by A Uscila
*-3 Charisma due to reputation.
*+2 Leadership due to fame.
“The heck? The two of you are actually higher level than me?! Since when?” – With clear dissatisfaction plain to see and hear, did Willow complain. Quite the surprise, since even considering her previous defeats, she just blamed it all on her companions and being outnumbered. Yet here she was. Facts plain to see. Their stats were abnormally bloated as well. Not too much, but visibly enough. Obviously – the two carried around quite a few exceptional items. Bob was a perfect example, though Wail’s shabby look did not give away any of it. Sure - the dagger shone suspiciously, but that was the only outstanding thing about his attire. Either way, the sudden realization visibly irked Willow, as she unconsciously bit her lip during the time it took for the two to react and demand her to share just the same.
Character name: Willow
Level: 86
Class: Human Ranger
Reputation: -112
Title: Cutthroat
Experience: 7.3%
Health: 4170
Mana: 980
Stamina: 5670
Strength: 30
Intellect: 60
Agility: 300
Fortitude: 50
Wisdom: 10
Precision: 213
Attack: 140-284
Defense: 179
Charisma: 15
Leadership: 13
Luck: 10
Fame: 178
Health Regen: 10 Health/sec.
Mana Regen: 2 Mana/sec.
Stamina Regen: 17 Stamina/sec.
Magic Resistance
Fire: 0%
Water: 5%
Nature: 10%
Black: 0%
Light: 0%
Nether: 0%
*Unspent points: 0
*+5 Charisma due to appearance.
*+3 Leadership due to Fame.
*+21% Critical damage due to Precision.
*+5 Stamina/sec, +2 health/sec, +10 Critical damage due to Human Ranger.
Title bonus
*+15% additional melee damage.
*-10% long ranged damage.
*+20% additional experience for killing foes from behind. Must be done with a melee weapon.
“I don’t know. Most likely after you died in the dungeon”- Wail shrugged as he observed Willow’s stats – “Since we had the “first to discover” bonus, we made good speed in leveling up” – He finished up, signaling the bandits to move out with his left arm during the talk. Seems like they were finally leaving towards the bandit camp.
“You were the first to discover that dungeon!? God damn it, how the heck did you manage to find an unexplored dungeon in this low level region!? – Willow inquired once more, with a heightened voice. Though she wasn’t glaring. Seemingly – Willow was genuinely surprised.
“Luck I guess. I managed to bump into Bob during one of my exploration trips. Which resulted in an unexpected quest for a person with negative reputation” – Wail replied as the three gathered up their stuff and prepared to set off after the bandits – “I guess negative reputation is a relatively unexplored aspect of the game”
This time Willow narrowed her eyes, while still observing the ugly mug of her colleague. Something sounded extremely suspicious. No one was that lucky. No one she knew at least. A shrug. “Well. Let’s hope some of that luck rubs off on me then. I wouldn’t mind a positive change at all” – She casually finished up their peculiar exchange while staring off into the branches above. Seemingly lost in thought.
“So you actually prefer to fight up close?” - Wail then asked, after noticing her title - “Is that the reason why you were so desperate in getting back the dagger?”
“Yes and mostly. This dagger has a symbolic meaning to me - since I got it from a terribly annoying and hard quest I did for the military. After which I started preferring melee combat” – The ranger explained, hand reaching down towards the hilt of the mentioned weapon.
“I see” - Was all the magician said, failing at hiding away the sudden loss of interest - “Well then. Let’s go” - He then added, turning to Bob and minion number one - the four finally moving out after their escorts. Quite the arbitrary way to end a conversation, even Willow seemed to be slightly surprised. She gave Wail a peculiar glance, yet eventually - followed after.
*******
Not much happened as the group and their ragged escort traveled – their only real issue being the poor-quality food they had to endure due to a certain hedge-mage. Apparently, Wail managed to restock on his favorite bread before the settlement burned down and the suffering from eating that poor excuse for sustenance really put a sour taste to the mood.
Of course, another unexpected development might have been partly at fault as well. An encountered lone figure along the forest road - torn, stained robes, a hood barely covering his bald scalp. Oh yes, that was a human male, aged, tanned skin – a long wooden staff in hand. Looks like Wail and Co found a pilgrim. Did not seem like a promising target to mug, so the bandits seemed to ignore him and scurry right past. Their encounter? Did not seem to mind being ignored. In fact, he had his sights set on a member of their party. Not the lovely Willow either.
With a shaking, feeble hand raised towards Wail, he stared almost in horror at the fellow. A bony finger with overly-long nails practically aimed to stab out an eye.
“Spawn of darkness…!”- The fellow murmured almost under his nose. A peculiar high-and-mighty way of speech. Hard to understand mumbling. Seems like it wasn’t your average pilgrim. More like a detached religious fanatic and judging by the reaction toward Wail - he belonged to a major one religion.
Wail didn’t seem to mind, as he shrugged it all off and planned on passing by together with his colleagues.
“Putrid snot-ridden bugger of Satan’s oozing nostrils! A plague upon the world, a curse! Return from whence thy came, creature of hell!”- The annoying fellow kept on, preaching like a veteran priest, even in the face of completely uninterested listeners. Or more like no listeners at all as the group walked by - with a barely noticeable hastening in their pace.
It did not seem to get in the way of the pilgrim though, as he neatly followed after – continuing with his litany. “Oh mighty God high above, smite this foul beast with your holy wrath! Open thy containers of holy cleaning products and wipe this foul smudge from your earthly garden!”- He went on. Seems like the fellow was on a roll and on the right track to annoy everyone present. Willow was already gripping her dagger with a barely visible vein almost ready to pop on her forehead. Bob? Did not seem to mind. Heck, he was quite entertained. Especially by his colleague’s reactions. Wail wasn’t much better off than the female colleague, though he seemed to express it internally – a hand held against his forehead. Seems like the pest was indeed making progress. That is…until he made a tactical mistake.
Pilgrim deals 350 light damage to you.
A sudden surge of searing pain ran across Wail’s back – as he stumbled and almost fell. Mostly due to the complete surprise of what took place. With anger now clearly visible, he turned around to face the culprit - the bastard almost made Wail drop his bag of loot. Willow seemed to be of similar thought as she drew her bow and aimed a notched arrow.
“Seriously? You actually hit me?” – Wail inquired with a mean gleam in the eye, dagger readied. Seems like he planned on skinning him alive. That spell really did anger this scrawny mage.
“Cut your foul speech, devil’s whore! It was God’s holy grace! A reply to my devoted prayers, a helping hand for this humble servant! An attempt to wipe you clean of the face of the earth, spawn of evil!”- He continued on, completely oblivious to the situation he was in. Most likely – that would not have been the end of it. Though Bob wouldn’t have minded - seeing as he was curled up into a ball of laughter, completely unable to ignore such a ridiculous development.
Luckily - minion number one finally extended a helping hand. With a speed uncommon for the usual shuffling mov
ements displayed, the reanimated minion charged at and jumped onto the pesky devotee with visible ferocity. A surprised yelp escaped the victim, followed by a pained grunt as he hit the floor – the attacking underling glued to the back – a broken sword raised for a moment, before it was thrusted at the prey’s back. The pilgrim could barely twitch and groan a few times before the deed was done and his spirit could safely ascend to whatever after-life was promised to him. Wail couldn’t help but wish a boring one for the bastard.
-90 reputation with the church of Grimm (due to heretic)
You have gained shared experience.
Once that was done and over with, Wail threw in a couple of fireballs at the pilgrim. Lighting the robes on fire and turning the body to ash quickly enough for good measure. Seems like Wail used this unwelcome guest as a means to vent pent up stress. It was only fair – the holy man started it, after all.
Their bandit escorts? Keeping a distance, widened eyes glued to the scene in a stunned daze.
"Well that was over-kill" - Willow commented on the unnatural performance, finally lowering her bow and turning towards the bandits, clearly ready to continue the interrupted journey.
“No, this is overkill” – Wail mumbled, as he rummaged through the ashes and grabbed the few silver coins that were dropped.
Willow sighed to that, while Bob and even the bandits seemed to look at the greedy mage with admiration.
Quite an encounter, to be sure. And quite the end to it as well – Wail seemed to be satisfied. Bob? Quite the laugh he had. Though it was hard to tell how minion number one was doing – as the moving corpse attempted to gather the bags that were dropped as soon as action was initiated, only to continue-on as if nothing happened.
With a few pieces of bread in mouth, a few move silver coins in their pockets – the party moved out once again. Good thing that pilgrim showed up – due to his nonsense, everyone seemed to forget the terrible taste of their little snack.
*******
Soon enough, the party reached their destination – the bandit camp. And quite the camp it was. More like a fort, even, its’ walls hidden in the lush forest. Sheltered from harm by nature’s soft shrouding touch. Though it all seemed quite impractical. Wail could not help, but glare at the wooden walls, trees practically growing on them – their branches reaching over the edge. All he’d need to do is fling one ball of fire and all of it would just go up in smoke.
“Who was the smart-ass to build a wooden wall as a defensive measure and kept the freakin’ trees right next to it?”- Wail rhetorically expressed his inner angst, slightly too loudly. Since as he passed through numerous bandits and the likes that mingled here and there around the tightly knit fort – a few reacted.
They whispered in hushed voices and four individuals quickly scurried off outside with axes. Who would have known that Wail’s voice had so much weight?
Wooden huts made out of logs stacked up horizontally hugged the northern wall. Accompanied with various tents littered here and there – leaving the area around the entrance completely open. Not the most fabulous establishment to be sure. Right in the middle of the camp, a large fireplace was lit – numerous of the inhabitants swarming around it with beverage filled mugs and various nutrients in hand. All in all – the place didn’t seem that much populated. Though there might be about a hundred of these lowlifes. Rugged, poorly dressed and equipped fellows. Unwashed, un-kept and always frowning. Quite the bunch – humans of varying skin tones. Wail might just feel right at home.
Unsurprisingly – at least to Wail, almost every single one seemed to be staring at the new guests with frozen expressions. All activities held-up by this unexpected visit. And even though both Wail and Bob seemed keen on exploiting this moment – their escorts kept on leading them deeper into the fort. Until they were invited inside one of the wooden huts.
A neat little place, with barely any furniture. Right in the middle of it – a small round table stood with a bulky fellow sitting behind it. Tall, insanely wide shoulders and an extreme and even weird skin tone - dark green. He wore iron plated armor that covered most of his features – and a bucket shaped helm that covered the head. Who would wear a helm in a dimly lit wooden hut? Wail couldn’t help but figure him for some sort of a rare species. A dangerous looking piece of metal rested on the table at hands reach – crooked, unpolished and fanged even. Considering the poor craftsmanship, it might as well be a blunt weapon. Though it’s long, more-or-less straight form resembled a sword. Who would make swords like that was beyond Wail’s imagination. Maybe some troll who decided to pummel a piece of metal he found on the roadside with a rock and call it a crafted weapon.
Either way, the escorts left soon enough, introducing this bulky fella as their “boss” before doing so. This “boss” fellow, after being so poorly introduced took off his helm and placed it right next to the sword. Quite the mistake, since the three flinched at the very sight. Even though Wail could consider himself quite used to poor looks, even resistant, but deep down he couldn’t help but admit – the fellow was absolutely hideous. Twisted, sharp facial features. A scowling mouth with two fangs barely sticking out. Small beady eyes of dark red color – with an almost bloodthirsty look to them. Not wanting to meet someone in a dark corner was often used by Wail – but this seemed to be the most fitting example. No human could be this ugly – thus there could only be one logical explanation. Wail finally encountered a new race – an orc. He did hear about their horrifying looks, but one had to see it to believe it. Can’t say Wail was any happier. Ignorance would have been a preference.
“I’ve been waiting for you”- He said while standing up, making the guests flinch once again- as his voice seemed to be quite high-pitched.
As Wail’s eyes made contact with this unpleasant creature - time seemed to freeze for a moment or two. Tension slowly climbed to a boiling point – and exploded once the three unconsciously reached for their weapons. Their host quickly reacted to that - charging at Wail barehanded. So fast was he – that no one managed to react in time. Oh the horror that unfolded next…
Once barely a half-a-step away – the orc quickly fell to the floor face forward and embraced Wail’s legs as if they were what was keeping him from descending into a bottomless pit. Which almost made Wail join this loving embrace while lying on the floor together.
“Please, oh please take over! I can’t take the responsibility anymore! Be our salvation!” – The oversized orc started shouting in an almost screeching voice, completely startling all three of his guests beyond belief.
Bob started laughing soon enough, so unable to control himself that he actually had to lean on the wall – as to avoid falling down. Willow wasn’t far behind as she too joined in on the fun – while Wail stood there barely able to maintain his balance with mouth gaping in surprise.
“I was never good at this leadership business! My speciality was always smashing things, not managing them! Please, lead us to glory oh great one! It would be an honor…no, a true blessing if you would choose to do so! For we would indeed achieve greatness while serving under you!”- The orc continued with his squealing.
Frankly, seems like Wail could not take any more of this, as he turned to Bob.
“Get him off me damn it”- He murmured through clenched teeth - eyes moments away from bursting open from suppressed anger. Sadly, Bob was completely disabled –and completely at the mercy of his own laughter. Desperate, Wail turned to Willow - carrying the same request. “Come on, help me with this guy!” – He almost begged now, desperate - considering who he was asking help from.
Unsurprisingly, Willow only snickered to the very thought – “Oh no, I’m not getting anywhere near that! Nor am I ruining the moment, you’re on your own lover-boy!”- She only replied, soon enough cracking up once again. Most likely due to her own reply – the self-centered woman that she was.
Finally – Wail turned to minion number one, who was the only individual not involved in all of this. Regrettably – all
that met his pleading look was a blank, eyeless stare, which basically told Wail all he needed to know. He was on his own.
“Fuck my life…” – He mumbled under his nose.
Chapter 24
“So let me get this straight” - Wail said while backing off a step once the grip on his legs was loosened. He leaned back slightly, an eye-brow lifted, lips twisted into a crooked smile - “You want me, to be the new leader of this shithole?”
“That’s right” - The huge orc replied without a drop of hesitation. Seems like he chose to ignore the rude remark, regarding the state of his base. What a nice fellow. Though his jeering high-pitched voice did serve as a form of torture or retaliation no matter the circumstances.
Wail exchanged glances with both Willow and Bob, the same crooked smile still present. Bob seemed to be quite excited about the idea, as he nodded energetically. Willow? She seemed to share Wail’s doubts - staring at the orc with one eyebrow risen, a frown glued to that pretty face of hers.
“No” - Wail replied eventually, in quite the cold and frank manner - arms now crossed on his chest. Does not seem like he’s interested even in the slightest - “Why would I waste my time here? What possible good could I gain from leading this rabble? I’m already wanted enough, I don’t want to get even more attention from the authorities. Especially considering that I’d be a sitting duck in this fort!” - He continued, self-absorbed as always.
