Trouble in the Marshlands [Invite]

[Guthbrand]

Guthbrand had seen that the Windsor Greatwoods were a much more popular location to go exploring, possibly due to the Sarum being on the other side of the woods, and possibly due to the marshes being a smelly, nasty place in general as most marshes and swamps were. That and the boar meat always sold well back in town, there wasn't much out here that was good for eating as far as he could tell, it was all bugs, sludge/slimes, goblins, fungus and other things like frogs and crocs, nothing much that was normally eaten like pork was. "Do any of them even drop meat? Maybe the frogs would drop legs and possibly the crocs would drop meat, but I doubt the rest would drop anything worth eating." he shook his head, it wasn't exactly like the frog legs and the croc meat would be good eating either, if it even dropped. It was still had that game like loot drops and the evaporation of the corpses. "Which is a good thing, how many people here could actually skin, gut and clean an animal? I doubt many." Shaking his head once more Guthbrand continued on his way, he was expecting to meet Mab, the little druid who had helped introduce him to actually fighting with a group and other things in the game beyond the soloing he had done little of before that point. He remembered that she enjoyed exploring different places and seeing new things, and while he didn't share her enthusiasm for the unknown he did want to know more about this world he was in, as well as hoping to find unique equipment, a better source of materials or something else that would help him, his brother and everyone else... For a price in any case. "Purchasing buildings in town is extremely expensive, so is guild houses and other such things. Need a better way to make money than the farming. It's far to slow going for any real advancement." With a sigh he nodded his head as he topped the small hill he was climbing, he finally was at the spot, a small hill that allowed a bit of overlook into the marsh lands, though the view wasn't something he enjoyed, muck, giant snails, and even an animated sludge that was throwing rocks and mud at a lone sorcerer that was practicing his spells. 

Guthbrand had spoken with Mab about exploring the marshlands, he hadn't expected her to be so excited to head out into the marshlands, nor for her to accept as soon as she had. He had sent the invite to Mab and told her the spot to that he wanted to meet at as well as the time, which was early in the day but he had no objections to it, the sooner it was done the sooner they could return to clean themselves, "That type of thinking sounds like I really disprove of the idea, heading out into the marsh, was my idea, I can't very well be down about it before we actually start now can I?" , with a grunt of annoyance he shook his head one last time and put on a more pleasant face, wouldn't do to greet someone looking grim and such when they were to be exploring a new place like this, or new for the two of them at least. One had to look forward to it, after all who knew what they could find out here that others had missed? He began to fill a bit more excited of the prospect, dismissing some of the pessimism he had been feeling. Turning back towards the city he began to scan the way he had come looking for the bright colors that Mab favored wearing.

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Word Count: 629
Mab

[Mab]

	Mab:: Level 22 :: Druid Armor: Windsor Antiqua Leather Armor (Lv5) Main Weapon: Windsor Antiqua Staff (2H - Lv5) Quick Slot: Heartbeat Healing Summon: Wolf Pup
WC: 547	Tags: Guthbrand	Skills: none used

Today Mab had promised to meet Guthbrand. An exploration of the Northern March lands was all he said. Mab liked the idea immediately. However Marchlands meant mud and slippery slopes and all kinds of dangers the girl could barely imagine. Having nothing said yet about the monsters that would undoubtedly lurk there. For this the girl needed some preparation. She usually let her hair flow free but if she would do so on this occasion it would likely mean her hair would get very filthy very quickly. Not that the girl really minded grime and dirt, she hated it when her hair needed washing as it took hours for it to dry. Trying to prevent the worst disaster the girl braided her hair and tucked it under a hoodie. Even if she where to fall down her hair would not be so messed up. Wearing her usual armor and for the occasion wearing green pants, the girl hoped not to stand out too much in the bog they were about to enter. The hoodie had the same color of her lime green armor. Feeling ready to go the girl grabbed her gear, some foodstuffs and two bottles of water to take with her into the marshlands. As she was uncertain they could find fresh water there, and even if they did if it was alright to drink. “Better safe than sorry,” the blonde haired girl muttered to herself as she closed the door of her room behind her.

Mab made her way to the meeting point that she agreed to with Guthbrand the girl looked at the scenery around her. It did not take her long to reach her initial destination. Climbing the hill she could see the outlines of the monk. When Mab got closer she raised her hand in greeting and said.

“Good morning!”

Smilling cheerfully from under her hoodie. The druid was in an excellent mood. Looking out over the march lands the dreary scenery made her smile even broader. Mab giggled at her earlier silly determination of not getting her hair dirty. That was just never going to fly. Realizing this; the girl lowered her hoodie to get a better look at the marshlands in front of her. A new place to explore, this was exciting, the druid believed. The scenery showed mud, and slugs, slimes, and other creatures creeping about, also it showed gnarled trees, patches of moss. Some places that looked like little floating islands. The scenery could not suit the word bog better. It looked just like Mab imagined it would look like. Mab felt it would be a real challenge to navigate these parts. Fixing her gaze on the monk Mab asked,

“Any specific destination in mind, or are we just gonna see how far we can make it?”

The last time Mab had met the druid he was just starting, however he should have gained some experiences in the mean time. Mab felt sure that the two of them could face a fair share of dangers. But maybe it was good to set some ground rules. However they could make them up as the journey progressed. The druid made sure her path finding skill was toggled on so she had an inkling what to expect a little further away.

[Guthbrand]

When Guthbrand saw Mab he was a bit surprised, she had taken precautions that he didn't think she would have, braiding her hair and tucking it into a lime green hoodie, and wearing a pair of green pants. She was missing what he assumed was her usual top hat and bunny ears, she looked odd to him with out them. He hadn't thought she would be as thoughtful as her appearance showed, figuring she would be more carefree than she actually was, Guthbrand was impressed though he didn't let it show on his face. When she raised her arm and greeted him he responded in kind, raising his arm, nodding and replying in his gruff baritone, "That it is." He noted that she was smiling, giggling and appeared to be generally in a good mood, which was a good thing seeing what they where going to be doing that day. When she looked back to him and asked if he had a destination in mind he shook his head, "No real destination, but I intended to head north by northwest," he pointed in the direction, "And simply see what we see. When we turn back if possible I want to head back in a loop to cover as much of the area as we can. We should head back at or around noon at the latest, I don't want to be caught out here in this marsh at night." he shifted the pack he was carrying on his back so it sat more comfortably and took switched his bow to his right hand, he had been practicing with it more since they had last met, and he had earned a new skill that was useful with it. He performed a double check on his hotbar to ensure his skills were there and nodded to Mab, "Shall we?" He said before he moved onward in the direction he had indicated, perhaps he was a bit more eager than he had first thought as there was a bit of pep in his step. "Let's avoid aggroing as much as possible, while I can tank a bit it won't do for us to wear ourselves out on the first half of our journey right?" He asked the rhetorical question as kept his stride in check, his long legs allowed him to move quicker but he didn't want to leave Mab behind, or set a pace that would tire her out quickly. 

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Word Count: 408
Mab

[Mab]

	Mab:: Level 22 :: Druid Armor: Windsor Antiqua Leather Armor (Lv5) Main Weapon: Windsor Antiqua Staff (2H - Lv5) Quick Slot: Heartbeat Healing Summon: Wolf Pup
WC: 509	Tags: Guthbrand	Skills: none used

Mab was in a great mood today. Even when thinking back on it, her spirits heightened. Just before leaving home; the girl finished up her skill list. She had been raising levels but forgot to update her skill set. Right now the skill she had been looking for and wanting to have ever since Johan died right in front of her eyes, was the nature revive skill which could prevent such an event from happening again. Mab was not ever going to stand by feeling helpless if she had any say about it. So the diligent healer picked her skills that would provide the best survival changes. Mab had been working hard to gain access to this skill. Now that she had it on her spell list the girl was extra happy.

The blonde haired girl noticed the surprised look on the monk’s face but did not really understand what it was surprised him in the first place. Looking around to see what it was that could have surprised the usually stony faced monk, Mab could not find anything that seemed out of place. Wanting to ask about it, but not sure if she wanted to hear the answer, Mab asked anyways.

“Whats up..... You are looking like something wet slapped your neck?”

Mab asked Guthbrand, waiting for his answers and the direction he wanted to head, she nodded as he told her where he wanted to go and explained his plans to her.

“Yush Lets get moving!”

Mab said sounding delighted to be on the road. As she started moving the girl took in the sights, the sounds, and yes even the smells of the dank place they were about to head into. Not afraid at all the girl boldly into the bog that was the target of their initial investigation. Guthbrand told her to avoid fights initially. Mab did not mind doing so. She used her path finding skill to spot creatures from a further distance. Warning the monk if they got to close to any creatures. Wading knee deep through some dark watery almost muddy splotch of terrain the druid came to a stop. After walking for about ten minutes the girl noticed that moving in this terrain would not be very easy. In fact it would be very tiring. Not that she minded, but she needed to move her body differently as she was used to. Mab found this interesting. She stopped to look at the monk.

“How goes it?”

She asked, wanting some conversation in this dank, moist, humid, hike that they were starting on. She looked at him to see how he was dealing with any mosquitoes or other nasty tiny animal that made its home in this marshland. Mab herself had been swatting away quite a few small critters. To small to do any damage, but if these ever decided to unite in a swarm…. Well they would have issues. So occasionally the girl swatted away a few bugs. She did not seem squeamish about it. The girl was an adventurer. This was part of an adventure. It was exciting.