Conquest

by Dean Henegar

  “Soldiers of the Imperium! We will move out and engage the gnolls. The Drebix are not to be harmed unless they attack us directly. These beasts,” I gestured toward the swarming gnolls, “are the real threat we face. Show them no mercy. Form up, squads one and two to my left, three and four to my right. Scouts head fifty yards out and engage with your crossbows. You,” I pointed toward one of my soldiers, “cut Beremund loose and give him his weapons. Platoon! At a quick step…march!” I ordered, and we moved to engage the gnolls which were approximately 100 yards ahead of us now. The gnolls had brought down the three skirmishers, who had managed to kill another of the war hyenas before succumbing to their foes. The gnolls had trouble pulling the war hyenas off the skirmishers. One even snarled at and bit a gnoll, willing to snap at its master to protect its kill. The gnolls gave up on corralling their hounds when they noticed our force approaching. Our scouts began to send accurate crossbow fire into their flank, quickly dropping four of the gnolls as we had closed the distance. When we were about twenty-five yards from the gnolls, I began to hear the bark of more war hyenas.

  From our rear, another pack of six war hyenas charged from the trees toward our forces. They were quickly followed by twenty more gnoll warriors seeking to trap us between their two forces. I had to act quickly if I didn’t want us encircled. I activated the command presence ability and shouted orders.

  “Squads one and two, form to the rear and release javelins once in range. Squads three and four, face the group to your front and engage with javelins. Scouts to the center, pick targets of opportunity with your crossbows, but fill in any gaps that open!” I ordered, and my soldiers formed two lines, each facing toward one group of foes. The lines looked thin at only sixteen soldiers each. The losses earlier, and the guards we had left behind to defend the wounded, had decreased our effective strength. Our forces released javelins into the approaching foes, concentrating on the more dangerous gnolls rather than the war hyenas. Several of the javelins hit their mark and four of the gnolls facing our front were killed, while three in the group that had attacked from the rear were dropped. The war hyenas then hit our rear line, stopped cold by the wall of shields that faced them. The men began to thrust out with their swords, trying to kill the beasts before their masters arrived. We had taken down three of the six hyenas when the gnolls hit our line. Unlike the weak goblins we had faced in our early battles, these creatures were bigger and physically stronger than my soldiers. Our rear line was breached in two places as the gnolls were able to use their superior height to strike over the tops of our shields. When the men moved the shields up for more protection, the hyenas leapt in, worrying at their legs. I plugged the holes with five of my remaining nine scouts just as the front line was also hit by the gnolls.

  Like at the rear line, the gnolls were able to hack over the tops of the shields, killing several of my men and opening gaps in our line. Luckily, the hyenas hadn’t come with their masters, as the beasts for this side were still content to stay behind and eat their earlier kills. I sent the last four scouts to plug the holes in the front line and readied my own sword and shield to help wherever a gap opened. A quickly ordered shield bash gave us some breathing room, which allowed us the time needed to make several hits on the disoriented gnolls, releasing some of the pressure.

  Despite being overpowered physically, my disciplined soldiers fought well. Our training kicked in and the men concentrated on defending with their shields and thrusting toward the gnoll to their right. The gnolls, much like the goblins we had faced before, only concentrated on the foe in front of them and were surprised to find Imperial bronze striking into their exposed sides. The new thrust ability that our soldiers had would activate automatically whenever off cooldown. These blows usually landed and severely injured the target. Our forces were evenly matched; the gnolls’ physical strength offset by our discipline and teamwork. Both soldiers and gnolls fell in nearly equal amounts. Our thrust ability proved deadly, but several of the gnolls began to activate an ability as well.

  Laughing Slash: A powerful strike that utilizes the gnolls disturbing laugh to distract an opponent, causing their foe to lose 5 defense against the next attack. This is an activated ability and has a 60 second cooldown.

  Watching our rapidly shrinking lines and looking for gaps in our defense, I failed to notice that the three war hyenas from the front group had snuck around our lines after finishing their meals. A heavy force hit me, and I fell to the ground, pain flaring in my leg and shoulder.

  War hyena has bitten you for 125 damage.

  War hyena has used the takedown ability. 25 damage and knocked prone.

  War hyena has bitten you for 121 damage.

  The three beasts worked in tandem, one knocking me down and all three now taking chunks out of me. I activated honor guard to get some breathing room. Two scouts materialized in front of me and began to attack the hyenas. The honor guard ability forced the hyenas to attack the summoned soldiers before they could attack me again…at least until the soldiers were killed, or their timer expired. I regained my feet and activated the ranged attack from Tessel’s Promise. A stream of green, acidic sap shot from my fingers and hit one of the war hyenas in the face. The hyena’s flesh melted quickly and, with a gurgling whine, the hyena died. The other hyenas continued to attack the honor guard. Both soldiers took a few bites, but were not badly injured. I activated shield bash for the honor guard and they each stunned one of the attacking hyenas. We finished off the stunned beasts and I, then, sent both of the honor guards to attack the nearest gnolls until their time ran out and they were unsummoned.

  Pressure against our front line began to lessen and I looked to find the reason. Across from the gnolls I could see Beremund and a dozen of the farmers attacking the gnolls, sandwiching them between us. The farmers didn’t do much damage, but provided a distraction that allowed my men to easily dispatch several distracted gnolls. Beremund was a different story. His whirlwind blow slew three, bunched up gnolls and he quickly began to attack others with his club. My men cheered when the Drebix joined the fight, our two forces quickly going from foe to friend once a common enemy was found.

  The gnolls sensed the fight going against them and began to flee. The gnolls’ innate cowardice worked in our favor and several were slain as they abandoned any form of defense in their haste to flee. The scouts switched back to their crossbows and managed to shoot down three more gnolls, the crossbow bolts easily penetrating the thin, leather, harness armor that the gnolls wore. Only a dozen of the gnolls, and none of the war hyenas, made it back to the safety of the forest. I detailed off four of my scouts to follow them in case they met up with reinforcements, or tried to sneak back. I set some of the men to looting our kills while I took stock of our losses. Three of the scouts were killed and I counted only nine soldiers still on their feet. Beremund approached me and clasped my hand in greeting.

  “Well done, Imperial! Your men stood and fought with bravery. Me and my people thank you for what you have done today. Know this, that I Beremund, Baresark of the Forerunner clan, offer my hand in gratitude. You have my word that none of our raiding parties will trouble your lands. My people are still not keen on being friendly with the Imperium but you, at least, are a man of honor who keeps his word. All these present today will testify this is so to our clan,” Beremund said in his booming voice for all the remaining Drebix to hear.

  “Beremund, know also that no soldier of the Imperium will attack or allow harm to come to any of your clan. I hope someday that your clan and the people of Hayden’s Knoll can become friends and trade together for the benefit of our people. Should the gnoll raids continue, or another foe pops up, let us know and my forces will help defeat any common enemies,” I offered, hoping to somehow mend the old wounds between our people. Perhaps not today, but at least the groundwork was being laid.

  “We shall see, Imperial. Now, while these good folks clean up the battlefield, come inside and have a drink with me! The farmers have agreed to
slaughter one of the cows and we will all feast. Tonight, at least, there is no Imperial or Drebix. There are only warriors who have defeated a common foe. Take this as a token of our victory.” With that, Beremund handed me a folded banner. I sent word to bring the wounded in and it turned out that one of the villagers had some skill in healing, which she used as the rest of us prepared for a big meal.

  You have defeated a force of Gnoll warriors and war hyenas. 250 experience gained. You have recovered 1 gold, 13 silver, and 44 copper.

  Item received: Banner (unidentified)

  For helping them defeat a common foe, your reputation with the Forerunner clan has improved from hostile to wary. You are not liked but will no longer be attacked on sight. Improve this relationship to open new options for trade or questing.

  Experience gained for negotiating peace: 500

  Quest complete: Tribal Trouble. You have brokered a peace with the local Drebix clan. Time will tell if the peace will hold.

  Reward: 1000 experience, 100 resources.

  Bonus Reward: For limiting bloodshed against the Forerunner clan of the Drebix (a potential ally and trading partner) you receive an additional 100 resources.

  The men and I enjoyed the meal of fresh meat and vegetables. The steak I ate, which was one of my favorite foods in the real world, was a perfectly cooked piece of pure bliss. I spent some time with Beremund and found that the title of Baresark is an important one within the Drebix tribes. If we would have killed him, or treated him poorly in captivity, there would have been no chance for a peaceful solution with these people. Seeing the farmers celebrating together, I knew that these were, for the most part, good people that only wanted to be free. I would do anything I could to help them stay that way.

  The night passed quickly and, due in part to the care received at the farm, our wounded were once again well enough to march when dawn arrived. With the morning light we began the march home, much fewer in number than when we had left Hayden’s Knoll. I had only thirteen soldiers and six scouts left. I knew the game would replace many of the losses by the time we arrived back at the barracks, but I couldn’t help feeling down when looking at how small our formation of soldiers had become.

  While we were marching, I was once again pulled from the game. The medpod continued its cycle of pulling me out every twenty-four hours or so in real world time to have the device refilled with medications. Once out of the game and no longer supported by the game’s processing power, my mind returned to a vegetative state. A feeling of weakness and loss hit me as I faded into the abyss that was my existence outside the Limitless Lands.

  Chapter 8

  Vhellia stood at the entrance to the Drowned Rat Tavern. The town of Tramwell was a small affair and unlikely to grow much in the future. The town subsisted on the trade of the local farmers and, most recently, from a group of miners that had discovered some rich veins of copper nearby. It was this group of miners that concerned Vhellia today. She quickly glanced at her two bodyguards, the two large half-orc warriors were intimidating and would scare off any small-time hooligans that might think to cause her trouble. Her method of handling trouble of a more dangerous variety consisted of two stealthed, level five rogues, as well as the level six necromancer that stood nearby under an invisibility spell. Vhellia could see them all since they were in her party, but doubted the low-level inhabitants of the town, or the low-level players she was meeting with now, would ever know of their presence.

  The tavern door creaked as she opened it and her senses were assailed with the combined smells of watered-down ale, sweaty dwarves, and pungent pipe tobacco. Vhellia suppressed the need to hold her hand over her nose, as she didn’t want to offend the dwarves she was meeting here. She spotted the party of four dwarves she was looking for at a long table in the back of the tavern. They were perched on stools with annoyed scowls etched on their faces. One of her half-orc guards stood by the door and the other followed a few paces behind her.

  “I’ll make this quick lass, the answer is no,” one of the dwarves said. His name tag showed him to be a level three, player-controlled character named Fred, with the non-combat class of miner. Vhellia knew many players had eschewed traditional fighting classes for crafting and gathering specialties. Even a gathering class could be dangerous in a fight, but a level three miner would have little chance against the forces she had with her today. Today was not about fighting, though. Vhellia had a deal to cut, a deal that she needed to finish soon, before she had to log out for a meeting in the real world.

  “Fred, you should at least hear our offer before turning it down,” Vhellia said as she placed a heavy sack of coins on the table. “Here is an advance payment of 250 gold if you just agree to our terms. They are very generous, we’ll make sure you are protected and given any gear or equipment you require to mine the claim more efficiently,” Vhellia offered while sliding a scroll across the table with the terms she was offering. Deals in game were binding once both parties agreed. Fred reluctantly took the scroll and opened it, reviewing the terms offered.

  “You’ve got to be crazy! You want us to sign away the rights to a lucrative mine for a measly 250 gold and we only get to keep 5% of the mine revenue after that? Get lost, Vhellia! You and the rest of your Organized Chaos guild are not getting your grubby hands on OUR discovery!” Fred shouted as he tossed the scroll into Vhellia’s face. The wood handle of the scroll made a cracking sound as it hit her nose. A small trickle of blood began to seep down and Vhellia saw she had been hit for 1 damage. The half-orc guard grunted and pulled his axe from his belt, ready for a fight. The dwarves drew axes and picks, as well, before Vhellia held up her hands and spoke.

  “Hold on! No reason for violence; just a little scratch. I’m sure it wasn’t intentional. I have to say, Fred, that I am sorry you didn’t take this last, kindly offer of ours. You’ll find our next offer will not be as generous…or delivered with as much courtesy. Good day to you all. Enjoy digging in your dirt pile,” Vhellia said sarcastically as she and her guards left. Once outside the building, the necromancer dropped from invisibility as he approached Vhellia.

  “Did they go for it. Vhellia? I really want that cash bonus we get once the deal is closed,” the necromancer asked, excited like a child at Christmas.

  “No, Darkfallow. They didn’t go for it. Don’t worry. I have a…lovely strategy in place to get them to sign. The mine will be in our control, and the bonus in your account, by this time next week. I’ve got a meeting with our benefactors outside of the game now…see you guys later,” Vhellia said as she logged out and hurried to her meeting.

  Executive conference room number 12 of Mantuco Enterprises.

  “It appears the team’s all here. Let’s get started people,” William Lang said as he glanced around the room. Five others were seated about a large, ornate, mahogany table that cost more than the average person made in a month. The people in this room were the select few at Mantuco that knew the full details of their newest venture. When he was initially approached with the concept for the project by a young, but well-respected, junior manager in the firm, William laughed. The manager wasn’t intimidated and went on to show how he had found a unique and potentially lucrative niche market.

  William was never one to pass on an opportunity due to his own ignorance, so he had a small team formed to begin an analysis of the potential venture. The initial results were promising, but much more had to be done for Mantuco to justify a greater investment. There needed to be solid results before William felt comfortable announcing the project to the board. After all, the stodgy, straight-laced executives of the board would be even more skeptical than William over the notion that a firm could make a profit from selling commodities sourced in a video game world. The gaming industry had boomed in the last few decades, but Mantuco had kept out of it, content with its current profitable portfolio of investments. William turned his attention to a young lady, dressed in casual clothes, that was seated near the back of the room.

  “Ro
se, why don’t you give us an update on where we stand for stage one of our plan. I want to bring our newest team member up to speed. Zane Hoffman is one of our best financial analysts and I’m having him join the project to help gauge its potential. Zane’s expertise in market timing will also help us maximize the value from our sale of in-game resources,” William advised as he poured himself a glass of water, all the while wishing it was a latte. The doctor had told him to lay off the copious amounts of caffeine he had been drinking, which had led to severe caffeine withdrawals for the last week. William tried to force a smile on his face, annoyed at the feeling of yet another caffeine withdrawal headache starting behind his eyes.

  Rose was a new employee, recruited specifically for this project due to her unique background. Rose was the guild leader of a small guild in the game, Limitless Lands. Her guild, Chaotic Outcomes, was gaining notoriety, despite its small size, as a strong pvp guild. Rose had been a hardcore gamer since the age of ten and, at twenty-two years of age, was well respected in the community for her gaming skills. Other than the few part-time jobs that she had worked to supplement her meager gaming income, Rose had never had a “real” job. When Mantuco called and offered her a position on the project, she thought it was a dream come true. Her parents were thrilled that she had landed at a large company as well-known and respected as Mantuco. Rose was determined that she would do whatever it took to make this project, and her future career, successful.

  “Thanks, William. Just to review, stage one of our plan centers around controlling the resources of an entire zone in the game, Limitless Lands. The zone of Bharga’s Crossing was chosen due to the large number of my guild members that had found themselves there when they first spawned into the game. We soon gained a new guild member named Narbos the Grim, who is a university student working on a competitive project that he hopes will gain him access to a top graduate school. The project has three different students controlling their own towns within the game, testing to see which form of government is most efficient for a fantasy world. Narbos quickly decided to join the guild and saw the benefit of working together. His unique class is called “overlord” and with our help he has set about controlling the zone of Bharga’s Crossing. We now control the main city of Bharga as well as a small mine that some kobolds owned. With some persuasion, the kobolds are now working for us, providing resources to the guild. With the forces Narbos controls, and our guild support, we hope to control the rest of the zone within a few, in-game weeks.