In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
[break] An old broom-maker is residing on the outskirts of Kikka and needs your help finding magically blessed wood in the forest. He is too old to carry it back, so he needs a skilled youngling to track down and bring back 4 pieces of blessed magical wood with which he can craft brooms for his customers. As a reward, he will give you a broom!
[attr="class","shadowsSub"]Details
Minimum Number of Players: 1 [break]Minimum Word Count: 1,000 [break]Location: Kikka [break]Special Requirements: N/A
[attr="class","shadowsSub"]NPC Information
What NPCs are in this mission? Please fill out the template for any notable NPCs. While those you have to socially interact with during the mission are not required any enemy that is presented in the mission must be listed in here. [break][break] Up to Player [break][break]
Balas had spent the majority of his time as a magic knight either training or studying. The Coral Peacocks had a vast amount of magical knowledge that was honestly a lot to take in, but he stayed on the books nonetheless. Even though it was a lot, he did not mind it at all; in fact, he quite enjoyed it and was his reason for joining up with this particular squad in the first place. He had never been sent on any official missions, let alone dungeons. That would not always be the case, Balas knew that one day he would be the one who got sent out to protect a town or explore some new dungeon for loot. When the chance for that came, he would be ready!
That day, however, was not today. Nor was yesterday or tomorrow, because for the time being, Balas was out traveling. He was hiking from Hapshass all the way up to the Royal capital and back. Sure he could use a spell to get there more quickly or hire a carriage to take him there in luxury, but that wasn't the point of his hike. He had grown up pampered and protected, and his time with the Coral Peacocks so far ha not been very active, so this short journey was his way of testing himself. He had to be certain that he still has what it takes and that he hadn't lost any of his moxie from the Magic Knights Exam a year ago. What better way to do that than to travel the country on foot?
Plus, this was a chance for him to interact more with commoners. Balas knew how to talk with them and the intricacies of common life, but he still stood out amongst them. That was not likely to change, especially now that he had a Coral Peacock mantle draped across his shoulders whenever he was out in public. Balas didn't share the same disdain for commoners that many other noble-folk did, he simply gave everyone the same amount of respect that he expected in return. In the towns he visited across his journey, Balas helped out those he came across that needed it. From helping some kids carry water to their houses to assisting a lady to hang out her family's laundry, he really didn't mind. Besides, was that not the job of a Magic Knight? To help Clover and its citizens when an opportunity presented itself?
Today, Balas arrived in Kikka, signifying the half-way point of his current journey. Similarly to other places he visited, it did not take long at all for him to hear about someone in need of assistance. There was an old broom-maker near the edge of town who was needing someone to gather new wood for him to make more brooms. It was simple enough and didn't sound like the kind of thing that would be too out of the way for Balas, so he made his way down to the broom-maker's house to find out the details of what he needed.
Post by Lab Rat-666 on May 3, 2020 21:17:39 GMT -5
Rat was already making friends with the broom maker. She'd arrive several minutes earlier than what was discussed and beat Balas- her ally of the day according to the older gentleman. Rat would give a light tap on the door. When asked through the wooden board who was there she'd answer sheepishly, "Rat sir. The girl you hired to help find some wood."
And with that, there was a click heard on both ends of the door and knob turned. Inside the old man greeted her with a smile then looked a bit shocked.
"Why would you give yourself such an ugly name, child?" was the first thing the man said upon gazing at her. Despite missing two essential body parts, Rat was definitely beautiful and breathtaking. Her porcelain and smooth skin, her matching hair, her lean physique. If she was whole she'd get several men drooling, but unfortunately, that was not the case. Most men didn't want to have to pick up medical bills and besides- most men weren't going to let someone with one limb hold them down.
Rat was offended by such a question. She'd let it go though and look down. The older man was worried now. What if she and the man he hired would get into some sort of trouble. She'd then be a downfall on the pair. This silver-haired mage wouldn't be able to pick up the work?!
Rat couldn't answer.
"Oh, I think that's Balas. Come inside boy!" he'd exclaim. The door to a home was open. The older broom maker left it open for the breeze to come in and chill the two off. The sun reflected it's rays perfectly on the home. Beautiful, yet, harsh on the skin.
"Well my name is Uncle Thomas. Just call me Uncle," he'd begin, "That's what all the kids around here call me. You do the same hun," he'd then ask her something, "What's a more fitting name for you? What about Faith? Hope? Something religious and wholesome would do you well. You need some going to church. Get stronger."
At this point, Balas had to be in the house but the older man would still question further.
"It is, Rat. My name is Rat." she'd say again and insisted on it, "It is Rat." she'd repeat and not look at him. Her head still down.
"Are you going to be able to chop some wood? Or even hold it to travel with?" it was a rude question and poorly worded but the older gentleman was simply concerned for the petite girl.
"No, I can grow a limb. I'll be fine." she'd say looking up then down again, her face growing flushed in disappointment. Perhaps, she shouldn't have taken the job if the man had no 'Faith' in her.
[attr="class","updatebox"] When Balas arrived at the home of the broom-maker, the door was already wide open. Inside, he could see two figures having a conversation, an older man and a white-haired woman. Not wanting to be rude, Balas knocked on the door before entering. The man perked up when he noticed and invited the young knight inside before continuing to speak to the girl. Balas joined the two of them and listened in while the broom-maker, Uncle Thomas, tried to convince the girl to change her name. In response, the girl insisted that her name was Rat.
"Rat is as respectable of a name as any. Perhaps even more so than others, if my memory serves me correctly; the Shēngxiào have an entire branch of their family dedicated to the name."
It was a silly thing to worry about another's name. It was a part of their identity, and Balas thought it was extremely impolite and disrespectful to suggest someone change their name simply because sounded unusual. Especially so when that person was practically begging for their name to be used! Balas was even more surprised when Uncle insinuated that Rat would not be able to even chop or carry the wood. It was at that point that Balas actually noticed the finer details of the woman: she was missing an arm and had a flowery eyepatch covering one eye! He was a bit stricken at first, not because of her wounds, but because of his own lack of noticing.
Still, even if this was how Rat's body was, that did not inherently mean she was any less capable than himself. Balas respected everyone until they gave him a reason not to, and so far Rat was the much more reasonable person in this house. She said that she would be okay, so Balas believed her.
"Mister Uncle, the two of us should be able to do this without any trouble. I am a capable person, a Coral Peacock of the Magic Knights, and I have no reason to believe Miss Rat wouldn't be just as capable herself."
"Now then, Mister Uncle, what type of trees might you like us to chop for you? I gather there's a specific kind of wood you would like to have."
Balas had a basic understanding of the different types of woods and their properties for magical constructs such as brooms, but there was no telling what specifically this man might want, nor the location of where he gathers them. This would at least give the two of them some general idea of where to start.
Post by Lab Rat-666 on May 5, 2020 14:55:15 GMT -5
"You see that hill all the way over there. There, by through the large window. Over those hills, there's a cluster of trees that have magical properties. It will take a bit of time but the trees aren't that dense. Chop a few of them down. Maybe 3 or so. That'd give me enough to work to make a few brooms for the day." the broom maker requested.
"Wait here, I'll go grab you each... uh an ax. You said you can go grow a limb right?" and with that the broom maker came over and gave Balas a light ax and Rat a slightly heavier one. Rat could pick up the ax with her single arm and it'd be fine for now. But it'd definitely be a pain. Rat proceeded to look down after eyeing Balas. that was her form of acknowledgment. Usually would've said hello, but instead was so embarrassed not to.
"And here is a wagon," the man brought out some sort of wheels stuck to a large wooden platform. It had a metal handle attached, "Alright, you two should be good to go. Use the smooth flat trail out there. Not the grass. Come before sunset to avoid any rogues or bandits," and with that, the elder guided them out the door and shut it lightly, "Be safe." he grunted.
Rat would begin her journey with Balas on the two-mile trail. She placed her ax on the wagon and took her single hand, right one, and began to start on the trail. She didn't say a thing. Still flustered by what had just occurred, she was concerned if she'd fall behind.
Once finally getting a grip she'd look to her side or behind and say, "Hello?" to Balas shyly. She was unsure of what he was thinking. Even as if defended her, she couldn't comprehend as she was so stunned with flashbacks crossing her mind.
Words: 319 TWC: 784
Last Edit: May 5, 2020 14:56:32 GMT -5 by Lab Rat-666
[attr="class","updatebox"] Thankfully, it seemed like Uncle Thomas was great at giving directions. After explaining where to find the trees he needed, Balas had a good general idea of where to go. He did not know the area around here at all, but it didn't sound like they would be getting lost. Uncle handed the two their axes and gave them access to a wagon to carry the chopped wood. They were ready to set out.
"Thank you, Mister Uncle. We will return here with your logs."
With that, Balas and Rat began following the trail they were told about. Rat decided to pull the wagon, so Balas walked alongside her with his own axe in hand. He would let her set the pace at whatever she was comfortable with; if she was too slow he could just offer to pull it instead. Right as they were starting to leave, Balas did have a for words for his colleague.
"By my estimate, it shouldn't take us very long at all to reach the magical trees; less than an hour surely. That being said, we should probably try to reserve our strength for chopping as much as possible, so I can start pulling the wagon if you begin to tire."
The trail they were taking was flat enough that they could navigate it easily. That made sense, Balas supposed, since it was likely that their destination was where this man usually gathered his broom-wood. At the start of their journey, both of the two were quiet and non-talkative. Balas wasn't trying to be rude, his mind was just lost in thought. What was it that made these trees magical? Could it be replicated elsewhere or was it unique to this area? Could it have practical applications for professions other than broom making? Things would not remain quiet, however, as eventually Rat spoke up with a simple, "Hello?"
"Hello, Miss Rat. How are you doing thus far? Like I said, I'll be more than glad to take over the wagon if you would like a break. Otherwise, we should be getting quite close now. Might I ask, are you from Kikka? I myself am not; I am traveling."
