It was another day of being out in Doc Forrest, with the clean air and crisp cold, but something felt different today. It could be that the sun was returning, and actually with some warmth for once. Or that Harold had that [Rare Quest] waiting for him when he got back to the orchard. Probably that.

Harold was still feeling somewhat unsure if he was living up to his full potential as a [Chaos Druid], but what he did know for sure was how he would still be as lost as Kalle with his rituals if it was not for Livia.

This [Guild] thing still felt new and he had found it hard to contribute thus far, so unless it was something like with Sten who he’d had a prior relationship with, he planned to focus on leveling and being the best [Druid] he could be. After all, that should end up paying dividends once they re-established his [Druidic Enclave] at the eventual site of their true [Guild] chapter house, when it was time to recruit some other [Druids].

But there was a long way to go. Thinking back to when they fought the mosswolves he knew now that he had used [Roar of the Wild] without due consideration. That he had almost lost his brother and more, because of how he ended up heedlessly firing off his higher tier Spells past his admittedly exhausted limits, without stopping to think or communicate with Kalle, to the point of fainting. He hoped the upgrade from the [Quest] actually tempered the mental aspects of the Skill rather than wantonly adding on to its power.

—

Roldy got the whole story of recruiting the siblings out of his brother, on sight, upon returning. It sounded like a great addition, as it turns out the youngest brother, Alfred, was a [Ranging Herbalist] who even dabbled in some alchemy. After how things turned out with Albert at the brewery this was a potential save. And since economics was really not Livia’s strong suit, an [Accountant] sounded like a good addition. At least as Oscar explained the Class, although he actually had not heard of it before.

But the only comment Harold had to make after Oscar’s exposition was that: “Felix sounds like a twat.” It was time to find Livia and get to questing.

The brothers found Livia and Kalle set up in the guest house. She had lit candles and covered the windows in dark cloth, and apparently borrowed Kalle’s bangle to turn into a forest oracle or witch of some kind, with a gnarled staff and leaf studded cloak. She cackled as they entered.

“A task unforeseen, for the bravest of kin, to the creatures within,

The nature’s domain, you once came to claim, will it be in vain?

Or will it be, your claim to fame?”

She had been speaking in chant, waving her staff in patterns and making a real effort at a theatrical voice. Kalle finally spared her the embarrassment and stepped forward with a cough. “Yeah, they’re not buying it.”

Oscar and Harold were both looking embarrassed for her and clearly suppressing chuckles. Livia dropped the mirage and threw her hands up. “You people just don’t appreciate showmanship! That was gold!” When there was no support to be found she threw the now normal stick in the corner and stalked off with some clearly exaggerated exasperation.

“Fine, have your [Quest] as is then you... leaf-muncher, see if I care, I’ll still keep practising and get it right with some other rookies, I put that together in half an hour you know, you’ll see,” She stalked off and waved her hand when a prompt appeared.

[Rare Quest issued: Defend your flock. Reward: Class progress. Hidden objective reward: Roar of the Druid conditional 7 day deadline]

Harold had been prepared to rush off when the [Quest] finally made its appearance, but seeing the long deadline made him settle down, somewhat.

“What did she mean leaf-muncher? I don’t do that.”

Oscar looked at his brother with a smirk. “Well, you are wearing a suit heavily featuring moss.” When Roldy looked down he quickly grew dismayed, he was going to contest the use of ‘heavily’ but looking closer there was no point. “Shut up.”

They got ready to head out. Oscar was not doing the task, but he figured he could tag along and help his brother get set up with a plan and maybe think of a few ideas for the first day, since he would be on his own the rest of the week after that.

“I wonder where Hyde might be at, I haven’t seen him since Brunner’s, I bet he would be quite useful for this,”