Toil & Trouble

Toil & Trouble is a Raid Event scheduled to start on November 30, 2015 at 8:00 PM (PST) and end on December 8, 2015 at 7:59 PM (PST).

Half-time Reward Calculation Period is from December 2nd 7:00 PM to 7:59 PM (PST).

Feature Changes
None

Story
"This is a tale that begins long, long ago..."

Those were the first words you heard upon rousing from your slumber. Unsure of whom the voice was addressing, you sat up and looked around to find that, despite having lodged at an inn after consecutive nights outdoors, you were in a partly exposed shelter that resembled an aged ruin. There were a number of rotting bookshelves, beneath you was a bed of moss, and in place of a roof was what appeared to be a mesh of gnarled roots. Not expecting a reply, you groggily wondered aloud where you were.

"I have brought you here, to the Forgotten Forest, for a purpose of gravest importance."

The same voice answered your question. You turned your head in its direction and noticed what appeared to be a young girl seated upon a sloped root. Before you could ask anything else, Elimval's bright greeting rang out through a door across the way

"Oh, good morning, Hero! Breakfast is almost ready, so just wait a little longer!"

The sight of her cheerful face helped allay your concern, though it did little to explain your unexpected situation.

"I will reveal everything, so first be seated at the table."

You nodded and stood up. Approaching the low, wooden surface, you checked your possessions. Nothing appeared to be missing, disoriented as you were. Then, Elimval presently emerged from the far room carrying a pot of warm soup and a plate of freshly baked bread. You were surprised by how it varied little from your normal fare, and even more so to see the elf calmly sit next to you. Noticing your confusion, she gave a bashful smile.

"I was no less shocked at first, but cooking and watching your sleeping face helped settle my nerves. You see, as long as we're together, I feel there's never a need to worry!"

Such was her absolute confidence in you, and you became embarrassed as well to think that one could find your sleeping face comforting.

"...What's the matter?"

You waved off her question, for you could not summon the courage to answer it.

"That will be enough chit-chat."

As the witch cleared her throat, you concealed your awkwardness by forcing yourself to lean forwards.

"Listen as you eat. And allow me to begin by apologizing for the abruptness in my bringing you here."

Her dignified manner conflicted with her youthful appearance, but you saw no reason to decline her apology.

"You were the sole being to whom I could entrust this matter. I have need for you defeat a witch that is threatening this forest."

"Really? It seems quite peaceful to me..."

You were grateful that Elimval readily asked the same question on your mind.

"...This all began centuries ago."

"Centuries?! W-wait... so how old would that make you?"

"I am uncertain; it was bothersome to keep count after 100. Perhaps I am 400 or 500 years old. Such is the usual lifespan of witches as I."

You could not claim to be knowledgeable about witches, but she seemed to not mind your confusion. After drinking some of Elimval's tea, she continued her explanation. It seemed that some were bestowed a separate name, though she only said it was from "the world" when asked who made those decisions. Those specially dubbed witches would also gain long lives in order to carry out the task associated with that name.

"So what name were you given?"

"I am Copal the Furrowed One, and I watch over this forest."

"That's a rather... unusual name."

"Think of it as referring to tracks worn in the road of time. I strive to fulfill my lofty duty to record the cyclical history of witches for the sake of future generations."

You felt she was slightly exaggerating, but you now held a better understanding regardless. However, that did not explain why Copal required you specifically.

"I require of you the defeat of our greatest enemy, the 'Witch of Disaster'."

It was a name from which you could easily glean the magnitude of her threat.

"As you may have gathered, she is one who can sow the seeds of calamity far and wide..."

As if remembering something, she closed her red eyes and started to recant a story...

......

"It was the day of the Entitling Banquet and every witch was in attendance. But suddenly, with a terrible, earthshattering sound, she appeared. None knew what had summoned her, and we could do nary to resist. However, as I faced her, I recognized she also bore a separate name. It was my first encounter with her, yet she had appeared numerous times in the past: the 'Witch of Disaster'."

You felt anguish within Copal's words. Before you could ask why, Elimval asked her own question.

"So what happened then?"

"She was sealed in another dimension."

Her voice tinged with regret, she opened her eyes again and stared into yours.

"However, the seal would not remain forever."

Though the implication was clear, you asked if she knew a specific time when it would be undone.

"...After I die."

With that, Copal took a piece of bread and placed it in her mouth. You hungered for more details, but watching her caused your hunger for food to take priority.

"Um, Hero... Maybe you should eat as well, before the food goes cold."

Elimval was unable to hide her unrest at Copal's grim words. It bothered you as well, but it would not do to stay famished. It took a spoonful of soup for you to realize how empty your stomach was. Each swallow helped recover your morale, for as unpredictable as your journeys were, meals were the one constant. In the midst of the morning ritual, Copal suddenly resumed speaking.

"The seal requires half of my powers in order to maintain it."

You were dubious of her words, but her gaze was straightforward if slightly downcast.

"As the Furrowed One, I needed to make a choice: cast aside my excess power, or become a regular witch."

Her decision was obvious.

"The power I discarded swelled even greater and became a threat to all."

Rather than have the Witch of Disaster return with her passing, she would defeat her by her own hand, and you agreed it was for the best.

"For the preservation of all history, I wish to borrow your power."

You understood her goal, but now were unsure of how to attain it. You asked Copal how to vanquish the Witch of Disaster, but she shook her head.

"You have no need to concern yourself to that end. Rather, you must gather the materials I require to ward her off."

"Are they being kept somewhere?"

She once again shook her head and spoke in a low voice.

"To stand against the Witch of Disaster, the others and I planned to build a golem, with each one of us focusing upon a different piece to create a truly powerful weapon."

Her idea was sound in theory, but from the tone of her voice, the golem was not yet complete despite the imminent menace.

"When I learned of my coming death, I informed the other witches to better convince them in the necessity of assigning parts, but some have not finished. I fear they changed their minds."

"Because they were scared?"

"Yes, or they do not believe I will die. And yet others do not feel anxious as they believe it to be fate should the Furrowed One die and bring about the end of history, ludicrous though the notion is..."

Regardless of the chosen excuse, each was rooted in dread -- the dread of what be incurred by purposefully reviving an embodiment of catastrophe, and they may have hoped to delay it by not providing the requested parts. However, it did not seem that Copal would allow it to hinder her.

"Precisely. I cannot acquiesce."

Her reply was filled with determination.

"If they will not hand over what they have finished, you are to seize the pieces by force. Then, I will assemble the golem."

You could never refuse such firm resolve. When you nodded in acceptance, her crimson eyes narrowed, presumably a signal she was pleased. In the next instant, you found that you and Elimval were somewhere completely different.

"This path will guide you. Now, go and fulfill the hopes of the Furrowed One."

Copal's voice echoed throughout the mysterious forest.