No.766596
After parting ways with their comrades descending into Tartarus, the remaining group of the Saviors met with Ecclesia to join into the Vermillion Corps, a mercenary faction that would give extra aid while they prepare for the oncoming forces of the Treibheanna. Their first mission is heading north to Ornifex to uphold the promise made to Zjetya to help her homeland with the Draconic Lords. Their official task for Ecclesia is to end the civil war, not mattering which side wins, leaving leverage of their aid to stick with the victor.
After a long journey, they reached their first destination of Vortigern's home village, where they met her husband, Grantz, and were filled in over time on the history of the land and the takeover enacted by the Dragon Lords. With unanimous agreement to aid the rebels against the dragons, their first step in fighting the war was to recruit Alloy, a descendant of Buiwong and sister of Mocha, to strip the draconic power given to knights that collected tributes from the lower villages.
With a grand success, they then joined a meeting of the villages, learning they were divided between the sides of the war as well, leading to a sneak attack against them in their sleep. Stopping the attacked, they discovered the dragons also had the aid of angels on their side, with the attacked under a heavy and inescapable mental alteration.
Now, they work to decide their next step. Lying low while they wait for the villages to decide who they stand with, and working on a defense against the angelic mind control to avoid losing themselves in the conflict.
No.766597
>>766596"That's precisely the issue," Vortigern says. "The uptick in war aggression and banditry has caused certain monsters to flee their usual roaming grounds for the nearby regions. It's akin to an out-of-season migration, and likewise risks disrupting the balance of the food chain. It's not dire at the moment, but we want to nip this problem in the bud before it gets worse."
At the mention of W&W, Spitshine and Sugar's ears perk up. In fact– so do the others. Vortigern, now recalling Regina's board games, smiles. "Sounds like you're already prepared for this task."
No.766598
>>766597"Ah, so we'll be keeping their numbers in check and corralling them if we can to keep things in order."
Pryce chuckles as everypony's ears perk up at the mention of the game.
"It seems so, yeah. I've set up a monster island for our games, so we've already been through this a few times in a sense," He explains, then looking over to the others. "Guess we'll see whose paid the most attention."
No.766599
>>766598Vortigern nods. "Always nice to see a hobby Rise to the level of practical skills."
Spitshine pokes Onion's arm. "I know we're supposed to stay out of harm's way but since we've been practicing with the game, can me and Sugar give the hunt a Tri?"
Onion shrugs. "I don't got any objections to it, if nobody else thinks of any. But we should get a move on. Sun's Breaking through the clouds."
"Yeah," Zjetya says. "Every hunter in the World knows the early bird gets the worm."
Sugar clutches her head as the existential horror overwhelms her.
No.766600
>>766599"If we're all together, it'll be fine. Besides, hitting the Wilds will be a good test for all the training we've done, both in-game and what Sir Estuary has taught us," Pryce adds.
"So, what kind of monsters should we be on the lookout for? And where should we start?" He asks Vortigern with everypony on board.
No.766646
>>766600"I suggest taking a two-pronged approach," Vortigern says. "There are a number of less dangerous monsters which one group can handle, but there are some bigger threats that I just can't allow KP, Sugar and Spitshine to fight, in good conscience. So perhaps they could take the first group with the assistance of Grantz and Onion, and you, River and Zjetya can handle the second category."
Zjetya's intimidated, in a rare turn, and Sugar and Spitshine are simply too thrilled about getting to fight to be disappointed that they can only fight the easy ones.
No.766648
>>766646Pryce nods in agreement.
"That sounds good, it'll be a good test of all their training."
>"What kind of monsters are around here? Is there any more like our pets?"KP asks Vortigern curiously, holding onto Lockjaw while pointing out Pucchini and Catcher.
Seeing Zjetya intimidated, Pryce can't help but chuckle a little.
"Us three can handle anything, don't worry."
No.766651
>>766648Vortigern shakes her head. "Yours are a special case. You can hunt without fear of fighting a potential friend."
"Well, I am getting thrown right into the test so soon after my training…" Zjetya says.
"Just copy our answers and you'll be fine," River jokes.
"Pfft. That's why we're dating," Zjetya says.
"Pryce, your group will deal with a quarray eel that's moved into the cliffs north of here," Vortigern says. "Should you need any more supplies, you can get them freely from the village."
No.766654
>>766651>"Cool! This'll be a great way to fill out my bestiary!""Hey now, no cheating," Pryce mock scolds. "Heh, how about whoever gets the last hit gets a gold star."
"A quarray eel, good thing we can all fly," Pryce comments. "Got it. Think we're mostly set, but we should recheck our stocks."
No.766655
>>766654Vortigern nods. "With that, I think that covers our meeting. Zjetya, Pryce, Alloy, if you need more sleep following your rude awakening, don't hesitate to take it. We'll need everyone operating at top condition every day from now on."
"I… might take that offer," Alloy admits. To tell the truth, Zjetya looks like she could use the same.
No.766657
>>766655"I can only imagine. We'll be sure to be at 110% with what's coming."
Pryce looks to the others as it looks Alloy and Zjetya will be taking the offer of sleep.
"You guys can head back to the ship, I'll do a check on the supplies and see what we need."
No.766660
>>766657River gives you a light boop. "I'll handle the restocking. You go catch up on your sleep."
"Thanks," Zjetya says, brushing up against her as she heads for the ship. Alloy follows as well, giving each of the pets a scratch as he goes. The others break away to go get ready for their own hunts.
