by Aleron Kong
All that remained of the space where Radg-or had been standing was a crater, three feet deep. On the ground surrounding the ragged depression were small chunks of meat and spatters of black blood. Richter was fairly certain that his back was covered with the same. When the goblin had blown, he’d blown big.
None of this mattered, though. Nothing mattered except for the craggy red orb sitting at the bottom of the crater. For a few moments, all Richter could do was stare at it. It was only the size of a crystal ball back on Earth. He could have held it in the palm of his hand. No larger than one of those hackneyed props you saw in low budget movies. It wasn’t shining now, but just lay there on the ground, dark and inert. His identification Talent showed him its properties, and Richter saw the gold prompt of a relic for the first time.
You have found:
Bloodstone
Durability: 780,000/780,000
Item Class: Relic
Quality: God Crafted
Weight: 5.2 kg
Traits: A Bloodstone is a relic from before the banishing of the gods. Some have said it is only a repository of magic. Others have said that it one of the purest expressions of evil in The Land. Still more say that the intentions of the stone itself are only a reflection of its user. Much is unknown about the Bloodstones, but it is known that spilling the lifeblood of living beings upon the stone increases its power. Be wary of using the power of a Bloodstone. They are harbingers of both change and death.
Richter shook his head. The durability on the thing was, well ungodly! He realized that based on the description, maybe he had it backwards. “God Crafted” or not, he wasn’t about to believe the part about it not being evil. He had heard its voice. Even if it wasn’t evil, it sure as shit wasn’t friendly.
The chaos seed was wary of touching it directly, so he took a cloth sack out of his Bag of Holding. It held some dried vegetables that he emptied out onto the ground. Then, with the opening of the sack wide, he scooped the stone up. For a moment, he thought he heard something, but when Richter listened, the sound didn’t repeat itself. He contemplated putting the sack back into his Bag of Holding, but somehow it seemed like a bad idea to put a godly item into the pocket dimension that held his most precious possessions. The chaos seed couldn’t say exactly why it seemed like a shit idea, except that it was so obviously a shit idea. Instead, he tied it to his belt and ran as quickly as his damaged body allowed him to check on his comrades.
Thankfully, Sion was already on his feet. His skin looked slightly green, but when Richter used Analyze he saw that his friend’s health was climbing. Richter ran over to Yoshi and was relieved to see that the adept was still alive, though unconscious. He cast Minor Slow Heal and watched for a moment. It might have just been his imagination, but he thought the half-sprite’s breathing eased slightly. More healers rushed up, and Richter left Yoshi in their care.
Richter looked out at the battlefield and shook his head at the devastation. What had been a field of beautiful grass had become a wasteland. Blood had mixed with dirt to make a thick, muddy slurry. All around the field were signs of the elemental attacks. Deep craters, scorch marks, flash frozen mud, and even two stalks of fulgurite dotted the landscape. He would be surprised if anything grew here for years. There was more to occupy his attention than the topography, though. A contingent of his guards were walking forward with two of the trolls, led by Terrod, Caulder, and Damien. Both mercenaries were unarmed.
“We greet you,” one said in perfect common-speak.
“What is your name?” the other asked arrogantly.
Terrod spoke up, anger in his voice, “Watch your tongue. You are addressing-”
Richter held up a hand, stopping him. He wasn’t sure what was about to happen, but he was sure that this was a negotiation. That meant knowledge was power. “My name is not important right now. What is important is that you give me a reason to not slaughter you and all of your men,” his tone was weary as if he couldn’t care either way. In truth, he didn’t. Richter quickly used Analyze and found their names were Vulzal and Ttarmok. Ttarmok was the one who had asked his name.
“We are only hired soldiers,” Vulzal said sternly. He clearly didn’t like how Richter had spoken to him. “We have also surrendered.”
“The forms of battle require you to-” Ttarmok said
“Fuck your rules!” Richter screamed. Spittle flew from his lips, so great was his rage. He didn’t know it, but both of his blades had found their way into this hands. He took a step forward, red tingeing the corners of his vision. His emotions were surging. As was often the case, he was able to compartmentalize when there was something difficult to be done, fighting a battle for instance. Afterwards, the emotions came rushing in all at once, and for a short time he could lose control. That was the time he became truly dangerous. That was when his demon could awaken.
These… men, if you could call them that, had killed his people and now they were standing in front of him speaking about the forms of battle? Richter felt like he was losing his grip on sanity. These disgusting trolls had participated in the imprisonment, murder, and rape of hundreds of people and had almost unleashed an ancient horror upon his village. Richter blinked, realizing that he was shaking. Both swords vibrated in his grasp.
He took a long slow breath. When he focused on the trolls again, he saw that the calm visage on both of their faces was gone. Vulzal looked guarded, and Ttarmok’s eyes had widened in fear. Even Richter’s own guards seemed ill at ease after witnessing the fury of their lord. Both Caulder and Terrod had their hands on the hilts of their weapons. Uneasy or not, they would follow their leader’s command.
The chaos seed took another deep breath and found some control. In a strained, but measured voice, he spoke again, “Choose your next words wisely. Tell me why you should live. Speak carefully, or I swear to any gods that may be listening, I will personally butcher you all.”
Ttarmok swallowed hard, and his waxy green skin blanched. It was Vulzal that answered, “On behalf of the Shattered Bone Troll clan, I formally absolve any of the forces here today from blood debt. Further, I extend to you the token of my clan. It entitles you to one audience with our leaders. It is true that I cannot stop you from killing me and my soldiers, but this is only one battle. After the enemy you have made today, you may be happy to count me a friend in the future.”
With that ominous pronouncement, the troll slowly reached into a small pouch at his waist. Caulder raised his mace threateningly, but Vulzal raised an answering hand in peace. Then, moving even slower, Vulzal pulled out a coin-sized disc that had been carved from blackened bone. Richter’s identification Talent triggered.
You have received:
Token of the Shattered Bone Troll Clan
Durability: 54/54
Item Class: Uncommon
Quality: Well Crafted
Weight: 0.2 kg
Traits: This token will give you safe passage through the lands of the Shattered Bone clan. The bearer of this token will be taken safely to the leaders of the clan. The protection will not extend further than that. It has been enchanted with a magical signature that cannot be replicated.
Richter looked back up at the trolls, not speaking. No one moved for more than a minute. Ttarmok’s face twitched, but he kept his silence. The chaos seed finally said, “More.”
Vulzal wanted to smile, but kept it from his face. He was finally back in familiar territory. Now it was all about negotiating. Over almost a century of battle, it was not the first time he had been on the losing side of a battle and had needed to use words, not blades, to ensure his survival. “Of course, my lord. I am also happy to give you a warning. The commander, Heqht-jo, sent for reinforcements before he attacked. I believe it would take some time for them to arrive, but that was more than an hour ago. I hope that this serves as proof that we are not your enemies. We merely happened to be on the wrong side of this unfortunate conflict.”
Richter’s jaw tightened again at hearing the words “u
nfortunate conflict,” but Caulder spoke up before his lord could respond, “And your life price?”
Both Vulzal and Ttarmok bowed slightly. “Of course,” Vulzal said when he straightened. “We will pay extra to be allowed to leave with our arms and armor, and relinquish the possessions of our dead. If you will agree to let us take their bodies with us, we will pay the death price as well.”
Sion had walked up during the conversation. His voice was weak, and one shoulder was slumped, but at least he was on his feet. “Life price?” he asked.
It was Caulder who answered, “This isn’t the first time I’ve had to fight mercenaries. They are scum who will betray their employers at the first chance.” Both trolls scowled but did not interrupt. “If captured, they pay a price for each of their soldiers that are allowed to leave the field. A death price is paid to take the bodies of their dead with them so that they can be properly buried. Most mercenaries would not even think to waste hard coin on such things.” The sergeant gazed at both trolls for a moment before begrudgingly adding, “It speaks well for them, my lord, that they care about their fallen.”
Richter listened to all of this silently. When Caulder was done, he turned to Damien, “And what does my ally say? I would value your counsel. If you do not wish them to leave, then they won’t. Either way, this battle will end now.”
Trolls, humans, and sprites alike all looked at Yoshi’s second in command. Damien was completely overwhelmed. The sprite Warrior was more than comfortable making battle decisions, but affairs of state were beyond him. The sprite opened his mouth to speak, then closed it without uttering a word. Ultimately, he just bowed his head towards Richter and said, “I will bow to your wisdom and support your decision.” All eyes turned towards the chaos seed.
Richter stared stonily at the trolls. Vulzal still had the token in his hand. The chaos seed’s grip tightened on the hilts of both of his weapons as he considered the trolls’ fates. Ttarmok swallowed visibly, but Vulzal just returned his gaze steadily, ready for anything that might happen.
With a quick move, Richter slammed both blades back into the sheaths on his back. “I imagine there is a standard life and death price?” he asked his sergeant.
Caulder nodded, and Ttarmok spoke up, “Yes, lord. We will happily pay-”
“Double,” Richter interrupted. Ttarmok opened his mouth again, but Richter just firmly repeated, “Double. You will also pay the equivalent price for any armors and armor you wish to take with you. I will take your token and may one day call upon your people. Finally, you will tell us everything you know about the goblins and why they were here.”
Ttarmok seemed like he still wanted to argue. Greed overwhelmed the troll’s earlier fear. Luckily for him, Vulzal was smart enough to realize how narrowly they had just avoided death. The troll bowed and said, “It will be as you say, but I must be able to tell my superiors who has shown us such generosity. I recognize the wood sprites of Nadria and can guess that only the fabled Hearth Mother could have resisted the power of the Bloodstone. You, and your forces, however, are a mystery to me.”
He stared at the troll sergeant while Alma hovered behind him and said, “I am Richter of the Mist Village, and these lands are under my protection.”
CHAPTER 45 – Day 141 – Kuborn 31, 15,386 EBG
As soon as Richter took the troll’s token, prompts appeared.
Know This! You have engaged in your first negotiations with a hostile tribe. You have learned the subskill: Coercion. Increase this skill to force hostile tribes to accept terms that favor you in future negotiations. This is a subskill of Diplomacy.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 3 in Diplomacy! +1% to negotiating power. 1% more likely that representatives from other settlements will take both threats and offers more seriously.
Know This! Any changes in relationship or diplomacy with the Shattered Bone Clan are affected by the trolls’ dislike for humans. +100% to any negative changes in relationship. -50% to any positive changes in relationship.
For releasing the troll mercenaries, you have gained 1,750 (base 3,500) Relationship Points with Vulzal. Total Relationship Points: -897
Congratulations! Your relationship with the Vulzal of the Shattered Bone Clan has improved from Distaste to Apathetic.
For releasing the troll mercenaries, the Mist Village has gained 1,875 (base 1,250) Relationship Points with the Shattered Bone Clan. An unknown factor has influenced this. Total Relationship Points: -756
Congratulations! The relationship of the Mist Village with the trolls of the Shattered Bone Clan has improved from Distaste to Apathetic.
The Mist Village has received 50 (base +100) Diplomacy Points in regards to the Shattered Bone Clan.
Lack of a Town Hallcauses complete loss of any gained Diplomacy Points. Current Diplomacy Points (Mist Village→ Shattered Bone Clan):0
Richter gritted his teeth. Once again, he had lost diplomacy points because his village wasn’t developed enough. It seemed like, time and again, The Land was telling him that he was punching above his weight. Well, fuck that! He was still standing. It just meant he needed to bulk up faster.
There were more prompts waiting to be addressed, but Richter needed the information that the trolls had to give. Vulzal quickly outlined everything he knew. The goblins, who all belonged to the Ash Stalker clan, had been taking advantage of a recent decrease in the power of the kobold clans. The goblins didn’t know why certain kobold outposts had been abandoned, but they were expanding their own underground territory while the kobolds were distracted. In doing so, they had discovered the eastern entrance to the hidden valley.
Even this small amount of information caused a reaction among the allies. As soon as the troll said “Ash Stalker,” both Sion and Damien cursed. Richter looked at his Companion in askance, and his friend had just bleakly looked back and said, “They’re big.” The chaos seed frowned slightly and motioned for Vulzal to continue.
Apparently, as large as the goblin clan was, they had still run into issues of their own, underground. The troll didn’t know what had happened, but the goblins’ forces had suddenly been stretched thin. That was why the trolls had been hired. Vulzal knew that the goblins had found something important in the cave in the center of the encampment, but again could not clarify what. He just knew that because the goblin clan was fighting on multiple fronts, they had needed the mercenaries to fortify this position. The mercs had only arrived in the past few days and had just been sitting idly until the allied forces had attacked.
Sion pressed the trolls for any indication of what the goblins had found, but both continually denied any specific knowledge. The goblins had apparently been extremely clear that the trolls were to go nowhere near the central cave. They hadn’t even been allowed inside the central barbican. Richter was disappointed by the lack of info, but Vulzal had two more things to add that changed everything.
The troll told them that the goblins had been charging the Bloodstone because they needed a massive amount of spell power for whatever they had found in the cave. Again, he didn’t know what exactly the goblins had been planning, but Vulzal had heard one of them mention a “shield” at one point. What made Richter stop walking and grab his sword hilt again, though, was when Vulzal said there were more prisoners.
“What?” Richter shouted. The image of what that young boy and those poor men and women had to endure flashed through his head again. For a moment, he was willing to throw away his agreement with the trolls just to unleash his anger. Sion put a hand on his arm, though. Richter whipped his head around, looking for an outlet. When he saw his friend still suffering from the effects of the poison, though, his ardor to renew the battle waned. “Where are they?” he asked the troll through gritted teeth. “Where are the prisoners?”
Vulzal hadn’t missed what had just happened, and he had taken a half step back. In a calming voice, as if speaking to a growling animal, the troll said, “The goblins kept them down in the cave as labor of some sort.
None of my people had anything to do with the prisoners, above or below ground.”
Richter’s nostrils flared, but he maintained control of himself. All of them had been walking towards encampment as they spoke. Most of the allied forces had left the valley to start the trip back to the village. The prisoners still needed to be taken to safety, and even before the troll’s warning about reinforcements, it had always been the plan to get back to the safety of the mists as soon as possible.
The chaos seed’s mind raced. The goblins had been destroyed, the Bloodstone had been captured, and the prisoners had been freed, or so he had thought. That had left only one objective, to steal or destroy whatever had brought the goblins to the valley. Richter had purposefully kept the last foxfire crystals in reserve in case they were needed to burn whatever they found. He had added a fifth objective now, that being the life and death price the trolls had agreed to pay, and by extension, robbing the encampment blind. The loot should help his village greatly, even if he did have to split it with his allies. The trolls’ gold was in a lockbox back at the encampment.
All of that meant the force moving towards the encampment was only comprised of Richter, Sion, Damien, Caulder, Terrod, twenty other fighters, guards, and meidon sprites. The idea was that the small strike squad could make it to the encampment, do what needed to be done, and leave quickly. With the news that goblin reinforcements were on the way, it had become even more important for the bulk of the army to get out of the valley and back to the safety of the forest. This was especially true as they would be slowed down by needing to aid the wounded and carry the dead.
The bulk of the troll mercenaries had left as well, walking in front of the allied forces. Only Ttarmok and Vulzal were left in the valley. After Richter and the trolls had reached an agreement, the chaos seed had demanded the enemy force leave. Once the mercs left the ravine, they would head east towards their home in the Azergoth Swamp, leaving the troll sergeants to catch up later. It was true that having the trolls leave armed was a risk, but hundreds of sprites would be watching them, arrows nocked. Regeneration abilities or not, the trolls wouldn’t survive an imbued volley from so many.
