Last Horizon: Beta

by Daniel Schinhofen

  A little after an hour of varying the steeds pace Kittish had them hold up and dismounted, “I see a woodsage.”

  Terets immediately dismounted and stealthed, causing Dumadin to blink and ask, “What is that all about?”

  “The last two times we've started traveling and she stopped for a flower I was attacked. I'm not going to get it again this time,” Terets said while staying stealthed.

  Dumadin just shrugged and motioned to Amythyst, “Might as well dismount, she's going to keep stopping for flowers.”

  Amythyst nodded and put her mount away like the others as Kittish was coming back towards them. “Well I guess that makes..,” she cut off suddenly as an Aggressive Alpha Wolf leapt out and bit her.

  Dumadin tossed one of his new throwing axes which hit the wolf a glancing blow, but pulled it to him. “I got it,” he said as he braced for the wolf, which clanged off his new shield thanks to a Block. He swung down at it with his new hammer as Terets appeared and slid both blades into its back, killing it.

  “Told you,” Terets said and checked on Amythyst as Kittish healed her back to full from the one bite.

  “Yeah yeah, fine so you two can be all sneaky and I'll stay right next to Kittish, which should fix this issue.” Dumadin grumped, retrieving his throwing axe from where it landed.

  After skinning the wolf and gathering the meat the group started off, heading north on foot so Kittish could collect the flowers on the way.

  Two days of flower picking and wolf slaying later they finally reached Smee's cabin. Smee was tending his garden when the group approached the gate.

  He looked up and waved at them, “Come in, yes, do come in and chat with me.”

  “Smee, good to see you again. This is Amythyst a new friend of ours.” Kittish smiled as she gave the introductions, “Amythyst, this is Smee. He is a master alchemist and gardener.”

  Amythyst gave Smee a small curtsy, “Greetings, Smee. Thank you for inviting me into your garden.”

  Smee chuckled, “Oh, polite she is and pretty as well. A good friend she will be for you this I can tell.” The group smiled, reminded of Smee's peculiar way of speech.

  “We're just on our way to Thallien's cave and thought we would stop by to introduce you,” Kittish said. “Is everything well with you?”

  “Fine I am, guests do not come every day for me, except when they do,” Smee said with a small knowing smile. “Make yourselves comfortable. I will be back shortly with the gift I promised you,” Smee limped off to his cabin.

  The group watched him go smiling and chatting amongst themselves. “Does he always talk that way?” Amythyst inquired.

  Kittish nodded, “Yup and he might start undressing you with his eyes as well. Well, eye, the other one does seem to wander on its own.”

  Amythyst shuddered slightly, “As long as he doesn't try to lay hands on me.”

  “Naw, I think he's mostly harmless,” Dumadin began, “besides, if he tries we can dissuade him.” Terets nodded his agreement to that statement when Smee came back from the cabin holding a box.

  “I promised you a gift for bringing me a heart and here we have the best I can make. The best that could be made with the mighty Theodore's heart.” Smee opened the box, showing five potions. “This elixir is rare, very rare yes. Besides the heart of a rare legendary beast it requires deathhead mushrooms, woodsage, and a few other special ingredients. No one else can make this but me and I do not part with it easily.” Smee watched their faces as he spoke.

  “So what does the elixir do Smee?” Kittish asked, watching the mix of silver and gold motes swirling in the clear liquid.

  “It gives you a second chance at vengeance and life, it does, yes,” Smee cackled and pulled a potion out of the box letting the light reflect off the liquid. The liquid inside seemed to ignite in the sunlight casting a warm glow. “It will bring you back from death's door so you can continue to fight yes.”

  The group all looked at the potion for a moment, stunned. “You mean if we fall in combat this elixir will bring us back?” Dumadin tried to get clarification from Smee, “How often does that work exactly?”

  “The Elixir once coursing in your veins will begin to replenish itself in your blood, allowing you to cheat death once a day. But it can't do more than bring you back, it will not heal your wounds, oh no. It doesn't stop poison from claiming you again or a bleeding wound from pumping your hearts blood out. You will have but a fraction of your vitality when you come back and will require help, you will.”

  The group nodded, understanding finally that the elixir would revive them from death but at a sliver of health and only once a day. “This is a mighty gift Smee,” Kittish began, “You were able to make all five of those from Theodore's heart?”

  “It was six it was, but Smee took one as well yes, to check the formula of course. Wouldn't give you bad potions, no Smee wouldn't, not his friends.” Smee cackled again and handed the box to Kittish with a smile.

  Kittish handed an elixir to each of them and placed the extra on in her bag. Looking at each other, they drank them and felt a hot burning inside their chest which quickly became uncomfortable.

  Smee cackled and danced a jig, “Yes, trusted Smee they did, oh yes. Does it burn and throb in your chest pretties?” Smee backed away as Terets and Dumadin tried to move after him. “Oh no young ones, the elixir is hot and fiery and takes some time to work. Just wait and the truth will come clear to you, yes.”

  The four groaned and collapsed to their knees as the elixir burned in their veins, “This quest officially sucks now and I want to kill him,” Dumadin grunted.

  “Jazzy needs to be told this quest chain sucks when we respawn,” Terets gasped and fell forward.

  A moment later they all lay still in the garden and Smee danced around their bodies cackling. After a moment they each opened their eyes and looked up at Smee, who was laughing and dancing still.

  “Yes! It works it does, pretties, yes it does. You live again,” Smee cackled at them and then went to fetch some water from the well. “Sit still and quiet and Smee will bring you water to help, yes.”

  The group grunted and slowly levered themselves into sitting positions. “I am going to kill him,” Dumadin snarled quietly.

  Smee's head turned towards Dumadin from where he stood at the well, “The dwarf doesn't understand the gift does he, no. Thinking only of the momentary pain and hurt he does, not the hard work and skill I had to apply for them does he?” Slowly Smee came back towards them and left the water near Kittish, “For you and the rest, lovely. I will not go closer to the dwarf who threatens me, hm.”

  Kittish looked at Smee, “Smee, I do not blame him right now. You should have warned us. If you had we wouldn't be nearly so annoyed right now.”

  “You rejected pain last time you did, so this time I did not tell you, so you could not object ahead. Now you will cheat death as Smee does, yes. Happy friends you will be in time, pain fades eventually. For now I will go to my cabin and stay there until next time.” Smee limped off to his cabin and closed the door with a thud.

  Amythyst was sitting there in shock though it all, “He doesn't do this all the time, does he?”

  Kittish shook her head, “Gods, I hope not.” She passed the water around and suggested they eat a little of the wolf jerky they'd made recently.

  After sitting there for a few minutes the group stood up and started for the gate, except for Dumadin who went to the cabin and knocked politely.

  “Smee, come out for a second. I wish to speak and promise no harm,” Dumadin said after the knock.

  Smee opened the door and stepped out, “Yes, good dwarf? What is it you wish from Smee?”

  Dumadin put out his hand, “Truce, Smee. Next time you must warn us.”

  Smee looked at the dwarf and hand then smiled broadly, “Yes I will, yes.” The two shook hands and Dumadin rejoined his friends.

  “If he doesn't warn us next time, I am going to kill him twice,” Dumadin said quietly as they le
ft.

  JOURNAL RETURNED

  The next day the group continued their journey to Thallien's home. As they came upon the cleft the group looked to the side and noted the cave opening down the way.

  “Should we check and see what's happened in our absence? If nothing else we should be able to get some more deathhead mushrooms.” Kittish wistfully said, wanting more herbs to make potions with.

  “I'm fine with it,” Terets chipped in.

  “Sure thing. We can show Amythyst Theodore's cave that way,” Dumadin nodded and motioned them towards the cave. “This is where we fought Theodore the bear and took his heart for the elixir Smee gave us, Amythyst.”

  Amythyst looked at them carefully then nodded with a slight smile and stealthed. “Lead on. I just don't want to be bitten first. Again.”

  Terets laughed and vanished as well, “All yours, man. Go take a look, I got your back.”

  Kittish laughed and stepped back behind Dumadin, “Best if you go first so the healer doesn't die.”

  Rolling his eyes he grumped, “Bear food, that's all you want me to be.”

  “If that happens we can see if a bear shits in the woods,” Terets chuckled.

  “Jackass,” Dumadin returned and then made sure his shield and hammer were in place and strode to the entrance. Anticlimactically as it was empty of bear, still littered with bones and with the mushrooms at the back. “Ha at you all. It's perfectly safe.”

  The two stealthers reappeared, and with Kittish they all entered the cave to look around. Kittish gathered the mushrooms growing near the back. “A bear is living here, though. Some of these bones look fresh,” Terets pointed them out.

  “True enough. Kittish has her shrooms. Let's go and say hello to Thallien,” Dumadin motioned them all out of the cave.

  A few minutes later they were squeezing though the gap in the rock and starting the climb up to the canyon. An hour later, with a few stops for mountain bloom and mining nodes, they reached the box canyon.

  Amythyst gasped at the beauty of the canyon in front of them, “This is wonderful. My goodness, it has a fresh stream and a pond. Wait a minute, why are there fish in that pond? That doesn't make any sense at all.”

  Terets laughed, “I thought the same thing the first time, then chalked it up to it being a game. Means Thallien has food, fresh water, some crafting supplies and shelter. A good home for Thallien, indeed.”

  The group turned at the lilting voice of Thallien, “Is it the group returned with my journal? If so, please come into my home and introduce your new friend.”

  “He must have heard your voice, Amythyst. Let us introduce you,” Kittish led them into the cave and past the turn which opened up into the home.

  Amythyst's eyes widened when she saw the extent of the room inside.

  “Thallien, this is Amythyst. Amythyst, this is Thallien,” Kittish said making introductions.

  “Nice to meet you Thallien,” Amythyst curtsied as she greeted him.

  Thallien stood there transfixed staring at Amythyst for a long moment. Just as everyone was getting a little weird about the lack of comment, Thallien shook his head.

  “I am so sorry. For a moment I thought maybe you were her. The look is so close, the eyes and facial structure are just different enough though.” Thallien bowed deeply, “If I made a scene, my apologies. For a moment I mistook you for Bettie, my love who died some years back.” He smiled softly, lost in thought for a moment then motioned them in. “Please, have a seat and make yourselves at home. Did you bring it?”

  Kittish handed the journal over to Thallien, “Here you go Al. It was difficult, but we managed to get it for you.”

  Thallien nodded and accepted the book, setting it down next to him, “My thanks to you all. I am guessing that Amythyst helped you.”

  “Yes, she was a boon companion on the quest. Not sure we could have done it without her,” Kittish replied with agreement from the others.

  “Then thanks to you all are in order. My home is your home.”

  Quest completed: Find Thallien's journals, part one.

  You receive five thousand experience.

  Receive a bonus to anything you craft.

  When you craft you have an improved chance of making better items.

  The group smiled as they saw the completion notification, closely followed by the notification that they had leveled.

  “Ding,” the trio said in unison then started laughing.

  Amythyst looked blank and then understood, nodding, “You all reached level nine. Congratulations. I've achieved level eight as well.” They congratulated her in turn.

  “You are growing more powerful by the moment,” Thallien said as they finished congratulating each other. “If you would stay for the evening, I need to read this and will be able to set your next path for you in the morning. Feel free to use anything you want, except the bed of course.” Thallien went and laid in bed and began to read his journal.

  The group nodded and began to make use of the facilities to get some crafting done. Before they got to work Amythyst asked what she could do to help. Kittish suggested fishing so they could enjoy a fish while the guys ate more jerky. Amythyst agreed and took the fishing pole out to the pond. Terets accompanied her as he could work on his leather anywhere.

  After a full night of crafting and chatting the group agreed to meet back up in eight hours to hear what the next step from Thallien was going to be. They logged out with Thallien snoring in his bed.

  THALLIEN'S NEXT REQUEST

  The next day the group logged back in and greeted each other to find Thallien's bed empty. Gathering their gear they went outside and found him sitting by the pond with his fishing pole.

  “Morning to you all. I hope you had a restful night,” Thallien greeted them.

  Kittish replied, “We did, thank you Al. We are very curious as to where your next journal is to be found.”

  “Ahh the next journal of mine was left in an orc village many weeks journey to the east of here. In fact it is only a week’s journey north of Dalton, a major city.”

  “Oh we have friends in Dalton,” Dumadin chimed in. His friends looked at him, “Felton and Emelia are there.”

  His friends nodded, “We should invite them along for the fun then,” Terets said.

  “I am sure the village has since been repopulated so you must be careful. The orcs are known to have disputes so will not come running if they hear fighting. However, they do have roving patrols that will call for aid if they spot you.” Thallien finished his debrief and smiled at them, “I can get you travel to Dalton from Veno. An old friend in the Portal guild still owes me a favor.” He picked up a sealed scroll and tossed it lightly to Amythyst. “That will get the four of you to Dalton free of charge.”

  Quest: Find Thallien's journals, part two.

  Collect the second journal from the orc village and return it to Thallien.

  Warning: this is a group quest and will be almost impossible alone.

  Rewards: Twenty thousand experience, and unique crafting bonus.

  The group accepted the quest and said their goodbyes to Thallien, who wished them good luck. “Veno is two days to the east of here, once you reach the bottom of the path. I wish you the best of luck on your journey and look forward to your return.”

  “Will do and see you then,” Dumadin replied as they began the descent down the mountain path, collecting ores and herbs on the way.

  As they reached the bottom Terets opined, “Well, two days of travel is only one day of travel to us, so that isn't too bad. Means we get... Err, did we forget to get the clothes back to the farmer?”

  Dumadin slapped his forehead, “Fricking christ. Yes, we did.”

  The ladies rolled their eyes at the men, “So, we can get to Veno and get it marked on our maps. Then we fast travel to Stoutbank and make the trip to the farm. After that we can fast travel back to Veno.” Kittish laid out her idea of how to get it done.

  Agreeing this seemed like a go
od plan, the group set out east towards Veno. “I really am curious as to how they named the major cities in the game.” Dumadin said as they walked, which elicited a giggle from Amythyst.

  “Well... I am not saying it's true, but it could be a mash up of a few major city names from the state that would correspond to the geographic location.” Amythyst giggled again and smiled.

  “Veno.... Vegas and Reno? Which would make Dalton, Dallas and um Houston?” Dumadin muttered as he thought of the likely combinations.