Last Horizon: Live

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Kittish laughed, “Indy and the Last Crusade? Good movie. Wasn't that line right at the end?”

  “Yeah, the curator of the museum was the one leading off,” Amythyst nodded.

  Dumadin rolled his eyes, “Unlike him though, there is only one path here so I really can't get lost.”

  The group climbed the winding path, stopping for ore and herbs as they went. Once they got to the top of the path and the box canyon they paused. “To the left over there where the stream goes is where Thallien used to live. You need to step just into the cave to get the fast travel point unlocked.” Amythyst said leading the other four over to make sure they got it.

  Dumadin waited for everyone to come back before he spoke. “So one of the legendary architects is a dwarf and I can request him with the reward from the Carnival. For this spot we were thinking of an old fashioned dwarven strong hold built right into the mountains.”

  Felton looked the place over and nodded, “The water, whatever its source, is good. Are we sure he can build it into the mountain side?”

  Frowning Dumadin replied, “No. If he can't though, was thinking of maybe having him drop it right outside the path up here, cutting off access for others and giving us a back door.”

  Garthur chuckled, “There is another option though, right?”

  “Yeah, outside of Stoutbank. We’ve had very good relations with them in the past and have started working on it again.” Terets cut in to answer, “We’re heading that way next, plus small pause at Smee's cabin on the way. It's a little over a day to Smee’s, then about two and a half more to Stoutbank.”

  Gwennie cut in, “Then I’ll take the rest of today off once we start moving again.”

  “Sounds good. If anyone else wants to as well, feel free,” Dumadin added.

  The group started to walk back down the cliff when Kittish laughed, “Why are we walking?” The group paused and she continued, “This fast travel point drops you at the base of the path. We can just pop down there instead.”

  The entire group blinked and laughed before they started to disappear. As the last one vanished a shadowy figure shifted inside Thallien's cave before vanishing as well.

  “Okay, who all is taking off for the rest of today?” Dumadin asked.

  Shaking his head he collected the reins of Emilia, Felton, G and Gwennie as they mounted and vanished. “Well, that leaves the four of us again,” Dumadin said passing the reins to Amythyst who was already mounted. “Shall we?”

  The group started south, leading the steeds as they went. “Gwennie does seem more interested in the game than we thought she would be originally.” Terets opined as they rode south.

  “Yeah, but she’s still more than willing to take time off, too,” Kittish added. “You know G will do the same most of the time. He doesn't want wife aggro.”

  “True. Felton seems to have tempered his crafting side a bit and is not risking Emilia's wrath,” Dumadin chuckled shaking his head.

  “All good men know that an angry wife is the most dangerous thing in the universe,” Amythyst added.

  “I really want to tackle that goblin cave eight strong,” Dumadin added.

  “Well, almost four days to Stoutbank and another two days to the cave. So just short of a week and we’re there.” Kittish finished and shrugged, “Not horribly long. Besides, this way they get to see Stoutbank and Smee.”

  When they got to Smee's the next day the group dismounted at the gate. “Wonder where he is?” Kittish said just before the cabin door opened and Smee came out.

  “Oh, our friends have returned along with more visitors,” Smee said and waved at the group before popping back into his cabin.

  “Wow, he looks a little creepy,” G said to the laughter of the rest of the group.

  Smee came back out with a small bag in his hand and walked over to the gate. “Greetings to you all, I am Smee. I am sure your friends here told you about me.”

  Kittish nodded before doing introductions for the others. “We wanted to bring them here to meet the legendary alchemist Smee.”

  Smee grinned and chuckled, “Oh very nicely said, yes. I also happen to have your reward from the earlier quest.” He handed the bag to Kittish, who pulled out two vials of liquid. “I have more work to be doing now,” With that he quickly shuffled off to his cabin.

  Kittish handed a vial to G and Gwennie, “This is going to hurt a little, but the resurrection ability is way worth it.”

  “Oh you guys got more of those. Awesome!” G said, drinking the potion right way. “Oh, ouch, gah,” he gasped before collapsing to the ground.

  Gwennie’s eyes grew wide and she looked from her husband to the vial in her hand and shook her head. “That didn't seem like a pleasant thing.”

  “It's not, but for dungeons and such being able to stand back up after dying is very important.” Amythyst said, “At least you know ahead of time that there is going to be momentary discomfort. Smee didn't warn us when we took them.”

  G sat back up and let out a groan, “Well bollocks, that was less than fun.” He glanced at his wife and smiled, “It will be worth it, hun. Come over here and sit down with me.”

  Gwennie sat with her husband and he wrapped her in a hug, “It's gonna feel like the worst whole body sneeze you ever had. A few seconds after that it goes away then you get a prompt to resurrect.”

  Gwennie, still unsure nodded hesitantly and chugged the elixir before dropping the vial and gasping. “This isn't a whole body sneeze,” she got out before she went boneless in his arms.

  “I think I'm going to pay for that,” G said with a dark grin, still holding his wife.

  A moment later she came to groaning, as she did Amythyst and Kittish hit her with healing spells. “Damn that hurt. The healing spells are helping with the lingering ache.”

  Dumadin chuckled, “Yeah, it really does suck. However, now we each have the ability to stand back up once per day. We have two days to Stoutbank, so if you want to duck out for the next few Gwennie, it's up to you. After Stoutbank though, it's best if we all stay in game at least until after the dungeon run.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” Felton said, “Me and Em are going to take off as well then. We told Bill we would have dinner with him soon. Now seems like a good time.”

  “Enjoy and tell him hi for all of us,” Kittish said as the others mounted, handed their reins off, and vanished.

  Amythyst took the reins and shook her head, “Maybe we’re the unbalanced ones for playing so much.”

  “I know I am,” chuckling Dumadin mounted Stoutlegs. “But at least I am in good company.” The group started riding south again, enjoying the company and chatting amiably as they went.

  Two days of travel later and the group was an hour from Stoutbank when they logged in that morning. Once everyone was ready they mounted up and rode into town. As they entered the town they watched as every other player there paused and stared at them.

  A few called out to the original four asking if they could join them and get a mount as well. This caused them all to chuckle. “Sorry, mounts have been bought for the original Bananas. Sometime soon we might set up a building and think about adding more to our ranks though.” Dumadin called back as the group got to the square and dismounted.

  A pair of guards were waiting for them when they dismounted. “Greetings, Champions. I'm Dado and this is my brother and fellow guard, Dedo.” Dado greeted them wearing a uniform with three stripes on the sleeves.

  “Good to meet you Dado, we have heard many good things about you.” Kittish greeted him with a smile.

  “I see there are more of you than the four I was told about.” Dado said, fishing for names.

  Terets quickly did introductions between the others and Dado. “We’re going to pop in to see Bjorn, then we’ll be heading out.”

  “Nice to meet you all. I hope your time here in Stoutbank is pleasant.” After finishing his speech Dado and his brother turned, walking away in opposite directions as if on patrol. />
  “Looks like the guards got here. I hope that helped cut down on the shoplifting issue.” Amythyst said as she took Terets arm.

  Felton chuckled, “I recall a player trying to steal from the smith I was working with. He made it two steps out the door before he got tackled by the guards of the city. He ended up spending a day in the city jail for it and had to pay a fine or stay two more days.”

  Garthur frowned, “How does that work when he could just log out?”

  Felton laughed, “Apparently it was a debuff for twelve hours of game time. The timer only subtracted time if he was logged in. The forum was in all sorts of in an uproar over it, some for and some against, naturally.”

  “Oh yeah, the ones who want to steal were probably all sorts of upset,” Terets chuckled.

  “Says the thief,” Dumadin said with a straight face, causing the others to laugh.

  “I don't steal from NPCs as a rule. I would rather earn my stuff through killing dwarv... I mean mobs.”

  Shaking their heads and laughing, the group filed into the inn to be met by Tabitha. “Greetings Champions and friends. Have a seat and I will get Bjorn for you.”

  They grabbed a table and when Bjorn came over with Tabitha carrying a tray of mugs they did a quick round of introductions. “So we’ll be off shortly to see about the goblin cave to the south, Bjorn. We just wanted to stop in and see how things were.”

  Bjorn finished his mug and grinned at them, “Much better. The guards have really cut down on the petty theft. We even have a stockade set up out back for the offenders. An hour in there is the penalty we have imposed. The last two days have seen no thefts because of it.”

  “Oh, that’s good,” Amythyst said. “Have the guards been worth the cost, then?”

  Tabitha answered as she put a new mug in front of her husband, “Oh, yes. They caught the one woman who attacked Alvira trying to sneak into town. She attacked the guards when they told her to halt. She didn't survive the encounter.”

  Dumadin growled slightly, “Stupid fucking bitch just doesn't learn. At least we know that they can hold the peace even against the Tweedles.”

  Bjorn nodded, “Aye. You going to complete my request when you go south?”

  Terets nodded, “Yup, that was one of the reasons. The other was to show G and Gwen the goblin cave.”

  Bjorn nodded, picking up his mug, “Well, let me not keep you.” He held his mug up, “To the Champions of Stoutbank, fare you well.”

  Those in the inn cheered and raised their mugs at the toast. The group saluted back and drained their mugs before standing up. “Take care Bjorn. We will be back,” Dumadin said before everyone exchanged goodbyes and the group filed out the door.

  “They seem nice,” Gwennie mused.

  “They’re some of the best NPCs we met during beta,” Kittish replied as they summoned their mounts.

  Traffic paused, seeing eight people all mount up and begin the ride south. G chuckled, “You get used to all that attention?”

  Dumadin shrugged, “A month or two and everyone will probably start getting mounts, then it will go away.”

  Amythyst cleared her throat, “I think you mean six months or so, remember the cost. They also need to equip themselves, which would push that back even more.”

  “She has got you there man,” Terets chuckled.

  “Fair point. Anyway, we have over a day ahead of us but there’s a pumpkin farm on the way we should stop at and say hi.” Dumadin said as he took the lead.

  Later that day they came to the Pumpkinseed farm to find Johnny in the field working. “Hello Farmer Pumpkinseed, how are the crops?” Kittish called out.

  Johnny looked up and waved, walking over to the fence, “Doing well Champions. I see you have friends with you.” Johnny introduced himself and collected the names of those he hadn’t already met.

  Terets frowned, “Why do you call us Champions?”

  Johnny laughed, “I'm part of Stoutbank. Albeit a distance removed, but still part of them over all.”

  “Oh, you missed a feast the other day,” Amythyst said.

  “I heard all about it. It was right kind of you folks to help the town out that way. Me and the missus will be to town probably tomorrow or the day after. Maybe we will see you there, iffin you be back by then.”

  Dumadin considered it and nodded, “We should be, actually. We’re going to the goblin cave south of here. After we retrieve an item there we’ll be heading back.”

  “Ah, you all must be off after something right important then to take all of you to do it. I know a few others went south the other day. Keep your eyes open just in case they got in trouble with the spiders on the way.” Johnny bid them goodbye and went back to his fields.

  “Spiders?” Garthur asked a little apprehensively.

  Dumadin chuckled, “Yeah, spiders. Surprised we didn't see any so far. Last time we were attacked half dozen times before we got here.”

  Gwennie chuckled, “He really doesn't like them.”

  “Join the club,” Dumadin muttered. “It’ll be fine man. I handled it, so can you.” The group set off again heading for the cave.

  They had to stop a few hours short of their goal due to time constraints. “Well, we’ll get there tomorrow. Were the spiders really that bad, G?” Kittish asked.

  G shuddered, “I really, really hate fucking spiders. I mean, spiders the size of a dachshund are just wrong.”

  Terets laughed, “The one rare we fought was much bigger. She isn't between us and the cave though, so be glad.”

  A bigger shudder ran through Garthur, “Thanks for the nightmares. See you all tomorrow.” The group logged out a few minutes later happy in the knowledge that tomorrow was a dungeon day.

  Goblin Cave?

  The next day the group made it to the goblin cave after a bit of traveling and spider killing. The original four hit level ten.

  “Give us a second while we pick up our next abilities,” Kittish said, halting the others who had congratulated them on leveling.

  Dumadin picked up Iron Blood to get the flat damage mitigation again. Kittish took Dark Night for the group Damage over Time spell. Terets quickly opted to take Vanish so he could get another stealth backstab off during boss fights. Amythyst chose Fireball, in case she got the time to cast damage spells.

  “Well, looks like we like the old tricks the best,” Dumadin chuckled. “How far away are you guys from level?”

  Emilia and Felton were level nine and should hit level ten while inside the dungeon. G and Gwennie were both level seven.

  “You might hit nine by the time we clear it,” Terets said as they started moving again.

  An hour later they reached the entrance and paused as they found a group of five players next to the entrance. “That was awesome and rough, can't wait to post the fights up on the boards” one of the players was saying to his friends then paused as he noticed the eight friends all entering the clearing. “Eight of you?”

  Dumadin chuckled, “Bring all you can. I overheard you say something about posting the dungeon up on the boards?”

  “Yeah, we’ll be the first to clear it during live. So we’re going to put up the fights and how to beat each of them,” the player was grinning.

  Dumadin frowned, “Won't that take away some of the thrill for others? Why was the dungeon awesome and rough for you guys?”

  Another one of the players spoke up, “Because we had to figure out what each fight would entail and figure out a strategy for it.”

  Dumadin motioned his friends towards the dungeon as he spoke. “So why ruin that for others? If you post it then you’ll be taking away that thrill of the unknown from others.”

  The first player grunted, “Hmm, you have a point.”

  “It's an old argument, really. One of the reasons expansions used to do so well for other games was that no one knew what the bosses were going to be like. Once the info was out it was just a dance by numbers instead of the thrill of figuring it out.” Dumadin said a
s he stopped next to the entrance. “It would be like having an add-on to tell you when to move away from a boss instead of having to pay attention to his mechanics yourself.”

  “You mean like the chief's knock back attack when he enrages and the fact he has no aggro table at that point?”

  “Yeah, took you by surprise right? Don't take that way from others, let them figure out the fights themselves,” Dumadin smiled.

  “But if we don't then someone else will.” The second player said again to the nods of the others.

  “True, but at least it won't be you who took away the sense of fun. It is your choice though.”