True Monsters ¨C Chapter 8 - Forestry and Fishing
Alice explained at the breakfast table, to David and Vivian. ¡°You said that you wanted, some sort of warning, if you ever faced a mage in combat. Different sorts of magic and energy have different properties. Holy or divine power typically glows white and generally really hurts anything demonic or undead, most people know this its common knowledge. Healing magic casts a visible blue aura, ice magic will also generate a blue aura, but it will be very light in colour. Fire magic glows a light red, lightning a dark blue white colour.¡±
She paused recounting a lesson from years ago, ¡°Poisons and corrosive spells produce a dark green colour. Now I have only herd about it. Necromantic magic is meant to be purple with demonic magic being a deep red, finally with vampire magic being a combination of the two.¡± Vivian nodded, ¡°so if we can see the colour of the spell being prepared, we can have some sort of warning right¡±?
She nodded, ¡°That''s the theory I have only seen a few practice duels at the tower. Some mages go rogue, they join up with bandit¡¯s brigands or pirates. A few rouge mages have lived long enough, to pass their teaching onto others. It¡¯s possible to meet a few mages, who have never been in the tower system. If caught they are executed, have their magic sealed or join the tower depending on what they have been doing¡±.
¡°Mages have horribly low health, so in combat they will use minions, or join a group that will compensate by having people with defensive abilities to screen them. A more prepared mage, will find or commission some sort of artefact to negate most physical damage. There are some barrier spells, but unless the mage is a high level they won¡¯t be very effective. You don''t want to be fighting a mage that high level anyway, unless you¡¯re a high level Witch Finder. The best way to deal with a mage is probably an arrow or pistol shot before they can do anything. ¡°
Vivian stared intently, ¡°There can be two exceptions when it is probably very dangerous to take on a mage in any circumstance. The first is if they have a large number of enchanted items. Enchantments can stack quite high, to boost their defences.¡±
¡°The other example is only available to higher level mages. If they get a perk called dormant spells. For a good portion of their mana, they can maintain three to five defensive spell that are dormant until they are attacked. It is a good general rule if a mage can lay down several defensive spells before starting a fight they are a very high level and should be avoided or treated carefully.¡±
Martin joined them, grabbing a bowel full of porridge. ¡°I have spoken to the sheriff, they are planning to do some repairs to the gate house. They need some lumber, so today we are overseeing a group of four wood cutters. They will get a few good sized trees from the edge of the forest. We will probably see a few stragglers, from the thrall wolf pack. But you never know something more powerful might be about¡±.
David shrugged, ¡°there is a small bounty on each, so it will be worth our time¡±. Vivian nodded in agreement, ¡°most mercenary work is assignments like this. Protection for people doing a job in a dangerous areas. Moving something from one place to another. It is our bread and butter, standard guild work protecting mines caravans and logging camps¡±.
There were four men and one rather battered sled. They would be able to fell a tree, put it on the sled and drag it back to the village fairly quickly. Three or four trees would be needed, to fix up the gate house. The woodsmen had a practised fairly efficient method. One cut at the back of the tree, one at the front. Half way through they switched to the other two cutting. A wedge forced into the cut, a few taps of the back of the axe. They could accurately force the tree to fall where they wanted it to. They would trim the trunk, removing all branched very quickly from one site. Then working together they would roll it over and finish the other side. It was done this way to get it over and done with as quick as possible. An iron chain with a hook was used to drag the lumber onto a sled. They removed the wedges from under sled, Martin David lent a hand to move it. The sled groaned and protest, as it was dragged back to the village very fast.
The second log was just cut down, when a group of thrall wolves burst out of the tree line. Martin shouted to the wood cutters, ¡°keep close to the cart. We can¡¯t protect you if you run, the wolves run faster¡±! Invariably someone tried to run, David grabbed them by the shirt. With his strength he pulled them back with ease, ¡°stay together¡± he advised them. The wolves surround them they looked at the wood cutters, who were weak by comparison. Alice sat at the centre of the group with the sled, she had her healing magic on hand if anyone was injured. Three of the woodcutters had axes, the fourth had a mattock a carpentry tool ready to use against the wolves.
Vivian was the first to respond, nailing a wolf with an adrenalin power shot. It didn''t quite go down but it was stunned. Leaving the creature open to further attacks. A pistol ball from Martin smashed into the creatures head. It let out a garbled grow and then collapsed, the shot had finished it off. The wood cutters looked a bit more reassured. The wolf lay dead at their feet, however it was only one creature. The wolves went for the group as one. Martin pulled a dagger from his belt and struck an oncoming thrall wolf. He activated the divine ability, ¡°wrath¡± using a focus throw to hit the beast in the head. The glow of holy light struck the beast for a second, sending it reeling to the ground. It tried to dislodge the throwing knife embedded in its face, twisting around on the floor.
Vivian hit an approaching thrall wolf with two regular arrows, they lodged into the beasts hide but didn''t fully stop it. David squared off against two wolves, he jumped forwards. He released an adrenalin strike at one wolf. The wolf tried to dodge to the side, but it miscalculated. The blow landed on one of its legs crippling it. David followed up with a second power strike, finishing off the first wolf. The second wolf took the opportunity, to dive in under his guard and strike his armoured torso. It did some damage but not much. One of the woodcutters next to Alice had his leg seized in the jaws of a wolf, it started to drag him back.
Alice was ready she used fire bite precisely, hitting the wolf in the face. Boiling one of its eyes out, burning its nose off, charring its cheek and jaws. This left the wolf growling in agony, thrashing about on the floor. It also gave the wood cutter 1st degree burns on his leg. ¡°For fucks sake get the wolf not me¡±. Alice turned to them, ¡°Drag him back hear so I can heal him¡±. One of the wood cutters dragged the man back to them. Alice easily healed his leg with a touch, ¡°there all better¡±. The man grumbled very quietly, ¡°what about the burn holes in my trousers?¡±
Vivian let lose a power shot, into the nearest wolf that was circling them. It skewered the beast, disappearing almost all the way inside it. Yet the creature was still standing, though making an unpleasant gurgling bark, its lungs were probably pierced. It didn''t move very quickly a second arrow nailed it. Alice picked off the wolf Martin had heavily injured, with a fire bite to the neck. It stopped then collapsed dead.
David charged into the wolves, suffering a couple of bites. He struck back with two successive power strikes, he practically cut another wolf in half. Martin unloaded his other pistol into a wolfs flanks, causing the creature to cry out in pain. The creature tried to retreat, a throwing knife empowered by ¡°wrath¡± struck it down. The woodcutters tried to do their best to help, two of them waved their axes about. To keep the wolves at bay, while the other two hurled chunks of wood at the wolves to distract them.
A wolf charged into Vivian she let off an adrenalin power strike, wounding the beast. It was not enough to stop its progress. The wolf grabbed her by the leg and shook her off balance. The beast got her on the floor, Vivian was far from helpless. She still possessed strength far in excess of a normal human. Her boot landed on the wolfs muzzle, with enough force to knock several of its fangs out. Alice had learnt that her fire bite spells, were not powerful enough to overwhelm an opponent. Except when used in numbers that depleted her mana, so she had to learn to aim for weak spots. The thrall wolf attacking Vivian was suddenly neutered, as the area between its legs was engulfed in fire.
The beast gave up on trying to turn Vivian into lunch. Vivian got up picked up one of the thicker cut branches, she beat the injured wolf to death. David charged towards one of the remaining wolves. He used the same strategy of overwhelming the beast, with two consecutive power strikes to kill it. Another wolf fell to a series of three focus throws from Martin, knife after knife hit it. The last wolf injured and on its own turned tail and ran. Martin quickly reloaded his pistol, he used the blessing ¡°wrath¡± to end the creature before it got out of range.
Martin checked over everyone that had been injured, the wolfs were infected with the thrall taint. David looked at him nervously as Martin checked him over, his words were blunt ¡°it¡¯s the thrall taint¡±. David felt a bit of anxiety as Martin reached for his holy symbol, ¡°you have the purge blessing right¡±. David hoped to avoid the pain, of having the corruption burnt out of him. Martin was not playing ball, ¡°I only have one use of that blessing. I want to keep it as a standby, there is quite a lot to do, and you know the drill¡±.
David held out his hand taking his glove off and gripping the offered object. ¡°Ow for fuck sake that hurts ouch¡±, the holy symbol stopped smoking as the taint was manually purified from his body. He turned round ¡°Alice can you heal me thanks¡±, Alice used her healing spell on Vivian''s leg. Then went over and healed David, who was grumbling to himself, ¡°I have to get some plate armour¡±.
Martin¡¯s eyes glowed white and his body twitched, he level up. He continued dragging the dead thrall wolves into a pile to burn. He grinned when the others looked at him, ¡°Level 13¡± they nodded. David and Vivian exchanged a knowing look with Alice, they watched there companion out-level them. They were sure if they were facing bandits or marauders or tribal monsters, they would have the advantage.
Against adversaries that they were more suited to dealing with, the mercenaries could bring their specific training to bare. Alice would have thought something similar, if they had a magical issue to deal with. Then she would be the one going up in levels, her train of thought was interrupted as Alice''s eyes glowed. ¡°Oh for fuc.......¡± and then she collapsed shaking, she was levelling up as well thankfully someone had caught her.
The wood cutter that Alice had saved looked at her concerned, ¡°is she alright, and is that what happens when you use magic?¡± David patted him on the shoulder, ¡°she just ranked up, it¡¯s harder more painful for magic users. Their bodies are frail so they need a few minutes to recover¡±. Vivian looked at David, ¡°you screamed like a child when you levelled up¡±. Martin shrugged ¡°I guess it¡¯s a natural reaction to black out so you can¡¯t feel the pain. You only level when you are out of immediate danger¡±. Vivian took Alice out from the woodcutters grasp and gave her a gentle shake, Alice woke up and grinned sheepishly, ¡°level 8 I¡¯m catching up with you guys¡±.
The rest of the morning went without incident, another two trees were felled. Then striped of their limbs and dragged back to the village without much trouble. When the thrall wolves were more thoroughly decimated, the village would be able to do this sort of thing without the presence of a team of adventures. They would be able to repair the place, the local carpenters would probably go up several levels quite quickly.
David stretched out at the inn ¡°hauling wood like that gives me quite the appetite. In fact I have been feeling hungry quite a lot¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°I have heard about this, as people''s level goes up there body gets stronger. As a result of that they need more food to sustain themselves. A veteran can eat twice as much as a raw recruit, there body needs the energy. Even a skinny mage like Alice is packing away the stew¡±. Alice mouth filled with stew shot an accusing look across the table, but she had to admit that it was more than the cold air making her hungry.
David grinned, ¡°Let¡¯s get a tray of ales and enjoy ourselves.¡± Vivian gave him a look, David looked down. ¡°We don''t get to spend the rest of the day in the tavern, there''s more to do right¡±? She nodded.
Vivian unfolded a piece of paper, ¡°I was updating the map upstairs when I grabbed this request. The food hear is very much the same. They used to supplement it with a bit of fishing, two fishermen disappeared about six months ago. We go to the lake they were fishing in, we check it out try to find what attacked them and check there fish traps. It¡¯s a three mile walk there and back, we get some rations and we go for a walk. We kill whatever monster set its self-up in the fishing hole, so hopefully fish will be back on the menu¡±.
Martin scratched his head, ¡°six months is a long time, and any lead might well be cold by now. It doesn¡¯t hurt to have a look around, monsters supernatural or mundane could be living in this spot. We have options, but if we do find remains is there anything that would identify either of them?¡±
Vivian looked through the notes, ¡°one of them Jacob has a bronze belt buckle in the shape of a horse. The other Rooney has a copper and tin archery medallion, his grandfather won. The families will offer a few bronze for the return of these items. The village will pay a few bronze each, if we bring back there traps and there boat¡±. Alice looked thoughtful, ¡°it could have been something as simple as the fishermen drowning or freezing. After all it was just a side job not their main one.¡±
¡°To confirm anything we need to be able to search the water, I would freeze to death and the three of you would sink with your armour. We should get a hook and some chain or rope, preferably sturdy if we have to drag a boat off the bottom of this lake. Also the fishing traps and boat are probably quite bulky. If we can get a cart or something, it might help us out moving everything.¡± They all agreed to go, they would need torches a cart a sturdy hook and rope.
Fifteen minutes later they set out from the village. David lamented that he had to leave a whole silver, as a deposit on the cart. After what happened to the hunters traps, it was no surprise. He was reassured by Vivian, that it was a worthwhile investment. Vivian had a backpack with oil torches and some rations. Alice barely had enough stamina to carry her padded clothing. She walked behind the cart and kept watch. Vivian David and Martin took turns pulling the cart.
The trail would not have been very well maintained to begin with, it has been neglected for six months. They had to move a fallen tree out of the way. A small bolder had to be rolled of the trail. A few patches of overgrown bushes had to be cut back, they still made good progress. The lake was quite deep and quite long, it was also fairly narrow. The group left the cart at one end, they took the hook and a length of rope. They started to work along the north bank of the lake.
Vivian spied something in the water, ¡°I thought that I saw something move, about two feet down four or five yards long. It could have been a log could have been something else, we should be careful¡±. The four of them kept a wary eye out, the first sign that something had gone wrong was the remains of the first fish trap. It was really a big woven wicker basket, shaped in such a way that fish could get into it easy enough. If they looking for food or shelter, but would have a lot of difficulty getting out the basket. It was pegged in place in the shallows with a stick, it was also torn in half useless. Two hundred yards down the lake a second trap was discovered, it was more accurate to say a third of the trap remained. Moving further down, Martin thought that he saw some movement. He had his pistol pointed over the water, but nothing seemed to be there.
They moved on, at the fourth shallow spot along the bank. There was the remains of the stick and a bit of material, it may have been a net. There seemed to be something in the water, David went fishing with the hook and rope. Vivian, Martina and Alice had their weapons pointed at the water, expecting something to make its entrance very soon. On his third attempt David managed to snag the item. With a good deal of twisting and pulling, he managed to get it off the bottom of the lake. There was resistance, he looked nervous his companions gripped there weapons expectantly.
The sunken mass slowly emerged covered in mud and weeds, but still inert and unrecognisable. With more pulling and a few curses, he got it to the lake shore. They hauled it onto the bank and flipped it over. It was about two thirds of the fishermen''s boat. It was charitable calling it a boat, having been very poorly build in the first place. The timber didn''t fit right, it seemingly irregular on its keel. It looked like it had been cracked by a heavy impact, there was a bite mark on one side of the wood. The Mark was about 2 foot across maybe more. There were the remains of a boot or shoe, wedged between two splintered boards from the hull. Gingerly David pulled it free he looked inside, nothing was there.
Something broke the surface of the water, it was large easily twice as long as man was tall. Vivian let an arrow lose, Martin let a pistol shot go. The arrow hit, the pistol shot seemed to barely penetrate the water. The creature splashed about thrashing dislodging the arrow, then swam deeper into the water.
They hastily checked around the edge of the lake. They found a small camp with little more than a fire place made with rocks. The fire burnt out long ago, a wind break made from wood and mud. Further investigation found another four smashed up fish traps. David looked at the others ¡°whatever is in the lake got them, some sort of ranked up catfish. One of the old drill instructors told me. He used to fish along the rivers, when he was security for the barges. Big fish would grow large enough to take people, kids first then adults. He said they were some wear around level 13-19, when they start going for people. I thought he was full of shit but now, I saw it so did you¡±.
David looked exasperated, ¡°Is there anything in this world that won''t grow to gigantic proportions and try to eat us¡±? Martin scratched his head, ¡°god knows how old that thing is? It¡¯s not natural some sort of blood alchemy. Long ago the creature was probably designed by some magic user to grow fast as food. Then like so many things it got out of hand, now it¡¯s great, great whatever is eating people¡±. Alice wondered, ¡°How do we get that thing, my fire bite spells can¡¯t penetrate water?¡± Vivian looked at it objectively, ¡°arrows can pierce the water, but it would just dive again same with a power shot¡±. David toyed with the handle to his sword, ¡°I don''t think that I could wade in and get it. I am not sure of the shallows, in this much equipment I can¡¯t swim¡±.
Martin looked about, ¡°we need to lure it to the edge of the water. To uses our self as bait is fucking stupid, we get a rabbit or a mountain goat. We use what we catch with the hook as bait, we can tie it off to a tree. Then when the monster goes for the bait we kill it.¡± Martin scanned around the lake there was a target. At the limit of his pistols he used a focus shot, he wounded a mountain goat.
It was hit in the left hind leg at the joint. The animal bleated and screeched in agony, as it tried to hobble away. Martin casually walked over and grabbed it by the leg, dragging it to the water. The animal panicked and tried to butt him with its horns to no avail. Martin didn''t even register as the goat screamed in pain. He put the hook through its other good leg, the goat tried to pull away but it was crippled completely now. David looked queasy, ¡°oh for fucks sake!¡± Alice looked like she was going to throw up. Vivian looked at them ¡°grow up neither or you did kitchen duty before?¡± Alice shook her head, ¡°not in years we have servants for that sort of thing at the tower¡±. David shook his head, ¡°you know I only peeled vegetables¡±.
Martin pointed out a spot, ¡°We tie the rope to that tree. Then we loop the rope around the other trunk, me Vivian and David pull it out of the water as soon as it hooks itself.¡± None of the others had a better idea. The goat was unceremoniously thrown in the water a few minutes later. It did an excellent job of attracting the massive fish, splashing around and bleeding into the water. First there was a shadow, then the tip of a fin. The beast burst from the water, it was quick as a flash and the goat was swallowed in its large round jaws.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
The fish dived back into the water, turning to head out of the shallow lake edge. It was hooked, the rope creaked ominously, the three of them pulled. The water seemed to boil, as the aquatic beast had a very nasty surprise. It tried to expel, the iron hook lodged in the side of its mouth. The three of them pulled harder, they had the mechanical advantage with the rope and tree. They had the equivalent strength of seven or eight regular people. The beast was slowly dragged to the shore, due to the adventures determination. It was like a cross between and eel and a catfish, a blotchy dark green black complexion. It had a certain, almost intelligent look in its eyes.
As soon as its head was above water, Alice hit it with a precisely aimed fire bite, burning its left eye out. The creature went ballistic as it writhed about in pain. It was soon dragged onto the shore of the lake. Martin let the two mercenary''s keep it busy pulling on the rope, he unloaded both his pistols into the beast. Then they switched round, Vivian got her bow she put an adrenalin power shot into its skull. They wanted to make sure that everyone got some credit for the kill.
David approached the creature with his shield held high. The beast¡¯s throat spasmed, it hurled a glob of caustic brown green goo at David. He stopped it with shield in an easy block, allowing the mass to slide down and hit the mud. He stepped over it, he managed to stun the beast with an adrenalin strike to its head. He followed up by two more regular cuts. The beast finally succumbed to the onslaught, leaving it twitching on the ground dead. Martin and Vivian let go of the rope and breathed a sigh of relief.
Martin eyes glowed his body shifted and contorted, it forcibly grew and his capabilities expanded. His overall level was now 25, a level 14 vampire hunter and a level 11 craftsman. The change was barely affecting him now. He looked around waiting for any of the others to level up, nothing happened. The bonus exp the blessing on his equipment was giving him must be immense. ¡°I levelled up there can¡¯t have been anything else around here, otherwise it wouldn''t have kicked in. We must have got the creature that killed those people¡±
David looked at the beast, ¡°that fish must be one and a half tones maybe two. We won¡¯t get paid for the fishing boat and traps. That much meat has to be worth something. Even if we get a brass penny for every pound, it would be worth the effort of hauling it back.¡± Vivian grinned, ¡°yes we have the cart it will be awkward, but I guess we will be eating fish for a while¡±, Alice observed ¡°how do you preserve something that big?¡± Martin held his hand out, ¡°purify¡± a glow briefly surrounded the catch of the day.
¡°I think that there was a smoking shed in the village, its cold enough to keep anyway. They will probably cut it into strips then smoke it. They dry out and preserve some of the meat plus it improves the flavour.¡± David looked at him accusingly, ¡°I just had to be sure no taint or disease affected the population, so I used purify on it. I guess it¡¯s enough meat for a month¡±.
Alice''s tummy rumbled, ¡°These people don¡¯t get much meat on average do they¡±. Martin shrugged, ¡°until the thrall wolf population grew too large they hunted raised some livestock and fished. So they would have been able to supplement the farming quite well¡±. Vivian added ¡°this area supported a town over five times the size at one point. With the monster population under control, things will get better for them¡±.
David banged his sword on his shield, to get everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Thrall wolves, talking about culling the monster population, we are about to get a chance¡±. The dread thrall wolf and five of the more mundane thrall wolves, were racing out of the tree line straight towards them. The dread thrall wolf howled and charged forwards. It recognised them and it was pissed. Martin cursed, ¡°oh shit¡± he should have been reloading his pistol, not been talking. He used his focus reload ability, his fingers blurred as he rapidly reloaded his weapon. He expended focus so it took a fifth of the time, to reload the weapon, he was prepared.
The dread Thrall wolf had certainly seen better days, its wounds were far from closed. It was covered with burn marks, punctures and broken arrow heads in its side. Still it moved without any restriction. For all the damage they had done, the creature was still a great danger. It had five of its lesser brethren with it. The creature was more than ready for round 2, gnashing its jaws and growling. Martin had his pistol ready, a confident expression on his face. Prepared he used his focus shot ability to make a pin point attack.
The dread thrall wolf alpha collapsed and writhed in pain. One of its eye sockets was a bloody mess, the beast was stopped in its tracks. Martin grinned having taken its eye, ¡°that was silver it won¡¯t grow back any time soon you bastard¡±. The beast seemed to understand him as the silver burnt the great wolfs tainted flesh. Its other eye was clear and full of cold hate. The alpha fought through the pain, it got up charging forwards. David met the creature using an adrenalin block technique, he interrupted its attack. By smacking it in the face hard enough to bend the iron plate in the centre of his shield.
The stunned beast had to twist its head away. Alice tried to burn its other eye out with a fire bite spell. It barely reacted in time, getting away with some singed fur. Vivian hit the beast centre of mass with an adrenalin shot. Her bow moved in a blur, the wood creaked and the string twanged, she was already reaching for a second arrow.
The rest of its pack caught up to the dread thrall wolf, they closed to attack. Alice aimed for the nearest wolf and sent two fire bite spells towards it. One hit it in the jaw the second in the neck, sending the beast into a panicked frenzy. Martin hit the nearest thrall wolf with a series of three focus throws. Striking the beast in the neck, severing an artery. The wolf started bleeding out, it fell down twitching about in a pool of blood. The next thrall wolf got far closer and managed to jump at him. It clamped its jaws around his neck biting down hard. Vivian sent two power shots into one of the thrall wolves, killing it with the second strike. David warded off one thrall wolf with his sword. He was at the point of exhaustion and out of flashy moves. He used the terrain keeping the wolf between himself and the dread thrall wolf. Stopping one eye from attacking for the moment.
Martin as a vampire hunter had a very thick neck guard. However the wolf was still doing damage, its jaws were cutting into his cheeks. Martin didn''t stand there and let it happen. He still had three throwing knives, one by one he pushed them into the wolfs flesh. It still held on, trying to rip his throat out. Stubbornly trying to chew its way through his armour. A wooden stake emerged from the folds of Martins jacket. He cursed and shoved the wood into the wolf¡¯s throat. The beast let go and fell to the floor. Martin drew his wooden mall back, using a focus strike to hit the creature precisely on the skull. It lay there twitching on the floor, Martin used his focus re-lode ability to get his pistol ready. Alice hit the downed wolf in the face with two more fire bites. The beast seemed to be trying to cough or choke, its airway had been burnt shut leaving it to suffocate. Alice turned her attention to the main event.
Vivian pulled her bow back and let an adrenalin shot slam into the dread wolfs shoulder. The arrow buried itself into the creature¡¯s unnatural flesh. Vivian had almost nothing left to power her abilities, she drew back the bow with her regular strength and took aim. She still had over a dozen arrows to lose at the beast. Martin closed with the wolf in-front of him, stabbing it twice in the side. The beast howled and backed off. One eye got fed up with this game and knocked the other wolf out of the way. David could barely bring his shield up to block the wolfs charge. He was knocked on his ass, the second strike sent his shield flying. This left him exposed, he brought up his sword to try and block. The third strike from the wolf dealt massive damage to David, it bit down on his chain-mail covered torso.
Martin used his blessings, ¡°divine retribution¡± he unloaded a focus shot into the beast¡¯s side to get its attention. The holy damage caused it to glow for a second and shudder. It quickly switched its attention to Martin. Vivian screamed, ¡°No¡± she rushed over grabbed David and dragged him backwards towards Alice, while Martin distracted one eye. Alice quickly used her powerful master healing spell three times, for good measure. David''s back straightened out and his shoulder popped back into place. Vivian hugged him with enough strength to crush bone. Then handed his sword back to him, ¡°Don''t drop your shield again¡±. Martin used the rest of his blessings, gripping his holy symbol ¡°guardian angel, armour of faith, shield of faith, holy aura¡±.
One eye considered its chances, it could feel the holy aura sapping its health. The number of defensive blessings around the other two legged prey made it quite hard to hurt, it knew this from experience. Vivian and Alice started to pelt the creature with arrows and magic, three fire bite spells and two arrows, nailed its hide. It made up its mind turning tail and running towards the tree line, two more fire bite spells trailing behind it.
Martins various defensive blessings slowly faded. He began to re-lode his first pistol. ¡°Well I can see why old one eye lived long enough to become an alpha and a dread wolf. He''s smart enough to let us wear ourselves out on other monsters. Smart enough to retreat when things went bad. He¡¯s probably been watching us waiting for an opportunity, quite intelligent¡±. Vivian slapped David hard enough to cause damage, ¡°Basic training keep your shield strapped to your arm got it¡±. David rubbed his head, ¡°alright I get it thanks for saving my life¡±. Alice shrugged, ¡°we all saved you we worked as a team. Martin distracted it Vivian got you out of the way and I healed you¡±. He nodded ¡°your right thanks everyone¡±.
The last injured thrall wolf twitched and died. Martin felt his eyes glow and the familiar process of his body growing stronger. His hands continued to re-lode his pistol as he levelled up. He smiled at level 15 he could now access the next group of blessings. Well after a long rest, he would have another use of the wrath blessing. Making four in total, two more purify blessings. In the future he could remove most mundane afflictions from the rest of the party. He had fortress of faith, a defensive blessing twice as strong as shield of faith, a single use per day but still very potent. He had circle of consecration an ability that could make an area very temporarily clean from the undead a useful rest bite.
The best addition to his arsenal was the blessing of smite. A massive electrical attack twice as powerful as divine retribution. He had also picked over his last few level ups the combat medic skill. In case a member of the group suffered a complex wound. One that could not easily be treated with an application of magic. Removing an arrow or some sort of fracture, where bones had to be put in place.
David felt his eyes glow then his body spasmed. He grunted in pain as he levelled up and grew stronger. He had four levels in sword and shield he was a balanced front line fighter. Now his comprehensive training ability went up to level 2. He could train up militia''s, turning a group of villagers into an effective shield wall. A single high level mercenary, given time could train an army. David turned to Martin, ¡°tip¡± Martin tossed the flask to David who took a little sip coughed and threw it back. Vivian collapsed going through her level up, she had pushed her bow proficiency up to level 8 the maximum skill level for a mercenary. She could still get complementary skills, her proficiency with her primary weapon was maxed out.
Martin held out the flask, Vivian shook her head ¡°no thanks¡±. Alice''s eyes glowed and she slipped into unconsciousness. Her mind expanded to accommodate the improved fire bite spell. Now she had mastered the healing spell she was going to slowly improve her offensive abilities. When she got to level 10, her casting efficiency would go up by 20 percent. Effectively giving her another six spell uses, as she would be using 4 mana a time rather than 5.
They gathered there spent arrows and throwing knives. They set about burning the remains of the dead thrall wolves. They relaxed slightly as they had some rations and looked at the fish. David looked at Vivian, ¡°about the reward those items could still be somewhere inside it?¡± Vivian looked at him, ¡°you want the reward you check inside it¡±. He looked back, ¡°no you¡±. Martin shrugged he took off his jacket and folded it up. Underneath his jacket was a complex harness of leather straps connected to his armour, containing stakes a mallet various tools and equipment.
Martin removed his gloves and bracer''s, first he checked inside the creatures jaw. Then he pulled a throwing knife from its sheath and felt the edge. Martin paused, he sharpened it against a stone. He set about gutting the giant fish. His first cut was a little too shallow but on the second the fish started to open. He spend a quarter of an hour going through its guts. There were lots of stones some bones, finally he found the two items, the belt buckle and an archery medallion. They were pulled out a little bent up, wrapped in a fragment of netting and a few scraps of cloth. Alice nodded, ¡°at least their families get a bit of closure¡±. David half grinned, ¡°And we get a few extra coin.¡± Vivian cleaned the items up while Martin cleaned himself up, with the cold water of the lake.
It was getting dark when they finally got back to the village. They explained the situation and handed the personal effects over to the sheriff. He handed them 30 brass coins. The apothecary roused a few of the villagers, the inn staff to butcher the fish and store it. The fish was agreed at a price of 90 brass coins and the party was paid. David looked very relieved when he got his 1 silver deposit back for the cart etc. They would get a good night¡¯s sleep, after a few ales. Then maybe see the apothecary in the morning. For something to cover up the fishy smell, that Martin had acquired while rooting about.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
|
|
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
10 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
80/80 |
Adrenalin |
50/50 |
|
|
| Strength |
16 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level attack bonus |
10 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
10 |
|
|
| Bonus base weapon damage |
30 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L2 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L1 |
| Perks |
| Intensive Training +1 endurance and Strength |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
|
|
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
10 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
80/80 |
Adrenalin |
40/40 |
|
|
| Strength |
16 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
10 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
10 |
|
|
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
30 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L2 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
| Sword proficiency L4 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L1 |
| Shield proficiency L4 |
Adrenalin power block L1 |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
|
|
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
9 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
42/42 |
Mana |
125/125 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
14 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
9 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
9 |
|
|
| Number of Spells can Maintain |
1 |
|
|
| Base Spell Cost 5 Mana |
|
|
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L1 |
Analyse Magic L1 |
| Recharge Enchantment L1 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 damage + 2 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Tracking fire bite improved (7 damage + 2 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Touch heal master (15 heal + 6 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 heal +1 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
|
|
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
15 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
233/233 |
Focus |
130/130 |
|
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
25 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
26 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
26 |
|
|
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
| Resist Poison |
Holy Symbol usage L1 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L4 |
Overload Shot L1 |
| Focus Shot L1 |
Focus re-lode L1 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L1 |
| General Melee Weapons L2 |
Focus strike L1 |
| Focus Parry L1 |
Focus Multi Throw L1 |
| Combat Medic support skill L2 |
|
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 3 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 1 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armour |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
| Leather Working L3 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 15 points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
| Survivors Guilt |
True Monsters – Chapter 9 – What Lies Buried.
True Monsters ¨C Chapter 9 ¨C What Lies Buried.
The group of adventures had a relatively relaxed morning. Sleeping away exhaustion, having gotten back very late from there impromptu fishing trip. They had a bit of a lie in, Martin was the first up. Having so much endurance probably helped him recover the quickest. Vivian and David, were the next to stir from there slumber. David was suffering from a bit of a sore head, from the night before. Slowly his memory came back to him in abject horror, he remembered as he checked his coin purse. He had gotten drunk, then the gambler in the corner had invited him to as he put it, a friendly little game.
Vivian had eventually dragged him away, before his losses got too bad. His hand gripped the table in their main room, ¡°I will ring that cheating gamblers neck.¡± his purse was about a third lighter, he gritted his teeth, ¡°that dam bastard¡±. Vivian looked at him, ¡°don''t do anything that will get us in trouble, we are not above the law¡±. Martin interrupted them, adding his two bronze worth on the issue, ¡°if he is cheating, then the sheriff has grounds to get your money back. If we can catch him cheating, then we can go to the authorities. Otherwise it is best to wait, that old man is a parasite, who has been cheating the villagers hear for years. However he is low on our priority list at the moment¡±. David grimaced, ¡°I suppose he isn''t going anywhere¡±.
Vivian was now sure, that David was not going to do anything stupid. She set about busily sharpening, the iron arrows she had left, with a wet stone and a bit of oil. When she was finished, she passed the wet stone to David. Who sharpened his sword, it had a small nick on it and the blade was ever so slightly bent. But it was holding up to the combat quite well, his shield was not. Martin had a look at the shield, he was quick and processional. ¡°It¡¯s close to falling apart, I can put a band of leather round the edge to hold it together for now. Plus a few more iron bands on the surface. But you need to get something sturdier, very soon.¡± David nodded, ¡°when we next get to a good sized town, I am getting a better shield, if I don''t lose all my money¡±.
Alice emerged from her room, ¡°let¡¯s go see what that thing tasted like¡±. David handed the sharpening stone to Martin, who began to put a fine edge on his throwing knives. ¡°I will join you in a minute, after the food I will fix up your shield, David nodded ok. Vivian examined her bow string with a frown, she sighed. Give me a few minutes, I need to change the string over. Alice and David left there companions to their equipment, they went down to the breakfast table.
There was fish soup, fried stakes of fish and a kind of fish paste. All of it was quite edible, and proved to be a pleasant change, from the rest of the local cuisine. Vivian slowly walked over to the table, ¡°the fish smells good¡±. She sat down and started to eat, ¡°I might get Martin to make me a new quiver. The one I have, from the free company quarter masters, is a bit small. Thirty or forty arrows might be better. I can have it in sections, some silver ones for the supernatural, some bodkin heads for anything with a thick hide and some broad heads for anything else¡±. Martin joined them, picking up a bowl of soup and a large spoon. Trying to perform an act of magic, by making as much fish disappear as fast as possible.
Martin got up from the table, nodded to everyone else and went off, to repair David''s shield as best as he could. He went to the local blacksmith, for want of a better word. The man was incredibly badly equipped. He could scrounge up a few bits of iron, to reinforce the shield for David. Not for free, but at a reasonable discount. Alice went upstairs and started to go through her books, she had a mind with a greater aptitude for magic now. The levelling up process, forced her consciousness to expand. The texts in front of her were far easier to understand, it was with far greater clarity that she now understood, exactly how little she really knew.
Vivian went to look over the map in there room. David stretched and did a little practice fighting with his sword, two handed techniques. Martin returned with the shield, noting David practising outside, ¡°this is the best I could do with the tools and materials available. Vivian had me add this loop to it, so that if it gets knocked away, it will still remain in your hand¡± David picked up the shield and examined it, slipping it onto his arm, ¡°good that will help¡±.
As Vivian was studying the map there was a knock on the door. She turned round hand on her bow, ¡°enter¡±. One of the village guards a man named hob walked in. ¡°excuse me, after your success yesterday, sending the wolves packing. We went out to get some more lumber. Two of the guards and a dozen of the militia. We got a bit of timber but we also saw some tracks real big ones. One eye I think you called him. But it seemed to have been digging out a den¡±. The guard pointed to a spot on the map, quite close to the village. Vivian nodded, ¡°the wolf was hear¡±, she pointed to the map, ¡°what about it?¡± the guard explained, ¡°the sheriff wants you to check it out. If the beast has made a den close to the village, you can corner it and kill it today¡±.
The guard left, Vivian knocked on Alice''s door. ¡°Gear up we have a hunt, hopefully we finish one eye off today¡±. Alice sighed and put down her book, ¡°I will be with you in a minute¡±. Alice bundled herself up, mittens scarf heavy woollen cloak padded cap and armour. She grabbed her staff and joined Vivian, who had her bow and arrows ready, with a spare string on hand if one snapped. They went downstairs not seeing Martin or David, they went outside. The group met up, Martin had all his equipment already. Vivian had some oil and torches in her back pack.¡±
Vivian turned to them all, ¡°they did a bit more wood cutting, when we left to take care of the big fish. The group saw one eye digging outside of town, he might have been preparing some sort of den. The sheriff wants us to check it out.¡± David grinned, ¡°I can already feel the reward money in my hands¡±. Alice gripped her staff, ¡°it will be good to get this over with¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°I agree on that point¡±. The group left town and skirted around the fields. Until they came to part of the forest, it looked like there was a hill or mound that had been covered in tree growth. Two small trees and a lot of earth had been disturbed. The group was on high alert, tightly packed ready for more thrall wolves to burst out from the hole or from the forest.
Martin felt an odd sensation, he gripped his holy symbol. ¡°I think it¡¯s a burial mound, an old one¡±. Vivian looked unsure, ¡°what''s going on¡±? David positioned himself, with his shield raised in-front of the open hole. Martin and David got closer, with Vivian and Alice prepared to offer supporting fire. Martin had a pistol in one hand, his holy symbol in the other. ¡°I can see paw marks, something dug this up. The thrall wolf alpha most likely¡±. Alice looked about, ¡°it¡¯s smart it prepared some sort of trap for us¡±. David looked at the hole, ¡°more thrall wolves, perhaps it woke up another monster?¡± Vivian looked at the mound, ¡°how old could that thrall wolf be¡±? Martin shrugged, ¡°It could have been around when the town was invaded by vampires. The thrall taint can slow down animals ageing process, why¡±.
David sighed and took a step towards the hole, ¡°you think the wolf might have woken one of its masters up right. We have a hunter with us for this reason, give me the light¡±. Vivian nodded and handed him a torch, he hung from his shield. Martin looked about, ¡°if it is a vampire, then now is the best time to fight it. When it is trapped inside, we can still retreat if things go wrong¡±. Nervously they went inside. Alice had a second light, suspended from her staff. There was a short earthen tunnel, which changed to a stone tunnel. Then it opened into a round chamber with nothing in it but a second corridor, leading off into a square room about ten foot by ten foot.
There were roots growing in through the ceiling, the entire place was quite damp. A stone slab was placed at the far end of the room. A sheet covered the slab, it was mouldy and paper thin, a shroud. There was a box by the end of the slab, as David and Martin entered, the shroud moved.
Martin steeled the grip on his pistol, the sheet revealed an emaciated white body. With strands of oily hair, it had fangs bared and hungry hollow eyes, long nails. It looked to be about five foot eight inches tall. Its eyes were vacant animalistic, without comprehension. David took a step back, as the creature hissed. David could feel his pulse raise and his neck muscles tightened. He was going to drop his sword and reach for the silver dagger, ¡°is that a fucking vampire¡±? Martin shot it in the face with his pistol. It took a step forwards, not flinching looking more puzzled than hurt. Martin shrugged drawing his second pistol, ¡°close a failed vampire¡±.
The beast stepped forwards, aiming for David rather than Martin. A power strike from his steel blade did little, an adrenalin block from his shield smashing the creature in the face. It was sent staggering back two steps. Martin knew that a vampire and certain related creatures, often had a certain level of supernatural durability. Called a blood aura, around then this would need to be worn away, before they could actually take damage. Martin raised his holy symbol, ¡°circle of concentration¡±. A white glow spread out around him, fifteen feet on the floor. The creature started to hiss in pain, as the soles of its feet burnt Martin. He shouted at the rest of the group, ¡°It¡¯s old over a century. It¡¯s been hear but it¡¯s very weak, as long as it doesn''t get the opportunity to feed, attack and don''t hold back¡±.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Alice sent three improved fire bites at the Wight''s head. The creature screamed in pain and advanced. Vivian sent an adrenalin power shot, with a silver arrow into its chest. Sending it staggering backwards. Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°smite¡± a bolt of lightning seemed to arc from the metal symbol and struck the wight. Sending it staggering back, with a two inch deep burn wound in its chest. The monster became serious, it knocked Martin flying. He got back up, ¡°fortress of faith¡± a white shield glowed translucently over him. Its front looked like it had a picture of a castle on it.
Vivian let lose another adrenalin strike, with her second silver arrow into the wight. It staggered back but didn''t stop. Alice sent four more fire bite spells over David, to land on the beast. Martin reloaded and shot his second pistol. Causing a little damage as hot lead hit ancient emaciated flesh. The glowing shield around him took two hits and cracked. He received another blow staggering back, Martin used his focus reload ability and the blessing ¡°shield of faith¡± the wight landed another blow, cracking the defensive blessing in one strike.
David stepped in with another adrenalin block, interrupting the wight and allowing Martin to reload. Vivian hit the creature with three more power shots. Using normal iron arrows, they did little damage. Alice hit the creature with two more fire bite spells. The monster was resistant to magic but still suffered damage. The fire was leaving deep burn marks on its flesh. Martin prepared his next attack, ¡°divine retribution¡±. He hit the monster in the face with a focus aimed overload shot, with two silver bullets. The beast grabbed the top of its skull and howled in pain, as a chunk of its flesh and bone was blown away.
The creature was quite mindless, it went for David again. Only to be knocked back again with another adrenalin block. Martin gripped his holy symbol added a blessing to his next attack, ¡°wrath¡± a focus throw with the knife struck the wight in the leg causing it to stagger. Vivian hit it with two more adrenalin power shots, Alice added two more fire bites. Martin activated another blessing, ¡°holy aura¡±. The monster was taking damage, just being too close to Martin and his holy symbol. It tried to move towards the exit. David stopped it with another adrenalin block, this time the monster was sent staggering backwards six feet.
The wight tried to move forwards, Martin held his holy symbol out, ¡°wrath¡±. The heavy steel symbol collided with what was left of the monsters face, in a glow of holy light. The creature dropped to its hands and knees. The smoking ruin of the creatures face looked up at them. Martin held his holy symbol again, ¡°wrath¡±. He brought it down again into the creature¡¯s face, the monsters skull cracked. It fell to the floor moving slowly. Martin reached into his coat and pulled out a stake, he let his holy symbol dangle from his wrist by a leather strap. He pulled his mallet from the folds of his coat. The rest of the group stood by, in case the creature required further pacification.
The stake skewered its chest and the monster began to struggle. Martin hit it in the face twice more with the wooden mallet, before hitting it in the chest once more. The beast convulsed then lay still, its flesh shrank back exposing its skeleton. The flesh desiccated and cracked like old parchment, then crumbled into dust. The bones twitched blackened and then fell apart. Martin got up and grinned, ¡°Our first vampire, well not technically a vampire but close enough¡±.
Martin¡¯s eyes glowed as he felt himself level, he reached for his pistols and started to reload. A good solid kill, one less monster in the world he felt a real moment of true elation. David lent against the side of the tomb, his eyes glowed and his body shook. He twitched and spasmed as the change occurred, but the pain was starting to dull. The new strength of his body was always welcome. Vivian took a deep breath and it began. She started to see the world with clarity she reached out, it was as if she had undergone weeks or maybe even more time training. She had acquired the speed shooting skill, allowing her to be much quicker. Then the pain and spasms came, as her body and mind were forcefully expanded, she was getting better at handling the pressure.
Alice felt the level up overtake her. She was sitting down holding her staff, then Martin was gently shaking her awake. She had finally gotten to level ten, her body had changed it was a more efficient vessel. Allowing her to use spells with a bit less mana, allowing her to cast five or six more spells per day. Martin picked up his throwing knives, Vivian recovered her arrows. Martin pulled a pair of pliers out of his jacket and poked about the remains of the vampire/wight. He pulled out a single fang. He looked quizzically, then checked his mallet one fang was wedged into the wooden surface. He pulled it free and pocketed the fangs. ¡°We can get a reward for this kill, at a hunter¡¯s outpost or large church¡±. David seemed enthusiastic, ¡°how much?¡± Martin waved his hand, ¡°it might be as good as five silver each.¡± Alice looked at Martin, ¡°you took a battering from that thing, let me heal you¡±. Martin nodded and two healing spells later, his ribs didn''t feel quits so lose. They doused the remains in oil and set it on fire for good measure.
Alice looked about the room, ¡°I won''t be surprised if old one eye turns up and tries to kill us now¡±. David nodded, ¡°It would fit, I will take point, and hopefully we can end him this time¡±. They advanced out of the tomb, the dread thrall wolf alpha appeared almost as battered, as the last time they had left him. Martin grinned, ¡°Cleaver beast waited for us to kill the wight, so we would use up our resources hoped to catch us weak¡±, the alpha wolf charged, David had his shield ready. ¡°You woke that thing up¡±, Martin spoke to Vivian, ¡°go for its legs, cripple it so it can¡¯t get away¡±.
Before the dread thrall wolf could close the distance, three other thrall wolves burst out of the bushes and attacked Alice and Vivian. Alice couldn''t even manage a spell, before a wolf sunk its fangs into her leg, with a sickening crunching sound. Vivian managed to hit one with a power shot, before the second one grabbed onto her arm.
Alice let lose a series of seven fire bite spells, hitting herself and the thrall wolf with the first one. Then the beast again and again, until it was dead the last two spells might not have been necessary. Vivian launched herself sideways, slamming the wolf against a tree. Forcing the beast to let go of her. Vivian let lose another power shot into the downed beast, then quickly followed up with more shots ending both wolves.
Meanwhile Martin had used his guardian angel blessing, to protect himself as he emptied both pistols into the thrall wolfs head, with focus shots. David went all out hitting the beast with four adrenalin strikes to its front leg, finally it collapsed on its side. Vivian checked that Alice was ok, then started to pepper the alpha wolf with bow shots. Martin threw his knives into the beast, finally claiming its second eye. The thrall wolf alpha let out a mournful howl, it tried to crawl away back into the wood. Martin used his focus reload ability then carefully aimed a shot. Striking the alpha and piercing its brain one last time, dropping it dead. Its feet pawed at the air as if it was trying to take one final step, then it stopped falling limp. David looked at it, ¡°not so good for you this time¡±.
There was a scream from Alice, she was hysteric, ¡°I used my healing magic, but it didn''t work I can¡¯t stand!!¡± Martin got close, ¡°I have the combat medic skill, let me look at it¡±. Nervously Alice pulled up her clothing showing Martin her leg, he reached out and firmly gripped the kneecap. He tried to explain calmly, ¡°when the wolf bit you it twisted the leg round. When you healed it the leg was out of alignment, this is going to hurt do you want a drink¡±? There were tears in Alice''s eye she nodded.
Martin gave her a sip from his flask, she felt her senses dull. He looked at her, ¡°on the count of 5 4¡± Then her senses sharply came back into focus, with the wave of pain. He hadn''t counted all the way distracting her. There was a cracking and twisting pop, the leg was correctly lined up. Martin held it in place and nodded, Alice used her healing magic again. She was able to bend the leg correctly, a few seconds later. ¡°Dam wolves I need some light armour or something¡±. She walked over to the charred remains of the wolf. She cried then kicked it, hit it with her staff and spat on it.
The level up kicked in, Martin was stunned as his eyes glowed twice. The thrall wolf must have been quite close to level 20 as he had gotten enough xp to level up twice. Now at level 18 it was a shock, he grinned at the sensation. Everyone else got a single level for it. But then Martin did get bonus exp for vampires and there servants. David and Vivian hit level 12, improving their respective skills. Alice now at level 11 had now upgraded her fire bite spell, to the grand version. It now packed a reasonable punch.
David struck his head with his palm pointing to the tomb, ¡°Let¡¯s check out what was left behind¡±. They found some silver 5 about 57 bronze coins. Some mouldy documents that were completely illegible. Martin looked about, ¡°whatever vampire this wight called master is long dead, this stash was pitiful¡±. David looked at him, ¡°you called it a failed vampire why, it looked like a vampire¡±. Martin explained, ¡°It was a human that was turned by a vampire. The body made it across from the grave, the mind didn''t, it was an animal really no intelligence to speak of. Plenty dangerous though, about one in 20-30 vampires turned, end up as one of these things and it was old to. If it had the opportunity to feed we would be dead¡±.
They looked for any secret stashes then gave up. Vivian turned gesturing, ¡°what about that dread thrall wolf¡±, Martin turned to David, ¡°would you do the honours we need its head¡±. Lots of chopping later and the beast¡¯s massive head, was severed from its body. Martin checked Vivian and Alice ¡°purify purify just to be certain you were bitten¡±. He walked over to the severed head, ¡°purify just to make it safe.¡± he looked at David who was a little worried.
Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°you¡¯re clean this time¡±. They burnt the rest of the remains. Martin carried the head and they returned to the village. The head of the dread thrall wolf was hung above the inn, the mayor made a speech and handed out the 40 silver bounty. They split it evenly, more money than each of them had seen in their lives, not that any of them had seen much money before then.
There was a celebration, that creature had been a plague on the community for decades going back as far as living memory. Everybody had lost one friend or relative to it over the years. They sat in the inn and drank ale after ale. A farmer came up to them, he was skinny but looked happy. He shook their hands, ¡°I''m John Dunn¡± a 23 year old level 4 farmer level, 4 militia man. He had an infectious charm, ¡°you might have herd it a few times or maybe this is the first time. But thank you, you saved our lives that dread wolf killed my dad now I have peace, I will remember this. I will use your example to live by. But in a more material compensation, I am buying you a round of the good stuff¡±. David slapped him on the back, he liked this man.
True Monsters – Chapter 10 – Scavengers
True Monsters ¨C Chapter 10 ¨C Scavengers
Alice was walking through the Forrest. She had lost the rest of the group, it was dark and growing darker. She had her staff by her side, there was a howl then another. She turned something lashed out from the shadow. She screamed out in pain as her right leg broke. She tried to crawl back, as a set of jaws darted out of the darkness. They clamped on her other leg, she heard rather than felt the snap as her bones broke. She screamed, ¡°No not like this no¡±, trying to summon her magic. But the jaws sank into her wrist, before the spell was fully formed. She screamed again and again, as the jaws clamped on her leg, she was dragged into the darkness.
Alice woke up in a cold sweat, she was half wrapped in the covers. It was cold her breathing was rapid, her mind was unfocused. She pulled the covers close, she reached out and grabbed her magic staff. There was something comforting, in having the lump of well-worn oak in her hand. Its weight its solidity. Maybe she would get Vivian, to show her. How to swing a staff about, as a weapon. Certain haunting images filled her mind, she needed to check. She felt with her hands, her leg was fine. It felt fine, she pulled up her clothing, examining her legs.
The one that had been healed and the one that was originally uninjured. They looked the same, she was certain that she could tell, a slight discrepancy. Where her leg, was a fraction of a degree off straight, it wouldn''t stop her in any physical way, but she would be more cautious.
Alice went down to breakfast. She found some more fish stew, it was served with a few vegetables. Looking round the inn, the fire was higher. The villagers were starting to rebuild, their stocks of fire wood. Now that the wolves were mostly dead, and didn''t present such a threat to wood cutters.
Alice finished her stew, then went shopping. She had some of the reward money with her. She went to the apothecaries¡¯ general store, she looked to the merchant. ¡°I need some basic armour, for my arms and legs. I keep getting hurt and I need a better defence¡±. ¡°I have a pair of leather bracer''s, they can be of some use to you, 15 bronze. You might want to get Martin, to fix them up a bit¡±. Alice handed the money over and nodded, ¡°what about some leg guards¡±? ¡°The sheriff runs the militia, they probably have some old light equipment going surplus. Some boiled leather greaves, might suit you, fairly light and they won¡¯t impede your movement¡±.
Alice nervously went over to the town hall, round to the area of the sheriff. She was tempted, to get one of the others to do it. But she felt that she needed to learn, to be more reliant on herself. She was not in a tower, with servants. She had colleges she should be able to move alone, to grow up a bit. ¡°You¡¯re the mage Alice, what do you want with me?¡± Alice breathed in, then met the man''s gaze ¡°The last fight got a bit close for comfort, I want a bit more armour. I am told that you might have some surplus armour, from the town militia¡±. The sheriff nodded, ¡°yes, I don''t have much, there are a few bits, two small or two battered, you can have a look. The store room is across the corridor, in the boxes on the left. Anything you want, bring it hear and we can negotiate a price¡±.
Alice rummaged around, she found a few bits of leather armour. Some of it was practically falling apart in her hand. There was some splint leg guards, they would be awkward. A bit too heavy to move in, on top of providing little protection to some areas. The padded armour was in various states, form chewed to burnt. One set had a few odd blue stains on it. There was a set of leather armour, which fitted reasonably well. It was a little bit lose, it was light. One strap was damaged, it was the only thing Alice could find. She took them and moved back to the sheriff, a price was agreed on, 30 brass penny''s, Alice walked triumphantly back to the inn.
David and Vivian were busy stuffing their faces. Martin had finished the meal, he was busy. He had three small corked jars on the table. He was intently applying the content of them, to his throwing knives. One a pair of blades were drying, having been coated in a silvery substance, along there edges. Martin was busy using a brush, to dab a sickly green mixture onto a second set of blades.
David turned round to him, ¡°what are you doing¡±? Martin turned back, ¡°I unlocked an ability, called blade coatings, and it allows me to add coats of silver poison or thick flammable oil to my blades. So that I can do extra damage¡±. Martin finished with the green gunk, he set his daggers to dry then moved onto the third pair. He spooned a thick black tar like substance over them. ¡°The silver coating is a mixture of blessed salt, silver and adhesive. It gets driven into a wound, even if you pull the blade out some of the silver remains, causing damage and irritation to the supernatural creature. It¡¯s better than a silver plated blade and cheaper. You do have to keep re-coating the blades every so often though.¡±
¡°The poison is a derivative of a common mushroom, you don''t want to get it in an open wound. Unless you possess a substantial poison resistance. The oil coated blades, you have to use a really thick oil. Also you have to coat the inside of your sheaths with wax. So it does not soak into the leather, they only burn for ten seconds, but they can be surprisingly intimidating and effective¡±. David grinned, ¡°what about setting the coating on fire?¡± Martin pointe to the throwing knifes hilt. ¡°There is a grove where a match can be wedged. You strike the match with your fingernail and it burns. Alternatively I could use the mechanism on my flint lock pistols, or my tinder box.¡±
Alice held out her hands, showing Martin her purchases. ¡°After I got wounded yesterday, I was thinking of how I could protect myself. I got these bits and pieces, what do you think¡±? Martin carefully went through the pile, inspecting each piece and putting them to one side. ¡°It¡¯s probably the best you could find out hear. I can make a few small patches and improvements. I gather the legs are a bit lose¡±? Alice nodded, ¡°yes I couldn''t get them to fit that well¡±. Martin shrugged, ¡°give me an hour or so. I can do something with them, I have a bit of scrap fabric as well. I can pad them out or make some leg wraps.¡±
An hour later Martin came downstairs. He handed several bundles of leather to Alice, ¡°I understand that was a nasty bite yesterday. You don''t have any defensive magic yet, so I did my best. With the bracer''s I re-stitched the edges of them. I renewed the ratty laces with some strong leather thong. It¡¯s easy to lace them up, over your padded jacket. It should provide good protection, without impeding your hand movements. The leather Greaves were a little bit too big, I cut them down to fit you. I re-strapped the upper hold. The buckles go on the outside, so that they don''t catch. These linen wraps go over the bottom of your trousers, and the top of your boots. They will help you keep warm and stop the greaves chafing. Is that all ok¡±? Alice nodded, hugging him, ¡°thanks Martin¡±.
One of the village guard¡¯s, Hob walked quickly into the inn. He turned to David, ¡°get your stuff together, we have a situation. Come with me to the church as quick as you can, some new monster¡±. He disappeared, Alice had her equipment as did Martin. David disappeared up the stairs for his shield and sword, with Vivian in hot pursuit. A minute later they jogged round to the church, half expecting to have to fight something. The priest had a man laid on a large table, the man was pale and sweating profusely. The priest was holding out a bronze holy symbol and rapidly praying.
The man on the table, was stripped to the waist. His shirt to the side, it looked like it had one sleeve torn off discarded. The man seemed to be delirious, ¡°My hand my hand fuck my hand¡±. The apothecary was there as well, examining the man flipping through a little book. On close inspection, the man on the table, was missing his hand. The sheriff had his hand on his sword, looking at the man anticipating. Brother Bartholomew shook his head, ¡°no taint no curse, he has not been infected by whatever took his hand. Even if he was the hunter has access to the purify blessing¡±.
The sheriff took his hand away from the blade, ¡°The mayor decided to lift certain restrictions, when you killed that beast. As there is no dread wolf prowling the woods, groups of people went out gathering. One group decided to have a pick through the old town ruins, not sure what they were after but they found something¡±. David looked at the man, ¡°what did they find¡±. The sheriff paused for a moment, ¡°that''s the thing, they found a cellar door that had been recently excavated. Something dug the soil and debris out from around it, so they decided to poke their noses in. They caught one look at it, and managed to slam the door shut. Not before it took a chunk out of this fool, his friends wedged a branch to keep it shut and ran away¡±.
Vivian gestured to the sheriff, ¡°what about the others with him, do they have more information¡±? The sheriff turned to the door, ¡°Tom I know your listening, come in and tell them as much as you can¡±. A straggly man in his early twenties opened the door. He gazed at his friend, ¡°Frank look at his hand, you couldn''t save it¡±. The priest turned to him, ¡°we saved his life for now, tell us what you can so we can limit the damage hear¡±. The man swallowed, they looked on and listened. ¡°Right we had the idea, which we might be able to dig up some iron ingots. From the remains of the old town, near the west side was an old foundry. They got a good amount of pig iron from there fifteen years ago, got a good price for it¡±.
¡°So we see tracks, something''s been digging. We know the big wolfs dead, so we thinks it¡¯s safe. We saw the cellar door and decided to have a look. Frank was the first one, he pulled at the door and pried at it with a big branch. Then the door creaks open, he looks inside and shines a lit torch. Then this thing came, it was human shaped but bulkier. Very pale long arm, face full of needle like teeth. Bit into franks hand, he dropped the torch. The rest of us bundled on top of the door, forcing it shut. We wedged the branch in the door, carried frank back hear. We used his belt to tie of the arm, so he didn''t bleed to death¡±.
The sheriff turned to the group, ¡°did that description match any creature your familiar with?¡± Vivian and Alice looked blank. David had a question, but waited. Martin shook his head, ¡°could be any number of tribal monsters, or undead too little to go on¡±. The apothecary held a cloth, with a yellow substance on it, next to Frank¡¯s face. The man stopped thrashing about and slowly seemed to calm down. He blinked and looked at his hand, ¡°shit¡±. The sheriff looked at him in the eye, ¡°be glad whatever it is, and didn¡¯t get the rest of you¡±.
Frank looked at his missing hand, he turned to the priest, ¡°you can¡¯t heal it can you¡±? The priest shook his head, the apothecary chimed in. ¡°With an alchemy potion you can, but it¡¯s a really expensive one¡±. The man didn''t look like he had any money. Martin remembered something, ¡°I believe a bishop around level 70 would be able to perform such a feat of healing. If you go to one of the big cathedral cities, they would offer you this mercy¡±. The man shrugged, ¡°It will take a long time to get there, how would I pay my way there?¡±
The sheriff continued, ¡°We can arrange something later. Firstly let¡¯s make sure the creature or creatures that did this, don''t attack the village¡±. He looked at the adventures, ¡°you killed that dread wolf, the Wight vampire thing and scores of other lesser monsters. Go and deal with these things, before they make a meal out of some other group.¡± David hesitated, ¡°how much are we looking at for this job¡±? The sheriff looked at him, ¡°seriously go kill the creature, bring me proof and we will work out a reward later¡±. David was about to say something else, Vivian smacked him over the back of the head. Alice gave him a sharp look. Martin nodded to the priest, the sheriff and the merchant guilds representative, ¡°we will investigate immediately¡±, a diplomatic response.
They left, David turned to Vivian, ¡°Please grab your backpack, it¡¯s got rope a sack oil and torches¡±. ¡°Right¡± she nodded, ¡°it can¡¯t hurt to be well prepared, but don''t push it with the sheriff¡±. David Martin and Alice waited at the town gates, until Vivian, back pack in place, caught up with them. They headed out of the gates, there were several levies, town militia and guards holding spears and staves. Ready should the latest terror decide to attack the village. The group headed round the perimeter of the fields, towards the remains of the old town. Alice looked at the group, ¡°I wonder if it could be a tribal monsters they apparently, have shaman with very basic offensive and defensive magic¡±. David shook his head, ¡°they are tool users, and they have basic skirmishing tactics. They stab you with a knife or beat you over the heat with a club, they don''t bite your hand off¡±.
They moved closer to the remains of the old town, Martin had a guess. ¡°From what he described it sounded like one of the undead. Maybe not something fully living or dead, whatever it is has been dormant for 100 years, since the old town was demolished, so I am betting undead I don''t think we will find a subterranean civilisation.¡± They got to the spot, the barred door had been forced open, none to gently. They looked around, but nothing was above ground. Alice pulled two torches out of Vivian''s backpack. She made sure that the oil was full, Martin light them with his tinder box. Martin held his holy symbol in one hand, the torch hanging from a strap. David wrapped his shield grip with a strap, so he would not lose it. He had a torch in his fingers.
Vivian looked around, it looked like more paw prints. On the freshly disturbed earth, around what was left of the heavy cellar door. She spat, ¡°the dam dread wolf, it might be dead. But it¡¯s been going round, disturbing every other monster out there, trying to make trouble for us.¡± Martin nodded, ¡°it was smart and lived a long time, but we got it eventually.¡± Alice paused, ¡°what''s in there¡±, Martin stared thoughtfully, ¡°whatever is in there, they can¡¯t be that high a level, if the scavenging farmers got away¡±. Alice had to agree with this. David was the first in, with Martin close behind. Vivian had and arrow knocked, Alice had a spell on her lips ready to cast.
They entered a large basement, the ceiling made from cut beams. The floor rock and dirt. Nine creatures inhabited the area, with a few scraps of bone on the floor. Six of the creatures were curled up into balls on the floor. The other three were gathered in one corner, which included the largest one. The beasts were the size of a fully grown man, with white skin. They had elongated arms, with thick muscular shoulders. The first two fingers and thumbs, on each hand had elongated to twice there normal length and sprouted claws.
The beasts had extended lower jaws, filled with needle like teeth. They had not hair no ears. Their spines had begun to shift, with bony spikes protruding through their backs. Their leader was a grey colour, six inches taller and quite alert. It hissed loudly, the rest of the hibernating creatures began to rise. David was about to charge in, Martin pulled him back. ¡°We bottle neck them by the door, they can only attack us a few at a time¡±.
Vivian shouted form the back, ¡°What are they¡±? Martin sounded confident, ¡°ghouls, bone chewers, they have short range caustic vomit. A chance to paralyse if they bite you, don''t let them. They have limited regeneration, focus on them one at a time, so they don''t recover¡±. A ghoul hissed and charged at David, he hit it with a power block to stun it. Then smacked it with two adrenalin power strikes, cleaving the hissing monster in half. The top half was still moving, Vivian hit it with an adrenalin power shot, Martin used a focus shot, to hit it with his pistol in the head. Alice finished it off with a grand fire bite spell. The beast stopped moving none of its wounds healed.
The other eight ghouls charged forwards as one. Getting in each other¡¯s way, as they closed in on the adventures. Martin softened them up with his area of effect blessings, ¡°circle of concentration¡±, ¡°holy aura¡±. The ghouls didn''t like the holy damage, they hissed and screamed as steam started to come off there flesh. It was not enough to kill them, but they were temporarily distracted. David hit a ghoul with a power strike, the ghoul hit him back causing him to stagger, from the bone crushing force. Martin had a second pistol ready, ¡°wrath¡±. The holy glow enveloped the ghoul, as it was shot point blank. Vivian had her silver arrows ready, she followed up with an adrenalin power shot. The silver arrow did a lot more damage than the iron, dropping the creature, a fire bite finished it off.
Now injured, David went on the defensive. Hitting the next ghoul with an adrenalin block, flattening its face. Just as it tried to use its caustic vomit on him. Martin had his silver coated daggers ready ¡°wrath¡±, ¡°wrath¡±. Two focus shots into the ghouls head and it staggered back further. Vivian nailed it through the chest, with her final silver arrow, using another adrenalin strike. Alice added two fire bite spells to the barrage, insuring that the ghoul would not get back up.
The next ghoul was quicker, landing two strikes onto Martin. Before he could use a blessing, ¡°shield of faith¡±. Blocking the next attack, he drew a poisoned dagger and using a focus throw wedging it into the beast¡¯s maw. David struck it with an adrenalin strike, then an adrenalin block to send the hissing monster staggering backwards. Vivian nailed it with two adrenalin shots to send it staggering back further. Alice finished the creature off with three fire bite spells, which burned half its head away.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
The ghoul Champion at the back hissed long and loud. The ghouls all stopped, they moved like they were taking a deep breath. They all spewed caustic bile at the group, Alice ignited one attack with her fire bite spell. One missed, one was blocked by David¡¯s shield. Two hit Martin, his armoured jacket smoked producing a horrible smell. But the actual damage was fairly minimal, as it hit his garment rather than his flesh. Though a little splattered on his cheek, burning a small mark there, he didn''t seem to have noticed.
Martin retaliated quickly bolstering his protection, ¡°armour of faith¡±. He unleashed his main trump card, to thin the attacking ranks, ¡°smite¡±. A ghoul was struck by lightning burning away its chest and dropping it dead. Alice moved forwards, she used her heal on Martin and David twice. Then backed off, Vivian let off an adrenalin power shot. Into the chest of the next nearest ghoul, sending it backwards. Alice nailed the wounded ghoul, with a barrage of four fire bite spells. David tensed up expecting the ghouls to rush them, as their numbers thinned. Martin pulled his last poisoned dagger, ¡°divine retribution¡± the ghoul staggered backwards. It was hit by Vivian¡¯s power shot, killing it dead.
The ghoul champion was more aware of the others, it pointed and screeched. Both remaining normal ghouls charged recklessly forwards. Martin countered with defensive blessings, ¡°shield of faith, fortress of faith¡±. David went all out, delivering three consecutive power attacks on the ghoul attacking him. Vivian hit it with an adrenalin power shot and Alice overwhelmed it with five fire bite spells. The last remaining regular ghoul, chewed through the temporary defences that Martin had erected. He drew his last two throwing knives, flicking his thumbnail over the sulphate match. Igniting the flammable blade coating, he hit the ghoul with two focus throws. To the left eye socket and the heart. It was badly wounded but not down. Vivian clipped it with a couple of normal arrows, Alice finished it off, with a few fire bite spells.
The ghoul champion eyed up the party, with vicious intent. It howled then charged, Martin used his ¡°guardian angel¡±, blessing and his focus reload ability, to prepare for the oncoming ghoul. At the last minute the ghoul switched targets and jumped for David. It griped round his sword, with its right hand, got a hold of his shield with its left. Then delivered a devastating bite to his shoulder, through armour and padding.
David fought for his life, using the last reserves of his adrenalin to slice at the ghoul champion. Using a power attack, that served its fingers and cut into its skull. Exhaustion hit David, as he pushed the ghoul back with his shield. Vivian skewered the beast through the eye, with an iron broad-head arrow. Alice poured magic fire on it and Martin unloaded two silver bullets into its skull, from and overload shot. The ghoul champion let out one more, hissing rattle as it died. David remember his silver dagger, cursed from his exhausted state, ¡°should have used the dagger¡±.
Alice ran over and hit David, with a couple of healing spells. Martin reloaded his pistols, scanning the room, looking for signs of a ghoul playing dead. Vivian checked David was ok, patted him on the head, and then set about recovering her arrows. They were hit with a level up first. Martin then David and Vivian, there body¡¯s twitching and spasming as they grew stronger. There consensuses were assaulted, as new skills were integrate into their minds. Alice had enough time to sit down. She was hit with the level up, causing her to black out again as her body and mind took the easy way out.
Martin was level 19, he expanded his arsenal adding the grenadier specialisation. Giving him access to flash bang canister grenades and small thermite charges. If he used anything else more substantial, he would be liable to remove a finger or his face. He had more options, even though in the grand scheme, they were little more than irritating fireworks. Vivian at level 13, continued to build up her speed shooting skill to level 3. David was still building up his sword and shield proficiency. Alice had her fire bite spell upgraded to the greater version. Already she could deal 60 points of fire damage, with a single use of the spell. Though higher level creatures, would have a degree of fire resistance.
Alice was gently shaken awake by Vivian ¡°up and at em there¡¯s more to deal with¡± Alice seemed to jump in the air ¡°where, where¡± she panicked then saw the grin on Vivian¡¯s face ¡°not funny¡±. Martin collect his fallen knives and cleaned them David sat down and cleaned his blade. Vivian grabbed it from his hand, he looked at her ¡°what''s the idea I just cleaned that¡± ¡°I need it to collect the heads or we don¡¯t get paid.¡± David looked glum as Vivian collected the head or what was left of the head of each ghoul. Alice held out the bag as Vivian added the heads to it one by one. David grumbled as his sword was returned. They piled the ghouls up in one corner Alice splashed the pile with oil as Vivian pulled David out of the old cellar. Martin lit it with his tinderbox and let it burn.
They had dealt with the hibernating ghouls, and the ghoul champion. Martin looked at David¡¯s chainmail, the armour could be riveted back together. The padding below could be stitched. David did look a bit worse for wear, Martin gripped his holy symbol and held out a hand ¡°purify¡±. David looked at him, ¡°was I infected¡±? Martin nodded, ¡°And partially paralysed, the ghoul taint can turn anyone without a religious job into one of those creatures. It can progress rapidly if untreated, low level ghouls can¡¯t pass it on, but that ghoul champion must have been a reasonably high level.¡±
He continues as he helped David to stand, ¡°the ghoul taint only affects humans. If we get to level 25 or over, it¡¯s much harder for it to take hold, even if the ghoul is high level¡±. Alice looked surprised, ¡°that seemed easy compared to the Wight¡±. Martin shrugged, ¡°ghouls hibernating don¡¯t level up by living longer, only vampires.¡± Alice nodded ¡°I believe only because they absorb so much of the ambient mana around them, it was how it was explained to me.¡± Martin was curious, ¡°anything else can do the same?¡± Alice nodded, ¡°I read that creatures like litch¡¯s and vampires could do that, but also magical beasts like dragons¡±, Martin nodded Vivian had a sack of ghoul heads. ¡°We were lucky, if I remember high level ghouls over 20 have explosive bile, that¡¯s apparently quite bad¡±. Vivian asked with morbid curiosity, ¡°How bad do ghouls get?¡±
As they walked back to town, Martin educated them. ¡°Ghouls start level 1-9, then become dread ghouls level 11-19. Then terror ghouls level 20-29, then nightmare ghouls level 30-39. At high levels they have, immolating breath, which will eat through steel. Apparently you get packs lead by, ghoul champions, lords and overlords. Fancy names for their servants, if one gets to level 40-50 it can become a siege ghoul. Massive and powerful a living battering ram. Vampires try to raise ghouls for this purpose¡±.
The group got back to the village, showed the gate guard that they were unaffected. With a holy symbol and entered into the village. They went to the sheriff and reported there kills. He looked visibly shaken, seeing the ghoul¡¯s heads. ¡°Are you sure none got away?¡± Vivian nodded, ¡°there were nine indentations in the ground. Where the creatures had hibernated and no tracks lead away from the cellar.¡± A guard roused the apothecary and the priest. The apothecary had a small battered book, he flipped through it. Looking at the heads of the ghouls and the ghoul champion. ¡°Based on the length of the teeth, they were about level 8. With the champion being around level 13 or 14, very tough monsters with their regeneration you want to kill them fast¡± He spoke with the priest and the sheriff. The sheriff looked at them, ¡°we will pay you fifty bronze a piece for the ghouls, and a silver for the champion¡±.
David didn¡¯t look happy, ¡°that thing almost killed me, hell I ended up infected. Its only because we have a hunter with purify that I survived.¡± They talked for a bit more, ¡°ok to cover armour repairs etc. We will raise it to 60 bronze a piece, for the ghouls and a silver and 50 bronze for the champion ok¡±. David was about to say something else, Vivian batted him over the back of the head. Martin looked around at Vivian and Alice then turned back to the sheriff, ¡°we thank you and accept this reward for our service¡±.
They divided the reward, so that they got about 1 silver 50 bronze each. Giving a little contribution towards frank, getting a coach ticket to one of the large cities. They went back to the inn, for their evening meal and a drink. Alice was very slowly sipping, a very small mug of ale, ¡°I must admit I have a morbid fascination Martin, we faced the undead today what can you tell us? Are there any tips that can help us?¡± Martin downed his ale tankard, ¡°well what is the most basic defence against a vampire¡±?
David slammed his tankard down, ¡°that¡¯s easy garlic also a fine seasoning¡±. Martin grinned, ¡°It is and it isn¡¯t, only a very young vampire will be bothered by garlic. A freshly turned fledgling will have a fit, they rapidly lose any weakness to it. I understand that garlic flowers, were an ingredient in the blood alchemy, which went into making the first vampire. That¡¯s why it disrupts them, but not for long¡±. He grinned, ¡°Sunlight kills vampire¡¯s right?¡± Everyone on the table nodded, Martin grinned again, ¡°It will kill a fledgling dead in seconds. But something older than 25 years will be able to move, duck back inside find shelter or at least try to. It¡¯s no guarantee, but it will hurt the fanged bastard, like you wouldn¡¯t believe.¡±
Martin continued, ¡°a mirror will not show up a very young vampire, but an older vampire will appear in a mirror there natural age. Which can be quite horrific according to our texts.¡± David sipped his ale and listened, Martin continued, ¡°its is a small myth, that submersion in water will kill them. Unless its holy water, some vampires have successfully avoided sunlight by hiding in water. They need to go fairly deep, to be able to pull this off, murky water helps them. More than one drainage ditch has held a monster hiding from the sun.¡± Vivian order some cheese and another round of ale. ¡°A steak in the chest is not a grantee. The younger the vampire the better the chance, either way it will do massive amounts of damage to a vampire. A young one a fledgling will be left almost helpless and soon expire.¡±
¡°Fledglings vampires have a slightly denser body than a human. They have almost none of the supernatural durability, which an older vampire possesses. Unless the human was quite a high level, when they were turned. Vampires don¡¯t do that much, they want servants that they can control.¡± ¡°Back to new vampires, they can be cocky, most conventional weapons will hurt them. They can take much more damage than a human. Removing the head, cutting out the heart or simply hacking them to pieces are all viable strategies. The way I hear it, in small numbers a basic group of militia men, armed with ordinary steel weapons, have cornered and killed many a fresh vampire that was too confident. Of course a bigger vampire like a warrior, is normally not far behind¡±. They continued into the night, talking about monsters and mercenaries and cheese and ale long into the night.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
13 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
95/95 |
Adrenalin |
65/65 |
|
|
| Strength |
19 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level attack bonus |
13 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
13 |
|
|
| Bonus base weapon damage |
39 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L2 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L1 |
| Speed Shooting L3 |
|
| Perks |
| Intensive Training +1 endurance and Strength |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
13 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
95/95 |
Adrenalin |
65/65 |
|
|
| Strength |
19 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
13 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
13 |
|
|
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
39 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L2 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
| Sword proficiency L6 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L1 |
| Shield proficiency L5 |
Adrenalin power block L1 |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
12 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
51/51 |
Mana |
140/140 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
17 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
12 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
12 |
|
|
| Number of Spells can Maintain |
1 |
|
|
| Base Spell Cost 4 Mana |
|
|
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L1 |
Analyse Magic L1 |
| Recharge Enchantment L1 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 damage + 2 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Tracking fire bite greater (12 damage +4 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Touch heal master (15 heal + 6 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 heal +1 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
19 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
273/273 |
Focus |
150/150 |
|
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
29 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
30 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
30 |
|
|
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
| Resist Poison |
Holy Symbol usage L1 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L5 |
Overload Shot L1 |
| Focus Shot L1 |
Focus re-lode L1 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L1 |
| General Melee Weapons L2 |
Focus strike L1 |
| Focus Parry L1 |
Focus Multi Throw L1 |
| Combat Medic support skill L2 |
Grenadier L1 |
| Blade Coatings L2 |
|
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 3 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 1 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armour |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
| Leather Working L3 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 15 points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
| Survivors Guilt |
True Monsters – Chapter 11 – What Should Be Buried
True Monsters ¨C Chapter 11 ¨C What Should Be Buried
The weather was cold, the wind chilling. However the group of travellers were in high spirits. Eight men and women in total, all were armed and alert. There had been a curfew, limiting people''s movements for several years. The reason for that curfew, was now mounted on a spike above the inn. The Dread thrall wolf was dead, they no longer felt besieged. There were plenty of volunteers, to go out and gather. They would need vast amounts of lumber, to build up their stock of fire wood. The winter was long and very cold in this part of the world.
There were local herbs mushrooms and lichens, which could be gathered and sold as alchemical ingredients. There were rivers ponds, which yielded a few fish suitable for smoking. The smoked trout would keep for a long time. It also formed a reasonably profitable trade good, when there was a surplus. The various natural animals of the region, provided a bounty of pelts, once tanned. Given the opportunity, the village would be able to quickly make up the funds expended, as reward money on the Dread Wolf''s head.
The party of eight consisted of, four wood cutters with axes and saws. Protected by four of the town militia, armed with iron spears and thin wooden round shields. They had passed dozens of their friends, who were busy salvaging what crops they could. A couple of other groups could be seen in the distance. One heading to pick mushrooms, with a second hunting game birds with slings. The prospect of a bit of variety, to the menu made them glad. It also took the pressure off there dwindling supply of ragged livestock.
Normally such an expedition, would have one of the village guards leading it. The villagers were so egger to stretch their legs. That there were not enough of the better equipped guards to go round. Still they were not defenceless. The sheriff had trained anyone that could pick up a stick, how to swing it. Now that the great wolf pack was decimated. The villagers were confident, that with the numbers in there group. They could survive an encounter with any stragglers.
One of the militia a farmer by trade, had appointed himself the leader. He had a helmet, which his grandfather had passed down to him. It might have been a modified pot, but it made him confident. That was a big part of leadership. Also the rest of the group were happy, for him to be the first to step into any trouble. By the time a troll finished chewing through the pot, they would have run back to the village.
They were passing through the remains of the old town, before they went to harvest wood suitable for fence building. One of the wood cutters stopped, her breath caught in her chest. There had been a landslide and the old mine entrance seemed to be open. She felt her pulse rise and fought down panic. She went to the others gesturing them to be quiet, they turned wondering what it was. The man in his pot helmet was brave. He started to move towards the mine, to investigate.
The mine that had been sealed, because it was full of cursed monsters. The woodcutter grabbed him by his shirt. The man took a deep breath puffing up, about to shout in response. The woodcutter held her finger to his lips her eyes narrow and serious. He let out his breath quietly, his shoulders slumped he nodded and turned.
As they walked away, there was a clicking clacking noise. As if someone was banging two pieces of bone together. They group moved faster. There was the rustle of stone, as something emerged from the mine. The woodcutter took one look back over her shoulder. There was a white skull, peering out of the mine. Empty sockets scanned around, a skeletal hand emerged carrying a mining pick. The woodcutter turned and ran. She quickly overtook her companions, who started to press themselves to move even faster.
The group arrived at the village gate out of breath. The militia on the gate house regarded them with surprise. Each member of the group, put their hand on the holy symbol outside. Doing it as quickly as they could. They shouted up to have the gate open as quickly as possible. The group bolted inside the settlement, collapsing to the ground panting in relief. The woodcutter rapidly explained what she had seen, then bolted for the church.
One of the men at the gate signalled with a torch. The watchman in the church spire reacted. A few seconds later a loud ringing could be heard from the church, a warning bell. One of the militia ran to the mayor¡¯s office to find the sheriff. The sheriff soon swallowed nervously, he didn¡¯t like the situation one bit. He pulled a quiver of silver tipped bolts from his desk, a vial of holy water and grabbed his crossbow.
Alice, David, Vivian and Martin were enjoying some mushroom soup. With the soup they had a hard grainy local bread, the bread was surprisingly quite palatable. The sheriff burst into the inn, his usual calm stoic appearance was gone. He was very worried he held a loaded crossbow in his hands. The safety was on and it was pointed towards the floor, but the message was clear. Things were not going well, the party rose from the table as one there meal forgotten.
All eyes were on the sheriff. The inn was completely quiet, he took a deep gasping breath. ¡°The mine is open, something has already come out. I need you to go there and stop it now.¡± Vivian had her bow out of its cover ¡°what has come out of the mine¡±? The man looked haunted ¡°walking white bones, the undead coming to kill us all¡±. Martin stood up holding his holy symbol ¡°necromancy, I am ready¡±. David felt a chill down his spine, the look must have crossed his face. Alice nudged him with her staff. ¡°Just think of them as walking sparing dummies that need to be knocked down¡±.
The group checked that they had everything. Including oil and torches. They moved with purpose. Out of the inn, through the village past a lot of worried people. Out of the gate they passed various gathering teams, that had cut there forays short. They headed around the fields to the boarder of the old ruined town. As they moved closer it was clear that a landslide, had exposed the entrance to the mine.
The landslide might have been natural, or it might have been caused by the Thrall wolf''s digging. It would be hard to tell either way. The group had a problem in front of them, they had to deal with it.
Four skeletons were shuffling around the entrance of the mine, they held picks and shovels. David cautiously approached the first one. The bleached bones slowly raised the rusty pickaxe above them preparing to swing down. David struck down with his blade. The skeleton collapsed on the floor. Before he could comment on how easy that was it started to reassemble.
David panicked, ¡°fuck¡± he released an adrenalin strike, onto the enchanted bones. The force of the blow shattered the skull collar bone and most of the ribcage. Obliterating his opponent into tiny bone chips. Alice spoke quickly, ¡°destroy the skulls and you destroy the focus of the spell that animates them¡±. Martin didn¡¯t bother to use any abilities like focus shots, but carefully aimed with both his pistols. A single blasted in to the bare skulls, was quite enough to end the threat that they posed. Vivian took aim at the last skeleton, her broad-head arrow punctured its skull and it simply dropped like a puppet with no strings.
David did look down at the remains of one of the skulls, there was some sort of sign scratched into the forehead. He guessed that it was the spell focus, which Alice had spoken of. David paused at the entrance to the mine, he hesitated afraid. He looked over to Alice. Previously he had seen signs of hesitation of reluctance, when she had been forced to confront wild beasts. Now she was not afraid she stood ready, even egger she understood this foe and was ready to face it.
David looked at Martin beside him, the man was zealous. Practically champing at the bit, to unleash his fury on the enemies of his god. David had never been that religious, even though he had seen some small blessings, he had doubts. Even though he had been raised in a church orphanage, the education had not sunk in. David gripped his sword and his shield he looked at Vivian, he had what he believed in to hand, it gave him comfort. He stepped forwards shield raised, a lit torch hanging from it.
As the party entered into the mine. A group of eight more skeletons were heading towards them. Martin could feel his holy symbol grow warm, at the taint of necromancy. The skeletons may have once been local farmers, as they wielded rusted forks and scythes. There ranks were quickly demolished, Martin had added a bandoleer across the front of his armour. It contained five copper tubes capped at both ends. He lit a fuse with his tinder box. He sent a small thermite grenade flying forwards. A certain happy look briefly crossed his face. The first four skeletons were obliterated, in a small cloud of brightly burning thermite.
The remaining skeletons didn¡¯t last much longer. Alice slew two more with her fire bite spell. It was very effective against the undead. That was probably the reason, for her confidence. Vivian picked one off with a carefully placed bow shot. The final skeleton was shattered. David struck it before it could swing its dull scythe once.
They progressed further into the mine, the tunnel slowly sloped down. They came to a junction, tunnels lead left and right. The main tunnel progressed further down. For a second they hesitated, unsure of what to do. David considered there options ¡°we could split up and check them all¡±. Vivian tapped him on the back of the head. ¡°Let¡¯s keep together ok. We try right then left then down¡±. They headed left David and Martin at the front. Pushing a stiff door open, it seemed to be a store room beyond.
Crates tools corroded and decaying shifted. Six piles of bones rose from the detritus. Four miners and two dogs stripped of their flesh. Martin¡¯s pistols took out two of the foes. Vivian claimed a third, Alice sent two fire bite spells into the bone hounds. This just left David to finish off the remaining one. He used his shield, to block the clumsy pick axe swing. His sword swung onto the skeleton, ending it with a short crushing blow.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
The group backed out of the store room. Martin reloaded his pistols. They checked the corridor up and down nothing seemed to be moving. They headed left a sturdier door awaited them. A single shoulder barge from Martin and David, stripped the ancient door from its frame. They carefully entered the room. A single skeleton was hunched over a rough table a great ledger upon it. This was the site office for the mine. The skeleton rose from the table. It had a rusty dagger in its hand. A single blow to the head and the skeleton collapsed.
They took their time, to look around the old mining office. Martin knew his way around paperwork, having worked in the crafts guild. The ledger had a record of materials removed from the mine, Ore rock etc. and expenses paid. David was temporarily excited, at the prospect of finding the cash box. The only thing that they found was a basic diary which seemed to be a record of the grievances of one minor or another. Both of the documents might be of some use so they were put in Vivian¡¯s backpack.
Their side investigations concluded, they headed down the main tunnel. David started to make light of the situation. ¡°We could have taken a few of those bread rolls from the inn and thrown them at the skeletons they would have been good ammunition¡±. His banter stopped, there was a purple glow in the distance. The party descended further, there were torches on the walls. Burning not with fire but with mana, some form of necromancy. Alice looked at them, ¡°some small creature¡¯s trapped spirit powers these¡±.
Martin tapped one of the torches, with his holy symbol. The flame guttered then went out, the translucent image of a small spectral chicken faded into nothing. Martin looked to Alice, ¡°you are spot on, anything else that would be useful?¡± Alice thought for a second, ¡°the spells powering the weaker undead, will have degraded over time. The stronger ones will be much better persevered. We should expect a far greater fight further down.¡± Martin nodded gripping his holy symbol. Alice looked thoughtful. ¡°One further thing, all the skeletons we have seen, were from ordinary people. The remains of someone stronger, will be proportionally stronger.¡±
They had not gone twenty meters further. When they were met, with the first real resistance. There was the skeleton of a knight. He was clad in corroded, but solid iron plate. A strong purple haze surrounded him, he wielded a shield and axe. Behind him were 30 more skeletons regimented in ranks ten deep. A very thin purple haze surrounded them. They had simple wooden shields and spears. It was not possible to tell, where they had originated from. No mark or banner, had survived the march of time.
The group of skeletons, marched forwards. Martin hurled two of his grenades towards them. The thermite damaged the knight, the purple haze lessened around him. The grenade obliterated the front two ranks as well. Alice sent five spells slamming, into the rank and file troops. They disintegrated against the fire magic. Vivian let lose three adrenalin power shots. They hit the knight cracking his shield and armour. The knight was knocked down, the remaining skeletons marched around him.
David destroyed the first two skeletons, which got in range. He used an adrenalin power strike, which caught both of them together.
Martin used his pistols, to destroy two more skeleton soldiers. He gripped his last thermite grenade, getting it ready. He seemed to be saving his holy blessings, in case there was something far worse ahead. Alice steadily decimated the skeleton hoard, four more fire spells found there mark. Vivian let loose with a power shot. It took the skeleton knights head clean off. However it still managed to stand back up, though it limped forwards. David used an adrenalin strike to mangle one skeleton, it damaged the one behind it. However he got a cut in return, however minor it was it still hurt.
Martin lit the grenade. ¡°Everyone back five paces¡±. The party rapidly, got out of range of the detonation. The front four skeleton troops, walked into it and were no more. Alice got two more of the rank and file, with her spells. The skeleton knight closed the distance, it was now next to David. The two of them traded several blows. Vivian didn¡¯t want to risk hitting David, so took out the remaining two skeleton soldiers, using precise head shots cracking their skulls.
Martin was busy reloading his pistol with silver shot. David hit the skeleton knight, with an adrenalin block. The impact from his shield sent it flying. David used a power strike on its chest, to crack it apart. The spell focus must have been on its chest plate, not on its skull. Alice checked that it was destroyed, the armour started to crumble to dust. Probing the remains with her magic sense, it was definitely gone. Vivian patted David on the back, ¡°you might make a decent mercenary after all¡±. She went to recover her spent arrows.
The group moved down further, there was a larger room hollowed out. Two large purple fires burnt similar to the other spells, but on a larger scale. The room seemed to have been a staging area. There were mine carts and crude tracks. Some sort of confrontation had taken place, a long time ago.
There were the remains of three people in patches of Armor, slumped in a corner. Around them were two dozen piles of bones, bits of iron and steel. It looked like they had been fighting the skeletons and had been overwhelmed. There was a cave in, blocking the rest of the mine from this room. There were ten more of the skeleton soldiers each wearing chainmail armour, with shield and sword. Unfortunately there was a much more potent undead in the chamber.
A necromancer had spent a lot of time, on this construct. There was a skeleton of a man, but one of substantial proportions, over seven foot tall. There was a strong purple aura surrounding it. There was conjured armour, black and purple in colour. The figure had four arms, a sword and a flail in its right hands. There was a tower shield and a spear in the left. The shield and weapons looked pristine having a black purple sheen to them. Four more spears were in a sheath on its back. Around the construct four ethereal floating skulls lazily orbited at about waist height.
The skeleton Duellist moved forwards, ¡°to the living death¡±. The sound of its voice made them step back a pace. Martin aimed his pistol ¡°wrath¡±. One of the skulls orbiting the duellist, intercepted the blessed attack. The skull disappeared in a puff of purple energy. Vivian sent an adrenalin shot towards the Skeleton Duellist. The silver arrow was intercepted, by another one of the skulls. The construct had two protective barriers left. Alice let lose a fire spell, the penultimate skull intercepted the spell.
The Duellist attacked, his sword struck David¡¯s shield. The mace nearly took David¡¯s head off. He was able to just parry it with his sword. Martin received a stab wound from the duellists spear. This impact sent him staggering back. Alice sent two fire spells into the duellist. The last skull ward evaporated and the Duellist actually took some damage. Vivian used a power shot to strike it in the head with her last silver arrows. The rest of the skeleton soldiers advanced.
Martin summoned his defensive blessings, ¡°aura of faith¡± ¡°armour of faith¡± ¡°fortress of faith¡±. ¡°I will keep it busy get rid of the rest of them¡±. The duellist moved towards Martin, David charged towards the oncoming skeletons. Alice let lose four greater fire bite spells. David used three adrenalin strikes, Vivian used three rapid power shots. The rest of the skeletal soldiers were destroyed. Martin hurled two silver daggers at the duellist, ¡°wrath, Wrath¡±. The construct took damage but kept coming. The fortress blessing took three strikes then shattered. Martin took another spear thrust and a strike from the flail. The armour blessing reduced the damage he took, but it was bad.
Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°Smite¡±. The bolt of lightning blew off the duellist¡¯s sword arm. He was not finished ¡°circle of consecration¡±. The duellist started to take damage, just form proximity to Martins holy symbol. Vivian and Alice pelted it with spells and arrows. This cracked some of its armour plates. ¡°I will not suffer the living¡±, the creatures voice lacked its earlier power. David hit the duellist from behind, with four power strikes breaking off more armour plating and bits of bone.
Alice targeted its sword arm. The arm fell apart, as four spells struck into it. The duellist spun round, stabbing at David with its spear. He blocked the spear strikes. However he took a knock from the shield to his face sending him sprawling. Martin shot his pistol ¡°divine retribution¡±. The shot hit the duellist in the knee. The construct collapsed, but still tried to stab at David with the spear. Martin held his holy symbol to the duellists head. ¡°Purify purify purify¡±, the construct collapsed into dust, the spell that animated it was no more.
Vivian looked around, ¡°that was all there was in this mine?¡± Martin had a wide grin, ¡°only this part of the mine¡±. David nodded, ¡°there was a map in the foreman¡¯s office, five levels of tunnels below this one¡±. Alice looked about ¡°We are done for now, let¡¯s get out of here¡±. They were hit with the level up, indicating that there was nothing else in the area to impede the progress. Martin gained two levels pushing him to level 21. Everyone else gained a level, Vivian and David were pushed up to 14 and Alice grew to level 13.
Martin reloaded his weapons and retrieved his knives. Alice healed up David and Martin. Vivian recovered her arrows. They went through the entire mine, gathering up the remains of the skeletons, that had been re-animated. They poured oil on them, Martin said a brief payer and lit the pile on fire, just to be certain. They removed the rest of the necromantic illuminations. They searched the place twice for anything else, finding nothing.
The three piles of clothing and armour, must have been hunters. As they had holy symbols with them. Martin loaded the hunter¡¯s remains onto a cart, then he wheeled it back to town. The sheriff and the priest were at the gate house to the village. They were soon very relieved. The priest brother Bartholomew quickly performed the last rights on the hunters and there remains were cremated. There holy symbols would be sent back to an order of hunters, so that they could continue to be used.
Martin explained to the others. ¡°I feel a grim senses of satisfaction, I have performed the duty of vendetta. One of our traditions, to recover a fellow hunters remains. To kill there killer. To make sure they get last rights. To make sure that there equipment is passed onto the next generation¡±. Alice nodded ¡°traditions like that keep our orders going¡±. ¡°the mages have a defensive ward to the tower, every mage trained there adds a little of their mana to reinforce it, so in a way as long as the tower stands every mage will be part of it¡±. David looked at Vivian, ¡°In the free company we have the journal of honour. Everyone who performs a noteworthy deed is added to it. I am sure we will be after today¡±.
The gathered as many volunteers as they could, about forty people all told. They went back to the mine. They piled rocks and stones one on top of another, until the entrance was again sealed with a weight of stone. It was late into the evening when they were finished. The priest said various prayers and rights of blessing. Everyone was checked for any sign of necromantic taint, none was found. They returned to the inn where they attempted to drink it dry.
True Monsters – Chapter 12 – Cull
True Monsters ¨C Chapter 12 ¨C Cull
The sheriff Daniel reviewed, the official report. The mayor would add his seal to the report, when Daniel finished writing it. It should have come from the mayor, but he was lazy as ever. The worse fears of everyone, had been realised. The mine had been opened and the undead released. The adventures assigned to protect the village, to cull the local monsters, had prevailed. The mine had been sealed, the reports though were worrying.
They had recovered plans of the mine a ledger and a diary. The necromantic undead in the mine were frightening, only a small fraction of the mine had been explored. The plans showed that the mine was a lot deeper, than the historical records showed. There were five cavernous levels underground, filled with the undead. The diary spoke of disappearance after disappearance. The ledger showed, that there were over 400 miners and 50 guards. When the Vampires took over, all of those people would have been converted, to undead troops or worse.
The sheriff hoped that this, would be a problem for another day. A problem for one of his successors, to wrangle with. Hopefully the mine remained as it was now, dormant. The report would be sent to the local lord soon. The priest and the merchants guild representatives, would add there notes to it and off it would go.
These adventures had dealt with his biggest problem, which was not the mine. The thrall wolf pack was obliterated, the dread wolf dead. There was one more thing to deal with. The Thrall wolves had a Matriarch, the pack had rebuilt its numbers time and time again over the years. They needed to deal a finishing blow to the pack. Killing its leader and a hundred thrall wolves, would not be enough to end the threat.
The thrall wolves had made there den, five miles deep into the forest. That was what the hunters and woodcutters had reported. The information was, several years out of date. The sheriff reasoned that the wolves, had no reason to move there den. Normally such a job was a veteran¡¯s task, but the pack had been thinned. The sheriff was prepared to make a gamble. With the adventures lives, not his own. He briefly spoke to the mayor, using small words he got the approval and some of the funding he required.
The sheriff went to the church. The priest Bartholomew, had control over a certain percentage of the coin and provisions in the village. He could distribute them as charity, or for communal good. Daniel would need to sway him. The man was practical, he could see the long term benefits of removing the wolves. Daniel had two thirds of the funds needed for his plan.
Samuel the apothecary represented the guild, the local business the trade contacts. He was far more pessimistic than the sheriff. If the thrall wolves were removed, eventually another monster would dominate the area. The key word was eventually. With the thrall wolves gone he would make much more profit. It would last for a few years. Eventually something else would move into the area. He would have funds to put a bounty on its head and so on. This would be an investment to him.
The sheriff had 30 silver as a reward for the thrall Matriarchs head.
When he went to the inn. The adventures were checking through a list of assignments. Minor things harvesting jobs and small investigation quests. David looked at the group ¡°it¡¯s an easy 20 bronze, we just get 20 pounds of stink mould and the alchemist is happy¡±. Vivian looked at him ¡°I would rather hunt dear for the mayor its 10 bronze each and if we don''t ruin the hides another 5 bronze bonus.¡± Martin scanned the group ¡°thermite''s expensive as long as we get some extra funds I am happy¡±.
Alice piped in ¡°there is a job to check the standing stone. It¡¯s a mile out in the wood. I have analyse magic we can go check it out an easy 25 bronze.¡±
The sheriff tapped his knuckles on the table. ¡°Ladies and gents the conquerors of the mine. The slayers of the Dread thrall wolf, you aim low. There is still one more good bounty in the area.¡± David grinned, ¡°I don''t remember anything else, what did we miss¡±. ¡°There is one half of the wolf pack, hanging from the roof of the inn. I will pay you 30 silver for the head of the other big one¡±.
Martin looked thoughtful, ¡°you mean kill the matriarch wipe them out totally?¡±
Daniel grinned, ¡°don¡¯t worry it can¡¯t be that powerful, it stays in the den¡±. Alice looked scornful, ¡°we remember the size of the giant rat matriarchs. They were massive compared to the alpha rats¡±. Vivian considered their chances. ¡°The pack is very small now. The matriarch has little protection, it¡¯s a good opportunity¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°we can remove another abomination form the earth! This time without having to fight an army of lesser monsters.¡±
The sheriff had almost persuaded them. The mercenary David saw the money. The other mercenary saw it as a sound tactic. Martin was zealous for a fight, he just had to find something the mage wanted. The sheriff gestured opening his arms wide. ¡°You have gone up in level, why not take the opportunity to raise your level again.¡± Alice looked at them, ¡°don''t we have to protect the village form the mine¡±? The sheriff patted her on the shoulder, ¡°The mine is quiet, and we are secure¡±. Alice looked at the others, ¡°I guess I have to save you lot, from getting eaten by a wolf¡±.
They had to make a few preparations. The group temporarily split up. David arranged provisions at the inn two meals worth. Martin went to talk to the local priest about the creature. Alice checked through the diary''s left upstairs, by adventures assigned to the village. Vivian headed over to the apothecary, they would need some more oil.
They met back in twenty minutes. David looked up at the wolf¡¯s head on the inn. ¡°Now to make it a pair, I have some cheese dried meat smoked fish and a skin of ale. Vivian had two flasks of oil. The cloth wicks wrapped around them, indicated they were not for torches. Alice looked concerned ¡°The early diaries report the beast as quite large. It will only have gotten bigger, it¡¯s very reluctant to leave its den though¡±. Martin shrugged, ¡°there was a reference in the old village records. The beast has some sort of natural magic but that was all¡±. Vivian patted him on the shoulder, ¡°it was worth a try. The den is there somewhere in the woods, and we have lots of oil.¡±
The group followed the crude map, which they had copied from the inn. The logging trail cut deep into the forest, acting as a fire break. They progressed down the trail for about four miles, then it abruptly ended. There was a track made by the wolves coming and going. The group had seen signs of the wolves, but nothing concrete. No howl no flash of fur. The group anticipated attack at any time. They had a brief pause to eat in silence, they progressed forwards weapons drawn.
Then it came, the thrall wolves moved forwards out of the woods. The five at the front were thin and sickly. The ten wolves following them were even less impressive, juveniles. They would have been impressive, against natural wolves. Compared to what the party had faced already, they were not.
Martin fired his two pistols, using focus shots. He hit and killed two of the juveniles. The wolves collapsed with barely a yelp of pain. Alice fired of three fire spells another three kills. Vivian targeted the larger wolves at the front, two power shots and two kills. David had a power attack ready, as soon as the first wolf got within range of his sword. The beast hesitated, it didn''t get a second opportunity, cut down gasping spitting blood and falling to the ground. David advanced on the next wolf, blade in hand.
Martin used a focus reload to prepare his pistol, he cocked the hammer and aimed. He hit one of the two remaining adults. Vivian finished the second one off with a power shot the arrow pierced its skull. David cut through two of the juveniles with simple thrusts, he didn''t have to put the force of a power attack into killing these beasts. Alice incinerated two more of the beasts with her spells. The last wolf backed up preparing to spring into a run, Vivian nailed it with an iron arrow, before it could flee.
They had demolished the last line of defence, the last reserves of the pack. David cleaned up his sword Martin reloaded his pistols, Vivian recovered her arrows. They piled up the wolves remains and set them on fire. They passed around the flask of ale, the next battle would not be an easy one. There preparations complete they set off for the den, the direction that the wolves had come from.
It was soon quite apparent that they were nearing the den of the thrall wolves. The trees in the area had been savaged as generations of wolves had tested there fangs on them. The ground was littered with the bones of countless prey, there was a cave that radiated a certain ominous aura. Martin could feel his holy symbol react. Alice could feel the slight taint of mana, the beast had some sort of magic.
The den was not very deep, about 50 foot they confronted there target weapons dawn and ready. They were wary waiting for some form of spell, cautious. The thrall Wolf matriarch was the largest monster that they had yet seen. While she didn''t lead the hunting party, she had defended her den many times against adventures monsters and rival''s.
Hear coat was thin in patches, discoloured from some sort of magic or toxin in a few large areas. Her left shoulder and front leg were swollen, the muscles stretching the skin beneath. Her left ear had been chewed away and not grown back. The right eye socket had been cracked and healed crooked, making it look like the wolf was squinting.
They could see numerous scars on her body, the Wolf was certainly ready for a fight, there were also five thrall wolves around her. Their heads didn''t reach up to her shoulder. The last remnant of the pack held back behind her in reserve.
The fight began with magic but Alice didn''t fire a spell. The matriarch had a sonic attack, a sonic howl, which had the party stunned and surprised before they could react. It was no wonder the wolves had been standing back out of range of the cone of attack. They were taking some damage they were going to be stunned when the wolves attacked.
A demonically tainted creature like the dread thrall Wolf matriarch, had the chance to absorb some traits from opponent''s she defeated and consumed. In this case a druid that used sonic magic, was part of a group that had attacked her den years ago. If she had destroyed a particularly powerful mercenary she might have acquired there adrenaline power attack. If she had eaten a strong troll then she might have absorbed a lesser form of regeneration.
The matriarch only had enough magic for a few attacks, but it was very effective. Martin didn''t have anything to counter the sonic magic for the group, but he could disrupt the matriarch.
He thrust his holy symbol forward, shouting ¡°Smite¡±. The bolt of lightning struck the beast in the face, causing it to pause. This disrupted the sonic attack. The rest of the party attacked with everything they had. The thrall wolves charged in.
David hurled a flask of oil with a wick at the group of wolves. Vivian targeted two striking them with power shots. Alice did her best to burn the matriarchs eye''s out with her fire magic. Martin had a pistol aimed and ready, ¡°divine retribution¡± the matriarch glowed hit with holy energy. The attack barely seemed to phase the matriarch. Martin didn''t like their chances, having used some of his strongest attacks. The beast barely reacted, it couldn''t be far from level twenty.
The thrall Wolf prepared to use its magic again. Alice fired a constant stream of spells at its head, this forced the beast to interrupt its attack and twist its head away. Vivian used power shot after power shot David finished off the few remaining thrall wolves with two power strikes, he caught two with the last blow. Martin had his second pistol he used his blessing, ¡°divine retribution¡± striking it again, for an underwhelming reaction.
Martin pulled out all the stops, using his ¡°wrath¡± blessing four times. He using focus throws on each to hit the beast in the side. He hit it with two silvered daggers and two poisoned daggers. They embedded up to the hilt in its flesh, the poison and silver would slowly damage its flesh.
The Wolf released its spell shaking the party to their bones. Alice felt herself blacking out David could feel his teeth rattling. Martin drew his oil coated daggers and ignited them. The beast anticipated his attack and struck first. Martin was struck, sending him flying into the cave wall. David took the opportunity to attack the beast in the flanks. Using power attacks he carved up its side, using up half his adrenalin reserves, this really hurt it.
Alice took several moments to recover, Vivian was quicker released arrow after arrow into the beasts shoulder, depleting most of her power attacks. The matriarch turned on David a snap of its jaws took the corner of his shied. Martin was not idle, he used this time to light his last thermite grenade and hurl it at the Wolf, burning its side as molten thermite burned its flesh away. The Wolf clamped its jaws on David, it shook him and threw him so that he collided into Alice and Vivian.
Martin used a new blessing, ¡°hallowed earth¡±, the floor glowed white, and the Wolf jumped back as smoke curled up from its feet as they were burnt. The Wolf charged catching Martin''s arm, his holy symbol went flying. Alice and Vivian had pulled themselves out from under David''s unconscious body. They resumed their bombardment, Alice was doing a lot of damage but the beast was very tough. Vivian used up her two silver arrows, the wolf was starting to look like a pin cushion.
Martin placed his hand on the holy symbol on his chest plate, ¡°Martyrs sacrifice¡± the blessing took hold. His muscles began to vibrate with power an aura of white formed around him. His attack strength agility and dexterity dramatically improved. But there was a price to using such power as it slowly tore his body apart. Small drops of Blood dripped from his nose, his eye sockets his ears and the corners of his mouth. He had seconds to use the power, before he ran out of focus to maintain it. He grabbed David''s dropped sword and proceeded to slip past the wolf¡¯s guard. He started to carve up the wolf¡¯s side where David had left off.
The wolf howled in pain, staggered and whipped round delivering another strike that send Martin flying. disrupting his concentration and ending the blessing. Alice had taken this opportunity to heal up David using three spells, his limbs straightened out and he regained consciousness, as Vivian smacked him round the face. David drew his silver dagger, picked up his shield and charged back into battle.
Vivian had run out of arrows, she dug around in her backpack for the last oil flask. Alice threw some more fire bite spells at the beast, causing it some damage. The matriarch was about to use her sonic attack. She backed up, but David interrupted her closing the distance and using an adrenalin block to smash her in the muzzle, hard enough to knock a few fangs out. David delivered five adrenalin strikes to the beasts face with his silver dagger. It was not deep but it was silver so it did a lot of damage.
Vivian threw the last of the oil at the wolf coating its front legs, Alice set it on fire leaving the wolf matriarch thrashing about her den. As she twisted round to put out the fire David was knocked over. Martin had recovered his holy symbol. He held a hand out to David giving him his sword, ¡°Fortress of faith, Holy aura, shield of faith, guardian angel, armour of faith¡± he used whatever defensive blessing he had to protect David as the mercenary charged in.
Martin was very badly wounded, he held his hand out, ¡°divine favour¡± he used up the last of his focus activating his one healing blessing. restoring 100 health to himself over five seconds. The thrall wolf matriarch was not expecting the mercenary to suddenly be so tough. The defensive blessing resisted her attacks. David closed in using his last adrenaline strike the last of his reserves he pushed his sword under the beasts jaw through its throat and into its spine. This last injury was enough to finish off the dread wolf matriarch, it coughed up blood and collapsed backwards.
Martin looked about David was exhausted almost about to fall asleep, Vivian was rushing over to check on him. Alice was busy healing herself up, she had been hit by the sonic spell twice and by David when he was thrown at her by the matriarch. Martin walked over to Alice to get her opinion as a magic user, ¡°the Sonic howl, no one know about the innate magic that monster had¡± Alice shock her head, ¡°what I can¡¯t hear you?¡± Martin shook his head and started to reload his pistols.
Alice held up her hand, Martin nodded. She used two healing spells on Martin. Then headed over to Vivian and David it would take almost all her remaining magic. The level up hit, Martin felt himself grow tougher, pain and growth surging through his flesh it was almost like the martyr''s sacrifice blessing, he reached level 22, the knowledge of how to use more advanced grenades was added to his armoury. Martin and Vivian continued to build their respective proficiency hitting level fifteen they unlocked the ability to train guards. Simple guards but it made a mercenary much more useful. Alice was woken up having blacked out from the level up, she grinned ¡°level fourteen now I get the fire ball spell¡±. There was a certain manic look in her eyes that faded after a few seconds.
They checked around the den, in one corner being very quiet was a litter of ten pups. They were hidden under some bones and branches at the very back of the cave. Curious Martin picked up one cub, it bared its tiny fangs at him. Martin put the cub back down. He looked round the den. ¡°Vivian can you get the head?¡± she used David sword to sever the head. They had gathered everything up. Martin got out his tinder box and set the remains and the den on fire. They moved out of the den as the fire consumed the cubs, they yipped and barked in fear. David turned to Martin, ¡°pity they looked kind of cute¡±.
Martin was suffering from mental exhaustion, he looked at the wolf¡¯s head and slapped his own brow. ¡°We can¡¯t bring that to the village the way it, is give me twenty minutes to rest and regain focus and I can purify it so it¡¯s safe to handle¡±. Reluctantly the party agreed. Alice took the opportunity to do the same she would have enough magic for another spell. Martin got up twenty minutes later, his head a bit clearer, ¡°purify¡±. The beasts head was safe to transport. They checked themselves over but had no signs of the taint.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
Vivian half carried David, Martin carried the head and they set off. Sometime later David was a lot happier as the reward was in there pockets. The second giant wolfs head was mounted up on the inn. The sheriff grinned, ¡°A matching pair¡±. Martin looked at him with a dower expression, ¡°I am zealous with fighting the foe, but it was a narrow thing. That was a job for veterans¡±. The sheriff grinned, ¡°You sell yourselves short, in a little while you will be veterans, such beasts will fall easily to you¡±. Martin looked at his empty bandolier, ¡°when I have replenished my arsenal I may agree with you¡±. The sheriff walked off, ¡°you have the funds to do that now¡±
Martin looked at the group, ¡°I think that there is one rat left in this village, we missed it before we might as well get him as well¡±. The group looked a bit perplexed as they followed Martin, a big grin spread across David''s face, when they started to head over to the gambler in the corner. There were about eight of the villagers in the inn at the time. They took one look at the group and at the gambler and decided to be somewhere else. The gamblers eyes fell on Martin and the rest of the group, his first instinct was that he was going to get a beating and need the local priest to heal him up. The hero''s that had saved the village from the big pack of wolves, were going to give him a seeing to. However he was not going to be that lucky, he got up to leave
Martin looked at Vivian, ¡°why don''t we have friendly game, I don''t think our friend should be leaving¡±. The mercenary easily forced the gambler back into his chair, with a grip that could have probably crushed his shoulder if it was much tighter. Martin held out his flask of tip, ¡°friend join me in a friendly drink¡±.
The gambler looked nervous were they going to poison him? Martin took a swig and handed it to the gambler, ¡°sure Mr hero¡± the gambler managed to say as he took a swig back and almost choked, on the 80% proof distilled turnip brew. He held up his hands and seemed to have trouble recognising them. His usual strategy of picking on drunks that couldn''t count properly was one of his main tactics. Martin put a handful of bronze coins on the table, ¡°let¡¯s have a friendly game¡±. The gambler swallowed, he reached into his pocket and hesitated he reached into a different pocket and removed a set of cards. He cracked his knuckles and the cards flashed in his hands. He didn''t notice the movement of Martins eyes, as he used a little focus to concentrate on the gamblers movements.
The gambler shuffled the deck then dealt out two hands of cards, he reached into his pocket and matched the coins that Martin had put on the table. Martin revealed his cards one by one the gambler held his cards close, then breathed a sigh of relief. Martin had three jacks and two eights. He showed his own cards, four kings and an ace and reached for the pile of coins. Martin smiled ¡°not so fast, the cards you dealt are up your left sleeve¡±. David started to draw his sword, Martin gently gestured to him to sheath it. ¡°Vivian please do the honours¡±, she gripped the gamblers hand and twisted sliding his sleeve back, five cards dropped onto the table.
Martin grinned, ¡°you couldn''t help but try to cheat and there are four witnesses, I can swear under a holy oath that I saw you cheat and that is admissible evidence¡±. The gambler looked nervous, ¡°priests can gable¡± Martin laughed, ¡°vampire hunter not a priest, there are very few restrictions on us as long as we get results¡±. He grinned again, ¡°Vivian we have reasonable grounds to search him let¡¯s see what he was reaching for in his other pocket.¡±
Vivian removed a second pack of cards, Martin handed them over to Alice, ¡°is there anything magic about these¡±? She checked them carefully and handed them back ¡°they are completely mundane¡± Martin shrugged and flipped through the cards, Vivian chimed in, ¡°the flower pattern on the back it¡¯s different for each card they are marked¡±. Martin looked at the shaking gambler, ¡°well well let¡¯s see what else you have.¡± Vivian twisted his arm a bit and continued to search, she removed a small vial from his pocket, an odd looking coin and finally found a green glowing amulet on a chain around his neck, he was very quiet.
Martin held out the vial and gave it to David, ¡°go to the apothecary and find out what this is¡±. He flipped the coin over and found it had two sides the same, a simple coin trick to fool really dumb or really drunk people. He handed the amulet to Alice, ¡°what is it?¡± she looked at it then concentrated for a minute, ¡°I belie that this is an illegal enchantment called the hand of luck, it confers five levels of the gamblers skill to the user and raises there manual dexterity by two points. a mainstay of the thieves guild I believe¡±.
¡°I have a wife and kids to look after, don''t hand me over to the sheriff¡±. Alice looked at the bar matron, ¡°any of that true¡± she shrugged, ¡°no kids isn¡¯t married¡±. The gambler looked at Martin, ¡°you¡¯re a god fearing man you believe in forgiveness second chances¡±. Martin looked at him, ¡°I believe in sending people to god, then he may or may not chose to forgive you¡±. The gambler tried to bolt from the chair but Vivian still had a grip on his arm. Martin was able to easily intimidate him .the man started to breathe faster and faster. David ran back into the inn, ¡°the apothecary says it¡¯s a strong sleeping drug¡±. Martin moved one step closer to the gambler, ¡°you messed with one of us you mess with all of us¡±. The gambler was wheezing and shaking, as the zealot looked at him ¡°what are you going to¡±?
He smiled ¡°I am going to go to the priest brother Bartholomew and I am going to get parchment and pen, we will write out a statement of what has just happened. Then we are going to sign it, a copy will be given to the local priest, the sheriff and the apothecary. A copy will be nailed to the wall of the bar and the sign board of the church, then we will let the local justice grind fine and slow.¡± Vivian looked at Martin, ¡°he''s probably been bribing someone in power for years¡±. Martin nodded ¡°true but not everyone, he will have few friends very soon¡±.
The statements were written up and distributed, they dragged the gambler over to the mayor¡¯s office and presented him to the sheriff. The sheriff looked disappointed, ¡°you idiot you had to be greedy now I can¡¯t help you¡±. The gambler held out a bag of coin to David ¡°take it back let¡¯s forget about everything¡±, David looked at the sheriff, ¡°I will take my coin back?¡± the sheriff nodded, ¡°no objection from me¡±. The gambler looked at him, ¡°I gave him his money back let me go¡±. The sheriff shook his head, ¡°what about everyone else''s coin? I will keep you in hear so something doesn''t happen to you out there. You will get a beating and humiliated some and then throne out it¡¯s the best I can do¡±, the group left the gambler to his fate.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
15 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
105/105 |
Adrenalin |
75/75 |
|
|
| Strength |
21 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level attack bonus |
15 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
15 |
|
|
| Bonus base weapon damage |
45 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L3 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L1 |
| Speed Shooting L4 |
|
| Perks |
| Intensive Training +1 endurance and Strength |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
14 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
57/57 |
Mana |
150/150 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
19 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
14 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
14 |
|
|
| Number of Spells can Maintain |
1 |
|
|
| Base Spell Cost 4 Mana |
|
|
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L1 |
Analyse Magic L1 |
| Recharge Enchantment L1 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 damage + 2 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 damage +5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Touch heal master (15 heal + 6 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 heal +1 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| fire ball (10 damage +4 per level 10 foot area ) 4x base mana cost |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
15 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
105/105 |
Adrenalin |
75/75 |
|
|
| Strength |
21 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
15 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
15 |
|
|
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
45 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L3 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
| Sword proficiency L6 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L1 |
| Shield proficiency L6 |
Adrenalin power block L1 |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
22 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
303/303 |
Focus |
150/150 |
|
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
31 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
33 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
33 |
|
|
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
| Resist Poison |
Holy Symbol usage L1 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L5 |
Overload Shot L1 |
| Focus Shot L1 |
Focus re-lode L1 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L1 |
| General Melee Weapons L2 |
Focus strike L1 |
| Focus Parry L1 |
Focus Multi Throw L1 |
| Combat Medic support skill L2 |
Grenadier L3 |
| Blade Coatings L2 |
|
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 4 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 2 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 2 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
| Leather Working L3 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 15 points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
| Survivors Guilt |
True Monsters – Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 13 – Taken For A Ride
True Monsters ¨C Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 13 ¨C Taken For A Ride
Broken Gorge was the most northerly settlement in the kingdom, one of the remotest places. Yet the village was in high spirits. The local monsters that had been plaguing the area for generations, were currently reduced to trophies. Mounted on stakes, sitting on the top of the local inn. The population would have a good amount of peace, to rebuild before something else moved into the area. It had cost those in charge some coin, but it had been worth it.
It was quite late at night, a cart rode along the trail to the village not a caravan but a cart. The cart was well maintained and mostly empty. Normally going to the effort of moving from one village to another, along the treacherous roads especially at night. Would be done with a full cart, it was expensive to maintain. This was a rare exception, where the message was quite urgent.
The cart driver was a farmer, who usually used his cart to farm the lands around his village. He was not used to the road. He had been rudely woken up by one of the local guards a messenger. His services and his cart were commandeered that morning. He was a militia man, with a shield and spear, both were in close proximity in his cart. He wore a padded jacket, which would work as low end armour and a boiled leather helmet. The Messenger next to him had a much more robust padded gambeson. An iron helmet and boiled leather armour on his limbs. He carried a sword and held several javelins at the ready, both of them wore heavy wool cloaks.
They stopped outside the village gate. One of the village militia on duty noticed them and called out to one of the guards. The driver touched a holy symbol next to the gate of the village, the messenger that shared the cart did the same. The gates to the village cracked open and the cart was allowed in. The occupants of the cart were met with a guard and several militia. The guard on the cart was short and curt, ¡°lords business the mayor now¡±, he held up an official looking document.
One of the militia men was sent as a runner, he got the Sheriff who was fast asleep. The sheriff cursed and got out of bed. He pulled on clothing and rushed to the inn. The cart was lead behind the in, the horse were fed and watered in little shack of a stable. The driver stayed next to the messenger and the paperwork. The sheriff arrived as quickly as he could. The strange messenger looked him up and down. It appeared that this man had one skill, to anger people by throwing around the weight of the local lord, his employer.
The man was dismissive of the sheriff, ¡°the mayor now lackey¡±. The sheriff¡¯s hand was halfway to his sword when he stopped himself. ¡°I am the sheriff of this village¡±. The man sneered, ¡°Raise a hand to me, my lord¡¯s messenger is to raise a hand against him. You would lose your hand, your position and your pension¡±. The sheriff bit down his anger and went to get the mayor. The mayor had been having a deep introspection, with the contents of a nice bottle of wine when he was roused. He didn¡¯t like to be roused, the sheriff gently explained to him. That he had a very official messenger, a very arrogant one at that.
The mayor put on an official looking hat and headed out to meet the man. The messenger looked at the mayor and nodded, the smallest of greetings. Before the mayor could speak the messenger began. ¡°His lordship commands that you provide, immediately all able bodied soldiers level 5 and over. To the defence of his primary holdings, all other considerations are irrelevant all other duties are superseded¡±. The local lord was effectively pulling every competent fighter from the surrounding villages in to defend his main business. Not asking for volunteers or anything else he was commanding, as the most senior representative of the triune. He had that authority, barely.
The sheriff and the mayor looked at each other. The mayor looked at the messenger, ¡°you would leave us defenceless¡±? He shrugged, ¡°I don¡¯t care and neither dose the lord, just round up the best men you have. We have need of them, your sheriff¡¯s level 15 he would be a good start and I see some guards about¡±.
The messenger stopped, ¡°oh yes you have some adventures. They are assigned to this place as well to hunt the local wolf pack or something, any of them any good¡±? The mayor grinned he lead the messenger outside the inn, he pointed to the heads of the two giant wolves sticking out form the roof. The messenger paused for the first time impressed, ¡°I understood that there were a level 4 mage. A level 3 vampire hunter and two level 5 mercenaries, how did they¡±. The mayor grinned ¡°they all started at those levels but they have grown¡±.
The messenger paused, ¡°that group of adventures they would fill the draft. They are assigned to this region anyway¡±. The mayor was glad he would get rid of this buffoon and the local lord¡¯s problems. He would not lose his people to the lord¡¯s arrogance. He was slightly sad to see the group go as they were potent defenders of his village, but they had also almost cleared out his coffers. The mayor got one of the village militia to inform the other local officials. The adventures would be gone soon, others would be assigned a few more low level specialists to train up their skills.
The Sheriff banged on the adventures door. They rose Vivian was the first to the door, ¡°what¡¯s going on?¡± The Sheriff was concise, ¡°we have trouble in the next village along, Vine Garden you need to pack and move out now¡±. Vivian nodded, ¡°any idea what we face¡±? ¡°No but it can¡¯t be good, messengers a prick though¡±. David woke up, ¡°what do we get extra pay¡±? The sheriff shook his head, ¡°standard guild rates, you only move from one village to the next same area¡±. Alice was pale ¡°I need sleep to recharge my mana¡±! He shrugged, ¡°you can sleep on the cart¡±. Martin looked expectantly, ¡°any idea what we face vampires?¡± he shrugged, ¡°I have no idea¡±.
The messenger arrived at their door, ¡°aren¡¯t you ready to move yet. Get your fucking arses in gear now¡±. Martin and David shared a look, this man would eventually say something to the wrong person. That might be a lot sooner than David thought. They disappeared and packed their belongings. They grabbed their equipment and personal effects, putting on everything that they had. Vivian carried Alice¡¯s stuff. The cart driver complained that his horses needed rest, before the return journey. The messenger was an insufferable prick, he continued to push. The local apothecary agreed to provide a stamina potion. Half a dose to each horse and the horses could probably make it. The messenger hesitated, when the apothecary demanded that he sign for the potion. His lord would eventually get the bill. He had his orders so he did.
As they left the village the gambler was tied to a post, he was covered in scratches and bruises. Several villagers had been hurling mud and dung at him, a village guard stood and watched making sure no one came back to do something more serious. The group had profited from their time they had about 25 silver each from bounties collected.
The four adventures got into the cart, they piled up there gear and huddled under a few blankets to keep warm. Alice, Vivian and David dosed off to recover their energy. Martin kept watch, the messenger and the cart driver sat up the front, wrapped in two more blankets. The horses looked haggard but still able to move. Thanks to the alchemical concoction they were not ready to drop from exhaustion, just yet. The messenger had a mouth that ran all night, ¡°horses need to move faster whip them¡±. ¡°If we move faster we go over a cliff¡±. The man was persistently offensive, ¡°You¡¯re an idiot a fucking farmer what do you know¡±.
The ignorant man kept on talking, ¡°what are priests but fancy mages. There is no god just a trick they put on¡±. He knew that Martin was a vampire hunter, a religious job. He kept at it hour after hour trying to get a rise. Martin got some rest and David took over the watch. The messenger kept on about how worthless mercenaries were compared to guards, how they were not professional. He almost got his teeth punched out then and there.
They stopped for a break and some food. There were certain rest spots on the trails, where shrines were set up. The holy ground would ward off some monsters. The defensive positon helped against the rest, they usually had a fire pit ready. The messenger turned to the night sky, ¡°oh monsters dinner any fucking monsters¡±, he laughed. ¡°Oh high and mighty god, fuck you what you going to do about it¡±, he didn¡¯t notice Martin getting up, ¡°fucking god bother''s, what¡¯s the point that useless god of yours, fucking useless where is he now...¡± Martin lifted the man off his feet by his neck.
He had a second hand on the man¡¯s sword arm. The man could not draw breath and could not get his weapon. Martin was intense but quiet, ¡°Do not blaspheme in front of me again, or you will not draw breath again, I serve the creator god if you wish to be judged speak again¡±. The guard wet himself there and then, Vivian and David were up they considered tackling Martin. Pulling the guard out of his hands. They were much stronger together than Martin, the look in Martins eyes made them pause.
He dropped the guard, and looked at him. The man was about to say something, his eyes met Martin and he stopped short. A look of fear spread across his face, ¡°yes kind sir sorry sir¡±. Alice looked at the spectacle, ¡°that¡¯s why people think vampire hunters are madmen¡±, she turned over and went to sleep. The messenger looked at the rest of them, ¡°I guess we could all do with a rest¡±.
There was a click in the darkness a clack, almost like the sound of a watch mechanism. It was far away but it got closer. There was the sound and something moved in the dark, there was a shadow. David was on watch, the tick and clacking grew closer. There was also the scrape of metal dragging on the ground. David was up sword in hand shield in place, ¡°who goes there?¡±
There was a click and a tick, something stepped into the fire light. David gripped his shield and sword, ¡°what the fuck are you?¡± he shouted, ¡°Everyone we got trouble¡±. What was standing at the edge of the light, looked like a bit like a ghoul? It looked like someone had started with the body of a large ghoul. They had pumped the corpse full of preservative chemicals staining it green, allowing its flesh to remain glued together. Several large holes in the ghoul, had been stitched closed with copper wire. Where it was missing a left foot. A construction of iron plate, steel leaf springs gears and leather had replaced it.
Its right hand was a construction, made like a steel trap. Its left leg was in a brace of iron and leather, its jaw had a plate bolted onto it. Missing teeth had been replaced by rusty iron spikes driven into the jaw. The left eye was a crystal, which faintly glowed purple. Riveted to its back was a bronze cylinder, which delivered some chemical to its insides. A big bronze plate was screwed down to its skull with half an electrode visible. Where its heart would normally be a circular plate had been bolted in place, the edge of a few gears could be seen. The ticking noise emanated from inside. There were several other shapes that stood behind it, some were once men some were once dogs or wolves. All of them had been reanimated and repaired stitched together braced and plated filled with alchemical concoctions.
They didn¡¯t look friendly and they didn¡¯t look like they could reasoned with. They saw raw materials and moved forwards. The cart driver had his shield and spear, the messenger threw a javelin. It bounced off the side of the mechanical necromantic abomination. Alice looked at the monstrosities and shrugged, ¡°fire ball¡± the group of terrors was engulfed in magical flames. Some creatures on the edge were not hit. Some of the smaller less well constructed creatures fell dead instantly, then the magical flames evaporated.
David charged at the former ghoul, striking it with his shield using an adrenalin block to stagger it. Where the shield impacted a few bolts and screws were knocked lose. It set up the creature to receive David''s adrenalin strike, he cut deep into the creature. A green goo leaked out, this thing was tougher than a ghoul but didn''t have regeneration in its arsenal.
Martin aimed both of his pistols with focus shots. He hit two of the lesser creatures removing them from the board. Vivian let lose two power shots in quick succession, killing two more of the lesser monsters. David landed another block strike combo the creature, it was tough. He might have been a little rash, his objective as the shield barer of the group. Was to tie down the largest threat for as long as possible.
Martin held out his holy symbol, the word smite on his lips. Then he looked at the creature and remembered something stopping himself. He charged forwards a different tactic would work. Alice hit the group of attackers with a second fire ball, only three of the sturdier creatures remained and the former ghoul. Vivian targeted the ghoul construct hitting it with two power shots, trying to disable a limb. Martin was in the middle of the group of creatures, ¡°hallowed earth¡±. He activated a blessing, destroying the remaining creatures except for the ghoul construct. It was still hurt by the blessings holy energy.
David stuck it twice more with power attacks, injuring it again and again. The former ghoul responded quickly enough, slamming into his sword arm with enough force to break it and stop his assault. Alice switched to her fire bite spell, striking it in the face twice more. She didn''t want to catch her own allies in the detonation of a fire ball. Martin used his focus reload ability, then hit it in the tank on its back with a focus shot. The beast was suddenly a lot slower now, whatever was in the tank was no longer feeding into its body. The beast was hit twice more with arrows from Vivian and keeled over. Its mechanical heart beat stopped and it froze in place, oil dripping down from its mechanical heart.
The creature¡¯s remains stank, a mixture of an apothecary''s shop a sooty blacksmiths forge and a slaughter house. Which in some respects resembled the creature¡¯s origins.
Martin turned to them pointing, ¡°This is why you burn the body, every single body¡±. The messenger ran over and stabbed the ghoul construct with his Javelin. Vivian turned to him, ¡°you only gain exp if you fight it when it¡¯s alive¡±. The party started to level up, the guard didn''t. After some pain their bodies underwent the equivalent of weeks of physical growth in moments. Martin reached level 23 of his vampire hunter job and improved his grenadier skill. Gaining knowledge of the safe handling of dynamite. Not that he could afford any of the expensive stuff. even if there was somewhere local that would sell it. At level sixteen David was getting close to the sword skill cap for a mercenary. Vivian''s speed shooting ability was progressing nicely, at level fifteen Alice gained the improved version of the fire ball spell, it cost a lot of manna but it had a real punch to it.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Vivian looked at the remains, ¡°Martin you sort of recognise those things?¡± Martin shrugged, ¡°I have read our texts, they look like some sort of walker.¡± David asked, ¡°What¡¯s a walker¡±, Martin was hesitant his knowledge was at its limit.
¡°A kind of construct made by an archanist¡±, Alice responded she knew some of her magical lessons. The driver shrugged, ¡°what''s an archanist?¡± Martin remembering the group now, ¡°the hunters killed most of them. That''s most of what I remember¡±. Alice spoke up, ¡°briefly, they were necromancers that reinforced their creations with mechanist and alchemical arts, which is the simple answer¡±. Vivian shrugged, ¡°what''s a mechanist¡± Martin having worked in a crafts guild was familiar with this trade. ¡°They make locks clocks music boxes artificial arms, things like that¡±. Alice wondered, ¡°why did vampire hunters target them specifically¡±? ¡°They work for the Empress of Shadows, one of the vampire masters that plague this land¡±.
The cart driver looked at the creatures, putting his own spear and shield back in the cart. During the fight he had just protected his horses. He had no desire to rank up his militia combat job, just to protect his lively hood. The cart driver regarded the messenger, ¡°I guess you were right to push us so hard to move fast. We can¡¯t have things like that wondering the road¡±. He nodded in a far more humble manor, ¡°yes just doing my job¡±. The cart driver looked from the pile of monsters back to the adventures. ¡°Who are you more afraid of, the monsters or those that hunt them?¡± The guard didn''t hesitate, ¡°the vampire hunter, the zealot definitely him¡±.
Alice and Martin had a good poke through the remains. The best that they could deduce, was that these creatures had been constructed from relatively cheap parts. Things adapted not custom made. It was almost like someone''s practice attempts. They collected the ghoul walker¡¯s head, hand and the mechanism that replaced its heart. The rest of the remains were piled up and set on fire on the side of the road.
They rested a little more then headed off. The cart driver was half asleep when the sun rose in the sky, he looked a little less nervous. They would soon be at their destination, inside solid thick walls. Vine Garden was a village that produced a very profitable vintage. The Cain strand of grapes, was alchemically altered to survive the lower temperature. It was a slow growing grape, but produced a superior vintage.
The larger village had a population of about 1000 people. It was built on hill, so that it was more defensible than other settlements. In comparison to Broken Gorge, its defences were more substantial. A deeper ditch heavier gates and larger gatehouse. The bottom four feet of the walls were stone with wood on top. Five solid towers ringed the settlement. They provided good spots for archers to target attackers. The village was more prosperous, a few large ware houses. A series of better constructed houses near the top of the hill. A solid manor like a miniature castle was the second most impressive building. The largest was the church, on top of the hill. It was built over two levels, it even had a little moat and drawbridge to protect the main doors, a very solid final line of defence.
The guards had decent equipment, they looked to be quite alert. The cart driver stopped at a post next to the gate. He picked up a holy symbol attached to the post and passed it round the group. The guards at the gate looked on then relaxed, as the symbol was put back. The messenger showed them his paperwork the guard dismissed it. ¡°Stan I know you have the lord¡¯s seal, stop waving it around to everyone¡±. The gate guards noticed he had pissed himself as he stepped down. He explained briefly, ¡°monster attack on the road¡±, they nodded understanding.
The adventures stepped off the cart with their belongings. The messenger discharged the cart driver who visibly relaxed. ¡°Thank god that''s over¡± and went on his way. The messenger led them to a town square. There was a group of armed men guards¡¯, militia some adventures milling about. The party joined them. From a balcony on the second floor of the local manor, a man in a yellow uniform stepped out and blew a single blast from a bugle to get everyone''s attention.
A large man walked onto the balcony, he radiated an air of pompous arrogance. He had expensive clothes with expensive armour on top of them. The armour would have fitted him when he was younger and fitter. Now it was barely held in place with many additional straps. He had a large black curled moustache. He looked down at his audience and began.
¡°I am Lord Fortest Bradbury-Cain, welcome to the village of Vine Garden. As the rightful lord of the surrounding lands, I used my authority to commandeer you from your assigned duties. They were probably of little consequence anyway.¡±
¡°The holdings of the house of Cain are threatened, by some nefarious external force. I will not let my noble ancestor¡¯s legacy be threatened or tainted. It''s your duty to lay down your lives, in my service to depose of this threat.¡±
¡°There is a group of bandits, who dared to rob my caravans who dared to steal my property. This is an insult against my illustrious self, my noble ancestors my venerable house. It is an attack against the crown, the concept of Justice itself. It is a crime that cries to heaven for vengeance and furious retribution¡±. He paused then dismissively gestured, ¡°I leave my bumbling Stewart to fill you in on the details¡±, he turned to leave, almost tripping over his own pompous cloak.
The group of armed men and women below were not particularly impressed. The better equipped members of the group started to grumble. A group of mercenaries in mixture of chainmail and plate grumbled, ¡°What cheek we work for the guild not him.¡± Two burly women dressed like Martin didn''t look any happier, ¡°He took us off the trail of a vampire for bandits.¡± Some of the less well armed people started to add their complaints, ¡°Where does he think this is, a Barron''s court.¡± ¡°If he spoke like that in the capital, the mob would Lynch him.¡± ¡°If there was a master amongst us, he would change his tune¡±.
A very tired looking man, in dull grey clothing rushed out of the manor. He clutched a pile of paperwork and addressed the irritated crowd. ¡°My unreserved apologise, for my Lords, somewhat antiquated method of speaking. He is of course grateful to you, your settlements and your organization''s for your assistance. You will be compensated for your time and effort.¡±
He took special note of the party, the mercenary group and the two vampire hunters. ¡°I will give you more information shortly, my lord choose to focus on one of the incidents. A vampire may be involved with the others. We have had bandit attacks, disappearances and monster activity has dramatically increase. Rest assured that you serve the interests of the people, the guild and the Church in this endeavour.¡±
The steward stared to hand out assignments to various people. The vampire hunters had some areas to investigate. The mercenary group were sent on an extermination run. The militia men were assigned patrol duties. The extra guards were sent to the lord¡¯s manor. Finally the steward got to the party of adventures. ¡°So you¡¯re the group hunting wolves up by the old mine correct? David nodded ¡°we have finished that assignment and several others, we are all level 15 or more¡±. The steward breathed a sigh of relief, ¡°that''s very good news they were strangling local commerce¡±. David held out a hand, Vivian handed him a bag of monster parts he pulled out the head, ¡°Could this be part of your problem, what''s the bounty on solving it?¡±
The steward brought them up to speed as best he could. ¡°The first one of these things that we found was a sheep stitched back together, um reanimated. It fell apart after a day that was a year ago¡±. Then nine months ago we found a wolf, its jaws replaced with iron it was outwardly impressive. But a single strike from a quarterstaff felled it. The next thing was four months ago, possibly from the same source. It looked like half a rat shoved into a preservative jar. Attached to a set of clockwork legs, most odd it was disposed of, with fire. Since then nothing else has appeared, but people have disappeared.¡± He looked through some of his papers, ¡°15 People no bodies, about 60 animals have gone missing mostly dogs. Probably to serve as raw materials for whatever these things are.¡±
They talked to the steward some more, getting an idea of the situation. He brought them up to speed on the local village. There was a Priest father Richard, level 14 he would be providing them with lodgings. The local lord was a knight level 21, Sir Fortest had been a competent warrior when he was younger. The other main player was a merchant Alan Quinn, quite an old man he had reached level 25 solely as merchant. He employed a body guard Harold a mercenary. The steward indicated that he kept some special stock for adventures. It was best to see him at some point, before they started on their assigned duties. The inn was already full so they had been sent to the church. The priest was a quiet scholarly man with a thin face, he showed them to their rooms. Vivian and Alice would be bunking in one small room David and Martin the other. They ate a brief quiet meal, with the priest and the lay brother who assisted him. The menu consisted of dried mutton bread and a very nice cheese, they started and ended with a brief prayer.
They went to see the merchant Alan, he had a large warehouse. There was a shopfront that was handled by a couple of assistance in white aprons. One of the assistance noticed the party they nodded, ¡°please wait one minute¡±. They disappeared to a back room, a few seconds later the mercenary Harold appeared. He wore a light ringmail hauberk over a padded jacket he carried an axe and mace. He looked over the group, he was friendly professional. ¡°What business do you have hear?¡± Vivian was the first to answer, ¡°We heard from the steward, that you have some exclusive stock that might aid us¡±.
The mercenary nodded, taking them to the back room. An elderly man in bright clothes greeted them from behind a desk. ¡°Welcome to my establishment, news travels fast, congratulations, you killed the dread wolves. You survived the mine, the possibility of rebuilding the mine becomes one step closer¡±. Martin spoke, ¡°there is great risk in trying to do that¡±. ¡°And also great profit, evil must be purged eventually it can¡¯t just be contained¡±. Alice nudged Martin out of the way, she smiled sweetly, ¡°do you have any potions?¡±
The merchant walked with a stick, he led them to a back room. He unlocked a heavy door throwing open a window inside. He sat down at a chair ledger in hand, there were four large wooden cabinets in the room. Harold went round opening them showing off the ''exclusive'' stock.
It was shopping time. ¡°What do you have for the aspiring mage?¡± Alice grinned in anticipation. There was one cabinet with magical paraphernalia.
Most of it was showy but not helpful. A couple of pieces would only be good for an enchanter or a druid. One item amplified psionic abilities, but wouldn''t help her. Still Alice found a nice staff made from black oak, it had stronger enchantments than her current staff. The end was tipped with a brass orb with a few decorative green feathers hanging down from it. There were grip bindings in brown leather. It could can hold 25 mana, Alice was able to negotiate a part exchange with her current staff. It was technically tower property, she would sort that out later if it ever came up.
She charged the new staff and emptied the charge from her current staff, before handing it over allowing her to retain as much mana as possible. She found a square cut silver and iron necklace of protection. It granted a small + 4 armour that could be added on top of her ring and robe. She did find a basic mana potion, amongst the lacklustre selection of potions. It was expensive all told she had about 2 silver left.
Martin was the next to address the merchant, ¡°do you have any explosives¡±? The merchant looked thoughtful, ¡°I have three thermite grenades, I could sell you. I don''t normally carry many alchemist weapons, your fellow vampire hunters may have a weapon or two going spare. I have some raw materials¡±, Martin and the merchant exchanged a few words and the thermite grenades and raw ingredients for gunpowder disappeared into his jacket. Martin had about 20 silver left.
Vivian looked over a few crossbows and short bows, ¡°I really need some arrows. All my good steel broad-heads are lost or broken, the local iron isn''t that good¡±. The merchant gestured to a quiver of arrows, they were held out to Vivian she paused. The merchant had a little grin, ¡°they are 1 silver each, these are Damascus tempered bodkins. They can pierce through armour. The timber is kiln dried mill cut Savon hickory, both tough and flexible. Finished with a two layer oil coating to prevent any warping. They are fletched with gryphon''s feathers, note the steel blue colouration of the plumage. It¡¯s all held together with steel silk harvested from a terror spider and alchemist double infused glue¡±.
Slowly Vivian reached out her hand, she took of her glove and felt the tip of the arrow. A big grin slowly spread across her face, she gripped the arrow head tightly. She got ten of the expensive bodkins, she had three more silver tipped arrows. She had a rather stuffed quiver containing five silver arrows, for the supernatural horrors. Ten of the bodkins for tougher targets and ten of the iron broad-heads for the trash. Her purse was reduced to 12 silver.
David was the last, ¡°what have you got for plate armour or tough shields¡±? The merchant sighed, ¡°The group of mercenaries has already picked up the few bits of armour I had. However one item might suit your fighting style¡±. There was an iron tower shield in one corner of the cabinet, it was like a door in size. It was curved to deflect blows. It had reinforcements, a steel rim central boss and steel reinforcing bands across its surface. A few decorative copper rivets and quite a few dents in it. David noted two short blunt spikes at the bottom of the shield, allowing it to be embedded in the ground. Martin looked at him, ¡°I can probably hammer the worst of the dents out¡±. Ten silver and half an hour of hammering later, David was very pleased with the results. With a few patches to his armour he had ten silver left.
They briefly met the other adventures, before heading out on their assignment. Before the party arrived there were originality eight, now there were six. Two of the original four members of the sisterhood of unrelenting mercy''s squad had fallen to a vampire a week ago. They had killed several but the leader and the rest had escaped. Both sides having inflicted equivalent losses. The two remaining members were level 17 and 19, the sisterhood had some gear spare. If a fellow hunter could use it, they would be happy to pass on a triple barrelled pistol, once they had finished their current assignment.
The squad of mercenaries was from the Gray Company, based in Gray forge one of the nine big towns, also known as the armoury of the north. There was a heavy set commander with iron and chain-mail defences. He carried a great axe with several throwing axes he was Level 20. There was a grenadier carrying cheaply made ceramic bombs, consisting of gunpowder and stones in small ceramic containers she carried a lit cigar in her jaw she was level 14. There was a scout she had a short bow level 17 and an archer like Vivian level 16, he was shorter but carried similar armaments with a newer bow.
Vivian got a jealous look as he viewed her new arrows. David showed the group there trophy the ghoul walker head, the vampire hunters shrugged, ¡°new to us but we will keep an eye out¡±. The mercenary commander nodded, ¡°we killed a big ghoul like that about three months ago¡±. The archer pointed to the crystal replacement, ¡°I got its eye¡±. The grenadier admitted sheepishly, ¡°we didn''t burn the body, we left it in the cave just cut its heart out for the alchemist that wanted it.¡± Martin held up the head, ¡°this is why you burn the body¡±. The party headed off to the duty that the steward had assigned them.
True Monsters – Act 2 vine garden - Chapter 14 – Oh Deer
True Monsters ¨C Act 2 vine garden - Chapter 14 ¨C Oh Deer
The group left there trophy''s in there lodgings, they gathered a few provisions and headed out. The steward had given them a map, of the local forest trails. And a description of four foresters that had disappeared in the woods. They were to go a search the area for signs of what had happened. Originally they had thought that the foresters had stumbled across a bandit or a monster. With the appearance of the Archanist creatures, it was possible another group of them had attacked the hunters.
They were to find any trace of what had happened, bring back or rescue any survivors. Then kill or drive off whatever caused it. Martin had an air of anticipation in his voice, ¡°we will probably see vampires, or the servants of vampires behind this, we will deliver gods justice to them¡±.
David had his new shield and was quite confident, ¡°there are heavy bounty''s on the vampires right?¡± Martin nodded, ¡°we are talking gold hear, yes my friend we can get our hands on some real explosives with a good bounty¡±. Alice was more hesitant, she had no burning desire for revenge or a hunger to line her pockets.
She was not motivated by a sense of professionalism, she could not deny the sense of freedom. That came from being away from the stuffy mages tower, out from under the thumb of a tutor. And power, she had grown to actually wield a competent level of power. Having a bit of coin in her pocket was nice as well. She would like to see her family again, and being a higher level a veteran or a master might make that happen.
They proceeded down the game trails on the map, they came across a dear carcass. It had been thoroughly devoured. A fox was by it chewing away, the fox turned and looked at them. It barked and gnashed its teeth, before charging forwards. Vivian hit it with an arrow, the creature fell dead skewered from front to back. The group gathered round it. Vivian poked it with her bow, ¡°it looks diseased unhealthy¡±. Alice held out her hand, ¡°I can sense some energy it¡¯s a bit like the thrall wolves¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°I think that I know what is going on, I believe that this fox picked the thrall taint up from this deer carcass¡±. David nodded, ¡°I know the drill clean it with fire¡±. They burnt the remains and moved forwards.
Further down the trail there was another dead deer. It was propped up against the side of a tree, an arrow stuck in it. Vivian puled the arrow out and looked at it. ¡°Cheap iron broad head, got the animal by surprise. A precise but not powerful shot, probably one of the foresters hunting¡±. Alice looked about, ¡°no sign of a struggle and no sign of a body what got him. They wouldn''t have left this much meat about, its valuable they didn''t even recover their arrow?¡± Martin looked at the dear pointing to its neck, ¡°two bit marks a vampire got to it infected it¡±.
David looked confused, ¡°a vampire deer?¡± Vivian hit him on the back of the head, ¡°no a deer with the thrall taint¡±. Martin explained, ¡°you probably already guessed but vampires will taint prey animals, creatures like deer and rabbit. The creatures are not an end in themselves but a source of transmission¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°people eat this, and they get infected by the taint. Predators eat this they get infected by the taint, so they become the vampire¡¯s servants¡±.
David added something intelligent to the conversation, ¡°how long would it take to infect someone¡±. ¡°It varies dramatically depending on the level of the person, and the strength of the vampire using the taint. Some vampires have abilities that make this more potent.¡± The remains of the animal were dealt with, in the customary manner.
They moved forwards along the game trail, looking for signs of more activity. There were two dear standing in a clearing, a buck and a doe. Slowly David moved forwards weapon drawn, he looked at the creatures, they stared vacantly and milled around. Martin walked over with him, ¡°look at them completely consumed by the thrall taint, best to end then and remove the bodies¡±. Vivian shrugged, ¡°it is a shame to waste resources, you can purify them after we kill them the venison and hide would be worth a few coin and a few full bellies to the village¡±.
Martin agreed, ¡°You have a point¡±, he walked up to one of the deer and gripped it round the neck. It didn¡¯t resist or fight, as he held his holy symbol to its skull. There was a burning smell as the taint was burnt out of the animal, a grip and a twist and animals suffering ended. He repeated the process with the second deer, the deer carcass were stashed high in a tree. They would pick them up on the return trip.
They found a camp, some bed rolls a burnt out fire a few rabbit hides. Tracks lead away along the trail. They came to another deer carcass, this one was little more than scraps of bone and hide. There were tracks all around it. David looked down, ¡°what sort of animal did this¡±? Alice answered ¡°wild boar¡±, ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you knew tracks¡±. ¡°I don¡¯t there are three wild boar over there¡±, the group turned round and followed Alice¡¯s finger.
The tainted wild boar squealed and charged at them. Vivian had an iron arrow ready, ¡°the brains are lower in the skull than you think. Aim forward and down to insure a kill.¡± Martin had both pistols drawn, ¡°thanks for the tip¡±. A fire ball exploded catching all three creatures in its radius, they started to smell like bacon, angry squealing bacon. Martin finished off the first one, with two focus shots to the head. The lead perforated the boar''s skull dropping it, leaving it to twitch and die. Vivian got the second with a power shot through its skull, the arrow shattered inside the beast skewering its brain. David let the last one close, he used and adrenalin block from his tower shield to knock the beast over. Then ended it with a power strike taking its head half way off. Its legs took a half step twitched and stopped.
They disposed of the bodies with fire and moved forwards. There were sets of tracks men and animals, walking side by side. The clearing had a thrall dread bear, similar to dread wolf at its centre. The beast was massive and misshapen, huge fangs and claws aplenty. Its fur already suffering from the taint. Surrounding it were four presumably human thralled foresters, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, to have a giant bear standing next to them. The group was filled out with a three dogs, probably hunting dogs and four more of the boars.
Vivian looked at the others, ¡°Are we prepared to fight this battle, we might have to kill people we might not be able to save them¡±. David shrugged, ¡°we have both been taught for years to kill people, there is a first for everything¡± Martin shrugged, ¡°we don¡¯t kill them we free then, either by death or purify we still free them¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°I don¡¯t want to kill anyone but this isn¡¯t living¡±, ¡°what tactics do we use¡±.
They didn¡¯t get to develop a cunning plan, as at that moment one of the infected foresters noticed them, ¡°the master¡¯s command us kill the prey¡±. The mass of tainted creatures moved forwards, while the foresters took aim with their bows. Anything with the taint would work together, when instructed and ignore each other without there master¡¯s commanded.
Martin used a focus throw to hit the dread thrall bear with the one of his thermite grenades, it was damaging and court several of the other creatures in the blast radius. A fire ball followed that up killing off the dogs, it made the wild boar look far worse for wear. Vivian had one of her good bodkin arrows ready, combined with a power shot the thrall bear suddenly had two foot of arrow buried in its side. A power strike from David finished off one of the wild boars.
The rangers retaliated, Martin was left with two arrows sticking out of his chest. they were buried in his armour barely irritating him. David felt two arrows bounce of his shield, again doing very little.
Martin used two focus shots combined with wrath to remove two of wild boars, David used a power strike to finish off the last one. Now the bear had reached him, he was going to see how good his shield was.
The foresters switched their targets, they didn¡¯t want to hit their own allies. Martin was hit twice more, chest and shoulder he barely noticed it. An arrow struck Vivian bouncing off her helmet, she switched her aim from the thrall bear to the foresters and shot one forester. Not using a power attack as they hoped to save him, but the injury would take him out of the fight. Alice was hit in the stomach with an arrow, she had some natural armour due to her level. Some spell armour due to the three magic items and some actual armour, with the padded clothing she wore. It still hurt and knocked her on her ass. Alice could still fight back, targeted the bear in the face with two fire bite spells, only enraging it more.
The thrall bear swiped at David¡¯s shield, he had dug it into the ground. It rang like a bell but held firm and solid. David managed to retaliate with a power strike, wounding the beast on its right arm.
Martin held his holy symbol out, ¡°smite¡± a bolt of electricity struck the bear in the face, the creature staggered back. The three active foresters aimed for Alice, to try and kill her off. The fist arrow got her in the shoulder, the second in the chest not very deep thanks to the armour, but she was still badly hurt. She was almost blacking out but pushed through the pain, she retaliated with a fire ball aiming to incinerate the lot of them. Two were smart enough to duck behind a tree, they were still hit by part of the blast and ran turned to run injured. Vivian had a fraction of a second to react, she used a power shot to kill the last active forester as he aimed for Alice. It was him or them Vivian reasoned.
David hit the bear with a two power strikes, the bear took the opportunity to strike back hurting him, and his armour stopped some of the blow. Martin used a focus reload and the blessing divine retribution to get a shot off at the bear. Another power shot from Vivian and the bear decided to revaluate its chances turning and running off into the woods, heading the same direction that the two foresters had retreated in.
Martin pulled the arrows out of his armour. ¡°Not very effective, cheap arrows weak bows little skill¡±. Vivian turned to him, ¡°Alice needs help use your medic skill¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°David subdue that hunter, and I will purify him later¡±. Martin carefully checked over Alice, ¡°Is it going to be ok?¡± Martin grimaced, ¡°I will have to make the wounds slightly bigger when I get the arrows out, it will hurt I need you to have your healing spell ready.¡± She nodded gritting her teeth. Martin removed a pair of forceps from his coat and sterilised the end with strong alcohol. He carefully used the forceps to grip the arrow, he pulled and twisted. ¡°aagghh fuuck¡±, the first arrow was out and Alice was healing herself up. A similar procedure with the second and she breathed a sigh of relief.
Vivian held a hand out looking at the surgical alcohol, Martin nodded she took a large swig and handed it back. ¡°There¡¯s a first time for everything, I expected it to be a bandit or a buccaneer not some poor shmuck being mind controlled¡±.
Martin checked the arrows, ¡°sometimes they poison them with their own blood to spread the taint, not this time¡±. Alice used her healing ability on herself one last time, then on Martin to repair the minor damage that he had suffered. They went over to David he was sitting on the injured forester. ¡°The masters will anoint you in blood, you shall serve you shall join us¡±. He held out his hand, ¡°purify¡± ¡°.... ah ¡. uhh ¡ what the fuck, what the hell, what was I just doing?¡± David checked with Martin, then let the man go. The forester was confused the arrow was removed, Martin held his leg straight and Alice healed it. The forester stood up and put his weight on the leg. He looked around ¡°what''s going on¡±?
Alice used her healing magic on David twice, he was soon breathing fine again. His side didn''t feel like it was on fire when he breathed. Martin explained to the man, ¡°you picked up a mystical contaminant from infected wild life. you were being controlled by a vampire¡±. ¡°You killed one of my friends, you didn''t have to go that far¡±, Vivian looked at him, ¡°he was trying to kill one of my friends, I had no choice¡±. The group levelled up there and then, with no hostile creatures in the area. The forester looked at them quizzically, ¡°how¡±? ¡°We killed several tainted beasts and defeated a high level opponent¡±, Vivian answered.
Martin walked over to the dead forester, ¡°Purify¡±. The live forester looked at him, ¡°what are you doing he is already dead¡±? Martin turned picking up the body, ¡°he deserves last rights¡±. ¡°his body can carry the taint even in death, I have to be certain I don''t bring it into the village.¡± They delta with the creatures remains and headed back to the village.
David lead the forester back, the reality of the situation slowly sunk in. ¡°Oh god you killed him¡±, ¡°he was not in his right mind¡±. He pointed accusingly, ¡°You could have saved him.¡± Alice spoke with conviction, ¡°If she hesitated I would be dead¡±, ¡°we had to kill him.¡± ¡°We did what we could, the priest can carry out last rights, and his soul will know rest.¡± They stopped where they had left the deer, David carried one Vivian carried the other.
Alice became distant over there journey back, the pain from the arrows hitting her was replayed over and over in her mind. She kept questioning why she was doing this, the answer was a mystery to her. She would suffer horribly if she tried to desert, even ending up in the gallows keep of the tower city. She had been distant from her colleagues at the tower, she had never connected with any of her tutors. Vivian David and even Martin were the closet thing she had to friends or colleagues, which she gave a dam about.
They got back to the village, one forester¡¯s family was overjoyed to have him back. One family was left grieving. Two more were left with so many unanswered questions. The steward looked a little disappointed at them. Still it was progress of a sort, maybe more of a draw on hindsight. He gave them some silver for completing the investigation. At least they knew another piece of the puzzle, a vampire was actively spreading the thrall taint in the area. Combined with the archanist creatures and a powerful vampire was probably marshalling forces for an attack.
They went to the inn. They had a few drinks and a meal. Vivian had something a little stronger than the usual ale. The group divided up.
Alice spoke with Vivian, ¡°did you have to kill that man¡±? ¡°Yes I have been trained for years, I have killed several animals and several creatures. As a professional mercenary there was no other way, as far as I can see it¡±. Alice grabbed an ale, ¡°why do you do this?¡± ¡°What do you mean, why I chose to be a mercenary?¡± ¡°No you seem to want to do this,¡± ¡°I have known David since I was a child, the two of us are in it together.¡± ¡°It must be nice to have a friend that good¡±. ¡°It is, I admit the block head appreciates me¡±, ¡°if was on his own he would have been chewed up long ago, if I wasn''t around.¡±
¡°There is more is-ant there¡±? Vivian nodded, ¡°The glass bay mercenaries installed a certain sense of pride in me. In the job, a job is a job a contract is a contract. What I put my mark to I stand by it.¡± ¡°What did you put your mark on¡±? ¡°A contract the mercenary company give me food training and employment, I follow orders and give a certain number of years¡¯ service. I keep a percentage of bounties and the company gets the rest, David has the same deal.¡±
¡°For enough gold you can buy your way out, one big score but it can be lucrative. Why would we want out¡±, ¡°what drives David on the same as you¡±? ¡°I think David is starting to enjoy the fight, it¡¯s easier if you have a mage behind you. To heal you and a holy helping hand to purify any aliments. David wants money and glory and the crowds to shout his name. I will be happy if they say she did her duty, the emerald medallion at the annual shooting event wouldn''t hurt either¡±.
Vivian looked at Alice, ¡°the question you should be asking yourself is why do you fight what do you want¡±. ¡°I don''t know, that''s the problem. Until the last few weeks I haven''t done much with my life. Just scrape through from one exam to the next¡±, ¡°What do you want¡±? ¡°I don''t really know¡±, ¡°what do you hate¡±? ¡°I hate being told what to do, where I have to live, who I have to marry¡±. ¡°How do you change that¡±? ¡°I need to have power, to be a master or a grand master, they have choice and freedom¡±. ¡°Do you want freedom just for yourself?¡±
¡°Yes I guess, I don''t have the strength to help myself, let alone others, yet¡±. ¡°If you ever live long enough, to have that sort of power. To be the one making the decisions, don''t you think that it would be better to help people? To change things in your organisation¡±, ¡°Yes I guess so¡±, ¡°so I ask you what do you want¡±? ¡°Enough power to change things, so that I can make my own choice, so that everyone in the tower system can make their own choice. So that I can see my family, so that we all can. So that I can chose who I see, so that the rest of us can chose who they can see¡±. Alice noticed that she was standing up, she had drained her tankard and that she was now rather loud.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
On the opposite side of the inn David spoke with Martin, trying to understand there opponent.
¡°So I hear the term Master used in different contexts, a master and, the masters, is there a correlation are they of equivalent strength¡±?
Martin raised his ale, ¡°The two terms are Miles apart, and each denotes some one of a certain strength. But it''s two separate scales. For a human a master is someone who has performed a feat of martial strength. They have broken through the twenty five barrier. Then levelled up to fifty, they are powerful and rare, far less numerous than veterans¡±
David was dismissive, ¡°Of course I know that, every town has one or two. What about the other use, I thought that it denoted a vampire that was level fifty, when turned or something like that.¡±
Martin sighed ¡°Oh no, it denotes a group of very powerful vampires. They currently dominate vampire society.¡± David sat and listened, ¡°According to text we have recovered the first vampire spent about a thousand years alone or almost alone. No other significant numbers of vampires were present, they developed an ability ''blood bound''. Any vampire that they created would be forced to obey them.¡±
¡°The vampire population increased and the progenitor when into some sort of coma or hibernation. They left a group of vampires that were called the regents in charge. loyal to a fault having been made by the vampire progenitor. A group of thirty or forty of the oldest vampires, not blood bound by the original declared themselves. Masters of their own fate, hence the term vampire master. The regents were inflexible and unresponsive, unable to negotiate.¡±
¡°A vampire civil war decimated there numbers, all but a few regents remaining went into hiding. This was millennia ago and as soon as they had won there freedom, what do you think that the masters did?¡±
David grinned, vampires still thought like humans, ¡°I guess they started infighting about how to divide up the spoils¡±. He nodded, ¡°That''s right and they still do to this day. Occasionally they work together, there are some tacit alliances.¡±
¡°There were around twenty masters left at the end of the civil war, eight settled in this country. Over the last three hundred years we have killed two of them. The remaining six are very cautious. We have no confirmed kills, but rumours indicate two other masters have died at the hands of their former comrades in far off lands.
This was interesting, but David wanted some gauge of their power, ¡°How old is a master vampire?¡± Martin though, ¡°About seven to eight thousand years old, around level six to seven hundred¡±. That was perhaps more information than he wanted to know. Yet men had still defeated adversaries that powerful, ¡°How the hell did we ever kill one let alone two of those things?¡±
A gleeful look passed Martins eyes, ¡°You heard of broken peak mountain, one of the masters had a fortress at the top. It took us two decades to get enough explosive together, nitro-glycerine and dynamite but it killed the arrogant fuck¡±. David raised his mug Martin reciprocated, ¡°What about the second¡±? Martin grinned, ¡°it Lived in a mine we flooded it with holy water, from a dam above, took half an hour for it to dissolve the bastard.¡±
David went over to a game of dice on one of the tables, he only had a few brass pennies in hand so it wouldn''t cost him much this time.
Sleep didn''t come to Alice easily, she tossed and turned, she might need to do some horrible things but she would become strong enough to reform the tower. ¡°I am not a monster¡±, she slowly whispered to herself as she went to sleep. Martin said his prayers and went to bed, he remembered a hunters saying as he dozed off, The greatest monster that a hunter should ever see is the one looking back at him from the mirror, all others should fear that¡±, he whispered to himself, I will be the monster.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
24 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
323/323 |
Focus |
160/160 |
|
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
33 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
35 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
35 |
|
|
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
| Resist Poison |
Holy Symbol usage L1 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L5 |
Overload Shot L1 |
| Focus Shot L1 |
Focus re-lode L1 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L1 |
| General Melee Weapons L3 |
Focus strike L1 |
| Focus Parry L1 |
Focus Multi Throw L1 |
| Combat Medic support skill L2 |
Grenadier L4 |
| Blade Coatings L2 |
|
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 4 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 2 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 1 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 1 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 2 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 15 points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
16 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
63/63 |
Mana |
160/160 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
21 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
16 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
16 |
|
|
| Number of Spells can Maintain |
1 |
|
|
| Base Spell Cost 4 Mana |
|
|
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L1 |
Analyse Magic L1 |
| Recharge Enchantment L1 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 damage + 2 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 damage +5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Touch heal master (15 heal + 6 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 heal +1 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Fire Ball Grand (20 damage +8 per level 10 foot area ) 4x base mana cost |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
17 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
115/115 |
Adrenalin |
85/85 |
|
|
| Strength |
23 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
17 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
17 |
|
|
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
51 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L3 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
| Sword proficiency L7 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L1 |
| Shield proficiency L7 |
Adrenalin power block L1 |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
17 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
115/115 |
Adrenalin |
85/85 |
|
|
| Strength |
23 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level attack bonus |
17 |
|
|
| Level Defence Bonus |
17 |
|
|
| Bonus base weapon damage |
51 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L3 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L1 |
| Speed Shooting L6 |
|
| Perks |
| Intensive Training +1 endurance and Strength |
True Monsters – Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 15 – Brotherhood Of The Black Hand
True Monsters ¨C Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 15 ¨C Brotherhood Of The Black Hand
Alice didn''t dream peacefully, she didn''t sleep very well. It was an odd combination, she saw bats with bows trying to shoot her. She woke up sweating breathed sharply. It took a few minutes to slow her breathing. She turned over gripping the covers tightly screwing her eyes shut. She eventually went back to sleep, she was again chased by creature that were half batt and half archer. Vivian dreamed of the moment she had sent that arrow flying, she had focused on her target. She could see a spinning arrow now, it cut through a cord. A life ended a fate cut short and a body fell to the floor.
David dreamed of walking down the streets of the noble district, in the cathedral city. His purse filled with gold coins. He wore fine robes he clenched his fist, finding a pair of dice in it he grinned. Martin remembered his wife¡¯s face, she looked at him judging. That was more terrifying to him than any monster. He had work to do, he might be seeing her again soon.
They woke to the sound of the church bell calling Morning Prayer. They rose form there marginally more comfortable beds. David and Vivian attended the brief service, David went more for Vivian. Martin looked for peace in the church, no ordinary alcohol could really help him now. He had to find his solace elsewhere. After a few words of comfort from the priest, they went back to the shared rooms. Vivian was a little despondent, she regretted having to kill the forester.
Alice would be dead if she had not. They had barely gotten a silver each from the last days work. Even though they had faced some very dangerous wildlife. David reflected that a monster had to raise a nuisance of itself, to get any decent bounty on it.
The church was a large public building. As well as the main hall, there were rooms where various people gathered. For anything from singing practice to a weaving class. There was the crypt of internment, where people would come to remember their relatives. There were for practical purposes a store of food and water. A tenth of what was produced was held as an emergency, if there was a siege of the village.
The pews even folded out to make uncomfortable beds. It was designed as a literal last refuge. The priest had some separate private chambers, a small library and the few rooms where visitors could stay. Those visitors went to the church kitchen for a brief meal, porridge and some bread. The lay brother who helped the priest coughed. He laid down a neatly folded piece of parchment on the table. It was their orders from the steward.
Martin was the first to finish, he unfolded the paper. ¡°The local lord Cain had received a letter, a demand. He had been threatened by a group of bandits. Un-imaginatively they are calling themselves, the brotherhood of the Black Hand. They have supposedly stolen the contents of one of the last caravans. Several particularly valuable vintages. Which explains why the local lord is so angry. There were demands for a ransom for the survivor¡¯s, the merchant guild members and employees. The letter has not been specific about the number of survivors.¡± He handed it to Vivian, ¡°They even dared to say that Lord Cain, has to pay them a tax to use the local roads.¡± This letter had sparked events causing the local lord to call in anyone he could, leading to the current situation.
Martin guessed, ¡°With the thrall taint it must be the work of a vampire, behind the scenes¡±. His profession would lead him to determine that it was part of a wider vampire plot. Vivian was less convinced, what would be the motive for this. ¡°It seems to brazen not subtle enough, its surely part of a wider thieves guild initiative, a deliberate piece of misdirection, in preparation for a larger crime.¡± David was certain that it was just a less subtle group, ¡°you have to factor in a veteran. Someone with an ego and a lot of followers, they did this no plans within plans¡±. To him it was what it appeared to be on the surface, no more. Alice chimed in, ¡°why could it not suit all three. The long term goals of the thieves¡¯ guild, the vampire that¡¯s spreading the taint, and the short term goals of this particular group of bandits, these black hand Burks.¡±
The missing caravan had consisted of three carts, three drivers¡¯ three mercenaries and one more senior guild representative. Not a small group but they should have waited for a few more guards before heading out, considering how valuable there cargo was, someone tried to be cheap.
David looked over the important information, the information important to him. ¡°One gold if the goods are found and returned intact, additional bounties payable on bandits on confirmation of kills.¡± He paused, ¡°The shame is it may take a few days for a response from Good Ford the nearest city for confirmation, also we may need to collect rewards posted there.¡± Vivian grinned, ¡°after this is over we can go to the local city, get our reward invest it in some new equipment. Then take a few days off to relax, before they hand out new assignments¡±.
Alice scanned the rough map, ¡°don¡¯t book your holiday yet¡±. She held the map up the other way. ¡°We still have to search along the route for the carts, looking for anything supernatural or magical. Martin has his holy symbol for the supernatural, I can sense magic¡±. Vivian looked at her, ¡°that is not the only skill set of this group. Me and David are more than two extra sets of eye''s sets of eyes, we are trained to anticipate this sort of threat.¡±
David cleared his throat, ¡°between the four of us we had only killed, that one poor sod, who was mind controlled by the taint. This is different we will be going out to kill, or be killed.¡± ¡°We have levels skills and equipment, but do we have the resolve to kill. Can you do it, could you kill the bandits?¡± He let it sink in, ¡°In The free mercenary companies, were trained to fight such groups. To show no mercy, when we were young raw recruits. They told us all the things that the thieves guild did. That had stuck with me probably Vivian to.¡±
He turned deadly serious, ¡°can you do this Vivian?¡± She nodded without hesitation, ¡°yes¡±. He turned to the vampire hunter, ¡°Martin can you?¡± The eyes of a zealot met him, ¡°It goes without saying, any bandit out there has struck a deal with the vampires.¡± He pulled a pistol for dramatic effect, ¡°I won¡¯t hesitate¡± He turned to the final member of the group, ¡°what about you?¡± She paused considering her options, this was a line, she was not bumping into an armed stranger. She was deliberately setting out to wound and kill another human with magic.
Some like David would consider the crimes these people committed, made them less than humans. The law actually made it so that the bandits, had about as many legal rights as a wandering monster. If they killed all of them, no triune court would judge them. They she signed, ¡°I don¡¯t want to, but I owe all of you and it is my job. Perhaps they will surrender, with a bit of a show of magic?¡± David nodded, ¡°perhaps¡±
They left the church and headed out of the village. The gate was well guarded, but then they were reasonably well equipped adventures. They formed a rough line, Martin at the front holding his holy symbol with David behind him. Then Alice trying to sense some magic, with Vivian behind. They carefully moved along the road, in the direction that the caravan had taken. David stopped with Alice almost bumping into him. He pointed down, ¡°look someone smoothed over the side of the track with a shovel, as if they were hiding something¡±.
Vivian looked into the bushes. ¡°The bushes have been moved, cut up then more branches added let¡¯s check it out¡± Martin moved into the brush, ¡°there are track hear a lot of them, hidden by the cover¡±. David moved some branches out of the way. ¡°There are some cart tracks the bandits that captured the merchant caravan lead it off the main road.¡±
Vivian looked amongst the pile of branches, she stopped, ¡°shit¡±. She pulled a bundle of branches away. There were two dead mercenaries from the caravan. She sighed, ¡°This is the grim reality of our work, this could have been any of us.¡± Alice looked around feeling with her magic, ¡°I can¡¯t feel any magic¡± Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°I don¡¯t think there was anything supernatural¡±.
Vivian pointed to a similar spot, just below both guards¡¯ helmets. ¡°They used a simple tactic, kill the guard at the front and the back. The bandits hit them at the same time with arrows, they didn¡¯t see it coming¡±. David looked down, ¡°They left a sheath and some arrows behind, they didn¡¯t strip them they didn¡¯t steal their stuff, they had other things to worry about. They were much closer to town than we thought. They had to be quick so they just dumped them in this ditch and covered up the tracks and moved. They probably had archers on all three carts skilled ones. They can¡¯t be very far away from town. Let¡¯s follow the tracks and see what we can find.¡± The remains of the dead mercenaries were laid out and covered up again.
They got fifty foot down the path and Vivian stopped, ¡°let¡¯s be sensible about this, they will see us coming they are going to go all out. Not letting us get close and not bunching up, if they see a dangerous mage¡±. Alice looked reproachful, ¡°I¡¯m not that dangerous¡±! She looked at her, ¡°Alice you have the fire ball spell, so you really are quite dangerous¡±. She looked bashful, ¡°yes¡± Vivian grinned ¡°but I have an idea¡±.
The bandit camp was three quarters of a mile away, the group had set up in a spot where they could just respond to a look out on the city gates. Mobilise ambush a cart or caravan and retreat. If the guards and militia found them, they had enough time to pack up and run. Camp was a rather grand word for the small collection of tents and shacks that formed this group. It had the three carts that were now prominent additions. The captives were in one of the larger tents, inside a small wooden cage, they would be useful for something.
The adventures neared the camp, after twenty minutes. With this sort of opponent it was David and Vivian¡¯s time to shine. They were trained specifically to take down these sort of threats. The bandit camp consisted of 14 relatively low level bandits, 5 more specialised unseen rouges and 3 scouts that were the eyes and ears. There was a tent that was decidedly diffident, the green smoke gave it away. A mad hermit hedge wizard had been adopted by the bandits, adding his mystical knowledge to their arsenal. The overall leader was a bandit veteran, a tough guy who had survived more than the punks under him could imagine.
The group of bandits was pretty large, you needed to be in a decent sized group or the local wildlife would be sizing you up, let alone your business partners. Small groups had to be very high level or work for a bigger group. The group consisted of a different mix of skills. The rogues used stealth and ambush to deal damage. The rogue job was created by one of the oldest thief¡¯s guilds, the hidden hand. Rogues required very little to do their jobs, just a dagger and some picks. The bandit job was created as a less subtle enforcer job. By one of the later guilds, the red blades of Saul.
Bandits relied on light armour, short blades and manoeuvrability they favoured skirmishers hit and run tactics against better equipped foes. They were not much more talented than militia or village guards. The few scouts were much better trained and much higher levels. The scout job was one developed by the nobility, back when they had large armies that needed to be guided from one area to another. Not that scout¡¯s couldn¡¯t operate independently, if they were good enough.
The bandits gave the mad hermit hedge wizard a wide birth, he was useful in a fight. He was so was so pickled on wild mushrooms, it was amazing he could stand straight. The bandits were in a good position, they had hostages merchandise. If the local lord didn''t pay up then they could sell both to the vampires, the thief¡¯s guild or a mix of the two. The bandit veteran Bob Wells was thin, dressed in light armour blacked and unobtrusive, easily hidden easily forgotten. He received word from the scouts, a group of adventures were heading in. A mercenary''s shield at the front, a vampire hunter probably a ¡°tough bastard¡± and two archers. They could handle that especially since they had the wizard with them, the bandit grinned more hostages.
The party was surrounded, they kept walking forwards into camp, there weapons held ready. The bandits slowly grouped up, anticipating being able to intimidate the party into surrender. The party stopped on the outskirts of the camp, Martin and David at the front Vivian and Alice at the back. Bob had a hostage, a driver wearing a blue uniform. The skinny red head was paraded in front of the group. Her mouth was gagged tight enough to draw blood, her eyes covered, her wrists and elbows were bound with cord. It was tight enough for her arms to be useless possibly even damaged with her circulation cut off.
Bob grinned holding a knife to her throat, ¡°It¡¯s a simple transaction, you give me your equipment and I give you your lives, for a bit at least.¡± He pushed the dagger tighter against the hostage¡¯s throat, ¡°You will be our guests, until the local lord gives in and buys back his merchandise and people¡±. He grinned, ¡°I don¡¯t know if he will, if not a couple of ladies there that will bring a little coin, maybe even the other two as raw materials for one of my associates.¡±
David looked round counting up the number of opponents, he slowly moved into position, ¡°I suggest you give up now¡±. The bandit leader gave a nudge to one of his colleagues, to get the wizard. ¡°You aren¡¯t veterans, and even if you were there are two veterans in our ranks. You don¡¯t stand a chance.¡± The adventures were not budging and seemed unmoved by threats. Martin countered his offer, ¡°Time in jail is better than dyeing hear is it not?¡±
The bandit leader looked around, making sure that he was not being surrounded by other forces. The group in front of him had three people in good armour, they would not go down quickly. He could lose quite a few people perhaps he had miscalculated, ¡°we outnumber you five to one, we have you covered¡± Vivian looked dismissively at the equipment the bandits had, ¡°I don¡¯t think that you can do much, I favour our odds¡±.
Bob felt a bit of fear well up in him, this lot were two confident how powerful were they? He still had cards to play where was his wizard? ¡°Give up or I kill the hostage¡±. There was a pathetic muffled scream from the cart driver, as he held the dagger tighter. David looked on, ¡°it¡¯s just some cart driver, you would kill them anyway¡±. The cart driver made several more pathetic cries.
Martin shifted his stance, ¡°we won¡¯t surrender!¡± the bandit leader checked that his scouts were in place arrows notched. He pointed at the group, ¡°I warned you, now I will leave one of you alive to replace the driver.¡± The grip on the knife tightened. Martin had a pistol in one hand and his holy symbol in the other, the chief looked cocky. Martin moved fast, his pistol lined up with a focus shot, right at the bandits head. However at the last moment the thief¡¯s body seemed to blur, he dodged out of the way. An arrow shot through the same space as Vivian fired, the thief was no longer there dodging again, back to his original position. He laughed as his knife cut away from him. The cart drivers life blood shot out over the ground, there throat slit.
The bandit leader felt invincible, ¡°You can¡¯t do shit to me, I have focus Dodge .I .. ¡± Martin had one response, ¡°smite¡±. A lightning bolt shot out from his holy symbol. At the last minute the thief dodged to the side, the lightning changed path and collided with him. His armour burnt through smoke coming off his chest, he looked surprised and staggered back. He gasped emptying his lungs amazed, then fell to the floor. Martins face became one of rage ¡°god will catch up to you.¡±
The cart driver was dead, no healing magic or blessing the group possessed could save her now.
The scouts let lost their arrows, Martin ducked so one hit his hat rather than his face, two hit him in the back they didn¡¯t go in very far, they were wedged into his armour. The bandits pelted him with throwing knives axes and sling shots. Most missed or bounced off his armour, a few connected and wedged into his flesh. He was already drawing a second pistol and moving towards the next bandit.
Alice had Vivian¡¯s bow cover over her staff, they thought that she was an archer. She carried spare arrows that Vivian would need. She was already moving towards cover, before the bandit leader hit the dirt. Without the leader his group was disorganised. Martin acted as more of a distraction, soaking up attacks with his armour and health.
Vivian and David moved keeping the bandits off balance, they closed the distance. Alice used a fire ball next to her to create a distraction, then ducked behind a tree. She was a far less visible target and could now provide support. The bandits were not expecting a mage or the abilities of Martin, they were off balance. Martin he activated his, ¡°fortress of faith¡± blessing there arrows and daggers chipped away at him. He went for them, even though he was not terribly effective, as they had the dam dodge ability¡¯s but it cost them focus and they could only keep out of the way for so long.
The rouges attacked trying to perform stealth attacks. The one that tried it on David didn¡¯t get very far. David turned round as the dagger slid off his chainmail, he gutted the rouge with a single power attack. Rouges could not dodge a fire ball, two of them were fried trying to flank Vivian. The remaining two tried to attack Martin, his defensive blessing absorbed there attacks. Vivian picked one off with an adrenalin power attack. The last rouge was grabbed by Martin, it was impossible to dodge a point black pistol shot.
Vivian was very irritated, the criminals dodged out of the way of her attacks. There was a skill the double shot that was designed to hit rogues. They could not avoid both projectiles. As a technique it was very limited with draw backs. like halving damage and doubling ammo consumption. The criminals could only dodge so many attacks before they miscalculated or simply ran out of focus. The scouts were the better archers, they were targeted first. One died to a fire ball a second to a power shot the third two fire bites to the face.
Two fire balls into the main cluster of bandits broke the opposition, Vivian switched to finishing off the criminals that survived the fire balls. The bandit sent to get there wizard crept back after rousing him. He was a stealth focused opponent, he pickled the weakest target and hatched his brilliant plan. The bandit seized Alice¡¯s staff and pulled it from her grip, ¡°I have your staff you can¡¯t use magic n..¡± he had made a mistake. Severely lacking in his knowledge of magic. Alice¡¯s response was ¡°master fire bite¡±, the bandit fell to the floor, ¡°agghhh hhhhh gh aaaaaaa¡±. He was hit between legs with the spell, his lower body a smouldering ruin.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
David was finding it easy a few quick jabs, the criminals depleted there focus desperately Dodging. Then slam they were gutted on the floor bleeding out. Bandits had little chance at this range. They had a little Armor, but it was not much against the mercenary¡¯s strength. Knives bounced of his shield as he ploughed into the opposition. The last couple of bandits tried to flee, but were hit by arrows and spells as they ran.
The Mad wizard was a hedge wizard, a job that maxed out at level 50. He was a veteran exactly at level 25. He was mostly self-taught, even a full wizard had a weaker version of mage job. The job would max out, 25 levels lower than a mage. It was still better than a conjurer, who maxed at level 25, still a conjurer could level very quickly.
He had been waiting in his tent, not wanting to be taken away from his alchemical bliss. He knew he might need to come out to scare the adventures into surrendering. Then the bandit came to fetch him, it sounded like the adventures had been underestimated. He had to save what he could. At his level he could maintain two spells he chose, ¡°Physical shield¡± he could still cast one offensive spell. He walked forwards, he quickly realised how bad it was.
He noted the vampire hunter, the man¡¯s wrathful eyes the few cuts to his face the arrows and knives imbedded in his armour. An arrow bounced off his magical protection there was an archer at the back. he had to overwhelm them before he ran out of mana. The hunter took a step forwards, his hold symbol held out. The wizard sneered, ¡°Fire bite¡± the ball of flame formed and darted forwards. The hunter held up his holy symbol, ¡°No¡± the fire bolt shimmered and ceased to exist, a few inches before it hit the holy symbol.
The wizard felt fear and took a step back, ¡°Acid bite¡± the mass of corrosive green goo shot forwards. ¡°No¡± it faded and the hunter stepped forwards. The wizard felt his heart beating. ¡°Frost bite¡±, the chilling spike of ice shattered into nothing. ¡°No¡±. The wizard felt the sweat on his brows his fingers shaking, ¡°Shock bite¡±. The ball of electricity surged forwards ¡°No¡±. The hunter was getting very close. ¡°Sonic bite¡±, the compressed sonic distortion evaporated. ¡°Poison bite¡± the cloud of green grey gas puffed into nothing. The wizard was shaking all over. He recast his defensive spell ¡°Physical shield¡±, a bubble appeared around him. He was on his knees.
¡°Don¡¯t kill me, I can be of use to you, I can be¡±, when he was certain his attacker was distracted he tried to use his most powerful spell. So that Martin would not have a chance to block it, ¡°Master kinetic strike¡±. The holy symbol was in place, ¡°No¡±. The wave of energy disappeared, the mallet in Martins left hand struck down on the wizard, hitting him on the shoulder. ¡°Aggaaah¡± the magic barrier stopped some of the force, ¡°aagggghh¡±.
The next blow hit his elbow, ¡°nnnnnnnnnooooooo¡± the next blow crushed his hand. ¡°aaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh¡±, the wizard felt his hip shatter. ¡°aaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggghhhhhhh¡±, three ribs cracked he was on the ground. ¡°no please I mean it for real¡±. The next blow struck his collar bone, ¡°aaaaaaaaaaggggggggggggggghhhhhhh¡±. The next crushed his ankle, ¡°aaaaaggggggggggghhhh!!!!!!!!¡± The wizard coughed up blood, ¡°I surren...¡± the mallet struck him on the forehead, ¡°aaaaaagggggggghhhhhh¡± his body became unresponsive ¡°ggggul....g......uu....¡±, a final strike to the head and he was gone.
The rest of the group were standing several feet back. Alice choked down her lunch, even Vivian and David were looking hesitant. Alice spoke pointing to the wizard on the floor, ¡°that is why mages don¡¯t hold much power¡±. Martin started to pull the daggers and arrows wedged in his armour out. His empty eyes met her, the rage left his body. ¡°I didn¡¯t think many mages knew we could do that¡±.
Alice nodded hands up, almost as if in surrender. ¡°I didn¡¯t, but I guessed that there was something like that, a lot of the more powerful vampires have magic of some form.¡± Martin turned to Alice and to the mercenaries, ¡°it¡¯s not a good idea, to reveal this information¡±. They looked at him David pointed to the dead body. ¡°I get it most magic users that find out, end up like him right¡±? Martin nodded as he began to reload his pistol, ¡°oh yes¡±.
The Bandit veteran Bob had survived the initial attack. He had a particular perk, the ¡®hardened criminal perk¡¯. At full health he could just survive one overwhelming attack per day, leaving him at 5% health, he was slowly trying to crawl away. David noticed the movement and twisted round, he closed the distance with an adrenalin strike. ¡°Aaagggggggggghhhhhhhh¡± the bandits career was now definitively over.
They levelled up then woke up Alice. Alice hit level 17 now she possessed the greater version of the fire ball spell, her mana was quite respectable at 165. Vivian and David both hit level 18 progressing steadily, Vivian¡¯s speed shooting was now up to level 7. She would need a bigger quiver quite soon. David had maxed out his sword proficiency at level 8 and was close at level 7 at maxing out his shield proficiency. He could raise those skills higher, if he found a rare training manual or instructor. Though both took time and money to find.
Martin had hit level 25, he was now a veteran he needed to kill another veteran or a monster of similar strength. To perform a special action, a feat of martial strength and unlock the ability to level higher. It was easier said than done, he would need a complete solo kill in order to do this. Still he had access to some of the best blessings available, even if he didn¡¯t have the levels of focus to truly make them powerful.
It was a redundant gesture, David walked over to the cart driver and checked there pulse. They were definitely dead. He removed the bindings from their arms, the gag and blindfold. He laid them out shutting their eyes so that they looked peaceful. He sighed picking up a blanked and draping it over them. Martin pulled out his flask of tip and drained the entire thing, he pulled out a second flask and swallowed half of that as well.
¡°I was a fraction of a second off¡±, Martin sighed looking regretful.
¡°We killed that coach driver¡±, the weight of the fight caught up with Alice
¡°No we saved the rest of the hostages, and anyone else that gang would have killed¡±, David had a more pragmatic point of view. ¡°Perhaps we should have used a different tactic?¡± Vivian mused, ¡°But we can¡¯t second guess ourselves, if we hesitated we could have been killed. It is a pity, but so were the two dead guards, we could be dead and so could the other hostages. Unless we vastly out level an opponent. Even then there is no guarantee. You can¡¯t save everyone every time.¡±
Alice looked over the dead bandits. ¡°I think we need to talk this over more, if Martin was familiar with their tactics then the coach driver might have survived. It is painfully obvious we need to learn¡±. ¡°That is right, but a discussion for latter¡±, David added.
Vivian looked around, ¡°Alice can you heal up Martin and David, then we check the bandit leader and the wizard.¡± Martin shook his head, ¡°don¡¯t worry about me, save your healing for the remaining hostages. I have healing blessings divine favour, divine favour¡± he seemed to stand up straighter one shoulder popped back into the correct alignment. ¡°It will take me hours to patch this lot up¡±, he felt over his armour, with a little regret at his hubris. Despite armour and blessings he had lost over 200 hp in the fight, if he was not resistant to poison he would have taken a lot more damage. The bandit¡¯s blades were quite heavily poisoned.
An application of the healing spell and David was restored to full health. David and Vivian checked over the two senior members of the group, the dead wizard and the veteran bandit bob wells. Martin and Alice went to check on the hostages. On the bandit leader David found a hidden compartment in his jacket, easy to miss amongst the padding there were two silver coins and a letter Signed I. It describing a deal between them, which was something that they could read over latter. The bandit had a magic belt, Alice would later identify as a belt of armour + 5. He also carried a fancy looking dagger, that Alice would identified it as a plus + 5 poison damage enchantment, one way to subvert armour.
The mage had a ring of boar¡¯s endurance, effectively a + 3 endurance ring that added 15 more hp to the mage. It made him a little bit more resilient, making up in part for his weak constitution. He also had a very fancy looking mage''s staff. It was effectively not any better than Alice¡¯s original tower issue staff. In fact she had a sneaking suspicion that it was just a standard student staff, with a lot of decorative garbage tied to it, to make it look impressive.
The hostages were in a cage tied hand and foot, blindfolded and gagged. Martin undid the latch on the cage. He carefully pulled the hostages out, cutting there bindings and checking them over. They were malnourished dehydrated, suffering sores and other pains from being kept bound for so long. Martin had to pop a shoulder back in place, on the remaining caravan guard and straighten out one of the cart driver¡¯s ankles. Then Alice used her healing magic. The people would need some water and a few meals, a rest and there would be nothing else physically wrong with them. Psychologically the priest father Richard had some training, the local merchant had a few herbal mixtures to help people sleep.
They found two of the bandits to still be alive. One that Vivian had shot was at deaths door. The one that had tried to overpower Alice by taking her staff, was also somehow alive after the point blank spell. They were bound and thrown into the cage, which the hostages had been left in.
Vivian was finished with the wizard, ¡°The bandit leader made a fundamental mistake, he was used to dealing with mercenaries and knights, guards. They have a degree of self-preservation, our mission is to get paid and live long enough to spend their pay¡±. David nodded looking over at the wizard. ¡°A crusader or monk might have given him pause to think, a vampire hunter is worse, they accept their own death when they join. I understand not all of them are as fatalistic as Martin, but they are used to the mission before their own lives, and they are taught that some collateral damage is inevitable.¡± Vivian nodded in agreement.
The survivors of the caravan came into the camp, they had a little trouble walking at first. Soon they were sitting down wrapped in blankets around a camp fire. Drinking and eating the former bandit¡¯s rations. They occasionally looked over to the dead bandits and there former colleague.
The adventures grabbed some food for themselves. They sat apart from the rescued hostages. Around a second camp fire, Alice sat down as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders, ¡°I killed maybe six or eight people, burnt them up. I can¡¯t believe I did that¡±. ¡°If you were an archer at a siege you might have killed the same number¡±, Vivian tried to comfort her. ¡°They were bandits and they were trying to kill us, we gave them a chance to surrender.¡± David, added supporting her point of view.
Alice ate some dried meat, ¡°Maybe we should have given them a few fire balls as a warning shot?¡± ¡°They had their own magic caster, he would have responded back.¡± Her idea was dismissed by Martin. ¡°He killed that woman to intimidate us. The group of bandits killed two caravan guards, people just like us. Earning some coin, putting their lives at risk to keep the roads open, we would be just the same¡±. The mercenary made a good point, it was likely that the bandits would have killed them if they had surrendered helping no one.
David looked to Vivian, ¡°How are you holding up¡±. She seemed kind of numb eating a thick pottage the bandits called food. ¡°It¡¯s strange, it feels different from fighting those foresters. They were being mind controlled and they didn¡¯t have a choice. These bandits they did have a choice, now they are smeared across the floor. I shot one in the back, she tried to run and all I could think about was finishing her off before she got away. I didn¡¯t see a fleeing woman, I saw a target. She had been trying to shoot me a few seconds before.¡±
David seemed almost proud, ¡°I remembered my training, close the gap against weak armour. Overwhelm there dodge ability with lots of quick trussing attacks, nothing to get your blade caught up in. Keep moving so that you can¡¯t be encircled, get them reacting to you. I don¡¯t think many of them were above level 8, this group was made up with numbers not quality.¡± Martin nodded his agreement, David continued, ¡°the bandits had a little armour, an adrenalin strike can go right through it.¡±
Vivian spoke in a hushed voice, ¡°We will keep it quiet about that technique you used on the wizard¡±. David nodded, ¡°ok¡±. Martin was not telling them that it cost focus to neutralise each spell, that he would have been worn out long before the wizard ran out of mana, he kept that limitation to himself. He looked at the wizard¡¯s body, ¡°he could have done a lot of damage, killed us. I had to shut him down¡±. ¡°You were a little violent¡±, Alice hesitantly added. ¡°It was not an easy death, he was not a necromancer or a sorcerer so perhaps it was not justified¡±. Martin thought about it, ¡°He had the barrier spell, so it took more effort to kill him. I suppose I could have used the thermite, but I wanted to save that for monsters.¡± The rest of the group grimaced, the wizard had perhaps had the easier death.
The group looked at the magic items that they had taken. Martin looked at them, ¡°it¡¯s between you three I can only benefit from armour with a divine blessing¡±. David looked at the belt, ¡°this should go to the least well armoured member of our group¡±, Vivian nodded Alice already had three trinkets that boosted her armour and some light padded armour. It paled in comparison to the sturdy chainmail that Vivian and David had, she nodded. ¡°Thanks¡±, she had to wind it round her waist twice, to make it fit even over the armour. The effect activated and she felt the permanent effect five point boost to natural armour.
She paused, Alice could see what David was doing, and he had made a good tactical decision. The mage¡¯s ring of bores endurance would be useful to both of them. Vivian shot from a standing positon so didn¡¯t need it. David charged round the battle field, he needed to swing a sword and block with a shield when he got there. The + 3 endurance was more useful than the effectively 15 more hp. It would be useful to Alice, the extra hp and endurance to push up her pitiful endurance to normal levels. She had been outplayed for the more utilitarian item.
The dagger from the bandit veteran, with the + 5 poison damage was an easy decision. David had a silver dagger as a backup weapon, allice could use her staff and preferred the reach. Vivian didn¡¯t have a backup weapon, now she did. Alice checked that there was no surprises for the wielder. The remaining magic staff was not better than Vivian¡¯s original and certainly outclassed by the one she currently possessed, they would sell it and split the coin.
The merchant and cart drivers hooked up there horses. The remaining caravan guard recovered his equipment. He kept an eye on the two barely alive bandit prisoners. The adventures striped the bandits of all there equipment. They pilled them up as neatly as possible onto two of the carts, with the original merchandise the carts were quite overloaded. The bandit¡¯s equipment provisions tents and anything else that could be of use was also piled up.
Alice called Martin over, ¡°there were two locked chest we can¡¯t find the keys you have a bit of metal working skill, and can you open them.¡± Martin reached into his jacket and pulled out leather case, he slipped a knot and opened it out. The contents were not so much picks as sturdy tools. Martin attacked the lock with fever, twisting and prying jimmying and forcing them not so much picking them as dismantling them. Alice almost felt sorry for the mechanism as there were clicks and the tortured grinding of metal. The small chest in wizard¡¯s tent yielded a potion of adrenalin, it could restore 120 points of adrenalin and remove the fatigued condition. It was most useful to David as a front line fighter so he kept it on his belt for a hard fight.
The larger chest from the bandit leader revealed a few coins, and a few bags of powdered material. Martin stared quizzically at it. Vivian came over, ¡°it¡¯s called red sand and blue moon dust, they are illegal narcotics. Red sand makes you think your invincible, blue moon dust makes you really mellow they are very addictive.¡± David turned to them, ¡°we finished searching the dead bandits, the local militia could use their equipment¡±. He turned to Vivian, ¡°what money did they have¡±? She counted through it again, ¡°ten silvers, it¡¯s not much the thief¡¯s guild use drugs as a form or currency, we also found several smaller doses and some yellow arrow root paste. Its hallucinogenic it makes you a bit dull.¡± David sighed and prepared to throw the narcotics into the fire. Martin had an idea, ¡°what about the blue moon dust?¡±
David misinterpreted him, ¡°with your poison resistance plus endurance you wouldn¡¯t even feel it, to me and Vivian it would mess up or concentration and it would flatten Alice.¡± Martin shook his head, ¡°I have some flash bang grenades distractions, but if I loaded them up with this stuff it could give an enemy a face full of numbing drugs so they can¡¯t fight back!¡± David shrugged, ¡°be careful I don¡¯t think that is really approved. Also you have to be careful not to hit one of us, if you start throwing it about¡±, ¡°ok I will be careful¡±.
They lead the carts down the trail back to the main track. The two dead mercenary¡¯s bodies were loaded next to the dead cart driver. The caravan slowly made its way to the village gates, the entire group was checked. the living the dead and the almost dead bandits. The cargo was examined and they were let into the village. The bodies were taken to the church. There was a secure cold room in the cellar where they could be kept. The remaining members of the caravan were left with Alan the merchant at his premises. The goods were returned to the local lord Cain. They were intact, as they would not have been worth selling otherwise.
The steward invited the group of adventures into the lord¡¯s manner. It was an old solid building decorated with sturdy furniture and various tapestries and paintings. The art might have been decades or centuries old. The lord had a large wooden chair that had presumptions of being a throne, it just bore his weight. He was now warm and friendly, he opened his arms in a magnanimous gesture, ¡°excellent my triumphant friends, my goods are returned. Those bastards that dared to defy me are dead to a man!¡± David paused, ¡°Two of them were brought back wounded¡±. The lord grinned showing his teeth, ¡°they won¡¯t survive interrogation¡±. As if to emphasize the point, a room away someone started to scream and gurgle.
His features took on a more sober aspect, ¡°I regret that two of your colleagues on guard duty were slain. Also that one of the hostages was killed in the ensuing fight, but all of them could be dead, they were presumed dead to begin with.¡± The steward stepped into the room. ¡°I am sorry to interrupt, can you see the merchant guild representative...¡± The door was pushed open by Harrold, a moment later Alan walked in his stick was tapping away, he looked furious.
He turned to the group, pointing his walking stick accusingly, ¡°you are incompetent, I knew her for five years she has worked for me as an apprentice¡±. He turned to Lord Cain, ¡°All you care about is your shipment, torturing the remaining bandits to death, won¡¯t bring my people back¡±.
Vivian met his eyes, ¡°we were outnumbered nearly five to one¡±
Alan didn¡¯t flinch, ¡°you should have gotten back up¡±
David answered, ¡°in that time they could have set traps or moved away¡±.
The merchant looked at the lord, ¡°I lost one of my people we will speak on this. Everyone else out¡±.
Everyone else got out of the room, ten minutes later the merchant left with his body guard. The lord looked a little deflated, he looked at the group, ¡°I am sorry to say that my counterpart in the merchant¡¯s guild has affected, the bounty that I can provide. He has invoked an obscure contract rule to remove part of the reward, to give to the dead woman''s family.¡± He looked over to David and Vivian. ¡°Frankly we didn¡¯t know that the woman was still alive¡±. ¡°However technically the two of you failed part of your contract to the merchants guild, so he has got that right. The reward is reduced by 30 silver¡±.
David looked the most disappointed, Martin and Alice barely acknowledged it. The steward handed Lord Cain a bag he offered it to them, ¡°Still its 70 silver a good prize, not quite a gold coin¡±.
The lord gave them a drink of wine a toast, then sent them on their way. Martin looked at the mercenaries, ¡°I don¡¯t think that the merchant would be amicable to organising a deal on what we recovered from the bandits¡±. Alice looked at the steward, ¡°let¡¯s try him¡±. The steward looked over the mages staff and the other items. After a little negotiation the steward gave them another 5 silver. At the end of the day they were a level higher and 85 silver richer.
They went back to the church to get an evening meal. The priest father Richard greeted them, ¡°you brought the bodies back, I have given the mercenaries last rights and they have been cremated. There ashes will be sent back to the free company, where they have their own Chapple. The cart driver who didn¡¯t make it, she was a local the service will be tomorrow morning.¡±
Martin paused, ¡°What about the bandits?¡± The priest shrugged he seemed disappointed. ¡°The lord Cain is asking for them not to be given last rights, for their ashes to be spread outside the settlement, so that they are seen as rejected in death as outlaws. Alan is of a similar mind, they were his people that died. I said that they were people once, that they deserve last rights. That even if they did horrible things they were still people and deserve some guidance in the next life. Plus it stops them coming back as ghosts.¡±
The adventures ate a small meal, divided the coin between them and went to bed after a night¡¯s sleep they would feel a little better.
True Monsters – Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 16 – Archanists and Plots.
True Monsters ¨C Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 16 ¨C Archanists and Plots.
It was a Nightmare, Alice was standing there bound as the cart driver was bound. Martin held the knife to her throat. She woke up, disturbing she drifted back to sleep. She dreamed again, the bandit holds the coach driver this time she is facing him. Alice sends out a fire bite spell, the bandit shifts his hostage using her as a shield. The fire bite strikes her she screamed into her gag in agony and slumped forward dead, Alice woke up screaming.
She went to sleep again, gripping the covers. Martin walked towards her, she ran hurling spells at him he easily ignored each one. They dispersed on his holy symbol, he reached out and griped her throat, gasping for breath her hands around her throat she woke up again.
Vivian dreamed, she shot an arrow at the bandit leader. It struck this time but not the bandit the hostage. The next arrow went through them both. Her hands gripped her bow, they shook slightly. She looked around her, everyone was dead friends allies enemies and hostages, all peppered with arrows.
Martin has not slept well, no alcohol could give him comfort. He was an alcoholic that could not get his fix, his new body rendered it irrelevant. He had to find some way to relieve the pressure. Something other than what had happened to the bandit wizard. David woke up, he was a little sour at losing the share of the bounty. It would not happened next time, they would be quicker better armed.
The group met at the breakfast table, Vivian and Alice were rattled if that was the word for it. Martin was frustrated, that would be the best word for it. David would not be halted, they had to press on. They had to keep going, he could see those around him start to falter. They needed to be directed at something, then they would be alright, he was sure of it.
David spurred them into action, ¡°Come on let¡¯s have a look at the letter we recovered from the bandit, it can help us find what is going on¡±. David pushed them forwards,
Alice held her hand over it, ¡°I don''t detect anything magic hidden or otherwise¡±.
Martin looked at it, ¡°sometimes vampires will use a little of their blood in the ink, so that other vampires know that a letter comes from them¡±. He held out his holy symbol, there was no reaction
His shoulders dropped, ¡°So much for that theory, it could have been a servant I suppose¡±. Vivian held it up, ¡°let¡¯s read it again¡±.
To the leader of the brotherhood of the Black Hand
Good fortune and nights cover to you. My master has commanded me to seek allies in this area. I can provide information and a distraction to the local authorities, if you can cripple the area''s economy.
Your task would be to interrupt the trade caravans. If you happen on any survivors from your caravans, or any associates that will not toe the line. I will happily take them off your hands. We can meet in the way that this letter was delivered, we have worked with your sponsor in the past and know them well.
Signed, I
Alice pondered it, ¡°I suppose that this could have been from another criminal gang?¡± Vivian spoke,
¡°The drugs we found were not local, they probably had contacts with a larger thieves group¡±.
Martin pondered, ¡°The greeting that starts the letter, it seems like something a vampire would say¡±. David shrugged ¡°that would be convenient, on big bounty¡±. ¡°All the troubles plaguing this area, they could be working together, organised by a vampire or one of their servants¡±? Vivian wondered.
¡°It is clear that they need bodies, either for food or raw materials¡±, Martin added.
¡°The archanist creations are tougher than thralls or fresh vampires, so I think that is the aim¡±. She paused, ¡°A local vampire acting as a power broker maybe?¡± Alice surmised.
¡°That is the most likely explanation, the vampire hunters that are already hear thinned its forces. it¡¯s probably recruiting anyone that will listen¡±. Vivian Added
¡°There is an archanist in the area, probably a fairly new one. But they are getting rapidly better¡±, Martin pondered.
¡°It¡¯s a dead end with the letter, until we compare it against the other hunter¡¯s information. So let¡¯s move onto the other issue¡±. Alice was raising the topic of the dead cart driver.
¡°It¡¯s not like we set out to kill her, if I had been slightly quicker. I would have nailed him, before he could cut her throat¡±. Martin was frustrated justifying his actions. ¡°We only defeat ourselves, if we argue like this. If I had shot at the same time, he would not have been able to do anything¡±. Vivian tried to get it across to allice that they had tried to save the cart driver.
David broke the silent pause, ¡°I was emotional, I cut the bandit leader down, if we had taken him in alive then we might have gotten more answers. Still saying that he was pretty dangerous, so it¡¯s not exactly bad that we didn''t take him alive.¡± David mulled it over, ¡°what we lacked was knowledge, which we can make up for. We avenged the dead cart driver, it will not bring her back but the bandits won¡¯t hurt anyone else. If we didn''t act quickly the other four, might not have been saved¡±.
Alice sighed, ¡°You make a good point, and more people will suffer in the long run if we give up. We won¡¯t save everyone, we can¡¯t but we can try to save some of them. To do that we need information¡±.
Vivian nodded, ¡°The thieves guild are not good at open warfare. They avoid it like the plague, they rely on numbers poisons and ambush¡±. David continued, ¡°there heavy hitters are assassins hired, marauders and illegal wizards, with the occasional mage that''s gone rouge.¡±
Vivian elaborated, ¡°Marauders were a combat focus job, developed by a warlord a long time ago. They serve many of the same functions of the mercenary job. They don¡¯t have the layered armour or training abilities. Assassins were a job developed by the nobility, for internal conflicts quietly. The thief¡¯s guild got a hold of it, probably with a lot of money. They have been training them ever since. We are unlikely to run into those sorts of elites any time soon. Only someone high up in the organisation, would have a squad or two of them at their disposal.¡±
¡°The bulk of their forces, are better at stealing and tricking than actual fighting. They like to use concealable weapons. There go to anti-armour weapon is a short heavy crossbow, slow to load but combined with a poisoned bolt it can take out most people, if they get the chance to hit them.¡± David was serious, a bolt like that could pierce his armour if not his shield.
¡°They favour throwing knives and cal-traps, which would be poisoned. They have a few scouts but they are not effective armour crackers, relying on precision shots. You don''t want to forgo a helmet when facing them. Smoke bombs alchemist¡¯s tricks, in limited quantities, so they can conceal them are also a main stay.¡± David gave a condensed lesson.
¡°Fancy enchanted daggers can be quite a source of status amongst them. They can carry lock picks a lot also deal in drugs, they use mostly focus based abilities. There focus dodge is particularly annoying, some of the better members will have focus parry abilities as well. They also sometimes carry restore focus and restore health potions. They use them and drugs as a second currency. You have to expect some good magic items with any high level group, normally the bosses and elite enforcer squads.¡± Vivian advised them.
¡°We were trained to fight against Focus dodge abilities. It takes more effort to move the entire body, than pulling one limb out of the way. It is Possible to counteract this with two projectiles or rapid attacks. Some of the more select thief¡¯s guilds have access to enhancements, or maybe that could be replacements golem parts, for eyes arms legs hands that get lost¡±, David added.
¡°They can also get blood alchemy modifications, adding abilities or organs harvested from monsters, usually few in number but quite potent.¡±
Martin nodded, ¡°thanks Vivian David, we should have had this conversation, before tracking the bandits¡±.
They were cut off, Father Richard entered the kitchen. He nodded to them in greeting, ¡°can you meet the sisters of final mercy at the inn, and they have some orders for you¡±. Alice nodded ¡°Good it would be useful to compare notes¡±.
Five minutes later the party arrived at the inn. The two local vamp hunters, were members of the order the sisters of unrelenting and final mercy. They tended to rely on heavy and exotic ordinance, more than anything else. A large steel blue blunderbuss, was resting on their table. A seven barrelled volley gun, was resting in a holster on a chair. The two hunters were dressed much as Martin. With slightly different patches of leather and considerably worse repairs to their coats.
Martin greeted them with a handshake, the two vampire hunters reciprocated the gesture. Martin held out a flask and both of them took a sip. One of the hunters handed Martin a slightly different flask, ¡°that''s Ip its 95% proof you might still feel it¡±. Martin nodded and took a sip, he twitched slightly nodding in thanks, handing the drink back.
Martin spoke to them, ¡°I am sorry about your loss¡±. The senior sighed, ¡°Two members of our party are dead, and their replacements are being promoted up from deputy hunters. Our ranks fill more quickly, than the vampires that we killed.¡± Martin was curious, ¡°how many fell to your hunt?¡±
The sister senior answered with pride, ¡°six fledglings, eight thralls and three full vampires, we even wounded the leader of the group¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°can you describe him his fighting style, any items he has, any servants and any abilities¡±. The Sister of mercy paused recalling the encounter, ¡°he had a rapier that was infused with fire, possibly infernal magic. He has a ring that granted some sort of boost.¡±
¡°He had a steel chest plate, it was fancy but a bit thin decorative not sturdy. He had no remarkable abilities, probably not old enough to have any¡±. Martin pressed, ¡°Have you had any leads¡±? She shook her head sadly, ¡°Not really, we have checked a few old lairs yesterday. We found some bone hounds in an old vamp lair. They were so weak, I don''t think that they were serving any active vampire.¡±
The hunter eyed him up, ¡°you only have that pair of pistols. Things are getting dangerous round here, you need some better ordinance, this was Sister Mary''s, kill a few vampires in her name¡±. Martin looked at the Triple pistol and holster. It was a little ornate he felt the weight, it was about two and a half times as heavy as one of his more mundane pistols. The barrels were shorter it was designed for closer combat.
The device had three barrels and three flint lock mechanisms. They would rotate around one handle and trigger on a central axis. A spring was wound so that each barrel would come into place after the previous was fired. Martin was also given a leather box containing ammo the gun used short wooden stakes.
Vivian showed them the letter, the sister senior looked at it, ¡°The I could be for Islington. There is mention of a vampire by that name in our records. He was probably the vampire we faced, it¡¯s the best lead for the sender of the letter. Some of his allies are gone wiped away his position is weaker.¡±
The hunter added more of her insight, ¡°He must be a very low ranking elder or a high level warrior, he is the strongest vampire in the area at any rate. With the creatures you found there is probably an archanist¡¯s lab hinted in the area, they can remain dormant for a very long time and work with vampires¡±.
She looked at the group, ¡°that is your assignment, there was a suspected archanist Joseph in town fifty years ago. The merchant confirmed the records, they sold him raw materials. Those items could have been used to make more mundane items, but they could be used by an archanist¡¯s. We are going to check another old vamp lair. You are going to check around the village for any information.¡± the group nodded.
David sighted, ¡°They gave us a light assignment today after yesterday¡±. Vivian agreed, ¡°Yes especially after Alan''s reaction.¡± The group moved back to the church, a lot of the towns records were kept there. They could look for something anything to fulfil their assignment. The lay brother was able to provide them with access, to the church records. A quick check found very little to go on. Then Vivian eagle sharp eye''s spotted a reference. Joseph working with a little company, importing mechanist equipment into the area. His name was on some paperwork, the local lord once had business dealings with Him.
They went to see the lord¡¯s steward, he was able to dig out a bit of information. The company had made quite a large number of clocks and imported a large number of tools and raw materials. They went back to the priest. They found records on the commissioning of a town clock. Joseph had ordered around four times the required materials to make the clock. It was a single example of his suspicious behaviour but it was enough to follow up on. Digging deeper, there was a building that Joseph had used, they would check it out.
The steward allowed the group, with one of the town guards to inspect the old building. Once a workshop it was now used as ware house. Alice felt a tug of magic, ¡°there''s something over hear¡±. Vivian pointed out a part of the wall that was two thick. ¡°Could something be concealed in there¡±? Martin had his tools out, he dismantled a complex hidden key hole. A few tugs of an iron probe and there was a dusty groan. A section of the floor swung downwards leading to a hidden basement.
The guard looked nervous and stayed back. The group advanced, David had his shield up. Martin was next his holy symbol at the ready, with Vivian and Alice behind. In the basement there were several green torches, they glowed with a sickly quasi magical light. The basement may have been an archanist¡¯s early workshop, but it had been cleared apart from one chest guarded by a construct.
This construct was not like the amateur efforts they had seen before. It was old enough to be coated in dust, but still in pristine condition. It faced off against them moving between them and the chest. A man trapped inside a machine, or an amalgam of the two, it was hard to say. Martin looked over it ¡°be careful it¡¯s not some apprentices work¡±.
The Walker had a human body reanimated, with electricity and chemicals. This one had weakened joints and limbs, replaced and augmented with gears and plates of bronze and iron. Its skull was reinforced with many layers of plate like a helmet. Its eyes were dull but active. One hand was a powerful claw, the other held a wrench like a weapon. Its back was a mass of connecting rods and gears, as well as a canister of the preservative fluid.
The construct barreled forwards. David intercepted it with an adrenaline block. Martin released an overload shot from his pistol, striking it in the head. Alice hit it with two fire bite spells. Vivian put one of her bodkin arrows through its chest. It lurched back to life, Martin lead it to one side David delivered a solid blow to its back. The delicate mechanisms failed and it fell to the floor dead. Vivian looked about, ¡°there are foot prints hear, someone has been using this place¡±.
Martin held out his holy symbol, carefully approaching the chest. There was a map a detailed well drawn map, with two spots marked on it. One by the forest, one by the road. They had no other clue, the archanist or the constructs working for it would be doing something there. They showed the guard the remains of the walker. They dragged it out, then doused it with lamp oil. They set it on fire, out at the back of the building.
Martin worked in a flurry, he took out tools and oil dismantling the triple pistol. Carefully he oiled and cleaned each piece. Gently shaving off a few pieces from the mechanism. He reassembled and dry fired it. happy he loaded and holstered it. They would need the extra fire power, if they met any significant numbers of constructs.
They headed out of the village, they went to the first spot. A large number of foot prints, indicated that people came out hear all the time to forage. There was a group of constructs in the area, they were probably looking to grab the locals as spare parts. There were 8 walkers like the one guarding the chest. One was constructed slightly heavier, a crystal replacing one eye. There were 10 scurriers and two brass wolf pack leaders, plus 8 brass wolves split into two groups of five.
Martin pointed out the creatures, ¡°Brass wolves, they are not really wolves despite the name. Domestic dogs augmented by Archanist technology, not truly reanimated. These poor creatures are still alive. They are mass produced guard dogs, the necks and heads are well armored. The bodies are generally not that well armored and susceptible to attack.¡± He pointed out two particular constructs, ¡°The pack leaders are a bit more durable.¡±
He described the other creatures, ¡°The smaller ones are called Scurriers, and they are ugly. The brain of a rat and a collection of spare parts in a jar reanimated to a semblance of life. They are weak but fast, they jump to attack with their legs.¡± The scurriers were two feet tall, with six mechanical legs, three eyes in the jar guided them.
Vivian looked at the group. ¡°Alice fire ball the pack of brass wolves on the left, me and Martin will take the ones on the right. The scurriers are next, simple we should be able to finish them off before we engage the walkers.¡± they nodded. David had his shield out standing at the centre of the group, Alice on the left Vivian and Martin on the right. Two fire balls obliterated the first group of brass wolves. A few pistol shots and arrows rapidly destroyed the second. The scurriers beeped clicked and charged forward. Bouncing off David''s shield, they were destroyed in quick succession with his sword soon after.
The slow but sturdy walkers headed for the group, Alice hit them with a fire ball. They were quite sturdy and kept coming. Martin targeted three of the walkers with his triple pistol. A wooden stake hitting each one in the knee, slowing them to a limping pace. David closed on one swapping blows with it until it collapsed. Vivian skewered the walkers in the chest with power shot after power shot until the second one dropped.
Alice used her fire bite spells to cook a third walker, with strikes to the limbs and torso ignoring the armoured head. David was holding the two remaining uninjured walkers back slowly leading them to him. Martin used his focus reload to get both his pistols ready. He moved behind the walkers David had distracted. Two overload shots into there more delicate mechanisms and down they went. Vivian finished off a sixth limping walker, leaving two behind. The remaining walkers were quickly despatched with adrenalin strikes, magic and focus throws to there more sensitive mechanisms.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
The group levelled up, apart from Martin who was already at his max level. He needed to perform a special action to level further. They picked up there ammo reloaded there weapons. Alice had now mastered the fire ball spell, it hit very hard but it cost four times the mana of other spells. Vivian had now maxed out her speed shooting skill. David had his block and sword skills up to level eight. It was the highest he could get them to. As soon as Alice had recovered from the level up, they headed off to the second map marker.
The second map marker was a meeting and it looked like they were in luck. The meeting was in full swing, so much so that they didn''t notice the group approaching. A fledgling vampire and a couple of thralls, was meeting with a construct it looked like an upgraded walker, smart enough to speak to negotiate. Maybe it was a puppet, or maybe it had its own intelligence.
On inspection it seemed to be aware, The Overseer was an intelligent construct, able to reason. It was like the walkers but its mechanisms were far better constructed. A chemical sprayer was attached to its right hand and with a mechanical grip on its left hand.
Its voice was tiny and monotone, ¡°The raw materials that you have been delivering have not been enough, we need more iron steel and crystal to progress!¡± the overseer noted.
The vampire was a little whiny, ¡°You have had the exact amount we agreed upon. You promised us more troops and high quality ones. The first batch was terrible, I believe that they have already been destroyed. Despite the strength of the ghoul we procured for you¡±. The vampire fledgling countered
¡°The second batch was far better¡±! the overseer flatly stated.
¡°True I suppose but we will need many more¡±! The vampire seemed to perk up.
¡°The foundry mother is fully repaired, soon you will have all the troops you need as long as we have materials.¡±
¡°Our contacts have hit a snag, further shipments may be delayed the bandits needed finance to purchase the materials for your expansion, but they were delayed.¡±
The overseer paused, there was s whir and hum, ¡°They are dead your contact in the village passed the news to our connection in the old warehouse. Now I check my senses that connection is dead, so is the second group that was patrolling the forest for gatherers. They were between the village and us. I think we may have bitten off more than we can process with this alliance vampire.¡±
The groups had met on roughly equal footing, one vampire fledgling leading four poorly armed thralls. One walker overseer leading four other walkers. Martin was not going to let the vampire escape, he was the primary target he used one of his new blessings. ¡°Chain smite¡± rather than just a single bolt of electricity, the vampire was hit by one then a second. The second bolt had a bit more power than the first, the vampire screamed as electrical energy surged through it.
Each electrical bolt used focus, but the damage was getting worse second by second. The fourth bolt was the last, the hunters target exploded into dust. It had receiving over a thousand points of electrical damage. Martin grinned in elation another vampire destroyed. He had not used this attack on the constructs, they were healed by electricity. He shouted a warning, ¡°Watch out for the overseer¡¯s chemical sprayer it can be loaded with anything!
Martin left his comrades to deal with the walkers. he concentrated on the four remaining thralls.
Two fire balls from Alice softened the Walkers up before they could scatter. Vivian killed two with bodkin power shots to the back. David attacked one with an adrenalin shield bash and consecutive power strikes to send it to the ground. Alice used her fire bite on the overseer to keep it distracted.
Martin took a couple of light wounds through his armour. His holy symbol struck one of the thralls. ¡°Wrath purge¡±, the man was out wounded and cleansed of the thrall taint. Martin repeated this tactic. One of the thralls tried to run, ¡°smite¡± he didn''t get very far. The last thrall slit his own throat, rather than betray the vampires. He was not allowing himself to be freed from their grip.
The last enemy standing the overseer was badly damaged, his chemical sprayer was still operational he managed to get David in the face just before Vivian skewered him with a final power shot.
David looked very ill, he was rapidly fading Vivian panicked clutching him. Martin used his blessing divine regeneration on David four times. ¡°I can¡¯t cure him of the poison, but I can keep him alive until it runs its course¡±. After twenty seconds Alice took over. Using her touch heal spell draining her mana and the reserve in her staff, until she was almost going to pass out. Vivian cried over David holding him. Martin checked his breathing, ¡°he is still alive barely but the poisonous chemical seems to have dissipated¡±.
The two thralls that survive look dazed and confused. They may have been under vamp influence for years. The group levelled up again, David stirred for a second then blacked out. Vivian shook Alice so she didn¡¯t dose off and hugged her, she had just narrowly saved David''s life.
Vivian and David got a class level each, they could train better troops and there adrenalin power attacks were more fearsome. Alice now had the poison cure spell. It was five times more expensive in manna than the heal spell, but ultimately a far better choice than trying to directly out heal poison damage.
They burnt the bodies, searching the vampires remains gained them a few bronze pennies. Martin took the teeth. Martin and Vivian carried David on his shield, Alice led the two confused former thralls. The group headed back to the village to rest up. Martin was frustrated he was stuck at level 25, he need to perform a feat of strength. One little fledgling vampire would not cut it, he had to find a more significant quarry, without getting killed. Also the crystals seemed to be a way that the archanists could monitor their creations. They had to get rid of their trophy head so they could not be monitored.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
20 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
130/130 |
Adrenalin |
100/100 |
|
|
| Strength |
26 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
20 |
Level Defence Bonus |
20 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
60 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L1 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
|
| Perks |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
20 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
130/130 |
Adrenalin |
100/100 |
|
|
| Strength |
26 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
20 |
Level Defence Bonus |
20 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
60 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L1 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L1 |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
19 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
72/72 |
Mana |
175/175 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
24 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
19 |
Level Defence Bonus |
19 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
1 |
|
|
| Base Spell Cost 4 Mana |
|
|
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L1 |
Analyse Magic L1 |
Recharge Enchantment L1 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
25 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
333/333 |
Focus |
165/165 |
|
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
34 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
36 |
Level Defence Bonus |
36 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L1 |
| Resist Poison |
Blade Coatings L2 |
Focus Shot L1 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L5 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-lode L1 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L1 |
Focus Multi Throw L1 |
| General Melee Weapons L3 |
Focus strike L1 |
Grenadier L4 |
| Focus Parry L1 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L1 |
Combat Medic L2 |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 4 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 2 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 1 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 1 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 4 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 frezing 100 electrical) damage x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 15 points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Inventory |
| Alice |
| Belt of the Scaled Hide ¨C armor + 5 ¨C long black belt |
| Necklace of Warding + 4 armor - square cut silver and iron |
| Druids Staff + 25 mana storage - black oak, end brass orb decorative green feathers grip bindings in brown leather. |
| Tower Apprentices Robes + 5 natural armor blue |
| Minor Ring of Armor + 2 points ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Mana + 120 points |
| David |
| Ring of Bores Endurance + 3 Endurance ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points |
| Artisan Crafted ¨C Iron and Steel Tower Shield |
| Vivian |
| Dagger of the Adder + 5 poison damage on strike ¨C seven inch fancy dagger |
| Damascus bodkin arrows x 10 |
True Monsters – Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 17 – Archanist Eradication
True Monsters ¨C Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 17 ¨C Archanist Eradication
The group of adventures slept long, late into the morning. It had been a close thing, the poisonous chemical had almost killed David the previous night. They had all had a close call or two in the last couple of weeks. Alice had woken up after regaining her mana, she used her cure poison spell on David, then her healing spell. He seemed to shrug off the last lingering effects of the poison, then went back to sleep. Vivian had been watching over him, hardly having slept herself.
Martin was no exception, having spent a lot of the evening awake. He had been watching the two people, that they had taken back from the vampires, he was cautious of any sign that there former masters retained a shred of influence.
Yesterday had shown Martin just how powerful the vampires influence could be. One of the thralls had the presence of mind to kill themselves. Rather than to be captured and potentially betray his master. It would be a long time before the two men they had saved, would be ready to re-join society.
This particular vampire had a power or skill, which erased a lot of their servant¡¯s memories. The moment when Martin had purged the taint releasing them, it had activated. It was a formidable insurance policy against the vampire¡¯s servants betraying him.
They were poorly treated by the vampire, they had called master. In the pecking order to the vampires, they were only slightly better than slaves. It would take them a bit of time to recover physically, but psychologically? That was not his area of expertise. The party ate there breakfast and discussed what Father Richard had been able to get from them. They could remember some aspects of their assignment, they had been getting supplies to build up one of their masters allies.
The priest checked through a note book, he had some papers on the table. The party of adventures was gathered around him. ¡°The vampire that they serve is called Islington, the same one that the sisters of final mercy fought. Most of their memory¡¯s about him are hazy, they have been stripped away to prevent them from betraying him. This vampire was interested in forming an alliance with the local archanist. It appears that the local archanist was the grandson of a level 50 master archanist, which set up a lab in this part of the world about 50 years ago.¡±
Father Richard checked his notes, ¡°the vampire was keeping tabs on the family, this archanist found his grandfather¡¯s notes. He started to experiment learnt the basics of the job. He was encouraged guided, he found more of his grandfather¡¯s notes. Possibly in that place below the warehouse, where his grandfather¡¯s lab would have originally been set up. He found his grandfather¡¯s final lab. If what I piece together is correct, he found the overseer that his grandfather built.¡±
¡°He gained the constructs trust, it accepted him as the new master. That was probably the construct you killed last night, the archanist took a year or so to build up his skills, now he seems to have most of his grandfather¡¯s equipment working and the skill to use it.¡±
The priest took a deep breath, ¡°They have some construct called a foundry mother. With it they can build new walkers and greater walkers. From the description they gave me, these greater walkers are basically heavy versions of the walkers, very tough. The mass production of these greater walkers, is the ultimate goal of this alliance. To bolster the vampire¡¯s ranks with solid fighters. With the correct raw materials they can make these creatures quickly. We need to stop the vampire¡¯s allies. These archanist constructs are not affected by most things that usually affects the undead. Lightning heals them, fire they are resistant to it, silver has no discernible effect.¡±
¡°If we don''t act, we could find an army of these constructs on our door. You have seen first-hand, the difference between the experiments and the finished constructs. The archanists lab is built under an abandoned farmstead. It looks like the archanist''s grandfather was in alliance with Islington or his master 50 years ago. It¡¯s probably what lead to this old archanists death, now that vampire is trying to rebuild that pact with his descendent.¡±
The priest pointed to the map, ¡°The information from the former thralls is invaluable. We now know where the archanist was based. This man is close to breaking through the level 25 barrier. He is heavily augmented with his grandfather¡¯s master worked devices, making him a powerful combatant. He is starting to create creatures equal to his grandfather, most likely using this foundry mother.¡±
¡°What sort of defences are we looking at¡±? Vivian asked.
¡°From what the vampires former servants said there is one way in one way out its trapped¡±.
¡°What¡¯s a foundry mother¡±? Alice asked.
Martin remembered a lecture, ¡°A sentient construct, a person built into and grafted with a machine. They can turn other people into machine like constructs, walkers mostly. They are quite large quite bulky, usually using a young woman as a basis¡±.
¡°I guess we will have to destroy this one, do these things count as people¡±? Alice wondered.
Martin shrugged, ¡°they blur the line but they need to be dealt with¡±. ¡°I can get a little bit of payback for yesterday night, this time I will be more careful.¡± David looked confident, it was probably bravado, he was a few words away from Vivian hitting him again.
The priest handed them a hastily copied map and some instructions. There Primary objective was to destroy the foundry mother. It could build reinforcements too quickly, it was too dangerous to permit it to exist. They had a secondary objective, to kill or capture this Archanist. The man was calling himself the brass doctor. A third objective was to wipe out all of his constructs, save any prisoners then destroy the profane place. The local leaders had agreed to fifty silver for the complete mission. If they were thorough, the adventures would have a lot divided four ways. It should be fairly easy based on what they had seen so far.
They headed out of the village then followed a trail into the hills. The area was supposedly abandoned. For such a remote place, it had quite a number of foot prints and cart tracks on it. The journey was made in cautious silence, they anticipation of attack at any minute. It was a cold Five mile journey out to the abandoned farmstead. The archanist had taken the basement as a lab, then he had his tireless walkers extend it. They had no idea just how big the lab could be, it had been inactive for a very long time.
There was a passage leading down, it was not particularly well hidden. It didn''t need to be, it had other things going for it. Such as the very heavy oak door with iron bands. Martin looked over the door, he grinned it opened out wards. The hinges were visible he had a pair of grips, some twists and pulls. The bars holding the hinges together were removed, the door was easily opened detached from the frame.
They had torches ready, they found a few basic traps along the entrance corridor. A half buried set of spikes a hidden bear trap. The mercenaries were trained for thieves¡¯ ambushes. Even if the mechanisms were in excellent shape, they were not well hidden. A trip wire was the final nefarious obstacle, rigged to an explosive charge. It was relatively easy for them to repurpose it, to remove the second heavy door. Using the trip wire to activate it from a safe distance.
All pretence of subtly and surprise was gone in that instance. Still the group had little in the way of surprise or subtlety in any regard. Alice had spells that were bright and flashy, Martin¡¯s pistols were as loud as fireworks, and the rest wore heavy armour that clanked and rattled about. They made their usual fighting formation. The place was lit by torches some wood some oil. There were some sections of plain earth some stone walls.
A few seconds after they knocked on the door, the first part of the welcoming committee arrived. They heard the approach of scurrying brass constructs, about 30 scurriers rounded the corner. Alice aimed for the middle of the mass and let a fire ball lose. It detonated in the middle of the group thinning the weak constructs by half. Martin with his mallet and David with his sword waded in to finish off the rest, Vivian picked off a few with iron broad-head arrows. They each got five kills completely erasing the first wave.
Ten yards further in they came to a cross section, barking and clicking could be heard from the right hand side. There were 10 brass wolves heading towards them. Though inferior in number, they were quite a bit tougher than the first group of constructs.
Alice let lose a fire ball that damaged the first six, they didn''t go down very quickly. Martin emptied both his long range pistols, killing two outright. Vivian switched over to her expensive bodkin arrows, two more attackers went down. David kept his shield up, his sword strikes found the flesh between brass plating and two more went down. In seconds they had more than halved the group of attackers.
David got cocky, receiving one or two bites as he pressed the attack. Even leaving himself open for a second, the damage was still minimal with his armour. Martin used his ¡°wrath¡± blessing to empower his attacks. The construct of brass and flesh buckled under his blows, spraying preservative fluids and oil all over the corridor. A few more arrow shots and it was all over.
Another five paces in, they were still surrounded by destroyed constructs. A group of more potent and durable enemies approached. There were 4 walkers and 4 greater walkers. The greater walkers had extra armour plating mechanical limbs and dome like heads, it was a dead giveaway showing how durable these opponents would be.
Alice opened up with a fire ball, it hit the first four but did little damage. Vivian put a power shot through one walker and David used a power strike on a second, they were almost gone. Martin waited until his targets were all in range, then used his blessing ¡°hallowed earth¡± to damage everything in the corridor. Two of the walkers instantly fell, the other two looked like a wind could blow then over, and the greater walkers were less bothered by the damage.
Alice hit one of the greater walkers with two of her fire bite spells. it did some damage but not enough. Vivian put two power shots into a greater walker, down it went. Martin pulled his triple barrelled pistol out and emptied all three barrels into one greater walker. David easily finished off the two remaining injured walkers.
Alice held back her mana for healing, it was not a sprint but a marathon. Martin reloaded his pistol Vivian and David finished off the last three with power attacks and blocks. They took stock reloading and recovering arrows. No more constructs were coming, they were not certain that they had depleted the archanists reserves. He was not stupid enough to let his constructs march into a choke point like the corridor again.
Over the next twenty minutes they dragged the remains outside the archanists lair. They piled them up doused them with oil, setting them on fire. Martin was not sure if it was possible, but the last thing he wanted was for the archanist to run a current through his creations, bring them back to life. When they were certain nothing was going to come back, they journeyed forwards.
They went in deeper, they finally found a room that looked like a laboratory. Cages in one corner for fresh material. Two of them were occupied, a scrawny old woman who was half asleep. The second cage contained a man who was staring into the distance, like there was no tomorrow. He had a serene look on his face, he probably didn''t have a clue where he was.
There were workbenches for making components, several forging and metal working tools. There was alchemist¡¯s equipment for producing large amounts of a green preservative chemical. This area looked like a place set up to produce components, which would be made into other items.
There were several places were clockwork mechanisms were being constructed. The workforce returned from deeper inside the laboratories. Four greater walkers entered the room they were much the same as the previous group. Martin pushed over a barrel of chemicals, a fire ball ignited it, the greater walkers were damaged but not out. Vivian and David finished the job, they retreated back and waited, there was not much left of the creatures when the fire finally subsided.
Martin drew his mallet and started to smash the equipment, Vivian and David joined him. They broke the two prisoners out of their cages, Martin used the ¡°purify¡± blessing on the man. He seemed to wake up and escorted the old woman out of the lab. The adventures did there damnedest to make sure that nothing was going to be of any use, not a piece of machinery not a glass jar of green goo.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
They moved further into the lab, finding an area that looked like a mixture between a personal living quarters and an assembly room. There were benches and unfinished experiments, the brass doctor was there he was a fairly young man in baggy lose clothes. He had a pair of pistols and a sword, leather armour and a satchel at his side. A strange geared monocle was on his left eye.
The monocle must have fed him some information. The archanist stared at Martin intently, ¡°oh shit you¡¯re a veteran¡±! He ducked behind a piece of equipment. Martin needed a breakthrough he looked at the rest of the group, ¡°I will take him you get the foundry mother¡±. Vivian looked over, ¡°bad idea¡±. Martin shook his head, ¡°doesn''t matter get on with it¡±. They nodded and headed off deeper into the lab, if Martin was going to make a breakthrough he would need to do it by himself, no assistance.
The brass doctor found his voice, it was high pitched and nasal. ¡°How dare you destroy my works of art, how dare you damage my family legacy.¡± Martin slowly moved around the lab, to get a clear shot. His opponent did the same. The man worked himself into a fever, ¡°Overseer dt43 was one of my grandfather''s greatest works, how dare you destroy him! You didn''t leave a body, I could not put him back together¡±. It gave martin some reassurance, you had to burn the remains so that there was not enough left to rebuild, his guesses were correct.
¡°Stop hiding and come out¡±, the bass doctor screeched.
¡°You first¡±, Martin shouted trying to get a shot ready.
¡°You are a veteran looking for a break through, yes¡±, his opponent hissed Martin was silent
¡°I am also a veteran, I could have a break through either way, via combat or craft¡±. Martin made a mental note, that an archanist counted as both a combat and crafting job at the same time.
¡°One way or another, one of us will break through today one will rise one will fall. I will bring you back as a Construct of unusual resilience¡±. The doctor kept talking, Martin filled away that useful bit of info, the higher the level of the body used to build a construct the better it was.
Martin stood up, his opponent rose he was faster. ¡°Smite¡± the arch of electrical energy struck the doctor, but it seemed to be sucked into his body, he grinned ¡°Ha nothing¡±.
Martin disagreed, ¡°Oh it tells me that what I heard was true, you¡¯re healed by electricity. There is nothing left to save.¡± He would definitely not be taking this one in alive.
The vampire had definitely been teaching this man how to fight vampire hunters. He knew of Martins most powerful attack. ¡°Your greatest ability is irrelevant against me, it heals this body¡±. Martin looked at the thermite grenades, ¡°We shall see¡±. They exchanged voiles of fire, the archanist drew both of his pistols. Martin counted, ¡°guardian angel¡± no effect both shots were intercepted.
The archanist had a flying bomb, it had a set of silk and clockwork wings, it flew towards Martin. He intercepted it with a pistol focus shot, detonating it in the middle of the room. The archanist had a scuttling grenade with four legs, a second focus shot detonated it.
Martin grinned, ¡°Not good enough¡± a couple of poison grenades were thrown at him. It was fairly weak stuff and had almost no effect, it did provide a good smoke screen for Martin to close the gap. The brass doctor answered with a handful of poisoned throwing daggers as he realised his opponent was closing, the daggers clattered off Martins armour.
The doctor was just able to avoid a blow from Martin from his trusty mallet. The brass doctor retreated backwards, he remove his hat reveal some sort of mechanism grafted to skull, he flipped a switch, and there was a clicking his body started moving faster.
Martin could achieve a similar effect using focus strikes. His mallet empowered with the blessing, ¡°divide retribution¡± hit the brass doctor head on. The strike damaged his light armour, he torn what was left of it off. He had a bronze and iron reinforcing plate riveted on over his heart. On his side was a grafted mechanism, it contained five tubes of green goo. He activated it a tube was injected into his body and his injuries healed.
Martin was a little too slow to react, a short sword thrust into a gap in his armour badly wounding him. The brass doctor pulled back, two could play that game Martin''s injury disappeared as he used his blessing, ¡°divine favour¡± to heal. He had plenty of other weapons in his arsenal. The blessing ¡°martyrs sacrifice¡± tore his body apart but also empowered him temporarily, as if he had gained twenty levels. The blows sent the brass doctor staggering back, a second cylinder was used to heal him back up.
The brass doctor hit a button on his sword, a click and the blade extended another four inches. A surprise as he thrust it forward. Martin had to use another, ¡°divine favour¡± to heal himself. He used a focus reload then shot the doctor. He mocked him back, ¡°Silver shot, that shit does not help you¡±. Martin grinned, ¡°OK¡± his triple pistol was drawn. It had three overload shots each one hit the doctor in the chest plate. He nodded to his opponent, ¡°not bad¡± a third cylinder was used up to heal him.
The brass doctor paid Martin back with one of his own common tricks. Martin was engulfed in a fire bomb. He covered his own eyes then ducked and rolled putting out the flames using, ¡°divine favour¡± to remove the damage. He counter attacked with a poisoned throwing knife combined with a focus throw. It hit an artery, only the fourth cylinder of regenerative chemicals kept the brass doctor alive.
The brass doctor was desperate, he attacked with his sword again. Martin was ready ¡°fortress of faith¡± the blessing stopped the attack. A focus strike with his mallet to the brass doctor¡¯s skull activated the last cylinder, straightening out his crushed neck. The man got up but a final focus strike put him back down on the ground.
The doctor looked surprised, he tried to crawl back he tried to say something but he choked. He stopped breathing. Finally he was dead. Martin was not quite convinced. The man''s body shivered, as if something was released inside it. His skin took on a green taint. There was the buzz of electrics from within his chest. His legs twitched the fabric of his clothing ripping with his convulsions. It showed a steel frames over his knee joints. He had comes back as a creature like an overseer.
Martin had one more powerfully blessing, ¡°Wrath of the almighty¡±. The doctor was hit with 300 points of holy damage. Then ignited on fire for a second dealing 100 points of fire damage. His body froze over as it received a hundred points of frost damage, then 100 points of electrical damage healing him a little. He started to try to get back up. Martin had a wooden stake as the first thing to hand. He hammered the stake into the doctor¡¯s spine, then smashed both his arms, with the mallet.
The doctor looked up, ¡°I am broken, end it¡±. Martin looked around the room there was a desk full of papers and a stove he walked over. ¡°Tell me of the vampire¡±, the remains of the doctor stared back fear beyond his own life assailed him. ¡°What are you doing no put that down, those are my grandfather''s journals, they could be of use to you to your order. You saw how strong I was couldn''t your order use such strength such art¡±?
Martin fed the first journal into the flames, ¡°Nooooooo please don''t something must survive¡±.
¡°About the vampire your sponsor¡±? More paperwork was fed to the flames. ¡°Curse you, you fucking bastard curse you¡±. Out of journals he reached for the next pile of paperwork ¡°Aghhhhhh no please not his plans, there are useful devices in there¡±, ¡°the vampires age¡±. The remains of the doctor shook its head. ¡°Nnnnooooo nnnnooooo you broke my body why, why. Do you have to torment me¡±? more paperwork was fed to the fire.
Systematically Martin started to destroy his lab, ¡°For those that you killed in your experiments I will send you to hell¡±. The brass doctor spat back his justification, ¡°They were still alive when I was finished with them. You killed them¡±! Martin would not be swayed, ¡°I freed them¡±.
He made sure that every bit of the man''s work was crushed before his eyes.
¡°No not my equipment, nooooooo, burn in hell you mother fucker, I hope Islington kills you slow.¡±
Martin loaded his pistol, ¡°Good bye I will send your remaining colleges to see you¡±. There was a single shot killing him.
Martin felt the flow of time freeze, a strange message appeared in front of him.
''A special action has been performed¡¯! Feat of marshal strength has been achieved, you have defeated a worthy opponent, your level limit has been increased to level 50. Your destiny is sealed.
The archanist had one piece of equipment that was not trashed mangled or broken in the fight. Martin picked up the monocle, it showed low light conditions. If he used focus it would show him the level and health of a target, it would be a useful addition to his equipment. Now he was going to make sure that the brass doctor''s remains, were destroyed in a manor thorough enough that nothing would be coming back.
Meanwhile the rest of the group came to the last part of the archanist lab, the foundry mother¡¯s lair. It was filled with several pieces of heavy equipment, she was the central element. The foundry mothers were the archanists greatest act of depravity. Not only did they create a mockery of life, but they created these creatures that could perpetuate there blasphemy.
The foundry mother consisted of a chamber that could accommodate a person. Once inside it could convert them into a walker or greater walker. It was shaped like a great bronze boiler, with pipes and gears on the outside. This chamber was attached to a spider like body, with eight piston like legs. The construct was nine feet high. A woman''s torso covered in brass armour and steel formed the front of the creature. She was aware of them and had some human features left on her face. Her body rose up, with a creaking grinding noise as her mechanical legs took the weight, there was the whir of gears and the ticking of a mechanism as she readied herself to fight.
¡°Some playmates for my grandson, I get to rebuild you first¡±. The old archanist had used his wife for his greatest experiment, it was rather disturbing. Willing or not she was now more machine than human. She had to be destroyed, to stop her replicate more walkers and greater walkers, more minions for the vampires cause.
David approached cautiously, his shield held high. Alice and Vivian spread out moving backwards. The foundry mother took one step forwards, reaching out her hands they extended showing claws. A fire ball hit her in the centre of her mass. It did some damage she paused, ¡°that will buff out¡±. A bodkin arrows smacked her in the shoulder sinking in deep. The construct let out a high pitched beep and backed off. Two scuttlers with explosives attached to them, dropped down from a shelf at the back of the room and charged forwards. The fuses were ignited.
David closed with the first scuttler, using an adrenalin block to send it flying towards the foundry mother. The redirected attack did far more damage to the foundry mother than anything the group had in there arsenal. Vivian hit the second one with an iron broad head, it detonated harmlessly in the middle of the room.
The foundry mother staggered about, David took the opportunity to close and knock two of her legs out of the way. Down she went allowing David to deliver an adrenalin strike, to a rather delicate piece of machinery. ¡°No get away from me little morsels, you¡¯re not playing fair¡±
The foundry mother scuttled backwards scrabbling to get up. A hatch opened up and a hose sprayed chemical jets at her attackers. David dodged one and blocked the other, Alice was two far back. Vivian was not so lucky she was hit by the potent poison and almost fell over. Alice rushed in and cast her anti poison spell saving her. David distracted the foundry mother, while Alice healed Vivian back up to full health, an arrow disabled the poison sprayer seconds later.
The foundry mother tried to take David out of the fight, she opened up the conversion chamber that formed her abdomen and tried to scoop him up. He struck out with his blade one two three adrenalin strikes, she gave up badly damaged for attempting the attack. Vivian hit one of her leg joints with a bodkin arrow, David used an adrenalin strike and off it came. The foundry mother tried to adapt to the loss of the limb, shifting her other legs about. It was obvious that she was losing this fight. ¡°It is not my time you will fall, you will be remade into our family¡±!
The foundry mother was struck by a fire bite spell, then some more arrows she tried to retreat from the group attacking her. She called in her last few allies. A series of crates in the room disintegrated, to reveal reinforcements an overseer and 3 greater walkers.
They were immediately hit by two fire balls engulfed the support group in magical flames. The foundry mother was held at bay. Vivian targeted the overseer dispatching him before he could attack with his chemical thrower. The remaining three greater walkers were quite slow and fell to the arrows and spells thrown at them.
Vivian could see the fight was practically over. The foundry mother¡¯s movements were slowing. She paused Vivian aimed carefully, the construct lost an eye to A broad head arrow. She was stunned as she tried to pull the arrow out. David used a power attack removing a leg sending the construct crashing down. David sunk his sword into the creature¡¯s chest it stopped moving the background ticking of gears slowed and stopped. Drips of oil and green goo slowly spread out over the floor.
The group levelled up, Alice hit level 20 which unlocked the ability for her to have to active spells. She could have a defensive spell and an offensive spell, or duel wield two offensive spells even if it was hard to master. She also gained some bonuses to her standard abilities raising their proficiency. She gained a measure of magic resistance 50 points, that would stop most low level spells. It somewhat compensating for her low health.
David hit level 21 as he had been badly injured when hit in the face, he got the first level of a skill which helped to block ranged attacks. Vivian got the first level of a skill that improved her chance of a critical hit on an opponent. Martin was level 26 one step closer to becoming a master, improved his ability with grenades so that he could better use the thermite he had, when he got the opportunity.
They reduced everything in the lab to scrap. They made sure that every construct was thoroughly smashed and burnt, to the point where it would never be rebuilt or repaired. It turned out that one of the rescued people was one of the missing foresters. He was glad that he didn''t become a lab experiment. He could vaguely remember a possible hiding place of local vampire Islington, which was strange considering that Islington could destroy memories.
They celebrated a clear win. They had destroyed the enemy, robbing the local vampire of allies they had saved a few people. They were rolling high tonight.
Night time came, Alice practice using spells duel wielding. She mixed up the spell trying to split her attention, it was good that she had the 50 points of magic resistance but her eyebrows didn''t survive worried and embarrassed she went to sleep.
True Monsters – Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 18 – The Hunt For Islington
True Monsters ¨C Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 18 ¨C The Hunt For Islington
Very early that morning there was a knock on father Richards door, a discrete knock. He yawned said a quick blessing and got up. He drew back the bar on his door and looked out. There was a very nervous looking girl huddled there. Over her head a scarf had been wrapped, he looked patiently at her ¡°how can I help you my child¡±? She pulled her scarf back to show the priest her eyebrows, where they had previously been. He nodded ¡°I believe I can help you¡±
He held out his hand, there was a brief white glow, she seemed momentarily uncomfortable, ¡°salve¡± her eyebrows returned. She nodded ¡°that you¡±. He sighed ¡°there was a girl last week who set fire to her hair reading in bed, I am more inclined to believe that you were practising a new spell?¡± She nodded the priest sighed, ¡°I can keep this between the two of us OK¡±. She nodded, ¡°my healing magic won¡¯t restore hair¡±? ¡°Divine power and magic''s have some similarities and some differences, life is a mystery.¡±
An hour later the party and the local clergy ate a breakfast of fried meat and porridge. David looked in wonder at Martin, ¡°the breaking through what is it like¡±. Martin found the memory to be clear and yet he didn''t have the language to explain it properly. Martin tried, ¡°it was strange, a message in my head, I could have looked at it for hours or seconds. It told me that my fate was sealed¡±. David wondered, was it god the background magic, some other force that produced this effect.
David was aware that most people who got past level five could learn a meditation. Allowing them to view their body, to assess their abilities. At some point he would get Vivian to teach it to him but for now he kept his ignorance quiet. He put forward more questions, ¡°so once you go beyond level 25, you have committed yourself to a path¡±?
Martin pondered his answer, ¡°I guess so, maybe it¡¯s the result of having a religious job, maybe I have passed some sort of test, now I have a set mission for my life.¡± Alice added her insight, ¡°it¡¯s as good a guess as any, perhaps god has a plan for you to do some work. There are other things at play, there is a certain amount of passive magic in a jobs creation and training, other things we don¡¯t understand.¡±
¡°It could relate to a physical change, locking you to a particular skill set, I would not count some grand destiny until you have talked to another who has gotten past level 25. You could have locked yourself out of learning any more secondary crafting skills¡±. David grinned, ¡°Maybe it means that you can¡¯t learn another job and it¡¯s only that¡±?
Vivian shrugged, ¡°what would be so bad about that, if you already have 25 no 26 levels of a job why change it. We all have jobs that are considered powerful in their own way. I think that we represent what someone called pinnacle jobs¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°yes also called composite jobs, some of the strongest once fully developed¡±.
David wondered not familiar with the term, ¡°What are you talking about¡±? Alice gave a little history lesson, ¡°before mages there were conjures they were limited to level 25. Then they developed the hedge wizards job, it is limited to level 50. Then the full wizard job was created limited to level 75. The first magic job to reach level 100 was the druid job.¡±
Martin was familiar with the idea, ¡°oh I have heard something similar, and a herbalist can only get to level 25. An apothecary can reach level 50, a chemist can reach level 75 and an alchemist can reach level 100¡±.
David was a little slow on the uptake, ¡°why do people still use simpler jobs¡±? Alice answered, ¡°they are generally weaker but require less expensive equipment and are quicker to train¡±. David nodded in understanding. Martin shrugged, ¡°if there was some way to change or remove a primary job before it got above 25 I don''t know what it could be¡±?
David spoke, ¡°I know you can improve a job, you can train it up to a superior one though it takes time, theoretically could the reverse happen¡±? ¡°I would not be surprised if someone had access to such a secret¡±, Vivian guessed. ¡°Let¡¯s concentrate on the rest of us getting to level 25 first, then we can break through and compare notes¡±.
Father Richard had looked over the monocle eyepiece that Martin had recovered from the brass doctor. It had no perceivable magic, so it could be used by Martin he added it to his equipment. allowing him to perceive a degree of the strength of an opponent.
When he finished his meal father Richard invited them to his study. Soon afterwards the steward and Barnabas arrived, he nodded to the group, ¡°my employ didn''t want to see you but it¡¯s important, so he sent me in his stead. If all the recent problems are masterminded by a vampire, we need to deal with it quickly and finally¡±. The steward threw a map on the table, there was a determination to his voice, ¡°we have an opportunity to kill this local vampire, this Islington or at least thin the ranks of his forces. A new vampire lair has been built in a bear den, that powerful dread thrall bear you reported earlier makes sense to a degree¡±.
Farther Richard nodded, ¡°the Vampires lair is a long way away from town. It¡¯s deliberate so we can¡¯t get to it easily. You will have to leave early to get there before nightfall, you don''t want to face a vampire of his level in the night time, when his power is at its strongest.¡± Martin was zealous not suicidal, ¡°of course we don''t, a fledgling or full vampire we could probably handle. But not one like this, he appears to have several magical items as well¡±. The steward looked to them, ¡°it is rough terrain we have packed a few provisions¡±. David was about to speak, Barnabas anticipated the question, ¡°If you can kill this Islington four gold between you a small fortune¡±.
They discussed a few more details, then left as quickly as they could. The group made slow progress, Martin had massive endurance so it was easy for him. David had the ring of boar¡¯s endurance, boosting his ability so he could move fairly quickly. Vivian was reasonably good at covering ground, she had training which boosted her endurance, and Alice was not.
Alice looked at the group. ¡°I am¡±, she paused huffing resting on her staff, ¡°not being carried again¡±, and she moved forwards determination in her eyes. Vivian grabbed one elbow and David the other, they helped her move a bit faster over the rough ground.
They made better progress after they got over the crest of the first hill. Going downhill was far easier. Alice needed some magical items, something to boost her strength and endurance by about 2 or 3 points each, just so she could match an average'' persons abilities. Some mages underwent physical training, others picked up crafting jobs just to gain those extra points. That would take to long for Alice. Her ego was not going to let her be carried like a sack of spuds, unless it was life or death. They pressed on and ate while they walked. They were getting closer but the sun might set first.
Martin felt a small twinge from his holy symbol, as if something was around some sort of low level threat. David and Vivian felt something that they could not exactly describe, as if something very big was viewing them from a very long way away. Alice could feel magic, a very faint sensation as if something unseen eyes were watching them. She hesitated then sighed, it felt like a bad idea to be hear at nightfall, she looked at the sky and decided. She held out her hand Martin helped her onto his shoulder then set off at a jog, the rest of the group sped up. A mount of any sort would be really useful in this circumstance, they were rare even amongst the nobles.
They arrived at the lair thirty minutes later. Martin was un-fazed and David re-coved quickly, due to the ring''s enchantment. Alice was more embarrassed than fatigued and Vivian considered getting another rank in intense training, for the extra endurance.
The vampire seemed to have anticipated such an attack, he already had some daytime muscle ready to stop the adventures interrupting his daytime slumber. IT was a large cave in the side of a hill, there were cart tracks. Outside the cave the thrall bear, two thrall bores and a thrall archer were ready. The archer was the forester that they had previously seen, he looked ragged something had fed from him, ripping his shirt and leaving two small puncture wounds, in his current state he didn''t mind it.
¡°We are stronger now and that creatures is still wounded from before, prepare to fight¡± Martin boldly declared. ¡°Yes but try to pacify the forester¡± Vivian shouted at him. Alice took up a position behind a large stone, so she could avoid the arrow fire. Vivian had her broad heads ready David slowly moved forwards and Martin drew his long range pistols. Alice took the time to concentrate her duel cast fire balls. It hit the bear and one of the boars, the boar didn''t seem too happy squealing as its hide cooked, and the bear seemed mildly annoyed. Martin emptied both pistols into the bear tickling it. Vivian put an adrenalin shot into its hide, this also didn''t faze it. David blocked an arrow from the forester.
One of the bores closed on David, he struck it with a power attack then two stabs and it was on the floor dead. Martin drew his triple pistol and shot the second injured boar down. One of the expensive bodkin arrows collided with the bears hide, it didn''t sink in half as far as it should. A fire ball collided with its face the bear staggered roared and reared up to its full height dropped to the ground and charged forwards. Martin used his ¡°angel guardian¡± blessing to stop it in its tracks.
David targeted the forester, closing in on him, A strike with his shield and a stab to the arm and the man was out of the fight but not dead. Vivian and Alice hit the bear while it chewed through Martins defensive blessings. Alice used duel fire bite spells and Vivian used her bodkin arrows. The bear was not being stopped despite the damage.
Martin had heard of an ability that some vampires possessed to strengthen their minions. It was only temporarily by feeding them a small amount of their blood, though sometimes a lot of blood was needed. This temporarily gave them extra vitality and durability, this seemed to be the case now. David attacked the bear from the side, striking it with his adrenalin attacks. Alice used more spells, Vivian hit it in the neck, but it was still tough. Martin expended his wrath ability and his throwing knives. He was tempted to reach for the thermite, but it was not quite the time yet.
David buried his shield into the ground, resisting the bear¡¯s attacks taking very little damage. The irate creature was smart enough to recognise the source of the damage. It was having difficulty bringing it its strength to bear. When it attacked Martin he used his defensive blessings, when it went for David he turtled up behind his shield. When it tried to get to the back line it was mercilessly attacked it in the flanks. The bear¡¯s strength was slowly starting to flag, Martin hit it with two divine retributions and hallowed earth.
The buff that its vampire master had bestowed upon it had now evaporated, leaving it with a continually broken and bleeding body. It could only take so much more punishment before it finally gave out. A power attack to one of its hind legs and it was limping, Martin got a little two eager and had to retreat back using divide regeneration on himself twice. Alice started to run out of mana. Her power depleted to a third of its total. Vivian switched to her last arrows the silver ones. David felt his adrenalin reserves flagging he had to be careful.
Martin used ¡°circle of consecration¡± and moved round the bear. The holly aura affected the Thrall taint in the bear, causing it to growl in pain. Distracted David was able to land a power attack on one of its paws cutting it most of the way through. Vivian sent her last arrow into the beasts face skewering it. Martin had his holy symbol ready, ¡°smite¡± a bolt of lightning dug into its skull. Sending the bear into a frenzy. Its back leg went down from the exertion. The bear tried to bite onto David''s shield, It was unprepared to receive a fire bite spell directed down its throat. Its growl was cut off as it coughed and spluttered.
Martin had his mallet ready to tenderise the beast, it was not needed the beast was bled out dead. David still stabbed away for a long time, to make sure. Martin reloaded his pistols as quickly as he could, Vivian ran over and started to recover her arrows. Alice grinned, ¡°That¡¯s the third dread thrall beast we killed, I can¡¯t say I look forwards to seeing any more. The bear looked surprised its eyes dead and vacant. They would only get a few silvers for it, nothing more. Its boss that was another matter now that they had killed the bear, hopefully they could get his master napping.
They were on the last strands of daylight, the bear had been surprisingly resilient, Martin and Alice went over to the injured forester, and he was full of bluster. ¡°You will fall before the master you will die in¡±. Martin interrupted him, ¡°purge¡± Alice used some mana to put him back together with a touch heal. ¡°Where am I what''s going on¡±? David handed him his bow, ¡°vampire mind controlled you get to town it¡¯s almost dark¡±. They had saved the last forester, if he survived the night. They could not afford to baby sit him. The biggest danger would be concentrating on them in a few moments anyway.
Vivian cleaned her arrow heads off, on the singed mangled fur of the dead bear, ¡°I got my arrows back, even lodged in this things hide for a few days there in pristine condition¡±. That was when the
Level up hit, which meant that the vampire was far away. Perhaps the lair was very deep. Martin hit level 27, again focusing on his grenade skill so that his thermite would hit its mark. David hit 22 improved his projectile blocking. Vivian at the same level continued to focus on her improved critical hit ability. Alice now at 21 learnt an acid strike spell that she hoped would be able to distract and target opponents who were resistant to fire.
They walked into the cave, torches lit the place. It seemed to have been used as a store house, perhaps for the shipments to the archanists lab, it was pretty bare now. It looked like they had wasted a lot of time. Still the thrall bear was a reasonable consolation prize. The sun dipped below the horizon, a pile of rocks moved a vampire wrapped in several thick cloaks stood up. He moved quickly across the terrain, to see what he could find in his trap.
The group were on the way out, they were going to head back. Fighting a powerful vampire at night was not a good idea. The mouth of the cave was blocked. The vampire was tall with tone to his muscles, but without being bulky. It was hard but not impossible for a vampire to grow fat on a liquid diet.
He wore white clothes edged in a red and black trim. He had an obviously magic rapier at his side, and a magic ring on his right hand. He must have been over level 50, he was not very senior for a vampire. He was still recovering from the damage that the sisters of unrelenting mercy had done to him. He had used a lot of his blood to empower the thrall bear, he was but still more than a match for a group, that had just expended most of their abilities.
They formed into a compact defensive group, the vampire was certain that his opponents were running on empty, he had a lot of arrogance in his words his stance was full of confidence.
¡°You walked into this trap, I left those memories implanted in that thrall, this is no coincidence¡±.
He turned to look at the dead bear and shrugged lifting his hands, ¡°that bear should have killed you, but then so should the bandits and the archanist¡±. Martin was rapidly reloading his triple pistol, while the vampire talked. ¡°You are getting to be a thorn in my side, you must have cost me close to fifty gold. With everything that I invested in building up the brass doctor and the bandits¡±.
Islington looked at Martin, ¡°still there is a good price on any vampire hunter past level 25 that I kill¡±. He turned to Vivian and David, ¡°your equipment will be useful to my servants¡±. He smiled at Alice, ¡°if I can grab that mage you will be a very useful commodity, I can practically taste your mana infused blood from hear¡±.
Martin still had a few surprises, he unleashed his two strongest abilities ¡°Wrath of the almighty¡± the vampire suffered six hundred points of damage wearing away at its mystical defences. The blessing ¡°Chain smite¡± lasted for four seconds, digging out a chunk of its resilient magic defence. Martin delivered, three shots from his triple barrelled pistol. The stakes impacted on the vampire but it was scratch damage. The rest of the group was not idle. A fire ball struck the vampire, then two bodkin arrows propelled with power attacks. He was hit by a thermite grenade which ate away at his supernatural resistance and his flashy looking chest plate.
Martin reached for another grenade, the vampire was faster. ¡°Out of focus¡±, he hit Martin four times knocking him to the ground. Martin tried to rise, Islington lets out a strike with his boot that causes something to crack. David tried to land a power strike but the vampire blocked it with his own sword. He looked down at Martin again delivering a kick that clanged against his head and the hidden plate armour. He sneered, ¡°not so powerful are you now, you expended too much effort on my servants¡±.
Vivian bounced a silver arrow of the arrogant vampires head, it left a trail of blood. They had totally depleted his blood shield and supernatural aura. The vampire charged round David, over to Vivian. He ducked under two arrows and embedded his faintly glowing sword in her side. It was a deep wound that pierced her left lung and almost killed her. She dropped her bow wounded by the vampire, Vivian could feel blood in her lung. He grinned, ¡°Such strength for a human, but no match for me. Her poisoned dagger struck him in the neck he brushed it off, ¡°good try but I don''t take that much damage¡±.
Martin slowly got to his feet, the spell acid strike formed a small ball of transparent green liquid in the palm of the casters hand. It then flew like a raindrop. Alice gave the vampire a face full of corrosive acid, from the acid strike spell. The corrosive liquid slung to its skin, before it faded away having exhausted the energy in the spell. It distracted the vampire for a second, David had gone berserk, throwing down his sword he drew the silver dagger. He dropped one power attack after another into the back of the vampire, burning through his last reserves of adrenalin.
The vampire twisted in pain turning round, he blindly struck out at David sending him flying. Alice used her healing magic on Vivian, then started propelling alternating fire bite and acid strike spells at the vampires face. Martin had his holy object at the ready and brought the symbol down on the vampire two handed. The vampire turned and delivered a series of three strikes, knocking Martin to the ground again. Making sure his holy symbol felt landed far away.
Vivian was still in no condition to fight, Alice was practically out of mana. The vampire closed in on her, she drained the reserve from her staff and prepared. The vampire grinned, ¡°poor mage all your mana gone you¡¯re ready to fall over¡±? Alice was acting as if she was out. Martin crawled over to his holy symbol, as he griped it he felt a sense of renewed determination and began to stand again.
David was about to reach for adrenalin potion, Alice was looking at the mana potion on her belt. Vivian was having some trouble breathing, but she had her bow and an arrow gripped in her hands. Martin had his holy symbol in one hand and the thermite in the other. He grinned at the vampire, ¡°You think that we didn''t have a plan B¡±. The vampire looked at him, ¡°what could you do¡±? David smiled, ¡°we were the first wave¡±.
The vampire turned rapier at the ready, a second group of five fresh adventurers, the Sisters of battle and the mercenaries arrived. They were followed by Barnabas and a group of guards and militia. They had long wooden stakes rather than spears. The vampire considered he had been toying with his prey to long now he was cornered.
The vampire Islington was suddenly aware that the party had moved out of the way behind him. He was hit, a Volley gun and blunderbuss hit him with silver shot and chunks of lead. The other hunters used their own holy symbols, ¡°smite¡±, ¡°smite¡± ¡°wrath¡± ¡°divine retribution¡±. He was hit with a flurry of blessings and weapons, flaming oil enveloped him a hand axe cracked into his brow. Arrows embedded in his knee and shoulder.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
The vampire charged at the group, a red glow building up around his body. His skin tore and blood leaked out, with the effort he was producing he jumped at the last moment. He just avoiding being staked, he twisted to the side and headed out. Literally pulling his body apart to outdistance the pursuing humans. After twenty minutes it was clear that he had outpaced them, but he was not the monster that had first faced them he would need a lot of blood and time to recover.
The senior member of the sisters of battle looked at the area, ¡°Islington Limped off wounded. He expended his reserves of blood to do that, it¡¯s over for tonight, if he comes back he will be very weak¡±. She looked at the dread bear approvingly, ¡°he lost one of his pieces¡±. They took the head of the dread bear as a trophy and burnt the rest, the forester was taken back to be given a hot meal and reunited with his family.
Vivian felt a pain in her chest, where she had been stabbed. She had to use a quarter staff to balance herself as they headed back to the village. Martin half carried David who was utterly exhausted. When they got back to the church, David was taken to bed to rest. The priest used various healing blessings on Martin to patch him up. Vivian removed most of her equipment and met Martin Alice and father Richard, even healed by magic she still felt very bad.
Martin examined her blood soaked padded armour. He would stitch it up later, he would also get her chain-mail patched up. He ran his hand over the wound Vivian twitched in pain as he touched her rib. He sighed ¡°Vivian that pain you¡¯re experiencing, I think that when Alice healed you there was a bit of your padded armour driven into the wound. It may have been driven into your lung, I will have to open it up remove any material then let Alice heal it again. There is a clean warm room in the church, where we can carry out the procedure¡±. She nodded, ¡°I feel a pain in my lung a shortness of breath, I suspect that you are right¡±.
The priest used a blessing to numb the pain, Martin had forceps and a sharp knife. Vivian had some of a skin full of strong wine. She bit down on a chunk of wood. Martin was as quick as possible cutting the wound open. Vivian cried and screamed with the pain of the knife. Martin had the forceps in the wound. The priest used his pain relief blessing a few more times. A few seconds and Martin found the object, the healing magic had healed the bloody cloth included inside her lung. Martin made a slightly deeper incision and pulled it out with the forceps, she screamed the place down, then blacked out. Martin carefully checked that everything was in the right place using a strong alcohol to clean the wound, then Alice applied her healing magic.
Four hours later David woke up, Vivian woke up, Vivian was feeling better after the operation, there was no pain when she breathed. They were gathered around the kitchen table for some food, she was curious about the foe that they had faced, ¡°was that Islington typical of a vampire¡±? Martin considered the question, ¡°no I don''t think so¡±. He elaborated after getting his thought in order, ¡°the eyepiece gave me some insight to his strength, he was a bit weak to be out on his own. He was only slightly stronger than a full vampire, his level is slightly about 50, normally a vampire like that would reporting to someone else¡±.
David continued that line of reasoning, ¡°So you think a stronger vampires in the area¡±. Martin shook his head, ¡°no I think that Islington is the prot¨¦g¨¦e of a more powerful vampire, which has sent him to this area¡±. Alice nodded ¡°a star pupil, the arrogance the confidence he knows even if he screws up someone is backing him up¡±.
¡°he lost a lot of servants and other lesser vampires and several powerful beasts, Most vampires would call it quits and move out of the area by now, I think that this is his first time running a mission on his own, so he is determined not to quit¡±. The others could not fault Martins line of reasoning. Vivian put her hand on her side over the position of the injury, ¡°why did you call him weak¡±? ¡°Normally a vampire in the region of level 75 would be sent for such a task, they would not show there head at all. Perhaps weak is not the right word inexperienced would be a better description¡±.
They were all round the table still alive, ¡°he didn''t finish us off one by one. He didn''t act quickly he talked allowing me to reload my pistols.¡± They had to agree Islington was more talkative than any other monster. ¡°His strengths seem to be using others and building up followers to act out his plans¡± Alice''s point was well made. Vivian added her observations ¡°his close quarter fighting may be lacking, but he had two magic items to buff him up¡±.
Martin was more confident, ¡°for all his talking he has not achieved much, I think he is more used to recruiting servants for another vampire than leading a fight himself¡±. David nodded, ¡°then we are lucky to be fighting a vampire that doesn''t know when to call it quits, one that is not used to leading. If we do get him I want that sword mine is very battered.¡± ¡°What is he trying to achieve then¡±? Vivian wondered? ¡°In a small village like this overrun the places defences, grab as many people as slaves and thralls. Take everything of value and disappear into the night. Due to the local lord¡¯s reaction the number of defenders increased, he has not got the forces to overrun the town.¡±
¡°Why is he still about¡±? ¡°he is trying to kill as many high profile adventures as possible. If he can kill several of us, he can still report some sort of success to his backer. Specifically the three remaining vampire hunters and Alice¡±. The vampires get paid a bounty on our necks, the same way that we pay out a bounty on their fangs.
Martin remembered seeing the attack from the vampire, ¡°Alice the magic sword that Islington had how is the magic in the sword different to the magic you wield. It was not like the sword was a battery for magic, it was a specific piercing effect¡±. ¡°So you want to know the difference, between Mana, potential magic and background ¡®used¡¯ magic?¡±
¡°yes I know that certain creatures and elements have magic inside them, but there seems to be a difference between it and the mana you have.¡± She tried to explain it to the man, ¡°it is like the difference between molten metal that you could pour into any mould or beat into any shape and cooled hardened metal. If you can think of it that way as an analogy. The mana I have can be shaped into anything within reason, sonic waves moulding the earth healing a body, Mana that an enchanter has used is fixed in a form in a function. Its static locked.¡± Martin took that explanation, there was probably a more complex explanation, which only a mage would understand. He had what he needed to know.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
22 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
140/140 |
Adrenalin |
110/110 |
|
|
| Strength |
28 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
22 |
Level Defence Bonus |
22 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
66 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L1 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L2 |
| Perks |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
22 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
140/140 |
Adrenalin |
110/110 |
|
|
| Strength |
28 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
22 |
Level Defence Bonus |
22 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
66 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L1 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L1 |
| Defend Against Missiles L2 |
|
|
|
|
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
21 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
78/78 |
Mana |
185/185 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
26 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
21 |
Level Defence Bonus |
21 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
2 |
|
|
| Base Spell Cost 4 Mana |
|
Magical Defence |
50 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L2 |
Analyse Magic L2 |
Recharge Enchantment L2 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike (5 damage +1 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
|
|
|
|
|
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
27 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
348/348 |
Focus |
190/190 |
|
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
36 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
38 |
Level Defence Bonus |
38 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L1 |
| Resist Poison |
Blade Coatings L2 |
Focus Shot L1 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L5 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-lode L1 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L1 |
Focus Multi Throw L1 |
| General Melee Weapons L3 |
Focus strike L1 |
Grenadier L6 |
| Focus Parry L1 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L1 |
Combat Medic L2 |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 4 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 2 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 1 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 1 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 4 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 frezing 100 electrical) damage x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 15 points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Inventory |
| Alice |
| Belt of the Scaled Hide ¨C armor + 5 ¨C long black belt |
| Necklace of Warding + 4 armor - square cut silver and iron |
| Druids Staff + 25 mana storage - black oak, end brass orb decorative green feathers grip bindings in brown leather. |
| Tower Apprentices Robes + 5 natural armor blue |
| Minor Ring of Armor + 2 points ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Mana + 120 points |
| David |
| Ring of Bores Endurance + 3 Endurance ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points |
| Artisan Crafted ¨C Iron and Steel Tower Shield |
| Vivian |
| Dagger of the Adder + 5 poison damage on strike ¨C seven inch fancy dagger |
| Damascus bodkin arrows x 10 |
| Martin |
| Monocle of clarification ¨C low light vision ¨C read target approximate level hp |
True Monsters – Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 19 – Bones Bleached White
True Monsters ¨C Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 19 ¨C Bones Bleached White
With all the effort involved in fighting Islington and killing the thrall dread bear, they only got two silver each. The local lord did offer several gold pieces, if they could kill Islington. Then on the flip side Islington''s superior was probably offering him quite a bit, if he killed them. If Islington had any vampire subordinates left. He would probably keep them close to him from now on, for extra protection.
The past two weeks of almost constant fighting, had taken a heavy toll mentally and physically on the group. Alice was mentally prepared for it with her high wisdom. Physically her legs ached from all the walking. Martin was physically OK with his high endurance and level. Mentally he was not so focused, he could make a mistake. The two mercenaries were trained for this sort of thing for long campaigns or sieges, still they were quite tiered. They slept late and ate a very large meal, that morning.
Father Richard passed more orders from the steward onto them. They were handed some light work, just scouting out some possible vampire locations. They were sites more likely to be abandoned, according to the notes and local records. They might have one or two minions left in them. Or even a few stores put aside. It was unlikely that they would be used at all, it was effectively busy work to give the group a rest from fighting.
They got a map and a short list, three sights. Two were close buy the village, one a bit further out. They made plans they could quickly check the two close by, then return to the village. Have their mid-day meal and finish off the last site. Then ale food and sleep At least that was the plan. Vivian came up with the general outline. No one else had any objections, even Martin had little desire to go and hunt for Islington he was sure that they would get a second chance.
That was there plan and to begin with it seemed that everything would go smoothly. They left the settlement past the militia guards and gate. They soon moved to the edge of the farm area. Along a trail into a sheltered place that shepherds had used, until a vampire had been sighted there. It was a small cave in a hill. It contained nothing, if anyone or anything had lived there it had cleared out completely. The roof had half caved in. the cave had been filled up with dirt and rocks.
The second site was quite a bit further away, they had a slightly longer walk around the vineyards. There was an old farmstead with a cellar, this cellar had been used a long time ago as a lair. It had been substantial extended from the original basement. The entrance was hidden behind some shrubs. A little pulling and cutting and the entrance was exposed. They got torches and explored the area. The place was abandoned, a few half collapsed bits of furniture a few empty barrels that might have held provisions. One wall had partially collapsed, they had to clear it back so that they could pass that took them ten minutes.
They progressed deeper into the abandoned lair, perusing their investigation. They found what would have been a pit trap. It had mostly collapsed in on itself. They found a bear trap half buried in the ground. It was rusted, they still took it seriously. Disarmed it was packed away in Vivian''s backpack. later on Martin would clean and repair it so that they could use it in the future. They kept their eyes out for other traps. There was a trip wire across the path, they triggered it remotely with an iron arrow. A few rocks dropped down as the trap activated, it was jammed up and ineffective.
Just before they came to the last few rooms they found a distinct square on the ground. It was covered with dust. It seemed to have warped over time, showing the outline of a trigger plate. David took a rock and prepared to throw it. They took a few paces back and braced themselves. The rock hit the trigger plate, there was a crunch and a click. Four rusty iron spears fell from above striking the ground around the trap. There were a few other rooms, the remains of a desk and bed. They checked for any further traps or magic. They found nothing and headed back to the town for some food.
They went to the village inn, David noticed that there were only three members of the group of mercenaries. He walked up to them and spoke politely, ¡°where is the fourth member of your party?¡± Their leader fell quiet, he breathed in, ¡°they fell the day before last. They have been given last rites and cremated¡±. Martin tipped his hat, ¡°you have our condolences for your comrade¡±, the group nodded.
The Mercenary leader continued, ¡°There ashes and their gear will be sent back to the grey company barracks in grey forge, it takes about eight days I think¡±. ¡°How did they pass away¡±? Vivian enquired. ¡°We were investigating a potential lair, we were surrounded our grenadier set off all there ordinance, it killed a lot of ghouls and Wight¡¯s with them. They will be added to the book of honour¡±. Vivian and David nodded, ¡°they did their duty, even at the cost of their life¡±. They shared a drink in memory of the dead mercenary, then ate in reflective silence.
Vivian looked at Martin and Alice, ¡°our party composition is better more flexible, magic and holy blessings added to Martial training can really improve our chances¡±. The other members of the party nodded. Out of the three groups of adventures in the area, they were the only one that had not suffered a fatality yet. They were arguably the best prepared having access to healing magic and a wider array of skills. The hunters had better weapons and the mercenaries had better armour but Vivian preferred their chances.
They headed off to their final target of the day. It had been a series of caves carved out by a small river, it was deep and old with a little pond by the entrance. They lit there torches and went inside. There were signs that at one time a vampire had made this there primary lair. Brackets on the walls where torches could be placed. A place cleared to store water. The remains of a door to a store room.
They found a few larger bits of furniture. There was one place that must have once been cells, to hold freshly captured humans the heavy doors rotted away, there were other bits of wood now fallen apart. Deeper in they found the remains of carpets and furniture, at one point it would have been quite opulent.
Soon they had explored everywhere, apart from one large chamber at the very back of the cave system. The chamber was long abandoned, but not entirely deserted. The chamber was fourteen feet high, in its centre stood a Bone golem, next to a stone throne. It was twelve feet tall, it was made from the bones of ten animals in this case cattle. A bull¡¯s skull sat centrally upon the necromantic construct where a head should be. It had the rough form of a man, though twice as high. There were four extra arms upon its back. They ended in sharpened ribs almost like knives. The extra limbs were added to make bone golems more powerful combatants. It had been set lose to guard a vampires lair, slow and stupid but durable, a purple aura surrounded it.
David considered, ¡°Would there be any reward for killing that thing¡±? Vivian snapped back, ¡°We kill it or re-kill it or whatever. We would just be sent back hear if we just reported it¡±. Alice held out her hands sensing the magic ¡°It feels off unbalanced, I don''t think this thing is serving any master, maybe it went wrong which is why this place is abandoned¡±? ¡°It¡¯s an abomination we destroy it, it might be worth a level¡±
Martin looked at it he warned the group, ¡°Bone golem, conventional weapons can harm them and they have no way to regenerate. Fire seems to work well against them. They are normally slow.¡± he didn''t see any other opponents local. Martin started with his best attack, ¡°chain smite¡± the arch of electricity from his holy symbol struck the monster. Its purple aura slowly started to diminish. The construct reached down picked up an oak table and hurled it at Martin. He ducked to avoid the thrown object. That broke his concentration, cutting off the attack he had done some damage but not that much. Vivian sent a power attack into the bone golem, it smashed into the aura protecting it, the aura flickered.
Alice duel cast her fire ball spell at the approaching construct, hitting it before it could get closer to her. David charged in a second later, to block the attacking monster. Stopping it before it could get close to those who were not protected by a strong shield. Its fists rained down on his shield but it was held in place. Martin had his long pistols drawn and emptied both of them at the creature, doing a little damage.
The aura around the creature slowly faded, as it continued to attack mindlessly. David was reduced to a purely defensive role in this battle. Each blow sent him back an inch, the shield was wedged into the ground. The power of the blows was still substantial, it tried to get round the shield with its secondary spiky limbs. They were not well suited to the task. Martin drew his triple pistol and delivered three shots, boosting their damage with his wrath blessing. Large chunks of bone and solidified sinew fell from the construct.
Unless they knew exactly where the spell focus was engraved on the construct, then it would take a long time. Vivian hit it with two power shots, shaving off one of its secondary limbs. Alice alternated between acid strikes and fire bite spells. Trying to hit the construct in the joints to disable a limb.
Martin used a blessing that he had not used before, ¡°thy will be done¡±. Insight was fed into his mind, for a second he could see more. The spell focus that animated the golem was made from a human skull, embedded deep inside the pile of bones. There was no way to get to it easily. He still shared the information, ¡°this golem''s weak spot is in the chest on a skull try to pierce it¡±. Vivian''s power attacks were the perfect tool for this, she switched to her expensive bodkin arrows and aimed for the center of the chest. David tried to use an adrenaline block to unbalance the golem, he didn''t succeeded it was too massive and could not feel pain. Alice hit it with more acid and fire magic. She was trying to weaken its chest, so that Vivian''s arrows would be better at penetrating the golem.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Martin hit it with his last two strong holy attacks, ¡°wrath of the almighty¡± ¡°smite¡±. The cold damage from wrath of the almighty didn''t do much but the rest weakened it. Vivian put a power attack into its chest and it staggered. They had probably nicked the skull with the spell engraved on it. Alice hit the same spot with her acid strike in preparation.
The golem was without thought, just an instinct bound to the bones. It just kept attacking the nearest person. David delivered a power attack to the knee joint. The bone golem took a second to regain its footing. Martin used a focus reload then shot at its chest with his pistol. Alice hit it again with her acid strike. Vivian used one of her bodkin arrows, it pierced the layers of cattle bones and struck the heart of the spell. The construct stopped lurched then fell backwards, it twitched and slowly started to unravel. David delivered two power attacks but it was a little redundant at this point.
The level up occurred, Martin barely noticed it as his eyes glowed and his body twitched he kept reloading. David and Vivian were starting to feel it less as their overall level was heading close to twenty five. David had his endurance enhancing ring, so he was a little better off than Vivian. Alice was still physically very weak. She still came round from the black out without much effort, her head hurting a little as her mind expanded.
Alice had gained the improved version of the acid strike spell, it was very painful if aimed at a living creature and could wear away the defences of most other monsters. Vivian gained rank three of her critical strike skill, enabling her to find and hit weak-points much more easily. David continued to level up his missile blocking skill, he could protect the rest of the group by using his shield. Martin put more knowledge into his use of grenades. When he got to a good sized town he was going to gear up. Heck, with the knowledge in his head, he could probably build some of the devices, like the silver shrapnel grenade.
They checked around the former lair, it had long been abandoned no supplies no treasure no paperwork. Just piles of old furniture crumbling up with age and rot. The group piled up all the bones from the broken golem. Martin hit it with a ¡°purify¡± blessing, just encase there was any active magic left. They smashed up a few bits of wooden furniture to start a fire, then doused it in oil then set it alight.
They head back to town, ¡°well at least we destroyed that golem¡± Vivian mused. ¡°We have gained a level fairly easily, I gather they are normally tougher¡±! ¡°Bone golem''s typically form the backbone of any serious necromancer¡¯s army. With a necromancer they would be healed and buffed and directed. Without leadership they area a spell binding a near mindless spirit to animate a body¡±. Martin illustrated the difference. They went to the lord¡¯s manor and gave a brief report to the steward. He noted the traps and the bone golem, the rest was of little consequence. They got a couple of silvers for the job done and went to the tavern. They would return to the church later for their meal.
Vivian looked around the group to Martin, ¡°as we are facing a vampire can you tell us how the vampires are organised¡±? Martin considered, ¡°Generally at the local level a warrior vampire leads around level 50-75. They will have two or three dozen vampires reporting to them and twice that number of thralls, it varies a lot. Larger settlements have more vampires, they are attached or assigned to them.¡± David was curious, ¡°Are they trying to destroy the settlements¡±? ¡°No, vampires feed on humans and need humans to reproduce, they want control not destruction¡±. Martin flatly stated.
He continued, ¡°There will be 3 to 5 warriors of similar stature, reporting to an elder vampire. This vampire can be around level 100 -200. Further up the chain of command 3 to 5 elders will report to an ancient. The ancient will be anywhere from level 200-400. That ancient will then report to a master vampire, who probably has 4-5 ancients working for them, numbers vary a bit.¡±
Alice wondered, ¡°How are these masters organised¡±? ¡°They usually form a rough alliance with another master in this country. There are three groups of vampires with their own territories. They spend as much effort fighting each other as the humans, so we are lucky¡±. David out of a morbid sense of curiosity wondered, ¡°Can you tell us about them¡±?
Martin tried to remember every aspect of his training, ¡°If I remember correctly the countess of winter is the weakest and youngest of the vampire masters. She has a permanent fortress on top of a large icy mountain on the east coast. She has not ventured from its cold depths for centuries, it is hard to get to. It used to be the dwarves lands, she eliminated them after a decade of open warfare. She has several powerful ancients at her call, preferring quality over quantity. She has a high number of warrior vampires, and a smaller overall number of forces.¡±
¡°She is known to work with the thief¡¯s guilds, offer assassination services to mortals. With blackmail and bribery on the side, keeping one hand in the mortal world. She has ice based magic at her disposal. She is described as a thin delicate woman of regal standing. She will often wears a veil. She has several decoys around her to prevent and discourage attacks.¡±
¡°That would explain some of the mysterious assassinations that the thieves¡¯ guilds pull off¡± David added.
¡°The countess of winter has an alliance of convenience with The Jeweled lord. He is the most economically active of all the vampires. He has hidden mines staffed with slaves and fledgling vampires. He has taken to forming alliances with human bandits. He had several alchemists in his employ, they produce strong illegal drugs. One I have herd of is a purple powder called dusk''s embrace.¡± Vivian spoke ¡°I herd of that stuff before not as common as some drugs like red sand¡±
¡°He is a large bald fat man who wears several kings¡¯ ransoms in gold and jewelry. He drinks the rarest of bloods, he has a series of hidden vaults containing his wealth. He still carries a large amount of it on his person, the best diamonds emeralds. He has a strong vampire gaze that compels people to fight against their own allies. He is fond of gambling and has bet an adventure there life if they could beat him in a game of chance.¡±
¡°The midnight king is the most fearless, or reckless of the vampire masters. He is known to travel alone, burying himself before the sun rise. He is difficult to track in this way. He wears all black he is known to play the pipes as an accomplished musician. His court is known to reflect his tastes, musician entertain him eternally.
He has an open air court, being a close ally of the wear wolves. He controls a vast area of forest. He can move like a shadow becoming incorporeal for a few seconds. He is strongest at precisely midnight, his power waxes and wanes with proximity to this hour. He has a vast collection of songs and saga¡¯s. He was once romantically linked to the Empress of Shadows, there alliance is very weak but still there.¡±
¡°The queen of rats is an old woman, when she was turned into a vampire she was not completely of sound mind. She wears robes of black silk, she carries a powerful necromancy charm that controls a giant bone golem. She makes her home under an ancient defiled grave yard. She breads rats and they form the bulk of the need of blood of her vampires.
Her vampires often kidnap children who are then raised by blood thralls. They are used as spies pick pockets and thieves. She has the power to control rats and can use them as soldiers. She will sell the children to other vampires as slaves. When they get to big to act as pickpockets she keeps them as soldiers. These thralls are nicknamed the grave rats. She has a strong alliance with the king of bones.¡±
¡°The king of bones is also known as the necromancer lord. He has many mummified followers called husks, he has extensively studied necromancy. His main line of income is trading servants created by necromancy with the other vampires, even outside this country. He is tall and rail thin wearing brightly colored blue and yellow robes. He has short hair and a short thin beard. He is allied with necromancers and litch''s. He seeks knowledge above all things, especially knowledge of necromancy. It is the perfect bait to lure out his servants.¡±
¡°The last one is the Empress of Shadows, the most powerful of the ancient vampires. The former lover of the midnight king, she has several sonic abilities. She is the patron to the Archanists, some of their constructs bulk out her army. It is rumored that she spurned all male lovers after the Midnight King fell out of favor with her.
She only takes mortal lovers as she will not accept having her heart broken again by one that could endured as long as she. She is the nominal leader of the vampires, she lead the war between the masters and the regents and was instrumental in forming the masters original alliance. She has the largest number of ancient vampire lieutenants following her. Including one as her personal guard.¡±
¡°Her vampires mix their blood with alcohol and herbs to create a red brandy that is both illegal and highly addictive, some of the nobles are enslaved by the stuff. That is a rumor I have herd. With the presence of archanists she is most likely the vampire, ultimately claiming the surrounding lands as her territory.¡±
David sighed, ¡°So this little conflict is insignificant in the grand scheme of things?¡± Martin seemed insulted, ¡°No not at all, it helps slowly change the balance. What we did today for example, a vampire that specialized in necromancy could have recovered that creature and used it in a future battle now they can¡¯t.¡± David seemed to accept that answer, ¡°It¡¯s a war, winning it is a slow process moving things in our favor will take time.¡±
Alice grinned, ¡°Enough of the larger picture, what are you going to do when we get to a more civilized part of the world. not an armory just to relax.¡± Marin grinned, ¡°Probably find a bottle of alchemist imbued brandy or scotch that can actually affect me.¡± David cracked a smile, ¡°I want a barrel of orange ogre ale¡±. Alice frowned, ¡°ale made from ogre¡±? David narrowed his gaze, ¡°You didn''t get out of the tower much, it¡¯s a name, it¡¯s made from pumpkins or flavored with pumpkins¡±.
Vivian grinned holding her wounded side, ¡°I want to go to a bath house and have a nice long hot bath, soak for a few hours¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°yes I want a soft bed, somewhere I can sit and read or snooze an afternoon away¡±. They all thought of those little luxuries.
Vivian sighed ¡°Now about equipment what do we need¡±? They could all think of long lists of bits and pieces, she was the first, ¡°Martin could you custom make me a quiver?¡± He nodded, ¡°yes once I get a bit of time¡±. Vivian felt her bow, ¡°I should probably be looking for a stronger bow. This one is getting heavily worn. I could use a few enchanted arrows to deal with stronger targets.¡± Alice nodded, ¡°nothing like magic to bring a monster down¡±.
David looked at his armor, ¡°some plate armor and a stronger sword is where my purse is going to be invested. This one is starting to suffer, soon I won¡¯t have much of an edge left to sharpen¡±. Martin and Vivian nodded, David¡¯s sword had seen far better days. ¡°I might get some single use enchanted scrolls so I can access different spells, keep some ice magic and dispel magic ready¡±. Martin pointed to the two thermite grenades he had left, ¡°I really need a nice selection of explosives for the next time we go up against an elite vampire¡±. His fingers caressed the explosives, the rest of the group almost took a step back Vivian scowled for a second.
True Monsters – Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 20 – Into The Lair
True Monsters ¨C Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 20 ¨C Into The Lair
The party rose in better spirits, they had breakfast with Father Richard and the layman who served as his assistant. They were quietly digging into their second portion, the priest slowly finished his food and said a quick blessing. There was a rapid banging on the inner church door. One of the militia men had a note for the priest. He nodded his thanks to the man, then unfolded the note quickly reading it.
¡°They found the vampire¡¯s main base, the steward is coordinating the attack now¡±. David grinned ¡°that vampire is a fool if he''s still around¡±. Martin reiterated the sentiment, ¡°it will be good to purge this threat from the land¡±, ¡°it will be good to finally complete this assignment¡± Vivian smiled. ¡°We can sleep for a week after this¡±, Alice grinned. They finished their meal gathered there equipment and headed out.
When they got to the lords manor they were greeted by the other remaining adventures, the steward and several guards. The steward looked round, ¡°Good everyone''s hear, yesterday the sisters of mercy caught a thrall. He was trying to get into our settlement hiding on the back of a farm wagon. It was quickly deduced that he was working for Islington. We are still investigating why he tried to get into the village. The man is no longer around he, drank a strong poison before they could use purify on him.¡±
The steward continued, ¡°After he regained his senses he had just enough time and thought to spill the beans on the vampires location. The man didn''t survive long enough to tell us anything else.¡± the sisters of battle looked at the steward, ¡°we don''t carry antidotes as we are resistant to poison. We interrogated the cart driver he knew nothing¡±. One of the mercenaries asked, ¡°How did you interrogate the cart driver¡±. His boss put a hand on his shoulder, ¡°Best not to ask too many questions¡±, David, Vivian and Alice looked shocked, Martin, only a little regretful.
The steward picked up two bundles of paperwork, handing one to Martin and the second to the sisters of final mercy. ¡°This Lair is about eight miles out from Vine Garden, it¡¯s near a forester¡¯s camp. You each have a map, you will head to this point by the camp and split up.¡± He double checked a report on the table, ¡°from the battles so far we believe that almost all the vampires daytime muscle is dead. There lair will be guarded with just a few pets, according to the thrall eight vampires are there. We are not sure if he meant eight vampires and Islington or eight vampires total. Please search thoroughly and confirm¡±.
¡°There are two entrances marked on the map, we will attack this day. We will not giving them a chance to relocate. There are two entrances, so there will be two groups. The sisters of mercy and Gray company mercenaries will take the entrance marked as one. The party from Broken Gorge will take the other entrance number 2, I believe that you are all fully prepared. The vampire can still attempt to escape in daylight, in a box under a cloak so there will be no chance as there are two groups of you. If you run into trouble retreat back into the daylight¡±.
The groups got ready, the mercenaries silvered their weapons or added holy oil from Father Richard, then they headed out of the settlement. They journeyed across the land as one group, the mercenaries with their scout up front the party in the middle and the sisters of mercy at the rear. One of the mercenaries looked at David, ¡°I bet you a silver we get to Islington before you do.¡± David nodded on it shaking hands with the man. They reached the abandoned foresters camp ten minutes later then the groups split up.
The number of thralls serving the vampires might be almost zero but there were still some guards. At the entrance to the cave there were two dozen sleeping thrall bats and six thrall wolves. One of the thrall wolves looked half awake. It howled loudly as the party arrived, bared is teeth and waited for its allies to fully stir. It stayed standing in the mouth of the vampire¡¯s lair.
Alice almost jumped out of her skin as the bats dropped down, opened there wings and started to approach. Alice shook and went pale as she cast a fire ball spell into the centre of the mass of bats. It detonated killing most of them in an instant and sending the rest all over the place. The thrall wolves following them were not of a particularly high level and quickly fell. Martin emptied both his long-range pistols not bothering to use focus shots or blessings. The wolves howled whimpered and died, bleeding out on the cold ground. David easily hacked two of them to pieces with his sword, they could not get past his tower shield. Vivian hit two of them, even iron broad heads slew these ones quickly, they were barely more than juveniles.
Vivian and David finished off the last two thrall wolves, while Martin dispatched a couple of thrall bats with his mallet. Alice picked of the last two bats with acid strike spells. She had a little smile on her face as the monster sized bats dissolved into smoking carcases. The battle was quick and completely one sided. The remains were dragged into a pile just outside the cave and set on fire. They didn''t want to face that lot again as a pile of zombies, they would not give the vampires the opportunity.
They moved further into the cave, two yawning blearily eyed fledgling vampires approached them. They were woken up by the commotion and were just going to investigate. They looked almost brand new. One carried an iron mace the second a wood axe. One panicked the second gripped there weapon, like they knew what to do with it.
Martin quickly took them out of the fight, using his long range pistols. They were loaded with silver bullets, an overload focus shot combined with his ¡°divine retribution.¡± blessing on one vampire then the other. The silver embedded in their skulls, it was not quite enough to kill them outright. They were on the ground screaming in agony rolling about clutching their ruined faces. One tried to reach for his axe and was struck with an Acid strike from Alice. A fire ball followed which almost killed them outright. Vivian finished one off with an adrenalin power shot with her bow through the heart. David finished the second one off with an adrenalin power strike removing its head.
Martin grinned a happy fucking creepy smile at the dead vampires. To be sure they dragged the vampires body''s outside the cave and threw them into the sunlight. The remains burst into fire then subsided leaving ash and fangs. Martin collected the fangs as proof of their achievement, so that they could get paid.
They returned back into the cave wary, expecting the remaining six vampires to come from anywhere. Two heavily cloaked figures were stealthy moving down the corridor towards them. They were two woman a fledgling and full vampire trying to sneak out. The vampires looked at the group and stopped. The leader held up her hands, ¡°look we were jumping ship you won¡¯t see us again let us go right¡±? Vivian drew back her arrow, David charged forwards shield lowered Alice chanted a spell.
Martin hit the full vampire with the blessing, ¡°wrath of the almighty¡±. She glowed white as holy light enveloped her body causing smoke to burn around her. She screamed as the other elemental damage took hold. After receiving six hundred points of damage the vampire was not in the best shape, but was far from out of the fight. Alice hit her in the face with an acid strike, she screamed and fell backwards as her eyes were burnt away. Martin emptied his triple pistol into her chest, it was loaded with stakes one hit dead centre she convulsed and lay still.
The other vampire fared no better, Vivian caught her in the knee with a power shot crippling her. David closed using a shield block to knock her to the ground, then cut her with two power strikes to the neck ending her. Vivian recovered her arrow Martin reloaded his pistols, they dragged the two vampires remains outside of the lair. With the application of sunlight they disintegrated, the remains of the full vampire took a little longer to burn. They were soon gone and another two sets of fangs was added to the tally.
Deeper inside the lair was a room filled with coffins, most were open and empty three were still shut. Very slowly the lid of one coffin was propped open, a very fresh faced young vampire slowly emerged from inside the coffin. He walked a discrete distance to the entrance of the room and just stepped outside. He dug around in his pocket, he struck a match and set a torch on the wall blazing. Fishing around in his pocket he pulled out a tube of rolled leaves, inside it was a mixture of tobacco and blue powder. He lit the cigar and took a deep breath, not that he needed to breath but it was still pleasant.
He exhaled relaxing, a little puff of blue smoke floated in front of him. He heard a noise slowly he turned round, there was a man in leather armour with a holy symbol in his hand. Two people in armour and a woman who must be a mage stood behind him. The vampire swallowed, ¡°oh shit¡±
Martin was on him. Literally beating him down with his holy symbol, ¡°wrath¡± ¡°wrath¡± ¡°wrath¡± each blow was proceeded by a blessing that dealt holy damage to the vampire. Soon the vampire didn''t even struggle, Martin held his holy symbol to its ruined face. The hot metal slowly burnt away flesh then blacked bone until the vampire stopped twitching.
The vampire was not alone, two of the coffins sprang open a pair of vampires dressed in black rose to their feet. One picked up a morning star from a nearby table, the second retrieved a short sword from his coffin. The two vampires charged as one. The one with the morning star headed for David. The one with the mace headed for Martin.
Two bodkin arrows flew at the vampire targeting David, one missed the second pierced it though the neck it kept coming. David blocked the morning star with his shield then responded with a power attack, severing half the vampires arm. Martin used a blessing, ¡°shield of faith¡± in preparation for the oncoming attack. Alice hit the vampire with a fire bite spell it slowed but was still able to strike at Martin, cracking the defensive blessing. Before it could make a second swing Martin unloaded both pistols, with silver shot at point blank range. Considering their foes the two vampires started to back off they would get Islington to help them with these foes.
They didn''t get a chance as they were engulfed by two fire ball spells, before they could get fifteen feet. They tried to regain their footing but it was too late, Vivian skewered one through the heart while David tackled the second Martin staked it. If there information was accurate then these were the last vampires before Islington. Martin and Vivian dragged the vampire¡¯s remains outside, while David and Alice covered them. A short time later and the vampires were dust.
Martins eyes glowed, he was levelling up, his grenadier skill improved again as he hit level 29. Oh how he wished that he had some dynamite. David and Vivian both hit level 24, they were very close to being veterans. They handled the wash of pain as they grew more powerful, David considering that he had enough missile blocking skills getting it up to level 4. Vivian was going to continue to build her critical strike skill up. She would push it as far as she could, so another skill point went into that. Alice blacked out as she felt the wash of pain, shortly after her body finished twitching and shaking her eyes popped open. When she got past level 25 she would no longer be knocked out from the stress of levelling up. The grand version of the acid strike was now in her possession. Her strategy of building up a few powerful spells, rather than splitting her focusing on a lot of weak spells was slowly paying off.
They went back inside, there was no additional resistance as they got to the inner sanctum. David grinned, ¡°One silver for me¡±. Islington''s room was quite large and to a degree opulent, in comparison to his subordinates. It contained a large painting of himself a fine bed a writing desk. There was a thrall in a butler¡¯s uniform combing his hair, her turned and rose. ¡°How dare you enter my chamber...¡±. ¡°chain, smite¡± a bolt of lightning shot towards him. The thrall didn''t hesitate he stood in front of Islington, taking the attack and dropping dead in the next instance.
The vampire drew his weapon, ¡°fool that was your best chance to kill me¡±. Martin responded ¡°chain smite¡±, ¡°agggghhh but aagggghh you aaacch can agggglllah only ¡ agggghh use ¡ aaggh that agghhh once a agghhh day¡±, after eight seconds Martin was out of focus. Islington had taken over two thousand points of electrical damage, leaving him on his knees. Using a simple deception he had caught Islington off guard, making him think that he had avoided the one use of chain smite that Martin had. Islington saw two copper cylinders with short fuses landed right next to him.
They exploded together, engulfing him in thermite. Removing most of his skin as the molten metal burn into his flesh. The vampires face was mostly gone but his eyes were still intact. He saw Martin with his triple barrelled pistol, each barrel was loaded with a stake. The vampire tried to duck. Two hit him in the neck the third the shoulder, it was painful debilitating but not fatal. He pulled the stakes out. An acid strike hit him in the groin and a bodkin arrow skewered him in the shoulder. He gritted his teeth at the pain, then pulled the arrow free. He set about pulling the stakes out of his neck.
David was upon him, the vampire prepared a classic duelling stance, David used his shield with adrenalin block over and over again to beat him back. The vampire didn''t have a chance to regain his balance as twenty pounds of iron and steel were hammered into his face, over and over again. He staggered and fell back, Martin had a stake ready. The vampire could feel it aimed at his heart and tried to twist away.
The look on Islington''s face was of shock, as the stake was thrust into his eye socket not his chest. He was stunned, David¡¯s blade came down on his shoulder with a crunching sound. While tougher than a regular human he was no elder vampire and a mercenary¡¯s power strike delivered a substantial blow. The limb fell to the ground, it twitched releasing the sword. The remaining skin seemed to drift off peeling away becoming dust. The flesh withered and desiccated then became dust. Finally the bones crumbled into chalky white powder leaving his weapon magic ring and a scrap of fabric.
The vampire pulled the stake out of his eye socket backing into a corner. He grabbed his belt buckle and pressed an indent on it. There was a click and then he released the metal, it hit the floor exploding into a haze of smoke. An archanists weapon gave Islington the chance to run for his un-life. He dived for his own painting ripping through the middle of it, the hole revealed a third way in an escape passage. The painting was pulled back but it was too late, there was a splash. It must have led to water, an underground river or some such.
They may not have killed him but they burnt most of his skin off, taken an eye and arm. They had cost him most of his wealth, which he sunk into this endeavour. Almost every servant he had was gone, as were his allies, both his magic items and his dignity. ¡°Come back here I want your head¡±! David shouted after him. Martin grinned, ¡°It will take him months to regain any semblance of strength. If he comes back for us we will be much stronger then we will collect a gold each.¡±
Martin¡¯s eyes glowed white, ¡°he is out of range now I guess we Level up again for defeating him. He was twenty levels above us, even if it there was four of us and five more heading this way.¡± Martin felt power wash over him, as his body strengthened again he hit level 30. He had 378 hit points, access to three more uses of his healing blessing and four more uses of his purify blessing. He also gained a new defensive blessing, it was twice as powerful as his guardian angel blessing, guardian seraphim angel could stop four attacks and he could stack both blessings together.
Vivian and David were now veterans, they were locked at that limit until they performed a feat of martial strength. At level 25 they got the second rank of their adrenalin abilities, making them hit far harder. There layered armour perk went to rank 2 giving them twice the armour bonus. They gained adrenalin efficiency, so that it now cost them 20% less adrenalin to activate their abilities, they could now hit harder and far more frequently. Alice was one level below veteran, she now had the greater version of her acid strike spell. With her level she could now do 108 points of acid damage with a single spell for four points of mana.
The other group arrived, the mercenary leader looked around the remains of the room, ¡°where is he, did you get him¡±. Martin shook his head, ¡°we got an eye an arm but then he pulled some sort of archanist or alchemist device and fled. There is an underground river behind the painting, he is long gone now.¡± The mercenaries looked deflated as there payday had escaped. The sisters of unrelenting mercy looked at Martin, disappointment in their eyes. ¡°At least he is broken it will take him a year to heal those injuries and decades to rebuild his forces and wealth¡±! The other hunter looked around, ¡°he might try something desperate and stupid, then he will die¡±.
Martin and Alice looked over the two items dropped on the floor. Alice pulled her hand back from the sword but the ring didn''t give of a harmful sensation. Martin held out his holy symbol it vibrated a little. Martin looked around the group. ¡°Don¡¯t touch it, it¡¯s made with vampireic magic only another vampire can safely use it. He held his holy symbol on the object, he looked at the two other vampire hunters. ¡°Help me to purge the vampire¡¯s power¡±, the two sisters of mercy held there holy symbols to the sword, they might be forced to destroy the rapier. It used vampireic magic they used their blessings, ¡°purify¡± ¡°purify¡± the magic item was turned into scrap shattering undone.
Martin looked over the fragments, it was probably a mitral steel alloy. The metal would still be useable. David looked disappointed he had wanted the sword as a replacement for his own. The second item was a ring that boosted perception by 5 points, the ring of the eagle. A quick debate between the mercenaries and the party meant that the magic item would go to the party. They had cut it off the vampire¡¯s hand. It went to Vivian, to make her aim better at longer ranges with the bow. It was wasted on David, Martin could not use it and Alice had spells that tracked targets or affected an area.
They searched the rest of the lair, it was a fairly empty place. This was obviously not the vampire¡¯s main base it was set up temporarily. Islington had probably left most of his personal effects with his sponsor, fewer items to move fewer things to lose. Though he had now lost several items. They did find a few private papers. Diary''s correspondence sent by messenger bat. It mostly alternated from the vampire patting himself on the back and praising a vampire L, his superior and sponsor. They were both in the service of an ancient Bismarck, who in turn severed the Empress of Shadows. It was all apparently personal correspondence at first glance, without any useful information. It would still be taken back, then picked through by people with the scribe job for any hidden meaning or useful information.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
They did find a few extra silver coins, between the dead vampire¡¯s meagre possessions and what would have been Islington''s petty cash. This was split with other groups. The other group of adventures had been tied up dealing with vast numbers of thrall bats, including a few of the large ones that took a long time to pin down and kill. After they split the funds between them they got about 5 silver each. It was a consolation prize compared to the gold on Islington''s head, but it was something. The adventures had killed a lot of vampires, Martin had all the fangs so that they could claim the rewarded, when they got to a larger settlement, typically any large cathedral town.
There was a small celebration, now that the vampire had been driven off. It was not a complete victory and Islington had gotten away, barely. It was the sort of defeat that would keep the vampires out of the area for some time, having lost so many of their number. It was also a memorial of sorts, it had cost the lives of several locals and five adventures including the caravan guards. Lord Cain with his inflated sense of the theatrics was the host.
They left the majority of their weapons in the entrance room of the lord¡¯s manor, still in easy reach if there was an alert or attack. He had supplied several wild boar and deer that has been spit roasted, a few barrels of ale and several casks of fine wine. Those people that had been conscripted from the local settlements got a chance to relax, there job was practically done. There were several candles lit on a tray, in memory of the people confirmed dead or still missing.
At the head of the lords table the local elite gathered, lord Cain his steward, several members of his family, the merchant Alan and Barnabas a few of his senior people and father Richard. The adventures sat down at the table just below the local elite. They made small talk about local matters and the wine trade. Alan gave them some begrudging respect. ¡°You have kept this land safe, you have skirted the boundary of death several times. Putting your own lives at risk for the local people. I said that you were incompetent, I take that back you have discharged your duty adequately seizing every opportunity to fight the foe. You are now veterans I congratulate you on surviving so far¡±. The party took the compliment, it was good that they would not have to worry about the angry merchant seeding further recourse against them.
They ate some fine baked goods, drank a lot of strong wine. Alice had hers watered down. A few wheels of cheese were taken out and dismantled. The name of each person dead or missing was read out, they took a drink and extinguished a candle. The five adventures names were spoken last. As the celebration ended most headed off to bed. Father Richard the mercenary Barnabas and the steward gathered round the end of the table, with the adventures that could still stay upright, ¡°As you know we recovered some paperwork from the vampire¡¯s lair, we have seen some patterns, they knew about what was going on inside the settlement. We don''t know if someone was being blackmailed mind controlled bribed with coin. This celebration may have been premature, tomorrow we clean our own house. Tomorrow we look for the viper in our midst.¡±
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
25 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
155/155 |
Adrenalin |
125/125 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
31 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
25 |
Level Defence Bonus |
25 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
75 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L2 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L2 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L4 |
| Perks |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
25 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
155/155 |
Adrenalin |
125/125 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
31 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
25 |
Level Defence Bonus |
25 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
75 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L2 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L2 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
|
|
|
|
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
24 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
87/87 |
Mana |
200/200 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
29 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
24 |
Level Defence Bonus |
24 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
2 |
|
|
| Base Spell Cost 4 Mana |
|
Magical Defence |
50 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L2 |
Analyse Magic L2 |
Recharge Enchantment L2 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Greater (12 damage + 4 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
30 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
378/378 |
Focus |
205/205 |
|
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
39 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
41 |
Level Defence Bonus |
41 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L1 |
| Resist Poison |
Blade Coatings L2 |
Focus Shot L1 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L5 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-lode L1 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L1 |
Focus Multi Throw L1 |
| General Melee Weapons L3 |
Focus strike L1 |
Grenadier L8 |
| Focus Parry L1 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L1 |
Combat Medic L2 |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armour x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 7 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 2 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 1 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 1 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 7 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 frezing 100 electrical) damage x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 15 points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Inventory |
| Alice |
| Belt of the Scaled Hide ¨C armor + 5 ¨C long black belt |
| Necklace of Warding + 4 armor - square cut silver and iron |
| Druids Staff + 25 mana storage - black oak, end brass orb decorative green feathers grip bindings in brown leather. |
| Tower Apprentices Robes + 5 natural armor blue |
| Minor Ring of Armor + 2 points ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Mana + 120 points |
| David |
| Ring of Bores Endurance + 3 Endurance ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points |
| Artisan Crafted ¨C Iron and Steel Tower Shield |
| Vivian |
| Dagger of the Adder + 5 poison damage on strike ¨C seven inch fancy dagger |
| Damascus bodkin arrows x 10 |
| Ring of Eagle eye - + 5 perception |
| Martin |
| Monocle of clarification ¨C low light vision ¨C read target approximate level hp |
True Monsters – Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 21 – Lose End.
True Monsters ¨C Act 2 Vine Garden - Chapter 21 ¨C Lose End.
The village of Vine Garden was still on high alert, the external threat had been dealt with. The vampires and there minions slain or sent packing. A different threat was present, an internal threat. Something that could not be easily seen, something that would be a more insidious difficult task, than simply slaying some ghouls. The adventures were still on high alert, there were still extra militia and guards brought into defend the village. Travel was restricted, because in all appearance one of their own had betrayed them, metaphorically a wolf was inside their walls.
The party kept their doors locked and their weapons to hand. Most of the senior people in the village were doing this. With the vampires defeated some act of sabotage or retribution was expected. They had not told the general population, about the evidence of a spy. They didn''t want a panic or a mob using old grievances as imagined evidence of guilt. They wanted to find the guilty party, not just the most unpopular man in the village.
Martin woke early, he cleaned and dismantled his pistols. Then assembled and loaded them in preparation for the coming day. It was more likely that the one infiltrating the settlement was physically weak but mentally strong. It still didn''t hurt to have a loaded silver pistol ready for an extreme situation. The spy could have already smuggled and hidden a vampire in the village, it could be a werewolf or similar creature.
People didn''t usually test with silver in this part of the world, it was possible. There were also doppelg?ngers small in number. One of these elusive monsters would be found every few years in a larger settlement. A person controlled through demonic possession was also possible. As a hunter of monsters he expected to find a hidden monster, time would tell if he was right.
David was woken up by Martin¡¯s diligent preparations, to fight anything and everything. He wondered who it would be, when they found the spy. In his mind he had a certain picture, a way he had been trained to think. The same way you would look for a thief¡¯s guild informant. Someone with a bit of trouble, a bit lazy a bad gambler someone with a drinking problem someone who would need a bit of coin to solve their problems.
Vampires were very much human in mind-set, a handful of coin in the right hand and someone would cheerfully sell out his neighbours. If it was enough coin or if they felt slighted enough. A desperate person looking for something would take a loan from a stranger. Then work themselves deeper and deeper into trouble. He had an idea of the spy in his own mind the metaphorical smoking flintlock, someone that suddenly had their problems disappear through the sudden appearance of wealth, or who suddenly had a few extra luxuries about them.
Vivian woke with a start, she already had her dagger in her hand. Alice was standing there a candle in one hand an apple wedged in her mouth. Vivian calmed down and looked her over, ¡°morning snack¡±? Alice nodded. Vivian confided in her, ¡°I have my own suspicions about the spy, you remember the large amounts of drugs we destroyed at the bandit camp. I think that we will find a few addicts inside the walls of the village.¡±
¡°Someone so hopelessly dependent on one or more of the narcotics, that they would sell out there family there neighbour or there community for another hit. We killed the bandits several days ago. They would keep this person, this spy keen. So they wouldn''t give them that much, by now the spy would be experiencing withdrawal symptoms. They might be hard to spot, but after a few days someone is going to be very ill. Then we will find them, then we will find where they got there drugs from and we will have our spy.¡±
Alice finished off the apple, ¡°I think I will be looking out for other signs. A vampire at a high level can use potent mind control powers, they act as suggestions. There are ones which specialise in magic including mind control spells, a perfectly normal human could be controlled by such a spell and not even realise it. A spell token would be need to be kept on the person, but they wouldn''t even realise that they were carrying it. Demonic magic has very similar spells which are carved onto a person in a hidden place, a less subtle spell token. Normal mages have a few mind controlling spells at their disposal, but there use is limited. A psionic has spell like abilities that would do the job well. We will find someone prepared a while ago by a specialist to infiltrate this community, then we will crack the spell and find everything that they know.¡±
Each member of the party had come up with what to them was the simplest explanation for a spy. Time and deduction would show if any of them were correct. After a brief breakfast they went to the lord¡¯s manor and the steward¡¯s office. The correspondence from the vampire''s lair was spread out on a big table. There were three piles, one was terrible poetry and self-congratulating diaries. They were fairly certain it was just the ravings of an ego maniac, not a cleverly disguised code. The second was administrative correspondence and notes. A relatively small pile was detailing shipments of material to the archanist, costs for setting up the bandits. The maintenance and care of various creatures¡¯, plans for propagating the thrall taint amongst the land. The third and largest pile they were still slowly working through.
The vampire had been extremely arrogant, to let all this information fall into the hunters hands. He did not conceive that his lair would be successfully attacked. Now they would try to make as much use of it as they possibly could. The steward looked at the group, ¡°Please have a look through the paperwork, please keep it in the same piles. I am sure that you can come up with a better plan than the sisters of unrelenting mercy, who wanted to start randomly interrogating people with red hot pokers.¡±
Alice checked the piles of paper, giving them the once over. She couldn''t detect a faint trace of magic so nothing would be hidden that way. David was not the best at letters but numeracy he knew his way round figures. He started looking for a series of payments, something to indicate a bribe. Vivian started to go through the general correspondence, the reports that the vampire had been receiving so she could see if there was something she could use. Martin started to talk to the steward, to see if there were any one in the area with abnormality''s that could be considered signs of a shape shifter in their midst.
Vivian picked up one stack of paper and pulled up a letter. ¡°this mentions a tartaric acid shipment, what is that some sort of poison?¡± The steward shook his head, ¡°no it¡¯s an ingredient in making wine¡±. Vivian put the letter to one side there was another letter on similar paper with the same handwriting. ¡°There is a reference to an oak shipment from the guild, has this any significance?¡± The steward looked at it, ¡°yes these are aged barrels used for some of the best wine¡±. Vivian found several more letters in the pile. They matched the letters included term used in vineyards, not surprising for a village that made most of its money through wine.
There was more, it charted where barrels were going to which lords. Which years certain customers liked, which city''s they could be shipped to. The information would only be something available to a senior member of the trade guild, the lord Cain and his steward. How this information could be used, they were not sure but it proved a link. Vivian looked at the letters, ¡°the ink is slightly red is it some way to trace who uses this reddish ink to wright the letters?¡± Martin shook his head, ¡°no its probable a little blood mixed in with the ink, the vampire can instantly tell who sent them the letter, it makes there correspondence impossible to forge.¡±
Vivian looked at the steward, ¡°considering lord Cain''s reaction and your assistance there is no way you could be helping the vampire¡±. The steward looked briefly annoyed, ¡°that is obvious¡± Martin held out his hand, ¡°purify¡±. The steward sighed, ¡°I don''t feel any different, no malignant taint has been removed, go and ask Alan and Barnabas if they recognise the handwriting, do it subtly, ask to see his special stock perhaps¡±.
The group took some of the samples of the letters and went over to meet the trade guild representative Alan. They greeted the counter staff politely and Barnabas let them into the back room. Alan sighed, ¡°While I would like you to spend your reward money hear I don''t have any new stock¡±. Alice looked at him, ¡°You¡¯re aware we appear to have a spy in the village.¡± Alan nodded ¡°yes probably one of the group of bandits.¡± Vivian spoke quietly, ¡°We wanted to talk to you privately about this, the correspondence from the vampire¡¯s lair, see their letters it goes into a lot of detail about the wine trade. Do you recognise this handwriting¡±?
David looked at them both, ¡°please don''t be offended, Martin if you don''t mind¡±. Martin held out his holy symbol and approached Alan, ¡°purify¡±. Alan shrugged ¡°a waste of time¡±. Martin approached Barnabas the man hesitated. Immediately spells were readied pistols draws. He held his hands out, ¡°OK calm down no need for violence, it¡¯s embarrassing just get on with it¡±. Martin held out his hand ¡°purify¡±. Immediately Barnabas hair turned grey, he sighed taking off his helmet to show them. ¡°It was a magic ointment to cover up the grey hair, and it works better than the hair dye which smells funny OK¡±. He put his helmet back on looking slightly embarrassed. The drawn weapons were re-sheathed.
Alan looked over the letters, then handed them to Barnabas ¡°I don''t recognise the handwriting it¡¯s probably disguised, I know that there were times when the archanist''s construction was feeding information to the vampires. This spy must have been here for longer than that construct was active based on the paperwork. From this correspondence it must have been a member of the merchant¡¯s guild. There are three possible people who have worked on all of these shipments, these deals. One is myself but Barnabas can confirm my location, an elimination from the enquires. The second is Lydia, she has been a little distracted of late and the third is Malcolm, you can check with them under the pretence of chasing up some petty thefts from stock for me OK¡±.
They made plans and left the back room. Lydia was fairly easy to find, she oversaw a large chunk of the warehouses checking that the barrels were stored correctly that nothing was out of place. Vivian and David took the lead. Even dressed in armour they were less intimidating than the other two members of their party. Lydia seemed to be distracted, she had a pencil and a book in front of her she was rechecking the shelves.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when the group approach her. ¡°What, how can I help you¡±? David approached her, ¡°As you know the vampire threat has been dealt with, Alan has given us a small task to investigate a series of petty thefts. We would like you to help us with our investigation, as one of the senior members of the trade guild you could¡±. She shrugged nervously as Vivian firmly led her to a side room and pushed her into a chair. She started talking, ¡°we are, running out of storage room, shipments out of the village have been stopped for a while, until they get the situation sorted, I suppose they will get a few more guards then start again¡±.
Martin spoke to her, ¡°Has anyone been acting differently, behaviours mannerisms looks?¡± she shook her head. ¡°No one that works under me as far as I can tell¡±. Alice reached out a hand sensing no magic. ¡°Has anyone started to carry a new accessory a token, perhaps something magical to show off¡±? She shrugged, ¡°would Barnabas hair oil count¡±? Alice shook her head. David was next ¡°is there anyone with gambling debts a drinking habit that would need money. Or someone that has recently started spending more than they can afford¡±? She thought for a few seconds, ¡°one of the lads has been a bit generous, but then his uncle passed on and left him a bit of coin¡±.
Vivian looked at her closely she leaned in, ¡°excuse me for a moment¡± Lydia leaned back her head hit the back of the chair. Vivian looked at her eyes and passed her finger in front of them. There was a slight lag in Lydia''s ability to track it. She swallowed nervously as Vivian reached a hand forward. ¡°I think we found something¡±. The woman made a small whimpering sound as Vivian grasped her face pulling her eyelids back and then her jaws open exposing her gums.
She was starting to look terrified, ¡°what''s going on¡±? Lydia''s voice was nervous. Vivian looked at her ¡°hand it over¡±. She swallowed ¡°what do you mean¡±. Martin spoke in a voice of unrelenting malevolence, ¡°you have something to hide spit it out¡±. She reached into her clothes and pulled out a small pouch handing it to Vivian. She sighed and moved behind Lydia taking a firm grip on her wrists twisting her arms into a tight lock. ¡°just as I thought, the slowed visual response blackening gums yellowing around the corners of the eye, how long have you been hiding a drug addiction to arrow root paste.¡±? The yellow hallucinogenic stuff was on her person, she had incriminated herself.
Lydia was utterly terrified as Vivian held her fast, ¡°What are you going to do to me¡±? Vivian spoke ¡°we are going to ask a few questions, then do a little search then we will find out what''s going on¡±. ¡°How long have you been addicted to arrow root¡±? ¡°I have been finding it hard to get up, I took some of this and then I felt better that was three months ago¡±. Martin pushed, ¡°where did you get this from?¡± she sighed defeated, ¡°A coach driver drops it off he has a little for recreational use¡±. Vivian pulled on her arms, ¡°How do you afford this¡±? Lydia was quick to respond, ¡°I can easily pay for this on my salary¡±.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
They went back to Alan, Barnabas and one of the local guards accompanied them to discretely search Lydia''s personal quarters. They searched her work area then went to her home. She didn''t resist, they found a little more arrow root and nothing else. No hidden compartment nothing magic nothing vampireic. The group took her to the church. Father Richard used the blessings purify discern and insight on her.
¡°As far as I can tell, she is just addicted to arrow root, no other influences are present¡±. The group relaxed Vivian released Lydia arms, they were numb from being twisted up behind her back. The priest used his pain relief blessing, Lydia relaxed, ¡°what comes next father¡±? He sighed, ¡°I am here to help, not to judge. I can offer some counselling, I will speak to Alan he may demote or fine you but as far as I am concerned the matter is concluded¡±. The priest threw the evidence into the fire, none raised a hand to stop him, and he offered her a hand up. ¡°A local herbalist will have something to help you cope.¡± Lydia nodded her thanks.
The last person was Adrian, Alan''s subordinate. He was more concerned with the shipping of goods and had a resolvable knowledge of the trade. He owned a little section of a warehouse. David and Martin looked through some of the paperwork, at his work desk, there were two porters who had helped him deliver six large barrels, they had been delivered to the settlement recently. It was odd as nothing else had been delivered and there were no caravan''s. Perhaps he had acquired them from inside the settlement or changed some stock around. It was a good question as David put it, ¡°where were the barrels delivered from, what was in them¡±?
Under the same pretence of looking for some petty thefts, they did a bit of digging around. It was funny Adrian was not about very much lately. There were a few suspicious behaviours, working at odd hours making transactions pickups. It could be that he was stealing from the guild or he could be just running his own business on the side. There was no hard guild rule against it, as long as guild duties were completed, and all appropriate dues were paid. He had a house Vivian stopped by and had a chat with his wife, she was a pleasant woman but decidedly unimaginative. She decried her husband as a little distant recently. They had two children that looked nothing like her or the description of Adrian. She politely let them know that the children were adopted four years ago, there original parents were killed in a troll attack. Such things were common enough, adoption was better than the orphanages.
They went back to Alan ¡°we checked Lydia she was suffering from a drug addiction, not plotting against the village, what can you tell us about Adrian he seems to have vanished off the face of the earth¡±. Alan sighed, ¡°he moved into the area from one of the bigger towns, he had an interest in wine so he came hear via the guild that was three years ago.¡± Martin considered the situation, ¡°this might have been a plan of the vampires for some considerable time, what got you to accept Adrian¡±?
¡°We had a recommendation from higher up in the guild, he has been exemplary a model employee. He is really diligent with his work, less so with his family, that is not uncommon¡±. ¡°His private storeroom where is it, I believe we have enough reason to carry out a search. He has not been seen for a day now¡±. David pushed, Alan wondered, ¡°He is probably mixed up in all this, I would like to hear his explanation. You could rip the door of its hinges or blow the lock off. I would prefer that you used the spare key I keep, report back when you have checked the place out¡±.
The group were expecting a fight when they got to the location. They went round the back to the little store room. Martin had his holy symbol and his tipple barrelled pistol ready. David had his sword drawn and his shield up. Vivian stepped back she had a bodkin arrow ready. Alice prepared a spell and stood back. David had a lantern hung from his shield. The door clicked open and they burst in.
The room was not very large. There was a few scraps of paper and an inkwell, On a rickety table. There were a few crates and supplies about the place, they looked like materials that an archanist would have been able to use. Adrian''s guilt seemed to be assured. There were six barrels around the edge of the wall and four apparently empty boxes next to them. There was a barrel in the centre of the room and a few torches.
Adrian looked quite guilty, holding an iron sword that glowed with a blood red and purple magic. He had a shield which gave off a similar aura. He had a belt made from chainmail around his waist it held similar enchantments. He grinned, ¡°You want me alive, the boss wants you dead¡±, Martin looked over him. ¡°You¡¯re holding items imbued by the thrall taint, but you don''t seem to have had the thrall taint, I didn''t notice it before, it must be very deeply rooted in you¡±. ¡°He grinned your perspective is flawed, vintage 2895¡±. The six barrels behind him cracked open from the inside, they each contained a greater walkers with a little of the green preservative fluid. They had been activated from a dormant state by the phrase vintage 2895.
In his shield hand he had a scroll, it glowed with a brief purple light as he thought a command phrase. The necromancers scroll activated a spell, the crates fell apart from the inside the false bottoms revealed four piles of bones that rapidly became four bone hounds. The battle was a forgone conclusion from the start. David hit him in the face with his tower shield sending the man staggering back. Martin shouted to the others, ¡°try to leave Alan to David he might be able to break through with a feat of strength¡±. Martin took two of the bone hounds out with his triple pistol. Vivian put a bodkin through one of the greater walkers and Alice destroyed another bone hound with an acid strike.
David demolished a greater walker while Adrian was still regaining his footing. With two power attacks it crumbled under David''s sword shattering metal and rending flesh. Martin hit the last bone hound with a ¡°wrath¡± blessing killing it outright. Vivian put a second power shot into the injured greater walker destroying it. Alice hit a greater walker with a few fire bite spells it collapsed a charred crisped corpse.
The remaining greater walkers converged on Martin, he activated his new defensive blessing ¡°guardian seraphim angel¡±. The first four attacks were completely blocked, giving him enough time to draw another pistol. David blocked Adrian''s short sword attacks with his shield, the enchantment in the blade seemed to leach away a little of his life with each strike. He answered with his own strikes.
That started to dent the magically reinforced iron shield that Adrian had. Vivian sent an arrow into the remaining group of walkers, a critical hit with the Damascus bodkin dropping one dead. Two fire bite spells from Alice another walker fell. Martin had an overload shot ready and last walker was gone.
The constructs had been trounced they were not able to stand against veteran adventures. Adrian was not down yet but they wanted him alive. David let lose an adrenalin power strike putting a dent in Adrian''s shield and sending it spinning off into a corner of the room. He was not going to hold out much longer. He retreated and grabbed a torch his eyes flashed and he grinned manically, ¡°good bye¡±. David could see that he was going to throw the torch, he didn''t anticipate it being a good thing if Adrian succeeded.
At the last possible second David knocked the lantern off course with his shield, it landed in a corner. Adrian looked dejected and angry as David closed in on him. Martin stamped out the flames from the torch smothering it with a piece of tarpaulin. He looked at the barrel that Adrian had been aiming for looking in the barrel it was a bomb of some sort. He sealed the lid tightly, ¡°it looks like shrapnel and gunpowder, it might have been for the main gate¡±. Adrian screamed in defiance, ¡°you can¡¯t get anything from me¡±. David used an adrenalin strike, he didn''t want to risk the lunatic trying to blow them up. The blade cut through the man, cracking bone but he was left standing he was much tougher than he appeared to be.
Martin grinned, ¡°I know what he is, a blood thrall, born with the thrall taint,¡± Adrian did a mocking bow ¡°a 1st generation blood thrall at your service.¡± Martin sighed, ¡°A human blood thrall gets stronger with each generation that the taint is spread to. So if he had descendants a second generation would be stronger.¡± Adrian launched himself at David, ¡°I am strong¡±. He managed to land another blow the swords enchantment doing a little damage. he received a wound for his efforts that sent him hobbling back. Martin continued, ¡°Both parents would be infected, he was born as a servant it was ingrained in his nature, I can¡¯t remove it¡±.
The blood thrall threw a vial of green liquid over Martin it released a noxious vapour. David staggered back, Martin looked ill Alice was already quick, ¡°cure poison¡± David was standing up again as Alice used her touch heal spell. He grinned at the thrall, ¡°the hunters highly resistant and I have an Alice backing me up¡±. The blood thrall countered back, ¡°you can¡¯t level up veteran, you had help¡±. He shook his head, ¡°it¡¯s only if I had help killing you not resisting your attacks, Martin could use his defensive blessings on me, Vivian could throw me a replacement dagger if I dropped my sword¡±.
David continued to face off against the Blood thrall. The enchanted belt allowed him to move more quickly than David. The large shield level of skill and overwhelming strength would not allow him any victory. Two more strikes and the blood thrall was barely standing, ¡°I am loyal till the end you will gain nothing from me¡±. He jumped towards his writing desk trying to turn the lamp over onto his paperwork, trying to burn a letter. David stopped him hitting him with a power attack, which cleaved into the back of his skull. Adrian screamed reaching forwards then fell to his knees. He fell backwards tried to reach up then slowly stopped, he was most definitively dead.
Martins eyes glowed as he slowly began to reload his pistol, he levelled up from the fight. Hitting level 31 he gained more melee proficiency. David felt the flow of time stop he remembered Martin describing the event. The message appeared in front of him, A special action has been performed feat of marshal strength has been achieved you have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been increased to level 50, your fait is sealed. He had faced an inhumanly tough blood thrall armed with magical weapons, the man''s level would have been close to 25 so it counted. He had gained proficiency in a new skill duellist allowing him to perform better in single one on one fights against humanoid opponents. Vivian missed out this time as she needed to make a break through Vivian would do that soon enough Alice was now a veteran level 25. She had the master version of the acid strike spell it was quite potent.
David saw the equipment that Adrian had dropped on the floor. Martin was quick to react, ¡°don''t, it will ether give you the thrall taint or drain your life force¡±. Martin held the sword in his hand it glowed and seemed to start trying to shake out of his grip. Martin dropped it he held his holy symbol out to the belt, ¡°purify¡± it cracked into little pieces from the stress of removing the cursed enchantment. ¡°Purify¡± the shield cracked into iron splinters, David was a little sad to see the sword go as with a final ¡°purify¡± it cracked.
They started to take the bone hounds remains the walkers and pile them up outside in the street. Away from the buildings, they added tinder and oil getting a fire started to burn the remains clean, Barnabas and Alan arrived and watched the walkers remains go up in flame. Vivian looked at the letter, ¡°I think that they were planning an attack on a much larger settlement, probably forge hold,¡±
Alice looked at the barrel of gun powder, ¡°What about this one¡±? Vivian made an educated guess ¡°Adrian would have gotten the gates open, then they would easily overrun this settlement with the forces Islington had¡±. Martin pointed to the walkers showing Alan, ¡°they would have converted the population to walkers and hidden them in barrels¡±. He pointed inside to the remains of the broken barrels. David made the next leap of logic, ¡°they would have used thralls or thieves¡¯ guild contacts to get them inside forge hold, the entire place would have been overrun from the inside.¡± Alice pointed at the skeletal remains, ¡°there must be a necromancer with another group of vampires, they had a trick for those crates they have a false bottom, this was probably a test run for this tactic as well¡±.
Alice held up the remnant of the necromantic scroll and threw it on the fire. ¡°This scroll didn''t conjuror up the dead, it activated them, they had been dormant, it¡¯s quite cleaver but the scroll would still show up as necromantic magic to a thorough enough search.¡± Martin prodded one of the dead walkers looking at Alan, ¡°from now on we might need to check all barrels with a magnet.¡± The priest Richard and the steward were there a few minutes later, they were brought up to speed on the situation.
Alan looked at them, ¡°do we keep the details quiet¡±, the steward shook his head ¡°we tell everyone we need to keep them watchfully. This man Adrian was hear for three years under our noses¡±, Barnabas asked ¡°What will happen to his wife and children?¡± Father Richard sighed, ¡°The woman will be checked then sent to another settlement most likely¡±. He paused ¡°the children will also be checked by then they will be sent to the nearest orphanage, I would think that they are not tainted or it would have risked his cover, I can¡¯t see it being good for them to stay hear¡±. ¡°Is-ant it cruel to break up a family¡±? The priest shrugged, ¡°they might stay together but it is hard to provide, I will speak at length with Alan and Lord Cain.¡±
David looked happy, ¡°we will get paid well for this binging a traitor to justice¡±. Martin considered the implications, ¡°a family will be torn apart what normality they had will be gone¡±. The priest looked over at Adrian''s body, ¡°for this one for what it is worth I will give him the ceremony of last rights. Then we will cremate him, I have been told that effectively it is like he has been possessed since birth, hopefully there was a soul in there that can find piece¡±. Vivian sighed, ¡°I''m guessing we don''t get a break, we get pulled into a bigger conflict at forge hold right¡±. Alice sighed ¡°don''t worry you will catch up and overtake David soon¡±.
They met with the lord Cain, ¡°you have routed out the thorn in our mists, you have our thanks and a bonus of 20 silver each.¡± from this correspondence I believe that next spy is in forge. I charge you to aid in its defence, there is an attack imminent. You will do your duty as you have in my Vine Garden. Alan and the lord had them gather there things they were sent to Forge hold, with letter to the local priest confessor Calvin, the local leader he was a level 45 priest in the larger settlement. It was nice to be treated with a bit of respect, now they were off again to hunt down a spy plot before they could take a break. At least they had a barrel and provisions for the journey, and this time they were in a coach rather than on an open cart.
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 22 – Into Forge-hold.
True Monsters ¨C Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 22 ¨C Into Forge-hold.
Slowly a coach moved across the mountain trail, in the cold wet land the coach was a rare sign of life. It was gradually heading downwards. It gradually crawled southwards towards signs of civilisation and fortification. The land was more hospitable offering a little more grazing in the bottoms of the deeper valleys. More wildlife could be seen, some small herds of dear wild goats.
The coach followed a usual pattern two horses a driver in a blue guild uniform. A mercenary with a ranged weapon staying alert by their side. Vivian sat by the driver her turn on watch. After four hours they would stop and Martin would replace her, keeping watch with his pistols at the ready. David was busy snoring away. Alice was reading a book on enchanting with what little light was available.
Martin had a piece of leather working going as he slowly and methodically stitched a quiver together for Vivian. Martin liked to keep busy when he was not zealously hunting a monster, he liked to keep his hands occupied anything to avoid having to think about the people who didn¡¯t survive.
David was tired but happy, he was a veteran mercenary with money in his pocket. Slightly less each night as he played games of chance. He was sure that he would get the hang of it and make his money back, it was not a waste of money. Yes it was an investment he just needed to learn the games some more, get better at playing them. Luck was a factor but there was skill there was a time to raise the stakes a time to fold, he needed to get better at looking for peoples tells and hiding his own. Similarly self-delusional thoughts permeated his psyche, he tried to justify to himself the uncomfortable feeling of his purse slowly emptying.
Vivian was proud of what they had achieved, the monsters that they had slain the ranks that they had advanced. The fact that they were alive at all. They had met other groups that were predominately made up of one type of adventurer, they had suffered losses. The party had not so far, she was proud of David, but wouldn''t tell him that in so many words. Keeping his ego in check would keep him from overestimating his abilities and getting killed.
The valleys had a larger amount of food than the mountains, which meant more wildlife and more food for predators and larger monsters. She had spoken to Alice and Martin, several of the larger types of monster relied on soaking up background mana as well as eating food to maintain their large size.
Many of them entered a hibernation like sleep to conserve energy between hunting trips, more than one Wyvern and dragon had woken up after a long sleep to become a pain. Any monster that aggressively killed humans was as likely to be killed by the vampires as by the human''s. This was for two reasons, the vampires detested anything that they could not control. They also didn''t want their food source to be wiped out. Many of the vampires could bring such a creature back as an undead servant.
They had been through a lot killing the monsters around broken gorge, unravelling the plots around Vine Garden now they were off to Forge-hold, as vine garden was just a prelude to a larger attack. They had disrupted a small part of it. The elder vampire lexicon was gathering forces in preparation to assault the settlement. He had to be stopped, he can¡¯t have just been relying on Islington plan that would have just been one strategy amongst many.
They had to disrupt his forces, they had to prevent such an attack before it happened. There was also a spy inside the walls of the settlement this was probably a different arrangement from vine garden, so the spy would be harder to find.
There was the possibility of a vampire spy deeply embedded in the trade guilds upper echelons. Adrian had been recommended by someone from one of the main guild offices, it was more likely that the guild just had someone easily impressed by a diligent worker. It was another thing to be looked into.
The coach would deliver valuable correspondence, including reports to the larger settlements. The cash of correspondence taken from the vampire Islington''s lair would be passed to confessor Calvin. He would get a team of scribes to check it through for any useful information before archiving it.
Reports of such vampire activity helped the triune gage the vampire threat, from one city to another. From one region to another, it helped them to determine where to spread their resources.
Every settlement had some defenders, an extra couple of veterans in a settlement could be the difference between them holding the line and a settlement being taken from the map its people enslaved or worse.
The road to forge-hold was quiet, news of the bandit attack a week ago had definitely reached the larger settlement. The news of the bandit¡¯s destruction would be one of the bits of information that they would bring into to forge-hold. The road was far better maintained than the road from broken gorge to Vine Garden. This was because it was used far more frequently, the wine trade was far more profitable so the road was far better maintained. Also there were two other villages that made up lord Cain''s responsibilities, a little trade went between all of them.
Several hours further down the trail they went past a road repair crew, mixing up mortar and putting stone slabs down to repair a broken part of the road. There were four workmen with a guard of four militia men standing watching. The coach drew up and the foreman of the work crew signalled his people to the side. He shouted a warning, ¡°I have been repairing these roads for ten years it¡¯s too quiet, and you see a few hair or a deer. You hear a few birds singing, I don''t like it there''s nothing about, that normally means a big monster or a group of them. Keep an eye out I know we are¡±. Vivian nodded back, ¡°OK we will keep an eye out, keep yourself safe god watches those who keep their wits¡±.
Half an hour down the trail there was a tree smashed and broken blocking the road. It took Martin, David and Vivian''s combined strength to roll it to the side. Something big had been sharpening its teeth and claws against the side of the tree. The creature must have been massive, if it could move a large tree like that. It would be a problem for the road crew as they would stand no chance against it.
The horses were the first to sense something was off, another three quarters of an hour down the road. Vivian had the ring which enhanced her perception, so she quickly noticed what was setting them off. There was something black moving low down on a hill quite a way away. She tapped the coach driver on the arm and pointed out the threat. He tensed prepared to either turn the coach around or spur the horses into a mad dash to escape the threat. Vivian whispered low, ¡°it has not seen us slow the coach down, I will get the others be quiet¡±.
The viewing monocle that Martin had acquired from the dead archanist, allowed him to view what Vivian could see with her magically enhanced senses. David squinted, ¡°is this a dragon¡±? Vivian looked at it, ¡°no dragons have four legs and a separate set of wings¡±. Martin tapped the lens, ¡°It¡¯s a Wyvern they have about a fourth of the health of a dragon¡±. David wondered, ¡°We were not trained to fight such monsters, what else can you tell us¡±? He remembered reading a book on dragons Alice had lent him. ¡°A wyvern¡¯s breath weapon has a far weaker attack, its range is about half, the cone of attack is a lot less about half the width, but the real weakness is that they can only use it once per day with level every four levels they possess¡±.
Alice had the same book in her hands, ¡°Vivian can you describe it again¡±? She squinted, ¡°it¡¯s about fifteen yards long, black lighter on the belly one wing is slightly off so it¡¯s moving with a limp and I don''t think it can fly. It has four large spines along its back with a lot of smaller spines, from the back of its head it has four spines. Most of its length is its tail ends in a sort of spiky mace.¡± Alice thumbed through the book, ¡°It¡¯s a black spined Wyvern, from the size it¡¯s about level 15 it¡¯s still a juvenile it has about 4 ¨C 5 ranged attacks.¡±
Martin got a little glint in his eye, ¡°my guardian angel blessings could soak up those attacks, David could get behind it Vivian and Alice could stay out of its range, we pick ground that will trip it up some woodland, it could be an easy kill one less wandering monster.¡±
David wondered, ¡°What¡¯s the reward for something like that¡±? Vivian sighed, ¡°Probably not much as it has not made a nuisance of its self¡±. Alice held out the relevant page pointing to a guide, ¡°we could get fifty silver for the head and the claws according to the book. it¡¯s a little old so the prices may have gone up¡±. David nodded, ¡°some merchant or noble is bound to want that as a trophy¡±. Alice looked at it, ¡°it would be far more dangerous if it was given a few weeks to heal, if it regained the ability to fly it would be a nightmare to deal with¡±. Martin smiled, ¡°god has given us an opportunity to make the world a better place¡±.
¡°Its wing is damaged what do you think did that?¡± Vivian kept an eye on it, ¡°If it got to close to one of the big towns they have ballista¡¯s and bolt throwers that could have done the damage. It¡¯s more likely another wyvern or a dragon, that is it got to close to another¡¯s territory.¡± Alice was summarising. David looked back at the carriage, ¡°Do we need to break out the contingency¡±? Martin shook his head, ¡°no not yet.¡± A thought flashed in allice''s mind, ¡°there''s no chance it could be a tamers pet¡±?
Vivian looked at it closely, ¡°If someone did tame one of those, they would have had to remove a few of the spines to fit a saddle. They would have probably fitted it with colours a coat of arms, a big recognisable cloth. To show who''s property it was. So that a trigger happy adventure didn¡¯t pick a fight with it. This is a wild one¡±. She paused, ¡°if we get close and it doesn¡¯t attack, then there would be a bigger reward returning it to the adventure using it as a mount.¡±
On the assumption that it was a wild beast they began to move, Alice and Vivian disappeared into a patch of trees. David slowly started to circle it and Martin walked forwards a hand on his holy symbol, the other hand ready to draw a pistol. He used his defensive blessings, ¡°fortress of faith, armour of faith, shield of faith, guardian angel, guardian seraphim angel¡±. He continued to walk forwards. The beast was moving slowly one of its wings was torn, the wound was slowly healing up. The beast walked about like a bat but with a serpent like tail and head, it turned to regard Martin and moved forwards.
It spat a wave of corrosive acid at Martin, his defensive blessing flickered slightly completely neutralizing the attack. He shouted back, ¡°definitely a wild one¡± he emptied a pistol into its face. The creature attacked again, Vivian and Alice were in position in the tree line and David was closing in on the creatures back. They would get it to exhaust its range attacks against Martin, before the others attacked so that it would be vulnerable.
The pistol shot seemed to make it angry and it hissed, spitting another wave of acid in Martins
Direction. The caustic bile didn¡¯t do very much as it harmlessly splashed against the angelic defence. Martin was slowly walking backwards, he didn¡¯t want the beast to switch targets, before it ran out of bile.
He lobbed a throwing knife at its face, the poisoned blade barely scratched it. Lacking a focus throw or divine blessing empowering it. The monster used a third blast of acidic bile, it was realising that it was getting nowhere it hesitated then tried again. More monstrous acid struck the glowing blessing and the seraphim guardian was spent. The beast tried once more but only a little trickle of acid came out, it was out of juice.
Martin shouted to the rest of them, ¡°its out, hit it with everything you have¡±. He activated his best attack ¡°Chain smite¡±. A stream of lightning flowed from his holy symbol and struck the creature in the centre of mass. David charged out of cover and closed on the beast¡¯s tail, avoiding the spiked tip he started to carve into its flesh with consecutive power strikes, cracking through scale and bone. Vivian sent one bodkin arrow after another into the beast¡¯s long neck, they sunk into its flesh six to eight inches each. Alice started to pelt its wings with fire balls. When she was sure that they were a charred wreck, she started to aim for its neck with acid strike spells slowly dissolving its armour.
The beast howled and roared in rage, as its body was assaulted. It tried to close on the attack from the front, every second the lightning bolts slammed into it with a rising intensity. It tried to bat David away with its tail, but he was to close and had his shield ready to block. The beast couldn¡¯t even see where Vivian and Alice were so it was very much unable to predict the damage, let alone counter the attacks.
The beast started to fail and scream trying to hit its attackers, Martin had burnt a massive hole in its side with the bolts of lightning. David had cut through its tail so that the last six yards hung limply. Vivian was out of bodkin and iron arrows. Alice was conservative with her mana wondering if she would need to heal any of the rest of the group.
It tried to lift off from the ground, flapping its wings it tore the slowly healing wound up then it crashed to the ground. The final bit of exertion and damage seemed to be too much for the wounded creature and it was gone. David made quite certain putting his sword through the soft part of its neck twice. The group slowly assembled in front to look at their kill.
Martin and David levelled up, Martin continued to reload his pistol and then went to recover his thrown knife. David felt the level up hit, his body altered and grew. He had chosen to acquire more of the duellist skill, he would be slightly better matched in a one on one fight. Martin had invested another point in increasing his general melee ability¡¯s, so that even if he ran out of ammunition and blessings he could still swing a weapon and contribute. Alice looked at Vivian patting her on the arm, ¡°we will break through soon then we will catch up and overtake them¡±.
Vivian started the slow job of pulling her arrows out of the beast¡¯s side, they were imbedded in deep. Alice looked at the side of the wyvern, ¡°isn¡¯t that a royal seal branded on its hide, what¡¯s the penalty for killing a royal mount ten years in the tower jail¡±? David screamed like a little girl and ran round to the spot Alice was pointing. There was no mark, he collapsed panting Vivian and Alice started to laugh. Martin suppressed a chuckle, David''s breath was ragged, ¡°Very fucking funny I almost had a heart attack¡±!
David had the unenviable task of cutting through the beast¡¯s neck and ankle joints. He didn¡¯t like putting the extra strain on his well-worn sword, but they had no other suitable implement. He had to use a few power strikes then stop to sharpen his blade. Once they had cut through the flesh Martin broke as many bones as he could with a hammer and metal chisel. Vivian and David twisted the bones back and forth until there was a snap. It was a time consuming and messy work but they would not leave there trophy for any other to collect.
David wiped the wyvern blood off his shield, ¡°Ok Alice according to the book what alchemist parts can we get some money for¡±. She flipped through the book. ¡°The spine marrow is worth two silver each the heart twenty silver the gallbladder and kidneys five silver each¡±. David got his sword out and looked at the dead wyvern he shrugged, ¡°ok is there a diagram of its insides¡±? Alice shook her head.
Vivian sighed, ¡°We don¡¯t have the tools or the time to dissect it, we have the claws and head ok. ¡°How do we get the spines¡±? She looked bemused, ¡°blade in at the base of the spine then twist according to the book¡±. The reality was a lot more difficult than the text book indicated, each spine went in about eight inches, even with several sword thrusts it took Martin Vivian and David pulling and twisting to get the spines out, they even cracked the first one.
The cart driver slowly started to approach them. When he was sure that the creature was dead. When they had the head the spines and the claws loaded onto the cart tied to the roof, they did one final check of the remains.
Martin regarded it, ¡°lets burn the body¡±. Vivian queried the suggestion, ¡°that¡¯s going to take a lot of oil to get going, why would we want to do that¡±? ¡°Do you wat to face that thing again if a vampire or necromancer brings it back as an undead or how about if an archanist reconstructs it¡± Alice was thoughtful. ¡°It¡¯s got no head or feet but they can be replaced with other items¡±. David had a quick answer, ¡°that would never¡±, he paused ¡°ok I remember that ghoul, you have made your point¡±. They piled kindling on the body then some oil and set it on fire, it took some time to take hold but it was soon a raging inferno sizzling the beast¡¯s carcass.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
David looked back as the cart slowly pulled away, ¡°I don¡¯t see those things as natural where do they come from, don¡¯t tell me a wizard did it, where do such monsters originate?¡± Vivian looked through the book, ¡°according to the text they were created by blood alchemists, tens of thousands of years ago, after they made basilisks and fire salamanders they wanted stronger creature''s to act as long range scouts and mounts.¡±
¡°They had many types of experimentation to create a stable type of creature temple. Then it took a lot of time to train the creatures up, there level of intelligence is not high. There are several types of wyvern mottled ice wyverns, dark green aquatic swamp wyverns, the fire breathing ash grey wyvern are the best type in terms of mounts, the easiest to domesticate.¡± David looked on trying to soak up the information, yet another monster that needed to be killed.
Alice got back to the main purpose of the book, ¡°In time the blood alchemists improved on the wyvern template, to create the first lower level dragons. These creatures had a lot more bulk and strength to them. Different dragons were created for different reasons, the white dragons were created as mounts and siege weapons for the colder climates. The gold dragons were built to look impressive and for speed, personal mounts.¡±
¡°The blue dragons were created to patrol the seas and keep leviathans and kraken numbers in check, the black dragons were guardians of words and vaults. Red dragons were slow heavily armoured melee fighters. The yellow dragons are rare magic users, highly intelligent.¡± David could see why blood alchemy was punishable by death, but he still had one question. ¡°How come the blood alchemists don''t rule every land.¡± Alice thumped the book dramatically, ¡°They didn''t build enough control into their creations, as a result there empire collapsed as there creatures rebelled.¡±
Vivian banged on the side of the coach, ¡°we will be there soon I can Just see the lights of forge hold in the distance.¡± Forge-hold was a large settlement because it was on top of a coal mine. It had a few forges and a strong trade guild presence, but the church held sway over the town they would not have a repeat of what happened with the mine in broken gorge. The group would enjoy some of the comforts of a larger settlement, they might have the opportunity to kill Islington and certainly to disrupt his boss''s plans.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
25 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
155/155 |
Adrenalin |
125/125 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
31 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
25 |
Level Defence Bonus |
25 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
75 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L2 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L2 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L4 |
| Perks |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
27 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
165/165 |
Adrenalin |
135/135 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
33 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
27 |
Level Defence Bonus |
27 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
81 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L2 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L2 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L2 |
|
|
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
25 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
90/90 |
Mana |
205/205 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
30 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
25 |
Level Defence Bonus |
25 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
2 |
|
|
| Base Spell Cost 4 Mana |
|
Magical Defence |
50 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L2 |
Analyse Magic L2 |
Recharge Enchantment L2 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage +5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
32 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
398/398 |
Focus |
215/215 |
|
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
39 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
41 |
Level Defence Bonus |
41 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L1 |
| Resist Poison |
Blade Coatings L2 |
Focus Shot L1 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L5 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-lode L1 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L1 |
Focus Multi Throw L1 |
| General Melee Weapons L5 |
Focus strike L1 |
Grenadier L8 |
| Focus Parry L1 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L1 |
Combat Medic L2 |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armour x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 7 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 2 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 1 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 1 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 7 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 frezing 100 electrical) damage x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 15 points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Inventory |
| Alice |
| Belt of the Scaled Hide ¨C armor + 5 ¨C long black belt |
| Necklace of Warding + 4 armor - square cut silver and iron |
| Druids Staff + 25 mana storage - black oak, end brass orb decorative green feathers grip bindings in brown leather. |
| Tower Apprentices Robes + 5 natural armor blue |
| Minor Ring of Armor + 2 points ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Mana + 120 points |
| David |
| Ring of Bores Endurance + 3 Endurance ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points |
| Artisan Crafted ¨C Iron and Steel Tower Shield |
| Vivian |
| Dagger of the Adder + 5 poison damage on strike ¨C seven inch fancy dagger |
| Damascus bodkin arrows x 10 |
| Ring of Eagle eye - + 5 perception |
| Martin |
| Monocle of clarification ¨C low light vision ¨C read target approximate level hp |
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 23 – Confessor Calvin.
True Monsters ¨C Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 23 ¨C Confessor Calvin.
Forge-hold was a large village, an impressive sized settlement with around 3000 people calling it home. It had cultivated farm land all around it, several fortified farmsteads were located close to the village walls. The Village was built onto a natural hill, two buildings dominated it, a large fortified church in centre of the village it had a large steeple tower high up. It looked like a ballista of some sort was on the top of it. Built next to the church was the Lords tower, it was joined by a defensive wall. A second ballista was mounted on top of this structure.
There were Earthworks around the settlement, they created a deep ditch and a small moat. For the greatest level of defensibility there was one way in and out. It was protected with a drawbridge portcullis and gate house, with two sets of doors. The outer perimeter of the settlement had an eight foot high stone wall, covered with battlements. The defences were not fully stone. Basically made from two stone walls two foot apart with the gap filled with earth and stones, giving the appearance of a much thicker wall. It was still quite impressive.
On top of the gate house two large bolt throwers were mounted, they contained four foot long bolts steel tipped, they were small two man siege weapons. There were four larger towers with these on the perimeter wall of the village. A large numbers of militia and guards were present. The gates were shut, a squad of guards was outside men with spears and bows lined the gate house prepared for the coach, both siege weapons were pointed at the approaching coach.
The drawbridge was not raised but the portcullis was down. The coach stopped, the driver banged on the side. There was a holy symbol on the side of the road on a heavy chain. It had several pieces of faded silver plating. The party slowly went through the act of touching the holy symbol to show that they were not infected, the silver was noted by Martin. Once they were all clear then the portcullis started to rise and the gates opened. As soon as the gates shut behind them the portcullis dropped.
They were faced with the sheriff and a group of guards. The Sherriff wore a full suite of steel plate in good condition over a padded surcoat. He had a steel kite shield on his left arm and a mace hung by his side, the mace had a blue light over it. It was enchanted a weapon known as the weight of authority, David and Vivian noticed it. He had the visor to his helmet up. Vivian handed a letter to the man. He looked over the letter he nodded to them. ¡°I am the sheriff of Forge Hold, I see some of you recognise my weapon, I am called the captain of the Mace Simon.¡±
Simon was a veteran man of arms, with the man of arms class he had access to the drill sergeant ability. It both speed up the training time of guards but also allowed them to reach level fifteen rather than level ten just though training. A ridicules high level Man at arms could theoretically use a fully developed ability to train a combat job up to level 35 skipping the need for an initial feat of martial strength, Simon was nowhere near that but he was still a young man. The quality of the guards in this area was quite high by comparison to the more rural fair.
Vivian held out her hand, ¡°a pleasure to meet you¡±. The rest of them exchanged similar greetings. Simon checked the paperwork, ¡°I see you are the group that was sent to broken gorge you finished your assignment there and were called into Vine garden, we heard something was happening and remained on high alert¡±. ¡°The situation at vine garden has been resolved, the vampires and their allies have been destroyed but the architect of the plan just manged to get away¡± Vivian said. Simon sighed, ¡°a pity it was able to get away still, even as powerful as a single vampire is without an army to back them up there is only so much they can do¡±.
He looked at the roof of the carriage, ¡°What is that thing¡±? Alice grinned, ¡°It was a black spined wyvern, now it¡¯s a trophy and some alchemical supplies¡±. ¡°There were reports form some foresters about strange tracks, with the defences of this settlement it would not have come hear¡± Simon was sure of that statement. ¡°Do you know where it came from, if there was any reward¡±? David wondered. Simon shook his head, ¡°no I don¡¯t think so, the hour is late I will show you to the confessor, let you meet the rest of the local triune then we will find you lodgings¡±.
They left their belongings with the cart and followed Simon, the settlement was built in the shape of a wheel around the church. There were many internal brick walls that would slow down an attacker, the settlement walls had inner gates that they could slam shut to slow the taking of the outer town, to allow people to retreat to the church and lords tower. From the town walls they could see the coal mine, its entrance was fortified a low level priest in training was based there. Keeping an eye on the miners to prevent a reoccurrence of the infiltration of Broken Gorge.
The door was barred to the church, Simon knocked and a shutter opened a holy symbol was held out, each person touched it and the door was opened. The man who ran the settlement was the senior Priest confessor Calvin. He was a tall thin man in his early forties, a large nose and ears made him look a little comical. He had heavy tired eyes. The strain of years of responsibility for both the people¡¯s spiritual and physical wellbeing had taken its toll. His hairline had made a strategic retreat years ago. He wore thick warm robes and worked away with some letters and paperwork. He sighed as there was a knocking on his door, his voice was pleasant and neutral in tone. ¡°Please enter, give me a minute I am a little busy¡±.
He reached a place to stop put down his pen and lifted his eyes to the people entering his office. ¡°Simon it is good to see you, introduce these people¡±. ¡°These are the adventures that passed through to broken gorge, Alice the mage¡±, Alice curtsied. ¡°Vivian and David from the glass bay mercenary company¡±, the two mercenaries saluted in response. ¡°This is Martin the vampire hunter¡±, Martin respectfully nodded. ¡°They are all veterans, they have eliminated the problems in broken gorge even resealing the mine after a landslide. They have fought bandits constructs and vampires at Vine Garden now they have been sent here to investigate dire matters, they even killed a wyvern on the way hear.¡±
The priest¡¯s shoulders sagged for a second, ¡°please bring me up to speed on your mission¡±. David was first to answer, ¡°Well sir the vampire attacks at vine garden were just to build up the vampires forces for larger attacks. We found evidence of a bigger threat so Lord Cain sent us to you to help counter the impending attack.¡± He looked a little happier, ¡°Congratulations on becoming veterans we need all the experienced adventures we can find. I am sure that your assistance will be very useful, if you can deliver what correspondence you found to Milroy the local hunter he is in the positon to best use it.¡± Calvin was a level 45 priest and quite powerful as a result. His purge soul blessing could remove demonic corruption and his magic nullification sphere was good against magic users.
Calvin looked to Simon, ¡°Introduce them to lord Graham. He may be interested in the wyvern¡¯s remains, claws or fangs for his family collection. It is good to see the end of such beasts. Introduce them to Luther as well, tell him they can have access to the veteran stock. I believe that Milroy had a few spare beds in the hunters house, he may also have a few trinkets and devices for trade.¡± The adventures offered there thanks and then headed out with Simon.
David looked at the mace as they walked, ¡°So that¡¯s a family heirloom¡± Simons chest puffed up, ¡°yes my father was a master and his father before him, one day I will achieve a feat of martial prowess, break through and then I will be ready to unlock my potential¡±. ¡°What sort of creatures are about for you to level up on¡±? Vivian wondered. Simon answered, ¡°Well there is a colony of giant snakes and snake men near the hot springs. They don¡¯t go far from the warmth, there are tolls in the hills a few really big ones. You have a few undead in the old catacomb mazes, used to be a burial ground for some lord, there are some vampires and minions, the hunter Milroy can tell you more about those jobs¡±.
The local lord¡¯s tower was once a manor, but it has been partially demolished and rebuilt to act as a better defensive structure. The local lord was a level 25 knight. The party followed Simon up to the fortified structure. It looked a very utilitarian and functional building unlike the lord¡¯s manor in Vine Garden. A guard was stationed at the front door, he saluted Simeon and opened the door. The place was decorated in a far less lavish style than the other lord¡¯s manor. A servant met them, Simon and the servant exchanged a few words and he disappeared off to announce there arrival.
Simon led them into a large room. On every available piece of wall there was the wing claw or head of some great beast or other. Some of them would have been quite old some a little newer. There were a significant number of snake heads and skins, as well as quite a few dumb looking trolls staring back from the walls. They were the local wildlife so it was only natural that they would be far more prevalent. There was a large table in the room, a man in red clothes and a woman in a blue dress sat at its head, guards and servants surrounded them at the table, the meal was mostly complete.
The man at the head of the table was in his early thirty¡¯s, well built a sword at his side. He raised a glass to them, his voice didn¡¯t carry the arrogance of some of his pears. ¡°Impressed by the family collection I see, my name is lord Graham Khan, this is my wife Lady Ruth Khan. Veteran adventurers, a little rumour has it that you have the head of a black spined wyvern, I would very much like to add that to my collection¡±. Ruth turned to the adventures she was about six months pregnant she had a couple of magic rings she clicked her knuckles. Her demeanour was a little colder than her husband but still cordial, ¡°please clear a space for the sheriff and our guests, we can have a little drink then discuss business¡±.
Some space was made at the table, the party sat down and introduced themselves. Some drinks were served ale and wine. Lady Ruth was a level 10 scribe and a level 15 bard specialising in the lute. She was currently working on a manuscript for a saga, attempting to break through the level 25 barrier by creating a master work of craft. She chatted away to Alice while Graham went through some of the pieces in his family collection, to Martin and the mercenaries. A giant tooth taken from the leviathan green belly that was wedged into the hull of a ship at North Port, some scales from a black dragon, and the head of a giant possessed hydra slain by a Cleric.
The coach with the head of the wyvern was brought round to the lord¡¯s tower. The lord Graham, held up a lamp as he inspected it. He was even more impressed when they got it off the roof of the coach. He could look over it closely, he eyed its fangs he ran his hands over its jaws. He grinned with an excited look on his face, ¡°I can offer you a price of sixty¡± there was a loud cough. The lord looked nervously over to his wife he sighed, ¡°bare with me a second¡±. There was a brief amount of hushed whispering then the lady of the house grabbed the lord by his collar, he gulped and they continued to whisper some more. The lady looked less displeased and kissed him on the cheek, then turned round and went back into the tower.
Lord Graham looked at them again as if nothing had happened, ¡°I can afford to offer you party a reward 45 silver for the wyvern head and claws. It will be a fine addition to my collection I don¡¯t think that you will get a better offer and you don¡¯t want to pay the extra charge to have it hauled somewhere else.¡± ¡°Do you want the spines¡±? David enquired, ¡°no but the merchants guild could use them, there is a competent alchemist and a few chemists in the village¡±. ¡°I am curious what will you do with it?¡± Martin vaguely wondered. The lord grinned, ¡°I will have the taxidermist prepare it then I will have it mounted above the head of the table¡±. Vivian looked at the rest of the group, ¡°We are in agreement thank you for your hospitality¡±. Alice looked at the wyvern head, ¡°perhaps your wife can work a wyvern into her saga¡±. He scratched his temple, ¡°that¡¯s certainly an idea¡±.
The lord disappeared for a few minutes then returned with a bag of silver, he handed it to Vivian. ¡°If you happen across any other curiosities please bare me in mind. I may have to trade a few bits if you happen to find something we can come to an arrangement¡±. She nodded, ¡°of course I am sure that we will find something worthy of your home.¡± The lord oversaw a few of his guards and servants wrapping up the wyvern head, ready to be transported to the taxidermist the next day. Simon raised his voice a little, ¡°We have a few more local figures to meet, I will show you the merchant¡¯s hall and the hunter¡¯s house then get you settled for the night.¡±
They walked along a street to a large building the merchants hall, it looked like a dozen buildings combined together. There were a couple of mercenaries and militia men guarding the entrance, there was a large yard filled with carts boxes lumber coal. The mercenaries nodded to the Sherriff and let him pass. A clerk in a blue uniform walked up to Simon, ¡°how can I help you sir¡±. He looked at the man, ¡°please take us to Luther we have urgent business¡±, the man nodded ¡°this way sir¡±. They passed through a workshop and a few store rooms to a large forge. A big burley man with a massive ginger beard was busy pounding and shaping a white hot billet of steel. They waited about twenty seconds for the man to finished then he turned round and noticed them.
The clerk nodded politely, ¡°Mr Luther sir urgent business¡±. The man had a no nonsense approach. He took of his gloves and apron and approached them. ¡°Simon who are these people and what urgent business needs to be done¡±. Simon introduced the party, ¡°Adventures veterans, Calvin says they can have access to the stock you hold in reserve¡±. Luther looked them over, ¡°I represent the merchant¡¯s guild, I am a blacksmith by trade a level 25 blacksmith focusing on armour¡±. The party introduced themselves. Luther nodded ¡°so what¡¯s the dam emergency¡±.
Martin was brief ¡°a vampire is plotting an attack on this settlement. Other settlements faced creatures smuggled in inside wine barrels and in the false bottoms of crates, things that didn¡¯t need to breathe¡±. ¡°That could be a nasty surprise I will have my clerks and some guards check all our inventory, how long has this been going on¡±? ¡°We found a vampires servant planted in the village for three years¡±. He was worried, ¡°bloody hell let me guess in the trade guild¡± they nodded.
He took them through a couple of side rooms to a back office, he opened it with a key. He gestured them inside and lit a lamp. He pulled a cloth back from several stands and two tables to reveal his veteran inventory. ¡°We will prepare as much as we can this settlement is well fortified, so the vampire must have quite a few plots a foot. look around I have quite a lot of things that you might find useful¡±. David inspected an armour stand, it had a set of thick heavy iron plate armour. He looked over at swords and a particularly heavy single edged Damascus falchion, a perfect cutting weapon. He checked the blade and then looked at the strapping on the iron pate. He sighed ¡°a pity that looked like it would fit¡±.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Martin looked at him, ¡°don¡¯t be too hasty the strapping can be adjusted, let¡¯s see if we can fit it¡±. Between Vivian, Martin and Luther they slowly dressed David in the thick iron plate. Starting at the bottom with sabaton¡¯s then greaves, covering them the chest piece the neck guard the pauldorns and gauntlets, finally the heavy rectangular helmet. David wore the padding and the chain-mail under it, his layered armour perk massively increased the protection. With his strength he could move in it quite well. He picked up the falchion and started to run through a series of practice cuts with the blade. He raised the visor on the helmet and grinned, ¡°If I trade in my old sword and helmet how much¡±. The blacksmith looked over the offered sword he didn¡¯t look that impressed. ¡°Full plate is good protection and that is a good blade, 95 silver for the suit and blade not a brass penny less¡±.
Vivian checked their money, ¡°hey we should have about 3 gold and 25 silver left I count about 3 gold 15 silver¡±. David looked hesitant, ¡°I may have been unlucky with cards and dice and darts¡± Martin and Alice glowered at him. Alice turned to the rest, ¡°perhaps Vivian should look after the money¡±. David¡¯s shoulders sagged, ¡°I don¡¯t think so¡±. Vivian looked at him, ¡°you want us to buy armour for you out of our shares of the loot. Even though you have been losing money at the card table?¡± he looked at Alice, ¡°you want someone upfront with a lot of defence between you and the monsters right¡±? She nodded reluctantly.
David turned to Martin, ¡°this iron plate makes me much more likely to survive a vampire attack. With this sword I can keep going, you know my old one is starting to look a little worse for wear, we are a team¡±. Martin sighed, ¡°You make good points but when I need some specialised explosives to help kill something powerful I expect your support in return¡±. He looked round to Vivian, ¡°with me at the front clanking about drawing the enemy''s attention, you¡¯re in a far better position¡±. He banged the flat of the sword on his tower shield, ¡°come on, come on you know it will help us all¡±.
Luther looked at the rest of the group, Alice Vivian and Martin nodded. The blacksmith grinned ¡°you have a deal¡± David looked very relieved, he had successfully argues with the group to get his new gear.
Vivian looked at a table full of archery equipment, she held her current bow up to the table. Vivian looked at the bows there was new one, similar to her current bow but sturdier. It had more elegant grips and horn decoration on the end. Luther grinned, ¡°It¡¯s backed with sinew from a basilisk, its very tough, string it feel the draw weight.¡±
Vivian picked up the bow, with a little effort hooked the string and drew it back. She brought it up to her shoulder and practiced with it a few times, ¡°how much¡±? He smiled, ¡°I can see the Damascus bodkin arrows in your quiver, I have a suggestion if you can appreciate such quality¡±. She grinned ¡°let¡¯s hear it¡±, ¡°I have some extra special arrows, forged mithril heads 3 of a set. Each one enchanted with 50 points of either fire ice or lightning damage¡±.
He was certain of a sale, ¡°The arrow shafts Savon hickory, oil coated, gryphon''s feathers, terror spider silk binding, I can throw in four spare bow strings power attacks use them up. I will also give you two iron bleed arrows they are designed to wedge a wound open. so that a creature will suffer additional bleeding damage¡±. The bleed arrows were triangular in shape and would be a nightmare to remove from any wound, sharp and jagged. Vivian was hooked, ¡°how much for the lot if I traded in my old bow¡±? He grinned ¡°70 silver,¡± Vivian was already counting the money out.
Martin looked to the blacksmith, ¡°do you carry any alchemist weapons, maybe thermite¡±? He grinned, ¡°we use thermite for some welding, I do have a supply of weaponised material¡±. The blacksmith reached under a table and removed a sturdy box. He cleared a space and put it down Martin looked over the contents and grinned his hand reached forwards. He put gunpowder wadding, 5 large thermite grenades, 5 medium thermite grenades 3 shrapnel grenade and a bundle of three sticks of dynamite to one side, he wordlessly looked at Luther.
The trader did a little mental arithmetic, ¡°I would normally say 65 silver¡±. He looked at the grin on Martins eyes ¡°but I know it will be put to good use, so let¡¯s say 60 silver.¡± Martin shook his hand ¡°you have a deal.¡± Vivian paid him and Martin reached out and put his hand on the pile, everybody in the room took a step back. He started to stash the ordinance into his coat. The five medium thermite grenades into the bandolier the rest disappeared into various coat pockets.
Alice looked at the blacksmith, ¡°ok show me what magic items you have¡±. He reached for a tray and held it out to Alice. She looked at the pile of glowing objects and searched through them, ¡°only a druid can use that, this one would only help a conjurer, I already have a belt that dose this. This wand only has a single charge left, ah perfect¡±.
Alice had found a ring of the equalizer 2 points of endurance 2 points of strength, it enable her to compete on a normal level. counteracting the penalty that mages suffered to their base stats. She had found what she wanted, she looked around the room something else caught her eye. A light steel cap to protect her head. Luther looked at the two items ¡°35 silver for the pair¡±, Alice shook his hand her grip was significantly stronger with the ring on. She adjusted the helmet over her padded cap. With the extra strength she might get a bit of chain-mail to protect herself later on.
Vivian had the spines from the black wyvern wrapped up, ¡°do you have an alchemist or chemist we can sell these to¡±? Luther looked interested, ¡°where is the rest of it¡±? David patted him on the shoulder, ¡°it¡¯s going to be put up inside the local lord¡¯s tower after a taxidermist has some time with it.¡± Luther nodded, ¡°I have a chemist I can show you to him on the way out.¡± Luther took them to a side room. A man hidden in smoke and goggles spoke to then, he offered 7 silver one spine was damage not as useful but as it was very fresh, that was good for him. The group nodded and pocketed the silver.
Simon took them across the town to a dull looking solid stone house, the door was particularly sturdy. He knocked on the door, after a few minutes the door panel opened and someone was pointing a pistol at them. A holy symbol was held out each member of the group was presented with the silver symbol, each one touched it, finally the door was opened. They were inside a hunter¡¯s house. A deputy hunter and three associates greeted them putting their weapons away. Martin greeted them, ¡°welcome brothers and sisters in arms¡± They shook hands and exchanged swigs of tip vodka.
Simon turned to one of them, ¡°Please get Milroy.¡± Milroy was a short stocky hunter with the usual array of weapons and armour hidden under his coat. Simon was brief, ¡°There may be a vampire attack. They found some correspondence from a vampire that was threating vine garden go through it help them to defend this town, provide them with lodgings.¡± Milroy nodded, ¡°understood¡± Simon headed off leaving them with the local hunter. He sighed, ¡°I am a veteran hunter of the order of flame and retribution I have two deputes at level 10 four apprentices who have not gotten past level 3 yet and five associates who help me to keep the militia and guards awake¡±.
The two hunters were comparing notes for seniority, ¡°My name is Martin I am from the order of silver and steel I am level 32, this is David a level 27 mercenary, Vivian is also a mercenary veteran and Alice is a veteran mage¡±. Milroy looked at them he was clearly beaten, a garrison adventure didn¡¯t have as many chances to level up as those that were sent out. He had this towns defences to manage. ¡°Faith magic and muscle a good party composition, I will show you to your room. You may wish to get a bite to eat at the local inn we have already finished our meal¡±.
The hunter¡¯s house was the residence of the local vampire hunter, the ground floor accommodated associates and apprentices, part time reserve members of the order. The deputy¡¯s and hunters would take the upper floor, with any guests having an attic room. They put their belongings from the coach into the room. For the first time Alice didn¡¯t feel like collapsing under the weight of her books and belongings. The room was a small attic room with a slanted ceiling, there were four beds a few benches, a curtain could be drawn half way down the room. Alice took the bed furthest from the door Martin took the one closest.
The group kept their weapons on them as they headed to the local tavern, there could be an attack on the settlement at any minute and they wanted to be ready. Plus David really wanted to show off all his plate armour.
The party walked through an alleyway towards the in. Out of the shadows a group of people emerged. There were eight of them dressed in black and brown they had dull unfocused eyes and one was swaying a little. The bandit leading them pulled a four inch blade and pointed it at the man in a full suit of armour. ¡°give... us... eve..ry thing... now...¡± Vivian looked about there were only eight of them. Six had crude clubs two had short blades.
Martin looked at them. ¡°so you think that they are hopped up on that blue powder, ¡± Vivian shrugged, ¡°I don¡¯t think its blue moon dust more like red sand¡±. The thug looked at them, ¡°hey .. I .. .am ..mugging you¡±. The situation would be similar to a pack of wolves in the middle of a forest who were suddenly stopped by a small flock of angry chickens.
David looked at them. ¡°What do you think they will get¡±? Vivian looked at the bandits, ¡°a week in the stocks a few months in the coal mine as community service right¡±. Alice looked at them ¡°that¡¯s if they come quietly¡±. One of them tried to grab Alice¡¯s staff, ¡°gimme looks valuable¡±. She brought the end down onto his foot, he screamed in pain as she used a short strike to hit him between the legs. Setting him up for a longer swing to the throat that produced a gasping whimper, finally bopping him on the top of the head with a downward strike, just like Vivian had shown her. A second bandit not taking it seriously slapped her on the ass. ¡°You got some spirit¡±.
Alice had to concentrate really hard, to use a quarter of the mana that the spell usually took. Her acid strike hit the man between the legs neutering him instantly. Nasty but not fatal he passed out from the pain, with a pathetic gurgling noise. Vivian had taken the opportunity to hit one of the bandits with the nearest thing that she could lay her hand on. That being another bandit. David''s unarmed strikes combined with his iron gantlets made pathetically easy work out of two of the bandits. The remaining two were already being educated by Martin on the error of their ways. While they incessantly screamed for mercy a sound of fear and desperation. When the second bandit had no more unbroken fingers, which faced the right way. Martin let the man drop to the ground whimpering.
Martin looked over the idiots laying on the ground, ¡°they are all alive who do you think they are¡±? David shrugged, ¡°probably labourers or miners with a bandit combat job¡±. Vivian shrugged, ¡°local thugs, Simon probably knows them, can¡¯t be more than level five each they were pathetic¡±.
The party was not paying attention, they didn¡¯t realise that there was a bounty on their heads. The eight bandits were a distraction, the main event arrived with brutal efficiency. A crossbow bolt aimed form a roof pierced Vivian¡¯s armour and knocked her to the ground. Nearly 150 points of damage was enough to almost kill her outright. Martin reacted first he held out his holy symbol ¡°shield of faith¡±, a blessing sprang up around Alice as he dived on top of Vivian taking two crossbow bolts in the shoulder and the back. They were good crossbows and he took almost 300 points of damage. He used divine regeneration on Vivian, ¡°Vivian is poisoned¡± Alice moved over trying to keep Martin in front of her she managed to use her cure poison spell.
Even with the enchanted ring boosting her endurance Alice had little more than 100 hit points. A crossbow bolt to the stomach flattened her, only her armour magic items and the shield blessing left her alive. David was there he had his shield over Vivian and Alice. Martin used his blessing divine regeneration. To keep Alice alive, he shook her ¡°you have to use your cure poison on yourself¡±. She murmured and just about activated the spell. Martin pulled the bolt out and she healed herself with a spell. David pulled the bolt out of Vivian¡¯s shoulder.
There were four attackers above them, that had just gotten very close to killing them. Martin looked up he used a blessing, ¡°thy will be done¡± his aim was guided and he fired his pistol. There was a cry of pain, a man fell from a nearby roof top. He landed down on the street with a crossbow clattering down next to him, a hole in his leg. He wore black leather armour marked with a symbol, one hand holding a dagger being hidden behind a second hand. David closed in on him the man tried to draw a fan of throwing knives. A shield block sent the man flying back, while David¡¯s new blade went right through his torso.
Vivian was back up her perception was the highest in the group, she breathed calmly saw a sliver of movement and released a power shot. A man hiding in the shadow of a chimney fell down, a second crossbow clattering to the floor a surprised look on his face as an arrow pierced him from front to back. Martin hurled a silver canister onto one roof top, it exploded in a blue cloud a man staggered out of it, a loaded crossbow in his hand. Vivian and Alice fired the man¡¯s face was burnt off from and acid strike and his chest was pierced with an arrow. Alice saw movement and hurled a fireball at the top of a tall chimney a man lost his balance and fell dropping his crossbow, he tried to limp away, he reached for a red potion and swallowed it he stood up his leg somewhat straighter before he could break into a run Vivian shot him.
Alice used another healing spell on Martin, she looked to David ¡°who are they, I mean who were they¡±? David looked at them, ¡°the hidden hand guild, probably the oldest criminal syndicate, they were four veterans, they use the high-powered crossbows combined with poison few survive. Martins eyes glowed, ¡°they were worth a level I guess¡± he gained more proficiency in melee weapons. David nodded as he levelled up to level three of his duellist ability.
Vivian grinned as she felt the flow of time freeze, a message that she had been longing to see appeared, ''''A special action has been performed¡±! Feat of marshal strength has been achieved, you have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been increased to level 50. Your destiny is sealed.'' The one she killed was a veteran she would catch up to David soon, it still hurt to level up but it was a little less every time. She gained rank 5 of her critical strike ability. Alice huffed, ¡°next time, I get an opponent then I am going to be level 26¡±
Vivian looked at the dead rogues, ¡°this criminal group is a pain to pin down just look¡±. One of the crossbows started to deteriorate into scrap then dust. David sighed, ¡°The rogues have fate bound armour and weapons even the crossbow bolts and daggers¡±. Alice nodded ¡°I have herd of the enchantment they crumble into dust so that adventures can¡¯t use them, a last fuck you from the hidden hand¡±, Martin looked at them, ¡°disappearing equipment can¡¯t be traced¡±. Alice pointed to the bodies, ¡°the rogue¡¯s remains fate bound to¡± a tattoo on their back glowed. Martin shrugged ¡°I guess, so necromancer sorcer or vampire can¡¯t bring them back to question them.¡± the bodies shimmered then slowly melt into brown red goo.
It was as that time the sheriff arrived with a dozen guards, ¡°we heard explosions gunshots we saw a fire ball, what attacked you¡±? Vivian looked at them, ¡°some criminals¡± Simon looked at the local thugs. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have thought this lot could cause that much trouble¡±. David shook his head ¡°they were a distraction, a hidden hand hit team tried to get us from the roof tops¡±. Simons eyes shot up. ¡°Where are they now?¡± Vivian looked at the plies of goo, ¡°they are dead, fate enchantments did the rest¡±
Simon wondered, ¡°Fate enchantments never seen it myself but I have heard of it, I suspect the hidden hand might be working for a vampire, if you cost this vampire Islington how much¡± David answered, ¡°he said about 50 gold¡±. Simon continued, ¡°well whoever he works for has probably put a price on your head, it could just be that they were being paid to weaken forge-hold¡¯s defences, those local thugs are fools just employed to distract you¡±. He sighed, ¡°we will put this lot back together then throw them in the stocks , six months in the coal mine might make them behave, you get some food and some sleep¡± the adventurers nodded keeping an eye out for further trouble they, got some food and then went to sleep.
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 24 – Ghoul Lord.
True Monsters ¨C Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 24 ¨C Ghoul Lord.
The morning came and they woke from a deep slumber. The attic room was a little cold and drafty, but they were supplied with plenty of blankets. They had one small room and a lantern, they dressed and headed downstairs to the ground floor. An associate welcomed them and passed them a bowl of porridge and some warm bread freshly baked. Alice poured honey on her porridge and gulped it down, ¡°If this vampire put a price on our heads we need to kill him right¡±.
David shrugged, ¡°It costs a lot of coin to train and equip assassins to that level, and we might have made it unprofitable to pursue such a contract¡±. Martin slurped, ¡°most vampires don''t take it personal but this Islington I read some of the correspondence we found. His patron his sponsor it sounded like they were as close as family¡±, Vivian shrugged ¡°A lover¡±? ¡°No like a relative, he may have raised him or he may actually be a blood relation of some sort¡± Martin mused ¡°a decedent perhaps¡± Alice added.
¡°The reality is he has deep pockets, he is probably just going to raise the bounty on our heads a bit¡±, Martin confirmed making his point. Vivian looked at him ¡°You¡¯re a vampire hunter, he is a vampire¡±. Martin shook his head, ¡°the point is that this vampire is older and stronger than anything we have faced, even if we were all masters and had significantly better equipment then I don¡¯t like our chances, there would be too great a gap¡±. ¡°What can we do then¡±? ¡°We need to remain vigilant¡±. ¡°I would rather be out in the field fighting earning coin gaining levels, than sitting in an inn with a crossbow pointed at the door¡±, Vivian nodded ¡°a moving target is harder to hit¡±.
¡°Those rogues got to us fast¡±, David pointed out. ¡°they were probably part of a plan to strip away this settlements defences, without Lord Kahn Simon Milroy and several other leading figures especial the confessor this town would be a much easier target¡±. Vivian made a sensible explanation. ¡°I suppose the brother hood of the Black Hand might have been working with the unseen hand.¡± David made a blind guess. ¡°What is with the name of these criminal groups¡±? Alice asked. ¡°They use too many of their own products, they are not that imaginative¡±. David declared with confidence.
¡°A link with one criminal syndicate or guild could well mean a link to multiple criminals or just one main contact that has influence elsewhere¡±, Vivian surmised. ¡°We have prices on our heads, and we probably disrupted the vampires plans to weaken this town¡±, Martin used sound reasoning but the implications were dire. ¡°We need to watch our backs inside settlements as much as outside then¡±. Alice stated flatly. ¡°We don¡¯t have to be passive about this, the drugged up idiots that distracted us might know something. Simon might be able to get something useful out of them, when they come round¡±, Vivian said. ¡°We will see him today then¡±, David confidently stated.
Martin sighed ¡°Places like this the hunters house, fortress monasteries are more resistant to the thieves¡¯ guilds. Everyone hear has to take a holy oath, keeping together also keeps us safe. Vivian nodded, ¡°most of the free mercenary company bases are similar, so much bad blood between the thieves¡¯ guild and the free companies that it could be considered safe ground¡±. Alice looked apprehensive, ¡°The mages tower has small places like this in most towns. We might be allowed in, also there are several knightly orders that work for the crown, they would be hospitable to us, we have some options¡±.
¡°So this is going to be our life from now on, running from one hole to another¡±? David asked. ¡°Yes I guess until we can kill, this lexicon who put this price on our heads.¡± Martin answered. David had a certain way of thinking, ¡°How much gold on this vampires head¡± a situation could be turned around. ¡°A good point, Milroy what¡¯s the local bounty on lexicon¡±? Martin yelled.
Milroy came into the room, he finished stuffing a hot bread roll in his mouth and swallowed. ¡°It¡¯s twenty gold, but if he keeps causing trouble they will put the reward up¡±. He noted that the party had finished there food. ¡°In preparation for the vampires attack, we are going to try and cull or eliminate the local forces at the vampire¡¯s disposal¡±. The group were attentive, something to do. ¡°We have a ghoul suppression quest, there is a cave a few of them have settled in.
Some prospectors found them, two prospectors didn¡¯t get out, I want ten ghoul heads 1 silver each and a 5 silver bonus for the ghoul champion, if you find more report back.¡± David grinned ¡°Can you give us directions and a big sack¡±. ¡°Yes sure one of my apprentices can show you the location¡±, Milroy called one of the apprentices over who darted off to get a sack.
Milroy went to another room and poked about in a pile of paperwork. Martin followed him, ¡°what happened with that letter form the spy¡±? Milroy found a piece of paper, ¡°we are checking some things, it may take a while to go through some leads, your best bet is to keep killing the vampire¡¯s minions, for now¡±. He handed Martin a small map of the area. The apprentice hunter returned with a large sack over one shoulder.
In a few minutes the rest of the party was ready, Vivian had her new quiver that Martin had made, she was happy. It contained a series of compartments one for ten bodkin arrows, ten cheap iron broad heads in another, silver and enchanted ammunition in their own divisions, with spare strings in a separate water proof pocket.
They left the hunters house, Vivian stopped the apprentice, ¡°can you take us to the sheriff¡¯s office we need to check something before we head out¡±. The woman nodded and led them to a small office at the back of the guard house. Simon was seated there with a drink in one hand and a pile of paperwork in the other.
They exchanged greetings. ¡°Did you get anything useful from those petty thugs that attacked us? It can¡¯t have just been a coincidence.¡± Vivian was strait to the point. ¡°The herbalist had to put in some time to get them back together, they were very heavily drugged up, I am honestly surprised that they could stand. Hopefully they start to think straight soon and we can get a sensible answer out of them.¡± ¡°They were probably paid in drugs to distract us¡±, David surmised. ¡°Yes and they took there payment there and then a reasonable idea, hopefully we find out something useful¡±.
The apprentice waited outside the sheriff¡¯s office then resumed her guide duties. She led them out of the town along a road. Past a fortified farmstead and into some hills, there were a few farmers and a few militia, they were probably the same but rotated duties. They got to their destination at the foot of a particularly inhospitable hill. ¡°The cave mouth is over there it was possibly a mine once, I have other duties to attend to, please see Milroy when you are finished¡±.
The group approached the cave Martin stopped them, ¡°remember the bone chewers we faced before. Alice Vivian keep back from the caustic vomit. David¡¯s shield and my blessings can keep us safe. If they do bite us then they can paralyse you. It counts as a poison attack so I have some resistance, I don¡¯t think that they will be able to penetrate David¡¯s armour, Vivian Alice I am less sure, don''t let them try. They have limited regeneration but fireballs and thermite should eliminate that advantage. Make sure that they stay dead we don¡¯t want one recovering¡±.
He looked at a note scribbled on the map, ¡°these ones are possibly dread ghouls a little tougher and the ghoul leading them might be a ghoul lord rather than a ghoul champion. So it might have a brain that can think that¡¯s the biggest danger¡±.
Vivian dug some torches out of her backpack and handed them out. Martin awkwardly held his holy symbol and a touch in his right hand, with his triple pistol in his left. David looped a torch onto his shield. Vivian didn¡¯t carry one but allice did hung from her staff. The group slowly moved into the cave. It looked like it had been cut by picks and chisels hewn from the rock a long time ago. An old abandoned mine of some sort. Alice gripped her staff, ¡°when we get back to town, I am going back to Luther and I am getting a ring of touch light that he had, a free hand could be the difference between life and death hear¡±.
They found the remains of the two prospectors, the nick name of the ghouls as bone chewers was apt. The two people had been reduced to two piles of gnawed bone fragments, scraps of fabric and leather. The ghouls had eaten there shoes their backpacks and chewed their clothes, there was nothing really to bury or preform last rights on.
Alice looked over the remains, ¡°I guess ghouls don¡¯t leave many people alive so there are few infected, so there numbers don¡¯t ever grow much¡±. Martin nodded sagely, ¡°yes unless a ghoul lord, overlord or vampire is directing them, then they act smart¡±. The party headed deeper it was a single tunnel heading slowly downwards as if someone was following an ore seam or trying to dig down to where they thought one might be.
The group stopped when they came to a split in the tunnel. Martin looked left and right, ¡°we don¡¯t want to split up, let¡¯s check left then right.¡± David shook his head, ¡°we could get attacked from behind I say we stay here at the junction one person goes in attracts the ghouls, then brings them back to the group so that we have them bottled up, a fire ball a flask of oil some thermite or all three and it¡¯s an easy payday.¡±
Martin shrugged, ¡°ok give me a few minutes¡±, he started to step forwards. David stopped him, ¡°this time I have a ring of boar''s endurance. I have full plate and a tower shield, and they have attacks that are blocked by physical defences so this time I am the bait¡±. Martin grinned back, ¡°You just want an excuse to show off your new armour and weapon right¡±. David walled off down to the left, ¡°I am a castle that walks like a man¡±. David arrogantly responded back. ¡°If they have a tin opener, you better watch out¡± Alice shouted back.
David gripped his weapon, he was confident he had heavy armour. He had a nice new blade, he was twice the level he was when he first fought these things. He had an adrenalin power attack that could cleave through a low level ghoul, he moved a few feet further down the tunnel. Even if he was infected or wounded the hunter had purify and Alice had a healing spell. They were behind him quite a way further back. Perhaps this was not the most sensible thing in the world. He wondered if ghouls could drop down from the ceiling. A few drips landed on his torch David jumped back.
Looking up he saw it was just a bit of water, not some hungry predator about to jump on him. He felt his heart beating, there was a scraping noise further down the passage. David let out a sigh of relief. A nice stupid creature that would attack head on, no sneaking criminal syndicates no plotting vampires, just one brain dead ghoul about to be diced up.
David saw the approaching ghoul clearly, it was a head taller than a human it was grey rather than white so it was probably the leader. It had well developed elongated arms ending in three claws with the remaining fingers on each hand withering away. Its back had several spines that could be seen its jaw was wide it hissed.
David readied his sword the beast stopped outside his range. It reached into its mouth and pulled a handful of the needle like teeth lose. It grinned as it hurled a handful of them at David. He had his shield up the spiny teeth harmlessly bounced off the iron and steel. David stepped forwards to meet the ghoul, then he realised what it was doing.
There was a pain in the sole of his foot, where he had stepped on one of the teeth. He felt the numbing paralysis slowly traveling up his body he froze. ¡°Fuck shit help¡±, his chest and arms grew heavy and he slowly collapsed back. The ghoul Lord slowly grinned a big gap toothed grin, it hissed but it was more like a laugh. It moved forwards examining its prey, David had underestimated a monster and now he was starting to worry, had they herd his call?
The ghoul lord''s face was struck by an acid strike spell. It shrieked and clutched its face, it backed off almost tripping over it was off balance. It was hit by a fire ball knocking it over, with more hissing shrieks as it tried to stand up. A fire bite struck it in the face. It held its arms up high to protect its face as a second acid strike hit its arm, melting into them. A second fire ball sent it reeling, another acid strike and it was down. Alice made sure with a final acid strike dissolving most of its head. It stopped moving its flesh giving up on trying to regenerate, whatever was left of its burnt and corroded body.
Alice felt time freeze, a message appeared ''a special action has been performed!¡¯ Feat of marshal strength has been achieved, you have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been increased to level 50. Your destiny is sealed. She dismissed it she had other things to worry about
The next problem was the nine more ghouls behind it. The party had come as soon as they heard David¡¯s cry. Alice had been given the opportunity to kill the ghoul lord on her own, in the hopes that it would count as a worthy opponent and she could break through the 25 barrier. Now that the brains of the ghoul mob were dead, the rest of them still needed to be moped up.
Martin hurled one of his medium thermite grenades into the centre of the group. A perfectly timed throw set the explosive off right in the middle of the group, covering the first five ghouls with a shower of white hot burning thermite. They stopped screeched and rolled around on the floor in a futile effort to extinguish the burning chemical reaction, Martin grinned. Alice picked a few off with acid strikes and a fire ball to soften the last few up. Vivian used her new bow and tried the enchanted arrows. The ghouls fell easily to the combination of a power shot a mythril arrow head and 50 points of elemental magic damage.
Martin took the last ghoul that was trying to crawl away down with a focus shot, removing the top of its head. Vivian checked David who was slowly regaining the feeling in his limbs. He looked surprised, ¡°dam... thing was fairly smart¡±. Alice looked down at him, ¡°that¡¯s one you owe me¡±. Vivian set about very carefully recovering her very expensive arrows. Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°purify¡±. He reloaded his pistol then patted David on the shoulder, ¡°the paralysis should wear off fairly quickly.¡±
They levelled up, first Martin hitting rank seven of his melee weapons proficiency as he hit level 34. Vivian was next hitting level 27, she continued raising her critical strike skill to level 6. David cursed under his breath as he didn¡¯t even get a chance to swing his new blade, he was not going to be levelling up today.
Alice felt the pain of levelling up assault her, her body grew that bit tougher and hardier but it was more, the expansion of her mind was inside her it was her own self that strained. She didn¡¯t black out but it was unpleasant in the extreme, she had to lean against the wall of the cave, and she was unfocused she had made a choice. Her mind accommodated the knowledge with the aura of healing spell.
It was a potent healing spell that covered an area of 5 foot radius around the caster, it would heal every ally around the caster for ten seconds. However she had to spend some time preparing it and it did cost a good chunk of 40 mana. She had to stand still to do it, but she was sure that it would be a life saver in a tight fight.
David finally did get to use his sword, unfortunately it was to behead the ghouls. One by one as Alice held a sack open for them, when they had collected the melted skewer and chard heads they began to dispose of the remains. Alice took the sack just able to carry it. Martin dragged one ghoul corpse Vivian and David managed two each. They piled them up outside splashed them with oil and set it on fire. The bag was left a distance away. Martin looked about, ¡°There could still be twice that number in the caves we need to check it out fully¡±. They agreed going back with weapons drawn. They went down one pathway fully finding nothing. They removed two more of the ghoul corpses and threw them on the pyre.
The group headed down the second tunnel, Martin took the lead he was somewhat resistant to paralysis, if another high level ghoul attacked them. He felt his holy symbol move there was something. He moved a little deeper into the tunnel. There was a vampire standing there, looking like it had just seen a rat.
He would have been an old man when he was turned into a vampire, he still had a full head of grey hair. His body was not bowed or withered, in life he would have still been a powerful opponent even into his old age. Probably a knight based on the way his clothing and armour appeared a noble. His armour looked like it was imbued with necromancy, perhaps conjured or fortified. His clothing was dark blue expensive looking, there was a bastard sword that glowed purple, on his hip. Some sort of magic talisman around his throat offering additional defence.
The vampire charged forwards, pulling his sword free to stab. His fingers were outstretched to wring the life out of the interlopers, that dared to trespass in his domain and slay its servants. Martin used a focus throw, ¡°thermite for everyone¡±. Martin was already backing away, Martin prayed of insight using a blessing, ¡°thy will be done¡±. The vampire wiped the burning thermite out of his eyes the way another might wipe away mud. Martin ran his fears confirmed, ¡°this foe is beyond us flee¡± he looked at Alice, she stared back sharply, ¡°I can carry myself thank you¡±.
They beat a hasty retreat back down the tunnel, Martin hit the vampire with various divine blessings ¡°wrath of the almighty¡± , ¡°chain smite¡±. The vampire was barely phased ducking back for a few seconds with the electrical attack, to get out of its range. In the end Martin used his angel seraphim blessing to protect himself, the vampires attacks carved through it very quickly. But it gave him enough time to nail the vampire with another thermite grenade, allowing him to get away.
They ran out of the cave into the sunlight. This vampire was not stupid enough to follow them. It seemed to be a stale mate. Vivian turned to Martin, ¡°that young warrior Islington do you think that was his sponsor¡±. There was an angry shout from inside, the voice was filled with a century and a half of arrogance and pompous rage. ¡°He is one of the elite not a warrior, that is a stupid name, you don¡¯t have the right to speak his name¡±. Martin went back and grabbed the bag of ghoul heads.
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.One of the burning bodies on the pyre glowed purple, it slowly rose up then collapsed down.
There was another shout of indignation, ¡°for what you did to my boy, you die¡±. Alice and Vivian shared a knowing look, this was defiantly Islington¡¯s father, and patron. There was a spoiled brat who was in life and still in un-death lexicons son. David panted, ¡°we should be safe now right? A large chunk of rock flew out of the mouth of the cave and just avoided taking his head off. He crouched down, ¡°Let¡¯s get a bit further away¡±!
As they backed off further he wondered, ¡°We didn¡¯t burn every ghoul body¡±! David sighed ¡°there were three left¡±. The headless ghoul zombies charged out of the cave entrance heading towards them. At least this time David would get a chance to use his new sword, even if they would not grant much experience. Vivian looked up at the sky ¡°let¡¯s move¡±.
Martin opened up a flask everyone took a sip, even Alice took a very small sip.
The group headed off back to Forge-hold, they would report the vampire¡¯s presence but by the time they got back the next day they would find him gone. If they tried attacking at night it would be suicide. Martin had a calculating look on his face, ¡°that¡¯s the sign of a much more competent monster, it didn¡¯t gloat or mock us. It just tried to pull our heads off as soon as it saw us.¡± Alice nodded, ¡°I can see that, what did the monocle and your blessing reveal about the opponent¡±?
¡°He was a level 25 knight when he was turned, he is a vampire just over level 100 so a total level of 125 roughly¡±. David sighed ¡°that¡¯s a big gap¡±. Martin shrugged, ¡°I thought he would be closer to 200, if we can each get close to level fifty if we can thin down his servants if we can get a good opportunity it¡¯s possible¡±. Vivian shrugged, ¡°you¡¯re the expert on vampires how likely are you to run into one that powerful¡±? Martin shrugged, ¡°a rule of thumb we estimate it is around 120 ¨C 150 vampires over level 100 in this country, they make up a very small part of the vampire population, you would normally run into an army of servants first¡±.
They arrived at the gates after touching the holy symbol outside they were let in. Martin looked at the guard on duty, ¡°I must speak to the sheriff¡±. The man nodded Martin followed him to his office and the rest of the party followed behind. Simon looked at them, ¡°What happened to you, you look like you just ran from a demon overlord or something¡±. Martin held up the bag of ghoul heads. ¡°We ran into the local head vampire, we killed a few of his servants but we just got away from him¡±. Simon nodded ¡°I understand if they are this close to a settlement that¡¯s a bad sign, I will double the look outs, you see Milroy I will let confessor Calvin know¡±.
The group headed over to the hunters house. They got in and ate a meal one of the deputy¡¯s went to fetch Milroy from drilling the town militia on fighting vampires. Martin was taking a good heavy drink.
Milroy sat down joining them. Martin was the first to speak, ¡°we ran into the local elder vampire, close to town¡±. Milroy looked over to the bag stuffed with ghoul heads. ¡°He must have been surveying the troops you were all lucky to get away¡±.
Vivian spoke, ¡°what do you know about the local vampire, Lexicon¡±? Milroy was slow to respond ¡°not too much, he sees competent for a vampire of his age, very few exploitable weaknesses like most vampire elders, he keeps to the background. I think that you might be the first to actually see him and survive¡±. Alice had an idea, ¡°you said no weakness, the way he described Islington as his son¡±. A light went on metaphorically in Milroy¡¯s head, Alice continued ¡°I don¡¯t think he meant he was like a son but his actual son¡±.
Milroy weighed there options, ¡°he is a noble probably, the nepotism extends past the grave¡±. ¡°Even if we got everyone together I don¡¯t like our odds, if we could soften him up a bit that might work¡±. He gave up on the plan, ¡°I don¡¯t think that he would still be there when we got back, we could haul a gallon of holy water out there for nothing.¡± The group nodded in agreement of the succinct assessment.
Martin was going on his reading rather than personal experience as her turned to Milroy. ¡°It¡¯s awfully unlikely that we would run into an elder vampire that just happened to be inspecting some of his troops, normally you have a few dozen thralls¡¯ fledglings and a couple of warriors or elites with them a retinue¡±. He nodded, ¡°that¡¯s a good point this vampire hates your guts and wants you dead, for pissing on his plans and fucking over his son. I think he was playing the numbers for the chance to kill you¡±.
David spoke ¡°where was the quest posted?¡± Milroy answered ¡°orders from the church¡±. Vivian ¡°it will be interesting to find who posted it¡±. The room was silent for a few seconds. ¡°If you¡¯re suggesting what I think you¡¯re suggesting we need to be discrete, we may have a spy in our midst the informant from the prospectors would also be known to the ghoul¡¯s masters. Let me speak to confessor Calvin and we will investigate¡±. He checked the bag of ghoul heads then counted out 15 silver coins and handed them to Vivian.
¡°Good hunting I have a far more profitable task for you tomorrow.¡± The group stayed inside the hunter¡¯s house that night. They had faced opponents that were initially insurmountable then gotten stronger or became better prepared. This was no different in that regard, it would take them some time to be able to punch on lexicons level, but they could earn coin and make the local settlement a better place by killing monsters. They were wary as a group they slept badly.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
27 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
165/165 |
Adrenalin |
135/135 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
33 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
27 |
Level Defence Bonus |
27 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
81 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L2 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L2 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L6 |
| Perks |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
28 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
170/170 |
Adrenalin |
140/140 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
34 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
28 |
Level Defence Bonus |
28 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
84 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L2 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L2 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L3 |
|
|
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
26 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
93/93 |
Mana |
210/210 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
31 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
26 |
Level Defence Bonus |
26 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
2 |
|
|
| Base Spell Cost 4 Mana |
|
Magical Defence |
50 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L2 |
Analyse Magic L2 |
Recharge Enchantment L2 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage +5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing (5 heal +1 per level per second 10 seconds) ally ten foot 10 x base mana cost |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
34 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
418/418 |
Focus |
225/225 |
|
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
41 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
45 |
Level Defence Bonus |
45 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L1 |
| Resist Poison |
Blade Coatings L2 |
Focus Shot L1 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L5 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-lode L1 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L1 |
Focus Multi Throw L1 |
| General Melee Weapons L7 |
Focus strike L1 |
Grenadier L8 |
| Focus Parry L1 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L1 |
Combat Medic L2 |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armour x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 7 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 2 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 1 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 1 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 7 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 frezing 100 electrical) damage x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 15 points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 25 – Stone Skull Trolls and Tribulations.
True Monsters ¨C Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 25 ¨C Stone Skull Trolls and Tribulations.
David was the first up and last ready, putting on all his armour. It would take a bit of getting used to. Eventually Vivian helped him put the last few pieces on and adjust it so that it fitted comfortably. Everyone¡¯s heads hurt a little from the previous night, they were wound pretty tightly. The local vampire elder wanted them dead, they could feel the pressure of the old monster lurking out there ready to strike at any time.
The night was definitively the monsters domain. The day time was not much better, many of his creatures could move about in the day. Inside the city walls the crime syndicate the hidden hand was looking for an opportunity to slay them, a second team of rogues was probably being dispatched already.
Breakfast was quite a large meal, including a lot of mutton and chicken. Hunters generally carried a lot of equipment and had proportionally large appetites. There guests were much the same. Even Alice was eating huge meals now. Her mind and body demanded it. They waited through the early hours of the morning.
Milroy was carefully going through the paperwork at the church trying to find who had anything to do with the quest to kill the ghouls. A set up to deliver them into the hands of a very angry vampire. There were a number of people who had handled the quest. Someone may have overheard the preparation, someone for example a scribe could be bribed. Even someone who cleaned the floors could have looked over the paperwork.
The rouges that had tried to assassinate them, must have had a local contact to round up the thugs that acted as a diversion. The sheriff Simon would probably get something out of the petty criminals in a few days, they would recover from the drugs that they got high on. In exchange for the information provided they would have a few months taken of their sentences. The letter taken from the spy at vine garden and the paperwork taken from Islington¡¯s lair would eventually narrow down the inside man.
They each handled things in their own way. David started to play card games with the apprentice hunters, they used lead shot as tokens rather than actual money, and he still lost the entire lot. Alice tried to false all the knowledge in her books into her head, one page at a time. An awareness of magical lore, one piece of relevant information could be the difference between there death and the death of an opponent. Martin did a few little repairs to his armour. Vivian used an old armour stand as a practice dummy and used her new bow to perforate the wood, a single heart shot to a vampire the age of lexicon would not kill him outright, but he would suddenly be a lot more vulnerable.
Milroy finally came back, but it was not with answers about the head vampire. He put a folded piece of paper on the table. ¡°I have no news for you yet, but I do have something that you can help with¡±. David looked at him, ¡°what¡¯s the job¡±. Milroy patted him on the shoulder, ¡°this will help the defences of this town and this region massively, and it¡¯s also worth a good amount of coin. There is a big troll out in the hills to the west, Stone skull they call him he is about 18 feet high a real monster somewhere over level 40.¡±
The party were suddenly a lot less enthusiastic, David looked puzzled, ¡°is he threatening the settlement?¡± Milroy shook his head, ¡°the bruit wandered this way ten years ago, he got a ballista bolt in the ass. He got the message and has not been seen near Forge Hold since, we are going after the biggest local troll because we need him for ingredients¡±. Alice¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°health potions, an alchemist can remove the active ingredient from a troll¡¯s flesh, that allow it to regenerate and store it in a potion.¡± The hunter grinned, ¡°the bigger the troll the stronger the potion, or the lower the dose you need¡±.
Martin shrugged, ¡°even between the four of us it would be difficult to take down something that size, a troll¡¯s regeneration is significant especially one with that size¡±. Milroy patted him on the shoulder, ¡°the Merchants guild has had this plan in the works for a while, with the recent trouble we have need to speed things up. The Master battle alchemist, the Cyanide sharp shooter and his party were contracted for this. We were going to get a second group of veterans to help them, your hear you need cash and some levels. You might make some allies and you will help provision this settlement.¡±
¡°There is safety in numbers¡±, Alice added. ¡°It¡¯s bound to be a big bounty on the troll even split eight ways it¡¯s going to be good¡±, David nodded. ¡°It helps everyone out and we could make an ally in the fight against lexicon¡±, Vivian pointed out. Martin had a big grin on his face, ¡°the battle alchemist might have a few bits to trade¡±. Milroy pushed them out the door, ¡°the battle alchemist is staying at the drunken Maier tavern near the trade guild hall, tell him I sent you, good hunting¡± he pushed the letter of introduction into Martins hand.
The Drunken Maier tavern was a place that primarily served the trade guild. It always had a few people who were waiting for a delivery coming in or out of Forge hold. It would usually be coal, which was shipped all over the place perfect for most blacksmithing work. There was a separate place that the coal miners drank in close to the mine. This bar was filled with driver¡¯s craftsmen and the odd supervisor. It had a little lodging. The group entered the establishment, the bouncer took one look at them then looked across the bar to an equally eccentric bunch seated at a table, he rushed to get out of the way.
The group at the table eyed up the other adventurers, there was a brief pause. No one was reaching for a weapon or looking hostile but they were both cautiously evaluating each other. Martin took the piece of paper over to them, he identified the one battle alchemist in the group and introduced them.
¡°You must be the cyanide sharp shooter¡±, the man grinned ¡°yes call me Tony who are you.¡±
¡°My name is Martin a level 34 Vampire hunter, of the order of steel and silver, Vivian and David level 28 and 27 of the Glass Bay Mercenary Company¡± they nodded. ¡°Finally there is Alice of the royal mages tower¡±, she smiled. ¡°I understand you¡¯re contracted for a troll hunt¡±?
Tony nodded, ¡°come sit with us we can discuss a little hunt together¡±. Tony''s group moved round one side of the table, Martin and the others grabbed chairs and sat down the other side.
¡°I am a master of battle alchemy, specialising in explosives and poisons¡±. The master battle alchemist Tony was tall and thin, in his mid-thirties with a long thin black moustache. He was dressed in a long blue padded robe, it was knee length and good armour. Over this he wore a mitral king¡¯s mail vest. Going from below his knees to below his elbows, there were side slits in a foot soldier configuration, easier to walk in than to ride in.
He had Dark blue leather boots and gloves and bracers. He had a White Fur trimmed steel pot helm. There was a Musket on his back in a sheath, it was very heavy and bulky. A short sword hung in a sheath at his side it was steel with a mitral edge. He had a bandier of bombs canisters and corked vials, with some poisoned darts in a holster. He had made every part of his arsenal his intelligence was formidable.
¡°This is Heather out magical support, a licensed veteran conjure from deep furrow¡±. She grinned ¡°I didn¡¯t want to become a druid and help crops grow¡±. Heather was in her early twenty¡¯s, tall with short cropped black hair and brown eyes, her leather armour made her more like a rogue. She carried a staff on her back. It sat in a custom made sheath, it split into two sections. It could fit together a little short but magically functional. She had a few weak healing spells. Most of her magic was cold based. Her icicle storm spell did the equivalent damage of a fire ball, the rest of her spells were ice based variants.
She had a few scrolls in a sealed leather tube at her waist. She was quite solid for a mage, she had taken three ranks of the intensive training perk, she was quite wiry and strong. She had a healing potion and mana potion at her side. She had one good Magic item a steel bracer with an enchantment of cold resistance of 45 points. She could use her spells at point blank range and survive.
¡°This is Peter he is a bit of a rarity, a licenced level 20 psionic, he comes from tower keep, the cattle city¡±. ¡°I grew up on a farm, nothing is more irritating than listening to the thought of 200 cattle waiting to be milked¡±. Peter was nineteen short and a bit nervous. He had one good artefact, a circlet of psionic amplification. It boosted all his abilities as if he was 5 levels higher, effectively giving him the abilities of a veteran. He also carried a useful ring of natural armour + 5. He had some help with a couple of minor potions of psionic rejuvenation, so he could keep using his psionic abilities. He wore a Brown clothes with black piping. He had a dull brown hooded cloak, there was a short curved iron dagger at his side.
¡°This is Elizabeth she comes from Lignorum, the city in the forest. She is a mercenary level 22 who brought out her own contract¡±. ¡°I got fed up not picking my own assignments, so I paid up and left, it¡¯s a bit too cold up hear but I am getting used to it¡±. Elizabeth was a shield and mace specialist. She was bulky and tall, getting on for six foot six. She may have taken a few growth potions to bulk up, they had some side effects which lowered agility. But the extra strength endurance and reach often made up for it.
She had a big hexagonal Damascus Mace with electrical damage enchanted into it. She had a big round shield, it looked fancy steel plate with a brass decoration in the shape of tiger head. She was wearing black padding and a blackened set of fully covering chainmail. She had some plate over the top but not a full suit. She had a steel helmet without a visor, an iron neck guard and a thick iron chest plate, it didn¡¯t include the back plate.
The group got chatting, Martin and tony exchanged notes on explosives. David and Elizabeth debated the advantages of a mace or a sword. Alice started to gently interrogate peter about psionics, he was the first one she had met. Vivian was left talking to Heather.
¡°So what¡¯s it like working directly for the government¡±? Heather spoke to Vivian. ¡°It¡¯s not direct I am a member of a free company, but we do work mostly for government contracts, we get access directly to the local officials, we have the rule of law on our side. We are sanction, we have most of our food lodgings and travel paid for, what about you¡±? ¡°We have to undergo a few checks every year and pay a fee for a licence, but I prefer being a free range adventure. Not tied to the church or crown or guild, we are free to go for the most lucrative contracts and we don¡¯t get tied up in paperwork¡±.
Elizabeth looked at David, ¡°so your past veteran rank what¡¯s it like¡±? ¡°I have access to rank 2 adrenalin attacks, I can cut through most things. I feel like I could keep going on and on¡±. ¡°Pity you couldn¡¯t afford steel plate¡±. ¡°At least I have a full suit of armour¡±. She grinned back and slapped him on the back, making a clanging noise and forcing his visor to drop down. ¡°Don¡¯t need it my shield protects the rest of me¡±.
Alice looked at peter, ¡°so let me get this right psionics function a lot like magic, it¡¯s almost like mana and focus are combined in your mind to create psychic energy. That you can then use to manipulate minds cause direct damage or manipulate the physical world¡±. Peter nodded, ¡°like a mage I have a penalty to my strength and endurance, unlike a mage I can vary the amount of psionic energy I use. I could put the smallest amount into a psionic technique, or my entire battery of psionic energy, of course that would knock me out cold but you get the difference¡±.
Martin chatted with tony, ¡°So I ground the powder very fine I use cotton for wadding and with the silver bullets, I cast them in a slightly larger mould. They contract a little as they cool but then they fit perfectly¡±. Tony nodded, ¡°that would work for a short range attack, for longer range I spoke to a musketeer before I set up my beauty¡±.
¡°I have a lead slug, and then I carefully bore out the centre and fill it with cyanide. You need to keep the powder charge on the weak end. But as long as you hit the monster or human centre of mass they are toast eventually. Of course some things have poison resistance or regeneration but I have plenty of other tricks. Like a mitral bullet no one expects that, you have to wrap them in lead to stop the metal from tearing up your barrel, but it¡¯s worth the effort for that stubborn monster.¡±
Martin showed tony his triple barrelled pistol and tony showed off some of his poison darts. They moved onto business, ¡°so you finished of the wyvern that was causing trouble with the sheep round grey forge¡±? Martin nodded, ¡°yes we got a good price for it¡±. Tony sighed, ¡°That was our secondary mission, you beat us to the punch there, but you were here first. The big troll is going to be very lucrative, easily ten times what the wyvern was worth¡±.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
¡°You like to hunt big monsters Tony¡±. ¡°Oh yes big monsters have big rewards on their heads, they have known weaknesses and strengths. Known habits that can be exploited and they help build a reputation. I have far more chance of a break through upping my level limit to 75, when I am developing a weapon to slay a big monster, than when I do work on pest control¡±.
Martin shrugged, ¡°we seem to be magnets for every monster, even ones we have no hope of fighting alone¡±.
Tony cracked his knuckles, ¡°down to this contract, we hunt the giant troll together and its 5 gold total, we split it 30/70.¡± Vivian interrupted him. ¡°We are all past veteran status, it should be a different split how about 40/60.¡± Tony shook his head, ¡°we are using my custom made explosives, it isn¡¯t cheap so I am not making that much. But it¡¯s going to be an easier kill than you think, my first offer was 30/70 it stands. Vivian looked around the group she shrugged ¡°ok¡±.
After twenty minutes the two groups of adventures set off, they joined up with two carts. Two cart drives, a couple of chemists with a lot of tools and one very large heavy wooden crate painted red. There were also lots of empty barrels piled up on the carts. They went out of town, along a rarely used track that had warning markers, they got to the base of the hills slowly the group got off the carts. The merchant¡¯s guild people stayed back as the adventures moved forwards. Elizabeth and David carried the box Martin and Vivian lead the group with the rest at the rear.
There was an area with massive signs of destruction, trees broken and smashed massive foot prints in the ground a few very thoroughly chewed deer ribs. They set the box down Tony looked left and right, sending people up to positions to fire down on the location, he was planting his explosives.
He dug six holes in a rough circular pattern. Finally with some pomp he removed the explosive devices. There were six small barrels, they each had four spikes sticking up and out that would probably act as triggers, there was a pin attached to a cord on the lid of each one.
The explosives were buried very carefully, so that there was only the metal spikes sticking out of the ground. Tony carefully scatted some leaves over the mines to hide the tops of them. He carefully pulled the pins, using the string to arm them. He looked at Martin, ¡°you have the highest endurance by a mile and a tone of defensive blessings¡±, Martin nodded. ¡°yes you want me to find it and get the bastard to run this way¡±. Tony nodded ¡°it¡¯s not very fast but tough and strong, you get it to this minefield, and my mines will shred it. Then we finish it off and harvest it.¡± Martin nodded, ¡°I will keep well clear of your explosives¡±
Martin headed off into the surrounding area, troll''s usually started man-size then they grew up to 18 foot tall, that was when they hit level 50 there limit. They were sometimes controlled by vampires, a necromancer could use there corpses but they were not that common a monster. They might have been created by the blood alchemists, as a source of materials for alchemical ingredients, which was all they were useful for, he mused filling his mind with thoughts other than death by troll.
Martin came across the troll after twenty minutes. It was absolutely huge, shaped roughly like a human with dull unintelligent eyes, black fur covered its thick body. It had huge ears a huge flat nose, slightly crooked legs bowed under its weight. It was omnivorous as it was stripping the bark and smaller branches from a tree, with three fingered hands round as boulders. It took stone skull about five seconds to realise that there was a better meal, running away from it. The beast whooped and cried out, it dropped the remains of the tree and charged forwards after Martin.
Martin was already a good way away, he had to turn back in time to see the troll drop into a crouching stance, where it switched to running on its hands and feet. Martin appreciated that it was now quite a bit faster and put more effort into running himself. Martin dodged left and right over some branches and a tree stump. The trap with the explosives was ready, he ran up to it carefully skirted round it. Martin ensured that the trap was between him and the oncoming troll. He charged forwards, desperate to get as much room between him and the explosion as possible.
The scene seemed to happen in slow motion, the troll running across the trap the first explosive activating, sending a hail of shrapnel fire and concussive force into the troll knocking it down. The remaining five explosives activated as the troll hit the ground, they had enough force to lift the troll several feet into the air. The powerful explosive mines had done their job, just like the battle alchemist had planned, mangling the troll¡¯s legs. The shockwave had hit Martin and now all he could hear was a ringing in his ears.
Peter concentrated, the air shimmered around him. A blast of psychic energy hit the troll. It stopped trying to crawl forwards and instead its eyes started to twitch and its mouth foamed, as if it was having some sort of seizure. Martin activated his chain smite ability and began to fry its head with bolt after bolt of lightning. Tony used his musket with poison shot, hitting the beast in the skull again and again.
Viviana began to put cheap arrows into its thick neck, Peter hit it with stun again and again to keep it down. David and Ellizabeth attacked with power strikes from both sides, on its legs so that it would not have any chance to heal. Alice and heather pelted its torso with spells, alternating between fire balls and icicle storms. This went on for nearly 30 seconds until they were certain that the massive beast was completely pulverised. Tony shouted to everyone ¡°good job, heather go get the guild guys we have the second part the less fun part now¡±.
The ringing in Martins ears was starting to fade as the level up hit. Two members of Tony''s team also gained a level. Martin hit level 35 he gained several more blessings, two more used of his divine regeneration healing blessing. Two more used of his circle of consecration a particularly useful on against large number of the undead. A single use of the stronger version sphere of consecration, which would hit advisories that tried to escape into the air or the ground, it also did twice as much holy damage.
As David hit level 29 he put another skill point into his duellist ability, at rank 4 it was as good as he needed it to be to face single opponents in most circumstances. As someone who balanced attack and defence he was looking at building a skill set for most circumstances. Vivian applied the opposite philosophy as she hit level 28, she took her critical strike skill up to level seven which would stack well with all her other skills. Alice felt the level up uncomfortable, but she stood back up. She had reached level 27 and improved her healing aura spell. She noticed Peter had blacked out. She shook him awake, he clutched his head in pain.
The dull time-consuming part of the day arrived. The chemists from the guild parked up the wagons and set to work. Now that the troll was dead the adventures were relegated to expensive labours. At least the guild handed out aprons to keep the troll blood of their clothing. Martin and Tony cut up the troll with big sharp knives, David and Elizabeth set to work with a giant saw to cut up the troll¡¯s limbs. Vivian started to peel off hunks of troll hide with an axe. In a sort of organised chaos the troll''s corpse was decimated, stripped of alchemical ingredients. Alice ladled blood and flesh into barrels, Peter and heather used shovels to collect bits and pieces. Even the cart drivers had to lend a hand, carrying things and adding chemicals to the barrels, stirring them to preserve the ingredients potency.
The chemists took charge so that in under three hours, all that was left of the massive troll was a bit of offal. That was bagged up to be cooked down and used as grease it was quite fatty. There were lots of bits for alchemists and chemists to work on, a good part of healing potions. The two chemists sent out collected two tons of troll bone, they would extract the marrow. Nearly 250 square feet of useable troll hide, that could be proceed into high end medium armour. A troll eyeball floating in a big pickle jar, 25 barrels of useable material flesh and blood had been collected. And one giant troll skull was being added to the local lord¡¯s collection, if he could keep it quiet from his wife for a few days.
They got back to forge hold, some checks on them and their cargo including a check on the barrels with a magnet and they were let into the settlement. The procession arrived at the trade guild hall. Luther was there, he hugged Martin and Tony in a bone squeezing bear hug. ¡°Well done with this material we will be able to supply a lot of high quality healing potions to this town and the rest of the region, give it a couple of days and I can get you a discount on the first batch.¡±
Luther went off to get their money, the adventures stopped off at the local tavern. Tony got the first round Martin raised his glass, ¡°Tony there is a local vampire, around level 125 he has a 20 gold bounty on his head, I specialise in vampires a 50/50 split we could claim the money and fame together.¡±
Tony considered it he downed his tankard, ¡°They have armies of servants, it would cost me so much ammunition and potions it wouldn¡¯t be worth it¡±. Martin ordered a refill at the bar then turned to him, ¡°a lot of the servants will have a few silvers on their heads as well. You could keep that to offset your costs, what about a 60/40 split then in your favour¡±? Tony started on the new pint, ¡°it¡¯s tempting but finding and nailing the buggers is time consuming¡±. Martins hope flagged, this man had probably hunted lesser vampires before and was not inclined to do it again, ¡°I have a few other contracts first then I might catch up to you¡±.
Tony slapped Martin on the back, ¡°you get me, we are kindred spirits born of gun powder and fire¡±. He looked at Martins bandolier, ¡°you like thermite, I bet you have something with a bit of real punch¡±. Martin grinned showed him the bundle of dynamite, then shoved it back into his coat ¡°It always pays to keep your options open¡±.
Tony nodded. ¡°Let me give you some advice, I work in a team, but it¡¯s my way as I am the highest level of the lot of us. You could end up in team with three other masters, you need to set out an agreement between you or egos could pull you all apart.¡± Martin nodded, ¡°we are all under orders, we are colleagues, but that will change. Four weeks ago I was level 3, we have bounced from one crisis to another to another, and soon if we can survive we can get a break. Then we will have enough seniority to pick and choose assignments, then this decision will be made¡±.
Tony grinned ¡°a little history lesson, battle alchemists were one of the jobs that went into founding the vampire hunter job, Nobel Colt and Tesla all exalted masters all powerful men, they were there when the vampire hunter was codified into a profession there skills are now the skills of all hunters¡±.
David and Elizabeth were showing off, Elizabeth had a little less strength than David, but her alchemical bosting made it a closer thing. She was confident with leverage and her enhanced endurance she could beat him in a friendly game of arm wrestling. David was confident of his higher strength and the boost from his magic ring he could beat her.
¡°Ok I bet you a¡±, he stopped looking at Vivian scowling at him. ¡°The next drink, that I can beat you in arm wrestling¡±. Vivian¡¯s face softened. The room watched as the two mercenaries squared off on the table, brawn against brawn. The two of them tried for ten minutes with David slowly gaining ground over Elizabeth. Before either could claim victory the table they were sitting at collapsed under the force. The bouncer stood up he was a level 10 blacksmith, a level 8 minor and a level 15 militia man. He considered his chances of throwing them out even if drunk and sat back down.
Peter looked at Alice, ¡°you have a good composition in your group, we could do with a hunter or crusader or cleric in our group, there are some monsters we can¡¯t tackle without blessings¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°it works very well, but against anything with a weak brain you can take them down easily¡±. ¡°That troll was a lot easier to stun, because its mind was flooded with pain¡±.
Heather finished talking to Vivian, ¡°if I ever get to level 50 and become a master, my moniker is going to be the ice queen. No maybe the mistress of blizzards, you get the idea, what about you¡±? Vivian shrugged, ¡°I will worry about it when I get there¡±. Heather walked over to Elizabeth and put her hand on the larger woman''s shoulder, she pulled her down into a kiss. ¡°Come on we have more interesting things to do, we need to get rid of the troll smell¡±. Elizabeth answered, ¡°Yes ma''am¡±. David and Vivian exchanged a raided eye brow, then sniffed noticing the troll smell that permeated them as well.
The group saw Luther again, ¡°you have to see Tony for your pay¡±. Alice spoke ¡°we know that, we are getting a bit of shopping show us the veteran stock.¡± Luther nodded, they got three scrolls of relieve, it was a druid spell that removed paralysis and petrification, Alice could not learn the druid spell but she could use a spell scroll. She wrapped them in a cloth and tucked them in her belt. They also got a small battered copy of a brief guide to monsters, supernatural and alchemical in nature. Martin secreted the worn book into one of his coat pockets. The total cost was 10 silver a reasonable investment.
They met up with Tony and Peter who were still at the bar. Tony toasted them and put a large leather bag onto the counter. David checked through the reward all 150 pieces of silver were there. David grinned then his grin faltered. He looked over at Vivian and handed her the bag. Tony grinned, ¡°The guild was good with the money, we will head out soon. One of those chemists tried to create a hair tonic from the troll blood. It worked too well now he is fury all over, if he isn¡¯t careful they might mistake him for a troll. They also gave us a little bonus something to take care of the troll smell¡±. Tony handed Martin a couple of small ointment bottles.
The group headed back to the hunters house for the night''s meal. There was still the threat of vampires and every grubby little minion that served them. But a few drinks and a talk with some of their colleagues and they had let off a bit of steam. A mix pot stew and some cheese and they were feeling quite a bit better.
Martin took the time to reinforced David¡¯s boots with thicker souls and hobnails, the job was not his neatest but it would hold out against a lot of abuse. David eagerly tried them on, the crunch of hobnails was not very quiet. But then no piece of his armour or shield was, ¡°not a perfect defence but the chance of that happening again is reduced¡±, David nodded his thanks. ¡°spines or cal traps I want to be ready¡±. Tomorrow they could hopefully chase up the leads on the spy in forge-hold, tonight they would sleep better.
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 26 – Plots and Pitfalls.
There was a degree of satisfaction in a job well done, Vivian could feel that. They had more money in their pocket and made a few connections with other adventures, freelancers admittedly but as long as they kept their licence up to date there was no issue. The troll hunt had been a perfect illustration of why big monsters were a threat, but a manageable one.
Smart monsters were the real danger, if it had been a siege ghoul or a titan bone golem, a vampire could have steered it around the trap. She soaked up all the experience all the knowledge, the better chance of her living longer.
Alice eyes were opened up to the power of combining different types of attacks, different skills and abilities. She had never realised how potent psionic abilities could be, admittedly the target was not resistant to that sort of attack, but the giant troll had been rendered defenceless. Alice had to appreciate the power of alchemist weapons for mass destruction. She had seen Martin using pistols and explosives, but the munitions that the master battle alchemist Tony could produce were on another level.
Even if she reached level 100 and became an exalted master she didn¡¯t think she could pull of a single spell with the destructive force. Still she had to appreciate the preparation that went into it.
Talking to Tony had given Martin perspective. He could imagine not just trying to do as much damage to lexicon as possible, but a future past the current threat. A group of four master¡¯s taking on bigger and nastier threats together. Was he still a zealot and a bit of a fatalist, yes but a pinch of perspective gave him a truth. That while he lived he could work to change the world.
Killing every vampire and every servant of every vampire would not bring one of his family back. But while the group were alive he could imagine a more significant revenge, not just taking a few vampires with him but burning a massive hole in there society.
David had been trained most of his young life to deal with certain contracts, to guard life and property, to fight thieves guilds. To train militias and Levi¡¯s to defend themselves, not that he had ever had the opportunity to put that skill to use. He had been trained to work in pairs in squads of fours. To use bottlenecks and defensive formations against tribal monsters, it was good to put some of those tactics to use, they had after all just killed the biggest monster around it was kind of exhilarating.
The four of them sat around the breakfast table and ate with the hunter deputies. It was a relaxed atmosphere. The reality that a vampire was gathering forces, to attack the settlement they were currently in seemed more distant. They were smart enough to run form a fight that they could not win. They were smart enough to plan a way to win the fight in the end, one way or another.
The food was piled high on the table and disappeared just as quickly, the weather in the northern lands was always cold, people always had to eat a bit more to keep going than the central plains. Additionally the higher the level of an adventurers the more they ate, a man who could hit as hard as two men could often eat as much.
The group would defer to different people in different situations, if you needed some magic Alice was your girl. If you needed something supernatural or mechanical Martin was your guy. Vivian was perceptive, where they had some investigation work to do her keen eye and instincts had found clues. David he would still have a little growing up to do, it was happening rapidly he would find his own niche.
Vivian led the group to see the sheriff, the petty bandits that had tried to mug them several days ago had started to regain their senses, the effects of the drug they had been taking had worn off. The men did not look well, a combination of a cold jail cell the after effects of the drugs. Combined with the various beatings that they had taken from the group of adventures made them quite compliant, beaten in every sense of the word.
They had been caught acting in a near suicidal way, now they faced several months maybe half a year in a chain gang. Serving in the coal mine a fairly standard punishment. They were quite ready to talk, the problem would be to get any sense out of them.
They were all locked up in one big jail cell, which occasionally was used as a wood store, space was limited. Alice and Martin stood at the side of the jail cell, it was quite amazing to watch the bandits recognise him. He waved and two men jumped back terrified, two more noted Alice. The bandits whispered amongst themselves backing away from the bars of the cell, almost like sheep in a pen with wolves outside.
Vivian and David were familiar with these procedures from there training. The sheriff had two of his guards drag one of the prisoners out of the cell and into his office. The group was there so was the sheriff, Martin and Alice kept to the back. The man looked around he seemed familiar with the place.
Vivian looked at him, ¡°I assume that you know you attacked government officials, specialists and the potential ramifications you face¡±. The man was missing a few teeth and his nose had not quite been set right before it was healed. He carefully looked around the room, each person hear would probably be able to deal lethally, with all eight of the members of his little gang without breaking a sweat. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean no harm it was, just a joke, that¡¯s right just some fun that got out of hand¡±.
Vivian looked at him coldly, ¡°It could go from attempted robbery to attempted murder, how long do you get for that¡±. The man swallowed feeling his neck, ¡°Ok we were encouraged to make a nuisance of ourselves, a guy in a hooded cloak. He gave us a little, well a lot of red sand. We didn¡¯t fear anything¡±. ¡°Tell me what you remember where was the meeting.¡±
The prisoner thought it out, ¡°he was thin his robe was brown, he met us in an alley between two buildings. We usually hang round there, after the mine shifts we have a bit to drink¡±. Vivian pressed on, ¡°so this man was a local, knew where you were¡±. The thug nodded, ¡°yes I guess he was expecting us to be there, he said he had a proposition¡±.
They got a second man from the cell, this one had a cauliflower ear swelled up several bruises. Vivian looked at him, ¡°what can you tell me about the man in the hood¡±? ¡°His hands were soft, no calluses¡±. Vivian moved closer, ¡°how can you tell¡±? ¡°Shook his hand on it, was a deal¡± the thug gestured with his hand. Vivian pressed on, ¡°anything significant about how he spoke, how he acted¡±? The thug spoke, ¡°his hand grip was strong he was no scribe¡±. She continued ¡°how did he walk? The thug thought for a second, ¡°He wasn¡¯t nervous he didn¡¯t move slowly or fast it was just like it was an everyday occurrence¡±. Vivian noted it and considered the implications.
They brought in another thug with a few more scars, they pressed the man, ¡°he gave us a bag of red sand¡± he paused, ¡°we shared it out mostly equal¡±, ¡°what happened to the bag¡± Vivian asked ¡°bag was empty, we left it in the alley¡± the man didn¡¯t hesitate.
Vivian continued to question the man about the supplier¡¯s description, ¡°his hood was patched frayed old¡±. Vivian looked for details anything unique, ¡°anything else about it¡±? The thug looked round the room, ¡°it was stitched up with red cord used to patch it¡±.
One of the thugs had an interesting observation, ¡°he smelled a bit like church, we have a religious chemist, he donates a lot of scouring soap to keep the place clean, uses lavender to fragrance it¡±. She was surprised ¡°You go to church often¡±? He nodded ¡°yes, when I have been on hard times, the church gives a little out, crust of bread warm soup some help¡±.
The last thug had one further insight, ¡°boots I recognise boots, you can tell if someone''s worth mugging by their boots¡±. It was unusual but Vivian would bite, ¡°go on then¡±. The thug explained ¡°this guy no chance, not worth it, boots was clean but worn, practical repaired with a new sole on the right boot, if he had money it would have been a new pair of boots.¡±
The group went to the ally there were a few open clay bottles, and a bag. David shrugged, ¡°what can you say about this bag,¡± Vivian turned it inside out, ¡°some powder in it, flower¡± he shrugged, ¡°they used a flower bag for transporting the drugs¡±. She had to admit, ¡°it¡¯s not much to go on¡±.
Vivian spoke to Simon, ¡°so we have a local who knows this lot, he kept his face hidden voice low. But smells of local soap used in the church, perhaps he is a volunteer or just uses the same soap. He has physically demanding job but, its light on the hands maybe a baker with the flower¡±, Simon nodded. ¡°we have dozens of bakers, do you know how much bread a settlement of 3000 people eat.¡±
They had a vague impression of who they were looking for, the thugs would have a week or so taken off their sentences. They went back to the hunter¡¯s house to see Milroy, they had to check the chain of clues that he was looking thorough in private. They gathered on the upper floor making sure that no one else was about.
Milroy was very quiet as he updated them, ¡°so I spoke to the confessor Calvin, two of the prospectors reported the ghoul¡¯s weeks ago. Due to the nature of ghouls being quite infectious and having the paralysing bite. It was decided that we would need a more experienced team, I was going to link up with, some of the sisters of unrelenting mercy and we were going to clear it latter on¡±.
Martin wondered, ¡°How were you containing the situation¡±? Milroy''s voice had a hint of irritation, ¡°I know ghouls are not just nocturnal, but come out in the day as well, we posted warnings and we had a few militia watching the cave in the day¡±.
Vivian spoke, ¡°so it was common knowledge that the ghouls were about¡±. Milroy nodded, ¡°yes we even considered asking the cyanide sharp shooter to deal with them, but you got hear first¡±.
Alice asked, ¡°Who had access to the details of the quest¡±? Milroy checked a note book, ¡°Confessor Calvin two deacons, and a part time scribe¡±. David questioned it, ¡°who else has access to the area¡±? Milroy checked his notes again, ¡°there are half a dozen lay brothers and sisters who help out¡±.
Vivian was certain what the answer would be, ¡°do any of them work in a bakery¡±? Milroy checked his note book, ¡°yes Oswald, he is an apprentice baker.¡± Martin spoke, a hint of excitement in his voice, ¡°what do you know about him¡±? ¡°He started to volunteer at the church, he helped out with community work. Just over three years ago his brother went missing, we presumed a troll or lamia attack¡±, Milroy confirmed.
Vivian had a hypothesis, ¡°the timescale would fit the other spy came into this area about 3 years ago, this man might not have lost his brother. If vampires thralled or turned him they could be using him as a bargaining chip¡±. David finally chipped in, ¡°for all you know he wanted immortality offered up his brother as a sacrifice and is working for them willingly¡±. The others analysed it as a possibility, Martin guessed, ¡°the letter from Vine garden was a report for him probably¡±.
Vivian looked at Milroy, ¡°We have reasonable suspicion, can you take us to him¡±. As discreetly as possible the group went to check out the church archive. There was a small room that the church deacons and lay assistants used. They happened to bump into him there, the door was locked and barred. Oswald found himself surrounded by five adventurers.
Vivian started her voice was pleasant neutral, ¡°hello Oswald we are investigating a few local matters, I see a recent repair to your shoe¡±. He nodded, he seemed to be playing a little dumb, ¡°an apprentice baker doesn¡¯t have much coin¡±. Vivian continued in a pleasant manor, ¡°you have a heavy cloak¡± he pointed to a garment on a hook, ¡°everyone who don¡¯t want to freeze to death has one¡±.
Vivian looked the cloak up and down, ¡°this is yours¡±? Oswald answered dumbly, ¡°Oh yes¡± she shook her head. ¡°That can¡¯t be true it would hardly come up to your knees¡±. He looked slightly nervous, ¡°my mistake it¡¯s this one, why do you ask?¡± Vivian noticed some details, ¡°these red stitches?¡± Oswald was puzzled, ¡°I used some wool and a darning needle to repair it why¡±?
Martin moved forwards with an air or unpreceded malice, Oswald shrunk back against the wall. ¡°Please don¡¯t, keep him back¡±. Vivian put a hand on Martin, ¡°we have a description that matches you, someone that has been dealing in red sand, the narcotic. Someone who has been dealing with the crime syndicate known as the hidden hand. Someone complicit in the attempted murder of government employee¡¯s, someone who revealed details of a government suppression quest to the local vampires¡±!
The man was sweating now, having a little trouble raining in his breathing. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are talking about¡±. Martin held his holy symbol to the man''s face, ¡°purge¡± a faint glow of light nothing happened. Vivian looked over the man''s face, ¡°he doesn¡¯t look like he is addicted to red sand, or any other narcotics¡±.
Milroy spoke up, ¡°you were cleaning the floors the night that the quest was assigned¡±. Oswald nodded, ¡°yes I was in the area¡±. Vivian and David held him, ¡°we are going to search you¡±. He weekly retorted, ¡°this is an invasion of my privacy this¡±. Milroy held something up pulled from his robe, ¡°is this a key to the confessor¡¯s official desk¡±? Oswald¡¯s head dropped, ¡°yes it is¡±.
Martin looked to Milroy, ¡°who is authorised to have it¡±? ¡°Four people the confessor¡¯s two deacons and a book keeper who reviews the accounts, sorry five the scribe who dose some of his paperwork as well¡±. Oswald made a weak excuse. ¡°I found it on the floor¡±.
Milroy made some discreet enquires, they sat there in silence for twenty five minutes then he returned he looked less pleased. ¡°No one else is reporting a key missing¡±. David and Vivian barely held Martin back, he had a pair of pincer grips in his hand. Vivian turned to Oswald, ¡°you can tell the truth or we can let the vampire hunter lose¡±. His shoulders dropped, ¡°I ah had a special mission from lord Khan¡±. Milroy looked at him, ¡°do you have some writ of authority or seal¡±? He answered quietly, ¡°I lost it¡±.
Vivian headed for the door, ¡°we will check with the lord now. If you are investigating something for the lord we will hear it out¡±. Oswald stopped them, ¡°please don¡¯t if you make this affair to loud then my brother¡¯s life is forfeit¡±. Vivian got close to him, ¡°let me guess your brother was not killed by some random monster but was captured by vampires¡±?
The man sat down, ¡°Yes he is all the family I have left, I can¡¯t lose him I promised my gran I would look after him. Even after she slipped away, I won¡¯t fail I, what do I do, What can I do¡±. Martin was moving, a pistol drawn, ¡°dirty traitor, we kill him now¡±. Vivian held up a hand, ¡°Martin calm down that helps no one¡±. Milroy looked at him, ¡°we question him first at least¡±.
Milroy had him gripped by the arm, ¡°what do you know about the vampires there locations their strengths there numbers¡±? ¡°Very little they keep me in the dark, they have had me read through the confessor¡¯s private correspondence, copy any letters I could and feed it back to them. Occasionally I would be sent packages to deliver to them and sometimes I would be given letters or packages to send out, I am little more than a courier most of the time¡±.
Milroy shrugged, ¡°that was not helpful, I suppose they are sensible. Despite your conviction to help your brother securing your loyalty, you could have easily been forced to talk. Your mind read by a psionic or a mage, there are blunt instruments like Martin and alchemical concoctions. You would have ended up talking one way or another, what they don¡¯t tell you, you can¡¯t betray to us¡±. Oswald looked quite nervous.
Vivian enquired, ¡°How is information exchanged, for this arrangement¡±? Oswald was slow to answer, ¡°There is a dead drop on the outskirts of the farming land, where two trails join, and a strong box is hidden in the roots of a tree. Occasionally I would meet a thrall at the same place, for more detailed orders, that¡¯s been happening more recently.¡± Milroy looked at him, ¡°you will make a list of everything you can remember giving them after this meeting, do you keep correspondence¡±? ¡°I burnt everything¡±.
Vivian was focused, ¡°tell us what happened with the ghoul quest¡±? Oswald was quick to answer. ¡°I was given orders to look for details of any attacks preparations then to pass them on, I copied details of the ghoul quest and a quest to cull some giant bats, the bats roost in a hollow tree, a bit from the farm land, the town guard burnt them out¡±.
Vivian tried to link everything up, ¡°what did you know about Vine Garden¡±? Oswald was in the dark about the intentions, ¡°I was going to get a large shipment of barrels hundreds, I was going to store them near the church, I was also going to get several boxes probably fifty or sixty crates I didn¡¯t get more information¡±. The number of crates and barrels would correspond to converting the majority of the population of vine garden into greater walkers. Then smuggling them into the settlement he didn¡¯t know the implications, Vivian was not going to advise him.
She pushed on, ¡°were there any shipments to vine garden?¡±, Perhaps Oswald only thought he was running some mercantile scam for the vampires, ¡°I forwarded letters to the merchant guild I don¡¯t know what they were for.¡± The circle was complete for that part of the plan, Martin voiced what they were all thinking, ¡°probably material for the brass doctor via the brotherhood of the black hand¡±. Oswald was confused for a second. ¡°Who are they¡±? David shook his head, ¡°doesn¡¯t matter we killed them¡±.
Oswald was starting to become aware that they had been following a trail that lead to him, how he was related to other events. Vivian worked her way to the end of the line, ¡°did you have any orders about broken gorge¡±? Oswald was quick to respond, ¡°I was to report anything about the mine¡±. Vivian questioned him ¡°have you¡±? He shrugged, ¡°there is a report running round I have not seen it yet¡±.
Martin made an educated guess, ¡°probably in the vague hope something in the mine would rise that lexicon could ally with¡±.
Milroy spoke, ¡°tell us about the hidden hand thieves¡¯ guild¡±. There informant answered, ¡°you mean the four people I was to show around the town, that was a few days ago¡±.
Vivian nodded, ¡°yes¡±. He elaborated, ¡°I was little more than a tour guide, and they seemed dangerous veteran¡¯s maybe. I showed them a room, I checked, its empty now, nothing, they travelled very light and what they had seemed to be gone¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°fate bound magic, no trace of them or their equipment left after we killed them¡±.
Vivian enquired, ¡°what about the local thugs¡±? He nodded ¡°the drugged up minors, I was told to hire some local muscle, I was given some drugs to use as payment, then I sent them over to distract you, it obviously wasn¡¯t much of a distraction¡±.
Milroy looked at Oswald, ¡°anything else¡±? He shook his head, ¡°no I was not given any further details¡±. He paused looking nervous, especially at the vampire hunters, ¡°what are you going to do now¡±?
Milroy spoke up, ¡°now we speak to the confessor, if we keep it to the six of us you included then we can feed the vampires false information. We could do it once I think before they realise that you have been compromised¡±. Oswald looked nervous, ¡°it would be death for my brother¡±. Vivian spoke sharply, ¡°how do you know that he is alive¡± Oswald¡¯s voice rose defensively. ¡°I get a brief letter once in a while, they keep him like a slave but he is alive, while he is alive there is hope¡±.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Milroy looked at him again, ¡°if you let the vampires know you have been compromised, you fail them then your brother dies and knowing the vampires it will not be an easy death, your only option is to work with us¡±. Oswald¡¯s shoulders slumped, ¡°yes I suppose, I don¡¯t have any option¡±.
They talked for a little longer clarifying what they could do, Milroy summarised, ¡°so three years ago you were an apprentice baker. A blood thrall contacted you, and threatened the life of your brother. You became a Lay helper in the church so that you would be close to the centre of information. We will agree to keep quiet and try to free your brother, you will feeds the vampires some false info allowing us to kill them¡±.
He looked hesitant, like he had picked the lesser of two evils. ¡°I have no delusions, you will punish me in some way when the dust settles, but as long as I save my brother then everything will be ok, even if I spend a decade down the coal mine, it will be worth it¡±.
Milroy''s face remained neutral, ¡°I need the confessor to agree to this plan and discuss our best option, I will meet with him then give you the result how we will decide to play this card¡±.
Oswald was going to keep his head down, he was going to be very quiet until he was summoned. His brother¡¯s life depended on it. He didn''t know if there were other eyes in the settlement, or other methods the vampires had to watch him.
The party had a few options, there was some of the day left and a few extra supplies wouldn¡¯t hurt. A short trip to the guild hall and they were speaking to Luther. ¡°You came to look for healing potions right follow me¡±, as they travelled through the guild hall he looked at the party, specifically there weapons. He sighed, ¡°one of our chemists was a little to egger to sample a prototype potion, the first distillation. It healed a small cut fine, I think he might have been trying to regrow his hair, he has got the hair of a troll¡± people reached for weapons. ¡°But its fine, he is not turning into a troll or anything like that¡±, the weapons were sheathed.
Martin spoke up ¡°I heard a rumour like that¡±, they entered a room with a very hairy chemist working over a set of distilling equipment. Martin reached for his holy symbol Luther held him back, ¡°don¡¯t bother confessor Calvin has already tried purge¡±. The chemist turned round he looked dower, ¡°the hair is starting to recede, in two weeks I won¡¯t be as hairy as a troll just back to normal¡±.
There were already several hundred glass vials filled with red liquid. Luther looked over them with some pride. ¡°The first batch of minor healing potions they heal around 50 points of health each, not as good as a holy blessing or a mages spell but when you¡¯re separated, or out of mana it¡¯s just the thing.¡± Vivian looked over them, ¡°you didn¡¯t even use one barrel to make this lot. The extra healing potions will make this town a much harder nut to crack, if soldiers can recover from wounds quickly with this medicine to hand¡±.
Luther looked over them, ¡°I would suggest you each get some healing potions I can do 4 of them for eight silver, you each carry one it¡¯s a life saver right, an extra reserve.¡± Vivian looked at the rest of them, ¡°It¡¯s a good fail safe it will keep us alive¡±. Alice nodded Martin nodded David tried to nudge the price down, but Luther would not budge they ended up spending 8 silver. Each member of the group kept one.
It was not quite over, Alice looked for one more thing. ¡°Show us the veteran¡¯s selection¡±, Alice looked through the tray of magical trinkets, she picked up one item. ¡°This is a ring of torchlight, it¡¯s very expensive compared to a torch but it¡¯s one less thing for me to have to worry about during a fight.¡±
Alice held the ring up, squeezing an engraving on the side of the brass ring. There was a light from the ring. She smiled, the light from the ring flickered dimly then slowly grew brighter then dimmer. Alice''s eyes narrowed she turned round to look at the merchant. He gently picked up the ring he shook it and then banged it sharply on the side of the table, the illumination came to life. ¡°There it works fine three err two silver¡±. Alice handed over the money, ¡°if this breaks I am getting my silver back¡±. Luther looked around the room at the others and nodded.
They ate a meal and waited for Milroy, David posed a question to Alice, ¡°what was the first magic job developed¡±? She had a good think, ¡°it¡¯s sort of a three way tie, the druid job was the first full magic job. It developed from tribal Sharman who could access basic magic up to level 25. Then the healing focused pellar job was developed, it ran up to level 50. As larger tribes were created the medicine man job formed it reached a height of level 75. Finally the druid job was created one that could reach level 100.¡±
She continued, ¡°At the same time different jobs developed. A necromancers job didn''t follow the same path of development as other jobs. It was easier to create the job of the re-animator with magic fuelled by the spirits of the dead, that job has a level fifty limit. The full necromancer job was created soon after that. An animator levels quickly but has a lot less power than a necromancer¡±.
¡°Again a similar situation occurred with demonic magic. Magic fuelled and boosted with the power of demons is easier, the cultist job was created at a maximum of level fifty by demons eager to get into the physical world. The sorcery job was created soon after. So the oldest magic jobs are druid sorcer and necromancer, each seem to have been practiced for around the same amount of time.¡±
They had a few drinks and continued to wait, Martin made Alice a scroll holder, for the anti-petrification and paralysis scrolls they had picked up. They were made of hard wearing materials to take the enchantment, but it couldn¡¯t hurt to keep them well protected and dry. Alice looped the holder onto her belt, it was made from a piece of dark blue dyed leather quite sturdy and well made with a cap tightly held on.
Finally he was back, Milroy spoke to them in private at their room in the hunter¡¯s house. ¡°Confessor Calvin has agreed to the plan, we bring the vampires or the bulk of their servants out to a prepared ground and we kill them. Oswald gives them the bait its one shot, we are still refining the small details of the plan, his brother is probably a thrall now. If we get the option we could save him, but he is one man one soul there are three thousand others in this settlement, we need to keep that in mind¡±.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
28 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
170/170 |
Adrenalin |
140/140 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
34 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
28 |
Level Defence Bonus |
28 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
84 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L2 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L2 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L7 |
| Perks |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
29 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
175/175 |
Adrenalin |
145/145 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
35 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
29 |
Level Defence Bonus |
29 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
87 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L2 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L2 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
|
|
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
27 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
96/96 |
Mana |
215/215 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
32 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
27 |
Level Defence Bonus |
27 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
2 |
|
|
| Base Spell Cost 4 Mana |
|
Magical Defence |
50 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L2 |
Analyse Magic L2 |
Recharge Enchantment L2 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage +5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of healing improved (7 heal +2 per level per second 10 seconds ) allie 10 foot 10 x base mana cost |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
35 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
428/428 |
Focus |
230/230 |
|
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
42 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
46 |
Level Defence Bonus |
46 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L1 |
| Resist Poison |
Blade Coatings L2 |
Focus Shot L1 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L5 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-lode L1 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L1 |
Focus Multi Throw L1 |
| General Melee Weapons L7 |
Focus strike L1 |
Grenadier L8 |
| Focus Parry L1 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L1 |
Combat Medic L2 |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armour x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 7 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 3 |
| 1 x sphere of concecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 1 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 7 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 frezing 100 electrical) damage x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 15 points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Inventory |
| Alice |
| Belt of the Scaled Hide ¨C armor + 5 ¨C long black belt |
| Necklace of Warding + 4 armor - square cut silver and iron |
| Druids Staff + 25 mana storage - black oak, end brass orb decorative green feathers grip bindings in brown leather. |
| Tower Apprentices Robes + 5 natural armor blue |
| Minor Ring of Armor + 2 points ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Mana + 120 points |
| healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp |
| Relive x 3 ¨C druid ¨C Anti petrification / paralysis scrolls x 3 |
| David |
| Ring of Bores Endurance + 3 Endurance ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points |
| Artisan Crafted ¨C Iron and Steel Tower Shield |
| healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp |
| Vivian |
| Dagger of the Adder + 5 poison damage on strike ¨C seven inch fancy dagger |
| Damascus bodkin arrows x 10 |
| Ring of Eagle eye - + 5 perception |
| healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp |
| Martin |
| Monocle of clarification ¨C low light vision ¨C read target approximate level hp |
| healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp |
| A brief guide to monsters |
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 27 – Snakes and Ladders 1.
They had agreed to keep quiet about there discussion last night. Walls had ears, some could even listen to stray thoughts. They would keep quiet about the discovered spy, until they had the rest of there plan in place. A few knowing looks and a nod was all that Milroy shared. A day of nothing but going through paperwork, interrogating prisoners and comparing notes had driven certain members of the group a little stir crazy. Martin was just aching to zealously smite a monster of some sort. David was fiddling with his sword ready to fight something. Alice was quite happy to sit and read a book rather than slinging spells. Vivian didn''t care if she was inside or outside a settlement, duty was duty.
They did a little preparation that morning before breakfast, Martin still had some leather with him. There latest purchases could really be life savers, a small healing potion ready to be used as a last reserve to knit there wounds back together. They would be no use if the glass container shattered, so he had a little bit of tough leather and set about his task. Martin made up a small black bag for each member of the group, for that little read vial that could meant the difference between life and death.
They sat down at the table with the hunter deputies and apprentices. There was a lot of bread, fried vegetables some eggs. It was all downed to keep them going, fuel for the relentless machines they were becoming. When they started on there second helping of bread there was a knocking at the door. One of the deputies went to check on it, a minute later one of the town guards arrived. He looked worried and out of breath, he had probably charged from one side of forge hold to the other to get them.
They were ready for anything, there weapons within easy reach. David was even wearing most of his plate, his helmet shield and gauntlets were put to one side. The guard took a breath then turned to the group. ¡°please see Lord Graham urgently.¡± David nodded, ¡°we will be with you shortly¡±. They shoved the last of the bread down there throats, then grabbed there equipment and headed out. The guard lead them to the lords tower in the centre of town, a few militia stepped out of the way allowing them access.
Lord Graham seemed to be busy over looking a map, two of the town guard and a man that looked like a scout or hunter were with him. They fell silent when the group entered. He turned round, ¡°I employ foresters to co-ordinate hunting and gathering party''s in the local area. The snake nest is getting riled up, I suspect they are allied with the vampires, its to much of a coincidence. I am authorised to pay you to decimate them, it will deplete the local monster population dramatically.¡±
He took a breath, ¡°we have been considering it anyway for a few years. They have been hunting uncomfortably close to our farming land. It will deny the vampires troops, don''t forget to dispose of the body''s, we don''t want undead serpent men. Also the alchemists can use fangs and tongues for a little extra coin, I am not sure what for¡±. The party had heard that there was a snake men or lamia nest near by, now they would get to see it first hand.
David spoke up, ¡°what are we talking about in terms of numbers and rewards¡±. He was straight to numbers as usual. The lord looked at a report from his scouts, ¡°you probably know that they grow form snakes then metamorphosis into serpent men. From the size of the nest we anticipate 100-120 basic non sentient fodder. Then about the same number of awakened individuals that have become sentient monsters. Opponents that have crossed the threshold of awareness, also at least one queen that has not yet evolved into a gorgon or medusa¡±.
David made a motion like he was counting coin, the lord got to the point. ¡°A hundred silver to cull them back. Fifty silver to kill the queen and another hundred if they are completely wiped out. I mean down to every last egg¡±.
Vivian looked at Martin and Alice, ¡°They are tribal monsters, blood alchemy creations, they organise themselves in a three rank system. A vanguard of the weakest but fastest creatures, we are looking at little opposition. Then a second rank of more experienced higher level fighters with a few support types. There is a final rank of veterans, smaller in number better weapons, we cant take them head on. We can thin there numbers hit and run and wear them down, with magic thermite explosives, we can keep killing them until they are decimated. It will take weeks but we can purge this nest and get a lot of levels.¡±
Martin looked happy, a solid enemy to kill. ¡°Two hundred and fifty silver is a very good payday, we can get even more for alchemical supplies, plus whatever they happen to be carrying.¡± David added, he was already counting the silver before he had earned it. They Headed over to the merchants guild to get supplies and some sacks for ingredients, a loan from the guild. Vivian had her backpack, they stuffed it with dry provisions, then grabbed a couple of extra skins of water. Vivian got bundle of extra iron breadhead arrows, she could go through a lot of them very quickly.
They got a couple of waves and even a few good luck shouts behind them, as they made there way out of the town and through the gate house, simon waved them off. They headed to the boarder of the farmland. They paused and Martin checked a map that lord Graham had given them.
They headed off down a side trail map in hand, there was a pole sunk into the ground it had a black and red paint band on it this indicated a known monster lair and not to progress. Fifty meters down the trail was a second more crudely fashioned pole sunk into the ground, a layer of old snake skin wrapped around it, the implication was that the serpent men had erected there own warning about the humans.
They noted some of the snake tracks, they were made by creatures a lot larger than a regular snake. Not that snakes were very common in the farthest northern part of the kingdom. As they moved along the trail they noticed signs of game animal some boar some deer. They herd a rustling in the grass a few hisses, something was coming they got ready.
The party was attacked by a group of snakes. 5 dread snakes lead the group they were distinctly larger and tougher, 20 giant snakes that were merely a lot larger than regular snakes and 30 smaller regular ones made up the hunting group. Martin didn''t bother using focus shots, his regular pistol shots dug into the flesh of the dread snakes gouging chunks out of them. The creatures writhed hissed flailed and died on the ground. Alice hit the main group with a fire ball killing most of the small fry.
Vivian used regular shots which were easily powerfully enough to kill the snakes. Martin pulled his triple barrel pistol and claimed a few more. David waded in sword and shield ready, the remaining few stood no chance. The last kill was taken by Alice, who could kill the weaklings with a strike from the butt of her staff. The snakes were quite a range of sizes and levels, but ultimately a small foraging group.
These creatures were on the same sort of instinctual level as the giant rats, that they had fought before, creatures of blood alchemy. The giant snakes would similarly level up through cannibalism infighting, as well as whatever prey animals they met. The hunting group that they had demolished had ranged from level 1 for the regular green and brown snakes, through level 6 when they started to grow a lot larger gaining a darker green colour. It was lead by level 10 creatures, that were better armoured with thicker darker green scales, the dread giant snakes. When they grew to three times as long as a man was tall. They would undergo the metamorphosis and awakening into tribal monsters.
Martin checked his little monster book, only the five dread giant snakes had parts worth harvesting for alchemy. The rest was doused in oil and set on fire. They remembered the ghouls, a bunch of zombified giant snakes would be almost as useful as live ones to the vampires.
They moved forwards along the trail heading for the snakes nest. They noted a few pools of boiling mud. It was the source of the heat that the giant snakes relied on to keep active. This was as far north as they got. They were enhanced with blood alchemy so the cold didn''t affect them as much, but the weather was still a significant limiting factor.
David was slightly nervous, ¡°how potent is there poison¡±? Martin checked the book, ¡°not very, until we get to the snakes about ready to metamorphose. The large dread giant snakes, maybe the snake men. Poison is not so potent with the tool wielding members of the group. The lamia and the queens have some of it, but they have weapons with longer reaches. There are some specialist poison spitting units but a nest would have to be around 400 individuals for them to appear. This nest doesn''t seem to be big enough its between 200 and 250 at the most¡±.
They ran into a similar foraging group, warming up by one of the bubbling mud pools. Alice got a well aimed fire ball off. She then stayed back ready to heal anyone that got injured. The snakes hissed in pain thrashed about afflicted with the magical fire. The snakes outside the blast range were panicking but not injured.
Vivian picked off the three remaining dread snakes before they could do anything. Martin shot his pistols into the group then waded in reinforcing himself with the blessing ¡°armour of faith¡±. He started swinging his mallet crushing heads left and right. David followed quickly behind with his shield down low and sword swinging, he killed almost as many under the edge of his shield as with his sword swings.
As they were finishing off the survivors they met there first serpent man. His human torso made up about a quarter of his body, the majority of his being was completely serpentine. He had arms that were quite thin, his fingers ended in short claws, he still had the ability to manipulate objects, but the evolved form the lamia was far better at it. His snout was far shorter, a human like nose was present if flattened.
He had a very thick neck, some human like teeth filled his mouth two large fangs were present unlike a vampire they were curved to inject venom. He had a roughly human shaped torso and carried a crude wood and flint spear. He wore leather robes that were stitched together from his own shed skin, it covered him from shoulder to below the waist. It was crudely stitched but added a little protection and a place to carry things.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
The serpent man spoke in a hissing clicking language that the adventures had no ability to translate. The snakes around him seemed to understand, so maybe they were not so dumb. He definitely lead the group of snakes, he pointed his spear left and right hissing orders. The snakes started using tactics splitting up so that they would not be fire balled so easily, they tried to move round the front line fighters to attack the weaker back row. They were showing at least as much cunning as the thrall wolves, but there was less cover for them to use.
Vivian put a iron arrow into the torso of the serpent man, she used an adrenalin power shot to really give the arrow penetrating power, not sure how tough the group leader was. The serpent man dropped his spear and fell to the ground he hissed in pain. He reached out and tried to pull the arrow out, he hissed in more pain as he tugged on the arrow. With a hacking cough he brought up black blood, he seemed to reach for something a piece of parchment in the folds of his crudely stitched clothing, the serpent stopped twitched a few more times then lay still.
Vivian was using her speed shooting ability to its fullest. Putting cheap iron arrow after arrow into the numerous snakes advancing on her. David hacked left and right to kill them off. Martin found them trying to bypass him but getting crushed under his mallet and boots. Alice used her acid strike spell to melt the four largest of the giant dread serpents, she was conserving her mana. Rather than taking on the small fry and wasting spells she moved back avoiding there attacks. The one or two snakes that got to Vivian were crushed under her boots.
They looked at the serpent man David spoke, ¡°for a level 20 monster he is not very impressive¡±. Vivian shrugged, ¡°the militia''s can take these guys on in small numbers. But in larger numbers when they start to organise then they are very dangerous. This was little more than a inexperienced scout¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°give him a decent shield to hide behind, a weapon he could throw effectively, the right sort of ground and he would be far more troublesome¡±. Alice looked about, ¡°imagine if they had some decent leadership or coordinator, plus Vivian probably got a critical hit and killed this guy in one shot¡±.
Martin pulled out the piece of parchment from the serpent man''s robe he unfolded it. There was a crude righting in the human language, ¡°WE PEACE COME PARLEY WITH LEADER¡±. He shook his head, ¡°the vampires have taught them a bit of language. Don''t be fooled by any tricks no mercy¡±. He screwed up the parchment and threw it to the ground.
They harvested a few more alchemical ingredients from the group, then piled the bodies up, a splash of oil and kindling and they burnt them up. They soon found another unled group of snakes that seemed to be foraging in a rabbit warren. Alice managed to land a solid fire ball to the enemy group then Martin and David waded in.
With a cry, ¡°shield of faith¡± Martin bulked himself up a bit and charged. A few more serpents rose up from the ground, one half swallowing a rabbit, with a few iron arrows they were gone. The result was as predictably one sided as ever, considering the level of the monsters, a few more ingredients and another pyre.
Vivian looked around seeing something in the distance her perception was very high, ¡°OK now for the main event. Killing the foraging groups has attracted the vanguard of there forces. I count 20 of those serpent men, one alpha a leader and forty or fifty of those giant dread snakes, these guys will be tougher and harder to kill, we hit them hard first¡±.
Alice took cover behind a dead tree, David took centre stage Vivian and Martin stood left and right. The alpha serpent man hissed orders, two serpent men with crude shields and spears broke off left and right taking half the dread giant snakes with them in a flanking manoeuvrer. A front line of eight serpent men with more crude wooden shields made a solid line. The rest of the group had bundles of throwing javelin like spears approached behind them. One regular snake man had several clay pots around his waist, he remained behind the row of spear throwers, they advanced slowly ready to charge to close the gap as soon as they could.
Vivian aimed high curving her shots over the shields, she injured a few of the snake men. Martin emptied both of his pistols at the group. The shots pierced the shields but though the snake men hissed in pain, none were fatally wounded. Alice through a fire ball at the group, it damaged the shields and injured the front line but none of them fell. even if it was crude an inch of wood was quite resilient to a brief fire, even if it was heavy to carry.
The advance speeded up, Martin reached into his coat, the shrapnel grenades he had purchased were perfect for this sort of situation. He lit the fuse and rolled the grenade down hill towards them. It rolled under there front line of shields and exploded. Two of the snake men died taking the majority of their hits, leaving there formation disrupted. David charged in Alice used the opportunity to hit them with a fire ball. One of the snake men readied a clay pot to throw at David. Vivian hit the snake man with a power shot, causing him to drop the clay pot. it shattered releasing a cloud of black powder into the snake men''s ranks. They started to hiss and cough rubbing there eyes and throats, whatever it was, it was not fatal but extremely distracting.
David released his power attacks, shattering shields and severing limbs as he met the front line of monsters, he was a living battering ram. The flanking forces arrived trying to swarm the rest of the group. Alice duel wielded fire balls obliterating the first group with Vivian putting a power shot into the head of the serpent man leading the group, putting him down instantly. Martin met the second group head on, he charged into there ranks using the ,¡°hallowed earth¡± blessing to deal with the small fry. He used his ¡°smite¡± blessing to finish off the serpent man leading them.
.
With the flanking groups destroyed the party focused on the main group of snake men. David had broken up there formation, Martin pulled his triple pistol and charged in so that he was close enough to fire. He used his blessing ¡°fortress of faith¡±, to give him some protection as the snake men hurled spears at him, they chipped away at the blessing. When he got close enough three overload shots killed off three more of the serpent men. They fell hissing and dyeing.
David was consumed by the urge to spill blood a battle lust, slicing and cutting he was moving around, not giving the snakes a chance to flank him. They kept retreating back so that he could not cut into there exposed serpentine bodies.
Vivian carefully targeted opponents, she switched to her more powerful bodkin arrows and clinically executed two more of the serpent men with power shots. Alice was conservative with her magic, slinging a few acid strike spells. She would have a lot of magic to use to cure poison and heal wounds, if one of the enemy got lucky, she still managed to fell another snake man.
The serpent man alpha was bulkier, with far better developed arms. He had a darker colouration he was a bit larger. He carried a metal spear not a simple stone. The spear looked like militia issue a bit old, probably looted from a patrol from forge hold. He stayed back either looking for an opportunity or prepared to retreat, he was smarter able to speak a little of the human language, ¡°Kill... You...Trespassers...¡± He hissed at the adventures, the alpha made a few gestures and a hissing order, four serpent men suicidally tried to tackle Martin and David.
They underestimated exactly how strong David was, especially with his power attacks. One tried to grapple his shield and was thrown off stunned with an adrenalin block. The force flattened its torso against the iron door that was his tower shield. The second one that tried to disable his sword arm was hit with a power strike, that almost cut there torso in half. The serpent man hissed weakly then collapsed. The two that tackled Martin lasted slightly longer.
The first got a focus thrown knife in the throat leaving it bleeding out. The second did manage to tackle Martin to the ground. But it was taking one stab wound after another from the two silvered blades in Martins hands. He had armour and weapons, the hide armour the snake men wore didn''t really cut it against steel. Martin had a lot of anger to work out on its scaly hide, it was unlucky enough to be in arms reach.
Vivian targeted the alpha, there were not enough of the remaining serpent men left to cover it. Three adrenalin power shots using bodkin arrows pierced its body. Two in the chest and one in the neck. It managed to throw its spear in retaliation, but it only bounced off David''s heavy tower shield. David landed a power strike on a serpent man effectively cutting him in half. His tail spasmed about, free from his upper half, which in a futile effort tried to crawl away but bled out. Martin landed an attack empowered with, ¡°divine retribution¡± anther serpent man fell. The remaining five serpent men turned and tired to flee.
Vivian got two with her arrows, Alice used fire bite spells to finish off two more. Martin used his focus reload ability and a quick pistol shot to finish off the last one. They levelled up. They had killed quite a number of opponents, Martin gained two levels reaching level 37 putting two more levels into his pistol specialisation, his ability to aim at range was improved. David levelled up next gaining a single class level so that his comprehensive training ability hit level 6 allowing him to train town guards.
The alpha must have been exceptionally strong as Vivian gained three levels easily surpassing David. She finished off her ability critical strike, raising it to level 8 getting the same class level as David and getting a skill which stacked with her other abilities Better criticals L1. If she could hit the soft spots of a monster she would do even more massive damage. The shock of getting three levels in one go was quite a hit, almost forcing her to black out as her body became tougher and stronger and her mind accommodated the extra knowledge.
Alice gained two levels, her healing aura spell was improved up to the greater version. The change was enough to send her dizzy for a few seconds as her mind adapted. She was tantalizingly close to level 30. At that level she would gain increased mana efficiency her spells would effectively become 25% cheaper to cast. she would be in a much better position to sling spells. Martin reloaded and recovered his throwing knives. They harvested the serpent men for ingredients. Vivian had the arduous task of recovering her arrows. David cleaned the blood and guts off his shield. Alice used her healing spells on Martin and David.
Vivian looked at the others, ¡°we have used up most of our reserves for today, I am sure that we could keep going but it would be a waste of resources, we only have a few health potions a single mana potion and it will be dark soon¡±. David nodded, ¡°we don''t have enough time to return to the settlement. We have provisions, we rough it out hear. a cave is marked on the trail, Martin you have a chain smite ready in case anything large gets stupid¡±, Martin nodded stroking the dynamite, ¡°I have a bit in reserve.¡± Alice looked about, ¡°that was easy but there are meant to be four times the number of those serpent men about¡±.
Vivian nodded, ¡°we will probably be sniping fire balling and running from the rest. It gets harder from hear¡±. They piled the remains up in one giant heap added kindling and oil. They ate a meal and had a drink, then set the corpses on fire. They moved on in case the smoke attracted anything. They made camp in a dry cave, that had been scouted out years ago according to the map. they took shifts keeping watch, even if lexicon knew they were out hear he had a lot of territory to cover to run into them.
On his watch David did find one random serpent crawl into the cave. It was, half burnt and blind, it must have been on the edge of a fire ball. He crushed it under his heal, an idea came to him they would have some fresh meat for breakfast. Martin had retained the spear from the alpha serpent man it might be useful to spit roast it.
Martin saw the serpent men as nothing but the servants of the vampires to be exterminated. Vivian was of a very similar mindset. David saw them as a payday nothing more. Alice wondered they were smart enough to speak to write, how much humanity did the blood alchemists pour into there creation she wondered.
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 28 – Snakes and Ladders 2.
Martin woke up to David dangling a dead snake in front of him. He had his pistol out and pointed at the snake, even before he was fully awake. David looked fairly happy with himself, ¡°I caught breakfast you can remove any sort of taint can¡¯t you¡±. Martin shrugged it was worth a try, the lamia ate their own, so what did it matter if they ate them. He use his ¡°purify¡± blessing on the snake to remove any trace of poison or disease.
Alice clung to her blanket like a drowning man attached to some driftwood. Vivian left her, she went and gathered a little fire wood. Martin soon had a fire going using some rocks as a crude fire place. The snake was make into breakfast, cooked with the spear over fire like a spit roast. They pulled it apart and ate the slightly overcooked meat with great a fever, a little cheese and bread followed it down.
Alice looked about, ¡°I always thought that it would be next to suicide or desperation to be outside a city walls after night, but apart from the hard ground it is-ant to bad¡±. Martin looked through his little monster guide, ¡°it Depends on the area, I don''t think the locals tracking abilities are exemplary, but we still need to be cautious¡±. David made a dismissive gesture, ¡°those sorts of regulations are aimed at people below veteran status, even individually we are quite powerful now.¡±
¡°I see what you mean, about desperation but it not, it¡¯s a gamble of balancing risk and reward, it¡¯s a necessity to get the job done.¡± Vivian looked around for any threat as she spoke. Martin looked at the bag of alchemical supplies that they were collecting it was quite full. ¡°Honestly this assignment has gone quite quickly so far, we were only expecting a bit of scouting one or two of the serpent men at the edge of their territory.¡±
David picked up his sword, ¡°anything else we should know about them¡±? Martin looked through his book, ¡°they are better climbers and swimmers than humans, but they can¡¯t stand the extreme cold and can¡¯t outrun us on flat ground, they have a lot more body mass that slows them down¡±. They finished off there breakfast and packed up the camp. They were soon moving towards the main lamia nest, they kept to the high ground keeping a look out. The lamia preferred to keep to the lower ground the trails where they would not have to pass over so many rocks.
Vivian spotted something quite a way away, Martin used his monocle to get an idea of what they were facing, and it was a large group of serpent men. The group became clear to Vivian as she used the enhanced perception from her ring of the eagle to view out to that distance. She murmured, ¡°this is the bulk of their numbers¡± she checked around for a pincer movement or ambush, ¡°certainly there main force¡±.
At a closer range Martins monocle could read them, ¡°There are about ten serpent men that ranked up into lamia, they are level 30. They have a more intelligent face stronger arms, better to swing a weapon, these have shields clubs spears and bows. Note the armoured scales the almost black dark green arrow, it pattern marks them out they are tougher and harder to kill¡±. He looked at the rest of the group. ¡°The bulk of their forces are serpent men, the last ones we fought were around level 20 these are around level 25 and there are fifty or sixty of them. They are better equipped, with more uniform shields, no gaps if they form up they have a few better weapons, some large clubs armour crackers.¡±
He tried to focus deeper into the formation, eventually he got to the heart of the oncoming group. ¡°The worst part is the three in the middle of the lamia, I can see the leader a lamia alpha probably level 35, he has a great big two handed club. He is probably a veteran of a few extermination quests, so he has seen our tactics before. There is worse they seem to have two snake men Sharman''s, so they have magical support, that needs to be our first priority¡±.
Alice wondered, ¡°Sharman what level¡±? Martin looked at his book, ¡°technically it¡¯s a rare rank up, it is possible. It¡¯s more likely they probably killed and ate a druid between them some time ago. So imagine a breakdown of 10 levels of Sharman and 20 levels of serpent man¡±.
Vivian handed out orders, ¡°we need to attack them soften them up. Alice take the back row and slings fire balls, Martin you have two more shrapnel grenades right¡±? He nodded ¡°you can shut down the magic users if necessary get close to them, David you run distraction. I pop up from the other side and kill the Sharman¡±.
They got into position higher up on ground that would be hard for the serpent men to climb. They waited for the group to get within their trap, Alice was the first one to begin. She threw two fire balls into the main group of snake men, this immediately sent some of them into a panic. Several ducked down. The alpha hissed orders, one of the Sharman''s started to use healing spells on the wounded. The second created some sort of barrier spell. The lamia formed shield walls between the Sharman and Alice''s spells.
David started moving from cover. He was banging on his shield as he marched forwards. The front ranks of serpent men started to form up, keeping him at bay with spears while archers and javelin throwers started to send projectiles bounding of his heavy plate. A few sling shots were added to the rain of projectiles they did little.
Martin was suddenly out of cover, his remaining shrapnel grenades and the rest of the medium thermite were hurled into the lamia''s formations. It was utter chaos, chunks of steel and burning molten metal flew everywhere. Destroying shields injuring monsters and causing the shamans to pull back. This put them in a perfect position for Vivian to snipe them. Vivian used her mitral tipped enchanted arrows, combined with a power shot. Before they could react one Sharman who was trying to heal the wounded dropped his staff. An arrow sticking out from his neck, he was dead before he realised it.
The second Sharman had a barrier spell up, it was weakened by thermite. It shattered like glass as the force from the second arrow struck it. The third enchanted arrow skewered the Sharman through the chest. He was able to use a healing spell on himself, then two lamia with shields blocked Vivian''s line of sight.
With the Sharman dead or wounded there was no magical support, Alice could fling her fire balls without the casters stopping them. She aimed for the middle of the group. Two fire balls detonated taking out 5 of the snake men and wounding many more. David closed in on the group, he was probably over confident in his heavy armour. Though the enemy, spears had trouble reaching anything. His power attacks cut down two more opponents, while the rest of the serpent men considered there best course of action.
Martin activated his blessing ¡°martyrs sacrifice¡± and charged in. The spear he had procured from the dead serpent man earlier flashed in his hands. Two serpent men, fell dead. With, the blessing active he was fighting closer to level 60, his spear shattered with the force he used on the third opponent killing it, but breaking his concentration ending the blessing. He retreated quickly so that he was not overwhelmed by the snake men''s numbers.
The alpha tried to regain the advantage and pull the situation together. He threw some healing medicine to the Sharman, he ordered five snake men to peel off and go for the mage. He ordered five more to head off and go for the archer. He sent two to run back to the nest to warn the queen. He tried to nail the vampire hunter with a jar of burning pepper dust, but the hunter jumped back avoiding it.
Martin could see, with multiple threats the snake men were splitting there forces. That including sending some off to either get help of warn their comrades. He needed to shut that down now, he was going to stop them escaping. He pulled his pistols using focused aimed head shots and two uses of the blessing ¡°divine retribution¡±, a faint glow and the serpent men dropped dead. Vivian could see the group that split off to deal with her. She send several iron arrows into them killing three.
Alice noted the same thing catching the group in the radius of a duel cast fire ball, before they could react, leaving just one survivor desperately trying to close the gap on her. David went on the attack using his adrenalin strikes to shatter shields and split skulls. The front ranks of serpent men were starting to waver, there courage flagging two more fell to his blade.
The lamia alpha could see his people falling, was he facing masters was it hopeless? He hissed orders quickly, half the lamia went with the recovered Sharman and attacked the vampire hunter. The other half joined him and went for David. He sent another ten serpent men to kill Alice she was just too dangerous to ignore with her fire balls. These were archers this time they could at least fire back at her. He swallowed a basic tonic that improved his resistances, then gripped his war club with determination.
Alice had developed a force of habit, a preservation instinct to remain behind cover when she cast her spells. It served her well as a volley of arrows smacked against the tree stump she was using as cover. She had homing spells, they didn''t have homing arrows. Her acid strike spells hit two of the archers and killed them. The serpent Spearman was getting closer though. Vivian finished off the last two spear men heading towards her, power attacks with iron broad heads doing the job before they could get within throwing distance. The first might have gotten further but he stopped to check on his comrade, before they too suffered the same fate.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
David cut through one more snake man, his reserves of adrenaline were low. He only had one potion of minor adrenalin for replenishment. It was a vulnerable situation he needed the edge fighting tired he could make a mistake. He jumped back then partially raised his visor and gulped it down. It tasted like rancid mushroom soup filtered through his socks, but it invigorated his body allowing him to keep swinging.
He threw the empty vial at the snakes, they jumped thinking it was a grenade. The alpha was suddenly at the front of the line, right there preparing to hit him with a two handed over head strike. David interrupted it with an adrenalin block, pre-empting the attack and sending the alpha reeling backwards. The other lamia pushed forwards striking against David''s armour with spears, doing a little bruising damage.
Martin faced off against the Sharman and five lamia ready with shield and spear. Martin stopped a shock bite spell with his holy symbol. Then he dropped a divine retaliation with, ¡°wrath of the almighty¡± this assault of holy energy fire frost and shock killed the Sharman dead. The lamia counter attacked striking at Martin as one burying their spears into him.
Alice waited for the arrows to hit the stump then returned fire, hitting the group of archers with a fire ball killing all but two. Even those two at the edge of the group were heavily injured and out of the fight. The last serpent man sent against her was ready with his spear, the spear went for Alice, on instinct she dived backwards. Its tip jammed into her shoulder, but she was wearing armour and several magical items, it was not yet a fatal wound. The serpent man had one chance to kill the mage, but had underestimated her armour and her reaction speed.
One of the lamia pulled one of the mitral arrows out of the fallen Sharman. He pulled back his own bow and took aim at David. The strike was the first real wound that David had taken. Even with the layers of armour, the projectile glanced of the shield but the magic still did a lot of damage. He pressed on, he did have a healing potion to use if it became that bad. The lamia tried to get a second one of Vivian''s high end arrows. Vivian acted fast and skewered him through the brain first. She used the last of her regular arrows killing two more wounded serpent men. She would give those bleed arrows a try.
David hit the lamia alpha with an adrenalin strike, giving him a deep wound to his side. Even though he tried to block with his massive club the blow had enough force to push it out of the way. David tried to deliver a second strike, but one of the other lamia got in the way. Blocking the blow sacrificing their own life for their leader. The Alpha poured something that must have been a diluted healing potion down his throat as he tried to recover.
Martin had just under 450 hit points, the lamia''s spears wouldn''t do that much damage on their own. His flesh and muscle was now so hard and dense, he was more of a monster than the lamia. He activated his blessing, ¡°sphere of consecration¡±. The holy energy burnt away at the lamia forcing them to move back. Martin pulled the few remaining spears from his flesh and used the blessing ¡°divine favour¡± to heal the damage. He pulled out his triple barrelled pistol and shot down three of the wounded lamia. The remaining two looked on, not liking their chances they hissed something to each other it sounded almost like resignation to their fate.
Alice cast an acid strike straight into the face of the serpent man as he tried to pull his spear back for a second thrust. He screamed as his eyes and skin melted under the corrosive spell. Alice was not even flinching, she had been wounded and then healed herself enough times to keep a clear head. The serpent man¡¯s shrieks of pain became a horse whistle as his tong and throat melted away as the spell ended. He slumped back quite dead. Alice pulled the spear out gritting her teeth, then checked the wound. She pulled several scraps of cloth out of it, then healed herself. Her teeth gritted, ¡°I am definitely getting more armour¡±.
Vivian aimed for one of the lamia targeting David, hitting it with a bleed arrow. It was taken out of the fight as it tried desperately to stem the tide of blood from its side. Martin used one of his blessings, ¡°smite¡± to kill off another of the lamia facing off against him. It could not hope to take the damage and folded to the ground, a chunk burnt out of its chest were the lightning bolt struck home. David cut down the last few lamia defending the alpha, as its protection was cut away it fault all the more fiercely. Its comrades desperately tried to help, but they couldn''t really do much against David''s layered armour.
Alice started to rain fire bite and acid strike spells down on the remaining serpent men. Vivian used up her last silver arrows to Finnish off the Alpha lamia. Prematurely ending the epic duel with David. Martin finished off the last lamia with a focus throw empowered with his, ¡°wrath¡± blessing it screamed hissed and died tying itself in knots as it writhed in agony. Vivian drew her poisoned dagger and started to approach the battle, she was all out of arrows. Martin pulled out his trusty mallet and waded into combat activating a few of his defensive blessings. David cut left and right Alice rained down more spells. They finished off the main serpent man force after a few more seconds. Vivian got to finish a few injured opponents off with her dagger, but it was an afterthought to the battle.
Alice slowly walked down the hill, Vivian looked at her damaged padded armour ¡°A close call¡±? She nodded, ¡°next time I will be more careful and have more armour¡±. She healed David, ¡°I am pretty much out of magic¡± Vivian recovered her arrows. Martin reloaded his pistol the level up hit. Martin gained another two levels. He chose pistol specialisation gaining extra armour piercing abilities. He was one level away from level 40. Then he would get a class level that would improve his focus efficiency, he would need to concentrate less to use his holy blessings.
David cursed as he only gained one level, despite all the fighting he had been doing he was mostly bogging down the enemy. He chose a level in the duellist ability, making him more efficient at fighting single targets. In the future targets like the lamia alpha would die much faster, he would not lose a kill to Vivian again, he was determined.
Vivian gained another level, getting the second rank of the better criticals perk. Alice did really well she had killed a lot of the serpent men, gaining three levels, including a class level. Her general abilities improved, her mana efficiency improved to where her base spell casting was now 3 points of mana rather than 4. She mastered her healing aura spell and learnt her first defensive spell. The physical shield spell, which temporarily gave her a lot of extra armour. It would only last five seconds but in that time she could emerge from cover fire and retreat, the duration of the spell would become far better as she improved it.
Martin looked around, ¡°well I used up a lot of grenades but I think we broke the back of their forces¡±. David nodded, ¡°I had to use that adrenalin potion we got in vine garden, I will need a replacement back in town, we got them pretty good¡±. Alice pointed to her slashed padded armour ¡°when we get back to town I am getting something heavier dam the weight¡±. Vivian had collected her arrows, she held up one of the new arrows, ¡°the bleed arrows are surprisingly effective, I still ran out of arrows I might need to carry a backpack full of them¡±.
They started to harvest alchemical ingredients from there slain foes. A lot of the remains were not usable due to shrapnel thermite of acidic magic. They still collected something saleable form a half of the lamia and snake men. David Martin and Vivian piled the bodies up on the trail, away from the tree line. They were through especially with the alpha and the two Sharman. They didn''t want to have to face them if they were brought back as the undead. They had very little useable equipment but there were some items.
Martin salvaged a few pots of the burning black pepper, it might be useful against the rest of the serpent nest. Alice searched the remains of the two serpent men Sharman, if they had killed an adventurer they might have some of their stuff. One had a magic bracelet, a bracelet of plus five to healing. It worked adding + 5 to any ranged healing ability, so it amplified two of Alice''s spells marginally. She was the only one that could use it so she added it onto her equipment. Even a small margin it could still be the difference between life and death. She wore it round her left wrist, it looked like a red copper and dull bronze wire wrapped together, almost like a torque.
There were two magic staffs, one was a basic apprentice¡¯s staff, probably some druid had fallen providing them with this equipment. The second was even worse an enchanting experiment that yielded only + 5 to a magic users mana reserves, it was not worth selling so onto the pile of corpses she threw it.
They would sell the other staff later on back at forge hold, Vivian hung it from her backpack. They used oil and tinder to set the pile of sixty odd corpses alight. They moved on, it was not a good idea to remain with the pillar of smoke advertising their presence. But things like this needed to be done to stop necromancy. As a side benefit it would be seen from forge hold so they would know the group was making progress. It would also attract any sentient monster that would check it out to see what was going on the lamia might still have a scout or two.
Vivian looked back at the pillar of smoke, ¡°we are really moving quickly that plan worked well, perhaps we should have planned to hit them hard then retreat, but in the end we were victorious¡±. Martin shrugged. ¡°We had tools to scout them out, if they had a telescope or some far seeing magic then they could have avoided the trap. We were lucky they didn''t, we picked the terrain that they could not easily traverse. We hit them when they were bunched up, if they had been able to protect their magical support it would not have gone so well.¡±
Alice looked back, ¡°they had a few weak supplies, but in the end we had much better equipment. It gave us a massive edge, also the fact that we are more specialised. I focus on a few heavy hitting spells and Vivian focuses on her critical strikes, we can really do a lot of damage fast.¡± Martin nodded ¡°The same with my grenades, when I get the chance they can turn the tide of a fight¡±.
They had a rough map they would rest that night at an abandoned loggers camp, they ate rations without a fire to attract enemies it was not pleasant but necessary. They took turns keeping look out, they would attack the lamia''s nest by the hot springs very soon. Their progress was rapid and enormous, so was the danger and so would be the reward.
Alice had to wonder, the serpent men and lamia seemed intelligent, smart enough to use magic brew very basic potions and use tactics. Could there ever be a dialogue between them, or was it inevitable that the snakes would be wiped out, from the face of the earth whenever the two species met?
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 29 – Snakes and Ladders 3.
Martin took the first shift watching over the small clearing, they had broken the back of their task the previous day. The serpent men and lamia were gone from the area, a few stragglers and elite units were all that would be left. They were probably the best and the worst of the nest left. Vivian took over the watch she didn''t have Martins eye piece to help detect danger, but she did have the ring of the eagle which dramatically sharpened her normal senses.
David took the last watch, he was attentive enough but still glad that it would be light soon. He almost raised the entire group a few times, when there was the creak of timber or the rattle of the wind off in the night. They killed an hour in the morning waiting for the sun to rise, they had made a fire to warm up. Martin repaired some equipment stitching up Alice''s padded armour. Alice read some of her books she had two with her. Vivian sharpened up her arrow heads while David cleaned a few bits from his armour. Vivian and Martin helped David put every piece of his iron plate armour on and they were off.
The valley that the lamia nested in was quite well sheltered from the wind. It had several of the hot-springs that the snake men could use to maintain high body temperatures to keep active. It also had a good amount of sun, there were several large rocks that the snakes liked to sun themselves on. Spots where the geothermal energy kept the place warm. The vegetation was a little sparse in places, but they had enough prey animals to maintain even grow their numbers.
At one time there were only a few dozen snake men, a group had headed far north from a larger lamia nest to start their own. They had found the hot springs to their liking and stayed there. In the past it was much easier for good ford to monitor them, when their numbers were lower and they were less bold.
There was a crude watch tower along the path, a single very wizened serpent man equipped as an archer kept watch. It was more like a pile of stone and logs than an actual watch tower, but it still gave the serpent man a good view. This serpent man chewed some sort of black root. He had a hollowed rams horn around his neck he could blow it to alert the rest of the nest. He had seen the big column of smoke, he worried for his tribe his family. The news was not likely to be good, the humans stopped them from growing every time and the vampires were little better. A single blast on the horn was an alert, two blasts would be the nests forces returning.
His eyes were not as keen as years ago, he thought that he saw something glint. Then the iron broad head sunk into his chest. The power shot travelled right through him and embedded behind him in the lookout towers wooden structure. He held a hand up seeing the blood, he reached for the horn he tried to draw a breath in but it hurt. As a second arrow aimed higher and struck, stopping him from raising an alert as the horn fell from his lifeless hands.
The lamia had built a nest around the hot-springs around one of the larger pools. There was an outer defensive wall apparently made from mud and stone, not very formidable or strong. Instead of a gate there was a barricade made from wood with spikes and logs attached to it. It would temporarily seal off the entrance to the place but not do much more. The lamia were industrious for monsters, they had planted a few gardens of thin weak black herbs, a few gourds and dense fragrant bushes. They were spices narcotics and healing herbs, not very much but enough to give them serpent men some basic healing and a way to alleviate the boredom.
The settlement seemed to be mostly deserted, there were many small pens and huts all made from stone and mud thatched with straw. The numbers of enemies that the party had slain would mostly populate this settlement. There were lumber piles and crudely made stone tools left about. There was a large building in the centre of the settlement, it would be built around the queen and her eggs. In this case the hot spring providing the heat necessary to incubate them, there was a thick irregularly thatched roof. There were a few racks where some sort of meat was being smoked, as they were occasionally cannibals, it could have been simply weaker members of the tribe.
The party expected a handful of more powerful elite lamia to be guarding the nest, so far they had only found one weak old serpent man on watch duty. The element of surprise would be good but it was not integral to their plans. They passed a few racks out in the air something was being dried and stretch out. It was the skins from various sheading''s, where they had grown longer. They used the sturdy material for clothing bags and bindings.
As they moved through the snake men''s home the first real sign of resistance emerged. There were several hidden pits, a few dread giant serpents acted as guard dogs. They were led by a dread giant snake alpha. The footsteps of the intruders woke them up and the sound and vibration didn''t feel familiar, so they attacked. There were ten of them in all, it was still not a tough ambush. The first lunging beast went up against David. Its fangs practically snapped as it tried to bite through the iron plate protecting his leg.
Alice used her shield spell, there was a dull flicker as a transparent bubble formed around her. She could throw a fire bite sitting safely behind this spell. She burnt one snake away and used an acid strike to deal with a second. One snake tried to strike her but the magic force shield easily withstood its physical attacks. David cut down the attacking beasts, using a power attack to slice the alpha in half, it was considerably bulkier than the rest he didn¡¯t want any surprises. Vivian killed a few with her bow and Martin flattened the last couple with his mallet.
There was one hut that was larger than the rest but still not as large as the central building, they moved inside as they could hear some rustling. Entering it revealed a sick ward or hospital of sorts, a lone snake woman was busy tending the wounded. There were three lamia with deep wounds a snake man with crude bandages over his eyes, a snake man with a wound on his chest and a snake man that looked like a troll had sat on him.
The snake woman would eventually grow to become a queen, if she lived long enough. A woman was rare, she was not very high level by comparison so she was set duties to heal what she could. If the nest grew large enough she would set off to start another, if the queen died she would grow to take on the role. She could see her death and the death of her patients in the eyes of the humans. She pulled a sharp steel knife and faced off against them, her hand shook as her eyes darted around looking for a way out.
She hissed one word ¡°mercy¡±? Vivian shook her head, ¡°you would not grant it to us, we will not grant it to you¡±. She tried to attack, David cut her down without hesitation, and she was left broken on the floor trying to hold her stomach together with her hands. One of the lamia tried to rise from his sick bed, he was struck by an arrow and expired there and then. Martin picked up the knife, the snake woman was still alive. Martin walked round the room and slit the wounded serpent men and lamia¡¯s throats one by one ending with the snake woman''s.
Alice watched from the back, she felt queasy for a second, killing them like this was a little disturbing. Seeing Martin slit the snake woman''s patients throats before killing her was quite sadistic. Alice knew that if the serpents found her injured that they would just think lunch, but it still didn''t feel so good inside, they left the seven dead bodies.
The place had very few defenders, the main force they had encountered must have been almost every able bodied fighter. The vampires would not gain any additional support. Slowly the group moved forwards, there was an outer chamber to the main structure. It had a couple of torches burning. Martin and David went in first with Vivian and Alice behind.
The room was quite large, it was occupied by some more senior serpent men. They were obviously the crafters of their tribe, its back bone. One was shaving down spear shafts with a flint blade, a second was napping flint arrow heads. Two seemed to be splitting wood to make shields and the remainder were busy weaving some sort of basket from strips of bark. The serpent men must have been around level 25 or higher they froze. The adventures froze, the standoff seemed to go on for about two seconds before one of them picked up a crude hand axe and charged at the adventurers.
Martin drew a pistol and shot the serpent man in the centre of the chest, it faltered and slowed the rest of the serpent men tried to attack the party with anything to hand. Alice let lose a series of acid strikes dissolving two of the attackers. A power strike from David with his Damascus falchion cut one of them almost cleanly in half. Vivian hit the remaining two with arrows leaving them dying on the floor. Martin finished off the one in front of him and reloaded his pistol. Vivian used her dagger to slit two throats, cleaned off her blade and retrieved her arrows. The main chamber was sealed off with a curtain made from snake skin whatever was inside would have heard the sound of the fight.
The party pushed the curtain roughly aside and ventured in. The room was quite large dominated by a large pool where steam rose and the water gently bubbled. There were a couple of crude stone fireplaces that had logs burning away in them, plus a few windows giving the place a little light. Around the perimeter were vast numbers of eggs, in the centre of the pool was a crudely made wooden bench, the lamia queen was curled upon it. Her upper half was quite human even if the size was exaggerated. If she had been human she would have been over eight foot tall, with her massive tail she easily weighted two tons she greeted the party with a snarl.
She was like the lamia but instead of a dark green arrow pattern she had a dark green diamond pattern to her scales. Her upper body and facial features were very human, very refined her eyes were intelligent. Her tong darted out it was narrow and forked she could taste the air as a way of reading what she faced. She had hair it was dark green and thick hanging down to her shoulders it had an oily quality to it. She wore a loose fitting robe made from her own shed skin, stitched into a dress of sorts. She had a few trinkets and adornments a necklace that appeared to be magical.
Beside her were two greater lamia they both wielded massive clubs, which had all manner of flint spikes embedded in them. They made crude but effective bludgeoning instruments. They wore similar clothes made from their own shed skins. The one on the right had a red belt that was probably a trophy from a battle with some previous adventures it may have been magic. There were a few elements in the room that spoke of these monsters not being quite so simple, there was a crude desk with a few raggedy looking books a comb and brass lamp. The greater lamia were similar to the regular lamia but bulkier, with a diamond pattern to their scales similar to the queens.
Martin looked at her, ¡°She is tough high hit point¡¯s high armour, at least level 40 she has a poison bite attack a limited venom spit, it can blind but not kill. She is a melee power house including a constrictors abilities, same for the greater lamia but they have very minor regeneration as well, they are about the same level, I would guess from the same brood¡±.
The lamia queen picked up a large halberd, it was rusty and bent but would still be an extremely effective weapon. She clicked her fingers forty smaller snakes seemed to emerge from various openings in the room. They were new hatchlings barely level 1 but she would throw them at the adventures attacking her, she had very little else. She hissed at the adventurers, ¡°you have killed my sons and my daughter, we kept out of your way, but could you keep out of mine. I was not your enemy until you shed our blood¡±.
Martin hurled two pots of the black powder, the burning pepper at the queen and her entourage. He followed it up with two silver canisters that detonated in a blue puff of smoke. The greater lamia and the queen had no idea what was going on there senses were overloaded. Alice was able to land a duel cast fire ball into the middle of their group. The hatchlings died on the spot. The queen was wounded and the greater lamia were certainly in a great deal of pain.
Vivian put her three mithral tipped arrows into the queen¡¯s chest, even with power shots, they didn''t sink in that deep even if they were mithral her hide was tough. David charged towards the queen, determined to carve her into pieces. Martin activated a string of defensive blessings ¡°guardian seraphim angel, fortress of faith, armour of faith¡±. He then attacked one of the greater lamia with chain smite. Bolts of lightning hit the monster again and again at first it mealy slowed its advance but with each bolt that hit the damage increased and so the burden of its existing wounds affected it more and more.
The greater lamia dropped its weapon then then collapsed barely holding itself off the ground, more bolts struck it. Then it collapsed and twitched dead the attacking chain smite, ended as there was not a legitimate target just a corpse, the queens face twisted into a knot of rage and anger.
Alice threw acid strikes and fire bite spells at the second greater lamia. It was able to block some of the spells with its wooden club preventing damage to its eyes. Its chest neck and forearms still took a lot of damage. It was able to close in on Alice, but she activated her shield spell blocking its overhead swing. Fully committed to the attack it could not offer a defence as Alice aimed a corrosive acid strike at its face. The greater lamia fell back, dropping its club hissing in agony clutching its face it writhed around on the floor. Alice struck it with fire bite spells again and again, until its charred burned corpse stopped twitching.
David and Vivian handled the lamia queen she gained ten bodkin arrows sticking out of her chest neck and shoulders. She still kept fighting relentlessly trying to hammer David flat. He blocked a few poison spits, she did some damage physically with the halberd. But he had so much armour that he was an infuriatingly tough nut to crack. He learnt her attack pattern he started to use an adrenaline block to disrupt her attacks, leaving her open to his counter attacks. Even with his adrenalin strike the queen was taking minimal damage.
The two attendants dealt with Martin and Alice started to focus on her. Martin unloaded all three of his pistols into her at close range then he used his, ¡°wrath of the almighty¡± blessing causing a bit of damage. Martin used a few focus throws getting two poisoned blades wedged in her hide. Alice alternated between fire bites and acid strikes. The queen didn''t seem to be particularly susceptible to anything Alice had. Vivian used her bleed arrows and the silver ones. The mountain of serpentine muscle swung at David one more time. He side stepped and brought his sword down on the middle section of the weapon shattering the queen¡¯s halberd it into two pieces.
The lamia queen tackled David, desperate to constrict the life out of him and kill one of the group attacking her. He was quite strong and she found his blade in her side. He let go of his sword and drew his silver dagger, he continued to stab away, before she could finish her job crushing him. The queen was hit by Vivian and Martin. She got the right eye with an arrow he got the left eye with a pistol shot.
The lamia queen gave up the fight there and then she had only one desire to flee. She pulled the arrow out of her eye socket uncurled from David''s crushed form and tried to make a run for the exit. Martin activated his ¡°martyrs sacrifice¡± blessing picked up David''s sword and started to hack away at the retreating monster, Vivian kept shooting it with arrows Alice went to heal David, in seconds he was back up. He picked up one of the massive clubs that the greater lamia had drooped and went after the queen. He brought the club down on her neck, there was a crack and down she went her neck cracked broken. Lots of blood and bone were splattered over the club the lamia was dead.
There was one bit of grisly work left, most of the lamia eggs around the room were intact, that was not going to be the case for very long. Martin pulled out his trusty mallet and started to smash one egg after another. There were about 300 eggs in incubation around the room, ten eggs were destroyed before the level up hit.
Martin gained two levels the first was a class level, his mind was reformatted in such a way that it became easier to use his blessings with a use of 4 focus not 5 to use them. His mind burned like he was experiencing a migraine it started at the top of his skull and worked its way back then faded just as quickly. He gained several additional blessings that could be activated to resist cold fire and electrical energy. Good for countering an area of effect spells that did damage over time. He also gained a second use of the ¡°wrath of the almighty¡± blessing. Finally he improved his blade coating skill giving him access to a much stronger consecrated silver blade coating, that would wreak havoc with vampire¡¯s demons thralls etc.
David hit level 33 raising his duellist skill up to level 3. Vivian hit level 34 gaining rank 4 of the better critical skill. Alice was a little shaken from the level up being hit by two levels of change to her mind and body in one go. Alice upgraded her shield spell to the grand version, giving her a shield about twice as strong that would last three times longer than the most basic version.
David looked at his shield and armour, ¡°even with this heavy armour, its bent up no wonder this quest was worth so much money, Martin can you get the dents out¡±. ¡°Probably I have a lot of eggs to squish first¡±. Alice looked about moving some baskets out of the way ¡°Martin there are another 40 eggs hidden hear, let me get out of the way before you squish them¡±. Vivian looked over the queen¡¯s papers it looked like someone had taught her to read. There were a few common books folk tales saga''s poems, a brief guide to planting a garden. Even a flute and a few scrolls of music. There was one very official looking letter in the pile of reading materials. It was sealed in a black lacquered wooden case, it was very light, the sort of thing that a giant bat would deliver.
Vivian unrolled it
''To the Lamia queen of the boiling pits tribe.
With the authority of the empress of shadows the true sovereign of snakes it is demanded that you re-join her ranks and comply with the order to marshal your forces. Defy me and I will destroy you.
Signed lexicon.''
Vivian sighed, ¡°We have been had, the vampires wanted these snakes dead for not following orders¡±. Martin shrugged, ¡°that is unusual, the snakes normally toe the line, still they have a survival instinct. If lexicon appeared weak they would not follow. The lord was tricked, seeing the lamia move to counter act the vampires made him think they were preparing to fight us. Still one less monster in the area is good especially an organised one like this¡±.
Vivian looked about, ¡°in the end we are out played by this elder, we have now defeated one of his rivals not his allies. Still we burn this place down so that there is nothing he can use.¡± Alice looked about, ¡°would we ever ally with something like this against the vampires¡±? David shook his head ¡°they can¡¯t be trusted and can¡¯t be relied on¡±. Martin continued his zealous smashing, ¡°the moment a stronger vampire took the field they would fall in line. From the time of the blood alchemists it¡¯s a matter of either extermination or open hostility between us and creatures of blood alchemy, regardless of how much human blood was put into their creation¡±.
Martin looked around there was a basket on the floor, pulling it away revealed a giant egg about three feet tall Martin drew his hammer back. David was there in an instant, ¡°Hang on that''s a hydra egg, a non-sentient siege beast. It would be worth a fortune to a tamer,¡± Martin nodded, ¡°there is an irony to raising one of these creatures to fight against its own kind. We can make some arrangement to carry it all the way back¡±.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
They lashed two poles to the basket and then stuffed the egg inside. Martin could quite easily drag it along behind him. They found two magic items, one on the dead queen an amulet of striking, it added a chance of stunning an opponent from a basic attack. The chance seemed fairly low 10% per hit but it would help David it had not been very effective against his armour. The Greater lamia was wearing a red belt of minor health, basically it added 20 health to the wearer. Vivian had not got a magic belt so they passed it to her the extra Hit points would not hurt. Alice grabbed a couple of the well-thumbed poetry books from the lamia queen¡¯s desk.
They made sure to burn the bodies and the entire settlement to the ground, the thatch burnt well, nothing would be left for the vampires to use or harvest. Alice spoke her mind, ¡°It seems a shame to have to destroy the snake people utterly¡±. ¡°It is a necessity, they may be able to read a book to tend to the wounds of each other to hold a conversation plant a few crops, but so can a bandit and a vampire. Stronger monsters often have human elements, because they were often once humans or they were created by humans. You have to push such thoughts down¡±, Martin gently scolded her.
Vivian put a hand on Alice''s shoulder, ¡°if you hesitate for a moment seeing them as anything other than a target they will kill you. You were wounded you know that they would not hesitate to kill us¡±. David spoke, ¡°the central plains have fifty large human majority city states able to provide for their populations with plenty of food and a common pantheon of nine little gods. Yet they spend most of their spare resources fighting each other over where the borders on a map are drawn.¡± Alice sighed they were right, but it didn''t feel good that they were right.
It took then many hours to get back to forge hold, the guards on the gate met them. Simon met them as they entered the guard house, ¡°you have been gone three days we were starting to worry that you were defeated. But then we kept seeing the pillars of smoke so we assumed fighting was going on¡±. Vivian shrugged ¡°we are finished¡±. He looked puzzled, ¡°finished the vanguard off after three days that''s good you can get more supplies and head out again¡±.
Vivian shook her head, ¡°no we are finished¡±. Simon looked disappointed, ¡°so you gave up on the quest as to hard¡±? David pulled the lamia queens severed head out of a bag, ¡°no we have finished it completely¡±. He looked at them, ¡°you gained a few levels¡±. Martin looked about, ¡°around six levels each¡±. Simons eyes opened wide he had a little jealousy in his voice, ¡°you must be well on your way to being masters¡±.
They went back to Milroy and left there heavier equipment at the hunters house. They went to the local lord¡¯s hall. Graham looked at them after they were let in, ¡°why are you back so early¡±? He eyed the bag that they were carrying. Vivian grinned, ¡°We have come to collect the reward of 100 silver for the cull.¡± Martin held open the bag of various alchemical components to show Graham the sheer number of snakes serpent men and lamia that they had killed.
Vivian continued, ¡°also we have come to collect 50 silver for killing the queen¡±. She nudged David ¡°show him her head¡±, David held open a bag showing the lamia queens head. David was about to ask for more money but Vivian kicked him in the shins. The lord looked at it, ¡°a bit damaged but I will add it to my collection, I can have the eyes replaced with glass¡±. Vivian spoke up, ¡°we also want to collect 100 silver for the extermination.¡±
Martin held out his holy symbol his hand on it, ¡°I can swear I smashed every egg¡±. Graham nodded ¡°that''s fine the total payment of 250 silver will be passed to you in a few minutes. I just need to ask my wife for the key¡±. He paused doing a little mental audit in his head, ¡°now we have much better hunting grounds. We can extend the farm land a little bit, and I understand there are some alchemical stuff by the hot-springs, we can make the money back in year or two. And there is the peace of mind that those things are gone¡±.
Lord Graham returned with the money, he looked at David and Vivian then handed it to her. She thanked him, then they headed over to the merchants hall. They found the chemist that had been experimenting with the hair growth formula, he had shaved most of the excess hair off. He looked quite human and was not going to be mistaken for a small troll. They sold the alchemical bits and pieces to the guild for an extra 30 silver. The chemist nodded, ¡°a bit mangled, I can use most of it, is suppose quantity has a quality all of its own¡±.
They met Luther in an office to debate the sale of a specialist item. Martin brought out the hydra egg. He examined it, ¡°A lamia queen can produce these, and I understand it takes a lot of effort and several years for them to grow up. It takes as much effort as two or three regular spawns¡±. They debated the Hydra egg with Luther. He rubbed his hands together sure that its contents was alive and intact, ¡°nice prize there good for alchemical research 30 silver¡±.
Vivian was not born yesterday, ¡°no, you can get four times that selling to monster tamer, we want 90 silver¡± David chirped in, ¡°and a replacement potion of adrenalin¡±. Luther pushed his hands away in a dismissive gesture, ¡°those sorts of buyers are rare let¡¯s say 40 silver¡±. Vivian looked at David eyebrows raised, ¡°what about 75 silver and an adrenalin potion¡±?
He paused, ¡°say 45 silver and an adrenalin potion¡±. Vivian countered, ¡°how about 65 and an adrenalin potion¡±. Vivian reached out a hand, ¡°we can say meet in the middle 55 and an adrenalin potion¡± Luther grasped her hand, ¡°deal¡±. The hydra egg was put in a warm padded cabinet with some holes in the wood for air flow.
Alice held out the apprentice¡¯s magic staff, ¡°can we trade this mages staff in for a piece of ring-mail armour a chest piece for me¡±? Luther looked at it, then flipped through a book. He put one hand on the book one hand on the staff, ¡°appraise¡± the book glowed a dull blue. It allowed a person who was not magical to appraise magical items. ¡°It¡¯s old and warn another 10 silver, you recharge the magic in my appraisal grimoire and you have a deal OK¡±.
Alice felt the ring-mail weighing her down, but it would be worth it for the extra protection. She had a chest piece David had a replacement potion they had a 3 more magic items and a total of 325 silver to add to their treasury, it cost her a little time and a lot of mana to fully recharge the magic item for the merchant. It was not bad for three days¡¯ worth of effort and a few close calls. They had a quick drink at the tavern then a large meal at the hunter¡¯s house. For the first time in several days of they went of to sleep in something resembling a comfortable bed.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
34 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
205/205 |
Adrenalin |
170/170 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
40 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
34 |
Level Defence Bonus |
34 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
106 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L5 |
Layered Armour Perk L2 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L2 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| better criticals L4 |
|
|
| Perks |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
33 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
200/200 |
Adrenalin |
165/165 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
39 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
33 |
Level Defence Bonus |
33 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
102 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L4 |
Layered Armour Perk L1 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L2 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L2 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L3 |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
34 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
117/117 |
Mana |
250/250 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
39 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
34 |
Level Defence Bonus |
34 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
2 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 3 Mana |
Magical Defence |
50 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L2 |
Analyse Magic L2 |
Recharge Enchantment L2 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage +5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) alies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Grand (4 x level reistance to pysical damage) 3x base mana 15 seconds |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
41 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
488/488 |
Focus |
260/260 |
Focus efficiency 4 focus |
|
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
48 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
52 |
Level Defence Bonus |
52 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L2 |
| Resist Poison |
Blade Coatings L3 |
Focus Shot L2 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L9 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L2 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L3 |
Focus throw L2 |
Focus Multi Throw L2 |
| General Melee Weapons L7 |
Focus strike L2 |
Grenadier L8 |
| Focus Parry L2 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L2 |
Combat Medic L2 |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armour x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 7 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 3 |
| 1 x sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 1 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 7 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 2 |
| resist igna ¨C resistance to 35 points of fire damage x 1 |
| resist lightning ¨C resistance to 35 points of electricity damage x 1 |
| resist cold ¨C resistance to 35 points of cold damage x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 45 points Long ranger rank 2 |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadist |
|
|
|
|
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 30 – Bats and Bones.
That night and well into the morning they slept like logs, it was the first time in several days that they had a slept in a bed. They were like logs, paranoid logs encased in armour but logs none the less. Martin was the first to rise, followed by the mercenaries and finally Alice. If she didn¡¯t need to eat breakfast they would have required some sort of pry bar to get her out of bed.
They ate a hearty breakfast of porridge, Alice had used a lot of magic. Despite her small body that used up a lot of energy processing all the mana. She looked around the table, ¡°I can¡¯t believe we did that, three days outside the walls and we survived, it¡¯s got to be extremely dangerous to be outside a settlement at night¡±. David had a certain arrogances to his voice, ¡°maybe for those below level 20, apart from lexicon. We are likely to be the most dangerous things in the area, at least the four of us together¡±.
Martin carefully considered his words, ¡°that might be true, the only other high level creature we have herd of is Islington. I don¡¯t think Islington would have recovered significantly in the short space of time since we wounded him. Even then we are getting to the point where we can handle something of his level between us, even if he was at full strength and had a few underlings for support¡±.
Vivian wondered, ¡°What do you think has happened to Islington, he has to be out of this fight with his injuries weakening him¡±. Martin thought for a moment chewing his porridge, ¡°he would have been disciplined by his father, probably nothing too harsh. But he is probably in a far less important support role at the moment. Organising supplies or martialling low level troops, something in the background where he will not be a problem¡±.
¡°He was due to lead the attack now he has been put in the background¡±. David added his own ideas, ¡°you don¡¯t consider the arrogance of the vampire, bastard son or not he was a noble. Even if he is put on the back lines babysitting thrall bats or rats he will come for us again. He will not anticipate the difference in equipment levels or his weakened state, his wounded pride will make him force a confrontation¡±.
Vivian had to wonder, as they tucked into a second course of Breakfast, ¡°Lexicon must be low on troops, we have killed quite a few of his minions and allies. Wouldn¡¯t he call this assault off rather than waste troops¡±. Martin shrugged, ¡°I suspect he is calling in a few favours to bulk up his ranks. Other elder vampires that serve the empress of shadows, independent contractors. He will have a few surprises for us¡±. Alice asked simply, ¡°Why push on when this has already cost him hundreds of gold and almost cost him the life of his son¡±.
Martin was adamant, ¡°he has to attempt this attack, and I believe that he has promised much to the vampire ancient he works for. Or even to the empress of shadows herself, if they took this settlement a boost of 1000 to 2000 survivors as slave¡¯s thralls fledgling vampires. It would be a big boost to her numbers in this area. So I believe that unless we do a lot of damage to his ranks very soon, we will have a siege on our hands. This settlement has thick walls and several artillery pieces I don¡¯t like lexicons odds¡±.
They ate the rest of the meal quickly, thinking about more battles to come. There was a commotion and a knock on the door to the hunter¡¯s house. An apprentice hunter dashed into the room soon after, he had a key clutched tightly in his hand. He turned to the adventurers, ¡°the confessor will see you now it is urgent¡±. They bolted down the last few spoonful¡¯s of their meal grabbed all there equipment and left for the church as quickly as they could.
Simon had posted a few of the settlements guards outside the confessor¡¯s office, a good idea considering the attack from the thieves¡¯ guild a few days ago. Attempting to assassinate key figures in the local area. They knocked on the door and were admitted, the confessor put down his paperwork and eyed the group with some interest. ¡°Greetings my friends, good news on your hunt with the serpents. Even if we were provoked into a rash action by the vampire lexicon, he underestimated you. All he did was give us more land and put coin in your pocket, he is gathering forces but we have known that for a few days¡±.
Martin was serious in his tone zealous in his look, ¡°What foes need to be broken¡±? The confessor took a deep breath. ¡°Two days ago I felt a strange sense as I prayed, I used the blessing thy will be done for insight. I was granted a tiny look at a fragment of lexicons plans. I found that the vampire is gathering his servants. Despite our efforts he is still trying to raise an army, this much we guessed. He is gathering an army to attack us marshalling his lieutenants.¡±
The confessor pulled out a local map, ¡°Something is coming from the east, along the road to the east of the village of Ecrin. I want you to find and destroy whatever is coming. It¡¯s probably a major element of lexicons forces, probably lead by a lieutenant a powerful creature or elite vampire. The easiest way to defeat a vampire attack is to stop them building up the forces necessary to overwhelm our walls. I don¡¯t relish the thought of fighting in the streets.¡±
He pointed to three marks on the map, ¡°There are some ancient tombs of the nobility out there, supposedly the nobles cremated all their ancestors after the vampires became a problem. Back when we started to cremate all remains. It is possible that they just sealed the crypts as a cheap option. Back then the nobles traditionally liked to venerate their ancestors and didn¡¯t like to cremate the remains. It may be a necromancer or vampire with necromancy spells, there are no monster nests or powerful creatures that they could be trying to recruit. East Ecrin has a population of nine hundred and the walls of that little cheese making village are surprisingly strong, so I think that they will not be attempting to attack that as a target straight away¡±.
Vivian spoke to the confessor looking at David¡¯s battered armour, ¡°we will depart shortly we need to make a few arrangements and then we will head out¡±. The priest gave them a quick blessing and they left. They went to the trade guild and went looking for a blacksmith, to make some quick repairs to David¡¯s plate armour. Martin had the necessary skills but not the tools or materials, with a quick bit of debating they got the tools and assistance needed.
Martin and Luther hammer David¡¯s equipment back in shape over several metal forms, they didn¡¯t have much time so they did the very basic work to repair it. To make sure the armour would deflect and block any blow. It cost them two silver for material and labour, it was around four times the regular cost. But it was an urgent job so the trade guild had an excuse, some items for the towns defence were delayed but they would catch up soon.
Luther was also helpful in grabbing a cart driver waiting around the trade guild. He was going to take a day or two for a shipment to be ready, he had little to do until then. Luther recruited him to give them a lift so that they would be able to respond to the confessor¡¯s mission as quickly as they could, time might be of the essence. The cart driver used a pair of cattle to pull the heavy cart, one of the more competent militia went with them as extra security.
The journey was a quiet one down a fairly unremarkable track, several thick warm blankets made it a comfortable journey in the cold weather. The cart was only going to take them half of the way along the trail then drop them off and return to town. The cart driver and the militia man were no going to be able to face whatever was heading down the track. The stomp of the cattle and the rattling of the cart would raise more attention than the party on foot. The cart driver had no desire to put his own life in any more danger than it usual. It was late in the day when they got close to the old burial sites.
With the dwindling light Vivian was the first to see movement along the trail. Then Martin started to look, he could see the approaching enemy the faint purple glow of magic. They found a spot close to the side of the road. The party had enough light to see they moved behind a crumbled pile of rocks from a cleared landslide, and waited.
David looked through his monocle. 50 skeletons surrounded by a faint purple glow were matching four abreast down the track. They were between level 25 to 30, they were an undead knight class. They carried both spears and swords, most had a shield over their shoulders. They carried what was once thick armour. A purple glow surrounded there weapons and armour holding the damaged and decayed equipment together. They would be a little bit tougher to fight physically, the adventures had plenty of equalizers.
It was almost a certainty that these remains had been raided from the old noble burial grounds. The coffins must have been well sealed stone affairs as recognisable pieces of heraldry and banners could be seen. As the confessor had mentioned, some of the banners looked like the house of Kain others like the current lord of forge hold. Most banners belonged to minor houses that had ceased to exist or been absorbed into one of the larger houses through marriage.
They were carrying something at the back, it almost looked like an eight man litter. Something left in one of the old tombs, dating back to a time before the vampire¡¯s prominence. When the biggest threat to the peasantry had been the whims of the local barons. They could see the necromancer riding in it as pompous as any natural born lord. This lord of the dead was around level 45 he had probably expelled almost all of his magic creating the small army around him. Arriving on the battel field with these 50 undead might be a problem. Especially if he had a chance to reinforce them with additional magic. They would be a potent unit that the defenders of forge hold would have great difficulty dealing with.
It was a pity for the necromancer that he was in close proximity to a high level group of adventures. Martin grinned as he uses two large thermite grenades lighting them and fling them forwards. There were two big bangs and white hot flames. The front fifteen skeleton knights were heavily damaged, bits of their armour were gone, chunks of their equipment were missing and they were not standing in such a regimented way.
The other members of the party were not idle in attacking the necromancer and his charges. Alice used a duel cooked fire ball aimed at the front ranks, twenty of the undead constructs were bathed in the mages fire. They looked about ready to fall down there and then, David charged forwards and delivered a regular attack that sent an undead knight crashing to the ground one leg gone it tried to prop itself up on its spear.
Vivian let loose with one of her iron arrows straight at the source of the problem. The Necromancers defensive barrier spell was quite weak, the arrow bounced off it like it was hitting a stone wall. But the impact almost destroyed the simple barrier spell. The necromancer probably relied on ducking behind the cover of his minions, rather than his own personal defensive magic so he had never bothered to improve this spell. The litter was lowered a skeleton knight put his bones between Vivian and the necromancer, a mithril arrow smashed through the skeleton knight almost destroying it in one shot.
Martin got closer, he used his blessing ¡°circle of consecration¡± creating a circle around him that started to wear away at the spells animating the skeleton¡¯s. The purple light holding there weapons and armour began to fade even further. A second skeleton took an arrow for his master and the necromancer had enough. One look at the vampire hunter''s blessings eating through his magic and the necromancer was certain he had made the best choice available.
Two skeleton knights threw there great shields over the front of the litter covering the necromancer. He poured his reserves of mana into a spell. Eight of the skeleton¡¯s turned around and placed the litter on their armoured shoulders. They began to move as quickly as they could, ten more joined them to act as a screen against the adventures. The skeletons in the middle of the group spread out to block off the pathway to stop the adventures pursuing. The necromancer was getting away with 20 knights keeping him safe inside the litter. He was using his final reserves of mana to empower them to run. The spell caused some damage to his creations, but it was doing its job of distancing him form the adventures.
The necromancer was sweating, those particular adventures were meant to be chasing lamia. Not popping up to demolish his forces before he had even had a chance to join lexicon yet. The spell he was using was designed to help necromantic constructs to cross distances quickly. So that their time in a killing field would be reduced. He was now using it to retreat with all his might. Various expletives followed after the necromancer as Martin was swearing to help him permanently join his creations. The necromancer thought it out perhaps he should have created a smaller number of more powerful bone golems. But then he didn¡¯t want his creations to be such an easy target for the defensive ballistas.
The un-lead undead already softened up with thermite and fire balls were quickly crumbling to dust under the groups assault. Martin activated his ¡°shield of faith¡± blessing them another ¡°circle of consecration¡±. The holy energy slowly unravelled the deteriorating suits of rusted metal and crumbling bones that formed there opposition.
David lets lose a few power attacks into the ranks on the right flank, his improved abilities demolished the skeletons. Without a spell casters support he was so resistant to their attacks in his layers of heavy armour it would take a massive weight of numbers to affect him. Vivian shot silver mithril and bodkin arrows into the back ranks of skeletons, some folded easily others were simply badly damaged, the skeletons fell one by one.
Alice used her shield spell as she came out of hiding behind a rock. It lasted for fifteen seconds and gave her plenty of time to plan her next move. A few knights had spears to throw, they were no specialist unit so the spears bounced off the protective spell. She carefully sent a fire ball into the middle of the opposition ranks avoiding Martin and David. It destroyed five damaged skeletons.
The group worked well as they demolished the knights with the minimum of effort. Martin tried something tapping a skeleton knight on the shield with his holy symbol ¡°purify¡±. It split apart and fell to pieces, the purify blessing could remove magical influence, it probably would not work on an undamaged skeleton knight but there were few of them. Martin used his blessing, ¡°hallowed earth¡± five more of the skeletons collapsed on the spot the rest looked like they would follow shortly.
Alice finished off a straggler with an acid strike and the battle was over. They had fought such engagements a few times. Softening up an enemy with offensive magic blessings and explosives. Vivian picking off key targets Alice continuing to softening up the group with fire balls with Martin and David bogging down the group in a spot that would bottle neck there opponents. It was a strategy that played to their strengths, with each member¡¯s slowly expanding repertoire added to their groups fighting strength they could handle larger and more numerous opponents.
The enemy had suffered heavy losses, they would not easily find a bounty of high level corpses to make more undead from. Lexicon had lost 30 servants, destroying 60% of the fighting potential of that unit. The necromancer had hidden behind cover then retreated, without mana to fuel his spells his presence was more of a liability than a benefit. He had caused the party to grow more powerful as they destroyed his creations they levelled up further as he got out of range.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Martin felt his eyes glow he levelled up to level 42, as he started to stack the undead¡¯s remains up. He learned a fourth level in blade coating allowing him to mix up an enduring burning fire coating that would make the damage from his throwing blades a little more potent and could be added to a sword later on.
David hit level 34, he gained the 4th level in his skill defence against hordes. A skill that allowed a soldier to make better use of their armour defensively when facing a line of attacking targets. It allowed David a much better chance of survival against the waves of attackers, like the hoard of skeleton knights. Vivian hit level 35 taking a class level she gained the ability to train up a superior version of the guard class, a town guard who benefitted with access to a better class of equipment and the skill to fully use it. Alice almost blacked out again then levelled up, gaining a stronger version of her defensive shield spell.
David and Martin piled up the bodies and there fragments of weapons, Vivian recovered her arrows. After a few minutes she had all her arrows and began to help pile up bones. Alice had a look through the skeletons remains just in case any of them were buried with any magical equipment. They were not, so the nobles were at least sensible enough not to allow grave robbers the chance at anything good. They had most of the bones back together in a pile, Vivian threw oil over it Martin said a little prayer then set the pile on fire. They gave it a few minutes to make sure that the pile was burning. Alice had one good question as they brought out the torches, ¡°Who was the necromancer due to meet up with¡±?
David shrugged ¡°I don¡¯t know but they would be along this way, the direction that the necromancer was originally heading, if we go back with our eyes open we might find something else to smash up¡±. David and Martin lead Alice in the middle with Vivian at the rear, Martin and David had torches Vivian had her magic ring, activating it with a tap.
Alice kept looking for magic holding her hand out to sense it. Martin held onto his holy symbol waiting for any sense, Vivian had her keen senses. This time it would be David who found it with shear dumb luck about 40 minutes later. ¡°What¡¯s hidden behind that brush¡±? Vivian looked over at the side of the track, a number of bushes had been cut down and arranged at the side of the road to conceal something. Martin moved them back, there was a set of cart tracks and foot prints. Vivian looked at the rest of the group. ¡°This looks like a trail lets follow it¡±. Martin looked back, ¡°is this the same tactic used in vine garden by the bandits¡±? Vivian nodded, ¡°I think so we walked past it once without noticing¡±.
There was a crunching noise as David stepped on something, he looked down at his foot there was some sort of spiked piece of metal wedged in his boot. ¡°What now¡±? he wondered, Martin examined it, pulling it out of David¡¯s boot. ¡°It¡¯s a poisoned caltrops you were lucky you got me to thicken up the soles of your boots¡±. They looked around finding another dozen of the things scattered around the trail. Moving further they found a second line of caltrops and finally a cave entrance disappearing into the side of a sheer cliff.
Vivian looked round, ¡°what if we encounter lexicon again¡±? Martin held out his bundle of dynamite, ¡°we stand a better chance but it is unlikely we will meet him¡±. They moved into the cave there were a few crates of provisions and a cart. There were two beds that would constitute cots and one fairly pleasant one, plus a very well-padded coffin, there had to be one vampire and a few servants, they were about somewhere waiting.
Alice began to freak out when they came into a very large chamber, it looked like it was a natural cave. ¡°Fucking bats freaking fucking bats it''s always fucking bats¡±. Islington was back, he had two human thralls attending him, along with several metric tones of thrall bats. Massive flocks of them and several big ones leading the flocks. There were eight terror thrall bats, two matriarchs and six alphas, very tough creatures with their wings unfurled they were the size of carts.
The bats formed a screen between the adventures and Islington the two thralls stood either side of them, they held pikes and wore a bit of leather armour. Islington tried to begin a grand speech ¡°I have risen like a¡±, ¡°fire ball¡± Alice had no intention of being in the presence of all of these bats for very long, rather than run she had the perfect way to get rid of them on mass. It was shear overkill for a single bat, but there were so many. She was not aiming the spell it just happened, and it got Islington worried, he ducked behind the two thralls protecting him and sent the swarm of bats forward keeping a large number back as a screening shield to save his own ass.
David marched forwards towards the terror bat alphas, he would deal with the threats that he could land solid blows on. Two of the alphas moved forwards, the rest of the alpha¡¯s and the matriarchs hung back. Islington was meant to stay out of the fighting, he was just babysitting these thrall bats. They would be used in the upcoming attack on forge hold, to screen the vampire¡¯s forces and harass the ballista crews to stop them targeting more important assets.
Vivian decided to deal with what she could, she didn¡¯t have enogh arrows to make a dent in the flock of bats, but then there were there priority targets for her. She fired an iron arrow using an adrenalin power shot into the mass of bats, with the power behind it the bats could not easily divert it. One of the thralls guarding Islington stepped into the shot and died saving his master, she shrugged it was a pity.
Alice duel cast her fire ball spell into the centre of the mass of bats, before they could get any closer. Then she realised something in her panic. Islington would always have the thickest mass of bats between him and the party, she just needed to fire there. She screamed ¡°fuck the bats fire ball¡±. Martin ran forwards until he was surrounded by bats weakly attacking him. He used his blessing ¡°sphere of consecration¡±, smoke came off the bats inside the sphere and the ones that entered it they died quickly as the thrall taint was burnt from inside them. Islington set two more of the alphas onto Martin hoping he could overwhelm the party before he ran out of bats, he was in no condition to put up much of a fight himself.
David focused on one of the alphas and didn¡¯t notice the second taking flight, it knocked him to one side, it didn¡¯t hurt but it was distracting. Vivian noticed this and put two of her good bodkin arrows into the bats centre of mass, its wing muscles were damaged and it crashed back to the ground. Martin ended up rolling around on the floor with a giant terror bat alpha on top of him, he held it at arm¡¯s length and pressed his holy symbol to its twisted flesh, ¡°Purge smite divine retribution¡± the creature was looking worse for wear.
Martin noticed that Alice was trying to help him with a fire ball spell, he managed to activate a blessing ¡°resist igna¡±. The fire resistance blessing soaked up some of the damage and the smoking carcase of the bat a little more, he still needed to use divine favour twice on himself to heal the damage from the friendly fire incident.
David was able to land two adrenalin power attacks, to the thrall bat alpha Vivian had wounded. It went down with its skull smashed open bleeding out on the cave floor. He had enough time to turn and use an adrenalin block on the second alpha that was closing in on him, knocking it off course and into the cave wall. Vivian started to focus on the giant bat matriarchs, they were slowly peppered with iron broad heads but they remained in place, waiting for orders form Islington who was keeping them in reserve.
Alice was slightly horrified by the friendly fire incident leaving Martin slightly crispy, the shock of it hit home and she started to focus more. The fire balls she was flinging were decimating the bat swarm but she had to be careful not to wipe out her own allies. Martin drew his triple pistol he unloaded all three barrels into the attacking giant bat alpha, it fell back wounded. Islington could see he was running out of bats, he sent his reserves the last two alphas and the matriarchs into the fight.
Martin took the opportunity to throw one of his remaining thermite grenades into the mix, one matriarch and two of the alphas were engulfed in white molten metal. They were busy writhing around chittering and screaming. Martin jumped onto the neck of the last remaining uninjured matriarch and activated his blessing ¡°chain smite¡±. The bat started to twist and buck around as the holy symbol delivered jolt after jolt of electrical power into its twisted diseased flesh. Vivian put an injured alpha bat down with a few well-placed power shots into its head.
David charged into the second wounded matriarch, it was still smouldering when he started to unleash a series of power attacks into its side, cutting through its wing membrane and into muscle, it shrieked and howled as he chopped and cut. Alice was finally surrounded by bats she threw up her shield spell avoiding any harm, it was the big ones she had to worry about and the rest of the group had them in hand.
The giant bat that Martin was gripping shook him around, it smashed him into a wall but he held on with dogged determination. The bat shook and screamed then collapsed it tried to move away but it was not going anywhere after four more seconds it cut out. One injured alpha targeted Martin he had enough time to activate a defensive blessing, ¡°fortress of faith¡± before it barrelled into him. David focused on the matriarch taking out the second one. Vivian reached for her mithril arrows, the matriarchs were very tough, even a power shot that could pierce its skull was not enough to outright kill one, that arrow would be a problem to recover wedged all the way inside the bats skull.
Alice used her staff to get rid of the bats surrounding her, beating them down one at a time and stamping on them. There numbers were few now thermite fire balls and divine blessings had destroyed most of the foul creatures. Islington watched as his last defences were cut down. Martin killed off the last alpha bat with a focus shot and two applications of the, ¡°wrath of the almighty¡± blessing. David cut into the last matriarch with two adrenalin strikes, almost severing its head and stopping it form flapping around. The remaining bats started to flee for a second with their leadership gone. But Islington exerted what power he had remaining, the bats stuck around to harass the adventures as they advanced.
Vivian picked off one or two of the remaining bats with her speed shooting ability. David ignored them and moved towards Islington, the bats dive bombing him bounced off his plate armour. Martin activated his ability ¡°holy aura¡±, it caused the bats to avoid him as he closed in on the vampire. Islington''s last line of defence fell, as Vivian hit the remaining thrall in the foot with an arrow dropping the man to the ground. Alice threw an acid strike at Islington, the corrosive conjured substance burnt right into his flesh breaking his concentration. Allowing the rest of the thrall bats to regain their tiny minds, sense just how many of their comrades were dead and flee in terror.
Islington took a deep breath, ¡°you think that¡± Martin shot him in the chest with his last pistol. Vivian got him in the shoulder with a silver arrow, David walked up and punched him hard enough in the face for something to crack. Alice nailed him in the groin with an acid strike. Islington was trying to fling one last insult at them, but the words would not form. He could just manage a gasp of pain as a silver arrow hit him in the knee.
Martin pulled a hammer and stake out from his coat. Islington was a shadow of his former self he could barely stand on his injured leg, there was a grin on Martin¡¯s face he looked to Alice nodding. She hit the vampire with another acid strike to the knee and he went down. Vivian and David tackled him holding him down. The vampire tried to speak ¡°not like...¡± Martin felt a moment of bliss as he hammered the stake home, then followed up with a second blow from his mallet. Islington managed to get out two soul rending screams of agony filled with fear and regret. ¡°Father I tried...¡± He stopped struggling, the stake did its work unwinding the spells that kept him in a state of un-death.
The small amounts of skin that had regrown pealed back and evaporated into dust. His body desiccated his regrown hair becoming powder. His flesh and muscles pealed and twisted finally withering away. His bones cracked blackened and then fell apart, leaving dust a skull and fangs.
The injured thrall was crying ¡°master I failed you ¡ I am so sorry¡± Marin held out his holy symbol ¡°purify¡±. The man stared blankly ¡°where am I and ouch my fucking foot¡±?
Martins eyes glowed brightly as he levelled up it was euphoria his purpose fulfilled if only for a second. Martin grinned as power flooded his body he gained four levels from killing that vampire, he had two more levels of combat medic which unlocked the focus stitch skill. Allowing him to rapidly stitch wounds shut if he needed to perform some sort of triage. He gained one level of grenadier specialisation, so he now had the plans for an acid flask grenade floating about his mind. He also gained a class level as he went past level 45.
Martin felt a strange itching then burning through his body, an agony as every cell in his body burned with pain. It was as if he was being poisoned on the inside, like serpents venom was invading every cell. He was clutching the wall almost keeling over his mind was numb exhausted. His body felt different it was greater poison resistance effectively an immunity from poison. Something that higher level hunters enjoyed, he would find even a glass of 95% proof IP to be little more than flavoured water.
He gained access to four new blessings one called litany of blessings that would activate every defensive ability he had in one go, perfect for an emergency. He gained the blessing bastion of faith that made him much tougher in a fight. It was effectively 250 extra health and 30 extra armour. About twice as powerful as fortress of faith. He gained the blessing pillar of salt which was twice as strong as smite and a ranged ability to boot. His last blessing was field of wrath, which would have been excellent against the bats. It was designed to deal with hordes of smaller weaker enemies.
David gained a class level upgrading his comprehensive training ability, Vivian reached level 36 now she now got level 5 of her better criticals skill, she could really do heavy damage. Alice hit level 36 and mastered her shield spell. She now had a formidable barrier allowing her twenty five seconds of shielding to protect herself. Vivian pulled the arrow out Martin checked the wound then they healed up the former thrall. Vivian collected her arrows and Martin reloaded his pistols. David set about piling up handfuls of dead bats in a pile in the centre of the cave.
Vivian and David dragged the giant bat alpha and matriarchs together, Martin Alice and the bemused former thrall helped to pile up all the bats. Some oil and a light and the pile was on fire. They had no intention of facing giant zombie bats. They also had no intention of sticking around as lexicon might be back to check on his son and they were almost out of everything. Martin carried the dead thrall after purifying his remains, at the very least they could bring him back and give his body the last rights. David dragged the confused man with them as they moved to towards town as quickly as they could.
Martin grinned as they went, ¡°I do get a big bonus from a vampire kill even one like him that was already wounded, that was worth four levels¡±. He paused thinking, ¡°his father will be mad¡±. Vivian grinned, ¡°Good we can use the contingency that we have been planning to use¡±. David grinned ¡°we got the bastard, four gold for his head that¡¯s four hundred silver, 40000 brass penny¡¯s¡±. Alice looked back at him ¡°if you insist in payment in pennies you can carry them¡±.
It took them most of the night to walk back, they were tired and hungry when they finally arrived. The gate guards checked them and the former thrall who seemed to be remembering he was a cobbler form good ford. They made a bee line for the church, waking up the deacon who got the confessor. He had a mug of hot tea and met them in his office.
Vivian reported to the confessor, ¡°There was a necromancer above veteran status, possibly a master leading a group of fifty knight class undead, until the noble¡¯s crypts are inspected we presume they were raised locally as you guessed. He was meeting with the vampire''s lieutenant Islington, who was leading a large flock of thrall giant bats, centred around eight matriarchs and alpha bats¡±.
The confessor looked disappointed, ¡°so they are marshalling there forces I presume you did more than observe the meeting¡±?
Vivian gestured to Martin who dropped a skull with two fangs onto Calvin¡¯s desk. Vivian continued ¡°we prevented them from meeting up, initially we engaged the necromancers unit. He sacrificed around 30 of the skeleton knights to act as a rear guard while he fled. The other group was local we found and engaged them destroying the majority of the giant bats the matriarchs and the alpha''s then we destroyed Islington¡±.
Calvin placed a holy symbol on the desk. ¡°This is an important matter I must confirm, place your hand on the symbol¡±. Martin placed his hand there Calvin looked at the rest David and Vivian placed their hands next to his Alice reluctantly placed her hand there. Calvin spoke ¡°repeat after me, I swear it is the truth before the creator god that we have killed the vampire Islington and this is his remains¡±. They spoke as the priest spoke there was a glow from the holy symbol and on their hands. The priest nodded in satisfaction. ¡°You can take your hand back¡±, He held out a hand placing it on the skull, ¡°insight¡± he nodded ¡°purify¡± the skull crumbled to dust. He looked around to them ¡°there was a four hundred silver bounty on his head I assume you plan to collect¡±.
David looked around the rest of the group. There was no dissent ¡°we plan to collect, high level equipment is expensive and lexicon is very tough¡±. The confessor nodded, ¡°that is often the case, use the reward to help you eliminate the vampire menace, I will pay you from our funds then collect from Lord Fortest Bradbury-Cain afterwards¡±. The group made some plans then dropped back round to the hunter¡¯s house finding some well-earned sleep.
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 31 – Lexicons Bain
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They were raised by a banging on the door announcing breakfast, they had not had much sleep that night. But they needed to eat more having only had a little bread. They ate and debated between spoonfuls of porridge. ¡°Lexicon will attack now no matter what¡±, David was confident. ¡°Are you sure¡±? Vivian not so much, she looked at it tactically not emotionally. ¡°This is personal this is revenge for him¡±. Martin was sure, ¡°an older vampire would have enough clout to abandon this, but in the end lexicon is not that old¡±.
David nodded, ¡°he has to follow through with what he is doing, or any respect and rank he has amongst the vampires will disappear right¡±. Vivian had to admit the point ¡°it¡¯s a political manoeuvre I guess now. Even if he lost a lot of constructs creatures and thralls he could say he gave it his all and then spend a few years in the shadows building back up, he is penalised less for failure than for not fighting¡±.
David''s thoughts turned to more pressing matters, ¡°we have quite a bit of cash now¡±. Vivian eyed him up she spoke, ¡°do we have anything that we could spend it on¡±? He nodded, ¡°a spare adrenalin potion for me, heck one for you as well¡±. He pointed to Martin, ¡°you could use one that restores focus potions, a few extra arrows for Vivian a few minor health potions each. This could be the biggest fight of our lives¡±. Martin sighed, ¡°They don''t really have any more grenades or explosives worth a dam¡±. Alice sighed, ¡°We have been over to the trade guild a few times, I don''t think that we have anything else local that we can get. We cleaned out everything we can use, each one of us has several pieces of equipment now¡±.
David looked at Vivian, ¡°you remember the master battle alchemist Tony¡±. She nodded ¡°yes what about him?¡± David was focused on one part of his equipment. ¡°He had mithral chain mail, no double thickness king¡¯s mail, it was heavy and very sturdy. Only a master who invested a lot of time, could afford to get gear of that high a level¡±. She had to remember that, ¡°yes he might have even survived a swipe from that troll¡±. David grinned, ¡°We might want to focus on getting some to help ourselves and it can be enchanted heavily.
He looked around the group, ¡°Martin would need to have a set blessed to give him the same advantage. Alice has no way to take the extra weight without some extra strength training, another strength boosting enchantment or some steroid potion, but us mercenaries we would be fine¡±. Marin nodded, ¡°when we get to one of the bigger settlements a proper town we can enquire about some Damascus chain-mail or even some mithral. But that is far into the future there are other ways to get equipment, a master that disappeared around a monster lair, a retired adventurer or a noble family selling heirlooms we might get lucky¡±.
Martin managed to catch Milroy after they had finished breakfast. ¡°We are going to be facing lexicon or his lieutenants soon, do you have any little contingency''s that could help to even things out in our favour¡±. Milroy pulled a map aside and opened a little compartment in a wall, he pulled out a cloth unwrapping two objects fashioned from copper wires lead steel and various chemical solutions held in copper cylinders. ¡°One of our founders preferred designs, I have kept these in reserve for a rainy day. It will be a drop in the ocean against a vampire elder, but it will still hurt like a son of a bitch and give you a few precious seconds. I will part with them for ten silver, I know you are fully funded don''t forget they are reusable¡±.
Martin now had two Tesla grenades from the local vampire hunter. They were a battle alchemists speciality, but hunters still had the know how to use them and recharge them. It was a special weapon that would bypass a lot of a vampire¡¯s natural armour doing 75 points of electrical damage within three meters for 3 seconds. It was not that much damage but it was perfect for softening up or distracting vampires especially when they were grouped together.
It was also excellent for dealing with a human in heavy armour. They could be recharged but it normally required electrolytic materials. A special alchemical product to replace the battery fluids that reacted to release the electrical charge. It could be a bit difficult to find the necessary materials but possibly a long term addition to his arsenal. It cost him ten silver for the expense.
They went to the trade guild hall, it was not an unexpected surprise the gate guards led them in without question. An assistant took them over to Luther, he looked them up and down. ¡°Need some more ammo some repairs, what to look over the special stock again¡±? Vivian looked over to him ¡°we mostly came for more potions, but if I could have ten more iron broad-heads to replace damaged and broken arrows it would be good¡±. He nodded sending the assistant to get the arrows. He escorted the group over to one of the chemists. ¡°You¡¯re preparing for the big fight, when it all comes to a head¡±.
Luther saw the chemist who opened up a strong box. Vivian put in her order, ¡°two more adrenalin potions, another mana potion a focus potion and eight more healing potions¡±. The chemist nodded carefully wrapping up each of the delicate glass bottles. It cost them eight silver, they got a bit of a discount considering the situation. The chemist was nervous as he handed them over, each of his brews could mean the difference between his customers returning and not. Luther observed ¡°you are getting well prepared, its sensible considering what¡¯s out there¡±.
The group headed off to the church, they had a few things to set in motion. They very briefly spoke with confessor Calvin. Martin addressed him, ¡°we are as ready as we can be to deal with lexicon. We will prompt him to come to us, to a place we have prepared. For a fight on our terms. We have killed his son, we will use this as bait for trap. We will behead this attacking force before it can begin to lay siege¡±. Calvin looked at them all, ¡°using yourselves as bait you¡¯re confident, Oswald will deliver the message. Forge Hold is as prepared as it ever will be for an attack. We await the vampires to move, if you can deliver a debilitating strike first. It will be better than having to repel his forces across the entire length of the wall¡±.
They finalised some arrangement then went to see Oswald. They had debated for some time what to tell the spy. In the end Vivian was given the duty to relay the final agreement. He stood up, ¡°I guess it¡¯s time, what do you want me to do¡±? Vivian handed him a map, ¡°your brother will be free very soon. Lexicon wants us dead more than he wants to take this town, we killed his son and he truly loved his son. You will tell him that there will be an exchange. He gives you your brother back and you hand us to him on a plate, in the cave marked hear¡±.
Oswald frowned, ¡°that seems like suicide why would you go through with it?¡± Vivian grinned, ¡°We are now better prepared armed and closer to level fifty. We might not have been a match for lexicon before but we are now. He does not know that we have grown, so he will underestimate us and whatever he brings with him, then they will not be enough¡±. Oswald nodded, ¡°I don''t have a better idea, you might win you might lose but it¡¯s the best chance I have of getting him back¡±.
They would use the spy to bring the vampire to a place they knew, before the attack was going to happen the leadership would be culled. She grinned again, ¡°You tell them that you arrange for us to be here¡±. She looked at him closely, ¡°the trick is we are a lot higher level and much better armed, don¡¯t tell the vampires we are prepared. You tell them that you have told us that the cave is the hideout for the necromancer we saw last night, it is plausible it¡¯s simple¡±.
Vivian turned to the party when Oswald had left, ¡°Because we killed his son lexicon wants nothing more than to kill us¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°Oswald is sure of this, he is certain that his brothers use as a hostage is worth less to lexicon than his desire for vengeance, he believes that the vampire will go for it, he will not deviate from our plan.¡± Martin looked around the group, ¡°we may as well get to know this vampire¡±.
They returned to the hunters house, Milroy was there, ¡°I have dug up some history on the vampire go see lord Graham, the name Alexis was mentioned several times I suggest you check that out¡±. They went over the lord Graham''s tower, there was a brief greeting then a servant got a book from the family library.
There was once an ambitious noble called Alexis. He was a knight of small military skill, never going beyond level 25. He was however a competent archaeologist, that was fascinated with the past. With the faded glory of the old times, when the Barron''s were still there, when they ruled from there towers and there word was undisputed. He had a head for books and languages and became somewhat of an expert on translating texts. layer after layer of history opened up to him.
He had two legitimate sons, one became a knight one became a beast rider a trainer. Both fell in battle, so Alexis made his illegitimate infant son his heir. The boy was called Ishmael, the lord swore that he would gain great power, he left with a few loyal men but he didn''t return. There was a sketch of this Alexis khan, he was definitely the vampire lexicon. His knowledge must have been useful to the vampires, so he was turned and over time promoted as he became an elder.
What about his son Ishmael, they wondered. The records showed he was born in a house down from the hill. That was his birth place, the name Islington is a word play from an old tongue meaning downhill or downs. They guessed he renamed his son when he turned him into a vampire. It is a play on words, lexicon would probably be the only one that would know why. The local elder he might be, but he is still pretty young by vampire standards. Either he had really impressed the ancient he works for, or they are simply short of vampires. Lexicon was just over a hundred. He used to be a local noble a century ago, Alexis Kahn. He would know the area, details like the grave sites that the necromancer raided.
They had quite a bit of time to wait for it to turn into night fall. Martin crudely make up some potion holders for them. Martin had three healing potions and one focus potion. David had two adrenalin potions and three healing potions Vivian had three healing potions and one adrenaline potion. Alice had three healing potions and two mana potions, all of them were ready. They set out from the hunter¡¯s house. They met Oswald who nodded to them, he confirmed that he had met a thrall and send the message that they would rely on.
Hours passed, Lexicon smiled with a wide grin on his face. He had his enemy''s cornered in the back of a cave while they had been looking for his necromancer lieutenant. The man was far too valuable with his magic and far too physically weak to risk in such a confrontation. Lexicon had his sword drawn his servants at his back. They would be victorious he was sure of it. They had the `hostage` obediently standing behind them. Lexicon had one elite vampire fifty years younger than him next to him a dagger in each hand. The hostage was an obedient thrall with a hidden dagger, he could use it if he got the chance to get close to them.
The party were in his trap, four full vampires were behind him. They were divided into two teams of one spear wielder and one sword and axe. They were trained to fight in pairs as battle brothers. There were eight second generation blood thralls, a personal guard four with bows at the back and four with halberds at the front. They had thick iron scale male armour they would all be tough to kill.
The party was not exactly unprepared, they were at the back of the cave, behind a dip in the floor of the cave. Martin had his defensive blessing guardian angel already up and active. David was in a defensive stance his shield wedged into the floor of the cave, Vivian was behind him. Alice had a shield spell already cast, she was hiding behind a rock outcrop. They were ready for the engagement to begin. Hunkered down behind his shield David looked about and let out a small smileThis story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Lexicon planned to take them alive, he might lose a few people but he would have a satisfying revenge. There was one way in and one way out of this cave. He could feel no magic or blessing, there was not the life force of a large group of humans waiting to ambush him. Just the four adventures that had been ruining his plans and killing his servants.
They didn''t start slinging spells and arrows at him, despite it being there best chance. Perhaps they were going to try to talk their way out of it, Alexis was far less merciful now. He didn''t care, he stood in the middle of the room, his people in a lose formation ready to react to the adventures attacks. If they threw fire balls or grenades they could scatter. If they tried to charge into melee they could group up, they had room to react and the training to react fast.
What they didn''t expect was what happened next. Vivian and Alice dived to the ground, Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°smite¡±. The elder used the blood in his veins to empower his body. He could see with extreme clarity and move with great speed. His lieutenant the elite vampire armed with daggers dived out of the way, but they were not the intended target. The ground had been disturbed, dust covered in bat guano covering a bulge in the floor, the bolt of electrical energy struck a fuse.
Lexicon watched in horror was the earth and rock expanded out wards. As a wave of explosive force expanded into the cave, he was thrown backwards and something hit into him. Pain radiated out through his body. The explosive was powerful, he had lost several fractions of a second as he was throw around the room. He had slammed into the ceiling then against one wall, his senses reached out. In that moment the thralls were dead, the vampires were dead even his elite lieutenant was dead, he was badly wounded.
The group was coming out from behind the dip in the stone, the natural fortification of the cave. They had Alice''s ring of light working, Martin had his pistol in one hand his holy symbol in the other. Vivian had a mithral arrow notched in her bow, Alice recast her shield spell then stepped out from behind cover. David had his shield and sword up. The vampire elder laughed, his voice full of spite and regret, ¡°that was the demolition charge from Vine Garden¡±? Martin nodded.
Lexicon tried to stand up the, vampire failed realising how badly wounded he was. The explosion had removed his right leg. His armour had been held together with necromantic magic as a reinforcement, it was now gone. Not even fragments of metal were left it, had been more spell than steel. His fingers formed claws and he pulled himself across the floor as the adventures moved to cut him off.
He spat blood at them hitting David''s shield, ¡°in my rage and grief I let you trick me, you used that device the alchemist made, it was strong enough to have breach fortifications¡±. He looked at his leg, ¡°still it seems to have a bit more punch to it¡±. Vivian nodded, ¡°we surrounded it with wood soaked in holy oil, very good against vampires¡±.
Lexicon could see why his fellow vampires had been shredded. Martin holstered his pistol and pulled a stake out. He was now running towards lexicon, he had no intention of giving the vampire any time to pull one last tick. The vampire grinned, a red purple haze surrounded him in an instant. There was something like a translucent door made out of lines around him, his body was covered in the glow. Martin almost staked the vampire but he was gone, another far younger and more surprised vampire had taken his place. David looked around expecting the vampire to be on the ceiling or in some corner of the room.
The new vampire looked about, ¡°not again... oh shit I am fu...¡±. Martin held out his hold symbol ¡°pillar of salt¡± the vampire''s flesh and bone glowed white then turned to salt. It fell down into a pile of grit leaving a set of common clothes and a set of fangs. Alice held out her hand ¡°that was vampire magic, that was really powerful. Lexicon swapped places with one of the vampires that he sired or was blood bonded with¡±. Martin hit a wall in frustration, ¡°slippery as fucking hell, no wonder ancient vampires take so much to kill, next time less talking more staking¡±.
Martin felt the level up hit his eyes glowed, he hit level 48 he was getting very close to 50. He had gained two levels, he put a skill point into throwing knives and one into grenades. Next time he would follow up with a few thrown weapons, another vampire would not get away from him. David hit level 37, he put two skill points into a skill called shield knock-down. The next time something got to close he would be able to flaw it. Vivian hit level 38 she put two skill points into her better criticals skill bringing it up to level 7. Alice hit level 38 as well, she was still not use to being hit by multiple level ups but didn¡¯t black out. She put two levels into the elemental shield spell, if she was facing an elemental enemy or spell slinger she would be able to summon protection. It was an excellent counter to a spell attack, she could hide behind David for physical attacks and he could hide behind her for magical attacks.
They checked over the room and recovered the fangs that they could from the six dead vampires. Vivian looked at them, ¡°I believe that the battle has been won, but our payday has escaped¡±. David looked about, ¡°if this vampire lexicon had this power all along, then he probably used it to exchange places with a lesser vampire checking on the ghouls. It would explain where he came from¡±. Martin nodded ¡°that would make sense you saw his regular entourage¡±.
David looked at Martin, ¡°do vampires typically have powers like that¡±? He shrugged, ¡°it¡¯s the sort of thing that goes into myth and rumour. Vampires can use magic, but they have something called a supreme skill once they reach level 100. It¡¯s not uniform some are more powerful than others, some are less powerful but they can use them more frequently¡±. Alice looked thoughtful, ¡°it must be high level magic to flee by exchanging place with vampire under his command. Spatial magic is very difficult someone warded the entire country against it heavily almost no spell from that school works. He was definitely over level 100 to have access to a supreme skill, such a portal is very complex.¡± Martin looked about, ¡°he had a sacrificial vampire a new fledgling ready, he probably has to prepare. We now know he has this skill that is useful knowledge. He has lost a lot of followers and equipment, I guess I would have hit level 50 if we had gotten him¡±.
They gathered up the remains of the ''hostage'' Oswald''s Brother Martin purified it. ¡°At least we will give him last rights¡±. There was not enough left of the blood thralls to give them last rights, Martin would have a prayer said for the repose of their souls. David had to wonder idly, ¡°if a vampire gets a supreme skill at level 100 do they get another one at level 200¡±. Martin wondered, ¡°It would make sense to a degree. That would then suggest that the strongest vampire masters were walking around with seven or eight supreme skills¡±.
Vivian raised another good question, ¡°would an exalted master, a human that had raised their job level to 100 have a supreme skill¡±? Martin had to wonder, ¡°It maybe that anyone or anything that has reached level 100 gains a supreme skill. Such people if they had some sort of all powerful ace in the hole would keep very quiet about possessing it. Heck they might even hide the fact that they reached such a level of power¡±.
Martin continued to wonder, ¡°I know a few of the bishops are level 100 and a knight or two. Supposedly with the defence of the nine major cities like grey forge. They each have at least one resident exulted master. So perhaps such things do exist, it would be a state secret if it did¡±. Alice looked about the rest, ¡°if we broke through twice more and became exulted masters would we wield such power¡±? David took a deep breath, ¡°if we had such power vampires like lexicon would run from us¡±.
Martin pointed out the obvious, ¡°a vampire like lexicon already ran from us¡±. David sighed ¡°without us having to blow one of his limbs off first¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°fair point, if we get to master status and some better equipment then the monsters will be running like that anyway¡±. Vivian looked at him, ¡°don''t count your level before you actually have it¡±, he nodded. They moved back to the town with a degree of confidence, the most powerful monster in the local region had narrowly escaped there blades. The irony was that they had used a weapon that he had commissioned against him, it was enough for the moment.
Simon was at the gate waiting for them, he observed them touching the holy symbol and the body that they carried. The gates opened Oswald ran over to them. He looked at the body they carried, ¡°you swore to me you would get my brother back, you failed you failed you fucking filth you failed¡±. Martin placed the body on the ground then he hit Oswald, ¡°coward traitor degenerate heretic¡±. Each word was punctuated with a blow that broke bone, leaving Oswald on the floor gasping for breath from six broken ribs. Martin reached forwards and gripped him by the collar. ¡°We freed your brother form the vampire¡¯s influence, we saved his soul. he will get last rights and his ashes will be interned in the church¡±.
Oswald spat back, ¡°what does he care about that, he is dead my brother is dead you righteous ass hole¡±. Martins next punch knocked several of his teeth out, ¡°how many have been killed or taken because you submitted to the vampires will, because of the information you fed them, one person two dozen fifty? I don''t know the number but you are guilty. If it was up to me you would die now but an example has to be made¡±. Vivian and David shared a look, if it was one of them taken by the vampires then the other might bend to such requests. Alice knew in her heart her resolve was not that strong she had family that was a weakness. Martin had no family no friends from his old life, they were already dead, it was so much easier for him to talk that way.
Simon locked Oswald up shackled him hand and foot, the man would suffer greatly for his sins. They went to the confessor and gave him a detailed description of the night¡¯s events, ignoring Oswald''s immediate condition when he was incarcerated. Confessor Calvin looked at them with relief, ¡°we appear to have been reprieved from an attack, but I am sorry to say that twenty gold has slipped out of your grasp. He will not be back for quite some time, even after he has physically recovered. If your report is accurate he has lost a second lieutenant in the fight, he will not be able to threaten us for some time until he has recruited new vampires¡±.
Alice interjected, ¡°if he lost a second lieutenant then we should have gotten a few more levels right¡±? The confessor had a brief explanation, ¡°this other vampire was probably something even younger than Islington. Or perhaps by using an explosive prepared by someone else it reduced the experience points that you got. Especially if it was a battle alchemist, they would have claimed some of the benefit¡± The confessor looked around the room, ¡°we might still get the necromancer or any other stragglers, then you can finally rest for a few weeks¡±.
They ate a meal and got a few drinks in, not that it was affecting Martin. He looked round the room, towards the apprentice hunters, ¡°we have business to discuss¡± they left. He looked at the rest of the party, ¡°we are colleagues friends allies¡± Vivian nodded. ¡°We have survived a lot and we work well together¡±, David and Alice nodded.
He had trouble with the words, eventually he found ones that seemed right, ¡°we will soon be masters if we continue to work together we need to come to an understanding¡±. Alice looked about ¡°what sort of understanding¡±? Martin looked at them all, ¡°how do we conduct ourselves what do we do, it will get to the point where we are acting not reacting. We will be the other side of the table giving orders¡±.
David grinned, ¡°We form a brother hood¡± Alice looked at him ¡°there are as many women we could call it a sisterhood?¡± Vivian looked at them both ¡°a fellow ship¡±. David caught on, ¡°OK let¡¯s start we want to go all the way become exalted masters, reach the top of our respective professions right. Gain supreme skills, if that''s a thing¡±. The other three answered as one ¡°Yes¡±.
Martin slapped his palms together, ¡°we might as well aim high, and kill every vampire master in this country¡±. He paused ¡°and collect the bounties on their heads¡±. David could see the king¡¯s ransom on those monsters heads, ¡°yes we take the fight to them¡±. The others agreed if they ever got that far then they would take out the monsters plaguing there country. If they ever gained the power to do so.
Alice took a swallow of ale, ¡°we reform the mages tower, and get rid of the stupid rules. Like I can¡¯t see my family¡±. The others nodded unaware of the political implications, ¡°yes¡± they banged there mugs and plates in unison. David grinned, ¡°If we are going with our list of impossible dreams then I will sit on the throne¡±. Vivian swallowed her ale, ¡°yes and I will lead the merchant¡¯s guild¡±. Alice slurred in agreement, ¡°haaa sure why not¡±. They spoke for half an hour or so.
They retreated to their room, they moved a small table between two of the beds. Martin put his holy symbol down on the table. They placed their hands on it and spoke as one, ¡°We swear an oath before the creator god, we are a fellow ship dedicated to gaining the power to put the world right, by our own hand. We will become exalted masters, we will wipe the vampires from the face of the earth. We will reform the mages tower and become leaders to the noble classes and the merchant¡¯s guild¡±.
Martin found himself changed an anchor to hold him to the world, he handed round his flask of tip. A new perk had been unlocked, bound by oath, he meditated focusing on it, ¡°as a team your combat effectiveness is improved when working together, regardless of how impossible the goal is¡±. Martin had to grin. Any goal was only a quarter as impossible with four of them working together at something. One by one they fell asleep.
True Monsters – Act 3 Forge Hold - Chapter 32 – Necromancers End.
They had been fighting something almost every day for a month, it had caused a certain strain on the party''s minds and their patience. Their ability to mentally cope with one battle after another was at an all-time low. But now they could see the light at the end of the tunnel, a little bit longer moving forwards and they could rest. Lexicon had been broken he would not forgive or forget, but his ability to threaten the settlement of Forge Hold was vastly depleted.
The next time they met, if there ever was a next time he would fall. He was stripped of many allies and servants, they now knew the full repertoire of his tricks what he could do. They woke from there rest and immediately armed themselves, a necessary paranoia. They moved out in a far more relaxed manner, Lexicon might still put more money on their heads, but they were prepared as best they could. The reputation they were building was becoming formidable discouraging further assassins, the bulk of their enemies didn''t survive them.
They had their orders they went to the church, receiving a request from the confessor, one more little job to be done a little clean up. The lay brother Oswald was going to be sent to the tower jail, the confessor had sentenced him to 25 years for betraying his own community, his own country. There was a small iron cage on the back of a wagon just outside the gate. Oswald had been beaten a few times, his wrists and ankles were clammed in locked shackles. He was dragged limply by two guards. When he saw them emotion played over his face he became animated, he managed to curse the party for killing his brother. They saw the incident as regrettable collateral damage in their fight with lexicon.
Martin would have liked to have saved his brother, but he saw no way to do it. There had been too many vampires. David would have said the man''s brother was dead the moment he was seized by the vampires, it was only now that the puppet that remained had stopped dancing to the string pulls of the vampires whims. Vivian had to see it as balance, one life lost for a certain number of the enemy destroyed an acceptable loss to her tactical perspective.
Alice could sympathise with Oswald if someone kidnapped her parents she would react strongly. But she would burn the kidnappers from the face of the earth. She had not been strong, Martin had not been strong. But they had heard the call and they had gained some measure of strength. Oswald was someone who had decided not to fight back.
He howled on that they betrayed him, then he was silenced with a blow that flattened his nose. An iron muzzle was forced between his teeth, then he was forced with a kick into the cage. A small crowd gathered to see him taken away, he was being made an example of. He would not likely survive five years in the tower jail, let alone twenty five years. His death was almost certain. Really if someone willingly helped the vampires then there was little else to expect than death or something worse than death such as the tower jail. Two guards were assigned to escort him to the jail, he was kept as an animal or as a parcel. He would be treated worse, once he got to the tower jail once the warden had him in his grasp.
That scene was left behind, they shared little sympathy for a man who put so much at risk. They went to the confessor¡¯s office the atmosphere was almost relaxed. The confessor looked at them he seemed less tense, able to relax to a degree. ¡°you have done well, but I must raise a level of apprehension. People like you that beat every odd, they seem to rise to some degree of power to a higher office. I ask that you keep a level of perspective. To use a metaphor, people who are very good at hammering in nails tend to see the whole world as an endless fields of nails to be hammered down.¡± He looked over the group, ¡°People who can solve one problem with a sword start to think that every problem can be solved with a sword, they forget that it is a world filled with people not targets for their sword¡±. The group still looked blankly at him.
He shook his head, ¡°that is my sermon of the day think about it, onto other business, Milroy followed a hunch. Well we sent a couple of scouts out to follow one of his hunches¡±. He pulled out a map from a pile of letters, ¡°the place that lexicons original two sons were buried. The tombs were located hear, the remains do not seem to have been cremated. The caskets have been broken open, we suspect the same necromancer that defiled the rest of the knights tombs.¡± In his grief lexicon had the necromancer resurrect his son''s remains as skeletal puppets.
Milroy had accurately guessed the mood of the vampire, based on the historical accounts of the man. Now the confessor had a mission, ¡°we have a lead, a trail you will follow it and you will destroy this blasphemous heretic, that dares to profane the eternal rest of the dead.¡± The confessor thought over his own words, ¡°there I suppose I am doing the same thing I cautioned you against, but this still needs to be resolved¡±.
The confessor banged on his desk and Milroy entered, he nodded politely. The confessor handed him the map, ¡°show them the location that the tracks lead to, this necromancer must die before he has the chance to flee or build up a large force¡±. They nodded and left the confessors presence.
They were armed and ready to go, they had anticipated lexicons remaining forces to scatter or go to ground. They had not broken out the beer barrels quite yet. The elder vampire was not going to be seen again for some time. He had probably retreated to some hidden lair far outside the range of the human settlements. If he was not that cautious he would never have made a hundred years old.
They left the settlement and headed out on their way. As they departed there were a few cheers, the people had heard of their victory over the vampires. The security around the settlement was being reduced, as the threat was reduced some people would get some much needed sleep. Even if the head vampire had slipped away, he was not going to be a problem for some time without troops and lieutenants to lead them.
They moved down the main road following Milroy, then they split off the road to a half forgotten trail. Milroy wished them luck and headed back to forge hold, he had other work to oversee. The track lead to an old abandoned estate. Many of the nobles had to give up chunks of their holdings, that could not be adequately defended when the vampires became active. The building above ground had been decimated, probably stripped of stone to be used in the construction of Forge-holds outer walls centuries ago. An added insult to the noble house that once called this home. In that time of change many of the smaller noble houses collapsed, or were folded into the service of the larger noble houses.
While the walls above ground had been stripped for stone. No one had considered it worth the effort to excavate the foundations of the house or the family tomb underneath. This provided the perfect place for a necromancer or vampire to dwell. The party found odd tracks outside, similar to the lizard men they had fought days earlier. There were also footprints in two rows as if they had been carrying something on their shoulders. Bushes were trampled and a small tree pushed down. The catacombs were open, a stone wall that had sealed them was torn down. Looking inside the passages seemed maze like. The family had been extending them for hundreds of years to accommodate one relative or another. Looking inside there were, lots of foot prints in the dust.
Alice stopped the group with a gesture, she held out her hand sensing something, ¡°it¡¯s a ward magic the necromancer knows that we are here. He can sense that the living approach, he will have most of his power this time and he has prepared surprises for us so we have to be ready¡±. David rapped his iron gauntlet against his iron shield, ¡°we don''t have the ability to do subtle. He could probably hear us coming, even you clank with more armour than a city guard Alice¡±. They readied torches and Alice activated her light ring.
There was a dry smell, the place had been sealed for a long time. As the last party member stepped into the darkness a voice cried out. ¡°Leave me be, the vampire is defeated, let me flee and I won¡¯t bother you, walk out and I will be gone¡±! He was using some sort of enchantment to amplify his voice, they were common enough to spread orders on a battle field or to shout instructions out over a busy market place.
The necromancer was back in a room at the end of the catacombs, probably where the earliest member of the family had once been buried. He would be as far back as possible, a necromancer typically focused on the power of his minions not his own personal magical might. He had a large number of troops with him, they would have to wait quite some time before they could confront him, they soon faced off against the necromancers initial forces.
He had picked a narrow place to begin, where the attackers could not circle round his forces and attack him directly. He had replaced some of his units, there were ten serpent men raised back up as zombies clutching primitive spears. Their eyes were dull and unseeing, staring off into the distance. They were in reasonably good condition for zombies, the vampires must have killed them to use later. They were inferior to the skeleton knights, but they would still prove some difficulty to destroy.
David turned to Vivian, ¡°I guess we missed a few of the snake men¡±. Alice looked over them, ¡°they are not very fresh. They were probably dead before we started fighting the serpents¡±. Martin looked ahead behind the mass of knights and serpent zombies were two high end undead. A knight in spectral purple armour on a horse, which was the reanimated bones of a knight¡¯s war horse larger and sturdier.
The second skeleton was mounted on the skeletal bones of a large basilisk. A monster tamer in life he carried a large war hammer. They were both reinforced with a lot of necromantic energy. Lexicons two other sons, raised to avenge there fallen half-brother. They would be a little bit of trouble as they were tough. However in the tight spaces of the catacomb it would eliminate their main advantages of mobility and speed, which they would have relied upon in life.
The necromancer screamed from the back, ¡°I have reunited the spirits of lexicons children with there remains, you will die by the hands of his vengeful siblings¡±. There was a flicker of purple energy and the spectral projection of two men in their twenties could be seen, imposed on the bones they shared a look duty. They had family to avenge, they were not unthinking simple creations.
At an unseen order the skeleton knights and zombies moved as one. The party were not particularly terrified. Martin threw his two remaining thermite grenades into the mass of skeletons and zombies. Causing untold damage. Alice threw two fire balls into the front ranks then switched out to slinging acid strikes in the close confines of the catacombs. Not wishing to hit her allies, it would be embarrassing and take time she couldn¡¯t afford to heal them.
Vivian let a series of iron arrows fly, combined with her power shots she removed the head from one skeleton knight then sent an arrow clean through its chest causing it to fall to pieces. She repeated this feat again in quick succession. David charged into their front ranks using a shield strike to send the enemies in front of him tumbling to the ground. He dropped two power attacks which shattered two more of the undead.
¡°Forward my servants protect me¡±, the necromancer was shouting encouragement but he was not actually adding his power to his creatures. He obviously had something held in reserve for his mana. Alice used a shield spell and hid behind a pillar to protect her from the few thrown spears and javelins. She responded with a series of acid strike spells that burnt away armour and bone, dropping two more of the undead knights. Martin activated his blessing, ¡°field of wrath¡± holding his holy symbol forwards. Every one of the undead in front of him was weakened as the blessing unravelled the magic that sustained them. Vivian shot down a few more undead leaving them as shattered bones and rusted armour, David smashed his way through with power attacks.
¡°Step up and defend me you useless scaly corpses¡± the necromancer shrieked, his knights had already been cut down to half their original number. The zombiefied lizard men filled in the gaps. David cut left and right, in death the snake men were a bit hardier than in life. But cut into three pieces they easily fell, they were not much individually. A shield bash and a knight collapsed into destroyed bones. Martin emptied two pistols into the mass of undead, two knights fell to the silver shot. Vivian targeted a few of the snake men, still using the iron arrows she would keep her better ammunition for the better opponents, two more fell down. Alice switched to her fire bite spells hitting the zombies and slaying two more.
¡°Leave me alone go back¡± the necromancer screamed, his creations had been hit by fire balls holy energy and thermite, they could barely scratch the party before the fell. The two mounted undead behind them were a different matter, it would be there turn soon. Martin used the blessing circle of consecration, four of the skeleton knights collapsed from the holy damage. Vivian struck two more with iron arrows felling them. David cut the last one down then focused on the last few zombies he pulled back after sending them flying with a shield bash. Alice threw a fire ball through the gap demolishing the remaining three zombies.
The undead basilisk''s bones charged for Martin, the knight charged at David. David planted his shield into the ground deflecting the spear strike into the wall. He delivered a power attack disarming the knight, cutting his spear in half. The knight promptly reached for a mace to continue the fight, two Damascus bodkin arrows were propelled into the knight from Vivian using power shots, punching holes straight through the knight¡¯s chest and armour.
Martin used his guardian angel blessing to stop the charging bones of the basilisk. He emptied his triple barrelled pistol into the undead creature, silver shot combined with an overload charge of powder did a lot of damage. Alice threw a few acid strike spells over Martin to hit the skeleton on-top of the basilisk. The skeleton had an iron war-hammer which was held together with magic, it would have crumbled to dust without reinforcement spells.
¡°Fight them kill them¡±, the necromancer screamed out from the other room desperation permeating his voice. His mounted creations were quite a bit tougher and a lot smarter but not that it would help them much. David delivered a power attack to the horse''s bones, chopping two of its legs off and throwing the rider before he could even swing his mace. Vivian sent two more Damascus arrows into the undead knight¡¯s head, its helmet and skull shattered leaving it unmoving. The horse was still trying to get up without legs David hit it with another power strike cutting its head off it dropped to the ground the spell animating it expended.
Martin used the blessing ¡°martyr''s sacrifice¡±, he caught the war-hammer swung at him and pulled it out of the skeletons hands. He flipped it over and smashed the basilisk over the head three times until the war-hammer broke. The basilisk''s skeleton clawed at him but did little damage, it was a creature that in life had depended more on its poisonous bite. Against this target it would not have worked well either. Alice hit the skeleton with two more acid strikes, it fell off its mount missing an arm and a leg it didn''t move again.
The monsters bones were thicker and tougher, than the horse, as it was in life. David struck it with his sword cleaving off one of the back legs. Vivian picked up on of her bodkin arrows, shooting it hitting the beast breaking off its jaw. Alice hit it with a fire bite. Martin hit it with a silver throwing knife empowered with the blessing, ¡°divine retribution¡±. The bones glowed white smoked and finally collapsed. Martin reloaded his pistols Vivian recovered her arrows, Alice healed David and Martin they moved forwards.
The party moved in deeper, there was a room stocked floor to ceiling with around 80 seemingly empty crates. Martin looked round ¡°remember vine garden¡± they got ready. The trick sprang as the false bottom crates disintegrated and, more skeletons appeared. This time they were armed with short bows, they were supported by 30 bone hounds. The necromancer had played one more hand. ¡°Fools you have come into my trap¡±.
It was not much of a trap against this party. Martin activated his blessing ¡°hallowed earth¡± Alice used her spells ¡°fire ball¡± ¡°aura of healing¡±. The arrows from the undead were not doing much damage and the damage they were doing was being neutralised by the healing spell.
Martin threw a Tesla grenade into one cluster of archers, the electricity damaged the remains destroyed the spell. The undead collapsed after two seconds. He shot a pistol at another archer sending it splintering into chunks of bone. Vivian sent one iron arrow after another into the ranks of enemies. David swung away crushing and smashing the lower tier undead into bone fragments and powder. Alice got off another fire ball and the battle was over.
The necromancer cackled, ¡°You have fallen into my real trap now, you have prepared the way for my strongest creation¡±. There was a crackle of power ¡°form bone golems¡±. Two prepared skulls rose up from the floor surrounded with a purple aura. The bones and bodies of all the undead that the party had killed began to gather around the sculls, two large bone golems started to form. The party held no particular desire to wait for the constructs to properly form, before engaging in combat.
Martin attacked the nearest ¡°chain smite¡±, bolts of electricity hit the bone golem as it was forming. Tearing bones away before the creature could fully form. David charged in landing one power attack after another onto the golem¡¯s limbs. Before they could even properly form they were being shattered. Alice targeted the second golem and hit it with one fire ball after another, Vivian let lose one power attack after another damaging the golem before it could form and rise. The rate at which the necromancer¡¯s spells were working became sluggish.
The necromancer realised his fatal mistake, as his Final throw of the dice failed and the two bone golems collapsed into heaps of broken bones. The spells meant to form them was running out of power and collapsing fizzling out. He had used most of his mana on that gamble and failed. The necromancer shrieked, ¡°we can make a deal I have worked for the vampires for years, I can help you, let me live¡±. They didn''t even bother to respond.
They prepared and advanced upon the last room. The necromancer threw a bolt of purple energy forwards. Martin blocked it with his holy symbol. The necromancer ducked behind a makeshift altar. ¡°The blood thralls that you slew last night are loyal in death, their bodies may be gone but there spirits are angry and vengeful¡±. The necromancer had a talisman in his hands it had red and purple light crawling over it, the sign of vampireic magic.
Eight ghosts formed from it, the spirits of the blood thralls rose up from the floor of the crypt. They were translucent angry determined glowing eyes. A red and purple haze surrounded them, they moved towards the party. David sheathed his sword and pulled his silver dagger, a stab left and right and the two ghosts before him faded. The spell keeping them in place broken by the application of silver. Passing the blade through them was like passing a blade through mud. Vivian let lose two silver arrows for similar results. Alice used two fire bite spells to burn the vengeful spirits away. Martin simply passed his holy symbol through the two closest apparitions and they faded away.
The necromancer was hyperventilating, hiding behind the alter his last moments of life were about to pass. He got up and tried to run, there were words on his lips ¡°I...¡±. Martin was not prepared to entertain the chance of him getting a spell off or trying to lie his way free. Some people were two dangerous to take alive, ¡°pillar of salt¡±. The man''s robes collapsed to the ground filled with salt, creating a roughly human shaped outline. Even though Alice had partially meted opponents with acid strike spells, she found it a little disturbing to watch how thorough it was as flesh became little more than a white powder.
Martin looked at the dead necromancer, ¡°that must have been the source of the crates at vine garden¡±. The level up hit Martin with two more level, he reached level fifty the first of them to reach master status. He gained one level in trap use trip wires and caltrops but he also hit a significant class level at 50.
His mind rattled and screeched as change was forced through it. As his essence was re attuned the focus cost of his faith based abilities dropped from four points to three. Now something like martyrs sacrifice or chain smite could be used far longer. He felt a boiling seething twitching pain rise up inside his stomach.
Something felt very wrong it was like the first time he gained a combat level. The first time his body became harder a fundamental change struck him as every cell in his body was altered. He screamed in pain his limbs shaking he was down on the floor cursing and screaming. The people around him had taken a few steps back, they had not seen a level up hit so hard. Even when Martin had killed Islington and gained four levels in one go.
After a minute of suffering is slowly subsided, Martin stood back up he was profoundly different. His body was tougher harder on a new level. He had been granted the first rank of the vitality perk. This was something that monsters normally had, not people. It allowed monsters to take vast amounts of damage in proportion to regular people, older vampires possessed a high level of this making them far tougher than they had any natural right to be.
He was now transformed by this, he looked at his own flesh with a degree of disgust. What had the original vampire hunters done when they created the job? Which parts of themselves had they added to do this to him, had they dabbled in some form of blood alchemy to enable them to compete with the foe? His hit points were effectively doubled, he had 1156 hit points that would really help when going up against a vampire. His humanity exchanged in return for the strength to fight the foe.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
He had gained several extra blessings, the smite blessing he could use three more times a day. It was probably no more powerful than Martin or Vivian delivering a power attack. Alice''s fire balls now hit harder. It had a good range to it and a strong attack power. He had a second use of pillar of salt that blessing was powerful, especially the way it destroyed remains so that a necromancer, vampire or archanist could not bring them back. The last and most impressive blessing he had acquired was called hand of judgement. It did 500 holy damage and 500 physical damage it could knock a target down. It would be perfect to stun a vampire or stop them escaping.
David hit level 39 putting two more points into his shield knock down skill. He would now be able to scatter lesser opponents like skittles. Vivian had hit level 40 she had brought her better criticals skill up to level eight. Against soft target she was now even more deadly. At level 40 she unlocked a class level allowing her to train elite guards, they would be far better than the regular guards that they normally saw.
Alice had hit level 40 she improved her elemental shield spell to the grand version and gained a class level. Her basic skills improved jumping to level three. She gained an additional 50 points of spell resistance making her base magic resistance jump to 100. Most importantly her consciousness expanded, the number of spells she could actively maintain became three. She could use her physical and elemental shield spells and still throw fire balls back at an opponent.
They looked over the necromancers remains, there was a belt made from iron and copper. An alternating skull shaped plates, amplified his power slightly. Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°purify¡± the spell was broken and the metal crumbled around the edges. They found a few bits of furniture a spell book bound in snake skin.
There were a few scrolls like the one that the blood thrall had used in vine garden to awaken the dormant undead. There were a handful of carpentry tools where crates had been modified to hide the skeletons inside them. There were a few scraps of correspondence that implied the necromancer would be paid an obscene amount of money to aid Lexicon. Not that they could find one coin of the promised pay. David did find a pin of voice amplification, a copper and iron pin enchanted with a very basic spell.
After a little mucking about it was given to Vivian for safe keeping. They took several hours to Pile up all the remains the bones the rags. They even found a few zombified thrall bats that would be serving as messengers for the necromancer. They were added to the pile, oil was splashed over the remains and a lit torch set them on fire.
As they left, Martin turned to the group. ¡°I can feel a change in me, as I gained a class level I gained the vitality ability¡±. Vivian looked him up and down, ¡°that should not be possible, only monsters and creatures boosted by blood alchemy can use that ability¡±. Alice had to wonder, ¡°The original vampire hunters had three battle alchemists in their ranks. One of them might have had access to other branches of alchemy, it would certainly explain how high level hunters could go toe to toe with powerful vampires¡±.
David shrugged ¡°I don''t get it, what''s the big deal¡±? Martin looked at him incredulously, ¡°the founders of the vampire hunting order may very well have used profane magic blood alchemy to give themselves an edge against the vampires. They may have sacrificed their eternal reward to help their chances of killing a few vampires¡±. Vivian shrugged ¡°they did that not you, if you benefit from their actions and slay more vampires wont it be worth it¡±? Martin nodded, ¡°it¡¯s not like I committed such an act or even knew anything of it. Unless one of the founders of the vampire hunting order was a monster of some sort, then they really dabbled in some questionable places for power¡±.
He breathed deeply realising what he was saying, he looked at the other members of his party. ¡°You keep my secrets I keep yours, there is no reason to discuss this outside our group. vampire hunters are seen as metaphorical monsters, being as ruthless and unfeeling as monsters. There is no need for them to be seen as literal monsters as well¡±. The rest of the party nodded, when they got to level fifty they would be able to judge, until then they had other concerns.
They came back to the town and approached the gate. Martin was hesitant to place his hand on the holly symbol but nothing happened. He breathed a huge sigh of relief. They returned to meet the bishop, they showed him the mangled necromancer belt. Alice recounted the tail, ¡°I found a ward outside the catacombs. That confirmed the necromancers presence we fought our way through twenty skeleton knights and ten zombies, then we destroyed two mounted skeletons that were presumably lexicons first sons. We were ambushed by eighty or more lesser undead which were destroyed, then we destroyed two bone golems and eight spectres before confronting the necromancer who was killed by Martin, he turned him into a pillar of salt¡±.
Confessor Calvin looked relieved, ¡°well that is good news, that¡¯s three of lexicons lieutenants killed. The necromancer, Islington and the elite vampire that was with him when you ambushed him, he is a spent force now¡±. At a signal from confessor Calvin a bag containing 25 silver was dropped on the table by one of the lay assistants. He nodded in thanks, ¡°for your efforts, it is not much compared to a vampire, but then a necromancer even a master in not physically tough. Even though he was a lieutenant of lexicon, he had not caused that much trouble in the area. So there is not much of a fund to pay you unfortunately.¡±
The party returned to the hunters house for food and ale, a barrel had been delivered to the house and the party were planning on emptying it. They had chased off the last remnants of lexicons forces they had shattered the last of his plans. There was still an alchemist out there supplying the vampires with explosives, but he would turn up eventually.
They were well into the barrel approaching the bottom when there was a knock on the door. Much to their surprise the confessor sat at the table beside them, grabbing a tankard for himself. He seemed to visibly relax, even the man at the top had to unwind at some point. He raised a tankard, ¡°I have a letter from the bishop of Good Ford. It was dropped off by a carrier eagle, a tamers trained pet. He takes interest in your exploits, in the way you handled yourself in broken gorge and vine garden and hear¡±.
The party looked at him incredulously, a resigned look filled their eyes. They might have been masters or close to masters but they still followed a chain of command. The confessor looked at them to reassure them. ¡°Don¡¯t panic there is nothing that is a matter of life and death¡±. the group visibly relaxed. Calvin continued, ¡°Good Ford is not one of the nine key settlements, but it is still the seat of a bishop a duke and a large trade centre. It is still a place of some importance, the bishop has several tasks that need to be completed. He will be the best person to discuss your future and you have an excellent future. Soon you will have the pick of postings apart or together and the support of the triune. You have an opportunity that few have to make the world a better place do not squander it¡±.
It was another call another order, an order put ever so politely. The party had caught the eye of someone quite senior, they had access to the more senior members of the triune. Simply through merit through there levels and there victories. The bishop has his own lands to look after his own problems to deal with they would be trying to sort them out. Soon they would be masters then they would consider the next steps in their journey.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
40 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
235/235 |
Adrenalin |
200/200 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
46 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
40 |
Level Defence Bonus |
40 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
124 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L7 |
Layered Armour Perk L2 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L2 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| better criticals L8 |
|
|
| Perks |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
39 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
230/230 |
Adrenalin |
195/195 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
45 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
39 |
Level Defence Bonus |
39 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
120 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L6 |
Layered Armour Perk L2 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L2 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L2 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
|
|
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
40 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
135/135 |
Mana |
280/280 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
45 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
40 |
Level Defence Bonus |
40 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
3 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 3 Mana |
Magical Defence |
100 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L3 |
Analyse Magic L3 |
Recharge Enchantment L3 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage +5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) alies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| elemental shield grand (3 x level resistance to cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 15 seconds |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
50 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
1156/1156 |
Focus |
305/305 |
Focus efficiency 3 focus |
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
57 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
61 |
Level Defence Bonus |
61 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L3 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L3 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L9 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L3 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L3 |
Focus Multi Throw L3 |
| General Melee Weapons L7 |
Focus strike L3 |
Grenadier L10 |
| Focus Parry L3 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L4 |
| Focus Stitch L3 |
Trap specialization L1 |
|
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armour x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 7 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 3 |
| 1 x sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 4 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 7 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 2 |
| resist igna ¨C resistance to 35 points of fire damage x 1 |
| resist lightning ¨C resistance to 35 points of electricity damage x 1 |
| resist cold ¨C resistance to 35 points of cold damage x 1 |
| 1 x litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing |
|
| 2 x pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt |
| 1 x Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter |
| 1 x hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 45 points Long ranger rank 2 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% |
| Vitality level 1 ¨C 2 x base hit points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
|
True Monsters – Act 4 Good Ford - Chapter 33 – Into the wider world.
Every battle that they survived hardened them. They became more experienced and more confident in their allies and their abilities. They had finished their work at forge-hold, now they were being sent to Good-Ford. It was a much larger settlement, they would see a few luxuries that they had not seen in over a month going around the smaller settlements.
David was learning when not to charge in and when he had to. He was also learning when it was not the best time to demand extra payment. Alice was becoming a tower of mystical might, she had half a dozen pieces of enchanted equipment. She had started this adventure at level 4. Now she was at level 40, she had a small repertoire of spells. Each was a master spell powerful, carefully chosen to complement each other and the abilities of her companions.
She also enjoyed a clarity of mind that she had not experienced before. Vivian was learning management and organisation. She was the dependable one, the one that had the view of the entire battlefield and the one that remembered to carry the stock of oil and rations.
Martin was the highest level, a jack of all trades. He spread himself out thin, having a coat full of tricks. He had become the monster he had sort to become. He could see how the original vampire hunters had sort to out monster the monsters that they faced. Now he had to live with the repercussions of becoming something else. He had started out as a death seeker, looking to avenge his family in a blaze of glory and then join them. His mind was tempered with experience and comradery. It was perhaps harder to live for a cause than die for it, he would have to come to terms with this.
They were on a coach, which had set out before the night had faded. Usually this was suicide to journey out at night. With a team this high level on board, anything that attacked the coach would be suicidal. If there was even anything left in the local area to challenge them. The ancient vampire had been defeated utterly, losing a limb and nearly his life. Many of his troops were killed, three of his lieutenants slain, his inner circle was wiped out. The vampires had suffered two major blows to their activities in the area, there minions were culled to an all-time low.
It the grand scheme of things, the vampires grip on the land was not lessened to a great degree. But one of its metaphorical talons was now quite blunt. They were headed to Good Ford, a city based on the intersection of a river and the trade route. It was surrounded with fertile land and had several large local resources. The group would qualify for some light garrison duty to recover. Then they would be able to pick and choose assignments, postings to best suit their skill set.
During the day they had passed along the road, there were many shipments lumber grain crops goods. The caravans and carts went in groups of at least four and carried one or two militia guards and mercenaries with them. People waved and greeted them back, it was good to see the flow of trade. Now it was getting late in the afternoon, when they finally saw the city of Good Ford. It was a slow uneventful journey almost relaxing.
There was large post driven into the ground, 80 foot before the entrance to Good Ford just viewing the outside. There was a corpse in a giblet, a very rare thing considering most were cremated. This one had been made an example of. A wooden sign hung below it, the highwayman dark shadows. He had his eyes burnt out ears removed. Both hands and feet hacked off or crushed it was hard to tell, the man''s passing would not have been easy. There was a sign at the bottom, Note even the church reject him for his crimes. That was incredibly unusual, he must had done something extreme to anger the locals, for such a punishment meant to remain into the next life as well.
Good Ford had a large amount of farmland around it. They could see dozens of fortified farmsteads in the surrounding area with crops. There were some livestock, the fields were larger ploughed with cattle pulling a gang plough. Not just by hand it was far more efficient, the fields were right up close to the town. There was some movement form the town a series of covered carts, fertilizer in one direction and crops in the other.
Good Ford was on a deep river, they had dug out a second water channel around the town, to surround it to form a moat. It meant that any attacker had to wade and swim through the cold water to even reach the base of the walls. There was a population of 20000 people inside, just under seven times larger than Forge Hold. It was a city with good defences. At the centre a cathedral citadel it dominated the view. It was very large very imposing, with walls several yards thick at the base designed for defence. It was also a place of worship, holy symbols were visible everywhere. It was also a place you could fire arrows and throw rocks down on attackers.
Even getting to the outside of the cathedral would be difficult. There was a Ring of eight towers around the settlement rising above the outer wall. Each one had a heavy ballista mounted on it that could rain down fire on attackers. Each section of the wall between the towers had eight Scorpio two man heavy bolt throwing siege weapons. Giant crossbows operated by two guards or militia, the walls had crenulations and archery slits. People could pepper any attacker wading through the moat with arrows cutting them down to size.
The gate house was very large, it served as a barracks for the city watch. There was a second gate house on the other end of the settlement, so that carts could come and go from one side to the other. There were large drawbridges on each gate house that could accommodate two carts or coaches passing each other. A continual stream of trade could enter and exit the settlement.
Because the settlement was also on a river, there was some space with an enclosed dock. A place for barges to load and unload. It could be cut off from the rest of the settlement, with several big heavy doors. They could also cut off river access lowering a giant iron reinforced door into the water, a defence against anything that could swim. The docks had one highly viable feature a big crane to lift goods up to the town and down to the barges below.
They noticed that the guards were better armoured than Forge Hold. Some of the guards that manned the gate had plate mail chest guards. The men on the walls had plate neck guards and helmets, perfect protection for the part of them looking out over the wall. They did notice the town walls when they got close. They were high but not uniform in construction. They did have a stone skin of neatly cut stone going up eight foot. An attempt to keep the base of the walls as strong as possible and deter climbing. After that initial eight feet the walls were far rougher. It was obvious that the wall has been added to several times, with new additions put on top. Probably after something got over them. There were even sections that looked like they had been repaired, where some great beast or siege engine had managed to shatter stone chewing away at the defences.
Each member of the group had briefly passed through this city, as they headed out to their northern assignment. Now that they were returning to it, they had a much greater appreciation for the sight of thick walls, a large town and the amenities that it contained. They went through the usual ritual at the gate. With a touch of holy symbol and silver then they were let in to the settlement. There was one guard wearing a bit more iron than the rest, he was senior in appearance they moved towards him.
On presenting their paperwork the town guard quickly studied it then saluted them. His back as straight as an iron rod. ¡°It is good to see you, welcome to good ford. The bishop Alexis left orders with the gate guards, I will take you to him for re-assignment¡±. There was a hint of trepidation in his voice, he had one master and three adventures around level 40 in front of him. They certainly outranked him and the bishop himself wanted to see them straight away.
He started to walk and they followed, the coach driver moved to a side area. He would remain waiting for someone to tell him where to deliver their possessions. Vivian smiled warmly at the nervous guardsman, ¡°thank you for the greeting, it will be good to find some comforts after so long on the road¡±. As they walked they chatted, Vivian looked about, ¡°is there a bath house open¡±? The guard pointed to one of the towers. ¡°Just by the north east tower road, there is a bath house they will be shut soon I think.¡±
David was next ¡°I have not had any orange ogre ale in over a month, were is a local tavern that might stock some¡±? The guard scratched his head, ¡°the tavern by the docks, the green duck has the largest selection you might be lucky there¡±. David had other pressing questions, ¡°Were can we collect bounties, we killed a group called the brother hood of the Black Hand there was a price on their heads¡±. The guard nodded pointing back to the gate house, ¡°Melcher is out on patrol of the farmsteads. He will be back later on an hour at most, he authorises and tracks such sums¡±.
David looked at the cathedral citadel, he nudged Martin. Martin spoke to the guard, ¡°Where is the local hunters chapter house, my college reminds me that we have to collect the bounty on a few fangs¡±. The guard nodded, ¡°the crusaders and hunters have a combined chapter house, it¡¯s on the north approach to the cathedral. You see the tower spire it is to the left of that big grey and white building you can¡¯t miss it¡±.
Alice was the last to speak, ¡°where is the mages house and the merchant¡¯s hall. We might need to do a little shopping to stock up on supplies¡±. The guard pointed, ¡°The mages chapter house is just before the northern tower, it was a minor noble¡¯s house adapted for the purpose¡±. ¡°The merchant¡¯s guild has a craft hall and other services based in a compound just before the docks. You can¡¯t miss it, it¡¯s huge¡±.
They moved at a comfortable pace, until they got to the cathedral citadel. A crusader and a low level priest were on the door with a few militia. An exchange of polite nods and paperwork and the guard left. A deacon led the group to meet the bishop. The cathedral citadel was busy with people in prayer, remembering those who had passed or praying for those around. There were groups in side rooms carrying out one endeavour or other. People tied to pick up a few tricks and skills to help them out. To make their lives better, as they passed one room a man from the merchant¡¯s guild was teaching numbers and accounting to group of people from all walks of life. In another room a class was being taught, a large group of children trying to follow lessons on history and the triune system.
There was a ward where the local people came for some medical care. Everyone and anyone was there children, expectant mothers. There was a clamourer and two people ran through the place with a stretcher. The group jumped to the side, a man with his chest crushed and bloody was there. He gasped his last breath before Martin or Alice could use there healing abilities. A man firmly pushed them out of the way, he was thin wearing priestly robes. His forearms were bare to allow him freedom of movement.
He looked at Martin, ¡°pull the stone out of his chest¡±. The man''s voice was commanding, but still had a soft tone to it. Martin complied as the priest held out his hand. A holy symbol hung from his waist, but he didn''t need to touch it to use the blessings granted to him. ¡°Greater resuscitation, greater divine favour, remove poison, remove disease¡±.
There was a white glow the man shook and coughed up blood. His ruined chest slowly knitted itself together, Martin pulled the chunks of stone out from the wound. He was using the forceps from his basic medical kit was sufficient for the task. Martin tuned to the priest half bowing, ¡°Bishop Alexis I presume¡±. The bishop nodded in return, ¡°Master vampire hunter Martin correct¡±. He looked at the others, ¡°I greet you warmly, follow me, I have a few other matters to settle then we may speak in private¡±. A lay brother took over the man''s care, he had suffered an accident at the dock but would just survive.
The bishop Alexis was level 62, he was known as the exorcist. A bishops blessings were far more potent than a priests. Their power was on another level, even able to resuscitate the departed for the span of two minutes, able to grant immunity to elemental damage for a few hours. Strong enough to banish demon overlords from the mortal realm. To grant a 250 points of extra health to an adventure, they possessed some really potent blessings.
He quickly found a deacon with a huge pile of paperwork. He scribbled his signature on to several key pieces of parchment and carried on jogging down the hall. Two people were waiting in a side room. He politely discussed a brief proposal with the first politely declining whatever he wanted. The second man he saw, seemed to have an element of familiarity with him he may have been a noble. ¡°Sidney get the Duke and Gavin to sign off on this, than I will add my letters as well¡±, the man nodded and departed.
There was an official bishop¡¯s audience room, with big uncomfortable chairs and a throne like seat.
It was used as an archive room for paperwork. The bishop led them to a far more cosy little room behind. He shook their hands they sat down at a table, a lay brother arrived with a bottle, he uncorked it and pored them all a glass then left.
The bishop looked at their paper work then cleared his throat. ¡°Martin Vivian David Alice, it is rare to see a group like you. You adventures are a good representation of the triune. People of different backgrounds working together, stronger as one whole than apart as individuals¡±. They appreciated that this man had the seniority to make or break their careers. Thankfully he seemed to be quite pleased with them at the moment.
He patted Martin on the shoulder, ¡°I honour you as a master, you have achieved a true feat of strength to get this far. But your companions are catching up close behind you¡±. He looked round the table. ¡°So much power in such a short span of time. I spent twenty years to become a priest of level 51 and another five years as a bishop to get to where I am now. You are masters or you will be very soon, you have a potential a great calling that I am sure god will reveal soon¡±.
He looked through some paperwork, ¡°Martin they are calling you the master of thermite, it burns as hot as your hatred for the vampire''s¡±. Martin took a nervous little bow, ¡°I am a little zealous but then so are all hunters¡±. ¡°Vivian they are calling you eagle eye, I understand you have some magic item which empowers you¡±. ¡°Yes I have a ring of the eagle, it boosts perception¡±. The bishop nodded, ¡°The right equipment can be as important as the right skills to use it¡±.
¡°David you¡¯re from the bay mercenaries. They seem to have nicknamed you, the shield of the bay not very original¡±. He tapped his shield, ¡°that''s what this if for, to even have a few people know my name is a good start¡±. The bishop looked a little hesitant, ¡°Alice there was an incident in Forge Hold that has been the subject of rumours. Where you supposedly castrated a thug with an acid strike spell¡±. She nodded, ¡°it¡¯s true he was trying to attack us¡±. Alexus nodded, ¡°they are calling you Malice as a result¡±. She sighed ¡°not the worst name for a mage, it¡¯s better than the red seductress of the black witch of Old root¡±.
He reached for a glass, ¡°to your future adventures¡±. They raised a glass in response, ¡°we had a man through hear telling everyone of your exploits. A John Dunn, he lead a man with one hand, helped him hear from Broken Gorge looking for healing. I don''t quite have the power to help him. But my brother bishop in North Port dose, so I sent him there. A dread thrall wolf or two would have been quite a threat to a small village, you did well to survive and triumph¡±.
He looked around the table, he handed out sealed letters to each of them. ¡°There are a few local veterans and masters I want you to meet. They are part of the garrison forces that protect this city. They can be useful as mentors, having fought the same battles you have fought. And the battles that you will one day fight. They have faced the trials you will face many years from now¡±. Some extra contacts and some extra training would certainly help them.
¡°Martin there is a crusader Reginald de plus, he is level 36 he has been hunting monsters and the undead around this city for fifteen years. You can learn from him, he specialise in crossbow and sword, even if he is not a hunter he has worked with them for years, the view of one who has worked with your order will be a useful perspective¡±.
¡°Alice the mages tower has a chapter house with a dozen mages in this town. It¡¯s a hub for magical services, they are led by Lady Imoline a tower mage. She is a master level 50 a support specialist. She worked closely with the knightly orders in her youth. You can learn quite a bit working with her.¡±
¡°Vivian there is a mercenary and blacksmith Jonathan Swain. He is working out of the merchant¡¯s hall, part of the emerald bows mercenary company. He is level 25 in both professions, he organises security for the trade guild operations. He keeps the places security running, he would be a good source of bounties.¡± He took a sip of wine, ¡°Finally David there is our sheriff Melcher, he is a level 45 bounty hunter. He organises part of the garrison of this town, he can help you with a few tips tricks and a few local contracts.¡±
Vivian looked at the bishop, she tied to keep a neutral tone keeping suspicion out of her voice. ¡°Your confidence in us is appreciated, contacts and contracts are very useful. What are you trying to do, what is the catch¡±? ¡°I wish to gain a mutually beneficial arrangement, to raise a team up to break the local vampires plans into little bits. If I can accelerate your development with my patronage, it will give me a hammer hard enough to crack some of the local problems¡±.
David spoke, ¡°won¡¯t this put a big target on our heads¡±? The bishop looked over his notes, ¡°you already have a big target on your head. Even if you find and kill lexicon and his money is no longer paying the guild thieves guild. Do you think the next vampire in line the ancient he works for will rest or do you, think that he will offer less gold¡±?
Martin looked around the table, ¡°The vampires again, you know inside the walls even the thieves guild can be their eyes and ears¡±. Alice looked at the bishop weighing her words, ¡°you want more than just a group of monster hunters, you need some brains¡±. He nodded, ¡°between you, you have shown an aptitude for tactical thinking. A degree of logic, you have unearthed several spies and out played several superior opponents. Perhaps its dumb luck, but I could use that to. Rise up from being provincial adventures and became agents of the state¡±.
Vivian looked at the others, ¡°we gain a bigger target on our back, but more options to do something about it¡±. Alice looked up at the bishop, ¡°the extra leverage and connections would be useful¡±. David queried it, ¡°so is there better pay¡±? The bishop nodded, ¡°first pick of contracts and a few bonuses¡±. Martin grinned, ¡°We get to kill vampire¡¯s right¡±? The bishop nodded, ¡°every vampire we find you can have a shot at killing¡±. The group look at each other, Vivian spoke up ¡°we agree to your proposal¡±.
The bishop reached into the bag, he had removed letters of introduction. ¡°Take these badges and paperwork, they give you authority as agents of the triune¡±. He put his holy symbol on the table it glowed, ¡°raise your hands and repeat after me,¡± they followed his words, ¡°I swear to uphold the laws and customs of the northern realm. To protect its people in the name of the triune for god king and guild¡±. He looked around the group, ¡°Congratulations you work for me for now, until we have a resolution to the current situation, however long that takes.¡±Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Agents were once step up from adventures, normally masters or close in rank. They were effectively state sponsored hunters of monsters and problem solvers. It was different from garrison forces, at the moment it was a temporary appointment by the bishop. It allowed them to act with his authority, disrupting the local vampires and the local monster population. The bishop looked around. ¡°You are now provisional agents. you need to keep it quiet about the promotion from adventures to agents¡±.
¡°You will first establish your selves as an effective adventuring party. Once you have done that, then I will reveal more about the situation.¡± Martin looked around, ¡°we can keep this to ourselves, in Forge Hold we had to keep certain matters quiet, so we can do the same again¡±.
¡°For Lodgings you¡¯re going to be staying at the crusaders chapter house. They have both comfortable beds and solid doors.¡± Vivian nodded, ¡°we stayed in a smaller lodging like that at Forge Hold¡±. ¡°As for pay, I can get a few bits of equipment and a few extra supplies to you. You will not find working for me to be unrewarding¡±.
¡°Now¡± the bishop cracked his knuckles, ¡°There is some plot about, the last bishop mysteriously passed away. He belied that elements of house Cain along in league with house Whiplash were planning with the vampire elder lexicon to take over the city. Not some massive military campaign, but a subtle switch of who was running things, an almost bloodless coup¡±. He looked round the room, ¡°certain things are in motion. I need to disrupt the vampire¡¯s plans, you have already become a thorn in their side. I hope to shake things up, more I cannot say for now. It may have even been a plot from the vampires, to have us looking about inside the walls, when there is an external threat¡±.
Vivian looked at him, ¡°what about other local triune representatives¡±? He shrugged, ¡°I am not sure of the other senior members of the triune. The duke is young I have not gotten the feel of him yet. his father fell to assassination, I am not sure why. The merchant Gavin I am not sure about either, he seems a nice enough man. He is worried about his own people, perhaps to the detriment of others but still I don''t know what is inside him. Go and see the sheriff Melcher, the crusader Reginald collect the bounties you are owed, we will speak again in a few days¡¯ time¡±.
They headed out from the cathedral lead by a lay brother. He had been assigned to show them about the city. They went back to the gate house, the coach driver was instructed to drop their equipment off at the crusaders chapter house. A few of the guards noticed them, they recognised there description form the events that transpired in forge-hold, there were a few whispers. They were lead past a few cells and a few barracks to the sheriff¡¯s office.
Melcher was an average sized man, he had a large black shield and a long sword. His lose clothing hid solid blackened armour. There was very little sound as he stood up to meet them, training and preparation for a stealthy approach. He had a few scars on his face and neck. He looked at David with a glance measuring the man up. David greeted him handing him the notice form the bishop. ¡°You must be the mercenary David the shield from the bay. This is your crew, the bishop mentioned you might come round¡±. The group exchanged pleasantries, ¡°your building up a nice solid reputation my lad, I assume you¡¯re a focused front line fighter¡±. ¡°Oh yes everyone has to play to their strengths and have allies that can cover their weaknesses right¡±.
¡°Yes a very good view point¡±. ¡°You¡¯re a bounty hunter right¡±? Melcher nodded, ¡°did you know that the bounty hunter job was one of the two jobs that was used to create the mercenary job¡±? David replied ¡°I have heard that, but in gaining strength we still lost out on some things, like a lot of the tracking skills that bounty hunters have¡±.
The bounty hunter nodded, ¡°with our tracking eye ability and ambush ability, we are perfect for taking down superior forces in hit and run tactics. Or finding an opponent that wants to stay hidden. I can¡¯t carry a tone of armour and I can¡¯t hit like a battering ram. But I can find a target, I can ambush them and slit there throat before they know what hit them¡±. He pulled out a couple of tankards and a bottle, ¡°As an adventurer then a guard captain and filially a sheriff I have worked with all sorts of different groups and classes. I have fort side to side with grand masters and done my bit. I can give you the extra education that they don''t have in the mercenary companies, a way to think when everything goes to hell and your plan is down in the ditch¡±.
They chatted for ten twenty minutes, he listened to David talk about the cheating gambler in Broken Gorge, the first vampire white they had killed. He responded with the time that he had been posted to north port. ¡°I was a guard captain a ship had landed and then left, one man had stayed behind. The crew didn''t want him or trust him. We were not too suspicious at first, he wouldn''t be the first mariner with a foul temperament. but the man was avoiding silver and holy symbols. He got people suspicions. He had counted out so many bronze coins, to pay for a cloak in the market. When he touched a silver coin he shifted. Not a werewolf he was a doppelg?nger, a young doppelg?nger no more than level 3-4 but he or I should say they were caught¡±.
Its true form was a little taller than a man, thin arms and legs like tree branches. Three fingers and a thumb, dark grey skin no eyes but a long vertical mouth. He had a cutlass, we cut him in the head in the arms, and he didn''t go down. Even slicing off one limb it started to regrow, he couldn¡¯t fight worth much anyway thankfully. We could have killed him eventually, but then a mercenary remembered there weak spot. Right in the back in the spine, one strike and it was dead. With a Doppler, you can hack at the limbs all day but your only doing it a bit of damaged remember that.¡±
David spoke, ¡°thanks I will remember that, are there any things to avoid round hear¡±? The sheriff sighed, ¡°Blood thorn woods, it was once a haven for the druids. It was filled with neutral nature spirits. Historically they would let us cut a bit of lumber, as long as we kept out of the main forest. But the vampires corrupted it, they turned the sprigans trents and ents into blood sprigans. You don''t want to go there at night or in the day.¡± The bounty hunter ran a hand over the bottle of wine. ¡°It is still a pity about the blood thorn woods, there is so much good hardwood and a lot of valuable plants¡±.
¡°Has there been any problems locally, with the crime syndicates or thieves guilds¡±? David enquired ¡°We think that there is a little low level smuggling by the docks, why do you ask¡±. ¡°We had a run in with the hidden hand, there is a large price on our heads¡±. Melcher was confident, ¡°only small fry in this town¡±, it was his professional pride talking. He added reluctantly, ¡°or a group so good we have not seen any sign of them¡±. He paused for a moment thinking his hand on his blade, ¡°If I get any hint of trouble I will let you know¡±.
He grinned, ¡°I have been asked to act as your mentor, I would be happy to help you David you could go far. You have to remember the way the world works, it¡¯s the merchant¡¯s guild that keeps everything running. No churches would be built no lords halls, it would all be empty if the merchants guild didn''t organise the construction and the labour to build the defences and the industry to stock them. Remember that, I keep the trade running by keeping this place safe.¡± David handed him a letter, ¡°this is proof that we killed the brother hood of the Black Hand¡±. Melcher read it, ¡°yes there was a good reward for the bandit wells and the spell slinger¡±.
He went to a strong box and counted out silver, ¡°just under one gold on their heads. It will go towards a bit of Damascus armour right.¡± David tapped the iron plate encasing his body, ¡°I was thinking of saving up for mithril plate.¡± The man looked at him, ¡°get some steel or Damascus first¡± David nodded. He would take the advice when he could. He would trade up to a better suit of armour. They thanked the sheriff for his hospitality and moved out to the next destination. When they were out of the door Vivian nudged David and he handed over the bag of silver.
They have made it to the crusaders chapter house. There was a faded sign indicating that this place was the chapter house of the valiant swords. One crusader and one hunter stood outside the heavily fortified building. They regarded the group, a quick test and they were admitted. A crusader squire led them through the building to a back office. A man wearing high grade Damascus chain-mail was sparing with a young recruit, he was walking them through several attacks with a quarter staff. The same way that Vivian had shown Alice to fight with her magic staff.
The man was old enough to have his hair turning grey. He had a little forked beard. They waited a few minutes for the lesson to end, then the recruit was on his way. Martin handed the note to the crusader. He nodded in greeting shaking Martin by the hand, ¡°Impressive the master of thermite, I am Reginald a pleasure to meet you. I have herd tales of your exploits for several weeks now. You even survived the mine, grand masters have been too afraid of what was sealed in to go in there¡±.
Martin grinned, ¡°the bishop said you had quite a reputation yourself.¡± He smiled ¡°I am not sure it is deserved but I have been doing my bit to try and hold back the night. I have coordinated the hunters and crusaders against the monsters out in the darkness for nearly twenty years, after I became a veteran¡±. David coughed politely, Martin handed over a bag of vampire teeth.
¡°We want to collect the bounty for these fangs¡±, Reginald looked through them using a magnifying glass. ¡°Good show you got one of the elite hear, an old one not quite made it up to an elder yet¡±? Martin sighed, ¡°We would have, but he used a supreme spell to teleport away¡±. The crusader looked at him slack jawed, ¡°you¡¯re not joking, you almost got an elder vampire¡±? ¡°He was standing to close to a demolition charge¡±.
Reginald de plus laughed, ¡°You have to use any advantage you can get. The crusaders try to remain chivalrous, but these days we can barely afford the horses to ride out on. So we improvise, I make that just over 150 silver well done. Your belongings have been put in the guest barracks, rooms A to D¡±. He handed Martin a ring of keys, ¡°I hope you find the accommodation to your liking.¡± ¡°I am sure we will, what is the situation around town¡±.
He sighed, ¡°Some elite vampire is skulking about, we have lost two patrols that could handle a full vampire. So I believe it was one of the elite, I don''t suppose your party has ever dealt with rat men¡±? Martin nodded ¡°Something similar, we have killed snake men and fought against giant rats before.¡± He considered Martins words, ¡°That would be a good enough start, this group is a pain for the local farmsteads and pilgrims. They have made a nest to close to the local shrine¡±.
David asked curiously, ¡°a shrine¡±? ¡°Oh yes a monk or priest who visits the shrine effectively gains two levels, in reward for their devotion. A few pilgrims have not made it back, even with armed escorts¡± Martin enquired, ¡°is there a quest¡±? The crusader shook his head, ¡°not yet but I will speak to the bishop and we will raise one¡±.
Martin pressed for more information, ¡°As you know we almost got a vampire a few days ago, an elder called lexicon. Knowledge about him was the key, what can you tell us about the local vampires¡±? ¡°Lexicon the names familiar, we did raid a lair and find some correspondence between him and a vampire called Cameron the razor. He is a local elite, which has been causing trouble for two decades. I could dig out the letter but it¡¯s fairly mundane. I am also aware of a female vampire magic user she would be about somewhere. She is considered strange even by vampire standards. One of the vampire fledglings we interrogated a few years ago described her as not right in the head. Considering the size of this city I would not be surprised if an ancient vampire was behind the scenes, or at the very least a senior elder vampire a good way back out of harm¡¯s way¡±.
¡°You say you hit lexicon with a demolition charge, it can be amazing how alchemical weapons can really even the odds. Especially when regular people fight the undead or the other monsters. When the crusader job was being created, they had simple matchlock weapons and arquebus. The more primitive version of the blunderbuss, but they were still able to do tremendous damage to attacking forces. Of course the vampires now screen there attacks with bats but there you go tactics march ever forwards¡±.
¡°Martin I assume from your earned name you focus on grenades, yes¡± he smiled a wide somewhat unnerving grin, ¡°I am proficient with thrown weapons¡±. ¡°I have the greatest proficiency with a crossbow, the range is much more substantial than a thrown weapon. Also the variety of tips you can add to a crossbow bolt are far greater than a pistol. I can re-lode my cross bow very fast. Admittedly bolts are bulky and heavy but I have a wide range of ammunition for every situation.¡± Martin appreciated the perspective, ¡°I am sure that you can show me dozens of tricks, which you have acquired though years of hunting the monsters. We can talk in the next few days we can make a bit of time¡±.
He put a hand on his holy symbol embossed on his shield, ¡°the hunters always think of this as a battle of holding the line. I will give you perspective, remember the church is the light of our nation. The only reason we have not been taken over, such was my oath. They have a certain rigid way of thinking that sometimes needs to be bent, you will learn when you can bend the rules¡±. He smiled picking up a bag ¡°do me a favour and take this to the duke, he would appreciate this and it can¡¯t hurt you to meet the other local members of the triune¡±.
They said there thanks to Reginald and headed over to the Dukes home. It was not very far from the cathedral''s main entrance. The place was fortified and surprisingly Spartan, for a lord he didn''t have rich tapestries or a collection of trophies. What he did have was a bit of a menagerie, it mostly focused on the four legged kind, large war dogs. An apprentice tamer was being almost dragged around the front yard by two of them. There was a large aviary where several ranked up eagles were being fed. There diner was curtsy of a thin woman, she was carrying a large stick for protection from the beady eyed birds.
A militia man let them in once he saw their letter of introduction and other credentials. They kept their latest paperwork hidden. The lord himself was a short thin wiry man who dressed in warm blue clothes. He had a tight fitting hat and a warm grin, he was all charm and character. He had a long dagger by his side but didn''t seem to have much of a use for it, the horse sized dogs around him wore iron plate armour they were all the force that he needed. Despite drooling over everything they were perfectly loyal, a small girl probably his daughter was riding one about the room. He looked at them, ¡°the party of adventurers from forge-hold it¡¯s nice to meet you.¡± Alice curtsied ¡°a pleasure to meet you Duke Donald¡±.
¡°Don¡¯t worry about the formalities, you know I thought that I had another fifteen twenty years to go about raising my little darlings. But bang and I am now in charge, I wish that they had chosen one of my older brothers, but I digress wheat have you brought for me¡±? He opened the offered bag and smiled, ¡°dread rat bones my hounds love these¡±. A hound the size of a war machine stared to bounce up and down rattling its plate armour barking excitedly. The duke threw one bone too the drooling mass of muscle.
Duke Donald whiplash was a level 25 monster tamer, specializing as a hound master. One of the dogs moved over to Alice, it considered chewing on her staff. It took one look into her eyes, tiling its head sideways it barked. She narrowed her eyes and it took a few steps back, he patted the nearest dog ¡°ignore those fellows they are a little bit riled up. They are greater St Michele''s hounds, perfect for tracking all sorts of monsters, and they have a bite like a bear trap¡±. The party introduced themselves to the local lord.
Vivian looked at him ¡°how may we be of service to your house and the triune¡±? He grinned ¡°there are a few minor jobs, there is the dragon sitting at the tin quarry bold as brass, if it was ten levels lower and I was thirty levels higher I would have jumped at the chance to tame it. For the vampire hunter, I hear from the mages a little tale. From the dear old lady of the tower, that there is a litch around here. Its floating about somewhere, your powers work on those types of undead to¡± Martin nodded, ¡°a type of necromancer, a bit tougher than there flesh and blood counterparts but a walk in the park compared to a vampire¡±. ¡°Splendid when the mages or my hounds sniff it out, you will have a little job to kill it¡±.
David looked back at him, ¡°we killed a wyvern so a dragon might be possible¡±. The duke nodded ¡°of course if we were going to get rid of the thrall tainted dragon. We might get a few mages with long range spells, a cannonade from the hunters and a few mercenaries to make certain. It¡¯s a red dragon, I believe they are the melee focused breed, so range fighters would win the day¡±.
Alice spoke up, ¡°what can you tell us about this litch, you know the mages tower hates the competition¡±. He grinned charmingly, ¡°The old lady can tell you more, but I understand they estimate it to be below level 50 not very strong. One that achieved litchdom through serving a more powerful necromancer, rather than with its own power. It will be weak by comparison, but it will have a master somewhere that it answers to.¡± They had a brief meal with the lord and his wife, she was the woman who was taking care of the eagles they thanked him and headed off.
It was quite late when they arrived at the merchant¡¯s guild craft hall. They met one of mercenaries who let them in. An apprentice working late directed them to the merchant Gavin. He was busy sitting round a table with a dozen other members of the guild. They were smoking cigars and playing cards. For stakes they used bronze pennies and lead weights for lesser denominations. He saw the group, ¡°I assume you just rolled into town, you¡¯re trying to do the circuit of the meet and greet before you head off to bed right¡±? Vivian looked at him ¡°we have a few things to discuss can we speak in private¡±, he gestured towards the table. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to deal a hand and have a drink first¡±? David took one step forwards, there was a dull thud as Vivian hit him on the back of the head. His shoulders sagged as he stopped.
The merchant Gavin was middle age he carried a bit of fat around his middle. His eyes and fingers were sharp, he had reached level 50, after completing a particularly complex trade deal. It was considered a work of art, if you were a banker. That deal allowed him to break the 25 barrier he had levelled up steadily. He was still looking for that elusive deal to pull further ahead, ¡°he took them to a side room shaking their hands. ¡°I am Gavin I am sure you know me, I have been head of this branch of the guild for twenty years, people don''t cower around a level 50 merchant, that is until they read the fine print in my contracts¡±, Vivian and David laughed at his joke.
Vivian cleared her throat, ¡°there was a man in vine garden, a merchant guild representative called Adrian. He came there three years ago, he was a blood thrall a vampire spy. We want to see if he had any associates, he worked in the wine trade had a wife and two adopted kids. We need to trace if there were other spies or just gullible people he misled.¡± The merchant stopped thinking, ¡°I vaguely remember him, he worked here for a month before moving on. A real workaholic, no humour just down to business. Give me a few days to go through the paperwork and make a few discrete enquires ok¡±.
Vivian spoke, ¡°Martins all out he is going to need lots of thermite, can you show us the master¡¯s selection, or do we need to come back later. The merchant shrugged, ¡°better be armed as best you can. Only Martin is a master so if you get anything it¡¯s technically him that purchased it ok¡±, they nodded. The merchant moved them into a records room, then slid a book case aside and lead them into a room using two small keys and a code lock. ¡°Thieves guild would rob us blind if it was easy to get in hear¡± David nodded, ¡°you can¡¯t be too careful¡±.
Martin moved his hands over several muskets, a cannonade and a wheel lock rifle before he came to the thermite. With a happy grin he put several canisters to one side, Ten small thermite grenades, five medium and five large thermite grenades the total cost was 35 silver it would do.
He looked about, ¡°Vivian has a few mithril tipped arrows what about mithril bullets¡±? The merchant looked at him, ¡°mithril would rip out a normal barrel, so you have to use a mithril core bullet. It¡¯s wrapped in lead to stop it destroying the gun, I can sell you ten for five silver. They are very rare able to pierce deep into a monsters hide¡±. Martin nodded and put the package away into a small coat pocket. Vivian looked over the crossbows just out of curiosity. The merchant sighed ¡°we really need good hardwood for a few projects¡±. Alice looked about disappointed the merchant grinned, ¡°the mages tower has a few bits you might find interesting¡±.
The party started to look at the top shelf adventuring gear, the merchant looked over them, ¡°Alice I would recommend the 3 favour belt of elemental resistance it¡¯s made from the hides of creatures immune to electrical fire and cold damage. It would suite a mage well, also consider a nightmare spider silk robes, its enchanted with warmth and a small boost to agility and 8 points of natural armour, the blue cloth is as tough as iron chain mail¡±.
He looked over at Vivian, ¡°you really relying on not getting hit, but you need to think of upgrading your armour. I have a suit of Damascus chain-mail with two points of endurance enchanted into it, matching Greaves with a two point agility boost. Boots with a two point strength boost. A neck guard with 5 points of natural armour, a Damascus helm with a two point willpower boost and Damascus gloves a two point dexterity boost. I have octium arrow heads perfect for anti-magic they would work well against the lich in area.¡± Vivian looked at the octium arrows imagining how they would pop a mages defensive spells like a bubble.
The merchant had one more sales pitch, ¡°David I could have a custom made Damascus tower shield, I could have it enchanted with resistance and natural armour. For a front line fighter a mercenary a nightmare spider silk gambeson or arming jacket. Combined with a chain-mail suit of steel, it would be much better than the basic equipment supplied by your company. Over that a suit of tempered Damascus steel armour plate, expert made. It would be very pricey the plate probably four times what you paid for the other iron. But it would easily be four times as strong, imagine that.¡± When the merchant Gavin finally did tell them the price, they took a very deep breath and decided to sleep on it. He shrugged at an escaping sale and went back to his cards.
The party headed back to the chapter house, a brief meal and a toast and they sunk into very comfortable lodgings. Rank had its privileges a nice comfortable bed after a month of making do was a pleasant change.
True Monsters – Act 4 Good Ford - Chapter 34 – Tin Dragon.
David looked around the room, he kept his tone quiet. ¡°Are we sure that we are alone unobserved¡± Vivian checked around using her heightened perception, she could not hear or see anything. Alice felt for any magic she could sense none. Martin held out his holy symbol trying to detect anything. They all concluded that they were unobserved.
¡°OK¡± Vivian said, ¡°What do you know about agents¡±? Alice spoke up ¡°while adventurers are government sponsored bounty hunters and pest exterminators, agents are direct government employees. They have more power and more authority than local sheriffs and mayors only a bishop a duke or a trade commissioner could over rule them¡±.
Martin nodded, ¡°they were probably established to fight larger threats, like the thieves¡¯ guilds or the vampires. Monsters and criminals that have their talons in more than one place more than one jurisdiction¡±.
Alice looked around, ¡°I hear that there is an even more senior level with grand masters called Emissary¡¯s, only the patriarch, the king or the high gild master could overrule them¡±. Martin shrugged, ¡°I suppose if we survive to level 75 or over then one of the triune might try to recruit us, but that¡¯s in the future¡±.
David looked about the room, ¡°Do we really want this, are we not painting a bigger target on our heads I have said it before we accept¡±. Vivian looked at him her eyes narrowing, ¡°we swore an oath we work together to advance our position in this world any reasonable methods. I consider working for the triune directly an improvement¡±. David sighed, ¡°OK I think we might be going against the free company charter doing this¡±. Vivian shook her head, ¡°It allows us to be employed as guard captains¡¯ sheriffs and still hold to the charter. We are covered, anyway when were you following the letter of the charter¡±? He shrugged obviously nervous about the unknown.
Martin tried to hide a look of disgust on his face, he tried to keep his voice calm. ¡°Look we swore an oath before god, it is recognised as legally binding. I for one relish the opportunity to lead the fight, you will get prestige money and equipment we all win¡±. Alice looked about the others, ¡°personally I think it helps our goals. But if we find it more a hindrance than an assistance it was only a provisional position, we still have the chance to decline when this is settled¡±.
David shrugged, ¡°what about this mentoring thing¡±? Vivian looked at him trying to calculate his reaction, ¡°its training for being an agent obviously. The bishop wants us to get used to working with a variety of people. We get more experience he gets better agents its win, win¡±. Martin looked at them considering his words to try and sell the idea to David. ¡°When we all reach master status and when we become full agents we gain a bit of responsibility. That means the triune would expect some leadership from us. I mean not just setting an example but leading others into battle. Small tactics holding the line during sieges, actively leading big punitive hunting parties against monster nests or vampire lairs all of that¡±.
Alice looked like she was going to throw up then she swallowed it down, ¡°I don''t like that idea but, that can be managed, mages can work in small groups. These are skills we can each learn, I probably have the most to learn. The tower mostly teaches young mages one role in a group, in the hunters or the mercenary free company I presume that they teach more¡±.
David shrugged, ¡°I know how to run a platoon of militia or levies, a few simple tactics but I suppose it¡¯s a start¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°as hunters we are trained to work in four man squads that can lead guards or work with other squads in platoons. It¡¯s been some time since they gathered several hundred of us together to kicks something¡¯s ass¡±.
A moment of clarity occurred to Alice. ¡°The bishop might also want us to befriend these specific people because he might suspect one or more of them. We should keep our eyes and ears open and our mouths shut¡±. The rest of the party weighted her words and agreed, they ended their little meeting and headed downstairs for some breakfast. One of the deputy hunters brought Vivian a letter, she opened it she downed her tankard and opened the note. ¡°The merchant¡¯s guild has raised a contract on a dragon, a red one¡±.
Alice looked at her intently, ¡°the one that the duke was talking about the one on the tin mine,¡± she nodded. ¡°Yes the contract was initially awarded to the emerald bows mercenaries. However they want additional support, so we head over to the merchants guild and see how many ways this bounty is going to be split¡±. They finished up and grabbed all there equipment, then headed over to the guild craft hall. There was a small barracks that the mercenaries on guild contracts used.
Jonathan Swain was a tall lean man, with strong well developed upper arms. He certainly looked like he could pull a bow or swing a forge hammer. He had a certain roguish charm, he dressed in all green a padded gambeson. He had a bow reinforced with octium bands, it was strung with a string that was made from mithral strands. It was one of the hall marks of a successful mercenary, to have such fine equipment. They found him in his office going over the details of some shipping, where his archers would be protecting a few caravans.
They waited for him to finish up and dismiss his men. He looked up catching Vivian''s eye as she handed out the note from the bishop. He shook her hand firmly and warmly, ¡°you must be the eagle eyed archer I have been hearing so much about. It¡¯s good to see a fellow mercenary who knows what to do with their strength, the bow is by far the superior weapon¡±. David swallowed a scowl at the comment. Vivian was grinning ¡°Thank you for the welcome, we came to enquire about the dragon hunt, and to negotiate the reward¡±. He grinned reaching for the contract, ¡°It all comes down to tin. Due to some market fluctuation they want a hell of a lot more of the stuff.
¡°The dragon is sitting in the tin mine, now we need to kill it or wound it so badly it decides to move off. I was hoping originally to get some of the mages from the chapter house, a few hunters and crusaders as well but you will do nicely¡±. He looked over at Martin, ¡°I presume you know explosives¡± Martin held out a bundle of dynamite. He looked at Alice ¡°and you have one hard hitting spell¡±? She grinned ¡°Acid strike and fire ball¡±. He looked over to Vivian''s bow and arrows ¡°you seem quite qualified for the job¡±. David was a little more irritated at being ignored, but when hunting a dragon a suit of full mithral plate would probably be a minimum if any foot soldier was seriously considering attempting it.
Vivian smiled, ¡°the bishop has asked you to mentor me. You have probably heard everything that I have done. what about you and your company¡±? He smiled back, ¡°I am a long range sharp shooter equipped in a similar fashion to yourself, I have picked up the trick-shot skill to earn a little coin at shooting contests. I am also a blacksmith that concentrates on spear heads and arrow heads. The same spear heads can be used on ballista and bolt thrower ammunition without much alteration, I can forge Damascus and mithral¡±.
¡°The emerald bows were a support company once, started by my great grandfather who won the big shooting contest in the capital. The emerald bows were formed 50 years ago when the archery instructor from the grey company split from them. We are specialised sharp shooters an elite band we train only a few, we do focus on monster extermination support. With our company we including an engineer core with a few portable siege weapons. We have the big girl Bertha, a custom made six limed ballista that can punch well above her weight. She is currently at north port, you might see her one of these days. She can be packed down onto three large wagons and takes 2 hours to disassemble, three to put back together¡±.
Vivian listened, ¡°what are the details of this contract exactly¡±? ¡°Well the emerald bows are contracted to kill a young dragon, it¡¯s been assessed at level 20. It lives on-top of the local tin mine, the mine was once very profitable. Now there is an even larger demand for tin so the reward on this contract has been put up to four gold or four hundred silver pieces. It has also been hinted they will sign the emerald bows on for another twenty years for guild security, if we can get it done. The tin mine is several hours out by cart, we bring three carts with a team of veteran sharpshooters a team of engineers with two small ballista in carts and you four. Then following a good mile behind we have several other wagons to harvest the dragon or recover the first team¡¯s remains.
Vivian looked at him, ¡°Ok so what will you be willing to pay us¡±? In the Negotiation Vivian knew that they have a reasonably good bargaining position. Jonathan concentrated, I can propose an 80/20 split in the emerald bows favour. We are providing the siege equipment after all.¡± Vivian shook her head ¡°you can do better than that. I hit almost as hard as one of those siege bolt throwers and I fire a lot quicker¡±. He shrugged ¡°you have a point we could improve the offer say a 70/30 split.¡± Vivian shook her head again, she put a hand on Alice. ¡°You¡¯re not just getting offensive magic but elemental shield spells and healing spells, the full package of magical support¡±.
Jonathan looked a little happier, ¡°I suppose I can take that into consideration. I could go to a 60/40 split¡±. ¡°You¡¯re forgetting the vampire hunter has a lot of defensive blessings, he could take six hits from its breath weapon and still keep going¡±. He nodded again ¡°you make good points, I agree to fifty fifty split, the contracts that this gains us will be worth far more in the long run¡±.
They followed Jonathan, he stopped one of the trade guild apprentices. ¡°Tell the others that operation tin dragon is a go, I want them ready in twenty minutes to head out¡±. Fifteen minutes later they were loaded up onto a cart heading out of the settlement. Half an hour from that they split off from the main road onto an overgrown track, there were a few warning barriers but they ignored them and pushed on.
Martin looked at the others, ¡°This situation is surprisingly common, it is often called a barrier monster. The vampires will block us from using a resource by moving a creature near to the location. They will prevent us having access to the resources without destroying those resources, in this case they could mine the tin deposits with thralls or slaves and put coin in their own pocket¡±. Alice looked about the group, ¡°necromancers and sorcerers have been known to do the same for artefacts and sources of magic, a few elite demons or a few large bone golems even a reanimated dragon and they have their own magic on tap¡±.
There were two cart lodes of the mercenaries from the emerald bows with them. They were arranged into two squads of four. One group of veteran bowmen with a squad second of four engineers, they were specialists in using two man bolt throwers. The bolt throwers were arranged into several pieces and stowed onto the carts.
They got to the tin mine, it was a large deep cut into the earth. The dragon was inside the hollow basin, the ballista teams set up a killing ground before the dragon. The bolt throwers were put together from a series of three tripod legs, held together with pins to form a frame. Then the body of the bolt thrower was mounted on the frame. Followed by the bow in two sections a winding handle and some rope work and they were ready to go. Four boxes of bolts were placed next to the ballista¡¯s. Short wooden defences a couple of feet high were left by the bolt throwers, something for the crews of engineers to hide behind. If the dragon got close enough to breath on them, it would probably not be enough.
The dragon had 20 uses of its breath weapon based on its level. They had no plan on getting close to it, they had no way to disable or deplete its primary ability. The group carefully looked over the lip of the basin. The Dragon was sleeping on the bottom, it had its scaly wings pulled back. Its tail and neck were coiled around its body, it was not paying much attention to anything. They could get a few free hits in on it. But then the creature would still be awake and alive. There was a large bolder quite close to the dragon. David saw it and moved as quietly as he could round to it, Martin saw what was going on and moved back to act as a distraction should it be needed.
David carefully sheathed his sword then levered himself into position against the rock. He had the strength of at least eight men, a few pushes with his legs his back braced against the rock and it started to roll over. He gave it a nudge to the right to direct it at the last minute and then scrambled back. Over it went it crashed into more rocks dislodge them, the dragon shopped snoring and started to rouse, David had caused a small landslide.
Several tons of rock landed on the dragon, it was suddenly trying to pull one of its wings out of the rocks while flapping about with the other. David''s idea, had pinned it in place temporarily, which had also really pisses it off. Vivian and Alice get got in some free hits on the dragon, acid strikes and fire balls, iron arrows backed with power shots disappeared into its red hide. They didn''t go very deep but they still ate away at the dragon¡¯s life blood.
It was very very pissed off, it screamed and roared in pain as the arrows continued to hit it. The beast finally pulled itself out of the rock and set about looking for the one who dared to wake it up. It was bulkier than a wyvern another ten feet longer than the one they had killed, its scales were thicker closer together than the wyvern. A red dragon was the physically most resistant type. It had a main of long red scales going down its neck and along its spine and tail. It had four limbs ending with razor sharp claws a long tail that ended in a series of bony protrusions. Smoke from a chemical reaction slowly began to fume from out of its mouth. The dragon squatted down then jumped up, launching itself into the air. Its wings began to beat in a blur, forcing the creature up into the air.
Martin drew its attention he used his guardian angel and guardian seraphim angel blessings for protection. While the beast attacked spewing red hot fire into the path of the angelic light that turned it aside every time. He sprinted away from it using his massive endurance to propel him forwards, Martin survived six breath attacks. As he lead the dragon it moved into the cross fire of archers and bolt throwers. They were doing quite a bit of damage, but there was a lot of dragon. At least the ballista bolts punch hard, causing the dragon to flinch each time it was struck.
The beast was persistent, it tracked Martin eventually on the seventh attempt he took a hit from the edge of its breath weapons flame. He lost more than 600 hp, even with his fortress of faith blessing active. The fire had chewed through the defensive blessing and part cooked him. He still had inhuman vitality, which was the only reason he survived. Another hit would be fatal. He had a blessing in reserve, he turned and faced the beast. He used ¡°hand of judgement¡±, above the dragon a white light formed into a translucent mailed fist. It struck down onto the dragon¡¯s skull with fearsome force, it deal holy damage but also knock it out of the sky. Ten tons of dragon plummeted to the earth with the least dignified and most humiliating landing that this dragon had ever suffered.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
The fall causes damage and stunned the creature, Martin threw what blessings he could at it as quickly as he could. Four smites sent lightning bolts arching into its hide, two pillar of salt turned some of its scales to salt stripping it of defences. He used two wrath of the almighty blessings to cause a bit more damage. The beast would not fall but it would all help weaken it. It was not tremendous damage against a dragon with around 14000 hit point¡¯s total.
His next attack was quite powerful, if he got the opportunity to properly use it. Martin released his best attack, ¡°chain smite¡± on its ass, bombarding it with a seemingly endless barrage of lightning bolts. David was not idle either he started to pummel it with his blade one adrenalin strike after another tearing out chucks of scale blood and muscle on its tail and back legs. He was there almost as soon as it hit the ground. David was sensible enough to turn and run away when it started to stir. In the meantime the mercenary archers and ballista units were hitting it more and more. They desperately tried to empty every arrow and bolt into the serpentine juggernaut, before it could get close enough to flame them to death.
Vivian was using her bodkin and enchanted mithral arrows on the beast, doing a lot of damage to its weaker neck. Alice continued to hit it with spell after spell, first off with fire balls but it seemed to be somewhat resistant to fire. So she switched to her acid strike spell, corroding its scales away and putting holes into its defences. The dragon tried to get some distance it lunged into the air flapping its wings again, it was not completely steady as it lifted off again, one wing had received more damage than the other.
Alice started to throw her acid strike spells at its wounded right wing joint. Vivian had seen it go down with Martins blessing, she had a similar idea of how to achieve the same effect. She hit it in the left eye with her last bodkin arrow, the beast took a moment to register the pain as the arrow buried into its eye socket. It screamed in agony down it went again followed by two more siege engine bolts buried into its flesh.
The Dragon was very far from dead, but it couldn''t can¡¯t aim straight due to eye. Its fire missed Martin by a mile, the first time it renewed its attack. However its second try was a lot closer as it compensated. David had taken the opportunity to get back on its tail attacking it, he headed for its wounded left leg cutting into the armoured joint. The dragon staggered as two more ballista bolts hit it among the hail of arrows.
Alice dissolved a massive hole on its wing membrane, it would not be able to get up in the air again. The beast finally had Martin dead to rights when it screamed again in rage and in pain as its left leg collapsed under David''s attacks. Martin was to closet to the end that fire came out of so he ran for it, breaking the chain smite attack, but not before he had delivered a lot of damage. The Dragon crawled forward, Martin might be disappearing out of range but it had other targets close by.
Martin had exhausted most of his offensive blessings, but he still could add something to the battle. He started taking pot shots at the dragon with his pistols, from beyond its breath range. The dragon finally got close enough to send a breath of fire at the archers tormenting it. Alice was embedded in the same group, she had enough time to cast her elemental barrier spell. It saved her and Vivian from the dragons breathe attack. One of the engineers had dived for cover under the thick wooden barrier, a fraction of a second to late he was wounded. David took his place loading bolts into the weapons mechanism. Alice turned round and send a couple of her low powered ranged healing spells, into the engineer¡¯s wounds he would survive.
The dragon was close enough to breath on them, but the ballista crews were also close enough to hit it very precisely. They had trained with a monster tamer pulling a target behind a wyvern, now they put their practice to use. A ballista bolt landed precisely into the dragon¡¯s throat, it completely killed its ability to use its breath attack and probably would have been fatal eventually. The dragon choked on the bolt lodged into its throat. It can¡¯t do anything but crawl forwards, its wings and one leg trailing behind it, the beast was not giving up. The dragon would try to get into melee range, Vivian emptied her quiver using the last bleed arrows and silver arrows.
The sharp shooters from the emerald bows, ran out of arrows a few seconds later. They still had a few ballista bolts which they loaded and fired. The wounded engineer slowly started to come round. Alice sent a few more acid strikes at the dragons face into its throat. The dragon screamed in pain then kept dragging itself forwards. Its one good eye focused on the group in front of it. They backed off further and further, it was a stale mate, the dragon was in very bad shape. They were not sure how much it could heal if they left it. Alice was almost out of mana, including using the reserve in staff. She still had a potion of mana that might be enough. Martin had a few blessings that might hurt it.
David point upwards ¡°you see the big rock on top off cliff, Martin you have dynamite what do you think¡±. He considered it ¡°Thy will be done¡± his eyes narrowed he saw a different way forward. He used a focus re-load then delivered a, focus shot into dragons other eye, he used a mithral bullet. That penetrated deeply empowering the attack with ¡°divine retribution¡± to do a little more damage. The dragon screamed more gasping for breath frothing at the mouth spitting bile and blood with every ragged breath. The dragon tried again to get closer it could still hear them. Vivian the archers and the engineers working together, rolling the rock down onto the dragon. David charged forwards using his power attack to finish off the wounded creature opening up its neck. The beast screamed and died.
They were hit with the Level up, several of the engineers gained a few levels. As for the party David went from level 39 to level 42 the shock of gaining three levels was quite substantial. David picked up the same class level Vivian had and gained two ranks of the bonus sword damage ability. It was a skill that allowed a little twist of the sword at the right moment to do a bit more damage. Alice and Vivian were still slightly ahead going from level 40 to 43. Vivian picked up three ranks of the pierce armour skill, allowing her to be far more effective with heavy duty arrows like the bodkins.
Alice mastered her elemental shield spell and picked up another one called icy tomb, it would allow her to freeze one target in place dealing frost damage. Against something the size of a dragon it would slow them down a bit. It was one of the few spells that a mage used where the cost of the spell increased as it became more powerful. Usually the spells became more efficient as they were mastered, this one became more powerful but demanded more mana.
Martin was stuck at level 50 until he could find a monster suitable to perform a feet of martial strength by defeating. He sighed reloading his pistols. Vivian the archers and engineers got together to start recovering all there arrows. Martin felt his own flesh and sighed, he used his healing blessing on himself. Being cooked alive was not a pleasant sensation, at least young dragons had fire that didn''t burn for very long.
With their ammo recovered they sat down around one of the carts, David was wiping dragon blood off his armour. Alice looked at them her eyes big and wide, ¡°well that was a dragon¡±. The injured engineer looked at her, ¡°thanks for the assistance, without the elemental barrier and the healing we would have been dead¡±. The emerald bows pulled a couple of bottles of wine and some bread out of one of the carts. The mercenaries shared the wine and food with the adventures.
There was a health amount of respect from the emerald bows, they could see the power of a master and those close to that level. Eventually one of the mercenaries walked away from the group he waved a red flag from high ground, signalling the rest of the group to come over to them. Martin used his purify blessing to remove the thrall taint from the dragons remains, they wanted to avoid being infected with the taint from its carcass.
There were several more crews of civilians arriving now, cart drivers some different engineering specialist to look at the mine. There were work crews from the trade guild and alchemists. They quickly started to use hammers and chisels to strip the armoured scales off beast.
With the scales removed they used a massive two handed saws with mithral in the cutting edge, to cut the main joints, helped with saw, axes and pick axes etc. They worked to dismember it as quickly as possible, they didn''t want to face a zombie dragon as unlikely as that could be. Dragon hide was cut away for clothes and leather goods, striped off in two meter wide sections.
They harvested, sinew very good for high level crossbow and arrow strings. The Teeth were hammered out, claws pulled and cut free. The skull would be a trophy for the duke to sit above his aviary. Bones were recovered, flesh was piled up pickled, blood and guts barrelled. The alchemist pointed out the various important organs, liver hart etc. They were more carefully treated placed into large brine filled barrels. The less important pieces were chopped up and stuffed into large barrels haphazardly.
The bolt thrower engineers lend a hand with winches and A frames to move the carcass about. The mercenaries were physically strong, they had no trouble doing the rough work chopping up and cutting up flesh. Martin and the rest helped out carrying crates and boxes or putting scales into sacks. Between them thirty skilled people turned the 26 foot long monster into about nine tons of preserved dragon. They loaded up on five carts to be taken back to the guild hall for processing. They would not have been able to defeat the dragon without the party. Otherwise they estimated that they could not do much to it, without four times the number of archers and siege weapons perhaps even more to guarantee victory.
They rode on the piles of boxes on the way back, Alice looked at the party ¡°We never want to face a dragon over level 50 they gain sentience. They start to think and develop their own personality an old one would remember the blood alchemists that created them from thousands of years ago. Or they would have been told about it they can hold a grudge. Either way they are capable of planning and wouldn''t have been as easily tricked or disrupted as that dragon was.¡± Martin nodded in agreement, ¡°it¡¯s one of the few creatures that can slip the thrall taints control, though some vampires are rumoured to have negotiated with such beasts, rather than to subjugate them¡±.
A few hours later they were back at good ford. The entire convoy was checked at the gate, then they were let in. The carts were taken to the merchants craft hall and it was contract complete. Jonathan went and saw the merchant Gavin for his company''s pay, and the signed agreement extending their contract another twenty years. The party gathered round his office, their share of the reward was 200 silver. They had effectively been a sub-contractor to emerald bows mercenaries, but they were taking home half the profits on the table.
Jonathan took Vivian aside, ¡°I need to talk to you about the emerald bows, why don''t your friends take some time to buy equipment from Gavin or some ale or to go and see there mentors¡±. David looked surprised at Jonathan''s friendly attitude to Vivian, he was about to say something when Martin stopped him ¡°come on there are things we need to do¡±. ¡°But¡±! Alice tapped him with her staff, ¡°come on she is old enough to look after herself¡±.
He grinned at her, ¡°Vivian I have a bow a reward for you, I am the quarter master of the emerald bows, you want the best I have it¡±. He placed something wrapped in green cloth on the table, ¡°this bow is as powerful as a siege engine. It has been constructed with yellow yew heartwood at its core from the holy mountain. It¡¯s reinforced with spring mithral and gryphon''s sinew¡±.
She held it up her mouth open, Jonathan continued, ¡°The tips and grip are dragon tooth I finished them off half an hour ago from the dragon you helped kill. The string is a cable made from steal and octium thread. The sighting is mechanist manufactured from mithral, it would be accurate to two miles at its max range, if anyone had the strength to pull it that far. It is enchanted with stability piercing paralysis and fear. You are asking are you worthy of this bow? Have you got enough gold to afford this bow?¡±
Jonathan Swain grinned as Vivian held onto the bow with a death grip, he grinned ¡°are you worthy of this? My men tell me that you shot a dragon out of the air hitting it in the eye. You are worthy. You should join us Vivian Tanner, we could switch your mercenary contract from the glass bay mercenaries to the Emerald Bows. You could lead your own crew a four person squad. We have deep pockets I have atmantite arrow heads, you fill a few hunts for us and we could even find some ultramite heads for you. Imagine having ballista support on every hunt¡±.
Vivian could tell the man was canny, he was trying to recruit her before she hit level 50 and the cost to transfer her contract jumped exponentially. He did genuinely see her as a powerful mercenary very well suited to his particular companies¡¯ specialised fighting style. She considered it for a few heart beats, she sighed slowly placing the bow on the table. ¡°I am sorry Jonathan but I must politely decline, my current team are all the family I have left in the world¡±.
He nodded picking up the bow, ¡°you have earned this bow, the contracts that the trade guild signed with us will be worth hundreds of gold over the next twenty years. Take it, it¡¯s a one-time offer¡±. Vivian had the bow in her hands, she had a grip round Jonathan hugging him. It would make a bear hug feel like a gentle snuggle by comparison. ¡°Thank you I appreciate the sentiment, please let me breath¡±. She looked at him ¡°take my old bow in part exchange, I don''t need it any-more¡±, ¡°it will be a lovely addition to my stock¡±.
She looked at him, pulling out a piece of folded cloth, ¡°some time ago we killed a vampire with a mithral steel alloy sword, these are the remains of that sword, with the fragments could you turn them into arrow heads¡±? He looked at the pieces, ¡°yes I can do that it¡¯s not uncommon, I can do that in a couple of days say five silver on delivery¡±, she nodded.
He grinned looking at her lapel seeing a shining object, ¡°you need to use every trick for example that voice amplification pin, make a noise get someone to turn so that they are exposed for your shot when it lands¡±. She nodded in understanding ¡°you know how to compensate for wind, but what about a magical storm¡±? Vivian slowly soaked up the knowledge from Jonathan, as he imparted various tricks he had learnt and some exploitable weakness of some monsters.
Martin had tried a little experiment, he found that dragon meat was not very tasty. It was very oily and fatty, and chewy, if he dumped enough spices on it he could remove its taste. Which kind of defeated the point, it was also very poisonous. Martin had greater poison resistance and over fifty points of endurance he would be fine, and he was surprisingly the only one to try it. He spoke to an apothecary some of it distilled down would be used for a special brew, he would see if he could at least drink it.
David was getting some pointers from the sheriff, ¡°it¡¯s amazing how good a shield your opponent can become, if you have the right footwork. You can keep one big guy in front of the rest of their allies¡±. So it went on as David was shown techniques to make his sword and shield flow together even better by the bounty hunter. Martin found Reginald he got some pointers from the crusader, ¡°you never faced a siege ghoul, remember that they are both a ranged weapon and a battering ram on two legs¡±. Martin nodded some of the patched repairs to the town¡¯s outer wall made sense now. Meanwhile back in her room Alice was reading her book, holding the letter of introduction with the seal, nervous about meeting other mages. she would put it off for today tomorrow she would go through with it.
David and Melcher went to the green duck tavern and found a barrel of orange ogre ale. Vivian and Jonathan joined them a little later. Reginald Martin and Alice wandered in after that, Martin had high hopes that there was some form of alchemically imbued alcohol that could bypass his poison resistance and actually get him a bit tipsy.
Vivian showed off her dragon bow pointing out the bits made from its remains, ¡°tips and grip dragon tooth¡±. Alice came closer ¡°can I have a look¡± Vivian nodded Alice gently held the bow as it was propped on the table feeling the magic in it. ¡°It¡¯s made from strong materials good for enchanting. It¡¯s the work of several enchanters each adding one effect, stability piercing paralysis and fear. Effectively it adds +60 points of damage to your physical attack, a 20 point accuracy boost. This could be powerful a 20% chance to cause 5 seconds of paralysis on a human sized target, with a much smaller chance on higher level creatures. It had a 30% chance to causes a 5 second fear response. But then most things that would affected by the paralysis and fear would be dead through and through with the power that Vivian can put into an attack¡±.
Martin looked at it ¡°not necessarily, even a vampire fledgling would still be standing after one regular attack, it could be really good on low level vampires¡±. Alice could feel the enchantments, ¡°the accuracy one is very powerful¡±. David look at it ¡°congratulations Vivian a good prize that must be very expensive equipment, will you need to upgrade your arrows and quivers to match? He whispered to her out of ear shot for Jonathan, ¡°I wonder if this bow was partially a reward from the bishop¡±? She nodded, ¡°perhaps¡± they drank into the night celebrating their victory over the red tin dragon.
True Monsters – Act 4 Good ford - Chapter 35 – Bigger Bugs.
Three members of the party and several local officials woke up with sore heads that morning. They had tried quite a variety and quantity of alcohol and yet Martin still had not had the opportunity to get even a little tipsy. The party gathered round the breakfast table eating with Crusaders, squire¡¯s hunters and deputies.
David looked around the group his head a little fussy but still very excited, ¡°we killed a bloody dragon, I can¡¯t believe we killed a dragon¡±. Vivian looked at them pride in her voice in herself and her team, ¡°you saw him drop like a stone when I hit him in the eye, right¡±. Martin grinned, ¡°It was close a few times. I practically got cooked once, but you saw me get him in the other eye, my pistols have a fair bit of range¡±.
Alice looked seriously at them, ¡°if I didn''t have my elemental barrier spell, half of us would be dead right now¡±. David dismissed her serious concerns, ¡°we were prepared and now we are even better prepared. The next time we run into some big bad monster, it has even less chance of surviving right¡±. Martin looked about the group, ¡°I have thermite and a lot of health, I think the rest of you need to stock up on equipment, from our combined funds. But remember when I need ten barrels of gunpowder to blow up a kraken or something, then you¡¯re going to help me pay for it OK¡±.
They headed down towards the docks and the trade guild craft hall. A brief word with an assistant or two and they were let in to meet. Gavin he smiled big and wide ready to do business with them. ¡°My customers, I hand out reward for the good work you do and the money comes back to me. You thought about it, facing off against a dragon makes you consider what¡¯s important. Now you want to come back to the merchant¡¯s guild to upgrade your equipment¡±. He led them to the special stock room.
He looked at them considering the right sales pitch the right items one of them had already made up their mind. ¡°Now Alice I have the 3 favour belt of elemental resistance. Hear you go its 75 silver and grants a constant 30 point resistance to electrical fire and ice based attacks. Any low level spells won¡¯t bother you and it will stack with your elemental shield spell. I will take your apprentice robe as a part trade in with this master mages robe of radiant, nightmare spider silk¡±.
It would just about fit her which was perfect, ¡°The enchantment will keep you warm in all but the harshest blizzard. There is a 2 point boost to agility and 8 points of natural armour on top of the silks natural high damage resistance. We have layered 36 layers of woven fabric for protection, it¡¯s as good as chain mail. But only as heavy as wool. That''s 220 silver for the robe totalling 295 silver. Thank you very much¡±.
Alice changed in a small side room, while Vivian checked out her new Damascus armour. She checked it over as the merchant laid it out on a table. The hauberk was enchanted with a +2 endurance giving her ten more hit points for 175 silver. The greaves would make her more agile with their 2 point agility boost they cost 90 silver. The boots were plated in heat treated Damascus adding 2 points to her strength, meaning she hit that little bit harder all for just an extra 65 silver. She looked over the + 5 armour neck guard. Typical of his profession Martin interjected, ¡°that would be a really good idea against a vampire¡±.
She nodded it was another 40 silver, she had a helmet with a two point willpower boost. Allowing her to think a little more clearly, at the small price of 55 silver. The chainmail and plate gloves came with the 2 point dexterity boost. They would help her fire her bow precisely, they were very well crafted and cost her 75 silver. She looked at the pile planning ahead, ¡°I will have the octium arrow heads as well. Five of them at 5 silver each it should mangle that lich¡±. Gavin charged her 525 silver for the lot. The party¡¯s purse was suddenly looking a lot lighter. Alice emerged and handed over her apprentice robe, having found a much better replacement. Vivian disappeared off into the same room to change her equipment over.
The merchant eyed up Martin then David he grinned, ¡°David I assume you want the custom made Damascus tower shield¡±? He patted a little note book, ¡°It will be exactly the same size as your current one, with a bit more reinforcement. I will get the tower enchanter to add +30 impact resistance, decreasing the momentum of blow. As well as that it should take an enchantment adding + 20 to natural armour. Increasing the toughness of the shield, it will cost the small price of 240 silver. give us 4 days from now and you can collect it.¡± David shook his head, ¡°2 days from now ok¡±? The merchant sighed, ¡°Let¡¯s meet in the middle and call it 3 days that''s possible.¡±
There was rattling from the side room as Vivian pulled her armour off. The merchant had more of his sales pitch ready for David. ¡°I know how you mercenaries benefit from layered armour. The more and better quality you have the stronger your layered defence perk is. How about a nightmare spider silk gambeson for 50 silver, similar to Alice''s robes but un-enchanted. On top of that you combine it with a suit of steel chainmail the perfect size for you. At 180 silver you gain quite a bit of armour what do you think¡±? Alice and Martin nodded ¡°we can afford it¡±, ¡°equipotent can save your life a full purse can¡¯t¡±. David grinned and two items were placed on the table, just when Vivian came out of the side room.
It was quite a momentous task to get David out of his armour. To get all his chainmail and padding off, only to replace it and put everything back. Still he was very comfortable in the thickly padded armour. If he could get a basic silk shirt with some minor armour enchantment under the main gambeson then he would be much better off boosting his armour again, as it would count as another layer. David took a final backwards look at one of the armour stands, the merchant nodded. ¡°Expert made tempered steel plate. Easily four times what you paid for the other, when you have 380 more silver you can come back.¡± David''s mouth opened to ask a question, the merchant was faster ¡°no, I don''t offer credit¡±.
Martin approached Gavin, ¡°I have some Tesla grenades do you have the material to recharge them¡±? The merchant grinned, ¡°Today might be your lucky day. There is a nest of the blue beetles local, they provide the main chemicals that those Tesla grenades rely on. You bring me back twenty beetle heads, which contain the chemical. I can get a chemist to make you up a batch of recharging fluid. There is also a reward of 30 silver to cull the nest, not to exterminate it but to cull. Leave the eggs and young but nothing else. I had no takers on this job for a while, I guess people didn''t think it was important¡±.
Vivian handed over both her and David''s old armour to the merchant. She considered the look of apprehension on his faced. ¡°I assume someone might have taken the blue beetle quest and not reported back, someone who didn¡¯t know quite what they had signed up for¡±? There was clanging in the background as David changed his armour. The merchant spoke hesitantly, ¡°people underestimated the beetles, and they can bypass normal armour. A sword and shield mercenary and three foresters have gone missing. They accepted the quest a few days ago, to go and cull the beetle''s, they might be hiding up a tree or they might be face down in a pool of blood¡±.
¡°If you bring the bodies back you get a thank you from the church and a few bronze. If you can get them back alive, I guess I can pay you a five silver bonus for saving them¡±. Martin looked over him through the window, ¡°can you get a cart driver to come with us, just in case we have a large haul of beetle bits for you¡±? He nodded, ¡°I will make the arrangements some sacks, a few tarpaulins if the news is not so good¡±.
Fifteen minutes later the group were heading out of the west gate of Good-Ford. Along a trail past several farmsteads towards a group of trees in the distance. The driver looked back at them, ¡°these things have been eating some of the farmer¡¯s crops, they got too big for the woodland. You would be doing us all a favour by killing them. Hey you¡¯re the ones that killed the dragon with the emerald bows, I suppose this is a bit low on the priority list compared to dragons, but I guess you¡¯re all out of dragons to slay¡±.
Alice considered there target, they had a job from the merchant¡¯s guild. They were to destroy every adult beetle in woods. It was good that they centred on one large nest of blue beetles, a quirk of the blood alchemists design a centralised nest a common strength and flaw. The guild wanted to still be able to harvest the beetles, but they didn''t want to fight tougher variants to do so. Obviously they had gotten lax in culling them at some point, now some people like them had perhaps paid the price.
Martin looked at the group, closing his book on monsters. ¡°These beetles get up to level 25, they have lightning based attacks. Attacks that are quite strong when you consider they bypass armour. The beetles produce a sort of chemical energy. A chemical reaction that generates the electricity, then they direct it through there mandibles. As an aimed jolt or with their mandibles as direct contact. The range is not fantastic note they do not use mana so Alice¡¯s magical resistance won¡¯t help. Also don¡¯t get to heavy handed. We need at least 20 parts for the chemist. The heads need to be intact¡±. They stopped just outside a large stand of trees that was not part of blood thorn wood.
The group got out of the cart grabbing a few bags, this should be a simple mission. They would still need to be cautious, Alice had her staff ready. Vivian had her bow notched with an iron arrow. She was sure her new bow would be everything she anticipated, when she used it in combat and not just at the practice range. David had his sword drawn, Martin had his pistols ready. It took them a few minutes to find a path. There were lots of beetle tracks, vegetation chewed at low levels and stripped bark. The beetle tracks were very numerous with some quite large. Eventually they found a few cut branches and a trail leading into the woods.
It was soon apparent that there would be no happy ending, at least for the group that had taken the contract on before them. There were three dead beetles, they had dark blue shells one was cut in half one was pierced with an arrow and one was crushed flat. Around them were the bodies of the four missing people. They had been chewed on around the edges by some unseen beetles. The four bodies of the missing people were strewn around the clearing, bows spears and a sword dropped. They had been wearing quite thick armour, but they had been killed quickly. Only able to kill a small number of the blue beetles. Martin looked at the group, ¡°remember blue beetles basic attacks bypass metal armour, and they can move fast¡±.
There was a hiss and a zap, as something jumped out of the brush and impacted on David''s shield. ¡°God dam that fucking hurt¡±, his sword sliced through the attacking beetle with ease. David almost shit himself with the shock, he was actually quite badly hurt. The electrical energy travelled through his shield and armour burning his flesh. Against this foe he quickly realised his armour was useless. It has no resistance against this form of attack, it has cost him 20 health in an instant from the first blow¡±.
¡°Vivian was quite far back, Alice was ok, and she had a belt that protected her from elemental damage. So she used her elemental shield spell on David. Martin had a blessing that protected him from electrical attacks, but it only lasted so long. A protracted battle against such creatures could kill even a veteran, it would kill anyone who underestimated the numbers.
The commotion attracted the group that had killed the adventures. There was a wave of giant beetles attacking the group. They were about five feet long at level 10, they struck with short range electrical attacks. Alice got about a third of them with a single fire ball. Martin emptied his pistols into them. David sliced a few trying to keep the heads intact for the quest. Vivian let lose a series of precision arrow shots, until all 20 of the creatures were kill off. The beetles were in the grand scheme small fry. The group had a few minor wounds, once they properly prepared. The beetles had been created to use electrical attacks, so there actual jaw strength was pitiful. Hence why the bodies in the clearing had not received that much damage. With Alice''s enchantment and protection spell and Martins resist lightning blessing they were almost unscathed.
Of course there were a lot more beetles in the woodlands. The rest of the beetles in the woods were attracted to attack the intruders. The blood alchemists that created them had worked in a few survival instincts at least. A seemingly endless Wave of small fry rushed towards them, the creatures that approached them were level 5 beetles. They were low level but there sheer numbers were in the 100s, they might be enough to kill them off. They were each about a foot to a foot and a half long.
Alice thinned their numbers with a few fire balls, Martin used two small thermite charges and the horde was more manageable. Vivian ripped out a sturdy tree branch, she was not going to try to kill this lot with arrows. Alice cast elemental shield on David again and he ploughed into the masses. Martin pulled out his mallet and started to swing left and right. It took them a few minutes to decimate the hoard of beetles. Alice had to cast her healing aura spell, when they were getting too many small wounds. From the dozens of remaining frenzied beetles, then they were back up to full health. Eventually the mass was cleaned up the small fry demolished.
There was hissing and much heavier rumbling through the undergrowth. Ten large dread giant beetles appeared, hovering around level 19 they came into sight. They were each close to eight feet long. Behind them were two large terror giant beetles, with an enraged matriarch all level 25. The terror beetles were over ten foot long and the matriarch was probably fifteen feet long. They were much heavier than the other beetles, the guardians of the main nest. Static electricity shot from their jaws as they advanced. Alice started to focus on the larger creatures at the rear. Melting their legs with acid strikes spells.
She hit the queen with her icy tomb spell, causing its carapace to frost over and dramatically slowing its movements. Vivian focused on the dread giant beetles. Her bow made very short work of them. David cut through these larger targets with adrenalin strikes, after Alice cast another elemental shield on him. Martin unloaded his triple pistol then started to swing away with his mallet, shattering the legs off the beetles. In no time at all the last defenders of the nest were dead.
With no more opponents the level up hit, they found their eyes glowing. David hit level 43 he raised his bonus sword damage skill up to level three. He could really add that extra bit of damage twisting the sword as he pulled it out of an opponent. Alice reached level 44 and got the improved version of the icy tomb spell. It was pretty much a garmented kill on anything with less than a thousand hit points. As long as she could hit it, it was a pity that a lot of the creatures in the cold northern realms had quite a bit of resistance to frost and ice. Vivian got the fourth rank of the pierce armour skill as she reached level 44.
They beheaded the beetles and collected the materials necessary for the alchemists. Martin held up one of the heads explaining, ¡°With the right chemical reactions an alchemist can created a special battery fluid. It¡¯s used for Tesla grenade and many other lightening based devices¡±. They found a nest it was like a compost heap of dry material. The matriarch had been guarding it, there were level 0 beetle lava about as well. They took some eggs from it they, left the nest with a few young it was still a valuable source off materials, if properly maintained.
The beetle bodies were gathered up and stacked outside the woods, it took them half an hour. A little oil and a bonfire and the remains were disposed of. They laid the human bodies out Martin said a brief prayer. They wrapped them in the tarpaulins, they took the human bodies back to cremate at the cathedral. Back at Good Ford a junior priest purified the bodies, he prepared them for the service and cremation. Then they took the cart loaded with the alchemical beetle bits back to the guild. They were paid 25 silver for their efforts, there was a sad look from the merchant Gavin at the passing of the mercenary and foresters. He had sent those people to their deaths after all, he would send a few silver to their family¡¯s to ease his conscience. They went to get a bit to eat at the hunters house.
The meal at the hunter¡¯s house was basic pottage, but it was filling and disappeared quickly. Martin led the group back to the Trade gild to get the chemicals, to recharge his Tesla grenades. He received a vial of blue liquid distilled electro fluid from the guild. A work bench two minutes and one little shock later and Martin had re-charged the grenades. He still had plenty of chemicals. Even if his hair and eyebrow were now out on end. Gavin met them he looked at David, ¡°you need to get quite a bit more before you can afford the full Damascus plate my friend. Come back in two days¡¯ time to pick up your shield¡±. David looked over at Martin, then back to Gavin ¡°we delivered close to 100 beetle heads. That has to be worth some sort of discount¡±? Gavin looked glum, ¡°you have a point, do a few more favours for the guild and I will knock a quarter off the price¡±.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Alice looked at the rest of the group, ¡°Look I have been putting off going and seeing my assigned mentor for days now. I never much liked the mages guild, I feel nervous can you help me¡±. Vivian put a hand on her shoulder. ¡°You can rely on us, we have your back. This place is far away from the main tower. So I can¡¯t see your nerves being as bad as they were at the main tower in the capital, it¡¯s a small chapter house¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°yes I can do it, it¡¯s not like I need to speak publicly before the entire mages council¡±. Vivian put a hand on Alice''s shoulder and gently pushed her off towards the mages guild, ¡°small steps we will have you speaking in public in no time¡±.
The royal tower mages were using a former minor noble¡¯s house. It was architecturally impressive or it would have been some time ago when decorations were prioritised over form. The building had been fortified somewhat over the years. It was close to the wall, so if the outer walls fell the mages could hold out for quite some time. There was one town guard outside, he took one look at the group and smartly saluted.
The mages would offer their services to any merchant or noble with a bit of coin, the same for any adventure. They were often contracted by the merchant¡¯s guild to add enchantments to one item or another, and to aid there local patron the duke. The building was finely furnished. There were four apprentices milling around, working on one project or another. Some alchemy and enchanting paraphernalia filled up the tables. Mostly it was enchanting focused with boxes of crystallised mana. It was used in the enchanting process, vast quantities were needed to power even the smallest magical trinket.
One project caught Alice''s eye, a partially constructed magical ward stone. She pointed it out to the group, ¡°this will eventually be a ward stone. Part of a magical shield big enough to protect the outer wall of a city. If you can get enough mages to charge it. It must be a long term project, to add a magic shield to the outer wall of a city¡±. A mage in apprentice robes with a leather apron over them arrived by the ward stone. ¡°I see you can appreciate my work, hi I am Dan. We will need 16 of these to encompass the city, to create a good barrier. They are a modified version of the ones used on heavy warships, I have two complete and a third this one being worked on¡±.
The very skinny mage started striking the stone with a hammer and chisel. Cutting a very fine rune marks into the stone. He was quickly sweating away not liking the physical stone work. He grumbled mostly to himself, ¡°It¡¯s a pity that you need to be an enchanter and a stone mason to make these. Still I might break through past veteran crafter status with this work, at least by the time I am finished. They put these up in the nine big city''s including the capital. That was forty years ago, now they want them in the next 20 largest cities, this is going to take decades¡±. He sighed and went back to his work. A mage working on an enchanting scroll put down there pen and wandered over to the group. She looked a bit nervous, ¡°I am Valerie, how can I help you¡±?
The head of the local chapter of the royal mages tower, was a thin middle aged woman. Her hair was black with grey streaks running through it. It looked like a chemical accident rather than the onset of age. She had a fancy mithral staff propped against her desk. She conveyed with every inch a formal and noble baring. She had a very tight fitting robe, that must have been custom made and perhaps had a corset underneath it somewhere to maintain such a stiff posture.
Alice gave a brief curtsey and held out the letter of introduction, she tried not to look nervous. The chapter head gave a shallower curtsy back, she tried to put Alice at ease. ¡°I am Lady Imoline, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you Alice. You seem to have picked up quite a collection of trinkets there and a few followers. I am a master mage, the local head of this chapter but I am sure that you knew as much¡±. Alice seemed far less nervous now meeting the head mage in person. ¡°Lady Imoline, do you still have lands and a house¡±? She shook her head. ¡°When I was taken into the tower, I had to give those up to the crown, they let me keep my title at least as an honorific¡±.
Lady Imoline held out her hand ¡°may I¡±? Alice nodded meeting the mentor¡¯s eyes. The woman''s eyes became quite wide, ¡°good lord you¡¯re not even eighteen and your six levels away from master¡±. She regained her composure, ¡°You must have really been thrown in at the deep end, to have risen so far so fast. Your official record still lists you as a level four mage. I bet they will have a few surprises the next time you go back to the tower¡±. Alice grinned, ¡°Technically I outrank most of my teachers now don''t I¡±?
Lady Imoline nodded, ¡°it¡¯s a ranking of your power with magic, not necessarily your knowledge. Many of your teachers would have crafting levels in enchanting, so the gap would not be as wide as you think, at least in overall level. You have focused on a few spells that fit your party composition. You did what you needed to do to survive, when you have reached master level and you have some time I would suggest you broaden your spell library. Take some time to manually learn spells, it¡¯s a lot harder and slower but it adds that extra flexibility to your arcane arsenal¡±.
A servant brought in a tray of drinks, the party sipped wine while lady Imoline and Alice swapped war stories. ¡°You started fighting giant rats, I started helping the town guards fighting off a plague of giant slugs. Those things had a very acidic bite, I lost two good dresses to them. I had to be quick with shield and healing spells¡±. She took an elegant sip of her drink, ¡°I can throw a few fire bite spells and the like but I have mostly focused on defensive spells. Like mass shield and mass cure poison¡±. Alice nodded ¡°I might pick up a few more defensive abilities later. Illusionary allies is good it¡¯s cheap and you can avoid being targeted. Earthen wall would give me something to hide behind and mage armour would give me quite a bit of bonus protection¡±. ¡°That¡¯s all very good for surviving a fight but the bonus vitality spell can really help you out¡±.
Lady Imoline was thoughtful she brought her tempered experience to Alice. ¡°If you are determined to become a grand master and focus as a field operative. Rather than taking up a position in a garrison like me you want to increase your repertoire. The blue beetles that live hear remind me of one thing, electrical attacks are hard to block with high level conductive metal equipment. Electrical strike can cook a marauder in there iron plate¡±.
Alice listened intently as the lady continued, ¡°For massive numbers of monsters like giant rats, the poison gas cloud spell is useful. Desiccate can be a surprisingly useful spell against large monsters, the living variety anyway. Good to use unless an alchemist needs there bodily fluids for something. Every monster has some spell that works well against them. A Queen slime would be obliterated with a single hit of desiccate¡±.
Alice showed off her armour and armoured robe. The lady smiled and tapped her bodice, there was the dull ring of metal armour hidden under the cloth. ¡°Why carry both armour and the enchanted robe¡±? She grinned ¡°Because I can carry both¡±. The senior mage nodded ¡°I suppose you carry as much as you possibly can, when you¡¯re a field adventure¡±.
After some small talk the lady took a deep breath. Making sure that the room was secure she cast some sort of spell. ¡°We don''t appear to be monitored,¡± she looked around room at Martin and Alice. ¡°The mages tower has intelligence on the location of an elite vampire and a certain book that I want. We presume one of the local vampires didn''t like this new trespasser and let correspondence fall into our hands. It is not how we normally do business, but we can use it to our advantage¡±.
¡°I want you to seize the copy of book blood oath, from the vampire elite. I don''t have a name but they have some training as a necromancer, or they ate one and gained there power. We believe they are working for the king of bones¡±. She looked at Martin, ¡°but as you know this is in the empress of shadows territory. So I don''t think they will have much protection, he or she had to travel light. This is probably done under the noses of their superiors to keep out of the way, but it failed we know they are hear¡±.
Martin looked at the others, ¡°this could be a trap, how did you get this information¡±? She was calm, ¡°a tamer specialising as a falconer, had an eagle intercept a messenger bat. It was flying around the edge of the city, the correspondence was from one vampire to another. Someone calling themselves the razor, to their superior initialled B. Complaining about this other vampire entering their territory. It is a deliberate tactic, sometimes using a thrall with a letter. The local vampires have presented us with an opportunity. It also helps them, we have used scrying magic and can¡¯t find a trap¡±. Vivian nodded ¡°a vampire we faced had a serpent man nest rebel, he made them look bad so we ended up wiping them out for him as a possible threat¡±.
Martin considered it, ¡°how close is this vampire located?¡± the lady pulled out a map form her paperwork. ¡°Under a barn in one of the local farmsteads, right under our noses. I don''t think they have been there more than three days from the letter¡±. Vivian nodded, ¡°There presence would probably be noted otherwise¡±. Lady Imoline looked at Martin, ¡°think on this hunter, a vampire an elite. If you can solo kill them then they are a worthy opponent and you break through. You could do it today, you are a master aim for a grand master all the better to protect Alice¡±.
¡°What about pay¡±? David asked his eyes ever on the prize. ¡°There are the usual bounties on the vampires, split four ways its good coin¡±. Vivian looked at her, ¡°what about support people to cut off escape routes. We have had the fanged bastards run before¡±? Lady Imoline nodded, ¡°you might want to get a few crusaders and hunters with you to cover the exits. I will speak to Reginald now, but bring me the book¡±.
The party headed off to the farmstead, while the lady Imoline headed for the hunters house to get some support. The journey over there was a quick affair, a couple of town guards, slowly moved the local farmers away. Martin and the group approached, there were four thralls outside and a few thrall hounds. Vivian noticed that the crusaders and hunters had arrived. They were there to cover the exits against any escaping monsters, the party moved forwards.
Alice and Vivian eliminated the thrall hounds with a few arrows and fire bite strikes. Martin tackled two of the thralls with his mallet. David just knocked the other two over with his shield. sitting on the two of them, with the weight of his shield and armour they could not get away. Martin used his purify blessing on the thralls removing the taint, restoring them to their right mind. There were suddenly four very sore farm hands. Who were wondering what possessed them to take on a man in full plate armour and the vampire hunter with the mallet. Martin at least checked to make sure that they had no significant injuries. Before the city guards and a few squires led the men away to receive treatment and food.
The animals in the farm building had been slaughtered, there was a freshly constructed bone golem in there. It slowly rose up from the floor. A collection of sheep cow and pig carcases strapped and nailed together into a bipedal form. The fresh and bone golem moved towards them. Vivian hit it with a few iron arrows, shattering its left leg. Alice hit it with a few fire bite spells, burning away its right leg. David used his blade with a few adrenalin strikes to dismantle its left arm. Martin used the blessing ¡°thy will be done¡± to analyse the golem. The spell focus was in its left shoulder. A shot from his pistol, through the animated carcass hit the spell focus destroying it. The golem crashed to the ground, the spell animating it unwound. There was a hatch leading to a basement storage room, they proceeded on.
There were various beds in the basement, with the other paraphernalia it was obvious. The vampire elite running this operation must have been looking for some sort of way of rapidly gaining control. There were several dozen people on the beds, quite a few were obvious addicts. They seemed to have been subjected to a powerful drug, as they were completely out of it. There were several people who were just food, blood donors. They were drained and barely able to move, just alive.
There were four crude boxes that must have been used as imported coffins. Three full vampires emerged, Martin checked them out with his monocle, they were not the target. Before the vampires could attack the party did. Alice frozen one solid with her icy tomb spell, then used acid strike spells to dissolve the unfortunate vampire, leaving just a pair of fangs. Vivian hit one in the forehead and chest with bodkin arrows, it disintegrated. David charged into the last one, he cut the remaining vampire to pieces. Knocking them down with an adrenalin block, then carving it into pieces with adrenalin power attacks, until what was left crumbled into dust. There was a large stack of narcotics. Some blood brandy and an assortment of addictive drugs like dusks embrace.
The last coffin box opened up and the elite vampire awoke. She has tall with a dark complexion, probably hailing from the southern lands. She clutched an old book bound in red leather, she wore purple robes. The vampire started to make a speech, ¡°I am beyo...¡± at this point she was hit with two small thermite grenades. The vampire focused on throwing the book clear of the explosion, rather than saving herself. The rest of the party held back.
The thermite did some damage but not quite enough. Martin used his faith based abilities to shred the vampires supernatural protection. ¡°Pillar of salt¡± its flesh was turned white, he used the same blessing again. ¡°Pillar of salt¡± the vampire looked ill as the blood in her veins turned to salt. He held out his holy symbol ¡°smite¡± the lightning bolt hit the vampire in the face. ¡°Smite¡± another bolt of lightning hit her in the chest. ¡°Smite¡± the vampire was not too worried about these attacks. ¡°wrath of the almighty,¡± the vampire felt the extra holy damage.
Martin used one of his trump cards, ¡°Chain smite¡±. The vampire reacted far more seriously, she jumped around as lightning bolt after lightning bolt struck her. The electrical energy followed her as she ducked and dived. Finally the vampire did a backflip off a wall to throw off Martins aim and end the continuous powerful attack.
Martin had an inhuman twisted look on his face, the vampire regarded him and felt fear. It tried to throw a vampiric spell, but Martin blocked it with his holy symbol. Martin hit it with two Tesla grenades, it was surprised and shocked in the radius of the electrical field, as it tried to dive out of the way. Martin used the opportunity to hit it with two throwing knives coated in silver. Then two coated in burning oil. Then two poisoned knives, even though the poison would be unlikely to do much damage. The vampire screamed in agony as it proceeded to pull the knives out of its flesh.
Martin unloaded his triple barrel pistol with three stakes into the vampire¡¯s chest, it screamed and pulled one out of its heart. The vampire was receiving a lot of damage and there was little chance of her finding a way out. The vampire picked up a scythe and tried to strike Martin, breaking the blade against the defensive blessing, ¡°bastion of faith¡± that Martin had just activated.
He had another trump card, ¡°hand of judgement¡± the vampire was struck down, Martin pulled one of his pistols and shot an overload charge in to the vampires kneecap. The vampire went down screaming and trying to hobble away silver bullets wedged deep in the bone and flesh.
Martin got closer, the vampire reached out and grabbed his holy symbol. Martin didn''t let go, smoke curled up from the holy symbol and it began to get hot. Eventually the vampire shirked and let it go. Martin grinned, ¡°You can only do that to a wooden holy symbol, maybe bronze, this one is tempered Damascus steel much tougher¡±. Martin held his holy symbol to the vampires shoulder ¡°purify¡± ¡°purify¡±, it slowly burnt into the limb. He brought the chunk of blesses metal down on the vampires head. ¡°Wrath¡± ¡°wrath¡± ¡°divine retribution¡±, the vampire was still there barely clinging to life. A stake appeared in his hand, then the mallet. He drove the tip it into the vampire, and they were crumbling into dust leaving a skull and two fangs. The level up hit everyone''s eyes glowed white.
Martin felt a familiar sensation, the flow of time ground to a haul, a message appeared in his mind¡¯s eye. A special action has been performed a feat of marshal strength has been achieved. You have defeated a worthy opponent, your level limit has been increased to level 75. He had gained two levels from killing that elite vampire. He put two levels in his trap specialization skill. Unlocking the ability to use spring jaw stake and shrapnel mines. Admittedly he had used spring jaw traps before, but now he understood the best way to use them and had almost no chance of accidentally setting one off.
Alice also gained a level going up to 45, she got the grand version of the icy tomb spell. It now used a little more mana but it held a target immobile for nine seconds, if they were a weak target. The spell also did quite a bit more cold damage. Vivian reached level 45 she gained another class level. Improving her comprehensive training ability to level 8. She could now train up district guards, district guards were a reserve force. Held in a district and used to reinforce specific parts of a city''s defences during a siege. David reached level 44 he gained rank 4 of his bonus sword damage skill. He was reasonably proficient with that ability, so he would probably invest in a different skill when he reached level 46 and he got his next non class level. They collected up the fangs for the reward and about 5 silver in change from the dead vampires.
The party emerged from the barn and called in the crusaders hunters and town guards, the drugged and drained people were checked over and subjected to the purify blessing. A priest would examine them, then an apothecary would be tasked to purge the vial substances form their veins. Lady Imoline thanked them warmly, ¡°the vampires were practising necromancy just outside this town. If we had left it another day then who knows what we would be facing. Addiction more death, I don''t like to think about it. That pile of flesh is being burnt now, I don''t want to take the chance it has a secondary focus embedded in its chest or something like that. The drugs are being added to the pile, who knows what they added to them, perhaps even the thrall taint¡±.
Martin handed the book to Alice, who handed it to lady Imoline, ¡°what exactly are you going to do with that book¡±? She smiled, ¡°hand it over to the church, I had a debt to pay to them for some assistance. They have been hunting the red vampire for years. The only clue to this powerful elder is his books the blood oath series. Partly notes partly spells and rituals. There is a room in the patriarch¡¯s cathedral where dozens of volumes of his writing are kept. They will eventually break the cipher on it find the vampire and kill them¡±. She paused, ¡°Alice I thank you for this service to the tower. I will certainly send a letter of commendation to the council. I have a few other jobs for you if you come back later and I will be happy to continue your lessons¡±.
The group headed back to their lodgings, it was late at night they had made a new contact not a bad day. They found Reginald and gained a bounty of fifty silver on the vampire¡¯s fangs. They had put nearly 80 silver together from just one day¡¯s work, not long for David''s Damascus plate armour. If they could get on the good side of the local mages chapter master. Then they might be able to access some rare enchanted items. The bishop might have had something in mind for Alice, the same way Vivian got a very good bow after they killed the dragon.
True Monsters – Act 4 Good Ford - Chapter 36 – Rogue Mage.
After a solid night¡¯s sleep and a stout breakfast. The party were all in good spirits. There levels were gradually increasing, as were there skills and teamwork. The next time that they faced off against lexicon, then they would be more than a match for him and whatever forces he could scrape together. They were getting better equipment to suit their superior skills and abilities. They had mentors teaching them, so that there strategic and tactical thinking would match their abilities. They would come out on top eventually.
They had been recruited by the bishop for some secret mission, promoted to agents of the state. They could expect a difficult mission and a large reward. Once they succeeded if they succeeded.
They were going over some basic maintenance, Alice was reading one of her books. Vivian was sharpening her arrows and David his blade. Martin was cleaning and oiling his pistols very carefully. One of the servants from the mages tower dropped off a note. A deputy hunter took the note to the party. knocking at the door politely nodding and leaving the note. Vivian read it, ¡°There is a request from Lady Imoline. She needs us at the mages chapter house as soon as possible, something about discretion and a theft¡±. Vivian grabbed her arrows and bow. Martin holstered his pistols. David fitted a piece of armour and grabbed his tower shield. Alice had her staff and they were off.
It was a few minutes to get across town, then a worried servant let them into the mages sanctuary. They found the lady in her room going over a letter. She didn''t look well, her clothes were ruffled she had thrown them on without care. Her hair and face were dishevelled barely any attention and no make-up. She had done the bare minimum to be presentable. Her face was knotted with worry. She let out a sigh of relief. But instead of greeting them she cast a spell, to check if they were being watched. She gestured them into the room, then set about shuttering the windows. She turned her attention to the doors dead locking them. ¡°You can¡¯t be too careful¡±.
She looked at Alice, then the rest of the group as if they were a secondary consideration. ¡°Thank you for coming so quickly. It is a sad day when one of our own steals form us, but it has happened. I would like your discretion in dealing with this quietly. I don''t want the rest of the chapter house to know the details. A junior enchanter and veteran mage, Leonard specialist in sonic magic he has betrayed us¡±.
She explained her anger occasionally showing itself. ¡°He went out with a group of adventures, on a monster hunt to earn a bit of coin. Then he stayed on as protection for some pilgrims heading to the local shrine. He disappeared separated from the group, we presumed that he was dead inside a wererat¡¯s stomach. But it looks like he is not dead, he faked his death with the help of a contact in the thieves¡¯ guild. At least that is what we believe from the evidence. I found part of a burnt letter in the grate in his room, it was the last page so I don''t have all the details¡±.
¡°He was planning this with a thief called Irma. They appear to have a relationship. A romantic attachment. They stole a lot of supplies, scrolls enchanting equipment some equipment only an exulted master could use. I think he is planning to sell them to the crime syndicate, the blades of red Saul. Now I come to audit our supplies, a lot of small things have also been going missing for a long time. Four or five months I think it¡¯s been going. I had believed that it was a cataloguing error or someone broke them and was two ashamed to admit to it. Now I think that he was build up a stash of items to sell. We are missing a few more important items, including a few rare magic books that have some high level knowledge they have gone¡±.
He had keys to our stores as an enchanter. There were signs of thief''s tools, scrapes and scratches on the locks he didn''t have access to. I believe he came here last night with this thief Irma. He could bypass our magical locks and she could bypass our physical counter measures. The books are the most important things, they were greedy they got nearly a crates worth of materials and items from us¡±.
She reached out putting her hand on Alice''s shoulder. ¡°We need it back to finish the warding project for one. The rouge mage needs to be stopped, I know that it is difficult. But I want them captured alive, not every member of the group but at least these two. We have two combat focused veterans hear, no small order regularly. But you are masters or close to master level¡±. She felt Alice''s aura, ¡°you have improved since I read you yesterday, amazing¡±. Alice was a little hesitant as she responded she was still nervous around the chapter master. ¡°Remember we wiped out a nest of vampires¡±, she nodded in response, ¡°Of course¡±.
The lady pulled out a heavy bag from under a desk, ¡°Melcher provided me with these escape proof restraints. They are fastened with one way bolts, no locks to be picked for this thief Irma¡±. Vivian checked them over and threw them into her backpack. A second set of dedicated restraints was produced by the lady Imoline, ¡°for Leonard these cuffs have been lined with a layer of octium, with a mana draining enchantment on the metal¡±. Vivian checked them as well. Alice wondered ¡°what happens to them after we catch them¡±? Lady Imoline looked ill, at the thought of what was to come. ¡°They will be brought back hear, interrogated in the jail cells, until we are sure that they reveal everything. Then they will be shipped out to the jail city. The sentence to be confirmed by the Duke the Bishop and the trade Guild Master, I would expect ten years at the very least, not that they would survive¡±.
Martin had more practical concerns, ¡°how do we find them, is there some artefact that can be tracked, some item that is obvious¡±? The lady nodded, ¡°if you were a mage of Alice''s level you could detect the magic from fifty yards away. There is simply that much magical material, I don''t believe that it has left the city yet. I am not going to send you on that type of search¡±.
¡°Many years ago I made a contact in the underworld, an informant whose life I saved. She worked for the last chapter leader hear. Now she works for me. The local crime syndicate is not too happy, but they don''t want a war with the blades of red Saul. So they are keeping out of the way, but it does not mean that they are not informed¡±. Vivian looked at her, ¡°you don''t want to tackle the local criminals¡±? The Mage had no interest but she hid her reasoning. ¡°I have to use this contact sparingly, this information cost me 15 silver so I believe it¡±. The master mage handed out a piece of paper to Alice, ¡°this is the location of a man working for the red blades of Saul. He can probably be persuaded to lead you to the rest of them. He is a local guide just recruited.¡± Vivian looked sceptical, ¡°can we confirm this information with your informant¡±?
Lady Imoline thought for a second, ¡°No I wish to minimise contact with them, to keep them safe. And I need to keep this as quiet as possible, you might get the local syndicate involved, and it might waste what little time we have to get this resolved, in a way that is favourable to us¡±.
David was next to enquire, ¡°what it the reward for all this?¡± She put her hands together, ¡°for Leonard 20 silver if you bring back a corpse and 40 silver if you bring him back alive. For Irma 20 silver dead and 40 silver alive. If you recover everything another 40 silver, if you don''t I will base the reward on what you do manage to recover¡±. She handed a hastily scribbled list to Alice, ¡°This is a list summarising what was taken¡±.
She looked at the group, ¡°I understand that he has one magical artefact at least. He gave Irma a gift something enchanted. So we can potentially say those two items are yours both should be a reasonable level you can use¡±. The group nodded they could snag several magical items and over a gold coins worth of silver for a short sharp bloody job.
They had the address, they were there in ten minutes, it was a rundown hovel very close to the wall. It was about standard for a single unskilled worker. There was definitely someone inside. David knocked on the door by charging into it with an adrenalin block. The force shattered the wood and cracked the door frame. The man inside the room was not expecting to suddenly lose his door. He was also note expecting Martin to crash through the window shutter next to him. He was surprised as Martin levelled a pistol at him. Vivian had a bow trained at him Alice and David were paces away. To resist was to be broken and dragged away, David searched him removing a set of lock-picks and two knives, standard tools.
At a small guard post he was interrogated, only two minute after his capture. They had found an armband bearing the insignia, the image of a red knife on a black band. It was new, a fresh uniform for one that had just joined the red blades of Saul. The band was distinctive so they could easily identify each other in a gang fight but could be removed and easily hidden afterwards. He also had a black hood that would have easily covered his face.
The interrogation began with Martin breaking his arm. While Vivian shouting at him, ¡°talk we found thieves guild uniform on you, tell us everything¡±! The man screamed in pain as Martin put his arm back together, ¡°divine favour¡±. The arm healed popping back into place with a little adjustment. The thief drew breath, ¡°you think that''s enough to make red Saul my enemy. They do far...¡±, he was cut off as the air left his lungs. Martin delivered a mallet to his groin ¡°nooo....... aghaaaaahhhhh.... curse ¡ you ¡ inhuman bastards¡±. Vivian looked at him, ¡°we have a mage we can heal anything we do to you again and again until you talk¡±.
Martin bent his fingers back one by one, then broken nose with a viscous kick. The man tried to spit in his face. Martin reached into a bowl left in the cell. ¡°Talk or else¡± he held a spoon in his hand. The thief looked more confused, ¡°what the fuck, you psycho you think you can intimidate me with a spoon¡±? It was really painful to have spoon forced up his nose, then pulled about especially with martin doing the damage. The prisoner was soon bleeding heavily coughing up blood. The blood was running down the inside of his throat, from a massive nose bleed and worse.
The unknown was what derailed most people. That trick with the spoon was fucking unusual, ¡°fuck please stop, I will talk you sick fucking bastard I will talk, I will talk¡±. In under two minutes the hardened criminal was broken. Hunters did far worse to those that willingly served the vampires. They got an address were they were hiding, the number of thieves there the levels and rough equipment each had. The goods would be moved very soon, hidden in crates bound for North Port.
There was a warehouse that they were based in. It would be charitable to say had fallen on hard times. Tar and boards had been used to put the roof back together several times. The walls were bowed and rotten. The entire thing was one strong cold breeze away from collapsing. There were four people outside wearing cloaks, there were four inside and the 2 veterans. They all had the insignia of the red knife on a black band. They had hooded cloaks, ten members of the Red blades of Saul waited including one new member, one rogue mage.
Outside the four guards kept an eye out, two on the roof one on the door and a fourth hidden in the shadows as a beggar. Martin moved fast using a focus throw with a poisoned dagger to critically wound one of the roof guards. Before he even realised something was going on. The one on the other side of the roof didn''t see Vivian draw her bow. She was too far away, with her enhanced perception the shot was accurate. Its power passed a simple iron arrow through the guard and over the wall into the river beyond.
The third guard standing outside noticed the mage. A full powered acid strike from Alice dealt over 240 points of corrosive damage, which was enough to destroy him in an instant. David got the last one posing as a beggar, bringing his shield down crushing both his legs before the man could draw a short sword. The thief gurgled and slid into unconsciousness with two mangled legs.
The doors to the warehouse were trapped with hidden blades and a complex enchanted frost ward. It did very little as David knocked the doors in with his shield charge. The people inside stood frozen as David and Martin burst in carrying weapons. With Vivian and Alice behind them covering them. The thieves¡¯ minds worked along this path. They were now faced with people who a few days ago had killed a dragon. They were not going to win a physical confrontation. If the two leaders were not wanted alive, it would have been a short few seconds for them all.
Inside the warehouse was a standoff, Irma wore dull grey armour and carried a bandoleer of throwing knives. She was tall and thin, she had a blade in each hand. Leonard was there and ready a sonic shock-wave spell at his fingertips. Four other members of the gang had bows ready, arrows notched. A chest full of equipment, sat in the middle of the warehouse.
Irma try to bribe them she motioned to the chest putting on her most reasonable voice, ¡°look just let us go and you can have a quarter of this chest, it¡¯s worth a lot¡±. David took a step forwards, ¡°we could use the cash. But we can¡¯t use the equipment and we don''t have contacts to sell it to¡±. She looked desperate, ¡°what about half the chest, we can give you a few contacts¡±? Martin shook his head, ¡°the bounty on your head is quicker and easier¡±. She looked about seeking an exit. ¡°Take the whole thing just let us go¡±. Alice looked at them, ¡°let you go, you stole from the royal mages guild. You stole from the crown¡±.
Irma looked about for some way out of the situation, ¡°OK take me in but let Leonard go¡±. They didn''t budge. Leonard shook his head, ¡°I have a really good magical belt, I could give it to you just let, Irma go¡±. David shook his head ¡°surrender now¡± Irma held out a pouch, ¡°I have some red sand drugs, how about that let Leonard go¡±. David shook his head, ¡°we don''t use it and we don''t have anyone to sell it to and do you know the penalty if we let you go¡±?
The mage begged his voice borderline hysterical, ¡°what if you just let us go, we will disappear you won¡¯t see us again¡±. Alice looked vicious, ¡°why did you do it¡±? His shoulders sagged, ¡°we love each other, the tower will not let us be together¡±. Alice''s eyes softened for a second, ¡°I can appreciate the sentiment, but she is just using you to pillage crown property¡±. Irma''s muscles tensed at those words. Leonard continued, ¡°Its more than that, I knew her before I was taken away to the tower.¡± Irma shouted in support ¡°we grew up two streets away¡±. David and Vivian exchanged a knowing look, together they spoke ¡°surrender¡±. The couple backed up answering in unison, ¡°not a chance¡±!
Martin ran forwards towards them, he was hit with 500 points of electrical damage from a rune on the floor. The mage looked horrified as he was still standing, still coming forwards like some monster out of a nightmare. Alice''s shield spell sprang up, stopping a throwing knife from Irma. Vivian bow vibrated as she notched and released an arrow aiming to kill one of the rogues with a bow. He dodged the first arrow then the next. Four shots then he was hit through the chest and he folded falling down to the ground, a surprisingly small amount of blood heralding his end. David closed in and aimed to kill another rogue. A few power attacks and the rogue was beaten. He managed to dodges several strikes before he was cornered and a blow connected.
Luther tried to hit Martin with a sonic bolt. Martin blocked the sonic spell with his holy symbol. The mage panicked losing his focus, in a true oh shit moment as he realised his magic couldn''t save him. The Thief threw two knife''s they hits Martin, barely piercing the gap in his armour. Martin shrugged, so what. Alice melted one rogue, he managed to dodge two spells but the third got him. Vivian attempted to skewer the last rouge. With her speed shooting she overwhelmed her target. The rouge managed to dodge four shots, with the fifth shot going through a box he was using as cover to kill the criminal hiding behind it.
Martin closed in on the mage and tackled him. He grabbed his left hand and twisted, breaking a few fingers then he sat on him. Irma screamed as Martin got a hold of Leonard. While she was distracted David caught up to Irma. She was at the window, quick as a flash, looking to escape. She stopped looking back, trying to aim a knife at Martin trying to help Leonard. David body slammed her with his shield sending her into a crate and onto the floor.
David went over to the mage while Vivian went to secure Irma. A brief search of Irma revealed a small smoke bomb. A set of hidden picks and two short knives. The shackles fitted around her hands were designed for maximum security. They were ridged and kept the wrists pressed closely together. They had individual leather mittens at the ends filled with a resin, then folded over to completely immobilise her fingers and hands. Then they were locked to a waist chain behind her back tight round her middle. Her elbows were pulled back until they touched and a second set of cuffs were used. Her ankles were locked together with a short chain of about eight inches. Every part of her restraints were tightly screwed shut, with no thought for her comfort or dignity.
The mage was locked in the mana draining shackles. He soon became unresponsive as he suffered the effects of mana fatigue, barely being able to stand. The injured rouge and the remains of the three dead rouges were brought into the warehouse. Irma whispered into Leonard''s ear that it would be OK. He was barely awake his hands shackled behind him. Alice gave them a once over check for any magical items. A scroll that could disintegrate a lock was shoved in the mages boot it was recovered from him.
With the remaining thieves incapacitated, it counted as a victory and they levelled up. Each gained a level, Martin hit level 53 gaining another point in trap specialization, putting it up to level 5. He had access to the silver shrapnel mine. Which would be good against the supernatural, his health was now above 1200 he was gaining 20 hp per level with the vitality ability. Alice got the greater version of the icy tomb spell as she reached level 46. It could deliver around 3000 points of ice damage. the spell did cause her to focus on one target and did have a long preparation time.
Vivian got the 5th level of her pierce armour skill, as she hit level 46. David hit level 45 gaining the same class ability Vivian had unlocked when she reached that level. A mercenary could make very good coin training up one of the city''s guard¡¯s forces. Especially combined with a man at arms drill Sargent ability, a very effective force could be created with the synergy between the two.
They had done the job for the mages guild, the ringleaders were alive to be made examples of. They had taken out a rouge mage, who had been stealing items to be used in the defence of the city. They had the enchanted belt of some kind, which he had been going on about trying to bribe them with. Alice held out her hand analysing the item. ¡°It¡¯s a greater belt of 3 favours, it give 50 point of shock ice and fire resistance, its twenty points better than what I have at the moment¡±.
David looked at her, ¡°I want it to help me survive front line attacks. Remember the beetles it would have protected me against them.¡± Alice looked at him, ¡°what about me I have far fewer hit points. If I had the greater belt you could have my original one¡±. David shook his head, ¡°Alice you already have one and you can cast elemental shields. You are far better off already¡±. Alice looked back, ¡°OK what about Vivian, she doesn''t have any protection¡±. David shrugged ¡°Vivian is at the greatest range it¡¯s not needed, she is safer at the back.¡± Vivian nodded to Alice, ¡°let him have it¡±.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Vivian sighed, ¡°OK what''s the next item maybe something good¡±? Alice looked at it feeling it with her magic. ¡°It¡¯s a bracelet of sonic defence, effectively a + 45 to sonic resistance.¡± Martin looked at them. ¡°I have high endurance so I can stomach sonic attacks, Alice''s shield spell can protect her against it and David''s shield would protect him from the worst, if he gets behind it.¡± Alice looked at the swirly silver bracelet sighed and handed it over to Vivian. ¡°Fair point, but the next magical trinket is mine¡±.
They borrowed a cart and loaded it up, the dead rouges the recovered merchandise the live prisoners were all loaded onto it. The first visit was to the garrison building and the cells, the pair of love birds were locked up separately in tiny cells. Gagged cruelly with iron brakes to shut there pathetic begging up. The extra gang member that they had captured was bandaged up. His legs healed, the two veterans would be treated as the danger they were.
The other rouge would be kept in jail, it would be a slow and exhausting intergeneration process. There next stop would be to the cathedral, to drop the bodies of the dead rogues off for last rights and cremation. Then the books and other items would be dropped back to the mages tower for the reward.
Melcher looked over the prisoner records, ¡°good work on delivering these other three, there is a ten silver bounty on her head and a 1 silver bounty on the other thug. They will talk after some time¡±. He looked at them cautiously, ¡°you told me about the hidden hand, a few local undesirables have been hitting pay day. Someone is paying of informants, they might be watching you for round two so be careful. Also why dose the first man you dropped off to the cells start screaming every time he sees a spoon¡±? They thanked the sheriff for his concern and the tip, they would keep one eye open alert for the hidden hand to make their move.
They slowly moved the cart and the stolen goods back to the mages chapter house, Alice looked to Martin, ¡°what would have happened if that necromancer vampire, had flooded the city with drugs containing the accelerated thrall taint¡±? Martin thought about it, ¡°it is only a guess that was what the vampire was trying to create, the church has contingencies. The cathedral has a giant holy symbol on-top of it, there is a mass purify blessing powerful enough to clear the city in one go if it¡¯s activated. though it would also screw with any magic for a bit like collapsing a magic ward round the city.¡± Alice looked at the cathedral, ¡°people do really think of everything¡±. Martin nodded ¡°this war has been going on for a long time they prepare. It needs a long ritual to reactivate the blessing but the church has many layers of defences¡±.
They arrived at the mages chapter house. David carried the box, a cloth draped over it. A servant let them in and up to the master mages private rooms. David carefully placed the box down, not wanting to find out how volatile the contents was. ¡°Hear is the material back¡±, she carefully checked on one book then let out a sigh of relief, then checked through the rest. Her regal air re-emerged, ¡°apart from a powerful scroll of electrical attack, that''s everything bar one or two consumables¡±.
Martin looked at her, ¡°he used that electrical scroll on me¡±. She looked at him cautiously, ¡°I sometimes forget how tough vampire hunters are¡±. They handed her a notice from the sheriff, her eyes scanned it. She counted out silver coins from a draw. ¡°Alice hear is the reward in full. Thank you for keeping this as discreet as possible¡±. ¡°As for the deserter and that thief they will be interrogated. Every drop of information will be rung out of them, then they head off to the jail city and the warden can have a word with them¡±.
The four adventures and there mentors spent a little time and a little coin drinking and relaxing. Some problems were sorted, some problems were on the horizon. Ale and wine disappeared, finally lady Imoline pulled out a copper flask of alchemically imbued brandy. For the first time in over a month Martin was actually able to scratch his itch, he relaxed noticeably after two or three drinks of something even a grand master would normally be floored by.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
46 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
265/265 |
Adrenalin |
230/230 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
52 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
46 |
Level Defence Bonus |
46 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
142 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L8 |
Layered Armour Perk L2 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L2 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| better criticals L8 |
Pierce Armour L5 |
|
| Perks |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
45 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
260/260 |
Adrenalin |
225/225 |
Efficiency |
4 |
| Strength |
51 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
45 |
Level Defence Bonus |
45 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
138 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L8 |
Layered Armour Perk L2 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L2 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L2 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
bonus sword damage L4 |
|
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
46 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
153/153 |
Mana |
310/310 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
51 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
46 |
Level Defence Bonus |
46 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
3 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 3 Mana |
Magical Defence |
100 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L3 |
Analyse Magic L3 |
Recharge Enchantment L3 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage +5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) alies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| Elemental shield Master (5 x level resistance to cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 25 seconds |
| Icy tomb greater (6 points of cold damage per level 11 seconds) freezes target in place instant 9 x base mana |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
Shy with Peers |
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
53 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
1216/1216 |
Focus |
320/320 |
Focus efficiency 3 focus |
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
60 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
64 |
Level Defence Bonus |
64 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L3 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L3 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L9 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L3 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L3 |
Focus Multi Throw L3 |
| General Melee Weapons L7 |
Focus strike L3 |
Grenadier L10 |
| Focus Parry L3 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L4 |
| Focus Stitch L3 |
Trap specialization L4 |
|
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armour x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 7 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 3 |
| 1 x sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 4 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 7 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 2 |
| resist igna ¨C resistance to 35 points of fire damage x 1 |
| resist lightning ¨C resistance to 35 points of electricity damage x 1 |
| resist cold ¨C resistance to 35 points of cold damage x 1 |
| 1 x litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing |
|
| 2 x pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt |
| 1 x Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter |
| 1 x hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 45 points Long ranger rank 2 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% |
| Vitality level 1 ¨C 2 x base hit points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
True Monsters – Act 4 Good Ford - Chapter 37 – Blood Thorn Wood.
An incredibly powerful alcohol based poison fought against Martins constitution. He had a total level over sixty, the same amount of endurance and over a thousand health. The alcohol for all its strength resulted in a mild headache. Barely noticed As Martin woke up the next morning. What Martin did notice was a bone aching desire for another drink. It was paired with a heavy dose of regret, regret he didn''t have more alchemical enhanced alcohol. He prayed rose and headed to the breakfast table. David was full of life, his anticipation was palpable his new shield was going to be ready for them to pick up. He was going to get a very sizeable upgrade to his defences.
They were soon finished eating equipped then ready to go. ¡°Today is the day I get my tower shield, my first custom made piece of equipment not a second hand piece of scrap¡±. David was humming as he walked along. ¡°Yes the enchantment alone will dramatically increase your survivability in a fight¡± Alice had gone over the enchanting specification. ¡°It might be a bit heavier but your strength has gone up quite a bit, so you should be fine¡± Vivian mused.
¡°The Damascus should actually be lighter as its tempered steel, if it was the same weight it would be exceedingly tough. They can achieve a much stronger structure through the tempering process¡±, Martin responded he had worked for years in a trade guild so he would know at least up to Damascus he never worked with mithral which was a bit far away on there budget.
The guards at the craft hall instantly identified the party and let them in. A few minutes later they were lead to meet the guild master Gavin. He had there commissioned piece on the table, a red cloth under it. The light from the window shining on it. he certainly had a bit of showmanship. It was a beautiful work of art folded Damascus plates bent into a rounded tower shield. A solid reinforced edge to weather any blow, a raised central boss that was twice as thick as the rest of the shield. There were reinforced banding across the metal, even two spikes at the bottom to allow it to be driven into the ground. It was enchanted from top to bottom, blue energy shimmered all over it.
David didn''t so much pick it up as cradle it, ¡°Let me just look at my sweet girl¡±. ¡°do the two of you want to get a room¡±? Vivian shouted mockingly. ¡°Maybe, Alice can you check that the enchantment is as powerful as he promised¡±. She reached out a hand, ¡°give me a second, it has a composite enchantment. One section of the shield enchanted with one defensive spell. They combine when the sections of the shield are joined together, it¡¯s as powerful as they said¡±. David nodded to the merchant ¡°Hear you can take my old shield as part exchange just like we agreed¡±. His shield had served him as a trusty ally, now it was going to be passed on, well sold on.
The merchant examined the old shield, barely able to lift it. He put down the tower shield panting. The adventurers started to move to the door, he banged his fist on the shield like a gong to get their attention. ¡°Look I can cut you a deal on that Damascus suit of armour, if you do a job for me. I can give it to you for 310 silver, that''s a heavy discount. After you do a tiny bit of scouting for me¡±. The group looked at him questioningly. A bit of scouting would have to be extremely dangerous to get such a high reward. He continued having their attention, ¡°Over the last ten years four expeditions have been sent into Blood Thorn Woods. Sent to see what is going on in there, not one has ever come out or even sent up a signal¡±.
Martin looked at him, ¡°what was the composition of the party''s that disappeared it could help¡±?
¡°Give me a second¡± the merchant grabbed a ledger and checked. ¡°The first was ten years ago, a druid a scout and a mercenary level 25 or below. The next was seven years ago, a crusader a monk two man at arms and a forester level 20 or below. Five years ago a cleric two town guards, a musketeer and a bounty hunter reportedly they were level 30 and below. The last was one year ago a mage a vampire hunter and two knights around level 35¡±.
Vivian looked at him cautiously, ¡°OK first off can you tell us the history of this wood. We need to know more¡±. David added ¡°what reward your offering, this many fatalities I would like cold hard cash as well. If the last four groups disappeared, I don''t think we will find them in a clearing sipping tea¡±.
The merchant composed himself, ¡°right you have probably heard some things about the Blood Thorn Woods. If you go back in the history books, they were just called the thorn woods. Supposedly thousands of years ago when this land was still just little tribes. Before the elves moved in from the central plains. Before the dwarves crossed the eastern ocean from there island home, before the northern kingdom was founded.
One of the first druids to reach the status of an exulted master, one of the oldest magical traditions if not the oldest. They used their magic to find and empower nature¡¯s nexuses, enabling them to create the dryads as nature¡¯s guardians of the forest or just to awaken them¡±. Alice nodded ¡°I have heard this before, the theory goes that the guardians would have awoken anyway. But the druids eased them into this world, so that they would be more amenable to humans and the druids specifically¡±.
The merchant continued, ¡°As you say, the records indicate that the druids awoke 12 spirits of nature. The local dryads to look after the thorn woods. They must have been on a good terms with them. For thousands of years the druids and the dryads maintained a close relationship. The royal court from the times of the first king seemed to have been on there good side, with people allowed to harvest some timber hunt and gather certain areas. Maybe they just feared the evil bastard like everyone else¡±.
¡°Shortly after the vampires became active the druids order collapsed. They couldn''t fight the vampires, they were broken up. Some survived the battles, there is one decent number of them left in deep furrow, the farming town, and they use what is left of their power to grow crops. We are not sure how, but the vampires were able to taint the forest guardians. To infect them with some version of the thrall taint. The merchant guild want to get at the resources in that forest. We need you to go in there and see how practical that is. I can offer you fifty silver if you can scout the place. An additional 100 silver if you can actually find a way to remove the taint from the place, so any further expeditions would not meet similar fates¡±.
David looked at the others, ¡°I think we should do this a discount on equipment is a good thing¡±. Vivian looked at her bow, ¡°I can support you in this endeavour, I am fully equipped now I can help you become as well prepared as I am¡±. Alice looked at them, ¡°I am in, but remember the next magical trinket we find is mine, or I get first pick if there is more¡±. Martin looked about the group ¡°it is possible to hurt the vampires grip on this land, I am in. But if I get the chance for to enact vendetta for the hunter that fell I will¡±. The rest of the group nodded. Martin pulled out his book on monsters. ¡°What are we likely to face¡±? The merchant flicked through his ledger, ¡°supposedly spriggans wolves and boars on the outside of the forest, with trents and ents further in possibly a dryad if you get close to their tree¡±.
Martin scanned through his book as the party headed for the woods, ¡°spriggans are the most basic creatures, hovering between level ten and twenty five. They can attack with shooting vines poisonous clouds of gas and at a last resort in melee with bark and vine composed bodies. They have a tree that they are tied to, the destruction of this tree will end them. If there body is destroyed it can reform eventually¡±. Trents are effectively animated trees, brought alive they are physically tougher but slower. They are the tree that the spirit inhabits, so they are gone when the tree is destroyed¡±.
¡°The ents are larger versions, supposedly very slow but with a very actuate throwing arm. Generally these creatures are resistant to ice and poison but, fire electricity and physically force should do us just fine¡±. Vivian wondered ¡°what level are the trents and ents¡±? ¡°Trents are around level thirty to fifty, ents level forty to sixty. ¡°What about the dryads¡±? They are similar to the spriggans, but there trees are much bigger. Expect anything from level 10 to 50 with their bodies regenerating very quickly, at least as long as they remain close to their trees.
Alice looked at him, ¡°that''s not what I remember from class¡±. Martin sighed and checked his book, ¡°I think you are thinking of greater dryads, they start at level 50 and go to level 400. They have trees as big as a castle, you only find them much further south near Lignorum in the deep old forest. Thankfully all these creatures are unable to venture very far from there tree''s, or place of awakening¡±. He thought about it, ¡°so we effectively have a barrier monster, the natural guardians infected with the thrall taint¡±. Before they went the merchant threw something to them, ¡°call this trinket an advance on a payment. This is a compass a basic one. It can save your life in the woods, where everything looks the bloody same¡±.
They moved out of the city, a few guards and militia saluted them. The Merchants guild had a very old outline of a map. The old logging trails were there guides, as they were send into blood thorn woods to investigate. The boundary of the woods had a series of thorn of thick bushes. They would have dissuaded most people from attempting to get through. David took one look drew his sword and chopped right through the five foot high wall of briers and thorns. It offered a token resistance to his sharp blade and immense strength. The thorn bushes were about ten feet deep, something had planted them to keep everything else out. They would have been an effective defence, against someone that was not covered from head to toe with armour.
Once they were inside the forest it was far more open, there was a bit of undergrowth but it was far thinner. There were signs that something was chewing away at the growth, rooting around and eating the plants. The place would be far harder to navigate in the dark. It would be a maze without light and a compass. There was a certain still almost sterile quality to the woods, as if life was under a pressure an external plan to conform. The deeper that they went in the more they felt it. There was some presence that already owned the land that they stood on. It had been co-opted corrupted to another''s will, but it was still there some spark of life, unable to think for itself.
They found a trail that seemed to be mostly created by boar tracks. They moved along it for a minute. The first sign of the corrupted natural guardians was a group of spriggans. They were each eight feet tall, having the proportions of a woman but made from a mixture of bark vines roots and grasses. They had long hair of reeds and twigs. They wore dresses formed from leaves. They stood on their tip toes almost as if they were ready to dance. There was something off about them, there posture was twisted to one side or another. There were two pin pricks of glowing red light on each of their necks, their bodies almost seemed to twist away from the marks. There eyes were a dull glowing red, a faint grey tint spread out from the area of the bight marks affecting the rest of their bodies. There were several dread thrall wolves and thrall boars behind them.
One was slightly taller than the others, she turned around to gaze at the party her eyes were unfocused. ¡°Intruders like the others, sisters attend me, you humans will try and kill us to free us from our pain¡±? Her face snapped backwards and forwards conflicted, she was hesitant to follow the compulsion of the thrall taint. ¡°We live we hope the taint is deep within us, you will not succeed your bones will mealy be fertilizer you will...¡±. The party realised very quickly that the spriggans were well past the point of reasoning with, there was no chance of a productive conversation.
Alice''s duel cast fire ball blasted the group apart, before they could begin to attack. The thrall creatures behind them charged forwards. David''s new shield did admirably well, as he charged into a group of boars scattering them. Vivian already had iron arrows flying striking the ranks of boar. Martin used focus shots with his two pistols silver pierced the eyes and brains of two thrall wolves. It left them convulsing and shrieking on the floor, a mournful howl of loss and pain faded with their lives.
One of the spriggans sent forth a wave of poison at Martin who promptly ignored it. He let three of the thrall wolves run into it to suffocate. Martin pulled his triple pistol and emptied three rounds into three more of the wolves killing them. One of the spriggans got back up and sent vines towards David. He charged through them tearing them apart with this strength, he got to melee range of the spriggans and cut her in twain. Her essence departed the body of bark and wood. A green glowing formless shape with red veined lines throughout it, heading towards a tree. Alice threw a third fire ball that caught a few of the thrall boars in its radius. Vivian finished off the rest of the boars with power shots.
There were now two injured spriggans and three of the dread thrall wolves left. The spriggans switched tactics, the leader sent poison at David while the other one threw vines at Martin. Martin was slowed but not stopped by the vines. He managed to pull one hand free and throw a large thermite grenade into the remaining wolves. This ignited them and took them out of the fight, as molten metal burned through there fur. David was just able to stop the spray of poison with his shield. Now he was next to the spriggan and she was reduced to kindling, her essence abandoned her body seeking out her tree. The last spriggan was hit with an iron arrow with enough force that her head was removed, her body crumbled and her spirit fled back to the tree of her origin.
Alice looked around, ¡°it¡¯s not over I can feel there spirits in the area, we need to do more¡±. She held out her hand and stepped forwards. Martin reloaded his triple pistol and joined her, holding out his holy symbol. David and Vivian finished off the remaining thrall wolves then followed them. Alice led them to a tree. Its trunk was discoloured a dark grey tint to it. A vine curled around the trunk pulling the vine to one side revealed two holes in the bark. The source of the thrall taint in the spriggan. There was a glow from the tree, a series of roots and vines started to weave themselves together forming a new body. It would take several minutes before she pulled herself back together.
Alice pointed to the tree, ¡°David cut it down¡±. He sighted gripped his Damascus blade then dropped it into the side of the tree. There was a cry like a woman screaming that came from nowhere, a black gunk started to leak out of the tree. It happened again as he dropped his blade for a second cut. There was an ear piercing feminine scream, as the blade dug into the trunk far deeper on the second strike. The spriggan''s formation was slowed as the tree she was connected to was damaged. A third blow and it was more of a whimper than a scream. The half formed spriggan fell to her knees. David gritted his teeth and delivered a fourth blow. The tree toppled on its side. The spriggan was now down on her knee''s she tried to crawl forwards.
Alice looked at the spriggan and at the trunk, she walked over to the trunk and used a spell ¡°acid strike¡±. The half formed spriggan collapsed to the ground as the remains of the tree were burnt away. Her green essence separated from the spriggan body, the green essence took a form. The spirit of the spriggan seemed to look with a moment of clarity and horror then faded completely. David looked rattled the way the tree had screamed as he cut it down was un-nerving. Alice looked at him ¡°we can¡¯t stop now, the other two spriggans need to be dealt with, before we can stop to think¡±. She held her hand out, feeling the trail of magic to the second spriggans tree.
The second spriggan was a lot easier to find as she had fully reformed and had no intention of letting the party cut down her tree as well. She had a bow and arrows that seemed to have grown from her body. Alice blocked a shot from the bow with her shield spell. David blocked a second shot with his shield. The arrow heads seemed to be made from a seed, one arrow struck Martin it barely lodged in his armour. Still he felt the urge to pull the arrow out, the seed on its tip had already sprouted roots trying to grow into the wound on impact.
In return the spriggan was hit with a Damascus arrow, right between the eyes. She started to form almost immediately from the ground again, as her other body collapsed into nothing. Alice pointed out the tree, but it was fairly obvious with the grey discolouration. David steeled himself and swung down with a power attack. The bark shattered and there was a scream of pain. He swung again and again. The shrieks of agony ended, as the tree fell and Alice burnt the roots away with her acid strike spell.
The third spriggan was far easier to find. She had fully formed and she had the opportunity to perform some sort of flashy magical ritual. Around her tree were four thickets of brambles the way they were formed was odd. She screamed at the party, ¡°My sisters, you slew them. They were awoken the same day I was. You will pay you murderers, you forced me to do this¡±. There was a flash of light and four balls of energy flew from her hands into the four thickets. Two broke apart to reveal suits of rusted and corroded armour, filled with bones and brambles.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
It was some sort of necromancy as the two suits rose up to stand. Taking a guarding stances with axe and mace. The third pile rose up to form the skeleton of a mage, there tattered robes and rotted staff held together with bark and vines. The last glow seemed to be blocked by a white glow and faded, the spriggan looked puzzled. ¡°You can¡¯t reanimate a vampire hunter, or any religious job as the undead¡±. Martin shouted at her in response to the unasked question.
She had still managed to even the odds somewhat. A spear of oak grew in her hands, she assumed a fighting stance with the remains of the reanimated adventures. The undead mage targeted David with an acid strike. He blocked it with his shield and closed the distance. His blade cut what was left of the mage in two, dispelling the enchantment that had forced there remains back to life. Alice blasted one of the knights away with two fire bite spells. The second one crumbled after Martin put three pistol shots into it.
The spriggan herself was charging at Vivian, her spear held ready. She would get one chance to make it count. Vivian was quicker, a single arrow shattered her knee then a second struck her in the head, causing the spriggans physical body to disintegrate. David was at the spriggans tree, he gritted his teeth and buried his blade into the wood again and again. He caught his breath, wishing he could cover his ears, the tree was soon down. A quick acid strike and it was over for now.
As the last spriggans remains crumbled into mulch the group levelled up. Martin reached level 54 gaining the 5th level of the trap specialisation. Allowing him to use fire mines, not that he had any but they were a useful munition if he ever got the chance. Vivian reached level 47 and raised her pierce armour skill to level 6. Alice hit level 47 and mastered her icy tomb spell, it could now deal close to 4000 damage over a period of 13 seconds. David hit level 46 and picked out a skill hail of blows, allowing him to chain attacks together far more efficiently.
They sat down in a clearing Martin looked at the others, ¡°imagine them as blood thralls we have to kill to release. it¡¯s not pleasant but it is necessary¡±. Alice looked at him, ¡°nature spirits should not have access to necromancy. It goes against everything they stood for, using an unnatural energy¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°they have been corrupted, they can¡¯t be reasoned with they have to be destroyed¡±.
They mechanically set about clearing up after the battle, recovering arrows reloading. They dragged the remains of the spriggans trees into the centre of a clearing, then they chopped them up into a pile and started a fire. The remains of the tainted animals were next spread about the fire. Martin looked at the others, ¡°the remains of the three adventures that rose against us we should burn them. I don''t want to have to fight them again, but the remains of the vampire hunter. I want to bring them back. As they has a holy job there remains would not come back to un-life¡±. There were a few half-hearted nods of agreement.
Martin got a sack and pulled the hunters remains from the pile of plant material. He found a few vials of holy water some silver shot and the hunter¡¯s holy symbol. He said a small prayer, he would take the remains back as his duty of vendetta. It was someone from the previous expedition half his duty was done, helping to slay there killer. Now he just had to ensure there funeral rights, then the return of their holy symbol to a new hunter for the next generation. They put the other adventures remains on the pyre as respectfully as they could. Martin said a short prayer for their spirits souls and joined the others in a quick meal.
They started to head along the same path that they had been on before. Alice looked at Martin, ¡°you think we can do the same to the dryads as we did to the spriggans¡±? Martin nodded ¡°we clear out one of the dryads and a 12th of the forest loses its protection. All the Trents and spriggans under its span become weaker, at least that is my belief. We will have to see if it can be made into a reality¡±.
Farther up the path there were two more spriggans, one held a spear formed from oak the second held a bow. They looked at the group there eyes glowed red full of hatred. ¡°You slew our kin, not just shattering a branch but you burnt them down to the roots. They are gone they were countless centuries old how dare you...¡±. Vivian hit one in the head with an arrow, Martin shot the second with a pistol shot. Both of their bodies collapsed into woodland detritus. There spirits were pulled back to their trees. Vivian looked at Alice as she pulled her arrow out of the ground. ¡°They do like to talk, it¡¯s probably the loneliness and the conflict from the thrall taint¡±. Alice held out her hand, ¡°I can sense them. They went off this way, the magic comes from the left of the trail. They are close together, but I can sense something else¡±.
A minute down the trail they found the two spriggans trees. They were either side of a much larger hardier tree, it was also tainted grey. The two spriggans had reformed, they held weapons formed as before. But they didn''t look quite so confident. They could sense the attack about to fall on them. There was a hint of desperation as one of them called, ¡°cousin help us or we shall fail and fall¡±. The tree between the spriggans was a Trent. There was a cracking noise as it woke and transformed, its outer bark seemed to split into two legs rather a trunk.
There was a head with swept back horns made form branches. Rather than having two arms it had four, each held a wooden club that would have been a projecting branch plucked from itself. It was about twelve foot tall, its eyes were red even if its facial features were dull. There were two holes on one of its limbs, a faint red glow emanated from the two holes where it had been infected.
The Trent lumbered forwards, quite ready to smash the party into pulp. The party had no such desire Martin hit it in the centre of its chest with a medium thermite grenade. Setting it on fire as molten metal burnt into its heart wood. Vivian took out the two spriggans with head shots, before they could react. Alice hit the Trent with a duel cast fire ball, sending it staggering back adding to the flames from Martins thermite. David charged forwards, he blocked a strike from the Trent with his new shield. Then struck at the Trent¡¯s equivalent of a knee to take it down.
The Trent tried to kick at David, but he dodged out of the way delivering another cut to its knee. Vivian put two arrows into one of its right arms, with enough force to separate the limb form the body. Alice hit it with another fire ball. Martin took aim and destroyed one of its eye sockets with a pistol shot. Slowly the spriggans began to reform as the battle waged on, they might get a chance before there cousin was spent. Alice noticed this and pre-empted it hitting the Trent with her spell icy tomb holding it in place. She turned to David, ¡°finish off the spriggans before they can help¡±. David swallowed and turned away from the battle, as the Trent slowly lumbered about frozen to a snail¡¯s pace. He ran over and started carving up the spriggans tree there were screams then the tree and one spriggan was gone, he headed for the second.
The Trent tried to stop this, struggling against its frozen limbs. It shattered its body and toppled over. Martin shot its second eye out and blinded the creature. Vivian concentrated her fire sending two arrows into its knee joint, crippling the limb insuring that it would not get back up. Alice hit it with an acid strike spell adding a little damage to the creature. David finished his task then turned around and faced the Trent. It was in a far worse position, he charged over to it and started to rain down blows on whatever was closest.
A pistol shot with an overload charge disables another joint, a few more spells and arrows and the Trent became inert, it¡¯s flailing and cries ceasing. They harvested some bark and nuts as alchemical ingredients from the Trent. They cut up the remains stacked them in a clearing along with the spriggans tree''s from the fight. A little kindling and a second fire was left to burn away, Martin had no intention of finding out if a Trent could be reanimated as the undead.
They headed deeper into the woods, until they came to a tree that was easily eight feet thick. There were no other trees around it, as well as three circles of little mounds. Probably the final end of the other three groups of adventures, which had failed to come out of this place. The party steeled themselves, the dryad might be more reasonable than the spriggans. Or she might be as hopelessly controlled by the vampires taint. The tree seemed to be twisted to one side a grey taint on it, the chances were not good.
From the massive tree a gentle green glow emerged, the glow formed into the shape of an eight foot tall woman. The pieces of the forest seemed to leap up and fill out the outline, what had taken the spriggans minutes had taken her seconds. It was a measure of how powerful she was in comparison. She looked at the party, ¡°you have killed several of the guardians of this forest. Opening up a logging trail, a scar in these woods, do you not think that I can close it¡±? They looked at the lesser dryad. They could feel the magic in the air, a thick wall of the thrall tainted plant spirits. She sighed ¡°I will pull no punches¡±.
The spell was cast rapidly, the vine re-animated remains of a druid a scout and a mercenary stood up. Their equipment rusted and rotten but held together with vines and green tainted magic. Two men at arms with halberd and spear stood up out of the ground. Then A Forrester with a bow, they were joined by two town guards a musketeer and a bounty hunter with a crossbow. Three of the mounds didn''t rise, they were obviously belonging to people that had held religious jobs in life, so there remains would not be possessed in death.
Martin shouted to the group, ¡°Vivian handle the dyad and the zombies. Everyone else focus on the tree¡±. The undead were unravelled with a single shot from Vivian''s bow. There was just too much power coming from it. A field of vines erupted from around the tree, David barged through them and started to hack away at the branches and trunk. Martin started to invoke his area of effect blessings he emptied the bottles of hoy water over the tree. That caused the bark to start steaming. Then he used his targeted attacks like pillar of salt and smite, the tree was hit by fire balls and fire bite spells from Alice.
The dryad played a game of cat and mouse with Vivian. Every-time she showed her head, it was struck with an arrow and she would have to reform her body again. The undead constructs were not that fast or accurate, Vivian kept firing. Alice switched to acid strike spells aiming at the roots. David hit the tree again and again cutting away splinters and bits of wood. The dryad didn''t look good. On her body burns cut marks appeared to match the damage to her tree, her reactions were slowed down with every strike.
Martin held his holy symbol to the wood of the trunk ¡°chain smite¡±. Lightning arched from the symbol into the tree, second by second burning the wood away. The dyad fell down and started to scream, she looked like she had been struck by the lightning. Martin filially stopped the lightning, then completed his gambit using a blessing ¡°purify¡± on the side of the tree.
The dryad could not stand up, she looked about bewildered and confused. The party stopped attacking, tears of sap and resin rolled down her face. She looked about confused, ¡°who are you what ¡ what happened where is what¡±? The rest of the party approached her cautiously. Martin had burnt a hole in the side of the trunk. He removed the bundle of dynamite he had been saving and shoved it into the hole, he held his tinder box in one hand looking at her. ¡°This place has been a refuge for the vampires for centuries can you tell us what happened¡±?
Her eyes were glassy her response slow ¡°This was a sanctuary of nature, we lived in harmony the cycle was free to roll on to change and yet remain the same. We noticed that some of the animals were tainted, it was like necromancy and sorcery all rolled up into one. We tried to clear it, the druids stood with us then. But the corruption spread, the vampires found a way in past the boundary guardians. A way to taint the spriggans through there tree''s. Then the Trents and the Ents though it took longer for them to fall. The druids tried to flee, but I don''t think they made it. One by one I felt my fellow dryads succumb, they fought with all they were but they failed. Then a vampire appeared, he used corrupted Ents to distract me. Then he was upon my tree, his spell poison the thrall taint. It entered my heartwood and I was his reluctant servant, Bismarck his name was, Servant to a shadow queen¡±.
Martin lit some tinder with sparks from his tinder box. The dryad looked up at him, ¡°please don''t I am free from the vampires corruption. My name is ¡ I can remember having a name it was ¡ Delphinium that¡¯s what the lady of oak and water the first druid called me, I can think again, you don''t need to do this¡±. Martin looked solemn, ¡°what stops the taint from returning¡±. She stumbled a few paces forwards, ¡°please don''t do this¡±. He looked at her ¡°this place has served the vampires are you strong enough to resist¡±?
Her head fell ¡°there is nothing I can do to stop his return. A twisted part of me even welcomes it, I think you may have just suppressed the thrall taint.¡± Martin made a gesture the rest of the party moved away very rapidly, he lit the dynamite bundle, he started to run. The dryad tried to get to her tree as the adventures got out of the way. There was a loud ear splitting explosion and her tree was ripped in twin. Cleaved by the force she felt her life flicker then fade, the dryad was gone her tree shredded.
With the lesser dryad filially defeated and her tree broken the group levelled up again. Martin hit level 55 he felt energy and change flood through him. Martin felt the slightest tinge in his skull his body grew tougher. A slew of blessings arrived three more used of his divine favour healing blessing, 4 more uses of purify. He gained a single use of the purge mind blessing allowing him to remove a high level vampire¡¯s mind control. He gained two uses of the purge soul blessing allowing him to remove demonic corruption and possession. As well as this he gained one use of the cleanse air blessing allowing him to remove poison or airborne disease. Alice felt her mind shift as she reached level 48. She learnt the basic version of the electrical strike spell, it was similar in power to a fire ball but used electrical energy rather than pure heat and flame.
She remembered the beetle attacking David and the attack passing through his armour. She would have a better weapon in her arsenal. In two more levels time she would receive a bonus, an additional 50 points to her mana from a class level. It was the next big target solidifying her as a master. At this rate it would happen very soon, Vivian was in a very similar position. Her pierce armour skill was now raised to level 7 as she reached level 48. David slightly behind them reached level 47 and gained the second rank in the hail of blows skill, his ability to deliver fast effective stabbing and slashing attacks increased.
They searched the area finding on the remains of the deceased mage. There was one surviving magic bracelet. It was a silver item with a few gold stars, it was going to Alice. She identified it as a bracelet of + 25 resistance to mind control. It would be as useful to her as anyone else. They burnt the remains of the tree and the adventures remains with a short prayer. Vivian sighed, ¡°Well that is one twelfth of the forest cleared. I can see the need for lumber growing to the point we clear away the rest of this ancient forest¡±. David put a hand on her shoulder, ¡°that is for another time¡±. It was a depressing trudge back to the city, the compass was invaluable to guide them. Somehow the forest seemed less ominous but it still felt unwelcoming.
They dropped the hunter¡¯s remains back at the church, for last rights and cremation. It was a sombre experience as they reported back to trade guild master. He sighed as he listened to the story. ¡°Thank you for your report, we will be wary of the natural guardians. We will keep the logging to the very edge of the forest, but we desperately need the trees for ship building. Hear is your reward for today''s efforts, do you want the Damascus plate now David¡±? He briefly checked with the others then David swapped his old iron plate for a suit of Damascus tempered plate armour.
It was exceptionally strong, but also far better articulated. It was built in the same utilitarian style, but fluted and rounded so that most piercing attacks would simply slide off the durable construction. When they were finished Gavin looked at David, ¡°your almost a master go and see the sheriff, he has a little reward for you from the guild¡±.
David remembered what Vivian had been presented with, after they had vanquished the dragon. Cutting a hole in the defences of blood thorn wood allowing them to collect lumber, would be just as potent economically as the tin mine. Melcher grinned, ¡°David well done, I have just the thing for you. This is the grey sword, well one of the ones forged for the grey company. It was forged form the remains of three older magic weapons. A hand and a half bastard sword mithral steel alloy enchanted with durability¡±.
¡°The sheath is ash grey wyvern hide, it has a cleaning and sharpening enchantment on it. The tip of the blade has a piercing enchantment. The left edge has a poison enchantment specially tailored to humans. The right edge has a silver plating and a lingering fire enchantment that is perfect for monsters. The pommel has a stun enchantment on it, that activates if you strike an opponent. The haft has the sure grip enchantment, not that you need it.¡±
David handed him his Damascus blade, ¡°pass this onto someone who shows a bit of promise. It¡¯s got a very good cutting edge¡±. Melcher nodded ¡°a thoughtful idea, as a bounty hunter I teach people to be ruthless but a helping hand can make allies for you. You¡¯re almost a master, a few years down the line they will ask you to act as a mentor. Passing some advice onto the next poor sods, picked to do the job of going out there and keeping people safe, a bit of your experience for the fresh blood, maybe I will live long enough to see that¡±.
The bounty hunter had a little sales pitch ready, ¡°I work as a sheriff for the triune, but I stay loyal to the merchant¡¯s guild. They can get you the best equipment, they have the deepest pockets. The church think too broadly, they focus on a future we might not see. The nobles the royal court they focus on a past long dead. The hear the now what people need, the merchants guild is what provides it. There is a contract for a guard caption at market town, overseeing the main merchant¡¯s quarter. Training guards as much food and drink as you want. You would be perfect for it, your training abilities your level. You could make your home in with the roots of the trade guild.
David sighed, ¡°Someone made a similar offer to Vivian, I don''t want to settle down yet. I am a fighter out in the field. Give me a few years and I might want to settle down. But I will be a grand master by then and my services will be far more expensive¡±. He patted the sheriff on the shoulder, ¡°come with me have a few barrels of orange ogre ale¡± He stepped out of the office drawing his new sword and showing it off. ¡°Look at this beauty Alice I bet you can appreciate the enchantments¡±. The group picked up Reginald and Jonathan then headed to a bar. Even if bitter sweet they had victory one more servant of the vampires dead.
True Monsters – Act 4 Good Ford - Chapter 38 – Shrines and Grimoires.
The party rose with a sad melancholy mood. The spirit of the forest, the dryad had not been evil in its original nature. But it had been corrupted, she had no idea how to fight back against the vampires. Alice was affected the most, about having to kill the dryad. It was something born of the magic of the druids. In some way it was part of her heritage as a mage, as it was part of the druid¡¯s traditions. She considered in her heart of hearts, she wondered if they could have been another way, if they could have created an ally rather than a pile of kindling.
¡°I feel a lot of guilt over that dryad¡¯s death¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°it¡¯s sad but what can you do, she was bound to the forest. Bound to her tree she had no way to escape the area. Due to her inherent magical nature she was susceptible to the taint magic. Well her tree was so by extension so was she, dragons over level 50 can resist, and dryads over level 400 have not been known to break free¡±. David had to agree, ¡°I took no pleasure in killing those spriggans, by cutting down there trees I ended them. But they were long gone, from whatever nature spirits they were before¡±. Vivian nodded adding to the discussion, ¡°there was really no other way, they didn''t seem to like what the vampires had made them into. They couldn''t do anything about it, the thrall taint was into every fibre of their wooden being¡±.
A servant from the mages chapter house came to the crusaders order. He made a brief introduction and passed a note sealed with the chapter masters seal to the squire on the door. The servant turned and left, confident that the message would be delivered and the party would follow shortly. After more circular arguing around the breakfast table the note reached them. They made their preparations and headed over to the mages chapter house.
Lady Imoline was as prim and proper as their first meeting, ¡°Alice I am glad you could make it. You may have heard rumours about a lich in the area. We have recently been able to find the creature. A couple of prospectors have identified necromancer¡¯s soul lanterns. They were in the entrance of an old vampire lair to the north of town. My scrying confirms that this is the location, this lich is presumed to be a servant of the king of bones. In life he was a level 25 necromancer, he went from one vampire lord to another trading his skills for their patronage¡±.
¡°He has been in this area for some time, gathering power. I read him as a level 25 lich on top of his necromancer job. Usually one would need to become an exulted master necromancer or they would need a lich¡¯s help in becoming one. This necromancer has been loaned a powerful grimoire, which enabled him to make this transformation. We need to destroy the lich and the book, the book is as much of a danger as the lich¡±.
¡°I presume that you have never fought a lich before, am I correct¡±? There was a murmur of agreement. ¡°I may offer the following guidance, a lich can create quite powerful necromantic constructs. They can create fortification beacons that make their creations much harder to damage. There constructs as they are passively rebuilt, it is a stronger version of the magic used in the soul lantern spell¡±. She paused thinking, ¡°they can create strong shield spells, and rely on them. But octium is perfect to shatter them. Once you destroy the physical body, you need to destroy the phylactery as well or they can come back again and again¡±.
David nudged Alice, ¡°what is the reward¡±? The mage thought ¡°I can give you 40 silver it¡¯s not much but it is not a high level lich compared to you. I can promise some equipment as a bonus afterwards though.¡± Vivian looked over to Alice, ¡°it would be equipment for Alice wouldn''t it, something to help her¡±. Lady Imoline nodded, ¡°I don''t think that you will mind if you get stronger support, I am sure I can throw in a few potions of minor poison resistance as well to sweeten the deal¡±. Vivian looked over the others ¡°we can use that we have a deal¡±.
They headed to the nearest gate and then they were out of the city. They journeyed to the place following a small map. If you didn''t know what you were looking for you would miss it. The entrance to the old vampire lair was hidden behind trees and rocks. Martin just began to feel something was off, that something was wrong. Just the sensation that the presence of a lot of necromancy would cause.
Half a dozen ghosts seeped out of the walls and floor. Some sort of basic deterrent or alarm system. The ghosts would send most militia and guards running. Not David though he had a new sword to try out. A single sweep of his sword dispatched three of the ghosts before they could even react. They faded away their spirits dislodged from the mortal realm. Alice got one with a fire bite spell, Vivian hit one with a silver arrow and Martin was able to get the last with his holy symbol, before David could kill it.
Martin looked about, ¡°Alice can you see any spell binding the ghosts to this plane, any way they could come back¡±? ¡°Dig hear I can sense something¡±, Martin dug down into the floor. ¡°It¡¯s a stone used as a focus¡±, Alice looked at it, ¡°it¡¯s dead no ghost remains bound, just the fragments of the spell¡±.
Deeper in a purple barrier blocked them, Martin held his holy symbol up to the barrier spell. There was a force pushing back as he pushed forwards. Alice put a hand on his shoulder, ¡°look Martin you would be able to dispel it that way eventually. But there are four runes holding it in place, disrupt those and it will fall faster, the first is to your right¡±. The barrier shimmered ¡°then down to your left¡±, the barrier flickered again. ¡°Good now another two steps to your left¡±, the barrier blinked but remained. ¡°Finally to your right by that bit of moss¡±. The barrier shattered with a sound like breaking glass, Alice pointed to an alter tucked to one side. ¡°Purify that Martin to stop it reforming later¡±, ¡°purify¡±. The alter was constructed of stone and wood with a few bones on the top. It cracked in half as the spells within it were shattered with a groan.
Twenty bone spiders and 20 skeleton hounds were sat ready next to a fortification beacon. Alice looked at them, ¡°The fortification beacon is the primary target, crack it to bits it will not resit direct physical force¡±. Vivian tried one of her octium arrows, it sailed through the air and struck the purple glowing lantern breaking a hole in it. The flame flickered and went out, the purple glow surrounding the constructs faded. Martin closed in using his circle of consecration blessing, half of them disintegrated. Alice destroyed another ten catching them in a fire ball. Vivian''s speed shooting went into its own. David charged in to get ten enemies simply crushing them under his shield like a battering ram. These were low level undead created with animal bones, practice likely no more that the lich trying out his abilities.
There were a few side rooms, but a quick check indicated there was nothing in them but leftover furniture and dust. The party gathered the bones into one pile in a side room with a fire place and burnt them up, with a little oil and a few sparks. They tackled the next barrier spell, Martin waited as Alice analysed it she pointed to five locations. ¡°It¡¯s a bit stronger and a bit more complex but it will go down as quickly as the first one will. The barrier spell fluctuated and shattered rapidly as Martin destroyed each spell which underpinned the barrier spell. There was another slightly fancier alter, one ¡°purify¡± and it shattered into rubble.
Martin used his monocle to examine the threat in the next room. It contained a greater bone golem leading two ordinary bone golems next to a fortification beacon. They would take a lot more damage to destroy than the first creatures. Vivian looked at the beacon then at Alice and nodded. She sent an octium arrow into the necromantic construct, shattering the beacon and dispelling its contents.
Destroying the bone golem¡¯s ability to regenerate, without the lack of a fortification beacon made the fight much easier. It also alerted the bone golems, they lumbered forwards. The first in line the greater bone golem was hit in the legs by a large thermite grenade. Its legs began to fall pieces as molten metal burned through the bone and the spell and holding it together. David charged round it and started to strike it in the side. Vivian let lose a series of arrows into the golem shattering its bony limbs. Its stride completely halted when Alice hit it with a duel cast fire ball. Martin let lose a blessing sphere of concentration. The greater golem fell to pieces as the spells holding it together failed.
There were still two more bone golems left. But they were not going to cut it against the power of the party. David was a bit two over confident, one of the golems managed to land a heavy blow on him sending him flying. Alice was able to hit him with a healing spell and he was back up charging into conflict with the golem a little more aware of his location. Martin used his blessing ¡°thy will be done¡± to spot the spell focus in the mostly undamaged bone golem. A single focus shot from his pistol with a mithral bullet and the focus was destroyed the golem collapsed. Vivian sent several bodkin arrows into the last bone golem, it shook with the force of the impacts and kept coming.
The last of the three golems was blocked by David. He had a mithral alloy blade now, simple bone even with magical reinforcement was not going to stand against him for long. Alice hit it in the chest with several acid strike spells. Vivian put two iron broad heads into it, the force of the strikes shattering bone. Martin drew and fired his triple barrelled pistol, a final strike from David and it collapsed. Dragging the bones back to a side room and piling them on top of the remains of the last construct that they had destroyed was the far more time consuming job. They had no desire to be attacked by three reanimated and reconstituted bone golems in the rear. When they attacked the lich deeper in his home territory. The group was getting very proficient at a scorched earth policy, towards any opponent that they faced.
The next barrier spell was slightly different Alice looked at it. ¡°I can feel two layers of barrier spells, he has put one on top of the other to make them harder to dissipate. This will take a lot longer to destroy, it was created using a lot of time and effort¡±. Martin tapped his jacket where his dynamite had been stored, but he had used it. Alice looked at him, ¡°that would work but it would also bring the sealing down on us¡±. Alice pointed at a spot and Martin held his holy symbol to it. The spells holding the barrier together were not static. They moved but piece by piece the barrier was dismantled. Using a combination of Alice''s ability to sense magic and Martins innate ability to disrupt it with his directed faith. The barrier shattered like an entire crate of glass breaking.
The lich had a workshop at the deepest part of the lair, there was a bed. He had probably used this chamber since he was just a necromancer. His precious grimoire was held far away at the furthest end of the room, he and it was definitely a him floated over the ground. A grey and purple aura surrounded his bones, a spectral projection of flesh and skin hugged the bones. Showing what he would have been like in life. He had a large tattered purple robe that spilled out behind him.
Beside him were two skeleton mages, they had robes conjured from purple necromantic energy and staves that were imbued the same way. One was armed with fire the second Ice, a dozen skeleton champions in fortified conjured armour stood in two lines in front of the lich. There weapons were imbued with necromantic energy, allowing them to hit that bit harder. The lich firmly gripped a big fancy black weapon that seemed to be a combination of a spear and a staff.
He regarded the party, he had already cast a very thick magical shield over himself. ¡°I believed myself to be hidden in this place. Yet you were able to find me, I will have to be more careful in the future after I have disposed of you¡±.
He looked at Alice and cackled, ¡°Mage do you know why they teach every magic user they can fine the mages job¡±? He waited for a second expecting some form of answer, ¡°I will give you a hint it is control, if you learn the mage job then you cannot learn another magic job, until that job and its constituent jobs are fully levelled. So a mage would have to raise their job to level 100, then the druid and pain-caster job. It is impossible to reach such heights you are forever bound to the tower¡±.
Martin started to advance on the lich, his holy symbol extended. The lich started to throw necro spheres, necro bolt spells alternately at Martin, each one evaporated against his holy symbol. The lich cursed. The two skeleton mages started to cast. ¡°Pillar of salt, pillar of salt¡± they were gone collapsing into a fine powder. The lich was stunned as his shield spell was struck by Alice''s duel cast fire ball. He started to realise the calibre or his opponents to late, as David charged into and demolished his skeleton champions in a hail of blows. The arrows from Vivian''s bow struck the skeleton champions on by one demolishing them.
The lich had no illusions how this was going to end, he had a hope that they would simply destroy him and steal his book. He could reform move then recover the artefact later. But he was facing what appeared to be four masters, judging from their equipment and strength. The last of his skeleton champions were demolished. His shield faltered as it was struck by one octium arrow after another, disrupting his magic.
His resolve wavered, ¡°what can I do, what knowledge do you desire, let us trade, let me be¡±. He felt his shield shatter under a duel cast acid strike, then the vampire hunter was on him. He had never seen the chain smite blessing in action. But he could feel how potent it was as his body was ripped to shreds with bolt after bolt of lightning. The lich screamed and collapsed his body becoming a grey purple vapour that was sucked back into his phylactery.
The phylactery was inside a steel strong box, a strike from David and the lock broke. Martin opened it to a face full of poisonous gas. It didn''t affect him in the slightest he strode across the room and grabbed the lich''s grimoire, he had the lich by the phylactery he had time now.
Martin propped the phylactery in front of the fire place. He could see the wrathful look on the lich''s face. He threw some logs and bones into the fire place and lit it with kindling.
He brought over the grimoire he opened it to a page then tore the page out. The lich screamed inside his phylactery. Martin held his holy symbol to the page the ink boiled away, then Martin cast the page into the fire. The lich''s captive soul screamed as page by page the grimoire entrusted to him was destroyed before him. The lich sobbed as piece by piece the culmination of his life''s work was crushed burnt and purified. Martin went around his laboratory as thoroughly as possible. David and Vivian disposed of the skeleton mages and champions remains.
The lich inside the phylactery found Martin looking at him. He would need two days to absorb enough mana to re-conjurer his body. He was sure that he didn''t have that amount of time. Martin looked around, ¡°OK Alice how the hell do we destroy this thing¡±? She looked at it moving her hands about in odd patterns. She pulled the spells and enchantments around it one way and another. It tried to suck mana from her but she was as powerful as the lich. There was a scream as the phylactery became dark ¡°Nooooooooooooooo...¡± Martin hit it with his purify blessing just to be certain, then the group levelled up.
Alice gained the improved version of the electrical strike spell, her wisdom kept increasing making it easier to use her magic. It was tantalizing just how close she was to being a master, to commanding a bit of respect amongst her pears. Vivian also hit level 49 she could appreciate why masters went to the effort of hunting down better equipment, or saving up to commission it. It could really be devastating, like David''s sword or her bow. She had now pushed her pierce armour up to level 8. She anticipated next level when she would gain a class level and her abilities would grow.
Her layered armour perk would improve, her adrenalin strike attacks would both cost less adrenalin and hit very much harder. David was a little further behind at level 48, he was still building up his hail of blows skill up to level 3. Martin had reached level 56 he boosted up his pistol specialisation to level 10, effectively giving him and additional 15 points of bonus armour penetration with the weapons.
It was a good morning¡¯s work, they were back at the combined chapter house just before mid-day. Even a few days ago the fight with the lich would have been a very heavy drawn out slugging match. There levels skills and equipment had reached a point where they were a highly effective force even against high level enemies. For their mid-day meal they pulled apart a huge pile of food, a body capable of operating at such a high level needed a lot of calories. From swinging a sword with the force of a trip hammer to pulling mana from the air around them it all consumed calories.
Reginald met them, he looked both full of resolve and anger playing across his face. ¡°Can you help the Crusaders, our furthest camp was just raided by the rat men. They are getting quite embolden, please make a start on clearing out the nest of giant rats from around the holy site. Cleanse the shrine of their filth, they are getting worse. Soon we could be losing part of the harvest to them. We can¡¯t let them grow to become an even larger danger, they breed very fast¡±.
¡°How much can you offer¡± David asked? ¡°The rats have a bounty on their heads, bring me the heads and we will work something out. Standard guild rates, if I have their numbers right it would be close to fifty silver¡±. Martin wondered, ¡°What is the significance of the shrine¡±? ¡°It was the sight of a lay miracle, a lay preacher was rescued there by miraculous intervention¡±. A shrine was built there, any priest or monk that travels could gain two levels for making the pilgrimage. Vivian nodded, ¡°we can cleanse the shrine, I don''t know the rat¡¯s forces but we can scout it out. Give us some oil and a few sturdy sacks¡±.
¡°You remember when we ran from giant rats¡±, Martin reminisced, ¡°we would have been what about a tenth of our levels, you were level 3 back then¡± Alice pointed out. ¡°It will be nice to face an opponent with nothing but physical force. No existential crises no stupid fucking magical barriers, just a few blunt tactical manoeuvres and lots of dead rat men¡±, David grinned.
Reginald warned them, ¡°They have stolen a little iron, so expect some basic solid weapons. They have large numbers so they will probably take a few days before you make an impact on them. Remember we are looking at a nest large enough to have wear rats.¡± Alice nodded, ¡°I think I said I never wanted to see one of those things¡±. Vivian nodded, ¡°now you¡¯re a few levels higher not so impressive is it¡±? We shall see¡±, Martin commented.
Reginald gave them a map to the shrine. It showed where the rats nest was supposed to be, where the crusaders camp had been. As they left they noticed a few people missing from the crusaders ranks, they would be at the cathedral, either in the medical area or receiving last rites. A short while later they walked along the trail. They would certainly give the rats something to think about. The giant rats were not particularly stealthy. They were moving about in significant numbers enough to scare off a few low level crusaders. But they were not facing the normal volunteer forces now. The trail that they headed down had a few warning posts set in the ground, they proceeded on almost eager to fight.
They soon located there target giant rats would have been as tall as a human, if they didn''t hunch over. The faces were a little stubbier, the necks a little longer. The hands and arms very human, to give them the ability to manipulate tools. Their legs were bent and bowed their backs crooked. It made them appear very short. They had clothes that were a mix of stitched hide, salvaged human clothes and anything else that they could find, such as sheets and sack cloth. The group was made up of 50 Dread giant rats. Martin could feel the thrall taint on them, with about fifteen terror rat men armed with shield and spear. On top of that one alpha champion rat man was leading them. He was very bulky with a human short sword in one hand and a sickle in the other. The worse problem was the Shaman rat man in support.
They hit the group of rat men and giant rats like a battering ram and kept going. Martin let lose a precise pistol shot that blasted the top of the Sharman''s head clean off. He dropped his staff he felt up with his paws, running clawed fingers through the red blood seeping from the wound. He fell forwards onto his knees, then he finished the collapse onto the ground face down, emitting something between a squeak and a sigh. Alice released two duel cast fire balls into the group obliterating 20 or more of the dread giant rats. Vivian started to hit the terror rat men with arrows, before they could group up. David charged in cutting through more rats, forcing them to the point of fleeing.
The rat man champion tried to rally his forces. The dozen remaining rat men formed up around him. While the giant rats were sent charging past David at Alice to tie up her magic. Martin unloaded his second pistol and his triple pistol into the rat men. They didn''t have shields thick enough to stop the pistol shots. David charged into the group cutting down three of the rat men. His sword turning their shield blocks into nothing, there pathetic attempts failed to slow his blade. They may as well have been using a folded piece of paper against his mithral blade. Vivian started to fire at the dread rats determined to thin their numbers. Alice cast a fire ball close to her, killing off ten or more rats with Vivian getting the rest.
The rat men tried to surround David, to lock him down so the alpha could get a good angle of attack. David was smart enough to avoid the snare and keep moving around. Alice hit the champion with a couple of acid strikes softening him up. Martin threw a couple of his throwing knives into the bits unprotected by the rat¡¯s shields, hitting necks shoulders or even knees and ankles. Vivian finished up the rest of the rat men who were backing up or turning to flee. David closed blocked a few attacks from the alpha champion and cut him down.
There was little celebration it was work, David sliced heads off Martin and Vivian recovered there ammunition and Alice searched for any magical items. The Sharman''s staff was junk only offering seven points to magical reserves onto the pile it went. They piled up the corpses and set them on fire it was a classic clean up.
A supporting group of twenty rat men with primitive short bows, were inquisitive enough to investigate the fire. They found the head of the alpha champion stuck on the end of a spear. It was enough to make the rat-men''s resolve shake, they started to look around. There was Martin behind them, he held the short sword recovered from the rat-man Alpha. He grinned ¡°bastion of faith¡± the defensive blessing activated. ¡°Martyr¡¯s sacrifice¡± he charged into the group of archers. The arrows bounced off his blessings. He was really a distraction.
David heaved two flasks of oil into the centre of the group. They smashed at the rat¡¯s feet sending oil and pottery out in every direction, a fire ball from Alice lit the group on fire there fur covered in oil they had no escape. Vivian began to fire arrows into them, cheap iron broad heads worked well against the un-armoured archers. Martin was suddenly swinging away so was David. Most of the rat men were worried about the fire, a few didn''t get up from the fire ball. Some dropped their weapons and tried to run shrieking in terror and fear. They got one or two steps before an arrow claimed them. Martin found no further enemies to fight and his blessings dissipated. The rat men archers were decapitated and their bodies thrown on the pyre. There weak bows snapped from even the smallest tug from Vivian.
Vivian looked about, ¡°we were lucky these two groups were joining up, we caught them unaware¡±. ¡°That was probably the vanguard of their forces, a larger stronger group is probably ahead, should we be cautious? Martin held up a large thermite grenade. ¡°We have options how bad can it be¡±?
There was the clank and rattle of armour the foot fall of heavy creatures. The rat men''s main force started to come into view, just at the limit of Vivian''s enhanced perception. It was led by a terror rat warlord, a commander specialist he was bulky and strong. But for a rat he also had high intelligence and charisma. He wore cobbled together armour scale plate any metal that could be found and shaped. He carried a reasonably long spear, he lead a main force of thirty terror rat men.
They had helmets and chest plates that were not matching, but still mostly covering there vital areas. They had uniform shields obviously made or them, that they could slot together to form an effective barrier. They carried short sturdy clubs and axes, a mix of stolen items and their own manufacture. Behind this front rank was 20 terror rat men archers, they had slightly better bows than the first group of rat men archers. They also seemed to be mainly equipped with human made iron hunting arrows. Which would have been collected over the course of several battles. They had rough clothes and basic pot helmets, by the shape a few of them were probably pots to begin with.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
The group was followed by a number of heavier hitters. They had eight wererats behind them, these creatures were each between eight and nine feet tall. Far more bestial in nature having large serrated claws, rather than hands suitable for tool manipulation. They were the same sort of billed as a werewolf, if hunched over slightly more. They were the ultimate combat form of the rat-men, a level 45 creature fast but without the healing factor of its lycanthropic namesake.
They protected the magical ranks of the rat men, there were two rat men Shaman specialised in healing and defence. They had a few spell scrolls that they had looted from previous adventure party¡¯s equipment, which they had faced and had survived. They had ten ranks each of the Shaman job, which was about as high as they could raise the skill.
Behind them were two rat men necromancers, this job had probably been taught to them by a vampire. They wore dark black robes and carried short wands suitable for channelling dark energy''s. They had a collection of 20 zombies and skeleton rat-men behind them. This mob was armed with farming implements crude shields and roughly hewn spears. There was one rat man sorcerer, the robe he wore was crudely dyed red. Behind him acting as a body guard was a bound demon soldier. He was the potentially deadliest thing walking the battlefield this day. It would have taken the weak rat-man magic user a week to charge up the spell that summoned him. Still at the limit of his abilities he had managed to summon a demon foot soldier.
The demon didn''t look to enthusiastic, but then he was serving a giant rat who could barely scrape together the mana to summon him. It was still preferable to floating in a void of darkness pain and heat. As a result of the limited skill and magic of his summoner, his manifested body was weak by comparison around level 30. He was still the first demon the party had ever seen. The demon was equipped with a steel shield and sword. They would be stronger than whatever magic armament he could manifest with his weak magic. A stronger sorcerer would have been able to fortify his body summon armour stronger weapons, but with this individual it was not the case. It was a minor miracle that the rat man had been able to pick up the sorcerer job from the vampire mage that trained him.
The demon was seven foot tall. He had a short thin pair of horns sticking out of his temples. The stronger the body that was summoned the thicker the horns would be, until they formed a bony helmet of sorts. He was proportioned as a human would be, but with dark red skin. His limbs were mostly human if a little off. Six fingers on the right hand four toes on the left foot, dark black eyes a twisted, grin with a few too many teeth. If he could help his master capture a strong adventurer, he would be able to help his ''master'' perform the ritual to possess the individually. He would gain a great deal of power, it was a gamble accepting such a contract. That still meant that they had to defeat an opponent who was quite strong first.
The group of rat men found the remains of their van guard, the leaders got together. The warlord smelled the air, he could tell that there had been several humans hear. He could feel there approximate level from a skill, well he could tell they were higher level than him. ¡°Risk it risk it do we, they smell strong¡±. The senior of his two necromancers looked at the field of battle and the still burning pyre, ¡°smart they are no bodies to raise up, no heads to question, they are not to be underestimated¡±.
The sorcerer held out his paw over the disturbed ground, where Alice had cast a fire ball. ¡°Fire magic I sense it, they have a magic user¡±. The demon licked his lips, ¡°tasty I am resistant to fire magic, but I can sense more. One of the god whispers is about, I can feel his holy powers. I have far less resistance to that. There is probably one master leading a group of adventures, someone who has combat experience. He has someone with a religious job a cleric or crusader maybe and a mage to give his party balance¡±. The demon looked around the battlefield, considering the marks on the ground, ¡°probably a sharp shooter as well¡±.
The warlord looked at the tracks. ¡°Went that way, skeletons front disposable now.¡± the necromancers nodded and threw there rat skeletons and zombies at the enemy ordering them to march forwards. He looked at the wear rats, ¡°you for flank left, you four flank right¡± there was a nod of understanding ¡°squeak oohh¡±. He turned to his troops, ¡°Box shield formation, archer¡¯s middle and casters at the rear, sorcerer keep demon in reserve¡±. The demon held his blade ready, hopefully he could loot something better from one of the adventures. Perhaps some armour that would fit him too.
The adventures were standing there, three of them a mage on the left an archer on the right with a hunter in the centre. The demon looked at the hunter he could feel the weight of the man''s unfaltering conviction a sadism that rivalled his own. The twenty low level undead approached, they would at least bog the adventures down until the were-rats arrived and ripped them to shreds. For their bulk the wererats moved surprisingly fast. They were quite confident that they could get to the adventures. Hitting them in the side and flanks, before the disposable skeletons had expended themselves.
The hunter drew his holy symbol and looked at the group of skeletons. ¡°Field of wrath¡± the undead¡¯s bones smoked glowed then collapsed, crumpling to the ground like puppets with their strings cut. The spells that animated them were undone by a single blessing. The mage targeted the group four wererats to the left, a fire ball detonated amongst them singeing fur. Vivian had mithral tipped arrows flying into the group to the right. With power shots two of them fell long before they got within range. The remaining six hastened there approach. David was in position it was time to go bowling he heaved against the bolder in line with the rat men. He wanted to time it so that it hit the main body of the group.
The rat men cheered as the were-rats got closer to the group of adventurers, they anticipated a quick resolution. Martin fired off both his standard pistols two mithral bullets, two head-shots two less were-rats. Alice started to throw acid strike spells first one then a second of the charging wererats dropped dead, their faces and necks burnt away. Vivian used four of her heavy bodkin arrows aiming for the head and centre of mass. Two power shots and the remaining two were-rats were dead.
The warlord gritted his teeth and ordered his troops in, shields up they marched forwards. The archers began to pelt the party with arrows. Martin activated his defensive blessings shield of faith and armour of faith and started to move forwards. The rats felt a twinge of fear, the archers fired they were expending there good arrows at a range too far to hit him. The warlord considered the target after two voiles he commanded ¡°hold fire¡±.
David took the moment to heave the boulder. Sending it careening down towards the group of terror rats and there tightly packed formation. The warlord turned his head ¡°demon now¡±. The demon jumped over the ranks of terror rats and charged at the bolder. With a grunt of effort and a shoulder slam, he sent the tons of stone hurtling off course rumbling off to the side. The demon looked at the adventure in front of him. The mass of forged Damascus steel the sword. He grinned his chances against this warrior were far better than facing the dozens of blessings that the hunter still had at his disposal, that was a magic sword it would be a good prize.
The demon charged in against David. David felt a bit of trepidation as the demon barrelled towards him. A demon typically had a lot more skill than a normal human and far higher stats. This time the demon was only summoned by a rat-man sorcerer. So its stats would not be that impressive, still he had to be cautious. David would be glad of his dualist ability this time round. The demon leapt high bringing his sword down, only to find David already blocking it. The demon danced backwards avoiding the power strike that came in retaliation. David didn''t leave much of an opening but the demon saw one and stabbed forwards. Only to find the layer of chainmail and padding between the armour plates. For his hubris he received a slash to the knee. ¡°Mortal thank you for the entertainment and for the fine armour and sword you will gift to me¡±. He got a tower shield to the face, David remained silent.
The demon shrugged, ¡°so you will save your breath to fight a wise decision¡±. ¡°I do not get tired, I do not stop¡±. David dropped down low using his shield to protect him and sending a short slash to the demons leg, it was just able to pull back. The demon grinned, ¡°I am no little rat I will not fall to such a simple trick¡±. David was aiming to strike the same leg again, to give it a wound that would slow the demon down, long enough to deliver a few power strikes. This would be a battle of attrition not raw power by the look of it.
David delivered a series of strikes using his hail of blow skill. The demon backed up David delivered a power strike. The demon was able to block the mithral blade with his steel shield, there was a clang and the demon grinned. ¡°You will have to do far better than that or you will never win¡±. The demon realised his shield now had a large chunk missing. David''s equipment was far better, his strength was far better. If the demon lost his shield he would most likely lose the match. The demon realised this and went on the offensive. He aimed for David''s eyes for the gap in his visor. David was just fast enough with his tower shield to block the blow, crating a small chink in the blade.
The shield blocked David''s view for a second. The demon struck at David''s sword disarming him. Only to see the sword attached to his wrist by a leather loop. David brought his shield up in a power block that caught the demon in the face. He twisted his wrist gripped the blade and delivered a power strike at the demon, who rolled away at the last minute. David''s sword buried several inches into the ground where the demon had been. The demon had lost the tip of one horn, his jaws dripped black blood. He grinned ¡°that will grow back¡±, the demon advanced at the last minute. David flicked his sword up throwing dirt into the demons face. He stabbed forwards sinking his blade a few inches into the demons chest. The demon was already retreating the wound was minor.
A moment later the demon leapt forwards, trying to get an angle to stab through David''s visor. It didn''t go far. David responded with a power attack, it was blocked but took another chunk from the demons steel shield. The demon looked around seeking any advantage. The demon moved round, David seemed to leave a gap. The demon was fast, then David twisted the edge of his tower shield round and down onto the blade tip shattering it. David delivered an over hand blow the demon felt his shield shatter and a cut in his left hand.
He was able to block the next three blows with his sword, before mithral won over steel and it shattered. The demon tried to tackle David to wrestle him, he was thrown off. He suffered a dozen more blows then fell to the ground. His body was two wounded to continue. The demon grinned, ¡°a good workout, when next I am summoned to this world I will have power to back my skill and we shall see who loses next time¡±. David put his blade through the demons neck. It turned transparent and faded away, leaving a shadowy black stain on the ground.
Meanwhile Martin had a large thermite grenade primed and ready. Alice threw a fire ball at the centre of the rat-men. The two Shaman activated defensive shield spells, the rank and file rat-men held firm behind there shields. It was a cover for Martin to get closer and throw the thermite over the shield wall. He aimed between the archers and magic users, he used a high arch so it sailed over the shield spells, the grenade detonated with white hot metal burning fur and flesh. One of the necromancers and five of the archers were gone, in a flash of burning thermite there and then. Five times that number were wounded and their defensive formation was broken open.
The rat men started to waver, the Shaman started to focus on healing spells, including on themselves. Vivian used the opportunity to let her iron arrows lose, they cut through the exposed terror rat men killing two of the front rank. Alice threw a fire ball into the middle of the formation of shields, through the gap four more died, Martin had his triple pistol out, at this range he could not miss. Three shots three kills the shields could not stop an overload shot at this range.
The rat overload spurned his soldiers forward, they had to close the gap for any hope of winning the day. Arrows bounced off Alice''s shield spell, Vivian dodged a necro bolt spell thrown by the remaining necromancer. Martin neutralised a spell thrown at him by the sorcerer, it evaporated against his holy symbol. Vivian let lose four arrows, over the shield wall into the archers three of them fell. Alice threw acid strikes at the front ranks, there shields started to fall apart as the conjured corrosive burned them away. Martin was far from out of blessings, ¡°fortress of faith¡± more temporary armour surrounded him. Martin exhausted his smite blessing using it four times to blast apart a hole in the front ranks.
The warlord could feel his troop¡¯s moments away from a rout. He still had spell casters he still had the demon, he could still win. Vivian let lose two of her octium arrows two of the mages fell there defensive spells popped. The sorcerer and one of the Shaman were gone. The demon fell killed by the man in all the armour. Alice had weakened the shields with acid strikes, a double cast fire ball was more than they could take, and it killed eight of the front rank. The terror rat-men broke ranks, Martin had six throwing knives and enough focus to use them. The archers were cut down by half, the rest didn¡¯t have long.
The rats fled and panicked, David waded in chopping what was left of the archers to pieces. Vivian picked off the melee fighters with arrows, one by one as they scattered. Alice used her electrical strike spell to cook the terror rat overlord in his metal armour. He was barely standing, then a second strike and he was down. Martin finished off the two remaining magical casters with his mallet, one or two rat man might have managed to run away but there was no chance that they could recover from this. The group expected the level up to hit but it didn''t. Vivian shrugged ¡°we are probably too close to the nest, lets finish them off¡±. They recovered there ammunition, including the mithral bullets, cut off the heads then piled up the rat men''s corpses and torched the pyre.
David grinned ¡°I killed a demon¡±, Martin shook his head ¡°no you inconvenienced a demon. Now he will have a vendetta against you.¡± David shrugged, ¡°next time you can just hit them with a holy blessing¡±. They found the rats nest very close by, the side of a hill had been excavated the area around was used as a dumping ground. There were a handful of forces guarding the nest, an alpha warden was a terror rat man specialised in defensive fighting small choke points like a nests entrance. Martin shot him down with an aimed pistol shot. Ten more guards were at the entrance they fared little better.
The inside of the nest smelt terrible, it was lit by fires and torches and was full of clinging smoke. There were several tunnels, much of it was set up as nesting space. About 30 rat-men used a central area as a crafting workshop, someone had helped them lay it out. Showed them the best tools to steal and make, probably a few vampires. They had the beginnings of quite a good set up. The rat-men crafters fought and died, a short and brutal battle wiped them out as they fought with whatever tools were to hand.
Deeper into the nest they found a metamorphosis chamber, five rat men were evolving from dread rats. They were unconscious while there body''s shifted between the forms. A process that could take days as the humanoid blood template took over from the animal template. The party dispatched them, they would never complete their metamorphosis. Deeper in they found a nest chamber 25 giant rats left to eat and fight each other until a few came out on top and began the metamorphosis. One sphere of consecration killed the lot of them.
Deeper still they found a massive monster, the terror brood mother. She was not a sentient creature unlike a Lamia queen. She was just a machine to pump out litters of pups, to allow one more group of rats to be born. She hissed and her colossal bulk stared down the enemy. Alice used her last reserves of magic to freeze the creature in place. The Icy tomb spell would hold it for 13 seconds, they only needed ten to finish it off. The queen hissed in pain, her limbs frozen in place life slipped form her and the spell was abruptly ended, having no legitimate target left.
The level up hit, Alice became a master as she reached level 50, her mind expanded with the extra will power. Most significantly her reserves of magic went up by an additional bonus of fifty points. With the class level her mana reserves were now quite impressive at 380 points of mana. Vivian became a master as well. Reaching level 50 she gained a class level increasing the efficiency of her adrenalin abilities, needing only 3 points to activate rather than four. Her adrenalin power attacks became rank 3 power attacks, doing significantly more damage. Her layered armour perk reached rank 3 giving her a greater protective bonus.
Martin reached level 57, his hit-points were now a monstrous 1296. He put another skill point into his pistol ability, raising it to level 11 effectively giving him another 15 points of armour perpetration with his pistol shots. David was tantalizingly close to levelling and becoming a master, catching up to Vivian. He put one more level into his hail of blows skill, it would be of some use in the future. If that demon was going to pop up for a rematch, he would find a more powerful opponent waiting to pick up the gauntlet.
They collected a few tools and weapons to return to the human world, stolen from farms and from unfortunate pilgrims. They found more bedding some food stores, they collected the heads and set everything else on fire. Martin used his purge soul blessing on David in case the demon was more thorough and had some magical in addition to martial abilities. Then he used his purge blessing to remove any disease or thrall taint from every member of the group. They had been fighting the rat men and had invaded their nest, which burnt quite well on the way out.
Martin made a brief trip to the shrine and a silent prayer for those who were departed. He felt a measure of peace and closure, while the rest of the group waited for him. Hesitantly one by one they followed him saying a short prayer.
They trudged back to the town. They were not allowed to bring their haul in until a priest had purified the lot. They went past some checks and then onto the hunters and crusaders barracks. Martin Vivian and David were carrying huge bundles of sacks and the head of the terror rat brood mother was dragged behind them. It took Reginald some time to calculate their reward for killing all the rat men terror rats and others, finally he rounded it up to 50 silver as thanks for freeing the shrine of their presence, pilgrimages would be far safer now. There was a little bonfire as they burnt the remains. Making sure that there was not even one bit left to pass on the thrall taint or disease.
Reginald handed Vivian the 50 silver reward and took Martin to one side in private. He had two wrapped bundles in his office. He picked one up, ¡°Martin this is a four barrelled pistol, an upgrade from your tipple barrel, it has a much more efficient mechanism¡±. Martin examined it, the construction was sleeker more compact. With his triple barrelled pistol most of the device was replicated three times, where the four barrelled pistol had no redundant mechanisms. One hammer one cocking mechanism, it was actually far less bulky and weigh less than the triple pistol. He could already see the custom sheath he would make for it. Martin would disassemble it clean and check every single piece to make use of his well-maintained perk.
He tested the mechanism as he turned the cluster barrels one full rotation. Each time the trigger was pulled the barrel rotated as a group putting a new shot into place. There was a side catch that could be activated allowing the gun to fire all four barrels in one go, delivering a much heavier punch similar to a small volley gun. This gun was also designed to fire stakes as well as shot. He held it up ¡°it¡¯s a durable construction and a very versatile weapon, certainly something to hunt vampires with, I am surprised you don''t have something similar yourself¡±.
Reginald pointed to the wall and an elegant compact crossbow with a box magazine. ¡°I use this repeating crossbow myself, also I have this relic from a former hunter that obtained the rank of grand master, the lion hearts hammer. This pistol deals a bonus of 250 points of holy damage, with each shot and an improved accuracy blessing¡±. Martin picked up the pistol it was similar in design to his original pair of long pistols, but with s shorter barrel. There was a bright brass finish with engraving the handle had grips. They were ivory the tooth from some great beast probably a wyvern.
Martin unstrapped one of his weapons from inside his jacket. He placed it on the table, ¡°pass this triple barrelled pistol onto another so they may use it¡±. The crusader nodded, ¡°I have such a deputy in mind, she will appreciate the weapon, where did you get it from¡±? ¡°The vampire Islington killed a member of the sisters of unrelenting mercy. It was her weapon passed to me¡±. The crusader nodded his thanks.
The crusader pulled a sealed envelope from the paperwork on his desk. ¡°Martin between grey forge and the capital is a town called Copperfield. It is being menaced by a particularity vicious vampire working for the, queen of rats. The elite blood thralls called the grave rats and the local rat men nests are proving a real problem. The local bishop is calling for volunteers, they need masters and veterans to act as officers and captains. To lead a crusade against the elder vampire running this attack, they have plenty of men but few leaders. Someone who has killed rat-men and elite vampires like you have would be a valued asset¡±.
Martin considered it for a moment it was an important job, but so was his current job. While on some level he was protecting the people of Good Ford, he was not having to worry about a platoon of men under his command. Or a dozen, or whatever force he would be commanding. He was relatively content to just have to worry about the three others in his group. On some level to him killing one vampire or vampire¡¯s servant was much the same. Having three people he trusted looking after his back was his preferred tactic for the moment, his answer was honest and short. ¡°While I would love to, I have duties hear first and foremost. The group I am with is far from done in this area¡±.
They had dealt with the lich, but they had not picked up there reward yet, the mages also dealt with magical items. All the magical equipment that they had seen the elites of the rat-men tribe using had been either based on sorcery or necromancy, supplied by the vampires, so they had just destroyed them. They would Ilkley not react well to someone that was not a sorcerer or necromancer, or completely dominated by the thrall taint. Otherwise they would have sold the poorly crafted items to the tower mages guild.
Lady Imoline eagerly handed them the 40 silver reward and three heavily sealed green bottles. They were labelled up as potion of minor poison resistance. Effectively a 20 point resistance to low level poisons effective for an hour. Perfect to move through a poisonous area such as certain alchemical plants that produced spores and other abilities common to some noxious trees and plants.
She looked at Alice, ¡°I feel that I owe you something for dealing with this issue¡±. She recovered something from a box, ¡°this staff was one I used in my younger days. In all honesty I should have passed it onto an active mage a decade or two ago, so that it had some use. Its white oak that has been alchemically hardened, very light very strong the tip of the staff is a hunk of natural jade mounted in a copper grip. It favours a druid, but I am sure it will suit you well. It gives a 50 point mana reserve bonus, as well as a five point armour bonus and 5 points of perception. That can really help aim your spells. The grips are snake skin, it looks fancy but adds nothing to the staff¡±.
Alice took it nodding her thanks. Lady Imoline looked at the others, ¡°I have a servant outside with a bottle of wine, and I have tower business to speak to Alice about give us a little while¡±. The group left the two mages and busied themselves with a few glasses of wine. She looked over at Alice, ¡°you are aware of the large attack at Bay City are you not, the destruction of the slum and part of the outer city¡±? Alice nodded ¡°Martin was a survivor of that attack, Vivian and David were trained in the next settlement over the village of glass bay¡±. She nodded ¡°where they have the greatest concentration of coloured sand, used in glassmaking¡±. The senior mage stood up, she pulled a potion vial with decorative blue and green glass threaded pattern in it from a shelf looking it over.
¡°Though we were victorious that day, the majority of the senior members of the Bay City chapter house fell. They did their duty slinging spells down onto the attacking hordes¡±. Alice looked at her knowing what was to come, ¡°you need people to build back up the ranks don''t you¡±. Lady Imoline spoke surprising Alice, ¡°I need a survivor to lead the show, you are a master you¡¯re powerful enough for the job. I can have you trained in a few levels of the scribe job. A few months of tutoring from myself and you would be the best candidate I could recommend¡±.
Alice looked at her, she would have coughed up her drink if she had one. ¡°Me take up the post of a chapter master in bay city. How could I do something like that¡±?
The lady shrugged ¡°it¡¯s not as uncommon as you think, a chapter master is often the most powerful mage available for the job. They are one of the linchpins defending a settlement, technically part of the garrison forces¡±. Alice chose her words carefully ¡°I really do appreciate the offer, it would give me some autonomy and authority. But I believe I can do more, Martin broke through a few days ago now he is level 57, I could go the distance and become a grand master a level 75 mage¡±. She smiled ¡°that is a pity, but I have high hopes for you, as a grand master you could sit on the towers rulemaking council. If you can get there, I wish you well¡±.
As they left the mages chapter house one of the town guards along with a deacon met them. ¡°The bishop asked me to deliver this note to you¡±. They thanked him the note simply asked them to report to the bishop at the cathedral. He received them in a small room around a table. ¡°I have been keeping an eye on your progress, dragon¡¯s lich¡¯s rat-men you carve your way through all of them. I am glad to see some progress, the vampires visible minions may seem the greater threat. But one person in our walls can do a lot more damage, if they sit in a seat of authority. Rather than a thousand monsters standing outside our gate¡±.
Vivian nodded, ¡°you think that there is one such spy or traitor in this city¡±? The bishop nodded, ¡°we are building up to fight. A major war with the vampires, not just to hold them off at our gates but to become tall and wide enough to defeat them. But to do this we need to build up industry gather materials. An army marches on its stomach, tin is needed in vast quantities to use in preserving rations so that our forces can be more mobile¡±. He looked at the group, ¡°we need coin to finance a war, we need to build up trade. We need ships to trade we need wood to build merchant ships. Primarily now we trade with the human lead institutions of the central plains and with a few former colonies that confederated on the western continent¡±.
He looked about the room, ¡°The northern church the triune has established a way to safely reach the old elven colonies far to the south of the confederated lands. They seem to be doing well, they are united under the western church. Trade with our brothers in the west would be far more lucrative than the trade with the central plains city states. One spy in the wrong place could hamstring these efforts¡±. The bishop thought about it musing, ¡°If we could take back some of the old dwarves outposts from the countess of winter, we would have ports on the east coast. We could begin to trade with the dwarves on the eastern island chains again¡±.
Vivian shrugged ¡°you have something in mind¡±. The bishop nodded ¡°someone is trying to trick those that I sent you to as mentors into assisting them. Probably as some sort of confidence trick to have them believing that they serve the triune. I suspect assassins are being brought into the city, I need you to find and eliminate them. I should have more for you tomorrow, I believe a couple of minor nobles tricked by a vampire will try to deliver this city to them in the shadows¡±. He paused thinking weighing the implications, ¡°If it gets into a fight you can reveal that you are agents of mine. I have told the other representatives of the local triune that I have agents, but I have not revealed their names. Rest tonight tomorrow you will be busy¡±.
True Monsters – Act 4 Good ford - Chapter 39 – Razors Edge.
Martin woke up pretty early, he had a long day ahead of him much to do. He removed tools and slowly started to work away, cutting leather and preparing strapping. He worked away in a quiet corner of the room using candle light. Then the first light from the rising sun. Marin dismantled the two pistols very carefully. The lion hearts hammer was of a more antiquated design, it was easier to dismantle adjust then reassemble. The four barrelled pistol was really at the very edge of what he could do. All those levels in his pistol skill helped, he was no stranger to locks and the occasional gear of a clock but the mechanism was complex. He oiled and checked every part of it until it was as good as the day that the pistols were made.
It was later on when Alice knocked on the door, she left a tray filled with scrambled eggs and porridge. He thanked her then continued to work away at his job. He had to get his pistols ready. He found that despite his abilities, he had run out of time. They had business to attend to, there were jobs that they had to do and places he needed to be. He had only half finished the sheath for the four barrelled gun. He would have to improvise a coat pocket as a holster for the moment. But he did complete the holster for the lion hears hammer pistol. He put on the rest of his equipment and moved out to join the group.
They met the merchant guild master Gavin in confidence, under the pretence that they would get some extra equipment. In reality they were investigating a lead, a long time in the making. The party looked around the room that held the special inventory waiting, Gavin seemed hesitant to start. Vivian spoke up, ¡°Ok Gavin what did you find about that blood thrall Adrian, which idiot recommended him¡±? Gavin groaned, there was the source of his hesitation, ¡°I wrote the letter of recommendation myself, but that was only after he was recommended to me from North Port. I saw him work he was competent and his work history seemed good. I have checked, North Port have no record of him, I was tricked¡±. The group fell silent a dead end.
Gavin looked about, ¡°there was one thing though, one reference in the merchants guild archive that was not false. He was sponsored from a noble house¡±. David perked up ¡°which one¡±? The merchant continued unfolding a piece of paper, ¡°the house of Cain, the seal is legitimate. The scribe that wrote this still works for them. The letter was not signed by any member, just there steward but with the references it had to be from an alchemist or chemist. I believe there is an alchemist in the family but I don''t have a name¡±.
Martin read through the letter, ¡°thank you, someone supplied the vampires with a large explosive at Vine garden, it could be the same person¡±. David looked around the room at the high end armour, He wondered out loud, ¡°what would be the cost of a full suite of mithral plate be¡±? Gavin looked David over and consulted a catalogue of armour. ¡°Well 1600 silver for a low end model and maybe 2000 silver for something reinforced heavily, with a bit of octium banding to help resist magic. It would also take a month to make¡±. David sighed, ¡°Lexicons bounty would have paid for that¡±.
Bishop Alexis met them ten minutes later in his chambers. ¡°Did you learn anything from Gavin¡±? Vivian nodded, ¡°the spy in vine garden was sponsored by house Cain to enter the merchant¡¯s guild. An alchemist in that house is possible involved, or a chemist or apothecary if there is one about¡±.
The bishop seemed to be a little less worried, his posture changed as if the news brought him some clarity on the situation. He looked at the group, ¡°I believe I have Cameron''s spy''s, at least a good idea of who they are. What you need to understand it that house Cain and house Whiplash are working together in this. They have been allies for generations, going back to the time the baron''s first started to build their power base. The leader of house whiplash became a baron and the leader of house Cain was his right hand man. Some of their descendants are now looking to take back a degree of that power.¡±
Martin asked, ¡°How do you know this?¡± he looked around at the group his posture slid forwards, ¡°in truth I suspect most of this. How I believe it happened, the assassination of the last duke and the bishop, or suspected assassination were to prepare for a plot a long game. If there was an assassin all those years back, and I do believe there was. He had knowledge of house whiplashes assets, the same man was seen suspiciously close to my predecessors passing. He was seen at house whiplash¡¯s property days before meeting someone¡±.
¡°We are likely to see the end game of this plot, it is likely a small plot. Involving one or two members of each family. It would need to be someone ambitious and reasonably competent, they would not tell too many family and retainers. Or we would already know about it, secrets are best kept between one person two at the most¡±.
He looked around the room. ¡°Potentially I have to worry about the duke now, unless Gavin lied. But I don''t think so, it does not fit what I know of him. Speak to your mentors they have likely been approached, to see if they would support a new leader in the city. There are bound to be several things they would have noticed, I want you to act quickly¡±. Vivian nodded, ¡°we will follow up these leads and report back¡±.
They went to the mages guild, Alice sat down with her mentor lady Imoline she felt a little nervous but it would pass. ¡°Lady Imoline there have been a few things going on in the city, have any of the noble come to you. We think that there is something going on, to change the political landscape of this city, is there anyone particularly active recently raising support¡±.
She thought for a fraction of a second, ¡°Now you mention it Alice, Lord Sidney whiplash the duke¡¯s older brother discussed a number of things with me. How he could help accelerate the construction of the ward stone defences for the outer wall. He was also looking for magical items that could help him in a one on one fight. Unfortunately I don''t have anything a non-mage could use. He was looking into commissioning something as a secondary plan. He did enquire about additional magical security, an identification grimoire at each gate and that internal checkpoints might be a good idea. But we don''t have enough grimoire¡¯s and even if we did, they could be misinterpreted by the gate guards¡±.
¡°Did any of the other nobles visit you, for any similar ideas or even to recruit you to championing a cause¡±? She sat for a few more moment s thinking. ¡°Yes Sir Percival Cain the nephew of the current lord Cain. He did come over spoke about the superiority of the noble classes and the good of the city. He did go round about a central idea of the Duke running the local triune, not the bishop. You know he was going to be the sheriff at one point. But they passed him over for Melcher the bounty hunter, he is much more skilled and experienced¡±.
¡°He is not so politically connected, but there you go, it was decided to recruit Melcher. Sir Percival is good friends with Lord Sidney. I bet they have some grand scheme to boost themselves up, that is going to end up blowing up in their faces. I suppose literally, Percival is a battle alchemist after all.¡± the group believed that they had perhaps found there man, when it came to producing a large explosive an alchemist and a battle alchemist would both do the job.
While she was at the mages chapter house Alice decided to sells her old staff. There was an enchanter who ran a little shop. She was busy crystallising her mana to use in the enchanting of a magical item of some sort. There was a faint hint of hesitation in Alice¡¯s voice, which her fellow mage latched onto. ¡°What can you give me for this mages staff¡±? the enchanter held out a hand for the staff. She looked over it, ¡°ten silver is all it is worth to us¡±. Alice looked surprised, ¡°but I paid around 20 silver for it¡±.
The enchanter looked back at her dismissively, ¡°you probably paid fifteen, I can still offer you 10 silver¡±. Alice looked her up and down, ¡°you just said it was worth ten¡±. The enchanter had seen a few mages left to their own devices before. ¡°I bet you part exchanged your apprentice¡¯s staff right¡±? Alice didn''t get much out of her mouth, ¡°Er¡±. She turned a little red, and gritted her teeth. The enchanter continued, ¡°You don''t have your apprentice¡¯s staff, or a note that you handed it in. This one is ten silver then¡±. Alice nodded an idea sprung up in her mind, ¡°don''t forget the recite for me handing my apprentice staff and robe back¡±. The enchanter paused for a second noticed the look in the corner of Alice¡¯s eye. She nodded taking the staff and handed ten silver and two slips of paper back.
The group headed off to the crusaders barracks, they met the man in charge sir Reginald. Martin spoke to him, ¡°we have herd some rumours about house Cain and house whiplash has anything been going on that your aware of? Someone trying to show off, especially with an alchemist or battle alchemist¡±. Sir Reginald twirled his moustache, ¡°there was a sir Percival, yes he is a battle alchemist, he was after taking a pop at the wererats. But his resolve wavered when he counted up their numbers, he was trying to make a combat break through¡±.
Martin was curious, ¡°What weapon does he use¡±? Sir Reginald answered quickly ¡°a pair of gear wheel repeating crossbow pistols¡±. Martin had some idea about them, ¡°not much power or range to that weapon¡±. The crusader dismissed the comment, ¡°he uses quick acting poisons, they are a bit unstable but they do the job on most local creatures¡±.
Martin continued pressing on, ¡°was there anything else¡±? Sir Reginald pulled a letter from a pile of papers. ¡°The other notable one was Lord Sidney, the duke¡¯s brother. He wanted to help his brother to ease the burden. That is what he told me, he wanted to coordinate work between the militia guard¡¯s crusaders and hunters. So we were the most efficient like a hunting pack, he described it. He went on about how his brother needed help. Or more likely to make himself seem the better candidate for duke. He is a man that tries too hard. He over thinks even the smallest decision, paralysing himself in circular debate. That was why they chose his brother as duke, he is much more decisive¡±.
¡°His words were a little strange, he asked for my support when the time came. As I was from a minor noble house myself.¡± A scowl of anger played across Sir Reginald''s face. he was obviously infuriated by the request, ¡°I left that life behind when I became a crusader. I chose my god and my duty to my god over my duty to my family. I have served the same interest, doing what needs to be done protecting them from monsters rather than political upheaval¡±.
Martin wondered, ¡°Have the nobles tried to gain a hold over the church?¡± Reginald sighed, ¡°every so often, there are some younger son''s and bastards from noble family''s they push to join the church. However if one does not believe sincerely, then one cannot advance as a priest. They tend to find legitimate faith abandoning the political connection to their family or they will be stuck around level 10¡±.
Vivian asked a question, ¡°What is the normal level for a priest? Do they have to go to a shrine as a test of faith to advance their job¡±? The crusader seemed almost whimsical ¡°you know priests are unique as a job, they do not have to pass a test of faith to do some great work or help defeat some great foe. They just need to keep moving forwards and they can ignore the level 25, 50 and 75 caps the rest of us face. The majority of the exulted masters in this country are priests and bishops, which gives the church a lot of power. They have no great combat skills, but they can add powerful blessings to equipment. And as I hear it priests that reach that level get a powerful blessing that can either significantly buff allies or add to the defences of a city¡±.
They thanked Sir Reginald for his time, then headed off to see the sheriff Melcher. David looked at the sheriff ¡°how is it going¡±? He answered back in a relaxed manner, ¡°not too bad¡±. David got down to business, ¡°we have heard rumours about a battle alchemist from one of the noble houses. Is there some trouble¡±. The sheriff didn¡¯t look so relaxed, ¡°sir Percival didn''t seem bitter about me getting the sheriffs position. He didn''t seem to be too worried about it¡±. David was a little more paranoid, ¡°what happened to the last sheriff¡±?
Melcher had only read the report on the incident, ¡°He attempted to get rid of the dragon at the tin quarry er mine. He had a cow stuffed with a barrel of gunpowder, not the worst plan. Poor fool blew himself up before he could get the dragon to bite down on it¡±. David just needed to push a little further, ¡°Did sir Percival help in this project¡±? Melcher nodded, ¡°I believe he did make the fuse for the device, he was a lot younger then¡±. The sheriff''s voice was less confident now, as he thought about the implications.
¡°What about Lord Sidney?¡± David asked. ¡°He is good friends with Sir Percival, He has big ideas. He talks on and on about them. One time a giant fish got into the docks, tried to eat a few dock hands. He came up with a really elaborate plan to box it off in a flooded dry dock, then drain it down and kill it nice and safe¡±. David could guess but he asked anyway, ¡°what happened¡±? The sheriff almost laughed as he described it, ¡°Jonathan from the emerald bows ended up waiting for it to get to a shallow part of the dock. Then he shot it in the head a few times, where it couldn''t dive and get away, which took him about 20 minutes¡±.
Vivian nodded ¡°we got something like that once, we used a wounded goat as bait. It had eaten two fishermen in the village, it ended up tasting quite good¡±. Melcher''s eyes widened, ¡°you ate it¡±? David answered, ¡°It was quite a desperate situation, and we were short on food, that fish is still probably smoked in a few larders now¡±.
They thanked the sheriff and moved onto the next man. Jonathan who arranged the security for the caravans. They found the mercenary in the trade hall. ¡°Hello Vivian nice to see you, ever reconsider my offer?¡± She was quite warm ¡°good day Jonathan, I have thought about it but I am dealing with other matters at the moment, what can you tell me about sir Percival¡±.
Jonathan thought for a moment, perhaps subconsciously he put his hand on the hilt of his dagger. ¡°Sir Percival, the local battle alchemist with the little crossbows. He has talked with me a few times about the ballista¡¯s and bolt throwers. He was interested in the town¡¯s defences. If he could make any modifications to his crossbow pistols. Or if he could size up any of the designs, you know battle alchemists they design a weapon, they build it test it then try to one up themselves¡±.
¡°He was going to be the sheriff at one point, the duke¡¯s brother was pushing it hard. But then they found someone of a much higher level, a much better qualification. In confidence I do wonder about sir Percival, he spoke with me a few times about loyalty and rewards. If we ever hunted bounties, which we do. He seemed to suggest we might pick up a bounty that was illegal, we wouldn''t and I kept civil. But I do wonder what he was suggesting, I do not accept any work like the thieves guild¡±. A line of anger crossed his face at the thought of sir Percival comparing his professional mercenary company to some honour less thieves and murderers.
It was getting interesting, Vivian moved the conversation to Percival''s sponsor. ¡°What can you say about Lord Sidney?¡± Jonathan didn''t seem to take the man seriously. He had an almost mocking tone when he spoke about him. ¡°I believe that he is trying to do a bit of business under the trade guilds nose. It¡¯s probably some overly complicated business deal, which will just waste a lot of time cleaning it all up. When it comes to fruition or falls apart. He had a dozen or more men and a cart of materials delivered into the city a few days ago. Perhaps mercenaries to deal with a monster or extra security. He is the dukes brother so I didn''t make too much of it. If he wants to hire freelancers it¡¯s his risk, he probably has irregulars, they were probably cheap and no good¡±. They thanked Jonathan and left.
They returned to the bishop, Vivian spoke ¡°two names came up several times sir Percival and Lord Sidney¡±. ¡°Go on¡± the bishop seemed familiar with the individuals. Vivian continued, ¡°Could Lord Sidney have the ambition to kill his father, or order it to be done? So that he could become the duke. He has the connections and motivation, could he now be looking towards his brother¡±. The bishop¡¯s brows knotted, Vivian continued, ¡°Percival wanted the job of sheriff, he could have caused the accident that killed the last one. He is an expert on fast acting poisons, which could be what happened to the last bishop¡± the bishop tapped his fingers on the desk lost in thought for the moment.
He looked at the group, ¡°I have other agents, a scribe has decoded part of a letter we got from a thrall recently. The elite vampire known as Cameron the razor is a local problem. He is almost certainly trying to stir up house whiplash and Cain, the letter mentions two houses two conspirators. Some local minor lords need to be put in their place. I think you know who, my deacon can give you directions. You have a polite chat to them nothing rough yet, if they think that they have been found out they may betray each other. If they offer violence try to get them to surrender. If they don''t get at least one of them alive. If the sheriff gets involved reveal that you are my agents, as long as we get one alive we can round up any associates with time.
The duke¡¯s brother had rooms very close to the duke¡¯s residence. He was also supposedly entertaining several guests at the same time. Or prospective employees depending on which servant they asked. Martin firmly pushed a servant aside, David and Vivian politely knocked the door to his inner chambers open, using a table as a battering ram. When they entered his rooms the lord was dressed in full steel armour. With a massive sword by his side, his helmet was on the table he seemed to be prepared for a fight. Eight men in dark leather armour stood around him, each had a loaded crossbow to hand. They seemed to blur as they scooped up their weapons. The crossbows were pointed at the group¡¯s general direction in an instance. They seemed to be waiting for his orders.
Vivian had a pleasant tone, ¡°Lord Sidney a pleasure to make your acquaintance, we are here to have a little chat with you¡±. He looked round the room gauging the opponents and his forces, ¡°I was just organising a little hunt¡±. There was no outrage at the intrusion, there was no immediate shock his actions were suspicious. Vivian continued, ¡°was it your brother you were hunting, I see the hidden hand they are assassins from an illegal guild, we are masters I suggest you surrender¡±. He looked over at Martin and Alice. ¡°Surrender to the Zealot and Malice, no way I would rather slit my own throat than hand myself over to you. You might be masters but we outnumber you two to one.¡± while he talked the group prepared.
Martin grinned ¡°last chance to surrender¡±, the rogues around the room looked uncertain. Lord Sidney tried to encourage them, ¡°the bounty on them is seven gold each. If we win their equipment would be worth a lot, if we lose it was a misunderstanding¡±. One of the members of the hidden hand grabbed all the paperwork from the table folded it up and threw it on the fire. He was well trained to hide his business to think in a fight. It also showed he didn''t expect them to win, perhaps he had the chance to run.
Lord Sidney was a level 23 knight, he drew a massive two handed steel longsword and prepared to fight the adventures. He had eight rouges with him, all of them had light leather armour and heavy duty crossbows. Alice cast a physical shield spell around her and Vivian, David charged forwards, Martin drew his four barrelled pistol and cocked the firing mechanism.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
The heavy crossbows were fired once and discarded, they were not going to get a chance to reload them. Two bolts wedged into Martin lodged in his armour, there poison having no effect on him. David had one bolt bounce of his helmet and one skid of his shield. Alice''s mage shield blocked all four aimed at her and Vivian, not that they didn''t have good armour on regardless of the shield spell.
The rouges mostly worked there tactics based on evasion, rather than strong armour for their survival in a fight. Their focus dodging could avoid many many hits. The knight relied on strength and damage, the thickness of his steel armour. One side had the numbers but they were completely out classed. Martin had his four barrelled pistol out. It was loaded with stakes for vampires, against leather armour the protection didn''t matter. He aimed at the nearest rouge centre of mass. The alternate fire released all four barrels in one go. The rouge dodged two of the shots but still found two wooden stakes wedged in his chest quite deep. He stopped coughed up blood and fell to his knees then collapsed on the floor dead. Martin reached into the fire place, pulled the partially-burnt documents out and stamped the flames out.
Vivian didn''t bother targeting the illusive rogues, but aimed straight for the knight. she put two Damascus bodkin arrows right through his steel plate armour pinning him to a wall. His helmet dropped off, a look of amazed surprise spread across his face. He tried to ask a question, and then he dropped forwards. His sword dropped from his hands, a shiver ran through his body then he folded over to the left. His legs giving out, the arrows held up his body pinned to the wall. That was the end of Lord Sidney, it was merciful compared to what they would have done to him if he was captured alive.
Two rouges faced off against David, he slashed at them but the moves were easily dodged. One rogue moved behind a table, David swung down on and through the table with a power attack. Cutting right through the wood sending up a shower of splinters and killing the rouge behind it. The man thought he was safe, but in the next instance he was gone. Alice sent a fire ball into the group of rouges, one didn''t move fast enough. They really needed more room than the inside of the building, to fight effectively against a mage with area effect spells. An open street was more there perfect ground, an acid strike finished the wounded rogue off.
The five remaining rouges looked at each other, they were facing off against masters. They had a few tricks each but it would be a miracle if they even managed to fell one opponent. One rouge threw a fan of three octium tipped blades at Alice. The magic metal popped her shield spell. Two missed her with the third hitting her ring mail vest not penetrating it. The rouge tried to aim for something vital but Alice had already recast her spell. One rouge threw a smoke bomb at Vivian he came at her with a short sword. She sent an arrow flying low, he dodged at the last minute.
The rouge didn''t appreciate how strong she was, her bow weighed almost as much as he did. A single kick from her was enough to injure him and send him flying. Martin was hit with several poisonous smoke grenades and needle thin throwing daggers. The damage was miniscule as his poison resistance was massive. David knocked away bombs and thrown knives with his tower shield, one distracted him with thrown weapons a second tried to sneak round behind him.
David was not surprised by the attack, his tower shield had been polished to a mirror finish on the inside upper rim. A trick he had been told by Melcher, he noted the reflection and had time to react. Slamming his shield into the rouge with enough force to crush him. The second rouge thought he saw an opening, but David was already spinning round with a power attack just to protect himself. It seemed to barely connect, but gravely wounded the rouge armour and stomach were opened up. Martin held up his holy symbol, ¡°pillar of salt¡±. The rouge in front of him glowed then turned white, uttered a surprised gurgle. His face contorted in silent agony as it became marble white, he then collapsed to the ground leaving a pile of white powder.
Vivian sent a barrage of cheap iron broad-head arrows at the rouge targeting her. The rouge was able to avoid a few then he was clipped and wounded. A second time he lost concentration and fell to a final arrow through his chest. Alice threw acid strike spells at the rouge almost getting her, they used furniture as cover ending up using a table as a shield. After a second acid strike the table disintegrated and the rouge was hit. Screaming she dropped to the floor dropping a healing potion so that it shattered in her haste. She crawled towards the spilled liquid in desperation. A fire bite spell put her out of their misery. David finished off the last member of the group, as they attempted to put some sort of poultice on their open stomach wound.
The hidden hand would be reluctant to send anyone else after them, without putting the price on their heads through the roof. All the paperwork and plans were partially destroyed, but enough was legible. Vivian fished a few more fragments out with the fire poker. But they seemed completely illegible, the hidden hands fate bound enchantments removed there equipment and bodies soon after even down to the crossbow bolts that had been lodged in Martin.
The level up hit, their eyes glowed there body''s toughened, David finally reached master status gaining the same additions that Vivian had. Martin reached level 58 he got rank 12 of the pistol specialisation, gaining another 15 points of armour piercing damage. Alice and Vivian need a break through before they could advance any further. They had fought on instinct, the duke¡¯s older brother was dead by their hand. He seemed to be plotting to murder his brother. The duke would now need to be convinced of that.
There were two of the town guards outside Sir Sidney''s rooms, after another minute they looked at Vivian and the rest of the group emerge. Lord Sidney had been laid out on his own table. David looked at them, ¡°We found the hidden hand get Melcher, Get the sheriff go quietly but quickly¡±. They took the opportunity to search his room while the guard summoned the sheriff. They found a small diary in a hidden shelf under a table. It detailed at great rambling length, how he would do a much better job of running the town than his brother would.
David looked over the singed plans, they included maps of the dukes office the bishops private rooms. The inn that Gavin form the merchant¡¯s guild like to frequent and the sheriff¡¯s office and quarters. Two of those spots were marked. It was hard to exactly get the details, the assassins had not left bodies behind with their fate enchantments. But they had four eye witnesses and circumstantial evidence.
Melcher arrived with several guards to go over to the crime scene he saw David, ¡°what the bloody fucking hell happened here, did the hidden hand get Lord Sidney¡±? David pointed out some details on the burnt paperwork to Melcher, ¡°look hear this is a plan of your room right. This diary entry from Lord Sidney indicates that he would much prefer his friend sir Percival to act as sheriff¡±. The sheriff looked pale, ¡°I don''t like where this is going¡±. Vivian spoke next ¡°he attacked us with eight rouges that wore the markings of the hidden hand. They were offered the chance to surrender and they didn''t, his body has no sign of drugs¡±. Alice was next ¡°there was no enchantment no spell of compulsion on him¡±. Martin looked at the sheriff ¡°we found no evidence of the thrall taint demonic possession or anything else¡±.
Melcher looked at the group, ¡°that implies Lord Sidney was a traitor, he was plotting with them. That would imply his father¡¯s death was his work oh¡±. David turned to Melcher, ¡°let the bishop and duke know about this. Put more men on the Bishop Duke and Gavin there is still one conspirator we need to find¡±. The sheriff started to look over the room only imagining the carnage and the large pile of salt. Martin looked back at him, ¡°that was one of the rouges I tuned him to salt with a blessing¡±. The man shivered the holes from front to back on sir Sidney had bleed a lot, he would get a servant to cover them up before the duke saw his brothers remains. There were also other blood stains from some of the other wounded rouges.
They had to move fast lord Percival would destroy any remaining evidence, or run or both very soon, once he knew of his co-conspirators untimely death. They followed one of the city guards to his residence. Up above a series of shops the door was not locked, they spilled into the room. It was fairly large spread out more like a hall, an audience room where sir Percival would entertain guests. There were quite a collection around the room. A group of four men in crude iron plate probably marauders, there was a group of four people that could only be described as assassins. One of the group had far more gravitas, there equipment looked better perhaps a master assassin leading this group. To top it off was one minor lord armed to the teeth as a battle alchemist, with two musketeers as support. With the marauders and muskets he was probably a distraction, while the hidden hand actually carried out the important assassinations.
Vivian looked over the room, ¡°Sir Percival a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I presumed that you were involved in this little plot, Lord Sidney attacked us why don''t you surrender.¡± Worry and grief flashed across lord Percival''s face, ¡°What did you do with him?¡± Vivian spoke with a sharply edge to her voice, ¡°What usually happens to people that resist arrest? You had a little coup planned didn''t you¡±? She looked around the group ¡°you, hired this lot, not the hidden hand, but they still look competent¡±.
Martin looked at him, ¡°just surrender¡±. The four marauders formed a shield wall around sir Percival. They were clad in heavy iron and steel with large shields some kite some tower. They carried one handed swords and axes. He had his musketeers to his left and right, a musket and a blunderbuss at the ready. The assassins had bows drawn two on either side. With this group it would be a formidable fight. Martin activated his blessings ¡°bastion of faith , fortress of faith¡± he moved forwards drawing a single shot pistol, he fired off a single focus shot killing the musketeer to sir Percival''s left.
Martin was hit by two pistol crossbow bolts, too arrows and a musket ball. His shield blessings were strong but after a few more volleys they were worn away. Alice had a physical shield up it was struck by one arrow, with a second octium tipped enchanted arrow punching through her shield and striking her shoulder. The magic was resisted and physical projectile didn''t go any further. The assassin threw a smoke grenade down. Alice hit the centre of the group with an improved electrical strike spell. The people in iron armour were badly wounded, the rest were not as badly hurt. David closed in on the group of marauders. It was four on one, but he had much better armour and skills.
Martin drew and fired his four barrelled pistol into one of the marauders. He had reloaded it with lead shot, four barrels with overload shots. Two ball of lead and 150% of the normal powder per barrel. He set of all four barrels in one go. The marauder was hit, his armour resisted some hits but failed with others. He looked down at his chest plate coughed up a few flecks of blood and collapsed. Martin''s shield blessing collapsed under two more arrows two crossbow bolts and a musket shot.
David used a power strike against the nearest marauder, he blocked and David struck again landing a blow that was able to crush the iron helmet his opponent was wearing. dropping him to the ground. Alice targeted two assassins with her dual fire ball spell. One was able to leap over it grabbing a roof joist, the second was cooked in an instant. Vivian put an arrow into the second musketeer, he fell to one knee trying to keep himself up with his musket against the ground leaning on it, a second arrow struck him dead.
Lord Percival looked around his plan was falling to pieces, and his troops were falling apart. His loyal men were already dead and the hired assassins and marauders were not fairing much better. He fired twice more into the hunter, wounding him but not doing much. All too late he realised how resistant to poison a hunter of Martin''s level would be. Martin drew his second pistol and fired, the assassin dodged the shot but it was not over. Martin held his holy symbol forwards, ¡°smite¡± the bolt of lightning hit the assassin in the chest knocking them back to the ground dead. The remaining assassin fighting him ducked behind a pillar.
Alice fired one acid strike after another at the assassin facing her, they were fast able to dodge even to detonate her spells early. Intercepting those spells using precisely thrown knives. She had a lot of magic and the assassin would eventually run out of knives. Vivian targeted one marauder putting two bodkin arrows through his shield into his arm. The shield dropped and a third arrow hit him in the gap between his helmet and neck. David battered down the last marauder with a power block then a power strike to knock him to the floor. Then a strike through the visor of his helmet, he stopped struggling to get up.
Sir Percival threw a flask of acid at David, who just blocked it with his shield knocking it onto the floor to sizzle into the boards. Martin cornered the last assassin, blades sprang from the assassins wrists and they charged forwards, trying to tackle Martin to the ground. Martin had a throwing knife in his hand, his holy symbol in his right hand down he went wrestling with the assassin, his holy symbol was pressed to the assassins head, ¡°smite¡±. Half their face was burnt away from the lightning bolt, they became limp.
Vivian put an arrow into Percival''s left knee then his right. He collapsed to the floor dropping his weapons as he screamed in agony. The last assassin mistimed a jump and was hit with a fire bite spell. They had the hardened criminal perk so just survived the damage, they lay there knife in hand waiting for the mage to get close enough to check that they were dead. Only for Alice to finish them off with a second fire bite spell, just to be on the safe side.
Alice realised that the assassin that had been so dam hard to hit must have been a master. She felt a familiar sensation, the flow of time ground to a haul a message appeared in her mind¡¯s eye.
A special action has been performed, a feat of marshal strength has been achieved. You have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been increased to level 75, she could keep growing. If she got to level 75 a seat on the mages ruling council was pretty much a guarantee.
The lord surrendered, ¡°I will talk, no more I give up¡±. Martin grinned manically as he pulled out his mallet. ¡°You don''t need legs to testify at your trial, if we bother to have one¡±. The wounded man tried to crawl away terror in his eyes, ¡°no no I will talk don''t...¡±. He swung the mallet down onto Percival''s limbs crushing them. An arrow in the knee or not Percival would not be able to flee. Alice used her healing spell, to heal the man''s mangled legs at their twisted angles. She shook her head ¡°he is dangerous, but that is going too far Martin, rain it in¡±.
Martin stripped Percival of his remaining weapons, he held Percival holding his fingers under the mallet, ¡°did you make the demolition charge for use at vine garden¡±? He looked terrified and confused, ¡°which one¡±? Martin felt the anger, this man had made more than one explosive for the vampires. ¡°Small barrel high yield quick burning powder, with a match ignition fuse¡±? Lord Percival looked down, ¡°Yes I did¡± his confession was complete, sealing his fate.
The level up hit. Martin reached level 59 gaining rank 13 of the pistol specialisation, with even more of an armour piercing bonus. Alice reached level 51 she upgraded her electrical strike spell to the grand version. She could feel the power of the spell its radius had improved to 9 feet up from seven, her magic made it very powerful. The extra damage would probably kill almost anything remotely human wearing metal armour. Cooking them in their plating, unless they had a big wooden shield to hide behind.
Looking around the battle alchemists rooms they did find a few trinkets. Alice found a Ring of the adders tong, it boasted a 50 point poison resistance. It was on the assassin probably so that the master assassin didn''t fall afoul of his own poisoned weapons. Alice kept it as a trophy form the master she defeated. Vivian removed ten mithral arrows, un-enchanted and five more octium arrows from the dead assassins. Martin picked up four octium throwing knives, recovered from the dead assassins. One marauder had an amulet of vivacity 30 points of extra health it went to David. There was a box of fifteen mithral bullets, Martin snagged it the ammunition disappeared into his coat.
They found a few incriminating documents. There was a safe, sir Percival was happy to disarm the trap. Rather than letting Martin demonstrate why he should be afraid of a spoon. He was handed over to the sheriff. His family and former friends were rapidly distancing themselves from him. He had to be carried over to the jail. They had a scribe write out two copies of a confession, he signed them both one was given to Melcher for safe keeping the party took the second. They left sir Percival in Melcher''s tender care. Of course Melcher had a few things to discuss about the plot to kill him and have sir Percival take over as sheriff.
They moved past a dozen crusaders hunters and town guards to see the Bishop. Alexis met them in his private chambers. He looked tired but on some level relieved. The bishop looked them over he sighed, ¡°I have heard from Melcher, you realise the paperwork involved in this correct¡±. They handed him a copy of sir Percival''s confession, implicating the late lord Sidney. He read it, ¡°Sir Percival will be going to the jail city to the keep, no parole no execution, crippling him was a tad overzealous. But a battle alchemist can be dangerous in any form so I can understand it¡±.
He paused weighing up the party''s actions. ¡°You didn''t try to take Lord Sidney alive did you, you were over egger¡±. Vivian nodded, ¡°forgive me sir, but we gave him several options to surrender¡±. The bishop nodded, ¡°With the duke¡¯s brother dead, I believe we have eliminated the immediate threat to the settlement in these walls. The dukes brother was the lynch pin of the plan, a senior noble poised to take over. We still have the mastermind this vampire elite Cameron somewhere about, searching through sir Percival''s correspondence and the burnt fragments of correspondence we got from Lord Sidney''s rooms might shed some light on their location¡±.
Vivian steeled herself, ¡°What is the political fallout from this, what is the penalty¡±? The bishop seemed to make up his mind, ¡°Sir Percival was neither favoured nor dishonoured before this, he is a pariah now. One unremarkable man who is now a cripple, going to be thrown into a jail cell that will never open again. In truth if his family didn''t have wealth, he would be executed painfully. The tower jail is by all accounts worse¡±.
The bishop looked about, ¡°I will say a prayer of the repose of the souls of the hidden hand. We will give last rights and cremate sir Percival''s hired muscle today. After a day of mourning for the duke we will do the same for his brother. I believe that it is better now that Lord Sidney is dead, he can¡¯t whisper to his brother that it was a misunderstanding. That he was coerced that he should be pardoned. In this place at this time it is far easy to convince Donald that his dead brother arranged for their father to be murdered. To convince him that his brother was trying to arrange to have him murdered as he converted his position. With your testimonies and the other evidence there should not be too much problem¡±.
David did wonder, ¡°Who were there other targets apart from the obvious¡±? The bishop read the confession, ¡°I would say that it was fairly obvious, they aimed to kill the sheriff Melcher and replace him with sir Percival. He has admitted to killing the last sheriff and to poisoning the old bishop. I was most definitely a target, Gavin is powerful but not too well protected, so he was a good target. Jonathan they would have left, as they thought his services could be simply purchased. Lady Imoline was a noble before she was a mage, she would have been left in place to begin with as would sir Roderick a noble before he took a vow in for the church, those were the obvious targets¡±.
¡°But there are several of the duke¡¯s supporters and his wife that would have also had an accident. They would have had to have killed several members of the merchant¡¯s guild and the church to give Lord Sidney the power he needed. So that his word was law, he would have needed to fill the guild with yes men and the bishop¡¯s post with one that would keep their nose out of politics¡±.
Martin wondered ¡°Is Good Ford still in imminent risk?¡± Alexis shook his head, ¡°You have done enough to disrupt the vampire¡¯s plans. You certainly seen to have the stuff to be agents of the triune. The payment for your little adventure today will take some time. Melcher is matching the dead assassins and marauders against bounty posters, there is probably some coin on their heads¡±.
Alice looked at him, ¡°I have been thinking two groups of silent killers, it was redundant it was over kill¡±. The bishop explained it away, ¡°Good point but the way you describe the two groups of assassins and rouges, I believe that they were going to set up one and have the hidden hand murder them. So that they had a convenient pile or corpses to blame for all the people they were going to kill. Lord Sidney and sir Percival would just be the lucky survivors. Now For breaking the vampires plot that is another thing entirely, I think I can get an agreement between Gavin and the duke for somewhere between 45 and 60 silver each¡±.
¡°The prize on Cameron''s head is five gold that''s 125 silver each, we can conclude our business then. I suggest you rest up, according to Reginald Cameron the razor is named for a cursed sabre he wields. His group is small and mobile, he doesn''t abide weaklings, so expect full vampires and powerful blood thralls, few in number but each one will be a strong fighter¡±.
David brought out his insignia, ¡°have we passed your test for agents¡±? The bishop was hesitant, ¡°before you make any decision on wither you want to become full agents or put my offer to one side. Finish off Cameron also think on the knowledge and armaments you have gained in my service, what you can do for the triune and what the triune can do for you¡±.
They thanked the bishop and left Alexis to his paperwork. Even without much extra silver in their pockets they were still quite well off, after the day they just had. Alice had made her break through. Vivian and Martin had some more ammunition and David had a new magic item. David briefly considered the lords words, there was 7 gold on each of their heads. A sum that the vampires would pay out on. If one betrayed the other three that was 21 gold or 2100 silver, a lord¡¯s ransom. Of course he would never do it. But that was the value of a full suite of mithral armour, a high end suit it was interesting to know the price on his head.
True Monsters – Act 4 Good ford - Chapter 40 – Razors End.
There was a knock on David''s door, Vivian entered ¡°I can¡¯t believe I killed a lord, I just saw a heavily armoured opponent who couldn''t dodge my attack¡±. He put a hand on her shoulder, ¡°to put it another way you saved a duke¡±. She sighed, ¡°It¡¯s complicated with the nobility, that''s one of the appeals of working as a mercenary in the free company. It¡¯s normally simple, monsters and thieves that are considered monsters in the eyes of the law. No political implications with a shot from your bow, just another pest dead¡±. He hugged her more tightly, ¡°Remember what Alexis said, it was probably better that that lord is dead. He can¡¯t beg or plead his brother for clemency he tried and failed in his coup¡±.
She sighed ¡°some of the traitorous vermin hide themselves with no signs, well no signs on the surface to reveal what they are. No taint no drugs no debts, but deep down you can see the resentment his father his brother he thought he was better. Can we negotiate this quagmire with nobles and merchants and priests?¡± David thought about it, ¡°I think we are too far in to go out now, we will never have a simple life again. I have come round in my way of thinking, being an agent of the triune gives us authority and leverage. People will remember you killed a lord, but they will also remember you killed a traitor¡±.
She sighed ¡°I suppose its one thing, we are going to have to get used to. Alice has been in the tower for six years, she knows something about this sort of thing, its all nobles. Martin doesn''t care he is unmoved by the snobs and lords unless one turns out to be a traitor¡±.
David nodded, ¡°we will probably have to pick up some fancy learning. All we were ever trained to do was stand guard and keep our mouths shut. Alice could give us a few pointers, her tower education includes working for a local noble etiquette¡±. She sighed ¡°our problems will probably get more complicated, you remember what Melcher was talking about, a doppelg?nger one of those especially a high level one would make the situation a real pain¡±. He sighed ¡°after you said that you can bet we will meet one eventually¡±.
Martin finished the sheath for his four barrelled pistol. It was a comfortable weight on one hip offsetting the weight of his two long pistols on the other. He had the last pistol around the back hidden out of sight, well more hidden than the other three anyway. He had secreted the four thin octium throwing knifes in his jacket, they would be useful especially against magic users.
The rest of the group got up, they had one last job to do. They got ready Cameron the razor was still out there. He was no ancient but still competent, the money on their heads was still about. There was one last thing to do before they could claim their reward. One more set of fangs they had to collect. They were armed and prepared, they had there morning meal and headed out to meet the bishop. They would either have a lead to work on or they would not. There was bound to be some pest to be exterminated, even if it was to clear a further logging route in the forest.
The bishop was guarded by several crusaders and militia. The guard was smaller than the previous day, but they were still wary. Alexis was expecting them, ¡°Welcome please sit down, and this little chapter of your lives is starting to come to a close. I have seen the duke curse and weep over his brother. A misguided man poisoned by ambition, who helped to end the lives of to many people¡±. Martin wondered ¡°what about the battle alchemist¡±? ¡°Melcher had a good long talk with sir Percival, we have some idea of the munitions he has created for the vampires over the years. Some items match devices used as far a field as old root the market town for an assassination of a druid¡±.
Vivian questioned, ¡°Has any of this helped find Cameron¡±? The bishop answered quickly ¡°oh yes we have identified his daytime muscle, the blood thralls he uses. A local contact provided by lady Imoline has given us more concrete information. The local thieves¡¯ guild perceived them to be rivals we have a location. I know that lexicon was able to slip through your fingers, Cameron is far less powerful, but also far more cautious. I expect no vampire to survive no prisoners, they would be more trouble than they are worth¡±.
He held out a small bundle of paper, ¡°this map shows the location Cameron has picked. The farmstead was abandoned years ago, it was attacked to many times. It has been used as a shelter by vampire¡¯s smugglers and a large salamander over the years. The structure was intact, I expect at least one retreat tunnel. I don''t expect you to fail the information was not cheap¡±, Vivian looked about the rest of the party. ¡°We won¡¯t fail, Cameron is as good as dead¡±.
The group were all fully equipped and fully armed. They headed out of the cathedral through the city and through the gate house. They got a mixture of looks some cheered some looked quizzically at them not sure what to believe. Some looked damned scared about them, they were gaining a rather ruthless reputation. As David had suggested to Vivian more than one noble took note to keep out of there way, the militia and guards at the gate saluted them. They followed the main road for about an hour then split off to a side track. There were still the traces of a farm but the benefit vs the cost and risk of maintaining it had been two high, so the place had been abandoned.
The main barn had been maintained by someone, the windows boarded up the roof patched. The group circled the barn there was a door to the back, a short distance form a well sunk into the ground. A desperate vampire could probably make it from the back of the barn to the well and escape. Especially an elite that would just about survive the exposure to the sun. Islington had once escaped them in a similar manor, they used and upturned cart to block off the back door. Then for good measure they blocked the top of the well, with board¡¯s form what was once a store house.
The doors to the barn were angled so that no sunlight would flood in, it was a pity. They could try pulling the boards off the windows or burning the place to the ground but they had to be certain Cameron was inside, and not just burn it down. He could just bury himself and weight it out if they were two unsubtle. They pushed the doors to the barn open. The place was lived in, a small fire and cooking pot nine blankets, a little game hung up in a corner. A crude writing desk set up in another corner.
There were four third generation blood thralls, the vampire¡¯s legacy in their blood made them significantly tougher than a normal human of an equivalent level. They were loyal to a fault the perfect basis for new vampires. There was a swords master in steel chainmail, next to her was a marauder in heavy iron plate, they had a shield and flail. There was one guy in ring mail coming up to his knees and elbows he had a number of javelins and a medium round shield. The heavy set woman next to him had a heavy winch crossbow, she had lots of bodkin bolts for armour piercing.
Behind the blood thralls were four full vampires, every one over 25 years undead. There was one sorcerer in a read robe. She had two demons at her side, a soldier red and tall carrying a large iron sword that was enhanced with infernal magic and hell hound. The beast had intelligent eyes its jaws looked like the grate on a furnace its eyes glowed. There was one necromancer in purple robes with a very compact flesh golem. The golem had started out as a heavily modified ghoul corpse. Adding to the variety was one archer and one spear man, they stood behind the thralls ready expecting an order.
Apart from the two magic users they all wore black or dark brown clothes, Cameron the razor stood behind them. He wore thin light steel chainmail over his heart with a thick neck guard made from steel around his throat. At his side was a sabre enchanted with electricity, his features were sharp and vicious. Martin pointed to the necromancer, ¡°working with the king of bones?¡± she shook her head ¡°I am loyal to the empress of shadows¡±. Her voice was cold calculating letting no emotion into his words¡±. The vampire in Cameron¡¯s group had probably worked for the king of bones at one point but had been recruited elsewhere.
Alice cast her shield spell, then cast an electric strike and fire ball in to the centre of the blood thralls, the electrical attack was enough to floor them. The magic caused a lot of wounds, a lot of projectiles bounced off her shield spell. The Vampire necromancer got two octium arrows right through there spell shield and into their chest. It was enough to knock them over and temporarily out of the fight, a present from Vivian.
The Hell hound was not the smartest creature when enraged, its cunning evaporated in the tight space. It went straight for David, he struck it with a shield bash. Knocking down the infernal creature. David was not going to give any quarter, without hesitation one power attack cut its head half way from its neck. Even with half its head cut off the demon was still alive and could have recovered. The second swing from David''s blade was enough, the head was gone. He just managed to blocks an attack from second demon the foot soldier. The hell hounds conjured flesh expired and faded, leaving just a greasy black stain on the ground.
Martin uses his ¡°chain smite¡± on the vampire Archer. He knew how powerful Vivian could be so he wanted to remove the danger. The vampire was getting hit again and again with a barrage of lightning bolts, each one more powerful than the next. He dropped his bow started to stagger. The Second vampire approached the hunter, while he was supposedly distracted. The spear wielding vampire was the first to experience Martins stake special. He had loaded the four barrelled pistol with four stakes, with a silver bullet behind each of them. Backed by an Overload powder change.
Martin had already expected such an attack. The weapon acted almost like a small blunderbuss or cannonade. As martin drew set and fired it in a blur. Four hits on the vampires centre of mass it staggered back, a massive hole in its chest silver and wood lodged in its insides. They had not broken Martins concentration for the fight, his Chain smite blessing was still going, that vampire would not last much longer.
Cameron unsheathed his glowing sword, sparks of electricity and vampiric magic shot up and down the edge of the blade. He waited for his opportunity to strike and slay one of the attackers. The blood thralls organised themselves getting back up. The two melee fighters headed for Martin the two ranged fighters tried to target Vivian. The vampires tried to organise themselves. Two were almost out of the fight. One burned with bolts of lightning the second with their chest filled with wooden stakes and silver shot.
The sorcerer tried to target Martin with a spell an infernal bolt, with a bit of demonic power behind it. The necromancer sent her creation forwards, as she tried to pull the arrows out from her rib cage. They had missed her heart due to the lose robes hiding her shape, but she still had a very high grade arrow wedged in her chest. The necromancers creation moved forwards towards David, its flesh twisted spines emerged. Its flesh pulsated sending bone spikes towards David only for the weak attacks to bounce off his shield and armour.
Martin shot Cameron with the Lion hearts hammer pistol, right into Cameron''s knee joint dropping him to the floor keeping him out of the fight. Martin blocked a thrown spell with his holy symbol the infernal sorcerous energy fizzled into nothing. Cameron uses his claws to pull the burning silver out his knee healing as best it could, expending his blood pool to gain back mobility. The pistol was blessed with a strong effect his blood aura and shield aura were completely bypassed as if his supernatural defences were not there.
Alice hit the two injured vampires with a double cast fire ball, it was too much for the spell that animated them they were obliterated into a pile of ash and fangs. David was badly matched with the demon and flesh golem, which was exactly why they had been thrown at him. He was tough and could bog down the supernatural units. But non fire magic and holy items would dispatch the demon far more quickly.
The demon was talkative, ¡°you might have defeated one of my kind before mortal. But I am stronger and far more powerful than the other one you faced¡±. The demon easily dodged back away from a thrust only to hit the flesh golem. The nearly mindless construct got in his way, allowing David to deliver a cutting power strike removing the demons sword arm at the elbow. The demon reacted as if it was a mild inconvenience. The demon rolled out of the way grabbed the sword of the floor and held it in his other hand. David grinned, ¡°You also have allies in the way and you don''t have the shield the other one did¡±. David had to guess that the demons could communicate with each other. This sorcerer may have been the one that trained the ratmen he had seen earlier.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
The demon fell silent concentrating on what its next move would be. It had to split its attention with its idiotic reanimated companion mindlessly wading forwards. Vivian avoided a thrown javelin, but didn''t avoid a cross bow bolt. It struck her armour penetrating it and wedging up in her second layer of spider silk cloth armour. She responded back with a mithral arrow that hit the crossbowman in the shoulder, sending her reeling back out of the fight.
Martin called on his holy blessings ¡°hand of judgement¡±, a hand formed of glowing light and smashed Cameron into the ground. Keeping him out of the fight, just as he had recovered from the wound to his kneecap. Martin received a few wounds from the attacking blood thralls. ¡°Hallowed earth¡± a second blessing damaged everything tainted or unnatural in the area. Alice used a duel cast electric strike spell. Everything in the radius of the spells took immense damage. The blood thralls aiming at Vivian collapsed dead. Vivian put an octium arrow into both the vampire spell casters, distracting them from the fight.
David cut the flesh golems left arm right off. In response it sprouted two more and a bony claw, he carved those off as well. The demon looked on for a way to even the odds, a lax moment allowed David to shield bash him hard enough to send him spinning across the room. The demon cursed as it over thought the fight.
Martin used his blessings ¡°circle of consecration¡± his ¡°sphere of consecration¡± and his ¡°holy aura¡± blessings. The local monsters were weakened and damaged, the magic that animated them or bound them to this plane of existence faded. This included the two melee orientated thralls, who collapsed and died as there tainted blood was cooked inside their veins, they died begging their master to save them. Martin pulled one of his pistols from its sheath, a focus shot with a mithral bullet and the necromancer collapsed a hole in her skull. Their body dedicated and remained immobile they were probably not going to recover from that.
The demon was hit with two mithral arrows from Vivian and collapsed dissolving. The flesh golem staggered backwards, Martin dived out of the way as Alice nailed it with a duel cast fire ball. The sorcerer picked a different target, Martin was able to stop her spells. Alice felt the her infernal bolt spell crashed into her sending her to the floor, red energy and black smoke curling up from the impact.
Cameron the razor charged towards, David delivering a number probing of melee attacks with his sword. David suffered a little damage but stood his ground. The vampire looked surprised, ¡°you have elemental resistance to counter my sabres enchantment, you are well prepared¡±. The vampire was hit with two enchanted mithral arrows, he switched targets to try and kill Martin instead. He didn''t have a large shield to worry about with the hunter.
Martin activated his lightning resisting blessing, it helped to stop the energy effects of the sabre, but it didn''t help with the three inches of blade thrust between his armour buried in his gut. Martin drew his other pistol, the vampire gripped his wrist ¡°not today hunter¡±. Martin held his holy symbol above Cameron''s blade, ¡°purify¡±. the vampiric magic of the blade reacted adversely and the blade shattered. Cameron dropped the hilt his hand smouldering, where it had been touching the metal. He also let go of Martins arm.
Before Martin could level his pistol another infernal bolt hit him in the side of the head. It burnt skin away he staggered back unable to aim his pistol properly. The vampire sorcerer prepared another spell, he had plenty of magic left. He noticed a healing spell being cast, then Alice stood up. She had already used her shield spell. The Sorcerer¡¯s infernal bolt hit the shield and popped it out of existence, it was more a distraction. She had a duel cast fire ball ready. She spoke after she cast, triumph in her voice, ¡°don''t forget that mages over level fifty have a high base spell resistance¡±. The vampire tried to doge the spell forgetting just how badly injured she was. The two balls of fiery doom annihilated her leaving dust and fangs.
Cameron was still trying to fight without his blade, his fingers extended into claws but they were not enough to punch thorough David''s defences. Martin shot him in the face, then hit him with every offensive blessing he had under his belt. Wrath of the almighty smite divine retribution. Vivian emptied her quiver into the vampire, as bit by bit he was driven back. The battle was decided when Alice hit Cameron with her icy tomb spell. Slowing him down as his frozen flesh, fought against his muscles attempts to fight back.
He was strong but no vampire elder, by the time that the spell had run its course he was a spent force. David put an adrenalin power strike through his legs, the mithral blade didn''t go all the way but he would not be walking any time soon. He collapsed down on the floor with a pitiable grunt. Martin had a hammer and stake out. Cameron coughed up blood and gave them the finger, as Martin hammered the stake home. Cameron''s hand fell to his side, his skin then muscle then bone withered and faded away leaving a skull and two fangs.
.
Martin had to grin, there was a certain satisfaction in killing a vampire like Cameron. He was a powerhouse himself, when he had his sword. But he still kept to the shadows a plotting scheming threat. Someone competent who''s loss would be missed by those higher up the vampire hierarchy. It felt very good. Alice had been worth her weight in silver, her electrical strike spell covered a nice wide area and her fire balls could hit hard. The blood thrall''s and the full vampires were not used to dealing with spell slingers of her calibre. She had gotten so many of them that she was bound to level up more than once.
The level up hit David and Vivian were currently excluded, they needed to perform a feat of martial strength and single handedly kill an opponent around level 50 to break through. Then they could keep raising their levels. Martin who specialised on killing vampires gained three levels from Cameron. Even if he had a lot of help, he landed the killing blow that sure seemed to cunt for something. Allowing him to reach level 62 of his vampire hunter job.
Martin put two levels into his general melee weapon skill. It went up to level 7 which gave him access to a focus strike stun. It could very briefly stun humanoid targets around the same level as Martin. The most important thing was the class level he got at level 60, he got two more blessings allowing him to cleanse soil and water. He could use sphere of consecration two more times and wrath of the almighty once more. Alice might have been several levels behind him but she was catching up at level 54.
Alice was able to master her electric strike spell and learn a new spell illusionary allies. One of lady Imoline''s recommendations, it would produce several very life like illusions around the mage so that there appeared to be six mages at the most basic level, going up to 13 copies of a mage for enemies to shot at instead of the mage. It was good for about 1 minute 40 seconds to begin with. As each illusion was struck it would dissipate, it was a good defensive ability. If combined with an invisibility spell a mage could retreat fairly safely.
If Alice cast all three of her defensive spells elemental shield physical shield and illusionary allies Alice would be very hard to hit. But she would not be able to maintain any offensive spell, unless she got her hands on a really unique item. So she had to wait until level 60 before she could maintain 4 spells simultaneously.
Martin held his holy symbol, he pulled the tip of the sabre out of his stomach. ¡°Divine favour, divine favour¡±, his wounds began to close up. The skin on his face healed over the damage from the infernal bolt healing away. Vivian pulled the crossbow bolt out of her side. Alice healed her a little. David''s belt of three favours had resisted most of the damage from Cameron''s magic blade. But he was still not one hundred percent, a healing spell later and he felt much better. His nerves didn''t tingle so much, it was still far less damage than the electric blue beetles had done, before he got his hands on the magic item.
¡°I beat another demon, they need plenty of room to manoeuvre¡±. Vivian coughed ¡°you beat a hell hound, I killed the demon¡±. He shrugged ¡°I softened it up a lot¡±. Vivian sighed ¡°I need arrows with some sort of area effect ability, it¡¯s one thing my arsenal lacks¡±. Alice was hesitant to dissuade her but, ¡°any area effect enchantment would be really weak. You might find a damage over time spell, but things will move out of the way fairly quickly¡±. Martin tried to be helpful, ¡°chemistry is the answer a glass bulb filled with poison or a thermite bomb would give you an area of effect weapon.¡± Vivian nodded ¡°I suppose but they are not cheap and only single use¡±. Martin used his blessing to remove demonic influence form David, just on the off chance as they had been fighting him.
The necromancer¡¯s corpse was thrown into the sun, it dissolved into ash leaving a pair of fangs. The flesh golem was rolled out of the building and set on fire. They wanted to be sure to dispose of the tapestry of rotten flesh. They collected up the vampires fangs, purified the bodies of the dead thralls and headed back to the city. David carried two of the blood thralls Vivian and Martin each carried one.
They would bring them back to the cathedral for last rights and cremation. It would hopefully put their spirits to rest, so that the vampires could not use there trapped spirits in some ritual or another. Though a weak opponent one necromancer had turned such a foe on them before. What equipment they could find was brought back in a sack Vivian carried. It would be of some use to the city militia. They got back to good forge two hours later. The various equipment was donated to Melcher the sheriff, he would be able to use it. The bodies of the blood thralls were checked then a priest began the ceremony of last rights.
They stopped off at a tavern and had a meal and several ales. Before heading over to the cathedral citadel and the bishop. He still had guards and militia around him, but there numbers were fewer. He sighed in contentment finally allowing himself to fully relax. ¡°I believe that congratulations are in order. Cameron the razor has been trying for a decade or more to conquer us from the inside out. Any other agents he might have been grooming are mute and done, there finance and contacts are gone.¡±
The bishop offered them a glass of wine, he took a drink and continued ¡°The sheriff indicated a reward for the assassins you killed, specifically the master assassin a criminal that went by the name of the exterminator. The reward is 80 silver. The reward for the destruction of Cameron was five gold, I will pay it out in silver, and the reward for the other vampires has been calculated by Reginald as 65 silver, based on the teeth you recovered. The bonus you receive for destroying the plot to kill of the duke is 40 silver each, so together you earn eight hundred and five silver, you walk away from this two gold richer each. I have two less plotting nobles and one less elite vampire skulking about my city, it is a very good day¡±.
Martin grinned, ¡°There is a certain amount of satisfaction in staking one of the swine, Alexis I am sure that you¡¯re aware that one way or another we have been offered garrison jobs or something similar¡±. The bishop nodded ¡°and as I suspected none of you took them, you have a longer road to walk together¡±.
David looked around the group, ¡°we still need at least another 1200 silver before I can get a full suite of mithral armour¡±. Vivian smacked him on the back of the helm, forcing the visor to fall shut with a loud clang. The bishop was serious ¡°you can all finance far better equipment if you continue to work for me, despite your lack of subtly you are acceptable as agents, a righteous fist against the enemies of the triune¡±.
Martin looked over the group, ¡°I want to kill vampires and my best chance is with allies like these and the backing of a bishop. I am all for becoming a full agent¡±. Vivian spoke next ¡°I have only seen a little of the world up until now, but my eyes are open. An agent wields a measure of power and we have powerful enemies. Lexicon is out there and whoever Cameron''s master is will not be pleased to have lost a lieutenant, it¡¯s a good idea to become a full agent¡±.
David added his bit after Vivian, ¡°I want certain things that money can buy¡±. He looked at Vivian ¡°and certain things money can¡¯t buy, the pick of contracts will help me build up the equipment and finances I need, I think it¡¯s a good idea to be a full agent¡±. Alice looked around the room ¡°I see the mages guild and I don''t like the way its run, I could become a chapter master and make life a little better for a small group. But I want more if I can reach level 75 or higher then I would have a guaranteed place on the mages council. As an agent with those connections it would be easier for me to achieve this¡±.
The bishop looked at them, Vivian spoke for them. ¡°We are agreed we are your agents¡± The bishop grinned and poured them wine ¡°I can see you all reaching grand master status, there are so many things in this world that do not belong. That form no part of the creator gods plan, with your help many of them will be swept aside and many people will be helped¡±. There was a knock on the door and Reginald entered, he put a keg of brown ale down on the table, ¡°I guess that the bishop recruited you for his own crusade, let us drink and celebrate your promotion¡±.
They had a mug of the ale and chatted. There was more knocking at the chamber door, Jonathan and lady Imoline entered. Jonathan handed a flask to Martin, ¡°well they managed to brew something out of the dragons remains, you¡¯re the only one with poison resistance hear so you can have it all to yourself¡±.
He nodded his thanks. Jonathan turned to Vivian, ¡°you have had a better offer I guess, you would have made a fine addition to the emerald bows. Remember us for mobile artillery if you need it¡±. Lady Imoline hugged Alice, ¡°it seems that things will go back to being normal soon, I wish you well. Who knows we might meet at the mages tower one day¡±. She had a clear bottle with her, it was filled with liquid glowing pink that smelled like gin. there was a crystal at the bottom of the bottle that glowed faintly with a pinkish colour.
The chapter head of the merchant¡¯s guild Gavin arrived, with two very nice bottles of wine. The last one to arrive was Melcher he has a barrel or orange ogre ale and several tankards. He tapped David on the shoulder. ¡°One day you will be a guard captain or a sheriff or even lead a mercenary company, you never know, you will look back at this and wish things were this quiet¡±.
True Monsters – Act 4 Good ford - Chapter 41 – Lose ends.
The party woke form a celebration of their victory, over another vampire elite lieutenant, Cameron the razor. They had handed the broken hilt of his sword, his name sake to Reginald to hold as a trophy of sorts. It would probably become part of a weapon used against the vampires as an ultimate irony and insult to the dead vampire. Martin was certain of one thing trying to make an alcoholic beverage from the remains of a dragon was both a terrible idea. It was amazing that he could hold it down.
Alice''s head hurt, she didn''t know that you could literally enchant a spirit. Using an enchanted crystal submerged in the fluid to maintain the spell, now she did. you also had to drink it within five minutes of pouring it or the spell would be wasted. The bottle was now empty but lady Imoline had given her the enchanted crystal, it was good for another bottle or two and then she could recharge it with her magic.
Vivian and David were pretty close to each other in terms of condition. The ring of boars¡¯ endurance David possessed allowed him a few more tankards of orange ogre ale, but he was still pretty wasted. Vivian remembered as much as she could, they had not insulted or propositioned any one. Though David had spent a lot of the evening trying to work out what a suit of ultramite armour and a tower shield of the stuff would cost, the estimates had ranged from a small city to around 1300 gold a princes ransom.
They ate a breakfast of grainy bread and thick porridge, a squire passed a letter to Vivian. ¡°It looks like there is one final big quest in the area. A bit of pest elimination, then we take a week to rest up and start looking for assignments. There will probably be work in the harbour city, bandits sea life, the bishop mentioned that the trade would pick up so we might end up there¡±.
The pest elimination quest came from a specific place. Vivian was a little nervous, she took a deep breath and moved forwards. It was there second audience at the duke¡¯s residence, he sat with his wife his war hounds surrounding him. He didn''t seem at ease, an easy situation when you consider his brother had been plotting to kill him behind his back.
They greeted him, Martin made a blessing the mercenary''s saluted and Alice curtsied. The duke began ¡°agents it¡¯s... I won¡¯t say good to see you but ¡ it¡¯s complicated. I am conflicted you killed my father¡¯s murder for that you have my thanks. and I can feel some closure about his death. But you also killed my brother, who was my father¡¯s murder who would have killed me¡±. His shoulders dropped. One of his war-hounds the largest got up and looked at him barking questioningly. The duke patted the hound.
He started again ¡°I thought that I would be able to do this, to settle matters to make it easier to move forwards, I have a request¡±. He paused David waited ten seconds ¡°Yes what can we do for you¡±?
The dog nudge the duke, ¡°Yes ... yes let us get down to business, you know the main road has had a few problems of late. A couple of smaller coaches and single carts have been attacked, it is about the thrall spider nest it¡¯s in the woods¡±.
They had been into the woods and seen no spider. He saw there confusion. ¡°The other side not the blood thorn woods. The spiders have been far enough away that we could comfortably ignore them. Now they have grown too large to ignore. They can be a useful resource, quite a few of you are wearing armour and robes made or padded with their tough silk¡±.
He looked around, ¡°so Gavin and myself want a culling, including the queen. She is too dangerous but not the eggs and juveniles. They will rebuild in time, the strongest will evolve into a queen. The merchants will continue to harvest silk and the occasional monster tamer will pick up some eggs. They have to be getting close to level 50 especially the queen, we don''t want demon spiders. So its 200 silver for them, please bring the head of the queen back as proof. The rest can be incinerated I don''t want undead nightmare spiders after all¡±.
The duke pulled a piece of paper out of his robe he read the scratched notes, ¡°Gavin also mentioned you might also want to recover some fangs for the poison and as much silk as you can carry. And apparently the legs, have some alchemical properties that they might pay for. Good day and happy hunting, you can turn the contract into the merchants guild direct¡±.
The Duke had one last request, ¡°actually wait my daughter has expressed some desire to be a tamer so bring me back two giant spider eggs that have been purified and we can work something out¡±.
.
They noted the duke¡¯s request and headed out form his residence. A short trip out of the town along the road and they were in the forest. When the merchant¡¯s guild made regular excursions to harvest silk and spider parts they had mapped the area. The location of the nest was fairly oblivious, there were webs in the trees there were trees that had been uprooted and tied up blocking most of the light. They did get the trade guild to send a cart with them. A small cart with a donkey, minded by one guard with a sword and some padded armour.
The nightmare spiders were regular spiders that had been infected with the thrall taint. It had forced them to grow larger and larger developing a hive like mentality. They would act much like the thrall wolves or giant bats, establish a nest and keep growing larger awaiting for a vampire to turn up and conscript them.
The spiders were dark black, no sheen to their chitinous forms. They could climb but due to their size they were quite slow at doing it, unless they were moving up their own webbing. Martin looked at the approaching spiders, ¡°they move fast there poison is strong and can paralyse but there hit-points are generally low. Most attacks we possess can kill them in one or two hits. There attacks are weak with no great strength to their fangs, the webs are very strong so don''t let them swarm you¡±.
Five giant spiders approached them, each was about three feet high four to five feet across with the legs. They were quite a high level, for giant spiders. Martin fired into the first spider and it collapsed, its limbs trembled and it curled up into a ball. Vivian sent a regular iron arrow into a spider with a similar effect. The spiders tried to close the gap moving faster, David cut one down with a regular attack. Vivian got the last one with an arrow, they were not strong on the scheme of things. But the nest seemed to be massive, so the numbers would probably make up for the lack of each spiders individual physical strength.
They moved a few paces along noting the bodies of animals wrapped in spider silk, hare foxes maybe a few larger items. Ten more giant spiders approached them, they didn''t seem too intelligent just rushing forwards as a group. They didn''t last much longer, David managed to close the distance and kill two. Martin had his four barrelled pistol Alice used acid strikes and Vivian send a few cheap iron broad-heads into the mass of spiders, the recovery of ammunition a little reloading and they moved forwards.
They noted some larger creatures webbed up, deer boar potentially a horse or two it was hard to tell. They moved a bit closer to the nest, twenty five giant spiders dropped down from the tree''s ahead of them. They must have stood on a web or otherwise moved something to have triggered them into attacking. It could have simply been there proximity. Alice used her electric strike spell hitting the group and killing about half of the spiders outright. She left the rest of the group finish off the rest. Martin used his four barrelled pistol, David closed to fight in melee and Vivian fired off her arrows it was bloody and quick. The spiders tried to jump forwards but were met will ether and iron arrow a steel shield or a pistol ball.
David looked about, ¡°these things don''t seem anywhere near as dangerous as their reputation¡±. Vivian looked about the forest towards the nest. ¡°Most people don''t have anywhere as much armour as you do, don''t get cocky one good bite getting through would be all it would take and you would be feeling very different, begging Alice to cast cure poison on you¡±.
It was just then about sixty giant spiders approached the group, perhaps an act of higher tactical thinking or just dumb luck they attacked from all sides. Alice cast her physical shield spell then threw an electrical strike spell into the largest group of creatures in front of her. Then a similar attack behind her on that group. She held back with a healing spell and cure poison spell prepared.
Alice only used her electrical spell, as she didn''t want to damage all the nightmare spider silk that they were planning to harvest. Also setting the woods on fire with all the silk might be a bad idea as they were in the centre off it. Martin emptied his pistols and switched to his throwing knives. David kept hacking away at the creatures and Vivian sent her arrows hurtling towards the creatures, starting with her cheapest arrows and slowly moving up to the more expensive ones.
They must have started to really thin out the defenders at this point. A wave of juvenile spiders attacked them, these creatures were only around a foot long still very large for a spider. The party were more than ready just squashing them with ease. Alice used the butt of her staff, Martin used his mallet. Vivian broke of a tree branch to use and David just stood on them, his reinforced hobnail boots doing most of the work.
They grimly noted quite a few other cocoons some of more human proportions others horses cattle. They would investigate them latter, when they had time for now they had one very large spider to deal with. The inside of the nest was quite big, literally a clearing in the forest that had been webbed into a dome. It contained the nightmare spider queen, she was massive ten yards wide and five yards high. She had a certain intelligence and watched the party. There were hints that she was on the verge of metamorphosing into a demon spider queen. Her shell cracking in places to reveal red chitin underneath, a faint glow. Her egg sacks were stuck up around the nest with a few baby spiders six inches across scuttling about. The individual eggs looked to be round four to five inches across.
What the spider queen was waiting for was quite obvious, she had somehow summoned the rest of her brood to defend her. There was a scuttling noise from all around. David looked over at Vivian, ¡°this is your chance to break through we keep the rest of you and you deal with the queen¡±. Vivian nodded ¡°thanks David I can do that¡±. It was Vivian''s opportunity, the spider queen seemed to be smart enough to realise what was going on and rose from her corner charging forwards. Vivian put two mithral arrows into her legs with adrenalin power shots. The spider chittered and hissed in rage spitting poison and a glob of silk at Vivian, who had enough presence of mind to doge to the side and respond with an arrow deep into the spider queen''s face knocking her off balance.
Martin was busy he had cast shield of faith, armour of faith grabbed his mallet and started swingeing. David was beside him while Alice kept a shield spell and illusionary allies up to give the spiders a lot of targets to aim for while distracting them. She focused on blasting large groups of the spiders with her area attack electric strike spell. Illusionary allies was quite the spell, each separate illusion reacted as if it was truly Alice. Each one cast a copy of the spell she was wielding and each one maintained their footing as if they were real. They effectively reacted to the environment making it hard to spot the original from the illusions, it was certainly enough to confuse the giant spiders.
The damage that Vivian was doing to the giant spider queen was immense. Her arrows disabled one leg after another, skewering the joints and embedding deep into its flesh. The spider was by no means defenceless able to spit webbing and poison. But Vivian stayed back from its comparatively short ranged attacks. The queen had a massive pair of fangs that would have dealt significant damage to Vivian, if she could ever get close enough to bring them to bare. The poison would have killed her very quickly, or very slowly if the queen wanted to paralyse her for a meal. Vivian had no intention of being webbed up. She avoided several obvious traps as the queen put down webbing then tried to heard Vivian onto it. The queen was used to fighting with a swarm of spiders at her beckoned call alone she struggled.
The rest of Vivian''s team were taking care of the minions allowing Vivian to focus on this one creature. She got serious after disabling the queen''s legs using her mithral and octium arrows. It was over in a short amount of time, she put one adrenalin power shot after another into the monster. She was no expert on spider anatomy, but the head had to have something vital in, so she just emptied her quiver into it. Ending with the three enchanted arrows the nightmare spider queen fell to the ground twitching and bleeding it was most definitely dead.
As the massive queen fell to her arrows Vivian felt a familiar sensation. The flow of time ground to a haul a message appeared in his mind¡¯s eye. A special action has been performed feat of marshal strength has been achieved. You have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been increased to level 75. It had been a hard fought battle she was lucky to have survived it as that creatures was close to immobilizing or poisoning her a dozen times. She had punched through the level 50 barrier. David was the only one left that had not yet broken through.
¡°Grand master hear I come¡±, Vivian beamed there was a tiny bit of jealousy in David''s eye as he patted Vivian on the back in congratulations. Still she would see him break through eventually. They gathered up there spent knives and arrows, Martin reloaded his pistols. Martin seemed to have a strange sense he was being watched and spent a long time preparing an special charge for his four barrelled pistol, one moment the sensation was there the next it was gone.
Now that they had decimated the nest of nightmare spiders they set about gathering ingredients and cleaning up the bodies. They first started to extract the fangs. After the first few spiders they just cut the entire head off. In that way they gathered a lot of poison. Silk was everywhere, they pulled down reams of it, bundling it up, especially the queens silk. They also cut her head off as proof of their victory. They harvested about a hundred spider legs before calling it a day. They grabbed four spider eggs for the duke, for his daughter¡¯s pet spider project. Martin used purify on them to clear any taint. Vivian hoped he knew what he was doing. They left some eggs behind to regrow the nest.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
There were six cocoons that appeared to be human, after they cut them down they would take them back to the cathedral for last rights and cremation. Six travellers who were not so lucky. From now on the merchant''s guild would cull the spiders more often, so that they didn''t get to the size that Vivian and the party had to face. Vivian looked at the queen spiders head, it was close to becoming a demon spider, a little more time and it would have been metamorphosing into something with brains.
There were still juvenile and baby thrall spiders six inches long wondering about the nest. They didn''t attack they kept out of the way, there were still plenty of eggs the nest would eventually recover. They gathered up enough of the thick strong silk as possible wrapping it into bails, the spider queens head was dragged to one side. They then spent a considerable time piling the bodies of the dead spiders outside the nest. Finding a clearing without the chance of a fire to engulf the forest. The queen¡¯s remains were a particular pain to dismember and drag out there. A little oil and a bit of silk to act as tinder and they had a blaze going removing the monsters remains.
When they were certain the fire would not spread they moved a bit further out of the forest, carrying the first bails of silk and other items to the cart. The level up hit them as soon as they were out of danger. Their eyes glowed and the force of the level up hit, their bodies and minds expanded. Alice reached level 55 she improved her illusionary allies spell. She would have seven false targets and the spell would last for another 50% longer than the basic level of the spell.
David was stuck waiting to perform a feat of strength which he would eventually achieve. Vivian gained two levels, it was a powerful opponent she put the levels into the shatter shield ability. She would be able to use this skill to counteract an opponent with a large or particularly tough shield. Martin rose to level 63 he pushed his general melee weapons skill up to level 8, a little more skill with his strikes a little more damage.
Alice had the bright idea of searching the cocoons for valuables, she checked over the bodies finding one which felt like there was some sort of magic item inside. Something that resonated with the power of a mage. She got Martin to cut the cocoon open it, was old and dry being left there for years. Some poor adventurer had the amulet on them, possibly a veteran with a subjugation quest it was hearsay. Martin dug around and found an amulet of some sort. Alice identified it as an Amulet of ruinous defence. A charm against sorcererus and necromantic magic plus 25 points of resistance to some of the nastier magic around.
David Vivian and Alice looked at each other. Alice looked at them, ¡°if I didn''t have the ability to sense magic and to appraise magical items you would never know what this is. I should add it to my defences¡±. Vivian put a hand out, ¡°hold on you have a 100 point base spell resistance against any type of magic. I remember you said it when that vampire sorcerer tried to kill you with a spell¡±. Alice looked back at her, ¡°so I have the lowest health out of the lot of us, a spell that could kill me outright you could survive¡±. Vivian shook her head, ¡°you can use healing magic on yourself and you can cast shield spells¡±.
Alice held up the amulet, ¡°It¡¯s against necromancy and sorcery, my shield spells protect against physical attacks and elemental damage lightning fire and frost. This sort of magic I can¡¯t stop it very well my shield spell just pops¡±. David looked at her, ¡°it¡¯s my job to be the biggest target on the battle ground. I am the one most likely to be targeted by magic users. I should have the amulet it would stop a necromancer or scorer affecting me right¡±? Vivian nodded, ¡°he has a point you can resist this sort of spell, Martin can stop them with his holy symbol and I can intercept a spell with a shot. Not something I would want to try to often but it¡¯s a recognised technique right, David should have the item¡±.
Alice gingerly handed the amulet to David, ¡°I suppose Vivian takes your side, but she has a point you¡¯re the only one without a defence against this type of attack¡±. Vivian looked at Alice questioningly, ¡°I don''t think that I take David''s side all the time, most of the time I am the first one to shoot down his stupid suggestions to push things to far¡±. David looked at her, ¡°my suggestions are not stupid¡±! She shrugged ¡°maybe not so much now days, but there was the roast turnip soup, and the sword spade to name a few¡±.
He got embarrassed, ¡°I was a lot younger then that was years ago¡±. Alice shrugged, ¡°I am not an expert but how do you ruin turnip soup¡±? Vivian grinned ¡°turn the turnips into ashes, he was on lumber hauling duty for a week after that¡±. Alice watched the amulet disappeared under David''s clothes. She whispered under her breath, ¡°I should have flipped a coin for it, he can¡¯t win a bet to save his life¡±.
They had to rope all the bundles of spider silk to the cart, with the bags of spider heads the recovered bodies and the other bits and pieces. They should have gotten a bigger cart but it was too late now. They had to use a lot of persuasion to get the cart to move at a pair pace. With Vivian and David giving it a good push every so often as it threatened to throw an axil or over balance, eventually they were back at town. There first port of call was the duke¡¯s residence. ¡°Your back already, it looks like you made short work of the spiders. But then you killed the dragon so I suppose I shouldn''t be too surprised¡±. They had a scrap of cloth and wrapped the eggs in them. Vivian saluted him then handed him the bundle. The duke looked them over holding them up to the light.
The duke beamed, ¡°yes this is just what I needed, perfect project for my little girl¡±. His daughter hopped off the back of one of the huge war hounds and ran over to him, ¡°Florence you remember you said you wanted a spider the same way daddy has his doggies, well first I show you how to incubate some eggs. Then we learn to feed them mice and then we might move onto rats¡±. Alice and Martin exchanged a look of hesitation, questioning if they had done the right thing. Still when the spiders hatched they would be a level 0 monster, a little alchemical trickery and they would treat Florence like there queen.
For delivering the eggs to the duke he gave them a little bonus of 4 silver. It would help their funds. They left him with the spider queen¡¯s head as proof that they had completed their assignment. For decimating the nest and the head of spider queen they were rewarded with 200 silver coins. It would pay for a good chunk towards some mithral armour for David. With a short journey and a solemn refrain they delivered the six bodies that they found to the cathedral. One of the deacons and a priest started to attempt to identify the remains, against a list of a few travellers that had gone missing over the years. They got a thank you and a blessing from the priest for their efforts.
They returned the bundles of silk to the merchants craft hall. Gavin had a quick look at their efforts then left one of his clerks to finish the deal. The clerk slowly counted up the party''s efforts, ¡°eighty nine spider heads, more effort to get the poison out but a better overall yield. Let¡¯s say the equivalent of 178 fangs, sixty two bales of spider silk various qualities one hundred and three spider legs. I can offer you 34 silver for the lot, I could offer more but it¡¯s going to take us a lot of time to process the rough silk¡±.
Vivian looked round at the others, no one seemed to want to haggle. ¡°Make it 35 silver and you have a deal¡±. Vivian held out her hand the clerk paused for a second then took it, ¡°thanks for your efforts we will be harvesting the nest every six months from now on, so it won¡¯t come to this again¡±. They delivered all the spider pieces to the trade guild another 35 silver for their efforts.
Another day another contract completed, not an unprofitable morning they had a further 239 silver to add to their funds. They might be able to afford some really good custom equipment after another month of this sort of work. One of the town guards waved to them, ¡°could you see the sheriff we have a sighting¡±. They hurried over to the gate house to see the sheriff. They entered his office Melcher seemed slightly on edge. ¡°I want you to investigate a sighting, some gathers looking for mushrooms, they saw a couple that avoided the sunlight and went back into a cave. Probably two scouts a thrall and a fledgling but they might be working for something stronger, when you go there be cautious hear is a map¡±.
The group left the gate house and the sheriff, when they left it was still fairly early in the afternoon, they had quite a bit of sunlight left. The journey was quick there were mushrooms in the clearing half their number already been picked. There were two sets of tracks leading into a cave, Martin felt his holy symbol twitch in his grip as they entered. Alice felt the tang of magic in the air. They got about thirty yards in. There was a man he was six foot seven inches tall. He wore black knee high boots black leather trousers, a white shirt a black doublet elbow length black fingerless gloves.
He wore an adamantine neck guard it sparkled a blue silver colour. It was his only piece of visible armour, his face was contorted into a fanged sneer. He had adamantine earrings rings and an adamantine rimmed monocle. His hair was long and black a white streak had been put in the centre of his hair probably using an alchemical product of some sort. His hair was waist length with an adamantine clasp holding it in a ponytail. He had a short ultramite dagger at his side, it remained in its sheath.
Beside him was a woman with a quill and paper, seemingly a scribe of some sort. She was five foot eight inches in simple grey clothes, she was pretty in a forgettable sort of way. She dressed conservatively and didn''t look very happy. She dropped the paperwork and charged forwards, her clothing split into scraps as the werewolf took its full form eight feet of muscle and wrath. She barrelled into Martin before he could bring his pistols to bear. Her fangs sank into his shoulder, her claws wrapped around his right arm and tried to dig into his side. The werewolf activated some sort of ability and Martin could feel something spreading out through his body from the bite.
Even with the werewolf¡¯s animal ferocity Martin had a lot of armour and a spare hand. He had the lion hearts hammer in his left hand, it was loaded with silver pistol balls two in the barrel in one go, point blank to the were wolfs temple. She let go off Martin the beast staggered back clutching its head shrieking and howling in pain. Martin used his divine favour blessing to stop his bleeding and charged towards his friends, these foes were far too much for them to handle at the moment.
The vampire already had David''s sword arm in a tight grip, there was a twist and a ripping noise. David screamed in pain as blood seeped out of his armour, as his arm was twisted one full rotation despite the armour. The joint should not and could not move that way. Vivian was firing off her mithral tipped arrows, they bounced of this vampire like nothing. Alice had hit the vampire with an icy tomb spell, slowing him down he was still relentless. She cast illusionary allies and a physical shield spell. The vampire dropped David and moved forwards. Alice hit David with a healing spell then popped the vampire with an acid strike spell to the eyes, it didn''t even faze it.
Martin charged forwards using his chain smite blessing, the lightning bolts didn¡¯t even seem to irritate the vampire. It reached forwards pointing at Alice, her head twitched then her eyes rolled back. She collapsed down to the ground, her shield and illusion spells faded out of existence. Vivian went to shoot her bow with another mithral arrow, the vampire took a swipe at her. Vivian pulled back, there was a horrific moment as the vampires claw seemed to rip through her helmet and the front of her face. Sending a gush of blood and thicker material spraying over the floor. The force seemed to be enough to knock her out, as she collapsed to the ground like a bloody rag doll.
Martin activated his martyrs sacrifice and closed in on the vampire. He had his four barrelled pistol loaded with eight mithral bullets, an overload shot in each chamber. It was probably the strongest attack he had, Bismark was barely affected at point blank range he still staggered back. Martin activated Litany of blessings all his defensive blessings. He hit Vivian with divine favour he would see what could be done about her face, after he had saved her life.
The vampire got backup Martin used his blessing hand of judgement to knock the vampire back down. He dragged David back to his feet, David had his sword dangling from his mangled arm by a leather strap. He ran over to Vivian looped her bow over her arm and started to drag her unconscious body across the floor of the cave. Martin emptied every bit of thermite he had over the vampire.
He grabbed Alice her staff and followed after David, who was dragging Vivian across the floor with all his considerable strength, a death grip on hers with his one working hand. Martin charged away putting Alice over his shoulder. Finally after tense seconds they stagger out into sunlight, ¡°we live¡± David panted, they moved away from the mouth of the cave.
Bismark stepped out into the light, a transparent aura boiling away surrounding him. Martin held his holy symbol smite on his lips. Bismark stepped back into the cave, he wanted to kill them but not enough to weaken himself chasing after them. Martin took one look back with his monocle, activating its ability. Bismark was an insurmountable opponent level 420 an ancient, still there were masters nearly twice his level. Bismark had four supreme skills, he did not need to use them at all to defeat four masters. They could have put up a better fight, if they had not had there formation broken by the werewolf, but then powerful vampires tended to have powerful servants on hand to defend them.
When they were very far from the entrance to the cave, Martin used his combat medic skill to appraise the rest of the party''s injuries. ¡°Are we safe I can¡¯t feel my right arm it probably needs healing can you have a look please¡±. Martin removed David''s armour piece by piece exposing the arm. David had unfortunately lost the arm, just below the elbow his forearm had been crushed and twisted into pulp inside the armour. The remains were wrapped up and placed in Vivian''s backpack along with David''s gauntlet. If Martin had not been so quick with the healing, David might have bleed to death from the injury.
Martin very carefully removed Vivian''s helmet, it was damaged but repairable. It was the difference between a very serious wound and her losing her entire head. Martin used divine favour on her again. Vivian had lost both her eyes, crushed and ripped out by the force of the attack. She had a massive scar and a chunk missing from her nose. She started to regain her senses a few minutes later, ¡°David is there a bandage over my eyes I can¡¯t see anything¡±? She started to panic and reached up. David gripped her hand. She felt her face and started to sob, realising the enormity of the debilitating wound in one instant. Martin pulled bandage and wrapped it around her head, coving up her vacant mangled sockets.
Finally Martin turned to Alice, with the others he had some idea how to treat them. Potions that regrow limbs, the powers of a bishop even golem parts. Alice was completely unresponsive nothing physically wrong with her. Her mind was melted into slop. Martin looked at David he was holding Vivian comforting her. Vivian felt the end of his arm and he went silent. There was a gasp from David as he looked at Martin he moved back rapidly in fear.
Martin had been bitten by the lycanthrope body guard. There were quite a few extra hairs on Martins hands and his nails were starting to grow longer. As Martin looked down at Alice he could smell her mana infused flesh it smelt like lunch, this was not a good thing. David looked at Martin then at his sword. He started to breathe faster and faster. As in involuntary response to the threat Martin growled low.
Epilogue
Martin took off his gauntlet and held his holy symbol to his hand ¡°purify¡±. He gritted his teeth and howled in pain the curse was pushed back. David visibly relaxed and put his hand away from his sword. ¡°How long can you keep that up¡±? Martin had to wonder there was still a growling tone to his voice, ¡°I don''t know but I can suppress it long enough to see the bishop, he might know a way¡±. David laughed dryly ¡°I guess you¡¯re a true monster now¡±. Vivian reacted in shock reaching for her back up weapon her dagger. ¡°David your saying Martin was bitten by a werewolf, holy fucking hell we are dead¡±. His voice almost growled, ¡°relax Vivian I can control it I might even be able to burn it out with the purify blessing ok¡±.
Martin regarded himself, he was showing signs that he was not human with the growth of claws and teeth. Martin removed a pair of pliers from his coat, he slowly gripped one nail after another and pulled them out. Removing the claws one by one, he managed to grit his teeth the first few times then let out a muffled growl as he pulled the last few claws off. Finally he reached into his mouth realising he had some fangs in there. He gripped and howled in agony as he pulled the long canine teeth out with the pliers having to twist them from side to side. Vivian tried to follow, ¡°David what the fuck is going on is Martin drinking holy water or something¡±?
David and Vivian were huddled together, David slowly calmly explaining to Vivian, ¡°Martin has sprouted claws and fangs he has a pair of pliers he is declawing and defanging himself¡±. Ok he is fighting it that''s good what''s happened with Alice, is she dead? ¡°No she''s unconscious the vampire hit her with something, she seems to be in a sleep that she can¡¯t wake from, Martins tried to raise her a few times¡±.
The werewolf''s regenerative abilities kicked in and slowly Martins teeth and nails grew back to something resembling normal. Martin held his holy symbol to his own head ¡°purge soul¡± there was a brief flash of pain and Martin was on the floor, ¡°shit ¡ mother ¡ fu...ouch...fuc... gah¡±. Vivian gripped David tighter. ¡°What just happened¡±? ¡°I think Martin hit himself with a more powerful blessing, it seems to have been more effective¡±. Martin spoke his voice was not growling any more. ¡°I can still feel something, but that pushed the curse down, I feel more clear headed, look both of you were hit by a high level vampire. I am going to use the purify blessing on you in-case you picked up the thrall taint or something else¡±.
Martin held out his holy symbol to David''s mangled arm ¡°Purify¡±. David felt no different he held his holy symbol up to Vivian ¡°purify¡±. She twitched and reacted as something was pushed out of her. David hugged her, ¡°it will be alright¡±. She sighed ¡°I guess he carried the thrall taint in his claws, Martin have you got anything that could help Alice¡±. Martin shrugged, ¡°I can give it a try¡±. He held out his holy symbol to Alice''s head cradling her unconscious form gently, ¡°purify purge mind¡±, her body convulsed slightly and her facial features seemed to twitch. Martin shook her shoulder ¡°come on Alice wake up¡±. He sighed ¡°I guess that only removes active mind control, not the damage from a mental attack or mind affecting spell¡±.
Martin held his holy symbol to his shoulder above where the wound would be, he gritted his teeth. ¡°Purge soul¡±, he gasped in pain and doubled over, ¡°not as bad as the first time, it¡¯s under control now¡±. They collected all their equipment Martin carried Alice and her staff. She smelled a lot less like lunch to Martin, David led Vivian. They approached the gate, the guard outside looked shocked. ¡°What the fuck happened to you¡±? Martin sighed placing his hand on the holy symbol next to the door. ¡°We met a powerful vampire and a werewolf I guess body guard. We are badly injured but we got away, I gave him a face full of mithral bullets. The werewolf got a silver bullet to the head, hopefully it got the beast. But I didn''t stick around to confirm the kill¡±. The guard captain watched them suspiciously from the wall.
David and Vivian touched the holy symbol without flinching, David had to hand it to her. Vivian seemed to hang onto David. The gate guard stared at her, he tried not to, ¡°nasty injury hope they can heal it soon¡±. He looked at Alice as Martin held the holy symbol to her, she didn''t react, ¡°what''s the matter with her¡±? ¡°I don''t know but we need to get a healer of some sort to look at it¡±, the guard captain let them in through the gate.
On the other side Melcher came out of the guard house, he looked at them the sheriff seemed worried, ¡°What the hell happened to you David¡±? ¡°A fucking vampire twisted my arm off, it didn''t penetrate my armour it twisted it¡±. Melcher sighed, ¡°It will take you a while to get enough money to afford the regeneration potion. Gavin might have one in stock he could sell you¡±. The sheriff pulled Martin aside, ¡°how powerful was the vampire¡±? Martin sighed ¡°it was an ancient level 400 or more¡±. The sheriff looked ill and cursed low under his breath, ¡°fuck, time to get some blessed silver bolts for the bolt throwers and ballista''s¡±. Martin nodded ¡°a few flasks of blessed oil could help as well, pour it over them and it will ignite itself¡±.
They moved to the cathedral, the bishop saw them in an audience room more like a doctor¡¯s room. Two laywomen helped lay Alice out and take care of her. Martin bowed, ¡°we encountered an ancient vampire, we just made it out we were all wounded¡±. The bishop looked them over he cracked his knuckles ¡°blessing insight¡±, his eyes began to glow white as he looked round the room, he moved round the room touching Vivian, ¡°ignore pain¡± she relaxed he put a hand on David and repeated the same blessing his arm seemed to trouble him less.
Alexis put a hand on Alice''s shoulder, ¡°restful sleep¡± her body seemed to become less rigid he looked at her holding his hands out, there were a series of white glowing flashes of light. ¡°Remove disease, remove poison, mass purify, mass purge mind¡±. He looked at her and held his hands to her temples, ¡°regenerate mind, regenerate mind¡±. He looked at the group, ¡°I have done what I can, her mind will eventually heal. I can¡¯t speed it up any more, she will eventually wake up. How much damage there is I am not sure, but expect her to be affected by this bruit force attack on her consciousness¡±.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Martin asked ¡°what happened to her¡±? The bishop Alexis tried to explain it as best he could, ¡°I am not a hundred percent sure, but she was hit by the full force of a vampires developed mental abilities. It was stronger than she was, if she was a lower level with less wisdom she would be dead the body simply failing. If she became a grand master or an exhausted master she would be much more resilient to this form of magic¡±. ¡°It was Bismark wasn''t it¡±, ¡°yes¡± martin nodded then described the vampire.
The bishop sighed, ¡°The description matches he corrupted the dryads and the thorn wood, killing one of them might have peaked his interest. We have siege weapons and consecrated ground even one such as he will not risk his life against us without an army. I believe that we are safe but I will get Reginald Melcher and Jonathan to prepare, lady Imoline might know more about Alice''s condition and how to help it. David looked at his arm then at Vivian''s eyes ¡°can you heal her¡±?
The bishop shook his head ¡°I would need to be six levels higher to access that blessing¡±. David looked at him ¡°do you know the bounty on his head this ancient vampire¡±? The bishop paused ¡°I believe that it is 15,000 silver after today we might make it a bit more¡±. David nodded looking over to Vivian, ¡°one day we will, no I will collect that bounty mark my fucking words¡±.
David looked deflated then thoughtful, ¡°John Dunn he came here as well you sent him onto the bishop of north port right so we could still get healed¡±? The bishop nodded, ¡°oh yes it is a few days away, as agents of mine the bishop would perform such a blessing. If you agreed to help him he would move you to the front of the cue. Don''t forget many people are injured and require healing¡±. He looked at Vivian and David, ¡°you¡¯re aware of Martins condition¡±? They nodded in response.
Martin looked at the bishop, ¡°What can I do, it seems that this curse is two deeply rooted to remove it is gnawing at my soul¡±? The bishop nodded ¡°The usual anti curse blessings like purge soul will only suppress it, to keep it dormant for a few days¡±. Martin nodded ¡°you are familiar with this¡±? The bishop nodded ¡°though not common in this area. The lycanthrope is partially a demonic curse. But it also has a physical component, it is old going back to the foundation of the blood alchemists. According to the medical text there was a sorcerer who dabbled in blood alchemy and Druidic magic, he developed this curse to provide him with servants¡±.
David raised his remaining hand, ¡°What happened to this powerful sorcerer¡±? Alexis answer was curt ¡°his creations ate him¡±. Martin looked angry, ¡°Will I become a ravenous beast¡±? The bishop sighed. ¡°You are already close, hunters are altered to be aggressive, an average werewolf is actually far less aggressive, better at hiding. For you it would be an improvement¡±.
Martin took the bishops words harshly ¡°don¡¯t joke¡±, the bishops tone rose ¡°you have to face facts your heart is full of rage, you are a sadist and a zealot racked with the guilt of one that survived. The beast inside you feeds on anger, no matter the direction or the source, no matter how righteous you are it is fuel for the beast, the strength of your emotions accelerates the change. You are immune to poison, so the usually chemicals that could help you to hold the curse at bay by disabling that part of your mind don''t work. Even without your poison resistance your massive endurance would limit that effect¡±.
For a second Martin looked at his four barrelled pistol. The bishop held out a hand, ¡°that way lies damnation, there is a chance the witch hunters developed a cure. But only one of them level eighty or above can use it¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°That figures but I guess there is one local correct¡±? The bishop put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, ¡°yes my son, there is one of them working out of north port. On some business probably related to imported magic, you could be lucky¡±.
Alice found herself alone, she was in her own mind. She was not sure where or when it was, like she was looking for herself in a library. Yes it was in her mind it was modelled on the mages tower general library. But every book had her name on it she opened one and flipped through it was a boring record of one day after another. This was something she would have time and trouble finding the way back to her body. If someone was still looking after her body. The vampire had struck at her mind. It seemed to be out of synch with her body for want of a better explanation, if she could find the right connection she might be able to get back. How much of her would make it back she was not sure. She kept pressing on not sure of how the flow of time was passing in this space, or what prolonged unconsciousness would do to her.
They returned to the barracks and stored most of their equipment, David and Vivian held each other. David had the stump of his arm above the elbow, without the armour he would have lost the entire arm, his shoulder and probably his life. Vivian''s face was one freshly healed gash sealed by a blessing. She could trace the scar with her finger tips it started just above her left eye at its deepest, her eyes had been destroyed torn out and crushed from the force of the impact, her eye sockets were hollow stitched shut by Martin after he cleaned the wound. The bridge of her nose was torn out down to the bone the blessing healed skin over it. Her left eye was much the same through the scar leaving it was a little shallower and below the place the left eye had been. If she was a few levels lower and not wearing the expensive helmet the vampire would have removed her head, not just blinded her.
They had much to consider, there were blessings that could restore an eye and an arm, but the waiting list was generally long. Golem parts could be used as a temporary filler. A golem¡¯s eye or one modelled after a golem¡¯s eye by an enchanter could act as a prosthetic. The same with an arm, it would be slow for her body to acclimatize to but it was affordable. Regeneration elixirs that could restore something like this were ridiculously expensive, but they had cash. Being agents would help get them to the front of the cue for such services. One way or another such things could be found in north port, one of the nine key settlements of the north, one way or another that would be there next destination.
Martin meditated slowly examining himself, he had gained the perk minor regeneration his health slowly regenerated. It would just be noticeable in a long fight. He had a bonus of supernatural vitality minor, it equated a boost to 50% extra above his regular health. He had a few downsides modifiers a weakness to silver L2, some monsters carried silver blades for when they fought other monsters. He also had a weakness to fire L1. He also had the lunar cycle perk, a bonus to abilities closer to full moon and a penalty further away, he was not sure how much. His race had change from human to lycanthrope 20%, he needed to keep it down so that he could pass for human and function long enough to find this witch hunter.
stats at the end of the first book
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
52 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
295/295 |
Adrenalin |
260/260 |
Efficiency |
3 |
| Strength |
58 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
52 |
Level Defence Bonus |
52 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
160 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L8 |
Layered Armour Perk L3 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L3 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| Better criticals L8 |
Pierce Armour L8 |
Shatter Shield L2 |
| Perks |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Flaws |
| Blind -4 perception |
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
50 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
285/285 |
Adrenalin |
250/250 |
Efficiency |
3 |
| Strength |
56 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
50 |
Level Defence Bonus |
50 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
153 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L8 |
Layered Armour Perk L3 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L3 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L3 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
Bonus sword damage L4 |
Hail of Blows L4 |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
One arm cannot use shield |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
55 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
180/180 |
Mana |
405/405 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
60 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
55 |
Level Defence Bonus |
55 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
3 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 3 Mana |
Magical Defence |
100 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L3 |
Analyse Magic L3 |
Recharge Enchantment L3 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage +5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) allies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| Elemental Shield Master (5 x level Resistance to Cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 25 seconds |
| Icy Tomb Master (7 points of cold damage per level 13 seconds) freezes target in place instant 10 x base mana |
| Electric Strike Master targeted spell 13 foot radius (40 damage + 7 per level) 4 x base mana |
| Illusionary Allies Improved target self 7 copies of caster illusions remain for 3 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
Shy with Peers |
Comatose |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Lycanthrope |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
63 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
1436/1436 |
Focus |
370/370 |
Focus efficiency 3 focus |
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
70 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
74 |
Level Defence Bonus |
74 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L3 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L3 |
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L13 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L3 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L3 |
Focus Multi Throw L3 |
| General Melee Weapons L10 |
Focus strike L3 |
Grenadier L10 |
| Focus Parry L3 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L4 |
| Focus Stitch L3 |
Trap specialization L5 |
|
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 11 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 4 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 10 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 3 |
| resist igna ¨C resistance to 35 points of fire damage x 1 |
| resist lightning ¨C resistance to 35 points of electricity damage x 1 |
| resist cold ¨C resistance to 35 points of cold damage x 1 |
| Litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing x 1 |
| Bastion of faith ¨C 250 points of temporary health + 30 points of armor x 1 |
| Pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt x 2 |
| Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter x 1 |
| Hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down x 1 |
| Purge mind ¨C cleans mind control x 1 |
| Purge soul ¨C removes demonic corruption possession x 1 |
| Cleanse air- cleans tainted air x 1 |
| Cleanse soil ¨C cleans tainted ground x 1 |
| Cleanse water ¨C cleans corruption form water x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 105 points Long ranger rank 2 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% |
| Vitality level 1 ¨C 2 x base hit points |
| Minor regeneration |
Weakness to silver L2 weakness to fire L1 |
| Supernatural vitality 1.5 times health modifier total 2154 |
Luna cycle |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
| Alice |
| Belt of the Scaled Hide ¨C armor + 5 ¨C long black belt |
| Necklace of Warding + 4 armor - square cut silver and iron |
| Bracelet of minor healing.+ 5 to any ranged healing ability ,red copper and dull bronze wire wrapped together, a torque. |
| Minor Ring of Armor + 2 points ¨C silver ring |
| Minor Potion of Mana + 120 points x 2 |
| healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Relive x 3 ¨C druid ¨C Anti petrification / paralysis scrolls x 3 |
| Three favor belt of elemental resistance. 30 point resistance to electrical fire and ice based attacks. |
| Master mages robe of radiant, nightmare spider silk¡±. + 60 physical armor ¨C warmth enchantment + 2 point agility and 8 points of natural armour. |
| Bracelet of iron will + 25 resistance to mind control |
| Minor poison resistance potion + 50 points resistance x 1 |
| White oak staff jade mounted in a copper grip.+ 50 point mana reserve + 5 armor + 5 perception |
| Ring of the adders tong 50 point poison resistance |
| Spell crystal alcoholic infusion |
| David |
| Ring of Bores Endurance + 3 Endurance ¨C silver ring |
| Amulet of striking -10% stun chance with sword ¨C silver amulet |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points x 2 |
| Damascus tower shield custom made 100 armor points + 30 impact + 20 to natural armor |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Nightmare spider silk gambeson + 60 armor |
| Suit of steel chainmail + 70 Armor |
| Belt 3 favors grater 50 elemental resistance fire ice shock |
| Damascus tempered plate armour. Expert forged+ 200 armor |
| Grey sword, A hand and a half bastard sword mithral steel alloy enchanted with durability cleaning and sharpening enchantment piercing enchantment. The left edge has a poison The right edge has a silver plating and a lingering fire enchantment . The pommel has a stun enchantment . The haft has the sure grip enchantment. |
| Minor poison resistance potion + 50 points resistance x 1 |
| Amulet of vivacity 30 points of extra health |
| Amulet of ruinous defense A charm against sorcererus and necromantic magic plus 25 points |
| Vivian |
| Bracelet sonic defense -45 point - swirly silver |
| Dagger of the Adder + 5 poison damage on strike ¨C seven inch fancy dagger |
| Damascus bodkin arrows x 10 |
| Ring of Eagle eye - + 5 perception |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points x 2 |
| Belt of health ¨C plus 20 health ¨C red belt |
| Pin of voice enhancement ¨C copper and iron |
| Bow yellow yew spring mithral and gryphon''s sinew ¡± tips dragon tooth string steal and octium, sight sighting mithral, Effectively +60 physical attack, + 20 accuracy 20% 5 second chance paralysis on human sized target l. 30% chance 5 second fear, |
| Damascus armor hauberk +2 endurance |
| Damascus armor Chain mail greaves + 2 point agility boost |
| Damascus armor Plated boots + 2 points strength |
| Damascus armor + 5 armor neck guard. |
| Damascus armor Helmet + 2 point willpower |
| Damascus armor chainmail and plate gloves + 2 point dexterity |
| Nightmare spider silk gambeson + 60 armor |
| Octium arrows x 10 |
| Minor poison resistance potion + 50 points resistance x 1 |
| Mithral arrows x 10 |
| Martin |
| Monocle of clarification ¨C low light vision ¨C read target approximate level hp |
| Tesla grenades x 2 |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Minor potion of focus+ 120 points x 2 |
| A brief guide to monsters |
| 10 mithril bullets |
| Brass compass |
| Four barreled pistol |
| Lion hearts hammer + 250 holy damage |
| Octium throwing knives x 4 |
| cash |
1258 silver |
|
|
|
|
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 1 – Road to the Harbour City
Inwerben the northern land, the founding land was a cold realm of constant struggle. For centuries humans and vampires had fought tooth and claw over the control of the land. The right to rule it, the hearts and minds of its people. The right to exploit its considerable natural resources. The humans saw the vampires as invaders as abominations, who did not earn their immortality but cheated and subverted the natural order, to achieve their thirst for power.
The vampire Masters, there humanity dulled by thousands of years. Saw the humans as little more than arrogant prideful children. Infants that needed a strong hand to discipline them. And so it raged on and on, century after century without any able to declare victory.
The land around Northport was chilled by an icy wind that ran across from the cold ocean. Up and down its worn roads carts travelled from the sea port inland and from the settlements inland to the port for export. It was not a barren land but it was a harsh one. The land was covered in all manner of creatures. The necromancers undead, the vampires tainted thrall minions. Sorcerers conjured demons and the ancient blood alchemist¡¯s creations, there experiments warping any beast to colossal size and dire countenance, with the long absence of their masters.
From the city Goodford a coach slowly travelled along the road, two horses pulled the solid well maintained coach. There was a driver in merchant guild blue, his horses were nervous distracted and at times almost on the edge of panic. He was not too good himself, next to him was a mercenary from the glass bay mercenary company. The man was nervous he had his crossbow loaded with a silver bolt and kept a small holy symbol clasped in his hand. He felt his quiver, one shot would not be enough. The entire quiver would not be enough if things went badly.
They were shipping several wounded people to the city of Northport. Where cures and treatments to their various aliments could be found. Inside the couch were four people, a 17 year old girl Alice a mage. She was unresponsive her mind having been attacked by a powerful vampire. She was lucky to even be alive, even luckier not to be at the mercy of a powerful vampire''s whims. Alice¡¯s companions were Vivian and David, both members of the same party they had encountered the same opponent.
Vivian was blinded her eyes torn out, a clean bandage hiding her wrecked flesh. If she hadn¡¯t been wearing a very expensive helmet the vampire would have removed her head entirely. Rather than just running one claw threw the visor. Vivian could not see but she could hear and she was very nervous. Her bow and a few silver arrows clutched in her hand. Beside her was David he didn¡¯t wear his full armour for the long coach ride. He was still a mass of Damascus plate steel chainmail and thickly padded armour. He was nervous his hand moving from Vivian¡¯s shoulder, trying to reassure her to resting on his sword hilt.
He didn¡¯t feel well, the shock of losing his arm. The torment of seeing Vivian like this, the fate of the rest of their companions. The fourth person in the carriage was a lay healer Rose Atlee. A kind and gentle soul who kept an eye on Vivian and Alice due to their injuries. She was quiet nervous and tried to remain still, a silver holy symbol clutched tightly in her hand.
The reason that they were on a razors edge was there last traveling companion. Martin had not been severely wounded when facing off against a vampire. Even thought that would be the normal case as Martin was a vampire hunter.
He had instead been bitten by a werewolf, a body guard to the vampire. Stopping Martin using his set of skills against the vampire to begin with. Now he was more of a monster than the vampires he hunted. He sat on top of the coach one hand gripping the edge slowly muttering to himself. Sometimes in a growl, some times in a more human voice.
¡°I deserve this I should have died with them. With my Mary and the little ones, this is a fitting punishment for me. Perhaps before I die, I dared. I had the audacity to believe I could go on¡±.
His speech turned into growling for a second.
¡°Eve I should have been there for you my little girl. I grew strong after it happened after the attack, why didn¡¯t I do it before, why? I could have joined the militia. I could have been a deputy hunter, I could have done something before. After does it matter what I am now¡±?
¡°John my little carpenter, you would have made a good carpenter. A master craftsman that will never be¡± he sobbed and howled in equal measure, the horses tried to bolt the driver had to pull them back. He looked at the mercenary beside him as if to say something. The mercenary held a finger over his lips. Martin started talking to himself again, ¡°I stayed to barricade the gate, I should have picked up a blade or a stick and gone out to fight. I would have died, but I would be with you¡±.
The vampire hunter reached into his jacket his hand briefly hovered over one of his pistols. Loaded with silver shot even at point blank range he was not sure it would be enough. He sighed and pulled out his holy symbol. Martin placed a piece of wood in his jaws and bit down. He placed the holy symbol to the side of his face and clamped down harder with his jaw.
¡°Purge soul¡± he muttered through gritted teeth, the holy symbol flashed white for a second and Martin was flooded with pain. His skin was burnt his bones vibrated, the flesh felt like needles were being pressed into it and pulled through it.
His mind rebelled, like reliving the werewolf biting down on him again and he could feel his very soul twist and rail against the corruption, burning away at him from the inside. ¡°Mother fucking son of a bitch bastard, fucking hell¡±.
Vivian shouted her voice loud, but as neutral as possible ¡°Martin are you alright is it under control¡±? There was a few seconds of heavy breathing, ¡°yes its fine I used a blessing to supress it again. I have a few hours until it comes back¡±.
Everyone in the coach breathed a sigh of relief. Vivian stared blankly out into space then turned to David, her hand gripping his. Her voice low, ¡°how are you holding up¡±? He half grinned, ¡°Its odd the pain has faded, I can¡¯t feel the pain but it still feels like the arm is there. I get other sensations like flexing my fingers or the breeze across my hand. But it¡¯s not there I suppose I still expect it to be there so I imagine it¡¯s there. At least I feel better with Martin out on the roof, he''s not eyeing us up like a side of pork ribs¡±.
¡°You need to get some sleep, you¡¯re the only one of us that could put up a decent fight if something happened to Martin, you can still swing a sword. Alice can¡¯t throw a spell in her state and even though I can shoot, my chances of not hitting something are very high.¡±
He looked back at her, she was always professional she had always been. ¡°How are you holding up? Keep your spirits up, a set of enchanted golem eye a regeneration potion. We will have you back up in no time¡±. She swallowed something a hint of emotion, she didn¡¯t want him to see. Though all she wanted, was to be held by her dearest child hood friend.
She was a professional mercenary. When they had treated there injuries through some means mystical or mechanical. Then or hell even once they were inside a settlement with nice high walls and lots of people with silver weapons about. Then she could afford to relax her control and let her panic and shock out.
For now she held her words close to her chest, ¡°it is disconcerting to be blind. It is disconcerting not to be able to keep a watch on my surroundings. I am glad that I have the ring of the eagle, it helps to sharpen my other senses a little. I can hear and smell enough to have some idea, the salt from the sea I can smell it a little as we get closer to north port. I can feel the position of the carriage as it moves through the road I can orientate myself¡±.
Vivian looked over to the lay healer, ¡°rose how is Alice doing¡±? The lay healer put a hand to Alice¡¯s forehead, then pulled back her eyelids before checking her pulse. ¡°She is unchanged still comfortable as far as I can tell but no response. It was funny when your colleague was still inside. Her heart beat was faster and faster, now he is gone outside it¡¯s settled down¡±. ¡°Thank you your very brave to have volunteered for this job, we must thank you properly in the future¡±.
Lost deep inside her own mind Alice could gain nothing from the conversation around her. At one point she sensed that something ominous was gone. She was lucid enough to realise that she was inside her own mind, locked in a dream. The result of the trauma at the vampire¡¯s hands. It was only a matter of time and concentration and she would wake up again. It played out inside her mind as reading, searching through the tower mages library. She could feel page by page she was getting closer, to the point where she could gain her body back. Then she could take stock of her mind.
The coach driver noticed something on the road ahead, a tree blocking the path. It was a well-used road and there had not been a storm, something was very wrong. The coach guard from the glass bay mercenary company had his crossbow at the ready. He didn¡¯t want to but he had no choice. Martin spun round and was standing on the roof of the coach a moment later. He sniffed the air ¡°I can smell men and monsters, there is an ambush ahead¡±. He banged on the side of the coach. ¡°David have your sword ready, we have no way round. We either live or die steel yourself, Vivian if anyone enters the coach shoot them¡±.
A second tree fell behind the group blocking off the road. There was no room to turn and no way off the path. From out of the bushes and tree line ten bandits emerged, a few had crossbows a few carried wooden shields and axes. They were led by a tamer, he had four pet basilisks at his command. They were large lizards with the ability to spit poison and petrifying venom. They were slow but tough, with a lot of natural armour and vitality. The tamer was sensible enough to lead his bandits from the back. Using one of his pets as cover he looked at the coach driver and the guard.
¡°Little men do yourselves a favour and get out of my way, there are four wounded adventures. They have so much gold that when I collect their heads it will set me up for life. I might even be able to buy a dragon egg, you just keep out of my way and you don¡¯t die¡±. The coach guard fired his crossbow hitting one of the bandits in the shoulder. ¡°Fuck you¡± the guard dived behind the coach as he went to reload his crossbow. The coach driver pulled a knife and disappeared with him. Martin drew his four barrelled pistol and emptied it into one of the basilisks, the creature wavered then collapsed. David burst out of the coach his sword drawn he slammed the door shut and ran at his opponents.
Martin was hit by several crossbow bolts and laughed. He drew a pair of octium daggers and charged forwards towards the bandits. David thrust towards one of the bandits. The man blocked with his wooden shield. Only to have David¡¯s mithral blade thrust right through his shield through his hide armour and sink eight inches into his guts. The man staggered backwards dropping his weapon and shield clutching his guts screaming, ¡°fucking help me, someone must have a healing poultice¡±!
David was on the offensive, he didn¡¯t have his shield on an arm any more. So he had to keep on the offense at all times. To provide so much of a distraction, so that his more immobilised companions would be ignored. He had a basilisk heading towards him and a wooden shield jammed onto his sword. He brought the sword down onto the basilisk¡¯s head, with all the force he could muster. The wooden shield shattered and the basilisk staggered from the impact.
Martin used a couple of focus throws to embed the knives in a basilisk then pulled out two more blades. He dived past a few bandits heading for the crossbowmen, a passing bandit swung at him even a clean axe strike hit a dull click of metal armour beneath his great leather coat. They panicked realising what was heading for them.
One of the bandits opened up the door to the coach, an iron broad head arrow flew past his right ear. A second smashed into his right shoulder, a third into his stomach lower and to the left, the fourth arrow shot past his left knee. The bandit staggered backwards quite dead before he even hit the floor. The healer looked about, ¡°you got that one but there are more¡±.
Martin let out a bestial growl as he was hit in the back with an iron arrow. At least it was not silver. The coach guard emerged from behind the coach and fired into a basilisk, hitting it in the shoulder before ducking back down. The wounded bandit on the floor was thrown a poultice by one of his conspirators and set about trying to stem the bleeding to save his life.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
David brought his blade down on a bandit. The bandit parried in perfect timing but his axe handle was not going to stop a mithral blade. It cut into the wooden shaft and the bandits shoulder. David struck forwards with a series of thrusts. The bandit''s shield had a chunk take out of the side, then a thrust pierced his neck and the bandit fell dead.
Martin was on the four bandit crossbowmen, they got off a few more shots that did nothing to save them the first lost most of his face as he tried to block with his crossbow. The second tried to swing it like a club, only to be stabbed in the chest before she could complete her swing. The remaining two turned and ran, one clutching his crossbow the last dropping hers. The bandits only made it a few steps before they were stabbed in the back and knocked down to bleed out on the cold unfeeling earth.
A second bandit charged into the carriage only to be met with a barrage of arrows. She had the presence of mind to duck down but still caught with the last arrow striking her in the head killing her. She dropped her shield and axe to the ground. The next bandit was hot behind her not giving Vivian a chance. He threw his axe at Alice an easier target. Rose protected her patient and stepped in the way. The axe cut into her shoulder and neck, the kind healer cried out and crumpled to the floor. Lying in a slowly growing pool of blood.
The bandit grinned picking up a dropped axe from the floor, Vivian didn¡¯t need eyes to see what was going on. She had one of her bodkin arrows to hand. She tackled the bandit to the floor of the coach. Using the arrow like a short spear she stabbed the bandit again and again and again mixing the bandits blood with roses on the floor. She made sure to take their eyes before they were granted the mercy of passing away.
David launched his attacks at the bandit in front of him. The man''s shield disintegrated he tried to block with the heft of his axe only to lose the blade. A second strike and his forearm was gone, David finished him off as the man screamed for mercy. The wounded bandit got back to his feet only to turn around and realise Martin was there. A slash of a blade and he was falling down trying to hold his neck closed, he would not get up a second time.
The basilisks surrounded Martin and spewed there poisonous breaths at him. Not that it would make much difference to him. Martin drew two daggers they were coated in oil, a flick of his fingers and a match imbedded in the hilt of each weapon set the oil alight. Marin charged forwards towards the basilisks he looked at David, ¡°get the tamer¡±.
Martin ignored his attackers straddling one beast stabbing it again and again with the flaming blades. The other two basilisks shot jets of poison and petrifying gas. To no effect against the vampire hunter, against the enraged lycanthrope. The tamer could see David heading towards him his beasts were distracted and his bandits were dead. He swallowed, this would not be good. He drew a mace his last defence and started to back away. ¡°Now listen let¡¯s not be hasty you let me go I call my pets off¡±. ¡°How much have you got? David asked. ¡°Fifteen silvers¡± the terrified man almost begged him, ¡°not enough¡± the sword came down.
Martin pushed the flaming blades into the basilisk¡¯s skull, through the ear canals the beast thrashed around and tried to save itself. Hissing and screaming twitching and bucking it didn¡¯t survive. The second basilisk bit into his leg before he could react, with his armour and constitution it was not a serious wound. Martin drew his silver coated daggers and started to carve away at it. Vivian had her bow she aimed for the sound and fired, putting a shot threw the basilisk narrowly missing Martin.
The last basilisk observing the demise of its brethren turned tail to run. It got ten paces before Vivian shot it. Then Martin was on it carving away into its hide finishing it off. David wiped his sword on the bandit leader and held it at the ready. As the last basilisk fell Martin howled in triumph. Martin calmed down looking around. The coach driver put his dagger away, the mercenary coach guard lowered his crossbow. David sighed and put his sword away.
Vivian felt something, a spark where her eyes should be her mind was overwhelmed by the sensation. Even wounded she had contributed to the battle, mostly because she could hear movement. With her ring enhancing her perception, the basilisks were a large enough target and the bandits made enough noise that she was bound to hit them. If she sent out a spread of shots. Martin was hit at the same time by the force his eyes glowing faintly.
The level up pushed Martin to level 64 while Vivian reached 53 although David had fought the same opponents he had not yet broken through the level 50 barrier with a feat of marshal strength. Once they got his arm fixed up in some way. Even a prosthetic they could strap a shield to then he would be far more likely to face a worthy opponent and survive to break through the level limit.
Vivian didn¡¯t know what exactly caused the level up. Wither it was the creature¡¯s life force the abundant mana in the air. A gift from the creator god for proving her worth. Something from all of it, but her body was hardened the density of her flesh and bone was increased, her strength grew. New knowledge flooded her mind directed by her will, her need to grow. Her shatter shield technique improved to level 3. When she got some semblance of her sight back, she would be able to accurately break through shields and similar defences with bodkin arrows.
A similar effect occurred with Martin, but it was his endurance that increased beyond human levels. His toughness was already massive, even without the werewolf''s bite he was pretty much able to shrug off wounds that would leave most people critically injured. He gained another level in his general melee proficiency, anything he could lay his hands on he could use. Which normally meant one of his sharp throwing blades or his mallet, which he could use to surprising effect. Now that it was over Martin checked on the condition of his colleagues, he noted the inside of the carriage the blood.
Marin looked a bit ashamed, ¡°I was not thinking, I could have killed the lot of them at range. The tamer first to disorganise the pets. Then the crossbow men then the rest, but I wanted to get close to smell the blood¡±. David looked into the carnage opening the door for Martin to see the full picture he took it in then spoke ¡°because of your recklessness Rose is dead¡±! Martin stepped forwards his fingers reached for Rose. Everyone tensed not sure what to expect, how in control was he? Martin wondered as he felt her pulse.
He dipped his hat saying a prayer, he sighed ¡°let¡¯s give her family 30 silver¡±. Vivian¡¯s voice was strained with a hint of emotion as she pulled it in, to remain stoic as possible. ¡°you think a hand full of coin will be enough to settle the debt for her life¡±!
His voice held a measure of regret and a low growl, ¡°she was brave and noble but an idiot. Alice is wearing a lot of armour, she would have survived that blow rose didn¡¯t. It is a pity that there is one less person in this world that should be hear. But let us be practical let us be realists, she is gone what we can do is take her remains to the church for last rights. Send some money back to her family with her ashes, as thanks for her compassion and care. We killed the bandits that killed her, quick justice. Tell me what else we can do¡±?
David looked at the dead woman and the dead bandits. ¡°We don¡¯t fail again. You are the only one of us that can fight at peak efficiency zealot. So you don¡¯t run off blood lusted. You keep a level head, we don¡¯t fuck up again.¡± David continued his ranting, ¡°It¡¯s been a month since vine garden, that coach driver the bandit Wells killed in front of us we don¡¯t let it happen again. When we are put back together, we don¡¯t fuck up again or people die¡±. Martin looked at the others regret in his voice, ¡°remember sometimes the job it to kill the monster, not to save the village¡±.
Martin approached the coach guard. The man flinched Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°divine favour¡± the guards wounded shoulder healed. Martin looked over to them, ¡°we have a lot to do. David gather Vivian¡¯s arrows for a start, I will cut down this blockage then we can sort through this mess¡±. David walked over to Martin and pulled an arrow wedged in his back out¡±. I will start with this one¡±. The coach driver inspected his animals and coach for damage. He noted the claw marks on the roof where Martin had gripped the edge. Silently the coach driver wondered again, how much monster and how much of a man stood before him.
Martin picked up an axe, he turned to the coach driver. ¡°Clean up the floor of the coach, get one of the blankets wrap her body up¡±. The coach driver nodded grabbing a cloth and a bucket he started to do his best. David recovered arrows the coach guard kept watch and Martin hacked away to clear the blockage. Martin pilled the wood to one side of the road then went back for the log that had been dropped in the road behind them.
Martin pilled the wood up then dragged one of the basilisks to the pile. He got out his book of monsters David approached him, ¡°anything worth harvesting¡±? ¡°Venom glands in the neck the claws so we take paws and heads. Some stuff deeper in liver and gallbladder. Not that I want to go butchering them for that, if I hold it can you cut¡±? David agreed ¡°Sure¡± they could not turn anything down at this point.
They gathered up a bag of remains, it was tied to the back of the coach. Martin looked at the coach guard. ¡°You fought them take two of their crossbows they must be worth something, then help me drag the bodies over we are taking them with us¡±. The coach driver looked at Martin incredulously, ¡°leave them to rot or burn them hear, they don''t deserve last rights¡±. Martin looked at the man ¡°every human deserves last rights, they may be bandits but they were human. We bring the bodies back the priests perform last rights no wandering spirits. They cremate the bodies no material for the necromancers¡±. David looked over the dead bandits, ¡°should have shown some compassion earlier should have got them to surrender¡±.
They went through the bandit¡¯s possessions recovering about 16 silver worth of coin and a few bits of jewellery. The bandit leader had some sort of magic item on him it glowed green. Martin felt no ominous aura from it, he guessed it was a magical item that helped with the man¡¯s tamer job. They would sell it plus the bandits recovered equipment. To the local merchant guild, along with the basilisk¡¯s parts.
Martin placed Rose''s body onto the roof of the carriage. Then one by one he hauled the bandit¡¯s remains up. David helped dragging them close so Martin could haul them up. The driver pulled some rope out from storage and the pile of bodies was lashed in place. Martin sat on top, his blood lust satiated for the time being.
They moved along the road for another hour until they came across a watch tower. It was set to the right of the road. A dozen guard¡¯s volunteers and militia kept eyes on the road. A signal fire could be lit. Giving the city a good warning of anything incoming. The tower was fifty feet high and very solid. It could probably bunk many times the number that they could see and would be a good store house to provision patrols.
A guard with a halberd waved the coach down, ¡°what happened? where did the pile of bodies come from¡±. Martin landed on the ground next to the guard. He drew paperwork and showed it to the guard ¡°we are heading to north port to seek medical treatment¡±. The guard looked over Martin seeing no obvious wound, ¡°some sort of poison or curse¡±? Martin nodded ¡°my colleagues injuries were more mundane but no less serious. Bandits attacked us thinking us too week to fight them off. We proved differently, they were led by a tamer with basilisks¡±.
The guard nodded ¡°See the Deputy Sheriff, I think there was twenty silver on that one¡¯s head¡±. The guard noticed the one body wrapped up, ¡°did you lose someone¡±? Martin nodded ¡°sadly yes a lay sister, a healer stepped between and axe and her patient¡±. The man nodded, ¡°your friend survived then, and you got the bastards. At least her soul will have some measure of peace right¡±. Martin was resolute, ¡°Yes may the blessing of the creator god be on you¡±.
Ten minutes later they saw a convoy of a dozen waggons, it was a small one in the grand scheme of things. But still too large for most creatures and bandits to try to tackle. They were protected with that number of mercenary¡¯s bow men and spearmen long with the drivers. Not many would attempt it, not many that walked around in daylight anyway.
They began to notice patches of cultivated land, harvested now the weather was getting colder. It would not see crops again until next year. There were a few herders tending to their stock. They saw a couple of windmills. Then shortly afterwards they could see the fortified farmsteads built around the windmills, they were of stout wooden and brick construction.
Every farmer with a pitchfork was at least a militia man, willing to defend his crops and livestock with whatever was to hand. Against whatever came sniffing round at night. Harvested and processed food would be stored in the city granaries and larders. Where it was much harder to get to, making the farms a far less enticing target.
Near the city they saw some more road traffic, a few even larger convoys almost at the gates of the city. As they drew near, they could see the top of the cathedral citadel, which overlooked the harbour. They had passed briefly through this place once. Now that they returned they could see it and appreciate it in more detail. What lay in front of them was salvation to Martin, to David the return of his strength. Vivian could feel the hope of purpose return to her, as they neared the gates. Hope of her vision returning, an anticipation of seeing again. Even Alice locked away in her own head could almost feel and end to her current purgatory.
Once they were near the city they could see its intimidating size. Vivian could smell and hear it. The city of north port was nearly twice the size of Good forge. One of the nine key cities of the north. About 35000 people called the walled harbour home.
There was a big merchant¡¯s guild presence that was only growing. Outside you could appreciate the layered defence. A large outer wall 40 foot high maybe as thick. It had been built up one year after the next with one shell of stone reinforcing another. There were lots of supports towers with ballista, heavy ballista, bolt throwers staffed by guards with militia and engineers all facing outwards. There were at the very least eighteen heavy pieces of siege artillery on the walls. More would be mounted on the inner wall and on the cathedral citadel itself. The wall also boasted a magical shield that could be activated in the event of an attack with one word.
Outside the settlement there were two ditches, one filled with spike a second filled with muddy water to act as a moat. The gate house was massive and heavily reinforced with four draw bridges allowing carts to enter and leave the city two abreast. Martin fancied he could almost see the masts of some ships from their location. Martin screamed again as he held his holy symbol to his head, ¡°purify soul¡± there was pain, ¡°god fucking dam it to hell¡±.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 2 Recovering Part 1
The group looked upon the outer walls of Northport, from the land it was certainly an impressive fortification. Especially around the gate house there were tubs of oil high up on the battlements that could be poured onto an attacking force and ignited, arrow slits covering every angle. There were several small siege weapons, bolt throwers with militia crews above the gate.
If some monster was hiding amongst the traffic into the city they were in trouble. As the group approached the gate in there coach, there was quite a cue of traffic. Each waggon going into the city was checked thoroughly by a group. A low level priest a tamer with a sniffer dog and a couple of guards with a bit of training.
As they got close one cart driver was busy arguing with a guard over a fee or a fine for some misdemeanour. There coach looked suspicious to say the least. A dozen human bodies piled on top and tied to the rear of the coach. With the heads and other bits of four large basilisks beside then topped off with a mad looking vampire hunter sitting in the middle of the mess.
The sergeant who approached them looked like he desperately wanted to go back to bed. He took a deep breath then looked at the coach driver then Martin. ¡°Let me guess your survivors of a basilisk attack?¡± Martin dropped off the roof of the coach, the guard sergeant took a step back his hand on his sword. ¡°A good supposition but you are incorrect, these bandits attacked us thinking that we would be easy prey. They were led by a tamer the basilisks were his pets, they picked a fight with the zealot¡±.
The guard looked over there presented paperwork, he had heard stories of four masters working for the bishops of Good-ford Alexius. They had killed a dragon a powerful elite vampire and dozens of other creatures. The Zealot and Malice were partially well know. He gestured to the driver ¡°go to the front of the cue, present your paperwork to the lieutenant on duty¡±.
The lieutenant checked their paperwork then a Priest at the front door used his discern blessing. He had a reliquary to hand so he was able to use the blessing as many times as he liked. He did feel something off about Martin, but as the letter explained Martin was suffering from a curse to be treated. A clerk had a magic grimoire that could be used to cast the identify spell a simple back up, as agents they were exempt. A scribe briefly check there paperwork and confirmed that it was the genuine article. A tamer with two large St Michael¡¯s war hounds sniffed over them. The hounds didn¡¯t like Martin but then they didn¡¯t go berserk either.
Any one going into the main entrance of the city would be checked this way, vampire¡¯s criminals and other unsavoury groups were always trying to hide in plane site. Their coach was diverted to one side, they were sent off to see the deputy sheriff, about any bounty on the bandits that attacked them.
Geoffrey Weston was the deputy sheriff, a man at arms by training carried a heavy mix of steel chainmail and iron plate armour. He looked over the face of the dead bandit. The priest at the gate had confirmed the identity with his discern blessing.
Martin and David were outside the coach going through the paper work with him. ¡°I am sorry to hear that one of your companions fell to the attack. This group of bandits has been a problem attacking small groups of one or two coaches or carts, they would use narrow points on the road, we called them the basilisk boys. Pity you couldn¡¯t have taken one alive we could have found there base and the stuff they stole¡±.
¡°Well they are no more, that¡¯s excellent for the local roads, they had a 20 silver bounty on the leader you can pick it up later. After I get it from the merchant that sponsored it, I¡¯m sure the bishop can fix your friend right up, I have seen him perform that blessing in front of the congregation an amazing sight to stir the heart, they call him the healer¡±.
The coach moved towards the inner wall that divided the poorer part of town from the richer part. The wall was higher than the one before, another ten feet on the outer wall but quite a bit thinner. There was even a number of ballista¡¯s and bolt throwers on the inner walls, mounted on towers and crenulations. A quick check of their paperwork and they were into the harbour proper and there was the full view of the cathedral citadel. It was a fortress that had just enough room to shelter the entire population of the city, if the outer and inner walls were overrun.
The harbour was quite a site to see ships of all types from the old fashioned fishing vessels. The old ways endured slender and flexible able to carry a reasonable load, easy to repair and manoeuvre flexible in construction. The more modern galleys used for the merchant routes to the western colonies the central and southern lands far better designed for a long haul. There were one or two of the stout slow dwarven ships, they looked like a castle made out of wood with some metal reinforcement, there crews didn¡¯t spend long on land.
The most enterprising of the dwarfs would make the journey from there islands to the central plains, around the southern lands around the other side of the central plains up to north port and back. Trading from port to port hugging the coast and avoiding the open sea with its kraken leviathans and other hazards.
From the port city states of the central plains there triremes and biremes could be seen. They could row their boats without the need for sails if the wind was lacking. A regular trade of goods came backwards and forwards. There were a few ships from the southern lands they were like the biremes but quite a bit thinner. They held fewer goods but also looked like they could easily navigate canals and thinner inland rivers.
They arrived at the cathedral a deacon and a cleric let them in. A volunteer helped Martin carried Alice on a stretcher. They were sent to a polite young priest who read the letter from the bishop announcing them. They were lead to a small herb garden, it looked like a peaceful island. An area where Martin guessed the bishop had the raw ingredients for some medicine grown. The bishop himself was sitting in a chair going through correspondence. They put Alice down on a table David guided Vivian they both saluted the bishop. Martin respectfully nodded and made a small blessing the bishop returned the gesturer then shook them by the hand.
He briefly skimmed over the letter that they presented to him, ¡°Four masters Martin Vivian David and Alice, I am Bishop Christopher Gyfford known as the healer, I understand that you have done a great service to my colleague Alexis. As a result of this I can aid you swiftly, there was a farmer who caught his arm in a plough and lost it above the elbow, today I was to restore that to him, instead I will restore this arm to you¡±.
The bishop slipped on a white outer robe, he picked up his crook and gestured for them to follow him. He stepped out down a corridor past several doors and into the main hall. There were hundreds of people about, the bishop knew how to keep the faithful alert. To show the power of the creator god as a way to remind people of his churches presence.
He banged his crook on the ground ¡°listen to me my congregation, today I was to restore to a man what had been lost, that will have to wait. There is another who''s need is greater as we need his arm to help defend this land, behold my children the power of the creator god¡±.
David nervously held out the stump of his arm the bishop placed his hand on the limb he made the sign of a blessing muttered a few words ¡°regrow limb¡±. There was a blinding searing white light David found himself on his knees. He had caught himself was it pain, was it shock he was not sure rather than one hand he had two. That which the vampire had deprived him of the bishop Gyfford had restored to him. A glow faded from his hand he admired it, new no blemish or scar the shade just off from his original hand.
The bishop offered his hand to David using his crook to support his weight and his balance. The bishop moved David to the side of the cathedral alter. ¡°It will take you a few weeks to get used to it, even though it is the same as the limb that was taken from you. Adapting to having it removed then restored will take time, practice as much as you can and everything will fall back into place, the limb is new it will be weak for a while¡±.
He looked over Alice ¡°blessing insight¡±, ¡°my brother bishop was very close to saving her. She is trapped in her own mind. A restorative potion combined with my blessings should do the trick. He pushed a funnel into her mouth and emptied the contests of a small blue bottle from his robe down her throat, ¡°greater blessing of the mind¡±. She started to shake and twitch. Vivian whispered ¡°what is that potion¡±? The bishop answered quietly. ¡°Something psionics use to restore their minds after they over exert themselves. It invigorates the mind with a few side effects, I have dealt with a lot of people whose minds were damaged by the vampires over the years¡±.
Alice felt her mind accelerate she felt giddy as thoughts were accelerated. Inside the mental construct of her mind, the representation of the library tower her reading accelerated, she was getting closer. A book to her left glowed she abandoned the pile of books she was reading through she got up and walked over to the book pulling it out. She flipped through the pages finding what she needed.
A simple line read `You are Alice Coster it is time`. She felt herself falling the library fading away then she hit her own body. The link between her mind and body was restored it felt like a bump and impact at the bottom of her spine and back almost like a short fall. Immediately she was coughing up some sort of bitter medicine that she had taken, she was in an unfamiliar church or cathedral.
She looked up at what must have been a bishop he held a hand out to her, Alice¡¯s thinking was disjointed ¡°how long was it¡±. ¡°If you mean how long were you out then it was around four days from what I understand¡±. ¡°How long is recover¡±? ¡°If you mean how long until you regain your full abilities I don¡¯t know, it can take weeks or months but you are young and your mind is strong¡±.
Alice looked at the others. Vivian had bandages over her eyes David was clutching his arm as if it was brand new and Martin looked like he had eaten a pound of grit. He was cursed perhaps, considering how potent a poison would need to be to even phase him. His aliment would more likely be mystical rather than chemical.
Seeing the bishop personally restore two people to health the crowd cheered, Martin handed Alice her staff she gripped it and used it to steady herself. They moved from around the alter and back into a side room. The bishop worked his strongest arts where people could see, it helped install in them a robust faith in their religious leader.
Gyfford turned to Martin, ¡°while I cannot help you I can direct you to one that can. There is only one that I know of , you had best move very soon or that emissary will be gone from the area or worse and you will have to search again¡±. David looked grim, ¡°I assume whoever it is that they are forever doing dangerous work. So as needs must¡± David had his priorities, ¡°however we need to wait another day or two to restore Vivian¡±. The bishop held up a letter ¡°Not so, I give this to you Alice it was sent to me¡±.
Alice read the note and grinned she put her hand on Vivian¡¯s shoulder ¡°lady Imoline has provided¡±. A militia man led them to the local mages tower chapter house. It was a large one with four dozen mages. There appeared to be a couple of dwarven enchanters in town swapping notes with an ancient tower mage.
Martin had never seen a dwarf before, they carried metal staves much like their own mages they had long thick robes that would do well to turn the cold or a blade. One dwarf was larger and had a frizzy beard the second was thinner more elegant, there beard was straight and finer. When the thinner dwarf spoke it was clear that she was a woman, she didn¡¯t have a perfect grasp of the northern commons but she could be understood.
They were pushed forwards like the gorking tourists that they were. Anne Thornton was the chapter head a level 50 master mage and a level 25 veteran enchanter. She focused on long range high damage spells and similarly adding damage to weapon enchantments. She greeted them formally ¡°the four master¡¯s welcome Alice Vivian David and Martin¡±.
Alice curtsied Vivian and David saluted and Martin offered a brief blessing. ¡°My colleague and fellow chapter master lady Imoline said that you needed to get back on your feet as soon as possible. That a powerful vampire was hunting you for slaying his servants, I see that the bishop has restored two of you to some degree of health, though full recovery can take a while¡±. ¡°When will it happen¡±? Alice asked. ¡°I took a similar hit form a vampire elder twenty years ago, it took me three weeks to wake up and two months before I felt like me again¡±, Alice was resolute, ¡°time will tell¡±.
She guided Vivian to sit and removed a box from a shelf behind her. ¡°For you I have something taken from a high level golem. An Octium golem eye, it would normally add a bonus of + 3 perception above a normal human eye, even then this one should negates all of the penalties of fighting with just one eye¡±.
Anne unwrapped the bandages from Vivian¡¯s face, she carefully cut away the crude stitches. She put some drops of a potion into Vivian¡¯s eye socket then she took out the golem eyes. It sparkled like the octium blades or arrow tips that Vivian carried, it almost looked like a mechanical puzzle. Anna cleaned it with a silk cloth then put on some white gloved she put some of the same potion onto the golem eye. ¡°Hold out you hand I need a drop of your blood¡± With a needle she gathered one tiny drop. She placed it onto a small crystal attuning it with the drop of blood. She placed it onto the back of the golem eye.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
When she was confident the two were joined together she used a probe to hold the eye socket open. Vivian twitched ¡°fucking ¡ hell sorry¡± as the mage pushed the octium eye in gently. She charged it with a little of her mana. ¡°It will need to be recharged every week Alice can do that¡±. With a couple of adjustments the eye started to track and to work making a little ticking sound, the mage added a drop or two of oil and the ticking decreased.
Slowly Vivian could see light rather than dark, then she could make out grey shapes that slowly came into focus. She held out her own hand processing the sensations, she could see the colours faintly at first then she could see in detail. The view was off putting just having her right eye.
Vivian saw David he looked like he was about to cry, She reached out grabbing the mage and David in a bone shaking hug. She got a good look at Martin he looked ropey, Alice looked like she had her mind in some other place, though there were flickers of her old self. Vivian caught her reflection in a mirror the horrible scar sunk in. The unnatural eye so prevalent a tear fell from her right eye. Martin looked at her distress, it was his nature to assist where he could, ¡°give me a few minutes I can stich a patch for the other eye just a temporary thing ok¡±.
Vivian picked up her bow and arrows ¡°now for the real test, can I function, can I shoot¡±? She used a tree for practice aiming at a knot in the wood. She was not using a full power shot and not an arrow that would be a loss if destroyed. The first iron broad head missed the tree by a yard. Vivian squinted and gripped her bow. Her second shot was closer but still missed the trunk by a foot.
Her third shot hit the outside of the tree and bounced off, her fourth shot was five inches off and her fifth shot hit the mark right into the knot in the wood. After just five practice shots she had a degree of confidence. Vivian aimed for a tree further away she was a little off centre but the shot hit, a second arrow and she was dead on.
Alice identified the magical item they got from the bandits, the plaque of the tamer. It would boost a tamers skills by the equivalent of 10 levels. Making it easy to control more than one mid-level creature they sold it to the guild master for 5 silver. Alice looked at the guild master getting the idea from Vivian ¡°suitable place, target practice¡±? The local mage nodded ¡°We have a few blocks of stone surplus building materials in the court yard you can use that¡±.
Alice tried her magic it took her a little longer to cast the spell but her acid strike aimed at the block of stone was as potent as it had been before. She repeated it with a fire bite spell. It would take her mind a time to settle, but she felt better.
The party made a quick visit to the merchant¡¯s guild to sell the equipment and monster bits. With the money the bandits had and the five silver for the magic item they could not use, they now had 30 silver pieces. They returned to the cathedral a deacon scribed a letter back to Good-ford. To be sent with 30 silver pieces and Rose''s ashes. They saw the deputy sheriff, for the bandits he yielded the promised 20 silver, for the bounty on their leaders head.
They went back to the cathedral, the bishop looked them over, ¡°good I see you have a full team. My scribe has arranged lodgings for you and a fresh carriage and horses to take you out on your way. The sooner you get Martin to the emissary the sooner you can get him cured. May the blessings of the creator god be with you, the last thing I need is him to lose control and have to send hunters out after the equivalent of a level 75 werewolf! Vivian gripped her bow ¡°it won¡¯t come to that¡± Alice and David nodded.
Martin grabbed a few bits of leather. The rest of their stuff was left with the first coach driver who dropped it of at their assigned lodgings, he would then get to take a rest his duty done.
They took a newer faster carriage with one driver out to a village Spring Wall. It was a brave coachman to drive out into the night, but then there were four masters backing him up. He was as well defended as he could be. Martin worked the scrap of black dyed leather into a patch for Vivian so she could cover up the scar and her other eye as much as possible.
Spring Wall was a very small place around three hundred people, as they neared they realised that it was under attack. It looked like the work of archanists, there were a dozen greater walkers outside the settlement blocking the road. The zombie like creatures made of brass iron and alchemical mixtures started to move forwards, the party ripped into them.
Martin used his four barrelled pistol unloading it into the first walker, two shots to the iron and brass dome of a skull two shots to the centre of mass. Down the creature went. Martin used his focus reload ability to reload his weapon in a blur. Alice threw a duel cast fire ball at one end of the line the conjured heat and flame roasted the three on one end eliminating them.
Vivian let lose a mithral arrow with an adrenalin power shot, bringing the bow to almost its full pull weight. In an instant the arrow crashed straight through the centre of the walker she was aiming at and landed, imbedded itself in the dirt behind. The walker missing a good chunk of its insides fell over green fluid draining out from its body. Vivian aimed head and heart for the rest mithral arrows quickly shredded two more.
David closed in on them using an adrenalin shield shrike to knock three of them over like skittles. His mithral blade was awkward in his hand, but it didn¡¯t lack raw power beheading one greater walker bisecting a second horizontally. The third was almost to its feet when he slashed through it cutting its right shoulder and head clean off.
Martin emptied his pistol into the last two, two shots per head seemed to be enough anything else was over kill. Martin ran forwards reloading his gun as he went his fingers blurring, Vivian and Alice close behind. They moved through a wrecked section of the wooden stockade it looked like some explosion had cracked the wood and earth fortification. ¡°I guess its fate that we are hear¡± he nodded to himself, ¡°the creator god moves in mysterious ways¡±.
They reasoned that the people of the village must be hauled up in the church. Some had fallen there were a few bodies about but the church doors were held firm. Twenty greater walkers and one overseer turned their attention from battering the thick church doors towards the group of agents approaching them. David noticed the more complex overseer ¡°I am the only one not to break through, let me have that guy you take the rest out¡±. Martin looked at him with his monocle ¡°careful he is level 50 at the very least¡±.
David grinned that was perfect, he charged forwards. Alice didn¡¯t see any ranged attackers but she was cautious casting a physical shield spell and illusionary allies. She targeted the greater walkers throwing fire balls into the ranks of the constructs determined to have some degree of violent satisfaction. Her mind was still full of cotton disjointed and incomplete the mana coursing through her veins, each spell she cast helped to push her that bit closer.
A step to completing her goal of recovery, to re-orientate her mind. It was not her eye Vivian could see the outline of mana, she guessed that was what it was a bit purple around each of the greater walkers. Perhaps it was similar to the way Alice¡¯s magical senses worked, or how Martin''s monocle functioned. Wither way she was sure that her octium arrows would work nicely against the greater walkers.
She shot with a controlled precisely applied power, the arrow flew from her bow. In an instant it imbedded into one of the greater walkers through the dome of their head through brass and steel into preserve bone and brain tissue. Then out the other side with enough force to leave it wedged all the way through the skull. The greater walker pitched forwards and landed flat on the muddy ground. The Overseer Primas made several alarmed whirring noises and the greater walkers began to advance with much more haste. Martin added his pistol four shots two apiece and there were two less greater walkers.
Vivian sent two more arrows into the ranks, the creatures were two slow to dodge relying on their thick armour. It was resistant to most steel weapons, harder metals they could not counter and subsequently they fell. Alice threw another fire ball into the approaching mass destroying three more. David knocked a group out of his way as he closed in on the Overseer Primas David sliced one greater walkers head off, before he confronted the group¡¯s leader.
The leader grinned with his spring loaded jaw, teeth replaced by brass plates. The overseer brought up his chemical sprayer releasing a jet of toxic spray that harmlessly struck David¡¯s shield. He had learnt from the last fight he attacked in response. The Overseer had to dive back to avoid losing an arm to David¡¯s blade. ¡°Query why attack this unit, you could be upgraded¡±!
Martin reloaded his four barrelled pistol and fired, two more greater walkers fell. His two regular pistols were filled with overload shots, a pair of almost point blank shots and another two walkers were down. Alice hit them with another fireball singing Martin slightly, Vivian finished off the remaining with a couple of octium arrows leaving nothing but the Overseer Primus that David faced off against.
The Overseer launched two cables at David. His shield blocked them an electric charge shot out, David was protected and grinned. The overseer looked dejected ¡°elemental resistance enchantment lovely¡±. A foot long blade extended from his other hand and he tried to step in to skewer David only to get a shield smashing in the face, sending him staggering back. The chemical thrower attached to the overseers arm reconfigured itself with a click a light was there then the chemicals were ignited and sprayed all over David who blocked them again with his tower shield. The Overseer could hold the mercenary at bay with this tactic but it could not win.
David stepped in and smashed the Overseer with his shield, sending the construct reeling back. David¡¯s sword dropped down damaging but not destroying the chemical thrower. The group watched as David cut into the construct. The Overseer grimaced there was a click from inside him and electricity started to flow through him causing his flesh to reknit, his limbs to straighten.
David was having none of it he hammered three power attacks into the overseer¡¯s chest sending oil and gears and flesh flying, the electricity stopped flowing and the amalgamation of man and machine stopped repairing itself.
Another exchange of blows and the Overseer lost its left arm and the chemical thrower. It turned to run to make a mad dash for its mockery of a life. David struck low severing its left leg at the ankle joint. It howled in pain, a grinding grating sound. Then it tried to crawl two more power strikes to its reinforced skull and it dropped dead to the cold earth.
David waited patiently then kicked the body a final whir and it locked up. He felt a familiar sensation. The flow of time ground to a haul a message appeared in his mind¡¯s eye
A special action has been performed feat of marshal strength has been achieved you have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been increased to level 75. The level up hit them a flash of change a hardening of the body and an expansion of the mind.
The Overseer Primus must have been quite powerful, considering David gained two levels from defeating it as well as the usual bonuses from levelling. He gained two levels in a skill counter armour, next time he fought an armoured opponent like the Overseer Primas the fight would be much shorter. He would be able to deal with its layered plating, the greater walkers would also be susceptible to such an ability with their layers of iron armour, David was now a level 52 mercenary.
Vivian gained a level from her contribution to the fight, going up to level 54 putting another rank into her shatter shield ability, it was now up to level 3. Alice felt her mind expand the extra wisdom making her thoughts that little bit clearer. She improved her illusionary allies spell to the grand version giving even more distractions to any attacking her. She paused for a moment something seemed to be beyond her grasp. She needed something with the clarity brought about by combat, she would recover the order of her thoughts.
Martin reloaded his pistols as he gained a class level at level 65 he gained access to an upgrade for his blessings to resist fire frost and electrical damage. He also gained a second use of them making him far more versatile, able to protect a second member of the group. Alice could cast her elemental shield on herself and another effectively they could all be protected against an attack.
A hatch in the church door opened eyes peered out. The hatch shut, the church door creaked as several heavy bars were lifted out of the way, there was a grinding clinking noise like a heavy weight being dragged, and then the doors to the church opened inwards. An old woman stepped out she looked rather austere but still relieved her clothes were markedly better than her contemporaries.
The woman¡¯s eyes settled on Vivian whose mechanical golem eye focused on her. ¡°You have my thanks for defending Spring Wall. If you were an hour earlier you may have saved those that fell. However if you were an hour later none might have been left for you to save, so I will thank you as best I can¡±.
Vivian observer her ¡°are you the mayor of this village¡±? , ¡°mayor is far to grand a title for this little place, I am the elder of the village put in charge at the apathetic will of the local lord, we have representatives of the church and guild as regular¡±.
Vivian looked about the majority of people seemed unhurt, other than the ones who didn¡¯t make it inside. From the location of the bodies they were closet to the breach in the wall. ¡°It is good to see most of you survived¡±. The elder looked over them, ¡°to them we were ingredients to be harvested, your equipment the way you cut through those creatures of flesh alchemy brass and iron your more than veterans, your master or grand masters, you¡¯re hunting whatever those things called master right¡±? ¡°Not quite my companion Martin is ill he needs a certain skill set to cure him, the one chasing these creatures creator, we are after them hopefully we can find and help them¡±.
The elder priest and trader counted up there dead. Out of the 300 residents twenty five people had not made it to the church. The priest took stock of the situation and started to lead his congregation in prayer.
Martin David and Vivian set about dragging all the greater walkers¡¯ bits into one pile outside the settlement. They pilled them up on clear ground, then brought wood a little splash of oil a flick of tinder and the pyre started. Martin had a little woodworking skill, he started to help repair the outer wall. David and Vivian helped to carry heavy timbers while Alice stood watch. Ready to rain down spells of fire and acid on any approaching threat, not that any came.
They ate a meal provided by the locals then took some sleep. They were exhausted and needed to rest. As they settled down in there makeshift bedding they quietly spoke. Alice finally turned in she tried to get comfortable, but there was a fear in the back of her mind. Irrational and unfounded yet she didn¡¯t want to sleep. What if she didn¡¯t wake up again, what if she ended up as she was before trapped in her own mind? She started to desperately cling to her conciseness to remain awake. Martin slept in his coat, his hands having a death grip around his holy symbol as he struggled to hold onto himself.
Having a werewolf sleeping next to her was not her first choice, but then if something was going to happen Martin would likely have succumbed to it far earlier. Finally the shier tiredness of her body overload her and Alice drifted into a shallow sleep. She gripped her mages staff its weight was a familiar comfort to her, allowing her a measure of reassurance as darkness overcame her.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 3 Recovering Part 2
The village of spring wall was a tiny place, barely noticeable in the grand scheme of things. It was filled with mixed emotions regret for those that had fallen and jubilation at the salvation of those that survived. The four people instrumental for its defence slept within the hallowed ground of the church.
Alice woke from her sleep, her mind was still disjointed. She was slowly getting better she had rested enough to regain the mana she had expended fighting the constructs yesterday, it was a comfort only one in touch with the mystical could draw comfort from. There was a physical and mental exertion rattling around inside her head. Her body suffered the same to a lesser degree. It felt like she was learning to use her mind and body again. In essence after the vampires disrupting mental attack she was doing precisely that.
She had never felt so helpless in her life, it was something she hoped to never repeat again. The vampire had tried to destroy all that she was as casually as a thought a gesture. She could feel a pressure in her temples the grind of her teeth her anger rising. She would need to have much stronger magic to do something about it. She had to thank Martin at some point for saving her life. The best way to do that would be to find some vampires and dissolve them into slop. And if no vampires were present a few of their minions would help to relived Alice¡¯s slowly rising anger.
Still she could claim the rare privilege of having faced one of the truly terrible and powerful creatures in this world and living to tell the tale of it. The master of the mages tower in Northport claimed to have survived such an attack. Perhaps it was a common response for a high level vampire against the threat of a powerful mage. Her thoughts were a little clearer after her brief rest. Her mind still seemed to be for want of a better word learning how to work again.
Vivian woke up her right eye spun round in a circle, it was disconcerting to say the least. After a second of concentrating the eye snapped into place doing exactly where it was meant to. Vivian concentrated on the eye she wondered if she could use it like a telescope. She focused on a far corner of the room the rest of her field of view blurred while that one spot became crystal clear. Vivian would be able to sharp shoot from a much greater range once she adapted.
She got up and almost fell over her own feet, it took a second for her vison to return back to normal she would have to practice using that ability. She needed to practice anyway she felt the scar and eye patch, it would be some time before she was back to normal, and at least she could function with her wounds.
Martin woke up he felt the lycanthropy seeping back into his veins. He held his holy symbol to his skull and bit down on his fist ¡°purge soul¡±. After ten seconds of rolling around on the floor in soul shredding pain he slowly got up and adjusted his clothes. He checked his hand where he had bit down it would heal in a while. A villager was roasting some meat for them. He moved forwards ¡°please serve it now I can¡¯t wait we have to move soon¡±. ¡°As you say but it¡¯s practically raw still you hunters are a hardy bunch¡±. Martin just wolfed it down, he needed the calories a bit of bloody meat was as good as any other to him.
David grabbed a bowl of stew and gobbled it down. He picked up his sword in his right hand and went through a series of practice cuts. It felt like the first time he had used his sword arm, the strength was there if a little hesitant but the skill and speed were lacking. He would leave it for now, with his left hand he had a good strong grip. He still had some improvements over yesterday his fingers were far more responsive. He would not stake his life on it. He would get some mithral armour, then let¡¯s see that vampire have as much luck. Well maybe some octium plate armour before he was quite ready to take on Bismarck again.
The village elder spoke to some people, the emissary that had been looking around for signs of archanists or any magic had headed away from Spring Wall. They were heading for Sand Point a small beach fishing village, a day¡¯s journey away by horse. The coach driver did his job without flaw. The horses were rested and feed. A brief word from Vivian and he prepared for them to head there with all due speed.
David came up to the village elder, ¡°what is the reward for saving your people for killing those things¡±. The elders posture dropped, ¡°this is one poor village I am sure the local lord can reward you afterwards¡± David took a step forwards an edge to his voice ¡°you are too cheap¡±. Vivian was over to diffuse the situation standing beside him.
¡°David these people have suffered enough leave them alone¡± she emphasized this with a slap to the back of David¡¯s helmet, it clanged like a bell. He spun round pointing a finger, ¡°that is the last time you do that to me, understand we are not raw recruits any more¡±. David found himself pinned to the ground with Vivian twisting his arm. ¡°Ouch shit my new arm, ok I¡¯m sorry for being a greedy asshole let me go¡±. Vivian helped him stand up, ¡°some professionalism, look about, this place is poorer than Broken Gorge¡±.
With a little shame he nodded, he did manage to more politely ask them for a small barrel of oil. The villagers gave them some supplies and a bit of wine. The coach driver got the horses moving as fast as he could. The road to sand point was a meandering one, moving through a rough rocky terrain on a path barely wide enough for the coach. Martin rode up front with the driver, they were near the village when the coach driver noticed something. His horses didn¡¯t like it, there was something on the road something moving. He stopped the coach and they got out.
David advanced forwards with his companions ready with spells arrows and pistol at whatever was in front of them. There was some new sort of archanist construct moving backwards and forwards on the road. It would get to one edge of the path turn around and head to the other.
It looked very much like a copper mask, a woman¡¯s face with a creepy smile glowing crystals where the eyes would be. The creature was like a scuttler in some regards, a low level archanist construction. Eight tubular brass limbs that could lock together entwined like fingers. At their base was what appeared to be two halves of a stout iron collar or clamp below them. This thing even had a tail of animated chain and sinew, it appeared to be designed to latch onto someone''s face and remain there. The simple construct seemed to have no way to attack, other than leaping on a person¡¯s face, it aptly demonstrated the strength of the springs in its legs.
David had no intention of letting it for fill its purpose. He knocked it back to the ground with his shield as he defended himself. It landed on its back showing an underside filled with needles and syringes hooks and gears. David didn¡¯t want to see if this could penetrate his thick helmet. As the device tried to right its self he brought his sword down chopping it in two pieces. A lot of green fluid leaked out it whirred and went still. It certainly surpassed the other archanist devices that he had seen in terms of complexity even if it was fairly low on strength.
They moved further down the path on foot a hundred feet closer to the village. Around a turn there were eight greater walkers and a dozen of the masks, outside the walls of the settlement. David assessed them to be no threat to him and charged in. He sliced into the first greater walker it recoiled back, there was a static hiss and an electrical current flowed inside the creature allowing it to slowly start regenerating. David was having none of this he delivered a powerful cut that shattered a limb, he cut again and again rending the walker into mangled pieces too small for the regeneration to matter. The generator inside it died and down it went.
Martin was not hesitant to start the fight, focus throws with his knives and shots with his pistol he cleaned up the remaining mask constructs. Martin was not sure if they could successfully grapple someone around the face, could they affect someone of a higher level? He had no desire to find out, elimination was the best course.
Vivian sent arrows into a construct, it started to regenerate. She put two more arrows into it until she hit the generator or battery inside it, destroying the creature. Martin finished off the last few of the small constructs and set about reloading his four barrelled pistol. Alice concentrated on one greater walker using her acid strike spell, its upper half slowly dissolved into slop. By the third strike it collapsed destroying whatever enchantment or spell that was keeping it together.
The remaining five greater walkers lumbered forwards Alice hit them with a fire ball to soften them up. David paused for a second that was a bit close for Alice he could feel the heat through his armour. In her state he was not entirely cautious of friendly fire. With no second spell he changed in hacking into the first walker blocking its strikes with his shield and carving its limbs off. Vivian let lose another barrage of arrows felling a second. Martin unloaded his pistol all four barrels at almost point blank range to slay a third walking mass of flesh and iron.
Finally David was sure he knew where the power generators were inside the greater walkers. An adrenalin power strike with his blade smashed down through its armour flesh and into something else metallic. The construct stopped struggling its remaining limbs stopped flailing. The remaining two constructs didn¡¯t last much longer. A strike from David to knock them down and Alice melted one with two acid strikes while Martin and Vivian shot the second one down.
They moved another hundred yards towards the second village. Sand Point was probably in a much worse situation than the first village, considering the presence of these mask constructs. Destroy a few greater walkers would mean nothing if an archanist was harvesting the entire village ahead. They could see the wall surrounding the village, it was high reinforced with stone and earth at the bottom.
There was a woman who had fallen victim to a mask crawling across the floor, perhaps she had fallen from the wall trying to escape the mask. That would mean the enemy was already inside the little village. The mask was now firmly clamped across her face, was she still in command or was the mask?
Looking closer there was dried blood around the bottom of the mask. It was not a good sign what terrible fait had affected its unwilling host. As Vivian approached the woman tried to crawl away Vivian tried to communicate with her ¡°can you hear me can you understand me¡±? The woman¡¯s skin had a slight green tint to it. Similarly to the preservative chemicals the archanists used in there constructs. Vivian reached out and the woman tried to hit back at her. The crystals in the mask were acting as eyes, the mask was in command! what was left of the person under it?
David held the woman while Martin used an octium blade to pry the mask from the woman''s face piece by piece. He broke the limbs the collar and the chain tail but the mask was still fixed. Martin didn¡¯t like where this was going. He gripped the mask firmly and pulled there was a creaking scream form the woman. Then blood oil and green preservative fluid oozed out from around the mask, as it surrendered its grip on its victim. Alice used a healing spell but it was far too late the woman went limp.
Martin looked into the mask he gripped the edges bending it, ¡°she was dead shortly after the mask latched onto her. These needles dug into her eyes into her brain, it injected an alchemical soup into her skull. It converted her into a sort of weak walker, her body controlled by this thing a rapid way to turn a population into constructs. There has to be more a construct this weak is no good for the vampires¡¯ purposes. I presume we will find an archanists workshop or a foundry mother around to convert these masked people, these unfinished constructs into something tougher¡±.
The gates to the village had been opened from the inside not the outside, there were foot prints. A mass of foot prints leading from the village to the beach. Usually there was only two dozen small fishing boats dragged up on the beach. Now upon the sand the missing residents were clustered.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
They found a foundry mother, one of the pinnacles of archanist technology. She resembled a spider made from iron brass and flesh stitched together. She could rapidly convert a human or a dead body into a construct with the right materials. Her abdomen would open up like a coffin or a flowers petals depending on your perspective, then clamp shut to begin its grisly task. The foundry mother¡¯s body was made from an unlucky woman who had been stitched and riveted to the construct. Her mind altered to be an amicable servant encased in brass and copper.
Around 350 masked people vacantly waited in an irregular line ready to be processed by the foundry mother. There were stocks of raw materials in a few crates left by her, as if someone had dropped them off by boat. There were already about 25 processed masked people. They now looked like some sort of grotesque spider, two additional pairs of spindly arms sprouted form there back. They sported armoured bracers gauntlets, they were far more mobile than the greater walkers and probably cost far fewer resources to build.
Hoverer they lacked a certain solidity to them, they could move very fast. The foundry mother noted the approaching group, she anticipated the numbers she had. Her own worth then started to move away as fast as she could. The spider constructs barrelled towards the party, with hundreds of masked monsters that used to be people following right behind them at a brisk jog.
The spider constructs were exceptionally fast, but still susceptible to ranged fire. Martin got three together with four shots. Alice hit them with a fire ball destroying three and damaging twice as many. Vivian picked of another five, they went down to cheap iron broad heads. With the power in her bow it was easy. David carved the first ones to meet him into pieces, his power attacks cut through them like a guillotine. Alice cast her shield spell in time to stop the ones targeting her, David and Martin finished them off.
Martin watched as the masks that survived tried to disengage from their hosts. A quick boot or blade finished them off before they could separate. Martin took a deep breath and drew his mallet, ¡°I think that these things should react like low level undead. No hire reasoning no thought just crushing numbers¡±.
The former village folk were mostly unarmed, however a few still clutched the tools of their trade. A butcher with his knife a wood cutter with an axe, what would have been a town guard with a short spear there last attempt to defend themselves arming them. Alice threw fire balls into the mass''s left flank Alice picked off the tougher looking targets armed with weapons David ploughed into the right flank cutting away swaths of the former villagers. Each strike to the head destroying both the puppeted body and the mask attached to the face.
Martin was angry so many people lost so quickly, he ran into the middle of the mass. He had his holy symbol out. The blessings he could call on he was reluctant to. They hurt him as much as those he was fighting, still he gritted his teeth. ¡°Aura of faith hallowed earth circle of consecration sphere of consecration¡±. His own body was racked with blinding light burning against his flesh, it was a lot worse than Alice clipping him with a fire ball. It was doing as much damage to every dam one of the constructs and masks within the range of the blessings.
He ran right through the mass of unfinished masked constructs as they toppled over like tipped dominoes. He walked over the pile smoke and steam coming off his own cursed flesh. The foundry mother was panicking the mass of spider constructs and unprocessed masks should have given her enough time to escape, this was not good for her part of the plan. She risked a look back and saw the hunter emerge from the sea of collapsed constructs. If they could recover the bodies they could be put back together. She would not be so lucky he strode forwards like a farmer with a scythe cutting down the reanimated villagers like stalks of brittle wheat.
Martin gritted his teeth for the oncoming pain, he raised his holy symbol to the heavens ¡°hand of judgement¡± he almost fell over himself. The foundry mother was stopped in her tracks as a hand materialised above her. It was made of divine light it clenched into a fist and struck downwards flattening the factory on legs into the ground. David stayed to finish off the last of the stragglers.
Vivian fired off her bow, five mithral arrows struck the foundry mother. Alice hit her with a fire ball then a series of fire bite spells. Martin drew and loaded his four barrelled pistol the foundry mother tried to get up dribbling green preservative fluid and oil from various wounds. One of her arms was limp. The back chamber opened and a spider construct scrabbled out Martin shot it dead.
The foundry mother held one hand out to ward them off ¡°please mercy I was just following ord...¡± ¡°Who is leading this where are they¡±? ¡°the professor didn¡¯t release that much information to me¡± Martin emptied the three remaining barrels into her face and lion hearts hammer pistol as well to be sure. David approached them sword in hand.
The level up hit their eyes or what passed for an eye in Vivian¡¯s case glowed. Despite the numbers of enemy¡¯s that they had killed most would have been only equitant to a low level zombie and the masks not much stronger than a bone spider. In the greater scheme of things chaff to be eliminated before it could grow stronger. Martin reckoned the foundry mother would be missed though, it was expensive and time consuming to make one of those.
Alice reached level 57 getting the greater version of her illusionary allies spell, she could now appear to be almost a dozen mages. Vivian reached level 55 gaining a class level. Her comprehensive training ability reached level 9 so that she could train baronial guards a type of elite guard with an intensive training regime allowing them the equivalent of three ranks of the intensive training perk. David reached level 53 he raised his counter armour skill to level 3. He would be more effective against the greater walkers and any other tough constructs.
Martin reached level 66 he gained a single rank in a skill poisons, allowing him to use neurotoxins. It would boost the effectiveness of his blade coatings and allow him to recycle poisons from creatures such as the basilisks they had killed a few days ago.
Martin looked about the sea of carnage, ¡°Right let¡¯s start the clean-up¡±. They grabbed the foundry mother¡¯s remains and dragged her back to the village once Vivian had removed her arrows. Alice rather thoroughly made sure that the foundry mother could not be salvaged, using her acid strike spell. Alice kept guard while slowly Martin David and Vivian carried and dragged the bodies of the dead villagers back to the village. They laid them out as neatly as they could and started to pry the masks off, making sure that they were thoroughly destroyed. After half an hour the church doors opened up and a few weary militia men emerged to see the sight.
A priest emerged Martin looked at him ¡°greetings father we came from an attack on spring wall¡±, ¡°An emissary came through hear we were expecting an attack but not this¡±. Martin met his eyes, ¡°start performing the last rights and the cremations, get some volunteers to help us recover the bodies a cart or two if they are available¡±.
The priest got into a rhythm one person was taken from the pile of corpses he identified them then perform the last rites with any family that they had. A prayer then wood and a cremation the ashes into a labelled urn. Then it would start again, it would take days to finish this grisly procedure. Vivian handed a mangled mask construct to a militia man ¡°take word to north port, tell them of this tragedy at an archanists hands¡±, he nodded nervously checking with the priest then taking a plough horse to use as a mount starting the journey.
The corpses of the greater walkers were not locals or could not be identified as such. They were piled up with the organic parts of the foundry mother and burnt. The masks were stripped from their victims and placed in a pile. Several locals with hammers and shovels and anything else to hand made sure to thoroughly smash every piece of archanist tech that they could reach.
The party combed the village from top to bottom, they found a couple of stragglers a mask locked in a larder by some desperate person. An unfinished construct that had fallen into a ditch and could not get out. One defective mask that looked like someone hit it with a shovel, it was scuttling in a circle they finished it off. Alice could feel the magic from them even after the last one was dispatched, she still felt something.
A second search of the village revelled nothing they used an empty house as a base of operations a place to have a meal and talk. Vivian turned to Martin ¡°have you ever herd of this professor that the foundry mother mentioned¡±? ¡°I can only assume that they are an archanist in the service of the empress of shadows we fought a level 50 archanists creations before, these were much more powerful much more flexible. The one we face must be a grand master or even an exalted master probably a supreme skill user with plenty of tricks in there bag¡±.
Her eye focused on him ¡°I remember you describing the battle with the veteran archanist, the brass doctor wasn¡¯t it. How he had implanted devices to reanimate himself as a construct, could we be facing something similar¡±. ¡°From what I have seen archanists are not opposed to experimenting on themselves so yes we probably do, I wish I had been able to grab some thermite before we left North port I only have a few flash and smoke bombs left¡±.
Vivian got out a wet stone and began to hone her arrows, ¡°do you think we can take on something level 100 or more¡±? ¡°Remember there is an emissary a witch hunter level 80 or more around. If we link up with them we have a good shot of taking out this professor, we are getting better each day¡±.
She put the arrow back, ¡°you say that but if there are more foundry mothers around. If they have converted entire villages to walkers and these spider constructs. We might have more than we can chew. We were lucky to get hear, if there were more of those spider constructs we would have be overwhelmed¡±. Martin reached for the stone and started to check one of his own octium blades,
¡°We have a message going back to Northport, we will have back up in a few days, and we have a coach so if it all goes bad we can beat a hasty retreat¡±.
David and Alice were outside practicing with sword and spell. A deranged farmer eyed them up ¡°oh we are saved, hail our righteous saviours¡±! David advanced towards him his fist raised, ¡°insolent...¡± the priest stepped forwards arms out, ¡°You just cut down what became of his family, pay him no mind, don¡¯t hurt him please my son¡±.
David lowered his fists, ¡°are you the only one in charge hear¡±? The priest looked to the pile of bodies. ¡°The mayor and trade guild clerk are gone. The local lord will assign another mayor or headman and a new trader will set up shop. But it won¡¯t be soon, if my tally is right about 120 people have been saved out of a population of 500. Two are missing probably fled or hiding in an attic or something. We might find them eventually but it¡¯s very bad day for Sand Point¡±.
The implications of his future hit the priest they would not be easy times. ¡°If they didn¡¯t crawl over the wall in the dead of night. If we had some warning then it would be different, any Levi with a big stick is more than a match for these things. These masks are something new something stealthy, you can¡¯t fight them if they surprise you. One thing that the archanists have never been before is stealthy right? David looked to Martin who was attracted by the villagers shouting, Martin looked through his book of monsters ¡°yes I do believe your right father¡±.
The coach driver pointed up towards a blank spot on the horizon. He was a local, the group didn¡¯t immediately get it so he explained ¡°The light from Lighthouse Hill has gone dark, they are probably being attacked as well.
The coach driver looked at them, ¡°the horses need rest I need rest you need rest, certainly that mage she looks like she is ready to drop. We are not archanists automatons we need to sleep and eat and rest.¡± Martin approached him the coach driver got his meaning ¡°You have massive endurance you could jog over there yourself tonight, see how well you fair on your own¡±. Martin nodded ¡°they will either stand or fall, we can¡¯t reach them tonight¡±.
Vivian had set up some targets some close to her and some far away. She was getting used to her new eye targeting close by then far away in rapid succession she hit the wooden logs every time.
Martin approached, ¡°How is it going Vivian how are you holding up¡± she grinned wryly, ¡°it¡¯s better to be a cyclops than a blind woman, don¡¯t call me that or you get an arrow somewhere that that will really hurt¡±.
¡°I hope that¡¯s a joke¡±? She nodded ¡°Yes as much as I have a sense of humour, you seem to have the beast under control¡±. ¡°I have been fighting and all the bodies smell like preservative fluids nothing for it to feed on, no emotions to stir it, I just feel kind of dead and tired¡±.
He kept going ¡°Alice how are you holding up¡±, ¡°not so good... I hate vampire bastard... afraid to go to ¡ sleep ... at this rate no rest¡±. ¡°Well at least you sound better than you did yesterday aren¡¯t you afraid that I was bitten by a werewolf¡±? She shrugged, ¡°Can kill, one spell¡±. ¡°A fair point I suppose¡±. He left her staring at the candle.
David was practicing his sword play with his new hand it was still a little off but from Martins perspective it was much better than the morning. ¡°David how are you holding up? ¡°The bishop did good work I¡¯m still having to fight left handed but a few more days a week and I will be back. These are not smart opponents I don¡¯t need my best, they are just dumb monsters to be butchered. One or two critters with a brain leading them, we are not stupid enough to take them one on one all four of us can outthink the smart ones¡±.
Martin held his holy symbol to his head he gritted his teeth ¡°purge soul¡± it burnt, it hurt but it was not as bad as the last time. After a minute he got up from the floor he could manage things for a time. Fighting killing seemed to soothe the beast, as long as he was aiming at archanists constructs he was fine. He dozed off to sleep Vivian and David joined him soon in the abandoned house. Something clattered along the floor Alice moved throwing a spell out into the darkness the acid strike found its target. She nodded, ¡°thought felt ¡ one more¡±. With the last thing nagging at her gone for now she regrettably turned over and drifted off to sleep.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 4 Recovering Part 3
Alice slowly stirred from her short sleep. She sat bolt upright panicking as if dreading some half remembered dream, her frantic breathing slowly came down to a reasonable beat. It was not a good night¡¯s rest, she was tired and lethargic. But it was all she was prepared to give herself as much of a compromise as she would allow. She got to her feet grabbed her staff and walked off to look for some breakfast. Some food would be the least of these people''s worries now.
Vivian was the next to stir her golem eye focused in and out for a second. Before she could even clear her head she noticed Alice was gone and she noticed something was on the floor. She shouted a hint of panic in her voice ¡°Wake up¡± and dived for her bow. Having an arrow notched and ready to fire at the construct on the floor. Martin woke up and had a pistol in his hand. Ready in a second pointed in the same general direction a fraction of a heart beat later. David was up his back up weapon his dagger in his hand.
David walked over and nudged the remains of the construct, opening a window to get some light. They realised this one mask construct was destroyed, melted with a corrosive probably Alice''s spell. David relaxed and put his blade back. ¡°It¡¯s dead a left over from last night¡±. Martin and Vivian kept their weapons drawn. Vivian looked around her artificial eye a blur, at the chimney at the windows, ¡°there could be more keep your guard up¡±.
The door to the house opened, Alice had a bowl full of potage and was busy ladling the boiled mush into her mouth with a wooden spoon. She looked at Vivian and Martin then to the destroyed enemy on the floor. ¡°Can sense them ¡ enchantments used ¡ in there making... no more around¡±. ¡°You killed it and didn''t bother to tell us¡±?
She looked at the mages casual demeanour ¡°ok Alice I suppose if you¡¯re sure¡±. Vivian relaxed and put the arrow back in her quiver. Martin returned his pistol to its sheath. David looked at Alice''s breakfast her mouth full of a second scoop, she pointed with her spoon in a general direction, Vivian and David headed off to get their own breakfast heading along that bearing.
Martin stepped into an abandoned side room, he bit into a chunk of wood. He used his purge soul blessing, shrieking in agony as the pain burnt out the corruption. It was about three minutes before he could get back up. The burn marks already started to fade. He sighed and nodded to Alice he passed Vivian and David who were heading back with their breakfast. There was a cauldron and a fire a couple of volunteers were putting a meal together for the community. From whatever was to hand. Martin got a bowlful and returned to his compatriots, a brief prayer and he started to gulp down his food.
They advised the priest to keep an eye out and quickly prepared to leave. The coach driver looked at them. ¡°I suppose we go to light house hill now, that is the largest local village. There are about 750 people. The sheriffs good and there is a mage based there some of the time. They have high walls they might have fared better, certainly better than Sand point¡±.
They headed off as soon as the driver could get the horses hitched onto the coach. The journey was much of the same. They found little sign of anything no birds no game it was surprisingly quiet, as if even nature herself was holding her breath, waiting for something to happen. Half way to the village they found an abandoned cart filled with lumber. There were no remains of the horses no signs of people. But the cart was left at the side of the road, hoof prints disappeared forwards along the road. If the horse bolted or was ridden away they could not tell.
Another mile down the track they found a bloody smear across the bottom of the road. It was too small to be human. A chewed goat corpse, at least what was left of it. Something had caused a rather large predator to stop and leave there meal. Not even bringing it with them, the coach slowed Martin had a brief look at the tracks. He could not be sure a young troll perhaps, they moved forwards along the road it was not important now.
They drew close to the base of light house hill. The coach stopped and Martin hopped off the front. There were signs of a battle bits of destroyed archanist machines and creatures. The village of lighthouse hill must be holding out. It was on a naturally defensible position and there was a high level adventure around, they were probably defending the place. The professor had left some sort of rear guard. Fixed in place to stop reinforcements, the party would hit it at any minute.
David got out of the coach Vivian and Alice followed suit. This stretch of path was narrow and the sides were steep they appeared to have a clear run. Martin started to jog forwards David came behind him Alice cast a physical shield spell on herself. Vivian''s eye zoomed out scanning the cliffs anticipating an ambush or some sort of ranged attack.
As Martin moved down the track he encountered the first opposition. A group of five brass hounds were left there to act as guard dogs. Alerting whatever was further down the road to their attack. The hounds barked and surged forwards as one, a heavier pack leader front and centre of the charge. Martin drew his four barrelled pistol with his right hand and his lionhearts hammer pistol with his left.
He fired without having to draw on his focus reserves. His bullets obliterated the two rebuilt hounds to the left then the two rebuilt hounds to the right. Just leaving the pack leader homing in on Martins throat. At less than three foot away he fired the lionhearts hammer. The pistol bucked in his hand and the pack leader¡¯s reinforced skull exploded, leaking oil green gooey preservative fluid and bits of bone.
Martin moved along the trail with David and the rest having trouble keeping up. There was a temporary barricade made from lumber and an overturned wrecked cart. There were 8 greater walkers 8 spider constructs and one overseer prime manned this barricade. They were oblivious deployed to stop reinforcements approaching the village. The overseer looked at the approaching hunter. The man had gone through the entire pack of guard dogs without breaking sweat. ¡°This is not your business leave this place human¡±.
Four of the greater walkers had repeating crossbow attachments on their arms. They stood up and took aim at Martin he drew both his long pistols and advanced. The overseer sent the spider constructs to flank Martin, while the crossbow bolts pinned him down. Martin walked into the hail of crossbow bolts laughing, ¡°You¡¯re wrong about the human bit¡±.
They hit him and did very little, he fired back with his pistols two of the spider constructs fell. Martin threw a silvery canister over the blockade, it detonated in a flash of light and a cloud of thick smoke. The overseer prime tried to scan the area. Whatever he was facing had shrugged off a dozen of the light crossbow bolts like they were splinters.
The rest of the group arrived, Alice hit the group of spider constructs on the left side of the path. They were climbing in an attempt to flank the group. With two fire balls the less substantial automatons were cooked. Dropping from the edge back down to the road as broken husks of their former selves. Vivian shot two bodkin arrows and got two kills as deadly as ever.
With the more mobile units dealt with it was David''s time to shine. As the smoke cleared he burst through a gap in the barricade. He cut into one end of the defenders formation slicing them apart with his mithril blade. There regenerative abilities were mute when his adrenalin strikes could cut them almost in half. The overseer prime tried to order his greater walkers to flank David. But Martin was now on him, stabbing away again and again at the overseer''s neck an octium blade in his hand.
The overseer tried to fight back tried to slam Martin against a barricade to make him let go. It was no good Martin had used the cover of the smoke bomb to get close. He had a death grip he would not relinquish. Alice hit the other side of the barricade with an acid strike. The corrosive disintegrated the wood making it easy for Vivian to target the walkers with crossbows, removing the enemy''s ranged capability.
David finished off the last few as Martin stabbed away with a knife finally severing the overseer''s head. The main advantage that the archanists constructs had over regular monsters or men was that they could be put back together. They could be rebuilt unless you burnt the remains quite thoroughly. Alice kept watch while Martin Vivian and David piled up the brass hounds overseer walkers and spider constructs. Stacked on top of the barricade that they had been guarding it was made of wood and would burn well.
Vivian gathered her arrows Martin reloaded his pistols. Vivian nodded to Martin David Alice and she got the other side of the barricade. Martin reached into her backpack and removed a flask of oil a quick splash he returned it to Vivian. A bit of work and a spark from his tinderbox and the pile of constructs went up in flame. No archanist and certainly not the professor would be rebuilding this lot.
The next obstacle was a group of 4 greater walkers. They must have been paroling the road or sent to check on the first barricade. They were clutching heavy duty hammers and mauls, blacksmithing tools as improvised weapons. Martin fired into the first of them, right through the eye socket with the first focus shot. The second slightly higher penetrated above the eye and took off the top of the greater walkers head. It took a half step then fell forwards its limbs twitched it released its weapon and folded. Vivian picked one, she put one mithril arrow after another into the beast. On the third hit it was something critical or reached a threshold of damage. The construct collapsed unable to move.
David got in close he blocked an attack from a massive hammer then knocked the greater walker to the ground with his shield. He dropped his blade straight onto its neck cutting through bronze and iron plate with the mithril sword. A second cut and the greater walker was no more. Alice hit her target three times in the head with acid strike spells. The green conjured corrosive ate away at the metal bone tissue leaving spine and pale green flesh. That one would be particularly hard to repair, if they were planning on leaving anything behind.
Ahead of them was another barrier it consisted of a series of stones and logs this also stretched across the road. It looked like it was designed to keep the people from light house hill from attempting a break out and running. It was manned by a larger force 10 greater walkers 12 spider constructs lead by one overseer prime. The overseer was not unintelligent, he could reason.
He could see that he was not in a very good position. He had numerical superiority but that was transitory. He faced a foe that could obliterate him at range, which was more flexible. Also probably the reason that there were no reinforcements from Sand Point or Spring Wall. Seeing the smoke rise the overseer knew he faced an opponent who would make sure that he could not be repaired and brought back.
The overseer tried one last time to raise his creator over the crystal communicator. There was nothing. No trace of the mind link, his creator was busy this was bad. He would do the best he could, send the spiders to engage the hunter. Hopefully cut him down before he could get them all. Send the five greater walkers with repeating crossbows towards the spell caster and the archer. Then use his remaining greater walkers to bog down the warrior with the shield. While he flanked him to get a clear shot with his chemical thrower, hopefully they could take a few of them down.
Martin charged recklessly forwards, he saw the group of twelve spider constructs coming for him. He opened fire his four barrelled pistol claimed four of their number. Then they were on him trying to claw and stab and scratch him away. He laughed at the wounds drawing the lion hears hammer he fired. The construct he killed was instantly replaced, he fired off his other two pistols at point blank range two more kills. The five remaining constructs were enough to push him to the ground. Martin grinned like a madman seizing his holy symbol, he began to call on the power of the creator god.
¡°Martyrs sacrifice¡±, he activated the blessing pain streamed through his body. His strength grew he threw the constructs off him he grinned. ¡°I deserve the pain for my failures, bear witness to his wrath¡±. He held his holy symbol forwards ¡°Pillar of salt¡± his arm erupted in pain as his curse fought the blessing, the construct in-front of him collapsed into a pile of salt. He thrust his holy symbol forwards again ¡°pillar of salt¡±, a second spider construct crumbled before him. He reeled in more pain as the kick back from the blessing hit him again, only three constructs remained.
He grinned manically filled with zealous wrath, he barely seemed to feel boiling the pain. ¡°Wrath of the almighty¡±. A construct twitched as holy light enveloped it, its reanimated flesh steamed then became engulfed in fire then it froze it dropped dead. There was more feedback as he screamed triumph and agony as one. Holding the holy symbol forwards like a shield, ¡°wrath of the almighty¡± a second spider construct crumbled in the same way.
Martin held his holy symbol in a death grip and leapt at the last construct tackling it to the ground. He raised his glowing holy symbol, ¡°divine retribution¡±. He brought it down onto the construct head shattering it. He grinned again ¡°divine retribution¡± the construct crumbled its head caved in. Martin looked about there was nothing else left to fight.
David had ploughed into the group of greater walkers, scattering them like pins. He had twisted round to block the overseer, severed his chemical thrower arm. This was not the first or even second overseer that David had killed. Alice cast a shield spell on herself and on Vivian. The repeating crossbows low power bolts were easily stopped by the shield. They focused on decimating the greater walkers attacking David. A fire ball some fire bite spells and a few bodkin arrows and the group surrounding him and the overseer were dismantled.
They immediately switched their attention to the five greater walkers with repeating crossbows behind the barricade. David charged round it and started to hack them to pieces. Vivian sniped a pair that had peaked out from cover. Alice lobbed acid strike spells over the barricade to splash down from above on the greater walkers. She was getting really good at using the trajectory of the tracking spell to attack opponents. Martin noticed a mask construct disengage from one of the dead spider constructs. He stabbed down onto it with an octium knife before it could get very far.
The spider must have been the last hostile enemy in the area. The level up hit power surged through the group as they eyes glowed. Vivian reached level 56 gaining the 5th level of her shatter shield skill, it really helped to cut through her opponent¡¯s defences. Alice hit level 58 mastering her illusionary allies spell. David reached level 54 boosting his counter armour skill, allowing him to really cut the greater walkers to pieces. Martin hit level 67 gaining the second rank in his poison skill, unlocking the knowledge of hemotoxins.
Immediately they set about dealing with the remains of the constructs. They pulled apart the second barricade for wood creating a suitable pile. They dragged every single construct and piled them up including the group of four greater walkers that they had cleared earlier. They made sure that the pile was to the side of the road a little oil and a tinder and they were ablaze. With the preservative chemicals in the constructs organic parts they burnt really fast. To the point where in five minutes there was nothing that could be recovered even for spare parts.
Martin placed his holy symbol to his skull ¡°purge soul¡±. He dropped screaming in agony two minutes later he nonchalantly got up like nothing had happened. He grabbed a maul from the tools dropped by the dead constructs. They moved back up the trail and pulled the remains of the burnt barricade to one side allowing the nervous coach driver to move there transportation threw the gaps
They finally arrived at the gates, they was singed and chipped but not broken. There were militia and town guards looking over the wall. Crossbows and the like pointed in the general direction of the coach and party. A woman stood on top of the wall, obviously the witch finder. She wore a hat and coat very reminiscent of a vampire hunter. With a slightly higher brim to her hat. She had a steel neck guard a holy symbol by her side. A brace of three double barrelled pistols and a large rapier she had an octium chainmail vest under her jacket that reached to just above her knees. She looked over the adventures and the coach.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
Beside her to the left was a mage in brown robes. A woman wearing a leather chest guard, she carried a red oak staff tipped with a chunk of polished mithril. To her right was a woman in a mix of leather and ring-mail. A scout also wearing a sheriff¡¯s sash of office. She had a recurved short-bow with some sort of fancy pulley system. Perhaps a battle alchemist or mechanist invention, she had a steel arrow ready to draw.
The witch finder shows a hint of relief, ¡°So word got out and they sent someone to help us¡±? Vivian answered, ¡°Actually the bishop sent us to find you¡±. Puzzlement showed in her voice, ¡°which bishop¡±? She answered, ¡°Alexius of Goodford¡±. The interrogation continued, ¡°Why have you come hear¡±? She looked over to Martin, ¡°We need a witch finders skills in curse breaking but that is a discussion to have in private¡±. The witch finder shrugged her shoulders ¡°hold your hands out for the holy symbol ¡ that''s good open the gates¡±.
She met then below ¡°You are agents of the bishop Alexius the four masters, the zealot the eagle eye the shield and a mage called malice. My name is Nicole Fitzalan a servant of his holiness the patriarch. They call me the necromancers¡¯ bane. The others hear of note are the local mage Mary Brook, she is a potent healer but also has a few spells that can affect constructs and the sheriff Alyson Appleby. There is a young priest tending to the wounded. A mayor and a trader are also hear, but they are of no worth hiding in the strong room of the castle church by the light house tower¡±.
She needed information urgently, ¡°What can you tell me of Sand Point and Spring Wall, are they overrun are more constructs on the way? Vivian stepped up ¡°sand point lost 2 thirds of its people but still stands. We encountered two new types of construct mask like creatures and spider like constructs¡±.
¡°We destroyed a foundry mother it won¡¯t be reassembled any time soon, all other forces were destroyed. Spring wall fared better losing only about 25 people, we completely destroyed the attacking force. This professor will not be getting any further reinforcements, word should have reached North port by now, so additional forces should be on their way to help us¡±.
¡°I have heard rumours stories passed of your deeds. You have killed several elite vampires a dragon wiped out entire tribes of rat men and Lamia. The zealot is everything I expected practically frothing at the mouth to get into the fray. Eagle eye I dint expect this¡±? She looked at the artificial eye. ¡°It¡¯s only a recent change, I have a ring of the eagle¡¯s eye and this golem eye¡±. ¡°Quite so, the shield is as the name states. A good blade a good shield but you look a little awkward some injury¡±? David was surprised how perceptive she was, ¡°yes you could say that¡±. She continued her appraisal, ¡°the mage she does not look quite right¡±. ¡°Recovering from an attack ... be myself ¡ soon enough¡±. Nicole¡¯s head dipped, ¡°As you say¡±.
Light house hill was a reasonably large village for the area with 750 people in it, it had a bit of growing land. Ultimately it was the fishing and shell fish that brought the village its money. The surrounding area had been stripped of timber, meaning that there was a clear field of fire and a strongly fortified outer wall. The village had been cut into the hill with some paths at a stepper angle than others. The local mage that served the area was based hear under the local mayor. The witch finder was now leading the defence of Lighthouse hill village. She was the strongest one on the field and an emissary. An official backed by one of the three heads of the triune.
Martin looked at Nicole ¡°what is the current situation in this settlement¡±? ¡°So far we have only suffered a few dozen losses. People on the gate or on the walls. They have some repeating crossbows that we have not seen before. You have herd mention of the one attacking us? Martin nodded, ¡°One of his underlings mentioned it before the abomination died we just have a name but guess they are high level¡±?
She confirmed there assumption, ¡°The professor is a level 100 archanist his supreme skill is upgrade, it temporarily empowers his creations. The problem with fighting archanists is that they can salvage and repair their creations. I have probably fort against the same things for the last few days¡±. Martin assessed the situation coldly, ¡°He can keep doing this as long as he can recover the bodies? ¡°Yes or most of them¡± ¡°Has he upgraded himself¡±? ¡°I believe so a unique creation taller than a human thinner. I am sure I saw and extra mechanical arm or two. He is trying to build an army to threaten north port. He has no-wear near the critical mass he needs. I am here to stop that happening¡±.
There was the banging on a gong and shouting from one of the village militia. ¡°More of those things climbing the walls now¡±. The group looked round there were spider constructs climbing the hill from every direction. They looked like they had been upgraded with more defensive plating and some sort of electrical generator on their back.
The attackers consisted of 34 greater spiders with regeneration. They seemed to be there as a distraction. The main force that the professor was banking on was a block of 40 greater walkers with thick iron shields. They formed a heavy metal box that was slowly lumbering towards them. The greater spiders had traded speed for armour, at least they would be easier to target. David looked at the block of oncoming greater walkers with shields he grinned. ¡°I have something to deal with them¡±, he ran over to the coach.
The ranged fighters took to the walls Mary brook cast an ice bolt at one of the constructs. It froze half its body and caused it to fall back down to the base of the hill where it started to regenerate back in shape. She aimed for another. Alice looked at her ¡°concentrate fire ... each one to destroy ... or they regenerate¡±. Alice hurled three acid strike spells at the same construct, just as it crawled over the barricade. It collapsed the corrosive eating away at its body. Two militia men started to stab it with spears to make quite sure it was gone.
Martin and Vivian nodded sure of what Alice was doing. They needed to destroy those things at the top of the wall. Where they could not be recovered and later repaired, it was a danger to let them get close. But otherwise they could spend all night knocking these things to the bottom of the wall and watching them regenerate and climb back up again.
Martin had his four barrelled pistol ready two shots to the head and another greater spider construct expired. He emptied the other two barrels into the next one that came over the wall. It slipped backwards he ran grabbed it and dragged it forwards. A Levi with a hammer started to pulverise it to make sure.
Vivian put two octium arrows into another construct as it reached the wall it fell forwards. The next construct over the wall vaulted only to be picked off by the sheriff. She put a steel arrow through its head her bow was powerful, with its pulley system providing mechanical advantage to back up her precise aiming abilities. The witch finder spun on her heel and emptied one of her pistols both barrels into a construct. She pulled her holy symbol out and gestured to another that was leaping over the village wall. ¡°Accuse¡± the powerful blessing flattened the construct and set it on fire. She shook her head though her abilities were potent they cost her much to use.
Alice took to the northern part of the wall, Vivian took the west Martin the east. The sheriff witch hunter and the local mage brooks took the south were the gate was. David had a plan to deal with the group of approaching greater walkers with shields. So that they could not demolish the gate, he carried a barrel of lamp oil heading for the gate house.
The spider constructs came over the walls in greater numbers. Martin emptied both his long barrelled pistols into the next over the wall. Then his lion hearts hammer into the next out of pistols he drew his octium throwing knives. Alice obliterated one construct with a barrage of fire bite spells and a second with acid strikes. A third pounced on her only to find that it was an illusion. Vivian was faced with two at once.
Her first shot smashed straight through the first spider and into the second pinning it in place. She finished them both off with head shots. Five militia with good spears pined a construct down. A guard with an axe finished it off. A man with a sling managed to hit one only to have it leap on him and grievously wound him, before it could be sent back with a spear through its side.
The witch hunter emptied her other two pistols into the attacking constructs, putting two more out of the fight. The mage Mary hit another one with a few of her icy bolts. It froze the creature which was hacked to bits by two town guards. On the walls the sheriff brought down another one a steel arrow through its regenerator engine and a second shot through its head. Two of the greater spider constructs got over the wall and headed for David. They didn¡¯t want him to use whatever was in the barrel against the walkers heading for the gate house. He hit one of them hard enough to smash them against a wooden wall using the barrel as a bludgeon. He drew his sword and made short work of both of them.
They had permanently disabled half the spider constructs but they were still doing their job, keeping the defenders occupied. While the greater walkers advanced to smash down the gate house. Martin used focus throws against two of his opponents expending his high end throwing knives. He switched to his oil coated blades and took a third one head on. Alice put two more of the creatures attacking her section of the wall out of commission with acid strikes losing most of her illusion decoys in the process. Vivian got two more with her mithril tipped arrows a third got behind her. She twisted round and kicked it away from her. It landed and before it got up a group of militia armed with farming implements set on it beating hacking it down.
Three of the greater constructs attacked the witch hunter together. She had some tricks up her sleeve holy symbol in one hand rapier in the other she faced them. She used a blessing ¡°crushing binding¡±, bands of light formed around the construct. They slowly contracted its flesh and metal was slowly crushed, until its regenerative abilities gave out and it fell down a broken puppet. She cut with her rapier trimming one of the limbs away from the nearest spider construct.
Her holy symbol was up again ¡°obliterate¡± a surge of holy energy struck the construct shattering it knocking it back it crumbled into pieces. The third moved forwards, Nicole had expended her last reserves of mental fortitude. She didn''t have the ability to use another blessing, she was barely able to hold the spider back with thrusting attacks from her rapier. The mage Mary got one of the constructs in the head with her ice bolt. The construct fell into a weighting group of militia, who held it down with spears and finished it off with hoes and pitchforks. The sheriff tackled another putting five steel arrows into its chest and neck in quick succession until it failed.
The spider constructs were almost expended but the greater walkers were nearly at the gate. David had reached the gate house with his barrel of oil. He griped it firmly then threw it over head with both hands onto the shield formation it shattered going everywhere. David gave it a few seconds to soak in then threw a torch at the centre of the formation, the fire erupted into a blazing inferno.
The grater walkers took one step forwards unflinching, even with the flames raging they took a second then a third. David wondered if he had made a mistake were they fire proof? On the fourth step they faltered the inner elements were not keeping up. The formation twisted some of the shields in the centre wavered and dropped. Slowly the formation fell apart the shields were released or held weakly and the formation was open up to attack. David switched target and soon the last spider constructs on the walls fell.
The group started to concentrate there fire power onto the greater walkers below. Stones and bricks were hurled down at them. Spears arrows Alice''s fire balls Martin reloaded and emptied his pistols several times. The witch finder reloaded and fired her pistols. The greater walkers fell one by one to flames and arrows spells and pistol balls. In the centre of the formation they dropped a battering ram that had been hidden beneath there shields. At some unseen command the greater walkers turned and retreated seven or eight of them were all that remained of the forty that had made up the initial attacking force.
The witch finder looked at the defenders. ¡°it¡¯s not over yet start a fire burn the bodies open the gates and drag those things in quick before they can recover them, get the battering ram as well.¡± Martin David and Vivian sprang to action as soon as the gates opened they ran out and began to drag the mangled constructs inside the settlement. Nothing would be left to be repaired or reanimated. A group of eight militia men grabbed the iron tipped battering ram and dragged it inside they would not leave it to be recovered.
The militia also made sure to grab every one of the dropped metal rectangular shields. They were a lot better than the wooden round shields that the militia generally carried. The professor had expended his reserves of greater spider constructs and his greater walkers. Two waves of his best creations had been destroyed.
David had used his barrel of oil to toast most of one wave. He was exceptionally smug about his idea. The last of the constructs were dragged in and thrown on the pile in the centre of the village. It was ignited with kindling and fire wood the archanists arts going up in smoke. The witch finder was exhausted but grinning, ¡°The professor must be very angry his toys keep getting smashed, he might start to make mistakes¡±.
The level up hit the last of the professor¡¯s toys must have limped its way to a safe distance. Their eyes glowed even Vivian''s artificial one. Alice had gained two levels from all the constructs she had destroyed. Hitting level 60 she gained a new spell the poison gas cloud spell, not very good against constructs it still rounded out her arsenal a bit. She had a class level a very important one her base mana cost dropped from 3 points to two points. In effect her ability to cast spells became far more efficient. She would only need to use a little mana to use her spells. She also gained the ability to control up to four spells at a time. She could really layer on the defences or attack with several spells simultaneously.
Martin reached level 69 gaining two more ranks in his poison use skill, adding necrotic and metallic poisons to his arsenal. David reached level 56 he picked up the same class level Vivian had and a skill that allowed him to counter heavy armour making him better at tackling armoured opponents.
Vivian reached level 58 gaining level 7 of her shatter shield ability, various other people gained levels militia guards the sheriff. Some of the militia were not so lucky, the priest would have to perform a few last rights tonight.
The group broke up Martin sort out the witch finder, ¡°Let us discuss some matters in private¡±. There was an inn and the witch finder had taken the best room as her lodgings. Martin turned to her ¡°we fought the vampire Bismark, he had a werewolf body guard I was bitten and infected. The bishop Alexius sent us to the Bishop of North port who sent us to you. Can you help me¡±? The witch finder looked him over ¡°I assume you¡¯re keeping it in check with the purge soul blessing¡±? ¡°Oh yes and purify, if I need to keep it under control can you help me¡±. ¡°Not today I have expended everything I have. Tomorrow after a nights rest I can help you, if the professor gives us a nights rest before they attack again¡±.
They were put up in a merchant¡¯s room at the inn. Vivian and David got a meal at the bar and some ale. Alice looked at her fellow mage a woman whose raw power she dramatically exceeded but whose general knowledge was in all likely hood significantly greater. Her voice was sluggish, ¡°what do ... know about ¡ mind magic¡±. Mary looked her over, ¡°you mean spells that can influence the mind, there are different sorts some designed to control some to simply destroy others to punish what happened to you¡±? ¡°Could not ¡ wake up¡±. She understood, ¡°That sounds like a spell designed to kill, vampires have a form of innate blood magic that they can cast using blood rather than mana was that¡¯s what hit you¡±.
¡°Yes ¡ think was it¡±. Mary used her own magical senses, ¡°Your level is above master level did you have a magic item on you that gave you a bit of defence¡±? Alice responded slowly, ¡°yes¡± ¡°the spell severs the connection between the body and the mind. It disrupts them leavening the body to fade away. It dose intense trauma against a regular person, you were strong enough that part of your mind still remained active, still connected. Even with that permanent loss of memory or skills can be a side effect how long ago was it¡±? ¡°One ... week¡±. She was surprised, ¡°you¡¯re already feeling better, a psionic might be able to help you a little but you will get better in time¡±.
Alice looked about, ¡°do you ¡ have house hear¡±? ¡°The local lord allows me a few rooms but I can¡¯t own a house, mages can¡¯t own land or run business outside the tower. Only tools and personal effects, you know that it¡¯s one of the ways that the nobles keep us in check¡±. ¡°I didn''t ... remember¡± Alice felt a rising anger at the back of her mind. Purpose why she was trying to become stronger, it pushed out some of the cloud hanging over her thoughts. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re fresh out of the tower so they never taught you that, or you forgot when you were attacked¡±.
Alice looked at her ¡°what else ¡ don''t ... you agree with¡±? Mary held up a locket to Alice, ¡°see this it¡¯s a picture of my daughter Ruth. It¡¯s the only thing I have, all mages children are raised at the tower by nurses. Once they are weaned and strong enough to travel¡±. ¡°Why ... is that¡±? She felt indignant, ¡°so that they don''t pick up any bad habits, preposterous they don''t want mages forming families or owning land, preposterous so we can¡¯t organise¡±.
She was quiet for a moment, ¡°why didn''t ¡ you resist ... taking your child¡±. ¡°I only have some idea what a witch hunter can do, but for example they have at low level ability a mana draining strike without mana a mage can¡¯t fight¡±. ¡°I suppose ... your right... Didn''t your husband ...resist or object¡±? She looked at Alice again certainly some things were erased form her mind. ¡°No my partner in this duty was selected for me. He was nice enough but a bit wet, he just saw it as another service he had to do for the mages tower. And he didn''t want six months in the gallows prison at the jail city¡±.
She looked down, ¡°it¡¯s not like we are necromancers or sorcerers out for blood. I swear it¡¯s the same way the nobles treat wyverns and dragons powerful tools. But animals to be maintained as a population trained to be used and dealt with if they rebel, I feel more like breeding stock than a woman now. They would have thrown me to the gallows tower jail if I didn''t hand over my baby and you herd of the warden¡±?
Alice drew a blank, ¡°no ... the way you say ¡.the warden ¡ it sounds... like there has only... ever been one¡±? ¡°You haven''t heard a literal monster of some kind Bloody Samuel, they locked them up there inside a circle of concentrated ground. The warden considers it there job to punish anyone who falls into their grasp. As if we deserve to be handed over to a monster for stepping out of line¡±. Alice examined her own actions, ¡°I have helped ...send people ¡to the warden... the jailer ¡a few times. One of our own ¡ that joined a thief¡¯s guild ... a collaborator ¡ I think ...there was a thief ¡ or two¡±.
A cold angry look flushed across Alice''s face. ¡°I don''t like ¡ the idea of being ¡ a note on a ¡. Noble¡¯s genealogy book ¡ but I don''t have ¡ the strength to change ... it now. Do you have any... reading material ... I would rather ¡ read than sleep¡±. Mary gestured towards her rooms and Alice followed.
Martin has to use purge soul on himself one more time, then settled into troubled sleep. Vivian and David returned back after a few drinks and bedded down for the night, ready to jump to the sound of the alarm.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 5 Confrontation
Martin woke up with regret that he had to use his ¡°purge soul¡± blessing once more. He had to push the lycanthropy back as far down as possible. It hurt but it would be the last time he would have to do this. Alice was already up and reading a book. She looked a little groggy but she was up and she was slowly regain her wits, there was more clarity recognition in her eyes. Vivian and David were up already they practised a bit with their weapons of choice.
David still had to regain a little proficiency with his right hand. Before he would be confident to switch his fighting style back. Vivian was almost as sharp with the one artificial eye as she was with both her natural eyes. The perception enchantments on her equipment and artificial eye certainly helped her cope.
They ate together a simple meal of grainy bread and fried fish. Then they sort out the witch finder, she was busy speaking to the sheriff going over the villages defence. She finished her discussion with the sheriff and followed them to a private area, away from the rest of the village.
She looked at Martin ¡°you want me to remove the curse now, your aware that it can be quite painful and time consuming? You don''t want to wait until after the battle for this village¡±. Martin was resolute, ¡°It took everything I had to wait one more night. Even if I am knocked out for a few hours I want you to do it now, I can¡¯t stand being this thing¡±.
The witch finder readied herself cracking her knuckles, ¡°this little yard is private, I can use my ability to restore you. To remove the lycanthropy it is often lethal and time consuming to recover from the process and it really hurts¡±. He nodded without hesitation.
She held out a hand the other on her holy symbol, ¡°this will hurt more than you can comprehend¡±. ¡°Strip curse¡± it hit Martin like an avalanche. He was on his knee''s pain overwhelming him. His mind was shaking, his thoughts erratic his nerves no longer responded. His blood felt like it was boiling in his veins. His heart was thumping like a trip hammer his soul was arching like lightning was coursing through it.
He blacked out for a second then sighed and tried to regain his feet. His limbs would barely twitch, his head felt like it was being set upon by a gang of men with sledge hammers. His lips croaked faintly ¡°over¡±?
Her face was an emotionless mask, ¡°That was not it, that was just to soften it up, cure lycanthropy¡± the air was compressed from his lungs and he was physically thrown back. It was hard to describe the sensation exactly. The barest words would paint it a pail comparison to reality. True suffering, it was as if a part of every single cell in his body was grasped and twisted.
At the same time it felt part of him was anchored to the point where he had previously been kneeling. Yet his body was forced away the tangible and intangible shredded one from the other. It was pulled out of him, wrenched and twisted rung out of his blood cut form his cells. The sensation was also something of the soul, his existence was ripped apart. Something intangible malevolent fought back clawed to live. A shadow that was layered over his self was wrenched away in an equally brutal and unforgiving fashion as it had been imposed upon him.
Martin regained his focus there was a black something standing in the spot he had been. It was a shadow in the shape of a wolf. It seemed to turn one last hungry haunting stare then began to fade. His eyes lost focus as the rest of his mind flooded with the unadulterated agony of every fibre of his being stripped of the werewolf''s influence. He was alone in himself, He felt his body twitch the tips of his toes and fingers began to regain their sensation, ¡°holy god almighty that ¡ there are not words for the ¡ dam pain¡±.
He moved his ankles and flexed his fingers, he realised that he was sunk into the earth. He had been thrown back with enough force to dig a shallow trench into the earth. He was six inches in and ten foot back. His chest hurt and he was amazed he had not thrown up his breakfast. David and Vivian stepped forwards to help, him he held a hand up to stop them. He flexed his shoulders and back freeing himself from the indent in the earth. He rolled onto his right hand side and got to his knees.
The witch hunter casually walked over to him, ¡°in human vitality 70 points of endurance or more. A total level around eighty. If there was someone who could recover from that it would be you. I am amazed that you are awake, let alone getting up. I ripped the curse form every drop of your blood and your very soul. No one less than a master would survive that, and even then they would need a healer to intercede, you show a lot of promise¡±.
Martin rose from his knees to a standing position he swayed and righted himself. He grinned and wiped a drip if black blood from his nose, flicking it to the floor. He took one deep breath then another and another. He reached out his hand and shook hers, ¡°thank you Nicole is there anything that you can do to help my companions. I am much as I once was but can you help any of the others recover¡±?
¡°Alice come forwards¡±. She looked nervous ¡°yes¡±. ¡°I have abilities to help people recover from abuses of magic¡±. She held her holy symbol and touched Alice''s head lightly, ¡°free mind¡± there was a brief glow. Alice looked slightly less tired slightly more focused, ¡°it is a blessing that can ease the recovery from your trauma Alice¡±. She curtseyed respectfully in response ¡°thank you ¡I think that is about half a week ¡ off my recovery time¡±.
Nicole looked at them, ¡°the professor has been quiet since we cut his puppets strings. He must be planning something or he would have already started to harass us again. I believe that he must be starting to assemble a new attack force, or debating to commit his last reserves to one final attack. He must know at this point reinforcements form North port are on the way. So he needs to win quickly or withdraw¡±.
She looked at the duty and fire in her eyes, ¡°I want to be proactive. To hit him before he is ready. To do enough damage to cripple his forces, to force them to withdraw. Even better if we can corner him, between the four of us we could kill him¡±. David looked at her calculating, ¡°what''s the price on the professor¡¯s head¡±? Nicole could see how to motivate her audience, ¡°Before this little episode it was 30 gold. Now I could get it bumped up to 35 gold, think about it 700 silver each for a single kill. He has a bag of tricks, but it¡¯s not like he''s an elder vampire¡±.
She called the sheriff over, ¡°alright Alyson the defence of lighthouse hill is yours for the moment. We are going to pay the archanist a little visit¡±. She turned to the party, ¡°as an emissary of the triune I officially deputize you four for a special mission, we will shatter them lets go¡±. They let themselves down from the village wall using a rope. Alice had a little trouble but Martin helped her. Nicole took the lead following a path behind the settlement up the beach.
The encountered some very basic enemies, a few scuttlers brass hounds and two ordinary walkers. The archanists dregs the professors very last forces. The witch finder looked back at the group, ¡°quiet if possible¡±. The witch finder skewered a brass hound with her rapier. Martin got two of the scuttlers with thrown knives and pounded a third down with his mallet.
Vivian took one of the walkers down with an arrow. David cut a couple of scuttlers and brass hounds down. Alice melted the last walker with an acid strike. They piled the remains into one mass and Alice hit it with a couple more acid strikes, to be sure. They didn''t want to start a fire, this was the second best way to make sure nothing salvageable would be left.
As they came round the corner it was quite clear why the professor was not attacking. He had to build his forces back up, something he was attempting now. There was a line of 20 spider constructs, waiting to be upgraded to greater spider constructs by a foundry mother. In crates were about 40 half-starved dogs that would be converted into brass hounds. There were several hundred rats in cages and raw materials that would become scuttlers. Twenty frightened scrawny slaves had been shoved in a few under sized cages, they would be destined to become greater walkers.
The biggest threat on the field was a creature above a foundry mother. A greater foundry mother for want of a better word. It was actively building a second foundry mother, it was about 60% of the way, leaving a very skeletal construction that could not yet function. The greater foundry mother had an abdomen the size of a cart. Made from brass iron and preserved flesh it was somewhat like a bellows. She had eight gigantic segmented limbs made form iron bronze and wood.
Where a usual foundry mother would have a woman''s torso. This one had a segmented section of its body ten feet long made from iron and copper plates, some gears and pistons could be seen in-between. There was a woman''s torso and she was encased in brass, but she had three eyes and six arms. Extra donations from some poor victim, the arms were spread evenly about. But the eyes were all on the right hand side. From her body several green fleshy tendrils worked on the foundry mother below her slowly and meticulously building her, almost like weaving in a loom.
To balance out the ranks there were two overseer primes. A half dozen greater spider constructs and the 8 greater walkers from the previous night, somewhat repaired. They had to stop the greater foundry mother producing a new abomination. They had to stop the other foundry mothers making more constructs, they had to smash the lot of them.
Nicole was quick to give orders, ¡°shield zealot clean up the small fry. Myself malice and eagle will take the founders mothers at range¡±. David charged into the nearest group of greater walkers. He knocked them over like bowling pins. He chose the nearest target and cut down into it until it stopped moving. Martin pulled his four barrelled pistol free of its holster. Four shots and four of the spider constructs fell to the ground deactivated with large holes in them.
Alice could now maintain four spells simultaneously, she cast her physical shield spell and illusionary allies. She sent two fire balls crashing into the foundry mother processing the spider constructs. The witch hunter pulled two of her pistols from her bandoleer she focused her fire on the foundry mother and let lose. Both double barrelled pistols hitting the construct in the chest. Vivian focused her fire with her bodkin arrows at the same target. Putting two into its side and one into its head the matron construct collapsed, too badly wounded to stand.
The constructs tried to organise themselves, the incomplete foundry mother started to limp away as fast as she could putting herself between the adventures and the greater foundry mother. The greater foundry mother screamed in indignation, the scream almost sounded like hissing steam. From the back of her body two heavy repeating crossbows emerged. They swivelled towards the witch finder. The two overseers sprang into action, the first ran over to the dead spider constructs. He worked on one spraying them with preservative fluid and shocking the wound site to try to cause it to regenerate. The second overseer attempted to rally the remaining greater walkers and spider constructs for a counter attack.
Martin targeted the overseer trying to patch the spider construct back together. His pistol the lionhearts hammer rang out, removing most of the overseers head. It ceased in its attempts to repair its compatriot. Its limb came up to inspect the damage, what was left gave out and it collapsed deactivate. Martin emptied his remaining two pistols into two more of the spider constructs. David cut through two more of the greater walkers. Then had to doge back to avoid the greater spider constructs that were closing in on him.
The witch hunter emptied her last pistol into the greater foundry mother. Destroying both of the repeating crossbows. The wounded foundry mother was finished off by Alice and Vivian with two more bodkin arrows and two acid strike spells shattering her armour plating and dissolving her limbs, she collapsed in a slowly expanding pool of contaminated oil.
David tried to get to the overseer, but the rest of the constructs got in his way. He was able to cut down two of the greater spider constructs. His mithril blade sliced through bronze leather and reanimated flesh. Martin expended his octium blades in a series of focus throws. Cutting down four more of the spider constructs, right through there masks into what reanimated remains of the brain that piloted the automatons. The witch finder held up her holy symbol ¡°obliterate¡± a chunk of the greater foundry mother¡¯s side exploded out with a flash of white light. Alice hit it with a duel cast fire ball, Vivian put three mithril arrows into its side, a few serious wounds but nothing to finish it off.
¡°Flesh time to be harvested¡± the greater foundry mother hissed, in a raspy voice like escaping steam. A dozen tendrils sprouted blades, a short jet of flame emerged from under her body and she advanced towards the group attacking her. The overseer continued to try and coordinate the attacks on David, the remaining constructs mindlessly surged forwards. The incomplete foundry mother continued to hobble away.
Martin had his holy symbol ready he grinned it was good to have himself back, as a werewolf it hurt to call on the power of the divine now it was bliss. ¡°Field of wrath¡± every construct in front of him suffered a bit of damage, ¡°sphere of consecration¡± the spider constructs around him suffered even more damage as they tried to close in on him. They had steam coming off of them the preservative fluid in their veins boiling there mechanisms tarnished then failed one by one. Each dropped around him, he took a few hits but they were soon no more.
David hit the nearest greater walker, the wound slowly started to close. Another two greater walkers tried to push in to shield there colleague. David knocked them back with his shield and delivered a power attack that shredded the greater walker he had injured. He stepped back as a greater spider construct landed where he had been, he cut is head clean off and dodged back further. The witch hunter used her holy symbol ¡°accuse¡± part of the greater foundry mother lit on fire then there was an impact that staggered her, the monster reeled back a flailing windmill about to fall before a storm. Alice and Vivian aimed for the legs acid strike spells and octium arrows struck the same place, the foundry mother was reduced to seven spider limbs.
The greater foundry mother closed in on Nicole, cutting into the spot she had been standing Nicole dodged back. Alice and Vivian were already pulling back out of the way. The last overseer noted how Martin had chewed through the last of the spider constructs and was heading for him. He pulled a canister bomb from his side and lobed it at Martin.
Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°guardian angel¡± the bomb detonated and the blessing absorbed the impact. Martin thrust his holy symbol forwards like a weapon, a zealous wrath in his voice ¡°pillar of salt¡±. The overseer collapsed to the ground twisted then crumbled into salt. He grinned pulling out his mallet ¡°fortress of faith¡± Martin started to swing for the spider constructs, while David took on the greater walkers.
Quickly enough David carved up two more greater walkers, they were un-lead and distracted. The greater foundry mother was hit with fire balls, various flavours of arrow and various divine powers. Piece by piece it fell apart, its flame thrower gutted and died. It lost four of its tentacles and two more limbs. Noticing how badly wounded it was and how badly its allies were doing, it started to make a break for the ocean it didn''t need to breath after all.
David cut through the remaining two greater walkers and turned round. He was hesitant for a second to go after the incomplete foundry mother or the greater foundry mother, he took the biggest target and charged forwards. Martin used his divine retribution blessing and his mallet to finish off the last three greater spider constructs. He drew his four barrelled pistol again, reloading it he would finish off the incomplete construct before it could flee. Alice threw acid strikes at its remaining legs Vivian put iron arrows into its joints she had run out of better arrows. The witch hunter hit it with obliterate again and again.
David crashed into the massive construct severing one of its hind legs with his sword. He immediately jumped back as it crashed to the ground. He started to deliver power attack after power attack into its side as he set about destroying it. The creature managed a hissing ¡°nooo ...¡± then plunged into the wet sand collapsing as they continued to thoroughly destroy it. Martin emptied all four barrels of his pistol into the incomplete foundry mother in the chest, its limbs twisted and contorted pulling in tight together, and then it collapsed unmoving bleeding a puddle of oil and preservative fluid. Finally the greater foundry mother twitched her gears slowing and stopping.
The level up hit. They all gained two levels Martin got one class level at 70 and another level of combat medic at 71. He unlocked the ability to perform a focus resuscitation to get someone''s heart beating again. For the class level he gained greater psionic resistance, every mental attack would be useless against him but he could not gain the benefits of a friendly psionic or use a mental link over distances to co-ordinate.
Of course this didn''t come without a bit of a price his mind felt an ear splitting pain coming from inside it. His thoughts echoed inside his mind growing louder and louder as they became more and more erratic. His mind was altered hardened deadened to make him immune to this weakness, he could feel the irreversible change and it truly hurt.
He gained three blessings another use of field of wrath. A blessing called citadel of faith allowing him 300 points of temporary health and 40 points of armour. The best blessing though was pillar of fire once per day he could summon a pillar of fire that would last five seconds and deal 400 damage per second very good against vampires.
Alice hit level 62 allowing her to upgrade her poison gas cloud spell to the grand version giving her quite a boost in damage. David hit level 58 his counter heavy armour skill rose to level 3. Vivian hit level 60 she gained a class level being able to train baronial body guards who importantly gain the made of iron perk. She maximised her shatter shield skill. The witch hunter also gained a level at last hitting level 81. The witch finder looked about ¡°good work now let¡¯s get on with the clean up the professors not hear, I suspect he was recovering some troops to add to this lot¡±.
Vivian collected her arrows prying them from the remains of the destroyed constructs. Martin and Nicole reloaded there pistols. Alice used her healing magic on David Martin and Nicole. She had been too close to the foundry mothers bladed tendrils a few times and suffered a couple of nasty wounds. David set about dragging the remains of the destroyed constructs into one pile so that they could be burnt up in one go. The pile rapidly grew as Vivian Martin and Nicole started to drag the two foundry mothers back to the pile.
They used some smashed crates for wood a little oil that Vivian carried and the pile was set on fire. They burnt the lot, the foundry mothers were slow to ignite but burnt well. There were several barrels full of the green preservative fluid used in the creation of the constructs. The preservative fluid went up quickly, it was a good accelerant and allowed them to easily set the husk of the grand foundry mother on fire. The constructs flesh was consumed by the fire the lingering remains of the enchantments used to put the mechanical components together faded and shattered. The physical leather and metal ignited and warped, there would be nothing for the professor to recover very shortly.
The remaining cages were the next priority to free the slaves. It was a sad fact that there priories were like this, but a necessary part of survival if you wanted your opponents to stay down. One to get themselves ready for the next fight two to make sure that the enemy could not recover and three to recover the victims. Vivian approached the first cage, ¡°who are you, what''s happened to you¡±?
¡°I was a farmer were all farmers or labourers we were promised work in grey forge, but our caravan was captured by the brotherhood of the Black Hand. They sold us onto a vampire who worked us away in a coal mine. After nine months we started to get weak couldn''t produce much no good as thralls so the vampire sold us onto the archanist. We were going to be spare parts please help us¡±. Martin worked away on the lock, after a minute he blunt forced the old worn lock open.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
The second cage filled with people had a similar story people due to work at a new mill captured by the red blades of Saul and sold on. They left the mangy diseased dogs in their cages when it was over the villagers might come back for them. The cages of rats were another matter, David took one look at the packed rats then started walking. No one objected as he casually cast the cage into the sea the rats clawed at each other as the cage sunk below the water.
The witch finder held her holy symbol out. She could not find a hint of corruption or taint Alice could detect no magic within them no spell laid against them. Nicole directed the former slaves back to the village to the front gate where the sheriff could help them.
The witch finder looked at the others, ¡°the professor must have acquired those half dead slaves very recently. When he saw that his plans were not working out, he must have started to scrape together anything he could use to fight against us. He will probably be back with a few more forces just to try his luck, not anticipating this lots demise¡±. Martin looked at the last slave limping away. ¡°I suppose we should protect them just in case any more constructs were wandering about. I would suspect that they were safer in the cages then out hear with the professor wandering about¡±. Nicole focused on the big picture, ¡°I think all of them could survive¡±.
Vivian looked about her artificial eye focusing on something. ¡°Keep an eye open I can see something coming. Let¡¯s get a bit further back so were are not out in the open. I am not sure what ranged abilities he has, do you know¡±. ¡°I am not sure I have heard tails of past encounters but he has a habit of upgrading himself. Compact crossbows have been noted as well as a ship that he used as a mobile laboratory. Though later tales tell of him having some sort of flying creature, perhaps he turned a wyvern griffon or a small dragon into some sort of construct¡±.
Moments after they ducked into cover of some stone a wyvern landed quite awkwardly on the beach. It was obviously an archanists construction, its white flesh was tinted green a strange sort of sickly pallor to it. There were several parts of its anatomy held together by stitches of wire and brass staples. Its head had been greatly repaired with one eye being replaced with a purple blue crystal. The front right leg and rear left had been reinforced with iron and leather braces to keep it working. There was leather stitched over part of its wings. The wyvern had been around level 25 when it was killed. Its reanimated flesh would be tougher, but it would be far less flexible than a live one.
The next part was quite a surprise, the professor had a mode of aerial transportation. Its arrival was announced by a slow whirring noise over the course of a few minutes. Something arrived crossing over the sea, it came round a bend in the coast it appeared larger and larger. It looked like the professor had taken a ship which was half way in size between a sloop and a brig and heavily modified it.
The ship was suspended from a balloon that appeared to be stitched from canvas held with rigging. Some gas or chemical lighter than air filled the balloon giving it buoyancy. It had two rotating engines much like the sails on a pair of windmills that propelled the craft. They were what was creating the noise. The professor had obviously been away to scrape together some final forces before abandoning his current enterprise.
The engines slowed and stopped, the craft started to sink towards the ground. It was probably sea worthy so could rest on water as well as sand. Martin looked at it as a craftsman would, it would require a master archanist to keep it running. Not a practical thing to reproduce, the weight of the ship was slightly more than the balloon could lift so it needed the engines for both propulsion and lift.
Alice looked as the ship it was a naval vessel an old one adapted over time by the professor. She had no doubt that it would be his laboratory as well, packed into the old wooden hull. She could sense the enchantments that powered the engines. Somewhat similar to the constructs but there was a source of magic that reminded her of a lich''s phylactery but larger. Which had some disturbing implications on the power source for the vessel.
David saw a target to be dismantled, it was held together with a boats rigging a few cuts to the ropes and the whole thing would separate in two, most likely it would pull itself apart. Vivian could see its use as a tactical asset. They had to wait for the professor to emerge, it was quite likely that he had some surprises on-board. It would be best to wait for him to get off the vessel, then they could tackle him out in the open, a look at Nicole and a nod and she was sure that she was right.
There was a cabin at the front of the vessel. It allowed the professor to steer the ship using some control device that looked similar to a bronze nautical navigation tool. A gang plank dropped to the sand and he strode down. His movements were erratic twitchy his stride was off, like he was barely containing his anger. He had three reanimated trolls with him and the wyvern that landed close by. He had stitched it back to life. He did seem to be reduced to his last few toys.
The three trolls were each about 8 foot tall. Not massive by troll standards, they had encountered an old adult before twice as tall. But then they had killed it with a battle alchemist and his party splitting the reward, these were far less impressive. They were stitched and riveted together replacement limbs a few extra parts. With lots of reinforcements around the head and neck. The wyvern came over to the professor and remained waiting for commands.
The professor was tall six foot six, he had a large tall black hat something a dwarven merchants had apparently imported, it reminded Martin of a stove pipe from a furnace. He had one artificial eye and one human eye, possibly even his original. His skin was chalky white with a few hints of the usual green preservative fluid. He wore a massive light brown leather coat that obscured most of his body.
He had a blue and brown face mask with some brass augments on it. His chest moved up and down though heavily altered. He still barely remained in the land of the living. His feet and lower legs could be seen under the coat sinking into the sand. They were artificial, made of bronze and iron they looked almost skeletal with leaf springs cables and pistons instead of sinew and muscles. The hands were pail they had an extra set of digits made from brass. He looked over the remains of his creations.
A second set of mechanical hands emerged from his jacket. They were thin but solid sprouting four fingers and a thumb a piece. They drew a pair of blades from inside his coat that extended to become a pair of rapiers. In his hands he held some sort of heavy wrench like tool. A third set of limbs came up from below his coat. Ending with a pair of dart launchers ready and primed to deliver there poisonous contents to whoever had dared to smash his toys.
He was becoming enraged that his creations were destroyed again and again. They saw his supreme skill used. The professor gestured towards the three rebuilt trolls, ¡°upgrade¡±. The trolls were surrounded by a green light very similar to how a sorcerer or necromancer could enhance their minions with conjured armour. The archanist had conjured extra green plating and mechanisms around the trolls. It was almost like they had been encased inside a mechanism built around them from translucent green energy, how long the upgrade lasted they were not sure.
The professor turned to the groups hiding spot. ¡°I can sense you, do you think I am a fool, come out. You have smashed so many of my fine works, you dare to face a full archanist? Do you want the price on my head come to your deaths¡±. Nicole looked at the group, ¡°so much for surprise zealot take the wyvern, shield take the trolls. The rest of you focus on the professor with me¡±.
Alice remained behind the rise in the ground where she could fire from safety. She sent two fire balls streaking at the professor who jumped back to avoid the fiery explosion. He landed right in the path of one of Vivian''s arrows. The arrow struck with a dull thud. The professor pulled it out where it was lodged in his armour plated chest. Only to violently jump to the side to avoid a shot from the witch hunter. David charged around him to meet the trolls, Martin signalled the wyvern to come and attack him, not that it would understand. He had his four barrelled pistol in one hand and his holy symbol in the other.
The professor sent a scattering of darts at the witch hunter and lobbed a canister grenade at Vivian. Vivian was quick enough to skewer the thrown grenade with an arrow, detonating it harmlessly in mid-air. Alice threw two acid strike spells at the professor who intercepted them with darts from his launchers, he was a very difficult opponent to pin down.
David met the first troll construct and cut into its arm the creature was well protected David''s blade cut through a few layers of the green conjured mechanisms. It was like an extra armour plate hard to remove. Martin used his blessing ¡°seraphim guardian angel¡±, it would allow him to take four hits from the wyvern constructs breath weapon before he would take damage. He unloaded his pistol into its head as it made passes trying to douse him in electrified corrosive fluid.
Alice had her icy tomb spell prepared she needed to time it right, a look to Vivian and they coordinated. The professor dodged one bullet form the witch hunter only to be grazed by a second doing a little damage. He saw the telegraphed attack from Vivian and jumped to the left as the arrow hit the ground. It was obvious as he stepped right onto the spot Alice was aiming. The icy tomb spell took hold freezing the professor slowing his movements down and doing a lot of cold damage. Not that the professor didn''t seem to be easily able to resist the cold damage, he could not negate the effects of his limbs being coated in an aggressive layer of ice.
David mistimed his step and was sent flying by a blow from a troll. His layers of armour cushioned him but he was still hurt he had to immediately roll to one side to avoid a second troll that tried to jump on him. The troll construct landed where David had been only seconds before. Only for David to hit it in the ankle with his blade. The troll wobbled and fell it was wounded but far from out of the fight. The troll scrabbled back to its feet as David did the same. He would fight a little more defensively the trolls seemed to be smarter than the average construct, that was not saying much.
Martin had a blessing ready for the wyvern, he had held one of his most powerful back as an insurance policy ¡°hand of judgement¡±. The power of the divine manifested as a hand above the wyvern construct. A smashing force sent the wyvern hurtling to the ground where Martin had every intention of stopping it getting back up into the air. Martin drew his pistol the lionhearts hammer and blasted the crystal eye from the wyvern. He held his holy symbol out he used his pillar of salt and wrath of the almighty blessings on the wyvern¡¯s wing joint. It would not be getting back in the air. He had to dodge out of the way moments later, a hail of caustic bile from the wyvern flew towards him.
The witch hunter emptied her last pistol into the professor. The pistol balls hit something even if it was not something important. Alice could maintain several spells at once the professor was knocked back as a duel cast fire ball hit him. Vivian targeted both of the professors dart throwers with broad head arrows. Two impacts and the professor was limited to melee and his grenades, neither of which could use very efficiently while semi encased in a block of magic ice.
Martin wished he didn''t need a long rest to be able to use unlocked blessings, the pillar of fire would really be useful about now as the wyvern tried to fight him. Martin activated his ¡°martyrs sacrifice¡± blessing he used it to enhance his speed against the wyvern. At the cost of ripping his own flesh apart he had two octium daggers ready it was stupid but he was on the wyvern''s back stabbing away at anything that looked important. It started to twist around to dislodge him he gritted his teeth and kept stabbing away.
The witch hunter held out her holy symbol ¡°accuse¡±, the professor screamed and reacted in pain as part of his coat ignited and he was hit with a crushing force. She had obviously managed to hit something more sensitive with her divine attack. Vivian targeted his lower artificial arms carrying the blades two octium arrows and his offensive abilities were cut down.
The wyvern was not going down easily neither were the trolls, David kept stabbing away stripping the constructs of their upgraded protection soon all three were almost completely stripped of their extra protection. David could focus on putting them out of the fight. They acted smart for a construct and a troll. When he injured one the other two would step in the way to allow the regeneration unit inside to put the wounded troll back together.
David had a plan when he had wounded one badly enough that it dropped back. The other two came in to protect it. David used an adrenalin shield block to send the closest troll hurtling into the second giving him the opening to finish off the wounded one before it could regenerate, he cut off its head. Then dodged out of the way of the counter attack. The headless troll got up seemed to twist round realising its head was no longer attached then down it fell again losing its footing. From the stump green fluid leaked out, slowly the troll¡¯s movements slowed.
Martin was thrown from the wyvern he quickly rolled out of the way. His concentration was broken and the martyrs sacrifice blessing evaporated. He used several healing and defensive blessings then drew his pistols and shot the wyvern in the head again and again doing a bit of damage. The professor started to limp backwards as he thawed out from the after effect of the icy tomb spell.
The witch hunter had her rapier at the ready. With a thrusting blade she put it into her opponent¡¯s centre of mass again and again. The professor slashed back with his own blade until an arrow from Vivian took it off at the elbow joint. Two more fire bite spells from Alice hit the professor. The professor had obviously determined that he had bitten off more than he could chew as he looked around.
The wyvern was being hit with every last blessing Martin had from his basic wrath blessing up to his hallowed earth, the wyvern would not last much longer. David cut a second troll down, first removing its right arm then of came its head. He charged towards the last troll. The professor''s offensive abilities were mostly negated. He had lost four limbs and most of his weapons, he threw the giant wrench at Nicole she ducked and he was off sprinting back towards his vessel.
Alice and Vivian focused on the wyvern construct it was almost destroyed but they nudged it over the edge with a few octium arrow to the head and acid strikes to the body. Down it collapsed the last troll fell to a thrust from David and all eyes were on the professor. He threw a dozen canister grenades in front of him to act as a screening tactic as he ran for his vessel. Jumping over the gangplank up into the bridge and activated the vessels engines. Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°archanist constructs are healed by electricity, let¡¯s see if it affects this thing the same¡±.
¡°Chain smite¡± bolts of lightning slammed into the side of the professor¡¯s vehicle. It had some enchantments to enhance its durability but they could not hold out against the constant stream of bolts. Planks burnt and shattered the vessel managed to make it off the ground, the lightning bolts hit the engine. It spluttered and stopped after a second bolt struck the delicate mechanism the ship started to lift but listed to one side. The bolts of lightning travelled upwards striking the balloon the entire ship was falling engulfed in fire.
A very weak creation as it was about to hit the ground the front bridge disengaged from the rest of the ship. It spread a set of glider like wing and rapidly sailed away under the power to two smaller motors. Martin tried to turn the chain smite attack towards the smaller craft, but it was rapidly beyond his range, the entire wreckage crashed to the ground and burnt.
Alice noticed the shattered giant soul jar in the burning wreckage. The trapped souls seemed to escape to wherever they were destined to go. The professor headed up south the witch finder looked exasperated. ¡°Everything you face over l00 is as slippery as they come. Dam he got away, good work everyone your reputation is well deserved. Especially to you Martin now he will have to start again, a pity about the gold on his head but there will be other days¡±.
The level up hit defeating the professor destroying his vessel his elite creatures had gained the party two levels. Alice reached level 64 she mastered her poison gas cloud. David reached level 60 gaining the same class level Vivian had gained, and the fourth level of the counter heavy armour skill. Vivian reached level 62 she gained two ranks in a skill called strike through target, she could now have a much better chance of piercing a target and hitting whatever was behind it. Martin gained two levels reaching level 73 he gained two levels in combat medic unlocking the ability to perform a focus limb set and a brief diagnosis.
They recovered there weapons and cleared the remains from the battle ground, Alice healed a few injuries. The witch hunter looked about ¡°A good days work let¡¯s get some food and rest and wait for the reinforcements¡±. Martin looked down the mask that the professor had dropped it had been knocked off. He examined it, it was not enchanted. A chemical filter of some sort he tried it on and grinned, it was reinforced with steel he could use it to protect his face.
The walk back to the village of light house hill was a slow one. A great deal of tension was gone the attack was over. The professor didn''t have enough materials to even try another attack. They could get a break Martin was free of his lycanthropy, he could feel the exhaustion catching up with him even with his massive endurance it was catching up with him form the ritual earlier today and the fight with the wyvern.
At the gates the sheriff greeted them with enthusiasm, ¡°we saw the fireworks did you get the bastard¡±. ¡°No but we destroyed every last toy he had¡±. They put their hands upon the holy symbol outside the settlement and were let in. The slaves that they had freed earlier were being tended to by the local priest and the mage Mary. A couple of villagers were bringing them water food and a few blankets. Martin and Alice check out the former slaves they were very malnourished with a few coughs and colds, but no supernatural coatigan waited inside them, it didn''t hurt to check a second time.
They ate a very large meal of fish and vegetables, then had a few ales to wash it down. In a little time the witch hunter the local sheriff Mary the mage and the local priest joined them. The mayor and merchants guild representative attempted to join them. There was a glowering look from the witch finder and the two local representatives retreated. They had not helped at all during the siege of the village they were very low in the witch finders view. She was the senior official of the triune in the area so she was very much in charge. They had a few more drinks then there was the sound of an alarm.
Rushing to the gate house three coaches arrived, the first of the reinforcements a coach load of vampire hunters one filled with crusaders and a third filled with mercenaries. Nicole spoke to them bringing their commanders up to speed. ¡°The archanist known as the professor a servant of the Empress of shadows he has been trying to destroy the local settlements¡±.
¡°We defended this settlement last night and destroyed the bulk of his forces. This morning we counter attacked and demolished the last of his forces. We destroyed his vessel he has escaped but was heavily wounded. There will be stragglers I charge you to scour the area for anything left, a few walkers brass hounds have probably been left tomorrow you will start the clean-up¡±.
The party turned in for the night, Martin was not far away from becoming a grand master the rest of them were not too far away.
statistics at the end of chapter 5
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
62 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
345/345 |
Adrenalin |
310/310 |
Efficiency |
3 |
| Strength |
68 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
62 |
Level Defence Bonus |
62 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
190 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L10 |
Layered Armour Perk L3 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L3 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| Better criticals L8 |
Pierce Armour L8 |
Shatter Shield L8 |
| Strike through target L1 |
|
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Flaws |
| Blind one eye -2 perception |
|
|
| Vivian |
| Bracelet sonic defense -45 point - swirly silver |
| Dagger of the Adder + 5 poison damage on strike ¨C seven inch fancy dagger |
| Octium golem eye + 3 perception |
| Ring of Eagle eye - + 5 perception |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points x 2 |
| Belt of minor health ¨C plus 20 health ¨C red belt |
| Pin of voice enhancement ¨C copper and iron |
| Bow yellow yew spring mithral and gryphon''s sinew ¡± tips dragon tooth string steal and octium, sight sighting mithral, Effectively +60 physical attack, + 20 accuracy 20% 5 second chance paralysis on human sized target l. 30% chance 5 second fear, |
| Damascus armor hauberk +2 endurance |
| Damascus armor Chain mail greaves + 2 point agility boost |
| Damascus armor Plated boots + 2 points strength |
| Damascus armor + 5 armor neck guard. |
| Damascus armor Helmet + 2 point willpower |
| Damascus armor chainmail and plate gloves + 2 point dexterity |
| Nightmare spider silk gambeson + 60 armor |
| Tabard over armour basic quartered black and red patterned squares on the chest, with stripes on the legs. Down to the knee |
| Minor poison resistance potion + 50 points resistance x 1 |
| Back Pack |
| Oiled green sheath for bow |
| oil stone + oil |
| Hand axe |
| coil of rope |
| letters of introduction. agents badge |
| rusty bear trap |
| Small quiver + quiver made by martin |
| Damascus bodkin arrows x 10 |
| Octium arrows x 10 |
| Mithral arrows x 10 |
| Silver arrows x 5 |
| bleed arrows x 2 |
| iron broadhead arrows x 20-25 |
| Mithril arrows elemental x 3 - 50 points fire electric ice |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
60 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
335/335 |
Adrenalin |
300/300 |
Efficiency |
3 |
| Strength |
66 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
60 |
Level Defence Bonus |
60 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
183 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L10 |
Layered Armour Perk L3 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L3 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L3 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
Bonus sword damage L4 |
Hail of Blows L4 |
| Counter Armour L4 |
Counter Heavy Armour L4 |
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
Learning to use new hand |
| David |
| Ring of Bores Endurance + 3 Endurance ¨C silver ring |
| Amulet of striking -10% stun chance with sword ¨C silver amulet |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points x 2 |
| Damascus tower shield custom made 100 armor points + 30 impact + 20 to natural armor |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Nightmare spider silk gambeson + 60 armor |
| Suit of steel chainmail + 70 Armor |
| Belt 3 favors grater 50 elemental resistance fire ice shock |
| Damascus tempered plate armor Expert forged+ 200 armor |
| Grey sword, A hand and a half bastard sword mithral steel alloy enchanted with durability cleaning and sharpening enchantment piercing enchantment. The left edge has a poison The right edge has a silver plating and a lingering fire enchantment . The pommel has a stun enchantment . The haft has the sure grip enchantment. |
| Minor poison resistance potion + 50 points resistance x 1 |
| Amulet of vivacity 30 points of extra health |
| Amulet of ruinous defense A charm against sorcererus and necromantic magic plus 25 points |
| leather bag hip. Few personal effects |
| Back up silver five inch dagger, in a black leather sheath |
| Tabard of basic black and red patterned squares on the chest, with stripes on the legs. |
| Letters of introduction. agents badge |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
64 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
207/207 |
Mana |
450/450 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
69 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
64 |
Level Defence Bonus |
64 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
4 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 2 Mana |
Magical Defence |
100 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L4 |
Analyse Magic L4 |
Recharge Enchantment L4 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage +5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) allies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| Elemental Shield Master (5 x level Resistance to Cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 25 seconds |
| Icy Tomb Master (7 points of cold damage per level 13 seconds) freezes target in place instant 10 x base mana |
| Electric Strike Master targeted spell 13 foot radius (40 damage + 7 per level) 4 x base mana |
| Illusionary Allies Master - target individual 13 copies of caster illusions remain for 6 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Poison Gas Cloud Master ¨C cast on area 10 foot by 30 foot duration 7 seconds 3 point of poison damage per level 2 x base mana |
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
Shy with Peers |
Clouded Mind Disjointed Speech |
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
| Inventory |
| Alice |
| Belt of the Scaled Hide ¨C armor + 5 ¨C long black belt |
| Necklace of Warding + 4 armor - square cut silver and iron |
| Bracelet of Minor Healing.+ 5 to any ranged healing ability ,red copper and dull bronze wire wrapped together, a torque. |
| Minor Ring of Armor + 2 points ¨C silver ring |
| Three favor belt of elemental resistance. 30 point resistance to electrical fire and ice based attacks. |
| Master mages robe of radiant, nightmare spider silk + 60 physical armor ¨C warmth enchantment + 2 point agility and 8 points of natural armour. |
| Bracelet of iron will + 25 resistance to mind control |
| White oak staff jade mounted in a copper grip.+ 50 point mana reserve + 5 armor + 5 perception |
| Ring of the adders tong 50 point poison resistance |
| Spell crystal of alcoholic infusion |
| Ring of the Equalizer 2 points of endurance 2 points of strength, |
| Ring of torchlight, brass ring. Low light |
| Apparel |
| thin belt , personal items purse and cutlery. |
| Brown woollen cloak from martin at broken gorge |
| Brown mittens |
| light steel cap |
| Mustard yellow scarf |
| Pair of large sturdy boots. |
| Stylish yet impractical shoes blue |
| padded cap padded vest |
| leather bracers and greaves |
| Linen wraps over top of boots |
| Light Iron ring mail vest |
| letters of introduction. agents badge |
| Canvas bag full of books |
| book on enchanting. |
| book Magical phenomenon volume 1- 3 |
| poetry books from lamia queen |
| book of dragons and wyverns |
| Supplies |
| Minor Potion of Mana + 120 points x 2 |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Relive x 3 ¨C druid ¨C Anti petrification / paralysis scrolls x 3 in blue holder |
| Minor poison resistance potion + 50 points resistance x 1 |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
73 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
1636/1636 |
Focus |
420/420 |
Focus efficiency 3 focus |
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
80 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
84 |
Level Defence Bonus |
84 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire + Minion |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L3 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L3 |
| Greater Psionic Resistance |
|
|
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L13 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L3 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L3 |
Focus Multi Throw L3 |
| General Melee Weapons L11 |
Focus strike L3 |
Grenadier L10 |
| Focus Parry L3 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L7 |
| Focus Stitch L3 |
Trap specialization L5 |
Poison Use L4 |
| Focus Diagnose L3 |
Focus Set Limb L3 |
Focus Resuscitate L3 |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 11 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 4 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 10 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 3 |
| Greater resist igna ¨C resistance to 65 points of fire damage x 2 |
| Greater resist lightning ¨C resistance to 65 points of electricity damage x 2 |
| Greater resist cold ¨C resistance to 65 points of cold damage x 2 |
| Litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing x 1 |
| Bastion of faith ¨C 250 points of temporary health + 30 points of armor x 1 |
| Citadel of Faith ¨C 300 points of temporary health + 40 points of armor x 1 |
| Pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt x 2 |
| Pillar of Pire ¨C 400 point fire attack 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter x 2 |
| Hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down x 1 |
| Purge mind ¨C cleans mind control x 1 |
| Purge soul ¨C removes demonic corruption possession x 2 |
| Cleanse air - cleans tainted air x 1 |
| Cleanse soil ¨C cleans tainted ground x 1 |
| Cleanse water ¨C cleans corruption form water x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 105 points Long ranger rank 2 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% |
| Vitality level 1 ¨C 2 x base hit points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
| Martin |
| Two long pistols. + ammo pouch |
| Tesla grenades x 2 |
| set of steel throwing knives 2 poison 2 fire oil 2 silvered |
| Four barreled pistol |
| Lion hearts hammer + 250 holy damage |
| Octium throwing knives x 4 |
| mallet dark red hardwood leather wrap + few stakes |
| 10 mithril bullets |
| Armour etc. |
| set of standard hunter armour steel leather blessed durability + bonus experience |
| Armoured mask taken from the Professor |
| Monocle of clarification ¨C low light vision ¨C read target approximate level hp |
| Holy symbol solid Damascus steel with a wooden handle grips |
| Utility items |
| Brass compass |
| Alchemists flask minor healing x 2 |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Minor potion of focus+ 120 points x 2 |
| A Brief Guide to Monsters ¨C Book |
| Roll of Tools ¨C leather working etc hammer and chisel |
| Tinder box |
| Flasks tip x 2 |
| Pair of pliers for fangs pair of forceps |
| Leather case, for locks sturdy tools. twisting and prying jimmying |
| Letters of introduction. agents badges |
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 6 – After the Battle
Alice woke up with a start, she didn''t like having to sleep at all. To lose control of her body to be so vulnerable, it was terrifying to experience having her body rendered inanimate. It was a slowly rising panic she didn''t want to face. But yet she had to out of necessity, perhaps she could look into some alchemists concoctions to keep off the onset of sleep, not just to hold it at bay but to remove the need. Reading helped, her mind was so much wider. Able to handle the knowledge, to handle the information than she had seen.
With wisdom enough to reflect and understand the building blocks that made up magic. It was a truly beautiful thing, something that the dam vampire had tried to take from her. She would gain strength enough to pay that vampire back. She became stronger with each level, with each spell. It would only be a matter of time before she could get her revenge. Even if they only ended up with her killing a lot of Bismark''s minions, it would be enough to hurt him.
No that was wrong it would be a start! A place to build up from, they called her malice and well that would be her unofficial name from now on. She might as well embrace it. To destroy Bismark''s lieutenants, his contacts his creatures everyone he called friend lover or allies. To take all he was away from him, that would be one of her long term goals. It was a pleasure to think again, she had read in her books about legionary spells. A grade of spell above the master level spells, some mages that spent a life time practising could gain them.
They were an inner mages council secret, restricting the exact information. If she could locate a powerful one it might give her the edge against something like Bismark. To be able to hit him with a magic strong enough to cut through his supernatural defences.
Martin woke up and felt relief, he didn''t have to suppress the lycanthropic essence inside of him. He was free of that particular burden. He didn''t have to suffer the purge soul blessing, attacking part of himself. He felt a little hollow as if something was gone but soon he would be a grand master and he could almost feel the strength he had lost from the removal of the werewolf returned to him.
It hit him a sense of guilt, not the guilt that he craved the power the werewolf as a hunter. Almost anything that could be used against the vampires was fair game. It was the guilt that he was actually happy for a moment. How did he have any right to be happy when all he knew were dead? If he killed a vampire for every family member colleague and neighbour that he knew, perhaps then he deserved some measure of peace.
David examined his new hand, it was a lot closer the nerves seemed to be firing correctly. The feel was almost like it used to be. It didn''t quite feel like it belonged deep down it was not his original hand. The injury the memory of having his hand twisted off by that cursed vampire. He needed to be a bit of a tougher nut to crack. Mithril at the minimum but preferably octium or even adamantite armour. It would give him what he needed to keep the dam vampire at bay.
Vivian looked at her face in the mirror, it was an ugly scar it was still relatively fresh. Even with the eye patch and the artificial eye. Especially with the artificial eye, it was very noticeable on its own. She could cover it up, she could save up money for an alchemist to heal it. With whatever expensive variant of a healing potion removed scar tissue. She could own it, a scar like that helped to build a reputation. They would say she was tough she had survived she had endured. She was sure that the bishop could restore her other eye.
She remembered that Alice or another mage had to recharge it every week or so. She didn''t want to rely on something like that. She didn''t want to have to depend on another, so a second golem eye was out of the question. But as an archer she could not deny the benefit of having this eye, a mind-set much like the vampire hunters. Heck maybe she could get a better one from an adamantine golem somewhere down the line.
The breakfast was more of the same bread and fish. A fishing village like this every other meal was fish or shell fish. The muscles and cockles were a bit of variety, they made a fairly good stew all things considered. Very large quantities of food disappeared between the high level adventures as they took in the calories necessary to fuel their bodies. The witch finder and the four masters washed there food down with ale. Even Alice was affected very little by the run of the mill drink the enchantments on her equipment helped.
A fisherman looked at them with resentment at the local bar. ¡°They each eat as much as five or six people, we are tight feeding the freed slaves refugees and the extra guards as well¡±. The bar matron looked at him, ¡°best keep your mouth shut did you see how many of those things they killed. Plus they pay for everything they eat, we get something from them¡±.
People watched the spectacle of the heroes of the hour. Then got back on with whatever necessity they were doing. On one table people played cards, another was dice there was a target boards and a few people were practising with throwing knives. On another table a few men were arm wrestling each other over a few coin and the next round.
Nicole looked at the group raising her tankard. ¡°I am sure that we would have been swarmed with those things if you didn''t get hear in time. This village would be gone so would the other two. The vampires would have an army of over a thousand constructs to march on north port. It would have been problematic to deal with. The archanist in vine garden tried a similar strategy didn''t they¡±? Vivian confirmed ¡°oh yes¡±, the witch finder continued, ¡°The Empress of shadows has been there patron for a few centuries. She seems to like using these archanist constructs, I suppose that they are far tougher than the regular fodder the vampires have for their rank and file troops¡±.
The witch finder looked about the table, ¡°I was gifted a few things to help me with my mission. I am sure that the leaders of North port will dispense a suitable reward. But consider this my thanks and the thanks of the church¡±. She reached into her jacket and counted out four large gold coins each one would be worth 100 silver coins. David''s hand reached out to them he turned to Vivian and handed them over to her. ¡°Thanks Nicole that will go towards some custom made equipment¡±.
Nicole handed five unusual bullets to Martin. ¡°My preferred ammunition against spell casters especially good against lich¡¯s and vampires. Octium bullets coated in blessed silver, really screws with a magic caster¡±. ¡°Cheers the next vampire elite we face is going to get a nasty surprise¡±.
She handed a small bag to Vivian, ¡°Five adamantite armour cutter arrow heads, and perfect for heavily armoured targets. One of the local scouts or foresters could probably fletch them for you today¡±. ¡°Thanks this is really good adamantite is pretty rare mostly reserved for grand masters and exalted masters¡±. The witch finder pulled a bundle of silk from her jacket and handed it to Alice. ¡°This is some sort of trinket taken from a rouge mage, it is clean magic can you use it¡±?
Alice examined it, the broach was three sided swirls of silver gold and copper intermingling to form a triangular patter. After the span of a few heart beats Alice nodded, ¡°it¡¯s a broach ¡ of spell boosting ¡ any offensive spell I casts ¡ acts as if the caster is ¡ 5 levels higher ¡adding a bit more punch ¡to my magic. I have seen ...something similar that was created for a ...psionic in the same way¡±.
They raised there tankards then drained them. The group split up, Alice wanted to practice her boosted spells and see the difference. Vivian left to find a forester to fletch her arrows for her, with her new adamantine arrow heads. David went to find a quiet spot to practice his sword techniques, he still had a bit of ground to recover after his right hand was healed. It would be many hours of practice before he was certain he could close that gap.
The witch finder turned to Martin, ¡°come my friend and fellow servant of the church, let us talk¡±. She got another round of ale, ¡°as you have probably guessed I was sent out to investigate signs of an archanist. Reports started to come to the patriarch¡¯s ear. Sightings of their machines purchases of materials used to make their machines, some thefts and disappearances. I found signs of the professor, he is unique. We believe that he is the first and only archanist to reach level 100, an exalted master part of the court of the Empress of Shadows¡±.
¡°I cannot emphasise how devastating it would have been if he had converted several villages into constructs then met up with the local vampire¡¯s forces. He has a deep seated pride in his machines. He could have run to begin with when the tide of this battle went against him. But his pride forced him to not back down. Now he has lost most of his toys, he will be in the Empress''s bad books for a few decades. That is until he rebuilds his forces, I am not sure we will see him again, unless we find some sort of back up lab¡±. Martin continued to listen
Alice spoke with the local mage Mary, there was a quiet spot a little way out of town. After a few trial runs Alice was able to confirm the increase her offensive spells. She returned with the mage there discussion went to the more morbid. Mary had seen less combat than her colleague, ¡°Alice I have been fighting against those archanist constructs for three days straight. I have seen them up close, but I am not really sure if they were necromancy or a sort of golem¡±.
Alice thought about it, ¡°I have seen ¡ five different variations of necromancy ¡ in my time as an adventurer ... the traditional sort with a spirit trapped in a focus ¡. bound to a mortals remains. A lich''s necromancy where a phylactery ¡ is carefully constructed to hold the soul. I have seen the archanist method ¡ of forcing a spirit back ...with a mockery of unlife. I have seen a corrupted nature spirit ¡. a spriggan do much the same thing ... replacing bits of a dead body with living plants ¡ to achieve the same¡±.
¡°The most frightening and quickest ¡ was a vampire''s ability he just ¡ willed it and the bodies rose up. No preparation no ritual no focus ¡ just his will. I think he was using slivers ¡ of his will to control them ¡ fragments of his soul ¡ for want of a better word. An infinitesimal part of his consciousness ¡ to power them. When we destroyed the physical remains ¡ it would have travelled back to the vampire. I have even seen a necromancer ¡ pull the soul back to give an undead thought. Though I think that only works ¡ if the soul is bound to the body ¡ they once owned in life¡±. That was more information than Mary ever wanted to know, ¡°so definitely necromancy¡±? ¡°A polished ¡ refined version of it yes¡±.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
They talked a little while longer. Alice was starting to feel better her thoughts more cohesive. She was finding it easier to talk to one mage, in a one on one situation. Her confidence was growing. Thoughts ran threw her head a witch finder could negate magic fairly easily. There were certainly other ways of negating mana, Alice wanted a backup of some sort. She saw a local pedlar going through his stock, she found a small curved dagger as back up weapon. It cost her 30 bronze pennies, it would work quite well. One of the others could show her how to use it.
David found a fenced off area to the side of the sheriff¡¯s office. She used it to drill the guards and the militia. He put down his shied and started to practice with his sword. His regenerated limb was feeling better, but not quite like his own arm. When Alice had a bad injury to her leg, they had to break and rest it. She described much the same feeling after the healing spell went wrong. It was his arm but it was not at the same time.
He delivered cuts and thrusts to imaginary opponents. Any training dummy would be obliterated in a single cut, unless it was as solid as a fortress door. He would need to drill for a bit. David was enjoying himself, a couple of the militia joined him. They had short blades spears poor quality weapons. But many of the lessons of foot work and striking while guarding your self could apply.
Some hunters joined him training with staves and clubs. In time his training kicked in and he started to point out to people there shortcomings. How they could improve them, how people could fight with their limitations with each other compensating. A few of the guards joined them and a few levies. The squires and deputy hunters as well as a few junior mercenaries. They came along, back from removing the last few wandering constructs about the region, one or two lone walkers and brass hounds.
David broke them up into pairs practising against each other with lengths of wood and what shields they could find. He had them drill then made suggestions and corrections, he remembered some of the tips Melcher the sheriff of Good-Ford had showed him. A few dirty tricks faints the group was getting quite large. He grinned it was good people were listening to him. He broke the group up into pairs, but had them practice watching each other¡¯s backs.
Then he assembled them into squads of four people using small unit tactics against one another. He quickly went through the basic drills from the glass bay mercenary company. He shouted encouragement and scored which were the best. In the end he put together quite a competent training drill. With the local militia split in two fighting a mock exercise with two shield walls clashing. Everyone trying to counter and block everyone else both sides fighting as reasonably cohesive units. David realised that he was actually quite good at it, but then one of the main strengths of the mercenary class was the comprehensive trailing perk. So he should be capable of doing this.
Vivian approach the sheriff as a scout she had an excellent aim, ¡°I saw you fight when we held the wall. Your shooting is very fast very precise, can you give me a few pointers¡±? The sheriff gestured, ¡°Hold up an arrow other way up¡±, Vivian complied ¡°what do you see¡±? She made her best guess, ¡°The fletching, so I need to make sure my arrows are properly fletched¡±? ¡°That is true but no, you see you have different fletching on different arrows. It comes from having a varied arsenal, each one is affected by the wind slightly differently and the weights are slightly different. You need to practice to make sure that you know the weight of each of them. Also holing the fletching up can give you a good idea of wind speed and direction allowing you to compensate¡±.
Vivian was slowly getting ready as the sheriff had suggested. She was using her old and new quiver now she had so many arrows of so many different types. She spent all day seeing how the minute changes in the arrows altered their flights. The greater drag from her bleed arrows the greater weight of the adamantite arrows. The regular fletching of goose or duck feathers against the griffon feathers she had on a few of her better arrows. She got that little bit better with her bow, more precision, the next lesson would be to use it against a moving target.
Martin continued to speak to the witch finder, ¡°as we will likely be working out of the area for a little time what threats to North port do you know about¡±? Nicole had a good think ¡°there is a good sized circle of sorcerers, they seem to be working for the vampires. They seem to have some way into the city that we have not found. A magic gateway an old tunnel dug under the wall some guard hypnotized, I don''t know but they are a threat inside and out¡±.
¡°There is a large undead lich fortress I believe it¡¯s buried in an old mine. So it¡¯s hard to attack this lich has been quiet, but that just means they are gathering there strength. There are three vampire lairs locally, the local elder is a lieutenant of Bismark''s. This pretentious little vampire calls himself the prince, somewhere between level 100 and 200. The elder is constantly moving between lairs, he is hard to pin down he has one supreme skill but it¡¯s unknown what exactly it is¡±.
David had been training for hours, his sword techniques were almost back on point. It was amazing to think how such a short time ago he was fighting practice dummies as a recruit in the glass bay mercenary company. He had been so proud to get to level six, that was only what about two months ago. Now he had gone through so much he was ten times that level.
Vivian was there too she had done the extra training to get her physique up. Rather than focusing on her martial skills, it had still paid off in the end she could keep up with him endurance wise. He had a little way to go to match her raw strength. There was a tremor on his grip a shake, David was glad of the enchantments on his blade. The sure grip meant he would not lose his blade so easily. But the tremor still made him weary, it would be a few days or a few weeks before he would trust his new hand.
He bumped into Alice on the way back to their lodgings. She had a new addition to her arsenal a curved iron dagger, he got a wet stone and sharpened it up for her. Vivian showed her some basic fighting techniques with it and Martin added a blade coating which would make it quite poisonous. If it came to it she would know where to put the razor sharp poisoned blade in an enemy. She could play helpless if she ran out of mana, until something got too close then one surprise thrust.
Alice felt her mind sharper, the rest after the fight the rush of adrenalin the rush of mana surging through her veins and her nerves. Power beyond anything she ever thought of as an apprentice another 11 levels and she would be a grand master eligible to sit on the mages council. Another 25 levels after that and she would be an exalted master, one qualified to sit on the mages inner council. A council member meant even one as young as she was would have a view into the workings of the guild. To be an exalted master was to have a vote, one amongst half a dozen others that counted.
She remembered one sticking point with the mages tower and the royal council. The mages tower supposedly always ran at a loss. So that the crown was bailing them out year after year. So that the mages were always in debt to the crown, another method of control. If she could one day collect on one of the high level bounties she might be able to pay the debt back. Free them of the burden, hell if she got a competent merchant or scribe to go over the books. She might find some way of restructuring the debt or making the whole place more efficient.
The circle of druids down south, they were the only other large legitimate group of magic users. There were some others floating about licensed but they didn''t have numbers or they were not legal organisations. She figured the mages and the druids should be working together. The druids seemed to be loosely aligned with the merchant¡¯s guild, they helped to grow the crops and protect the harvest they should be allied with the mages.
To bring them in to the fold to be able to coordinate to work together. That would be a big advantage, many complaints that Mary had Alice was remembering in half whispered conversations behind closed doors. She could see a way to an independent mages tower or one aliened to a less exploitative sponsor. For now she would not rock the boat, she would play the loyal little mage until the time came. Perhaps if they one day became emissary of the patriarch or the high guild master of the merchants guild. Then she could make the political connections she needed in order to enact change.
Vivian considered her position in the glass bay mercenary company. It was not a small company it was led by a master and had a good number of veterans. It was nowhere near as big as the grey company but it gave them good employment chances and good connections. She wanted to use those connections, the mercenary job matrix only allowed her to train skills so far.
A sword master or a bow master could theoretically push their skill up to level 25. She didn''t have that knowledge but the glass bay mercenary free company, they had such connections. To learn such skills to rise to such heights that was her goal, and she was sure that she could nudge David along the same path to raise his skill up to.
They had definitely earned there company a lot of money. But when they finally came back home they would be very big fish in a relatively small pond. They would both effectively out level and over power the free company''s current leader. They could challenge him for leadership if they craved being trapped by a suffocating pile of paperwork. They could buy their contracts back from the company or they could get another company to purchase their contracts. Several would to get a master or two on the books, they were led by people who were primarily merchants.
She wanted better arrows ultramite adamantine stuff that would really hit hard. The next time she faced something like Bismark she would put his eyes out and skewer him right through the heart. Failure hurt a lot, having your eyes ripped out by a vampire hurt a lot more. She would have to do a lot to work past that. Putting the hurt on that vampire ancient would be a goal far off in the future. Taking on a creature like that was suicide without an army, it could be suicide with an army. She would grow older wiser, upgrade her equipment then she would have payback.
Martin looked at himself when he had been cursed with lycanthropy he had despised himself. He had felt an undiluted self-loathing, far greater than when he realised that hunters had been enhanced with something like blood alchemy. That as a vampire hunter unknowingly he had signed away a piece of his humanity to be able to compete against the vampires. A mind hardened that could resist any attack, a body proofed against most conventional poisons inhuman vitality.
He did despise losing what it meant to be human. He had believed that he had accepted giving up part of his human morality and being part of society. To be something outside that could make the hard choices to pursue the mission against being a man. To walk the path that needed to be walked. To do what needed to be done to be callous and dead inside because it was necessary.
He resented not knowing everything that he had signed up for. His self-loathing was also because of his family, he was living without them. Though it hurt he could still go on, he could still put one foot in front of another. He was not just going to die in some small fight as an act of resistance against the vampires. He was daring to dream of wiping them out of getting that power. They had worn down or tricked more powerful vampires and defeated them. It would be a lot of time but eventually could they take on something like Bismark, with four of them as exalted masters wielding supreme skills each could they destroy him?
He should not have survived, his self-loathing flashed up. By all rights he should be in an urn his effects handed to the next hunter but he was not. If he could channel it and push it forwards he would use it to motivate himself. To fight longer and harder to destroy those that had destroyed his world. He would piece by piece destroy the vampires, his three friends would be quite willing to help him in this endeavour.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 7 – The Road Back.
They got up at first light, Alice awaking with a start a half form spell on her lips. Somewhere between a fire ball and a fire bite, she hastily cancelled it before she burnt down the inn. Vivian woke up and her artificial eye whirred round until she mentally got a hold of it. Vivian looked at herself in the mirror. There was a certain pressure she felt looking at the scar, she needed to do something she was not sure exactly what.
Even if she paid to have it healed it would be there under her skin, she was not sure how to combat that, strong alcohol hunting a monster talking to a priest? She was not sure of the course of action, but she had to do something. She found Alice and got her to recharge the golem eye with mana. Martin woke up checked his equipment and headed for breakfast David was already there. It was a sort of shellfish hot pot.
When they were mostly finished a woman form the village militia appeared at the table. She directed them to sheriff¡¯s office next to the gate, then left for her duties. They finished their meal and washed it down, then went to meet with the sheriff.
Alyson Appleby''s plain looking office was full of stacks of equipment for the militia. Most of it looked like it need to be repaired presumably due to the battle they had just fought for the village. There were piles of bent spears and broken arrows. There were a few more refined additions personal touches an old landscape painting on the west wall of the bay view of north port. Above it was a second painting of a leviathan next to a ship. A third painting of a grand old warship hung next to it. There were some quivers of arrows hanging up, steel needle heads the sheriff¡¯s own preference and a few bits of rough furniture about.
She was quite formal now, ¡°the four masters you have my thanks, for defending my home. Nicole the necromancers Bain took her horse and left early this morning. She had a message relayed to her and had to head off. Now that you are free from her mission you can start to make your journey back to North port and the bishop. I am sure they will reward you; I wish I could offer you something, but the mayor and the trade guild representative out voted the priest¡±.
She dug out a small piece of paper, she had a map on the wall pointing out a section of road.
¡°I can point you in the direction of a bounty, see this point there is supposedly a ghoul nest out of the way back hear. A ghoul lord or champion must be leading the nest. Ghouls are not usually smart creatures, but they have hardly been noticed. Yet we are sure they have a high number. It would be best if they were destroyed sooner rather than later¡±.
¡°I was half expecting a vampire to arrive with them in tow to help siege our settlement. If It had gone on longer, we might have seen them. There is a reward of 75 silver for clearing them out. Bring the heads back to North port and they would be able to pay you, if you see the sheriff¡±. Vivian thanked her and off they went.
They checked in with the coach driver, he was ready to go. They had everything that they needed for the journey, rations water in a flask and ale in a small barrel. They headed off out from Lighthouse hill the light would be burning again. They headed off down the trail finding a spot without much game. Heading left up a barely used trail they started to near the ghoul nest.
There were warning posts near the break in the trail and near the entrance to a natural cave. They had been put up a long time ago. This nest was marked, people moved around it, but no one had dealt with it. The coach driver had his horses ready to move off he stayed alert. The group left him and headed off to investigate the ghoul nest.
The entrance to the cave had few tracks, something had gone to the effort of getting a branch and scratching out the tracks. There was some beast that knew the worth of remaining stealthy. Alice activated her ring of light and Martin pulled out a torch lighting it with his tinder box. He lit a second torch and passed it to David. Vivian found her artificial eye could penetrate the caves darkness quite easily.
Martin looked at the group, ¡°we have done this a few times before let¡¯s get the bone chewers¡±.
They advanced down the cave with David at the front. The ghouls that charged them from the depths were quite well developed. Hardly any trace of their former human features could be detected. They had grown to about seven feet tall, eyes pits of burning hatred and hunger noses mostly gone. There jaw massively warped gaping maws, filled with needle sharp teeth. There limbs exaggerated with the first two fingers and thumbs extended to formidable claws. There muscles bunched and large tense ready to explode into violence. They had clawed feet suited to grip the floor of the cave.
There were five of them lead by A ghoul champion heavier in build and a greyer colour. They had all developed very heavy bony growths a sort of armour around them. It covered the top of their skulls their shoulders spines chests. With plates on their upper arms and upper thighs, giving them some resistance to attacks.
Alice cast illusionary allies on herself and a shield spell on Vivian. David charged forwards Martin used a low-level defensive blessing on himself and moved forwards. The ghouls sent a shower of caustic vomit and explosive bile towards the party. Martins defensive blessing and David''s shield took up the brunt of the attack. The explosive bile rocked his shield, but the curve directed most of the force away from David. The ghouls didn''t hesitate for a second and charged in expecting their prey to be stunned.
They were not even phased; Martin emptied his pistol into the first two ghouls. Two shots a piece into the head and they were out of the fight. Alice threw two acid strikes into the first ghoul melting most of its right arm and face off, it fell to a fire bite collapsing back. David stunned a third ghoul then delivered a cut embedding his sword into its head that sent it staggering back only to drop dead. The last one the ghoul champion aimed for Vivian with another shot of caustic bile the shield Alice had cast did its job. Vivian put two Damascus bodkin arrows into the ghouls and down it went, they briefly checked that the ghouls were all dead then moved on.
They got further into the ghoul nest the place was far more damp than the last ghoul nest that they had tackled. The smell of rotten dead detritus was horrendous, god alone knew how many lonely travellers had been pulled into this cave never to see the light of day. Or worse joined the ranks of the ghouls.
They moved deeper into the cave Vivian used her enhanced perception to note claw marks on one section of the wall. Silently she gestured to the party to look up, Martin had his pistol loaded and ready. Alice had a fire ball spell at her fingertips. A gesture and the fire ball ignited Martin fired all four barrels. Three ghouls fell from the ceiling. One had taken most of the pistol shots and was dead the other two had been caught by the fire ball and were singed, Vivian caught the next with a bodkin arrow. David sliced the one that landed next to him in half at the waist, it crawled half a foot forwards and collapsed.
They moved a few feet forwards, one of the ghouls was faking it pretending to be dead. When Vivian went to pry her arrow free it lurched forwards towards her, trying to rake its claws over her. She had good armour and a backup weapon; she forced her dagger into the ghoul¡¯s brain right through its eye. The poison enchantment did a little extra damage, but it was redundant as she pulled the knife out of the ghoul¡¯s head. ¡°dam fucker gave me a jump, Alice it hit me healing please¡±. a short healing spell and Vivian''s ribs felt a hell of a lot better.
A group of eight ghouls headed for them, a tactic that was probably designed to overwhelm them. Martin held up his holy symbol ¡°smite smite¡± two lightning bolts hit the first ghoul and it collapsed dead. ¡°Pillar of salt¡± the next ghoul gripped its sides and collapsed to the ground. Alice deployed her poisonous gas cloud and electric strike spells in the close confines of the corridor, injuring and weakening the ghouls she grinned.
David blocked a stream of immolating breath from one ghoul. The stuff could dissolve steel, but his enchained Damascus was strong enough to resist the attack without damage. His sword cut the injured ghoul down to size. He slashed at the next ghoul wounding it. Vivian finished the rest off with mithril arrows. David checked the bodies giving each one a good stab with his sword, before they were sure that they were not playing dead.
They advanced into a larger open room there was a ghoul overlord he was almost black in colour, a very dark grey in both his skin colouration and bone plating. The ghoul overlord actually had some brains and some sense of self. He wore a cloak that might have been fashioned from a troll skin. He was carrying a shield and sword, the shield looked to have been taken from a militia man then coated with some dark resin that hardened it.
The sword was a two-handed weapon that looked like something used to butcher cattle, rather than a military weapon. For the size of the seven-foot six ghoul it was a one-handed weapon. The almighty alone knew where the ghoul overlord had acquired it from. The ghoul grinned at them another twenty nightmare ghouls were scattered around the chamber. The adventurers would not enter and lose one of their primary advantages, the ability to limit the ghoul¡¯s attacks to a narrow area. They were not foolish enough to charge in.
The ghoul overlord had a crown of bony protrusions over its skull armour. They extended looking a little like teeth or thorns. The ghoul overlord had much thicker bone armour extending to his legs and for arms the backs of his hands and feet, he was far tougher than the nightmare ghouls. He did surprise them as he grinned with a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth. His voice was damp almost squelching with an odour of decay and rot. ¡°Welcome to my court, you will make fine additions, once we have infected you¡±.
The overlord was smart enough to think and had been quiet for some time, he directed his minions forward. Martin used his blessings hallowed earth field of wrath and circle of consecration to fill the entrance of the chamber with holy damage. To unmake the abominations barrelling down upon him. Alice hit the area with electric strike and poison gas cloud. David switched to a purely defensive fighting style to hold the ghouls back while Vivian started to put mithril arrows into the attacking horde. Hitting the first rank and penetrating strait through to the ones behind.
It took Vivian a moment to realise that these were not very sensible tactics for a thinking monster. Where they had no idea of the total number of ghouls they could be lured into a trap of some sort. She spun around just as a ghoul was a foot away from her. Her Adamantine arrow went straight through its head and struck the one behind it knocking that ghoul to the floor.
The ghouls pressed the attack, Martin was hit with caustic vomit and exploding bile. He fired back with his four barrelled pistol and his other weapons. He recovered healing himself with divine favour. There were several patches on his jacket and clothes where he had been hit. The mask he took from the archanist did an excellent job of protecting his face. Alice desperately cast fire balls at the ghouls streaming towards her. Vivian loosed more of her high-end arrows and David was left holding back twenty odd injured ghouls that were rapidly healing.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
The ghouls had sneaked around them from a short high-up side passage they had not noticed. There were no claw marks on the walls. It had been a well-prepared ambush, the ghoul overlord didn''t have a full grasp of the calibre of the adventures he was facing. Martin threw his octium blades precise head shots with the high-end weapons and four ghouls were down. A fire ball spell and an electric strike filled the corridor behind them with sparks of electricity and burning fire that left a handful of ghouls to be finished off by Vivian.
David had done a sterling job of keeping the other twenty ghouls at bay. He launched a shield block that sent ghouls hurtling back into their own ranks. Scythe like cuts with his blade that ended more than one ghoul.
The ghoul overlord could see his horde taken apart and he was far less assured of his position. He stood ready to face them, occasionally he would spew his immolating breath at David. Only for him to block it with his shield. Martin reloaded his pistol from behind David then sent a hail of silver balls towards the ghouls killing three of them. Two mithril arrows sailed over David''s shoulder hit a ghoul and continued on to the ghoul behind them.
Alice let lose a poison gas cloud spell then rained acid strikes down on the remaining ghouls. The ghoul overlord tried to aim over David to the back line. Alice had already cast a shield spell over herself. The torrent of caustic bile ran down her shield and sizzled on the floor. The ghoul overlord was out of minions, David cut through the last two and advanced. The ghoul overlord backed away slowly.
He was a high-level opponent with substantial armour and weapon to hand. It meant very little in the end. Vivian shot his shield to pieces with two broad head iron arrows. The crude shield split from the impacts. The next arrows hit it in the shoulder they were Adamantine. The ghoul overlord was hit by Alice''s icy tomb spell. The cold damage would not do that much to him, but the freezing effect would leave the ghoul almost completely open to attack.
Martin was quick to take advantage giving the ghoul all four barrels from his pistol David rushed forwards he blocked the ghoul''s blade with his own and stopped the ghouls immolating breath with his shield. He cut into its chest with two adrenalin powered strikes and the battle was over. Vivian had to wonder the direction the ghoul was retreating. Did it have more troops that way, had it prepared a secondary line of defence.
Vivian looked at the dead nightmare ghouls thankfully they were genderless. Wither they were men women or children after the infection took hold, they were all the same. It was best not to dwell on it. Martin looked at the dead ghouls consulting his book of monsters, ¡°with the exploding bile the bone armour and the size of the spines these things were level 35 nightmare ghouls they don''t come much tougher¡±. He looked at David, ¡°good job immolating breath can be blocked with enchanted Damascus¡±. They very carefully moved down the chamber. There were two exits one of them seemed to be a latrine they backed off and headed down the other foul-smelling dank passage.
They found two people a man and a woman buried up to their shoulders in a pit covered over with rocks and some sort of bile like resin. They were changing their skin was growing pail some of their teeth elongating their hair starting to fall out. An animalistic look flashed in their eyes. The man looked at them, ¡°please help us we can be saved¡±. They were infected but they might be ok if treated, Martin held his holy symbol up to one then the other ¡°purify, purify¡±.
Their faces seemed to return to normal, even if it did look very painful. They pulled the rock around them apart the resin snapped, then they dug them out. Vivian spoke to them, they claimed that they had run from an archanist attack on their village. Vivian sent them on their way back to the coach driver. They could then drop them off at a village. She vaguely remembered a report of two people unaccounted for when the masks constructs had attacked. For now, they could wait with the coach driver.
The woman turned to them before heading for the exit, ¡°be careful there was a real fat ghoul. It looked really big it went down there, led by another one. The smart one, they brought it some corpses a dear and a cow. I could hear the sound; it ate them so it must be really massive now¡±. Martin had to make a guess there was a siege ghoul that was about to metamorphose from a regular ghoul. That would be a pain to deal with, especially in a tight tunnel. He loaded each barrel of his pistol with an overload shot and the group headed further down.
There was a cocoon that seemed to be made from ghoul skin. It was open, split apart by something coming out. The something was quite obvious it was about twelve feet tall. A very strong opponent, a young siege ghoul. Its flesh was wet and glistening half formed it couldn''t have finished its metamorphosis more than a few days ago. It still had a long way to grow to become the kind of monster that could cleave through city walls, but it had its first foot on the ladder. Fighting it in an enclosed space was a bad idea. They had a lot of offensive spells and blessings and high-end arrows to take something like that down quickly.
Martin spelled out a basic plan, ¡°Alice let me hit it with my pillar of fire. Then you hit it with your icy tomb David try to distract it, Vivian can you get it in the eye. The beast had colossal regeneration like a troll, but it lacked a big troll''s thicker hide¡±.
David rushed forwards towards the siege ghoul, it was unsure of what was going on exactly. The mass of armour plating moved around the cave easily avoided its lunge and sliced into its leg. Martin held his holy symbol forwards he longed to use a blessing as powerful as pillar of fire. To feel the divine spark pass through him for even a second. ¡°Pillar of fire¡± the beast was suddenly immersed inside a pillar of roaring fire, it was potent enough to burn away its skin and char its flesh.
The beast panicked screwing its eyes tightly shut to protect them. It screamed in pain and tried to use its hands to pat the flames down stomping away at random. David circled around at a safe distance. Ready to rush in and start stabbing away as soon as the holy fire ended. Alice took the opportunity to cast defensive spells on herself, her illusionary allies her shield spell. Vivian fired arrows into the beast¡¯s skull it tried to protect its head with one hand.
The fire ended and Alice hit it with her icy tomb spell. The siege ghoul identified a target in front of it and launched a stream of corrosive bile. Only to eliminate the nearest illusionary copy of Alice, she completed her spell and the ghoul''s massive body began to freeze over. Its movements slowed and it started to realise how badly wounded it really was. David carved away at its leg with adrenalin strikes carving into its left leg. Martin emptied all four barrels from his pistol into its skull, Vivian put three Adamantine arrows into its skull the beast was already on deaths door.
It started to panic and flail about as Vivian hit her mark on its eye. Its clawed arms hit the ceiling bring chunks of it down onto itself. A large piece struck it head moments after it brought down part of the ceiling crashing down on itself. It was dead a huge shard of rock embedded into its skull and chest. David checked it was dead putting his blade through its other eye without any reaction.
The level up hit they all gained two levels for that monster, the ghoul champion and the rest of the nightmare ghouls that they had killed. Martin took Another level in combat medic and gained the focus stitch ability. Allowing him to rapidly close wounds without the need for a healing blessing. He gained another class level at level 75. A very important one he was now a grand master he could see why vampires didn''t like fighting a grand master. His body and mind were assaulted with the change. His mind hummed as if every neuron every cell every cluster was reworked straightened out cleared.
Alice had descried something similar when she first got the ability to wield more than one spell at a time. It was the most noticeable his focus was improved, instead of having to use three points of focus to utilise an ability he could now do it with 2 points. He was now able to focus a third more efficiently on his tasks and on the use of his focus abilities. He could use his chain smite blessing for 50% longer greatly increasing its power.
His body was hardened he had gained the second level of the vitality ability. It was quite a bit more potent than the werewolf''s vitality he had just over 2500 hit points. Every cell in his body had protested as it was re-forged stronger. There was an ache in his bones a twang in his sinew. He had such high endurance that he could ignore it, withstand the entire lot and stay standing.
He had gained a few extra blessings two more uses of the smite blessing, one more use of the pillar of salt blessing but most importantly a ranged blessing called word of judgement. An attack that did equal parts sonic and holy damage but also stunned a target for five seconds, the perfect way of putting a high-level opponent out of a fight to give them a breather.
Alice reached level 66 she gained a spell bonus vitality and then the improved version of it. A suggestion form lady Imoline she could use it on herself to protect her with the extra temporary toughness. Or she could use it on David to buff up the front-line fighter, it could also be used to stabilise someone badly wounded, so that a healing spell could be utilised to bring them back up to strength.
David reached level 62 gaining two ranks in the skill counter shield defence. He remembered fighting the demon before, he was focused on improving his martial abilities against a wide assortment of foes. But some were harder to counter some more prevalent than others. Vivian reached level 64 she got her strike through target skill up to level 4. It had certainly helped against the ghouls tightly packed in the tunnels, hitting the front ranks and the back ranks a moment later.
David looked about ¡°well that''s good seventy-five silver in the bank. Alice can you sense anything magical maybe dropped by anyone else that was hear before us, Martin what bits of ghouls do alchemists use¡±? Martin looked through his monster book using the torch light, ¡°apparently the heart can be used for alchemy the ghoul bladder, I mean gallbladder as well. It might be worth five to ten silver for the effort. If we get them out of this lot especially the siege ghoul, Vivian you still have that axe we took from the basilisk bandits in your pack¡±? ¡°yes, I still have it¡±. Martin had one of his octium knives, ¡°David you collect the heads including the siege ghoul, Vivian if you cut them open and crack the ribs, I will harvest the organs¡±.
Alice was not really wanting to get involved in dismembering the monsters. She checked with the two rescued people then set about searching the ghoul nest for anything in the remains that could have been taken from human victims. These ghouls had kept a low profile no teams of adventures had taken them on even with the bounty, there were no prizes hidden in the remains. The ghouls had been targeting very poor people or perhaps lone travellers. There was nothing but a few mangled belt buckles clasps and a very rusty dagger. Martin snagged a couple of pieces from the remains, but the rest was junk not worth taking back.
The ghouls were reduced to a bag of heads and a bag of organs. There gutted carcases were piled up by the side of the road, the siege ghoul was dismembered and added to the pile. It was too much of a risk to leave it a prime target for a necromancer or the like. They pulled down a couple of scraggly bushes a bit of oil and a spark and the ghouls were a burning pyre. Martin said a brief prayer for the people that they had been, before they were changed.
Martin used his purify blessing on Alice David and Vivian, just to be on the safe side. They ate there meal mostly smoked fish and a shellfish stew. sharing with the survivors and the coach driver, the man and woman were betrothed. They had been catching a private moment when the attack happened. So they fled over the wall using a blanket as a makeshift rope. Then they headed for lighthouse hill as the biggest local settlement. But on the road the ghouls had grabbed them and decided to change them.
They stopped off at spring wall, a quick check and they were let in. The village had already been visited by extra troops from Northport, who had told them about the massacre at Sand Point. The villagers had already figured as much from the size of the attack that they survived, others would not be so lucky. They saw a few more caravans on the road a brief conversation they were moving Some of the food stores from Sand Point to redistributed to Light House Hill. Then they would move the freed slaves from light house hill and try to resettle them at Sand point to start building the village back up again.
It was getting quite dark when they got back to North port, they went through the usual checks. Word of their successful defence of light house hill was already spreading. Their names were already better known. Martin purified the ghouls remains so that no infection could spread. They could sell them as ingredients which they did, netting them 10 silver at the merchant¡¯s guild. They saw the deputy sheriff and claimed the bounty on the ghoul¡¯s heads, most were burnt but the siege ghoul and the ghoul overlord were kept as trophies for the sheriff¡¯s office.
The driver took them through the darkened streets to a large fancy but well-fortified residence. They were being put up in the guest rooms. It was very comfortable and a welcome break from the road. They had beer and bread in the servant¡¯s quarters. They turned in for bed apart from Alice who read then reluctantly turned in for bed.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 8 – The Duchess of the Docks.
The party woke to a pretty good degree of luxury soft beds large fireplaces painted walls. For Alice who grew up in the mages tower in the capital it was normal. For the rest of them it was the most luxuriously opulent place they had ever stayed. Martin woke and prayed Alice read a little of her books and headed off to get breakfast. Vivian practised a little in her room focusing with her new artificial eye. If she was not careful, she could make herself giddy focusing her artificial eye on something far away zooming in.
She would soon need to balance it with a restored human eye, not being able to catch quite up. David simply practised his sword drill it was almost on the mark, even with a little shake soon he would be back up to speed.
They were staying at the duchess''s residence, the seat of the crown power in North port. Vivian made the guess that the duchess had someone or something that needed to be dealt with. So, she was going to make them a pitch at some point. First, they had to see the bishop on a number of matters, then there would be a more official introduction.
On their original journey to broken gorge the party in ones and twos had only briefly stayed in the outer parts of the city. Away from the docks the merchants and noble districts. Now it was all open to them by virtue of their accomplishments and their rank. The four masters, that was the title they were being called, it was easier than people remembering their names. Though they had all exceeded a masters rank they were not quite equal in strength. Martin was a grand master and the rest were not far behind.
Through the cathedral the bishop met them, again in his quiet private garden. He was reading over a copy of the scripture. It was an ancient looking document that had been beautifully written, a work of art. He carefully and with some reverence put the scroll down. He greeted them ¡°my children you have my thanks, in seeking out a cure for your companion Martin you have done a great service to the creator god¡±.
¡°By stopping that vial necromancer that archanist the professor you have saved every soul left in those three settlements. You have brought final death and release to those he had experimented on. I understand from the deputy sheriff you also cleared out a large nest of ghouls, including a siege ghoul you don''t stop do you¡±?
He retrieved a letter, ¡°I received a report from the emissary the witch finder, Nicole the necromancers Bain. She is pleased with your work; you never know given time the patriarch himself may see fit to elevate you from agents up to emissary''s¡±.
Varian did her best salute, ¡°I thank you for your kind words bishop Gyfford. Can you restore my full sight to me, I suffer quite a disadvantage as a one-eyed archer¡±. A look of pained regret filled the bishop¡¯s eyes, ¡°Vivian there are many wounded people, it would be hard for me to justify jumping the queue twice more to help you¡±.
She was still confident, ¡°I don''t need to jump the queue twice more, just once. This artificial eye has its own advantages. But I would balance it out with the return of my other eye. It would greatly enhance my ability to serve the triune¡±. He considered her request and made a brief silent prayer for guidance. ¡°Yes, they are telling tales of your valiant defence of the three villages, Sand point will not be easily forgotten, in the same way that bay city won¡¯t be forgotten¡±. Martin choked back a grimace at the mention of his home, ¡°but thanks to you many survived, you are the heroes of the hour. I can and should reward you¡±.
He turned to the rest of them, ¡°Martin you survived and are healed, a grand master congratulations are in order. Now we have much to discuss, there are several issues. Perhaps I will downplay your rank keep it quiet. The vampires are problematic enough without us letting on that we have an elite hunter ready to slay them. But then again on balance your reputation could be a potent weapon, you survived an ancient. You almost killed an elder and you have brought final death to may an elite vampire¡±.
Martin was spurred on by the bishop¡¯s words his zealous nature pushing him to the fight. ¡°I spoke with the witch finder Nicole. She gave me some idea of the situation a local vampire the prince a few sorcerers and a lich. I presume you will want us to destroy them for you in return for the healing that we have received¡±?
The bishop smiled warmly, ¡°Those three are pressing problems, with heavy bounties marked against them. You would indeed fulfil any debt you believed that you owed to me by removing them. The duchess also has a problem with the local thieves and crime in general. She will seek you out directly on that, I am sure that something could be arranged it would help this city¡±.
The bishop gestured to the scripture on the table, ¡°it is funny how our histories diverge from the western church. The western elves embraced our faith nearly two and a half thousand years ago. A spark carried by a few priests across the sea became an entire new church a new nation on the south of the continent¡±.
Alice looked fascinated as the bishop continued, ¡°they have sixty large cities. The western nation is perhaps larger than the central plains and the northern lands combined¡±. He gestured to the scroll, ¡°our scripture is our story and the history of our church. From the first revelation on the holy mountain, living through Ulysses empire the blood alchemist¡¯s dragon revolt the golem uprising, to the war with the vampires and our reunification with our brothers and sisters in the west¡±.
¡°One of their priests lent me this copy of their scripture. They have had peace and stability for nearly two thousand years, perhaps after these vampires are gone, we can see the same¡±.
David brought the bishop back on topic. ¡°You want us to tackle more powerful monsters, we would need more powerful equipment mithril armour for an example¡±. ¡°This is the biggest trading port there is, it has one of the best supplied merchants¡¯ quarters. There is a first-rate mages tower chapter with many enchanters, you can find something suitable¡±.
He turned his attention. ¡°Alice how are you fairing you seem quiet¡±? She considered all the thoughts running around her head. But let only the few on the surface show just the tip of her reasoning. ¡°I would not say ¡ that I have not had ¡ trouble adapting from the attack on my mind. but I think more ¡ clearly now, a week or so ¡and I should be back to normal¡±.
It brought him genuine pleasure to see a patient recover, ¡°That is good to hear, you know I thought about being a healer an apothecary or a vet before I joined the priest hood. At least as a bishop I have some degree of power to help the sick, that has always been my vocation¡±.
The bishop put on his robe took his crook and lead them to the main area of the cathedral citadel. He placed a hand on the alter. ¡°My people children of the creator god. I present those that have fought back evil, those that have saved the lives of your fellow citizens. There is one who will be rewarded today, only so they may carry even greater burdens the church. The triune have need of your keen eye I restore it to you now¡±.
The bishop used his blessing and placed a hand on the side of Vivian''s head, tugging the eye patch out of the way. She felt the flash of light then her eyesight was restored the eye back and whole even if she was expecting it, she still felt off balance. David and Alice were already anticipating it Alice held her bow and David caught her. The bishop looked into her new eye he held up a finger and moved it about watching her new eye track it.
The prosthetic and regenerated eye had a little trouble following the same target. It would take a little time for her to get used to, but Vivian was already enjoying full beauty of having depth perception and a wider field of vision restored. The congregation actually started to clap as the bishop led them away.
They were back in a private room, ¡°now let us discuss your reward for crushing the professor¡¯s army, I believe that you destroyed some vessel as well that acted as his laboratory correct¡±? Alice remembered the feel of the enchantments on the vessel, ¡°yes that''s right it was ¡ a converted ship, it seemed to be powered by ¡ something like a lich''s phylactery. But filled with multiple ¡ trapped souls to act as a power source ¡ it is destroyed now¡±.
¡°Very good you must have destroyed almost the entirety of the professor¡¯s infrastructure. The Empress of Shadows won¡¯t let him off the leash again unsupervised. While his threat is not ended, I would say we won¡¯t have to worry about it for a good number of years. With the trade guild master and the duchess, we have decided to reward you with six hundred and fifty silver. To split however you want between yourselves. As David was suggesting you could commission some custom equipment to suit your preferences, start exchanging your Damascus for mithril or the like¡±.
The bishop handed them an invitation, ¡°the duchess wants to see you with all the formalities, even though you are staying in the same residence. The nobles¡¯ protocol is something I don''t understand you need a formal invite, supposedly she will want to make some impressive show, go in the light of the creator god, do his will¡±.
It was a quick journey from the cathedral to the noble distinct. They saw the display meant for them. There were a few war horses a few demi griffins with knights. Some St Michaels hounds a few salamanders and a few basilisks lined up outside the duchess''s fortified residence. There were knights¡¯ men at arms mercenaries. It was pageantry a show, designed to convince the four masters that the duchess was a powerful woman worth working for. Some extra flags had been put out and a posh carpet had been unrolled.
They entered a receiving chamber with a very regal chair that was close to a throne. A pompous man in a powdery wig announced them, ¡°presenting the four masters, master mage Alice Coster of the royal tower. Masters of arms Vivian Tanner and David Fisher and Grand master vampire hunter Martin Wright¡±. Martin made a small blessing and respectfully nodded his head towards the duchess, the mercenaries saluted, and Alice curtsied with as much flair as she could muster.
The man in the wig was not quite finished, ¡°Presenting her Ladyship representative of the crown in all triune matters, Duchesses Amicia Cheyne Teach affectionately known as the duchess of the docks¡±.
The duchess would have been in her late 40''s, she carried a certain regal air about her. She wore a light blue gown trimmed with the best silk. She wore necklaces and pendants of pearl. She had a silver dagger on one hip and a rapier in a gold embossed sheath on the other. Though full of pageantry and poise she evaluated the four masters with a practical look. Noting their equipment weapons and general standing. She nodded and smiled, ¡°I officially welcome you to my home, I would have done so before, but I was busy attending to other matters. I am a level 50 scribe and a level 25 knight¡±.
She got down off her illustrious seat and gave them the slightest, nod there was a rattle of armour under her dress. ¡°I welcome you to my home, the seat of the house of Teach we are an old proud navel family, my house provides three of the vessels for the triune fleet that keeps our waters safe. I can see that you are practical people who fought your way up from the bottom, to where you can begin to see the top of society¡±.
She looked at the man in the wig and the rest of her people, ¡°Leave us now we have matters to discuss¡±. With the room quiet she sat down at a table with five glasses of wine. ¡°I am aware that you are agents of the bishop of good ford Alexius. Or else I would have offered you my patronage¡±. Vivian raised a glass, ¡°duchess you honour us with your praise¡±.
¡°I have heard that you have demolished several gangs, the basilisk boys the brother hood of the black hand. Independent marauders assassins, you have captured one of the blades of red Saul alive and even survived two attempts on your life by the hidden hand¡±.
David raised a toast, ¡°that''s right¡±. The duchess cut right to the point, ¡°I am willing to offer you ten gold, if you can route out and destroy the local chapter of the hidden hand. The docks are my responsibility and the hidden hand is really causing a problem for the trade guild. If you do this, I can write to the king to recommend you, his patronage can override a bishop and his pockets are very deep¡±.
Vivian drained her glass, ¡°what intelligence can you give us on the hidden hand¡±? ¡°Usually they work through intermediaries, but they are still there in the background. They have killed a few city guards that started to investigate them thoroughly. Even a few members of their families have had accidents as a warning. They are becoming aggressive to carve out their own stake from the trade deals with the elves. To parasite from others hard work, it warrants a suitable response¡±.
Vivian gave her a knowing look, ¡°we can keep our eyes out, we have a few problems do deal with for the bishop, I am sure that there are leads that the deceased guards were investigating that we can pick up on¡±.
They exchanged a little more small talk, then exited the duchess residence. Her residence came with a view over the harbour. Out by the entrance to the harbour there was a dark spot on the water, slowly it grew larger and larger. A massive eel like leviathan that must have been about 300 yards long broke the surface.
It moved sluggishly the various ships around seemed to pay it no mind, neither did the sailors and labourer on the dock. The leviathan slowly turned in the water until its green belly was floating up in the water. It was some sort of signal a dozen row boats started to move towards it filled with men with rakes what looked like hoes. One of the guards outside the duchess residence looked at the group he came over to enlighten them.
¡°It might be a surprise to you, but that leviathan guards the harbour entrance. We feed it a third of our catch, scrape the parasites off it a few times a year and it leaves us alone. Green belly defends this place against any sea monsters or pirates its a big part of this town¡¯s defences¡±.
David looked at it ¡°is it a tamers pet¡±? The guard shook his head, ¡°no but smart enough that a psionic negotiated a deal with it centuries ago, when green belly was just a third of the size it is now¡±. He looked at Martin ¡°you¡¯re the zealot don''t get any idea''s with gunpowder or anything else like that ok¡± Martin looked marginal offended and looked away from green belly.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
They visited the merchant¡¯s guild, outside a clerk lead them to a senior guild member who recognised them by their reputation and took their order. Martin stocks up on thermite much to his satisfaction ten small grenades five medium five large and 5 more mithril bullets for 50 silver it was expensive but would have been very useful against the constructs that they had recently been fighting, it did put a wide grin on his face as his arsenal was replaced.
Close to the merchant¡¯s guild were the docks, including the dry docks, they could see a most impressive warship, The Almighty''s Judgement, or just the Judgement. It was the flag ship of approximate 30 ship that formed Inwerben''s navy.
The organisation of the navy was much like the rest of the triune. Ten ships were provided by the church mostly manned by volunteers from one lay order or another. The judgement was filled with vampire hunters and crusaders as its fighting force. Ten ships were provided from the crown some from prominent houses some from the direct funding of the king. Then ten more from the merchant¡¯s guild, to bring up the numbers defending the Northern nations interests.
Each of the different triune ships seemed to have a different fighting philosophy, the crown ships focused on carrying beasts such as small dragons and snub winged wyverns into the theatre of war. With the support of mages to provide fire power. The merchant ships were bulkier less manoeuvrable designed to pull double duty as both cargo haulers and fighters. They were best suited to closing with another ship and then deploying large boarding parties of mercenaries. They tended to be interested in seizing prize ships or pirate bounties. The church ships tended to focus on offensive fire power rather than anything else. Ballista¡¯s that could hull other ships even a trebuchet or two.
One of the ships carpenters chatted with them by the dock side. They found that the Almighty''s judgement was 190 feet long. It could best be described as all of the above, every innovation of the northern lands or any other packed inside it. A reinforced braced hull several feet thick. It was compartmentalised into ten sections so that even a hull breach would not sink it and a boarding action would only give access to part of the ship. There was an armour-plated wheelhouse to protect the captain and officers. The entire ships timbers were reinforced with mana absorbing self-recharging reinforcement runes. Making the timber much harder than it had any right to be.
The largest most complex mana shield stone that had ever been made was situated right in the middle of the ship. When activated it gave the Almighty''s judgement a very powerful magical shield that could resist attacks from a full-grown kraken and even a full-grown leviathan. There were also a squad of mages there to replenish its charge.
The ships bottom was copper plated to stop anything growing on it and decreasing the ships speed. There was an impact enchanted battering ram at the front of the ship. It had octium metal built into it, to pierce the possible mana shield of another ship or magical reinforced hull. The ships timbers were alchemical treated to be highly fire resistant. From the back of the ship they could deploy a slick of burning oil. Or even spike mines, a barrel filled with gunpowder with a detonator attached to several spikes. On the deck were several compact repeating ballistae¡¯s, a large brass mortar powerful weapons currently being overhauled.
There were several scorpion repeating bolt throwers and deck sweepers, large blunderbuss type weapons operated by a two-man team. It had an ice breaker hull for the cold weather, there was a druid assigned to it with their weather magic for the winds. It had several monster tamers assigned to the ship with salamanders and basilisks able to add their acid and flame attacks to the already impressive artillery. Eight scouting eagles and six micro snub winged wyverns with riders called it home. Even a baby leviathan to act as underwater detection. Such a ship would be needed to keep the buccaneers from interfering with the trade convoys to the western continent.
Vivian noticed something familiar out of the corner of her eye. Something steadily moving across a roof top. A member of the hidden hand, the rouge was almost invisible moving over the roof tops. No one looked up, no one saw as she dropped down and disappeared into a warehouse. Vivian looked at the others and gestured for them to follow her. They thanked the ships carpenter and left to follow Vivian. Out of ear shot David questioned her ¡°what have you seen¡±? She pointed to the warehouse, ¡°hidden hand rouge let¡¯s get a look¡±. The warehouse had a main door and a side door plus a couple of high up windows.
There were a few shouts from inside, David burst through the side door Martin Vivian and Alice came in through the main door. There were two groups in the middle of some deal, that seemed just about to go south any way. A group of local thugs without armour but carrying weapons were squaring off against six of the hidden hand. There were several bags placed on an upturned crate being used as a table. It was on the cusp of violence looking at the two gangs facing each other.
Vivian counted then up the locals; they were dressed as dock workers general labourers 14 local thugs. The leader of the thugs was a muscled woman with a red scarf. Against them were six hidden hand rogues. One of the rouges turned to the party he pointed a finger, ¡°the vampires are offering eight gold each on their heads split 20 ways it¡¯s still a fortune¡±.
It was a tense moment as the criminals decided what to do. If they decided to take on the party it was a very bad idea, for them. Vivian looked at the group of criminals, ¡°Martin what are we facing¡±? Martin used his monocle to analyse them. ¡°Hidden hand are veterans, local thugs not so much level 10 ¨C 12 the leaders only level 15,¡± Vivian had a commanding voice, ¡°we take the locals alive if possible, the hidden hand are too dangerous. If they won¡¯t surrender, we kill them¡±.
The thug''s ringleader gripped a large club looking around. Vivian continued, ¡°David pull your punches, Alice can you limit your spells? Oh yes and Martin nothing permanent at least leave bodies behind, no pillar of salt¡±.
The hidden hand acted first they had their usual heavy crossbows slung on straps. They drew them and fired in an instant. Two bolts bounced of David''s shield, originally aimed for the slits in his visor, he had reacted fast. Two bounced off Alice''s shield spell one hit Vivian''s Damascus armour and failed to penetrate. The last hit matins hat and got as far as the Damascus plate underneath. He plucked it out of his hat. As nonchalantly as if he was plucking a feather from his hat band and dropped it.
The hidden hand operatives pulled a fan of knives for there right hand. With long daggers in there left, they advanced recklessly fearlessly. The local thugs backing them up drew throwing knives and short bows. Seemingly out of nowhere, they had no intention of getting close. Martin threw a poisoned dagger at one of the hidden hand, he dodged to the right straight into a pistol ball. The rouge coughed up blood through his mask and dropped his weapons. He reached for some sort of healing item then collapsed it dropped from his hand. Vivian targeted another member who tried to duck behind a wooden crate. Two arrows sailed over the crate two arrows passed right threw it, skewering the criminal dead.
One of the hidden hand hurled a smoke bomb at Alice in desperation. It bounced of her physical shield spell and harmlessly detonated in a corner. The rouge managed to doge an acid strike spell. it hit the wall where she was a moment before. However, she dodged right onto the spot where Alice''s icy tomb spell was prepared. The woman slowly collapsed, her body freezing over her movements slowing to nothing as every part of her was flash frozen by the spell. David charged into the fight toppling a pile of crates onto one of the hidden hand members. They were not quick enough to evade the armoured juggernaut. The crushing weight caved in their chest flattening them dead.
The local thugs realised just what they had decided to take on far too late. The last two members of the hidden hand were disposed of quickly. One dodged backwards avoiding a cut from David only to be skewered by an arrow from Vivian in the neck. A similar thing happened to the last one he detonated a fire bite spell from Alice with a thrown knife intercepting it in mid-air, only to have the top of his head blown off by Martin who had his second pistol drawn. This shredded the corner of his mask peeling it back. Alice got a good look at the man''s surprised face before he collapsed, he had a pattern of three scars over his eye.
David and Martin charged forwards while Vivian and Alice were careful not to fatally wound anyone. A thug ran for the door Vivian put an arrow in his knee. One of the larger members of the gang tried to hold a crate up against Alice. To protect them from her spells as an improvised shield. she hit him in the legs with a low powered fire bite spell, he collapsed screaming with second degree burns.
A thug not realising how much armour Martin was wearing tried to stab him in the chest. The blade thunked against his armour. Martin delivered four sharp blows to the man''s head with the butt of his pistol down the man went. A thug tried to go climbing over crates and out a window David kicked the pile over, down she went slamming into the ground with a thud and a grimace. The fight knocked out of her she lay there in pain.
David brought the pommel of his sword down on the next thug, the stun enchantment activated and down the thug went. Martin pulled out his mallet and advanced smacking one thug senseless as they tried to hit him with an iron mace. Vivian caught one thug with an arrow through there foot pining them to the ground they dropped their weapons and started howling in pain. Alice hit one more fleeing thug with a low powered electrical strike spell, the thug collapsed threw up then blacked out.
The remaining six thugs looked about, they could already see the destiny enchantments in the hidden hand''s equipment and bodies activate as they ceased to be there leaving traces of ash. The thug¡¯s leader looked at Vivian ¡°can we surrender¡±? Vivian looked at the others then looked back at the thugs. One of the thugs was an idiot, he distracted David while a second tried to loop a garotte wire through a gap where his helmet joined the armour. There was another layer of armour under that, but they didn''t realise it.
It was ultimately very stupid; David reached back and grabbed the thug on his back. They were then propelled into the thug that had been trying to distract David. The two of them went down with a whimper. Alice caught two in a low-level electric strike spell. Martins mallet found another thug on his right-hand side, elbow shoulder hip and knee they collapsed in agony. Vivian who was every bit as strong as David stepped up to the leader and punched them in the gut hard enough to make them double over and drop to the floor. Vivian pulled her punch, if she had struck with all her might she would have put her fist through the woman''s chest.
With no opponent able to resist the level up struck the party their eyes flashed. Between the thugs and the rouges, it was just enough to push Alice David and Vivian up a level. At level 67 Alice picked up the grand version of the bonus vitality spell. At level 65 Vivian gained a class level raising her comprehensive training ability to the point where she could train ducal guards. As in the guards serving a duke, they had a bonus adrenalin ability which could make them quite ferocious fighters.
David reached level 63 and gained level 3 of his counter shield defence skill. Martin had to perform a feat of martial strength to advance beyond level 75, then he could continue to progress.
They began to process the defeated thugs, Martin and Alice would heal them Vivian and David would search them then bind them hand and foot with rope. Soon most of the injuries that the thugs had sustained were treated to one degree or another. Weapon were recovered and pistols reloaded. They found a good quantity of blue moon dust and yellow arrow root, aka yellow mellow both quite potent illegal drugs. They found a purse of 50 silver coins supposedly to pay for the drugs.
David examined it then felt crest fallen, he picked one coin up and folded it in his hand, ¡°fake coinage not very good fakes either! Pressed copper covered in imitation silvery paint pathetic¡±. Vivian picked up a red scarf from the leader of the thugs and putt it on round her neck hiding the lower half of her face. It felt appropriate; the leader of the thugs was about to say something but stopped. She had picked it up from the last gang leader when she took command, this was a poetic irony.
there was a small bag of blue moon dust dropped by the ringleader, Vivian picked that up too. Martin went outside and flagged down one of the militia. They went and got a member of the city guard. Ten minutes later a guard captain and a dozen men arrived.
The guard captain walked in and surveyed the scene for a few minutes silently. ¡°You¡¯re the four master¡¯s malice the zealot etc. Honestly, I expected a pile of dead bodies from your reputation. This lot don''t seem to be too badly wounded¡±. Martin perked up, ¡°we had to heal them up a lot, or else they wouldn''t be able to stand. I had to set a few limbs back in place¡±.
The captain looked at the various blood stains and smashed crates burn marks arrows and knives littered over the place. He regained his composure, ¡°quite .. er , what happened¡±. Vivian''s eye focused in on the guard captain and he winced, the mechanical eye was disconcerting to him. His revulsion showed for a second, Vivian took specific note of it. ¡°I noticed some of the hidden hand, they were good. If I didn''t have this golem eye and a ring of eagle eye, then I wouldn''t have noticed them. The duchess mentioned she wanted the docks cleaned of these gangs¡±.
The captain thought about calling the deputy sheriff, ¡°so what happened, they were suicidal to attack you or resist arrest¡±. ¡°We interrupted them in the middle of a drugs deal, forged coin for drugs that seem to be cut with something¡±. Vivian took a brief sniff ¡°its flower¡±. Vivian continued ¡°weak stuff anyway, the hidden hand pointed out the bounty the vampires had on our heads and the lot attacked us¡±. The guard captain could feel a target settle on the back of his neck, ¡°What happened to the hidden hand¡±? Alice pointed to several stains on the floor with the end of her staff.
The guard captain looked at the thugs recognising the leader, ¡°I think that this lot are dock workers and general labours, there is a reward of 10 silver on their leaders head. Unfortunately, nothing for the rest of them. We can take the forged coin and drugs as evidence with our thanks. For their weapons the merchants might give you a few coin. I will take statements then you can go on your way¡±.
They went to a guard house and the thugs were thrown into different cells. They filled out and signed a statement then received the 10-silver reward for capturing the thug¡¯s ringleader. David spoke to the captain, ¡°what will happen to them now¡±? ¡°The duchess is trying to go tough on crime, after an interrogation we will give them each 30 or 40 lashes a hundred minimum for the leader over two days. Then its six months hard labour repairing the sea wall and back they go, there debt to the triune paid. The ringleader though it¡¯s off to the gallows tower jail for a few years. If they talk its two if they don''t its five¡±. They left and the guard saluted, ¡°I will send a copy of my report to the duchess, she will be glad to hear you have started on her request¡±.
They donated the thug¡¯s weapons to the militia''s reserves; Vivian pulled the patch that Martin had made out from her belongings. She remembered the way the guard captain had reacted; his revulsion was it to the scar or to the golem part. She covered up her artificial eye, it hid some of the scar as well. Her hand lingered on the pouch of blue moon dust. She hadn''t handed it over with the rest. It was two small for evidence of dealing, just the thug ringleaders personal stash. She told herself she would dispose of it later.
They returned to the duchess''s residence and settled in with the guards. a meal of roast pork, fish bread and a vegetable stew washed down with half a barrel of ale followed. Vivian asked around about the emerald bows, a mercenary company that specialised as archers. They had moved out a day before they arrived. She would not be able to trade with their quartermaster unfortunately. She had other things to do.
She used a target range behind the duchess residence to practice her marksmanship. David drilled with a few of the off-duty guards and militia to pass the time. The duchess''s steward let Martin and Alice into the family library where Martin studied a few books on local history and Alice read through some of her magical texts again.
They headed off to bed Vivian looked at the bag of blue moon dust, she looked at her face in the mirror she put the blue moon dust back in a draw and went to sleep. David played a few hands of cards with the guards using stones for markers, he quickly lost the lot and retired for the night. His pride wounded but not his purse.
Alice had her little dagger out there was poison on one edge and nothing on the other. She experimented drawing the naked blade against her skin. As she had gained more power, she had become physically tougher. She had to put a bit of effort in to get the iron to even draw blood. She bit down suppressing a cry as the blade cut a line on the back of her arm. She channelled her magic and the spell healed the wound without so much as a scar.
She felt it with her hand nothing, she did it again practice she called it. The pain did seem to focus her mind, driving away a bit of the lethargy. The clouds that still permeated the corners of her consciousness. She could feel a measure of tension in her spine an anticipation of stress and worry bound up tighter. With every cut it felt slightly better as if part of that tension was released. Finally, she was almost out of mana she sighed and expended the last of it. Alice collapsed into her bed from mana fatigue, using the healing magic again and again she was worn out. At least she could sleep now it was as safe as she could get.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 9 – Trade Talks.
Alice woke up on her bed she climbed to a sitting position and hesitantly looked at her arm. There was no mark no hint of what she had been doing the previous night. She breathed a sigh of relief, the use of her magic the pain it was focusing her mind. Clearing out the last vestiges of the fog she had felt. Now that she was able to think more clearly, she could tell that some parts of her mind had grown dull. Some parts of her mind were diminished they were not gone. The weight of certain emotions and memories certain feelings were lessened.
She thought about it, realising that there was no panic at the loss. That should not be right that could not be right, could it? They were things that felt generally a little dead, the trauma of the mental attack and her mind fighting against it had affected her. She no longer felt, she paused what would be the best way to describe it. A worry that nagging feeling at the back of her mind, it was dulled. The hooks the links that caused fear to manifest inside her they were lessened. The underpinning memory of every little scrape and scratch. Everything that had taught her to avoid pain, to fear it they were dull. Yes, that was the best way to describe it, perhaps a reaction of her mind to cope.
She wondered if this constituted a form of brain damage, a trauma to her mind. She was not so hesitant to act. The part of her that questioned herself, that cast doubt on her thoughts and actions it was again dulled. Not the mechanism but the memory''s that underpinned it. The things that made her hesitate to doubt they were grey faded.
The times her family had scolded her, told her that she was wrong. The unpleasant feelings that had plagued her in the tower. Growing up in an academic environment and just scraping through the bottom of every class, that was irrelevant now. The memory''s once vivid their lessons telling her that she was not good enough, that she should hesitate doubt herself. They belonged to a different person. She was malice the mage, not Alice the child.
Vivian woke up to the usual confusion, her golem eye took a few seconds to focus properly. Her mind became fully conscious and the connection was back fully in place. She looked over at mirror on the wall. She idly picked up the eye patch and red scarf. The scarf wrapped around her face the eye patch over her artificial eye. That was stupid it limited her perception for a little exercise in vanity. She pulled the patch away and put it down.
The scarf was ok it kept her neck warm, it hid her face. Martin had started to wear a face concealing mask for that little bit of armour protection. David had a full-face visor, perhaps it was best if they all wore masks or some such. They would be the four masters, then they could take off the mask and just be people.
She could feel a lot of pressure bearing down on her. There decisions could save or kill dozens or even hundreds of people, what did it matter what colour scarf she wore. She was a mercenary in good standing, contracted to the trade guild. To defend its interests and the triune and all the people in the northern land. She could be the difference between the line holding and falling, every call every shot had to matter. She looked about no sound around her, she slowly removed the bag of blue moon dust. She gripped the bag and put it back.
David woke up and flexed his hand, it was getting close soon he would have the full motion of his hand back. He had to question himself a little refection in a mercenary, when it was quiet the lull before a storm was a good thing. The ability to evaluate your situation to alter your strategies or confirm that you were heading on the right course was a skill. Taught as any other martial skill he could apply it to himself now.
He had lost his hand originally, because he had faced a stronger opponent. He was getting stronger himself day by day and he was saving up for better armour that might close the gap eventually. But perhaps it was best to rely on something else for a change not just Vivian. His sallow youth in the church orphanage came to mind, boring days of humble food and monotonous lessons that never stuck with him.
Now he might have to accept the help of something greater. A bottle of holy water or blessed salt or something could give a vampire pause for thought. It might not be long, but it would be just enough to give him or Vivian time to retreat attack, or plan. It could purchase them a moment to think, if Martin or Alice were absent and they had nothing to help them.
David had to wonder why he had not thought of this before. Why had it been a week and a half maybe two weeks until he had sat down and thought this threw. The answer was it was better late than never, it was better to be prepared for all or most eventuality than not. They had been busy getting themselves cured. They had been busy fighting the constructs now he had a break in pleasant surroundings.
He had time to think and to reason, he didn''t need to be a priest to use holy water. He didn''t think it would affect the enchantments on his equipment as long as he kept the two separate. He was good as far as he knew, he had to check it with Martin then perhaps go to the cathedral. A few minutes later Vivian had fished her own preparations and entered David''s room to help him with the last bits of his plate armour.
Martin woke up to the dawn chorus, well the squawking of the gulls. He felt for his night stand the reassuring weight of thermite. He was a grand master but that would not allow him the power he needed to both get his revenge and keep people safe. To make some lasting change in this ongoing war between humans and vampires. He could lead a large number of people as a grand master many would die, but they would achieve their goal of killing a few ranking vampires.
But if he continued to build his own personal power. Along with a few other individuals then he could be more. Four exalted masters working together could be a razor-sharp blade. That could cut away the canker of the vampires from this land relatively cleanly. With some effort with some planning he could defeat a worthy opponent. Mithril bullets, octium bullets thermite a plenty he would triumph. They would triumph together, together they could take a chunk out of something far higher up the food chain.
They sat around the breakfast table and ate a very well-prepared fish stew. The duchess''s personal cook had presented them with an excellently seasoned meal. Her thanks for giving the hidden hand thieves a bloody nose and a few vacancies in their ranks. David looked over to Vivian, ¡°what''s our current budget for equipment?¡± Vivian did a little calculating in her head. ¡°its 2370 silver give or take about five¡±. David looked about the table, ¡°we have saved up for a bit lets invest in some equipment like the bishop said. Some mithril armour for me, Vivian you would be after some better ammunition right some Alice Martin any ideas¡±?
Vivian grinned, ¡°you know me quite well David those adamantine tipped arrows are excellent an equalizer against a tough target. I could put one right through a dragon and a strong enchantment on top would do even better¡±. Alice interjected, ¡°I have been doing my reading ¡ you might want to look ¡ at a corrosion enchantment. Not very common but there ¡ is very little that can resist it ... especially from an arrow lodged inside them¡±.
Vivian wondered, ¡°I don''t mean to sound like an idiot, but wouldn''t that melt the shaft of the arrow¡±? ¡°The arrow shaft and feathers ¡ would have to be enchanted at ¡ the same time, but think about it¡±. ¡°Yes, I see what your aiming for, not many things would be able to concentrate on a fight with an arrow like that inside them¡±.
David looked over, ¡°what about you Martin, do you need extra armour a new weapon¡±? ¡°I already have my thermite and plenty of exotic ammunition, what I need is to track down an artefact something which endures from the vampire hunters of old. Supposedly the six who founded the original order of vampire hunters each had a weapon forged from or with black adamantine, the holy blessed metal¡±.
He elaborated, ¡°I have the names of the artefacts, if not the details they are sketchy. Tesla''s hand, Colts masterwork, Nobel''s prize for the three battle alchemists. The blades of St Michael and George for the two crusaders. For the sixth undocumented founder the mystery, he had something called the chain of judgement. With one of these holy relics I could really do some damage to a vampire elder or ancient, I suppose the information to track one down would not be cheap¡±.
David turned to the last member, ¡°what about you Alice? What would you need to push the boundaries of your power¡±? ¡°The broach that amplifies ¡ my spells got me thinking. I don''t lack for offense ¡ but for defence there are some artefacts that ¡ prolong a mage¡¯s defensive spells. It makes me able to ¡ use my mana more efficiently ¡ there is less chance of me running out in a fight. There is less chance ¡ of being caught unaware¡±. David finished his drink, ¡°that settles it then let¡¯s go to the trade guild and start commissioning some pieces. We have not met the local guild representative, anyway who knows what contracts they could have ready¡±.
The group headed back to the merchant¡¯s guild. They headed for the grander main entrance where more official deals were done, where nobles and dignitaries were received. They were planning to spend an awful lot of money anyway. A receptionist led them to senior trade guild member who in turn lead them to the office of the guild bigwig. They waited outside the office for a few minutes were announced and entered, immediately they noticed the nautical theme. Pictures of ships and models of ships were on shelves and most available walls.
The trade commissioner was a grand master a level 75 merchant. Her name was Gilda Jendryng the third. The woman was wearing spectacles that had been enchanted with a lot of perception boosting spells. Her eyesight must have suffered from the years at her profession. She carried a bit of weight like many successful merchants, they could enjoy large quantities of the finer things in life.
Merchants who generally didn''t get much further than their office to their strong room and back again. They exchanged a few pleasantries, ¡°I hear that we would be up to our elbows in a hoard of archanist constructs if you had not intervened. For keeping my life quiet I thank you, I come from a family of merchants and goldsmiths no combat abilities. But a talent to make coin to see an opportunity¡±. Vivian politely enquired, ¡°what opportunity''s do we have now¡±?
She was quite enthusiastic, ¡°You have herd of the elves yes new markets and we control it all from this port. If the central plains or the south lands want to sell to the western elves. If the dwarves want to do business, they must come to us first. Heck even the confederated colonies at the northern end of the western continent want to do business with the elves. It¡¯s our ships that are going to transport the goods¡±.
They let her continue, ¡°And such goods, our alchemists are analysing hundreds of things. I have spices exotic woods for our carpenters¡¯ new fabrics and dyes. New plays and music, some of the arts lost in the golem rebellion are found again, some of the crafts didn''t die. The western elves have had two thousand years of peace. A few centuries of conflict to clear the monsters out of the land they inhabit, and they have a land of milk and honey. With the long ocean we are the only one''s who''s ships can reliably cross it¡±.
She was already planning the next move, ¡°now imagine if we could take back one of the eastern dwarven holds from the vampires. We could set up direct trade with the dwarves again. No merchants from the central plains adding their bit onto the deal. No tariffs no tributes to the nine gods. No having to negotiate with every city state on the road, a few years and we will have more ships we can send larger convoys. The buccaneers might force our hand, but the judgement is more than enough to deal with them. Who knows they might send you after the pirate lords, I hope you don''t get seasick¡±.
She grinned her hubris at the anticipated future deals subsiding, ¡°I believe that you have come to make a deal on some custom-made equipment, something best suited to your skills and abilities. But first let me put a proposition to you, there is a lich you might have heard of a servant of the local vampires. There is five hundred silver coins on that lich''s head, but no takers. She has spent decades fortifying her position. That lich is becoming a pain, her forces are attacking our logging operations. I have ships I need to build and repair, I will raise the bounty by an extra 300 silver to sweeten the deal, to evict that pest¡±.
They weighed her words, ¡°Now let us speak together about business opportunities. What sort of budget do you have¡±? David was to the point, ¡°Let us say 2000 silver¡±. ¡°You definitely came to the right place¡±. Vivian was front and centre, ¡°I have a very fine bow, but arrows are a problem. You can never have enough. I would want ten adamantine arrows tipped with a strong corrosion enchantment, something that when stuck in a wound will really do some damage.
An assistant seemed to materialise from a side room and handed the trade commissioner a price list. ¡°Ten bodkin adamantine arrows would be 200 silver, the enchanting for a constant ten points of corrosion damage would be an extra 50 silver and the delivery time would be one week¡±. Vivian could negotiate, ¡°come on if we risk our lives to clear the undead out of your logging operation you can do something for us¡±.
Gilda nodded, ¡°you make a good argument, Alice is a member of the tower so I believe they could give us a little discount. Let us say 40 silver for the enchantments I can knock 20% off of the usual price for the adamantine so let us say 200, after what happened to the mines in Grey-forge adamantine is very rare and we only have a very limited stock¡±. Vivian shook her hand, ¡°you have a deal¡±.
David was up first, ¡°I have a very good Damascus tower shield can you do better with mithril¡±. She used an enchanted grimoire to analyse the shield, ¡°let me check¡±. She scratched out some calculations, ¡°yes we have mithril in stock we could enhance your current shield with a boss and edging of mithril with mithril reinforcing for 200 more silver. Or we could go all the way a master work mithril tower shield¡±.
She did some scribbling on a piece of paper. ¡°Normally its 1200 silver, but with your current shield it could be 900 silver and your old shield in exchange. I can guarantee a defensive rating of 300 combined with an increase of the impact absorption enchantments from 30 points to 55. I can have a natural armour enchantment of 40 points, and may I suggest a 10-point agility boost it would make it much easier to wield the shield, the delivery times would be two weeks¡±. David tried to push it, ¡°can I get a discount¡±? ¡°you¡¯re already getting a 300 silver discount¡± his shoulders casually shrugged I suppose ¡°it¡¯s worth a try ok¡±.
Gilda looked about, ¡°what about you vampire hunter¡±? ¡°I already have a lot of thermite what I want is information the location of one of the founder¡¯s relics of the vampire hunters order. It might be a bit of a stretch asking a merchant, but I can¡¯t think of anything else yet.¡±
¡°There are a lot of vampire hunters in the judgement and large archives at the church and mages chapter house. I might be able to find something. Report the lich dead and I will give you anything that I can find¡±.
¡°have you ever come across ¡ an item that can boost defensive casting¡±. The merchant flicked through a catalogue ¡°do you want the power of the defence increased the longevity or both¡±?
¡°Primarily the longevity ¡ of my defensive spells¡±. ¡°There is something in the book, a ward of enhanced defence apparently it can prolong the effects of shield spells by a minute. But they are rare this one was made by a dwarven master of glyph enchanting¡±. Hew own interest was piqued. ¡°how much ¡ is it¡±? ¡°I don''t know it is apparently in the private collection of house teach, one of the duchess''s relations has it. They might sell for the right price or the right favour you will need to speak to the duchess about that¡±. Alice curtseyed ¡°thank you for ¡ the lead at least¡±. They parted with 1100 silver and went on their way.
Alice remembered the duchess she was definitely wearing armour under her robes. That gave her an idea for her own look. She went round to a series of clothing stalls and picked up a green hat for 25 bronze pennies¡¯ to hides her light helmet. She felt that she looked more like a mage and less like a town guard. A senior member of the merchant guild approached them. ¡°I have a little extermination contract for you, some sea life bothering shell fishers outside of town, I need to get some people hear, meet me after lunch and I can make it worth your time, actually give them this token at the Cod tavern, lunch is on me¡±.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
They were considering their options; they went to the cavorting cod tavern. Outside it had a crude picture of a dancing fish on a sign. They went in and showed one of the serving girls the token. Immediately she took an order and showed them to a table. Next to their table was a single pilgrim slowly tucking away into a fish stew. Martin noted the hooded pilgrim as a little odd out of place. Most pilgrims went for white or grey robes, she had a lilac dyed robe he never remembered seeing something that colour.
Surreptitiously she removed a pouch of spices from her robe and added a little sprinkle. In that moment Martin understood. Her dress was amazingly vibrant, incorporating a variety of prints that he had never seen before. He made the assumption that she must be one of the western elves, a strange twinge overcame him. A feeling that she was connected to the creator god in some way. An instinct perhaps she was a high-level monk on a pilgrimage. She looked young but then elves did live almost twice as long as humans.
Martin checked his monocle it seemed a little off perhaps, the reading was different for an elves physiology. David wandered over to her and politely introduced himself. ¡°Hi, my names David I don''t think I have ever seen robes like yours, where do you hail from friend¡±. She sighed and gently brushed he hood back revealing her elven ears. They were far shorter than Martin had expected but still quite notable. She didn''t have some ethereal beauty; she was a charming homely girl. Rather than long flowing silken blond hair she had practical short cropped brown hair.
She reached out a hand and shook David''s. ¡°Hi David and well met, may the blessings of the creator god be with you on all your days, I come from the theocracy of Dryadalis its far to the south of the confederated colonies on the western continent¡±.
The rest of the party wandered over ¡°I see you have friends with you David, the blessings of the creator god be upon you to¡±. She looked at him and the group with keen intelligent eyes. ¡°I guess I am the first elf you have ever seen, I believe that some small remnant of the old people still exists in the capital¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°they keep to themselves ¡ in a small ghetto. The last remnants ¡ the descendants that escaped ¡ the golem rebellion¡±. ¡°That is sad to hear but hopefully something can be done about the golems. We might reclaim our old city''s, or at least bring peace to the spirits of the elves of old¡±.
¡°Well met I am Vivian this is Alice and Martin What might your name be¡±? ¡°It¡¯s Agapanthus, Porsus people call me Aggy¡±. She looked at martin ¡°I wager you have a religious job and you don''t recognise the name?¡± He shook his head dumbly. ¡°Agapanthus it¡¯s the name of a flower that blooms only on the lower slopes of the holy mountain¡±.
Vivian steered the conversation onto something else rather than dwell on how little they know of their own lands, ¡°it must be unusual for you to see humans¡±. She dismissed the notion ¡°oh not really, a fifth of our population is half-human. With over five percent of our population identifying as human¡±. ¡°Alice a pleasure to meet you¡±. She wondered, ¡°do they have ¡ mages in your lands¡±? ¡°No, the only magic users we have are druids, it can be a surprisingly flexible discipline I believe¡±.
David was still enthusiastic, ¡°How come you are all the way overhear on the other side of the ocean. Are you part of the diplomatic party or someone of rank from the western church¡±? She was again dismissive, ¡°Nothing like that I was the daughter of a pig farmer. I entered my name in a lottery for places on the voyage and over I have come¡±. Vivian spoke, ¡°What do you think of our city and our land¡±. ¡°It¡¯s interesting to see how the faith has endured in these lands against constant war. The cathedral citadel is amazing, I will see the grand cathedral and the holy mountain. There are a dozen other sights of pilgrimage I wish to see. The food and drink is a little bland but that is expected when you have to fight so hard to put a meal on the table¡±.
She looked over at Vivian''s weapon, ¡°I see your bow has yew from the holy mountain¡±. Vivian nodded ¡°for one of the first to come over you seem to know a lot about our land already¡±. ¡°Yes, they planted groves of sacred yew around all our cathedrals, more because they are lovely tree''s than the need to have strong bows¡±. She pulled something from the folds of her robe. ¡°This is a family heirloom a red oak holy symbol from the holy mountain. Carved thousands of years ago with a preservative blessing on the wood¡±.
Martin reached out hand and touched it he felt his burdens ease for a moment. Aggy looked over to the quiver at Vivian''s side. ¡°The feathers on some of your arrows are griffon, they raise them in the fortress monasteries around the mountain. The ship bough us here to north port had some on board¡±. Vivian was impressed, ¡°your very perceptive¡±.
They ate their meal and casually chatted with the elven pilgrim for twenty minutes. The Weston elves were a very peaceful nation. Good food fine clothes a fairly egalitarian society with both half-elves and elves occupying most positions and strata of society. Unlike the northern church both men and woman served in the clergy and could become bishops. Though the head of the church was still a patriarch not a matriarch.
They didn''t have a massive military not having had to fight anything substantial in over two thousand years. But they did have lots of good craftsman and good enchanters. The elves lived a long time plenty of time to build up there crafting jobs to high levels.
The senior member of the merchant¡¯s guild that was paying for lunch arrived back. Whatever preparations he was making had been finalised. The party looked back and the elf pilgrim had gone disappearing from the table. The merchant sat down and ordered a round of drinks. ¡°Right down to business, I want you to go and deal with some giant crabs on the coast. They sneaked past the leviathan. They are large powerful creatures but very slow, there meat is delicious and rarely seen as the leviathan normally gets to them first¡±.
The drinks arrived, ¡°They would be a danger to shell fishermen, but I am sure that you can get to them before they can cause two much trouble. I have four carts ready to haul them into the city for the fish market. I can make a tidy profit and you can get 30 silver for a half an hour¡¯s work, do we have a deal¡±.
David was sure that they could squeeze the merchant for a bit more money. But he had a full belly and a drink in his hand curtsy of the man, so he let it slide this once. They followed the merchant and joined up with a group of four large flatbed carts, a dozen general labourers and drivers. A short journey out of the city along a coastal road and down to a shingle beach and they saw their objective.
There were eight of the giant crabs, each one the size of a cart. They were a dull red on top and white on the bottom, they possessed a fearsome strength. But moved very slowly out of the water, in the water it would negate their weight, it might be another thing entirely to deal with them if they got to the waves.
They were busy picking over the beach, there were recently abandoned shacks campfires nets and boats. The giant crabs would definitely be disrupting the local fishing. Martin looked through his book of monsters. David nudged him ¡°any weak spots¡±. ¡°it says the claws have the best meat and the brain is somewhere behind the mouth¡±. Vivian looked over the theatre of war her upcoming battlefield. ¡°They are spread out we each take the closest and try to kill them if we can¡¯t manage to do that, we retreat up the beach and focus on them two at a time. If that don''t work one at a time, they are slow on land. Any ranged attack Martin¡±? ¡°No, not according to the book¡±.
The group split up targeting the nearest four giant crabs. They wanted the bodies relatively intact, so Martin had to forgo his usual thermite. Martin grinned he could use his top shelf abilities today just letting lose. His four-barrel pistol at the ready in his right hand his holy symbol in his left he advanced. The crab stopped eating what appeared to be half a large dog and faced him.
Two quick focus shots rang out obliterating both the crab¡¯s eye''s before it could raise its claws up to protect itself. The crab charged forwards flailing its pincers in front of it. Martin stepped to the side and held his holy symbol forward, ¡°chain smite¡±. Bolts of lightning began to hit the crab shocking it on its right flank, it was having trouble moving as second by second. The lightning fried it the crab slowly collapsed to the shingle, it weekly clawed forwards then dropped. Martin checked with his monocle it was dead, then he moved onto the next target.
David charged into his assigned target; it was busy breaking open a lobster trap preparing to eat what was inside. David batted the crab¡¯s giant claw aside with his shield and delivered a power strike right to the joint of the second claw removing it with a bit of cracked shell. The crab swung back at David who dropped down, his shield embedded in the shingle braced then took the blow stopping the crab in its tracks.
David was up and running around the side of the crab. He delivered more power strikes taking off two of its legs at the joint David completely avoided its claws frantic flailing. he moved round to the limping crab¡¯s side and cut into its remaining legs dropping it to the shingle. A block and a cut severed its other claw. Then one final strike into its mouth and up. David hit something vital and the massive crustacean stopped flailing.
Alice prepared for the fight casting illusionary allies, her bonus vitality spell on herself and a physical shield spell to protect herself. She hit the crab in front of her with an icy tomb spell the already slowed crustacean was reduced to a crawl. It barely seemed to realise what was going on as its inside temperature dropped and its limbs were encased in a layer of ice. She hastened its demise with the poison gas spell. After the spell dissipated the poison would evaporate into nothing so it would not spoil the meat. The icy tomb spell ended, and the crab started to scuttle towards her, Alice finished it off with an electric strike spell, she looked about for her next target.
Vivian targeted one crab she went straight for her adamantine arrows considering its thick hide. She aimed and fired. The arrow struck the crab and pierced the shell sinking in nearly 2 feet the crab was knocked to the sand by the force of the impact or the stun enchantment. Vivian drew a second arrow aiming for the centre of the crab. It started to flail about and ran towards her. A second arrow through its shell and it dropped again weakly trying to rise. Vivian put a third arrow into it, she must have hit something vital as it collapsed.
Martin hit the next crab in a very similar way, two shots blinding it then he hit the crab with pillar of fire, and a few smites followed by wrath of the almighty. The crab was surrounded and engulfed in a pillar of burning hot fire for five seconds. Struck with electricity and an assortment of other things, it collapsed under the weight of the divine attacks. David charged into the next crab. If flicked a large glob of sand and mud at him. David blocked the projectile with his shield and charged in knocking its pincers to one side. He surgically cut its legs out from under it, then its claws then finished it off up through the mouth into he guessed the brain.
Alice attracted her next target with a fire bite spell to get its attention. The angry crab walked straight into the same combination of spells, gassed frozen and shocked it collapsed dead. Vivian put her remaining two adamantine arrows into the last crab using power shots they sank in deeply down to the fletching. The crab collapsed barely taking one scuttling step towards her. It would be a pain to get her arrows back as effective as the power attack was. Digging the arrows out of the target was sometimes problematic afterwards.
They were in for a rather nasty surprise what appeared to be some rocks off the coast shifted. And started to move towards them. She noticed it first, ¡°Get back from the shoreline something is coming¡±. Vivian turned and retreated up the beach followed by the rest of the group. The rocks moved very fast the hull of a sunk ship emerged from the water, it was the wrong way up. There were many barnacles and chunks of weed obscuring the shape. But what was coming out of the water certainly resembled a substantially greater version of the giant crabs that they had just been killing.
The big crab was a lot faster than the little ones, that should not have been possible. It had much stronger limbs it should by all rights have collapsed from its own weight, but it didn''t. It was in fact moving very fast up the beach. Rather than one eye stalk it had four, each one of them fixed on the adventures that had just slain her kin. The entire crab was 60 foot across with the wreck of a thirty-foot upturned ship marooned on its back. Martin grumbled, ¡°definitely some blood alchemists attempt at getting better sea food¡±.
Martin looked at the enraged crustacean it must have had 100000 health according to his monocle. It would be really difficult to penetrate its armour. It had one large claw on the left side and two smaller claws on the right. His chain smite would have been useful about now, but he still had some powerful blessings. They had better be paid a good amount of gold for this monstrosity.
One of the coach drivers casually walked past the group a huge silver whistle in his hand, he grinned at their dumbfounded looks. ¡°The boss was sure you could get big momma out of hiding by killing the last of her brood¡±. He blew the whistle with everything he had, the sound was magically amplified the note was very low and very powerful. They each felt their ears vibrate like they were standing next to a loud horn. The coach driver stood there waiting for something to happen the party looked on confused.
The crab paused where it was, it didn''t like the noise. There was a wave in the water a dark shadow behind the crab. The great leviathan green belly slowly emerged out of the water. Its face was angular wedge shaped it eyed up the enormous crab and its jaws practically salivated. The leviathan surged up the beach its head clamped onto the crab from behind and delivered a crushing amount of force.
The impact of the leviathan on the beach felt like a small earthquake. Everybody had to take a moment to get their balance. The crab manically flailed its claws and legs trying to get free. The leviathan bit down with more force there was an almighty crack and the crab¡¯s body broke, it stopped its struggles. Slowly the leviathan backed itself down the beach into the sea. It slowly lazily turned around in the water and disappeared off to enjoy its substantial meal.
Out of danger the level up hit, three sets of eyes glowed, they each gained a level from the crabs. Alice hit level 68 improving her bonus vitality spell to the greater version. David reached level 64 putting his counter shield defence up to level 4. Vivian reached level 66 her strike through target skill rising to level 5. Martin still had to break through past level 75 to advance further. Vivian looked around with some relief. The remains of the crabs were still on the beach and not squashed by the leviathan she could reclaim her adamantine arrows.
The labourers arrived with the carts, they used hammers and picks to remove the rest of the crab¡¯s limbs. With rope tackle a few A frames and a bit of help form Vivian and David the crabs were loaded onto the carts. The crab¡¯s limbs were tied on the entire lot lashed down and they headed back to North port.
Vivian sighted the merchant had hired them probably got himself a real good deal. He had cleared the fishing grounds had four cartloads of shellfish to sell and there was probably a bounty on that giant crab. Big momma that he was going to collect and all they had agreed to was a measly 30 silver for acting as bait to a big crab.
They came back to town with the giant crabs. The merchant was waiting for them back at the tavern. He already had a rather expensive bottle of wine laid out for them. David and Vivian looked like they wanted to punch him. Alice gave him an icy stare and Martin looked like he had drunk a pint of vinegar.
The merchant turned to them, ¡°my friends sit have a drink with me I have your reward ready to collect 30 silver¡±. David pointed a finger accusingly at him Vivian gave him a warning look not to start anything yet. ¡°You didn''t tell us we were bloody bait, did you see the size of that crab, big momma¡±? David added, ¡°is there a reward for the giant crab¡±?
He offered the wine towards them, ¡°Calm down my friends have a drink. There is a reward for big momma she has been a pain to the outer community''s fishermen for decades. Right under the nose of green belly, its three gold 75 silver and its mine. I have already invested the money, but if you give me a few weeks I can wait for my deal to reach fruition and I can appropriately compensate you for the little surprise¡±. The party grumbled and sat down the merchant ordered more food as they listened to his proposal.
¡°I am just finishing the acquisition of the remains of a minor noble estate, part of this estate is a collection of old adventuring equipment, including a greater belt of five favours 50 points of elemental resistance but also resistance to sonic and corrosive damage. Let me get it from the estate, let me get an enchanter to verify it and recharge it. Such an exquisite magical item would be fair compensation for risking life and limb against such a beast? The group nodded
Martin looked at the rest of them. ¡°Let¡¯s get the contract on the lich underway, we can start scouting out her forces. Even get rid of a few it would make the church and the merchants guild happy, pay back our debt to the bishop. It will get us paid and a bit of favour with the merchants guild¡±. Vivian reached for her arrows, ¡°we have faced lich''s before I have plenty of octium arrows to crack their shields. We might face some stronger undead but nothing we can¡¯t handle¡±. Alice was as confident, ¡°between your holy blessings ¡ and my magic we can take them down¡±. David grinned ¡°most of the undead don''t have brains, it¡¯s going to be easy, but we need to bring plenty of oil¡±.
They returned to the duchess residence. The dam giant crab big momma had scared the hell out of Vivian. She had thought about having to fight it, having to fish all her arrows out of its carcass afterwards. They had decided to fight the lich, it was supposedly a supreme skill user but then there were four of them quite high level. They had fought necromancers and a weaker lich before. They were stronger now. She needed to calm herself no point in worrying Vivian reached into the bag of blue moon dust.
She paused briefly remembering the effects of the drug that had been drilled into her. That was for other people she was over level 60; her body was a lot harder a little couldn''t hurt. She put a pinch on her tong and let it dissolve away. She felt a little numbing sensation as her body relaxed. She put the bag of blue moon dust away. Idly she searched in the coin bags grabbed a hand full of coin and found David.
Wordlessly she gave David some coin to waste on gambling. Only 40 bronze pennies¡¯ but he would enjoy it. She turned in to bed feeling relaxed. Martin grinned in anticipation of facing off against the undead again and went to sleep. Alice exhausted her magic practising and went to bed. She would show the lich that a mages magic was superior to necromancy, in the most practical way possible, one fire ball at a time.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 10 – Lichs Fortress 1.
The woke and ate quickly, there was a palpable air of anticipation amongst the group. They had a goal a target, without the factor of surprise or regret. This was a job by the numbers, a warmup for storming the vampires lair. What would make most shake in fear, they were spoiling for a fight with. What would be extraordinary months ago was more or less mundane. A lich was tougher than a regular spell caster no doubt. But they were still just brittle little bones in comparison to a vampire.
Vivian had some paperwork from the bishop, the details of the contract to eliminate the lich. The number of servants the location the best approaches already tried etc. David spoke up before they left his voice unusually thoughtful. ¡°I have an idea about this lich hunt, we go to the cathedral we see the bishop or one of the senior clergy we get a couple of bottles of holy water. For me and Vivian that way if Martins occupied, we can still get a helping hand from the divine without having to wait¡±. Martin nodded his agreement, ¡°I have a few sturdy leather cases it should keep the bottles safe¡±.
Twenty minutes later they were in the bishop¡¯s garden. ¡°My children I am glad to see that you are taking this seriously, preparing appropriately to face the undead abominations. I could bless a few vials of water now and it would remain as holy water for one day. But I suspect you want a permanent blessing as this will take more than one day. The temporary blessing on water is an easy one, the other is laborious. Traditionally a small donation to the local orphanage is made to compensate the church for the time involved, say 2 silver for the collection box¡±. David nodded and Vivian handed him two silver. One of the deacons gave them two vials of water that seemed to glow with a faint white light.
They stocked up on other essentials 10 flasks of oil in clay pots. Five days¡¯ worth of food plus spare iron arrows Vivian wouldn''t miss. They got a new backpack for David to carry it all. A coach driver took them and their provisions to the outskirts of the logging operation.
It was completely abandoned a few minutes of exploring and they found a trail filled with footprints left by very bony feet. A little further on and they found very old warning markers on the trail. They were faded away and heavily rotted, covered with lichen and moss. The lich must have been in this location for a very long time, there servants digging away building their fortress.
The lich''s fortress looked like it was mostly underground. It was quite unique more like a mining operation, Alice pointed up there were several air defences a formidable force. At its centre a massive skeleton dragon around 30 feet long that was barely held together with ethereal wings and rotten sinew. There were two much smaller zombified wyverns each about 16 feet long endlessly patrolling the sky in a circle.
There were basic ground fortifications two trebuchets five bolt throwers. Martins monocle noted a skeleton siege engineer, a unique undead where the soul had been brought back to inhabit the body with the remnant of the spirit. The spectral outline of the man that had been was superimposed upon his animated bones. There were a few skeletons operating the siege machinery and a few squads of skeletal spearmen protecting them.
Martin looked at the dragon, ¡°that is mine it¡¯s enough that a solo kill would be a feat of strength and let me break the level 75 barrier. Let me focus on that you deal with the rest it¡¯s the biggest threat anyway¡±. David hung his pack on a branch out of the way. He didn''t need it for the fight Vivian was much the same with hers. Martin left a bundle of blankets hanging from the same tree.
They now knew what the lumber thefts were for, with the various defensive siege works being constructed around the lich''s lair. It looked like a mine at the moment, but there was the foundation of a tower and several walls.
Alice cast illusionary allies and bonus vitality on David, a shield spell on herself and prepared to start throwing fire balls. Vivian took refuge behind a large tree her arrows dug into the ground ready for her to start firing. David and a dozen other illusionary versions of him started to charge forwards towards the lich''s troops. Martin moved round from the other side ready to tackle the skeleton dragon.
Martin had his four barrelled pistol at the ready, it was loaded with four overload charges lots of powder, a silver ball then a mithril ball wrapped in lead in each chamber. He would have one chance to do what he wanted to do. He griped his holy symbol and started to layer on defensive blessings, ¡°citadel of faith shield of faith, armour of faith guardian angel¡±. The flashes attracted the skeleton dragon whose mouth began to fill with a purple light. It had a necromantic energy attack in place of a dragon¡¯s breath. Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°hand of judgement¡±.
The power of the divine manifested as a fist of light above the skeletal dragon. It hit the beast with a reverberating shockwave of both physical and holy damage. Sending the dragon plummeting towards the ground. The dragon¡¯s necromantic breath attack went wild, harmlessly firing off into the air, it landed into the ground with a bone shattering crunch demolishing a few small trees. Martin charged forwards with his pistol levelled, he had one chance before it got up again.
David and the host of illusions around him charged forwards. Thinking that it was an assault by three squads of mercenaries the undead manning the siege weapons levelled the majority of them at him and fired. Two of the illusions on the left of David evaporated as a boulder from a trebuchet landed with a jarring impact. A second bolder flew over his head and landed thirty feet away. The skeletal bolt thrower crews took aim and fired. David had a split second to duck down behind his shield.
Three of the illusionary allies disappeared as ballista bolts carved through them, one smacked into David''s shield glancing off the curvature of the heavy enchanted Damascus going up and over. He felt the impact he was glad of the vitality spell Alice had cast. He could survive a few hits like that. Vivian had to duck as the last bolt thrower took a chunk out of the massive tree stump, she was hiding behind. They were obviously smart enough to focus on more than one target between them.
Martin aimed his four barrelled pistol at the skeletal dragon¡¯s right wing joint, all or nothing. He hit the secondary fire on his weapon and all four barrels fired as one silver and mithril shredded the wing joint. The dragon would be remaining on the ground. It responded back with a blast of purple necromantic energy that blasted away some of Martins defensive blessings. He could take another two hits before his holy defences evaporated.
Two dozen skeletons with shields and spears were deployed to protect the siege engines. They formed up in a line in front of the advance of David and his remaining illusionary allies. David pushed right past them the last illusions a distraction for long enough to close on the first bolt thrower crew. He smashed the weapon with his sword, cutting through the bow string and getting the two skeletons manning it with one swipe.
The skeletons with shields and spears turned to deal with him. They were a bit slow as he was already charging at the first trebuchet crew. Vivian let of two broad head arrows and the two skeleton crew of the next bolt thrower shattered. Alice lobbed a precise fire ball hitting the closest bolt thrower and its crew destroying both. Though the bolt thrower might have been repairable. The zombified wyverns joined the fray vomiting some sort of caustic bile over Alice''s shield spell drawing her attention away from David.
Martin had his pistol holstered and a large thermite grenade in his hand, it sailed through the air and hit the dragon square in the chest. The molten metal burnt away bone and spell unravelling a bit more of the enchantment that powered the dragon. Martin was met with a second blast of necromantic energy he had to get some distance while he still had his defensive blessings in place.
Alice cast her shield spell again and cast a second one over Vivian. She targeted one zombified wyvern and hit it with a fire ball spell aiming for the wing. Vivian targeted the same creature putting three octium tipped arrows into the wyvern¡¯s head. They did some damage but not enough. The fist trebuchet was manned by a crew of four skeletons and four zombies. He cut through the ropes that held it together releasing the counterweight to swing before it was fully loaded. He carved through half of the crew as they attempted to affect some sort of repair. Then David ducked behind the bulk of the siege engine as the two bolt throwers fired. He then charged for the second trebuchet like a mad man.
Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°pillar of fire¡± a vortex of fire engulfed the skeletal dragon, slowly burning away at the necromantic energy that held it together. The dragon didn''t flinch and hit Martin with a blast of energy. It burned through his last defensive blessing and sent him flying, purple flames clinging to his coat and armour as he grimaced in pain.
Alice with a great deal of mental focus was able to cast an icy tomb spell on the injured wyvern. Its limbs locked up and it plummeted to the ground, a satisfying shattering noise accompanied the impact as the wyvern broke apart, there was still some of it moving. Vivian put two mithril arrows into its centre using power shots. They shredded what was left of the zombie the spell animating it was spent and the mangled wyvern collapsed they had one down and one to go.
David charged towards the trebuchet he noted the arm moving forwards. The lich''s minions were stupid enough to aim for someone so close in their own camp. David panicked and dived for cover, the boulder ripped past him sending dirt and rock everywhere as he was thrown to one side. The remains of the bonus vitality spell faded he was on his own now. As a bit of luck, the bolder flattened the next nearest bolt thrower and crew. He got to his feet and ran forwards. He had to disable the last trebuchet before they could reload and fire again.
Martin activated his blessing ¡°martyrs sacrifice¡± giving him greater physical abilities. He ran as fast as he could to avoid more of the dragon¡¯s breath attacks. ¡°Divine favour, divine favour¡± he set about healing his body to offset the damage. He used the blessing ¡°thy will be done¡± to locate the focus inside the dragon. It was inscribed inside the dragon¡¯s skull with the thickest lump of bone that would be a problem to deal with.
He had faith, ¡°word of judgement¡± the skeletal dragon was hit by a thunderclap sonic damage shaking it apart. Holy damage burning its bones away stunning it for five seconds. Allowing Martin to throw a few ¡°smite and pillar of salt¡± blessings at the creature. Turning the surface of its bones to salt and hitting it with a few bolts of lightning, digging craters out of its great bones.
Alice and Vivian focused on the last zombie wyvern; Vivian hit it in the wing joint with two mithril arrows. Slowing it to the point where Alice could hit it with her icy tomb spell. Down it went into the mud. Alice followed up with an electric strike spell while Vivian reached for her last few octium arrows. David cut some of the ropes holding the trebuchet together cut down two of the zombies manning it and ran for the last bolt thrower. He needed to keep going there were over 30 skeletons and zombies behind him.
Martin used up the rest of his defensive blessings and attacked the dragon again form a safer distance. He hit it in the front right leg with two pistols loaded with silver. He empowered the attacks with his divine retribution blessings doing a little more to unravel the spell. The dragon kept coming. He drew and fired his blessed pistol the lion hearts hammer the dragon¡¯s knee joint cracked but didn''t break. Martin ran for it in the other direction the dragon turned. The knee twisted and broke, the dragon collapsed but kept limping forwards. Trying to bring its skeletal maw forwards to fire necromantic energy at Martin again.
David changed direction at the last minute forcing the mindless undead to follow him, actually screening him from their own artillery. A giant bolt demolished several of the undead. David switched round running for the bolt thrower crew. He had to get to them before they reloaded. Two swipes of his sword and the crew and contraption were in pieces. Between Alice''s acid strike spells and Vivian''s mithril arrows the damaged zombie wyvern collapsed into pieces and dropped into decaying smouldering mush, no longer held together by a spell.
Martin lost more layers of defensive blessings one peeled away by every attack from the dragon. He gave as good as he got, finally hitting it with wrath of the almighty. A second large thermite grenade and his chain smite blessing from his holy symbol. A seemingly endless stream of lightning bolts struck the skeletal dragon as Martin continued to dance around its necromantic attacks. He focused the bolts on its head. The skull cracked the lower jaw fell away. The beast dropped staggering it twitched then the glow from the spell failed and the bones collapsed their profane bonds broken.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Vivian and Alice rained spells and arrows down on the remaining skeleton soldiers and engine crews. David began to cut into them as they fell one by one beneath his mithril blade. All through this the skeleton siege engineer had found a nice thick wall to hide behind. He was an engineer not a battlefield commander, it was his job to build fortifications and siege engines. Not to fight whatever the fuck it was that had just killed the giant fucking skeleton dragon and demolished the rest of his forces.
The engineer decided it would be best to comeback a lot later. He got up only to be met with Martin. The engineer had a large pickaxe in his hands. Martin caught it and pressed his holy symbol to the engineer¡¯s skull. ¡°purge soul¡± the sentient undead exploded in a shower of bones and necromantic energy, his soul sent packing back to the beyond. The lich didn''t have any other troops above ground they had demolished them all.
Martin felt very good, he had a creepy merry grin on his face, he had just soloed a dragon. An undead one that was weak to his holy blessings. But he had just killed a fucking dragon that had to be worth some bragging rights. He had sent whatever was leading the undead forces back to the beyond, not bad work and today was hardly over.
He knew what to expect as everything around him slowed, not a sense from his body or mind deeper his spirit reached out knowledge from the universal from god was revealed. ¡°A special action has been performed, feat of marshal strength has been achieved, you have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been increased to level 100¡±.
The level up occurred as they were safe. Change and power flowed through their veins, Alice was now one level form seventy she mastered the bonus vitality spell it had certainly helped David along with the illusionary allies. David hit level 65 gaining the same improvident Vivian had recently gotten to her comprehensive training ability. Vivian reached level 67 and gained level 6 of her strike through target ability. Martin stepped over the threshold of a grand master and gained rank 14 in his pistol proficiency gaining a little more accuracy. Martin held his holy symbol up in triumph, ¡°I broke through past 75 on I march¡±.
They began to clear the battlefield as quickly as they could. Recovering arrows and reloading pistols. Alice healed up Martin. They set fire to the siege engines then began to throw the skeletons remains onto the pyres. The two wyverns corpses were burnt then the dragon¡¯s bones were dragged or rolled into a pile soaked with oil with a couple of shrubs uprooted for kindling. They set that mass on fire as well. A necromancer or lich would not get the opportunity to put any of their creations back together.
The counterattack came moments later as more skeletons marched out of the entrance to the lich''s lair. There were 30 skeleton hounds, 50 skeleton warriors armed with simple clubs. They looked to be a buffer to take any prepared attack. While the more valuable troops assembled behind them. There was a group of 30 skeleton spear men with conjured armour and weapons they looked very solid very hard to damage.
Behind them were six skeleton duellists enlarged four armed skeletons in conjured purple armour iron and steel blades in each hand. In the centre of the formation was a skeleton marshal a sentient undead with a large amount of tactical acumen. He rode atop a skeletal steed conjured armour encased him and the horse. He held a wicked enchanted halberd in his hand. Behind them were twenty skeleton archers the lich had responded to the intrusion in force.
Martin had most of his area effect blessing they were going to be useful against the massed ranks of the undead still ready to use. Vivian had her arrows ready Alice was already bulking herself up with defensive spells. David had a couple of bottles of oil at the ready to throw into the conflict. He had recovered them from his pack to speed up the burning of the dead, he would add them to the undead.
The skeletal marshal considered his predicament and dispatched his troops as effectively as he could. The hounds to the flanks split in two. The archers split in two defended by a third of the spears and shields each. The warriors began to advance to screen his main forces with two duellists at the front and two on each flank. Encircle engage swarm was the order of the day, with a few spears held as a reserve to protect his bony ass.
Martin drew his mallet and his holy symbol and charged forwards, he reached the front line and started to use his holy blessings, ¡°hallowed earth, sphere of concentration circle of consecration, field of wrath¡±. Smoke began to rise from the reanimated bones as Martin advanced. The purple glow in the eye sockets of the mass of warriors slowly faded, as the spells proving them with locomotion stuttered and faded.
Vivian started to snipe at the two skeleton duellists on the left flank. While Alice obliterated the first group of bone hounds with two fire balls. David threw both bottles of oil and a torch lighting a number of them on fire. Then he drew his sword and charged into the mass of the skeleton warriors, cutting through to reach the left flank where Vivian was focusing.
Arrows bounced down on the shield spells around Alice. Vivian''s armour repelled the basic rusty hunting arrows that the skeleton archers had. David powered through the lesser skeletons ready to engage their archers, Martin received a few wounds but parried most blows. His inhuman constitution barely registered most strikes from the poorly armed skeleton warriors. He continued to use his blessings the holy light caused the skeletons to crumble before him, ¡°sphere of consecration, circle of consecration field of wrath¡±. Caught in the range of overlapping blessings the warriors shattered to splinters of bone.
Vivian took out the first skeleton duellist, it crumbled and fell the second received a nasty wound losing two arms. Alice destroyed the second group of skeletal hounds with a quick series of fire balls and an electrical strike spell. Under the marshal''s orders they had spread out further, but they were still obliterated taking three rather than two spells this time. David cut past some of the skeleton spearmen and began to demolish the archers on the left flank.
Martin charged into the middle of the formation attempting to reach the two skeleton duellists before he ran out of blessings. ¡°Sphere of consecration, circle of consecration¡± he was out apart from some healing and purify blessings. The two duellists looked hesitant the skeleton marshal ordered his reserve of spears in, they could do a bit of damage to the vampire hunter. The archers not able to penetrate Alice''s shield switched target to Martin.
Vivian finished off the second skeleton duellist and started to aim at the right flank. The two duellists there had the presence to move out of the way behind the skeleton spears and their large shields offering them some protection. David finished off the archers and started to take apart the spearmen charging in and knocking them out of the way with his tower shield. Alice started to take the spear men on with acid strike spells melting away their defences.
The marshal charged forwards, his troops divided letting him through. He was able to strike Martin centre in the chest using his halberd like a lance knocking him down and trampling him. His horse kicked Martin in the face on the way down. The two skeleton duellists closed over him to finish him off. The marshal charged forwards towards Alice. He needed the mage out of the fight as soon as possible.
David finished the rest of the spears on the left flank off and was confronted with the remains of the skeleton warriors. Vivian targeted the skeletons around Martin two of the skeleton spear men were caught by arrows which shattered them. Alice hit the charging marshal with a fire ball spell, but it only served to burn a layer of conjured armour away from the marshal. He kept going spurring his mount on.
Martin sat up the lion hearts hammer in one hand his four barrelled pistol in the other. Both pistols shots rang out striking the duellists badly damaging them. One was looking for its skull the second had a shredded leg. Martin jumped up threw his two Tesla grenades into the skeletons and jumped back. A couple of the spears collapsed but there were still plenty of them advancing on him.
The skeleton marshal delivered a blow to Alice''s shield spell that caused it to crack. He whirled round for a second attack. The marshal¡¯s horse was struck by one of Vivian''s octium arrows and collapsed. The marshal rolled off the horse spun and threw his halberd. It collided with Alice''s mid-section she was knocked to the ground. The layers of padding ring-mail and enchanted clothing combined with the vitality spell saved her life. David polished off the warriors and ran to help Martin.
Alice hit the marshal with her icy tomb spell it slowed him down to a crawl, as he drew his axe his back up weapon. Vivian picked up the discarded halberd and swung it down in an overhead motion the skeleton marshal shattered into pieces.
As the skeleton marshal was destroyed the troops cohesion started to unravel. One of the remaining duellists headed for Vivian one headed for David. The archers became unfocussed and the spears started to falter in their defensive wall. Martin threw his four octium blades as the duellists the magical metal screwed with the spells animating them and they collapsed. Martin drew his pistols and took down two more spearmen blowing their skeletal heads off in showers of bone.
Martin started to use his ¡°divine favour¡± blessing to heal his wounds, his nose straightened out a bit after the second use. David smashed two of the spearmen and started to trade blows with the skeleton duellist.
The last duellist was blasted apart with a bombardment of spells and high-end arrows. Martin was hit with a couple of weak arrows and responded by lobbing a small thermite grenade over the skeletons shield wall damaging the lot of them. David demolished the remaining duellist. The combination of Alice''s spells Vivian''s arrows and Martins flintlock pistols cleared up the remains of the lich''s forces. Martin was beginning to guess that they had just scratched the surface of the local problem.
The level up hit even though they had killed so many monsters they were only low level, so it was only a single advance. Alice hit level 70 an important one a class level her magical resistance rose from 100 spell points to 150 spell points. Attacking spells from the lich or a necromancer or some other form of spell using undead were now far less likely to affect her. David reached level 66 he gained a skill protect allies. It would make it far easier for him to intercept attacks against the rest of the group. Vivian hit level 68 raising her strike through target skill to level 7. Martin gained another rank with pistols as he hit level 77.
They prepared themselves for a second wave of attacks, Alice healed them, they reloaded reclaiming arrows and the like. After a few minutes of nothing they started to clear the battlefield once again throwing bones onto the still burning remains of the bolt throwers and trebuchets. After an hour or so it became clear that the lich was not going to send anyone else out to play. Most of the skeleton¡¯s equipment was held together with necromantic energy, without the spells to preserve them they crumbled as the old bones did.
Vivian looked about the scene of desolation, ¡°do we continue¡±? Martin looked about the group his zealotry curbed somewhat though temporarily. ¡°That dragon took most of my blessings, the skeletons took the rest. But I have thermite and plenty of shot and powder so I can keep fighting for quite a while¡±. Alice looked at her she was tired. ¡°I had to do a lot of defensive casting so I am down to less than a quarter of my reserves including my staff, I could use a mana potion but that would only fill up a bit of my reserves¡±.
David shrugged ¡°I can keep swing for a bit, but I am getting tired¡±. Vivian nodded, ¡°same for me I have all my arrows, but I don''t have limitless stamina like Martin. We retreat a bit make camp if they attack us, we can fight back we sleep in two shifts, two up two down. Alice and David, you get first rest then me and Martin any objections¡±?
There were no alternative ideas they retreated back a few miles. They found a small cave and set up for the night. They had a brief meal mostly smoked fish and hard dry bread a bit of drink to wash it down, then they made the best of it. Alice made herself as comfortable as possible with her insomnia it took her a while to gets off to sleep. She wished that she had a book to read then finally sleep claimed her. David flipped a coin a few times sighed and went to bed. Martin had a flask out of his jacket he took a swig and handed it to Vivian, it was the usual turnip brew tip.
Vivian looked outside, ¡°I am just going to scan the area with my eye see if anything followed us¡±, Vivian did scan the area with the golem eye. But she did take a small measure of blue powder and swallow it, it felt a lot better than Martins tip for sure, she finished and went back in. ¡°So, Martin what''s it like going beyond level 75¡±? ¡°You are not too far away yourself, another week if we keep going at this rate may be less. It felt like I shook god by the hand. As if I touched the universe and saw it for a moment, Alice described her first combat level up like that, the knowledge the possibility''s it was something profound¡±.
Martin had a degree of apprehension, ¡°we are gaining power quickly, what''s going to happen in the future ¡ do you think, what do we do with it¡±? ¡°very soon the four masters will be grand masters I don''t think I have ever heard about so many masters working together. I suppose we would be a big target. But then we would also have a good chance to succeeded against adversity working together against anything targeting them, I mean us¡±.
¡°A fair point Vivian, I don''t think we will know peace for a long time, we have made enemies the vampire Bismark Lexicon when he heals up. The blades of red Saul the hidden hand, that archanist the professor¡±. ¡°We are not strong enough to hunt down Bismark or know enough about the blades of red Saul or the hidden hand. But the other two no chance, we could deal with them¡±. ¡°Fair enough the others something to think about later. We keep being a moving target, we keep getting stronger would they want to pick a fight with four exulted masters¡±.
Vivian thought about it, ¡°remember when we swore that oath to change the world for the better, we are doing it one monster, one crook at a time. We need to concentrate power, get a powerful sponsor church crown merchants whatever. We get a few allies we trust; get the best equipment we can buy or commission we take the fight forward we can start dictating the rules¡±. Martin nodded ¡°I wonder what supreme skills we will get; will they be a game changer as the phrase goes¡±. They talked on into the night then turned in waking David and Alice up for their shift.
statistics at the end of chapter 10
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
68 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
375/375 |
Adrenalin |
340/340 |
Efficiency |
3 |
| Strength |
74 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
68 |
Level Defence Bonus |
68 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
208 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L11 |
Layered Armour Perk L3 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L3 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| Better Criticals L8 |
Pierce Armour L8 |
Shatter Shield L8 |
| Strike Through target L7 |
|
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Flaws |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
66 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
365/365 |
Adrenalin |
330/330 |
Efficiency |
3 |
| Strength |
72 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
66 |
Level Defence Bonus |
66 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
201 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L11 |
Layered Armour Perk L3 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L3 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L3 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
Bonus sword damage L4 |
Hail of Blows L4 |
| Counter Armour L4 |
Counter Heavy Armour L4 |
Counter Shield Defence L4 |
| Protect Allies L1 |
|
|
|
|
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
Learning to use new hand |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
70 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
225/225 |
Mana |
480/480 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
75 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
70 |
Level Defence Bonus |
70 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
4 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 2 Mana |
Magical Defence |
150 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L4 |
Analyse Magic L4 |
Recharge Enchantment L4 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage + 5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) allies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| Elemental Shield Master (5 x level Resistance to Cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 25 seconds |
| Icy Tomb Master (7 points of cold damage per level 13 seconds) freezes target in place instant 10 x base mana |
| Electric Strike Master targeted spell 13 foot radius (40 damage + 7 per level) 4 x base mana |
| Illusionary Allies Master - target individual 13 copies of caster illusions remain for 6 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Poison Gas Cloud Master ¨C cast on area 10 foot by 30 foot duration 7 seconds 3 point of poison damage per level 2 x base mana |
| Bonus Vitality Master ¨C cast on target gets 6 x level bonus hp for 6 x level seconds ¨C 4 x base mana |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
Shy with Peers |
|
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
77 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
2574/2574 |
Focus |
440/440 |
Focus efficiency 2 focus |
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
84 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
88 |
Level Defence Bonus |
88 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire + Minion |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L4 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L4 |
| Greater Psionic Resistance |
|
|
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L15 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L4 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L4 |
Focus Multi Throw L4 |
| General Melee Weapons L11 |
Focus strike L4 |
Grenadier L10 |
| Focus Parry L4 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L8 |
| Focus Stitch L4 |
Trap specialization L5 |
Poison Use L4 |
| Focus Diagnose L4 |
Focus Set Limb L4 |
Focus Resuscitate L4 |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 11 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 6 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 10 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 3 |
| Greater resist igna ¨C resistance to 65 points of fire damage x 2 |
| Greater resist lightning ¨C resistance to 65 points of electricity damage x 2 |
| Greater resist cold ¨C resistance to 65 points of cold damage x 2 |
| Litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing x 1 |
| Bastion of faith ¨C 250 points of temporary health + 30 points of armor x 1 |
| Citadel of Faith ¨C 300 points of temporary health + 40 points of armor x 1 |
| Pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt x 3 |
| Pillar of Fire ¨C 400 point fire attack 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter x 2 |
| Hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down x 1 |
| Word of Judgment ¨C 500 sonic damage 500 holy damage stuns target 5 seconds x 1 |
| Purge mind ¨C cleans mind control x 1 |
| Purge soul ¨C removes demonic corruption possession x 2 |
| Cleanse air - cleans tainted air x 1 |
| Cleanse soil ¨C cleans tainted ground x 1 |
| Cleanse water ¨C cleans corruption form water x 1 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 120 points Long ranger rank 3 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% |
| Vitality level 2 ¨C 3 x base hit points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 11 – Lichs Fortress 2.
They stirred at first light, not a good night¡¯s sleep. They had hunkered down and remained vigilant two resting two awake. It was not such a good strategy to keep everyone rested. It meant that half there fighting strength was always ready. David felt his hand was back, despite a few odd twitches. He had switched back to his dominant hand, he was more than ready to fight. They looked around the cave that they had sheltered in. There were no obvious tracks present around its outskirts.
Martin looked with his monocle Vivian looked with her golem eye scanning about. Alice tried her magic and Martin held his holy symbol. Nothing could be felt close to their location, they ate a quick breakfast of salted and dried rations. They stashed their mundane belongings in the back of the cave to keep them dry high up on a shelf of rock.
looking about they found nothing had changed above ground. The lich probably had enough of a connection to determine how quickly their forces had been destroyed. They were probably hunkering down preparing for battle in the tight confines of their lair. This was fine with the group, in the tight confines of the tunnels below they could concentrate their efforts. Where the lich''s forces could only present a few opponents against them at one time.
David lit a torch and wedged it on his shield Alice had her ring of light. Vivian''s golem eye could work in the dark. So could Martins monocle as he found out, not that it was completely dark. There were occasional purple spirit lamps created by the use of some small creature¡¯s spirit bound to maintain the enchantment. Something that needed light to see still called this place home. The lich probably had a few necromancer apprentices, or a few still living servants to deal with more complicated tasks.
There was one central tunnel that sloped down, the walls had been braced in places with freshly cut timber, the lumber taken from the trade guild. Before the lich had settled this might have been a mine of some sort. Running a hand along the wall Martin thought he saw small amounts of coal, that would fit just about right. They went deeper in, there was an abandoned side tunnel judging from the footprints and dust on the floor. The forces that had formed the counterattack against them must have been waiting hear, ready to be deployed to defend the lich''s fortress. There were a few extra beams of timber stored to the side, possibly to shore up any damage to the tunnels.
Moving down further there were a handful of skeleton spiders. Not the skeletal remains of giant spiders, but constructs in the shape of spiders. Made from whatever assortment of bones a necromancer could lay their hands on a practice piece. They were smashed inside of a minute by David with Martin lending some assistance with his mallet. They were probably not meant as serious guards. But the lich would know when they were destroyed. Moving further down there were a few iron man traps spread across the floor. David considered them contemptible by any standard. He took a few bones from the bone spiders remains and simply activated the traps without any harm.
David was about to take another step when Alice reacted, ¡°stop I can sense ¡ something a spell on the floor, the ¡ obvious traps were a distraction¡±. Alice reached forwards with her hand sensing something. She picked up one of the bear traps and threw it at a spot on the floor. There was a blast of purple necromantic energy. The iron trap flew into the air then landed with a thud, purple flames clinging to it. Alice prodded the trap with the end of her staff. ¡°It¡¯s a spell called a necro mine not, the most powerful in the world but dam irritating¡±. They moved more cautiously forwards; Martin could deactivate some with his holy symbol pressed against the spell. It would unravel the nefarious magic. Alice went the simple route of throwing chucks or rock at them from a safe distance.
They got a bit further along the corridor to find what looked like a small pile of bones. They were more cautious. Alice examined the pile of bones, ¡°everyone back up ¡ this is a more powerful trap spell ¡ called skeleton hand¡±. David wondered, ¡°what happens the hand grabs you¡±? ¡°No watch, Vivian can you trigger ¡ it with an arrow¡±. They got ten feet further back, Vivian sent a cheap arrow flying at the trap.
As soon as it was activated the skeleton hand thrust out of the floor, by about a foot and a half. It was gripping a pile of bones the entire thing exploded showering fragments of bone over the entire area. They worked their way through a half dozen more of these irritating traps to get to a corridor. There was a spell barrier a wall of purple energy, maintained by several trapped spirits in an alter nearby behind the barrier. They could see another and another behind that, four in total. The force that could smash the lich''s army''s above ground. Would possibly not have the magical expertise to get through this series of barriers below ground.
Alice focused on the first barrier; she could see there were twelve spells maintaining it. The spells seemed to float about inside the barriers surface, unseen to anyone but a skilled mage. They were lines of thought intent wrapped together bound in place by the alter behind the barrier. Martin had dealt with these before, Alice simply pointed to a spot and Martin held his holy symbol on it the spell would unravel, and the barrier would lose power.
They quickly dismantled the first barrier as soon as it flickered and shattered Martin was upon the alters that powered it. He pressed his holy symbol to the alter ¡°purify¡±. The profane alter cracked and the magic the lich used cracked and was destroyed. David and Vivian kept an eye out for anything else as Martin and Alice dismantled each subsequent barrier and the alters that sustained them. So that the magic could not reactivate like a trapped door behind them.
As they completed the destruction of the last barrier the first real stirrings of defence occurred. A section of wall collapsed revealing a chamber beyond. A skeletal knight with mace and axe charged forwards, two dozen skeletal spear men behind him. The reaction was immediate David lobbed a clay pot full of oil into the middle of the formation. Martin followed it up with a small thermite charge and Alice with a couple of fire balls. The skeleton knight staggered forwards only for Vivian''s power shot to shatter what was left, a quick check revealed nothing left from there bombardment, the confined space concentrated the destructive force. The path split into a T junction they turned right.
They appeared to be inside some sort of coal mine, mindless skeleton workers hacked away at the sides with rusted bent pickaxes. They were not particularly strong on fast but persistent. Once a lump of coal was hacked away from the wall into a cart it would go. There were about a dozen zombified donkeys pulling the mine carts. All told there were four dozen skeleton miners they were almost completely oblivious to the group of adventurers. David tested a theory; he swung his sword down onto one of the miners, it collapsed into a pile of bone with no reaction from the rest.
Vivian targeted one with an iron broad head arrow the skull shattered, and the miner unravelled. Martin held his holy symbol up to one miner it slowed, and its movements became jerky, then the spell holding it together unravelled, it tipped forward against a wall then fell to pieces. Alice targeted one with a low-level fire bite spell. The skeleton was engulfed with flame then collapsed, the magic fire burning away the spell animating it.
Martin looked about, ¡°this must have been a coal mine, perhaps the lich took it over after a cave in or it was abandoned. What could they be doing with the coal¡±? Alice examined a lump of coal it was perfectly mundane ¡°they might need the ¡ coal for something or they ¡ trade it with someone else¡±. They set about slowly and systematically dismantling the mining operation, even down to the zombified donkeys. They double checked the area, there was a foreman''s office set up in one corner of the mine next to a store of cut lumber for bracing tunnels, with a few spare picks and a mine cart.
There were the remains of a mine foreman not just the animated skeleton but the spirit as well. Pulled back to the land of the living bound to his bones. He was busy hiding behind his desk, he took one look at the sadistic hatred in Martins eyes and backed further into a corner. Martin looked at him coldly, ¡°You have thought spectre, do you have speech what can you tell me of your master¡±? The ghostly visage of the man superimposed on his animated bones shrunk back with fear.
¡°look I was a miner hear then the place collapsed, then I was somewhere else, and something pulled me back. I was given orders and workers and that''s all that I have been doing, all I remember doing¡±. Martin read him like a book, ¡°you don''t want to be sent back do you¡±? The response was slow and hesitant, ¡°I was not a good man in life¡±. Martin held his holy symbol forwards, ¡°I don''t need the details¡±.
The mine foreman shrieked as Martin held him down with one hand and pushed his holy symbol onto the skeleton. The necromantic spells unravelled causing considerable pain and torment to the undead, ¡°don''t, no I won¡¯t go back to the demons don''t...¡±. Martin shrugged as the bones stopped struggling. The spirit seemed to flicker then was sucked downwards, with a high-pitched wailing shriek of despair.
Vivian twitched and looked at Martin, ¡°keep it together that was ...¡±, ¡°I just sent him back to the eternal reward that his actions in life granted him¡±. Martin fixed the group with his eyes they couldn''t see his face under the mask he wore. Which was probably a good thing, ¡°dose anyone honestly think that there was anything worth saving in whatever was left of that man¡±? No one answered no one wanted to answer that particular question, so they just pushed on. They began to hear the sharp slow clink of metal on metal.
They progressed on there was a workshop buried deep in the earth, some great fissure leading up into the ceiling and beyond. The smoke and fumes from the workers travelled up there. There were a dozen skeletal crafts men not particularly skilled. They mindlessly worked away at their assigned tasks. They each had four arms three one side one other side one to hold the object with tongs three to work it. They still barely had the skill level of an apprentice craftsman. They had buckets of iron ore and slowly smelt it down into ingots.
These ingots were used to make weapons arrow heads. The basic bosses and grips for shields, all the basic weapons that the skeletons that they had already destroyed had been wielding. There was no foreman nothing of value to be gained so they set about destroying the lich''s production infrastructure. They destroyed the skeleton craftsmen who didn''t even acknowledge that they were being attacked. A couple of skeletal warriors with maces were summoned from an adjacent chamber when they began their attack, but they were cut down very quickly.
Shortly after the last skeleton workman fell to David''s blade the level up hit. From all the creatures they had been destroying they had gained a single level. Alice advanced to level 71 she remembered the skeletal marshal attacking her. She invested learning a spell that could keep opponents at bay knocking them back, she learnt the basic version of tracking kinetic strike. David reached level 67 gaining the second level of the defensive ability, protect allies. Making him that more aware of the team around him. Vivian reached level 69 raising the level of her strike through target as high as it would go to level 8. Martin reached level 78 pushing his pistol skills up to level 16.
The lich has possibly pulled back their forces to some inner sanctum and was waiting allowing the adventures to run riot. They ate a quick meal in the workshop then started to clear the area. Gathering up all the bones using the mine-carts even the remains from the bone spiders. They shovelled them into the forges as a sort of cremation, Martin said a few prayers for the departed as they cleared the floor. It would be an excellent trap if when they went further into the fortress the skeletons behind them reanimated and attacked from the rear, bit by bit they would pick away at the lich''s fortress.
Past the forge they found themselves heading down a tunnel that bent around in a U shape as it headed downwards, there were a few of the spirit lights illuminating the tunnel. Alice stopped them as they encountered some more necro mines and skeleton hand traps. They activated some from a safe distance disarmed some or dispelled the rest. They found themselves slowly moving into a large natural cavern, the perfect place for an ambush. Vivian''s artificial eye scanned around the cavern there were tunnels high up and tunnels low down. She could hear a rattling the lich must have something prepared for them.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Towards the other side of the room was a large crystal getting on for four feet tall. It was purple and glowed brightly with a purple light. It reminded Alice of a fortification beckon, something a lich could use to keep their creations held together. This one was different it was larger for a start and it seemed to have several souls trapped inside it. There were magical reinforcements like a lich''s phylactery. The defenders of this place made their presence known. The lich might have cleared out a nest of rat men at one point in the past, the zombified remains of dozens and dozens of giant rat men wielding crude spears and clubs emerged.
Martin looked at the group as their opponents lumbered forwards. Alice shouted to the group ¡°we have to destroy the crystal ¡ or we don''t go any further I can ¡ sense It I ned to get close¡±. Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°thy will be done¡± he looked at it for a split second ¡°she''s right¡±.
Alice cast a few protective spells on herself, bonus vitality physical shield. David threw a flask of oil into the largest concentration and Alice ignited it with a fire ball. Vivian pulled out a bundle of iron arrows and started to fire off one after another. Martin emptied his pistols into the approaching horde each shot removing a head. The purple crystal glowed and the zombified rat-men that fell slowly started to get back up. Martin shot at the purple crystal with his weapon the lionhearts hammer. The round barely scratched the outside of the crystal and the crystal started to repair itself.
Dozens more zombified rat men and a few zombified terror rat men wearing crude armour stumbled into the room. The corpses that fell to the floor slowly regenerated and got back up again, David swung away at the hordes while they bunched together back to back slowly moving towards the crystal. Martin had his holy symbol at the ready ¡°field of wrath, holy aura¡± the thickest part of the zombie horde was struck and wavered. Any zombies that got too close started to smoke as the holy energy unravelled them, only for them to get up again as Martin moved away. Alice threw one fire ball after another at the zombies, she concentrated her fire balls on clearing a path in front of them to the crystal.
The tunnels leading to the top of the chamber drew the party''s attention at the sound of hundreds of skittering feet. Seventy or eighty zombified spiders started to drop down onto the cave, floor they were two to four feet across numbers but not very powerful. They climbed over the zombified rat men trying to get to the party. Martin summoned an ability ¡°pillar of fire, circle of consecration¡±. The holy sphere of light burned all the pillar of fire that popped into existence didn''t just remain in one spot. Martin sent it backwards and forwards across the thickest part of the advancing hoard, directed as he pointed his holy symbol.
The fire fully consumed many of the bodies, but more spiders arrived and those only slightly damaged healed. Alice switched to using her acid strike spells, they were potent enough to overwhelm the enemies dissolving them not leaving enough to be put back together. But the numbers were a problem.
The party continued to move towards the crystal hundreds of little foot long zombie spiders lurched from the tunnels their numbers were choking. Hulking were-rats zombified remains joined the press surging forwards to add that extra bit of pressure. Martin worked to undo the undead, ¡°hallowed earth, sphere of consecration, circle of consecration¡±. His holy symbol glowed and the undead fell before him only to start rising again. David hacked them in half the two pieces would slowly knit together. Vivian was starting to run low on her basic arrows and had to switch it up every pull off the bow sent an arrow travelling through one target after another. Until it hit wall or floor. Alice switched to using her kinetic strike spell pushing the mass of zombies back as step by step the group moved towards the crystal.
Martin aimed for the thickest part of the zombie horde, ¡°field of wrath¡± everything in front of him fell, ¡°circle of consecration, sphere of consecration¡± everything around him staggered and desiccated. Only to regenerate and rise again when the effect of the blessing ended. Alice looked at the crystal an acid strike did nothing to it. A fire ball cleared some of the gap between them and the crystal, she had to renew her shield spell. David pushed the mass of zombies back with his shield as spiders tried to crawl over it and rotted rat men thrust with dull spears at him, Vivian had to use her full strength to kick them back to give her room to fire.
Martin expended the last of his area effect blessings, ¡°circle of consecration¡± it gave them a moments rest bite as they were close to the crystal. It employed several defensive measures a cloud of purple vapour expanded from it to smother the party. A dark purple ooze spread across the floor draining the party''s health and causing them to feel the icy grip of death enter their lungs and up through their feet, though Alice was resistant to such magic it still hurt.
Martin had a counter prepared ¡°cleanse air, cleanse soil¡± and the purple ooze and vapour was gone for the moment Alice used her spell ¡°aura of healing¡± to put them back on their feet. Alice cast electric strike to clear the few zombie spiders between her and the crystal. She cast a shield spell on Vivian and ran forwards at the crystal, she immediately started to figure a way to undo its magic.
The other three understood that they needed to buy her time to work. Martin had his mallet in hand ¡°litany of blessings¡± every defensive ability he had activated at once. He struck with his mallet in one hand and his heavy holy symbol in the other wading through the zombies, ¡°pillar of salt¡± a were-rat crumbled never to rise again, pillar of salt a very large spider joined it. He used everything he had smite, smite , divine retribution , wrath¡±.
David charged into the zombies ranks not looking to kill but to distract. He was a juggernaut in steel pushing through them slicing and cutting keeping the focus on him. Vivian expended the last of her arrows drew her dagger and plucked a mall formed club up from the floor and kept swinging she took a few wounds, but she had a lot of armour as well. Sensibly she chose the thinnest group of the undead to distract.
Alice concentrated the crystal was almost exactly the same as whatever the thing she had sensed powering the professors craft, perhaps this lich or another like it had made the item. It was a little like the lich''s phylactery she had felt before she manipulated the spells unravelling them it was a fairly simple but time-consuming process. The crystal had no additional defensive measures as the spells protecting it from physical harm fell away.
Alice hit it with her acid strike spell part of the crystal melted away this time it was not reforming. She hit it again then with her kinetic strike, she brought the butt of her staff down on it and the crystal shattered with quite a bit of force. Alice''s shield spell absorbed the damage and dissipated she was thrown back and ended up ten feet away. There were human souls and spirits freed from the crystal plus many animals that faded.
She was able to watch for a second as some of the souls seemed to be slowly led upwards some were dragged down wards and others seemed to wander off seeking something. She gritted her teeth and fought the urge to reach for her dagger. The reanimated zombies fell as soon as the crystal was shattered, they started to turn to dust as the magic that had been preparing them faded away. Martin exchanged a weary look with Alice then helped her to stand up. Martin used the purify blessing on the remains of the crystal just to be sure. Then divine favour on himself a few times to heal his wounds. Vivian collected her arrows and David was healed up by Alice.
The level up hit again they had crawled a bit further through the lich''s defences. She had been scraping the bottom of the barrel with those minions. But combined with the greater fortification beacon they would have sent most opponents fleeing back to the surface. Alice reached level 73 gaining the improved version of her kinetic strike spell. David reached level 68 gaining the third rank of the protect allies skill. Vivian hit level 70 with the class level she was able to train ducal bodyguards who benefited from a slightly higher skill level and an additional rank of the intensive training perk. Martin reached level 79 and gained rank 17 in pistol proficiency.
Vivian scanned around the room nothing else emerged ¡°that was a tough nut to crack how is everyone¡±. Alice looked strained clinging to her staff ¡°that was a strain I only have the mana in my staff left I could get of four or five fire balls¡±. Martin shrugged ¡°I still have my chain smite thermite and pistols but everything else is used up¡±.
¡°I need to sharpen my sword up a bit I am exhausted and you Vivian¡±, ¡°I broke a dozen iron arrows, but I can feel my adrenalin reserves are very low¡±. She didn''t have to say anything else they had thrown almost everything that they had at the lich''s fortress and only gotten a bit further down. They had cracked some barriers. That would take a lot of effort to replace but ultimately, they had only made small steps towards their final goal and payday.
With a sombre mood they slowly trudged out of the lich''s fortress and back to their hidden camp. nothing had disturbed their rations bedding were all were untouched. The cave was cold, but they didn''t dare to light a fire. Alice had an enchantment to take care of her Martin just didn''t feel it and the mercenaries had quite thick gambesons.
The lich was still down there deep-down marshalling their forces, ready to fight the party at a place they had prepared. They also had to consider the possibility that the lich had fled considering the way they had cut through all the lich''s defences so far. The lich could have assembled its strongest servants its most prized possessions its apprentices and fled into the night. Leaving the rest of its creations to act as a sacrificial rear guard. It was certainly a tactic that vampires had employed in the past. When the vampire hunters had made a concerted effort, to penetrate there most secure fortresses.
They ate their rations and had a good drink from a wine skin. Vivian exited the cave for a moment to compose herself just a pinch of the blue powder to help her centre herself and she was back with the others. ¡°look I know we took a bit of a pounding today, but we have made good progress against the lich, they don''t have the barrier spells the fortification crystal. There mine or workshops anymore. That horde of zombie''s is destroyed they will not be able to rebuild that easily right Alice¡±.
Alice looked over to Martin ¡°I don''t know exactly ... but it took years maybe even ... a decade to put up what we have knocked down, in the last two days. Can you keep the zealotry under...control? you yourself have criticised others as being stupid for talking rather than acting. we can¡¯t wait for you to spend the extra time to destroy an undead like that, we just need to get it over with and get on¡±.
¡°I will grant you it¡¯s a bit petty, but under the right circumstances it could intimidate an opponent¡±. David was sharpening his sword despite his sheaths self-sharpening enchantment; it had just gotten that blunt from the fight. ¡°This lot can¡¯t be intimidated Martin, keep the zealot act for the thieves guild to get them to spill the beans. But the undead keep on target, if we find any living necromancers maybe it¡¯s different¡±. Vivian checked over the fletching on her arrows, ¡°how deep do you think that place goes¡±? Martin rubbed his chin ¡°there were a lot of fresh spoils... err dug up soil and rock. Maybe two or three more levels below the one with the crystal just a guess¡±.
David sheathed his sword and checked his back up weapon it was hardly used and still sharp, ¡°you think that the lich might have already split¡±? Alice read over Martins Monster book for something to do, ¡°no look at the ... place, look at what we have seen so far of. This lich she has planted her flag hear. she has declared that this land this place is hers and challenges any to come and take it to make her reconsider. she won¡¯t think about running until it¡¯s too late to do it¡±.
Vivian used the sharpening stone to put an edge back on some of her cheaper arrows, ¡°What else do you think is down there¡±? ¡°More high level undead something with physical bulk, you saw how the tunnels had been enlarged and braced with new wood. I think that there are bone golems probably right next to the lich where she can direct them and repair them, where they will be strongest they can be. I don''t think we will see any other mounted knights they would have been thrown at us out in the open themselves with the marshal already¡±, Martin finished and took a swig of tip.
David was a bit sceptical expecting the worst, ¡°this lich is either gone by now, after seeing that skeleton dragon die, or more likely they have everything left pulled back for one big fight, close to their phylactery with dozens of guards high tier guards¡±. Vivian fiddled with her golem eye, ¡°Should we expect a supreme skill? Martin looked at the contract ¡°This one is apparently a lich under their own power no help, so at the minimum they would be a level 100 necromancer with a necromancy based supreme spell to aid them¡±.
He sat and thought about it for a minute, ¡°This lich probably has backing from someone else, so do you think there might be a few different forces, maybe a vampire or two to act as a bodyguard¡±? Alice''s hand went to her dagger and she sighed¡±. ¡°that crystal was so very close to the thing I felt powering the professors craft, he works for the empress of shadows so either this lich dose or she trades with that vampire court¡±.
Vivian considered there position no back up, ¡°do you think we have to be careful about her calling in assistance¡±. Martin considered the other intelligence that he had discussed with the witch finder. ¡°it depends on what they send if anything¡±. David was thinking about financing his next armour upgrade, ¡°this is proving to be quite a tough pay day¡±. Vivian knew how to keep his attention, ¡°that doesn''t matter, we are getting a bonus from the merchants guild to get rid of this lich 300 silver and that''s not counting whatever magical items treasure and the like that the lich has down there¡±, David felt a bit better.
Alice would love to plunder magical items to boost her power, but she had a sneaking suspicion, ¡°Most of what the lich has will probably be necromancy based. nothing we can sell or use¡±. Martin held out his tinder box ¡°just more kindling for us to destroy¡±. Vivian dismissed both their scepticism, ¡°we don''t know what they have, but some of it is bound to be useful. We will get a good payday one way or another for this contract¡±. They chose two to stay guard and the other two got some sleep.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 1 Northport – Chapter 12 – Lichs Fortress 3.
David and Vivian woke up with the first rays of dawn. They joined Alice and Martin who were already tucking into a small breakfast. They didn''t eat quite as much, if it kept going this way, they might have to make their rations last a week. The lich had put up plenty of barriers so they might have to go through more of the same again lower down in the lair. They secured their blankets food and water.
Martin gripped his holy symbol and lead them back to the lich''s lair. Nothing had changed above ground, but they found a few necro mine spells had been reinstated. Someone was trying to rebuild the defences after they had retreated. The mines were detected by Alice and easily dealt with, but it was still a surprise. It showed them that someone was still active and not abandoned the place.
The barrier spells that they had broken the previous day had been partially reactivated. One simple layer of a barrier spell that shattered against Martins holy symbol. He didn''t even need to use his purify blessing. A simple kick was all that was needed to destroy the spell alter set up to maintain the barrier spell. As they went back through the foundry and the mine a dozen spectres attacked them.
They were easily beaten back with simple fire spells, Martins holy symbol or magic weapons. The focus stones that bound them to the mortal world were found and destroyed. Another little present left for them. In the room with the crystal someone had piled up timber attempting to construct a barricade. It was half finished with no defenders but still someone had put it up.
Going deeper they found what might have been described as a servant¡¯s quarters. A place for the living amongst the dead. A little cooking stove several desks provisions. There were four bedrooms one a double bed with the paraphernalia of a couple and three smaller rooms perhaps relatives or children. There was one room that must have been for a child, but it was off. Skeletal puppets a toy patchwork zombie made form felt and other toys that were somewhat off.
Martin found a small diary, in a child''s scrawl something about grandma creating friends for him when he was lonely. They had left, the people hear had packed up and moved deeper into the lair. Servants of the lich moving away from those attacking their home.
They journeyed on there was a large room cut out from the rock, it looked to be half completed, it contained some considerable degree of resistance. There were four bone golems of bulky construction fortified with auras of necromantic energy. Behind them were 12 archers stationed behind a crude wooden barricade. Four figures robed in necromantic energy stood on either side. The basic skeleton mages were not sentient but could repeat one elemental spell protected by the conjured robes and armed with conjured staves. They could throw a certain number of spells before they ran out and retreated.
A gauntlet had been thrown down Martin activated his blessing ¡°thy will be done¡±. It granted him insight into his opponents. He drew the blessed pistol the lion hearts hammer took aim at one golem and fired with a mithril bullet. It penetrated the golem and hit the hidden physical focus that maintained the spell. Down the golem crashed the spells holding it together unravelled as the lynch pin of its continued existence was blasted apart.
Vivian sent a power shot into one of the golems knee joints doing it a lot of damage, the construct started to lumber forwards. David hurled a flask of oil at the back line of archers then charged forwards and ducked under one golems swing only to smash his blade into its ankle. Alice cast elemental shield and physical shield on herself.
The golems lumbered forwards towards the party members two skeleton mages started to throw fire bite spells two started to throw shock bolt spells, the skeletal archers opened up fire. Alice threw a fire ball spell at the archers which ignited the oil and blasted four of them to pieces. Vivian ducked behind Alice and her shield spell to avoid several fire bites and arrows. She answered with two power shots one demolishing a skeletal mage, the second cracking the knee join of a skeleton golem.
Martin blocked one shock bolt spell with his holy symbol, the second hit and hurt. He had his four barrelled pistol at the ready. Four focus shots and there were four less archers. David cut away at the foot of the bone golem until there was a crack and it stumbled, crashing into the floor falling onto one knee, then he switched to attacking the knee joint.
Vivian hit the golem again in the knee, it cracked and shattered not having enough material left to hold it up. It crashed to the ground and started to crawl forwards; her opponent disabled she switched her target firing at the spell casters. She demolished one with a power shot to the chest. Alice used an icy tomb spell on the golem slowing it down and keeping it in place.
Martin drew his last two pistols and fired two more of the archers crumbled as lead tore through their bones. Alice threw a fire ball at the closest skeleton mage blasting it to pieces. Vivian finished off the last two archers and David got the last spell caster before switching back to the golems. The golems were damaged and slowed losing their legs and their ability to effectively manoeuvre. Acid strike spells pistol balls swords and mithril arrows focused on and overwhelmed the opponents. One by one until the last golem collapsed under a barrage of acid strikes from Alice.
Their eyes glowed and the level up hit. Alice reached level 73 making her kinetic strike spell increase to the grand version. David reached level 69 raising his protect allies skill up to level 4. Vivian reached level 71 and got the first rank of the improved range skill the further back the better as far as she was concerned. Martin hit level 80 a class level; power flowed through him. It was a very utilitarian set of blessings. Another use of cleanse earth air and water another use of divine favour another use of purge soul and two more uses of the purge mind blessings.
They dragged the skeletons remains back to the servant¡¯s quarters using a cart from the mine to speed the process up. They stuffed the bones in the hearth and set light to it all. After they had taken some stocks of food from the room. It took them a few hours to dismantle the remains but the prevailing logic to clear the path in front of them and leave nothing behind for the lich continued.
Following the path along they came to a second large unfinished gallery. It seemed to be prepared for something. There was a wooden frame under construction as if they were planning to build some giant bone golem down hear away from prying eyes. It had not gotten further than a wooden support frame. There was a necromancer in black robes, he had hastily put on an iron chest plate over his robes to give him a little protection. He carried a black stave made from two twisted intertwined roots tipped with a purple crystal.
He had cast a shield of purple energy over himself. He had 20 undead knights about him their rusted armour heavily reinforced. There were six quite well preserved zombified ghouls. There were two full blooded vampires acting as bodyguards one with a two-handed axe the second with a mace and shield. Behind them were two blood thralls carrying spears, the vampires looked to the necromancer waiting for orders. Alice looked at the necromancer sensing his power, ¡°a grand master I believe¡±.
He spoke in a hoarse voice, ¡°stop go no further how dare you invade my home. Go back to north port you have made your point, we will leave your forestry operations alone¡±. Vivian spoke up as David and Martin slowly moved forwards. ¡°It¡¯s not so simple we accepted a contract, and a contract is our word. it is our reputation¡±. His eyes narrowed, ¡°So mercenaries we can pay you to turn around and leave this place. It would be far better for you to go than to risk what lies ahead¡±. Vivian dismissed him, ¡°you¡¯re not the master of this place a servant at best¡±. ¡°I am more closely connected with the master of this place than you could understand, I speak with all the authority I need¡±.
Martin took another step towards him, ¡°if you attack us further you will incur the wrath of the king of bones¡±. Martin looked slightly puzzled, ¡°is-ant this the Empress of shadows land. Should you not be bowing and scraping in her name¡±. The necromancer lost his temper, ¡°we are loyal to our patron the king of bones, we have an agreement with the Empresses agents but need no more¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°so you have been ¡ providing the empress of shadows ¡ archanists with necromantic power sources ¡ yes¡±. He was momentarily stunned, ¡°how did you know, that¡±! Alice stated casually, ¡°We already ¡ destroyed one¡±. The necromancer looked worried, ¡°that makes you the ¡ oh¡±.
There must have been some communication between the vampire courts and their minions, as the necromancer seemed to recognise the party by reputation. The two vampires immediately started to flank to the sides. The necromancer threw a bolt of purple energy at Martin the ranks of skeleton knights and zombified ghouls started to advance.
Martin blocked the necro bolt with his holy symbol and threw a medium sized thermite grenade at the group of skeleton knights. They sustained some damage but were not significantly weakened as the necromancer had enhanced them with various fortifying spells. Alice hurled two fire balls into the ranks of skeleton knights. This did a bit more damage than the thermite, but they were still very well protected.
The vampire on the right flank burnt through the blood in his veins to speed up his body, closing in on David in an instant. His axe strike was blocked by David''s shield knocking the axe away. The grey sword tasted blood cutting right through the vampire¡¯s defences. The vampire was strong and fast and very durable but then David was encased in layers of armour with almost no weakness in his physical defence. Vivian put two mithril arrows into the second advancing vampire. One travelled right through its shoulder the second pierced its shield and body pinning it in place. The vampire pulled the arrow out and licked the blood off the tip.
The necromancer clicked his fingers, in unison the ten skeleton knights in the front rank threw their spears and reached back as the second rank handed them their spears. Two spears hit Martin doing a little damage. Most of them bounced off Alice''s hastily cast shield spell, Vivian dodged the last one. The zombie ghouls had a necromantic version of their immolating breath three targeted David who used the vampire attacking him as a shield to soak up the attack. Not that the magic goo had much effect on a vampire. The three targeting Vivian missed the range was to grate. One blood thrall threw a globe of poison at Martin doing almost nothing, other than partial obscuring his vision.
Martin used his four barrelled pistol loaded with silver shot on two of the ghouls. Two barrels per ghoul with a divine retribution blessing thrown in removed them from the battlefield. David had a bad match up with the vampire, but he simply had better equipment than the monster. He cut into the vampire again and again opening up the shoulder the chest. David''s blade ran along the shaft of the axe cutting off two of the vampire¡¯s fingers.
They fell to the ground and crumbled to dust, the vampire shrugged and swapped his grip to the other hand. Vivian put two octium arrows through the vampire head and heart power shots. It tried its hardest to pull the arrow out of its heart stumbled then collapsed to the ground. Its body crumbled leaving a pair of fangs and dust on the floor. Alice targeted the group of three ghouls on the right and loosed her duel cast fire balls, the ghouls were blasted apart.
The necromancer swallowed seeing one of his best troops cut down. He acted as best he could the front rank of skeleton knights threw their spears drew their swords and charted forwards. The necromancer threw a necro sphere spell, but Martin intercepted it with an octium throwing knife prematurely and harmlessly detonating the spell. Alice''s shield spell stopped the spears and Vivian dogged the one that missed Alice and kept going. David knocked the vampire on their back shattered the haft of there axe, then cut until the vampire crumbled to dust. Martin drew the lion hears hammer and finished off the last zombie ghoul blasting its head clean off.
Vivian targeted the undead knights with octium arrows, already weakened with thermite and magical fire the first three she hit crumbled. Alice used a poison gas cloud spell over the necromancer his shield spell protected him, but the blood thralls were not and soon collapsed. The necromancer could not see what was going on from the cloud. Martin with his poison resistance was unaffected. The necromancer shouted out from behind the rank of skeleton knights, ¡°mage you are pathetic a necromancer is far more powerful, you can¡¯t even breach my defences¡±.
Alice didn''t follow his goading and targeted his minions instead. Two fire balls slammed into the skeleton knights advancing on her. Blasting four of them to pieces the necromancer¡¯s strength was his minions so she targeted them. Vivian used her octium arrows to remove the last three attackers then got ready to tackle the necromancer¡¯s guards. Martin threw both of his Tesla grenades at the right-hand side of the defending knights then jumped in grappling a knight holding his holy symbol to its forehead unravelling the spell that held it together. David waited a second longer for the poison gas cloud spell to dissipate, then the was in the ranks of the necromancer¡¯s troops tearing them apart. The necromancer recast his barrier spell.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
Alice shouted to Martin and David. ¡°he is mine lets ¡ see who''s magics better¡±. The necromancer laughed, ¡°your shield spells are not suited to stopping my magic¡±. Alice shook her head sending a continuous stream of acid strike spell then a fire bite spell at the grand master necromancer. ¡°Your shield spells ... are not that strong, you ¡ have to maintain an energy shield ¡ to stop the fire bite and a physical shield ¡ to stop the conjured acid. I can keep firing these ¡ until you give up and die. I can maintain more active spells ¡ because I don''t have to babysit a bunch of useless minions¡±.
The necromancer was used to having a block of his own creations between him and his target. Being able to leisurely throw his spells with minion support. He could feel sweat dripping off his brows at the effort of simply blocking the attacks.
The necromancer tried desperately to fight back giving up on his shielding and casting a necro sphere spell. Alice threw an acid strike at the same time. The necro sphere spell hit her. Alice was hit with the sphere of rippling purple death magic, but stepped out of it, ethereal purple flames clinging to her. The necromancer was hit in the chest, his armour ribs and lungs burnt away, he collapsed to the ground gasping for breath. Alice advanced on him, ¡°my spell resistance ¡ is twice as high as yours and I already ¡ fortified myself with a Master level bonus vitality spell. I could survive such an encounter ¡ and you couldn''t¡± the necromancer slumped to the ground his blackened staff withered away; it was somehow connected to his life force.
The level up hit their eyes glowed white. The group all gained a level apart from Alice who gained two reaching grand master status herself. Alice improved her kinetic strike spell to master status. David hit level 70 and gained the same class level Vivian previously had. Vivian reaching level 72 got the second rank in her improved range skill. Martin reached level 81 pushing his grenadier skill up to level 11 improving his throwing accuracy.
Alice let out a little sigh. ¡°what a wasted opportunity, he ¡ would have been a perfect opponent for a feat of ¡ martial strength.¡± Alice healed Martin as he patted her on the shoulder ¡°we will find other opponents¡±. They made their preparations burning the remains recovering arrows. Martin collected the vampire¡¯s fangs to get a bounty on later. They even cremated the necromancer''s remains with a short prayer said by Martin for his soul. There was a corridor with a side room two beds two coffins and a few items, the vampires and their servants had been there, they moved on finding nothing useful.
They entered the lich''s place of power. It was lit with dozens of spirit lanterns, it was a facsimile of a throne room with the lich resting on a crude thrown of bone and black stone. A grey and purple aura surrounded her bones. It was much greyer than the first lich they had encountered, probably indicating that this one was far more powerful. A spectral projection of flesh and skin hugged the bones. Showing a matronly grandmother in an old lose fitting purple dress. She had a staff much like the necromancer they had encountered earlier, but it looked far older. She had various pieces of jewellery enchanted with necromantic energy.
There were three of the lich''s acolytes or apprentice necromancers hiding behind the throne. One was but a child of ten, yet still dressed in the purple robes of a necromancer. One was a boy around 14 and the third was a girl of about sixteen, they all had similar starves. She had a bunch of skeleton mages and knights surrounding and protecting her as well as a strong barrier spell.
¡°You have come to my home and threatened my family, you will die slowly¡±. Vivian queried her, ¡°your family who was that necromancer to you¡±? ¡°in life my son, what did you do to him¡±. ¡°What do you think we did¡±. ¡°For that I will kill you, where is his body¡±? Her voice was still surprisingly level and calm. Martin grinned, ¡°we cremated it already¡±. Her voice became filled with rage and regret, ¡°you what! why did I let him try to reason with you, now I can¡¯t bring him back easily. I will trap your souls and play with them for a thousand years, your suffering will be unimaginable¡±.
The necromancer used her supreme spell bone guard, a platoon of skeleton knights with blackened bones and enchanted weapons rose out of the ground in front of the party. There were eight skeleton mages split into two groups of three on either side of the lich. A group of fifty skeleton knights stood between the group and the lich. The party had planned for such an encounter well in advance. Martin threw two large thermite grenades one at each group of skeleton mages, a wash of molten metal swept them away before they could fire one spell off. David hurled two flasks of oil over the front ranks of skeleton knights and Alice lit them up with a duel cast fire ball.
This was mostly a distraction the lich didn''t notice Vivian until it was too late. Two power shots form her bow released octium arrows shattering her spell shield. Then an adamantine tipped arrow struck her in the shoulder removing her arm and separating her from her staff. The lich screeched in surprise and dived down to recover her staff.
Martin activate his blessing ¡°litany of blessings¡± which activated every defensive ability on him at once. He called forth a pillar of fire and sent it hurtling through the armoured skeletons ranks. The black guard skeleton knights were a bit tougher but not that much more. David charged into the thickest part of the skeleton knights a living battering ram, doing more disruption than damage he was out of the lich''s firing range her own troops between her and him. Alice launched her acid strike spell and more fire balls at the skeleton knights, whittling down their numbers. Vivian used her Damascus and mithril arrows to start picking apart the edges of the formation of the knights. Her shots passed through the first row and lodged into the second row.
The lich reconnected her arm and raised her staff recasting her shield spell. She had lost all her skeleton mages and at least 20 of her skeleton knights. She banged her staff on the ground and four fortification beacons grew from the floor of the room her last trump card. Martin threw two octium throwing daggers shattering two of the far weaker crystal beckons. Vivian got the other two with octium arrows before the undead in the room even got a rest bite.
David continued to barrage into the undead knights keeping their formation in disarray swing with his shield acting as a wrecking ball on two legs. If the knights were led by something that could coordinate them, it would have been a different matter. But the skeletal marshal had been obliterated two days ago. Alice kept the lich busy with a few fire balls, not that good against her shield spell but every bit helped.
The lich was over level 120 but the vast majority of that power relied on having minions to use and she was running out. At every opportunity this party had destroyed every raw material, even down to the bone spiders and zombie donkeys that pulled the mine carts. The spells she had packed a punch, against the vampire hunter they would be useless. Against the mage less effective she was shielded, the archer was far enough back to dip behind the mage for protection and the sword fighter would be impossible to hit screened by her own minions.
The lich had about 20 knights left she hoped that they would buy her time. ¡°necromantic vapour life leach spring, land of death¡±. The air filled with choking purple mist the ground became black and odd purple water began to spring up in the centre of the room. Martin reacted ¡°cleanse air cleanse earth cleanse water¡±. All spells countered the group continued to rip through her knights.
Vivian shattered the lich''s shield with another octium arrow then hit the lich twice with adamantine arrows. One through the rib cage and one through the head. Alice evaporated a couple of knights with her acid strike spells melting them away. David kept cutting blocking and pushing keeping the knights from forming a coherent strategy. Martin had used up most of his area effect blessings. He depleted his combat focused blessings like, pillar of salt, wrath of the almighty and smite. The number of knights was down to ten and dwindling fast. The lich pulled the arrow from her head and tried to cast against the attackers, Martin blocked the attack with his holy symbol.
The last of the knights crumbled under Martins pistol and they faced off against the lich she checked the children behind her. ¡°Remember this moment, let them flee they are only children¡±. Martin was clear, ¡°no they are necromancers¡±. A look of fear for her family crossed her face, ¡°let them live¡±. Martin looked at her ¡°I make no promises chain smite¡±. Alice threw fire ball after fire ball Vivian shot all her arrows the lich''s body collapsed and David smashed it to pulp. Cutting her staff in half. The group looked around the room Alice started to search for the lich''s phylactery while Martin David and Vivian regarded the lich''s grandchildren.
They had dropped their starves to the floor a gesture of surrender. The youngest boy was holding a reanimated crow as a pet close to him he was crying. The oldest girl not much younger than Alice was starting to hyperventilate, she seemed to be about to faint from a panic attack. The boy of 14 was holding something under his robe he seemed nervous his eyes darting about for something.
Martin questioned them, ¡°tell us where the phylactery is, and we might be able to help you¡±. The girl shook her head. Martin took a step towards the small boy. His older sister almost cracked there and then. But she had the hope that this situation could be turned round, if the lich could put themselves back together. However, the older boy was very stupid.
Vivian stepped closer to the boy, ¡°what do you have¡±? The boy pulled a knife with a blade coated with some black toxin from his robe. He tried to stab Vivian in the face. She pushed him back with all her strength. He flew back and struck a wall is head snapping forward, he folded dropping the dagger and sliding back down to the floor, leaving a trail of crimson blood behind splattered on the wall.
The girl screamed and threw a necro bolt spell at Vivian. The girl was a strong enough necromancer that the spell hurt but didn''t kill Vivian. David reacted in the blink of an eye his sword was out of its sheath and its tip buried in the girl¡¯s heart. She folded and dropped her eyes cold and dead. Martin was hit around the face by a tiny bolt of necromantic energy from the small boy. He pointed his finger and the raven went for Martin. Martin caught the raven in his hand putting his holy symbol to it the raven, it exploded in a puff of smoke and black feathers.
Martin healed Vivian with divine favour, then grabbed the child and held him up, as he cast one weak spell after another at Martin. Finally running out of mana and hanging limply from the effects of mana fatigue. Martin held out a dagger looked at it then looked at the sobbing child. He looked at the other two dead siblings on the floor. Vivian looked away from David. Martin''s voice came low ¡°I can¡¯t do it, I probably should but I can¡¯t. A bit older than my kids were but not by that much¡±.
Alice looked at the two dead children on the floor she swallowed any regret, ¡°once a necromancer always ¡ a necromancer, it¡¯s not like we ¡ know a way to remove their magic¡±. Martin thought about it as they pulled down a hidden bit of wall to reveal a phylactery. It was destroyed minutes later. Causing more tears to emanate from the small child, as he realised his grandmother was gone for good.
The level up hit everyone but Alice who needed to have a breakthrough. Martin hit level 83 and put two points into his grenadier skill. Vivian reached level 74 and raised her improved range skill up to rank 4. David reached level 72 gaining a skill called contract bonds it made him a more efficient fighter. When focusing in on the target of a bounty contract or extermination quest. That little bit of focus and extra damage would add to his long list of skills. David took quite a long look into the hidey hole for the lich''s phylactery. There were quite a few extra bits in there that would make a tidy profit.
¡°What do we do about the kid¡±? Vivian wondered, Martin was guessing ¡°the church might be able to do something about the necromancy, a religious job would remove his ability to use mana. No mana no necromancy¡±. ¡°They could force a job on him¡±? Vivian questioned, ¡°I think so, I will have to speak to the bishop better than slitting his throat hear¡±.
She looked about, ¡°what about his siblings¡±. ¡°We take them back we give them last rights, I don''t want to see the spirits of those kids, so we make sure they rest in peace¡±. ¡°Shouldn''t we have done that with the blood thralls, and the kids¡¯ father that grand master necromancer¡±. ¡°Yes, but I didn''t want to risk it a high-level body can become a powerful tool for a lich so we acted quickly¡± said Martin.
They assembled a pile of bones in the centre of the room to burn as a last farewell. Martin destroyed the necromancers spirit lanterns extinguishing them one by one with his holy symbol. The lich''s hoard was examined, a bar of mithril something worth keeping. There was some silver bars worth taking, coins and jewellery also worth taking. A volume of the book of blood oath would be returned to the church for study. Several scrolls on necromancy and vampire magic that would be promptly burnt.
The same thing happened with a few dozen books of necromancy that seemed to be bound in human skin. There were around 90 crystals containing spirits and 10 larger crystals containing souls, physical components to be used in the creation of more undead, Martins holy symbol flashed, and they were destroyed. There was a key made from octium or adamantine, maybe an alloy of the two. It was quite heavily enchanted and nearly a foot long. It had slots in the back so perhaps it was part of a larger key, Alice felt something important about it and held onto it.
There were a dozen low level items with minor enchantments like + 2 armour and + 1 perception, they would sell them to the mages or the merchants. There was a wand of fire balls it might be good but then Alice was pretty good at that spell already. There were several items enchanted with necromancy or sorcerers magic, they were destroyed. There was a half-built phylactery probably a back-up it was also destroyed dissolved with acid strikes.
There were a handful of actually good items. There was a major ring of armour that was passed to Alice to replace her minor ring of armour it added + 10 armour to her abilities. They would sell the other one back to the mage¡¯s guild. There was a greater sprinters ring with bonuses to + 2 agility + 20 reserve of adrenalin that was designed to help a fighter manoeuvre around it was better suited to David so he could use it. The last useful item was a Greater belt of health it went to Vivian with a bonus of + 45 health. The old one was almost going to be given to Alice, but its effect was so weak compared to her bonus vitality spell they decided to sell it instead.
The last few items were some octium crossbow bolts very fine but they didn''t have a crossbow so they would sell them. There was a mages staff for an exalted master, but it had been enhanced with necromancer, so they had to destroy it. It was thrown onto the pyre to burn. There was a large bag of drugs red sand probably to trade with the thieves guild they burnt that as well. Their business concluded they used a cart to take the remains and the various loot including a few good weapons.
They ignited the pile of corpses and left Martin carrying the kid. It was a long slow march back to town. No one wanted to stay around to see if the spirit of that grand master necromancer or the blood thralls would be haunting them. It was a slog to walk all night, but they really didn''t want to have to look after the child a minute more than was necessary. So on threw the night they went torches burning, they would have a long sleep the next day. Vivian scouted to one side, a little bit of blue powder and she was better for the long journey.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 13 – The Vampires First Lair.
They returned to the camp and recovered their food and bedding they ate quickly and washed it down. They had a large stash from the lich''s lair. They kept walking into the evening, David pushing the cart with Martin carrying the kid. Vivian keeping a watch out for anything with her enchanted eye keeping up a rear guard. Alice kept her magical senses sharp. In case the lich or one of her associates had some sort of surprise for them. The lich had dominated the area there was nothing stupid enough to challenge her power. In less than three days she was gone. Few of her associates would realise that her lair had been attacked, let alone that she had been delivered unto final death.
The overgrown path from the lich''s lair soon changed to the well-worn logging trail. The path continued and it became the main road. Caravans were seen coming and going all heavily armed. The party pushed on through the cold night, they had much to do before they could finally get a drop of rest. They passed farmsteads and a few watch towers. The walls of Northport came into view. The city had many lit torches from the guards on the walls. The gate guards recognised them, the obligatory checks were carried out on the party their guest and the contents of their cart. It was explained to the gate guards the fate of the necromancer¡¯s apprentices, some grumbled but the gates were open.
A bleary-eyed hunters apprentice and a junior monk were on the gate to the cathedral. They noticed the scrape scrape creak of a badly balanced cart. Something old and worn scraping along the streets. They were both wrapped in cloaks, they prepared themselves. The hunter held his holy symbol and his blade. The monk channelled Ki through his body preparing to make his hands as strong as blessed steel and his bare skin as tough as iron.
A peculiar sight came around the corner, a wonky mine cart filled with various items being pushed by a man with a lot of armour, he even had a tower shield slung over his back. A vampire hunter a senior one by his baring was carrying a small child dressed as a necromancer. A tired looking mage followed and an archer with an odd scar and mechanical eye, a town guard followed them.
The guards at the cathedral had herd that the four masters had been sent against the lich. God alone knew what they had brought back to deliver to the church. The town guard started to explain to the cathedral guards and the doors were opened. A deacon went and got a junior priest who got a much more senior priest, who led the group down a side corridor to an office. The priest looked about ready to fall asleep himself, but he had a job to do. He regarded Vivian who stepped forwards. ¡°I am head priest, I can deal with some things on the bishop¡¯s behalf, you were sent after the lich I assume that you have succeeded or driven them off¡±.
Vivian nodded her voice tiered and heavy, ¡°we fought through a lot of the lich''s creatures Alice took out a grand master necromancer, the lich''s apprentice and apparently he son. From when she was alive. Martin took out a skeletal dragon by himself we destroyed everything we could find cutting away at the lich''s defences day by day. She had a few vampires and their servants plus these apprentices, we defeated the lich. We tried to take them alive two fault back two died, we destroyed the lich''s phylactery then brought anything useful back hear¡±.
The priest gestured forwards putting a holy symbol on the table. ¡°Please place your hand hear and swear that you have told the truth¡± ¡°we swear¡±. The holy symbol glowed the priest nodded. David put two bundles of cloth from the bag and put the heavy bundles down on a table. The priest examined them for a few minutes. ¡°I suppose that you have brought back the two dead acolytes, they were not very old a shame that we could not help them¡±. He knocked on the door and a more junior priest arrived.
The senior father gave orders, ¡°get a few lay volunteers ones that can keep their mouths shut, these two children were raised by necromancers not their fault. Give them last rights and cremate them put their ashes in the unknown vault, people don''t like the idea of their loved ones sharing a place with the remains of these. They would leave them outside town, but I would see them have what peace they might and not haunt the living¡±. The junior priest nodded and went to sort out some volunteers.
Martin removed a bundle of papers wrapped in string from the cart. Vivian explained, ¡°the lich''s correspondence there might be something of use¡±. He gave the correspondence a cursory glance, He held his holy symbol out to it. ¡°Just common letters I will get the local vampire hunters and scribes to pick through it. There may be something useful they will pass any information on to whoever leads the fight against the king of bones¡±. Martin placed a worn read tome on the desk the priest sighed, ¡°another volume of the blood oath books, how many did the dam vampire write, for some reason this is studied not burnt. I will get this copy shipped back to the capital, maybe some archaeologist from the merchant¡¯s guild can make heads or tails of it¡±.
Martin placed two sets of vampire fangs on the priest¡¯s desk he looked at them and sighed again ¡°your very keen let me see¡±. He searched through a book then carefully measured the fangs. ¡°thank you for delivering to the church evidence of your triumph over the enemies of the triune. The reward is 4 silver I suspect that you want the rest of the bounty and you won¡¯t wave it as a charitable donation¡±. Vivian held her hand out, ¡°some of us almost died and we used up a fair amount of equipment¡±. The priest counted out 500 silver in five bags of a hundred and the four silver reward for the low-level vampire''s fangs. Vivian put the silver away and gestured Martin forwards.
Martin held the small boy out at arm''s length like he was holding a bundle of dynamite with a smouldering fuse of unknown length. The boy was still almost comatose from the mana exhaustion. Martin eyed the priest expecting something answers some guidance. The priest scratched his beard. ¡°This complicates things, it is not a completely unique situation. But still a rare one to be sure, thralls¡¯ sorcerers and blood alchemists have children. Sometimes they end up in our hands after the end of a battle or raid¡±.
The priest thought about it ¡°he has some skill already that''s what I sensed¡±. Martin put the child down on the table, ¡°he can cast low level spells, he could probably kill a large rat at the moment¡±. The priest considered his response, ¡°I could slap a mana draining band on the child, but he would be a virtual vegetable from the mana fatigue. They have some methods of stripping magic power, the patriarch can do such a thing, but it would not stop them using magical items or restoring their mana through other sources¡±.
Martin didn''t flinch he seemed to have already worked out the inevitable conclusion from the priest¡¯s line of thought. ¡°But I believe you have an idea already, what''s the kids name¡±. ¡°It was sown into his robe Antony Waleys¡±, ¡°Oh yes we have an idea, a religious job negates a person¡¯s mana and magic as it is replaced with divine power, can something be done¡±? The priest looked uncomfortable, ¡°we generally don¡¯t, and most can¡¯t force our ways on others. But this time it is necessary, it has to be the bishop. He had the authority; give me five minutes maybe more watch the child¡±.
Ten minutes later the bishop Christopher Gyfford arrived. He was bleary eyed wearing his robe crooked. A mug of some hot steaming brew in one hand and a bundle of papers in the other. The senior priest was standing behind him, He looked at the group and the child ¡°blessing insight¡±. He sighed looking at the child, ¡°a morel conundrum for us, one born of and raised by necromancers, but also a child, can this one be saved? I have hope¡±.
The bishop held his hand over the child, ¡°Thy will be done, yes, it is possible for this one¡±. His hand glowed ¡°blessing of the warming fire, break curse, remove disease, remove poison, purify, remove pain¡±. He drank down the brew in his hand, ¡°it does not hurt to be through¡±. The bishop rolled up his sleeves, ¡°no time like the present, blessing conversion ordination monastic¡±. There was a glow of light as the young necromancer became a level 1 monk. The bishop sighed, ¡°the official ceremony should take thirty minutes, but I don''t have time¡±.
The child woke up no longer affected by mana fatigue as he no longer had mana. He looked at the party at the strange room he was confused, ¡°Where''s gran or ma or dad who are you, where is this place¡±? The bishop looked down at the child patting him on the head, ¡°Antony it will be hard for you to adjust but you will have a new family¡±.
The child looked at the group realising who they were. He dived behind the bishop hiding behind him, his voice trembling he pointed accusingly ¡°there killers, they killed gran for good, dad sis and John, even feathers, don''t let them kill me¡±. The bishop made a short wave of his hand the party left, happy to leave the child as someone else''s problem.
The child calmed down; the senior priest guided him away. The bishop looked over his paperwork. He thought about it even a vampire killed, might be someone''s lover son mother. It was the same for the criminal they had to hang a few weeks back. He stopped the senior priest for a moment, ¡°give him a change of clothes a meal and arrange for him to be sent to the orphanage on the mountain. That can be his home from now on, no word of his parentage please¡±.
They headed for the local mage¡¯s guild chapter house, Vivian looked at Martin then back at the cathedral. ¡°Did we do the right thing, handing that kid over to the church¡±? Alice thought about it ¡°better than anyone else ¡ the crown might treat him as a specimen, a level one necromancer ... for dissection, I don''t think the merchant¡¯s guild ¡would have done anything other than hand the kid over to the sheriff. If the locals got one inclining of ¡ who he was or his parents, he would be as dead as the ¡ rest of his family¡±. At that comment Vivian twitched.
¡°I didn''t mean to kill his brother, but the kid tried to stab me in the eye with a knife. I just reacted a bit too quick, I pushed him too hard¡±. David was at her side, ¡°that blade was poisoned you reacted how you should, I killed his sister she was a couple of years younger than me. But her spell was pretty powerful, I don''t regret it, not when she hurt you¡±. Martin interjected, ¡°You could have taken the easy way and stunned her with a pommel strike, she could have had useful information¡±. David pointed an accusing finger back. ¡°You have divine favour and first aid skills, you could have tried to heal her or her brother, but you didn''t even try¡±. The party moved on in a reflective silence.
At the mages chapter building there was a couple of guards on the door. Inside a lobby area a servant got the duty mage. They were just a few years out of the tower school named Reynard Alington. A minute later he looked at the group. There was a girl three or four years younger than himself. But her power it felt like a grand master and her companions looked equally as powerful. There was a group hunting the local lich, Waleys they must have had some successes. He hoped that they were not going to try and sell him some necromancers magical trinkets, then get in an argument with him when he told them they couldn''t sell them but had to destroy them.
Reluctantly the grand master costa gave him a Minor ring of armour. It was the sort of thing they gave to apprentice mages for a bit of protection on their first assignment. It even had a guild emboss on the inside of it. Remembering her moniker of malice and the look on her face he ignored the stamp and gave her 2 silver for the ring. There was a bag with a dozen or more low-level enchanted items. With minor spells like + 2 armour and + 1 perception. He catalogued them and handed over 60 silver.
The archer with the golem eye handed over a belt of health. Vivian was sad to see it go but had a much better replacement. It had saved her from dying, that sliver away from death. After she had taken it from a lamia, she got 15 silver for it. The last item a dwarven made wand of fire balls it had a half charge, but was still a potent back up. it was sold for 10 silver. They concluded their business with the mages tower and left, Reynard finished his paperwork grumbled and went back to sleep.
The merchant¡¯s guild was an operation that ran all hours of the day. It was staffed by people who regularly did the night shift, a clerk got hold of a senior member. A private room and they went over the haul. The party had ditched the cart some time ago. The small bar of mithril netted them 100 silver, it was an alloy not pure mithril. Ironically the several bars of silver also netted them 100 silver which was far less in weight than the silver they handed over, but as the party didn''t have any way to smelt their own coins, they just had to accept it.
The assorted jewels ruby emeralds etc were valued at 150 silver. The gold silver and mithril jewellery was in a relatively poor state but netted them 120 silver. The octium crossbow bolts sold for 90 silver. The remains of the lich''s hoard were gold and silver coinage all legal tender that amounted to 230 silver.
They were keen to inform the merchants guild about the death of the lich and that the logging operations could recommence. There was a truth teller, a crystal ball that was enchanted to detect lies. The senior clerk made them sign a statement, then paid them the promised bonus of 300 silver. They headed off to inform his superior or get whatever they were planning back on track. They might have wanted to be the one that give them the good news. The guild had promised to do a bit of researching. A favour to Martin, at a more reasonable hour they would contact them. About one of the signature weapons from the founders of the vampire hunting orders.
Everything found and sold totalled 819 silver with the 300 bonus from merchant¡¯s guild plus the 500 from the original contract reward, the resulting total was 1619 silver. Just over four gold each. that lich was probably the most profitable thing they had ever fought. But then the triune seemed to be putting its foot down on anything that could threaten the trade with the western elves. Vivian guessed that every bandit and threat around North port now had an uncomfortably large bonus over their heads, at the moment they were just in the right place. Vivian made a few calculations they had just over 2900 silver they could well afford to commission some more equipment.
The first order of business was, food they had been trudging throughout the night and the early morning without stopping. Pressing on to get their business done, to conclude this protracted affair with the lich and their progeny. The group settled back in the servant¡¯s quarters of their residence. They ate every last bit of their rations, that were meant to have kept them going for another two days. It was one of the regrettable facts of being a high-level adventurer that your body demanded, craved more energy to keep it going. And the four of them were in the in the region of level 70-80 they had a lot of strength, but they had to maintain and support that strength.
Vivian found one of the servants who set about getting them a little bit more to eat. Some stew left over from the night shift disappeared, with a large amount of grainy black bread. The entire serving disappeared at breakneck speed. The party exchanged little conversation they were drained; it was difficult to keep up any conversation. There body''s wants were paramount the desire to rest was too strong, there might be a discussion later, but it would be later after they had a bit of time to rest.
The next thing was sleep they needed to rest their heads, three days they had been on edge. Catching enough sleep to recharge their abilities keeping one weary eye open. But no more they were back behind large high stone walls now was the time to get a good few hours.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
David found a few tankards of ale to help him. He placed his sword near him and settled down. His grip on his sword was now completely healed no tremors no flinching he dozed off. With a little privacy Alice did a little reading and a little cutting to remove her frustration depleting her remaining mana. A healing spell then she dozed off to sleep. Vivian took a pinch of blue powder relaxed herself and fell asleep, Martin said a brief prayer and off he went his massive endurance succumbing to the need to rest.
They woke from their beds later that they day. Vivian led the group, ¡°I don''t feel quite right after that business with the necromancer¡¯s kids, but we can learn. We watch prisoners more carefully we bring a set of manna draining shackles, we take someone back to interrogate¡±. Alice held out the key they got from the lich''s hoard, ¡°anyone got ¡ any ideas on this¡±?
Martin held it up, ¡°I am sure it is part of something else these groves it looks like it would fit together with some other key. We could talk to the other hunters maybe the lich had another stash or a vault¡±. David grinned ¡°we can find a bit more about the local vampires, the gold on this vampire prince''s head where we might find them¡±.
The local hunters house was quite large, but then a lot of travelling hunters passed through North port and stayed there for a bit of time. It was easy to gain entrance a simple check on door and they were let into the old converted manner house. They were taken up from the ground floor to the second past the area for associates and into the heart of the hunter¡¯s world. The local senior hunter Frances Dye a master hunter greeted them. Martin and Francis exchanged sips form their flasks, ¡°the four masters Martin and your friends, the trade guild are renewing their logging operations. The carpenters were almost out of material for several repairs, you should be congratulated the lich was problematic¡±.
Frances was deferential to Martin as despite Frances being a leader of a hunter house, he was not a grand master and not an agent. He envied Martin who didn''t have to remain in one spot and hold the line. But could go and hunt the vampires wherever they were, it was almost unheard off for four grand masters to work together. He could see the benefits that a mixed group would bring as a hunting party.
He poured the group some strong tip and wished them luck on their hunting, Martin downed it in one the rest sipped the drink cautiously. The hunters head scout Amphelice Fortescue arrived a few minutes later. She wore similar garb to a usual hunter, but a shorter cut coat with higher boots better for moving through the local terrain. She was a level 25 scout a veteran who lost a sister and joined the hunters.
She had broken through and become a level 10 hunter. Frances went to check on something and left Amphelice to play host. ¡°So, I assume you were brought in to help secure North port, the local big shot is the prince an elder vampire. You fought lexicon before, this guy is a bit stronger but nowhere near level 200. We estimate based on previous skirmishes with him, he is around level 150¡±.
The next obvious question came from David, ¡°what is the bounty on his head¡± she thought for a split second then unrolled a poster showing an artist¡¯s impression of an arrogant twit. ¡°The reward is 23 gold¡±. Vivian looked over the picture, ¡°we have had an elder pull the rug out from under us before with their supreme skill any idea what this one has¡±? ¡°Yes, regeneration of some sort, he can go back to full health in half a minute. You have to kill him twice effectively. Based on encounters he can use this power once per week. But the using this ability don''t make him any tougher and won¡¯t restore his supernatural aura or his blood shield¡±.
Alice looked the reward poster over, ¡°any artefacts ¡ or weapons he wields we ¡ should know about¡±? ¡°He had been known to use Damascus javelins, he has a servant behind him carrying his weapons, he has a ring of some sort. Taken from an adventure it has multiple attribute boosting enchantments, I am not shore to what level, but it would be a useful reward. Also, he apparently has a mithril crown, that would be worth something even if it¡¯s not enchanted¡±.
Martin got a glass of Ip left by Alice and drained it in one swallow. ¡°What bodyguards dose this one have¡±? ¡°Usually a mix archanist constructs lamia standard minions for the empress of shadows, though sometimes the midnight king will lend them a werewolf or two¡±. Martin flinched, ¡°Bismark had one of those, a true pain to deal with. Dose this vampire prince report to Bismark¡±? The scout was snappy with their response, ¡°they all serve the druids ruin, an old name for Bismark¡±.
The chapter master arrived, ¡°I owed a favour to the merchants. The trade commissioner asked me to check on this for you Martin. Any of the founder¡¯s artefacts, an old hunter stationed on the judgement mentioned that a hunter came looking for the hand of Tesla. He believed another grand master had fallen trying to kill the ancient, Bismark I think, it was in one of the local lairs. He was not sure which one, it might just be a rumour, but you could encounter a lead. You might find it in a vampire¡¯s hoard as a trophy, or with the remains of a hunter in some forgotten corner of one of the local lairs¡±.
He pointed to a map on the wall, ¡°there are three lairs that we know of. You would need a small army to take them on we can get volunteers together with time¡±. Martin shook his head and looked around the room. ¡°We are a small army at this point, that lich was around level 120¡±. Frances shook his head, ¡°a lich isn¡¯t that tough, just a twinkle fingered magic user. Still you have one pretty tough reputation and the bishop seems to have found you some good equipment. You beat the professor and his constructs are no push over. You survived fighting an ancient vampire, if Bismark knocked you down and you only came back up I can¡¯t argue with you, but be careful¡±.
Alice held there prize up, ¡°Have you seen ...this key before any ideas¡±? Francis looked at it, ¡°no looks important you got it from the lich¡±? ¡°oh yes¡± she said. ¡°There is a rumour about a vault somewhere near North port. Containing some great treasure or weapon, but I think it was meant to be opened by 3 or 4 keys keep an eye out for other ones¡±.
A coach driver and two deputy hunters went with them to the lair. The two hunters were not there to help but to guard the coach. It was a few hours journey over uneven terrain when they finally got within walking distance of one of the local vampire lairs. Martin spoke to the others, ¡°we have been to small lairs and vampire''s temporary lairs before. This one will be larger usually they expect an entire army they will have heavy duty magic. Servants anything and everything we have to be awake¡±. David wondered if this was the best idea in the world, he considered the reward and they continued forwards.
On the surface the place was not impressive, above ground there was a shack with three thrall hounds and four thralls. Two of which here blood thralls, sitting by a campfire they reacted sluggishly. They were on the lookout for a column of carts or the clomping boots of an army. The thralls reacted with zero self-preservation instincts and attacked as best they could. Vivian took one man down with shot to the chest before he could fire off a crossbow. David cut through the hounds in moments. Alice hit one thrall that went for an alarm bell with an acid strike dissolving their legs, they screamed out in pain as they dropped to the floor then tried to crawl forwards a foot or two before fully collapsing.
The last two thralls ran for the same alarm their opponents were two strong to fight. But they could serve their masters by warning them. Martin hit both of them in the legs with thrown daggers dropping them to the floor. Martin used purify on the first thrall to break the vampires hold on them. The second thrall pulled the knife out and slit his own throat, rather than betray the vampires.
Alice cured the former thrall''s injury; a little questioning revealed the location of traps. The lair was locked from the inside as a security measure. They didn''t know how deep it went. The rescued civilian was left with the coach and the two deputy hunters. They came to an impressive iron gate reinforced with steel and bronze. Martin started to work with the lock he got a cover plate off. ¡°Alice can you put one of your acid strike spells into the lock hear¡±.
She obliged there was a sizzle as something melted, Martin''s tools worked on the damaged lock and it clicked open. The door was heavy designed for a vampire¡¯s inhuman strength as an additional security measure. David helped Martin force it open and wedge it open. They wanted to keep a path to the exit clear, just in case they found something a little too tough for them.
There were a few magical traps that Alice noticed and disarmed. There were a few poisoned bear and cal traps. A trip wire that dumped a stack of logs onto an advancing group. They found dart traps a magical barrier that Alice and Martin looked at only for Vivian to punch through it with an octium arrow and hit the spell alter projecting it. The former thralls¡¯ directions were mostly accurate as they brute forced their way past some traps into the lair proper. There were some animal pens, they cut threw a few thrall wolves and thrall bats, there were cages designed for humans, but no slaves held in this lair at the time.
They moved past unmanned barricades and a few supply rooms mostly empty. It was quite apparent if the place was fully occupied it would have been a hard slog for every foot of ground, fighting against determined defenders. They did come past some servants¡¯ quarters mostly empty, apart from a few provisions. There were some guest rooms empty as well.
They had a rough map there would be a main chamber a second one for more senior vampires and one reserved for a visiting ancient. Moving to the central chamber there was room for hundreds of coffins but only a dozen were present. The thralls were asleep a couple of unseen thrall hounds raised the alarm. Coffins opened up, thralls grabbed weapons and the short brutal fight began.
Two thrall hounds a dozen thralls with iron weapons lead by one blood thrall wearing a bit of chain mail advanced on the party. Eight fledgling vampires and four full vampires with steel weapons assembled into a rushed group.
Martin had his four barrelled pistol ready, each chamber loaded with a wooden stake backed up with a silver coated lead pistol ball and a light powder charge. One shot and a vampire fledgling fell forwards a stake in their chest and a large hole next to it. They tipped over coughed up blood and started to crumble into dust. The rest of the fledglings started to panic the full vampires were made of slightly stronger stuff. The thralls were mind controlled drones who charged forwards desperate to provide the slightest advantage to their masters. Martin got of a second attack killing another fledgling before two thralls were on top of him.
Alice fired into the group of vampires angling her fireballs through a gap in the thrall¡¯s formation. They would happily step in front of a fireball to protect their masters, until the moment the thrall taint was purged from there body. Two of the fledglings were obliterated as both fire balls detonated together and the full vampire behind them was wounded.
David ploughed through the thralls using his tower shield to knock them aside. He was a bit heavy handed, three of them would not be getting back up without a healing spell. So, they were out of the fight, the thrall hounds were dead. Vivian aimed for one of the vampires her shots were on target. A thrall stepped into their path, but the arrows simply kept going and hit the vampire anyway taking it through the heart it tried to pull the arrow out before collapsing.
Martin battered the thralls away with his mallet decking two of them. His aim free two more fledglings who were charging towards him were dusted. Alice tried to use her kinetic strike spell to push the thralls out of the way it was a little two powerful and from the way they landed probably fatal, Alice would have to adjust her spells in the future.
David faced off against a full vampire they exchanged a few blows. Then David''s mithril blade found the vampires wrist. Not a clean cut but the vampire¡¯s defences were disabled. Another blow and down the vampire went lying prone, David beheaded her with a power strike. Vivian picked off two thralls with arrows to the leg and knee. Hopefully they would not bleed out, but they were out of the fight, she got a fledgling trying to circle the group and run for their miserable life.
Martin held up his holy symbol towards the last two thralls, he got close ¡°purify, purify¡±. They regained their senses, but before they could move out of the way the blood thrall cut them down hissing ¡°traitors¡±. David cut the blood thrall down opening him up from shoulder to chest. The mithril edge cutting right through the old iron armour. The remaining three vampires looked for a way to escape, the adventurers were stronger than them survival was a long shot. Vivian fired her bow; the shot took the fledgling in the forehead killing them in moments with an adamantine arrow. The second vampire got an enchanted mithril arrow to the knee, sending him hobbling backwards.
Martin shot one of the reaming vampires with a silver bullet to the forehead. David followed up with a beheading cut to be sure. Vivian got the last vampire with an arrow to the other knee then Alice finished it off with an acid strike spell. It seemed to be just the caretaker force. No elite or elder vampire leading them no further creatures or constructs.
Their eyes glowed white and the level up hit. Alice didn''t level up as she had to break through the level 75 limit. Vivian was now equal with her a grand master reaching level 75 she gained an important class level her layered armour perk increased from 300% to 400% efficiency making her quite a bit tougher to crack. Her adrenalin attacks went from level 3 to level 4 doing a lot more damage. Her adrenalin efficiency improved form three points to use an attack to 2 points. It was as efficient as it was going to get allowing her to use her power attacks much more freely. David hit level 73, only two levels away from catching up with Vivian. His contract bonds skill improved to level 3. Martin reached level 84 putting his grenadier sill up to level 14.
They used healing and purify on the remaining injured thralls. Five of them were recovered and left with the coach. They gathered up the vampire¡¯s fangs to hand in for the reward. A continued search of the lair found more empty rooms stores barracks training rooms and cages to keep food nice and fresh. There must have been a leader assigned to this lair who was completely absent, probably on some mission or another.
They had a simple office set up in one of the side rooms. A chest with clothes personal effects. They found some correspondence that would be handed over to the local hunters. It was just about supplies and requisitions but still might be useful for something. There was another volume of the blood oath book which would be passed to the church.
Alice found something hanging on the wall like a trophy, probably form a former adventurer that attacked the lair. It was a white mask showing a pretty woman with a neutral expression. It was made from polished mithril very hard, it was enchanted with + 1 perception + 1 intelligence, she tried it on. The mask didn''t impede her vision and the boost to intelligence was quite pleasant. A smile spread across her face under the mask no one would look at her like a child again.
Vivian looked at it, ¡°a bit creepy but then I hide my face under this scarf¡±. Martin tapped his hat and his own mask, ¡°good protection and a good trophy¡±. David looked at it, ¡°mithril it might be worth selling it¡±. They searched through the lair twice. Eventual Martin used his blessing thy will be done to be directed to a specific section of wall in the vampire lair. They carefully pulled down the wall. Sometimes the vampires walled in Wight¡¯s as a surprise that they could call on. Such creatures could be a pain in ass, they had killed one before. In this hidden wall section were the remains of five hunters. There were there holy symbols a few coin a few weapons that might be salvageable.
There was a very important clue, a diary showing that the group had been seeking the remains of a grand master hunter. One Piers Sentjohn who was looking for hand of Tesla, one of the weapons of the founders of their order. It was made of blessed black adamantine so it could not be destroyed. However, it was probably hidden in some corner of a vampire¡¯s lair, one down two to go.
They recovered the vampire hunters remains and equipment as respectfully as they could. The bodies of the dead thralls were rounded up as well for cremation. They took anything of use from the lair then smashed and burnt anything that they could such as the vampire¡¯s coffins, it was a little petty and pointless, but every small victory against the vampires added up.
They dropped the blood oath book to cathedral, as well as the freed thralls to be checked over by a priest and the other less fortunate thralls remains, to be given last rights and cremation. Alice wore the mask, she was more recognisable now. Martin had his own mask David had a full-face helmet and Vivian wore her red scarf. All their faces were now hidden but also protected, perhaps the mask was something that could be taken off at the end of the day, perhaps not.
They went to the hunters house the local master received the remains of the dead hunters. He would arrange their cremation and last rites the redistribution of their equipment to new recruits. Between what they recovered and the reward for turning over the vampire fangs they gained 45 silver.
The group ate at the hunter¡¯s house then went to the duchess residence. They presented themselves to her steward and were allowed and audience fifty minutes later. Alice curtsied ¡°your Ladyship Duchess Cheyne ...Teach, we have removed the ¡ local lich and started on the local vampires. May I ... speak to you about a magic item a ward of enhanced defence, the ¡ merchant guild said you had such an item¡±.
She nodded ¡°certainly this town is in your debt already, the object you mention a little jewelled shield made of octium, it clips to a belt. My great grandfather was a bit of an adventurer it belonged to one of his companions, it¡¯s in my aunt¡¯s collection. I believe I can persuade her to part with it for 300 silver or that rough amount. If you make a bit more progress against the hidden hand I would not have so much on my mind and we could move forwards¡±. They reached an understanding with the duchess and turned in for the night.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 14 – First Amongst Thieves.
Alice woke up she realised that she had been wearing the mask to sleep. She felt far more confident. Before she had drifted off to sleep, she had delivered fat fewer cuts to her arm. She told herself it was just practice for her healing magic. She felt less insomnia clouding her mind was a little confidence boosting all she needed? She remembered seeing the necromancer¡¯s older kids die. They might have been useful as informants, but they were better off gone, one less practitioner of the profane art all the better.
She looked in a mirror, she held the mask up, Malice the mage. She put the mask down Alice the human being. She mused ¡°Vivian''s idea ... I think, we have distinctive ¡ costumes then when we want to be people ¡ we just put them down and wear common robes¡±.
Vivian woke up reached for the little packet of blue powder. She pulled her hand back she didn''t need it all the time, yet she added to herself, time would tell how necessary it would become. David and Martin woke up, Martin was always happier after killing some vampires and David was sure that they had enough money to afford a full suite of mithril armour. He just had to bide his time to suggest it.
At the breakfast table they demolished bread and fish stew. Martin pointed out, ¡°there were five people the vampire might miss, the four full vampires and the senior blood thrall. The rest won¡¯t matter vary much they are easy to replace. The lair had already been stripped of a lot of stuff, it was more than half empty, we can expect the other lairs to be far busier, they anticipated an attack and moved most people back¡±.
They were planning an attack on the second vampire lair, it was quite a bit further away. Vivian had to agree, ¡°it¡¯s possible they pulled forces out of the closest lair to reinforce the other ones. A large force could easily get to the first lair from North Port¡±. David gulped down a fourth helping of stew, ¡°what have hunters attacking the second lair previously seen¡±? Martin read through some notes from the local hunters. ¡°An elite vampire no known name runs the show, some marauders have been seen in the area daytime muscle¡±.
He kept reading, ¡°There are reports of wights stupid but tough¡±. Alice remembered the almost skeletal creature that they had fought it had been starving so they were very lucky to find it in its weakened state, ¡°Is there an ¡ upper limit to their power ¡ the wights I mean¡±. Martin looked unsure, ¡°I honestly have no clue, but they are stupid, unable to use anything other than the most basic instinctual tactics, even if they could become as powerful as a vampire, they would not survive that long¡±.
Martin was about to go through some of the basic strategy when a city guard interrupted them, bursting into the room. ¡°Quick the deputy sheriff needs your help some sailors have been murdered on the docks¡±. They gulped down their food grabbed their equipment and followed the city guard, who was accompanied by a few militia. There were a lot of militia about the place was on high alert, something pretty bad had happened inside North-ports walls.
The deputy sheriff they had seen before and another officer, presumably the guard captain of the docks were arguing. It seemed to be an exercise in apportioning blame, a very angry looking mercenary from the grey company stood around looking for a target to vent his own fury.
The deputy sheriff spoke up as they approached. ¡°We have just had a big theft, 20 crates that came with the elven ambassador. Silks perfumes rare texts 2000-year-old wine Magic items. All very valuable things nearly 50000 silvers worth of goods. Perhaps much more, we need to get it back quickly. Unless there is an army besieging the city, this is first priority¡±.
Vivian''s artificial eye focused on the area, ¡°we have several unique perspectives we can employ show us¡±. Martin activated his monocle and held out his holy symbol trying to sense anything supernatural. Alice extended her senses to try and detect the faint impression of the use of any magic. Vivian and David quickly looked over the area. It was a high security warehouse good solid locks, there were a half dozen grey company mercenaries all killed on duty.
A quick examination showed heavy crossbow bolts punched through weak spots on the armour, the residue indicated that they were poisoned. A standard for the hidden hand, and many other outfits. Vivian made an educated guess, ¡°they took the time to recover the crossbow bolts, they recovered the bolts because they would identify them. Hidden hand are the only ones that use that kind of recognisable ammunition with the fate bound enchantments so that there is nothing left to scry with¡±.
Martin looked over at the footprints and what crates were left, ¡°to move those crates they would be the same size right¡±. The deputy sheriff checked a manifest ¡°yes¡±. Martin used his monocle to track over the footprints, ¡°I believe that there were four trips five men one on lookout¡±. There were the bodies of four sailors. Martin quickly examined them, ¡°Bad luck these sailors walked in on them probably investigated the lack of guards, I assume they worked for the same boss. They Dragged the bodies back into the warehouse to hide them. It was throwing knives to the artery the sailors barely knew what hit them before they bled out, a lot mess possibly a deliberate warning to us¡±?
The dock captain looked sceptical, ¡°How are you sure¡±? Martin answered dismissively, ¡°we have fought the hidden hand a few times before, they used the same techniques¡±. David was further out where the trail met the chaos of the general road. ¡°One bloody footprint hear, Vivian can you track it¡±. Her golem eye scanned around focusing on something far up the road, ¡°Yes another over there¡±.
They picked up a trail from the bloody warehouse. The hidden hand had been a little two enthusiastic when leaving a warning, now there was the marks of a trail that they could follow. The hidden hand seemed to be heading to the docks, perhaps they had a ship or a boat. They found the end of the blood trail it started to follow some cart tracks; the hidden hand had carried the boxes a fair way. The militia asked door to door, no one that had seen them would be prepared for the repercussions of pointing out which direction they came from.
There were lots of cart tracks, one cart loaded with heavy crates looked a lot like another. It was an excellent way to hide in plain sight. A hooded cloak to keep out the cold and they might not even be noticed. Martin had one extra little trick he held his holy symbol it glowed, ¡°thy will be done¡± he felt a sensation a pressure on his head and his view snapped in one direction on one fresh set of cart tracks, ¡°follow me, they whet that way¡±.
They headed down to a small dock with only a few moored boats and a sailor so drunk he would not have noticed an invasion fleet landing, David pointed out something behind a stack of barrels, ¡°There is the cart¡±. He got closer and looked, ¡°we are on the trail see the mark of a bloody boot¡± Vivian looked about, ¡°from the docks they must have loaded it onto a boat. Yes, I think we follow along the shore. They would be noticed heading out they moved backwords towards the centre of the docks a false trail I think to throw anyone tracking them off¡±.
They got on a small patrol boat that took them round the shore. Vivian used her enhanced perception, as they got past the centre of town, ¡°Look they capsized the boat to hide it. They must have moved the goods from hear. The cart was a deliberate bloody trail to be found to make us think that they had met up with a ship¡±. Martin looked around trying to find something out of place, ¡°down there, that grate to the sewer is not flush it should be riveted in for security, but it is not¡±.
It looked like deep mud, but there was a trail of stone that could be steeped on a hidden path. ¡°That''s revolting¡± the guard captain of the docks commented as the grate swung open and revealed a certain amount of sewage. Vivian held her nose as she peered inside, ¡°lots of deep footprints, they must have carried something heavy inside¡±.
Alice looked over the guard captain, ¡°Keep your men back, we ¡ are a lot better prepared ¡ to face them than you are¡±. Alice was happy with her choice of robust footwear under these circumstances. A short slog along the tunnel meant they were under the city.
There were steps up into the basement of the building above them. The hidden hand could move things into the city unseen, perfect for smuggling. David looked about, ¡°I guess this sewer tunnel is a lot bigger than it needs to be, probably a deliberate plan in its construction, they must have been using it for years¡±.
Alice dismantled a warning spell and dissolved a cheap lock with her acid strike spell, they moved quietly forwards. There were two groups of the hidden hand totalling a dozen of them. They exchanged banal banter as the party approached, ¡°you contracted a buyer yet¡±. The other member hesitantly waved his hand ¡°a few interested nothing solid yet¡±. Alice noticed that the specific member of the hidden hand''s voice seemed exactly the same as one they had heard before.
Vivian directed the party to spread out, the hidden hand detected them almost instantly. ¡°Why don''t you all surrender¡±? She shouted at the leaders. It was a formality, but she had an obligation to give them one chance before killing them. The leader snarled back, ¡°why don''t you drop dead, after the lich its 9 gold on your heads each. There''s more of us this time and we are prepared¡±. That seemed to be a signal of some sort, the hidden hand pulled on some sort of alchemists masks the room flooded with a black gas.
Martin''s holy symbol glowed ¡°cleanse air¡±, the black gas dissipated as if it had never existed. There were twelve rogues, the six that stole the goods and the rest who had been trying to find a buyer for the goods. Four of them were behind a barricade the other eight had their crossbows ready, one man was a leader a master rouge. He had better equipment and a double crossbow with two bolts at the ready.
Alice cast spells physical shield bonus vitality. Vivian relied on her enchanted Damascus to survive the initial hail of bolts. David charged forwards with his shield raised Martin activated a defensive shield blessing and charged. The hidden hands opening argument didn''t do very much even though the mater rouge had mithril tipped bolts. They didn''t do that much against Martins divine blessing.
The rouges shouldered their crossbows and pulled out their usual weapons a stabbing knife in the left hand and a fan of knives in the right. With smoke bombs and other assorted nuisances heading towards the party. Alice flooded the back of the room with her poison gas cloud spell. The rouges jumped out of the way avoiding it only to be met with Martin''s four barrelled pistol and Vivian''s mithril arrows. They shaved down the odds by four of the hidden hand¡¯s operatives.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
David used his hail of blows skill to overwhelm the dodging rouges when he could close. Rapidly slicing the murdering thieves into pieces, he cut down two more. A rouge tried to intercept Alice''s kinetic strike spell with a thrown blade the spell kept going knocking him back. Usually magic would activate the moment it touched anything denser than air or rain. But the kinetic strike spell manifested as pure physical force.
David was faced with two rouges who tried to douse him in some sort of burning oil. His enchanted belt protected him, and he kept cutting away at them. Vivian had to duck as a rouge who had gotten onto a support beam threw daggers down onto her. She sent arrows through the beam pinning him in place.
The remaining five rouges kept fighting they had no fear no hesitation no surrender. David backed three of them into a corner they were so busy avoiding him Vivian''s arrows made short work of them. The master rouge dodged to the side of Alice''s icy tomb spell. He landed and turned but not close enough. He might be able to focus doge, but Martin could focus strike matching him. Martin had an octium dagger in each hand. The rouge felt the blade pierce his arm then Martin twisted it using the blade as a lever. A technique sometimes used by vampires to lock the rouges arm in place, with the other blade he started to stab away.
Alice eyed up the last rouge ¡°you look ¡familiar¡± Alice knocked the rouge down with a kinetic strike spell. Then she hit him in the legs with an acid strike. He started screaming and tried to crawl back as his legs melted below the knee. He could heave reached for a healing potion or a knife, Alice hit his right hand with a low power acid strike spell the dagger he was holding smoked and dropped to the floor as his fingers melted away. The rouge tried to throw a blade only for it to bounce off Alice''s shield spell. She melted his other hand, she pulled his mask away as she watched him die, her breath stilled, and she stepped back.
It was exactly the same man she had seen killed before same face same scar. He grinned and spat at her the blob of spit ran down her shield spell as the man died. The fate bound enchantments on all the rouge''s equipment activated and everything collapsed to dust.
Vivian turned to Alice ¡°what the hell was that for, why did you need to look at his face¡±? Alice looked at Vivian, her mask hid her shocked expression. But her voice conveyed it ¡°we killed ¡ them before ¡ I failed to ... realise that it¡¯s the same group, but it is ¡ we killed them once before I remember ¡ the face the voice¡±.
Vivian was confused, ¡°that can¡¯t be right sure we have killed quite a few hidden hand, but it can¡¯t be the same ones¡±. Alice''s voice had a cold hard certainty to it, ¡°if you had a way to cheat death ¡ again and again wouldn''t you want to hide the evidence? That''s why the hidden hand''s members ¡ use these enchantments, they have found some way to cheat ¡ death and well that''s going to make them hard to stop¡±.
The level up hit Vivian and Alice still had to make a breakthrough. David was just almost caught up with them. Martin and David''s eyes glowed Martin reached level 85 with a class level came new blessings. Alice Vivian and David''s base attacks kept getting stronger rapidly outpacing Martins lower level blessings. But he gained several powerful blessings that dramatically evened the odds. He gained two more uses of the pillar of fire blessing able to summon and direct a pillar of fire. He also gained a blessing pillar of ice, which was the cold equivalent for enemies that were resilient to heat it was far weaker than Alice''s icy tomb spell, but it was a lot quicker and could be targeted.
He gained a one use per day blessing divine regeneration, that would continually restore 20 health per second. It was powerful but would deplete his focus rapidly. He gained three more uses of the purify blessing and six more uses of the wrath blessing, to help deal with small fry. David reached level 74 and gained the 4th level of his contract bonds skill.
The group gathered round Alice, Alice adjusted her mask slightly as if she was trying to see if anything was obscuring her eyes. ¡°I don''t think that ... they were identical twins¡±. David''s friend Melcher had described one incident that gave him an idea, ¡°What the hell do you think they are? I have heard some doppelg?ngers can break a part of themselves off and they can look like people so could it be that? Martin looked through his book on monsters, ¡°that don''t fit unfortunately, you would see more physical remains and the hidden hand bleed like humans¡±.
Vivian shot the idea down further, ¡°if that was so, there weapons would be left behind. Doppelg?ngers can¡¯t make things like that¡±. Alice thought about sorcery, ¡°some sort of sorcery maybe ¡ they are soul spliced demons ¡or some sort of shape shifting demon ...we have not seen before, they can conjuror equipment¡±? Martin held out his holy symbol and concentrated, ¡°there was no demonic presence, I would have felt it¡±.
David had seen a few weird things, ¡°Some supreme skill that copies a body maybe¡±? Martin looked around the room counting the number of marks where a body had been. ¡°No idea but it seems to numerous, if there was one maybe but they got replaced really quick. Maybe they do have a large number of spare bodies?
Alice grinned a hidden malicious grin, reflected in her voice. ¡°Whatever it is ¡ it¡¯s probably expensive, enchanting blood ¡alchemy maybe, we must be costing them a fortune. It¡¯s not like we are killing them ¡every day right so they can¡¯t be actively hunting us ¡let¡¯s keep this one to ourselves so we don''t sound like mad people ¡until we find evidence¡±, there was a nod of agreement.
Martin walked out of the basement into the main building they swept it finding some basic living quarters and nothing else. David stood watch as Martin moved over to the sheriff and guard captain waiting at the entrance to the sewer. He gestured them forwards, ¡°The hidden hand are gone, mealy outlines on the ground, you can recover the cargo¡±. A very relieved looking merchant came over to them he disappeared into the building with a ledger in his hand. Ten minutes later he returned to the deputy sheriff, ¡°they broke a jar of perfume, drank a gift for the dwarves clan''s trade minister but everything else is ok¡±.
The merchant handed a purse to the deputy sheriff and then set about organising some porters and some carts. As well as a few more guards to get his goods back to the warehouse safely. The sheriff held the bag out to Martin, ¡°your reward 100 silver from the merchant¡¯s guild. They would have offered more I think, if it took longer to find. You really seem to be good at squashing the hidden hand¡±.
Martin looked about he handed the silver to Vivian who carefully placed it in her pack. The group seemed to be stumped. Martin scratched his head, ¡°this might be some sort of monster working with the hidden hand. We could speak to the vampire hunters, then if that does nothing maybe the mages guild¡±. They paused as a few carts past them, with the sailor¡¯s dock workers and mercenaries¡¯ bodies taking them to the cathedral.
They moved through the hunter house and met the leader Frances he greeted them politely, ¡°I understand the hidden hand have been causing more trouble. Hopefully they lay low after this, why have you come to my office you want to get some support for a raid on the second lair of the local vampires¡±. Martin questioned him, ¡°have you ever herd of a monster or a vampire or anything else where the body disappeared after death and then reforms¡±?
Francis was confused, ¡°only demons but the hidden hand are not demons just thieving ass-holes. with a good enchanter on their payroll who makes their stuff evaporate. You can¡¯t scry you can¡¯t put a sniffer dog on it because it¡¯s gone, effective and irritating they all wear the same outfit, so it looks like your fighting the same opponent. Hunters put the same fear into a vampire¡¯s mind. We all dress the same or similar, they cut one of us down another steps up puts on the coat and keeps marching forwards¡±.
Vivian leaned forwards, ¡°What can you tell us about the political situation, these hidden hand thieves can they do a lot of damage¡±? Francis took a swallow of tip, ¡°Depends on the elves, you know about the elves history. The western elves didn''t like the trend of making better and better golems. Of making stronger servants and becoming lazy. So, they left about a century before the golems rebelled, they got on ships with a few humans who wanted to spread the faith a few priests¡±.
¡°The elves didn''t mind the priests healing ability''s, on the trip over the long ocean. There were a few ships lost. It was a miracle the sea life didn''t kill more of them. Now after two and half thousand years later they nether have much of a capacity or desire for war. Other than a few select monster hunters on their boarders and whatever washes up from the sea. They are excellent craftsmen who make luxury items. For the trade talks, we need to get samples out and deals agreed as quickly as possible¡±.
¡°The hidden hand wants a large cut of the proverbial pie; we don''t want them to have the smallest crust. These deals will benefit Inwerben her people the triune. Not the hidden hand it¡¯s going to get bloody, I mean worse and the vampires they would love to see some incident that will cut us off from our new allies before the inks dried on the treaty¡±.
Vivian nodded, ¡°there is more isn''t there¡±. The hunter continued, ¡°the elves have the creator god¡¯s faith, but they have not forgotten their original culture. On a harvest festival after their masters were good and drunk the golems killed them all. Similar to the dragon rebellion ending the blood alchemists. I think the western elves now they know will want their city''s back, all four of the golem city''s that remain quiet in the northern lands¡±.
He paused thinking, ¡°we might have to pick a war with the golems to ensure the flow of trade goods. Not that paying the golems a permanent blow has not been on our minds for a long time. Every few years they send us an emissary asking for us to hand over the last of the northern elves¡¯ descendants in the capital, every time we decline politely. If it is war with them, we might have to try and persuade the central city states to do the same. There are six old elven city''s that lie in their lands and the golems there¡±.
Alice considered something from her days studding in the tower, ¡°haven''t the elven enclave in the capital been asking for the same thing for longer, don''t they have just as good a claim¡±? Francis considered her naive, ¡°the descendants of a handful of survivors that hide in a ghetto? They don''t have the political power and never will, they have passed a few useful bits onto us. But I don''t think they number 1000 maybe not even 600 full blood elves. When the trade deals allow us to afford a standing army and we can fight the vampires properly then the golems will be the next thing on the list. It¡¯s a very long list with dragons¡¯ necromancers and the like¡±.
The Hunter Francis grinned, ¡°we have made many preparations for the trade deals to succeeded we have a few key agents, the four of you hear. The elves have their heaviest hitter somewhere around the area. The patriarch has his emissary the witch finder Bain about. We have a few more people around I think it¡¯s time to get some help. I have a little bit of a job I need you to do to, I suppose I would call it contacting an associate of the hunter¡¯s order that can help us. See me tomorrow and we can get the wagon rolling.
They had one more thing to do before they called it a night, another audience with the duchess. It was granted within ten minutes this time; the duchess was drinking a glass of port with several other glasses poured out for the party. The duchess sat down and invited them to several well cushioned chairs, ¡°I am relieved to see your rapid intervention deal with the hidden hand again. How dare those dam rapscallions cause so much trouble. How dare they try and steal right out from under our nose¡±.
Alice looked at her taking a small sip of port, ¡°there are a ¡ lot of them, we have killed 18 of them and taken out one ¡ of their associated gangs it just ¡ scratches the surface¡±. Vivian nodded ¡°they seem to be trying to scare people with the killings, it was deliberately bloody, they are even trying to show the triune that it would be cheaper to leave them alone. We need to hit them in the coin purse to make them lose so much money they don''t step in North port again¡±.
The duchess nodded, ¡°I don''t think that there is any other way, they are a business and if we prove that this is bad for their business they will give up. I realise we have problems with vampires and sorcerers but don''t neglect this job. With the hidden hand they can do just as much damage to the inside of this city as anything on the outside¡±. Alice looked to the duchess, ¡°we have proven our commitment ¡ to helping you remove the hidden hands presence, can you ¡ start the ship sailing so to speak with your aunt for the ward of enhanced defence?
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 15 – Dinner Is Served
They woke with the crack of dawn so many challenges that they had to overcome the local vampires were plotting something. The hidden hand was making trouble inside the city and there was a group of sorcerers¡¯ they had not even encountered yet. David set out to do a little drilling with a few squads of guards to centre himself. He owed them all about ten bronze penny''s each after last night¡¯s cards anyway. Not that he couldn''t afford it as soon as Vivian gave him the money. Vivian practised with her bow using it at the limit of her skill, her improved range skill helped her immensely. She needed to practice to use it effectively her enhanced perception improved her odds.
Martin spent a bit of time repairing his weapons and armour, Alice re-read a few of her books. She needed to make a breakthrough soon her progress was languishing behind Martin she had nothing that was exactly the same as his blessings. In some ways they were more flexible than her spells, certainly quicker to activate. In others they were limited growing no more powerful as his level increased. Together they covered almost any situation.
Half an hour and Vivian rounded everyone up for breakfast. There hostess had provided them a large chunk of a very nice wheel of cheese. Probably as a thanks for their intervention against the hidden hand. The bulk of their breakfast was vast quantities of fish stew, the staple of the guards they ate and discussed the events of the last couple of days.
Alice pointed her spoon at Vivian jabbing it forwards, ¡°I admit I don''t like necromancers ¡ I see them as rivals to the tower ¡ to be exterminated on site. Cheats that took the easy way ¡ to power they enslave spirits ¡ willingly or not to do their bidding. But I also see your point ¡ that capturing a few would help get information ¡ so next time we face off against a group of necromancers or sorcerer''s ¡ we are more prepared¡±.
Vivian swallowed a mouthful of cheese, ¡°I haven''t been trained to deal with magic users like the necromancers in those circumstances. A direct fight yes, there minions are not too different from anyone else kill on site fine. Handling a captured necromancer, I panicked I reacted harshly, they could have gotten some useful information out of that brother and sister. Rather than just two more bodies to cremate¡±.
David shrugged, ¡°we are trained and equipped to put them down, next time maybe we try to recruit a specialist to come with us a witch finder or inquisitor to handle them¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°we kill people who fall under the monsters sway, those who can be freed with regret. Those that can¡¯t without, perhaps there are some grey areas. Those that are hard to save, but every live minion we take back is a potential mine of information and a potential risk as well¡±.
Vivian reached for another wedge of cheese, ¡°think about mitigating risks next time we go against rouge mages or necromancers or sorcerers. We bring mana draining shackles maybe even get a pair to take with us just in case¡±. Alice nodded ¡°sensible but we ¡limit it to level 25, nothing higher than a veteran, if we captured ¡ a master or grand master I don''t think its ¡ worth the risk of them getting lose inside a city, despite what they know we kill them¡±.
Martin looked over at Alice ¡°I don''t disagree on principle; a necromancer or sorcerer lose inside the walls especially a master is a recipe for disaster. But if we ever do need information from something higher up the food chain as long as two of us were guarding them, I don''t see an issue¡±. David looked over to Alice, ¡°I agree with her on this one, no point in risking ourselves unless there is a lot to gain¡±. Vivian chimed in, ¡°fair enough but next time we capture one of them, all four of us check it out. We don''t want any further surprises; they are far less likely to try something with four sets of eyes on them¡±.
David reached for a bread roll breaking it apart, ¡°that vampire lair was anticlimactic pretty much empty¡±. Vivian pulled her scarf up, ¡°well at least we freed a few people from the vampires, those thralls will be glad to be back free from the taint¡±. Martin looked about adjusting his own mask it gave his voice a slightly muffled tone. ¡°Just remember that some didn''t, they got caught in the crossfire took an arrow for their master or were slain by their former allies¡±. Alice tapped the tip of her staff, ¡°best not dwell on it, as ¡the vampire hunters say keep going forwards, we will ¡save who we can and those we can¡¯t save ¡we will get them last rights¡±.
The group headed off to the local hunter¡¯s house to meet the master hunter Frances Dye, a few checks and they were let in and up to the main floor. A few minutes later and he met them in his office. He had a large bundle of rattling metal in a big sack which he dumped onto his desk. ¡°Thank you for coming, I know that you have other problems, but your actions today will help to bring another powerful soldier to this fight another reinforcement¡±.
Vivian eyed up the odd bag, ¡°who exactly is this¡±? Frances grinned, ¡°an old soul who has been fighting this war generations before I was born¡±. Alice looked intrigued ¡°do you have some grand master hunter ¡stored on ice held in suspended animation who you thaw out ¡to do battle once again¡±? Frances answered waving his hand, ¡°yes and no¡±.
David looked smug, ¡°I bet it¡¯s a tamers pet. One that eats vampires for breakfast you need something for it to keep going then you point it at the vampires and let it go right¡±? Francis didn''t answer, David pressed, ¡°no were near¡±? Alice wondered, ¡°maybe a golem reprogrammed to kill vampires you need us to get some power source¡±. Frances had a knowing look on his face, ¡°I will keep that knowledge cloak and dagger, until you bring back what I need¡±.
He opened the bag, ¡°now guess what this is for. One set of steel shackles waist neck ankles wrists and elbows a large thick bag a steel muzzle all lined with silver and holy script¡±. Martin took a guess, ¡°a thrall or blood thrall we need for something¡±. David picked up the shackles and looked at the key, ¡°you need a live vampire¡±.
The master hunter nodded, ¡°that is quite correct nothing past level 25. I wouldn''t like to try these restraints against anything stronger. This is the key and a permit to transport a live vampire. Officially they will be interrogated, unofficially I need a live vampire for a certain acquaintance, stuff them in the large sack after wrapping them in the set of shackles and they should be fine. I don''t need the vampire completely intact, but they should have most of their blood still in their veins. As for your curiosity as long as you deliver the package then it will be fulfilled¡±.
Vivian looked across the table, ¡°where do we find the package do you have suggestions¡±? The hunter put two pieces of paper on the table. ¡°This is a list of four local outposts that the vampires use from time to time. You are bound to find something in one of them, if you go to the trade guild, they will get you a coach to make the process quicker¡±. Martin looked back as they left ¡°I realise that a stray word can sometimes cause disaster, but you don''t have to look so smug. I will enjoy finding out what this is about¡±.
They headed over to the main merchant guild compound grabbed a coach and a city guard to ride crossbow. Then they headed off out of town, a small check of their paperwork and they were on their way. The vampires had apparently fallen back from the city to gather their power, but there should still be one or two stragglers kicking about. Keeping an eye out on the harbour city. The vampires had small outposts that were more like hidey holes. Dotted around North port they were sometimes raided mostly avoided; you never knew quite what you would find.
The first outpost they tried was rather dilapidated, three rooms hidden under a hill with an entrance behind a large tree. There was a stout oak door that had fallen from its hinges and lay partially open the first room had a few mouldy jars and half a box. The second room just a splinted coffin and a very bare bones bed chewed to pieces. The last room was empty save two giant rats who were just starting to nest. David put his foot down on the first one turning it into a fine red mist. The second rat got as far as Alice who got it with the butt of her staff.
As they headed for the second outpost, they felt something, Martin felt his holy symbol rattled in his belt he gripped it tightly and prepared. The coach slowed and stopped. David and Martin were the first out followed by Alice and Vivian. They moved up the trail to find a most unusual group. Martin could hardly believe his eyes. There were a group of demons walking up the road, four level 50 hell hounds according to his monocle four demonic soldiers around level 60 and a caster around level 75.
Alice looked over in their direction she looked round at the cart driver, ¡°back up and ¡ turn around¡±. Alice looked at the group ¡°The caster is mine I need a breakthrough ¡and I want to prove my magic is better¡±. The rest of the group looked a little surprised Martin shrugged, ¡°if you need help let me know¡±.
The demonic caster was a woman of substantial proportions, her red skin and large horns signified her level as pretty high. The horns formed a helmet of sorts elegantly sculpted but defensive in nature. It easily showed through her red robe that she had two bat like wings arranged like a cloak behind her. She needed to expend mana to use them for any amount of time. Her body was quite tall at six foot six, her face fair the hair long and red but a much darker shade than her body the same with her eyebrows and lips.
She carried a staff forged with infernal magic. The body that she wore was someone possessed for a very long time their flesh twisted and corrupted to the demoness whims. She was tougher than a human magical user, but her body was still far weaker than the rest of her demonic entourage.
The rest of the group were also wearing possessed bodies making them much harder to deal with. A simple purge soul would have removed a demon in a conjured body, but one wearing human flesh not so easy. The demon soldiers were all seven feet tall two men two women there were a few irregularity''s a few extra fangs a few extra fingers. Maybe a toe or two out of place but the demons were human in the form they possessed. Their horns were long and grew around their skulls to form helmets as thick as iron. They each wore a mix of iron and steel plate armour reinforced with a little demonic magic. They carried a few spears each, a mace and a large oval shield they walked in step disciplined but still relaxed confident supremely arrogant.
The four hell hounds looked intelligent for giant slavering dogs eight feet long. They had glowing red eyes black and blood red patchy fur and jaws like a forge or press ready to crush and burn. They had horns that flared back and up so that they could not injured themselves. Level 50 was the height that a hell hound could be summoned at. There were four of them wearing the bodies of dogs fully possessed and corrupted.
Martin could see a chance to exercise an uninvited force from this world. David could see little profit in this, but he was bound to at least reach a grand master status from this battle. Vivian saw some target practice just another thing in the mission. Alice wanted to test herself against other magic users. She needed to be able to do this if she was ever going to have the strength to make the mages tower into what she believed it should be. The demoness looked at the group, ¡°I guess the creator god has a sense of humour, they hate our guts for daring to step foot on his creation. I can sense your level of power this should be what I detest a fair fight¡±.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
The hell hounds split into two groups ready to charge, the soldier demons formed a shield wall and spat a few insults at the group of adventures. The caster sat back she eyed them contemptuously, Martin spat his words out, ¡°you will soon go back to the place you belong¡±. ¡°My little band has walked this world for twenty years; I don''t think you will be the one to end us¡±. Malice looked at them, ¡°I am going to personally wipe ¡the floor with you, just me, your mine you ¡demon bitch¡±. ¡°A feisty little mage how surprising¡±.
Vivian looked at her ¡°a hired sword to help the vampires attack North port¡±? ¡°Close they promise me many of their slaves to bring more of my kind over. I think they mentioned four masters, that must have been old information you have all exceeded a masters rank now¡±.
The demoness was happy to babble on with more inane self-congratulatory banter. Martin took the opportunity to start the fight. He had his four barrelled pistol at the ready four silver balls ready to go. He targeted one of the hell hounds the alternative fire and four silver bullets penetrated its skull. The beast wobbled and collapsed. Martin had empowered the shots with a focus aim and a wrath blessing there was one less demon dog. He threw a silvered dagger the next instant as the hell hound next to it snapped out of its surprise and moved forwards.
David charged at the other pair of hell hounds intercepting them after they were two far from the soldiers for support. He knocked the first one aside with an adrenalin block that surprised the creature. The second one didn''t have a chance to dodge as a power attack followed by another rained down on it. The strikes were not actuate but powerful the tip of the sword cut into the beast then a second blow then another. David paused to knock the second hell hound back then finished off the first. Vivian targeted the shield wall and aimed low her shots hitting the demonic soldiers in the ankles and feet just below where their oval shields covered an irritating but not fatale wound.
The demonic sorceress tried to get Alice. She had rapidly cast illusionary allies and elemental shield. The demon quickly realised that her magic was mostly hitting decoys her fire bolts and fire balls were blocked by Alice''s elemental shield or just hit illusions. Alice layered on bonus vitality and sent an acid strike back at the demoness who had to use an infernal ward to protect herself from the ball of corrosion. The demoness considered targeting one of the other members of the party, but Alice probably had several spells that could devastate her if she divided her attention. They were at a stale mate though as Alice kept moving. The demoness was wasting her mana not that she didn''t have a lot of it to begin with.
Martin used his lion hearts hammer with a few throwing knives to finish off the second hell hound attacking him. He held out his holy symbol ¡°pillar of fire¡± the column of fire swept over the line of demonic soldiers carefully missing the caster behind them, she was Alice''s target. The result was unimpressive. One demon laughed, ¡°we are highly resistant to fire¡±. The result was a second attack ¡°pillar of ice¡± an icy column swept over the line freezing and shaking the demons. They looked far less willing to fight now having just had a miniature blizzard dropped on them. David cut down the second hell hound in short order and banged on his shield an invitation to the demons to come and attack him, he didn''t move from the spot.
Vivian targeted the demons with her mithril arrows piercing the shields and wounding the demons beyond. The demons had spears and threw them two collided with David''s shield two hit an illusionary allies that Alice had cast. Two completely missed Vivian considering how far back she was. Alice switched things up the demoness tried to use an infernal circle spell against Alice, but she interrupted it with a kinetic strike so that the spell dissipated halfway through. The demonic spell slinger was getting angry. She pulled out her most powerfully spell lava lance similar to a mana lance spell it demolished three of Alice''s illusions. The demoness gave up it was draining her mana too fast. She ducked down behind the wall of shields and started to summon extra help. No sooner than her conjured demon arrived than it was hit with an icy tomb spell and neutralised.
As the demons would not come to him David lobed a flask of oil at their feet hitting two of the soldiers, Martin ignited it with thermite the burning metal and oil was painful to the demons, but they still held their ground. Vivian went to her adamantine arrows. They pierced one demons shield travelled through the demon and came out the other side. The demons had no further plan on standing still they charged forwards, two heading for David two heading for Martin.
Martin took the two demons coming after him out of the fight for a few seconds holding up his holy symbol, ¡°word of judgement¡± the demon was hit with a barrage of sonic damage and holy damage stunning them. ¡°hand of judgement¡± a glowing fist planted the second demon into the ground, breaking off both his horns in the process. He used his holy blessings ¡°hallowed earth, aura of faith circle of consecration, sphere of consecration¡±. The two demons began to howl in pain as the holy energy caused their skin to start to peel and the blood in their veins to bubble. They were quite vulnerable to the holy damage.
David blocked the first demon that charged him then ducked backwards as the second demon stepped into a face full of adamantine arrows curtsey of Vivian. The demoness took to the air to avoid a poison gas cloud spell and to try and counter the barrage of acidic magic Alice was throwing at her. The demon overwhelmed Alice''s shield spell with a barrage of infernal bolts only for Alice to use healing aura. A mana expensive spell but she healed the damage that the demoness inflicted rapidly.
Martin finished off one of the downed demons with his own sword as the demon staggered around. The second demon rushed forwards drawing on his own demonic essence diminishing his own infernal soul to give him the energy to attack. He buried his sword in Martins chest before he could use his defensive blessing the demon grinned, but Martin didn''t go down. Blood dripped under Martins mask, he mumbled something holding his holy symbol up divine regeneration was rapidly healing him.
The demon had never fought a high-level vampire hunter and treated him as a human not a monster. Martin held up his holy symbol, bolts of lightning hit the demon with his chain smite blessing the demon staggered back. Martin pulled out the sword and the wound closed the demon face and chest were charred it staggered and fell back its host body dead.
The last demon soldier was finding it impossible to fight David effectively. If she dodged David''s attacks Vivian put an arrow in her. If she avoided Vivian David would try and slice something off, now the vampire hunter was heading towards her as well. She threw her weapons at David and gave him a pair of defiant rude gestures before an arrow penetrated her skull and a sword chopped off her right arm. The last soldier was down, the rest of the party watched Alice battle the demonic sorceress. Ready to come to her aid if the tide seemed to turn against her.
The demoness was quite mobile with her wings, but she was limited to the number of spells she could maintain. Alice''s illusionary allies did a marvellous job of wasting her magic she cast a barrier to block an electrical strike from Alice only to be hit by a kinetic strike as well. It passed right through the barrier designed to adsorb magical energy. The wave of pure force knocked her out of the air as she landed, she was enveloped by an icy tomb spell a poisonous gas cloud and a second electric strike Alice had dropped almost all of her defences to create the layered attack. The demoness rapidly cast corrupt life and infernal heal on herself, to repair her body as she tried to get out of the gas cloud.
As she emerged, she tried to hurl field of chains and mind crush at Alice only hitting more illusionary allies, the last defensive spell the mage had in place. Alice hit her with a second icy tomb spell then a barrage of acid strike spells to the wings and face. The demoness collapsed making an obscene gesture, ¡°remember my name mortal, I will crush you it is gaaaaaaaaaagh ...¡±. Alice landed an acid strike right in the demon''s mouth ending the fight and killing her.
Alice saw what was next, she felt a sensation the flow of time ground to a halt a message appeared in her mind¡¯s eye. A special action has been performed feat of marshal strength has been achieved you have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been increased to level 100. She had made it over the 75 limit she would keep growing gaining the power she needed to forge the destiny she wanted.
The level up hit, and David finally caught up with Vivian with the same level, Martin reached level 86 and improved his general melee skill up to level ten. Alice hit level 76 she gained the basic version of the spell earthen wall, based on a Druidic spell it allowed her to mould the earth into a defensive fortification and once completed the spell didn''t need extra magic or concentration to maintain the packed earth.
They piled the body''s up including the hell hounds Martin tired something he held his holy symbol on the top of the pile, ¡°purge soul, purify¡±. The body''s twisted and reshaped back to the humans and dogs they had been before. Their skin was very dark they must have originally come from the southern land. The hounds were burn the other bodies would be given last rights and cremation though they would be treated with some caution, considering their former infernal occupants.
The second outpost was also unimpressive one old diseased thrall hound keeping watch on an abandoned couple of caves. David cut the beast down before it could even properly rise, they found some evidence of other beasts having used the caves but nothing of any note was left but a few scraps of bone. They burnt the hound¡¯s body and kept going.
The third time was the charm so to speak. There was a thrall on the surface keeping watch Vivian knocked an arrow into his leg, he made a bit of noise then Martin got to him. A use of his purify blessing and the confused man was free from the thrall taint. But with an arrow lodged in his leg, a little concentration from Martin and the arrow was out. Alice healed the wound and the former thrall was sent to the coach.
There were two more thralls two fledgling vampires and a full-blooded vampire watching over ten recently captured humans, they were effectively going to become slaves for the vampires. They were locked in a large cage that dominated half the room. The vampires had heard the commotion and didn''t seem surprised as the party entered. They had probably expected far lower level opponents. Some level of realisation filled the three vampires¡¯ eyes as they saw what had barged in on them. The surprise rapidly turned to dread even on their best day not one of these vampires could threaten a single member of the group.
One of the fledgling vampires grabbed a slave as a hostage waving a dagger near there neck. The vampire was hit in the face before she could react, with a silver arrow a silver pistol ball and a fire bite spell. It was not quite enough force to dust her, but she was not going to be getting up again any time soon. Alice used her earthen wall spell for the first time creating a batter between the slaves and the vampires. The two thralls launched themselves at the party. The first had an axe the at bounced of David''s shield only for him to pommel strike then into unconsciousness. Martin knocked the second one senseless with a strike to the forehead.
Martin pointed out the full vampire, ¡°that one we need dispose of the others¡±. David gutted the second fledgling dropping it to the floor so that Martin could easily stake it. Alice finished off the vampire on the floor with a fire bite spell. The last vampire started to back away. ¡°let¡¯s talk about this you want information; I am sure that I can give you something useful¡±. The vampire drew a blade and charged at Martin. David stepped in and smacked them in the face with his shield, Alice sent them flying with a kinetic strike spell. Vivian put an arrow into their knee and Martin smacked the vampire over the head with his holy symbol leaving a sizzling imprint.
The vampire spat up a bit of blood and made a couple of rude gestures. Martin shot them in the other knee with a lead pistol ball. David brought the pommel of his sword down on their head. Vivian swept the vampires legs out from under them and Alice hit them in the hand with a weak acid strike spell, when they reached for their dropped blade.
The vampire cursed them and crawled back a few paces. David sheathed his sword and smacked the vampire again Martin started tenderizing the vampire with strikes from his mallet. Vivian put down her backpack and recovered the muzzle and shackles Alice watched over the slaves and the thralls as the two mercenary''s man handled the vampire. While Martin tightened the restraints until the vampire was not going anywhere.
They found a key and freed the slaves, the thralls were purged of the vampire corruption. Martin set a few limbs Alice provided a bit of healing magic. The vampire¡¯s fangs were collected for the bounty. The struggling vampire was stuffed in the sack and carried away by David and Vivian.
They gave the former slaves any rations they could find slowly the group made its way back to North port. This number of rescued captives was quite high, the worst rode in the coach with Martin to keep an eye on the vampire. David and Vivian kept an eye out on the rest and the former thralls, Alice sat next to the driver and kept an eye out, her spells at the ready. The coach moved slowly at a waling pace to help the people get back in one piece. Despite an occasional struggle from the sack the rest of the journey was quiet.
status screen at the end of chapter 15
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
75 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
410/410 |
Adrenalin |
375/375 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
81 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
75 |
Level Defence Bonus |
75 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
229 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L12 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L4 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| Better Criticals L8 |
Pierce Armour L8 |
Shatter Shield L8 |
| Strike Through target 8 |
Improved Range L4 |
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Flaws |
| |
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
75 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
410/410 |
Adrenalin |
375/375 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
81 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
75 |
Level Defence Bonus |
75 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
229 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L12 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L4 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L4 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
Bonus sword damage L4 |
Hail of Blows L4 |
| Counter Armour L4 |
Counter Heavy Armour L4 |
Counter Shield Defence L4 |
| Protect Allies L4 |
Contract Bonds L4 |
|
|
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
76 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
243/243 |
Mana |
510/510 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
81 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
76 |
Level Defence Bonus |
76 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
4 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 2 Mana |
Magical Defence |
150 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L4 |
Analyse Magic L4 |
Recharge Enchantment L4 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage + 5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) allies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| Elemental Shield Master (5 x level Resistance to Cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 25 seconds |
| Icy Tomb Master (7 points of cold damage per level 13 seconds) freezes target in place instant 10 x base mana |
| Electric Strike Master targeted spell 13 foot radius (40 damage + 7 per level) 4 x base mana |
| Illusionary Allies Master - target individual 13 copies of caster illusions remain for 6 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Poison Gas Cloud Master ¨C cast on area 10 foot by 30 foot duration 7 seconds 3 point of poison damage per level 2 x base mana |
| Bonus Vitality Master ¨C cast on target gets 6 x level bonus hp for 6 x level seconds ¨C 4 x base mana |
| Tracking Kinetic strike Master 45 + (7 x level) physical damage 3x base mana |
| Earthan wall (defensive barrior) 4 x level +50 hp of barrior ¨C 3 x base mana |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
Shy with Peers |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
86 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
2844/2844 |
Focus |
484/484 |
Focus efficiency 2 focus |
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
93 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
97 |
Level Defence Bonus |
97 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire + Minion |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L4 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L4 |
| Greater Psionic Resistance |
|
|
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L17 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L4 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L4 |
Focus Multi Throw L4 |
| General Melee Weapons L12 |
Focus strike L4 |
Grenadier L14 |
| Focus Parry L4 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L8 |
| Focus Stitch L4 |
Trap specialization L5 |
Poison Use L4 |
| Focus Diagnose L4 |
Focus Set Limb L4 |
Focus Resuscitate L4 |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 10 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 14 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 6 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 11 |
|
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 3 |
| Greater resist igna ¨C resistance to 65 points of fire damage x 2 |
| Greater resist lightning ¨C resistance to 65 points of electricity damage x 2 |
| Greater resist cold ¨C resistance to 65 points of cold damage x 2 |
| Litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing x 1 |
| Bastion of faith ¨C 250 points of temporary health + 30 points of armor x 1 |
| Citadel of Faith ¨C 300 points of temporary health + 40 points of armor x 1 |
| Pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt x 3 |
| Pillar of Fire ¨C 400 point fire attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 3 |
| Pillar of Ice ¨C 400 point Ice attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter x 2 |
| Hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down x 1 |
| Word of Judgment ¨C 500 sonic damage 500 holy damage stuns target 5 seconds x 1 |
| Purge mind ¨C cleans mind control x 3 |
| Purge soul ¨C removes demonic corruption possession x 3 |
| Cleanse air - cleans tainted air x 2 |
| Cleanse soil ¨C cleans tainted ground x 2 |
| Cleanse water ¨C cleans corruption form water x 2 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 150 points Long ranger rank 3 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% + accuracy 60% |
| Vitality level 2 ¨C 3 x base hit points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 16 - Meet Thomas Drem
The carriage slowly arrived at the gates of North-port, a sniffer dog a priest a holy symbol a few other checks and the carriage and the people following it were let into the city. Another check at the inner gate and the coach headed towards the cathedral. The priest on duty started to organise things the bodies that had been possessed by the demons were given last rights and a cremation. The former slaves and thralls were checked over, then fed. Arrangements were made to give them lodgings and take statements, for any useful information that could aid the triune against the vampires.
The party waited at the gate of the cathedral; they had been instructed not to bring the package inside without the bishop attending. Or they would have to go right back to find another package. The master hunter Francis arrived five minutes later, ¡°I will take statements from the captives you freed later, is the package intact¡±? David smacked his closed fist into his open palm grinning under his helmet ¡°we tenderised it a little before it would fit in the bag¡±.
The senior priest they had met before walked towards them, the bishop was next to him. ¡°Would you believe it that man who helped the wounded man from his village from broken gorge. That fellow John Dunn he went off on the seven points pilgrimage by himself, not with a group just by himself¡±. The senior priest seemed impressed. The bishop was also touched but tempered his attitude with the reality of life, ¡°John might make a really good priest his faith is pure, if he survives this adventure¡±.
The bishop and the senior priest rapidly talked over a few matters, Vivian faced Francis, ¡°we bumped into a pack of demons. The vampires are pulling in any sell sword they can find, can you tell us what is going on yet¡±? ¡°Give it ten twenty minutes and you will know, the talk of demons is worrying I assume they have been exorcised how many were they¡±? ¡°Four soldiers a female caster and a few hell hounds, possessing bodies from the south lands by the look of them¡±. Vivian nodded as martin handed her something. Vivian handed the fangs to Francis he inspected them, ¡°fledgling vampires I can give you 10 silver as a reward, I will look to see if there was a bounty on the demons¡±.
The bishop finished with the senior priest and turned to the party and their delivery. ¡°I am sorry I am a little busy today¡±. He looked at the package and made the sign of a blessing, ¡°I grant the dispensation¡±. He handed Francis a key, ¡°you do the honours its more your duty than mine¡±. They took the package over the threshold and the vampire inside the bag didn''t explode scream or start smoking. More than once a vampire had been captured and they needed to move them around a sanctified fortress. The dispensation blessing was granted to bishops and certain senior priests for this reason. It also allowed magical objects to be taken onto holy sights without the consecrated ground slowly unravelling the magic in the items.
The vampire inside the bag struggled a little as they carried it into the cathedral. The vampire expected a slow interrogation to find out anything that they knew. Not that a vampire of their level would be entrusted with any really sensitive information. They went down several flights of steps past the vault of internment where various urns were stored. They went below that to a deeper vault where the bodies of bishops were laid to rest. Finally, to a secure vault under cathedral a very thick steel door that had several very large locks on it.
When it was opened up there were sealed barrels Vivian''s nose flared there was a hint of something that was becoming very close to her heart. She swore that she could see little hints of blue powder and stains on the barrels. She wondered for a second if it was some massive store of confiscated drugs. They rapidly moved past it to another door that looked to be even bigger. Something the size of a cupboard.
Francis pulled a syringe of some type from his jacket he jabbed it into the vampire and extracted a little blood through the bag. He wiped the cobwebs away from the vault a click of the key and there were four corresponding clinks and the vault swung open. They noticed that the vault had a handle on the inside, so that whoever was inside it could open it up. There appeared to be the preserved body of a hunter resting in a chair.
Francis pulled out a tin funnel from beneath the chair and wedged it into the mouth, perhaps there was not actually a dead person but someone in some very strange coma. The hunter pushed the syringe some blood from the vampire poured into the funnel, the body moved yawned as if it was wakening up, its pale countenance reversed. Francis looked back ¡°unwrap the package¡± the vampire was pulled out of the sack and held up by Martin and David.
The figure stood up and grinned it reached for the vampire who tried to pull back it removed the muzzle the vampire''s eyes were full of fear, ¡°no its the abomination it died years ago no¡±. The thing from the vault smiled, his voice was totally human a pleasant cheerful tone. ¡°My Name is Tomas Drem, not the abomination that is the last thing you will hear¡±. He bit into the vampire¡¯s neck and started to drain their blood. It took a minute but slowly the vampire withered and desiccated then crumbled to dust Tomas wiped his jaw.
He looked around the room Alice had cast two defensive spells. David had his sword drawn Martin had a pistol out but not pointed and Vivian almost had an arrow notched. Francis gestured for them to put their weapons away. David looked puzzled ¡°are you some sort of vampire¡±? Thomas looked insulted, ¡°no I am something else, I am a Krsnik a legend, I am a predator of the predators. born human they caught me. They needed more troops, so they tried to turn me against my will. But I didn''t die I didn''t turn. I survived I changed, and they had a bitter harvest. I have all their strengths none of their weakness. The heart of a common man still beats within my chest¡±.
He nodded taking off his hat, ¡°thanks for the meal, my diet is over. I need to eat a fledgling a month to keep active and a full vampire will keep me going two months, so it will be a while before I have to feed again¡±. Tomas looked completely human now a skinny man anyone would have missed him as just another recruit for the vampire hunters he dusted off his coat and hat. He had two adamantine blades with holy symbol engraved on knuckle duster grips they seemed to be designed for him to hold in a reverse guard or an ice pick grip. He had no armour but wore a typical hunter¡¯s outfit. He carried a mithril and silver holy symbol, he could probably break a wooden one by mistake if he was that strong.
Martin looked at Drem, ¡°I have read about you in the history of the northern hunters. Forced to drink a vampire¡¯s blood to sustain himself, about fifty years ago it happened. He gets stronger the longer he puts off feeding and killed the one that tried to turn him that same night¡±. ¡°Quite correct Martin, I need to dust off the cobwebs after my little sleep, how about a little hunt my friends a chance to slay a few servants of the enemy¡±. He looked over the group, ¡°you do look a little tired I suppose you just got back from bringing me lunch right¡±? Alice nodded in response yawning and resting against her staff for a second.
He shook Francis hand, ¡°has much changed since my time sleeping, quite a bit must have happened you were a veteran not a master last time I saw you¡±. Martin has his own questions ¡°how did you get into that vault in the last place¡±? ¡°I killed one of the empress of shadows favourites, she was rather thorough in trying to kill me. So, I faked my death and laid low for a few years, I think that there was over 50 gold or 5000 silver on my head then¡±.
Francis nodded, ¡°they even sneaked an assassin into the grand citadel library when he was acting librarian there¡±. He turned back to Thomas, ¡°we have made contact with the Western elves they are of our faith; we are negotiating a trade pact with them. It will strengthen us greatly the vampires seek to destroy it and the hidden hand seek to profit form it at our expense. We decided it worth the risk of waking you up for the extra help¡±. ¡°I see, as ever I am willing to serve my god, the church the order and the triune¡±.
Vivian shook his hand, ¡°We need food and sleep, we will meet you at the hunters house in eight hours¡¯ time is that ok¡±? He smiled back not a hint of his fangs showing, ¡°I forget most need rest who don''t have a hunter¡¯s endurance¡±. Alice enquired out of a degree of fascination it was very rare to meet such a unique magical phenomenon ¡°do you take food ¡at all¡±? ¡°I can eat and drink food and wine, however I gain only enjoyment no sustenance from it. I will partake from time to time¡±.
Martin gestured to the holy symbol on Thomas''s belt, ¡°I presume that you are unaffected¡±. He held his holy symbol out wiping the dust from it, ¡°I am unaffected by anything holy, I can use a holy symbol myself¡±. David gestured to his short-range weapons ¡°what sort of fighting style do you prefer, do you have more equipment stored elsewhere¡±? ¡°I fight a bit like a brawler, I have greater vitality and durability than a vampire elite, with a little help I can take on an elder, I have survived duels with ancients though I would have lost eventually¡±.
The party left and returned to the duchesses¡¯ residence, they ate a very quick meal and got some sleep. Alice was the first to rise and woke the rest of them up. A bit of grumbling a few preparations and the group headed out to meet up with Tomas at the hunter¡¯s house. He led them from the hunter¡¯s house past the check points and out of the city. He seemed to have something in mind as if he could feel something.
Vivian''s golem eye focused in on Thomas, ¡°do you perceive the world differently than when you were a human¡±. ¡°I have a vampire¡¯s keen senses, I can smell the taint strongly there must be something lurking in the woods¡±. He breathed in ¡°A thrall wolf pack a little warm up¡±. The wolves appeared a few minutes later, they were moving towards one of the vampire lairs that had not yet been raided by the group. Thomas grinned, ¡°A little more interesting they are led by a hell hound, a good fight¡±. He drew his daggers in an ice pick grip and charged forwards.
There was one hell hound an alpha pack leader, surrounding it were the strongest members of the pack 20 nightmare thrall wolves. With less experienced wolves following numbering 40 terror thrall wolves and 30 dread thrall wolves nearly a hundred in total. Vivian looked at the group, ¡°I will get some higher ground. Alice can you shield yourself Martin David chew up the small fry¡±. The shouted back affirmatives and got into position. The hell hound hung back the dread thrall wolves charged in, the terror thrall wolves split left and right to try and flank them.
Thomas charged in his blades unsheathed the wolves closed in on him and he stabbed sliced and rained blows down on them. The wolves seemed to do little damage to him as he kept carving away at them, within seconds five lay dead at his feet. Martin emptied his four barrelled pistol at the group, precise focused silver head shots, empowered with the divine retribution blessing, four of the thrall wolves fell dead.
David smacked into them with his shield then began using power attacks to dismember the opponents, blood fur and limbs were sent flying as he cut down another three and wounded several more. Alice hit one group with two fire balls they fell apart wounding a few, killing six more of the creatures. Vivian used her Damascus bodkin arrows head and heart they fell to her attacks four more of the creatures.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Most of the dread thrall wolves were wiped out and the terror thrall wolves moved into take their place. The hell hound pack leader charged in with the nightmare thrall wolves. Alice softened the group up with an electric strike and a poisonous gas cloud spell blanketing the area. She used earthen wall to pull up a barrier around herself and illusionary allies then a physical shield spell. Vivian took out two of the remaining dread wolves then started to climb into a tree, where she would be out of the way. David happily chopped his way through the stragglers eliminating the rest of the dread thrall wolves.
Thomas charged into the middle of the pack aiming straight for the hell hound leader. He started to stab and hack away at the nightmare thrall wolves. Martin covered the area around him with blessings ¡°holy aura, sphere of consecration circle of consecration¡±. He targeted one group of attackers ¡°field of wrath¡±. The tainted wolves received some holy damage as they got close enough to be hit by the blessings it was softening them up if not outright killing them.
As Tomas took on the nightmare thrall wolves, he didn''t have quite the devastating effect against the tougher beasts he still sliced two down. Alice started to focus on the terror thrall wolves her fire balls were quite effective blasting and cooking the wolves that tried to penetrate her defences. Four of them fell to her duel cast fire balls. David charged into the pack their numbers stopped them from dodging his strikes as their own attacks bounced of his armoured hide. He wounded several more and cut three down that would not get back up.
Vivian used her mithril tipped arrows to devastating effect. A single aimed power shot and an opponent would go down head or neck her rapid firing quickly polished off five more of the terror thrall wolves. Martin used his pillar of fire blessing and summoned a brief tornado of fire he ran it through the heart of the pack a few beasts were singed, four were caught in its inferno left dead as the pillar of fire ended.
The nightmare thrall wolves tried to pin down Thomas, to allow their leader to rip his throat out. Every strike Thomas made towards it, the creature ducked back and one of its companions took the blow. He still managed to slay three more but was starting to feel his wounds perhaps he had been overly enthusiastic for battle. Alice''s earthen wall defence crumbled, and the wolves started to throw themselves at her shield spell.
Her almost point-blank fire balls and acid strike spells claimed the lives of four more of the terror wolves. David started to cut his way back to Alice before her shield spell was overwhelmed by mangy body''s. Three of the wolves were caught between him and Alice''s shield spell they were cut apart.
Some of the wolves attacked the base of Vivian''s tree only to be struck with mithril arrows. Her aim was unnerving as two more at the base of the tree and two more by Alice fell to the last of her mithril arrows. Martin used his field of wrath blessing adding a little more damage to the pack before he tried a similar technique with his pillar of ice blessing. The freezing tornado whipped through the pack; however, they were not as tightly packed as the first time and had some resistance to the cold, three of them still fell encased in ice never to rise again.
Tomas kept fighting small wounds built up this happened in both directions as one by one the nightmares fell before him. He was chipping away at the strongest part of the pack for every scratch he paid them back a stab until they fell, three more of the twisted creatures dying at his feet. Alice hit the wolves with a poison cloud spell as well as casting cure poison on David. He grimaced and kept fighting not a great fan of that tactic, it was still undeniably affective David was able to cut down eight of the remaining wolves.
Martin dealt with the last two holding his holy symbol, ¡°hand of judgement¡± the holy energy manifested as a giant fist that landed on the top of one wolf crushing it with a bone twisting splat, the wolf was not getting up. ¡°Pillar of salt¡± the last wolf stopped then crumbles into 400 pounds of salt obliterating it. Vivian started to target the nightmare thrall wolves. The larger tougher beasts took two hits from her octium arrows before they went down. She floored another two of them she still had six more octium arrows before she switched to adamantine.
The hell hound felt the tide of battle running against it, its pack had been slaughtered with barely a few good hits landing on a couple of the adventures. Numbers were meaningless if the opponents could ward them off like David''s armour Alice''s spells Martin and Thomas''s inhuman constitution and Vivian''s use of the terrain. Still the hell hound realised that to run was to die as well. It was a creature of the infernal death was not the end. It would be re-summoned and could win another pack again, it went on the offensive all out.
Thomas met its charge head on it clamped it¡¯s jaws on him he dug his knives into it. Alice bombarded the remains of the pack with acid strike spells aiming for the heads two more melted under the barrage. David charged into the mass of already wounded creatures cutting one down and sending the rest scattering. Martin summoned another ¡°pillar of fire¡± managing to catch two more of the wolves in a tornado of roaring flames. Vivian put her remaining six octium arrows into two more of the wolves and reached for her adamantine arrows.
Thomas was being shaken about like a rag doll. Yet he still kept stabbing away at the hell hound finally he got it in the eye it let go of him he didn''t release it his second blade opened its throat the beast bled but still fought he kept stabbing away. Martin hit one of the last few wolves with his smite blessing a few times until it fell down dead. Alice struck the wolf closest to her with an icy tomb spell it was a slow but guaranteed kill with the wolf''s resistance to the cold. The last of the pack was hit by an adamantine arrow pinning it to the ground a strike from David beheaded it and the pack was no more.
Thomas kept stabbing and striking the hell hound again and again until it finally collapsed. Two swift cuts and the beast twitched and remained still. Thomas held his holy symbol to the beasts head it convulsed spasmed then collapsed into a pool of black ooze. Thomas took a few deep breaths he looked like he had been chewed up and spat out a few timed. ¡°we fight and win I am back a few hours to heal and no damage done¡±.
The level up hit David and Vivian had not had a breakthrough, but Martin and Alice gained a level at level 77 Alice got the improved version of her earthen wall spell. Martin hit level 87 pushing his general melee weapon skill up to 11. Alice set about healing everyone including Thomas who required a surprising amount of healing.
Vivian gathered up her arrows and Martin reloaded his weapons. David turned accusingly to Alice.
¡°friendly fire Alice a simple phrase, I know we discussed that tactic a while ago but give me a frigging warning if you¡¯re going to use it¡±. ¡°If I had shouted a warning ¡the thrall wolves would have been smart enough to back up¡±. ¡°Fine then cast cure poison on me before you use the poison cloud not after, so I am temporarily protected¡±.
They cut the heads from the largest wolves then piled the rest up a little oil and up they went like a pyre. Between them they carried the largest twenty nightmare thrall wolves¡¯ heads back to North port. The guards at the front gate were surprised. David grinned, ¡°we left three times this number behind to burn couldn''t carry them all¡±. They met the deputy sheriff and handed the wolf heads over to him. ¡°Lead by a hell hound you say, these will make good trophies. They remind me of a pack from around Ulysses crossing, place must have posted a bounty of some sort let me check and I will get back to you tomorrow¡±. Thomas headed off to the hunter¡¯s house to catch up on the orders happenings.
When they got back to the duchess''s residence the steward had something for Vivian a bundle wrapped in clean white cloth with red twine. It had a note a delivery of Vivian''s adamantine arrows. She slowly unwrapped them checking over the craftsmanship. She handed them one by one to Alice who nodded, ¡°the enchantment is as strong as you ¡wanted exactly what you asked for¡±.
Martin looked at her main quiver as Vivian tried to find a place for them. ¡°I can sow another pocket on the side¡±. She picked up the arrows and her bow and headed for the practice area. ¡°There fletched with griffin feathers Savon hickory my favourite, I can¡¯t wait to try them out,¡±. Vivian kept on practising while Martin worked on Vivian''s quiver.
Alice read a bit of one of her books while David gathered a few off-duty guards and started to drill them with a few of the militia. He had them building up strength and stamina over and above what they already possessed. A few of them would meet up with them later and he would try and fail to win back a few bronze pennies from them.
They settled down for a meal later on. David looked round the table, ¡°I never thought that I would be working with a vampire, I was worried in the fight about him turning on us¡±. Martin corrected his colleague, ¡°he doesn''t like to be called that, he is a Kursk? I think was how they pronounced it. He can''t gain any sustenance from humans anyway; we are off the menu¡±.
David was not so easily reassured his face twitched. ¡°How does he know he can¡¯t gain sustenance form human''s, he must have tried at one point¡±! Martin defended his fellow hunter, ¡°biting a human would not necessarily kill them, even so I would not bring that up when he is around¡±.
Alice had an intense professional curiosity, ¡°this is amazing ¡the spell that animates a vampire is truly powerful a blend of necromancy sorcery and blood alchemy ¡really complicated really powerful. But to see it warped in this way, turned back on itself. It¡¯s not some random occurrence right, spells don''t work that way, sometimes it fails ¡and you get a Wight. The memory is not retained with the body, but a wight functions exactly ¡the same as a vampire just no mind. This is completely different; the spell is far more likely to fall ¡apart than to be so fundamentally changed to be turned inside out¡±.
Vivian hazarded a guess ¡°So what do you think interfered with the spell¡±? ¡°You would call it a miracle ¡the creator god put two fingers up to the vampires and sent them a punishment, no ¡ other force I know can alter a spell that entrenched so fundamentally without destroying it¡±.
Vivian had to think tactically strategically, ¡°This Tomas Drem is an interesting fellow mild as you like outside combat. But he swings away like a back-alley brawler the moment the fight started. I don''t see a professional solder, unless he was just blowing off steam today. I don''t see a skilled warrior a tough man to be sure fighting and stabbing away. He''s never had to develop a high level of skill he has just crashed into the fight. He''s probably used to fighting vampires who were strong and tough and are not used to fighting something anywhere as durable as themselves¡±.
Martin thought about it, ¡°He seems a bit stronger than an elite vampire he''s fifty years like this, so stronger than the usual vampires of his age. An elite normally has to be about 75 years dead roughly if I remember¡±. ¡°I am surprised he has not made more of a name for himself¡±. ¡°He said the bounty was 50 gold on his head he must have done something impressive¡±. ¡°He killed someone connected to the Empress of shadows not necessarily strong but useful to her perhaps¡±. ¡°What''s the point Vivian¡±?
¡°The point is if he was the spearhead of a good solid team, if he had some better equipment a long blade, he could be far more effective it seems a waste almost¡±. Martin shrugged, ¡°that''s his personal choice, He was the orders librarian remember he is ordered to fight not necessarily choosing it. He could still be quite stealthy, you might have disregarded that skill set, move fast travel light right¡±. ¡°A good point Martin, we shall see if he pulls any surprises¡± Vivian looked at the group, ¡°We might not be anywhere near as durable as he is but under the right circumstances we can hit just as hard¡±.
Martin spoke carefully, ¡°whatever your assessment of him Vivian he is someone that can take care of themselves, he is not dead weight. He is terrifying to vampires that see themselves as the top predator even over dragons and things the size of green belly. He eats them he consumes their life force as they consume the life of others. Its fucking poetic irony that shows the creator god has a sense of humour in some things¡±.
¡°Perhaps your right Martin, he killed those thrall wolves easily enough. In the tight confines of a vampire¡¯s lair that style of fighting close up would probably be better and he has had fifty years to practice this, let¡¯s see if he can keep up with my arrows¡±.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 17 Miracle and Abomination
With another one of the Triune''s heavy hitters backing them up they were looking at taking on the next local vampire lair. They packed ready for a war with the vampires, Vivian had her new arrows to try out adamantium was not exactly cheap, but it should be well worth the price. After they had eaten, a guard passed them word that the deputy sheriff had news for them.
Martin talk to the deputy sheriff, ¡°hunter we have confirmation that pack you destroyed was the one that was roaming the area with the bounty on it. The reward from Ulysses crossing is some equipment. A few of the noble¡¯s merchants and retired adventures put it together. It will be sent over in a couple of days for you to pick up¡±. Martin was neutral it depended what the equipment was if this was a good reward or a bad one.
David was curious, ¡°why just equipment¡±? The officer answered, ¡°despite the size of the town they are quite poor, they are right next to the old elven city they keep a constant watch for golems. If the city''s ever wake up fully that town would be the first to fend off a golem army. There were a few supplies offered. Hopefully so an active hunter or freelance adventure party could take it down, we will see how generous they were¡±.
They headed over to the hunter¡¯s house, Francis had finished bringing Thomas up to speed. He had the glazed look of a man who was trying to retain as much information as possible from a lecture. Alice remembered from her studies. when that was her trying to remember all the pieces of information. Still he had been back up a day and he was already rapidly acclimatizing. Thomas waved Francis good buy and they headed out.
Thomas turned to Martin, ¡°have you got a little something to take the edge off¡±. Martin reached into his jacket and handed him a flask, ¡°ip mixed with a little aniseed for flavour¡±. Thomas thanked him and took a small swig. ¡°Thank the lord, I think I almost dropped off twice and I don''t need to sleep oh well¡±. He handed the flask back to Martin and patted him on the back.
Thomas looked about, ¡°I don''t see many smoking black leaf these days what happened¡±. Vivian shrugged, ¡°few years back the triune passed a law at deep furrow, the population was growing and the amount of land to feed them was not. So, the black leaf was banned, and the land used to grow edible crops¡±. Thomas nodded ¡°I suppose that''s sensible and it¡¯s not like they would import it from the central plains when there are more important goods¡±.
David shrugged ¡°I drilled with one of the guards on the elven ambassador¡¯s protection detail. They have a milder form called grey leaf. They are planning to import a bit, apparently far fewer side effects¡±. Thomas looked a little disappointed, ¡°my pipe and pouch are still in the library back at the orders headquarters, next time I head back I will find them¡±.
They passed a few check points and grabbed a coach ride out to the vampire lair. It was further away from north port, so they were going to be spending more time travelling. In the coach Alice kept looking over Thomas. He sighed, ¡°not my first time working with a mage, but the others were veterans and masters I assume that your ability to detect and understand magic is significantly greater and you wish to examine the spells that are within my body¡±?
Alice looked a bit nervous then grinned, ¡°you¡¯re the most interesting ¡thing I, I mean person I have met so far¡±. Thomas sighed and held out his hand Alice held out her own hand and started to analyse the magic in front of her running through Thomas''s body, ¡°what are you ¡resistant to¡±? ¡°Most vampires past twenty-five years old are resistant to mental control sonic attacks and most sorts of poisons¡±. Alice narrowed her eyes, ¡°that''s ¡interesting¡± she pushed her senses harder Thomas sneezed an involuntary reaction, ¡°this is going to be a long coach ride¡±.
A few hours later they were dropped off, Alice learnt that Thomas knew pretty much nothing about vampire magic. It seemed to be something that the older vampires kept to themselves. Vivian checked their papers, ¡°now according to the notes this is the second closest lair the vampires have that we know about. Anyway, it should be a lot better defended than the first we raided a few days ago. We will probably find an elite running things or even the local elder the prince, it would be nice to stake his regal ass¡±.
Martin turned to his fellow hunter, ¡°Thomas I have been looking for an artefact, something from one of the founders of our order, there was a reference on the body of a hunter we found inside the other lair we raided. That the hand of Tesla might be in one of the other two local lairs. On the remains of a deceased grand master, can you keep an eye out would you¡±. Drem nodded, ¡°yes I remember a reference to a hunter wielding that artefact a hundred years ago. It was supposedly made of adamantine so very durable maybe even black adamantine the holy metal, we shall see what became of it¡±.
David walked next to him and struck up a conversation as they walked past a warning marker on the trail, ¡°how much do you remember from before¡±? ¡°You mean before I went to sleep¡±? No before you were turned into this predator of predators¡±. He was probably used to the question, ¡°I remember it like yesterday, you have to remember at my core I am the same¡±.
¡°Sunlight I walk in the sun, garlic silver nothing to me. My heart still beats I can enjoy a good book a fine meal a good wine¡±. David elbowed him, ¡°what about other things that make a human a human¡±. ¡°You¡¯re a bit personal, I had children before I was turned, and I stayed with my wife. She passed twenty years ago, from old age and a bad winter¡±. He paused thinking, ¡°twenty years has not been enough time but eventually who knows. Why don''t you abandon that line of inquiry boy¡±.
Vivian was next, ¡°You seemed unfocused yesterday Tomas, you were not precisely on target¡±. ¡°Yes, I was distracted, those nightmare thrall wolves were tough but just animals. I didn''t take it too seriously. Rest assured I will treat this with the utmost seriousness¡±. ¡°That''s good to hear, I understand that you were a librarian in the order of hunters what job did you do before¡±? ¡°I was a bookkeeper for a small trading settlement, I kept a ledger of goods in and out sales supplies the like, a bit like a quartermaster I suppose, that was before the settlement was attacked raided¡±.
Martin made conversation, ¡°What''s the strongest thing you have killed¡±? ¡°That would be an elder white, strong but not smart. As you know they can¡¯t use weapons, tactics about as much of a thinker as a zombie or hungry ghoul. Actually, I have seen a few ghouls quite a bit smarter over the years¡±. ¡°What''s the strongest you have killed¡±? ¡°A skeleton dragon it allowed a breakthrough¡±. ¡°Dragons come in many strengths. but if it was truly that strong it would have been an impressive fight to watch, I bet it was a close call¡±.
He looked at Vivian''s eye the scar, ¡°that would have been a close battle¡±? ¡°We just survived a run in with Bismark, who have you survived¡±. ¡°Well I two have gotten away from Bismark twice, also the Devil binder and the Dark light. They are far more powerful, and they step out of the shadows far less often than Bismark. Whatever else the church might have hidden up their sleeve it¡¯s enough that the really big vampires tend to stay in the shadows¡±.
Martin was curious, ¡°you have been around the block for fifty years. What surprises do you know about¡±? ¡°I wouldn''t even hazard a guess, though I don''t think the patriarch himself would know just how many surprises every order of crusaders monks hunters and the like has hidden away¡±.
They passed a vandalised warning marker on the trail; Thomas drew a deep breath. ¡°I can smell some thrall hounds and thralls led by a blood thrall keeping watch on the top of the lair¡±. Vivian nodded ¡°I can see a dozen thralls Martin anything else¡±. ¡°A few hidden in the surrounding tree''s probably sharp shooters Alice can you sense any magic¡±. ¡°I sense a rudimentary alarm spell, no its going to wake something else up, something more substantial will arrive shortly after we do¡±.
They attacked the second vampire lair; six thrall hounds a dozen men led by a blood thrall in steel armour and four sharp shooters opposed them. David Martin and Thomas charged forwards Alice and Vivian stayed behind to provide cover. The blond thrall officer tried to organise the rest of them he was struck down by Martin ¡°smite¡± his armour providing an excellent conduit to the lightning bolt. The thrall hounds lasted seconds the thralls lasted slightly longer as they wanted to take them alive.
Martin has his mallet, David the pommel of his sword and Thomas his knuckle duster grips. None to gently the twelve thralls were battered down. The four sharp shooters didn''t fare much better. Alice dislodged two with kinetic strike spells which dumped them onto the ground. Vivian caught one in the arm and one in the shoulder both were out of the fight. The next thing they knew two massive thrall bears were attacking coming out of a cave the entrance to the vampire''s lair. After a fire ball and a barrage of arrows the two creatures were far less able to fight, Martin and David finished them off quickly.
Thomas dragged the animals into a pile while Martin purified the thralls, removing the vampires taint. Alice healed their wounds with a little help from Martin to put them back together. Eleven of the thralls had survived the hectic battle, they were free now. They were handed the weapons they had wielded and sent in the direction of North port. The dead they loaded onto stretchers made from blankets to take with them for the cathedral.
For a moment they expected the adventures to help them, but it quickly became apparent that their salvation was just a side effect of the groups mission to remove the vampire''s lair. Some complained some grumbled they grabbed what they could and started to trudge off along the cold trail. The group of adventures lit the animals remains on fire and disappeared deeper into the caves that formed the vampires lair.
There was an iron grate between Thomas and David they easily pulled it aside, Martin dismantled a few tripwires. Past that Alice pulled apart a magical glyph that seemed to be a poison spell of some sort. There was a deep whistle from the depths of the lair and a dozen wights in ragged scraps of cloth charged forwards, the failed vampires were animalistic and hungry.
Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°pillar of salt¡± the first collapsed into a chalky powder the rest continued. Martin had his four barrelled pistol loaded with stakes. The tight confines of the cave he released all four barrels with the weapons alternative fire. David and Thomas cut away with their blades Alice threw acid strike spells while Vivian used her Damascus arrows. They collected the fangs from the dead wights Alice and Martin used there healing. Then they moved forwards preparing for the next battle.
They cleared out a few side rooms with a few low-level ghouls in each. Quick brutal battles as the ghouls tried and failed to put up a decent fight. Deeper in they broke apart a few bear traps and an oil trap over a torch, which would have spilled burning oil down onto the party. The group found a sturdy oak door Alice weakened the hinges with acid strike spells between Thomas Martin Vivian and David they forced it open.
Behind the door was a motley assembly of creatures, a full vampire spear in hand with a half dozen fledglings all reasonably well armed. Around them were ten more wights probably also fledglings in terms of age. Around twenty low level ghouls and another dozen thrall hounds. The vampire exerted his will to hold the group together enabling them to fight as a cohesive whole.
The party moved forwards unperturbed. Martin used his blessing field of wrath to do a little damage to each member of the group, then hurled a small thermite grenade in for good measure. David threw a flask of oil into the mass which was ignited by the thermite. He charged forwards and started to cut away. Thomas was vaulting over him to slam into the front ranks of ghouls stabbing and crushing them with ease.
Alice rained acid strike spells down on the middle of the group. Vivian picked off the leader with an octium arrow, right through the skull. It did enough damage to kill the vampire in a single hit she fired away targeting the tougher fledgling vampires.
There was a lurching moan from behind the group the ghouls that they had killed earlier had been raised as zombies, there was a stronger vampire around directing things. Now they were caught in a pincer movement. Alice calmly sealed off the corridor with an earthen wall spell causing the floor of the cave to rise. The zombies would get through it but not in time to aid in the battle. David cut through the thrall hounds Martin used his circle of consecration blessing to envelop the area in holy energy for a few moments weakening everything else left. Vivian finished off the last few vampires with a few well-placed shots. Alice detonated the last of the wights with a fire ball, there would be no return the last few survivors were mopped up.
The party turned and dealt with the ghouls behind them once more. They were quite thoroughly dismantled after a second time around. The vampire¡¯s fangs were gathered up the party spent time and effort dragging the ghouls and thrall hounds out. Adding them to the bonfire outside to stop them being brought back again and again to continue to dog the party.
They pushed back into the lair coming across another group of defenders, two fledgling vampires two blood thralls and a group of skeletons and zombies low level trash. The master of this place seemed to be trying to get them to expend their spells and ammunition bit by bit, to wear them down with his minions.
Martin unleashed his field of wrath blessing dismantling the skeletons and zombies. Thomas grabbed a vampire and pulled until there head came off, turning the rest of them into dust. David cut the other down. Alice killed one blood thrall with a fire bite spell, Vivian got the last blood thrall with a broad-head arrow, as he she dropped her cleaver and turned to run. They disposed of the remains and moved on. The lair was very deep but between the five of them they were tearing through its defenders.
Moving deeper a section of the ceiling collapsed, Martin was wounded but barely noticed the same for Thomas. David had enough time to raise his shield and avoid the worst Alice cast a shield spell and avoided any problem. Vivian had thick armour David had tried to shield her, but she took a pounding limping as she got up. Before they had a chance to recover two dozen far stronger ghouls attacked them from a side area.
Immediately Martin used his, ¡°hallowed earth¡± blessing to give them a bit of time. The ghouls were wounded slowed but not stopped. David and Thomas charged forwards. Thomas could pretty much ignore their caustic vomit and explosive bile. David had a tower shield to duck behind. Alice healed Vivian up and they were both back in the fight. A rain of arrows and spells obliterating the ghouls. Martin emptied his pistols and throwing knives pretty soon the entire group of ghouls was spent, one or two retreated back into the darkness. David cleaned of his sword, ¡°at least we didn''t have to face a siege ghoul this time¡±. Several members of the group looked at him as if he was inviting a monster like that to attack. Vigorous chopping and burning disposed of the ghouls remains, they pressed deeper coming into a central room.
There was an elite vampire sitting on a throne of bones she hopped down and grinned she had hair dyed white her clothes a pale green. She laughed as her chair rose to become a large bone golem. The floor erupted and a siege ghoul buried in the ground emerged. A dozen full vampires in iron and steel amour surrounded her a few remaining ghouls joined her. Then a blood thrall handed the elite a silvered claymore reinforced with some sort of sorcerer¡¯s magic. She laughed manically, ¡°the four masters and the abomination I will be far richer after this day¡±.
Vivian quickly looked over the battlefield ¡°Martin Alice take out the big guys David Thomas deal with the small fry the elite she is mine¡±. The siege ghoul reared its head back to spit a ball of acid at the party it was hit with a fire ball in the jaw before it could finish. Alice nailed it with an icy tomb spell it was slowed but not stopped it made a perfect target for her electric strike spells. Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°pillar of fire¡± the bone golem was engulfed in flames that burnt away the purple haze from the spell that held it together. Martin had to sidestep a bone javelin that nearly took him in the head.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
The full vampires were tough but not that tough against David and Thomas, mithril and adamantine blades beat iron and steel. Thomas kept a far more focused path in the fight, every move was well practised smooth from kicking one vampire into the path of two more to opening up a vampire¡¯s veins in a spray of blood that blinded the fighter next to them. David finished off the last of the regular ghouls and started to cut and thrust piercing and slashing the vampires to pieces. There blows slid off his armour and if they tried to slip past him a severing strike awaited their unprotected back.
The vampire elite charged forwards to bury her claymore into Vivian''s skull. She was expecting a hit or two, but it would take something immense to penetrate her supernatural aura and blood shield. Her stride was interrupted, and she crashed to the ground an adamantine arrow lodged into her knee. Before she could remove the arrow a second one appeared in her other knee.
The vampire realised that they were enchanted adamantine and a spell was eating away at her very flesh. Vivian took a step forward and fired. Arrows disabled the vampire¡¯s arms at wrist elbow and shoulder. She got the ankles for good measure, in agonising pain the vampire started to crawl towards her claymore. The blood thrall attendant ran forwards to help their master and folded to a single iron arrow.
The bone golem Martin faced was powerful he expended all three of his pillar of fire blessings then his hand of judgement and finally his trump card his chain smite blessing before it eventually fell to pieces. The siege ghoul was no push over either three icy tomb spells to keep it in place several dozen electrical strike spells were needed to put it down. David and Thomas finished cutting through the last of the vampires.
The elite tried to pull the arrows out with her teeth, that only earned her a jaw penetrated with Vivian''s regular adamantine arrows. The vampires body finally gave up having all the corrosive magic inside it. The body crumbled to dust leaving a skull with a pair of fangs. Martin looked over the dead vampire with a degree of satisfaction another of the elite brought low.
Vivian grinned like a cat as the vampire fell, she knew what to expect as everything around her slowed, not a sense from her body or mind. Deeper her spirit reached out, knowledge from the universal force that bound the world together. ¡°A special action has been performed feat of marshal strength has been achieved. You have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been increased to level 100¡±.
Their eyes glowed as the level up hit David was still to break through, Vivian having overcome a tough opponent turning them into a pin cushion gained two levels reaching 77, her improved range skill reached level 6. Alice reached level 78 gaining the grand version of the earthen wall spell. Martin also gained two levels the bone golem was very strong, his general melee skill increased to level 13.
Thomas sniffed the air, ¡°I don''t think the master¡¯s home that woman was not the prince¡±, they picked up the elite vampire¡¯s skull for the reward. The dropped claymore fractured when Martin tried to purify it. Vivian grinned like a Cheshire cat as she recovered her arrows, Alice healed David and Thomas, another round of slicing and dicing and burning got rid of the siege ghoul bone golem and anything else.
They collected up what they could from the vampires remains coin jewellery correspondence what little they found would no doubt be useful. Alice did identify one magical object it looked like a gold medal with a target. The token of the bullseye +5% chance of a critical hit to a ranged target. It was passed to Vivian who clipped it onto her clothing she was the only one that could use it.
They progressed further into the underground fortress they had a rough map of the vampire lair created from previous raids. Their progress was halted by a door it looked new Thomas looked at the map. ¡°That''s new its solid the walls around it not so much¡± the door was designed to keep humans probably below level 50 out not things like David who was over level 75 working with Thomas, especially after Alice had weakened the wall around it with several acid strikes.
Thomas took a deeper breath ¡°I think something more powerful was hear, but it retreated the master of this lair, the vampire prince might be around after all¡±. As they moved down the corridor a giant thrall bat swooped down from the ceiling the minor pest was obliterated by a full-strength fire ball before it could even get a few feet.
Bits of the charred and smoking bat landed at the feat of the party. Thomas looked over at Alice ¡°I take it that you don''t like bats¡±? ¡°That would be ¡ an understatement¡±, Alice informed him. The jumpy edge to her voice made Thomas hesitant no one liked to be the point guy when there was a trigger-happy mage behind them.
The next room was filled with bats including a dozen or so matriarchs and alpha''s big creatures they had just disturbed the sentry. Alice was a little more measured in her response, casting a poison gas cloud spell over the thickest part of the flock of bats. Martin and Thomas were highly resistant to the poison so charged in. Martin swinging left and right with his mallet in one hand and his holy symbol in the other he used his blessing ¡°sphere of consecration¡±. To create an area even deadlier to the weak thrall bats as they smoked and shrieked against the holy light. Vivian used her arrows to target the larger Matriarch''s and alpha bats, David waited at the edge of the poisonous cloud as a couple of the larger creatures came through, he sliced them to pieces.
Alice used several electrical strike spells and fire balls to obliterate the thickest parts of the swarm of bats. The gas cloud spell dissipated, and David charged into the mass heading for the leaders the matriarchs. Untold numbers of bat harmlessly bounced off his armour and shield. He reached the first matriarch and blocked her attack with his shield, slicing away at her body as she tried to pull back, experience taught him if they killed the leaders the rest of the flock would scatter.
Thomas was particularly lethal with his fast reactions slicing a bat out of the air with each blade. Martin''s swings travelled through the thickest part of the swarm sending wounded bats flying, without the use of their wings they were trampled underfoot. Alice could kill a lot of bats with her fire ball spells. She kept a physically shield spell in place to keep the bats away from her body. Vivian quickly killed off half the matriarchs then switched to the larger alpha''s approaching her. If she didn''t have the one golem eye with the enhanced perception, her entire view would have been blocked by the flock of bats.
David cut the matriarch down he waded through the swarm of bats towards one of the last two matriarchs, the alpha next to her intercepted him. David was tackled from the side by the creature hitting the ground heavily he held it at bay with his shield then stabbed around the edge the piercing enchantment allowed his blade to bury deep into the beast. Then a twist and he was pushing the dead weight off his body rising up onto his knees. The last alpha tied to tackle Alice but was overwhelmed by a barrage of acid strike spells.
The last matriarch tried to retreat but Martin injured it with his four barrelled pistol simple lead doing all the damage necessary, Thomas was on the beast and it fell. The remaining bats rather than scattering backwards flowed deeper into the cave like a retreating tide there was probably another matriarch or alpha further in. Alice hurled a fire ball at the retreating bats, ¡°don''t come ¡ back you fucking pests¡±.
They scooped up the majority of the bats and piled them up. A little oil and kindling and the mass of dead bats was on fire. Thomas sighed, ¡°one of the big problems with fighting vampires is their ability to twist the environment with the thrall taint. You really get tired after 50 years of fighting these endless hordes of bats. I must a have killed a hundred or more of these things for every vampire I have ever killed¡±.
Alice nodded, ¡°oh I can ¡completely agree with you. The diseased flapping bastards creep me out more than there ¡masters do, they are utterly revolting¡±. Vivian ran through the battle ¡°Alice I know you like to fire ball them, but your poison gas cloud spell covers a wider area it¡¯s much more efficient¡±. ¡°I take your point Vivian its harder to use though more difficult to aim it when I''m a bit stressed¡±.
The thrall bats remains dealt with they moved forward further. A few pit traps and bear traps blocked the way, then a simple wooden door. They broke through it moving deeper they found another large open room this seemed to be some sort of receiving room. There were several corridors branching off. But in the main room was a group of fighters six members of the hidden hand and what looked like a half dozen blood thralls armed as marauders with heavy iron plate and weapons. There was also a ton of thrall bats and large matriarch behind them clinging to the ceiling.
There was a rumbling noise in the background a crash of stone and earth in the background. Wither something had been sealed up or awoken they would find out eventually.
The leader of the hidden hand turned to them, ¡°I guess our negotiations must be put on hold. You have a little idea of our nature, and our hosts won¡¯t be backing down either¡±. He grinned looking at the marauder ¡°50/50 split of the reward¡±? The blood thrall marauder nodded. The hidden hand were learning. They had changed their arsenal slightly, instead of the usual poisoned bolts that bounced of the party''s spells blessings and armour. They had bolts with glass bulbs on the end as they shattered the chemical inside ignited.
They could also reload the cross bows much faster. A couple hit Thomas to almost no effect Martin had a minor shield blessing in place. David''s tower shield did its usual job Alice''s shield spell was not so effective against the burning chemicals, she had to drop and roll to extinguish the resulting fire.
The bats moved up over the ceiling and the thrall marauders charged forwards. Vivian started to take out the rouges with her bow. She waited for them to be distracted while reloading then would charge forwards. Martin used his blessing ¡°pillar of ice¡± to create a freezing tornado that scythed its way through the centre of the swarm of bats flash freezing hundreds of the creatures. Thomas and David tackled the marauders meeting force with force. The blood thralls fought on determined but fell to blows and sword strikes. Thomas would distract then David would deliver a killing strike then they would switch.
Alice hit the giant thrall bat matriarch with an icy tomb spell its body froze over, it lost its grip on the ceiling and fell to the floor. Alice enveloped it with a poison cloud spell. The blood thralls and rouges held their breath and moved out form the area of the spell, the bats were not so smart and expired rapidly. The giant bat matriarch fell to frost and poison, the remaining rogues and marauders didn''t last much longer as the party hit them with their undiluted fury. The vampires blood servants and those that allied themselves with them got no mercy. The last bats dispersed out of sight.
The level up hit David was still to make a breakthrough, but he would bide his time. Even if he was the last one to break through the limit. Even if he was the last one to reach a hundred then he still would eventually. Alice hit level 79 gaining the greater version of her earthen wall spell they were now really strong barriers. She idly wondered if such magic had been used to build up the defensive walls around many of the settlements. Vivian reached level 78 boosting her improved range skill to level 7.
Martin hit level 90 it was another handful of blessings, some basic utility abilities three additional used of purify two more uses of divine favour. some more offensive blessings such as two more uses of smite and two more uses of field of wrath that was more situational. He got another use of citadel of faith that would help his durability in a fight. But more importantly word of judgement which had a stun effect, that was priceless against higher level enemies.
The members of the hidden hand melted into slop as did their equipment. The marauders were stripped of their armour and they were given an impromptu cremation, Martin and Thomas offered a prayer. It was obvious that the prince the elder vampire had chosen not to fight them but to retreat, the third lair was probably very well defended. There was no other opponent about in the lair they had disposed of the last defenders of this place. They found a handful of personal papers and a desk just before a collapsed escape tunnel. that would have been the rumbling noise that they had heard earlier.
They took a lot of time searching this much larger lair, there were many more bunks and coffins. They gathered up anything useful they ate some of the stored provisions mostly salted fish and dried mushrooms. It would be what the thralls had been surviving on. They found a decent sized hand cart and piled it up. They found rings amulets a few chains and bracelets the vampires tended to grab anything and anyone that they could during a raid. Any scrap of paper that remotely looked like it might be useful was also gathered up.
During this time Tomas found a sealed off tunnel it had been a trap that had dealt with a previous attack on the lair. Inside were the remains of vampire hunters and monks walled in. Far easier to bury them alive then fight them, especially if they were carrying a powerful artefact. Thomas and David pulled boulders away as they cleared the entrance. ¡°It¡¯s like an undisturbed tomb or a forgotten battlefield¡±. David looked at the piles of bones the decaying robes and coats, ¡°it¡¯s a warning not to blindly walk into a trap¡±. Tomas and Martin respectfully retrieved the remains of each person trying to recover some of their equipment, to hand onto the next generation as was there tradition, blankets sack cloths were used to wrap up the remains.
On the remains of the leader a hunter they found an irregular left bracer. More than a scrap of components mithril wire around a black metal that was untouched by time or dust. The hand of Tesla had seen better days, but it was intact it would require some repair. It was probably built form black adamantine so it could have sat at the bottom of an ocean for a thousand years and it would still have been salvageable. With reverence and prayers Martin wrapped it in a fine wool blanket.
¡°I have read about the artefacts of our orders founders for fifty years, but it¡¯s different to actually handle it. You can feel the history of our order the defiance of our people against darkness. Supposedly its charged with an electro alchemical fluid derived from blue beetles, it delivers the power of lightning to one¡¯s fingertips. According to a second-hand account it was rated to deliver an attack about four times the strength of a Tesla grenade¡±.
Martin understood the principle, ¡°I do have that ingredient back in my room, I have a few Tesla grenades with me, and I need to recharge them¡±. Thomas looked at Martin sternly, ¡°I know you have some skills, but we will need to get a mechanist battle alchemist or similar to look over this artefact before you can use it¡±.
They took as much as they could carry smashed or burnt anything they could not and left the vampire lair. It was already very dark when they caught up with group the group of former thralls, that they had liberated from the vampire¡¯s control. They gave them some of the provisions that they had confiscated then escorted them the rest of the way to North port.
The gate guards checked them then let them in, past the second wall and a second check. They found their way back to the cathedral fortress. They handed over the remains of the monks and hunters to a priest for the usual rights. Francis arrived and they passed any correspondence that they had found to him. The monks and hunters¡¯ holy symbols and personal effects were handed over. They would be repatriated to the various orders and monasteries that they had come from. They handed in the elite vampire¡¯s skull for a 4-gold bounty and the other fangs for an additional 70 silver.
They made a donation of the equipment they salvaged, from the vampire¡¯s former servants and the dead vampires to the city guards and militia via the deputy sheriff. The various items that they recovered from the vampire¡¯s lair were sold off to the merchant¡¯s guild. That combined with the lose coin boosted their profit for the attack up to 585 silver split five ways and a few repairs and expenses the party added 440 silver coins to their funds.
Thomas walked with them as they headed towards an inn on the docks. Martin was cheerful, ¡°Thomas not a bad days work right¡±. ¡°Yes, not bad at all, I would like to see that artefact once you have the hand of Tesla fully repaired¡±. ¡°I can get a bit of thick hide and rebuild the bracer it was attached to. Re-strapping it won¡¯t be a problem, but I need a battle alchemist for some of the other bits¡±. ¡°How many shots do you think it would hold¡±? ¡°using the Tesla grenades as a basis I could fill the reservoir with enough electro fluid for ten shots¡±.
¡°That would certainly wreck most elite and badly wound most elder vampires¡±. ¡°We have fought several opponents over level 100 each of them was slippery, they had their tricks. The lich had a phylactery hidden we had to find it. Lexicon used some sort of transportation magic to get away, the archanist the professor had a flying craft, being able to hit them very hard very quickly would have helped us out a lot to finish such fights¡±.
They found a tavern that was used to serving hunters, it was called the staked mackerel. Alice got a glass or wine Vivian and Thomas got ale¡¯s; David got some orange ogre ale. Martin got a bottle of hard spirits mixed with alchemical run off that would kill anyone else but a hunter from alcoholic poisoning. The group sat down, Alice raised her glass, ¡°to the elves, to the ¡defence of North port and the death of the prince¡±. They raised their glasses to cheer. Alice looked over to Thomas ¡°excuse me for before ¡ sorry about hitting you with a fire ball, its irrational but I just can¡¯t stand bats it puts m aim off a bit, what are you going to do ¡with your share of the reward donate it to the church¡±?
¡°I can understand about the fire ball your magic packs a punch. With the money Oh no, remember I am a librarian of an order of vampire hunters. I collect old books first editions; I had a few contacts with the merchant¡¯s guild who trade as far away as the central plains. I intend to expand my collection the next time things settle down again¡±. Martin drained his cup and poured more from the bottle, ¡°what do you plan to do in the short term¡±? ¡°Well I plan on remaining hear until we kill the prince, then Francis was telling me that the Queen of rats is really causing a problem¡±.
¡°There is a full crusade, her grave rats have really trained up the rat men. There is a huge army a rat overlord or two have emerged and they can really organise the usual rabble¡±. Martin joined in, ¡°A crusader Reginald the leader of the hunters at Good Ford told me about this, he wanted me to join it but surely this is more important¡±?
Thomas spoke in a quiet voice, ¡°there is more of the triune''s strength hear than you know about, perhaps too much has been pulled overhear. Still a few more victories like today and the Empress of shadows will be rethinking her strategy¡±. David wondered, ¡°who was that elite we killed¡±? Thomas had spoken to Francis, ¡°The local hunters had some information, a noble from a minor house exocentric in life. Bat shit crazy after she was brought back. Not the strongest opponent but very fast good shooting Vivian.¡± they continued to chat ordered some food then headed off back to their lodgings calling it a night.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 18 – Farmstead Attack
The party woke up at the duchess''s residence, while there attack on the vampire''s second lair had been successful. It appeared that the vampire who called himself the prince had pulled most of his forces back to his main lair. They had already destroyed many of his allies so whatever he was planning was not obvious. They dressed armed themselves, they were planning to have a little time to relax before attacking the next lair. It was larger it was heavily defended; they would have to take their time with it.
They the meal was fish again for breakfast, a broth with some vegetables filling if a bit bland. They would have to earn a bit more favour with the duchess to get a better meal. Taking out some more of the hidden hand would probably work in that regard. Then they could be enjoying a meal from her personal cook.
The party made plans then split up, Martin worked away in his room he very slowly, very carefully set about his leather working. Cutting straps and preparing a leather backing to mount Tesla''s hand on his own glove and bracer. He added one coat of oil after another to make the straps supple and flexible. Cleaning up the device itself was very slow work, he handled it with a religious awe. Only the patriarch could bestow the blessing that allowed one to work black adamantine, hence its name as the holy metal.
Only the truly worthy were gifted with the chance, now Martin might well get to wield such an artefact. It was still encrusted in nearly 100 years of grime, that needed to be cleaned away. Most of the internal parts seem to be mithril, with perhaps some octium as well. He had no intention of breaking even the smallest piece, soon he would be at the limit of his skills. He would have to swallow his pride as a craftsman and seek help.
David had organised with the deputy sheriff and a few of the captains, he was leading a bunch of militia and city guards in a training exercise. Using wooden weapons fighting around the city streets, against a group of dock guards and levies. They were used to holding the walls and preparing a second line of defence inside the second wall. But fighting an invasion from the docks if something got past the leviathan in the bay that was a different story.
An attacking force advanced from the docks and he held them off boxed them in and foot by foot pushed them back. Alice was dragged along to act as healer for any injuries, several people were injured, wither they fell over were hit by a stray blow or took on someone far above their level. Her basic healing spells were quite enough for a large bruise or a black eye.
Vivian was having a go with her archery, seeing if the new enchanted item affected her aim. It was an extra edge not that much but something to put the odds in her favour. She allowed David a little bronze to waste at the gambling table, she was yet to see him bring as much as a penny back. If he bet on opponents against himself in some martial contest, he would be far more likely to win.
However, he never seemed to be that interested, on something that played to his strengths. Dice cards even betting on a chicken race, he had an unenviable talent for coming last. Vivian noted that she was getting a few extra bull''s eyes at a much longer range. She remembered a mentor¡¯s words about practising with each type of arrow. She had some different materials in the arrows she should look into a few poison globe tips, she might see a chemist the next time she was near the merchant¡¯s guild.
Thomas was in the local vampire hunters quite large chapter house. He had gotten up to speed with some of the recent events. The glass bay massacre the death of certain key figures, people he knew had faded into obscurity. others he noted were doing quite well. The battle alchemist the cyanide sharpshooter was now a free-lance adventurer. Tomas was in the library reading up on developments. He was also going through the paperwork that they recovered with a fine-tooth comb, the chapter master Francis and some scribes helped him cross reference what was going on. One letter decoded indicate the Empress of Shadows right hand, the Eternal judge had apparently considered sending a black dragon thrall from the south up to attack the port.
Well into the mornings exercises the peace was shattered. A report was brought to the sheriff¡¯s attention and she did what she did best. Quickly nominated someone else to deal with it. The deputy sheriff quickly went over the witness''s statement and swallowed, there were few things worse than the undead this was one of them. A Militia runner was sent to halt the exercise, the guards would be needed at their posts.
David had borrowed Vivian''s pin of voice amplification, one minute the runner was next to him the next, ¡°everybody halt the exercise we have a situation¡±. Quickly David exchanged his wooden practice sword for his Grey blade. Alice quickly joined him she still had plenty of magic left in the tank, having cured twenty or so injuries.
A deputy hunter with a seal of authority headed over to the duchess residence. A quick conversation with the guards and they lead her over to Vivian. ¡°Something''s come up get Martin, I will meet you at the front¡±. She grabbed her arrows from the target dummy and headed over to the front of the duchess''s compound. Martin was in the middle of something when there was the nock on the door. Very carefully he put down his tools put a cloth over his work and turned around. The deputy hunter had never met a grand master of the order. Her eyes went wide seeing the arsenal of weapons under Martins coat. She calmed down and explained that a situation had arisen. Locking the door, he followed her, they met up with Vivian and headed over to the hunter¡¯s chapter house.
The local master hunter Francis and the deputy sheriff addressed the assembled group, ¡°we have found one of the sorcerers¡¯ hidey holes¡±. He pointed to a local farmstead, ¡°they have apparently bribed a farm supervisor and are using a few farm buildings as a hideout¡±. ¡°It¡¯s better than a cold shack in the middle of the woods for them¡±. He passed a witness''s statement to Vivian, ¡°others around saw them slip up once, a demon was seen¡±. ¡°I am told Guy Curteys the supervisor recently came into money. we are certain, he is to blame. He was seen taking coin from one believed to be a sorcerer, we must act fast they could open a portal or summon a demonic overlord or some other ritual we need to stop it¡±.
Alice looked at the sheriff, ¡°how many people ¡in the settlement¡±. He checked his notes, ¡°about twenty-five¡±. She nodded, ¡°quite enough sacrifices for the ritual to summon an overlord but it takes time to prepare¡±. Thomas wondered, ¡°how many sorcerers are we looking at¡±? Vivian looked at the witness statement her mechanical eye rapidly tracking over the text, ¡°Five or more but they could have a few summoned demons each¡±.
David was looking for an opportunity to level up and a squishy caster would be a good target, once he got past their demonic protection. ¡°Are there any grand masters or exalted masters in this group¡±? Vivian went over the statement it was not clear as to what they faced, ¡°it says one was dressed better than the others, so probably a master at the very least leading the other four¡±.
It was urgent there were twenty-five people¡¯s lives at stake, and god knows how many others in the port city if a strong demon was unleashed. They stopped off at the deputy sheriff¡¯s office near the gate house and grab a couple of sets of mana draining shackles for any prisoners. They remembered the necromancer¡¯s apprentices, this time they would be ready. They grabbed a coach and headed out, the sorcerers could mean any number of things summoned possessed or released onto the world. With them were four cartloads of hunter¡¯s crusaders and town guards. Even a priest to exorcise the demons if necessary, they arrived at the farmstead close to the city, it was suspiciously quiet.
The reserves set up a watch around the area, encircling it waiting for a signal. Not daring to get to close to the fight that was almost inevitable. Yet if the opportunity presented itself. A lot of silver arrow heads crossbow bolts and shot would be finding any demons head that popped up. The fields around the farm were covered with a cold blanket of frost. The short summer had turned to autumn. Vivian looked around there was one noise the crunch and scrape of a man walking about the frost covered earth. They approached the farmstead cautiously weapons drawn, the gates were open and unguarded.
There was a single supervisor loading everything of value into a small cart. He had a warm set of brown robes around his shoulders. He raised his hands as the party arrived, he took a deep breath, looking like a rat caught in a trap. ¡°Look it¡¯s not what you think it is I was just coming to town to warn people and I just needed a few supplies¡±. The punch from Vivian folded the man in half, there was a cracking which might have been ribs. He lay there unresponsive the pain and shock more than he could take. A mixture of blood and urine stained the cold snow.
Vivian gestured and a crusader and town guard ran out from cover. They grabbed the wounded man and dragged him back to the edge of the farmstead. The priest would probably heal him a little, so he survived long enough to answer questions.
Vivian''s enhanced perception picked something up, in the main hay barn of the farmstead was a meeting. Alice could feel magic and both Martin and Thomas found their holy symbols reacting to something. As they threw open the barn doors those inside must have had some sort of warning a spell perhaps. They were ready five sorcerers plus a dozen of the hidden hand.
There was a captain of the hidden hand. David recognised the equipment from the wanted poster, the shoulder guards and neck guard on his armour. This rogue called themselves the first blade, there were at least six of these captains throughout the hidden hand''s organisation, he remembered a report from the capital a man calling himself the sixth blade, it could well have been the one that they faced earlier with a bit more equipment.
The first blade regarded the party then turned to a sorcerer in a vert elaborate red robe. ¡°we split the gold on their heads with you sorcerers are we good? They must have fancied their chances 12 rogues from the hidden hand each with a crossbow and the usual collection of blades. There was the first blade with a pair of short swords.
There were four sorcerers in red robes backing up the exalted master. They had different summoned servants the first had two slavering hell hounds eager to start the fight. The next had two spell caster demons with wings and staves. The last two sorcerers went for the classic demonic soldiers two each. It was clear from the size of the horns on the demons that the ones summoned by the exalted Master were much more powerful than his students. He personally had two hell hounds and two soldiers.
David looked at the group, ¡°the head sorcerer is mine I need to break through¡±. Vivian was worried, ¡°are you sure¡±? ¡°He doesn''t have that much health a just need to get close¡±. Alice wanted to flatten this sorcerer to demonstrate her superiority, but it would also help her if her allies were as powerful as possible. David over level 75 was better than stuck at 75. She cast bonus vitality on David while Martin used a citadel of faith to give him a boost.
He could appreciate the assistance, usually layering magic and blessings would interfere. But in this case the party''s perk bound by oath allowed such things to be possible. They didn''t get in each other¡¯s way. Vivian looked at the sorcerers she used her magical trinket to make her voice boom, ¡°surrender now¡±. They laughed at her she looked at Martin and Thomas, ¡°try to leave one alive for questioning¡±. The fist blade looked at the exalted master sorcerer, ¡°ok we do a 40 / 60 split on the reward in your favour, and you keep the bodies for your demons to possess¡±, the man nodded in agreement.
Vivian ducked back out of the room firing from the door frame, several bolts and spells hit the wood but not her. Vivian fired back into the room two of the demonic soldiers fell to octium arrows penetrating their chests and necks. They dropped to the ground dead their armour weapons and shields evaporating into red mist quickly followed by their bodies. Martin used his defensive blessings guardian angel and shield of faith.
He charged into the largest concentration of demons his purge soul blessing was strong enough to evict a demon¡¯s soul back to the infernal realm unravelling their conjured flesh. Three demon soldiers faded like this before Martin expended all his blessings. Several crossbow bolts and throwing knives were wedged into his bulky armour possibly even his flesh underneath. Alice rapidly cast earthen wall illusionary allies and a shield spell. The earthen wall was good against the infernal magic of the sorcerers and most of everything else thrown at her. She responded with an electrical strike spell that caught three of the low-level rogues.
Tomas aimed for one of the winged spell caster demons, the creature was not prepared for how fast he was. Even a point-blank spell didn''t help the demon against Thomas''s constitution, that easily matched an elite vampire. The demon''s conjured flesh was ripped to pieces with Thomas twin adamantine daggers carving through there flesh.
David cut down one of the hell hounds in front of him, a spell hit the blessing around him, he had a vial of holy water which he threw like a grenade it hit the second demonic spell slinger this one was a woman. The demons seemed to have a fifty - fifty male to female ratio. The holy water was incredibly effective, the force of the vial hitting them would have been considerable as well.
Thomas picked up one of the rogues and pile drove them into a skinny panicking sorcerer. The rogue was folded in half and the sorcerer blacked out from their wounds. With every bit of terrifying strength, a vampire could bring against normal humans, Thomas could deliver the same against the enemy.
Alice threw fire balls at the hidden hand rouges, they could dodge them, but they would not be doing much else. Martin capitalised on this opportunity to empty his four barrelled pistol into the rouges and summon his ¡°pillar of ice¡± blessing. They dodged out of the fire ball''s radius and right into the freezing cold. Four of them didn''t make any further move after the cyclone of ice dissipated, there lungs and throats filled with packed snow.
Vivian put to octium arrows into one of the sorcerers, there defensive spell was not strong enough to resist the magic disrupting metal. The arrows passed straight through them and they folded dead on the floor a healing potion spilling on the boards. Before Vivian could shoot again an arachnid demon a mixture of human and a demonic spider landed on her. Its body had been camouflaged a dull black, it knocked her bow away and tried to skewer her with dagger like limbs.
It was a third summons from one of the sorcerers. It had been hiding biding its time to strike, Vivian smashed it over the head with her vial of holy water then reached for her bow putting an adamantine arrow into its dissolving centre of mass to make sure it was not going anywhere.
David faced off against one of the exalted masters summoned soldier demons. They were equipped shield and spear summoned weapons. They were powerful with such a high-level spell caster forging their body, the demon would have been close to level 100. They were a highly skilled opponent, but David had a lot of armour and a lot of his own skills. He kicked a crate at the first demon who jumped over it trying to regain its balance, it didn''t have quite enough time to move out of the way as a cut from David sunk into its leg.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The demon lunged forwards but David had sunk down his shield angled away. the demons attack slid off to the side turned away. He responded opening up its arm cutting through its conjured armour and twisted back to avoid the hell hound beside it. A strike from his blade cut the creature down the sorcerer had to heal his last defender rather rapidly, if the demon was wearing a possessed body it would be a far different fight, one where David would barely be holding his own.
Alice hurled a barrage of acid strike spells at the two hell hounds approaching her. The first folded and started to fade away. the second got further breaching her earthen wall spell, before it too was overwhelmed with burning acid.
Vivian targeted the sorcerers two more octium arrows and another one of their ranks fell. Her shield spell shattered, and an arrow went right through her shoulder. Martin targeted the remaining rogues from the hidden hand. He had his pistols and fired they dodged his knives they dodged. The pillar of fire blessing not so much, three more of the hidden hand were incinerated in its fiery vortex.
The first blade of the hidden hand was a master rouge, very dangerous he managed to embed his blades in Thomas''s spine and neck, but he underestimated just how tough Thomas was. The knuckle duster guard of Thomas''s right blade smashed into the rouge before they could retreat. A blow like thunderclap marked the end of the first blade, not that as a member of the hidden hand he would probably be back.
David cut through the demon guarding his master, the shield had been shattered the spear shaft cut disarmed figuratively and literally the demon had fallen. The exalted master had been keeping a supreme skill in reserve. David was just able to dive for cover as barrage of powerful deep red energy bolts was sent screaming forwards towards him. They bounced against the walls split and finally dissipated. The exalted master had several uses of this powerful close quarters¡¯ ability. Martin and Vivian finished off the last of the rogues and sorcerers.
David took a deep breath it was either now or never. He ran forwards the sorcerer had his hands up and used his supreme spell again. David dived just in time to avoid the spell he had his shield ready and hurled it forwards it spun and collided with the sorcerer¡¯s lower legs crushing them with the inhuman force. The sorcerer lost all concentration his spells fizzling out David scrambled to his knees charged forwards and planted his sword through there chest, then took their head off at the neck with a second swing just to be sure.
As the sorcerer fell David felt a sensation wash over him. It was a long time coming but finally he had stepped over the level 75 barrier to join the rest of the party. Everything around him slowed his spirit reached out knowledge form the universal force, god perhaps filled him. ¡°A special action has been performed feat of marshal strength has been achieved, you have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been increased to level 100¡±.
As the level up hit their eyes glowed, David could not express how wonderful it was to be climbing the ladder again. As he hit level 76, he gained the first rank of the soldier of fortune ability. The more expensive his equipment was the better he could use it. Alice hit a very important class level at level 80 her base mana cost decreased to 1 mana per spell point, it was ridiculously powerful with her 530 points of mana. She could keep casting low level spells like acid strike all day. Even a fire ball spell would now take less mana for her to cast than her original fire bite spell. Her concentration also improved to the point where she could maintain five spells at a time allowing her to maintain one more defensive layer.
Vivian reached level 79 she gained the last rank in her improved range skill at level 8, she could push it no further. Without putting a lot of time effort and gruelling training into the skill. Martin hit level 91 he gained the first rank of the combat dodge ability, allowing him to use focus to move out of the way of an attack. In a similar way to a thief or rogue, it would be more efficient than some of his other ways of avoiding damage.
David pumped his fist in the air, looking at Vivian, ¡°did you see the look on that exalted masters face, he was not expecting the shield and crash straight into his legs. He folded like a day-old chick after that¡±. David let it sink in for another moment as Martin handed him a flask for a victory drink. ¡°I am the first one of us to solo something that reached level 100. He didn''t expect it at all, you just need to get the right opportunity¡±. David took a swig and handed it back to Martin.
David and Vivian checked over the sorcerers, two of the veterans were still alive if worse for wear. Vivian threw one set of mana draining shackles to David they each grabbed a sorcerer and locked them up in the shackles. There mana gone they slumped into a state of perpetual mana fatigue not able to keep their eyes open. Martin healed them a bit with his divine favour blessing so that they would be intact to interrogate. Vivian went to get some extra bodies to help them. Alice set about using her healing spell on Thomas, he was lucky to still be alive the way the first blade had jammed his swords into this spine.
The priest arrived and began to consecrate the area, it would take him several days of continual effort to cleanse the place of any corruption. After the initial blessings he would perform last rights on the sorcerers remains to lay their spirits to rest. Angry ghosts that knew a few demons were the last thing that they wanted roaming the countryside. The three bodies would be brought back to the cathedral citadel for cremation, they were wrapped in tarpaulins and loaded on a cart. There ashes would be added to the halls of the unknown, a place where people who died unremembered or best forgotten were interred.
A search of the farmstead found four farm hands in the main building each one trapped inside circles of glowing red lines, Martin held out his holy symbol inquisitively Thomas beside him, ¡°is this some sort of sacrifice¡±? He moved his newly healed back stretching with a little unease, ¡°No I don''t think so, I thinks it¡¯s something else¡±, ¡°Thomas you have been doing this a lot longer than we have, ever seen anything like this¡±?
He held his own holy symbol out and made a few tentative gestures inhaling deeply, ¡°Its a summoning ritual, I have seen a different version of this once. They corrupt the body with infernal magic then summon the demon to possess the body. The purge soul blessing can break it at low level, before the demon has established themselves, I presume this ritual has not gotten that far they just prepared vessels, I don''t see signs of demonic possession¡±. Martin had a tone of regret in his voice, ¡°I already used those blessing to banish some of the demonic soldiers¡± he had air of resignation unable to see a way forward.
Alice pushed him and Thomas out of the way with her staff, ¡°Its a magical spell ¡let a mage get on with it¡±. She reached out sensing it, ¡°the spells were prepared but ¡not powered, I suspect they would have been vessels for some of the demon soldiers we saw. Another eight hours ¡and that would have been a far harder fight¡±.
Alice sat down and started to move her hands about it the air as if she was undoing a series of knots with her fingers. Every once in a while, a line of magic would reach out and strike back at her but as a mage she had a large amount of magic resistance, so the demonic magic did her no harm. Thomas moved forwards she gestured for him to go back, ¡°let me unravel the binding rituals ¡give me a few minutes¡±. When she was ready, she gestured to Martin, ¡°hit them a few times with ¡your purify blessing it will remove the corruption, I might need to heal them ¡up after you use it let me check them¡±.
Martin held his holy symbol to the first farm hand, ¡°Purify¡± the woman shook like a leaf. Alice raised a hand, ¡°let me just use my ... healing spell that''s good¡±. Martin continued again ¡°Purify¡± the farm hand threw up and convulsed but then returned to her trance like state. Alice healed her again and nodded to Martin. Another touch of his holy symbol, ¡°purify¡± the woman collapsed coughing ¡°what ¡ what''s going on... where is that bastard ... who ¡ who are you¡±. Alice healed her again, Martin held his holy symbol out to the farmhand¡¯s cheek, ¡°no reaction she should be clean let¡¯s get the others free¡±.
In short order the rest of the remaining farmhands were freed, David wondered, ¡°ok we saved four people but there were meant to be twenty-five. the supervisor guy makes five. But there are still twenty people unaccounted for, what gives¡±?
David looked around questioningly at his companions, ¡°Vivian Martin can you see any tracks heading out of the settlement¡±? They waited several heart beats then a minute more as they went to investigate and returned. ¡°Nothing my monocle can pick up¡±, she echoed his hollow tone, ¡°my golem eye can¡¯t find anything¡±. Thomas looked thoughtful and inhaled a deep slow breath, ¡°I could smell the blood form a massacre or if a vampire collected them as slaves, nothing¡±.
Martin held his holy symbol, ¡°thy will be done¡± the holy symbol seemed to pull him forwards. ¡°I sense something towards that out building¡±. Alice looked over the place its floor was covered in straw, she got a broom and swept it aside to show symbols burnt into the floorboards, ¡°I can sense a lot of magic, it was a portal ¡but not a summoning one¡±. She traced out the pasterns tapping her fingers against her staff. ¡°It was a linked portal, one of the few transportation ¡magic''s that still work, after the vampire progenitor put the wards up¡±.
Vivian looked at her incredulously, ¡°hang on your saying that there used to be transportation magic¡±? Thomas nodded ¡°according to the library a thousand years ago the magic stopped working and the vampire progenitor claimed responsibility¡±. Martin pointed at the burnt symbols unsure what they meant, ¡°How does this work then¡±? ¡°It uses an infernal ¡dimension, linking two portals with a brief trip a split second then bam, it¡¯s a very ¡high level magic, the other end of the portal could be hundreds of miles away very¡± Martin ground his teeth, ¡°disappointing ¡it leaves a mystery to be solved¡±. David banged his hand on the wall to get their attention, ¡°we got prisoners this time, we might get some answers eventually¡±.
Thomas turned back to the barn; he looked a little pleased with himself. ¡°At least we nailed the local leader of the hidden hand, bastard got me really good. If his short sword didn''t disintegrate when he died, I would have had a hell of a time getting it out¡±. David looked a bit down, ¡°it won¡¯t be long before he is back¡±. Thomas looked puzzled ¡°you mean before one of his subordinates takes his place right¡±?
Vivian shook her head, ¡°keep this to yourself, no one would believe you. But we have killed the same members of the hidden hand three or four times already. They have some way to come back, perhaps as their body''s fade away they are remade somewhere else¡±? Thomas looked puzzled, ¡°that''s odd to be sure, I have read of a hive doppelg?nger that could split itself into dozens of bodies, the entire criminal syndicate could be one such creature, now that''s a mystery¡±. The group were perplexed, the hidden hand had been around a very long time they were good at keeping their secrets.
Alice checked through the sorcerer''s possessions, several spell books tomes of knowledge scrolls artefacts and other blasphemes paraphernalia were piled up. They searched through the live and dead sorcerers finding a few tricks coins scrolls, picks and weapons. They were added to the bonfire. Alice did find one item they could use.
It appeared that the exalted master sorcerer had a pre-eminent Amulet of ruinous defence 75 points of defence vs necromancy and sorcery. It would certainly help against one of his summoned minions or students betraying him. Alice looked over it, ¡°this amulet protects against sorcery and necromancy, David you have something similar ¡we found it in the spiders nest a month ago, give it to Vivian and you can take this¡±. Vivian sighed, ¡°it would have helped him earlier, I suppose a sorcerer''s biggest worry is another sorcerer¡±.
Some people were left at the farmstead the rest escorted the two captured sorcerers back to North port. The group discussed the little adventure with the deputy sheriff at his office in the gate house. ¡°twenty people disappeared through some portal to hell, the farmsteads will be calling for more patrols and more defences, I will speak to the sheriff. Then he can nominate me to speak to the trade commissioner and the rest of them¡±. David was as blunt as ever, ¡°what coin did they have, were there any bounties¡±?
The deputy sheriff sighed, ¡°your concern for the missing is noted, there was 120 silvers worth of coin and valuables recovered from the sorcerers and the traitor Guy. Your share is 80 remember you had a lot of men with you they all get something, it helps to get volunteers in the future¡±. David gave him a black look the deputy sheriff continued, ¡°The bounty on the sorcerers we think deputy leader, he called himself the ''eminent scholar'' totals 370 silver. Most of that bounty was not local, he came all the way from adders pass next to the textile city down south¡±.
David''s fingers blurred as he counted out in his head, ¡°90 silver each 450 total not a bad day¡¯s work, I am sure that you can get some information about the missing people¡±. The deputy sheriff grinned, ¡°sure I just need to convince these sorcerers that we are more terrifying than the demons of hell¡±.
Martin adjusted his coat pulling the right-hand side. ¡°Give me twenty minutes, Alice I will need your healing magic to put them back together a few times¡±.
David waited outside, he turned to Vivian, ¡°do you think that merchant was conning us about the belt of five favours¡±? She checked her bow and ignored the whimpering and gurgling from behind the door. ¡°I don''t know but we can ring up a really large bar bill and leave in in his name, if nothing turns up soon right¡±. It was more of a joke than anything else, but David didn''t have a better idea.
They joined up with Thomas, Vivian handed him his share of the loot, and headed for the local cathedral. In short order they found a priest. The priest looked round, ¡°how can I help you my children, your part of the group the four masters right, do you need to see the bishop¡±? Vivian patted him on the shoulder. ¡°We faced a demon today, several actually we used up two bottles of holy water, can you get us replacements we understand the donation of a silver a bottle for the orphan fund is customary yes¡±?
¡°Of course, it¡¯s good to hear that the creator god gives you the weapons you need against the foe¡±. The priest darted off into a side room he came back with a tray full of bottles of holy water and a collection box. Two silver and two bottles disappeared into their equipment they briefly consider more holy water, but it was something for later. Thomas got six more bottles that disappeared into his coat with a glint in his eye, almost the way Martin was with his thermite.
They went back to the gate house Alice turned to them, ¡°apparently they are ¡planning to summon a demonic overlord they have a big source of magic ¡feeding twenty people into the ritual will prolong it meaning that the overlord will stay around a lot longer ¡and be harder to exorcise¡±. They made statements and swore various oaths. The farm supervisor was checked, there was no hint of drugs or mental coercion.
He did beg that he was being threatened, they check he was lying according to a discern blessing. He sold his fellow farmers out without a second thought. Judgement was made by unanimous vote of the local triune representatives; he was given twenty years in the tower jail for aiding the sorcerers. One sorcerer survived Martin''s interrogation. They got a life sentence for the gallows jail tower keep, not that they would probably last longer than a year or two beneath the warden¡¯s hand.
They settled back at the duchess residence with a fine meal. The duchess must have herd that they killed a few members of the hidden hand. Alice spooned honey over her bread, ¡°that sorcerer thought I might be more merciful ¡than Martin. How dare those bastard demon loving minion masters think ¡that they can hold a candle to a mage. They expect their minions to fight for them they can¡¯t fight ¡for themselves. They take the easy route its quick, but it leaves them weak unprepared once their summons are gone¡±. Vivian nudged her, ¡°less ranting more eating¡±.
As they neared the end of their meal a servant summoned them to the duchess audience room. She was dressed in her finest. She tuned to them and they paid her the usual formalities for her station.
¡°I understand there were developments today¡±? Vivian stepped forwards and saluted again, ¡°the hidden hand seems to be reaching out to vampires and sorcerers, not that they are doing so well. Also, the first blade their local commander has appeared¡±.
¡°Thomas got him, but I am not sure that it will be permanent¡±. The duchess face twisted into a grimace for a second ¡°that is worrying, those despicable wretches, you think there is more to their fate magic than simply leaving no bodies¡±? ¡°Unfortunately, we never have any remains to examine. We are drawing a blank, still we are destroying their allies¡±.
The duchess walked over to her desk and picked up a blue wrapped package. ¡°It is more progress than anyone else I have employed, I received this from a courier eagle¡±. She handed it to Alice who analysed it with her magic. The ward of enhanced defence granted a + 15 natural armour. All shield and other defensive spells lasted an extra 60 seconds in duration it added 5 caster levels to shield spells and 1 point of endurance very useful to a mage, and probably worth a bit more than the 300 silver Alice had been asked for. She kept her mouth shut about the extra properties. She handed over the silver, ¡°That is exactly what I am ¡ after, worth every silver thank your Ladyship¡±, she curtsied, and they left.
They had a few more drinks Alice practised her shield spells after adding the ward of defence onto her belt. Martin spent a bit more time on the hand of Tesla, but in his heart of hearts he knew that he had to get help. Alice was ecstatic at the boost in her power even melting the sorcerers fingers off rather than healing them had been worth it. She opposed them not because they were evil or used magic that caused suffering. But because they were rivals, people who tried to show that their magic was superior to the tower to the royal mage¡¯s guild, she would show them all.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 19 – Third Times The Charm 1
Breakfast was good, one rations of honey and cream with their food, rather than the usual fish stew. The duchess either thought that they were doing good work disrupting the hidden hand or she was happy with the price Alice paid. The Magical artificial that now resided proudly on her belt. Martin was going to spend some time finishing off the leather work for the artefact Tesla''s hand. His knowledge of Tesla grenades had helped him a get a little further, he needed a more skilled crafts man to complete it. Before he could start David volunteered him for an exercise with the guards, using mixed unit tactics.
Alice was going to drift off to read up on her books when Vivian dragged her off. She needed a spell caster to practice with. With a little regret Alice helped Vivian train. The first exercise involved Alice throwing a fire bite spell at a target while Vivian would try to intercept it with one of her iron arrows. It was one of the only counters an archer out in the open had to a high-level spell. Alice did note that Vivian could prematurely detonate most of her spells until Alice started duel casting so that Vivian had to intercept two projectiles. She managed it the first few times then her concentration faltered, and one got threw, the target dummy got quite singed.
For a second practice Alice cast an earthen wall spell in-front of the dummy, Vivian''s power shots easily pierced the physical barrier they moved on. Alice cast her physical shield spell over the dummy Vivian countered it with a two-hit combination, two arrow one after the other an octium arrow to disrupt the magic and an adamantine arrow right through the centre of the dummy. Alice started to layer shield spells over the dummy two or three deep. Vivian had to launch a volley of octium arrows to pierce these spell shields.
They finished their practice and came out of the front of the duchess residence. The entire group of guards were panting on their hands and knees. David was hunched over feeling the weight of his armour his tower shield used as a crutch, his armour shifting with his laboured breathing. Martin was standing there fresh as a daisy. It was a bad idea to try to keep up to someone with over 90 points of endurance. In a contest of physical strength Martin would never stand up to David or Vivian, but in shear endurance they couldn''t hold a candle to him.
Thomas arrived greeting the group, ¡°I guess you''ve been training hard evil never rests so why should we¡±, David stood up straight. ¡°Yes, you will have to join us for a training exercise some time¡±. ¡°Francis asked me to get you there is a small matter that needs our attention¡±. The party met Francis at the hunters chapter house, ¡°those demons you killed humiliated a noble from the textile city, he is colloquially called the sheep lord. He offered a bounty of 100 silver for them to be beaten back and sent to hell. As far as I am aware you have done that, I just need to take your testimony and oath a letter and I can get the funds released soon¡±.
They spent twenty minutes filling out forms and swearing on holy symbols. The problem with demons that left no physical remains. You had to rely on a witness statement to confirm that they were gone. The master hunters seal formalised the document. The sheep lord would have his notarized statement his revenge would be complete. The demons were now in hell and he had the last laugh. After that little duty they were directed to the city watch barracks, the deputy sheriff had a reward for them.
There was an old but sturdy wooden box about three feet by one-foot long sitting on his desk, the box had an official wax seal on it. ¡°There is a letter of thanks and this box was form Ulysses crossing, some adventurer gear for killing the big hell hound¡±. Alice started to read the letter of thanks. There were half a dozen petty healing potions. A dozen iron broad-head arrows, an iron dagger. Two silver rings a silver chain and a silver head band, and a few silver cups.
There were potions of minor shock resistance, potions of restore stamina a compact crossbow with a dozen silver bolts, a scroll of shock bolt a few dozen other low-level spell scrolls and a book on enchanting.
Vivian had destroyed a few of her arrows with the training exercise that morning, ¡°I will have the broad head arrows¡±. They were about the standard for the city watch suitable for the most basic of tasks. David was next, ¡°I suppose the potion to restore stamina might be useful, it was pointed out to me that I need to perhaps have a bit more, can you make a holder for it Martin¡±? Martin handed him a leather pouch form inside his jacket, ¡°I made a few spare from last time¡±. David nodded his thanks.
Alice grabbed the book on enchanting, ¡°it¡¯s useful to know ¡more about how equipment is made, plus it helps to know what''s out there¡±. Martin grabbed a handful of the low-quality silver, ¡°I can melt this down for silver bullets, I am starting to run low¡±. Thomas looked over the lot, ¡°I do lack a ranged weapon this might do the trick¡±. He took the crossbow and bolts as his share. Vivian looked at the rest, ¡°Anyone want any of this other stuff or we just sell it¡±? There was a general look of apathy towards the rest of the contents of the box, ¡°ok that settles it¡±.
Francis turned around to the group, ¡°the merchants guild can take the rest of that off your hands quick, let¡¯s move onto more important matters the third vampire lair¡±. Thomas observed, ¡°all the local vampires have probably pulled back there¡±. Vivian nodded, ¡°they seem to be sitting tight waiting for reinforcements. We need to destroy them before anything else arrives, the correspondence from the second showed that more troops are on the way¡±. Martin cracked his knuckles, ¡°our biggest challenge will be the prince, an elder vampire very strong. He avoided fighting us at least once but this time we get him¡±.
Alice looked at the map, ¡°this lair is pretty far away, we need a coach ¡this time or we will be spending more time hiking than fighting. Can you arrange it with the merchant¡¯s guild Francis¡±? ¡°certainly, but it¡¯s not like the coach is going to stay around or make camp after dark, I can get them to send the same coach back every couple of days to pick you up¡±. Vivian wondered, ¡°we can see how well we do after the first day¡±.
They went to the merchant¡¯s guild and exchanged some potions for a top up on Martin''s thermite the rest of the box sold for 15 silver. They got provisions and other supplies prepared for a long fight they got on a coach and headed off to attack the third lair.
Artus kept a look out on the road, his master commanded it, so he kept to his duty. his blood every fibre of his being obeyed that command resonated with it. It was not within him to disobey. But he could still feel tension, he could still feel boredom. There was meant to have been a big attack on the port city. Army''s from the north, but they had never materialised. They had pulled back to the second lair, but they had heard even more grim tidings from their allies. There brothers their companion animals even their masters falling.
They started to whisper rumours that even an ancient had not been able to end the four masters. Some said that they were infused with alchemy and golem parts. Others said that they were not the same four masters that had started fighting. That as one fell another took their place, this still meant that there were four masters out there. Then there were rumblings that something unnatural had been raised up. Some said it was the abomination a vial mockery of the masters, back from the dead others said that it was a second abomination raised with whatever corruption had created the first.
What he did know was that there was meant to be a troop of demons with him and a large pack of thrall wolves, neither of which had shown up yet. Neither of which he was really expecting to show up at this point. He was a beast tamer by trade, his skills and abilities helped him coordinate his charges. Four salamanders with fiery breath not quite equal to a dragon, well not in the same league. They would still toast a country bumpkin with a sharpened stick a long time before they could even bother the masters.
Around him were ten others like himself, born pure of the blood. The power in their veins could not be removed like a common thrall. The church could not break their bonds of service. Three more hours and the masters could move about freely. There was an alarm chain to warn them, they each had a short armour of iron chainmail and a helm. Four carried spears and the rest short bows. For a second he thought that he heard the rattle of a coach then it stopped. There was the clink clink clink of armour something that banged about like a pedlar with pots and pans.
Slowly a man was approaching them up the trail. One lone hero would be easy pickings then they would divide his equipment between them. At a gesture two archers flanked left two right. He moved two of his salamanders up the centre and one on each side. Dealing with one opponent even shielded from the front they could kill him quick enough.
The man was in full Damascus plate heavy armour. He had a really good fancy sword and several magical items by the look of it. They would distract him the salamanders would cook him; it was suicide to get within range of his sword. He took a step and clanged his shield. A feeling clenched in Artus''s stomach that looked like a distraction. He was about to order his subordinates to prepare for an attack from the sides when it struck. A fire ball blasted two of his archers to piece''s they were there one moment the next they were on the ground the magical flames evaporating from there singed bodies.
A copper coloured cylinder landed next to one of his salamanders it detonated covering the beast with thermite that was strong enough to burn through its hide. Highly resistant to flame molten metal was another thing entirely. A shadow in hunters garb appeared out of the woods two slashes of a blade and two of his men fell before they could react. A rain of arrows took two of his men and one of his salamanders. He felt a keening of anguish at the noble creatures passing. The man in heavy armour leapt towards his remaining loyal salamanders.
Blocking a jet of flame with his shield the armoured adventures sword cut right through his pets¡¯ skull and struck the ground below it. He twisted around in time to bring his shield up again blocking the retribution from his last pet the sword struck down again. Artus headed for the alarm chain. He watched the last of his men fall. One acid strike spell dissolving a shield the next hitting the man behind it. Two throwing knives and the rest of his men fell.
He could almost feel the coarse chain in his hand. A hunter stood up holding his wretched symbol ¡°pillar of salt¡±. Crippling agony filled Artus''s being, he had to serve the masters he staggered forwards his breath became impossible as his lungs were bringing up powdery salt. His fingers reached for the chain, but they crumbled away in front of him. Everything turned white, he did his best his body collapsed unmade, he felt his soul pulled downwards his failure eternal.
As the last blood thrall collapsed their eyes glowed the level up hit. Martin reached level 92 gaining a second rank in his combat dodge ability. Vivian reached level 80 her comprehensive training perk now increased so that she could train up royal guards who had quite a nice bonus to their perception. David hit level 77 gaining the second level of the soldier of fortune skill. Alice reached level 81 mastering the earthen wall spell so that she could create really strong barriers.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
Martin checked his monster book the salamanders were carved open by Thomas and David for the organs that were valuable to alchemists. Sections of their back scales were also harvested for ingredients. At a signal the coach drew closer they piled the thralls remains onto the coach for last rights and cremation.
Their equipment to be given over to the militia after the hunters checked it out. The salvaged bits of monster were sent back with the coach driver and guard to the merchant guild. The salamanders remains were quite fire retardant, so in order to dispose of the bodies Alice used her acid strike spell to effectively melt them to the point that there was no body left worth salvaging.
Martin fiddled with the alarm chain and disconnected it from whatever it had been connected to. The coach was gone they had a lair full of monsters to destroy. There was a very complex steel puzzle door. Thomas David and Vivian solved the puzzle by ripping the door from its hinges. Deeper into the lair they found a selection of battle alchemist traps.
Shrapnel mines and fire mines, they looked like they had been set some time ago, idly Martin wondered if they came from Good Ford or if they vampires had sourced them form an unlucky adventure that had challenged this lair before them. He deactivated them and stored them for later. They moved through some basic rooms. A guard post was manned by a vampire who had enough time to draw his sword before Thomas was upon him.
Moving deeper they cut through a platoon of barely animated husks emaciated zombies. Martins field of wrath blessing almost felled the lot of them. A group of fledgling vampires were pulling some duty, or another noticed the party and attempted to flee. A couple of acid strikes took one several arrows a second a silver shot to the back of the head and a stake dismantled the third. The fourth was missed by a crossbow bolt. Thomas tacked the vampire and finished them off with his more usual weapons.
Moving deeper they reached a corridor it was filled with archanist creations. There were forty or so of the professor¡¯s minions, greater walkers and spider constructs. Behind them were a dozen Full vampires and two dozen fledgling. Out in the open they would be flanked surrounded and overwhelmed. Hear in the narrow corridor they had a much better time.
Alice put an earthen wall spell upholding the advancing greater walkers back. The spider constructs behind them started to climb over them to get to the party. Martin hurled a large thermite grenade and the recovered shrapnel and fire mines into the horde of constructs. David and Thomas stood level with the barricade slicing at anything approaching, Vivian snipped any of the spider constructs that came over the top.
After a few hectic seconds the horde of constructs was decimated by half. They were damaged by thermite fire and shredded with shrapnel. David was behind his shield, but Thomas had taken a bit of damage. Alice hurled a few fire balls at the advancing constructs between David and Thomas. Martin used his ¡°pillar of fire¡± blessing to send a tornado down the corridor. The spider constructs were fast enough to get out of the way, but the heavy walkers were not so good. Vivian finished off the last of the spiders, her arrows finding their marks.
The vampires looked at just how quickly the constructs had been destroyed the vampires were many times tougher than the constructs, but they had little confidence. Still vampires generally fought because there was something a lot scarier standing behind them. The fledglings looked at the full vampires behind them and started to march forwards their weapons ready.
David hurled a flask of oil at the shielded front-rank Martin lit it on fire with a small thrown thermite grenade, three vampires crumbled to dust engulfed in flame. Thomas lobbed a bottle of holy water over the front rank of shields it shattered and hit the back rank. The fledgling it mostly landed on crumbled to dust with the two next to him being heavily injured. Alice hurled a fire ball and an electric strike spell into the mass of vampires. The front ranks shields absorbed most of the fire ball damage, but the electric strike did a bit of damage to the lot of them. Vivian sent two arrows screaming into the front rank they penetrated shields dusted the vampires behind them and injured two in the rank behind that.
Alice cast her spells another earthen wall, then a double layer of shield spells on Thomas and David. The vampire¡¯s moral was not good, but they locked blades with David and Thomas, trying to throw knives hatchets arrows over the shields to get at the back-line fighters.
Martin used his blessings ¡°aura of faith, hallowed earth, sphere of consecration, circle of consecration, field of wrath¡±. The holy energy was almost enough to crumble the vampires on the spot. There resolve wavered as smoke and steam wisped from there flesh as it blackened and peeled away. Vivian started to release more arrows into the massed vampires one by one they fell. The attack turned onto a rout. Three vampire fledglings retreated back to the full vampires. The leader of the group regarded them with a disappointed look, then decapitated them with his pole axe.
The group of vampires considered what was behind them what was waiting if they failed. As soon as the last of the blessings dissipated, they steeled themselves and charged forwards. In the blink of an eye they crashed into the earthen wall and shield spells. Martin called forth his pillar of fire again washing over the vampires they were a lot tougher than the fledglings. Vivian stepped up her game using her mithril arrows. They would tear right through a vampire and hit the one behind with enough force to sink in, but the vampire from the front rank were still standing.
Martin used more blessings ¡°circle of consecration, sphere of consecration¡±. The vampires could endure far more than the fledglings. He pulled out his four barrelled pistol loaded with silver shots and emptied it into the gap between Thomas and David. One vampire got the brunt of the attack and collapsed into dust. Vivian put two mithril arrows into a vampire¡¯s head it staggered then collapsed.
A vampire tried to climb over David''s shield Alice got them twice in the face with her acid strike spell and they toppled back.
Thomas hooked a vampire with his dagger and dragged them close allowing him to put a blade into their skull ending them. David sliced forwards with a power attack cutting off the crown of a vampire¡¯s head. The vampire was able to land several more blows before there injury caught up with them and they collapsed into dust.
A vampire tried to douse Thomas and David with burning oil Alice switched their physical shield spell to an elemental shield spell and the burning oil had no effect. A fire ball from Alice quickly proved to be a final counter argument to the vampire. Vivian picked off two more of them and Martin hit another with his pistol the lionhearts hammer, the extra holy damage tearing it apart.
Down to their last four the vampires tried to mount an orderly retreat, Vivian''s arrows Martins pistols and a barrage of acid strikes set them in full route. Thomas jumped over the earthen wall barrier and took down a vampire cutting until they crumbled to dust. David charged after them, but they were rapidly out pacing him Vivian''s adamantine arrow found its mark on the back of one of the vampire¡¯s skulls. They collapsed to the ground and crumbled. Alice engulfed the last one in a fire ball.
The level up hit, perhaps this group was buying time for the rest of the vampires to fall back to another point. Alice reached level 82 Alice learnt a new spell desiccate. It was very powerful especially against large monsters but not very good against the undead. For a siege ghoul it would do wonders, a vampire would probably be quite badly injured as the blood was rung out of their veins. David reached level 78 gaining the third rank of his soldier of fortune skill. Vivian reached level 81 gaining the first rank of the knock down skill which improved her chance of knocking an enemy down. Martin reached level 93 and gained the third rank of the dodge ability.
Martin looked around at the carnage, ¡°no real leadership with this group yet they stayed and fought almost to the end their boss can¡¯t be far away¡±. Thomas was in agreement as he dusted off his hat, ¡°I would have expected an elite leading that lot. Do you think all their best has been pulled back to one point¡±? They checked the vampires remains over and gathered up as many teeth as possible for the reward. There were a few trinkets lock-picks coins and items that they could use. The remains of the constructs were moved into a side room which had a bit of ventilation, doused in oil and set on fire.
Moving forwards, they found a section of tunnel that was quite heavily trapped. There were some fairly obvious pit traps a layer of twigs or a mechanical hatch that opened up to a fall of a few feet into wooden or iron tipped spikes. They had light from torches and Vivian''s ring David had to be pulled out of one by Thomas. They found a few much larger pits Alice filled them in with uses of her earthen wall spell. They approached one corridor that shifted to become a pool of acid as the metal steps slid into the water after they tripped some sort of wire. Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°cleanse water¡± he stepped into the pool and shrugged, ¡°now we can just wade through it¡±.
The party moved deeper into the lair signs of life beds coffins abandoned cooking pots cards left at a table a few books worth of reading material. The place had been packed hours before they could expect a really thick throng of opponents, when they finally got to the bottom of this lair. Finally, they hit a door that was quite an impressive lump. Martin looked at it, ¡°iron reinforced with steel banding Alice is it enchanted¡±? ¡°Oh yes, lots of toughness ¡ and damage resistance¡±.
They looked over the door it had no apparent weakness. Its frame was carved into the rock custom made it was surrounded by well-made masonry, a competent craftsman had put it in place. There were no exploitable gaps or weakness in the frame the lock would not be picked.
Martin tried to get his tools into it, David got an iron bar and tried to pry under it. Vivian kept looking around the area for some hidden override or door an alternative way. Thomas kept prying and jimmying with his adamantine blades to get the door to open. Alice looked at the door, ¡°they must be sitting tight waiting for ¡reinforcements right¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°I guess at this point the prince does not want to face us in a fight¡±.
They backed off to think of a new plan, they got right out of the lair out of ear shot of any creature. Martin turned to Thomas, ¡°can you hear anything¡±? ¡°No¡±, ¡°then they probably can¡¯t hear us¡±. David lifted the visor to his helmet, ¡°do we have any idea about an escape tunnel or back entrance¡±. Vivian checked her notes, ¡°No one has gotten further than this¡±.
David pointed to the forest, ¡°perhaps we can cut down a tree, a solid bit of hardwood trim it and use it as a battering ram, between me Vivian and Thomas we have probably got over two hundred points of strength. Almost like there were four dozen people behind it. It¡¯s a lot of steel but it would budge eventually¡±. Martin remembered the siege of bay city; he had been on the other side of the door then. ¡°They could brace the door to keep us out or prepare some sort of trap, we can call that plan b¡±.
Vivian sighted, ¡°We can''t sit here and wait them out, I bet they have a lot of provisions behind that door¡±. Alice thought about the construction she looked through the book on enchanting, she shut it with a grin. ¡°My acid strike spells might be able to wear away the frame ¡round the door, it¡¯s not enchanted, and it does not benefit from the enchantment on the door¡±. Martin pulled out a medium thermite grenade. ¡°That would work eventually Alice, but I think I have a rough idea were the bolts holding the door in place are. If you could create a gap in the frame, I can use thermite to melt the bolts holding the door in place¡±. Vivian looked over to the forest, ¡°we can get the battering ram as a backup let¡¯s make some preparations.
With the axe in her pack they cut down a small hardwood tree stripping it of branches. Thomas carried it as they headed back inside. Alice continually use acid strike to weaken door frame in three places marked by Martin. The spell devoured a sliver of rock at a time but eventually two areas were carved out to accept the thermite charges and the third was well on its way.
Alice looked tired, she gestured the group back out of the lair. ¡°Look I am mostly out of mana, I don''t want some vampire hearing that from the other side of the door. I need food and rest we have the battering ram prepared let¡¯s finish this tomorrow morning¡±. Vivian looked around ¡°Could you take a mana potion. Do you really need to rest¡±? Martin looked at her, ¡°let¡¯s eat some provisions first¡±.
They devoured their rations. Martin looked about, ¡°I rest, and I can use my blessings again. I have a lot of things I can throw at the vampire elder, but I want to be at full strength¡±. David looked about, ¡°I can still keep going but we don''t want to be caught unaware¡±. Tomas added, ¡°I don''t need to sleep, we want to be close to full strength for tomorrow you rest I keep watch¡±. Vivian agreed she went off to scout, a small dose of blue powder then went back to get some sleep under a blanket. Tomas stood there unmoving listening and watching for any noise, nothing stirred.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 20 – Third Times The Charm 2
Thomas woke the group with the first rays of light. David had his sword drawn Martin had two pistols pointed in the general direction Alice had a spell ready and Vivian was already drawing a her bow an arrow notched. ¡°I guess none of you are morning people¡±, Thomas said. They sheathed their various weapons and got up. A quick cold breakfast of hard rations washed down with a cold brew and they were quite ready to crack the next level of the vampire¡¯s lair open.
The vampires had sealed themselves up behind a thick tough door. They had smashed open two lairs already. The vampire prince probably didn''t have anywhere left to flee to. Or they had orders to hold their ground either way there had be no attempt to get past them during the night.
Heading down they found no evidence that anything had been moved or disturbed, it was a quiet as a tomb. The vampires and their servants were not prepared to stick their necks out from behind the iron door. That was apparently the case, until they realised that the entire ceiling was covered in bats that dropped down on them.
Alice screamed ¡°hold your ¡breath¡± as she cast a poisons gas cloud spell in the narrow confines of the corridor, it blanketed the party and the bats. Several seconds later the party stumbled out of the cloud of poisonous gas gasping. Alice had a shield spell around her that protected her. Vivian was being led by Thomas who was quite immune. Martin was dragging David he lifted his visor up and a small puff of green smoke emerged. Alice healed him, ¡°more warning Alice, more warning¡±.
As the cloud dissipated there seemed to be a pile of giant bats nearly a foot thick on the floor. There lungs burnt away by the potent gas. In a side room they broke up a few sticks of furniture and found a cooking spot then set ablaze going. Bit by bit they scoped up armfuls of dead bats and threw them on the fire, the smoke found a ventilation hole and started to drift up from the underground lair. It was time consuming but better than fighting a horde of undead bats again later.
They got back to the door a few dozen more acid strike spells and Alice had a large enough hole in the door frame for Martins purpose. He carefully placed three medium thermite grenades so that they would burn through the bolts holding the door shut. The rest of the party were a long way away hiding behind an earthen wall barricade that Alice had conjured into existence. The fuses were ignited, and Martin sprinted away. There were three distinct detonations and a lot of light and heat as the thermite died away. The door looked out of place it was lose but not quite there yet.
Vivian David and Thomas had a cut hardwood tree shaped into a battering ram. They charged from behind the earthen wall and slammed the battering ram into one corner of the door. The door shook and trembled it moved the slightest bit in as if the metal still held on against the assault. They charged again, the door shook again, and a more noticeable movement occurred. There were shouts from behind the door and a panicking clatter, they had believed themselves safe now they had a panic ahead of them.
The makeshift battering ram slammed against the door Martin threw his weight behind it shouldering the door in time with the other three. The door began to show a large gap seeing this they struck it again. There was a torturous metal creaking and one of the bolts and hinges holding it in place gave way. Alice added her kinetic strike spell to the mix. In time with the rest of the group it hit the door with considerable force, like a shimmering fist impacting against the door. The door leaned over there was a ripping and its own weight did the rest. They dropped their battering ram and charged through David and Thomas followed by Martin.
There were the crushed remains of some bracing behind the door, the defenders had pulled back before the door had collapsed. A fledgling vampire snapped his fingers dozens of husks the remains of partly mummify vampires¡¯ victims flooded into the room. The vampire tried to retreat back but Vivian got her with a silver arrow before she could use the oncoming hoard as a screen. These attackers were truly mindless, but they gave the vampires breathing room to retreat and form up.
They number over a hundred maybe a hundred and fifty but they were pathetically weak undead. Victims left behind year after year for decades or even centuries. They were fodder Martin had his mallet he activated a blessing ¡°circle of consecration¡± the creatures stepped forwards into the holy energy and started to fall to pieces. Martin helped them on their way with every swing of his mallet. David cut them down in droves, the husks bounced of his armour his blade easily felling them. Vivian used her cheapest iron arrows and easily slew two dozen in rapid succession. Alice protected herself with a shield spell then started to blast the largest concentrations apart with fire balls.
There was a rattling moving down the wider corridor as the last of the husks fell. A shield wall of vampires approached maybe 40 fledgling large overlapping shields with spears a dozen vampires were situated behind them with bows. Behind them were two more vampire elites one was a wizard the other was a knight, they had a few blood thralls with sword and shield around them as a bodyguard.
Martin emptied his pistols into the oncoming wall of shields, the seven silver shots passed through the wooden shields and hit the vampire flesh behind. It was distracting but the line hardly faltered. Thomas picked up the battering ram that they had used and hurled it at the line it smashed into three who faltered and got back up. Vivian had her mithril arrows at the ready four rapid power shots and they pierced through the shields the vampire behind and lodged into the vampire behind that there was a grunt of pain as a vampire pulled them lose and dropped the arrows. Alice hit the group with her electric strike spell the wooden shields held, suffering a bit of localised damage.
Martin held his holy symbol up ¡°pillar of fire¡±, the roaring blaze swept through the shield wall disrupting it. Martin hurled four small thermite grenades into the middle of the ranks Thomas hurled a further 3 bottles of holy water into the heart of the ranked vampires. There formation crumbling David charged in and started to hack away. Vivian could target them freely Alice had an earthen wall spell up to protect them and was now raining down fire balls onto the mass of vampires.
Arrows from the vampires at the back rained down with most hitting armour or a spell. Ten of the fledgling vampires were dust with twice that number significantly wounded. Martin closed into their line and activated his blessing ¡°hallowed earth¡±. The strike of holy energy blasted the front rank of vampires, they responded, and Martin staggered back with a few wounds. Alice launched her acid strike spells at the vampires they were more precise. If she went for the fire balls, she would hit Martin or Thomas or David. Vivian picked of more of them with her silver and mithril tipped arrows.
The ranks of fledglings had been almost cut in half, fifteen were left and they were not in very good condition. The vampire knight charged in targeting Thomas bringing his enchanted blade down. Thomas barely flinched at the glowing red and purple blade, his own adamant dagger punched back catching the vampire in the joint between the neck and the helmet. The vampire wizard hurled a shock spell at Martin who easily blocked it with his holy symbol. ¡°Pillar of ice¡± Martin responded with an icy storm centred around the vampire he took out the blood thralls guarding it as they choked and froze in the swirling vortex. David focused on cutting through the demoralized and disorientated fledglings. A spear was not a good weapon choice for an opponent that had gotten past the tip of it.
Vivian switch up to her octium arrows and stared to target the vampire archers, they could not stand against the raw power of her shots. Two of them crumbled in quick succession the rest started to look for cover. Alice threw a few fire bite spells at the vampires destroying two more of the fledglings. She used her desiccate spell on one vampire. They reacted as if an unseen hand was wringing out their flesh. The blood in their body flowed out of their veins into a pool on the floor. It was not enough to kill a vampire even a fledgling, but they were very weak afterwards.
The vampire wizard cast a hail of poison bolts at Martin, four poisonous globes of energy slammed into him doing absolutely nothing. He responded throwing back a large thermite grenade it caught the elite vampire and two of the vampire archers in the explosion. Tomas and the elite vampire knight continued to trade blows; the reaming blood thralls helped their master proving an irritation to Thomas.
David mopped up a few more of the remaining vampire fledglings his enchanted blade''s fire damage and piercing damage combined to effectively obliterate the spell keeping their un-life going turning several more into dust. Vivian snipped a few more of the vampires aiming at her with bows despite their speed and their attempts at cover she got two more. Alice tried to keep the blood thralls off of Thomas, two carefully aimed desiccate spells had the same gruesome result but the blood thralls were not going to survive that.
The vampire wizard cast a physical shield spell around himself, Martin subverted it with two Tesla grenades shocking the vampire doing a little damage to him. Thomas grabbed the first thing to hand and hit the vampire knight with it, it happened to be a blood thrall, but it meant that another opponent was out of the fight, the knight was distracted for a moment. David cut down three more of the fledglings the other two fled. Vivian targeted them and they were gone in a heartbeat. Alice hurled fire balls at the vampire archers most ducked out the way two were not so quick.
David joined in the fight against the vampire knight cutting down the distracted blood thrall then bringing his blade down onto the knight¡¯s helm. There was an almighty din like a bell as enchanted mithril met enchanted steel. Alice got two more of the vampires with a mixture of acid strikes and fire bite spells. Vivian got the last two with her adamantine arrows. Martin fought against the vampire wizard hurling his octium throwing knives to shatter the wizards shield spell, the wizard cast a fire ball at Martin only for him to doge out of the way. The wizard realised that Martin could block his directed spells and dodge his area of effect spell. This was a bad match up, would Martin run out of focus or would he run out of mana first.
Alice cast her icy tomb spell on the vampire knight, there movements were slowed as their armour iced over. David and Thomas took the opportunity to stab and bash at the knight they could take a lot of punishment, but they would not be likely to survive this onslaught for long. Vivian targeted the vampire wizard as Martin slowly got closer. Suddenly the wizard realized that he was alone, his allies all piles of dust and blood on the floor. An adamantine bodkin arrow with a nasty corrosive enchantment buried itself in his chest then another and another, he couldn''t maintain his spells and staggered holding himself up on his staff.
Alice hit the vampire knight a few times with desiccate their blood flowed out from their veins, through the gaps in their armour and dripped onto the floor. Martin pulled the helmet off revealing a female vampire, David cut down with his sword removing her head. The vampire''s body withered away then crumbled to dust leaving a skull with two fangs and an empty suit of armour.
Vivian''s arrows pierced the vampire¡¯s arms and legs, they dropped their staff and fell to the ground. Martin held his holy symbol against the vampire¡¯s head as Vivian kept firing into them. The wizard flailed about as the holy symbols¡¯ presence unravelled the spell animating the vampire¡¯s body. With each arrow embedded in the vampire it took more and more corrosive damage, until its flesh failed, and it collapsed into dust leaving a smoking fanged skull.
That had been a tough fight most of them were wounded, but with five of them against two elites they had over run the vampires next line of defence. How many more stood between them and the elder they didn''t know, but it was certain that more vampires would be further back.
The level up hit Alice reached level 83 she gained the improved version of the desiccate spell. It was a bit messy ringing the blood out of a vampire using the spell, but it really sapped their strength. David reached level 79 his soldier of fortune ability reached level 4 that was all he needed. Next time he would pick another ability. Vivian reached level 82 gaining the second level of her knock down skill, it was useful against single opponents. Martin reached level 94 he gained the 4th level of his combat dodge ability. Avoiding damage was better than being able to take the hits he had a good chance of doing both. Martin could feel himself so close to the next class level it was almost palpable soon he would reach his full potential as a vampire hunter.
Alice healed the group up as quickly as she could, David Martin and Thomas had taken the most punishment. While Vivian had a couple of bruises where an arrow bounced off her enchanted armour. Martin reloaded his pistols then set about gathering up the vampire¡¯s teeth, they would definitely want to claim the bounty on this lot. Vivian set about reclaiming her arrows. They found a suitable side room with a vent and started a fire piling up the remains of the husks on top of the fire a little oil got the blaze going. David sorted through the dropped weapons and armour. A lot of the good stuff like the knight¡¯s armour was enchanted with vampiric magic which shattered when Martin tried to purify it.
They wrapped the blood thralls remains in a few blankets and left them to one side. If they had the opportunity, they would be given last rights and cremated back at the cathedral. The entire group were busy watchful, would they call it quits for the day. Searching through the remains they found a few coin and trinkets nothing that was of any use. Until Alice examined the staff that the vampire wizard had dropped.
He had dropped something that would be rated as a grand master¡¯s staff. It contained several boosts over Alice''s master staff including + 150 points of mana +15 natural armour + 6 points of perception with the addition of a 30-point resist fire enchantment. The staff was made from ebony with blue leather grips channels carved in the wood had alternating mithril and octium wire running around the staff. It was capped with a silver iron cap that looked like a small mace.
She drained her own staff of mana and picked this one up. It was a shame to put lady Imoline''s gift to one side, but this staff had three times the mana reserve and was slightly better in every way than Alice''s current one.
An exalted master would carry one even stronger, she grinned one step at a time she told herself.
Thomas grinned, ¡°I have been fully healed thanks to Alice and I still have two bottles of holy water, I say we keep pressing on¡±. Alice held up the staff, ¡°I have about half my ... mana left, that was a good fight¡±. Martin had a zealous look in his eyes a grin from ear to ear hidden under his mask, ¡°we take the fight to the foe I have lots of blessings and quite a lot of ammo left¡±.
Vivian''s golem eye scanned about ¡°I guess we have quite a bit to go that vampire appeared to be an arrogant twit, but they must have some brain and a powerful regenerative ability¡±. David gripped his sword ¡°remember the reward is 23 gold¡±.
They moved a bit further. There was an open cavern two siege ghouls a dozen regular ghouls and a vampire overseeing them. The vampire pointed to the group. One siege ghoul whirled around its belly bulged and contracted, its throat and cheeks puffed up then a stream of acidic vomit hit the earthen wall spell Alice had raised to block it. Martin targeted one siege should ¡°Pillar of fire¡± the beast immediately stopped what it was doing as its lower legs and chest were engulfed in flame.
Martin drew his four barrelled pistol 4 mithril bullets hit the siege ghoul square in the head, it faltered grabbed its head screaming in pain and collapsed to the floor. David and Thomas started to tear apart the lesser ghouls and the vampire. Alice hit the second siege ghoul with an icy tomb spell it slowed down, Vivian peppered it with arrows it the head and neck. A few electric strike spells and it two was nearly going down. David left the rest of the ghouls to Thomas and set about making sure that the downed siege ghoul would not be getting back up.
The vampire abandoned his place and fled. As the second siege ghoul was hit with acid strikes burning out its eyes and a few desiccate spells that caused its flesh to start withering drying up. Thomas finished on the small ghouls and started to make sure that the second siege ghoul was not getting back up. A little preparation a little fire and the ghouls were permanently dealt with, the party rearmed and prepared for what might be the last battle to reach the prince.
They passed through a few more rooms until they came to what might have been intended as a grand banqueting hall. On a throne of ebony wood and black marble the vampire elder the prince sat. A pompous looking square jawed blond man with an octium mace at his side hanging on his belt. He had blue clothes with a white under shirt all probably silk. A blood thrall held a bag full of javelins for him. He had a mithril crown and a glowing magical ring. There were four bone golems beside him of fairly standard size and construction. He appeared haughty outraged with the occasional flash of fear beneath the anger. There were ten blood thralls around him carrying crossbows, around them were another ten vampire maunders in heavy iron plate.
His voice was as arrogant as the rest of him suggested, ¡°you came to collect on my noble head, I will collect the bounty on yours¡±. He had a scroll he cast shock ward on himself to resist Martins chain smite, the party didn''t charge into the room they sat in the entrance way Martin and Vivian looked up. The vampire looked at them annoyed, ¡°are you cowards¡±.
Alice released a fire ball into the ceiling, there was a creaking crash and a mass of stone boulders and wooden supports smashed down hard enough to make the floor tremble. They would have a lot of difficulty with this one, he had prepared a killing ground they were not going to just walk into it.
The party sat there at the entrance to the room Alice cast an earthen wall spell Thomas and David stood there prepared they targeted the largest opponents the bone golems. Vivian''s iron broad head arrows started to strike the first construct one after another. It lumbered one step forwards, but the prince pulled it back. Alice sent one fire bite spell after another at the same golem, Martin joined in firing his pistol using his ¡°wrath¡± blessing ten times in a row.
The prince lost his patience and sent all four bone golems forwards, he signalled, and a massive swarm of bats fell from the ceiling towards the group. Martin had his holy symbol, ¡°field of wrath, field of wrath¡±, the bats were purified falling from the sky their tainted existence ended but there were more. Alice used her poison gas cloud spell blocking of the area in front of them, the bats were soon gone spent. The crossbow wielding thralls started to fire as the golems got closer. Vivian''s iron arrows slowly wore away at the first golem Alice added her fire ball spells. Martin hit it with four barrels of shot empowered with his ¡°divine retribution¡± blessing each time. Another fire ball and it collapsed.
The second golem was hit with the remainder of Vivian''s iron arrows, Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°wrath of the almighty¡±, he hit it with that blessing three times Alice targeted it in the leg with her acid strike spell it collapsed and started to drag its self-forwards. A javelin thrown with immense force almost took Vivian''s head off, the prince was starting to add his own personal might to the battle.
Vivian switched to her Damascus bodkin arrows she was aiming for the third golems knee''s, intent to shatter them and bring the third golem down. Alice kept hitting the second golem with fire balls to destroy it. Martin was hit by a few crossbow bolts. He held out his holy symbol ¡°pillar of fire¡± the pillar swept through the blood thralls with crossbows. Half of them managed to get out the way half didn''t. More of the javelins hit and they had to duck, as Alice rebuilt the defensive wall. The golems got closer Martin activated more blessings throwing what he had at the third golem, circle of consecration, pillar of salt, field of wrath. He emptied his lion hears hammer pistol and down the third golem went crawling along the floor. The second golem expired under Alice''s fire balls.
The last golem stepped over the third one ¡°thy will be done¡±. The blessing revealed that the golems focus was in its lower body. Vivian emptied her silver arrows into it and switched to her mithril arrows hitting the focus and destroying the golem outright. They focused on destroying the last golem, ¡°Circle of consecration, sphere of consecration, word of judgement¡± the golem collapsed breaking apart yards from reaching them.
The party entered into the hall cautiously Martin leading them holy symbol out front. The prince grinned and pulled a pair of levers. A green caustic fluid started to bubble up at the sides of the arena and a black gas began to descend. Martin reacted quickly, ¡°cleanse air cleanse water¡±. The gas dissipated and the green fluid turned into water. Thomas hurled two bottles of holy water. Right at the prince, suddenly he was covered in boiling holy water and broken glass. The holy water cut through his shield aura but didn''t quite reach him.
The group of vampire marauders charged forwards at some unseen signal, probably a mental call from the prince. Alice happily bombarded them with acid strike spells and electrical strike spells they kept coming. Vivian still had mithril arrows and they punched right through the iron armour. Martin began to fire off his blessings, Sphere of concentration, the vampires flinched, pillar of salt one collapsed inside his armour as he was destroyed only leaving an empty suit and fangs. Field of wrath hit the remaining vampires then 2 medium thermite grenades blasting the rest. David and Thomas made quick work of the rest as they approached. David had to block a few bolts and a javelin as he got closer.
The prince pulled another lever near his throne, two panels of the wall fell away two giant thrall boars and two large thrall bears charged into the hall. Vivian targeted the first and put bleed arrows into its skull, it skidded to the floor. Martin targeted the blood thralls with crossbows. Three uses of his smite blessing and there were only two left. Alice hit one of the beasts with an icy tomb spell it was strong enough to kill the creature on its own. Thomas tackled one of the bears and David shield bashed the boar so hard he stunned it then set about carving its head off.
Marin unleashed more blessings at the prince who finally stepped of his throne mace in hand, sphere of concentration, holy aura. The prince prepared to swing, Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°hand of judgement¡± a fist formed of divine energy hammered the vampire into the ground he was barely phased, more damage was done to his pride. An acid strike spell hit him in the face while a fire ball took out his last thralls. The Mace found Martin and sent him flying he got back up. The prince was hit by a volley of octium arrows, they were enough to break his skin a scratch, but they built up.
David blocked the mace with his shield and was sent back a meter. Thomas slashed away with his adamantine blades delivering a few injures before he was sent flying, with a short swing of the mace. The prince might have been saving himself but now he was letting lose with all his strength. Alice hit him with an icy tomb spell slowing him down a little. Martin unleashed his remaining blessings three hits from ¡°smite¡± a pillar of salt that made the vampire itchy rather than crumble to dust. Four small thermite grenades hit him he scratched in pain as the molten metal ate away at his skin.
David and Thomas started to beat down on him and were sent flying. Martin used his healing blessings then started to throw all his daggers at the prince a little distraction. Vivian started to nail him with her Adamantine arrows, they had a massive effect burying into his flesh. The prince pulled them out and cast them away.
.
Martin ran up to the prince activating all his defensive blessings with ¡°litany of blessings¡±. The vampire looked worried as Martin held up three large thermite grenades, he set them off at point blank range the vampire elder was burnt to the bone. He got up a blue light surrounding him his supreme regeneration activated, his flesh started to return to a healthy undamaged state. Vivian ran out of arrows.
The prince twirled his mace, ¡°you think that you could beat me¡±. Martin held his holy symbol out interrupting the vampire¡¯s monologue ¡°word of judgement¡±. the sonic attack did little damage, but the stun effect was still present Martin hit him with another ¡°smite¡± then drew his four barrelled pistol. The witch finder had given him some octium bullets, he had four octium bullets with a mithril bullet loaded behind each one and an overload charge of powder. The alternative fire and all four barrels emptied simultaneously into the vampire¡¯s forehead. He screamed dropping his mace and clutching his forehead. Martin held out his holy symbol one final time, chain smite, ¡°your shock ward spell ran out¡±.
The bolts of electricity hit the vampire they didn''t stop they didn''t lesson, second by second the damage increased a cascading surge of electrical damage. A tidal wave of punishment for the vampire¡¯s arrogance, Martin kept going until the prince''s bones began to show again burnt and blackened, he had a stake. He literally fell on him plunging the stake home a glint of madness and triumph in his eyes.
As Martin sunk the stake in and twisted, he realised the vampire was dead its skeleton left behind. the first elder vampire killed in maybe a decade. They had come so very close before with lexicon, now they had made it stick.
The level up hit them, Vivian Alice and David each gained two levels. Alice reached level 85 the greater version of the desiccate spell was now available to her. Vivian reached level 84 gaining the 4th rank of the knock down skill. David reached level 81 gaining the same class level as Vivian and added the first level of a skill called battle brother which helped him to fight in a group to better respond to his teammates.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Martins bonus from killing vampires boosted his gain to four whole levels. Raising him up to level 98. From levels 96 ¨C 98 he put them into improving his general melee weapon skill, boosting it up to level 16 the most important level was level 95 a class level. He gained another use of his circle of concentration blessing and two more uses of the purify blessing. They were small advantage in the grand scheme of things.
He gained a single use of the greater pillar of fire blessing it burnt a lot hotter covered a larger area and lasted longer than his simple pillar of fire blessing. He gained a blessing called the crusaders stride when employed for a short time a hunter could not be knocked back or knocked down. A real boon against powerful vampires. The last blessing was a strange and powerful one, martyrs¡¯ spirit once per day he could summon the ethereal spirit of deceased hunter. They would last for ten seconds before passing back. They could deal holy damage to an opponent another good weapon to add to his arsenal.
The last gift was greater sonic resistance, Martin remembered the way he had gained resistance to poison how it felt every cell in his body was being coated in poison. He remembered how he had felt when gaining greater resistance to mind control as if something was hammering about in his head. This was not going to be pleasant at all. He dropped to the floor his head his body vibrating from a deafening noise inside his own skull that no other could hear. The noise grew louder and louder the vibrations resonating in his bone. He tried to reach out he coughed up blood his body twitched again was it seconds minutes, then thank the creator god it was over.
Martin could really despise his inhuman endurance, passing out so he couldn''t feel the pain would have been really nice. Thomas helped him up, ¡°what happened to you¡±? ¡°four levels in one go, it hit me pretty hard¡±. He realised that blood was dripping from his eyes nose and ears. Another somewhat unsettling realisation was that he now had the three main immunities of high-level vampires. He could really start to guess what the first vampire hunters had used to toughen themselves up.
David hugged Vivian, ¡°twenty-three gold for that bastard it as good as in our hands now¡±. ¡°calm down we have a bit to go before we can spend it¡±. Alice and Thomas looked over the body he slammed it with a blade, she checked with magic, ¡°definitely him ¡no tricks¡±. Martin looked around the group, ¡°we took out an elder not the strongest but still after centuries of life he is ash¡±. Martin kicked the body, ¡°and it was done by just five of us¡±. Thomas nodded, ¡°normally it would be one grand master leading a half dozen masters and an army of veterans and hunters¡±. They rapidly set about reloading weapons and collecting ammunition, preparing for a final wave that never came.
They calmed down then set about the mundane tasks of clearing up the lair. The fangs from the fallen vampires were gathered up the remains of the thralls were wrapped up to be taken to the cathedral, intact weapons were added to the stores they had already collected. The bodies of the giant boar''s were purified their meat would be good eating. the rest was piled up and ignited Alice took a particular pleasure in adding the dead bats to the fire.
Alice had a little hunt for magical items, the only thing worth keeping came from the vampire elder she handed it to David, ¡°the ring of the challenger + 10 agility + 10 endurance + 10 dexterity you talked about needing more agility and endurance¡±. David looked hungrily at the mithril crown Martin threw it to him, ¡°its bronze with a mithril paint you might get a silver for it¡±. He looked crest fallen for a few seconds then tried on the ring.
Alice and Martin checked out the octium layered mace the prince had dropped. It was five faced a pentagon shape, twisted from a hard metal. Vivian looked over to Thomas and Martin ¡°do either of you want this¡±? Thomas indicated his blades ¡°already got what I want¡± Martin grinned ¡°I am already carrying a lot, that things heavy¡±. Vivian turned to Alice and David ¡°you already got an item each this one is for me as a backup weapon¡±.
They searched the place quite thoroughly eating a good portion of the thrall¡¯s food stores and drinking several good bottles of wine. They found the princes chambers a strong box papers a bit of coin. There was a second strange key and some paperwork. The key seemed to be almost the same as the first. They kept it not sure what it meant but it was important. The coach arrived and they filled it from top to bottom with loot with bodies to be given last rights bags of equipment were piled in. The two dead boars were dragged behind Martin and Thomas ended up jogging back behind the coach there was so little room.
The cathedral got on with the business of putting the thrall¡¯s souls to rest. So, they could not be raised as a weapon for the vampires to use. A priest checked the remains and they were confirmed as the vampire elder formally known as the prince. The reward of 23 gold was paid out by the bishop with another 8 gold for the two elite vampires they had killed. Plus, just over 200 silver for the rest of the fangs that they handed in. The jewellery coin and other knick-knacks they found equalled another 400 silvers worth of items.
They saw Francis and filially collected the 100 silver from the sheep lord¡¯s bounty. The total rewards for filially tracking down the local vampire elder was 3800 silver. Thomas took a share of 760 leaving the party with just over 3000 silver to add to their funds.
There was a big celebration at the duchess''s residence, a large banqueting room was filed with dignitaries at the head of the table the trade commissioner the duchess and the bishop sat. They ate the boar that had been brought back, cracked open a few barrels of wine from Vine Garden. There was the memorial wake, a town crier slowly read out a list of names of those that had fallen recently, commoners and adventures alike. At each name glasses would be raised, as each name was said a candle set burning on a tray was extinguished, those that died in the line of duty were the last to be remembered the last to be celebrated.
Thomas came to them with Francis in tow, ¡°thank you my friends I will always remember what we did together. The prince is dead my mission hear is over. I have been talking to Francis tomorrow I am heading off to the crusade to join the battle against the queen of rats¡±. The party was melancholy to see him go they had had a tougher ally. It would be some time before they met another as interesting as the strange case of Thomas Drem. They raised their glasses and sent him off with a round of cheers for the old vampire hunter. Martin did wonder if before there had been another like Thomas who perhaps worked with the formation of the hunter¡¯s order, a mystery lost to history.
stats
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
84 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
455/455 |
Adrenalin |
420/420 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
90 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
84 |
Level Defence Bonus |
84 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
256 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L13 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L4 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| Better Criticals L8 |
Pierce Armour L8 |
Shatter Shield L8 |
| Strike Through target 8 |
Improved Range L8 |
Knock Down L4 |
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Flaws |
| |
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
81 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
440/440 |
Adrenalin |
405/405 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
87 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
81 |
Level Defence Bonus |
81 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
247 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L12 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L4 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L4 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
Bonus sword damage L4 |
Hail of Blows L4 |
| Counter Armour L4 |
Counter Heavy Armour L4 |
Counter Shield Defence L4 |
| Protect Allies L4 |
Contract Bonds L4 |
Soldier of Fortune L4 |
| Battle Brother L1 |
|
|
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
85 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
270/270 |
Mana |
555/555 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
90 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
85 |
Level Defence Bonus |
85 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
5 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 1 Mana |
Magical Defence |
150 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L5 |
Analyse Magic L5 |
Recharge Enchantment L5 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage + 5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) allies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| Elemental Shield Master (5 x level Resistance to Cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 25 seconds |
| Icy Tomb Master (7 points of cold damage per level 13 seconds) freezes target in place instant 10 x base mana |
| Electric Strike Master targeted spell 13 foot radius (40 damage + 7 per level) 4 x base mana |
| Illusionary Allies Master - target individual 13 copies of caster illusions remain for 6 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Poison Gas Cloud Master ¨C cast on area 10 foot by 30 foot duration 7 seconds 3 point of poison damage per level 2 x base mana |
| Bonus Vitality Master ¨C cast on target gets 6 x level bonus hp for 6 x level seconds ¨C 4 x base mana |
| Tracking Kinetic strike Master 45 + (7 x level) physical damage 3x base mana |
| Earthen Wall Master (defensive barrier) 8 x level + 90 hp of barrier ¨C 3 x base mana |
| Dedicate Greater causes damage by removing water from living creatures (5 x level damage) 3 x base mana cost free aim |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
Shy with Peers |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
98 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
3214/3214 |
Focus |
545/545 |
Focus efficiency 2 focus |
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
105 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
109 |
Level Defence Bonus |
109 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
15 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Bonus vs Vampire + Minion |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L4 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L4 |
| Greater Psionic Resistance |
|
Greater Sonic Resistance |
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L17 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L4 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L4 |
Focus Multi Throw L4 |
| General Melee Weapons L17 |
Focus strike L4 |
Grenadier L14 |
| Focus Parry L4 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L8 |
| Focus Stitch L4 |
Trap specialization L5 |
Poison Use L4 |
| Focus Diagnose L4 |
Focus Set Limb L4 |
Focus Resuscitate L4 |
| Combat / Focus Dodge L4 |
|
|
|
|
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 10 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 19 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 4 |
| Sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 8 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 13 |
|
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 3 |
| Greater resist igna ¨C resistance to 65 points of fire damage x 2 |
| Greater resist lightning ¨C resistance to 65 points of electricity damage x 2 |
| Greater resist cold ¨C resistance to 65 points of cold damage x 2 |
| Litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing x 1 |
| Bastion of faith ¨C 250 points of temporary health + 30 points of armor x 1 |
| Citadel of Faith ¨C 300 points of temporary health + 40 points of armor x 2 |
| Pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt x 3 |
| Pillar of Fire ¨C 400 point fire attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 3 |
| Pillar of Ice ¨C 400 point Ice attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Greater Pillar of Fire ¨C 500 point fire attack 8 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Martyrs Spirit ¨C summons an ethereal hunters spirit for ten seconds capable of holy damage then fades back to there rest. X 1 |
| Crusaders Stride ¨C cannot be knocked down or back consumes focus per second x 1 |
| Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter x 4 |
| Hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down x 1 |
| Word of Judgment ¨C 500 sonic damage 500 holy damage stuns target 5 seconds x 2 |
| Purge mind ¨C cleans mind control x 3 |
| Purge soul ¨C removes demonic corruption possession x 3 |
| Cleanse air - cleans tainted air x 2 |
| Cleanse soil ¨C cleans tainted ground x 2 |
| Cleanse water ¨C cleans corruption form water x 2 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 150 points Long ranger rank 3 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% + accuracy 60% |
| Vitality level 2 ¨C 3 x base hit points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 21 – The Western Church
The party rose from the depths of slumber they had a good night. With the local vampire elder the prince dead there was quite a celebration and quite a heavy purse that would be invested in some good equipment shortly. They have a hearty breakfast infused with aromatic spices from the central plains, shipped a long way up the coast, a subtle reward for their efforts.
Vivian was dragged out of her area of comfort by David. She normally practised alone but David was drilling some of the guards. He was focused on shield formations defensive lines. He had a group of archers and they needed someone specificity qualified to train them.
Vivian had to stop to think, what it would be like to not have her advantages or her trove of magical items. Slowly Vivian addressed the group of militia and guards. she went over the basic training that they received from the glass bay mercenary company''s drill instructors. Some of what she had picked up in the field and some things Jonathan swain had taught her.
She believed that at least a few useful things went into the lesson, many a mercenary had claimed a few choice bounties got themselves some fancy armour then spent the rest of their career training others to do the same, it was the expected retirement of many.
Alice used the time to get some reading in. She had already read the books she had many times but there were layers of meaning in magic. She felt that over time her understanding would grow as page by page she analysed theory and practice. Martin worked on his armour for a bit, a few patch up jobs after the battle with the vampires. He started to reconsider this martial philosophy, with the effort of repairing armour perhaps avoiding damage was an even better strategy.
After the training session was over Martin addressed the group a bundle tucked under one arm. ¡°I have acquired one of the battle alchemist Tesla''s greatest creations. I will need it examined before it can be repaired and added to our arsenal¡±. It was at Martin''s insistence that the group formed up. There was still the chance of the hidden hand or another thieves syndicate attacking them for the bounty. Which had probably only gone up, when they were outside the duchess''s fortified residence, they had to be careful.
They went to the cathedral, a short conversation and they were admitted to see the bishop. ¡°My children, this city breaths a little easier with the lich and the vampire gone. You have my thanks I would implore you to track the sorcerers, they have twenty hostages and a dark purpose¡±.
Martin gripped the bundle under his arm tightly as he could, a look flashed through his eyes almost as if he was afraid to lose his prize, ¡°I came to speak with you¡±. The bishop knotted his hands almost in prayer, ¡°my son I have expected this visit for a few days¡±.
Martin half expected to have to hand it over, even though technically he would need a direct order from bishop Alexius to do it, as he was an agent of a different diocese. ¡°You mean the artefact that we recovered, yes the hand of Tesla¡±? He nodded, ¡°yes, you have dispensation to keep the artefact as a sign of your accomplishments, once it is restored to working order. Artefacts like that do the people no good sitting on some shelf in a museum or hidden in some vault. They are made for a purpose and they need to be used for that purpose, or they dishonour their creator¡¯s intent¡±, Martin was relived hearing these words.
¡°I thank you for your understanding, it has been sitting in the bottom of a vampires lair for a hundred years or more. It is made from black adamantine and mithril in the most part. It needs a lot of cleaning and some tarnish to be removed from the mechanisms. Tasks that I must sadly say are beyond me, do the church have any great artificers or battle alchemists locally¡±?
The bishop raised his hands to his chin, ¡°the bulk of the churches artisans are at the cathedral city or holy mountain. Though every order of a certain size has a few skilled brothers. I am unaware of any locally, but Francis has a few contacts that might be in a position to help you¡±.
They thanked the bishop and left heading for the hunter¡¯s house. Past a few checks and they were speaking to its leader. Francis was still examining the correspondence from the vampires lair, ¡°I must admit I rely on the merchant¡¯s guild more than anyone of my own people. You would already equal or surpass the tinkerers I have amongst my associates, though that is not truly a high bar. The trade guild have a mechanist of good standing Clarice Benett. She mostly builds clocks, but this should not be beyond her, she got a Tesla field generator working a few years back, it¡¯s on one of our ships¡±.
They moved onto the merchant¡¯s guild finding a senior clerk David was politely greeted. ¡°we are glad to see you. But it will be a few days before your commission is available, do you wish to purchase some more supplies get another commission underway¡±. David started to think about mithril armour an upgrade from his Damascus. Martin quickly steered the conversation, ¡°the local master hunter Francis advised that there was a mechanist of reliable skill a Clarice Benett. I need a battle alchemists weapon repaired, that would probably be her area of expertise correct¡±?
Having done the trade guild a favour with the lich they were given a lot of leeway. The clerk raised the top of the counter and let Martin through, the rest of them idly went over some catalogues. The clerk guided Martin, ¡°considering it is you I can arrange a consultation now, please follow me¡±.
Through the twisting maze of rooms and corridors that was the merchant¡¯s guild compound he was led to a workshop. It was filled with the smell of oil and grease, with a tiny metallic taste of fumes accompanied by the tick of a dozen clocks. There were trays and draws of seemingly endless screws cogs and other bits and pieces. Mechanist were very dexterous very perceptive but very fragile, even more so than mages. The woman in the room was as thin as a twig and quite pale. She had a series of lanterns magnifying glasses and tools set up. She was somewhere in her fifties her hands incredibly nimble her eyes sharp.
The clerk introduced them and left, Martin held out his hand, ¡°Clarice Benett, it is a pleasure to meet you¡±. She moved some piles of clock parts aside creating some space on a table, ¡°you¡¯re the grand master vampire hunter the zealot right¡±? He sat down next to her and placed the bundle on the table, ¡°that is correct I am Martin Wright¡±.
He unwrapped the bundle slowly carefully, he could appreciate the work in front of him on many levels as a craftsman with some skill in metal work it was finely made. As a vampire hunter it was a tool that was well suited to its job. As a religious man he could appreciate the sanctity of its purpose, the black adamantine would need the specific blessing of the patriarch to make this holy metal workable. To even begin forging the main components for the hand of Tesla.
His hand lingered a little too long on the artefact, his eyes a little too soft as he seemed to stroke it. ¡°As you know one of the vampire hunters that founded our order was a battle alchemist called Tesla. A specialist in electrical devices he had a weapon known as the hand of Tesla. A lightning projector, its mechanisms have been laying in the bottom of a vampires lair for over a hundred years, I would like you to make an assessment¡±.
She slotted a magnifying glass into place on a stand then looked through it. A roll of tools seemed to appear out of nowhere, lightning fast she had forceps in her hand. ¡°Let me see, has one of your colleagues already had a go at this, also I will need a chemist to look at the fuel for it¡±.
The mechanist had a jar with a cotton ball held in the forceps. She used some sort of cleaning chemicals Martin explained the position. ¡°I did a bit of cleaning and manufactured some replacement strapping for the device. I already have the electro fluid for it to function, I use more primitive devices powered under the same principle¡±.
The mechanist got a tiny screwdriver and slowly started to undo the fixing screws. She had a notebook and was drawing up the position of various items. ¡°Well the consultation will be 15 silver, if I need to pay for parts or custom-made items it will be more. I assume this is not just something for the hunter¡¯s archives. You are planning on putting this artefact to field use when it is restored¡±?
Martin watched the pencil blur as she sketched out the shape of the gauntlet almost precisely. He quickly answered without hesitation watching her work, ¡°it¡¯s made of black adamantium and mithril. I believe it will be fine as a field piece¡±. She was already in a clockwork trance, ¡°I see¡±.
The screws were put to one site, notes were taken, and a small panel was removed for maintenance. ¡°your party has no other hunter so I assume you will be using it¡±? Slowly she examined the inside, ¡°yes that is correct¡±. Clarice checked a switch that was part of the mechanism, flexing your hand in a specific way would activate the device to discharge. ¡°I will need to take some time to calibrate it what level are you for the calibration¡±.
Martin answered quickly, ¡°my total level is 109¡±. The mechanist paused for a moment, the shock almost making her lose her grip, ¡°Impressive I guess it will be fine, black adamantium is indestructible as far as I am aware. It will be a pleasure to work with it¡±.
Martin was stern, ¡°this is a very important piece. I trust that it will be kept in both a secure place and you will be confidential about this¡±. She nodded, ¡°we have a heavily reinforced spell safe. I will keep it there and I swear that I will keep this confidential. The vampires might target me if they knew I helped to repair equipment for the hunters¡±. Martin paid the fee and re-joined the rest of the group.
They found a quiet corner of the trade guild; Martin was quite excited and hid it poorly. ¡°I am sorry I took so long but the artefact is in safe hands. I had to pay fifteen silver for repairs with more to follow¡±. Vivian raised an eyebrow, ¡°make sure that you get an itemised list of parts, you might want to check that you¡¯re actually getting what you¡¯re paying for¡±. ¡°It is a fair point; I will keep it in mind¡±.
Alice adjusted her mask, ¡°there is plenty more that we can do ¡today. I would like to talk about maybe replacing the ring-mail vest I use with something stronger perhaps mithril¡±. ¡°What else would you like¡±, ¡°perhaps a few armour commissions a few extra ...books and I would like to pass my old staff on. In the same spirit lady Imoline gave it to me, to an up ¡and coming apprentice¡±.
David interjected, ¡°why not sell it¡±? ¡°It was a gift I don''t feel right just ¡selling it¡±. Vivian interjected, ¡°well after the bounty on those vampires I can see us not needing it¡±. For a moment the mithril mask seemed to flash. ¡°Normally the strongest spell anyone can use is a master spell, however I have read of hints of two more powerful levels of magic. Mystic spells and legendary spells, supposedly they are stronger versions of existing spells. They would really ¡help level the playing field against something like Bismark¡±.
David nodded ¡°that''s all well and good, we keep looking for ways of getting better prepared, getting stronger for when we collect his head. But in the meantime, do we go after the sorcerers for the church or the hidden hand crime syndicate for the nobles¡±? Vivian looked to Alice, ¡°we have killed the hidden hand time and time again and they seem to come back every time. It¡¯s almost like a demon summoned again and again do you think there is a link¡±?
Martin seemed unconcerned, ¡°we need more information for a link. We might not be able to permanently kill a demon but if we kill the sorcerers they don''t come back. They can¡¯t summon their demons anymore. The sorcerers are far easier to find and kill, my holy symbol reacts to the presence of their profane magic, Alice can you sense their spells¡±? ¡°From a small distance I can detect them, the thieves guild fate enchantments are ¡a different matter, I don''t stand a chance unless I am practically on top of them¡±.
David didn''t like fighting the sorcerers, they had more tricks with their infernal magic. He had no training for or experience of. ¡°Do you think those kidnapped people are still alive¡±? Martin dismissed it, ¡°there probably already dead or possessed by a new batch of demons¡±. Alice knew more, ¡°not necessarily there are apparently quite a few rituals where they could be prepared to be sacrificed. Even if they are possessed by a demon ¡it would be easier to fight the possession on the beginning of this stage¡±.
David was still in a quandary, ¡°let¡¯s look at what they are doing. I would bet that the sorcerers are in league with the vampires. The demons would want to disrupt these trade talks. The hidden hand seem to just want to find a way to skim a profit, not to destroy the entire thing¡±.
Vivian looked over the group, ¡°so the sorcerers seem to be a more pressing and bigger threat, so we go after them¡±. David seemed unsure ¡°I don''t know what bounty is on the sorcerers, but it¡¯s probably larger than the hidden hand so I agree, at least they leave a head to hand in¡±. Alice added her agreement, ¡°the sorcerers are far less of a pain to nail down¡±. Martin rubbed his hands in anticipation of the evil to be purged, ¡°that seals their fate, we go after these sorcerers, Francis and the deputy sheriff may have some leads¡±.
They moved across the city towards the gate house to meet the deputy sheriff, to search for a lead. As they entered a small public square, they noted three other elves. They fitted the more traditional assessment of what made an elf. Taller quite thin the ears a rather dead giveaway. The twenty city guards following them around at a discrete distance were also a dead giveaway. The lead elf gestured the group forwards, Martin moved forwards Vivian elbowed David in the side, almost hard enough to dent his Damascus plate, he would keep his mouth shut.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
His voice was relaxed as if he had all the time in the world it was light and happy. ¡°Ah welcome my friends I have heard about you from the bishop. He told me about the dinner to celebrate the vampire¡¯s demise¡±. They made their introductions, he offered them a blessing then shook their hands.
He wore the western churches version of priestly robes; they were dyed green with hints of blue and white. A holy symbol made from rose wood hung at his belt, ¡°I am a priest in the service of the creator god, my name is Vicia Brychioides. I am also the elven ambassador and chief negotiator in these trade talks, to think hear I stand at the other side of the long ocean¡±.
There were two crusaders standing next to him they remained alert and stood several feet back. They had mithril mail and blades with kite shields slung across their backs. Martin remembered the bishop¡¯s words, the elves didn''t have that many fighters these were probably amongst their best. His monocle showed that they were both past veterans but not yet masters. Their equipment added quite a lot to their strength it was very well crafted.
Vicia nodded behind him, ¡°May I introduce my body guards these ladies of the faith keep me safe. The head of security Odoratum¡±. She wore light green robes with small flecks of white. ¡°And Saxifraga¡± she wore white garment with hints of purple decoration. The elves were certainly well turned out. ¡°To see other lands, I was apprehensive of this calling at first, but the creator god chose me to take the first steps. I am the first of many, they are looking at appointing a bishop as a full-time liaison eventually¡±.
There are some officials of the church and a handful of pilgrims chosen by lots to visit the holy mountain, it is a glorious holy undertaking¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°we have seen one pilgrim we did briefly chat with a small elven woman in an inn, she carried with her an ancient holy symbol¡±. His eyes showed recognition and warmth, ¡°oh yes Agapanthus she is a dear, quite impetus but she knows what she is doing for one so young¡±.
¡°You seem to be supremely calm¡±, ¡°oh yes dear Vivian, the Western church is far more relaxed. We are a theocracy, but we purged or domesticated most monsters thousands of years ago. As a result, there are not that many fighters but plenty of traders and craters amongst us¡±. They continued to walk about the city and talk.
The western church was less conservative, allowing women in the clergy up to rank of bishop. It was a rule of the church not a rule of the creator god. Perhaps in time with the western churches influence the northern church might change its position.
Vivian chatted with the ambassador, the elven lands were more lax on drugs, that the northern kingdom would come down on like a ton of bricks. There was a small bone of contention with the ambassador. His group had to give up, several milder versions of drugs that were legal in his land and would not significantly affect elves or half elves. But would affect humans, he had to leave his smoking pipe his green and purple tobacco on the ship.
¡°Yes, Vivian we have a percentage of humans in our lands, my great grandfather was half human on his mother¡¯s side. The western colonies were not the only time your people headed out west. Lots of northern humans joined with the elves. both elves from the northern and central plains city states, joined together on our voyage to find a new home. They rejected the first king and the nobles of the day. I understand such excesses were curbed with the barons. When the peasant¡¯s revolt had them all removed, with brutal repercussions under mob justice¡±.
¡°It was providence that we left; our ancestors could see it on the horizon. The slow build up to the golem revolt. Year by year the golems were being built just that bit more complicated and bit by bit people were treating them more like things possessions. The combination was guaranteed to breed resentment and what followed¡±.
He paused to think, ¡°I understand that the golems have remained mostly inactive¡±. He did some rough calculations in his head, ¡°about five maybe six days from hear is the location of one of our ancient city''s. Well it¡¯s a city of graves and golems now. But it was once the city of aquamarine crystals. The golems seem to have triggered some sort of fail safe from what I hear. It is very rare or very hard for them to journey from the ten elf city''s boundaries¡±.
There was a statue four meters high of a large armoured woman. It was granite enchanted to be highly durable. The elf pointed out the statue, ¡°that is a statue to the eternal champion, she was the one that came when there was blood to be spilled. Truly they were a monster if my historical reading is true. She perpetrated all sorts of horrors, the halflings for example¡±. Vivian asked, ¡°what''s a halfling¡±? ¡°One race gone by her hand, she may not have been a monster to begin with, but she worked for a monster, until she became one¡±.
¡°According to the history books, she worked for the first king, he had a long reach to the southern lands to the dwarven isles, the western colonies, what you call the confederacy now. He was around for a long time; it was not a title that passed from one person to another. But if I read my history''s correctly, he disappeared when the vampire progenitor started to step out of the shadows so to speak, I guess the bigger monster won the day¡±.
Alice had quite a bit of extra perception due to a few of her enchanted items. She could see they were being followed. Vivian was picking up on something, her artificial eye would dart round to focus in on something. David was not sure what was going on, but he was picking up on something, by watching them. Vivian acted ready changes in her focus changes in her posture he was getting ready for a fight. Martin was using his monocle for a very similar effect focusing in on a watcher in the shadows.
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Vivian saluted, ¡°excuse us farther we have to attend to something¡±. She twirled around and focused on a shadow. The shadow turned out to be a short bundle of rags that sprinted away. Alice and David hung back as Martin and Vivian gave chase. The short bundle of rags disappeared into the gap between two buildings Vivian headed around one-way Martin the other. This bundle kept running climbing and dodging.
Vivian slowly got further and further back, but Martin kept going. His inhuman endurance allowed him to keep pursuing no matter how many short cuts feigns and other diversions they made. The bundle of rags threw a smoke bomb of some sort and kept running.
Martins monocle easily pierced the smoke, but he held back. It was easier to follow an opponent who didn''t realise the range he could see. They had run them around for twenty minutes now he was certain they were nice and terrified and not thinking straight. They would lead Martin and the rest of the group right back to their home base boss or contact. This was probably someone paid to watch the elven ambassador, just a hired set of eyes. He could see the panic in their body language this was no hidden protection. But someone that knew they had put their nose in the wrong place.
The bundle of rags slipped a few planks of wood lose in a fence around a dock were house. They darted through a small hatch and slammed it shut behind them. They gasped and panted trying to get their breath back. The man in the leather coat, if it was a man under the armour and mask was relentless. They had only gotten away by the skin of their teeth, they had seen little of value, but it was something to report. The eleven ambassador had been staying deep in the cathedral fortress. Now the vampire elder was dead they were letting him out into the city, it was information of some use.
The bundle of rags pulled the hood back to reveal a thin child. Easily dismissed as an urchin or an orphan run away. That would be a mistake as the child''s eyes showed the onset of the thrall taint. The little rat was not alone, she was the last of eight to return to the hide out. They quietly shared a meal of stolen bread and cheese. A blood thrall one of the infamous groups known as the grave rats took down notes on what had been seen, what had been overheard.
He looked at the panting child, ¡°what happened¡±? ¡°The eleven ambassador was outside I was watching. There were four with him, a magic user a man in plate with a big shield a man in a large coat and an archer, they chased I escaped¡±. The grave rat looked puzzled, ¡°describe them in more detail the archer¡±? ¡°She had a funny eye it was like metal¡±. The man panicked, ¡°those were the four masters grab everything we need to move quickly back onto the ship¡±.
Before the rest of them could react, the wooden wall exploded front and back. David ploughed through the wall with his shield in front of him Vivian behind. Alice blasted a hole in the other wall with a kinetic strike spell Martin followed. There were eight of the little rats the thralled children, they pulled out small daggers like needles and clustered around the grave rats. There were four of the blood thralls their loyalty unending. a dozen high level terror rat men with steel armour and weapons entered into the room. A purple robed necromancer entered behind them he was a rat man as well he was protected by a dozen skeletons.
The necromancer looked at the head grave rat, ¡°this was meant to be reconnaissance only what now¡±, he was full of grim futile resolve, ¡°we fight with all we have¡±. The little rats screamed and charged like animals; there tiny blades brandished. The terror rat men and grave rats advanced, the necromancer sent his skeletal creatures a mixture of rat-men and humans forwards. Supporting them with a few weak spells. Vivian shouted out to the group, ¡°don''t hurt the kids to much, gentle as you can be¡±.
Martin held out his holy symbol to the two screaming children ¡°purify¡±. The thrall taint gone they dropped their knives and stood there confused. Alice used her shield spell on herself then used her earthen wall spell to create a barrier around the two children holding them in place. David watched the two going after him bounce of his shield he turned a heavy crate upside-down and put it over the top of them. Vivian pinned the last two to a wall with arrows through their clothes holding them in place like washing hastily pegged out on a line.
With the children out of the way the kid gloves were off. The party hit the rest of the group with all they had. Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°pillar of salt¡± the necromancer crumbled into a white pile. Martin had his four barrelled pistol out four shots and he blasted apparat a group of terror rat men trying to spear him. Alice hurled a fire ball into the group of skeletons and got the lot of them. Vivian targeted the blood thralls, the grave rats didn''t make it very far. A few tried to burn papers or grab paperwork and run but they fell with arrows embedded in their chests or heads. The remainder of the terror rat men were cut to pieces by David. The last one got close to Vivian she used her new mace to flatten him, despite his steel armour he was crushed with a single blow.
Martin used his purify blessing on the rest of the children, shortly after they no longer became a threat the level up hit. Their eyes glowed, Martin reached level 99 as a vampire hunter he was so close to the 100 limit he could feel it on the tip of his tongue. Alice reached level 86 mastering her desiccate spell. David reached level 82 and gained the second level of his battle brother skill. Vivian reached level 85 with a class level; she could now train royal praetorian guards who were a bit better with another rank of intensive training.
Moments later some city guards began to show up. The local captain of the guard began to take details down form the confused children. The queen of rats, one of the vampire masters ran a successful spy ring abducting children contaminating them with the thrall taint. Then using them as spies. Some of the children were locals most were from further south.
They examined the hide out, the rat men sneaked in on a ship inside crates according to a cargo manifest. A certain number of boxes were delivered to the warehouse, it was one way to get a strike team into the city. The local lich had served the king of bones before she died, the queen of rats was in an alliance with that other master vampire. Perhaps she had been working with them, there was no paper trail it was supposition anyway. They were certain the tainted kids had been spying, there were a dozen messenger bats in cages ready to fly.
There were two reports that Vivian read through with interest. A large supply of drugs, specifically blue moon the strong narcotic, the blue stuff. There was a lot of it held in the church as a favour for the duchess. Vivian paused she was using a little blue dust to keep her head from exploding from the stress these days. But barrels and barrels of it she had to wonder if there was some legitimate use or some strange deal. She remembered seeing barrels in the secure basement of the cathedral when they woke up Thomas Drem. The blue stains it was coming together. If the guards found that report it would cause trouble for the bishop and the duchess, so she took it.
There was a report on a possible threat growing up in the next town over. A possible threat to the vampires that was. A tamer, a monster trainer had a pet called the Forged Hydra. It was raised by hand taken form a lamia nest near forge hold. It was rapidly growing fighting trolls to clear some woods. It was a very rare golden seven headed hydra. Most had three or five heads this one was truly rare. It was a servant of the lady Grace from the minor house of Star-Lin. Reading it David chuckled, ¡°we should have asked for another 20 silver when we sold that egg¡±.
The children would be looked after by lay volunteers. Until they could be reunited with their families. The bodies of the grave rats were taken to the cathedral for the usual services. The remains of the rat men were simply burnt as trash with the remains of the skeletons. Some of their equipment would be useable, the rest would be raw materials.
Vivian looked at the sheriff and the local captain, ¡°you report this to the bishop and the trade commissioner we will report to the duchess¡±. They arrived at her residence and gained an audience. A brief exchange of formalities and Vivian filled her in on the situation, ¡°we found servants of the queen of rats, some of the grave rats working in your city. They smuggled in a squad of terror rat men possibly part of an assassination plot. They were watching the elven ambassador they have been dealt with¡±.
The duchess did not see it so simply, ¡°was there more¡±? ¡°They were looking at potential threats a monster tamer with a rare hydra, but they also found evidence of a large shipment of drugs that the bishop has stored under the cathedral. Apparently at your request this would look bad if the city guards were asking these questions, I am sure that it has some use other than the obvious¡±.
Her tone was deadly serious, ¡°Of course it does, the trade commissioner is aware of it as is the bishop. But it¡¯s not a good idea for the general population to know we are stockpiling narcotics¡±. David grinned, ¡°Is there reward for our service today¡±? ¡°I can give you 100 silver now, hopefully that is the only nest of rats in my city. Thank you for your discretion, I will discuss this matter with you in depth tomorrow. For today I have to put certain contingency in place now, just to make sure that there are no other surprises from the grave rats¡±.
They ate a quick meal drank a few ales and met in Vivian''s room. They felt out with magic faith and enhanced perception. Martin shrugged, ¡°perhaps they are going to weaponize it, I have used some of that stuff mixed with a smoke bomb. It can really disorientate an opponent in a strong dose¡±. David had his own guess ¡°elves are different from humans, maybe they don''t have the negative effects we suffer. It¡¯s probably going to be sold to them any on want to bet me a silver¡±?
Alice checked her bracer, ¡°It might be used by a tamer ¡for a really big monster to pacify them¡±. Vivian looked over where her own stash was hidden. She was not prepared to share her little insight with the group just yet, ¡°I think it¡¯s a lure to get the hidden hand out of the shadows, a prize big enough to catch them out, whatever it is let¡¯s keep quiet until we know a bit more¡±.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 22 – Blue Fin
They woke up with many questions, answers would take a little longer. Over breakfast they had a quick low-key discussion. David looked around the table, ¡°did we help much yesterday? The city guards could have taken that bunch out¡±. Alice nodded waving her spoon about, ¡°the sorcerers are the biggest ¡threat. An extra day for them to charge a ritual and ¡prepare is a lot more trouble for us, we should have spent some time chasing them rather than street rats¡±.
Martin grabbed a third bowl, ¡°the sorcerers are a big problem, but we stopped the queen of rats from gaining a foot hold in this city. We cut her spies off it means something¡±. Vivian''s golem eye swivelled round the table, ¡°if the guards had tackled them, they would have suffered losses, and you don''t know what that person could do later¡±.
Several more bowels full of food disappeared at the breakfast table. David was losing less at the gambling table. Ten or fifteen bronze penny''s a night it was small change to them anyway. He was not getting any better, but he was focusing on something else.
David now looked back at the instructors and drill sergeants that had filled his youth with a degree of understanding. He was tutoring the local militia levies and guards; he would prepare them as best he could. This morning it was on tribal monsters, the blood alchemists¡¯ creations. He went over how they have fought rat men and lamia snake men before, the tactics that they had used.
He was not alone he got Martin along to talk about vampires. Martin went through practical fighting against the vampires. How to identify the weaker vampires that could be tackled by groups of city guards or shield walls of militia and how to identify the stronger vampires that required a sound strategic withdrawal. He went on about holy water stakes simple things. Things that didn''t do much like garlic and mirrors, what creatures are beyond them. How to avoid and spot the taint that the vampires carry, how to deal with it in food water on contact.
Vivian and Alice drilled a little, first Vivian on attack with Alice trying to shield a target dummy from Vivian''s arrows. Then Vivian on defence trying to intercept Alice''s spells with her arrows before they could hit a target dummy. They were staying close to the duchess, anticipating waiting for her to reveal what the hell was going on with a vault stuffed with barrels of drugs.
Finally, a servant arrived and ushered them up to the Duchess private chambers. A short formal greeting and they sat down, a bottle of wine on the table. She looked around the room, ¡°can you discern anything¡±? prays magic and various devices revealed no ease dropper.
¡°I need to take you into my confidence to reveal one of our trump cards. You know the long ocean is full of kraken leviathan giant crabs and lesser sea monsters. Well we are able to make the western colonies or the elven lands easily¡±. David was curious, ¡°how is that trip easy¡±? ¡°We do have a deal with a leviathan, as we do with green belly. We made a deal with a leviathan blue fin, nearly a thousand years ago¡±.
She continued, ¡°He or she I am not sure is over 250 yards long, smaller than green belly but strong enough to keep anything away from our convoys. We need to be able to feed, let¡¯s say him a barrel of blue moon dust every few days to keep him happy, when he is active. I will give some explanation on blue fins biology, he is now dependent on the drugs. He gets upset if he does not get them. We have a plentiful supply for two trips a year. Now we are looking at eight trips a year, we need to increase the supply¡±.
David wondered, ¡°what does he eat¡±? ¡°Blanket weed juvenile kraken, giant crabs and he soaks up background mana like a dragon. Any creature that gets to that size has a degree of that ability¡±. Vivian wondered, ¡°green belly and blue fin don''t compete do they¡±? ¡°they stay out of each other¡¯s way we feed them on different things. We post a few warships with the convoys for small problems and we have a peaceful crossing of the ocean¡±.
¡°The dwarves raise rust krakens inside monster tamer families for the same reason. Though those armoured molluscs don''t get any larger than 100 feet long and stay in the eastern ocean. I have never heard of them persuading a rust kraken to follow them past the tip of the southern lands. The dwarves are far less adventurous after that, and the buccaneers are regrettably far more adventures.
The duchess looked around the room, ¡°someone seems to know we need blue moon by the barrel full. I don''t think that they know what it is for, but they know we need it. I don''t know if it¡¯s the hidden hand the sorcerers. The two of them working together but someone is endangering our supply. The cathedral is very secure, so they are targeting the Ingredients for blue moon¡±.
She sipped her wine, ¡°I suppose you don''t know that much about the ingredients, but one of the main one''s is a hallucinogenic blue mushrooms. They are a mutated variant on the ones used for dyeing fabric. They give the final product its distinct blue colour. A very large shipment was stolen, we need to get it back. We treated them like the mushrooms used in dye production, but someone worked out our ruse and they are gone. Stolen from inside the city during the celebration of the vampires defeat¡±.
Vivian wondered, ¡°Have you ever heard a story about some sort of hidden vault under this city. Or in the local area. Something back from the time the elves were active, before the golem revolt or the vampire civil war¡±. The duchess had a response as if she was reading from a script, it was probably a question every visitor of note asked her. ¡°The elves had four cites, but we believe they had outposts. As they became more reliant on golems more decadent, they slowly shut down these outposts. Something like that might be what you have heard rumours of, one of these hidey holes. The elves cleared most of them out, but if you find some elven coins, they can be valuable, especially to elven collectors¡±.
The duchess got up and walked over to her desk, ¡°one of the other ingredients is a strong chemical base solution, we also need it in large quantiles. The stuff is called the catalyst its usually produced locally. An alchemist in the trade guild has problems providing it. They are being very vague with their reports. I imagine something has happened I want you to deal with it¡±. David looked around the group, ¡°we need to put a few orders in with the trade guild any way and check up on a commission¡±.
The duchess raised a finger, ¡°there is one more thing. A large shipment of crystallized mana was stolen, it was shipped in from old root ten boxes of the stuff, I need you to get it back. Officially it¡¯s for the completion of repairs to the judgement. Unofficially it is one of the secret ingredients in the production of blue moon dust. The deputy sheriff is investigating the situation¡±.
Alice looked sagely, ¡°it would be very useful for enchanter ¡lots of uses. It¡¯s a slow process and the reason why we don''t have massive quantities of magic items to ¡equip our forces with. It could also be used to power one big spell ¡if it was prepared properly. It might be the sorcerers who stole that, one their rituals takes a lot of mana¡±.
Vivian wanted to assemble all the facts, ¡°what about other ingredients¡±? ¡°They are not required in such quantiles, there is something extracted from blue beetles and other ingredients minerals plants. But we have a few farms now that raise the beetles and the plants we need. Those have not been targeted thankfully¡±.
David was his usual self, ¡°what is the reward¡±? The duchess would not hear a word about sorcerers ¡°I imagine all this will be traced back to the hidden hand. I am willing to offer 500 silver for the recovery of these items, if it turns out that something stronger is lurking about. Bring back proof and we can make an arrangement¡±. The group politely left for their current task.
A quick journey across the city and they were at the barracks speaking to the deputy sheriff. Vivian began, ¡°There was a large shipment to the mages guild, it was stolen can you give us more information we have be charged with its recovery¡±. ¡°It was part of a big trade caravan from the south. We had three mercenary free company''s and militia working together to bring it over, nothing was going to attack that¡±.
He moved closer to them, ¡°we might have an informant in our ranks, the targeting was precise when the shipment was split apart. When the guards were halfway through the night shift waiting for a pickup to take it from the warehouse. Something happened it was sudden, and the lot was gone¡±. Vivian wondered, ¡°were there any deaths¡±? ¡°No deaths but certainly a few people were ill afterwards, they had not eaten or drunk anything. There was no sign of a poisoned dart, we looked¡±.
Vivian''s golem eye focused in on the deputy sheriff, ¡°we have other means at our disposal that you don''t¡±. He shrugged, ¡°I had an apothecary look over the crime scene and a hunter with a St Michaels hound tried to find any traces of a sent. There was nothing five guards were knocked out with some chemical we can¡¯t identify; you can examine them yourselves¡±.
Five rather fatigued looking men sat around a table. They were slowly writing up a report whatever had been used on them had dulled their senses. They could barely focus, the look in their eyes was off like a man who had been on duty for days without a break. Martin held his holy symbol up to one guard ¡°purify¡± there was a brief flash and the man was suddenly a lot more awake, blinking his eyes focused.
Alice held a handout to one of the guards and the seemed to sense the faint trail of magic. She gave the deputy sheriff a look of pity, ¡°it¡¯s not a chemical ¡it¡¯s an infernal spell¡±. The guard coughed, ¡°a spell¡±? They moved to the scene of the crime. Alice held her hands out moving to an ally around the corner from the warehouse. ¡°I can sense the magic used, something ¡was summoned with a weak version of a summoning spell. So, it was a temporarily contracted demon, it ¡was probably a succubus who used a weak mind control spell. Not flashy not easy to notice, they ¡put the guards to sleep not exactly what they train them to deal with right¡±. The deputy sheriff nodded, ¡°Yes quite right demons are not our forte¡±.
David gestured forwards, ¡°well we did say we would target the sorcerers. It looks like we have a nice solid lead¡±. Alice held her hand out and slowly walked along the street. ¡°I can sense ¡a very vague trail they made it along this street in the middle of the night. I suppose the warehouses are busy all hours so no one would ¡have paid it any attention¡±. Vivian''s automata eye focused in on something, ¡°what''s that in the gutter¡±? Alice plucked a small crystal out of the side of the road, ¡°well spotted Vivian I guess they ¡wanted to check they had gotten all the right boxes, when they were far enough away from the warehouse to feel they were safe¡±.
Alice pointed in a vague direction, ¡°the trail gets cold they didn''t use magic again. It can''t be that far until we reach ¡were they were going¡±. They spread out with the city guards. A woman who was half asleep with a child in her hands spoke to a guard and gestured up a side street. The guard rushed over to Vivian, ¡°Mam there is a report of large man in a hood carrying boxes, a couple of other people in robes pushing a cart with more boxes our best lead¡±. Martin reflected on what he knew, ¡°it could have been a summoned demon doing a little labour, not their favourite thing but they will carry something valuable¡±.
As they moved along that path they came to a small hovel of a house with a boarded-up workshop on the side. David pretty much ripped a hole in the wall with his shield smashing into it. They burst in weapons drawn. The place was empty a low burning fire, some alcohol a few scribbled notes. Alice held her hands out and concentrated. ¡°They were hear some sort of ¡sending spell, they waited contacted another and moved off¡±. The deputy sheriff looked crestfallen, ¡°so they came here to store the mana crystals, then they picked them up and headed somewhere else¡±.
Martin looked at the notes shrugged and looked at Vivian, ¡°We just have this sheet of paper, Alice does this mean anything to you¡±? She scrutinised the paper, ¡°it¡¯s a form of algebra used to calculate rituals, I recognise some ¡of this its infernal magic. It¡¯s also spacial magic. The only sort that works any more, its working with a lot of mana. They have to add it to the ritual ¡slowly, or it will overload, it will empower whatever they summon¡±.
Martin checked his holy symbol, ¡°what is it?¡± Alice did a little mental arithmetic, ¡°it¡¯s going to be an overlord ¡I think something above level 100. With this much mana thrown into the mix it would be at level 200 I think, and this symbol it means twenty¡±.
She thought for a second, ¡°probably a summoning empowered by twenty lives, those people that disappeared from the farm through a portal. They ended up in the city ¡it was very. close I am surprised the guild didn''t detect it, it ... must have been done very quickly¡±. David was confused, ¡°why not do that inside the city rather than outside the walls¡±? ¡°The mages guild has ¡a few instruments that would pick it up, so they did it inside the city¡±. Vivian pulled her bow ready.
Alice worked a few more things out, ¡°with the power of 20 lives sacrificed it would be very difficult to exorcise this demon overlord. The magic shield on the city walls would be quite good against a ¡demon overlord. They would have to exert a lot of power to get through it. We would have time to prepare, this way they catch us by surprise, or they are ¡trying to¡±.
Vivian scanned oven the paper the room for any sign or clue her eye blurring. Martin held his holy symbol out trying to sense something. Vivian thought it out, ¡°we trace the clues a bunch of sorcerers have the mana crystals to power ritual to summon an overlord that is very very bad. can you pinpoint the ritual from these notes¡±? David was trying to help by dismantling the building to look for any hidden compartments. It was noisy not helpful, Vivian stopped him so Alice could think.
She pulled up her mask, ¡°they have to make some allowance for the effect of the cathedral on magic and the power in the shield ¡wall. I think I can narrow it down a bit, but not that much it still gives us a shot¡±. She lowered her mask and started to walk in a vague line towards the docks. Martin tuned around, ¡°deputy get someone to the cathedral. Prepare the countermeasures tell the bishop we might need to drop the big one at any moment, eyes on all points¡±.
They followed Alice''s painfully slow process for five minutes. Until she came to an area and slowed then stopped. She could see the wall and the cathedral orientating herself around the direction of the docks. She was sure that she would eventually get close enough to the ritual site to feel the mana. Perhaps if they grabbed more of the local mages to help her, they could find it quickly.
Martin noticed out of the corner of his eye a man with a very long impractical cloak he was hiding something. Martin got a flash of the man''s red robe, a sorcerer¡¯s robe. Martin moved forwards the man realised he was being tracked. A spell of infernal energy shot towards Martin, who blocked it with his holy symbol. A second spell harmlessly hit Alice who had used bonus vitality to fortify herself against the damage. David blocked a spell with his shield the fire bite harmlessly sizzled against it. Vivian shot him in the knee before he had finished the fourth incantation.
Martin held the man by the throat, ¡°you will talk and quickly¡±. The man made to cast another spell Martin cracked him over the head with his holy symbol. ¡°talk now¡±, The man spat at Martin. Martin had one of his octium blades Martin dragged him into a side alley he started cutting and the man started talking. Two of the city guards locked him in mana draining shackles and held him limply, Martin wiped the knife on a cloth.
¡°It¡¯s good we found the straggler, they have been hired, there purpose to attack and weaken the city. They summon a big demon right in the middle of the place, he pointed out the ritual site before he fainted¡±.
They were using a building that was being renovated. The roof was off it was covered in scaffolding. The basement was large, the newly laid floor covered in dark sigils. They were more careful as they entered. Expecting some counter measures, they didn''t charge in. They opened the doors and moved forwards dozens of torches flickered, there were Twenty humans in cages as sacrifice, all of them were covered in ink and comatosed. There was a demonic gateway prepared they were going to add the crystallised mana to it that was sitting in chests to the side. It looked like the ritual was almost ready there were a dozen sorcerers and twice that number of summoned demon soldiers guarding them. They were prepared, judging from the size of horns all strong summoned demons.
Alice looked at the gate, ¡°hit it with octium and it will stop the ¡spell dead¡±. The sorcerers turned to the noise. Before the ritual could proceed the demonic gateway shut down hit by five octium arrows and a further four throwing knives. The magical metal screwed the spell up and it evaporated. The demons moved to protect the casters, or the ritual would never be completed.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Alice cast her defensive spells then started to hurl desiccate spells at the demons. Two of them were instantly out of the fight the liquid wrung out of there insides. Martin had his holy symbol ¡°pillar of ice, greater pillar of fire¡±. The pillar of ice hurt the demons, the demons might not have taken much damage from fire. But it was enough to disrupt their defensive formation as the tornado of fire shot threw their ranks pushing them away.
Vivian started to release her enchanted adamantine arrows. The demons were not used to such a strong attack there demonic and infernal armaments couldn''t resist. Soon half a dozen of them were gone. David charged into the thickest concentration of demons his blade flashing, every attack a power attack. He pushed the fight forwards keeping as many eyes on him, so Vivian and Alice and Martin could pick them off easily.
Martin shot down two more of the sorcerers the rest abandoned trying to restart the ritual and summoned a portal to retreat through. Martin activated his holy blessings Killing a few of the soldier demons. Through the crowd a familiar face appeared David''s demonic nemesis came for David. He grinned armed with an infernal blade. Next to him was a female demon of similar proportions with a war hammer, his sister sassed them both. ¡°you were beaten by this pathetic mortal little brother¡±? ¡°You bring shame on me, still you are hardly a powerful demon yourself what can I expect from you¡±.
David kicked a demon hard enough to send them flying at his nemesis. The two demonic siblings attacked him. David blocked her hammer strike with his shield, then parried her bothers sword blow. The magic ring he had recently acquired was really helping him keep up with the usually quicker demons. They did a bit of damage to him with the strength of their blows, but he could do far worse due to their lack of armour. Both of the demons were highly skilled, but they found that their allies were disappearing quickly to arrows pistol shots and holy smites, dropped on them with extreme prejudice.
The two demonic siblings were the last ones left they looked to David then to Vivian charging for her. David blocked them keeping Vivian safe, a hammer blow landed right on David''s helmet he was sent flying his vision suddenly filled with blood. They were skilled a fraction of a second letting your guard down and the demons would capitalise on it. The brother charged forwards sinking his blade between a gap in David''s armour into his chainmail and further. David''s sword blurred and the demon was cut in half before he could pull his blade back out.
The infernal blade faded away as its master dissolved. The demonic sister was not finished and lunged for Vivian aiming to do the most pain to David. He tackled her as she was hit by an acid strike spell and a smite. Vivian brought her mace down on the demon¡¯s skull.
Martin checked David''s wounds removing a few splinters of metal. His chainmail would need some repair. Alice cast her healing spell and he was back up again. Most of the sorcerers escaped through the demon door. However, they had lost three of their number and all the components of their ritual. Vivian pulled David to his feet and hugged him.
The level up hit their eyes glowed, Alice reached level 87 she wanted a bit more versatility in her defence she picked up the spell mage armour. Which created a translucent set of armour from her mana, it stacked well with her physical shield spell and bonus vitality. David reached level 83 gaining the third level of his battle brother skill. Vivian reached level 86 her knock down skill rose to level 5, giving her a good chance of putting an opponent on the ground with each arrow she shot.
Martin reached level 100 it was a strange sensation a true mastery as he could legitimately be called an exalted master. His vitality ability moved from rank 2 to rank 3 effectively multiplying his base hit points by four. He now had over 4300 hit points and over 550 focus. The effect on his cells his flesh was disconcerting and alien, as he continued to be less human. He got two more uses of his divine favour healing blessing. But there were two more blessings final judgement a blessing that dealt 2500 points of holy damage. And ward of faith and flame, anything within two yards around him would be hit with fire and holy damage at 35 points per second, it would eat through low level enemies easily.
That was not the biggest gift he received, another notice filled his mind¡¯s eye, ¡°you have attained level 100 in your chosen path supreme skill unlocked. Use once per week blessing. death grip of ire consumes 25 focus, produces 1000 sonic damage 1000 poison damage 1000 corrosion damage 1000 physical damage 1000 holy damage a touch-based ability¡±.
He thought about the other supreme skills that he had seen. The lich''s ability to summon a platoon of skeleton knights. The vampire¡¯s ability to rapidly heal and to switch places with one of their minions, or the archanists ability to dramatically reinforce their creations. Martin had to wonder if a person¡¯s desire and personality shaped their supreme skill. His zealotry had given him an offensive ability that was not small. The time it took to recharge was significant a week before he could use it a second time. It was interesting, he was sure he could compare skills with the others.
Martin looked round the group, ¡°we did it, beat them again. Next time we aim for the sorcerers not their tough minions¡±. Alice looked about ¡°if I got it right are ¡ you there¡±? Martin nodded, ¡°oh yes level 100, technically with my crafting levels level 111¡±. Vivian wondered, ¡°how does it feel¡±? ¡°Like I am complete, like I have a few extra weapons in my arsenal¡±. David shook his hand squeezing it a bit too much, ¡°congratulations to the newest minted exalted master. It won¡¯t be very long before we can up¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°it will be good to compare¡± Vivian noted his words, ¡°were you granted something else¡±? Martin nodded, ¡°oh yes, I think it¡¯s very much dependant on the person¡±.
Vivian shouted over to the deputy sheriff, ¡°it¡¯s safe the demons are banished, the plug has been pulled on the ritual¡±. More guards started to turn up. They found a key for the cages on one of the dead sorcerers and started to free the prisoners. Alice and Martin focused on removing the magic and reversing the corruption of the farmers.
One by one they started to come out of there comatosed sate. A priest and a few mages turned up to dismantle the rest of the spell¡¯s incantations etc. The bodies of the two dead sorcerers were checked for clues then handed over to the cathedral for last rights and cremation, there spirits and souls would be sent to their final place which would be a little hot.
A few militia volunteers got some blankets and food for the farmers. They would be observed by the church and questioned by the hunters. They might have herd something useful even in the state that they were in. Any lead could help track down the remaining ten sorcerers. Alice imagined that they had used most of their mana to start the ritual and to summon their demonic guards. They probably didn''t have much mana, so they had chosen to run rather than to fight the group. It would be like an archer with an empty quiver trying to fight them. They returned the mana crystals to the merchant¡¯s guild a few more pieces and they could claim the bounty from the duchess.
They were finally greeted by a courier from the merchant who had promised them a reward earlier. Once the man confirmed their identities, he handed over a magical belt. Vivian read the letter ¡°he actually came through a belt of five favours and letter of authentication 50 point of resistance to electric acid fire sonic ice damage¡±.
She handed it to Alice who concentrated for a second ¡°definitely correct it¡¯s a very ¡ useful enchanted item¡±. He grinned, ¡°considering we almost got crushed by a 60 foot wide crab I think that this is a fair reward¡±, David put on the belt, he passed his own greater belt of three favours to Alice who equipped it and passed her own belt of three favour onto Vivian. Each of them had received a bit of an upgrade to their defences.
They went to the merchant¡¯s guild about commissioning new equipment, Alice talked to an armourer. For sentimental reasons she liked her leather bracers and greaves, they could add mithril splints to them with a damage impact reduction enchantment. Her light steel helmet would not stop a serious blow, so she considered a mithril cap to go with her mithril mask. With a boost to natural armour.
She would upgrade her steel ring-mail vest to a mithril ring-male vest and have a 25-point resistance to necromancy and infernal magic added. basically, a ruinous defence charm she might be able to get it pushed up to 50 points of each if she spent a little more money. Not being affected by the magic of hell or the grave would probably be a very good investment.
Vivian talked to a master blacksmith over her bow, getting a new mithril adamantium alloy string and keeping her current steel octium one as a backup. Also, the bow was made to be adjustable as her strength increased. She was worried about using her power shots, the strain it might put on the bow. She was looking at getting it reinforced with a pair of octium springs reinforced with durability to boost the power of her bow further. She had almost broken her previous bow as she put more and more strength into her arms, she definitely didn''t want to lose this one.
She also spoke to an alchemist getting some arrows. She could attach glass vials filled with various concoctions. A black inky smoking gas called a fog arrow that would disorientate people, a strong poisonous yellow gas known as a mustard arrow and a blue hazy sedative called the arrow of Morpheus. She would need a sturdy case added to her gear, so she didn''t break them early.
David chatted with an armourer about mithril plate to replace his Damascus. There was a noble from the teach family. A distant relative of the duchess who was investing in shipping. She had two boats under construction and was willing to sell off some of the family artefacts to speed up the process. So that she would have boats on the trade convoys across the long sea as soon as possible. David was looking at an expense of 3000 silver to get the armour, have it altered to fit him reinforced with octium banding to give it a 30-point magical resistance.
Then to have it enchanted with additional fire resistance, and health 30-40 points, also 10 points of endurance. The bonus vitality would be spread out over several areas. Some intelligence and wisdom added to the helmet to give him a clearer head in battle. All the measurements were taken David had to speak to the rest of the group as it was a lot more than his share that would need to be invested in it the armourer. They rechecked his measurements allowing for the extra layers of padding and mail.
Martin went to see Clarice for a progress report on the artefact. She slowly raised a silk cloth each part of the device was laid out on a table, ¡°now Martin look at the calculation you will have to pay an additional 100 silver for parts for Tesla''s hand¡±. She pointed with her screwdriver, ¡°some octium wiring to replace this copper mithril alloy. It won¡¯t need replacing again. Hear there was a bronze mechanism might have been adapted form a pocket watch. I plan to replace it with mithril parts, a few other things but the most expensive item is a very rare ultramite trigger spring, so you don''t break it¡±.
She scowled as Martin checked over her notes. ¡°I am sorry about this, I am not questioning your professionalism, but our quarter master asked me to review the parts you would be using¡±. He was not an expert, but he had enough knowledge of such things to go over the parts list, to make sure he was not getting ripped off as per Vivian''s suggestion. They shook hands and he got Vivian to pay for the parts.
They had looked at a lot of equipment a lot of upgrades they decided to sleep on it before committing to anything. Vivian estimated that it would be most of their savings not that their savings would do them any good if they were dead. Agents adventures emissaries were expected to invest in there equipment, or hire extra bodies to fill out a group. They didn''t need extra people at the moment. David''s tower shield would arrive tomorrow, they could use it as a barometer of the quality of workmanship from the local guild. Then they would probably place their orders.
Alice went to see the local chapter of the mages tower, she met with the chapter master Anne Thornton. They acknowledged each other with a respectfully bow making sure that they bowed at the same time. In terms of raw power Alice was the stronger and as an agent more senior. Even if she was an agent of a different city. But she would not disrespect a chapter master in their own home.
¡°Alice it is good to see you, you seem fully healed you have avoided this chapter house for weeks. I was expecting you to be raiding our library and enchanting shops as soon as you were back on your feet¡±. ¡°I have been very busy the ¡archanist then the lich then the vampires, I still need to show the sorcerers that our magic is the ¡stronger. I have broken through past the grand master¡¯s level¡±. ¡°you have worked very hard¡±. Alice looked nervous for a second, ¡°in truth you saw me when ¡I was at my weakest I was embarrassed to come back, my voice is still affected¡±.
Anna reassured her ¡°Mages that spend their entire lives in the tower still have spells backfire enchantments go wrong. I was turned bright orange for two weeks when I was an apprentice and I tried out an incantation when inebriated, injuries happen especially to a field mage¡±. ¡°I wanted to thank you for what you did for Vivian ¡she is keeping the golem eye; it enhances her skill set¡±. ¡°From the sound of things, she was needed to defend North port I am glad to do my part¡±.
¡°The main reason I came to speaks to you was about acquiring ¡stronger magic. I have been reading books on magical theory about seventh tier versions of spells. Have you ever heard of them, there is a very powerful ¡ancient vampire Bismark, I want to push my magic up to the point where it could touch a vampire over level 400¡±.
Anna checked around the room, ¡°I have heard the theory, as I understand let¡¯s take for example a fire ball spell at master level. Its 30 points of fire damage plus 12 times caster level what we would call a 5th tier spell. A mythic version of the fire ball spell would theoretically be 35 points of fire damage plus 14 times casters level. The theoretical legendary version would be 40 points of fire damage plus 16 times caster level your hypothetical 7th tier version of the spell¡±.
¡°So, at a rough guide a legendary spell is about a third again stronger than a master spell¡±. Alice was quiet she breathed out, ¡°not exactly legendary ¡but I guess it still hits a lot harder for the same mana cost right¡±. Anna tried to encourage her, ¡°don''t get me wrong, it¡¯s still an exceptional boost to one¡¯s power¡±.
Her voice was hesitant, ¡°but only exalted masters can learn the knowledge its only kept at the mages tower only accessible to the inner council or by direct request of the king. This knowledge is very rare I can only point you towards the capital¡±. Alice showed a flash of irritation ¡°if or when I get to be an exalted master and a vote on such things. I would ¡see this knowledge released more widely to chapter masters and to grand masters¡±. Anna nodded in agreement, ¡°sometimes I think we need to review this place. But I am not a grand master, so I have no vote¡±, there was a slight twinge of envy directed at Alice for the power she had gained.
Alice had a staff wrapped in a white cloth she put it down on the table and unwrapped it. ¡°I took a staff from a defeated vampire wizard ¡ it is stronger than my old staff¡±. ¡°You want to sell it, or do you want me to keep it in trust¡±? ¡°I want you to select an up and coming mage ¡apprentice, someone who could benefit from a good item. I will gift them this something better ¡than what I got when they sent me out there¡±. The two of them went over a list of mages assigned to the harbour city, one from the crew of the judgement stood out.
A very nervous looking ginger haired mage with large spectacles stood in front of the chapter master and the grand master known as malice. The gleaming mithril mask the armour over her body the curved dagger it was intimidating. Admittedly the scarf and mittens took away a little from the fearsome reputation. But field mages had to be practical or you lost fingers and toes to frost bite out in the wider world.
Helen Taylor didn''t know what to say, she curtsied in their general direction the chapter master presented an impressive looking staff to her. Alice spoke, ¡°Helen your assessors speak highly of you, the chapter master of good ford ¡lady Imoline passed this staff to me. It was from her adventuring days I would like you to have it. I have recently acquired ¡something better, I understand your an accomplished apprentice, due to start field work soon. I wish that someone would have given me a helping hand earlier on. In that spirit ¡I pass this onto you¡±.
She was speechless as she felt the power of the staff in comparison to her existing one, the apprentice staff was a stick. ¡°Thank you grand master Coster¡±. Alice started to leave after a hug, ¡°don''t forget to hand in your apprentice staff ¡ and get a ticket for it¡± Helen nodded as Alice left.
Martin met her outside, ¡°did you find what you wanted, and did you pass your old staff onto another mage¡±? ¡°You hunters are almost obsessive about passing ¡on equipment, I can see the appeal of giving another a leg up so to speak. It helps to create a camaraderie in your order. That seems to be sorely lacking between the upper levels of the mages tower and the lower levels. As for the information I want it is in the capital, I will have permission ¡when I reach an exalted master¡¯s status¡±.
¡°Just to bring you up to speed, A guard briefly mentions the sorcerer we captured has confessed that there is a traitor in the guard, but he does not know who. Their leader kept it a secret from the new recruits. He is being shipped off to the gallows jail city tomorrow life without parole. It¡¯s probably less merciful than executing him. We saw the bishop he thanked us for stopping the sorcerers, he urged us to eliminate their full number. He spoken with the other triune representatives; we will get a suitable reward for pulling the plug on that ritual¡±.
Alice nodded, ¡°Our timing was very good, if we had ¡arrived later the ritual would have been in full swing and the demon would have been summoned. If we attacked earlier the sorcerers would not have dumped most of their mana into the ritual ¡and we would have to face twelve sorcerers at full strength not an ideal situation¡±.
They met in Vivian''s room she had a bottle of spirits with Alice''s enchanted crystal floating in it boosting the brews potency, a nice bottle of wine and a wheel of cheese. David looked over at Martin ¡°you have a supreme skill right you hit one hundred¡±. Martin looked about the group, ¡°yes I have a supreme skill a divine blessing, death grip of ire 5000 points of damage in a single strike¡±. Vivian looked him up and down, ¡°that''s amazing nothing will be able to stop you if you can get close¡±.
Martin sighed, ¡°hold your horses it has limitations, I can only use it once per week¡±. Alice patted him on the shoulder, ¡°it¡¯s still able to destroy one siege ¡ ghoul or golem with a single strike no preparation it¡¯s a big boon¡±. ¡°I think the supreme skill one gets is very much dependent on one''s personality, it will be good to compare with yours once you get them¡±. Vivian grinned ¡°depending on what we get we might go and find Bismark, your grip of ire would be something he could feel¡±.
David held his arm awkwardly, ¡°lets drink to Martin to becoming an exalted master. To reaching the top to gaining a supreme skill, to getting powerful enough to kill Bismark and collecting the gold on his head. Anyone want to bet which one of us will hit level 100 next¡±? Alice joked ¡°I wouldn''t bet on yourself David¡±. Vivian gobbled up a wedge of cheese, ¡°was there any other perk or achievement you gained from reaching level 100¡±.
Martin meditated for a second examining his ability''s, ¡°no not that I can sense the final class level of a vampire hunter made me even tougher with more vitality but nothing in addition to that¡±. They talked over equipment upgrades strategy. They wanted to resolve their business at North port then get powerful enough to take on Bismark and kill him. Or if they could not personally gain that much power kill as many of his servants including lexicon as they could.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 23 – Supreme Skill
The group were the toast of the town, for a few hours. An attack by sorcerers had been averted from inside the walls. Most of the sorcerers had escaped but each time they encountered them they would kill more of them. They had already killed several members of a circle that had been in existence for over two hundred years they could well end up ending it. They ate there breakfast quickly. They avoided their usual tinkering reading and training they had business at the merchant¡¯s guild.
The trade commissioner Gilda Jendryng had a deal to complete. Once her client approved their commission, she would be instructed with an order nearly five times the size. David had been full of anticipation, they met in a private room. He had received the runner at the breakfast table to confirm that his order had been completed. Smiths and mage enchanters had been working on it throughout the night to finish it off.
It was a thing of radiant beauty quite a bit heavier than steel. His mithril shield finally completed. It had a defensive rating of 300 nearly three times stronger than the Damascus he had been using. That was boosted by the impact absorption enchantment that reduced incoming physical damage by 55 points of force. It boosted his entire body and equipment with a natural armour of 40 points. There was a 10-point agility boost that made him able to move far more easily. Perhaps he should have chosen a dexterity boost but all the dexterity in the world would not help him if he could not close in on an opponent.
The shield was curved with horizontal bracing and a heavy boss most impacts would slide off. The edge of the shield had a reinforcing band that made any blow powerful enough to cut through it with say an octium or better weapon halt the blows progress. The top edge was a highly polished mirror to the point where he could see the reflection of something behind him. The bottom of the shield had two blunt spikes to dig into the ground. Allowing him to drop down and quickly brace against an oncoming impact he could not have otherwise resisted.
He silently nodded Vivian checked it over with her golem eye, looking for the smallest flaw or imperfection front back around the edge. Martin was next he poured focus into his monocle he had a modicum of experience with iron and steel. He could still appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship. finally, Alice reached out with her magical senses, she nodded. ¡°no flaws¡± ¡°no imperfections¡± ¡°the enchantments are precisely ¡ what was requested¡±. David handed over his old shield he grinned ear to ear as he picked up the new shield and started to block and move around with it, ¡°a little heavier it will take me a bit of time to get used to the extra weight and the extra agility¡±.
Vivian put pen to paper signing a deal with the trade commissioner. She thanked them handed a note to Vivian. ¡°One of my agents will help you with the duchess task, met them hear after you see the bishop¡±. She left one of her subordinates to complete going over all the minutia. Alice was ordering a set of splint bracers made from mithril with her existing leather bracers used as a backing. They would be enchanted between the pair of them with 10 points of impact reduction and grant a bonus rating of + 40 armour. Not many mages seriously went into armour, but Alice had embraced the mercenary preference for layers of defence, both with spells and physical barriers.
She had the same deal with her greaves a combined enchantment of 15 points of impact reduction and a defensive rating of 60 armour the arm and leg protection would cost her a total of 200 silver coin. To protect her face, she had a light metal cap, combined with her mithril mask. But she wanted more. Her current cap would be a very small piece of the exchange for a new custom made mithril cap, it would have a rating of 30 armour very good for something she would hide under a hat. It would boost her protection with an enchantment adding 10 natural armour to her body. It would set her back a further 200 silver, but there was a lot more work involved than her limb defences.
Her ring-mail vest was the most she could comfortably carry; she would not be able to stand under a full hauberk. But she could commission an upgrade a ring-mail mithril vest of ruinous defence. It would boost her defence by 50 points to necromantic and infernal magic they were expensive spells but they had tangled with enough necromancers and sorcerers to make her quite weary the 60 armour rating would be very good but it would cost her 600 silver and she would have to wait 1 week for the delivery, she was confident about the expense.
Vivian had gone over her own equipment she needed to prioritise attack not defence. She had commissioned a new bow string. A mithril adamantium alloy string would be far less likely to break the smith assured her it would add around 25 points of damage to her bow. It was an expensive item at 250 silver but modifying and repairing high end armour and equipment was never cheap and she would keep the spare string for an emergency replacement or an impromptu garotte.
It was not the only upgrade to her bow; she had commissioned an addition to the limbs. Reinforced octium springs would fit over the current mithril. They would be enchanted with a bonus of 20 durability making the entire bow much harder to damage. They should add an additional 100 damage to the bows attack rating. It was expensive at 450 silver but commissioning the construction of an entirely new bow seemed to be a huge unnecessary expense she was not prepared to undertake, and she had grown attached to her precious.
She had ordered what was referred to as alchemist arrows, glass vials mounted on the end of an arrow shaft, with a concentrated surprise inside. She had ordered 5 black inky fog arrow that cost her 15-silver total. They would detonate into a cloud of black fog good to disorientate an enemy or covering a retreat, an expensive versatile tool. She had also ordered 5 positions yellow gas known as a mustard arrows or yellow murder, they cost her 25 silver and were best used against tightly packed organic opponents good for removing a swarm of enemy''s.
She had 5 knock out arrow of Morpheus, they would be good against single targets or a few close together. At 20 silver they were a gamble on their usefulness, if they needed to capture someone alive. Everything she had ordered would be on a timescale of four days delivery.
David was the single most expensive member of the team. But then he was the primary front-line fighter. Mithril plate was a massive expense at 3000 silver. But that was not just the cost of the plate it would be reinforced with octium banding on the inside, to give it a 30-point magical resistance. across the set of armour, it was on a two-week delivery timescale.
A good part of that timescale was the enchanting he had requested. Fire resistance equalling 60 points would be added on the greaves. That might have well stemmed from when Alice let off a fire ball a bit too close for comfort when there was a bat flying next to him. He was going to get a vitality enchantment adding 40 points of extra health on the chest armour. 20 points on the front plate and 20 points on the back it was just generally useful.
On the same general idea, he was going to have 5 points of endurance enchanted onto each of the two pauldrons. He had a similar philosophy with 5 points of agility on each of the pair of boots.
He had the helmet boosted with 2 points of intelligence and 2 points of wisdom. A calm head in battle would be good and it might help him think his way around the odds on the card table. He wondered if it really counted as cheating, perhaps he should have asked for perception as well on the helmet.
With the gauntlets he would have the left one enchanted with sure grip and the right one with true strike. It meant that when he was up to his waste in mud if it ever came to it. He would not be fumbling around for his weapon or his shield, in theory. The total cost of all this was 4760 silver they made a payment of 2380 silver there and then for the deposit. The rest was left with a trustworthy neutral party, in this case the master vampire hunter Francis. It would be released on satisfactory delivery of the rest of their order.
Polished Damascus steel had a certain lustre to it. But David''s mithril tower shield was far more impressive, it showed that he was successful it was ridiculously shiny and very difficult to tarnish. The group didn''t have a subtle bone in their body''s. Though it was mostly pointless to try and sneak up on a creature with as much perception as a vampire. Or a lich that could put spell wards out, still there were a few that could do it.
David was sure he would blink, and two weeks would pass. They would customise the armour set altering it to fit him and enchant it. With all the other bits it was a steep price. But he held in his hand proof that they could deliver. So, they had agreed to half up front half on delivery. It protected the merchant¡¯s guild and them. One payment held by merchant¡¯s guild second held at hunter¡¯s house in trust, any dispute and the duchess or bishop could mediate.
They returned to the Bishop; he greeted the group in his private garden. ¡°My children it is good to see you I have been thinking about a reward. Your previous encounter with Bismark got me thinking. In my possession I have 3 crystal vials of sanctified holy balm. It will temporarily weaken a stronger vampire, it is taken from the holy mountain summit spring. It is blessed by the patriarch himself Issac Gabriel. I assure you it¡¯s a lot more potent than regular holy water¡±.
¡°There is blessed salt particles of blessed silver and a thin layer of holy oil added into the consecrated mix. You need to shake the vial thoroughly before use to achieve the maximum potency. A vampire like Bismark would certainly regret fighting you. When you do get strong enough to face him it will even your chances¡±.
The vials were blessed with an enhancement to their strength. They would be particularly hard to shatter, there was a red waxed stopper sealed with the patriarch''s mark the scroll and mountain. The mixture of sacred items glowed slightly with a radiant white light. The bishop handed one to Martin one to Vivian and one to David. He stopped at Alice, ¡°I know such an item can interfere with your magic so I for you I have a master tonic of speed. It grants a bonus of plus 30 dexterity and 30 agility for 5 mins. Mages are not known for their speed it will allow you to surprise and opponent, I take some personal pride in this concoction, as some of the ingredients came from my little garden hear¡±.
Vivian saluted the bishop, ¡°thank you your holiness this gift will put us one step closer to putting Bismark in his grave, a second and final time¡±. Martin bowed, ¡°touched by the hand of the patriarch himself. I am truly honoured it will be put to good use¡±. David looked over sanctified balm, ¡°I will make a generous donation to the church orphan fund when I kill Bismark and we collect the reward. I was a kid in such a place, they needed all the funds that could be found¡±. Alice curtsied, ¡°you are thoughtful I will use this ¡to turn the tables on some evil, mark my words¡±. They left the bishop to his duties and headed off to their next meeting.
They went to the spot that the trade commissioner had indicated. Vivian and Martin started to scan the area there was no one apparent. The spot seemed to be deserted perhaps the trade commissioner¡¯s agent was late. Martin felt a nagging tug from his monocle Vivian felt something to form her golem eye there was something off. David and Alice couldn''t see anything or feel anything, but they trusted the instincts of their team.
Vivian grinned as her eye scanned the shadows around the area, she turned to Martin, ¡°as you know each of the big nine cities has at least one exalted master charged with their defence. The capital getting significantly more¡±. Martin looked over at the shadow and nodded, ¡°I wonder where the defender of this city is¡±? The shadows shimmered and a woman in a hood stepped nonchalantly out of nowhere, ¡°Right behind you¡±. Various weapons were pointed in her direction she had nothing in her hands.
David let a little surprise slip out, ¡°how who?¡±. She grinned a cheeky carefree grin, ¡°my name is Agatha Seymour I am called the ghost, you are the four masters yes¡±. Vivian nodded, ¡°you show us your identification and we will do the same¡±. The agents held out their paperwork, scrutinized each other and a whole lot of weapons were sheathed.
Vivian looked her over critically, ¡°please tell us more¡±. ¡°I am an exalted master assassin working for the esteemed merchant¡¯s guild¡±. David was quizzical, ¡°if you¡¯re the ranking defender of this town why haven''t we seen you before¡±. Her answer was sharp, ¡°I was at the celebratory diner in the lime green dress next to the trade commissioner, when we celebrated the death of the prince¡±. David looked embarrassed having difficulty placing her. She elaborated further, ¡°I have been chasing all over the area fighting fires¡±. She allowed a look of exhaustion to show on her face then it was gone. ¡°A vampire agent hear, a group of bandits there. It all adds up we nearly met at lighthouse hill. I was sent as back up from the initial report, I got a couple of stragglers no more¡±.
David pointed out the bleeding obvious, ¡°you have a supreme skill¡±? Alice looked over at him her mask hiding a look of disbelief, ¡°obviously ¡some form of invisibility¡±. The ghosts tone filled with mock superiority, ¡°I would not reveal such a secret to anyone¡±. Martin shook her hand, ¡°we are not anyone my supreme is a touch-based strike that dose several thousand damage, now you know my secret I must..¡±. The ghost pulled her hand back nervously, then realised Martin was joking with her.
She nodded, ¡°if we work together, I have a supreme technique called chameleon. Its technically a martial art¡±. Vivian was curious, ¡°what''s a chameleon¡±? The ghost gestured an animal perhaps the size of a normal rat, ¡°a beast from the southern lands, perhaps a blood alchemists little jest. They can hide themselves quite well my ability is similar¡±. Alice was analytical, ¡°I make the assumption that you can use ¡ it several times in one day and you need some shadows, otherwise you wouldn''t have revealed yourself ¡to us¡±.
She gave the barest hint of a nod, ¡°I suppose that this is a logical deduction on your part¡±. David tried to get a sense of her, ¡°how long have you been this city''s defender¡±. Another weary look flashed across her eyes, ¡°three years now¡±. ¡°Had much trouble with the sorcerers, they are our current objective¡± Vivian asked her. ¡°They are dangerous prey, it¡¯s hard to isolate them, they have summoned eyes and ears that are a lot harder to deal with than the sorcerers themselves¡±, Agatha gave a concise appraisal. Martin agreed with her assessment, ¡°yes in our last encounter with them we only killed a few, there demons protected them. Summoned demons can come back, as long as the sorcerer survives¡±.
Vivian thought about their other main problem, ¡°Have you had any trouble with the hidden hand¡±? ¡°Recently they have been really aggressive, I have killed a dozen of them over two encounters, but there''s something off¡±. Alice shared a knowing look, ¡°yes we ¡uncovered one of their faces twice¡±. The assassin was curious, ¡°what do you mean twice¡±?
They were pretty sure that they had someone who would believe them. A few nods and Alice continued, ¡°we have killed the same man again and again. The ¡hidden hand don''t have a vast army; they just seem to keep coming ¡back.¡± Agatha nodded, ¡°magic, that would follow my own observations. They are known for getting the job done regardless of their lives. But that sort of fanaticism in a gang, hard to spend coin when your dead, it would explain an awful lot¡±.
David had his own theory''s, ¡°they try to avoid death don''t get me wrong¡±. He paused for emphasis, ¡°but the look in their eyes when I killed them. It was more akin to a gambler who lost a lot of money, they are not dead, but their pockets are lighter¡±. Understanding flashed across Agatha''s face, ¡°you think, they have found some expensive way to cheat death¡±, ¡°that''s my conclusion¡±.
Vivian pointed to her own armour, ¡°We are still fairly poorly equipped for our level, what do you carry, I am sure the trade guild provides the finest¡±. Flattered the assassin showed off her arsenal under her cloak, two short swords or large daggers appeared in her hands. They were of the same general dimensions and design, but one was razor thin and the second was far heavier, ¡°these were custom enchanted from a pair of daggers I confiscated from a captain of the red blades of Saul. One octium blade for piercing magic one adamantine blade for piercing armour,¡±.
She made the blades dance in her hands becoming a blur, ¡°the set is called the final promises, I went with poison and a mana syphon¡±. Alice looked nervous at that, ¡°why a mana ¡syphon¡±? her voice was deathly serious. ¡°Mostly for the sorcerers to stop them getting off one last spell. A summoned spell casting demon is no joke either¡±. The daggers disappeared just as quickly, ¡°What else do you have¡±? the hunter politely enquired. ¡°Smoke bombs, steel throwing knives if I lose them it¡¯s not the end of the world. Baggy clothing with light leather armour enchanted with a bit of durability. I will never be able to take a strong target head on. But I can wear them down form one ambush to the next¡±.
They explained their various abilities and armaments to her. The ghost briefed them, ¡°Gilda wants what the duchess wants, I have been assigned to help you tackle those two remaining tasks. As you and a few others have trimmed down the local threats my workload is less. Good work with the lich I could never get into the bitch¡¯s fortress¡±.
Alice regarded her more closely, ¡°anything to counter ¡magic¡±? ¡°Oh, the usual octium to disrupt magic. I even have a set of advanced octium lock picks for dealing with magically locked chests¡±. Martin considered his own paltry tools, ¡°I didn''t even realise that was a thing¡±. A roll of flashy complex mechanical tools appeared in her hand, then disappeared back into her clothing, ¡°oh yes thieves guilds keep that sort of thing well hidden, you might have gone past a few safes and not even realised¡±.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
As a vampire hunter Martin had considerations, ¡°what do you have to deal with the bodies, especially if we target the undead to stop them being raised again. We have a flask of oil and a tinder box¡±. She held out a long slim silver tube, ¡°a flask of alchemists fire, a few drops does the job and far smaller to carry about¡±. Martin nodded his approval, in a show of respect.
Vivian looked at the assassin, she wanted to know just where she stood. ¡°Ok so you¡¯re working with us now. I assume you know the secret to the crossing of the long sea¡±. Ghost nodded cautiously ¡°that certain ingredients are needed to pacify a leviathan. So that it can lead the convoy yes¡±. They were on the same page; Vivian was willing to follow for now. ¡°You¡¯re the local what is the next step in investigating these thefts¡±. Ghost started to lead the way, ¡°the mushrooms were held in a cold dry place, a warehouse away from the salt spray, we have a look there we question people. When their answers don''t make sense, we ask more questions, and so on¡±.
They had a short journey to arrive at large warehouse. There were some people on the gate a mercenary company that carried large two handed single bladed axes and wore blue, they were probably a small company. They moved out of the way of ghost, David gave her a questioning look ¡°they know me, I am the trade commissioners right hand¡±. The mercenaries let them in opening the inner gate after they touched a holy symbol on the wall. David looks around crates were everywhere, ¡°how did they find anything in this lot its massive¡±. He looked around further not sure of what system was used to catalogue the random chaos, ¡°The mushrooms might still be hear just misplaced¡±.
Some sort of quarter master behind a ledger gave him a withering look. Vivian was more practical her eyes scanned all over the place and her mind ran, ¡°Alice if it was the sorcerers again can you sense any magic¡±? Alice started to move through the warehouse, ¡°can¡¯t sense ¡anything but I can keep trying¡±. Martin held out his holy symbol and started to look for signs of the same, trying to sense anything that would cause a reaction.
The quartermaster, a high-level scribe pointed ghost in a specific direction. David started to move crates for her as she had a sneaking suspicion that the goods might have been boxed up inside something else to hide them in plane site. It was a tactic the hidden hand had used before when they were being more subtle. Vivian talked to the captain of the guards; they were new just into town the Housecarls. They would not have had time to form an agreement with the local¡¯s thieves for any stolen goods.
Vivian learnt that the guards had been swapped with a dock guard at the last minute to increase security. Vivian started to concentrate on the dock and warehouse workers. They were the locals they had connections and with what they were being paid had little loyalty. Her golem eye focused on some stains. She walked over to Ghost pointing out a barely sober man with a hand cart. ¡°If people thought that these were dye mushrooms not hallucinogenic ones, why has that guy got blue stains on his jaw¡±?
They approached the man showing him their identification, Vivian pointed at the stains in his beard. ¡°Some valuable mushrooms disappeared blue ones, don''t tell me you ate 20 boxes of them¡±? His eyes were unfocused, ¡°someone from night shift bet me I wouldn''t eat one, I won five bronze pennies¡¯¡±. Vivian looked over his eyes not drunk, ¡°you guessed it was not from the regular mushrooms used for dye, but some different one¡¯s right¡±? The man swayed and nodded.
David looked round the warehouse, ¡°who found the crated missing¡±? One of the workers put down a crate, ¡°I did¡±. It was easier answering questions than carting boxes about. David looked at the group of workers gathering around them, ¡°who was killed or assaulted¡±? The man swaying to the charm of hallucinogenic fungi chimed in, ¡°no one¡±. Vivian took ghost to one side, ¡°the sorcerers used knock out magic to make it quiet and the hidden hand made it a blood bath to send a message¡±? Ghost had seen this before, ¡°the hidden hand could change tactics they could be quiet, if it hides something¡±. Vivian looked about the lack of evidence was evidence of a sort, ¡°this was stealthy I think it¡¯s an inside job nothing is broken¡±.
The ghost checked out the locks on the doors, ¡°nothing picked or jimmied¡±. Alice ran her hands over them ¡°no ¡magic¡±. Vivian inhaled, and walked over to the mushroom addled worker, she looked him in the eye. ¡°All my senses are sharpened,¡± she pulled several items out of his jacket, ¡°what this blue moon and fools¡¯ green ink¡±. The man shrugged at the drugs, ¡°so I get a fine and some lashes or I few weeks repairing the harbour wall, ¡ I am so terribly sorry I did drugs¡±.
Martin held his holy symbol to the man''s head, ¡°purify¡± he looked like he had just woken up, ¡°feeling a bit sober now¡±? Martin made the sign of a blessing ¡°thy will be done¡±, insight pushed him to this man, he knew more. He flashed a look to Alice and the rest a little rehearsed played out. Martin had a steel dagger in each hand they came down at the man. But at the last-minute Alice cast a shield spell around him to stop the blow. David and Vivian seized Martin holding him back. Vivian looked at the man, ¡°talk, we can only hold him back for so long¡±.
The dock workers face turned white, ¡°don''t let go of the zealot, I admit working for the hidden hand, pointing them in the direction of stuff they might want to steal. I noticed the stuff after that little dare, there is a back door not so well guarded the hidden hand stole shipment¡±. The man was dragged off to the deputy sheriff he had little useful info. He would do hard duty for several years, repairing the sea wall, and scrubbing the leviathan not the worst fate but not pleasant.
A sniffer dog was used to track the shipment, someone had dropped an aniseed bomb covering the sent and the trail. They had one other lead to work with, something affecting the merchant¡¯s guild alchemists preventing them from producing chemicals. Martin would bet shipments of something else had been stolen.
A few polite enquires at the merchant¡¯s guild about trouble with the delivery for the chemicals for the duchess delivered them to the workshop of one alchemist Thomasyn Adamson. They were slow to respond and eventually reported that some of his larger equipment had been stolen from the middle of the guild. He didn''t have the best locks on his workshop and now he was in quite a predicament, with the trade commissioner and duchess asking difficult questions.
One of the night cleaners had ended up missing at exactly the same time, it was suspicious. People had emergency''s they got ill they found better jobs, but it was to coincidental. Thomsayn confirmed that without that equipment they could only make small quantities of the chemicals the duchess needed. Something that they were doing 24-7 now to trying and failing to keep up with demand.
They searched through a number of the cleaners¡¯ possessions. David lifted up a massive dresser to look behind it casually showing off his strength. His deductions or dumb luck showed a set of cleaner¡¯s clothes screwed up. A cut hole in the back, someone else had used it as a disguise to walk in and walk out taking the equipment hidden with the rubbish. They had changed and left.
A more thorough search by the guild found a grisly discovery, a few bones at the bottom of tank of corrosive chemicals, probably the cleaner¡¯s body. Martin pulled of his jacket several bits of armour. He gritted his teeth and made the sign of a blessing reaching into the burning chemical and pulled out the poor man''s remains. He used his divine favour blessing to restore his hand. A few more hours and there would not have been a body to perform last rights upon.
The ghost looked over the cloth and bones, ¡°it was probably the hidden hand, its unlikely to have been another gang and a shape changing demon would not have gotten past the holy symbol on the front door¡±. The resident mage was in agreement, ¡°that equipment can¡¯t be ¡used for any sorcery¡±. Ghost nodded, ¡°it can be used for the drugs trade. They try and control shipping in the short run by controlling the drugs its reliant on¡±.
The ghost proved her worth with her local knowledge. The warehouse worker might have only had a rough idea where the crates were taken. She soon found a dealer who worked that area. Perhaps informant was too strong a word. She was willing to point them in the right direction. A small person who saw an opportunity to grow larger, if ghost removed the hidden hand. They found the gangs next hide out; they were in the process of setting up an alchemical factory. The equipment that they had stolen, the crates of mushrooms some other items. The building was in a poor condition, but it had roof and four walls all they really needed.
Ghost removed two sentries then they burst in. It would be a fight a good battle against the same gang and captain again. Ghost sighed, ¡°I suppose you won¡¯t surrender¡±. The first blade mocked them, ¡°the hidden hand will not die, our grip is eternal¡±. There were several cages about the place twelve hidden hand rogues. They had pets from a tamer, two salamander two basilisks and six large trained war hounds. The first blade who was rapidly retreating behind his minions. Alice created an earthen wall spell for Vivian to fire from, then she covered herself with defensive shields.
This was the ghost¡¯s kind of fight she hit one of the massive hounds with some sort of chemical smoke bomb stunning the animal. She slit its throat using its massive corpse as a shield avoiding a barrage of knives bolts and a basilisk¡¯s poisonous breath. David charged straight at the first basilisk blocking its attack with his shield he pierced its neck with a precise strike. Angling its head away with his shield he pushed deeper until it went limp and collapsed.
Vivian fired off a barrage of iron broad-heads at two crossbow wielding rogues, they were behind wooden boxes it was nowhere near as much cover as they needed between them and Vivian''s arrows. The salamander¡¯s flames licked against Alice''s shield spell. A fire ball would not be effective but her acid strike spell that got them twisting about. One was dead after a few hits to the skull the second was wounded and out of the fight. Martin chewed through the bulk of the hounds his Tesla grenades stunned them and his four barrelled pistol finished them off leaving one straggler.
The ghost had used her supreme skill to disappear in the middle of the fight. She reappeared and two rogues fell to the ground dead impaled from behind with her blades. Alice targeted the last basilisk with a couple of fire balls it was resistant to poison and acid but not that. Animalistic howls of agony filled the room as it died. David charged over to the hidden hand, they had space they would not let him bunch them up. They were also more cautious about jumping out of his way to get caught by Vivian''s arrows.
The rouges dodged Vivian''s arrows in one direction and David''s sword swings, they still ended up bunched up enough. Martin used his blessing ¡°pillar of ice¡±, the storm of freezing death caught four of the remaining rouges in its swirling mass.
Ghost faced off against two of the remaining rouges, a fan of thrown knives hit one in the leg they slowed down and fell to ghosts¡¯ blades. The second retreated ghost dodged a poisonous blade blocked a second then brought the other rogue down. Alice and David focused on the remaining two she used him as back stop she cast a poison gas cloud spell. When the rouges stumbled out of the toxic cloud David finished them off.
Vivian was surprised as the last hound jumped up and clamped onto her arm calmly, she dropped her bow pulled her mace from her belt and delivered one solid blow that caved the mutts head in. The first blade the leader of the hidden hand had been looking for an opportunity, he had disengaged from the fight. The hidden hand used a certain strategy when facing formidable opponents like the four masters. His blade sank into Vivian''s neck between the gap in her neck guard and hauberk. It was a small spot, but it was all that was needed. She collapsed backwards clutching her neck her life blood flowing out. The first blade licked his knife and sneered, ¡°one down¡±.
Martin was right next to him. Rage filled Martin''s face his right hand blurred into a strike four fingers and thumb extended as points the rouge tried to pull back, but the attack hit him. The 1st blade felt agony unlike he had ever experienced before, his body vibrated as if there was a tornado inside his head. His flesh and veins were overwhelmed with poison and corrosion simultaneously
. Holy light filled him he was judged and condemned; his body exploded with an internal force ripping apart what was left rapidly transitioned into a fine dark red cloud.
That was Martins supreme skill in effect, it was overkill against a human rouge like that. His jubilation at finally having a use for it was significantly dented with the circumstances. David was filed with an overwhelming wave of grief and shock. His shield clatterer to the ground and he barely managed to sheath his sword. He rushed over panicking looking at her lifeless body, ¡°fuck what do I ...¡±. Martin pulled supplies form inside his cost, moving David back with a gesture, ¡°keep out of the way¡±.
David reached for the healing potion on his belt, it was his first coherent instinct. Vivian was not breathing Alice used her most powerful restorative spell aura of healing. Then her cure poison spell, everything else the hidden hand used was poisoned in some way or another. Martin focused on his task pulling Vivian''s neck guard and scarf away. The first blades body was already disappearing leaving just Vivian''s blood pooling out.
Alice cast her healing spell again Martin had needle and thread on the wound stitching it shut stopping the flow of blood. His hands blurred forcing compressions to Vivian''s rib cage. He didn''t have time to remove the hauberk he just had to make do. He tilted her head back so that the airway was clear, the medical knowledge was in there, he just needed to apply it.
Martin added his own brand of healing ¡°Divine favour¡±, then he focused on his resuscitation technique. He reached for his blessings ¡°divine favour¡±. David pulled off his helmet he could see the healing blessings and magic that Vivian and Martin were pumping into her had no effect. Martin would keep going until her ran out of blessings and focus. He hit Vivian''s chest so hard he swore he heard a crack. His efforts at resuscitation finally bore fruit, with a cough and a gasp a small spray of blood came out of Vivian''s throat. Then with a slow laboured ragged breath she sucked air into her lungs.
A tear rolled down David''s face he slapped Martin on the back and hugged Vivian. She gasped then punched him on the shoulder, her voice was horse, ¡°Agh fuck, what hit my throat¡±. It took a second for the situation to sink in. ¡°what the fuck¡± she croaked. Ghost looked over the room, ¡°The entire battle was a distraction, so they could isolate and kill one person¡±. David looked to ghost, ¡°we have to be more careful¡±. Alice used another healing spell on Vivian as she used David to stand back up. She breathed a sigh of relief ¡°All of you thanks, the bastard found one weak spot. An extra chain mail neck guard should cover up the gap¡±.
Ghost looked over all the blood, ¡°take it from me Vivian a wound like that. You suffered a lot of blood loss, magic won¡¯t replace the blood your body needs a few days to make it, your high level so it¡¯s not so long to recover. But don''t expect to be at your peak, even with every healing spell they used on you¡±. Vivian looked at her armour her brows furrowed, ¡°that''s going to be a bastard to clean¡±. David grinned, ¡°I don''t mind helping you¡±, she hugged him back in thanks. David noticed some shallow breathing in the corner of the room, he drew his sword and finished off the wounded salamander.
The level up hit Alice reached level 88 gaining the improved version of her mage armour spell. Vivian reached level 87 gaining rank six of the knock down ability. David hit level 84 gaining the 4th rank of the battle brother skill. Nether ghost or Martin levelled up already being at level 100. though it got Martin thinking if he could find and defeat something else over level 100, could a human go further he was willing to try.
Ghost looked round the group at the dead animals, ¡°well that was something new, at least they are trying to find a week spot hitting back. It means we are getting to them¡±. Vivian angrily croaked at her, ¡°don''t be so blas¨¦, they got fucking close¡±. Ghost dismissed her near-death experience, ¡°they didn¡¯t, and you learnt, next time will they get even a small advantage or will you be ready?¡± Vivian was silent, Ghost could see the answer in the fierce determination in Vivian''s eyes.
The city guard and the deputy sheriff arrived soon afterwards. The merchant¡¯s guild turned one corner of the room into an impromptu abattoir. The basilisks and salamanders were cut up for alchemical ingredients and materials that were fireproof and highly resistant to poison. The dogs were skinned for their hides, the rest of them becoming culinary delights in the poorer parts of town.
Ghost did find a hidden safe her special lock picks defeated it easily. There was a crude map and directions, a lead on a possible sorcerer¡¯s camp. Ghost reviewed the papers, ¡°it could be a trap, or they just want to point us in the direction of someone else to give themselves a break. But then alternatively they need crystallised mana, if they wanted to produce that drugs. If the sorcerers had some enchanters amongst them that would have done the trick¡±. Vivian looked at the papers, ¡°they are trying to form a tacit alliance, as they are the only major players left¡±.
The ghost also found some correspondence from someone called the shade. Titled as the second crime lord, did that make them the second in command off the hidden hand or simply was the hidden hand the second most powerful member of an alliance of criminal syndicates. It would be worrying if they were that organised. The letter spoke about securing a stake of the future by any means necessary. This shade their leader must be giving orders related to the trade convoys, they were the biggest deal to come through North port in a very long time.
Twenty minutes after they started to digest the implications of the letters several carts arrived from the merchant¡¯s guild. Identification were presented they signed for the items and collected the crates. Vary carefully they loaded up the alchemy equipment, they would soon have it back inside the guild alchemy workshop. The mushrooms would soon be processed. Just to be on the safe side they accompanied the group of guard¡¯s mercenary''s and trade guild staff back.
With a deep sigh of relief, the carts moved into the guild. Vivian took the opportunity to correct one over-site. She looked through the regular armoury, she found a good quality steel chain-mail neck guard paying 25 silver for the privilege. That little gap in her armour was gone, even if she would be croaking for a little bit while her throat healed.
They returned to the duchess residence and saw her steward. The group collected the reward of 500 silver for sorting out the situation with the supply of drugs. The four masters kept 400 from the reward and ghost took her share of 100 silver. They had a brief meal and were then summoned to the duchess presence.
A brief round of curtseys and other formalities and the duchess began in earnest, ¡°Ghost I see Gilda wanted this matter dealt with. You all have my thanks for dealing with this quickly. You have thwarted the hidden hand again. Though I understand from the guards report they are becoming more creative. A dozen tamed monsters with them this time, I am starting to wonder if the sorcerers and hidden hand have some sort of informal alliance an agreement to work together¡±?
¡°That may very well be the case, I found a hidden safe with some evidence of a sorcerers camp. It might be a trap, or some deal they were planning, the sorcerers could have provided them with crystallised mana, one of the other main ingredients in blue moon dust. They are effectively the only two main players left in this area. It would make sense for them to work together¡±. ¡°yes, I see your point, it would be effective to eliminate one of the groups then the other¡±.
The duchess thought for a bit, ¡°with the hidden hand we seem to have only ever found small temporary bases. I refuse to believe that they don''t have something more substantial in or around the city, or on a ship or something nearby¡±. Vivian spoke up a croak in her voice, ¡°we need a lead the hidden hand, they have remained hidden for a long time. They will slip up as long as we keep the pressure up on them, eliminating their last ally will be easier than starting to dig through the entire city for their base¡±. The duchess nodded, ¡°the sorcerers did try to summon an overlord inside my city, eliminating them first might be the most prudent thing we can do¡±.
.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 24 – Sorcerous Surprise 1
Ghost had lodgings in the main housing complex of the trade guild. The party were still underneath the duchess roof. They were woken up very early. They needed to act upon the information that they had recovered from the hidden hand. The longer they waited the more demons could be summoned traps prepared and generally the worse it would be for them, when they tried to assault the sorcerer¡¯s location. They rushed through a very early breakfast cold mutton and hard bread washed down quickly. The entire group was ready as quickly as they could be. A coach had been prepared they would be delivered as close as possible to the sorcerers and then off they would go.
They didn''t have an army behind them, low level humans didn''t generally stack up well against the demons, due to their infernal constitution and high levels of skill. The guards and militia were out of the question. A few monks and priests had volunteered as well as hunters and crusaders, they would be noticed a mile away and the demons and sorcerers would be long gone. The local leaders were not willing to risk throwing a large number of soldiers who would die easily or worse end up possessed.
The four masters and ghost were small enough in number not to be noticed. They all packed a significant punch one way or another and the chance of them scoring some significant kills would be highly beneficial. Even if they managed to only kill a couple of the sorcerers it would be worth it. They could keep cutting their numbers down bit by bit until the circle of sorcerers was no more or gave up and fled.
They carried no magical mana draining shackles, they had no intention of capturing a sorcerer, especially after they had tried to summon a demon overlord. There would be no prisoners taken this time no quarter given. No mercy no surrender they were pretty sure that the sorcerers were aware of this. They would not be surviving an encounter with two exalted masters and three grand masters.
Heading along the trail ghost stopped them, she held out something that looked like a compass made from octium. It was going wild spinning in two different directions at once. She silently pointed to a spot on the ground and then to Alice. Activating the trap or disarming it would let the sorcerers know that they were approaching. Alice used the end of her staff and slowly drew an outline of the edge of the spell, she found another and another. The party crawled to a halt carefully circumventing the sorcery traps. They moved cautiously for another fifty meters until Alice was sure the path was clear.
Ghost took the lead again scouting far ahead, there were a few tracks that looked to be too big to be human, unless someone had been taking a lot of growth potions. They were probably summoned demons soldier variants, ghost did a quick count of the tracks and indicated six. A little further and they encountered more magic traps, again Alice marked their boundaries and they moved forwards. They encountered more tracks paw prints this time ghost did a quick count she gestured 8, probably a group of hell hounds. The sorcerers had an outer perimeter around there camp spell summoned demons. As soon as they attacked the other demons would appear, as reinforcements.
David gestured to head out and take care of the patrols. If they did that then they would alert their primary target lose any surprise and the sorcerers would probably be gone before they even saw them. A few looks and hand gestures from Vivian drilled this into David''s thick skull. They would not be paid for killing demons only sorcerers.
Martin could feel a certain unease rising in him, a sense of something very much like the vampires. One part of them blood and ritual infernal magic. The sorcerers had their own ways to be strong their own ways to threaten. A vampire could use their abilities fairly easily, they had fought and killed one powerful vampire sorcerer, that had worked for razor the elite vampire. Martin was quite happy to eliminate every sorcerer and all their profane knowledge from the world.
Alice could have ripped the sorcerers traps apart with her magic. Found and blasted the patrolling demons to pieces with an assault of spells. She chafed at the bit to get to the fight, a fight she was well suited for. She would gain a few more benefits as she continued to level up. Her spells would get a bit stronger her mana reserve increase quite a bit deeper. She would gain a bit more magical resistance and she would be able to juggle a sixth active spell.
Her spell casting was as efficient as it was going to get, which was to say very efficient. She was confident that she could layer defensive spells and overwhelm even multiple sorcerers with her offensive spells. She had an almost physical need to beat them. She considered sorcerers weak relying on demonic creatures for strength rather than their own spells. She considered even the most powerful sorcerers as weak grovelers.
Ultimately, they were trying to win the patronage of a demonic overlord so that they could receive their patrons¡¯ favour in the form of a soul splice. Which would eventually turn them into a powerful demon if they endured long enough.
There was some irony to the situation, a degree of hypocrisy that Alice would not acknowledge with her attitude. If anyone pointed out the similarity between the mages patronage from the crown and a sorcerers infernal patronage they would end up gargling acid. Still Alice dreamed of changing that one level at a time, until she was strong enough to warrant entry to the highest parts of the mages tower.
David and Vivian saw a pay-check and a job. A task to be completed, one that they were unfamiliar with. Alice and Martin had some knowledge and ability against such foes and the ghost certainly seemed to be well aware of their capabilities. From having fought them for at least three years, working as the main enforcer of the merchant¡¯s guild around North port.
They found the outskirts of the camp a clearing in the middle of a cold forest. A few covered wagons a few tents it was very temporary. There was an alter four feet high made from wood and rocks, it seemed to be smeared with the blood of whatever woodland animals could be found. Birds dear hare what looked like a bear cub it was a long way from a significant place of power. There were a few cages some animals¡¯ weak ones to be sacrificed and a few hounds probably intended for a possession ritual to create hell hounds.
Ghost scouted around she gestured to the trees around the clearing indicating four then made the shape of a spider. Four of the spider demons hidden in the trees around the clearing. She gestured counting out numbers there were ten more Demon soldiers summoned back and fortified both with conjure armour and weapons and some sort of shield around them. They would be tough to kill but they could not be summoned back instantly. There were two demonic spell casters probably the familiars of whoever was leading this camp. There were six hell hounds as well following the demons about.
There were five sorcerers left large red hooded ritual robes, they were probably fur lined to keep out the cold. The group silently wondered where the other five were. A quick glance around showed five beds this camp was just one, there would have to be others. The sorcerers had split up. Hooded robes moved about doing mundane chores that they didn''t quite trust the demons to get right.
They pointed and nodded getting a very quiet agreement on targets. Ghost would target and deal with the demonic spiders, the half human half arachnid monsters acting as perimeter guards. Martin would target the two spell casting demons. They probably had much better offensive magic than their summoner. So that they would be the biggest threat on the battlefield. Alice and David would target the minions and start going through them while Vivian targeted and eliminated the magic users at range, it was a relatively solid plan. Based on the way they had fled last time they expected the sorcerers to use another infernal portal to get away. They had a short amount of time to target them before they got away.
Ghost was the first to move pretty much disappearing, there was a rustle and the fist tree something fell out of the branches and hit the ground starting to dissolve. Then the second tree a minute later and something slumped over a branch and then started to dissolve. Ghost headed towards the third spider demon when the camp started to react, the sorcerers had realised that a number of there summoned minions were gone.
Before one of the sorcerers could cast her spell an octium arrow smashed into her shoulder before she could hit the ground a mithril arrow followed it and made certain she would not get up. Martin was into the clearing and firing off his pistols four barrels and one of the spell casting demons was on the ground. his holy symbol held out he used the blessing ¡°word of judgement¡±, the combination of sonic and holy damage was enough to finish off the demon. The second demon spell caster took off making it harder for Martin to hit a moving target.
David charged into the group of demon soldiers sending three of them spinning from the impact from his shield. He blocked a series of blows from a demon with particularly impressive horns then smashed it in the face with his shield. Hard enough to shatter both horns and knock half its teeth out. There was a lot of credit to the strength of the demon when it got back up and spat a few fanged teeth out. Two of the demons were fairly weak having been summoned by the less experienced sorcerers, they didn''t have the raw power or toughness to compete with David one had its legs crushed the other lost an arm to a precise sword blow.
Alice layered up her defences an earthen wall to protect herself bonus vitality mage armour. She hurled an electric strike spell into the hell hound pack. With a follow up pair of acid strikes four shocked hell hounds whined and got back up. Two started to evaporate leaving the mangled bodies of the dogs that they possessed behind.
One of the spider stalker demons fell out of a tree into the clearing a dozen steel knives sticking out of her body. The demon had half her limbs missing yet still got up. Ghost appeared behind her and removed the demons head with a slice of her thinner blade. The demon collapsed; Ghost dived back into the shadows as an infernal bolt spell hit the ground she had been standing on.
One of the spider demons anticipated the trajectory of the arrow Vivian had fired and stepped right in front of the two shots. The adamantine arrows passed right through the surprised demon leaving two holes then hit the sorcerer that they had shielded and sunk in. The sorcerer was far less durable than the demon and collapsed dead with barely a whimper. Martin hit the second spell casting demon with a pair of blessings ¡°hand of judgement¡± knocking them out of the sky and ¡°pillar of ice¡± freezing them in place. The blizzard dissipated showing the remains of the frozen demon that started to slowly fade away.
David moved towards the sorcerers forcing the demons to intercept him. There was an exchange of blows his mithril shield stopped javelins thrown axes some form of hooked mace. He had a few good bruises but nothing that could slow him down. David brought the pommel of his sword down on one demon the stun enchantment affected them he lined up his cut and removed their head, ducking back to avoid the counterattack he circled back around. Alice targeted the hell hounds that tried to split apart to make themselves a harder target. A duel cast electrical strike spell still managed to catch two of them at the maximum of its range.
The leader of the sorcerers revealed himself to be an exalted master in possession of a powerful supreme spell that changed the course of the battle back in his favour. Infernal energy flowed out from him in a wave as he used his ¡°possession¡± ability. Red circles formed around the party under their feet. Alice''s high spell resistance dramatically slowed the effect on her. Martins nature as a religious job gave him protection and he only suffered a little damage. But Vivian David and Ghost began to fight, as something unbidden began to crawl out from the ground to invade their body''s.
Martin knew it was his moment, ¡°litany of blessings¡± he had been conservative in the use of his defensive blessings now he was not. He activated everything he had as he run for all he was worth. His martyrs sacrifice ability amplified his body''s speed and strength while tearing in apart. The demons and sorcerers focused in on him. He got close up to Vivian ¡°purge soul¡±. The effect was over the demonic spirit trying to invade her body, banished back to whichever infernal plane it had been summoned from.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
Martin was already moving away from Vivian trusting her to recover, he used his blessing ¡°martyrs¡¯ spirit¡±, suddenly the translucent blue white soul of a hunter materialised. He had a blade in hand and defended Vivian while she recovered. After ten seconds he faded away back to the beyond a blessing made with his spare hand. He sprinted over to Ghost, again ¡°purge soul¡± she reacted immediately and got up disappearing into a blur of motion. Martin got close to Alice she was highly resistant to the attack, but it was still slowly affecting her. He used his last use of ¡°purge soul¡±, immediately she was free and back to slinging spells.
A demon tried to stab David while he was fighting possession, he had enough time to just block the blade. Martin was next to him he moved quickly taking the bottle of holy water, not sacred balm from David''s belt and emptying it over David. Smoke rose up from his armour, but the spell was gone. David was back in the fight, though his entire body stung like hell he was free.
The exalted master sorcerers last trump card was gone used up they retreated. At a gesture the alter shivered and cracked a swirling portal appeared from it three cords of demonic sigils looped out seized the sorcerers and pulled them in. The portal disappeared moments later, it was some sort of emergency escape, three of the sorcerers had gotten away. Two would not be joining their compatriots. It was not the crushing victory that they had hoped for, but the sorcerer¡¯s numbers were thinned even further, and their leader would have to wait for some time to use his supreme skill again, if he got the chance.
Ghost took the opportunity to pounce on the demonic stalking spider and finish her off with a stab to the skull with her adamantium blade. Martin removed the head of one of the remaining demon soldiers with his lionhearts hammer pistol. Vivian fired off her adamantium tipped arrows two power shots took out two more of the demonic soldiers as they tried to close the distance on her. Alice hit the last two hell hounds with a few acid strike spells and down they went. David ducked down low his shield edge buried in the ground he flicked it up throwing dirt into the demon¡¯s face. He struck forwards into the demon¡¯s chest piercing the summoned armour and banishing the demon.
The remaining four demons didn''t like their chances, but they were stubborn and not likely to give up without one hell of a fight. Alice hit one demon with an icy tomb spell, in credit to the demon it managed to keep moving before it was finally frozen, and its conjured body gave out. David sent the demon nearest to him flying with an adrenalin shield block, his power strike cut it practically in half. Vivian''s arrows quickly finished off her target head and heart, though she was not sure if a summoned demon actually had one. Martin shot the last demon in the knees with his regular pistols ghost was there a second later slitting its throat with her octium blade.
The adventures could hear crashing through the woods, the approach of something or someone else. Martin reloaded his pistols in preparation Alice cast healing spells on everyone. Arriving late to the party must have been the patrols that they had bypassed, the tracks they had seen earlier. Six demonic soldiers moved into the clearing. They included David''s familiar demon nemesis and sister followed by eight hell hounds at their heel.
The demon looked to his sister ¡°shit we missed the party¡±, she pointed at David, ¡°and you said we would be first to the fight on the patrol detail, there are still a lot of us, focus on that one¡±. Martin held his holy symbol up ¡°final judgement¡±. A demon in the middle of the group howled in pain as he was flooded with white light smoking. He seemed to disappear receiving enough holy damage to completely remove him and his summoned body from the physical plain.
The demons charged for David he charged back, battering them aside with his shield. His nemesis cursed and spat, ¡°shiny new upgrade must have cost you a bit, it¡¯s going to serve me better¡±. The demon dodged out of the way of a power attack. ¡°I can smell the possession spell you almost joined the family, clumsy¡±. Vivian targeted the hell hounds three of them fell with adamantine bodkin arrows lodged in their skulls and necks. They dissipated to reveal the lifeless mangled bodies of the wolves that they had possessed.
Alice hit two of the demons with her icy tomb spells, they had been two focused on attacking David to notice or avoid the magic conjured around them. Martin had his four barrelled pistol out he emptied it and threw his Tesla grenades at them for good measure. Two of the hell hounds didn''t get up. Ghost appeared out of nowhere and dispatched one of the demon soldiers, her blades finding gaps in the conjured armour to sink into the demon¡¯s neck.
The remaining two demons bickered to the last, Martin bombarded them with smite and other blessings. David hacked and cut ghost got one of the remaining hell hounds with a barrage of thrown knives. Vivian removed the other two hell hounds one as it charged her the second as it turned to flee. Alice finished off the demons with an electric strike spell.
One thing to be said about the demons were that they were a quality enemy. Fighting and defeating them made an adventure strong very quickly or dead very quickly. Martin and ghost didn''t gain anything but Alice David and Vivian each gained two levels. Alice reached level 90 with the class level she gained another 50 points of spell resistance. Low level magic would have a very hard time affecting her. She also improved her mage armour spell to the grand version it was probably equal to a suit of some mithril chainmail.
David reached level 86 gaining the same class level Vivian had gotten earlier and gaining an ability peak condoning at level 1. That enabled him to do a bit more damage when he was near or at full health. Vivian reached level 89 raising her knock down skill to level 8, if a target survived a shot from her bow there was a very good chance that they would not be standing up.
David looked about the camp, ¡°you would hardly believe a battle was fought hear, I could feel something trying to crawl inside me like a parasitic worm it was disgusting¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°when I was bit by the werewolf it got like that¡±. ¡°Could you feel another mind trying to whisper out to you¡±? ¡°No, I guess that element was different¡±.
Alice looked at Vivian and ghost, ¡°are ¡ you alright¡±? Ghost nodded, ¡°I have a ring of ruinous defence it slowed that spell down a lot, I think I will be carrying a vial of holy water as a backup, that looked painful but in a pinch it would be a good solution¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°it¡¯s almost like a combination of the purify purge and cleanse and the consecrate blessings in one go¡±. Vivian hand shook for a second. ¡°I don''t feel very good, that demonic possession could he do that again the next time we fight them¡±? Alice shook her head, ¡°that is a powerful supreme spell ¡it will have a cool down like Martins supreme, a week maybe two if we press the attack, they won¡¯t have a chance to recover¡±.
They started to get themselves together while recovering her arrows Vivian had a brief scouting run. A little blue powder to steady her nerves and she was back. Ghost showed them some half burnt papers she had pulled from a fire. One of the sorcerers had had the presence of mind to throw into a fire at the beginning of the fight. It was a map it showed amongst the burnt remains, an area a rendezvous. They had some idea where the backup site, where that emergency portal had led.
There was also a rather incriminating letter written in a highly stylised script like calligraphy. It detailed a contracted to destroy the dock section of the city, probably the summoning ritual that they interrupted, a promise was made of 150 gold and 60 souls from the Midnight King, offered to them payment on completion. There was also a vague promise about replacing any lost members of their group if they had issues, it would be some useful intelligence for Francis the local vampire hunter.
The Midnight King was an ally of the Empress of Shadows, now that her main agent in the area was dead the Midnight King seemed to have been trying to help disrupt the trade talks. Though this plan was a long time in the making, so it might have been a backup all along with him trying to regain favour with her.
They went through the dead sorcerers¡¯ possessions. There was little of note a few objects were enhanced with infernal enchantments onto the fire they went. A scroll a staff shared similar fates. There was one very nice ornate dagger unfortunately it didn''t survive the purify blessing and broke into splinters. More than one idiot who had taken an enchanted object from a sorcerer had lived to regret it, as the corrupting magic was an easy route for possession.
They did find one ornate box. One of the sorcerers was a coin collector. Ghost seemed to know her stuff. There were old elven coins from both the northern and central plains cities. They were made from one metal ringed with another and another, it looked to be alternating layers of silver and bronze. They were very hard to forge, due to the complexity of their construction only with a tireless workforce of golems could something so detailed ever be mass produced.
There were dwarven coins possibly from thousands of years ago. They had enchantments to make them impossible to forge and also very hard to damage. The actual enchantments were mostly durability and some sort of polish enchantment to keep their surface clean. These coins could have been here before even the vampires. There were central plains coins various denominations sadly none of their mithril Drach, they were worth an utter fortune. The central plains could only forge small pieces of mithril, so it was used on coins and jewellery.
There were south-land coins made from rare hardwoods alchemically hardened. There was a dragon note from the time of the blood alchemist¡¯s empire. The scrip still clear after ten of thousands of years. There was even a five-sided coin minted from white iron. The coinage of the short-lived arch lich city state. Everything of value mostly the coins and the correspondence was gathered up. The two dead sorcerers were wrapped in cloth, they would be brought to the cathedral and given last rights and cremation to lay their spirits to rest.
David carried one body Martin the other. Ghost looked after the correspondence and coin collection. Vivian took a torch and set the remains of the camp on fire. A bit of petty revenge to settle herself. Having a demon summoned from hell trying to crawl its way up her soul had not been pleasant. Martin was immune with his religious job; Alice was resistant to harmful magic as a high-level mage. Still she had holy water with her, next time she would know how to deal with it herself if there was a next time.
Alice let off a bit of steam detonating the magical traps she had marked out with a few fire bite spells. It was no surprise that the circle of sorcerers around North port had lasted so long. It was quite difficult to pin them down. It would be harder for them the next time as they had a few less sorcerers to prepare defences. With a pop and a crackle, the last of the trap spells ignited leaving the path clear.
They soon met up with the carriage a guard and a driver keeping well back out of the way. The transport was not up to fighting a demon but could outpace demonic foot soldiers if necessary. They returned to town and passed the usual checks, they arrived at the hunter¡¯s house and passed on all the correspondence they could find. Including the letter from the Midnight King to Francis. It was stark proof that the vampires were treating the trade talks as a serious threat to the status quo.
There next destination was the cathedral the priests would take almost anyone for last rights. As a duty to usher souls and spirits onto the next life, whatever the creator god ordained. If the ghosts of two less sorcerers were not wandering the world that would be a good thing. There remains would be left as unknown anonymous sitting in an urn in death, a final resting place amongst the forgotten inside the vaults of the cathedral.
The church bar one or two thought that everyone that was human was deserving of the last act of respect. David gave thanks for his deliverance and made a donation to get a replacement bottle of holy water. Ghost seeing the usefulness made a donation and received a few bottles herself. Next time she faced a sorcerer she might not have a religiously trained adventurer supporting her.
Now that they were free of their official duty''s they headed to a tavern and proceeded to have a good few drinks. Coming close to being possessed like a puppet didn''t exactly have a good effect on their psyche. A plate full of pies, mostly fish disappeared quickly. There nerves and stomachs sated they had a few more things to do. Ghost lead them through the merchants guild to the trade commissioner.
She was admitted with the doors, ¡°good to see you Ghost, how is the hunt for the sorcerers going¡±? ¡°We killed two of them. Three got away through a portal, we have leads on some more, the Midnight King might be bankrolling them to help the Empress of Shadows¡±. ¡°It¡¯s a little progress hardly warranting you to report back yet¡±. ¡°I found this it reminds me of a collection that disappeared a few years back¡±. ¡°Yes, much the same plus a few items, you took this from a sorcerer¡±? Alice spoke up, ¡°it¡¯s safe ¡no spells¡±. Martin held out his holy symbol, ¡°completely clean no sorcerers magic¡±.
The merchant nodded removing a pair of white gloves she carefully checked the collection out examining them with a magnifying glass, ¡°blood alchemist currency is very rare, the dragon revolt didn''t exactly leave much of their empire standing¡±. She looked over the group and assessed it, I can pay you 300 silver for the Lot. David and Vivian looked at Ghost they didn''t know what to make of it. Perhaps they could have gotten a bit more, but they didn''t know that much about old coins and they trusted Ghost not to be ripped off. The four masters share was 240 silver, with a fifth of it 60 silver going to ghost. A few pleasantries and they left the trade commissioner.
Vivian and Alice started to practice using training dummies again, Alice would defend them with spells as Vivian tried to attack. Then they would swap with Vivian trying to intercept Alice''s low powered spells with arrows as the reverse of the exercise. Martin set about repairing equipment while David set about drilling and training some of the guards. There work on shield and spear sword and shield. How to resist charges how to scatter from a fire ball. These were lessons he had learned through bruises burns and a lot of pain, he would pass them on with only a little of the pain.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 25 – Sorcerous Surprise 2
They quickly woke up carrying out various preparations, Alice was thinking about perhaps getting another item enchanted with ruinous defence. As she didn''t like facing the possession magic. She would soon gain another chunk of magical resistance so perhaps it was a little pointless. What were the chances she would face another sorcerer with the same ability, or a similar trap?
Vivian knew about sorcery now, applying holy water to one¡¯s self would hurt but it would stop a possession. She guessed that this was the way Martin felt when he didn''t know a rouges ability''s, when the brotherhood of the black hand had gotten the best of him. Vivian had been a bit more generous with David''s allowance of coin to gamble away the previous night, it actually made him feel a bit better though he still lost.
Martin patched his equipment; he did feel vindicated in his faith and his companions. Despite the sorcerer¡¯s supreme skill, a balanced party had overcome it fairly easily. They had caused the sorcerer to flee as his possession had failed, Ghost was a formidable addition to the team, perhaps they might look at recruiting a rouge or assassin working with the group on a long-term basis.
Ghost arrived as they were having breakfast, she grabbed a bowl and sat down. David looked up at her, ¡°I suppose you need to eat about as much as we do¡±. ¡°Power has its price, and its privileges I need to eat more to fuel my abilities, just like every other adventure¡±. Martin finished a bowl, ¡°so we expect about 8 sorcerers left. They might have a few stragglers, apprentices on the weak side kicking around at main base right¡±.
¡°The local circle of sorcerers has been active for over a hundred years, there has to be one or two apprentices at the very least. They can''t rely on recruiting fully trained sorcerers from other groups¡±. ¡°We have not seen anything like a main base yet, there is probably a place quite far out. Where they hang their robes, somewhere out of the way of the usual beaten track¡±.
Alice looked thoughtful, ¡°probably a site with strong warding spells ¡alters soaked with the blood of centuries of sacrifice they would have a lot of power ¡and knowledge saved up¡±. David wondered, ¡°I presume that that power could be directed at us, can it be disrupted¡±? Martin was confident, ¡°holy blessings would unravel it octium would do a marvellous job¡±. Vivian shrugged, ¡°I don''t have that many octium arrows¡±. David held his sword up, ¡°this blade is mithril not octium¡±. Martin was dismissive, ¡°it might take us a few tries to crack their defences like the lich''s fortress¡±.
Vivian was morbidly curious, ¡°how powerful do the rank and file demons get¡±? Alice had read up on it, ¡°if you had a really high-level sorcerer ¡put a lot of mana into it and they possessed a powerful body, then it¡¯s possible for a demon to reach level 100¡±. Vivian pressed on, ¡°can they get any higher¡±? ¡°I don''t think so ¡that applies only to demonic overlords¡±. ¡°Any idea how one of them becomes an overlord¡±? ¡°If there is ¡the demons guard it closely¡±.
Ghost was starting to realise if she stayed around, she might end up with four exalted masters in the group. Martin was already on her level and the rest were not far behind. Their equipment was not up to standard. But then an exalted master had to collect quite a few bounties to afford equipment worthy of their rank. She was lucky that she could get a loan from the trade commissioner three years ago, to equip herself fully. She only now had a little left to pay back.
She started to think about her companions, four exalted masters would be able to fill contracts very fast. They had already chewed through most of the local powers in a short time. The lich with her skeletal dragon the vampire prince and his dam huge army. There was always something else hidden out there on the next hill or mountain over. But the four of them could bring in a contract in record time.
They could stack up the cash and acquire equipment equal to their rank, custom made blessed or enchanted depending on their flavour. She kept an ear to the ground; they had a large amount of material commissioned and they were already hunting artefacts looking for training. The four of them working together accelerated the process.
She could see it in their eyes a lust for battle. How Alice like to throw an acid strike and show how her magic was superior. Vivian''s cold calculating shots mechanical lethal. David''s drive for profit and glory, a bit of battle hunger and Martins foaming zealotry to rid the world of everything the church considered to be against their beliefs. The triune could be described like this, people working together through necessity. Only strong enough when they were together.
She knew that they were agents of the bishop of Good-ford. They were effective agents, but they could be far more. They would outgrow there patron sooner or later. The bishop would lend them to others who needed help, as the bishop didn''t have the sort of work that needed. This was such a situation, a team like this needed full time work. People of their level were recruited by the truly powerful. The bishop would find an offer on his desk that he could not refuse. The king the high guild master would raise them up to emissary, one of the truly powerful. The patriarch used inquisitors and witch finders, but he might sponsor the four masters.
They might be split up between the three real powers, but they were unlikely to take such an offer from what she had seen. They had started out as practically nobody''s and together they had grown stronger and learned harsh lessons.
Another thought popped into ghost¡¯s head, the four masters made a lot of waves. The reward on their heads was apparently over 4000 silver and only growing. According to contacts in the criminal world. If they had not already then very soon, they would piss off one of the truly terrible monsters and when that happened they would have a target on their back so large that they could not hide. She swallowed remembering Thomas Drem, he had faked his own death and hidden in the cathedral crypt for years to avoid a Master vampire.
The four masters were far less subtle, for a moment ghost felt a very large target on her own back, from even associating with them. She had nearly 1300 silver placed on hear head by the thief¡¯s guild, and she had been active for three years. The four masters might have been noteworthy for less than two months and already there was a huge reward on them, it was something to ponder.
The meal was finished they gathered up their weapons. Ghost had to hand it to them they kept their equipment close by. They wore most of their armour, they were properly paranoid for their kind of work. Ghost herself rotated where she slept form one night to the next and never truly left her equipment behind, even if sometimes she had formal-wear over the top.
They came to the main gate and a coach that had been selected. There was usually a mercenary riding with the coach driver for protection, the usual form of guard had been replaced with a veteran crusader with a very sturdy crossbow. He had some ability''s that would make him better at fighting a sorcerer or demon, he was still there primarily to protect the coach so that they would have a ride to get back to the city.
There was a little cold rain as they progressed along the trail. The sorcerers base had been estimated. Its approximate location forms the fragment of the map. They had gotten a good-sized map and pencilled in the likely locations, there was a cave a minor nobles abandoned estate and a hamlet that had become fallow years ago. The first area they investigated was the noble¡¯s estate it had been striped. Raised of every stone for building materials even the foundations dug away. It had been done a long time ago. Perhaps part of it had been used to construct one of the vampire lairs, it would have the appropriate thematic sense that the prince had employed in his dwellings.
The hamlet of four houses was still standing, the fields overgrown with tree''s there was still a small garden that had been tended to, sorcerers still needed to eat after all. There were stacks of firewood a few hives and hutches with rabbits, small but established signs of civilization. Of course, Alice could sense a much greater build-up of magical energy. There were four alters like the one that they had seen in the forest camp, each one could probably be used as an escape.
Ghost disappeared for several minutes then reappeared. ¡°I did a quick scout this place had four of those alters. But it also has six of those spider stalker demons patrolling, whatever the demon equivalent of a rogue is¡±. Vivian''s voice was low, ¡°what are their numbers¡±? ¡°I didn''t see any sorcerers, but they must be inside, outside I saw nine more hell hounds and eight more of those demonic soldiers¡±. ¡°What about any of the winged demonic spell casters¡±? ¡°There were two others in a hut perhaps the ones that you are thinking of¡±.
Martin took a quick glance into the distance, ¡°how do we go about this¡±? Vivian scraped out a diagram on the cold earth, ¡°we have the opportunity to plan¡±. ¡°David you don''t have a good way to destroy one of those alters, your acting as bait drawing the demons on guard duty away. The rest of us approach from each side we cut off the means of escape. I can put a few octium arrows into the alter and destroy it. Alice can bombard hers with spells. Ghost has her own octium and Martin can purify it until the thing falls apart¡±. Martin pointed out one warning, ¡°the demons hear might well be possessing people, keep an eye out they will be a lot tougher¡±.
David didn''t exactly feel enamoured about this plan, but he was the most heavily armoured and several of the enchanted items he had would boost his abilities. The others would be in position he walked forwards. The demon solders and several hell hounds stood up a demon with no armour picked up a wood cutters axe. David waited one heartbeat two heart beats. He noticed the demons were more solid as Martin had warned, they were definitely possessing the living their bodies were quite a bit stronger than conjured ones.
He started to retreat slowly mocking the demons unwilling to walk into whatever sorcerer¡¯s trap was laid out. Six of the hell hounds and four of the demon soldiers peeled off and went after him. The rest were certainly prepared to back their compatriots up. David was aware of the demon stalker approaching him from behind his polished shield showed a glimmer of something getting closer and closer. He twisted round and struck removing two of the beast¡¯s limbs, one fell to the ground and evaporated into a black stain, the second fell to the ground shifted and became human another possessed soul.
The rest of the group struck Vivian fired off four octium arrows into the alter closest to her, the magic collapsed as the physical structure collapsed. Martin charged out of cover his martyrs sacrifice blessing active empowering him to close the distance. His holy symbol touched the alter ¡°purify, purify...purify¡±, the alter exploded into a hail of smoking stone and wood. Alice had several defensive spells she struck with fire bite magic. The alter failed to catch light so she switched to kinetic strikes and acid strike spells, physically breaking and melting the alter away until it collapsed. Ghost appeared over the alter a stab and a twist from her octium dagger and the alter collapsed.
They were confident any sorcerers about would not be able to escape and would not be able to draw on the strength of the alters magic for anything else. They still had quite a few demons to deal with. And the sorcerers that were stationed there.
Martin let the martyrs sacrifice blessing end, he didn''t need it any more he activated his ¡°sphere of consecration¡± blessing around him. Everything was effectively covered in holy light, two hidden stalker demons closing in on him reacted in pain. He swung round pistols in hand and blasted them away with blessed silver shot.
David fought off the majority of the demons, blocking backing cutting backing. He sliced down one hound that melted into a mongrel dog no longer possessed. He sliced again and a wolf lay bleeding out at his feet. The mithril shield was highly effective against hell hounds and soldier demons. They could not overpower him from the front and he kept retreating so that they could not flank him, it was the reverse of his usual tactic.
.
Vivian targeted two of the demonic soldiers, the first charged at her bellowing to receive an arrow to the head with a second arrow to the neck and a third to the heart. The demon was knocked down but not quite out. The second demon got an arrow to the knee dropped down then received an arrow through both eyes. It was quicker the two demons succumbed from there horrific injures as the corrosive magic in the adamantine heads did its job. Alice concentrated her electric strike spells onto the hell hounds, three of them were fried as one managed to outpace the spell. The two spell caster demons were caught by ghost one flying away wounded with a dozen steel knives embedded in them, the second quite dead with an adamantine blade through there skull.
Martin was on the main group of demon soldiers ¡°purge soul, purify¡± one of the demons screamed and dropped their demonic weapon and armour faded away like a mirage. Their body shrunk their horns crumbled and a confused shell-shocked man was left on the ground. Martin hit a second demon with the same combination and revealed a disorientated woman who could barely stand as the demon possessing her was expelled. One of the demonic stalkers bounced off Alice''s shield spell only to be engulfed in an icy tomb spell, as the spell ended a frozen human body was left. Vivian targeted the hell hounds, three enchanted mithril arrows three strikes. Almost all the hell hounds were now gone.
The main hut opened, and a sorcerer showed his face. It looked like despite all their efforts there was only actually one sorcerer. He noted how many of his demons were left how the alters had been destroyed. He panicked and ran the opposite way from the battle, it was clearly quite obvious why he had been left behind. David moved from defensive to offense as the number of demons dwindled. He cut down one of the soldiers and wounded two more. If the spell casters had taken him on it would have been a different matter but he had picked a fight he was equipped for. Ghost intercepted the spells thrown at her with her own throwing knives. The demon''s wings were mangled, and she fell to the earth. Before she had recovered ghost was on her and the demon was exorcised from its host in the most bloody way possible.
Martin used his blessings, ¡°purge soul, purify¡± to knock out a third demon and revert them to human. He was out of such blessings so he would have to rely on more mundane means. A few throwing knives found the last hell hound and down it went. One of the stalker demons tried to avoid Vivian''s arrows ducking behind a building the arrows tore right thorough the structure two missed but the third was the charm. Alice hit the sorcerer in the legs with an acid strike spell. They screamed and fell to their knees then started to crawl away a second spell and they slumped into the earth gurgling in pain there back dissolved to the bone.
Ghost caught up with one of the stalkers her blades quickly evened up the battle. Slicing away until it fell down dead, she looked around for other targets. David traded a few more blows with the demonic solders. The injured rouge like demon tried to take him again a cut and it was headless, it did make it a good ten feet before the demon collapsed. And its body reverted to the possessed human.
The two demon soldiers left stood back to back ready to fight until the end. A hail of bullets arrows spells and knives struck them 1 was left standing. David struck with his pummel and the demon staggered back. Martin was upon him his holy symbol pressed to the demon¡¯s head. The wounded demon struggled against the burning sensation slowly bit by bit the demon reverted to a man and there was just another confused wounded human being.
Another brief hectic and chaotic fight over, their eyes glowed as the level up hit. Martin was not going to move forwards the rest were catching up Alice reached level 91 gaining the greater version of the mage armour spell. Vivian reached level 90 she improved her comprehensive training ability she could now train imperial guards one of the toughest variations to ever fight for the northern kingdom. They had the made of steel perk which stacked with the made of iron perk granting them an additional bonus 3 hit points per level. Making them amongst the toughest infantry to ever walk the battlefield. David reached level 87 raising his peak conditioning ability to level 2.
The next thing they did was heal the four injured people saved from demonic possession. They were far tougher with the possession than without and might have succumbed to their sustained injuries without immediate attention. There was still most of the little hamlet left standing the group recovered weapons reloaded and prepared for battle. The place was checked from top to bottom to make sure that there were no other surprises.
Alice sent up a signal to the carriage that the cost was clear for it to approach the settlement. This signal was in the form of a fire ball then two fire bites spells into the air. They then began a far more though search of the place. Bedding blankets capes and a rug were used to wrap up the dead with as much respect as they could muster. The sorcerer was searched one cursed ring and a cursed belt were destroyed. There were quite a few texts on sorcery Alice skimmed over them then onto the fire they went. Bit by bit the settlement was dismantled. They found a stack of provisions and fed the people recovering from the possession. The group ate quite a bit themselves.
They found part of the hamlet was a garden where corrupted plants had been grown. They were probably used in ritual for one thing or another they appeared to be mostly ordinary herbs that had been twisted in one way or another. Martin put them to the torch and the seed stock, the settlement seemed to serve a number of rolls, a place for the demons to hunt prey to sacrifice. A place to grow food and ingredients for some of their spells.
Vivian took stock, for all the effort they had put in one sorcerer lay dead. Now they expected about 7 sorcerers to still be active. They had removed a large reserve of demons and destroyed several alters even rescuing some possessed people. There was a handful of coin a few other bits, but the place didn''t seem worth having, part of her wished to put it to the torch and be done with it.
Ghost unlocked a hidden compartment and Martin unearthed a ledger, it detailed finances supplies. This was where the sorcerers did business, for the food and other necessity''s that they needed. In amongst payments for candles and bread there was more. A clue became apparent the finances included the money and favours they paid to bribe their way into town. There was a record of payment one meant for this very day and name of guard next to it. Seeing the man''s name Martin went livid, it was quite an apparent from the records that this man had been taking the sorcerers coin for five years. Before him another in the guard for fifteen years and so on.
They grabbed the scraps of paperwork anything else of use and loaded up the coach. The bodies were lashed to the top of the coach and the possessed people sat inside. The coach turned and left as quickly as they could. The trail was very warm, if the sorcerers had not given up on the contract from the midnight king and had something else planned. Well they had gone back to town to try again. The pitiful handful of bronze penny''s they found were handed out to the victims of the sorcerers the formerly possessed.
When they made it back to North port, they made sure that they went through the gate that the guard they had evidence against was not stationed at. The party went to see the deputy sheriff. The bodies of the sorcerer and those formerly possessed were dropped off at the cathedral. Some crusaders and priests checked them over. One was a former conman who had tried to scam the sorcerers the rest were just people abducted form the road and surrounding area. The town guard would have a few words with the conman.
Martin showed the deputy sheriff the ledger the evidence of bribes. The deputy sheriff was sceptical at first but called the guard into his office. Ten minutes later the man entered he saw the agents and the deputy sheriff. He tried to draw his sword only for Martin to flatten him with a mallet strike to the face. The deputy sheriff went to intervene, but ghost stopped him with a look.
The man could see the zealous fury in Martins eyes. Martin asked him questions while David and Vivian held him down. Martin used divine favour to heal his wounds and they started again. ¡°Tell me how you got the sorcerers in¡±? ¡°Please stop cutting, I had paperwork for a group of pilgrims, I got a scribe to make up new paperwork saying they lost it, I got it signed off¡±. ¡°How did they get past the dogs¡±?
¡°A few of the dogs don''t react if you give them a bit to eat, they don''t question it¡±. ¡°How did you get them past the other checks? ¡°I have a holy symbol that isn''t blessed, so nothing touching it will cause a reaction¡±. ¡°The priest on duty takes a break every so often, you can slip someone past then. The magical tome that reads people, it can be tricked. The sorcerers have to wear someone else''s skin as a glove, nasty bit of sorcery, they have to take that off them while they are alive for the spell to work¡±.
The guard looked over the group he tried to stand, and his legs gave out, ¡°I suppose you want me to tell you where they went¡±. The guard Baldwin Downer had enjoyed a good life for the last five years, it was over now. Perhaps he could get some sort of deal. Martins angry eyes were inches form his. The man saw no difference between him a vampire a blood thrall anything that willingly served with the darkness. ¡°A quick death is too good for you you¡¯re going off to the tower jail¡±. He held an octium dagger in his hand. He forced Baldwin''s hand down on the table. Baldwin looked about, the look in the rest of their eyes, apart from the deputy sheriff who looked away. The rest looked on him like he was a rat. A particularly annoying noxious one, but vermin none the less.
He tried to negotiate once more, ¡°give me 100 silver and passage out of the city and I will give you the address¡±. Martin began to cut as Baldwin began to scream, ¡°a man missing one finger might not be so bad off at the tower jail. Two fingers three the entire hand¡±? Baldwin cried he couldn''t take the thought of it as Martin got ready for the second cut, he revealed the address of the house.
The hunter¡¯s crusaders and city guard were mobilised. A ring was formed around the two-story property and the group advanced. Ghost did a quick scout, ¡°six sorcerers their leader and half a dozen conjured demons. They seem to have set up some sort of very primitive enchanters¡¯ workshop¡±. Martin looked around the rest of the group. ¡°I am the best one to take on the leader of the sorcerers, my blessings are the best thing to counter his magic¡±. Ghost looked at him, ¡°remember to leave a body, he has a reward on his head. It¡¯s the best chance we have of a decent pay day for today''s efforts¡±.
The least subtle members of the group went through the front door. Martin with various defensive blessings active. Alice wrapped in mage armour and several shield spells and David in his full plate tower shield up. The leader looked at them, ¡°take one step closer and I unleash my supreme spell possession¡±. Martin laughed, ¡°I ask you to surrender and submit to judgement, but you won¡¯t, so we go at this another way. I know your bluffing your supreme needs several days or even weeks to recharge I know mine dose, what are you doing¡±?
The look on the sorcerer¡¯s face indicated it was a hollow threat, he gestured around to a piles of mundane items. ¡°It cannot hurt, I was preparing to scatter these cursed items throughout the city. People would have been possessed bit by bit, it would have caused chaos eventually. Its slower but has a better chance of succeeding. I believed it has a subtlety that the first plan lacked, I hoped to have you chasing all over the countryside while we were sitting under your nose¡±.
It was useful info, while they talked one of the sorcerers activated the makeshift altar. The portal pulled at the sorcerers Vivian had been ready coming in through the back door with ghost through a window. She put three octium arrows into the magic disrupting the portal. The red shimmering pattern faded into nothing. Still three sorcerers had made it into the portal getting away. The rest of them were trapped in the middle of a hostile city.
Martin nodded in respect, ¡°that almost worked¡± he gestured out the door, ¡°fight me one on one show me how well the demons aid you now¡±. Silently the exalted master sorcerer stepped past David and Alice into the street. He squared off against Martin he was not sure that his companions and servants would be that much help anyway. He cast a bunch of mental attacks at the vampire hunter only for them to have a very minor effect.
He swore under his breath, he remembered a high-level vampire hunters¡¯ strength. He had to think of this fight as if he was taking on an elite vampire not a human. The sorcerer had a little over three hundred hit points plus some infernal bonuses. Martin had just over 4350 health. Still the sorcerer could keep casting defensive shields where Martin had a limited number of blessings that he could use. Martin threw a few blades and emptied pistol shots at the sorcerer¡¯s protective barrier; the sorcerer threw spells. They were blocked by the hunter¡¯s holy symbol or he simply dodged out of the way.
The party tore into the others, the demons had been recently summoned had no bodies to possess no spells cast to buff them up. David charged at the nearest two demon soldiers one with shield one with spear he knocked the first back onto the second and ran him through. Then delivered three quick strikes which left the demon surprised as it slowly started to fade away, as the spells that allowed it to remain in the material world faded. Vivian targeted the remaining sorcerers with her arrows she got two of them with octium arrows before they could even react. Alice targeted the hell hounds they were resistant to fire, but a barrage of fire balls still eliminated them and a good part of the wall behind them quite quickly. Ghost got the demon stalker slitting their throat impaling them through the eye then spinning there body around to block an infernal bolt form the last sorcerer.
Martin continued to fight against the exalted master sorcerer. He was an effective spell caster Martin tried to use ¡°pillar of fire¡± against him but his conjured energy shield was effectively resisting the heat. Martin used his strongest ability ¡°chain smite¡± it would take a few seconds to build but the electrical damage far exceeded the damage from his pillar of fire blessing. The sorcerer couldn''t doge the attack, but he could summon a low-level minion right in the path of it to interrupt the attack. The sorcerer found himself strained but then he was fighting a well-equipped hunter of equal level. He didn''t have his ultimate but then neither did the hunter.
There was one sorcerer and one soldier demon, left they looked around. The sorcerer held their hands up in surrender and the demon tried to run diving through a window. David intercepted the demon catching its lower half on his shield it didn''t make it out of the window. Vivian put a few arrows into the demon and it slowly started to fade away. The sorcerer reached for a spell scroll of some sort. Alice hit them in the back with a kinetic strike spell while ghost stabbed them through the scroll with her adamantine blade into their heart the sorcerer collapsed dead to the floor.
Martin used his four barrelled pistol then the lion harts hammer to damage the sorcerers shield spell. He used the blessing ¡°final judgement¡± to overwhelm the shield spell with holy energy shattering it. The sorcerer tried to recast it. Martin was quicker, ¡°smite¡± the sorcerer staggered back barely able to stand his concentration disrupted. ¡°Smite¡± he was down on his side unable to stand. The sorcerer looked around everyone had been evacuated, his allies had been eviscerated or evaporated. He had nobody close by to possess or use as hostages.
Martin stood over him, the pain of his burnt body, barely holding it together. He tried to cast a shield spell only for Martin to speak once more he favoured pillar of salt but stopped himself, ¡°smite¡± a bolt of lightning flew from his holy symbol and took the sorcerer in the shoulder. Blasting a hole in his robe and charring his flesh to the bone. One final spell was unleashed as the sorcerer tried to use his departing life force to summon an overlord. Martin placed his holy symbol onto the sorcerers remains, not sure what to expect but cautious. He broke the spell apart using his purify blessing again and again, to undo the sorcerers last act of defiance against the natural order.
Martin wondered if there was anything beyond an exalted master. Technically he was over that threshold but only with his crafting job, his combat job was something else. He had a suspicion of what lied ahead as the sorcerer fell. Deeper than his spirit his very soul his eternal being embraced a new reality. A special action has been performed feat of marshal strength has been achieved. You have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been broken; he had a new job.
He wondered what that meant, he had time to meditate and ponder. It was clear the hunter job was a fusion of the crusader job and the battle alchemist job. He would probably gain the battle alchemist job if he ever reached rank 100 of the crusader job. He had some inclining of the crusader job from sir Reginald. He reached level two he gained a holy vow, ¡°I swear to kill every vampire that threatens this land before the creator god¡±. He unlocked the mounted combat feat, even if crusaders these days were two poor to afford horses.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
He would also gain a one-off martial proficiency bonus with a chosen weapon, two of the founders of the vampire hunting order were crusaders with swords. So, he chose a blade, any sword would help. Like a mercenary he gained strength with each level he also had an adrenalin reserve as well as focus reserve. But no way to tap into the adrenalin yet that would be activated at a later level. He gained a skill sword parry putting it up to level 2.
The rest of the party were also progressing nicely towards reaching level 100. Alice hit level 92 mastering her mage armour spell. David reached level 88 reaching level three of his peak condoning ability. Vivian reached level 91 she gained the first rank of the stun ability, giving her attacks a small chance to stun an opponent every advantage she could take helped.
They quickly searched over the house that the sorcerers had been staying in. It looked to be a rental property. Few checks just cash up front. The landlord would get a stern earful from the guard captain about doing the proper checks, probably a hefty fine awaited them as well. They found lots of cheap trinkets a few had already been cursed the rest were piled up. It would have been a slow creeping attack as such items were circulated. Several priests¡¯ monks and mages turned up to start going through everything with a fine-toothed comb, to remove any spell or corruption.
On examining the body¡¯s, they found a gruesome discovery. Which supported the guard Baldwin''s explanation of how the sorcerers had slipped past the gate guards. From the right hand of each sorcerer they peeled off a glove made from human skin. Enabling the sorcerer to fool cursory identification magic. Now they knew about the trick it would be looked for.
The deputy sheriff Ghost and a guard captain went over the dead bodies against a ledger filled with the descriptions of wanted people. There was a reward of 450 silver on the exalted master sorcerer Reynard Elyot he was confirmed as the leader of the local circle of sorcerers. If he had a deputy or prot¨¦g¨¦ it was unknown. There was an unusual key on the body Martin quickly pocketed it as it resembled the other two that they had found. The sorcerer had a lot of enchanted objects on him but most of them were infernal in nature. They simply crumbled under a purify blessing.
There was one useable object on the sorcerer, a Greater Ring of the adder¡¯s tong granting 75-point poison resistance and 20 points of corrosion resistance. Ghost had something similar already. So, it went to Alice the most susceptible to a sneaky attack from a poisoned weapon. Alice passed her ring of the adder¡¯s tong to Vivian the second lightest armoured of the group.
Martin grinned he remembered an opponent¡¯s words, how someone with a composite job. If they reached the pinnacle could gain the constituent jobs that formed that job. One layer on top of another. He had a breakthrough human could get past level 100 for combat jobs, it was rare, but he was proof. It opened a world of possibilities; he could help his teammates over that threshold now he was a crusader. They could each come to rival the elder vampires in strength.
While Ghost was talking to the deputy sheriff about the reward, Martin quickly showed the rest of the group the key. Then into the depths of his coat it disappeared. Vivian slowly made an assessment. Three more sorcerer¡¯s dead along with the leader and the other base, that was five fewer members of the sorcerer¡¯s group. They would soon have victory, then they could focus on the dam hidden hand and finding their secrets. Or at least a way to cost them so much money they gave up and abandoned North port.
Alice was a mage prepared to get her own hands dirty, to step up to the front line and test her shield spells against all attackers. To see if her magic was greater than some monsters flesh. She was vindicated by their continued success, they had found another mysterious key, three so far probably a set of four in total. A brief look revealed that they could be slotted together back to back. It was a mystery that would be a pleasure to solve, after they removed their current objective, she had seen Martin''s eyes glow his level up. He was still growing that gave her hope that she could push her arcane potential higher and higher.
They went to the gate house, the deputy sheriff got authorization from the duchess and the trade commissioner and the rewarded was paid out hastily. The remains were taken to the cathedral to be taken care of. From the collected reward 90 silver went to ghost. 360 silver went to the rest of the group¡¯s funds. It would pay for further equipment; ghost could certainly see the benefits of working with the four masters. It was one pay day after another, facing a lot less of the risk. She normally would have to pick off the sorcerers one by one.
They went to a tavern for a meal and drinks. A lay helper arrived, a messenger from bishop he approached Martin, ¡°Martin Wright the master of thermite correct¡±? ¡°yes¡±? ¡°The bishop would see that you speak to him urgently tomorrow¡±. There was a note, tell no one you have broken the barrier I implore you. Martin had an inclining of the implications; he screwed the note up and threw it in the fire.
Ghost looked over the group as she drained her tankard. ¡°I anticipate we have no more than three sorcerers left. Perhaps a deputy leader amongst them and a few pupils, it will be easy to remove the threat by comparison. Now we know about the sorcerers skin stealing trick they will be much easier to find¡±. Vivian looked meditative for a second, ¡°and the pupils or apprentices¡±. Ghost looked thoughtful, ¡°we grab some mana draining shackles, they won''t be too dangerous to capture alive¡±.
She got up and left the group calling it a night.
The majority of the party went back to the duchess residence. David set up a few trainings exorcises remaking the obstacle course from the glass bay mercenary companies home base from planks carts barrels and whatever was to hand. Alice was on healing duty for anyone that fell off the course and Vivian helping him push the local militia and Levi''s through their paces.
Martin went to see the merchant¡¯s guild. It was late but Clarice the mechanist was ready in a cleared yard. The hand of Tesla was laid out on a table ready for calibration, they would use a stack of lumber as target. Martin strapped it in place on his left hand. He had modified his armour to accommodate it. A few hand movements adjustments of the trigger and he had it. There was a safety he could activate or deactivate. He filled the reservoir with the electro fluid.
The first trigger activation and his shot hit the ground five feet in front of him. Clarice made a few adjustments and showed him how to make further calibrations. His second shot went into the air over the target and burnt a chunk out of the wall behind. The next three shots were on the correct level but a little to the left. A final adjustment and every one of the last five shots hit the target leaving it as a smouldering stump.
Martin thanked Clarice for her work and her skill. The hand of Tesla hit quite hard but needed to be reloaded after ten shots, not something that could be done easily in battle. Martin had an alternative fire that could deplete the entire charge in one hit something that would give an elite vampire a nasty surprise. He had quite a lot of electro fluid left; they had harvested a lot of the blue beetles that the fluid was distilled from over a month ago.
They met in Vivian''s room, Martin pulled back his sleeve and showed off the hand of Tesla. ¡°A genuine artefact of the first vampire hunters, history of our order it¡¯s a powerful battle alchemist weapon made of nearly indestructible metal¡±.
Martin decided to talk to the group about levelling up further. He was sure Vivian and Alice had noticed anyway, ¡°I am now a crusader¡± David looked confused, ¡°you mean that you are on a crusade, the bishop had a note about something to fight heading hear¡±? He shook his head, ¡°not my job type has switched to crusader¡±. Vivian was not sure what she had seen, ¡°dose that transform your levels from one to the other¡±?
Martin centred himself, ¡°no, I am both a level 2 crusader and a level 100 vampire hunter, I don''t think that there is a limit passed level 100. I don''t think I have to break through again, when I have a total of 125 levels of combat job levels. That''s it no more restrictions the gloves are off¡±. Vivian summarised it with what the average man knew as generally accepted fact, ¡°I must admit until today I believed a human could gain 100 levels of crafting skills and 100 levels of combat skills and that was the absolute maximum, now I wonder how high we can grow¡±.
Alice grasped it straight away, ¡°what about the ¡rest of us, isn''t it really rare to find something around level 100 that can be nailed down¡±? ¡°I will agree it will be difficult to do, but not impossible I have done it. That sorcerer slipped away through a portal twice before we backed him into a corner and forced him to give us a fair fight. We are in the middle of these trade talks. The vampires don''t want us to have allies. More high-level sell swords, monster and human alike will turn up, soon all of us will be over the 100 barrier¡±.
David was also thinking, ¡°you don''t ever hear stories of humans that powerful outside legends like the magus prime, why do you think that is. If it was me, I would be milking it for every bit of coin and prestige¡±. Alice had perspective form her readings, ¡°probably anyone that gets that powerful gets the attention of the stronger vampires or other monsters. Or they get a bit arrogant and bites off more than they can chew¡±. Martin was thinking it out, ¡°if that''s the case best we all keep quiet, I think the bishop somehow felt it¡±. They agreed caution and went to bed to sleep.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
91 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
490/490 |
Adrenalin |
455/455 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
97 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
91 |
Level Defence Bonus |
91 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
277 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L15 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L4 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| Better Criticals L8 |
Pierce Armour L8 |
Shatter Shield L8 |
| Strike Through target 8 |
Improved Range L8 |
Knock Down L8 |
| Stun L1 |
|
|
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath / member of the Fellowship of Masters |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Flaws |
| Blue Moon dust addiction |
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
88 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
475/475 |
Adrenalin |
440/440 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
94 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
88 |
Level Defence Bonus |
88 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
268 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L14 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L4 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L4 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
Bonus sword damage L4 |
Hail of Blows L4 |
| Counter Armour L4 |
Counter Heavy Armour L4 |
Counter Shield Defence L4 |
| Protect Allies L4 |
Contract Bonds L4 |
Soldier of Fortune L4 |
| Battle Brother L4 |
Peak Conditioning L3 |
|
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
92 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
291/291 |
Mana |
590/590 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
97 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
92 |
Level Defence Bonus |
92 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
5 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 1 Mana |
Magical Defence |
200 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L5 |
Analyse Magic L5 |
Recharge Enchantment L5 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage + 5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) allies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| Elemental Shield Master (5 x level Resistance to Cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 25 seconds |
| Icy Tomb Master (7 points of cold damage per level 13 seconds) freezes target in place instant 10 x base mana |
| Electric Strike Master targeted spell 13 foot radius (40 damage + 7 per level) 4 x base mana |
| Illusionary Allies Master - target individual 13 copies of caster illusions remain for 6 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Poison Gas Cloud Master ¨C cast on area 10 foot by 30 foot duration 7 seconds 3 point of poison damage per level 2 x base mana |
| Bonus Vitality Master ¨C cast on target gets 6 x level bonus hp for 6 x level seconds ¨C 4 x base mana |
| Tracking Kinetic strike Master 45 + (7 x level) physical damage 3x base mana |
| Earthen Wall Master (defensive barrier) 8 x level + 90 hp of barrier ¨C 3 x base mana |
| Desiccate Master ¨C causes damage by removing water from living creatures (6 x level damage) 3 x base mana cost free aim |
| Mage Armour Master ¨C spectral weightless armour on self armour points 2 x level for 4 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
Shy with Peers |
Self Harming |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Crusader |
level |
2 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| 1st Mastered Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
100 |
|
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
4352/4352 |
Focus |
555/555 |
Focus efficiency 2 focus |
| |
|
Adrenalin |
10/10 |
Adrenalin efficiency 5 |
| Strength |
13 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
110 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
113 |
Level Defence Bonus |
113 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
21 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Crusader skills and Abilities |
| Bonus vs Demon |
Holy vow ¨C Church |
|
Mounted Combat Feat |
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Sword Parry L2 |
Martial Proficiency ¨C Sword |
|
|
| |
| Vampire Hunter skills and Abilities |
| Bonus vs Vampire + Minion |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L4 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L4 |
| Greater Psionic Resistance |
|
Greater Sonic Resistance |
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L17 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L4 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L4 |
Focus Multi Throw L4 |
| General Melee Weapons L19 |
Focus strike L4 |
Grenadier L14 |
| Focus Parry L4 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L8 |
| Focus Stitch L4 |
Trap specialization L5 |
Poison Use L4 |
| Focus Diagnose L4 |
Focus Set Limb L4 |
Focus Resuscitate L4 |
| Combat / Focus Dodge L4 |
|
|
|
|
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 10 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 19 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 4 |
| Sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 8 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 15 |
|
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 3 |
| Greater resist igna ¨C resistance to 65 points of fire damage x 2 |
| Greater resist lightning ¨C resistance to 65 points of electricity damage x 2 |
| Greater resist cold ¨C resistance to 65 points of cold damage x 2 |
| Litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing x 1 |
| Bastion of faith ¨C 250 points of temporary health + 30 points of armor x 1 |
| Citadel of Faith ¨C 300 points of temporary health + 40 points of armor x 2 |
| Pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt x 3 |
| Pillar of Fire ¨C 400 point fire attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 3 |
| Pillar of Ice ¨C 400 point Ice attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Greater Pillar of Fire ¨C 500 point fire attack 8 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Martyrs Spirit ¨C summons an ethereal hunters spirit for ten seconds capable of holy damage then fades back to there rest. X 1 |
| Crusaders Stride ¨C cannot be knocked down or back consumes focus per second x 1 |
| Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter x 4 |
| Hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down x 1 |
| Word of Judgment ¨C 500 sonic damage 500 holy damage stuns target 5 seconds x 2 |
|
|
| Purge mind ¨C cleans mind control x 3 |
| Purge soul ¨C removes demonic corruption possession x 3 |
| Cleanse Air - cleans tainted air x 2 |
| Cleanse soil ¨C cleans tainted ground x 2 |
| Cleanse water ¨C cleans corruption form water x 2 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 150 points Long ranger rank 3 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% + accuracy 60% |
| Vitality level 3 ¨C 4 x base hit points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 26 – Sorcerous Surprise 3
The group of adventures were quite happy, there was reward money in their pockets more equipment and better equipment was on the horizon. Day by day they grew stronger one way or another. Alice was pleased she was gaining power at an unprecedented rate. If she could find a suitable target and break through, then she could start to climb higher.
She remembered Martin talking about the next step he had gained the crusader job one of the jobs used to create the vampire hunter job. She would either gain the druid job or the pain caster job. She would have to attune her magic to either wild magic or nature magic, rather than the less chaotic regulated world of tower magic.
Pain casters used magic that often was powerful but had a nasty habit of striking back at its caster. The magic could kill a weak magic user. Being a level 100 mage would negate a lot of the penalties of using wild magic as her body and mind were significantly tougher. There were very few practitioners of the pain casters magic as it hurt a lot. She looked at her arm the faint healed scars, if it happened it would not be so much of a problem if she trained a little. The prospect of becoming a druid was a little infuriating. She considered it to be less powerful magic, but it would still add to her arsenal. She would see what would come first.
David thought about his position, he was gaining coin to finance new upgrades new enchantments. He had a solid team with him. They might want to think about employing a sneaky stealthy individual with them to round out the team. When it came taking on Bismark, eventually, it would be a good idea to have five of them rather than four. Getting some sort of scouting done was proving to be very useful, if one of them could pick up that skill set it would be good. Otherwise they needed to find someone like ghost, but who was not tied down to a different patron.
Vivian ran various scenarios through her head as she sharpened up her arrow heads and bent various feathers flights and arrow shafts back into shape. She carried a lot of arrows quivers on her right and left hip arrows either side of her backpack. She had heard of custom enchantments for what were called bags of holding, bottomless quivers in effect they could hold about 100 to 200 arrows depending on their cost. They would not affect the weight but the bulk they would do wonders for making it manageable she was strong enough to carry the weight.
She remembered a tale about one archer who was an exalted master and a mercenary. They would carry a pole eight feet long over one shoulder from it they suspended three barrels on one side and three barrels on the other. They would fill them with arrows carrying around 600 total. They were formidable fighting atop a wall or behind the ranks, they could lose so many shots without stopping to collect their arrows.
Martin woke to feel the difference, his body was a bit stronger he could hit that bit harder. Over time as he gained levels, he would gain more and more strength until he was the equal of David and Vivian. Of course, they would likely to begin growing in other ways by then. The thought of four exalted masters working together would give most monsters a shiver. But the thought of four who broke past that barrier? Suddenly the elder vampires didn''t seem quite as scary. But it also probably got the attention of far bigger and nastier monsters.
The bishop sat in his office papers stacked fairly neatly, he nodded, ¡°my children it is good to see you¡±, they formally greeted him. Martin asked, ¡°why did you summon us¡±? ¡°I was granted a vision when you broke through the level 100 barrier, as far as I am aware it has not happened for a very long time for a human to reach that level¡±.
¡°Humans in general have relied on group tactics rather than individual champions strength, in most of our large battles and endeavours. We still greatly respect exalted masters, but they lead army''s, they are not an army by themselves¡±. ¡°The last champion we had like that was a monk who was also a cleric, he challenged an elder vampire by himself and fell¡±.
¡°There are history''s that few people know about, perhaps a fifty or so. The leaders of the nine cardinal city''s the high-ranking members in each part of the triune as far as I am aware¡±. Vivian was intrigued, ¡°and what does this history say? ¡°The vampires despise the completion of anything that can approach their level. In ancient times all humans that wielded that sort of power were hunted down and killed. Four masters working together will make them more hesitant¡±.
The bishops face looked grave, ¡°But if you score enough victories, it also might cause them to put their differences aside. The three vampire factions working together would not be a favourable outcome. So, it is best that you keep quite that you even know about the ability to reach past the level 100 barrier.
The bishop looked into the eyes of a zealot, ¡°I understand we hide our strength so that we can continue to build it up, to the point where we can take on the more potent vampires¡±. ¡°yes, I suppose that could happen¡±. Vivian wondered, ¡°do you know of any other advantages one can gain from reaching above level 100¡±? ¡°It is new territory for me, I do not but the merchant¡¯s guild has archaeologists that have studied the time before the vampires came to power. They could tell you of such information in the capital, amongst the sealed archives. As an emissary of the triune not just an agent, you would be given access¡±.
Vivian looked thoughtfully around the group, ¡°if our strength continues to grow how do we hide it, surely people will notice as we keep wining again and again¡±? The bishop considered the matter ¡°how many people know what an exalted master is capable of, not many you don''t need to claim a strength greater than an exalted master you just keep growing stronger and few will be able to sense the difference. Outside of a priest¡¯s discern ability or an exotic skill, as agents of the triune you have the right to refuse such appraisals¡±.
Alice was the first to speak, ¡°as long as I am an exalted master then I can do what I want to do. I can accomplish my goals; it helps me to be more than just that, but it is not crucial¡±. David mulled it over, ¡°I thought that it would be a fine way to make my name, my reputation when I saw Martin go over that barrier. We are a society that judges each other by the strength of the individual in their chosen profession. But I have as much coin in my pocket being level 100 as being level 200, my name has as much glory behind it¡±.
Martin spoke again, ¡°the abilities of a high-level vampire hunter are not widely known, they were a surprise to me. As I gain further abilities then people are highly unlikely to notice the difference, the deception can be maintained, the average person knows not how far a vampire is above them why should they notice this¡±? Vivian looked about the room regarding the rest of the group¡¯s enthusiasm. ¡°You see my eye my face? Bismark took that from me, he hurt what I hold dear¡±.
She glanced at David, ¡°my friends my family I can see a road to take him on. There will be a point a turning point where it is obvious, we are not normal, our combination of talents already hits very hard. It is inevitable that we will be found out. But I plan to do a lot of damage before that happens, when they do realise what they truly face it will be too late. As Martin is fond of saying we can be the true monsters, we can make them fear us¡±.
The bishop nodded, ¡°fine sentiments it would indeed be a day for celebration, if you could remove Bismark and a few of his ilk. We live in interesting times new allies¡¯ new possibility; we can start the process of gaining our country back. Not just cowering behind walls while the vampires run around. But I implore you to keep the fact Martin is crusader now a secret. You already paint a target on your backs, you may need to move far from North-port after the trade talks are completed¡±.
They said their goodbyes and started to leave. The bishop stopped for a moment as if something further was revealed to him, ¡°If you do find all four keys they would be best kept in the church''s possession. Safe out of the hands of people who would open the vault and find something truly dangerous that they could not control¡±.
Outside the cathedral ghost was waiting, ¡°I was told when the bishop healed you up you agreed to remove the lich. The fucking vampire prince and the sorcerers, you¡¯re getting very close to doing that, of course there is good coin to be had on exterminating all of the sorcerers¡±. Vivian looked ghost up and down, ¡°have they found the main sorcerer¡¯s stronghold? I was sure that the ledger from that hamlet and the rest would do the trick¡±?
Ghost held out a folded map, ¡°the scribes worked out a rough area to search form the ledger and some other correspondence. But we have to thank the local chapter of the mages tower, there is a veteran mage skilled at scrying. They got past the sorcerer¡¯s wards not easy. Apparently, the spell feedback half killed them and knocked them out. The duchess rewarded them with over 200 silver¡±. She held up the map again a degree of excitement showing on her face. With a little dramatic flair, she unfolded it. ¡°We found the sorcerers main base, from using possessions of the lead sorcerer we pinpointed where he had called home¡±.
Her grin increased, ¡°after some more information from that traitor guard, we were able to narrow down a safe route to approach the place, he might have trouble chewing his food. There are no more fall backs no more escapes, the only way they get out of this is a one-way trip to hell, this circle off sorcerers will be broken¡±. There was a glint in Alice''s eye, ¡°don''t forget that we capture apprentice alive. They might be just apprentices and novices, but they can be useful, we can gain from them insight into other groups of sorcerers they maintain links with. We are bound to get some piece of information or another¡±.
They made a shot trip to the town guard house to see the deputy sheriff. To pick up five sets of mana draining shackles for sorcerers¡¯ apprentices. If they found any when they raided the sorcerers main base, which was probably a guarantee.
The deputy sheriff fetched the restraints from his stores, he paused his face freezing then slowly he allowed his anger to take his reason. ¡°What the hell were you fucking thinking yesterday. That was not some vampire some criminal he was a guard, he was one of my men. There is due process the rule of the triune''s law and you were cutting him up in front of me¡±! He was enraged that they had been so aggressive to one of his men as if him and his institution was irrelevant. ¡°It is my responsibility; you need to do things properly you can¡¯t cut corners¡±.
David and Alice stepped out of the way between Martin and the deputy sheriff. The deputy sheriff realised exactly what he was doing. He could be reduced to patrolling the docks, heck he could end up scrubbing a leviathan. He paused really thinking before him was the wrath of the creator god incarnate, if he died hear opposing him was its damnation? Ghost stepped in, ¡°shut the fuck up before he gets angry, if he was wrong if he grabbed the wrong man that would be different. I would be talking to the trade commissioner and the bishop myself. But he was right, the sorcerers could have gotten away or carried out some portion of the plan, while we were looking form them¡±.
The deputy sheriff felt his life flash before his eyes. Martin was standing beside him and he had barely seen him move. ¡°The vampire master the Midnight King commissioned the sorcerers to cripple this city. That man was working for the sorcerers, when he was meant to be working for you. He took a sacred trust to defend his fellow citizens and he did the opposite. He betrayed them he betrayed you, your rage should eclipse my own, If he was some petty moron who took a bribe on a small matter I would agree with you, but he literally opened the gate and let demons into this fucking city, I should be holding you back from taking his miserable wretched life¡±. The deputy sheriff had to agree with that, he had not quite realised how high the stakes were.
Outside the guard¡¯s barracks there was a knight standing there, he was dressed in a mix of formal wear and high-end steel armour he bowed formally. ¡°The duchess invites you to her study, there is a matter of urgent importance¡±. They followed the knight it was quite obvious that the duchess wanted something, she had shown them such pageantry and pomp when she wanted them to tackle the hidden hand crime syndicate. Now she was going to ask them to do something equally dangerous.
There were some bards playing wood wind and stringed instruments. The duchess waited while the band did its best. A butler with a tray of fine wine presented them each with a glass, there was an informal chat and with a wave of her had the duchess sent the bards and other servants away.
There was an exchange of formal greetings, the duchess turned to ghost. ¡°My dear why don''t you wait outside I have a small matter to discuss¡±. Ghost stood up politely nodding, ¡°they are already agents of the bishop of Good-ford a master and three grand masters. I don''t think you will be able to recruit them, but don''t let me try to stop you¡±.
When the duchess was sure that ghost had gone away and they were alone she turned to them. ¡°I implore you to give me the keys that you have found. Keys to a vault I own, they are the property of the royal faction, they are the responsibility of the house of teach¡±. Vivian looked around her companions, ¡°I understand you would like the return of such property if we had it, however we have no evidence that the keys belonged to you. If we had them and we are agents of anther jurisdiction we could return such an item to the bishop of Good-ford and he would decide what to do with them¡±.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
The duchess felt her nose put out of joint but realised that she was probably bidding against the two other local triune representatives. ¡°I can offer more than just spiritual rewards and my purse is as deep as any merchant, didn''t I help you Alice get that enchanted plaque you now wear?¡± Alice looked over at Vivian who answered the duchess. ¡°Theoretically if such keys existed there would be four of them and we certainly don''t have four of them. It is perhaps best to leave this debate to a later date when the sorcerers and the hidden hand are no longer a threat to this city¡±.
The duchess paused, she let a brief sentence hang on her lips ¡°what if I called the guards¡±? Vivian looked at her, ¡°they would remember who and what we have killed, and they would turn around, I do not think the four of us ghost included would be in time to stop the zealot if he felt betrayed¡±. A look at the duchess revealed it to be an empty threat. Perhaps when the sorcerers and the hidden hand were gone, she might have a different opinion, but that would be a conversation far in the future.
The duchess nodded, ¡°an impasse for now, there is no point on bidding on an incomplete set anyway, I leave you to your duties¡±. Ghost met them outside she looked tired ¡°I hoped to leave this until after we were finished with the sorcerers, but I suppose I must¡±. She took them to the merchant¡¯s guild to see the trade commissioner. The merchant was far more interested in keeping the status quo. A scribe advocate started to go on with the legal precedent of ownership. Even Alice was not following it. The trade commissioner stopped them mid-sentence. ¡°The keys are best forgotten, split back up two with the merchant¡¯s guild one with the church one with royals, it keeps a sort of balance in the spirit of the triune. It is hypothetically best no one from house teach tires to unlock some ancient glory. They think will elevate them but could just as easily doom us all¡±.
Vivian looked the trade commissioner up and down, ¡°a very reasonable and persuasive argument if we ever do collect four keys then we will give you due consideration¡±. The trade commissioner nodded, ¡°when these talks are concluded I will control the trade across the long sea around to the central plains and beyond. I can be a very good friend; I could set you up as your own mercenary company I could guarantee a charter. Magic is expensive I have links in the tower that can help, you want to hunt vampires I can dig up every secret, have an army at your back remember that¡±.
Martin moved around the merchant¡¯s guild; he had a plan. He purchased a broad solid steel sword and a small steel buckler a little dented he paid 30 silver for both of them. A little chat with a smith and he cut a holy symbol form bronze. A few rivets and he put the holy symbol on the buckler, he had a scabbard with the blade attached to his chest piece on the left side. It made him feel complete a comfortable weight. The buckler hooked onto the back of his great coat, just above the small of his back.
It gave him a little joy to use his crafting talents to make something himself. He went to the cathedral, the rest of the group waited outside, he met the bishop. ¡°As a crusader this felt right not to use a holy symbol but a symbol on my shield, I don''t have words for it. It is unusual but it feels right¡±. ¡°I understand my son it is amazing how strong traditions can be, but we need to be subtle I am sure you can take that to heart¡±. The bishop made a complex set of rehearsed gestures while praying over the shield, words of a consecration blessing. The holy symbol on the shield glowed, he felt the weight of the sword he had the bare minimum he needed to move forwards.
As he stepped out of the cathedral the hidden hand attacked the group. They were focused on him there were twelve of them. Each carrying a pack of some sort, the first had a torch he lit a fuse and charged forwards. David intercepted him with his shield there was an almighty explosion. Seconds later David stood up he had safely escaped the suicide run. Ducking behind his shield planting it into the ground, its shape had distributed the force away from him.
Alice noted three of the hidden hand heading for her. She cast her bonus vitality spell and her illusionary allies spell. The three members of the hidden hand detonated but Alice was already far away, her illusionary body doubles simply faded away. Ghost picked of two of them at range with thrown knives, as they died, they detonated. Martin used his guardian angel blessing and weathered two more explosions. David sent two of the hidden hand flying where they detonated far away from him. Vivian effectively caught the last two with mithril arrows before they could get in range.
The hidden hand had attacked in broad daylight, the situation that the four masters had generally feared. Because they would not be expecting it. They could not completely prepare for it. Yet still they stood. The hidden hand were desperately running through one tactic after another. They were getting more desperate and reckless as time went on. They might eventually concede their losses and give up their operations in North-port. They had failed again a mixture of preparation and simple differences in power levels, they were unable to succeed.
The level up hit and their eyes glowed, Alice reached level 93 her latest spell was a bit of a rare one but at her level she had access to some substantial surprises she gained the invisibility spell. At lower levels it was next to useless for a magic caster as it would fade very quickly. With the strength of her magic she could make the weakest version last for just over a minute and a half giving the chance to upgrade it, she would be able to maintain it for quite a bit longer. It would give her an excellent option though it could be pierced in a number of ways. From a spell to a handful of dust if one knew where to throw it, it would allow the party several more options.
David reached level 89 his peak performance ability reached level 4. He got quite a reasonable bonus from entering a fight at full health. Vivian reached level 92 she was quite close to Alice, she gained the second rank of her stun skill it put the odds even further in her favour. Martin reached the third rank of his second job it was exhilarating to start climbing up again. He gained rank 3 of his sword parry skill he was looking forwards to reaching level 10 when he would unlock the new class features from the crusader job. To be able to use adrenalin attacks to gain new blessings. He was growing physically stronger to match his inhuman endurance, soon he would be able to hit quite hard not just be really good at taking a beating.
Ghost lead them to the coach station, and they picked up the same cart from yesterday. The same driver and crusader acting as a guard. There were provisions for the journey. The circle of sorcerers would close today, there last ranks removed one way of another. The sorcerers strong hold was far from North port a difficult journey. It would be a considerable difficulty to attack it in force, the sorcerers would only expect an attack in force. It was unlikely that five very powerful masters would show up on their doorstep at the same time.
There were several powerful demons on the front doorstep. They looked uneasy they looked like they could feel something was out there, a scent on the wind a foot fall they could not place. Martin appeared from nowhere his blade glowed ¡°divine retribution¡± a demon had their throat opened up. Alice hit a second with an icy tomb spell freezing the demon in place. Ghost slit the throat of the stalker demon hiding in the shadows. Vivian was there and suddenly a demon was falling arrows embedded in his throat and chest. David was the last sweeping two hell hounds off the entrance to the sorcerer¡¯s sanctum down into the ravine below and death or effectively banishment to the infernal plains, something considered quite worse than a simple death.
The sorcerers seemed to have found some sort of old fortification, a noble¡¯s keep or guard house form long ago. It had been repaired renovated and stunk of the blood spilled to empower its foundations. Between Martin and Alice, the magic lock on the door failed, ghost picked the more conventional one.
They moved forwards into the last lair of the sorcerers, there were more traps on the ground. Casually Martin and Alice disarmed and destroyed them. There were two barriers made from red sorcerers magic, they were not as strong or as complex as the lich''s defensive magic. Martin held his bucker and his hold symbol out the he activated his ¡°ward of faith and flame¡±. He moved forwards and the barriers shattered one by one.
Deeper inside there was a courtyard 3 sorcerers stood at the ready. A last stand a dozen demons standing with them. Alice launched a duel cast fire ball the sorcerers shield spell was not enough. He collapsed backwards tried to rise blood flowing from his mouth, he moved to get up them fell backwards. The other two sorcerers tried in vain to last longer. Four octium throwing knives ripped through one sorcerer two arrows of similar construction ended the last.
David led the charge towards the remaining demons, the only spell caster had already been picked off by ghost a minute earlier. Martin summoned his pillar of ice blessing and swept it over the demons, it broke their ranks and froze them to the bone. Spells sword arrows and stealth the rest of the demons crumbled. Another lock another barrier and they were inside the heart of the scorer¡¯s lair. Four kids so nervous their knees were knocking stood there behind upturned tables.
Alice stared at them her spell prepared, ¡°do you wish to live ¡ or to die? If you don''t surrender now, we will kill you¡±. The four apprentices put down their wands and starves and lay on the floor. Vivian and David checked them over then slammed the mana draining shackles on the apprentices. The strongest one must have been just over level 12, in a few moments they were hit by mana fatigue and fell limply to the floor. Unable to resist barely conscious of their environment.
They moved past a few traps and a half dozen more demons. There was a central room a sorcerers alter filled with so much blood. The demonically twisted visage of the dead leader of the sorcerers appeared. ¡°Congratulations you have found my lair, now reap a biter harvest my present to you from beyond the grave¡±.
He was pulled back to the infernal plain. The giant demon summoning trap sprang into action a gate way protected by a shield started to pour demons into the room. Vivian fired her arrows Martin unloaded his weapons including the hand of tesla, the horde kept coming they kept fighting. Martin triggered his blessings. They attacked the portal not the demons emerging form it.
There reserves slowly depleted spells ammunition everything. The shield around the portal flickered then shattered leaving the portal open to direct attack. Martin expelled his blessings and the portal crumbled into nothing. David charged forwards and ripped the alter out from the ground using his prodigious strength to sunder it against the floor. Shattering it and dispelling whatever dregs of profane magic remained in the twisted stone.
There was a letter left by the sorcerer, a copy of a proposition. It had a juicy bit of information on the hidden hand. The gang had the other key, the last key. The sorcerers might have been trying to do a deal to show them where the other keys were. They were in the four master¡¯s hands now. To the hidden hands note, there response was a rebuttal. They were a spent faction there would be no help for them, which was quite true considering the people reading the note.
The level up hit it was a strong one two levels a prize for killing all the demons that the portal had spawned. Alice reached level 95 she improved her invisibility spell to the greater version. She could now remain undetected for just over three minutes. David reached level 91 gaining the same class level Vivian earned and one level in the shining armour skill which improved his ability to move in armour. Vivian reached level 94 her stun skill increased to level 4 she would push it up even further as she climbed higher. Martin has equipment that boosted the rate at which he improved. He gained three levels rather than just two. Putting more points into sword parry raising it up to level 6 allowing him to use his sword effectively as a defence.
They set about going over the sorcerer¡¯s base with a fine-toothed comb. It was much like a mages tower chapter house. There was a book that seemed to be printed on human skin it was lit on fire. Various texts scrolls and other magical objects followed suite. All paperwork was gathered up, anything enchanted was burnt anything else was gathered up for the church to go over. It might lead to an insight in fighting demons or some connection to another group. There was a very ornate dagger with a flame enchantment they let ghost take that. A badge of sonic defence the banshee¡¯s reprieve was passed to David.
Some coin jewels and ingredients were collected, they would be sold to the merchant¡¯s guild the apprentice sorcerers were stuffed in the carriage. The bodies of the dead sorcerers and the remains of any possessed demons that had once been human were loaded onto the coach. They gave the prisoners a little food and water, the sorcerers had kept it in the family so to speak. The apprentices were the children of sorcerers they had slain. The church would interrogate them then seal their powers one way or another.
They dropped off prisoners to the local crusader chapter and haggled over the provisions they had seized from the sorcerer¡¯s lair with the local merchants. The bodies were delivered to the cathedral, they collected a reward from the bishop for getting rid of the sorcerers. They signed a few statements the bishop addressed them. ¡°You have my gratitude that is all there is to it, I believe that all that threatened North port is dealt with¡±.
Ghost gave him a quizzical look and he shrugged. ¡°However, my colleagues the duchess and the trade commissioner would see the hidden hand as a larger threat. Such elements are far harder to find and deal with, but it would benefit us all if they were dealt with¡±. There was nearly 700 silver after the reward cash, and everything sold was collated. The party pocketed 544 silver form the endeavour not their worst day they just had to deal with. The hidden hand and their business in North port would be completed, well after they had made a decision on the keys.
Ghost took them to a tavern they anticipated her leaving, she got a round. ¡°Now that the immediate threats are over, I have other business to attend to. Inside the city we may pass each other a few times I wish you well, we have gathered a good amount of coin¡±. Ghost considered the insanity she had just faced. Who walked into a sorcerer¡¯s lair like that without proper back up? The four masters were almost an army by themselves. She had seen them call the duchess''s bluff from a keyhole. She had seen the local powers like the lich and the vampire elder broken. If she was ordered to take those keys, they could forget it, they could stuff those orders.
The party had a very good meal at the duchess residence they were her guests she was probably trying to make up for the threat earlier and several good bottles of wine and fine food helped a long way. All other obstacles swept aside they would begin to work in earnest on the hidden hand. It would be like trying to pin smoke down or looking through the beach for a particular pebble. That was a problem for another day. Vivian found a fifth set of magic shackles in her backpack, they would return them to the sheriff¡¯s office tomorrow.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 27 – Gangs of North Port 1
They got up early before the night watch had gone to bed. North port in all reality never completely went to sleep, there was always a trade going on in one place or another. Ships were being repaired or arriving or departing. Cargos were being loaded onto a ship or sorted and loaded onto carts. The entire settlement from the docks radiating out thrummed with a purpose.
Alice and Martin were the last to get to the breakfast table. Martin had some supplies with him, and Alice had a book. Vivian had received notification from the merchant¡¯s guild that her order would be complete and ready for pick up that morning. Vivian had already finished her breakfast and was looking at the rest of them impatiently, she wanted to get on with her day. There breakfast disappeared quickly under Vivian''s unflinching gaze; she was quite serious when it came to her weapon of choice.
Vivian went to have her bow upgraded and pick up the extra arrows. She imagined how a mother felt when their child was undergoing some sort of evaluation or medical procedure. She waited for her bow to be upgraded as the extra octium springs were fitted to the limbs, as she replaced the bowstring with the upgrade. David had gone with her for it, she was thankful for the company. The blacksmith kept noticing how eagle eye''s hand would hover over the mace. It remained tied down at her belt, he had no intention of disappointing her one iota.
She was gratefully that Martin had gone to the effort of getting some extra compartments in her quiver. They housed the extra fifteen arrows, there were even little dividers for each arrow and backed leather reinforcements so that the ammunition would not be accidentally detonated by a solid impact to her backpack. Alice had read her book something on the history and law of druids. Martin found a flat surface and spent some time to cleaning and maintaining two of his pistols.
Vivian eventually emerged with her upgraded bow. The old bowstring was kept in bag hanging from her backpack, not that anything short of a dragon or an elder vampire could snap a string made from such tough materials. She handed the bow to Martin he was glad of the extra strength his crusader job gave him. He could just lift the bow; he was not sure that an average person could do that. He carefully traced over the modifications examining them. He was sure that the bow would hit very hard, the string the weave of metallic wire heat treated, he was confident in the craftsmanship. With a nod he put it down on a table that creaked a little under the weight, ¡°the craftsmanship seems impeccable¡±.
Alice laid her hands on the bow checking the enchantments she concentrated for a few minutes. ¡°Everything looks good the new parts don''t detract ¡from the rest, the durability enchantment will stop it from tearing itself apart from the forces involved. They could have enchanted the string; I suppose but that could have backfired wakening it, so I guess its best left alone¡±.
Vivian let her golem eye travel over her bow once more it did look that bit bulkier but that was fine. She could see no visual imperfections; Martin could not feel any flaws in the construction and Alice could find nothing wrong with the enchantments. She wanted to go and find something to test her new bow on. What she did do was to go and shoot some lumber in one of the merchant¡¯s guild yards, the bow pulled a little high but that was something that she could easily compensate for.
There were a few militia and guards at the duchess residence, the party took it upon themselves to give them a bit of training. A good section of David''s obstacle course was still there he had people running through it. Vivian took some archers and started to take them through a few drills. Alice had a group of Levi slingers, she started going through various spots and tactics to fight opponents. Her kinetic strike spell acted much in the same way as a hurled sling so she could provide some pointers. There were a few people with alchemists¡¯ weapons, Martin took them through the practice of maintenance and cleaning before he started to go on about shooting them.
The party were summoned to the duchess audience room, she had a servant enter struggling to carry his load. He banged a heavy locked chest onto a table, it was thematically fitting a gesture of pageantry. She gestured to the chest, ¡°There is one persistent thorn in the side of this city left. I will pay you a thousand silver to get rid of them. I don''t want the hidden hand to disrupt the trade talks as they reach their conclusion. If they are fighting you, then they are not disrupting the business of this city¡±.
Occasionally Vivian''s throat would still croak, she had a scar under the armour around her neck. David looked over to her, ¡°we nail the hidden hand one way or another, then we get paid¡±. Alice nodded, ¡°they have some unknown magic at their disposal ¡I will be very interested to examine it to take it apart¡±.
It took a moment, Vivian''s eyes held no hatred just business, ¡°we need to remove the hidden hand, to crack down on this sort of rouge element. This sort of scallywag is one of our purposes as mercenaries¡±. Martin grinned under his mask, ¡°they have worked with the vampires too many times, it is time they learnt the folly of their actions¡±.
Martin significantly doubted that there was actually 1000 silver in the chest. It was most likely just bags of bronze penny''s, but he could appreciate the gesture. The duchess assuming that they were properly motivated and pointed them in the right direction. ¡°You have been in North port for four weeks now and I would wager you have not seen the sheriff. That lazy drunk gets her deputies to do most of the work, find her tell her I am serious and to get some men on this¡±. They nodded and headed for the guard¡¯s barracks and the sheriff¡¯s office.
David looked around he could practically hear the jingle of the silver coins. The thought of the money he would put away towards some better chainmail or a stronger sword. ¡°This is going to be different, today we go for the gang rather than waiting for them to make the first move¡±. Vivian felt her throat there was a faint croak in her voice, ¡°we were trained for this sort of thing, we pull this organisation up like the weed it is root and stem, nothing will be left¡±. Martin checked his buckler, ¡°we have decided the hidden hand has gone and fucked with us for the last time. We push back we fuck them up¡±.
A couple of guards let them in to meet the deputy sheriff. ¡°We have orders from the duchess to hit the hidden hand hard. We need to talk with the sheriff to get some extra people¡±. ¡°The sheriff is busy I can put a petition¡±. Vivian got closer, ¡°we have orders from the duchess to do this today. I don''t think the sheriff wants to have to report to the duchess or the trade commissioner or both over this, we have addressed the enemy''s outside the walls, now we look inwards¡±.
The deputy sheriff thought for a second, ¡°... I don''t ¡follow me¡±, he led them past a few offices down a few back corridors to what one would assume was just a storeroom. He banged loudly on the door there was nothing but a murmur from inside. Reluctantly he used a spare key and opened it up revealed a well-furnished office with a burly woman in a heavy-duty gambeson snoozing away. The sheriff had several bottles of wine by her desk quite empty. They could say that she was as described a bit of a drunkard to say the least. There was an armour stand in one corner a mixture of plate styles with mithril Damascus steel and even a bit of octium in the mix. The sheriff must have had a fearsome career once, to have put together a suit of armour like that.
The deputy sheriff banged on the door frame the sheriff got up, ¡°ah fuck ... what the hell is going on? Who are they? ... what are we under attack¡±? The deputy slowly and patiently explained, ¡°Sheriff the duchess has declared all-out war on the hidden hand. These are the four master¡¯s agents from Good-ford¡±. The deputy sheriff faded into the background before there was a repercussion.
The sheriff blinked a few times swallowed the last dregs form a bottle. Then offered a hand over the table. She had a magic ring on each finger, ¡°I am Joan Rede I was once known as the relentless, though most people forget that name these days. I was a former adventurer a bounty hunter of master rank, why are you in my office¡±?
Martin leaned over her desk, ¡°the hidden hand has tried to disrupt the trade talks to threaten and extort from the city of North port, now we root them out¡±. Alice banged the edge of her staff down, ¡°they work with sorcerers ¡they illegally traffic prohibited magic they need to be stopped¡±. David stood beside Vivian, ¡°we have killed dozens of their members and found one little temporary base after another, we need to go further to root them out¡±. Vivian looked coldly at what she considered to be an unprofessional sheriff. ¡°They have tried to kill us a dozen times or more. We are fed up with them attacking agents of the triune with impunity¡±.
The sheriff could read the underlying accusations, the duchess was doubting her ability to do her job she had to act. She sobered up at that realisation and suppress her anger at being disturbed. ¡°I take the points that you make, the hidden hand has remained in the background for a long time. When you have sorcerers summoning demons from hell or an elder vampire out in the dark cackling, they are your priority¡±.
¡°The hidden hand has been in the background. Even when they started to spill a bit of blood there were more pressing threats. Now they will find what it means when we get serious, when I get serious¡±. Vivian was focused on getting the sheriff going, ¡°This is your city, the hidden hand doesn¡¯t seem to have massive numbers. A few dozen at most, but they are good at stealing and killing, good at intimidating¡±.
Joan pulled out a bundle or reports, ¡°I think you have a good understanding of the situation. The hidden hand make up for their lack of overall numbers by having a bunch of other gangs working for them¡±. ¡°Those other gangs do the actual work while the hidden hand are problem solvers right, only collecting there cut fairly hands off¡±? Vivian surmised.
The sheriff pulled out a few reports from the pile, ¡°to do what the duchess wants you need to dismantle the rest of them until something turns up, a tricky proposition. You might be able to find and arrest a few of them. But the bulk would slip out your fingers, unless you had more manpower¡±.
Vivian nodded, ¡°we don''t need to slaughter petty thugs, we need information we need people pointing fingers. Until we find wherever the hidden hand actually have a proper base¡±.
The sheriff had a good idea where to start, ¡°you want people who won¡¯t be bribed or intimidated¡±. David gave a droll response, ¡°obviously¡±. ¡°I have a few people in mind some scouts with no ties to the city. There are a few crusaders, they just graduated from squires, so they are full of faith and fire. Now that there are fewer creepy crawlies about they don''t have that much to do. I have some militia who lost friends to the hidden hand, I think they trained a few times with David and I have some regular guards who lost friends on the docks to those bastards¡±.
¡°So, we get some people together what do we do with them¡±, Vivian asked? ¡°You start taking out the less important gangs, whoever they use as there dock side muscle would be a good start. Go to the guard outpost by the south side of the harbour and I will get information and personnel to meet you. Then you can get the ship sailing on this little raid, the local criminals will not be willing to die for the hidden hand, I can bet that¡±. They left the sheriff¡¯s office; she didn''t seem to be incompetent just complacent. The focus of the city was now on her, so she was going to do something about it.
The guard outpost was a few rooms and a holding cell, a space that usually catered for drunk sailors and calls for missing goods. There were two guards on duty with a dozen more on patrol. The party sat and waited; it would not be too long. They watched the ships come in and leave, the cold wind from the sea blew across their faces and they waited huddled around a fire with the two guards.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!
The extra muscle started to arrive half an hour after they got to the guard house. A squad of four militia volunteers assigned to David, he dimly recognised them from his training exercises. They had padded armour or just thick layers of clothing. They carried well-worn round wooden shields with iron bosses. They had spears with bent and chipped iron tips as their main weapons. Most had an axe as a back-up weapon, one carried a stout wooden cudgel. They had cheap pot helmets that probably did more duty as kitchenware.
He greeted them, ¡°I am David fisher you might know me as the shield of the bay. We are taking on the hidden hand, but to do that we need to take their entire organisation apart. Your local knowledge will be invaluable, what are your names? ¡°Lyntton, Cat, Linet, Tony. ¡°I think I remember you from the large-scale drill we did a while back¡±. Cat spoke up, ¡°are we taking on the hand directly, one of my friends disappeared after seeing them doing something¡±. ¡°We take out the gangs they use, we cut the roots from the organisation, you¡¯re going to follow my lead, I am the centre of the formation two on each side we go in that way¡±.
A squad of four guards arrived next, they passed a note to Vivian and then they were assigned to Alice. ¡°Ma''am I assume we will be working with you; I hear you have killed quite a few of the hidden hand bastards. I assume that we will be protecting you so that you can use your magic¡±. She looked over the guards they had large padded gambesons decent helmets chain neck guards¡¯ chain-mail chest pieces good steel short swords and spears. They carried large well-made tower shields that would form a good defence.
Alice looked over to him, ¡°it sounds ¡personal¡±. His face went blank for a split second, ¡°my dad was a guard. Hidden hand wanted something he ended up with a slit throat, I will pay them back now¡±. Alice addressed them seriously, ¡°watch my back the hidden hand doesn¡¯t like a fair fight. Keep to the side you don''t want to be in my way if I start slinging fire balls¡±. One of the guards looked nervous Alice grinned, ¡°watch this¡±! She cast illusionary allies on each of the guards so that there was suddenly a mass of apparently over fifty guards around her she grinned. ¡°I don''t think they will be picking a fight with us¡±. The guard in the lead had a bag over his shoulder he removed several sets of iron shackles, ¡°for the prisoners¡±.
Vivian read through a hastily scribbled note, a gang leader called the fat fish and an address. A squad of four scouts reported to Vivian. They had cloaks thick and warm dark greens and browns, reasonably good bows and quivers with a dozen or more arrows. They looked keen and sharp, as a backup weapon each of them carried a skinning knife. They carried several bundles of rope each.
The nearest scout spoke to Vivian, ¡°not the first time we have gone after crooks. We came prepared, we were initially brought in for the logging operation. Checking the area out looking for suitable trees, now we just hunt game now that the lich is gone. They offered us coin for this job¡±. ¡°Good then you know what to do. I expect to make good use off your scouting skills, we are here to capture people alive. Dead criminals reveal no secrets, don''t fire until I do. We are mostly going to be stopping runners, so legs knees try to avoid any arteries ok¡±.
The last to arrive was a squad of crusaders, there equipment was old they looked fresh faced new. They were assigned to Martin they each had a reasonable set of patched iron chainmail an almost full hauberk. A helmet which allowed them good visibility, a kite shield and a second-hand steel sword that had been well maintained over the years. He looked them over, ¡°your all level ten or above correct¡±? The nearest responded, ¡°Yes sir each of us have access to our class abilities¡±. He nodded, ¡°that''s good you have not used up your abilities in practice and training¡±? ¡°No sir we are ready with the full power at our command to smite the enemy¡±. ¡°That will probably not be needed, you¡¯re with me if a fight breaks out use your abilities at your discretion¡±.
Vivian got them together, ¡°our target today is a gang of buccaneers and smugglers the sharks¡±. She turned to the local guards, ¡°what can you tell me about the sharks¡±? ¡°They are a gang that relies on blood alchemy mods, don''t know where they get them from. But most of their members are augmented, a few mods to make them tougher and they also have a weak water breathing ability. They act for the Hidden hand right on the dock front¡±.
The other guards added their own knowledge, ¡°the leaders fat fish, he claims to be the biggest fish in North port. But he is small fry, most of his men have the buccaneer version of the sailor job. But he is mostly a tamer, might have something like a giant crab or some other aquatic beasty around¡±. ¡°Now the thing you have to remember about this lot is they can swim like a bloody fish, when we crack down hard on them, they jump in the ocean and swim for it. We need to cut them off from the water¡±.
¡°The sharks have an unofficial uniform each has at the very least a grey cloth sash around there waist. They also have a grey tricorn hats, a fashion amongst some sailors a few years back. They wear little armour it¡¯s difficult to swim in¡±. ¡°Most of them have spent their coin on blood alchemical modifications. The guard captain can''t confiscate something like that¡±. ¡°Most of them had cheap iron cutlass with a few daggers and crossbows amongst them¡±, the local guards finished.
The warehouse was easily found, it was pretty much indistinguishable from anywhere else. There were four gang members outside. Alice used the trick with illusionary allies to make it look like sixty guards were walking towards them. They dropped their weapons and put their hands up. After they were secured the warehouse was surrounded. Alice took up the centre of the formation with her squad David on the left Martin on the right. Between the dock and the warehouse to stop any escape. Vivian moved in from the other side with the scouts.
They burst in at the same time, there were about 25 members of the shark gang, moving a large amount of someone else''s cargo. They had two wagons loaded up and a third that they were filling. The tip off that the sheriff had bribed or threatened out of someone was right on the money. The bulk of the gang was there. Vivian used her voice amplification enchantment, ¡°your surrounded give up¡±.
A fat man in a fancy hat who probably though he looked like a dashing pirate shouted back at her. ¡°we have more men than you do, forget it¡±, two dozen cutlass were drawn. Martin had his four barrelled pistol out he shot one of the sharks in the foot the man collapsed with the rest of the people around him dropping their weapons. Alice let lose a low powered acid strike spell a woman with a cross bow dropped it her hand smoking where she was hit. She was likely to lose a few fingers, but the fight was out of her and those around her.
One of the sharks sent a cutlass blow towards David''s visor. He blocked it with his shield and bought his pummel down on the criminal¡¯s skull. There was a crack and the man was out for the count. Vivian noticed one of the criminals edging away. An arrow materialised right next to their head embedded in the wall. The dockyard pirates¡¯ shoulders dropped, and she walked to the centre of the room.
The sharks were not planning on put up a great deal of a fight. The majority of them would get a slap on the wrist as long as they didn''t do anything stupid. Like trying to pick a fight with a man in a full suite of plate mail with a giant shield. The hidden hand didn''t pay them that much. They would be dealt with relatively leniently on a chain gang on public works. Apart from there leader the fat fish who was going to need to do a hell of a lot not to end up in the tower jail. Most surrendered then and there one didn''t.
There was one that tried to make a run for it, Alice used her earthen wall spell to form a barrier in front of the fleeing buccaneer, who took one look in the wrong direction and landed on his face with a guard on top of him the next moment. Alice pointed at a pile of crates and blasted it apart with a fire ball. ¡°Any one of you idiots ¡try to run and I won¡¯t give a second warning shot¡±.
There was a rumble from under the floorboards. The leader of sharks was a monster tamer he looked nervous. ¡°This is not my fault I still need to ...¡± a juvenile kraken was peacefully sleeping in a large pond under the warehouse. Until Alice blasted a hole in the floor. There was a removable section of floor the kraken burst forth renovating the floor into splintered pieces. Vivian turned to the scouts with the bows ready, ¡°make sure the rest of them don''t run¡±. The kraken reacted in the same way that the sheriff wanted to react, its lack of control was its undoing.
The fight was rather one sided as a half dozen adamantine tipped arrows disappeared into the kraken, deep enough so that they stuck out the other side. David cut off a few limbs Martin hits it with his blessings ¡°hand of judgement¡± and pillar of fire. Alice hit it with a series of spells, icy tomb desiccate and electric strike. The militia and guards were able to hit it with a volley of spears then drew there back up weapons. The scouts put arrows into it some of the more sensitive parts of the creature and the crusaders dropped their divine retribution and wrath blessings on the creature. A couple had activated armour of faith or shield of faith blessings. The shark gang and their leader cowered on the floor determined to keep out of the way.
The level up hit it was not much of a fight, but it was still enough to push them that little bit higher. Alice was wondering if they all benefited from the bonuses Martin enjoyed form his blessed armour via there bound by oath perk. She reached level 96 her invisibility spell was pushed up to the grand version with a sizeable corresponding increase in duration.
David reached level 92 he reached the second level of his shining armour skill being able to move in all the armour he wore effectively was a good bonus. Vivian reached level 95 she improved her comprehensive training perk yet again, imperial praetorian guards not seen since the days of the first king elite troops she could now train them, they got a higher max weapon skill and a bonus to their health that made them considerably more formidable. Marin reached level 7 of his crusader job and level 7 of his sword parry skill.
Martin had his hands on what he assumed to be the leader, the Fat fish. The majority of the gang were already cuffed with shackles and had no intention of ending up like the kraken. Fat fish''s voice was full of hollow bravado, ¡°you have nothing to pin on us¡±. Vivian looked at the goods around them ¡°half of this is stolen, the other half probably hasn''t had the port handling fees paid, when everything is tallied up your going to be repairing the harbour wall until your hair is white. And you didn''t have a licence for the dam kraken and you¡¯re an idiot for trying to raise a monster that big¡±.
Fat fish realised who he was dealing with, ¡°the four masters I swear I had that kraken under control, why target us¡±? Vivian looked at him, ¡°who do you work for, the hidden hand it¡¯s not a secret¡±. The fat fish swallowed and remained silent. The scouts had some rope so that they tied the prisoners together, so they didn''t try to make a dash for it. Vivian looked about, the captain of the dock guards and some more people arrived. He looked about ¡°that idiot had a sea monster under there¡±!
Martin looked over it, ¡°have someone open it up if there are human remains inside fat fish will be facing a new set of questions. If there are no surprises get the merchants guild to harvest it for alchemical parts, then give what''s left to the leviathan, Green belly can have another meal on us¡±.
With that lot safely dropped off at the main guard barracks they went fishing for the stragglers. About ten of the sharks were not at the warehouses. Vivian and her scouts picked up two trying to leave the area. They might have been lookouts. Alice and her squad caught three trying to board a ship. David caught two trying to shake down a market trader and they were dragged off.
Martin and the crusaders with him found one man, he was sitting looking out at the sea a look of awe plastered over his face. They lead him like a child back to the guard house. He spoke, ¡°I saw something strange a holy- warrior in a suit of armour forged from divine light. It was a sign the creators¡¯ servants are called, they walk amongst us. I have sinned I have cheated; I will do my time my penance I will join the priest hood, I know what I will do¡±. He kept babbling on about scripture.
Martin had to wonder; he had never heard of any religious blessing like that. There might have been a high-level blessing or religious supreme skill that manifested such a potent vision. Or perhaps the man was simply stark raving mad. He had been told several times that there were more potent agents and emissaries of the triune about. The trade talks had plenty of heavy hitters around perhaps it was something or someone that the western church had at their disposal.
Every member of the shark gang was off the streets, singing as loudly as they could. Fat fish was desperately trying to sell out his colleagues as fast as possible. The hidden hand had not been able to protect their investments. The warehouse full of goods all those profits were forfeit. When the scrutiny of the docks was over another little gang or gangs would rise up. But that would be quite a time in the future. They were willing to make a deal with fat fish as the kraken had only had a stomach full of cod. The entire group filled in several witness statements including charges for the idiots who attempted to resist arrest. The statements were sworn, oaths taken, and the day was over.
It was effectively there first command, it felt good to have a few more people at their backs. Especially in an environment where they had to be very careful not to cause too much damage. They took their squads to the tavern. In the inn they heard rumours that an agent of the Jewelled lord has been captured. posing as part of a merchant caravan, he had a poisoned dagger and instructions to murder the elven ambassador. Leaving documents to attempt to pin blame on the Northern church and try to create a schism, certainly ending the trade talks.
Vivian wondered if ghost or the witch finder Nicole Fitzalan had been the one to do it. Martin remembered a comment about one of the elves heavy hitters being in the area. The elves might have taken care of that threat themselves.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 28 – Gangs of North Port 2
There was a feeling when one¡¯s duty and one¡¯s desires aligned, when what was in one¡¯s heart and in one¡¯s head marched side by side. This feeling of satisfaction met Vivian as she woke up. The hidden hand had some means of protecting their lives, so that death was an inconvenience to them. They would fade away and come back again and again. But it didn''t protect their secrets and their wealth.
Vivian and her companions were chipping away at the foundations of the Hidden hand. Whatever magic they used it was bound to be expensive. So, they would chip away at this stubborn foe until they shattered, it was her duty it was also in her heart, a bit of petty revenge.
David saw the money that the duchess offered on the hidden hand¡¯s destruction. It was a lot of money; it was a lot of equipment he could buy. It was a way to build himself up, he was not the sharpest tool in the box. But he was by far not the dullest at least in his opinion. He remembered when he was a fresh-faced recruit with nothing in his pockets an orphan with one friend.
Now he could feel the benefits of station, he was sleeping in a guest room in the duchess home. It was not the nicest guest room, but it was still a vast improvement of his earlier position. The hidden hand were a bit of a mystery. But from what he had heard about lich''s and seen with a couple of phylacteries the hidden hand were probably pulling some trick like that.
Martin didn''t see the hidden hand as a real enemy. They were an asset to the vampires. Humans that were doing there bidding for their gold. The real enemy was comfortably sitting in a secure lair probably hundreds of miles away. Slowly adding one coin at a time onto the bounty on their heads until they hoped someone killed them, it was probably Bismark. Lexicon the vampire they had almost killed had been his servant. He had probably crawled back to his master¡¯s side; the vampire prince had also served Bismark.
Alice had enjoyed leading her little squad yesterday. The four town guards had done precisely what they were trained to do. She had done exactly what she was expected to do. There difference in power and level had helped her confidence no end. Someone on the same level would still be a bit intimidating to her. Managing even a small group was something she had to pick up. If she ever wanted to be an active member of the mages high council and effectively work to make the average mages lot better.
Mages worked in small groups, she had to fit in to ever hope to start to cut out the bureaucracy that the nobles imposed on them. It was something she would have to do, a skill she had to acquire this was a start, a small one but one non the less.
They had early morning breakfast then went out to the yard in the duchess residence. There were twelve people waiting for them. They split the group in half and had two mock battles using straw dummies to represent prisoners and civilians. They took turns in defending them and attacking. Martin was showing a good knowledge of his swordsmanship, which surprised David a few times. Martin still ended up in the dirt a couple of times as his buckler could not compete with David''s tower shield for defence.
They took a break gathering there group together and getting a breather. They had their plans in place, another day another gang to take down. They target the hidden hands money its influence and down it would come. The group organised and practically marched out of the duchess residence and over to the sheriff¡¯s office at the main gatehouse.
They saw the deputy sheriff, ¡°we have another local small fry to disarm, the local brothels are run by a group called the red lotus, they are fairly discreet. But thanks to the fat fish you brought in yesterday. We now know that the red lotus use the brothels as an information gathering network for the hidden hand. An idle word from a dock worker sailor bragging about how important their job is and the hidden hand has a shipment for the sharks to steal. Not that they will be doing that any-more¡±.
Vivian spoke to one of the guards, ¡°What can you tell me about the local establishments¡±? ¡°There are a couple of dozen near the docks that the red lotus looks after. The most important half dozen have a few of the red lotus guarding them. The rest are under there protection with the fanciest place as their unofficial headquarters¡±.
¡°What are these red lotus like¡±? ¡°The gang that run the local brothels, they are hard to miss six foot six to seven-foot-tall women in red clothing. The red lotus is all female. They come from the central plains originally. I believe their gang was much bigger, but they got beaten down and driven off. So, they set up shop hear a decade ago. They use alchemy fortification potions to permanently build up their bodies. Higher than average strength and endurance. They use a combat class which is a variant of a barbarian called an amazon, its more focused on agility and manoeuvrability than endurance. They are exotic but not particularly imaginative muscle form the central plains.
One guard looked nervous, ¡°Are we closing down the brothels¡±? ¡°Not as far as I am aware, our orders are just to target the red lotus. If we closed down the brothels, they would pop back up somewhere else. It¡¯s an unpleasant part of life but something that happens¡±. David nodded, ¡°we shall see what turns up¡±.
The twisted snake was a brothel in a back ally, with a sign showing a particularly well-proportioned lamia snake woman twisting around herself in a suggestive fashion. There was a greeter in a fancy robe at the door. Inside were two rather tall women they wore bronze bracers and carried large sharp knives. Only a true idiot would mistake them for merchandise rather than muscle. There original red outfits would have been loser more suited to the climate of the central plains. But they had to adapt to the colder climate, so red dyed furs and scarves were the order of the day.
A group of archers walked into the establishment, scouts and a mercenary the greeter was pushed unceremoniously out of the way. The two crimson lotus prepared for trouble the employees and clientele moved as far away as they could. The first barked a challenge, ¡°this is not illegal you have no right¡±.
¡°We have some interesting testimony that says something different¡±. The red lotus guard tried to slice Vivian with a blade she easily caught her hand. The amazon tried to punch her with a dull thud her fist did little to Vivian''s helmet. Vivian''s punch was pulled but still sent the amazon flying. The second guard took one step forwards to have an arrow pin her robe to the wall, she considered her options and dropped her blades.
In three other brothels around the docks similar scenes played out, in the gilded courtesan, one of the red lotus guards was down under a pile of three militia as they secured her. The second was busy throwing bottles furniture and one unlucky client at David. He ducked behind his shield, she was backed into a corner and gave up putting the chair down. In the velvet kiss establishment Martin and his crusaders had already caused the patrons to exit. After they took one look at the glowing zealot with the flashy but not particularity effective shield of faith blessing. They decided to take their patronage elsewhere. The red lotus guards were smart enough to recognise an alchemical weapon when it was pointed at them.
In the establishment known as the maidens whisper two of the red lotus found that as strong and well enchanted a door is. If a mage uses acid strike to melt the wooden wall around it then the door was no good. The door collapsed they looked into a corridor filled with one masked mage and dozens of guards giving up immediately.
The eight members of the red lotus they had captured were handed over to the guard captain of the docks. He had a big cart with a big iron box on the back. After potions poisons daggers and lock picks were confiscated the red lotus gang members were shoved inside.
The party grouped up into two teams to take on the next two establishments. Alice and David headed for Delia''s delights. Martin and Vivian headed for the siren¡¯s song. The sirens song was a tavern that had a second more discrete business at the rear. Four of the members of the crimson lotus made quite sure that it remained nice and orderly. Two at the front had the usual array of daggers two more at the back had large hunting bows. Just in case someone decided to be really stupid.
The patrons kept drinking their drinks as crusaders scouts and a hunter and mercenary in really fancy gear moved through the place. There was some news of something going on. The door woman tried to put a dagger in Martin as soon as she saw him. She was battered down with a buckler in the stomach for her trouble. Vivian laid a mace to the second before she could even react. The remaining two split, one found themselves faced by four scouts with bows ready the second four armed crusaders.
Delia''s delights was a restaurant of sorts with an interesting floor show. The doors were firmly locked. That didn''t stop David from knocking them down with a single well-placed kick. The patrons took one look and moved out of the way. The four members of the red lotus realised that they were the intended targets. ¡°Surrender and it will be better for ¡you¡±, Alice shouted at the top of her voice. An arrow bounced of her shield spell; a dramatically underpowered electric strike sent the archer twitching to the floor frothing at the mouth.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
With a few injuries and no fatalities another eight members of the crimson lotus were shoved in the iron box. It was becoming quite cramped; the cold wagon was sent back to the main guard barracks. Where the crimson lotus would be enjoying cells next to the sharks. With the smaller targets eliminated the crimson lotus would probably believe someone was moving in on their territory. They would probably gather every reaming member at their main base of operations, at least that was Vivian''s idea to try and ensure that they picked up absolutely every member of the gang.
The scarlet scandal was the fanciest place on the docks. Where the richest merchants and captains went. It was also now surrounded by a small army of adventures guards and the like. A rather pompous man with a handlebar moustache walked up to Martin, ¡°do you know who I am¡±? Martin regarded him, ¡°do you know who runs that place¡±? The rich noble considered his options measured the man in front of him and departed. Martin could just see a pair of elven ears disappear in the background. Some member of the eleven party was not quite so pious as they pretended to be.
Vivian used her voice amplification enchantment, ¡°surrender now and it will be easier¡±. The doors opened, the leader of the crimson lotus was a woman nearly seven foot six inches tall. She had really used a lot of fortification potions to build herself up to such intimidating proportions. She had a belt with two large metal bands they almost looked like armour. She reached down and pulled.
Deadly blossom belt becomes spring steel blades, two of them she held them in an aggressive stance ready to leap ready to attack. Two dozen other members of the crimson lotus had axes spears and knives. She bellowed her defiance, ¡°If you northerners think the children of Theosen¨¦a will go without a fight your deluded¡±. Vivian grinned, ¡°you have no idea who you picked a fight with¡±.
Vivian fired of two mithril arrows the first shattered the blade in deadly blossoms right hand the second shattered the blade in her left hand. Vivian fired an arrow up then to the right. Deadly blossom dodged out of the way to the left, then heard a creak and looked up he face was plastered by surprise as she was hit by the oil filled light-fitting above her knocking her out, Alice smothered the flames before they could spread.
The scouts fired a volley of arrows and four gang members dropped clutching their legs. David lead a charge into the group his militia did a good job of dividing the criminals, half the remaining ones dropped their weapons, Martins crusaders pulled a similar manoeuvre on the other side. Alice hit the rest with an electrical strike spell, and they were out for the count.
The level up hit as the last of the crimson lotus surrendered, Alice reached level 97 gaining the grand version of her invisibility spell. David attained level 93 of his mercenary job he gained the third level of his shining armour skill. Vivian reached level 96 her stun skill reaching level five. Martin found his armour easier to move in with each point of strength he gained as he reached level 8 of the crusader job. He raised his sword parry skill even higher to level 8 it was helping him in the close quarters fighting.
Alice healed a few injures on both sides, the crimson lotus gang were searched then shoved into the iron cage on the back of a wagon. They were squeezed in like fish in a net that was too small pressed uncomfortably together.
Inside deadly blossoms office Some blunt force trauma from David and a small explosion from Martin and they had the hidden strong box open. All the paperwork would be going to the sheriff, the information and reports that the hidden hand would normally collect would be picked over in her office. She would have to do her dam job, not just delegate it to her deputy. They had probably put a few powerful peoples noses out of joint today. But when they found out that the crimson lotus had been spying on them rather than just acting as protection, they would be far less likely to make a fuss.
Each member of the crimson lotus was interviewed, questioned then thrown back in their cell. The deputy sheriff and a few scribes took statements from everyone. The ones that gave up and surrendered would have a few months less than the other compatriots. The ones that started to talk straight away would find an even less unpleasant sentence. Deadly blossom would be going to the tower jail, but if she revealed what she knew then it would be a much shorter stay.
The deputy sheriff grinned, ¡°I have another good candidate for you to pick up, this needs to be done very quickly from what I hear. This man will be very dead very soon. There is a money lender who works for the blades of red Saul Artha Halle. He also works for the hidden hand they will kill him when they find he had been playing both sides, using their money to grow his own enterprises¡±.
With a description of Mr Halle, they sped off looking for him. They found him twenty-five minutes later, there on the corner of a street talking in friendly manner to a merchant about an overdue loan and a payment recovery involving his assets or his fingers. There were 2 thugs with him they had some strength-based job looking at them.
They took one look at the approaching group and left their employer to talk his way out of it. He stood there calmly as the small army surrounded him, ¡°look let me get a scribe advocate that I know, and we can sort this misunderstanding out¡±. Vivian nodded; Alice cast her shield spell over the man as an unseen assailant shot a crossbow bolt at him. The bolt harmlessly bounced of him as a shadow disappeared into the thief¡¯s highway of rooftops.
He shrugged his shoulders and followed them. Alice kept a shield spell around him, to keep him safe from another assassination attempt. He was seated in a cell with Martin Vivian and the deputy sheriff, ¡°Mr Halle you¡¯re in a lot of trouble, we know that you¡¯re working for both the hidden and the blades of red Saul. They realise that you have been double dealing them, perhaps only one of the two but they will soon both be after you. Then well the tower keep is the safest place for you to be¡±.
The man was arrogant self-assured, even sitting in a jail cell with two of the largest criminal syndicates in the country after his head. He had a sarcastic yet playful tone to his voice, ¡°I don''t think that accommodation would suit me, I would badger the warden constantly with complaints¡±.
The deputy sheriff got closer to him, ¡°you don''t seem to take this very seriously, the fines from the merchant guild alone for operating an illegal lending scheme will bankrupt you. The duchess will have you digging ditches until you drop were you stand. Considering the amount of money, you have been laundering for the hidden hand and red Saul, something as painless as a simple execution will not be happening¡±.
The merchant lent forward grinning, ¡°you think that you are some sort of righteous hero, let me tell you what''s going to happen. There will be a knock on that door, a senior member of the merchant¡¯s guild will thank you for all your work. then he will give you a letter and I will walk away¡±. Vivian was confused, ¡°your admitting you¡¯re going to attempt to bribe your way out of this¡±?
His smug smile remained, ¡°oh no I will throw away five years of my life. I will give up various other targets in return for clemency. The Merchants guild will back this deal as I am a former member. I will give the sheriff and the trade guild certain ledgers that I looked after for the blades of Red Saul and the hidden hand. The triune will seize certain considerable assets and the war against the vampires will have a large donation to its coffers. They will probably give me my old desk back¡±. There was a knock on the door and Artha grinned.
A cold rage filled Martins face. He looked over at Vivian across a hot drink, ¡°don''t get me wrong I believe people can change, but I still think a month of repairing roads or the sting of twenty lashes across his back would make him more inclined to avoid his old habits¡±. A courier delivered a wrapped book shaped parcel to the sheriff¡¯s office moments later. Vivian noted it, ¡°he probably knew that the writing was on the wall when we took out fat fish and the sharks. That someone would talk, that secrets would be spilled, he ensured he would be as clean as possible¡±.
Martin looked over to Alice, ¡°we went through the shark gang. Now I think all of them had blood alchemy modifications to their body''s and the red lotus lot had body fortification potions, I know that we generally kill blood alchemists on site. But the law seems rather lax on those gang members that use blood alchemy¡±.
¡°first of there is a world of difference ¡between being a blood alchemist and using a bottled blood alchemy modification. A bottled blood alchemy modification like the gills or water breathing ability that the shark gang has is a potion that permanently modifies, usually enhancing the body. Adding a feature of a monster of other life form. The fortification potions the red lotus use are a purely alchemical products, they don''t alter the blood of the subject just make them grow a bit more¡±.
David gave a nod of understanding, ¡°someone making red sand or other narcotics would end up in the tower jail. Someone just smoking it would get a few weeks building roads, a few lashes and a fine¡±. She nodded, ¡°stable blood alchemy mutations are not much different from the permanent boosts regular alchemical products can bring. Or the befits from gaining levels or magic items. Blood modifications put a permanent mark on your record, but I understand it¡¯s no more than being a criminal, what does a criminal have to lose¡±?
David''s ear caught the key phrase, ¡°still you said stable blood alchemy. What''s unstable blood alchemy¡±? ¡°A blood alchemist created the dragons. well several of them working together created them. A large percentage of the other monsters that wonder this world ¡deliberately or accidentally, for that potential to do harm they are killed on site their art is forbidden¡±. She paused for a breath and came around to David''s question, ¡°unstable blood alchemy leaves a person or creature in flux they are not set very dangerous able to change and alter, apparently such an experiment created the first doppelg?nger¡±.
They headed down to the tavern for a round from their second successful day at tackling the hidden hands subordinates. If what the money-grubbing conman had said was right, they would be hurting the hidden hand in a massive way and they would be helping the city. They had already disrupted three of the hidden hand¡¯s enterprises. It had to be making the first blade and that character they reported to the Shade, they would have a hole in their coffers after this.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 29 – Gangs of North Port 3
A hearty meal was a welcome start to the day. They were up and prepared for battle. This battle was one with their squads using mixed unit tactics against a group of straw dummies for opponents, the strategies were still valid. Alice used an earthen wall spell to create cover for Vivian and her squad. Alice used a mix of suppressing fire illusionary allies to toughen up the front ranks. Martin had the crusaders move forwards, David''s group flanked from the left and Alice''s group held the left supporting with thrown spears.
They ran through a few more scenarios, a little more practice sparing. Alice healed a few injures and they were ready to take on other opponents. Martin was getting the hang of a sword, the parrying of it anyway. His general melee skills helped him, but defensive fighting was something he would have to learn. His focus doge skills helped him move about, he had a few ways to survive an attack.
It was funny how the battle against the hidden hand started to turn in their favour, when they stopped targeting the hidden hand directly. The hand were only effective when there support network of lackey¡¯s spies and intermediaries were in working order. As it was dismantled piece by bloody piece, then they got step by step closer to wrecking the gang and claiming the duchess reward.
They headed over to the guard¡¯s barracks, they left their squads outside by the fire, there usual contact was absent. A reluctant Sargent explained that the deputy sheriff was on a mission, then led them to the sheriff¡¯s office and knocked. The sheriff was into her paperwork not her cups, she looked frustrated annoyed she was used to delegating such tasks, now she had to act.
She sighed, ¡°I had a little chat with the leader of the crimson lotus. Deadly blossom pretentious name, what a daft tart. She told me about a little enterprise that nets the hidden hand hundreds of silver a day. There is a fighting arena under a couple of old warehouses. They have exotic fighter from distant lands squaring off. local muscle heads with a grudge to settle, beating each other to a pulp. Tamers setting one creature against another, tests of skill and strength. The crimson lotus used to provide some entertainment, now there are just expensive drinks on offer. From this cosy set up they collect silver and information every day¡±.
David held a hint of scepticism in his voice, ¡°I heard that there were arena''s in the capital and the forest city close to the border, is this sort of thing illegal, I thought competitions were legal¡±.
The sheriff looked at him incredulously, ¡°It¡¯s illegal to run this sort of thing if you¡¯re a crime syndicate. Don''t tell me the law, competitions are legal and regulated this is not¡±.
She went to reach for a bottle and stopped herself, she checked points off to David in much the same way his instructors drilled him when he was a mercenary recruit. ¡°They import animals without permit and precaution. Imagine if something big due for this arena go lose. They pay no tax the odds and the fights are fixed. There are no safety''s in place, people die for a bit of coin, idiots and thugs mostly, but it should not be allowed¡±. She ran a hand over a stack of papers, ¡°also I remember a report of the hidden hand releasing a bunch of animals against you. Where do you think they got them from¡±?
The sheriff handed a piece of paper with a wine stain on the back of it to Vivian. ¡°This is the address; the place is called the circle of sand. I leave it to you to disrupt the place permanently, we want the master of ceremonies one Andrew ''the black'' Cole and their accounts books. The place is run by a group of animal handlers called Turin''s Tamers; I don''t really want to have to house their animals. So, unless they do something suspicious, they get let off with a warning and a one-way ticket out of my town¡±.
There orders were clear, Vivian called everyone over, ¡°there is an illegal fighting ring the circle of sand by the harbour. The Hidden hand get the profits, so we shut it down we grab their paperwork follow the leads. We get the ringmaster Andrew the black, the fighters and monster tamers we have no interest in unless they give us trouble. Everyone follow our lead this could be as simple as walking in grabbing a few books and the ringmaster¡±.
The guards and militia had heard rumours about the arena. Two types of people went there, people with more money than sense and those who wanted to try their luck beating the shit out of each other. The front of house had the appearance of a small trading company, there were a few thugs about to keep an eye on things. Smartly dressed thugs who would ask politely before beating you senseless, but thugs none the less.
The doorman looked through the slot and saw a man in a large hat and cloak, he went through his usual lines. ¡°Entrance is 50 bronze pennies¡¯; bar is over to the left see the stewards for bets¡±. The door shook ominously and opened from the wrong side in the wrong direction. There were four people the other side they were well armed. Behind them were another dozen who were well armed and moved in formation. A sixth sense a survival instinct kicked in as comprehension filled his mind and it began to work overtime. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest like a hammer. He was looking at Malice and the zealot ¡°oh fuck¡±.
The door was thick and heavy the man in plate armour behind it gently propped it down against the wall. The archer looked at him, he could feel himself sweating as her golem eye focused upon him. Looking him up and down, he anticipated his fate as he was being measured. ¡°We are just having a little stroll about the docks and we heard that there was entertainment hear, we came to catch the show¡±.
A brief look around the room showed it was quite large, stands of seats constructed around a circular arena. A bar at the side serving the most exotic flavours for fools to spend their money on. There were various doors and grills and bars blocking entrances to the arena. Which had been sunk into the ground. A good fifteen feet below the audience to give them a degree of safety. From whatever was inside the area at the time. It even had a fence to stop a drunken spectator from falling in as they watched the spectacle.
Andrew ''the black'' Cole was rapidly reviewing his choices. He had a dozen men to keep order above ground and more fighters and tamers below. An entire trope of monster wranglers and their pets with Turin¡¯s tamers. He didn''t like the odds against the four masters and a dozen guards. They were there for him he was sure, perhaps they could be bribed, though he doubted it. Cole wore black from hat to toe he carried a broach of voice amplification and a tall hat to denote his position as master of ceremonies.
He could see the lack of a front door, several of the more awake patrons of his establishment had already started to edge out. A few of the low ranked fighters¡¯ members of one gang or another or just petty thugs and arm twisters took a look at the group and tried to leave by the back way. Only to find Alice had used the earthen wall spell again and again to deposit a hard layer of compacted dirt up against the walls that would take picks and shovels to penetrate.
The guards and Vivian remained at the door a cork in the bottle, David looked around soaking up the atmosphere of anticipation. ¡°I have a marvellous idea I enter myself, I bet on myself we break their bank¡±. He spoke low and quiet, ¡°then we reveal we are agents and throw them out¡±. Vivian was sceptical to say the least, ¡°you never win in games of chance¡±. David was sure of himself, ¡°true but I am far more likely to win this. I am a level 93 fighter in a closed ring where nothing is going to get some range on me¡±.
Vivian handed a purse to him Alice and Martin flanked him as David walked up to Cole, ¡°we want to fight in the ring¡±. He jumped back as if David drew a knife on him, ¡°no one is mad enough to go up against the four of you, especially in there¡±. David adjusted his proposition, ¡°sorry I mean, I want to fight¡±, he held out the coin purse emptying twenty silver into the palm of his hand.
The ringmaster thought for a second, ¡°ok let¡¯s see where this goes a little warm up match to see how you handle yourself. Against someone like yourself I can''t offer you good odds. 1 to 2 for every two coin you put down I pay one, it is just against some low-level monsters¡±. David nodded taking the bet. Cole gestured to some stairs going down. David went to the bottom and turned right standing behind a barred gate.
Cole cleared his throat, ¡°ladies and gentlemen, my good patrons we have an interesting event, the shield of the bay will be performing against our usual starting round, I am sure it will be no more than a warm up for him, would you care to place your bets¡±.
David stood anticipating as the announcer shouted, ¡°Round 1¡± he had bet 20 silver on himself making an easy ten silver for slaughtering whatever was about to enter the circle of sand! The door opened and David strode in confidently, he felt the sand beneath his boots he prepared his footing gauging how the sand would react.
It was a different view from down here, everyone was focused on him. They open several trap doors and funnel in giant rats into the area. Five dread rats with an alpha leading them. He remembered fighting such creatures a long time ago when he was far weaker and ill equipped.
The rats charged forwards and David did the same, he landed two stabbing strikes then an adrenalin cut that bisected the rat in half. The rest of the giant rodents squeaked in fear and tried to get around him. The alpha tried to charge at him David''s shield battered against its skull cracking bone stunning the creature and leaving it lying in the sand. The edge of David''s shield fell on the rodent¡¯s skull cracking it further a second blow and the skull deformed, and the rat stopped struggling. David turned to the rest of the rodents as they moved around the arena with a quick flurry of strikes, he cut them apart, showing just how fast he could move in his armour.
The ringmaster Cole looked down on him, ¡°for round 2 we pit you against some tougher creatures a little more exotic, it¡¯s a better pay-out of 3:2 for every three silver you bet I pay you two¡±. David nodded betting 30 silver letting it ride on himself. There were a few minutes as people dragged the dead rats away and further bets were taken. A barrier was put behind the grill he walked in from. A hatch was opened, and some sort of funnel was pointed into the arena.
The beginning of the second round was announced as they poured several slimes into the arena. The amorphous blogs were around a yard in diameter and three to four feet high, they ranged from a light green the colour of a scummy pond to a dark brown. The blobs of barely feeling goo could strip a man to the bone in minutes. They were not fast but in a confined area deadly. Armour was not a significant defence unless it was continuous, only a sort of corrosion resistance enchantment or ability would do the trick of defeating their tactic of envelop and dissolve. David''s sword had a fire enchantment for dealing with monsters.
It worked wonders slicing into each of the four slimes, it was almost trivial as they lit up bubbled and boiled from the inside. Against normal slashing crushing and cutting weapons the slimes were superior, against any form of enchantment they fell apart. Normal iron was ineffective against the blobs, most had to resort to oil and fire or vast measures of salt, to deal with them. Not David his enchanted blade made them melt away into charred bubbling goo.
David looked around in anticipation. He checked each one of the slimes they were definitely dead. It was a surprisingly easy win, he only had to defend a few times against them. Then the ringmaster shouted about a second wave. It was not over by a long shot. Something that looked like a giant wine vat was wheeled over and emptied into the ring once release a really big slime slowly emerged. This one was considerably more dangerous with the appearance of a dozen cores inside it. The creature was a greater slime with some rudimentary thinking abilities.
David could see its dull yellow slime, the yellow tint seemed to be sand, it had picked up from the arena. The colour of a slime was related to the area it came from also probably a useful low-level camouflage. As it blended in part of whatever was around it picking up the environment. He could see remains floating inside it a dog¡¯s skull. What looked like a flint arrowhead even a goblet that someone might have dropped down into the arena. Martin and Alice looked down at the greater slime. It would have been more impressive if they had encountered something like this earlier in their career, now it was just a pretentious puddle.
The slime had some sense of its departed relatives, it was massive by comparison four yards across two yards high. It sprouted a dozen tentacles made of the same gooey flesh and attacked David. Whipping the limbs forwards he cut them off and blocked them. His blades enchantment doing the work easily. It ran forwards, trying to absorb him, his sword sliced off chucks which cooked and bubbled. The mass retreated and sprouted more tentacles trying to whip him again, he blocked and cut at the unfamiliar creature.
It was starting to lose mass but not brain power, it got desperate rearing up it surged forwards to try and overwhelm David to engulf him. He stepped to the side and delivered a strike with his shield that sent it spinning around the area. David immediately started to stab and cut at the beast; its flesh tried to group back up, but he was methodical in its destruction. Very soon it was at a third of its mass, the slime started to try and crawl up the side of the wall and out of the arena.
Its primitive mind told it that losing two thirds of its mass, without even damaging its opponent was a bad position to be in. The builders of the ring were smart enough to coat the top with a chemical repellent the slime twitched and fell back down. Landing next to David, he put his blade through it and stirred it around like a man stirring a pot of boiling soup. The slime tried to break apart splitting in two its limited number of cores ineffective one half of it was destroyed immediately. The other half got a few yards before David caught up with it. With that he won the round.
Replacing the giant slime was as easy as getting one of the regular ones and feeding it the remains of the dead rats and enough fish scraps to bulk it up and then he would have another attraction. The giant rats would get large quick with a supply of fish from the docks, the stuff most people wouldn''t touch.
Cole looked at David people could see his mithril shield his armour. They were betting against the circle of sand; the house might not win today. He put on his best voice and most charming smile. ¡°Round 3 will be a test of skill not just strength. The odds are 1 to 1 for every silver you put down I pay out 1 silver, you double your money if you win¡±. David nodded without hesitation.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
For round 3 David had his accumulated bet of 50 silver riding on himself, the announcer continued with the pomp. They laid a white rope around the arena creating a smaller inner circle. ¡°you face a fight against three brothers, to knock out or knock down each one. A kill equals disqualification, this is a battle of skill. Stepping out of the inner circle before the end of the round also equals disqualification¡±. David nodded, there was a cheer from Vivian.
There was a brief pause while bets were taken. The opponents for David entered the ring. They were veteran bandits with chainmail and a bit of iron place. They looked the same give or take a few scars. Two were armed with halberds. One with a short beaked hammer. A gong sounded and the fight began. They tried to knock David out of the circle, or to hook onto his armour and drag him out of the circle.
They had a very solid defence with their longer weapons, and they were not limited to staying in the inner circle, much to David''s consternation. David took his time to find a gap in the defences, he was not showing them how fast he could move. Rapidly he closed the distance before the first brother could get out of his way. He knocked the man clean out of the inner ring with a good dent in his helmet from the pommel of his sword. One brother was out for the count, two remained one with a hammer and one with a halberd.
The other brothers took note of their concussed sibling, as he lent against the wall of the arena. They approached far more carefully. David judged his position and moved. A second brother was down his shield flattening their face, he was still in the ring his shield was not.
The third brother was getting desperate, he rapidly drank down three discounted alchemical potions. They would boost his strength and stamina now but make him pay the price later. He charged towards David who weathered the attacks, potions like that only gave a temporary boost. He could quite easily put too much power behind a blow and disqualify himself. A few minutes of continual blocking and the bandit began to get tired of smacking his Warhammer against David''s armour a boot to the knee then a kick to the stomach and the final brother flew out of the circle.
The ring master mopped his brow it was getting very expensive, those three were some of his best men. ¡°Right for Round 4 you want to bet it all 100 silver¡±? David didn''t even bother thinking, the betting on himself continued. Cole grinned, ¡°the odds are 2:3 against you, when you face our champion you win, and the pay-out will be two and a half times your initial stake¡±. The ringmaster made sure that the betting was short. It was mostly on David though he had high hopes for his champion.
The gate opened and it was the first dwarf David had ever seen on the field of battle. He wore very heavy steel plate. ¡°The current champion ¨C The Valiant will battle David, until one submits.¡± David judged that the man was a marauder from his equipment, probably an exalted master based on strength and the weapon, an enchanted Damascus axe with a mithril edge on it.
For a moment David was worried, but the blade was not strong enough to penetrate his tower shield, especially as he kept closing the distance not giving his opponent the room to get a good solid swing in. They soon found themselves stuck at impasse with the dwarf¡¯s axe bouncing off the human¡¯s shield. David remembered Dwarves had a bit more endurance and less agility. Out manoeuvring him would be more likely than tiring him out. The valiant tried to hook the shield away with the edge of his axe. He was not strong enough and it turned into a different impasse, neither side had got good enough leverage to move the other.
David delivered a pommel strike to the dwarf¡¯s head once twice then he began hitting for all he was worth. Until there was blood running from under the dwarf¡¯s helmet. He swayed then down he went, with a deafening clank as he hit the ground, his plate armour bouncing. David put his sword away and offered the dwarf his hand.
The dwarf accepted it and got up a little shakily. He shook David''s hand then took off his own helmet. A true dwarf more worried about the dent in the metal than the blood staining his beard. The dwarf nonchalantly walked out of the arena his helmet under one hand and his axe over his shoulder. He looked at coal, ¡°I won''t be back, got to do a bit more training got to see a bit more of the world¡±, they parted to let the battered dwarf through.
Cole looked at the book¡¯s things were not going his way; people were betting heavily against the house he sighed. ¡°The 5th Round we are calling the creature feature¡±. Someone banged on the side of the arena and beneath their feet something large bellowed for dramatic effect. He spoke to David some strain appearing in his voice. ¡°It¡¯s a troll quite a big one, do you want to bet 250 silver you have so far on yourself. The odds are five to eight for every five silver you put down I will pay out eight if you win¡±. David nodded Cole tried to limit the bets, he was not confident on the troll considering David''s string of victories.
There was a rattle as a large wooden gate was opened, the troll was quite large. Though David had fought trolls a lot larger before that was as part of a big group of adventures and then they had ambushed the monster. This creature was somewhere near level 35. It was still big and fat for a troll. Its stupid face registered a target its big fists clenched, it was ready to leap and pound.
The troll charged forwards all primal ferocity and ignorance. David charged like a battering ram. He wrecked its charge with an adrenalin block knocking it off balance. He sliced through flesh and shattered bone with an adrenalin strike. He let loose with all his power all his strength, one deep cut after another.
His adrenalin strikes did far too much damage for the troll to regenerate. It kept fighting dropping blows onto David''s shield. He stepped out of the way blocked some, he kept cutting the troll went down to its knees and kept swinging, it lost most of one arm and kept swinging. In the end it was just able to make an aggressive growl before David Killed it. He held his sword up in triumph. The troll was Dragged out of the arena with a hook and a winch, when they were sure that it was dead.
The leader of the group Turin''s tamers, Turin himself approached Coal. He was a small man with a big leather bag full of what was probably veterinary supplies he didn''t look happy. He gestured accusingly his small frame ready to spring into action against Cole. ¡°That troll was a pain to find, it cost us a mint to feed it. You said because of its healing abilities he would last a long time; this was his third battle I have overheads to cover¡±. Cole scratched under his hat, ¡°look the merchants guild alchemist will pay good silver for the trolls remains. Good for healing potions and medicines you can make most of your money back ok¡±. Turin didn''t look happy, but he walked away¡±.
Cole looked round the audience and the arena, ¡°round 6 will be the last one, our ultimate creature feature¡±. He turned to David, ¡°your accumulated winnings are 400 silver, you¡¯re going to bet on yourself¡±? ¡°Of course,¡±. ¡°This is two waves of creatures raised by the tamers, odds are 2 to 3 for every two silver you put down I pay out three if you win¡±. The bets were all taken quickly.
The contest was not announced the door behind David opened and two spears bounced off his armour. A dozen snake men with scrappy armour and weapons charged forwards. They had javelins made from flint which did almost nothing against his armour. The snake men were not high level, but they were supported by four spitters with poisonous and acidic attacks. The spitters were a physically weak lamia version. Probably hatched from the same nest scrawny arms, round belly''s thick necks. Their faces had flat snouts, large keen eyes and a sort of vestigial cobra like hood.
David immediately recognised the danger the spitters represented. He cut through the snake men knocked others aside and cut the ranged attackers to pieces. A few snake men abandoned their weapons and tried to grapple him, only to be cut to pieces. He killed the lot in under twenty-five seconds. Throwing himself at the enemy, every strike pushed to the limit with the pumping adrenalin.
The last had fallen when the really big gate opened. David had assumed that it was part of the wall.
A hydra was inside an enclosed space. A long pole came through the bars and nudged the monster. It rapidly uncurled and set its eyes on David. The hydra had five heads, it was quite rare most had three, it cautiously slithered out of its box, Martin and Alice went to move but Vivian stared them down, she had more confidence in David.
The left most head spat acid that was not strong enough to penetrate his shield. The middle head spat a plume of gas. David could hold his breath and moved out of the way of the green vapours. Another head sprayed a black sticky tar onto the floor of the arena. David was strong enough to go right through it barely impeded. The other two heads sprayed a thick dark purple gas and yellow liquid. David had no intention of finding out what they did and avoided them. He closed in on the hydra and began to fight in earnest. Three sharp quick blows and all the hydras heads hissed in pain. David had delivered a good solid wound and received none in return.
The fight continued the hydra''s bulk and multiple heads didn''t help it very much as David was relentless. It tried to bite at him to fight to roll and crush him. Soon two heads were disabled badly wounded. It tries to strike with its tail, this only ended up with it receiving a long deep cut wounding its tail.
In its continued desperation it tried to subdue him in its coils. This attempt to constrict around David got the hydra a really bad stab wound into its middle. It pulled back in pain before he could deliver a second. He battered or sliced two more heads disabling it. A short exchange of blows and he had it down on the floor.
David was about to finish it off cutting its spine in two when there was shouting and movement behind him. The monster tamer Turin ran out he puts himself between David and his pet. ¡°You have won there is no need to kill Tilly, please I raised her from an egg¡±. David looked over to Cole for clarification, ¡°you don''t need to kill his star attraction, you win collects you 600 silver. I have nothing else I can throw at you and no one else stupid enough to step into the ring, maybe I should have brought that golem they dug up a¡±.
David''s victory over the star attraction was quite resounding, only by the barest hair¡¯s breadth did the hydra survive, he felt his eyes glow as the level up hit. He had secured two levels from those assorted victories. He gained the fourth rank in the shining armour skill. And the same class level that Vivian had acquired.
The Profit from the circle of sand was 580 silver. he might be lousy with cards or dice. But in an arena where the enemy can''t get away, he was very effective. That little adventure now made up for every loss he had ever eaten. Every time he had to fold and every bad roll of the dice or spin of the top. In the arena Turin was busy stitching up Tilly and pouring health potions into her wounds. Andrew ''the black'' Cole looked beaten, ¡°I assume you came to shut me down¡± David nodded the affirmative.
¡°My champion is gone, my star attractions are dead or in no position to fight, with the run of betting on you I don''t have cash to pay out the losses¡±. Cole got his paperwork together. The staff helped themselves to the contents of the bar as the best severance package they could find. The customers were checked then let out. The fighters and staff given a warning then released. Then The tamers gathered up their surviving creatures and left. Cole gathered up his stuff including the books and they took him to the sheriff. Cole was quick to point out other members of the hidden hands network of business and informants.
They had a quick meal at the main guard barracks fried fish and bread, then gathered up their squads and set out after the first two leads that Cole had revealed. One was a group that sent business his way and he sometimes repaid the favour, they worked for the same bosses. The grey scarfs were a small gang that ran a little illegal gambling ring. They had silk scarf''s they wore as gang colours. They were more card sharks with weighted dice than muscle men, there was a dozen of them.
The group quickly realised that there was a crackdown as the adventures and their squads surrounded the place. David sat down for a dice game Vivian''s eyes narrowed she plucked up the dice and crushed them revealing the lead weights inside. Their leader was an elderly villain who styled himself the grey gentleman. A conman with not a drop of noble blood in his veins, he surrendered without a fight.
Alice quickly started going through the enchantments being used by the establishment. Many trick cards dice ensorceread boards and amulets were bagged up as evidence. The grey scarf''s gang were dragged off after Alice and Vivian went to a great deal of effort to explain to their patrons exactly how they had been cheated, how much the odds were stacked against them. For a moment Martin considered leaving the Grey gent behind with the mob. But he was not going to deliberately cause a blood bath this time.
After the grey scarves were dropped off to the rapidly filling jail. They made one last stop of the day. Around the markets the smaller stools not under the merchant¡¯s guild were plagued by a protection racket called the black thumbs. These morons were regular contributors to the circle of sands low level matches. They earned that nickname from crushing peoples thumbs who didn''t pay.
They were only prepared to do this when they outnumbered their opponents two to one. There were about eighteen of them armed with clubs and fists. With the number of Levi''s and militia amongst the general population they had to pick on the weakest people to be intimidating. Especially considering what was the other side of the walled harbours defences.
There little base of operations was at the back of a bakery, they were not given the option to surrender. Three adventures and a dozen others with cuddles turned up and beat them senseless. They were street level eyes and ears for the hidden hand. People who could not pay with coin sometimes paid with information.
Martin and the crusaders kept out of it they were there to stop any runners. David and Vivian could literally kill with their bare hands, and Alice had several creative uses for the kinetic strike spell. Finally, they arrested the gang, whatever information they could provide would be useful. Once Alice had healed them, beating them must have been just enough experience to push them forwards.
It gave Martin a bit of disappointment that he had missed out on the fight as the others levelled up. He was still ahead of them it was not a competition it was not a race; his allies were still growing stronger he had to remember that. And when they got to the threshold, he would do his best to help them over. Alice reached level 98 she gained the mana lance spell, sometimes called the destroying flame it would burn through a mage¡¯s magical reserves very quickly. But it did tremendous damage to whatever it was directed against, even if the range was not excellent.
David reached level 96, he picked up the first level of a skill immovable. It allowed someone to stand their ground and make much better use of their armour. Paired with his tower shield it was an effective strategy, to weather a blow rather than avoiding it. Vivian was still a little further away from him at level 97 her stun skill moved up to level six. Her narrow focus on complementary abilities and skills made her into a truly lethal archer.
The black thumbs were soon telling the sheriff exactly what they knew. Who the hidden hand had dirt on what they were looking to steal. The cells of the jail reminded Vivian of the lobster pots stacked on the fishing boats. They had really had a good catch over the last few days.
They retreated to a tavern with their squads. The hidden hand had not shown up that day. They were either giving up of busy elsewhere. Perhaps they were running low on whatever magic they used to return again and again from every lost fight, Vivian idly wondered if they were busy trying to minimalize their losses, to grab anything they could in preparation to move out.
Her thoughts were cut off by an old sailor approaching them, he was old wrinkled and chewed on a pipe, a rarity in this day. He produced a roll of parchment. ¡°Noble adventures I am quarter deck bill, I have in my possession a map to a vault for a buccaneers hoard. The riches of Long Tom Octium, the storm master. For the paltry sum of 50 silver I can give it to you¡±. David seemed suckered in as he began to converse with the conman.
Vivian could see through it, her golem eyes went up and down the man, and the map. ¡°You did a good job on the forgery, but you only aged the paper on the front not the back¡±. ¡°Ah it¡¯s a copy of the original¡±. She stood up, ¡°you¡¯re a conman not a sailor. I can see your hands they are smooth no callouses, have you ever worked a day in your life¡±?
The man turned to run to find Martin standing there. ¡°Perhaps it would be more convincing if you only had one eye or one leg¡±. They let Martin educate the supposed sailor why it was a bad idea to try and swindle an agent of the triune, though he stopped short of any permanent education the conman would probably not be so stupid again.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 30 – Gangs of North Port 4
Alice woke up to a new day, she was booked in for her final armour fitting for the new equipment she had ordered. The gear would give her a nice boost to her passive protection. She couldn''t keep a barrier of spells up every minute of every day, even she didn''t have that much mana.
She didn''t completely trust that she was safe even in the middle of a city. The hidden hand or another assassin that wanted to collect the vampire¡¯s gold placed on her head could strike at any minute. Some extra protection to stop a bolt or blade would be welcome, also she was going to fill in one of the weakness to her defensive abilities.
A quick meal and they split the party, it was not the best idea in the world. Martin going with her, he was an extra pair of eyes. Plus, he could look through the merchant¡¯s guild while he waited for her final tailoring to be completed.
Alice half expect the hidden hand to pop out from somewhere and try to take them on again. It was too quiet there had been no sign of them for a while. It was starting to look like the hidden hand had given up on the city. Or decided to lay very low while there lower ranking members were taken apart.
David and Vivian ran through some training drills with their assigned squads. The squads assigned to Martin and Alice and some other city guards. Both Vivian and David possessed the comprehensive training skill. With it and a bit of time and suitable equipment they could mould any peasant militia into guards capable of holding back the legions of hell. Well that was a bit of an exaggeration, but it would make them very competent soldiers, the addition of high-end armour weapons and enchantments, then they would hold back the legions of hell.
In one of the merchant¡¯s guild armoury workshops. Alice had to wait half an hour to have the upgrades added to her bracers and greaves. There was a little alteration some fitting and adjustments but soon they had added all the pieces together.
Alice checked and confirmed the enchantments, while Martin checked the physical construction, piece by piece. The set of splint bracers made from mithril were enchanted with 10 points of impact reduction granting a bonus rated at 40 armour from the durability of the mithril. The set of greaves had a combined enchantment of 15 points of impact reduction with a defensive rating assessed at 60 points of armour.
She had a custom made mithril cap rated at 30 points of armour. With the enchantment adding 10 natural armour. She hid it under a hat so that it would not be apparent, until someone underestimated her.
The real gem was her mithril ring-mail vest enchanted with ruinous defence. She didn''t like the magic it was designed to counter one bit. The enchantment could resist 50 points of necromantic and infernal magic which helped her greatly. The protection of the 60-point armour rating would work well on top of her robes. When she was certain of every piece, she handed the old equipment she had been using to them. Her former gear was a small part payment towards her new and it was convenient as she now had no real need for it.
Alice picked up Martin who was trying to figure out how to fit a clockwork timer inside a very small bomb. He gave up his designs for the moment and headed back to the duchess residence. They join up seamlessly with the final exercise. The guards were in a bit better shape, a bit keener a bit more awake. They were also quite battered and bruised. Martin fixes up a few bits straightened out arms and fingers, Alice healed a few wounds but overall, they were getting better.
The party and their squads headed off to the guard house to pick up there days assignments. Hopefully their efforts the previous day had brought in some new intelligence. The deputy sheriff was back, but he looked like he was ready to drop asleep from exhaustion. His pillow would be a pile of ledgers. It looked like the sheriff had him going through paperwork, chasing some lead or another on the hidden hand.
They left him to it and moved to the back room. The sheriff looked tired and unpleasantly sober, she was in her full equipment and had an air of authority. It was a reflection of what she had been in her peak days as an adventurer, she would have been truly fearsome back then. She welcomed them, ¡°we should have done this before the trade talks, declared war on the criminal gangs, it would have made life easier, but then we were focused on other problems¡±.
Vivian could see her conundrum she had not helped her position, delegating most of her duty to the deputy sheriff. ¡°You only have so many men ¡the defence of the town comes first¡±. The sheriff nodded, ¡°the duchess is getting her way. We have flooded the docks with guards and militia, soon anyone who was associated with the hidden hand will be finished. In jail fined into poverty or doing hard labour on some public works¡±.
She pulled up a stack of papers, ¡°I have more new leads, the head of the black thumbs gang started talking, after ten minutes in the thumb screws. He pointed me towards a few names already appearing on other lists. The group was mentioned by the grey gentleman, it¡¯s time to have a word with them¡±.
¡°Who are these traitors¡±? Martin looked ready for a fight. ¡°They are the brains rather than the brawn, there is a little group called the book club. They produce forged paperwork, I need the following five rounded up Barth Obelyn and Lomewn Obelyn, fences they supposedly have two little shops dealing with stolen goods, it would be best to hit them at the same time¡±.
¡°There is one person with contacts, Thomasine Andrew the merchant guild might make a fuss as they are a member in good standing. But we have reason to suspect them. I need you to find anything incriminating. Or the trade commissioner might simply release them, before we can have a little talk. Sybilla Strange is a con-woman she acquires information and papers to be duplicated. She is hard to pin down moving all over the city, her pool of acquaintances is rapidly dwindling she might go to ground. Lastly Esmour Rudhale is a very good scribe, with some very questionable friends bring them all in for questioning¡±.
Barth Obelyn worked out of a back room in a cobblers. People who had something fall into their hands would pass it onto Barth. Then he would pay them a pittance remove any identifying marks and sell it to a trader from two settlements away. Sometimes it was a document that fell into his hand papers. He didn''t expect for one moment anyone to consider himself worth noticing in the current crack down.
The door had a viewing hatch held in place by a bar. There was an almighty crash as an armoured fist punched right through, it got a firm hold of the door and pulled. The door creaked groaned and gave way. Iron backed by enchantments was not even slowing them down. Barth put his crossbow down as an arrow was pointed at him. A few people arrived he was seized and shacked. A few floorboards were taken up and a box containing forged travel documents was removed. His second line of business was revealed he fervently hopefully his brother could help him.
Lomewn Obelyn had a comfortable life, he never fenced anything that he couldn''t hide in his jacket. Jewellery trinkets watches it would all come to him and he could turn it around quickly. There was a banging on his front door he had not anticipated. He rolled his bag up slung it over his shoulder and went to leave. When he opened the back door there was a mage standing there. Behind him was another adventure, and his front door was not in such a marvellous position. He fervently hopefully his brother could help him. Especially as the second adventurer dragged a bookcase back to reveal his little stash of fake papers and names, enough false documents to significantly screw up the official censor.
They had a polite brief conversation with the brothers. The party found that Sybilla Strange had been keeping a low profile for a few days. She had obviously not wanted to be present, as she anticipated the full force of the law to land on them at any moment.
Officially Thomasine Andrew worked for the merchant¡¯s guild, running one of their larger docks. Unofficially she was reported to be able to have any goods labelled as other goods. To change the permits and papers of one shipment with another. Or to simply wave her hands and the right seals would appear out of thin air.
Vivian Martin and Alice strode into her office, they had to hand it to her she kept her cool despite their presence. ¡°We are hear investigating reports of fraud of forgery of someone working with the hidden hand¡±. ¡°It Is bad for business it needs to be dealt with, I have heard such rumours myself. To think that one of my staff would be working against us all. Right under my nose they must be fearfully intelligent. Now you mention it one of my subordinates, Adam clay has been acting a little strange, you could look through his desk¡±.
Vivian''s mechanical eye hovered over the room, Martins monocle scanned the merchant he saw nothing out of the ordinary. Alice could feel something with a residual enchantment. Vivian pointed to a plaque on one wall. ¡°Why do you think that one item on the wall has been dusted and the rest left alone¡±? Alice held out a hand, ¡°I can sense something behind this a faint magic¡±. Martin pried at the plaque and it moved aside to reveal a safe.
Vivian looked quizzically at the safe ¡°do you have a key to this¡±? ¡°No, I don''t remember, that must have been left there by one of my predecessors¡±. Martin felt his holy symbol react to something in the safe. ¡°Let¡¯s Open it¡± there was a groan as Vivian gripped the safe and pulled. With a creek and a cracking crunch, it was pulled from the wall and the render. Vivian held it up, there were physical and magical components to the lock Alice subverted the enchantments and Martin burnt the lock away with thermite, a grin on his face as he did it¡±.
The paperwork in the safe was quite interesting, ¡°you claim that this safe was left locked and you didn''t know it was hear, these papers are dated for this week? Alice this feels like necromancy what is it?¡± He held an item constructed of feathers bone and a steel nib. ¡°It¡¯s made from the finger ¡ bone of a dead man, and a few other things. It¡¯s called a dead man''s quill. With it you can flawlessly replicate their signature¡±. The merchant was uncomfortable but still kept to her story, ¡°Adam, he is even more devious than I thought, he has planted that in my office¡±.
Vivian was unconvinced, ¡°behind the wall, forget it¡±. Alice kept looking over the paperwork, ¡°this is quite interesting you need an enchanter to forge this type of paperwork. An ¡alchemist to create the special ink, you see how the ink bleeds into different colours, it¡¯s very hard to replicate¡±. They checked with Adam clay. They found ink seals and paperwork hidden under his desk, with samples of his superiors¡¯ signatures. The man was nervous, but it was obviously a conveniently package of planted documents.
Martin looked at Thomasine considering her position, ¡°now you¡¯re going to be fed a truth drug or made to swear on a holy symbol, or the sheriff will just extract the information herself with unsubtle means. Your position as a member of the merchant¡¯s guild will go against you. They will demand a harsher sentence to make an example of you, it is best you talk now denying this will not help you¡±.
She looked over at Vivian and Alice, ¡°I can provide a generous coin purse if you take that evidence and put Adam clay in my place, I will also reveal every contact I have there is no need for me to suffer when I can help you more as a free woman¡±. Martin appeared beside her moving rapidly no weapon in his hand, but he was still there. ¡°no no no, I have seen one-person escape justice because they had connections, you will not purchase us¡±.
Vivian looked her deep in the eyes, ¡°the attempted bribing of agents of the triune is a considerable crime. You can help to dig yourself out of this mess if you can tell us where Sybilla Strange is? ¡°That particular acquaintance had more foresight. She has probably skipped town with new papers or talked her way onto a ship heading for the southern lands for all I know¡±.
A quick detour to the guard house and they went looking for Esmour Rudhale. The scribe had left her office it was half abandoned several shelves and draws were empty. She was not a criminal mastermind by any stretch of the imagination, talent with a pen yes but nothing more. They went to her residence. A quick conversation with a neighbour identified her sister¡¯s house as a good lead. They fanned out and found her a few minutes later, hidden under a large hooded cloak with a large pack filled with papers.
Spotted by Vivian''s sharp perception she was caught, she sighed. ¡°I suppose the rest of them sold me out¡±? Vivian didn''t want to give anything solid away, ¡°several people mentioned your little group, what can you tell us about Sybilla strange¡±. ¡°That bitch talked me into this, it¡¯s not worth the coin, I don''t want to go to the tower keep jail¡±. ¡°Help us catch her, would you rather take a fourth of the blame or a fifth of the blame¡±?
¡°I would rather take none of the blame, that''s not going to happen. Sybilla has papers to indicate she is a cobbler going on a pilgrimage. She is in a hostel with several other legitimate pilgrims, it¡¯s not the first time she has pretended to be an inquisitor a nun before now¡±. They could hear the grinding of Martins teeth and almost see the anger rising from him like acrid smoke. He considered this to be the mocking of his faith and he took that very seriously.
Sybilla Strange was a con-woman a confidence trickster. She had worked for the hidden hand for many years. They had been the best, most profitable years of her life. Now a storm was on the horizon. It had four heads and it had already chewed its way through the local underworld like a flood tide of dread rats. What she could carry was in a bag over her shoulder, she could start again far away with a far lower profile organization.
She had heard rumours one of the four had hit the first blade hard enough to turn them into a smear. One of them had cut their way through the entire circle of sands menagerie. It was time to look for a new place to be. There were the heavy footfalls of an angry man, the marching boots of others following them. And more clinks and clanks of armour from even more, the guards were everywhere following the duchess orders. She huddled over pretending to read the scripture in front of her.
The door opened and someone walked in looking around the group of prospective pilgrims. ¡°thy will be done¡±. An accusing hand pointed at her ¡°you¡±. Sybilla turned to see a man in a long coat seemingly armed like a battle alchemist or a hunter. He was moving towards her, she swallowed. A moment later she was hanging out of the window by her ankles, the man''s unflinching grip easily supporting her weight.
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Sybilla hung there waiting. A moment later there was a cough below. She looked down an archer was patiently standing there a mechanical eye watching her. ¡°You are Sybilla Strange the conman founding member of the group known as the book club correct¡±? ¡°yes, your evil eye¡±? ¡°Eagle eye¡±, ¡°yes eagle eye right I got it, please don''t let him kill me, that''s the zealot right¡±? ¡°Oh, the zealot won''t kill you. that would be far too quick. He has healing blessings, even if you do succumb to interrogation, he can resuscitate you and start again¡±.
Sybilla Strange talked very quickly very precisely. The sheriff looked over the reports, ¡°I was certain a few would get away. If we scare the crooks into running, we achieve the same effect they desert the hidden hand, the zealots a good actor¡±. Vivian put a grave tone in her voice, ¡°that was no act¡±. The sheriff paused evaluating what she had let loose on the streets, ¡°you would have stopped him right¡±? ¡°Best it never gets to that point¡±.
The sheriff dug out another assignment from her desk, ¡°they are already calling this the duchess great purge. There is a small-time group of pick pockets the light feet gang, they pick up information as well. A letter a ledger they act as couriers. They bring in a little coin and information to the hidden hand, we know the workshop they operate from. They are lying low, take them out. The majority of the gang are kids, be careful about injures I don''t want a complaint from a priest at the orphanage¡±.
The light feet gang used a weaving shop as a front. Several dozen very bored kids sat in the back rooms. There four leaders and guardians sat about waiting for orders, or information. hoping that they were too small to be of notice.
It was not there lucky day as the guard¡¯s militia and others lead by the party surrounded the place. Martin felt his holy symbol twitch everything was not as it appeared. The kids kept their eyes down clearing a path between the four leaders and the authorities.
Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°purify¡± the man reached in pain; the men drew similar blades. Martin had seen the weapons somewhere before. ¡°you belong to the grave rats, we killed one lot of you already skulking about in back rooms. Your blood thralls you must be a link from the queen of rats to the hidden hand, you will never talk so we can teach you a lesson¡±. Vivian looked at the squads ¡°get the kids out of here¡±.
The grave rats watched the last child leave. Martin struck the nearest man twice then plunged his sword in the man''s guts twisted and pulled upwards. The man screamed dying slowly, Martin saw it as freeing the man from the vampire¡¯s control. Alice saw the thrall approaching her with a knife. a kinetic strike spell hit the opponent sending them flying backwards. There chest crushed they hit the far wall with almost equal force, not that they noticed as they were quite dead already.
A thrall reached for a throwing knife only to get arrow through his neck, he collapsed back spraying a fountain of blood and bile forth as he tried to throw up as he died. The last thrall tried to stab David through his visor, David''s shield struck them with enough force to shatter the thrall¡¯s ribcage they started to crawl for the dropped knife. David applied the edge of his shield to the thrall¡¯s skull.
The children were gently questioned then passed to the local church orphanage. The dead thralls were searched their bodies delivered to the cathedral and any papers they had passed onto the sheriff. She was sceptical as Martin explained, ¡°that was an interesting one, the main members of the light feet gang were blood thralls. Specifically, the grave rats¡¯ servants of the queen of rats. I wonder what information she took from them or they took from her¡±.
The sheriff kept her voice low, ¡°If they were thralls, couldn''t you have removed the taint and interrogated them¡±? He corrected her, ¡°blood thralls they were born with the taint. You can¡¯t remove it I have tried¡±. There was a zealous wall formed by Martin, blank implacable. The sheriff was not quite sure how to deal with it.
The sheriff was mere moments away from grabbing the bottle in her desk. She composed herself and imagined the duchess chastising her. She handed out an artist¡¯s impression and an address. ¡°We move onto bigger gangs. The last thing left on the menu, the daughters of sandy rose. They recruit pick pockets, then trains them up as full thieves¡±.
¡°They steal from the guild the church the nobility alike. They have a dozen veteran enforcers, but the bulk of their ranks are sneak thieves not fighters not killers. The only one that is of any importance is Sandy Rose. We need the information in her head. I thought that she was an independent, but now we are sure that she is one of the main supporters of the hidden hand, bring her in¡±.
The daughters of sandy rose worked out of what could initially be mistake for a minor noble¡¯s estate. For the exact origins of the house, A rich merchant or a minor noble toss a coin for an answer. The place was defensible against the regular gangs and guards. High walls solid construction no places someone could easily climb up. This was not the regular problem that the gang usually saw, there fortress was closer to a prison now. One of the guard captains had surrounded it with sixty men. The sewers had solid grates there would be no escape that way.
The four masters and their squads marched up to the main door. It was constructed of heavy wood reinforced with iron, probably a few enchantments. Locked braced and bared from the inside. There were a few calls for surrender, none were answered. A few volleys of acid strike spells weakened the door around the hinges then David and Vivian knocked it down. They advanced into the courtyard. David taking point the militia around him with Martins crusaders fanning out to the left and right. Alice Vivian and the scouts made up the back ranks with the guards protecting the flanks.
The full ranks of the daughters of sandy rose were waiting for them. There was a courtyard that had seen better days. In the centre was Sandy Rose. She would be in her sixties, there were several rings and enchantments that compensated for her age. She wore a red shirt with a green over coat and dress. She carried a long sharp sword that was probably Damascus steel. Beside her stood a wizard leaning on a master¡¯s staff, they tried to maintain a similar colour pallet. The uniform of the gang to show their affiliation their loyalty. They might have been an adventurer at some point, now they counted their number with the criminals.
The majority of sandy rose''s members were female. The rank and file were all chosen for their ability to sneak and go unnoticed. There were a dozen enforces, a mix of jobs and faces all had a mixture of the gangs red and green colours. They were clustered around sandy rose and the wizard.
The rest of the gang stood around them two dozen pick pockets in similar dress, light small they were already eyeing up the exits or lack of them. Trying to add their weight of numbers behind their employer as a show of loyalty. There were three dozen sneak thieves they had daggers and probably a little skill, but they were not sure of their position. Only the 12 enforcers didn''t waver the wizard and sandy rose they looked and calculated.
There was a statue behind them it was eight feet of grey marble. Crafted in the shape of a stout bearded man. It had lost the left arm which had been rebuilt form bronze and iron. There were other things about the statue the eyes were obsidian there were other repairs.
Sandy looked at the group and nodded, the unlicensed wizard with them made a few gestures. There was a static hiss a pop in the air and the statue took one lurching step forwards then another. Sandy rose and the wizard moved to the side. What they originally thought was a statue. Was in fact a Large poorly repaired golem. The enforcers let it past the rest of the gang parted like a tide, the golem stopped just past the group. The wizard was able to manually control it, whatever spark this golem had possessed was gone.
Vivian stepped forwards, ¡°how about you turn that thing off before we turn it into gravel, and you surrender¡±. Sandy rose levelled her sword, ¡°why don''t you reconsider, let us go we won¡¯t aid the hidden hand. We are out of your hair; we just disappear into the night¡±.
The wizard reacted and cast a defensive spell over Sandy Rose. Four hidden hand rogues had crossbows aimed from the roof top. Alice cast her own shield spell, and Martin conferred a defensive blessing the crossbow bolts were stopped, and the hidden hand were gone. They had tried to take their pot shot and they were gone. They obviously tired when everyone was distracted, but they had no intention of staying around.
Vivian shouted back to her, ¡°surrender now we can keep you safe from the hidden hand¡±. ¡°Safe in the tower keep jail, with the dam warden fucking forget it¡±. The pickpockets scattered at that word and the golem started marching forwards. The enforcers ran forwards the thieves backed off. Sandy Rose advanced with her sword while the wizard started to throw spells.
The golem was a resent sale not quite fixed up, it didn''t last long. David ran right up to the golem stopping it in its tracks he struck at its joints with his blade. Alice hit it with an icy tomb spell and several acid strikes. Vivian hit it with adamantine arrows. Martin unleashed a series of attacks unloading his four barrelled pistol all in one go. His blessings struck it ¡°final judgement, word of judgement, pillar of fire, hand of judgement¡±. The golem crumbled under the assault it might have lasted five or six seconds, considering its age and lack of repairs it was strong.
The enforcers bore the brunt of the party fury, they were made of far weaker stuff than the golem. Vivian shot a few of the enforcers with her arrows shoulder foot knee, they went down and stayed down. Alice hit a group with a low powered electric strike spell. They dropped down and didn''t try to get back up. David knocked a group aside with his shield and advanced.
Martin battered down a few with his sword and buckler crushing one enforcers nose and giving a second a good scar on their shoulder. The wizard held their hands up in surrender as Martin held a blade to their throat. David shattered sandy rose''s blade with a power strike, with an impressive show of skill he stopped the blow short from cutting her down.
Sandy Rose surrendered quick, after her enforcers went down. Green smoke started to escape the golems carcass Alice looked down, ¡°just the ¡enchantments coming apart¡±. Martin had considered hitting it with his supreme skill but that might have caused a bit of collateral damage to the area. If the golem exploded as violently as the first blade. Perhaps it was what the ringmaster at the circle of sand was talking about. There were a few wounds amongst the party''s squads, but many more with the thieves nothing fatal but the fight was gone from them.
Vivian held her up, ¡°why try to fight¡±? ¡°I have a name a reputation I will go out in my own way, they will say I gave it one last roll of the dice¡±. First the squads were healed up then the low-level pickpockets and thieves. They were rounded up and lead away by the guards. The enforcers got a few extra precautions and were led away. The Wizard confessed to being the enchanter that forged certain magical seals, he almost seemed to boast about it.
The golem was simple but tough, enough for them to level up. Their eyes glowed as they were hit by the change Alice reached level 99 her mana lance spell was upgraded to the improved version very soon, she would cross over the threshold and gain her ultimate skill. It would enable her to be ranked as one of the high council of mages. She couldn''t count her chickens just yet. Even when she reached that rank, she had to go through certain formalities.
David reached level 97 reaching level 2 of the immovable skill, it had helped him against the golem. An idle thought went through his head if he could get enough money together with Vivian, they might be able to take over the glass bay mercenary company, though it made a lot of money it was also a lot of management, he abandoned the idea.
Vivian achieved level 98 her stun skill reached level 7. Martin reached level 9 of the crusader job he was just on the cusp of his class abilities at level ten. His sword parry skill reached level 9. paperwork stolen goods were rounded up, then teams started to pull the place apart for hidden stashes of drugs documents and valuables. Sandy Rose was marched back to the guard barracks where a secure cell awaited her. They kept an eye out for the Hidden Hand none showed.
Sandy Rose was locked up and the deputy sheriff took sworn statements, they found their way to the sheriff¡¯s office. She looked relived more paperwork to go out than had come in. Reaching for the last few assignment notices on her desk, she turned to Vivian. ¡°I have a few things to go through, there are a couple of other bits and pieces that were making the hidden hand money¡±.
¡°I will let sandy rose sit and stew. I have the address of a handful of stills that they were running. Its coin in the enemy''s pocket, shut them down confiscate their equipment. the merchant¡¯s guild could probably do something with it. Also, a couple of herbalists are making drugs at this address, its coin and influence to the hidden hand. Pull it apart burn the lot, bring the culprits to me we have a cell for them¡±.
There main objective complete they finished off the rest of the day running the last few errands. Pulling up the last few pegs that held the hidden hands operation together. They found and shut down two illegal stills. A quick taste from Martin showed something around 60% proof but still quite weak by Martins standards. Vivian''s nose told her it was the same stuff sold in the little fight club and several of the houses of ill repute.
The still had been abandoned with whatever stock and ingredients their owners could not carry. Many petty criminals had realised that they were working indirectly for the hidden hand in one capacity or another, now they panicked and ran. The equipment was useful for a chemist at the merchant¡¯s guild a quick win. They were brewing up a batch of healing potions, probably form the troll that had been killed the other day.
The second address was little more than a shack a former smoking house for dried fish. It was a strong smell that hid some of the chemical sent and the yellow spine mushrooms and other things that went into yellow paste. There was one idiot left still watching over the place. The rest had fled, his stock went up in smoke and he was dropped off to the captain of the dock guards.
The sheriff was busy persuading Sandy rose to talk. The deputy sheriff revealed one magical item had been confiscated. A Necklace of Greater Warding which offered 10 points of natural armour and 10 points of impact reduction. It was on a bronze chain an oblong bronze surface engraved with waves with sapphire mounted in the centre like a compass needle. ¡°You deserve this if you had not been quick the hidden hand would have killed her, and we would have no information to go on to trace the last link¡±.
Alice passed her necklace of warding to the deputy sheriff as a token of her thanks. The Sheriff had Sandy Rose bound at wrist and elbow a large barrel of saltwater in a corner of the room she forced her head into the barrel. There was no reaction from Martin, Alice looked a little queasy, but she preferred to do things at a spell¡¯s length. Vivian considered it unprofessional, you stopped torturing when they started talking, but she was not the local sheriff. She bit her tong but here was still a look in her eye. David remembered a few lessons from the instructors, even for a mercenary company this was considered crude.
The sheriff noticed the judgement in Vivian''s eyes. ¡°Some people say they should have the right to a scribe advocate to defend them. What a joke they are all guilty of something¡±. Sandy rose emerged gasping for air, ¡°I will talk¡±. There was a scream and a gurgle and down she went again, the criminal might be willing to talk but the sheriff was not quite willing to listen. No wonder people kept a wide path around the sheriff.
Finally, with her entertainment over they found out that the hidden hand were based on a small ship a sloop. It stayed in the harbour moving about at random times, it was hard to pin down. It gave the hidden hand an exit strategy if the place went against them. Considering the way things had gone in the last week it was amazing that it had not already sailed. The Scylla was the name of the ship, a big name for a small vessel when it showed up again if it showed up, they would be ready.
Vivian had one question for the sheriff, this purge from the duchess the sheriff could have been leading it gaining the recognition. ¡°Why have you let us lead this investigation, your men could have picked up half this lot without a lot of trouble¡±?
The sheriff looked older more tired; her voice sounded low like an echo through a grave. ¡°The hidden hand is big and old; I don''t know how big or how old. There might be a vampire or a lich behind them. Someone with the clout to take us on seriously if they get riled up. I would rather have them riled up at you not me¡±. Alice looked at her, ¡°you were ¡always aware of their trick¡±. ¡°Oh yes no matter how many you kill their numbers always stay the same. Perhaps you can send a big enough message to them, perhaps they will count their losses and go¡±. She didn''t sound convincing.
When the Scylla turned up, they would investigate. Perhaps finding the answer to the hidden hand¡¯s mystery. They retired to a tavern for a meal and a lot to drink, there squads the deputy sheriff and the captain of the docks joined them.
character sheets
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
98 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
525/525 |
Adrenalin |
490/490 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
104 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
98 |
Level Defence Bonus |
98 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
297 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L16 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L4 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| Better Criticals L8 |
Pierce Armour L8 |
Shatter Shield L8 |
| Strike Through target 8 |
Improved Range L8 |
Knock Down L8 |
| Stun L7 |
|
|
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath / member of the Fellowship of Masters |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Flaws |
| Blue Moon dust addiction |
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
97 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
520/520 |
Adrenalin |
485/485 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
103 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
97 |
Level Defence Bonus |
97 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
294 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L16 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L4 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L4 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
Bonus sword damage L4 |
Hail of Blows L4 |
| Counter Armour L4 |
Counter Heavy Armour L4 |
Counter Shield Defence L4 |
| Protect Allies L4 |
Contract Bonds L4 |
Soldier of Fortune L4 |
| Battle Brother L4 |
Peak Conditioning L4 |
Shining Armour L4 |
| Immovable L2 |
|
|
|
|
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
99 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
312/312 |
Mana |
625/625 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
104 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
99 |
Level Defence Bonus |
99 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
5 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 1 Mana |
Magical Defence |
200 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L5 |
Analyse Magic L5 |
Recharge Enchantment L5 |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage + 5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) allies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| Elemental Shield Master (5 x level Resistance to Cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 25 seconds |
| Icy Tomb Master (7 points of cold damage per level 13 seconds) freezes target in place instant 10 x base mana |
| Electric Strike Master targeted spell 13 foot radius (40 damage + 7 per level) 4 x base mana |
| Illusionary Allies Master - target individual 13 copies of caster illusions remain for 6 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Poison Gas Cloud Master ¨C cast on area 10 foot by 30 foot duration 7 seconds 3 point of poison damage per level 2 x base mana |
| Bonus Vitality Master ¨C cast on target gets 6 x level bonus hp for 6 x level seconds ¨C 4 x base mana |
| Tracking Kinetic strike Master 45 + (7 x level) physical damage 3x base mana |
| Earthen Wall Master (defensive barrier) 8 x level + 90 hp of barrier ¨C 3 x base mana |
| Desiccate Master ¨C causes damage by removing water from living creatures (6 x level damage) 3 x base mana cost free aim |
| Mage Armour Master ¨C spectral weightless armor on self armor points 2 x level for 4 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Invisibility Master ¨C 3 x level seconds invisible ¨C 5 x base mana |
| Destroying Flame / Mana Lance improved ¨C 7 x level magic damage for 5 base magic per second can run continuously directed attack |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
Shy with Peers |
Self Harming |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Crusader |
level |
9 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| 1st Mastered Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
100 |
|
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
4492/4492 |
Focus |
555/555 |
Focus efficiency 2 focus |
| |
|
Adrenalin |
45/45 |
Adrenalin efficiency 5 |
| Strength |
20 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
110 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
120 |
Level Defence Bonus |
120 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
45 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Crusader skills and Abilities |
| Bonus vs Demon |
Holy vow ¨C Church |
|
Mounted Combat Feat |
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Sword Parry L9 |
Martial Proficiency ¨C Sword |
|
|
| |
| Vampire Hunter skills and Abilities |
| Bonus vs Vampire + Minion |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L4 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L4 |
| Greater Psionic Resistance |
|
Greater Sonic Resistance |
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L17 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L4 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L4 |
Focus Multi Throw L4 |
| General Melee Weapons L19 |
Focus strike L4 |
Grenadier L14 |
| Focus Parry L4 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L8 |
| Focus Stitch L4 |
Trap specialization L5 |
Poison Use L4 |
| Focus Diagnose L4 |
Focus Set Limb L4 |
Focus Resuscitate L4 |
| Combat / Focus Dodge L4 |
|
|
|
|
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 10 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 1 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 1 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 19 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 1 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 4 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 4 |
| Sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 8 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 15 |
|
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 3 |
| Greater resist igna ¨C resistance to 65 points of fire damage x 2 |
| Greater resist lightning ¨C resistance to 65 points of electricity damage x 2 |
| Greater resist cold ¨C resistance to 65 points of cold damage x 2 |
| Litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing x 1 |
| Bastion of faith ¨C 250 points of temporary health + 30 points of armor x 1 |
| Citadel of Faith ¨C 300 points of temporary health + 40 points of armor x 2 |
| Pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt x 3 |
| Pillar of Fire ¨C 400 point fire attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 3 |
| Pillar of Ice ¨C 400 point Ice attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Greater Pillar of Fire ¨C 500 point fire attack 8 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Martyrs Spirit ¨C summons an ethereal hunters spirit for ten seconds capable of holy damage then fades back to there rest. X 1 |
| Crusaders Stride ¨C cannot be knocked down or back consumes focus per second x 1 |
| Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter x 4 |
| Hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down x 1 |
| Word of Judgment ¨C 500 sonic damage 500 holy damage stuns target 5 seconds x 2 |
|
|
| Purge mind ¨C cleans mind control x 3 |
| Purge soul ¨C removes demonic corruption possession x 3 |
| Cleanse Air - cleans tainted air x 2 |
| Cleanse soil ¨C cleans tainted ground x 2 |
| Cleanse water ¨C cleans corruption form water x 2 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 150 points Long ranger rank 3 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% + accuracy 60% |
| Vitality level 3 ¨C 4 x base hit points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 31 – Ship Going Down
The party got up from a very brief rest, there was a trail leading to the hidden hand. There would be a final push to expel or destroy their last presence in the city. They were geared up eager and ready, they met their squads at the guard house. Together they ate a simple meal at the barracks.
The sheriff came in and started to brief them, she was in her full adventures gear. It was pretty impressive; she was sober her eyes her body a sharply honed tool. She had perhaps been doing a bit of training in her own quarters, or she had some magical item that maintained her conditioning.
She addressed the assembled agents and troops. ¡°We have confirmation that the hidden hand have been operating out of a ship in the harbour. That is why their temporary bases always seem pretty empty. We will take it and all their secrets soon¡±.
She gathered the party the deputy sheriff and a few of the captains and lieutenants for a less rousing conversation in private. ¡°There are a couple of patrol boats sitting in the entrance of the harbour. The captain of the dock has checked. No ship matching the description we have of the Scylla has been seen¡±. ¡°Could the description be inaccurate¡±? one of the greener lieutenants asked. The sheriff was deadly serious, ¡°the same description was verified under truth tonic, an appraisal grimoire and under an oath with a holy symbol¡±.
The sheriff counted the possibility''s, ¡°they are in the harbour somewhere, in the shadow of a larger ship. Amongst a tangle of fishing ships, perhaps hoping to slip out with the fleet. Maybe they have some illusion or simple physical disguise. I think it unlikely but perhaps they bribed one of the patrol boat commanders, I do not know. Even if they get out of the harbour the house of teach has a warship guarding the waters¡±.
¡°A sloop would be split in half with a single barrage and even less if we tagged them for green belly, we are combing the docks we will find them¡±. The deputy sheriff risked a question, ¡°how long do you think it will take¡±? ¡°I am not sure; they have been hiding under our nose for years. We simply didn''t know they were there, now it¡¯s different. We might have to search everything again and again until something falls into place¡±.
The sheriff gave them their orders which amounted to patrol around the docks in a large group until you find something suspicious. The betting money was on the four masters, Martin with his crystal monocle Alice with her high level Analyse magic and Vivian with her golem eye and boosted perception.
They stood in the centre of the harbour after two sweeps revealed nothing, Alice turned to Martin. ¡°You have a blessing that can point you in the right direction, do you think you could use it to find the right spot in the harbour¡±? ¡°Yes, it can allow me to find a weak spot on an opponent, typically a vampire who is a threat. Or just get a rough sense of where they are like a track¡±. He got to a high point on top of some boxes and held out his holy symbol. ¡°Thy will be done¡±, he twisted as if blown by a wind no one else could feel, a weather vane pointing the right direction.
Martin was pulled in one direction, ¡°we are guided to our objective, I would say it is somewhere between those two docks¡±. That area was right next to the fish market, the salting and smoking warehouses. It was full of an almost choking knot of ships, a good place to hide in the hubbub. As they got to the end of the pier Alice pointed. ¡°I can sense ¡magic, a lot of magic, it is a strange mix powerful too the hidden hand most likely¡±.
There was a ship right in front of her, Vivian''s eye homed in on it. Now that they were looking at the sloop it was quite obvious that it was the one that they were looking for. Martins monocle analysed it up and down, ¡°I can see some extra hull reinforcements, some of the rigging has been changed¡±. Vivian looked over it, ¡°They painted it white with a few other details on the ship changed. They named it the flounder the paint its barely dry. They must have been repainting it for the last few days washing it white¡±.
David grinned as the gears in his head caught up, ¡°That explains a few things why they have not been seen very much they were altering their ship¡±. Alice made an astute observation, ¡°whatever is on the ship would take more ¡time to move, if they can move it that makes you wonder¡±.
They were anticipating 12 hidden hand rouges and the first blade. They must have some levels in the sailor job so that they could crew the ship, they didn''t need that much to just move it around port. Vivian''s golem eye scanned the ship, ¡°I can see four of them on deck, four up in the rigging. The other four and the leader I am not sure, probably below decks or close¡±.
To reach the ship they had to get on one of the patrol boats. A dock guard signalled one of the small patrol ships over with a torch. Vivian turned to their squads, ¡°stay back from the fighting leave this one to us, they won¡¯t hesitate to kill you. On the confined deck of a ship we would get in each other¡¯s way. I want you to stay on the boat and keep an eye out for any reinforcements¡±.
They got onto of the patrol boats and started to approach the sloop. Alice cast a physical shield spell over herself then Vivian, Martin used a defensive blessing. The patrol ship had a small bolt thrower on the deck it was primed and ready. The guards and crusaders formed a shield wall with the scouts prepared to fire over it and the militia ready to hurl spears. As they got closer to the ship four more hidden hand rogues and the first blade came up from inside the ship. They looked worried, they had crossbows and started to precisely aim at the patrol boat.
One of the sailors was killed beside them taken in the head with a crossbow bolt before he could react. Alice sent an acid strike spell into the rigging. The half-dissolved rogue hit the water moments later. They had definitely found the right sloop. Definitely not a decoy the way the hidden hand was defending it. The crew on the patrol boat hunkered down using any piece of the ship as cover. The b bolt thrower was a hairs breath away from taking the first blades head off but just missed. The guards held there shields up ready to counter.
Martin emptied his four barrelled pistol at one of the rogues in the rigging. If the lead bullets didn''t kill him the impact with the deck definitely did. Vivian''s iron arrows disappeared into the rigging and another rouge fell. The rouges up there had a better angle as a second sailor was wounded, but they also had very limited options to dodge.
Alice threw her kinetic strike spells at the hidden hand operatives. It forced them to keep their heads down. As the patrol boat drifted closer David used a grappling hook with an iron chain to latch onto the sloop and pulled them together. Martin activated his hand of Tesla and threw a bolt of lightning up into the rigging. The last sniper up there was toasted along with part of one sail. The hidden hand had piled up crab pots and a few old nets on the sloops deck to make it look like a fishing vessel.
Two of the rouges tried to pry the grappling hook lose. Vivian and Alice peppered them with spells and arrows, they fell back rapidly. Martin layered on the defensive blessings and was the first on deck. His durability combined with his sword parry skills allowed him to clear and area forcing the hidden hand back. David was there a moment later charging onto the deck, they set about cutting and hacking at the hidden hand. Martin combined his focus abilities with an adrenalin strike cutting one opposing member down, spears and arrows joined the support from the guard¡¯s ship.
David was finding it a different environment on a ship. There was far less room to swing a sword but there were also far fewer places to run to. He cornered the rouges leader against a stack of worn crab cages. The first blade tried to vault over him, only to be cut down with a well-timed strike from David.
Vivian was the next one on deck, she switched to her more expensive arrows when she was certain she wouldn''t lose them to the ocean. A rouge was pinned with a Damascus bodkin to the foot then an arrow right through there centre of mass. Alice following shortly after on to the ship. She used illusionary allies and the mage armour spell to buff herself up. She targeted the nearest group of rouges. Two of them left the deck via a fire ball, it was a bit to close burning up some rigging and old fishing nets. Vivian shouted to her, ¡°not so close, we don''t want you to sink the ship when we are on it¡±.
Vivian got two more of the rouges with her shots. While they were too busy worrying about David and Martin. Alice caught one of the last ones with her icy tomb spell and David caught the last of the hidden hand on deck. His blade sliced off the top of the rouges head. Where he expected to find an explosion of gore there was nothing. The head was not hollow, but it contained something unusual. They looked stared on in surprise, there was no brain, but a shattered crystal connected to the flesh of the body, it was a little like the crystal used to connect the golem eye to Vivian''s flesh.
Martin remembered seeing such a crystal before used by archanists, so that they could see what their creations could see. They had been fighting flesh puppets all along. Vivian had seen it as well, the real members of the hidden hand were god knows wear.
Alice looked at the corpse as it started to fade away. ¡°A mixture of enchanting and blood alchemy, I think they grow a spare body from the actual rogues¡¯ own blood as a template. They form it around one of these enchanted crystals, it must be based on the ... actual rouge or they wouldn''t have scars or other distinguishing features like the same voice. Clever they don''t put themselves in danger¡±. Vivian looked at the bodies fading away. ¡°Ingenious no wonder they don''t seem to fear death¡±. David grinned, ¡°must be as expensive as hell though¡±.
Their eyes glowed as the level up hit. Alice smiled a grin of mirth and triumph. Few mages ever reached level 100. It was her destiny, a destiny she had chosen for herself, to completely master her magic. To stand at the pinnacle of her profession to join the inner council of the tower.
She was an exalted master, for a mage that meant a final bonus of 100 extra points of mana. Her mind sharpened to the point where she could maintain six spells at the same time. Her standard abilities to analyse magic recharge enchantments and regenerate magic improved to level six. She could call on 730 points of mana a huge reserve almost two and a half times her hit points.
Something filled her mind¡¯s eye something that made her complete, something that made her whole. ¡°You have attained level 100 in your chosen path, supreme spell unlocked. Once per week spell power unending. 5 minutes of effectively infinite mana. Then a complete mana drain with a hundred points of physical backlash damage. The supreme ability was moulded by a person¡¯s desires, Martins desire to strike out at the vampires that destroyed his life manifested in his ability to strike out and do phenomenal damage.
Her desire for power to change her position and the mages tower had given her a supreme spell that summoned power. It would leave her powerless once used but if she still had mana in her staff that would not be too bad. The backlash damage might be enough to knock her out. She would have to be careful about using it as it might be enough to kill her outright if she was badly injured, but then all power had its price.
David reached level 98 his immovable skill reached level 3, he was well suited to holding his ground it was a passive skill. Martin could do something similar with his crusaders stride ability, but he had to expend focus to do it and he could only do it once per day. Vivian reached level 99 her stun skill reached level 8 she was one step behind Alice behind gaining her own supreme skill.
Martin reached level 10 of his crusader job. That class level unlocked his ability to use adrenalin fuelled physical attacks. They paled in comparison to Vivian or David, but he could now hit quite a bit harder. He also unlocked the crusaders first group of blessings they were much the same as other blessings he already had access to, but they added to his ability''s. Four more uses of wrath, two uses each of divine favour and retribution additional uses of holy aura, armour and shield of faith.
Martin gestured to the spot the last rouge had occupied before fading away, ¡°dam body hopping bastards, judgements coming¡±. Alice had her own explanation, ¡°I wouldn''t say it¡¯s like a ¡possession, it¡¯s like a precisely made puppet. With strings as long as a man''s thoughts¡±. They formed up got ready and pried open the hatch to go into the hold of the ship.
There were lots of broken pottery jars about the size of a man, about 40 jars were left. ¡°They must have been storing back up bodies in these jars or they even grew them in hear¡±, David looked to the mage, ¡°blood alchemy right¡±? Answered the disgust in her voice palpable, ¡°yes to twist ¡nature to remake flesh¡±.
David looked about again. ¡°I was thinking we would find some sort of doppelg?nger¡±. Martin prodded one destroyed jar, ¡°who knows what they used for this magic? What it is founded on, who knows what rare creatures became part of the ingredients for the potion that grew these hidden hand body doubles¡±?
Thirteen of the remaining jars shattered from the inside. The hidden hand operatives were armed and armoured. It seemed the fate enchantments didn''t destroy their equipment but moved them to their next new body. Vivian looked about, ¡°keep your spells and ability''s in check if we hull the boat we could end up at the bottom of the harbour¡±.
The resurgent hidden hand attacked again, twelve rouges plus the first blade. They each got off a single crossbow shot. Most of which just found armour though Vivian got a small wound. Alice quickly hit her with a cure poison spell. Vivian pined two of the rouges to the support beams of the ship with her bodkin arrows. She was careful to use shots that would not shatter the hull of the ship. David used his shield to batter the two nearest rouges to death. Rather than chance slicing through the hull with his mithril blade. Alice hit two of them with her desiccate spell, Martin caught another three with his Tesla grenades frying them where they stood.
The hidden hand didn''t have room to manoeuvre, as their numbers started to plummet. The first blade was left with three rouges. Alice hit one of them with her icy tomb spell and the man frosted over. Vivian caught one with a precise bow shot, they moved out of the way and didn¡¯t have time to dodge the second broad-head arrow. Martin threw an octium knife empowered with a ¡°divine retribution blessing¡±. The first blade ducked out of the way and the rogue behind him was struck and finished off.
The first blade dived for a large barrel; he knocked a crate off the top of the barrel. Revealing a wooden handle, he tied to push it down. David had no intention of letting him, his sword cut a tight arch and the leader lost his head. Before he could trigger the large alchemist, bomb sinking them all to the bottom of the harbour an action none of them would likely survive.
Temporarily stopped more of the jars shattered, forming a second wave of the hidden hand. They were desperate now running out of spare bodies they had one goal to reach the detonator. Martin used ¡°Martyrs spirit¡± the ethereal soul of a vampire hunter appeared with a giant maul and started to pound three hidden hand operatives into submission, blocking access to the leaver. Alice cast a few more icy tomb spells slowing and flash freezing more of the rouges. Vivian let lose a low powered barrage of arrows that caught more or them. David thrust his blade in the confined spaces. David had enough thought to smash the last of the jars, before any of the hidden hand resurfaced.
The first blade without any spare bodies was all that was left. Wounded his puppet body fading Vivian looked over him, ¡°consider this your warning to keep out of the four master¡¯s way, keep coming for us and we will drive you out of another town¡±. The first blade made an insulting gesture with two raised fingers, as Martin stabbed him, he coughed blood. ¡°My last death hear is ¡ also ... yours¡±.
There were thirty barrels scattered throughout the lower deck. As the first blade died again his body flashed pale green, the barrels did the same. A fail safe opened the barrels, releasing carnivorous translucent slimes from inside them. They now had about 30 to fight, some went over the floor some on the walls some climbed up and hung down from the ceiling.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
They seemed to concentrate on Alice, perhaps it was her magic attracting them or her light ring. She held them back with her shield spell. Vivian found herself at a disadvantage she had hardly any attacks that would work against a slime. They might be forced to fight their way out before they were killed by the slimes depending on their potency.
Alice cast her desiccate spell, immediately the slimes shrivelled up decaying into residual scum on the wooden hull. Martin started to use his blessings, the mindless blobs crumbled into salt. Or were immolated engulfed in holy light. A mallet empowered with the wrath blessing flattened a slime into a glowing stain on the floor.
David used his tactic from his last fight with slimes, relying on the fire enchantment in his sword, it worked quite well when thrust into the creatures. Vivian had a group of three enchanted mithril arrows frost fire and shock spells. Pushing all three into one slime at the same time was enough to kill it. She started to stab the slimes as they surrounded her and tried to devour her. Thankfully she was quite tough, so the slimes didn''t stay around too long as they attempted to engulf her ankles. Slowly their numbers dropped to a handful. The last few slimes fell to an icy tomb spell and Martins wrath of the almighty which was a bit of an over kill.
Their eyes glowed as the level up hit. Vivian felt something drop into place inside her, like an arrow dropped into a quiver ready to be fired. She had trouble remembering a mercenary that reached level 100, it had been a very long time. She had crossed a threshold where hiring her suddenly became far more expensive, the glass bay mercenary company would be thanking their lucky stars their investment in her had grown.
She was ever the professional an exalted master, with her last class level her comprehensive training ability reached its final level. She was now able to train elite imperial praetorian guard soldiers the likes of which the world had not seen in generations. They could reach up to level 90. They had the unflinching ability where they would never rout would never abandon their duty. There weapons skill could go as high as level 25. They also gained the prodigious martial learning trait gaining 2 skill points per level in related abilities able to pick up two skill levels per the usual level up.
Vivian could see something channelled through her golem eye, ''you have attained level 100 in your chosen path. Supreme martial art obtained one use per day, two-mile shot consumes 50 adrenalin causes 1000 physical damage effect 5 second stun one arrow. Her supreme skill was more flexible than Martins but not as powerful, but she could use it more often. It was the ultimate reflection of her choice on being an archer at the expense of ignoring every other ability.
Alice would need to breakthrough to continue to level while David reached level 99 putting his immovable skill up to rank 4. Martin reached level 11 of his crusader job and gained a new skill cleaving strike, a skill that helped him to cut deeper into an opponent.
David looked calm, ¡°that''s it right? It¡¯s over, the hidden hand have been staying low key for the last few days. Painting this ship, a different colour and changing the rigging so they could try to slip out of the harbour¡±. Martin was in agreement, ¡°that''s what it looked like a last-ditch attempt to get away¡±. They proceeded to check the captain¡¯s cabin, there was some sort of trap spell. Martin was hit with poison damage easily shaking it off.
There was a lot of paperwork that was quite incriminating at a start there was some evidence against the other criminal gangs a few key merchants¡¯ minor nobles. There was a set of ledgers of finances that matched quite a few of the papers that the loan shark had given them. The hidden hand were making over 2200 silver a month from North-port. Just from the low-level crime other elements information brought in even more. There was blackmail information informants, hidden stashes of equipment and goods that they were planning to recover later.
There were a few strong boxes that succumb to Martins pistol shot blowing the lock off. They found silver bars emeralds some cash jewellery and a lot of coin. Vivian looked at David, ¡°don''t look so dam happy most of this goes to the duchess, there are laws in place for dealing with crime syndicates we would get 10% of this probably about 1300 silvers worth¡±.
David could see a very powerful custom sword in front of him, ¡°what she doesn''t know about wont ...¡±. Clang Vivian knocked him on his ass. ¡°Never mention that again, we work to uphold the law. We are professionals first and foremost¡±. He held up his hands, ¡°I get it too much to lose. It¡¯s not worth risking for one score and we are getting paid more anyway¡±.
Alice felt something a familiar hint of magic, a little checking around and she found a false bottom to a box and the 4th key. She checked it against the others it looked the same. Alice held it out trying to read the spells inside it, ¡°you know what ...this means¡±? Vivian answered curtly, ¡°we have a massive headache to deal with latter on¡±. Martin gave them a little food for thought, ¡°a vault to keep robbers out, might be a prison to keep some monster in, we need to be careful¡± David remembered one of their local encounters, ¡°you saw that old golem Sandy rose had, golems don''t appear outside the elven cites. Makes you wonder, did they have some outpost¡±?
The Alchemists fail safe device was deactivated, certain of no more surprises the ship was brought into dock. The dead sailor was taken away to the cathedral. They grabbed all the papers and treasure and went to report to the duchess. They were soon in her audience room; she had a smug triumphant look in her eyes.
¡°Agents please tell me everything¡±. Vivian laid it out on a table, ¡°Duchess Teach if you will look at this paperwork from the hidden hand, it shows all their scams dealings big and small. The gang bosses that reported to them without the rank and file even knowing who they really worked for, this is a report from the captain of the docks¡±.
She quickly scanned through the report getting honeyed wine served to her guests, ¡°excellent you captured their base of operations. They were working from a ship, clever enough I suppose. I will have that ship put in dry dock. Then I will have it checked from stem to stern for any extra surprises. Then a refit a bolt thrower or two and it will be added to the harbour patrol ships useful to me¡±.
Alice adopted a sombre tone, ¡°between us we need to report ¡some worrying facts, despite killing the hidden hand operatives dozens of times they didn''t stay dead. They had back up bodies in pottery jars. You cut them down and their equipment and body fade and then they get up out of a jar. I think that they probably have some sort of blood alchemy to grow replacement bodies based on the original rouge¡±.
The duchess drained her wine her superior attitude gone, ¡°What? explain it in more detail so that I can speak to the trade commissioner and the bishop¡±. Alice made an educated guess, ¡°the hidden hand are using enchantment with a transmission ¡crystals to remotely control the puppet bodies. We have seen an archanist use a similar technique to control their minions. On the rouges we killed where the brain should be there was a large crystal¡±.
The duchess was turning pale her voice was quiet, ¡°with the fate enchantments that they use to dispose of any evidence, we always suspected that they have some powerful backer. To allow access to some powerful enchanter. I hate to think what magic must exist out there, the hidden hand must have close links to the vampires. They seem to be the ones who do a lot of the vampire¡¯s dirty work inside our walls¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°they have spoken a few times about collecting gold that vampires have put on our heads¡±.
Vivian tried to console the noble, ¡°the cost must have been huge to undertake such an endeavour, that money is lost to the hidden hand¡±. The duchess looked a little better, ¡°There resources are not infinite, a good point. I am truly horrified at the sort of power the hidden hand wields. It still shows weakness, these puppet bodies are copies of the originals. That would make a degree of sense, if we could find the originals that would be the end of them, you have well-earned you reward¡±.
They gained 1400 silver 10% from the recovered funds. The duchess paid them the promised 1000 silver bounty she had initially promised. After the group had a brief discussion, they agreed to split the bounty with the people helping them. They keep 900 silver, but 100 silver was split between the sixteen people in their squads. This equalled six silver and twenty-five bronze penny''s, not bad for four days of work. A good reward for daring to stand up to the hidden hand, after all they had volunteered for this job.
After agreeing to meet in the tavern later they went back to their private quarters, David''s specifically. David looked at the group trying to get a consensus, ¡°so do you think that we did enough to put an end to the hidden hand hear, enough to kick them out of North port¡±? Vivian reassured him, ¡°I think if they did have any influence left it is fleeting, I don''t think they will be back¡±. ¡°This is a valuable city you saw the kind ¡of money they were making, they might try to crawl back in¡±, Alice was a realist.
¡°Our job was to topple the Hidden hand, most of the criminals that worked for them are gone most of their business are broken¡± said Martin. ¡°After they have shipped the worst dozen or so gang bosses off to the tower keep jail it¡¯s still not over¡±, Vivian pointed out. ¡°What do you mean it¡¯s not over¡±? Alice sought clarification.
Vivian gave it the grim reality, ¡°For the gangs the person who was the second in command or who kept their eyes open and there head down will step up in their bosses place. They will let the dust settle, give it a few months until the focus is elsewhere. Then the gangs will start to reorganise. For a time, North-port can focus inwards and keep the crime down. But eventually those resources will be need to be kept watching the walls. The guards won¡¯t be able to keep a track on the criminals, they will have larger problems¡±.
Alice was not so sure of that outcome, ¡°Magic could be the answer, if we had check points ... with appraisal tomes it would be a quick easy way to spot criminals¡±. Martin spoke next arguing with her ¡°They looked into doing that at good ford, it¡¯s the same issue we don''t have enough resources to implement it¡±. ¡°What are you saying¡±? the argument bounced back. ¡°We don''t have the manpower to guard the cities from the vampires and to crack down on elements like the hidden hand or the red blades of Saul¡±.
Alice looked despondent, ¡°so your saying we were only able to have this victory. Because of the extra guards to deal with the trade negotiations. Because we wiped out the three biggest local threats first, the lich the sorcerers and the vampire prince¡±? ¡°Yes, that''s a good way of putting it¡±.
Vivian was in agreement with Martin, ¡°if we ever want to win a war against crime, we need to win the war against the vampire masters first¡±. David had a grasp of what would happen next. ¡°An independent gang or one of the other large ones takes everything back over, though not the hidden hand. When people are finished their sentences a few months of hard labour. Then it will start when the veteran criminals and enforcers are back in circulation¡±.
Alice slowly looked to the door in the approximate direction of the duchess chambers, ¡°you think the hidden hand will go for the duchess?¡± Vivian was certain, ¡°if they did the entire noble class and the entire triune would be going for them. They risk what happened in North port happening all over the north, if the hidden hand made themselves appear the bigger threat. Then the triune would target them, and they are not as tough as any vampire¡±.
David grinned sure of himself, ¡°It would be easy to continues. we know how the hidden hand works; they are no longer hidden. A group of veteran rouges running everything with a leader like the first blade, second blade or whatever. A number of craftsmen like forgers and bookkeepers providing the expertise they lack. A number of stable profitable crime enterprises that fund everything. With a few high number low level gangs as eyes and ears, they rely on controlling a network a small number of high-ranking gang members to maintain that network, you pull it apart and they collapse¡±.
Vivian burst his bubble, ¡°they will change now, perhaps bring in some intermediaries so that it is harder to find everything out. Probably they will be very quiet for a while, they just lost one of the biggest cites¡±. Alice was concerned, ¡°will they come ¡for us¡±? Martin dismissed the notion, ¡°I don''t think they will want to risk the wrath of four exalted masters, I think that they have learned that lesson¡±.
Martin was pretty certain of another matter, but he turned to Alice to confirm his belief, ¡°so did you gain a supreme skill¡±. Alice shared this sensitive information with her colleagues, ¡°a supreme spell power unending, it has a week recovery time but for five minutes ¡I can effectively have infinite mana. I could power a spell like mana lance duel cast and just keep going into a target. Not worrying about how much mana I was using¡±.
Martin could see the potential weapon, ¡°that sounds perfect for taking down a high-level target like Bismark, between my chain smite and your spells we could end him¡±. Alice had wisdom she could look at it objectively, ¡°it has its limitations I would suggest we need to have an opponent who cannot easily get away. Most powerful monsters could avoid such attacks by backing off until my ultimate runs out. For example, I have seen vampires retreat from your chain smite, breaking the attack then coming back, it would have to carefully used¡±.
¡°There are downsides, it also drains all my mana when it¡¯s over. So, I would be hit with mana fatigue straight away and there is a backlash that would deplete about a third of my hit points. If I was wounded, it might be enough to ¡finish me off. If I was not paying attention, and if I was badly wounded, I would probably not be paying attention¡±.
Vivian looked over Alice thinking, ¡°you could have a sand or clockwork timer that allows you to count down five minutes, that way you could prepare. As long as you carry a mana potion with you then you are able to recover enough to keep going right¡±.
¡°I see where you¡¯re coming from, that seems a practical solution. If I cast my healing ¡aura at the last second before I run out of mana the healing effect of the spell would last. even if my mana was gone¡±. Martin remembered her fainting in a fight with a giant rat, ¡°what about the mana fatigue at your level would it be enough to knock you out¡±? ¡°I am not sure ¡I have deliberately depleted my mana when I was trying to get to sleep and I dozed off quickly. If I was not exhausted the mana fatigue would probably not be enough¡± her reaction was measured.
Vivian wondered, ¡°Have you ever heard of a similar supreme spell¡±. ¡°No, other mages that have described their supreme spells normally have a spell with fewer downsides and fewer advantages. One I have seen documented was a unique supreme spell that could be used a once a day. With no drain or backlash called elemental barrage, it allowed the mage to throw a barrage of attacks with fire ice and shock damage once a day¡±.
Alice was sure from her reading, ¡°each different exalted master gets a spell blessing or martial technique unique to themselves, moulded as an expression of their combined ability''s. Martin wanted to lash out an destroy his opponents in his zealot¡¯s wrath. So, he has a supreme blessing that allows him to do that. To condense his wrath his ire into one blow at close range correct¡±, ¡°yes I would not deny it¡±.
Vivian could see the logic in it, ¡°your reasoning holds with what we have seen, lexicons duplicitous nature gave him the ability to literally swap himself with another. To change places to change his position. That speaks back to his psychology, when he was a man from what we read of his human life. The archanist called the professor his upgrade ability it came from his desire to make stronger constructs¡±. Alice''s texts told a similar story, ¡°the mage that had elemental barrage. A third of his spells were from each type of element, it made sense it reflected his ability¡¯s¡±.
David was a little annoyed at being left behind, he deliberately perused certain questions. ¡°what do you think this supreme says about you¡±? Alice laid certain things bare, ¡°I won¡¯t sugar coat it, when we started getting stronger, I thought about a reason to keep growing. I want to change the tower system, It¡¯s a gilded cage. I wanted power enough to sit on the towers ruling council. Power to change things. That literally manifested into a supreme spell that delivers nothing but power, enough to show monsters like Bismark a thing or two. I also understand that power has a price, a push back this is reflected in my ability¡±.
They moved on, ¡°what about you Vivian¡±? ¡°I gained a martial art two-mile shot. I can use it once a day, one shot that deals significant physical damage¡±. David grinned, ¡°that does not sound a bad ability the range is fantastic next time we see that professor he is dead¡±. Martin spoke warmly, ¡°oh yes that reflects your fighting style precisely. You focused on nothing but your bow, so you gained a supreme that would reflect that¡±.
David wanted to see it in action, ¡°Do you want to test it out¡±. Vivian could use hers while Martin and Alice kept them at bay. ¡°yes, later on if you get an old shield or bit of wood up on one of the towers, I can try it¡±. Alice grinned, ¡°the base damage your ability has will be complemented ¡by your bow. A critical hit, the type of arrow you use. If you use an adrenalin power shot as well¡±. Vivian was cautiously optimistic, ¡°it can¡¯t hurt to try it out, but with an arrow I am not going to miss breaking¡±.
Something jelled in Martins mind, ¡°what did you say the maximum range on it was¡±? ¡°Two miles why do you ask¡±? ¡°You said that the mithril site on your bow could be adjusted up to two miles correct¡±? ¡°Yes, I must admit I thought that it was absurd at the time. But now it makes me wonder¡±. ¡°you have not used any other weapon apart from that bow for the last month, I think the weapon has moulded you¡±. Cautiously she nodded, ¡°I will grant you that is a bit odd but it¡¯s a good weapon¡±.
David felt left out he wondered what he would gain when he reached level 100. Some technique with his sword perhaps or something defensive with his shield. Perhaps something that balanced the two out. Vivian reassured him with a look, there discussion over they drifted apart.
David set up target for Vivian to fire at a plank of wood lodged in one of the towers. Almost unconsciously she chose to use her supreme martial art. She adjusted the bow site to its maximum, her golem eye focused as far out as it could. She saw where she wanted the arrow to hit. Her hands moved in a blur and a cheap iron arrow was sent flying with far more force than its creator could have ever envisioned. It pretty much Vaporised the plank of wood and arrow into a cloud of splinters, it was scarily effective, then she remembered Martin doing something similar with his supreme blessing with just his fist.
Alice went to the local chapter of the mages tower. She had other research to do. In a small secure section of books previously out of bounds to her she could look up one of the most powerful spells. The book was titled destroying flame, it was a teaching manual for the improvement of the mana lance spell. She could learn the improved version of the greater mana lance spell. It would deal nine times her basic caster level per second. For the cost of 5 mana per second. It would take her weeks or months, but she would master it. It was a lot of damage if she could land it.
Martin met up with them at the tavern, they joined with their squads for the last time officially. They drank to the men who were no longer with them. One by one candles were put out for the poor idiots who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time and the guards doing their duty. It was a mark against the duchess that she didn''t lead the group to make an official memorial wake. The numbers of the dead were small, but they should be remembered and honoured. The sheriff at least joined them with ghost making a brief appearance. Martin sighed, ¡°sometimes only true monsters win, after all that they still live¡±.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 2 Vault Hunting – Chapter 32 – New Skills.
Over there breakfast they talked, ¡°A supreme spell is a real mark of status ¡ amongst the mages tower, the real power is held by just six exalted masters. They report directly to the king anything of substance is decided by them¡±. Vivian idly wondered ¡°what are there supreme skills¡±? ¡°I don''t have any concrete details. One has a spell that helps to buff all allied spell casters a support ability, another can channel magic from a group and focus it. That would be good for the defence of the city, two more have heavy hitting offensive spells, two of them have powerful defensive spells¡±.
Vivian wondered, ¡°each big city has a heavy hitter like ghost as part of the garrison forces, the capital having the majority of them, how do the hunters treat exalted masters¡±? Martins experiences were second hand tales, ¡°It depends on the person but they are usually considered to have performed some grate service for the creator god to be rewarded so. The lay orders are generally willing to follow an exalted master¡±.
¡°It is often a good way to land a job as the spear head of a crusade, or a long slow death behind a mountain of paperwork trying to coordinate our forces against the vampires. I remember sir Reginald refer to it as a death by a thousand paper cuts¡±.
Martin turned the question back, ¡°what about an exalted master with the mercenaries, how are they viewed¡±? ¡°They get paid the big money they have better skills experience connections. They often start their own company rather than work for someone else. Or they buy up their contract and freelance¡±.
Vivian paused thinking, ¡°Our comprehensive training ability cannot be overstated, to train imperial troops, that could match the troops that the first emperor had, that is our strongest power. Not that anyone could afford to maintain an elite imperial praetorian guard in the hundreds anymore, they were the fist that conquered the central plains and the south land¡¯s once. But a mercenary could train up a core of powerful high-level guards. With time and equipment, they would be an asset, an expensive asset but one none the less. Rank and file men like that are not seen any more.
Alice finished her breakfast, ¡°we all gain something from ¡reaching level 100 my strong ability to analyse magic is rare. As far as I am aware only six others possess it and they are all in the capital¡±. ¡°I can see what you mean different rare advantages with our different classes, my divine judgement blessing is about half as powerful as my supreme. My third rank vitality makes me a lot tougher these were benefits I got from my 100th level¡±.
David felt that bit behind, Alice teased, ¡°don''t worry your only ¡one level behind the rest of us, would we have the bad manners to rub It in¡±? Martin joked, ¡°Yes we would, remind you that you¡¯re always the last one to get anything¡±. He was irritated, ¡°hang on that''s not quite right¡±. Vivian defended him, ¡°most of the rest of us focus on dealing damage not just defending ourselves, it would be slightly harder for him to keep up when he has to constantly defend the front rank, Alice casts one spell Martin a single blessing, David has to block each blow or he would soon be overwhelmed¡±.
She remembered one detail, it clocked with Vivian as a way to change the conversation. They had her fun with David, ¡°I forgot to mention one very potent ability a secondary effect, a five second stun to an opponent I hit¡±. Martin finished his food; they could pretty much see the thoughts plastered over his face. ¡°That would be effective against an opponent trying to get away. You remember when we hunted the vampire Islington, he got away the first time dived into an underground river. That would have stopped him giving us an opportunity to get the reward first time¡±. Alice could see the battle lines being drawn, a set up a knock down, ¡°so Vivian your supreme might be best left in reserve ¡to stop an opponent getting away until we can cripple them. Martins ability hand of god can knock an opponent down so that would help as well¡±.
Alice looked about the group, ¡°In the end we all what Bismark dead, he almost destroyed my mind. It gets me thinking about a different ¡tactic to employ. In this scenario then Vivian could stun him. Then I could use my supreme to start delivering a variety of spell probably a duel cast mana lance, Martin you can drop your own supreme and your chain smite, the last time the sunlight did more damage to him than we did, next time we hit him hard¡±.
David had to wonder, ¡°How strong is your mana lance spell¡±? Alice was rightfully proud of her spells, ¡°at the moment over seven hundred points of magical damage a second. It could really go higher if duel cast, Also I am starting to ¡study a book the devouring flame. It teaches the use of this spell. How to train it up to the grand, grater and finally master level. At that point it would be able to deal 1300 points of magic damage a second. I believe high level vampires have some magical resistance, but this should easily overwhelm that¡±.
Vivian looked to Alice, ¡°I tried my supreme technique with David yesterday, putting a plank of wood up on the tower as a target. My supreme was accurate, at maximum range I could still hit something about the size of a person. It was very similar to Martins attack. The force was overwhelming remember what was left of the first blade. With this bow I hit really hard anyway, with the supreme martial art it¡¯s on a new level. I have to try it with a moving target David can help me with that and some more scraps of wood¡±.
Martin had an idea, ¡°if we had a troll or a siege ghoul as an example do you think that you could one hit kill something like that¡±? Vivian remembered their perilous battles with such creatures, ¡°probably yes if I put an arrow somewhere sensitive like an eye. I could cause a critical hit strong enough to shred its brain, against the undead I am not so sure unless I knew the focus location¡±.
Vivian lead them to her room. She removed the keys and laid them out. ¡°Alice you spoke about your analyse magic skill, what can you tell us about them¡±? She spent several minutes handling them, ¡°I get more detail, but it still feels like a jumbled mess. There are two sets of enchantments on the keys one that was put there when they were created worked into their very fabric. The second much newer it still feels about a hundred or more years old, if I am sensing it correctly¡±.
David picked them up, ¡°those keys they look like they are part of a set. Or even parts of the same key, and you need them together more than just touching to read them right¡±? She nodded, Martin looked at the slots and grooved that ran down the back of the keys they would interlock in a specific way. Martins hands moved as he slotted three of the keys hesitating on the last, ¡°yes it seems that the four keys slot together back to back¡±. David saw him hesitate, ¡°What happens if we do that¡±? Alice held out her hand almost as if she was tugging on something inside the object ¡°, I can¡¯t read it, I am not sure what exactly would happen, but something might¡±.
David pushed the last key into place, ¡°in for a penny in for a silver¡±. There was a green flash of magic as something activated. Vivian slapped David on the back of the head for his impulsiveness. ¡°Alice can your analyse magic sense anything¡±? She reached out with both hands it was as if she was gripping something invisible. ¡°I am detecting some key spells they ... work with a magic lock, part of the spell is on each one of the four pieces. There are some spells to make the keys tougher more durable a version of a self-sharpening spell that keeps the key strait in working order¡±.
Vivian was cautious, ¡°what about the flash of magic¡±? Alice reached into the air around where the spells visual glow had been, ¡°that was something else added on later, I can sense ¡ give me a second¡±. She reached around almost like she was scraping something out of the air, ¡°Some sort of message or sending spell ¡ that enchantment is spent. Something has been set in motion¡±.
Martin glowered at David, ¡°did we just release a golem army or sound a great big diner gong¡±? Alice stopped him in his tracks. ¡°No, this key was split up by someone handed out to several parties, an agreement from a long time ago¡±. Vivian continued the line of reasoning, ¡°maybe several nobles or mages had to agree to act together to use a weapon, a defence for this city. I assume its locked up in a vault of some sort¡±. Martin held up the key, ¡°a weapon from the first emperor, that would fit perhaps the triune repurposed it¡±.
Martin looked round, ¡°we need to know what we have in our hands. This is going to be a slow one we have to do some research¡±. Alice picked up her staff, ¡°we have to go through the guild library''s, I don''t exactly trust the local leaders to play this completely strait¡±. There next stop was the hunters house Francis gave them access to the library.
After searching and cross-checking Martin addressed the rest, ¡°the hunters have references to the ancient city that was hear before the vampires. It had a powerful defensive ability. The first king appointed a warden of the long sea to oversee the port. A lot of the tribute to him was shipped through hear¡±. Vivian pulled up the reference, ¡°it talks about them having a tireless bodyguard, could that mean golems or just some really good armour¡±?
The headed to the local chapter mages tower, as an exalted master though not officially recognised, Alice had access to all the texts. ¡°These ancient records indicate ¡that the elven city of, I can¡¯t pronounce this to save my life. It¡¯s the elven city near Ulysses crossing didn''t pay any tax for nearly 100 years, but did ship a dozen large caravans to North port¡±. Vivian pulled out another old ledger, this one is a copy from the teach family archives, ¡°I found a bill for the housing and feeding of around 200 dwarven craftsmen at around the same time. Supposedly they worked on the duke¡¯s palace before it was rebuilt into the more defensive structure it is now¡±.
They checked the duchess''s archives her steward letting them in. Martin nodded, ¡°these old records include dwarven mechanists¡¯ smiths stone masons¡¯ enchanters¡±. Alice could connect the dots, ¡°note these stone masons are mostly structural, skilled at building heavy walls no decorative carvings¡±. Vivian was convinced there was certainty and conviction in her voice, ¡°I am sure they built a vault for whatever the elves created¡±.
David was not that good with his history, ¡°how long ago are we looking¡±? Martin focused on making vampires history, he had some rough idea of what they might have seen. ¡°The blood alchemists empire would have fallen, with the dragon revolt. The vampires would not have started their civil war just yet.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Vivian threatened to thump David with a history book, ¡°its basic, the first king or emperor however you translate it would have been on good terms with the western colonies the dwarves and the elves, the central plains and southern lands partially conquered¡±. David nodded if not quite getting it all in line, ¡°at that time there was not much to oppose him¡±.
Vivian rechecked the book, ¡°well the southern alliance was in effect and they were starting to argue with the first king on trade and tribute¡±. ¡°What did the Southern lands have¡± She checked her book. ¡°According to the history books druids of stone weather and life, specialisations of the druid job they were also competent skirmishers and monster tamers. Slightly better than the central plains they were focused on iron rather than bronze weapons, nothing that would compete with Damascus steel¡±.
Alice the most scholarly of the lot finished the tail without even looking at the book, ¡°I have read enough of that to know what happened next. The alliance flat out expected Ulysses to send an army when they refused to send tribute. Instead he had already planted a weapon called the stone burner in the centre of his embassy in their capital city. Then there was the sundering and he turned the centre of their land into the great glass desert¡±.
They moved on to scan through a library in the church, ¡°so we have found out that a long time ago the old nobles. The warden of the long sea, part of the ancestors of what is now the royal faction commissioned elves to make golems for them¡±. ¡°Not just some workforce but soldiers an ace in hole for the monarch¡± Martin continued.
David tried to work it out, ¡°if it came to a war between the elves and the first king wouldn''t the golems turn on him¡±. Alice put down her book, ¡°no he had them made separate from the elves system. They were more akin to siege machines that living servants, according to this note, the name of the half elf was Hefestus lee, the architect a forger of golems. The elves taught him, he worked on a lot of projects. You still now might find a few enchanted plaques to him, he designed some of the dry docks in the city as well.
Vivian carefully laid down a faded velum map, ¡°this plan might be of the vault. See the lay of the land the way the land slopes, I put this map of the city over it. You see if you adjust for the shape of the land¡± Alice grinned, ¡°the vault is right under the warden of the sea''s power base¡±.
David had one thought seeing the layout of the map, ¡°I have a radical idea, do you think the first king had this force hear to secure his route of retreat, if he ever lost the Northern lands to external invasion or internal rebellion he could get to North-port get on a ship and head for the western colony''s¡±. Martin nodded surprised not by the idea, but that David thought it up, ¡°that makes a lot of sense¡±. Then again David was trained as a mercenary there was a certain amount of strategic thinking expected.
They moved to the duchess residence they found a quiet room, Vivian looked around making sure they were alone, ¡°until we know more its best, we don''t mention this key right¡±? ¡°I would say it¡¯s a bad gamble to open the vault¡±, David was not willing to gamble on disturbing the vault. Alice remembered the one broken golem that they had fought, ¡°I am all for power ¡but we need to be able to understand it, I don''t understand enchanting I don''t understand golems. If I had several levels in the enchanting skill, I might have a different opinion, but I don''t¡±.
Martin made it unanimous, ¡°we are here to fight monsters. Look at what happened to the elven city states. These golems could be worse than vampires inside the city¡±. Vivian tapped her golem eye and lead them to a particular spot in the building, ¡°look at the stonework a couple of rooms down and the vault is definitely beneath the ducal palace.
In private they continued to debate the issue, David asked a simple question with a complex answer, ¡°where do we keep the keys¡±? Martin mulled over one of the options, ¡°the church would keep them locked up in the cathedrals vault. But that would cause a lot of resentment from the nobles and might tick off the merchant¡¯s guild¡±.
Vivian took another option, ¡°the merchants guild solution of splitting them up might be best¡±. Alice made a point, ¡°whoever we align with we potentially ostracise two thirds of the triune¡±. They could make things worse by doing anything. David ran a hand over his mithril shield, ¡°we could destroy these things. We might need a mithril forge to do it. But it would end the issue once and for all¡±.
Martin could see a legal procedure a chain they could follow, ¡°we are agents of the bishop of good forge, technically we can surrender these items to him. Then it¡¯s up to him to work out what the hell to do with them, that would be the precedent I believe. That favours the church I suppose but, we still work for Alexius, we might still be wounded if not for him, we would certainly be less well equipped¡±.
Alice tried to apply wisdom to the situation, ¡°let the trade talks conclude first, this could be a massive disruption. The elves don''t like golems after what happened to their original cites. The last thing they want to see is us fighting over the keys to the vault. When it is over, we could bring the keys back to Alexius¡±.
¡°Whatever we do we cannot let these keys fall into the hands of the vampires, hidden hand or anyone like that¡± Martin was right. Vivian slid the key apart, ¡°So we split the key up into four, each one of us has a part of it, we are each strong fighters¡±. David paused, ¡°could we just end up effectively giving the keys to something that is stronger than all four of us¡±. Alice looked at him, ¡°something like that would have been able to take the keys anyway¡±.
They decided to go to a restaurant and enjoy some central pains cuisine, in one of the merchant districts of the city. They noticed a chain gang made up of sharks and crimson lotus members. They were carrying stone and mortar, working on the sea wall. David did wonder, ¡°do they ever sabotage what they work on¡±? Vivian was quick to answer ¡°I spoke to the deputy sheriff; an architect or mason checks their work at the end of the day. If they did something like that the entire group would have a week added to their sentence, and remember they are chained together. One person making it worse for the lot of them has nowhere to go, if something gets past the walls they suffer as well.
David trailed slightly behind the group he noticed something. The conman that had tried to sell him a treasure map a few nights ago was set up by the side of the road. He was trying to sell goods from a stall that was really just a few planks balanced on a crate. He had changed his attire, but David recognised his face now clean shaven.
Martin and Vivian were close behind. The conman swallowed, ¡°Anything I can help you with¡±? A quick assessment of his merchandise made the man sequel, he realised he had been caught again. Alice turned up she went through some badly made luck charms, ¡°the sign says these are enchanted ... I can¡¯t sense any magic¡±. Martin looked at two poorly repaired pots that would barely hold together. Pots that would leak cloth patched to the point it would decay at a stiff breeze. Pottery corked with wax, so it looked whole. Food that had started to rot covered up with a cheap spice to hide the smell.
This insulted Martin to his core, as a former member of the bay city craftsman guild. He had spent most of his life keeping a certain quality to his work. This man was trying to catch people out who needed something when they were desperate. This time the con man was handed to a guard. A member of the merchant¡¯s guild was summoned who drew the same conclusions that Martin did. Numerous violations of the guild standards regulations.
The guard had to hold the merchant back to stop him boxing the conman''s ears. The con-artist would go into the stocks. He was probably going to get splattered with his own rotten merchandise in an ironic turn of events. If they really wanted to punish him, they would make him eat it. They had a nice meal at the Theosen themed restaurant. The place was decorated with a few bronze shields and a few statues of the nine gods¡¯ champions, for a moment it was nice to imagine a world where they were free of the constant threat of attack and hostility.
Alice went to merchant¡¯s guild; Vivian''s recommendation was a good one. She briefly talked to a clerk at the front desk, ¡°I am a mage ¡assigned to the city''s defence for the duration of the trade talks¡±. ¡°Your malice the mithril mask, the staff you took from a vampire. It¡¯s fairly obvious who you are should I summon my senior¡±? She held up a hand ¡°I am not after some rare and valuable potion, or a mystical powerful artefact, I have a spell that lasts exactly five minutes, I need to be able to time its duration precisely¡±.
The merchant disappeared and came back with a series of items. ¡°A common problem in many crafts, what about one of these wall clocks¡±? She examined it critically, ¡°they would certainly keep the time, but they are bulky, and I need to have the time piece on me¡±. There were other options, ¡°what about these marked candles. They burn through quickly you can see five minutes precisely on the notch¡±. She explained a little more, ¡°this spell is one I would be relying on in a life and death situation, I fear the candle would be forgotten¡±.
The merchant thought, ¡°I have sand timers that denote a few minutes, this one is designed to be used by an alchemist for eight minutes for stirring a mixture. It has marks to denote the passing of time¡±. She inspected the item, ¡°how tough is this ¡glass I am not sure that it would survive the adventures life¡±. The merchant disappeared for a moment, ¡°I have something else designed for blacksmiths. The glass on this 5-minute sand timer is alchemically hardened and enchanted with durability. They use these as a measure for some heat treating and etching processes¡±.
Alice looked at the blue sand in the slightly red glass. It was marked precisely with a bar next to it the glass was tough, it was in a little cage all on its own. It was one possible solution she tried it a few times. She needed to keep part of her concentration on it that could be lethal in a fight. ¡°Sorry I don''t think it¡¯s quite good enough¡±.
The merchant sighed, ¡°I suppose you can¡¯t have an apprentice or assistant holding it for you so you know when the spell would be over. We could build a lovely pocket watch for you. Damascus internals or if you really wanted something that would survive the adventures life mithril internals with an octium coil spring¡±?
Alice had a think about it, ¡°There was a mechanist that my friend Martin saw. She ¡was able to fix something for him could I talk to her¡±? ¡°I believe that Clarice handled one of the commissions for your colleague, if you follow me, we can talk to her¡±.
In Clarice''s work shop she was busy repairing a clock. She carefully put it to one side and greeted the people entering her workshop. A mage with quite a bit of seniority she judged them correctly by their equipment. ¡°I wish to look into commissioning ¡you¡± She had a quill and paper they talked for a few minutes with Alice outlining what she needed, how durable it had to be.
Clarice put together a proposal, a wind-up coil spring alarm with a five minute timer. Very simple in comparison to a clock with far fewer things to go wrong. There would be a butterfly winding handled on the back. A reasonably strong leaver on the side, so it could not be depressed. from the touch of this button it would activate. A lever on the face would show the time on a half dial, then when ten seconds were left an alarm would go off. Giving Alice enough time to prepare for her supreme spell to end. They agreed a delivery date and a fee for the device, an agreement was signed with the merchant¡¯s guild clerk as a witness.
Its frustrated David no end he was so close to his own supreme. But there was not one thing to fight to increase his level. At the very lease he could bring that frustration to bare on doing something useful. He had the four squads that they were previously working with over in the duchess''s courtyard for drilling practice. He was busy getting them into shape, with practice spears swords and shields they were doing well. The hard training might leave them exhausted, but it was what was needed to build them up. Though he would need Alice and Martin to help him apply a bit of first aid.
After Martin used a few good healing blessings he went to do a little training with Vivian. He stood on one of the towers and threw chunks of wood up for her to aim at. When she was certain she could do it she waved a torch. He picked up a particularly large plank and put as much force as he could behind it, making an adrenalin powered throw. Hurling it into the air a massive distance the board did a few rotations, then exploded into splinters as an arrow collided with it. Vivian''s supreme skill worked quite well with a moving target.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 3 Vault Door – Chapter 33 – Lost and Found.
Breakfast was served, a nervous group sat about eating while silently worrying about the vault beneath their feet. Was some sort of timer ticking down to a golem rampage? The city being overrun in the middle of a trade deal, all of them planned what they would do. That would have to wait, a courier reportedly from the merchant¡¯s guild appeared. They reported an emergency with an address running off. The group gobbled up the food grad their weapons. Ten minutes later they were in a half-abandoned part of the city, it was curiously quite
A group of mysterious cloaked individuals walked out of the shadows, they were fifteen in number neither threatening or welcoming. Vivian suspected the Hellion gang. She could see the odd golem hand or eye much like hers peeking out of a cloak. One even had feet that were obviously artificial, but would allow them to climb very easily, they were obviously heavily into golem modification. They were also into blood alchemy, patches of inhuman skin grafted gills fangs. Eyes that could see in the dark it was not very human, but they were not aggressive yet.
Martin had his hand on his pistol, ¡°you hear to collect the bounty on our heads¡±? The person in charge spoke respectfully with a polite tone. ¡°We wished to speak, if they doubled the bounty to 24 gold each, we wouldn''t touch you. There are less painful ways to commit Suicide. There are vaults filled with the ashes of those that were stupid enough to try¡±.
¡°They might have to make the tower keep jail larger after all those arrested in the duchess''s purge¡±. They waited expecting Martin to attack, he held himself back his grip in his pistol tightening, the gang leader continued. ¡°My name is Reynard Pygott of the Hellion''s, I am here to offer you a deal for the keys¡±.
There weapons were unsheathed, Reynard didn''t make a hostile move, but he looked nervous, ¡°the fourth crime lord would take that burden off your hands. We can offer you a vast array of potions augmentations to strengthen yourselves. The equivalent to gaining 30 levels each, well within the law of the triune. Ways to fortify you against the vampires and a good 16000 silver. We can also promise that all those nasty golems will be dismantled, and their parts used like the one eagle eye now sports. To help poor unfortunate souls with cash in their pockets and a desire to become stronger¡±.
He did a little bow, ¡°We thank you for the opportunity you have presented us with. The hidden hand are gone from North port. If we can beat the red blades of Saul and the Scurrae to the punch, then we can dominate the crime in the harbour city. Dont worry the lesson is well learend, we will keep our heads down so very low you wont notice that we are there.
Martin just stopped himself from turning the speaker into a pile of salt, ¡°you have massive balls to say that to us and expect to not be arrested or killed¡±. His associates took a few steps back from him as he continued, ¡°I speak the truth, there is no need to make an enemy hear¡±. ¡°I can give you some information to help you out, as it serves our purposes¡±.
An archaeologist working for the church has found a map, we have copied the location of an old elven outpost near this city. We had a second stronger team going to raid it. They are quite dead, killed by an enemy we thought was sleeping. Now it is best you check it out¡±, he threw a map to the floor, his compatriots had already run scattering in every direction. ¡°Consider it a gift to you¡±, he ran.
Martin turned to the others, ¡°golems on the loose, we need to deal with this first¡±. They went to the gate and saw the deputy sheriff, ¡°we have seen some of the Hellion gang. We have been advised of an elven outpost, outside of town. Possibly golems on the loose, the last thing that the trade talks need¡±. The deputy sheriff nodded, ¡°it will be interesting to see which idiot set the golems off, one was dug up and recovered recently I wonder if its related¡±.
They grabbed a coach and headed off following the map provided. There was a camp site by the side of the road tents and a burnt-out fire. A trail had been cut into the woods; twenty minutes thought the cold forest they found the remains of the outpost. A circle of toppled walls, it was quite an ancient place. Everything above ground seemed to have fallen, but that might not be all. They found a clearing with signs of a battle and moved forwards.
On top of the outpost they found squashed Hellion''s, probably eight of them. There cloaks discarded a mixture of golem parts and blood alchemy fortifications and grafting was present. One woman had a sort of high-class crossbow instead of a right arm. She also had an augmented eye like a golem¡¯s with a crystal lens added onto it. There was one old man with what looked like a crystal ball sown into his chest. He had a magic staff that was bent and broken. There was a man with scales and a tail he had been pulled in half, a single bladed axe lay at his side its edge dented.
There was a woman in heavy armour. The armour appeared to be bone plates grafted to her body. She seemed to have been shot multiple times with arrows heavy enough to pierce the armour. A man had been folded in half, he had four tentacles with spines coming out of his back, a dagger gripped in each one. There was a girl with bat like wings, she held a short bow in her lifeless body, her left wing half ripped off. There was another woman, who had a large iron shield, lots of armour but the lower part of her face looked almost draconic, there were burn marks around her on the ground and trees. The one that suffered the most was a man literally torn to bits. it looked like he had spines scales and a crab like claw for an arm, he had not died easily.
There was movement an area had been dug out from the ground revealing steps going down. Golems walking out in a perfect line. Alert intact different from the one that they had fought in sandy rose''s hid out. There was One officer for want of a better word. Behind that golem were 12 heavy labour model golems. 4 soldiers with armour and spears, at the rear were 4 archers with armour and bows.
The apparent leader had more detail carved on his face with some sort of grill like affair. Similar to a music box where his mouth would be if he were human. ¡°I am VS9NMS 1st tier commander operating controller, are you with the group identity Hellions¡±? Vivian looked him up and down, ¡°no but they were a lot closer to human than you and you killed them¡±. The golem was far from home, ¡°you acknowledge tangential kinship¡±. It dawned on Vivian that these were not golems out of some local vault, but others drawn to this place. ¡°You are golems from the old elven city states¡±? the golems head dipped a fraction, ¡°quivery confirmation, we are free golems, our spark is our own¡±.
She held up a hand as Martin was about to spout something that would start a fight. She was getting more information by talking, ¡°what are you doing here¡±? ¡°Query investigation of signal transmission from designated outpost. Outpost has no main core, no units, should not be functioning. Query investigate, you are also hear to query investigate¡±? Vivian looked over at the bodies, ¡°why did you kill those Hellions¡±? The pitch of the golems voice increased slightly, ¡°they tried to harvest us for components, they tried to investigate excluded site¡±.
Vivian was getting somewhere, ¡°what if we wish to investigate this excluded site¡±? The golem was quite clear, ¡°you would have to wait for us to finish at excluded site. Anticipate 4 days until completion of mission, then you would have permission¡±.
The golems were already spreading out anticipating a negative response, Vivian shook her head, ¡°I don''t think so¡±. The golem looked them over noticing the mithril that they had, ¡°you are stronger but fewer. We outnumber you 5 to one recalculate¡± Martin used his monocle, ¡°they have a basalt base body, these golems are around level 40¡±. he remembered his book on monsters, ¡°probably quite tough make sure to destroy the cores¡±.
The golem was detecting a bit of adamantium and octium as well, it was perhaps incorrect on its initial assessment. ¡°Do not initiate hostilities or we will rend kill you¡±. The golems had a fairly standard design from the commander to the soldiers. A humanoid body slightly taller and thinner than a human, a good analogy of an elf''s frame, unchanged from their original creators.
Most of their variation was from extra armour and equipment that they wore. The soldiers carried armour plating the archers carried curved bows for weapons. The heavy golems had large picks mining tools. Alice looked at them with her analyse magic ability, she could quite easily see the commander had some sort of core in his chest that contained for want of a better word a constructed energy matrix. Something that felt like a spirit, its chest also contained a separate significant mana battery.
She looked as the commander extended a pair of blades from his forearm. His mana followed into them electrifying the ends of the weapon. That was not quite right, the mana was altered or modified somehow to make it a better source of energy for the golems. Aether was the word, that was what it was called in a textbook.
The first time they met a golem the enchanter had simply charged it with mana, so the golem they had met before had not been properly fuelled. A quick glance at the other golems seemed to indicate a core. Which was slightly weaker less complex, a more rudimentary command matrix with an aether receiver. She realised that they had to remain a within a certain distance of their commander to function.
Vivian used her adamantine arrows and two of the basic heavy golem¡¯s heads exploded into gravel. They barely reacted to losing their heads. They were using the views from other golems to coordinate. Martin lobbed a large thermite grenade that encompassed the archer golem variants they were damaged.
He emptied his four barrelled pistol into the chest of the nearest archer and the golem collapsed. Alice swore she could almost see its command matrix pulled from its damaged core and drawn south east. The rough direction of the former eleven city what would you describe it as an elven city, the destroyed golem shell started to leak a green glowing gas as the enchantments faded.
Alice had cast her own protective spells and launched her mana lance spell at the golems, the beam of destructive dark pink energy caught the nearest two heavy units. They were cut in half from the powerful spell as the beam of mana appeared to burn hotter than a fire without creating a wave of heat. Alice would need to train her mana lance spell a lot to improve it. David charged into the soldier golems his mithril shield turned there spears away, his own blade shattered their chest plates. His power attacks cleaving iron and stone striking out the golems core and receiver two of the golems dropped.
The golem commander attacked David finding that the electrical energy was blocked by one of David''s magical items enchantments. He lost one arm and retreated it was not the easy kill he anticipated. David pursued a heavy golem stepped in to defend his commander and was knocked down and shattered. Vivian switched from targeting the heads to targeting the chests her adamantine arrows tore through two of the archers they crumpled and started to fall apart.
Martin held up his holy symbol summoning one of his most powerful blessings, ¡°greater pillar of fire¡±. The group of golems was engulfed in a roaring flame the internal components and joints certainly didn''t seem to like that as the fire kept burning. Four of the heavy units and two of the soldier¡¯s type golems were not quick enough to get out of the way and collapsed in the flame. Alice blocked off a few of the heavy golems with a couple of earthen wall spells then hit them with mana lance destroying two of them.
The golems were huddled up to defend against David, the commander with his one working arm the three heavy units with their hammer picks and the single archer that had lost its bow and had picked up a fallen soldier¡¯s spear.
¡°We were in error we judged your strength based on those designation Hellions, request negotiation¡±. ¡°They were still human, and you still killed them¡±. Martin shot one of the golems in the chest with his lionhearts hammer pistol. The extra holy damage from the blessed weapon allowed him to hit the golem in the core, down the heavy unit went collapsing. Vivian took out the archer with a pair of adamantine arrows that shattered its chest it slumped forwards. David knocked the commander down and took out its legs and remaining arm. Alice melted the last two heavy units with a shot from her mana lance.
Vivian looked down at the commander, ¡°so a free golem, can we interrogate it¡±? Alice looked down, ¡°It has no sense of pain ¡there is probably nothing it wants¡±. The golem controller had eyes like Vivian''s golem eye, ¡°you fight, slay this speaker. My spark goes back to the golem city core, next time I will bring designation stronger body¡±. Vivian put an adamantine arrow through its chest. Alice could feel the golems spark pulled away from its remains at an incredibly rapid pace. It was almost like a demon it needed a host body, but the death of its physical form was not the end of its spark.
the level up hit David felt unbridled exhilaration, his hire rates just became very expensive. He had the same access to training ability that Vivian had but he now had something all of his own. David could see scrip hanging in his mind¡¯s eye before he could barely use a standard mediation technique to see his own status now it was different. ''You have attained level 100 in your chosen path. Supreme martial art obtained one use per week, Rallying Command all solders under your command gain additional 20% attack damage 50% health 20 points of agility 20 points of strength 20 points of endurance for 30 mins at the cost of 100 adrenalin.
David was not expecting that, he was expecting a one-shot killer move like Vivian or Martin. However, he had been doing a lot of training of the town guards and militia, so he could sort of see it. Providing he was leading an army, at the crucial moment in a battle if he used his ability it would be like all his troops suddenly gained 30 or more levels, it could really push the tide of a big fight. Martin gained two levels of his crusader job and raised his cleaving strike to level three. Vivian and Alice had not broken through the 100 barrier so didn''t progress further.
They began to collect their ammunition and reload their weapons. Shortly after they were victorious the Hellions they had seen before turned up. The majority of the gang stayed far back. The leader Reynard stepped forwards, ¡°thank you for avenging them, please let us collect our dead. They will be given last rights and cremation; I can show you which parts of the golems are valuable¡±. Martin had his sword half drawn, ¡°why don''t we arrest you instead¡±?
Reynard remained calm, ¡°arrest us for having a few modifications, a few enhancements, whatever the device you wear on your eye is not normal, it has an archanist feel to it, as dose the mask. The golem eye your friend has. Don''t be hypercritical, we are taking the same principle to a different level¡± Vivian held his shoulder, ¡°let them collect their dead¡±. Martin was not sure which way to go he held out his holy symbol. ¡°Swear to me there will be no necromancy or sorcery on there remains¡±. The Hellion held out his hand, ¡°I swear by the creator god¡± there was a glow no smoke no pain, Martin nodded his acceptance, ¡°go about your business then¡±.
The Hellions wrapped up their comrades remains in blankets then disappeared quickly. Reynard remained behind, he quickly showed them how to take a golem apart. He showed them some parts that had value. They dug out six Intact golem eyes recovered from the archers of a lesser quality than Vivian''s. Then 2 from the commander that were roughly of an equivalent quality. They had 20 destroyed golem cores 20 destroyed aether receivers, 1 destroyed aether battery and 1 destroyed command core. Along with both arm blades from the commander.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Reynard looked over there haul, ¡°the mages gild will give you nearly a hundred silver for that lot, if you do get a battery out of one of the commanders intact, it will be worth 50 gold to the mages guild, I would estimate, and start a war with the golems¡±. He wished them well with a nod and disappeared.
They investigated further finding a stone door to the lower floors of the elven outpost. The door was on some moving track. They found the door lock mostly dismantled. Vivian noted the development, ¡°the free golems must have inadvertently helped us trying to get in¡±. Alice activated her light ring David fixed a torch to his shield clipping an iron bracket he had made yesterday in place to hold the torch. Vivian''s golem eye and Martins monocle could see in the dark.
David Vivian and Martin pushed against the door there was a crack a groan then the door slowly started to slide open. They found steps going down to some sort of cavernous workshop. There was a huge work room a golem workshop judging by the parts left on the floor. Martin ran a hand over the dust, ¡°there are indentions hear there was equipment forges work benches tool racks they are gone¡±.
In the centre of the room there was a golem about 12 feet tall. It was unlike the elven golems that they had just destroyed. This one was bulkier heavier, cruder in its construction, blunt in its purpose. While some of the elven golems had been designed to act as warriors, this thing was designed only to fight to brawl, no other action was possible.
Its right arm was like a mace with a large hexagonal head, it seemed to be slightly more complex so probably had a secondary function. Its left arm was made from Damascus steel. At the end it was shaped much like a halberd with a spike spear and axe like edges. They were dulled a little through time but still wickedly menacing. It was bipedal, resembling the effect if someone had put a troll inside a stone facade. Its basis may well have been a sketch of such a creature. It was crude in its construction, a proof of concept more than a weapon of war. It had a crude head with three vacant looking eyes.
Scattered around the edges of the room were racks of other golems, much like the heavy worker golems of elven origin that they had just smashed. These golems were also flawed, some looked like they had been taken apart and put back together. Some looked like they had been apprentices work, from someone learning their craft one try after another.
Alice could feel a surge of mana no aether. ¡°I can sense these golems coming online they are very basic, I can¡¯t sense any minds, no sparks of intelligence¡±. The first siege golem''s eyes began to glow green; it slowly raised its right hand mace then tilted its head, there was a cracking creak and a grinding noise of metal on stone as it moved.
Vivian had a bundle of adamantine arrows at the ready. She looked at the big golem, she looked around the space making some calculation. The other golems mindlessly began to work their way from the racks and shelves. Some stood up some hobbled, some crawled forwards their intent was hostile a very basic defensive strategy.
The prototype looked like it had some more advanced combat protocols than walk forward and smash. But probably not much more advanced, it took one creaking step forwards, its limbs seemed to be slightly ill fitted. Vivian gripped her bow tightly. ¡°I want to try and make a breakthrough, let me take care of this big guy¡±.
David could support that, he had her back, he looked about the room. ¡°let¡¯s take care of the small fry keep them off Vivian''s back¡±. Martin looked about putting focus through his monocle, ¡°Sandstone golems they are weak probably prototypes we can take them¡±. Some were missing limbs they were experiments practice pieces.
Vivian fired off two arrows at the golem, the first smashed into the socket for its middle eye the second smashed into the socket for its right eye. The golem made a grinding noise and took two steps forwards. David brought his shield down on a golem crawling towards him it shattered. releasing a green glowing energy. His sword smashed through a sandstone golem and removed the core of the construct in one stroke.
Martin started to experiment hitting the golems with his hand of Tesla and smite abilities. They seemed to be resistant to lightning damage. But they still took quite a bit of damage from the attacks. Alice used her mana lance spell to obliterate the nearest three golems the beam of magical light cutting them apart, all around green smoke curled up.
Vivian targeted the golems right leg to slow it down. Her adamantine arrows shattered stone as they hit the joint with overwhelming power. The golem slowed down its right arm pointed to her. The arm seemed to expand to become a sort of crossbow mechanism. It almost looked like a smaller version of a ballista and it was levelled at her. Alice cut through more of the golems with her mana lance. She stopped herself from interfering, Vivian had to do this alone.
David was distracted for a moment he buried his sword into the chest of a golem and kept going his blade disappeared into the golem and the ground below. A simple tug on the hilt revealed it to be stuck in place quite solidly. A golem swung at him and he felt a little blood in his mouth. He swung back with his shield and shattered the primitive golem. Martin received a couple of crude hits then a kick from a golem. He had his blade in hand, a focus strike to the joint and adrenalin boosting his strength he twisted, and the golems limb came apart. In this way he dismembered several golems.
Vivian dived out of the way as the bolt from the Siege golem shot over her head. If that had connected despite her armour, she was not sure she would have survived. She buried two bodkin arrows into the golem¡¯s ballista mechanism. It tried to work there was a crude snap a severed cable hung from the mechanism and three bolts dropped out of the bottom of the weapon. The golem tried to close in on Vivian as she kept firing, making sure that the golems ranged weapon was destroyed.
Martin took his time to see what worked on the golems from his arsenal. ¡°Pillar of salt¡± one of them crumbled to a pile of white dust. He let loose with his pistols more collapsed. His ¡°pillar of ice¡± blessing was surprisingly effective. The golems joints didn''t like the rapid freezing cold. David beat the golems down with the bits and pieces of other shattered golems keeping them at bay. Alice tried her icy tomb spell on a golem it crumpled, its internal core did not like the freezing energy one bit. With Ordinary cold they might be able to handle. But something divine or magical in nature seemed to bypass there protection easily.
Vivian had concentrated on one area to weaken the golem, the groundwork laid. She used her supreme skill the golem was struck in the chest in a joint on the armour, there was a shattering crash as the stones that made up its chest ruptured and broke apart. There was a spray of stone splinters behind the golem. The golems inner body was an iron frame with stone cemented onto it. The iron frame was warped, there was a hole front to back. It collapsed backwards. Then it began to get back up its core was not destroyed. It was still visible encased in a thick inner armour.
David finally got a breather with two hands and a bit of embarrassment managed to get his sword free. A dozen imperfect golems hobbled towards him. Alice blasted a bunch that were still trying to get off their racks. Her mana lance was doing an excellent job, but it was depleting her reserves very quickly. Martin felt a grip around his throat a golem arm hooked up to a power core. It was a very basic test piece, with effort he pried it away and shattered it with a blow from his buckler.
The large golem was not fast. Its legs were heavily damaged, but it had still managed to almost close the gap with Vivian. There was a click and the halberd like mass of blades on its left arm came lose, it was attached to a heavy chain like an anchor it was swung out seven feet. Vivian just dodged it she kept firing her octium and mithril arrows gouging chunks out of the golem. She was a little jealous of David''s thick armour, Martins blessings and vitality. Alice''s shield spells as she rapidly paced out of the way of the angry golem.
David intercepted a regular golem heading for Vivian tackling it. Alice dissolved some more with her mana lance. Her magic was down to about a third. Martin peppered some golems with his pistols and throwing knives to keep them away from Vivian.
The Siege golem was badly damaged, but Vivian had runs out of arrows. Well she had run out of arrows that would penetrate stone. The golem wouldn''t care for her alchemist arrows or the iron broad-heads. She sighed there was an arrow that had been shaken lose from the siege golem. She picked it up avoiding the golems swings and put the arrow into the golems knee joint, the octium cutting into the iron support.
The golem collapsed to the floor, she put down her bow and reluctantly withdrew her mace. She had supreme strength if not technique. She just avoided the golems flailing limb then brought the mace down onto that limb again and again shattering it. The golems other arm lashed out and she was sent flying. She got up; David went to help her she gestured back no.
She closed again on the golem it kicked at her she pulverised that limb. She moved to its shoulder and brought down her mace. It shifted round and she was sent spinning. She felt lightheaded as she got back up waving David away. She closed on the stricken golem and started to hit its reinforced core the golem stopped moving, green smoke rising up from it. She kept hitting again and again. Finishing off the opponent with her mace. The core was reinforced heavily but it was reduced to a crushed piece of mangled mettle when she finally stopped swinging.
The level up hit, and their eyes glowed Martin gained another level his crusader job raising it to level 14. He got the fourth rank in his cleaving strike his confidence with a sword was growing but he would have to regrind his current one due to the durability of the golems. Vivian had spoken to Martin she knew what came next.
Deeper inside her than anything else a point that was grander than a consciousness, an elemental thread of being her soul changed. Her essence shifted a new reality was opened to her, ''A special action has been performed a feat of marshal strength has been achieved. You have defeated a worthy opponent your level limit has been raised to 600''.
She remembered that the mercenary job was composed of different elements, how Martin was now a crusader. She was now a man at arms, that was one of the jobs that had been used as a template for the mercenary job. A dexterity-based job that relied on weapon skill rather than strength. There was a bonus to using heavy armour and weapons, but she would have to get to level 20 to enjoy that bonus, which was nowhere near as good as her layered armour perk.
She did have access to the drill Sargent ability so she could now train basic troops a lot quicker, combined with her mercenary''s comprehensive training it could be devastating raising an army quickly. She gained three levels from killing the golem so she acquired a new skill crippling shot raising it to level 3, she could target an enemy¡¯s limbs effectively controlling the flow of battle.
David hugged her she winced; Martin checked she was fine than Alice healed her injuries. She stretched then started to gather up her arrows pulling them out of the mangled golems remains. Martin looked around reloading his weapons. Alice used her magical senses and pointed out a couple of golems that had not yet activated they were flattened to prevent someone else from stumbling on them accidentally.
Vivian had a few bent and chipped arrows that would need to be sharpened and straitened, but she felt good. ¡°Well now I am now a level 100 mercenary and a level 3 man at arms¡±. David looked over to Martin, ¡°keep going old man Vivian isn¡¯t far behind you¡±. She looked at Martin, ¡°that thing was close enough to level 100 for me to break through, I bet that there are more of those or something close in that vault. We could probably take a few but we have our limits best it remains closed¡±.
Alice grinned ¡°it was not a fluke it can be repeated, I can break through ¡even David can probably do it¡±. He was insulted, ¡°oi who says that I will be the last one to break through the level 100 barrier¡± She was confident ¡°you want to bet on that¡±? David dropped it ¡°er no I don''t think so¡±.
Vivian was ecstatic, ¡°Just think what we can do, Bismark is level 420 now I have had the breakthrough my limit is now 600, we have the potential to grow beyond him¡±. Martin looked surprised ¡°when I broke the 100 barrier it didn''t say a limit a cap¡±. David looked at him thoughtfully, ¡°theoretically speaking how strong can a vampire get¡±? Martin looked up his monster book, ¡°the theoretical limit I believe is level 1000. Though only a few vampires like the progenitor and the regents have ever gotten anywhere near that. Also, they can hold up to 300 levels of enlightened jobs which any human elf or dwarf can hold¡±.
Vivian nodded her understanding, ¡°we keep it quiet, we hide our strength, if we gain too much power to quickly one of the bigger nastier vampires that makes Bismark look like a baby by comparison will show up¡±. Alice though about it, ¡°we are what twice ¡the level we were when we fought Bismark the gap is still too great to span yet¡±.
They searched the old elven outpost. It was sadly Mostly collapsed. They did find a few tools, golem parts some brass some iron, that would have been used in the construction. There was some text printed on velum. They decided to take as much back to North port as they could. They compared the golem cores even though both were quite badly damaged. It was clear that the prototype golems were inferior basic. Alice comments, ¡°they had no spark like the free golems, these ones were manufactured to be independent managed monitored separate¡±.
David had a bit of guilt on his face, ¡°Did we wake them up when we put the key together¡±? Alice shook her head, ¡°no this place must have responded to the golem that wizard put back together for Sandy Rose. That must have sent out whatever signal attracted the rest of this attention. The times don''t fit otherwise there might be a few other golems kicking about this place¡±.
They made it back to the coach and back to the city quickly they went to the sheriff, Vivian turned to her, ¡°we got a message about the elven ruins near hear, Hellions tried to scavenge the place. It was filled with golems. Two types, prototype golems possibly of human construction and free golems from the elven city state near Ulysses crossing¡±. The sheriff nodded, ¡°I can talk to the merchant¡¯s guild and the mages we will go out have a poke about. The eleven ambassador might show an interest if we find anything that is not a golem. You¡¯re amongst the strongest we have; the golems might take note and leave us alone. Though I thought they couldn''t get far from the old eleven city''s¡±
They went to the cathedral the bishop looked at them expectantly. ¡°Good to see you safe my children, I heard that you dug up some elven ruins what has happened¡±? ¡°Free golems looking for other golems, the prototypes for what we think were human made golems, it¡¯s a possibly. A gang called the Hellions lost a few members trapped between the two factions, Vivian has broken through as she destroyed a very big prototype golem¡±.
The bishop took them to the vault of the cathedral where no prying eyes or ears could disturb them. ¡°Two of you have broken through¡±? ¡°Yes, Vivian has a limit of 600, while I have broken through my limit apparently¡±. ¡°You must have been confused and remembered the event incorrectly, as you have guessed it¡¯s not common knowledge that a human can gain such power. long ago the humans were stronger, before the vampires came¡±.
He had a scrap of ancient parchment in his hands, ¡°According to the old records an ascendant was level 200 and over. A transcendent over level 400 and an immortal at level 600. An ascendant begins to battle both time and fate. A transcendent begins to overcome time and fate. Then a true immortal has defeated both time and fate¡±.
¡°Such was the will of the creator god. The path he put for his children to come to know his likeness, but the vampires subverted that, immortality without the struggle. The lichs and demonic changelings do the same thing. That is why they are anathema to the creator god, why his power burns them so¡±.
His words were grave, ¡°I don''t know of anyone who had even gotten close to being an ascendant. Understand the vampires have killed all that have started this journey. All that I am aware of anyway. It is possible that such beings exist inside the three factions of the triune. The patriarch would know, but then beings with such power would keep their heads down. To stop something like Bismark ripping their ascended head right off their shoulders¡±.
The bishop read more from the ancient missive, ¡°no one apart from the vampires has ever crossed the 600 threshold. Even then the number of vampires is probably less than 60 in all of recorded history¡±. David could see his future, ¡°What benefits dose an ascendant have¡±? ¡°A longer life span a second supreme skill, other qualitative changes are possible. We really don''t know the vampires killed most people like this, most of the competition quietly, long before they had their little civil war. Keep your levels and your abilities to yourselves for now. The alliance with the elves might get the vampires to band together. If they hear talk of people even starting to rival, there individual power it could push them over the limit we do not want to face a united vampire nation¡±.
There talk with the bishop was both illuminating and frustrating, the necessity to hide what extra power they were gathering was important and frustrating. Alice picked up her commission for the alarm from merchant¡¯s guild, she tried it a few times against a timer glass it worked perfectly and costs her 5 silver. At the same time Martin got his sword reground. If he faced something as tough as golems then he should use a mace or war-hammer against them, a dedicated armour cracker. A common pickaxe would have done the job. A team was sent out from the merchant¡¯s guild protected by guards and mercenaries to explore the rest of the elven remains, perhaps they would find something of use. The golem parts were presented to the local chapter of the mages tower who could use such items for enchanting a price of 100 silver was agreed and paid.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 3 Vault Door – Chapter 34 – The Wisdom of Elves.
They woke from there slumber early, the air was cold crisp but invigorating. David contemplated an opportunity to test his supreme martial art. His rallying cry ability would be excellent advantage for an offensive assault. Buffing troops to make a breakthrough.
It would also be perfect for repelling an attacking force. Considering the way, the archanist the professor and the vampire prince were defeated, there was no one left in the area to fight to test his ability on. The next fight they were in that turned serious; he would use his ability a trial run. It would certainly help in a difficult fight with the overall boosts to their abilities.
Vivian found herself changed, new impulses new instincts from her man at arms job preyed upon her mind. She had the drill Sargent ability and there were a lot of troops about. North port was still in a state of high security for the trade talks. She found it quite easy to round up several of the idle troops. To set up some targets and to start drilling them with the use of bow and arrow.
She found a new side to herself, growing stronger meant growth in many ways. She could see what David saw in this. Though she was not a front-line fighter, the instincts of a drill instructor were now embedded in her psyche. Such was sometimes the price of gaining a job without directly learning it, they knowledge was not tempered.
Alice eventually found her way to the training field. A few healing spells and the worst victims of Vivian''s hash training could feel their fingers again. Alice found a section of dirt on the training yard. She created a back stop using her earthen wall spell a few times. To prevent what she was doing from going too far causing any friendly fire incidents. She got a few of the guards to stack up some lumber. She had to practice her mana lance spell, to focus on it. If she ever wanted to raise it up to the grand version, it would require commitment.
She strained and pushed, not with physical muscles but with mental ones. For just a second her mana lance spell jumped in power cutting through the wood and most of the barrier she had created behind it. It was a marginal success an infinitesimal flicker of additional power. But she could improve on that day by day attempt by attempt. She was focused continuing her attempts some success some failures. She had to stop herself before her mana dropped below half, she still had a lot of possibilities for the day. Having to spend another 8 hours resting to regain her mana was not something she wanted to do just yet.
Martin just spent his time doing a bit of repair work to his armour, it was banged up quite a lot from the golems. That was a new enemy to add to the list of people and creatures that held a grudge against them. The golems had been avoided so far, now the elves were insisting on their ancestral cites back in the future. Clearing the golems out would be a lot of effort. But compared to an ancient or elder vampire the golems just didn''t seem to cut it.
Martin considered how easily they had won the day against the first group of golems. The golems had anticipated far weaker opponents like the Hellions. If they had prepared if they had brought some of their most powerful shells, then it might be a different matter. Neither the humans nor the vampires had been particularly interested in finding out how tough the golems truly were.
He thought about the new gang they had seen. The Hellions due to their dress their swagger. They seemed to rely on intimidation more than anything else. To look scary and unusual to frighten others into compliance. They were incredibly varied individualistic, that probably indicated that they were not coordinated fighters like the hidden hand, they probably relied on their individual augmentations.
They were criminals but they didn''t seem to have any desire to pick a fight with the four masters. Could they be a useful contact in the future? He wondered, as long as the perceived levels of crime stayed low the Hellions would be left alone. He could guess that the gang knew quite a bit about golems. Considering their members modifications, they could be a potentially useful source of information. They didn''t want an army of golems they just wanted to strip them for parts. That would be a different solution.
After various training and other works, they met up again having a meal. On some level Vivian felt that they were letting there guard down, they were in the middle of a city that was not under threat perhaps they could lower their guard.
David intruded on her contemplation, ¡°how much have we saved up¡±? David was anticipating the answer some shiny piece of equipment had caught his eye. Vivian pulled a few scraps of paper out of her pack, ¡°I have been keeping a running total its 6115 silver and a handful of bronze penny''s. Quite a lot, we have pretty much replaced what we spent on equipment¡±.
¡°What else can we get, we get more benefit from gear on our backs, than cash in our pouch¡±. David pushed the issue; he was not wrong but a bit impatient. Vivian had a calmer head, ¡°it¡¯s probably best we wait a bit until we get the last delivery from the merchants guild. Your armour will be a good upgrade, we take a long hard look at what we have after that¡±. David grinned imaging the new armour, ¡°yes then we look at a bit of mithril chain-mail, or maybe even start looking at octium¡±.
A bored looking old man in a pompous wig one of the duchess old staff approached them a stack of letters in hand. He was a man who looked like he came from an earlier time period or at least his formal clothes did. They were invited to a celebration put on by the merchant¡¯s guild, an exhibition showing off certain printing and dyeing techniques. Also, the duchess had arranged the food and drink, it was a large public event everybody of a certain level of importance was being invited to the gathering.
Having no other duty''s but to wait around as a garrison force, until the trade talks concluded they went to the exhibition. The elven ambassador wore slightly different garb with green and blue prayer beads. They had the same two body guards a few steps behind them. The room was full of artistic prints rugs tapestries even dyed hides and cloths. There was also a delightful spread. Some items from the western colonies dwarven islands and the southern coasts. It was quite amazing what the Northern realm could produce as trade goods, when they put their minds to it and how far those trade links spread.
Martin had a cup filled with some sort of dwarven mushroom beer. The elven ambassador sought him out, Martin bowed politely to the senior priest. ¡°My son it is fascinating to see these events and exhibitions. The resilience of your people after 300 years, your artists are excellent. I suspect necessity has forced you to advance so far, the elves will benefit from many of the tools that your people have developed¡±.
He steered Martin to a quiet corner then turned to him his voice low, ¡°some of my people have herd worrying rumours. From my perspective the golems attempted a genocide against my race. They believed that we never made it over the long sea, they thought we were spent gone, now they will learn that things are different¡±.
Martin remained calm, ¡°what rumours have you herd¡±? The ambassador took a bite to eat considering how much of his hand to show. ¡°A wizard working for a criminal was sold the remains of a golem. They were a skilled enchanter as well as a wizard. They managed to put some imperfect version of this creature back together, I understand you destroyed it. My people didn''t trust the golems that the old elves made, that is why they left¡±.
Martin looked the ambassador up and down, ¡°father I am sure that you are already well informed¡± he revealed one more card from his hand, ¡°one of the priests has given me a version of the story¡±. ¡°What version is that¡±? ¡°Golems came out to investigate an old outpost, possibly where this rebuilt golem was dug up from. You flattened both the golems that came from the old elves graveyard and whatever was left at that outpost¡±.
Martin considered the political implications he was a vampire hunter not a politician, ¡°broadly that is correct¡±. The ambassador looked grave, ¡°As I was told, I am worried about the sight of free golems was that what they call themselves¡±? ¡°That is precisely what they called themselves¡±. Martin gestured to his companions, ¡°the four of us tore through them very quickly¡±.
The ambassador pondered the threat, ¡°not a definitive victory, you know they have a form of immortality. As long as their connection to the central core of a city is maintained. I understand it is difficult to remove the spark from a golem core, unless it Is destroyed. According to my research anyway, the Northern church has shared a lot of what they know¡±.
Martin shrugged, ¡°I have fought similarly immortal creatures before. Demons we killed time and time again until there was no one left to summon them. We have faced beings that had spare bodies. they eventually ran out of spares. Strategically the golems can be fought in the same way, how much more do you know of these constructs¡±.
The ambassador sifted facts from rumours, ¡°understand we never brought a great deal of mechanical understanding of the golems with us. Not one golem forger, when we crossed the long sea. We never wanted to make the same mistakes, of being reliant on such devices¡±. ¡°We still had a few books that looked at the dangers of golems. Those who came down from your western colonies told us about the golem revolt, the topic became of more interest to us¡±.
¡°Knowing I was coming to the land of my ancestors, I read what I could. Those that wrote it perceived the golems as a negative force, making us weak, too reliant on our own comforts. They campaigned politically for us to abandon such works. When they could not affect change, they gathered up those that agreed with them and they left, forming our country on the western continent¡±.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
Martin politely probed deeper, ¡°how did golems affect your ancestor¡¯s society¡±? ¡°They caused a massive stagnation. Our ancestors built clever machines to do one job or another. Then hard-working labourers to do the physical jobs. Then skilled crafts machines to produce artisans work, Then overseers and thinkers. They were even teaching the golems how to repair and improve themselves when my ancestors split from them and left¡±.
Martin had his own query''s, ¡°Do you know if humans ever brought golems from the elves or somehow persuaded the elves to teach them how to make their own¡±? ¡°That is a good question, I understand that you demolished a room full of prototype golems and one very large opponent, were they built the same as the other golems¡±? From his time in the trade guild he could make an educated guess, ¡°not the cores were simplistic, deliberately so¡±. The ambassador relaxed a little, ¡°that answers your question, the old elves would not have changed their design philosophy, humans however were more cautious it seems¡±.
The ambassador continued probing Martin for information, ¡°the golems from our ancestral city''s, normally they needed a power core. An aether engine I believe the term was. They have improved correct they must have developed a portable one. Our history reports these mystical engines to be the size of buildings not portable at all¡±. ¡°Such a device was inside the commander¡±, ¡°They have grown but then it would not be a surprise, they have had thousands of years to improve upon the original eleven designs¡±.
Martin looked at him, ¡°did you suspect that the golems would kill all that lived here and then travel across the sea to find you¡±? ¡°In truth there is still that feeling, I do worry that there is an army of golems marching on us now from the old ancestral city¡±. Martin reassured him, ¡°A large number would be spotted by Ulysses crossing. We have alchemists weapons magic, siege engines we would demolish even a large force, they only sent a small investigative force about 20 and a commander¡±.
Martins instincts as a hunter of monsters clicked into place, ¡°as I think about it logically, that brings up a flaw with the golems. If their commander has the aether engine inside them, destroying the commander¡¯s physical body would leave their entire army vulnerable. Also consider this perhaps that is the maximum number of units that one aether engine of that size can maintain¡±. The elf breathed more surely, ¡°yes that''s a factor I didn''t consider¡±.
One of the crusaders standing next to the ambassador stepped up to Martin. ¡°my brother, As the original elven civilisations of the central plains and northern lands found out don''t play with golems. Leave the vault sealed¡±. He shared a look with the fellow crusader, they knew as much as he did.
Martin scratched his chin thinking of something else to change the topic, ¡°there was a report a witness spoke of a warrior in glowing holy armour. Was that one of your people¡±? ¡°In confidence yes, one of the rare members of our congregation with a specific skill set is hear for the trade talks. But they are remaining to assist in the fight against the vampire¡¯s afterwards¡±. ¡°Fascinating¡± was all Martin could say.
One of the merchants showed off a statue of an austere woman with a mages staff, he gave a little lecture. ¡°This work is old and slightly faded but it has been with us hear in North Port as long as the elves have been over the sea, it was imbued with strong durability and a small self-repair enchantment. It¡¯s to the Magus Primus. A member of the royal court, supposedly she created the predecessor to the tower of mages¡±.
The rest of the group arrived, The ambassador turned to them again, ¡°The history books don''t include she was once one of the blood alchemists, she held positions in both the courts of the first king and the blood alchemists empire, she ensured a peace between them. When the dragon revolt happened, she fled to the first king¡±.
Alice was curious, ¡°What else do you ¡know of her¡±? ¡°I believe she was a druid to begin with, but she also studied necromancy and sorcery, her power was quite vast¡±. Vivian made polite conversation, ¡°I remember you mentioned another servant of the first king¡± David joined in ¡°yes his champion the slayer of the halflings¡±.
Alice was curious this was not in any library she had seen, ¡°what happened to the halflings?¡± the elf spoke solemnly. ¡°The first king wanted their land; he took it from them and had them worked to death in one of his mines¡±. Vivian was a little aghast, ¡°He sounds incredibly brutal¡±, ¡°yes there is so much blood on his hands. The centre of the southern lands charred away with a stone burner the sundering. There were three other races in the Northern lands I have not mentioned, the Gnomes the Satyr in the southern forests the troglodytes on the eastern coast all gone to his ambitions¡±.
Vivian was curious, ¡°why is this the first time I hear of these atrocity''s¡± the ambassador kept his voice low. ¡°You live in lands that were controlled by the first king. He controlled the records the stories. Apart from the holy mountain and maybe the remains of the elven city''s, he has probably removed every piece of writing from every library. Some of the older vampires might remember traces of them but it was long ago. Our books our histories have not been changed for nearly two and a half thousand years¡±.
¡°I remember more, Centaur were once their own nomadic race that wandered the central plains, perhaps a very early work of blood alchemy. But they were their own civilised people, they are gone after the first king stepped south¡±. ¡°Fascinating we must not monopolise your time ambassador¡±.
The four friends spoke together Martin brought them up to date with his conversation with the ambassador. Just then an exhausted looking deacon from the cathedral ran over to them he addressed Vivian and presented a sealed bundle of papers. He had a small smile on his face as Vivian tore open the seal. Immediately the party were gathered around it. Some new threat? they read over the letter intently.
The Bishops letter began ¡°My dear children I commend you for the work you have done. Fighting the hidden hand, the profane vampires the vile sorcerers and the lich. With respect to you station, you are ordered by the supreme authority of the church. To hand over the vault keys to the safe keeping of the bishop in the cathedral vault. This matter is of utmost urgency and will result in dire repercussions if not acted on with dire haste¡±. There was an official looking form attached to the back signed by the bishop requesting the four vault keys.
A knight in full regalia approached them with a scroll. He gave the deacon a harsh look. It looked very formal by comparison to the bishops hastily scribbled letter. The bishop had obviously got word of this communication and hastily scribbled an equivalent letter. The duchess letter was by comparison immaculately scripted with a fancy silver leaf seal; a similar form was attached to the back signed by the duchess.
¡°To the Agents of the triune known as the four masters, wielders of martial mystical and divine might. With the authority bestowed upon me by the king and royal court. I make it a royal command to surrender the keys to their rightful inheritor. The keys give access to a weapon created for this illustrious city''s defence. Entrusted to my ancestors I demand the return of this property you have 48 hours to hand the keys. over to their rightful owner¡±.
The trade guild commissioner must have also had word of this, the third power of the triune stepped in. Ghost seemed to step out of nowhere, ¡°two official claims for the same property have been lodged. The trade commissioner can arbitrate this, or you can return them to your patron for his direction in good ford. Split them up or taken them away. It is all the same. It stops people playing with toys that they don''t understand¡±.
They found a side room and drew a curtain; David could feel the weight of the key around his neck it seemed heavier than an entire suit of armour pressing down upon him. ¡°What do we do¡±? Martin scratched his head, ¡°The church means well, but the nobles probably have some law that gives them preference¡±. Vivian tapped the place her own key was hidden, ¡°This is a situation that we don''t want to be in the middle of, but just staying where we are now is probably the best thing that we can do¡±.
David had a simple blunt solution, ¡°what about destroying the dam keys¡±? Alice dismissed that with an edge to her voice, ¡°that might be political suicide as well, the bishop the duchess and the trade commissioner might have it in for us¡±. David would rather be done with it, ¡°we have to do something¡±?
David held up his right hand, ¡°we owe the bishop for healing us¡±. Vivian disagreed, ¡°we paid him back by wiping out the vampire he said so himself¡±. Alice had to concede one point, ¡°We have enjoyed the hospitality of the duchess¡±. Vivian was less convinced on that point, ¡°it¡¯s an official residence, she wanted us to eliminate the hidden hand¡±. David nodded, ¡°which we have done for her¡±. They remained in an impasse unsure which way to turn. They contemplated their options, the merchants were as close as it came to being neutral in this affair.
One of the older tower mages Antony Fitzherbert stopped Alice as they left the event. He was filled with blustering arrogance. He rested on his staff as he walked a veteran enchanter and mage but one that would gain no more power.
His tone was rude as he addressed Alice, ¡°mage you have a duty to the royal court. For the last six years you have been sheltered nurtured by the mage¡¯s guild, repay that debt and convince them to hand over the vault keys to their rightful owner¡±.
Alice looked at him coldly she fought down a nervousness that rose up in her throat, ¡°The chapter master should be delivering this little speech, but she would not, so you came instead. They put me at the most Northern part of this land abandoned me there¡±. The twit continued, ¡°you are ungrateful the opportunity''s you have been presented with ...¡±. He paused seeing the spells held in her hands.
The tremor of uncertainty was gone from Alice''s voice the fire of anger overcoming it, ¡°I knew four basic spells when they sent me out there, I was lucky to survive the first encounter with a giant rat, I am now an exalted master with all the power that represents. I will not be spoken to in this disrespectful manner, I have dealt with rouge mages lichs sorcerers and vampire wizards¡±. The mages tone changed, ¡°Ms Costa it is still crown property¡± she looked over to the trade commissioner, ¡°that is still to be arbitrated¡±.
Ghost wandered over she had a freshly unsealed report in her hand, ¡°Let the scribe advocates and the rulers of this city argue about keys for the moment. It¡¯s interesting, we have a report back from the archaeology team at the elven outpost¡±.
Their attention turned to her, ¡°from what was found the few fragments look like training manuals, the elves were teaching golem construction to a member of the royal court known as the architect¡±. ¡°So, our conclusion is that the first king had built their own versions of golems that lacked true self-awareness so could not rebel¡±. Vivian grinned, ¡°They didn''t fully trust the golems¡±.
Alice looked over the report. ¡°You can see the distinction, the line drawn. As an example, A dragon below level 50 is a dumb beast. But after that awakens becomes a sentient. That border line is the difference between something that you can control and something that you have to negotiate with. Something that was once considered property becoming someone can hold a grudge¡±.
Vivian asked one last question, ¡°The first emperor was he smarter than the elves¡±? Ghost adopted a neutral tone, ¡°he was hear before they moved north from the central plains. He was hear after their city''s became graveyards, draw your own conclusions¡±.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 3 Vault Door – Chapter 35 – The Triune Frays
Another seemingly quiet day while the trade talks continued the party set about more rigours training for the local defenders. Martin had a group of hunters with a rickety collection of alchemists weapons, they had a series of boards and logs set up as targets Martin drilled them though he did spend more time on how to keep them clean and functional than how to perform a tricky shot.
Vivian had a number of junior guards and militia she put them through their paces. Her drill Sargent ability kicked in and she hammered home the training in record time. One poor militia archer almost got a literal hammering when they count get the basic techniques right.
David had the obstacle course back in place; however, the guards were now running it with backpacks full of rocks over their shoulders. Alice allocated so much of her magical reserves to increasing her mana lance spell. She burned through two thirds of it in a very short time but was able to push her spell over its defined limit twice. She would be able to reliably boost her spell over time. It was a great effort, but it was tried and true practise with cerebral as well as physical skills.
Martin and Alice eventually moved over to David''s training apparatus where the last few guards crawled over the finish line from their final lap. Martin set about checking their conditions using his healing blessings as Alice used her own healing magic.
The training had given them a real appetite, not that they didn''t have a really strong appetite anyway. The duchess was trying to charm them again, her personal chef had cooked the breakfast it involved a great number of eggs and was exquisite.
Martin was called to the hunter¡¯s house. The local master Francis bid him sit and gave him a glass of IP. the strong alcohol had been mixed with a blue crystal powder to give it a bit more of a kick. Martin could appreciate the strength of the drink. It would have been a powerful poison to most. But to one like him a light refreshment.
The master hunter was deathly serious, ¡°hunter friend, your faith should command you deliver the keys¡±. He shook his head and finished his drink, ¡°Francis see it my way, I protect the church by holding onto them, would the church be served if we did something that drew a response form the nobles. If someone did something desperate to breach the vault and released the golems un-commanded to run rampant¡±.
He was calm, ¡°The church is the only legitimate authority¡±. ¡°The church has not withdrawn from the triune; we just make ourselves weaker when we end up fighting each other¡±. The hunter held up his holy symbol, ¡°we swore to be obedient to the church¡±. Martin held out his mark showing he was an agent, ¡°I swore to serve bishop Alexius, though I am grateful to Bishop Gyfford, I have paid the healer by ending the vampire prince¡±.
He gripped his holy symbol tightly, ¡°listen to god¡±. Martin was sincere in his voice it was unshaking, ¡°I have, I feel no compulsion to act either way¡±. Francis stopped considering his own position. Martin continued to lay out his perspective, ¡°I am zealous for the fight. There is nothing left to fight now, I do not seek to be mired in bureaucracy¡±.
Francis was puzzled, ¡°If you do not seek to be mired in bureaucracy give up the keys¡±. He explained, ¡°To give the keys to one leader of the local triune. Is to invite the duchess and the trade commissioner to bury me and my friends in red tape and antiquated recriminations, attacks we have no defence for. I am no scribe advocate; let peoples blood cool they will work out a compromise that all three are happy with. Then we will move forwards a few more days my friend and we will share a drink and forget about this affair¡±.
Martin was summoned to speak to the bishop he brought the rest of the group with him. Crusaders and monks let them pass a considerable number of the church militant, extra security or an implied threat it was up to the observer to judge.
A smiling deacon lead them through the cathedral to meet the bishop Gyfford in his herb garden. He was drinking some aromatic infusion warmed over a small stove. The deacon poured four more cups of the honeyed brew. Some cheese and bread was brought out to them. The bishop thanked them for taking the time to listen to him.
¡°I implore you, to do what is right for the triune and hand over the keys, only in this fortress of faith this bastion of god. In the deepest part of this cathedral will they be safe from misuse¡±. Vivian cleared her throat a look around the table drew three bland stares. ¡°Eloquently put father but the triune is a majority consensus. I am afraid that one person even a bishop cannot decide a matter like this unilaterally, we hold a defence for this city in our hands the decision to use it test it should be one for all who represent those inside the city walls to decide together¡±.
The bishops face twisted in a knot of bitter pain, his posture rose up, ¡°the others do not see the necessity of this course of action. The golems represent more danger to us than anything else. They area a defence I would not rely on, they are more of a liability¡±.
¡°You have spoken with the elven ambassador¡± Martin phrased it as a question not quite an accusation. ¡°Yes¡± he admitted, Vivian tried to steer him to a more reasonable course of action, ¡°why not try to speak to the others together to get a consensus¡±. He sounded frustrated, ¡°the merchants take this to lightly and the duchess will never bend¡±, he had already tried this course.
Martin made a little leap in his thinking, ¡°do you think that someone could sneak into the city and turn the golems on us from the inside, to attack us that way¡±. ¡°Yes, they are an unpredictable weapon, why do you think that the first king never used them, but kept them locked them in a vault and forgot about them¡±.
Martin probed the argument to see if he was missing some piece of the puzzle, ¡°we have never heard of the golems being turned into a weapon by the vampires¡±. ¡°No not the elven golems, they are sentients that the vampires cannot overcome. There is nothing of blood magic necromancy or sorcery in their construction so nothing for the vampires to latch onto. The golems hear are not sentient but and a very important, but we are not sure how they are controlled. Are the instructions in the vault would they follow the orders of the first thing to walk through the door¡±?
Vivian was calm but direct, ¡°We are Alexis''s agents we swore an oath, we were sent hear with his orders. We defend this place from enemies external and internal. We have no orders or desire to pick a favourite amongst the triune¡±. ¡°Search your hearts your souls can you not see my point¡±? ¡°We would need to have orders from Alexius¡±. ¡°I could speak to the patriarch on this¡±, Martin nodded ¡°it is your prerogative to send a message, I don''t think you have done so or we would have orders, one way or another you are perhaps not certain where he would draw the line¡±.
The bishop considered his arguments, ¡°Let me tell you a tale, it will reveal to you why I have such misconceptions over the duchess path. If you trace back the vault keys, they were at one time held by the descendants and supporters of the warden of the long sea. Effectively they were held by several noble family''s with interest in the naval affairs of this nation, a vault intended to be a last defence of our strategic harbour city¡±.
¡°Many years back the local duke''s right hand man was a Barron. he was passed one key for safe keeping. A few generations down the line a descendent of his was slain by the vampire prince. The enemy gained the key and stopped this town from being able to use that defence. Even though I am not sure we still had the skill to use those golems back then. You killed a vampire wizard in the local elder vampire¡¯s service. I am sure if they had got the keys, they would have found a way to get those golems on their side just like the wizard working for sandy rose was able to command one¡±.
¡°The vampire must have held onto the key in anticipation of getting the other three keys, they must have had some idea of what they could do with them. It gets worse the lady Amicia Cheyne Teach our current duchess had her key stolen by the hidden hand, right from under her nose. That was the last one to go missing and personal to her. The reason she is so adamant to correct the mistake. Why she was so determined to force the hidden hand out, which you have done. Why she is determined in collecting the keys back¡±.
¡°The lich you killed took one of the keys from a knight in the service of the duchess farther. Fifty years ago, before the lich had built up her forces. This action further eroding the duchess claim to be the warden of the long sea the keeper of keys. The fool of a knight actually took it with him to battle. The lich if she could have gotten agents into the walls might have been able to take over the golems, if a wizard with a talent for enchanting could do it a lich could definitely do it¡±.
¡°A hundred years ago the circle of sorcerers had a sea lord a noble seduced by a succubus for his key. They had some knowledge of enchanting, a way into the city. They could have also made it work for them. Rather than summoning a demon lord they could have opened the vault and let the golems lose on the population¡±.
Alice brought up one further point, ¡°The nobles have kept that vault hidden for a very long time, do you think the king, or the royal family might know more. Perhaps in the royal palace''s library they might have an operation or maintenance manual for these weapons¡±.
The bishop dismissed it, ¡°It is a risk to use magic like that. We don''t use summoned demons we don''t use archanist constructs and we don''t use necromancy, not just because they are unholy things but because they can be turned on their creators. For the undead a more powerful necromancer or lich can seize another''s work, that goes double for a vampire¡±.
He drained his cup, ¡°A demon¡¯s contract with one sorcerer can be overwritten by a more powerful sorcerer. I am concerned that if we did have an army of golems, even one we control a more potent enchanter could control them. Even one of the free golems that would be a nightmare if they could control what was under our feet¡±. Vivian had a counter argument, ¡°What about tamers and the creatures they use¡±? ¡°We have had thousands of years to perfect that art, we know almost zero about golems and risk much if we try to learn¡±.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Vivian looked at the bishop, ¡°talk your concerns over with the duchess she may understand,¡±. ¡°I could make an offer, but I suspect you would not be interested¡±. David was interested three others were not interested in the ramifications that would go along with that offer. Vivian was the voice of reason, ¡°as long as no one acts rashly this will be resolved in some amiable fashion¡±. ¡°I have other duties to attend to, I wish you good day may you get a bit of rest after all the fighting¡±.
David looked at the group, ¡°Do we owe anything to anyone¡±? Vivian shook her head ¡°we owe ourselves the option of not carrying the blame for anything that goes wrong hear¡±. Alice verdantly reiterate the point, ¡°Our best option is to wait until we get a specific order from the bishop Alexius or someone more senior¡±. The hunter added, ¡°or until those three put their heads together and come up with a working compromise, that''s the most likely scenario¡±.
They returned to the duchess''s residence the guards slammed the doors behind them. The duchess was there waiting. A dozen guards twice as many knights and men at arms. Behind them assassins¡¯ archers a few tamers with huge war hounds and the old mage that had been disrespectful to Alice.
The duchess had some magical item with the voice enhancement effect, her voice was loud. ¡°Give me the keys, give me what is mine¡±. She tapped her foot waiting there her guards and troops looking nervous at the four problems in front of them.
Vivian held out her agent¡¯s identification, ¡°you would threaten us with violence¡±? Martin used his focus ability to move a step forwards. He seemed to blink, and he was there. Lightning crackled across his left palm as he gently depressed the switch on the hand of Tesla. Not fully activating the device yet. The duchess looked back astonished, ¡°you would threaten me with violence¡±? Vivian''s golem eye scanned over the group unnerving them, ¡°only if you attacked us¡±.
Martin looked with his monocle gauging the strength of her forces he lowered his hand releasing the trigger, ¡°it¡¯s a bluff she would have her own agents next to her. These are weak not even veterans, I bet she rushed whoever she could find at short notice to intimidate us¡±. The duchess dismissed her forces with a wave of her hand. The men and women breathed a sigh of relief.
The duchess led them into a study. ¡°fine let¡¯s talk about price, I have silver gold whatever you want. I sit on the trade routes to the world. I have connections to all the noble houses, there armouries and archives. I can get some rare and powerful items. It would be worth the expense to guarantee this city''s defence¡±.
She looked around the room. ¡°a more powerful octium blade for you David how about that? Some ultramite arrows for you Vivian, Martin I can help you track down another artefact of your order. Alice what do you want knowledge a better mages staff, some sort of rare artefact a bag full of spell scrolls¡±?
Vivian gave the duchess a salute, ¡°At least you have gone to the effort of finding out about us. To tailor the offer to your audience¡±. Alice tried to caution calmness, ¡°think of the talks going ¡on at the moment what could disrupt them. Think of the triune how this could sower relations. Think of the good of the city if we had an army of golems that recognised no master¡±.
Her response was blunt ¡°Give me the keys¡±! David''s response was equity as blunt, ¡°you could not hold onto even one of these keys¡±. He realised what he had said seconds after it was out of his mouth. The duchess became red, her eyes wide in outrage her fingers knotted. They got a very angry reaction.
¡°How dare you filthy plebeians criticise me. I have been working for this city since I was a young girl looking over my father¡¯s shoulder. I have a family duty that must be continued. You have no idea of the pressure of holding the line for 300 years. You who have been hear a little over a month. I have been trying to fill dead men''s shoes, to stand up and to be measured against legends¡±.
Acid and bile filled her voice, ¡°To hold back the cursed tide from this corner of the world. To judge me to make a statement about one dam mistake how dare you. I can and will correct it now¡±. Vivian hit David across the back of the head with enough force to bury him face down in the floorboards. He picked himself up adjusted his helmet and dusted himself off. Vivian had a calm reasonable voice, ¡°how do you think that you can control the golems¡±? The duchess calmed down she looked quizzical, ¡°why do you ask¡±? Vivian pressed on, ¡°if we understood more perhaps, we could find a solution¡±.
She weighed the pros and cons of revealing what she knew. ¡°I have a book of shem commands, these golems respond to orders no independent thinking, go there smash that then return¡±. David a little more politely pointed to the obvious, ¡°with respect, if you have the command book. What is to say others do not know the command phrases, how secure are your records¡±.
The duchess own conviction that she was right stopped her seeing any other outcome. Other than the old golems working flawlessly. Alice had a neutral tone, ¡°what do you believe is down there¡±? The duchess maintained her level of confidence, ¡°I found a diary form one of my ancestors. From a thousand years ago, it briefly describes the repair and maintenance of the vault¡¯s contents, it was four Damascus siege breaker golems and four dozen granite siege golems¡±.
Alice chose her example, ¡°the prototype we saw just assumed we were hostile and attacked, enchantments can degrade over time. Look at the golem sandy rose had; it was dug up from the same place. As tough as it was it could barely move without an enchanter standing behind directing it. We are more likely to find a broken weapon, that we have to fight or a broken weapon we cannot repair. Why not leave this until after the trade talks are over¡±.
The duchess screamed at them, a deep-seated fear of being court unprepared bubbled to the surface, ¡°don''t you see it is not over! There is more to come more to happen. The vampires won¡¯t just let it be. We slew their local forces. They must have something else planned only the warriors of my family''s legacy under my command will save the walled harbour city, I am the warden of the long sea the keeper of the keys, it is my birth right¡±. The vampire hunter looked at her, ¡°you may well be right, but these are not the weapons to put your faith in¡±. The duchess gave them an ultimatum, ¡°give me what is mine or get out of my house now¡±.
They found that their belongings had been searched through. They packed them up and left as civilly as possible despite the violation. David looked stunned, ¡°She threw us out¡± Vivian looked back, ¡°lets seek out the merchant¡¯s guild, they can put us up for the rest of our stay hear¡±. They moved off the duchess could do little more officially or unofficially they hoped. While they were agents of another and while the trade talks were being held.
There new lodgings were as Alice described ¡°Not the best place in the world¡±. They ended up sharing two sets of bunk beds in a small room that was at least secure. They had their belongings ready and were about to leave. There was a knock at the door, Martin opened it his pistol in one hand. ¡°hello, Ghost we will not hand over anything yet, it is for the local triune leaders to decide we cannot act unilaterally on the orders of one member, the keys are not with our belonging so don''t even bother¡±.
Ghost greeted them in their new lodgings, ¡°if you were to hand out the keys, we could find you better lodgings¡±. ¡°Not today¡± she nodded and left. Vivian sighed, ¡°without an external threat or a clear leader we are reduced to this petty bickering¡±. Alice held up a book, ¡°it is not so bad, we have three leaders, the dwarves have dozens of clans in a parliament of elders. The central plains are split into 50 single cities. Each ruled over by a merchant or prince. The southern lands have no united government. The confederated colonies have one vote per citizen¡±. David asked, ¡°how many citizens¡±? ¡°About 200 landowners qualify, but this book is old so the number is probably higher¡±.
Vivian nodded, ¡°lots of work for mercenary''s, most of those places settle disputes with drawn blades when they cannot settle them with words¡±. Alice spoke wryly, ¡°we are civilised, we throw stacks of paper at each other rather than rocks¡±. David shrugged, ¡°at least with rocks it would be quicker.¡± Ghost was suddenly beside them, ¡°the scribe arbiters will make much money today and no decisions good bad or ugly will befall this city¡±.
They watched her walk away again, Alice''s brain had another little suggestion, ¡°the local mages tower is sponsored by the ... crown. But the chapter master isn''t political let¡¯s talk to her, she fitted the golem eye to Vivian she must know a bit more than the others on what would make the golems work, wouldn''t it be worth asking her¡±? Vivian started to walk. ¡°It cannot make the situation any worse¡±.
Anne Thornton received them, ¡°officially I am meant to extol the virtues of surrendering the keys to the duchess, so that she can open the vault. Unofficially I know how much maintenance even a few golem parts can take. Even one modified to work on mana not aether. the resources that would be taken up on this fool¡¯s errand would cripple us¡±.
Vivian''s golems eye focused in on her, ¡°I am not so sure, that prototype worked fairly well. The golems under the duchess residence might still be quite functional¡±. ¡°Don''t be so sure I examined parts of that prototype golem, it was very close to running out of power, the enchantments were not efficient, perhaps a safety feature. That golem didn''t have its own power generating core. You were looking at a lamp with the last oil burning away at the bottom. That fight was the last flicker it has in it¡±.
She had a diagram that was hastily sketched from the recovered remains of the golem, ¡°it has to be manually charged and frankly the spell shield around the city is a far more efficient use of our time and enchanters¡±. Alice queried her assumptions, ¡°you could be wrong, the production models could be more efficient, with their own mana. I mean aether generation. someone mentioned them responding to a shem a code of actions¡±.
Anne put out the worst-case scenario, ¡°you could have a complete degradation of the interface, it would be best to drain the aether from them. To dismantle and reassemble them, while you were at it you could change the command codes. Though the only ones that could do that were the elves or the golems they made¡±.
The mage continued, ¡°Neither of those sound good options. Any means to contact an elven spirit is necromancy and forbidden. The golems themselves would be even more hostile after you smashed twenty of their number. They are not known for being forgiving¡±. Martin relayed the bishop¡¯s fears, ¡°could an external force make these golems a weapon against us¡±? She thought on it, ¡°a good question having a weapon is no good if the moment you un-sheath it your enemy takes it and uses it against you¡±.
¡°we do it quite often with bits of golem, it would not be impossible but the numbers of people that could do it is zero, the sorcerers dead, the necromancers and the lich dead the wizard sandy had locked up now, the vampires wizard is dead¡±. ¡°Still if someone knew the command phrases it would be a disaster another reason to keep the vault shut¡±.
They met up with their former squads and had a few drinks. David started to play a few rounds of dice losing some, then losing others. Vivian challenged a few to a little shooting competition and Alice chatted away with an apprentice mage assigned to one of the ships in the harbour. Martin reached out and seemed to grip air, ¡°Nice try ghost but the key isn''t in that pocket¡±. ¡°How did you know I was¡±?
¡°This monocle gives far more information the closer I get to something, so I noticed you just now. Vivian would spot you with her enhanced perception. Alice could fry you with a spell if you spooked her and David you would have to strip him of three layers of armour to get near to the key, he would notice that¡±. She went to the bar and got herself a drink.
character sheets
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Man at Arms |
Level |
3 |
|
| 1st Mastered Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
100 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
550/550 |
Adrenalin |
490/490 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
106 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
8 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
103 |
Level Defence Bonus |
103 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
303 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Man at Arms skills and Abilities |
| Basic Training L1 |
Crippling Shot L3 |
Drill Sargent L1 |
|
| Mercenary skills and Abilities |
| Comprehensive Training L17 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L4 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| Better Criticals L8 |
Pierce Armour L8 |
Shatter Shield L8 |
| Strike Through target 8 |
Improved Range L8 |
Knock Down L8 |
| Stun L8 |
|
|
| Supreme Martial Art ¨C one per day martial art ¨C two mile shot 50 adrenalin ¨C 1000 physical damage 5 second stun one arrow. |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath / member of the Fellowship of Masters |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Flaws |
| Blue Moon dust addiction |
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
100 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
535/535 |
Adrenalin |
500/500 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
106 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
100 |
Level Defence Bonus |
100 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
303 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Comprehensive Training L17 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L4 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L4 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
Bonus sword damage L4 |
Hail of Blows L4 |
| Counter Armour L4 |
Counter Heavy Armour L4 |
Counter Shield Defence L4 |
| Protect Allies L4 |
Contract Bonds L4 |
Soldier of Fortune L4 |
| Battle Brother L4 |
Peak Conditioning L4 |
Shining Armour L4 |
| Immovable L4 |
|
| Supreme Martial Art ¨C one per 1 week ¨C martial technique ¨C Rallying Command- all solders under his command + 20% attack + 50%hp + 20 agility + 20 strength + 20 endurance ¨C 30 mins ¨C 100 adrenalin cost |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
100 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
315/315 |
Mana |
730/730 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
105 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
5 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
100 |
Level Defence Bonus |
100 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
6 |
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 1 Mana |
Magical Defence |
200 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Mana Regeneration L6 |
Analyse Magic L6 |
Recharge Enchantment L6 |
| Supreme Spell ¨C one per weeks ¨C spell ¨C power unending 5 minutes effectively infinite mana then complete mana drain 100 backlash damage |
| Spell List |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage + 5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) allies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| Elemental Shield Master (5 x level Resistance to Cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 25 seconds |
| Icy Tomb Master (7 points of cold damage per level 13 seconds) freezes target in place instant 10 x base mana |
| Electric Strike Master targeted spell 13 foot radius (40 damage + 7 per level) 4 x base mana |
| Illusionary Allies Master - target individual 13 copies of caster illusions remain for 6 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Poison Gas Cloud Master ¨C cast on area 10 foot by 30 foot duration 7 seconds 3 point of poison damage per level 2 x base mana |
| Bonus Vitality Master ¨C cast on target gets 6 x level bonus hp for 6 x level seconds ¨C 4 x base mana |
| Tracking Kinetic strike Master 45 + (7 x level) physical damage 3x base mana |
| Earthen Wall Master (defensive barrier) 8 x level + 90 hp of barrier ¨C 3 x base mana |
| Desiccate Master ¨C causes damage by removing water from living creatures (6 x level damage) 3 x base mana cost free aim |
| Mage Armour Master ¨C spectral weightless armor on self armor points 2 x level for 4 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Invisibility Master ¨C 3 x level seconds invisible ¨C 5 x base mana |
| Destroying Flame / Mana Lance improved ¨C 7 x level magic damage for 5 base magic per second can run continuously directed attack |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
Shy with Peers |
Self Harming |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Crusader |
level |
14 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| 1st Mastered Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
100 |
|
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
4592/4592 |
Focus |
555/555 |
Focus efficiency 2 focus |
|
|
Adrenalin |
70/70 |
Adrenalin efficiency 5 |
| Strength |
25 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
110 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
125 |
Level Defence Bonus |
125 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
60 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Crusader skills and Abilities |
| Bonus vs Demon |
Holy vow ¨C Church |
|
Mounted Combat Feat |
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Sword Parry L9 |
Martial Proficiency ¨C Sword |
Cleaving Strike L4 |
|
| Vampire Hunter skills and Abilities |
| Bonus vs Vampire + Minion |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L4 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L4 |
| Greater Psionic Resistance |
|
Greater Sonic Resistance |
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L17 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L4 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L4 |
Focus Multi Throw L4 |
| General Melee Weapons L19 |
Focus strike L4 |
Grenadier L14 |
| Focus Parry L4 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L8 |
| Focus Stitch L4 |
Trap specialization L5 |
Poison Use L4 |
| Focus Diagnose L4 |
Focus Set Limb L4 |
Focus Resuscitate L4 |
| Combat / Focus Dodge L4 |
|
|
| Supreme Blessing ¨C one per 1 weeks blessing ¨C death grip of ire 25 focus ¨C 1000 sonic damage 1000 poison damage 1000 corrosion damage 1000 physical damage 1000 holy damage |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 14 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 2 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 2 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 19 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 2 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 6 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 4 |
| Sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 8 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 17 |
| Divine Regeneration ¨C 20hp restored per second as long as left running also consumes focus ¨C Overcharge can consume own hp 10 per second and stamina to regenerate Limbs x 1 |
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 3 |
| Greater resist igna ¨C resistance to 65 points of fire damage x 2 |
| Greater resist lightning ¨C resistance to 65 points of electricity damage x 2 |
| Greater resist cold ¨C resistance to 65 points of cold damage x 2 |
| Litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing x 1 |
| Bastion of faith ¨C 250 points of temporary health + 30 points of armor x 1 |
| Citadel of Faith ¨C 300 points of temporary health + 40 points of armor x 2 |
| Pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt x 3 |
| Pillar of Fire ¨C 400 point fire attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 3 |
| Pillar of Ice ¨C 400 point Ice attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Greater Pillar of Fire ¨C 500 point fire attack 8 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Martyrs Spirit ¨C summons an ethereal hunters spirit for ten seconds capable of holy damage then fades back to there rest. X 1 |
| Crusaders Stride ¨C cannot be knocked down or back consumes focus per second x 1 |
| Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter x 4 |
| Hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down x 1 |
| Word of Judgment ¨C 500 sonic damage 500 holy damage stuns target 5 seconds x 2 |
| Final Judgment ¨C 2500 points of holy damage x 1 |
| Ward of Faith and Flame ¨C surrounded by light and flame anything in 2 meters 35 holy and fire damage per second x 3 sec ¨C uses focus per sec |
| Purge mind ¨C cleans mind control x 3 |
| Purge soul ¨C removes demonic corruption possession x 3 |
| Cleanse Air - cleans tainted air x 2 |
| Cleanse soil ¨C cleans tainted ground x 2 |
| Cleanse water ¨C cleans corruption form water x 2 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 150 points Long ranger rank 3 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% + accuracy 60% |
| Vitality level 3 ¨C 4 x base hit points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 3 Vault Door – Chapter 36 – Wyvern Rider
There was fighting in the streets. Training determination skill plans it all went out the window in a frenetic melee. A group of knights backed by men at arms and militia pressed forwards against a solid wall of crusaders and clerics. Supported by vampire hunters with assorted weapons and monks with staves. The clash of weapons left no side with the upper hand and the group split apart assessing their stale mate.
Watching them were mercenary¡¯s bounty hunters and other professionals that served the merchants guild. They bided their time waiting for their moment to strike to fight to bleed. Ultimately the churches forces pushed the nobles back step by step. Blow by blow they had healing blessings and the few mages that the nobles could bring to the rear were low level, little more than apprentices and there healing was not impressive.
Finally, the noble¡¯s forces were pushed back over the chalk line. A whistle was blown, and a flag raised. That stage of the exercise was ended, the church forces moved back to their starting location. The merchant¡¯s guilds fighters moved over and took up the line. The mercenaries with their various abilities were tougher than the knights. This final round would be far harder to decide. Alice set about healing the wounded. Being bludgeoned over the head with a wooden practice sword could still hurt a lot and leave you with a nasty bruise despite the helmet.
David checked the groups were ready then blew the horn the last part of the training exercise began with their lighter armour and shields. The crusaders crossed the gap faster than the front line of mercenaries. Both were forbidden to use there more powerful attacks; they were just sparing not trying to kill each other.
The heavily armed clerics took more time to arrive but rapidly reinforced the church militants ranks. There various orders could be quite formidable when mobilised. The merchant guild had a few aces in the hole a few dirty tricks, a dozen smoke bombs went off and the bounty hunters appeared trying to flank the standard lines of engagement. There were already hunters and monks there filling in the gap a push backwards and forwards, it ended in a draw.
Alice set about more healing putting as many back together as was needed she had used less than a sixth of her reserves of mana when the training was over. David discussed the training with Alice, ¡°it¡¯s a good way for people to blow off steam¡±. Vivian looked over the mingling teams, ¡°a few more days, an accord will be struck, and the trade talks will be over¡±.
David grinned his voice light, ¡°was it a joke I heard about the duchess trying to invoke some ancient trial by combat to settle this¡±. She nodded, ¡°yes I am pretty sure that was a joke¡±. Alice wandered past, ¡°one of the scribe advocates ¡told me that rule was taken out of the legal books after some lord nominated his pet griffin as his champion¡±. David nodded, ¡°I can see why such a thing is frowned on. It¡¯s not really a test of who is right but who can hire the best fighter¡±. ¡°1000 years before that they made such matches to the yield not to the death¡±.
One of the Levi''s acting as a messenger ran up to them, ¡°please the deputy sheriff needs you there has been a sighting of wyvern¡±. Alice grabbed her staff and harried over. Martin finished splinting a woman''s fingers and headed over to join the group. David dropped his practice sword and got the real thing. Vivian put down the training bow and practice arrows, they ended in padded balls of cloth. Her real bow and quivers ready they headed out.
The deputy sheriff met them, his look was grave, ¡°we spotted it from the highest tower ten minutes ago. A black spined wyvern I are worried that it might be some sort of scout. Perhaps a thralled creature, a vanguard for a force yet to come¡±. ¡°There is not chance it is one of ours¡± Vivian asked. ¡°It is not the regular patrol we have sweeping through, the cost there are six snub winged wyverns on the judgement, they are a day¡¯s flight away their area a few others on the warships patrolling the coast we are fairly certain it¡¯s not ours¡±.
He paused thinking, ¡°We don''t know, it could even be a wild wyvern that has been pushed into the area, we need a sharpshooter to bring it down if that is the case. Controlled or wild, it could cause a lot of damage left to range around the area. If it sees the hint of a few other wyverns it could flee giving the intelligence to an enemy or making it a problem for another¡±.
¡°If it moves away, especially if it starts to target the smaller settlements it will be a nightmare to deal with. ¡°We tackled one a few months back that got all the way from grey forge to forge hold while wounded¡±. ¡°Vivian you are the best bet to take it down and you have the best chance of making a good clear identification. Also, Martin and Alice have some formidable ranged abilities. If you could bring it down David could easily hack it to pieces¡±.
The deputy sheriff grinned, ¡°I am sure that the forces of this city will rest easier knowing you¡¯re out there. Not in hear making them run laps around the cathedral¡±. David sneered ¡°ha ha¡± they left the city getting a coach with driver and a few mercenary guards. Investigate area where the wyvern was supposedly seen. They stopped finding a tree with several of its topmost branches torn off, Vivian checked her bow, ¡°that wyvern flew low hear, I wonder why perhaps it was injured¡±.
They stopped to look at a dark pool of liquid on the ground, ¡°blood look at this stuff, it must have caught itself on a tree¡±. The coach kept going two hundred yards down the road Vivian''s golem eye focused on something else. ¡°A torn bit of fabric blue and grey I wonder if this is a domesticated beast¡± Martin looked in detail, ¡°possible we think before we shoot¡±.
David shrugged ¡°that could be a scrap from something else, its lunch for as an example. But then I do want something to fight, there is only so much cheer I can drum up from practice battles¡±. Their coach moved on there was a gigantic bat far larger than any alpha they had ever seen before. It was coated in caustic burns its wings skin and bone burnt away obviously more was going on than they had originally thought. Martin nodded, ¡°Bats fighting a wyvern this should be good, giant bats only pick a fight with something big like that if they have a vampire guiding them¡±.
They approached a clearing, there had obviously been a fight in the clearing. Branches were broken small trees flattened even a few larger ones bent fractured and clawed. There was a ball of black spines scales and wings. It had been brought down by giant bats a few were scattered around it. The beast was unresponsive curled in circle around something possibly protecting it. The beast was quite beaten up a torn saddle and a tabard that matched the scrap of fabric could be see,
David looked around, ¡°what is going on where are the giant bats¡±? Vivian checked with her golem eye, ¡°all around us this is a trap¡±. Martin grinned, ¡°some wyvern rider was driven hounded by the bats close to the city then herded away. They were brought down to ground so that they would send someone out to investigate someone powerful¡±. Vivian shrugged, ¡°it¡¯s still daylight what can be out hear¡±? There were huge swarms of bats rising up from the forest around them something really hellishly large a vampire bat, not a literal vampire. But still a blood sucking monster almost as big as the wyvern appeared leading them.
The bat transformed its body seemed to warp and shift its animal features became humanoid. Its wings became more compact clawed hands formed it stood upright on two legs. Alice used every fibre of her being to keep herself in check, not to panic there and then. It looked demonic but the size was that of an overlord not a simple demon. Its face looked like Bismark its voice boomed, an artificial sound, ¡°you dared to survive you dared to flee you dared to resist the will of the Empress of shadows I will kill you now¡±.
¡°So, you can possess your creatures and warp them into a form you can use, a strong supreme skill¡±. Alice clapped the praise only seemed to enrage the vampiric monster. ¡°What do you think that you know of such matters? Martin looked at him, ¡°we have some of your story. We met one of the dyads you corrupted, another one of your supreme skills must allow you to corrupt natures guardians correct? ¡°...¡± The twisted mockery of warped flesh had enough expression to look surprised. Martin nodded, ¡°I will take that as a yes¡±.
David pointed his sword at Bismark, ¡°that bat creature must be enough for a breakthrough let me take it¡±. The vampire assumed that David was insane, ¡°you are arrogant enough to take me on alone, you will not be alone when you are sharing a grave with your friends¡±. Though he might have underestimated David''s level by a good 25 ranks.
Bismark used his ability ultimate possess creature to force the monstrous bat into an even stronger more vampiric form. The Man-bat form even grew hair and facial features to resemble Bismark in even greater detail. It dived up in the air to stop David chopping it off at the kneecaps. It had servants lots of bats, they were more like a storm than a swarm with their numbers mixed in with larger and more powerful matriarchs and alpha''s they attacked.
lots of bats, that flashed in Alice''s mind as she flinched and starts to breath irregularly. Immediately Vivian thought about getting more arrows she would run out soon, she needed to carry more.
David focused on his target it was a bad match up, the creature screeched hitting him with a low powered sonic attack, he had an enchantment that resisted most of the attack he laughed back at the confused enemy. It had thought him stunned and received a wound for its arrogance.
David used his ace, ¡°rallying command¡± the air around David seemed to shimmer as his body was boosted the rest of the party found themselves equally affected by his supreme skill. It would make their fight against the horde of bats more manageable, as they were boosted in defence attack durability.
Alice let herself go slinging fire balls in every direction at the massive swarms of bats. Vivian used her supreme skill to take out the largest giant bat matriarch she could see. The shot was not quite enough to kill it but as it hit the ground it landed on a rocky precipice; its back broke the creature began to bleed out no recovery possible.
The giant man-bat dive bombed David, he was quick enough to duck and dodge cutting the bat giving it a wound in response. The creature looked surprised as David''s mithril shield blocked its attacks its claws and talons. He threw a rock that seemed to stun David only when it closed in for the kill David had been faking it and cut a good way into the beast¡¯s right knee.
Martin used his pillar of fire blessing to tear through a swarm of attacking bats. The larger ones sacrificed the smaller to cover their retreat. However, Vivian could use this to put a solid adamantine arrow head into a choice target. She didn''t have enough arrows to kill the lot but every alpha and matriarch that fell reduced the cohesion and coordination of the swarm. The fire balls from Alice''s hands kept flying fear anger shame at being afraid. She kept throwing fire hot enough to incinerate every bat she could see.
Martin used his hand of judgement blessing to knock an alpha giant bat out of the sky. As it crash landed to the ground, he ran up to it and stabbed it right through the neck. Empowering his strikes with adrenalin and the divine retribution blessing.
David had a bad match up against such a creature it was airborne, it had a long reach many advantages against him. But he could resist its attacks a sort of stale mate formed as nether could quickly overcome the other. Its sonic attack did little and the vampire controlling it remotely had been arrogant enough to presume otherwise.
In the background Martin used a thermite grenade on a small cloud of bats. The burning light was enough to make the man-bat distracted for a second. David charged in with his shield hammering the beast prone for a second. He had a vial of holy water in his hand smashing it into the creature¡¯s head burning away its flesh the possessed bat was far less durable and just as susceptible to holy water as the puppeteer controlling its body. He got a nasty wound in response but whatever link was controlling the bats was frayed from the holy dousing. He swallowed one of his healing potions and got back up.
Alice ran out of mana, she had burned through her reserves in less than a minute, she hit her timer and activated her supreme spell. Her body was filled with limitless power her emotions rose up in response. A faint pinkish grey aura surrounded her. She began to hurl fire balls with frenetic speed she had only got five minutes to eliminate the countless swarm, before she ran out of mana again.
Martin was trying to pace the use of his area of effect abilities, so he still had some way to fight the swarms. He used ¡°pillar of ice¡± to flash freeze another swarm of bats. Vivian put one of her mithril arrows into the wing of an alpha giant bat it crashed to the ground rolling around in agony it crushed more of its companions with its enraged flailing that Vivian could ever hope to hit with her quiver of arrows. David had managed to badly wound the man-bats right arm I was missing two fingers and the elbow joint was stiff, bleeding from a cut the arrogant sneer was gone from its approximation of Bismark''s face, just an air of concentration.
Alice continued unabated her fire balls blasting around her, she kept recasting a few protective spells. At one point a matriarch tried to charge her she switched to her mana lance spell cut it in half with a casual wave of her hand. About a ton of cauterized flesh hit the ground either side of Alice as she then set about flinging more fire balls at the bats, it was far less terrifying when there was a nice layer of mage armour and a shield spell between her and the bats. When they were dead at her feet then she could stop.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
David kept his shield up occasionally batting a creature away that got between him and his main objective. The man bat crunched into his shield again. There was a grove three feet long cut into the ground where David braced his shield and was pushed back. Out of momentum the man-bat tried to launch itself back it the air. It was not quite quick enough as David''s retaliatory strike sliced a chunk out of its flesh. He guarded himself with his shield and even used it to hide the swing of his blade.
An alpha bat attacked Martin shattering a minor defensive blessing. He hit it with a ¡°pillar of salt¡± blessing that only turned so much of it into grit. The beast not quite dead, he hit it with the hand of Tesla. shooting a lightning bolt into it its open maw he cooked it from the inside out, it coughed up more salt and fell into the dirt.
Vivian was down to her regular iron arrows the bats acted as a screen, but the larger intelligent directing creatures could be seen through the vast swarm every so often. It took a few of the regular iron arrows to take down these foes. A shot to the wing to knock them off course a shot to the chest to knock the air out of them to send them spiralling down and when she could get a clear shot a head shot right between the eyes or right through the neck to finish them off.
For a moment Martin disappeared under the swarm of bats as they covered him in a layer three bodies deep. He used his ¡°holy aura¡± as they swarmed him with their numbers, the bats flesh smoked, and they cried out dropping away in pain he brushed them off like a man brushing snow from his jacket.
Out of arrows Vivian was reduced to swinging her mace about battering the bats out of the air one by one. She was already buried in bats up to her knees and the tide was rising. Some kept trying to fight even when half crushed or bleeding out. Every swing hit one or two they were just that tightly packed just two close to her. She drew her dagger in her left hand a secondary weapon the fancy enchanted weapon saw little use, but she was reduced to fighting hand to bat now. An alpha bat tried to land on her, she dived to the right her mace crushing its wing her dagger hollowing out its eye socket the beast tried to get air born again.
Vivian griped it tight around the chest one hand plunging the dagger in, she used all her strength and felt ribs and bone split and crack the beast fought desperately as she griped tighter crushing the life out of it. Crushing one more opponent it screamed in pain and fear crying out to the swarm to help it as its own blood filled its mouth. It collapsed as its spine was finally snapped. She turned and started to batter away at the rest of the flock.
The man bat being remotely controlled by Bismark tried to scoop David up into the air to drop him to his death. David had done the unexpected and tackled the man bat as it dived at him. David clung to the giant bat and stabbed away for all he was worth. He could have tried cutting into the wings, but he didn''t want to fall to his death just yet. As impressive as the beast was it could not hold up its own weight. The weight of all of David''s armour and the blood loss it was suffering from. The beast ended up in what was meant to be a manoeuvre to spin David away but was more like a corkscrew of a crash, with David landing mostly onto of the beast.
Alice found her spells almost ended the timer went off she cast her healing aura on herself and added as many protective barrier as she could. The supreme spell wore off Alice was hit with an injury like taking a knife to the gut. She doubled over, empty confused it was like the energy was gone from every cell in her body, there one moment evaporated the next.
One moment she was an eagle soaring above the clouds, the next she was falling into the depths of ocean the water rising up ready to choke her. She was still surrounded by bats. She had a shield spell bonus vitality and mage armour active. She also had a curved dagger in her hand and no desire to be swarmed by bats, she crawled to her staff it was still charged. She could tap into that mana. Her fingers griped the staff and she greedily sucked it dry of magic. Her head cleared a little as the mana fatigue abated. She was back in business again if briefly. She could hit the few remaining pockets of bats with her poison cloud spell, that would clear them up.
David set about reducing his opponents¡¯ capabilities, first to remove its ability to fly. He hacked and sliced at its wing membrane until he hit the joint and cracked the bone. The limb went half limp and the creature was not getting away again.
Martin pulled himself out from under a pile of bats using his divine favour blessing again and again he would able to keep fighting on his wounds partially healed. Alice was sure that she needed a bit of mana as a contingency she picked up her mages staff and began to swing it like a club. There was a certain grin plastered over her face under her mask at the crunch of each bat it struck.
The man bat established a death grip on David''s shield trying to pull it away to twist. David brought his blade down cutting into the wrist then removing the hand with a spurt of blood. David charged into the man-bat knocking it prone with his shield his blade hit it in the knee once twice it howled in pain a third time and the limb was severed. It could not fly it could not grapple and it could not run it looked at David as if he was a small beetle, its warped features able to convey Bismark''s distain.
Martin finished off the last of the alpha giant bats with four barrels from his pistol into its face. Bismark distracted the remaining few hundred bats scattered into the wilderness.
The creature twisted and scowled looking for any opening David had taken a pulverizing under his armour, but he was still standing and Bismark''s avatar was not. The mage was out of spells the archer out of arrows, the dam vampire hunter had picked the minions not the monster. He hissed in frustration, ¡°not possible for a human to defeat me even in this form...fu¡± David cut him off mid curse.
hundreds of miles away Bismark awoke from his trance enraged. He had gone to the effort and expense of summoning a massive swarm of giant bats, draining his own lands and calling in several favours. The two days perpetration to create the vampire creature he would use as a puppet. The blood mana and time wasted he was enraged; the humans might well finish their alliance with the elves. The trade would flow the enemy would grow stronger and he was to have been the one to crush it in the bud before it could flower.
The level up hit their eyes glowed as they gained even greater strength, Vivian reached the 5th level of her man at arms job, her crippling shot was improved to level 5. Martin in a similar fashion reached level 15 of his crusader job reaching level 5 of his cleaving strike skill. Alice had not gotten through the 100 barrier, so she was still waiting. The next powerful opponent that they faced would be hers.
David was ecstatic he had beaten Bismark. Admittedly it was possessing a giant bat not Bismark directly. But it was still a victory by the scruff of his teeth. And more importantly he had broken through. He was sure of it he wouldn''t be the last one this time. He had stepped up to join Vivian and Martin, Alice would have to be the last one of the group for a change.
David felt his mind blown, the little candle inside him. That flicker of life, it was like someone just threw a scoop of coal on it, could a soul grow? His essence shifted Vivian had already been through this had told him of it. A special action has been performed a feat of marshal strength has been achieved. You have defeated a worthy opponent; your level limit has been raised to 600.
He was now a man at arms, a level two man at arms. That beast was less impressive than the golem Vivian had slain. She had gained another level on him. He concentrated and unlocked the parry skill two ranks of it, the extra dexterity was useful, he was growing in strength.
Alice took the opportunity to heal David and Vivian, Vivian plucked up a hand full of arrows, so she was ready. Martin had a pistol in his hand they were prepared for any new surprises. David Martin and Vivian pulled the unconscious wyvern away from whatever they were protecting. There was a rider a woman in a mix of red leather and mithril chain-mail armour. Martin found a pulse, ¡°divine favour¡± Martin activated the healing blessing and the rider started to stir. They propped her up and wrapped her black cloak around her, she started to breath less erratically her eyes were trying to open.
The cartridge slowly approached but stayed back, Martin hesitantly checked her mount he knew a little about humans. The only thing he knew about wyvern''s was which bits could sell for a silver or two, not how to heal them properly. There was a slow erratic heartbeat, as far as he could tell. The wyvern had taken a hell of a lot of punishment. While he was looking at the beast the rider had regained some degree of consciousness. ¡°snuffles is she ok¡±?
The woman''s eyes were open, but she was not looking good. Martin assumed she might have been infected with something being bitten by a bat ¡°purify, divine favour¡± the rider looked a little better her flesh was healed though her mind still seemed stressed. The mental fatigue of a battle could not be repaired so easily.
Martin held his holy symbol to the mounts head it was almost definitely infected after brawling with so many giant thrall bats ¡°purify¡±. He gave her his considered opinion, ¡°your mount is alive, I am not a veterinarian or a tamer I am unsure how to heal it. Who are you and what happened¡±?
¡°My name is lady Nichol Kamen I am a wyvern rider from grey forge, I was investigating a strange movement I saw. When I realised it was a swarm of bats I tried to get away. We fought killed a lot of them, snuffles ran out of acid and she went down under the weight of numbers, who are you¡±?
¡°Martin Alice Vivian and David, for the moment garrison troops stationed at North port. We are agents of the bishop Alexius from Good forge¡±. ¡°You must have been powerful to survive that giant swarm¡±. She looked about, ¡°Good god you must have destroyed most of it, how did you¡±? ¡°We are all exalted masters with the strength that implies, how did you come hear¡±? ¡°I am a message I run post to settlements faster than the coaches and scouts for the duration of the trade talks, I was sent to look into some strange occurrence¡±.
Vivian questioned her, ¡°What particular strange occurrence? we have seen a lot from new archanist designs to a skeleton dragon in the last month or so¡±. ¡°I can¡¯t really divulge my mission¡±. ¡°Who are you going to see¡±? ¡°The duchess of the docks there is a matter I need to check up on¡±. ¡°We have had the pleasure of being thrown out of her residence¡± David said wryly. Vivian glared at him.
Alice held her hand out towards the wyvern rider a small look of understanding crept across her face. ¡°I am a mage with a keen sense of ¡analysing magic. I can read something on you, the other half of a spell I have felt before¡±. ¡°I don''t know what you mean¡±? ¡°We found a key in the possession of a lich and a few others, there is a signal from the key a failsafe you have come to investigate correct¡±. She nodded bemused, ¡°the royal faction has certain safeguards in place, we know what''s under the duchess residents, with vault protection we cannot discuss the details¡±.
Martin looked at the wyvern, ¡°if you can show us what to do, we can help your mount¡±. They had gotten what they could from her. it was time to send her on her way as best they could. She got David to force the sleeping wyvern''s mouth open and she poured some concoction down the beast¡¯s throat and it seemed to be a little better. She showed Martin what needed to be done and he stitched the wyvern up with a leather working needle and saddlers¡¯ sinew.
Alice healed the beast a few times, it started to wake up as its wounds started to close up. Lady Kamen gestured to the rest of the group to back away. Her mount shook itself awake it stretched over making a worried hissing sound. She reached out and it licked her on the side of the face, she griped its head making cooing noises. She scratched the beast behind the ears along the neck. Martin had an idea he used his ¡°Purify blessing on a giant bat alpha¡± and dragged it over to the beast.
The wyvern sniffed the offering then trucked in eating away it let out a loud burp when it was finished then licked Martin in thanks. He used a few of his divine favour blessings to heal the beast a little more then the rider mounted snuffles after adjusting the saddle. She nodded to the group, ¡°thank you¡± the wyvern ran forward and leapt in the air. She shifted and pulled her body weight a tap from her leg and the wyvern turned riding off towards North port, she would have to show a flag of recognition or be shot down then and there.
They looked around the remains of the clearing. Martin sighed ¡°bat disposal duty¡±. Vivian looked over to David, ¡°help me find my arrows¡±. Alice gathered up a pile of branches and Martin set them on fire with his tinder. Alice threw a handful of the smaller bats onto the blaze. She looked at the massive numbers. ¡°this is going to take us all day¡±. ¡°Yes, quite probably the rest of it¡± David spoke.
Martin started to drag an alpha bat over to the blaze, he looked at the head it would be a good trophy from there fight. David grinned, ¡°Martin you have your own sword now you can ruin the edge on it beheading giant bats¡±. He turned to his colleague, ¡°Vivian can I have the axe from your pack¡±. She reached back for her pack, ¡°its why I keep lugging it about rather than bring extra arrows¡±.
Vivian gathered most of her arrows up one or two would need to be replaced but nothing that expensive. She looked at the coach guards, ¡°you two help us get rid of this lot, we don''t want to be fighting these again tonight as zombies¡±. They continued to work Martin purified a pile of the severed heads they were loaded onto the coach and the driver and one guard headed to North port, to get more hands and more carts.
They continued to work. David held out a hand , ¡°that fire is burning hot still a lot to go¡± Martin looked at the pile of heads including the man bat, whatever you wanted to call that thing Bismark had twisted the creature into, Vivian nodded ¡°we will need the cart along with the coach to transport all the heads¡±.
The coach and the cart picked up the rest of the head¡¯s militia volunteers helped to clear the bodies. Priests purified the land and the people who had been handling the monsters. The group was left to wait it out for a final pick up with the pyres of dead bats slowly burning away.
The work over they drank and ate salted provisions left by the coach. David was exhausted, ¡°well I can see why no one usually survives long enough to become an ascendant¡±. Vivian voiced similar concerns, ¡°do you think Bismark realised that we are trying to all breakthrough and keep growing in power¡±?
Alice sounded reserved calm, ¡°with the use of supreme skills and artefacts I don''t think he has an exact gauge of our strength, other than we are better equipped than the last time he fought against us¡±. Martin sounded hesitant, ¡°we have made progress but that was only a small manifestation of his complete power. It was just what he could move fast to try and disrupt this city¡±.
Vivian was more optimistic, ¡°I think that he had the seed of doubt planted in his mind, you saw the look on his face when he failed not anger not pain, it was surprise¡±. Martin finished off his drink, ¡°for hundreds, thousands of years he has only feared another vampire or an army on his doorstep¡±. David felt a glimmer of revenge, ¡°could we take him like lexicon, set up the bomb from the ship. use the holy balm the bishop gave us dump all our supreme skills on him¡±? Martin gritted his teeth, ¡°he still has two aces in the hole we don''t know about. Best we keep an eye out we keep being cautious, now is not the time to rush in¡±.
David took a large bit of smoked meat, ¡°I hate to say it, but the duchess is right. The vampires are not finished¡± Vivian gestured to the nearest pyre, ¡°they only have what they can move quickly¡±. Alice shook at the thought, but her voice was strong angry, ¡°we didn''t get every single blasted fucking bat mores the pity, but their numbers are reduced to the point that they are irrelevant the militia and a dozen Levi''s could handle the stragglers¡±. Martin looked thoughtful, ¡°bats are not the only creature with wings¡±.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 3 Vault Door – Chapter 37 – The Monk
When they had gotten back to North port, they found that the deputy sheriff had put the giant bats heads on spikes. They were mounted near the gate house by the side of the road and on the walls. They looked eerie twisted as they had in life, but it was still a fitting end the servants of the vampires, left outside the walls their entry barred, the line drawn and held against them.
A casual chat with the deputy sheriff revealed that the wyvern was sleeping away peacefully in the duchess stable. It was a good thing that North port had a large harvest of fish to feed such a beast. Other parts of the northern realm people had to go hungry to provide for such beasts. The nobles would own them the people would feed them, yet they could well prove their worth in the defence of one settlement or another.
The rider Lady Kamen was resting in one of the rooms that they had been thrown out of. After David''s little outburst they were denied that luxury. Unless they definitively took the duchess side, a large comfortable bed was not quite worth the bishop¡¯s displeasure. At least there was a large purse for destroying that number of thrall bats around 400 silver was calculated when it was all tallied. Bismark would not try that again the thrall bats were quite useless against Alice''s supreme spell.
David had one thing to console himself with against losing their comfortable accommodation, today he could pick up his mithril armour. Today he was going to get quite an upgrade. The shine from the armour stand made him grin. The radiance of mithril was certainly a great selling point against the relatively dull grey armour he wore, but 3000 silver was a massive expense.
David was assured by the craftsman that the armour would have a rating of around 600 total in terms of its defensive attribute. He had no way to test that claim but mithril was far more durable than Damascus steel. He looked over the inside of the armour checking the new work. The reinforcement with octium banding not only made the mithril stronger but it conducted magic away effectively giving him a low level 30-point magical resistance.
Martin confirmed that the workmanship was sound, but it was far across the limit of Martins knowledge of metallurgy. He could only compare it to the working of high-end steel. Alice used her analyse magic ability to confirm across the set of armour, it would hold up to magical effects that would otherwise be quite effective against him.
Alice proved her worth in silver looking over the enchanting, a mage with her ability was exceedingly rare. The greaves each had 30 points of fire resistance between them totalling 60 points. A stray fire ball or fire bite spell was far less likely to cook him in his armour. He had to admit part of his fear of fighting the giant man-bat was a well-meaning fireball from Alice going astray. Akin to batting a fly that lands on a friend¡¯s shoulder with a swing from a war-hammer.
The spells embedded in the mithril added more health to David''s body not just for a short time like Alice''s spells could. It was a constant effect enchantment adding 40 points allowing him to weather a few more blows to keep going that little bit longer. Alice checked through the other enchantments piece by piece. 10 points of endurance enchanted with both pauldrons giving him a much better sprint in the heavy plate.
Ten points of agility with the pair of boots. Well the plate that fitted over his boots, it made him sure footed easily able to compensate for the weight of the armour. The helmet added to his wisdom and intelligence when he put it on it seemed to be easier to adjust to think. He wondered how many lords¡¯ merchants and nobles sat there with such enchantments out thinking and out manoeuvring those that could not afford them.
The gauntlets made an elegant pair the left sure grip, he would never lose his shield. He had something similar on the handle of his blade. And a leather loop as a backup. The right gauntlet true strike. The chance of a blow being deflected or parried was reduced but not eliminated, magic was a helping hand not his main weapon.
The armour took a polish very well, it was mithril sometimes called the starlight metal. It was made in an older style a little more decoration than function with fluting and embossing that would not be seen on more modern utilitarian armour. Century by century armour had been made less ostentatious more functional. But high-end armour like this lasted a long time. Most of the octium and adamantium armour still about was from before three centuries, from before the vampires rise to power and providence.
The armour was fitted on David piece by piece, straps adjusted the position and pin moved here and there. Then it was time for the next piece and so on, until he was covered. He moved about a few other adjustments were made and then they held up the mirror.
The plates had been made to overlap to offer protection from one piece to the next, every strap joint and hinge protected by another plate. With his layers of chain mail his padded spider silk gambeson and his massive tower shield he looked like a walking shining fortress. One not paying attention could almost mistake him for a high-end golem with his helmet down. He jogged up and down the armoury workshop. Up and down the stairs ladders the courtyard outside. He was not exhausted despite the extra weight, the extra enchantments seemed to have made up for it.
He duelled Martin and Vivian sword and mace in a practice match before in his Damascus plate he had felt confident. Now in this armour he felt even more so his strength had grown his confidence had grown. He was still equipped more like a grand master than an exalted master, but time and bounties would earn him the favours he needed to raise his equipment and his game to the highest levels. He could appreciate the psychological benefit from the armour people would look at him see the mithril and realise what they were facing. He was a much harder nut to crack and he knew it, he was not so stupid to pick a fight with Bismark. But he would see his revenge one step closer to fruition.
With a little reluctance David surrendered his old armour to the deal. He had no place to store it, there room and board was quite tight now. It was not like he could pass it onto Vivian. The bulk of the armour was not designed for an archer or her different build. Finding something suited to her abilities as an archer would be easier than adapting his old armour. That would be one thing to tackle in the future.
The Merchants guild was glad to get paid the balance of their commission. The local master hunter Francis had held their funds in trust. At that moment he handed the considerable sum over. David signed off on his contract. The merchants signed their side stating the contract fulfilled and a copy was placed in the guild records. Francis had been entrusted to hold onto the funds a man of good standing. He saw such deals pass through with one hunter or a crusader commissioning some weapon or armour to combat a specific adversary. ¡°Some I have known didn''t last long enough to pick up that which they had commissioned, I wish you good hunting¡±. Martin took the opportunity to stock up on gunpowder components mithril bullets and thermite.
David began to think clearly his enchantments helping him to use what he knew. While he had a lot of armour there were still gaps that a very resourceful opponent could penetrate. Admittedly they would then have to penetrate two more layers of defence to reach his flesh, but anything was possible. His steel could be upgraded to a mithril chain mail. His padded armour could not really be upgraded for something better. But he could have it enchanted, after all it was a strong material. Alice''s enchanted robes were made from the same stuff and they had several useful enchantments on them.
That reminded him he would be in a better position if he kept himself stocked up. The battle with the giant vampire man bat had used up a healing potion and some holy water. He should replace both to keep himself as prepared as he could be. A brief trip to the cathedral a donation to a worthy cause and he had his holy water. A few silver to save a life and he had his healing potion. Nowhere near as effective as Martins blessings or Alice''s healing spells, it still had the marvellous ability of working when neater of them were anywhere about.
David did get looks from many an admirer or bored sailor. He was not as interesting as the elves and the odd dwarves that made it this far. He was still extremely shiny and walked with all the panache of a general on parade. Mithril was rare only masters and grandmasters usually had mithril equipment and he had a full set, his companions were not exactly hard to miss as well.
The trade talks were due to complete any day now. That would mean that the security would finally dissipate, and the world could move on. They would get new assignments and the chance to keep improving their equipment to the heights of true exalted masters. David''s dreams of wealth and glory were interrupted as a militia volunteer with a message, she pulled them over to meet the Captain of the docks.
David was up front, ¡°You needed us for something urgently¡±? ¡°Yes, we think it¡¯s a gang that escaped the duchess purge¡±. ¡°They can¡¯t be a challenge¡±. The most challenge he has had today was to try and show off his mithril armour to as many as possible. ¡°Yes, something going on in an old boat house that used to be an apothecary lab¡±. ¡°I don''t see the hidden hand returning after what we did to them¡±. ¡°Perhaps some associates came back to find a stash of drugs or equipment¡±. They headed out to the site near the boat house, there was a trail of blood a few specks of golden hair and a few grey white feathers.
Vivian looked about something large had been dragged, ¡°stay back unless it¡¯s some of them trying to escape¡±. The guards surrounded the boat house. Alice layered on defensive spells then blasted one door open with her kinetic strike spell. Martin added a few defensive blessings and followed the impatient David into the large storeroom. Someone had dug up the floor looking for something they had not found anything.
There was one section of the wall that was hollow perhaps previously a stash for some drug or coin, it was empty now broken open. There were nine people in hooded cloaks in the room one was very tall half of them were continuing to dig while the other five were looking over a map of some sort checking the orientation. There was some large creature dragged and deposited in a corner with a second bundle of grey cloth next to it. Vivian shouted from the back, ¡°Surrender from whatever you¡¯re doing, you¡¯re not the hidden hand you don''t need to die¡±.
There was a deep base voice from a man that dwarfed the rest. He threw back his cloak and dropped it to the floor. His companions did the same he held mace and axe ready to strike, ¡°Those two told me to surrender look what we did to them. The hand is gone we are taking over now¡±. Martin stepped closer, ¡°your Hellions are you not¡±?
¡°How the fuck do you know, yes we joined them a little while ago after they found a nice little opportunity for us hear¡±. They had found a more aggressive Hellion gang, or should that be group they were scavengers picking over the remains of the hidden hand¡¯s operations, looking for scraps, some old associate had probably sold the Hellions that map.
Their leader was an arrogant man, the stains of red and blue around his nostrils indicated a dust head, a head that was empty filled with delusions of power and dreams of success. They face a man who had amassed the briefest of strength. He was over seven feet tall probably the result of the consumption of several growth potions.
It made him strong and tough but also clumsy. He wore steel and iron armour, but his arms were bare chitinous plates covering his forearms with claws holding steel weapon at the ready. The cape he had discarded was lined with silk. There was a collection of daggers around his waist.
There were eight more Hellions with him, two that stood near the back had bows one long one short. They had perception enhancements in the form of new eyes or eyes enhanced with some beast¡¯s ability''s, one red eyes another purple. Two other Hellions were armed with steel javelins one arm there throwing arm highly developed dwarfing the other limb. Perhaps some sort of enhancement just to that limb. There were two heavy fighters one with bone plate armour the second with scales, they had wooden shields and maces. With the other two front line fighters one looked serpentine with fingers ending in poisonous fang like blades and the last sporting two extra golem arms with four daggers.
The leader put one mace down he took a big inhale of red sand, his voice exuded an arrogance so strong it was almost palpable. Like a strong rot that''s odour claimed an area through its pungent stench. A sugary vapour circulating throughout the air the smell of his drug of choice. He marched up to Martin ¡°you know who I am, you know who I fucking am¡±? ¡°Pillar of fire, no and I don''t care¡±. The fool had inadvertently taken on an opponent he could not hope to match. Now he was reduced to a pile of burnt and charred remains. There was a split second when the rest of them could have survived. When they didn''t necessarily have to share their leaders¡¯ fate.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
One fool threw a javelin at David and the rest of the party swung into action. Alice wiped out the two heavily armoured opponents with her mana lance spell. They didn''t last a second against it despite all their impressive looking armour. Vivian targeted and put down the two archers at the back with barely a flinch of her eye and a rapid flick of her fingers an enchanted mithril arrow shot thought the eye of both opponent archers. One didn''t draw the second had enough presence to send an arrow landing at Martins feet before they collapsed from there wound.
David closed in on the two with javelins his shield hit the first hard enough to crush bone and kill them out right. The second turned to run and was cut down. The two close fighters tried to get Martin. The one with poisonous talons was a bad choice as he was quite immune, and he slew them with a single cut. The second managed to block a few strikes before his buckler crashed into their face and his steel sword cut their neck halfway from there head.
the level up hit the group. the fools and their lives had been rapidly parted. The meagre gains were reaped by everyone apart from Alice, she still had to find a worthy opponent to break through.
David reached level 3 with his parry skill and his man at arms level. Vivian hit level 6 of her new job while her crippling shot reached the same level. Martin reached level 16 his cleaving strike skill now at level 6. They were ready and able to handle much tougher opponents if the vampires had one last roll of the dice.
Vivian scooped up a piece of paper. They gathered round, ¡°look at this, the idiots believed that there was a hidden stash hear in this place¡±. David ran his hand over the parchment, ¡°The map must be decades old the hidden hand would not leave stuff lying about for that amount of time right¡±. His encounter with a fake treasure map had made him a bit wearier or he could have been running off on a similar fool¡¯s errand. Alice eyed it up, ¡°It was probably genuine at some point, but if they did have a stash one of their associates would have raided it, not just sold the map to someone else¡±. They nodded in agreement that makes sense, whoever had sold them the map was probably long gone.
Vivian called in their back up, ¡°captain¡±. A few moments later he walked in flanked by a couple of guards. He looked around at the casual carnage, ¡°yes what happened to them¡±? Vivian held out the paper, she gave a short sharp look at Martin, he had stepped over the line of professionalism as far as she was concerned, but she would tell him to cool off later. Now she explained away the mess, ¡°they were a bunch of drugged up thugs. They tried to attack us. They were fucking stupid; I mean look David''s in full mithril plate¡±.
The guard captain nodded, ¡°perhaps we should record a verdict of suicide considering¡±. Vivian passed him the paper, ¡°they seem to have a map for a stash, see if you find anything this maps probably old¡±. The guard captain rolled the Hellion leader over, ¡°Big guy is this the gang leader¡±. She nodded, ¡°Even with the size and the augmentations I can¡¯t guarantee I can identify him. I think you might miss out on any reward if one was posted but I will try to see¡±.
David glared at Martin from behind and tutted, Martin turned and nodded ¡°fair point¡±. He turned back to the guard captain, ¡°try to get their likeness get the deputy sheriff to check the records, then take there remains to the cathedral, not likely but you don''t want him running around as a zombie¡±.
Martin examined the bundle of bloodied cloth fur and feathers. There was a man in a monk¡¯s brown robes. They were torn and he was beaten badly, he seemed to have suffered a significant blow to the back of his head. The bundle of fur and feathers appeared to be still alive poisoned into immobility and badly wounded.
The creature was a demi griffin a creature created before the full griffin, an experiment that went along the right lines. They were half lion half eagle with a feathery head and front claws with a lions back. They made very good mounts, creatures created to be steeds long before wyvern''s and other such beasts were successfully bred.
The beast seemed stable, so they set to work on his rider first. Martin checked the man over for wounds nothing seemed to be broken he stitched a few of the worst cuts closed pulling a few fragments out of a wound. Martin held out his holy symbol ¡°divine favour, purify divine favour¡± Alice cast her cure poison spell on him, it was better to be sure. The monk opened his eyes his hands went to his side. Strapped to him was his holy symbol and a leather pouch. The leather pouch looked like someone had tried to open it, but there was some sort of reinforcing blessing that held it shut.
He breathed a sigh of relief, ¡°My name is brother Percy, I thank you for your timely intervention coming to my aid these foot pads ambushed me, while I challenged one. They were fast though obviously no match for you who are my new friends¡¯ names¡±. ¡°My names Martin this is Alice David and Vivian, we are the four masters what happened¡±. ¡°I am part of the security patrol to the east of the harbour city. My mount fell into a poisoned snare trap, when I got down to help. I was distracted then I was attacked. My order are agents of the church working for an emissary of the patriarch, we have been patrolling the area it has been too quiet.
¡°Please attend to my mount¡± Alice nodded ready to use her healing spells; Martin made a few checks over the monk¡¯s demi-griffin mount. He pulled a few crude spines from it side they were laced with some spoiled alchemical brew. He stitched up a wound on the side and pulled a chunk of what looked like stone out of the beast¡¯s paw. Alice used her healing spells on the creature twice its wounds mostly closed. Its body up from its left leg and neck seemed to have been straightened out by the spell. The beast had been roughly dragged to this location, perhaps they had intended to ransom it or sell it on the black market, a powerful mount could be quite an asset.
The monk was given a few rations by one of the city guards, ¡°I heard a rumour about a group of veterans that matched your description working in the far north near vine garden. You have more equipment and more wounds, so I assume those tales were from some time ago¡±. Vivian wondered, ¡°how did you hear about us¡±?
¡°Three months ago, a group from my order the blessed riders were sent to this area, we have been monitoring the roads ever since. We picked up a few thralls a few constructs but not much from this direction¡±.
Vivian was mildly curious, ¡°What does your order do otherwise¡±? ¡°We are tamers and monks we keep our mounts our companions, we try to keep a balance between the holy and the natural¡±. ¡°when not fighting we try to keep the welfare of the country animals few help them, a healthy donkey or plough horse can be the difference between a family surviving or starving¡±.
¡°We actually cover quite a large area demi griffs can move very fast even if they eat a lot. But going back to your question how I knew about you. I met an interesting fellow, A pilgrim on the way to the farthest point of our patrol. His name was John Dunn he had just come from the second shrine of the seven points pilgrimage. He was heading to the third shrine at Minska, with this cold weather he is incredibly lucky to be making the pilgrimage on his own and still be alive¡±.
David nodded, ¡°I shared a drink with him over two months ago, it¡¯s amazing how time marches on. It¡¯s good to hear he is still going strong. He is insane to walk the roads like that, yet I suppose most things would not bother to notice one pilgrim on the road¡±. Percy nodded, ¡°A fair point a large beast like my thunder beak draws much more attention, John spoke of the heroes of broken gorge. How they killed the great wolf of the forest, and its mate and all its pack¡±. David grinned ¡°one day we might end up in the central plains, only to find he got there first¡±.
Martin used his healing blessing divine favour and purify a few times on thunder beak. Its last wounds healed anything else forced form its system the beast rose up to stand. It nuzzled and chirped in a way you would expect from a much smaller bird to the monk, its tail shot up in the air waving about. One of the guards passed a few of the dead gang¡¯s rations to the beast which squawked in appreciation and devoured them in two large gulps. Then it tried to beg for more, it made a sad little mewing noise when it realised that there was no more to come.
It affectionately nuzzled Martin in thanks, he petted it back barely taking note of its massive beak. It was a sizeable beast but not that strong for a demi griffin yet. Considering the way, it had been taken out in such a swift ambush, Martin book of monsters indicated that such creatures should have prenominal strength agility and endurance. Martin started to scratch the beast it rolled over as he rubbed its belly, the demi griffin started to make affectionate noses halfway between a cat and a horn.
The monk made a series of gesture and the pouch around his waist popped open. He reached inside and removed a reliquary of some sort. It had an inherent blessing inside the consecrated object. The monk found a small space prayed then picked up the reliquary he concentrated whispered a few lines of prayer and the blessing of projection sprang to life, the faint image of presumably the abbot of his order appeared.
¡°Brother Percy it gladdens my heart to see you, you were due to report yesterday is something wrong¡±, ¡°Abbot Denix I was ambushed by brigands, thankfully they have been dealt with by North ports garrison forces. My mount and I have been healed¡±. ¡°Is there anything else to report¡±? ¡°No nothing, actually I would report that we usually see some sign that the enemy is watching us, a thrall bat or two the shade of a wolf but now nothing they are too quiet¡±.
The projection of the abbot nodded, ¡°yes I have had similar reports return to your duty''s¡±. The abbot ended the conversation. The monk got up. He looked around the room then picked up a discarded javelin from one of the gang members, ¡°I lost my iron oak staff, it¡¯s probably back on the road, I will have to look for it where I was ambushed then continue on¡±. They wished him well on his patrols, the monk headed off on his mount. The rest of them headed back to North port the excitement over.
David shrugged, ¡°It¡¯s good that we have someone patrolling the roads¡±. Vivian wondered, ¡°he seems a bit green easily taken out by those Hellions¡±. Martin would support his own faithful, ¡°they relied on a sneak attack in a head on fight a demi griff could have torn them apart. Heck even at low level that monk can channel ki to empower his strikes immensely. I am sure that his order train both up equally¡±. ¡°Perhaps they should cover a smaller area but double up¡± Vivian ventured. Martin wondered, ¡°if we ever end up in charge then we can set the orders¡±.
Back in town they got on with what they could some practice drilling the local militia and levies. Even with their relatively weak round shields the militia could form a scale box formation that was effective. Getting into formation quickly that was the key. When used correctly it would protect against both attacks from the front above and the sides, they were pressed in as tight as they could go but it would protect them from a charge or arrows.
If they ever had to face a larger creature then pikes would be the order of the day. Several sets were brought out from the city guard. The militia practised against a mock-up of a large beast. Made from stacked bales of hay on the back of a cart. They would be able to at least inflict heavy wounds on a siege beast, if they could fight it in the tight confines of a street.
The levies although the most basic of troops were still quite effective in their sheer numbers. Every citizen capable of picking up a stick to swing. Also, with their slings they could be quite devastating in ranks. Firing over a wall at attackers or smaller creatures such as giant bats or giant rats. They set up a wall and series of targets the Levi were quite good, when they had enough room to swing the slings otherwise the results were mixed.
For a bit of practice Vivian even convinced lady Kamen to use her wyvern to pull a target on a rope. The majestic wyvern had the rope in its claws with a round circle of wood trailing round behind it. Vivian was able to hit it eight times out of ten. One shot landing in a gutter she was not going to recover the second disappearing off into a field. They checked to make sure that the area was clear the fields harvested and now barren before she set about her practice.
Vivian was confident that in such a fight against a wyvern or small dragon, she could take down such a beast. The siege engine crews on the walls had similar practice with blunt bolts against wyvern riders with similar targets. Some food some drink and they returned to their room to find a surprise.
The door had a note wedged under it. Simply the number of another room. That room was open a single robed figure waited for them sitting on the bottom of a bunk bed. The individual was deliberately chosen small thin unassuming, non-threatening it appeared to be a single Hellion waiting for them, instantly their weapons were drawn ready.
She pushed back her hood revealing a slim woman. She was a Hellion with what looked like an altered nose perhaps some sort of tracking ability. She held up her hands showing she was unarmed, ¡°please do not slay me, I only seek to parley to talk to you¡±. Vivian nodded not dropping her weapon ¡°speak quickly¡±.
¡°I wish to rapidly correct some misconceptions¡±. Martin felt his trigger finger almost pull tight, he was awash in a genuine outrage, ¡°that fool attacked us, attacked a triune scout. A member of the church, he laid ambush on the roads, was he working for the vampires¡±.
¡°He was an opportunist working for himself, he died for it, he broke our rules. He was new, he would have been stripped of his gifts and cast out if you hadn''t killed him¡±.
¡°I am from the true Hellions we beg forgiveness for his transgressions, I would have offered his head as an apology, but you already burnt most of it away in a pillar of fire¡±. Vivian looked at her questioningly, ¡°you would not mark some feud against us, come to slit our throats in the night¡±?
The Hellion messenger looked sincere, ¡°do we seem that stupid¡±? David sheathed his sword. ¡°That last one was. I would suggest not attacking us again. in fact, it is best you avoid us. Unless you find something that needs killing then we may do business¡±. ¡°While you talk about doing business¡±, Martin looked at her gravely, ¡°do not ask for the keys again that is the triune''s business not yours¡±.
she nodded, ¡°no offence was meant¡±. She waited for a tense heartbeat Martin put his weapon away and she left.
They relaxed for a bit. Alice practised her mana lance spell gaining a few brief surges in power eventually she would master it one day. David plays cards in his new helmet the extra enchantments the bonuses to wisdom and intelligence were something he could use. He still lost but it took far more time to lose all his coin, well the handful of bronze Vivian gave him. Martin had a few drinks and repaired his pistols Vivian did a little practice shooting then joined the rest of them in the tavern.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 3 Vault Door – Chapter 38 – By Royal Command
Without a full nights sleep without food they were roused by the hammering on there rooms door. One of the guard captains from the main garrison. They dressed in armour grabbed weapons and charged out together. There was the ringing of gongs North port was not under attack yet, but something was circling in the sky. A powerful gold dragon its body impressive in terms of speed its breath weapon consisted of slugs of molten rock hurled with immense force. The gold dragons range and rate of fire was well above the other dragons, but the area of effected was far less, they were akin to a precise sniper.
A beast like that flying around the city or docks would have usually been punctuated with the heavy ballista and other weapons as soon as it was in a good firing range. The magical shield would have been raised around the outer walls. however a message had been received well in advance, The dragon bore a royal seal a banner fastened around the dragons belly, like a tabard. It clearly showed the crown with a sword and axe passing through the centre. The royal mark even if it was a little faded. The guard captain informed them who had summoned them to the main square then left as quickly as possible.
Princess Serena Attila surveyed North port for the first time. She was third in line to the throne with her duties she mostly stayed in the southern part of the country. The boring but necessary work she was based around deep furrow defending the nations grain basket. She rode upon the dragons back in a custom made harness, custom made for a much older rounder man.
She wore adamantine kings-mail and an impressively fluted helm. The helmet was topped with a selection of ribbons braids and bands trailing form the back forming half a crest. She remained mounted on her dragon in the main square before the cathedral. The dragon dwarfed the commoner and there basic houses, but the solid cathedral dwarfed the tamed dragon buy an equally impressive margin.
The beast was forty five feet long from tip to tail and around 30 tones in weight, light by comparison to other dragons. She was a veteran dragon rider usually she rode upon a young yellow dragon sun-flame. But she had left her in the capital and borrowed her uncles mount Aurelius. Behind her was half a squadron of wyverns half ash grey half black spined. Able to bombard a target with acid and fire between them they remained in the air circling overhead, waiting for a signal.
The Duchess was there to support her. She was mounted on a demi-griffin. Her noble mount was encased in a set of steel plate armour, Though they had a high natural armour this extra plating would help her mount. The duchess herself wore mithril a mixture of plate and mail. She was determined and prepared with a pole axe edged in adamantite gripped resolutely in her hands.
Her ducal guard surrounded her with several tamers bests like salamanders and basilisks but the majority were giant hounds. She was serious this time having called in her own agents powerful warriors two knights and a man at arms. They had good quality equipment on par with the duchess. Those three were all master at the very least experts in there chosen profession. Right at the back were a couple of mages. Veterans by there equipment they were backing the duchess up, some looked more comfortable than others.
Francis the local head of the vampire hunters was there waiting. A dozen veteran hunters and crusaders were standing beside him. Vivian looked at the rest of them then directly at Francis, ¡°no message from the bishop Alexius, no orders to hand over the keys?¡± he shrugged, ¡°nothing that I have seen it looks like it will be coming to a head¡±.
Alice looked at the group assembled, ¡°I don''t think the duchess went to the king or else we would see something more official, just a letter ¡not a show of force, we have one of the heirs to the throne who wants to prove themselves outside the kings shadow¡±. David counted up the numbers facing them, ¡°I would not bet on our odds¡±. Martin watched as more of the church militant started to arrive the crusaders and monks could pack quite a punch as well. ¡°It depends who we stand with¡±.
Vivian looked at the royalist forces and the church militant. They were slap dab in the middle now. Vivian sighed, ¡°we need to pick a side do we¡±? David gripped his blade, a degree of arrogance permeated his voice ¡°How about we pick our selves¡±? Starting a war with two thirds of the triune was certainly a mistake she looked at him her eye conveyed her displease. ¡°Don''t be stupid, one group at a time perhaps, but we are outnumbered hear if this starts to go south someone important dies and we get the blame¡±.
There was the ringing of the church bells and something else entered the arena, the flying wyvens slowly moved back to allow another group of flying shadows to approach the area. Four baronial griffins from the holy mountain settled down in the square each one was smaller than the dragon in terms of length. In terms of mass they were more sturdy able to survive the riggers of a high altitude strike dropping in on an opponent diving faster than most creatures could react. The griffins had no ranged attack worth anything. There sonic screech was not going to cut it against anything but small prey but if they could close the distance they could rip a small dragon to pieces.
The beasts were stocky and solid the strength of brawlers. There wings were white grey there fur a brassy gold. There beaks and claws looked like silvery steel almost as if they had somehow been transformed into metal or mithril. Upon the back of the four griffins were harnesses with seating for a dozen people each.
They were lead by a man in white clothes the robes of a monk, they would be blessed nightmare spider silk very tough. They got off there mounts and the griffins climbed up into the sky without riders or passengers. The princess and the duchess looked far less confident.
He looked about the area, ¡°your royal highness duchess, I am Abbot Denix the leader of the monastic order of beast shapers¡±. He spread his hands and two dozen monks on demi griffs appeared from the streets around the cathedral, ¡°parent order to the order of beast tamers¡±. There were nearly four dozen monks spreading out around the duchess. ¡°I bring my brothers the Monks of the adamantite hand¡±. These monks wore simple brown robes but carried staves with octium and adamantite heads on them iron oak construction. One end to strike against the magical one to strike against the physical.
The princess had counted on the big gold dragon being intimidating enough to just end the argument there and then. Would they force her hand would any of the locals help her out. The situation could go south any moment. The Bishop was suddenly there on the upper part of the cathedral looking down on her with him was a dozen vampire hunters with clockwork rifles. The cylinders were chambered with adamantite bullets targeted down. They were part of the forces protecting the city during the trade talks, it looks like he had recruited them.
As a commander princess Serena had a voice amplification enchantment in her helmet, she got her dragon within fifty feet of the group she started to talk, ¡°I am the princess Serena Attila you should bow before royalty. The party gave her the customary greetings. A salute form the mercenarys a nod from the hunter and a curtsey from Alice.
The princess tone became more pleasant, ¡°mage would you stand with us and surrender the key you hold. Or would I send your mother and father to the tower jail as traitors to the wardens mercy''s¡±. Alice was shocked and a bit taken aback, she almost on reflex launched her mana lance spell.
Her voice had a stutter to it but it was filled with incredulous disbelief ¡°you ¡ would threaten ¡ my family¡±? The princess doubled down on the intimidation her jaw twitching just visible, ¡°You dare use that questioning tone with me? We own you mage as I own this dragon. Except the dragon is far better tamed¡±. For a second Alice considered cutting the arrogant royal in half with her mana lance. But a life time in the tower keep jail would not help anyone, the dragon that the princess was riding eye caught Alice for a second. Alice swore that there was a moment of understanding before the beast blinked and shifted its head.
The princess blinked and turned to the rest of the group. ¡°Mercenarys name your price it will be paid to the bronze penny¡±. David was almost tempted to see how deep the princess pockets were but Vivian answered first. She was neutral and professional,¡°we already swore our word, we signed our name and took another''s mark, we are professionals,¡±. She looked even less happy the hired Mercenarys were thinking above there station, ¡°contracts can be bought out¡±.
David shook his head ¡°not in the glass bay mercenaries charter¡±. He was quite surprised that the words came out of his mouth and not Vivian''s. They were the people who raised him surprisingly when it came to it some of there code had stuck. The princess was well informed Vivian had to grant her that she had gone straight for the weakest link, Alice threatening her family. She now went for the closet thing that Vivian and David had to family apart from each other.
The princess sneered at them, ¡°loyalty to your company you should work for the crown¡±? The princess posed a seemingly innocent question. Bb the inflection of her voice something else could be drawn, ¡°how strong is your mercenary companies charter¡±? The implication that she could remove there licence and legal status, Vivian''s tone became significantly less friendly, ¡°strong enough¡±.
The princess tried one last gamble though a long shot, ¡°you hunter you want your vengeance for your family, to kill all the vampires. If you were leading an army of golems by royal command think about how you would crush them¡±? Martin considered and weighed her words, ¡°Tempting but I decline for different reasons, I have seen the vampires corrupt the forces of nature. Dragons the very dead rise at there command against me. I don''t trust that they would not have some counter to this¡±. The princess was surprised the zealot was the most polite of the lot.
Vivian faced her down with her golem eye focusing in on the princess, she tried to keep a level tone, ¡°we serve the bishop of Good-ford not the crown, we are agents but not yours¡±. She was taken aback, ¡°my father sits upon the triune, upon the ivory throne¡±. Vivian continued, ¡°he is not hear and I don''t see papers with his mark in your hand¡±. The princess gritted her teeth a retort on her lips, Vivian was quicker, ¡°those that rely on saying my father or my mother have no power of there own¡±. ¡°... how dare you insult me I am a dragon rider¡±. At her urging the dragon prepared to shoot, wither it would be a warning shot or not they didn''t get the chance to find out. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
A ki imbued adamantine staff struck the dragon in the side of the head, the beast hit the main square with enough force to crack the flagstones. The princess was thrown from her saddle and rolled down the side of the dragon. The abbot moved in front of the princess before she could do anything else. ¡°My apologies my staff slipped when I thought I saw you lose control of your dragon. Little child you have spoken it is my turn¡±. The abbot had used up most of the Ki stored in the staff to imbue it with such a powerful attack. The dragon spat out a broken tooth and stood up. He eyed the bishop, then the four griffins overhead that would drop on him in an instant. The dragon did nothing. The princess held out a hand and the dragon used one of his claws to help her stand.
The abbot looked over at the group. ¡°I don''t come to offer threats or promises I come to humbly remind you of your duty¡±. Vivian sighed, ¡°do you have orders from bishop Alexius or the patriarch to hand over the keys¡±. The abbots words were kind gentle even if he had just knocked down a dragon, ¡°I do not but there is a bishop right there who speaks reason, that you entrust the keys to the servants of the creator god not the panicking nobles¡±. He was making a better argument than the princess but that was not hard, her uncles dragon was more reasonable and level headed.
The abbot continued, ¡°David Vivian when you were young orphaned the church looked after you we gave you food shelter and an education, before you were apprenticed, now is the time to pay that back¡±. David shook his head, ¡°the mercenary company paid towards the upkeep of the orphanage so that they can have first pick of healthy recruits¡±.
¡°we have killed plenty of things in the name of the church from lich''s to rat men¡±. Vivian scratched her head, ¡°our patron dose work for the church, but he is not you, I find it funny that I have sent three messenger eagles over the last week asking for clarification on what we should be doing, how we should proceed and I have not had a response once¡±.
The abbot looked a little frustrated but kept his cool. ¡°I would not know what happened to the messenger eagles, perhaps it was deemed too sensitive a message to send¡±. The princess retuned to her seat strapping herself in place this time, ¡°It is a long flight something could have happened to the messengers, they will show up soon I am sure¡±.
The bishop turned to Alice, ¡°you have lived these last six years under the patronage of the royal court how have you found it¡±? ¡°It is like many orders religious and military. You go where you are sent you do what you are told, I would change many things if given the opportunity, what do you drive at Abbot¡±? ¡°perhaps you would enjoy another''s patronage more¡±.
Alice considered her future ambitions to reform the mages tower, the church would be a useful ally. Especially the abbot who controlled his order and many smaller orders from the holy mountain. ¡°The inquisitors and witch finders have been held in check the last three hundred years. The offer of the churches friendship later on still dose not change the fact that we mages are in the service of the crown, unless specifically assigned, as I am now as an agent to Alexius¡±.
The Abbot turned to Martin, ¡°consider the influence of the creator god consider the power he has given you for your righteous retribution pray meditate on what needs to be done¡±. Martin emptied his mind he held out his holy symbol there was a brief glow. ¡°thy will be done¡±. He paused thinking then put his holy symbol back on his belt.
He stood between the Abbot and the princess, ¡°I am moved, neither left or right, the two options that you present are not the will of the creator. You see duty and your responsibility to keep a weapon away from misuse or to hold a weapon ready for use. You see gods will I believe you see your own preconceptions. You see duty I believe its your own ambition, even if you don''t realise it .¡± the atmosphere was tense.
Lady Nicole Kamen circled above with the rest of the wyvern riders she had told them how the bats had died, how thoroughly they had been obliterated. It gave them pause for thought the griffins circling about the sharp shooters on the cathedral. She hoped someone folded soon she had only just been healed form her last injuries.
The bishop considered his position, was he right was he absolutely sure that he had taken the right course escalating this by calling in the griffins. The duchess had made the first move with the dragon riding princess. He had sharpshooters trained on a member of the royal family and the local vampire hunters and crusaders ready to take on the duchess and her guard. If this moved any further , neither side was backing down. Then he imagined his entire city flattened by golems and his resolve hardened.
The duchess noted how effective the abbot had been against a dragon, she was not so certain if this was the right course. The four masters would probably side with the church she had thrown them out of her home she had threatened them. And they had chewed through the vampires and the lich''s skeleton army her worry grew. The princess was far more of a hot head than she was lead to believe, no wonder she was kept away from the capital.
Francis looked around him his hunters and crusaders had an unflinching zeal. He recognised most of the duchess guard. They were people he had worked with in the common defence of this city before. People he called friends the loss of even a handful would put holes in the city''s defences. He noticed that there was no sign of the merchants guild mercenaries or Ghost. The sheriff and the head of the mages guild had not shown up to pick a side, even if this went badly they would still have a few people to defend North port.
Brother Percy had not seen the fight but he remembered the results of the battle against the Hellions how they had been completely flattened. If the four masters picked the wrong side it would be problematic. He owed them a debt he wished to repay, he also had no desire to fight a golden dragon.
Vivian looked over to Alice, if it came down to it Alice would cast a shield spell over her and Vivian. Martin was preparing to use all his defensive blessing his litany of blessings would allow him to activate everything at once if he was targeted. David was ready to bring his mithril shield to bear against whatever would come. They had an understanding who ever struck at them first they would turn on, who ever acted first would be acting against the general orders of the triune and would be held liable.
The Elven ambassador and the trade commissioner sat watching from a balcony. The elf looked over the tense scene. ¡°If the triune can hold its own people intact, if it is not torn by this. If reason and compromise prevail I will know that I have the correct decision¡±. The stand off continued seconds turned into minutes and no one moved. The elven ambassador felt movement behind him and raised his hand to stop the person behind him, ¡°do not join them yet¡±.
The elf took a sip of his brew, ¡°Part of me would like to see my distant brothers in the church succeeded the golems locked away. Or even destroyed, but I am an ambassador I need to look to see compromise rational nations negotiating together¡±. I thought crossed the ambassadors mind, ¡°Though now I think of it, I do wonder if this situation was intended so that there would be these extra elite forces in North port to stop a potential attack. If that was the case you would already have a way to diffuse this before it went further¡±. The trade commissioner smiled, ¡°I could not possibly comment on that theory¡±.
There was the sound of hoof beats as a rider in a tall hat and long coat entered the square, there was a frenetic pace to her energy. She held a symbol of her office and an official looking letter in one hand. She stopped in front of the princess and the abbot everybody gathered felt a collective sigh of relief.
¡°princess your grace we need to speak now, I am Nicole Fitzalan an emissary of his holiness the patriarch, I am a witch finder they call me the necromancers bane¡±. The party relaxed as they were not going to end up fighting it out, the abbot looked like he recognised her and the princess looked ahead her expression a regal mask. Nicole held out the scroll, ¡°I bring urgent news from the capital someone had been interfering with the regular communication to this city. So this message had to go via black rock¡±.
She held the paperwork in front of them with reluctance the princess had to unstrap herself and get down form her dragon. ¡°Please note the triune seal, three as one. All members of the triune had to meet to stamp this document it is law¡±.
¡°Duchess Teach, Princess Serena you act without your fathers permission, Abbot Denix , bishop Gyfford you acted without the patriarchs blessing, scribe advocates will be reviewing your actions and your various flouting of our laws. Half of the keys will go to the duchess for safe keeping. Half of the keys go with the abbot for safe keeping¡±.
The trade commissioner and the elven ambassador walked over to the group. The trade commissioner nodded. ¡°The Merchants guild support this compromise no one can take any rash actions. If we release the golems against a threat it will not be a casual decision. If we decide to destroy the golems and strip them for parts it will not be a casual decision. All party''s will come to an agreement. If and when a suitable threat arises. The witch finder looked at the party who started to dig out the keys. She looked at the abbot and the princess, ¡°you are both to remain hear until the trade negotiations are concluded, which should be soon. Then you will probably be accompanying the ambassador to the capital before you go back to your regular duties¡±.
Alice felt the weight of the key the power it represented, she was not happy to give something like that up. But it was not as if she could keep or control a vault full of golems. Had she been an enchanter with a decent level of skill, she might have tried for it. She handed the first key over to the duchess who gripped it like a drowning man holding onto a life raft.
It gave David a little embarrassment how much effort it took him to retrieve the key, Vivian had to help him remove half his armour as it was sandwiched between his armour and padded vest. It made him feel even more embarrassed that he had handed the key over to the abbot, without any form of payment.
Martin was glad to give up the responsibility the weight of carrying the key, he had so much that he felt he needed to do. This was at least one thing done lightening his burden. He passed the key to the abbot relieved that his part in this was over.
Vivian felt pride, they had held on. By the end of this saga they had done there duty to the letter waiting it out until the correct orders appeared. She handed the key to the duchess with a sharp solute.
The duchess and the abbot eyed each other they were not happy, but they could live with it. It would mean that half the keys were locked away in the holy mountain. It would take a great deal of effort to get to the vault, still she held two keys it was better than a month ago when she held no keys. She might be able to trade a favour with the church in the future for the other two keys. It would have to be a good favour though, still she held a lot of the docks and the trade. The trade commissioner and the elven ambassador invited them to a small informal meal. A look from the witch finder and they agreed to attend.
The trade commission sat in the centre with the elven ambassador and the patriarchs emissary on either side. The princess bishop abbot and duchess around him. They drank and talked of compromise and understanding and the city of North port survived another day.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 3 Vault Door – Chapter 39 – Last Roll of the Dice
The city was calm the building tension was ebbing away, the vampires had been beaten within an inch of there miserable un-lives. The local monster population had plummeted the local gangs were cowed beaten there leaders rounded up there veteran members on chain gangs and other civic projects. The signing ceremony on the historic trade deal between the Northern relm and the western elves would be signed any day now.
The vast majority of the day had been spent training. David and Vivian shared a quiet drink with a few of the city guard. David sighed his tone regretful, ¡°I insulted a duchess, but you insulted a princess¡±. Vivian didn''t flinch, ¡°she threatened our company, I think they were empty threats the princess holds no real power the dukes and duchess run most things. Well unless she ever becomes queen. She can make a lot of noise though I suppose¡±. David nodded, ¡°still she was overruled by her father and the rest of the triune, we rank pretty low on that list¡±.
He swirled the beer in his tankard and drained it, ¡°I was half expecting that dragon to take a shot at us¡±. Vivian touched her fingers to her quiver, ¡°it would have had an adamatium arrow down its throat before it could fire, I wish the dam merchants guild would refund me the 3 silvers I spent on messengers. Of course now I don''t need them sent they have no problems sending them through, I now have three sets of orders from the bishop to refer it to the patriarch for his instruction after Nicole already did that¡±.
Alice joined them, ¡°I would have half liked to have a look at the enchanting on the golems in the vault, but knowing our luck it would have set them off¡±. Martin arrived with a couple of crusaders ready to drink away the night. Martin felt a sense of unease at the back of his neck. Alice could detect the hint of magic from some monster using a supreme spell. She looked out of the window, she could see that an unnatural black smog was slowly rising from the ocean.
Alice shouted a warning, ¡°An attack its not natural, its some sort of ¡powerful spell. Grab your weapons we head for the cathedral the highest point to see what''s going on¡±. All around them the guards militia and anyone else that could pick up a weapon went for it. It was certain the town was under attack. Gongs and bells were rung the drawbridges were already raised for the night. People ran for the towers ready to fire the bolt throwers and ballista, mages prepared to activate the shield ward spell around the city but it was to late.
As the party arrived at the main square a massive black shape emerged from the fog a dragon with a three vampires on its back. The leading vampire was pail and inhuman, a mithril short sword at her side a mix of steel and mithril armour covered her body. She grinned a fanged smile identifying those below her. ¡°lexicon sent his regards¡±, there was a plume of poisons corrosive black smoke and steam heading for the party.
Martin used his ¡°fortress of faith¡± blessing Vivian ducked behind an earthen wall spell Alice had created. David was safe behind his tower shield. The vampire and her strike team looked disappointed Martin used his monocle they were on level 45 black dragon, it was a big sturdy beast not quite as sturdy as a red dragon but a formidable brawler and ranged fighter with its poisonous and slightly corrosive breath attack. It was considerably slower but bulkier than the gold dragon princess Serena had brought with her.
The Black dragon was a thrall it just managed to fly carrying a siege ghoul, which it promptly deposited on the ground in front of them. The fog shifted and they could see the rest of the attacking force already over the city. Four live wyverns thrall tainted with blood thrall riders. Four zombiefied wyverns covered with a sort of bone armour, ridden by skeleton captains, who had a few tactical bones in there bodies.
There were eight truly massive thrall bats probably on the verge of metamorphosing into some sort of demonic creature. There was a truly massive flock of giant ravens they were obviously a replacement for the regular thrall bats. There were about 200 bone vultures possibly from the king of bones, they came form the south lands a rare undead. There were 80 snow harpys, viscously stupid creatures, half human half peregrine creatures of blood alchemy, fodder used against the dragon rebellion by there creators.
There were two flying demon spell casters, a sorcerers summons a loan for the battle. The zombie wyvern''s had a surprise there bone armour dropped off there bodies and landed below there was confusion for a moment and then each pile of bones stood up reforming quickly into 4 bone golems, a clever trick to get siege monsters past a city''s walls.
The gold dragon was there hovering a black spined wyvern beside it. The gold dragon didn''t attack the princess was on the back her wrists bound. One of her riders held a knife to her throat. The wyvern next to them had been contaminated with the thrall taint.
The wyvern rider grinned, ¡°now princess turn your dragon on those below we get the keys like you planned we toast the elven ambassador and we can call tonight a success¡±. The vampires had turned up try kill the elven ambassador, if they could do that by stealing the keys from duchess and letting golems lose all the better. Princess Serena was held as a hostage to keep her dragon off the playing field. She hadn''t noticed the blood thrall in her ranks, One of her accompanying riders.
Vivian acted instinctively she had the right angle and the perfect weapon, she activated her supreme skill two mile shot. It hit with all the accuracy and power she wanted it removed most of the blood thrall rider, there lower half fell from the dragon and hit the paving stones below with a wet thud.
Taking out the rider caused princess Serena to bank her dragon away, while she pulled a spare knife and cut her hands free. The wyvern who had just seen there master killed dived towards the group. Martin hit it with his blessings ¡°word to judgement¡± and two bolts of electricity from the hand of Tesla, Vivian put three adamantine arrows into its skull. Alice obliterated one of its wings with a mana lance spell. As it crashed to the ground David charged up to it his blade cutting though removed half its neck the creature still took about ten seconds to bleed out as David kept his guard up.
The militia and guards had enchanted mirror lanterns mounted on iron swivels. They were set up on watch towers and walls the cathedral and the rest of the city''s main buildings. Crews tried to illuminate the attackers as best they could with the thick covering of black fog that was slowly fadeing.
Francis accompanied by a group of vampire hunters arrived, two of the vampires jumped down from the dragons back with the third leading it away. The attackers had came in over the water. They used a juvenile kraken that they had thrall tainted to draw green belly away so that it couldn''t protect the harbour. That kraken was now floating about in several pieces and green belly was heading back towards North port.
Francis looked over the vampires as they assessed the situation, ¡°The harpy queen, Maud Appleby, she is one of Bismark''s lieutenants. An elder vampire her supreme skill is camouflaging fog, which is how they managed to get into the city. They must have had to travel a long way for her to get hear. Alice looked at her judging her power she hurled a fire ball at the target ¡°she is mine¡± the fire ball detonated removing some of the vampires supernatural protection.
Francis looked over the forming battle lines around the siege ghoul and bone golems, to the other vampire they were tall rail thin in brown robes with an orange sash. He identified her, ¡°Elizzabeth Hawtreey an elite called the noose¡±. Martin drew his pistol ¡°why is she call...¡± a weighted Damascus chain snaked round his throat and dragged him away as the vampire left the main square hoping to collect the coin on his head.
The camouflaging fog created by the vampires supreme skill was starting to dissipate in patches, but it was far from gone. The entire city was now a battle field the vampires main weapon past the dragon and the officers the confusion and darkness. The militia and city guard were quite busy dealign with the hundreds If not thousands of giant thrall ravens, they were not as big as the giant bats but still provided an irritating force, there barbed beaks capable of inflicting notable wounds.
The abbot and his oldest griffin took to the sky fighting with the gold dragon and the princess Serena against the large black thrall dragon. He almost managed to nail it with a surprise dive but at the last moment the vampire elite riding it pulled it away. The elite stayed on top of the dragon, acting as a second pair of eyes. Occasionally hurling an axe at the bishop, who was forced to block the thrown blades with his staff.
The bone golems and siege ghoul were particularly tough variants, they had to be to. Taking up the city''s forces long enough for the golems to be activated and left to run amuck. David charged right for the main threat the siege ghoul, he had to slice it into pieces. The creature turned to the shiny mountain of armour that was heading towards him. The beasts attention fixed on a group of crusaders with crossbows on a roof, that started to chip away at the bone golems. The siege ghoul hurled a gob of acid at them as they ducked behind a chimney for cover.
Above them the five remaining wyvern riders and the three griffins attempted to deal with the zombiefied and thrall controlled wyverns. There numbers were equal so it would be a stale mate to begin with as both forces tried to manoeuvrer and flank the opposition. To gain altitude or a suitable firing position, trying to fight in three dimensions it quickly devolved from two uniform forces to a manic and desperate race to the finish.
The elder vampire picked up a cart and hurled it at Alice, she cast her kinetic strike spell knocking the cart out of the way. Her mana lance cut through the cart and hit the vampire. The vampires blood shield and supernatural aura absorbed most of the attack but the elder could feel there defences weakening. They dived back out of the way a powerful spell like that needed line of sight and the mage would run out of mana, before the elder vampire ran out of things to throw.
Vivian found one of the flying demons exchanging spells with a few of the local mages. They had a good elemental shield and she had a constant stream of fire it was a stalemate. Vivian put three octium arrows into the demon spell caster head heart and neck, before they could react they dropped to the ground there body starting to melt away. As there twisted essence was sent spiralling back to the void
Francis led a group of hunters and crusaders, he had a certain job in this scenario. To clear out the monsters attacking the large ballistas. With the heavy ballista back in there control they could sweep the black dragon and the wyverns out of the sky, easier said then done as things tired to peck his eyes out. He shot and reloaded against the seemingly countless numbers of giant black shapes. A man form the judgement had a blunderbuss it did wonders loaded with stone to shred three dozen of the creatures.
Lady Kamen was able to get on the tail of one of the stupid zombie wyvern''s. They were tireless but couldn''t sprint. She used what she could to her advantage, her wyvern doused the creature in an acidic spray and down it plummeted from the air, its wing membranes sizzling away its main advantages lost, the deadlock in the sky''s broken she continued to fight.
Brother Percy and three other members of his order were hurtling down the streets ready to try and tackle the bone golems but another target or opportunity presented itself. The monks spurred there mounts on the demi griffs fell upon the downed creature and started to hack it to pieces. The zombies flesh was carved and mangled, they attacked its head to rend its throat open and eliminate its necromantic equivalent of the standard breath weapon, on the ground they had the advantage.
The sheriff was in her full armour and equipment leading her men in a very similar way to Francis. She had a specific part of the city to defend and an immediate goal. She chopped away at a giant bat that was trying to destroy a ballista. With a satisfying crunch she put her weapon through its throat and watched as it fell down to the street. Several squads of her guards below made certain it was dead with spears stabbing and axes chopping until there would be nothing that could be brought back by any necromancer, they pored lamp oil on it and set the beasts carcass ablaze.
David closed the gap on the siege ghoul his legs working over time. His blade cut into its calf and knee, he dodged out of its way as it stomped down. He ducked under a glob of corrosive bile and caught a glancing blow on his shield from its sweeping claws. The attack sent him back three feet. He moved forwards ducking under a follow up blow and cut into its foot removing two of its toes. The creature howled in pain and tried to crush him as he tried to manoeuvre around it.
Vivian watched the battle as best she could, her golem eye giving her a view she kept an eye on Alice if the battle there went in the wrong direction the vampire would get a few arrows in there back. The fog was slowly getting thinner something emerged from it. Vivian put an adamantine arrow threw a giant bat hitting it in the skull it went down threw a cloud of fog and into the street. Not quite dead a tamer with some levies backing him up got his basilisk to spray the bat with its poisonous breath.
Martin was being thrown around by the vampire but it was not stopping him. He finally managed to get hold of his holy symbol and form a few words, gasping for breath. ¡°Crusaders stride¡± the blessing rooted him to the spot and the chain went taunt, with the elite vampire on the other end. She griped the chain knowing that Martin could only use the blessing for so long. ¡°final judgement¡± one of his most powerful blessings burnt away the vampires defensive aura on the spot. He pulled the chain from around his neck. The flow of battle changed and the vampire tried to retreat. The wall where they were standing was hit by a bolt of lighting form the hand of Tesla, Martin had a thermite grenade in his hand he started off at a run behind the vampire.
One of the thrall wyverns plummeted from the air a griffin wrapped its talons round it trying to claw it to pieces. The two of them landed right on top of one of the bone golems half crushing it. The blood thrall fell from the mount with a near by monk dispatching him with a ki infused hit to the head. The griffin launched back into the air. avoiding the wyvern''s dissolving breath weapon and a few bony spikes the golem threw.
The deputy sheriff led a group defending the bolt throwers on the walls, they cut and hacked at the thrall ravens attacking them. Arrows sticks rocks anything was thrown to cull the flock, they had to get there artillery pieces defended before they were destroyed. One of the sharp shooters on the cathedral had his rifle ready. The clock work gun fired six times and six of the snow harpys fell. A seventh snow harpy charged into him knocking him of the battlements of the cathedral. He managed to grab a hold off it plunging a knife into its heart, he got one more as the two of them fell towards the street below, its eyes were empty moments before the impact did the same to him.
The elder vampire felt her blood shield spent as Alice''s fire balls consumed it. She felt a twinge of real fear, it was not often that she faced an opponent that could scratch her, it had been nearly a century since she had given a human anything that passed for a fair fight. She could not remember facing a mage this powerful before. She had to focus all her attention on just surviving not winning the battle, just avoiding having her face melted with a mana lance spell one the mage went down she had to deal with the rest.
The black dragon managed to douse a defensive tower in its toxic breath killing the crew of a ballista and the few thrall ravens that were attacking them. The ballista itself could be salvage but would need a substantial rebuild. The black dragon paid for it as a bolt of super heated magma from the gold dragon burnt part of its left wing tip, almost sending it into a dive, the vampire aboard would be unable to realise that part of the plan, striping the defences was two time consuming.
There was fighting all over the city form sailors on the ships fighting the thrall ravens to the harpys picking off archers. Some of the sailors from the docks that were part of the militia. They watched two of there number fall. They planned, managing to string up a fishing net between two buildings they bated there trap with two volunteers, A minute and they were able to catch two of the harpys, the weight of the net and rigging was dropped. Then they fell upon them with blade cudgel and boot.
The two dragon kept within the city boundary the black dragon wouldn''t venture past the walls as once it did the defenders would become far more aggressive in there attacks. The blacks dragon sent out a plume of death that over shot the gold opponent and dissipated on the wind. The gold dragon lobbed a precise ball of heated material the black dragon twisted away and the gold dragons attack harmlessly landed in a barren field. Cold after the crops were harvested the glow of the projectile flickered out heat consumed by the cold earth.
The snow harpy was an ambush predator a harassment to an enemy, not suited for a stand up fight. One gravely underestimated Vivian as it dropped in to kill her. Its talons met armour a brawl broke out her bow skidded away. The first thing to Vivian''s hand was the spare string for her bow, she looped it around the harpys neck a swift tug and it was gone removed like a guillotine.
The various flying pests were being dealt with, the ballista and bolt thrower crews had control of there equipment, they did minor repairs and started to turn the pieces they could access on the thrall wyverns and zombie wyverns flying about. Piece by piece the defenders cleared the attacking monsters from there ramparts. They started to gain the walls then the air above the city back as creatures fell by degrees, a bolt hear a spread of ballista shot there the wounds started to pile up.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Martin was still chasing the elite vampire he could almost smell his prey. Vampires were slippery fuckers. He looked about a group of militia were fighting a flock of bone vultures some of the militia were down there shields shattered. Martin used his blessing ¡°pillar of fire¡± to obliterate the vultures as he was on his way past them to the vampire that was desperately trying to gain some ground on him. They tossed over a barrel of oil, lit it and ran Martin used his greater resist igna blessing and stepped through it.
David was fighting the siege ghoul it was tougher than he initially appreciated but him tying it down stopped it going on a proverbial rampage. The assassin ghost appeared out of nowhere, two throwing knives hit the ghoul taking out one of its eyes. Before David could thank her she was disappearing again off to take on another target. Hit and run was her strategy to throw the attackers off balance. David stepped into the ghouls blind spot and stabbed it again and again.
The vampire elder fell on Alice her hands extended into talons, only for it to be another illusion. She clawed through another one just to find it was again an illusion. The vampire was was hit in the face by an acid strike spell, it didn''t deter her another step forward. She had to break apart an earthen wall spell, she had the right one this time the mages shield spell cracked under another blow. The mage had a second layer of defences mage armour.
The the vampire was sent backing off as the mana lance spell cut through the last of her supernatural aura and started to eat into her stone hard flesh. She had underestimated the mage thinking her almost out of mana preparing so many defences using weaker spells, it was a ruse to get her close.
Vivian targeted a damaged bone golem her adrenalin strikes sending broad head arrows into the bony construct with enough force to shatters its skull. The golem seemed to have multiple focuses making it hard to put the necromancers construct down. Another rain of arrows removed its torso armour another focus shattered. The golem paused sagged then started to more again it would be a long night.
David released a flurry of blows into the siege ghouls leg, there was blood and cartilage and finally the cracking of the joint as the ghoul went down under its own weight. He dropped one attack after another until its arm was down its neck unprotected he had to raise his shield to block a gurgle of toxic bile. His blade dropped into its neck again and again its skull came lose, finally killing the siege ghoul with just a bit of help from ghost.
The bishop was high up on the top of the cathedral protected by a few militia and crusaders, he was diverting his time from healing the wounded and using his rare blessings in the defence of the town. He noted a good target using his blessing greater purge mana on one of the demonic spell casters, it took them out of the fight. The demon was only able to fly using its magic without the mana in its veins the creature cursed and tried to glide to earth, all its most potent weapons denied to it. Several monks on demi-griffs decided to end the threat.
Martin continued to chases the vampire he landed some more hits with his thrown octium blades the vampire now had two sticking out of there back. Something came from above he shot a harpy that was trying to protect the vampire. The vampire threw a weighted chain that tripped Martin. Just before it could get away, Ghost appeared out of the night she carved a chunk off the elite vampire and disappeared before the vampire could counter, the vampire noted the enraged hunter and started to move again.
The black dragon looked about searching out its primary opponent, too late the griffin abbot in tow appeared out of one of the few remaining clouds of obscuring fog. The dragon roared in pain as the griffin clamped on. The dragon had chunks bitten out of its tail, where the beast latched on. The dragon roared in pain and outrage as the last two feet of its tail disappeared falling to the ground below. The griffon avoided a blast of the black breath the abbot blocked an axe thrown at the griffins eye. The pair started heading up seeking altitude, from where they could dive on to the dragon again hopefully getting something a bit more vital this time.
Alice drained the magic from her staff and released a deluge of fire balls towards the vampire elder. She had just used her poison gas cloud spell, it was more a distraction to the vampire. The lack of vision the spell created was much like her own obscuring fog.
Alice hit the elder with her electric strike spell and retreated. The vampire bust out of the cloud ready to tear the mage apart, only to realise her target had gone. A brief moment of concentration and the elder vampire could hear if not see its opponent the beat of there heart. Alice hit the vampire with a duel cast version of her mana lance spell. The invisibility spell was very useful. It gave her a second to collect herself, useless once the vampire figured it out she still had the time she needed to deliver the pain as the mana lance burnt though flesh and bone.
Martin filially closed the gap with the elite vampire he hit them a few times with the hand of Tesla. There were chunks missing from the vampires flesh. Pocked burnt away where the vampire was struck. Eventually he would do damage to something vital and the vampire would be crippled. The vampire made a wild gesture and a flock of thrall ravens stopped trying to attack a bolt thrower on a watch tower and headed for him, he hit them with a small thermite grenade and keeps going as the molten metal consumed there feathers.
David and a group of militia he had trained were fighting one of the remaining bone golems. They limited its effectiveness by pinning it in place with a dozen stout pikes, braced against the street and the walls. The pike men were covered by the front ranks who had large shields to protect them form the occasional thrown spike of bone. As it tried to advance it drove the pikes in deeper further immobilising itself. David and a few others closed in and hacked away until it started to crumble. Eventually there was just to much damage and the spell holding it together shattered, the entire construct reverting to a pile of bones.
Vivian put a few holes in a zombie wyvern''s right wing, simple iron arrows were quite effective against the undead beast as the power of her bow was quite enough to punch through it. The wounds slowed it down allowing a rider on an ash grey wyvern to catch up to it and doused it in flame. The beast just about airborne tried to get away, the wyvern rider in hot pursuit.
The duchess on her demi-griffin led a charge against one of the other bone golems her halberd raised her guard and agents around her. She charged in slicing a good chunk from the beast, her demi-griffin seized it in the leg and twisted the beast went down they backed off as the salamanders torched it followed by another couple of attacks leaving it to crawl forwards its legs shattered.
One of the other priority targets the leader of the tower mages chapter along with several others mages was stationed at a key point on North ports outer walls. It boiled down to flinging spells at the circling undead wyvern''s then forming up shield spells as the wyvern''s bombarded them with there necrotic energy then repeating the process until either the spell animating the wyvern''s ran out or the mages ran out of mana to defend themselves. It was a game of attrition they had other riders and artillery backing them up the undead were rapidly losing there allies.
The elven ambassador was busy healing one patient after another he had blessings that he could use. There was movement behind him as a full blooded vampire dagger in hand advanced. There was a glowing light behind the vampire and a mace fell turning the vampire into dust in one action. The ambassador went back to his work as the figure stopped glowing and stepped back into the shadows.
For what she had to do next, for her plan to defeat the vampire elder Alice needed to slow the vampire down to give her a moment to act. Alice hit her with dessicate spell pulling the remaining blood out of her veins. That caught the vampire by surprise, then the icy tomb spell slowed her down, this enabled Alice to aim precisely as she hit the vampire in the leg with a mana lance spell.
The ground based targets taken care of David ended up leading a group of militia to crew a bolt thrower. With his strength it was easy to pull back the string. The bolt flew straight and true, missing the wyvern he was aiming at and and hitting the black dragon. It had been there third attempt at firing, an injury that small just meant a little extra pain for the dragon a distraction it didn''t need.
Martin kept running through the city, the vampire was making a bee line for something. Martin found himself face to face with a zombie wyvern its wings mangled it was still trying to fight on the ground the militia had formed up into box and scale shield formations, shields covered in holy oil to block its necrotic breath weapon. Martin had no time he hit it with ¡°hand of judgement, and his greater pillar of fire¡±. Not sure if that was enough to kill it outright he had an opponent to kill. This vampire would not get away. He kept going even as the pillar of fire burnt away the undead wyvern.
One of the griffins manages to get a grip on the black dragon and ripped a chunk out of its back leg. The dragon had lost a layer of protective scale and a bit of flesh it was painful but not likely to hamper it in any way. But that was a second griffin not the one the abbot was riding, the odds were not in the black dragons favour. The vampire riding it only had one pair of eyes. The dragon just avoided having its wings mangled by the second griffin. It twisted again as it avoided a ball of hot plasma from the gold dragon. The princess Serena grinned under her armour a little longer and she would mount its head on a wall of her fathers throne room as an apology for this mess.
The number of enemy targets were starting to dwindle. Vivian noted another archer looking for something they could hit. A snow harpy was hiding on the roof above them they dived only for Vivian to picked off the snow harpy with a shot from her bow, before it could close the archer noted and saluted in thanks.
There was a race as Alice drained her mana potions as quickly as she could, the injured vampire hobbled forwards. Without her shield spell or something similar Alice was in trouble. After a single blow from the vampire she was sent spinning. she landed and threw two empty vials back. The vampire flinched expecting holy water or the like. Only to see two shattered potion vials, the mage was ready for round three probably already healing. As far as Alice was concerned her mithril vest was worth every penny she paid.
One of the remaining harpys hissed at a group of ravens the thrall tainted creatures dived forwards to a target. David defending the bolt thrower blocked the harpys strike saving one of his men and the siege weapon. The harpy landed stunned he cut them down with a single blow of his sword, the harpy fell to the street. Some levies set its feathery body alight with torches.
The bishop watched a group of wounded guards and militia heading to the cathedral. Something else noticed them. He used a blessing greater magical nullification to catch ten of the bone vultures in a sphere of pale white light, the magic inside them expired and they disintegrated falling onto the streets below. A collection of discarded feathers and bones, now the bishop needed to heal several of the incoming patients on stretchers.
Martin cornered the elite vampire, the nose tried to climb over a wall. His four barrelled pistol put four stakes into there back, but the vampire held on. He hit them in the back of the head with the lionhearts hammer loaded with silver shot and they fell back. Martin hit them with a thermite grenade and the remaining charges of the hand of Tesla. He used his holy symbol with his chain smite attack to obliterate the vampire. To be sure he drove a stake into there hear. The vampire collapsed into dust just leaving a skull with a pair of fangs. He grinned that was the second in command dealt with, now to deal with any remaining stragglers.
Vivian''s pack was getting very light she was going to have a hell of a time recovering her high end arrows after the battle. There was movement she had a split second to determine friend form foe. She put her bleed arrow into the back of a wounded thrall wyvern, it was not enough to kill it out right but such creatures would go down eventually. She could tell it was one of the enemy wyverns as it lacked the colours of her allies.
Alice had her magic ready she had survived the last impact due to her bonus vitality spell, for a brief amount of time she was far tougher than a usually fragile mage. A healing spell undid any damage she went all out. Her mana lance took the elder vampire in the shoulder cutting into the arm until it hung limply, the vampire kept coming forwards the mage had to die she could not allow the battle to continue when the mage was this powerful.
David and a large group of militia guards and a few knights tracked down a giant thrall bat, the creature had a few arrows in its wing so could not fly. He would not allow it to heal. It tired to put up a decent defence. He knocked it down with his shield empowering his strikes with adrenalin coursing through his veins, he hacked it to pieces. The men left and right of him stabbing away with spear and halberd.
Martin was having trouble finding anything to fight, it was now a cat and mouse game against the remaining monsters. He sniped a harpy from the roof tops with his long range pistol. lead shot hit it centrer of mass empowered by his ¡°wrath¡± blessing. It was quite enough to knock it out of the air. It had been hiding in one of the crenellations on the battlements looking for a unsuspecting target to drop down on.
Vivian was running out of arrows, down to tricks and alchemist weapons. She grabbed a quiver from a militia man who had gone down to a harpys claws. His dagger was blooded at least he gave some fight back to the creature. He would not need his arrows again. She focused in on the last few aerial combatants above the city she would make her shots count.
Alice blasted the vampire again and again acid strikes kinetic strikes fire balls anything she could use to extinguish the last spark of life form the enraged vampire. Her icy tomb spell slowed the vampire down an earthen wall spell enveloped the vampires legs it strained shattered the improvised restraint and kept going forwards. The vampire tried to use her mind magic but the target was strong.
David looking for something to fight the streets were clear of brawls. There were people busy burning the body''s of the dead thrall ravens the bones from the golem constructs. The people were ready trained and able. There were a few collapsed building hit by one side or another he organised crews to dig through the rubble for any survivors.
Martin reloaded his four barrelled pistol with lead balls, he primed it and twisted the barrel to rewind the spring mechanism. There had to be something, at the limit of his weapon he saw a group of necromantic constructs. He put a few focus shots into bone vultures they change there flight plan slowing down looking for an alternative path. Then the ash grey wyvern behind them caught up burning them away with a gust of flame.
The black dragon headed for one spot in the city, the rider urged it on to save there commander. Alice used the last dregs of her mana for a final mana lance spell. The power jumped doing that little bit of extra damage as she had been practising just when she needed it. Right through the heart finally finishing off her opponent. The vampire collapsed what remained of there skin pealed away in little chunks, like parchment in a fire. The flesh withered desiccating then crumbled to ash. There was smoke and steam but all that was left were bones fangs and dust, she had just taken out the second elder vampire that they had been able to pin down.
The black dragon was all that was left, it started to flee no elder left to save no plan to enact no way to win. It tore sinew and strained muscle flying low and fast as it could. A trail of shots from the golden dragon over shooting it hitting the water. ballista shot and bolts arrows flew towards it a few missed a few struck it was wounded further but not going down.
Alice had killed the harpy queen she would soon grow more powerful. Francis and a group of hunters turned up. ¡°Amazing you slew her on your own¡±, Martin grinned as he approached the skull and effects of the noose in his hands. Martin was disappointed that he didn''t get a crack at the elder vampire but he still got to kill the second in command of this little raid, the bounty on an elite vampire was about a fifth of the bounty on the elder. But it was still not something to be sneezed at.
Martin took a gulp of his tip then handed it to Alice, she nodded taking a sip staggering harder than when the vampire hit her and handing it back. For a little while she would be vulnerable, until she had recovered her mana she was literally at the point of mana fatigue enough for a fire bite spell at the most, and she had used both her mana potions.
Alice felt her mind preparing for the change, the last barrier that she would have to break through.
She had wisdom enough to use her magic, but other things could be useful to. She could sense her mana wrapped around her soul channelled through her mind. The same way a mercenary channelled there adrenalin through there body a profound indivisible connection. It was part of them, it came when they needed it. As they used it they became better at tapping into the power.
She could feel a barrier some magic something metaphysical, it shattered and was gone as if it had never been there deep mind soul and in her mana she felt it. A special action has been performed a feat of marshal strength has been achieved. You have defeated a worthy opponent, your level limit has been raised to 600.
She was now a pain caster a discipline of magic that predated the mages. It used wild magic very potent but not disciplined not controlled. Now she could experience it she could tell the difference. It would be something new to master, she would have to use inefficient spells once more she looked for a spell suitable as a start. She picked field of thorned vines, a way to control a battle by limiting an opponents movement. The exact strength of the spell could vary from a nuance to a bastion of thorned defence, an interesting spell that would regrettably cause its caster pain. But she had to raise her game and start looking at other magic to grow.
David was now a level 5 man at arms his parry skill reached an equivalent amount. Vivian reached level 8 of the man at arms job her crippling shot had been useful against the wyverns, now It was pushed up to level 8. Martin reached level 18 of his crusader job gaining rank 8 of his cleaving strike skill.
The wounded Black dragon was getting away it was heading out to sea past the harbour wall. The merchant guild trade commissioner watched from the deck of one the ships in the harbour. She had some sort of giant instrument half way between a whistle and a flute. A single sharp breath produced a magically amplified sound. It produced a note very loud and very low a base note.
The wounded dragon twitched at the sound of the note. It started to gain altitude as it escapes over sea progressed. The rider figured to avoid ballistas and other weapons by not going over the walls. Vivian watched the dragon grow smaller, ¡°even if I still had my two mile shot it would not be enough to kill that dam thing¡±. The water exploded as green belly got the most exercise that he had in decades. The dragon was three hundred feet above the water, it was only about a third of green bely length but it was still a great deal of effort to move that way. Its jaws clamped down onto its fleeing meal.
That was why no sane creature attacked North port by sea. The vampires had used up there two distractions. Now they were down one black dragon that was now inside green belly''s stomach. At the last moment the vampire riding the dragon dived off into the water, a survivor for another day.
The gold dragon slowly settled above the main square and landed. The dragon looked exhausted and slowly settled down to rest. The remains of one of the dead thrall wyverns was hit with the purify blessing and dragged over for the beast to gorge itself on. The other bits were fed to griffins demi griffs and the surviving wyverns. The Royal princess checked over her mount then headed over to Vivian who was still busy looking for all her various arrows.
She took of her helmet, ¡°mercenary I wish to apologies for my behaviour earlier, I was trying to win the support of the duchess without my fathers knowledge. You have saved my life and I pay my debts¡±. She looked over to the rest of the group, ¡°I am indebted to you all we may not have won without tremendous casualties if you had not been hear¡±.
When she was out of earshot David sighed, ¡°she pulled the stick out of her ass¡±. Martin nodded, ¡°imagine the fall out if they had gotten away with a princess and a gold dragon to taint and control. It could have gone very badly¡±. Vivian looked at them, ¡°enough talk help me find my arrows¡±.
They held the wake for the dead, a toast to each person that fell a candle snuffed out one by one to represent there lives. There names would be remembered for the sacrifice they had given to defend there home.
Between the elder vampire and the elite that Martin cornered they got a bounty of 2400 silver. It was presented by the trade commissioner with a little pomp. The princess and abbot in attendance with the duchess and bishop any arguments forgotten in victory. Vivian would spent most of the next day seeking out each and every one of her arrows. Even going as far as getting Alice to use her magical senses to find the enchanted ones wedged inside the dead creatures, good arrows were hard to come by, there duties would soon be over and they could move onto pastures new.
True Monsters Book 2 – Act 3 Vault Door – Chapter 40 – It Never Ends
There accommodation was not fantastic; despite their victory the duchess hospitality was still withdrawn. They had denied her request and spoken openly of her failures, a little more tact and they might have still been enjoying the high life. Vivian looked over the assembled group pride duty a smile formed on her lips.
¡°Look at us now, we have been through the ringer we have been knocked down a few times. Beaten back almost cut down but we are still hear. We did our duty with professionalism pride honour¡±. David interrupted her speech, ¡°most importantly we got paid, they paid us a fortune for the harpy queens head. That''s two of the elders we have killed now¡±. Alice tapped him with her staff, ¡°I believe I slew the last one on my own¡±. He tapped her shoulder back, ¡°And we kept the rest of its monsters and minions at bay while you did it¡±.
Martin had a sadistic grin over his face, he had been grinning a lot since the vampire¡¯s demise. ¡°While I enjoy the thought of killing one of the unnatural abominations myself, it doesn''t matter who lands the killing blow as long as one of us lands it, and they don''t get away¡±. Vivian looked at him warily, ¡°you¡¯re not thinking of taking on Bismark yet¡±?
He shrugged ¡°I have purpose, I wish to focus in the future, the vampires that attacked bay city. That killed my friend¡¯s family, were killed. But somewhere above them is another vampire someone who authorised that attack. One, two elder vampires are dead, we can make it more¡±.
¡°One of these days I will find them and kill them, then the ancient above them, I believe it is the empress of shadows who they ultimately reported to. That is a goal far away. I will bring the fire they brought to my home to their lairs as my family and friends died, they will feel the same bitterness as their friends and allies suffer one terrible fate after another¡±. The rest of the group took a step back, Martin was proposing starting a war with one of the strongest vampires in existence it was not something that should be done lightly.
Vivian''s voice was full of dire warning, ¡°curb your zealotry for the moment Martin we need to be stronger in our selves. We need to possess better equipment, rally a good number of allies at our side. A far stronger patron behind us and a literal army to do what you are proposing¡±. Alice put a reassuring hand on Martins side, ¡°For the moment we can pick away at the lower levels of the vampires hierarchy,¡± Martin sighted, ¡°I suppose that will have to do for now anything we can kill weakens them one way or another¡±.
David was in a contemplative mood, ¡°you saw the nobles the princess the duchess the power they wield by right of birth. It would not be easy but if you save one of the dukes lives, or they have a particularly difficult request they would make you a knight or a lord¡±. Martin laid it out, ¡°true think on this, if we do slay something like Bismark, they might throw such a reward in with the bounty¡±. Vivian could see the connections forming the potential, ¡°if one of us could achieve rank, then it would be a boon to the rest of us¡±.
Alice looked out of the shuttered window, ¡°we have a future to plan for. Even if is months or years away, at some point I need to return to the capital, hopefully sooner. To see the mages tower and the restricted archive. I need to get my hands on some powerful magic, that the high council greedily horde to themselves¡±.
She counted out things on her hands, ¡°I need to get the support of those relic''s and I need to start getting a few allies, people that owe me. At some point I need to go to deep furrow and talk to the circle of druids, some accord working together druids and mages we would be far stronger combined than separated. Those would be powerful connections that benefited all of us¡±.
They had a few errands to run a few supplies to top up. The group was rightfully paranoid expecting attack at any moment keeping their reserves topped up would help. The merchant¡¯s guild was very busy the deals signed with the elves were now in effect. There was going to be a convoy heading across the long sea very soon. Blue fin would earn his reward leading them. Ships would be loaded exotic goods from the Northern lands the southern lands the central plains the dwarven islands.
Alice found a guild apothecary and replaced the mana potions that she had used in the previous night¡¯s battle. The alchemist¡¯s workshop was a hive of activity. The ingredients brought over from the elven lands were being tested. There were interesting fauna and flora from the western continent that the colonise had never seen.
Small batches of potions were being made trial runs of one recipe or another. Other herbs and tonics were being tested. They had plenty of goods to trade to the elves. Alice filially found a spare alchemist and made her purchases. She had to pay ten silver for the mana potions, but it was money well spent, it gave her a second reserve after her staff.
The city had some very big deals going on. Not to tempt providence and risk another attack the treaty signing ceremony commenced. It was a low-key affair and then the elven ambassador left for the capital, very early in the morning. Accompanied closely with a very heavy guard, the demi griff ridding monks the four griffins the golden dragon and the remaining wyvern¡¯s overhead.
That morning Alice and Martin had poured most of their healing magic and Martins blessings into the beasts to get them up to fighting condition. The wounds of the previous night¡¯s gone Martin used his divine regeneration it could slowly heal even a massive creature like a golden dragon. The beasts were ready for any remaining surprises that might await the ambassador on the road.
There had already been a few units moved around Vivian''s friend Jonathan Swain in the emerald bows mercenary company had mentioned a large part of their company assigned to North port, those forces had been moved to Ulysses crossing with their impressive siege engine the six limbed ballista big Bertha. If she had been in North port the battle could have been much shorter.
After the jubilation of seeing their work and everyone else''s come to fruition with the successfulness conclusion of the negotiations. It was a more sobering affair that faced them as they attended a small meeting with the city leaders and the majority of the garrison commanders.
The sheriff looked across the room¡±. what were the final casualty reports¡± the dock guard Capitan held a list, ¡°12 sailors on the docks were slain, 21 of our brothers in the city guard. From the volunteers we lost 45 of the militia. From our guests 3 of the monks offered their lives up. Two of their demi griff mounts didn''t make it, along with the rouge wyvern. From the church''s volunteers 3 crusaders and 4 vampire hunters fell. The duchess lost one of her knight sir Browne her tamers lost five war hounds and a salamander.
The trade commissioner looked over the room, ¡°Consider this despite our preparations the vampires bypassed our main defensive lines. They had someone on the inside a highly placed blood thrall behind the princess, and yet we endured very well all things considered¡±. A questioning tone filled the duchess voice, ¡°I note you didn''t lose any people¡±, ¡°I employ a lot of competent mercenaries I would not expect losses, we maintained a good defence of our assets¡±.
The duchess swallowed her pain she had lost one of her own dearest. ¡°Bishop Gyfford were there any surprises left by the attack¡±? He looked exhausted, ¡°the thrall taint the ravens spread was strong, we have had to purify over 750 people affected by the taint, volunteers and their families who didn''t have the protection off armour, most have recovered without incident¡±.
He paused adjusting his collar, ¡°we will check the city over again to make sure none slipped past us. Even a few of those creatures could cause a persistent problem inside the city''s boundaries. The cold weather might be the most effective solution. A month or less and the freezing temperatures will finish off any stragglers¡±.
The duchess looked to the trade commissioner, ¡°Gilda what was the damage to the city''s infrastructure¡±? A clerk handed her the right list, ¡°four ballista, 1 heavy ballista and 23 bolt throwers need repairs. 35 buildings damaged or demolished, its estimated 3 months to replace and repair them. Two ships were damaged one superficially the other will need three weeks in dry dock to be ocean worthy, we lack space. We have another three dry docks under construction, but they are not yet finished. It will take time. The resources we recovered from the hidden hand will foot the bill.
The duchess looked to the bishop and trade commissioner, ¡°those golems have ballista¡¯s build into them, we would have avoided most of those casualties and damage, if you let me use them¡±. Alice hammered several items onto the table, ¡°not... necessarily, we found this on the vampire elder, it looks like a control rod used to subvert enchantments¡±. Alice held the bent remains so they could all see it. ¡°It was fairly complex, powerful ¡enough to override a layered enchantment¡±. The duchess changed her mood from anger to something calmer.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
The second item was just as worrying, ¡°this burnt book is a copy of the first third of your book of golem command phrases, it could have ¡gone far worse for us¡±. The duchess still stubbornly defended her position, ¡°her little tricks would not have worked. she only had a third of the text, that battle could have gone far better for us¡±. The trade commissioner stepped in, ¡°there is no point in arguing this, we determined by vote it was not so dire to risk it, we won the fight with the forces we had¡±.
Francis nodded to the bishop, ¡°the vampires¡¯ losses were almost total, we have reports of one vampire getting over the wall escaping from the battlement. They were probably dropped off before the black dragon made its dramatic reveal, a distraction perhaps. A couple of the duchess agents fought them off from the vault door¡±.
¡°They might have been trying to locate the keys to the vault. The city guards almost took their head off with a ballista bolt, but it got away. The vampire riding the black dragon probably survived a dive into the bay. We might have to have the priests temporarily consecrate the bay water to make sure it¡¯s not hiding down there¡±.
The meeting devolved into less pressing matters, the archaeologists report on the old elven outpost a few recovered trinkets gifted to the ambassador. They gave their own testimony on killing the siege ghoul the elder vampire and her lieutenant. In time the meeting ended, there duties concluded the party finally could take a breather.
In a tavern they relaxed, David got a barrel of orange ogre ale, Martin got two bottles of Adder bite vodka, something the hunters distilled at the holy mountain. It had enough of a kick to get him good and waisted he was strongly warned not to give even a sip to anyone else, lest it kill them. He wondered what could be strong enough to subvert his poison resistance, but it felt good to have his worry''s melt away again even if for a few hours.
Alice tried some spiced heated wine that the elves introduced, it went down well enough infused with dried herbs brought across the sea. Vivian had ale quite a bit of ale, with a dash of a little blue spice she kept to herself.
They met up with their squads who had done a good job through the battle David''s exercise and training had saved a few lives. They were making plans to keep going when they received a letter from there patron Alexis.
The witch finder Nicole strode through the tavern she was there senior being an emissary reporting directly to one of the triune. David held up a tankard, ¡°grab a drink, didn''t see you in the battle which corner of the city did you fight in¡±. ¡°I was on a warship in the bay we tried to intercept a group of wyverns. But they manoeuvred around us by the time we got back we saw the splash from green belly getting the dragon. It was enough of a wave to reach the high tide mark, I thought that I would deliver this personally good luck with your next assignment¡±.
The emissary drained a tankard of ale then rushed off to some duty or another. Vivian read the letter, ''My dear agents now that you are whole now that you are exalted masters, I have another task for you. The merchant that runs grey forge Amicia Howard needs to get an elder dragon a level 200 black dragon Obsidian Jet and its family out of the ultramite mine. We have been denied this resource for too long, it is vital for our nation. Also, we need to access deposits of adamantine and octium that have similarly unpleasant residents''.
''The merchant guild need them cleared away too, you will encounter some difficulty, but I am sure that you will rise to the occasion. A few other little tasks will be laid out for you, the trade commissioner is arranging passage. May the creator god go with you in all your endeavours you will be in my prayers.
They were quiet for several moments, Vivian was the first to break their silence, ¡°well that is an interesting contract, this will take quite a bit of time to fill. This dragon will be our most powerful opponent yet, we probably need to take any option to grow stronger before we face such a beast¡±. David looked confused, ¡°Bismark is a higher level, doesn''t it mean he is a stronger opponent right¡±?
Vivian snapped back, ¡°it¡¯s a family of dragons probably at least one other above level 50 black dragon and several juveniles. Even if we can split them up, they will be difficult to deal with¡±. Alice''s eyes looked calm, ¡°a black dragon of that level Is sentient intelligent. One that has reached the ultimate level for a dragon would have two supreme skills at their disposal¡±.
Martin''s words held a hint of sarcasm, ¡°a comforting thought, thought if it thinks it can be tricked¡± Alice was unconvinced, ¡°tricked, not likely, they would ¡be really old, old enough to have seen the blood alchemist¡¯s empire fall. To have been alive during the dragon rebellion. To have driven back the alchemical titans and slain their former masters¡±.
Martin raised his gauntlet, ¡°this creature stands between our people and what they need to fight this war, we will need to kill it¡±. David had a far-off grin as he imagined, ¡°still the reward must be immense, I need to look into a better weapon, we will probably need quite a few allies, Vivian isn''t that company of archers the emerald bows based out of grey forge. I remember they had a really big ballista, and then there is the grey company. They are the biggest mercenary outfit in the North¡±.
¡°We might be able to recruit a few of their heaviest hitters, for the promise of a share in the reward¡±. Alice flipped through a book ¡°I believe that the dragon jet will allow any who pays its price to gather a handful of ultramite¡±, Vivian nodded ¡°it might be a good way to scout it out, and ultramite headed arrows would pierce a dragons hide easily¡±. Martin could see the problem in front of him he twisted it this way and that, ¡°Perhaps we don''t have to take the entire nest in one go, divide and conquer. There have to be at least two of them with a mind two differences we could play on¡±.
David remembered how they had beaten lexicon, ¡°we might get to use that alchemists bomb we confiscated from the hidden hands¡±. Martin tapped his fingers ¡°One more point we must considerer that we will be in the territory of a different vampire the jewelled lord, he is part of a different faction allied with the countess of winter. Hopefully Bismark and the others don''t chase us, paradoxically it will give us a break until we make more enemies.
David began to think, ¡°I guess we really are going to war, what''s it going to take to put a dragon that tough on the pyre¡±? Martin''s left fingers touched the hand of Tesla, ¡°Perhaps another artefact would help us out, the hand of Tesla is powerful but a drop in the ocean against something like that¡±. Alice was quick to point out the other side of the equation, ¡°think what we need to do to survive a dragon like that. It would have a very ¡poisonous and caustic breath, Martin would last the longest with his poison immunity. But that is not saying much against its corrosive damage, David''s armour would easily win we need to be smart about defence¡±.
Vivian considered their options, ¡°mobility is a good defence it can¡¯t hit what isn''t there, did you see the demi griffs in action they were superb. they are tough fast loyal and strong¡±. Alice added a dose of reality, ¡°also incredibly expensive. they eat a lot of meat, still depending on what we are fighting we might be able to accommodate them. they have a high protein diet; it makes knights unpopular with the peasantry when a beast like that eats more meat in a day than they see in a year¡±.
David interjected, ¡°Some horses would be a better bet we don''t need a sturdy mount just a fast one right¡±? Vivian looked at it the way a professional mercenary company would operate, ¡°Perhaps we need to look at getting our own coach, hire a driver and a guard. It would enable us to carry far more equipment to even the odds, spare arrows for me. Maybe one of those bolt throwers or a pike something to give David something with a bit of range, Alice you could take a library with you Martin how many alchemist supplies could you load up. A full workshop maybe¡±.
Martin saw where they were going, ¡°everything is a balance of costs and benefits we are going to the armour of the north. The best gear we can find will be there¡±. David shrugged, ¡°picking up the ability to carry some spare equipment on the way would still not be a bad thing¡±. They moved outside to the training grounds.
Alice looked about the group, ¡°I need to practice my new magic, it would be like Vivian putting down her long bow and picking up a crossbow instead, it would take time to learn. The first time let me try this¡± the magic felt off, unbalanced, her hands became a blur of movement mana coursing around her fingertips. with her usual mage spells the mana was contained within. With this it ran wild, the magic built and there was a jolt of excruciating pain.
The spell activated around the spot she aimed. It cost her a chunk of her mana but in the spot, she aimed green thorned vines sprouted out of the ground. They were twisting around looking for something to ensnare. The damage from the vines was not initially impressive but the area over five yards across would be a good way of holding a group of opponents at bay. With a little practice she might be able to focus the spell on one opponent. like trapping a dragon¡¯s limbs. The spell was rather random in its duration, the vines faded away into nothing after five minutes.
Though a strong creature could break free from the spell far earlier, it was excellent for keeping a horde of lower level monsters in check. As long as Alice could maintain it. That was her first taste of her new magic, it felt primitive primordial by comparison like a roll of the dice and the tips of her fingers ached.
Alice was coming to terms with being a pain caster and the inherently unstable wild magic, to practice made her hesitant. She looked at the rest of the group who had cheered her getting it right the first time, ¡°usually my spells are precise ordered, the wild ¡magic its different¡±. Martin looked quizzically at her ¡°let me think of an analogy, you can understand. I have one the difference between a carefully measured pistol charge fired at a specific target. Now imagined dumping a random number of bits of metal and a half-guessed charge of ¡powered into a blunderbuss. It is powerful inaccurate; it will kick like a mule and it could blow up in your face¡±. ¡°yes, I see what you mean¡±.
Vivian turned to them,¡± We have a long road ahead of us, our faith will be tested our skills and commitment pushed to their limits. We will see wonders and horrors of magic. Look at what we have suffered already. There is more to come but through the suffering we are forged and made stronger. Look at the monsters we have already slain. For the upcoming battles there will be a toll and there will be a reward, as Martin says only true monsters win¡±.
characters current stats - 1/2
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Vivian Tanner |
Age |
19 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Man at Arms |
Level |
8 |
|
| 1st Mastered Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
100 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
575/575 |
Adrenalin |
500/500 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
106 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
6 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
6 |
| Dexterity |
13 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
108 |
Level Defence Bonus |
108 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
303 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Man at Arms skills and Abilities |
| Basic Training L1 |
Crippling Shot L8 |
Drill Sargent L1 |
| |
| Mercenary skills and Abilities |
| Comprehensive Training L17 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Shot L4 |
| Bow Proficiency L8 |
Speed Shooting L8 |
Critical Strikes L8 |
| Better Criticals L8 |
Pierce Armour L8 |
Shatter Shield L8 |
| Strike Through target 8 |
Improved Range L8 |
Knock Down L8 |
| Stun L8 |
|
|
| Supreme Martial Art ¨C one per day martial art ¨C two mile shot 50 adrenalin ¨C 1000 physical damage 5 second stun one arrow. |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath / member of the Fellowship of Masters |
| Intensive Training + 1 Endurance and Strength |
| Flaws |
| Blue Moon dust addiction |
|
|
| Vivian |
| Bracelet sonic defense -45 point - swirly silver |
| Dagger of the Adder + 5 poison damage on strike ¨C seven inch fancy dagger |
| Octium golem eye + 3 perception |
| Ring of Eagle eye - + 5 perception |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points x 2 |
| Greater Belt of health ¨C plus 45 health ¨C red belt |
| Pin of voice enhancement ¨C copper and iron |
| Bow yellow yew spring mithral and gryphon''s sinew ¡± tips dragon tooth, mithril adamantium alloy string +25 damage sighting mithral, Effectively +60 physical attack, + 20 accuracy 20% 5 second chance paralysis on human sized target l. 30% chance 5 second fear, octium springs for bow plus100 damage plus 20 durability |
| Damascus armor hauberk +2 endurance |
| Damascus armor Chain mail greaves + 2 point agility boost |
| Damascus armor Plated boots + 2 points strength |
| Damascus armor + 5 armor neck guard. |
| Damascus armor Helmet + 2 point willpower |
| Damascus armor chainmail and plate gloves + 2 point dexterity |
| Nightmare spider silk gambeson + 60 armor |
| Tabard over armor basic quartered black and red patterned squares on the chest, with stripes on the legs. Down to the knee |
| Minor poison resistance potion + 50 points resistance x 1 |
| Red Scarf over mouth lower face |
| Token of the bulls-eye +5% critical ranged - gold medal of a target |
| Amulet of ruinous defense A charm against sorcererus and necromantic magic plus 25 points |
| The Princes Disdain ¨C octium layered mace five faced a twisted poped handle hard metal |
| Three favor belt of elemental resistance. 30 point resistance to electrical fire and ice based attacks. |
| Steel chain mail neck guard |
| Ring of the adders tong 50 point poison resistance |
| Back Pack |
| Oiled green sheath for bow |
| oil stone + oil x 5 |
| Hand axe |
| coil of rope |
| letters of introduction. agents badge |
| rusty bear trap |
| tan eye patch |
| Holy water x 1 |
| Crystal vials of sanctified holy balm |
| Spare string steal and octium |
| Small quiver + quiver made by martin |
| Damascus bodkin arrows x 10 |
| Octium arrows x 10 |
| Mithral arrows x 10 |
| Silver arrows x 5 |
| Bleed arrows x 2 |
| Iron broadhead arrows x 20-25 |
| Mithril arrows elemental x 3 - 50 points fire electric ice |
| Adamantite arrows x 5 |
| Adamantite arrows - corrosion+ 10 points damage per second x 10 |
| Alchemist arrows ¨C glass bulb ¨C 5 knock out arrows ¨C blue mists of morpheus |
| Alchemist arrows ¨C glass bulb ¨C 5 smoke screen ¨C smog arrows |
| Alchemist arrows ¨C glass bulb ¨C 5 poison cloud ¨C mustard yellow |
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
| Status Screen |
| Name |
David Fisher |
Age |
18 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Man at Arms |
Level |
5 |
|
| 1st Mastered Occupation |
Mercenary |
Level |
100 |
|
| Affiliation |
Glass Bay Mercenary Free Company / Merchants Guild Association |
| Health |
560/560 |
Adrenalin |
500/500 |
Efficiency |
2 |
| Strength |
106 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
6 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
10 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
105 |
Level Defence Bonus |
105 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
303 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Man at Arms skills and Abilities |
| Basic Training L1 |
Parry L5 |
Drill Sargent L1 |
| |
| Mercenary skills and Abilities |
| Comprehensive Training L17 |
Layered Armour Perk L4 |
Adrenalin Power Strike L4 |
| Sword Proficiency L8 |
Shield Proficiency L8 |
Adrenalin Power Block L4 |
| Defend Against Missiles L4 |
Duelist vs single target L4 |
Defence Against Horde L4 |
| Shield knock down L4 |
Bonus sword damage L4 |
Hail of Blows L4 |
| Counter Armour L4 |
Counter Heavy Armour L4 |
Counter Shield Defence L4 |
| Protect Allies L4 |
Contract Bonds L4 |
Soldier of Fortune L4 |
| Battle Brother L4 |
Peak Conditioning L4 |
Shining Armour L4 |
| Immovable L4 |
|
| Supreme Martial Art ¨C one per 1 week ¨C martial technique ¨C Rallying Command- all solders under his command + 20% attack + 50%hp + 20 agility + 20 strength + 20 endurance ¨C 30 mins ¨C 100 adrenalin cost |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Gambling Addiction |
Greedy |
|
| David |
| Ring of Bores Endurance + 3 Endurance ¨C silver ring |
| Amulet of striking -10% stun chance with sword ¨C silver amulet |
| Mithril Shield ¨C defensive rating of 300 impact absorption 55 points. natural armour 40 points 10 point agility boost. Curved with horizontal bracing boss and edge top edge highly polished bottom of shield two blunt spikes to dig into ground to brace against impact. Clip on steel bracket for torch. |
| Nightmare spider silk gambeson + 60 armor |
| Suit of steel chainmail + 70 Armor |
| Belt of Five Favors 50 point resistance electric acid fire sonic ice |
| Suit Mithril Plate reinforced with octium banding 30 point magical resistance 600 armor rating fire resistance equalling 60 points greaves, enchantment adding 40 points of extra health on the chest armour |
| 5 points of endurance enchanted onto each of the two pauldrons. 5 points of agility on each of the pair of boots |
| Helmet boosted with 2 points of intelligence and 2 points of wisdom. |
| Gauntlets left sure grip and the right one true strike. |
| Grey sword, A hand and a half bastard sword mithral steel alloy enchanted with durability cleaning and sharpening enchantment piercing enchantment. The left edge has a poison The right edge has a silver plating and a lingering fire enchantment . The pommel has a stun enchantment . The haft has the sure grip enchantment. |
| Minor poison resistance potion + 50 points resistance x 1 |
| Amulet of vivacity 30 points of extra health |
| Pre-eminent Amulet of Ruinous Defense + 75 points defense vs necromancy and sorcery |
| Ring of the Challenger + 10 agility + 10 endurance + 10 dexterity |
| Leather bag hip. Few personal effects |
| Back up silver five inch dagger, in a black leather sheath |
| Tabard of basic black and red patterned squares on the chest, with stripes on the legs. |
| Banshees Reprieve 25 points sonic resistance ¨C small round badge |
| Greater Sprinters ring - bonuses + 2 agility + 20 reserve of Adrenalin |
|
Letters of introduction. agents badge
|
| Consumables |
| Holy water x 1 |
| Minor Potion of Adrenalin + 120 points x 2 |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Potion of restore stamina ¨C go from exhausted to battle ready x1 |
| Crystal vials of sanctified holy balm |
characters current stats - 2/2
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Alice Costar |
Age |
17 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Pain Caster |
Level |
1 |
|
| 1st Mastered Occupation |
Mage |
Level |
100 |
|
| Affiliation |
The Eternal Tower Mages Guild/ Royalist Court |
| Health |
318/318 |
Mana |
735/735 |
|
|
| Strength |
3 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
105 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
3 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
6 |
Perception |
5 |
|
|
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
101 |
Level Defence Bonus |
101 |
| Number of Simultaneous Spells |
6 |
|
|
| Base Wild Magic Spell Cost 5 Mana |
|
|
|
| Base Mage Spell Cost 1 Mana |
Magical Defence |
200 |
| Class Proficiency |
| Pain caster skills and Abilities |
| Mana Regeneration L1 |
Blood to Mana L0 |
Track Mana L1 |
| Tower Mage skills and Abilities |
| Mana Regeneration L6 |
Analyse Magic L6 |
Recharge Enchantment L6 |
| Supreme Spell ¨C one per weeks ¨C spell ¨C power unending 5 minutes effectively infinite mana then complete mana drain 100 backlash damage |
| Spell List ¨C Wild / Pain caster magic |
| Field of Thorned Vines dose 2-7 damage per level initially for 3-6 seconds x level immobilises target with vines five meters 5x base mana wild magic |
| Spell List ¨C Tower Magic |
| Fire Bite (5 Damage + 2 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Fire Bite Master (16 Damage + 5 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Heal Master (15 Heal + 6 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Ranged Heal (5 Heal + 1 per Level ) 1 x Base Mana Cost |
| Fire Ball Master (30 Damage +12 per Level 10 foot Area ) 4 x Base Mana Cost |
| Touch Poison Cure ¨C 5 x Base Mana Cost |
| Tracking Acid Strike Master (16 damage + 5 per level ) 1x base mana cost |
| Aura of Healing Master (15 heal + 5 per level per second 10 seconds) allies 10 foot 10x base mana cost |
| Physical Shield Master (6 x level resistance to physical damage) 3x base mana 25 seconds |
| Elemental Shield Master (5 x level Resistance to Cold lightning fire) 4 x base mana 25 seconds |
| Icy Tomb Master (7 points of cold damage per level 13 seconds) freezes target in place instant 10 x base mana |
| Electric Strike Master targeted spell 13 foot radius (40 damage + 7 per level) 4 x base mana |
| Illusionary Allies Master - target individual 13 copies of caster illusions remain for 6 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Poison Gas Cloud Master ¨C cast on area 10 foot by 30 foot duration 7 seconds 3 point of poison damage per level 2 x base mana |
| Bonus Vitality Master ¨C cast on target gets 6 x level bonus hp for 6 x level seconds ¨C 4 x base mana |
| Tracking Kinetic strike Master 45 + (7 x level) physical damage 3x base mana |
| Earthen Wall Master (defensive barrier) 8 x level + 90 hp of barrier ¨C 3 x base mana |
| Desiccate Master ¨C causes damage by removing water from living creatures (6 x level damage) 3 x base mana cost free aim |
| Mage Armour Master ¨C spectral weightless armor on self armor points 2 x level for 4 x level seconds 4 x base mana |
| Invisibility Master ¨C 3 x level seconds invisible ¨C 5 x base mana |
| Destroying Flame / Mana Lance improved ¨C 7 x level magic damage for 5 base magic per second can run continuously directed attack |
| Perks |
| Bound by Oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Flaws |
| Fear of Bats |
Shy with Peers |
Self Harming |
| Inventory |
| Alice |
| Belt of the Scaled Hide ¨C armor + 5 ¨C long black belt |
| Necklace of Greater Warding + 10 armour ¨C 10 points of impact reduction oblong bronze with sapphire. |
| Bracelet of Minor Healing.+ 5 to any ranged healing ability ,red copper and dull bronze wire wrapped together, a torque. |
| Major Ring of Armor + 10 points ¨C silver ring |
| Belt 3 favors grater 50 elemental resistance fire ice shock |
| Master mages robe of radiant, nightmare spider silk + 60 physical armor ¨C warmth enchantment + 2 point agility and 8 points of natural armour. |
| Bracelet of iron will + 25 resistance to mind control |
| Staff of the Grand Master + 150 points of mana +15 natural armour + 6 points of perception with the addition of a 30 point resist fire enchantments. The staff was made from ebony with blue leather grips channels carved in the wood had alternating mithril and octium wire running around the staff. It was caped with a silver iron cap that looked like a small mace |
| Greater Ring of the adders tong 75 point poison resistance and 20 points of corrosion resistance |
| Spell crystal of alcoholic infusion |
| Ring of the Equalizer 2 points of endurance 2 points of strength, |
| Ring of torchlight, brass ring. Low light |
| Broach of spell boosting any offensive spell + 5 caster levels - three sided swirls of silver gold and copper intermingling to form a triangular patter |
| Sharp curved Iron Dagger |
| Ward of defense +15 Armour +1 endurance + 5 caster levels + 60 second duration shield spells - small mithril / silver belt decoration shield shaped |
| Apparel |
| thin belt , personal items purse and cutlery. |
| Brown woollen cloak from martin at broken gorge |
| Brown mittens |
| Custom Made Mithril Cap 30 armor + 10 natural armor |
| Mustard yellow scarf |
| Pair of large sturdy boots. |
| Stylish yet impractical shoes blue |
| padded cap padded vest |
| Set of Splint Bracer''s mithril +10 points of impact reduction, 40 armour / greaves + 15 points of impact reduction , 60 armour |
| Linen wraps over top of boots |
| ring-mail mithril vest of ruinous defense Resist 50 points necromantic/infernal magic + 60 armor |
| letters of introduction. agents badge |
| Forest Green hat |
| Alice polished mithril mask + 1 perception + 1 intelligence |
| Canvas bag full of books |
| book on enchanting. V1 + V2 |
| book Magical phenomenon volume 1- 3 |
| poetry books from lamia queen |
| book of dragons and wyverns |
| book the devouring flame |
| Supplies |
| Minor Potion of Mana + 120 points x 2 |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Relive x 3 ¨C druid ¨C Anti petrification / paralysis scrolls x 3 in blue holder |
| Minor poison resistance potion + 50 points resistance x 1 |
| Master Tonic of speed. + 30 dexterity and 30 agility for 5 mins |
| Status Screen |
| Name |
Martin Wrigt |
Age |
29 years old |
Race |
Human |
| Primary Occupation |
Crusader |
level |
18 |
|
| Secondary Occupation |
Journeyman Craftsman |
Level |
11 |
| 1st Mastered Occupation |
Vampire hunter |
level |
100 |
|
| Affiliation |
Order of Steel and Silver / The Church of the Creator God |
| Secondary Affiliation |
Bay City Guild Hall |
| Health |
4672/4672 |
Focus |
555/555 |
Focus efficiency 2 focus |
| |
|
Adrenalin |
90/90 |
Adrenalin efficiency 5 |
| Strength |
29 |
Intelligence |
5 |
Wisdom |
5 |
| Agility |
5 |
Endurance |
110 |
Charisma |
5 |
| Dexterity |
7 |
Perception |
5 |
Faith |
Yes |
| Bonuses |
| Level Attack Bonus |
129 |
Level Defence Bonus |
129 |
| Bonus Base Weapon Damage |
72 |
|
|
| Class Proficiency |
| Crusader skills and Abilities |
| Bonus vs Demon |
Holy vow ¨C Church |
|
Mounted Combat Feat |
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Sword Parry L9 |
Martial Proficiency ¨C Sword |
Cleaving Strike L8 |
| |
| Vampire Hunter skills and Abilities |
| Bonus vs Vampire + Minion |
Resist Disease |
Holy Symbol usage L4 |
| Greater Poison Resistance |
Blade Coatings L4 |
Focus Shot L4 |
| Greater Psionic Resistance |
|
Greater Sonic Resistance |
|
| Immunity to Taint ¨C Demonic, Thrall, Necromantic, Ghoul and Vampirism Taint |
| Pistol Proficiency L17 |
Overload Shot L1 |
Focus re-load L4 |
| Throwing knife Proficiency L4 |
Focus throw L4 |
Focus Multi Throw L4 |
| General Melee Weapons L19 |
Focus strike L4 |
Grenadier L14 |
| Focus Parry L4 |
Duel Wield Focus Attack L3 |
Combat Medic L8 |
| Focus Stitch L4 |
Trap specialization L5 |
Poison Use L4 |
| Focus Diagnose L4 |
Focus Set Limb L4 |
Focus Resuscitate L4 |
| Combat / Focus Dodge L4 |
|
|
| Supreme Blessing ¨C one per 1 weeks blessing ¨C death grip of ire 25 focus ¨C 1000 sonic damage 1000 poison damage 1000 corrosion damage 1000 physical damage 1000 holy damage |
| Blessings Use Per Day |
| Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage unblockable x 14 |
| Shield of Faith ¨C 50 points of temporary health x 2 |
| Guardian Angel ¨C blocks first two attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Guardian Seraphim angel ¨C blocks first four attacks that would penetrate armor x 1 |
| Armor of Faith ¨C ten extra points of armor block both magic and physical attack x 2 |
| Purify ¨C remove taint disease etc x 19 |
| Holy Aura ¨C five feet - ten points holy damage ¨C per second x 2 |
| Divine Retribution ¨C 100 points of holy damage unblockable x 6 |
| Circle of Consecration ¨C fifteen feet area ten points holy damage per second x 4 |
| Sphere of consecration ¨C twenty five feet area twenty points holy damage per second x 3 |
| Fortress of faith ¨C 100 points of temporary health + 20 points of armor x 1 |
| Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage x 8 |
| Divine Favor ¨C 20 hit point Regeneration for 5 seconds x 17 |
|
| Hallowed Earth ¨C 250 points holy damage in 10 meters x 1 |
| Martyrs Sacrifice ¨C minus 4 hit point per second + 20 attack + 10 strength + 10 agility + 10 dexterity. - (really painful) consumes focus per sec x 1 |
| Chain Smite ¨C 200 points lighting damage + 50 points per second of ability stacks x 1 consumes focus per second |
| Thy Will be Done ¨C can see location of enemy directed to them |
| Wrath of the Almighty ¨C (300 holy 100 fire 100 freezing 100 electrical) damage x 3 |
| Greater resist igna ¨C resistance to 65 points of fire damage x 2 |
| Greater resist lightning ¨C resistance to 65 points of electricity damage x 2 |
| Greater resist cold ¨C resistance to 65 points of cold damage x 2 |
| Litany of blessings ¨C activates every unused defensive blessing x 1 |
| Bastion of faith ¨C 250 points of temporary health + 30 points of armor x 1 |
| Citadel of Faith ¨C 300 points of temporary health + 40 points of armor x 2 |
| Pillar of salt ¨C 400 point holy attack transforms enemy to salt x 3 |
| Pillar of Fire ¨C 400 point fire attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 3 |
| Pillar of Ice ¨C 400 point Ice attack x 5 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Greater Pillar of Fire ¨C 500 point fire attack 8 seconds can target spot or individual x 1 |
| Martyrs Spirit ¨C summons an ethereal hunters spirit for ten seconds capable of holy damage then fades back to there rest. X 1 |
| Crusaders Stride ¨C cannot be knocked down or back consumes focus per second x 1 |
| Field of Wrath ¨C 25 points of holy damage all targets 25 foot in front of hunter x 4 |
| Hand of judgment ¨C 500 physical damage 500 holy damage knocks target down x 1 |
| Word of Judgment ¨C 500 sonic damage 500 holy damage stuns target 5 seconds x 2 |
|
|
| Purge mind ¨C cleans mind control x 3 |
| Purge soul ¨C removes demonic corruption possession x 3 |
| Cleanse Air - cleans tainted air x 2 |
| Cleanse soil ¨C cleans tainted ground x 2 |
| Cleanse water ¨C cleans corruption form water x 2 |
| Craft Proficiency |
| Administration L1 |
Woodworking L1 |
Leather Working L3 |
| Mettle Working L5 |
Sowing L1 |
|
| Perks |
| bound by oath ¨C member of the fellowship of masters |
| Well Maintained Perk on all equipment |
| Pistols ¨C improved critical damage 30% + Armour penetration 150 points Long ranger rank 3 |
| Grenades ¨C improved focus throw improved distance 30% + accuracy 60% |
| Vitality level 3 ¨C 4 x base hit points |
| Flaws |
| Alcoholism |
Zealot |
Survivors Guilt |
| Sadistic |
|
|
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| Martin |
| Holy artifact Hand of Tesla - mithril black adamantine construction 1000 shock damage x 10 gauntlet battle alchemist device |
| Two long pistols. + ammo pouch |
| Tesla grenades x 2 |
| set of steel throwing knives 2 poison 2 fire oil 2 silvered |
| Four barreled pistol |
| Lion hearts hammer + 250 holy damage |
| Octium throwing knives x 4 |
| mallet dark red hardwood leather wrap + few stakes |
| 10 mithril bullets |
| Thermite grenades 5 large ¨C 5 medium ¨C 10 small ¨C 10 stun grenades |
| 5 octium bullets |
| Armour etc. |
| set of standard hunter armour steel leather blessed durability + bonus experience |
| Armoured mask taken from the Professor |
| Monocle of clarification ¨C low light vision ¨C read target approximate level hp |
| Holy symbol solid Damascus steel with a wooden handle grips |
| Utility items |
| Brass compass |
| Alchemists flask minor healing x 2 |
| Healing potion minor ¨C 50 hp x 2 |
| Minor potion of focus+ 120 points x 2 |
| A Brief Guide to Monsters ¨C Book |
| Roll of Tools ¨C leather working etc hammer and chisel |
| Tinder box |
| Flasks tip x 2 |
| Pair of pliers for fangs pair of forceps |
| Leather case, for locks sturdy tools. twisting and prying jimmying |
| Letters of introduction. agents badges |
| Holy water x 2 |
| Permit to transport live vampire for interrogation purposes |
| Crystal vials of sanctified holy balm |