Sara glanced around, ensuring their conversation remained private. "In the northern mines, they say there's a vein of ore that glows in the dark. Miners believe it's cursed, causing cave-ins and accidents. Some claim it's guarded by creatures that are descendants of dragons."
Caelum's mind raced, processing this information. A glowing vein of ore was intriguing, but the mention of creatures hinted at a challenge that could not be ignored.
"And the Whispering Forest?" he prompted, his voice low.
"The forest," Sara continued, her eyes holding a hint of fear, "is said to be alive. Trees move, paths change. Travelers speak of a spirit that weeps in the night, luring the unwary deeper into the forest. But the most I hear is, there is a guardian creature of the forest that protects it from those seeking to hurt it."
Elara, who had been listening intently, chimed in, her curiosity evident. "Do people ever return from these places?"
"Some do, but changed," Sara replied, a shiver running down her spine. "They speak of visions, voices... and eyes watching from the shadows."
Caelum and Elara exchanged a glance, understanding the risks they were about to face. The journey to the northern mines and the Whispering Forest was fraught with unknown dangers, but they were determined to see it through.
As they prepared to leave the guild, Sara handed Caelum a small, rolled-up parchment. "Here, take this. It's a map of the area around the mines and the forest. It might help."
Caelum accepted the map, his expression grateful. "Thank you, Sara. Your help has been invaluable."
Caelum reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch, containing five Goldens. He handed it to Sara, who weighed the bag in her hand, her eyes wide with shock. "This is a lot. Almost equal to my salary of half a year," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Caelum simply nodded, his expression neutral. "You have been very helpful," he stated matter-of-factly. His generosity wasn't born out of sympathy, but rather a recognition of the value of the information Sara had provided.
Sara's eyes glistened with gratitude. "Thank you, Caelum. I... I don't know what to say."
Caelum shrugged slightly. "Just doing what's fair," he replied. He then turned to the matter at hand. "We want to create a party," he announced, his tone indicating a shift back to business.
Sara's professional demeanor returned as she nodded, her smile broadening. "Certainly! Let me get the form for you." She rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper. "Now, let's fill this out. I'll need some details from both of you."
Caelum and Elara leaned in as Sara began asking questions. "First, what will be the name of your party?" she inquired, her pen poised over the form.
Elara and Caelum exchanged a glance. "Eclipse Hunters," Caelum said after a moment's thought, a subtle nod to his past identity.
"Interesting choice," Sara commented, scribbling down the name. "Next, who will be the leader of the party?"
Caelum responded without hesitation. "I will."
Sara nodded, noting this down. "And the purpose of your party? Exploration, hunting, protection?"
"Exploration and hunting," Elara chimed in, her voice steady.
"Excellent," Sara said, jotting this down. "Now, for the members. Besides you two, are you looking to recruit more members, or will it just be the two of you for now?"
"Just us for now," Caelum replied, his gaze firm.
"Alright," Sara said, completing the form. "And finally, do you have any specific quests in mind that you'd like to undertake?"
"We're currently focused on a personal quest," Caelum explained. "But we'll consider guild quests in the future."
Sara smiled, handing them the completed form. "You're all set! Your party is now officially registered. If you decide to recruit more members or take on guild quests, just let us know."
Caelum took the form, folding it neatly. "Thank you, Sara. Your assistance has been invaluable."
Sara paused, holding onto the bag of Goldens. "Caelum," she began, a thoughtful expression on her face, "there are a bunch of quests around the areas you're heading to. You might want to consider accepting them. You can complete them in passing, and there's no harm even if you can't. What do you think? Though, as Bronze Rank adventurers, you're limited to Bronze and Low-Tier Silver Quests."
Caelum looked at Elara, who nodded in agreement. "Show us what you have," he said, a slight smile on his face.
Sara's eyes lit up, and she quickly retrieved a stack of quest parchments. She laid them out on the counter, pointing to each one as she gave a brief description.
"The first one here," she began, tapping on a parchment, "is a request to clear out a nest of Rockwolves in the northern mines. They've been a nuisance for the miners."
Caelum picked up the parchment, examining it. "Rockwolves, huh? Sounds straightforward enough. We'll take this one," he decided, setting it aside.
Sara nodded, moving on to the next quest. "This one's a bit unusual. A herbalist needs someone to collect Moonblossoms from the Whispering Forest. They only bloom at night and are said to have unique properties."
"Interesting," Elara murmured, her curiosity piqued. "We should take this one too. It could be useful for crafting."
Caelum agreed, adding the Moonblossom quest to their pile. Sara continued, her enthusiasm growing with each quest she presented.
"Here's one from a local historian. He's looking for ancient Valorian artifacts rumored to be hidden in a cave near the Whispering Forest. It's a bit of a treasure hunt," she explained with a grin.
Caelum's interest was evident. "We'll take that as well. It aligns with our path," he said.
"The last one I'd recommend," Sara said, pointing to the final parchment, "is a bit of a challenge. A creature has been terrorizing the outskirts of Lighthaven. They call it the Shadow Stalker. It's elusive, and no one's been able to track it down."
Elara leaned in, her eyes scanning the quest details. "This sounds familiar. I believe we can," she suggested.
Caelum nodded in agreement. "We'll take this one too. It's a good test of our skills."
Sara beamed, delighted at their enthusiasm. "Excellent choices! I'll register these quests under your party. Remember, there's no penalty for not completing them, but the rewards are worth the effort."
As Caelum and Elara finalized their selection of quests at the Adventurers' Guild, Caelum's attention was momentarily diverted by a familiar chime in his mind. It was the Gunslinger System, presenting him with corresponding quests related to their chosen endeavors.
System Quest: Shadow's Bane
Background:
A mysterious entity, the Shadow Stalker, has been terrorizing the outskirts of Lighthaven. Its elusiveness has made it a legend, and many adventurers have failed to track it down.
Objective:
Locate and eliminate the Shadow Stalker. Utilize tracking skills and engage in combat.
Rewards:
XP: 150
Goldens: 10
Blueprint: Basic Silencer Blueprint – Reduces noise and recoil for stealth attacks.
Extra Benefits:
Increased Stealth Ability: Successful completion will enhance Caelum's stealth techniques.
Recognition in Lighthaven: Acknowledgment as a proficient hunter, leading to more trust and information from locals.
System Quest: Echoes of the Past
Background:
A local historian seeks ancient Valorian artifacts rumored to be hidden in a cave near the Whispering Forest.
Objective:
Explore the cave and retrieve any artifacts. Beware of potential traps or guardians.
Rewards:
XP: 100
Goldens: 5
Blueprint: Basic Elemental Chamber Blueprint – Allows for elemental modification of bullets.
Extra Benefits:
Historical Knowledge: Gain valuable information about Eryndor's past.
Favor with the Historian: Access to exclusive historical insights and potential future collaborations.
System Quest: Floral Nightshade
Background:
A herbalist requires Moonblossoms from the Whispering Forest for her concoctions. These flowers bloom only at night and hold unique properties.
Objective:
Safely collect Moonblossoms in the forest. Avoid detection by forest creatures.
Rewards:
XP: 120
Goldens: 8
Blueprint: Basic Healing Bullet Blueprint – Bullets that provide minor healing effects upon impact.
Extra Benefits:
Enhanced Knowledge of Flora: Improved understanding of Eryndor's plant life and its uses.
Alliance with the Herbalist: Access to rare ingredients and potions.
System Quest: Stonewall Siege
Background:
The northern mines are plagued by Rockwolves, posing a threat to miners and disrupting ore extraction.
Objective:
Clear out the Rockwolf nest and ensure the safety of the mining area.
Rewards:
XP: 130
Goldens: 12
Blueprint: Basic Armor-Piercing Bullet Blueprint – Bullets designed to penetrate tough hides and armor.
Extra Benefits:
Improved Relations with Miners: Access to Ore Shop in Lighthaven.