Skadi Familia is recruiting new adventurers!
Those yearning for adventure, glory or a spot in the history books.
No restrictions.
Follow the map to find our home!
There was a map of Orario afterwards, or at least an attempt at it. While many of the streets and narrow corridors were not detailed, the red line that went from Babel towards the southern part of the city, turning and then stopping halfway through at a star which marked the location of Fimbulvetr.
It took them one day to plan it, Noel had already most of the details and made plenty of copies to hang around some announcement boards in the city way before the captain asked Skadi.
Of course, the young one went through a few drafts, often adding things like requirements, age or even if they used magic or not. Ragnar was quite wary of it, they were only two members and at the moment any extra pair of hands was welcome and at the same time having people of a higher level than the Captain would provide a bit of a problem, or that's what Ragnar believed.
But it wasn't a matter of accepting anybody that showed at their doorstep, they would have to go through a series of trials, test that only those worthy of joining the Skadi Familia would pass. From combat to knowledge, the fact that using a sword or magic and the pen would be paramount for standing out. This Familia would only accept those that are worthy…
…that was Noel's chain of thought but while their infrastructure was definitely in a better condition they couldn't afford making such a type of test or else anybody would just turn around and leave.
Ragnar thought that having new adventurers or even some others that were levels one or two could be good prospects, any higher and people might question who is having control. Sure, it was Skadi the `head´ of the Familia but there was a high chance that she did not want to deal with more unruly children.
"How high are the chances of someone joining us? " The leader kept looking at the parchment while they were walking down the bustling streets of Orario.
"Honestly? Quite high. However the real question would be: How many would join us? Which by calculations and simply guessing… not a lot."
"Right, because we are not that well known as opposed to Loki or Freya, people would fight to join those…" Ragnar frowned at that thought.
But he was not wrong. Not all Familias were open for recruitment and people would go towards the strongest or most famous. Skadi even told them that while their Familia did have some prestige in the past but not everyone would remember it which made this recruitment drive even more difficult.
"But if we can get at least one or two I'll be happy." And yet, the Captain remained hopeful despite the many odds against them.
"Think about it, our best bet right now is to put these on the most popular places in the city and maybe give one or two to people that we know. It is a gamble, true, but we have nothing to lose."
"Not like Bryn was very happy about it…"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you saw her. Those eyes definitely felt… terrifying."
"Are you sure? I didn't see her any different from previous encounters."
There was no doubt that Noel saw Brynhildr in a different way than Ragnar did. They both agreed that she was an elegant warrior from the Odin Familia and her talks about discipline and training were quite a feat for an adventurer of her level, but after that they both saw her differently.
Noel pictured her as calm, someone who even in the midst of combat would know how to take rational decisions while fighting and defeating enemies. Perhaps not a kind soul but one that could at least open to some dialogue.
Ragnar on the other hand saw a bit more of her, back when she looked desperate during the expedition. She knew how to fight and proved time and time again but even then she could lose her calm if the situation was against her odds; perhaps she could've fought the bear and with enough tactics she could've won or maybe fall to desperation and die in the spot. But above all else there were times where her eyes showed disgust, almost like a deep hatred towards others and he saw it a few times.
"Well, I doubt she would change her mind about joining us, she's quite loyal to her Familia." Ragnar added, giving the paper back to his friend.
So far they hanged some near a few taverns or inns that were in the city as well as few announce boards that were on their way as well as giving a few, but they still had a few more to go. Most specifically a place where many adventurers would go: The Hostess of Fertility.
It was still early in the day so the place had barely any clients and some of the waitresses were preparing the tables inside, cleaning the floors or even wiping the street.
Near the entrance was a board with some information but the one that stood out the most was the menu and prices.
"Surely, a lot of people will see the recruitment post…" The silver haired muttered.
"Oh?" One of the waitresses noticed the two boys looking at the board and approached them. "Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility, may I-… Oh, it's you again, nice seeing you again Mister… Strand was it? "
"Yes, but Ragnar is more than enough." He smiled.
That waitress was Syr, the one who he helped a while ago and made a promise to return some day for a meal.
"You brought a friend today?"
"Yes, he's Noel but before anything, I will say that I came here for a different reason." He took one of the papers and handed it to the waitress. "It is perhaps more of a request, if not a favor to ask."
"Oh? Let me see." She took the item and started to read it carefully. "Skadi Familia is recruiting new adventurers?" Syr gave him a sad look, perhaps one of disappointment on herself. "I'm sorry but I am not good to be an adventurer, so I cannot partake in this recruitment that your Familia is doing."
"Oh, no no. Don't get the wrong idea Miss Syr, I was hoping if we could hang this on the announcement board, we are not forcing you to join or any of the waitresses here."
"Ah, sorry I thought you had a different idea." The girl giggled and nodded. "Very well, I can talk and see what we can move from our board." She took another glance at the paper and analyzed it. "Uhm…"
"Something wrong? " Asked the young one, tilting his head as Syr looked unsure this time.
"Well, if you allow me to make a suggestion, I feel like you are not giving much information or incentive. Although the map is a nice touch." Syr smiled at the two adventurers. "How about… whenever you give this to someone you tell them that… um… Oh! Tell them that the Skadi Familia slew a giant bear that was beyond their reach and with barely any help!"
"Wait, hold on. How did you know that? "
Depending on who you asked, killing a bear that is beyond your level is a feat, even if it's very few people who participated in it. Such action was definitely worth talking about but there weren't many witnesses. Skadi's children were a given but other than them it was Brynhildr and the Heimdall Familia. About twenty people were witnesses.
Now, a little fame has not hurt anybody and their feat was not something that people were talking in the streets actively, a month has passed since then and no one recognized them so even if it was heroic, it wasn't enough to make their usual walk on the streets a hassle.
Still, that warmed up Ragnar's heart a bit despite this initial confusion.
"Word around Orario gets by fast. One of our patrons talked about a small Familia taking down a giant monster. And the description was fitting for you. Mister Ragnar! "
"R-really? Heh…" The Captain let out a laugh and scratched the back of his head, he couldn't stop but to blush at that compliment, or rather at how his deeds were going around the city somehow. "In any case, I appreciate that you are helping us."
"No problem, though I do hope you take up on that promise and end up having a meal one day here along with the rest of your Familia!" This time her tone was more of accusing, placing one hand on her waist and pointing a finger at him.
"Do not worry Miss Syr, I will make sure to help my Captain fulfill that promise one day. I even have dreams of having a meal here too! " The young one smiled and the waitress returned it.
"I am glad that you have someone willing to help you in your Familia. Then I will wait for that promise eventually. Maybe… when you level up? "
"Let's hope it can be before that, yes? "
"Alright! " Syr rolled the paper and put it in one of the pockets of the apron. "I will make sure this gets on the board later in the day, but for now I need to continue to work, clients will be flowing in soon."
"Then don't let us distract you from your work. Have a great day! " Ragnar and Noel waved at Syr and they walked down the street once again.
"She seemed nice. When did you meet her? "
"Long time ago I bumped into her and helped bring some groceries to the Hostess. Can't say I call her a friend but rather an acquaintance."
"Will you take up to her promise? "
"Why not?" Ragnar shrugged. "I always heard good things of that place and the one time I went there was with Mister Thom a long time ago. But for that we will need money."
They kept on walking until they arrived at Babel, a structure that stood out the most in the city, even from far away. There were many adventurers already going in to undertake the challenges that the Dungeon would provide while they would stay on the surface.
"So, this is where we split up." They were looking up at the multiple floors.
"Yeah… I just hope to find answers." Ragnar looked down and patted the axe to his side.
"I hope so too, if that axe of yours is as magical as you claim to be then it might be useful in the future." Noel on his end tapped the stack of papers he had. "I'll go check for a few more inns and taverns, probably going to give some of these to other adventurers who might be interested as well"
"Alright, good luck Noel."
"You too Ragnar." The two of them took different paths. Ragnar went into the tower and then upstairs.
Babel was more than just a structure looming over the city, it had many purposes such as living quarters for some of the deities, workshops and even stores, although for the latter this meant that only the most premium items were here as opposed to what could be sold on the streets or in some forges.
If anything, everyone wanted an item from perhaps the best blacksmith in Orario, even if it meant paying the massive cost behind it, something that Ragnar could not afford at the moment, yet he hoped that a simple request like his would at least be free of charge.
He found the door he was looking for, one that he saw during his first visit to the tower. A simple sign depicting an anvil was more than enough to let everybody know that this was a forge, except they knew that it wasn't any forge.
Ragnar didn't hesitate, he opened the door and found himself in a small reception area. There were many weapons on display, something that would make him drool if it wasn't for the price that was already by most of them.
Opposite of the door there was a desk with a young man writing on a book, the wood of the desk was engraved with the apparent symbol of the owner of two crossing hammers
"Oh, welcome to Hepaestus' Forge. What can I do for you? "
"Hi, I was hoping you could help me with something. I need an item appraised."
"Appraised? That is an odd request but I can help you with that." Ragnar took the axe and gave it to the receptionist who closed the book.
"Mh… I can tell you already this is not a weapon that we made, although…" The person was silent, looking at the weapon closer and feeling its weight. "Allow me a moment." He left the axe on the desk and went to the back area of the forge.
The Captain could do nothing but to wait there, turning to his left to see some of the weapons on display. He couldn't see himself using a giant axe or a sword that was bigger than him, let alone using it in the Dungeon without colliding with the walls accidentally.
"Hoh?" A new person came into the scene.
A woman of red locks and a red eye, she had an eye patch that covered the right one. She could pass as just another hardened adventurer if not for her overwhelming aura that gave away what she was.
Ragnar lowered his head and placed a hand close to his chest. He knew best not to disrespect a Goddess, much less one that created the best weapons and armor in Orario.
Hephaestus walked to the counter desk and grabbed the axe, inspecting it much like the clerk did before.
"This is your axe?"
"Yes, Lady Hephaestus."
"Mh…" She turned it around, stopping at the snowflake symbol that was engraved. "As you might be aware, this is not a weapon that was made in my forge, nor made by any of my children. But… it is special."
"I am aware of both. I do know that the weapon is magical but I do not know to what degree or… what it does exactly."
That comment made the Goddess raise an eyebrow. She could inspect and analyze the axe and it could tell her a lot of things, she could tell which material the steel was made of, which ingredients were used to make the weapon magical and even to the finest detail as to how powerful it could be.
"Well, I'm afraid I cannot tell you much about it."
"Wait… b-but… aren't you a legendary blacksmith? Uh-…. L-Lady Hephaestus?"
"Indeed, and I can assure you that this weapon is magical, it was made with iced steel, hence the blue color. But I can tell you that the engravings were not made by hand."
That was information that he knew or didn't help him in his search, he needed more.
"But perhaps I know the right person who can answer every question about this weapon."
"Wait, there is someone in the city who can?! " Not just Ragnar but the clerk was surprised as well.
"Do not act surprised. It is the one who crafted this weapon. Maybe he will give you a better opinion if not more about it."
"Alright… so where do I have to go? "
…
The conversation was a short one but the instructions were more than clear. To go to a place that he has never stepped before and even more so brings even more questions to it.
The Entertainment District.
Both famous and infamous around Orario, the home of the Ishtar Familia, it felt like a city within the city.
Commonly this place would be the host of many adult activities and it wasn't short of visitors. The Captain never stepped on it but heard from many sources, including Skadi herself, that this place was nothing but a nest of depravity and that there was no reason for someone like Ragnar (or even Noel) to step in a place where no hero is welcome.
That is why it made him wonder why there is a forge in the middle of a place like this? Even more so one that could possibly answer the questions to his axe.
He was not one to doubt what another Goddess would say, especially if she was such a legendary blacksmith.
But the Entertainment District was completely different from what he imagined during the day. He could not deny that the amount of brothels he quickly came across was plenty and that was just near the entrance! But many of them were closed or just preparing for the night.
The instructions that Hephaestus were clear. Where to turn, how the place looked and even what kind of people he would find; quite a strange and oddly specific description was something he thought on the way to this place.
He earned the glances of a few people as he walked around, the place was not as lively as the rest of the city but it gave him an unnerving vibe, perhaps it was not for him.
He walked down the street, turned around at one of the eccentric brothels and kept walking until he found a building that stood out, not because it was majestic or impressive but because it was completely the opposite. A forge in between two brothels.
The place looked old and did not have that much care compared to the other buildings in this district. It reminded him of Fimbulvetr before the renovation, a place devoid of light and that it could collapse at any moment.
Yet it had people working on it. Two dwarves that were talking to each other, hammering and working on the furnace.
"Excuse me." Ragnar approached the two dwarves who turned their heads at the newcomer.
It was hard for the Captain to measure whether they were angry or that was just their neutral expression through the bushy beard and the gear they were wearing.
"What? " The voice did not sound amused.
"I… I came here to have an item appraised…" He tapped at the axe at his side. "Is your God here? "
"How did you find this place? " The other dwarf stood up, hammer in hand trying to be menacing.
"Uhm… I…" Ragnar did not want to be in that place. Why did he have to be there? He could've been happier without not knowing the origins of the axe! "I went to Hephaestus and she pointed me here, to this forge. S-she said that he would have answers."
The Captain pulled the axe and showed it to the dwarves, who took a glance at each other. One of them stood down while the other tilted his head for the Captain to follow.
"He's in, though a word of advice: He may be a bit… disconnected with his surroundings, so do not go in expecting you might get all the answers you are looking for."
"Noted…" He did not know what to expect, maybe the God was a madman? He could only think of Heimdall but even then he was far from being mad.
The inside of the forge was not much different from what he expected, in a way it was similar to Hephaestus' with weapons and armor on display with no prices although he could see the quality was not as good. The thick layers of dust everywhere was a giveaway that either this place was not visited or no one bothered to give a thorough cleaning every once in a while.
On the far end of this place was a counter and behind it a man resting his head on top of it with plenty of empty bottles of alcohol.
Perhaps his disconnection was not because of madness and more on a severe case of alcohol poisoning.
When they approached, Ragnar recognized the aura from that man, he was the God he was looking for along with a smell that reeks of the bottles that were near him. His eyes were closed but his chest was moving.
"Hey…" But no response came. "Hey!" The dwarf slammed the tabled with the hammer and this prompted the God to quickly get up and look around him.
"Huh? What? Where? " His erratic movements pushed the bottles off the table, crashing onto the hard floor "Oh, Brokk. What happened? " He turned his head at the Captain. "A customer? This early in the day? "
"I am surprised you can tell what time it is." The dwarf named Brokk turned around. "He says he wants an item appraised and that you might help him. I'll leave you two to it." With those words, he left the room and was heard outside working once again.
"Ah, young 'un. Sorry for this mess." The God tried to wipe some of the dust in the table but it was too dirty to even make a difference. "Welcome to Volund's Workshop, not the fanciest in Orario but we do take our craft seriously."
Volund stood up from his chair. He was wearing a long coat and pajamas. If anyone told Ragnar that this deity got up from bed, started to get dressed and fell on the desk asleep he would believe it. The long white hairs and the long beard made him look more like a sage rather than a blacksmith and even if his looks could depict him as an old man, the lack of visible wrinkles on the face or the hands said otherwise.
"Have we seen each other before? "
"I'm afraid not, Lord Volund. I am Ragnar Strand, Captain of the Skadi Familia and-"
"Ah! Skadi, heard she's having it rough ever since it happened. But you said you wanted an item appraised, yes? " Ragnar decided to avoid asking about the other part and instead handed the axe to the God.
In the blink of an eye his demeanor changed. While it could be funny to some he became serious, his eyes focused on the axe as his long fingers grasped the grip tightly.
"This… Yes… I made this…" Volund raised the weapon up. "It has been a long time since I saw this but… I can see it, I can feel its power… or rather the lack of."
"I know the weapon is magical, and I have used it but I don't know what else can it do or just… anything else about it."
"This weapon was made for one person in mind, it was going to help the user, to help them become a legendary warrior, like Sigurd so many years ago."
"Sigurd? " Ragnar tilted his head and raised a brow. "I'm afraid I never heard that name before."
"Perhaps a tale for another time…" The deity presented the weapon back to its owner. "This weapon was commissioned decades ago by a Goddess who saw hope and potential in a young adventurer, those were her words. Thus, my children and I made a weapon that could survive the test of time, one that could turn a puny adventurer into a hero, but it would not be for anyone, the blood of the owner would be the one who can control such a weapon."
"My father gave it to me before leaving my village, sort of a birthday gift to me but never explained much of it."
"Ah, then perhaps it would be best for you to ask him some questions." But the silence that came afterwards gave away the insensitive comment from Volund. "Apologies, I should've known…" He sighed afterwards.
"But if ought to know, this weapon was made with the purpose of evolving to fulfill the user's needs. I can sense that most if not all of its power were unleashed at some point, but it is now sealed once again."
"So… it's a living weapon? "
"Hah! If I only made weapons of that kind I would have to close up my shop. No, it is different than those. If I were to make a comparison, I want you to picture many doors in front of you, all of them with locks. Right now you may have a few keys and opened some doors, that is the power that this axe has available to you, it may be similar to the ones of the previous owner or it might be different. Once you fulfill the requirements, the lock will disappear and you will open the door."
Volund smiled, he noticed that the eyes of Ragnar shone with excitement, he knew that was what the young adventurer was looking for in the beginning.
"Unfortunately I cannot tell you what those requirements are, both you and the axe are mystery and as your story develops, the axe will open with new opportunities. It will listen to you, and your needs. No finer companion in battle." The god offered the weapon back to the Captain who grabbed it once again. "I hope I could quell some of those questions of yours. That is a fine weapon that you have, do not make mistakes."
"Thanks, Lord Volund." Ragnar put the weapon back to his side and smiled at him. "Just… do you remember who this weapon was supposed to be for? "
"Well of course, to the adventurer that was called Sigurd!" He answered with a smile. "Although, I think his time has long passed."
"I see…" He was disappointed, no doubt, but if anything that was another lead. Could his father be this Sigurd? As fun as that thought would be it would just be impossible, if he was as legendary as the God said he was then everyone should've known him, but for all he knew the man back at the village was his father, nothing else.
"Thank you for your time."
"Please, it was nice seeing one of my old weapons come back to me." The white haired saw as Ragnar walked away from the counter, he opened the door but…
"Wait, young 'un. What is your weapon's name? "
"Huh? I always called it a family heriloom, no special names or anything."
"Well, perhaps it's a good time to give it a name. Make it your own after all."
With that advice in mind, the Captain left the forge, he bid farewell to the two dwarves and then proceeded to return to Fimbulvetr.
His first visit to the Entertainment District was, for the most part, uneventful. Although he would not wish to be in this place when the night arrived, even if it could be as lively as the rest of Orario, this was definitely not somewhere he'd like to be.
If anything, the day so far has been interesting or if anything fruitful. Putting a lot of the recruitment papers on the inn, getting to meet an important Goddess as Hephaestus and even another blacksmith like Volund.
However, the biggest mystery would be to figure out who Sigurd was, if it was someone as legendary as the God-Blacksmith said then Noel could probably know something or maybe it would be in some books. It was possible in his mind that Skadi also knew about it since she was the one who commissioned the weapon.
So many answers and yet he got even more questions out of this.
He kept going down the street until he found a familiar face talking to someone else. The same white haired boy that has been accompanying him for a while now.
Noel gave one of the papers to the adventurer who walked away as Ragnar approached.
"Hey, had any luck? " But his friend only raised what appeared to be a single paper.
"Toured around the city and I ended up with only one. And uh… I followed Miss Syr's advice and decided to tell everybody a bit of what we did."
Deep inside he was surprised, to use such a tactic to get more people was not wrong but at the same time…
"Nicely done, Noel." He patted his head. Ragnar could not feel angry, it was a recruitment strategy and maybe that will persuade someone to join them.
"Let's go, we can probably visit the Dungeon for a bit today."
The two of them headed back to Fimbulvetr, hoping that this recruitment attempt would yield results in the near future.
And so, their attempts at recruiting people have started. Perhaps they will have hordes of people waiting at the gates of Fimbulvetr or maybe it will be just two or three if they're lucky. No doubt that the fight against the bear will bring some eyes to them but will it be effective? We'll see.
Thanks to everyone who's been following the story and giving follows and favorites. I have been dealing with sickness and writer's block for the last few days and I couldn't get the chapter faster. Though the good news is that I have most of an idea on how to proceed and finish the next one.
With that said, it's time for me to go back to the drawing board and keep planning on this story. Have a great week and as always:
See you in the next chapter!
