The Land: Founding (Chaos Seeds Book 1)

by Kong, Aleron

  “Do you trust me Randolphus,” she asked.

  “Of course, Jala,” he said in a cultured voice.

  “You have been a wonderful help, and a better friend. I have been happy to help you, but you are being wasted here. This man is about to start a new village, and quite honestly has no idea what he is doing.”

  “Hey,” Richter exclaimed.

  “Don’t interrupt Mama,” she scolded. Turning back to Randolphus, “He is making a new community, but does not know how to handle the countless problems that will come up. I think you should go with him.”

  Addressing Richter now she said, “Randolphus was the chamberlain for the late King. He faithfully managed the affairs of the castle for decades. You are lucky to have him. Now you are both strong willed and pig headed, so rather than waste anymore of my time simply say, ‘Thank you Mama!’”

  Feeling like he was in third grade, Richter simply chuckled and said, “Thank you Mama,” and was quickly followed by Randolphus doing the same. With a slight smile on her face she went to sit behind her desk, saying over her shoulder, “No charge.”

  Randolphus was a tall older man with a well-trimmed grey beard. His hair was long and black hanging around his head to his shoulders. He wore a grey shirt with a black vest and black pants. When they shook hands to have a more formal introduction, his grip was firm, but he did not squeeze overly hard. “I know you from the other day. Despite her good intentions I would not force myself into anyone’s service. Do you have any need of my aid?”

  “If you are half as impressive as she said, I really will be lucky to have your help. Our village will be the definition of humble compared to a King’s palace, but I intend to make it something special. Will you help me?”

  “It would be my pleasure, my Lord,” Randolphus replied, bowing his head.

  “We will be traveling to the Forest of Nadria. What I really need right now is someone to organize all of the workers Mama has arranged. Can you get them all to Leaf’s Crossing? I will have a ship to pick them up in a week’s time give or take a few days.”

  “It will be done my Lord.”

  Knots of tension that Richter had not even been aware of began to unravel from his back and neck. He smiled and said, “Randy, we are going to get along great!” He turned and left with a bit of pep in his step, missing his new chamberlain’s long suffering sigh over his new sobriquet.

  By the time Richter made it back out of the Grand Market more than half the day was gone and so Richter decided to check back with Sion. Entering the inn, Terrod ran up to him. “Where have you been? Nevermind! We have broken the code, or at least part of it! I know where Isabel is!”

  “Where? I am ready to go with you.”

  “Do you know who Count Stonuk is?”

  “No, I haven’t heard anything about the nobility in the Kingdom.”

  “Well he is one of the main proponents of the new laws, and a personal friend of the King. His lands are less than a day’s journey south, but he has an estate inside of the city. A friend of mine works on his estate here, helping in the kitchen. He told me that a Wood Elf fitting Isabel’s description has been seen,” Terrod’s voice caught for a second and he stopped. Then his face firmed, his eyes full with unshed tears but also a viscious anger. “She has been seen in his personal chambers. He is having a ball in three days, and then he’s leaving the city for the season. I won’t be able to get to her once he’s back in his own lands surrounded by all of his guards.”

  “What about on the road? We slip into their group while they are moving, grab Isabel, and slip out when they stop,” Sion asked.

  “They live too close! He would most likely leave in the morning and travel straight there without stopping. It’s completely open terrain. We won’t have a chance. In the light of day any attack will be seen miles off! And even if we succeeded, we cannot openly attack the nobility to rescue an elf. Word would get back to the King and all the nobility would be in arms. It would give the King carte blanch to enact even harsher laws against the nonhumans. The only thing stopping him now is that some of the older and more powerful nobles would not go along with it.”

  “So what is the plan,” Richter asked.

  “My contact can sneak us onto the estate the night of the ball. Three of us. Four max. Sion I’m sorry but you cannot come, any nonhumans would ruin the plan immediately. Once we are inside, we pose as servants. He told me that Isabel is being kept in a room attached to the count’s chambers. Each night they are brought their food by one of the servants. I will pose as the servant and go to her.” Terrod looked at Richter, “What I need, is for you to handle the guards in front of the baron’s chambers. Ideally, in a way without bloodshed, and without them being able to identify us. No matter what though, they will need to be dealt with or I won’t be able to get Isabel out.”

  Richter looked back at Terrod, “I said I would help you and I will. I don’t much in the way of stealth skills though. My Imbued arrow will kill them, but you know how much noise it makes. It would alert every guard in the house!”

  Terrod was nodding quickly, “I know, I know! I have thought of that! No one that we freed can come with us for the same reason that Sion needs to stay behind. Nonhumans would immediately be detained and questioned. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to help. There are two adepts mages present, one of Dark and one of Earth. The Dark adept has a spell that could accomplish what we need. I’ve already checked though. None of the humans that are part of our group have the affinity to learn Dark Magic, but I thought you might. You already seem to have multiple magics. Will you try?”

  No matter what Terrod had asked, Richter would have complied. The desperation and stress in the man’s voice was heartrending, “Of course Terrod. Where can I find them?”

  “Come with me,” he said walking towards the stairs of the inn.

  At the end of the hallway on the second floor there was a small open area. A rectangular table was there with six chairs. Sunlight streamed through the window, but a light breeze came through as well making for a very pleasant climate. A dwarf, an elf and a gnome sat around the table. Richter used Analyze on each in turn.

  Name: Zarr. Mountain Dwarf Level 17. Health 420. Mana 350. Stamina 320. Disposition: Friendly. Dwarves have several subclasses that determine their specific powers. Mountain dwarves are a hardy folk that get bonuses to Constitution and Endurance each level. They have keep eyesight that gives them excellent night vision. Natural miners, it is said mountain dwarves can “smell” veins of precious metals. Increased resistance to negative physical effects. Increased affinity and resistance to Earth Magic. Mountain Dwarves get three points to distribute per level, and each level give +1 to Constitution and +1 to Endurance.

  Name: Ulinde. High Elf Level 18. Health 310. Mana 320. Stamina 260. Disposition: Friendly. Elves have several subclasses that determine their specific powers. High elves are gifted in archery and most magical arts. They have increased resistance to magical attack. High Elves get three points to distribute per level, and each level give +1 to Intelligence and +1 to Wisdom.

  Name: Quasea. Arcane Gnome Level 16. Health 150. Mana 730. Stamina 110. Disposition: Friendly. Gnomes have several subclasses that determine their specific powers. Arcane gnomes are obsessed with knowledge. Increased dodge and sneak. Gifted in magical arts. Bonus to Intelligence each level. Arcane Gnomes get three points to distribute per level, and each level gives +2 to Intelligence.

  Richter greeted each in turn by their names.

  Zarr looked at him sternly, “You should not use yer ability on a person without their consent lad! It’s bad manners!”

  Quasea just laughed however. “Oh Zarr, stop teasing the boy. As if you wouldn’t do the same if you could!”

  “Hmpff! Not really the point at all is it Q,” he replied.

  The elf stepped forward and extended his hand, “Well met Richter. Thank you so much for your help in freeing our people! Terrod has told us how pivotal you were in the fight ag
ainst the Night Blades. They were, unkind to our people to say the least. Though none of us were held captive in that hole, the suffering of our people still pained us! When I heard the adepts were going to meet you, I volunteered as well. I am an adept Archer and a journeyman of Light Armor, Zarr is an adept Earth Mage, and Quasea is an adept Dark Sorceress. We can increase your skills over the next three days. It should greatly increase your chances to retrieve Isabel.”

  “I appreciate your offer, but I’m not sure if I could afford your expertise,” Richter said cautiously. The idea of getting more skills was an amazing temptation, but he couldn’t believe they would just help him out of the kindness of their hearts.

  “We don’t require payment, but it shows wisdom that you don’t jump at the first opportunity for more power,” Quasea answered. The gnome had fair skin and long red hair that was woven into a ponytail draped over her left shoulder. She was about four feet tall and had a round, kind face. She wore a black robe belted with dark purple rope that stopped just above her knees, tied in front with an intricate knot. She looked him in the eye with purple irises that matched her robe, but her gaze was more playful than challenging.

  “I will tell you why we are helping you. We owe you a debt either for freeing our loved. I also personally know Isabel, and I would not leave her in the hands of a pig like the count. More than that however, by deciding to come with you, we have tied our fate to you. The others may not have picked up on your secret, but I am a adept of the Dark. The Dark is useful for many things, but primarily it is used to conceal. I can feel the Mark you try to hide. That coupled with what Terrod us about the “defenses” you had in place for the village, really only lead to one simple conclusion. You are the Master of a Place of Power,” the last was said as a statement.

  All three looked at him, and Richter felt trapped by the weight of their attention. The five of them sat in silence gazing at one another. He did not want his abilities known broadly. He had not forgotten Hisako’s warning that his power would make him a target. Analyze had shown that all three were friendly to him though. They had also all agreed to join his community. There really didn’t seem to be much risk. He held up his left wrist and willed the Mark to appear.

  “I am the Master of the Mist Village and the Power it is built on. I promise I meant everything I have said before. Everyone that comes to my village will be treated fairly. I am, the Master though,” he added forcefully. Now that Quasea had forced his hand, he decided it was best to establish the guidelines for how things would be.

  The gnome only nodded. “I quite understand… my Lord Richter.” She bowed her head slightly and the other two followed suit. “We did not expect anything else. That brings us to the main reason we are helping you. If we are going to make your village a home, then the more prosperous it is, and by extension you are, the better off we all will be. Though don’t expect us to always instruct you for free in the future,” she said with a smile and a wink.

  Richter responded with a smile of his own, “Then I gladly accept you help. Where do we start?”

  He spent the next three days with the three masters. The skills the Bow adept taught him were all stamina dependent, and predictably Zarr’s and Quasea’s skills were mana based. The spell that was necessary to the mission came from Quasea, Troubled Sleep, but required a skill level of three in Dark Magic. She also taught him two level one spells that he cast relentlessly until his Dark Magic level increased to level three. After working with the three trainers, his skills had increased and he had gained several new ones:

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 4 in Light Armor. +2% to defense of all light armor.

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 5 in Light Armor. +2% to defense of all light armor.

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 6 in Light Armor. +2% to defense of all light armor.

  Congratulations! You have learned the subskill: Grace in Combat. If wearing all light armor, dodge increased by 10%. This is a subskill of Light Armor.

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 2 in Grace in Combat. Dodge increased by 11%.

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 6 in Archery. +2% bonus to aim. +2% bonus to damage.

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 7 in Archery. +2% bonus to aim. +2% bonus to damage.

  Congratulations! You have learned the subskill: Double Shot. You can fire an arrow and then a second arrow with less than a second between them. Accuracy of first shot decreased by 25% and accuracy of the second shot decreased by 50%. Cost 20 stamina. This is a subskill of archery.

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 2 in Double Shot. Accuracy of first shot decreased by 24% and accuracy of the second shot decreased by 49%.

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 3 in Double Shot. Accuracy of first shot decreased by 23% and accuracy of the second shot decreased by 48%.

  Congratulations! You have learned the subskill: Drill Shot. Strong focus lets you find holes in an enemy’s armor. You can ignore 10% of an opponent’s armor. Takes two seconds to aim. Cost 25 stamina. This is a subskill of archery.

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 2 in Drill Shot. You can ignore 11% of an opponent’s armor.

  Congratulations! You have learned the skill: Dark Magic. Increasing you skill will unlock more spells. It will also increase the power of your spells.

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 2 in Dark Magic. New spells are now available.

  Congratulations! You have reached skill level 3 in Dark Magic. New spells are now available.

  Congratulations! You have learned the spell: Night Vision! The target of this spell can see even in the deepest darkness. This is a spell of Dark Magic. Cost 5 mana. Duration: 3 hours. Range: 10 feet. Cast Time: 1 second. Cooldown: N/A.

  Congratulations! You have learned the spell: Cloying Darkness! Cast a cone of thickened darkness 15 feet in length from your hand. Movement and Attack speed of targets decreased by 20%. All in area of effect will suffer from spell. Will not work in direct sunlight. This is a spell of Dark Magic. Cost 30 mana. Duration: 10 minutes. Range: 10 feet. Cast Time: 1 second. Cooldown: 5 minutes.

  Congratulations! You have learned the spell: Troubled Sleep. Places your target in a restless sleep. He will be plagued by nightmares until awakening. Any attack or hostile action taken against target will awaken them. Area of effect five feet. This is a spell of Dark Magic. Cost: 50 mana. Duration: one hour. Range 15 feet. Cast time: 3 seconds. Cool down: 15 minutes.

  You have reached skill level 2 in Earth Magic. New spells are now available.

  Congratulations! You have learned the spell: Summon Insects: Summons a host of stinging and biting insects in a ten foot wide circle. Causes minimal damage, but impedes concentration. This is a spell of Earth Magic. Cost: 25 mana. Duration: 5 minutes. Range 20 feet. Cast time: 1 second. Cool down: 20 minutes

  Constant use and depletion of his stamina and mana earned him a +1 to Constitution, Endurance and Wisdom. Double Shot, which had seemed almost useless initially got less of a penalty as he leveled. He could see the benefit of continuing to invest in the skill if at level 50 he could fire twice as fast as another archer. Drill shot could definitely come in handy as well. Richter had asked Ulinde if Drill shot could negate all armor when the skill level was high enough. Unfortunately the answer was no. Different skills had different caps they could advance to. Drill shot, for instance, could ignore 60% of armor when maxed out at skill level 50. The armor penetration also depended on the type of arrow being used and the type of armor it was being used against. A simple iron arrow would barely harm dragon scale armor for instance, even if Drill shot was maxed. Once again reality was intruding on Richter’s plans for world domination!

  There was no denying the usefulness of the training. Ulinde explained that training with someone at a higher level than you in a skill would increase the speed you learned the skill. The amount of the bonus was based on the level of the traine
r compared to your respective level. Richter also asked how Ulinde could teach light armor skills, when he was only a journeyman in that skill. He looked confused for a moment until Richter talked about how he knew only adept and master magicians could teach spells. Ulinde nodded in understanding and said that didn’t apply to learning new skills.

  An added benefit of the training was that Sion was able to learn from Ulinde as well. He obtained the skills Grace in Combat, Double Shot and Drill Shot, but even more useful, Stun Shot. It was a level 10 archery subskill, so unfortunately Richter couldn’t learn it yet.

  Training had been tiring, but extremely beneficial and efficient. He definitely progressed faster than he would have alone. Richter was extremely thankful that these three were going to be part of his village. He expressed that to Quasea, and she just gave him a pinch on the butt with a saucy wink before walking off.

  The gnome’s forward behavior didn’t hold Richter’s attention long. He was day dreaming of creating a culture of open learning in the Mist Village. Knowledge was guarded jealously in The Land. The price of the books were a clear indication. One book cost three months of wages for the average worker. That wouldn’t be the case in his village. Every skill that could be learned would be. Dreams of arrow shooting Dark Earth magicians were dancing through his head. He decided to be honest with himself. Jedis. He really wanted Jedis!