Moga Woods, although mostly tame as compared to many parts of the world, is a wild and beautiful landscape full of a wide variety of plants and creatures. The southern region is the home of Aptonoth, Kelbi, and Alatroth. The middle section is where Jaggi, Jaggia, Melynx, and Bnahabra lay their claims with the life-sucking Giggi resting happily in their tunnels as well as some of the decaying remains of fallen monsters. To the northern areas, you will find the water-loving Ludroth as well as the water bound Epioth swimming with a plethora of fish. Many of those that wish to enter the Woods make sure they are well prepared for whatever they are to face inside. For those that succeed their spoils range from Blue Mushrooms to Red Coral Stones. Moga Wood's resources are easily replenished due to foraging practices set down years ago that forbids over-gathering and to make sure that there is always something that remains within the Woods.
As soon as I reached the bottom of the sacred grounds and stepped into the village proper, a young woman with bright cheerful eyes wearing formal red guild garb started to approach in my direction. She waved and curtsied, the standard greeting among the guild and their members. "You must be Kewa, the new hunter of the island. I'm Aisha and we will be the best of friends. I'm the village's guild officer who will make sure that you get access and information from the guild and take on any quests that come your way."
I smile and shake Aisha's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Aisha, do you happen to have any quests for the local area?"
The young woman's face falls a little as she scratches her head. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. Since that last earthquake, I haven't received any word or work from the guild. Neko usually keeps the routes open so that all quests are as up to date as they can be. It looks like it'll be a full day's work before his boat is in shape to sail again."
Nodding my head, I smile to her. "Well that's a given, his ship was hit pretty hard in the hull area and we just barely made it here. If he needs anything to help strengthen it at all or even to help out in some way, I'm here and able to work." I could see Aisha's spirits rise as I talked with her, her bright and cheerful demeanor very welcome compared to the Chief's son's cold shoulder.
"That I can do. As soon as I get word from the guild we will be able to get down to business. Until then I'm sure the rest of the village will be more than welcome for any help you can give." She was just about to turn around and head back over to her counter when I stop her for more of a personal chat.
"Hey, about the Chief's Son..."
"Oh, you mean J? What about him?"
I nervously try and find the right words. "Does he always lash out at people like he did earlier?"
Her expression goes from curious to sympathetic. "Only at hunters. No one knows why, he just is really against the lifestyle." She waves and skips off, leaving me to ponder on this new piece of information.
While mulling things over in my head, Neko waves and ushers me over towards him. "Hunter! Sweetheart Aisha tells me that you are willing to help with the repairs."
"That's correct. I don't know much about the construction of boats, but I could gather some materials if you so wish. I know that there are many various resources in the area that might help strengthen the hull and prevent future breaks."
The brown spunky felyne scratched his chin and looked over the work that's already been done. "You know that would be a good idea. I'm sure some Machalite Ore on the lower most part of the hull would be a wonderful addition. Do you think you'll be able to find some?"
"If I recall correctly, there's a cave in the heart of the woods that has a few ore deposits within. I would be glad to grab you some. Do you have a rough estimate of how much you will be needing?"
Neko turns to the workers that are looking over the boat and started to talk amongst themselves. One breaks apart from the rest and approaches. "I would say five hefty pieces will do nicely if it's just the lower most part."
"Then I shall be back with five pieces." I wave the workers and Neko farewell.
Before I can get too far, the Chief ushers me over with his pipe, a fresh plume of smoke wafting in the air around him. "Kewa, if you are going into Moga Woods, would you also do me a favor? Junior left in such a rush earlier that I didn't have time to give him his lunch. I believe he was heading off towards the base camp we have in place over in the south east. Also, I have a map of the Moga Woods. The previous hunter was able to make a few before kicking the bucket, with help from the guild of course."
"I can definitely give your son his lunch, if he doesn't bite off my head. I think I can make my way around the woods just fine without a map though."
The Chief shakes his head and goes towards his house to grab the materials. When he came back towards me he had a small package full of meat as well as a rolled piece of paper that was the map. He offers both to me, a happy grin spreading across his wrinkling face. "I recommend you take it to at least get a feel for the woods again. It's a very valuable asset to have even if you're familiar with an area. You can even mark the location of wyverns when they appear in each zone. The guild is always watching the area closely, making notes and guiding hunters." He puts both the packed lunch and the map in my hands. It was then that I notice his hands for the first time.
Although he has lived a comfortable life of being the leader of the village, his hands show signs of being put to work in an earlier time. Large, strong veins showed underneath the now paper thin skin but still holding their dexterity and strength below the surface.
I bow to the Chief. "Thank you, I will be sure to give this to him very shortly." The chief smile and waves me off as my heart skips in my chest. My first official way of proving that I am useful to the village.
Being primarily a voyaging village surrounded by water there was only a small portion that was walled off from the woods. In the middle of the gigantic wall was the even more impressive door that allowed villagers to come and go as they pleased. It was designed not only for villagers but also for any monsters and resources to easily pass through and be processed for either trade or materials. Its wood creaked and moaned as I pushed it outwards, opening it just enough for me to slink through.
What faced me as soon as the door was back in its proper place was a large hill. I took a deep breath before making the accent. With each step, new pieces of the horizon started to become visible until my whole field of view is washed in the sight of the woods.
Kelbi were prancing around the top of the hill showing no fear as I approached. Around us were jagged mountains and heavy forests with a view of the ocean from the cliff side. Lush greens and blues were the main colours with beige and grey rocks scattering around the ground. Memories from long ago came to the surface of my mind just as vividly as the scenery. The environment hasn't changed at all since I left.
I finished taking in the sight and moved off to the Northeast, looking down at the map to clarify my direction. The section marked down as the second location of explorations for the cartographer was one where Aptonoths frequently grazed. Rocky walls surrounded me as I ventured forth, making each zone only have so many ways in and out of them. Looking over the whole area as depicted in the map, it made sense that they would try and choose someone who was familiar with the lay of the land. New hunters were unfamiliar with segmented regions such as Moga Woods and thus didn't understand how to successfully strategize their hunting.
After many paces, the walls around me widened and opened to the Aptonoth's preferred place to be. To my right was a waterfall that fed the shallow creek at its feet. This small water source was the only water source for the large quadrupeds. There were a few herbs and mushrooms around the area, the main food supply for herbivore creatures as well as wonderful materials to make potions. I knelt on the ground by a patch of herbs and mushrooms, taking a few to help restock my depleted supply.
Once filling my pockets with just enough supplies, I looked over at the grey dinosaur-like creatures that we're having their afternoon meal. Calm and peaceful with not a care in the world, there was a mother and her two smaller children. Each one had a long broad crest on their head with a finned ridge running along their back. At the end of their tails were spikes very much like the ones found on their heads that were embedded into their crests. She watched me closely as I approached, weary of my intentions but making no sudden or alarming movements. I kept my hands in front of my body, open and relaxed, as I slowly crept closer. She kept an eye on me but didn't move as I touched her side gently and started to pet her. Even though her skin resembled that of a lizard, her whole body radiated heat.
A person cleared their throat behind me. "If you're going to kill it, I would recommend you don't get so close and personal with it." I turned around and am startled to see the Chief's son right behind me, nose to nose. The female aptonoth gets up from her resting spot and calls for her children. She shifts around and heads out towards the area I just came from, as if knowing that we needed the privacy.
"Oh look, you better catch up to her if you want to kill it." His snide remark only made my frustration with him grow. The smirk planted onto his face showed not only pleasure in my discomfort around him, but also his overall arrogance. He quickly turned around and headed off towards the eastern path. A small sigh of irritation escaped my lungs as I followed him, just barely audible to him.
The path was shorter than the one in between the entrance to Moga Woods and the aptonoth ground. It zigzagged left and right until it came to the small secluded cove that had a wooden dock for boats as well as a perfect spot to fish. Looming over the area was a large rock overhang that was here since long ago that helped block out most of the strong ocean breezes as well as the waves that would crash towards the island. The ground beneath my feet turned from a compacted dirt to solid unchanging stone that remained dry and clean. In front of us were heaps of rock and cloth, the remnants of the previous base camp. Looking over the wreckage was Junior, arms crossed over his chest and a stern look on his face.
I approach him with caution and as quietly as I can stand beside him, taking in the rubble. There were no distinct traces of blood spattered the area around it, nor were there any weapons sticking out from the rocks. "It looks as if no one was hurt. I'm amazed that this was the only area affected by the quakes."
His scowl turns into a glower at my words. "It's not, the farms were hit heavily as well. Since you no longer live here I guess you wouldn't have known that." His voice was thick with malice and grew harsher as he spoke, his words boring deep inside into my very being.
Even with his harsh words making their mark, I couldn't help but allow myself a small smile. "And to think that I thought you forgot about me. It's been what, five? Ten years maybe?"
"Not long enough," he refused to look at me directly as he spoke, keeping his attention on the stones and cloth before him. The whole encounter made me wonder just where I went wrong.
I slowly crouch down and rummage through my belongings until I pull out the packed lunch his father wished me to give to him. I had it resting on my hand, offering it to him, but his eyes never changed their focus. Remaining in that stance for a solid minute, I resigned and set down the parcel by his feet and put back my provisions. As I step back a few paces, I take a good look at the man.
His hair was pulled back from his face into a bun with the small exception of the jagged sideburns that pointed out. His eyes were dark coals that were opaque and carried no glimmer to them. His arms and legs were filled out with muscles that knew of hard physical labor, perfect for carrying lots of supplies and materials back and forth from the woods. His outfit was very recognizable as the one which the future leaders of Moga Village would wear when the transition of leadership was gaining upon them. His whole being embodied power and respect, but also showed that he wouldn't take no for an answer other than from his father. He carried no form of weapon on him, but his utter appearance would have made a monster think twice about getting in front of him.
My memories recall a younger boy who was just about to head onto his adventures in adulthood, smiling and running around the woods as if he owned them. The smallest of stubble was poking out from his chin and his hair would always be a messy mane framing his face. His dark eyes use to sparkle at the thought of going on a long journey or camping out in the woods under the stars. There would even be a small wooden sword strapped to his back, just in case a Kelbi or Alatroth wanted to fight. What happened to that boy?