by Tony Corden
She got a message and said, “Hold on.”
Atherleah,
Thad has claimed an Iron Mine for Clan Guàn.
The position of the mine has been marked on your map. You have thirty days in which no-one outside your clan may contest this claim or mine in this location. After this amnesty, you should be prepared to defend your claim.
We hope you enjoy the experience.
She smiled, and Elsa said, “A message I suppose. Good news?”
“Yes, my clan just claimed an Iron Mine.”
“You’re in a clan? What clan are you in? No, wait, for you to get a message you must be the leader of the Clan or at least an officer.”
“Yes, I’m the leader. Will you keep this secret?”
After all three nodded, she said, “My friends, who I’m trying to get back to, and I have started a Clan called Clan Guàn.”
Matt was obviously checking something and said, “Clan Guàn. The motto is Integritas! Prospertas! Praesidium! It is unranked globally, Level 4, six members. All other information is withheld until 25 December when its anonymous period ends.”
“What does the motto mean?”
“Purity, Prosperity, and Protection.”
“Which means?”
“Do what is right, don’t be a scumbag. Succeed at whatever you attempt. Look out for and protect family, friends and those less fortunate.”
Elsa said, “Can we join?”
“It would depend on the team, but I have no qualms. The current joining fee is one Diamond, and we still have to work out how to share the profits. But more importantly, you must know that Clan Y’Haul is going to come after us, and I assume we will go after them. As far as we are concerned, they fit in the scumbags and oppressor category. Why don’t we discuss this again after we take the Ebony House? If you're still interested, then we’ll all meet and talk about it.”
All three nodded, and they headed off again. Six hours later, and completely unmolested, they stopped for the night. They had travelled a total of nineteen leagues and were only six from the house. They agreed to meet at eight the next morning, and everyone logged out.
Leah took a short break to eat and take care of necessities and then she entered Dark Moon Duel after arranging for some additional money be added to her account. It took her ten minutes to find the armourer that had been recommended. She discussed the various possibilities and finally decided on a double-thickness leather armour. This was flexible enough to allow her a full range of movement but strong enough to prevent damage from a glancing blow. She paid for the armourer to insert small steel rods and plates in between the two layers of leather that made up the armour. These were positioned to enhance protection over vital areas without limiting movement. She also added a range of sheaths for throwing and fighting knives. Leah asked for the armour to be coloured a deep forest green.
She visited a cobbler for a pair of knee-length black boots with concealed sheathes for several knives. Next was a weapon's dealer to buy a range of throwing and fighting knives. She also bought two medium quality swords with similar properties to Baris and Adalet.
When she had finished Gèng insisted she have two hours deep sleep before doing anything else. After she woke, she had a leisurely breakfast and walked through the ten rooms being prepared for the Pods. All the rooms were on the lower level, and her father assured her they would be ready by the time the Pods arrived. After having another snack, Leah entered the Pod and headed for the Dunyanin portal.
“Six leagues to go to the house. If the trail remains the same, then we should be there in three hours. Is everyone ready?”
With a quick nod from each of the others, Leah nodded to Matt, and they began the final run toward the Ebony House. They made good time, and it was just over two and a half hours later when they could see something blocking the trail ahead. Matt slowed, and the four of them began to take greater care as they walked toward what turned out to be a gate. The gate was closed.
For some reason, Leah had expected the House to be like Göskel-Orman and blend with the forest, but that wasn’t the case. On each side of the gate was a three-metre high dressed stone wall which enclosed the large circular estate. The path continued past the gate and toward a house situated over 200 paces away. Inside, the grass was carefully manicured and studded with elegant gardens and sculptured hedges and trees. The gate was worked iron, and the bars shaped into an intricate design with loops, swirls and barbs. Both the house and the grounds looked empty.
There was no lock or chain, and so after carefully looking for traps Leah stepped forward and placed her hand on the right side of the gate to push it open. As soon as she touched the ironwork, a message appeared.
Level 4 Dungeon Achievement: First 1 (5, Diamond)
Atherleah (Level 214), you have discovered a Level 4 Area:
The Patriarch of Ebony House
You are the first player to discover this area. This is your fifth, 'First 1 (Diamond)’ achievement.
If you succeed in completing this dungeon, then you will have control of the Ebony House and the dungeon will be relocated within 10 leagues.
Reward 1: 5000 x 214 = 2482400 (+132%) Experience Points (790000/790000)…(56341/830000)
Reward 2: + 3% to all future Experience
Reward 3: 5 x 10 Platinum = 50 Platinum
Reward 4: Increased probability of valuable drop. Luck is increased by 5 whenever you are in this Dungeon. During your first time in the Dungeon, the probability of all drops is increased to 0.5.
Fame: 1000 Fame Points (115700)
A Commemorative Plaque has been placed in your bag.
Note: This achievement will be published on the Dunyanin achievement forum. Do you wish to retain your privacy?
[Y] [N]
“Yes.”
She turned to the others, and Eli said, “Don’t worry, we like our privacy.”
Before Leah could respond a voice spoke from the other side of the gate, “Traveller beware, the Father sleeps still. Enter, and he will wake and permit us to feed.”
Leah spoke, “Show yourself, sir. This land is mine by the command of King I’hali E’lfler Ustasi, Lord of Göskel-Orman.”
Mist appeared about ten metres from the gate and coalesced into an elf wearing dark red, almost black armour and a cape. He had no sword, but Leah could see his nails were sharp and when he spoke she could see the fangs inside his mouth.
HIGH ELF VAMPIRE - SENTINEL (Level 222) 49284HP (11100EP)
“The Father claimed this house millennia ago. The Elven King no longer have authority here. Begone!”
“I gave my word that I would take hold of this house. Maybe I can discuss this with your Master.”
“Go kir, if you enter you will die. The Father does not negotiate, especially with kir.”
Leah took a step back and then raising her foot she slammed it against the gate, throwing it open. As she stepped inside, the Vampire blurred toward her, and it was only her Ki speed that allowed her to evade the slashing motion which would have removed her throat. She rocked her head back, and as the arm went past, she moved forward and brought her left arm up and equipping the Haladie drove it upwards and into the armpit. The silver weapon sliced through the weakest point of the armour and deep into the Sentinel. She cast chain Lightening Chain with her left hand, and it arced through the Haladie and deep into the Vampire. His Health bar flickered red, she brought her right hand around and drove a knife through the brain. Still, the sentinel lived although it was comatose.
Eli yelled, “Cut the head off and hurry, more incoming.”
She brought her right arm up and around while equipping Adalet and cut the head off. The Vampire died, and she could see several forms coalescing into more Vampires.
Leah and Eli stepped forward, and Eli said, “Elsa can help with this, but she needs time for a complex spell. We need to keep them away for about eighty-seconds.”
The next minute and a half were difficult, and Leah’s health was down to just under a half.
She was thankful for her silver knives which gave her HP from the victims, Eli was also weakening. Two more Sentinels were down, but there were seven more surrounding them in various stages of health. Suddenly there was a flash of light and the Vampires all staggered and slowed. Within moments Eli and Leah had decapitated the lot.
Leah turned to find Elsa on her knees and breathing deeply.
“What was that?”
“That was a Divine Light Spell, very rare and almost impossible to cast. Unfortunately, it has a 24-hour cool-down, so that is it for today. It was probably a good time though as it works best in the open.”
Leah had Eli drag all the bodies to a central spot and then took a luck potion before harvesting them. Altogether there were ten Sentinels, and each gave similar loot.
You have harvested:
1 set of fangs
1 Cuirass (with backplate) from Vampire Sentinel Armour (part of a set)
1 Gauntlets from Vampire Sentinel Armour (part of a set)
4 Copper Coins minted with an image of the Patriarch of Ebony House.
1 Spell of Mist
2 Vials of Vampire Blood - Type HED4- *
* Note: An ingredient used by Healers, Alchemists and Necromancers.
Each Vampire Sentinel gave two parts of the armour, and together they collected several partial sets. Each complete set had a helm, cauldrons, cuirass (with backplate), cape, pauldron, brassart, vambrace, gauntlets, cuisse, and sabaton. They received three different spells, ‘Mist’, ‘Transform’, and ‘Hypnotise’. Each of them could only be used by a vampire.
The blood types all started with ‘HE’ which Leah assumed meant High Elf and Gèng confirmed. The ‘D’ was for those who could live in sunlight, again all had this type. The number varied with some having ‘4’, some a ‘5’ and one had a ‘6’. Again Gèng explained this was the number of generations the vampire was removed from the Patriarch. If a Patriarch created a Vampire their blood was type ‘1’. The ‘-’ meant the Vampire was unable to create new vampires. Eli explained that each type had a different potency and the most expensive were the lowest numbers with a ‘+’ symbol.
Leah checked that everyone had recovered and then said, “We need to clear the grounds. I doubt that they were the only Sentinels. I was surprised by the number who attacked, and your quick actions saved us, so thank you. We will have a few moments to get close as they materialise, I noticed the process took several seconds. I asked Gèng, my AI, to review the fight and in it, the Vampires all appeared within thirty metres of us. I suggest we walk around the compound and flush them out. At the same time, we need to look for any hidden treasure cache or puzzle.”
Everyone agreed, and they stepped closer to the house, and another sentinel appeared at the edge of the thirty-metre zone. Leah stopped and waited for the attack. With the four of them, they defeated it fairly quickly. A few steps further and two appeared. Again they waited and were able to kill the sentinels. When they were twenty-five metres from the gate, Leah turned left ninety degrees and began walking around the compound. Every five or so metres one or two sentinels would attack. Leah didn’t have the Luck potions for all of them, and so the loot was less. They only received one piece of armour and one vial of blood. It took two hours to clear the grounds, and the hidden treasure was in the centre of a garden hedge maze. Only one person could enter at a time. Inside Leah found three sentinels hidden at various points. At the centre was a chest which she placed in her bag unopened. Altogether they had faced 72 Sentinels
As they finally stepped toward the door, a final Sentinel appeared and immediately attacked them.
HIGH ELF VAMPIRE - SENTINEL CAPTAIN (Level 240) 57600HP (12000EP)
When he reached 75%, four new vampires appeared and the same again at 50% and 25%. When he was defeated, Leah took out the chest and took a luck potion before harvesting the sentinels, their captain and the chest.
You have harvested:
1 key to the main door of Ebony House
1 Helm from Vampire Sentinel Armour (part of a set)
1 Sabaton from Vampire Sentinel Armour (part of a set)
4 Copper Coins minted with an image of the Patriarch of Ebony House.
1 Skill of Mist
2 Vials of Vampire Blood - Type HED3+ *
* Note: An ingredient used by Healers, Alchemists and Necromancers.
You have opened a hidden chest:
1 key to the basement of Ebony House
8 Copper Coins minted with an image of the Patriarch of Ebony House.
2 Silver throwing knives
1 Spell of Divine Fire
4 Vials of Vampire Antivenin*
* Note: When ingested it protects against being changed by Vampires, effect 24 hours.
Leah took the knives, Elsa the Spell and they debated taking the Antivenin now or in the morning. In the end, they decided to finish the house today even if it meant finishing at night, they each took the Antivenin. Leah carefully used the doubling box to make a second vial before ingesting hers. Stepping forward, Leah opened the door. As she turned the key, a voice from inside said, “Traveller beware, the Father awakens. Enter, and he will wake, he will permit us to feed.”
Leah looked at the others and then turned the handle. This time Eli moved forward, and he just managed to get his shield in place to deflect a sword held a Vampire without armour. Elsa cast Divine Fire and the Vampire flinched allowing two throwing knives to get through her defence. Eli then cut off the Vampire’s head.
HIGH ELF VAMPIRE - GUARDIAN (Level 230) 52900HP (11500EP)
You have harvested:
1 set of fangs
1 Vampire Guardian’s Sabre
1 Silver Coins minted with an image of the Patriarch of Ebony House.
1 Vials of Vampire Blood - Type HED3# *
* Note: A rare ingredient used by Healers, Alchemists and Necromancers.
“Gèng, what does the hashtag mean in the blood type?”
“It is usually in blood from a female Vampire, and it denotes an ability for the Vampire to bear a child directly. Sometimes it is found in male blood, and they can sire a new Vampire. Vampires who are formed by mating rather than bites are highly valued and are frequently chosen to begin new lines.”
The floor had ten rooms, and each had to be cleared, in total there were between one and four Guardians in each room. In the fourth room, they also found a safe hidden behind a picture, but they were unable to open it. As they cleared the last room two Guardians appeared, each was Level 250, and they attacked immediately. Leah attacked the closest and found the fight challenging because he fought with his sword in his left hand. When he hit 81%, two sentinels appeared and again at 36%. Eli and Matt dealt with the other Guardian, but Leah finished first and then helped Eli to end the fight quickly. She was there when he hit 19%, and the two sentinels appeared.
At the end of the fight, she asked, “Eli, at what percentage did the Guardian you fought have sentinels appear?”
“87, 75 and 19. Why?”
“I think they give the code for the safe. Can you drag all these into the fourth room?”
Once everything was ready, she drank the potion and using the numbers when sentinels appeared she opened the safe and harvested the dead Vampires.
Matt said, “So how did you know which number was the first, or which way to turn?”
“Eli’s Guardian was right-handed and had three times when he called sentinels. Mine was left-handed, and it only happened twice.”
He nodded and said, “So what did we get?”
You have opened a wall safe:
4 Silver Coins minted with an image of the Patriarch of Ebony House.
8 Copper Coins minted with an image of the Patriarch of Ebony House.
1 Silver Chainmail Coif
1 Spell of Sight
1 Map of the Ebony House
* Note: When ingested it protects against being turned by Vampires, effect 24 hours.
You have harvested:
1 set of f
angs
1 Vampire Guardian’s Sabre
1 Spell of Sight
4 Silver Coins minted with an image of the Patriarch of Ebony House.
2 Vials of Vampire Blood - Type HED2+ *
* Note: A rare ingredient used by Healers, Alchemists and Necromancers.
Matt asked for Coif, and Leah got the Map. After reviewing the Spell of Sight, Leah and Elsa each took a copy. The spell could be cast on oneself or another and allowed someone to see Vampires in their mist form. Checking the map they saw that the upper floor of the House was labelled as family and servant rooms. There was also a basement, and there were labels for the Control Room and the Patriarch’s Crypt.
Eli said, “I suppose that we head to the first floor next.”
Leah looked at him and said, “Sorry Eli, we head down. Unless there is no other way, then I won’t attack family or servants. They usually are the weakest and have no choices. If they attack then sure, I will defend you guys and myself. But to be honest, I would have been happy just to evict the whole clan and not kill them. The most points and experience are from completing the dungeon not necessarily killing everything. In fact, my clan recently cleared a dungeon and saved a whole tribe of goblins. Those goblins now work in our Platinum mine as employees.”
“You have a Platinum Mine?”
“Sorry, that just came out. Yes, we have a Platinum mine amongst other things. But my point is we didn’t need to kill them, and now we benefit from them.”
“But Vampires, they are evil.”
“Are they? So far these guys have only attacked us as we’ve entered their space, they’ve warned us beforehand. Now I think they need to move on. This is my House, and I won’t have anyone stopping me from living here. I would maybe share except I know that I need to have control of the house and I can’t see the Patriarch just walking away. You know Eli, I’ve concluded that I will leave any creature in Dunyanin alone if it doesn’t attack me. If I could have walked through the Deep Forest without being attacked, then I probably wouldn’t have killed any of those creatures. So will you please follow me and leave the top floor alone unless they attack?”
“You’re the boss, Leah. A weird one, but still the boss, I agree.”
