Eldric stepped into the bustling guild hall, where the air was thick with the clatter of armor, the murmur of voices, and the distinct scent of adventure—or, more accurately, of adventurers who'd gone too long without a wash. Warriors, mages, archers, and beastkin of all types crowded the tables, swapping stories, plotting missions, and making deals.
His eyes swept over the scene, noting it all. He'd seen countless halls like this one, filled with fresh-faced adventurers and grizzled veterans from animes to mangas. Approaching the reception desk, he spotted a young beastkin receptionist with feline features—a pair of sharp, twitching ears and a tail flicking in anticipation. She looked up with a friendly smile, though her gaze lingered on him a moment longer than necessary.
"Welcome to the Ulderi Adventurers' Guild," she greeted. "Looking to register?"
"Indeed." Eldric's tone was calm, smiling lightly as he watched her. "Let's get the process done, shall we?"
She nodded and pulled out a stack of papers, looking up at him with a raised eyebrow. "Name, race, and any notable skills or experience?"
"Eldric. Human," he replied simply. "Magic, with a bit of monster hunting on the side."
Her eyes flickered with curiosity, but she simply nodded, jotting down his details. "You'll start as a Bronze-tier adventurer. That'll get you solo missions until you prove yourself for higher ranks."
She handed him a small, metallic card—his official Adventurer's ID, engraved with his name and rank.
"Your Adventurer ID. Keep it with you at all times. You'll need it to accept quests and, in rare cases, to identify yourself if things… go south." She added a wry smile at that last part.
Eldric glanced briefly at the ID before tucking it away. "Thank you lass."
"You're welcome. Now, if you'd like a starting mission," smiling she continued, pulling up a list on a small magical interface, "we've got a troll management job nearby. Either scare it off or eliminate it, depending on how it goes."
"Sounds straightforward enough," Eldric replied, a hint of a smirk crossing his face.
"Head over to the quest board, select your mission, and get ready." She gave him a nod, her tail flicking back and forth. "It's not an easy job, you know. Trolls can be... unpredictable."
He offered her a slight nod and moved to the quest board, unhurried. The guild hall's noise faded as he focused, eyeing the rows of requests pinned by rank: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. While most adventurers crowded around the Silver and Gold tiers, he went straight to Bronze, scanning the available missions. The troll job caught his attention.
Troll Management - Bronze Rank
Description:
A rogue troll has been causing trouble in the nearby forest. It's too aggressive to ignore, and the local villages are worried. Either scare it off or eliminate it.
Reward: 100 Zor upon completion. Additional rewards based on approach.
"Perfect," he murmured, grabbing the mission slip. He noted a few nearby adventurers casting glances his way, likely sizing him up as they sized each other up. Eh, they could think what they liked.
"Good luck," the receptionist called after him as he made for the exit. "Don't underestimate the troll!"
He paused just long enough to glance back, raising an eyebrow. "Duly noted," he replied smoothly before stepping outside.
The cool air hit him, refreshing after the packed guild. He held the mission slip in one hand, already turning over his options for dealing with the troll. Simple task, a bit of coin, and a chance to warm up.
---
Reaching the forest he saw a huge footprint drawing Eldric's attention 'Well what do you know, might as well call me Steve Erwin.'
He thought to himself with an internal chuckle before following it's tracks, leading to a cave which he saw was empty. 'Must have gone on a hunt or something.' he thought rubbing his his majestic beard, looking all around he saw he was surrounded by trees so he made a plan. Heading towards a tree he started climbing it, grumbling as he did so until he reached a thick lower branch of the tree to sit upon "And now we wait." He whispered to himself. Before pulling out a book he stored in his inventory space "Monster's Encyclopedia" before he opened it and started to search for the section dedicated to trolls "Aha here we go."
' Troll (Trollus Gigantis)
Classification: Beast | Threat Level: Moderate | Intelligence: Low (Comparable to a five-year-old)
Appearance:
Trolls are towering, hulking creatures that stand between 9-12 feet tall, with powerful, muscular bodies covered in thick, tough skin. Their coloration ranges from deep mossy green to earthen brown, with rough textures that make their skin resistant to most physical attacks. Their faces are broad, with large, expressive eyes that often reveal a childlike curiosity or confusion. The trolls' bodies are stocky and hunched, with massive, heavily muscled limbs designed for immense strength. Their hands and feet are oversized, featuring long, sharp claws capable of easily tearing through wood, stone, or unfortunate adventurers.
The trolls' backs and shoulders are particularly broad, creating a formidable silhouette, while their tufts of long, ragged hair and fur along their arms, chest, and legs add to their beastly appearance. Their posture is often hunched forward, and their gait is lumbering, though they can move surprisingly fast when motivated. They are often seen with dirt or mud matted into their fur, reflecting their wild nature.
Behavior:
Trolls are solitary creatures, typically found living alone in the wild. They possess the intelligence of a five-year-old child, meaning they are capable of simple problem-solving and basic communication, though their emotional intelligence is limited. Trolls can understand simple concepts but are often driven by impulse and base desires, such as hunger or territorial instincts. They can display curiosity, but when faced with threats or confusion, they often react aggressively or out of fear.
Though trolls are not inherently malicious, they can be dangerous when provoked. Their intelligence and emotions tend to match that of a young child: unpredictable and sometimes prone to outbursts of aggression. They are not skilled hunters but will attack anything that threatens their territory or food source, and can easily be lured into traps due to their curiosity.
Habitat:
Trolls are commonly found in dense forests, caves, and remote mountain passes, areas that provide both shelter and food. They tend to mark their territory with crude carvings made by scraping their claws against trees or rock surfaces. These markings act as a warning to other creatures and trolls to avoid their domain.
Diet:
Trolls are omnivorous, although they favor a carnivorous diet. They hunt smaller creatures, but their lack of strategy often leads to them relying on brute strength to overpower prey. They are known to eat both plant matter and raw meat, showing little preference for cooked food. Trolls often engage in clumsy, failed attempts at cooking, having no true understanding of culinary techniques, preferring instead to devour their meals raw.
Abilities:
Trolls are incredibly strong and capable of immense physical feats, such as uprooting trees or breaking through large rocks. They have thick hides that protect them from most physical attacks, but these defensive features are most effective on their backs and limbs. Their senses, particularly sight and smell, are heightened, allowing them to track prey and locate intruders. However, their limited intelligence makes them prone to falling for tricks or distractions, especially when confronted with simple ruses.
Weaknesses:
Although trolls' thick hides provide significant protection, they have vulnerable spots, particularly around their underbelly and joints. A well-placed strike to these areas can be devastating. Additionally, trolls' low intelligence and emotional instability make them highly susceptible to confusion tactics or misleading magic. They are not difficult to outwit if an adventurer is quick enough, and can be driven away or even defeated using strategies that exploit their impulsive nature.
Notable Lore:
Trolls are sometimes referred to as "Forest Giants" due to their towering size and the intimidation they invoke. Though typically solitary, there are rare instances in which trolls have been found living in groups, often due to food abundance or specific territorial disputes. Trolls are generally seen as a nuisance by locals, their presence often marked by destruction and fear, though there are rare tales of trolls showing kindness or understanding when raised in controlled environments. However, these are outliers, and most encounters with trolls are far more dangerous.'
"Huh, the more you know." Eldric said to himself as he saw a descriptive drawing of a troll, 'If I didn't know any better I'd say that it's a cousin to the silver back gorilla.'