That left us with just the money to be divided up into 6 equal shares. We each walked away with 5-Gold, 7-Silver, and 42-Copper. Talk about a profitable day. I checked my waiting system messages and gained a ton of stats, and skill and spell levels as well as a few new subskills. For stats, I gained +4-Strenght, +11-Endurance, +4-Stamina, and +2-Intellect. Skill levels and spell levels are too numerous to name, but the new subskills are a nice addition.
Perception
Level: 18
Experience: 12.35%
Skill Range: 11.80 yards
Chance to See: 14.50%
Chance to Identify/Track: 19.00%
Subskill: Analyze Stamina
Skill Effect (Passive): Enables you to see target Stamina
And ‘Hamstring’ evolved into a subskill called ‘Ligament Rip’, which added a bleed effect mirroring ‘Impale’.
Two-Handed Polearms
Level: 61
Experience: 15.63%
Current Damage Modifiers
Damage: +30.50
Critical Strike Chance: +3.05%
Subskill: Ligament Rip
Reduce Enemy Movement and Attack Speed: 50% Target Receives Increased Damage: +15.25% Duration: 15 Seconds Bleed Effect: 4 Damage per Second
Skill Stamina Cost: 86
“Let’s get back to town, I want to turn in all these completed quests,” said Rose, eagerly.
“We should also stop by the Johnson Farmstead too, turn in that quest or get them to come with us to town,” I suggested.
Our departure from the dungeon was filled with laughter and joking as was the walk back to the Johnson Farmstead. We could hear activity going on at the farmstead before we could see it, the sound of banging hammers welcomed us back, each bang creating a marching cadence moving us onward. I could immediately see Duke up on the roof hammering boards into place along with two other men I didn’t know. I also saw a few men on the ground sawing at logs and turning them into boards, which was kind of interesting, but not all too important at the moment.
“Duke,” I shouted up to the man as we approached causing him to turn to look at us.
He said something to the other two men, making them laugh as he moved to the ladder to come down and meet with us.
Mary also came around from the front of the house, waving to us as we approached.
“So, did you succeed?” asked Duke.
“We did,” I answered.
“Where is your proof?” the farmer asked, stopping all of us in our tracks. Hellgrid literally disintegrated due to his age once Skoll had been freed. His loot probably wouldn’t suffice as proof.
“We’re too meet with the fallen god Skoll in town at the temple soon, he’s the proof,” volunteered Olaf, thinking quickly and probably saving us.
“You are meeting a fallen god?” Duke asked in disbelief. “This I have to see. Come on Mary, let us join these adventurers in town for this meeting.”
“I have always wanted to meet a fallen god,” laughed Mary, also not believing us either.
The trip from there back to town was less pleasant as Duke and Mary kept poking fun at us. We had no choice but to grin and bear.
“I’ll go get the mayor,” volunteered Baby.
“I’ll go with her,” said Rose, speeding off with her sister and away from the Johnsons.
“We’ll go get David,” said Micaela dragging Olaf off without another word.
“Was it something we said?” asked Duke.
“You have been quite rude about this whole thing. I would have thought we at least warranted the benefit of the doubt,” I explained.
Both of them suddenly looked abashed and a little shameful.
“You are right,” said Mary first. “We should have given you the benefit of the doubt but try to see if from our perspective. The fallen gods are our horror stories, any time one is ever seen it is followed by death and destruction.”
“Which is exactly what Hellgrid . . . Graves wrought on this town over its three hundred plus year history, is it not?” I asked, trying to not let my temper get the best of me.
“Then why would we be meeting with a fallen god?” asked Duke, looking a little defiant once more.
“That will be explained in full once we get to the temple,” I answered. I had no intention of telling the same story two or three times.
Inside the temple, I saw a few players in line waiting to speak with Trinico once again, as well as, a number of players praying at various altars. It was not nearly as crowded as the last few times I’d been here, which was a good sign the rush of players into this province had slowed a little. I also knew everything was about to change drastically with the announcement of a beginner dungeon being in the province. I made a note to mention it to the mayor, he may need to see about hiring additional guards, and perhaps another priest or priestess to help Trinico, and a second sergeant or a proper lieutenant to help David.
Trinico waved to me once she saw me. “I’ll be with you shortly Bye-bye, I assume the others are collecting David and the mayor?”
“Yes ma’am,” I answered.
“Then please, wait by the Norse enclave and I’ll join you there shortly,” she instructed.
I accepted and led Duke and Mary to the Norse enclave to wait.
It wasn’t long before Baby and Rose arrived with the mayor, who was asking a long litany of questions, to which we gave the generic answer that all would be explained shortly. A few minutes later Olaf and Micaela arrived with Sergeant Butters, who was thankfully silent and not pestering anyone with questions.
Finally, Trinico joined us.
“Well, did you succeed?” asked the mayor, his patience at its limit.
“Yes, I believe we did,” I answered. “Trinico, please call on Lord Fenrir, we will need his help.”
Trinico complied and within moments, the Wolf God Fenrir, filled most of the temple with his massive frame.
“Have you succeeded?” the God Fenrir asked, looking at me and my group.
“We have,” Rose answered, eager to be involved as usual.
“Please Lord Fenrir, call on your sons,” I requested.
“Skoll, Hati, show yourselves,” ordered the God Fenrir loudly, loud enough to shake the temple and all within it.
Skoll appeared first, a black shadow in the form of a werewolf. “Father,” he said respectfully before bowing to him. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Lord Fenrir was surprised by the action. After a minute Fenrir nodded slightly to his son who stood straight again.
“Hehe,” chuckled a malevolent voice as a grey-white mist in the same shape stepped into view. “What’s this brother? Since when do you care to show anyone or anything respect?”
“Much has occurred,” the Fallen God Skoll answered, I could hear the shame in his voice, and apparently so could Hati and Fenrir.
“Tell us,” ordered the God Fenrir.
I expected a long story to be told about how they were tricked, how Hellgrid arranged everything and even mentioning Hellgrid’s mysterious master. Instead, Skoll just howled. A long mournful howl filled the temple, carrying so much pain, it brought me to my knees. When the howl finally ended, I saw everyone was on their knees, some with tears in their eyes. All except for the Fallen God Hati and the God Fenrir.
The Fallen God Hati moved to stand beside the Fallen God Skoll and as one they both bowed again, requesting “Forgive us, father, we beg you.”
The God Fenrir studied the pair for a moment before speaking. “All-father, great Lord Odin, grandfather,” he addressed to no one. “I beg your mercy upon these two children. I beg you, restore them their pantheon and let them resume their duties. I beg you, allow them the chance to atone.”
There was a rumbling all around us before the room was engulfed in golden light and when it faded Hati and Skoll were gone and only Lord Fenrir remained.
“What happened? Where’d they go?” asked Micaela.
“My request has been accepted. The fallen have risen a
nd are fallen no more,” said the God Fenrir, he sounded joyous. “Never before has a fallen god been restored. For this, you all have my deepest gratitude. In addition to the rewards for completing my quest to you, I shall grant you each a boon. You may call upon me once in any battle to aid you, but I warn you, do not do so lightly.
You’ve been granted a one-use spell ‘Summon God: Fenrir’
Summon God: Fenrir
Level: ∞
Experience: ∞
Spell Effect (Active): Call upon the wolf god Fenrir to aid you in battle
“Thank you,” I said first, which was quickly echoed by the others, this was a huge boon.
“Now, you have done as I’ve asked, put an end to the madness of my sons, and I thank you. You have also killed Hellgrid the Betrayer, but one death will never be enough punishment for what he has done. I have bound his spirit and those of his followers to the ‘Hidden Norse Temple’. I charge all adventurers to hunt his dungeon for all time, may he suffer a million deaths. And for each death, he and his followers suffer, the adventurers who bring on this death, shall be rewarded,” proclaimed the God Fenrir.
‘Hidden Norse Temple – Dungeon – Level 4-6’ has been unlocked in the ‘Hurlig Ridge’ province.
So, that was how the dungeon became repeatable. Did all dungeons have this feature? Did they all require being unlocked? And why did the level requirement drop from the 5-7 the first time we went in? Did that mean that without Skoll, Hellgrid was weaker? We’d definitely be going back there soon, I wanted another run on that place just to see how different it was.
“You are the leader of this town?” asked Lord Fenrir, leaning down and looking at Mayor Semper closer.
“Yes Lord Fenrir, I am,” the mayor replied, stuttering slightly.
“When you feel the adventurers are ready, you may offer them a quest to attack the ‘Hidden Norse Temple’, I shall provide you compensation of course. Is this agreeable?” asked the god, he wasn’t asking.
“Of course, your Lordship,” replied Mayor Semper, bowing deeply to the god.
And finally, the God Fenrir looked at us. “Now for your rewards.”
“Before that Lord Fenrir,” I interrupted, pulling the book with the unknown symbols out of my bag. “Can you tell me what this means?”
The God Fenrir peered closer, then reared back his head and laughed loudly. “You continue to surprise me fleshling. Your goddess was wise to choose you as her warrior. That book was lost to time, and yet here you have found it. It contains the blueprints for the ‘Spear of Gungnir I’, the first form for crafting the weapon of a god. I suppose I shall reward you first then.” The God Fenrir looked to be straining slightly, then bared his teeth in pain. Suddenly one of his fangs popped free of his mouth, stabbing into the ground in front of me, it was easily taller than I was by half. There were even bits of golden blood from where the tooth popped free. I looked back at Lord Fenrir who was still straining, another tooth already growing to replace the one he’d just gifted me.
Quest Alert: Breaking the curse of the Wolves 5 (Recommended Level 5-7) - Completed
The God Fenrir has charged you to put a stop to his children’s squabble. Stop Skoll before Hati returns in 8:14:67
Reward: +2,000-Experience, Fang of the God Fenrir
“Be careful with that fang of mine, be sure you preserve all of it as it is, or its power will be lost,” warned Lord Fenrir. “Now, for the second part of your reward. Take my fang and that blueprint to the temple of the God Ivaldi, the dwarven god of smiths, in Root City, then place them upon his altar.”
I was waiting for him to tell me what would happen or what to do after that, but nothing came, just a quest box.
Legendary Quest: Spear of Gungnir I
Bring the Fang of Fenrir and the blueprints for the ‘Spear of Gungnir I’ to the temple of the God Ivaldi and place them upon his altar.
Reward: Experience, Unknown
Certainly intriguing, if nothing else. I carefully lifted the fang from where it was stabbed into the temple floor and placed it in my bag, eating up the majority of my carrying capacity.
The others each received their reward from the God Fenrir. A jacket for Olaf, a leather upper body armor frame for Micaela, a sword for Rose, a block of wood for Heath, which confused pretty much everyone, and a bracelet for Baby.
“Meat sacks, I wish you all well, but I have stayed too long in the mortal realm already.” Just as suddenly as he appeared, the God Fenrir, was gone.
“Okay, now I believe you,” said Duke with his arms crossed angrily.
“Oh, stop that, Duke,” said Mary. “They have earned their reward.”
“But . . . farming just does not pay much these days and without our still to supplement our income, we will be rather poor,” the farmer complained.
“Actually,” interrupted Olaf. “I’m working on fixing your still. I should have it ready in a few days.”
Duke turned sharply to look at Olaf. “You can repair it?”
“Well, me and Giggle-Ana, but yeah, I think so,” Olaf answered.
“That is a different story then,” Duke said, pulling out a coin pouch.
Quest Alert: Shiny Delivery Service 8 (Recommended Level 5-7) – Completed
Hunt down and stop Graves . . . permanently.
Reward: +2,000-Experience, 5-Gold, Title: Hunter
I, much like I’m sure my friends were also doing, was quickly checking to see what the new title did, and I was not disappointed.
Title: Hunter (Increases Tracking skills effects by 15%, increases damage against beasts by 5%)
That would be super helpful in the future.
“I suppose I’m next,” said Sergeant Butters. He handed me a helmet, Rose received a pair of sabatons, Heath got a garish leather chest piece, Micaela excitedly took a leather frame for leg-guards, Olaf was handed some kind of mechanical contraption I wasn’t familiar with, and Baby got another bracelet or was this one an armlet.
Quest Alert: Missing in Action 4 (Recommended Level 5-7) - Completed
Guard Davies has confirmed the involvement of Graves and given you a clue where to find him. David has asked you to hunt down Graves and put an end to his evil machinations.
Reward: +2.000-Experience, Holy Order Light Helmet
I was notified a moment later by my level advancement.
Congratulations! You’ve reached Level 7!
+1 to bonus Holy Spells, +1 Intellect, +1 Charisma
“Congrats, mate,” said Heath first followed by the others. As I looked around, it seemed everyone had gained a level except for Baby from all the quest turn ins.
“Congratulations everyone on their levels,” I said. I should have been paying more attention to everyone else.
“Now hold on just a minute, we’ve still got one more,” said the Mayor. He stepped up this time everyone received a ring, just a ring.
Quest Alert: The investigation of Lieutenant Graves 4 (Recommended Level 4-6)
Lieutenant Graves has been proven any enemy of not only the province but also an enemy of the World Tree. Put a stop to him before he unleashes something truly terrible.
Reward: +2,000-Experience, Holy Order Ring of Justice
Okay, this wasn’t just a ring, it was a really nice ring. It was also High quality, far and away the best piece of gear I’ve received yet.
Holy Order Ring of Justice - +5-Strength, +5-Dexterity, +5-Endurance, +5-Stamina, +5 Intellect, +5 Wisdom, +5-Holy Damage and Healing, Increased experience gains for all Goddess granted skills by 50%
That plus the new helmet and I was in good shape as far as gear went.
Holy Order Light Helmet – Light Leather – +15-Armor, +10-Intellect, +10-Wisdom, +10-Holy Spell Damage, and Healing, Durability 30/30
I could only hope the rest of my group was as happy with their upgrades.
“And I’m spent,” said Heath with a chuckle. “That was some fun times my friends, and just in time too.”
“In time for what?
” I asked.
“I have to log out tomorrow,” Heath answered. “I’m glad we got this done before then. I’m glad I got to be a part of it. It felt good to do something worthwhile again.”
“We probably wouldn’t have succeeded without you, so we’re glad you were here for it, too,” said Olaf.
“Well now, I do believe it is time we celebrate,” said the mayor, interrupting any further conversation. “Come tonight we will throw one heck of a party to celebrate. For now, I suggest you all go and rest. You have once again done us all a great service. We cannot thank you enough for all you have accomplished.”
Epilogue
The last week in game blurred past us with all of us training and working on our skills. There wasn’t much in the way of questing left for us to do, not that we had much interest other than Olaf and Giggle-Ana repairing the Moonshine Still.
We did run the ‘Hidden Norse Temple’ a few times, mostly because it was still fun, but also because we got a few more pieces of usable gear and a few pieces to sell and pad our bank accounts with. There were a number of changes to the dungeon. For starters, the High Priestess was replaced by a High Cultist and there was no need to free anyone or pick any locks. And Hellgrid became the
Heath logged out just as he said he would, but promised to log back in on the same day the rest of us planned on logging back in.
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