Last Horizon: Beta

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “That sucks dude, but let's set it up to have dinner in Vegas then and invite Amythyst along. If she shows we can find out more about her and it will help me think about this possibility.” Terets said and began breaking the web sacs down. “Oh, nice, silk thread from these. The spiders are actually useful.”

  “That works for us, I'm curious as to what we can find out about her. I think she's a decent sort that had a stretch of pain and anguish in her life.” Kittish began mashing the glands with her mortar and pestle. “Aether poison, works just like the spider's venom. One dose will coat one blade and stays on for an hour. Here Terets, take them please. We'll either find something worthwhile to use them on or Blade Master and his cronies will show up again and we can use it on them.”

  “Huh, that group isn't worth wasting the poison on, but I will keep them for something like Teddy.” Terets said. He pulled the last of his wolf hides and copper buttons from his pack and laid them out along with the silk thread. After a moment's contemplation, Terets began to make a new leather vest. A few moments he had a Fine Buttoned Silk Lined Leather Vest and checked its stats. Chuckling, he tossed it to Kittish, “Here Kittish, check that. Says it reduces the penalty of casting in leather armor.”

  Kittish caught it and exchanged the vest she had been wearing for the new vest and cast a heal on Terets. “Very nice. Half the penalty of my old vest. That will help. Here, take the old one. Maybe you can salvage some mats from it.”

  Terets caught the old vest and broke it apart. He recouped one wolf skin from it. “Took two skins to craft and I got one back. Works for me,” Terets said and packed his crafting gear away. “Bag is getting a little full. Maybe see about getting some more when we get back to town.”

  Kittish agreed with Terets, “Yeah, same here. I saw some belt pouches that can be set for crafting mats only and can hold more that way. We should definitely check those out.”

  “My bag is mostly empty so I can pick up stuff for us for the time being. Now we just got to wait for Amythyst.” Dumadin said.

  A few minutes later Amythyst logged in.

  “Good morning you three. I hope you weren't waiting long,” Amythyst said.

  “Nope, we've only been here long enough to get a bit of crafting done,” said Kittish, handing Amythyst healing and aether potions. “Terets was able to make me a new vest, too. Soon as we can get some more silk I'm sure he'll make one for you as well.”

  “It's Terets’s fault, he always makes sure the lady is first,” Dumadin quipped.

  Amythyst blushed a deep crimson and her mouth opened slightly.

  Terets and Kittish both clipped Dumadin in the back of the head, sending him to the ground. Dumadin took the blows and laughed as he rolled over. “Guys, she's going to have to get used to this if she travels with us. I mean yes, I am the worst but you're both almost as bad at times.”

  Kittish began to argue then nodded slightly, “He does have a point, besides the one on top of his head, Terets.”

  Grumbling Terets agreed and smiled at Amythyst, “Forgive the ape. He's trained as best we could. He stopped throwing his shit around at least.”

  Amythyst giggled and looked at Dumadin, “Hello mister ape. Are you having a good day?”

  “Ape good pretty lady. You like Ape. Can I check your hair for nits? Ape like nits,” Dumadin said and knuckled towards her.

  Amythyst laughed and ran behind Terets, “Save me! The brute is trying to eat me...” After she said it she blushed the deepest red she had become yet.

  Terets, Kittish and Dumadin rolled with laughter and had to wipe tears away from their eyes.

  “That didn't come out the way I meant it to,” Amythyst stammered.

  “That's the guy's line, Amythyst,” Kittish giggled and walked over to Dumadin and hugged him. “Down boy. Leave her be.”

  Amythyst giggled at Kittish's words and ducked her head. “I'll take your word for it Kittish.”

  “Okay, you're all crazy people. Let's get going. The goblins should be close by. I think me and Amythyst should stealth up and go take a look, we will spy them out then come back.” Terets said and checked his gear.

  “Sounds good to me, off you two go. Just be careful.” Dumadin said and got his gear ready for when they came back.

  Kittish nodded and waved at them as they shimmered and moved off.

  Just short of an hour later Dumadin and Kittish noticed two shimmers moving towards them slowly. They stood and dusted off their pants and waited for the shimmers to get closer. The shimmers stopped and began to separate to either side of them.

  Dumadin and Kittish blinked then looked at each other, “Bother,” they said in unison. Dumadin turned to the left, tracking that one and Kittish followed the one going right.

  “Wait for them. When they move in charge yours and I'll do the same to mine, then use the shield to get over to you,” Dumadin whispered and heard Kittish's affirmative grunt.

  After a few moments the shimmers began a slow slide forward. As they did Dumadin and Kittish yelled and charged at them. The shimmers wavered and fell back, and Dumadin slowed his charge got ready to block the attack on Kittish. The shimmer vanished as a goblin with a rusty saber attacked Kittish, only to have its attack bounce off Dumadin's shield as he triggered the special ability. Dumadin then used his axe to attack the goblin, slicing deeply into its chest and causing it to cry out. Kittish poked her staff over Dumadin and whacked the goblin on the head, causing it to stumble.

  Without warning an Icebolt slammed into the stealthed goblin that was moving in on the duo attacking the other goblin. Shortly after Terets appeared behind the goblin and his swords cut deeply into its back.

  “We have this one, Dumadin,” Terets called out and danced back as the goblin he'd stabbed turned on him.

  Kittish cast Weaken on the one attacking Terets and turned back to help Dumadin. Amythyst cast another Icebolt into the one attacking Terets.

  Dumadin took a gash to his weapon arm from the goblin's saber and returned a cut with his axe. The goblin staggered back and turned to run. As it tried to run Kittish cast Weaken on it and Amythyst hit it with another Icebolt, making stumble and slowing its retreat.

  Terets took a small cut on his left leg from the goblin he was fighting, then was able to drive both swords into the goblin's face, causing it to spasm and fall over dead.

  The goblin that ran made it about twenty feet, then pitched over dead Kittish's dot. Kittish cast Healing Light on both her wounded friends and let them pause for a moment to catch their breath.

  Amythyst moved off to check and loot the one that died running as Terets did the same with the one he'd killed.

  “Pretty good timing you two. What else did you find out there?” Dumadin asked as Amythyst and Terets were looting the bodies.

  Amythyst and Terets brought the meager loot over, which consisted of two rusty sabers and a handful of copper coins. “Kind of pitiful loot. Then again, the goblins died pretty quick. They were only level five. What did you guys see while you scouting?” Dumadin asked as he pitched both weapons into his bag and handed the copper to Amythyst to hold onto.

  Terets shrugged, “Not much to see on the outside. Maybe five goblins in a small camp. There's a wash line with clothing on it near the fire and an empty cage big enough for a horse to the far left.”

  Amythyst nodded, “I was here earlier. It was the last part of my quest for Camelia to get the horse. I had to free it and ride it back to town. I didn't see sneaks when I was here last, just the five in the camp. They had been asleep last time I was here, but that was at night. There's a cave entrance just beyond the camp, in a hill face.”

  “Okay, so we kill the five and get the clothes. Then we go into the cave. Anyone have a plan of attack in mind?” Kittish asked.

  “We haven't found any ranged weapons yet, so I would say just let me stealth into the camp, and you guys start the shindig. Once it kicks off I'll grab the slowest one and hit it with a few backstabs. That'll pretty much drain
my aether, but if I use one of the aether potions you made earlier I should be able to jump right back in.” Terets said.

  Amythyst nodded, “I'll pick the one closest to the cave and slow it for you after Kittish grabs their attention. Then I'll focus on the one with the least amount of health. If Kittish can get a few Weaken spells on them too, that will help greatly. Means you'll probably need to taunt them a couple of times as they try to get to her, Dumadin.”

  “Fair enough. Kittish starts, I taunt and then you both jump in. Works for me. Toss your Necklace mark on Terets hun, then just keep the heals flowing on me.”

  “Works for me. Shall we go and say goodbye to these goblins?” Kittish said and the group started towards the cave.

  As they neared the clearing, Terets stealthed and shifted get around behind the group of goblins. He gave them a wide berth and approached the one closest to the cave. Kittish marked him with her necklace and waited for him to reach his position.

  Dumadin set himself directly in front of Kittish with his shield planted and axe held ready, “Ready to go, hun.”

  Kittish nodded and surveyed the group of goblins, if she started with that one she might be able to cast Weaken on all of them before Dumadin had to taunt. Taking a deep breath she started casting, trusting to her friends to do their parts.

  As soon as the first goblin was hit with Weaken the goblins jumped up grabbed their weapons and charged towards the lovers. As soon as they started moving the rearmost one was hit with an Icebolt, slowing it down drastically. It paused as Amythyst was suddenly on top of its aggro table. Then Terets struck with his blades, vanishing to appear behind it again and stab again, then a third time and it dropped. Terets drank an aether potion, watching his aether tick back up as he dropped back into stealth.

  All the DoTs had been cast, and Kittish stepped back a few more paces to give Dumadin room. As the group of goblins reached him he triggered Anger Howl, grabbing all of their attention. Just outside of the radius of Anger Howl the one Amythyst had been chain casting Icebolts on turned towards her.

  “I have this one Terets, go help them with the other three,” She called and kept casting, watching her aether drop.

  “You got it,” said Terets from stealth and appeared behind the trio of goblins attacking Dumadin. He stabbed a blade each into two different goblins and vanished again. Neither goblin turned, still affected by Dumadin's Anger Howl.

  Dumadin received a number of cuts from their weapons, but Kittish healed the wounds as fast as he took them. As Terets struck again two goblins turned from Dumadin to attack the once more invisible backstabbing menace. As they turned away Dumadin was able to slice one goblin's head clean off.

  “Last one, then out of aether again,” Terets called and reappeared behind the last goblin still focused on Dumadin and slammed both blades into it. The one that had been looking for him pitched forward, dead from an Icebolt.

  Seeing that the battle was under control and Dumadin wasn't taking much damage, Kittish stepped forward and drove her staff into the last goblin's stomach. Another attack from Terets, and one from Dumadin dropped it dead.

  The group looted the dead and gathered the farmer's clothes, which were hanging on the drying line.

  “Good team work there. Not bad at all, even if it did suck Terets dry twice.” Dumadin stated.

  “I almost ran out of aether in that fight as well,” Amythyst said. “If you have any more aether potions, Kittish, that would be useful. We probably should also make sure we all have at least one healing potion.”

  “Can do,” Kittish stated and handed potions around, “oh, and ding. Level eight.”

  “Me too,” Terets added.

  “Very nice you two. Hopefully I'll get there shortly after we enter the cave, so let’s see what we have.” Dumadin said. He bundled up the farmer's clothes and stuffed them into his bag, glad that they only took up one inventory spot.

  The loot consisted of a few pieces of terrible leather armor which Terets took for mats, five more rusty weapons that Dumadin took for mats, a handful of copper coins and a few pieces of silver. Amythyst took the coins to hold onto. There was also a flask of something called alchemical silver, which Kittish took and raised a brow.

  “You think it might be mercury?” She asked as she placed it into her bag. “I mean it’s the only thing I can think of that might have that name.”

  “Very possible,” Amythyst and Terets said simultaneously.

  “Well,” Dumadin stated and began moving forward, “let us see what shiny goodies we can find inside shall we?”

  The rest of the group followed him towards the cave. As they got to the hole in the rock they saw only an oily blackness that swirled and shimmered in front of them, but gave off no reflection.

  “I guess it is an instance then? Kind of creepy, though. I think a plain white mist would be way less creepy. Someone remind me to try and sell that idea to Jazzy later.” Amythyst said as they all stared.

  The group all nodded, wholeheartedly agreeing with that sentiment.

  “Well, since I'm the tank guess I'll go first,” Taking a quick breath and gulping Dumadin felt his heart rate spike as he stepped forward. A moment later the rest of them all stepped into the portal as well.

  FIRST INSTANCE

  Dumadin blinked. There was no loading screen or anything, he simply found himself in a small chamber about the size of the average living room lit by torches. A moment later his friends all appeared around him which helped him breath slightly easier.

  The cave was rough stone with an eight foot ceiling, and the walls had beams buttressing them. The torches near were they entered were flickering and casting shadows. The next set of torches was twenty feet away at the opening to the next room.

  The light from the torches was okay but far from great, hopefully that would help the stealthers when they went forward.

  Dumadin whispered to his friends, “Might want to pause a moment and make sure we are good to go. Kittish, make sure everyone has healing and aether potions. I have a feeling we might need them. Terets, repair our armor as best you can, and I'll do the same for all of our weapons. Hopefully we're reasonably safe right inside here, like in most games.”

  Amythyst watched them work and fidgeted waiting for them.

  “You didn't pick up a craft, Amythyst?” Terets asked softly, trying to keep his voice down as much as possible while still being audible over the crafting.

  She shook her head no and whispered back, “Not when I made this avatar. I didn't see much point at the time as I was unsure what would be the most useful to me. Since I joined up with you, there isn't much point as it seems you have all the professions covered. If they do add another profession later I'll get that to round us out again.”

  Terets handed her back her leather armor, “Fair enough, I guess. Dumadin is probably going to take armor specialization, since a friend of ours is going to go all in on weapon crafting.”

  Dumadin nodded and handed Kittish her staff, “Yeah, I was thinking that would be good. This way I can maybe craft myself a few pieces. Thankfully, specializing doesn't preclude me from repairing weapons.”

  Kittish took the staff and set it next to her as she ground the last of her herbs with her mortar and pestle, and paused again to take her leather from Terets, nodding her thanks to the guys.

  A few more minutes and each person had repaired gear and a total of three health and aether potions apiece.

  “Okay Terets. Go take a peek through the door. Amythyst, if you want to flank him, just in case.” Dumadin readied his gear and moved to the middle of the room while Terets went to peek.

  Terets went into stealth and stuck his head though the opening, scanning the corners of the room. There was only one goblin in here picking though some debris in the far corner. The next exit seemed to be a tunnel leading back and down slightly. Stepping back he whispered to the group what he saw.

  “It looks like a level seven Goblin Scavenger. If I sneak in to one
side and Amythyst takes the other side we should be able to keep it from running further in when Kittish Weakens it. There's a tunnel that ramps down towards the back of the room.”

  Nodding, the group set up. The goblin charged at Kittish and a few seconds later between the DoT, an Icebolt, and Terets's backstab it fell over dead.

  “That was kind of sad,” Dumadin said, then shrugged motioning Terets to go check the tunnel. “Oh, and ding level eight.”

  Terets smirked then stealthed and went to check the tunnel. It was a gradual decline and it slowly turned clockwise. Terets guessed it would lead to another room directly under this one when it finished maybe twenty feet deeper. After relaying his thoughts, Terets crept down the tunnel.