Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

At times, even the indefatigable optimism of Kisaik fell by the wayside, giving way to ennui and some amount of despair. He felt overwhelmed, and somewhat lost. He'd promised Saoire that he would bring the Turtles to Faldrass, yet had not yet succeeded in even getting started in that task. He'd tried to read and understand the books she'd given him on animal care and turtles, and it was even written in Xanthean for his easy understanding. But he'd not yet made a single step in the right direction toward corralling those turtles or finding a proper habitat for them.

But in times when he felt entirely hopeless, he remembered those words of the fairy Purple. "Never give up!" And so he picked himself up by his spurs, and soldiers on. He blew mightily upon Saoire's whistle, and thus was transported through the Naficula Adanu, to Saoire's school. There he wandered the halls, all the while lugging his tiny books on turtles. Many of the Cadouri there seemed to recognize him, and even waved and pointed for their friends to look at the tunawa who'd befriended Saoire.

This cheered Kisaik to no end, and he waved back at them. He travelled the halls, thinking on his problem, and his quest. Until he happened to overhear nearby a husky voice speaking. He heard it loud and clear, he was talking about turtles! And he seemed to really know his stuff, when Kisaik rounded the corner, and spotted him in front of a classroom of cadouri, a few big folk, and even one or two tunawa. Apparently the growth of the Magic Gift had drawn the attention of some of his people, and they were coming to the school. That fact warmed his sappy little heart.

So he stood and listened to the Beaver-looking Cadouri's lecture. Apparently there were more than half a dozen prominent varieties of turtle upon Scalvoris. Kisaik's eyes widened as he spoke more on the the nature of turtles, how some preferred meat, some preferred vegetables, and others partook of both. Yet all turtels were susceptible to the cold, and needed warm water in order to survive for long. This caused Kisaik some concern, as there was only so much time before the Cold Cycle would be upon them. The Turtles would need a place to be safe and grow!

So he waited at the doorway, waiting for the class to wind down. When it finished, and the students were dismissed, Kisaik came into the room. He popped up and jumped onto the desk of the Beaver-Cadouri, and swept his arm in a flourishing bow. "Greetings, good Cadouri! I was absolutely fascinated by your lecture on turtles."

Professor Gubbins fixed Kisaik in his stare, as if trying to decide if the little man was being sincere or not. Then Kisaik went on, "Saoire has tasked me to retrieve all the varieties of turtles of Ol'Tuck's run... I was hoping to find some help here, from the experts."

Gubbins cleared his throat, and then nodded, "Well, you may have come to the right place. I'm one of the more knowledgeable about turtles on staff... Their training, their handling, their care, their habitat. You said Saoire tasked you? Well... That presents quite the interesting opportunity. A few of my brighter students have earned a trip to Scalvoris Island, with me. We were planning on heading over to Ol'Tuck's run to investigate rumors of Ol'Tuck's return. But if you have a way there..."

Kisaik jumped up for joy, and nodded, holding up his whistle. It was a gift from Saoire herself, "Yes! Saoire gave me this whistle, and said it could bring me along to Ol'tuck's run... I haven't determined just how to get there or if it can take more than just me.... But I have a way around that! I also happen to be a mage of some skill. I can portal you folk to Ol'Tuck's run, if you just meet me in the courtyard of Naficula Adanu's growing spot... Then I can establish a scrying point, and establish a portal from Ol'Tuck's Run! That might just work..."

Gubbins regarded Kisaik thoughtfully, and then nodded. "I'll take your word for it, that it's safe to travel in such a way."

Kisaik nodded, but then remembered the rupturing quirk he'd acquired last Cycle in his fight with the Skullgulls. Rather sheepishly, he added, "The portals may take a weird shape, but they'll still work I reckon! I can teleport you and your students there. It just may take a bit of strain, but it's perfectly safe, I assure you. Rupturing is one of the safer magics."

Gubbins nodded, and then stood, gesturing toward the hallway outside his classroom. "Then shall we gather my students? I will introduce you to them..."

Kisaik nodded eagerly, and then hopped down from the desk, running ahead of Gubbins. He had a crew! This day was already going swimmingly.