A Record of Ash & Ruin: The Grieving Lands

Book 1: Chapter 49: Bureaucracy

Bibsis, Rainspeakers, or Callers are only found in one sacred pond that grows into a great lake with the coming of the rains in the Grieving Lands. To gaze upon them is said to be akin to receiving a blessing from the Goddess herself.

-The Fanciful Travels by Beron de Laney 376 AC.

At long last, it was now our turn. Behind the counter stood a thin dark-haired bookish man clothed in an elegantly cut shirt with a silver bolo tie with a dark emerald at its center. Gray calculating eyes behind small horn-rimmed spectacles looked up from his papers and gazed over us.

The clerk coughed, a white-gloved dainty hand rising to his mouth, before asking in a smooth baritone, “How can the Adventurer’s Guild be of service to you, gentlemen?”

“We wish to register as new members of the Adventurer’s Guild,” I replied simply, mentally slapping myself for forgetting the earlier idea to just register as one member.

“Names please?” he asked in a no-nonsense voice, all professional now as he filed through a different set of papers for registration.

“Gilgamesh of Uruk, Elwin Tucker, and Kidu Kreshin,” I said slowly, careful to enunciate the names correctly as my companions simply nodded behind me.

“I see. Gilgamesh and company, that will be nine silvers in total for all of you. You are lucky. The Guildmaster has nothing scheduled today and will be able to see you soon for the induction process. My name is Taciano, and, since you will be becoming Adventurers, I believe we will be seeing each other more often.” He cracked a smile incongruous with his earlier attitude. “Please pay the requisite fee and wait a while to the side while I inform the Guildmaster,” he gestured to the side of the counter.

My party and I paid the requisite three silver coins each, and we followed Taciano’s instructions to the letter, waiting quietly to the side. With nervous energy that belied his usual confidence, Elwin spent the time throwing and catching a sharp knife that rose and fell, glinting with a deadly metallic light.

It was after a few long minutes when Taciano called us over in a quiet formal voice. “Guildmaster Darcen Tsend will see you, please follow me.”

I nodded in assent and he guided us up a sturdy flight of stairs before knocking respectfully on a wooden door. After waiting for a few moments, he opened the door and ushered us in.

We were greeted by a formidable sight. A lean silver-haired rugged man clad in the local style, a deel fashioned in colors of golds and reds, positively filled the room with his presence. On anyone else, it would have looked like a colorful peacock’s display, but it hugged his formidable frame and seemed like another form of armor. He stood behind a finely carved wooden desk with his hands behind his back.

Atop his desk was a purplish crystal ball, mystical mist moving eerily in its depths. The desk itself was delicately patterned with mystical creatures, and various trophies from past adventures decorated the walls. A massive one-eyed monster’s head directly behind Darcen drew the eye, its large fang-filled mouth frozen in a roar. Tentacles circled around its single eye like a medusan mane.

The lines of his face were hard and scars ran down one sun-browned cheek, crossing lines carved by age and old victories. The Guildmaster exuded a restrained sense of danger and authority, like the head of the pack that had seen many hard winters but was content for now. His other quality was that he was also wolfishly handsome, and he greeted us all with a wide canine smile.

“Good afternoon, prospective Adventurers. I welcome you all formally to the Adventurer’s Guild. My name is Darcen Tsend, and I am the Guildmaster of the Ansan Branch,” he paused for a moment and I could feel a sort of energy work its way through me, as if searching for something.

“Ah, you noticed the Watcher. One of my earlier victories. Terrible things. They say they are creatures of the void. My party and I were contracted to clear out a nest of them. I lost many friends to those creatures,” he said somberly.

Switching gears, almost jarringly, he continued. “You all look like capable sorts so I will induct you immediately. Speak to the fellow Taciano for an explanation of the rules. But the biggest rule of all, this isn’t really part of the rules of the Guild, but still… do not think to deceive me, for I can smell a lie,” he stated, his wolfish appearance giving credence to his claim, and it seemed for a moment that small room filled with his presence.

Elwin smiled nervously and almost visibly gulped as he said with a courage I did not possess at the time, “The sky was purple this morning.”

Darcen just guffawed at the Rogue’s temerity. “I like your style,” he exclaimed as he slapped him on the shoulder which almost brought Elwin down to his knees. The bigger man chuckled throatily all the while.

“Now place your hands on the Bonding Crystal and I’ll hand over your first badges,” he said as he gestured to the purple crystal ball on his beautifully crafted desk.

“What does that… thing do?” I asked quickly, apprehensive at the thought of touching some clearly magical.

“It merely registers you as a member of the Guild. Trust me, it is for your own protection. Wouldn’t want you being carted off to somewhere like the flesh pits or the mines, right? The crystal is also imbued with minor magics to inform the Guild of an adventurer’s death, and in such a case we will pay the death price to their next of kin,” the Guildmaster said in a serious tone. I couldn’t help but feel that he had given this speech many times before.

Against my better judgment, I felt a need to win this man’s approval and moved to be the first to touch the stone. Taking off my gloves, I touched the purplish ball with the bare skin of my fingers and felt almost a jolt, like static electricity. I looked to the Guildmaster to see if this was normal, but he simply nodded.

A few seconds later, the wolfish man tapped a copper badge, similar to the one Gan possessed, to the crystal’s now opaque milky surface. Darcen gestured that it was alright to let go, so I removed my hand and golden script etched itself onto the copper badge as if an invisible pen was writing on it. Soon enough, I could read my name clearly in the Trade language and was taken aback by the casual display of magic as the ball grew clear once more.

“First encounter with magic?” asked Darcen, moving to hand over my newly minted Adventurer's Guild badge.

I smiled, feigning awe and rather avoiding directly answering his question. Being wary of his ability to sense the truth from a lie, I was unwilling to show my hand just yet.

“Now, there is the quick thing about the Adventurer’s Guild oath, and it is very simple. You just need to swear that you will do your very best to always uphold the reputation of the Adventurer’s Guild. Do you so swear, Gilgamesh of Uruk?” asked Darcen as he looked me squarely in the eyes, just a few moments shy of handing it over to me.

“I swear to uphold the reputation of the Adventurer’s Guild to the best of my current abilities,” I said as firmly as possible, trying not to let reluctance enter my voice.

I must have really meant it, or the Guildmaster’s truth-sensing ability was imperfect, because he simply looked me up and down and handed the badge to me with a comradely smile. Still, he decided to slap my shoulder, as he did with Elwin, in an unconscious show of dominance. I was ready and expecting it, however, and with a thin and annoyed smile, I absorbed the shock of the blow through my knees and a shifting of my own weight. As a student in my old world, I had dealt with his type many times before.

Kidu, following my example, was next to step up to the desk. Taking off his gauntlet, he grasped the crystal with his giant hand almost as if to crush it, and drew a chuckle from the Guildmaster. As he did with me, he tapped a copper badge to the crystal before asking Kidu to repeat the oath about not tarnishing the reputation of the Guild. Kidu’s name magically appeared on his badge in the same manner as it had on mine. Darcen looked at Kidu’s badge and read out aloud Kidu’s name.

“Kidu Kreshin. Kreshin, now that is an impressively fierce creature for one’s first kill. Gilgamesh here must be something special to be in the company of a Hunter so gifted,” the Guildmaster said thoughtfully, a new respect in his eyes.

I barely registered the Guildmaster’s comment, my own mind already analyzing the oath that I had taken. Was it a simple honor system or was it magically enforced? At first, the oath seemed pretty vague, but after analyzing it a bit further, I realized it actually encompassed a rather wide range of things from my interactions with other NPCs… people. I had to remind myself that I was probably dealing with real people, to the manner in which I completed requests. On the other hand, as long as I was never found out, I could do, for the most part, whatever I wanted. This was probably why the Guildmaster had some sort of truth-sensing ability. My enhanced Intelligence helped me to realize that it could be a loophole that could be potentially exploited in the future.

It was Elwin Tucker the Rogue’s turn next. If anyone had secrets to hide, next to me, it would be my companion Elwin. With great hesitancy, he made to touch the crystal, stopping just a hairsbreadth before touching it.

“This doesn’t hurt, right? Had enough pain to last three lifetimes. Not enough drink in all the Grieving Lands to numb what I’ve been through,” he mumbled with a slight quiver.

The Guildmaster simply smiled and grabbed his hand and forced it to the crystal with such speed I was barely able to track it with my eyes. Elwin’s mouth opened in stunned silence, forming a big ‘O’ in surprise. Again, Darcen made Elwin repeat the Guild’s oath before finally handing over his copper badge.

“I welcome you all to the brotherhood that is the Adventurer’s Guild. May you always find that which you seek,” Darcen intoned formally in a voice that weighed heavy with the authority of the Guild.

Not knowing how to respond, we all just quickly looked at each other and nodded.

“Alright then, that’s out of the way! You best make your way back down to Taciano, good lad but a little weedy. Also, could do with a bit of toughening up. Spends far too much time indoors. Nonetheless, he’s a reliable sort and you could have done a lot worse. One of the lads from the last batch we hired was a right sod. Now be off with you!” he commanded, the smile on his face making a lie of his stern tone.

Hurriedly, like schoolboys being dismissed, we exited Darcen’s office. The whole encounter gnawed a little at me, but I was grateful for the protection that the Guild offered. My companions and I all took a deep breath before going down the stairs to find Taciano, who had, as of now, been assigned to us.

The clerk had been dutifully waiting for us, holding a thin sheet of rectangular wood to serve as a board for him to write on. On the bottom of the board was a small pot of ink in which he dipped his fine feathered quill.

“Interesting,” I said, pointing at his board. “But what would truly add to its usefulness would be, perhaps, a clip at the top to stop the parchment from moving.”

His brow furrowed in thought as he considered my suggestion before his eyes lit up. “Yes! What a brilliant idea! How could I have not thought about it before? Why, thank you, Gilgamesh… now to ask the smith if he could fashion a spring of some sort…” he said as he shook my hand vigorously, his actual duties temporarily forgotten as he pondered on my idea.

It seemed that my words must have been of some significance, as I received a notification.

You have gained 1 Intelligence.

Checking over my character sheet while the clerk was still distracted, trying to keep at least half a mind in the present, I noticed that my maximum Mana had risen to a respectable fifteen points. I didn’t have enough time to look over the full extent of my current status but I was pleased to learn that, thanks to my general activities, I had gained a lot of experience points and was very close to level eleven. I hadn’t quite locked down how the system worked, but outside gaining levels, gaining attribute points was definitely linked to activities, skill use, and meaningful practice.

STATUS

CallingGilgamesh Level 10 Paladin of Avaria/Reaver Strength24 Dexterity19 Constitution34 Intelligence21 Wisdom18 Charisma12 Luck17

SKILLS & PROFICIENCIES

Pain Nullification (lvl.2) Power Strike (lvl.2) 10 Endure (lvl.3) Stealth (lvl.1) Rest (lvl.3) Backstab (lvl.2) Dodge (lvl.3) Polearms (lvl.2) Dual Wield (lvl.2) Critical Hit Mastery (lvl.2) Mining (lvl.2) Unarmed Combat (lvl.3) Hammers (lvl.2) Flails (lvl.2) Maces (lvl.1) Shields (lvl.1) Medium Armour (lvl.1) Heavy Armour (lvl.2) Axes (lvl.1) Daggers (lvl.2) Throwing Weapons (lvl.2)

SPELLS & MAGIC

Heal (lvl.5) 5

Rust (lvl.3) 1-2

Identify (lvl.2) 1

Silent Casting (lvl.1)

Mana Regeneration (lvl.2)

Purify (lvl.2) 3

Greater Heal (lvl.1) 10

Holy Aura (lvl.1) 2

Decay (lvl.1)

Drain (lvl.2) 2

Entropic Aura (lvl.2) 2

GIFTS

Curse of Entropy: -20% all starting attributes. Mark of the Paladin: 10% resistance to Dark/Holy magic, 5% resistance to Physical. Touch of the Void: 10% reduced resistance to Holy/Fire magic, 20% resistance to Mental Effects, 15% immunity to Mental Effects.

Experience to next level 2572/2583

My mind was quickly drawn back to the present as Taciano finally remembered his primary duties.

“... Can find jobs and on the board over there,” he said, pointing to the large board pinned with many job requests. “You can take jobs at your rank and one rank above and all ranks below. However, should you perish whilst attempting to do a job or request one rank higher than your own then the death payment will not be given to your next of kin or chosen recipient,” Taciano continued to instruct in a slightly clipped voice.

I selected my mother and father as my next of kin, sure in the knowledge that the potential windfall of my death would never reach them anyways, and I would, of course, do my utmost to keep myself alive. Elwin wrote another Tucker’s name down and gave the city name of Brownwood. Kidu surprisingly wrote the Three Bears Clan and ‘The North’ for the address. I was genuinely surprised, as I had thought the large man to be illiterate. It seemed that I had kept a few of the prejudices of my old world with me.

With this part out of the way, Taciano went on with his explanation, “If certain proof needs to be provided for the completion of a job you will need to hand them in at the counter, to me or another Adventurer’s Clerk that is on duty. Please wait for us to sign, stamp, and verify that you have completed the request and you will be paid, minus any city taxes and ordinances.”

“One of the advantages of membership is that we enjoy friendly relations with many of the traders and merchants of the city who will be more than willing to offer you a discount. This will, however, be in relation to your current rank and, of course, having a good standing with the Guild. As your group does not have a healer I would suggest that you also make it a point to buy healing supplies from a skilled Alchemist. Here, let me write down directions for a few reliable sorts.”

The clerk wrote down the directions, which he handed over to us on a scrap piece of parchment.

“I am also here to advise you on future ventures and so forth, so if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask. On that note, I would advise that you first take a copper class job that you feel a three-man group like yourself can easily accomplish. Any questions?” the clerk finally finished.

We all uniformly shook our heads and Taciano gave us one final formal smile before he turned back to the counter to continue his normal duties. My own group, as advised, walked up to the jobs board and one particular small notice in the center drew my attention. I could not read it clearly but the part that I could was definitely of interest. My knowledge of the Trade script was still patchy, so I cast Identify on the words.

‘(Bronze) Information on what is targeting the charcoal burners of Ansan. Reward one gold coin,’ read the job’s notice.

Suddenly without warning the golden script of a new quest flashed before my eyes.

Warn the Adventurer's Guild of the Echo-Stalker's Nest? YES/NO

Finally, I thought, a quest that aligned with my own goals. I quickly accepted. This was, basically, the world being slightly helpful for a change. I took the notice from the board and went back to the counter.

A few moments later, a slightly annoyed-looking Taciano came back and asked tersely, “Yes, did you forget anything?”

“Not exactly, but I believe we have completed our first job for the Guild,” I said as seriously as possible, handing over the slip of paper with the request.

He looked at me as if I had suddenly grown new arms before actually reading the slip that I passed over, his eyes now narrowing before asking, “So you have information in regards to the recent attacks?”

Gambling with the die of fate, I told Taciano about the Echo-Stalkers that we had seen in the Sainba, leaving out the obvious parts that would incriminate us. Our reason for being there was a little weak, something about Kidu wishing to test himself, but the clerk brushed this off as he was more interested in the possible location of the Echo-Stalker’s nest.

He asked if we had any physical proof and we referred him to the Soot-Stained Pig and the Echo-Stalker parts we had sold to Cillis and her husband. Kidu also gave him a rough account of where to find the nest, a task impossible even for me with my enhanced intellect, which Taciano dutifully wrote down.

Taciano also informed us that we would have to leave a deposit of a silver piece while members of the guild checked the veracity of our story, due to both our junior rank and the fact we were brand new members. I simply shrugged and handed him over a silver coin from my own purse. Such were the responsibilities of a leader.

“Are we allowed to take another job while we wait?” Elwin asked greedily, posing the question we were all thinking.

“It is usually frowned upon to do two jobs at once, but I am sure you don’t want to wait and in the light of the circumstances, I don’t see why not. Please go ahead and choose a different job, I am sure you are ready to get stuck in! Remember to please keep it to the copper requests though, I’d rather not attend another funeral this week,” said the clerk in a now flat voice.

We nodded our assent as we went to check up on the board again for different jobs. The whole thing reminded me of the minutiae of dealing with forms and papers in my old world. Pretending to be completely literate, to save face, I tried to make out the words, but I could only recognize one letter in four making me, effectively, illiterate. Elwin would, however, save the day once more.

“How about this one? Says collect some Moon Moss from the Sainba forest. No monster slaying for a start, and I can find us some Moon Moss no problem, I’m sure. A two-day job at the most and it pays three silver!” said the Rogue enthusiastically.

With no other options, I had no choice but to pretend to think it over before agreeing with the Rogue, “It definitely fits our initial objectives. We should set out immediately,” I said, wanting to retake the initiative as the leader of our little group. Something, however, was niggling at the back of my thoughts and I couldn’t yet place it.

“There are three of us, why not three jobs?” rumbled Kidu, surprisingly insightfully, and my mind snapped back to the task at hand.

“That’s an excellent point,” I commented, nervousness stealing into my voice as I desperately looked at the board searching for another notice that I could understand.

Leafy fronds grew from a thick bulbous base on the picture of the plant and I guessed it must have been a notice for a gathering job. With nothing for it, I decided to frantically cast Identify on a notice that had a drawing of a plant on it, the searching tendrils of magical energies taking longer than usual to complete their quest.

The notice read ‘(Copper) Gather three heads of River Root. Reward two silver.’ I looked at my companions and noticed that they had all grown slightly reticent.

“Why all the long faces?” I asked, confused by their reaction.

“Well, it‘s not so much the River Root that’s the problem. Just that Lurkers can sometimes be found near River Root. Right fearsome beasts they are. Not always, mind you, just sometimes. But it’s always the sometimes that gets you,” said Elwin, his usual smile growing a little strained.

The wildman, on the other hand, seemed to take this as some sort of challenge and with one of his giant hands took down another notice with a picture of a large fearsome lizard on it. I gave the picture on the notice a look over and almost gulped. It was certainly a terrifying sight to behold, even on paper.

The great lizard resembled a crocodile or alligator with six muscular stubby legs that each ended in four sharp-looking claws. Along its back, from the neck down to its tail were spiked ridges and bony armored plates. The artist had captured the beast’s mouth open mid-roar, and serrated dagger-like teeth lined its huge gaping maw.

I took a moment to look at the notice and pretended to read it in detail. While I did this, I silently cast Identify on it, growing frustrated at my slower casting speed. The notice simply read ‘(Bronze) Three River Lurker hides. Reward six silver.’ We would be well rewarded for the task. Hopefully, we could complete all three jobs at the same time.

“Two birds with one stone,” I said with a slight grimace, waiting for the quest messages that never came, then sighing in relief.

“I’ve never heard that before, but it certainly sounds apt. I guess if you got a sling and swung really hard…” quipped Elwin, regaining a little of his usual verve.

“They will make for worthy prey,” said the Hunter stoically, nodding as he gripped his unstrung bow in his ham-sized hands.