“Come, friend Meatgrinder!” Stonefist joyously shouted. “We could use a distraction from these maps and thoughts of planning. What brings you to these halls?”
“Aye, some nice ale and some advice,” said Meatgrinder. “Actually, I am glad that both you and Shaman Earth Speaker are here.” The two senior orcs eyed each other and looked at Meatgrinder expectantly.
“One of the younglings in the gauntlet ring today used elemental power against their opponent,” Meatgrinder replied quietly as he filled a flagon with ale.
The Shaman’s eyebrows perked up in an expression of surprise. Stonefist simply froze between the act of sipping his drink.
“Wait,” said Earth speaker as he walked around the map table to stand directly in front of Meatgrinder. “You are not joking, are you?”
Stonefist put his drink down and stared questioningly at Meatgrinder. “You mean to tell me a level one youngling, straight from the rebirth pool, has demonstrated a shaman class power?”
Ulgo Meatgrinder put his flagon down and wiped excess ale from his chin with his forearm. “Good drink that is, but yes sir, he fired off a fire spell and then healed himself afterward.”
“He used both fire and water magic at level one?!’ yelled Earth speaker.
“And here is the strangest thing about it…There were no elementals present. Not a single sign that they were there at all. It’s like the power came from himself,” explained Meatgrinder.
Earth speaker stared at the ground for a second, lost in thought. There just were no known records of orcs using the powers of the elements without an aspect of the elemental aiding you. It just did not seem possible. Earth Speaker looked up at Meatgrinder and shook his head.
“To use the elements without an elemental spirit with you is an impossibility! At level one?!’ cried Earth speaker.
Ulgo Meatgrinder slowly put his cup down on the table.
“I saw the youngling with my own two eyes perform this thing,” he said quietly with a bit of anger just below the surface. ” My assistant trainers, along with all younglings present, have witnessed this with me. This is not some story to regale some tavern girl to bed her with Shaman Earth speaker,” said Meatgrinder through clenched teeth.
Stonefist came between the two and laid a calming hand on Ulgo Meatgrinder’s back.
“Calm friend Meatgrinder, Shaman Earth Speaker meant no disrespect, we are all set back at what you have told us,” Stone fist said while casting a meaningful glance at the Shaman that clearly meant “you too idiot.” Earth speaker immediately got the message.
“I meant no umbrage, of course to you, Ulgo Meatgrinder,” said Earth speaker. “It’s just a lot to take in at once.” The Shaman pulled his own beard gently while deep in thought. “This is what I propose. You bring in your adept one level. I will bring in a level 5 adept to challenge him. All three of us shall be there to ensure the fight does not get out of hand and asses the youngling’s power and share information so that we all fully understand this dilemma together. What say you Ulgo Meatgrinder?” proposed Earth speaker.
“I agree to this proposal.” Meatgrinder solemnly spoke. “I shall bring the youngling here shortly.”
The orc tipped his head in respect and walked out of the court. Once the door was closed, Stonefist gave a withering glance at his Shaman and shook his head. It boggled his mind that an orc as old as Earth Speaker with so much knowledge of war, would be so lacking at diplomacy.
Kel’Van was in the center of a different gauntlet ring facing his opponent. He was taller and bulkier than himself, but not to the degree that Fer’shad was. He wore a very loose tunic of leather, the color of brown and light beige. His head was bald with a brown circlet on top, skin just a shade darker than his own light green complexion. What was circling around the man’s head is what held Kel’Van’s attention at the moment. A white and blue mini humanoid about the size of a hand, with wings akin to that of a butterfly, was whizzing around the Shaman’s head.
“A Frost Sprite?” Kel’Van asked his opponent. Who only nodded in his direction in reply.
Only two people were overlooking this match. Ulgo Meatgrinder, whom he already knew, and Ulgo Earth Speaker, introduced himself when Meatgrinder brought him here. It was the Shaman who stood up and starting to explain the match to them.
“This is a shaman match to gauge the abilities of the combatants in this ring. You may use all abilities available to you. The match will end once I give the word that it is over. Are the combatants ready?!”
“Yes,” Kel’Van replied
“Indeed,” said Ortin.
The Shaman then sat down in his seat next to Ulgo Meatgrinder. “I would suggest we both use our scan ability to track how the battle unfolds,” whispered Earth speaker.”
Meatgrinder nodded his head. “Agreed.”
With that out the way, the Shaman held forth his hand and said, “Begin!”
Kel’Van’s right hand starting glowing red as he raised his wooden sword to cut at his opponents’ hand before he started to cast a spell at him. Then his Frost sprite shot an ice pick at him. Kel’Van was so surprised, he almost took that pick in the eye.
“Whoa……It tried to shoot me!”
Sprites in Avarice online are almost semi-translucent beings that hang around magical places or elves. They aren't usually the cause of a threat or considered dangerous. Apparently, those things didn’t apply to this one. Not only was it more prominent than any sprite he’d ever seen, but it was also more solid….and attacking him.
The ice pick missed, but it was enough to throw off Kel’Van’s swing and just clip his opponents’ hand instead of the arm. But he at least struck with enough force to stop whatever spell he was about to launch. The sprite started blasting off small ice picks the size of pencils at him again. They were dodgeable since they came in intervals of almost 2 seconds apart. Two volleys later, Kel’Van was 4 feet away from Ortin, who also had created space between them after the sprite’s initial attack.
“Okay, calm down; you need to focus.” Kel’Van thought to himself.
What he could gauge so far is that this was a two on one battle. As soon as he began to formulate a plan, Ortin fired off what looked to be a freezing blast of ice wind in his direction. A slow gale which seemed almost easy to evade, until the sprite began firing those ice picks from his left side.
“Crap!” Kel’Van shouted.
He dived left, trying to avoid Ortin’s blast again, but narrowly missed being dinged by the sprite attacking him from the opposite side. Kel’Van has been through similar pvp arena’s challenges before. Even with 3 on 3 battles, but never two against one.
Magic users are normally glass cannons, meaning high damage, but little in the way of defense. So the best way to beat them is to get up close and personal. Which is why the first thing Ortin did was create space between them when Kel’Van got too close.
“Okay,” murmured Kel’Van. “Let’s close the distance and wreck this guy’s world.”
Kel’Van’s hand glowed red. With the sword in his left hand, he powered flame at his opponent with his right as he dodged the sprite's attempts to slow him down with ice picks. As a gout of fire bathed the fast-moving elemental, Ortin pushed a gust of freezing wind and ice toward Kel’Van. Again, he dodged to the side and rolled out of the way. Then immediately out of his roll, starting spraying fire in the direction of Ortin while running towards him. The fast-moving sprite speedily flew above Ortin and starting raining ice picks again at Kel’Van. He had switched the focus of his flames just to try to deflect the sprite's attack. The ice picks turned into slush splashing on the ground next to him. Ortin backed away, creating more space between them again, and started forming a gigantic ice ball between his two hands.
“Aww, crap,” Kel’Van said between clenched teeth.
His plan of closing the distance was getting him nowhere. Every time he rushed the Shaman, the sprite would interfere just long enough for Ortin to strike at him, and vice vers
a when he attacked the sprite. He was going to have to pick a target and stay with him. He surprised the sprite with that fire blast earlier, and it seems it was keeping it's distance and striking at him from above. It wasn’t going to be able to successfully keep that up. Which meant he already knew who the main target should be.
Mind made up, Kel’Van rushed again. It takes the sprite almost two seconds to fire those picks…and just about the same when Ortin attacks. He’ll have to time his suicide plan accordingly.
“This is gonna hurt.”
As he sprinted toward Ortin, the adept launched his ice attack. A giant ball of ice and snow went hurtling towards his opponent. Kel’Van fired a stream of flame directing it at the ice coming his way without slowing down much. The ice ball boiled into wet mist and slush as he barreled through it. The young Shaman tried to run sideways while concentrating on channeling his power again.
“Oh no, you don’t pal,” said Kel’Van as he aimed his ongoing blaze directly at Ortin. The Shaman raised his arms to cover his face as the flames brushed across his body.
“Arrggh!!”, cried Ortin, as he dashed to the right to avoid the rest of the flame.
“The sprite should be shooting right about now,” Kel’Van thought as he braced his back for the coming incoming ice picks.
The force of the ice against his back exploded with cold running down his spine with pinprick sensations as well. It was like his back had got hit with a board, and wooden splinters had gotten stuck in him. He almost stumbled but saw Ortin through nearly closed eyelids, start to channel power while he was on the ground. He hurriedly lowered the spouting flame to catch Ortin as he began his ice blast.
Another explosion of mist and slush pelted his body as he pressed forward with his fire blast against Ortin. Though the effort felt like pushing a heavy cart up a hill, he was almost on top of him. Ortin was now using both hands with his ice blast in order to push Kel’Van back. As his momentum started to slow, he gritted his teeth to wait for the next ice pick he knew was coming from the sprite.
Boom!
This one hit him right between the shoulder blades with the same effect as the last. Kel’Van went down one knee. As the blast from Ortin doubled, Kel’Van knew his mana was almost out.
“Now.”
Kel’Van did a spin from his kneeled position to his right while cutting off his flame. Ortin’s blast, without the flame forcing it back, almost cleared its way to the other side of the ring. It’s freezing blast just missing Kel’Van’s leg. As the explosion lessened in intensity, Kel’Van put his hand to his chest and mentally cast heal on his body, restoring a third of his health. He then sprinted, knowing there was a two-second lapse before the sprite could cast again, while Ortin was recovering from the blast he just let off. He leaped in the air with his sword in both hands, covering the distance left between them. Ortin looked up in surprise, instinctively raising his arm to protect his head.
“RRRaaaaahhhh!” screamed Kel’Van as he brought down his wooden sword in an arc that connected solidly with Ortin’s collarbone.
Crack!!
The sound of bone breaking could be heard across the gauntlet. Ortin’s face grimaced in extreme agony as he gripped his shoulder and laid semi-prone on the ground. His face with teeth bared and eyes steeled shut, was a visage of pure suffering. Ulgo Earth Speaker stood up and held his hand high.
“This match is over! Healers attend to the wounded!” He bellowed. He looked toward Kel’Van as Ulgo Meatgrinder drank from his cup and stood up as well. “Come with us, youngling Kel’Van.”
He looked at the healers coming forward to assist Ortin in standing up.
“You said for healers to attend the wounded…What, I don’t qualify?!”
Meatgrinder held his belly and roared in laughter. The Shaman merely eyed the Ulgo and shook his head. Then he set his eyes upon Kel’Van once more and addressed him.
“I will not repeat myself, youngling.”
Kel’Van closed his eyes and sighed inwardly, then picked up the blunted sword and weakly followed after them.
CHAPTER 5
Kel’Van rubbed his chin while watching Earth speaker and Meatgrinder converse on the battle in the ring. He had to admit to himself that they were just as engrossed in the fight as he was.
“For a level one, he seems somewhat capable with a one-hand sword,” said. Meatgrinder. Earth Speaker bobbed his head in agreement.
“That he is.” Earth speaker grimaced.
“What did your scanning of the youngling there, tell you about his magic?” Meat grinder asked.
“Wow,” thought Kel’Van, “Just pretend as if I’m not here.” But he didn’t utter a word seeing that Earth Speaker looked as if he wanted to club him with his staff. His very powerful looking staff.
The Shaman turned toward both Meatgrinder and Kel’Van as they walked together. “Before I answer, I must ask you a question, I’m afraid.”
“Okay, then ask your question,” Meatgrinder said.
“What is your understanding of how shamans use elemental power? “
Kel’Van’s decided to pay very much attention to the conversation now.
“Mmm,” grumbled Meatgrinder. Eyes glued to the now empty flagon in his hand. “I admit, not much. You shamans use magic through whatever element you bond with at level 5.” The Trainer Ulgo raised both his hands in the air. “You do some finger wiggling and boom! Magic!”
All three orc’s began laughing. The Shaman patted the mirthful orc on the shoulder.
“Yes, as funny as that is, it’s not that far from the truth,” smiled Earth speaker. “The Grandmother did not bless orcs with the power of the elements. Shamans do not do magic unless they have an elemental to bond with them. But it is a little more to it, which will bring us back to the spectacle we witnessed in the ring.”
The Shaman pointed to himself. “Scanning me, you would find right now a large amount of spirit. Most orcs have very little, if any, at all. Anyone found with spirit over 80 is considered for adept shaman training. Through this training, an adept would build up his spirit until it is large enough to attract elementals. It is the spirit, mind you, that allows the bonding to take place. The higher the spirit, the more compatible and powerful the bond becomes. The bond itself is like a pact that is made between the elemental and the Shaman. The elemental uses the spirit portion of the Shaman to create a physical body. The spirit in the body of the Shaman is replaced with a vast amount of mana that the Shaman can use. This pact benefits both the Shaman and the elemental making them both stronger. Understand?’
Ulgo Meatgrinder nodded his consent while putting his flagon in his satchel.
”Knowing this just makes the situation with the youngling Kel’Van stranger though. I scanned both fighters for the whole match. Kel’Van has both mana and a spirit stat…. are you telling me he will be more powerful than Ortin here at level 5?” Meat grinder mused.
Kel’Van’s face beamed with a smile across his face.
“I don’t think so,” said Earth speaker.
Kel’Van’s faced looked crushed.
Earth Speaker continued as they walked. “We can work on building the youngling’s spirit stat…but given how his base spirit looks, it will about level 8 or 10 before he can attempt a bond. He will be hard-pressed to ever get the mana that the average Shaman possesses, but he doesn’t have to sacrifice his spirit to gain mana. He can slowly replenish what reserves he has, while a shaman with more significant mana reserves will have to rest almost a day to replenish what they spent. At least that’s what seemed to be happening during the match.”
Ulgo Meatgrinder stopped with a resolute grimace on his face, plainly having heard what he needed to know to make a decision.
“I think it will serve both the of our interests and his if we divide his training. The shaman arts from dusk to midday, then weapons training during the afternoons. At least till he levels enough to join a patrol sect. What say you, Shaman?”
Earth Speaker no
dded his consent,” I believe that decision will both train Kel’Van and appease our curiosity,” he said. “It shall be as you propose.”
“Good,” said Meatgrinder. “With that matter being settled, Youngling Kel’Van, I expect you to be here at dawn and at the gauntlet ring after the midday meal. You know the way back to the tent. I believe our esteemed Shaman here owes me a drink.”
Earth Speaker just groaned as if he wanted to be anywhere but with Meatgrinder.
The two warriors walked out of the shaman gauntlet and headed towards the tavern to drink away the long day.
Kel’Van silently began walking in the direction of the tents after watching the two argue further towards the outskirts of the camp. Their conversation had answered quite a bit about what he was going to do with his build.
Watching Ulgo Meatgrinder walk away, he almost didn’t hear the chimes ringing for his level upgrade. He hurried to the tents, then excitedly turned on his D.S. to see the results.
Kel’Van stared at his D.S. for a bit. It seems the leveling procedure was still the same as before. Before you can level up, the A.P. (ability points) must be spent. You can only use A.P. points for your primary Stats…. Such as:
Health (which controlled how many points you have before you die and vitality)
Stamina (Points which influence physical power)
Magic (points which influence magical ability)
S.P. points are used to increase a skill or buy a talent such as a Heat wave for magic or a sword ability for weapon skills. They can also be used to enhance skills like enchanting, armory, and the like.
“Two of my skills are magical right now, but by level 3, I’ll have a skill in the short sword with continued use, thought Kel’Van.
When he played as a mage with his friends during raids, he would usually min/max his character when assigning points. Which is basically putting almost all his A.P. into Magic and magical Talents. Putting points into health would be minimized since none of the things in itself would help him be better at causing mass damage. Likewise, a person building a tank would more than likely stack their A.P. into Health rather than magic to soak up damage. This allows the players that either do damage or heal to concentrate on what they do best. Each person in the party has a definitive role. If you’re into group play, that is. PVP or player vs. player, is all about pushing massive damage with some type of survivability. Very close to a direction a solo build would likely go. His current build on Avarice was a Spellblade of sorts (Mix of magic and Sword skills) built for solo and PVP. Both builds had its strengths and weaknesses, but which one was the right direction here?
AVARICE ONLINE: KEL'VAN RED HAND Page 4
