by Paul Bellow
“Someone’s coming,” Eric said.
Everyone stood as the sound got closer.
Captain Riggard stepped toward the road with his sword drawn.
I stayed back, ready to cast a spell if necessary.
“Hold, travelers!” Captain Riggard yelled.
A broken down cart pulled by two old horses appeared out of the darkness. It slowed as it approached the light of our fire.
“Halt in the name of the law,” Captain Riggard said.
The woman sitting next to an unkempt man holding the reins raised her hands above her head.
“We don’t want no trouble,” she said. “The goblins are attacking again. We were with a band of settlers, but they attacked us yesterday.”
Captain Riggard sheathed his sword. I lowered my arms.
“This will not stand,” he said. “You two can camp here with us tonight.”
I turned to Eric who kept staring at Captain Riggard.
“Thank you, kind sir,” the man in rags said.
As our new guests joined us at the fire, their stench mixed with that of the smoke. Both of them huddled closer to each other.
Captain Riggard, appearing relaxed and unconcerned, launched into a story about the Great Wars with the goblinoid races. To hear him tell it, the war seemed to have happened only a week or two earlier instead of hundreds of years in the past.
So strange.
His eyes lit up as he described the violent parts. I forgot about the newcomers as I got swept up in his lurid war stories.
“At that point,” he said. “I had to chance it all to save us or walk away and watch the city burn. After storming Castle Casteen and razing it, the goblinoid hordes crossed into our lands. When they reached Esterhollow, we didn’t have a chance.”
He stared up into the sky as he relived the battles in his mind.
“I lost many good friends that day,” he said.
Benji raised his water pouch.
“To friends,” he said, breaking the somber moment.
“We had very little clean water in those days too,” Captain Riggard continued. “The goblins poisoned our wells as they rampaged. I’ll never forget those days. They will live forever.”
“I’ll get more firewood,” Benji said, getting to his feet.
“That’s it. I can’t take this anymore. We’re going OOC whether Captain Riggard likes it or not. I don’t care about the consequences.”
“No, Kali...”Charlotte warned.
I stood up—ready to speak my mind.
Captain Riggard and Eric both glanced at me.
“There’s something I need to say...” I began.
My voice trailed off as I thought about my decision.
When I opened my mouth to go OOC, Benji walked over.
To be exact, I saw five copies of our priest all standing just outside the flickering fire. I couldn’t see any differences between them.
Captain Riggard stood and asked, “What magic is this?”
He drew his sword and held it aloft.
“Wait a minute,” I said. “One of them must be the real Benji.”
“I am,” they all said at the same time.
“There’s one way to know which is the real Benji,” I said, thinking quickly. “Who wants to join our party?”
“I do,” four of them said simultaneously.
The fifth lowered and shook his head.
“You’ll never let me in your party,” he said. “But that’s fine with me.”
“Get them,” Captain Riggard yelled as he jumped over the fire.
The real Benji hit the ground and rolled toward us.
“What are these things?”
I prepared to cast.
“I believe they’re doppelgängers, Kali. Be careful.”
Just what we needed.
I prepared my Golden Bolts spell, dancing and moving my arms before pointing my palms at the Benji clones.
Your Golden Bolts MAUL the doppelganger for 21 damage.
You have [50/64] mana remaining.
Eric and Captain Riggard slashed their swords. One doppelgänger fell to their blades, but three remained. Things got weird.
Two of the shapeshifters copied Eric then ran forward. After shuffling around the real Eric, I couldn’t tell them apart.
“Enough of this,” Captain Riggard shouted then raised his sword.
“No, wait.” I said. “You’ll kill Drex.”
Captain Riggard hesitated long enough for me to cast Snares of Dust followed by Ladder of Dwarven Earth. The one-two combo led to the two doppelgänger and Eric all falling to the ground in a confusing pile of flesh.
Benji dashed over to my trap and dragged a body out. Captain Riggard made quick work of the other two.
The doppelgängers cried out in agony as they died at the end of his blade. Had Benji pulled out the right one?
Or did we just kill Eric?
Combat is over!
You receive 800xp party xp divided by two party members.
You get +400xp
You have 12,204xp
You need 2,796 xp for Level Four Mage.
“Are you sure we got the right ones?” I asked as I rushed forward.
“Yeah,” Benji said. “I’m good with keeping track of people.”
“Drex?” I asked.
Eric moaned as he stood.
“Yeah, it’s me,” he said.
I sighed in relief.
“That was nuts,” I said.
Captain Riggard walked over. “I should’ve known they weren’t really villagers when they didn’t congratulate me on my reputation in the realm.”
“Do you think we’ll get attacked again tonight?” Eric asked.
Captain Riggard shrugged.
“Who knows,” he said. “But I’ll keep first watch. Many strange creatures are wandering the earth thanks to the goblins. We need to kill ‘em all if you ask me.”
Eric opened his mouth but quickly shut it. We didn’t need a high level PC killing us. Finding out more about the game wasn’t worth it.
As the others talked, I walked over to the fire and laid down. Curled up under a blanket by the fire, I checked my stats like a true gamer.
>> Stats
* * *
Name: Kali Tracaryn
Race: Elf
Class: Mage
Level: 3
XP: 12204 (2796 for next level)
Alignment: +75 (Very Good)
HEALTH: 20 (20)
MANA: 64 (64)
Strength: 72 (+10%)
Dexterity: 96 (+35%)
Constitution: 52 (+0%)
Intelligence: 93 (+30%)
Wisdom: 43 (+0%)
Charisma: 44 (+0%)
I also went over my spell list to think of new ways to use them in combination.
>> Stats Spells
* * *
Spells: Level One
* * *
>> Fish Slaying
>> Golden Bolts
>> Glorified Cloaks of Bronze
>> Ladder of Dwarven Earth
* * *
Spells: Level Two
* * *
>> Snares of Dust (3mp) – Clouds of dust particles rise in the air, often rendering a person unable to do anything other than cough and stumble away. More mana may be used for more dust.
* * *
Tip: At level four, you will gain one third-level spell, one more second-level spell and one more first-level spell.
Nothing had changed, though I’d noticed the notification messages were slightly different or had new information sometimes.
Did I choose the right spells, or would I end up a useless and weak wizard? I also wondered what would happen if I died.
After closing my eyes, I drifted off to sleep. Memories of the real world filtered in with game memories, mixing together.
I hated dreaming inside the game.
24
When Heroes and Villains Die
ERIC
The next morning, we left after breaking camp.
We rode hard for several hours until the Ruins of Esterhollow appeared. Smoke originating somewhere billowed up into the sky.
Captain Riggard stopped his horse half a mile away.
“We’ll confront Snargao about Dawn Acid recipe,” he said. “They’ve probably already found it, but he’ll hand it over.”
I nodded, keeping my mouth shut.
He wanted a frontal assault with brute force, but that wasn’t my style.
Additionally, I didn’t trust Snargao. We were likely riding into a trap, but I kept my mouth shut for the moment. While Captain Riggard and the others rode ahead, I slowed my horse then veered away from the main group.
None of the others noticed I went off on my own. I picked a good spot to enter the ruins—the thrill of the game kicked into overdrive. I saw quite a few battle-scarred buildings as I approached.
War drums beat loudly in the distance.
Goblins gearing up for another war? Or was Snargao more interested in stealing the Cursed Pendant of Visions? Either way, I had my work cut out for me.
I stopped at the edge of the ruins.
After dismounting, I tied up my horse.
The others kept riding, still not noticing I’d broken away.
As they rode down the main street entering the city, I sneaked down a deserted alley. We needed an ace up our sleeves. Namely, me.
Two blocks ahead, I saw three goblins in piecemeal armor put together with scraps. Adrenaline and instincts took over as I ran forward.
One of the goblins noticed me and yelled to his companions. All three raised their swords before running toward me at full speed.
I stabbed the first one to get close.
Your stab GRAZES the goblin warrior for 7 damage.
Your blade is dull.
Ugh. I forgot to switch out swords.
This dull piece of crap better not let me down.
A goblin took a swing at me with a lengthy sword.
The goblin’s slash BARELY SCRATCHES you for 4 damage.
You have [54/58] health points.
I swung again.
Your slash GRAZES the goblin warrior for 7 damage
The goblin is dead!
As the first one fell, the other two attacked me at the same time.
The goblin warrior’s pierce GRAZES you for 6 damage.
The goblin warrior’s slash GRAZES you for 5 damage.
You have [43/58] health points.
“That all you got?” I shouted then attacked again.
Your slash HITS the goblin warrior for 9 damage.
The goblin is dead!
As his buddy went down, the last goblin turned to run.
He screamed for help, but the insistent pounding of the drums drowned out his voice. I sprinted after him and finished him with a final, forceful slash.
Combat is over!
You get 420xp!
You have 11,454 xp.
You need 4,546 xp for level five Rogue
* * *
>> Gamemaster Tip: At level five Rogue, you will need to think about class specialization. It’s recommended you start thinking about this now. When you reach level 6 (and through level 15), you will specialize in one of the following…
* * *
>> Thief (leather armor) - Whether a cut-purse or a burglar, you’re all about sneaking around and getting what you want.
>> Bard (no armor) - You are known for entertainment and the magic that comes with music.
>> Bounty Hunter (any weapons/armor) - Stealthy and deadly, this class is a mix of fighting and thieving.
>> Assassin (leather armor) - This class is concerned with killing others in one way or another.
Without a fighter in the party, Bounty Hunter sounds interesting, but I’ve got time to decide. I should solo more often.
I smiled, hyped up from the fresh adrenaline of three kills. Ready to do more damage on the sly, I snuck deeper into the ruined city.
The drums increased in tempo and volume as I approached the center square. I stopped at a partially collapsed tower and glanced up.
Looks sturdy enough to climb. Especially with my ring.
I sprinted toward the nearest wall of the decrepit tower.
The magic of the Ring of Spider Climbing saved the day again.
I reached the top of the tower and tested the roof with my foot.
Seems solid enough.
After a deep breath, I crept across to the far side. Looking down on a wide, open clearing, I saw Snargao and a band of goblins. Over on the other side of the tower, I saw Sarah and the others approaching the city square.
Trouble is coming. Gotta help.
A dozen or more goblins were creeping up behind our main group. Several of the slimy green creatures held crude bows. The others were armed with axes or swords.
All of them looked deadly in enough numbers.
Captain Riggard kept going.
“Sarah,” I yelled, hoping to get her attention.
The game gave me another stupid penalty, but I didn’t care.
I screamed her name again, but the thick bass of the drums blocked out my voice.
Time to become a hero.
I climbed down the tower easily.
Advanced Climbing Skill Used
+55xp - 10% from OOC penalty
You get +50 xp
You have 11,504 xp.
You need 4,496 xp for level five Rogue.
That’s not much xp, but I don’t care. I need to get to Sarah before she and the others are ambushed in the back with arrows and killed.
I wasn’t at full health, but the only thought on my mind was making sure the rest of the party wasn’t killed before they reached the square.
As I rounded the last corner, I slowed, looking for my first targets. Two goblin stragglers in the back would be the easiest to take out.
This is how it’s done.
I crept forward with my weapon drawn.
When I reached the first one, I stabbed with all my strength.
Critical backstab!
Your sword goes through one goblin completely and kills one more.
The goblin is dead!
The goblin is dead!
Both screamed out in pain as they fell. Eight goblins turned to face me while the other three continued forward toward the others.
The incessant drumbeat began to wear on my nerves.
“Bring it on!” I yelled, motioning with my sword.
Uh oh.
Three raised their bows and fired arrows.
The goblin arrow MISSES you.
The goblin arrow MISSES you.
The goblin arrow GRAZES you for 6 damage.
You have been poisoned!
+1 damage
(-1hp per hour until poison is removed)
You have [36/58] health remaining.
I channeled the anger into my next attack.
Your slash HITS the goblin warrior for 8 damage.
The goblin is dead.
The closest goblin whimpered as I struck it hard.
Five of the pint-sized terrors remained. I hoped Sarah and the others could take care of the ones still stalking them.
Why hadn’t they turned around or acknowledged me?
Three goblins notched fresh arrows.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this...” I muttered.
Out of nowhere, six bolts of golden energy hit three of the goblins with bows. All of them fell to the ground—heaps of green flesh and blood.
I attacked again, wasting no time.
Your slash HITS the goblin warrior for 8 points of damage
The goblin is dead.
The goblin slash MISSES you
Your slash HITS the goblin warrior for 8 damage
The goblin is dead.
* * *
Combat is over!
You get 1,680 xp divided by two party members.
You get +840 xp
You have 12,344 xp
You need 3,654 xp to level
* * *
New Spell Effect: Glorified Cloaks of Bronze
(+5 Armor Class)
“Thank you,” I shouted. “But save your mana. This battle isn’t over yet. We’ve got to kill Snargao.”
“I know,” she yelled. “You do your job, and I’ll do mine.”
A lightning bolt zoomed down the street and hit Captain Riggard. He stayed on his feet, running toward the clearing.
Benji, Sarah, and I followed him. The goblin drum circle kept up until Captain Riggard pulled out a wand and pointed it at them.
We stopped at the edge of the open area as the sound of the drums stopped.
Nice magic item. I need one of those myself.
“Let’s hold back and assess the situation better,” I said.
“Good idea,” Sarah said. “We’ve got the cursed pendant. Now we just need the list of Dawn Acid ingredients.”
“Things are about to get messy,” Benji said.
Captain Riggard reached a group of goblins holding drum sticks. He mowed through them like they were nothing. A few hundred feet away, on a wooden stage that had seen better days, Snargao unrolled a scroll and read.
“I’m going to sneak around and attempt a backstab,” I said. “Can you two handle yourselves?”
“We’ll be fine,” Sarah said.
“Don’t worry about us…”
Benji paused as two earth elementals popped out of the ground.
“Okay, worry a little bit.”
Captain Riggard, surrounded by dozens of goblins, was busy—so I charged toward the nearest elemental.
“Benji, let’s attack,” I shouted as I ran.
While I hated still acting like a tank, I needed to take out the biggest threat. Captain Riggard kept gleefully slaughtering goblins. For the most powerful PC on the level, he wasn’t very smart.
