Having been on the road for months, and having made a home for himself in the mountain of Dragon's Cradle, Aledüne finds himself at the attention of Lloyd once again. The man who had him scour a swamp on the lookout for a undead creature that had been quite the ordeal to not only find, but also to defeat as it had ambushed them.

Now Lloyd wanted Aledüne to search for slimes, and to figure out some things about its reproductive cycle. It wasn't the most interesting of request, but it certainly beat walking through a swamp any day of the week. Accepting, interested in learning, but also the Solars offered as a reward, Aledüne starts his journey towards the Lantern Light Wood located in Eclipse Jungle. The reason he had chosen this particular spot was due to Lloyd having heard rumours of a particular species of Slime that would glow in the dark, much the same as the trees in the area, and he wanted to not only know of their reproductive cycle but also to confirm if there was any differences between the various species that existed across Charon.

Again, Aledüne had been told that a companion would be meeting him at the entrance at the north side of the woods. Drinking the witches brew he finds the right location and sets up a shady shelter in the shadows close to the meeting spot and waits. Brewing a cup of tea he sits by the open door hidden in the darkness and awaits his companion. (1)

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SPOILER: Click to show

1 - Witches Brew = A dark black bottle filled with thick liquid that shimmers a deep purple color. When this potion is consumed the drinker will be filled with dark magic for a sort period of time. For the rest of the topic the drinker may choose any spell from the dark domain shop, but can only choose one. They can cast that spell for the rest of the topic regardless of their skills (must still follow the rules of the spell).

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 forest 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 post 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)

The creation of Oozes

SPOILER: Click to show

This Lloyd guy sure had a lot of...peculiar interests. Everett has already helped the bespectacled researcher look into the horrific bogaboo with much help from an ally of his. Still, now that researcher needed help with a project he started the year prior focusing on the mysterious biology and behavior of oozes.

Everett admittedly doesn't know much about oozes. They're not particularly common out on the open ocean where he would much more prefer to be, but Moonglade isn't too bad. It's a hell of a lot better than some other places he's been to around Charon thus far.

While he's happy to help and maybe learn a thing or two, the promise of earning some coin is nothing to turn one's nose up at. Especially since he is, yet again, flat-broke. He's tried to keep busy, to save up what he can, but traveling across the country for the odd job is pretty expensive. He laments not being able to take some time to go say hi to Cypress or all the other folks who have helped him since he washed up on shore without his memories. He owes so many people his gratitude, would be nice to actually be able to repay them one day. 

He thinks about what he can do to earn some extra coin, and also what kinds of things the various people he's met might appreciate while he walks towards the Lantern Light wood where he's supposed to be meeting up with another person helping with the research. He's half expecting to see Lady Calyptra again and is surprised when instead he comes across a little shadowy house that is very out of place. 

His confusion is quickly replaced by a look of recognition as he spots a familiar elven man sitting by the open door. 

"Oh, hello!" He walks up to the odd structure with some more confidence. "I was not expecting to see you here."

He then realizes that he doesn't know the man's name. Did...did he forget it? Or did he never give it? Didn't he tell the man he wouldn't forget him?? There's a look of distress on his face and his ears flush red with embarrassment.

"Uh...sorry, uhm, are you looking into oozes as well?"

With a familiar face suddenly showing up, Aledüne couldn't help but be surprised. He hadn't expected to find the man who was in love with the sea so far into a forest of all things. But it was clear that this was the man who Lloyd had sent to work with him this time. A pleasant surprise indeed!

"Welcome! I must say I did not expect to see you again here of all places." He states the truth, as there is a tint of excitement to his voice. "I can only assume you are the one sent to work with me?" He gets up from his chair at the entrance of the shadow and steps out, the door disappearing behind him as the shadow of the tree returns to normal.

"How was your travels? Pleasant I hope? We are likely going to come across some difficulties so if you need to rest please, come inside and have a seat by the fire." He turns and reaches out for the shadow once again, his hands finding purchase and pulls open the door once again as if it had never been gone in the first place.

The inside of the shadowy home was pleasant. Wooden furniture of seemingly high quality, a bed, a small kitchen and even an empty bath tub close to the fire with a steam heater underneath linked with the fireplace.

"Yes, Lloyd sent me. I did some work for him since the last time I saw you," he explains.

It is a bit of a strange story, but he ended up getting to spend time with Lady Calyptra which is always nice. What the woman found so interesting about the Bogaboos he isn't entirely sure, but he's always happy to help the woman who has been nothing but kind to him since they met. 

"My travels were alright overall. It's been...weird. But I am adjusting."

Not having many memories has created some challenges and snags when trying to get around. Through traveling he has had some inklings of familiarity though, almost like more defined silhouettes poking through the brain fog here and there. Nothing crazily substantial, but every little bit is good, right?

He looks at the comfy home as the shadows part to reveal the warm fire burning just beyond. It's tempting. Real tempting, but they have a job to do and he'd rather not waste Aledune's time. A scholar of magic surely must have better things to be doing with their time. 

"Thank you for the offer. Though, I think I have enough energy to start looking for these little land jellies."

If he's being honest, he doesn't think he's ever seen an ooze before. He's seen plenty of oozy things, but a creature completely made of ooze? The only comparable critters that come to mind are jellyfish and sea slugs. If they're anything alike, then they should be cautious about touching them. 

"Have you seen these kinds of creatures before?"