Five groups of guild warriors in-training are bundled together as they listen to the camp Chieftain, Mason Sledge, make some pre-quest announcements.
Most of the trainees are bored to death, fiddling with their weapons as they wait for the boring announcements to end.
“Always exercise caution when dealing with monsters.” Said Mason cautiously. “Being a Guild Warrior isn’t a game. If you die, you are dead. No coming back.”
A particular black haired member of the Carbon Guild scoffed and whispered, “You don’t say, old man.”
His four colleagues laughed out loud to purposefully disrupt the announcements.
They hushed after a devilish look from Mason.
“This year we have five new guilds ready for training. I’ll go over the guild names, their leaders, and then Kathryn will explain your training schedules and class captains.” Mason unrolled a parchment and began to read off the newbie guild names as is;
Quartz Guild, Leader Thomas,
Carbon Guild, Leader Barrett,
Gem Guild, Leader Courtney,
Stone Guild, Leader Ashton,
Mineral Guild, Leader Cole.
As Cole’s name was spoken out, he grew a cheesy grin and scratched the back of his neck. A girl with pink pigtails began to bounce in excitement.
“We’re gonna be the best guild there ever was, right guys?” Said Cole, turning to his team. On his back is a bronze sword and shield which makes him part of the guild class, Swordsman.
Every team member of any guild is part of one of the twelve guild classes. Each member trains in their class through specialized training programs designed with their class in mind.
“That’s a motivating mindset.” Said Aaron Hawks with a nod of his head. He’s the guild’s Archer, who specializes in bows and nature survival.
“We’ll have to give it our all to accomplish that.” Said Kelsey. She’s a petite woman and the guild’s Medic, so she obviously trains in medicines, medical assistance and herbs.
Gray didn’t speak a word, merely giving out a cold stare. He’s the secluded member. His class is the Chemist, which is a class where users manipulate magical power such as fire (this power is called the “Forsis of Nature”) using a mechanical wrist device named a Castor.
“Sounds good to me, chief. When can I pummel something with my axe?” Said Nella the Axe Wielder. An Axe Wielders only goal is to annihilate their foes. Nella in particular has an appetite as strong as her axe.
“Yay, that’ll be so awesome, I can’t wait!” Shouted Melanie as she still continued to bounce in sheer excitement, her pink pigtails bouncing with her. She’s a Troubadour which is a unique class that mixes magical singing abilities and dangerous physical combat with whips.
That’s the entirety of Mineral Guild. A fledgling group of hopefuls (and one less-than-hopeful) who want to one day graduate guild camp and become an official guild who will be sent off to protect those in need.
“How pathetic, those Mineral’s.” Said the black haired man from before. His name is Barrett and he’s of Carbon Guild. On his back is a semi-auto rifle, and strapped to his belt is an assortment of grenade bombs. This makes him of the Gunner class.
“But wouldn’t that be a good thing? It’ll make things easier for us.” Said Xeyla with folded arms. She’s a Jinx, a class that specializes in crippling hexes and curses that are to be used on opposing forces.
The other members of Carbon nodded in agreement.
Barrett growled as he stared at Mineral guild.
After camp Chieftain Mason finished his announcements, he stepped off the wooden platform and Kathryn, the keeper of Kathryn’s Shoppe, took his place.
“Hello, nice to see this years new bunch of guilds!” She said cheerfully, her chubby cheeks smiling wide. “I’m Kathryn, the owner of Kathryn’s Shoppe. But I also oversee the request board, which is located outside of my shop.”
She continued, “Every class has their own training schedules and class captains, who will teach you all you need to know. Training is required every day of the week, except Sunday, and you will train twice a day.” She pulled out a worn parchment and began to read off the schedules.
“Swordsman, Medic, and Axe Wielder class, training begins directly after breakfast at nine o’clock. Your captains are Cedric, Mary, and Reggie respectively. At ten…” she continued to list off the schedules of the remaining nine classes.
After the mention of Medic Captain Mary, Kelsey “Squeee’d!” and stood on the balls of her feet. “I’ve read so much about Captain Mary! I heard one time she saved a man who was fatally ill, and they were lost in a forest so all she could use was a stick, a couple of herbs, a parchment of her coat, and her bare hands…” she half whispered. “In the end, once they escaped the forest, they got married. It’s so touching and romantic.”
“That’s…uh, nice?” Cole responded.
“Training will began tomorrow!” Kathryn concluded, rolling up the parchment. “Additionally, any guild who proves capable during the first week of training will be allowed to partake in the initiation quest. More details on that next week!”
The five guilds began conversating with their own team, most expressing concern or pride.
One rather pudgy member of Quartz guild shared, “Just warning you guys, I get extreme gas when I’m feeling pressured.” Which led to the rest of the team groaning loudly.
“I’m ready to take on this measly initiation test, what’s the hold up?” Said Nella loud, clear, and with pride.
“I can’t wait either, it’ll be a blast!” Said Melanie hyper-actively.
“I can’t believe I’m going to be trained under Captain Mary’s own teaching and ways. Maybe one day I’ll save a man’s life with only a stick, herbs, parchment and my own hands. Then we’ll get married and live happily ever after.” Said Kelsey all aflutter, hearts replacing the pupils in her eyes.
“Aren’t you a bit young to be thinking about marriage, you have like ten years before you even can.” Said Cole, an eyebrow raised.
“A bit young?! How old do you think I am?” Questioned Kelsey furiously, pointing an index finger.
Cole blinked and frowned. “Ten? Twelve?”
Kelsey’s face turned pink and her eyes narrowed on Cole. “I’m sixteen, I’m as old as the rest of you!”
Nella laughed. “Sixteen? No way, look at you compared to me or Melanie.” she said teasingly.
Kelsey looked very upset, angry and humiliated.
Cole began to wave his arms defensively and said, “No worries, Kelsey. An honest mistake, you look just fine!”
Gray’s face practically said, ‘These guy are a bunch or morons.’
“Your only saying that because you feel bad.” Kelsey said.
Nella was still laughing, and Melanie joined her as she was innocently unaware how it made Kelsey feel.
“Okay everybody, settle down!” Aaron said, unimpressed with the behavior of his team members. “This isn’t reassuring progress of team work.”
“We’re just playing around.” Said Melanie.
“Playing around at the expense of Kelsey’s feelings.” Cole stated.
“Huh?” Melanie frowned, confused.
“Please. You did it first.” Nella folded her arms.
“I didn’t know any better. You did so on purpose.”
“Guys. Please, let’s just drop it. You’re acting like children.” Aaron said firmly yet collected.
Chieftain Mason returned to the wooden platform to make one last announcement. “Those are all the rules and guidelines to this camp. You can always consult your guild guide booklet if you have any questions. Dinner will be an in hour, and until then you should go to your designated cabin and make yourself at home.”
Each guild set off for their cabins. There was at least twenty-five cabins in the area, built to form a circle and each cabin face inward to the circle. A dirt trail from each of the cabin’s main door leads to the center of the circle where a stone wall holding a flower bed full of pink and yellow flowers, and a flag pole resides. The official camp flag waves valiantly in the breeze.
This was only the first of many cabin areas.
Each occupied cabin has a sign hanging over the wooden deck that has the guild’s name carved into it. At least fifty percent of the cabins are owned by guilds who are into their second year of camp or more.
Each cabin has four rooms. The main room which holds a two three person couches, a small table for six, a coffee table for the couches, and a small cooling cabinet (which could only preserve food for up to three days.) The left and right rooms are lodging for the boys and girls respectively, and each hold as many beds and dressers needed by the guild occupying it. The last room is a small bathroom.
After securing their things and beds in their cabins, meeting up with the other guilds (including those who are up to their final fourth year,) and enjoying a delicious chicken and bread dinner, every guild returned to their cabins to sleep and prepare for their very first day of training.
There were some complications doing so for some, as Melanie found it suitable to talk to Nella and Kelsey all night, Gray and Hawk had difficulty due to Cole’s snoring, and of course everybody at the Quartz cabin were holding their noses and coughing due to the pudgy one’s gas.
CodeJacey 