[ Open ] FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP

[noholdsbard]

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: The forest!
WHEN: Backdated to the 20^th–21^st
WHAT: Some knights lead an expedition into the forest to find a chicken
WARNINGS: Probably nothing…for now

[ Upon the 20^th, a new message pops up on the network feed, from a certain #6363F9. ]

This is Archer. Due to the efforts of Sir Berkut and I, we have uncovered yet another clue as to the history of this realm.

Many of you might remember the sorry tale spoken of by #FFFFFF himself. We learned a great deal about that young man of Blue and the path he had taken into the forest. A few days ago, the locations of certain landmarks have been made known to us. We propose to conduct an expedition into the forest in search of the hen of legend, that we may yet find some way of learning this world’s history and perhaps prevent the forest from encroaching into town.

Needless to say, the journey will be difficult. We have need of fighters as well as healers, cooks, navigators, and others of the sort. If you wish to join, you will find us assembled at the edge of the forest north of Flavo at dawn. You may address your queries to me. Thank you.

[ And sure enough, there will be a small party already gathered at the appointed place at the dawn of the 21^st. Tristan will be happy to welcome you into the group since Berkut’s going to be a sourpuss about this no matter what. :’( ]

Preparations
[ This is where everyone’s getting briefed before heading out into the forest. You’ll be given the necessary infodump as well as a few instructions.

Using the remainder of his ink, Berkut has drafted a serviceable map noting the various landmarks and overall direction, which others are free to peruse and from which they can take notes of their own. Pry the map from his cold, dead hands though (unless you're Tristan). In addition, you will be instructed to gather supplies here before heading out. Characters should bring their own food and the like, or be prepared to forage/hunt in the forest. Expecting freebies from others is poor form!

Once the preliminaries are done, you’re free to spend the remainder of this time however you wish. Offer to team up with someone, question the party leaders, find a meat shield to hide behind, draw up your own maps, or simply give the intrepid adventurers a hearty sendoff! ]

The Forest
[ The adventure begins! Though it won’t be too strictly enforced (at least where Tristan is concerned), you will be instructed to please walk in something that even halfway resembles a formation. Healers and support to the center; those with combat experience to the vanguard, rear, and flank; the works. Or don't. Berkut will only judge and not be responsible if Keigo loses his head (thus spoke Tristan, "How sad"). Maimed limbs and lost teeth are not covered by the field trip's healing insurance.

Unfortunately, the forest seen in their visions is different from the present-day location, so finding the right path won’t be easy! You might want to break up into teams to search out specific landmarks and other useful stuff as you make the trek, or help set up camp when the group takes a rest stop, or fight off whatever forest creatures happen to stumble your way! Or maybe try to liven up the trip with a little game of Eye-Spy or even outright sneak off on your own adventures! No one’s going to judge—okay, Berkut might judge a little.

Whatever the case, it’s going to take a long time and a lot of trial and error to find the clues the forest has hidden away. ]

The Destination
[ The strength of your bonds will eventually prevail, however, as you finally locate a large stone covered in strange mossy patterns. You will be informed that the site of the hen must be very near. You’ll have to suffer through a thorny, overgrown path like in the story, but hey, nothing like a trial to strengthen your bonds, right?

Of course, once you reach the fabled site of the chicken, you’ll find…nothing! Wow, that was a waste of time. Feel free to search around just in case though, or set up camp and rest for the night. It’ll be a long and grueling journey back to town. ]

---

OOC: As part of the ongoing event, Berkut and Tristan have combined their inks to recreate a vision based on #FFFFFF’s forum post. Further details here and here!

TL;DR version:

• There is a way to find the location of the chicken from the story, but it definitely won't be easy.
• Strong bonds with people of a lot of colors will make the search easier.
• The journey itself will probably last only a day or two, but that’s not set in stone, so feel free to fudge timelines if you want.
• The chicken won’t actually be there, though, since the conditions aren’t right for its reappearance. However, those who enter the chicken area will, according to the mods, “have a very strong sense that there WILL be something there at some point… just not yet.”
• Basically, consider this an open mingle that’s available to everyone whether or not they have CR with Tristan or Berkut. Have fun, get lost, take pictures—you do you!

Comments

forest or camp

[rebeliune]

a.

[ Of course Mordred didn't bring food. She could hunt her own, but that takes effort, and it's easier to sidle up to someone and shamelessly say: ]

Oi, I'm starving. Give me something to eat. [ Not even a please. ]

b.

[ During any quiet periods during the journey, Mordred's voice can be heard, dramatically reading out something for all to hear. ]

"There! All a-glimmer, a chicken. Hope at last! His heart did quicken." Ah, jeez, it's too funny! That idiot really wrote a poem about a bird? I guess he can't do anything like a normal person.

[ Or feel free to overhear any of the other lines, because she'll be reading the whole thing out at one point or another... even if she has to constantly pause for laughter. ]

A

[troubadamsel]

Say the magic word.

[Oh, this is going to end well.]

[rebeliune]

[ She squints. ]

Uh, abracadabra? What's that got to do with food? I wanna eat already!

[troubadamsel]

Then you will say please, like a person raised in polite society.

forest!

[scooptimistic]

[ Maya has, of course, brought along many tins of canned crab--

And although she is reluctant to share them, for Mordred? She will certainly offer her a can. ]

Do you really need to eat? [ It's curiosity rather than judgment, at least. ]

[rebeliune]

Not at all.

[ Which means she should probably leave the food for the people who do need to eat, but. Mordred. ]

It's just a hobby. ... Well, I don't have a Master here, so the extra mana comes in handy. Think of it like a fuel reserve in case we have to fight.

[scooptimistic]

Are you even looking for a Master here? I think it might come in handy eventually, you know?

Then again, we haven't necessarily had a food shortage...

A

[superioritis]

No.

[ This is his apple. ]

If you're to eat, you must supply the food yourself.

[rebeliune]

What's the difference? I'm just sourcing my food from you lot instead of from nature. Even if it's just an apple, it's better than nothing, so hand it over.

[superioritis]

You were instructed to bring your own food. Your failure to perform this simple task has no bearing on me. Now begone from my sight!

a Camp

[queenofminiskirts]

[She's brought...a lot of food. Like she's planning to feed a small family but actually, it's all for herself. But you know, even though her metabolism is all out of whack because of Plot Reasons, she still smiles and gestures at her small pile of food.]

Sure. As if I could ever deny a cute girl anything~.

[She even winks.]

[rebeliune]

[ It's a harmless comment, of course, but Mordred immediately goes from whiny to angry. ]

Who the hell are you calling a cute girl? I'll kill you! [ But the food tempers her reaction the tiniest bit, and she relents after a moment. ] Well, either way, I'm taking that food!

[queenofminiskirts]

[Is this a tsun reaction or does she just not like being called cute?]

Take what you want. [She's still smiling of course.] But what's wrong with calling you cute?

a

[pyrafect]

Of course.

[ And here, she gladly hands Mordred some smoked dragon jerky, lightly peppered. ]

You're going through a lot of food, aren't you?

[rebeliune]

It's you! The sleeping girl!

[ Not the best way to greet someone, but it's Mordred. She half-wonders if Pyra even remembers that... and then hopes she doesn't, because acting like a Proper Knight is embarrassing. Easier to pretend to be a jackass. ]

Of course I am. Eating is the best way to keep my energy up. [ She tears off a strip of jerky as she talks, still speaking while she chews on it. Gross. ] This is a pretty big group, so protecting everyone won't be easy. I need to be as strong as possible.

[pyrafect]

[ She recognizes the woman's voice, smiling at her and nodding. ] Mordred, right? [ Because she did give her both her title as Saber and her name.

Pyra politely folds her hands into her lap after handing her the jerky. There's more where that came from, too! ] Please, take as much as you need. All of you Sabers.... I'm sure you're all very strong. But with your appetite-- maybe I didn't bring enough? [ Just a joke! But she settles once more. ]

A-...anyway, I wished to thank you again, for helping out that one time.

a

[artorian]

[ Saber wordlessly hands Mordred a raw potato. ]

[rebeliune]

A potato? That's— well, if it's a gift from Ki... father, then maybe... wait, why do you even have this?

[ At least she got a coherent sentence out in the end. ]

[artorian]

In case of an emergency. Such as one of the others starving, a monster in need of bludgeoning, or a map in danger of floating away on the wind.

[ She has a few more potatoes tucked away in a satchel she brought along, just in case there were more opportunities to get rid of them. ]

Do you want it?

a

[discernments]

I do not mind giving you something, if you earn it.

[ She's not here to give freebies. Jeanne encourages; she doesn't enable. ]

[rebeliune]

Aren't saints supposed to be generous? Jeez... fine, what do you want? Carry your bags? Throw someone in a river? C'mon, speak up.

a;

[neronian]

[ Not even a please or thank you!! Not that Nero expected much else. She did bring some jerky, however, which was!! Midway to her mouth before Mordred so rudely interrupted. ]

You are more than an able enough warrior to fend for your own food.

[rebeliune]

Obviously that's true! But I don't wanna!

[ A second later, she points behind Nero... ]

Look over there! [ ... and tries to steal the jerky right out of her hand. ]

b.

[uuuh]

[It's getting a little irritating to hear Mordred burst out with lines every time. Each new recitation has her grimacing and grumbling in mild irritation, waving vaguely at Mordred as if that might discourage her.

She also knows there's really no discouraging Mordred, though. When she starts up again, Fran tries to ignore it or otherwise drown it out in her mind, but she can't help but end up overhearing.

How sad, how tragic, this unfortunate tale of woe!...]

Uuuuuuuuh... [All three parts of that line just say the same thing. How redundant.]

[rebeliune]

[ She laughs. ]

I know, right? He's stupid. Just say "well, some bad stuff happened" instead of all that other crap. [ Mordred, a modern poet. ] Here, let me try and come up with something better.

[ She thinks for a moment, then: ]

"With a mighty roar, the dragon was beaten. The knight knew it would taste really good when eaten!"

[ A proud grin on her face, she looks over at Fran, waiting to hear her opinion. ]