Radagast Vermillion, the guildmaster of Shadowfen and the first examiner, cuts a striking figure as he appears before us, ready to give instructions for the first hurdle. His jet-black hair, meticulously styled despite the rigors of his role, frames a handsome face that exudes both charisma and authority. With a medium build that hints at strength honed through his endless desire for adventures, Radagast moves with a graceful confidence, each step resonating with infectious energy that seemed to uplift those around him.
His eyes, a piercing shade of emerald green, sparkled with optimism and a deep-seated belief in the potential of young aspirants. They crinkle at the corners when he smiles—a warm, genuine expression that reaches his eyes and spreads across his face like the dawn breaking over the horizon. His presence in the room commands attention, not through intimidation, but through a magnetic charm that draws people in.
Dressed in the distinctive robe of a guildmaster, Radagast carries himself with the poise of someone who has weathered countless trials and emerged stronger each time with an undeterred spirit. The sigil of a black lion embroidered on his robes shimmer faintly against the sun, hinting his profound mastery of the magical arts as an S Class Mage that underpin his leadership of one of the most respected guilds in the realm.
Despite his formidable reputation and the weight of responsibility he carries, Radagast Vermillion remains approachable, his optimism contagious even in the face of his role as an examiner. As he addresses the assembled candidates with a voice that resonates with warmth and encouragement, it becomes clear that he is not just a guildmaster, but a mentor who genuinely cares about nurturing the next generation of mages, a place he found himself once not too long ago as he is just twenty and five years of age, a prodigy of our times.
At the age of fourteen, Radagast had accomplished what many deemed impossible—he completed his first mission in the treacherous Dark Lands, a feat unheard of for someone so young.
The tale of his daring venture had become the stuff of guild legend. With only a fledgling grasp of his powers as a newly ascended B Class Astron Mage, Radagast with his previous guild ventured deep into the heart of the Dark Lands, where malevolent creatures and twisted landscapes tested even the most seasoned adventurers. Armed with his affinity for earth magic—a skill that had set him apart from his peers even then—he navigated through the harsh environment with uncanny intuition of a man beyond his years. It was said that Radagast's earth magic manifested in ways that defied expectation.
Radagast Vermillion, the guildmaster of Shadowfen, stepped forward, the young adventurers gathered before him straightened instinctively, their eyes fixed on the charismatic figure at the front.
"Welcome, aspiring mages and adventurers," Radagast began, his voice carrying easily across the field. "Today marks the first step of your journey towards becoming true mages of Eldoria. We begin with a test that will challenge your control over magic and your ability to conceal your presence—a crucial skill a mage must have."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "Your first task is to capture a Willow Sprite—a bird that inhabits the Whispering Willow, an enchanted forest with perpetual shifting trees. Willow Sprite is known for its ability to detect even the faintest magicule in your body from meters away. Not only that, but these creatures are elusive, capable of vanishing into thin air in a blinding speed."
A murmur of apprehension rippled through the room. Capturing a Willow Sprite was no easy feat; its sensitivity to magic made it a formidable challenge for even seasoned mages. As if that was not enough, the forest it inhabits is difficult to navigate due to its constantly shifting trees notorious for losing unsuspecting travelers.
"You must demonstrate your mastery of control over your own magic core," Radagast emphasized, his eyes scanning the hopeful faces before him. "You must approach the sprite with your magic entirely concealed, only releasing it at the perfect moment to contain it without triggering its alarm. Remember, this hurdle isn't just about capturing some random bird—it's about proving your ability to evade detection of night creatures whose senses are finely attuned to magical energies.
The first thing you need to learn in order for you to stay alive out there in Dark Lands is to hide," he lectured. "Each of you need to capture one before the sun sets and bring it to me. Those who come out of the forest with the bird on hand will proceed to the next hurdle. But for those who don't, better luck next time." He handed every one of us a bird cage and a necklace he enchanted with earth magic so it could guide us on our way back outside the forest after the hurdle is complete.
With the briefing done, he gestures towards the Whispering Willow, to signal the start of the hurdle.
"Now, go forth," Radagast's voice carries across the clearing. His thunderous laughter lights a fire of an adventurer inside me that I did not know existed.
"Begin! Roar my young lions. HAHAHAHA."