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Please post your entries for the Retainer Ad-Venture Contest in this thread!
You can find full contest details here.
This thread is for entries only. We ask that you use the Discussion Thread for entry practice or to talk about the event. All non-entry posts in this thread will be moderated.
Please remember that your entry must not exceed five hundred (500) words.
It ain't easy workin' for a 'venturer like Xersin. I mean, what do you bring the bloody Warrior of Light that he can't already go out an get hisself? The bloke slays legends, for Twelvesake. Still, ye gotta eat. And there is one thing I do know about the man. He's lazy as they come. Sure, he swings a mean axe, and cleaves gods in twain, but yer never gonna see him out in the fields, fightin' the lesser things. So, way I sees things, that's what you bring a man like that. The lesser things.
"It is too hot...." The man stumbled on the sunbleached coast, shielding his eyes from sand. Nearby Costa del Sol lingered as a monument of truth, a reminder that he is not actually in the desert, even though the heat would suggest as much - no, he is just in Eastern La Noscea, and every time he came out here, he wondered how the weather here was so different. "It just rained", he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "The winds were strong, and now...I feel like a sandworm. Eorzea is a wondrous place." But weather was not important - he was on a mission, and he would not fail it - he never did. No, the man worked a special job - a job that required him to go out and face danger head on. He looked at his sword that was stripped loosely to his side and was overcome with a feeling of safety.
"No threats imminent." He turned around and saw Costa del Sol in the distance, the sound of music playing. "Hells, what am I even searching for?" His employer told him to look for something special, something that would make him smile - and he had 8 hours time to do so? "A retainer's job is hard, aye?" That voice was not his own, and instinctively he grabbed his sword and darted around, only to be greeted by three Roegadyn that badly needed a shave and a bath - t'was how bad they smelled. "Wh- Who are you?" The tallest one in the middle took two steps and looked down at the retainer - clearly just a mass of muscle with little brain. "I could ask you the same question, Retainer."
To the Retainer's look of confusion, he jokingly added "Don't play dumb, boy. Look at yer clothes. You look finer than me arse, and that says a whole lot. Now, what are ye lookin' for?" The retainer gulped and, out of the corner of his eye, spotted an emerald in the Roegadyns pocket - huge of size, and of worth for sure. "Well, you got me", the Retainer said, bowing his head. "I haven't found anything yet. So you can't rob me." The Roegadyns eyes turned to slits, but he realized that the Retainer was right and sighed. "This be your lucky day, boy. Get out of our sight." The retainer breathed a sigh of relief, but once they turned around, he grabbed the emerald from the Roegadyns pocket and ran as fast as he could. "Hey, you bag of shite! Come back with this! I rightfully stole this!" was all he heard, as the voices behind him grew more and more silent.
Back in Limsa Lominsa, he caught his breath and took a long look at the emerald. "My mistress will be happy with this. Certainly. And I have time to spare...time to cash in those ventures." And off he went, another mission completed - until his mistress will send him away again - into a world of danger.
Character Name: Nyyria Sheryine
World Name: Chaos, Shiva
Choice: Mandragora Choker
Get me a Gestahl!
Liselle leapt from cover to cover, keeping out of sight of the horde of yetis between her and the exit.
She had her trusty fishing rod strapped to her back, a Worm of Nym still attached. This was the thirty-second time she had been sent out on the same venture, with the same order to bring back a Gestahl puppy for her ever more demanding mistress. But the Gestahl was an elusive mark. She had almost fallen to her death chasing the fancy mutt across the Sea of Clouds last time, and this time she was in the Coerthas Western Highlands, her pointed ears frostbitten and her legs numbed by the biting winds. She had to get it this time, she could not survive any more of these ventures.
A tiny "yip!" sounded in the distance beyond the cave. Liselle through all caution to the wind and jumped from her cover. She ran with the speed of a coeurl, weaving between the hungry yetis like a woman possessed. She would have her prize this time.
As she reached the mouth of the cave, the Gestahl came in to view. Liselle did not pause to admire its cuteness as she sped towards it.
Something squished underfoot. Looking down, she realised in horror that she had stepped in a rheum. She squelched and struggled to pull her long elezen leg out of the sticky, gooey creature's body, her eyes still on her target, the puppy's head tilted in confusion.
She heard stomping behind her. The yetis were catching up. With one last disgusting tug, she released her leg from the rheum.
As she attempted to continue her chase, she felt a giant furry arm reach for her. It gripped her by the arm and she knew it was over.
The Gestahl gave a contented "yip!" and pranced away out of sight. It was gone. These yetis had lost her her prey. They would pay.
The summoning bell rang in the Goblet. Liselle appeared before her mistress, sporting a black eye and many cuts and bruises all over her body. The mistress didn't even seem to notice.
"Well? Did you get me my Gestahl?" She was single-minded.
Liselle sighed and presented a slightly tattered Worm of Nym.
The mistress laughed in frustration. Then reassigned the venture.
Often I hear tales of my masters exploit at the taverns. Good grief! My ale starts tasting bad whenever I hear some drunken sod glorifying that slave driver. Hero of Eorzea my arse!.
As a child I admired tales of heroes, and I was ecstatic when I entered a contract with this so called Warrior of Light. Sadly that was the day I learnt that the stories never really tell how a hero is as a person.
I should have known that as soon as I saw those lalafellin eyes that they contained nothing but greed.
Everyday I have to spend all the time I am awake to sell her wares. From time to time she tells me to go out and bring her some exciting treasures.
At the beginning I earnestly did my best to please her on the ventures. I went to the most God forsaken places in search for hidden treasures, hoping that if I pleased master she would start treating me better…
Alas that was not meant to be.
At some point I began praying that some beast would eat that bag of evil whole. However even being eaten by some demonic dog wasn´t enough to finish her.
Lately master have been complaining for awhile now on how I never bring her anything good. Since that is the case I have started stealing precious items from masters neighbours. If all goes well, not only will I please master, I will also put the blame on the recent thefts on her.
Maybe there will some kind FC company that will get angry and get rid of her.
Master hurry up and send me on more ventures!
Charecter Name: Ouria Ulder
World Name: Chaos, Ragnarok
Choice: Scarf of Wondrous Wit
The the excitement of writing, I forgot to post my info xD
Scarlet Halberd
Lamia Server
Ahriman Choker
"Bring me something interesting, and ensure you're back by the time limit!"
With her master's orders still ringing in her ears (and his ventures jangling in her pocket), Amabeth departed Limsa Lominsa. She knew that Renard had been working hard lately and wanted to cheer him up, so her idea was simple. He'd been asked to attend to another intrusion by Good King Moggle Mog XII; surely he'd be thrilled if Amabeth saved him the effort and took the villain down. She might be able to obtain a rare trinket from the fight as a surprise gift and proof of her success!
Amabeth had little trouble locating the King, mostly owing to her access to Renard's journal - being a trusted retainer has perks. She wasted no time in engaging her foe in combat, pelting him with Aero and Stone magic and wishing - not for the first time - that she was able to learn spells outside of the core Conjurer repertoire.
Unfortunately for Amabeth, it turned out that Good King Moggle Mog XII (may His splendor shine forever) wasn't alone. Her errand swiftly turned into a dreadful nightmare as she was ambushed by a mob of highly aggressive moogles; a nightmare which only ended when the mischievous Pukla Puki took mercy on her and settled things with a devastating pom flare.
As the moogles fluttered off to wherever they came from, Amabeth staggered to her feet and tended to her wounds. Going back to her master empty-handed wasn't an option, so she would have to challenge the menace again. This time, she reached out to her fellow retainers via linkshell to find allies to help with the battle. It wasn't long before a group of eight retainers had assembled in Thornmarch: Amabeth, four giggly Miqo'te, a pair of Elezen who bore more than a passing resemblance to Lord Haurchefant de Fortemps and a chipper Roegadyn gentleman wearing a Dream Hat (and little else).*
The team struggled for some time, gradually overpowering their foes. After what felt like an eternity the King finally fell and the ragtag group of retainers emerged from the fight with smiles on their faces; they'd won! The Twelveswood was safe again, and a treasure box had shimmered into existence right in front of them.
Within seconds, one of the Miqo'te had pulled a glittering ribbon from the chest. "Does anyone want this?" she asked in obvious excitement. Nobody had the heart to object, and a moment later the youngster was tying the ribbon around her neck, gushing about how her master had been looking for one. The party members said their farewells and disbanded.
By now there was barely a bell left before Amabeth's deadline. With a sigh, she borrowed some ink and canvas from Renard's storage and prepared to etch out the complex patterns she'd long committed to memory once more.
She couldn't wait to see the look on her master's face when she presented him with his 476th hand-drawn Eorzean Map.
Character: Renard Lefeuvre
World: Yojimbo
Prize choice: Bluebird earring
Character Name: Evershadow Nightwind
World Name: Chaos, Odin
Choice: Scarf of Wondrous Wit
Retainer: Itsmesonic
"After mutliple trips out into the woods i still cant find this "Floss Silk" thing that my master keeps talking about. I somehow seem to find lots of these very high quality apricots though, i'm sure she can make them into a pie or something."
"Also on a side note whats this R.N.G thing my master keeps complaining about?"
“You see, Master’s special day is coming up“, the lalafell girl said with a grin. She wore a dress made out of silk from distant Thavnair, it was a gift from her Master. The two retainers had made their way through a secret path, known only because the lalafell had once trailed her Master here on important mission.
“I know Kokoke!” said a pouting Miqo’te girl in simple servant garb.
“Be quiet”, scolded the senior retainer. “I was his first. I’ve been with him ever since he first drove the Serpent Reavers from Sastaha and made a name for himself.”
“We have all heard that tale to death!” Jezah and the rest of the junior retainers had indeed heard the tale quite a few times. Kokoke was a domineering lady and only allowed to very best retainers to help out on ventures. Part of the indoctrination was the heroic tale of how Master had swooped into the caves of Sastasha, killing the pirates and freeing all prisoners. One of those prisoners had been Kokoke.
“As well you should as to better understand the greatness of our Master!” Kokoke stomped the floor and glared at Jezah, “fail at this and I shall see that Master finds a suitable replacement!”
“As you have seen, Master has been hard at practice with this new contraption. It whirs and it fumes with smoke!”
“Yes, it’s called a firear-“
“Do not interrupt me!” Kokoke’s face was red and she shook her head, frustrated with this upstart retainer! “In any case, I’ve been hard at work. You see, a lot of retainers have been crossing the bridge to Ishgard. Some of them are fat with the spoils of war, Allagan artifacts and tokens from the Primals themselves weighing them down.”
“Do you want me to steal a firearm for Master?” stammered Jezah.
“Steal? Oh, no dear Jezay. I figured if there are so many adventurers out there, some are bound to have failed, no? Actually, I know this for a fact. See, there is this particular spot that unwary adventurers end up after tackling the Lord of Crags. Someone who lands on her feet should have no trouble getting there, the floor should be littered with objects that might make for worthy gifts!”
“So that’s why you took me here… to the Navel.” Jezay looked around, thankful there wasn’t any kobolds nearby. “But why can’t you do it?”
“Me?” Kokoke extended a fishing rod with nimble hands and smiled, “I have chubs to catch!”
Quote:
Character name: Sissy Nyx
World name: Odin
Prize: Scarf of Wondrous Wit
Character Name: Jenn Apollo
World: Zodiark, Chaos Datacenter
Choice: Ahriman Choker
Dear Mom,
I've found work in Limsa Lominsa, so I haven't had as much time to write. I know you're worried about me, but I'm fulfilling my dream. The job I found is as a retainer to experienced adventurers, so I get to earn a living and learn more about being an Arcanist at the same time! It has a very fancy uniform too, so I've included a photo! I blinked went the flash went off, so it looks a bit silly..
So far, most of my work has been limited to managing the sale of items my boss, Jenn, returns from her travels. It's quite interesting, I've sold a few very exotic items recently. Though some of them aren't exotic so much as yucky!
Anyway, I'm really writing to tell you about my very first adventure. See, part of being a retainer is that your boss will sometimes send you out to do chores outside city gates. Havelock, my co-worker, has already been on many missions and told me lots of stories, so I was terribly excited when Jenn told me it was time for my first mission!
One of the shepherds had fallen ill, so Jenn suggested I take over and watch over his flock of sheep. It was supposed to be just one night, the replacement shepherd would be there in the morning. It started off fine! Every hour I would count the flock to make sure I didn't lose one of the sheep. At some point, I must've fallen asleep, because the next thing I know the sheep are bleating loudly and panicking! They're heading for the Zephyr Gate!
I run to head them off as fast as I can, with Emma, my trusty carbuncle, following on my heels. They were so fast! I didn't know sheep could be that fast! Thankfully, the city guards formed a semi-circle and stopped them from running into the city. We couldn't get the sheep calmed down but we couldn't leave them all panicked either! After a while the guards yelled a call to arms and people came to help put the sheep out of their misery. It made me really sad, but the guards just took it all in stride and made jokes about eating mutton for a week. Havelock just told me to get over it and sell the animal hides I'd gotten in the process.
Later on, one of the shepherds told me he found a rabid bat near his flock and he thought it might've attacked my flock as well. If only I'd have been awake, maybe I could've chased the bat away and prevented the flock going on the lamb...
Lots of love,
Kelpie
P:S: I think I'll be a vegetarian from now on.