by Galen Wolf
I muttered, "Where the hell can the druids be?"
“I have no idea,” said Ahn. “We need to look harder.”
We descended the rope ladders into the trees and at the bottom on the ground, I summoned the Tiger and Wolf. I saw that Ahn had also summoned his Wolf pet. Something that he rarely did; his bear form—that I really envied and was looking forward to—was usually enough.
I glanced at my HUD. The NPCs and the player characters we killed had given me a very welcome XP boost, and I saw that I was within 10% getting level 12.
Via HUD Ahn wrote: Listen.
I listened hard and heard strange absence of the cries of terror and pain that had dominated since we had arrived in Avalon. The trees burned fiercely behind us, but ahead was only the murmur of what seemed well tempered conversation.
I motioned for Wolf and Tiger to stay where they were and went into stealth. Ahn did likewise, his bear form becoming translucent against the undergrowth and the leaves.
We inched forward. Ahead in a glade were four druids bound to trees. Standing there in front of them, dressed in black, his usual arrogance evident, was my old enemy Loki. With him was the Horrabian sorcerer Elrick. His demons hovered around like a freak show: the black mist, the dead child, the tripping vile serpent, three headed Beleth, and standing there with his scythe the tattered cowl clad figure of Death.
It looked like they were engaged in their favorite pastime of torture. I nocked three arrows to my bow – then thought better of it. I would use the Focused Arrow skill with its high crit chance. If I critted I would encase Loki in stone. I reached in my herb pouch and took more Catnip to haste me. The buzz of the bitter herb rushed through my body.
Me: Ahn, you ready?
Ahn: Yes.
I drew back the string and felt the feather flight of the arrow against my ear. I sighted on Loki aiming for his chest as he tormented and intimidated his captives.
Rohan looked serene and untroubled in adversity. They'd tied him to the tree with thick ropes. Bound on the tree beside him was Birog, black hair plastered slickly over her pale face.
I let the arrow fly. It struck true and triggered the crit. My weapon returning aura vanished, but it was worth it. Loki took 43 damage and stone encased him. I fitted three arrows and used the Rapid Shot skill or three arrows struck true with one crit and Loki took fatal damage. His form expired with a gasp and he transformed into a shimmering ghost.
No longer was I the feeble little loser he had once robbed and killed. I'd studied and learned my lessons. With me killing him, I leveled to Level 12 but the blue glow of leveling did little to give me pleasure in this scene of destruction and sadness.
Elrick turned and saw where the arrows had come from and turned his army of demons on us.
Ahn sprinted forward followed by his Wolf. I called Tiger and Wolf and our three pets engaged the Demons. With a roar the bear Ahn looked across the glade then when he was closing distance with Elrick, he stood on his hind legs and wrapped him with his mighty paws biting at the sorcerer's neck. Elrick stumbled back but Ahn gripped him. He screamed and tried to fight back with his Burning Hand spell. I heard the stink of singed meat, but Ahn was unconcerned. He continued to squeeze the panicking sorcerer.
The two wolves and the Tiger engaged in mortal combat with the Demons. They had killed the serpent and now turned their attention to the three-headed demon Beleth and the figure of Death by his side.
I saw Wolf take a serious blow from death's scythe and it reduced him by a level. Quickly, I took kumquat fruit from my pouch and spat it at him, healing him up. I then turned with my bow and picked off the other demons.
Within around three minutes the battle was over. Ahn squeezed Elrick to death, and I heard the pleasing crack of his spine. As soon as he died, his ghost vanished, going back to Horrabia to resurrect. Ahn stayed in watchful bear form in case of any enemies. I healed up the three pets, and we went over to Birog, Rohan and the other two druids and untied them.
Birog was in tears. "The forest of Avalon is burning," she said. "After all we've done to bring peace and healing to this land."
I grunted. "Some people don't value peace and healing. At least we killed them for now."
Birog wiped her eyes. "But they'll be back."
Ahn said via HUD—we need to get out of here.
I whistled for my eagle and Ahn did the same. The two birds landed in the glade behind us. I dismissed my pets because the eagle's back wasn't broad enough to carry us all, then I helped Birog mount Aquila.
Rohan said, "I can't leave. Avalon is my life." He looked around. His eyes glistened and he tugged mournfully at his beard. "I won't leave Avalon."
Ahn took him gently by the hand. "Come now—there's nothing more you can do here."
And it was true - the fire burned with a horrific black smoke, fanned by the breeze. If he stayed here, he would die. I put my hand reassuringly on his shoulder. "Rohan, you will come back. Once we've thrown the Horrabians back to their foul city, you can come back and rebuild. You can regrow everything."
His eyes brightened, and he seemed more composed as if he had successfully battled the despair in him. He nodded. "You're right, of course, Barcud. But where can we go now? They've destroyed our home."
Ahn said, "You'll both be welcome at the Rangers’ Guild."
Birog frowned. "But how long will that be safe?"
Level 12
Race: Elf
Profession: Ranger
Hp 157, 120 mana
Saves: Dodge 19, Toughness 14, Willpower 3.
STR - 13
DEX - 23
INT - 10
CON - 16
WIS - 8
CHA - 8
Main additions at Level 12 were 1 Stat point that I put into DEX as that's the stat that I used for hit and damage.
Poisons:
Dyson: Reduces enemy strength by 1-10. Toughness save negates
Amaranth: Makes an enemy consider you a friend for 1 second per level. Willpower save negates
Stealth:
Doppelganger - leave a shadowy double of yourself at a location. Disappears when attacked
Shadow Talk: Talk via the shadows with any character in the Greenwood, no matter how far away. Shadow Talkers identities are not revealed to each other, unless they chose. Useful for anonymous intimidation and threats.
Ranger Skills:
Slow Arrow: Fire an arrow with a chance to slow an enemy's movement by 50%. Costs 10 mana. Willpower save negates.
Healing Arrow: Fire and arrow that heals the firer by 50% of the damage done. Costs 5 mana.
Survival:
Detoxify: Use for an Allheal effect. 1 minute cool down.
Mana Health: Convert Mana to Health points on a 1:1 ratio.
Herbs:
Musk Rose: repairs any damage to Charisma Stat
Bluebell Juice: Apply to give a barkskin effect 5 damage reduction per every 5 levels of the user.
17
A Trip to Goblin Town
We flew to Goblin Town with Elfhair behind me on the back of Aquila. The weather worsened before we got there and Aquila flapped mournfully through sheets of heavy rain. The serrated peaks of the Razor's Edge Mountains that formed the horizon to our world disappeared behind the curtains of weather. I had been to Goblin Town before with Ahn and Ajora, but that time we had been there to kill goblins and loot their tunnels. This time it was seeking their aid. I winced at the irony and hoped they didn't remember me.
The grotty hovels that appeared to have grown up on the mountainside like grey mushrooms grew clearer as we flew closer. The rain was less heavy, now merely an incessant drizzle. The slopes of the mountains loomed up beneath us. They were made of jagged slate and piles of slate waste indicated where the goblins had mined for the rock. Just beneath our feet were the tops of bleak looking pine trees, almost black in the poor light. The landscape was bare and unforgiving, and I pitied the goblins for having to find a living there.
Aq
uila landed some distance from the hovels and goblins emerged fully armed looking angry. They wore scraps of poor black armor and carried halberds and swords curved like scimitars. They came forward, green skin, tusks, and black tribal tattoos. I raised my hands in a gesture of peace. "I am here to speak to your king Uzug."
I could tell Elfhair was nervous beside me. I hadn't wanted to take her, but she insisted. "It's dangerous," I said.
"Don't worry," she joked. "I'll look after you."
But now she muttered, "We shouldn't get too far from the eagle."
"I can't take Aquila in there; and in there's where we have to go. Let's hope we get out in one piece."
"I hope you're joking about that," she said.
I wasn't.
Ahn was back at Woodheart looking after defenses there and Ajora was taking care of Pennred for now. The druid realm of Avalon was now a land of burning sticks and shouldering stumps amid a wasteland of ash and cinders. Time was running out for us. We expected the Horrabian horde to march down Ermine Street within days and I was desperate to get back to the village as soon as we could. But we were also desperate in our need for allies. The goblins had never been friendly to us, possibly with good reason, but I hoped now to find common cause against Horrabia.
The goblins were weary, muttering to each other and waving their butchers' weapons, but they let us come closer. When we got up to them, four of them darted forward. They insisted on tying our hands with rough twine behind our backs. They weren't gentle and Elfhair winced. "Easy with the priestess," I snapped.
The lead goblin sneered. "You want our help?"
I nodded.
"Then you don't tell us what to do."
I sighed, but the foul looking goblin with his broken yellow tusks and the death's head tattoo on his forehead was right. I nodded and grimly said, "Let's go."
They led us down stone tunnels roughly cut into the mountain. As they'd mined for slate, they'd turned the tunnels vacated by the excavated mineral into their roughhewn city. The tunnels were lit with burning brands made of animal tallow. The flames were smoky and the acrid reek stung our eyes. Our feet slapped along the bare stone of the tunnel floors. We went through a labyrinth and I didn't think I would remember the way out. Then we emerged into Uzug's chamber.
He sat on a gold throne set on a raised a stone dais in the middle of the chamber. He was scowling at us. He had the same green skin as his subjects, the mottled color of a diseased frog. The yellow tusks were inlaid with small gems and his black greasy hair was plastered over his forehead. From the color of the name floating above his head I saw Uzug was a player character. I hadn't realized that, and I didn't know whether that was a benefit or hindrance to our mission.
He sneered at us. "And what do you pale skinned creatures want in my court?" His brown eyes were intelligent and piercing. He wasn't someone who would be tricked easily. I expected him to seek a hard bargain for his support.
We bowed low to show him honour.
I hesitated and cleared my throat. "We have come on a diplomatic mission from the Rangers’ Guild."
"The Rangers’ Guild?" Uzug snorted. "The rangers usually come here to kill my people and steal our goods. What possible diplomatic mission could you have with us?"
I spread my hands in a gesture of reconciliation. I couldn't meet his eyes. "I know we have a difficult history. To be fair, your people enter the forests and slaughter our NPCs..."
Uzug picked his teeth. This wasn't going well. Finally, he spoke, "And that is justified. Because of the atrocities you have committed in this town."
Elfhair stepped forward. "You have heard of the war going on with Horrabia? Their armies are even now issuing from their gates to conquer both east and south?"
Uzug switched his gaze to Elfhair. "What of it, she-elf?"
Continuing with the same reasonable tone, I guessed she was using the Diplomacy skill from the Priest skill set to sweeten her words. She smiled. "We wondered whether you saw Horrabia as a threat to your town and your realm?" After a slight pause for dramatic effect she added, "especially with their new expanded army."
Uzug wiped his nose with the back of his hand. "I'm no friend of Horrabia, but I'm not your friend either."
Elfhair kept going. "With all due respect, King, once the Horrabians are in supreme control of the Greenwood – they will naturally want to make you their subjects too."
Uzug shook his head. "They have tried to subdue us for years and failed. We are secure in our mountain fortress."
Elfhair said, "Horrabia has quadrupled its forces. It has taken the city of Keld; Salonika is allied with it, and Vinab won't fight."
The goblin king back his head and laughed. "So now it's clear why you come seeking the aid of the goblin people. You have no other allies." He scowled. "It is insulting to be the last race that you consider."
"You're not the last race," I blurted. "We haven't approached the centaurs yet."
Uzug snorted. "Those half-breed horses? They have nothing. They are nothing. It is no compliment to be considered better than them."
It crossed my mind to correct him and tell him I didn't consider the goblins were better than the centaurs, but I guessed I'd better not, and instead stood there with an awkward smile on my face.
He paused and studied his dirty fingernails. "And if we do join you..."
I wasn't going to fill the silence. I played poker.
After a minute of us not speaking he finished "... And if we join you—what's in it for us?"
Elfhair said, "You'll make your realm safe from Horrabia for one thing."
He turned on her. "I've already said that I'm not frightened of Horrabian attack."
His eyes flickered when he said that. We were still playing poker, and this was his tell. The talk of the threat from Horrabia hadn't gone without effect, even though he didn't wish to show it.
"Well," I said finally. "We can pay you for your aid."
Uzug raised an eyebrow. "You wish to hire us as mercenaries? That is another proposition..."
The penny dropped. I realized that a goblin King would lose face among his people by suggesting that they come to the aid of their historic enemies. But if we hired them as mercenaries - that was a wholly different thing. It was something his people might even praise him for.
"And if we came as your mercenaries?" He emphasized the word. "How much would you pay us?"
This was a dilemma. I hadn't previously considered hiring the goblins, but we needed swords and warriors from somewhere. I had no authority from my guildmaster to offer to pay him from Guild resources. Neither would Vinab be supporting us with cash, and as for the druids, they had nothing left.
However, I had amassed some wealth from my recent questing and even after paying Harald Runestorm for his runes I had around 20,000 gold in the bank.
I offered it to Uzug.
"A paltry sum," he said.
Elfhair raised her eyebrows. It wasn't a paltry sum. I thought she was going to say something, but I put my hand on her wrist. I continued. "And of course, once we take Horrabia and raze it to the ground..."
Elfhair looked at me, her eyes like needles. I shook off her searing disapproval.
"... Once we take Horrabia, and burn the city. There'll be plentiful loot."
"And you will let us have all of that?" Uzug said, smiling.
I shook my head. "No not all." I didn't want to appear to be too weak in my negotiations. "But we will let you have half of it."
The goblins scratched his warty chin. "I must admit the proposition you offer now is not completely unattractive. But I'll need to think about it."
Elfhair said, "To discuss it with the elders?"
Uzug snapped his gaze to her. "I am king of the goblins. I need not discuss it with anyone. I need to think it over myself."
I said, "If it is your decision to join with us – for the wealth alone of course – then who is anyone here..." I gestured around the semicircle of goblins who listened, "...who is anyo
ne here to gainsay you? You who are so mighty."
From the look on his face, I had tickled his narcissism. Narcissism was a common feature in the players who took on the roles of evil characters in this game it seemed.
Uzug turned coldly to us. He gestured to his guards. "Take them away."
"You're letting us go?" Elfhair said. "Without a decision?"
"I'm letting you go," Uzug replied. "You're lucky. I don't let many people go."
I turned as the goblin guards escorted us from his chamber, hands still bound behind our backs. "So, when will you provide your armies, oh great king of the goblins?"
"When it suits me."
"Bring them as soon as you can, to Pennred," I said. "And your fame will live forever."
"I'd rather have money than fame," he shouted after us.
Outside the goblins warily cut bonds and shoved us toward Aquila. The eagle mantled and gave a warning cry to the goblins and they fell back.
I got on Aquila and helped Elfhair up behind me. "You think he'll really send troops?"
I looked around at the poor houses in the desolate landscape. "There's not a lot of money in slate mining," I said. "He was never going to help us out of love, but I think our offer of cash might actually change his mind."
Elfhair shrugged. "If they come, they come. If they don't – then we're no worse off."
"I hope we're not."
I whispered to Aquila, and she rose into the air above Goblin Town.
