Last Horizon: Live

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Dumadin rolled his eyes, “What just because I slipped and hit an attack hot button while near a boss?”

  “I would say a dozen times or more is a bit more than an accident,” Terets said laughing.

  Kittish shook her head, “Shall we go Amythyst? Otherwise they’ll stand here for a while yet bickering like an old married couple.” At Amythyst's nod the women linked arms and started walking.

  Dumadin watched the women walk forward and waited a second before wolf whistling. “You know my friend, I think the view has improved and we should follow along.”

  “You’re still just an old teenager at times,” Terets replied while shaking his head in mock sadness.

  “Oh, and I’m sure you and Amythyst aren't making up for all those lonely years,” Dumadin said as the followed after the women.

  Blushing Terets replied primly, “A gentleman does not kiss and tell.”

  “Where is the gentleman?” Dumadin asked casting about for one.

  Terets cuffed his friend in the back of the head and sighed, “Oh well, I guess he isn't trained enough yet.”

  Kittish looked back at them while shaking her head, “I tried, but alas, the leopard cannot change his spots.”

  Dumadin grumbled and smirked, “Defiant right until the bitter end.”

  Terets grabbed his friend by the shoulder and gave a squeeze, “You cantankerous old bastard.”

  The hours went by with friendly chat and laughter as the group slaughtered all the animals they found and paused for Kittish to pick flowers and Terets to skin the dead critters. As the twelve hour time was coming up they called it and logged out, deciding to meet up at the BBQ place in town for food.

  Life & Food

  Will waved David and Miriam over to where he sat with Lavender. His head tilted sideways seeing David’s hand half covered in tape. As the duo finally got to the table and sat, Will spoke up. “What happened to your hand?”

  Looking away embarrassed David replied, “Broke the pinkie getting out of the pod. I missed the edge when I went to grab it and my pinkie slipped and broke. I need to go see a doctor, but all they are going to do is either say surgery or tape it to splint it.”

  Miriam interjected quickly, “We have the pain killers the doctor prescribed last visit, so he is taking low doses of that at the moment.”

  David sighed, “It doesn't feel great is what I will say. Let's not talk about it please. Instead we can discuss where we each think the castle should be dropped.”

  Lavender spoke up, “I might or might not have poked my sister into giving me some hints.” She paused and watched the other three turn to her with eager expressions. “She hinted that the keep and castle have big pieces of land attached to them. Moreover, you can designate others to place homes inside that area and charge them a tax.”

  Will frowned, “What about NPC buildings or preexisting stuff?”

  “She said NPC buildings are taxed as well and the leader of the keep or castle sets the tax rate. Player houses already in the area will have the choice to move or stay and pay they tax once the tax rate is set. Once a year the tax can be changed.”

  Chewing his lip David was about to speak when the server came over and took their drink order. Once he left, David went on with his thought. “So we can place it near Stoutbank and become the rulers of the place?”

  Lavender nodded and thanked the server as the drinks were placed on the table, “Yes. Also it doesn't matter if the town hates you. You can jack the taxes way high, which will cause the NPCs to move away.”

  Miriam frowned, “That sounds a little fucked up.”

  “It’s part of the immersion. Choices have consequences. If you tax too much the NPCs leave.”

  “No, I meant for the NPCs. Some douche can come along and drop their building down and tax you into moving.” Miriam clarified and sipped her soda, then made a face. “I think I’m getting too used to mead in the game.”

  The other three chuckled, “I like it and I don't like beer or wine.” David said and sipped his soda, “I still like Coke though.”

  Will tried to bring the conversation back to the game. “Setting up the castle near Stoutbank makes sense for us. It gives us a town nearby, which is great. We can keep the taxes low to not cause issue as well.”

  Miriam agreed with him, “I like the idea myself. It would give Bjorn and the others a little bit more security.”

  David played devil's advocate, “If the legendary architects can build to order though, think of what they can make out of the place Thallien lived. I would bet one of them is a dwarf, which means we can have a truly epic dwarven citadel as our base.”

  The trio looked at each other then turned to David as one. “If you really want that dear, we will agree,” Miriam told him with a soft smile.

  David looked at the trio and sighed, “That isn't the way we do things.”

  Will spoke up, “D, we all know what’s coming. If we can do anything to make you happier until then we will. Even if it means deviating from our old ways a little.”

  David's eyes glistened and he cleared his throat and looked away for a second before he replied in a soft tone, “Thanks.”

  The trio nodded and Miriam leaned over and hugged him as the server came over for their food order. Once the server had walked away David looked up with a gleam in his eye. “So, Will, about that making me happier thing. You know you always did have a pretty mouth.” he keyed up his phone he’d set up while the others ordered, letting dueling banjos kick off.

  Will almost spit his drink across the table, but managed to choke it down and cough. David laughed like a villain for a moment until he could talk again. “Not enough money in the world, you little deviant bastard.”

  Miriam mock pouted, “He was so looking forward to it, though.”

  Lavender's eyes got a little wide and her cheeks started to redden. Will saw that and hugged her, speaking quickly. “Pay no attention to them, dear. He’s done this off and on for years. He knows I’m not like that. He just loves to needle at me.”

  David just sat there with a smug look on his face, “I still got it.”

  “Okay dear, you had your fun now behave,” Miriam said.

  The food arrived a few minutes later and they dug in with gusto. As they were eating, the news channel was reporting on the success of VR Unlimited's launch day. The reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and there had been no major issues to date. One of the anchors admitted to having played a little during the beta and gushed over how life-like the game could be.

  The group walked out of the restaurant with Will complaining, “You need to let me pay, man.”

  “Over my dead body,” David said with a straight face.

  Miriam sighed and held out a hand to Will, “I already talked with him and he won't budge on this. We have a comfortable set up and wants to spend what he can on those he cares for.”

  Lavender squeezed Will's arm as he opened his mouth. He glanced at her then sighed and nodded, “Fine.”

  David smiled and patted his friend on the back, “You can take the next one, okay man? I just know we’re better off and it makes me happy is all. I know how you feel so I’ll relent just once.”

  Will glanced at his friend and shook his head, “Stubborn old crusty bastard, it’s amazing you have any friends.”

  “All my friends are crazy,” David replied as he opened the door to his car. “I wouldn't have them any other way. See you in the morning to finish the trek to Smee's.” The group went around exchanging hugs before going home to get some sleep before more gaming the next day.

  Smee's Cabin

  Letting out a sigh of relief Dumadin grinned at Terets and Amythyst, who were already waiting for them. “Sorry we’re a little late, taking my time to make sure my other fingers don't break. It’s so nice to get back in and have the pain go away.”

  Kittish appeared next to Dumadin and smiled at her friends,” Sorry we’re late...”

  Terets cut her off, “He already s
aid that, and it’s okay, we understand.”

  “I got an answer my sister this morning,” Amythyst said with a smile. “The three legendary crafters for each profession are one of each race. So there is indeed a legendary dwarven architect and the reward you got will let you summon any of them.”

  Dumadin chuckled and stretched out, “Well then, I guess we’ll be setting up a proper castle after all instead of all those flimsy spires humans like.”

  Terets laughed, “I always knew you belonged under a rock.”

  Kittish giggled, “Gods know his head is as hard as one, and as dense.”

  Amythyst smirked, “That is indeed what she said.”

  Dumadin laughed a deep heartfelt laugh and wiped his eyes, “Mission complete, my best friend's girlfriend corrupted.”

  Terets laughed and slapped his friend on the shoulder, “You are a horrible person. Let's get going, we have a whole day of travel. What are we going to do with the skins we’ve been getting though? It's not like we have to needlessly craft things to raise points to spend coin to train and repeat the process like other games.”

  Dumadin shrugged, “We could sell them. Give them away to other players to help them out. Hand them off to Alvira and see if there is one of those hidden quests like we’ve found before. Goodness knows she’ll have sold a lot of leather by the time we get back. We have no idea if their stock replenishes on its own or if they have to be given mats.”

  Amythyst cut in, “According to my sister, it will replenish on its own but at a slow pace. You can sell her the skins or craft some and she might buy what you made.”

  Dumadin nodded, “Making the game a little more dynamic. She’s getting skins from other NPCs in the background as it were, which would let her stock replenish.”

  “I’ll be making all kinds of potions with the herbs I pick and Felton will want the ore we get,” Kittish pointed out. “So it really is just the leather that we need to figure out. If you’re not planning on upping crafting any time soon then we have options.”

  Terets nodded, “I like crafting but I think the first few abilities are going to be damage abilities. We hit level three just before we camped yesterday and we should hit four about the time we get to Smee's, so let's get going.”

  The group started off while Dumadin thought over just what they could get done in the next month or two. The next twelve hours were filled with wolf slaying, herb gathering and banter amongst friends. When they logged out they were less than an hour from Smee's cabin.

  The next day Terets and Amythyst logged in and wound up waiting a few minutes again for the other two to show up. Terets waited a moment before he spoke, “Everything okay? I ask because I know you hate being late to anything.”

  Dumadin nodded, “Yeah I’m just getting small nagging pains throughout my body. Have been for a month now but it was difficult to get up today and shower. Had to get the shower stool out of the closet, glad we kept it from Kittish's surgery a few years ago.”

  Kittish gently touched Dumadin's head and smiled, “That was almost five years ago now dear.”

  Dumadin cocked his head then chuckled, “So it was. My goodness time flies. Anyway, we have an hour or so to the Gollum knock off. Let's do this.”

  Terets chuckled and fell in beside his friend, “We wants it precious. Gives it to us you nasty filthy dwarvessss.”

  Dumadin laughed and nudged his friend, “Making me laugh when I want to grouse about being old. Takes all my fun away.”

  The ladies smiled from either side of the guys and shook their heads. An hour later they were at the gate to Smee's garden.

  You have found Smee's Cabin, this spot is now shown on your map.

  You receive one thousand experience.

  This was followed immediately by another pop up.

  CONGRATULATIONS! You have reached level four.

  Your stats have increased along with your Health and Aether.

  Smee looked up and looked at them with his crooked smile. “Wandering the forest are you? Are you lost, sweetlings?”

  Dumadin rolled his eyes and poked Kittish to speak up. She glanced at Dumadin then sighed, “We are not lost, Smee. We were sent by Dunstun to retrieve a package from you. We will be returning it to him right after we make it to the hermit's cave a few days to the north. Bjorn has tasked us with burning an offering to his friend who passed away.”

  Smee stiffened then nodded sadly, “Thallien, yes he is gone. Sad it is, he was a good elf. But if you venture north you could do me a favor, yes. There is a cave near the path that has Deathhead mushrooms growing in it. If you would be so kind as to bring those to me.”

  Quest: Help Smee.

  Bring Smee some Deathhead mushrooms.

  Reward: A Potion of Finding and five hundred experience.

  Kittish smiled and accepted the quest. “We will be glad to assist you, Smee. In fact, we will return and get the package from you when we drop off your mushrooms in a few days.”

  Smee smiled broadly, “So kind you are, yes.”

  Dumadin coughed politely, “Smee, we have an excess of food with all the wolves we’ve been killing. Living out here by yourself, it strikes me that you might have use of some.” Dumadin held out the food pack that Tabitha had made for them that they hadn't touched. “If you would like?”

  Smee hobbled over and took the package with another smile, “Kind indeed, yes. I thank you for your generosity.”

  Quest: Helping the elderly

  Reward: Two thousand experience.

  Quest completed: Helping the elderly.

  Received: Two thousand experience.

  “I will see you when you return with the mushrooms and give you the package then. I am going to go enjoy this fine food you have brought me.” Smee ambled to his cabin.

  The group watched him go and chuckled, “Well, at least he didn't go to overboard with the crazy talk this time.” Kittish said shaking her head, “Shall we get going?”

  The group headed out with smiles on their faces, just one level away from their next abilities. “We’ll probably hit five about the time we get to the cave. I wonder what lives in there now that Theodore is gone.” Dumadin said as he stroked his beard for a moment.

  Terets shrugged, “When we checked last something was living in there, but we don't know what it was.”

  “Theodore mark two, revenge of the bear,” Kittish smirked.

  “Oh good, that means I can watch as Dumadin gets tossed around right?” Amythyst asked with a smile.

  Dumadin chuckled, “If it's Theodore's spawn, then yes. He was a mean bastard.”

  The group started to reminisce about how the fight went and what abilities Theodore had used on them as they walked on. Pausing only for herbs and the mobs they ran across they walked along, not challenged in the slightest by any creature they encountered.

  Late the next day the group the group had just reached level five and considered their options for their next abilities as they were approaching the cleft. Dumadin took Block with the flat 5% damage mitigation. Kittish opted for Healing Pulse which gave a heal over time to the target. Amythyst took Retribution which put a portion of the amount healed onto the healed persons target as damage. Finally Terets waffled on what to take, a flat damage ability or a group debuff.

  “Backstab or Gas Bomb, I am a little torn. Backstab gives me better flat damage ability and with the swords doubles up the damage I get from using backstab. Gas Bomb though, makes all enemies caught in the cloud to do less damage and the cooldown is up five seconds before the cloud wears off which means I can keep it up over the entire fight.” Terets said as the group paused a few feet from the cliff face.

  Dumadin shrugged, “Whatever you want, man. We’ll tackle the dungeon south of Stoutbank after we finish up this quest series so gas Bomb there would help out. However, double damage backstabs with the amount of damage those swords put out will cripple or kill a fuck ton of shit.”

  Terets chewed his lip for another second, “Fuck it, I'
ll take backstab. The faster shit dies the less damage you take anyway and if need be maybe I can take one or two from you.”

  Looking to their right they could see the cave and to their left was the cleft leading up towards Thallien's cave. “Bear cave first?” Amythyst asked with a grin.

  Dumadin chuckled, “You just want to see the redhead pummeled.” Making sure his shield and hammer were ready he nodded, “Let's see if anything is home this time.”

  A minute later they found the cave empty of monsters, but there were a dozen mushrooms waiting to be picked. Kittish grabbed them and the group exited the cave. “I was hoping to find something exciting to fight. We are too OP for the start,” Kittish complained.