his talents, and there's just a little bit of heartache about the Avan haunting their whole relationship. The differences are apparent, but he's getting closer to his own future all the time. But look, he's doing great, and Popp cheers him on from the sidelines. Without all those flails, it doesn't stand a chance!

...Popp winces against the sound, and yelps at the sudden monster appearance, but doesn't drop the glasses to cover his ears. When it becomes apparent that he is, actually, going to need his hands free, he slips them on instead. Yeah, these things are not doing anything to or for anyone's vision. All he needs to do to keep them safe is to not get hit. Easy.

"It's two on two, I've had worse odds!"

Battle position, hovering above the sand but somewhat behind Avan. Is he going to elaborate on how those odds tend to turn out for him? Ha ha no absolutely not! He's thinking very quickly about battle styles and weaknesses (there are not a lot of... swordable... areas on either of these new opponents) and comes up with a quick answer.

"I can take the elemental! Keep that crab off my back, okay?"

[avanture_time]

Avan glances to Popp and... immediately snickers at the sight of the other boy wearing his glasses. Not how he was expecting him to keep them safe, but he follows the logic. But also, they do look ridiculous on him.

The snickering is at least followed up by a confident nod. "Got it!"

It's nice to fight alongside a friend like this. He's never done that before, not seriously. Not that he hasn't had plenty of fun getting into trouble with Roka in the past, but this is different. He knows he can count on Popp to handle the elemental, and he knows that Popp's counting on him to handle the crab, despite his deception. And here he was, worried Popp might be mad about it! What a relief that he isn't! (Or, at least, not mad enough for it to be a higher priority than the fight before them.)

The crab's shell isn't as tough as the snail's, but on the other hand, it's got shell everywhere. Its claws serve as tools of offense and defense both, and disarming it isn't nearly as feasible as it was with the snail. He'll simply have to overwhelm it with force.

A plan that runs into a snag after a few blows when a claw closes around his blade. But that's a snag he can handle easily enough by sticking his free hand in the crab's crab face.

"Kafrizz!"

[snapp_crackle]

Yeah, yeah, see how you like looking at these dumb glasses, buddy. Trusting in someone means focusing your full attention on your own battles, though. He'll turn around if Avan screams, of course, but...

He skims around the waves, providing a good target to chase and keep the elemental's attention while staying out of its five foot reach. It's fast, but Popp is faster, especially when it keeps being slowed by repeatedly having parts of its overall form turn to ice every time he tosses a light Crackle its way. He's trying to save magic power, having used a generous amount failing to harm the crab, and not wanting to emulate both his past self and Mithrun.

"HEY - since when have you been able to use magic?!"

This is a little more legitimately hurtful - that's Popp's specialty, and Avan didn't even ask for help practicing or offer it? Which one of them is better, anyway? There's one way to settle that question, forget trying to hold back! Is the water elemental resistant to fire? Time to find out.

"Kafrizz!"

It isn't.

[avanture_time]

Oh, there's the anger, okay. If it helps, Popp's Kafrizz is definitely the stronger of the two.

"Uhhh, for about a decade?" Avan yells back as he wrenches his sword free of the crab's grasp. "Not Kafrizz, specifically, but-OOF--"

Whoops, he lost focus for long enough to get smacked by a crab claw before he could block it. Not his best showing. He could take a few more hits like that before he'd need to start worrying, but that shouldn't prove necessary, as the crab's in much worse shape than he is by now. Avan slams his blade down on it and the shell finally breaks under the force, the crab's legs giving way under it as it expires.

But there's no time to rest. The snail is still wailing inside its shell, and another crab surfaces, accompanied by a pair of water elementals this time. This isn't sustainable. In theory, the snail should run out of energy eventually, but there's no guarantee that they won't run out of energy first, to say nothing of the very real possibility of the wailing attracting another snail. It needs to be stopped. And Popp can't do it, so it's up to him.

"Popp! I need you to handle them on your own for a little while! I'll take care of the snail!"

I definitely didn't forget that Popp has an actual weapon that has definitely been here the whole ti

[snapp_crackle]

"A decade?! Avannnn!" Popp screeches, not worried about his own focus with the elemental falling apart into nonaggressive water. A little worried about Avan, but he is sturdy.

...More than a little worried. There are even more of them?! He feels confident in his ability to back up a hero, though. He lands on the beach and scrapes a line on the sand with the bottom of his staff. Just keep them on one side of it, no problem!

"Got it - hey! HEY, party crashers! Over here! Kacrackle!"

Donk is his actual strongest spell, but look. Popp isn't entirely stupid, he is pretty sure that water can't be crushed by gravity, and he's not using that much power just for the crab. The creatures are slowed in the shallows by the water freezing over, especially the ones that are the water. Maybe if he casts Donk while - ah, no good, they're breaking out too quickly to toss out something with that long a windup.

Fine, fine, no big moves, just wear them out! Popp isn't a stand firm in the face of overwhelming power kind of guy - okay, he sort of is, but this is tactical, not idealogical! Once he's got their attention, he resumes his zip around and snipe strategy. He has a ballpark idea of how much it takes to take down an elemental by now, but... He's not really a math on the fly kind of genius here, and he's not entirely sure how many elementals he can take down with what he has.

[avanture_time]

While Popp's playing keepaway in the shallows, Avan stands before the snail and concentrates. He's already determined that no normal sword strike will crack the shell, and obviously magic is off the table, which leaves him with just one path forward. He's going to have to use Earth Slash.

Easier said than done, but if he's going to figure it out, now's the time. He just has to put everything he has left into one final blow. Just concentrate all of his remaining power into his blade and let his body figure out the right movement on its own.

He takes a deep breath, hoists his sword, and turns his attention inward. Aura, Popp had called it when explaining the technique. Not just raw strength, but something more. Determination, the will to fight, the force behind every heartbeat, every desperate gasp of air. He's struggled to fully grasp the concept when training on his own, fumbling at the edges of understanding, but here, now, in the heat of battle, with the certainty that failure will have dire consequences for him and his friend, it comes to him easily.

His sword begins to glow as this newfound power fills it. Slowly but surely, until he has nothing else left to pour into it. And then he leaps into the air, blade raised overhead, and brings it down in a single, powerful swing.

The snail's shell shatters. The wailing stops. Even the sand beneath sprays high into the air from the force of the impact. And for a moment, Avan stands triumphant.

And then he collapses, too exhausted for his legs to hold him up any longer.

[snapp_crackle]

Even if Popp is keeping most of his attention on the battle he's involved with, he's seen a whole lot of this particular attack, and he could recognize the sound and the aftereffects anywhere! His heart swells with second-hand pride. He knew Avan could do it, but knowing it and experiencing the results hit very differently! An overjoyed grin replaces the wonder on his face.

"That was Earth Slash! He really pulled it off!"

A second peek reveals that Avan is not in any shape to provide backup, so it's all up to Popp! With the snail down, the other side will not be providing any backup either, so he's free to go all out! He knows he can dualcast if pressed, from the brain creatures that winter, but... look, it's difficult! And it's much harder when you're casting two different spells!

A volley of Boom explosions blast the living water apart, and his fire specialty makes quick work of the shreds before they can reform. It's no air slash, but sometimes hitting everything in the area is a fine substitute for precision! Do they even have cores? Well, whatever they have, they certainly do not have any anatomy at all now!

Popp lands in front of Avan, charges up his staff for the crab as it skitters menacingly sideways at them, and then hits it with the Donk. It takes less time and power than he was expecting to crush it - he might not even have fallen out of the air if he'd stayed up, but he sure does feel a little wobbly now that the heat of battle has worn off. This is a voluntary flop into the sand, unlike Avan's.

"Haaaaaaaaa." A very deep breath, weary but still upbeat. It's been a while since he's been in a big fight like this, that's all. "I knew you'd get it, one of these days."

[avanture_time]

Avan had propped himself up on his elbows to watch Popp finish the fight, but once Popp flops down next to him, he lets himself collapse back down.

"Hahaha..." Even in his laughter his exhaustion is audible. "The Earth Slash, I finally did it...."

And with that, his final shreds of consciousness slip through his fingers and he passes out. But his sleeping face is undeniably content.