Prologue: Another Day, Another Job.
It was another average day within the walls of the Guild City. New Adventurers step outside of the tower, standing proudly next to their respective sponsors. Not too far away, a massive Scarabus Beetle lands in a designated zone. Dozens of people climb off of the saddle these friendly fellows are equipped with. While the next group starts boarding, the Kobold sitting on the beetles head hops off and reaches into a saddlebag. He pulls out some sort of green cube and feeds it to the creature. Within a few minutes, the Scarabus is loaded and ready to take flight once more.
Stepping outside of the tavern which leads into the Guild Tower itself is a man who enjoys the simpler things in life. Work hard so that you may rest hard, that's his belief. This is Grayson, the Sinner. Acting as a belt for him is something one sees every single verified adventurer carrying with them. It is a Bronze metal plate of a very specific shape and design. This plate signifies not only that one is a member of the Thelan Guild of Adventurers, but it determines ones rank within the guild. In order from lowest rank to highest, it goes Copper, Bronze, Iron, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.
Grayson: "Ugh...it's another scorcher today. Can't stand the heat..." *he reluctantly steps into the sunlight regardless.* "Hey, you two coming or what? I'm the slothful one here, why am I almost always the first one out?" *The tavern door swings open once more, as the steadfast and strong Jordan steps out. His black and yellow robes sway gently as a light breeze pass through the area. On his left bicep is an Iron plate. He cannot speak, as his mouth has been stitched shut with golden thread for 3 months now, so instead he simply smiles and pats Grayson on the back. The door opens once more just a moment later, as the last member of the party steps out, Nina. She is the unofficial leader of the group in a sense, despite not being the highest ranked technically, only Bronze herself as well.* Nina: "Sorry, we got caught up in listening to a story. It was honestly a good one though!"
Grayson: "Hey, I get it I really do, but we have a job to do today right?" Nina: "Yeah, don't worry I grabbed one. We're heading out towards Falinx Pass. Apparently some bandits have been attacking people passing through the region. Full on attacking, not just taking money." Grayson: "Cool, so...I don't have to worry about playing nice? Holding back sucks, rather just get the fights over with you know?" Nina: "Yes, I know. Less headache right?" *he nods and smiles.* "Like I thought. No need to hold back when they're outright aggressive like that. Though do give Jordan a moment to see if he can locate any of them in his Black Book yeah?" *Jordan nods and pulls it out of his robe, just to show he does in fact have it on hand.*
The group comes to an agreement on the plan, and move to the nearby stable where they rent 3 Runner Raptors for the trip. The raptors are primarily green, brown, grey, or some mixture of these three. Runner Raptors are not only fast, but they are also loyal and quite vicious. In this day and age, they rival horses in popularity, with many adventurers choosing them due to their ability to fight back readily. With all 3 loaded up, the party moves towards the city exit, only a stones throw from the Guild Tower. They travel for several hours, stopping only briefly to do things like fill up canteens from a river near the city, or let the Raptors stop and eat something.
Nina: "Ok...looking at the map, we're closing on on the region where the last few attacks happened. Let me go a bit ahead and bait them out." Grayson: "I know it's your go to plan, but I still have reservations." Nina: "When it goes wrong, I'll listen to them. Until then, we stick with what works. After all, making a new plan would be annoying, wouldn't it?" *Grayson clicks his tongue, agitated that his own logic was used against him. Reluctantly, he nods. He was fully aware that if something went wrong, Nina would be able to survive long enough for him and Jordan to arrive. She's far from weak as well, Grayson has known her for years now after all, and he knows that she is a capable caster.*
Nina has for years now weaponized her appearance. She's cute, she doesn't look physically threatening, and those without magick sight would never be able to see past her physical appearance. Those that DO have it however, tend to, rather wisely, avoid confrontation with her. However, she is more than willing to bet in most cases that common bandits will not have this ability. Especially ones so pathetic as to attack people at random. Survival is one thing, she understands that some may turn to thievery to get by. This situation however was different. Simply put? Nina sees bandits such as this as nothing more than pests. They use their power to harm others carelessly, if anything? She enjoys seeing people like them cut down.
???: "Scuse me there miss. This region is a bit unsafe~" *Right on time, Nina thought as she watched a tall, fairly hefty man approach from the top of a hill. Of course, he's a coward flanked by several cohorts. It takes a great deal of restraint for her to not just laugh at how...pitifully average they all seemed.* "Course...I'm guessing you understand that. Don't you, Guild Bitch." *the other bandits nearby start laughing.* Nina: "Oh! I don't have to put on the helpless little girl act again? Cool. Hate doing that honestly, but it never fails to draw people like you out. Hell...you recognized that I'm with the guild and STILL look down on me." Bandit Leader: "Gonna gimme a reason to not look down on ya? Tell you what! I'll let you have the first shot!" *Nina at this point can't help but laugh.* Nina: "Can i pass that to a friend?~"
Grayson: "Hey there. I'm the friend." *the Bandit turns around quickly, clearly startled by the revelation that she had allies not only nearby, but already in position.* Bandit Leader: "When did yo-" *Nina stomps abruptly, a stone spike ruptures from the ground, piercing the mans abdomen.* "Cheap shotting...ugh.." *He collapses, bleeding heavily and entirely out cold.* Grayson: "Jordan, any of them in the book?" *the monk makes a cut throat motion then starts to step forward himself.* "Sucks to be you guys, you aren't even worth keeping alive for coin. When you enter the next cycle, hopefully you'll be better people." *Seeing Jordan step forward, Grayson knew that he was not needed here. Why bother fighting dead men after all. Nina steps back as well.*
Bandit: "BOSS??? Oh you're gonna...WHERE ARE YOU GOING???" Grayson: "Jordan decided he dislikes you guys. We're literally not needed for this. Walk over here and kneel if you want to survive, we'll tie you up and turn you into the guild after we get back. Buuuttt, if you swing at him even once? Out of my hands." *he lazily shrugs* Bandit: "Kneel??? Yeah right! Boss get up!" *The large man starts to stumble back to his feet. He holds his hand over the puncture wound, a small light can be seen.* Bandit Leader: "A cheap shot, and now a man with only one arm? IT'S LIKE YOU'RE TRYING TO PIS-" *Jordan lunges forward and raises a knee, slamming it into the Bandit Leader's jaw, shutting him up first. He immediately drops low and sweeps the large mans legs out from under him. One of the random bandits tries to flank him, attacking from the side with his missing arm.*
Bandit: "SEE YOU BLOCK THIS!" *He slashes at Jordan with a simple iron sword, and is stunned when an arm does in fact appear! This is no ordinary arm however. Emerging from the decorated metal that covers his right side is an arm made of electricity itself! Jordan grabs the blade and sends enough electricity through it to cause it to glow red from heat. The electricity immediately passes through the mans body, frying him on the spot. As quickly as it appears, the electric arm vanishes. The Bandit Leader starts to try climbing to his feet once more, but Jordan is having none of that. He dislikes dragging fights out against people like these, they aren't warriors. So...he walks over and rears his left hand back, then uses it to pierce the leaders heart. Two down, and the others had not yet attacked him. Without another word they drop their weapons and walk over to Nina. They kneel as she ties up all 3 of them.*
Grayson: "See? Mercy isn't so bad now is it." Bandit: "What will the guild do with us..?" Grayson: "Dunno, never thought about it. I have seen prisoners leave the city before, so I'm pretty sure they'll try to help rehabilitate you. Be good, make up for your sins, and maybe you'll taste freedom again one day." Nina: "Let's head back. I heard Whippy's has a new flavor of gum coming out today and if I don't get to try it on the first day I might actually die." Grayson: "Exaggeration much?" Nina: "I NEEEEEEEED IT! It's supposed to be Coral Ekra flavored!" Grayson: "Your entire face is gonna pucker the moment you try it. Let's get back, I have to see that~" *Nina punches him on the arm. They each grab a tied up bandit and throw them on the Runner Raptors backs. Each one can carry roughly 800 pounds, so this is hardly an issue for them in this situation.*
The trio immediately start heading back towards the Guild City with the bandits in tow. Upon arrival, they are greeted by the guards of the city, who take custody of the bandits while offering thanks to the trio. They then return the Runner Raptors to the stables, and make their way back into the Guild Tower.
Nina: "Hello Flur, you look lovely as always today dear." *Nina smiles and greets one of the desk workers that handles things like job requests and completions. Flur is a recently out transgender woman, having just taken her potion the other day. Everybody has made it a point to quickly adjust to her new name and pronouns of choice, including her longtime friend Nina of course~* Flur: "Goodness...you always try to make me blush...AND IT ALWAYS WORKS!" *She raised her hands to her face and squeaked slightly. After a moment she removes her hands, and flicks her shoulder length brunette hair out of her face.* "Annnyyyways...job went well I take it?" Nina: "Expect anything less from us at this point?~" Flur: "Fair enough. Here you go, the payment from this request." *Flur hands Nina a bag with 24 silver coins in it. A solid payout for an otherwise simple job.* "Thank you for your hard work!" *Nina smiles and accepts the payment, hugs her friend, then rejoins the party.*
Grayson: "Gimmeee~" Nina: "I swear, Greed must be your secondary sin." *Jordan nods, clearly agreeing with that assessment.* Grayson: "Stop, you'll make me blush. I haven't started training another sin yet, but to hear you say that...heh." *He smirks, half just to agitate her, and half because the idea of pursuing Greed as his second sin was...enticing. Nina hands him 8 of the silver, as well as Jordan.* Nina: "I'll meet up with you two at the bathhouse after bit, gonna check that candy first~" *She's practically drooling as she takes her leave.*
Grayson: "Least she's in a good mood. You got anything else to do first man?" *Jordan shakes his head no.* "Cool, let's just head straight out that way." *The pair leave the Guild Tower. Grayson stops abruptly and looks up.* "Say Jordan. You ever think about a possible fourth for our party? We have a good spread, but idunno, just been considering how much more dangerous things are lately." *Jordan strokes his own chin, contemplating the question.* "Ah, don't think too much on it. Just a passing thought. Let's go relax. Easy job or not, we earned this~" *Jordan nods in agreement, and the two take their leave. Jordan continues to ponder the question, and ultimately? He thinks a fourth member would be welcome...so long as they got along with everyone.* ------------------------------------------------------
Writer's Note: (Slight Spoilers for the upcoming Chapter 1!!!) Heya! Doll here~ I hope you all enjoy this sneak peak into my world, and this group. I know...you must be wondering where a certain mascot is? Trust me, they will be here soon enough~ keep your eyes on the #finaldark tag and get ready for Chapter 1: Fated Meeting!
