Jason didnt normally wear his battle robe around the city, but he was on the job. He had been assigned his first contract within the city itself and was meeting a contact at what was apparently a famous tavern in Old City. It was located in a district named Cavendish, after a family whose interests once dominated the area. ...
2019-09-10 23:00:01 +0000 UTC View PostThe village was located right on the water. The monster sensed a potential meal out in the open and burst from the water to scramble in the direction of Clive and Jason. It looked like a large, six-legged crocodile. Clive, still sitting on the tortoise, pointed at the ground in the path of the rushing monster. He quick...
2019-09-10 22:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostThere was a small jetty from which they could see the village. There were several dinghies tied up, one of which had been sunk in the shallow water. A streak of dried blood was on the part jutting above the waterline.
Looks like someones hurt, Clive said as he tied the airboat to the jetty.
I hope s...
2019-09-09 23:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe common room of Jasons inn was a sprawling, luxurious space, with dining area, bar and lounge. Jason was in the lounge area with Rick Geller, who had sought him out in the early hours, eager to discuss their fight. Jason was quickly realising that Rick was obsessively dedicated to training, even compared to other ...
2019-09-09 22:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostJason moved comfortably through the marshy woods. His feet didnt sink into water or mud, while his eyes easily pierced the darkness. Clusters of scraggly trees and other obstacles were no bother; he could vanish into the ample shadows and appear on the far side. Despite being all an illusion, it felt completely real....
2019-09-08 23:01:00 +0000 UTC View PostHumphrey was returning to the family estate after completing a contract, muddy and spattered with monster blood. He was met by Phoebe, a distant cousin. Like him, she was iron rank but joined the Adventure Society more than half a year earlier.
The Geller family sprawled across continents. Although they shared a ...
2019-09-08 22:01:00 +0000 UTC View PostThis should have most of the errors excised.
Two double chapter weeks abut to start! Schedule will be an additional chapter every release day, one hour before the regular chapter release.
2019-09-08 12:44:22 +0000 UTC View PostJason tugged his bowtie into shape in a large standing mirror.
Thats an unusual outfit, Gary said. A bit more snug than I like. I think the locals have it right, fashion-wise.
They were in the lounge room of the suite shared by Rufus, Gary and Farrah. Gary was wearing evening wear that showed off ...
2019-09-05 23:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostLuckily for Jason, most of the contracts in the jobs hall were for areas close to the city. Unless the threat was urgent, those further afield were posted on each town or villages noticeboard. Every month, the Adventure Society would send out a number of people to patrol those areas and resolve those notices. It was ...
2019-09-04 23:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostJason was trying something new on his morning run to Jorys clinic. With his cloak of shadows around him, he used its ability to reduce his weight to accelerate his progress. It required careful control, kicking off each step with his full weight, then reducing it to let the force propel him. At first it didnt work ...
2019-09-03 23:00:01 +0000 UTC View PostHello, Jason said, waving at the crystal floating in front of him. Im not sure if, or when youll be seeing this, but I didnt die, or whatever you think happened to me. You probably know that, since the only way youre likely to see this is if I give it to you.
He let out a dissatisfied groan.
G'day, all.
I can't express enough how grateful I am for the amazing response people have given me. This blew right through my expectations, bumped off my wildest hopes in passing and completed all my goals in a single day. You have all been amazing, and I can't thank you enough.
For now, I'm going to get cracking...
2019-09-02 21:27:57 +0000 UTC View PostJason looked at the various suits of cloth armour draped over the balcony. He had taken three with him on the field assessment, and each had come back covered in rents and tears. Gary was standing next to Jason, also looking them over.
Im going to need some new armour before I take any contracts, Jason said...
2019-09-01 20:04:56 +0000 UTC View PostJason and the margoll faced off outside the mud-brick barn. The margolls howl called out more, who emerged from in and around the building to join it. As they assembled, Jason and the first one remained where they stood, gazes locked. Jason was the first to move, walking closer to the wall of the barn.
That fir...
2019-09-01 20:03:20 +0000 UTC View PostThe adventurer accommodation had a dozen bedrooms, with three bathrooms shared between them. Jason found the bathrooms strange in their familiarity, tiled surfaces and magical plumbing. Jason was fresh out of the shower, with a towel around his waist. He was standing over a basin, looking into the wall mirror as he was...
2019-09-01 20:02:02 +0000 UTC View PostWith the bark lurker dealt with, the group completed the crossing of Bridge Road and mangroves gave way to marshland. Once again they were riding atop the embankment roads that were the main thoroughfares of the delta. Sitting in the back of the wagon, Jason looked out at the sun getting low over the wetlands, golden light sh...
2019-09-01 20:02:01 +0000 UTC View PostJason looked at the dead rune tortoise.
Sorry, mate, he told it. Cant have you going berserk and wandering into town shooting lightning bolts at people.
Youre apologising to a dead monster? Vincent asked.
It might just be a congealed blob of magic, but it was still alive, and died tr...
2019-09-01 20:00:38 +0000 UTC View PostJason and Mobley passed each other as Jason walked in the direction of the rune tortoise.
Sorry mate, Jason commiserated. The burned and blackened would-be adventurer just shot him a contemptuous look and kept walking. Jason wasnt sure if it was the immediate circumstances that drew the mans ire, or just ...
2019-09-01 19:57:51 +0000 UTC View PostThe routine for the field assessment was to stop in a town or village each night. In the morning they would collect monster notices from theadventuring board and set out to deal with them. Vincent took anapproach where the would-be adventurers who met his standards were no longer called on for the monster hunts. Starti...
2019-09-01 19:56:52 +0000 UTC View PostThe layout of the Adventure Society campus reminded Jason of a university. One of the nice ones, with expanses of lawn, gardens and tiled pathways leading through impressive stone arches. The marshalling yard was like a small town square for larger expeditions to assemble. When Humphrey and Jason arrived together, a do...
2019-09-01 19:55:47 +0000 UTC View PostWith Jasons Adventure Society field assessment looming closer by the day, Rufus, Gary and Farrah pushed him harder than ever. As a release, they would spend their evenings exploring the night time entertainments offered by the city. Danielle Geller acted as their guide to local society, usually with her son, Humphrey...
2019-09-01 19:55:45 +0000 UTC View PostIm taking it up to five, Rufus voice echoed through the mirage chamber. Jason stood waiting in his illusionary body. He was under the dome, but it was hidden by the false landscape. His senses told him he was standing on a desert hillside, ancient ruins all around him and dead enemies at his feet.
The mir...
2019-09-01 19:53:07 +0000 UTC View Post"Enter!" Lucian's voice bellowed, and Cassowary opened the door. Following him in was a nervous-looking, middle-aged man with a balding head and noticeable paunch.
Cassowary, Lucian said, his forehead creasing into a frown. Elven features werent well-suited to malevolence, but Lucian made it work.
I...
2019-09-01 19:51:56 +0000 UTC View PostRufus swung the staff horizontally, Jason swaying back so it passed in front of him. Rufus kept the momentum, bringing the staff up and over into a downward strike. Jason kept control of his balance, shifting to the side without disrupting the centre line of his body. Rufus kept pushing, not too swiftly, but relentless...
2019-09-01 19:51:44 +0000 UTC View PostThe Adventure Society offered a limited, if valuable, array of services. The Magic Society, by contrast, provided all manner of magical amenities to anyone with the money to pay for them. The main lobby of the Magic Society services building was quite large, with many comfortable chairs. Those who could afford their se...
2019-09-01 19:50:26 +0000 UTC View PostIn the control room of the mirage chamber, all eyes were on Rufus. He walked over to the stone block under the window, which had a dizzying array of runes, sigils and intricate magical diagrams carved into it. He spent a few moments looking it over.
Standard arrangement, he observed. Jason, hand me that cry...
2019-09-01 19:48:30 +0000 UTC View PostRufus looked up as Gary emerged from his room, stretching his long arms and yawning.
Youre not breakfast, Gary said.
Youre just getting up? Rufus said.
Farrah emerged from her own room, rubbing her eyes.
Oh, welcome back, Rufus. No breakfast?
Why would I have bought break...
2019-09-01 19:47:27 +0000 UTC View PostThe chamber was large and circular, a single room rising up five storeys to a glass ceiling. Light spilled in from above, reflecting from crystal mosaics that lined the walls to bathe the room in rainbow colours. This innermost chamber was the exact opposite of the temples plain exterior.
That is certainly im...
2019-09-01 19:46:19 +0000 UTC View PostJason had not explored many of the Islands districts. He took the loop to one he had never visited before; the temple district. His new world had no shortage of gods, which as a long-time atheist was more than a little disconcerting. He had been assured that gods existed, but hed been hearing much the same from his...
2019-09-01 19:46:18 +0000 UTC View PostI always wanted to fight you, Fire Fist said to Sophie as they faced one another in the cage. I was just starting out when you left. You were a legend.
Sophie knew what he was doing. The audience like some banter before a match. Not the crowds who couldnt really hear, but the big names in the viewing rooms wou...
2019-09-01 19:45:06 +0000 UTC View Post
