Retainer Ad-Venture Contest (EU) - Entry Thread

[Rubieus]

Rubieus Amrita
Masamune
Scarf of Wondrous Writ

The Eorzean Job; as told by Kobira of House Amrita

The familiar ring of the Retainer's Bell made her look up from the table she had been staring at. Scattered upon it were dozens of maps, each marked with optimal roads and accommodations. The City-States were there, but she had acquired Ishgard and the surrounding areas as well. She called out "In here" as she pushed all of them off the table then reached down under it for a crate. It made a hard thud as it was placed on the sturdy table.

"Kobira, my favorite, I got your message.. So you have it?" She ignored the obvious and began to undo the straps on the crate. It had been previously secured with chains and locks, but once she had it in her possession, the security measures would have been overkill and she wanted it presented with a bit more posh when he came around to retrieve it.

"Why the silent treatment? You got what I asked for and I paid you well for it.. Let me guess, it wasn't enough? Fine fine I'll double the usual rate.."
She slammed the lid back down over the crate and stared hard into the dark pools of his eyes. If he wasn't so damned powerful.. She would.. What would she do? He was her master and she respected him. Even if he was oblivious of her feelings. He stared back as he always did. Calm, calculated, what she wouldn't give to know what was on his mind. She saw the twitch in his neck.. His scales would stop part of her attack, if she was swift.. No, best not.

"It's not that, it's just.. You didn't tell me this was what you wanted." He looked puzzled.. "What are you talking about? I sent you out to pick up some things from Dry Bone." She shook her head "It.. Things got complicated." He laughed then, and her spine weakened. "So what happened? No wait, start from the beginning." He spoke casually as he took a seat on her couch. It was a gift from him.. She liked how he laid in it.

"Well, I went to Drybone just like you asked, for Ishgardian Crate"

~Two Weeks ago~

It was dry and dusty, as expected of such a place, a place where someone of my particular talents could come and go as I pleased. I was a day early, which suited me plenty as I wanted to head off as soon as I got the package. This heat was cramping my style.

I spent the day eating ice cubes and doing a few leves for the town to pad my coffers and slept in the best room as a show of their appreciation.. I'd have appreciated it more if it had air conditioning. The next morning I awoke to find a messenger had come in the night and had delivered a note. "Wagon attacked by bandits, cargo lost. Apologies." I ignited the note and gritted "Now, that just won't do." I said to myself.
(To Be Continued, $2.00 DLC)

[StrejdaTom]

So you want me to tell you a bit about my adventures? Well, sure I can do that, but don't tell my employer! She definitely isn't one of those who can appreciate hard work.

Yesterday I was having some nice catnip when someone rang the bell like a madman. Ofcourse it was her again. I was expecting 18 hour shift, that's what I usually do.

It might seem a bit rough to work for 18 hours but that's not how it works at all. Actually I just go hunt a few Yaks and then spend the rest of day sipping on their milk and basking in sunlight on cozy chair in Costa del Sol. When my shift ends I usually have just 10 bottles of milk left but my employer seems to be fine with that, or atleast used to be.

She sent me on so called quick venture. Wanted me to return with goodies in 1 hour. I am no Kobold, how can I even hoard stuff so fast? And when will I get my catnip? But then I came up with nice idea!

All around Goblet there are so many houses full of nice stuff. I thought that no one would notice if I borrowed something. I slipped into one house, the door were unlocked, so I guess it was fine. There was also this huge wedding cake, untouched. I thought it was already running close to its expiration date so I ate it. Then I took a small lamp, it was already catching dust so I think no one will mind that.

In the end, I think I did quite fine. Sometimes I feel like she doesn't even deserve me, I carry a lot of beautiful clothes for her but I am only allowed to wear her old stuff she no longer wants. It is hard to work as a retainer!

Oh, and here is a photo of me in case you were looking for a capable retainer. But please, don't tell my boss I am looking for a new job!



Charecter Name: T'aretha Tyaka
World Name: Ragnarok
Choice: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

[Zanarkander]

Nald stepped in the shallow waters of Bloodshore. He froze as he felt something scrape on his feet, as the water was reaching for his waist. Once again he recalled the conversation he had with his sister.
“You should just ask him, and you would be a Gladiator in no time. You know Zanar, he would only be glad to help you fulfill your dream.”
But he couldn’t help his pride, he wouldn’t ask such a thing. It all hailed from some years ago, when they were leaving their adoptive family to go to Ul’dah, were Nald was planning to become a recruit at the Gladiator’s Guild. They were attacked by some bandits and a newborn adventurer came to their rescue with nothing more than a thaumaturge stick in hand. Surprisingly enough he scared the bandits off, but they managed to take with them all of the two lalafells belongings. The kind adventurer, Zanar, offered them some Gil to help them reach their destination. He would have refused, but a glance at her exhausted sister convinced him to set his pride aside.
Once in Ul’dah he couldn’t afford to follow his dream, and to provide for her sister he became a Retainer. Great was his surprise when he became assigned to that very Zanar that saved them in the desert! He finally had the chance to repay his debt.
“Tell me, milord, what can I do for you?”
“You know you can call me Zanar, right? We’re friends.”
“Shut up and let me do my job. What do you want?”
He needed fish. Of course, Zanar couldn’t know that Nald was frightened by fishes, seaweed and water in general, and of course Nald wouldn’t let him know. He wanted to please his friend and execute his duty.
Though two full years had passed and he had become quite a fisher, he still couldn’t feel comfortable when his feet were submerged in water.
“I wanted to become a Gladiator. But life made me a fisher. And sure as the Seven Hells, I’m gonna be the bloody best at it. For my friend. For my sister.” he thought, while walking away with the three big Gigant Clams he had caught that night.
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Character: Zanar Kander
World: Sargatanas
Item: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

[Pepean_Gogoan]

Character name: Pepean Gogoan
World: Lich
Prize: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

I could not have asked for a better start to the day. The sun was bright, the birds were singing, my tea was just the right temperature, and I had just purchased the latest novel by Jajara Totora. I thought nothing could go wrong. Just as I opened the front cover the sound of my master’s summoning bell rang out. I often question if he times his summonings in such a manner. Being bound by my retainer duties, I was forced to answer the call.

Once I arrived I noticed that Master Pepean had that twinkle in his eye which usually meant he had a task planned for me that would involve venturing out into The Black Shroud. One must wonder why master is not willing to go out and perform this task himself, but far be it for me to question my employer. Sure enough, he wanted me to set out on a field exploration, with naught but a rusty sword to protect myself with. Come to think of it, why did master, a veteran White Mage, have this old sword he had me equip? Then again, with tales being told around Eorzea of my master challenging Primals to dance competitions, I believe he lost his sanity many moons ago.

Thus I made my way into the Shroud. Upon leaving Gridania’s walls I noticed a group of strange white, floating, fluffy creatures with big red balls above their heads. I had heard tales of such creatures before, Moogles I believe they are called, but never did I imagine such things actually existed. Curious as to what activities these creatures partook in, I carefully followed them. After following them a while, we ended up in a small clearing. It was there that I saw him. A crown atop his head, and wielding a mighty blade, there was no doubt this was Good King Moggle Mog XII, another being I thought only a myth. There was no doubt this was a Primal summoning. “I must warn master!” I thought. But I need proof of my claims. So, with a deep gulp, I mustered up all the courage I could find, and dashed towards the beast, sword in hand. With one swift strike, I cut off one of the beast’s whiskers, and dashed back towards Gridania as fast as I could.

When I reunited with master, I presented him with the whisker and prepared to warn him about the oncoming Primal threat.
“A whisker?!” he responded before I could speak, “Are you even trying when you’re out there?!”
To say I was shocked and offended would be an understatement.
“Very sorry Master Pepean,” I sarcastically replied, “I shall make a better effort next time.”
With that, my master discarded the whisker, a part of a Primal no doubt worth a small fortune, into the lake. All my bravery in the face of certain doom was for nothing. I do honestly question why I continue in this line of work at times.

[ruskie]

Character: Asny Rak'nys
World: Cerberus
Choice: Bluebird earrings

Karra sighs as she once again finds herself with a venture token in her hand. "How clumsy she was when we were kids, now she's the hero and I'm the one running around helping her out with various things" she scans the list given to her. "Hmm yak milk and cockatrice thigh, could be worse" she murmurs to herself and heads towards the nearest yak.

As she collects the milk she reflects back on how they used to train together and hunt together. Then that incident happened. She still wakes up in a cold sweat sometimes from it. She places the milk on the cart to be taken away and heads towards the Hinterlands - looking around to see if she finds anything else along the way while day dreaming how nice it would be to be the hero.

As she travels the Forelands she spots Okina in the distance and waves to her. The lalafel waves back and they keep going their separate ways both on their own tasks. She reaches the Hinterlands and sets off towards Idyllshire. She avoids the various gobo patrols. "Sigh, since that damn thing came out of the lake they've been everywhere" she mutters to herself as she walks up to Idyllshire and heads towards the Ruling Quarter.

She nears the cockatrices and pauses, crouching low and drawing her bow while listening for any signs of movement around her. Nothing heard, she takes aim at a lone cockatrice and releases the arrow. It flies true and downs it in one shot. She approaches cautiously drawing her knife. She cuts off the thighs and as she is about to sneak away hears a sound behind her. She turns around arrow drawn but the cockatrice lounges and hits her. She feels the petrifaction taking hold in her shoulder where she got hit.

She quickly gets up and starts running away hoping to clear the area before she gets petrified. She manages to get behind a rock just as the petrifaction sets in and she is unable to move.

As she de petrifies she sees Okina standing in front of her saying "The cockatrices again?" and Karra nods and in her usual flippant manner throws out a "Thank you".

They set off back to Gridania. On the way back she's thinking that really it's not that bad being a retainer - even if it is for your friend. She generally gets me some nice gear and sometimes she even gets me gear just for me not hand-me-downs. And I do enjoy the hunting trips though that one time when I got too close to the Garleans - that brought back some bad memories - she shudders as she nears the bell just as Asny steps up to it. She waves to her and points at the cart, Asny looks, nods and steps to her and gives her a hug. "Thanks for all the help my friend."

[AibohphobiA_BoB]

Some people think that we retainers bring back some random stuff. That's misunderstanding and underestimating our job. Of course we've an off day sometimes and it's tempting to buy some rubbish on the market. But no, we never do that, we carefully look what suits our client. Clients often complain about the items we offer. Considering almost all clients are lousy tippers, it's a wonder we bring stuff back anyway.

Well, there is a good reason for keep bringing back the fish. The fish is not an item, it's actually a message.
When I bring a Blindfish for example, I try to tell you to look at my clothing. Most of the time I get the leftovers, which is not necessarily bad. But sometimes I really wish I could catch a Color-blindfish to make a more firm statement. The message here is 'Please give me a nice dress instead of this baggy trouser'.

Today I had a look at the FC house. This is a nice place if you like standards. Almost everything has it's standard brown color. Although the quality furnishing is not too bad, it looks a bit boring to me.
So I brought five times in a row a nice fancy dye for my client. But he immediately sold my carefully selected rainbow-set to a vendor.
I was very angry about that. I went to my private room and slammed the door.
Next venture I bring a Clown loach for him. Take that!


Character: Aibohphobia Bob
World: Cerberus
Item: Bluebird Earring

[LordAros]

"Master better appreciate the six hours i waited in party finder, another four doing run and re-runs to get the practice in, the numerous wipes we endured to get him this 'Whisker's' item i heard him chat about." Raze says in a cheerfull tune as the group ventures back towards Gridania. Spring in his step to deliver to his master a wanted item instead of the usual fish he usually brought with him in hopes his master would make a fine meal out of it, but never did.

As the group returned to Gridania, the group disbanded and Raze returned to present his price. Moogle Mog XII's Whisker's!
Raze had done numerous attempts to bring his master something worthy, something.. that would make him proud! And once he had overheard his master talk about how much he was in need of some special whiskers from the moogle king, and checking around, he found out the items name and where to try and collect it, now finally, he had!


****
Five minutes later.
****

Raze presents the item to his master in the best mood he has been in for days as he hands master his price and....

"Moogle Mog XII's Whisker's.... not again... i wanted Kingly whiskers... not this crap..."

After his master used his *Discard* Function and returned to his travels, Raze was found passed out on the floor in the Shaded Bower and not accepting the 'Raise's' Cast on him.




Character name; Lord Aros
World Name; Cerberus.
Prize; Ahriman Choker

[Applesnap]

High above the Twelveswood, a roiling storm stirs the heavens into a torrent of steel fury. Lightning strikes quick and hard, charging the very air with static aether and whilst sensible beings take shelter during such inclement weather, Anders cherishes the experience. Currently venturing out at the behest of his master, he recalls her words even now.

“There’s only so much you can learn ensconced within Gridania’s walls, Anders,” she’d said long ago, reclining back onto the sofa and cradling a mug of hot tea in her hands. “I want you to go out and experience the world. Live a little.”

These days, rosewood from The Bramble Patch is easy harvesting but Anders figures it turns decent profit. Mistress Delouix won’t be too displeased. After brushing through dense thicket and passing a particularly dour-looking Roegadyn huddled beneath a tree, Anders stops short upon hearing a shrill cry.

Spattered in mud and cowering upon the rain-pelted ground is a young Miqo'te woman, dwarfed by the morbol barely ten fulms away. Its writhing tendrils slap and slither against sodden earth, leaving a trail of brown slurry in its wake. Anders panics. He can hardly fight such a dangerous foe with botanists’ tools. One snap of those whip-like vines can break a man’s neck, so he’s heard. Perhaps he can distract it …

A lance flies out of nowhere, piercing the morbol’s flesh neatly. Lightning quick strikes and the nightmarish seedkin is dead upon the ground, severed vines still twitching with a residual flicker of life. An Elezen man sidesteps the carcass, offers a hand to the Miqo'te, who rises from the ground and begins to cry. Clutched in her trembling grasp is a shortsword dripping with mud.

They’re adventurers, Anders remarks silently, recognising the gulf of experience between them – one, a leather-clad gladiator and her saviour, a dragoon dressed in custom platemail. Whereas she’s soaked through, the rain slicks down his expensive armour and leaves nary a mark in comparison; flawless and untouchable.

Years working for his master and Anders has never thought of her adventuring ways. He’s only sold on the rewards of such, maintained the grounds and gardens, called for additional services when required, but now he sees Coco in another light. She does this on a daily basis along with her peers – on a much grander scale. It’s the adventurers so steeped in life’s experiences that keep the realm safe, protect people, fight off enemy forces. They are the ones risking their lives each and every day, often without due recompense. Standing there in the Twelveswood, rain cascading down all around him, Anders feels humbled. He decides that today he’ll fetch something his master will really appreciate.

Much later on, Coco is exhausted and overwrought, but she’s much happier for the pitcher of freshly-brewed coffee; dark, delicious and brought home as a pouch of roasted beans by Anders, her long-serving and faithful retainer.

Character: Coco Delouix.
Server: Balmung.
Requested prize: Bluebird earring.

[SoloKing]

After bidding adieu to Master, who paid me yet again with those Venture tokens (never any coin..), I decided to gather up a few things for my journey.

However, as I entered my private chambers, my eyes couldn't help glancing towards my bed.. it beckoned to me..

"I suppose a quick cat-nap wouldn't hurt," I thought, "it would be foolish of me to not. What if I were to pass out due to exhaustion? Master wouldn't want that.."

As I changed into some nightwear and climbed into my bed, I said to myself, "Just a few hours.." as my eyes began to shut. Tightly.

Suddenly, I awoke. A feeling of dread shot through my body like a chill in my blood. I leaped out of bed and hurried to my window, hoping to not see daylight.

To my pleasant surprise it was still dark. I sighed with great relief, fearing I had slept until morning.

I made my way downstairs. Weapon, food and water in tow. But as I made my way towards the door, my heart sank. My eyes had skimmed the clock.

It showed that the time was four hours earlier than the time I had gone to sleep. "I..I-", I could not speak. I had no time to speak. I had to find Master something of value, immediately.

Running to the market board, in hopes of finding a rare minion or primal drop for a decent price, I spotted Master warping onto the FC Estate. With no where to go and nothing I could do, I assumed the only logical thing I could do was to come clean and tell Master everything...but instead..

I quickly plunged my hand into a nearby pond, grabbing hold of the first thing my fingers touched. A Brass Loach. And pridefully presented it to him. What he doesn't know can't hurt him.


Yeah I'm no storyteller guys, sorry lol.

Character Name: Deadeye Zai
World: Odin
Choice: Scarf of Wonderous Wit

[Yukileonhart]

Character : Yuki Leonhart
World : Phoenix
Reward: ahriman choker

Will it happend once and we had a laugh on it so the story Riku is telling today is called Love me by a flower or Love me by a rock ...

With a grin on her face she hold Riku's shoulders "make me proud lets be rich bring me something as fancy as your looks" Riku nods back at her as you please ma lady see you tomorrow...... Or so he said
Well what did She want me to get her anyway ..sigh i should snatch her gil and go spend it on drinks and dancers and fancy goods , not run duties for her lazy highness...... And why do i need this heavy looking armor it makes me look dull..... *Throws his armor off and wear south seas talisman* this will do , Now 18 hours what to do hmmmmmm ....... First is first Sleep ...
After 10hours "yawn what time is it .... Ughh 8 hours to go ...* Looks around now what , he drags his legs around the room lets go hunt something she said fancy aye lets go get her something fancy then .... off to Ishgard ..... After 7:45 hours wandering around ughh nothing seem fancy as what she wants .... looks in his clock Oh no 15 minutes what to do ,what to do...... Oh a Deep eye thats a good hunt its tears sells good she will love it .. And soo he runs shouting for my beloved master ....... What .. wait ...... WHERE IS MY SWORD .......... Ugh whatever ill just grab a window from the houses in the mist there is many none will notice *grin* and then shake head and say sorry she will forgive me she always dose .... Wait whats that a vampire plant that looks pretty am sure she will love it ....... Later that day *ring ring* soo my beloved show me what you got *hopes for a minion* ........ *blank expression * "What the... This plant ... Why This only sells for like 100gil come on its useless brings something better next time sigh.... Your being useless lately " and there i thought you will like it mumbling to him self next time ill be sure to bring you a rock ... And that what actually happened on the next venture....