Last Horizon: Beta

by Daniel Schinhofen

“So, as you might have guessed, Amythyst here knows Jasmine Tiacoma, aka Jazzy.” Dumadin looked at Amythyst as he finished and motioned for her to speak.

  “Jazzy is my sister, but that is not supposed to be common knowledge. The only reason I'm telling you is that she might show up to check on me during the time we are going to be traveling together and it will save issues at that point. She has repeatedly told me to not let people know.” Amythyst tried to get her point across firmly but she was averting her eyes which undermined her efforts.

  Felton smiled, “Your secret is as safe with me and Em as it is with them. If you trust them, then you can trust us.”

  Em agreed with her husband and gently placed a hand on Amythyst's shoulder, “It will be fine.”

  They traveled for a few minutes in silence then Felton began to regale the four with what he and Em had been doing since launch. Laughing and chatting the group, eventually began to rehash their old days again.

  Amythyst shifted behind them with her head down as the old friends chatted. A moment later Em joined her and smiled.

  “It's okay. I wasn't really with them when they raided then, either. They always do this when they meet up, rehashing the old days. I find it kind of funny that they reminisce this way. Like kids at times.” Em chuckled softly as she finished speaking to Amythyst.

  Amythyst looked up shyly at Em, “Thanks for talking with me. I was afraid I would be the odd one out when we joined up with you two. They've talked so much about you two.”

  Em laughed, causing the others to look back at her then go back to their conversation. “Well, I am glad to have met you Amythyst. If those three vouch for you it speaks to your character.”

  The conversations continued for the next few hours as the group walked on down the road.

  “We should take a two hour break here and meet back up after,” Dumadin began. “We can keep moving though, on horseback.” He placed his figurine on the ground and summoned Stoutlegs.

  Em and Felton greeted the mountain pony as the rest of the group summoned their steeds. Then they started looking over everyone's horses and seemed at a loss. “We don't have steeds, guys,” Felton sighed.

  “No problem. You guys mount up behind Terets and Kittish then log out. If you log out on a conveyance then when you log back in you'll still be on it. We'll get the mounts started down the road and log out ourselves. We found out that if you set your horse walking down a road and log out it will still be walking when you come back. Everyone log back in after two hours and bam, free travel time.” Dumadin grinned, explaining his idea.

  Felton looked thoughtful, “That sounds nice for longer trips that you don't want to waste a fast travel point on. Works for me,” He mounted up behind Terets then logged out.

  Em grinned then mounted up behind Amythyst and logged out. Amythyst blinked at being picked instead of Kittish, causing them to laugh.

  “I would say Em approves of you, Amythyst,” Kittish giggled. The group got the horses moving then logged out for their break.

  Two hours later the group reformed logging in one or two at a time. Once they were all back together the four dismissed their mounts and walked with their friends. They spent some time laughing and sharing news of other old friends who hadn't joined them for this adventure in Last Horizon.

  After a while, Kittish smirked at them. “Oh look, a new flower. Be right back.”

  Amythyst and Terets instantly stealthed, which caused Felton to look puzzled. “Why did they stealth if she's just going to pick a flower?” He turned to face Dumadin who smirked at him as he placed his shield on his arm. “I don't get it wha...” Felton cut off suddenly as a wild boar charged him out of the undergrowth near the road. “GAH What the fuck!?”

  Em stood there stunned as Dumadin taunted the boar to him and away from Felton, “Happens every fricking time out of a town, village, city or point of interest.” Dumadin grunted as the boar gouged him with a tusk.

  Terets sliced into the right flank of the boar as Amythyst reappeared casting Icebolt from the other side. Em jumped into the fray as Felton was still picking himself back up from where he had been thrown. A moment later before Felton could join in the boar lay dead at their feet.

  “Okay seriously, what the fuck just happened?” Felton asked which made the stealthers and Dumadin chuckle.

  “Sorry man. I must have left that out when filling you in,” Dumadin chuckled as he wiped tears from his eyes. “The AI, for whatever reason, has attacked us the first time she goes to pick a flower out of any town, village, city or other point of interest. We don't know why it does or why it doesn't attack her it just is.”

  Felton shook his head and glared at him, “You just happened to forget, eh? Anything else we should know about before we get gored by not knowing?”

  “Nope, that was it. I was wondering if it would happen away from where we started. Answer points to yes.”

  Shaking his head Felton muttered, “Jackass.”

  Terets laughed, “See, it isn't just me that thinks so Dumadin. We now have a clear majority on your jackassedness.”

  Dumadin rolled his eyes and started walking again, “Friends like these...”

  “My sentiments exactly at the moment,” Felton quipped, causing the rest of the group to laugh at them both.

  FIRST TIME MEETINGS

  Six days of traveling later, after many skirmishes with beasts and gathering of crafting materials, the group reached Evergreen Hills. Em and Felton had reached level eleven. Dumadin, Terets, Kittish, and Amythyst had reached level ten, with Amythyst just dinging when they found the town.

  You have discovered Evergreen Hills.

  You receive one thousand experience and can now mark it as a fast travel location on your map.

  “I've reached level ten,” Amythyst told them to the cheers of the group. “I'm picking up an Area of Effect spell to help with big packs. The standard Fireball looked interesting, as it also leaves behind a short lived DoT.”

  “Sounds good, that gives us a little boost for large groups,” Terets said with a grin.

  “Yeah. Helps that you took Dirty Fighting like Em, right Terets?” Dumadin asked.

  “Yep. Seeing them miss you more often convinced me it's a worthwhile debuff and not too horrible on the aether cost. Too bad it's single target, though,” Terets shrugged as he finished. “Kittish picked up Heroic Cheer for us to get more melee damage in during combat. Lovely that it lasts until combat is over. Too bad about the cost, though.”

  Kittish grimaced, “It'll be fine if I lead with that and take an aether potion. We've got plenty of those now.”

  Dumadin nodded, “My new Iron Blood ability will help with boss mobs as well, it reduces the damage I take by 50% for thirty seconds. Must budget the aether for it though, with it costing so much. But if I Anger Howl then use Iron Blood, you guys should be able to go to town and I should be able to live through it. I hope.”

  Laughing the group strolled into town and over to the inn, looking at the sign above the door. Good Orc, which showed a dead orc on the ground. “Well that about sums up what they think of them greenskins, eh?” It was about time to take a break for a bit.

  “Oh, guys we won't be back for a day. Doctor's appointments in Vegas.” Dumadin said, reminding the group as a whole.

  “Works for us, it's been quite a journey getting here. We'll let Bill know you guys say hi and hope he'll join us sometime after it goes live. Let us know what they say, man. If they figure it out.” Felton said and gave his friends hugs.

  “Will do. See you guys in say, thirty six hours from now?” Dumadin inquired.

  “Will do. See you guys then,” Em rejoined as her and Felton logged out.

  “We look forward to seeing you tomorrow Amythyst, at Celebrity Franks on Flamingo,” Dumadin said and smiled as he and Kittish logged out.

  Terets gave her a short bow, “I look forward to meeting you as well, Lavender.” Kissing the back of her hand he smiled and then vanished leaving her there s
tammering and blushing until she also logged out.

  The next day after the doctor appointment the friends met up at Celebrity Franks. Will had already arrived and had a table where he could see the door. When the duo arrived he waved at them and they made their way over.

  “What's up, ugly?” David greeted his friend.

  “Nothing jackass, waiting for you all to show up. How did the appointment go?” Will inquired as they sat down.

  “Took a bone marrow sample, now I have a pain in my back. They say it will be a couple of weeks to get the results back,” David grimaced and rubbed at his back hip area.

  Will watched and then chuckled, “That looks like you're rubbing a pain in the ass not the back.”

  “Yeah yeah it was the hip bone in the back, it was that or the breast bone and I didn't want to be clutching my chest for the next few days.”

  Will nodded, “Understandable, that might make Miriam very nervous. How are you two otherwise? The doctors say anything about heart issues for you two with the extra weight you have had all these years?”

  “Same old same old, eat more veggies and lay off the good tasting food,” David shrugged.

  “They keep saying the same thing, exercise more and eat better. I make all our meals from scratch and we get plenty of veggies and fruit but that doesn't matter much. It's the lack of exercise that's the biggest issue. With our bodies falling apart though, that's not exactly easy to do.” Miriam sighed then shrugged, “One day something will get us, but at least it won't be bad food.”

  Laughing the friends ordered beverages from the server, soda since none of them were drinkers. “Any idea if Lavender will show?” Miriam asked, hoping she would and looking around.

  Will shrugged and looked at his crippled arthritic hands, “No idea but I hope so. She should be here any time now if she does.”

  David nodded, “I'll do my best to be on my best behavior, my word on that.”

  Will started to nod then stopped as an Asian woman in a motorized wheelchair came in the door. She seemed timid and uncertain as she looked around the room. “I would bet this is her. Be right back,” Will said and stood up.

  The other two turned to look as he went towards the door, seeing the woman he was walking towards. David stood and removed the extra chair from the table to make room for the wheelchair then sat back down. Miriam watched Will reach the lady and begin to speak with her.

  The lady's face met his and her scarred face broke into a smile as she spoke with him. Will gestured back at the table and gave a small bow to her. A soft laugh came from the lady as her eyes danced with delight. She then motioned Will towards the table and got her chair rolling behind him.

  “David, Miriam, this is Lavender. Lavender these are David and Miriam, known to you as Dumadin and Kittish.” Will made the introductions and then waited for Lavender to get into place then sat back down.

  “It's so nice to meet you, Lavender. We had so hoped you would come,” Miriam greeted her.

  “Yes indeed, we are very happy to meet you,” David said with a smile brightening his eyes.

  Lavender spoke softly, her voice rough, “Thank you all for inviting me. I almost stayed home but my sister emailed me insisting that I come and be polite. I was so nervous when the cab picked me up to bring me here. Will was so gracious in his greeting though, and you both...” She stopped for a moment as a tear rolled down her scarred face.

  Miriam got up and went around the table and gave her a hug, “Hey now, it's okay. Look at us, we're just plain folk like you. It's the mind that matters after all. Take a few breaths. It will be fine. If Will makes you uncomfortable just tell me and I'll thwack him for you.”

  Amythyst gave a small hiccupping laugh and returned the hug, “No I'm sure he'll be the gentleman he has been so far.” Lavender smiled at her, making the scars on her face and neck tighten up briefly. “It's just I haven't had any real friends since...” She stopped and picked up her menu to hide her face for a moment.

  The trio exchanged looks and nodded slightly, giving Lavender the space she obviously needed at the moment.

  “The chicken fingers are good, as are the burgers. The brisket was excellent last time we were here. Take your time and look over the menu. We ordered a sampler appetizer when we got the drinks. So we have time to be picky about what we each want for the main course.” David finished as he waved a waiter over to get Lavender a drink.

  A few minutes later the appetizer showed and they ordered the entrees they wanted. While sampling the food they chatted about the game, as it was the common ground they all had. Speaking of the game seemed to bring Lavender alive, her voice grew more confident and her eyes filled with laughter.

  As the entrees arrived the group fell silent for a moment, enjoying the food. When they started speaking again Will brought up the latest gun that he had bought. Lavender smiled and listened and asked him questions that neither David nor Miriam could follow, not being gun nuts. When they finished their entrees they ordered coffee and sat there chatting for a bit longer.

  After paying the bill David stood with Miriam, “It has been a true pleasure to meet you, Lavender. In two weeks I have to come back to get my test results. We should meet up again.”

  “Oh, that would be wonderful,” Lavender enthused. “It's been so good to meet you all in person. Thank you so much.”

  Miriam gave her a hug, “For us as well. I do believe Will is staying a bit longer, so have a good night and we'll see you tomorrow morning for our continued adventure.”

  Waving goodbye the couple left Will sitting there with Lavender, smiles on their faces when they reached the door and waved one more time.

  “Good people,” Lavender spoke softly watching them leave.

  “Yes, they've been great friends over the last twenty years. Even when we had disagreements we always got over them. Truly good friends are a blessing to be thankful for.” Will smiled and looked into Lavenders eyes, “So tell me about the last gun you bought, please.”

  They sat there until the restaurant closed for the night. Will waited with her outside for the cab to arrive to take her home, as his small car couldn't fit her motorized wheel chair. As the cabby arrived Will wished her a pleasant night and kissed the back of her hand as he had in game the night before.

  She blushed a deep crimson and stammered good night to him as well. As the cab pulled away he stood there watching it go, smiling.

  EVERGREEN HILLS

  The next morning the group reformed just outside the Good Orc Inn in the morning. As the group got ready to go they heard the sounds of combat coming closer, then some screams and cries for help. Turning towards the north their eyes were met by the sight of over a hundred angry orcs attacking the town. A pop up occurred on their UI informing them of an event.

  A dynamic event is taking place in Evergreen Hills!

  Help defended the town from orcs, or help the orcs raid the town.

  Rewards variable.

  Rewards scale based on who won.

  PvP is allowed during this event with no penalties.

  The group blinked and quickly looked at each other. “Well, it's beta. Let’s kick its tires and see how it goes,” Dumadin spoke quickly, getting his shield and weapon ready.

  “Sounds like fun to me. Do we help the townsfolk? I can't see us helping the orcs to just turn around and slaughter them tomorrow,” Felton said.

  The group agreed this sounded like the best approach and got their equipment settled. They moved as a unit towards the right flank of the on rushing horde. As they did various other players and NPCs grabbed gear and rushed into the fray.

  “Let’s nibble the flanks as best we can, do not want to get surrounded right away,” Terets advised his friends. The group thought this was an excellent idea and made their way around to one side.

  Finding only a few orcs here, the group quickly engaged them. The orcs were mostly level five mobs with a few level sevens mixed in. The friends made short work of the few scattered o
nes and found themselves facing a group of six orcs.

  Using the tactics they had adapted on the road, the group quickly mowed down the unlucky orcs. Laughing and joking, they moved on and engaged another group, also quickly dispatching them.

  “Kind of sad. Yeah, they can put out a good kick but they really are kind of lackluster,” Kittish sighed.

  “Well, they are significantly below us by and large,” Amythyst stated.

  “True. They look slightly familiar though, and I'm trying to figure out why,” Kittish replied as they moved onto another group. “Oh wait, I think I got it. The green pig guards from the Giant Worm creature in Star Wars. Them, but with an addiction to steroids and more feral.”

  The group laughed and could see the resemblance now, “What is seen cannot be unseen,” Em giggled.