A hot spring light drew itself across my eyes, waking me from a light slumber. There was a cool breeze carrying a subtle scent of a distant ocean. It twinged my nose as a hitch in the ride caused me to bump my head against the carts low wall. My body ached and my neck was stiff from my awkward sleeping position. As I stretched the pain in my leg flared up again. I was looking forward to having it healed. I felt restless not being able to walk around.
I sat up to better cover my eyes in the shade of the cart covering. The thick forests brimming with singing birds and strumming insects were gone, in its place were long fields of breeze-swept grass dotted with dark patches of farmland. I could see animalkin working the distant fields, tilling the earth, carrying bags of seeds, and clearing out weeds. It reminded me of Montana.
The road ahead was clear and the path flat. The cart rolled easily and Revelas strolled along at a gentle pace. I took the time to become acquainted with the system interface and the few items I had. Before I did, I pulled out my traveler’s bag and summoned the apple Finn had given me. I was starving. I hadn’t realized at the time I didn’t have breakfast. We started traveling before I got a chance to try the eggs and bacon Grebbledel had prepared. The moment reminded me of most of my mornings back at the university. Skipping breakfast because I had to run to class. After eating the apple down to its core, I tossed it off the road and summoned the Minor Experience Potion I got from completing my quest. Finn said it was a common item and would help me grow stronger. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to use it now. I uncorked the vial and drank the silvery liquid. A notification popped up asking me where I wanted to spend my points. Seeing as Arcana had done me a lot of good so far I chose to place the experience there.
The experience potion hadn’t given me enough experience to level up Arcana. I was five percent away from reaching the next level. After drinking the potion I was left with an empty vial. I considered throwing it off the cart but I wasn’t one to litter. Even if it was inside a video game. So I dropped it back in my inventory. From there I read the descriptions for the rope, Fire Pack, and rations. The rope was exactly as I expected it to be, nothing special. The rations were three small knapsacks filled with dried food and a small cantina of water. They were good for a single day’s travel. And the Fire Pack was two items in one. It contained both flint and steel for starting fires. Everything I needed to start a journey of adventuring out in the wilderness.
As I sealed my bag and placed it down to use as a pillow I noticed I had a small red dot notification above my [Character] section of the system interface. I willed it to open and I got a good breakdown of my overall strengths and weaknesses. It also showed I had earned a point to place into one of my core six stats. Strength, Intelligence, Agility, Charisma, Wisdom and Constitution. From what I remembered during my class selection, the Grovewarden Druid’s main stats were Wisdom and Constitution. I didn’t know how the whole stat system worked or which of the two I should choose from. If only I had paid attention to when my grandpa talked about his video games.
I concentrated on the Wisdom stat and mentally asked if I could learn more. I was genuinely surprised when the system flashed green then showed me a quick breakdown of the stat.
Wisdom: The wisdom stat indicates the overall perceptiveness and pragmatic reasoning one has with the world around them. Those who have a high stat in wisdom will come to better understand their place in Phyrelia and the status of the things around them. It helps in decision-making and in one’s attunement to natural powers. The wisdom stat is particularly important to Druids who rely on having a strong connection with the forces of nature.
Increasing my wisdom seemed like the smart choice. The system itself was practically telling me to put my stat there. I decided to ask the system more information on the Constitution stat as I had no idea what it would be referring to or how it would help me get stronger.
Constitution: The constitution stat indicates the overall fortitude and endurance of an adventurer. Increasing constitution improves a player’s health points and resistance to poisons, damage, and curses. It helps one in trials of perseverance and willpower. The constitution stat is particularly important to Clerics who not only have to rely on faith but also their bodies to conduct the powers of their gods.
The constitution stat would be good to increase as well. I was very close to dying in our fight with the Nightflyers. One more arrow and I was a goner. As well, the constitution stat was my second lowest stat next to charisma. It would be nice to be more resistant to damage and to last longer in a fight. The last thing I wanted to be was dead weight. I decided to increase my constitution stat and dropped the point there. The number ticked up from nine to ten and I felt a pulse of strength flow through my body as if my very bones suddenly tensed up. My breathing became a bit easier, my mind was more focused and even the pain in my leg had lessened somewhat.
[Maximum Health Points increased from 23 -> 25]
[Current HP: 14/25]
My current health had gone up somewhat as well from the stat increase. However, the math didn’t add up. The last time I saw my stats I was sitting at ten health points back when we finished the fight. If my overall stat increased by two then they should be at twelve. I must have recovered some health while I rested. It made sense. Pretty neat system the game had going for it.
I closed down my interface and turned my attention to Finn who was sitting on the carts front seat with Grebbledel. They were chatting like a student and a professor with Finn drilling the Bogdweller with all sorts of questions.
“Tell me about your family,” Finn said. “Where are they from? Where were you born?”
“I was raised in the deep waters of Elderfen, in a small town called Dremming Pond. I had seven brothers and sisters. Most are now gone the way of the earth. I only have a brother left, though I do not know where he currently resides. A traveler at heart, Bwimlee is.” Grebbledel spoke slowly with his eyes kept forward.
“Fascinating,” Finn said as he rubbed his chin. “You are classified as a wizard. Did you study in the Obsidian Towers?”
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“Of course. To be called a true wizard you must gain the knowledge of those who came before. The Predecessors are the most valuable asset to those of us who become one with the arcane arts. I studied for fifteen years under a master of the seventh floor. A great Tenderbeak of global renown. She was a wonderful teacher.” Grebbledel let his head tilt up towards the cloudy sky, as he let past memories come to light.
“What are the teachings of the seventh floor?” Finn asked. Grebbledel let his head drift down then turned towards me.
“Seems your mind has perfect timing to wake you from your rest, Miles Forester. We are within sight of Aurleaf,” Grebbledel waved for me to come to the front of the cart. I shuffled forward between the various chests and cloth bags and leaned against the rest of the cart’s front seat. I looked out across a long, narrow road leading down a wide hill and into a cozy town.
The town of Aurleaf was surrounded by vibrant groves of apple and cherry trees and patches of farms brimming with corn, watermelons, and cabbages. At the center of town was the bluest lake I had ever seen. It was as perfect as a water painting where each stroke was loving placed by its creator. Its shimmering waters reflected soft lights from the early afternoon sun. Several small boats could be seen drifting atop the glassy water.
The buildings were made of rough-hewn rock with red roofs placed upon their stonework. None stood higher than two stories and each had their own lush gardens of sunflowers, tulips, and dandelions. There were no paved roads in Aurleaf. Every path was a matted road of soft golden dirt that swirled through the town like a flittering ribbon.
Speaking of ribbons, tied to the end of tall poles stuck deep on either side of the road, were colorful strings and flags. They were numerous in their designs. Shades of reds, blues and greens all dancing together with the swift sway of the breeze. Somewhere in the distance I could hear the faint whistling of a flute and the soft plucking of stringed instruments.
“It’s beautiful,” I said. “I’ve never seen anything so… so… colorful.”
“The First Avatar Fair is set to begin tomorrow,” Grebbledel said. “The locals are preparing for a day filled with food, fun, and community. I have a standing room at the Little Acorn every year. Of course, I promised the innkeeper free stories and songs in exchange. I’ll be performing a story tonight after sundown. You are welcome to accompany me to the tavern to see if there is room but seeing as it’s the day before the festival, she may be booked full.”
“We’ll be staying at the Gatefinders Hall,” Finn said as he waved to a group of small Springstep and Brighteyes children come bounding down the path.
“You may find that a difficult task to complete,” Grebbledel said pulling on Revelas’ reins to slow her to a soft trot as we approached a small open gateway. A low stone wall curved far to the left and right of the path, cutting its way through the silver-green fields. The wall came to an ancient arch that had crumbled away long ago. A single unlit torch was placed in a black iron sconce on the taller pillar to the left of the path. There sat a lone and large figure with a dried grass hat set low on its face.
“Why is that?” Finn asked.
“The hall closed down three months ago. They had to move to an old windmill north of the lake,” Grebbledel pulled Revelas to a stop. We came to a halt right next to the round animalkin. I figured the person to be a Shellback considering the large turtle-like shell they rested their fat body against. The Shellback was wearing a tailored leather cuirass seemingly integrated into its natural chest plate. A pair of saggy brown trousers met the Shellback’s bare, leathery feet. He had a single spear in his hand, which he rested against his chest.
Grebbledel wrapped his arms over his knees and waited for the guardsman to greet him. When the Shellback started snoring, Grebbledel let out a loud cough.
“Huh? What… who goes there?” The shellback grunted as he lifted his hat. His turtle-like face was long and wrinkled. The animalkin’s neck sagged farther than his neck and his mouth was dry and crusted. “Pass on through. Pass on. City gates open today for the festival. Move along.”
“Carroway,” Grebbledel said as he leaned forward. “Is this how the great Ironback spends his time? Asleep on guard duty? For all you know, we could be troublemakers come to make unpleasantries.”
Carroway blinked several times, licked his dry mouth, then spat on the dirt. He took in a wet breath, then let out an even wetter cough. “If my old eyes deceive me, whether what I see is true or not, will I never forget the tricks of Grebbledel. It is good to see you. Anaia will be pleased to have you visiting. So will the children.”
“And does my old friend find my presence to be a welcoming present?” Grebbledel quipped.
Carroway let his mouth curve slowly in a sort of half smile. Then without warning, the old shellback stood quicker than I thought and let out the loudest laugh I had ever heard. It was the sound of sawdust blown through the spinning blades of a chainsaw. Rough, loud, and wheezing. Grebbledel joined in the laughter as he reached his hand down to shake Carroways. “The only present I look forward to is the peace that comes from the children fawning over your stories while I rest my tired shell and drink pine ale.”
“I see that your tired shell still carries the weight of the town, doesn’t it?” Grebbledel let go of his hand as Carroway nodded in agreement.
“Who have you brought to Aurleaf? I recognize the sharp eyes of Finn Ashburrow. Been a while since I’ve seen you around and who is this? A Brighteyes I’ve never met before. Welcome young master, what is your name?” Carroway asked between continued licks of the corner of his mouth.
“My name is Miles Forester and I’m… I’m new in town,” I didn’t exactly want to start reiterating my entire back story to every new animalkin I met on the road. I was a stranger in this world, and I was three years behind everyone else in terms of learning what to expect.
“Glad to meet you, Miles,” Carroway said with a wave. “I hope you find your stay in Aurleaf pleasant and peaceful. Though if you plan to make your arrangements with this trickster of a wizard then you may find your stay to be more than eventful.”
“If you are referring to the incident with the crawler, at least the adults knew it wasn’t real,” Grebbledel stroked his beard, and he held back a smile.
“Tell that to the Gatefinders. If there are any left that is.” Carroway began to wave for Grebbledel to move forward when Finn spoke up.
“Where are the Gatefinders if not in Aurleaf?” Finn asked.
“Their numbers are few and far between, Master Ashburrow. Not many still believe in returning to their old worlds. A futile thing or not. Life has been peaceful in Aurleaf as of late. No need for adventurers and heroes when the greatest dangers we face are that of full bellies and broken fishing strings.” Carroway said.
“Is Dravek still the Hallkeeper?”
“Dravek… Hmm Dravek, is he that Riverpaw fella with the golden eyes? Strong as a horse and just as broad?” Carroway asked as he demonstrated with his hands how tall the Riverpaw was.
“Yes, that’s him,” Finn said.
“Hard to say. Haven’t seen him since they left the old hall and moved to the edge of town. Three months or so ago. If he is there, well I’m sure he’ll enjoy the company. A lonely heart is not an ideal life to live. As for you Master Forester. Do try to enjoy the festivities. Adventurers come from all around to participate, learn, and grow. Please enjoy your stay in Aurleaf.” Carroway motioned us forward. As we traveled down the last hundred feet or so to the first homestead, I turned to watch as Carroway waved us goodbye. He then proceeded to sit back down, let his head rest on his chest, and dropped his hat over his eyes. The subtle motions he made astounded me. These were NPCs? They were so lifelike.