Game Master: Our party of adventurers find themselves gathering extra coin, locked in a fierce battle flawlessly choreographed by their brilliant game master. It was 6 on 8, the Munks versus a group of the Mad King's gobhoblins, dark creatures that have been attacking the countryside and in this quest, a merchant's cart on the main road out of Arbornalea.
Eleanor swung her holy blade with all of her might right through one of the menacing gobhoblins, hewing them in two as it evaporated into an evil miasma.
Eleanor: I got one!
But as she celebrated, she was immediately knocked back and onto the ground by another one who charged at her with it's shoulder. It didn't seem to do much damage to her, but she slid across the muddy grass off the side of the road towards Brittany who filed her nails.
Eleanor: You know Brittany, you could HELP!
Brittany: We agreed when we started that my strength stat is just too high to use in normal battles. I could cause an even bigger mess.
Eleanor: Yeah, only when you're enraged!
Brittany: Oh, I'll definitely be enraged if I have to touch those disgusting creatures or break my nails.
Eleanor: Ugh, fine.
Alvin meanwhile danced around two of them with his shining sword in hand while Simon tried to cast a spell from his staff.
Alvin: That's right, come on! Focus on me. Look at the jumping chipmunk, idiots.
Simon: Alvin!
Alvin: What!? I'm doing what you told me to do! I'm distracting them!
Simon: It defeats the purpose if you keep making them run around!
Farthest away, Theodore used his greatshield to block several attacks from the remaining gobhoblins all in an effort to defend the merchant and Jeanette who sat down on the dirt and grass below her. She placed her hands firmly into the ground and began to whisper.
Theodore: You just focus on you Jeanette! I-I'll handle them in the meantime! I-I hope!
Jeanette, sitting down: J-Just a few moments Theo, I'm asking for the help of the roots and the stones beneath us.
Jeanette finished her conversation with the nature around her and she announced it to the party.
Jeanette: Done! Thank you Mother Nature and her children! I cast entangle!
Suddenly, the roots and grass knotted the feet of all the gobhoblins, keeping them in place as they screeched in frustration. Alvin jumped out of the way of the other two and ducked for cover. Simon began casting again.
Simon: Eleanor! Alvin! Swords!
Alvin and Eleanor's eyes widened as they looked at their weapons and tossed them out of the way. Theodore also looked at his shield then decided to throw it under the merchant's cart and brought the slightly tired Jeanette to safety.
Simon: I cast chain lightning!
Simon stomped his staff into the ground and from the gem atop it glowed a white blue as it radiated a crackling energy. Then suddenly with a sound breaking 'ka-krak' a bolt of lightning flashed out of the gem and split across all ways to directly electrocute all of the remaining gobhoblins until they dissipated into that dark miasma. Simon exhaled and tried to catch his breath.
Alvin: WOO! Way to go Si!
Eleanor: Nice job Si!
Brittany: Now that was amazing.
Simon: Th-Thanks, that took a bit more than I thought. Luckily no one was hurt.
Eleanor: Only just those monsters.
Theodore and Jeanette caught up as they began to collect all of the stray items left behind that the gobhoblins tried to steal. Eleanor looked down to the ground and gasped.
Eleanor: Aw man!
Eleanor picked up her sword and saw that the lightning hit it as well, leaving a charred and chipped husk of metal.
Alvin: Hah! At least I still got MY-
Alvin picked up his sword by the handle and noticed it completely fell apart. Eleanor and the rest laughed at his comeuppance.
Eleanor,smirking: What was that, 'Red'?
Alvin: Dude, come on! I just found this!
The Munks had defeated the gobhoblins on the roadside and were showered with praise and gratitude from the merchant. While the quest paid for the reward, to Alvin and Brittany's excitement, the merchant gave them a bonus as well as a free ride back to Arbornalea to turn in the quest at the guild as well as for Eleanor and Alvin to re-arm. Theodore and Eleanor sat inside the cart by the merchant's stock as they rested. Eleanor leaned over onto Theodore's shoulder, while Jeanette laid down on Eleanor's lap. Simon sat in front with the Merchant as he engaged in conversation, occasionally looking back behind the curtain to check on everyone. Alone at the very back of the cart on the other side, Alvin kicked back and grooved out on his lute playing a random melody while Brittany sat with him and continued to give herself a manicure.
Brittany: Ugh, the rocking of the carriage is so not helping.
Alvin, strumming: Mhm
Brittany: Maybe Arbornalea has a good nail place. It could, right?
Alvin: Mhm
Brittany: Oh! Maybe a place with a good smoothie! If this world has magic, couldn't they use some to make a blended drink?
Alvin: Mmmhm
Brittany: Alvin, are you even listening?
Alvin: Nope.
Alvin chuckled as Brittany huffed and pushed his arm.
Alvin: Come on, I was joking! Besides, I'm just a little tired from you know... actually getting in the fight.
Brittany: I helped!
Alvin: When?
Brittany: I was the cheerleader!
Alvin: That's my job. I'm the bard. You're the one with the freaky barbarian strength.
Brittany: Hey, you guys chose this class for me! And then you told me not to use my strength because of last time!
Alvin: But that was pretty cool.
Brittany: None of the villagers thought so when I accidentally leveled their side of the mountain... In my defense, the giant's foot pulled my hair...
Alvin stopped playing for a second to listen to her, but then was nudged by Brittany.
Brittany: Hey... keep playing, it was nice.
Alvin smiled: You got it.
Simon retreated back into the tented cart after his conversation with the merchant ended where he found the girls still asleep and Theodore nodding off. He smiled at the scene but once Theodore noticed Simon, he woke back up.
Theodore: Hey Simon!
Simon: Shhh!
Theodore: R-Right, sorry.
Simon: Not a problem, let's just let them rest.
Simon sat directly across the three where there was some space left. He tried to place his staff down but without any real room for that after, he just leaned it on some crates.
Theodore: Yeah... they're pretty tired from doing most of the fighting.
Simon: Everyone played their part efficiently and executed our tactic flawlessly.
Theodore: Heh, even Brittany?
Simon: Yes. She's our secret weapon.
Theodore: I just wish we got to get involved more for Eleanor and Jeanette's sake.
Simon: Eleanor needs to be in the front to use her fighting ability to its fullest. And Jeanette's druidic prowess is often the key to our strategy. But it wouldn't work without proper planning and you being their bulwark.
Theodore smiled: Yeah, thanks Si.
They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment as the only sounds were the creaking of the wooden cart bumping up and down.
Theodore: Say, how come using just one spell leaves Jeanette so exhausted anyway? Eleanor I get because she's running around and swinging and fighting.
Simon: Well, caster classes like her and I don't have a high endurance or vitality stat for starters.
Theodore grinned: Like in real life?
Simon: Oh ha ha, very funny. But the primary reason is that her powers are very taxing on the user. She has to make a bond and contract with nature every time she uses them and a lot of times, that involves using her own vitality to accelerate the plant growth around her.
Theodore: Ohh, poor Jeanette. Sounds hard...
Simon: Well, it is her favorite class and believe me, making those bonds and contracts don't bother her. You know how much green things just love Jeanette.
Eleanor shopped around with the smithy, looking for a new sword to replace her now destroyed one. Thanks to the bonus from the merchant and the reward from the quest, she had her options but given her nature she still looked around sensibly.
Eleanor: Maybe this one? {looks at a two handed sword} Or maybe I should try for something like a warhammer? What do paladins normally use?
Eleanor walked around the shop another time and grabbed a handle but as soon as she saw the price tag on it she immediately put it back down.
Eleanor: Do paladins use spears? I guess it could probably help with Theodore's shield...
Suddenly from around the corner, she could hear Alvin calling out for her.
Alvin: Yo Ellie, check it out!
Eleanor: Huh?
Eleanor turned behind her to see Alvin lift up a mace almost twice his size.
Alvin: Mega-Mace!
Eleanor burst into laughter as it fell right back down to the ground with a slam. Alvin tried to lift it back up but almost took himself down with it.
Eleanor: Your mega-mace is no match for my-
The Chipette reached for a weapon in the rack next to her but suddenly she heard a loud clearing of the throat behind her. It was the smithy who did not look pleased at the fact that his wares were almost destroyed. Eleanor nervously chuckled as Alvin realized his pant leg was stuck under the mace.
Eleanor, trying to make peace: Aheh. Uhm... W-We break it we buy it?
Simon sat around at a bench as he read another book created by Game Master. Nearby Jeanette and Theodore followed Brittany as she took a look at each of the stalls.
Brittany: So let me get this straight... {she points at an alien and multi-legged creature that was fried and marinated in sauce} Y-You EAT that?
Theodore: That's right!
Jeanette: It's a delicacy that comes from the Dunes of Charnor. Grilled Fretter!
Brittany: And you guys have eaten it?
Theodore and Jeanette paused.
Jeanette: N-No not yet.
Theodore: I don't eat meat.
Brittany: Of course not. Pass.
Jeanette: I'm sure it's delicious if they brought it all the way to Arbornalea!
Brittany: Okay then, be a woman of the world and try it.
Jeanette: W-Well, I suppose I should. After all, it IS a delicacy...
Jeanette and Theodore ordered a serving of the fretter, to which the merchant obliged. They looked at each other as Jeanette held the fretter from it's stick.
Theodore: N-No new flavors right?
Jeanette: There are s-still plenty more out in the world.
Jeanette went in to take a bite as Brittany looked on in disbelief. At first they grimaced at how audible and loud the crunch was, causing Brittany to almost get nauseous. Jeanette chewed the bite she had with her face strained.
Theodore: Is-Is it good?
Jeanette, loosened up on her face and her eyes lit up.
Jeanette: It's... not that bad? The sauce really helps.
Brittany: No way...
Jeanette: I'm serious! Give it a try!
Jeanette handed the fretter to Brittany who flinched from it getting so close. She looked at Jeanette who gave a supportive look. She hesitated, then lowered in to take a bite but as soon as she looked closer at it she noticed that underneath the sauce it resembled some kind of insectoid, to which her gag reflex kicked in and she ran towards the nearest corner to let her disgust out. Jeanette and Theodore went running after her.
Beside Simon, the three sat around at the fountain as Brittany rested her head on Jeanette's lap.
Jeanette: We're really sorry again Brittany...
Brittany: It's fine...
Jeanette: Wh-Who knew that Fretter was a bu-
Brittany: DON'T say it. Ugh...
Theodore came back with a small cup of water for her. She took a sip then handed it to Jeanette to put to the side.
Brittany: Thank you Theo.
Theodore: It's the least we could do.
Jeanette: Is there anything else we can do?
Brittany: I think I'm just more thrown off that I can even feel this way. This game is, like, way too realistic...
Theodore: I could go find some chocolate for you to try?
Brittany: You're so sweet.
They sat around for Brittany to feel better. Theodore looked around for something he might be able to get to help but then his eyes lit up in surprise.
Theodore: No way! Brittany look!
The sisters turned towards where Theodore pointed. At least Brittany tried to. Jeanette gasped.
Jeanette: Ooo Britt, you might want to get up for this!
Brittany: Do I really have to?
Brittany picked herself up from Jeanette's lap and once she sat over to see and adjust her vision, she also gasped.
Brittany: They DO have it! I knew it!
They all looked up at a portion of the district corner side where other citizens crowded around. It had a sign that showed a familiar drink with a straw on top and snowflakes around it.