AVARICE ONLINE: KEL'VAN RED HAND

by Titus Nettles

  Improved Flame: An improved fire cone spell has 20% more range and damage. The talent costs 5 points.

  “Three damage abilities and one defensive buff…”Kel’Van mused.

  Since there was only one skill for defense, it was a no-brainer to spend 3 points on Stone skin. He could use anything to help mitigate damage, especially since he could only wear cloth and leather items. Plus, it had a 30-second duration and low mana cost. Crimson Blade was another definite buy since it increased his sword's attack power and fire damage. This left Improved Flame, which enhanced his range, and Seared Flesh guaranteed damage over time effect with its strike.

  He had enough points for all the abilities, and he contemplated getting them all.

  For only a second.

  He had no idea what abilities were further down his talent tree, and normally the higher your level, the more powerful the talents and costs. More importantly, he didn’t want to be too dependent on his abilities instead of his skill as a swordsman. That kind of thinking had been the fall of many a player in the arena, and he was not about to make that same mistake. Hell, it was even in the class description that his spells were there to supplement his sword skill, not replace it.

  With that in mind, Kel’Van selected Seared Flesh for the damage over time and left Improved Flame alone as a “maybe for later” skill. His current version was doing fine, and he would do well to master and incorporate the other three skills into his fighting style before taking on another. He pushed the tabs for the corresponding talents, and the D.S. displayed his choices.

  “You have 20 talent points available. Would you like to spend them on the following talents?

  Kel’van clicked on the YES icon on his screen. Then a sharp searing pain flared up in his head and veins. He clenched his eyes closed right before the sensation abruptly ended, almost as fast as it began. Kel’van laid back upon the seat in his carriage. The sensation of receiving talents are usually followed by a more pleasant feeling, like eating chocolate ice cream on a summer day. But if this was now the cost of growing his own power, he would bear it with a smile.

  “Hmm,” he wondered.

  Kel’Van reached into his inventory and let his sword materialize in front of him. Holding the blade with both hands in front of him, he mentally cast the spell Crimson blade. Flames began to lick at the hilt of the sword. It didn’t burst into being like he imagined it would. It just quietly appeared at the base of the hilt, then washed upwards until it covered the whole sword.

  “Beautiful.”

  And it was. The sword wasn’t lit on fire as a handmade torch would be. The flames washed upward from top to bottom in waves. He stared at the spell in wonder before he cut the mana flow off. Now for the other spell.

  He mentally conjured Seared Flesh through the sword, then the bottom half of the blade, including the tip glowed a burning red. Kel’Van was able to feel the burning heat near his hand, unlike the Crimson blade he just used. He turned the sword over on its side to get a better look. It had the appearance of a metal rod being left in the fire far too long. His curiosity satisfied, he again cut the flow of mana to the spell.

  Kel’Van looked out the window of his carriage as he traveled to his new home. He then closed his eyes as the clopping noises of the animal feet lulled him to a fitful sleep.

  Kel’Van pushed open the wooden door of his new home. It was sparsely furnished in what he thought of as the living room. A large round wooden table with 8 chairs surrounding it stood in the middle. He bypassed the kitchen, which was to his left, and proceeded further into the house to where the stairs were. He climbed to the second floor and found the first room with a bed in it. He sat down on it and kicked off his boots. A window laid open with the moons shining into the room, making it the perfect night light.

  Usually, he would sit back, look at his stats, and decide the best course of action for his build or team. Right now though, Kel’Van’s mind reflected on Voresh’s words in the tavern. While he was technically right about enjoying himself, he also did not fully understand the other side of being a leader. In the end, you are responsible for the people under your command. He could not, in good conscience, party while a dilemma that affected his team’s well-being and functionality went unattended. But he had to also agree that he couldn’t do anything about it now. The best he could do was prepare for it and act accordingly. Kel’Van took out his sword and practiced his wakizashi forms with his new spells as the moonlight sky moved through his window. He then sat on his bed wearily and looked at his D.S. inspecting his prompts.

  An hour later, with a yawn, he peeled off his clothes in a heap. Then, for the first time since waking up in a pool of blackness, fell into a fitful sleep.

  CHAPTER 32

  “…we then ran into Kelza and her soldiers, and she brought us here.”

  Kel’Van stood in a room full of orcs numbering in the thirties, he believed. They were all listening to him with rapt attention, only to interrupt him so that he could clarify or describe a situation. He left only the things he knew and couldn’t make them understand (such as his former life) out of his report as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back, legs spread slightly apart, and his chest puffed out.

  A rather tall orc stood up from his seat. He wasn’t frail by any means but was relatively thinner than what he was used to seeing in an orc. Shaman or otherwise. He wore the same cloth as a magic-user and held a staff with an ice crystal rotating around it, like the earth circling the sun. He had snow-white hair that fell in locks around his head and beard, except for the shiny bald head in the middle.

  “Captain Kel’Van, your report is…intriguing to say the least.” He said in a monotone voice. “Priestess?” he asks, turning to her direction near the end of the semi-circle table they had occupied.

  The same orc that had served as an Adjunctor for their classes stood up and faced the council. “The Ulgo has spoken truly to the best of his knowledge. He has kept personal details of himself, but nothing that he believes will call harm or misconstrue the evidence of his testimony for The Ulgo Orcs,” she proclaimed. She then sat down casually back in her seat.

  “Alright then, thank you for your report on these events. Rest assured, plans and strategic correspondence will be changed accordingly. Council adjured!”

  Everyone got up from their seats and started forming groups as they made their way to the door. Shaman Earth-Speaker garbed in a grey robe similar to the head councilman, tapped Kel’Van on his shoulder. “Come, we will leave the politics and war plans to the others. It’s time you started your new profession.”

  The ride was enlightening, to say the least. Just walking from the grand hall's stone and wooden steps shed light on the everyday motion of life for the Ulgos of Algora. Kel’Van watched the comings and goings of these orcs filing out of these buildings and to the wooden steps leading into the street. It was as if he was watching Manhattan during rush hour. They flagged down a carriage that was slowly passing, then climbed in.

  “You have been transitioning well.”

  “Hmm?” asked Kel’Van. He was looking from his seat out towards the stone and tree formed roads, where what looked to be a gigantic park where a group of children and two adults were playing.

  “I said you have taken to your life as an Ulgo very comfortably compared to your peers and the ones before you,” Earth-Speaker remarked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You haven’t displayed any sign of distress at how big the world really is outside of the Ulgo camp. You have taken in stride your meeting with the goddess Gaea after receiving your class.” Earth Speaker then pointed outside towards the park that was quickly leaving their view as they traveled. “Even the sight of true younglings at play has not prompted you to bombard me with questions, only a satisfied look from you watching them, “said Shaman Earth- Speaker.

  He couldn’t tell Ulgo Earth-speaker that the thought of children wasn’t new to him, nor getting a class. Kel’Van instead decide
d on tact and a partial truth to appease the shaman’s curiosity.

  “After all of the things we witnessed between the Terrans, Holmgren, Undercaverns creatures, and the dungeon boss to get here, nothing really surprises me anymore, Ulgo Earth-Speaker.”

  The shaman nodded his head and smiled.” I can only imagine, though I must admit to some jealousy of visiting none of the places you’ve been privy to, Ulgo Kel’Van,” the old man chuckled. “At least your experience has grounded you some, and I don’t have to answer a mountain of questions that have no bearing on your duties.”

  As Kel’Van continued to look out the carriage window, he did admit that he had one question he needed to understand.

  “Ulgo Earthspeaker, can you tell me how the Rebirth pools works?”

  “Well only ONE question is better than a thousand,” smiled Shaman Earthspeaker. “The rebirth pool of course, was created by Gaea to return the Ulgo warriors slain on our trek here. When one of us dies…those of us with the surname Ulgo that is, we return back to the fold from there. The normal orcs of Algora donot.”

  “How long does it take?” Kel’Van asked “I mean to return.”

  “It varies…I’ve seen them return as quick as a week or as late as three months, but they always return. They come back only retaining their name; their skills and levels all reduced to level one once they step out of the pool.”

  “So we are in a sense immortal then?”

  “No, Kel’Van,” said Earth Speaker. “ Not even remotely. There will come a time when the pools are no more. When all of the 200’000 are with the orcs of Algora. It will be a time to rejoice, but also signal the time of great war, and we will see if we are worthy of the land Gaea has given us.”

  Kel’Van simply nodded his head as he let that revelation sink in.

  “There is time to discuss doom and gloom another day,” smiled the shaman. “what is important is learning your new profession and enjoying the life given to you by Gaea.”

  They traveled into what a big sign on a gigantic fig tree named “Market Palaver.” The outside of the giant square was six enormous trees reaching far into the sky. Its branches almost blotting out the sun. As the carriage made its way inside the bowl-shaped area, Kel’Van eyes got a little wide. It looked like downtown Newark, with its small stands selling everything from food to armor. The stalls were strewn together rather orderly, if not differently distinguishable. Most of them were made up of both stone and wood from the ground. Granted, they were made up of a range of different hues, but to his eyes, they looked like the stands grew right from the earth.

  As the carriage passed these stands, a large dome building to the right stood out with smoking billowing from multiple chimneys. The carriage banked slowly in that direction, weaving past some of the orcs crowding around a corner stall until it stood perpendicular to the dome building.

  “We’re getting out here,” the shaman called out to the driver as he opened his door.

  “Greetings Ulgo Long-tooth!” exclaimed Shaman Earth-speaker as the clasped hands with the head Armorer of Algora’s Forge. He was stockily built but shorter than Kel’Van. He wore overalls that were covered in grime and dirt. His face was also weathered, sweaty, and had a slash across the bottom and top of his right eye. An almost cheesy grin accompanied the man as he spoke to the shaman. After patting Earth-speaker’s arm, he looked behind him and stared at the stranger with the same engaging smile.

  “So, this is the new Ulgo with a spirit stat, correct?” He patted the dust off his hand before stretching it forward.

  “Yes, this is Ulgo Kel’Van Red-hand, ”Earth Speaker announced. He turned sideways to let his friend have a better look at the young orc.” As I’ve told you, he is not a shaman but does possess a noticeable spirit count. He is also already a level 2 in armory. I figured you could find uses for an orc like this.”

  Kel’Van took the proffered hand and shook it with a smile of his own. The old orc certainly had an air of excitability that exuded from him, despite the gruff exterior.

  “Well then, no disrespect Ulgo Earth-speaker, but getting to know the new edition to our little club would go better with you gone, so…” the head armorer trailed off. Ulgo Earth-speaker got the hint and waved off the rebuke with a smile of his own.

  “Fair enough Ulgo Long-tooth.” He then turned to Kel’Van. “I leave you here in his competent hands. I’m certain he will make sure you make it back to your home when your work is done here.” The shaman made his way to the door and waved behind him with the two orcs looking on.

  “Hmm, nice enough orc, but if you let him keep talking, he’ll never stop for days!” exclaimed the grizzled orc. “Come then, lets’ get you situated right and proper!”

  The two orcs walked through the corridors as the noise of cutting and bashing could be heard through various rooms and tables.

  “Pardon me asking, but from what I hear, you gained your levels in the Undercaverns. Is that so? And if it is, how did you pull that off?! Ulgo Long-tooth exclaimed with his hands in the air.

  “Well, I kept repairing our old equipment and the armor we looted from other enemies we fought.”

  “I got that part Ulgo!” He said with his hand in the air. “I’m talking about HOW! It takes a lot to fix armor, and I’m guessing the tools and materials ya used didn’t just grow out of your arse!”

  Kel’Van had to laugh at the ornery orcs attitude. Though he wasn’t a dwarf, he pretty much lived up to the grumpy but cheerful stereotype armorer to a tee.

  “Of course, it didn’t Ulgo Long tooth.” I had some help.”

  He turned around, ruffled as if he was searching for something, then mentally pulled a jar of arachnid ichor. ( The last thing he wanted was to have to explain how a jar materialized out of thin air, so he decided to keep his player inventory slot to himself for now)

  He held it up for the armorer’s inspection.

  “By Gaea’s tears, how did you come across this?!” gasped Ulgo Long-tooth.

  “Underground spiders. Big…Orc eating…Spiders,” enunciated Kel’Van. I used it to patch up what I could of armor and such.”

  “I see…” the armorer said while looking on the ichor.

  Kel’Van eyed the orc and then thought this could be the bargaining chip he needed to solve another pressing problem for his patrol.

  “You know, I wouldn’t mind parting with some jars of this ichor Ulgo Long-tooth…for the right price, that is.”

  “Hmmm” What be you're looking for in exchange?” he said while eyeing the jar as if it was a diamond.

  “Honestly? I need some armor for my teammates. Particularly two items, gauntlets, and a shield.”

  “You’re gonna have to be specific before I can rightly give you a price, but what in the name of Gaea is a shield?”

  Kel’Van sighed. He should’ve known that a martial race that did not originally have a traditional tank would not know what a shield was.

  “You have something I can use to show you what it looks like?”

  Kel’Van took almost 20 minutes explaining to Ulgo Long-tooth the dimensions and use of a shield with a coal type marker and rough parchment. He also did the same with his descriptions of a pair of gauntlets for Belar.

  “Well, that be a tall order Ulgo…” complained Long tooth. “I might be able to figure something out for the shield, but the way you described these gauntlet things, you’re gonna need something fairly tough but durable to hold out for the amount of damage that can come from weapons.”

  “Is there anything you can come up with quickly? At least for practice? It will be pretty difficult for my teammate to practice her class without something to block with.” Kel’Van replied.

  “Hmm,” mumbled Ulgo long-tooth. He scratched the mane of hair on his chin as he thought out the problem before him. Gruffly, the orc turned toward the door. As he started walking, he motioned with his hand for Kel’Van to come along.

  “Follow me.”

  Ulgo Long-tooth led them thr
ough a long corridor and then turned to their left into a large room with several orcs working on stone tables. Each orc was chiseling away at large pieces of off-white material. It was only as he got a closer look while passing some of the tables, did he understand what he was seeing.

  It was bone. All of it.

  There were only six orcs here, and they all had large knives of clear crystal while the hilt was wrapped in leather and tightened with crisscrossing wisps of cloth. The bones themselves were in vice grips on top of each table, while the orcs sitting down whittled away at the bones.

  “This is where the weapons of war are made, Ulgo Kel’Van” breathed Long tooth. “The majority of swords, axes, or any weapon bought to bear by Ulgo warriors is crafted by these six before you.”

  He walked to a table with a slab of bone already in a vice and picked up the crystal knife beside it. “The crystals here are common enough in the valley. Easily molded into the shape of a knife.” He picked up the knife and held to his own face, almost caressing the edge of the blade.

  “What makes these beauties so special is that it allows orcs with a spirit stat to enhance our weapons.”

  “Enhance?” he asked with one eyebrow raised.

  “Yeah,” the armorer said. “While we cut away the bone, we concentrate on the shape that is being carved in our minds. For each orc, it is different, but it is through that concentration that our spirit is channeled through the crystal knife. As we cut the shape of a weapon slowly, our spirit reinforces the durability. By the time the finished product is done, the weapon made will hold its own against most standard weapons and not be as brittle as aged bone is.”

  Kel’Van looked down at his own short sword, which has lasted throughout all the punishment he put it through and gained a new respect for its craftsmanship. No wonder he was able to stand toe-to-toe with Holmgren wielding metal weapons.

  Ulgo Longtooth pulled out the chair and motioned for Kel’Van to sit down. After he took his seat, he immediately picked up the crystalline blade, turning it from side to side as he examined its edge.