June catch-all | OPEN

[emet_sulk]

🧙 WHO: Emet-Selch and anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: It's time to go a-questing again, alchemist continues to hone his craft
🕒 WHEN: Throughout June
🗺️ WHERE: See individual prompts
⚠️ WARNINGS: None (will update as necessary)

1. Do it for the Vine 🗡️

I seek assistance in exterminating an overgrowth of seedkin. I will be departing three days hence.

Even if one doesn't see the message he puts out, one can find him at the scene: on the outskirts of Camelot, Emet-Selch surveys the damage with pursed lips. Fire would be a sure way to exterminate the vines yet it runs the risk of torching everything else as well. Especially magical fire. He has flammable concoctions made especially for this task, but he's hesitant to use them. Perhaps when they locate the parent...

If you happen to be crossing paths with him at the scene, he doesn't immediately take notice. He seems preoccupied with his own thoughts, though he will very quickly look over if someone decides to leap in and start attacking things.

2. Thunderbird 🗡️

The pursuit of unusual alchemy reagents takes one to odd places sometimes. Emet-Selch is not someone who would ordinarily volunteer to go rock-climbing, yet here he is doing just that. Unfortunately, he isn't the fittest of men. Scaling the rocks to reach one of the birds' elusive nests is trying his endurance - and patience.

About halfway up to one, he manages to clamber on to a small ledge and slumps there tiredly, breathing hard. "This had better be worth it," he growls under his breath as he takes a swig of water from his canteen.

--Or perhaps, instead, you meet him at the nest itself, tiredly setting up one of the observation cameras. Whilst technology isn't...unknown to him, he seems to be struggling with this modern brand of it. It's far more compact and advanced than that which he's accustomed to.

"Confound it," he mutters, staring at the pieces in frustration. "Why must they make it so damned small?"

3. Wildcard

Got another idea? Feel free to PM this account. He has a top-level on the TDM as well.

Comments

2.

[dontgetintherobot]

[It wasn't terribly unusual for Alfonse to be out and about for a jog, or just making an attempt at helping where he was needed. Especially nowadays, after his father's departure- anything to keep his mind occupied.

Such was how he... noticed the first emperor of Garlemald sitting halfway up a cliffside. Not that he doubted the man's capabilities, but his days of leading armies into battle were... certainly behind him. With the kindness he had shown him, Alfonse would, at the very least, like to extend a hand in return.

So at the bottom of the cliff, he looks up with a friendly smile.]

Hello! You look like you could use a hand?

[And if that offer is accepted he's... going to probably put Ye Olde emperor to shame in how fast he scales that cliffside.]

[emet_sulk]

[ He glances down. Ah, it's that boy... ]

And how, exactly, do you plan to lend a hand?

[ If he sounds doubtful...well, it's because he is. Rock climbing is a solo venture as far as he's aware. ]

Whatever you're thinking of it had better be quiet. I'm trying to locate a rather elusive bird.

[dontgetintherobot]

[Well, if he needed quiet then shouting back up the cliffside would probably be a poor idea.

So up he went, scaling the cliffside like it was just another military exercise. It didn’t take him long to reach Emet-Selch’s position, and he offered a big broad smile. He might be a little tiny bit eager to show his merit as a soldier, and do his father’s name proud. He’d had to prove it time and time again back home, and in spite of all that’s happened, and all he’d learned about the empire and even the emperor himself…

He was still Solus zos Galvus, and Alfonse was was still hardwired to be a good little soldier.]

A bird you said? What is it you need exactly? Maybe I can get it for you?

[emet_sulk]

[ He doesn't look impressed. Cut him some slack, he'd rather be at home napping the day away!! ]

What I need is to set up monitoring equipment for a quest. However, I also want to collect any fallen feathers ere I depart. The bird is extremely shy - the slightest disturbance will scare it away.

1. When life gives you lemons

[tantailizing]

"Why is it always plants?"

If Emet wanted help, he got it - probably not the first person he'd want helping, but that sure was Zidane walking up next to him and making a face. Maturity in the face of this situation? No way, magical grabbing plants suck. His tail flicked around behind him and it looked like he only had his daggers with him.

[emet_sulk]

He glances aside sharply, looking away once he realises who it is.

"Why? Would you prefer another horde of undead? That would align with my abilities here."

He does have something that would help against the plants but he wants to save it for when they find the source. It will do no good to burn these vines if they simply return.

[tantailizing]

"Hey, that's a positive. And with the zombie hordes here, we haven't been looking for some mother brain every time."

But so far, every time with the plants? Yeah, no, there's some big ol' boss behind them.

"Now where's this one gonna be hold up today?"

[emet_sulk]

The very question he has been pondering until the boy approached him. His gaze sweeps over the ruined farmsteads.

"Mayhap underground. Such things like to hide in the dark, do they not? They push their branches out of the soil and into the sun, proliferating like a weed..."

He purses his lips, frowning. "I would rather not waste time digging blindly however."

[tantailizing]

"Hmm... underground, huh?"

A hand to his chin and pacing, there were plenty of houses around. Farmsteads anyway, but...

"... What about a basement? No digging on our part needed."

[emet_sulk]

He nods slowly. "A basement is a good start. Let's see if these will let us by."

He starts to approach carefully, watching the vines for sudden movement. When he gets too close however, they stir and try to strike at him.

1. Sending a text in response to that post.

[angel_of_death]

Those seedkin you mentioned wouldn't happen to have anything to do with the quest the knights are being sent on, would it?

[emet_sulk]

It would, although I am surprised you know about it.

[angel_of_death]

I have my ways.

In any case, I happen to have an abundance of something that will probably be useful to you. If the saliva of the titan pelicans was powerful enough to kill of the cereus de anima that was causing so much trouble before, I doubt this new plant will enjoy it much.

Would you like some? I can spare a few jars.

[emet_sulk]

That is quite the valuable commodity you have. How much do you want for them?

[angel_of_death]

[Is he... really expecting him to go all cut-throat merchant on him?

He may come from a nation of merchants, but bloody hell, that would be a truly low form of profiteering.]

Not a thing. Just let me have the jars back when you're done with them so I can refill them.

1

[seasoflight]

The benefit of living with him means that it's quite easy for Felih to tag along when his mate goes off on this quest. If nothing else, Felih hopes his green magic may help to better control or contain the vines while Emet searches for a way to actually destroy them.

"I'm not sure how much they'll resist," Felih murmurs, "but at the very least I can attempt to wrangle whichever vines we come across so they aren't as much a threat. If I can't stop them directly, I could easily use other flora to choke it or hinder its movement..."

[emet_sulk]

He nods. "Just do your best, as you always have."

He wonders if he should consider creating a potion to wither greenery... But no, he can foresee such a thing being abused. The fae are not like to be charitable towards someone attempting to destroy the forests.

"Let's try over there." He starts walking towards where the vines seem thickest.

[seasoflight]

Something about the phrasing in Emet's response leaves Felih feeling more encouraged, almost relieved, as they trek out into hazardous territory. These plants have clearly already killed several people, if the worst trains of logic are correct.

"Let’s begin, then. We can gather and cull clumps as we find them, and hopefully trail them to this mother plant... though, admittedly, I would rather not see whatever monstrosity befell these people," Felih admits. How could plants go so wrong? Why do plants have to eat people? (He would be stunned to discover there are worlds where plants do not, in fact, eat people.)

He doesn't waste time. He lifts his hands with a green glow, and tries to wrangle the vines into a tidy group. As if aware of the magic trying to compel them, however, the vines begin to wriggle and strain against the magic, the clashing influences of the mother plant and Felih already at odds. At the very least, this occupies the vines with themselves, fighting for control while Felih tries to keep them more or less immobilized. Sometimes the plant manages to lash out at Felih before he arrests it again, and it's a constant fight.

"I knew it would be too easy if this would just work..." he mutters, tail lashing as he dodges what he can, more focused on the portion he can see.

[emet_sulk]

He utters a quiet little sigh as he draws out his gunblade. Lately, he's been desiring his old greatsword, but it is taking some time to grow used to bearing the weight. Besides which, nimble movement is preferable when facing a nimble enemy.

He ignites a ceruleum cartridge and shears through the set of vines that Felih is wrestling with. The separated tendrils fall, burning bright blue inside and out; the severed ends writhe and try to retreat.

"They're fast," he growls. As he attempts to pursue, other vines get in his way.

[seasoflight]

The vines may be fast, but Felih won't let it stop him. As the second group tries to obstruct his mate, he launches his own vines to engage them and try to wrestle them down against the ground, now trying to mentally split his attention and focus between the first and second clusters of vines.

This is the first time he's had to do something this high-pressure with his green magic, and it's certainly turning into a trial by fire. He tries to paralyze or otherwise wrestle with the first group of vines before they can make an escape, while trying to wrestle down the second, though he makes a note of where the severed vines are trying to retreat.

"Do you think they're trying to go back to the mother plant? Or just away from us?" he calls.

1

[queenofkur]

[ While he was lost in thought, Emet-Selch might be feeling something tugging at his clothes. More specifically, very lightly pulling at the hem of his coat. It was no carnivorous vine though. No, instead it was a baby deer who'd decided to see if the fabric tasted good.

And not far behind the baby deer was a blonde girl who ran to catch up with him as quickly as possible. ]

C-Come back here...!

[ As soon as she arrived, she put her hands on her knees to take her breath. And of course, there was someone her baby deer was bothering. Goodness. It was difficult enough to speak with people as is, it was even worse when she had to because her pet was causing havoc...! ]

I'm sorry, he-he seems to have a taste for people's clothes...

apologies for the wait!! fell sick

[emet_sulk]

[ Tug, tug, tug--

He glances down and stares at the fawn nibbling on his coat. Nibbling rather ineffectually, as it were, as it's quite thick fabric and the animal's teeth don't seem to be all that strong (yet). It's as he tries to twitch the hem away that she catches up to the creature and Emet-Selch's attention switches to her instead. ]

There doesn't appear to be any harm done. Is he your familiar?

no worries at all!

[queenofkur]

My pet. I'm keeping my familiar hidden as his appearance appears to terrorize people...

[ Which she totally doesn't get, her familiar is a really cute and adorable Gallû Spirit! Maybe mortals just aren't used to blue floating skeletons with long veils and Christmas decorations...

No matter, she takes the baby in her arms and bow apologetically to the man once more, before her eyes turn to the very obvious and invasive vines. That doesn't look like any other plants she has seen in Camelot, nor any she had studied for Underworld transplantation. ]

What is this...?

[emet_sulk]

An infestation. I am pondering how to take care of it.

[ He returns his attention to the ruined farmstead. The vines seem quite content to lie about in the wreckage. Is it just unfortunate circumstance that the property happened to be above or near the main host of this plant...? ]

...Are you newly come? What magic do you have? [ he suddenly asks. ]

[queenofkur]

I have been here for a few months. [She nodded.] I have control over Light and Death magics.

[ Oh right, now was probably the time to introduce herself. She cleared her throat and her tone suddenly shifted. Her voice was a lot deeper and her words drawn-out, it was a bit... Jarring. ]

I am the one who tramples the sacred mountain. Keeper of the Dead and Queen of Kur... [She extended an arm dramatically.] Ereshkigal, Mistress of the Underworld and Goddess of Death!

[ The fawn was eating at her cape even as she finished her dramatic intro. Please be impressed, please be impressed, please be impressed. She put lots of efforts into it! ]