by Paul Bellow
Villainous Cold Auras – 20mp – Make a humanoid appear unlikeable and cold.
Fish’s Virtue (Water breathing) – 5mp per minute - Requires Chant of Just Kill Fish
Flaming Discs of Lava – 5mp per disc. Each disc deals 1d6 fire damage.
Gamemaster Tip: At level five, you will gain one fourth level spell, and one more spell of each lower level.
I selected Flaming Disks of Lava. Without a fighter, we needed a mage who could dish out some old school damage.
“The sacrifices I make for this party…”
“I appreciate you, Kali, even if they don’t.”
Charlotte always brought a smile to my face.
“Are you feeling smarter too?” I asked.
“Oddly, I am,” she said.
“Get some rest. We’re leaving tomorrow.”
“You too, Kali…”
The rest of the evening, much to my delight, went by without any craziness.
I eventually managed to fall asleep.
3
More Like Sylvar the Stupid
Eric
* * *
I woke to the sound of Sergeant Harris and a bunch of soldiers talking loudly.
Bernard sat up and stretched on the bunk next to me.
“Up and at ‘em,” Sergeant Harris said as he walked over to us. “We’re moving out, and we need you to vacate the fort.”
“Fine with us,” I said, rolling out of bed.
I wanted to question him, but I kept my mouth shut. We had enough of our own problems to worry about.
As Sergeant Harris wandered toward the door, I stretched and struggled to wake up. Even in the game, I never got enough sleep.
Bernard yawned beside me.
“Don’t do that,” I said. “These cots aren’t comfortable, and I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“I kept an eye half-open most of the night too,” he said.
After a few more stretches, we made our way outside. I saw a throng of men standing around a wagon-train. Bernard and I walked over to Sarah as she stood next to the war wagon on the other side of the courtyard.
“Good morning,” Sarah said as we reached her.
“You sleep okay?” I asked.
“About as well as you would expect in a war wagon,” she said.
I smiled, amazed at how she always managed to look so cute.
“Are you ready for our ride to Talbot to find a tree troll?” I asked.
She nodded and said, sarcastically, “Can’t wait…”
“I need to see a man about some horses,” I said.
Bernard chuckled, and Sarah rolled her eyes.
I left them and walked toward the wagon train.
Sergeant Harris stepped out of a group of men as I approached.
“You need something?” he asked in a nasty voice.
“We need horses,” I said, hand on my hilt.
He laughed.
“You can’t intimidate me, son,” he said.
All the men around him kept staring intensely at me.
“I just want you to do the right thing,” I said.
We looked into each other’s eyes in silence.
“Fine,” he relented. “I’ll give you some horses.”
He stormed off to the back of the wagon-train.
I walked back over to Bernard and Sarah.
“Got ‘em,” I said then smiled.
“Yeah?” Sarah asked.
She nodded behind me.
“Here’s your horses,” Sergeant Harris said.
I turned and saw three of the sorriest horses in the entire history of the species. They all looked to be in near death.
Sergeant Harris grinned then turned and walked away.
Bernard walked over to grab the reins. Not that the horses could’ve outran any of us. Would they make it to Talbot?
“I’ve got to hit the outhouse,” I said.
Sarah scrunched up her nose.
“Good luck,” she said. “They’re a mess.”
I pursed my lips together then turned and left. Atop a wooden throne, I thought about our odds of getting out of the overly realistic game.
Was it really a prison?
My father wasn’t the type of person to be involved with anything illegal, but he’d been so secretive. I’d chalked it up to my mother dying, but maybe it was something else? It would explain him being so distracted.
When I returned a few minutes after I’d left, Bernard and Sarah had climbed atop two of the horses. I climbed on the last one.
“Thanks for leaving me the best one,” I said.
“She’s blind,” Bernard said. “I’m not even kidding.”
Sergeant Harris rode over on a fine black stallion.
“We’re on our way to help hold the peace in Esterhollow,” he said. “I’ve given you a hard time, but it’s a tough world these days. Don’t take it personally. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to prove your loyalties.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Sarah said.
Sergeant Harris looked at me, but I kept my mouth shut. He turned his horse and rode off toward the head of the wagon-train.
“Roll out!” he yelled.
I watched as the massive gathering of animals and men headed out the fort’s gates. They moved slow but steady.
“We should get going,” I said.
“Agreed,” Sarah said.
We rode across the courtyard then through the open gateway, passing the horses, soldiers, and wagons. As they headed east to Esterhollow, we rode north toward the outpost of Talbot. Three abreast, we trotted along.
“How long do you two think it’s going to take to complete this side quest and get back to the main quest?” Bernard asked a few minutes after leaving. “I’m so tired of the first level of this game.”
“You’re never going to level up at this rate,” Sarah said.
She rode in between Bernard and me on the wide, dirt road.
“I wanted to talk about taking out Magi Inyontoo,” Bernard said. “We shouldn’t mess with him or his followers.”
“He’s right,” Sarah said. “We have a side quest and a main quest to figure out. Besides, he might not follow us to level one-two.”
I glanced over at Bernard to see his reaction.
“Won’t matter,” he said. “Magi has followers and power all through the first three game levels,” he said. “Magictology isn’t anything to mess with directly. A lot of players are wrapped up in his fantasy. They think if they can get enough NPCs to believe in the real world, they’ll be able to get out of the game.”
“Makes sense, actually,” I said. “At least we know it wasn’t my hack that got us stuck in here.”
“I’m being serious,” Bernard said. “You should be too. We mess around a lot, but Magi isn’t a person to mess with in this game.”
“He can’t be all-powerful,” I said. “But I agree we have other things to focus on now. Like tree troll blood.”
“And increasing the size of our party,” Sarah added. “The more people in our group, the easier the quest will be.”
“Yeah…”
My voice trailed off as we continued riding north. Sarah brought out a few pieces of stale bread and half a salami she’d taken from Fort Bliss. We ate while we rode, thankful for anything to help us.
We reached Talbot just after sundown.
The collection of less than a dozen ramshackle buildings could hardly be called a town.
Everything was closed except for one place at the edge of the main strip. Sounds, light, and laughter emanated from it.
“Maybe we can find a room,” I said.
We clip-clopped down the main path.
“That’ll be The Cowardly Blade,” Bernard said.
“Maybe we should camp in the woods,” Sarah said.
“Without a bed?” I asked rhetorically, then added. “No thanks.”
I stopped my horse and climbed off in front of the single-story wood building. A wave of laught
er hit us outside. After the two got off their horses, we hitched our frail beasts to a post in front of the frontier establishment.
“You two be on your best behavior,” Sarah said.
Bernard grinned and bounded toward the door. He pulled it open then sauntered in like he owned the place. Sarah and I followed.
A blond haired elf stood in the middle of the packed room, gesticulating wildly as he told a story. We stopped inside the door to listen.
“By this point,” the elf continued. “The hobgoblin leader had no idea what was going on. I mean, it was obvious, but he was clueless…”
“Stupid, miserable goblins,” someone in a far corner shouted.
“Exactly,” the elf continued. “So being who I am, a human loving elf, I opened the gate and let the pigs out to swarm that worthless goblin flesh-bag!”
The crowd went wild, laughing and cheering. I walked toward one of the few empty tables nearby. Bernard and Sarah followed.
As we sat down, the elf walked over to our table.
“Greetings,” he said with a slight bow. “I’m Sylvar Sylvarum. Are you three new in town?”
I glanced up, unimpressed.
“Yeah,” I said. “But not for long.”
“No one’s in Talbot for long.” He continued smiling. “What are you three doing way out here in the wilderness?”
“That’s none of your business,” I said bluntly.
Sarah elbowed me.
“Do you know where we can get lodging for the night?” she asked.
“There’s no inn in Talbot,” Sylvar said. “But I may have a solution.”
“Go on,” Sarah said.
“I have a place in the woods nearby,” he said, keeping his eyes on her. “Would you three like to stay with me?”
“No thanks,” I said. “We’ll be fine.”
Sarah turned and frowned.
“Where are we going to stay?” she asked.
I shrugged and said, “We’ll figure something out.”
“Come, come,” Sylvar said. “You’ll stay with me tonight. But first, let’s celebrate. Talbot doesn’t get many new visitors these days.”
He turned, raised his arms, and shouted, “A round for all my friends!”
People cheered again as two barmaids scurried about to fill his order. I estimated at least a couple dozen other people in the place.
“What are we celebrating?” Bernard asked.
Sylvar turned, his long, stringy hair flying around.
“In Talbot,” he said. “We don’t need an excuse to eat, drink, and be merry. May I join you?”
“Please do,” Sarah said before I could object.
Sylvar sat on an empty seat across the table from her.
“We’ll have a drink or three then head back to my tree,” he said.
Sarah smiled at his shenanigans, but I wasn’t impressed—or even jealous.
A weasel climbed over Sylvar’s shoulder and stared at us.
Bernard pointed at it.
“Um…you’ve got a weasel on your shoulder,” he said.
Sylvar smiled then reached over and stroked its fur.
“This is Eddie,” he said. “My familiar.”
Sarah perked up.
“You’re a mage too?” she asked.
“No, I’m a ranger, but I can cast spells,” Sylvar said.
“Can you help us find a tree troll?” I asked.
“Tomorrow,” Sylvar said. “They’re all over the Woodshore Forest. Not difficult to find for someone like myself.”
“We can pay you for your services,” I said.
Sylvar waved his hand through the air.
“All that can wait for tomorrow,” he said. “Tonight, we celebrate our new and blossoming friendship.”
Eddie the weasel scampered over his shoulder and disappeared.
Sylvar leaned forward, elbows on the edge of the table.
“Stories of you three are traveling through the realm quickly,” he said. “Are any of them true?”
“Depends on the stories,” I said. “Who’s talking about us?”
“Bards and bandits alike,” Sylvar said then leaned back. “The realm is once again moving in a positive direction for humans, elves, and the other higher races.”
“Not all goblins are bad,” I said, still not sure why I was part goblin in the game.
A barmaid arrived with a tray of wooden beer mugs. She set them down on the table. Bernard picked one up and drank.
“What is it?” Sarah asked then sniffed the top of hers.
“Only the best mead for us,” Sylvar said. “Not to mention it’s the only thing to drink around here.”
Sarah smiled then took a sip. I took a long drink, wondering how the alcohol would affect us in the game. Would a prison have alcohol?
I let down my guard and enjoyed the adult beverage.
After only two rounds, I felt tipsy but in high-spirits. My perception changed on the fourth round. By the fifth, I had no worries or cares.
“We should go,” Sarah said, slurring her words. “Time to sleep it off.”
“Terrific idea,” Sylvar said as if the alcohol hadn’t affected him.
I stood and lost my balance, almost tumbling to the floor.
“Take it easy, boss,” Bernard said then laughed loudly.
As the room spun, I waited for the others to stand. I glanced around at the almost empty tavern, wishing it would stop spinning.
Our inebriated and merry group made our way outside. The cool, night air hit my skin, sobering me up a bit but not enough.
“I feel happy to be alive,” I shouted.
“Keep it down,” Sarah said then stumbled forward.
“It’s fine,” Sylvar said. “Until we get in the forest. Then he’ll need to shut up to keep the nasties at away.”
Without a witty comeback handy, I kept my mouth shut.
“Bring your horses,” Sylvar said as he strode forward.
We untied our horses then walked after him. Holding the reins helped me steady myself as the entire game-world spun.
“It’s so beautiful,” Sarah said quietly.
“Yeah,” I said, wanting to go OOC.
Sylvar glanced back.
“Keep up,” he said. “No slouching now.”
Sarah stepped forward faster, reaching up to him.
I kept along at my steady rate, not wanting to risk falling.
Bernard came up beside me and matched my pace.
“What do you think of Sylvar?” he whispered.
“Not much,” I said without hesitation.
“Me either,” Bernard said. “He’s pouring it on a bit thick. Unless he’s just interested in Sarah.”
I swung my head toward him.
“You think that’s what’s happening?” I asked.
He shrugged.
“You and Sarah aren’t a thing, are you?”
“No,” I said. “Not anymore…”
“I’m not sure I believe you,” he chuckled.
“Quiet,” Sylvar said. “We’re approaching the forest.”
Thoughts of my father, the game, Sarah, and a million other things went through my head as we reached the edge of the woods. Sylvar led us down a well-worn path between the trees. We seemed to be going in circles, but I couldn’t be sure after all the mead.
Eventually, the stupid elf ranger stopped at a massive tree next to a slow-moving stream. I glanced up, having to admit it was cool.
“This is it,” Sylvar said.
Eddie the weasel scampered off the elf and up the trunk toward the treehouse a few hundred feet off the ground.
“This is great,” Sarah said, rubbing her hands together.
“How do we get up?” Bernard asked.
“Yeah,” I added. “And what about the horses.”
“They’ll be fine tied up down here,” Sylvar said. “We’re not too deep in the woods. The tree trolls don’t wander out this far.”
“Good to know,” I said.
<
br /> “Eddie should lower the rope soon,” Sylvar said. “I could get myself up with magic, but I don’t want to be rude and leave you down here.”
I didn’t feel as tipsy as when we’d left the tavern, but I still wasn’t one hundred percent sober. The weasel tossed down a thin rope.
“Elves first,” I said, motioning to it with a wave of my hand.
“It’s perfectly safe,” Sylvar said. “You can trust me.”
Sarah smiled, still lapping up his sugary sweetness. I watched as she stepped over to the ladder and started climbing up. The treehouse looked far away.
“This is great,” Sarah yelled. “I can’t wait to see the view.”
“Go ahead,” I said, nudging Bernard with my elbow.
Sylvar continued smiling.
Was I being too rough on him?
“I hate climbing,” Bernard said as he started up the ladder.
“You’ve got a great party,” Sylvar said as our ex-priest climbed.
I nodded then changed the subject.
“How far up is your fort?”
Sylvar laughed.
“It’s a full-size house, not a fort,” he said. “And it’s high enough to protect the occupants from most dangers.”
“Uh huh,” I said, nodding my head.
“The view is great,” Sarah shouted.
I looked up and saw her standing on a wooden balcony.
“Go on,” Sylvar said. “Up you go.”
I walked over to the ladder and took hold. With my Ring of Spider Climbing on, I nimbly flew up the side of the tree.
Sylvar levitated up, flying past me. I climbed faster, but he reached the platform before me. I admired the view at the top.
“It’s something else, isn’t it?” Sarah asked.
“That’s one way to put it,” I mumbled.
“We need some elven wine,” Sylvar said. “Come inside, and I’ll get some for us. The night is still young.”
Bernard and Sarah followed him inside while I held back.
“We’ll be inside,” Sylvar said.
I turned back to the wonderful view of immense tree-trunks blocking almost everything. Vines covered a few of the trees. After a few moments, I went inside with the others.
They sat in a living room with pillows covering the floor.
