Aporeu chronicles Issue 49: Monster hunting for fun and profit

Stories from the adventurers

This week

Some simple monster hunting.

Monster hunting for fun and profit by Vasilievski

Doctors Log Entry 11 The Great Harvesting world
Disclaimer: This is the recollection of Viktor Vasilievski. If you remember it differently, it is not my fault you were wrong.
So, a wonderful opportunity has arisen. A world full of ingredients that need culling. We are of course talking about creatures. Who else to send but the Doctor right?
I am met by a few old, and a few new faces. Surron, Ravencaller of the West, Cleo, and Noaz, Sword of the people, are old familiars, with a human rather buff looking version of Cleo called Fionnaghal I wonder if they are somehow related… and a red…Tiefling (which is another race, I had not seen before) named Errus as the new faces. The first thing I notice, is Noaz is unwell. Something is ailing him, and I must find out what. Perhaps this quest will be ideal to figure it out.
We arrive at Lornan, who as per usual is sick. I now at least know the origins of his ailments. I have a goal. Something to achieve. To suck out Lornan’s ailment. To create the miracle nobody else can. Later. Lornan, as always, is delighted to see me, and tries to get us out of his office after explaining we are to go to a new world called Jurassea, and we’ll assist a hunters guild there. I attempt to explain some things and talk to Lornan, but he appears busy, so we end up leaving instead. Maybe another time indeed.
After our visit to Lornan, we go to the gate hastefully, with Fionnaghal being rather excited, and Noaz rather spaced out. I suspect he is under the influence of a new hallucinogenic drug I have been researching, called Bloomshrooms. Now my research has shown that a proper medical regime of prepared Bloomshrooms can have medicinal benefits in cases of cluster headache, anxiety disorders, alcohol addictions and other drugs, depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, and it can even be used in neuroimaging, which allows me further understanding of the effects of substances on the brain. A very, very useful drug, but still something that can lead to psychosis when overdosed. I believe it to be prudent to guide Noaz to a better understanding, and perhaps find him a proper sitter as well…
We travel through the gate, and arrive at a rather hot jungle, where we are met by a tiny (non-ingredient!) walking cat called Felicia. She explains we will need to follow their rituals of the hunt, which have been perfected for hundreds of years, and as such need no improvements. Though my opinion and that of Surron differs slightly, we have no reason to upset this worlds denizens, and agree to do it their way. We get explained that the mountains and the cold are our next destination, and travel by flight, which unnerves me greatly. Although hovering is fine, the actual flight many hundreds of meters above the ground makes me a little uneasy at best. I hold on to Noaz (who wants to see it all, and occasionally seems to forget how high up he is), as we go. Thankfully, the effect of Bloomshrooms should wear off gradually. I do not like this flying not one bit
We finally arrive at a village, where a half-elf meets us. He calls himself Phann. I do not know what he is a fan of, but certainly not us. We attempt to make a little more money by servicing requests, but apparently when they made the request for us, they didn’t have particulars in mind, and trying to help the indigenous people aggravates them. So much for courteous persuasion, off to the killing… Well, after some light shopping.
I purchase a heavy Bowgun from the shop for Ulfgar, whom has been a friend and a customer of mine, and he has a knack for using such things. Cleo purchases some winter clothes. After that, Phann opens some living chest, and gives us some daggers and traps. Surron and I attempt to point out improvements, but this has worked for hundreds of years, so we quickly pipe down as well. We eat a reasonably luxurious dinner, where Errus overindulges and with that, we are off to fly again. Yippee. More flying. Hurray… is it over yet? Noaz appears a little less out of it, though he’s most definitely been, or in, a psychosis of sorts judging by his behavior. I must save the sword of the people from himself, and fast, before he loses himself to the void.
We finally arrive at the mountains, and go off to find ingredients. Thankfully, Fionnaghal can clear a path for us, and after a while, the ingredients find us. They swarm Errus, who was at the back, and he goes down. Thankfully, Surron manages to keep him up, as our group lays the weird creatures down. They appear to be a species that walk on its hind legs, with fangs and darker stripes on their back. They have talons, and an almost ducklike beak. There is also a larger one among them. We slaughter the small ones, and manage to capture the big one. As Errus needs some rest, I take my time to harvest and dissect the ingredients. The Fangs appear to emanate cold, the rest seems…usable but not that special.
After we have the cat-people pick up the big creature, and we move onward to find the next. We (well honestly, the rest of the party, I cannot track for the life of me), find another group of ingredients. Piglike creatures. The group devises a devious scheme where Surron charms them, there is some kind of threat behind them, and the trap in between, and it works perfectly, as I stand out of range and make as little noise as I can. After the trap works, everybody stabs the Boar with sleepknives as we slaughter the other piggies. It works like a charm, and I quickly collect some tusks as we let the Cat-people pick up the big pig. A decision to quickly move on (before an icestorm) to find a larger prey is made, and we eventually wind up in a cave.
Inside, we set up another trap, but it appears we are tricked, as a giant…thing… comes out. It looks like a rabbit, a frog and a rhinoceros had a horribly oversized rock baby. It attempts to maul and murder us, but thankfully, we still have traps, and we get him inside one, where we just start stabbing and whacking it, until it falls asleep, and we signal the cat people to go get it.
With that, our time in the mountains is pretty spent as an ice storm is coming. The group decides to go back home collectively, and I look at my new ingredients. This place is worth revisiting… I’m sure I’ll find more, even better ingredients

---

Monster hunting for fun and profit by Fionnaghal

The Saga of Fionnaghal part 1
There was once a girl tall and strong, raised from a young age in the arts of warfare and woodcraft. Fionnaghal was her name, firstborn daughter of Fionnlagh and Brighde, chieftains of clan MacLabhrainn, which holds dominion over the Skagness area.
Though she loved her homeland, Fionnaghal saw for herself a greater destiny outside the borders of Scotire, to travel the lands and perform deeds of great renown like the heroes from the sagas that her grandfather had read to her so often.
When the wind carried home rumors of a magical gate, Fionnaghal knew the time had come to begin her epic journey and grasp her destiny. Following the promise of lands ruled by kings and threatened by monstrous dragons, Fionnaghal boarded a boat heading east for the country of Nedigie. “Weep not, mother, father, and my beloved siblings!” She cried out from the stern as the ship as it drifted out to sea. “I will return to you a hero, a dragon slayer, and a king!”
At long last, the ship made port in Arnheim, the last city of east Nedigie, bastion against the wasteland beyond. Here, Fionnaghal disembarked, to find the fabled gate and the adventure that lay beyond. Fionnaghal approached the first person she could see and asked the old fisherman: “Tell me good man, where can I find this gate I have heard so much about?” The old man regarded the fierce warrior before him with awe and curiosity and pointed south-west. “You’ll want to speak to the Adventurer’s Guild if the gate is what you seek.”
With no coin left to give, Fionnaghal thanked the old man with a firm handshake and encouraging smile, before heading for the guild hall with long strides full of purpose. On the way, she took some time to behold the wonders of this great city and meet the extraordinary people within.
Her fighting ability and fiery determination clear to see, Fionnaghal was quickly accepted into the ranks of the esteemed Adventurer’s Guild. Not wanting to waste a moment, she immediately went to undertake a worthy quest. Unfortunately, the more epic adventures were available only to those who had already proven themselves in the guild, a matter which Fionnaghal was certain she would resolve shortly.
As fate would have it, the ideal opportunity to prove her skill and spirit offered itself to Fionnaghal; an epic quest to travel to a distant world called “Jurassea”, and face terrible and dangerous monsters. With a grin on her face and spear in her hand, Fionnghal signed up.
On the morning of her first quest, Fionnaghal arrived at the guild with the first rays of the sun. One by one, other adventurers arrived that would be joining her today. Doctor Vasilievski, of dark appearance, yet friendly; Surron, a wise druid bearing the trophies of many battles; Noaz, a warrior whom the doctor named “Sword of the People”. A heroic title, but the man seemed much too haggard to live up to it.

In addition to these human companions, two others of more exotic heritage joined the group; Cleo, a girl with fiery red hair to match Fionnaghal’s own, and a fae bloodline clear in her appearance. Last was Errus; a strange man, red of skin, with horns and tail like a devil. Though remaining cautious, Fionnaghal was determined to make friends out of those who would fight beside her that day.
As if of one mind with her, the doctor broke the ice: “Today, all of us are friends. Put your life in my hands, and I will put mine in yours”. Fionnaghal smiled and agreed, certain now that this group was destined for glory. Together, the party went to see a man called Lornan, who gave them more information about the quest ahead.
Finally, the group was ready to depart and headed for the gate. With the doorway to destiny before her, Fionnaghal could feel the excitement building in her chest and stomach like a spark setting fire to kindling. When the portal was opened, she ran forward and lept through without hesitation, soon followed by the others.
On the other side, Fionnaghal found herself in a strange forest, damp and warm. Looking down, she spotted the first of many strange creatures she would encounter on this world; an adorable white and pink cat that stood on her hind legs like a person. “Hello, I am Felicia”, said the cat. All marveling at this incredible talking feline, the party gathered around.
Fionnaghal crouched down to pet Felicia, but the cat-like creature did not appreciate being touched. “Please don’t do that,'' she said. Fionnaghal was disappointed, but reminded herself that this was a person, not a pet. As it turned out, Felicia was there to lead the group to where they would embark on their quest.
The adventurers followed Felicia’s lead, when suddenly, a large winged beast descended from the sky. Scales, claws, dagger-like teeth, and two massive leathery wings. Surely, this monstrosity before them was a dragon of legend! Excited to get a shot at destiny so soon, Fionnaghal drew her spear, readying herself for glorious combat. However, it was not to be. Felicia explained: “We have trained this one to work for us, we use it to travel great distances quickly.” Fionnaghal put away her weapon, disappointed, but simultaneously excited as a thought entered her head. ”If this is what passes for tame here, what incredible beasts await in the wild?”
Following Felicia’s lead, the group boarded a wooden structure, which the dragon lifted to great height, carrying them onward quick as the wind. Reveling in this incredible new sensation, Fionnaghal hung out of the structure, feeling the rushing wind, the beat of the dragon’s wings, watching the land go by down below.
After a short flight, the dragon lands in a sprawling city that Felicia names Astera. Here, the so-called “Hunters” make their home, setting out to hunt monsters and bringing back the bounty for trade and food. Looking around in wonder, Fionnaghal took in the sights of this strange new place.
Felicia introduced the group to a silver-haired half-elf named Phann, who was the one that submitted the quest to the guild. After introducing himself, Phann explained that the objective of the mission would be to capture monsters alive. At first, Fionnaghal worried that not being allowed to slay the beasts would mean less glory, but in the end, capturing a dangerous monster alive seemed like an even greater challenge.
In preparation for their mission, the group did some shopping, with doctor Vasilievski purchasing a strange and mighty-looking crossbow, which he let Fionnaghal borrow for the duration of the mission to test it out. Then, as seemed to be tradition for Hunters, the group was served a great feast, prepared by a team of small cat-like creatures much like Felicia.
Geared up and with bellies full, the adventurers boarded another dragon carriage, this time headed for the snowy mountains. Aboard, Doctor Vasilievski called upon the strange, dark powers of his goddess to bless the group. Though the magical power now covering her felt somewhat disturbing, Fionnaghal could tell this shadowy blessing would keep her safe. Once they arrived at the mountains, Fionnaghal felt at home, reminded of the winters she spent hiking in the highlands. Without hesitation, she strode ahead, leading her companions through the snow in search of prey.
Soon, however, the prey found them instead. Dashing from the snow came a pack of creatures that looked like a strange cross between a lizard and a wingless bird, with white and blue scales. Proving themselves swift and cunning predators, the monsters quickly circled around the group to get to the more vulnerable members. Beset by three of the beasts, Errus was hard-pressed to hold his ground.
Before she could turn to help her companions, Fionnaghal spotted another of the monsters approaching, this one much larger than the others. Trusting that the rest would save Errus, Fionnaghal readied her spear and shield to face this new threat. With the excitement of battle overtaking her, she rained down blows on the beast from behind her shield.
Fighting at Fionnaghal’s side was Cleo, who used her magical powers to confuse the beast. Noaz came rushing to their aid, swinging his mighty greatsword in furious arcs. Behind them, the sounds of battle rang out as the others dealt with the smaller creatures. The voice of Doctor Vasilievski could be heard. “The bells, they toll for you!”
When the mighty monster began to succumb to its wounds, it let out a desperate cry, which was answered by three more of the smaller beast, though their advance was quickly halted by a mighty shot of Surron’s magical bow. Remembering the goal of the mission, Fionnaghal and the others drew the strange sleep daggers that Phann had given them, letting the blades sink into the larger beasts’ flesh to deliver the sleeping poison.
Before long, the great monster stumbled and fell. Quickly, Fionnaghal used one of the hunting traps the group had been given to secure the beast. Seeing the two remaining smaller creatures attempt to flee, she took her chance to test out her new weapon. Quickly, Fionnaghal grabbed the massive crossbow from where she dropped it. Right before her prey could disappear from view, she pulled the trigger, sending a bolt into the beast’s back for a fatal blow.
The doctor used his healing powers to aid Errus, who had fallen after making a valiant stand against his assailants. Meanwhile, Surron used a strange contraption given to him by Phann to launch a glowing red orb into the sky, signalling the capture of the beast.
While the group rested, recovering from the fight, a team of the small cat people arrived with a large cart. In an impressive display of strength for their size, they loaded that captured monster onto the cart, hauling it back to the base camp.
With their strength renewed, the group pushed on. Fionnaghal again led the group, her hunter’s instincts leading them to a small pack of boar-like creatures with massive tusks. Remaining unseen, the party discussed their plan of attack. It was decided that Errus, Cleo, and Surron would use their magical powers to lure the largest of the beasts into a trap, while the others lay in wait to take out the smaller creatures.
Working together like a pack of predators stalking their prey, the three magic users successfully tricked the massive beast. Meanwhile, Fionnaghal, Noaz, and the doctor made quick work of the smaller ones. With the trap sprung, and the beast brought low, the group quickly bared their blades and drove them home to subdue the prey.
With a snowstorm soon approaching, the hunters decided to find one last prey, a fierce and dangerous monster for a glorious end to a successful hunt. Using his supernatural connection to the land, Surron performed a ritual to locate a suitable opponent. For a while, he sat in silence, focused. Then, his eyes opened and he spoke: “Below us. I sense a beast of great strength hidden within the mountain.”
Following Surron’s directions, Fionnaghal led the group to a cave, leading underground into the beast’s lair. Quietly, the group crept into the dark depths. Around the corner ahead, they could hear the sounds of a massive creature moving about. The hunters set up an ambush. They laid out their remaining snares in a row for the beast to tread on, while Cleo used her powers of trickery to lure in the beast with sounds of easy prey.
Unfortunately, this monster was more cunning than the last. Rather than approach directly, it used its massive jaws and claws to burrow through the mountain itself, emerging beside a startled Errus. Once more the victim of a monster’s hunting instincts, the red-skinned sorcerer was dealt a brutal wound by this new threat.
As the others scrambled to get behind the line of traps, Fionnaghal bravely charged forward without hesitation. She jabbed at the beast with her spear, taunting it to get the monster’s attention while Errus took the opportunity to escape. With her companion in safety, Fionnaghal fell back to lure the creature into one of the snares.
Snap! The trap fell shut, dragging the massive beast to the ground. While it trashed about in panic, Errus took his revenge, unleashing searing rays of hellfire. Through combined effort, the group eventually brought down even this most dangerous of foes, securing it for capture.
And so Fionnaghal returned victorious from the first of many epic quests; bringing back trophies, friends, stories, and a very large crossbow.

---

On the next issue:

Amatae et amissae