The Phoenix of Altria
Page 8
"Agreed," I said granting the two additional roles to them.
Congratulations you have completed the quest: Clan Leadership! You have earned 100 XP. The Immoral Exiles has earned 100 XP.
You have received a new quest: Clan Creed.
"Now that you have filled the leadership roles of your clan it is time to draft a clan creed. A clan creed is a mission statement for your clan and lets the world know the purpose of the clan and what it stands for."
Type: Common
Reward: 50 XP
Penalty for Decline or Failure: None
You have received a new quest: Clan Sigil.
"Now that you have filled the leadership roles of your clan it is time to create a clan sigil. A clan sigil is the symbol of your clan that can be displayed on banners and various other items."
Type: Common
Reward: 50 XP
Penalty for Decline or Failure: None
"Wow, I just got two new quests for the clan," I said.
"Yeah, I got them too," Viltria replied. "Why is the clan named the Immoral Exiles instead of the Immortal Exiles?"
Interesting, so the secretary got the quest notifications too, well at least that will make things easier on me. The two of us explained the details of the new quests to the rest of the group.
"I think the clerk entered it in wrong when we registered, and it won't let me change it," I replied nervously. "It said to change the name we'd need to form a new clan and pay the registration fee again."
"Well, fuck that," Eldertits said. "Immoral Exiles it is. Besides, I think it fits us perfectly."
"Maybe it fits you perfectly," Elaria said sourly. "I don't know about the rest of us, but what's done is done. Now, tell us about these new quests."
I filled the rest of the group in on the two new quests that Viltria and I received.
"I think I'd like to take a crack at the sigil if you don't mind," Turin said nervously.
"Be my guest. If we gave that job to Tits, she'd just draw some breasts and mount it on a flag."
"I hadn't even thought of that," Eldertits said excitedly, "but now that you mention it, that would be a great clan sigil.
"Nope, we're giving Turin this job," I said firmly. "Now what do you all want to do about the clan creed?"
"Why don't we get something to eat and draft something up?" Eldertits suggested. "I'm starving and not just for dick, though I wouldn't say no."
"Yes, let's get food," Rondo said and then added, "with no dick involved."
Shutting the door to the clan hall, if you could really even call it that, I followed the rest of the group as we made our way back to the main thoroughfare and entered a small cafe. The smell of baked bread and coffee hit my nostrils, and my mouth salivated at once.
After sitting down and ordering, we began to bounce ideas back and forth, trying to determine exactly what we wanted this clan to stand for. After about two hours of debate, we came up with the following:
The Immoral Exiles
"Love Freely. Fuck Openingly. Live Fully."
In the Immoral Exiles, we believe that all people should be able to love whoever they want without fear of discrimination and should be able to do so openly. This, of course, includes having multiracial orgies out in the open for the publics amusement.
We believe that all forms of slavery are wrong, and we stand firmly against those who practice it, except of course if you are doing some kinky BDSM shit. Then we only ask for an invite, and we'll be okay with it. We are declaring war on all others who practice slavery, and we will always be a friend to those who have been wrongly put in chains.
We believe that all the races of Alderoth should be treated with dignity and respect, yes even elves and the blacks. Though the races are all different, they all bring something to the table and help make up the fabric of Alderoth. Plus, all of this variety makes for some great fuckin'.
In Immoral Exiles, we are a family and take care of each other. Sure, sometimes you fuck your family, but you don't fuck your family. As a group, we help each other out, support one another, and all grow together.
We believe in living freely and getting the most out of each day. When there are chains we will break them, when there are doors we will open them, and where there are barricades we will remove them.
This was, without a doubt, the lousiest creed I had ever seen. I suppose that's what happens when you throw six people with different ideas together and mash it all up.
"Tits, can we please get rid of the sexual stuff?" I asked, looking over at the elf.
"No, that's important to me. I believe in sexual openness and free fuckery," Eldertits responded. "If we get rid of that, we're getting rid of that dignity and respect bullshit."
"That dignity and respect bullshit is crucial," Rondo snapped. "We're not getting rid of that. It's the only part that makes sense. Though, we could get rid of the love and fuck whoever you want part at the beginning."
"Alright screw it. I don't care enough. This is good enough," I said annoyed. "I'll just enter this. We've already spent hours on this damn thing. This way everybody gets a little something they want, and nobody is happy."
Opening the clan menu, I inserted the new creed we drafted. We'd look idiotic, but who was going to spend time reading that damn thing anyway?
Congratulations you have completed the quest: Clan Creed! You have earned 50 XP. The Immoral Exiles has earned 50 XP.
"I can't believe I'm associated with this," Elaria sighed. "I used to be a Ranger of Ilthielthiel."
"And now you get to be the clan latrine cleaner," Eldertits quipped. "I really think you've moved up in your career. If you blow Ryland, he might even promote you to head latrine cleaner."
"One day I'm going to kill you, and it's going to feel fantastic," Elaria muttered in response.
"If you elves will stop bickering, there is one more piece of business for the clan to take care of," Viltria said. "I'm going to need some funds to get the clan up and running while you're all gallivanting around the countryside."
"How much money are we talking?" I asked hesitantly.
"I think one hundred gold pieces from each of us will be enough to get started," she replied. "There's a lot that has to be done, and I'm not bearing all the costs by myself. So, unless you want to come back to a barren shack again, I suggest that you hand over the coin."
"Can't you just send Turin out to cut down some trees to get the lumber?" Eldertits asked. "Trees in this world respawn fully grown after like forty-eight hours or something."
"Sure, but there's a lot more we need besides lumber," Viltria said. "We need furniture and furnishings, and there will be costs associated with recruitment, too. Managing a clan is not typically something that can be done for free."
"You make a good point," I sighed, handing over one hundred gold pieces to her.
The rest of the group followed suit, and soon, Viltria had six hundred gold pieces toward building up the clan.
"Do you need anything else to get started Viltria?" I asked, addressing the dark-skinned woman.
"No, I think Turin and I will be able to do a lot with this," Viltria replied.
"Okay, well, the clan is in your hands," I replied. "I'd like to suggest that the rest of us wait until tomorrow to leave for Roselake, because I desperately need to get some new gear."
"Looks like you do learn after all," Elaria said smugly. "I think that's a good idea. We all should probably get some items."
"Shopping?" Eldertits asked excitedly. "I love shopping. Ryland, I'm going with you."
Sighing, I said, "Sure you can help me get some new gear and open a bank account."
I left the cafe with Eldertits, and we ended up both purchasing new armor and clothing. Eldertits also bought a new and larger axe, which I was certain would end up destroying everything in its path.
I bought a complete set of Lunar Robes which were silvery white with the following characteristics:
Lunar Hood
"Bles
sed by moonlight, this armor provides magical protection when it is worn as a complete set. 1 of 3 of the Lunar Robes Set"
Defense: 12
Durability 80/80
Weight: 0.2 lbs
Lunar Robes
"Blessed by moonlight, this armor provides magical protection when it is worn as a complete set. 2 of 3 of the Lunar Robes Set"
Defense: 15
Durability 80/80
Weight: 1 lb
Lunar Skirt
"Blessed by moonlight, this armor provides magical protection when it is worn as a complete set. 3 of 3 of the Lunar Robes Set"
Defense: 12
Durability 80/80
Weight: 1 lb
Set Bonus: When worn as a complete set, the Lunar robes provide a 15% defensive bonus against spells cast against you.
In addition to the robes, I bought three full sets of regular clothes and some superior boots that granted plus ten percent to movement speed. Aside from the color of the shirts, they all looked identical.
I sold my old clothing and robes as well as a blacksmith's hammer and mace that I had been carrying since I picked them up at the slavers' camp. All in all, the new armor and clothing set me back two hundred and ninety-three gold pieces, but with the new defensive bonuses and having spare sets of clothing, I felt like it was well worth it.
After this, I bought a few necessities like ten more ration packs, five rolls of bandages, and three mana potions. This set me back another sixty gold pieces, leaving me with a total of three hundred and ninety-five.
Taking this money, I went to the bank and opened an account, which was actually a pretty easy process. I only deposited three hundred gold in my new bank account choosing to keep ninety-five on me just in case I needed it for something. While my bank funds were now protected in the event of my death, I couldn't access them from anywhere. To withdraw funds, I'd need to physically go to a Bank of Alderoth branch, which weren't located in every town, though they assured me they were most places.
Congratulations you have completed the quest: Don't Store it Under the Mattress! You have earned 100 XP.
With my tasks finished, we set off for the hotel where the rest of the party had taken up lodgings.
Chapter Six: Roselake
The next day, we bid Viltria and Turin farewell and set off for Roselake. While the village was fairly isolated, the journey to it went smoothly. Altria had a pretty nice system of roads compared to Irune and the Deadlands.
Roselake itself was tucked between a few hills in the countryside. There wasn't a whole lot to the village really. The lake the village was named after sat on the far side of town between two of the hills. There was only one inn, named the Rose and Thorn, which also was the local tavern and gathering spot.
The mayor's manor was built on the largest of the three hills overlooking the town, while a temple, a mill, a forge, and a carpenter's shop rounded out the other notable buildings. The rest of the buildings were all simple family homes for the families who primarily worked the fields or fished in the lake near town.
"This is quaint," Eldertits said after we had spent a couple minutes walking around the whole village.
"What did you expect when she said it was a village?" Rondo asked.
"I don't know, but I think I know why all the people are disappearing," Eldertits replied. "They're moving to anywhere that isn't here."
"Oh, come on Tits, this seems like a nice little town," I said.
"We'll gladly leave you here, and you can tell us how much you like it after a few months," Eldertits responded.
"Alright, point taken," I said. "Do we want to start by talking to the mayor or by checking in at the inn?"
"Might as well start with the mayor," Rondo said, staring up the hill at the manor.
"Works for me," I said, as the group set off up the hill.
It was a harder climb than I expected, but we still made it up to the top in only a couple minutes. After knocking on the door, we were met by a gaunt older gentleman. He was dressed in simple clothing and looked exhausted.
"Can I help you?" he asked, looking at our group curiously.
"Are you the mayor of this village?" I asked expectantly.
"No, that would be Sir Ramsey," the man responded. "I am but a simple servant."
"May we please speak with the mayor then?" I asked, producing the document signed by Katarina. "We've been sent by the lady governess to investigate the disappearances."
"I see," he said, reading the paper and handing it back to me. "Now she's sending elves and foreigners to investigate. A couple of her guards vanish, and she all but pulls the support of the state."
"I assure you, we'll do our best to get to the bottom of this," I said to the servant.
He waved his hand dismissively and sighed, "It's not your fault. I'm sure she coerced you into this. Follow me, please."
Opening the door, the man motioned for us to follow after him as he led us into a sitting room off the foyer. The four of us sat down on surprisingly comfortable sofas while he went to fetch the mayor.
"This situation feels oddly familiar," I said, looking over at Eldertits. "Please no lap dances this time."
"Yes, don't get us kicked out of this town before we can even start our investigation," Elaria added.
"I would never do anything of the sort," Eldertits said feigning offense.
"I think there is very little you wouldn't do," Rondo said dryly.
Tits smiled and said smugly, "I simply do what is necessary."
Elaria and Rondo both let out a laugh at this, then looked at each other in response and started laughing more. Tits scowled at them but didn't say anything. She did kind of have it coming.
A moment later, a middle-aged man with a curling mustache strode into the room looking annoyed.
"Thomas tells me you were sent here by our magnanimous leader," the man, who I guessed was Sir Ramsey, said.
"That's right. Sir Ramsey I presume?" I replied.
"Please call me Colton. None of this 'Sir Ramsey' nonsense," he responded. "We're nowhere close to anywhere important enough for that."
"Well then Colton, yes, we've been sent by Lady Katarina Amarion to investigate the disappearances in Roselake," I said, handing the signed document over to him.
He sighed, accepted the document, and said, "I'm sure this is all in order, but I don't see what you can do that the Governess' own guards couldn't do. After they disappeared, I'm not surprised she's unwilling to send more of her own men, but I fear she's sent you to your deaths."
"I think she believes we are up to this task," I replied defensively.
Eldertits snorted and chimed in, "She pretty much told us we were expendable, Ryland. Our poor Ryland here has fallen hard for the charms of Lady Katarina."
As she said "charms", she made a motion around her own breasts. I glared at her. Infuriatingly, this caused her to smile more.
"Damn it, Tits, what did we talk about before this?" I snapped irritated.
"Oh right," Eldertits said, feigning shock at how exposed her own body was. "My god, where have the rest of my clothes gone?"
She ran over to the window and wrapped the drapes around herself until the only thing you could see was her head and feet.
"Please sirs, don't look at me. I don't think I could stand the shame of you spotting a bare ankle," Eldertits said, now pretending to be mortified. "Elaria, for god's sake woman, cover yourself. There are men present."
Elaria rolled her eyes while Colton stood there shocked by the sudden explosion from this bizarre elven woman. When I asked her not to repeat her performance from House Parthanuun this wasn't exactly what I had in mind.
"You'll have to excuse Eldertits. She's special and sometimes forgets where she's at, and her elven culture is very traditional. It doesn't normally allow for men to see the exposed skin of a woman," Rondo said, trying to cover. "Elaria here is much more modern in her beliefs and completely sane, thanks be to all the gods."
; "I see," Colton said, eying the still drape-clad Eldertits cautiously.
"Don't worry," I added. "She's harmless. Now could you tell us about these disappearances?"
"There's not a whole lot to tell really," Colton responded. "A couple months ago, villagers began disappearing. At first, we assumed it was just kids running away from home, maybe moving to the big city, but then a couple of adults who have spent their whole lives here disappeared. That's when I asked Istria for help. The governess dispatched some guards to investigate, and they were here for a couple days before they also disappeared."
"Who was the first person who disappeared?" I asked.
"A young lad by the name of Jackson Tuckett," Colton replied. "He's the miller's son, but we didn't think a whole lot of it at the time. The lad always talked about leaving and heading to Istria, so we figured he must have finally gone and done that. It was odd that we couldn't contact him, but his parents thought he must be ignoring their messages for fear that he would get cold feet if he replied."
"I see," I said. "And the others that disappeared?"
"In order, I believe it was Janice Wallace, then Toby Smith, Rudyard Amarillo, Rusty Smith, Lilith Franklin, and then, of course, the two guards that were sent from Istria," Colton said, counting them out on his fingers. "So, eight in all. Which, in a town of our size, doesn't go unnoticed."
"And when did the guards go missing?" I asked.
"Only about a week ago, and we haven't had a disappearance since. Though it is probably only a matter of time," Colton answered.
"Do you guys have anything you want to ask the mayor?" I asked, looking at the others.
"Where were all of these people last seen?" Rondo asked.
"I'm not sure for all of them. I know the guards were last seen at the Rose and Thorn, our inn, and Jackson was last working with his father in the mill, but aside from those folks, I'd have to ask around to find out," Colton replied.
"Did any of them mention anything strange before they disappeared?" Eldertits asked, and when Colton turned to look at her, added, "Please don't look at me."