One of many, part 1: Choosing a side!

As Blair and Izohra walked into the junkyard with Caesar in tow, they noticed something rather odd about this area. It looked awfully well organized. However, when they looked to one another in confusion. Caesar started to growl, barking several times in the direction of a compost pile. Upon closer inspection it was littered with piles of food, fertilizer, and other manners of bio degradable material for growing plants. Before they moved towards that compost pile, they looked around a bit longer. They saw a section for cars and tractors, hazardous and corrosive materials, discarded building materials and other used pieces from homes, and a rather large section of cans, plastic, and other used products waiting to be recycled.

Both Blair and Izohra could feel something was off, but only Caesar seemed to know what truly lay ahead. She looked to Caesar and said. "What's the matter, Caesar? Is it dangerous?" Caesar looked to her and yipped before rushing at the pile and disappeared from sight upon stepping within inches of it. Both Blair and Izohra looked to one another before following suit. Upon that final step, they found themselves within an illusion barrier and the following notification popped up.

You have entered: The Compost Battlefield

No entry or exit restrictions.

Current owner: <Being contested by Scrik and Uggozan>

Shortly after reading that, Blair's attention was drawn to the sound of chewing. When she looked down, she saw Caesar chewing on the remains of a huge, almost human sized, rat. Wait, no, not a rat. What she saw, she couldn't believe. Was this actually one of the Ratfolk she had roleplayed in D&D? Upon closer inspection, she saw a short sword and shield were laying by its side. Izohra made an audible sound of disgust while she said. "Caesar, no. Bad boy, you don't know what killed him." Caesar stopped before looking up to her with a whimper.

Blair shook her head and gently knelt down to pat Caesar's head and said. "Let's find out what's going on. Don't eat anyone or anything without my permission, okay?" Izohra's score ticked up to 55 as she spoke. Caesar let out a soft bark before growling again, he turned to look ahead as a new quest popped up.

Choose a side, Ratfolk vs Insectoids!

- Kill 15 Insectoids

Reward: 15 Rp with Scrik, leader of the Ratfolk, 100 xp, and gain 1 level in Flames of Passion

or

- Kill 15 Ratfolk

Reward: 15 Rp with Uggozan, leader of the insectoids, 100 xp, and gain 1 level in Fear Drinker

This will chain into another quest.

Accept or Decline?

Blair read that before mentally hitting, 'Accept.' while thinking. 'Hmm, this is certainly odd. Is this a faction quest? I wonder which I should choose. Both of those abilities are nice.' As she thought about this. She looked up to see several bipedal insectoids of different colors, black, blue, and red fighting against several ratfolk. The ratfolk looked similar in color, most of them were light brown or light grey. However, they were carrying different weapons such as short swords and shields, bows and arrows, while some even had spears. They were obviously quite intelligent. However, the different colored beetles had different abilities.

The black ones faces reminded Blair of stag beetles, using their massive jaws to disarm and toss the ratfolk, allowing a red ant-like insectoids to jump in and strike, but the blue ones were the most interesting. Wherever they went, a white aura followed that not only seemed to protect them from the incoming arrows, but slowed the ratfolk down as well. It was interesting to see how well the insectoids worked together while the ratfolk were certainly passionate about their task of killing the insectoids.

However, it was obvious after a few minutes of watching that neither side was making any headway. In the background insectoids and ratfolk were taking food from a large pile near the center of the battlefield. It was clear now that this was a battle for resources and survival. As they watched this battle unfold, a yellow insectoid with a black quarterstaff walked up a dirt hill from the right. Meanwhile one of the ratfolk with black fur, holding a dagger in each hand, walked up a dirt hill from the opposite side of the battlefield. It was clear that they were about to join this fight. Blair used Observe on those two, figuring that they were the leaders in question.

Observe:

Title: Passionate Leader, Guild: N/A, Class: Assassin, Name: Scrik, lvl: 10, Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 95, Age: 26, Dick size: 5 inches, Body type: Thin. Race: Ratfolk, Relationship: 0,

Mood: Annoyed, Tired, and Hungry, Current thoughts: I will get you one of these times, Uggozan!

Title: Goddess, Hive Queen, Guild: N/A, Class: Summoner, Name: Uggozan, lvl: 10, Height: 5'

Weight: 80, Age: 20, Bust: N/A, Body type: Normal. Race: Insectoid, Relationship: 0,

Mood: Hungry, Focused, and Curious, Current thoughts: What tricks you will you try today, Scrik?

Blair could see now what this was truly about, but the question still remained. Which side should she choose? Should she help the ratfolk or the insectoids?