nysalogs | mercenary jobs #4

Entry tags:

mercenary jobs #4 — open to all

Who: Anyone interested in taking some mercenary jobs via Aranea Highwind's offerings. This log is focused on Wyver and can be found on job boards across the city as well as personal handwaved texts.
What: Mercenary posting!
When: N/A
Where: N/A
Warning(s): Happy Holidays, y'all!

Thank you for stopping by to check out this month's job postings for Highwind Hires — a freelance mercenary group!

Aranea Highwind will ICly be contacting characters and offering them jobs based off the assumption she will receive 30% of the cut.

JOB #1 — MERCY KILL?

You actually were hired for a bountiful delivery quest: move a cart of medicine from one outpost to the other. However, there seems to be something that catches your eye on your trek closer to Wyver — a rather large, sickly dragon laying on the side of the road. There seems to be a plethora of arrows in its wings and legs, preventing it from flying. The poor thing looks like it has been dragging itself for miles without help.

It's small enough to move with two people, but you'll need to choose whether you abandon the medicine crates in the back of your cart or put the poor thing out of its misery.

OUTCOMES:
- ABANDON THE MEDICINE, SAVE THE DRAGON — You have to pay 300 Silver for the lost medicine, which will eventually be looted from. However, there will be someone from the DIPA — Dragon Insurance Protection Agency that will be called to examine the beast and care for it. The dragon has a long road to recovery, but it will survive.
- MERCY KILL THE DRAGON — You will leave a body, deliver the medicine for 300 Silver.

JOB #2 — SECRET SHOPPER

The elderly grandmother of one of the richest families in Olympia is looking for a special gift for her husband for their anniversary. She enlists a team of shoppers to wander the streets on a holiday known as Black Day — the premiere shopping day of the year. Shops are lined up, deals are sent out in parchments — it's up to you to find some of the items on her list.

The struggle is simple: finding the items and getting out of the stores unscathed.

OUTCOMES:
- MIRROR OF OLD will earn you 500 Silver if acquired. This item is one of a kind. It is said the mirror allows you to have fresh, crisp memories revived in its reflective glass.
- RECORDER OF TRUTH is a small flute with an obnoxious noise. However, playing it allows anyone who hears to feel truthful for a short amount of time. This will earn 200 Silver.
- AXE OF THE BLOODIED is an heirloom that has been in and out of shops for decades. It seems there is a fearful curse placed upon whomever purchases it, one that causes the owner to go mad. This makes it highly coveted among nobles who want to add it to their collection. 500 Silver is earned with purchase.

JOB #3 — REDBONE

A butcher shop in Olympia is seeking hunters and mercenary to hunt down Turo in preperation for the unified gala between Olympia and Wyver. You are to provide your own means of transportation and return within two dead Turo. You will be paid 230 Silver for each and get a portion of the meats. Due to the contract the butcher has put out, the usual place for hunting in Murkwell is a little sparse, so you must venture deeper. Rumor has it, the Turo are fond of Radiating Blossom...

OUTCOMES:
- For one, you will not only be given half the sum, but you will receive no extra food.
- If you successfully hunt both, you will find your pockets lined per the offering above. In addition to the meat, the butcher will offer his best recollection of valuable hunting spots in the area.

JOB #4 — TEST SUBJECTS

The shaman in Wyver are looking to pay heavily for a new strand of "Clarity Potion" (truth serum). Aranea puts the quest up on a local job board in hopes to get two subjects at a time to test out the serum under a closed experiment. Whomever volunteers with this will spend the evening under close watch at a small 1 bedroom section of the temple and subject to the truth for the first 6 hours. Around 3 in the morning (if still awake), characters will feel anger, lashing out and needing to be heavily talked down.

OUTCOME:
- Characters will be awarded 540 Silver each for their cooperation.

Have fun! If you have any questions, feel free to PM me! These are all loosely based on your choices, so feel free to go wild with them. The outcomes only are indication of what the jobs would offer. If you're interested in having your character offer a job in the future, please let me know!

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[ Please pay attention, Keaton. Or rather, please pay the right sort of attention.

She unfolds the crinkled piece of paper in her hand, the one with their specified objects listed. The writing's smeared and the paper's grubby, and it takes her two tries to rattle the list off proper. ]

The Mirror of Old, the Recorder of Truth, and.... [ squints ] the Axe of the Broody.

[ Wait. ]

Axe of the Bloodied. [ Two vastly different things, though she supposes a broody man could also be a very bloody man. Gotta work out that emo somehow. ]

You see any of those things here?

[ sorry, but there's a really neat tarnished piece of metal over in the corner that currently needs his attention! but it swiftly returns to Yoruichi once she mentions the trio of objects their current objective required for them to find. or, at least one of them. ]

See? Nah. Can't smell them, either. [ he taps his nose with a gloved finger and grins. ] No blood in here. Or, at least, fresh blood.

[ easier to catch that more than anything else. though, speaking of which--- ]

Hey. Maybe I do.

[ it's... well, hard to miss. but it looks like something interesting. ]

Think this does anything?

[ without a second thought, he immediately pulls the instrument to his lips and blows into it as hard as he can. whether it's actually the Recorder of Truth or not? who knows! ]

Don't touch that!

[ The merchant shrieks, one hand lashing out in protest&mash;but it's too late, Keaton's already got the thing up to his lips and sure is trumpeting to high heaven as loud as he can.

It's....well, it's not really a pretty sound the recorder makes, kind of like a nauseous goat trying bleating out, though whether that's due to the material at hand or Keaton's poor recorder playing skills, she's really not sure. Either way, she winces at the noise, but waits to see if it has any sort of effect on any of them.

As the noise finally dies down: ]

Anyone feeling particularly truthful yet?

[ he's... a little lightheaded from expending his entire lung capacity into one shrill, loud noise. not to mention that his ears are ringing, so he can't actually hear her after he plays. ]

Huh? A mouthful of what?

[ he's practically shouting across the store, and continues to do so as he makes his way back to Yoruichi while still holding onto the translucent instrument, its purple sparkliness making him look like a... fool. probably. ]

Should I play it again? Did it work?

[ he places the mouthpiece in between his lips, preparing to blow again. ]

Stop!

[ Comes the simultaneous yell from both Yoruichi and the shopkeep, both also stretching out one hand in a halting motion. Points of synchronization. The shopkeep, somewhat reassured that Yoruichi has control of her wayward companion, retreats into one corner, though not without nervously muttering about the nerve of certain customers under her breath.

Whether or not Yoruichi actually has control of the situation is TBD. ]

Let's take this a step at a time. Before you blow on that thing again, how about you answer a question? Try and lie, and if you can't, then we'll know it's the real thing.

[ As for the question......man, she doesn't actually know that much about this kid. For all she knows, he could have been lying about everything from the getgo. Oh well, they've got nothing else to go on. ]

What's my name?

[ both ears droop. what, they didn't like his playing from before? another round of horrible screeching noises wasn't appealing? he's kind of hurt, pulling the recorder away from his face and returning to Yoruichi's side before he could make another noise otherwise. ]

What's your name? [ he can't think of a lie! he can't make up a name on the spot, his tail is already matching the same tilt that his ears have. he'll have to tell the truth, because for all he knows, he's supposed to be doing it anyway? ]

It's Yoruichi. [ slow and deliberate, he looks around nervously. what if he got it wrong? he's pretty sure that's her name, but everything else about her reminds her of a cat. a cat that he doesn't know.

but hey. maybe he should be asking the questions, too. after all: he's the one who blew on it first. ]

Hey. Do you like wolves?

[ Gods, at least try a little, Keaton!!

Not that she's helping much, her initial reaction being to answer the question with a flat out rejection. (Hey, it's true.) But if the point is to see if that thing in his hands is the real Recorder of Truth or whatever mumbo jumbo, then she's gonna have to put at least a little effort into this.

So! She purses her lips, thinks a little, then says in a sugary sweet voice. ]

Actually, yeah, I love wolves. Wolves are some of my best friends!

[ Hey, she can still lie, good to know. Proves that thing isn't the real deal after all.

Things she did not pause to consider: the fact that Keaton might take her answer 100% seriously. ]

[ it's... a miracle?! for the longest time, he was pretty sure she felt a little strongly in the other direction? and the fact she has wolf friends?! why didn't she say anything before? ]

Really?! [ once again, the concept of personal space alludes him, just like the concept of regularly bathing. he gets up close, almost leaning into her, as his eyes gradually widen. ]

What's the one thing you like the most about wolves?

[ because clearly, whatever wolves like will apply to Wolfskin, and his tail immediately picks up speed--- already threatening to knock some things over behind him. ]

[ As soon as his tail makes the slightest movement, she realizes she's fucked up. Abort mission, abort mission.

Her expression changes from smug to absolutely mortified and her entire frame leans away from his sudden approach. Unfortunately (for her), there's a counter right behind, restricting her movement and leading to the introduction of unwashed dog smell firmly into her nostrils.

Disgusting. ]

No, I was joking! [ How thick is that skull of his, seriously. ] I don't have any wolf friends and I on't like anything about wolves, except how fast they run away from me!

[ if Yoruichi listens really hard, she might hear the faint sound of glass shattering. yes, it's his heart. she has totally broken his heart, and his tail stops as quickly as it was starting. with a nervous chuckle, he moves one hand to scratch the back of his head and tries not to reveal that it was his FEELINGS THAT JUST GOT HURT. ]

... why would they run from you?

[ and then he looks around, trying to keep his eyes off of her, wondering if there's anything else that might need his attention--- like that mirror with the tarnished handle and the oddly reflective surface. not that he doesn't know what a mirror looks like, but this one seems... different.

so he goes over to it while still listening (if there even is one) to an answer and picks it up, waving it about somewhat haphazardly. ]

[ Ugh, don't make her grow a heart or anything, Keaton. She sees that sudden cessation of tail-wagging there as he backs away. Just how seriously had he been taken her flippant behavior from earlier? Ugh. Kids these days. Too genuine for their own good.

She stifles the urge to sigh loudly, turning back instead to inspect the rows of knick-knacks out on display. ]

Because they're scared, obviously.

[ In case it hasn't been clearly obvious all this time. A dull knife's picked up and barely inspected before it's put down again. Not even close to an axe. ]

But you haven't yet, so I guess that makes you better than most.

[ That's about as close as she's going to get to Nice Words™ today, time to move on. ]

What'cha got there?

Does it? [ his smile is a little weak. the compliment, unlike most things, is not lost on him. ] It's probably because you've never seen a Wolfskin, and if you did, you'd notice how different I am anyway.

[ like, the fact he's talkative. friendly. not jumping into unnecessary fights. all the things a ~~NPC~~ well-traveled shapeshifter wouldn't be. ]

A mirror. It looks like something my buddy Kaden would like. He's really into looking nice all the time, so maybe he'd like it.

[ and he holds it out, so she could see her reflection. ]

It's nice, isn't it?

[ It's....not bad, as far as antique housewares go. The handle has a nice sheen to it, despite it's age, and the reflection inside is nice and clear. Only problem is—

—the longer she stares into the thing, the weirder her face looks. Is that facial hair sprouting from her upper lip? She pokes a finger at her face. Nope, nothin'. ]

If your buddy Kaden likes growing beards, then yeah, it's probably the thing for him.

[ Some guys are into that, right? ]

Hm? [ that's odd. he's never really thought about Kaden being the beard-growing type? after all, both of them sport some additional furry appendages, ears and tails, not to mention their transformed states, but... ]

Wait. Really?

[ because now he's curious and he tries his best to take a peek into the mirror to see... ]

Oh. That's pretty incredible.

[ he also pokes at her upper lip, though with a very careful and delicate touch. last thing he wants is to get snapped at so soon--- which he probably will, but hey. he's curious! ]

... this isn't the mirror we're looking for, right?

[ Good question. She squints at it again, eyeballing her (now magnificent and luxurious) beard in the mirror. ]

We're looking for the Mirror of Old, and old people usually have beards, right?

[ So what if it doesn't quite match the description given, surely someone will have old memories sparked back to life if they stare into the mirror long enough. There's only so much shopping a person can take, after all. ]

Even if it isn't, we could probably still get some money off this thing. There has to be a market for men who wish they could grow beards somewhere.

That...

[ his tail immediately perks up again, both ears twitching as he snickers. ]

... makes complete sense! But wait, does that mean when you grow old, you'll have a beard too?

[ he's also pretty happy to have kept his finger. ]

You think? Does a beard really make that much of a difference?

[ What. How does that question even make any sense? Her blank stare lasts only a fraction of a second before she's retorting back. ]

Of course not! Women don't grow beards.

[ Unless. Her gaze slides back over, suspicious. ]

Do the women in your pack normally grow beards?

[ Weirder things have happened, she supposes. Still, as weird things go, that's pretty weird. ]

Nope. Their ears are a little fluffier, and they keep their tails tidier. But no beards! It'd be kind of funny if they did, though.

[ with a bark of a laugh, he takes one last peek at the mirror before pulling back and taking another look around the shop. ]

They don't let me come near, even as the leader. I think they worry about something, but they never say what.

Oh?

[ That's strange. Don't males and females of all species intermingle, necessary rituals for procreation and all that. She follows him around the shop idly, stopping to prod at another recorder, this time made of old cracked ivory.

Certainly fits the bill of a mystical artifact. ]

If you're their leader, shouldn't they respect you enough to let you approach? Or have you not earned their trust yet?

I think it's because they... well, some of my pack even think I'm weird. But they don't doubt my strength or my courage! That's the most important thing, I guess.

[ frowning lightly, he really can't remember the last time he was on his mountain. it'd been a while because of the whole Saving The World campaign, and he had no doubts in his mind that they were about to actually make do on their promise, but...

... but those thoughts instantly disappear! it looks like she... found a bone? it looks like a bone. his tail perks up, but nothing else.

yet. ]

But, uh... I think they would have been nicer. Eventually. Takes time, right? To get respect?

[ he edges closer. ]

[ It's definitely not a bone, sorry Keaton. He can look at it if he wants though, there's enough space next to her for him to squeeze in. She's too busy trying not to smirk at the whole weird thing. ]

The whole bone-collecting thing might have something to do with it.

[ No normal person collects bones, in her experience. No normal person collects an excess of anything, really.
She picks up the old recorder, hands it over to him for inspection. ]

Takes time to do anything though. How long have you been their leader?

[ He looks so fresh-faced and youthful... ]

You think? [ he's honestly surprised. what if one of the things he truly loves in his somewhat annoying, vanilla life is actually something that drives away his own people! would he really sacrifice it all just to be a little more accepted as the only leader of his people?!

nope. ]

A while. No one's really stronger than I am, so I'm the leader until someone thinks they can directly challenge me.

[ which makes him grin toothily as he takes the recorder and rubs a finger along it. ]

... or maybe it's my natural charm. Think it's that?

[ and then his smile widens as his tail wags again, fast and furious, knocking over something that hits the ground with a loud THUD and seems to roll away. ]

Is that so?

[ That earns a(nother) look from her, a quick one as she sizes him up. He doesn't look all too strong (though in fairness, neither does she) and it doesn't seem like it'd be all too difficult to best him in any sort of battle, outside of maybe a packrat hoarding competition. ]

So if I challenged you and won, would that make me leader of your pack?

[ Not that she wants any additional responsibility (or any responsibility, really) but the thought tickles her all the same.

Of course, it flies right out of her head as soon as the dull THUNK of metal hitting floor rings through the store and she scowls, momentarily irritated. The shopkeeper looks over, disgruntled yet again. ]

Watch where you're waving that thing.

[ That thing = his tail. She scurries behind it, picks it up. Another recorder, this one with weird words scrawled up the side. Maybe this is their sought-after item. ]

Wanna give this one a try?

[ he'd be pretty bad at that competition, too. imagine a cave floor just littered in bones, scraps of clothes, rusted weapons and armor... he wouldn't know the first thing to organization! the army life didn't teach him much other than Strategists should deal with all things that required an ounce of thinking, because even the best of wolves can be easily bogged down by details. ]

Uh... no. No, you can't do that. That's not fair. [ Keaton responds a little too quickly, cheeks instantly turning red. ] But you can try your best. Maybe one day, you can like... fight for leadership of whatever pack you run with.

[ which silently, he thinks she could do with both eyes closed... ]

Yeah, sure. Hold your ears closed just in case, okay?

[ because she's pretty close and there's no way Keaton's going to hold back? turning to take it from her, he doesn't hesitate to blast the entire store with a loud shrill 'reeeeee'. even his tail bristles as he plays the recorder! ]

... how'd that sound to you?

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mercenary jobs #4 — open to all

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