“I’ve MADE quite a few healing ITEMS” piped up Horace holding several potions and salves in his hand.
“We can get out of here now then, get to the lift, I’m sick of it in here! It’s clammy, dank and we are not visiting again for a long-long time.” She said angrily.
Horace applied a potion to Silana, who whimpered a first then seemed more relax; still showing no long-term signs of recovery.
There’s still a long way to go, even at full speed we have we’re not making it to murk city anytime soon and we’re slowed down by Silana being so wounded I thought to myself.
“I-...can walk put me down” said Lucy as we entered the lift and began transporting us upwards after Rhua hit the lever.
“The smell of fresh air was enticing, isn’t it?” she said, taking deep, deep breaths and an aura began enveloping her being, all the colours of the elemental wheel flowed around her, from the darkest black to brightest white, a tumultuous ground, to a swirling water, her colour was returning to her slightly as she progressed in her state of trance.
Everyone felt the air get cleaner the further up we went; it really was enticing, subtle smells of damndeyleon petals were on the breeze, mmm a fizzy jay burdock flavour would be a blessing about now as melodic chimes jingled and jangled along the sky bridge filling us with relief that we were finally out of that bloody dungeon.
“I’m tired of walking and running, can we afford something that let’s my legs take a break with all that coin from Et-Navn, it should be enough to buy something surely? Chimed Lucy who may have recovered partially but physically was wheezing away and sweating so profusely her attire probably weighed several pounds more than it should. “Our luck is trash when it comes to transport” said Rhua.
“Ha, remember us saving for six months back in 41 just to get the airship pass and then that pilot crashed the flagship model, Red Wing Broncho and Areya’s airship company lost all its ships before we even got to use it”. I said.
Wardi laughed “That sucked for us, but more for everyone else, she lost her marbles after that incident” he followed up with.
“Oh so THAT’s why she’s insane now?” said Lucy huffing words out.
“Well, that… AND HER ex-boyfriend left her, some people JUST SHOULDN’T do relationships heh.” Horace piped.
“If we can find someone that can do it, I guess bikes may be an option?” said Rhua but Horace was quick to shut down the idea.
“Not WORTH THE HASSLE, Queenie Wheelini has the MONOPOLY on the market.” Horace piped into the conversation.
“Ah, that’s true, even if you could get one, if it breaks you MUST go to Castle Schloss, she’s locked down the worthwhile smiths that can work with bikes said Wardi. Not breaking a sweat at all carrying Silana.
He continued saying “I’d love more G&S slingshots if I’m honest” he continued the conversation with. Wardi stared ahead the entire time, the military discipline was kicking in full force in this situation.
“We would need a lot more coin than what we have now for that mate, and we are not strong enough to join in a chasm for the materials to build one” I said reminding him of what that would entail
“Nor could we manage a six star or higher dungeon” said Rhua. We all said AYE in unison to that statement.
We kept trying to talk on the bridge, anything to keep party spirits high. It was a gargantuan in size, even at full speed it was going to take us hours to make our way across.
Every thirty minutes Horace would use a potion, eventually having to swap to using salves once the potions ran out. The salves were not as potent and Silana began looking like she was getting a fever; sweating shouldn’t be happening with a cool breeze passing over her.
To the far left we could see Coch Manor looming in the distance. Despite the beautifully intricate coral red walls and the ever so memorable ruby adorning the single large turret of the ancient manor, knowing the vicious and vile ruler that lurked within, Rhua shuddered at the prospect of encountering her.
“I’m glad the Dornam have managed to evade her colonisation attempts” Rhua said as she glanced at the manor.
“Well, the personality clashes are strong contenders for that reason, they love to drink and party after all, given the choice, I’d pick fun over tyranny, I’m sure we all would.” I said to her in response.
“I’m sure there’s the odd nutter that would pick the former, though I think it’s in the hope there’s a reward for being such an idiot” I jokingly followed up with to Rhua.
Lucy pointed out ahead at the border guards in the distance. Often an enigma in anything they do and wear, the Dornam prefer to wear thin combat fatigues synthesized with shielding seals built into the outfit for protection. I suppose you could say they look similar soldiers from our old world though anyone familiar with camo clothing would question why they picked azure, blue as a colour in areas painted with mustarly yellow and aprocoto orangey painted territories. It certainly makes you stick out worse than a sore thumb I thought to myself.
As we approached them closer, they signalled for us to halt. “Purpose of visit to the territories today Sirs and Madams?” said the private and Wardi stepped up on our behalf.
“Salutations, private, Green-Top-Pass had a system failure, and we have a comrade in dire need of medication attention, it’s critical that we find someone with high tier healing for her.”
The private looked at the girl and called over to his comrades sat in the guard hut who walked out. The sergeant recognised us from previous trips and beckoned us through not before handing us two potions of simple healing and suggesting we seek out Atropa Belladonna in the Revitaliser guild, she’s probably our best bet, look for the lass walking around with a bright green cloth based base layer and a deep black grassy looking mantle on her back.
We thanked him and moved full steam ahead to the city gates. The sprawling skyscrapers were so like the old world, if anywhere feels normal it’s this place, I thought to myself I could see myself living here someday.
Revitalise was on the second street as we passed through the gate, a soft black stoney looking material lined the path up to the colourful and bright guild banner, little vegetable and cup ornaments linked to people hugging in a circle which linked again to a music symbol and …a camera? Huh… haven’t seen one of those in a long time. Fotographing the memory in my mind.
Lucky for us the one we were looking for already noticed us before we saw her. A Huum or Terrahuum we never really know or bother to ask size, came from a side street, and noticed Silana. “Oh! She’s not doing so well is she the little dearie!?” The woman said.
“Are you Atropa?” Wardi asked her hastily. She nodded and asked to look at her.
“Bless her, she’s taken some nasty hits, what happened, could you tell me? it could be important to the treatment.”
“The boss in green top, the gods or someone else has changed the dungeon, the difficulty everything, and it gained the ability to attack with its spikes!" said Wardi vomiting word nonsense in panic. Silana had long since fallen unconscious from loss of blood, the potions can only do so much after all.
“Oh my …I’ve never heard of that happening, gosh, that must have been terrifying!” “Come, this way to my apartment, it’s in the western block, it just a short run there!” We followed Atropa through several streets leading up to the apartment block she lived in.
It really was like back home, several floors stacked high with multiple apartments and the typical balcony we’d see. ‘Homes for the future!’ they’d advertise, but the modern appearances held back by being brittle and paper-like, breaking just by looking at it the wrong way. Atropa painted her apartment in a forest green paint, calming with some extra welcoming coming from burning an incense stick recently.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Silana was placed on the table in the middle of the living room and Atropa told us to find a seat, make ourselves at home this could take a while, being a Quacksalver, she continued by informing us that “Quacksalving is a slow~… process!” as she hastily rushed around her cupboards and draws.
“Atropa, I like your home it’s very cosy inside, are you a big fan of fungi’s I can see that you’re growing several.” Said Lucy.
“I just need to add a drop of this … and a drop of that…a twig of oak mmm yes don’t forget lila marron” muttered Atropa. Completely ignoring Lucy.
We have encountered quacksalvers in the past, but we didn’t keep them around long, they tend to get too focused on not harming life and all that green living philosophy, so a life on the road where we’re going to harm stuff tends to make those tears fall a lot. I couldn’t help but whisper to Rhua that “She’s weird even by quacksalver standards don’t you think?”
“Yeah, she’s weird for sure, I guess that’s why it only seems to be oddballs that are drawn to such an usual class type” She replied.
“Everyone gather, this is going to get a bit a messy… I’ve had to use some ingredients that triple the strength of the person temporarily, hold her down and don’t get ma-…” Silana let out an angry shout, and lifted all but Rhua briefly off the ground.
“She must have high strength already to be able to lift so many of you by herself with one limb gosh!” said Atropa.
“It was just unexpected that’s all, it won’t happen again” is what Wardi wanted to think but on Silana’s second attempt, Lucy Horace and I were up to the ceiling and back down to the floor. The groans we gave off were probably starting to make the neighbours worry about an unsolicited party occurring during the day and on a day that isn’t fun time Thuursdeh.
“At least it’s working, she’s getting her colour back and the wounds are sealing properly now.” Said Rhua who hadn’t moved an inch the entire time. Thank the stars I thought, it’s not that Silana sent us flying on repeat over the course of several minutes, blasted back and forth like a fleshy yo-yo. Aching and sore and Silana calming down, I sat down at a comfortable black and yellow beanbag looking pillow only to find as I got closer it seemed to be moving… breathing… I reached out to touch it but noticed some exceptionally fine hairs illuminated as the daylight hit it through the window.
“Hey-mmm-yeah-yeah-shoo-shoo-de-ba-de-doo-don’t touch my jives kid, this look is busting out-womp-womp-a-donka” all of us just stared in confusion.
Nice to see your finally awake Fitz G! You could have made yourself useful whilst I was out, she said sighing afterwards.
“Scabba-dabba-ma-be-bop-oo-woah, hey sister I’ll do it don’t mess my rhymes up, ya stifle my word rifle with yo strict nature yappin hehheh-ba de-da-da.”
“Was that incense laced with something I said to Atropa.
“He’s real alright, just a bit of a character...put some food on for the guests to go away with Fitz OR you can stay at the guild hall if you don’t want to make yourself useful!” Said Atropa. Fitz mumbled to himself “da-de-paaaaa~” sounding like an out of tune horn instrument.
“May I ask what exactly is going on?” she said to us out of curiosity.
"We were heading to the murk marshes for a request. Green top was the safer route we thought with everything going on with Areya's madness. Things turned wrong at green top...very wrong, you ever hear of a dungeon shifting it’s rating after entering?” Said Rhua. Atropa’s face was in shock. It seems this was going to be big news when it makes it rounds, I thought
“Gosh... what did it reach?” to which Wardi told her, and she gasped
“4.5 stars.” … stumbling into a chair.
“I’ll tell Zainab my guild master, when I see her next, she is quite fond of researching dungeons, I don’t think anyone really understands the purpose of them, and even more so regarding Chasm. Said Atropa. "She often has said the dungeons are the god’s way of pushing us to be better maybe It is why they often give rewards at the end."
“This one did not” said Lucy in the back, admiring some curiously humanoid looking small fungi trying to jump at her hand and failing from their big heads being too heavy.
“The only reward it gave us was a few bruises and cuts plus nearly losing our friend in the process.” Said Wardi who begun looking at Silana. It was strange to think of someone we have known for three or so weeks as a friend, but she has certainly warmed the hearts of the party since joining I thought.
“Thank you for your help Atropa." Wardi said and offering her a pouch containing 100000 HFC.
"This should cover the cost of the ingredients and for your service” Wardi said to Atropa.
“I appreciate this, I’m one step closer…one step closer to being nearer my guildies hee-hee, It's an expensive city and everyone wants a spot here, was lucky to get this one!" Atropa was full of excitement and jigged around the room a little and Horace in admiration tried to initiate Rhua in to doing a high five jive who reluctantly did to make him happy.
“It was like watching yung and yoong in action” said Wardi trying to make a joke.
We sat for a few hours in the apartment waiting for Silana to wake up who finally stirred as night settled in.
“How you are feeling lass” said Wardi smiling now she was back with us.
“I’m feeling...good, the pain gone, you all save me” she said to us as she slowly sat up. There was a silence for a few moments and Rhua noticed the tears run down Silana’s face.
“I’m sorry you worry for me, I will be better, for all you, I promise” she said in her broken tone, comforted by Rhua who was hugging her and stroking her back. "Its ok Silana." said Lucy “Your one of us after all, it’s not the first time we have all been in a bad situation before and there will probably be more, but we have each other’s backs, and we will do everything we can to look after each other!" She said with passion in her voice shouting.
“HERE HERE” Piped Horace who had wandered in the kitchen to help Fitz.
The room was energised by Lucy’s words, after a gruelling day it was like we were restored to a good state.
“This event has made it clear, we need a dedicated healer type to the group” said Wardi, who stood up and began pacing around.
“Atropa, would yo-” he tried to ask but she interjected.
“I’m sorry.” Shaking her head
“I’m not suited to adventuring...” she waved the glamour of her outmost layers and revealed her typical Quacksalver attire of bland green and browns looking like the average peasant. Only that, upon the glamour fully revealing all, much of her head was missing, her hair gone and her scalp was gruesomely scarred over whilst her limbs had all but been replaced by prosthetics, bar her right arm, hand, and digits.
“Just one dungeon did all this, it was only me and my party member Pezerah that made it out" hells bells I thought looking at the state of Atropa and listening to the story.
"It was only the 3rd year of the rebirth, people were still finding their feet you know...and the dungeons and their ratings, we didn’t understand them at all, it took a while before the guide was released after all.
"Green top and Gravel Pit the one-star dungeons we cleared easy, so we tried the Silent manor and Serpent Sewers the two star dungeons we also managed relatively ok… but then we let the rush get to us, especially with the boss loot fuelling that. She became distant in the moment.
“So, we did the Three-star dungeon The Smouldering Apprentice, we didn’t have the right set up, a group full of fighter types and a single healer type.
“Dritt” said Rhua
"Say no more Atropa” said Wardi who walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. He lifted her head up and he removed his prosthetic left ear and showed her his heavily mutilated left leg.
"Same dungeon, maybe a year or so after you entered, same with our friend over there." Horace also joined the conversation showing off the mechanical right hand he had and making it do all sorts of typical normal hand motions.
"It’s a bugger of a dungeon; the difficulty spikes up compared to any of the previous. Wardi said following up.
"We can’t compare to yours, but we can sympathise Atropa” said Rhua who unequipped her gear showing the ferociously deep scarring across her chest to her waist. Before turning around and showing the Scalafish scales adorning her back.
“The boss got me, the skin never healed properly, and the healer in the town closest had experience in Scaq techniques that use Scalafish scales as a skin graft, the soft side is super compatible to ours and it kinda acts like a little armour.” Said Rhua who auto equipped her gear back on.
Atropa smiled and thanked us “It’s rare anyone is so open about the horror that occurs from these places.” She spoke.
“Rest up here, I insist. You’ve had a heavy day, don’t give yourselves any fatigue.” We gladly accepted and after Fitz brought in food, we ate and shared the dish duty and finally got a chance to wash ourselves before retiring for the night. a normal sleeping space again...delightful. The words floated around my mind before I dozed off.
---
“Rise and shine dearies!” Said Atropa leaving her room. Horace surprised by the sudden noise sat up too quick and face smashed the table under which he was sleeping.
“I’ll heat the leftovers from yesterday, since you’re going to the Murk Marshe here’s some anti venom tea for you all.” Atropa kindly gave us all a cup of pleasantly tasting tea and I asked her on the side what does it do I can’t see the effects and she told me, and I noted into my book:
*Quacksalvers exceptionally questionable, yet great tasting anti venom tea – complete immunity to all but the most extreme venom types for 10 days*
Wow that’s an impressively long-lasting broken item I thought to myself.
We tried offering Atropa more HFC and were surprised by her returning fifty thousand back to me. “I have not used these skills in such a long time and forgotten what a party like yours was like; it has made me feel inspired, so please I insist on returning half.” She said to us smiling.
As we ate and drank the wonderfully great tasting tea that only Horace seemed to dislike, Atropa spoke to us,
“Take the western gate there’s a direct road to the northern end of the murk marshes, stop by the guild when you’re done, Zainab would like to meet you all, I’m sure!” Thanking Atropa, Wardi said to her
“You really got us out of a dire situation. We’ll see you soon no doubt.”
