Quest Name: This was not in the job description (fighter Guild)
Chapter: One
Description: We need you to set up a roadblock or barricade a few miles outside of the village along one of the main roads leading to the city. This roadblock needs to be sturdy and well-guarded to prepare for an attack. You will be given two guards from Thunderhoof to assist you, along with several kinds of material to build with, walls, log spikes, and digging items to create trenches.
Requirements:
- Requires at least two people (you and one other, the other does not need to be interested in the guild)
- You must make at least 5 posts with each post being 150 words to complete the mission.
- You must build a roadblock and prepare for an assault.
- Once you complete this mission you gain access to chapter two. (which needs to be a separate topic)

---

Ser Sarne had been working around the village for a few days now working with the village elders on reconstruction. Now a new threat was coming a group of Gnolls, savage, violent hyena-type creatures. The Gnolls were forming a War Party and raiding the weak villages in the area.

The rumors had been spreading about them and it was starting to concern Sarne. He was not going to let this village Sarne had been rebuilding the villages just to get destroyed again. The people had been through enough. He had positioned Screech up in a hill and rock outcropping Screech would let the village know if something got too close.

The day before Sane sent his retainers out to take a look around the area. When they returned Nordic report was not a good one. They were a day away and coming down the road to the village.

Sarne was not going to try to handle this on his own. Sarne walked to the edge of the village where He saw Taki standing looking in that direction. Turning to Taki another adventure working in the area. Sarne's face focused his demeanor determined. "Have you heard or know a group of Gnolls a War Party is on its way? I have a report it is a day away. I plan to defend the village I am not letting my work get destroyed here." Sarne started to explain.

"I know you don't know me, but the people here need you. I would like to request your help in the defense of the village. what do you say Taki," asked Sarne with confidence. Sarne hoped the answer would be yes from Taki.

Shorter, cooler days followed the recent visit of an orcish warrior to Taki's home. She'd finished her autumnal harvest the previous day, and was working on tilling and preparing the beds of the garden for the winter's crops. As the shadows waned in the midday sun, Taki headed inside and prepared a meal for herself and her companions who were about. Just after lunch, Rina came floating into the study with a letter.

"Message for you, Miss."

"Why thank you dear."

"You're very welcome Taki."

"Keeping warm today?"

"I am, thank you. It's getting close to torpor time though." The Flitten replied with a little shiver. Taki ran her hands gently over her soft, fuzzy coat with one hand as she opened the letter with two others. It was a report about a band of Gnoll attacks happening around King's Valley, reaching out to adventurers who might be able to strengthen their defenses ahead of this warband. 'Definitely a task my talents would excel at' she thought to herself as she scooped Rina into her arms and carried her to her hive.

"I'll be traveling again, keep warm and comfy Rina. Don't worry about keeping house, just make sure to rest up and do what you need to ready for the winter."

"Alright Taki, I will. Safe travels."

She made preparations, gathering her pack and checking everything over. Once done, she went outside to the Stables to rouse Hakaze and Shuchu. She found Shuna along the way in the courtyard, sunning on a stone bench and gave the sleek jungle cat a scritch behind the ears before sending her off to fetch Yukina and Shion. Once her companions had gathered, she explained the letter and their objectives. Kamina, Shion and Yukina would be staying home, while Shuna, Hakaze and Shuchu would go to the villages to help out. Hakaze looked at Taki warily for a moment before speaking up.

"Am I to understand that I'll be carrying everyone?"

"Not at all, you'll have Shuna as a passenger and I'll handle Shuchu's travel."

"How...?" The question drew a puzzled look from all of her companions, and a sly grin from Taki. Only Yukina caught on to the shaman's idea, her eyes widening with the realization as the shaman winked at her. Stepping out into the open, Taki's upper arms and legs grew into lean armored limbs, her body elongating as her second set of arms shifted up along her back to form large leathery wings. In a matter of moments, the courtyard was filled with the bulk of a Dragon, though still sharing some of Taki's own features. After the astonishment subsided, the group set out on their journey.

She could only imagine the stir it would cause any travelers or villagers who spotted their flight, but haste was paramount, as was the need for strong and durable combatants. Drake and Dragon soared over Charon in the afternoon sun, arriving in King's Valley and the village just ahead of the last light of day. After making camp in the forest for her larger companions to rest for the night, she headed into town with Shuna. They passed the gates with only minor difficulty, and reported to the village chief's meeting hall. Inside were a few other adventurers, as well as a group of builders consulting and arguing about the best uses of resources.

After the meeting, Taki made her way back to the camp for a good night's rest before the coming long day of work. She explained her goals that evening to her companions, her plan to strengthen the defenses around the town ahead of the coming hoard. At last report they were somewhere between two and three day's travel from the village, on the backs of a previous raid and full of provisions. Time wasn't on their side, so her plan was simple. With the help of some magic, some clever druid know-how, and the environment she would supplement the village's resources and plug any gaps. With that in mind, the group settled in for the night, Taki enjoyed a smoke from her traveling pipe and dozed off under the cool, clear night.

The next day, after breaking camp, the group headed to the village and began working. With the help of her Spirit Guardians, Taki set up a production with Shuchu, a pair of Animated Stone Constructs and a patch of ground on the edge of town. After planting the area with a group of bamboo bulbs, she would cast Plant Growth over the area to accelerate their growth. Afterwards, Shuchu would follow one of the Animates along the shoots as it felled them and they were stacked in a pile. The second Animate used smaller tools to carve a sharp spike into one end and a wedge in the other to help drive it into the ground. Shuna was overseeing the Animate's work while Hakaze would carry bundles to the workers building defenses. Every couple of hours she would call for a break, and spend a bit of time bringing drinks and snacks to others nearby. At lunch, she set up her camp cooking setup and made a warm meal for anyone who wished to share and join in. Most of the workers joined in, starting an impromptu pot-luck lunch full of stories and laughter. After lunch, she set up the last patch of bamboo for the day and instructed her companions to rest afterwards before they made camp again.

Taki herself took a walk around the village's perimeter, stopping in at the various works to lend a hand, which mostly was using Mending on vital tools that had broken under the strain of emergency work. While making her rounds she was approached by another adventurer, one who seemed enthusiastic about the task at hand but new to the profession.

"I know you don't know me, but the people here need you. I would like to request your help in the defense of the village. what do you say Taki?" the man asked with great confidence, beaming with hopeful anticipation. His attire seemed well traveled, and maintained, and he carried himself with the firm, measured stride that she'd noticed in many human nobles. Perhaps he was one of the adventurers called in to help with the battle planning and tactical affairs, or a lone warrior looking for support in what was probably going to be a difficult challenge.

"It might not seem like it at this moment, but I've been assisting with that very goal all day. As far as participating in the battle, we weren't brought in as combatants. That said, this situation is sorely hurting for those familiar with battle, and this possibility directly influenced the companions I brought along. While you seem familiar with me, you've not introduced yourself ser. What might this shaman call you, if I am to join your battle?"

Sarne had been so deep in thought that Sarne did not realize how rude he was. He looked at the ground for a moment. Angry with himself and his behavior of late.
Sarne had heard the name from others and did not even ask if it was appropriate to call her that.

When Taki mentioned helping already Sarne had wondered who had been helping. The defenses of the village were too advanced for just common Village people. Sarne knew his retainers were around checking on things he would have to introduce them as well when the time came.

Looking over making sure he did not miss something before speaking. Taki she was slim, Athletic, and covered in fine, vibrant blue scales, she stood at just over 5 feet. Wearing simple colored clothes of wrapped materials in earth-tone colors. Taki spoke in a courteous tone keeping the pleasantries to a minimum.

She is known as a wise and calm Shaman. Sarne took a step back. Sarne bowed placing his right hand over his chest. "My apologies Shaman, That was rude of me. I am Ser. Sarne Sequoia, Lord of Grey Stone Keep, Captain of the Shadow Wolves Hunters." standing back up. "I called you by I name I do not have permission to use. May I call you Taki?"

Taki watched the man carefully, knowing that there was equal chance such a reply would draw some ire as it might highlight room for improvement. He seemed to be upset at himself, but recovered after a moment and continued, introducing himself with a very human title. A slight smirk crept up the edge of her scaled features, the shaman feeling slightly smug for picking up on his noble background.

"Well, seeing as you've been kind enough to give your full name, my own is Shitakibo, amongst my kind called Jinsei-no-Seishin or Spirit of Life. Taki is my nickname for those who prefer simple names. You don't have to concern yourself with my participation... I'll be about, sowing my own flavor of chaos upon this ravenous horde." She replied, not sure yet if she planned to directly support the man and his group or the battle overall. Much of that would be decided in the moment, no plan of battle could truly grasp the chaos of two forces clashing. They also knew next to nothing about the band of Gnolls, their leader or the methods they've been using to ransack towns before slipping off into the woods again.

"I hope everyone is prepared for a battle for survival, likely our opponents are going to be savage, creative and unconventional. If you have the sway amongst others, perhaps it would be prudent to have them make ready. This won't be like any war between men or battle with a great monster... and the rumors of a leader of some kind mean that an already daunting foe will be even less predictable. They'll fight like Gnolls individually, that's inescapable, but the group will fight with a purpose we could spend a lifetime pondering... For now, we solidify and improve the defenses, rest for the coming battle, and by all that is good in this life... hope we all get to see the sun come up tomorrow."

While Taki understood that there was a real probability she could be the last one standing in such a conflict, that wasn't an acceptable outcome to her mind. Her formal training recently completed, Taki was all too aware of the devastation she could bring to bare. While the magic itself, the training, the trials and errors had all be exhilerating... the shaman also gained a growing understanding of just how impactful and dangerous it could be if she were thoughtless for even a brief moment. She still wasn't quite sure what to make of the nobleman before her, but there was much to be done before tomorrow and she wanted very much to crawl into her hammock with a pipe to rest.

"The town will have my help, though likely I will not focus it in one place or to one objective until the battle unfolds and that objective becomes clear. Until then, let's see to the work, and get a good night's sleep." Taki concluded, waving casually to the man as she continued her inspection around the town.

"Shamanka Shitakibo, I am happy to meet you more formally. It is an honor to be here with you. In this time of need," said Sarne showing respect for her and what she has done so far. "Any help you give is a great help. and your plan sounds solid to me," expresses Sarne looking over the land in front of them.

"I have an idea. I know they are coming down this road. They tend to rush in and try to overwhelm with their attack. If I set up Abatis Defenses on the hills here and funnel them to that point," Sarne explained pointing. "They will not have sight of the village and that will nullify their numbers. With that I also have the high ground giving me an advantage," Sarne said thinking and picturing the battle in his head.

"If I engage them there and have some of the Abatis Defenses on fire and smoking it might just be enough to confuse them some," suggested Sarne knows some of Gnoll's tactics and what his reports he had heard so far. "I know not everything always goes to plan. It might at best hope stop them there or at least delay them and thin their numbers. I will have my retainers build the Abatis Defenses and maybe get some help with some sallow spike pits." Sane said thinking about the plan.

Sarne bent down and touched the ground moving his fingers over the dirt and moving the tall grass some. Sarne stands and looks as the grass moves with the breeze. "I don't know if I can do it all. but I will give it my best. If you could bless me with healing we might just convince them this is not worth the fight," suggested Sung with confidence. His tone that of a commander with some experience. 

"I do understand the goal you'd like to achieve, though I fear it might only sway those who approach from your direction. The one town I stopped at on the way over was near the beginning of this raiding trail, and the aftermath suggested a surrounding attack. Quick, efficient and cutting off any possible escape routes. While our scouts are still able to move freely, by nightfall that window may close as the horde approaches and begins to fan out. You are not alone in this fight, nor do you have need or purpose in bearing such a burden. Trust in your fellows, the strength of their steel and the drive in their hearts." Taki was quite concerned with the man's line of thinking. If this were a smaller band, or a few brigands extorting tolls, Sarne's ideas might have worked. A battle of this scale, especially with such disparate forces, would not be swayed by the actions of any one individual. Vulcadreus had been a stern reminder, no matter how much ability, skill and power one individual might have, without the support of their fellows, it will only go so far.

"Let's do what we can, rest as much as possible, and see to the state of things when the times comes. Until then, be well and best of luck." With that, Taki returned to her path. An idea came to her as she walked along the outer perimeter of the town, giving large spikes a firm shove to ensure they were securely planted. With a sharp series of whistles, she called Hakaze over from his rest. The Wind Drake took two short, hopping strides and took flight not far overhead. A few of the workers making their way towards the gate were startled by the sudden flyover, but the drake didn't pay them mind. Landing beside the shaman, Taki ran a hand over their armored snout with a smile.

"I know I said rest up for tomorrow, but my curiosity is a bit impatient. Would you mind taking a scouting trip and finding our wayward horde?"

"Not at all, Miss Taki. I'll have your report back before the moon is high overhead."

With that, the drake launched themselves again, this time taking a wide spiral up above the town before leveling out and beginning a search pattern of the area. It would be some time before Hakaze returned, so she continued. A gentle tremor passed through her Geomagnetic Sense, causing the shaman to drop what she was doing and bolt through the streets of town. Swiftly, she passed by startled onlookers as her feet barely seemed to touch the earth. Ahead, on the western wall, a large crack was starting to split open near the upper portion. The sight of it made her eyes widen as she pushed her body to it's limit to clear the distance. Not only was this a problem for the sturdiness of the defenses, but those working around the area... the break could be mended, the wall repaired... but the people were not a resource one could try to value in such ways.

Hearing the yells and screams Sarne raced to where it was coming from. Sarne was feeling some uneasiness. When he arrived at the west wall part of it was crumbling. A crack was getting larger as parts of the upper wall fell. He stopped and saw Shitakibo had just arrived too.

Sarne dashed forward not saying a word grabbing a boy who was about to get hit with large parts of the wall. Sarne and the boy rolled out of the way of the falling debris. Parts of the wall fell around Sarne and the boy as the dust rose into the air.

A male Dwarf, a female Half-Elf, and a male Elf came from the shadows just appearing out of nowhere they all yelled "Captain!" as they ran to Sarne with no regard for their own life. Sarne stood to his knees with the boy in his arms "Take the boy!" Sarne ordered as they scrambled to get out of there as the last part of the wall fell to the ground.

When they were clear Sarne stopped and dusted himself off. Sarne looked at the boy for a moment checking him out with Sarne's followers. The mother and father ran up and hugged the boy. Sarne gave a weary smile to them and started to walk off. Sarne coughed a few times because of the dust waved his hand around and walked over to Shitakibo.
"This could be trouble right now," said Sarne to Shitakibo. He shook his head looking at the damaged part of the wall.

It was late in the afternoon now Sarne was not sure if they had the time to fix the damage. Even the support beams fell it would take probably more time than they have to properly fix the wall. "Shamanka Shitakibo, how are you at Earth moving?" asked Sarne not sure what to do.

Taki's focus on the wall intensified, she barely heard what people around her were shouting, only their movements being tracked by Geomagnetic Sense. It seemed those close to the wall were reacting to the changing situation as best they could, so the shaman gathered her magic. A soft, misty blue glow swirled around her eyes, her gaze afixed the the cracking stone structure. Someone stopped nearby but they'd have to find the patience to wait if they were addressing her directly. Another rumble shook the ground, the support beams groaning with the immense stresses being applied. Letting out a deep breath, she poured her magic into the earth and calling one of her guardians from the spirit realm. A feline creature roughly the size of a panther coalesced, it's swirling stripes of teals accenting silver fur of dazzling sheen. The guardian's aura bolstered her magic as she summoned a pair of Crystalline Shards from the depths below. Each pair of hands gripped an unseen rod, the muscles straining as if trying to lift the earth itself from it's roots.

Two gleaming pillars of solid quartz pressed themselves tight to either side of the wall's damaged section, pressing their bulky crystalline mass at a shallow angle to the wall to spread out the load. Dust and small stones showered the area, though they did little more than pepper baskets and pots sitting in the yards of homes near the wall. She kept her breathing steady as she pushed the pillars into their final positions, concentrating on each small change her senses were attuned to. The groaning supports slowly stopped flexing further, then straightened out as the stress of the shifting burden waned. She let her arms fall to her sides, breathing a deep sigh of relief that she wouldn't be spending the night dragging a new section of wall (or worse, the whole of it) from the ground.

Keta beamed at her side, the spirit guardian finding great joy in watching Taki use her magic for more than just a tool of war. She knelt down and embraced the spirit cat, who shared what the man who'd approached had been saying quietly. She turned to see Sarne once again, a coating of dust and mud upon his gear. While her Sense could give her insight into the unseen places and people in a given area, it wasn't very useful for discerning detailed features. While she'd sensed someone there, who could have been anyone nearby. At least he'd had the patience to wait for the shaman's response while she was concentrating.

"Earth is indeed one of the domains of magic I'm well versed in, was there something in particular you needed or were you asking relative to this recent situation?"

His eyes widened as the magic was building around Shitakibo. Sarne was in awe of what he was seeing. This made him think of his mother and her ability to call on the Light or heavenly power to do things like heal or protect. The celestial side of the family would develop in Sarne as well. Something inside Sarne changed as the coalesced panther appeared. Its stirring streaks of teal accent silver's stunning glow.

Share eye color changed to gold. His hair to a silver tent. He was not sure what made him do that something deep inside of him. Sarne could feel celestial radiance flow through him. It could have been the people around him some being frightened and now being calmed by his presence. It could be to support Shitakibo, but Sarne could not be certain.

Shitakibo had summoned Two shimmering pillars of solid crystal quartz that compressed themselves tight to either side of the wall crack damage supporting the wall and almost reparing it in just a minute. Sanr was just speechless at the power Shitakibo had displayed. even the villagers around them were just in awe of what they just witnessed Sane was sure they had never seen anything like that before or most had not.

As her arms fell people started to work on the wall again. Shoring up any part that needed it. Nordic, Naesala, and Vamir stepped to one side at a hand signal from Sarne. Sarne gave a deep bow as did his followers taking his cue. "You owe me no explanation Shamanka Shitakibo. Your ability is amazing I don't even know how to reply to something that I just saw. The wonder of it is just astonishing." said Sarne with amazement.

"I need to introduce my team Nordic, Naesala, and Vamir. They will help us in any way they can." The three give a slight bow "Shamanka Shitakibo we are honored" the three say together standing upright. Nordic stepped up "It is as our Captain says. Just have to ask Shamanka Shitakibo we will help." said the Dwarf.

"Well met to all of you, and I'm sure we'll have plenty of tasks needing doing for the battle ahead. Let's make sure the town is as buttoned up as can be." Taki replied, looking around the area to see if anyone needed any medical attention. Most folk near the outer walls had migrated to the interior of the town ahead of the labor underway, but the workers themselves and a few less well opportuned families were still in the area. The shaman admired the communal effort being put in by everyone, and was grateful there weren't any serious injuries to be found in the area. A few minor surface scratches or bruises in such a situation weren't concerning, and thankfully all to be found.

With the area secured, and masons consulting with the field engineers on any patchwork that might be feasible, Taki bid farewell to Sarne and company for the evening. Returning to her small tent, she had a simple meal prepared over the campfire before sprawling out in her hammock. A well packed pipe accompanied her evening, whisps of pungent smoke trickling out of the flap as she took long drags of the earthy, herbacious filling. The eve of battle had always been a high tension situation for those involved, Taki was no exception, but the wash of calm giddiness helped ease the strain. The coming day would be full of unknowns, and everyone would need to muster their courage.