by Aleron Kong
Before they had gone two miles Futen came along in response to a mental call Richter had sent out as soon as they had reached the mists. With the remnant’s light boosted to maximum, traveling became much easier. The party increased their speed somewhat as they did their best to cross the remaining miles. As Richter walked, he dealt with his notifications.
You have been award 6,614 (base 105,824 x 0.05 x 1.25) experience from Brain Drain against Level 14 Bugbear Raider.
You have been award 3,265 (base 52,243 x 0.05 x 1.25) experience from Brain Drain against Level 10 Bugbear.
You have been award 2,745 (base 43,916 x 0.05 x 1.25) experience from Brain Drain against Level 9 Bugbear.
You have been award 4,649 (base 74,387 x 0.05 x 1.25) experience from Brain Drain against Level 12 Bugbear.
You have been award 2,876 (base 46,009 x 0.05 x 1.25) experience from Brain Drain against Level 10 Bugbear.
You have been award 1,848 (base 29,562 x 0.05 x 1.25) experience from Brain Drain against Level 8 Bugbear.
You have been award 32,774 (base 524,381 x 0.05 x 1.25) experience from Brain Drain against Level 26 Bugbear Ranger.
Your familiar has reached level 20!
You familiar has reached level 21!
TRING!
You have reached level 24! Through hard work you have moved forward along your path. As a Chaos Seed, you gain 6 points to distribute to characteristics instead of the usual 4. You also get 25% advancement to the skill of your choice! Crush your enemies, honor your allies, LIVE!
TRING!
You have reached level 25! Through hard work you have moved forward along your path. As a Chaos Seed, you gain 6 points to distribute to characteristics instead of the usual 4. You also get 25% advancement to the skill of your choice! Crush your enemies, honor your allies, LIVE!
You have either characteristic points or skill percentage points to allocate from the previous level. Now that you have progressed again, you must allocate your points within the next week or they will randomly be assigned for you.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 9 in Analyze.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 15 in Tracking. +1% attack bonus vs individual prey. You can follow older tracks.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 11 in Archery. +2% bonus to aim. +2% bonus to damage.
Congratulations! You have reached subskill level 7 in Imbue Arrow. +5% damage. +5% speed of mana flow.
Congratulations! You have reached subskill level 4 in Focus. Zoom increased by 0.1x.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 6 in Small Blades. +2% attack speed. +2% bonus to damage.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 6 in Dual Casting. The spell power of a dual casting is doubled at skill level one. Advancing in this skill will increase this bonus by 2% per skill level. At this level, total spell power increased by 224%. Mana cost of each individual spell increased by 300% (Cost decreased by 4x skill level). At this level, mana drain increased by 276%. Chance of spell miscast decreased by increasing this skill. This number is affected directly by spell level and caster’s proficiency in that branch of magic.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 12 in Air Magic. New spells are now available.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 7 in Life Magic. New spells are now available.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 8 in Dark Magic. New spells are now available.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 7 in Light Magic. New spells are now available.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 6 in Fire Magic. New spells are now available.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 2 in War Leader. +1% effective distance. +1% attack and defense for all allies.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 3 in War Leader. +1% effective distance. +1% attack and defense for all allies.
Know this! You have saved some of your villagers from certain death. Loyalty of those villagers increased by +300 each. Relationship with those villagers increased to Loyal.
Dismissing all of his prompts, Richter decided to hold off on allocating the points for his levels. He did do something he had been putting off though, and invested one point into Alma’s Psi Blast.
You have chosen to increase your familiar’s ability: Psi Blast to level 2. The mental disruption caused will now also cause direct health damage. The 2-4 second stun effect is increased to 5-7 seconds. The initial AoE of 10 feet can be increased to 15 feet with a corresponding drop in the blast’s effectiveness or narrowed to five feet with an increase in the blast’s effectiveness. Cooldown decreased to four minutes.
Alma did a loop in the air and blasted her improved Psi Blast straight up into the air. She didn’t hurt anything, but it was clear that his familiar enjoyed the fact that she was now carrying a bigger stick! Alma seemed to be the only member of the group that wasn’t completely exhausted. Richter smiled at his familiar, and her exuberance helped to ease his mood. With everything that had happened, he decided to take a look at his status page.
Name: Richter
Age: 24
Level: 25, 25%
Health: 632 Mana: 454 Stamina: 300
Strength: 32
Agility: 32
Dexterity: 38
Constitution: 41
Endurance: 30
Intelligence: 41
Wisdom: 24
Charisma: 24
Luck: 17
Abilities:
Limitless
Gift of Tongues
Fast Learner
Bounty of Life
Psi Bond
Qualities:
Resolute
Honorable
Implacable
Skills:
Herb Lore Lvl 40; 47% to next level
Alchemy Lvl 2; 48%% to next level
Enchantment Lvl 28; 0% to next level
Crafting Lvl 1; 0% to next level
Smithing Lvl 1; 0% to next level
Analyze Lvl 9; 11% to next level
Pierce the Veil Lvl 23; 54% to next level
Stealth Lvl 13; 61% to next level
Traps Lvl 22; 22% to next level
Trap Disarm Lvl 22; 18 to next level
Tracking Lvl 15; 23% to next level
Riding Lvl 7; 76% to next level
Archery Lvl 11; 48% to next level
Imbue Arrow Lvl 7; 9% to next level
Focus Lvl 4; 47% to next level
Double Shot Lvl 2; 11% to next level,
Drill Shot Lvl 2; 81% to next level
Swordsmanship Lvl 1; 43% to next level
Small Blades Lvl 6; 12% to next level
Unarmed Combat Lvl 1; 78% to next level
Pressure Points Lvl 1; 0% to next level
Dual Wield Lvl 1; 0% to next level
Light Armor Lvl 10; 72% to next level
Grace in Combat Lvl 8; 12% to next level
Dual Cast Lvl 6; 68% to next level
Air Magic Lvl 12; 17% to next level
Life Magic Lvl 7; 53% to next level
Earth Magic Lvl 6; 11% to next level
Water Magic Lvl 5; 74% to next level
Dark Magic Lvl 8; 94% to next level
Light Magic Lvl 7; 37% to next level
Fire Magic Lvl 6; 74% to next level
Map Making Lvl MAX
Trade Lvl 13; 0% to next level
War Leader Lvl 3, 51% to next level
Portal Construction Apprentice
Lore Lvl 1
Marks:
Master of Mist Village
Blood Oath
Forge of Heavens
Resistances:
Air 50%
Life 50%
Mental 35%
Spiritual 15%
Race: Human (Chaos Seed)
Reputation: Lvl 3 “You seem like someone worthy of my attention.”
Alignment: Neutral
Language: All
That
done, and with Barden’s body no longer physically weighing on him, he felt free to discuss certain matters with his villagers. They told him that several groups like their own had been created by Terrod. Each group was comprised of two melee fighters, two ranged fighters, and one of the Air mages Richter had created. He nodded at the wisdom in that, though he still intended to have words with his Companion regarding discipline. While his people needed to get tougher, they just weren’t ready to venture past the mists yet.
After several more hours, dawn broke, and not long after, Richter came over a last rise and saw his village for the first time in a week. The farms lay to the south and the pastures lay to the southwest, just as he remembered them. He watched both being worked by his villagers. Men and women weeded the fields, watered the plants and tended the livestock. Mist workers toiled silently to dig the trench surrounding the farms. Beyond the farms, the earthwork walls were slowly being converted into walls of marbled quartz. Even now, Richter could see a mist worker carrying a rectangular block the size of an ice chest toward an empty section.
Five ships were anchored in the river to the west, but his escort did not seem surprised or upset about seeing them. He assumed the trade delegation had come back, but why it was still here or why there were extra ships was beyond him, so Richter let it go for now. Besides, he was overcome with gazing upon the beauty before him. Beyond the village proper, he looked up at the hill that rose to the north with a backdrop of mountains. Green trees lined the edge of the hill, but Richter could see a flash of silver and white as well. He smiled. It was good to be home.
He said goodbye to Kenzo and the other sprites who were anxious to be home. Kenzo was eager to personally speak to the elders about what he had learned. Richter thanked him one last time, and then they parted company. As he walked through the fields, his people shouted out. They came over and welcomed him back with smiles and happy greetings. Richter stopped for a second to connect with his villagers, but he didn’t wait long. He had to find out what had been happening while he was gone.
He was surprised to see two villagers, a human and gnome, standing guard at the gates. Each was wearing a conical helmet, shining new chain mail, and had a round high steel shield. Both also held a spear with a high steel head. The gnome’s weapon was sized slightly smaller to fit his shorter stature. The guards slapped their fists to their chests and nodded their heads slightly. A firm “Milord” issued from both of their mouths. Somewhat taken aback by their formal tone, he nonetheless gave a nod in return before walking into the village.
Richter turned to Futen. “Go as quickly as you can to the Great Seal. Randolphus will almost definitely be there this time of day. Tell him to wait for me. Then go and find Sumiko and tell her we have an injured man who needs help. The mist workers will carry him to the base of the catacombs. Then find Quasea, Zarr, Ulinde, Terrod, Sion, Krom, Roswan, Shivona and Basil and have then meet me at the Great Seal. Lady Hisako isn’t in the village is she?”
“No, my Lord.”
“Then gather the rest and join me in the room off of the Great Seal when you are done.”
“Yes, my Lord,” came the deadpan reply. The remnant moved quickly away.
Richter kept walking towards the slope that led to the Great Seal. More villagers cheered his return, and he also came across more guards equipped the same as the ones at the gate. Each saluted him by clapping a first over their hearts. Clearly some things had changed while he was gone.
Two guards had been placed at the entrance to the catacombs. Richter nodded to each as he walked by. He walked down the tunnel and made his way into the room of the Great Seal. Seeing the physical representation of his power again, he stopped and took a moment to gaze at it. Two of the four spirals showed signs of power and life, just as they had since he had awakened his second power. They pulsed and flashed with rich and powerful magic. It made the contrast of the other two even more striking. The spirals of Dark and Water magic remained only cold inert tile.
Awakening his other powers had to be a priority, but there was just so much else to do! Richter suddenly felt the heavy weight of his responsibilities. He had to conquer levels of the catacombs, he had to persuade the dwarves to fight against the bugbears, he had to deal with the scourge, he had to rescue more of the nonhumans from Yves, protect his people from Count Stonuk, deal with Ronin and the Night Blades and now maybe even the Ouroboros assassin guild. It seemed like there was always more and More and MORE!
Richter closed his eyes and breathed a deep breath. He struggled to find his center. He couldn’t allow himself to be crushed under the worries of tomorrow. Richter had been taught at an early age that every insurmountable large problem was just a series of smaller problems that could be conquered. What was important, was that he not give up. He took another deep breath and the moment of self-doubt and pity passed. When he opened his eyes, he saw that Randolphus was looking at him.
“Welcome back, my Lord,” the tall man said. “I am happy to see that you have prevailed. If I’m not mistaken, you have come back stronger.”
“It’s good to be back, Randy,” he said with a grin. “And yes, I have been through quite a bit, but I came out the other side stronger. Now, I’m assuming you have a lot to speak with me about?”
“I do indeed, my Lord,” he answered while stepping back and gesturing towards his office.
“Others are going to be joining us, Randy. Let’s go to the room with the large table instead.”
“As you wish, my Lord.”
Randolphus walked back into his office to retrieve some files, while Richter walked into what was, in effect, his conference room. He noticed as he was walking that another two guards had been placed at the entrances to the treasury and armory. Richter realized that he should have instituted measures like this before now. He didn’t let himself spiral back downward with recriminations though, he just walked into his conference room.
Sitting at the head of the large rectangular table, he tried to get comfortable. Shifting in the wooden chair, he decided to invent the La-Z-Boy at the first opportunity. This thing was seriously uncomfortable.
The chamberlain joined him at the table and started filling Richter in on what had happened in his absence, starting with when Terrod had been brought back by the okami. Sion had immediately taken a group of villagers and sprites to find him. They followed the trail of the okami back to the where Richter had slain Sonirae and her accomplice. Then they had found the site of his battle with the rock giant. Sion hadn’t known exactly what had attacked him, he had only known it was very large. Though the search party had barely rested over their days of travel, Sion immediately took off along the trail of devastation the rock giant had left in its wake.
Sion had ultimately found the collapsed cave. Richter’s tracks had led inside and the rock giant’s had clearly led off to the north. Sion and the others had apparently spent several hours digging, but to no avail. He had then started the trip back to the village to wait for either Richter’s return or his rebirth.
Randolphus continued his story with what had happened in the village while Sion had been gone. After spending a small amount of time with Isabel, both Terrod and his love had approached Randolphus. Both said they had been in seclusion long enough. Richer nodded along. He had already known that Isabel would be taking an active role in the village thanks to the completed quest prompt he had received.
Terrod had taken charge of the village’s defenses. The very next morning after his return, he had called for an assembly of all of the villagers. Terrod had spoken passionately about how special the Mist Village was and how it deserved to be protected. He reminded them of the harsh laws of Yves, of the beatings, of the rapes, of the murders. According to Randolphus, he had stoked the fires of their anger and indignation, then he asked them if they would let anyone or anything force them back to that life.
That wasn’t all though. Isabella had joined him in addressing the crowd. She had shared some of the stories of the indig
nities she had suffered. She had told the other villagers about how Richter had rescued her. She had spoken about how he sent her to safety when Ronin had attacked the fleeing party, and had stayed behind to fight. She pointed out other villagers who had been captives and asked if their freedom was worth fighting for. She had asked the loved ones of the former captives, if they would fight to make sure their families weren’t torn apart again! Then she had simply asked them if they would fight for the man who had offered them the right to choose their own fates.
Randolphus told him that although Terrod had fired up the villagers, it was at the end of Isabella’s speech that every villager was on their feet and shouting Richter’s name. Terrod had to restrain many of the villagers from immediately running out of the village to search for their Lord. The crowd had apparently shouted in fury and fervor for long minutes until they could be calmed. Afterwards, more than a hundred villagers were clamoring to sign up for the militia. Randolphus had interviewed all of them and found that while almost sixty people had been going to fight to preserve the safety of the village after Terrod had spoken, those numbers had more than doubled after Isabella speech.
Since then, the forges had been going into overdrive to equip those who agreed to serve. Terrod had also been able to convince almost everyone who had agreed to serve in the militia to swear fealty to the village and its Master. Richter smiled when Randolphus related that part. It would make what he had planned much easier. He still wasn’t sure exactly what being a Companion entailed, but whatever else it meant, Terrod and Sion had been indispensable in Richter’s rise to power. Terrod’s Comradery ability was amazing. The story also explained to Richter why the Loyalty of the village as a whole had gone up by +20 after he had completed Isabella’s quest.
Sion and Terrod had wandered in while Randolphus was talking, but hadn’t wanted to interrupt. Richter rose and embraced them both though, and they joined him at the table. At that point in Randolphus’s story, Terrod spoke up and told Richter that he had formed nine scout groups of five people each. He had chosen the party number based on the fact that anymore would decrease the amount experience gathered from fighting. No group was allowed far from the village by itself though. Terrod looked at Richter with a serious expression and described some of the dangerous animals and monsters that had been seen in and out of the mists. Mountain lions, cave bears, giant spiders and vampire bats were just a few of the had started to be seen frequently in the lands around the village.
