FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The sound of a bustling town remained behind me as the door quietly shut. My eyes surveyed the well-lit area as numerous wooden tables were peppered around the place, seemingly glistening from the light due to how clean it looked. Sitting in the center of the room was a wide counter that curved into the stairs just behind it. Standing behind the desk was a human woman that honestly looked like a secretary, for she was dressed in a white long sleeved shirt with a dark green vest and yellow ascot along with a black skirt. She wasn’t the only one like that as another person descending down the stairs carrying a stack of papers also had the same uniform. In fact as I looked around, I also spotted two guys wearing gender appropriate versions of those clothes as they were talking to two separate groups that were here. The woman carrying the stack exited the counter through a little door and carried the pile to the back side of the room, to where cork boards were hung and covered in countless flyers. My gaze drew back to the others that were here as I noticed some were dressed in various looking armors while others had attires somewhat similar to mine. Some were by themselves minding their own business and spread out, while others were circled around a table discussing something. I received the occasional glance, but no one approached me. As I stood there, I realized something.

I have no clue to where to actually begin my journey.

With the only thing in mind to do, I stepped up to the woman at the counter as she greeted me.

“Hi, I would like to register with the guild.”

“Certainly, and are you here as by yourself, or do you have a recommendation from a party?”

“By myself I guess.”

“All right, I just need to fill this out really quick.”

I was then given a form asking basic questions about who I was and such, and soon after completing it, the woman told me to wait a moment and told me to read through a little booklet she handed me before disappearing up the stairs. Upon opening it, I discovered it was about the guild itself. According to this, it states that new members that register must complete a total of four community requests before they are allowed to choose quests of expanded categories. If a new member is joining an already established group, they will be allowed to forgo the required quests after an interview with veteran members, and if allowed they must be accompanied on their first six quests. Guild fees are automatically taken out of a completed quest’s reward at twenty percent, however that range can be negotiable per the adventurer’s request and if agreed upon. All quests are eligible to anyone and everyone who wishes to take its task. If two separate parties engage a particular quest, the reward will go to whoever completes it first unless an agreement is established. Unless defending yourself, fighting between members is strictly prohibited. Any member who breaks this rule will face disciplinary action. Keep in mind that not all adventurers you meet are registered members as there are some that are independent, we ask you not to harass them if you encounter them, however you may defend yourself appropriately if the situation requires it. A member is allowed to keep any item they acquire on a quest. Stolen items are to be reported so they can be returned to their rightful owner. Failure to report stolen items will result in disciplinary action.

After skimming through the book a few more times, that looked to be all the rules for the guild. While continuing to flip through a couple more pages, it looks like there is no ranking system for the guild, so when they say that quests are available for all members, it pretty much means anyone that dares or is interested in it. Though I can’t find where it talks about what a categorized quest is.

“Excuse me, Miss.” The receptionist had returned while holding what looked to be a silver dog tag. “Here’s your identification card. We ask that whenever you take on a quest that you show us this card for documenting purposes. Now then, do you have any questions?”

“Uhh yes, what exactly constitutes as a community request?”

“Well if you follow me, I can show you.” After leading me to a corner section of the bulletin boards, she continued. “As the name implies, these quests are to help serve the community. Be it simple farm work, medicine gathering, or helping local businesses, these quests aim to help the average citizen by acting like a parttime job for members. While other quests will have similar aspects as those deemed for the community, certain complexities are what separate them being categorized as such. Take for example. Say there’s a farm that has two requests. One is to have someone help on their crops. That one will fall under a community quest, while this other one asks for able fighters to act as bodyguards. Due to the risks that one can carry, that one is expected to be handled by more experienced adventurers. Because of how dangerous certain requests can be, we ask that you use your best judgment when selecting what job you want. If you’re looking for anything particular, all quests will always be separated through four categories of either community, gathering, mercenary, or expedition. Plus do keep in mind with time and fame that you amass, you may even receive personal requests. But for now since you’re joining us as a new member, by having you take on community quests as a start, it also insures us that you are willing to help others for if the time calls for it.”

“Is there a particular reason for that? I mean looking at it, it seems like there are some quests that appear like they would be self-serving. Are adventurers expected to fight in wars?”

“Oh no. The guild will avoid most political conflicts between two nations. It’s pretty much to be in spirit of what inspired the existence of our guild.”

“Which was?”

“It’s inspired from those who banded together to help rebuild the world after the terrible war nine hundred years ago.”

“Oh, okay…So is there any quest you recommend I start with?” I turned back to the board awkwardly since I feel like she expected me to know what she was referring to.

“Well, we are always in need of medicinal herbs in order to create more health potions. I would find that to be the easier job to start with, but to each their own.” The receptionist then pulled off one of the pinned up papers from the board.

I eventually left the building after agreeing to gathering up the required plants. While I do want to find out what happened to me, this will at least give me time to think on where I need to head to find the truth. There’s just one more problem now. I have no idea what these herbs look like.

I spent a good while wandering about the town looking for something that could assist me with this job. As I turned upwards, I eventually discovered a small two story building with a sign above its door that read “The Spellbound Book.” Honestly judging from the outside it looks more like it would be someone’s home, but if the name is what it implies, hopefully I can find something that will help. Once inside, a little bell jingled above me as I took in the area. To my immediate right was a counter with no one to manage it in sight. Along the walls was shelf after shelf filled with books of all colors and sizes. Towards the left corner of the room was a small circular table with two wooden chair, while parallel to that at the right corner was a single cushiony chair for comfort and small stand next to it. At the back where finally there weren’t any shelves was an opened door that had stairs descending down while next to it was another set of stairs curving upwards. From the basement, a young male’s voice called up to me to wait just a moment.

Ascending from the bottom floor carrying a stack of books was a guy that looked to be about my age. Fur white as pure snow covered him as sky blue eyes shown through behind his round glasses. He was a beastman and from a guess, he kind of looked like a goat that had big floppy ears that hung down the sides of his head. The top of his head looked especially soft as tufts of fur stuck out acting like normal hair. He seemed somewhat thin and as he got closer, I could tell I was probably maybe eight or nine inches taller than him. The goat wore what looked to be either a long green coat or robe and a long black scarf wrapped around his neck. On his face, he directed a warm smile to me as he set the books down on the counter.

“I don’t believe we’ve met before. I’m Silabus.” While his voice was soft, it certainly contained the energy of youth in it.

“Telaraya. I’m kind of new here.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. So what can I do for you, Telaraya?”

“I was wondering, do you happening to have any books on plants here?”

“Certainly. Are you looking for basic botany, culinary herbs, or alchemic?”

“Alchemic I suppose. Particularly something on-” I opened up my satchel to look at the job request. “Sofi leaves?”

“If you give me a moment, I can get some books for you. Feel free to peruse in the meantime, and before I go, would you like something to drink while you wait?”

After declining the drink, Silabus disappeared into his basement as I kind of looked around the shelves. Not long afterwards, I pulled a tome just out of curiosity and discovered it was a history book. I debated if I really wanted a history lesson or not, but decided to go for it since while I’m stuck in this world, I might as well know the story of this place.

“The Era of Beginning. Not much is known as to how life began. Many historians and scholars believe before there was life on this planet, there was only a vast void of natural energies. It is theorized that a spark in this energy is what eventually led to the creation of the universe as we know it today. In time when our planet was formed and life started to flourish, there were three primary races. Gods, dragons, and humans. Though there is no true documenting during this time, it is said that these three races lived in harmony for thousands upon thousands of years together after they developed. The Era of Strife. Over time, conflict would eventually grow as the gods developed a desire for total control over the world. With their power, the gods had enslaved the humans with ease as they spread their influence throughout the land. The dragons had initially remained aloof to this development, but as the gods had approached them, the dragons would soon resist their neighbors. Fighting between the two races ensued until it eventually escalated into a full scale war for existence. This had become known as the War of the Almighty. Using their control over the humans, the gods commanded them to be the foot soldiers of their armies in many of their battles. Despite their strength and superior numbers, the gods would struggle against the rivaling power that the dragons possessed. From their constant overwhelming victories, the dragons of this time would eventually be referred to as Dread Dragons, to which they even adopted the name from their enemies. Upon their countless loses, desperation would strike the gods in an attempt to grow their dwindling armies. The gods would go onto transform many animals into the beastmen races that we are familiar with to this day. Even after enslaving and forcing their creation to fight for them, the Dread Dragons remained undaunted as their might allowed them to continue to claim the tide of the war. With the gods losing more land and growing further desperate, gradually the gods would start transforming other animals into monsters and even begun creating abominations to help fight for their cause. This too would prove fruitless against the strength of the Dread Dragons. Soon before losing the last of their land, the gods had created a place they would call the Divine Realm of Mag Me Fi, a place where the remaining gods had fled to after abandoning this world. Believing that the gods would return after regaining their strength, the Dread Dragons would soon invade the Divine Realm. One hundred years after their assault, the Dread Dragons presented the final corpse of a god to the world as they had conquered Mag Me Fi. Thus the War of the Almighty was over. The Era of Suffering-”

“Excuse me, Telaraya? I found what you’re looking for.” Silabus announced as he returned with three books and laid them out for me. “This book here is all about alchemical ingredients in the local area. This one is all about medicinal herbs. And finally, this one is about plants in general, including Sofi leaves. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

I took a brief moment to consider and thinking back to what I had read, I had a thought. “Do you have anything about transformation spells?”

“Transformation spells? You mean like from fictional stories?” He quizzically asked.

“Actually I was looking at this history book and saw mentioning of transformations, so I was wondering if you had anything on that sort of concept?”

“Well the concept of a transformation spell is something that was only around the time of the dragons, and that’s ancient history. At this point, anything that talks about something transforming is pure fiction.”

“So nothing recent about someone figuring out how to do it?”

“If someone managed to replicate it, they’d be world famous by now. Any other mentions of a living thing being transformed is just the history of how the beastmen and dragonkin races first came to be. If you want, I could find you some history books specifically concerning them.”

The back of my mind was screaming to ask him if he was certain, but I refrained from doing so. “No, it’s all right. I guess I was just being clueless.”

If it truly is ancient history, there goes that possible lead.

“It’s okay, we all have that one subject we’re not the best at, but on the other hand, it also lets us try and improve for the better.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Not long after, I left with the book all about medicinal herbs, to which Silabus was kind enough to let me have for free for being a first time customer. With my tome stored away for now, I set off towards the woods where I’d supposedly find this plant, but the moment I reached the main gate of the town, I actually froze a bit.

Behind me is the town of Mido Skeith. A place that despite I haven’t been here for long, it’s still a place I’ve had to call home for now as it provided me safety in this time of uncertainty. In front of me is the opening path to an unknown world. A future where I’ll have to survive and live through. Sure I’ll be coming back here eventually. Now though I’m setting out on my own. Sure if I was still living my old life back in my world, I would have to eventually leave home to start my own life. But as I stand here, I can feel the weight of the world now. If I was still back home, I probably would have been more prepared for this kind of moment. Here though? No parents to wish me well as I leave. I can’t have the friends I grew up with to walk by my side towards our future. I never realized it would be this nerve-racking. No, I mustn’t let it get to me, I shouldn’t let all that training I endured go to waste. I need to keep pushing forward.

With one deep breath, I turned my head up high and put one foot in front of the other. As stone pavement turned into a dirt roadway, I persisted on. While lingering feelings tried to claw me back, I decided to clear my head with a song, and the two that I felt appropriate were Don’t Stop Believin’ and Carry On Wayward Son. It certainly helped, for soon without realizing it, I found myself at the edge of a forest.

The glistening midday’s sun shimmered through the leaves above as a gentle breeze brushed through my hair. Nearby critters went about keeping some caution towards me, but remained mostly focus on their daily life. Even though this was the beginning of the woods, there was enough space between each tree for plenty of movement while also being bountiful enough to seem countless. The comforting shade provided covering the land felt relaxing enough to put the thought in my mind to just sit down and rest up as fallen leaves and grass crunched beneath my paws. Though tempting to try, I voided the thought as some of the bushes I past did have berries that looked juicy and full of life. After a bit more wandering around, I pulled out my book and searched up the herb I needed to find.

“Grows on the ground…Looks like maple leaves.”

I cocked my head all around, spending time differentiating weeds from everything else. If I found something that looked like what I needed, I heavily compared it to the description in the tome. If it matched the drawing on the page to about ninety percent, it got bundled in my bag, but seeing the amount I had, I’m definitely going to be here a while before I have an appropriate amount. My scrounging continued.

“Hey there, you okay?” A male voice suddenly called.

It caused me to jump a little, but turning around I soon spotted a group containing two humans; one guy and one girl, and one wolf beastman further back.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I yelled back.

I noticed the human male quickly perk up, smile, and then turn to his companions while saying something. Not long after, the three approached me. The wolf stood firm yet calm, while the girl that was with them had her arms crossed behind her head in a very nonchalant manner. The other human stood closer with an air that said he wanted to greet themselves to me. While they do seem a little familiar, I’m not entirely sure from where though.

“You’re that girl from Darter’s inn aren’t you?”

“Have…we met before?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Well, very briefly. We started a tussle with some guys that were harassing you.” The guy blushed lightly and scratched the back of his head.

Oh, now I remember you.

“Thanks for doing that…I guess.”

“Celt, I think you’re actually bothering her.” The wolf stated.

“Sorry! Sorry. We didn’t interrupt you with anything did we?” The guy quickly stammered.

“So what’s a bar maid doing all the way out here?” The girl asked with a curious tone but bored expression.

Since they’re adventurers, I guess it’s okay to tell them. “I’m looking for Sofi leaves as part of a community request.”

“Community request? You’re part of the guild?” The guy inquired.

“Well I’m building up to be?”

“Do you need help?”

“We should probably turn in our quest first before taking another one.” The girl spoke up.

“You guys can go on ahead, I’ll stick around and her help out.”

The girl shrugged and began walking off while the wolf sighed before following her. “Well if you really want to, we’ll meet you back at the inn.”

Once he turned back to me, the human greeted himself. “I’m Celt by the way. That was Ame and Garrus.”

“Telaraya.” Please don’t try and flirt with me.

“It’s nice to properly get introduced with you. So how is your progress going?”

If he’s actually willing to help, I showed him what I gathered so far. Though I was annoyed to hear that I did grab some maple leaves by mistake.

“If you look closely the petiole of a Sofi leaf is actually a different shade from a maple leaf’s. Also you’ll have an easier time looking around bushes since they’ll grow relatively close to them.”

“You mean like these right here?” I asked as we we’ve been hunched down by the ground for a while now by this point.

“Right. Also if you pluck it a little deeper, you can probably get the roots with it as well. While most of the healing properties come from the leaves themselves, the roots can be used for other beneficial stuff. If not, you can leave it as it is and it’ll regrow the missing parts over time.”

“Can I ask you something? How come you decided to help me?” I stuffed my satchel up with what I found.

“Sometimes it’s nice to help others.”

“You’re also attracted to me, aren’t you?” I could soon sense him blushing behind me. I then let out a sigh.

“W-Well it’s not like it’s a bad thing to find someone beautiful.”

“Then could I ask you to not hit on me while you’re here.”

“I’m…I’m sorry if it seemed like was going to.” He sounded genuine. “I’m guessing a lot of people have tried while you’ve been here.”

“Drunk idiots do leave a lasting impression.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, but I do mean what I said.” Celt then handed me another bundle to stow away. “So then are you becoming an adventurer to get away from that?”

“No, I just needed to get along with my life and I feel like becoming an adventurer is the way for that.”

“Well I’m not sure what you’ll experience down the line, but I can say for certain that the sights you’ll see can be plentiful and worth it.”

I looked up at the greenery of the forest with the sun still shinning down. “Yeah…I guess it can be.”

The two of us spent the rest of the time plucking up what we could find in a calming silence. After concluding what we collected was a decent amount, it was decided that it was time to head back to town as the sky turned twilight. I had to admit, seeing that orange sky above the fields on the walk back was beautiful. Once we returned to the guild and I received my payment, I offered Celt a share since he did help, but the guy declined. He said that helping others is just what he and his friends do. He also did say if I needed assistance with anything else or wanted to party up for a quest, he and his friends would be willing.

Some other time maybe.

The moment I got back to Darter’s inn, I found they were waiting for me. “Welcome back” Mira happily announced while the tiger greeted me with a warm smile and a dinner that was prepared just for me. I couldn’t help but think back to earlier today. My family, the friends I had made home, they may not be here, but the people I’m getting to know, the friends I’m making now, they care enough to wait for me to return. To provide me a home I can come back to. I couldn’t help but smile back through today’s fatigue.