Chapter 8: A New Party

As I hand her the finished application she asks me another question, “Which form would you like your appraisal accessory to be in?”

“Appraisal accessory?”

“Ah, forgive me, when an adventurer registers they are given the option of one accessory with the assessment gem of their choice slotted within it.”

“I see, what exactly is the point of that?”

“There are various reasons, one is simply to show off to other adventurers, many adventurers will choose an obvious accessory with the gem that portrays their best stat. A lot of people who have a high tier strength like yourself display that to try and intimidate people.”

“Interesting.”

“Mhmm, although some others purposely choose to display their weakest stat in an attempt to hide their strength, after all you never know who is paying attention to you or what their motives are.”

That also makes a lot of sense.

“Not to mention the accessory serves as your adventurer tag, your name will be engraved in it and it will also be made with the resource equivalent to your rank. So simply showing your tagged accessory is enough to convince other adventurers to let you into their party, without having to go through the trouble and risk of handing people your guild card.”

“Ah, it definitely does sound fairly convenient, in that case what are the options?”

“The Adventurers’ Guild provides the options of a necklace, bracelet, or ring, though you could have others custom made and then later approved here formally.”

“I see.” Given that, a bracelet sounds reasonable, a ring seems a bit awkward with my new fingers, and I can imagine a necklace could get annoying in battle. “I think I’ll go with a bracelet then.”

“Sure thing, and which stat gem would you like slotted into it?”

Although I could flex my strength or play my stats down by showing my agility, I can't help but want to show my mana. Then again it probably wouldn't be safe to spread the word that there's an orc with triple affinities around, given some of the apprehensive looks I've already gotten.

“Is there a gem that can show the quality of my mana without it showing I have three attributes?”

“Ah yes, there are just basic mana gems, which are separate from what we use for assessments of affinities. Is that what you would like?”

“Yes please.”

“No problem. Based on that I'm assuming you don't want the fact you're a triple affinity to be announced publicly right?”

“Yeah, if that's not too much to ask anyway.”

“Under guild rules we will have to announce that another triple affinity has been officially recorded, though we don't have to disclose your identity. Not to mention the announcement will be made at a random time a couple weeks from now, so as to make it harder for your registration to be associated with it.”

“Oh, then that works perfectly, thank you.”

“Not a problem.”

“Uhm, is it possible to just quickly explain what you meant about the appraisal accessory being made with the ‘resource equivalent to rank’ thing you mentioned?”

“Not an issue, across Xandorus all the officially registered Adventurers’ Guilds use one uniform ranking system for adventurers. Your rank determines which quest you can accept, which class changes or class rank-ups you can undergo, and which parties or guilds you can join or form, amongst other things. The seven ranks from lowest to highest are amber, opal, amethyst, emerald, ruby, sapphire, and lastly diamond. Your display accessory will come with a gem of your rank inserted in it as proof of your rank.”

“Ah, so then I am assuming all new adventurers like myself all start at amber rank?”

“Typically yes, though there are certain cases where if you have a notable enough sponsor when you register that you could be placed slightly higher.”

“Ah I see, thank you once again.”

She simply nods her head with an amiable smile.

“So then is that everything?”

“Yup, now we will make your official guild card, so feel free to wait here until it's made. After that you can return tomorrow and your appraisal accessory should be crafted and waiting for you to pick it up.”

“Alright, well thanks again, I really appreciate it.”

“Once again it is not an issue, it is simply my job.” She then leans in slightly with her hand to the side of mouth, “but don't forget what I mentioned earlier.”

I remember the favor I may have to repay her, “Oh yeah, I won't forget it, I have no problem returning the favor if I can.”

She again smiles as she offers a small wave, with that I go over to where K has been sitting and waiting for me.

“Too long.” She says with a displeased expression.

“Sorry, I kind of had her explain a lot.”

“Did you get your card?”

“No, they're making it now I'm pretty sure.”

“Jeez, must have had her explain too much, most people would have been done and had their card made by now.”

“Really?”

She nods her head affirmatively.

“Well dang, my bad. I guess you probably would have been better off going with Cynthia and Griz after all.”

“Eh, it's not that serious,” she turns away to say before turning back to look at me and continue, “So, what did you register as?”

“Oh yeah, I chose to be a berserker, with my role being slayer.”

Her eyes widened, “Oh, that's not too surprising, but did you do it because it would fit well in our party?”

“No, not really, it seemed like the one I was most suited for and interested in. Not to mention I wouldn't be so arrogant as to think you guys would let a newbie like me join your party.”

“Hmmm, I don't know about that.” She says so quietly that I almost didn't catch it.

“Are you guys done?!

I look over to see Cynthia practically skipping over with Griz close behind her.

“Not quite, I'm waiting for my guild card to be done.”

“Ah, then let's all wait here, it shouldn't be too long.” She says looking at Griz and then K, neither of which object to the idea.

“Sooooo???” Cynthia says with her inquisitive face staring me down.

“What?”

“Are you not gonna tell us about your class or stats? That would be pretty cold of you.”

“Oh, I don't mind telling you guys I suppose. I went with a berserker for my class.”

“Ooooooooh, then did you select slayer as your preferred role then?”

“Yup.”

“Hey Griz, don't you think that will fit really well in our formation right now?”

“Yeah, without Veronica around it's pretty close to being a perfect fit.”

“So can I take that as you wanting to join our party then?”Cynthia asked while moving closer during her interrogation.

“Uhhh, I already told K, I didn't really choose it to fit in your party, and I doubt you guys would really want me in your party. Not that I don't want to join it, it's just that it wasn't my reasoning or expectation to.”

“Nonsense!” Cynthia said fervently, “Did you already forget the conversation we had just outside? We would love to have you in our party, don't be ridiculous.”

“Oh, I mean if you guys are sure then I’d love to, if it really isn't a problem anyway.”

“Not a problem!” Cynthia utters with just as much energy before starting to look puzzled, “Well, there is one small problem.”

“What would that be?”

“Well technically the MissAdventure party is under Veronica’s name, so we can't accept a member officially without her notifying the Adventurers’ Guild.”

“Ah, I see, then I guess it either has to wait or it's a no-go after all then?”

“Not necessarily, since it's under her name we can freely leave without the party being disbanded.”

“What exactly does that do for the situation?”

“Simple, the three of us will leave MissAdventure and we will have you register a party under your name and we will join it.”

My jaw slightly drops at the notion of how serious she is about this. “I- is that really something you guys should do, like, that won't cause problems?”

“Nope, we don't really know how long it will be before Veronica gets back, so I think she will understand so long as we join back once she is. There isn't a rule about leaving parties temporarily, it really all depends on if the party owner will accept you back. So we can leave, have you make a party and register us as party members, and you can experience what it's like to lead a party until Veronica gets back.”

“I see, are the two of you okay with that as well?”

“Veronica and I are friends and party companions, but again I'll follow Cynthia, if this is her choice then I will join your party as well.” Griz says.

“It's okay with me too.” K murmurs.

“Then it's settled, as soon as you get your card go and register a party.” Cynthia says while smacking me on the shoulder.

“I mean if you guys really say it's fine then I guess I will.”

“If there is a ‘Skrill’ present, your Adventurer guild card is ready to be picked up!” I heard in the distance, prompting me to get up and go retrieve it. “I'll be right back, that's actually my card right now.”

I reach the desk of someone other than Lara and retrieve my newly acquired guild card, but before walking away I ask, “Excuse me, if I wanted to make a party how would I go about it?”

They simply point over to the line to my left with a sign above that reads “party management”.

“Ah okay, thank you.” I utter to them as they simply walk away.

Since the line isn't long I go over to the party management desk before going back over to the others. Meanwhile I take the time to inspect my guild card:

Embright City Adventurers’ Guild Member Card

>Member Name: Skrill

>Rank: Amber

>Class: Berserker

>Stats: [Strength: High-Tier, Vitality: Mid-Tier, Agility: Low-Tier, Intellect: Mid-Tier]

>Magic Affinities: [Fire+Ground+Undetermined]

Most of the categories from my registration can be seen engraved in the card, along with what appears to be some sort of seal that I'm assuming is a sign to show its official.

After a few minutes I finally reach my turn at the counter and get ready to begin the party registration process.

“Hello, my name is Sovril, are you here to register a new party, or manage your current party status?” This time it's a guy who runs the desk.

“Register a new party.”

“Alright, may I see your guild card?”

I hand him my guild card, which he thoroughly looks over, before pulling out something that almost looks like a lighter. He then holds the object under my card and a blue flame comes from it engulfing my card. Before I can even ask what he's doing he turns the flame off and hands my card back to me.

“What was that just now?”

“Oh, that is how we confirm the authenticity of a guild card, if it were to catch fire or burn any color other than blue it would mean its counterfeit.”

“Ah, I see.”

“With that we can continue, to register an official party you must have at least three registered adventurers, do you have two other people willing to confirm this right now?”

“Oh, I didn't know, can I call them over really quick?”

He nods his head approvingly, to which I walk towards Cynthia and the others until they are in eyeshot. As I call them over I notice they start laughing as they get closer to me.

“What's so funny this time?”

Cynthia starts to crack up even more, “...Skrill”, she bursts out again.

“I just can't win huh?”

The four of us get up to the counter, the clerk then asks all three of them for their guild cards and repeats the process he did with me.

“Miss Symphony and Sir Griz are the two of you aware that you are joining a party whose owner is of lower rank than yourselves?”

They both say in unison “Yup”.

I ask Cynthia, “What rank are the two of you?”

“I'm opal rank.” Cynthia replies, followed by Griz’ answer, “I'm amethyst.”

“Ah, I didn't know, not surprising though.”

“Yeah, it's just a formality, they have to confirm that you are aware you're joining the party of someone of lower rank when this sort of thing occurs.”

“Makes sense I suppose.”

The clerk starts to speak again, “Alright, I have confirmed the members of the party, can everyone please designate their roles for this party?”

The other three look to me to answer first, “Uh, slayer.”

“Name first, then role please.”

“Oh, Skrill, role of slayer?”As I say that Cynthia pretends to cough to poorly cover up a chuckle.

They nod their head, then turning to Cynthia.

“Symphony, role of flex.”

The trend continues,

“Griz, role of tank.”

“K, role of support-sweeper.”

“Alright, one moment.” The clerk says as they write the information down.

“I thought you were a slayer Cynthia?” I ask.

“Well I can be one, but I mentioned before I was mainly one because Veronica was absent, flex more so suits my style right now.”

“I see.”

“Yup, now that there's another slayer in the party this is the perfect opportunity to switch it back up for a bit.”

As soon as she finishes her sentence the clerk waits for our attention, “All the formal aspects have been taken care of, all that's left is for you to choose a name.”

“Ah, do you guys have any ideas for one?”

“Nope, we discussed it while we were waiting, we are gonna leave it entirely up to you.”

“Ah.”

Hmmmmmm, I could very well go for something normal, or an attempt at a cool name, or even an edgy name, but that doesn't feel right. For the same reason I registered my last name as ‘Chan’ earlier, I gotta go for the memes.

“The Bean Brigade.” I answer firmly.

Unexpectedly K laughs harder than I have seen her laugh the whole day, it was the most expression I have seen from her by far.

“Really?” Asks Cynthia.

“Yup.”

“I don't mind.” Griz chimes in.

“Alright I guess, K likes it, Griz is okay with it, and I guess it's a little cute. Better than Robert and Skrill.”

“I wasn't really going for cute, but I’ll take a win where I can.”

“Alright, with that your party has been officially registered.” The clerk says. “On behalf of the Embright City Adventurers’ Guild, we hope The Bean Brigade sees success in their adventures.

Ha, nice.