[CLASS QUEST] Takoda

[Suhuba]

This Quest is for Takoda who wishes to prove himself as a Healer.

OOC
||. You may not control any NPCs or other characters; Takoda must face his trials alone.
||. Respond to the prompts given as you would any other RP.
||. Your responses may be as long or short as you feel necessary.




IC
It was early morning in Tendaji, although you never would have known it, given the darkness that constantly encompassed Jauhar’s forest floor. There, a group of Shifters stalked back and forth, their dark-skinned faces fading in and out of the gentle pools of light cast by the fungi surrounding them. They seemed restless, the seven of them, all male, as though eagerly awaiting… something.

Nearby, seated on a makeshift chair of sturdy branches and moss, was an ancient man. His silver eyes shone in the darkness, his long, bony fingers tapping gently against the supportive branches surrounding him. He had recently spoken to Takoda, questioning the Prentice’s decision to become a Healer. The boy showed a great deal of promise, but he also possessed some glaring flaws. The decision to join a class was a serious one, something that should not be pursued on a whim. Healers especially were crucial to a tribe’s survival.

The previous night, a runner had been sent to Takoda’s home, requesting his presence at that spot the next morning. His mettle would be tested. If the young Shifter was meant to be a Healer, they would find out today.  

[jayoku]

A million things were running through his mind that morning. The previous night a shifter had come and told him he was being summoned by the village elder. When asked what it was about he was given little to no information and just gruffly reminded to be prompt and not to keep them waiting. Takoda hardly slept, his mind just would quiet as he pondered why he was being called for.

Was it because of his request to be a healer? Maybe they had reconsidered? Given the sternness of his messenger he couldn't help but wonder if he was in trouble. Did he give Chal the wrong information about edible fruits? Had someone died because he had given out the wrong information? The idea had him scrambling through his wealth of knowledge about the forest and it turned up nothing.

The only possible conclusion he could find was perhaps his fear's of instincts ...making him quite pathetic as a shifter, had finally reached the elders and they were going to outcast him. The mere idea of being cast out of the tribe caused him to blanch and the thought was quickly pushed into the furthest reaches of his mind.

The only reason he knew dawn was coming was because his skin was slowly darkening from white to grey, he knew he had to be on time for it he wanted to at least be polite to the village elder's he had to be on time. A bad impression wasn't going to help matters, on whatever it was that he was being sent for.

Scrambling he crushed up some herbs to help revitalize his body, it was only a temporary effect but it would help him at least get to the location without draining the last possible reserves he had. Jamming some fruit into his mouth he turned to flee out the door, only to haphazardly grind to a halt at his entrance. Old habits...and fears died hard.

Doing a quick scan (not enough to satisfy his fear) for bugs he leapt rather than walked to the next branch and quickly made his way. As he moved her devoured the fruit in his hand/mouth and quickly cleaned the juices off of him with some leaves, he ran his fingers through his hair as he moved trying to make it look more presentable.

As he neared to spot he noticed the gathering of of shifters who were on the forest floor. Pausing to catch his breath he quickly came down off of the branches, landing quietly on the forest floor. The eerie glow of the fungi cast enough light he could make out each shifter's face, though his face was soon riveted on the elder on the throne of moss and branches. He marveled briefly on its creation before he stood up straight and approached.

Perhaps it was in his favor it was dark, for it was harder to spot bugs in this lighting, but he could certainly see the glow worms if he tried to. Mentally he convinced himself everything that glowed was a mushroom as he smiled a bit...awkwardly before he cleared his throat.

"You summoned me?"  

[Suhuba]

At the Prentice’s approach, the seven wandering Shifters snapped to attention. Stealthily, as if from thin air, each man produced a weapon. It was clear, now, that they were all older than Takoda and significantly larger than the slender Prentice as well, as they had to be. After all, they were warriors.

Two swordsmen, three archers, a lancer, and a guard, each stood in formation, their eyes locked unwaveringly upon the Elder who remained seated on his earthy throne. The Elder, on the other hand, was focused on Takoda. A small smile had settled onto his lips. ”I did indeed. Thank you, Takoda, for being prompt.”

No visible signal passed between the old man and the group of Shifters, but suddenly, the warriors had moved forward. They flanked Takoda on every side. ”These men are heading out on an important expedition. I thought that they might benefit from your assistance.” The elder laughed, quietly and briefly, ”Or, perhaps it is you who would benefit from them.” Another invisible signal and the warriors moved forward, headed by the Guard.

The Elder lifted his hand in farewell as the seven Shifters headed into the dense foliage. ”I hope you’re feeling well rested, Takoda. Good luck.”  

[jayoku]

Takoda remained silent, his eyes widening if slightly as the weapons were pulled out. Yep..no doubt about it he was going to be cast out of the tribe. He felt his shoulder's tremble, or was whatever he had done offended the elder so much he was going to be killed? But he had known the elder for many years and it seemed unlikely that he would be killed without an explanation of what he had done wrong.

He tried to calm his racing heart, after all he was sure he had done nothing wrong and forcing himself to look back at the elder rather than linger on the weapons and the shifters who were much larger than him and more intimidating than himself.

The elder's words however caught him off guard. Him? Assist...them?? Swallowing he was about to protest and then he stopped himself as this was something the elder had requested of him. Takoda could not deny the elder's request and swallowing again he nodded his head.
"If you feel I could learn from these warriors then I shall go with eye's watching and ears listening." He murmured accepting his fate as suddenly the group was moving off, Takoda was startled by the sudden movement as there had been no signal to show that they leaving. Takoda gave the elder a last look, his face betraying the slightest amount of doubt before he hurried off after the group or warriors.

Walking he fell in step behind them, after all he didn't know where they were going and he would be useless in a fight. He had no weapon...he had left his dagger at home. He wished he had brought his satchel with him for at least he could gather while they were walking. Takoda didn't want to betray his immense fear of being on the ground. Bugs lived here. So rather than over think on his fear he looked at the broad back of the shifter ahead of him.  

[Suhuba]

The elder nodded in response to Takoda’s words, a small smile finding its way back onto his lips as soon as the young Prentice had turned away. It was clear that the boy was willing to learn, if not entirely confident in his ability to do so.

The group of Shifters made their way through the forest quietly, their heavy feet making nary a sound as they moved along. One of the Archers, the man nearest Takoda’s right shoulder, had noticed the way the Prentice’s shoulders shook, the way he now stared determinedly ahead, eyes focused intently on the broad back of their Guard. The Archer reached out, placing a hand briefly on the younger Shifter’s shoulder, before a stern look from the Swordsman on his right snapped him back into focus.

They proceeded in that pressing silence, the warriors each holding their weapons at the ready. A distant rustling began to follow them, resounding now and again from an unpredictable direction; far off to the right, directly behind them, above their heads. The further they walked, the more on-edge and expectant the seven Shifters became.

The rustling started up again, directly in front of the group. Within moments, the sound had grown until it surrounded them. The Shifters stepped into a circle, leaving room in the ring for Takoda, their backs facing one another. After a minute or two, the rustling stopped. Like shadows, figures began to seep into view, surrounding the group from every side. They were cloaked in darkness, their faces obscured and their entire bodies painted with disturbing, glowing images of no recognizable sense. Protruding from each of their heads were a pair of enormous, sharp, black Wadana pincers.

Silence reigned for a moment or two, until one of the figures rose a staff above his head. A fireball roared towards the circled Shifters… and madness broke loose.  

[jayoku]

Takoda had been so entirely focused on what he was doing that he almost started at the gentle hand being placed on his shoulder, his head snapped around to search the face of the archer for a source of his concern, he felt himself relax some though the look one of the swords man gave them made him feel guilty for getting the archer in trouble.

Licking his lips he was glad to have taken those herbs earlier, but now the new problem was making sure he didn't crash in his energy levels later on. As they progressed further into the forest the sound of rustling caught Takoda's attention. Trying to remain calm he glanced only up and to the side when he got the chance to. It moved too fast, there were too many of whatever it was for it to be large insects. The larger they were meant it was less likely for them to swarm. But he couldn't help but wonder if it were possible for him to be wrong.

Suddenly they were moving in a circle before he knew it he was in the center of the shifter's, why they felt the need to protect him...he wasn't sure it was obvious he was the weakest link and perhaps like a mother protecting its child, they just couldn't help having to protect him.

He couldn't see what was going on, but suddenly the forest was entirely too quite. Despite himself he wanted to acknowledge the danger, and yet he recoiled in fear of what it could be. Trembling further he had to chew on the inside of his cheek to bring himself back to some semblance of calm. Only it didn't last as suddenly there was a bright fiery light, unnatural light. It was not from fungi or the sun it was FIRE! Magic fire and it roared towards them he didn't know what to do other than flatten himself to the ground instantly.  

[Suhuba]

Although the Shifters did their best to maintain formation, it didn't last long. The lancer and guard charged the strange, pincer-headed figures and the archers disappeared into the trees. The two swordsmen remained by the flattened Takoda as long as they could, but another raging ball of fire caused them to scatter, leaping into the undergrowth, towards the shadowy forms.

Screams of pain began to crack the silent air. The moist undergrowth had finally caught fire, no match for the onslaught of magical heat. Bright waves of light blazed in unnatural formations throughout the small clearing. The shouts began to grow more distant and many of the odd, glowing forms began to fade away.

On the ground, amidst the growing flames, three of the Seven Shifters remained. One of the archers had fallen from a tree, his leg crumpled in pain. The guard and lancer had been thrown back. The once strong and determined leader of the group was bleeding profusely from the side of his face, unconscious on the ground. The latter was writhing in pain, pupils dilated and eyes unfocused.

It would seem that the strange, insect-like predators had vanished, but the reoccuring screams of their lost camarades, growing fainter and fainter in the forest, was proof that they were still around... and still a threat.  

[jayoku]

Everything was a blur, movement seemed as if it was slow motion at yet he didn't manage to catch where anyone was going, suddenly there was noise added to the surroundings, not just any noise but cries and screams of pain or worse..death. On top of all that there was the unbearable heat from the fire that was now spreading through the moist undergrowth.

Hot flames licked close to Takoda's head and it was at that point that he skittered backwards to avoid having his hair caught on fire. As he tried to catch sight of his companions his gaze found itself sticking no..latching onto the pincer like face's of the enemy but they seemed to retreat as if seeing no recognizable threat. Takoda felt his entire body seize up.

Insect humanoids was probably bad enough for most people but for Takoda it was a nightmare come true. Memories flooded through him horrible things that he wished would go away, but instead of fleeing he sat on the ground rooted there, frozen as if made of stone.

It was the screams and cries of those around him that finally penetrated through his nightmare. People needed him, and that overrode any fear that may lock him in place or send him flying into the distance. Forcing his head to turn he forced his way through his fear, locking onto each of the tree shifters who were obviously wounded around him. He felt guilt, as they had fought he had cowered and he refused to let a single one die on his behalf.

Taking each one into account it was hard to determine who required his help first, but bleeding on the ground their unconscious leader seemed to command the most attention, head wounds could be very serious. He needed to stop the flow of blood else the shifter could possible never awaken. Staggering Takoda moved slowly, wishing he had brought his satchel with him but instead too a quick survey of the area...that was still aflame.... to see what resources he could take.

Moss. Moss was the first thing he went for, a natural absorbent it would help stop the flood of blood coming from their leader's head. Grabbing fistfuls of what he could find that wasn't ablaze, he quickly returned to the shifter and carefully made sure to lay the man properly on the forest floor and carrying away or smothering what flames were near him. Cloth..he needed something to press against the wound...after all he needed to tend to all three men but this one required his immediate attention.

Looking down at his pant's being the only thing available, he tore at the bottom and quickly went about making strips. After he had firmly wrapped the head wound he made a note to look for something to slow the bleeding, as he went to check on the man who was writhing on the spot delirious.

First things first he needed to determine was was causing the pain. He did a quick check over looking for anything that could determine a physical blow, poison for example that caused it.  

[Suhuba]

If one were to check under the lancer's left arm, the tip of an arrow could be seen, broken off and still buried just beneath the skin. The skin around the wound was beginning to take on a green-ish blue hue that was slowly beginning to travel further and further along the skin. The more discolored his flesh became, the more pained and discombobulated the lancer seemed. A small amount of off-white foam began to drip from the corner of his mouth.

As for the fallen archer, it was clear that his leg was fractured in numerous places. It bent at strange angles and he himself had passed out long ago, likely from the immense pain.  

[jayoku]

Takoda looked at the wound that was slowly turning the whole arm a ghastly unnatural color. Panic tried to flood through him, this was the kind of wound he was not familiar with, everything pointed to poison but now the question was what kind. His mind went through a rapid succession of poison's as he contemplated at the same time on how to remove the arrow head. The man was already unconscious but he wasn't sure that the arrow was barbed and if he would do more harm than good by removing it.

Determining that the poison had to be dealt with first he took a deep breath and looked around. The smoke from the fires was also becoming a problem. Unconscious or no he would have to move them all but only once he had treated them first.

Moving he quickly searched the area he grabbed a few well known herbs and then put it in his mouth and set to chewing. He would put it around the broken arrow head shaft to prevent infection and then he looked for the mushroom he knew would bring down pain and had some sedating effects. His face flushed slightly as he gathered a few other things in a rush and then spitting out the plant put it around the shaft. The herb naturally numbed...as he knew as his mouth tingled, next he chewed the mushroom and after quickly chewing that up he didn't have time to blush as he forced the food into the others mouth via mouth to mouth. He needed him to swallow, even if he wasn't sure how what to treat the poison just yet he gathered more mushrooms and set to chewing them after he made sure that the lancer had swallowed.

Hurrying he dragged the leader to where the the lancer was to keep them close together and felt himself starting to pant from exhaustion. No time to be tired he quickly went to the archer and flinched seeing how the leg looked. It was very broken in several places. It would need to be set if the shifter expected it to heal properly, and since he was already unconscious from obviously the pain. Chewing more mushrooms he set about finding a straight branch and went about resetting the bone before he wrapped it to the temporary splint. Figuring it would be best to drag the others to the archer he did so.

He felt overwhelmed and the tiredness was beginning to wear him down, stumbling he felt himself fall on his knee's. The smoke was making his eye's tear, as well his lungs burn. His primary problem was making sure the rest didn't die from smoke inhalation... he couldn't stop now..it was either put out the flames or move them.

Both ways seemed...overwhelming.


Quickly he checked to make sure they were all still breathing.  

[Suhuba]

All three men, although in obvious discomfort, were, in fact, still breathing. The Lancer had calmed considerably, the discoloration already beginning to recede, his skin slowly fading back to its previous, dark hue. The Guard's head wound seemed under control and the unconscious Archer's leg looked much less... crooked.

Around them, the fire continued to rage. The smoke began to grow thicker, creeping towards the four Shifters trapped on the ground. The thick cloud of fumes slowly began to change color, taking on a purple tint in the bright, flame-filled air. It sank over the group... but it was no longer noxious. Although it made the air feel thick, breathing was possible. Sight, on the other hand, was completely lost.

If Takoda were to search for his three companions, he would find that they had vanished in the strange, changed atmosphere. It began to grow dark as the flames faded, apparently smothered by the phenomenal, purple cloud. The smog itself was contained within the circumference of the clearing. Just beyond, the air was clean, no trace of either the battle or the fire in sight.

As the purple haze slowly began to fade, a feminine scream broke through the air.

It would seem that Takoda's trial wasn't quite finished, despite his heavy fatigue.  

[jayoku]

The woman's scream cutting into the air caused Takoda to jerk around his eye's frantically trying to find a body that belonged to it, but the smoke was making it impossible to see. Desperate he wanted to leap to his feet and try and make his way to the voice. But the fire was spreading, he wished he was like those mages in the village who could use water magic and then he could make sure these three would be alright.

Dragging himself upwards he shouted "Over here!!", why? Cause at least if the female heard him she would come in his direction. The only problem with this was it would also alert the attackers to his position. He couldn't stay here and let them find him with three unconscious men...especially since he couldn't do much in the way to defend them.

Struggling to take deep breath's he quickly went to work. Moving the men was the first priority, out of the flames reach it was exhausting work and he wasn't quite strong enough to do this, but he had to and though he fell enough times to guarantee his knee's being bruised he got the first, second and third man far enough that unless the wind picked up the fire would not get to them right away. He covered them in moss, things to conceal them from the casual observer and hopefully the intent observer and then he ran towards the females voice.

"Over here!" He shouted again hoping in the very least to lure the attackers away.  

[Suhuba]

Another scream pierced the air.

A few kilometers away, a trail of gently glowing Illi squirmed curiously around. It was easy to find the focus of their fascination. A few feet in the air, a branch was almost entirely covered in pastel-colored Nondwi. They fluttered and perched, their attention placed entirely on whatever they had trapped within their winged dome.

Another scream, originating from the center of the gathered insects. This one was fainter, weaker. The creatures fluttered haphazardly at the sound, but quickly regained their formation.

It would seem that a young woman was draped across the branch around which the Nondwi were gathered. Yet, the branch was not a branch at all, but a massive Wadana, clinging to the violet tree and camouflaging itself effortlessly. Within the bug shield, the girl, another Shifter, her skin slowly fading to silver with the passing of time, was shivering with fever. Her eyes were shut, lost to the illness that had overcome her.  

[jayoku]

Takoda skidded to a halt and nearly back peddled at the immense amount of nondwi's that were in the area and not just in an area but gathered in a tree near the tree around a tree....His eye's wide with the sudden terror that was locking him into place he wanted to scream. Takoda's body was shaking, quite badly where he stood, the girl...she was in that tree surrounded by those nondwi.

Her cries for help was getting fainter..until she no longer uttered them at all. Upon closer inspection the tree branch she was draped upon was not a branch at all but...a Wadana. It was camouflaged well but given he had spent years his eyes straining in the forest to detect such creatures it seemed to stick out like a well disguised glowing worm with wings.

You had to be kidding him. Collapsing onto his already well bruised knee's he wanted to weep, weeping seemed a better option than suffering an anxiety or panic attack. Each flutter of wing's caused him to flinch as it the sheer sound of it caused him extreme pain. But her cries were getting fainter...until there was no sound at all.

Willing himself to look up he took a breath the girl looked unconscious...feverish and weak. All these things he took in from the intense stare he was giving her, crawling around he tried to focus. He had to find more herbs, plants...mushrooms! The small ones that could help with pain could also bring a fever down! Chewing on the inside of his cheek he tasted blood as he stood and then went to check at the base of the tree. He found a few of them though hardly enough to pass between all four unconscious shifter's he had to try and treat one at a time. Focus on one.

And right now this girl needed his help. Looking up, he felt the gentle waft of the wings blowing wind down at him. They...were Zuko. Yes. Zuko. Countless.....Zuko's..... but they wouldn't hurt him, they wouldn't. Saying these things over and over again he moved to the tree and was forced to climb onto the other gain winged...branch...yes it was just a tree. Why did he had to see it? Why did he have to???

Climbing he reached for the girl and found himself not close enough, what did he hope to achieve once he could reach her? Pull her down? No that wouldn't work...with his luck he was drag her only to plummet to the forest floor dragging him with her. Shivering he popped a mushroom in his mouth and began to chew, he needed to get this into her like he did the others...awkwardly he gathered her head into his lap and he leaned over parting her lips to force the chewed mushroom into her mouth. Making sure she swallowed and not choked her held onto this girl desperately miserable about his situation.  

[Suhuba]

The collection of Nondwi scattered gracefully as Takoda approached, but quickly regained their formation. They were not hurting the feverish girl, but seemed entirely involved in the situation… curious, perhaps… or… could they be concerned?

The girl managed to swallow the mashed mushrooms as they were fed to her, choking only slightly in the process. She began to sweat terribly as her fever broke, some color returning to her naturally pale skin, but she was still unconscious.

The Wadana on whom they were positioned seemed to have grown irritated at the situation. One Shifter it could hold, but the two combined were too heavy for its comfort; it could only take so much in its attempts to imitate a branch. The massive insect began to shift, dislodging itself from the tree. As the Wadana moved, the girl too began to wobble, her body rolling ever-so-slightly to the side, fully prepared to plummet the several feet to the hard earth.