by Paul Bellow
Your slash DECIMATES the giant grisly grizzly for 37 damage.
The bear howled in pain and ran off with my scimitar still buried in her flesh. I stood and drew my backup dagger.
The giant bear kept running.
Sylvar shot several arrows at the retreating beast while Bernard took care of the other two cubs.
We might have a shot, I thought and ran forward.
None of the ranger’s arrows hit the bear, but at least they hadn’t come close to hitting me. The mother bear turned with murder in its eyes.
I stopped and gripped my dagger. Bernard rushed by with his full-size mace and smacked her on the side of the head like a brute. As the gigantic bear turned to take care of him, Sarah hit it with more lava.
This time, the fur caught fire. Burnt flesh smells filled the air.
Bernard hit again, going into a mini-rage of his own.
The giant grisly grizzly toppled over—lifeless.
Combat is Over!
You get + 6,750 xp divided by three party members.
You get + 2,350 xp
You have 17,361 xp
Welcome to level five Rogue -> Bounty Hunter!
I resisted the urge to check my new health total.
“Everyone okay?” I asked, looking around.
“Barely,” Sarah said. “That took everything out of me.”
“Monde fine,” the gnome warrior said and yawned as if nothing had happened.
“The sun’s going down,” Sylvar said. “We should camp here for the night.”
“No way.” I shook my head. “We keep riding for High Keep. I don’t want to be stuck out here in the wilderness.”
“He’s right,” Sarah said, backing me up.
Sylvar opened his mouth to say something then shut it.
“Why couldn’t you control these animals?” I asked.
“Grisly grizzlies are too powerful for me to control,” he replied.
“I’m happy with the outcome,” Bernard said.
He’d probably leveled up too.
“Let’s get moving,” I said. “We ride hard for High Keep.”
“Monde ride hardest,” the gnome warrior said.
I watched as she climbed atop her horse.
After getting on mine, we rode south.
High Keep and the gnomes awaited.
* * * * *
Later that evening, just after the sun went down, we arrived at High Keep.
“Whoa,” I said, stopping my horse a good distance from the massive stone structure. “We need to get our story straight.”
The others stopped and turned to face me.
“We’ve got nothing to hide,” Sarah said.
“You don’t know much about the gnomes of this realm, do you?” Sylvar asked.
“No,” Sarah said. “What’s there to know?”
I turned to him, also curious about his in-game knowledge.
“There’s a reason they did so well after the Great War.” Sylvar looked off into the distance. “They stayed out of it in their kingdom nestled behind the mountains and flourished while the rest of the realms had to struggle to survive.”
“Sounds smart,” I said.
“You don’t understand,” Sylvar continued. “Without the dwarves to hold them back, the gnomes have become very powerful. Some say they’re biding their time to take over the entire realms.”
“Militaristic gnomes, huh?” I snickered. “Sounds like you’re just afraid of them.”
Sylvar pursed his lips together then shook his head.
“You’ll see,” he said.
“What happened to the dwarves?” I asked, remembering they hadn’t been a choice when we first started the game and picked our characters.
Before he could answer, I heard a war-horn blasting nearby.
Two dozen gnomes riding ponies streamed out of High Keep and headed our way. I glanced over at Sylvar. He frowned, looking frightened.
“Company, halt,” a gnome in silver and black armor yelled.
The others stopped, all crossbows pointed at us.
“What’s your business near High Keep?” he asked.
I raised my empty hands in the air.
“We’re on our way to Westwood,” I said. “We seek Gnomish War Oil.”
“The original recipe,” Bernard added.
“Strange,” he said. “Another party just arrived seeking the same.”
I sat up in my saddle.
Was it the party who’d attacked us near Talbot?
“They’re evil people,” I said.
“Monde not evil,” our gnome said.
The lead gnome rode forward.
“Monde? Is that you, dear?” he asked.
I reached for my sword. A bolt whizzed by.
“Take it easy,” the gnome said. “You’re welcome in our lands, but you must respect our laws. There’s to be no attacking the other party.”
“But they’re evil,” I said. “They follow Magictology.”
“Gnomes rule,” the other soldiers shouted in unison.
Their leader smiled and turned his horse to me.
“Do you accept our terms?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said, not seeing any other choice.
We needed to head south and get the rest of the items on our list before the other party got them. Our quest depended on it.
“You can spend the night in High Keep,” he continued.
“With the other party?” I shook my head. “That doesn’t work.”
“Don’t worry,” he said. “The other party’s left already.”
“We have to leave now and overtake them,” I said.
The gnome commander shook his head. “You can travel to Westwood and ask General Achbark for the oil tomorrow. I don’t want any fighting between you and the other group.”
“That’s not fair,” I said, instantly regretting it.
“We agree,” Bernard said. “We’re tired, wounded, and we welcome your hospitality Field Commander Ersey.”
Bernard knew his name?
He’d been around twenty years, so it made sense. We’d made the right choice finally letting him into the party.
“Monde will be the guest of honor tonight,” the gnome commander said then turned his horse. “Follow us.”
The gnome crossbow crew surrounded Field Commander Ersey as he rode toward the imposing walls of High Keep.
“Be smart,” Sylvar said. “We don’t want any trouble.”
I nodded. As we followed the gnomes, I chose bounty hunter as my rogue specialization then checked my level five stats.
> Stats
Name: Drexmao (“Drex”)
Race: Human (Special)
Class: Rogue -> Bounty Hunter
Level: 5
Experience Points: 17,361 (5,639 for next level)
Alignment: +85 (Quite Good)
Health: 73(73)
Strength: 85 (+20%) (+10 magic amulet – unknown)
Dexterity: 75 (+10%)
Constitution: 70 (+5%)
Intelligence: 75 (+10%)
Wisdom: 55 (+0%)
Charisma: 44 (+0%)
> Stats skills
Your Current Skills
Black Market Connections – Basic Level 3 of 10
Monster Lore – Basic Level 4 of 10
Weapon Craft – Blades - Basic Level 7 of 10
Climbing – Advanced Level 1 of 5 (+5 basic levels w/Ring of Spider Climbing
Stealth - Basic Level 3 of 10
Create Item - Basic Level 1 of 10
Identify Item – Basic Level 6 of 10
Language: Human, Common
Sense Motive – Basic Level 6 of 10
Bargaining – Basic Level 2 of 10
Not bad, but they could be better.
Our easy quest was getting more complicated.
We ate well with Monde as the guest of honor. I retired early, wanting to get an early start. The other party couldn’t get the items before us.
*
* * * *
The next morning, as we rode south, I thought about allowing Sylvar and Monde to join our party. We’d be closer to a normal group of six.
“How does everyone feel about inviting the other two in our party?” I asked.
“Are you serious?” Sarah asked. “I’ve been dying to let them in and talk…you know.”
“Let them in,” Bernard said.
“I appreciate the offer, but I decline,” Sylvar said, confusing me.
“You don’t want to join our group?” I asked. “Why not?”
I wondered if he was a computer-controlled NPC.
“Not now,” Sylvar said. “Maybe later.”
I studied his elvish features, but he hid his emotions well.
“More for us,” Bernard said, not mentioning xp.
I turned to him.
“Do you know anyone in Westwood?” I asked.
“General Achbark and I have met before,” he said. “It’s a long story.”
“Save it for later then,” I said. “We need to keep our eyes open. I think that other party might try to ambush us.”
“They won’t risk it near Westwood,” Sylvar said. “Gnomes don’t mess around.”
“It’s still a good idea to be ready,” I said.
“Achbark,” Monde paused, then repeated. “Achbark.”
She laughed hysterically as we rode.
I leaned over to Bernard.
“We might want to see him without her around,” I said. “Sylvar too.”
He nodded.
“I agree, boss. Never good to trust a man with a weasel.”
“Are we there yet?” Sarah asked in a sullen tone.
“Halfway,” Sylvar said.
We quieted down and rode. I wanted to reach Westwood before sundown and see General Achbark. The other players had likely already done so.
Hours after we’d departed High Keep, we reached the impenetrable stone walls of Westwood—the heart and soul of the gnomish kingdom.
I noticed over a dozen gnomes with crossbows standing atop the wall as we approached. Sylvar stopped his horse and held up his right hand.
“We come in peace with the blessings of Field Commander Ersey,” he said.
Two guards in bronze plate-mail walked over from the open gates.
“Is that you, Monde?” one asked. “And Benji?”
Why doesn’t anyone recognize Sylvar? I wondered.
“It’s me,” Bernard said. “Never thought I’d be around these parts again, but here I am. It’s a small world.”
“That it is, my friend,” the gnome warrior said then turned to his companion. “You’ve heard the stories, haven’t you?”
“I’ve heard them,” the other gnome said, still staring up at us. “But I’m not sure I believe any of them.”
“Good,” Bernard said.
The first guard laughed.
“Welcome to the city,” he said. “Enjoy your stay.”
“I’ll try,” Bernard said.
The two gnomes stepped aside.
We rode into the city through an opening in the massive stone walls; the entire city impressed me.
Inside, a gnome wearing bright blue and yellow clothes ran up. He stopped, bending to place his hands on his knees to catch his breath.
“Everything okay?” Sarah asked from atop her horse.
He straightened up and smiled.
“General Achbark is waiting for you,” he said. “I’ll take you to him.”
“That’s great.” I turned to Bernard. “You’re on good terms with this guy, right?”
“I think so,” he said. “It’s been so many years.”
“Right this way,” the gnome said then turned.
We followed him through the miraculous city. Of all the ones we’d been to so far in the game, Westwood was the most advanced.
He led us to a fancy building on the east side of the city—a private estate. After passing another dozen guards, we went into the palace. The gnome led us to a luxurious throne room.
I stared up at the paintings on the domed ceiling, amazed at the craftsmanship.
“He’ll be right with you,” the gnome said then left.
The five of us looked around the empty room.
“Welcome,” a voice boomed.
I glanced around, not seeing anyone.
“We’ve come to see General Achbark,” I said then added. “Benji’s here too.”
“That rascal isn’t in jail?” the voice asked.
A gnome with a long, white beard walked out of the shadows on the far side of the room. The top of his bald head glistened. He wore a purple suit with gold embroidering; an abundance of jewelry all over his body—shining and sparkling.
“Welcome, old dog,” General Achbark said.
He embraced Bernard, hugging him tightly.
I glanced at Sylvar who shrugged.
“What brings you to these parts?” the general asked.
“Gnome oil,” I answered. “Original recipe.”
General Achbark’s eyes opened wider, and he held up a hand.
“You want original recipe Gnome Oil?” General Achbark asked.
Sarah stepped forward.
“Yes,” she said. “We’re on a quest to destroy the cursed Pendant of Visions, and to do that, we need to make Dawn Acid.”
General Achbark nodded as he stroked the snowy river of his beard.
“Leave it to Benji Bigelow to want a substance outlawed in all the realms. Original Recipe Gnome Oil is practically a weapon of mass destruction.”
“We’ll be careful,” I said.
The gnome leader turned to me and burst into laughter.
“Where did you find these friends of yours?” he asked.
“They’re…” Bernard paused. “New to the realms.”
“Oh, I see,” General Achbark said.
The game listed the general as an NPC, but had he been a player?
“Can you tell us anything about the pendant?” I asked.
“I know it needs to be destroyed,” General Achbark said. “And that Magictology nonsense needs to be stopped.”
“We agree with you wholeheartedly,” Sarah said. “Has another group been here asking about Gnome Oil?”
General Achbark nodded.
“You know me, Benji,” he said. “I like to stay neutral in the affairs of other races. With that said, I wish your group well on your journey east to the mountains.”
Confused, I asked, “The Gnome Oil is in the mountains to the east?”
“No,” General Achbark said. “That’s where I need some help. Ever since the dwarves were run out of the mountain, foul beasts have been breeding in their absence. If you can kill a pesky lava golem for me, I’ll give you all the Gnome Oil we have left after the Great War.”
I turned to Sarah and the others.
“We need to take a lava golem anyway,” I said.
“You do,” General Achbark said. “It’s a win for everyone if you can complete this task before the other group of humans who came by yesterday. Bring proof of the lava golem’s death to Captain Kashim here in the city when you’re done. He’ll supply you with the Original Recipe Gnome Oil. I can have nothing to do with it.”
The info-dump slowly seeped into my brain.
“We’ll do it,” Sarah said, taking command. “Right?”
She turned to me. I nodded, officially accepting the quest.
New Quest!
Destroy the Lava Golem East of Westwood.
If you destroy this vicious creature, your party will receive 1,500 xp.
The general clapped his wrinkled hands together.
“Outstanding,” he said. “Between you and the other group, someone’s sure to take care of this problem for me.”
He smiled with self-satisfaction.
“Good to see you again,” Bernard said.
“Wish I could say the same,” General Achbark said.
I wasn’t sure if he was kidding or not. He turned and
left the room.
“We need to find and kill this lava golem,” I said.
“Before the others get to it,” Sarah added.
I nodded—the importance of the next leg of our quest sinking in.
“Finding it won’t be a problem,” Sylvar said. “I know where to look.”
“Great,” I said. “We should leave now. Are you sure you don’t want to join our party?”
“I can’t speak for Monde,” Sylvar said. “But I’m fine.”
“Monde speaks for herself,” our gnome warrior said.
That you do, I thought as we walked out of the building.
Outside, I realized we hadn’t healed up from the battle with the bears.
“I need to heal from the last battle still,” I said.
“We should spend the night here in Westwood,” Sylvar said. “I know a good tavern where we can get cheap drinks.”
I shook my head, nipping the idea in the bud.
“We don’t have time,” I said. “We can’t risk the other party killing the lava golem first and getting the Gnome Oil.”
“He’s right,” Sarah said. “We should stock up on potions then leave right away.”
“I know a good shop on the way out of town,” Bernard said.
“You don’t owe them any money, do you?” I asked.
He smiled guiltily and shook his head.
“Not in Westwood,” he said.
We got on our horses and followed Bernard to a magic shop near the eastern gates of the city. I waited outside while he and Sarah went in.
Sylvar kept glancing around as he stood next to me.
“Looking for someone?” I asked.
“No,” he said in a distracted voice.
Bernard and Sarah returned after a few minutes. He set down a box full of glass bottles and vials in front of me.
“You got a lot,” I said as I peered down at them.
“They had a sale going on,” Sarah said. “I couldn’t resist.”
We healed up and still had a few healing potions left.
“Great job,” I said. “We can keep going now.”
The five of us got back on our horses.
As we rode out the eastern gates and into the surrounding darkness, moonlight lit a mountain range in the distance—our next destination.
“We should be ready to take this other party out completely,” I said as we rode. “We can’t let them stop us or slow us down.”
