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 Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:08 pm
This Quest is for Viveka who aspires to become an Artisan.
OOC
||. The quest prompt must be answered with a 2000 word reply (can be more).
||. Respond to the prompt given with an adventure of your own creation as long as it meets the requirements of the specific tasks.
||. NPCs may be used as long as they advance the quest in an interesting manner.
||. You cannot include any playable characters other than the quest taker.
||. Your responses will be graded with a Pass or Fail. Those who fail will have to continue with assistance from the staff.
||. Questions about quests can be asked here.
IC
The team of Tendaji forces had been at work for quite some time setting up war machines that had been designed, and built, for the sole purpose of taking out the Oban beasts. Sure, one of the Oban beasts had fallen to the blade of the Resistance before, but not without great cost to the troops. They needed something bigger, with more heft to deal with the creatures, and that was where the trebuchets came in.
This machines would help balance things out, and give their side a better chance against whatever they would face in this final battle.
However, they weren't completely without issues; there was more delicate work to be done to finish the job. The majority of workers were large and bulky, needing to be strong enough to build the machine and load the massive rocks that served as its ammunition into it. Here they excelled, but the more delicate work that required fine tuning and patience left them overwhelmed. Such things required a lighter touch.
These carpenters are in need of someone to help shape the counterweight into the right dimensions to fit the trebuchets' specifications; too big and it could collapse upon itself, too small and it could fling the rocks onto Tendaji forces. The only rock heavy enough to fit in the specifications and remain effective is also a delicate, rare material that must be carved just right to keep it from cracking and crumbling under the chisel. Left with only a small amount of the precious material, it was decided the carpenters should find someone more suited for this job, hoping that he or she would be able to do what they had failed to.
They have three more blocks of the material, and need at least one counterweight in tact to finish the trebuchet for battle, or else leave it as a bulky, useless piece of wood and stone at the edge of the camp.
Quest Points
|| Viveka will be asked to help work on stones that are needed for a counter balance in the trebuchets they are using in the war.
|| Focusing primarily on skill, Viveka has only up to three mistakes he can make with a particular stone before it becomes useless.
|| The stones are very dense and large, unique to the region but fairly rare. Fault lines criss cross the surface and it seems it not handled properly the stone will crumble or shatter.
|| With such a limited supply Viveka must attempt to make at least one of these three possible counter balances (not all three need to be completed to pass, but at least one).
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Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:16 pm
The Plea For Help
Viveka grew silent under the branches of Tale's trees and pulled the hem of his skirt away from the dust under his feet, his eyes adrift in thought. He had selected a calmer space for himself to stand as the rest of the world went along it's way, each tasked with something different and important to the war efforts. He watched, with mixed feelings, as a young father left his son with his relatives across the way, and pursed his lips as the child reached out and cried as their father turned away. Comfort and simple things like that were abandoned at every doorstep it seemed, and all he seemed to be able to do was watch and sigh. A cart passed him by, one containing aspiring young warriors with their weapons, and he raised his hand from his side to cover his injured arm from the handle of a hammer as it was carelessly flung out from the side of the cart. Nervously, he adjusted the sling upon his shoulder and turned his gaze to the sky.
How long had he been wandering alone in this village, if he could even call it that? It was a makeshift, hodgepodge at the moment where many races could be seen conversing together as if it were a cultural norm. People were wandering side by side as children ran through the spaces between them, playing some sort of game as they always did and making circles and squares around the adults that wanted them to be still and calm. Idly, he wondered if it would be wrong for him to stand in the midst of their play and join them for a short prance through the sand that made up the land around him. But, despite the pull of the nostalgia, he stayed pressed against his hiding spot, his face covered in whatever shade could be made from the leaves above, and continued his silent watching. Part of him continued to push the idea of walking forward and into the sunlight where he could be seen, but another more familiar part told him to stay right where he was. It seemed, despite the calmness painted upon his face, that he was at a crossroads of thought and action. Should he ask someone if they would like his help, no matter the strain upon his arm? He hated feeling useless, but, on the other hand, he hated fearing just what could happen if he were to make a mistake whilst helping someone else. After all, this was war, and one mistake could cost him his home, his livelihood, and his entire family in one go. His foot wiggled its way towards the sunlight subconsciously while the rest of his body remained against the tree, his mind still trying to convince itself to one decision or another.
"Is there a sculptor available to help us?"
Viveka's leg jutted out into the sunlight and pulled his body forward as the voice cut through his thoughts. A sculptor? They needed a sculptor? He inched himself forward and peered, his eyes moving towards a group that stood toward the middle of the path he had been watching. A man stood away from them, one considerably taller than he was, stood with his hand raised in the air and his face twisted between apprehension and hope. Viveka shifted forward and gave him a once over, before glancing to the side. No, he obviously misheard him. What could they need a sculptor for?
"Please, is there a sculptor in the area that could help us build our trebuchets?" The man repeated, his words like a firm retort. "Our counter balances are unfinished and we need someone who can work with delicate stones! If there is anyone who thinks they can help, it would be greatly appreciated!"
"I... I can!" Viveka's voice replied before his nerves could catch up with him.
He moved towards the group with his good arm raised high and his mouth turned up in an awkward smile. It felt as though his body was moving without regard for what his anxieties had to say, which was a fairly unfamiliar feeling, much like the relived faces that stood before him. "My left arm is healing from a climbing accident, but I can still work... If you'll have me that is."
"Honestly, we'll take anyone." The man said, a sigh billowing from his mouth. "Please, follow me! ...Your name is?"
"Viveka." Viveka replied. "And yours?"
"Kumar, but you can call me Kua." The man replied as he ushered Viveka towards the edge of the camp. "Now, see those stones over there? My buddies and I are too bulked up to carve those things, they're just too delicate! We need them to be a certain shape for our trebuchets to operate, and we've already messed up enough of the material on our own. Do you think you can manage what we can't? ... I can't promise you any compensation for it."
"None needed, Kua." Viveka said, moving towards where the boulders had been placed. He'd never seen these sort of rocks before, especially ones with a many fault lines as these had. His bottom lip poked outwards as he considered the stones, and he turned back to Kumar with a reassuring look. "I'll do my best and no less, I assure you."
"Thank you, Viveka." Kumar said, turning towards the rest of his group. "If you need anything at all, we'll be over here working on the wood for the last trebuchet. Just give a holler!"
Viveka nodded and turned his attention back to the stone. He studied it carefully, took a breath, and undid his tool belt from his side. It was time to show just how much of a help he could be.
(Word count: 966/2000)
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Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:18 pm
Delicacy
Powder blue hands traced the fault lines of the second block of stone as if they were cupping the face of a loved one and slowly curved around the edge of a cut they had made upon the surface of the stone. Hours had passed since the task Viveka had taken upon his shoulders was first assigned, and he had managed to complete one of the counter balances required for the war trebuchets. It was something he could be proud of as he turned his gaze, again, to look at the completed stone set mere feet behind him. Shaped well, sturdy, and presentable, it was everything that had been asked of him, and that made him smile. However, despite his urge to settle into this wave of pride, he knew that his work was far from complete. There were still two stones to shape and prepare, and there was still plenty of sunlight left to burn.
Kumar and the rest of his men had already taken their breaks and offered Viveka a quick meal shortly after he completed the first stone, before returning to their wood working and building. Viveka accepted the meal graciously, but left it to the side of his work for the occasional nibble between cuts, should he feel the need, in favor of starting the second stone's shaping. It was during one of these quick breaks from his work that he noticed Kumar watching him from a distance, his stare almost pensive in nature. Something about the way he was staring made Viveka's heart race, and he skirted himself around the other side of the rock. However, despite his attempt at hiding, Kumar had already made his way over.
"You've barely touched your food!" He remarked, giving Viveka a smirk. "You're that much of a worker, then, aren't you?"
Viveka gave Kumar a nod, but kept his eyes upon his work. He felt along the fault lines carefully and moved to make another cut into the stone, only to glance up to find that Kumar had moved closer to him. He leaned away, though only by an inch, and sighed.
"I'm sorry, Kua, but I can't work with someone this close to me." He said, offering the larger man a smile. "Would you mind stepping back a bit?"
Kumar made a face, but gave Viveka a nod and moved a few steps away again. However, to Viveka's discomfort, he continued to lean in and stare. There was just something wrong about how he was behaving that made the hair on Viveka's neck stand on edge and give his hand an unhealthy tremor, but despite his feelings, he continued his work. He assured himself, repeatedly, that Kumar was only concerned about the quality of his work, and nothing more. There was nothing wrong with his staring. There was nothing wrong with his staring...
"So, Viveka, I was wondering..." Kumar mused, placing his hand next to Viveka's. "What's a pretty little thing like you doing out here by herself? Can't be safe..."
"Excuse me?" Viveka gasped, his concentration snapping in half. "I'm sorry, but if you're looking for a lady friend, you're barking up the wrong tree. I'm married and, in case you haven't noticed, I'm a g-"
"Oh, please, that's what they all say." Kumar sneered, inching closer to Viveka. "Besides, even if you are married, honey, he doesn't have to know about it...." He leaned against Viveka's side, his eyes narrowing. "Or, better yet, you could leave him for the piece of man who's standing right here next to you."
"No, listen here, you disgusting swine!" Viveka snapped, slamming his foot as hard as he could against Kumar's shin. "I'm not interested, I'm not single, and I'm not a woman! Did your mother teach you to be so... So... Vile?"
Kumar's eyes widened sharply and his face turned as red as a beet. It was clear that Viveka had struck a nerve, one that had only put him further down harm's way, and he scrambled to think of way to escape. He couldn't out run a man of Kumar's size, that was for sure, but standing still was just begging for a punch to the face... Viveka's gaze turned to the stone he had been working on, and he quickly climbed on top of it. Admittedly, it wasn't much of a height difference, but it seemed to be more than enough of a dramatic to make Kumar leave, which drew a sigh of relief from the sculptor's lips.
"That was... Terrifying." He heaved once he returned to his post. "...I hope he doesn't decide to try anything else later... I don't know if I could handle that."
He raised his hand again and tried to focus back upon his work. However, his entire body had become a shaking mess, and his next cuts to the stone, as a result, were far from the quality they had been before.
(Word count: 1788/2000)
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Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:19 pm
Sticks and Stones
At the end of the night, Viveka had finally finished the task he was given. Two of the three stones he was presented were finished and ready to be used for the trebuchets, while one lay in a shattered heap at the edge of the camp. Though he was thoroughly embarrassed at the poor work he had done on the third stone, Viveka felt confident when he stood before the group of men, including an equally embarrassed Kumar, to inform them of his completed work.
"Alright, all is done!" He exclaimed, motioning to the stones. "I hope you can make due with two instead of three... One of them broke after a bit of a slip up..." He eyed Kumar. "Which I gravely apologize for. I hope that won't be a hindrance!"
The men that surrounded him were quiet, but eventually smiled towards the nerve wracked sculptor and moved to collect the stones he had successfully shaped. Viveka stood back and marveled at the sheer strength of the men as they worked, before slowly turning his gaze to Kumar. The other man stood just mere feet from him and appeared slowed, as if he knew that Viveka were watching him. It took another few minutes of this staring for Viveka to garner his courage and trudge his way towards him like a steadfast mother.
"I hope you know that I'm not going to let that little harassment slide easily." He said, his voice resounding with much more force than he had intended. "I don't care if you made a mistake based on my appearance, approaching anyone like that is wrong. Very, very, wrong. Do you have any idea what sort of impression you give others when you do things like that? Any at all?"
Kumar shrunk and veered his gaze away, which only made Viveka's expression more sour. This, in turn, made Kumar nervous and raise his hands in the air.
"Alright, alright!" Kumar grumbled, shaking his head. "What I did was bad, I understand. Just, you know, shut up about it, okay?"
"No, you listen here!" Viveka shouted, slapping Kumar across the cheek. "I'm going to let the elders here know about your behavior and tell them just what a stellar man they've put in charge of making these weapons. Pigs like you should be taught some respect, espescially to women! How do you expect to be married if you act like that? It's disdainful!"
"Me, disdainful?" Kumar sneered. "You dressing like a woman is disdainful! Were you raised without a father or something? It's clear that your mother was too much of an influence on y-!"
Before Kumar could finish his sentence, Viveka had slammed his foot into his stomach, sending him to the ground like a sack of bricks. The other men in the group paused from their work at the sound of his thud and seemed to shrug as if it were a regular occurrence, which was as much of a relief to Viveka as it was a reason to sigh. He stepped over Kumar, dusted off his skirt, and gave the other man one final glare.
"That was from my mother just as much as it was from me, you ignorant swine." He seethed, before turning to smile at the others in the group. "I hope my efforts won't be in vain, boys! Good luck to you, and may this war be won for all of Tendaji!"
(Word count: 2359/2000)
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 8:23 pm
An hour short of one month later, this quest can be considered done! (I hope) XD
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:44 pm
Class Quest Result
Pass!
Viveka has passed and received a rank of Artisan!
Congratulations Viveka!
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