During her adventure with Shaa, the minotaur mentioned to Astrid something about Athena, the head of the fighter's guild, having gone missing. She wondered about it, and when she returned to the guild hall, she found Zarius there, a full-fledged member of the guild, snooping for clues. So of course she had to join the tiefling. Contrary to their first adventure together, the half-dwarf is much more equipped to handle adventures. Besides, she had to spend time catching Zarius up on the results of the adventure with Cirice! And everything else. The one thing she hasn't given away is Wolfe's true nature. They're totally normal! (And this is the first time they're reunited since the wine tasting at the Rookery which... certainly was a chaotic experience for them both with little time for actually chatting.)

Finally having made it to Eclipse Jungle, Astrid lets Zarius take the lead. Their clue points them in the direction of some ruins hidden amongst the dense trees where a group of the Clasp is holed up and harassing travelers who dare test the roads of the jungle. It's been a long time since she came into contact with Clasp bandits, one of her first solo adventures, actually, and that went... Well, it went. This time she's got much more experience and more equipment, and she's looking forward to showing Zarius that she doesn't need to be protected in the same way that she did during her first adventure. Though this time, she probably won't finagle a drill out of a busted mine cart... 

"So, didja ever meet miss Athena?" she asks Zarius to break the quiet of the forest. Beside her Spicy Pawsage trots at a decent pace, and Charles stumbles over roots behind them. 

SPOILER: Click to show

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Quest Name: One more camp

Chapter: One

Description: Over the past few months a bandit group known as the clasp has been increasing in power, despite being hunted by adventurers in Charon. They have established several key hide outs in Moonglade, all across the region and are starting to make moves. We believe Athena was on their trail before going missing, and need your help. Find one of these bandit camps, eradicate any bandits you find and search for clues to the location of the guild leader.

Requirements:

- Requires at least two people (All participants must be in the Fighter's guild)

- You must make at least 6 post to complete the mission with each post being at least 200 words

- Locate and destroy a bandit hideout in Moonglade to help discover clues to Athena's location

- There will be 6 bandits and 2 hostile Girallon

- Once you complete this mission you have completed this quest chain and may turn in the mission.

Seeing Astrid arrive at the Fighter's Guild was a pleasant surprise. He had to chuckle a bit about how Veliky had given him such a hard time about the young adventurer when she was actively proving she could handle the adventuring life. It wasn't like she was risking her life alone, between Blue Raspberry, Cantio, and the Lord of Ghouls himself, anyone who dared to mess with the young half-dwarf would be making plenty of capable enemies and would quickly regret such a misstep. 

That wasn't to discredit Astrid's own capabilities. She had grown so much in a short amount of time. Likely that was attributed to her quick thinking and ingenuity. Given the proper time, support, and opportunities, she would certainly go far in life. It was a good thing and more than deserved given the unfortunate hand Astrid had been dealt to start with. 

Trudging through the Eclipse Jungle with the half-dwarf in tow, they follow a light trail through the dense undergrowth. He kept a keen eye out for any traps that might have been set by the bandits. While his last encounter with the Clasp was underwhelming, he knew better than to underestimate them. They had been causing trouble long enough and even have managed to survive against the Witch of Moonglade herself, so they must have some sensible leadership. 

He glances back at the young adventurer as she speaks. 

"No, I am afraid she has been missing since before I joined the guild. I do not know if even Shaa has met her." He admitted. 

Being in the information trade business, he had leveraged what contacts he had gained to investigate her disappearance, but information was shockingly sparse. It was almost as if someone was covering up the whole event. Honestly, that wouldn't surprise him. There had been a lot of shady dealings surrounding the Guilds recently. Something was definitely going on and he would be very interested to know more. 

The mysterious Athena was someone he had wanted to meet, so her disappearance was very concerning.

He looks up at the large trees towering over them. It would be a good idea to get up to a vantage point as they approach the ruins in case there are any lookouts. The clink-clank of Charles makes him wince as the bot trips over a root. The stealthy approach with this entourage may not be possible, which unfortunately meant that they would have to use the distraction tactic instead. 

"I didn't meet her neither," Astrid admits. "The way Shaa talked 'bout her, she sounded pretty cool."

Keeping her eyes open for anything or anyone that might try to ambush them. As tall as the trees are, she's expecting something to come pouncing down from them at any moment. She sighs heavily noticing Zarius cringing at how loud Charles is. Not that she's much better. She's got nearly a full suit of armor at this point, and metal against metal is quite loud. Quickly, she hops back toward Charles and tells him to keep some distance to avoid giving them away. The bot slows its pace considerably and manages to move slightly quieter than before. Well, that's some improvement.

As always, Zarius seems to be thinking. His thoughts must tumble at a million miles an hour with as many as he has and seems to process at any given time. Avasha above, does Astrid want to ask if he ever figured out who pantsed him. No, don't do that. He'll figure it out immediately. Who else would bring that up right now?? They're looking for tall, ruined buildings in the middle of a dense forest. Who would bring that up?? 

"Soooo," she says quietly, trying to break the silence as they move forward carefully. "What're ya thinkin'? Can't get caught in an avalanche this time!"

"Well, I would prefer to scout unseen and silently. I do have something that should help you move quietly even with your armor, but...I do not know what to do about your construct and pet."

He wasn't sure if he should suggest using them as a distraction. Astrid might not appreciate that and use him as a practice dummy for her hammers. He knew she could hit like a giant and while he had taken some pretty hard knocks here and there, he really didn't need to return home with any broken bones. Explaining that to Caedes or Eameia was not something he wanted to do. Mostly because they would likely never let him live it down. 

Taking that all into consideration, he was stumped. Aside from a frontal assault, they had few other options. He wasn't necessarily opposed to just rushing in, they very likely could take a bunch of Clasp grunts. But then again, the Clasp has had many other adventurers getting in the way of their plans lately. The ones left may be playing things smarter than the ones that have already been dealt with. 

Running through all the information he did have in his mind, he sighs and takes a healthy step away from Astrid before clearing his throat. 

"Miss Astrid, what do you think about having your pet and construct hang back while we scout, then act as a diversion should we decide to attack the hideout?"

He braces himself, ready to bolt or turn invisible should the half-dwarf react poorly to the suggestion.

When Zarius steps back looking concerned, Astrid looks him up and down with an inquisitive look. Then he makes his suggestion of using her companions as a distraction, and her expression drops. Little does Zarius know, her range extends past her natural reach. The twelve-year-old just gives him this unimpressed look, and she sets her heavy-enchanted war hammer, the one as large as she is tall that she carries as if it were weightless, down on the ground with a thud that her strength earlier betrayed. Then she leans on the haft.

"Orrr," she begins, drawing the note out. The next words could be any number of options. Or I could smash yer head in fer suggestin' it. Or I could send ya ta yer god. Or I could just run in hammers blazin'. Any of these answers would seem practical coming from Astrid, so her true response somehow seems even more outlandish than it is. "If ya wanna scout, I can send me mum with ya, and I'll wait back here with Charles and Spicy Pawsage until ya report back." She watches Zarius to see if his stalwart face gives away what's going on in his tactical mind. It's been a long time since she and he went on their first adventure together, and Astrid's collected quite an arsenal of oddities in that time. 

Zarius feels the thud of the heavy hammer hitting the ground. Good Gods, what kind of little troll monster had this child become in her time traveling with that blue-haired bottomless pit? He can only imagine that Bellighul is somehow to blame for her unnatural strength getting even more ludicrous. Perhaps he made some mass sacrifice to a demon or some eldritch being to bestow ungodly powers on the half-dwarf child. He wouldn't put it past the bastard. 

Her answer certainly catches him off guard. Her mother? Did she mean the one who abandoned here in Skypeak Village before he, Cantio, and Veliky found her in the streets? Or did Cantio get spontaneously married? No, no, that was not possible. He certainly would have heard something about that before now. His expression as he tries to wrap his head around Astrid's offer can only be described as positively perturbed. 

He snaps out of it and looks down at the half-dwarf.

She's watching him.

His eyes narrow.

This little punk was messing with him on purpose, wasn't she? That had to be it. He regains his composure and rests his weight back on one leg and his tail as he crosses his arms. 

"Your mother, huh? Well, I certainly would love to meet her, but perhaps now is not the appropriate time for introductions."

That really did pique his curiosity, didn't it? A sly grin spreads across Astrid's face as she rests her chin on top of her hand, leaning on her hammer more readily. "Nah, we've got time!" she says cheerily. Her free hand waves a little, and behind her, a ghostly woman manifests. She's most assuredly not a dwarf, and with dark hair and elven ears, her appearance does not match the description that lost little Astrid gave long ago. The woman's dress is tattered, and her long, dark hair floats aimlessly beside her. She seems a bit confused at the summons, but she smiles warmly. 

"Hello, miss Astrid," she says warmly, then she looks at Zarius, an unfamiliar face, but one that matches the description of someone from Astrid's stories. "Oh, hello. You must be..." Her head tilts while she tries to recall. "Are you Zarius? My name is Melodia. It's nice to meet you." Melodia the spirit inclines her head, a behavior she's picked up as a replacement for the offer of a handshake. 

Astrid's expression is the smuggest Zarius has ever seen it. In her time adventuring, it seems Astrid's gotten a lot of confidence. "Hi, miss Melodia!"

"So..." Melodia says, looking around. "What is today's adventure?"

"We're huntin' bandits," Astrid says excitedly. "Mister Zarius wanted ta use Spicy Pawsage and Charles as bait."

Melodia raises an eyebrow at Zarius, giving him an opportunity to explain. She knows better than to assume the outlandish things children sometimes claim. 

---

Call Ghost [post 1/3]

What. The. Actual. Fuck. He does his best to rationalize what is transpiring before him. He can only assume that Bellighul murdered some woman, raised her from the dead as a specter, and then convinced Astrid she was her mother and taught her how to summon her soul. Was Cantio aware of this? Was Kamille? They couldn't possibly approve of this. Veliky would certainly disapprove. 

He clears his throat and does his best to maintain his composure. "Hello. Yes, I am. Likewise."

It seemed like this ghost had been haunting Astrid for a while. She seemed mild mannered at least but...was it really okay for a child to have a dead spirit bound to them? It didn't seem like a good idea. How much did Astrid understand about death? Would being able to summon a ghost make her think that she could just keep people around her even after death? Would she try more powerful necromancy to do more than just summon a spirit?

Damn that cat-eared, over-groomed, pasty-skinned, grave-digging wine lush.

Taking a deep breath, he refocuses on the task at hand. There was nothing he could do about this right now, and really, it wasn't his responsibility. Both Cantio and Veliky made it pretty clear they didn't want him getting too involved with Astrid. Ironic that he was considered a greater threat to Astrid's future than a psycho undead man-child. 

"My suggestion was that they could briefly cause a distraction which would give us the opportunity to strike before they had a chance to arm themselves or cast any spells should they have any spellcasters present. It would be the safest approach aside from going in by myself, which I am not opposed to if that is preferable."

The half-dwarf isn't one to play mental warfare with people, but honestly, she's having a good time watching Zarius make some attempt to puzzle things out. However, the magic keeping Melodia around won't hold forever, so that can wait until later. 

Melodia ponders Zarius' suggestion before she responds. "Well, I see how that would present itself as a sound plan, but Spicy Pawsage is still just an animal with limited thinking, so he wouldn't take commands of that extent unless it were simply to... go attack someone. Even still, we wouldn't want to put him in any great danger. And Charles is... Well, relatively unhelpful in combat situations. He's difficult to repair, so best he stays out of danger." At this point, the ghost pauses, having noticed Astrid's expression. She looks between Zarius and Astrid. "Astrid, dear, why do you look so smug? Have you done something problematic?" 

"Nope, I'm just havin' a good time watchin' Mister Zarius try ta figure this all out," she says cheerfully. He seems particularly angry below that calm mask of his. She remembers some tension between him and grandpappy Bellighul at the Rookery, and she remembers Zarius being a bit off-put by her affections with the necromancer. But Bellighul is fine. He's been nothing but kind to Astrid since they met. So clearly that has nothing to do with Zarius' bewilderment. 

With a small amount of suspicion subsiding from Melodia's expression, she looks to Zarius. "I've been an effective distraction for Astrid before. Few people have magics that would turn a ghost away forcefully, and I can be frightening enough. I'm also happy to help you scout and report back to Astrid the best approach once you take up a position. How does that sound?"

Astrid taps her fingers against her chin. There was something she forgot to find last time she went shopping. Those darn talking heads! "Agh! I should've asked Miss Veliky where she got them weird communicators! They would've been perfect fer this kinda thing!"

A translucent hand reaches out and feigns patting the child on the head. "Next time you speak with her, we'll remember to ask." 

---

Call Ghost [post 2/3]

"Very well, the dog and...Charles can stay back at a safe distance so long as they remain quiet."

He isn't entirely sure relying on a ghost is the most sane idea. But there was nothing sane about Astrid and the situations she kept getting herself into. She really needed an adult, and he was starting to question if Cantio and Bellighul were mature enough to be responsible for a child. He stops himself from going down that line of thinking, lest he become too cynical like Veliky.

Melodia’s plan at least sounds reasonable enough to try. If things failed spectacularly, he was fairly certain he could at least keep Astrid safe and as Melodia said, she was likely safe from any sort of harm being a ghost and all. 

“Miss Melodia and I will scout ahead. Once we know what we are up against, Miss Melodia can guide you to the ambush point." 

He rummages around his pouch and hands a small vial of dark purple liquid to Astrid.^[1]

"You can use that to move silently for a short time. Use it to get into position, then I will create a distraction which will be the signal for you to hit the closest Clasp goon. Sound fair?"

---

[1] Potion of Shadows - A vial of dark purple liquid that swirls and moves on its own. This vial has enough liquid to drink one sip, letting you use it once per topic and the effects of the potion will only last for two post. Once you drink this potion Your motions will become silent, any foot steps, limb movements or actions taken will make no sound what so ever. In addition anything you interact with will also make no sound, including stepping on sticks, rocks or glass.

The charcoal tiefling explains the plan, and the plan sounds well enough to her. He even hands her a familiar-looking potion, which she takes. Does she mention she has one of these too? No, no, that would lead to more questions. Besides, it couldn't hurt to have a second one, especially if Zarius is as eerily quiet as she's heard. Or... not heard. "Right, I'll drink this when it's time ta move and wait fer Miss Melodia ta come back and tell me what's goin' on. Speakin' of..." 

After stowing the potion on her belt, Astrid's face clenches in some expression akin to constipation. What she's really doing is re-upping the magic that keeps Melodia around so she can follow after Zarius. Melodia's form wavers briefly then reconstitutes in place.

"There!" Astrid says with a proud grin. "That'll hold fer a bit longer." She looks up at Zarius. "Oh, I don't hafta move on the ground either," she adds. "If I need ta fly ta get in position, I can do that too. Grandpa Bellighul gave me magic wings! So I can be wherever ya need me!"

The ghost woman stifles a chuckle because Bellighul is certainly an interesting individual based on what she observed at the Rookery. That aside, she gives both of her living companions for this mission a nod and motions for Zarius to lead the way. Once he starts moving, she disappears, following him invisibly and quietly. Her voice comes from nowhere, but she's near Zarius. "If you see any walls you'd like me to peer through, please just direct me. I can be quite effective, lacking a physical form and all." 

Meanwhile, Astrid stays back with Spicy Pawsage and Charles, instructing the hellhound to stay put and keep the nannybot safe. 

---

Call Ghost - refreshed [post 1/3]

"Grandpa Bellighul gave me magic wings!"

Zarius just lets out a long breath through his nose at that statement. Of course he did. Of course he did. He pinches the bridge of his nose. Having a conversation with Cantio and Kamille would probably be the most responsible action to take, even if Astrid wasn't even his responsibility. He mostly just didn't want to run into her dead body somewhere or get accused of anything by any of them. It would put a damper on things. 

"Okay, good to know."

He looks at Melodia and gives her a nod. It was weird that the ghost was the most rational other being currently amongst the group.

It takes a little while to actually figure out where exactly the Clasp has holed up in the ruins. Collapsed walls and broken pillars make for plenty of places to break line of sight. Zarius is silent in his movements, but doesn't go invisible as to make sure that Melodia can keep tabs on him as he moves through the ruins.^[1] They avoid moving through any of the underbrush to avoid making noise while also sticking to the shadows. 

After a few minutes though, a sneeze alerts Zarius to the presence of someone amongst the crumbling arches and walkways. The tiefling pauses and looks around. Judging by the layout of the ruins, up ahead should in theory be some sort of old courtyard. There are a few large trees that are on the outer edge of it and may provide a better vantage point. 

Zarius points towards the upper limbs of the tree to indicate where he was going to go to Melodia, then he turns invisible himself.^[2] Moving completely unnoticed, he manages to get over to the large tree and creep up the side of it to the overhanging branch.^[3]

Peering down into the decrepit courtyard, there are two thugs sitting on a few crates next to what looks like a set of stone stairs that go down below ground. That was concerning. There was no way to tell how many they would be dealing with or where they all were from up here. 

"Miss Melodia, your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Can you scout the interior without being noticed?" The tiefling asks to the air in a hushed whisper. 

---

[1] Silent Step
[2] Invisibility
[3] Spider Silk Boots

Melodia finds it incredibly refreshing to follow along with someone more experienced in scouting and with more awareness of the situations around them. Really, Melodia finds it refreshing to travel with an actual adult. She's of course curious to ask more about his opinion of his relationship with Astrid, but this is neither the time nor place. The ghost follows the tiefling up into the tree and observes the area with him. He points out the underground, and she nods, though he can't see. 

"I'll report back shortly," she says quietly. Then she invisibly floats down to the ground. The bandits standing guard outside are talking about something inane - their opinions on a recent event they attended together. Melodia notes they each have a cuirass and scimitar. Continuing down the stairs, she makes an approach according to how Zarius and Astrid would likely need to make their approach. At the bottom of the stairs is a short hall that opens up into a larger room with doors on each wall and another set of halls branching off. In here, one bandit tosses half-eaten meat scraps to an eager hound. Behind the left door is a room with bunks and a napping bandit. The right door has a similar room with no signs of life besides a rat skittering around. 

So far, that's four bodies. Melodia heads down each of the halls, as damp and dank as they are, and at the end of the left hall finds a room used as a sort of planning room. There are maps with X's and notes about merchants who travel through the area. She doesn't focus too much on it; her time is limited. There are some goods, weapons, and armor in this room. There's much more equipment than there are bandits so far. That could be concerning. 

Melodia quickly exits and checks the last rooms off the left hallway where she finds food storage and a kitchen with someone cooking inside. Then she heads down the other hallway where a prison of sorts appears to be. She doesn't find any living prisoners or guards for this area, but she does find one final bandit using the dumping hole. Leaving the man to his business, she checks the final nooks and crannies before going straight up through the ceiling, emerging in the courtyard, and returning to the tree where she left Zarius. 

"Zarius," she says softly to avoid startling him. "I found six individuals throughout the complex." Then she goes into detail about the layout below, noting some places there were cracks in the ceiling and allowing a little bit of light to seep through. It's otherwise lit by torches and lanterns. "I think the tight quarters will pose an issue for Astrid. She won't be able to rely on her habitual... throwing of her hammers. At least her war hammer with be difficult to maneuver inside." 

Zarius waits for Melodia's return, perched up in the tree. A few leaves from the canopy above him flutter down and land on his head. He brushes them off and glances up at the overhead branches. The foliage was thick, and there didn't appear to be any movement. Perhaps it was just he wind. 

His attention is drawn back to the task at hand as Melodia's voice whispers out from seemingly nowhere. 

"Six. Alright. Best to divide their attention then. I will sneak in and focus on the ones underground. Tell Astrid to use that potion to get into a good position and launch an attack on the two here. If I get into any trouble, I will lure them out for her."

Keeping Astrid out of a situation where she could get cornered was ideal. He remembers back to their adventure in the mine, and while Astrid did more than hold her own in that fight with the kruthiks, these were people, not lizard bugs. They could strategize, they could cheat, they could lie and use any number of tricks to get the upper hand. Astrid had grown a lot in such a short amount of time, but how much of the darker side of the world had she really seen? She was still a child after all. No matter how much armor she wore, it wouldn't shield her from everything the world could throw at her. 

"The further those two can be drawn away from their post before Astrid starts a fight, the better. I will do what I can to keep the others from providing reinforcement."

With that said, he jumps down from the branch and lands silently on the forest floor below.^[1] Keeping his invisibility up and moving quietly, he crosses the ruins over into the courtyard. He presses himself up against a broken pillar with a clear line of sight on the descending stone stairway. The two guards were still keeping watch on the entrance, though it was clear they were bored out of their minds as one yawns and stretches. 

Zarius decides a brief distraction is in order, just to make sure his approach goes completely unnoticed. He focuses on a point off to the side of the entrance and a fluttering noise seems to emanate from nothing.^[2] The thugs snap their attention to the noise for a brief moment. 

"Wot was that?"

"Might be a bird."

As one goes to investigate, Zarius closes in on the entrance and manages to slip by as both guards' attentions are on the distraction. 

---

[1] Cats Grace
[2] Minor Trickery

While Melodia likes the idea of keeping Astrid in an open area, she can't help but wonder if Zarius is underestimating her. Still, she won't look a gift horse in the mouth. If the tiefling is confident he can deal with the four inside, then it's better to keep Astrid above ground to handle the guards outside. The girl will make quick work of them, at least, and if any others show up from patrols, she can keep Zarius from getting cornered inside. 

With that, the ghost heads back to where Astrid is waiting. The poor girl looks so bored. She could be bonking things with her hammers if she'd only gone along. Things are better this way. Melodia reappears in front of her and explains the situation, and the half-dwarf is raring to go immediately and tells Spicy and Charles to stay out of sight in the good hiding spot she managed to find them. With that, she downs the Potion of Shadows and tests its effects on some brush before grinning and taking off for the hideout. Not at all shocked by her eagerness, Melodia follows to guide her along and just barely manages to stop the girl before she breaks out into the open. 

When they arrive at the entrance, Astrid crouches in a brush and watches as the guard who investigated the sound is just returning to his post. The ground feels oddly soft beneath her boot, and she lifts a foot to look down at what she's stepped in. The crushed remains of a rotten half of a jungle fruit stuck to it. That's going to smell later. Ugh. Now that she glances around, there's a few of these fruits all over the ground. Weird... Whatever!

Astrid clicks her boots together and two metal skates pop out of the bottom, creating a thin layer of ice on the ground where they make contact. She says her goodbyes to Melodia for now, gets herself into a good position, and waits for the guards to stop looking in her direction. When the time is right, she bursts out from the bushes, sailing along the ground with both hammers in hand. By the time the guards notice her silent approach (she really struggled not to let out a tiny war cry), she's already thrown her war hammer at them both.

Sparked with electricity and a thin misty cloud, the weapon is almost impossible to see for its Pale Ice enchantment. It slams into one of the guards with immense force, knocking the man from his feet. She slides right on by them, the hammer flying back into her hand. Now she's been noticed and she laughs with a devious grin on her face.

"Hiya, fellas!" 

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Call Ghost [post 3/3]
Potion of Shadows [post 1/2]
Ice Skates 
War hammer - Pale Ice, Heavy, Arcane Soul, Always There