by C. M. Carney
Gnome. Level: Unknown. H:?/S:?/M:?/SP:?
This is a gnome.
Strengths: Unknown. Immunities: Unknown. Weakness: Unknown.
Gryph's thoughts drifted to the gnome he'd buried. Was this gnome his kin? Was this Wick? How would he react to the news of his cousin's death? Would he shoot the messenger? Analyze had given him no information, so the gnome was at least level sixteen. After weighting all the options, Gryph decided it was better to stay solo and safe than risk exposure and enmity.
After a few tense moments the gnome crept past Gryph and down the other tunnel. Gryph waited a full five minutes and was about to follow the small man when the quiet shuffle of many feet held him up. He checked his stamina and ducked into Stealth.
The shuffling noise grew louder, accompanied by an exchange of irritated hisses. Gryph eased the daggers to the ground at his side and drew two throwing knives.
Several large figures emerged into the junction. They were bipedal reptilians, as if a Komodo dragon had decided that walking around on all fours was boring and decided to stand upright, wear rags and carry rusted weapons. He used Analyze.
Wyrmynn Scout. Level: 6.
Wyrmynn are medium sized reptilian humanoids. They hate most other sentient races and travel in rigidly hierarchical packs. Their society prizes strength and violence over all things. They often serve more powerful creatures as battle fodder.
Strengths: Unknown. Immunities: Unknown. Weakness: Unknown.
One scout dropped to all fours and sniffed the ground. Gryph eased further back into the darkness. Shit. No way he won’t be able to smell me. Gryph thought, before remembering he was slathered in baalgrath filth.
The wyrmynn's eyes went wide in fear and it barked and hissed to his fellows. The others cast nervous glances in Gryph's direction. Analyze revealed all eight ranged from levels six to eleven. The odds were not in his favor, so he remained hidden.
“Jyrrysssis erth un baalgrath,” the lead wyrmynn [Wyrmynn Scout; Level 6] said pointing in Gryph’s direction.
The leader [Wyrmynn Skirmisher; Level 11] cuffed the smaller scout, pointing to the heavy iron chain at his belt. “Ytthiss wergal control ferdyss.”
The wyrmynn argued among themselves, and Gryph realized he could now understand bits of their language.
“Gthissgry which way did thyyrrdss?” the leader said in an angry voice.
“I thssdrr tell,” the scout said. The leader smashed an iron clad fist into the side of the scout's head. The scout cowered, and then pointed the direction the gnome had taken. “This way.”
Gryph realized that the more words he heard the more he understood the wyrmynn. It had to be the Master of Tongues ability. Will I be able to understand any language I hear? The idea was intriguing and Gryph considered the tactical uses of such knowledge.
The wyrmynn continued down the tunnel the gnome had taken. The debate raging in Gryph's mind triggered a quest.
You have been offered the Quest Gnomish Team Up.
You have discovered that a troop of wyrmynn is stalking a lone gnome. Team up with the gnome to defeat the pack of lizard folk.
Difficulty: Moderate - Reward: Unknown - XP: 5,000.
Gryph was certain that the way out of the Barrow lay to the right but knew that death stalked the gnome. A few moments of indecision battled inside Gryph’s mind, before he followed after the wyrmynn.
After several minutes of quick but stealthy progress, Gryph heard the sounds of battle coming from around an upcoming bend. He rushed forward and peered around the corner to see a large cavern. The wyrmynn had caught up with the gnome and had him surrounded.
The body of one wyrmynn lay crumpled on the ground. Smoke spiraled from a fiery exit crater in the creature’s back. The other wyrmynn were stabbing inwards with their spears and swords. The gnome was agile and avoided the strikes while sending bursts of black-red fire from his right hand and parrying strikes with the staff in his left.
One wyrmynn went down screaming as dark flame enveloped its head. Eyes boiled and scaled skin sloughed off its face. The sound and the smell were horrendous and the other wyrmynn backed away in fear.
Another volley of fire flew from the gnome's hand. This time at the wyrmynn leader, who raised the buckler on his forearm preventing the flames from finding its mark. The gnome’s hand glowed again as he prepped another spell. The wyrmynn leader thrust his spear forward, catching the gnome with a glancing blow to the side. The energy around the gnome’s hand faded.
Gryph knew the foul beasts would soon overwhelm the gnome. It was time to decide. With an irritated grunt, Gryph pulled his last remaining loop of rope from his inventory and tossed it towards the closest enemy [Wyrmynn Skirmisher; Level 6]. He then cast Animate Rope and drew a few throwing knives.
The rope slithered with the silent grace of a hunting viper as it eased up behind the wyrmynn. On Gryph’s mental command, it surged up and around the reptile's legs. The startled creature yelped in surprise as the rope took him down and constricted. The spell didn’t do much damage, but it immobilized the wyrmynn. Hopefully, the loop would hold the weaker opponent longer than it had the baalgrath.
Gryph stood and threw both throwing knives at the second wyrmynn [Wyrmynn Scout; Level 5]. Both found their mark and sunk into the wyrmynn’s neck. Their anatomy may be nothing like humans, but he figured no creature enjoyed metal blades sunk into their spine.
His aim was true, and a Critical Hit notification popped into the corner of his vision. The wyrmynn went down. Gryph hefted his spear and rushed forwards. He used Impale on another wyrmynn [Wyrmynn Skirmisher; Level 7], but the creature turned and swung a large sword at him. Gryph activated Dodge and jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike.
The wyrmynn’s sword sped in a downward arc. Gryph activated Parry and blocked the successful attack. He quickly Counter Attacked and landed a blow to the beast's side. Green blood flowed from the wound and the creature grunted. Its sword lashed out again and Gryph dropped his spear and rolled, lest he lose his head. Gryph came back to his feet, drawing his daggers from his waist. He crouched in a defensive position and waited for the wyrmynn to make a move.
Evidently the creatures were not as dumb as they looked. The wyrmynn took advantage of the reach of its sword and eased back into a defensive position. Gryph feigned left, then right and surged forward, landing a glancing blow on the wyrmynn’s sword arm.
The other wyrmynn noticed Gryph’s arrival. The wyrmynn leader ordered his subordinates to rush Gryph as he returned his attention to the gnome. The gnome did not sit idle but used the brief distraction to leap and climb onto a raised ledge. He ducked behind a boulder and disappeared from view.
“Damn coward," Gryph bellowed. He could not believe the gall of the gnome. He was only alive because Gryph had been stupid enough to engage the wyrmynn. Now he'd been betrayed, abandoned and left to fight three wyrmynn with only a pair of daggers.
“Great,” Gryph muttered and braced for the attack. The wyrmynn rushed forward with no tactical sense, emboldened by the superior numbers.
Gryph activated his Ring of Minor Air Shield and a bubble of solid air formed around him with a snap. The first wyrmynn smashed into the invisible shield and bounced off, shock crossing his face as he fell back in a heap.
The others hacked at the shell and it soon began to blink. Gryph prepared himself. Soon, the shield would fail. With a final, frantic blink, the shield disappeared with a pop. The first wyrmynn was upon him in seconds.
Gryph sidestepped the lizard man’s attack, spinning past the stabbing spear and slashing down with his left-hand dagger. He felt the metal bite into the creature’s calf and it went down with a scream, hamstrung.
Gryph turned and parried a sword strike from the second. The jarring thud of metal on metal forced Gryph down to one knee. Damn these things were strong. The wyrmynn pulled back for another strike and Gryph decided he needed to be elsewhere.
He rolled forward and past his foe and flipped the dagge
r in his right hand while spinning. The blade now faced downward and Gryph used his momentum to thrust the blade into the beast’s back. It sunk deep with a crunch of bone. Gryph twisted the blade and yanked it free. He felt the creature’s spinal column snap. The wyrmynn went down. It wasn’t dead, but it wouldn't be getting back on its feet anytime soon.
Gryph got to his feet just in time to lock his daggers and parry a crushing blow from the leader’s massive two-handed sword. The force caused Gryph to collapse to the ground again, and the wyrmynn brought his knee up into Gryph’s face. His health dropped by a third as he felt his nose break. The blow caused his eyes to water and his vision grew blurry.
Debuff Added. You have received a Disorienting Blow. Attack and Defense reduced by 25% for 1 minute. Unable to cast spells for 1 minute.
In a panic Gryph’s mind scrambled for a way out of his situation. The two-handed sword connected again and his health dropped below half. Gryph needed space and activated Push Off. He climbed onto the wyrmynn’s chest and pushed off with both feet, flipping head over heels and landed about five feet back. The wyrmynn sprawled onto the ground, taking minor damage.
Gryph pulled a health potion from his pack and went to drink it when another wyrmynn threw a spear at Gryph. He dodged the hasty throw, but the potion fell from his hand. I need to up my health, he thought, forcing his panic down.
With no other idea he dumped his last five Attribute Points into Constitution, hoping the small increase they provided would allow him to survive long enough to escape. His Constitution shot up to 29 and not only did his total health bump up by eight points, his entire health bar refilled.
What the hell? A life hack, Gryph thought to himself amazed. I wonder if it works for my other stats as well? Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to test that theory since he had no more points. He grinned to himself, laughing at the absurdity of being unhappy that he was healthy. Already the game mechanics were messing with his mindset.
He had no time to brag as the wyrmynn he’d knocked over was back and swinging. Gryph staggered and fell back onto all fours to avoid the attack. The dagger in his right hand skittered away, knocked free by the fall to the ground. He tugged a throwing knife from the bandolier and tossed it at the leader’s face. Gryph’s aim was true, but a quick swipe of the leader’s sword deflected the knife before it found purchase. Gryph had just witnessed the Parry perk used against him.
The leader grinned and rushed forward. Gryph knew he was in desperate trouble but would not go down without a fight. He feigned left with his dagger and spun right, his right palm connecting with the reptile’s ribs right below his armpit. Bones cracked, and the leader grunted, but he still managed a one-handed swing of his massive blade.
Gryph could smell the rust of the blade as it buzzed over his head, missing him by a few hairs. His defensive move caused him to fall onto his backside again. He held his one dagger out in front of him and almost chuckled at the lame deterrent. The wyrmynn outright laughed and brandished its two-handed sword.
One of the other wyrmynn rushed Gryph, but a barked order stopped the creature in its tracks. A strange quiet settled over the cavern as Gryph stumbled to his feet. The blood flow from his nose had slowed and the debuff clock ticked closer to zero. What is he doing? Gryph wondered.
“Hold. Surround him. Then we will attack from all sides,” The leader said in its odd, guttural language. Gryph’s eyes widened. A moment later, the leader’s did as well. “You understand me? How is this possible?”
Gryph knew every moment he kept his enemies off balance was another minute he got to live. “Because any simpleton could master your language. All you do is grunt and hiss and spit and drool,” he said in wyrmynn.
The leader grinned a terrifying explosion of sharp teeth and chuckled. “Surface folk. You always underestimate us. My kind walked the surface of this world long before you warm-bloods. And we will reign long after the sun goes dark and you are all gone.”
As the leader talked, his subordinates surrounded Gryph. The one he’d used Animate Rope on was back up, his bonds cut by one of his fellows. The beast tossed the rope on top of Gryph’s lost spear. An idea popped into Gryph’s head, and he checked the status of Animate Rope. He had a mere ten-seconds of cooldown left. Time for more distracting talk.
“Blah, blah, blah, we are mighty wyrmynn and we used to rule the roost, but then the meanie weenie warm bloods kicked our asses and made us live in a hole in the ground. Wah, wah, poor us,” Gryph said in the wyrmynn’s own tongue. The effort was almost painful and Gryph feigned a coughing fit. “Damn your language is uglier than you are.”
The leader grinned wider, his head split near in two and it barked a horrific laugh. Gryph’s right hand twisted and contorted as he cast Animate Rope again. A low chanting hum surged. What the hell is that? Gryph tried to find the source of the sound, but it was a barely audible hum and the cavern was a natural echo chamber.
More enemies? Gryph thought, his stomach surging with acid and fear. Then he saw the gnome peek up from behind a boulder on the ledge. The chanting was coming from him, and he stared intently at Gryph. ‘Buy me time,’ the look said.
Gryph returned his attention to the wyrmynn just as he finished casting. The length of rope came alive and entwined itself around Gryph’s spear. It raised up behind the wyrmynn like a cobra ready to strike.
The rope spun itself several times and threw the spear towards Gryph. The spear spun end over end and Gryph caught it in midair. He brandished the weapon in front of him. “Do you know what this is?” he bellowed. “Or are you too stupid to identify the bane of your species?”
The wyrmynn looked at the spear in confusion and trepidation and paused, confusion plastering their faces. The leader hissed and barked in laughter. “You are a fool. Tonight, we will dine on elf.” The leader’s long tongue eased out of his mouth and danced across his teeth. The effect was chilling and Gryph felt a trickle of sweat drip down his back. He laughed again and his cohorts joined.
“Any time now guy,” Gryph yelled. This confused the wyrmynn who looked back and forth at each other. The leader was having none of it though and growled at his troops to focus. On his order the wyrmynn all ran at him full bore. “Shit,” Gryph said bracing his spear for the attack.
Then cacophonous boom of a single word split the air.
“AVERNERIUS!”
Gryph looked up to see the gnome lift his staff above his head, the red jewel atop it glowing like a red dwarf star. The stunned wyrmynn also looked up, shielding their eyes from the brightness. The gnome brought the staff down with a thunderous crack.
“I CALL THEE!”
The gnome rumbled in a louder and deeper voice than should have been possible. He collapsed to one knee as his command echoed throughout the chamber. Then the world grew silent once more.
Confusion and uncertainty reigned for several heartbeats as Gryph and the wyrmynn looked around in confusion and expectation. Had the gnome’s spell failed?
Then a pinprick bleed of red light appeared between Gryph and the wyrmynn. It sparked and spun and expanded faster than Gryph’s eyes could follow. A tear split the fabric of reality open from ceiling to floor. It pulsed and expanded reaching a width of ten feet.
The crimson haze of a hellish realm of darkness, fire and movement blocked Gryph's view of the wyrmynn. A black sun hung in a sky of seething red clouds. Streaks of green lightning leapt from cloud to ground, casting jets of earth to spiral skyward. Each flash brought more focus to the hellacious realm. Gryph wished it hadn't.
The ground was awash in talons, horns, tails and teeth. Tortured bodies of red and black, green and gray roiled like an ocean of malevolence. It pulsed and spasmed and then parted like a literal Red Sea. A hunched demon sprinted, a sword of black flame clutched in a claw tipped hand. It lurched with purpose straight at the portal and towards Gryph.
21
Gryph got ready to jump aside, but as the demonic beast crossed the threshold, the surface pulsed l
ike a mirror breaking in slow motion and the horror emerged on the other side, facing the wyrmynn. It whipped its head back and screeched. The sound of a thousand eagles pierced Gryph’s skull, and he fell to one knee, hands clamped to his ears. The portal winked out with a flash and a rush of air.
The wyrmynn covered their ears in terror and pain, but that was the best of what they endured. The creature’s sword moved with a blue-black blur and the closest wyrmynn was without a head. The head bounced to Gryph's feet, still gazing upwards in surprise, a stupid expression now permanently scrawled across its ugly face. Its tongue lolled out with a final exhalation of air.
All the wyrmynn tried to run, except for the leader, who Gryph had to admit, showed incredible bravery in the face of the demonic beast. Gryph took a moment to Analyze the creature.
You have reached Level 5 in Analyze
Abyssal Terror: Level 24. H:554/S:420/M:310/SP:300
These Lieutenants in the Armies of the chthonic Realm are devastating warriors who use flame and terror to bring their enemies low. Rarely seen in the mortal realms, they can only be summoned by a sorcerer skilled in the despised magic of the chthonic sphere. Strengths: Unknown. Immunities: Unknown. Weakness: Unknown.
“Unholy Shit,” Gryph muttered as the abyssal terror swung its sword at the wyrmynn leader. The wyrmynn leader barely got his sword up to parry the blow, but it proved a small and useless victory. The ember of molten cobalt seared right through the rusty iron of the wyrmynn’s blade and bit into the wyrmynn’s shoulder, slicing down and splitting the cold-blooded beast in twain.
