by M E Robinson
[A modification for Flame Strike has been learned, multiple Flame Strikes can now be cast at the same time using Multi-linked Flame Strike]
[You have learned a new spell: Multi-linked Flame Strike!]
Flame Strike modification
At the cost of additional mana adds additional flaming orbs to the spell. This modification has also tied the flame element together resulting in a more concentrated explosion. The mana cost and number of orbs are roughly equal to the number of flame strikes that are linked, squared. It is possible to further improve this skill.
Warning: This spell is beyond your current magical capabilities. Incorrect casting of the spell will result in increased mana costs and the severity of mana rebound will be increased.
The notifications ran across his vision one after another. It seemed that everything he’d learned upon the tutorial island had been converted into a skill. In addition, he’d also learned some active skills, although they were all modifications of the Arcane Strike spell. It was pretty obvious now why he’d fainted, he thought wryly. Considering that the starting mana pool was only a hundred mana. Casting that Multi-Linked Flame Strike and copying it three times would have drained an enormous amount of mana. Especially considering how clumsily he’d drawn the runes.
Until he levelled up and gained more mana, this spell would have to be his trump card, Eric mused. Unless it was guaranteed to kill the enemy he could not use Multi-linked Flame Strike or else he would be the one to die once the enemy survived and got to attack his unconscious body.
Closing the skill notifications window, Eric stretched as he pondered his next actions. The tutorial had taken three hours. But with the time dilation, that meant only an hour and a half had passed in real time, which meant he still had another two and a half hours before he had to meet up with his friends to discuss what they’d learned. Another two and a half hours means another five hours in game – that’s a lot of time to get quests done, Eric thought with a grin.
As he was in the middle of these thoughts, a flash of light briefly lit up the square as another player made their entrance, performing the same undignified stumble Eric had upon his own arrival.
Might as well go meet the chief before other players start to flood the place, Eric thought, walking over towards the large wooden hall. Pushing open the door, Eric peeked his head inside.
“Hello?” he called out cautiously, not wanting to offend the chief by barging in. Just like in the real world, NPC’s in Fate did not take kindly to uninvited guests barging into their dwellings. Their etiquette instructor had been quite forward on that point.
“Ah an otherworlder. Are you here to help our poor village?” a voice echoed from the far end of the hall.
Opening the door fully, Eric walked in, taking in the features of the room as he did so. The hall was fairly spacious and brightly lit with rows of windows on the slanting roof allowing sunlight to stream in. Torches in the walls provided more illumination, with a long table in the middle of the hall looking well polished as it gleamed in the torchlight. Looking closer, Eric realized that these torches were not actually flaming torches as depicted in many fantasy and historical movies, but torches with a gemstone embedded in the end, emitting a dull light that chased the shadows from the floor of the hall.
As his eyes adjusted to the lighting in the hall, Eric could make out a middle aged man dressed in embroidered yet simple clothes, sitting at the end of the table. Just past, the man he could now make out a doorway that must lead deeper in to the building. Turning to the man, Eric gave a respectful salute.
“Erick Kystfyr, I have finished my basic militia training and been given a letter of introduction,” he stated, withdrawing the scroll from his bag as he moved forwards.
The man quickly tore open the seal on the letter. After taking a quick glance at the letter, he then nodded, “Good, we need all the help we can get. The monster attacks have been growing more frequent and roaming monsters have become bolder in recent months. While this is standard fare in the months preceding winter, thanks to the recent illness that has swept the village, we need every able hand either manning the walls or helping with the fields. Can I count on you to aid us? As a member of the militia, you will be given a modest pay and provided with lodgings if you agree to stay in Tonbura village. I am the village chief, Flen Ironspear.”
Eric nodded his assent, “I would be honoured to serve as a member of the Tonbura village militia. However, I also need freedom to travel and visit other cities. Am I required to be in Tonbura village at all times if I join the militia?”
Flen shook his head, “No, you will be given a large degree of freedom. All we ask is that you stay within the region. You are not actually joining the Tonbura village militia but the Lunbrengur region militia. As a member of the militia, if you find yourself near a town or village in the region and you see a monster attack, you are duty-bound to come to their aid. You may also collect your pay and benefits in any settlement in the region.”
Eric nodded his understanding at this. It was a pretty good deal. All he had to do was join the militia and they would fund his development, as well as allowing him to gain favour with local NPC’s and even travel the region.
“I would be glad to join the defense against the monstrous scourge that plagues our region. It is every man’s duty to ensure that the races of good are not overcome by darkness,” he replied to Flen.
Flen’s face broke out into a wide smile, “Excellent! I am glad to have such a stalwart fellow join the militia. If you report to the village blacksmith, you may choose a brand new weapon from the armoury. Report to the militia barracks for free lodging. Pay is issued on the first day of every second week. The next payday will be in three days. I am glad to make your acquaintance Erick Kystfyr,” Flen said, extending his hand. Reaching out, Eric gave the chief a firm handshake.
“Oh right, here’s the seal that proves you’re a part of the militia: you’ll need it to obtain your equipment from the blacksmith.” Flen handed Eric a small badge that Eric pinned to the front of his vest before saluting once more.
As he turned to walk out the door, he suddenly turned back. “Chief. Are there any tasks I could help out with around the village? My style is to more proactively seek out monsters and hunt them down rather than waiting for them to come to us.”
Flen pondered for a moment, “If you ask the militia captain, he should be able to tell you where some minor monsters have been sighted nearby,” he replied.
“Thanks, Chief!” Eric saluted once more and then left, passing by another player just about to knock on the chief’s door. Flashing the player a quick smile, Eric turned and began to walk towards the road where he could spy a curl of smoke rising into the sky. Hopefully, that was where the blacksmith resided so that he could obtain a new weapon.
- Chapter Eighteen -
Militia Duties
As he passed through the square, Eric could see a number of players now occupied the formerly empty square. A few windows had been opened and a number of the village’s inhabitants could also be seen observing the players, some with interest, others with a look of wariness. Most of the residents appeared to be caucasian humans, matching the norse-inspired setting of the village. However, there were a few darker skinned individuals. And he saw a halfling couple working together in their garden, the four foot tall frame of the door giving away their ownership of the house.
Cheerfully, Eric waved at a cute brunette girl staring at him from a second story window. Blushing furiously, she quickly retreated deeper inside the house. Laughing at her reaction, Eric continued to meander down the path.
Taking a better look now that he’d completed his first quest, Eric could see that the village wasn’t terribly large. No matter which direction he looked in, he could see the wooden walls of the palisade that surrounded the village looming only a few hundred meters from the square. Unlike the more modern countryside villages of Europe in the real world, this village was laid out rathe
r haphazardly with dozens of paths winding between houses, only occasionally connecting to the main road. The houses themselves were mostly two stories tall, made primarily of wood with thatched straw roofs. Each house took up a generous amount of land, with large gardens enclosed by wooden fences where vegetables could be seen growing. Chickens and other small livestock could be seen roaming quietly through the gardens, occasionally pecking at the greenery before being chased out by annoyed village residents.
Locating the smithy turned out to be an easy task. Eric simply observed the trail of smoke winding lazily into the sky - assuming the village wasn’t on fire, which seemed to be a likely conclusion given that the villagers weren’t panicking, then that smoke should be the telltale sign of an active forge. Walking for a minute towards the smoke, Eric was rewarded with the sight of a small smithy where a burly man could be seen working a piece of metal while his apprentice, most likely his son, Eric mused, worked the bellows.
Walking up, Eric waited quietly as the man pounded the metal repeatedly, flattening the metal into the shape of an axehead. As he dipped the molten metal into a nearby bucket of water, an enormous hissing sound rang out, steam shooting into the sky. Leaving the axehead in the water, the blacksmith finally turned towards Eric.
“And who might you be?” he demanded, folding his enormous arms across his chest as he strode over to tower above Eric.
“Erick Kystfyr, I just spoke to Chief Ironspear who has conducted me into the militia. I was told to report to you for a new weapon.”
At these words the blacksmith broke out into a wide grin as he noticed Eric’s militia badge, “A new militia member? Well why didn’t ye just say so! I’m Tom Smith and this is my son Tarn,” he said as he gestured to the boy working the bellows. Tarn gave a weak smile and waved from behind the forge which Eric returned before turning to Tom.
“The chief didn’t really explain what I needed to do other than report to you for a new weapon and then report to the militia Captain.”
“Aye, that’d be old Alistair you’ll be needin. He lives next to the militia barracks over by the northern entrance. For yer weapon, ye got yer choice between a spear, a shortsword and shield, or a dagger and a short bow, along with a quiver of arrows of course. Larger swords you need to pay for, any other weapons would be a special order from a more reputable blacksmith. Understand?” Tom asked Eric who nodded in response.
“I suppose I’ll choose the bow,” Eric said after a moment.
Tom smiled, “Tarn run over to Craig’s house and tell him I’ll need a bow and quiver of arrows fer a new militia member. Might as well ask fer several while you’re there - I have a feeling we’ll be getting more new recruits than jus’ this un today.” Hearing this, Tarn gave a quick nod and took off down the road.
“Craig’s the village fletcher,” Tom explained as he rummaged along a wall at the back of the smithy, where Eric could see a number of tools and weapons hanging. The majority were swords and various knives and daggers. In a barrel alongside the wall stood a few dozen spears with shafts of various lengths and sizes all sticking out from the top of the barrel, their sharp spearheads reflecting the flickering flames of the smithy forge.
Grabbing a dagger from the wall, Tom quickly tested it’s weight and balance before giving a satisfied nod.
“Since yer’ the first recruit I’ve seen in awhile, I’ll give ye this one. It’s one of my better creations, got a good heft to it,” he said as he passed the dagger over to Eric, along with a small sheath for his belt.
Examining the dagger, Eric could see that it was made of bronze, with a hilt made of wood and wrapped in leather to avoid splinters. The workmanship was rough but the dagger itself was solid and well balanced.
[You have received Rough Bronze Dagger]
Thanking Tom, Eric quickly strapped the sheath to his belt and stuck the dagger inside, feeling much cooler now that he had a blade at his waist. As he made smalltalk with Tom about the village’s condition, hoping that maybe Tom would offer him a quest, Tarn came pelting back along the road, lugging a handful of bows and a small barrel along as he ran. Skidding to a halt in front of the smithy, Eric saw that the barrel was full of arrows, stone tipped and fletched with what appeared to be goose feathers. Panting for breath, Tarn handed the bows and barrel over to his father, who praised him for his efforts before turning to Eric.
“Alright, so as a brand new militia member ye’ll only be given a single weapon, of bronze not iron. If ye want more weapons, ye’ll either have to raise accomplishments as a member of the militia or buy em with yer own coin,” Tom explained as he tested the flexibility of the bows Tarn had passed him. Giving the string of a bow a quick tug, he listened to the resulting twanging sound before handing it to Eric.
“Alright here’s yer bow. It’ll shoot straight but I can’t guarantee much more than that. I’ll also give ye a quiver with twenty stone tipped arrows. Ye can buy more arrows from Craig’s shop fer a handful of copper. But if ye want bronze or even iron tipped arrows it’ll be much more expensive. Anything else ye need?”
Eric shook his head, “Nope. Thanks for all of this though, you said I could find Alistair the militia captain over by the north wall?”
Tom nodded, grabbing a quiver of arrows from Tarn as he did so and handing them to Eric who quickly attached the quiver to his belt.
“Jus’ follow the path straight back through the square and ye’ll come across it. Big stone building, ye can’t miss it,” he replied.
Thanking Tom and Tarn, Eric departed towards the northern part of the village, playing with his new bow as he did so. As he walked, he saw the player who had passed him earlier at the village chief’s house emerge from the square in his direction. As he passed, Eric saw the man’s eyes widen at the brand new weapons hanging from Eric’s figure, which put a smile on his face.
As he walked, Eric quickly took a look at the two new notifications flashing at the bottom of his vision.
[You have received Rough Short Bow!]
[You have received 20 Rough Goose-feathered Stone Arrows!]
All the weapons I’ve acquired so far are Rough, Eric mused. That must mean that the free militia weapons were at best simple starter weapons and better weapons should be available either for purchase or in bigger towns.
Pressing the notification, a pair of status windows suddenly popped up.
[Rough Maple Short Bow]
Requirements for proficient use: Basic Archery - Beginner 1
Attack: 1-3
Range: 20m
Description: The creation of Craig, fletcher of Tonbura village. This is a somewhat shoddy bow made of maple, made hastily to deal with the increased need for militia in the village. It is not up to the usual standards that Craig holds himself to but it will shoot straight enough.
[Rough Goose-feathered Stone Arrow]
Attack: 1-2
Description: A basic stone tipped arrow fletched with goose feathers. It will fly relatively straight. Village fletchers have taken to tipping arrows with stone due to a recent metal shortage in the kingdom.
Looking at the descriptions, Eric brought up the notification for the Rough Bronze Dagger that he’d ignored before.
[Rough Bronze Dagger]
Attack: 1-2
Description: A normal bronze dagger forged by Tom, the Tonbura village blacksmith. The workmanship is fine but the materials are slightly below average.
Well, at least they’re weapons, Eric thought wryly as he dismissed the notifications.
Nearing the northern part of the village, Eric instantly saw the building Tom had talked about. It was hard to miss, being the only building made entirely out of stone in the whole village. The walls were definitely a little weatherbeaten, but the small training yard filled with wooden dummies and the archery targets next to it gave credence to the building’s role as the village’s militia barracks.
Striding over to the front door, Eric gave the door three sharp knocks before standing back. A minute pas
sed, frowning Eric was just about to reach forward and knock again when the door was yanked open by a large man with short grey hair. His back was slightly stooped with age, but nothing had dimmed the fierce glint in those steely gray eyes that now glared up at Eric.
Putting a smile on his face, Eric stretched out a hand, “Hello, my name is Erick Kystfyr and I’m a new member of the village militia. Flen Ironspear sent me to inquire about recent monster infestations nearby.”
The only response the man in the doorway gave to this was to stare slowly down at Eric’s outstretched hand before returning his burning gaze to Eric’s face. Play it cool, he’s probably just testing you, Eric told himself nervously, continuing to hold out his hand awkwardly.
At long last, the man finally showed what appeared to be the shadow of a smile, grasping Eric’s hand firmly and giving him a strong shake.
“About damn time that whippersnapper gets me some new recruits!” he roared, releasing Eric’s hand. “Now then! There are numerous monster infestations outside the village. Recently, several groups of monsters including at least two different goblin bands have grown more daring and taken up residence inside Stillwood Forest. As a member of the militia you are not required to help unless they attack the village. However! If you can slay marauding monsters, you will be rewarded for your efforts! I would suggest that a greenhorn like yourself avoid the goblins for now and focus on lesser threats. While you might be able take on a single goblin, a group can easily overwhelm an untrained fighter. If you see any larger monsters, especially giant-class monsters such as ogres or ettins, do not engage them. Report back to me and I will request aid from the nearby town. Is that understood?”
