I Am Gamer

by Gabriel L Rathweg

  My shit fuck of an ex had loved going on tours and she dragged me on a historic mining tour of old Colorado Springs. I grimaced at the memory but grunted when I was done. At least I knew the mining information now so the relationship wasn’t a total loss, evil twat. The map took in the new data and began updating with dozens of areas lighting up in a myriad of colors.

  TOTAL RECALL ACTIVATED…

  SKILL UPGRADED

  MAP MAKING (LEVEL – 2)

  By accessing memories of resources you have upgraded your map to show these areas. Your map will automatically update when you enter new areas with resources that are available for collection. Each resource will be highlighted by type in different colors. Skill will update with increase in level and usage.

  The map was finished and all the new areas were highlighted. This was too much information. Every resource available was on there. Trees were highlighted in varying shades of green by type and what they could be used for. The water ways were shades of blue coursing through the valley. The metals were all the shades of red from light pink to dark blood red. There was too much going on, I’m glad I’m not epileptic, Jesus fucking Christ. I thought all the resource colors gone except for metal and the map complied. Thank god! That was much easier to look at and digest.

  Contrary to popular belief the Native peoples of the Americas all had some level of metallurgy, some more than others, but they all worked with metal to a degree. Most of the North American Indians used cold metal forges, basically just places where they bashed copper with rocks to shape it. There were some places in the Mississippi area where they found rudimentary hot forges, but mostly cold forge areas were the historical consensus. Basically, this meant I would need to create a forge from scratch. Based on the videos I had watched it was super feasible, I just needed wood, stone, and clay to make it happen.

  The plan was I would go mine metal ore then come back and build the forge and then create tools. Then those tools would be given to workers to go mine more ore and I would move on to the next project. Step one though, go mine metal. I returned my attention back to my map.

  The colors were still everywhere all red of some sort. There was gold, silver, iron, copper, platinum, etc… the list continued. I needed to refine this further. I began unselecting the metals that were of no use to me now and left only the ones I could work with and access at my current level. My Builder skill level was one so I needed to begin there. My map showed that I could only mine copper, tin, and iron at the moment due to my current skill level.

  I decided to skip right over the Bronze Age and go straight to the Iron Age and create steel weapons and armor. My reasoning was that according to the videos I had watched iron wasn’t much more difficult to mine than copper and tin were. Plus, I would only have to get one ore and it was stronger and better than the other two. It would be a higher learning curve but I was confident in my skills and abilities. I was also a huge fan of the forge and smiths having watched so many videos on it I already considered myself an armchair expert.

  My map updated showing only iron now. I squeezed my heels and Winston headed off. I waved goodbye to the extremely old babysitters and their very young charges and left the village headed to my first mining site. I had thought about building the forge first but I would need wood and metal so it made more sense to go collect materials instead of waiting around for the workers, no wasting of time here. Besides, the day was beautiful as usual and it was nice to get a little alone time. I had only been with The People for a day and already I was getting antsy. I needed some space.

  Danger Sense dialed up to max and Freak was ranging out ahead looking out for Eaters, wolves, or whatever else was out there as we trotted along. The first deposit was only a mile and a half away on my map and should only take us about ten to fifteen minutes to get there. Forty-five minutes later we arrived at the spot. I hadn’t taken into account the fact that there were no roads or trails to any fucking where during this time period. I had to dismount Winston and walk half the way up the mountain through more trees and shit. It was just one more thing to factor in now. At least no wild animals or monsters attacked us and we made it to the site safe.

  I gazed around the area. We were in a glade on the mountainside surrounded by trees with a large pool of water on the far side next to the rock wall of the mountain. A small waterfall fed the pool from the mountainside. The place was idyllic, a veritable secret garden. Large rocks broke the surface of the pool shining in the bright sunlight. My Danger Sense was quiet and Freak had come back from his ranging and seemed fine. I signaled and the three of us walked to the crystal clear pool.

  We all drank from the pool, I had my skin but it was not the same, and I sighed in satisfaction. The water was chock full of minerals, ice cold, and delicious. Freak immediately jumped in and began splashing around in the water. He really was so much more like a dog. Then I saw small fish darting this way and that. I laughed as he pounced at the glittering targets, splashing Winston and I until he finally came up with a huge trout in his jaws. With two gulps it disappeared and he began his hunt again. The fish, fleeing the splashing tiger, ranged further out into the pool taking the hunting cat with them.

  Freak now further away and Winston drinking softly from the water I took a deep breath and looked around the area again. I zoomed in on my map. This was the area it had shown but unfortunately it didn’t get any more detailed. I dismissed the map as I looked around. I activated my Identify skill as I looked then I saw it. The rocks shining brightly in the sunshine in the center of the lake weren’t just rocks at all. I walked to the closest one and studied it. The rocks were interspersed with iron ore. The whole rock lit up before me in a light red aura and as I looked so did all the other rocks in the pool.

  ABILITY LEARNED

  METALLURGY (LEVEL – 1)

  You have identified the metal Iron Ore. You now have the ability to find metal ores if you search hard enough. It’s almost as if you have an innate sense for these things. Map will update with resource discoveries. Skill will update with increase in level and usage.

  Hell yes! Now I could find metal more easily. I was counting on something like this. I remembered a lesson from one of my history professors. It was an obscure lecture about metals that started when we were talking about how the Colossus of Rhodes used all the Bronze in the ancient Mediterranean area. It was the main reason for the invention of more advanced mining techniques. Basically the lecture boiled down to the fact men have taken all the metal ore they could find on the land and then had to start looking under the ground. Per him, metal ore is like an iceberg, there is a tip and that is usually above ground and then a whole lot more underneath. It made sense if you looked at it from a geological and historical perspective.

  In our time and most recent history we had mined all the metal on the top of the earth and now we were used to having to dig far underground for resources. Here, in North America no one had begun taking the metal ore from above ground in any real quantities. So here it was and I was going to take advantage of that.

  TRACK 30 – POOL PARTY – THE AQUABATS

  Freak had finished his fishing escapade and was laying in the sunshine on the waters edge. Winston had finished drinking and was munching placidly on the green grass. I was standing in thigh high water banging on my fourth iron ore filled stone. At first the going was tough and it took quite a while to get the ore out of the first rock. I had used my Total Recall skill and pulled up the videos I had seen of people mining ore.

  The thing was they all had had pick axes and hammers and all sorts of mining tools. Until I had the ore and made the tools all I had were my Ka-Bar and Bowie. Neither was exactly made for mining, plus I had been worried about breaking the blades, which was why I was taking so long. After about half an hour of futile attempts my anger flared and I began whacking the fuck out of the rock with both weapons forgetting about my fear of breaking them.

  With my new found strength and the durability of the two weapons, lu
ckily they were legendary, soon the rock began to crumble and pieces fell off into the water. My anger spent I leaned on the now much shorter rock and caught my breath. I glanced down into the crystal clear water and saw pieces of glowing rock lying on the bottom. Sheathing my weapons I reached down and grabbed one. I picked it up and identified it.

  IRON ORE

  This is a chunk of iron ore and can be smelted down to create weapons, armor, or items.

  A quick look showed that there were many more glowing chunks in the water. I began the task of gathering them up and created a pile by the river bank. When I was finished I decided to test out my gathering abilities. I picked up a few pieces of ore and headed to Winston then accessed the right saddlebags menu. The bag was empty so I placed the two pieces of ore inside. The screen changed.

  IRON ORE X 2

  “Fuck yeah!” I cheered jumping up and fist pumping.

  Freak looked up from his nap yawned and went back to sleep. Winston looked up from his food and I grinned at him then continued my test. I pulled Winston over to the rock pile and then added more pieces to the bag. When I was done I had two slots with something in them.

  IRON ORE X 10

  IRON ORE X 6

  The items stacked in groups of ten. That meant I could get ten stacks. That was one hundred pieces of ore. Thank god, or Colt, for the bags of holding. If I had to do this conventionally it would take forever.

  I finished the last rock, fished the pieces out of the water, and put them with the others. It was already noon and I was getting hungry. My newfound body was amazing. I had been working for hours and my muscles weren’t exhausted, they weren’t even tired. But, I was hungry. Besides I had finished the first of my mining tasks and needed to load Winston up then head back to the village. After filling both saddlebags I still had a few piles of ore left. I had decided earlier that I’d mine it all at once and then make trips back and forth to collect it. Judging by how much I filled in my bags it would only take a few trips I thought as I headed out.

  The trip back was uneventful and I soon arrived at the village. None of the elite warriors were back but the young and old workers had begun bringing there gathered resources back to the village. There were piles of fruit and vegetables, fish, and wild game. The youngsters were doing a great job. Not only were they doing their job well they were organized to boot. I waved to Dusk and Dawn who were dropping off more wild game. They waved back as they returned to their task. Those two were the de facto leaders of the youngsters I should get to know them better. Then I sighed, so much to do so little time in the day.

  The other pile that the old folks had created is what really got my attention. The really old folk and infirm, I decided to call them caretakers, watched the young and were gathered around the resource collection area and had prepared food. I snagged some cooked meat and some fruit then headed to the wood piles with nods and words of thanks as I ate and walked. The old man from earlier was directing a long tree trunk to a spot on the far side of the pile, I studied him more closely as I approached.

  His hair was iron grey and done in a long braid that hung down his back. He wore the same buckskin clothes as the rest of the tribe. I was about to look away when I noticed that the dude was all muscle and sinew. He pointed and his bare arm was ripped. No wonder the old guy was so saucy earlier he was jacked. I then looked at the rest of the oldsters and they were all jacked, the men and women. Not jacked exactly but lean and muscular. Then it hit me, these are the ones that lived through the Great Suffering. Not only that but they didn’t have any modern conveniences so they had to develop and keep muscle into their old age. It was either that or die I imagined.

  I had left Winston at the food area with the young kids and caretakers then walked over. I stopped next to the old man and waited till they were done moving the tree and used the time to finish my food. He turned to look at me with an ‘I told you so’ expression on his wizened face. It was better to man up now admit I was wrong then it was to eat shit later. I turned and held out my hand.

  “You were right you can do the work and have done a great job already. It’s nice to meet you I’m Law.” I said.

  The old man grinned and then grabbed my proffered limb. He clasped my forearm so I adjusted and gripped his as well.

  “I’m Walking Coyote and don’t worry about it. My son was the same way always doubting us elders.” He said, a dark look crossing his face for a moment then gone just as fast I felt like I almost imagined it. We unclasped arms and admired his and the others handiwork so far.

  Two large, ten foot high and five foot wide, piles of gathered wood were already there with a third started. Next to those were two large pine trees. I shook my head in awe.

  “You guys are amazing. You are killing it Walking Coyote.” I said seriously impressed.

  “Do not worry Law. This is easy and it’s good to feel needed again and you can call me Walking.” He replied.

  Currently he had ten people including himself I could probably take half of his troop and assign them to other tasks. Better yet…

  “Hey Walking, I have a question for you.” I asked.

  He looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

  “There is a pool and a waterfall about a mile and half from here up the mountain.” I said.

  “The goddess Hasteoltoi’s Garden, named so after the glittering statues that litter the pool. Yes I know it well.” He said.

  Well shit… that was probably going to be a thing. I cleared my throat.

  “Can you send a couple people there to gather the rest of these?” I asked, holding up a piece of iron ore I had brought with me.

  He beckoned for the rock and I handed it over. He looked at it for a minute than his eyes widened and he looked back and forth between me and the stone.

  “This is…” He started.

  “Calm down.” I interrupted. “It’s for a good cause and she will understand.”

  “But…” He tried again.

  “Relax I’m on a first named basis with the Old One Coyote himself.” I said. “Besides, if anything happens I’ll take the blame.”

  “You are damn right you will.” Walking Coyote muttered.

  He walked away talking under his breath but motioning to the rest of his group. I’d bring it up with Colt next time I saw him. Until then, back to work. I headed over to the place I had picked out for my forge.

  TRACK 31 – REDBONE – CHILDISH GAMBINO

  The area I’d picked out for my forge was on the backside of the village where the water met up again. It created a perfect nook with water on two sides and the hill to the back. There was a flat area with lots of river rock around and easy access to the stream. It was the ideal spot. I had aspirations for a water wheel in the future. I used my Total Recall skill and accessed the YouTube videos that I had seen on ‘How to build a Medieval Blacksmith Forge’ and watched them again in my mind. They literally had everything on that website. I got to work and began digging out and drawing the plans on the ground using my two knives as writing utensils.

  When that was done I headed to the water and began selecting the appropriate river rocks for my needs. Another benefit of the water being so close was the access to the bright red clay that was abundant at the bottom of the stream. The moving water having cleared most of the mud and sediment leaving the clay exposed on the stream bed. After I had collected enough rocks I began building the base for my forge. An idea had come to me in the night and I desperately wanted to try it out.

  I stacked a layer of river rock and then grabbed handfuls of clay. Using the bright red substance as a mortar I spread it around the rocks as an adhesive. Then when I was satisfied with the amount added a layer of rock. Satisfied with the shape and build of my first layer I activated my Flame skill. Both my hands burst into flames and I used them to back the wet clay. The bright red substance hardened and then dried, the color fading to a more subdued red color.

  CRAFTING LEARNED

  MAGE BUILDER (LEVEL – 1)r />
  You have grasped the ability to build things with your hands and to use magic simultaneously. You may use your magical skills to enhance structures, items, weapons, and armor. The more things you create the faster your skill will increase and the more complex things will become available for you to make. The skill will change and increase with usage.

  I had been hoping something like this would happen. I closed the window and refocused on my task. More clay then stone and repeat fire hands. The MP usage was minimal and I never used more then four points every ten minutes. When I was done with the brick and mortar part I went and retrieved wood. Time passed as I worked and I was oblivious as I was completely absorbed in my crafting venture. The sun was low in the sky by the time I was done. The whole day had passed but I had finished my work. I stood tall hands on my hips as I admired my brand new creation.

  “So lover what is that?” Moon Flower’s voice sounded from behind me.

  I almost jumped at her words but caught myself in time. I turned and grabbed the beautiful girl in an embrace. We kissed softly and then let each other go.

  “That my dear is a forge.” I responded.

  I went on to explain what it was for and that I would smelt ore and make all sorts of metals and different things. She listened intently and waited till I was done before speaking.

  “So you will make stronger weapons and armor? You should have just said that.” She said simply. “Everyone has returned with their pieces of wood. Let us go eat dinner and build these new bows.”