Retainer Ad-Venture Contest (EU) - Entry Thread

[Sypher004]

Character Name: Sypher Faust
World: Cactuar
Item: Ahriman Choker

The crisp night air in Myst was a refreshing change from the Bowl of Embers. I had just gotten back from quelling yet ANOTHER summoning of that infernal beast, Ifrit.

"You'd think the Amalj'aa would learn by now..." I mumbled, stretching my sore and burnt body.

I stepped onto my estate, ready to head inside to take a well earned shower, but something seemed...off. Nothing was missing...No, more like something was ADDED.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF SAINT SHIVA IS THAT?!?"

There it stood, a Tidal Wave Fountain, tucked away neatly in the corner of my lawn, with my retainer Sophia happily wagging her tail and waving at me, her pink hair and ears swaying with her movements.

"Master! So glad your home safe, nya!" She was overjoyed and jumping slightly,
"Look, look! I got this for you while you were away!"

The color drained from my face. I ran over to Sophia and thwacked her on the head.

"Where...did you get...this fountain?!" I yelled at her, while she rubbed her head and moaned.

"Owie...Master, I got it from...*sniff*...your FC's house. They weren't using it and you said it looked cool, so I got it for you...nya." Her emerald eyes welled with tears as she stared at her infuriated master.

I couldn't believe it. My own retainer had committed Grand Theft Fountain, against my own FC no less!

I grabbed her, the fountain, and teleported to The Lavender Beds...But it was too late.

When I arrived, I was met with an inquisition, with my FC Master at it's head.

"This is that last straw Sypher! First it was my bed, then she took the chocobo stable, and now THIS?! Your retainer is a menace and we want no more of her, or YOU!" He screamed.

"But...but wait! I brought it back! Look!" I pleaded, pointing to my retainer.

Sophia had been standing behind me, hefting the Tidal Wave Fountain this whole time. Her knees were shaking and sweat was pouring off her brow.

"Master, please. Can I please...put...this...back, nya?" She begged with what little strength she had left.

I nodded and she sighed with relief, and with one final burst of energy...THREW IT!

"Oh no."

...SMASH, right through the roof of the house.

And that my friends, is how my retainer lost me my FC.

At least I got a fountain now. d(^.^)b

[dgabrielm]

My name's Chamcham, I'm Rufus Mao's retainer. Lately my master's been transmogrifying my peers! I know how it sounds, but it's true.. he uses this otherworldly potion, Fantasia. It made me ponder my own existence, not to mention fear for my very life. One day he summoned me, "I was wondering when you'd get around to calling me", it may seem cold, but then his relentless mild expression has become somewhat disconcerting after all this time. He sent me on an ad-venture! I couldn't believe my luck. I packed my mining gear and headed to Drybone without delay. This was my chance, us retainers don't have a good lot in life but I'll be damned if some adventurer was going bend the very nature of my existence thank you very much!

Running out of the camp, I looked back at a group of adventurers, stood motionless, like empty shells. I ran as far as Highbridge. What was I doing? I didn't know where to go. I'd gone exactly where I was told, like a train, only where my tracks led me... But what if there were a lever and I could change the tracks? But what if on the first set of tracks there were three baby Lalafells, and on the other tracks there was one baby Lalafell? I'm pretty sure I've always been a Lalafell, these are my ken, could I really make that decision? This wasn't the time for morality discussions, I'd lost my train of thought, better keep moving.

The Burning Wall, a place of wondrous beauty, maybe I could find some answers there. I saw the group of adventurers from Drybone rush past like a Lominsan flagship. Their leader was a Hyur named Theseus, his party contained different adventurers than before. Imagine if you replaced every member of a party, would it still be the same party? I arrived at the heart of that mystical place. A wave of fear washed over me and I wasn't quite sure why. I stumbled upon a sealed box. Without a moment's hesitation to wonder about the mysteries inside I broke it open with my pickaxe and out sprang a grateful Miqo'te ranting and raving that her master (an Elezen named Schrödinger) had locked her in there for a cruel experiment. Before we could get about to pondering the meaning of it all, a group of Mirrorknights were on us, swarming around and displaying their wings threateningly. There was nothing else for it, we jumped into the box trembling like Lalafellian babies, not daring to peer out. I was going to die and it was all my fault. I thought about many things, my life, my master, how could I have forsaken him over a small matter like threatening my concept of existence?

There was silence, and then the voice of a Hyur spoke, it was the adventurer Theseus! I stared out thanking the Twelve and he said "Rufus sent me"... Good thing I'd grabbed that Alumen on the way...

Character name: Rufus Mao
World Name: Cactuar
Choice: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

[Zahcwolf]

My name is Vis’tara and I am a retainer to Velkan Anthros, the warrior of light; my friend and master. This is the tale of how I at last reached level 50
It started like any other venture that Velkan assigned me since I took up the bow; I was to explore the wilderness in the areas detailed as level X in difficulty in the retainer venture handbook. Making use of the free aetherite tickets available to retainers I warped to Northern Thanlan and set off to the south eastern exit intending to explore Dalamud’s Talons.
Hours later, a shout emanated from the old abandoned mine. I headed off to investigate, and found it had come from a farmer called Addison. Through the incomprehensible drivel, I was able to discern that his daughter had been kidnapped and taken into the mine. I plunged through the gate, where Lunatics surrounded me, but I fought through. I found Addison’s daughter towards the back of the area, however as soon as I reached her she started screaming “NO, you can’t, Kill her Kill her”. Again, I was surrounded but still I shot a flurry of arrows through the air and into the bodies of the oncoming lunatic followers, soon Addison came running up the path, straight to his daughter. Both gave me a look of pure hatred and turned on me with weapons drawn. Like the rest, they fell soon enough, but this was still not the end raising their arms to the sky, they called forth a creature from the void, a depraved succubus, but after all the lunatics, I was exhausted, and soon overpowered. Darkness loomed and I believed I was done, however luck was with me and a large number of adventurers barrelled into the mine with the war cry; “DEUS EX MACHINAAAAA”, whatever that means, and began beating the voidsent to a pulp. I thanked them for their assistance and headed home to lick my wounds.
Later, in the retainer vocate, I was partaking of a cup of chamomile tea after the recent ordeal when my retainer-ite pocket watch began to pulse, indicating Velkan had summoned me. Clicking it once, I was whisked to the retainer bell that Velkan had used. After confirming my venture status and turning over the items I had found Velkan wrapped his arms around me and gave me a hearty congratulations. I had reached level 50. Velkan immediately asked me to change back into my retainer ensemble and return my current equipment. Unusual but I complied, Velkan then gave me a complete set of augmented ironworks armour and a Garuda’s spine bow, informing me that he had kept these for me as a number of moons ready for the day that I reached level 50. We shared a glass of mulled tea in celebration before Velkan issued me another, higher level exploration, and wished me luck reaching level 60, telling me the experience was like hitting a wall. My jaw dropped, THERES MORE……..



Character Name: Velkan Anthros
Server: Primal, Lamia
Choice: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

[Mjollnir]

Don't Even Go There

“I trust your recent expedition went well?” Mojo asked Elleanna as she entered his office. It was a formality; the band of retainers that she led had always met with success in their ventures, due in no small part to the old Au Ra’s training and investment in the highest quality gear.

“Aye! The choicest logs, stones and fish from our travels have been stored away. Dravania has been stripped bare. Next time you should come with us!”

Mojo gestured at the trophies that adorned the walls.

“There isn’t an enemy I haven’t defeated, a sight I haven’t seen, a square foot of Eorzea that hasn’t felt my boot.”

Mojo led Elleanna out of the office, across the landing. Here, the benches of every crafting discipline lay, gathering dust.

“There isn’t a rock I’ve left unturned, a tree I haven’t struck, a seed I haven’t grown, nor an item in the imagination of all Eorzeans I haven’t crafted.”

Continuing down the stairs into the Great Hall, Mojo sighed and looked wistful.

“And this hall, once alive with my own comrades, showing off their armour, displaying the new skills they’d learned. All now gone; dead, retired, or moved on to places far away. Tell me, what does Eorzea have left for me?”

Elleanna saw her chance. “There are fresh new challenges out there! The Triple Triad Tournaments…”

“Corrupt!”

“The Chocobo Races?”

“Foolishness!”

“Seal Rock?”

“Speak not the name of that place, young Elvaan! The Grand Companies send fools to meddle in things they do not understand.”

Elleanna fell silent. At that moment, Mojo was again the severe Au Ra that had ordered her out on endless repeated missions to obtain worthless items. It was only much later she had realised that he’d been training her.

“I’m sorry,” continued Mojo earnestly. “Before the Calamity, The Echo worked a little differently. Seal Rock was… it was The Key… it started all of this. They should not have gone back! Let us speak no more of it.”

The pair stepped outside into the Thanalan sunset. Mojo regarded the streets of empty buildings.

“Once, this was a place of many faces. Free Companies marshalled forces in their hundreds to challenge the mightiest of Primals. Now, I am the last. The Syndicate hope to soon tear down these buildings and re-sell the land.”

“Then why not bring your Company back? Recruit new blood?” Elleanna implored.

“My dear, when I’m not signing shipping orders, organising stock and collecting fees from my merchants, I’m sleeping at my cointable! The administration and associated drama from a hundred fresh bodies is simply too much to bear. Nay, let them make their own mistakes.”

Elleanna watched him walk back into the mansion. She just knew this was not the life Mojo had envisaged when he first picked up his axe.

Her melancholy dissipated abruptly; she resolved to prove that there was still plenty more to Eorzea. She marched back inside, ready to instruct her companions to set sail for Seal Rock.

---
Character Name: Fiery Mojo
World Name: Gilgamesh
Prize: Bluebird Earring

[Reianera]

When I depart on a venture I sometimes, ok I usually do something else. Most of the time I just wander Eorzea and make what bards are best at. Songs, poetry, legends about the heroes of our realm. Once at Ishgards plaza as I was singing the Foe requiem a party of adventurers stopped by and listened to it. Ok it were only two.
“The foe standing before us,
Jibing at the fragile minds,
Spreading terror and misery.
Waking up fear and suffering.
We have to stand tall
We can not falter
For lives were already lost
Only a painful memory lingers
Our spirit won’t be broken,
our will won’t be crushed.
For we are not alone
Many nameless heroes made The OATH
Devoting their all, stirring up the passion
Taking on the dangerous path.
To push toward that one dream
To be freed from the chains of tormenting fate.
The paths will be linked!
A bond will be created!
For just this one battle
Heroes will be brought together!
No effort will be lost in vain.
They’ll protect what’s dear to them
They’ll fight so that our realm sees the sun rise once again
In those times of ruling dark
And at the end, legends will be told, about they strife
In which they swords crossed the fates flam.”
“Only singing or deeds too?”asked derisively one of them, a big Roe in shiny armor. Why does his equip shine so much? Who cares maybe he just has the hobby to polish it every second of his free time, and looking at it he has too much of it. Anyway they waited ‘till I end my song, so I should listen to what they want, even if it is only mockery.
“Not answering? So that means you only sit around and do nothing.” his lala friend added.
“Words mean nothing, as only actions may talk. Do your actions talk for you?” Why do I start this? Why do I never learn? Oh look the roe is getting red and mad, how cute... Only because of this? Really? “So you saying I do nothing but talk?!!! You ... ” when he is angry he looks like an oversized baby. “What a great vocabulary mister, will there be more, so that even someone as me understands such great mind as yours?” The roe charged madly at me and ended ten feet before me. He probably didn’t thought that ice can be slippery. People around who watched the whole drama started to laugh. That didn’t make the roe very happy. He stood up and charged as fast as he could from the plaza. And when I came home. THE VENTURE! MY LIFE IS OVER! I FORGOT! Wait maybe I have a solution. Maybe masters chocobo is in the Stable. I run to it. No, why is he not here! Maybe I still have a chance! I looked through the hay and there was it! My salvation! A chocobo feather for my master.


___
Characters name: Rei Nihil;
World Name: Ragnarok;
Prize Choice: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

[Emin]

"Another day, same business as usual, go grab some junk for the boss, huh"

Some words used to describe Isak could be 'Unhappy', 'Annoyed', ....'Dejected', dejected was a good fit. The boss trains him up as a miner, and a damn good one at that. Gathering the rarest metals and gems in no time, scouring the land for materials fetching amazing prices at any market. At first the reactions were great, but that soon wound down. Now his objective was "Go and grab me anything". Quick ventures, the easiest, the fastest, the most boring of ventures. Isak liked challenges, and he wasn't gonna get one.

So today, Isak decided to make one.

The Shroud was the destination. Isak hadn't been there in a while and for good reason, half the place was a living deathtrap. The sylphlands had those mushroom-addled creatures, Camp Tranquil was surrounded by morbols, and there was no way he was going anywhere near Haukke again, he'd learned his lesson with that one. East shroud seemed good, where there were valued mining spots, but rare enough to maybe have something hidden in them.

Soon enough Isak was pushing his way through thick and spiky undergrowth, avoiding beasts and boars, looking around for anything rocky. Nothing. Not a single big rock. He'd obviously chosen the wrong direction or something, so, feeling bitter Isak twisted himself in the brambles turning back the way he came when he heard noises. Not normal forest ambience, but something more...violent. A fight. All common sense would point to leaving, not poking his nose in and staying safe. But pure determination to actually get something valuable overpowered this. He forged ahead towards the commotion.

The sight was a strange one indeed, a clearing surrounded by what only could be described as a weak wall of thorns, pink mist hanging in the air, odd music playing from nobody knows where...and moogles. Lots of moogles. Facing off against them in what could only be described as a huge brawl was 8 adventurers, the usual party for taking down something huge! They were locked in combat with each other, equal numbers of moogles and heroes battling it out in this forest clearing in the middle of nowhere. Isak's eyes were drawn to a moogle several times any other's size, wearing an odd crown and waving a staff around that was emitting bursts of light.
"Ah, the king of the moogles?" Isak mused to himself. As soon as the king hit the floor they scrambled over one another to get to something first, something Isak couldn't see from his vantage point. Boy, were they desperate to get to it! When they all suddenly disappeared he finally understood: The Exit. But...They'd left a small metal treasure chest by the portal, untouched, unopened, barely LOOKED at.

Moments later Isak was standing at the ringing bell holding a pink shaded pop-up book emitting a jolly tune. Boss loot had to be worth something, right?


============================
Character name: Emin Thonal
World Name: Ultros
Prize Choice: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

(Cutting this down to under 500 words was hard)

[BunnyChain]

„Excellent decision, madam. Venturrres are my specialty.“ he uttered and was on his way on another daily mission. Cloud Mica it was this time, nothing out of the ordinary. With my new gathering specialized equipment it should be easy to acquire a higher mining yield than usual – he thought. It was a fairly long travel to the Churning Mists so he set off right away. Soon he was passing by the majestic Jadeite Flood and its giant water wheel it pushes, wondering what would happen should it come loose.
Next Chocobo Porter to Fallgourd Float, making a short-stop to stock up on potions for his journey and onwards to Camp Dragonhead. Passing by the First Dicasterial Something Something - whoever thinks up names this long should be clawed in their self-important face he thought.
Arriving at the Camp he had to continue by foot to the Gates of Judgement, the biting cold was unbearable. Being a retainer he had special passage and no hindrance except to have to wait for the guard for ten bloody minutes out there with temperatures as icy as Shiva’s *#&* but he managed to keep his temper.
Passing through the Foundation to Falcon’s Nest and after that - Tailfeather; at night or day no matter the weather on a seemingly flimsy flappy chocobo, which he didn’t mind all that much if it wasn’t for his acrophobia… Thal’s bloody $*#&* he cursed almost clawing his grip in the mount as it soared on its trained path towards the Dravanian Forelands. Wondering what a Chocobo soup or maybe a roasted Chocobo would taste like he decided for another stop in Tailfeather to silence his growling stomach.
Since Chocobo enriched delicacies were beyond what he could afford he settled for some Dhalmel Gratin and was soon on his way to Anyx Tryne. Another flying chicken trip before the final ascension into the Churning Mists. Running up the stairs past dragons that still made his hair stand on end into the Mourn. Passing by pre-historic beasts and more bloody dragons walking on two legs or should we say running by as quickly and quietly as he mustered. The hot stuffy air at the Halo made him break into a sweat immediately; This is worse than Ifrit’s *#& he murmured. The way lead through Sohm Al so he had to wait a bit longer in the heat for another bunch of adventurers and follow them shortly after they rid the place of its monstrosities.
Finally arriving in the Churning Mists he took one last flight to Asah, coming by what seemed to be a few lost Moogles or perhaps searching Moogles, nothing stood in his way now except a few more bloody dragons.
Grabbing his hammer and letting the outcrops feel his frustrations he finally began his mining work as suddenly some of his mined goods began to glisten and manifesting a black shape grabbing the same rocks. "Not again!" - he exclaimed infuriated as he began chasing the Spriggans…

[BunnyChain]

„Excellent decision, madam. Venturrres are my specialty.“ he uttered and was on his way on another daily mission. Cloud Mica it was this time, nothing out of the ordinary. With my new gathering specialized equipment it should be easy to acquire a higher mining yield than usual – he thought. It was a fairly long travel to the Churning Mists so he set off right away. Soon he was passing by the majestic Jadeite Flood and its giant water wheel it pushes, wondering what would happen should it come loose.
Next Chocobo Porter to Fallgourd Float, making a short-stop to stock up on potions for his journey and onwards to Camp Dragonhead. Passing by the First Dicasterial Something Something - whoever thinks up names this long should be clawed in their self-important face he thought.
Arriving at the Camp he had to continue by foot to the Gates of Judgement, the biting cold was unbearable. Being a retainer he had special passage and no hindrance except to have to wait for the guard for ten bloody minutes out there with temperatures as icy as Shiva’s *#&* but he managed to keep his temper.
Passing through the Foundation to Falcon’s Nest and after that - Tailfeather; at night or day no matter the weather on a seemingly flimsy flappy chocobo, which he didn’t mind all that much if it wasn’t for his acrophobia… Thal’s bloody $*#&* he cursed almost clawing his grip in the mount as it soared on its trained path towards the Dravanian Forelands. Wondering what a Chocobo soup or maybe a roasted Chocobo would taste like he decided for another stop in Tailfeather to silence his growling stomach.
Since Chocobo enriched delicacies were beyond what he could afford he settled for some Dhalmel Gratin and was soon on his way to Anyx Tryne. Another flying chicken trip before the final ascension into the Churning Mists. Running up the stairs past dragons that still made his hair stand on end into the Mourn. Passing by pre-historic beasts and more bloody dragons walking on two legs or should we say running by as quickly and quietly as he mustered. The hot stuffy air at the Halo made him break into a sweat immediately; This is worse than Ifrit’s *#& he murmured. The way lead through Sohm Al so he had to wait a bit longer in the heat for another bunch of adventurers and follow them shortly after they rid the place of its monstrosities.
Finally arriving in the Churning Mists he took one last flight to Asah, coming by what seemed to be a few lost Moogles or perhaps searching Moogles, nothing stood in his way now except a few more bloody dragons.
Grabbing his hammer and letting the outcrops feel his frustrations he finally began his mining work as suddenly some of his mined goods began to glisten and manifesting a black shape grabbing the same rocks. "Not again!" - he exclaimed infuriated as he began chasing the Spriggans…

Ugh, forgot the details:

1. Aissy Lea
2. Ragnarok
3. Scarf of Wondrous Wit

I hope this still works.

[Zukix3]

Psychotic Mog
Odin
Mandragora Choker

Fabulous Juno and Seven Dunesfolks

Once upon a time a little Lallafell girl Juno was prancing trough the Black Shroud together with her pet Carby BooBoo. All of the sudden seven Dunesfolks came out from the bushes in front of the little girl, blocking her way. They all seem old by the looks. White beards, red pointy hats, some of them wearing glasses. Each of the men was carrying pickaxes. One of the miners, the oldest one, with the longest beard approached Juno.

- Hello my dear Juno! We’ve been all watching you closely for some time now and we think you are worthy!

He said.

“OK, that’s creepy.” Juno thought. “I’m being stalked by a bunch of geezers… for a quite some time apparently… Oh well, let’s just roll with it and see what’ll happen.”

- Worthy of what?

Juno asked.

- Worthy of winning this brand new model of Magitek Armor and 20 milion gill in cash!

Junos eyes widened from excitement. She imagined driving back to her master in a shiny new ride and a pouch full of Gill. Master Mog would be so proud of her.

- All you have to do to win those prices - Dunesfolk continued. – is to answer one question…

- Oh I know! I know! - Juno interrupted. - Lewphon of Sharlayan wrote The Five Ages – An Eorzean Chronology in year 232 of Sixth Astral Era!

All seven Dunesfolks looked and the girl with the disappointment. Then the oldest one spoke again.

- No, No, No. That wasn’t the queston. We just wanted to know do you have the letter?

- A letter? – Juno asked. – Sorry, but I don’t have any letters.

- Oh well, I guess the only thing I can give you is this. –

Dunesfolk said as he threw popoto at the girl. Soon after that all seven mysterious men wondered into the bushes from which they came from.

-FOR THE MOG SAKE! – Juno shouted, picking up her reward. – Master won’t be too happy from this loot.

[Katniss_]

To be a good retainer is hard.
I am a Lalafell.And so is my master.She called me Havane.
I just want to be a good retainer.So i always think about what she really needs.
I know she loves moogle so much.And then i brought her a weapon of moogle,Munificent Mogtome.Of course,she was happy.That’s what i really what to see.So i thought i was not afraid of the chase by those ‘cute’ moogles.But when i brought her back the moustache of king moogle.I was so excited to see that she didn’t stop laughing for 3 days.And i didn’t stop running for 3 days.That’s the reason why i don’t want to see the white fat pigs any more.
You know,it is hard to guess a Lalafell’s mind,even Lalafells themselves.Of course we cannot get the things we need up high.I mean i just really really want to help her.So i brought one thing that i thought would be so helpful to her,a Lalafellin Step Stool.