Livestock was a difficult commodity in and around the Crescent Isles, not taking well to the humid environment in large numbers (aside from small fowl). Taki had earned the respect of many of the outlying towns and farms by helping care for the precious sources of meat and leather. As she was returning from helping other places during recent events, the shaman was called away by several farmers' families along the Crescent Coast. Quakes had rumbled across all of Charon, and several farms' herds had been missing during the event.

She traveled to the coast via ferry, offloading along the salty beach where fishers would bring their long canoes ashore during the warm months. Checking in with several local farmers, she found they'd each lost various animals, though some had been recovered since and were penned in temporary shelters. Each was examined for diseases and parasites, and given the okay in turn, though a few had injuries too great for the shaman's skills to heal.

Exhausted from the first day's work, Taki found an inn to rest for the night. It was a cozy traveler's stop, home to merchants and mercenaries coming to and from the larger parts of the Isles. Taking a seat in the dining hall, the brightly colored serpent ordered a fruity local beverage and a simple meal to replenish. Perhaps she could enlist some help for the coming days, tracking animals through the wild parts of the coast between farms and towns would be a heavy undertaking for just one person.

A journey to the Crescent Isles has always been on Perrath’s destination list. How could a paladin of the moon goddess not visit an island modeled after her very own iconography? The islands themselves are fine. They have quite a bit more open space than he expected. His dark scales find themselves missing the darkness of Eclipse Jungle. Still, if he’s to be a proper paladin of his goddess, he must make his pilgrimages as anyone else in her worship would. Perhaps that will help with the strange feeling he’s had in recent weeks.

If only this place weren’t so boring. Helping farmers with livestock – bah! He’s above a simple task. As a warrior, he should be fighting creatures of great threat and seeking glory through violence! He has the chops for it. So to be asked to stoop so low… Perhaps it’s a lesson in humility – one he does not wish to learn.

As the day begins to fade into night, Perrath turns an empty sake cup round in his claws then decides that night is best for seeking glory. He roughly sets the cup down along with the coin to pay for his drink and turns to get up. That’s when his eyes land on a peculiar sight: a four armed snake woman. Perhaps things would be interesting, after all. She seems the adventuring type, out of place amongst the tradesfolk and farmers in the tavern.

Perrath collects his greatsword, a gnarly black blade resting against the bar beside him, and approaches Taki. “Forgive my bold approach, but you seem the interesting type amongst… Well, everything else. Perhaps you can speak on anything interesting happening in the area?”

---

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Cattle Around
Participants: Two or more
Location: Anywhere
Post Requirements: 4 post per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: A local farmer has reported that their livestock has gone missing, having broken free from their pen late in the night after a earthquake rattled their fencing. Now many of the farmers cows, bulls, donkeys or goats are scattered throughout the wilderness, and need help getting back to their pen. While the farmer repairs the fences, you need to gather up the animals and return them home safely and unharmed.

“Forgive my bold approach, but you seem the interesting type amongst… Well, everything else. Perhaps you can speak on anything interesting happening in the area?” Said a man who'd stood up from their seat moments ago. Taki considered his adventuring appearance for a moment, her crimson eyes focusing in. 

"Your boldness seems to fit your appearance, worry not. I am partaking in the cleanup, tending to the wounded and checking over the animals that have been recovered. Thus far those efforts have proven fruitful, though tomorrow I will be out in the wilds, on the trail of those still lost or wayward. If you'd care to join me, your sword would be welcome in case of some unfriendly creatures or people trying to profit off the aftermath of catastrophe." Said the shaman, unsure what else to respond with. Her work was often not glamorous or interesting to others, but it was rewarding and necessary for the good of the life of all. Wondering what had drawn the man to her, she took a quick glance around the room. It stood out pretty handily, her bright blue scales and vibrant dress, not to mention her odd anatomy to most others outside her own tribe. Even her own tribe's coloring was often more suited to the high bamboo stalks and thickly corded trees of their arboreal home.

Standing out had been one of several issues her tribe had taken with her, and she tried as often as possible to not think about the struggles it had introduced to her life. Still, she listened to the whispers of the spirits and held true to herself, and it had been rewarding. Each day she tended the garden, helped animals and plants of all kinds, experienced things her tribe would not know in their secluded canopy homes. 

A bit of a smirk pulls at the edges of Perrath’s mouth. Of course his boldness fits his appearance. He wouldn’t call himself bold otherwise, but it’s good of her to agree. “Clean up efforts?” he echoes. “Ah, yes, the mess lingering from the earthquakes…” Things have been particularly messy, but no messes that seem the type he’d like to clean up himself. Taki’s invitation for him to come along and lend his sword is exactly the type of thing Perrath would like to take part in.

“Of course, I’d quite like to sully my blade on those creatures who might be unfriendly,” Perrath says, proudly puffing out his chest. “I heard tale of harpies being a problem in the area, but I’ve not found any myself. Perhaps they’re hunting your wayward… animals?” Admittedly, he’s not entirely sure what they’ll be looking for. “If it’s livestock we’re seeking, then they’re easy prey for any creatures looking for a snack. Those creatures might be hunting tonight. What say you to an evening jaunt?”

It’s at this point Perrath realizes he hasn’t introduced myself, and he relaxes his stance to take a step back before offering a regal bow to Taki. “Ah, forgive me, I’ve kept my identity a secret,” he says. “Unintentionally, of course. I am Perrath, paladin of the goddess Lunala. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

"My name is Shitakibo, Taki to those who struggle with the name. I will gladly join you on your evening patrol, perhaps we can find some of the lost ones while they rest and keep still in the dark of night. Please, lead on when you're ready, Perrath."
Replied the shaman, gathering her gear and paying her tab. She thanked the innkeeper for the meal and the affordable room. Walking out into the cool night air, Taki waited at the pillar on the outside of the door. The stars outside were bright and clear, chirps and sounds of life filled the sky with their song. 

The spirits of night were just as active as the creatures who called the night their own. Each whispered their influence to the denizens of darkness, wreathing the shadows in their quiet melody. Taki listened in with an air of reverence, adding her own soft vocalizations to a song that so few in this life could hear. She hoped to one day meet others who could hear this song, and improve her own connection to the world of spirits. The journey had been long, troublesome, and often very lonely, but she found comfort and solace in her work and the happiness it could bring to the farmers, merchants and patrons of all kinds that sought her help. 

Perhaps this journey would expand that further, thought the shaman, as Perrath approached. Would this Paladin find her ways as strange as most do? Would he be quick to swing his blade? Would he choose his strikes carefully or wildly? Much would unravel on the path ahead, and Taki's curious mind enjoyed it.

“Well met, Shitakibo,” Perrath says, standing upright again. “Accept no less than your full name. To allow for anything else is to invite laziness and complacency.”

Then he turns on his heel and declares, “Now, let us recover those who wandered away from civilized society,” before he marches out of the tavern after her. As they walk through the village towards the forest, he offers a genuine compliment. “Your scales shimmer brilliantly in the moon’s light. This task will be successful. Since you seem familiar with the area and its creatures, I will follow your lead.” With a flourish of his clawed hand towards the dense trees ahead, he motions for her to walk ahead of him, and so they set out into the darkness.

Though their trek is quiet, Perrath observes the way that Taki interacts with nature, seeming to be listening to or for something. Perhaps she will find the creatures they seek with more ease than himself. He’s never been one particularly in tune with nature, and even civilization doesn’t particularly suit him – at least not yet. Once he finds a way to make proper use of either of these things, perhaps he’ll find a preference for one or the other. For now…

He’s not sure what they’re looking for.

Trekking through the night time wilds was an unusual experience for Taki, who was relying on her innate understanding of the terrain and the guidance of the spirits to navigate the pair safely. Moving away from town, she followed the game trails and natural pathways well traveled by local wildlife. A sharp, piercing cry shattered the serenity of the gloomy evening. Overhead, a large, feathered creature hovered in the darkness, it's beating wings visible by the stars they darkened.

Signaling to Perrath, she moved off to get a better look at the situation overall. Watching the flying creature, she nearly slipped and fell into a natural ravine with a shallow creek in the bottom. There, she noticed several sheep, a few pigs and a cow had all been corralled in the small, natural crevasse in the earth. She scanned the sky once again, noting there were now a pair of the hovering bird-like beings. Creeping back as quietly as possible, she came up beside Perrath in the gloom once again.

"There are livestock stuck in a small ravine, pinned by the flying ones... probably a good portion of the ones that have been missing by the sounds. I believe you called these feathered creatures 'Harpy', I doubt I can finish them off but I can almost certainly lure them close enough for your blade." The shaman conferred to her companion, watching the feathered assailants cautiously.

Hearing the screech above, Perrath’s eyes look up into the night sky. He sees the circling winged beasts above, the wretched harpies he’s heard tale of terrorizing this land. It’s a perfect time to prove himself to his goddess, to defend the honor of those who live on the islands shaped in her likeness, by her very hands.

With a bit of a smirk, he draws his greatsword, the gnarly black blade licked by a hint of green flames with each movement. His voice is low but proud as he proclaims, “If you can tend to the livestock, Miss Shitakibo, I can deal with the assailants. I assure you, they will pose no problem to me.” Two black wings unfurl from under his cape, long fingery tendrils connected by a webbing of flesh and scale. In the moonlight, he too seems to shimmer like the night sky. Polished armor and scales glimmer with a sort of haunted beauty while shadows of the night seem to cling to him.

Then he looks at the Orochi woman again, the gleeful grin still on his face, his teeth shining white against his black maw as he adds, “If that so suits you, of course. My skills with livestock aren’t so competent. It’s why I am not a farmer, after all.”

---

Wings
Soul Slicer

Nodding, Taki pulled one of her Kunai from it's pouch and began clearing the underbrush.

"I will see to these ones, may the spirits guide your strikes true." She replied, somewhat absently as her mind raced. Taking in the crevasse's resources, terrain, and the overall layout of this battle, the shaman whispered softly to the spirits for guidance. Little wisps of light blinked, barely visible, yet Taki followed their guidance to a torn and battered trail. A cursory exam told her this was the path taken when these beasts were first corralled. Blocking the way, there was a crudely made fence of thorn vines and dried sticks pinned into the craggy rocks at the end of the path. 

With careful cuts, and more than a little grunting effort, Taki took the barrier apart one segment at a time. She hummed softly, a hauntingly beautiful sound that lulled the livestock from their panic. Listening, she could hear the sounds of the clash of steel and talon above. This was no time for worrying about Perrath, the shaman thought, wrenching the last of the haphazard construction from the walls. Backing out slowly, she kept up the tune as the animals followed the sound. Ducking low, another trail of lights guided Taki along a concealed ridge, convoy in tow. Her voice moving off towards the town hopefully would be enough to signal Perrath that this part of the task was complete, and they were free to go on the offensive if that was their choice. 

Spirits guided her through the dark webbing of tree roots and trails, until she exited the forest safely. A convoy of livestock following her must have seemed out of place at this hour, as many townsfolk stepped out in their night gowns, with candles or lanterns to see what the commotion was. As the din of the crowd grew, the shaman's song wore off, lost in the sea of voices and questions. One by one, each of the creatures moved off, some finding their owners and nearly knocking them over with joy. Others wandered to the opposite side of town, most of these smaller varieties of creature... probably carried to the ravine, not corralled like the closer group had been. Still, this part of the task was complete. 

Taki graciously accepted thanks, and left once the convoy had split up to return home. She wandered back into the woods, to find Perrath and help him if he was still engaged with the Harpies.

“And may the light of the Moon Mother guide you, scaled one!” Perrath says confidently. With a powerful thrust of his wings, the dragon launches himself into the air straight at the harpies. “Come here, you feathery beasts! This livestock will not be your meal on this eve!” Collecting his strength, Perrath cleaves his greatsword across the sky in a powerful arc, but only the tip finds purchase in one of the harpies.

Sickly flames lick at the fresh wound on one of the screeching feminine monstrosities. The others scatter and reconvene with talons poised to strike the dragon. One’s talons rake across his gauntlets, leaving them only slightly scuffed, and in retaliation, magic manifests around Perrath’s hand. He swipes out at the harpy, and purple magic in the shape of claws rake through the harpy’s leg, searing it and nearly cleaving it off with the power imbued into his magic by his armor.

“Cower before me, scum!” Perrath shouts. He points to another harpy diving for him, and a swirling glow of dark magic erupts from his finger and strikes the harpy. The harpy loses the strength to keep itself aloft, and it plummets to the ravine below, landing just near Taki.

---

Soul Slicer
Vainful Gauntlets (1/2 hit preventions used)
Death Swipe
Desperation (1/2 per topic)

Taki looked up as the creature fell beside her, spotting Perrath still engaged with another. While his armor looked to have taken some scratches from their talons, she didn't see him bleeding from this distance. She drew a pair of Kunai, then launched them with a flick of her wrists. One struck the leg of the creature, while the other passed through the air and sailed by between it's wing beats. Still engaged, she figured Perrath had the better position. Armored and armed with the reach of his blade, he could easily pick whatever fights were best. The harpy on the other hand now had to react, to be the aggressor or be the one outnumbered. 

As Taki watched the duel overhead, she wondered if Perrath would be upset with her help. Some warriors preferred to duel for themselves, even when in a group. Interrupting that cadence was usually a sure fire way to draw said warrior's ire and lose their respect. Swapping to her bow, she disappeared behind cover and kept watch in case things went south for her companion, arrow nocked and ready to fly for the Harpy's life. It would harm her renown, as well as cause the shaman great sorrow to bury a colleague. There would be no such event this day if she had any say in the matter.

When the kunai strikes the harpy in the leg, Perrath seizes the opportunity to swing his blade overhead and cleave through its wing. The harpy screeches in pain, unable to stay aloft anymore, wound bursting with more flames. Then Perrath drives his sword through its chest. This time, an explosion of green flame marks the impact point, a third stack of soul-consuming energy sapping the harpy’s last drops of life. He presses his foot against the limp harpy and pushes it off the end of his greatsword. The harpy’s body falls to the ground with a dull thud.

Looking around, he sees the livestock have been evacuated from the area, but the other harpy isn’t dealt with quite yet. His eyes scan the dark underbrush and finally find the feeble movements of the harpy still suffering the effects of his Desperation spell. It’s crawling forward, trying its damnedest to get away, but it will not.

Pointing his sword to the ground like a lance, Perrath dives down into the brush and pierces the harpy through the back, pinning it to the ground. It doesn’t even have the energy to struggle against the malicious blade. The dragon puts his foot to the back of the harpy’s neck and pushes down with a sudden force. With a loud crack, the harpy falls limp, dead.

He pulls his foot and sword away from the felled foe and folds his wings beneath his cape and looks around. It seems Taki has left with the animals. Perhaps he’ll reconvene with her later?

---

Soul Slicer (3rd stack = boom)

Stepping out from her cover, walked over to the ravine and Perrath. She'd thought the other harpy dead at a glance but the dragonkin was thorough and finished both off cleanly. She gave thanks to the spirits for their passing, approaching Perrath withdrawing his blade.

"You fight well, and handle your weapon expertly. While I don't recognize the effect, the magic you use is quite strong. Some day perhaps, I will achieve some measure of deeper magical understanding, but I'm not sure it will be of the same discipline." The energy dissipating from the fallen Harpies unsettled her instincts, even sending a cold shiver down her spine. She wanted no part of it's withering strength, but could not deny it's usefulness or ability to overwhelm an opponent. 

"The livestock have been returned to town, I rushed back as soon as it was done in case you needed help. Hopefully my little distraction wasn't overstepping your own goals or principles. If so, I apologize profusely and you may name your fee for such dishonor. Otherwise, I am thankful for your help, and look forward to more adventures in the future. Should you need my services or a place to rest, feel free to seek me out in the Bamboo Forest." She said, plucking a large feather from each of the bird's wings to serve as proof of their demise before burying the pair. While Taki herself preferred not to take life when possible, she was practical and understood that defending the loose cattle required a show of force. Thankful it hadn't been an entire flock of harpies or worse, she bid Perrath farewell afterwards and headed back towards the Bamboo Forest, towards the mountain of work to do finishing her home. Alongside her usual tasks, the project was nearing completion and the shaman wished to be able to call it complete and finally be able to open her sanctum to wayward life of all kinds to take rest and get the care needed for a better life.

"Until next time Perrath, safe travels." She concluded, waving as she snugged her pack and headed for home.

To his surprise, Taki emerges from the underbrush. He didn’t even notice her down there. She must be thoroughly skilled in stealth abilities. Luckily, they are partners on this eve. Flicking his sword, blood flings off its edges and paints the flora behind him.

“I appreciate the compliment, Miss Shitakibo,” he says earnestly, settling the blade into its sheath. “I’m glad to see you are unscathed. You seem skilled, so I imagine you will have no trouble learning whatever disciplines of magic you wish to pursue.” Looking the orochi woman over, he notices that she seems a bit troubled by the scene he’s left, but he doesn’t draw attention to it. There’s no reason to discuss what is dead.

Continuing on, he says, “Good to hear the beasts have been returned. That makes our trek back that much easier.” With a series of light clinks from his armor, Perrath steps aside and watches Taki pluck a tiny trophy from each of the felled foes. “Your distraction provided me a perfect opening to finish the turkey off. It isn’t dishonorable for a warrior to accept help from a partner in a fight.”

Offering Taki a bow, Perrath nods. “Surely, I will seek you. You seem well equipped in the flora and knowledgeable of fauna in the world. These skills are invaluable, and I am glad to have made your acquaintance on this night. I bid you farewell, Miss Shitakibo. Until next time indeed.”