[ 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. ]

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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

[troubadamsel]

Than...? Eyebrow raise, but distracted by compliment.

"But of course. Healers are a rarity among us, it seems, so whenever such a risky venture is taken, it's only nature to come along."

[noholdsbard]

One of these days he’ll learn not to end his sentences on a cliffhanger around her.

“And yet these woods pose an especial risk to us all, so it is doubly brave of you to come this far.”

[troubadamsel]

She's a nosy Nellie.

"Always full of compliments..." Oh well, just something she'd have to live with. "But nothing's happened as of yet. I'll take my medals of honor when we actually do face something in these woods."

[noholdsbard]

“Duly noted, my lady.” He knows when to dial it back sometimes.

“Though I believe the greatest risk to our expedition might lie within our party.” Can you hear Mordred making a racket not far from them? Because he sure can. And that’s more worrisome than any monster out there.

[troubadamsel]

Maribelle leans back a bit, frowning. Oh yes, she's met Mordred. Several times. Never a pleasant experience.

"Ah... that one. I can't say I was excited to see her come along."

[noholdsbard]

He can’t decide whether or not it’s a good thing that she’s already met Mordred. That one suggests that her experience hadn’t been pleasant…

“She is useful in a fight. But when there is no such excitement, well…”

[troubadamsel]

"Yes, I'm afraid she tries to make some herself." Just thinking about it was enough to give Maribelle a headache. "I'm hoping the number of people here will... eventually... make her behave herself."

But she knows not to expect miracles.

[noholdsbard]

How optimistic…he wishes he held even a fraction of that sentiment. But he doubts that even Mordred could respond favorably to any of Maribelle’s attempts to civilize her. At this rate she’ll have more luck with the barbarians after Lissa.

But he politely keeps those thoughts to himself. “So long as she does not cause too much trouble, I can…tolerate her, to an extent. But you must let me know if she is being a nuisance toward you.”

[troubadamsel]

With that, she turned toward him, curious if not a bit hopeful. "You know how to get her to calm down?"

[noholdsbard]

He gives her a pained look. He’d been hoping not to talk about that…

“She…often takes out her frustrations on me. I am used to it.”

[troubadamsel]

"What!" Oh, hell no. "We can't have that! Absolutely not!"

[noholdsbard]

“I merely consider it a form of training—”

Will she buy that excuse? Please buy that excuse!

[troubadamsel]

Absolutely not.

"Training for what? How to handle unruly brats? We can't let you do this alone!"

[noholdsbard]

“We are both knights of the same order. Combat training is not unheard of.”

And if he’s bristling a little it’s mostly out of embarrassment. He’s not sure he wants one of his lady friends to defend him from Mordred. That’s…not very knightly at all…!

[troubadamsel]

"Wait, are you serious?" This is brand new information! "You two are from the same realm - and you have the unfortunate burden of being in the same order?"

[noholdsbard]

“…Yes.”

Gods, but she really does make it sound as bad as it seems. Anyone would be embarrassed to be lumped into the same category as her, and yet for some reason King Arthur is immune to that kind of shame…

“And I must do my part as a fellow knight, even if it seems unpleasant.” Even if it is unpleasant.

[troubadamsel]

"You shouldn't have to keep suffering due to unfortunate circumstances! No, we'll all deal with her together, as a group." As if Mordred was a bad case of misbehaving toddlers.

[noholdsbard]

Hard not to cringe at that.

“It really is no trouble at all, my lady. Only a minor inconvenience at best.” Certainly not the kind of issue which would entail group discipline, which would only make Mordred act out even more, come to think of it.

[troubadamsel]

"If she troubles one, she troubles us all. How else is she going to learn?"

Really, how old was Mordred? An adult woman should know better!

[noholdsbard]

She has a point, but… “Even so, she will not take kindly to authority. And that is precisely how we would be approaching her, should we do as you suggest.”

[troubadamsel]

"She's not giving us much choice otherwise." Still, this is something to consider.

"... Does she listen to anyone back in your realm? Anyone she respects?"

[noholdsbard]

“My master, perhaps…” But then he shakes his head. This isn’t the same Mordred his master had summoned. “I suppose it must be Blue Saber then, though I dislike pestering her with such foolishness.”

[troubadamsel]

She's familiar with Blue Saber... though the experiences they've had together usually wind up with Maribelle's embarrassment.

"Is she the superior in command? The general of your army?"

[noholdsbard]

At least she and Tristan have that in common. When is Blue Saber never not a menace.

“She is our ki—er, commander, yes.”

[troubadamsel]

Maribelle cups her chin in her hand, devising an idea.

"Perhaps we can use that to our advantage, even when Blue Saber isn't here."