by Pdmac
“I like that.” She looked down at Raquel. “You coming?”
Raquel nodded then finished her ale in one long gulp. “I’m in room 316,” she said, glancing down at the tag on the key.
“So where’d he put you?” Annabeth asked Karl.
Looking down at the list, Karl shook his head. “Weird. I’m in 444 again.”
“It does make it easy to remember,” she said. “I was in 315 in Marbeck.”
“You don’t find that strange?” Karl wondered.
“Not really,” she shrugged. “That way I don’t have to keep track of different rooms in different towns. If I get the same room in the next town, I’ll know the developers are either keeping track of me or are lazy enough to keep things simple.”
He smiled at her and paused to watch the two beautiful women saunter to the door leading to the stairs to the various floors. Still distracted by the vision of them naked in the bath, he shook his head and handed out the rest of the keys.
Deciding that he too would like a bath, he caught the eye of the pretty blond serving girl.
Making a beeline for him, she stopped so close that he could feel her body heat. “Yes, sir?”
“I’d like a bath, please, nice and hot.”
“Of course,” she smiled with pleasure. “I’ll arrange for a tub in your room. Give me a few minutes, please.”
As the girl sashayed away, he leaned back and inhaled the overlapping aromas of ale, baked bread, and sizzling meat. Thinking back to when he arrived in the game, standing outside the gates to Marbeck and the subsequent times out on patrols killing gnolls, followed by long enjoyable meals in the tavern and romping sessions with Kylie in his and her bedrooms, he was hard-pressed to think of when he had had more fun. And the flip side was that even if he was killed, he wouldn’t die. He’d simply respawn back in Marbeck. What was the downside?
The downside was that once he crossed the bridge, this island and the NPCs in it were lost to him forever. He admitted that he had developed a fondness for Kylie, one that could have grown into something more. But he knew he was leaving and purposely held his emotions in check.
And then there were Raquel and Annabeth… and Sakura, and Lana, players that could move along with him. But were they interested in something romantic, especially if one of them had to respawn so far away that there was little likelihood of them ever being together again?
Of all the women PCs, he was attracted most to Raquel and Annabeth. But was it wise to get involved with subordinates, if he was the supposed leader? He was in the midst of his musings when the serving girl came back.
“Your bath is ready, sir.” she sweetly announced.
“What’s your name?”
“Elena.”
“Elena,” he repeated. “Thank you, Elena.”
Taking the mug of ale with him, he followed Elena up the stairs to his room, which was now steaming from the hot water in a portable wooden tub that was placed in the middle of the floor. Dipping his finger in the water, he sighed with pleasure at the thought of lounging in a hot tub, with a beautiful woman scrubbing his back... and other things.
Placing his belt and gear on the floor by the bed, he turned to see Elena watching him, an expectant smile curling the corners of her lips.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” he asked.
“I’ve never seen a Viking before.”
“Never?” he frowned. “Surely there have been other… uh, people like me come through here.”
“Never,” she replied. “I’ve never seen dwarves or elves or people like that giant man.”
He noted the dreamy expression and wondered why she decided to come here instead of being with Dieter. “My guess is that he’s probably figuring out how to get a bath. With his size, it’s hard to accommodate him. Perhaps you might want to see if he needs some help.”
“That’s OK,” she hastily replied. “I’m here to serve you.”
“I’m sure Dieter could use some help. I’m fine. Really. He’s in room 205.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“I can check on you later if you like.”
“There’s no need. Hopefully I’ll be sound asleep after the bath. I think Dieter is the one who could use a little help.”
“Thank you.” She dipped a curtsy and slipped out the door.
Sighing with disappointment, he unbuttoned his jerkin and hung it on a wall peg by the bed. He was in the process of unbuttoning his pants when he heard the door open.
“I’m fine, thank you,” he said over his shoulder.
“I know you are.”
He stood up when he recognized the voice. His hands still on the first button of his pants, he turned to see Annabeth, barefoot and dressed in a silk robe, standing in the doorway. Her long raven hair fell past her shoulders and draped over her breasts.
Closing the door, she slid the locking bolt home and turned around. Smiling impishly at him, she said, “We tossed a coin and I won.”
“We?”
“Raquel and I. I won, so I get you tonight. She gets you tomorrow night.”
Karl swallowed hard, staring at how the silk wrapped and folded to her body.
“Remember when I said about flashing my boobs at you?”
“Yes.”
She opened her robe, revealing she was completely naked. Her breasts were large and almost unnaturally firm. She watched as his eyes traveled down to her toned stomach and shapely thighs.
“You see?” she charmingly laughed. “That’s the difference. I’m getting an honest reaction.”
Letting the robe slip to the floor, she stepped into the tub. “Ooh. My goodness. It’s hot. Well?” She titled her head and raised her eyebrows. “Are you just going to stand there or are you going to join me?”
Karl unbuttoned the rest of the buttons and slipped the pants off and tossed them on the bed then turned to face her.
“Yes,” she leered, letting her gaze take in the tall Viking. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”
Karl was at breakfast with Annabeth when Raquel pushed through the door leading to the upstairs rooms. Seeing them, she smiled and waved and walked over, sliding out a chair.
“I slept so soundly last night,” she happily sighed. “How about you two?”
Karl suddenly felt exposed, especially when Annabeth replied, “We slept great, though the bed’s a little small for two people.”
“I wonder if I should ask for a large mattress tonight,” Raquel mused, as though Karl wasn’t there.
“I should have thought of that,” Annabeth bemoaned then grinned. “Next time I will.”
Before Karl had a chance to ask if he had any say in the matter, a grim faced Sakura pushed through the door and marched over to the table.
“I can’t find Carole anywhere. I went by her room to check on her and all of her things are there, but she isn’t.”
“Have you asked Humphrey or his girls if they’ve seen her?”
“Yes,” she answered with frustration, “and I can’t get a satisfactory answer.”
Cocking an eyebrow, Karl stood and motioned for Humphrey to come over.
“Yes, sir?” the chubby proprietor grinned.
“Have you seen an elf dressed as a mage this morning?”
“I believe she went with the burgomaster’s friends early this morning,” he replied, his smile lessening.
“Where did they go?”
“Uh, well, you see,” he cough then cleared his throat. “It’s just that I’m not exactly sure, if you take my meaning.”
“No I don’t,” Karl replied with a cold hard stare.
The door to the tavern opened and the burgomaster, followed by the aldermen, came in. Seeing Karl and Humphrey in discussion, he bustled over.
“Good morning, good morning.” He greeted them with a broad smile. “Did we have a good night’s rest?”
“Where’s our team member?” Karl asked, getting directly to the point.
“Well, ah, yes, her,” the burgomaster hemmed and hawed, twisting his fingers. “You see, it’s a matter of your presence here and when you said you were leaving. It simply wasn’t convenient for us to have you leave so soon, especially with all that’s going on. You understand.”
“No, I don’t understand,” he replied, folding his arms.
“You don’t?” the burgomaster replied, surprised.
“Of course not. Where is she?”
“Well, you see, she’s, uh, she’s safe, rest assured, but hidden away.”
Karl’s lips tightened. “Why?”
“Because we need your help and we needed leverage to make you stay.”
“What kind of help?” Raquel asked.
The burgomaster cast a helpless glance at the aldermen who motioned for him to continue. “You see,” he began. “We need your help.”
“You’ve said that already,” Karl intoned.
“Yes, yes I did, didn’t I. Well, it’s like this.” He took a deep breath and then in a monotone rush, exclaimed, “Once a month a band of orcs comes here and demands to be fed. They threaten to tear down the city walls unless we feed them. The last time was a month ago. We had no food to give them, so instead of tearing down the walls, they tore down the house of one of the farming families and carted them off to be slaves, the entire brood, husband, mother, and six kids. Then they ate all their cattle. Then they came back to the gate and said that was just a warning and that they’d be back day after tomorrow. If we didn’t give them enough food, they would tear the city apart and kill everyone in it. Then you showed up and now we’re saved because you all are big and strong and clever. You can save us. You will help us, won’t you?”
Quest Alert: Save the town from orcs
Reward: Unlimited access to supplies, scrolls, potions, and weapons currently in the town
Do you accept this quest? Yes No
“What happens if we don’t accept?” Karl asked, frowning as he reread the alert.
There was a pregnant pause before an alderman hesitantly replied, “Then we sacrifice your friend to the orcs.”
“That would be a terrible mistake on your part,” Karl warned. “If you think orcs are bad, you haven’t seen us operate.”
The burgomaster’s eyes bolted wide as he abruptly realized Karl and company were already inside the city walls. His nervousness increased when Dieter entered the tavern, followed by the rest of the company who slowly made their way across the room and arrayed themselves behind Karl.
“You have two minutes before we tear this city apart to find her,” Karl threatened, “starting now.” He placed a hand on the pommel of his sword.
Before the burgomaster had a chance to response, an alderman was out the door.
“What’s going on?” Dieter asked.
“They’ve kidnapped Carole,’ Karl explained, “and will release her in exchange for us taking care of some orcs.”
Dieter stood to full height, towering over everyone in the room. “That was stupid.”
“Yes, yes,” the burgomaster replied, his hands fidgeting. “I can see that now.”
“A minute and a half left,” Raquel intoned.
“Please,” the burgomaster whined, his hands patting the air. “Please. She’ll be returned safely. I promise.”
Ignoring him, Karl turned to Raquel. “Your thoughts?”
“Once we get Carole back, I think we might want to consider his proposition.”
“I agree,” Annabeth added
“How many orcs were there?” Karl asked the burgomaster.
“Three,” he answered with a mix of hope and apprehension.
Karl activated his screen and scrolled through the listings of characters and pulled up ‘orc.’
Orcs are obnoxious, aggressive, cold-blooded, and arrogant. They are bullies by nature and only respect raw strength and power. Their arrogance makes them believe they are entitled to anything they want, unless another stronger than they can stop them from taking it. Prone to laziness, they avoid anything associated with ‘work’ unless it pertains to the battlefield. This attitude stems from the belief that the strong have a right to impose their will upon the weak, much like Nietzsche’s Ubermensch. The weak are nothing more than tools to be used. They take slaves from other races and would enslave their own kind if given the opportunity. Orc men brutalize orc women, children, elders, the infirm and any other too feeble to fight back. Deformed babies are killed upon birth. With the understanding that no one likes orcs, they have developed a culture that has a stoic indifference to pain, yet replete with vicious tempers, and a hair-trigger willingness to commit acts of atrocity and vengeance against anyone who dares oppose them.
Orcs are powerfully built and typically stand a few inches taller than the average human. Females are slightly smaller. Though seemingly of equal size to humans, they are differentiated by greater muscle mass, broader shoulders, and thick muscular hips that give them the recognizable lurching gait. They typically have dull green skin though orcs of a rust color are not unusual. An orc’s hair is coarse and dark, black being the prominent color. Orcs have beady red eyes, and protruding, tusklike teeth. Orcs prefer wearing vivid colors such as blood red and mustard yellow. Orcs consider battle scars marks of distinction. As they are fond of tattoos, they will incorporate these scars into a form of body art.
“One minute left,” Raquel announced.
Karl skipped the parts about orc society, religion and relations, and was about to jump down to the stats chart when a paragraph caught his eye.
Orcs view dwarves and elves with an odd mix of overt hatred, resentment, and caution. Though orcs respect strength and power, they cannot fathom why these two races of inferior strength have kept orcs at bay for countless ages. As such, they never miss an opportunity to torment a dwarf or elf who falls into their hands. However, when it comes to full-scale battle, they proceed with caution unless certain of the outcome. Orcs view humans as weaklings who, like sheep, blindly follow. However, even sheep can produce an obstinate ram. Thus, while they happily kill and/or oppress humans too weak to fend for themselves, they always keep one eye open for that human who will not back down.
He then dropped down to the combat stats.
Orcs are proficient with all simple weapons preferring those that cause the most damage in the least time, such as the falchion or the double axe. They like to attack from concealment and are proficient in setting up ambushes. Orcs will obey the rules of war (e.g., honoring a truce) only as long as it is convenient for them.
+4 Strength, -2 Intelligence, -2 Wisdom, -2 Charisma.
Night vision: strong out to 50 feet.
Light Sensitivity: Orcs prefer operating at night, in overcast conditions, or in the predawn hours. Bright sunlight affects their ability to wage combat. The same holds true within the radius of a daylight spell.
Languages: Common, Orc. Additional languages: Dwarven, Gnoll, and Goblin, though these languages are not as prevalent.
Favored Class: Berserker/barbarian
Raquel was about to say, “Thirty seconds left,” when the door opened and Carole came in. She was an attractive elf despite looking like she had just awoken. Her hair was wild and she walked with a list.
“What’s wrong with her?” Karl demanded.
“She’s been drugged,” Brad snarled.
“It was the only way we could get her,” the burgomaster bemoaned.
Karl snapped his head around to look at Humphrey who avoided his eyes and pretended to wipe the bar counter clean.
As Carole flopped down into a chair, Karl’s anger rose then dissipated. Carole was back safe, there was no sense in elevating the issue. He stared at Humphrey until the man met his gaze.
“Bring her some food. Good food.”
“Of course, sir.” Humphrey leaped to the opportunity to make amends, silently rehearsing how he would explain that the burgomaster and aldermen made him do it.
“You all can go now,” Karl
commanded. “I’ll let you know what our decision is.”
“But, but,” the burgomaster moaned. “The orcs will be back the day after tomorrow.”
“Go.” Karl folded his arms, intimating he brooked no further discussion.
Crestfallen, the burgomaster and aldermen moped out of the tavern, slowly closing the door behind them.
Humphrey emerged with a plate of fried eggs, warm bread, sliced pork and a cold ale, setting them down with a great flourish in front of Carole.
“I had no choice,” he apologized. “They made me do it. Said they would ruin my business if I didn’t do what they wanted.” Nodding at Carole, he said, “It’s sleeping potion. She’ll be back to normal in an hour or two.”
“We understand,” Karl answered with a tone that said he bore him no ill will. “Just be sure you notify the rest of us the next time you drug one of us.”
“Absolutely,” he said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Will you help us?”
“We’ll see. How about you give us a chance to talk about it?”
“Oh. Sorry.” Humphrey hustled back into the kitchen.
Karl looked at Carole who sat staring at the eggs. “You OK?”
“Sure,” she said, giving him a loopy smile. “I’d kill for some coffee.”
“Wouldn’t we all,” Brad chuckled. “Talk about gross negligence in game development.”
Karl looked around at the assembled group. “You heard what’s going on. The way I see it, though their methods were stupid, they did us a favor.”
“How ya figure that?” Conrad asked.
“As near as I can figure it, to get off this island, we have to accomplish at least one quest. Here we have a quest handed to us. There are three orcs and fourteen of us. I’m sure we can handle three orcs. If you look at the quest, once we accomplish it, anything in the city is ours. So. I’m looking for input. Pros and cons.”
“The only con I see is that we stay here another day or so,” Raquel answered. “What’s the big deal in that? We could stay here a week and it wouldn’t matter in the overall scheme of things.”
Dieter grunted agreement as did most everyone else.
