Escape From Litchfield

by Isra Bhuthimethee

  They had been walking for hours since the ambush, and it seemed like a good time to make camp for the night. Sol was leading them to the stairwell down to the second level. They hadn't encountered any signs of pursuit, but that didn't mean they were out of the woods yet. The townie party may still be unconscious, or even now gathering more forces to pursue. But it was just as likely they gave up.

  Tapping Sol on the shoulder, Tamara motioned them to stop. She quietly whispered, "Shall we camp for the night here?"

  Shaking his head, he replied, "There's a good spot ahead that is both well-concealed and rarely traveled. We can press on, or we can take a short rest."

  Nodding, Tamara motioned him to continue the journey. She whispered, "We should talk about coordinating our attacks better."

  He bobbed his head in agreement.

  The entrance to the camp was a small, nearly invisible path off the main passageway. If you weren't paying attention, most travelers would never have spotted it.

  Sol began setting up camp. Between the two of them, it wasn't long before they were setup.

  Tamara said, "Sol, when I was in La Grange before I was captured, I stocked up on supplies, and I'd like to offer you some rings and armor."

  "Please. I had a fortune's worth of gear, but it was all stolen before they put me down here. Mages, even battlemages, are highly dependent on gear for survival, so I haven't been thriving here, as you may have inferred by my condition when we met. As a dark elf, I've had a great deal of trouble getting more equipment."

  Tamara said, "It must have been hard. But I'm here now and we will make it through this. What kind of equipment do you favor?"

  "Battlemages primarily need intelligence for survival. Everything derives from it."

  Seeing that Sol had no rings on, Tamara began recalling +1 intelligence rings from her storage space. When she was done, she handed Sol 4 rings. Next, Tamara dug into her backpack to pull out the new robe she had made for him. She felt a bit guilty since she could make better rings. But she didn't have many cores left to work with. After they found more, she would make more gear.

  Despite being a stoic elf, tears welled up in the dark elf's eyes as he saw the wealth being passed to him. Low level rings aren't that powerful, except that not having them was worse than having nothing. The robe, on the other hand, was obviously a hand made gift that would be on par with his gear prior to being jailed.

  As Sol inspected the robe, he commented, "This robe is amazing. It is incredibly soft, yet provides superior armor to chain mail. This gift is priceless." Pausing, he said, "You created this?"

  Tamara nodded, "I'm a blacksmith. The robe has a number of small pockets for you to hold gear close at hand. I also modified some small dimensional bags for quick access to potions and small gear. There are also some upgradable gem slots available on the robe."

  She recalled two tiny cores, an engraving tool, and her anvil. She placed a mage light over her workspace and carved the rune for intelligence into the gems. In a matter of minutes, Sol had two new +1 intelligence cores slotted into his armor.

  Taking a moment to view her work, she nodded with satisfaction. For Sol's robe, she had created interior and exterior pockets that were somewhat camouflaged in the design. Gold threads in fanciful swirls dominated the design. The robe was something he could wear in both casual and formal settings, yet was incredibly durable and protective.

  Item: Robe of Sol

  Created by Tamara Owlkins

  Armor: 30%

  +3 Intelligence

  Slot1: +1 Intelligence

  Slot2: +1 Intelligence

  Her throat caught as the taciturn elf's eyes finally let loose a flood of tears. Sol turned away to the side to inspect the wall, hiding the tears falling down his face, even as he casually wiped them away. She didn't want to embarrass the elf, so she pretended to not see. However, she knew then that the elf had been through some rough times.

  Sol cleared his throat and said, "These caves are so dusty," as he walked over to clean out his eyes with canteen water.

  "How close are we to spawning points, and what can you tell me about the mobs in the area?" She asked.

  "This floor has ants, spiders, and goblins for mobs but only close to the stairs down to the next floor. Once we go down, there will be skeletons, zombies, and ghouls. I purchased several vials of blessed water to stop us from catching any diseases. Not many have been beyond the tenth floor, but it is rumored that it's just more powerful versions of the same monsters."

  Sleepily they both agree to camp for the night. Fighting techniques could wait.

  Name Solinar Brown Points 5

  Status Awakened, Rested, Great Herbal Chicken, Tulip Beer

  Titles

  Credits 1037 Health 100%

  Level 36 Class Mage

  Experience 91602 Subclass Battlemage

  Int 180(189) Dex 12

  Str 17 Agil 12(22)

  Con 13(26) Sync 27

  Mana 1890 M Regen 2.75

  HP 638 H Regen 4.12

  Armor Spacesteel Robe 30%

  Skills Inspect 45, Perception 40, Staff 175, Fire Magic 175, Earth Magic 175, Air Magic 175, Water Magic 175, Wand 175, Meditation 175, Overstrike, Precision Magic, Common Magic 175

  Items +1 Ring of Intelligence, +1 Ring of Intelligence, +1 Ring of Intelligence, +1 Ring of Intelligence, Robe of Sol

  ***

  The woman led Jare to the shrine of Gia. As she stepped across the threshold, her form shimmered. Jare was a warrior and didn't have enough power to light up a thimble. He knew that the woman had to be immeasurably powerful for him to see the light of mana flowing off the woman. And as she turned around, his mind was dumbstruck by the similarities of form between the statue and the woman before him.

  Comprehension dawned on his mind. "You're Gia, aren't you?"

  Smiling, the woman shook her head. "No. I appreciate the comparison, but I am but a humble servant." Flourishing her arms with a small bow, she said, "Welcome to Gia's shrine. You will learn all you need to know soon." She turned around and beckoned Jare to follow her as she walked deeper into the shrine. As they walked, Jare noted all the various petitioners. Many were farmers, craftsmen, and surprisingly a fair number of merchants.

  Jare commented, "I am surprised at the number of merchants that worship Gia."

  Nodding, the mystery woman replied, "Gia provides great bounties to those who worship her. And when you really think about it, everything comes from nature. A merchant who is a patron of Gia will always strive to balance their actions for the greatest good."

  "Are you suggesting that merchants under Gia's influence give the best prices?" Asked Jare.

  "Not at all. But the merchant can lower or raise prices to help balance out the world. Which in turn will affect the going price for those items. No one merchant will realize this phenomenon, but the gods work in mysterious ways."

  The woman took Jare to a nondescript door, unlocked it and bid him enter. After closing the door behind her, she said, "We can speak more privately here in Gia's shrine. But be aware that even here there is no such thing as complete privacy." The room they entered was set up as a small workroom, bare except for a small table and a pair of chairs.

  Pondering her words, Jare said, "I am a completely open book, but I appreciate the trouble you've taken to speak privately with me."

  Pausing the woman said, "My name is Mia. I am a paladin of Gia's order. She spoke to me and bid me seek you out today. I understand that you need some guidance."

  Jare nodded and said, "You're right! I came here to seek guidance to find my paladin calling. But I've been informed that the Unichi god has no shrine here."

  Nodding, Mia said, "It has become clear why Gia wanted me to help you then. The Unichi god hasn't been active in many years. The short version of the story is that he stopped speaking to his followers and his shrine vanished shortly thereafter. Rumors circulated on his demise, but Gia feels that he was betrayed within his own priesthood."
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  "How could this happen? And why are you helping me when the others told me he was dead"

  Mia turned to face Jare. "Gia has taken an interest in you. At first, it was because you are a companion to the One. Tamara has been long known to Gia. Her family pays Gia great respect, even though they are not of the flock. Then she saw your titanic struggles to overcome some obstacle that has not been revealed to me but is well known by Gia."

  Jare nodded at the comment. "I am in your hands for guidance."

  "I am a paladin of Gia. The normal process of becoming a paladin is to seek out a shrine of your god, then have a priest perform a ceremony to anoint you to your station. However, since the shrine and priesthood of the Unichi god are not to be found, you will need a different method. One that carries great danger and will test your determination. Do you wish to learn this method? Alternatively, you can choose one of the many gods and goddesses easily available to be found within these walls."

  Jare didn't need any time to think about his answer, but he considered the pros and cons of the decision, but ultimately, he had to be true to himself. The Unichi god has guided him all his life. Comforted him when his parents were slain. Gave him hope when his sister was stuck in her dream that would lead her to her destruction. He told her, "I am sure. It would be against my nature to choose any other god or goddess. He is the one for me."

  Smiling, Mia nodded. "I know your mind. Each paladin must choose their faith and their destiny. Paladins that pay only lip service to their god will receive only the lightest of touches of their god's grace. While the true believers can conquer even the greatest foes."

  Mia spoke in a formal tone as if she was reading from a prepared script from memory. "Jare. The first trial is to know your god. Think about him and what he means to you. Meditate and fast until you know him. The second task varies with each candidate. But once I leave these doors will lock, and when you walk out, you will be a paladin." Moving to the door, she turned back to Jare to measure his resolve. "Are you ready, or do you need more time?"

  "I am ready," he replied.

  Mia saw Jare's resolve, so she nodded and said, "If you have any trouble focusing, feel free to browse the materials here. I already laid out everything you need to know. When you are finished, you will need to exit the church. I suspect that the evil that brought him low lingers. Exit quietly and quickly."

  "Thank you for your help."

  "May you find your god, Jare. And good travels to you." With that, she closed the doors, and he heard her walk away.

  The door made an audible "click" as it locked.

  ***

  "Wakey Wakey. Spanky, Spanky. It's time for your torture session," an excited voice called out. With a kick the voice demanded, "I said, it's time to wake up!" This time, the half-elf stirred.

  Groggily, Tamara reached for her weapon, but she immediately discovered that she was tied up firmly but not painfully.

  The voice chided her in an amused tone. "Now now, No need for weapons. That wouldn't be fair. Maybe you need a bit more persuasion."

  Tamara was splashed with water, forcing her wide awake. She shook off the water, trying to get a look at her surroundings. They were in a medium-sized room with a number of tables and chairs. The tables were clearly torture tables with tie down straps for the wrists and legs, similar to the one she was currently on. Jenny stood nearby, obviously pleased with herself. Grok, as usual, had a bucket of water.

  "You didn't forget about our torture sessions, did you?" Jenny asked with a smile. "I really enjoy our time together. It's so relaxing. I feel like an artisan chipping away at my most perfect work to date!"

  Any remaining sleepiness vanished, and her comprehension of her situation became razor clear. Tamara spluttered, "How? I was deep in the dungeon, we camped for night and we were nowhere near someplace like this."

  "Oh honey, you thought a little thing like a dungeon would keep you from me? You will never get away from me."

  "Are you the dungeon master then?"

  Jenny replied in a smug laughing voice. "Yes. I was the one who discovered the dungeon, and I was lucky enough to be raised up as the master of this place. The orcs didn't have a foothold in here until I led them in. You see. In a way, these dungeons are my birthplace. I was born here, I grew up here, and someday, I will die here." She paused and cocked her head. "Interesting. You must have learned about dungeon masters from your companion. Perhaps he would like to join you next time."

  Tamara stared intently at Jenny, trying to figure out if she was a creature of the dungeon, but trying as she might, she didn't see the telltale signs. Jenny was a natural-born woman with her own agenda. While she wasn't too attached to Sol, she didn't wish him harm. There was also the fact that he was Oathbound to her. Not only was Sol honorable, but the Oath would punish him for any act of betrayal. She needed to mislead her.

  "Do as you like. He's only a temporary party member. Dark elves deserve to die. I just wish I could have turned him in for the bounty."

  Jenny crossed her arms, thinking over Tamara's words. "You surprise me, Tamara. I can actually believe that you don't care about your party member. That is fine with me though. I enjoy my art. It would be delightful to add another plaything."

  Jenny paused to see if Tamara reacted to her threats. Seeing nothing, she said, "I am having a new torture device built just for you. To account for your unusual resilience, yet be gentle enough that I can apply it as many times as I want."

  Alarmed, Tamara conferred with Bob89 via chat.

  [Tamara: Bob89, is there any way to give her what she wants without endangering us or yourself?]

  [Bob89: No. The door terminal is resistant to tampering. And each terminal is wired slightly different. Whoever designed the base knew what they were doing to stop macrobots from escaping or breaking in. The door is shielded from scanning via lead and reflective materials. If I were present at each door, I could map out the circuits and tell them how to open it, but again, I could just open it too.]

  [Tamara: Why can you bypass the protections, while the Foe would be stymied?]

  [Bob89: Simple. My nanocells can enter the door and map out the interior of the door. From there I can read the code of the door. Once I've read and assimilated the code, then I can sync our clocks and interject or negate a signal that will open the door. Only a genius can determine the line the door code is at, then with perfect precision cause the door to open.]

  [Tamara: Hmm. So the door appeared to be using electronic locks. Since you mapped the door circuits, why do you need to sync up with the door, then interject or negate stuff to get the door to open?]

  [Bob89: Simpleton! The door may be locked due to a signal being generated, or by a signal that causes the door to open.]

  [Tamara: So. Why can't you simply override the physical wire that generates or sends the signal keeping the door closed?]

  [Bob89: Ahhh.... I didn't think about that. But. Only a genius can open the door the way I do it! For Science!]

  Despite the torture, Bob89 and Tamara group chatted, and to an extent, it helped block some of the pain. Eventually, Tamara passed out into oblivion.

  ***

  Tamara awoke with a start. She looked over and saw Sol sleeping nearby. She was in camp like nothing had happened. Was Jenny's torture chamber a dream? As an adventurer, she wouldn't have any marks or signs of the torture. Feeling down her clothes, she felt damage that wasn't there before she slept.

  It was real. She felt hot and claustrophobic. The walls seemed to shrink before her eyes as she panicked. Then a furry blur sprinted across the room and clamored up her shoulders.

  She hugged Myst to herself like her life depended on it, and eventually his nuzzling and purring calmed her down. Collecting herself, she pulled out of the hug and contented herself by petting her cat.

  [Tamara: So. The torture was real? Do you know what happened?]

  [Bob89: That was intense. And you did not rat me out again!]

  [Tamara: We need to g
et out of here! I don't want to stay for another "talking" session with tools.]

  [Bob89: Well. I have nothing to add. I know this will be an unpopular opinion, but that torture session seemed a bit half-hearted.]

  [Tamara: What are you suggesting? That she didn't really need anything from us?]

  [Bob89: No. She definitely wants something from us. But I think she is confident she will get it no matter what we do.]

  [Tamara: So. You think she was prodding us to move faster?]

  [Bob89: That is a distinct possibility]

  [Bob89: Let's assume that she wants us to face something that will give her what she wants. A method to find out how we entered the Research Station.]

  [Tamara: OK, let's wake up Sol. We want to finish this Dungeon as fast as possible. Perhaps we can beat Jenny's timetable.]

  [Bob89: Not a bad idea. But even though you are rested, Sol needs to sleep like a normal person.]

  [Tamara: I'll practice different skills then.]

  Tamara moved away from camp, but still within sight of Sol. She had been neglecting her Drummer quest, and she still had bard books to read. Might as well kill two birds with one fire dart! She could slow down enemies, increase mana regeneration, increase health regeneration, or increase stamina regeneration. Slowing down enemies called out to her the most, seeing that they were in a dungeon. But a close second was to increase mana regeneration. She began quietly singing and tapping the slow song, albeit at novice bard standards.

  She had picked up 55 skill uses from the previous fight, so she quickly finished the first quest.

  Quest Completed:SubClass Quest I: Drummer

  You have chosen the subclass Drummer. Use your skill 100 times. This has a Level F difficulty.

  Reward:100 experience.