It isn''t long before the group catches word of an experienced paladin in town. They go to the adventurers guild and a man greets them. He''s almost 2 lengths tall, wearing full runite armour with a large shield and longsword, decorated with gold, silver and runic markings for protection. The man''s hair has just started to gray, but is otherwise short and brown. He has a thick moustache and a friendly expression on his face. No doubt he''s helped hundreds, possibly thousands of people through his quests.
The man introduces himself.
The name is Albert. I''m a diamond level adventurer. I heard you guys were in need of some training, I''d be glad to help.
Kilian and Baldric likewise introduce themselves.
We need more effective attack moves if possible.
Alright I''ll see what I can do. I see you got an enchanted frost sword over there. Those are quite hard to come by here.
This here is called the Blessed strike. But it depends on your sword''s enchantment and how it functions. For you it would be a frost strike.
Albert swings his sword around and then strikes a dummy, holy light emits from his sword and the dummy takes a full on hit.
Try it, move just like I did.
Kilian rushes forward and strikes the dummy. Frost appears on the dummy, and it is partly frozen.
Nice, not bad for a first try.
In combat it''s all about landing these powerful hits at crucial moments. Let''s try some sparring.
The man puts his shield aside, and Kilian and the man start exchanging sword blows using wooden swords. Not bad. I see you got the technique down well for a longsword fighter. But you could try to work more around my weaknesses. you''re young, you should use your agility to your advantage.
The two exchange some more blows and Kilian rapidly shows improvement.
Now it''s time for you Baldric.
I''m a shield bearer, he says, as he lifts up his large, oversized shield.
No doubt about that, the man laughs.
Block some of my attacks.
Albert starts slashing at Baldric using his wooden sword, but he blocks everything flawlessly.
Wow, not bad at all, you got talent kid.
Then he takes his own shield and asks Kilian to attack him.
See how I block his strikes in the direction he''s attacking? This way it costs less energy to block. You could try doing that. But your technique of doing the opposite will tire out the opponent faster, but also require more strength. It''s up to you to decide when to use which technique.
Achran walks over to the target dummies. He prepares his training shots. First he uses his musket, boom, a straight headshot on the dummy from a great distance. Then he rapidly switches to his pistols. Two more headshots follow. He hasn''t become rusty yet from sitting around for so long. But he''s going to need to buy new ingredients for gunpowder. And worse off, he''s terribly bored. He heads to the quest board near the adventurers guild.
He looks at it. In such a town most of the quests are quite boring. Nothing like back home in the Cavas region. There were always multiple hits out. It was far easier finding good jobs.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Then something piques his interest.
A poster reads "Wanted, dead or alive, Suufi Hiraal. Known to be armed and dangerous. Stole a large sum of money. Reward: Everything on Suufi as well as an additional 100 gold. Last seen around the lakes"
The glue is still liquid, so it must''ve been posted quite recently.
Achran knows these types. They steal, then they hide out in the woods till the heat clears and they just do it again, and again.
He heads to the woods. Recent snow makes his job easy. He sees several types of tracks near the lakes. Most head to the fishing spots, with holes in the ice.
but one set of tracks leads further into the woods. Achran follows them. It isn''t long before he spots a campfire in the darkness of dusk, in the distance. He''s getting close now.
He checks his guns. They''re all loaded. He''s ready to go.
Achran silently crawls over to the tent. This is risky. He could pepper the tent, Suufi won''t know what hit him. But there''s a risk. He''s not 100% sure it''s Suufi in there.
He prepares to fire a round of scattershot through the tent.
STOP! A voice yells in the distance.
It''s Alina. With her is Hiero.
Hiero saw you at the quest board! We came as soon as we could. You can''t just kill Suufi! Who knows why he stole or what. What if it was just a lie to get back at someone?
None of my business, Achran says. The client wants him dead or alive, and I deliver. That''s all that matters.
As they''re talking a hooded figure steps out of the tent, bow raised.
Who''s there? He asks.
None of your business! Achran replies, as he prepares to fire.
Hiero quickly slashes his spear down on the pistol so Achran misses his shot.
Are you Suufi? Alina asks the figure.
Depends on who''s asking, he replies.
Surrender now and you will be unharmed.
You say that but your pal over there tried shooting me!
That was a mistake. It''s three to one. Drop your bow to the ground and we will ensure your safety. Besides you have no choice, Hiero reminds him.
Suufi drops his bow reluctantly and raises his arms.
See Achran, there''s always a more peaceful way to settle things, Hiero says to Achran.
That''s not how it works. You''re not used to dealing with dangerous types. Some of them will kill you the moment you hesitate. You have to be fast. It''s all about speed and confidence. You guys haven''t seen what I have.
They decide not to press the issue. There''s no use talking to this grizzled bounty hunter, all they can do now is contain him for as long as they''re together.
Back at the target dummies Baldric and Kilian have finished their training session. They feel like they learned a lot, even though it was just a short session.
Albert asks them what they’re training for.
Kilian decides to be more truthful, he feels he can trust this paladin.
We’re training to fight an important figure of the Arcana kingdom, he says.
Well if you’re up against such a powerful opponent perhaps a better weapon could be of your aid.
Where could I find a better weapon?
There’s a certain tier of weapons known as godslayer weapons. They exist on every plane. Weapons so powerful they can kill a god. This could aid you greatly. Albert says before he heads off.
Kilian thinks for a moment. A weapon so powerful it could kill a god. Why didn’t they hear of it sooner?
He decides to discuss this with Amaru, who knows about these things. He’s traveled a lot.
Amaru, do you know anything about god-slaying weapons?
Yes I do.
Why didn’t you tell me about it?!
Because it is useless. There’s no god-slaying weapons in Essanys.
I spoke to an experienced paladin earlier and he said there are.
Then he’s wrong unfortunately. The only thing that could even come close is the corruptor of Akzkanash, but it’s a poison staff and useless to our group. Besides, it was last seen all the way over in the Pheoqaviel dynasty, literally on the opposite side of the world. There’d be no point in going to such a hostile place and risking everything for something we can’t even use.
And furthermore, she’s invincible, so it would be useless to begin with.
You’re right Amaru. There’d be no point in it.
What about crafting a god slaying weapon, is that possible?
If it was possible I’m sure someone would’ve tried. I don’t know any legendary smiths. In the Hiatum republic they focus mostly on musket making, that’s the latest hype. I don’t think any smith is capable of making a god slayer.