Quest Name: The creation of Oozes
Chapter: One
Description: Where these creatures come from is still very much a mystery to us. We have yet to witness an Ooze being created. Do they give live birth, hatch from eggs, or just bud off from one another? We need you to venture deep into one of the many forests in Charon, locate an Ooze, and attempt to witness how new ones come into this world. However, we are not the only ones after information on the creature. A group of monster hunters have set out to rid the world of these creatures and will attempt to stop new ones from being created.
Requirements:
Requires at least two people (you and one other )
you must make at least 5 posts to complete the mission with each post being at least 200 words
Must locate and witness an Ooze being created without disturbing the creature. (They Bud from each other)
Must protect the Ooze from a group of 5 monster hunters trying to kill it
Once you complete this mission you gain access to chapter two. (which needs to be a separate topic)

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Overhearing some others talking about some new Ooze creature in the forest. This piqued Sarnes's attraction. There was a bounty for any knowledge of the Ooze and how it lived or was created without disturbing the creature. Could this even be done wondered Sarne. This could be a study that might take a while if accomplished right.

For a Hunter like Sarne, this could be easy money. Not that Sarne needs money. But the knowledge and reputation of a job like that could help Sarne in many ways. Sane also heard there was a bounty for them too and many locals were actively stalking them. That the Adventurers and hunters were clashing over the Ooze.

This was something Sarne did not want to happen and if Sarne could evade such a fight with the hunters. Sarne was an experienced swordsman but not well known. People would make the mistake of challenging Sarne not knowing him well. Thinking, Sarne thought he could get someone else to come along.

Sarne had not been in town long so Sarne did not know anybody that well. Hadassah had been a woman Sarne talked to a few times and she seemed sure of herself. A woman of limited skill but seemed assured of what she knew and might help out with this. Sarne would go search her out and ask Hadassah. Seeing her at the tavern Sarne walked over to her table "Can I sit? Got to ask you something. Can I buy you a drink or something?" offered Sarne.

Hadassah sighed as she sat quietly within the bustling tavern. She’d completed her first quest a few days ago and now pondered over what she would do next. She searched the quest board a few minutes earlier, but she found nothing that quite piqued her interest. As she sat alone, Hadassah fought with herself internally, trying to decide if she wanted to sacrifice her time and energy to be purely helpful, or if she wanted to wait for a quest that she knew she would learn from. It was an odd fight between Hadassah’s desire to be kind, and her curiosity and desire to strengthen and improve herself. It felt like a selfish battle, but after the experience she had during her first quest, she felt it would be wise to err on the side of caution this time. 

As she mused over purchasing a drink for herself, a tall, bulky figure appeared in her peripheral vision, along with a request to sit with her. She glanced over to see Sarne and flashed him a gentle smile, gesturing for him to sit. “Of course you may sit, pull up a chair and ask away. As for the drink, though I appreciate the gesture, it wouldn’t feel right to accept now that I’ve earned some coin of my own.”

"It is good to hear you finished a quest" replied Sarne with his charming smile. Sarne could not help but stare at this beautiful woman with dark hair and brown eyes that seemed to sparkle in the candle light in the room. Her hair is pinned up neatly into a loose bun. Two wooden hair sticks kept it in place. Though she is small in stature, she did not look weak. Sarne had heard good thing about Hadassah and her skills were growing. 

"I have another quest I could use your help on," started Sarne. "Some who study the Ooze have yet to witness an Ooze mating. So they are paying good Coin for adventurers to go out and write down information on the creature. To get any other information we can see. So it sounds easy enough." explained Sarne

"Now you might ask, why us? Well, the researchers are not experienced in the wild enough to adventure out there to find these creatures. They probably get eaten by something out there and lots of bandits as well so they are willing to hire us to do the job." Sarne said explaining further. Taking a drink from his mug he had with him. "I think we can do this quest and earn some coin and some reputation." Sarne finished with a sly grin.

Hadassah nodded with a gentle smile of her own. “It was difficult, but I had good help, thank the gods.” Hadassah said. “What is it that you wanted to ask me?” She asked softly, noting that Sarne was staring at her. She brushed a loose strand of hair from her face as she listened to him explain the quest he needed her help with in detail. “They want us to witness…mating Ooze?” She scoffed, an obvious look of disgust on her face. “Seems an odd task, but alright.” I’m not even quite sure what that is, but I suppose I’ll figure it out. 

As Sarne explained further, Hadassah began to better understand the purpose of the quest. Of course the researchers would need someone brave and skilled enough to go into the forest to witness such things firsthand, it made sense and didn’t sound too difficult if all they had to do was see it and report back.
“Of course I will help you. I agree this would be a good opportunity to get our names out there. How much are they paying, do you know?” The second question she asked with an innocent smile. Though money wasn’t as important to her as other things, it was certainly helpful, and she had a plan to send something nice back for her mother whom she’d left behind, just to let her know that she was doing just fine on her own. Every coin counts after all.

"I am happy to hear you will help. finding people around here who can be trusted and who will not just hunt the Ooze is hard. Now the bounty hunters follow the people out into the woods and rob and kill the Ooze as a bonus," said Sarne trying to explain and be honest about the job.

"you might ask how I can trust you not knowing you? I have done my investigations into some people and I think I got the layout of the land and the people. I have deduced after thinking it out. You are the best prospect to help me on this quest," stated Sarne. Then he took a drink of his ale.

Sarne thought for a moment. "The coin on this quest is about 25-35 Solars. More as we get more information on the Ooze and get more quests from the Scholars. So there is a lot to be earned for coin and reputation," Sarne said giving more information. Now I think She is good-looking too.

Sarne finishes his ale "Let me know when you're ready to go," says Sarne with a smile. Sarne sits back in his chair It was easier than I thought. Sarne was sure that she would not stab him in the back like the last group.

“Perfect, I understand why people might hunt them, but this seems easy and painless in comparison, from what you have told me so far.” Hadassah said, leaning against the table as she watched Sarne drink his ale. Her mouth suddenly felt dry as she began to regret not buying a drink before accepting Sarne’s request. Perhaps I should have gotten a drink after all. Maybe once we finish this it would be more appropriate, she thought, resting her chin in the palm of her hand. The pay sounds good at least. Enough and more to spend on a celebratory drink after this. 

Hadassah bowed her head toward Sarne in appreciation, her smile growing wider. “Well, I’m honored to hear that I have a trustworthy enough reputation that you would come find me for such a task. I am glad to help make a difference in this world where I can, even if it’s as small as…observing slime,” the last bit she said with a small cringe. It was an odd thing for her to say out loud. She shook her head, pushing the thought away and relaxing her face. “As I’ve said, I will be happy to help.”

“I am ready to leave whenever you are. I’ll have a drink of my own once we get this over with,” Hadassah said, beginning to get up from the table. “Lead the way, my friend.”

Sarne placed his mug on the table. "I know Ooze is not the most gloriest finding quest out there but we have to start somewhere," remarked Sarne standing up. "well let's get started," Sarne said. Sarne looked around and then started to make his way out of the tavern. "I would like to have that drink with you when we are done. I am sure I will need it too," suggested Sarne as they were leaving the tavern.

Sarne led Hadassah around town at first. Which appeared random nearly like they were lost for a few minutes. No real pattern or method. Sarne would stop now and then and whistle.

Then they find themselves at the boundary of the town. "I was hoping that we would be followed here in town and deal with them. I am afraid they might be watching from another place," suggested Sarne putting his hood on. "Ready to walk in the wild side," joked Sarne with a smile.

Sarne stopped and looked around "I have a few eyes out there too." Replied Sarne starting to walk into the woods. Sarne made no noise as he walked. Not even the leaves were crunching under his feet. Sarne just looked like he was blinding into the surrounding bushes and trees. Sarne almost blurred from the site as he went.

Hadassah and Sarne walked for a while. They had not noticed or heard anyone for some time. Nothing but the creatures in the area making noises. Sarne was happy about this which meant none had passed by in a while. Looking back from time to time at Hadassah making sure he was still with Sarne. Hadassah looked to have no problem keeping up with Sarne at all.

They come to a stream. Sarne looked at Hadassah and then around the area. "It's not too far from here where I saw the Ooze last. Drown this stream is another stream that cuts to the left we follow that to a pond hidden in a bush hedge of wild berry thorns. I would say that is why no one has found it. The wild berry thorns will cut you badly if you move wrong." said Sarne letting Hadassah know his plan. "Hadassah, do you think we have been followed yet?" asks Sarne.

Hadassah pushed in her chair neatly before quickly following Sarne out of the tavern, noting how the bustling voices from within seemed to fade away the farther they got from the area. Hadassah smiled at Sarne, speeding up their steps so she was at his side when she spoke. “Of course, drinks are on me afterwards then, a gift for making the effort to come and find me.”

As the two walked around town, Hadassah continued to take in her surroundings, trying to both remember the streets they went down for future reference, and trying to map out where they were possibly going. Hadassah blinked in confusion each time Sarne would stop suddenly during their trip, though she recognized after a while that the path they were taking seemed to be completely random for a reason unknown to her, until they eventually reached the outskirts of town. Though there seemed to be no one around, Hadassah lowered her voice to ask her question. “Who is “they”? Why would they follow us or watch us?”

Hadassah nodded her head, ready to head into the forest at Sarne’s request. As they walked through the woods, Hadassah kept her feet light and stepped cautiously behind Sarne to avoid giving herself away to any animals or hostile persons that might be nearby. Her eyes shifted as they traveled, searching for any hints of Ooze or possible danger.

Once they arrived at the stream, Hadassah stood beside Sarne, looking about her as he spoke, noting where he last saw the Ooze and the sharpness of the wild berry bushes. “That sounds like a good plan to me. We will be careful.” At Sarne’s question, Hadassah glanced at him for a moment before craning her neck to look behind them. As far as she could tell, they were not being followed, other than the occasional rustling sounds of the animals moving about, but then again, she was no tracker. “I didn’t hear or see anything out of the ordinary,” she started, turning to look at Sarne again. “What do you think?”

"Who would follow us, Bounty Hunters" finally replies Sarne with some frustration in his tone." Sarne knew that it did not sound right and was worried that Hadassah was the frustration. "Let me explain. There is almost war going on here with hunters. Some are Bounty Hunters trying to collect bounty on the Ooze. Other hunters like me are trying to save them." started Sarne as they walked downstream. "The Bounty Hunters will follow others out not only to kill the Ooze for the Bounty but attack adventures trying to help the Ooze," explained Sarne sounding angered at them.

"We will get up here and hopefully no one has found the pond I saw. It does have wild berry thorn bushes surrounding it. The bushes will cut you badly if you move wrong." informed Sarne.

Walking in the forest got much denser and the growth thicker it was getting harder to walk. Sarne halted and started to walk slower. Stopping Sarne looked at Hadassah. "We are close not much further," remarked Sarne whispering. Then started to walk weaving in and out of wild berry thorn bushes.

They found themselves in a pond with some jelly-like animals in it floating and bubbling. Sarne knelt looking "That's what we are looking for." said Sarne pointing.

Hadassah followed close behind Sarne as they continued their trek through the woods, following the stream as planned. She periodically turned around to make sure they truly were not being followed, but as she expected, there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary each time she checked. She took in a deep breath, enjoying the calmness of the forest and the sounds of the stream flowing gently along its path, as it has been doing long before Hadassah was there, and as it will continue to do long after she is gone. Fingers outstretched toward the water, she simply felt the tranquility and power of the flowing stream, feeling the same power within herself, just waiting to be let out. This is a nice walk. I ought to train in the woods more often.

Hadassah stepped lightly and carefully through the wild berry bushes, pricking herself occasionally on a thorn without drawing blood. As she inched through, she wondered if the berries were edible to humans and if they were, she wondered if they were sweet. Best not to test the theory now. Once they passed the sharp bushes, Hadassah looked up to see the pond with a jelly-like creature floating in the water. “So that’s what Ooze looks like,” she said, chuckling lightly. “I suppose I should have known. Their name suits them.” Hadassah glanced at Sarne placing a hand on her hip, her shoulder and bicep muscles flexing momentarily with the movement. “Now we just wait for something to happen and make note of it?”

Arriving Sarne picks out a good place to kneel to watch. the Ooze the color was a little darker than the blue-green of the pond. "Yes, they are what they are called." this is my third time even seeing one. It was not easy to find this pond even from the sky. It is hard to spot with the tree overhang," whispered Sarne with an intrigued smile. "We will wait to see what happens with them," said Sarne looking like he was getting into a comfortable position.

They watched what seemed. forever when some of the Ooze bubbled loudly and frequently. It looked like a bubble bath then the three Oozes started to move toward one another. Two of them seemed to almost look like they slapped each other for a minute. Then one of them swam away quickly to the other side the two left wrapped themselves around one other bubbling and splashing around. after some time they separated one over and then headed to the side of the pond. It looked like it put something black and oozed on some water plants.

Sarne gave a smile "I think that it. interesting to say the least." said Sarne smiling at Hadassah. He stood then froze his body tensed up. Sarne placed his hand gently on Hadassah's shoulder telling Hadassah to stay down some. Something was moving in through the bushes Sarne and Hadassah could see hoods moving not too far off from where they were.

Sarne sighed. "Fun over Hadassah, they are bounty hunters five of them and not nice ones. I Will confront them. Have my back," stated Sarne drawing his sword and shield stepping out making the Ooze run to the other side of the pond and away from the bounty hunters.

"Hay! If it is not, Black eye," said Sarne sarcastically.
The man looked at Sarne "I owe you for that and Look you all alone I think boys, we will get double award his stuff and the Oozes." The man in the black cloak said stepping out with four other men drawing their swords.

Hadassah kneeled beside Sarne and got comfortable, assuming they would be waiting and watching for a while. As she patiently watched the creatures, she began to wonder what the purpose of studying them might be. Aside from being just…Ooze, they didn’t seem all that special to her. As she was not a researcher in that sense, she couldn’t imagine what such creatures were useful for, or why someone would want to study them. Perhaps I’ll ask when we report back. Hadassah sighed softly as she watched in mild boredom as the Ooze bubbled and bobbed on the water. She felt tempted to reach out her hand and manipulate the pond just for the fun of it. Maybe then something would happen, she thought, a devious smirk on her lips. I won’t do that. It would probably frighten them away and all this time spent waiting would be for nothing.

Finally after what felt like hours, the Ooze bubbled more audibly as they appeared to be bumping into each other, then wrapping around each other in what looked like an odd and slimey tango. Hadassah perked up as she watched the process, hoping that this was what they had been waiting to see. She looked back and forth between the Ooze and Sarne, waiting for a reaction or an indication as to what she was looking at. Finally, he smiled and Hadassah felt relief knowing that their task was done. That wasn’t too bad.

Not soon after the thought, Hadassah flinched slightly as Sarne stood, placing his hand on her shoulder. She looked around frantically, searching for danger until she caught a glimpse of the hoods moving through the bushes nearby. Shoot, those must be the bounty hunters he was talking about. “Please be careful,” Hadassah whispered. As she watched Sarne step out to meet them, she beckoned water to come to her from the pond, slowly and silently so as to not draw attention, preparing to make an attack if needed. As the hooded men drew their swords, the water began to flow and circle around her arms in droplets, awaiting her command. Don’t jump the gun.

Sarne hair turned a sliver color a gold hue surrounding Sarne. He points his sword in the direction of the men. His sword was at shoulder height and pointing forward like he was about to thrust. With his shield at the ready.

Sarne's sword starts to build its gold hue and energy starts to crackle across the blade as it looks to be building up energy of some kind. the light getting brighter by the second.

The Ooze waited no time rushing to the other side of the pond getting away from the fight and disappearing into the muddy water and water plants. a few stood in the center of the pond bubbling and vibrating the waiter as a warning to not approach them or the pond.

[1] Within a blink of an eye, Sarne charged the men smashing into one of them and sending him back into the thorny bushes. With his speed, Sarne [2] attacked with three quick strikes. The first one was an upstroke cutting the man's chest in a diagonal line blood poured out of the man's chest as he fell to the ground screaming. Sarne continued his attacks on the second man the man tried to defend himself but Sarne was too fast and cut the man with a downstroke cutting his head in two. The man's body fell back spraying blood everywhere.

The last attack by Sarne just impaled the man thrusting his sword through his chest. Sarne gave a quick twist of his sword as the man fell to the ground dead.

Sarne wished their leader was closer. The leader took the opportunity to rush in and try to attack Sarne. He was not worried he had backup this time and Sarne was not holding back. Sarne knew he had someone to protect this time.

[1]Rushing Charge
You continue to get comfortable in your armor, your movements fluid and quick. As long as you are wearing your armor and have a shield attached you can charge across the battlefield, rushing into the fray. You may activate this charge which lasts for only a brief second, sending you dashing forward at incredibly high speeds. Your movement is double for this dash, allowing you to move at inhuman speeds. This dash allows you to close the gap or even use your own body as a weapon. Can only be used twice per topic.


[2]Cyran's Haunting Blade
A technique best utilized by fighters who have honed their speed and precision to deliver quick, deep incisions in a target’s vulnerable spots. When a fighter uses this technique, their speed allows them to deliver a whirlwind of attacks that deal double the damage of normal attacks. Within the time it takes to make one attack, you can deliver three attacks that all deal double damage. At the end of this strike (regardless if the attacks hit or not) You use your speed and agility to disengage from the enemy, allowing you to retreat without your opponent being able to attack you as you flee. This can be used twice per topic.

Hadassah watched Sarne carefully, waiting for an appropriate opportunity to step in without throwing him off. Hadassah winced as she watched blood spray and spill at Sarne’s powerful attacks. Frankly, she’d never seen so much blood all at once and the image made her stomach twist and turn, though she would never let the world know, despite how impressed she was at Sarne’s strength and sword.

Bringing herself back to the present, Hadassah shook the thought from her head, beginning to focus on her breath and staying at the ready. Taking a deep and controlled breath, she quickly stood up from her hiding spot and clapped her hands together in front of her, instantly forming a long rope of pure water with the droplets flowing around her arms.

Finally seeing a decent opening, Hadassah rushed into action, standing behind Sarne, a safe distance away from the attacking leader. With a seamless and graceful motion, Hadassah cracked the water whip toward the ground near the leader’s feet in an attempt to wrap the cord of water around the man’s ankle. She hoped to trip him or at least distract him while Sarne took the lead and she was careful to not strike her friend in the attempt.

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1. Water whip

Sarne saw the water fly by his leg and wrap around the leader’s feet making him fall. That was close Sarne thought. As the water thrashed about it was amazing to see the water arcan at work. Sarne heard something coming but it was too late. A throwing knife hit his armor. It stuck for a moment then dropped to the ground. Sarne turned to see the man he shield bash earlier standing now. The knife hurt some but it was a lucky scratch thought Sarne.

Sarne glanced at the Leader on the ground now tangling with with the water. Sarne turned back to the man who threw the dagger and smiled at Sarne. Not your day is it," stated Sarne. turning and raising his sword into a thrust position. The sword started to glow a gold hue Sarne mumbled something. A bright beam of gold light shot out hitting the man in the chest and sending him backward into a tree. His chest smoked from being scorched by the light. The man slid down the tree and fell to the ground.

The leader on the ground started to yell profanity at Sarne and threatened to kill the Arcan user. Sarne turned back to the leader "Its not your day either,"  Sarne tells the leader with a sly smile.