Last Horizon: Beta

by Daniel Schinhofen

  As they exited the stables they passed more folk who greeted them as champions and some adventurers who stared at them. As they rode to their next stop, they overheard the adventurers asking about them and their mounts. The four traded glances and chuckled softly.

  They pulled up in front of Mixed Goods and dismissed their mounts. The figurines did not occupy a regular inventory slot, but were stored in the belt like their crafting tools.

  The group went inside the big square building and looked around. It was packed full of all kinds of miscellaneous gear, from acid to yellow brick cheese. As they meandered through the shop they found Ivan Thunstrom, an elderly human, near the back of the shop.

  The gentleman looked up and smiled a snaggle-toothed smile at them, “Greetings, champions and welcome to my shop. I am Ivan Thunstrom and this is Mixed Goods.” He stood up straighter and showed them around the shop, pointing out all the different goods he had. “Now that you've had a tour, please select what you'd like bring it to the counter.”

  The old man wandered towards the front of the store, leaving the friends to peruse the wares. They looked at each other and shrugged, and separated to look for things they thought would be useful. After fifteen minutes or so the group gathered at the front with the merchandise they'd picked.

  Each of them had fifty foot lengths of hemp rope and smiled at each other, like the old hands that they were. Each also had a bandoleer for potions with room for six potions across the front, which made using potions quicker in combat. Terets had found two flasks of acid, and Amythyst had the only set of saddlebags in the store. Kittish picked up two skins full of water, while Dumadin selected two flasks of alchemical fire.

  Ivan looked over their selections and nodded, “Yes, that's fine. Please accept these as my gifts to you for your help cleaning out that old goblin cave. I remember when I was young and went there with some friends to try to clear them out. Sadly, one of the goblins crippled my knee and I had to give up the idea of being an adventurer.”

  The group bit their lips so as to not snicker at the old cliché of arrow to the knee. They thanked Ivan and made their way outside where they burst into laughter.

  “Dear gods, why did they do it? That old saying, ugh.” Kittish laughed her complaint.

  “We don't know that it was an arrow and I'm not going to ask,” Terets said, slipping his bandoleer on and putting the rope away. The rest of the group followed suit and they set out to the next shop, Precious Stones.

  Looking at the ornate sign, they entered the shop and were greeted by a big, round dwarf. “Champions! Welcome!” A loud bass voice greeted them, echoing from the rafters. “I'm Thund Diamondskin and this is my shop Precious Stones! Dunstun said you would be stopping by to collect gifts from me, so let's not waste time, eh!”

  The group flinched at the booming voice and quickly agreed so as to get it over with as quickly as possible. Thund set a lacquered box onto the counter and opened it facing them. Inside were four thin platinum bands which Thund presented to them.

  “These are Stoutbank teleportation rings, you can use them to travel back to the town square. They can only be used in moments of calm though, so don't try to use them when being attacked. As champions of Stoutbank it seemed fitting to aid you in returning whenever you need to.”

  The group thanked Thund and placed the rings onto their right pinkies as instructed by Thund. They took their leave of the loud dwarf and headed back outside.

  “Goodness, he was loud,” Amythyst said, flexing her jaw to get her ears to pop.

  “Not as loud as another dwarf I know,” Terets quipped and ducked aside as Dumadin reached for him.

  Dumadin muttered something under his breath and then blew a raspberry at Terets.

  The girls laughed at the guys' antics, and fell into step as the group walked to the next shop. They arrived in front of Drinks Up and admired the sign hanging outside, which showed a picture of a group drinking potions.

  Upon entering the shop they were met by the smells of plant life and earth. All around the room plants were growing in pots, scenting the air. Behind the counter stood a female human who greeted them warmly.

  “Welcome to Drinks Up, champions! I am Phobee Goodberry and this is my shop. I carry all manner of potions and the herbs to make them with. Dunstun visited earlier and said you would be stopping by. I took the liberty of getting some of my stock ready for you, and it looks like you could use them with those empty bandoleers.” She turned and started laying potions out on the counter. The group recognized health, aether, and stoneskin potions, but didn't recognize the cloudy potions she placed beside those.

  “These you should know already, health and aether. These others are Stoneskin and Vanish, very useful for adventurers like yourselves.” She handed each of them two health and aether potions, along with two stoneskin potions for Dumadin, and two vanish potions each for the other three. “Vanish causes you to become invisible for three seconds. Enemies will forget about you as well. Stoneskin hardens your skin, preventing the damage from three strikes. These should help in your adventures.”

  The group thanked Phobee for her generosity and filled their bandoleers with the potions they'd been given.

  “A question for you Phobee,” Kittish said as she pulled out the flask of alchemical silver. “Do you know what this might be useful for?”

  Phobee took it and looked at it, “Oh very nice. Alchemical silver is used to coat weapons for fighting major demons. You don't need it for things like imps but for some of the big nasty ones it is very useful, otherwise they tend to shrug off most damage. It's very rare. I would be willing to give you one hundred and fifty gold for it.”

  Kittish blinked and looked at the group who looked back at her with startlement. “Hm, I think I should keep it for now. We're doing a series of quests for someone and I don't know if demons will play a part. Best to hold onto it.”

  Phobee sighed wistfully as Kittish put the vial back into her bag, “That is sound thinking, but if you change your mind I will be more than happy to buy it.”

  Thanking Phobee for her generosity, the group left Drinks Up and went on to the next shop.

  “That's a nice chunk of gold, but I think you're right, Kittish. Best to keep it,” Terets said.

  The other two endorsed this plan and hoped it would be a while before it was needed. They greeted some more townsfolk as they approached All Tools, the weapon shop. They entered the shop to hear far in the back the sound of someone hammering on metal. As they looked for the source of the sound a teen greeted them from behind a counter.

  “Oh, it's the champions. One moment while I get my father,” with that the teen vanished into the back.

  The group milled about looking at the various weapons laid out in cases around the room. The hammering stopped and they heard voices. A moment later the teen and a tall, heavily muscled bald man entered.

  “Greetings, and welcome to All Tools. I am Karst Breaker and this is my son Kurst. On behalf of Stoutbank I thank you for your aid. I'm sure with a guard on the street the incidents near the inn will stop completely. I don't know what sorts of weapons you each prefer, so I don't have anything already prepared for you. Please, look around and see if anything catches your fancy.”

  Amythyst spoke up first, “I could use a bow for when I run out of aether.”

  “That's what I was going to ask for as well, “Kittish quickly chimed in.

  “One moment then, ladies. Kurst, go fetch the two top most bows from the third shelf to the right of the daggers. While he fetches those, what might you want Terets?” Kurst ran off to fetch the bows while Karst waited for Terets's reply.

  “I could use a new set of short swords. Mine are very useful but are starting to get dangerously low on durability,” Terets replied.

  Nodding, Karst turned to yell for his son. Kurst ran back just then with the bows. Karst nodded and thanked the boy. “Now go fetch the Dual Black Blades of Sharpness for Terets.” He turned and presented the bo
ws to the women. “These are Elvish Longbows. Arrows fired from them seem to find their way through an opponent's armor more easily.” He handed them over to the women who examined them with care, noting the finely carved vines twining around the wood and the silk bow string.

  “Thank you,” they said in near unison and showed them off to Terets.

  “What of you Dumadin? I see an axe and hammer on your belt along with that shield.” Karst said, eyeing the dwarf.

  “Actually this hammer suits me fine. The axe is wearing thin but is still useful. I was wondering if perhaps you had a couple of throwing axes?”

  “Of course, that is easily done,” Karst replied and turned to find his son returned, holding the swords. “Well done lad. Last time, go and fetch my two best throwing axes for Dumadin.” His son ran into the back again as Karst turned to Terets with the blades. “These I picked up from an elf a few years back, brand new and have never been used.” he slid one of the blades partway out of its sheath to show the metal. The metal seemed to pull light towards it, “He told me these would suit a stealthy person perfectly. I haven't found anyone to buy them and I grow tired of them taking up space. So please, accept them with my thanks,” he finished and handed the blades over.

  Terets accepted them and examined them, noticing that they gave a small boost to stealth when held. The UI showed they'd been made by an elvish master crafter, giving the blades a small bonus to criticals as well. “My thanks, Karst. These will do wonderfully,” Terets said with a small bow.

  Karst turned as his son cleared his throat and took two small axes from his son. “Well done lad relax for a time. Here you go Dumadin just two plain throwing axes made by my father. He was a master at the craft, something I hope to reach one day myself.”

  Dumadin accepted the axes, noting as he took them that they were also crafted by a master weaponsmith and would do more damage than ordinary axes. “These are splendid. They'll be very useful when I need longer arms than I've got. My thanks, Karst. While we're here, I wonder do you know who might be able to smelt this for me?” Dumadin pulled the chunk of mithril ore out of his bag.

  Karst's eyes widened and he stammered, “Mithril? You found a chunk of Mithril? Goodness, no one in this town is skilled enough to properly smelt that or work it. The weapon smith in Veno should be able to, though. Don't let him steal from you, he'll try to charge you on top of taking a cut of the bars.”

  Dumadin raised a brow and nodded his thanks, “I'll keep that in mind. If he wants too much I'll just smelt it myself, when I get proficient enough. I don't let people extort me or my friends.”

  After saying goodbye to Karst and his son the group went outside and spent a moment admiring the new weapons before putting them away and moving on. They wandered through town until they reached Iron Shells, the armor shop.

  An old dwarf seated behind the counter looked up as they entered. “Greetings, champions. I am Weskit Ironhand and this is my shop, Iron Shells. I can see that most of you wouldn't want to be weighed down with heavy armor. So I was thinking that a helm for each of you would be the perfect compromise. It won't affect your ability to cast your spells or sneak about and gives you a bit of extra protection.”

  They all agreed this would work, except for Dumadin, “I picked up a helm recently from the goblin chief. Do you think I might get a new shield instead, Weskit?”

  Laughing softly the old dwarf stood up and motioned them further into the shop, “Yes, young one. That will be fine. Just back here for the first three then I will see to you.”

  He led them to a case containing a variety of helms and motioned to them to select what they liked. Amythyst and Kittish both selected a simple leather skullcaps that had a bit of steel banding on them. Terets picked out an open faced blackened helmet and smiled as he put it on. The helms only increased their armor slightly, but they felt better knowing that their heads were now at least somewhat protected.

  Weskit led Dumadin into another area of the shop and showed him the different shields there. “There you are, Dumadin. Select the style of shield you like the most.”

  Dumadin looked the armor over and noticed that one particularly nice shield had been made by Weskit. “That one there looks good and solid, Weskit. I'd like that one, please.”

  Weskit nodded with a smile, “Good eye there. I made that one just a few weeks back, some of my best work. I'm close to reaching the master level of armor smithing. This shield should last you a good long while.”

  Dumadin nodded and strapped the new shield on, appreciating the increased armor and higher durability. “My thanks, Weskit. I feel safer already.”

  The group filed out of the shop, thanking Weskit again as they left.

  “That was useful. We still need some new leather armor, though and some pouches and bags,” Kittish noted.

  Nodding their agreement, the group headed to the last shop in town, Tanned Hides the leather shop. As they approached the shop, a female elf stepped out, thanking the shop keeper. As she started to walk past the group she stopped and smiled at Terets.

  “Hello again there, mighty champion of Stoutbank. The town has been abuzz with your names for the last few hours.” Talia Nightsbreath, one of the ladies that had thanked them at the inn for killing the PvP players, greeted him.

  “Well hello there... Talia... right?” Terets said with a small smile.

  “Yes indeed, Terets. I see you are about to do some business with Alvira Smoothskin. I can say without a doubt she has some of the best gear in town.” Talia finished by running a hand down her shapely front. “As you can see, it fits like a glove,” She licked her lips provocatively as she eyed him.

  Terets smirked at her and nodded, “Indeed it does. I'll have to ask her to make mine slightly looser if all her gear is made so.” Terets turned and presented his arm to Amythyst who was watching this scene carefully. “It's great to see you, but I'm kind of busy right now and later I'll be escorting this lady to dinner. Maybe I'll see you around sometime. Be well.”

  Amythyst had taken Terets's arm and strode into Tanned Hides with him, leaving Talia stunned and slack jawed in the street.

  “Excuse us miss, we also need to go inside. I hope the rest of your night turns out better.” Dumadin escorted Kittish into Tanned Hides as well, leaving the Talia standing in the street.

  As they entered the shop Kittish heard a muttered, “Dinner at the Inn, huh? I shall be there.” Sighing, Kittish rolled her eyes then looked around the shop as the door closed behind her.

  A tall, graceful elf met them a short way inside “Greetings to you champions, I am Alvira Smoothskin, owner of Tanned Hides. Dunstan told me you'd be visiting, so I've prepared a few things for you. Please, follow me,” She led them to a corner where there were two changing rooms. “Ladies, if you will step inside and try on the outfits in there.” Her tone was one of quiet authority which brooked no argument.

  The women nodded and did so, emerging a few minutes later in stunning sets of dark gray leather with small bronze buttons. Alvira looked each one over and nodded, motioning them out to show the guys. They agreed that the leather really was top notch, and Amythyst noticed it gave a small bonus to sneaking.

  “Very good, ladies. One moment please while I retrieve the gear for the gentlemen.” She stepped away briefly and returned with her arms full. “Wonderful. Gentlemen, take these and change.” she handed off the armor and motioned them into the both.

  Dumadin raised a brow for a moment and then nodded stepped into a both a few beats behind Terets who had stepped into the other booth right away. A few minutes later they both emerged wearing light gray Steel Studded Elvish Leather.

  “Excellent, if I do say so myself,” Alvira nodded and stepped back so the women could get a good look at the armor. “Feel free to look around the shop, and see what else catches your fancy. I will be up at the front when you are done.” With that she strode off with an air of owning the world, her spike heeled boots making clicking noises against the stone floor
.

  As she left earshot Dumadin sniggered, “Domme much?”

  Kittish nodded, “She does have that swagger doesn't she? And she deals with leather. Think she might have a set of those boots in my size?”

  Amythyst blushed a deep red and avoided looking at them.

  Terets sighed, “You two keep your kink over there and stop spreading it around where others could catch it unaware.”

  Dumadin and Kittish laughed at the memories of the old discussion with Terets about kink. “Yeah, yeah mister snow white, we won't sully you with our kink. However we should offer Amythyst a chance to join in,” Dumadin said with a smirk.

  Kittish laughed and elbowed her lover, “Leave her be look at how red she is. Besides I think she has her sights set on a single individual not a threesome.”

  Dumadin shrugged, “Guess you're right. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable Amythyst. Old habit and all that.”

  Amythyst mumbled her acceptance of the apology and stepped behind Terets.