Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

He rotated a large cornerstone so that he could sit on it and noticed that the floor of this house was stone and that a layer of dirt had covered it. He got up and found a charred weed, plucked it, and held it by its roots as he used the grassy end as a make-shift feather-duster.

He "cleaned" the areas he'd exposed the ground, shuffling the dirt layer from here to there with little significance except to try to find something on the ground.

The member 'Overly Shedding Chocobo' has done the following action : FFMSL Dice

---

'Challenge' :

Result :

His "duster" that was a weed slid across something that felt funny, and Marlow bent over to pick it up. It was small pile of rubble and metal. He picked up the metal thing and felt its weight in his hand. He used his fingers to clean it off, and then his shirt to try to detail it.

He emerged from the house holding the pendant, and looked for the house. Marlow was so tired that the thought of keeping it for himself didn't even occur to him. Covered in soot, dirt, and grime, Marlow was just as dirty and smelly as any other.

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

City State of Romoa, Redhold
The Ruined Village

*Success! You have completed the challenge. Due to 4 failures, the level of the item has dropped by 12.*

ACCESSORIES
Mother's Pendant: Lv 12 (S)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	0	0	0	36	0	0	0
Info

The owner of the pendant was nowhere to be found and no one seemed to have any idea where he went. 

Meanwhile, the people of Redhold were getting tired of seeing Marlow eyeing their stuff. After the attack they had all become hyper aware of their belongings and so had developed a sense for when someone intended to steal them. So great was their displeasure that the guards were told not to let him back inside. Not wanting a riot on their hands, they agreed. With the keep barred to him, Marlow was forced to roam the ruined village if he wanted to stay in the area.

Marlow needed cash and food more than he needed a hunk of jewelry, as tempting as it was. Given that he couldn't find the owner, he pocketed the item (didn't want to be seen wearing stolen goods) for later.

Of course he tried to get back into Redhold immediately after this conclusion and was prevented from doing so. This meant that its inn was off limits to him, along with anyone he might have known aboard The Little Lady.

He wandered the streets for some time, stopping when he found a fire to roast the last of the meat he'd harvested from the roasted herd-beasts on the plains as his lunch. He felt aimless and frustrated. His ventures always brought him to a state of needing medical attention and now that outlet was taken away.

When boredom ate at his knees, he finally stopped beside a random, older man. "Sir, do you have anything for me to do?", he asked.

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

City State of Romoa, Redhold
The Ruined Village

The older man in question was the former captain of the guard. Former because of a random accident during Bahamut's attack. He eyed Marlow with annoyance, "I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow in the knee." And then he promptly wandered off. 

A nearby villager snickered at Marlow's misfortune.

Another passerby mumbled about the wild bear attacks lately. It seemed a couple bears had been attacking anyone who strayed too far from the burnt down village recently. A guard announced that a 300 Gil reward who be given to whoever killed them.

Marlow's mouth dropped and hung there in bewildered astonishment. He heard the laughing and whirled around. "Hey!", he protested, but he could not determine who'd made the noise.

He muttered to himself for a while until he overheard a villager, and then an announcement. Perfect! All he had to do was go back to that cave he almost died in and kill the bear for real this time.

Only... he still hadn't refilled his potions. "A shop a shop a shop...", Marlow repeated to himself as he walked at a fevered pace towards a house that might potentially be a shop. "Excuse me sir, can I use your washroom?", he asked a random stranger near the house, hoping that he was an owner or worker, that it was a shop, and that the potion assortment was kept there with other medical supplies.

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

City State of Romoa, Redhold
The Ruined Village

Sadly there weren't any shops left standing in the village that hadn't been burned to a crisp. The building Marlow found was the only one left entirely intact, although it wasn't exactly a house of repute...

The man Marlow stopped was a worker there, and he smirked at him. "Washroom? Kid, do you even know what kinda building this is?" He was about to fill him in on exactly what he meant but then a lovely little prank popped into his head and he decided not to. "You know what? Whatever, sure, go use the washroom. It's the one at the back with lights surrounding the door frame." 

The building in question was covered in them. Although why the Dranglings didn't target it nobody was quite sure, but hey, at least something was still standing.

Marlow grinned happily. Everything was going his way! He'd got some necklace swag and now he could finally refill his potions. He made his way to this spoken of 'washroom'.

In fact... as he walked away, he covertly stuck one hand down his pants and began to scratch around. Usually when he felt this itchy that meant it was time to clean himself. Maybe he could take a birdbath by splashing his stinkiest areas and scrubbing at them a little.

He made his way towards the back, paying no attention to his surroundings and found a room decorated with a string of lights, like christmas, only not. He went to twist the door handle open...

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

City State of Romoa, Redhold
The Ruined Village, The Dancing Chocobo

With a name as energetic as The Dancing Chocobo, one would expect it to be a place for those in mid-youth to hang out and have a good time, but this is not a place those lighthearted teens would go.

The door opened without incident, and inside it was indeed a washroom... for women that is. And while there wasn't anyone inside at the moment, there were a couple dancers taking a small break heading there. They were a Nyanqin and an Alfeir. An odd pair, to be sure, but hey, social norms don't always stop people from becoming friends.

Marlow would have to hurry if he didn't want to be caught in the Ladies' Room.

Desperate to refill his potions so he could set out on adventure again, he did so as swiftly as his hands would allow. When he finished, he put the filled potions back in his bag and quickly headed for a bathroom stall, did his business, and did not wash his hands.

"Hey.", he waved casually to the two, looking only out of his periphery out of politeness. Normally his hormones would kick in and dictate otherwise, but with the awkwardness of the situation, his brain was just not in that mode. "Cool costumes.", he also remarked. Being a trashy mixed-blood himself, he felt unaffected by the racism others might harbor and thought nothing of what races or professions they were. He headed out of the washroom and on his way out of the shop, gave the shopkeeper a nod of acknowledgement and thanks.

He stood outside and racked his brain on what to do. Oh, yes! Those bears with the monetary reward. He found the nearest stranger and asked them "Hey, what direction did the bears go in?".



TL;DR: Refills potions, asks for bear directions.

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

City State of Romoa, Redhold
The Ruined Village

The stranger in question eyed Marlow suspiciously, especially after seeing him exit the Dancing Chocobo. sure they had some potions in stock, but they didn't offer anything else in the way of material goods. "You know, if you didn't spend all your gold on women (or men, I don't judge) you wouldn't be broke," he scolded the young Half-Alfeir. But he told him which way they were regardless, because the way he sees it, "If you're going to try and take them on, by all means go ahead, not like you'll be coming back. You aren't the first adventurer to try and kill them, even a couple wandering knights were killed fighting them."

The bears were just along the path by the forest to the west. 

Marlow blushed at the insinuation. He was NOT - oh. He did like girls, and this would be a thing to be proud of. He puffed his chest out, demonstrating his masculinity and pride. The wisdom in fiscal responsibility slid right over his head, like water on a duck's back.

At the man's insult that he wasn't man enough to take on a couple of bears, Marlow made a rude sound, blowing air through his lips, and then turned on his heels. He wove through some streets and then out the village exit, picking up the sight of a few muddy bear-prints in the dew-soaked grass. He followed them and the path, leading him towards the forest, where he thought he could see movement.

Marlow picked up a rock and tossed it at something that he thought was moving. He wanted to draw out one bear at a time.

TL;DR: Throws a rock at a (? bear?)

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

Redhold


*Moderator Correction. Redhold is not a village nor does it have any nearby villages as stated on the map. Redhold is a Hold or a fortress.*

Bahamut's attack left the castle of Redhold in ruins. There was a huge crater in the center of the Castle, the result of Bahamut's Mega Flare impacting the old structure. The stonewalls were melted from the intense heat brought about by the Mega Flare. Some soldiers who stood just a few feet from the blast were incinerated, their shadows showing their last moments marked the walls.  Those who've survived are mostly soldiers and some extremely lucky ordinary folk. They were very fortunate that the Mega Flare that hit the Hold wasn't fully charged, all thanks to the Pollux. However, no one has seen the 3rd Lion after Bahamut's final attack. Many presumed he was dead because he was at the epicenter of the blast when it destroyed Redhold Fortress.

Workers, Travelers, and all other non-combatant men and women took refuge in the pile of black melted stone walls that still had a ceiling, while waiting for the Evacuation Forces to arrive from Ramoa. There was very little, almost nothing left of the once historic Hold that served as the last fighting pillar upon which men fought the undead.

In the pile of burned rubble, lay a small shinny object. It was glinting and it's shine was able to catch Marlow's eye. Hidden beneath the heap of things were two Apprentice's Wands, laced with tiny pearls. One was broken while the other was in good condition. Aside from the two wands there was also another glinting object buried in the ground. The edge of a steel enforced crossbow and beside it was a slightly worn armor. A other object buried in the rubble was an old magical staff. Furthermore there was also a bag of Gil lying around near Marlow's feet, amounting up to 150 Gil.

WEAPON
Broken Pearly Wand Lv: 30 (B)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	120
Info

WEAPON
Pearly Wand Lv: 30 (S)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	180
Info

WEAPON
Reinforced Crossbow Lv: 30 (S)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	0	0	0	180	0	0	0
Info

EQUIPMENT
Branded Iron Armor Lv: 30 (S)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	900	0	0	0	0	180	0
Info

WEAPON
Old Magic Wand Lv: 30 (B)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	0	0	0	0	120	0	0
Info

WEAPON
Old Magic Wand Lv: 30 (B)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	0	0	0	0	120	0	0
Info

Marlow continued his steady stride towards the forest, his mind locked onto the prospect of fighting bears yet again in order to earn money in order to eat and get away from this deity-forsaken town and all its glum people. Focused on his thoughts, he did not see the giant pile of rubble and tripped on it, landing flat on his face. He picked himself up, cursing up a storm and showing off the new words he'd learned from the sailors aboard the Little Lady.

His profanities ceased once he saw a glimmer of something interesting. His deft hands dug through it, his body quivering with excitement as he unearthed treasure after treasure. He took a few moments to play make-believe with all the wands before growing bored. Then he stashed away the goodies, found someplace private, and changed his clothes into the new armor. He practiced for a bit with his new bow and found it amazingly more accurate than his crummy, old bow.

"Stupid old man,", he cursed the tavern vendor who'd sold him the piece of junk for all his money.

Newly equipped, he continued his journey into the forest to hunt down bears.

TL;DR: Picks up look, equipment change, ready for bears. Hoping to start an occupation quest at level 40.

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

Redhold

Not much could be seen in the woods, most of the wildlife having run off to avoid the Dranglings, but an eerie silence filled the spaces between the trees, as not even the most daring of predators made their presence known. While walking, Marlow heard the faint sound of carrion birds in the area a ways ahead of him, although whether it was a dead or nearly dead person or animal remained to be seen.

Still nothing could be seen anywhere Marlow looked, the only hint of anyone being nearby the birds flying above in the distance, a semi-straight path before him leading the way, although the large assortment of large roots, inclines and declines made for a challenge to get there.

*Mod note: This is NOT a challenge, so don't feel the need to roll the dice for this, just RP, thank you.*

The forest was quiet, the kind of quiet that scared every mother into checking on their children, the kind of quiet like the eye of a storm. Marlow heard the sounds of busy birds ahead of him, and fearing a new monster, picked up a piece of charred trunk. He held it over his head, adding to his "height" in hopes that whatever it was wouldn't see him as a midget worthy of eating. It wasn't that he was scared of flying birds, but rather, that he couldn't see it for himself, couldn't verify they were hand-sized birds, and not bear-sized birds.

With both hands occupied and a newly-balanced rucksack full of booty, he quickly found his face in the dirt - he'd tripped on some roots. He picked himself up and continued onwards towards what sounded like eating. The going was difficult, and Marlow occupied his mind into imagining each dip in the path flooded during the rains.

TL;DR: Continues onwards

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

Redhold

The birds grew louder as Marlow advanced through the forest, and still no wildlife to be seen as of yet, although the faint sound of something far more sinister let its presence be heard on the air, a low growl echoing between the trees. Whatever it was, it was by no means intimidated by Marlow's 'size'. The ripping sounds of teeth on meat became more distinct as he moved closer to the source, and while nothing could be seen, faint tremors could be felt as footing became more treacherous on the already uneven ground.

Continuing forward would likely reveal the source, but in the wake of Bahamut's attack, there was no telling what kind of predator would be bold enough to stick around.

He paused briefly, letting the smell of copper (blood), the shake of the ground, and the sound of vicious eating fill his mind. Something dangerous was up ahead. Anyone in their right mind would run, and he could make up a tall tale later on about how he was victorious. But then he'd be bored for more time than that and his amusement would be short lived and he'd again be scrounging for food and drink and board. He needed this quest. He had booty, now.

"I can do it, I can do it..", Marlow chanted to himself as he edged forwards, more slowly and carefully now. His foot became snagged more than a few times, his arms were tired of holding the wood on his head to look bigger. When he thought he had neared the source of the sound, he peered forwards from around a bush, trying to peek and see what the thing was before attempting to poke it to death with his sharp and pointy new toys.

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

Redhold

What lay before Marlow was most likely not what he was expecting: a great bear was feasting on a dead drangling's corpse, it's form covered in scars and rippling with tensed muscles waiting to spring into action. It took another bite of the Drangling, mouth rising into the air as it chewed. Its eyes happened to meet Marlow's as he was peeking around the bush, and without even finishing its bite, it roared, half-chewed meat flying as it rose to its feet, it's sharp fangs glinting in the weak sunlight peeking through the trees due to the blood coating them.

It narrowed its eyes angrily at the fool who interrupted his mealtime. If Marlow tried to run now it would be futile, as the bear would catch up to him in due time. The only way out of this is to fight.

*Fight Imminent! You have one more post before the fight starts.*