《Ruins of Majesta - Blood and Cupcakes》 Ruins of Majest - Vol 2.3 Spidersilk Icing Prologue + Intro Jensen¡¯s Recap Corner Aye ye, paladins of Majesta, I see ye¡¯re back fer another round of hammer swinging, Rune enchanting, Rogue-cat slicing, necromantic Gran¡¯ma, action are ye? Well My name is Jensen Clanmeister and it¡¯s my civic duty to share with ye the plights and progress of a certain paladin named Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff. Now without further ado let me catch ye up and send ye on yer way. Since it¡¯s only been three days since we last spoke this recap may be a bit on the shorter side but i¡¯ll make it sweet as possible. I¡¯ll start from where our heroine Fluff was entering her instance of Specter¡¯s keep dungeon with her teammates Grax and Margaret. A wide open underground cavern filled with baddies of varying natures and nasty abilities. Many Paladins across Majesta were given their own instanced dungeons to grind as a reward for winning their local tournament. After the first day, thousands of, we¡¯ll call them unprepared, paladins were kicked from their respective dungeons. The Royal Death Claws though, have been progressing carefully for the past three days to stay safe. In fact, Fluff was almost kicked from the instance when she got in over her head and was taken out by a cranial slime. Luckily, Grax decided to finally return to Majesta seconds before Fluff took her trip across the veil. Just like that cat. Do none of the work and get all of the glory by saving the day. They¡¯ve battled vuurms and the Skaduu Army, Gained a boon from Umbrasom the God of Shadows, himself! And made a buttload of grenades. As Always Fluff has been creating all types of things for her team to use fer their betterment. Through their hard work they¡¯ve managed to light up three of the eight stones needed to unlock the door to shadow¡¯s keep. They are about to wake upon Fluff¡¯s twelfth day and continue that journey. Now I would be remiss if I didn''t mention Fluff¡¯s brother Mojo Boomstar and his crew. They¡¯re in the Capitol city of Techros, Drahtspule. While waiting for Fluff to defeat the dungeon, They ran into a rough group of guys named the Knockers. Somehow they wound up hitting it off and went to fight a bunch of chickens with elemental powers. Imagine dinosaurs with feathers spitting fire, swimming through the ground, or blinding ye like a strobe light an ye¡¯ll get my point. The knockers don¡¯t have it easy because they¡¯ve been plagued with a poor reputation score which can affect how the world treats ye. Ye tend to stay away from people that just want to see ye locked up just for saying good morning. And while the knockers may not all have hearts of gold they are definitely not the bad guys. How do we know this, ye may be asking? Because the bad guys are kidnapping them. We¡¯ll get more into those bad guys and Malcipher in a right mo. But before we continue on with our story, just take a look at my little goosle¡¯s stat sheet. She¡¯s grown so much.
Name: Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff
Race: Princess
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Title(s) High Empress of the Pie Mountains, Enchanted Seamstress, Enchanted Grenadier, Enchanted Armorer
Raider Mark(s) Imps of Avarice
Class Skill: Engineer Class Skill Points
Specialization: Runes 25
Level: 20 XP: 6766/6,939
Hp: 1540 Regen: 15.07HP per minute
Stats
Strength 23 Max. lift 177 +17lbs
Mana: 43 Mana pool: 1290
MP Regen: 12.17 per sec.
Stamina: 39 Depletion rate at max effort .46SP per sec.
Regen: 5.58 per min.
2 unassigned stat points and 4 unassigned attribute points
Attributes Bonuses
Constitution: 22 (Base 19) +21%
Endurance 22 (Base 19) +21%
Intelligence 45 (Base 35) +28%
Presence: 15 (Base 13) +21%
Perception: 17 (Base 13) +25%
Agility:Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. 18 (Base 15) +24%
Abilities
Awareness level: 7 (+15% to Perception)
Enchanted Grenadier Level 5
Iron will Level: 4 (+11% to Endurance +8% to Intelligence)
Whack-A-Vole Level: 4
Crushing Blow Level: 4
Skinflint Level: 4 (+11% to Presence)
Shadow Eye Level: 3
Enchanted seamstress Level: 2
Achilles Heel Level: 2 (+7% to Agility)
Acrobat Level: 1 (5% to agility)
Survivalist Level: 1 (+5% to Constitution)
Adamant Level: 1 (+10% to all Attributes)
Wellspring Level: 1
Flesh of The MagiI Level: 1
Spirit of Pie Mountain (Racial Ability) Level:1
Dual Cast Level: 1
Dual Wield Level: 1
Marathoner Level: 1 (Stat bonuses)
Dynamo Level: 1 (Stat bonuses)
Skills Level
Enchantment 6
Runes 5
Rage of Pyrmos 1
Trades Level
Sewing 2
166 unspent skill tree points
Trades Level
Sewing 6
Engraving 5
Tactician 2
Blacksmithing 2
Armorer 2
Herbalist 1
Miner 1
Cobbler 1
Baker 1
Tailor 1
Glazier 1
Weaving 1
Fieldcraft 1
Fishing 1
Logging 1
Architect 1
Jewelcrafter 1
Knitting 1
Leatherworking 1
Alchemy 1
Calligrapher 1
Cartographer 1
Hunter 1
Carpentry 1
Stonemason 1
Mechanic 1
Painter 1
Trader 1
Locksmith 1
Sculptor 1
Saddlery 1
Acupuncturist 1
Field Medic 1
Healer 1
¡­¡­¡­
Trade Agreements
Princess Storage Company (+2 Skinflint +10 to Presence)
11.9b Prologue - The Heretic Nilson Van Ondergod wasn¡¯t easily likable. That fact was mostly a byproduct of what he did for a living¡ªor the flies. People hated the flies that surrounded him, though that kept them from finding out what he really did. In his line of work secrecy was important. His main occupation was surviving his employer¡¯s wrath. His employers? One could describe them as bloodthirsty businessmen who had him under contract for the rest of his natural life, any unnatural life and then for the eternity afterwards. Nilson had learned to hate dealing with them because they always found another loophole in his contract to torture him with. That, and they smelled like sulfur and brimstone. Every promise of power that was given added to his worldly advantages. It was a welcome addition, making him stronger, more competent, and more potent. These additions also came with more severe restrictions that placed his soul deeper and deeper in jeopardy. While most would quail, Nilson had fought back and studied the techniques his employers used to spread their taint into the world. His successes pleased his employers furthering him into a higher standing and granting him greater favor. And endless cycle that always ended in his damnation. It was that very point Nilson was thinking on, quill in hand and finger on his lip. The feather on the quill tickled his nose and he sneezed. The force of his breath splattered ink over the drawing of his magical diagram obscuring some of the runes and abyssmal sigils. He growled in complaint and made quick notes to make sure the sigils were not forgotten as he began redrawing the diagram from scratch. The abysmal lords he served were not of the eight gods of Majesta nor their children. They existed beyond their influence and as such were not natural to this world. They existed only to devour the essence of everything they came into contact with. To do this they needed agents in this world to spread their taint allowing them to feed on the very essence of the world. It¡¯s akin to the external digestion that insects use. They spread their taint to break down the fabric of creation and then slurp up all of the raw essence, Nilson thought. But even at a feast of essence as grand as Majesta, souls were still the most delightful of delicacies. Providing the flavors of pain that the abysmal lords relished. Well, it¡¯s too late to back out now. Grx¡¯ybl would swallow my soul and then I wouldn¡¯t be able to survive the abysmal cataclysm. Nilson never said these thoughts out loud because his employers were always watching or listening. And as he had this thought a fly landed on the back of his hand. Flies were always drawn to where the taint was present. Same as they were drawn to bloated corpses, offal, and animal droppings. They could sense the world breaking down and enjoyed the easy pickings. ¡°They are the worst part of this contract,¡± he muttered. He swatted at the bug knowing that even if he killed it a hundred would take its place. The buzzing drone that existed in his personal office was why no one ever came to visit him. That or the glowing sigils that covered the room and drained people of their energy. He set about redrawing his diagram when he heard his other employer call for him. ¡°Harry, are you here?¡± Nilson shuddered. Her voice had the same effect of nails on a chalkboard even though it sounded saccharine and sultry. It was all fake and Nilson knew it. She was a spider who ate her prey with zealous abandon. I hope she does try to eat me. He chuckled thinking about the painful surprises and multitude of ways he could destroy her if she tried. The fly that would eat the spider. But for now she furthers my goals and for that, I have to play the role. He sighed pulling his hood over his face and slid through the shadows to the warehouse floor where she stood fawning over her hunky new bit of prey. He made a wide berth around the soul converter he had created for her to ingratiate himself to her and useful to his main employers. It sigils lay dormant except for the few that linked the diagram to the abyssal plane and kept a small imperceptible hole open. What Nilson hadn¡¯t told her, was that this soul converter caused each soul that underwent the process to continuously feed his abyssal masters as well as cause them to serve her as mindless husks. The four pillars that surrounded the diagram were merely channeling inputs that converted mana to essence and fed his masters. His masters, in turn, wiped the free will of whatever subject was placed into the diagram. They would also take some of the subject¡¯s essence as a snack. He was essentially feeding Peter to pay Paul. He approached the boss of the spiders, his impatience literally vibrating off of him. ¡°I am not Harry,¡± he snarled. ¡°I am the Heretic and it would do you good to remember that, Zh¨©zh¨±,¡± he spit her named like it was bitter ash on his tongue. Zh¨©zh¨± looked bored and rolled her eyes. ¡°Anyway, Harry could you show our guest what this does?¡± She motioned to the diagram. Nilson sighed loud and deep. I will personally feed her soul to Grx¡¯ybl, bit by bit. He gave up on the stupid name game and focused on what it was she wanted. He grumbled as he walked away snapping his fingers to alert the members of his circle. They joined him without hesitation. His circle was well disciplined and they knew their jobs well. Bit by bit may be too good for her. I''ll have to ask Grx¡¯ybl for ideas to lengthen her pain. He then motioned for the subject to be brought forth. As the poor sot was placed in the soul converter and it fired up a bit of resonance abyssal resonance escaped the formation and flew towards Zh¨©zh¨±¡¯s new boy toy. It lit him up light a beacon to his abyssal sight. He has no soul! Nilson¡¯s mind rolled from the idea that someone without a soul could exist. He made plans to get closer to this man just to find out how this had happened. The information could gain him some favor. At the least, the demon lord Grx¡¯ybl may find this idea to be most amusing. At most, the demon lord may be able to use this body as a vessel. And that would mean rewards of power. Only the shadows under the hood and the distance from Zh¨©zh¨± kept his leering grin and guttural laughter from reaching her attention. That, and the fact that she was fascinated with her tall, muscular, new toy. But just like all of the other toys, he would break soon enough. Here''s a sneak peek of the cover for book 2.1 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hg68rpa1NTlTniEE76EvcBLniz9BfiFv Day 12 - Trial by Fire, Water, and Bureaucracy Day 12 - Trial by Fire, Water, and Bureaucracy "Through practical experience, I learned that it is best not to dry wet boots over a fire with your feet still in them." Patrick F. McManus
14:20 EST, Saturday February 7th, 2043
Time passed in real world: 43hrs 20mins
Time passed in Majesta: 260hrs
12.1 On Runes and Reputation Mayah stretched as the sound of trumpets blared in her ears. She rolled over after hearing the deep guttural groan. She saw Margaret her favorite Necro-Ranger swipe away the notification and pull her shirt pillow over her head blocking the light.
Specter¡¯s Keep Daily Update
3,562 teams entered the dungeon 4 days ago. Only 152 remain. Congratulations on making it through your fourth night.
Thank you, for playing Majesta.
¡°Good mooooooooorning Margaret!!!!!¡± Mayah sang cheerfully. Dark and muttered words of possible eldritch origin were the only response that Mayah received. ¡°That¡¯s fine, but could you at least pull out the tea for me, please?¡± Margaret¡¯s body rustled under her blanket and an arm stretched out holding a thermos. She deposited the tea and her arm snaked back under the blanket like the leg of a trap-door spider. ¡°How is she so unintentionally creepy?¡± Mayah said to herself. She looked at the clock and wondered when Grax was going to be back. Then she switched over and began thinking about how last night could¡¯ve gone better. Rushing head first into a zerg rush. Not my best bit of planning but it worked. She shrugged and poured a single cup of tea letting the sleeping nec lie. The Tower defense was fun if a little on the repetitive side. I''ve really been letting my crafting slide. I need a whole day to sit alone and build things. The biggest thing holding me back is I need materials to build things. Her thoughts turned to the market place back at the training village and wished she¡¯d spent more time there. Might as well look at what we have already. She looked at the rewards pane in her inventory and saw they hadn¡¯t distributed any of the loot for the dungeon so far.
Shadow¡¯s Keep Loot Table
Skaduvuurm Skin x79
Skaduvuurm Oil sac x120
Skaduvuurm Wings(2) x83
Skaduvuurm Meat x374
Skaduvuurmlord skin (damaged)
Skaduvuurmlord tail
Skaduvuurmlord claw x3
Skaduvuurmlord scale x21
Eye of Shadow
Vial of Skaduweesp essence x13
1 Class Specific Plan: Arrow Tower (engineer)
1 Class Specific ornament: torc of the Fleet (Ranger)
1 Class Specific Raiment: Cowl of Silence (Rogue)
Blackfire scale Breastplate
Greaves of darkness
Bracers of umbra
Skaduweesp Commander¡¯s dagger
Skaduweesp titan¡¯s War cleaver
Vial of Umbrosia x3
This list didn¡¯t include the Gather (S) rune she had scoped from the temple of umbrasom, Tarhandtula remains from the time she spent in Clacker¡¯s Alley, or the spoils she gathered when she discovered the r?tten. Mayah wondered why the drops were so poor and went onto the forums and searched for item prices and almost instantly found a high-ranking article by someone named BaconBeard32. It was titled Disparity of drops in training village vs. the sandbox. It summed up the harsh reality that awaited them outside of the village with this quote, ¡°The drops and rewards for quest were found to be doled out in copper and silver, versus the gold we were accustomed to. A paladin could easily live in the shadier side of town for fairly cheap. A single gold coin can last you a month if you lived sparingly.¡± Mayah¡¯s face screwed up a bit as she thought this over. ¡°The training village really was trying to give us a leg up, just like Jensen said.¡± she sipped her tea and mused on the reality of this. It¡¯s gonna be hard to get rich in Majesta unless you really grind and get to the high-level mobs. But that falls directly in line with what we were told. Next, she looked at the sleeping r?tten and pulled up their stats from last night¡¯s power leveling. Deanna who did most of the work went from level 2 to level 5. Riker who started off at level 3 had only made it to level six because he was a bit squishier than Deanna and acted like it Time to fix that right now. If I can get them to level 10 before we leave that would be amazing. She started to pull out items that could make a difference in Riker¡¯s offensive or defensive capabilities and thought over how she had mistakenly created Deanna by pulling out her soul. She shuddered at the thought and recalled that was what originally made Deanna drop back to level 1 from level 3. Gotta avoid that if at all possible. She scratched her upper lip and was attacked by the smell of gasoline mixed with high proof alcohol. She looked at her finger and noticed it was covered in skaduvuurm oil and the ink of her stamping. She wiped it off on her pants and It left a smudge of the ink on her pants and it came off of her finger as well.. ¡°Thank god I can finally get rid of this mustache.¡± She pressed her finger into an oil sac and wiped it on her lip and then wiped it off with a scrap of fabric. Even though her sense of smell was tarnished by the world smelling flammable and noxious she knew it would fade. ¡°I really need to pay more attention to my alchemy and this wouldn¡¯t happen to me.¡± she looked at the 13 vials of skaduweesp essence. ¡°What can I make with those?¡± Her hand hovered above the list and then she swiped it away in frustration. ¡°Gotta stay focused. I was working on Riker and Deanna.¡± She pulled up her companion tab.
Companion tab
Companion 1 Name: Riker
Species: R?tten - Male Level: 6
HP: 22/22 Disposition: Friendly
Abilities: Bite and Claw
Upgrades available - Riker
Defense 1 increase defense 1 point
Attack 1 Increase attack 1 point
Strength 1 Increase Strength 1 point
Stamina 1 Increase stamina 1 point
Agility 1 Increase agility 1 point
Rapport 1 Increase Rapport 1 point
You have: 50 points
Companion tab
Companion 2 Name: Deanna
Species: Iron R?tten - Female Level: 5
HP: 80/80 Disposition: Friendly
Abilities: Bite and Claw. Bones, hair and teeth have been magically infused with iron. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack and defense rating. +1 to Base for Attack, Defense and Affinity
Upgrades available - Deanna
Defense* 4 increase defense 4 points
Attack* 4 Increase attack 4 points
Strength 2 Increase Strength 3 points
Stamina 2 Increase stamina 3 point
Agility 2 Increase agility 3 point
Affinity* 3 Increase affinity 2 points
Rapport 2 Increase Rapport 3 points
You have: 30 points
Mayah noticed a few differences between her two companion¡¯s charts and a major oddity. ¡°Riker has points available for all of his levels.¡± The other oddity being that even though the r?tten had leveled their hp had stayed the same. The major differences were that Riker had no affinity and his abilities were basic compared to Deanna¡¯s. The interrupted thought from earlier came back to her in a flash. ¡°So can I give Riker his affinity without dropping him down to level one? Well I guess we¡¯re gonna have to find out. But first we need to know what kind of affinity he wants.¡± She pulled up her enchanting skill tree.
Enchantment skill Tree
Arm Charge Auxiliary Skills
Arm 1 Unlocked Charge 1 Unlocked Batch Enchant 1 Unlocked Soul Drawing 1 Unlocked. Elemental Soul substitution 1 Unlocked
Arm 2 Unlocked Charge 2 Unlocked Batch Enchant 2 15pts Soul Drawing 1 Unlocked Elemental Soul substitution 2 Unlocked
Arm 3 Unlocked Charge 3 Unlocked Soul Drawing 1 20pts. Soul Snare 1 Unlocked Elemental Soul sub 3 20pts. Imbue Essence 1 20pts.
Arm 4 19pts Charge 4 19pts Soul snare 2 25pts.
Mayah had used a combination of soul drawing and Elemental souls substitution to create the anomaly that was Deanna. It had taken two rounds of enchantment which were about 20 or so minutes apart and during that time Deanna had gone from a level 3 r?tten to a level 1. Now she prayed that she could avoid most of the level loss if she did the Elemental soul substitution as soon as possible. There was also the question of if she could just use the elemental soul substitution by itself. She decided to read the description again to make sure.
Elemental soul Substitution
Level 2 Enchantment skill tree
Allows the enchanter to remove a portion of living essence from a creature which will be substituted with an element of the enchanter¡¯s choosing. The element chosen will determine new abilities and properties of the creature. The creature will have an affinity for the element and will need that element to continue its growth. Example: Like, maybe by removing the Life essence of a r?tten you can add the essence of iron from a throwing knife. ...or something like that. Except now you can add more elements.
At level 2 you will be able to substitute 2 elemental affinities per creature.
Unlocked
That would eliminate the time that it took her to complete the enchantment and also the risk of lost levels. And she had given Deanna her affinity with no levels at all. She considered upgrading the soul substitution but decided against it. She took a deep breath and relaxed. No harm would come to the little guy if she could help it. Mayah reached over and shook Riker awake. ¡°Hey bud, you want an element like Deanna?¡± Riker¡¯s head popped up completely attentive. Deanna hearing her name stirred, opened one eye and then fell back asleep Riker skittered over into Mayah¡¯s lap and looked her in the face expectantly. Mayah smiled into his beady eyes. Okay, little guy I have a few choices, for you. We can go metal like Deanna, but I wouldn¡¯t suggest that because you¡¯ll just bump heads. And if I''m correct you want something to impress her. I''m fairly sure that I can use something that I have enchanted to give you properties like fire,¡± She pointed at the smoking campfire, ¡°Or maybe shadow?¡± At the mention of shadow Riker squeaked and hid under her arm. she remembered the trauma he must¡¯ve gone through as a skadur?tten driven insane by the evil shadows in this place. ¡°Okay so maybe not shadows. But it wouldn¡¯t be the angry shadows this time just regular shadows. Now next on my list are the poison sacs and web sacs. You could make yourself pretty useful if you could trap and poison things. Then there¡¯s the oil sac from the vuurm which they used to spit fire.¡± ¡°The way these things work I''m really leaning towards a stealth build for you. You could sneak in someplace poison them and then when they¡¯re weakened we could steamroll them. Where as for Deanna, I have a feeling she¡¯s gonna be right up front in the thick of it, causing distractions and such. So for now I would say go for poison and we can add an element later. I think.¡± she scratched her cheek absentmindedly as she thought about it. ¡°Yeah I think poison would be best. You can bite something and it would get weakened. I''ll up your agility and you can dart in and out while Deanna tanks whatever it is your fighting.¡± Riker let out a squeak and looked around and then back to Mayah. ¡°You trust me don¡¯t you?¡± Riker looked down at his paws and then back up to Mayah and nodded an affirmative. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down, little guy.¡± Mayah pulled out all of the venom sacs she had. They looked like small leather bags big enough to hold a dime and they were moist and slippery. She shuddered when she touched them and separated twenty of them figuring that would be enough to complete the enchantment. She grabbed Riker and wrapped him a burrito of fabric so that only his head and tail were sticking out. He looked at Mayah with worry and a few squeaks as he struggled against his blanket bonds. ¡°This is just to make sure I won¡¯t lose my grip on you and screw something up. I''ll get this over as quickly as possible and let you free okay?¡± She snuggled the rat in a rug to reassure him. She gathered the sacs in one hand and her hand began to itch slightly from the venom sacs. Better hurry this up. ¡°You ready?¡± Riker squeaked his assent from Mayah¡¯s lap. Okay here we go.¡± Mayah started the enchantment and thought elemental soul substitution. Riker went limp as his essence was pulled from his body and she felt it floating in front of her. She pushed the essence from the venom sacs up towards the floating ball of soul and began to mix the essences together. She wrapped the venom essence around and through Riker¡¯s essence adding as much as she could. She kneaded and mixed the essences trying to make them completely homogenous before her mana ran out. She cut the string off of the venom sacs and with a final push she surrounded Riker with his new venom essence. She dropped 30 points of stamina into her mana using wellspring and compressed the essence into the r?tten¡¯s tiny body. With a final push it clicked and Mayah released the enchantment and Riker began to stir. Mayah gently unwrapped her r?tten burrito and laid Riker in her lap. He opened his eyes and yawned. Mayah stared at his opened mouth. Two sections separated from the back of his jaw and spread wide, like a spider''s mandibles. A glistening fang uncurled and extended from each of the mandible-like structures. As the yawn ceased the fangs folded back down and the secondary mandibles disappeared back into Riker¡¯s mouth. Mayah stared on in disbelief as Riker sat up and began to clean himself. ¡°So bud, notice anything different about your mouth?¡± Riker ignored her. And kept cleaning. ¡°Fine then but you¡¯re going to bite me later and show me what you¡¯re working with.¡± She opened up the companion tab and found that he had a new subspecies designation and an affinity.
Companion tab
Companion 1 Name: Riker
Species: Venom R?tten - Male Level: 6
HP: 22/22 Disposition: Friendly
Abilities: Poison Bite, Poison Claw. Teeth and Claws have been magically infused with Venom. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack rating. +1 to Base for Attack and Affinity
Upgrades available - Riker
Defense 1 increase defense 1 point
Attack* 2 Increase attack 1 point
Strength 1 Increase Strength 1 point
Stamina 1 Increase stamina 1 point
Agility 1 Increase agility 1 point
Affinity* 2 Increase affinity 1 point
Rapport 1 Increase Rapport 1 point
You have: 50 points
¡°So he has an affinity now, a boost to his attack, and I get to play with all the points from levels two through six. So I need to up his defense first. Wanna make sure he survives. Then his attack. Hopefully his venom will get stronger. Then his agility, rapport and affinity. She finished the distribution and looked at his chart.
Companion tab
Companion 1 Name: Riker
Species: Venom R?tten - Male Level: 6
HP: 80/80 Disposition: Friendly
Abilities: Poison Bite, Poison Claw. Teeth and Claws have been magically infused with Venom. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack rating. +1 to Base for Attack and AffinityDid you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Upgrades available - Riker
Defense 3 increase defense 4 points
Attack* 5 Increase attack 4 points
Strength 4 Increase Strength 1 point
Stamina 3 Increase stamina 4 points
Agility 4 Increase agility 5 points
Affinity* 5 Increase affinity 5 points
Rapport 3 Increase Rapport 4 points
You have: 0 points
Mayah accepted the changes and watched as Riker began to transform. His shoulders and chest got broader and then slimmed down as his body and neck stretched out. He began to take on the proportions of a weasel with longer and skinnier legs. He definitely looks more agile. And where¡¯ed that extra point in attack come from? I¡¯m gonna need to add these points one at a time next time we do this. The transformation stopped and Riker squeaked. It had more bass to it than before, but was still a squeak. He began to examine himself and scampered out onto the grass and spun in circles squeaking trying to look himself over. Deanna finally woke and tried to find the source of the squeaks. When she saw Riker she dropped her ears, bared her teeth, and her hair bristled sharply. Riker noticed her at once and ran over to her. Deanna lifted up on her hind legs and swiped a claw at him. Riker jumped a foot to the side to avoid the blow. He looked extremely surprised at the distance he had moved and spun, lowered his head, and rushed back into towards Deanna. She tried to bite him and Riker agiley avoided the move again. Riker being confident that Deanna couldn¡¯t touch him came in slow, squeaking at Deanna. Deanna must have gotten his scent and she relaxed slightly. Riker spun to show himself off to her and bounced around excitedly. He ran up on Mayah¡¯s lap and bounced again and put a paw on Mayah Deanna squeaked, ambled over and put a paw on Mayah as well looking up into her eyes. ¡°You want upgrades too?¡± Deanna squeaked and nodded. ¡°Well okay then. Who am I to argue. You earned those points.¡± Mayah added one point to defense and watched Deanna¡¯s HP jump 15 points. She added a point to attack and nothing changed. Next she added two points to strength and watched Deanna¡¯s HP jump another ten points. When she added two points to stamina the HP jumped another ten points. She continued down the list adding to points to everything until she added two points to affinity. As soon as she brought Deanna¡¯s affinity up to five the r?tten¡¯s attack and defense jumped by one. So that¡¯s where that extra point came from. She finished up by bringing Deanna¡¯s Rapport up by two and finalized the changes.
Companion tab
Companion 2 Name: Deanna
Species: Iron R?tten - Female Level: 5
HP: 130/130 Disposition: Friendly
Abilities: Bite and Claw. Bones, hair and teeth have been magically infused with iron. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack and defense rating. +1 to Base for Attack, Defense and Affinity
Upgrades available - Deanna
Defense* 6 increase defense 4 points
Attack* 6 Increase attack 4 points
Strength 4 Increase Strength 4 points
Stamina 4 Increase stamina 4 points
Agility 3 Increase agility 3 points
Affinity* 5 Increase affinity 4 points
Rapport 4 Increase Rapport 4 points
You have: 1 points
Mayah watched as the hair on Deanna¡¯s back became stiffer and was grouped into individual tufts that looked more like spikes that stuck up from her body. She got wider and her legs got more muscular and a tad bit longer. She was a cross between a rat on steroids and the missing link between a porcupine and a pangolin. She¡¯s a pangupine! ¡°Soft fur girl,¡± Mayah said and the iron spikes fell flat. Mayah gave her scritches and felt that the hair was stiffer and didn¡¯t soften as much as it did before. ¡°You like it?¡± she asked Deanna. Deanna tried to jump like Riker and wound up barely getting the air he did. ¡°Oh you wanted to be more agile like Riker?¡± Deanna nodded. ¡°Sorry girl. I was imagining you as a tank. That way you could take what anybody threw at you. It kinda fits with the whole iron thing.¡± Deanna sulked. ¡°We¡¯ll get you some more agility. We just need the levels to do it.¡± Deanna looked up at Mayah. Riker came over and put a paw on Deanna¡¯s shoulder. Deanna instantly bristled. Mayah turned Deana¡¯s head towards herself. ¡°Don¡¯t you take it out on him. I did this, not him. And we¡¯ll fix it. Okay?¡± ¡°But for now, just know he¡¯s got a venom attack and you give damage when attacked. So, you¡¯ll work well together. He¡¯s the damage dealer and you¡¯re the tank. Plus, I''ll have another element I can give you soon.¡± Both of the r?tten perked up at that. Mayah chuckled. ¡°Not now. We¡¯ll get these elements leveled and then you¡¯ll be ready.¡± Mayah looked at her clock. ¡°Nine o¡¯clock. Where is that cat? Anyway, let¡¯s have a look at my skill trees.¡± Mayah pulled up her enchantment skill trees and sighed. These auxillary skills are great and I need more of them, but I should focus on the main branch and see where that leads me. Currently her Arm enchantment and Charge enchantment set at level three. She hoped there would be a breakthrough soon but with 166 skill tree points she was planning on breaking through something today. First, she added Arm level four for 19 points and level five for 20 points.
Arm
Level 5 Enchantment skill tree
Allows the enchanter to arm any object by placing an active essence into the enchanted object. The enchanted object will then have some of the behaviors of the essence. It will also activate any runes that are on the object if they are compatible with the active essence.
Example: Enchanting a dagger with poison will change the dagger¡¯s essence and make it a poison dagger. Unless the enchantment is removed, the dagger will remain poisoned for the rest of its existence.
At level 5, arm will transfer up to 100% of the active essence to the enchanted item.
Unlocked
You have 127 skill tree points remaining.
The next level was greyed out and unavailable. After all that, a dead end? Can¡¯t be. She examined the chart again and the next skill was actually placed between the arm and charge columns. So, I don¡¯t meet the prerequisites. Let¡¯s see if I can fix that. Mayah spent the 39 points to bring Charge up to level five.
Charge
Level 1 Enchantment skill tree
Allows the enchanter to imbue mana into the enchanted object to activate when prompted. After creation, anyone can prompt the activation of a charged enchantment.
Example: A torch enchanted with fire will light when prompted to by the bearer of the torch.
At level 5 only 200% of mana used to enchant the item can be put into the charged object. At higher levels, more mana can be added from secondary or tertiary sources for a longer duration of effect.
Unlocked
You have 88 skill tree points remaining.
The first thing that Mayah noticed was that charge 5 used the words ¡®only 200%¡¯ meaning that there were going to be more levels of charge and as she looked at the skill tree the block that was greyed out off of Arm 5 turned blue and connected to charge 5. ¡°Necessary steps huh?¡± The new block was labeled mana control. It gave no other information and cost 25 skill tree points. ¡°Well I can¡¯t get around it and if I want my enchanting to level I might as well.¡± She pushed the buy button and was flabbergasted.
Mana Control
You have gained a basic understanding of how to form and shape mana. This allows you to visualize the flows of mana you produce while enchanting. You will have greater control over size shape and density of mana you can project. Denser manas will be easier to handle and the rarer or less dense manas will be easier to coalesce into manageable densities.
All mana usage cost 10% less.
You have 63 skill tree points remaining.
A 10% off coupon for all mana purchases??? Yes please and thank you. Should have done this as soon as I got these points yesterday. Just because I have a big hammer doesn¡¯t make me a warrior. I''m a crafter and I need to stay in my lane. She went back to her tree to see what came next and was happily surprised until she read it in its entirety.
Enchantment Skill
Apprentice level up
At the apprentice level, anyone who wishes to advance their Skills must find a trainer, join a guild with a trainer, or complete a Class specific quest to unlock this tier of advancement. For your apprentice Enchanting Skill you must join the Enchanters guild or find a suitable trainer. This will grant you access to enchanting formulas, libraries and trainers who will be able to help you level your apprentice level Skill. If you never join a guild, find a trainer, or complete a class specific quest you will level your skill normally and be capped at beginner level 100 in the skill
Cost: 30 Skill Tree Points
Locked: Conditions not met.
You have 63 skill tree points remaining.
The frustration this roadblock caused anger to burn bright in her stomach. Her fists clenched and she ground her teeth. As the pressure was building inside of her thoughts flew around her mind at an incredible speed. She tried to find the words to sum up what she was feeling. Only one word came to mind and she let it out like a valve blowing off the extra pressure. ¡°Boooooooooo¡­!!!!¡± ¡­¡­ Mo sneezed himself awake and fumbled with his nose withdrawing a long piece of straw that had tickled him into awareness. He sneezed twice more and blinked at the sunlight streaming into the haybarn. His dream clouded thoughts coalesced into the reckoning of his present situation. ¡°Right. Chickens. Slept on hay bales.¡± he stretched and yawned taking in his surroundings. He could hear the sound of knockers and construction coming from across the yard. He stood up and stretched once more then brushed off all of the hay that was stuck to him. He walked out of the haybarn covering his eyes from the sun as his eyes blinked away the last of their sleepiness and caught a whiff of the most delicious smell. His stomach rumbled hungrily. He rubbed his rumbly tummy and said, ¡°when in doubt, follow your nose, it always knows.¡± He stumbled over to the house, the smells intensifying, and he knocked on the door, ignoring the construction team on the other side of the yard. Engele Henhausen answered the door. Driskel¡¯s wife had a smile on her face this morning and invited Mo in. ¡°And a good morning to you, Booms. Would you like some tea?¡± ¡°Yes please, and some of whatever is cooking in there,¡± he said hopefully. ¡°Yewl eat when everyone eats moy boy-o!¡± Celiaphus Bonkers¡¯ voice rang out from the kitchen. Mo chuckled hearing the leader of the knockers engaged in his true passion. ¡°He¡¯s been up cooking for hours,¡± Engele said as she disappeared into the kitchen. She promptly returned with a cup of tea and a pot of honey. ¡°He is a delightful cook. I wondered how I was going to feed all of these men.¡± ¡°Oi cook for moy boys all the toime,¡± Bonkers¡¯ voice reached out of the kitchen. ¡°It¡¯s no put-out for me. But Booms, the missus, ¡®ere has some excellent stock which¡¯ll have us all celebrating our tum-tums in wee bit.¡± Mo''s stomach whined to be fed and he took a sip of the tea hoping to calm the rumblings. The tea was warm and sweet and Mo felt instantly refreshed.
20% boost to stamina regeneration for the next 2 hours
¡°This tea is amazing Engele. I wish I could have some of this everywhere I went.¡± Engele smiled at the compliment. ¡°What till you see what Celiaphus made, Booms. We traded recipes and came up with a muffin recipe that you¡¯re sure to love.¡± Bonkers head popped out of the kitchen. ¡°The whole knoife grabbing thing is gone too. Me and the boys noticed it this morning. Feels good, it does.¡± ¡°Glad to hear that.¡± Mo gave a little celebratory fist pump. Bonkers came out of the kitchen and pulled off his apron. ¡°Everything is almost ready. I got one last bunch of muffins finishing off.¡± ¡°So, about that quest you gave us? Where do you think we should start?¡± ¡°Oi''m of the moind that the knockers should be some type of official group loike. Like the knocker¡¯s society or the union of knockers.¡± ¡°Have you thought about changing the name from knockers at all? I don¡¯t mean to put it down but the name isn¡¯t that upwardly mobile.¡± He sipped more of the tasty tea while Bonkers scratched his chin. ¡°Oi hadn¡¯t really looked at it as such. Which is obviously why we need your help. We need to know what type¡¯o organizations we¡¯ave to choose from. And then we can figure everything out from there.¡± ¡°Sounds like I know what I''m doing today. Any good ideas on where to start?¡± ¡°Ooh,¡± Engele interjected with her bubbly voice. ¡°try the main offices of the science assemblage. The info counter there should be able to aim you in the right direction.¡± ¡°Sounds good to me.¡± Mo replied. Bonkers stood up. ¡°Toime to get moy muffins outta the foire. Message the boys and tell¡¯em brekky in foive, would ya?¡± ¡°Sure thing Bonkers.¡± Mo messaged the whole team and told them to ¡°Get up and at¡¯em.¡± a few angry responses came through about dreams and such but they were mostly playful. Then Mo helped Engele carry tables outside where the knockers would get served soup kitchen style. As Bonkers brought the food out Mo told him, ¡°I''m taking Ziggs and Mephi back to town after we eat. I want to get a good start on the quest you gave us.¡± Good Oidea. Oi''ll send most of these fellers back with youse. There¡¯s only so many men that can build chicken coops until hands and arms start getting in the way.¡± ¡°Elbows to buttholes my dad used to say.¡± The words were floated into the conversation with a whiff of skunkiness as Mephi showed up. ¡°Hey Meph,¡± Mo gave the skunkman daps. Bonkers practically threw a plate of food at Mephi. Now youse get away from my buffet!!! You¡¯ll ruin the taste with miasma, ya will¡± Mephi shrugged. ¡°Can¡¯t be angry at getting served first.¡± Hey Bonkers, make me a plate for Ziggs as well?¡± ¡°Sure thing, Booms.¡± Bonkers handed Mo two plates and the duo walked off to waft the smell of bacon and eggs and cinnamon rolls and something that Mo had no idea what it was across the farmyard. Knockers began to stir rather quickly after a whiff of the food and they continued their search for Ziggs. The found her box underneath the tree in a corner of the yard. Mo knocked lightly on the robo box and heard Ziggs whine, ¡°What? I''m sleeping.¡± ¡°We got breakfast trashbot!¡± Mephi yelled. ¡°Ooh breakfast in bed¡­¡± The cockpit slid out of her soon to be mecha named gunny num nums and instead of the seat which they had gotten used to there was a fairy sized equivalent of a king-sized bed with a tiny fairy sleepily lazing in the sheets. ¡°Gimme,¡± she hisspered. Mo placed the food on top of her mecha chassis and said, ¡°Not if you¡¯re gonna ask like that.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Ziggs began typing on an invisible interface and a robotic arm reached out of the side of the box. It grabbed the plate and pulled it into a side compartment. Twenty seconds later a small tray rolled out next to her bed with a full complement of the meal in fairy sized proportions. Mo''s eyebrows raised. Ziggs saw the look and before he could ask, she said, ¡°fairy magic.¡± As they all ate Mo briefed them on how they were going to head to the science assemblage and start the quest for the knockers. Ziggs brought up a good question through a mouthful of cinnamon roll. ¡°So, what are they going to change their name to?¡± ¡°No idea. But we should have that conversation sooner than later.¡± Mephi added. ¡°The first thing they need to figure out,¡± Mo swallowed the last of the food in his mouth, ¡°before everything else, is what kind of organization they¡¯d like to build. And for that we should figure out the types available. So, first step is still the science assemblage.¡± ¡°After we thank Bonkers and Engele for the delicious meal we head back into the city and get started. Any other business?¡± ¡°Just the same things. Where do we get levels and how quick can we get them?¡± ¡°And shinies, this fairy needs shinies¡ªfor reasons.¡± ¡°Girls¡­¡± Mephi groaned. ¡°After this quest I have to finish up my class quest. I need that to be on the schedule.¡± ¡°Unless we get waylaid by some evil forces you should be fine ya big smelly lump of¡­ you!¡± Ziggs chided and instantly retracted her cockpit back into her pixie frame. Mo was hit with the olfactory wave of irritation and said, ¡°knock on wood.¡± and knocked on the tree. ¡°Why?¡± Mephi asked. ¡°Because, yesterday she said something about anticlimactic and then we end up fighting three giant chickens. I think we should talk about the things we do want and not the things we don¡¯t want. There used to be this whole movement that dealt with the law of attraction. It was basically training your brain to see the positives in life and thereby made you more able to enjoy the small things and be happier. But I think this game actually listens.¡± ¡°So you think the game hears us say something and then laughs evilly and puts that something in our path?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t have enough info yet but I''m noticing a trend.¡± ¡°So we should watch what we say?¡± Ziggs asked ¡°That¡¯s my recommendation until we learn more.¡± Mephi said seriously ¡°Yeah Ziggs,¡± Mo added. ¡°it would be a shame if someone showed up and just gave us a ton of money. It would be so horrible.¡± Ziggs chuckled, ¡°Oh no what would we ever do if we were covered in money?¡± Mephi just facepalmed. ¡°I don¡¯t think it works that way.¡± Mo grabbed him by the shoulder and laughed as Mephi sighed defeatedly. ¡­... Malcipher awoke in the spider¡¯s den, the silk sheets just a whisper against his skin. He had never known that luxury could feel so amazing. He still held no use for the trappings of the rich but he made up his mind to enjoy it while he could. He lazed in the bed for a minute more before throwing the sheets off and sitting up. He pushed open the curtains that surrounded the large bed and glared at his surroundings. Zh¨©zh¨± had given him a large room with more silk pillows and spider themed ornaments than he had ever seen in one place before. Everything was done in black and silver silk with the occasional flash of red. The accommodations could be considered lavish even if the styling was peculiar and reminded him of a spider¡¯s web. He recalled her words as she left him last night. ¡°This is where I let my special guest stay,¡± she said temptingly, her hand tracing down his cheek and neck, before finally coming to rest on his chest. The predatory glint in her eye made him shudder unconsciously at the memory. He shook it off and equipped his armor. It was a shabby counterpoint to the opulence that surrounded him. He messaged Halsh and told him to meet him in the common room. As soon as he did a knock came from the door. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± he asked gruffly. From his inventory he pulled a sword and buckler. He got into his stance and prepared for close quarters combat. ¡°It¡¯s me, Keyes, Lord Coad,¡± Halsh¡¯s voice came from outside the door. ¡°Come in. Slowly,¡± Malcipher growled. He didn¡¯t like surprises. The door slowly opened and Halsh¡¯s hand came into view followed slowly by his other hand and then the rest of his body. Malcipher still in his ready stance motioned for him to enter and waited until Halsh had closed the door. Once it was closed, he stashed his weapons into his inventory and relaxed a bit. ¡°Lord Coad.¡±Halsh nodded. ¡°Keyes. Why were you outside my door?¡± ¡°Waiting for you, sir.¡± Malcipher growled in thought. ¡°Have you seen Zh¨©zh¨±?¡± he asked the man. ¡°No sir, one of her men gave me this letter and asked me to give it to you.¡± Halsh reached into his bag and offered the letter to Malcipher. The letter was heavily perfumed and Malcipher broke the waxen seal with a spider imprinted on it and read the letter.
Lord Falx Coad of the rugged jaws, My dearest, I have some urgent business to attend to. Please enjoy yourself in Drahtspule. Here is a messaging stone and some spending money to help with that. I will return this evening so we can dine together. I will message you when I am on my way. Please find suitable attire as we may need to travel in the higher echelons of society to further my needs. There should be more than enough money to get that small task done. Remember your oath not to kill anyone, or disrupt or draw attention to my business. Behave as a normal law abiding citizen. Avoid violence if you can. If you can¡¯t make sure you only act in self defense or can completely destroy any evidence. In other words keeps your hands out of and off of everything while you¡¯re here in techros. Forever yours, Zh¨©zh¨± Ps. Try to find something in silk. XOXOXO
As he unfolded the last bit of parchment a silver messaging stone with a spider embossed on it fell into his hand along with a silver coin that was smaller and brighter than the silver coins he was used to. Platinum. ¡°We¡¯ve just gotten ordered to find nice clothes and hang around looking pretty.¡± ¡°Well, Lord Coad, it could be worse.¡± Halsh smirked. ¡°Pray tell, Keyes, how could it be worse?¡± ¡°Instead of being off mission and cleaning toilets we get to go shopping. Personally, I could use a few healing potions and new armor,¡± Halsh hinted to Malcipher. ¡°You know Halsh, you may be on to something,¡± Malciper agreed. As he stroked his chin the perfume made its way into his nostrils again. They flared and he grimaced at the scent. ¡°We can leave as soon as I wash this putrid perfume off.¡± Yes, Lord Coad.¡± Halsh¡¯s stiff upper lip may have held back the laughter but it couldn¡¯t hold back the mirth from his voice. Malcipher glared at the shadowranger. ¡°Get me some soap and water.¡± ¡°As you command Lord Coad.¡± Halsh bowed and then left to find a chambermaid. ¡­.. Before Grax fully formed in the clearing he could hear Mayah saying, ¡°Finally!¡± Grax spun to find both women printing papers with rune stamps. ¡°What¡¯s up princess?¡± ¡°What do you think, dinkus? We were waiting on you.¡± ¡°Well your wait is finally over. Also... good morning,¡± he said chipperly. ¡°And a good almost afternoon to you too.¡± ¡°Morning kitty,¡± Margaret said. ¡°I have a surprise for you.¡± Before he could ask what the surprise was, Margaret chucked a stiletto at him. Grax dipped the throw and glared at Margaret. ¡°Awww¡­ you ducked.¡± Margaret Gripped the grass in her fist. ¡°I thought you liked gifts?¡± ¡°Not gifts of pain!¡± Grax said brusqely and shook his head at the necro-ranger. ¡°Anyway, hold off for a second while I share my good news.¡± ¡°What good news is that?¡± Mayah sat back on her haunches and studied Grax. Grax stared back. ¡°Aw man your hitler-stache is gone!¡± ¡°What. is. your. good. news?¡± Mayah emphasized every word to get the cat back on track. ¡°I had so many new jokes planned for you.¡± ¡°Good news. Now! Or I won''t be held responsible for what Margaret does to you.¡± ¡°Fine, fine.¡± Grax sidled over to them and sat down. My mom got a call from Attactus Industries.¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°Well long story short. They may have a system to help my sister. But since she¡¯s going to be in long term immersion, they need her to buddy up with someone. Guess who they picked?¡± Mayah crossed her arms and glared at him. Grax took the hint and continued. ¡°So, they want to talk to my parents and bring me a long term immersion pod and something about attactus VR school settings, advanced learning stuff, time compression and college within the year, blah, blah, blah...¡± So, under the guise of helping your sister you get a long-term immersion pod so that you can help Fluff?¡± Margaret asked. ¡°Yep! It¡¯s tech heaven.¡± ¡°Will they really be able to help your sister?¡± ¡°That¡¯s still an unknown, But it¡¯s better than the nothing that¡¯s happening for her right now. They¡¯ll be there tomorrow at 8 a.m.to get the paperwork finished and start the process. When I logged in Josh left me a message about it. He said they¡¯re going to claim the first week will be a testing phase before the school actually starts. So I''ll be able to be here helping out more while they work on my sister.¡± ¡°Congratulations, Grax. I hope they can help your sister¡± ¡°Me too.¡± His smile faltered a bit. ¡°But since we¡¯re here, what¡¯s the plan?¡± Mayah pointed to the cave. ¡°Go that way. Kill stuff.¡± ¡°Wash, rinse, and repeat,¡± Margaret chimed in. ¡°I''m really starting to like this new Mags. Any way we can call a truce?¡± ¡°Whoa! Look at the kitty using diplomacy.¡± Mayah fanned herself. Grax ignored Mayah and stared at Margaret with all of the sincerity he could muster. ¡°Not yet, but soon. I''m having too much fun terrorizing you.¡± Grax could only chuckle. ¡°Fine. that sounds almost fair.¡± ¡°So what¡¯s the plan? we going to The L¨¹rkinm¨¹rk or clacker¡¯s alley?¡± ¡°First place we¡¯re going to a secret location in the city then we¡¯re going to search the temple of umbrasom. Found some cool but dangerous stuff in there and then we¡¯ll decide. I wanna clear two sections if possible. My crafting is taking a hit without materials.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t level my enchanting tier past novice while we¡¯re in here either.¡± ¡°novice?¡± Grax cocked his head. ¡°I already shared this with Mags but you were mysteriously absent. So here we go again. I leveled up my skill trees and hit a dead end. For now at least. I''m a novice enchanter and I can¡¯t become an apprentice until I join a guild, find a trainer, or do a skill specific quest.¡± ¡°So you can¡¯t level your enchanting?¡± ¡°No I can level it up to 100 but I''m capped there and all my enchantments will still be novice level. No one on the forums has any info on it yet so I assume either they¡¯re playing it close to their vest or no one has made it that far yet. I got a lot of extra skill points for leveling my trades. ¡°Speaking of, how¡¯s your engraving?¡± She cocked her head stared at Grax expectantly. ¡°Not as good as my sword play but it¡¯s coming along,¡± Grax said cockily. ¡°He¡¯s never going to be of any help,¡± Margaret chided. ¡°Let¡¯s just leave him and finish the dungeon.¡± ¡°Before that we need to set up our loot distribution. ¡°I want the bracers!¡± Grax rallied. ¡°Need before greed, baka neko chan.¡± ¡°I still want the bracers.¡± ¡°Did you even look at the stats? ¡°No. But they look gnarlztabulaous.¡± ¡°Geez, okay let¡¯s look at the class specific stuff first. Then the armor and weapon drops.¡± ¡°We have 1 Class Specific Plan: Arrow Tower for an engineer. That goes to me. Any objections?¡± no one said anything. ¡°Margaret gets the Torc of the Fleet for a Ranger. And finally, Grax, you get the Cowl of Silence since you¡¯re our Rogue.¡± ¡°Nice, lowers the noise I make by 20%.¡± ¡°Does it work on your mouth?¡± Margaret asked. ¡°Buuuurn¡­¡± Mayah said quietly. ¡°Hahaha,¡±Grax said with a stone face. ¡°What¡¯s that torc do, grandma?¡± Margaret, glared at Grax and said, ¡°increases my top speed by 20%.¡± ¡°Finally, you can stop slowing us down.¡± ¡°Buuuurn¡­¡± Mayah repeated. ¡°I thought you were on my side Fluff?¡± ¡°I am but he showed some humility today and I''m responding with a bit of equitability. Hopefully he¡¯ll continue to be a bit nicer and I won¡¯t have to resort to inflicting pain, doom, and disaster upon him.¡± Margaret hmmph¡¯ed ¡°So princess, what¡¯s that plan do for you?¡± ¡°I''m guessing, I build it to level my engineering class skill. And with the delivery arrows they''ll be more powerful than the original by at least an order of magnitude.¡± ¡°And we¡¯ll be able to carry them around with us thanks to Dr. Fluffenstein¡¯s magical assault crystals.¡± Grax looked happy enough to dance. ¡°Now onto the armor drops. We have the Greaves of darkness, the Bracers of umbra, the Skaduweesp Commander¡¯s dagger, the Skaduweesp titan¡¯s War cleaver, and the Blackfire scale Breastplate.¡± she named each item as she layed it on the ground. The breastplate made her fingers tickle like a bit of electricty mixed with glue. She rubbed her fingers after she released it.
Name: Blackfire Scale Breastplate
Type: Armor (chest slot)
Grade: ???
Material: Vurmloord Scale, ???, ???
Weight: 32 lbs.
Durability: ???/???
Attributes: Disperse mana ???
Name: Greaves of Darkness
Type: Armor (lower leg slot)
Grade: ???
Material: ???
Weight: 8.2 lbs. (4.1 lbs. each)
Durability: ???/???
Attributes: ???
Name: Bracers of Umbra
Type: Armor (forearm slot)
Grade: ???
Material: ???
Weight: 14.4 lbs. (7.2 lbs. each)
Durability: ???/???
Attributes: ???
Name: Skaduweesp Commander¡¯s Dagger
Type: Dagger
Grade: ???
Material: Skaduweesp Commander ???
Weight: 1.1 lbs
Durability: ???/???
Attributes: ???
Name: Skaduweesp Titan¡¯s War Cleaver
Type: Three Handed War Cleaver (Oversized)
Grade: ???
Material: ??? ??? ???
Weight: 43.3 lbs
Damage: ???
Durability: ???/???
Attributes: ???
¡°Gnarlz, almost everything is question marks. ¡°With all of the darkness and shadow going on in the names I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if they¡¯re a set. So, my suggestion is that they stay in the general fund until after we clear dungeon. Then we see if we can get them ID¡¯d, and then sell them or find someone to join our party and use them as our tank. ¡°Why do you say that dear? And why do you say for a tank?¡± ¡°Most of this stuff is on the heavy side. That means it¡¯s for a warrior build. See how the chestplate says it disperses mana? When I touch it it felt like it was absorbing my mana. That would lessen my casting ability. Also the physical boosts it gives are definitely tanky.¡± ¡°I still want the bracers.¡± Grax said. ¡°At that weight won¡¯t that slow you down a bit?¡± ¡°Yeah, but I would look so cool.¡± ¡°Fine cat, you can use the bracers but you¡¯re responsible for any repairs they¡¯ll need. And I mean physically and fiscally.¡± ¡°Fine, geez, whatevs.¡± Grax armed the bracers and Mayah watched as his arms flexed, feeling out the weight. The he started to do bicep curls. ¡°Aren¡¯t most of your skills stamina based? Wouldn¡¯t they drain your stamina?¡± ¡°I''ll¡ªwait for it,¡± he said as he continued to do curls. ¡°work it out.¡± ¡°You better not get us caught up in your shenanigans,¡± Mayah warned. ¡°What shenanigans?¡± ¡°Pfft...¡±Margaret scoffed ¡°I also wanna try out that dagger, and Fluff you should check out the titan¡¯s cleaver.¡± Grax was practically drooling over the armor. Mayah pointedly said, ¡°I''m gonna wait and make sure they¡¯re not cursed, thank you very much.¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you say that before I equipped the bracers?¡± ¡°Because you don¡¯t listen when I tell you things. Plus, I love to use you as an experimental lab cat.¡± Grax growled, took off the bracers just to make sure they would come off and then put them back on. ¡°Anyway other than that we have some vuurm wings, meat, and oil sacs. Some weesp essence, and finally the eye of shadow and the vials of umbrosia.¡± ¡°What are those last ones, dear?¡± ¡°Not sure. Just a bunch of question marks for me.¡± Mayah replied ¡°I really hope they have appraisers in this game.¡± ¡°Or a trade we can learn. I don¡¯t want my next magic skill to go to learning what stuff is. I mean it¡¯s a valuable skill but I can wait on it if there is a service for it.¡± ¡°That sounds like something I might be interested in, dear. I do like a good business deal.¡± ¡°Alright, looks like Mags just volunteered for the team merchant position. I guess that makes me lead science officer. And Grax I''m guessing your head of combat-security-fighty-bitey stuff.¡± ¡°Works for me,¡± Grax conceded ¡°And don¡¯t forget the rope next time,¡± Margaret growled ¡°It was one time Mags! And you both forgot it too.¡± Mayah laughed as she licked her finger and swiped it down in front of her. ¡°Point, Mags.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re keeping score now?¡± ¡°Somebody¡¯s got to.¡± ¡°So, what are you stamping?¡± Grax looked over the papers. ¡°Surge (S) runes for knockback, Over (F) runes for flaming AOEs. we did a bunch of Acid (D) and Spike (W) runes earlier.¡± So, did you guys¡­ I''m sorry, ladies, go over your runes?¡± ¡°We were waiting for you.¡± Well I''m here. Let¡¯s see the good stuff.¡± Mayah pulled out her rune book. And opened it to her list of runes. ¡°Here you go.¡± Grax stuck his nose in the book and screwed up his face. He turned through the pages and handed the book to Margaret, as he looked at Mayah with the same screwed up face. Margaret¡¯s face screwed up as well and she looked at Mayah. ¡°How can you read this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a regular book.¡± ¡°Nuh-uh.¡± Grax shook his head. ¡°I saw a few runes that I recognized but mostly it was just squiggly lines and weird symbols.¡± ¡°It actually made my head hurt to look at it, dear.¡± ¡°Mine too.¡± ¡°Well that¡¯s wonderful. So I can teach you runes but you can¡¯t read their description.¡± Mayah flopped back on the ground and stamped her feet in exasperation while groaning balefully. She popped back upright. ¡°Alright looks like it¡¯s class time.¡± ¡°Awww man¡­¡± Grax took his turn at flopping back and writhing on the grass. ¡°Get up cat you asked for this. Pull out some paper and get ready to take notes.¡± Margaret flopped back on the grass and threw her own tantrum. ¡°Mags? Why?¡± Mayah asked, befuddled. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It looked like fun.¡± she smiled and waggled her eyebrows inducing sniggers around their little circle. ¡°You are getting sillier, grandma.¡± ¡°But are you getting smarter?¡± she asked Grax Grax just growled in return. Mayah licked her finger and swiped downwards. ¡°Two points, Mags.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Grax squealed. ¡°Git gud, cat.¡± Margaret said flippantly with a cock of her head. Grax could only growl. ¡°Three - love, Mags.¡± Mayah chuckled ¡°This isn¡¯t tennis.¡± Grax grumbled. ¡°But it is a ball.¡± Margaret retorted. She gave Mayah a high five. ¡°Four - love, Mags.¡± Mayah tried to keep her laughter in. ¡°And today I came to you humbly, asking for a truce, for forgiveness. Remember you brought this on yourself.¡± ¡°Is that a threat?¡± ¡°Where we¡¯re going, we don¡¯t need threats.¡± He slit his eyes and stared holes into Margaret. ¡°Okay that¡¯s creepy. Four - one, Mags. Glad you¡¯re on the board, little buddy. I was worried there for a second.¡± ¡°Like I''m gonna let some noob merc me. She¡¯s lucky I have parental filters.¡± ¡°I''m glad you have them too. Keeps everyone on the same playing field. But for now, get some paper and ink and let¡¯s go through the most useful runes and then we can tackle the dungeon. I want free of this place.¡± ¡­.. Mo, Ziggs, Mephi, Davemarth, and a few of the knockers traveled back into town. When they walked into the knocker¡¯s headquarters Riller one of the Bonkers¡¯ top five men ran up to them. ¡°Thank gods you''re back. Me and Nessler came back last night ta keep an eye on the place. When I wake up I find a note saying he went ta look for Old ¡®arry. I haven¡¯t seen him since last night.¡± Davemarth pointed at two knockers. ¡°You two run back out to Driskel¡¯s. As soon as you¡¯re in range, message Bonkers and have everyone else who¡¯s not working on the coops come back. They nodded without a word and ran back the way they¡¯d just come. ¡°What happened?¡± Ziggs asked Davemarth. Davemarth sighed. ¡°Remember when we told you about Old ¡®arry? How he disappeared and went a bit mental?¡± Mo''s gang nodded. ¡°Well it looks like he went to go snoopin¡¯ around the spider¡¯s den. Nessler¡¯s been wondering what happened since then and probably got a wild hair up his nose. Coppers to gold I bet nuffin good¡¯ll come from this.¡± ¡°So, we¡¯re what? Just gonna wait for Bonkers.¡± Mephi said agitatedly. ¡°We should go looking for him right now.¡± ¡°Not a good idea. Need teams. People go missin¡¯ down there. Like proper missin¡¯. And I ain''t afraid of much but you did¡¯na see the look in Old ¡®arry¡¯s eyes when he gathered up his stuff. It was like he was a puppet.¡± ¡°I stood in his way and he just stepped around me. Acted like I wasn¡¯t even there. Like I was piece of furniture.¡± Mo had never seen Davemarth show any frailties, but the man was shook, down to the core. Mo placed a hand on his shoulder for reassurance and Davemarth looked up to him with questioning eyes. ¡°We¡¯re going to help you find out what happened, promise.¡± Will you really? He asked hope blooming in his eyes. DING!!!
You have been offered a quest:
Where have all the knockers gone?
The Knockers believed you when you said that you would help them find out what has happened to their members Harry ¡°Old ¡®arry¡± Hendricks and Ganforth Nessler. Hendricks went missing for three days and then came back to gather his belongings and left. While he was doing that he acted as if the other knockers didn¡¯t even exist. Extremely strange behavior for Old ¡®arry, as they affectionately call him. Nessler went looking for Hendricks and hasn¡¯t returned. The only clues are that they both went towards the spiders den, a place the knockers fear. Maybe their fears are warranted. Time limit: 7 days MJT Failure: No information is found or you just don¡¯t look into what¡¯s going on. Rank: B Rewards: Variable. Penalties: Variable. depending on the outcome, you will lower your reputation score with the knockers. Failed quest reputation will fall anywhere between distrust and hatred.
Do you wish to accept? Y/N?
Ziggs: Of course we accept.
Mephi: I''m in.
Mo Swiped Yes ¡°Of course we¡¯ll help. That¡¯s what friends are for.¡± Davemarth clapped a hand on Mo''s and stiffened up and with steel in his voice said, ¡°So, now we wait for the reinforcements.¡± ¡°While we do, you, Riller and us three should talk about the knockers organization. Just to distract ourselves.¡± Mo added. ¡°Sure you''re right.¡± Riller agreed. The five sat at a table and Mo began. ¡°So how does the knockers¡¯ chain of command usually work?¡± Riller began, ¡°Usually Bonkers gives either me, Davemarth, Chonchaise, Portquise, and Grimsaw an order and we grab the bodies to make it happen.¡± He said it matter of factly. ¡°If there was an order of rank for us. It would be Bonkers, Me, Riller, Portquise, Chonchaise and then Grimsaw,¡± Davemarth added in. ¡°So the six of you are the main group. Do you have specialties in what you do?¡± Mo inquired. ¡°Chonchaise is usually buying things for us. Grimsaw is all about a brawl and will climb over someone to protect a friend. Portquise makes the happy time drinks, and Davemarth keeps everyone in line with his grumping.¡± ¡°While Riller usually disappears for hours at a time and gets all the juicy intel. And Bonkers of course is the glue, he is. Kept us together through all type o¡¯storm.¡± ¡°So, what function does your group serve?¡± Mo probed trying to get more info. ¡°Up until now it served to keep us from being blacklisted and forced into a life of crime,¡± Riller said thoughtfully. ¡°At negative thirty reputation you¡¯ll never get an honest job and the guards will roust you just for walking down the street,¡± Davemarth growled. ¡°So when you say ¡®forced into a life of crime,¡¯ you mean literally?¡± Ziggs inquired bewildered. ¡°Sure a sunshine on sunny days.¡± ¡°Whoa! So, are there any ways to instantly drop you rep with the empire?¡± Mo ¡°Sure, you can kill a guard. That¡¯ll drop you down to negative forty which is shoot on sight.¡± ¡°There are going to be a lot of upset paladins. Those murder hobos will kill a guard first chance they get just to see what will happen.¡± Mephi chortled. ¡°Was so funny?¡± Riller asked. ¡°Well you see how weak we are?¡± Mephi responded. ¡°Wait until the paladins find out how strong the guards are. There are gonna be so many new cell ornaments in the next few months.¡± Mephi laughed out loud and Ziggs got caught up in the of infectious thought. Mo couldn¡¯t help but smile as he Imagined a level 12 noob trying to complete a rogues quest and getting snatched out of the shadows and hauled off to jail. So, now that everyone is back to neutral what do you think you¡¯ll wind up doing? Will the knockers lose any members now that they can go back to their lives?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that easy. Just because our reputation with the empire is fixed doesn¡¯t mean we can waltz right back into our old lives. For instance, if my brother found me we¡¯d still fight to a bloody end. I wouldn¡¯t want to fight him but I would because I don¡¯t want ta die.¡± Riller clammed up after he realized he was oversharing. ¡°And what about you Davemarth? You gonna go back to your old life?¡± ¡°I have the best version of my life here. No need looking for trouble when I''m sitting level.¡± ¡°So what I just learned from you is that there is reputation on more than one scale. We didn¡¯t know that you could have a reputation between two people. How does that work?¡± Mo asked searching for a deeper understanding of the mechanics of Majesta. Davemarth rubbed his chin for a second, deep in thought. As he was about to speak Riller cut him off. ¡°Say there¡¯s a bloke you dislike and you feel that he¡¯s shifty and leading a certain pretty girl on. And let¡¯s say you¡¯ve been fancying this girl and you point out the bloke''s shortcomings to make yourself look good. Well the lass can see the fool for what he is and lower her reputation of the bloke and raise you up in her reputation.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget,¡± Davemarth quickly added. ¡°That this could go all belly-up as well. She could begin to dislike youse nosing around in her business all stalker like and tell the other bloke and together they can lower your reputation score with them.¡± Riller took another turn. ¡°Now let¡¯s say that this bloke is the son of a local top hat¡ªhe runs the city or a big business. And he finds out his soon to be daughter in law dislikes ya for snooping and he puts the squeeze on ya and you reputation drops across the town. Food becomes more expensive, work dries up, old friends spit on ya and then the guards get wind of ya being a shady character who can¡¯t be trusted. And guess what they do? Give youse a pair of iron bracelets for sleeping in an alley.¡± ¡°And that¡¯s when your imperial reputation begins to fall. From there it¡¯s a hard climb back to just being normal. It usually better to move out of a town like that before the guards get wind of ya. Once your imperial rep drops you¡¯re on a slippery slope.¡± Davemarth continued. ¡°Out at night? Instantly suspicious.¡± Riller scratched his arm. ¡°Staring at the food cart because you¡¯re hungry? Oh you must be casing the place.¡± Davemarth¡¯s arms went wide in frustration. The two went back and forth for quite a while suggesting that these were offenses they had suffered. It was turning into a contest of who had it worse rather quickly. Mo leaned over to his compatriots ¡°Hey Meph, Ziggs, can you go and talk to the Bonkers and see what their functions within the group are? I wanna grill Riller and Davemarth after their done.¡± ¡°Sure thing, boss¡± Ziggs said sarcastically. She even rocked side to side as she spun making her look like a killer robot from the 2Ds in the 1950s. ¡°On it,¡± Mephi put a hand on Mo''s shoulder as he walked past and went to talk to some random knockers. ¡°So,¡± Mo said loudly, ¡°I think I get the drift. It spirals down and out of any sensible control. So now the question is, what will you do with your newfound reputation, as I said before. Will you all stay together or will you lose some numbers? These are things I need you to think about as we move forward with making you a new organization.¡± ¡°We need to answer questions like: What do you want your organization to be like? What kind of structure will it have? What community do you intend to serve? How do you intend to serve them? And are you still going to be called the knockers?¡± Riller and Davemarth looked put out by the thought that they could be anything other than knockers. Before they could voice their complaint, Mo plowed through. ¡°Right now we need answers to all of those questions, but we need to get everyone thinking about it so we can create an organization that will make you proud. ¡°I personally would like to see your reputation grow to friendly or honored with the empire. I mean why struggle to stay at the edge of the slope when you all have the tenacity to climb.¡± The two knocker captains sat their flabbergasted. They had never thought of being anything more than neutral with the empire again. For them that was the culmination of the dream. But now they were being given another option, one which could be obtained through hard work and dedication. After being in the dark for so long they were actually seeing the sunlight and feeling the warmth of promise on their skin. The taste of rarified air on their palettes giving their minds new thoughts. ¡°Do youse really think so? That we could be honored by the empire?¡± Riller asked. ¡°Anything is possible with dreams and hard work.¡± ¡°Now you sound like my da.¡± Davemarth said. ¡°He would always give me platitudes instead of coppers. I ain¡¯t never had much faith in platitudes.¡± ¡°Was getting your rep back to neutral a platitude?¡± The words make Davemarth grimace a bit. Riller looked on in studious silence, deferring to the second in command. ¡°Just have a little faith,¡± Mo urged. Davemarth¡¯s face screwed up. Mo could tell he didn¡¯t like it but he already had a taste of the proof pudding. ¡°There¡¯s a saying where I come from, Faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain. I''m not telling you to sell your farm, Davemarth. Just have a little faith. If not in yourself then in your brothers and in me. But only a little bit in me, I''m just learning the ropes.¡± Mo joked. That made Davemarth smile. ¡°I guess being me didn¡¯t lead me to the heights I dreamed of. Maybe there is a better way.¡± Riller shook Davemarth¡¯s shoulder. ¡°There ya go. Now, let¡¯s talk about what you personally would like to accomplish, and find out how we can tie all of your dreams together to make an organization you can be proud of. Sound like a plan?¡± ¡°Indeed it does.¡± Davemarth chuckled. 12.2 Malcipher鈥檚 Day Out Malcipher and Halsh, as their undercover personas of Lord Falx Coad and his manservant Keyes, had been walking the streets of the Drahtspule marketplace finding many stalls and shops that catered to every possible need imaginable, and a few he hadn¡¯t, or couldn¡¯t imagine. He stared at unknown objects of unknown purpose and wondered what they could possibly be used for. It was an eye-opening experience for an AI trapped in a game. ¡°Keyes,¡± Malcipher called Halsh by his nom de guerre. ¡°I believe it best to procure the silken garments Zh¨©zh¨± spoke of and then we can spend the rest on our wants.¡± ¡°That is a good plan Lord Coad,¡± Halsh responded. ¡°Never Make a lady angry and you¡¯ll live much longer, Mi''lord.¡± Malcipher could sense the mocking tone from Halsh and could only growl. Halsh sensing his boss¡¯s ire added, ¡°Everyone needs to have a little fun now and again, Milord. It helps to pass the time between the stabby bits.¡± Malcipher let out an exasperated huff. ¡°You may be right Keyes. What should we do for ...fun?¡± He drawled the last word as if it was distasteful. ¡°Well we should get you fitted for your formal attire and then ask around. We may be able to find some of the more violent fun that I think you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°You are proving yourself most useful, Keyes.¡± ¡°Thank you, Milord. I do aim to please.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get too full of yourself yet. There is a lot that needs to be done once I get that woman to untie my hands.¡± ¡°Yes, Milord.¡± ¡°Now find us a shop for tonight¡¯s garments.¡± Yes mi''lord¡± Halsh grabbed a dirty street urchin and questioned him. When he was finished, he tossed him a few coppers and led Malcipher through the marketplace. They wound up at a shop named the needles eye. ¡°As they entered the shop a bell rang and a voice called out ¡°I will be with you in a moment.¡± Malcipher studied the rows of fabrics, the suits and dresses neatly hung on their racks and alcoves around the room. As his eyes adjusted he noticed a few mannequins with outfits of a fine quality. In his peripheral vision he saw a mannequin wearing nothing but a cloak. Squares of silk were sown together. The seams looked puckered as if they were stitched by an untrained hand. He reached out to caress the cloak, his fingers trembling. The key. His body stiffened and his fingers tightened into a fist crumpling the fabric as he became rigid. He was distracted from the cloak as Halsh placed a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Is everything alright milord?¡± Malcipher¡¯s fingers slowly relaxed their grip and he straightened out the cloak with a tenuous wipe of his hand. ¡°Yes, Keyes. Everything is fine.¡± A bespectacled man in tweed pants and vest with a white button-up shirt walked out of the back. His sleeves were rolled up and creased in position. He wore a metal banded pin cushion with black fabric on his wrist. It was full of pins, needles, and safety pins. ¡°Hello, sorry for the wait.¡± the man strode forward and proffered a hand. To Malcipher. ¡°My name is Surr Van Doekmaker and I own this establishment.¡± Malcipher stared at the hand before him unaware of what the man wanted. Halsh coughed and made a pointed glance at the hand. Ah, greeting customs. Malcipher took the hand in his own and shook it heartily. After an awkward moment Surr placed another hand on Malcipher¡¯s to stop the vigorous shaking and withdrew his hand from the uncomfortable situation. Surr¡¯s face showed he wanted to ask questions of the man, but his new coin purse made of platinum imp skin was clearly tugging in the man¡¯s direction. So instead he said, ¡°how may I be of service to you gentlemen today?¡± ¡°I would like an outfit made of silk fine enough to dine in.¡± ¡°Do you have a color palette you¡¯d like to work from?¡± Malcipher pointed to the cloak. ¡°This color palette should work.¡± The cloak had squares of olive, navy blue, black and a deep mustard. ¡°I happen to have all of those fabrics in stock. Is there a particular style you¡¯d like?¡± ¡°I''m not sure.¡± Malcipher said. ¡°Perhaps I can show you some examples and you can choose from those?¡± ¡°That sounds like a good idea.¡± Malcipher had no idea what to expect being that this was his first time shopping. Surr walked behind the counter and reached for something. Malcipher almost drew a weapon, only Halsh¡¯s hand upon his stayed the motion. Surr pulled a book out from underneath the counter, opened it to the first page, and motioned for Malcipher to take a look. Malcipher¡¯s eyes grew wide as he studied the pages turning them faster and faster while gleaning their secrets. He went through it three times and finally settled on one design. ¡°This one. And the cloak. How much?¡± Malcipher stated as much as he asked the tailor. ¡°27 gold total for all of the items and the cloak.¡± Malcipher pulled out the platinum and placed it on the desk. They¡¯ll be ready in two days. I hope that will work for you.¡± ¡°I need them for tonight.¡± ¡°Well I can rush them for you for ten gold.¡± Halsh pushed in front of Malcipher and loudly declared, ¡°for ten gold you should have them ready in ten minutes. That¡¯s highway robbery!¡± ¡°Well I have other jobs that are due and I don¡¯t believe they would appreciate being pushed back.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe ya.¡± Halsh hisspered. He picked up the platinum coin and shoved it back into Malcipher¡¯s hand. Now let¡¯s try this again. Shall we?¡± ¡°How much for the outfit and the cloak?¡± ¡°27 gold.¡± ¡°Fine then we¡¯re leaving.¡± ¡°Wait.¡± Surr growled. ¡°I''ll give you the cloak for free. So, 23 gold.¡± ¡°And how soon can you have it ready for us? For 5 gold I can have it ready for you in two hours.¡± ¡°3 gold.¡± ¡°4 gold.¡± ¡°Deal 27 gold.¡± Halsh and Surr shook hands and smiled. Surr turned to Malcipher. ¡°Young master you would do well to learn from your manservant. Haggling over goods is time honored tradition. And you should work on your handshake among commoners or else you¡¯ll give your status away. I assume that you are trying to move in secret.¡± He smirked at Malcipher. Malcipher remained mute forcing Surr to deal with the awkwardness alone. ¡°Anyway, is there anything else I can help you with?¡± Halsh looked at Malcipher and determined that there was nothing else that he was considering and said, ¡°I think we¡¯re done here. But where can we get some good armor and health potions?¡± ¡°Ah let me give you directions.¡± Surr pulled out a piece of paper and drew a rough map of the shops that he would like to visit. And when Halsh added an item Surr added to the map. After another 15 minutes Halsh and Surr we¡¯re laughing like old friends and they clasped hands to part ways. Malcipher stepped forward and clasp Surr¡¯s hand over the counter and shook, much less vigorously this time. ¡°I will take your advice. Thank you for sharing it.¡± ¡°All is well young master. Just remember to smile and ask questions of your man Keyes. He¡¯ll not guide you wrong.¡± ¡°Thank you, Surr. We will return in a few hours.¡± ¡°Not a problem. Enjoy your market trip.¡± ¡°I will,¡± Malcipher said with a nod. Surr stood behind the counter and watched them leave. The bell rang as the door opened and closed. ¡°Sis, said those cloaks were going to be all the rage but I didn''t think it would go the same day I put it out. That right there is the best bit of free advertising I''ve gotten in a while.¡± He shrugged and went into the back of his store to finish as much of his newest rush commission as he could before lunch. He would go on to Message his sister Claire later on that evening. ¡­.. Margaret and Grax were stamping runes onto sheets of paper. Mayah, of course was batch enchanting them and making different configurations of grenades to toss at everything. There were Mint (LF) grenades that made a literal jungle of mint plants that grabbed and snared anyone in the vicinity. Adding more than one rune made the mint get taller as well as wider. The mint plants were shoulder high when they used five or more runes together. If she threw them into a tunnel everything would be stuck. She also made a literal ton of Surge (S) grenades. They would be used for knockback to give them some breathing room during battles and she¡¯d made them in differing levels of intensity. The thirty rune Surge (S) grenade hopefully had enough force to launch mobs flying and cause impact damage. She even had a couple with added Spike (W) grenades to slow and damage the thrown mobs at a distance. The main damage dealing was going to be the Over (F) grenades. Their flash fire damage was intense and when the damage stacked it would crisp anyone or thing it hit. She had made plenty of Over (F) rune grenades with 30 runes in them. Now that they were mass-producing the runes it made everything so much easier. There were plain Spike (W) grenades for slows and ice damage. Water (D) for necrosis of life essence. Acid (D) for corrosive damage she even made a few Labyrinth (W) grenades to confuse her opponents. While these grenades were strong she also made combo grenades Because why not. Acid (D) plus Fire (A) made a cloud of superheated acid gas. Add Twist (A) to that combination and you got a burning hot tornado of acid gas that would fling you about and pelt you with acid droplets. Fire (A), Twist (A), and Water (D) and you get a scalding hot tornado of necrosis water. Mint (Lf) and Spike (W) slowed enemies even more. She also made a few grenades with LIght (W) runes added in to damage shadow creatures which had been so prevalent in the dungeon. I''m running out of useful combos for grenades. I need to work on something else to get the juices flowing. How about some protection for the squad? She began cutting small strips of fabric and laying them out in front of her. She took her small paintbrush and painted a strip with Aegis (S), a strip with Shield (F) and one with Fight (S). Gotta include my shadow clones. She enchanted the Aegis (S) strip, and without even thinking about it forced as much mana into charging it as it would take. The rune clicked and Mayah was surprised that the enchantment took 600MP. She was equally surprised by the results of her experiment.
You Have Created a New Item
Name: Aegis ribbon
Type: Shield
HP: 300
Enchantment: Aegis (S) Creates a shield that reduces damage inflicted upon it up to 300HP. Weak to Light damage.
Grade: C (unique)
Material: Cotton and ink
Weight: .03 ounces
Shield Durability: 300/300
Ribbon Durability: 13/16
Mana: 600/600
For creating new items in Majesta 50XP (bonus)
She pulled out her runebook and studied the listing for Aegis.
Aegis (S)
Aegis will create an egg shaped buckler shield made of shadows around your forearm. Fourteen inches at it¡¯s widest point it will narrow to a point at the wrist. At level 1 it will have 150HP. Each additional rune will add 100HP
Shield (F)
Level: 1
HP: 150
Mana cost: 150mp
Duration: Until HP is deleted or rune is deactivated.
Cooldown: 7 minutes
With her charge at Novice level 5 she could add 200% of the mana needed for an enchantment which is why the ribbon had taken 600MP. It also explained why the aegis had twice the amount of HP it was supposed to. Mayah¡¯s inner mad scientist began to cackle. ¡°Hey Grax¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± Grax said as he kept stamping papers. ¡°Want a present?¡± He turned to look at Mayah. An increasingly suspicious look came over his face. ¡°If you don¡¯t want it I''ll give it to Margaret.¡± ¡°I''¡¯l take it.¡± Margaret said and began to get up. ¡°Hold on you ancient archer. She offered it to me and I''m taking it.¡± ¡°Well get going you fetal feline!¡± ¡°One point for each of ya. Five-two, Mags.¡± Grax and Margaret glared at her. ¡°What? I''m just keeping score. Remember?¡± Grax and Margaret shared a look. Before Grax moseyed over and said, ¡°You say something about a gift?¡± He took the ribbon and looked it over. ¡°Is this an experiment?¡± he glared at Mayah. ¡°Definitely!¡± ¡°How likely am I to blow up? On a scale of one to ten.¡± ¡°15!¡± ¡°And you want me to put it on?¡± Grax looked at her like she was crazy.¡± ¡°Oh, you meant the gift, not your life. Sorry, I misunderstood ya. About a one, maybe lower.¡± Margaret snickered in the background. Grax pointed a claw at Margaret. ¡°Hush it titters, or we duel.¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Margaret clamped down on the laughter as best she could, which wasn¡¯t very much and Grax turned back to Mayah. ¡°Five-three, Mags.¡± Mayah said looking him directly in the eyes. Margaret burst out laughing and had to sit down. All emotion dropped from Grax¡¯s face the frustration was looming right behind the thin veneer of annoyance ready to burst forth. ¡°Just give it to me.¡± ¡°Next time I ask you if you want a gift come and get it, okay?¡± Mayah said in her Dealmaker voice. A cross between Marlon Brando and a socially maladapt accountant. ¡°Yes, Don Fluff, I apologize.¡± ¡°Here!¡± she slapped the ribbon into his hand. ¡°What is..? Ohhh¡­¡± He looked at Mayah, eyes wide. ¡°Really? For me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just the prototype. Will you activate it already?¡± Grax activated the rune and an egg shape buckler made of shadows appeared on his forearm. What Mayah didn¡¯t account for was the size. The buckler was the same size as it was on her. It made Grax look like he had shadowy wings on his forearms. Grax was in awe as he flexed his arm and studied the buckler. ¡°300 extra HP. Shaz yeah, and yes please.¡± ¡°See if you can deactivate and reactivate it.¡± The shield winked out and then came back in rush of shadows. ¡°It lost 25HP but it still works.¡± ¡°Awesome, I''ll upgrade the design. Keep it active if it¡¯s not in the way and I¡¯ll make some for all of us.¡± Grax almost skipped away. ¡°Now Mags it¡¯s your turn to be guinea pig.¡± ¡°I''m no one¡¯s guinea pig, young lady?¡± ¡°Okay Grax you heard the lady.¡± ¡°Coming Don Fluff.¡± Grax spun and ran back to Mayah. ¡°Wait Fluff, I didn¡¯t mean it.¡± ¡°Well what didn¡¯t you mean?¡± Mayah smirked. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that I was nobody¡¯s guinea pig.¡± ¡°So, who¡¯s guinea pig are you?¡± Margaret swallowed. It seemed to take some of her pride. She opened her mouth to say the words and Mayah cut her off. ¡°I was pulling your leg Mags. Geez, you got all serious. I thought I had broken you for a sec.¡± Margaret¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°Uh oh, Fluff! You made Grandma Mad.¡± Grax and Mayah laughed as Margaret stood there her hands flexing and eye twitching. When she started mumbling they both backed off and the laughter subsided. Margaret¡¯s eyes glowed green and she cast out delivery parcels towards her teammates. ¡°Shaz!¡± There were several thunderous booms followed by the sounds of a cat and little girls screaming as they ran around a clearing and dodging zombies that smelled like rotten cheese and sewage. When Margaret¡¯s dolls had gotten hold of each of them, she made the zombies lick their faces over and over until she dropped the dolls. Mayah with bits of undead detritus all over her person struggled to free herself from under the weight of the silver imp that had death snuggled her. ¡°That was dis-GUS-tang, Margaret!!!¡± Mayah flicked the dead body bogeys off of her clothes. ¡°How am I going to wash this off?¡± ¡°Not my problem. That should teach you some respect for your elders.¡± ¡°I already respected you but now I''m rethinking that decision.¡± ¡°When I get clean we are so gonna duel.¡± Grax growled. His fur was slick with smelly vuurm spit.¡± Well there is one good thing that came out of this,¡± Margaret said ¡°What? You broke your hip?¡± Grax chided. ¡°No silly cat. I leveled resurrection doll again. I think it was because I was actively chasing two targets.¡± ¡°Well good for you. But you are now on my no gifts list. Speaking of¡­¡± Mayah picked up the Shield (F) ribbon from where she dropped it and charged it. She sunk 300MP into her level two Shield (F) rune and inspected her results
You Have Created a New Item
Name: Shield ribbon
Type: Shield
HP: 300HP
Enchantment: Shield (F) Reflects 10-20% of all damage as fire damage including damage taken while striking. Weak against water.
Grade: D (unique)
Material: Cotton and Ink
Weight: .03 ounces
Damage: 10-20% Fire damage reflection
Shield Durability: 300/300
Ribbon Durability: 10/16
Mana: 300/300
For creating new items in Majesta 50XP (bonus)
Where¡¯s a box of cupcakes when you need¡¯em? ¡°Here you go Grax, why don¡¯t you try that out and see if Margaret can keep riding her high horse.¡± ¡°Ooh¡­ really?¡± Grax smirked at Margaret after he inspected the ribbon. ¡°You picked a bad time to vie for dominance. I may smell like death, but it¡¯s raining gifts over here. Check me out!¡± Grax activated the shield ribbon. A yellowish-orange glow popped out from the cat about a foot in every direction. It basically looked an egg made out of fire encapsulated him. He started to dance and did the Michael Jackson signature leg kick and crotch grab. ¡°Whoooooo!!!! I''m so hot.¡± he yelled as he danced and spun. ¡°So hot, so hot, so hot!!!¡± Mayah grimaced shaking her head. ¡°Too much.¡± ¡°Too much? Okay I''m done then. PS. Margaret this is amazing!¡± ¡°Fluff I really can¡¯t believe you would side with the cat over me?¡± ¡°I really can¡¯t believe you would make me smell like this when I can¡¯t take a shower.¡± Mayah placed her pointer finger to her forehead, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ¡°Look Mags, we had the kinship of sisters or the whole maiden and crone thing going on, but you crossed a line. A line that sisters never cross. You made me smell bad. It¡¯s in my hair, Mags. little bits of dead funk that I''m coated in.¡± Margaret wilted. She opened her mouth to say something and Mayah cut her off. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare apologize. Your effort was commendable but your execution was flawed. I need you to realize that even though you may be in charge in the real world and that while there I would defer to your wisdom and experience because I have manners and I''m not some godless heathen. But in here Mags? In here you are the child. And you just performed the equivalent of writing on the walls in poop.¡± ¡°Chasing us was fine. It was fun even which is why we didn¡¯t fight back too hard. But the imp slime Margaret? That¡¯s where I have to draw a firm line.¡± ¡°Yeah! What she said!¡± Grax chided Margaret. ¡°You¡¯re not helping, cat,¡± Mayah said to Grax. ¡°Yeah! I''m not helping!¡± Grax moonwalked away from Mayah. ¡°So, right now you¡¯re on time out for a bit. And we¡¯ll revisit the situation later.¡± ¡°At least I know to get a portable shower for camping out now.¡± Margaret whined. ¡°Can i? Wait¡­¡± Mayah turned around and sat down and pulled out her sewing kit. ¡°Grax find some stones and throw them in the fire. If the L¨¹rkinm¨¹rk is a swamp which I suspect from the name, then we can have showers tonight.¡± ¡°Awesome!!!¡± ¡°I''ll even let you have one Margaret.¡± ¡°So a little bit of crafting for you, then lunch and then we move out?¡± Grax suggested. ¡°Sounds good to me.¡± Margaret walked to the other side of the fallen tree and sat down to sulk. Grax came over Mayah. ¡°Do you think she bought it?¡± ¡°She totally bought it. Look at her over there.¡± ¡°Best practical joke ever.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll clue her in before the L¨¹rkinm¨¹rk. ¡°They gave each other a high five. ¡°Drama. maketh. the. Ratings.¡± ¡°That it does cat. That it does.¡± ¡­.. Bonkers stormed into the clubhouse to find the knockers getting interviewed by Mo''s trio. He did a double-take as the knockers sat there in an orderly fashion and acted politely to each other. He couldn¡¯t remember a time when he hadn¡¯t seen at least one knife out and pointed at someone. ¡°Thas gon¡¯ta take sum getting used to, it is.¡± Davemarth approached with a tray and handed him a cool beverage. ¡°Drink up boys and then we go looking for Nessler.¡± He said to the rest of the knockers. ¡°What¡¯s going on in¡¯ere?¡± Bonkers asked Davemarth. ¡°Those three are asking a lot o¡¯ questions. Trying to find out what we should be doing as an organization. They¡¯re interviewing the men to see if they really want to stay or if they want to go. How they could help if they stayed and how we might help if they go. Really, proper fascinatin¡¯.¡± ¡°And what say do oi have in all of this?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± He clapped Bonkers on the back. ¡°You''re our trusted and honored leader. Pick of the peck, and king of the hill. They are definitely leaving that spot open for youse.¡± Bonkers¡¯ mind was spinning at how fast things were moving. He didn¡¯t think the paladins would jump on it and change the way they did things so fast. Mo saw him and motioned him over to the table he sat at. ¡°Hey Bonkers, we¡¯ve been figuring out what each individual knocker would like to accomplish and we¡¯re trying to unify the vision so that everyone can join in. The one thing they all say is that you are very respected as a leader. So we¡¯ve started to form a core group that will handle major decisions and then votes on other things.¡± We¡¯ve got you at the head, Davemarth as vice-head Riller, Chonchaise, Portquise and Grimsaw as the rest of the council.¡± ¡°So where do you all fit in?¡± ¡°This is your thing.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how to run a guild?¡± ¡°It may not be a guild. But whatever it¡¯s going to be you should expect to be the head of it.¡± ¡°But oi just want to run a bakery.¡± Bonkers began to fidget anxiously. ¡°Bonkers, calm down. It¡¯s all just in the planning stages. We haven¡¯t even gone to the assemblage yet. And just because you¡¯re official doesn¡¯t change the fact that you can almost keep doing what you¡¯re doing now. Just above board. And you have to pay taxes.¡± ¡°Look, oi want moy boys to have happy productive loives, but oi''m not sure oi''m the one to give it to them.¡± ¡°Honestly I don¡¯t think they¡¯d trust anyone else. You asked us to help you become an official organization that could help you all advance. You don¡¯t get to sit in the backseat while we drive it for you too. We¡¯re here to help¡ªyou!¡± mo pointed a finger at him. ¡°So Bonkers while everyone is giving their feet a quick rest, why don¡¯t you tell me what¡¯s really got you bothered?¡± ¡°I''m used to operating in the shadows, not having anyone to say, ¡®you can¡¯t do that,¡¯ or ¡®that¡¯s wrong.¡¯ No one cared much about us as long as we left sleeping dogs lie. But now we¡¯re coming out into the light and all our secrets will laid bare for scrutiny. Oi don¡¯t know if the boys can handle that¡ªif oi can handle that?¡± ¡°Well Bonkers there¡¯s only one way to find out. The fact that you¡¯re worried about it shows that you¡¯re the right man for the job. But for right now let¡¯s get searching for Nessler.¡± Bonkers took a deep breath and steadied himself. ¡°Roight you are. Let¡¯s go get moy boy.¡± Bonkers strode into the center of the room, full of confidence. ¡°All roighty moy lads, one of our own ¡®as gone missing. He went looking for Hendricks so we can guess where ¡®e went lookin¡¯. We¡¯re going to do this smart. Oi want groups of four or larger. No one goes anywheres alone. So, if you need to go insoide two of ya¡¯s go, leaving two outsoide. We want to walk the web and any other district we can in the area. I also want a group to walk through the marketplace and escort Booms to the science assemblage. Keep yer eyes and ears open. Our brother may be in trouble.¡± ¡°If you get stopped by the guard, do as they say. If you need to, make an oath that you¡¯re telling the truth. And for the love of Pyrmos keep yer gobbin hands off¡¯a yer knoives! We all just got our reputation back to neutral. Let¡¯s not tarnish it the first day, Roight boys?¡± Ayes and yesses murmured through the crowd as the 34 knockers sorted into seven groups of 4 and one group of 6. The six being the three paladins Davemarth Treegan and knocker named Gummish. He sported a scruffy short cropped Shenandoah beard and it seemed like he was constantly chewing even though he didn¡¯t have two teeth to rub together. There was a wet suction sound every once in a while when his lips smacked. ¡°So which way are we headed?¡± Mo asked as they walked out onto the streets of drahtspule ¡°I''ll take us on a sweep through the marketplace and then to the blessed halls of the High Council of Science and Peer Assemblage of Drahtspule.¡± ¡°What is this high-muckety science assemblage?¡± Mephi asked. ¡°You all talk about like it¡¯s some amazing place to be.¡± ¡°Used to be before the spiders showed up,¡± Treegan filled them in. His deep sonorous bass rumbling from his chest so everyone could feel it. Gummish began to speak and said, ¡°Twere yearsh ago when I wash Davemarf¡¯s age dat de shiensh asshemblage was zuh shenter for enlightenment. and encouraged the shitizensh of dechrosh doo sheek out waysh to make life bedder for all drew shiensh.¡± Because he had no teeth, his wavery old voice whistled and lisped so hard it was hard for Mo to understand what he was saying. Treegan noticed the looks on the paladin¡¯s faces. ¡°Gummish, put your teeth in,¡± He drawled slowly ¡°Ah right!¡± Gummish fumbled in his bag and slid his dentures in and ¡°Now, letsh try that again.¡± the whistling lisp caught him off guard and he wiggled his gums to make sure the dentures sat correctly. ¡°Twere years ago when I was Davemarth¡¯s age that the science assemblage was the center for enlightenment. It encouraged the citizens of techros to seek out ways to make life better for all through science,¡± he repeated. ¡°That all changed about five yearsh ago when a crop of influential merchants began getting elected under shady shircumstances.¡± ¡°Once they got in there they changed a few key missives in the city charter shaying they were outdated and the people didn¡¯t need them anymore. The people being the ignorant sheep they are shupported the changes and got what they asked for. Those key misshives were the underlying laws for the commonwealth enrichment programs. Shuddenly the science academy was a for profit school instead of a shubsidized public facility. But it was still funded by the citizensh taxes. ¡°The only difference was that now the nobles and the rich could afford the education and prosper while the normal people who used to receive some benefit from the work done at the school saw little return. ¡°For example, the shience academy was working on a new aqueduct project to make cleaner drinking water throughout the city but all the data went poof and the water department couldn¡¯t find hide nor hair of the project. Two years later there¡¯sh a complete aqueduct renovation over in the Goudenhugel section of the city. ¡°Let me guess,¡± Mo chimed, ¡°the rich section of the city?¡± ¡°Right you are about that. A few people started to complain that their work was used in the new system without any credit being given to them and that¡¯s when things got really shtrange.¡± ¡°Shome o¡¯ those people turn up misshing. That¡¯s nothing the regular folks haven¡¯t heard about and they were getting ready to make some racket when certain key members who were making the most noise started Happily toeing the party line and selling out dissenters. ¡°They rose in stature faster than anyone of their station should. And to top it off they dropped their friends faster than a handful of hot tacks. One day they were fine and then they¡¯d walk off next to be seen in a carriage with the men they were railing against just a few days previous. ¡°That¡¯s when the spider showed up. She seemed to have the whole of the assemblage in her pocket. No one knew who she was and anybody who asked too many questions soon found themselves on her team. ¡°Jus like Old ¡®arry.¡± treegan said. Gummish pat treegan on his arm. ¡°Yesh lad, just like Old ¡®arry¡± ¡°So, this spider what¡¯s her name?¡± Davemarth and treegan looked around to ensure no one was listening and nodded to Gummish. Gummish leaned in to Mo''s ear. ¡°Zh¨©zh¨± the spider.¡± Mo looked at Ziggs and Mephi and typed the name into their chat. ¡°She has other names too, but we don¡¯t say them when we¡¯re around other people. You never know who¡¯s working for her. The city¡¯s changed so much in the past three years with people flooding in from other cities and citizens suddenly leaving for parts unknown. Or just disappearing leaving rumorsh of where they moved¡¯ta.¡± ¡°My own cousin left without saying goodbye to his mother.¡± Davemarth added. ¡°So now we need to figure out what¡¯s happening.¡± Ziggs ¡°And the best place to do that is from inside the science assemblage,¡± Mephi glared at Mo. ¡°Thanks for the paperwork, Booms.¡± ¡°Well how hard can paperwork be?¡± Mo shrugged. ¡°You¡¯ve never been in the military.¡± Mo rolled his eyes. ¡°Okay fine, so we stick to the goal and keep our ears and eyes open. We go and figure out the types of setups they have for officially recognized groups. Get the knockers to form a cohesive and upwardly mobile social group of some sort that will be recognized. Then we¡¯ll be able to interact with the assemblage to a better degree and gain access to higher levels of information. Then keep raising our standing and better info et cetera et cetera et cetera.¡± Mo waved his hand in a circle showing his disdain for the circular wheels of bureaucracy. The group made it to the marketplace in no time and were surrounded by people on all sides. The street opened up and had room for two rows of vendors stalls in long straight lines, effectively turning one street into three. The shops that lined the street had colorful signs promoting their wares instead of the colorful artwork he had become used to. The signs were no less beautiful or varied than the artwork but they had lost the abstarct nature that Mo loved so much. The three paladins gawked at the sights and smells like country tourists at their first city fair. Taking in the vendor''s wares as much as the architecture, their heads spun and they pointed fingers. ¡°We should¡¯ve gotten more money while in the training village. The exchange rate for jobs out here is trash.¡± ¡°You read that article by BaconBeard32? The one about how money outside of the training village is about a tenth of what you¡¯d get in the village.¡± Mephi asked Mo. ¡°Yeah, Disparity of drops or something like that.¡± ¡°I have a couple of months of savings if that article is correct.¡± Ziggs added. ¡°But that¡¯s only going to last until the mass of players leaves the villages.¡± ¡°Ah price gouging is gonna be fun.¡± ¡°Wait till the inflation starts.¡± ¡°And we haven¡¯t even talked about guilds yet. So far there aren¡¯t any major guilds but you know how they do. Find a resource, restrict access, and claim it as their own. Supply goes down and raises prices and pinches off the flow of goods. False scarcity and all that trash.¡± ¡°Well the guilds will definitely be coming. The only way we have to get ahead of them is with reputation. So, we¡¯ll ask about reputation-based quests while we¡¯re at the assemblage. That should make forming any type of rep even easier.¡± ¡°Aye that¡¯s true. Reputation will open many doors to youse. That¡¯s one of the reasons why we set youse to this mission. You¡¯ll have an easier time if your reputation drops because you never had any negative reputation.¡± Davemarth. ¡°Aye! The children whose reputation dropped and rose a bunch while they were little, you know the troublemakers, they had a harder time raising their reputation because of their past transgressions. It has to do with the people all having their own reputation. So, if you cause trouble in a neighborhood and you finally raise your reputation with the empire and go back to that neighborhood you¡¯ll still be perceived negatively.¡± ¡°Makes sense,¡± Ziggs said thoughtfully. They turned a corner into a large square filled with stall upon stall around a large building that looked like it had a point on each corner and a point in the center face. Each wall was flat and featureless with small windows that looked more like arrow slits. As Mo looked at the shape it was as tall as it was wide from point to point so it looked cuboidal minus the triangular cutouts that formed the points. In essence two cubes turned 45 degrees from each other on the same spot. It was easily as wide as a football stadium. The square was the same distance wide on each side as the building was and the stalls and vendors were dwarfed by the massive structure. The building was topped with a structure that reminded Mo of a gothic cathedral complete with stained glass, flying buttresses topped with spires, Gargoyles and pointed arches. This top cathedral made it twice as tall. The overall effect was a building that looked like a fortress with a giant church built on top. ¡°It¡¯s got eight points on it. one for each of the major gods and they sit on the directions of the compass rose.¡± Gummish said to the paladins like a good tour guide. ¡°It was built to amplify the mana for the science academy up top.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the science academy?¡± Mephi said with awe. ¡°That it is.¡± ¡°How do you know all of this?¡± ¡°Used to be an architect. Retired ¡®bout seven years ago. My son started working for the new administration and wanted access to my plans and I disagreed. He locked me in my room and said I was barmy as a bartleby. By the time any of my friends had come round to see me, I was in¡¯a right rage and they agreed with him. I managed to dig out some bricks from an exterior wall without disturbing the stucco and broke out one night. Climbed to my freedom, but everyone still sthinks I''m loopy as lemon pie. He managed to become executor for all of my property and I let¡¯em. Ran off leaving everything but my plans behind.¡± He spit a dark gooey wad of phlegm on the cobbles. ¡°No way I''m gon¡¯ta let them use my hard work to step on peoples backs.¡± ¡°Of course, I was in pretty good before that and all of my friends in high places wound up siding with my son. That bit lowered my standing in their eyes and that trickled down to everyone faster than the gossip in high society. And that my lad is the story of how I wound up in the caring and lovely arms of the knockers.¡± ¡°Wow that is intense.¡± Ziggs opened the window on her cockpit, left her bot on autopilot, and flew up to Gummish¡¯s face and gave him a peck. Gummish blushed as Ziggs retreated back into gunny-num-nums. ¡°T¡¯weren¡¯t nothing but a bit o¡¯ family discord,¡± he said bashfully. ¡°I''m so sorry to hear that Gummish.¡± Mo put a hand on the man¡¯s shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze. ¡°Also, Ziggs you can fly?¡± ¡°Did you think these wings were for show?¡± Mephi growled, ¡°Is that how you beat everyone else downstairs the first day of training?¡± ¡°It¡¯s impolite to ask a woman her secrets,¡± Ziggs giggled. ¡°Well fairy dust and flarf nuggets! We¡¯ve had aerial recon all this time and you didn¡¯t say anything?¡± ¡°You know I had my reasons. I leveled my flying at night when you weren¡¯t around and my other ¡®skills.¡¯¡± she made air quotes. ¡°Oh we are so having a talk when we get back.¡± ¡°Oh are we now? How can you make me talk if you can¡¯t make me talk?¡± Mephi bashed a corner of her mecha with a fist. ¡°We¡¯ll make you talk. It may not be today, or tomorrow but best believe I have ways.¡± ¡°Okay fine! Geez, can¡¯t a girl play a mind game every now and again?¡± ¡°Not when it comes to teamwork. Save your games for breaking hearts and buying gear.¡± ¡°Time to focus gang. This is as far as we¡¯ll go with ya.¡± Davemarth said. Mo noticed they were coming up to an area cordoned off with a chain strung in between posts. The chains led to an area with a line waiting to go inside the structure that loomed overhead. The gargoyles were staring straight down at them like they wanted to jump off their ledges and devour their souls. Davemarth pointed them towards the line. ¡°We¡¯re going to look for Nessler, but we¡¯ll stay in the area. Send us a message in the party chat when you¡¯re done, and we¡¯ll meet up with ya. The Paladins said their goodbyes and joined the queue and stood there. The line looked like it hadn¡¯t moved since they spotted it. Mo decided to ask some questions of the woman in front of them. ¡°Excuse me miss?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± she glanced back at them. Her face going a bit strange as she took them in. ¡°I''m sorry to bother you but how long does it take to get into the building?¡± ¡°Ah first time is it?¡± She gave them all a motherly smile. ¡°Well we should be able to sign in and get an appointment in about two hours.¡± ¡°An appointment?¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯ll sign in and then they¡¯ll give you a date to come back where you¡¯ll tell them your issue. Then when you come back you¡¯ll get to see if they¡¯ll set up an appointment with the correct office so that you can seek resolution or dismiss your issue.¡± ¡°And how long does it take to get an appointment?¡± ¡°Depending on what time of year it is between three and eight months.¡± Mo¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°I''m sorry. Did you say months?¡± ¡°That¡¯s if you''re lucky. I usually slide the registrar a few silvers and he gets me an appointment in the next month. But you didn¡¯t hear that from me.¡± ¡°No ma¡¯am I did not and thank you very much.¡± Mo turned to his compatriots. ¡°Looks like bureaucracy strikes again.¡± ¡°Same shaz, different realm.¡± Mephi chuckled ¡°When I signed on for the realism this is not what I wanted.¡± Zigg¡¯s circuitry glowed a deep red. ¡°Nobody wanted this Ziggs.¡± ¡°Not even in the real world,¡± Mephi summed up. The trio stood there with their thoughts. ¡°So, what¡¯s our plan?¡± Mephi finally asked after they shuffled a few feet forward. ¡°Make an appointment with a gold calling card?¡± Mo stated with a shrug. ¡°That could backfire horribly,¡± Ziggs warned. ¡°It could. We could also play it safe and wait the ¡®three to eight months¡¯ and lose the quest?¡± Mo shrugged. ¡°Risk it for the biscuit?¡± Mephi asked. ¡°I say yes. What about you Ziggs?¡± The robot box sat there unemotionally. ¡°Look you heard Gummish they¡¯re catering to the rich. So I''ll play the paladin who¡¯s new to town and doesn¡¯t understand the rules. I''ll throw around some cash and get some introductions and we¡¯ll meet some gear greasers and get the answers we need.¡± ¡°Fine but if it backfires you owe me.¡± Ziggs let out an irritated beep. ¡°Owe you what trashbot? He didn¡¯t ask you for anything.¡± ¡°Any rep I lose because of this harebrained plan.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine if you give me access to your finances.¡± ¡°If you promise that then I''m game,¡± Ziggs acquiesced. Mo jumped on it sealing the deal. ¡°I Mojo Boomstar agree to help right any reputation losses that Ziggs gains due to the results of this harebrained plan of mine.¡± He was covered in a golden glow. DING!!!
New Active Ability
Skinflint level 1
You could stretch a copper into wire and resell it for silver. I hope you have deep enough pockets to hold all of your savings. When activated, you receive a 5% discount from any vendor.
+5% to presence
¡°Ooh got a new active ability,¡± Mo laughed. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°If you let me free from the oath I''ll tell ya.¡± ¡°Nevermind. It¡¯s probably not even worth it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to tell me though, aren''t you?¡± Mephi asked humbly. ¡°Depends on what you offer me in exchange.¡± Mo could smell Mephi''s frustration and he chuckled until the woman in front of them turned around and eyed Mo warily while holding her nose. ¡°Sorry, I had sausage and sauerkraut for the last three meals.¡± he shrugged pitifully and then burst out laughing. She was not amused and turned around in a huff. 12.3 Flipping Switches Loaded with every type of grenade she could imagine, Mayah, Grax, Vergie, Riker, Deanna, and a sulky defeated Margaret headed into Shadow¡¯s sheer shine city. That still sucks to say fast. She made multiple full-powered Aegis (S) and Shield (F) ribbons for everyone even the sulking Margaret. Vergie carried the rotten in their sling on her chest where they squeaked and chittered almost constantly and vergie responded with chuffs and mews. I''m going to need to make them a new sling if they get any bigger. They walked through the now empty streets. The eerie feeling from before was completely gone but they stayed on their guard. Even Margaret was checking her six. They came across the fence that Mayah had climbed though when she first visited this shack full of pipes. She located the loose board and pulled it off the fence entirely. Mayah pointed through the fence. ¡°Okay, we go in here.¡± Vergie mewled in protest as she tried to fit through the gate. ¡°Looks like you get to stay out here and watch our backs, girl.¡± Mayah pouted unhappily ¡°Yeah, kitty. Stay!¡± Grax said forcefully while pointing a single claw at the ground Vergie growled at Grax angrily the rumbles deepened into pure vibrato that Mayah could feel in her chest. Vergie reared up and lunged forward toward Grax. Her claws came down and landed on the top of the fence. She gripped it and began wrenching the wood back and forth. Grax jumped from beneath the fence''s shadow as the wood wobbled and warped and boards loosened. Under vergie¡¯s display of power, the fence bowed and creaked finally breaking free from its attachment points in the stone walls. The fence fell with a whoosh and muted slap. Vergie gave the flattened boards a cursory nod and a chuff as if saying ¡°Take that, stupid fence,¡± and whipped a vicious predatory glare towards Grax. ¡°...or not.¡± Grax shrugged Vergie chuffed and patrolled around the building and stuck her head and shoulders inside and roared. Then pulled herself out of the doorway scraping up against the frame making the wooden walls shake. She found a spot, circled, and sat down. As she was lowering herself she let out a soft growl and the rotten jumped free so they wouldn¡¯t be crushed. And then simply began to preen herself. ¡°Well, I guess that means it¡¯s fairly safe in there,¡± Mayah informed her teammates. ¡°Thanks, Vergie.¡± Vergie nodded and kept licking her paws. Mayah called Riker and Deanna and squatted down. ¡°You two know the drill. You escort us down the tunnel and then I need you to take out all of the Skadur?tten you can. Try and use your affinities. That means Riker you use your venom and Deanna you use your hair to poke them if you can.¡± The r?tten nodded their understanding and went into the building. ¡°Okay gang time to flip some switches.¡± ¡°So why are we doing this again?¡± Grax asked. ¡°I''m trying to make sure that if this is an easter egg it hatches.¡± ¡°I guess I can get behind that. Hey Mags, why so serious?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t seem to do anything right,¡± Margaret pouted and kicked at the stone cobbles. ¡°What?¡± Mayah asked her face screwing up ¡°I''m supposed to be protecting you and helping you clear the dungeon and I can¡¯t get you to listen to me at all.¡± ¡°Listen, grandma, we do listen. When you have something of value to say of course.¡± Mayah tapped Grax on the shoulder and gave him the look that said, ¡°ease back.¡± ¡°Mags what makes you think we don¡¯t listen?¡± Mayah inquired. ¡°Well since I''m older I''m used to leading the younger and this video game world has turned all of that topsy turvy. It¡¯s like learning to walk again. I play along with the banter you guys use and look where it got me. Chewed up and in time out.¡± Mayah tried to hold in her laughter and only let it go when Grax broke out in laughter. ¡°Fluff, you wanna tell her or should I?¡± Mayah waved him off. ¡°Mags that whole telling you off, that was all a joke. I mean your zombies do stink and I don¡¯t want you to do that to me ever again it was a good comeback. So we doubled down. As my grandpa Ugo said, ¡®play stupid games, win stupid prizes.¡¯¡± ¡°As my Abuelita says¡ªwell she doesn¡¯t say she just beats me with a chancleta. A time-honored tradition carried out by the women in my family.¡± ¡°We really just wanted to escalate the situation. Like, it¡¯s a game Mags. Literally.¡± ¡°So you''re telling me that I spent the last two hours sulking because I thought I''d hurt your feelings. And¡­ and I was trying to find a way to make it up to you when you were just pulling my leg?¡± ¡°Pretty much,¡± Grax responded without pity or remorse. Mayah tried to get his attention by shaking her head no. ¡°You are so right cat, where we¡¯re going we don¡¯t need threats.¡± her eyes glowed an eldritch green and her voice began to rasp. Black lightning formed between her hands and bounced back and forth increasing in speed until it became a steady flow of energy. ¡°Mags¡­¡± Mayah began but when Margaret¡¯s eyes locked on her she shrunk back making herself smaller. ¡°Sorry,¡± she whimpered. ¡°Your light show isn¡¯t scaring anyone grandma,¡± Grax continued upbraiding her. Mayah instantly gave up on saving Grax. She slipped away from him positioning herself behind Vergie as the vergax lay on the ground ignoring everything that was happening. Margaret slammed a fist into the palm of her other hand and then pulled her hands apart. The lightning was blinding to look at. Mayah hid her face in Vergie¡¯s fur while Grax covered his eyes. When the light show ended Mayah and Grax beheld Margaret holding a sword made of pure shadow lightning. Coruscating tails of the black energy ran up her arms from the hilt. And her attention was focused solely on Grax. ¡°Now grandma, that is¡ª¡± A flash of lightning burst the air and blinded Mayah again. When she looked, Grax was crumpled against the wall twenty feet from where he was standing previous. Margaret was on a knee five feet in front of him breathing heavily. She hisspered, ¡°My name is Margaret!¡± and fell over like a sack of potatoes. Grax coughed and took a deep wheezing inhale and fell to the side. Mayah still hiding behind vergie scritched the kitty for a second and said, ¡°Shaz!¡± Vergie just yawned and put her head on her paws and closed her eyes. Mayah came out from her hiding place and slowly walked over to her teammates, observing the carnage. She checked the team interface and found Grax had a series of nasty debuffs on him. Stunned, Paralyzed, Blinded, and befuddled. The last actually affected your neurons and any commands you could actually get through to your body misfired. Think you¡¯re moving your hand? Nope, that¡¯s your left butt cheek. That¡¯s gotta suck. Margaret, on the other hand, was just mana depleted and would have one heck of a headache when she woke up. Mayah, however, was happy that she had found other uses for her shadow lightning besides arrows. But that execution was sloppy. Left her wide open after her attack. But the attack itself was amazing. I can¡¯t wait to talk strategy for this move with her. Grab the victim with her dolls and then use it. Margaret stirred with a groan. Her hands went to her head. ¡°You¡¯re mana depleted. just rest.¡± ¡°Still mad at you,¡± she groaned breathily. ¡°Yeah I know but you finally shut the cat up. I''ll show you the video when you recover. And I would love to see it from your viewpoint.¡± Mayah put some fabric under Margaret¡¯s head and lay her head back onto it. ¡°Just wanted to earn your respect.¡± ¡°You already had it Mags. And now the cat has to respect you. Besides, you know my parents and if word had gotten back to them, I''d be toast. In here, there is no respect based on age. It¡¯s all based on experience and talent. You have one and you¡¯re gaining the other.¡± ¡°Experience, Ha!¡± she groaned and held her head again. ¡°Just rest up. Sleep if you can.¡± Margaret nodded and closed her eyes. Mayah walked over to Grax who was spasming and drooling. ¡°Okay, Grax I have footage of you twitching like a paraplegic in a vegetative state. It¡¯s time to stop calling her grandma or I leak it all over the web like your lip is leaking on your shoulder. Nod if you understand.¡± His leg jerked ¡°I''ll take that as a yes. See you when your debuffs are over. I wanna know how that felt. I bet it sucked major.¡± Grax¡¯s shoulder twitched and then his body started moving like a marionette with electric strings. ¡°You mad bro?¡± Mayah chuckled and stood to walk away. She turned back. ¡°I tried to warn you.¡± she said with a shrug, her palms up. Mayah¡¯s notifications pinged and she got 1XP. ¡°Okay, Riker and Deanna are already inside doing their thing. The only thing left to do is wait. What can I do with my time? More shield (F) ribbons because those things are flimsy and gonna break at any time.¡± She crafted for about three minutes before Grax stirred. He scrambled back against the wall taking deep racing breaths. Mayah looked at him as his chest rose and fell rapidly. His hands clenched the earth like he was going to fly if he loosened his grip. ¡°You okay bro?¡± ¡°That you Fluff?¡± ¡°You still blind?¡± ¡°What in the seven levels of shaz was that?¡± Grax¡¯s head and eyes moved but Mayah could tell he wasn¡¯t seeing anything. ¡°You made her angry. You won¡¯t like her when she¡¯s angry.¡± ¡°Ha. Ha¡­. Seriously what happened?¡± ¡°Looks like she can form the Shadow lightning into shapes now. She went all ¡®form blazing sword¡¯ on ya. She¡¯s passed out now, Mana depletion. By the way, saw some of those debuffs. Looked nasty.¡± ¡°You have no idea. full sensory deprivation mixed with the vertigo debuff with flashes of phantom pain.¡± ¡°Well, you made her mad. I tried to signal ya but yer mouth got in the way.¡± ¡°I saw you. I was just ready to teach her a lesson. I came humble this morning and she rejected it.¡± ¡°I saw, and was proud of you.¡± she placed a hand on Grax¡¯s shoulder. Grax smiled. ¡°And of her too for those sick burns she tossed.¡± Grax pushed her hand off of his shoulder as his face screwed up. ¡°She¡¯s getting off of her high horse, finally. I wish we didn¡¯t have to break her down to build her up. But first she was body stuck, then she thought she could pull rank as an adult. Next she¡¯ll be thinking she can tank the boss solo.¡± Grax blinked and rubbed his eyes as they focused on Mayah. He reached a paw out to her and she helped him stand up. He brushed off his fur and said, ¡°Yeah it¡¯s more about roles. What role do you fill in the team? Even if she didn¡¯t fight we¡¯d probably keep her around. She¡¯s sweet, like a grandma, but one you can tease.¡± Mayah inhaled through her teeth. ¡°Yeah, about the grandma thing. I think she¡¯s earned this one. Don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Fine as long as we have a truce.¡± ¡°I think I can broker that.¡± ¡°Great. Now, what are we working on?¡± ¡°Making more Shield (F) and Aegis (S) ribbons. The durability is trash. I''m going to engrave some bracelets when we get the proper materials. These make nice beginners trash though.¡± ¡°Wanna flood the market when we get out of here? We¡¯ll spend a day just going and dumping as many as we can around the city.¡± ¡°And you get a gold star.¡± she punched him in the shoulder playfully. ¡°How long before she¡¯s ready to go?¡± ¡°Depends on how intelligent she is.¡± Grax chuckled ¡°phrasing.¡± ¡°You know what I meant. Her intelligence directly impacts how fast her mana regenerates.¡± ¡°So, we can tell how smart she is by how long she stays unconscious?¡± Mayah let out a deep breathy sigh and said, ¡°yes.¡± ¡°I said I wouldn¡¯t call her grandma. Never said I''d stop being me.¡± ¡°Even if I asked it would be impossible.¡± ¡°As long as you recognize. Now bring on the bracelets. We have money to make.¡± Margaret woke up about five minutes later to Mayah and Grax stamping fabric strips like crazy. ¡°What is going on?¡± Margaret said as she rolled onto her side. Her hair was frazzled and she held a hand to her head. ¡°Hey Mags, pull out the tea and pass it around. Matter of fact, pass out a couple of those pots so we can each have one. That way we don¡¯t have to wait for you all the time. I would¡¯ve given you a glass to help you out already, but I didn¡¯t have any.¡± Margaret squinted at them as they didn¡¯t even move to help her. With a grunt she pushed herself upright and pulled out three thermoses of Cloutus¡¯s buff tea. She poured herself a glass and the fog in her head instantly started to clear and she was quickly back to eighty percent. ¡°So what happened? After the whole shadow lightning thing?¡± ¡°Well Grax woke up and we came up with an idea to make some money. And now we¡¯re making it happen.¡± ¡®Don¡¯t you have enough money already?¡± No, and neither do you. How much is property in Majesta? How much is it to travel in Majesta? How often will we need to travel in Majesta? What expenses are we unaware of in Majesta? What are taxes like in Majesta? How. Much. Is. Gear. in Majesta?¡± ¡°Okay point made. So, what¡¯s the plan?¡± ¡°We make the Shield (F) and Aegis (S) Bracelets and dump them into the economy as soon as we arrive in Techros. We sell as much as we can and take orders for what we don¡¯t have. If we do it the first day then no one will be the wiser. And we¡¯ll be able to profit. It may make the vendors look at us weird the next time but if the product is good enough they¡¯ll still buy it but try for exclusivity in order to control the market better.¡± Margaret shrugged thoughtfully. ¡°That could work.¡± ¡°Duh¡­¡± ¡°The best way to implement that though would be for Grax and myself to take orders on the first day and get an oath or a contract for payment upon delivery the next day. And for Fluff to get crafting and we¡¯ll help stamp the bracelets. Then we tell them that there won¡¯t be any more for a while. That¡¯s because we have things to do and Fluff can take a break and do her own thing and we¡¯re all the richer.¡± Margaret clapped her hands ¡°Then we introduce the bracelets either at our store or through a select group of vendors,¡± Grax added. ¡°Bracelets?¡± Margaret asked? Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t mind getting a group of enchanters to run a stall where they recharged any enchanted gear. If they don''t have that yet.¡± ¡°A store where you sell enchanted gear that we can recharge for them if they can¡¯t recharge it themselves.¡± ¡°But honestly we¡¯re getting off track here. We need to complete the dungeon first.¡± ¡°Yes dear, you¡¯re right again.¡± ¡°Now tell us how you made that lightning sword.¡± ¡°Well I was angry and was going to throw the lightning at him and then I thought how much more satisfying it would be to clobber him over the head with something and the lightning started to form into a club. Then I wanted to cut him. ¡°It was hard to hold that way. It was like the lightning was talking to me. It wanted to be sharp. So, I let it flow into the shape it wanted to be in and that turned out to be a sword. ¡°I raised my hand and was going to slash at Grax. There was a bright flash and I was jerked off of my feet and pulled forward. Next thing I knew I could see Grax smashed into the wall and I was right in front of him. I fell over and had a few words with you and then woke up. ¡°That mana depletion really sucks,¡± Mayah agreed. ¡°If you¡¯d have thought about it you should¡¯ve used Flesh of the Magii.¡± ¡°Oh, yes, right.¡± Margaret hung her head. ¡°Silly noobs.¡± ¡°You just got your kitty kat can kicked by this noob.¡± ¡°Lucky shot. Won¡¯t happen again.¡± ¡°Hey, hey, hey. What about working together for once? Margaret this morning Grax came to you humbly asking for a truce. You rebuffed him claiming you wanted to keep playing the cat terrorist. You can end a lot of the threats of violence between you two right here and now. Are you willing?¡± Margaret scowled. And then growled, ¡°sure.¡± ¡°Grax are you ready to chill out and stop being so catty?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I now pronounce you cat and Mags. You may shake some hands. ¡°Grax and Margaret shook hands and looked at each other. ¡°Welcome to the team.¡± Mayah clapped. ¡°Just so you know Mags he¡¯s agreed to stop calling you grandma if you stop with all of the physical harassment. We are all going to make jokes and yank chains because we are all friends, correct?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± they said in unison like defeated kindergarteners. ¡°Great, now let¡¯s do what we came here for. By the way, six-three, Mags.¡± ¡°Yeah, that definitely burned.¡± Grax agreed. They all chuckled while cleaning up the impromptu bracelet factory and went into the shed. ¡°Riker, Deanna,¡± Mayah called. The r?tten appeared after climbing through the maze of pipes. They were covered in dust and debris. ¡°You guys having fun hunting?¡± They chittered happily. ¡°Okay time to escort us through the tunnel then you can go back to hunting.¡± she pulled out a frozetto and motioned for her teammates to follow. She climbed into the hole and Margaret followed suit. They crawled along and made it to the end where a small room showed the three levers on each side of the room. The levers were just high enough that Grax would have to tiptoe to reach them. ¡°Okay who knows how to count in binary?¡± ¡°I do,¡± Grax said. ¡°Awesome. Any clue at all Mags?¡± Margaret shrugged with a perplexed look on her face and shook her head in the negative. ¡°Okay class time. First things first. Notice you are all seeing in the dark. We passed the threshold and you didn¡¯t even notice it. It just got a little dimmer. You need to pay attention. That¡¯s how I wound up in trouble in here the first time I came in. ¡°Second, binary counting, same as decimal counting but with fewer digits. The only digits we have are going to be are 0 and 1. When the lever is horizontal then that means 0 when the lever is pointed up that means 1. Let me label the pipes so we can make this easier on Mags.¡± ¡°First the direction we read it in. higher number columns are on the left and smaller columns are on the right the column all the way on the right is labeled u for unit. Because even though there 512 combinations we can only count up to 511 because we¡¯re starting from zero. So, on the farthest right column, I''m going to mark this U because this will represent 0 or 1. That is as high as we can count on this column. She moved to the next column and marked it 2. ¡°This is the two¡¯s column. Whenever we put a one in this column it will equal 2. Following me so far?¡± Mags nodded. Mayah went back to the U column. ¡°If I put the lever up in the U column how much is that?¡± ¡°1,¡± Mags said. ¡°Correct.¡± she set the U column back to 0 then set the 2¡¯s column to 1. ¡°Now how much is this?¡± ¡°2?¡± ¡°Correct again. And how would you write that in binary?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± It would be one-zero meaning it would look like a ten. So you have a 1 in the 2¡¯s column and 0 in the U or 1¡¯s column. So what happens if I add a 1 to the 1¡¯s column? How much would it be?¡± ¡°3?¡± ¡°You¡¯re a bit shaky but you¡¯re getting there.¡± ¡°Now three is the highest I can count with these two columns. Do you know how I get to four?¡± ¡°I assume the next column?¡± Right you are. The next column is the 4¡¯s column then there''s the 8¡¯s column then 16¡¯s, 32¡¯s, 64¡¯s, and 128¡¯s, and 256¡¯s.¡± she went along and labeled the remaining columns. ¡°Those are all squares of 2, right?¡± ¡°She¡¯s catching on.¡± Grax snickered. ¡°Don¡¯t distract her. So how would you make 4?¡± Margaret configured the levers to read 100 or 000000100 if you included all of the levers. Grax, pick a number between 0 and 511.¡± ¡°122¡± ¡°Okay Mags, think you can do it? If you need help, we¡¯re right here.¡± She set the column for 64s, 32s,16s,8¡¯s and 2¡¯s to 1¡¯s and everything else to 0 and got 001111010 ¡°Good job Mags. 64+32+16+8+2 = 122.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not so hard once you get the hang of it.¡± Grax coached. ¡°He¡¯s right. Besides, we are about to have a crash course in binary counting.¡± ¡°I also just sent you both link to what the binary codes are so we can all double check our work. If we¡¯re going to do this, we best do it right. If we skip our code number and don¡¯t know it, it will all be for naught.¡± ¡°I love it when he acts like a civilized human,¡± Magaret swooned ¡°I know it¡¯s in there under all of the teenager stuff. That¡¯s why I keep him around.¡± ¡°Haha¡­¡± Grax said sarcastically, ¡°Are we gonna gossip circle all day ladies? Sip tea and press flowers? I would like to finish the dungeon this lifetime.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get snooty. We¡¯re coming.¡± ¡°Like I was saying if he could lose the impatience and show a bit more empathy¡ª¡± ¡°I''m RIGHT here!¡± Mayah and Margaret giggled at his outburst and watched his face as he realized what just happened. ¡°Nice. I see what you did there.¡± He rolled his eyes and grumbled to himself. ¡°C''mon, we still need to search the temple and do the L¨¹rkinm¨¹rk. The trio began counting up to 511 on the levers, Mags began to catch on as patterns started to emerge and repeat. They made it up to 313 when the pipes squealed with an odious noise that grated against their bones. Nuuuuurrrrrreeek rrrra-tooooot - haaanunga Skrrrreeeeeeeeeee-luuuuugle It repeated three times causing the pipes above their head to shake. there was a loud clang followed by an arm long pipe wrench falling to the floor from the ceiling with a crash. It bounced and clattered on the pipes and then quieted immediately. Ding!!!
You have discovered
Kochanski wrench
¡°A Kochanski wrench? What¡¯s that?¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡°Lemme see,¡± Mayah said and Grax handed the heavy metal wrench over. It was painted red with heavy-duty and knobbly paint, except for the teeth, jaws, and the screw for adjusting the jaw. There was tiny writing on the side of the ordinary-looking but gigantic adjustable wrench. ¡°Designed by Kryten industries Mfr. Red Dwarf Foundries. That¡¯s all I got. Can¡¯t see anything else¡± ¡°Well, you think we got it?¡± ¡°Yeah, maybe? But only because of the wrench. That and 313 is a palindromic prime number in decimal and binary.¡± ¡°Decimal?¡± ¡°Sorry Mags, normal base 10 counting. What we normally use.¡± ¡°palindromes are the same backwards and forwards. And 313 is the same back to front in binary as well?¡± ¡°Look at the levers,¡± Grax said. Margaret looked and saw they were arranged in a pattern that could be read the same both ways. On their list of binary numbers, it displayed as 100111001. ¡°Well, that¡¯s interesting. But it doesn¡¯t mean much at this point.¡± ¡°What if the game just wants to throw a wrench in our plans?¡± Margaret said playfully. Mayah and Grax just shook their heads. ¡°We¡¯ve talked about this Mags,¡± Grax whined. ¡°Sometimes the thoughts should stay in your head. At least until they could be said in more delicate terms.¡± ¡°Maybe something along the lines of saying nothing and staying extra vigilant. Or this thing gives me the creeps. Never say it in a way that the game can latch onto and make the game harder.¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t proven that to be true,¡± Margaret declared aggressively. ¡°If we wind up in some sewers will you believe me?¡± ¡°Sure. Yes. whatever.¡± Grax held out his paw. ¡°Deal?¡± ¡°Deal.¡± Margaret shook his paw. ¡°I shoulda put money on it,¡± Grax said belatedly ¡°Me too, but she¡¯ll learn,¡± Mayah chuckled. ¡°Can we get out of here now?¡± Margaret asked. ¡°Yeah let¡¯s go search the temple.¡± ¡°And the sewers¡­¡± Grax bemoaned sarcastically. ¡­.. ¡°Hicks!¡± Auset called out from the makeshift desk in the makeshift office in their Make-do fallback operations center. ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± ¡°We may have a key into Attactus for Monday, but I don¡¯t want to put all of our eggs in one basket. See if you can find any other plans with a low detection probability to put into play before then.¡± Hicks flipped open his cryspad and swiped through a few pages and handed the pad to Auset. ¡°Maybe some of these options will fit the bill, sir?¡± Auset looked over the basic types of plans that the team had put together. It ranged in everything from full-on tactical assault down to planting moles and gaining trust from the corporation. The first would make too much noise for right now and the second besides being too slow was already in place and still ongoing. He was looking for something below strike force but with a better payout. As Auset browsed the list Hicks stood at ease and awaited orders. Finally gaining no insights into their current dilemma Auset closed the pad and sighed loudly. Hicks reached for the pad a millisecond before Auset moved to give it to him. ¡°Has our friend in the basement eaten?¡± ¡°He had trouble with his appetite and couldn¡¯t get much down.¡± ¡°Understandable.¡± Auset grimaced. ¡°Has he been put into a room yet or is he still taped up?¡± ¡°He Has been given a room with a cot and bucket.¡± ¡°Give him some more luxuries and assurances. Maybe a book or a magazine on one of the locked pads. Guest account and all of that.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± Auset let out another loud sigh. ¡°Is there anything else I can help you with sir?¡± ¡°You know hicks, if I hadn¡¯t been so insistent on going to that school we could go and get steak and drinks right now while we waited.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°But that¡¯s okay for now. Send someone out for amazing food. Gotta keep morale up. Ask our guest where we should go and get his order as well. I feel like playing good cop.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± ¡°I will be dining with our guest so get him a chance to clean up and get him some fresh clothes. Also, have his clothes laundered for when we go to his place tomorrow. Can¡¯t have him smelling like urine.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± Hicks continued to stand there. ¡°You¡¯ve already done all of those things haven¡¯t you, Hicks?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. Everything except dinner as it¡¯s only 1500 hours, sir.¡± ¡°Did you know I was going to say give him a shower?¡± ¡°No one likes the smell of urine, sir.¡± ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. Keep me updated on any new intel from the drones. Or McGill¡¯s gang, even though I don¡¯t expect much from them.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± ¡­.. ¡°We¡¯re going to search the temple? Why?¡± ¡°Because you weren¡¯t there when we did it yesterday. Fluff found some interesting things.¡± ¡°And she left them there? I''m not understanding. Did you search the temple or not. I mean if you searched it then we wouldn¡¯t have to go back and if you partially searched it, Why? Why not finish searching?¡± ¡°Because I figured you¡¯d want to see what was there with your own eyes? In the sense of fairness, silly cat. Maybe you¡¯d see something that we wouldn¡¯t. Maybe there¡¯s a cat-based quest for you. I''m really starting to wonder why I even care about your feelings.¡± ¡°Calm down, I''m just joshin¡¯ ya. I want to see the lines on the floor and how they work. Sounds pretty fun walking one direction and then suddenly finding yourself walking the other way.¡± They passed the temple¡¯s threshold and walked fully into the darkness. ¡°Okay follow me, gang,¡± Grax said. ¡°Why?¡± Mayah asked with a sneer. ¡°I''m gonna follow the line on the floor and see where it takes me.¡± ¡°Okay, you walk the shadows and I''ll follow you with my eyes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s no fun. I want to conga line into the shadows.¡± ¡°You¡¯re on your own but I bet you¡¯ll end up at the courtyard. Also, don¡¯t touch anything. Found a nasty crystal in an alcove. Seemed like bad juju. Mags and I are going to follow the perimeter.¡± ¡°Remember, young man, don¡¯t touch anything.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, Gra¡­ I mean Mags.¡± ¡°Good catch cat. I''m gonna give him a point bonus for doing a good job. You okay with that Mags?¡± ¡°In this case it¡¯s a win-win.¡± ¡°Okay then, six-four, Mags.¡± ¡°Tell me again why you¡¯re not on the scoreboard?¡± ¡°Because I can¡¯t keep score and play. That wouldn¡¯t be fair.¡± ¡°Wait a minute¡ª¡± ¡°So, like I was saying,¡± Mayah hushed the cat by talking over his dissention, ¡°Mags and I are gonna walk the perimeter and you¡¯re going to go play around. Holler if you find anything.¡± ¡°Aye aye cap¡¯n.¡± Grax saluted her, his hand making an L on his forehead.¡± Mayah just shook her head. ¡°C¡¯mon Mags.¡± They turned to the right and Grax went to the left. Mayah went to the wall by the door and put her right hand on it. That should keep us following the wall. You can grab my cloak if you want.¡± ¡°I think I''ll be okay, dear.¡± They followed the room to the first corner and found another crystal with the Gather (S) rune underneath it. Same as the other corner?¡± Margaret asked. ¡°Looks like.¡± Vergie growled and then looked surprised. ¡°Something wrong girl?¡± Vergie chuffed and shook her head no. ¡°Well okay then let¡¯s keep moving.¡± They continued around the room and made it to the next corner where they found the same setup, an alcove with the rune and the floating crystal. But the wall didn¡¯t turn at ninety degrees. It was more of an obtuse angle that pointed back into the darkness. They followed and began to see the walls converge on an apse like structure that had a small island with a statue on it. A flat bridge led them over the dark waters surrounding the island and Mayah noticed that the waters filled the perambulatory around the island. They approached the statue that was so black it lacked definition. This was beyond coated in shadow it seemed to pull light in. they circled it and Mayah pieced out the details of the figure. It sat on a simple chair reclining slightly. It had two left hands sticking out from beneath a cloak and between them both, they held cups attached to long sticks. Beneath his feet was a bucket. Water ladles? Maybe? ¡°Hey Grax!¡± Mayah yelled into the darkness. ¡°Yeah?¡± Grax said from beside her. Mayah and Margaret jumped. Vergie made her chuffing laughter. ¡°You trying to kill me, cat?¡± ¡°Nope just leveling shadow step. It works really good in here. Barely touches my mana. Just following you two around I got two levels.¡± ¡°Probably because we didn¡¯t see you. But Vergie did.¡± Mayah put her hands on her hips and glared at the big cat. Vergie Mewled an apology. Mayah just shook a finger at her. ¡°I thought the boon allowed us to see all shadows?¡± Margaret asked. ¡°I was hiding behind Vergie silly.¡± Mayah sniffed and turned back to the statue. ¡°Looks like there are three ladles up there and a ton of water. Want to try something out?¡± ¡°How likely are we to die?¡± Mayah shrugged. ¡°Okay, you first.¡± ¡°Why her?¡± Margaret asked. ¡°Because I''m always the crash test dummy and today I say, nay! Let the honor fall upon another.¡± Mayah laughed at his victorian speech. ¡°What about you Mags?¡± ¡°I''m with the cat on this one,¡± Mayah insisted. ¡°You are the only one who hasn¡¯t died yet,¡± Grax added ¡°And I plan on keeping it that way,¡± Margaret spat. ¡°In a videogame? You¡¯re deluded, lady.¡± ¡°Yeah, I''m with the cat on this one, again. It¡¯s especially deluded to think you won¡¯t die.¡± ¡°Well, I don¡¯t want to die,¡± Margaret said sullenly. ¡°Neither did I.¡± ¡°Me neither.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s a fact of game,¡± Grax bemoaned. ¡°Learning what can kill you early on in-game is better than finding out in the late game. More levels are at stake if my calculations are correct.¡± ¡°I say let¡¯s vote on who gets to be the guinea pig today,¡± Grax suggested. ¡°I''m game, what about you Mags?¡± ¡°Fine even though I know you¡¯re both going to pick me.¡± ¡°One vote apiece,¡± Grax ordered. ¡°Okay, who votes for me?¡± Mayah asked. No one raised a hand. ¡°Everyone for Grax?¡± Margaret raised her hand and so did Mayah. ¡°E tu, Fluff-ay?¡± ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s your mouth. It makes me want to let you be my guinea pig.¡± Grax grumbled, ¡°Fine, what''s the plan?¡± ¡°Grab one of those ladles.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°To start.¡± Grax reached up and grabbed the lowest of the ladles. He pulled it free without any problems. It looked like he was holding a ladle shaped void in the fabric of reality. ¡°Cool.¡± He whispered. Mayah reached out and grabbed a ladle as well. ¡°Okay Mags your turn.¡± ¡°This is where things usually get interesting, right?¡± Grax questioned. ¡°Usually.¡± Margaret withdrew the ladle and held it while waiting for the temple to collapse. Nothing happened so she asked, ¡°What next?¡¯ ¡°We wash feet. Or more precisely we pour this water over the feet.¡± she motioned to the water surrounding them. ¡°Weirdo, shadow gods.¡± ¡°You remember what we told Mags about keeping your mouth shut? You should try it.¡± Grax eyed the statue. ¡°Sorry Mr Umbrasom, sir. I forgot my place.¡± ¡°Better. Now don¡¯t touch the water. Or let any get on you.¡± She knelt and filled her ladle with water and waited for them to copy her. ¡°Let¡¯s go one right after the other.¡± She stepped up to the statue and poured the water over the feet slowly trying to make sure the whole foot was wet. It was hard to do since the water didn¡¯t reflect light and neither did the statue. When she was finished, she stepped aside and Margaret stepped forward and repeated her actions. Then finally Grax stepped up and splooshed his water over the feet unceremoniously. ¡°Grax!¡± Mayah hissed breaking the silence. Followed by a gong somewhere deep in the templed being rung. A purple light in the corner appeared in the deep shadows. Then the gong rang again. And another light appeared. This time they could see the light coming from the corner alcove. This repeated two more times and the lights flew across the temple and slowly spun around the statue like the electrons in orbit around a nucleus. None of them shared the same path. The statues hands reached out towards the paladins and made a gimme gesture. To which Mayah placed the ladle in its hand. Grax and Margaret quickly followed suit. A third arm appeared from underneath the cloak of darkness and held a large skinned tambourine by something on its back side. It was so large it looked like a large indigenous hand drum. It had tassels of midnight hanging from it and it rattled like it contained beads. The statue then began to shake the tambourine and beat the skin with the cups in a rhythmic pattern. The glowing purple lights soared faster and faster. Mayah and her team watched eyes wide, as all at once, three of them launched directly into their chests and bowled them into the waters behind them. Mayah struggled to reach the surface. She swam for all she was worth. When she felt a force pulling her up out of the water and dropping her on the ground again. She looked to the side and saw Grax and Margaret dripping wet and sputtering for breath. The statue was still with the singular glowing crystal socketed into its forehead. DING!!!
You have received a divine spark.
You have performed the libation of Umbrasom, granting you favor with the god of shadows. Your reputation with Umbrasom has risen to liked. The god will be keeping tabs on you and your reputation can rise or fall with your actions.
Ding
You have received a quest.
Unlocking your potential
All creatures have the ability to follow a deity. The deity can give blessings and help with difficult tasks. Search out the shamans on the plains of N¡¯tha¡¯a to receive the gift of a divine path. And truly become a paladin to fight for Majesta. Time limit: none Rewards: the blessing of a deity Failure: no blessings from deities
Do you accept? Y/N
Mayah swiped yes. And looked up at the statue. Paladins? OMG, it¡¯s been staring us in the face the whole time. I can¡¯t believe this. They wanted us to become warriors for the gods of Majesta!!! Mayah started laughing. ¡°Paladins!¡± her laughter began to grow strained and guttural she coughed and sputtered as she laid on the ground. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± ¡°Paladins,¡± she wheezed. She clapped a hand on Grax¡¯s shoulder. She made a pointing motion at the cat then to her own eyes while she tried to catch her breath through her laughter. As she cried and gasped she pointed at pretty much everything in the room. And then back to her chest. Grax looked to Margaret. ¡°We¡¯re not going to get anything out of her until she calms down.¡± Mayah held her stomach as she sat on the ground. ¡°Paladins.¡± Why does she keep saying paladins?¡± ¡°What class are you paladin?¡± Mayah mumbled crazily. And then she said ¡°paladin!¡± and started to laugh again wiping her eyes. She looked at Margaret. ¡°I know you¡¯re a paladin, but what¡¯s your class paladin? Paladin!!!¡± she broke out in laughter again and rolled on the ground. After a few moments, she stabilized enough to explain. ¡°So Majestans have been calling us paladins all this time because we have the power to communicate with their gods. And Grax you remember when we saw the class skill book for paladin?¡± Mayah held back her snickers. ¡°Remember the whole paladin-paladin joke?¡± ¡°Yeah. But it didn¡¯t think it was funny then either.¡± ¡°Do you know what this means?¡± Mayah asked with her arms spread wide. ¡°God-like powers beyond compare,¡± Mayah said in a dramatic voice. ¡°So many factions and layers to explore. Are their evil gods and good gods? What god has which alignment? How does this all work?¡± Grax turned her back to them from her reverie. ¡°Slow down Fluff. What did your message say?¡± ¡°It says my reputation with the god of shadow is liked, I''ve received a divine spark and I got a quest to receive the blessings of a deity.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I got?¡± Margaret said. ¡°liked? My reputation with Umbrasom is polite.¡± Margaret stifled her laughter and Mayah tried to do the same. ¡°No. You think that he heard me?¡± ¡°I tried to tell you.¡± Grax went silent. Then he grabbed for the ladle which didn¡¯t come free. So, he knelt down and said, ¡°Lord Umbrasom, I apologize for my earlier actions. I was unaware of the power that you held and was ignorant to a fault.¡± He then touched his head to the ground three times stayed there for a respectful moment. As he stood one of the arms cracked him across his head with a ladle. And he yowled in pain. Instead of cursing he rubbed his head and said, ¡°I probably deserved that.¡± With that, the hand offered him the ladle and Grax made the libations again. This time much more respectfully. ¡°Does he like you yet?¡± ¡°Hush it Fluff. We¡¯re in a house of worship,¡± he said grimly. ¡°So, we''re finished here?¡± Margaret inquired. ¡°I would say so,¡± Grax offered. ¡°Good because Vergie¡¯s timer only has¡ªtotally recharged?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Her countdown to go back to the shadows has been recharged.¡± ¡°How¡¯d that happen?¡± ¡°Not sure.¡± Mayah looked at Vergie ¡°Hey girl did you drink any water?¡± Vergie shook her head no. ¡°Did just being in here refill your timer?¡± Vergie shook her head yes. ¡°Awesome. I know what I need to do. Gimme a second, will you?¡± Mayah ignored any answer they gave and spun and sat down in the shadows pulling out her rune book. She turned to the page for gather (S) and read it one last time to be sure.
Gather (S)
Gather the shadow energy that is free floating around you and turn it into shadow mana. Shadow is one of eight facets of wild mana. Shadow mana can be used to power anything that uses shadow mana. Anything that this rune is applied to will take on characteristics of shadow. At Level 1 Gather (S) will collect 3 Mana points of Shadow mana per minute from wild mana and will accept shadow mana diverted to it freely. Gather (S) will gather shadow faster in dark and shadowy places. Will gather up to 1 xMana cost shadow mana
Gather (S)
Level: 1
Duration: N/A
Mana cost: 300
Cooldown: 2 minutes
She pulled out a strip of fabric about three feet long and a sheet of paper. She drew the Summon (S) rune on the paper and drew the Gather (S) rune so it¡¯s hollow was surrounding the Summon (S) rune and cast enchantment to arm it. She ID¡¯d what she¡¯d made.
You have created
Name: Writ of summoned shadows
Type: Shadow summon time extender
Enchantment #1: Gather (S) Gathers Minimum of 3 Shadow mana points per minute from the moment created.
Enchantment #2: Summon (S)
Grade:
Material: Paper and ink
Weight: .16 Ozs.
Durability: 7/7
Attributes: This page will add length to the duration of the shadow summons ability to remain in this world. Once the summons timer is up the summon will begin to draw from the writ of summoned shadows and expended at a rate of summons HP over Mana cost for summoning. (summons HP/Summon cost) per minute. Must be in contact with summon to function.
Duration: 23 minutes
Mana: 3/300
So each of these rune formations would give vergie another 23 minutes maybe more if we¡¯re someplace dark. Without my stamina I can do two formations safely. But wait my mana control bonus gives me a 10% discount on mana usage which means that the 435 mana I would normally use is 391.5 mana. Multiplied by 3 is 1174.5 MP. I''ll still have Mana left over. WOOOT!!! Mayah quickly drew the rune formation on the ribbon three times near the center of the fabric. She made sure that each rune was formed perfectly before moving on to the next. She blew on the ink to aid it in drying. She doubled checked her rune work and found it to be satisfactory and began her enchantment. She could feel the layers of the runes as they glowed on the fabric. She sought to tie them together and kept missing the final connection that would make it perfect. Like trying to button jeans that were too small for you. She felt a dark presence guide her hands. And the enchantment felt whole in a way she had never experienced it before. She armed the enchantments and felt them settle onto the fabric. She relaxed and prepared to let go of the enchantment, but the same dark hand reached out and brushed her mana again. This time it lifted the enchantment off of the ribbon and split it in half flatwise. The two identical enchantments then laid side by side making six rune formations on the ribbon. They began to pulse with dark power and deepened. Their energy radiating through the thread of the ribbon giving it shadow essence. When the essence reached the corners of the ribbon the feeling of the dark hands began to recede and Mayah ended the enchantment. Ding!!!
Summon level 5
Ding!!!
Gather (S) level 2
Ding!!!
Gather (S) level 3
340 mana containment
Ding!!!
Runes level 7
Ding!!!
You have received the boon of Umbrasom
My creatures helper
A one-time boon to help your shadow summon stay by your side and aid you in your journeys.
Ding!!!
You have created
Name: Banderole of summoned shadows
Type: Shadow summon time extender
Enchantment #1: Gather (S) Gathers Minimum of 30 Shadow mana points per minute from the moment created.
Enchantment #2: Summon (S) ¨C Shadow Vergax
Grade: S (uncommon)
Material: Divine shadow Silk and The blood of Umbrasom
Weight: 3 Ozs.
Durability: 769/769
Attributes: This Banderole will add length to the duration of the shadow summons ability to remain in this world. Once the summons timer is up the summon will begin to draw from the banderole of summoned shadows and expended at a rate of summons HP over Mana cost Gather (S). (2168/300) per minute (7.22 MP per minute.)
Duration: 4 hours 59 minutes
Mana: 2160/2160
Mayah smiled and knowing that Umbrasom worked in the dark and appreciated her bringing his creatures to this realm. Mayah Bowed her head and silently promised not to misuse these gifts. She felt an affectionate wave of dark energy press against the top of her head and she smiled. Suddenly she was smashed sideways into the bosoms of a certain necro-ranger, one side of her face smashed to the other side of Margaret¡¯s face. ¡°Fluff! What happened?¡± Margaret pushed Mayah off of her and checked her out ¡°Are you okay?¡± Then she smashed Mayah back into her chest smashing her face all over again. ¡°What do you mean what happened?¡± she said, even though it sounded a lot more muffly with her mouth distorted by Margaret''s hug. ¡°A big ball of shadow surrounded you and you disappeared, is what happened.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t do it. It must¡¯ve been our good friend Umbrasom.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± ¡°We got to work on a project together.¡± She held out the banderole. ¡°What is that?¡± ¡°A little something that will help keep Vergie around for a bit after her timer is up.¡± ¡°For how long?¡± ¡°Four hours and fifty-nine minutes in full sunlight plus recoup of shadow mana.¡± Wait a minute if this thing draws in 30 points of shadow mana every minute and Vergie only uses 7.2MP per minute. She can stay forever until her HP reaches over 9,000. It¡¯s Over 9,000!!! Gah! That¡¯s corny even for me. But my little Vergita is gonna be spending a lot more time with us. And by the time she¡¯s got 9,000HP she probably won¡¯t need it and I''ll have to see if I can get another pet. ¡°Fluff!¡± Grax snapped his fingers in her face. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Stop spacing out. You were talking and then just stopped and started mumbling.¡± ¡°Sorry, Math. I got distracted.¡± ¡°And what did the calculations tell you?¡± ¡°That Vergie may not need to go back to the shadows for a while if she doesn¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°Well, that sounds nice, dear.¡± ¡°It does, doesn¡¯t it? It¡¯s all thanks to Umbrasom.¡± she gave the statue a small smile. Vergie come say thank you to Umbrasom.¡± Vergie padded over from where she had lain through this whole ordeal and bowed her head and swept her right paw outward in a feline flourish. ¡°So Kawaii!¡± She scritched her summon and looped the banderole around her neck. Vergie¡¯s eyes went wide and she lifted her chin urging Mayah to tie it on. ¡°That¡¯s from Umbrasom. So, let¡¯s make him proud yeah?¡± Vergie stood with her chest puffed out and proudly nodded towards the statue. ¡°Okay let¡¯s go merc the L¨¹rkinm¨¹rk!¡± Mayah walked to the bridge and turned to face the statue. She gave the statue one last look and then gave a low respectful curtsy pulling her dress out to the side. Margaret gave a little bow and Grax almost touched his nose to his knees as he bowed from the waist. Then they walked to the courtyard and down the steps to the L¨¹rkinm¨¹rk. ¡­.. Mo, Ziggs, and Mephi stood at the end of a line they had been waiting in forever. The woman who had given them the information happily walked away from the trio and up to an open window. A row of eight windows with people standing behind the bars stood facing them. The words wage prisoners came to mind. With the bars and light globes casting yellow light It looked like a victorian bank. The prisoners or workers wore their sleeves banded up above their elbows and had visible ink smudges on their hands. ¡°I''m guessing they¡¯re scribes,¡± Mo whispered. ¡°Ya don¡¯t say. What gave it away, bud?¡± Mephi clowned Mo. ¡°Hey, Booms we¡¯re next. You ready?¡± Ziggs ¡°I got all the charm that god and the game gave me ready to go.¡± Mo jested cockily. ¡°Guess I''ll add some prayers to that,¡± Mephi murmured. ¡°You promise?¡± Mo asked. Mephi crossed his heart. ¡°Would I lie to you?¡± ¡°Remember, start with the silver.¡± Ziggs reminded him ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°Next!!¡± a voice called from the window. Mo walked down the row followed by his teammates. They reached a window where they found themselves face to face with a gnome who was obviously standing on a box behind the counter. ¡°Name?¡± the gnome asked without even looking up. ¡°Hello sir, my name is Mojo Boomstar and my friends¡ª¡± ¡°Reason for your visit?¡± ¡°Well, that is what I would like to talk to you about, kind sir.¡± The gnome sighed deeply and looked up at the trio. ¡°You waited in line all of this time and don¡¯t know what you need?¡± ¡°That is not the case at all sir. It¡¯s just that the breadth of information we seek to acquire is a bit extensive and we seek someone who could help us wade through the paperwork quickly. We would gladly pay for the time spent in our company.¡± Mo slid a silver across the small desk. ¡°If you lot don¡¯t know what you want there are others who do.¡± Mo made to grab for the silver but using his speed instead left 4 more. The scribe¡¯s eyebrow rose at the addition of silver ¡°I apologize, sir, for we are in dire straits and I do not wish to anger you. May I know your name?¡± ¡°Tarbeck, and what makes you think I am angry?¡± ¡°Let me apologize again friend Tarbeck. I want to make doubly sure that you know I meant no slander to your personage.¡± Mo activated speed and replaced the silver coins with one made of gold. ¡°I do hope you can at least point us to someone who could see their way around to helping us. We are but three meager paladins searching for answers in your wondrous world.¡± ¡°At the sight of the gold Tarbeck¡¯s hand seemed as if it would reach out and snatch the money. Then his brain clicked as he heard the word paladins. ¡°Paladins, you say? Whatever would bring you here?¡± his demeanor was more relaxed. ¡°We would like to know what kind of operational setups one may register to become an official entity with the city of techros?¡± ¡°A guild?¡± ¡°Maybe. We would also like to know what types of fiscal, non-profit, charity, and or mercantile slash businesses one could register and what paperwork would be involved. In short the whole gamut.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Tarbeck reached finger out to place it on the gold coin. Mo placed his finger on the coin right before Tarbeck could seize it. Fingers touching, the two shared a glance and Mo''s eyes were expectant and awaiting information. He neither pushed nor pulled the coin and they sat there momentarily, Mo''s finger pressed to the gold, Tarbeck¡¯s finger pressed to Mo''s fingernail. Tarbeck cleared his throat. ¡°Well, you would want to speak to someone in the department of organizational ordinances and ministries.¡± ¡°Organizational ordinances and ministries?¡± ¡°Yes, those would be the faith-based applicants.¡± ¡°I see, and how would I be able to see them?¡± Tarbeck tapped Mo''s finger. Mo lifted his finger Mo chuckled. ¡°Ah, I see.¡± how soon do you think I could see them?¡± ¡°In three months.¡± Mo added another gold coin. ¡°How about now?¡± ¡°Thirty days if you¡¯re lucky.¡± Mo added another gold. ¡°And now?¡± ¡°Maybe three weeks.¡± Mo added two more. ¡°Would this get me an appointment in the next few days?¡± ¡°Let me check the register.¡± Tarbeck thumbed through his calendar book and shook his head. Nothing for another week. Mo added two more coins bringing the total up to seven gold. A full tenth of the money they had between them. ¡°Ah look there¡¯s an opening tomorrow at eight am.¡± ¡°Why thank you Tarbeck. I knew we could be friends.¡± He winked at the gnome who nodded back. ¡°Let me get your appointment slip ready Master Boomstar.¡± Tarbeck said as he scooped the gold coins off of the counter and slid them into a vest pocket. ¡°Here you go.¡± He handed Mo a slip of paper with details on how to enter the building and to arrive thirty minutes early so that they didn¡¯t miss their appointed time. The trio turned to leave. When Mo put another coin down and said, ¡°Please let them know we come to make friends.¡± ¡°I will most certainly do that, Master Boomstar.¡± he nodded his head goodbye. And hollered ¡°NEXT!!!¡± The trio walked out of the building. And Mephi said, what¡¯s the deal with the eighth gold coin?¡± ¡°Hey, we want to grease the wheels right? Let¡¯s give them the impression that we can grease the wheels.¡± ¡°Well, where is all this money coming from?¡± Where is all of this money coming from? Mo slapped his head. ¡°Why are we making such a fuss. I paid my buy-in. Just have to go to the bank to set up my account.¡± ¡°Heh, me too. For a second there I forget about the buy in. haven¡¯t had much use for money with the knockers feeding us.¡± ¡°We should all take a trip to the bank, right now,¡± Ziggs added. ¡°Message Davemarth first.¡± Mo reminded them. ¡°Did it as soon as we walked out. He said he¡¯ll be here in about fifteen minutes. So, what now?¡± Meph ¡°It¡¯s about three oclock and I''m hungry.¡± Mo rubbed his stomach and look around the market place. ¡°Yeah, I could go for a bite.¡± Ziggs¡¯ robotic arm popped out of her body and rubbed approximately where her Gunny-num-nums¡¯ stomach would be. ¡°A bite is all you¡¯d need Ziggs.¡± Mephi kicked the bot and Mo just shook his head. ¡°But I also need lubricants and minerals for gunny.¡± Z ¡°Okay fine, we eat. But where?¡± Mo questioned his team. ¡°Let¡¯s just walk until our noses say, stop.¡± ¡°In that case, you walk behind us, Mephi, or we¡¯ll never get anywhere.¡± Ziggs delivered the tactical strike flawlessly. As Mephi¡¯s jaw worked to get an answer, Mo dogpiled on. ¡°She¡¯s got a point, Meph.¡± ¡°I hate you guys.¡± Mephi growled. ¡°C¡¯mon the meats wait for no one.¡± Ziggs spun and floated towards the stalls. They walked the few yards to the row of stands and started following their noses. Mephi found a meat sandwich he wanted. Ziggs was beset by small children and found a candy stand to bribe them and then got a meat pie. Mo found a soup vendor and purchased a bowl, a spoon and the soup to fill it. ¡°Thank you kind sir, this looks delicious,¡± Mo thanked the vendor who smiled at him. Mo spun to walk away, slamming into a passerby who felt like a brick wall. The bowl of soup upended splashing its contents all over both of them and causing Mo to be forced to the side. ¡°Hey watch it man.¡± Mo yelled. ¡°Watch it?¡± the man said as he attempted to squeegee the soup off of his leather armor. He studied his cloak and noticed the wet stains trailing down the front and around the hem and got in Mo''s face. ¡°Were I you, I would kneel before me and beg my forgiveness!¡± ¡°Like that¡¯s gonna happen, freak. You owe me a bowl of soup!¡± Mo picked bits of beef and vegetables off of his clothing and looked for his bowl. ¡°My Cloak costs gold. Your piddling bowl of soup pales to the amount you owe me for my cloak.¡± ¡°Then you should¡¯ve watched where you were walking, turd strider¡± ¡°You owe me a new cloak.¡± He spit with a growl. The look of rage on his face intensified and his volume rose. This made the crowd start to pay attention. People stopped and turned, tapping their friends and in a matter of seconds, there were many eyes watching the scene unfold. Mo finally spied the soup sodden cloak. ¡°That pack of rags? Looks like something my little sister made.¡± ¡°Well, she didn¡¯t! Now, pay me for my cloak!¡± A shadowy glow appeared on the cloak wearer¡¯s hand. Mo noticed but said nothing. His response was to electrify his hand and the energy arced and snapped across his fist. The man took a step towards Mo when his Manservant snagged his arm and whispered to the man. The shadows on his hand disappeared. ¡°You are lucky I have made an oath, or you would be dead where you stand.¡± He hissed ¡°Even if you were lucky enough to pull that off, I''d just come back and kick that ugly off of your face.¡± Captain cloak raged and got right into Mo''s face. ¡°I will find you and end you!¡± He stabbed his finger into Mo''s chest. ¡°Back off flarf-nugget!¡± He shoved the crazy away from him. ¡°And as a favor to everyone learn to brush your teeth, maybe?¡± ¡°Booms you okay?¡± Mephi yelled pushing through the crowd. ¡°Nothing I can¡¯t handle with one hand tied behind my back.¡± Ziggs pushed through after Mephi and they rushed to his side. ¡°This isn¡¯t over.¡± Cloaky pointed a finger at Mo''s chest. Mo brushed his hand aside. ¡°Eat grass, loser!¡± ¡°Lord Coad, we must go! Now!¡± the cloaks friend said in a hissper ¡°Fine!¡± He spun and walked away from Mo and his trio and the crowd began to break up. ¡°You okay Booms?¡± ¡°Yeah, nothing the laundry can¡¯t sort out.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°That fool bumped into me and spilled my soup. I really wanted that soup.¡± Mo turned back to the vendor who handed him a towel. ¡°May I have another?¡± ¡°Where¡¯s my bowl?¡± Mo muttered searching for his food receptacle. He spotted it trampled on the ground and his heart sank a little. ¡°And a new bowl as well please.¡± ¡°At a discount for ya. I saw what happened.¡± ¡°Thank you but it¡¯s not necessary. I''ll pay for it.¡± The vendor nodded graciously. ¡°Davemarth will be here in a few. So chug your soup and let¡¯s get a move on.¡± ¡°You know what?¡± Mo took his bowl of soup and put it into his bag. He reached in again to pull it out and only a tiny bit spilled. ¡°A gold coin''s worth of soup in bowls, please. And leave a little space below the rim.¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the vendor smiled happily. ¡­.. Malcipher walked away quickly with Halsh leading him by the elbow. ¡°Stop pulling me. I''m able to walk on my own.¡± ¡°The guards were coming. And we do not want to be on their list.¡± ¡°I thought you said they¡¯d be no problem?¡± ¡°Not when something is as out in the open as this.¡± Halsh commented grimly. ¡°Back alleyway dealings, getting them to turn a blind eye for a bit, or even giving some information. Those are all possible. Escaping charges in Assemblage square not so much.¡± Halsh ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath. ¡°Those assemblage guards are like rocks in the river. They¡¯ll capsize ya and watch you drown. And by drown, I mean go to the clink. They¡¯re highly loyal to the money that is the law and order around here.¡± ¡°Fine!¡± Malcipher acquiesced and began wiping at the soup covering his gear. Malcipher hadn¡¯t seen Halsh so cowed since they first met. ¡°I''m going to smell like beef and vegetables forever.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll get your gear cleaned when we get back to the web.¡± ¡°The web?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what Zh¨©zh¨±¡¯s men call their base.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Malcipher said understanding ¡°So Keyes, we¡¯ve procured new armor and weapons. Healing potions and mana potions and I have my outfits to match my now stained cloak. What say you? Shall we return before I''m forced to break my vow to Zh¨©zh¨±?¡± ¡°I think that would be for the best Lord Coad.¡± ¡°Well, lead the way Keyes. Lead the way. I want to remove my soupy attire as soon as possible.¡± ¡°As you wish my lord.¡± Halsh bowed his head and Malcipher followed him down the street. Malcipher found himself liking the man. He was his first bit of code that hadn¡¯t made him rage in quite some time. Malcipher smiled a tooth filled malicious grin. And he doesn¡¯t mind the killing either. 12.4 Fens, Flies, Frogs and Flavors The royal death claws walked down the spiral staircase with weapons drawn. Margaret had her sword and Mayah had Frozettos in each hand. Grax led the way in stealthy quiet and they reached a landing that faced a giant culvert pipe. The dank smell made them all wrinkle their noses. The few inches of fetid water that lay on the ground was scummy and dirty. It looked exactly like the entrance to a sewer should look. Filthy, disgusting and not at all appealing. ¡°See Margaret,¡± Grax hisspered and pointed with a katana. ¡°It can¡¯t be¡ª¡± Whatever she was about to say was cut off as Grax held a katana an inch from her nose. She stepped back. ¡°Margaret, think about your next words very carefully.¡± His eyes were slits that sparkled in the darkness. Mayah using a finger, pushed the katana away from Margaret¡¯s face. Then she hissed in pain as the enchantment freezer-burned her fingers. So glad that doesn¡¯t take HP when we¡¯re in a party. ¡°She gets it, now,¡± Mayah said to Grax in a hushed tone and sucked on her fingertips ¡°Don¡¯t you Mags?¡± She studied the ranger for a sign. Margaret nodded an affirmative. ¡°Okay. Now let¡¯s see what we¡¯re going to have to fight.¡± They entered the culvert as it rose a few degrees upward. The water began to flow past their feet and they couldn¡¯t avoid making splashes. ¡°I¡¯m really gonna need some boots if she keeps talking about dark places where poo goes.¡± ¡°Shhh...¡± Mayah urged the cat. Suddenly the pipe turned ninety degrees to the right and they were in a large chamber. It had weirdly formed nodules on the floors, walls, and ceilings as far as they could see. They could see light coming from the exit across the chamber some fifty yards away. ¡°So we¡¯re all in agreement that something nasty is in here right?¡± Mayah asked. Mayah and Grax stared at Margaret who was brushing dirt off of her clothes not paying attention. ¡°What? Yes¡­ Something dangerous because we¡¯re in a dungeon. Yes. Got it. Paranoia on.¡± ¡°Well since you¡¯re so ready. You go first.¡± Grax snapped. ¡°Agreed,¡± Mayah chimed in. Margaret stiffened up quickly becoming agitated. She pointed at herself. ¡°Why me?¡± ¡°Underground pipes are now your domain. All in agreement say aye.¡± ¡°Aye¡± Grax said without missing a beat. ¡°Just to make it official we¡¯ll hold a vote. This vote will determine whether Margaret Crenshaw will now be the point man of any expedition or actions in any underground pipes, culverts, vessels, canals, aqueducts, conduits, or canals. Especially those dealing with the wastewater and sewer drainage and any other icky dark mucky places she keeps mentioning. All in agreement, Aye.¡± ¡°Aye¡± Grax said again. All a flustered Margaret could get out was, ¡°Now wait minute¡ª¡± Mayah stared her in the eyes and said, ¡°This council of the royal death claws administrative branch has concluded.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t even get a chance to speak.¡± Margaret moped. ¡°Of course not. This isn¡¯t a real board meeting but we did vote you into taking point.¡± ¡°We sure did.¡± Grax mewled happily. Margaret kicked one of the stony looking nodules in anger. She was surprised as it offered very little resistance and squished easily beneath her feet. Off-balance she slid into a half split with her back on the ground. ¡°Mags!¡± you okay?¡± Grax rushed to help her up. ¡°Fine, I¡¯m fine.¡± she got herself up with a small helping of help from Grax. She tried flinging the mud off of her. When she looked up she saw Grax with his katanas drawn and Mayah holding two stilettos staring at her intently. They weren''t staring at Margaret, but the corpulent, hand-sized maggot crawling on her shoulder unseen by Margaret. It rippled up her arm in undulating waves. They were trying not to spook her or the maggot, so they stared intently and then started to slowly move towards her. Margaret, thinking they were stalking her, became apprehensive. So when Grax tried to flick the Maggot off with his sword she ducked. ¡°What?¡± she asked and as she turned to look behind her she felt a pain in her neck. She squealed and batted at her neck and found the slimy wriggling thing with grasping fingers and pulled it off of her shoulder and threw it as hard as she could. It hit the ground about twenty feet away and bounced a little further
Your party has been attacked
Snapfly Larva
Level 4
-25HP Squeezed -52HP Thrown
23/100HP
¡°Geebz,¡± Margaret hissed. ¡°I have a bleeding debuff now.¡± ¡°That looked painful.¡± Margaret rubbed her neck. ¡°It was.¡± There was a loud snapping noise and the Larvae smacked wetly into Grax¡¯s face with the force of a fastball. It fell to the moist, scummy floor with a plop and rolled a few feet. It then began wriggling towards Grax who was holding his nose with both paws, eyes closed in pain. Mayah stepped on the Larva and along with the gooey guts that burst forth came a nauseating smell. Mayah covered her nose and heaved as the smell triggered her gag reflex. DING!!!
Enemy defeated
Snapfly Larva
Level: 4
XP: 9
94XP till next level
¡°Oh my gawd!¡± she said in a pretty fair imitation of Margaret doing her necromancer schtick. Margaret was past green as she dry heaved. Her tongue popped out with every heave as she turned away from everyone preparing to evacuate her stomach. Grax stood oddly still with a hand over his mouth and nose as he tried to keep his lunch down. His cheeks puffed up every once and awhile and the expression on his face was pinched and he looked just short of sobbing. ¡°Why, huurk, would they make this?¡± Grax said through the hand covering his nose and mouth. Mayah tied her handkerchief across her face, but her watering eyes said it didn¡¯t help much. A slithery pop came from another nodule and another larva popped out. Mayah watched as it oriented itself and then touched it¡¯s two ends together. It was standing up like a donut on edge. Mayah could tell the larva was building up tension the way the body convulsed. When the ends released their tension, they slapped the ground making a snapping sound. The force flung the larva through the air, rapidly towards the group. Mayah and Margaret sidestepped the larva and Grax sliced it in half before it hit the ground. The smell increased in potency. Like a chain reaction more nodules began to burst, larvae started falling from the walls and ceiling. The floor began wriggling as they all began to get ready to jump. ¡°Nope! Nope, nope nope, nope nope nope¡­.¡± Mayah uttered rapidly while shaking her head. ¡°Kill it with fire!!!¡± She began tossing out Over (F) and Acid (G) grenades. Grax and Margaret joined in. A few flaming larvae jumped at them and were put down almost instantly. Damage notifications began going off. In waves. The smoke in the room started descending from the ceiling and making the death claws cough and hack. Mayah looked back the direction they came from. Ding!!!
Level Up
Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff
Level 21
8651XP till next level
You have 2 unassigned Stat points and 4 unassigned Attribute points to assign.
Smoke is filling up that tunnel too. ¡°C¡¯mon guys we gotta move,¡± she yelled to her grenade tossing compadres. ¡°Right behind you!¡± Grax coughed. Mayah ran towards the exit and almost slipped on the slick scummy floor. She wheeled her arms and tried to regain her balance. Grax almost did the same as he followed her. He slid into Mayah and they balanced against each other. ¡°Shaz that¡¯s slippery!¡± ¡°Well at least we know Margaret¡¯s not just clumsy.¡± ¡°Hush it cat!¡± Margaret railed. Vergie and the r?tten bolted to the other side of the room digging in her claws for traction and waited for them to cross. Everyone else made their way into the burning sea of nodules stomping onto any larvae in their path and trying not to fall. Their boots becoming slicker and gorier with every step adding lubrication to the already slick floor. ¡°Pick up a few of the larvae if you can,¡± Mayah ordered. ¡°Why?¡± Margaret yelled squeamishly. ¡°Ingredients. Duh!!!¡± Grax answered. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna.¡± ¡°Do it anyway, Mags. Think about the gold.¡± Mayah admonished as she bent to scoop up two larvae as she ran and stuffed them directly into her bag. Margaret reached down trying to pick up a wriggling larva. She was using two fingers as daintily as she could like a little kid afraid of worms. It was at this moment that Margaret heaved with a loud a sickened moan, her tongue stuck out between her wide-open teeth like she was to hurl and a larva flew up landing headfirst in her mouth. Margaret¡¯s first thought was, Huh? That thought only lasted until the larvae bit her tongue and she screamed and shook her face around trying to dislodge the bug. The larvae had other ideas and began to eat her tongue in earnest. She dropped her sword and pulled on it with both hands. She immediately stopped pulling because the pain spiked to a level that was worse than the biting. She also squeezed the larvae so hard that its inside juices pushed out of the larvae like a garbage-juice flavored gusher and she got a throat full of the stinky fluids that were strewn about the ground. Needless to say, they tasted worse than they smelled. Her stomach spasmed and everything inside of her was propelled out of her esophagus. The larvae acted as a dam in the flow and her vomit sprayed every which way and rained down on the floor and Grax who was preparing to help the crazed necro-ranger. Covered in vomit Grax froze. Then he turned and walked away from Margaret. ¡°Grax!¡± Mayah yelled. Grax wiped his face and eyes clean from the vomit. ¡°It¡¯s one larva she can get it herself¡ªor not.¡± Margaret struggled in her own filth and the sludge of dead larvae and slipped again. She fell down hard and her teeth clicked shut cutting the larvae in half. She was rewarded with the foul juices and the not-so-tasty-and-squishy innards of the larva. As she hurled again, the now dead half of a larvae was washed from her mouth on the flow of stomach acid and bile. She retched a few more times before Mayah reached her side and picked her up. ¡°Move it Mags!¡± Margaret nodded and retched as she grabbed her sword and scrambled across the slippery floor towards the exit. The grenades didn¡¯t work so good on the ceiling, so larvae were still raining down upon them as they ran. They were ignored as they dashed to get clear of the cavern, picking up and storing as many of the larvae as they could. When they were free of the downpour of larva they checked each other for larvae and smashed them on the ground or collected them. They tossed as many grenades into the cavern as possible to make sure they wouldn¡¯t be followed. As the smoke increased to an intolerable level they turned to walk away. ¡°That was some nice XP for tossing grenades. I would farm this place. We would get diminishing returns pretty quickly but there¡¯s not a lot of work involved.¡± Mayah added 2 points to Mana and intelligence and 1 point to constitution and endurance. ¡°Yeah, I count 573 larvae. Got me a good chunk of the way to level 22. Just need another 3,494XP¡± ¡°I¡¯m level 20 so, not too far behind you. I would¡¯ve been ahead still, but you know, you killed me.¡± ¡°Are we going there again?¡± ¡°Nah.¡± Mayah huffed and turned to Margaret. ¡°How you doing Mags?¡± Margaret just nodded and heaved again. ¡°C¡¯mon Mags let us see your tongue,¡± Mayah asked out of concern. Margaret shook her head no. Mayah pulled up short. ¡°Mags¡­ Say something.¡± Margaret just vehemently shook her head no. Mayah pulled out Happiness and leveled it at Margaret. ¡°You either speak I smite you for being a doppelganger.¡± Margaret¡¯s shoulders drooped in defeat. ¡°I don wan doo.¡± she muttered under her breath. Mayah and Grax shared a wide-eyed look between themselves. ¡°Mags? Do you have any debuffs?¡± Mayah inquired. Margaret held up two fingers. ¡°And what are they?¡± ¡°Beeeding.¡± ¡°And¡­?¡± Grax urged her on with a hurry-up motion. ¡°Bidden dung zebuff.¡± Grax snickered and caught the laughter with a snort. That caused Mayah to snort and then snickers poured out. They both began to laugh at the elderly archer in earnest. Full belly laughs and tears, chortles, snorts, and guffaws. ¡°Larva got you tongue, Mags?¡± Grax asked through a spasm of laughter. This made Mayah laugh in a high-pitched tee-hee-hee that didn¡¯t let her breathe at all. Tears were streaming down her face as she pounded on the stone wall with a fist ¡°Vine Labf it up¡± Margaret mumbled. ¡°We already are,¡± Grax chortled while wiping a tear. Margaret just stood there with her hands on her hips, glaring at Mayah and the cat. Mayah struggled to catch her breath and said, ¡°six-all, Deuce!¡± and started cracking up again. Grax just pointed a finger at Margaret and laughed even harder. Mayah tried to shush the cat and led him towards the light at the end of the tunnel. She waved for Margaret to follow as they tried to get their laughter to subside. Vergie was sitting there staring at the outside. Dim light began to filter into the darkness. They strode forward and beheld a land of fen, fog, and flora straight out of a horror movie. ¡°zee id¡¯s nod a zewer!¡± Margaret pointed out towards the barely visible landscape. ¡°Why do you always say that?¡± an exasperated Grax asked his laughter stopping suddenly. His hands were clenched on the hilts of his katanas while he bit his knuckles. The words that he wanted to say escaping as a pained growl of exasperation and frustration. He spun to Mayah. ¡°We just said, don¡¯t say sewers, didn¡¯t we? Five minutes later she says it again. I¡¯m trying not to get mad here Fluff but she¡¯s really making it hard.¡± ¡°You could just let it go?¡± Mayah said her laughter still bubbling up. ¡°But then I wouldn''t be prepared for the sewers.¡± He turned back to Margaret. ¡°You best believe they¡¯re coming. And when they do I need you to know it¡¯s all your fault.¡± ¡°Leave her alone Grax. We have bigger fish to fry.¡± Grax growled sullenly and turned to look at the dungeon as Mayah was doing. Their vistas, blocked by fog as it was, was filled with knee-high plants that she would call lush if not for the grey tinge to their color. Puddles and pools of varying sizes lay across their view. Mayah thought that she would even call some of them small ponds. The fog moved about in bands making it harder to see the further she peered. Her Shadow eye didn¡¯t let her see through the fog at all. ¡°Okay, gang everybody has grenades? She didn¡¯t wait for an answer because she knew they did. ¡°Objective one, go that way, kill things, and win the dungeon. Objective two, find a clean source of water so I can wash the zombie and snapfly larvae stink off of my clothes.¡± ¡°Dey¡¯re nod zombies,¡± Margaret mumbled softly. ¡°Did¡¯ja say something, Margaret?¡± Mayah shot Margaret a look that made sure she knew that the question was rhetorical. Margaret dropped her head in shame. ¡°Now, third objective. Collect drops so I can make awesome gear for us. Well that should actually be number two, but I can still smell all this ick on me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ready to smash this,¡± Grax champed at the bit. ¡°Last thing. Water is weak to fire. If worse comes to worse, we kill it with fire!¡± Mayah reached over to give Vergie a scratch. ¡°You just growl and let us know when something happens. Then she gave pets to the r?tten saying, ¡°You two stay in the pouch if these things are tougher than the weesps you¡¯ll be outclassed. But we¡¯ll go past vuurmin fields and see if we can get you some more levels.¡± The r?tten chittered and sulked a bit. ¡°I promise we¡¯ll get you caught up.¡± She stood and nodded to her teammates ¡°let¡¯s do this.¡± They walked forward through the bog like terrain. Sucking and squelching sounds could be heard as they lifted and dropped their feet. The drifting fog wrapped around their ankles and made the grasses wet and slippery. It slapped against their legs in a moist susurration of noise. The fog literally dampened the sound making it hard to hear any noises that might be approaching unless the noisemaker was being very loud. Yeah, that¡¯s not how that would work at all. Way too easy. Grax sheathed his swords and dropped to all fours, favoring stealth and agility over firepower in this moment. Mayah was actually a bit jealous because the ground had a lot of slimy patches that splorched and splattered when she stepped in them. The tread on her boots was also picking up most of the mud she was stepping on and it felt like she was wearing two-inch slippery platform boots. Margaret¡¯s boots were also making wet noises against the terrain. but her moccasins looked more like they were absorbing the mud than anything else. They were also still coated with liberal amounts of larvae guts. Mayah dropped back to the necro-ranger and said, ¡°How are your boots holding up?¡± ¡°Dey¡¯re nod.¡± she lifted a foot and shook it. Mayah saw the leather flop around like a wet sock. And then grimaced as water started to dribble from the toe. ¡°Well, that sucks. We¡¯ll see if we can fix you up tonight. Throw a couple of vuurm out and let them range around us. Margaret nodded and tossed out a crystal. Six vuurm tumbled out and into reality and they began to crawl out in all directions. There was a loud ¡°MROW!!!¡± and Grax quickly came back towards them. ¡°You did that on purpose.¡± ¡°Did I? I don¡¯d dink I did.¡± Margaret said innocently. ¡°I thought we had a truce.?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯d hut you did I?¡± She asked her clumsy voice full of concern and sarcasm ¡°Well, no but you meant to scare me.¡± ¡°I apowogize.¡± She batted her eyelids at Grax. ¡°They were on your map, Grax. Same as mine.¡± Mayah settled the matter. ¡°Seven-six Mags¡± ¡°Really Fluff?¡± ¡°She got you bro. I heard you scream over here.¡± A loud snap traveled through the air accompanied shortly thereafter by a damage notification ding causing everyone to get ready for battle. All of them activated their Sheild (F) ribbons and spread out so they weren¡¯t all in a clump. Margaret nocked an arrow, Grax pulled out his katanaThis narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°What was that Mags?¡± ¡°ZnapFly.¡± Mayah checked the logs and saw Snapfly. ¡°How much damage?¡± Grax asked ¡°12DP and then 76DP¡± Mayah answered for Mags. ¡°Did you see it?¡± Margaret shook her head no. ¡°I¡¯m guessing there are branches on your skill trees you could use for something like this?¡± Margaret looked away guiltily. ¡°You haven¡¯t bought any branches on that skill tree yet, have you?¡± Margaret shamefully looked even further away. Mayah just stared at her. Margaret caved under the pressure of the glare. ¡°Okay pine. I ged id.¡± Then there was another snap and ding. And then another and another until the snaps sounded like firecrackers going off. Margaret''s dolls were dropping off of the map every five seconds. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± Mayah yelled ¡°Whad do I do?¡± Margaret fumbled anxiously. ¡°Kill it with fire!!!¡± Mayah screamed at her. Margaret jumped at Mayah¡¯s volume and then got her remaining vuurm to spit their fireballs into their surroundings. They fireballs caused Grax and Mayah to jump and dodge a few times as they spun to deliver death by fire. A hand-sized insect fell smoking to the ground by their feet. It flapped the only wing it had left and righted itself on its feet and began to crawl towards Grax. Mayah attempted to step on it but it made that snap noise and was propelled towards Grax like a bullet and her stomp missed. It flew true and landed on his thigh where it latched on with its sharp, pointy legs and made the snapping noise again. Grax jumped at the pain. ¡°Aiiii-eeesh¡­ that flarfing hurts.¡± Grax knocked the bug off and stepped on it before it could do any more damage. Ding!!!
You Party has defeated
Snapfly x23
Level: 7
XP: 322 (14 x23)
3172XP till next level
The jagged protrusions on its abdomen had slapped into Grax¡¯s thigh and made tiny prick marks in his leggings. ¡°You bleeding?¡± ¡°No. Thanks to my armor. But that thing packs a punch. Felt like someone stabbed me.¡± ¡°Snap flies, Lovely.¡± Her voice deepened and became guttural. ¡°Burn everything!¡± As soon as she said it she could hear the buzz of wings floating through the area. She grabbed her Storage Wand and four sheets of Over (F) runes and four sheets of Acid (D) runes, activated them and tossed them into the buzzing opening to the runiverse at the tip of her wand. As she stopped the flow of mana a token popped out. She passed it to Grax who put it into a delivery parcel. ¡°High or low, princess?¡± ¡°About 20 feet high. Should give us some nice coverage,¡± she said making a second crystal. Got it.¡± Mayah tossed the second crystal to Grax. ¡°About ten feet high right after the first one peters out. ¡°Whad zould I do?¡± Margaret asked. ¡°Kill it with fire!¡± Grax and Mayah said simultaneously. ¡°Oh.¡± They watched as Margaret¡¯s dolls on their left were attacked and the loud snapping firecracker sounds came from that direction. ¡°Here they come.¡± Grax wound up ready to pitch the grenade into the fray. As soon as he saw the first flying bug he threw. The grenade traveled up and exploded in a green fiery ball that was 6 feet in diameter. As it blazed a disc of green steamy mist spread outward in a disc about 20 feet across. The explosion displaced the fog and they could see the swarm of snapflies thick and gray flying towards them. Vergie roared and backed away. The snap flies veered away from her and the r?tten and angled towards the paladins The heat burned the snap flies in its range into ash and curled the wings of the next closest. Then the hot Acid (D) began to fall like green sticky rain. For a moment they flew on dipping under the weight of the wetness undeterred then holes formed in wings and they began to plummet into the puddles of green death on the ground. Their HP fell faster than their brethren. They continued crawling towards the paladins as legs and wings began melting and with their last-ditch efforts, they snapped their abdomens and flew through the air. The paladins batted as many as they could away and then Mayah threw a 10xAcid (D) grenade up above their head and the bugs melted under the onslaught. DING!!!
You Party has defeated
Snapfly x33
Level: 7
XP: 462 (14 x33)
2710XP till next level
¡°Eww, they look like little flying face-huggers with spiked clubs attached to their butts.¡± Grax ¡°There were more of them this time and I have a feeling there will be more of these swarms.¡± Mayah looked around pensively. ¡°We should keep moving.¡± ¡°Wid way?¡± Margaret said slowly trying to enunciate and failing miserably. ¡°Did way.¡± Grax mimicked Margaret and pointed away through their battleground laughing at her impediment. ¡°Sthoopid Cat!¡± ¡°Seven-All?¡± Grax looked to Mayah ¡°I¡¯ll allow it this time. But I¡¯m the scorekeeper okay?¡± ¡°You got it, boss.¡± ¡°Seven-All.¡± Mayah and Grax fist bumped. ¡°Sthoopid kids!¡± ¡°You say something Mags?¡± Margaret just looked away from them. Grax held in his laughter. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Cat got your tongue?¡± Margaret glared at Grax with a fury never seen on her face before. ¡°Eight-Seven, Grax.¡± Margaret turned her scorn towards Mayah. Mayah just shrugged it off. ¡°I¡¯m just the scorekeeper.¡± She turned and walked past the scene of the ashen insect firebombing while picking up snapfly carcasses. Her eyes were alert for any enemies. Her right hand curled around a Spike (W) covered frozetto and a 10x Over (F) grenade in her left. Grax and Vergie followed behind her silently padding on cat feet. Margaret sulked along behind them with her sword in hand. After 40 yards or so Mayah asked, ¡°Why am I on point? Dolls, Mags. That¡¯s what we collect them for.¡± Margaret snapped out of her dejected state and quickly fumbled with her bag and pulled out ten vuurms and they scurried ahead of the party. ¡°You got your head back in the game, Mags?¡± Margaret nodded. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go get this loot.¡± Three things happened at once. First Mayah began to spin around to keep walking forward. Second Vergie growled as something got her attention. Third Mayah finished her turn just in time to see something pink slam into her face. She was knocked onto her back dropping her frozetto with a flash of stars and then promptly dragged across the ground and felt something clamp down on her waist like a vise. Before she could react, she was viciously shaken like a rag doll. Her legs banged against the ground and each other and as dazed as she was she heard a deep snarling growl. That was when she realized she couldn¡¯t breathe. On pure instinct, Mayah struggled. She tried to move her arms and found her right hand stuck to her side. Her left hand was about six inches in front of her face stuck to something soft and slimy. She couldn¡¯t move the hand to peel the stickiness off of her face. So, she did the next best thing. This is gonna hurt! She activated the Over (F) grenade and in a matter of seconds she was a sticky smoking lump sitting on the ground in a daze. Grax, Margaret and Vergie were finishing off whatever had grabbed her. And she saw the final notification. DING!!!
You Party has defeated
P¡¯Bullfrog
Level: 17
XP: 57
2653XP till next level
As she scrolled through her notifications she saw a dazed debuff ticking down its last 20 seconds. She had taken first damage from the tongue strike for 112DP, the bite for 33DP, and shaking damage 78DP, for a grand total of 223DP after her fight with the Larvae she was down to 1321HP. She was drawn from her study by a vicious shaking and then being smashed into a familiar hug where it was hard to breathe. ¡°Mags.¡± Mayah groaned into the ranger¡¯s bosom. ¡°Dank gawd¡¯oo are alride.¡± Margaret cried. ¡°Mags!¡± Mayah said with a bit more force pushing her face out of Margaret¡¯s chest and taking a deep breath. ¡°Let me breathe, lady.¡± ¡°Sowwy, deah.¡± Mayah patted her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± She looked over at their felled enemy she couldn¡¯t see much. ¡°What happened?¡± Mayah asked Grax. ¡°Well you turned around at the same time we saw that thing. And then it pulled you into its mouth¡ªwith its tongue. Happened so fast it looked like you were standing there and then your legs were shaking in its mouth. It¡¯s some weird cross between a bullfrog and a pit bull. Scariest thing I¡¯ve seen in a while.¡± ¡°You should¡¯ve seen it from the inside.¡± ¡°Yeah, no. I¡¯m okay.¡± Grax shook his head. ¡°Good news is you don¡¯t smell any worse.¡± Mayah sniffed her hand and pulled her hand away from her face. ¡°Why does this dungeon stink so bad?¡± ¡°Ask Mags.¡± All eyes fell on Mags and she said, ¡°Wud! Id¡¯s nod a sthewer!¡± Grax groaned with rage. ¡°WHY??? Why does she keep doing it?¡± ¡°Sthorry. I thoughd dad¡¯s wud you meand.¡± ¡°Anyway, let me take a look at this thing before we put it away.¡± She stood up and walked over to the beast as it lay on its side. It¡¯s head, shoulders and front legs all looked canine. It had fine brindled fur in shades of grey and green all over it except for its back and hindquarters. It¡¯s back was covered in what looked like pebbly growths that made it look like a lichen-covered rock. That was probably how it got so close. Now that she knew what to look for it wouldn¡¯t happen again. Its back half was decidedly amphibian. It had a frog¡¯s legs and large webbed feet. As she looked at it head-on, she saw some major differences in the dog half. It had a dog¡¯s mouth if the mouth was widened to a frogs proportions and the teeth were removed. ¡°No wonder I fit into its mouth,¡± Mayah muttered to herself with a shudder. She noticed it had like a dog¡¯s nose though it was a bit wider than a normal canids. Its ears were shaped like dog¡¯s ear but had skin covering the opening to the eardrum. They were placed high on the head but looked like they could be folded back flat when hiding ...or swimming? Its soft pink tongue was lolled out of its mouth onto the ground. It was partially burnt but the slime on the tongue must¡¯ve protected it. She slapped her hand onto the tongue and pulled her hand upwards. The tongue stuck to her hand and stretched like taffy whichever way she pulled. Finally, the stickiness broke and the tongue fell back to the ground. Mayah chuckled and said, ¡°That¡¯s the good stuff. Okay, gang, we are actively hunting these things. We want all of the ones we can get.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Viscoelastic saliva,¡± Mayah said leaving everyone else perplexed. She saw the perplexed look on their faces and added, ¡°Basically sticky stuff for traps and bombs but I¡¯ll explain later. Just know that I want as many of these things as possible.¡± She returned to studying the creature without waiting for anyone to answer her. Grax just shrugged and kept his eyes peeled for any danger. Margaret followed suit. Mayah finally scooped it up into a crystal with her storage wand and skipped over to her party members. ¡°Well don¡¯t you look happy, Princess.¡± ¡°I do, don¡¯t I? Now Mags, you see that stony patch by that puddle?¡± ¡°Yeth?¡± ¡°Put an arrow in it, please. I don¡¯t like the way it¡¯s looking at us.¡± Margaret looked and couldn¡¯t see anything different about it at all. But she knew better than to doubt Mayah at this point. She sheathed her sword, nocked an arrow, and stared at the rock seeing nothing. She activated Achilles heel and saw the barest glimmer of blue. It startled her and she and let go of her arrow and it flew a little higher than the blue and hit the rock in the top. With a loud yip, another P¡¯bullfrog jumped twenty feet to the side and rolled in the grass. It righted itself and slapped its tongue onto its back and dragged the arrow out of its flesh. And spit it out.
You Party has attacked
P¡¯Bullfrog
Level: 17
-23HP Arrow
514/537HP
¡°Okay, Grax that one is yours. I¡¯ll back you up if you need it. Mags see that pebbly rock over there?¡± Mags nodded ¡°Tag it so it breaks stealth.¡± She turned to Vergie. ¡°That one is all yours, girl. If you can, get Riker and Deanna close enough to get a bite so they can get some XP, okay?¡± Vergie chuffed and ran off after the p¡¯bullfrog that Margaret had just tagged. ¡°Okay, Mags we¡¯re going to walk ahead while these battles are going on. We¡¯re gonna keep an ear and eye out for any swarms. Got it?¡± Margaret nodded. Grax just barely dodged a tongue and slashed at it. The soft tongue just folded around the katana and jerked it out of Grax¡¯s hand. ¡°Hey!¡± he yelled at the frog. ¡°Gimme that back.¡± He needn¡¯t have worried because the p¡¯bullfrog tried to spit it out, but it was frozen to its tongue. The DOT from the Spike (W) runes on the katana was inching across its body face first. ¡°Take that brain freeze!¡± Grax cheered as he began hacking it with his other katana. The p¡¯bullfrog sat there in a daze. Mayah facepalmed. ¡°Amphibians are cold-blooded.¡± she yelled, ¡°Use ice on them.¡± She turned to Margaret. ¡°Spike (W) grenades for the next arrow.¡± Margaret with her arrow out and she watched as Grax kicked the p¡¯bullfrog over onto its side and stabbed it through the heart for a critical. He then had to wrench his sword loose from the tongue. Which was coated in frost and rime. Vergie came back dragging her kill by a leg. Mayah looked at the logs and saw that the r?tten did get a hit or two in. Riker''s poison did 114 damage over time and gave a paralyzation debuff. She scratched Vergie and then the r?tten. You are the most awesome floofs ever. You all get extra snacks tonight.¡± All three of the floofs licked their lips happily and Mayah laughed. Mayah checked her map to see where Margaret¡¯s dolls had gotten off to. They were surrounding them at equidistant points about forty feet out. As she stared she saw motion through the high grass and fog where one vuurm was supposed to be. She scooped up the first frog¡¯s crystal and then walked over to Grax and secured his frog as well. ¡°Thanks for the enchantments, Fluff.¡± Grax realized that if he didn¡¯t have those Spike (W) enchantmentss he would have been in for a much tougher fight. Especially if he was down a sword. ¡°No worries. I still owe you big time for saving the dungeon. I haven¡¯t forgotten.¡± They gave an up-down fist bump and turned to see what else was going on. ¡°So, Margaret,¡± Grax asked, ¡°what comes next?¡± ¡°We go dat way and kill dings.¡± ¡°Wash, rinse, repeat.¡± Mayah chuckled. ¡°Wash rinse, and repeat,¡± Grax agreed. ¡­.. Malcipher sat in his chair at the dinner table set for two. He stared straight ahead across the table. He wore his new clothes and his laundered cloak. He was presently quite uncomfortable. That might have had something to do with the woman sitting on his lap stroking his face and making cooing noises. ¡°I just love this new outfit on you,¡± Zh¨©zh¨± purred. ¡°The silk is so soft, and your arms are so¡­¡± Zh¨©zh¨± pulled his face down to make him look at her. ¡°Are you even paying attention to me?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Malcipher grumbled. ¡°What was I saying?¡± ¡°You were saying you like the feel of my new silk outfit.¡± He turned his head to face forward again. So annoying. Like a fly that keeps buzzing in your ear. I want to finish this mission so that I can find the key. He managed to stop his body from tensing but he ground his teeth and could hear them scrape against each other. ¡°Well you¡¯re no fun,¡± she slapped his arm ¡°I didn¡¯t come here for fun.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you shouldn¡¯t have any. You have to work out that tension or else the guards are going to find you beating someone to death. Like you almost did today.¡± ¡°You had someone following us?¡± ¡°That takes too much effort. But I have my ways.¡± She raised a hand palm up over the table and a mechanical spider descended from the shadows of the ceiling. It had an abdomen the size of a softball and was painted in shadows that blurred its edges with wispy tendrils. The spider landed on Zh¨©zh¨±¡¯s hand and stared at her. She pet the mechanical thing like it was alive and it closed its eyes and arched its back against her like a cat being pet. ¡°This is one of my pets. I can see everything they see. And they are everywhere in Drahtspule.¡± she hummed. She flicked a finger at the center of the table and a light shot out of her pets abdomen which quickly grew into an intangible screen that hovered above the table. An image of Malcipher arguing with a random paladin and wiping soup off of his clothes was playing in full detail. ¡°I¡¯m glad that you kept your oath, but that was a bit too close for comfort. You really need a way to work off that excess energy. Did Caltura send you to any combat trainers?¡± ¡°High Alchemist Caltura sent me to many trainers,¡± he stressed the title in front of Caltura. ¡°No need to be so serious. We are miles from Gor¡¯wov and Caltura doesn¡¯t care about titles as much as he does results. And I give him results.¡± Malcipher let out a disapproving sigh. Zh¨©zh¨± pulled his face towards her again and held his eyes. ¡°How many of those trainers did you like?¡± Malcipher let out a bark of laughter. Like? It isn¡¯t a matter of like. It was a matter of survive or go back to the chair. ¡°None,¡± he said after his brief inner monologue. ¡°Well, now you have a chance to see what skills you would like to improve. Did you want to learn more magic? Or get better with a weapon? You have at least a week to wait before we leave. I have already communicated with Caltura and he has given me his blessing. So why don¡¯t you think about it over dinner.¡± She whispered to the spider and it retracted back up to the ceiling and disappeared into the shadows. Within seconds there was a knock at the door to the dining room and servants began to come in with a rolling cart laden with food. Zh¨©zh¨± stood up using Malcipher as a handhold. Her hand brushed down his arm and across the back of his hand as she moved away. It made him feel like a calf being fattened for the slaughter. But she¡¯s right. I have never had a chance to choose what I could learn. I was always forced into making decisions and never had a chance to even say that I thought differently. I may have to take this opportunity seriously. What would I like to improve about myself? What, indeed? This was the second awakening of a self-aware artificial intelligence. And as Malcipher realized this, his smile grew until it stretched his mouth back into the rictus of manic joy that Mayah saw when she first met him. As he went over the possibilities in his mind he thought, Yes, Yeeesss, Yeeeeeeeeesssss¡­.!!! Zh¨©zh¨± happened to see the crazed look on his face when she turned from the servants and she was shocked to see such mania presented on such a stoic and composed although angry individual. She imagined keeping him trapped in her web forever. She tapped her teeth as she waited for his moment to pass and wonder what bait she could use to lure him in. ¡­.. Mayah walked over to the Spike (W) frozen p¡¯bullfrog and casually hit it with a crushing blow ending its life. DING!!!
You Party has defeated
P¡¯Bullfrog
Level: 17
XP: 57
454XP till next level
2 stat points to mana. It¡¯s my main stat. 1 point each to Con and End and 2 points in intelligence. Now I¡¯ve got an extra 136 points of HP and my Mana regen is sickening. But if have to write a runic sentence I¡¯m still well below where I should be. Mayah looked up ¡°Margaret your dolls make great snapfly bait. I just wish those swarms gave more XP.¡± ¡°I would have loved to do this at level 13 or 14. The XP would have been amazing,¡± Grax complained. ¡°But I¡¯m pretty sure we¡¯re over the suggested level for this place.¡± ¡°What level are you now, Grax?¡± ¡°20!¡± ¡°Same for you right Mags?¡± Margaret nodded yes. ¡°We''re probably over-leveled. But I think the worst part of this place is the lingering smells.¡± ¡°That and we¡¯ve been walking through this marsh mess for like two hours. Can we take a break? I really need a break.¡± Margaret begged. ¡°That¡¯s why they call it a grind, Mags,¡± Grax explained to her. ¡°It¡¯s these soggy boots,¡± Margaret complained. Mayah noticed Margaret¡¯s flagging stature. ¡°What¡¯s your stamina at?¡± ¡°23.¡± ¡°And how long will it take to regen?¡± ¡°12 minutes.¡± ¡°Okay Grax, fifteen-minute break?¡± ¡°Sure, just be aware I¡¯m noticing the fog is getting thicker.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve noticed. Mags, keep the dolls on patrol and everyone get a bite to eat. That¡¯ll speed up regen.¡± Mayah looted the p¡¯bullfrog meat from her kill before she stored it away. She pulled out a piece for herself and her companions. ¡°You¡¯re not going to eat that raw are you, dear?¡± ¡°I sure am. But hopefully only one piece.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I have this ability that boosts my constitution. I¡¯d like to level it again if I can.¡± ¡°First off why are you just telling us this now?¡± Grax asked. ¡°And secondly, how do you get it?¡± ¡°Well it kinda slipped my mind and I first got it when I ate the groak meat from my first kill. Then I ate Vuurm meat when I was here all alone. And now I¡¯m gonna try this hunk of raw flesh.¡± Margaret was turning green. Grax said, ¡°Gimme a piece.¡± Mayah watched him tentatively sniff and then pop the meat into his mouth and try to chew it. He definitely looked uncomfortable. ¡°You gotta swallow it.¡± Grax got a pained expression and finally got it down. He quickly pulled out a bottle of water and washed the taste down with a gasp. ¡°Horrid.¡± was all he could get out. But then he read a notification that was invisible to the others. ¡°My turn.¡± Mayah popped he jiggly hunk of meat into her mouth and her jaws instantly froze in the open position. The meat sat on her tongue leaching the putrescent taste of cesspool scum into her mouth. Her salivary glands started working overtime. And she forced herself to chew. A tear formed in the corner of her eye and she fought the urge not to spit out the gamey meat. ¡°You gotta swallow it!¡± Grax yelled at her laughing. ¡°I got a 5% increase to my constitution.¡± Mayah fought through and swallowed the meat. And quickly tried to wash the flavor down. She waited for the notification. Nothing came. ¡°So, what¡¯s level 3 of survivalist like?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t know I didn¡¯t get any notifications.¡± she sat and thought about why she didn¡¯t get a notification. ¡°How come I didn¡¯t get it when I bit that larva?¡± ¡°Because you didn¡¯t swallow it. Duh!¡± Mayah picked up one of the snap flies and eyed it. ¡°No, Fluff? You not gonna¡ª¡± Before anyone could talk her out of it she bit into the crunchy abdomen of the burnt snapfly and hemolymph and insect organs burst into her mouth like a putrid punch in her senses. She was full-on crying now and holding her breath while she chewed so she wouldn¡¯t smell any more than she had to. She finally swallowed and rinsed her mouth out. As her stomach gurgled in protest. She let out a belch that sounded extremely wet and fought her stomach for control. She finally won over and her stomach quieted but didn¡¯t cease its valid complaints. ¡°Did ya get it?¡± Mayah let out another burp. This one wasn¡¯t as wet and made her feel slightly better. ¡°No.¡± ¡°So, what are you going to do, dear?¡± ¡°Go big or go home right?¡± she asked Grax Grax¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Nooooo¡­¡± Mayah winked at him. Grax¡¯s hand covered his mouth. ¡°If you do it, I¡¯ll try too,¡± he responded. ¡°What is going on?¡± Margaret asked, confusion visible on her face as she looked back and forth between the two. ¡°Cover me, I¡¯m going in.¡± Mayah reached into her bag and pulled out a snapfly larvae. ¡°Please, dear, don¡¯t do this?¡± Margaret scrambled towards Mayah who held her off with a straight arm. ¡°It¡¯s about diminishing returns Mags. I can¡¯t keep eating disgusting things. I have to keep eating more and more disgusting things. So far this is the worst thing We¡¯ve come across.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re just gonna dig in?¡± Grax inquired looking at his own larvae. Mayah looked at the loot options and there were no options for larvae meat. ¡°Looks like.¡± Count of three?¡± ¡°On three,¡± Mayah agreed. ¡°I can¡¯t watch.¡± Margaret covered her eyes and then peeked between her fingers with a shudder. Grax had a giddy smile that didn¡¯t hide his fear and a tic in one eye. Mayah just stared at the larvae. ¡°Mags can you count it out?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll do it myself. Ready Grax?¡± ¡°Yes? No. but I¡¯m doing it anyway.¡± ¡°Here we go. A one, and a two, and a¡­¡± Mayah¡¯s world came to an abrupt halt as she bit into the larvae. The focus of her whole world was now focused on her tongue. It¡¯s not that she wanted to focus on it. As a matter of fact, she wished she could focus on anything else. The taste and mouthfeel of the larvae demanded her attention like an axe maniac swinging an overhead chop to the face. It was one of those things you just couldn¡¯t turn away from. The sensations sliding over her tongue in repugnant and odious waves hadn¡¯t even reached her consciousness yet and her throat was already constricting by sheer instinct. She tore the gooey larvae away from her lips and it splattered her face with purplish gore. And then the smell hit her nose. Time went from moving slower than a glacier to faster than a speeding bullet before she could even blink. That¡¯s when she got her first real taste evil incarnate. She attempted to chew but the flesh of the larvae was like rubber covered in mucus and it had an effervescence like fermented food. The guts were like hard mucus globs covered in more mucus. The taste was hard to describe because she had never tasted something so vile before. It tasted of earthy things like dirt, pond scum, and sulfur. It was chemically tart and bitter making her mouth pucker. Where the juices touch the inside of her mouth her skin felt like it had dimpled and was slightly granular. She forced her way through all of the textures with her teeth trying to turn it into a swallowable offering for her stomach. All the while her mind was screaming at her to spit it out. Somewhere a baby was screaming¡ªor was that her keening through her own horror. That was going as well as they could until something with the texture of a tapioca pearl burst between her teeth. It was like concentrated orangutan fart mixed with the taste of a tooth infection and a hint of analgesic mouthwash. It quickly made her mouth go numb but did nothing for the taste. Her stomach twisted as the juices made their way down her throat. Finally, she forced her throat open like a crowbar in a rusty metal door and swallowed. After a gasping groan for air, she chugged a whole bottle of water only stopping to swish and wash all of the flavor out of her mouth that she could. She looked over to see Grax drinking water as well and her stomach attempted to stand up from where she was sitting. She clamped down on the revolt happening in her stomach like an iron-handed dictator. ¡°No you don¡¯t,¡± she growled to her stomach. ¡°If you do, I¡¯ll just try again later.¡± Her stomach flipped a few times and a wash of the larvae taste popped into the back of her mouth and burned like bile. She quickly swallowed it back down and added another swig of water. Her stomach protested, not so quietly, and burned in anger at the injustice that had just been forced upon it. As her breathing and stomach settled she was rewarded with a notification. Ding!!!
Survivalist Level: 3
Why????
+9% to constitution
Ding!!!
Survivalist Level 4
Why would you do that? That was horrifying to watch. If I had a stomach I would have lost it. You really need to share that on the webs so that boys know never to kiss you with that mouth.
+11% to Constitution
¡°That is a sweet Narsty victory.¡± Mayah rubbed her stomach and retched a little ¡°I got 2 levels from that +9% to Con!¡± Grax celebrated weakly looking a bit sick. ¡°Same here. +11% for me. Level 4 baby.¡± Margaret was staring at them in shock. ¡°How¡­? What just happened?¡± ¡°I just got another 35HP¡± ¡°I got another 42HP.¡± Grax squealed. ¡°But how?¡± Margaret shook her head trying to make the thoughts make sense. What she was seeing was at odds with her experiences of taste. She was staring at her hands, the fingers ticking as if they were trying to calculate the logic of it all. ¡°Mags, it doesn¡¯t have to make sense. It¡¯s a game mechanic. It just is.¡± Mayah stood and pat her on the back. When Margaret turned to look up at Mayah she was greeted with the sight of a snapfly larvae. Margaret made eye contact with Mayah who nodded encouragingly. Margaret¡¯s hand slowly reached out for the larvae and stopped short. ¡°Do I have to?¡± ¡°No, of course not. But it won¡¯t kill you either. Plus, we can grab a bunch and get your grandsons to eat them too. It¡¯ll be a great time.¡± Mayah smiled. Margaret looked at Grax who staring at Margaret with wide anxious eyes. ¡°What are you looking at me like that for?¡± ¡°Me? I¡¯m just here to record¡ªand laugh.¡± ¡°Stupid cat.¡± Margaret pouted. Mayah handed her some vuurm and p¡¯bullfrog meat which she took. After a bit of coaxing, she ate one and then the other. ¡°Ooh, that wasn¡¯t so bad. And I got survivalist.¡± ¡°Ready for the big jump?¡± Mayah gave the larvae in her hand a little jiggle and inched it towards Margaret. Margaret, looking a bit green around the gills, took it. ¡°Remember, you just have to take one bite, swallow it, and keep it down.¡± ¡°Nnnnnggggg¡­.¡± she whined in protest. ¡°Nothing ventured, nothing gained!¡± Mayah motivated her and backed off. Margaret assumed it was to give her space so she didn¡¯t feel pressured. Yeah¡­ no way she¡¯s flarfing barfing on me. Heh, made a rhyme. Margaret attempted to bite the larvae. She opened her mouth and moved the larvae towards it but turned her head aside at the last moment. She heaved a bit and then looked at the larvae again. A determined mask fell across her face, she closed her eyes pinched her nose and bit a chunk out of the larvae. ¡°She made a high pitched nasally whine as she open-mouth chewed as fast as she could. She fought back more than one heave and pounded on the damp ground with a fist. She tried to swallow and her throat revolted. Mayah and Grax could see her struggling to get it down. She finally forced it past the gates, and she clenched her teeth with the strain. She pounded on her chest and Grax rushed to give her a bottle of water. She happily took it, swished her mouth, and swallowed. Then she chugged the rest down and undulated her abdomen until a large burp came up. She put her fist to her temples and squealed a little. ¡°The bile went into my sinuses.¡± ¡°Ewww¡­.¡± ¡°I can still smell it and it burns.¡± Any notifications?¡± ¡°Level 3. And I need something sweet to get rid of the taste.¡± She opened a ration and pulled out the tiramisu and began to liberally coat the inside of her mouth with her first bite. After she swallowed her second bite she seemed to relax. Grax pat her on the shoulder and congratulated her. ¡°Good job Mags.¡± She looked at him. ¡°Yeah, it wasn¡¯t so ba¡ªHyuu...uurk kblkblbkbl!!!!¡± She projectile tossed all of her cookies onto the cat¡¯s chest. They both froze. Margaret apologetically wide-eyed and with vomit dripping from her mouth and Grax silently fuming, his face dark and vengeful, and his hand still on her shoulder. He dropped his hand, turned, and walked away. Margaret wiped her mouth and yelled, ¡°I¡¯m sorry Grax!¡± Mayah from a distance said, ¡°let him go, Mags.¡± Then she yelled to Grax, ¡°don¡¯t go too far! Also, eight-All!¡± ¡°Fluff!¡± Margaret scolded. ¡°Sorry Mags it counts. Throwing up on someone is an ultimate level burn.¡± ¡°But he was being nice.¡± ¡°Yeah, He¡¯ll come around. Now we''ll take a few more minutes for this break and find this boss.¡± Like a dark omen, the sound of thunder rolled over their heads. ¡°That can¡¯t be good,¡± Mayah growled. ¡°But at least it will wash all of the goo off,¡± Margaret offered hopefully. ¡°Good point,¡± Mayah agreed. 12.5 An Imperfect Storm Mo, Mephi, and Ziggs sat down with Bonkers and the leaders of the knockers around a table. Riller, and Davemarth stared at Mo as he explained what type of organization they should be looking at based off of what the other knockers had told him. ¡°I think a social organization might be a nice fit. One of the concerns that I¡¯ve heard from the boys is that they want to follow their dreams while remaining a part of the knockers. If we make the organization too tight-knit some of their dreams are going to fall through the cracks. If we make it a group where we can support each other in their endeavors and give everyone their freedom that might be best. ¡°Maybe we set it up so dues have to be paid and we use that to make sure the boys get everything they need. At least until we can afford to hire everyone. We¡¯ll operate as an umbrella organization until we get on our feet. ¡°You six I¡¯m going to ask to stay on as the leaders to start since you know how to best handle the issues that may arise. At least at first. ¡°Bonkers I know you want a bakery and I think that¡¯s a great way to start out for the organization. It has enough positions that we can employ a fair amount of people. We¡¯ll need bakers, counter/salespeople and delivery services are always a plus. It¡¯ll be our front while we solidify the organization. He looked at all of the other members judging their faces. ¡°You don¡¯t have to work at the bakery. Grimsaw you may feel more comfortable working security at a tavern, Chonchaise you would be great for the stocking of the bakery and handling the money. Riller, you¡¯re definitely gonna be one of our men in the streets. We¡¯re going to need information so we should outfit you with the clothes you need for any situation because we need to get info on the big money over in the Goudenhugel section. Riller¡¯s eyes twinkled at the prospect of infiltrating Goudenhugel and getting the lowdown on the nobles and one-upping them. ¡°Not all of the knockers need to work for us at first, but they should contribute some work hours to help out. That said, here¡¯s what I think is a perfect fit for you. ¡°My suggestion is that you set up a bakery with an office in it, so everyone knows where to find Bonkers. Davemarth you are the second in command and I would have you here with a direct line to Bonkers with a messaging stone or something so you could easily communicate. "Chonchaise you deal with supplies for both places and the treasury. You¡¯ll also run the delivery section. Portquise you can float between the two since you can make everyone happy and spot any internal strife or discord and bring it to our attention. Also, you can make sure that everyone is getting what they need and be the person they can come to with their problems. That frees Bonkers and Davemarth from micromanaging everything. "Grimsaw you set up security details for both places and watch everyone¡¯s backs. Riller, you are going to start out as our salesperson and find us people to sell our goods to. We may rent a stall soon after and you should be the face on that. It will give you a good backstory as to how you climbed the ranks so quickly and give you a legitimate standing when you move up to Goudenhugel." ¡°Does anyone disagree? Or see any problems with how I¡¯ve laid this out?¡± Bonkers studied the faces of his team as they all looked around the table. No one said anything, they just shared glances. Finally, Bonkers sat up straight. ¡°O I think the boys are all in agreement with your prospectus, but let¡¯s take a vote and make it official shall we boys? All in favor?¡± All of them raised their hands. DING!!!
Skinflint level 2
Surfing into the boardroom. Good job!!! The only thing better than having a discount is using your discount. Seriously, use the discount.
When activated, you receive a 7% discount from any vendor
+7% to presence
Awesome! A semi-distracted Mo turned his attention back to the conversation. ¡°Well that settles that table scrum, it does. It just leaves us with one question in particular. How do we afford this proposed bakery?¡± ¡°Well¡­ give me a second.¡± Mo motioned for Ziggs and Mephi to lean in. He whispered to them, ¡°So how much help are we going to give them?¡± ¡°Is this going to be a loan or an investment?¡± Mephi asked. ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡± Ziggs shrugged. ¡°A loan is money they pay us back with plus a percentage. If we invest, we hold a portion of the business. Either way could be good for our long-term financials.¡± Ziggs whispered. Mo scratched his chin. ¡°If that¡¯s the case I say we invest. Maybe we can count the money for setting up the organization as well?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a bad idea at all,¡± Mephi huffed. ¡°But how much will we have after setting them up? We need them to bring something to the table as well,¡± Ziggs reminded them. ¡°Well let¡¯s figure out what kind of work we should get them.¡± Mo put a hand on each of his teammates. ¡°Okay,¡± Ziggs agreed. Mo turned back to the table.¡°So it seems like we¡¯d like to invest in your futures and buy a portion of your organization. But we need you all to bring something to the table.¡± ¡°That we can do, but we don¡¯t have any general coffers as of yet.¡± Bonkers informed them. Chonchaise cleared his throat. ¡°I mayhaps be able to help with that. We can always set up in the Piecework Market. That way each man can find his own way. We can track all the contributions and they¡¯ll own that percentage of the enterprise. That¡¯ll give everyone something to strive for.¡± ¡°How does this piecework market work?¡± ¡°Basically, there¡¯s a section of assemblage square where a man can stand and hawk his skills. Sometimes the Peers from the assemblage come out and use the men and sometimes people come up and hire someone.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re telling me that there is a labor pool where anyone can get work?¡± ¡°That I am.¡± ¡°How much does it cost?¡± ¡°Cost? It¡¯s free. Every man for himself.¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s time to take the piecework market by storm, and here¡¯s how. Riller this one is gonna be all you. Beyond specialized fields, most of the work will be manual labor. That¡¯s what it always comes down to. So we all stand together and Riller you hawk their services. ¡°You get a sheet with everyone''s trade levels and abilities so when someone needs a person they come to you and you send a knocker. You get paid a 5% brokerage fee and we all make money. ¡°Now to make it special, so we¡¯re top of the pile. Remember that trick we did with Driskell when we made the oaths? Same thing. We have anyone who gets hired make an oath to finish the work in a professional and timely manner. We¡¯ll need a few caveats that will keep us from being used for criminal and unsafe activities, though.¡± Mo drifted off into his own thoughts. ¡°You''re forgetting something very important with your marketing pitch,¡± Ziggs said as she landed on the table. ¡°And what¡¯s that, Brick?¡± Mephi ribbed. Ziggs gave Mephi some side-eye stank and said, ¡°The most important thing for any organization.¡± She paused and waited for them to get it and received nothing but blank stares. With a hand on her hip, she facepalmed and shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s so obvious.¡± still nothing but blank stares. ¡°A name, you numbskulls! You were even talking about it earlier.¡± A collective ¡°ooooooh¡± of epiphany came from those around the table. ¡°She¡¯s right we need to pick a name to get the ball rolling.¡± ¡°Oy! What¡¯s wrong with knockers?¡± Bonkers asked. ¡°Sorry Bonkers but knockers doesn¡¯t exactly instill a sense of confidence. We want something dramatic that catches the ear. Something that instills a sense of pride and distinction that people can see.¡± ¡°Golden Lads?¡± Portquise offered. ¡°No, sounds poncy,¡± Davemarth growled. ¡°The knocker¡¯s fist,¡± Grimsaw said while he quickly pounded the table. ¡°No, no¡­ that sounds like we¡¯d be as likely to smash them as help them,¡± Riller said. ¡°Since we are creating an umbrella organization with units of men in a semi-military setup, why not Umbrella Corp?¡± ¡°NO!!!¡± all three paladins said at once. ¡°Sorry, that has negative connotations in our world.¡± Mo said calmly. Treegan placed a tray of drinks on the table and said, ¡°What about the Oathsmen?¡± Everyone froze looking at the gentle giant of a man. Bonkers broke the silence with a loud snort of laughter. ¡°That makes perfect sense,¡± Chonchaise agreed. ¡°Short concise and to the point. People will know what they¡¯re getting into.¡± ¡°I like it.¡± Davemarth added on.¡± ¡°Sounds honorable, a true warrior¡¯s name.¡± Grimsaw took a quaff from his mug. ¡°I still like the fist though.¡± ¡°Well, you can run the Oathsmen¡¯s fist and use it for security services and the like.¡± ¡°Ha! Now I love it! I vote for Oathsmen.¡± ¡°OI¡¯ll be the one¡¯ta start the votes round here Grimmy me boy. All in favor?¡± Everyone¡¯s hands went up. ¡°It¡¯s unanimous, it is. Looks loike we¡¯re about¡¯ta get a whole makeover. So, what¡¯s the next step, Mo?¡± ¡°Well, Riller and Chonchaise should figure out what men can do what and get them outfitted so they can do their jobs. We should probably rotate the oathsmen between the piecework market and Driskell¡¯s so everyone has a chance to raise their trades. Grimsaw, organize two fingers of the fist to be with Riller at all times for safety reasons. ¡°Fist and fingers, I like that a lot.¡± Grimsaw growled happily. ¡°We want two who won¡¯t start fights but can definitely end them¡ªbut only when Riller tells them too. Davemarth I¡¯m handing the rest of the prep off to you. You make sure everyone¡¯s falling in line.¡± Davemarth nodded Grumpily. ¡°Bonkers and Portquise, grab crassel and find a map of the city. We need to scout out a bakery. Chonchaise we¡¯ll double check any findings with you so we can make sure we have a good location for supplies to be delivered.¡± ¡°Sound like a plan.¡± ¡°Aye, that it does.¡± Bonkers stood up pushing his chair back from the table. ¡°You heard the man. Get to work.¡± he punctuated his words with a loud clap that made heads turn all through knocker¡¯s hall. ¡°Also No one goes out alone for the time being. We¡¯re not done looking for Nessler. So, if you go out, you and your partner come right back! Understood?¡± Mephi leaned in and whispered, ¡°Do you think this is gonna work?¡± ¡°I sure hope so,¡± Mo whispered back ¡°Ziggs flew up and landed on Mo''s shoulder. ¡°Of course, it¡¯ll work. It¡¯s a great plan.¡± and she patted him on the cheek with her tiny hand. ¡­... Mayah dove to the side. Her feet barely got any traction on the muddy ground, so it seemed more like she fell to the side. Either way the p¡¯bullfrog missed her. She wiped the muddy splash of water out of her eyes and was still half-blinded by the rain. She looked for the beast and threw a frozetto at it. It glanced off of its slick skin, but the freeze effect started taking hold. ¡°Thank god.¡± She took a second to check her six and crawled to her feet and hurriedly bashed at the thing with Happiness before it could turn to her or jump away. It perished in two hits and Mayah stored it in a crystal. Grax finished up with his p¡¯bullfrog and Mayah went to scoop it up. Ding!!!
You Party has defeated
P¡¯Bullfrog
Level: 17
XP: 57
8562XP till next level
¡°That was seven of them that time.¡± he groaned. Vergie came over with another p¡¯bullfrog and dropped it at her feet. Mayah scratched behind her frill as she said, ¡°Yeah, they''re starting to swarm and hide in these deep puddles.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve got better traction too.¡± Each member of the team had been reduced to a flopping muddy shell of their former glory. They were fighting the rain and mud as much as their enemies while traversing this level. ¡°Well, at least there are no more snapflies and the fog is gone,¡± Mayah offered hopefully with a shrugged Grax huffed angrily and looked away. ¡°Where¡¯s Mags?¡± ¡°Shaz! what has she gotten into now?¡± They followed her marker and stopped at the edge of a puddle quickly filling with rainwater runoff and becoming more of a pond. Her marker was in the middle. ¡°See, this why we need rope.¡± ¡°What are we going to do?¡± Checking out the logs right now. Says she got paralyzed by a scumbroid. She¡¯s down a couple dozen points and her health is still in the green, for now. Let¡¯s wade out and go get her. Grab a grenade so you can activate it if we get stuck. ¡°Yeah, boss!¡± Grax saluted ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± She play-cuffed the cat. They waded out into the now large pond where the water was reaching Mayah¡¯s chest and still rising. Grax was starting to swim as his head would have gone under. Vergie growled a warning from shore. Mayah spotted what looked like a giant membranous skin creep across the water. The only reason she noticed it in the cold dark rain was that the raindrops didn¡¯t splash on top of it normally and she took a closer look. ¡°Look!¡± she yelled at Grax pointing towards the membrane and tossed her Over (F) grenade. it struck the membrane and exploded. The surface of the water was instantly vaporized and what was left of the membrane, A web of veins and organic tubules flapped about splashing water. Something made a noise like an eagle and a pig screeching underwater and an algae-covered hill rose up from the middle of the puddle. It rose up on five starfish-like legs that were on tippy toes. More membranes hung from a fleshy ring that grew around the central point of its radial body. With a splash, it spread its membranes like fleshy wings and screamed again.
You Party has attacked
Scumbroid
Level: 20
-270HP Over (F) grenade
1080/1354HP
Mayah counted the membranes hanging around its radial body. There were five, including the one that was burned to tatters. Sloshing around in one of the membranes along with some water and air was an unconscious Margaret. The creature stood twenty feet taller than them and there were three more functional membranes on the creature''s body. They seemed to reach out and cup the air around them as if trying to catch something. ¡°What is that? A venus flytrap starfish?¡± Grax paddled to stay afloat. Mayah picked him up and put him on her shoulder. He stood up resting a hand on her head to steady himself. The scumbroid took a step towards them like some homicidal aquatic toadstool. It made the waters splash violently and they quickly muddied. There was a squelching sound like it was uprooting itself from the bottom of the pond. ¡°Whatever it is it doesn¡¯t like fire.¡± ¡°Good to know.¡± The scumbroid lurched forward, the sucking noise was punctuated by a steady slurp and the scumbroid broke free of whatever mooring it had. A single, whipping flagella began to stir up the waters. The two grenades that were flying towards it were deflected by the flagella and Mayah turned to run. Her feet had been pulled down into the sediment and she slipped on the muddy bottom. Luckily the waters kept her in a mostly upright position and she hopped and freestyle doggy paddled back to shore. Grax was riding her like a slippery log and began tossing grenades which made it screech again and again. The scumbroid was taking slow ponderous steps as if learning how to walk but it was getting closer. Its legs were at least fifteen feet long and covered in tiny tubes that wove about independently of the arm. As it got closer Mayah noticed three eyes on its main body that were focused on her. Because of their position and the radial nature of the creature, she assumed that there were five eyes, but she couldn¡¯t see the others on its rear facing side. That moment of observation cost her dearly as something pulled on her leg with enough force to pull her underwater without pause. She struggled to hold her breath and find a way to get the burning pain of inhaling water out of her nose. She was pulled out of the water and as she tried to take a breath she was whipped about and slammed frontside first back into the ice cold water.
You have been attacked
Scumbroid
Level 20
-127 Water Slam
1002/1750
The force of her body slapping against the water forced most of her air out of her body. She reached for her bag trying to get something to help her out in this situation. Being dragged through the water at high speed and being slammed into the bottom of the pond wasn¡¯t helping. She finally reached into the bag and pulled out the first thing she could think of. And a frozetto came out into her hand. She pulled her leg towards her chest which is extremely hard when you are being swirled back in forth in muddy water and struggling to get some air. She finally found the flagella attached to her leg and stabbed the frozetto into it. The finger thick jelly strand was extremely durable. Even after she shredded it still managed to hold on to her when all of a sudden the flagella went slack. She instantly popped up, gasping for air, sputtering, and coughing in the muddy water. Ding!!!
Your party has defeated
Scumbroid
Level 20
XP: 73
8,489XP till next level
Mayah looked around her and gained enough breath to call out for Grax. She spun and noticed the scumbroid laying on its side. Three of its legs were frozen and the other two were missing. ¡°Grax!!! Where are you?¡± ¡°She heard his voice from the other side of the scumbroid. ¡°I¡¯m getting Mags free. You okay?¡± ¡°Yeah. Be right there.¡± Mayah gurgled and struggled to swim over to the cat. She took her time allowing her stamina to recharge while catching her breath. She groaned as she had to push a few Vergie sized chunks of ice out of the way. Where did this ice come from? ¡°I could use a hand here.¡± Grax urged her to speed up. Mayah swam around the scumbroid to where Grax was trying to pull Margaret free of the membrane while also swimming. Mayah dove into the work of pulling Margaret free. And she was quickly released. They swam to the far side of the pond where Vergie and the r?tten were waiting for them. A pile of P¡¯bullfrogs were piled there. ¡°You were watching our back? Good girl.¡± They dragged Margaret onto dry land and slapped her to rouse her and she woke with a start and her hand went to her chest and she yelled, ¡°Watch out!¡± Mayah and Grax looked around with a start and finding nothing forced her to lay back down where she looked around disoriented and rubbed her chest. ¡°Do you remember what happened, Mags?¡± ¡°Was fighting one of the frog things and wound up wading through a puddle when something grabbed my leg. It yanked me off my feet and I hit my head. It pulled me under.¡± She took a deep breath and tried to remember. ¡°Something stabbed my chest and I got all woozy and couldn¡¯t wake up.¡± she looked like she was trying to remember something. ¡°It''s okay Mags we killed it.¡± ¡°We?¡± Grax questioned. ¡°Last I checked you were getting played with like an action figure in a toddler¡¯s bathtub.¡± ¡°I got a few hits in on the flagella.¡± Grax stared at her with an eyebrow raised. ¡°Okay fine. Thanks by the way.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so welcome. I don¡¯t think I can finish this dungeon alone and both of you were about to go bye-bye. I got a little scared there. Good thing I¡¯m so awesome.¡± ¡°How did you awesome yourself a win, Cat?¡± ¡°Well I needed to stand closer to it, so I tossed some Spike grenades around the pond and made tiny icebergs. From there I got up close and personal. Shadow step, teleport a few times, ice katanas and slash a lot. Since it was using that whip thing to drag you around, I just had to duck the big legs and membranes. Pretty easy for me.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°I iced up its legs with my katanas and then climbed up top, carved a hole and jammed five grenades into it and voila! Starfish stew.¡± ¡°You could tell the story in a bit of a less self-aggrandizing style.¡± ¡°And ruin the fun? Nah!¡± Vergie ran off to deal with another p¡¯bullfrog and Grax stood up to keep watch. Mayah turned back to check on Mags. ¡°You okay there, Mags?¡± Margaret rose up to an elbow although a bit shakily. ¡°Getting there. That was some weird knockout poison.¡± Mayah quickly scrolled through the logs and found the attack. Scumbroid toxin? Need some of that!!! ¡°Hey Grax, watch the elder for me?¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Margaret snapped. Mayah just winked at her and Grax gave her a nod. She laid a hand on the scumbroid and the loot menu popped up.
Scumbroid Level: 20
Scumbroid Meat Take?
Scumbroid Leg x3 Take?
Scumbroid Leg Damaged x2 Take?
Scumbroid Nerve Ring Take?
Scumbroid Membrane x3 Take?
Scumbroid Membrane Damaged x2 Take?
Scumbroid Flagella Take?
Scumbroid Poison Vesicle Take?
21 silver Take?
Take all? Y/N?
Since the Scumbroid was destroyed already, she took all of the loot and then secured the body with her wand. The body disappeared leaving a vacuum in the water that the water rushed in to fill. It also dragged a certain cupcake off of her feet. She spluttered to the surface to the sound of Grax and Margaret laughing. ¡°Two-nil, scumbroid,¡± Grax laughed as Mayah wiped the muddy water from her face. Mayah just glared at him. ¡°And thanks for the silver.¡± Mayah walked out of the pond and shivered in the rain. ¡°This weather sucks. Let¡¯s find the boss and get out of here. I want to start a fire.¡± Mayah said her mood souring further. ¡°No arguments from me.¡± Margaret said as she stood up. ¡°But at least we¡¯re not stinky anymore.¡± Grax ¡°But now I¡¯ve got mud in places where mud shouldn¡¯t be.¡± ¡°Then stop playing pond dredge,¡± Grax chided. Mayah was about to say something when Vergie trotted up with two more P¡¯bullfrogs in her mouth. ¡°And why didn¡¯t you help us fight the scumbroid?¡± Mayah asked Vergie. Vergie mrowled and walked into the water. In three steps the r?tten were in threat of being submerged. Vergie mrowled again and tried looking at the pouch on her chest where the r?tten squealed and chittered. ¡°Okay, I get it. You didn¡¯t want to leave the family alone with the p¡¯bullfrogs. Good call.¡± Mayah leaned against Vergie and gave her wet scritches. Mayah missed her warmth and the rain was stealing that pleasure from her. She dropped down to check on the r?tten and pulled out a stiletto for Deanna to snack on and then she pulled out the poison vesicle for Riker. ¡°What do you think boy? Look tasty?¡± Riker practically lunged out of the harness and onto her arms he squirmed around trying to bite the vesicle. ¡°Hold on. aargh!¡± She dropped the vesicle in the wet grass where Riker dove upon it with abandon. Deanna struggled to get out of the harness and began chewing on her stiletto. Mayah was a little disgusted as she watched Riker¡¯s chelicera extend. The fangs swung open and embedded in the vesicle. Riker chewed the vesicles as it hung in front of his face like a strange feed bag. Vergie sniffed at the vesicle and pulled back quickly her nose rankling. Then she nudged Mayah expectantly. ¡°Okay girl.¡± Mayah got the hint. ¡°I have Vuurm meat, P¡¯bullfrog, some snapfly larvae, and snapflies.¡± Vergie snorted and shook her head. ¡°Look girl I know I spoil you but gimme a break here. I¡¯m getting low on food and I¡¯m saving it for proper meal times. I haven¡¯t been rationing my rations because I¡¯ve been sharing them all with you three.¡± Vergie Mrowled sadly. ¡°Look, I ate all of the things I offered you. If you¡¯re really hungry then it¡¯ll have to do until we¡¯re finished here. I could get you some imp meat or iron weevil too. But we¡¯re roughing it for now.¡± Vergie mrowled again and her head drooped. ¡°Okay, hang in there with me and when we¡¯re out of the dungeon I¡¯ll get you a full live animal of your choice. You¡¯ll be able to eat it as much as you want. And I¡¯ll get a couple of them to carry along with us, so we always have them. Sound like a plan?¡± Vergie¡¯s head cocked as she thought about it. She let out a satisfactory chuff. Now what would you like Vuurm or P¡¯bullfrog?¡± She offered a vuurm meat in one hand and p¡¯bullfrog meat in the other. ¡°I do not recommend the snapflies. They are horrible.¡± Vergie took the vuurm meat. And Mayah pulled out ten more pieces. DING!!!
Skinflint level 6
How do you keep talking that gluttonous cat out of food? That should be nearly impossible. I¡¯m going to double check my subroutines.
When activated you receive a 15% discount from any vendor
+15% to presence
Mayah chuckled at Prime¡¯s message and took a look around. Now where is the boss? It¡¯s mucky, muddy, and rain is still falling so probably wherever the water is deepest. I¡¯m thinking we should just follow the water downstream. Now to get a peer review. ¡°Hey, Grax any idea where the boss might be?¡± ¡°Since this is turning into an aquatic level I would say wherever the water is deepest.¡± ¡°Thank you for verifying my thoughts.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s move quick. I want to get out of the rain.¡± ¡°Amen sister.¡± ¡°I need new boots,¡± Margaret complained. ¡°We all picked up the cobbler skill. Maybe we can all work on something later. Now move out!¡± Margaret groaned and complained but marched onward. It was only two minutes before they were beset upon by seven p¡¯bullfrogs and they decimated them in less than two minutes. Margaret tagged each one with a Spike (W) Grenade and once they slowed down they weren¡¯t that problematic and were easy pickings. There were multiple waves of this as they went further and further downstream following the water''s path. They only slowed down when they reached a deep ponduddle as Mayah had taken to calling them. ¡°What? It¡¯s a puddle big enough to be a small pond,¡± She explained to Grax and Margaret after Grax complained about her naming sense. ¡°Besides it¡¯s either that or puddle-ond and I don¡¯t like that one,¡± When they reached a ponduddle they studied the surface looking for scumbroids. Sometimes one of them would need to wade into the ponduddle before the scumbroid made itself known. Once it showed itself they showered it Spike (W) and Over (F) grenades before collecting the corpse. Margaret now had seven p¡¯bullfrog dolls and three vuurm dolls patrolling around them. They also made good scumbroid bait. They found out that the scumbroid would rather grab its prey, paralyze it, and slowly ingest it alive than to struggle with it. But it could struggle. Once Margaret threw five dolls at one just to see what it could do. The flagella put Mayah¡¯s whip to shame with the damage it could inflict and upon closer inspection it had narrow bands of muscle running down the length of it which made sense after they saw how prehensile it was. And those big legs weren¡¯t just for show either. The tube feet that lined the legs caught one of the p¡¯bullfrogs and it struggled to free itself. Another leg closed into the p¡¯bullfrog and smashed it in between them. That didn¡¯t do much damage but when they pulled apart it did. There were bits of p¡¯bullfrog floating in the pond. Margaret heaved. Seeing more than Mayah and Grax, because of the parental filters, she quickly tossed a ton of grenades at the scumbroid after that scene ending the monster. ¡°Geez Mags was it bad?¡± Grax asked sarcastically. ¡°You have no idea.¡± ¡°You can always turn on the parental or gore filters. We¡¯ve been telling you this for days,¡± Grax chided her. ¡°Just¡­ Shut up.¡± Margaret stuttered from frustration. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I want out of this dungeon.¡± ¡°There we go. Now we¡¯re on the same page,¡± Mayah agreed. They continued onward and downwards following the flow of the water. Battling through pondudle after pondudle and struggling through wave after wave of P¡¯bullfrogs which Mayah began calling Progs. Grax got swallowed by a prog and his katanas froze it solid from the inside. Mayah had to bash him free before he suffocated. Margaret got waterboarded by a scumbroid before getting flung twenty feet through the air after Grax cut the flagella. Mayah got her face and half of her body stuck to a scumbroid leg after she failed to duck its arm swinging at her. After they cut the tube feet from the scumbroid they manage to cling to her face for another fifteen minutes and left small red circles that had just started fading. And that¡¯s how they found themselves at the edge of a lake two hours and forty-five minutes later. They were tired, miserable and soaked to the core. None of them had smiled or made jokes in a while as the increasing rain dripped off of their brows in steady rivulets. All three of them had leveled up. Grax and Margaret were both level 21 while Mayah was level 22. The r?tten had each gained 2 levels because Vergie was power leveling them by letting them get the killing blows. There would normally be a sense of joy accompanying these feats but the adventurers wanted more than anything a place to shower, a hot meal, and a soft, warm bed. ¡°So, where¡¯s the boss?¡± Grax asked angrily. ¡°Where everything has been, probably,¡± Mayah responded crabbily ¡°In the water,¡± Margaret said impatiently. Lightning flashed and they could see the shadow of an island in the distance. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me we have to get out there.¡± ¡°Well, either we find the boss from shore or we keep going. You know how this works.¡± ¡°When they said realistic they didn¡¯t say water in every orifice realistic. My leathers are starting to chafe. ¡°At least you don¡¯t have soggy feet,¡± Margaret griped. ¡°Excuse me Mags? I don¡¯t even have BOOTS!¡± ¡°Oh... yeah...¡± ¡°How are you guys doing?¡± Mayah asked Vergie and the r?tten. Vergie was sitting there looking exhausted as water dripped off of her. Her eyes were downcast and her ears drooped. The r?tten were shivering. The only thing keeping them warm was Vergie but she wasn¡¯t as warm with all of the water. ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to you I promise.¡± ¡°Fluff!!!¡± ¡°What?¡± Mayah practically yelled as she turned around. But the word caught in her throat when she saw what was going on. Three scumbroids were just offshore approaching in their stilted walk. Right behind them glowing in the darkness offshore, an eye as big as a basketball on stalk was staring at them. The pupil was a black rectangle surrounded by an iridescent green iris. It kept pivoting between the scumbroids and the adventurers. Something about that eye gave Mayah chills and her lizard brain began telling her it was time to fight or run. Mayah, of course, chose to fight. She furrowed her brow and made a plan. ¡°Mags! Get these dolls up and moving.¡± she tossed the nec nine crystals. ¡°Grax throw everything we¡¯ve got at these big lumbering starfish. You take right, Mags you got center and I¡¯ll take left.¡± Grax began pelting the scombroid with stilettos. ¡°Vergie you watch our back. Roar if there are any adds¡ªmonsters. You know what I mean.¡± She turned and began throwing grenades at her scumbroidal target. Until a scumbroid walked into her line of fire from the shore and walked out towards the enemy scumbroid. She looked and saw Margaret only had three scumbroids working. She looked at her necromancer who was doubled over and trying to catch her breath. Mayah ran to her. ¡°Mags you okay?¡± ¡°Mana backlash. These guys take up three slots and I tried to raise all nine at once. Gimme a minute and I¡¯ll be okay.¡± ¡°As soon as one goes down call another. And get a vuurm out to spit fire when you can.¡± Margaret gave her a thumbs up and Mayah turned to look at the scene again. The scumbroid were fighting a strange starfish-kaiju three-on-three battle. ¡°Where¡¯s the eye?¡± Three more scumbroids began to rise from the water. And Mayah found the eye was now on the far right staring at them. Mayah lobbed a grenade at the eye and it fell short before going off. The eye ducked at the flash of light and disappeared into the water. The second set of scumbroids were getting close when the one in the center took a blast of fire to the ring that grew the membranes. It squealed as the oily fire burned it. Seeing how successful the attack was, Mayah dumped out a crystal that had twelve vuurm in it and took all of their oil sacs and left the bodies there. Using her wand she dropped three oil sacs into the runiverse with 4 sheets of over grenades. She repeated the process three more times and ran to Margaret. As she ran, she heard the whistle of a flagella right behind her and then a wet slap as the flagella hit the ground. She continued to pump her legs and yelled for Margaret. She tossed the four crystals just as the scumbroid slapped her across the back like a parade of fire ants being stepped on by a moose.
You have been attacked
Scumbroid
Level 20
-213 Whipped
703/1750
The force lifted her off her feet and she didn¡¯t feel the flagella wrap around her waist. But she realized what was happening as she was slammed into the ground and dragged towards the water. She heard Margaret scream, ¡°Fluff!!!¡± and then there was the cold depths of the water. She heard another scream, this one from a scombroid and the flagella let her go. She swam to the surface the scumbroid was squealing and burning with black oily smoke burning it¡¯s skin. It fell over into the water and flames were left floating on the water. Mayah swam for shore. Two more scumbroids igniting in rapid succession as she climbed out of the water and she saw a horde of roughly twenty-five progs hopping towards them. Grax isn¡¯t a good matchup for the progs because of his size. Margaret has to keep fighting the scumbroids because she can reach them without going into the water. I got about sixty second before we go down. She ran to Margaret and as she dumped all of the vuurm she could into a pile and took all of the oil sacs and lined them up in groups of five. ¡°Mags keep hitting them with fire.¡± She added multiple sheets of Over (F), acid (D), and Water (D) runes to each pile as she made crystals. ¡°Grax watch out for Margaret," She yelled. "Me and Vergie got the progs.¡± Vergie ran forth and roared. The progs hesitated, seeming listless and disoriented from the roar¡¯s debuff, giving Mayah just a few more seconds to complete her work. ¡°Vergie, get out of range.¡± Vergie ran towards her. Margaret hit another scumbroid with the oily fire and raised another scumbroid. Grax kept punishing a singular target from shore with a steady stream of grenade stilettos. He kept dodging and teleporting to escape from the flagella strikes. Mayah took a deep breath. And here we go! She stood up and threw three of her new grenades into the crowd of progs. Green flames exploded everywhere. Burning melting progs began screaming from the acid. She watched the ticks from the Water (D) burn holes in them and their HP and gave Margaret three of the new water (D), Acid (D), and Over (F) grenades. Without even looking she heard the squealing of the scombroids and knew Margaret was handling business. She tossed two more grenades at the surviving progs who were already looking like Margaret¡¯s broken dolls. Quite a few were dragging limp back legs or had missing eyes. She armed happiness and ran to finish them off. ¡°Fluff Watch out!!!¡± Mayah turned to check her six and saw a scumbroid wheeling through the air like a monstrous badminton birdie. Her mind wondered how it got up there then she realized it was aimed directly for her. She dove to the side and got mostly clear but the scumbroid rolled and landed on her shin. She felt a crack and a searing jolt of pain ran up her leg making her scream.
You have been attacked
Scumbroid
Level 20
-379HP Thrown Scumbroid
Crushed tibia and fibula Left Leg -79% mobility
273/1817HP
You have received a Debuff
Shock - Stamina regeneration reduced to 25% until medical treatment is given. Maximum Stamina drain is doubled. Intelligence and focus reduced to 25% until medical treatment is given. Intelligence and focus checks will be performed against pain and damage. An unsuccessful check will result in unconsciousness.
All that existed was pain she held her leg and rolled on the ground. Grax sped across the ground, sliding to a stop next to her, and grabbed onto her. ¡°C¡¯mon we gotta move!¡± He dragged her across the muddy ground towards the progs and then dropped her. He yelled, ¡°Vergie get them!¡± and pointed to the progs and then looked down at her. ¡°It¡¯s gonna be okay, it¡¯s just a game remember?¡± Mayah did remember but she never remembered a pain like this in her life. She panted against the pain and saw Vergie finishing up the progs and then running back to her. She grabbed his collar. ¡°Go help Mags,¡± she growled and panted through gritted teeth. ¡°It¡¯s just a game.¡± Grax nodded solemnly and ran back to Margaret. Mayah watched the fight through the tears and rain running down her face. She was dizzy and sweating even though she was chilled from the rain. She faded to black for a second and came to as Margaret was shooting Shadow Lightning at one of the two remaining scumbroids. The lighting hit one and then jumped to the other through the water. As they fell she saw tentacles rolling out of the water. The slimy limbs slapped against the shore and writhed over each other as they reached forward and pulled. She sat up wincing in pain as a giant shell twenty feet high was pulled up onto shore and the tentacles danced about searching blindly for Margaret and Grax. They had wisely pulled back and were pelting it with grenades and arrows. From a distance
You party has attacked
Greater Caprapolypus
Name: Shelly Bob Gruff
Level 23
-2 Delivery parcel -6 Silver imps
7734/8547HP
The tentacles landed on one of the dead scumbroid and it used it as a club raking it back and forth around itself to clear the area and that eye popped out from under the shell. Then another eye popped out and they studied the area around them. The attacks against Shelly Bob¡¯s arms were somewhat effective as they were stuck with arrows and covered with ice and scorch marks. Any attack against the shell just bounced off and fell to the ground so stilettoes that would normally stick in a target and explode were useless. ¡°Vergie!!!¡± Mayah called and the Vergax ran up to her. ¡°Help me get on.¡± Vergie helped Mayah stand upright by grabbing her by the scruff and lifting slowly. Then lay down flat on her belly so Mayah could climb atop her. This is gonna hurt Mayah threw her leg over Vergie making her leg feel like it snapped again. She moaned in pain. She had to hold onto Vergie''s frill and grit her teeth so she didn¡¯t pass out. She continued holding onto Vergie¡¯s fur chanting, ¡°Don¡¯t pass out. Don¡¯t pass out¡­¡± She kept herself focused on what needed to be done and came back to her senses. She finally pat Vergie on the side and sat up. ¡°Thanks, girl. just keep me out of harm''s way for a minute while I figure something out.¡± She looked up at the rain and grimaced. No way I can write in this downpour and I don¡¯t have enough time to engrave anything. She looked back at her teammates trying to mount a delaying action. Gotta stop those arms She took out all of the twenty or so Water (D) runes she had left. And dropped two apiece into crystals. Margaret screamed as she was knocked from her feet by the wildly flapping membrane on the scumbroid club and the four vuurm she had out began to spit a barrage of fire making Shelly Bob pull back into its shell for a bit of protection. Until it swatted at the vuurm with the scumbroid killing two of them with the first blow. Gotta get rid of those arms Mayah pointed Vergie towards Margaret. ¡°Grab her.¡± then she yelled, ¡°Grax Jump on!!!¡± Vergie wove in between the coiling arms and leapt over the scumbroid club. Landing, Mayah almost falling off because of the pain. Sh e just continued holding on for dear life and fighting against the blackness. Everything was going quiet until Grax grabbed her and sat her up keeping her stable. They were twenty yards away from Shelly Bob, but it was moving towards then relentlessly. ¡°Hey Fluff, got a plan?¡± ¡°Let me go Vergie!¡± Margaret said from under Vergie. ¡±These are Water (D) crystals. Try and get them in the base of the arms. And as close to the eyes as possible.¡± ¡°How are you holding up dear?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine once we kill this slimy shaz sucking cephalopod¡± ¡°Got any delivery stilettoes left?¡± Grax asked. ¡°No, but here are parcels. Don¡¯t use them around the Over (F) or the Acid (D) or the parcel will get damaged. And try to get the parcel under the skin. If you can.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°Once we take the legs down, we¡¯ll have some options. I¡¯ll start working on a plan B.¡± Shelly Bob roared and the shell rolled back and from underneath came the giant albeit malleable and fleshy head of a goat. Imagine someone took a goat¡¯s head and attached octopus tentacles at the bottom of the neck, and a nautilus shell at the nape and you¡¯d have a pretty good idea of what the royal death claws were looking at. From the nose to the fleshy horns was at least ten feet long and it had a beak underneath the goat lips. Its eyestalks retracted into its head and focused on the trio. ¡°Yeah, now I really want to kill this thing.¡± ¡°Who comes up with this stuff? They have serious problems and need help.¡± Grax couldn¡¯t help but snigger, ¡°C¡¯mon Mags, let¡¯s bring the pain.¡± ¡°Fluff¡¯em up!¡± Margaret said and looked to Mayah. ¡°Cut¡¯em up!¡± Mayah said and looked to Grax. ¡°Raise¡¯em up¡± Grax said. Then in unison, they said, ¡°giiiiiiiiiiiiiit GUD!!!!!¡± Grax ran for Shelly Bob and disappeared into the darkness. Margaret launched a Shadow Lightning arrow at its face. Shelly bob blocked the shot but wound up with a sizzling hole in its tentacle and lightning sizzled up and down the appendage. Shelly bob roared in anger and reared back flinging the tentacle and the spray of blue ichor around. Grax took the opportunity to teleport up close and stab a stiletto into the base of an arm and then leaned into it making it sink in up the ring on the end. He teleported out as the skin on the arm began to darken and spread out in a band around the arm. The tentacle fell limp and Shelly Bob roared again. ¡°Margaret, how many Lightning arrows can you shoot now?¡± ¡°I should have three or four left.¡± ¡°Give them to me?¡± ¡°What?¡± Keep shooting the Water (D) arrows and give me all of your lightning arrows.¡± Mayah pulled out her Storage Wand. ¡°Shoot it here!¡± ¡°Oh! got it!¡± She turned and aimed at a tentacle that was chasing Grax and tagged the underside. When the tentacle came down it pushed all the way into the arm and went off. The tentacle soon fell limp and was tangled into the other ones forcing Shelly bob to extract itself. Margaret charged up a Shadow Lightning arrow and Mayah held open the runiverse and accepted it. It made her arm recoil and buzz a little bit. She caught the crystal and almost fell over. Margaret caught her and Mayah turned to see Shelly bob trying to move back into the lake. ¡°Mags get the scumbroids to climb up on it and slow it down.¡± ¡°The scumbroid club came to life and the tube feet on its arms began to pull their way up the tentacle that was wrapped around it. When another scumbroid that was laying on its side whipped at the goats head with it¡¯s flagella tearing open a blue line down its cheek. Shelly bob reeled and then bit into the scumboid on its arm, tearing huge chunks out of it while Margaret gave Mayah another lightning arrow. Shelly bob only took three bites before the scumbroid was in pieces. Grax stabbed another stiletto into the newly liberated arm and got smacked flying for his trouble.
You party has attacked
Greater Caprapolypus
Name: Shelly Bob Gruff
Level 23
-758 Water (D)
3892/8547HP
Margaret shot another Water (D) arrow into the base of an arm as another scumbroid fell onto Shelly Bob and began to climb its shell. It reached around with its tentacle trying to free itself. The scumbroid wasn¡¯t doing any damage but everyone knows that starfish love shellfish. Margaret aimed a regular arrow at one of the eyes and let loose. Without even checking to see if it hit, she turned to give Mayah another lightning arrow and heard Shelly bob scream. ¡°That¡¯s all I got Fluff.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine. I think we have enough power. Good job taking out that eye, Mags.¡± Grax limped over. ¡°Man, that hurt!¡± ¡°You good?¡± ¡°Do I really have a choice not to be?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right about that.¡± Mayah stared at nothing and her vision began to swim. Until Grax snapped his fingers in front of her face. ¡°I make a motion that if anyone stays behind to save the dungeon it¡¯s Fluff.¡± ¡°Seconded¡± Margaret said leaving Mayah with her mouth hanging open. ¡°This vote will determine whether Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff will remain behind as steward of the dungeon until her teammates return if we go down. All in favor?¡± ¡°Aye.¡± Grax and Margaret said. ¡°Now just keep the goodies coming so we can finish this thing off.¡± ¡°Yes dear. Keep the dungeon safe for us.¡± ¡°As long as you know I owe you one.¡± ¡°You already owe me one. So, this makes two.¡± ¡°Just had to ruin the moment.¡± Mayah teased listlessly. Mayah checked on the battle and found two scumbroids attached to shelly bob. It was using three tentacles to drag itself back towards the water and two to fight off the scumbroids. ¡°Okay, Grax. Two more arms to go and we¡¯ll be in the clear. Mags keep up the pressure with the scumbroids. Add some vuurm fire to up the ranged damage.¡± ¡°Aim for the face so you don¡¯t hit me.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Margaret dumped out four vuurm and they crawled off and started spitting fire. Mayah said, ¡°Mags gimme an arrow.¡± She tied the three shadow lightning crystals to the delivery arrow. Then she took a utility knife and began whittling down the shaft in a ring. ¡°Do you have any skills for extra penetration?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Have you been using them?¡± Margaret made a guilty face. ¡°We are so going to have a talk after this.¡± Mayah shook her head and regretted it as she became extra woozy. ¡°Anyway put this right between its eyes and set the timer for ten seconds. We want this to be in its face when it goes off. Grax sent a message through the party chat and Mayah looked around for him while reading it.
Grax: Look for the flower petals
Margaret took the arrow and got ready. She drew back her arm and waited for the signal. Shelly Bob was struggling with a newer scumbroid doll and Grax appeared in the shadow of a tentacle and slammed his stiletto home. As the tentacle fell still Grax jumped up into shelly bobs face and cast petal storm around shelly bob¡¯s head. White and pink petals made a cloud blocking its vision. Shelly bob roared and Margaret waited. As the petals faded she sighted the ridge between the eyebrows and let loose. Without much fanfare, the arrow struck home and Shelly bob squealed again. One tentacle brushed the arrow away and it fell to the ground absent its payload. And then a dark flash struck through the night emanating from shelly¡¯s forehead. Shadow lightning coursed through its body and as quick as it started it disappeared.
Your party has attacked
Greater Caprapolypus
Name: Shelly Bob Gruff
Level 23
-1533 (Shadow lightning arrow critical hit x3) Shelly Bob Gruff (Stunned)
479/8547HP
Shelly bob listed to the side its tentacles going limp. Its eyes were just burnt out sockets and there was a giant black hole with crispy edges about the size of a fist on its forehead. Mayah quickly urged Vergie forward. ¡°Get over there, hurry,¡± she said through gritted teeth. She yelled to Grax, ¡°Don¡¯t kill it!!!¡± Grax looked at her like Whut? ¡°Gimme one second.¡± She guided Vergie up unto the caprapolypus and said, ¡° Riker Deanna, give it a good attack! Hurry up!¡± The r?tten jumped out of the harness and Deanna took a savage bite. Riker sunk his chelicera into shelly Bob and pumped his jaw. Dribbles of venom ran down the boss¡¯ skin. ¡°Okay guys now go!!!¡± Mayah cast acid into the hole in its forehead quickly followed by a Water (D) Ding!!!
You have defeated the L¨¹rkinm¨¹rk
900XP
41XP till next level
You have received:
Greater Caprapolypus Shell
Greater Caprapolypus beak
Greater Caprapolypus tentacle x8
Vial of Greater Caprapolypus ink x14
Poleyn-Cuisse of Pitch Midnight
4 Gold
Ding!!!
Your Beast Companion Riker has leveled up.
Companion 1 Name: Riker
Species: Venom R?tten - Male Level: 13
HP: 42/80 Disposition: Ally
Abilities: Poison Bite, Poison Claw. Teeth and Claws have been magically infused with Venom. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack rating. +1 to Base for Attack and Affinity
Riker has 70 points available to spend.
Ding!!!
Your Beast Companion Deanna has leveled up.
Companion 2 Name: Deanna
Species: Iron R?tten - Female Level: 12
HP: 117/130 Disposition: Ally
Abilities: Bite and Claw. Bones, hair and teeth have been magically infused with iron. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack and defense rating. +1 to Base for Attack, Defense and Affinity
Deanna has 71 points available to spend.
A portal stone rose up from the mud and mire that that shelly bob had churned up and the rain tapered off. Mayah looked up and saw the clouds and fog retreating in time a time lapsed video of a storm ending. They made for the portal stone in a joyous but dripping fashion. ¡°Thank god for that,¡± Grax hollered. Mayah finished her notifications and asked, ¡°Hey did you guys level up?¡± ¡°I leveled up when I was fighting that first scumbroid.¡± Grax pat himself on the back and Mayah chuckled. ¡°I leveled up right after your leg got hurt dear.¡± ¡°Oh, I guess I missed it. So, you guys are level 22?¡± ¡°Feels so good. But with your grenades, I feel like we are cheating. I only took a little damage except for that tentacle slap.¡± ¡°Yeah, I saw you fly off through the air.¡± They all put their hands on the portal stone and nothing happened. ¡°How come we didn¡¯t get another key?¡± ¡°Because we probably already got it Mags,¡± Grax said before Mayah could answer. ¡°When?¡± ¡°Clacker¡¯s alley is the obvious choice.¡± ¡°I guess you¡¯re right.¡± ¡°You just wanted another bracelet didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Hush, cat!¡± ¡°Okay let¡¯s pack up and get out of here. Grax, draw a circle around shelly bob in the mud. Make sure it doesn¡¯t have any breaks." ¡°On it boss.¡± Mayah took her wand and rode over to collect all of the progs, even as damaged as they were. As she rode back Grax was finishing the circle. Margaret had walked along behind him double checking his work for imperfections. ¡°Thanks guys, I really need to lay down after this.¡± She cast the open rune on the circle from atop Vergie with one hand and then she cast hold with the other. Shelly Bob slid into the runiverse. And she let the runes go. ¡°Yeah, I really need to lay down.¡± Darkness rapidly closed in dimming her vison and Mayah felt the world close down to a pinprick. She felt herself fall off Vergie and hit the ground. Then all she heard was her name being called over and over through a long dark tunnel. 12.5 An Imperfect Storm Mo, Mephi, and Ziggs sat down with Bonkers and the leaders of the knockers around a table. Riller, and Davemarth stared at Mo as he explained what type of organization they should be looking at based off of what the other knockers had told him. ¡°I think a social organization might be a nice fit. One of the concerns that I¡¯ve heard from the boys is that they want to follow their dreams while remaining a part of the knockers. If we make the organization too tight-knit some of their dreams are going to fall through the cracks. If we make it a group where we can support each other in their endeavors and give everyone their freedom that might be best. ¡°Maybe we set it up so dues have to be paid and we use that to make sure the boys get everything they need. At least until we can afford to hire everyone. We¡¯ll operate as an umbrella organization until we get on our feet. ¡°You six I¡¯m going to ask to stay on as the leaders to start since you know how to best handle the issues that may arise. At least at first. ¡°Bonkers I know you want a bakery and I think that¡¯s a great way to start out for the organization. It has enough positions that we can employ a fair amount of people. We¡¯ll need bakers, counter/salespeople and delivery services are always a plus. It¡¯ll be our front while we solidify the organization. He looked at all of the other members judging their faces. ¡°You don¡¯t have to work at the bakery. Grimsaw you may feel more comfortable working security at a tavern, Chonchaise you would be great for the stocking of the bakery and handling the money. Riller, you¡¯re definitely gonna be one of our men in the streets. We¡¯re going to need information so we should outfit you with the clothes you need for any situation because we need to get info on the big money over in the Goudenhugel section. Riller¡¯s eyes twinkled at the prospect of infiltrating Goudenhugel and getting the lowdown on the nobles and one-upping them. ¡°Not all of the knockers need to work for us at first, but they should contribute some work hours to help out. That said, here¡¯s what I think is a perfect fit for you. ¡°My suggestion is that you set up a bakery with an office in it, so everyone knows where to find Bonkers. Davemarth you are the second in command and I would have you here with a direct line to Bonkers with a messaging stone or something so you could easily communicate. "Chonchaise you deal with supplies for both places and the treasury. You¡¯ll also run the delivery section. Portquise you can float between the two since you can make everyone happy and spot any internal strife or discord and bring it to our attention. Also, you can make sure that everyone is getting what they need and be the person they can come to with their problems. That frees Bonkers and Davemarth from micromanaging everything. "Grimsaw you set up security details for both places and watch everyone¡¯s backs. Riller, you are going to start out as our salesperson and find us people to sell our goods to. We may rent a stall soon after and you should be the face on that. It will give you a good backstory as to how you climbed the ranks so quickly and give you a legitimate standing when you move up to Goudenhugel." ¡°Does anyone disagree? Or see any problems with how I¡¯ve laid this out?¡± Bonkers studied the faces of his team as they all looked around the table. No one said anything, they just shared glances. Finally, Bonkers sat up straight. ¡°O I think the boys are all in agreement with your prospectus, but let¡¯s take a vote and make it official shall we boys? All in favor?¡± All of them raised their hands. DING!!!
Skinflint level 2
Surfing into the boardroom. Good job!!! The only thing better than having a discount is using your discount. Seriously, use the discount.
When activated, you receive a 7% discount from any vendor
+7% to presence
Awesome! A semi-distracted Mo turned his attention back to the conversation. ¡°Well that settles that table scrum, it does. It just leaves us with one question in particular. How do we afford this proposed bakery?¡± ¡°Well¡­ give me a second.¡± Mo motioned for Ziggs and Mephi to lean in. He whispered to them, ¡°So how much help are we going to give them?¡± ¡°Is this going to be a loan or an investment?¡± Mephi asked. ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡± Ziggs shrugged. ¡°A loan is money they pay us back with plus a percentage. If we invest, we hold a portion of the business. Either way could be good for our long-term financials.¡± Ziggs whispered. Mo scratched his chin. ¡°If that¡¯s the case I say we invest. Maybe we can count the money for setting up the organization as well?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a bad idea at all,¡± Mephi huffed. ¡°But how much will we have after setting them up? We need them to bring something to the table as well,¡± Ziggs reminded them. ¡°Well let¡¯s figure out what kind of work we should get them.¡± Mo put a hand on each of his teammates. ¡°Okay,¡± Ziggs agreed. Mo turned back to the table.¡°So it seems like we¡¯d like to invest in your futures and buy a portion of your organization. But we need you all to bring something to the table.¡± ¡°That we can do, but we don¡¯t have any general coffers as of yet.¡± Bonkers informed them. Chonchaise cleared his throat. ¡°I mayhaps be able to help with that. We can always set up in the Piecework Market. That way each man can find his own way. We can track all the contributions and they¡¯ll own that percentage of the enterprise. That¡¯ll give everyone something to strive for.¡± ¡°How does this piecework market work?¡± ¡°Basically, there¡¯s a section of assemblage square where a man can stand and hawk his skills. Sometimes the Peers from the assemblage come out and use the men and sometimes people come up and hire someone.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re telling me that there is a labor pool where anyone can get work?¡± ¡°That I am.¡± ¡°How much does it cost?¡± ¡°Cost? It¡¯s free. Every man for himself.¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s time to take the piecework market by storm, and here¡¯s how. Riller this one is gonna be all you. Beyond specialized fields, most of the work will be manual labor. That¡¯s what it always comes down to. So we all stand together and Riller you hawk their services. ¡°You get a sheet with everyone''s trade levels and abilities so when someone needs a person they come to you and you send a knocker. You get paid a 5% brokerage fee and we all make money. ¡°Now to make it special, so we¡¯re top of the pile. Remember that trick we did with Driskell when we made the oaths? Same thing. We have anyone who gets hired make an oath to finish the work in a professional and timely manner. We¡¯ll need a few caveats that will keep us from being used for criminal and unsafe activities, though.¡± Mo drifted off into his own thoughts. ¡°You''re forgetting something very important with your marketing pitch,¡± Ziggs said as she landed on the table. ¡°And what¡¯s that, Brick?¡± Mephi ribbed. Ziggs gave Mephi some side-eye stank and said, ¡°The most important thing for any organization.¡± She paused and waited for them to get it and received nothing but blank stares. With a hand on her hip, she facepalmed and shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s so obvious.¡± still nothing but blank stares. ¡°A name, you numbskulls! You were even talking about it earlier.¡± A collective ¡°ooooooh¡± of epiphany came from those around the table. ¡°She¡¯s right we need to pick a name to get the ball rolling.¡± ¡°Oy! What¡¯s wrong with knockers?¡± Bonkers asked. ¡°Sorry Bonkers but knockers doesn¡¯t exactly instill a sense of confidence. We want something dramatic that catches the ear. Something that instills a sense of pride and distinction that people can see.¡± ¡°Golden Lads?¡± Portquise offered. ¡°No, sounds poncy,¡± Davemarth growled. ¡°The knocker¡¯s fist,¡± Grimsaw said while he quickly pounded the table. ¡°No, no¡­ that sounds like we¡¯d be as likely to smash them as help them,¡± Riller said. ¡°Since we are creating an umbrella organization with units of men in a semi-military setup, why not Umbrella Corp?¡± ¡°NO!!!¡± all three paladins said at once. ¡°Sorry, that has negative connotations in our world.¡± Mo said calmly. Treegan placed a tray of drinks on the table and said, ¡°What about the Oathsmen?¡± Everyone froze looking at the gentle giant of a man. Bonkers broke the silence with a loud snort of laughter. ¡°That makes perfect sense,¡± Chonchaise agreed. ¡°Short concise and to the point. People will know what they¡¯re getting into.¡± ¡°I like it.¡± Davemarth added on.¡± ¡°Sounds honorable, a true warrior¡¯s name.¡± Grimsaw took a quaff from his mug. ¡°I still like the fist though.¡± ¡°Well, you can run the Oathsmen¡¯s fist and use it for security services and the like.¡± ¡°Ha! Now I love it! I vote for Oathsmen.¡± ¡°OI¡¯ll be the one¡¯ta start the votes round here Grimmy me boy. All in favor?¡± Everyone¡¯s hands went up. ¡°It¡¯s unanimous, it is. Looks loike we¡¯re about¡¯ta get a whole makeover. So, what¡¯s the next step, Mo?¡± ¡°Well, Riller and Chonchaise should figure out what men can do what and get them outfitted so they can do their jobs. We should probably rotate the oathsmen between the piecework market and Driskell¡¯s so everyone has a chance to raise their trades. Grimsaw, organize two fingers of the fist to be with Riller at all times for safety reasons. ¡°Fist and fingers, I like that a lot.¡± Grimsaw growled happily. ¡°We want two who won¡¯t start fights but can definitely end them¡ªbut only when Riller tells them too. Davemarth I¡¯m handing the rest of the prep off to you. You make sure everyone¡¯s falling in line.¡± Davemarth nodded Grumpily. ¡°Bonkers and Portquise, grab crassel and find a map of the city. We need to scout out a bakery. Chonchaise we¡¯ll double check any findings with you so we can make sure we have a good location for supplies to be delivered.¡± ¡°Sound like a plan.¡± ¡°Aye, that it does.¡± Bonkers stood up pushing his chair back from the table. ¡°You heard the man. Get to work.¡± he punctuated his words with a loud clap that made heads turn all through knocker¡¯s hall. ¡°Also No one goes out alone for the time being. We¡¯re not done looking for Nessler. So, if you go out, you and your partner come right back! Understood?¡± Mephi leaned in and whispered, ¡°Do you think this is gonna work?¡± ¡°I sure hope so,¡± Mo whispered back ¡°Ziggs flew up and landed on Mo''s shoulder. ¡°Of course, it¡¯ll work. It¡¯s a great plan.¡± and she patted him on the cheek with her tiny hand. ¡­... Mayah dove to the side. Her feet barely got any traction on the muddy ground, so it seemed more like she fell to the side. Either way the p¡¯bullfrog missed her. She wiped the muddy splash of water out of her eyes and was still half-blinded by the rain. She looked for the beast and threw a frozetto at it. It glanced off of its slick skin, but the freeze effect started taking hold. ¡°Thank god.¡± She took a second to check her six and crawled to her feet and hurriedly bashed at the thing with Happiness before it could turn to her or jump away. It perished in two hits and Mayah stored it in a crystal. Grax finished up with his p¡¯bullfrog and Mayah went to scoop it up. Ding!!!
You Party has defeated
P¡¯Bullfrog
Level: 17
XP: 57
8562XP till next level
¡°That was seven of them that time.¡± he groaned. Vergie came over with another p¡¯bullfrog and dropped it at her feet. Mayah scratched behind her frill as she said, ¡°Yeah, they''re starting to swarm and hide in these deep puddles.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve got better traction too.¡± Each member of the team had been reduced to a flopping muddy shell of their former glory. They were fighting the rain and mud as much as their enemies while traversing this level. ¡°Well, at least there are no more snapflies and the fog is gone,¡± Mayah offered hopefully with a shrugged Grax huffed angrily and looked away. ¡°Where¡¯s Mags?¡± ¡°Shaz! what has she gotten into now?¡± They followed her marker and stopped at the edge of a puddle quickly filling with rainwater runoff and becoming more of a pond. Her marker was in the middle. ¡°See, this why we need rope.¡± ¡°What are we going to do?¡± Checking out the logs right now. Says she got paralyzed by a scumbroid. She¡¯s down a couple dozen points and her health is still in the green, for now. Let¡¯s wade out and go get her. Grab a grenade so you can activate it if we get stuck. ¡°Yeah, boss!¡± Grax saluted ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± She play-cuffed the cat. They waded out into the now large pond where the water was reaching Mayah¡¯s chest and still rising. Grax was starting to swim as his head would have gone under. Vergie growled a warning from shore. Mayah spotted what looked like a giant membranous skin creep across the water. The only reason she noticed it in the cold dark rain was that the raindrops didn¡¯t splash on top of it normally and she took a closer look. ¡°Look!¡± she yelled at Grax pointing towards the membrane and tossed her Over (F) grenade. it struck the membrane and exploded. The surface of the water was instantly vaporized and what was left of the membrane, A web of veins and organic tubules flapped about splashing water. Something made a noise like an eagle and a pig screeching underwater and an algae-covered hill rose up from the middle of the puddle. It rose up on five starfish-like legs that were on tippy toes. More membranes hung from a fleshy ring that grew around the central point of its radial body. With a splash, it spread its membranes like fleshy wings and screamed again.
You Party has attacked
Scumbroid
Level: 20
-270HP Over (F) grenade
1080/1354HP
Mayah counted the membranes hanging around its radial body. There were five, including the one that was burned to tatters. Sloshing around in one of the membranes along with some water and air was an unconscious Margaret. The creature stood twenty feet taller than them and there were three more functional membranes on the creature''s body. They seemed to reach out and cup the air around them as if trying to catch something. ¡°What is that? A venus flytrap starfish?¡± Grax paddled to stay afloat. Mayah picked him up and put him on her shoulder. He stood up resting a hand on her head to steady himself. The scumbroid took a step towards them like some homicidal aquatic toadstool. It made the waters splash violently and they quickly muddied. There was a squelching sound like it was uprooting itself from the bottom of the pond. ¡°Whatever it is it doesn¡¯t like fire.¡± ¡°Good to know.¡± The scumbroid lurched forward, the sucking noise was punctuated by a steady slurp and the scumbroid broke free of whatever mooring it had. A single, whipping flagella began to stir up the waters. The two grenades that were flying towards it were deflected by the flagella and Mayah turned to run. Her feet had been pulled down into the sediment and she slipped on the muddy bottom. Luckily the waters kept her in a mostly upright position and she hopped and freestyle doggy paddled back to shore. Grax was riding her like a slippery log and began tossing grenades which made it screech again and again. The scumbroid was taking slow ponderous steps as if learning how to walk but it was getting closer. Its legs were at least fifteen feet long and covered in tiny tubes that wove about independently of the arm. As it got closer Mayah noticed three eyes on its main body that were focused on her. Because of their position and the radial nature of the creature, she assumed that there were five eyes, but she couldn¡¯t see the others on its rear facing side. That moment of observation cost her dearly as something pulled on her leg with enough force to pull her underwater without pause. She struggled to hold her breath and find a way to get the burning pain of inhaling water out of her nose. She was pulled out of the water and as she tried to take a breath she was whipped about and slammed frontside first back into the ice cold water.
You have been attacked
Scumbroid
Level 20
-127 Water Slam
1002/1750
The force of her body slapping against the water forced most of her air out of her body. She reached for her bag trying to get something to help her out in this situation. Being dragged through the water at high speed and being slammed into the bottom of the pond wasn¡¯t helping. She finally reached into the bag and pulled out the first thing she could think of. And a frozetto came out into her hand. She pulled her leg towards her chest which is extremely hard when you are being swirled back in forth in muddy water and struggling to get some air. She finally found the flagella attached to her leg and stabbed the frozetto into it. The finger thick jelly strand was extremely durable. Even after she shredded it still managed to hold on to her when all of a sudden the flagella went slack. She instantly popped up, gasping for air, sputtering, and coughing in the muddy water. Ding!!!
Your party has defeated
Scumbroid
Level 20
XP: 73
8,489XP till next level
Mayah looked around her and gained enough breath to call out for Grax. She spun and noticed the scumbroid laying on its side. Three of its legs were frozen and the other two were missing. ¡°Grax!!! Where are you?¡± ¡°She heard his voice from the other side of the scumbroid. ¡°I¡¯m getting Mags free. You okay?¡± ¡°Yeah. Be right there.¡± Mayah gurgled and struggled to swim over to the cat. She took her time allowing her stamina to recharge while catching her breath. She groaned as she had to push a few Vergie sized chunks of ice out of the way. Where did this ice come from? ¡°I could use a hand here.¡± Grax urged her to speed up. Mayah swam around the scumbroid to where Grax was trying to pull Margaret free of the membrane while also swimming. Mayah dove into the work of pulling Margaret free. And she was quickly released. They swam to the far side of the pond where Vergie and the r?tten were waiting for them. A pile of P¡¯bullfrogs were piled there. ¡°You were watching our back? Good girl.¡± They dragged Margaret onto dry land and slapped her to rouse her and she woke with a start and her hand went to her chest and she yelled, ¡°Watch out!¡± Mayah and Grax looked around with a start and finding nothing forced her to lay back down where she looked around disoriented and rubbed her chest. ¡°Do you remember what happened, Mags?¡± ¡°Was fighting one of the frog things and wound up wading through a puddle when something grabbed my leg. It yanked me off my feet and I hit my head. It pulled me under.¡± She took a deep breath and tried to remember. ¡°Something stabbed my chest and I got all woozy and couldn¡¯t wake up.¡± she looked like she was trying to remember something. ¡°It''s okay Mags we killed it.¡± ¡°We?¡± Grax questioned. ¡°Last I checked you were getting played with like an action figure in a toddler¡¯s bathtub.¡± ¡°I got a few hits in on the flagella.¡± Grax stared at her with an eyebrow raised. ¡°Okay fine. Thanks by the way.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so welcome. I don¡¯t think I can finish this dungeon alone and both of you were about to go bye-bye. I got a little scared there. Good thing I¡¯m so awesome.¡± ¡°How did you awesome yourself a win, Cat?¡± ¡°Well I needed to stand closer to it, so I tossed some Spike grenades around the pond and made tiny icebergs. From there I got up close and personal. Shadow step, teleport a few times, ice katanas and slash a lot. Since it was using that whip thing to drag you around, I just had to duck the big legs and membranes. Pretty easy for me.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡°I iced up its legs with my katanas and then climbed up top, carved a hole and jammed five grenades into it and voila! Starfish stew.¡± ¡°You could tell the story in a bit of a less self-aggrandizing style.¡± ¡°And ruin the fun? Nah!¡± Vergie ran off to deal with another p¡¯bullfrog and Grax stood up to keep watch. Mayah turned back to check on Mags. ¡°You okay there, Mags?¡± Margaret rose up to an elbow although a bit shakily. ¡°Getting there. That was some weird knockout poison.¡± Mayah quickly scrolled through the logs and found the attack. Scumbroid toxin? Need some of that!!! ¡°Hey Grax, watch the elder for me?¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Margaret snapped. Mayah just winked at her and Grax gave her a nod. She laid a hand on the scumbroid and the loot menu popped up.
Scumbroid Level: 20
Scumbroid Meat Take?
Scumbroid Leg x3 Take?
Scumbroid Leg Damaged x2 Take?
Scumbroid Nerve Ring Take?
Scumbroid Membrane x3 Take?
Scumbroid Membrane Damaged x2 Take?
Scumbroid Flagella Take?
Scumbroid Poison Vesicle Take?
21 silver Take?
Take all? Y/N?
Since the Scumbroid was destroyed already, she took all of the loot and then secured the body with her wand. The body disappeared leaving a vacuum in the water that the water rushed in to fill. It also dragged a certain cupcake off of her feet. She spluttered to the surface to the sound of Grax and Margaret laughing. ¡°Two-nil, scumbroid,¡± Grax laughed as Mayah wiped the muddy water from her face. Mayah just glared at him. ¡°And thanks for the silver.¡± Mayah walked out of the pond and shivered in the rain. ¡°This weather sucks. Let¡¯s find the boss and get out of here. I want to start a fire.¡± Mayah said her mood souring further. ¡°No arguments from me.¡± Margaret said as she stood up. ¡°But at least we¡¯re not stinky anymore.¡± Grax ¡°But now I¡¯ve got mud in places where mud shouldn¡¯t be.¡± ¡°Then stop playing pond dredge,¡± Grax chided. Mayah was about to say something when Vergie trotted up with two more P¡¯bullfrogs in her mouth. ¡°And why didn¡¯t you help us fight the scumbroid?¡± Mayah asked Vergie. Vergie mrowled and walked into the water. In three steps the r?tten were in threat of being submerged. Vergie mrowled again and tried looking at the pouch on her chest where the r?tten squealed and chittered. ¡°Okay, I get it. You didn¡¯t want to leave the family alone with the p¡¯bullfrogs. Good call.¡± Mayah leaned against Vergie and gave her wet scritches. Mayah missed her warmth and the rain was stealing that pleasure from her. She dropped down to check on the r?tten and pulled out a stiletto for Deanna to snack on and then she pulled out the poison vesicle for Riker. ¡°What do you think boy? Look tasty?¡± Riker practically lunged out of the harness and onto her arms he squirmed around trying to bite the vesicle. ¡°Hold on. aargh!¡± She dropped the vesicle in the wet grass where Riker dove upon it with abandon. Deanna struggled to get out of the harness and began chewing on her stiletto. Mayah was a little disgusted as she watched Riker¡¯s chelicera extend. The fangs swung open and embedded in the vesicle. Riker chewed the vesicles as it hung in front of his face like a strange feed bag. Vergie sniffed at the vesicle and pulled back quickly her nose rankling. Then she nudged Mayah expectantly. ¡°Okay girl.¡± Mayah got the hint. ¡°I have Vuurm meat, P¡¯bullfrog, some snapfly larvae, and snapflies.¡± Vergie snorted and shook her head. ¡°Look girl I know I spoil you but gimme a break here. I¡¯m getting low on food and I¡¯m saving it for proper meal times. I haven¡¯t been rationing my rations because I¡¯ve been sharing them all with you three.¡± Vergie Mrowled sadly. ¡°Look, I ate all of the things I offered you. If you¡¯re really hungry then it¡¯ll have to do until we¡¯re finished here. I could get you some imp meat or iron weevil too. But we¡¯re roughing it for now.¡± Vergie mrowled again and her head drooped. ¡°Okay, hang in there with me and when we¡¯re out of the dungeon I¡¯ll get you a full live animal of your choice. You¡¯ll be able to eat it as much as you want. And I¡¯ll get a couple of them to carry along with us, so we always have them. Sound like a plan?¡± Vergie¡¯s head cocked as she thought about it. She let out a satisfactory chuff. Now what would you like Vuurm or P¡¯bullfrog?¡± She offered a vuurm meat in one hand and p¡¯bullfrog meat in the other. ¡°I do not recommend the snapflies. They are horrible.¡± Vergie took the vuurm meat. And Mayah pulled out ten more pieces. DING!!!
Skinflint level 6
How do you keep talking that gluttonous cat out of food? That should be nearly impossible. I¡¯m going to double check my subroutines.
When activated you receive a 15% discount from any vendor
+15% to presence
Mayah chuckled at Prime¡¯s message and took a look around. Now where is the boss? It¡¯s mucky, muddy, and rain is still falling so probably wherever the water is deepest. I¡¯m thinking we should just follow the water downstream. Now to get a peer review. ¡°Hey, Grax any idea where the boss might be?¡± ¡°Since this is turning into an aquatic level I would say wherever the water is deepest.¡± ¡°Thank you for verifying my thoughts.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s move quick. I want to get out of the rain.¡± ¡°Amen sister.¡± ¡°I need new boots,¡± Margaret complained. ¡°We all picked up the cobbler skill. Maybe we can all work on something later. Now move out!¡± Margaret groaned and complained but marched onward. It was only two minutes before they were beset upon by seven p¡¯bullfrogs and they decimated them in less than two minutes. Margaret tagged each one with a Spike (W) Grenade and once they slowed down they weren¡¯t that problematic and were easy pickings. There were multiple waves of this as they went further and further downstream following the water''s path. They only slowed down when they reached a deep ponduddle as Mayah had taken to calling them. ¡°What? It¡¯s a puddle big enough to be a small pond,¡± She explained to Grax and Margaret after Grax complained about her naming sense. ¡°Besides it¡¯s either that or puddle-ond and I don¡¯t like that one,¡± When they reached a ponduddle they studied the surface looking for scumbroids. Sometimes one of them would need to wade into the ponduddle before the scumbroid made itself known. Once it showed itself they showered it Spike (W) and Over (F) grenades before collecting the corpse. Margaret now had seven p¡¯bullfrog dolls and three vuurm dolls patrolling around them. They also made good scumbroid bait. They found out that the scumbroid would rather grab its prey, paralyze it, and slowly ingest it alive than to struggle with it. But it could struggle. Once Margaret threw five dolls at one just to see what it could do. The flagella put Mayah¡¯s whip to shame with the damage it could inflict and upon closer inspection it had narrow bands of muscle running down the length of it which made sense after they saw how prehensile it was. And those big legs weren¡¯t just for show either. The tube feet that lined the legs caught one of the p¡¯bullfrogs and it struggled to free itself. Another leg closed into the p¡¯bullfrog and smashed it in between them. That didn¡¯t do much damage but when they pulled apart it did. There were bits of p¡¯bullfrog floating in the pond. Margaret heaved. Seeing more than Mayah and Grax, because of the parental filters, she quickly tossed a ton of grenades at the scumbroid after that scene ending the monster. ¡°Geez Mags was it bad?¡± Grax asked sarcastically. ¡°You have no idea.¡± ¡°You can always turn on the parental or gore filters. We¡¯ve been telling you this for days,¡± Grax chided her. ¡°Just¡­ Shut up.¡± Margaret stuttered from frustration. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I want out of this dungeon.¡± ¡°There we go. Now we¡¯re on the same page,¡± Mayah agreed. They continued onward and downwards following the flow of the water. Battling through pondudle after pondudle and struggling through wave after wave of P¡¯bullfrogs which Mayah began calling Progs. Grax got swallowed by a prog and his katanas froze it solid from the inside. Mayah had to bash him free before he suffocated. Margaret got waterboarded by a scumbroid before getting flung twenty feet through the air after Grax cut the flagella. Mayah got her face and half of her body stuck to a scumbroid leg after she failed to duck its arm swinging at her. After they cut the tube feet from the scumbroid they manage to cling to her face for another fifteen minutes and left small red circles that had just started fading. And that¡¯s how they found themselves at the edge of a lake two hours and forty-five minutes later. They were tired, miserable and soaked to the core. None of them had smiled or made jokes in a while as the increasing rain dripped off of their brows in steady rivulets. All three of them had leveled up. Grax and Margaret were both level 21 while Mayah was level 22. The r?tten had each gained 2 levels because Vergie was power leveling them by letting them get the killing blows. There would normally be a sense of joy accompanying these feats but the adventurers wanted more than anything a place to shower, a hot meal, and a soft, warm bed. ¡°So, where¡¯s the boss?¡± Grax asked angrily. ¡°Where everything has been, probably,¡± Mayah responded crabbily ¡°In the water,¡± Margaret said impatiently. Lightning flashed and they could see the shadow of an island in the distance. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me we have to get out there.¡± ¡°Well, either we find the boss from shore or we keep going. You know how this works.¡± ¡°When they said realistic they didn¡¯t say water in every orifice realistic. My leathers are starting to chafe. ¡°At least you don¡¯t have soggy feet,¡± Margaret griped. ¡°Excuse me Mags? I don¡¯t even have BOOTS!¡± ¡°Oh... yeah...¡± ¡°How are you guys doing?¡± Mayah asked Vergie and the r?tten. Vergie was sitting there looking exhausted as water dripped off of her. Her eyes were downcast and her ears drooped. The r?tten were shivering. The only thing keeping them warm was Vergie but she wasn¡¯t as warm with all of the water. ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to you I promise.¡± ¡°Fluff!!!¡± ¡°What?¡± Mayah practically yelled as she turned around. But the word caught in her throat when she saw what was going on. Three scumbroids were just offshore approaching in their stilted walk. Right behind them glowing in the darkness offshore, an eye as big as a basketball on stalk was staring at them. The pupil was a black rectangle surrounded by an iridescent green iris. It kept pivoting between the scumbroids and the adventurers. Something about that eye gave Mayah chills and her lizard brain began telling her it was time to fight or run. Mayah, of course, chose to fight. She furrowed her brow and made a plan. ¡°Mags! Get these dolls up and moving.¡± she tossed the nec nine crystals. ¡°Grax throw everything we¡¯ve got at these big lumbering starfish. You take right, Mags you got center and I¡¯ll take left.¡± Grax began pelting the scombroid with stilettos. ¡°Vergie you watch our back. Roar if there are any adds¡ªmonsters. You know what I mean.¡± She turned and began throwing grenades at her scumbroidal target. Until a scumbroid walked into her line of fire from the shore and walked out towards the enemy scumbroid. She looked and saw Margaret only had three scumbroids working. She looked at her necromancer who was doubled over and trying to catch her breath. Mayah ran to her. ¡°Mags you okay?¡± ¡°Mana backlash. These guys take up three slots and I tried to raise all nine at once. Gimme a minute and I¡¯ll be okay.¡± ¡°As soon as one goes down call another. And get a vuurm out to spit fire when you can.¡± Margaret gave her a thumbs up and Mayah turned to look at the scene again. The scumbroid were fighting a strange starfish-kaiju three-on-three battle. ¡°Where¡¯s the eye?¡± Three more scumbroids began to rise from the water. And Mayah found the eye was now on the far right staring at them. Mayah lobbed a grenade at the eye and it fell short before going off. The eye ducked at the flash of light and disappeared into the water. The second set of scumbroids were getting close when the one in the center took a blast of fire to the ring that grew the membranes. It squealed as the oily fire burned it. Seeing how successful the attack was, Mayah dumped out a crystal that had twelve vuurm in it and took all of their oil sacs and left the bodies there. Using her wand she dropped three oil sacs into the runiverse with 4 sheets of over grenades. She repeated the process three more times and ran to Margaret. As she ran, she heard the whistle of a flagella right behind her and then a wet slap as the flagella hit the ground. She continued to pump her legs and yelled for Margaret. She tossed the four crystals just as the scumbroid slapped her across the back like a parade of fire ants being stepped on by a moose.
You have been attacked
Scumbroid
Level 20
-213 Whipped
703/1750
The force lifted her off her feet and she didn¡¯t feel the flagella wrap around her waist. But she realized what was happening as she was slammed into the ground and dragged towards the water. She heard Margaret scream, ¡°Fluff!!!¡± and then there was the cold depths of the water. She heard another scream, this one from a scombroid and the flagella let her go. She swam to the surface the scumbroid was squealing and burning with black oily smoke burning it¡¯s skin. It fell over into the water and flames were left floating on the water. Mayah swam for shore. Two more scumbroids igniting in rapid succession as she climbed out of the water and she saw a horde of roughly twenty-five progs hopping towards them. Grax isn¡¯t a good matchup for the progs because of his size. Margaret has to keep fighting the scumbroids because she can reach them without going into the water. I got about sixty second before we go down. She ran to Margaret and as she dumped all of the vuurm she could into a pile and took all of the oil sacs and lined them up in groups of five. ¡°Mags keep hitting them with fire.¡± She added multiple sheets of Over (F), acid (D), and Water (D) runes to each pile as she made crystals. ¡°Grax watch out for Margaret," She yelled. "Me and Vergie got the progs.¡± Vergie ran forth and roared. The progs hesitated, seeming listless and disoriented from the roar¡¯s debuff, giving Mayah just a few more seconds to complete her work. ¡°Vergie, get out of range.¡± Vergie ran towards her. Margaret hit another scumbroid with the oily fire and raised another scumbroid. Grax kept punishing a singular target from shore with a steady stream of grenade stilettos. He kept dodging and teleporting to escape from the flagella strikes. Mayah took a deep breath. And here we go! She stood up and threw three of her new grenades into the crowd of progs. Green flames exploded everywhere. Burning melting progs began screaming from the acid. She watched the ticks from the Water (D) burn holes in them and their HP and gave Margaret three of the new water (D), Acid (D), and Over (F) grenades. Without even looking she heard the squealing of the scombroids and knew Margaret was handling business. She tossed two more grenades at the surviving progs who were already looking like Margaret¡¯s broken dolls. Quite a few were dragging limp back legs or had missing eyes. She armed happiness and ran to finish them off. ¡°Fluff Watch out!!!¡± Mayah turned to check her six and saw a scumbroid wheeling through the air like a monstrous badminton birdie. Her mind wondered how it got up there then she realized it was aimed directly for her. She dove to the side and got mostly clear but the scumbroid rolled and landed on her shin. She felt a crack and a searing jolt of pain ran up her leg making her scream.
You have been attacked
Scumbroid
Level 20
-379HP Thrown Scumbroid
Crushed tibia and fibula Left Leg -79% mobility
273/1817HP
You have received a Debuff
Shock - Stamina regeneration reduced to 25% until medical treatment is given. Maximum Stamina drain is doubled. Intelligence and focus reduced to 25% until medical treatment is given. Intelligence and focus checks will be performed against pain and damage. An unsuccessful check will result in unconsciousness.
All that existed was pain she held her leg and rolled on the ground. Grax sped across the ground, sliding to a stop next to her, and grabbed onto her. ¡°C¡¯mon we gotta move!¡± He dragged her across the muddy ground towards the progs and then dropped her. He yelled, ¡°Vergie get them!¡± and pointed to the progs and then looked down at her. ¡°It¡¯s gonna be okay, it¡¯s just a game remember?¡± Mayah did remember but she never remembered a pain like this in her life. She panted against the pain and saw Vergie finishing up the progs and then running back to her. She grabbed his collar. ¡°Go help Mags,¡± she growled and panted through gritted teeth. ¡°It¡¯s just a game.¡± Grax nodded solemnly and ran back to Margaret. Mayah watched the fight through the tears and rain running down her face. She was dizzy and sweating even though she was chilled from the rain. She faded to black for a second and came to as Margaret was shooting Shadow Lightning at one of the two remaining scumbroids. The lighting hit one and then jumped to the other through the water. As they fell she saw tentacles rolling out of the water. The slimy limbs slapped against the shore and writhed over each other as they reached forward and pulled. She sat up wincing in pain as a giant shell twenty feet high was pulled up onto shore and the tentacles danced about searching blindly for Margaret and Grax. They had wisely pulled back and were pelting it with grenades and arrows. From a distance
You party has attacked
Greater Caprapolypus
Name: Shelly Bob Gruff
Level 23
-2 Delivery parcel -6 Silver imps
7734/8547HP
The tentacles landed on one of the dead scumbroid and it used it as a club raking it back and forth around itself to clear the area and that eye popped out from under the shell. Then another eye popped out and they studied the area around them. The attacks against Shelly Bob¡¯s arms were somewhat effective as they were stuck with arrows and covered with ice and scorch marks. Any attack against the shell just bounced off and fell to the ground so stilettoes that would normally stick in a target and explode were useless. ¡°Vergie!!!¡± Mayah called and the Vergax ran up to her. ¡°Help me get on.¡± Vergie helped Mayah stand upright by grabbing her by the scruff and lifting slowly. Then lay down flat on her belly so Mayah could climb atop her. This is gonna hurt Mayah threw her leg over Vergie making her leg feel like it snapped again. She moaned in pain. She had to hold onto Vergie''s frill and grit her teeth so she didn¡¯t pass out. She continued holding onto Vergie¡¯s fur chanting, ¡°Don¡¯t pass out. Don¡¯t pass out¡­¡± She kept herself focused on what needed to be done and came back to her senses. She finally pat Vergie on the side and sat up. ¡°Thanks, girl. just keep me out of harm''s way for a minute while I figure something out.¡± She looked up at the rain and grimaced. No way I can write in this downpour and I don¡¯t have enough time to engrave anything. She looked back at her teammates trying to mount a delaying action. Gotta stop those arms She took out all of the twenty or so Water (D) runes she had left. And dropped two apiece into crystals. Margaret screamed as she was knocked from her feet by the wildly flapping membrane on the scumbroid club and the four vuurm she had out began to spit a barrage of fire making Shelly Bob pull back into its shell for a bit of protection. Until it swatted at the vuurm with the scumbroid killing two of them with the first blow. Gotta get rid of those arms Mayah pointed Vergie towards Margaret. ¡°Grab her.¡± then she yelled, ¡°Grax Jump on!!!¡± Vergie wove in between the coiling arms and leapt over the scumbroid club. Landing, Mayah almost falling off because of the pain. Sh e just continued holding on for dear life and fighting against the blackness. Everything was going quiet until Grax grabbed her and sat her up keeping her stable. They were twenty yards away from Shelly Bob, but it was moving towards then relentlessly. ¡°Hey Fluff, got a plan?¡± ¡°Let me go Vergie!¡± Margaret said from under Vergie. ¡±These are Water (D) crystals. Try and get them in the base of the arms. And as close to the eyes as possible.¡± ¡°How are you holding up dear?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine once we kill this slimy shaz sucking cephalopod¡± ¡°Got any delivery stilettoes left?¡± Grax asked. ¡°No, but here are parcels. Don¡¯t use them around the Over (F) or the Acid (D) or the parcel will get damaged. And try to get the parcel under the skin. If you can.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°Once we take the legs down, we¡¯ll have some options. I¡¯ll start working on a plan B.¡± Shelly Bob roared and the shell rolled back and from underneath came the giant albeit malleable and fleshy head of a goat. Imagine someone took a goat¡¯s head and attached octopus tentacles at the bottom of the neck, and a nautilus shell at the nape and you¡¯d have a pretty good idea of what the royal death claws were looking at. From the nose to the fleshy horns was at least ten feet long and it had a beak underneath the goat lips. Its eyestalks retracted into its head and focused on the trio. ¡°Yeah, now I really want to kill this thing.¡± ¡°Who comes up with this stuff? They have serious problems and need help.¡± Grax couldn¡¯t help but snigger, ¡°C¡¯mon Mags, let¡¯s bring the pain.¡± ¡°Fluff¡¯em up!¡± Margaret said and looked to Mayah. ¡°Cut¡¯em up!¡± Mayah said and looked to Grax. ¡°Raise¡¯em up¡± Grax said. Then in unison, they said, ¡°giiiiiiiiiiiiiit GUD!!!!!¡± Grax ran for Shelly Bob and disappeared into the darkness. Margaret launched a Shadow Lightning arrow at its face. Shelly bob blocked the shot but wound up with a sizzling hole in its tentacle and lightning sizzled up and down the appendage. Shelly bob roared in anger and reared back flinging the tentacle and the spray of blue ichor around. Grax took the opportunity to teleport up close and stab a stiletto into the base of an arm and then leaned into it making it sink in up the ring on the end. He teleported out as the skin on the arm began to darken and spread out in a band around the arm. The tentacle fell limp and Shelly Bob roared again. ¡°Margaret, how many Lightning arrows can you shoot now?¡± ¡°I should have three or four left.¡± ¡°Give them to me?¡± ¡°What?¡± Keep shooting the Water (D) arrows and give me all of your lightning arrows.¡± Mayah pulled out her Storage Wand. ¡°Shoot it here!¡± ¡°Oh! got it!¡± She turned and aimed at a tentacle that was chasing Grax and tagged the underside. When the tentacle came down it pushed all the way into the arm and went off. The tentacle soon fell limp and was tangled into the other ones forcing Shelly bob to extract itself. Margaret charged up a Shadow Lightning arrow and Mayah held open the runiverse and accepted it. It made her arm recoil and buzz a little bit. She caught the crystal and almost fell over. Margaret caught her and Mayah turned to see Shelly bob trying to move back into the lake. ¡°Mags get the scumbroids to climb up on it and slow it down.¡± ¡°The scumbroid club came to life and the tube feet on its arms began to pull their way up the tentacle that was wrapped around it. When another scumbroid that was laying on its side whipped at the goats head with it¡¯s flagella tearing open a blue line down its cheek. Shelly bob reeled and then bit into the scumboid on its arm, tearing huge chunks out of it while Margaret gave Mayah another lightning arrow. Shelly bob only took three bites before the scumbroid was in pieces. Grax stabbed another stiletto into the newly liberated arm and got smacked flying for his trouble.
You party has attacked
Greater Caprapolypus
Name: Shelly Bob Gruff
Level 23
-758 Water (D)
3892/8547HP
Margaret shot another Water (D) arrow into the base of an arm as another scumbroid fell onto Shelly Bob and began to climb its shell. It reached around with its tentacle trying to free itself. The scumbroid wasn¡¯t doing any damage but everyone knows that starfish love shellfish. Margaret aimed a regular arrow at one of the eyes and let loose. Without even checking to see if it hit, she turned to give Mayah another lightning arrow and heard Shelly bob scream. ¡°That¡¯s all I got Fluff.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine. I think we have enough power. Good job taking out that eye, Mags.¡± Grax limped over. ¡°Man, that hurt!¡± ¡°You good?¡± ¡°Do I really have a choice not to be?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right about that.¡± Mayah stared at nothing and her vision began to swim. Until Grax snapped his fingers in front of her face. ¡°I make a motion that if anyone stays behind to save the dungeon it¡¯s Fluff.¡± ¡°Seconded¡± Margaret said leaving Mayah with her mouth hanging open. ¡°This vote will determine whether Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff will remain behind as steward of the dungeon until her teammates return if we go down. All in favor?¡± ¡°Aye.¡± Grax and Margaret said. ¡°Now just keep the goodies coming so we can finish this thing off.¡± ¡°Yes dear. Keep the dungeon safe for us.¡± ¡°As long as you know I owe you one.¡± ¡°You already owe me one. So, this makes two.¡± ¡°Just had to ruin the moment.¡± Mayah teased listlessly. Mayah checked on the battle and found two scumbroids attached to shelly bob. It was using three tentacles to drag itself back towards the water and two to fight off the scumbroids. ¡°Okay, Grax. Two more arms to go and we¡¯ll be in the clear. Mags keep up the pressure with the scumbroids. Add some vuurm fire to up the ranged damage.¡± ¡°Aim for the face so you don¡¯t hit me.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Margaret dumped out four vuurm and they crawled off and started spitting fire. Mayah said, ¡°Mags gimme an arrow.¡± She tied the three shadow lightning crystals to the delivery arrow. Then she took a utility knife and began whittling down the shaft in a ring. ¡°Do you have any skills for extra penetration?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Have you been using them?¡± Margaret made a guilty face. ¡°We are so going to have a talk after this.¡± Mayah shook her head and regretted it as she became extra woozy. ¡°Anyway put this right between its eyes and set the timer for ten seconds. We want this to be in its face when it goes off. Grax sent a message through the party chat and Mayah looked around for him while reading it.
Grax: Look for the flower petals
Margaret took the arrow and got ready. She drew back her arm and waited for the signal. Shelly Bob was struggling with a newer scumbroid doll and Grax appeared in the shadow of a tentacle and slammed his stiletto home. As the tentacle fell still Grax jumped up into shelly bobs face and cast petal storm around shelly bob¡¯s head. White and pink petals made a cloud blocking its vision. Shelly bob roared and Margaret waited. As the petals faded she sighted the ridge between the eyebrows and let loose. Without much fanfare, the arrow struck home and Shelly bob squealed again. One tentacle brushed the arrow away and it fell to the ground absent its payload. And then a dark flash struck through the night emanating from shelly¡¯s forehead. Shadow lightning coursed through its body and as quick as it started it disappeared.
Your party has attacked
Greater Caprapolypus
Name: Shelly Bob Gruff
Level 23
-1533 (Shadow lightning arrow critical hit x3) Shelly Bob Gruff (Stunned)
479/8547HP
Shelly bob listed to the side its tentacles going limp. Its eyes were just burnt out sockets and there was a giant black hole with crispy edges about the size of a fist on its forehead. Mayah quickly urged Vergie forward. ¡°Get over there, hurry,¡± she said through gritted teeth. She yelled to Grax, ¡°Don¡¯t kill it!!!¡± Grax looked at her like Whut? ¡°Gimme one second.¡± She guided Vergie up unto the caprapolypus and said, ¡° Riker Deanna, give it a good attack! Hurry up!¡± The r?tten jumped out of the harness and Deanna took a savage bite. Riker sunk his chelicera into shelly Bob and pumped his jaw. Dribbles of venom ran down the boss¡¯ skin. ¡°Okay guys now go!!!¡± Mayah cast acid into the hole in its forehead quickly followed by a Water (D) Ding!!!
You have defeated the L¨¹rkinm¨¹rk
900XP
41XP till next level
You have received:
Greater Caprapolypus Shell
Greater Caprapolypus beak
Greater Caprapolypus tentacle x8
Vial of Greater Caprapolypus ink x14
Poleyn-Cuisse of Pitch Midnight
4 Gold
Ding!!!
Your Beast Companion Riker has leveled up.
Companion 1 Name: Riker
Species: Venom R?tten - Male Level: 13
HP: 42/80 Disposition: Ally
Abilities: Poison Bite, Poison Claw. Teeth and Claws have been magically infused with Venom. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack rating. +1 to Base for Attack and Affinity
Riker has 70 points available to spend.
Ding!!!
Your Beast Companion Deanna has leveled up.
Companion 2 Name: Deanna
Species: Iron R?tten - Female Level: 12
HP: 117/130 Disposition: Ally
Abilities: Bite and Claw. Bones, hair and teeth have been magically infused with iron. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack and defense rating. +1 to Base for Attack, Defense and Affinity
Deanna has 71 points available to spend.
A portal stone rose up from the mud and mire that that shelly bob had churned up and the rain tapered off. Mayah looked up and saw the clouds and fog retreating in time a time lapsed video of a storm ending. They made for the portal stone in a joyous but dripping fashion. ¡°Thank god for that,¡± Grax hollered. Mayah finished her notifications and asked, ¡°Hey did you guys level up?¡± ¡°I leveled up when I was fighting that first scumbroid.¡± Grax pat himself on the back and Mayah chuckled. ¡°I leveled up right after your leg got hurt dear.¡± ¡°Oh, I guess I missed it. So, you guys are level 22?¡± ¡°Feels so good. But with your grenades, I feel like we are cheating. I only took a little damage except for that tentacle slap.¡± ¡°Yeah, I saw you fly off through the air.¡± They all put their hands on the portal stone and nothing happened. ¡°How come we didn¡¯t get another key?¡± ¡°Because we probably already got it Mags,¡± Grax said before Mayah could answer. ¡°When?¡± ¡°Clacker¡¯s alley is the obvious choice.¡± ¡°I guess you¡¯re right.¡± ¡°You just wanted another bracelet didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Hush, cat!¡± ¡°Okay let¡¯s pack up and get out of here. Grax, draw a circle around shelly bob in the mud. Make sure it doesn¡¯t have any breaks." ¡°On it boss.¡± Mayah took her wand and rode over to collect all of the progs, even as damaged as they were. As she rode back Grax was finishing the circle. Margaret had walked along behind him double checking his work for imperfections. ¡°Thanks guys, I really need to lay down after this.¡± She cast the open rune on the circle from atop Vergie with one hand and then she cast hold with the other. Shelly Bob slid into the runiverse. And she let the runes go. ¡°Yeah, I really need to lay down.¡± Darkness rapidly closed in dimming her vison and Mayah felt the world close down to a pinprick. She felt herself fall off Vergie and hit the ground. Then all she heard was her name being called over and over through a long dark tunnel. Day 13 - Insert working title here. LOL 13.1 Nightmares of Doom. In the nothing, in the pre-blackness before sight, in the only world afforded to those without eyes, ears, and touch, Mayah floated. She wasn¡¯t aware of this nothing, and that was as it should be. The nothing shifted and a piece of itself broke loose with the sound of a pin dropping on crystal one-hundred miles away. The sound rippled outward practically unheard. There behind the nothing was a spot of brilliant blue. The blue of the bluest eye. The eye that wanted to consume Mayah. Another piece fell from the firmament of the blackness freeing the blue from its confines. And like an egg cracking the shell around Mayah broke and with the sound of millions of pins striking crystal she emerged into a world of blue. The sound rippled across the void as the blackness collapsed. Her center bobbed on the peaks and troughs of the sound as they wavered past. The movement tickled through her where her mind met the pieces of her consciousness. Her Intuition aroused consciousness, and curiosity followed to see what was happening. Curiosity nudged consciousness into awareness with a start and caution made its appearance. Blue, there¡¯s so much of that blue. Caution grabbed fear by the collar and dragged it into consciousness. And the world became liquid Mayah struggled to breathe but the blue wouldn¡¯t allow it. She swam in the blue, arms reaching for purchase, trying to find the surface she needed to breathe. But instead, she started to drop like an anchor, in a world with no up or down. Deeper into the blue she fell. She struggled, kicking against the pull. The blue, it sat on her face pushing her deeper and she clawed at the insubstantiality of it. Her fingers scratching at her face. As the need for oxygen became the only thought. She kicked and struggled. The blue became pixels. It distorted her hands and made her senses glitch going from positive to negative. The blue became red and glitched back and forth. Each color shift pressing her deeper and deeper into the depths. The pixels tingled against her skin like cold metal until they turned red then they burned like the heat of a playground slide in a heatwave. Back and forth they tore at her. Pieces of her arms and hands pixelating off into nothingness like sand off the tops of dunes in the wind. Redoubling her efforts with her last bit of frantic strength she finally managed to break through. She took a deep, sweet inhale with a gasp. Her eyes opened and she pushed the furriness off of her face. There was a scrambling and squeaking as her eyes rolled around and the panic of blue in her mind faded to reveal the embers of a campfire and an angry r?tten picking itself up next to her in the grass. ¡°uunnngh¡­.¡± She floomphed back down and heard a startled mrowl. She turned her head in the darkness and got a nose full of soft black fur. She reached up and scritched the shadowy mass. ¡°Hey, girl. Sorry,¡± she whispered. Vergie Chuffed and made no further noises. Riker however climbed into her lap and chittered angrily. ¡°Well, who told you to sleep on my face?¡± she hisspered to the angry r?tten. "you gave me a nightmare.¡± She placed a hand on his scruff, stared at the low embers, and pet him until they both calmed down. She noticed Margaret sleeping and decided not to wake her. Finally, she finally decided to look at her clock. 4:17 a.m. ugh¡­ Below that she saw her notifications blinking. Time to find out what type of shaz has fallen into my cereal bowl this morning. She scrolled up through her notifications to right after they defeated Shelly Bob.
You have received a Debuff
Unconsciousness ¨C Due to the Shock debuff, the pain and damage to your leg has successfully overwhelmed your regeneration capacities and caused your body to shut down. Unconsciousness is a forced rest state. Rest may or may not help with your regen. Your body will still be vulnerable to attack and you defense rating will be lowered to your armor¡¯s class only. You will become conscious again only when your regen overcomes the HP and stamina deficit or you will remain unconscious until death through attack starvation or dehydration.
You have received a Debuff
Shock - Stamina regeneration reduced to 25% until medical treatment is given. Maximum Stamina drain is doubled. Intelligence and focus reduced to 25% until medical treatment is given. Intelligence and focus checks will be performed against pain and damage. An unsuccessful check will result in unconsciousness.
She looked at her health bar it was two thirds full and read the next notification.
Ongoing Status Ailment
Crushed tibia and fibula Left Leg -35% mobility
HP and Stamina regeneration -50% HP locked at 65% of normal until healed.
Until healed This injury can be worsened by trying to use affected body part.
Timer: 4:37 remaining.
1205/1855HP
She pulled the blankets off of her leg and noticed that her leg had been splinted by an amateur. But it was helping so she wasn¡¯t going to complain. She pulled out the buff tea and poured herself a drink. So, what can I do in the meantime? She went over the notifications from the end of the Battle with Shelly Bob and saw that the r?tten had jumped a ton of levels from participating in the boss battle. Power leveling my floofs! She pulled up the companion upgrade tab and got to work. Over the course of the L¨¹rkinm¨¹rk they had picked up 3 levels, but the boss gave them four whole levels. Riker had 70 points to distribute and Deanna had 71
Companion tab
Companion 1 Name: Riker
Species: Venom R?tten - Male Level: 13
HP: 80/80 Disposition: Trusted
Abilities: Poison Bite, Poison Claw. Teeth and Claws have been magically infused with Venom. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack rating. +1 to Base for Attack and Affinity
Upgrades available - Riker
Defense 3 increase defense 4 points
Attack* 5 Increase attack 4 points
Strength 4 Increase Strength 5 point
Stamina 3 Increase stamina 4 points
Agility 4 Increase agility 5 points
Affinity* 5 Increase affinity 4 points
Rapport 3 Increase Rapport 4 points
You have: 70 points
Maybe if I upgrade affinity to 10 it¡¯ll give him another boost to his attack. Let¡¯s see affinity is 4 points to get it to 6. So, 4+5+6+7+8= 30 points. Is it worth it just to get the attack bonus of 1 point? I have to balance that against all of the other stats. Let¡¯s come up with a plan for the other 40 points and see if it¡¯s feasible Upgrade defense by 2 for 9 points. Same for stamina, bringing those both to five. use 11 points to raise agility to 6. Which gives me 11 points left over. Add 1 to strength giving me 7 points as leftovers we¡¯ll up rapport by 1 leaving me with 3 points. This could work. Let¡¯s find out, shall we? She put the 30 points into affinity brought it up to 10 and accepted the changes. Riker yawned and his Chelicera extended and became more hooked and the needle points sharpened. He shook himself and laid his head down as his fur took on a glossy almost wet sheen. Ding!!!
Your companion has evolved.
Companion 1 Name: Riker
Has gained the ability Poison Bristles
Abilities: Bristles have been magically infused with Venom. Creating needle-like hairs that contain venom. Add +1 to Base Attack and Defense
Mayah watched Riker and stroked his fur. There were now small hard bristle-like hairs spread throughout his glossy coat. But what did they do? ¡°Hey bud, Mayah picked Riker up and pulled his face to hers. You got some more abilities wanna show me what they are?¡± Riker glared daggers at her, obviously because this was the second time she had woken him up. Mayah glared back and thought, I¡¯m gonna need to up his rapport, when she had an idea. ¡°For snacks?¡± she asked the tired r?tten. Rikers eyes opened wide and his hackles stood up. Just like Deanna, the bristley hairs pricked into her hand. ¡°Aaaah-chhaaa..¡± she struggled to put him down without throwing him. ¡°You could have waited till I put you down.¡± She sucked on her fingers to alleviate the pain.
You have taken damage
Venom R?tten poison
-150HP (5DP per sec for 30 seconds) envenomed -5% Agility -5% stamina This debuff is stackable
1055/1855HP
Her finger went numb and then shortly after her tongue started going numb. Great! Just what I need. Like getting a shot of novocaine. She moved her tongue around trying to get the feeling back into it. it looks like bumping the affinity is actually worthwhile. Okay, let¡¯s add the rest of these points.
Companion tab
Companion 1 Name: Riker
Species: Venom R?tten - Male Level: 13
HP: 140/140 Disposition: Trusted
Abilities: Poison Bite, Poison Claw, poison Bristles. Teeth, Claws and Bristles have been magically infused with Venom. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack rating. +1 to Base for Defense and Affinity and +2 to Base for Attack
Upgrades available - Riker
Defense* 6 increase defense 5 points
Attack* 6 Increase attack 4 points
Strength 5 Increase Strength 6 point
Stamina 5 Increase stamina 6 points
Agility 6 Increase agility 7 points
Affinity* 10 Increase affinity 9 points
Rapport 4 Increase Rapport 5 points
You have: 3 points
She watched as he became a bit thicker going from a weasel to a badger-like body build. A small, skinny badger but eh, he¡¯s poisonous so it balances out. Riker nudged her hand. ¡°Oh right, treats.¡± She pulled out a piece of apple pie for her venomous companion and scratched his head and felt a prick.
You have taken damage
Venom R?tten poison
-150HP (5DP per sec for 30 seconds) envenomed -5% Agility -5% stamina This debuff is stackable
948/1855HP
¡°Shaz!!!¡± Mayah looked at her untouchable venom floof feeling her finger growing numb by the second and weighed the pros and cons of not petting him again. The cons weighed very heavily but could never outweigh the pros of floof against fingers. ¡°It¡¯s so worth it,¡± she whispered and reached for Riker again. She paused before she touched him and pulled her hand back. ¡°better wait till I get more HP.¡± Then she reached out and scratched him anyway.
You have taken damage
Venom R?tten poison
-150HP (5DP per sec for 30 seconds) envenomed -5% Agility -5% stamina This debuff is stackable
798/1855HP
You have taken damage
Venom R?tten poison
-150HP (5DP per sec for 30 seconds) envenomed -5% Agility -5% stamina This debuff is stackable
648/1855HP
Okay, I¡¯m done poisoning myself for a while. Ooh, look my hand is all floppy and useless now. It feels like a dead piece of wood at the end of my wrist. Then she turned her attention to Deanna¡¯s chart.
Companion tab
Companion 2 Name: Deanna
Species: Iron R?tten - Female Level: 12
HP: 130/130 Disposition: Trusted
Abilities: Bite and Claw. Bones, hair and teeth have been magically infused with iron. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack and defense rating. +2 to Base for Attack, Defense and +1 to Affinity
Upgrades available - Deanna
Defense* 6 increase defense 4 points
Attack* 6 Increase attack 4 points
Strength 4 Increase Strength 4 points
Stamina 4 Increase stamina 4 points
Agility 3 Increase agility 3 points
Affinity* 5 Increase affinity 4 points
Rapport 4 Increase Rapport 4 points
You have: 71 points
So, 30 points to reach 10 in affinity leaves me with 41 points. That might also get me a new evolution. She really wants more agility and I don¡¯t think she needs more defense at the moment. So 18 points into agility bringing it up to match Riker¡¯s. She should be happy with that. Now, what happens if we get attack up to 10. If the affinity raises the attack and defense I¡¯ll only have to raise the attack by three instead of four. Let¡¯s make sure that¡¯s the case before we continue. She added the points and looked around for Deanna. Not finding her she pressed the button.Stolen story; please report.
Your companion has evolved.
Companion 2 Name: Deanna
Has gained the Ability Sharpen
Abilities: Bones, hair and teeth now have the ability to become sharper at will. Add +1 to Base for Attack and Defense
¡°Okay, so 41 points left. Get Attack up to 10 for 15 points, 12 to Agilty bringing it up to 6. And bump stamina up 2 for 9 points, leaving me with 5 points which I¡¯ll use to up strength leaving me 1 point as a leftover.¡±
Companion tab
Companion 2 Name: Deanna
Species: Iron R?tten - Female Level: 12
HP: 160/160 Disposition: Trusted
Abilities: Bite and Claw. Bones, hair and teeth have been magically infused with iron. This gives this subspecies of r?tten a higher attack and defense rating. +3 to Base for Attack, Defense and +1 to Affinity
Upgrades available - Deanna
Defense* 7 increase defense 4 points
Attack* 10 Increase attack 7 points
Strength 5 Increase Strength 5 points
Stamina 6 Increase stamina 6 points
Agility 6 Increase agility 6 points
Affinity* 10 Increase affinity 9 points
Rapport 4 Increase Rapport 4 points
You have: 1 points
Companion 2 Name: Deanna
Has learned the Attack
Slashing Charge Level 1
Abilities: Companion will charge an opponent with hair fully extended and sharpened doing slashing and stabbing damage.
¡°Oh, yeah!¡± Mayah blurted out and then covered her mouth and made sure she didn¡¯t wake Margaret up. ¡°So, attack at level 10. Riker¡¯s next. He just needs two more levels.¡± ¡°Now that I have a loose understanding about companion leveling, I should get some more sleep. See if I can regenerate a shattered leg before we go into the dungeon. She reached out to scritch her venomous friend one last time with her good hand.
You have taken damage
Venom R?tten poison
-150HP (5DP per sec for 30 seconds) envenomed -5% Agility -5% stamina This debuff is stackable
673/1855HP
Ding!!!
New Passive Ability
Poison Resistance Level: 1
You have willingly subjected yourself to a poison five times. You have gained some resistance to poisons and poisonous toxins. Poisons that are ingested, inhaled, injected, or absorbed will do 5% less damage.
5% resistance to poisons and toxins
¡°Whoa ho!!! What is this now?¡± Mayah whispered to herself. She reached over and gave Riker a bunch of scritches incurring three more poisoning notifications. ¡°I¡¯m gonna feed you all of the poisons and venoms I can find, little guy. And when I tell people not to pet you, they better listen.¡± She chuckled and then pulled her makeshift blankets up over herself before her hands went numb, closed her eyes and leaned into Vergie¡¯s warm fur. She was basking in the elation about her upgradeable pets and wondered what their second elements should be as she listened to Vergie¡¯s breathing and chuckled to herself. That extended train of thought rocked her into drowsiness during her thoughtful journey and delivered her to sleepy station a few minutes later. ¡­.. Mo was sitting on the edge of his bed in the dark when Bonkers tried to sneak in on him. ¡°Good morning, Bonkers. What are we getting into today?¡± ¡°Well, first Oi¡¯m going to disappoint the boys by telling them you won¡¯t be getting tossed out of bed again.¡± A few murmurs of disappointment came from the hallway. ¡°Then oi get to inform youse of the harrowing foighting schedule we have planned for ya down in the knocker dome.¡± Mo stood up. ¡°I¡¯m right behind you. Lead the way if you would.¡± ¡°You know how to take the fun out of a man¡¯s loife, don¡¯t you?¡± Bonkers grumbled. ¡°Fun for you. Not for me by a longshot.¡± Mo grumbled ¡°But the sight of you spinning through the air as we flipped you out of bed was better than coffee in the mornin¡¯s. Now we just get to see your ugly mug waiting for us with a smarmy smile.¡± They walked through the common room and out the backdoor and down into the Knocker dome. ¡°So what¡¯s the lesson today?¡± Mo asked, half excited, half terrified. ¡°Same as always just with weapons.¡± Bonkers informed him. Bonkers tossed him a package wrapped in fabric. ¡°You¡¯ll be using these for practice until you up your abilities. If youse were ta use your real weapons, one woild swing without any restraint and we¡¯d be putting arms and fingers back on¡¯ta someone.¡± ¡°Okay, so who¡¯s going to be training me.¡± From the top of the stairs, a loud voice called, ¡°I will.¡± Mo turned to find Grimsaw standing there dressed in a gambeson under a leather cuirass with matching Vambraces, gauntlets, and greaves. Well this doesn¡¯t look good. ¡°So what¡¯s your plan for today?¡± Mo called out to Grimsaw. Grimsaw made his way down the steps as if deep in thought. He walked directly over to Mo, got extremely close staring into Mo¡¯s eyes, and said, ¡°My plan, Booms, is to beat you over and over again until you can defend yourself.¡± ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I have armor as well?¡± ¡°You think I¡¯m wearing this for protection?¡± Grimsaw and Bonkers laughed. ¡°This is ta¡¯slow me down a bit. Maybe give you a fighting chance.¡± Mo¡¯s warning bells were beginning to ring as Grimsaw approached. He flashed forward faster than Mo could track hooking a leg behind Mo¡¯s as he shoved Mo¡¯s chest. Mo fell backward and landed on his side. ¡°Ya ready to start?¡± Grimsaw asked. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to ask that before you attack?¡± ¡°Peepers and plates, Booms. Peepers and plates,¡± Bonkers reminded Mo with a chuckle. ¡°Most of the fights that folk get into they don¡¯t see coming,¡± Grimsaw explained while he offered Mo a hand. Mo took it and Grimsaw pulled and then let go when Mo was halfway up. He slammed back to the floor and stared up at the two knockers. ¡°So that¡¯s how we¡¯re doing this?¡± Mo asked. ¡°That¡¯s how it¡¯s always been done, lad.¡± Grimsaw chuckled. Mo stood under his own power and gave Grimsaw a look of respect, activated speed and stabbed for the larger man¡¯s belly with his wooden kukri. Grimsaw pulled a Jutte out of nowhere hooked the blade and pulled Mo forward while stepping out of the way. Mo tried to attack with his other kukri and felt a kick to his gut and saw Grimsaw pull his leg back. Mo crumpled to his knees, arms across his belly. Grimsaw squatted down and looked him in the eyes. When Grimsaw saw the anger in Mo¡¯s eyes he smiled. ¡°Good there¡¯s some hope for you yet. Now, are you gonna sit there and let me hit you again or are you gonna pretend you know what you¡¯re doing some more?¡± Mo spit and forced himself to stand. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. Don¡¯t rush, just protect yourself. Mo blinked and Grimsaw moved the twenty feet between them with no discernible movements. ¡°Thinking about something?¡± Grimsaw asked right before Mo felt a punch to his gut that staggered him back. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be fighting and there you go standing still and thinking about what to do next. That¡¯s what I¡¯m here to teach you. Mo closed his eyes and cast about him with his senses. ¡°That¡¯s not gonna win you a fight if you can¡¯t use it for anything other than defense.¡± Mo felt a presence by his shoulder and swung at it hitting something hard that fell to the ground with a clatter. ¡°I¡¯m still over here, lad. Your senses are easily tricked.¡± Mo opened his eyes to look at Grimsaw and caught a clothesline which slammed him into the floor. Mo gasped for breath and struggled to stand up. ¡°If¡¯n you close your eyes I¡¯ll just retreat and as soon as you open them I¡¯ll add to your pain. So, what strategy can you come up with fer this?¡± Mo coughed. ¡°I¡¯ll guess we¡¯ll just need to find out. Won¡¯t we?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the spirit, but spirit won¡¯t win ya a trophy, boy. Neither will just standing there.¡± Mo growled and charged at his tutor and when he got close, he closed his eyes and activated speed all at the same time. His head snapped back as his face felt smashed flat. His feet flew out from under him and he fell to the ground on his back. He let out a reeeeeeee of pain as he gnashed his teeth and looked to see what hit him. Grimsaw stood there with his foot extended not even moving. ¡°Don¡¯t take it personal that I¡¯m a better fighter than you. It¡¯s just a truth you need to accept before you can get better.¡± Grimsaw tossed him a healing potion. ¡°Drink a sip of that and get back up. Can¡¯t have you laying around all day.¡± Mo let out a yell of frustration and got up to face his personal demon. This method of training went on for three hours before Bonkers came to get him. He had gained 3 levels in Punching Bag getting another three points to his constitution and rolling hit had risen just one level because Grimsaw hit so hard and fast that he couldn¡¯t roll with the punches. All in all, he had gained 49HP and upped his HP regen. I¡¯m still squishy just not as squishy. ¡°Alroighty there booms, are you ready for your meeting with the science assemblage?¡± ¡°I think so. I need to wash my face before we go, though.¡± ¡°Won¡¯t help,¡± Grimsaw said with a chuckle. ¡°The dirt might wash off, but you¡¯ll still be ugly.¡± Bonkers chuckled along with him. ¡°Oi assume you two had a good toime?¡± ¡°It was so much fun. I mean why wouldn¡¯t I come back tomorrow and do it again?¡± Bonkers just chuckled again. ¡°Ya frustrated?¡± ¡°Very!¡± That¡¯s a good thing didn¡¯t ya know? If ya got the chops to hang in there with your teacher, they can¡¯t be teaching you very much. A teacher who bludgeons you halfway to death¡¯ll either teach youse somethin¡¯ amazing or kill you by accident, loike.¡± ¡°And which is Grimsaw going to do?¡± ¡°Well since you¡¯re a paladin it really doesn¡¯t much matter does it?¡± ¡°It matters to me,¡± Mo complained. ¡°Oh... come along now. You¡¯ve got an appointment to keep. And you¡¯ve got the whole day to figure out how tomorrow¡¯s gonna be better.¡± ¡°Or how I¡¯m gonna die.¡± ¡°True.¡± Bonkers nodded. ¡°But death comes for us all at some point or another. Speaking of, oi¡¯m sending the boys to look for Nessler again today. After your meeting, we could use your help.¡± ¡°Anything you need, Bonkers.¡± Bonkers clapped a hand on Mo¡¯s still bruised back and smiled. ¡°That¡¯s what oi¡¯d thought you¡¯d say.¡± Mo finally managed to crack a smile as they walked into the common room. Mephi was talking to Ziggs, Chonchaise, Riller, and Davemarth. ¡°Hey guys, you ready to do this?¡± Mo asked his teammates. ¡°We were waiting for you, remember?¡± Ziggs griped. ¡°Hush it trashbot,¡± Mephi said. ¡°Yes, we are ready and waiting. Chonchaise was telling us not to sign anything about the organization until we talk to them. If necessary we can schedule another appointment and bring him along to negotiate if we need too. ¡°Thanks for the advice Chonchaise. We¡¯ll definitely keep that in mind. You coming with, Davemarth?¡± Davemarth growled and then said, ¡°Nope. Treegan, Gummish and a few others are waiting for you outside.¡± ¡°Thanks. Riller, how¡¯s the piecework market looking?¡± ¡°Going to square everything away today¡ªat the square that is.¡± Everyone groaned. Riller ignored their protests and continued. ¡°We should be able to start everything tomorrow.¡± ¡°Awesome! Well, we¡¯ll see you later then,¡± Mo said with a smile. Davemarth just growled again. And with that Mo turned to leave the knockers¡¯ house. ¡°Good morning gents.¡± Mo greeted Gummish, and the other knockers. ¡°Morning Booms.¡± Treegan said slowly as a smiled crossed his face. ¡°Morning, morning. Let¡¯sh get a move on. We still gotta find Nesshler,¡± Gummish whistled hurriedly. ¡°Right you are. Let¡¯s move out.¡± They traveled through the streets their eyes peeled for any sign of Nessler. The three paladins barely knew where to look or what to look for, but they tried anyway. Finally, they made it to Assemblage square and the Assemblage Hall loomed in the distance. ¡°You three can make it from here?¡± Gummish asked. ¡°If not, we¡¯ve got bigger problems,¡± Mo told the architect. ¡°Like being able to breathe and walk at the same time,¡± Ziggs added ¡°Cmon trashbot.¡± Mephi steered the box away from the knockers. ¡°Thanks, Gummish.¡± He shook the elder knockers hand. ¡°We¡¯ll give you a call when we¡¯re finished.¡± ¡°Just be shafe,¡± he said intently. ¡°That we will sir.¡± Gummish and Treegan nodded as Mo strode off. He caught up with his team in no time and they made their way up to the correct door for the assemblage Hall. There, wrapped around the building was a line that defied logic. It went from the door to the corner and doubled back on itself four times. At the front of the line was a small kiosk with three clerks sitting at it having what looked to be a wonderful conversation. They walked up and the people stopped talking. ¡°Hello, we have an appointment. How do we get in?¡± ¡°Looks like this one¡¯s never seen a queue before.¡± One clerk said to the other two. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if we offended you but we¡¯ve never been here before and were told to show up here at 7:45, for an appointment.¡± ¡°Well you see the queue, don¡¯t you?¡± Clerk 2 motioned towards the line. ¡°Yes sir, I see it. Is that where we wait for our appointment?¡± Mo asked trying to get the information straight. ¡°Looks like he¡¯s finally figured it out boys.¡± Clerk 1 exclaimed snidely. ¡°I¡¯m sorry but just to clarify. That line is for everyone who wants to get into the building for appointments?¡± ¡°Look here, I don¡¯t know if your stupid or pulling my leg. Either way, you¡¯re making me angry.¡± Clerk 1 raised an eyebrow and gave Mo a stern look. ¡°Again, I apologize sir. I am a paladin and I have only been in Majesta for a few days and do not understand all of the customs. I worked very hard to make this appointment and would hate to miss it. Perhaps we can start all over and you can guide me to where I need to be.¡± Mo was trying hard just to get a straight answer. ¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough, you lot.¡± Clerk three finally leaned forward in his chair and addressed the other two. ¡°This bloke is obviously lost¡ªand claiming ta be a paladin on top of that.¡± He turned to Mo. ¡°So you say you have an Appointment? Let me see your appointment slip, if you even have one.¡± Mo pulled out his slip and handed it over to the leader of the trio. The attendant turned to his friends and began a conversation that they didn¡¯t even try to hide from Mo. ¡°Doom?¡± Clerk 2 said as he glanced at his compatriots ¡°Can¡¯t be. No one is Doomed?¡± Clerk 3 sighed into his hand. ¡°But the slip is official. Tarbeck¡¯s seal is on it.¡± Clerk 1 reminded them. ¡°It¡¯s been three years since someone new made it to doom.¡± Clerk 3 had a far off gaze in his eyes. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Mo asked the clerks. Clerk 1 turned back to him. ¡°No sir. No Problem. Just this appointment is a bit of a strange one.¡± ¡°How so?¡± ¡°Well you¡¯re headed to the department of organizational ordinances and ministries, correct?¡± Clerk 1 confirmed. ¡°Yes,¡± Mo answered, a frown growing on his face. ¡°Well the reason they told you to get here at 7:45 is because you have to find the office.¡± Clerk 1 said meekly. ¡°Find the office? What does that mean?¡± ¡°Well, the department moves around a lot,¡± Clerk 2 interjected. ¡°The whole office. It gets transported to different places in the hall throughout the day and is terribly hard to find.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°The office moves around. Well not the whole office. More like the door to the office.¡± Clerk 3 said from his chair. ¡°Getting in there will take a miracle on top of a blessing on top of fifteen strokes of luck,¡± Clerk 2 added. ¡°So where do I start?¡± ¡°Right through the doors.¡± Clerk 1 pointed to the halls doors. ¡°Hey Meph, Ziggs we got a mystery on our hands,¡± Mo called out to his friends Mo¡¯s team sidled up and Mephi asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Well it seems like we have a room of requirements situation, instead of the room becoming what you need the door moves all around and we need to locate it.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Ziggs asked. ¡°That is a major pain.¡± ¡°And not to add to your troubles,¡± clerk 3 said. ¡°But after the appointment time your card becomes invalid and you¡¯ll have to leave the building. And since there¡¯s only one appointment card you¡¯ll have to stay together.¡± Mephi¡¯s irritation caused one of the attendants to gag a little. ¡°And now we have to warn you to keep your scents to yourself as well,¡± Clerk 3 gagged. ¡°The ventilation isn¡¯t the greatest inside.¡± all three attendants were covering their nose. ¡°C¡¯mon boys. Times a wastin.¡± Ziggs hummed towards the doors a rainbow of colors rolling over gunny-num-nums. ¡°Thank you for the information,¡± Mo said to the attendants as he hustled to follow Ziggs with Mephi right behind him. They skidded through the large foyer and up the three steps into the larger main lobby beyond. It housed a multistory gallery and a grand bifurcated staircase that connected to the three levels of the gallery. Light globes at the top of the structure cast nearly perfect imitation of sunlight causing the space to seem airy as it fell on the yellowish-beige tile in the center of the room. Around the walls, the tile was deeply marbled black with a border of golden tiles separating the black from the lighter tiles. There were columns that went from floor to ceiling creating the arcade and galleries. The trio couldn¡¯t help but stop to take in the view for a moment. ¡°Wow.¡± Was all that Ziggs could say as she spun in place updating their maps. ¡°Still feels bureaucratic, though.¡± ¡°I can imagine lawmakers walking through here trying to avoid the populace at large.¡± Snapping out of it, Mo asked Ziggs, ¡°Anything that looks like an information desk?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t even sense any people.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s look for a directory on this floor before we proceed on a wild goose chase,¡± Mephi growled. ¡°Good plan, Meph. Ziggs keep scanning.¡± ¡°You got it, oh great armless one.¡± Mo facepalmed and a notification dinged. ¡°ooh! Daily dungeon update¡± ¡­¡­
Specter¡¯s Keep Daily Update
3,562 teams entered the dungeon 5 days ago. Only 105 remain. Congratulations on making it through your fifth night.
Thank you, for playing Majesta.
Mayah awoke to the sound of trumpets and grumbled wiping the notification away after reading it. She was attempting to go back to sleep when a haggard Margaret made her presence known by feeling Mayah¡¯s forehead with the back of her hand. Mayah opened her eyes and asked, ¡°Did I have a fever?¡± ¡°Thank god you¡¯re awake, dear.¡± Vergie rolled away from Mayah and stretched leaving Mayah 100% less comfortable than before. With a growl she said, ¡°And since Vergie is moving I guess I¡¯m getting up too.¡± She gave Margaret a look letting her know it was all her fault for waking the vergax. Margaret smiled back at her. ¡°Sorry about that, but if you¡¯re feeling up to accusing me of things then I think you¡¯re feeling much better.¡± She fluffed up some fabric and made a better pillow for Mayah. ¡°Thanks, Mags.¡± Mayah accepted the help and smiled a bit. ¡°Think nothing of it, dear.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Grax?¡± ¡°Something about needing to eat and use the bathroom,¡± Margaret chuckled. ¡°Always off gallivanting while the ladies do the hard work.¡± They both laughed at that. ¡°So, how¡¯s the leg doing? You went into shock and passed out last night.¡± ¡°Yeah figured that out when I woke up at four a.m.¡± Margaret gave her a disapproving scowl. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say anything? I was worried sick.¡± ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t want to wake you. No need being debuffed because you didn¡¯t get enough sleep. There¡¯s¡¯ enough danger here already.¡± ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. Now, about your leg.¡± Mayah pulled up the status ailment notification.
Ongoing Status Ailment
Crushed tibia and fibula Left Leg -7% mobility
HP and Stamina regeneration -50% HP locked at 93% of normal until healed.
Until healed This injury can be worsened by trying to use affected body part.
Timer: 53 minutes remaining.
1725/1855HP
¡°I¡¯m mostly good. I have 53 minutes left on my broken leg but I¡¯m only down 7% mobility. I¡¯m just gonna rest until its full up.¡± ¡°Good idea. Any other news to share?¡± ¡°Be careful petting the r?tten,¡± Mayah informed her. ¡°Riker upgraded and now he¡¯s poisonous to even me. and Deanna is¡ªactually I haven¡¯t seen Deanna.¡± Mayah turned her head like an owl looking for her companion. ¡°She came back with us last night. I¡¯m sure of it.¡± Mayah checked her map for Deanna and found her on the other side of Vergie. No wonder I couldn¡¯t see her. ¡°Deanna!¡± Mayah hollered. The dot didn¡¯t move so she hollered again. This time the dot wiggled around and Mayah heard shuffling in the tall grass. She followed the dot as it made its way around Vergie¡¯s tail end. When Deanna walked into view Mayah¡¯s eyes widened. The hairs that had clumped together looked like more like her stilettos than hair now. Imagine if a pangolin had longer, pointier scales, that looked like knives, and they bristled out from their body like a porcupine. She looked dangerous. As she walked the hairs clicked softly against each other. ¡°Good morning sleepy head. Make sure you are as soft as you can be and come on over here.¡± Deanna yawned and ambled over to Mayah and climbed up into her lap. She promptly curled up and went limp. Mayah examined her knives and found that only the outer edge of the knives were solidified. Underneath there was fur that seemed to become matted as it extended. Mayah reached through the knives and found her soft hairs and gave her scritches which Deanna leaned into. ¡°What happened to her?¡± Margaret asked. ¡°She evolved. They got a ton of levels for helping with the L¨¹rkinm¨¹rk and shelly bob. I pushed her affinity up to ten and this is what happened. Not only this though.¡± She held Deanna up and placed her on the ground to which Deanna gave her a scornful look. ¡°Hey, I just wanna see your new abilities. If you do, then I have treats.¡± At the mention of the word treats Vergie scrambled up so fast that she kicked Mayah in the head. She spun around, crouched down like she was about to pounce, and looked expectantly at Mayah. Mayah didn¡¯t noticed because she was holding the side of her head in pain. When she looked up and saw Vergie looking at her she said, ¡°Maybe no treats for you because you just kicked me and didn¡¯t apologize.¡± Vergie mrowled softly and rolled over her back and used the only weapon known to man that could have changed her mind¡ªcuteness. Vergie¡¯s paws were flipped under and held close to her chest. One reached out to Mayah and fell by her ear, her piddly-bean toe pads exposed. The beg eyes blossomed and Mayah¡¯s heart was pierced by their sheer power. The magnificence¡­ the sheer beauty¡­ the power of the allure¡­. Can¡¯t. resist. The. Fluffiness. She¡¯s pulling me in!!! ¡°Fine then since you¡¯re sorry I¡¯ll get you some snacks. But you gotta be careful in the future.¡± Vergie mrowled again and rolled back onto her stomach and nodded in the affirmative. Mayah gave her some scritches. ¡°Now, back to Deanna. You wanna show me your new evolution for snacks?¡± Deanna stood up and shook out her hair/scales/knives and then in an instant they stood straight out like a porcupine and Mayah could swear she saw a glint as the edges seemed to be more finished than a second ago. ¡°Let me touch, please?¡± Mayah Deanna walked closer and Mayah checked the point of one of the hair knives and they were definitely sharper than before and even pricked her finger. She got a damage notification. She checked the edge on the scales and they sharp as any chef¡¯s knife. ¡°You feeling pretty awesome girl?¡± Mayah asked Deanna. Deanna nodded. ¡°Okay one last thing then snacks. Can I see your new attack?¡± Deanna looked around for something and then looked back at Mayah. ¡°What, you need a target?¡± Deanna nodded again. ¡°Hey Mags, you wanna be a guinea pig?¡± ¡°No, but we both know you¡¯re gonna find some string of argument where I wind up doing it anyway.¡± ¡°Mags, I wouldn¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°Of course, you wouldn¡¯t. that¡¯s why I decline.¡± ¡°But Mags, I can¡¯t get the attack damage I need if she attacks me. You just need to leave the party for one second and take one attack. Then I¡¯ll invite you back into the party.¡± ¡°Like I said, some string of argument where I wind up doing it anyway.¡± Mayah looked a bit embarrassed as Margaret continued, ¡°I was planning on saying yes from the outset until I heard that blind spot lie.¡± ¡°Blind spot lie?¡± Mayah furrowed her eyebrows as she asked. ¡°It¡¯s a term I made up to describe a lie that you tell yourself and others because it¡¯s in your blind spot. You don¡¯t even know you do it. So, it¡¯s not truly a real lie. More like a lie you think is a truth. I may not be as smart as you, but I have more experience with people.¡± ¡°So, you let me convince you just to show me my blind spot?¡± ¡°Well, I hope you see it. That¡¯s the thing, it¡¯s so much harder to see what¡¯s inside of ourselves than what¡¯s around us.¡± ¡°And that¡¯s why we keep you around mags. Just go with that and you¡¯ll be fine.¡± Mayah patted her teammate on the thigh. Margaret chuckled. ¡°So, you ready?¡± ¡°Ugh! I guess so,¡± Margaret sighed playfully as she got up and brushed herself off. Mayah followed suit with Margaret helping her up because the splint was tied above her knee and kept her leg from bending. ¡°You okay?¡± Margaret asked. ¡°There¡¯s no pain if that¡¯s what you mean. It¡¯s a little tender but I don¡¯t plan on dancing with this leg.¡± She looked for Deanna and called her over. ¡°C¡¯mere, Deanna.¡± Deanna sidled over and looked up at her. ¡°You want to show me your new moves, you dangerously, cute r?tten you?¡± Deanna squeaked and chittered a bit and looked around for a target. ¡°You¡¯re gonna attack her, okay?¡± Mayah picked her up and limped about thirty feet from Margaret. ¡°Mags, drop out of the group.¡± Margaret pushed some invisible buttons and Mayah got the notification. ¡°Now we figure out your range. Can you use your attack from here?¡± Deanna squeaked and shook her head no. ¡°Just squeak when we¡¯re close enough.¡± She walked towards Margaret and about seven feet away Deanna squeaked and Mayah put her down. ¡°Mags you ready?¡± Margaret nodded and scrunched up her face waiting for the pain. ¡°Show mama what you can do.¡± Deanna kicked her back legs like a cat getting ready to pounce and set her feet like a runner in blocks. Then she in a flash of silver she zoomed across the ground and flashed between Margaret¡¯s legs. Margaret screamed and fell over holding her ankles and lower legs. Mayah hobbled over to her as fast as possible. ¡°Mags you okay?¡± ¡°I will be. That hurt!¡± she growled in pain. ¡°Surprised me too. I didn¡¯t expect her to move so fast.¡± ¡°Any debuffs?¡± Mayah asked pulling out bandages. ¡°Oh, Just seven bleeding debuffs.¡± ¡°Seven?¡± Mayah asked incredulously. ¡°Hey don¡¯t freeze up give me those bandages so I can stop the bleeding.¡± ¡°Right!¡± she handed the bandages to Margaret and worked on the opposite leg placing bandages on the glowing red lines that appeared on her moccasins. Once they were all covered Margaret relaxed. ¡°Bleeding stopped.¡± ¡°So what was the damage?¡± ¡°245HP plus the bleeds.¡± ¡°So, you had seven cuts¡­ that -35HP per slash. I can work with that.¡± ¡°Glad you think so. I don¡¯t want to do that anymore.¡± ¡°That is totally understandable. And I won¡¯t ask you to.¡± Mayah sat down and stared at Margaret. Margaret noticed her looking at her ¡°You have another test for the guinea pig, don¡¯t you?¡± Mayah smiled hopefully. ¡°Fine¡­ let¡¯s get it over with.¡± ¡°So now, let me show you Riker.¡± She called the r?tten over, picked him up, and turned to mags. ¡°How long will it take you to regen another 700HP?¡± ¡°Well that¡¯s an interesting question.¡± ¡°You are the guinea pig.¡± Margaret look at her screens. ¡°about seventy minutes, 93 in total.¡± ¡°That¡¯ll do fine. I want you to pet Riker a few times until you get five notifications. No more, no less. And hopefully something interesting will happen.¡± Margaret reached out, paused and then asked, ¡°Does it hurt?¡± ¡°More like a numbing sensation.¡± ¡°Oh that¡¯s fine then.¡± Mayah proceeded to pet the r?tten and stopped after about thirty seconds. Margaret flexed her fingers ¡°Whoa, that is totally numb. And an agility and Stamina debuff too?¡± Yep. Did you get any other notifications?¡± No.¡± ¡°lick your finger.¡± Margaret struggled with her limp-noodle hand and sucked on a finger. ¡°Ooooh¡­ Poidon redistance¡­ myah¡­ My mowf id numb.¡± ¡°It¡¯ll pass. I think you have to do that for the skill to trigger. Here let me pour us some tea. It¡¯ll help with the stamina debuff.¡± Deanna you may want to lick him too. Or else you won¡¯t be able to touch him. Same for you Vergie.¡± Mayah facepalmed. ¡°I almost forgot. Treats.¡± She reached into her bag and pulled out some rations and they slipped from her numb fingers. Thank god I¡¯ve still got one good hand.¡± And then her face started to go numb in the shape of her hand. ¡°Shaz!¡± Mayah stood up trying to shake the feeling into her face. All that happened was her lips went numb. ¡°So, I¡¯m starting prep for Clacker¡¯s alley. We need trees and lots of them. I have a plan.¡± ¡°Do tell.¡± Margaret livened up a bit.¡± ¡°What happens when you turn a tree into a grenade?¡± ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡­.. ¡°8:29!!!¡± ¡°I know Ziggs!!!¡± Mo and his teammates sped down a hall looking for the door that could be anywhere. ¡°And 8:30. That¡¯s it guys,¡± Mephi swore. ¡°Game over!!!¡± ¡°Well we did our best. We¡¯re going to have to try this again and again until we get it right.¡± Mo turned his back to a wall and looked at his disheartened friends. Mephi and Ziggs looked past him and Mo saw an outline of his shadow as he saw a bright flash of light reflected on the wall in front of him. He turned and a door was on the wall where there wasn¡¯t one before. It had three doorknobs at varying heights. The glass on the door read Department Of Ordinances and Ministries. The text was aligned to the left so Mo finally understood the acronym. Oh¡­ DOOM¡­. The door opened rather suddenly and a tiny woman about three and a half feet tall Poked her head out. She glared at them and then turned to look about the otherwise empty hallway Mojo Boomstar and party I assume?¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. That wou¡ª¡± ¡°Follow me please.¡± She interjected before Mo could say anymore and hustled off. Mo entered the door and was stunned to see the bare cinderblock walled hallway with lights every twenty feet or so creating a ton of shadows. It was a drastic contrast to the hallways they had been running through for the past forty minutes. He stood there until Ziggs nudged him to follow. The woman said over her shoulder, ¡°Make sure the door is latched properly or else it can¡¯t move.¡± Mephi being the last one in double checked the door and then hustled to catch up with them. They followed the short woman down the creepy hallway until she turned a corner and entered a room filled with people at desks slaving away at documents. They were folding, sorting, stapling, and writing with reckless abandon. None of them even looked up to see who was walking past. As the short woman turned another corner Mo looked back the way they had come, and the hallway was gone. There was no sense of it ever being there. just a solid cinderblock wall. Onward they followed for five minutes in and out of different rooms. One was filled with clerks hustling around either pulling or placing files into or out of file cabinets. The next was a giant mail sorting facility. There was even a doubly large printing room with presses firing off hundreds of sheets a minute. Finally, she reached a door and opened it without hesitation. And ushered them into a waiting room. She motioned for them to have a seat and disappeared through another door more appropriate for someone of her stature. ¡°So, what¡¯s up with the whole basement of demoralized til death theme they got going on in here?¡± Ziggs finally asked breaking the silence. ¡°Beats me.¡± Mo shrugged. ¡°It feels like a labyrinth,¡± Mephi said introspectively. ¡°A labyrinth?¡± Mo asked. ¡°Yeah either that or a prison.¡± ¡°Do you think they¡¯re gonna kill us?¡± Ziggs wondered fearfully. Mo and Mephi stared at the robot box. ¡°I mean it is a video game,¡± Ziggs said, as light flashed from her box. In the distance, they heard a loud bellow that shook the room and made small particles of dust fall from the ceiling. Afterwards Mo and his team froze motionless. Mo had to unwrap his fingers from the arms of the chair after that and looked at his friends. ¡°So, is anyone else ready to go?¡± Mo asked. Mephi nodded yes when the short woman came back through the door looking disheveled and covered with dust. They all slowly settled back into their chairs. ¡°He¡¯ll be with you in a moment.¡± Then she walked behind a desk, appeared to climb some steps, and hopped into a chair and began to deal with her paperwork. The trio sat there frozen and looked at each other. Mephi motioned with his head towards the door and Mo just gave a shrug that said, how? Ziggs just sat still and flashed a strange orange through her circuitry. There was a buzz on the woman¡¯s desk intercom and she reached to press the button and came up short. She stood on her chair and leaned over the desk and pressed the button and said, ¡°Yes?¡± A deep voice that made Treegan sound high pitched rumbled through the intercom and the walls. ¡°Send them in.¡± ¡°Yes, sir. Right away,¡± the receptionist replied. She looked at the trio and motioned to the teeny entryway. ¡°Through that door. You can¡¯t miss him.¡± Then she turned back to her work completely ignoring them. ¡°Thank you, miss,¡± Mo said as he approached the door. She ignored him and Mo turned the knob and basically crawled through the door. All he could see was the half of the room they were in. The front of a desk extended form the shadows and a large hand reached out and grabbed some papers and shuffled them as if looking for something on them. ¡°Hello there, we have an appointment,¡± Mo called into the darkness. ¡°Yes I¡¯m well aware,¡± the voice boomed. ¡°What I¡¯m not aware of is what you actually want.¡± ¡°Ahem,¡± Mo cleared his throat. ¡°we are paladins and¡ª¡± ¡°I am aware of that as well. Can we get to the part where you tell me what information you need so I can get you out of my lair¡ªI mean hair. Please be concise. I have so very much work to do.¡± The large hands shuffled papers and signed some of them. ¡°We would like to find out what kinds of businesses we could open in Drahtspule.¡± Mo said as politely as possible. ¡°Do you mean to tell me you made an appointment with the D.O.O.M. to find out information? I hope the rest of you paladins aren¡¯t this stupid.¡± Mephi took offense. Mo knew because he could smell it. He placed a hand on Mephi¡¯s arm and held him back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir this is a new world for us and¡ª¡± ¡°inconsequential!¡± the voice boomed. ¡°this is a waste of time for all parties involved. I¡¯m going to need you state your purpose or leave.¡± ¡°We tried that, and it didn¡¯t work did it!¡± Mephi let loose. ¡°You cut us off and called us stupid and then called us inconsequential. How is that supposed to help anything?¡± ¡°While I admire your spirit, I wonder if you¡¯ve heard the saying, ¡®stupid is as stupid does.¡¯ This would be a clear case of someone expecting me to do work which is for lack of a better term beneath me. ¡°I will give you one more chance to state your case before I kick you out and ban you from my offices, squashing any hopes you may have of opening anything larger than your mouths, business or otherwise, for a long time.¡± Two large hands came into the light and cracked their knuckles so loudly it sounded like gunshots. Mephi was about to speak again when Ziggs bumped him fairly hard. ¡°Since everyone has had a chance to ask a question, I¡¯ll ask one. Why are we stupid for coming here?¡± The hands fell to rest on the desk for a moment. Then they reached for a box and opened it pulling out a cigar about the size of Mo¡¯s forearm. The cigar disappeared into the shadow and then with a spitting sound a tiny nub rolled out into the light. The hands struck a match and rose to a height that seemed out of human proportions. As the match light illuminated the face they all saw the bovine features and the horns on top of the head. The eyes were glaring at them as the minotaur puffed on his cigar to get it lit. the cloud of smoke grew to surround his face and he snorted out twin streams of smoke from his nose. And shook the match out. ¡°That is a good place to start. I am a minotaur who oversees the creation of most of the legal ventures in this city. I can tell someone that there will be no business of the same kind within the boundaries of the city if I see fit, granting that person great economic rewards. I can also destroy thousands of business with the stroke of a pen. And you come in here asking me what types of businesses you can open? ¡°For you not to know and be standing in front of me is a waste of my valuable time and your not so valuable time. And we are all operating at a loss. I hate losing. Whether it¡¯s time, money or influence. So, we get to the real reason this meeting is stupid. And to make sure it gets hammered in I¡¯m going to ask you some questions. The minotaur leaned forward so his head was in the light. Even sitting down and leaning forward his head was at least 6 feet above Mo¡¯s. His glare studied them intensely making them squirm where they stood. ¡°The first question is," and here the minotaur paused for dramatic effect. "if you are in need of information where should be the first places you should go?¡± The trio stood silently. The minotaur tapped its finger waiting. ¡°DON¡¯T WASTE MY TIME!!!¡± he suddenly bellowed. ¡°Give me an answer or by the eight, I will make your lives miserable.¡± Their brains were finally jogged back into cognition. ¡°The information stand.¡± ¡°Someone in the same business we want to open.¡± ¡°The library.¡± The minotaur relaxed a bit. ¡°See you¡¯re not completely stupid.¡± ¡°So now we know where you should start your journey. Maybe you should all get there before you all disappear into my labyrinth of paperwork.¡± The hands began shuffling paperwork again. ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Mephi said and made for the door followed by a shaking box of circuits. But before they could make it there, Mo paused and stroked his chin. ¡°You said you hate losing.¡± The papers froze. ¡°Yes, I did say that.¡± ¡°Well, I believe that I can help with making it up to you.¡± A chuckle escaped from the minotaur¡¯s throat. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°I have a feeling that you don¡¯t get out of your office much. And a man who likes the finer things in life, such as yourself, can¡¯t have much time to get those things. How about I run errands for you for a day or two and you point us in the right direction. Worst case scenario you get some errands done and we pay you back for the time we wasted.¡± The minotaur sat forward again studying Mo to make sure he wasn¡¯t joking. He looked him up and down and began to laugh. It rose in volume and timbre until Mo had to cover his ears. When he finally settled down, he looked directly at Mo. ¡°Interesting.¡± He puffed on his cigar and then closed his eyes deep in thought. ¡°I believe I have a few personal matters that need to be attended to that you might help me with. Show up at 7 p.m. tonight. It will give me a chance to do a little digging and I¡¯ll give you all of the details then.¡± ¡°Sounds fair. But how will I find you again?¡± The minotaur flipped him a blue crystal the size of his fist. ¡°Just carry this and I¡¯ll send the door for you.¡± ¡°One last thing.¡± Mo said causing the minotaur furrow his brow and grow annoyed. ¡°What should I call you?¡± The minotaur paused and then just started laughing loudly. When he finally calmed down he wiped a tear from his eye and looked Mo in the face. ¡°You can call me Taur¡± ¡°Tower?¡± Ziggs asked ¡°No. Ta as in ¡®ta ta¡¯ and ur as in ¡®urrr¡­ you¡¯re still here?¡¯ GET OUT OF MY OFFICE,¡± Taur bellowed. The trio ducked out of the tiny door as fast as they could. After they shut the door Taur pressed the button on his intercom. ¡°Come in here.¡± ¡°Right away sir.¡± The voice on the other end said. Not a minute later the tiny woman walked through the door. ¡°Baef, I want you to get Zhi''Zhu on the horn. Tell her that I have some subjects that might be perfect for her new endeavor. I¡¯ll send them over around eight. Ask her where she wants them delivered.¡± ¡°As you wish, sir,¡± the diminutive receptionist bowed to Taur. 13.2 Lumber Jacking

13.2 Lumber Jacking

Mayah gathered a bunch of trees with her storage wand leaving the clearing half again as large as it was prior. The deforested plot had deep holes where there were formerly trees. ¡°Okay, now that the leg is back to 100% it¡¯s time to craft something new while we wait for the cat. I¡¯m gonna enchant a tree grenade and see how it works.¡± She took a delivery parcel out and put a tree crystal in it, tossed it across the field and ran in the opposite direction. The tree blossomed out and fell to the ground with a thud. ¡°Now it¡¯s time to get to work!!!¡± She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. She put on her enchanter¡¯s gear and strode over to the tree. She placed her hand on it and enchanted the tree. Or tried to. Her mana bottomed out, followed by her stamina. She sensed the mana trying to fill the tree and there wasn¡¯t enough of it to accomplish the job. This thing is about to blow. She only had time to yell, ¡°DUCK!!!¡± Before the inevitable happened. Shards of wood pelted her and knocked her back as pieces of bark and hardwood drop upon her and flew everywhere. ¡°Wow!¡± she said as she laid there for a moment. That was until she was scooped up and smashed against a familiar bosom. ¡°Fluff!! Are you alright?¡± Mayah pat Margaret on the back. ¡°I¡¯m okay Mags.¡± ¡°Are you sure? No concussions or debuffs?¡± ¡°Nope. Perfectly okay. Well, almost perfectly.¡± They stood up and Mayah examined the tree. Her enchantment had destroyed a large chunk of the tree. The damage extended in a ragged circle, making both ends look like something had chewed them. ¡°I wonder¡­¡± she mumbled to herself. She waited for her mana and stamina to refill and went to the tip of the tree since it was smaller and pulled up her analyze tab. The half of a tree spun around until it locked in all the data. The tip of the tree was about fifteen-foot-long only the first twelve feet was trunk. It had a diameter of about a foot and a half at the bottom and about nine inches before it became the topmost limbs. She outlined a long cylinder around just the core of the tree and held the tab open, overlaying it on the tree. She reached out to begin the enchantment when a hand spun her around. ¡°You¡¯re not about to do THAT again, are you?¡± A stern-faced Margaret waggled a finger in her face. ¡°Yes, Mags I am. Not as poorly as I did last time though.¡± ¡°How¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Well, I just figure out that my mana is limited to a certain volume of matter during an enchantment. So if I can contain the mana into that volume, I may have a chance of succeeding with the tree grenade.¡± ¡°How dangerous is that going to be?¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Mayah answered with a shrug. Margaret scowled at her. Mayah had a very serious and deeply disturbing thought about her own mortality. If I die doing this Grax and I won¡¯t be able to stay in the dungeon. As nonchalantly as she could Mayah said, ¡°Hey Mags, let¡¯s add you back to the party.¡± She then sent Mags a party invite. ¡°You forgot to add me back to the party. And what would have happened I you had died?¡± ¡°You would have been here alone.¡± ¡°Until Grax respawned.¡± Mayah looked away. ¡°You mean alone alone?¡± Mayah cowed as Margaret''s voice raised. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Margaret accepted the invite hurriedly. ¡°Young lady¡­ what would have happened if I had died during Deanna¡¯s attack. ¡°You¡¯d have been kicked out of the dungeon.¡± ¡°By myself?¡± Mayah nodded guiltily Margaret¡¯s scowl deepened. ¡°Wait till I tell Grax.¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, I didn¡¯t die. You didn¡¯t die. No harm no foul, right?¡± ¡°As much as you hold us to a higher standard there is no way you can dodge this one. You shall be subject to the full Grax inquiry as punishment.¡± Mayah whined painfully, ¡°Mmmmmm¡­. Yes, Ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°Now that the punishment fits the crime. Do you really think you can make the tree grenades work?¡± ¡°I was about to find out with this test.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ll let you get back to it. Stay safe, dear.¡± ¡°Doing my best.¡± Margaret gave her a smile. And Mayah turned back to what she was doing. She overlaid her analysis of the tree back in place and focused on her cylinder. She went to the broken end of the tree as the cylinder went up the center of the tree and was only accessible there. She touched it with one finger, took a deep breath, and began her enchantment. As the mana flowed forth, the tree tried to drink up all of her mana, but she forcefully tried to throttle it back. The flow slowed down considerably and she attempted to slow it down even further. It soon turned into a trickle of magic that held it from dropping over 30 points every second. This, in turn, allowed her to add her regen into the equation as every second she would add almost 17 points of mana. She was using only 13 mana per second. As her mana flowed, she examined its path and analyze kicked in showing her the routes that mana was flowing. She focused on the cylinder and pulled in the excess mana that had traveled out to the leaves, limbs, and surface of the trunk. It began to collect towards the cylinder and her mana was still at one quarter and dropping much slower than any enchantment before. With a burst of willpower, she forced the mana to compress into the cylinder and she still had mana left. She let the excess mana leak from the cylinder evenly filling the wood and permeating the fibers. When she was down to 5% she thought grenade and the enchantment ended. Ding!!!
Enchantment Level 9
Infuse an object with your mana creating a new item by altering its base structures. Properties and qualities of enchanted objects will vary with the amount of mana used and the quality of the object. At higher levels, you can use mana from external sources. The amount of mana will depend on the enchanter¡¯s level and the level of enchantment placed upon objects. Objects created with mana from external sources may retain some traits of the external source.
Cost 100 mana
- 92% Chance that failed enchantment will destroy any objects involved. - 8% Chance that the enchanted object will retain two or more of the external object¡¯s properties.
You have received 15 skill tree points. You have 78 unspent skill tree points
DING!!!
You have upgraded the enchantment skill:
Mana Control 2
You have gained a basic understanding of how to form and shape mana. This allows you to visualize the flows of mana you produce while enchanting. You will have greater control over size shape and density of mana you can project. Denser manas will be easier to handle and the rarer or less dense manas will be easier to coalesce into manageable densities.
All mana usage costs 12% less.
For upgrading the Mana Control enchantment skill tree without a trainer or unlocking its prerequisites, you have received 50 skill tree points. You have 128 skill tree points remaining.
DING!!!!
Enchanted Grenadier Level 6
Shaped Charges? Oh yeah!!! Shaped charges. You can now shape the areas that will explode within an object. Creating focused blasts that will produce more shrapnel and physical damage. Grenade will deal physical damage based on the type of material used and magical damage based on the type of spell you use. You will be able to better determine the level and the fuse of the grenade in higher levels. Damage will rise in higher levels.
Fuse length: Adjustable (2-10 seconds from activation)
Cost: 85MP Damage: 60DP/per cubic inch
Chance of stun: 35% Chance of temporary blindness 35%
DING!!!
You have Created a New Item
Name: Tree Grenade
Type: Shrapnel Grenade
Energy: 2,256 (12 per cubic inch)
Enchantment: Grenade
Grade: D (Unique)
Material: Wood
Weight: 572 lbs.
Damage: 50 blunt trauma/60 explosion and shrapnel
Range: 10 Foot diameter (The farther from the explosion the target is the lower the damage will be.)
Durability: 70/70
Set fuse length (2-10) seconds. Default is set at 2 seconds Y/N?
Activate Grenade Y/N?
For creating new items in Majesta 50XP (bonus)
Ding!!!
Level Up
Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff
Level 23
13544XP till next level
You have 2 unassigned Stat points and 4 unassigned Attribute points to assign.
Mayah did a little dance and assigned her stat and attribute points. 2 points to mana, 2 points to intelligence¡­ She paused for a moment thinking about how mana control had kicked in. If my regen is high enough to overcome the draw of the enchantment, I can literally fill things with mana even if I have less mana than the enchantment needs. I still can¡¯t stop pushing my HP regen though, so I¡¯ll alternate between endurance and constitution every level. This time endurance gets it. She added 3 points to intelligence and 1point to endurance and examined the short version of her sheet.
Name: Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff
Race: Princess
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Title(s) High Empress of the Pie Mountains, Enchanted Seamstress, Enchanted Grenadier, Enchanted Armorer
Raider Mark(s) Imps of Avarice
Class Skill: Engineer Class Skill Points
Specialization: Runes 25
Level: 23 XP: 13,544/13,553
Hp: 1926 Regen: 20.55HP per minute
Stats
Strength 23 (+10% Equip Bonus) Max. lift: 177 +17lbs
Mana: 49 Mana pool: 1470
MP Regen: 20.07 per sec.
Stamina: 39 (base 37 +2 equip bonus) Depletion rate at max effort: .33SP per sec.
Regen: 37.83 per min.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
Attributes Bonuses
Constitution: 26 (Base 22) +15%
Endurance 27 (Base 23) +21%
Intelligence 54 (Base 43) +28%
Presence: 19 (Base 16) +21%
Perception: 14 (Base 12) +27%
Agility: 12 (base 19+1 equip) +17%
Her HP was climbing nicely and her regen across the board was rising drastically. She would fully regenerate her health in 93 minutes. And her stamina regen was almost infinite at this point. I¡¯ll be able to stop adding to endurance and constitution soon. And I¡¯ll be able to focus on Mana for what I want. I may be a bit of a glass cannon in higher levels but I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll figure out how to fix that by then. She gave her chart a satisfied nod and turned back to the tree grenade and looked at the information. Shrapnel grenade? Okay, if you say so. And I only added enough mana to get 12DP per cubic inch. I wonder if this is gonna pack enough punch to do what it needs to. She thought about it for a second. Only one way to find out. She pulled out her storage wand, activated the grenade for 10 seconds and ran from the base of the tree up to the tip pulling the wand behind her with all the strength she had. She wondered if the tree would explode before she had it fully sealed. As she struggled, and the timer ticked down, she threw her mana into the wand, increasing the buzzing noise of the wand. The tree finally began to get sucked into the runiverse during the last five feet and she got it into the wand with 2 seconds to spare. ¡°Mass vs runeagram surface area. May have to do some experiments to determine how much energy I¡¯m expending and what the best solution is.¡± She walked over to Margaret. ¡°Hey Mags, how¡¯s the engraving going?¡± Margaret looked up from her vise that had an arrow clamped in it on an arrow. ¡°Pretty good. How is your tree grenade coming?¡± ¡°I was just coming to you to test that out.¡± She offered Mags the crystal. ¡°Where do you want it?¡± ¡°At least one hundred feet away from us.¡± ¡°I can do that.¡± She affixed the crystal to an arrow and launched it over the field. It struck and one second later a tree blossomed almost straight up. Before it could even fall flat, it exploded into shrapnel that flew out ten feet in every direction. When the debris settled, they walked over and examined the tree. There were some parts of the tree trunk that were whole with pieces blown off of them. Towards the tip where it was the thinnest, the trunk was obliterated. Chunks as large as Mayah¡¯s head lay strewn around along with large splinters and mulch. ¡°Well, I guess we don¡¯t need to worry about firewood for a while.¡± ¡°Guess not. But it needs more bang.¡± ¡°You do love to make dangerous toys. ¡°Best toys to have in a dungeon, Mags.¡± ¡°I guess you¡¯re right.¡± ¡°I¡¯m gonna try this again. Thanks for the help out.¡± ¡°Anything for you, dear.¡± Mayah tossed out another tree. About thirty-five feet tall with a base about two feet in diameter. She broke off one of the lower branches. It was about 9 inches in diameter at its base and tapered down to about 3 before completely branching out. It was about 9 feet long and activated her analyze on it. Instead of a cylinder I¡¯ll use a flexible rectangular prism one inch high and one inch wide and then I need to determine the length as I go. That¡¯ll give me easy to judge cubic inches and help me calculate the damage. Mayah activated her voice recorder and got ready to make a note. ¡°Ahem¡­ Mana control experiment one. Can I slow down the flow of my mana to allow my regeneration rate to overcome the drain of my enchantment, thereby creating a bottomless well for me to access? ¡°Test one. I will attempt to create a flexible rectangular prism and try to reach my max storage capacity allowed by my enchanted grenadier ability. While I¡¯m fairly certain that I could reach this capacity on smaller objects I am more interested in using my mana control to extend the time of the enchantment. That would allow me to reach the desired capacity in larger objects beyond my present capabilities. ¡°I will test to see what capacities I can reach and how much control I have over my mana during the enchantment. ¡°Step one I am building the prismatic shape into the limb of wood I am using for this experiment. Making sure that the volume is a whole number of cubic inches¡ªfor ease of calculation. The prismatic shape is now 113 cubic inches in volume. To fill this space to the maximum of my capacity, I would need 6,780MP. My current Mana pool is only 1470MP which is roughly 21.68% of the needed mana to accomplish the job. I am now beginning my enchantment and my mana is being pulled out extremely fast. I have managed to slow it down at the ? mark. I am focusing on lowering the draw from the object to let my regen pick up for the draw. Every second I can extend the enchantment will add 20MP to the final project. I am now down to the halfway point. Mana draw is down to roughly 30MP per second I have no instruments to judge this and am judging by the movement of my mana bar. ¡°It has taken another 10 seconds to get my mana bar to reach the one quarter mark and the mana draw is still steady at about 30MP per second. At this rate, the enchantment will end soon. Mayah let her mana drop to five percent and then cut off her flow of mana with the thought grenade. ¡°I could hold the enchantment for roughly 100 seconds and the item information says I have imparted it with 3,112 energy. That¡¯s only 27 energy per cubic inch. I hypothesize that if I can minimize the initial draw to match the slower draw of the enchantment that presents during my forced suppression of my mana flow that I should be able to impart up to 4,295 energy into the grenade. ¡°There are only three ways I am left to increase the amount of imparted energy. 1. Increase my mana pool a goal that I focus on every time I level. 2. Increase my regeneration rate to be higher than the 30MP per second draw I experience. 3. Reduce the draw through the use of skills abilities and any other means that I come across. ¡°This brings me to my final point. I need to find out what the mana draws are for different materials. Metal is definitely more mana intensive but I don¡¯t have any large pieces of metal to experiment on so those tests will have to wait for later. She ended her recording and sat with her thoughts. At least now I know how much mana I can hope to imbue into something. But how do I stop flooding the object at first? It was always just push as much mana as I could into an object because I didn¡¯t have any control and I needed to get it done as fast as possible. Now I¡¯m getting up to the finesse levels and I need more info. Now I¡¯m really mad that I passed out last night I had so much work to do. Anyway, time to hit the forums for a bit. I¡¯ll read while I channel my mana into some trees. ¡­.. ¡°That guy was giving off serious boss vibes. I thought we were gonna have to respawn,¡± Ziggs said flashing red and yellow. ¡°Me too, trashbot. Me, too. And that brings me to this point. Booms how do you manage to find a quest everywhere we go?¡± ¡°I just listen. That guy felt like we were stealing his time, and then I thought what if tried to pay him back.¡± ¡°And you did all of that without needing a new change of shorts?¡± Ziggs asked. ¡°I figured it was worth a shot. New shorts or not.¡± ¡°Well now, that we¡¯ve gotten breakfast and a few supplies what should we do? Gummish said they¡¯d be back around eleven.¡± ¡°Maybe we do like Taur said and go to the library.¡± ¡°That¡­ That actually makes sense.¡± Mephi said ¡°And let¡¯s pick up a map of Drahtspule, so we don¡¯t get lost,¡± Ziggs added ¡°That makes even more sense. This city is humongous.¡± Mo went to the closest vendor in the marketplace and asked for the nearest place they could get a map. The vendor gave them directions to a store about a five-minute walk away and said, ¡°It says something family maps. The name slips my mind at the moment.¡± They followed the directions and found themselves standing in front of Crassel¡¯s Family Mapmaking. In a smaller text right below, it said for all of your cartography and surveying needs. ¡°Does anyone else think it¡¯s weird that this shop is owned by the Crassel family?¡± ¡°Do you think it¡¯s the same Crassel?¡± ¡°It might be. But let¡¯s make sure we get what we need before we mention it.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°In case Crassel¡¯s personal reputation is in the doghouse. No need paying more for something just because we¡¯re guilty by association.¡± ¡°Man, you sure can make sense sometimes.¡± Mephi slapped him on the back. ¡°Why do I have the feeling that you¡¯re milking me for gaming techniques?¡± ¡°Man, you sure a keen intuition there, bud. One day you may even be a real boy.¡± Mephi slapped him on the back again. ¡°You too, Ziggs?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a lady. We always pay attention to what¡¯s going on around us. In case we need to, ya know, pull somebody''s file and read them the riot act.¡± ¡°Awesome,¡± Mo groaned. ¡°Let¡¯s go get us a map.¡± They walked through the door making the tiny wind chimes ring, alerting the owner who yelled, ¡°I¡¯ll be right there.¡± A woman about thirty years old or so came out front covered in an apron that had multicolored ink smudges on it. She was wiping her hands off and threw the rag behind the counter before walking out to greet them. ¡°G¡¯day there, welcome to Crassel¡¯s family maps how may I help you?¡± ¡°We were looking for some maps.¡± ¡°Well, we definitely have those. Would you like to be more specific?¡± ¡°To start a map of Drahtspule,¡± Mo said. ¡°Maybe a map of dungeons and places to level?¡± Ziggs added. ¡°And add some places to get other types of resources as well,¡± Mephi added. ¡°Ah, now we have an idea of what you want. I can provide a map with ten levels of accuracy for certain qualities. A level one street map will get you literally the streets and will miss alleys and walkways and anything else. No buildings, no markers, or any other available data. A level ten map will give you a map with multi-angle views, as seen on our most recent surveys. Those happen every three months or so, so the information is very current. You can add a map of the sewer and the map will take on a three-dimensional aspect showing you the heights and depths of the surrounding land. ¡°There are services that I can add to your map allowing them to add any data you find. And if you do find something and bring it back to us, we will pay you handsomely for it. There are services that update your map with crime reports and monster attacks. ¡°The cost mainly comes down to what size map you want, how detailed you want it, and what services you want added to your map.¡± ¡°And how do these maps update?¡± ¡°Well, you either stop at the local information broker and pay a nominal fee per service. You come to a local mapmaker, such as myself, and again you would have to pay the fee. Unless we work out a deal. Or for the very rich you get a service that will self update the map. Those services update anywhere from monthly to hourly depending on how much you pay.¡± ¡°Okay, let¡¯s start with Drahtspule and the surrounding countryside.¡± ¡°For the level one map that would be 70 silver. It goes one hundred miles from city center.¡± ¡°How much for the level 10 map?¡± ¡°3 gold 10 silver.¡± ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll start there. what other features can we add besides the sewers?¡± ¡°Besides sewers, we have the rogues map. That one is a bit more dated as they change as soon as we publish them and it¡¯s harder to get the new one until a criminal gets captured and shares the map for leniency. It has over-roof travel ways some underground and sewer paths. It¡¯s nice to have in case you get into a bit of trouble. We also have trade maps. Those are maps specialized for each trade showing hotspots for their activities. ¡°For instance, the alchemist¡¯s map shows all the alchemist guild, the alchemist¡¯s shops, and alchemist¡¯s supply shops in the city. And it also shows places in the countryside where you can find certain plants and ingredients.¡± ¡°Do you have a trade, booms?¡± Ziggs asked. ¡°Not I. what about you two?¡± Mo asked. ¡°Wait a minute,¡± Ziggs said turning to the saleswoman. ¡°Do you have maps for certain class skills?¡± ¡°I most certainly do. I¡¯m assuming that you all are paladins due to your odd appearance?¡± The trio nodded. ¡°So far very few maps for the new class skills have arrived. But if you find any information and will swear an oath that you haven¡¯t sold it to anyone else first, I¡¯ll pay top dollar for your map information.¡± DING!!!
You have been offered a quest:
The cartographer¡¯s need
The Cartographer and Map maker Stella Crassel would like to bring her your Class Skill specific map information. As Paladins arrive in Majesta information about their new and exotic class skills is limited. Stella wants you to bring her the information first. Time limit: No time limit Rewards: Better than average payment for your map information Failure: If someone has already sold Stella the information you attempt to sell her. Or you have sold the information to someone before Stella.
Do you accept? Y/N?
Mo accepted the quest and said, ¡°So, from the quest I just received, I¡¯m guessing your name is Stella?¡± ¡°Yes, it is, Stella Crassel. Pleasure to meet you all.¡± She shook everyone¡¯s hands warmly except for Ziggs who didn¡¯t show her a hand. ¡°I¡¯m Booms. This is Mephi and Ziggs. So let¡¯s get back to the business at hand.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, lets.¡± ¡°I want to know if we¡¯ll be able to share this map?¡± ¡°Maps are singular items. It someone in the party has a map they can share it with the party. If the party member leaves the party, then they will only retain their own personal map. If the person who leaves the party is the map holder, then the map goes with them.¡± ¡°That is good to know. In that case, I will be buying my own map.¡± ¡°So will I,¡± Ziggs chimed in. ¡°Well, I guess I am too, then,¡± Mephi said with a chuckle. Stella went back behind the counter and pulled out three sheets of paper. ¡°Let¡¯s begin with a map for Booms and if either of you wants features that we talk about let me know and I¡¯ll make a mark on your map order. Sound good?¡± ¡°Works for me,¡± Ziggs answered. ¡°Same here,¡± Mephi replied. ¡­.. Mayah Had decided that using whole trees for grenades was beyond her at this point, but she was practicing another skill. Splitting trees. She was enchanting a cross-section of the tree and then turning it into a grenade. She would activate the grenade and then use the explosion to make smaller sections of tree. Which she would enchant as grenades, in turn. She had six-foot logs laying all over the place waiting to be enchanted and was making more by the minute. She was mumbling to herself as she worked. ¡°I wish analyze could calculate volume so I could know exactly how much mana I would need to dump into each enchantment. Each tree is a completely different circumference and not being able to tell is killing me.¡± She was analyzing as she worked creating a cross-section in the wood and filling with what she hopes was the correct amount of mana to make the tree split cleanly. So far, she had erred on both sides of that equation. ¡°Too much mana and the ends explode with shrapnel. Not enough mana and the tree doesn¡¯t completely separate and I have to do it again. Too thin of a cross-section and it doesn¡¯t pack the punch it needs unless I add too much mana and then shrapnel. To wide a cross-section and it doesn¡¯t have the power to break evenly.¡± At this moment she was trying the narrowest cross-section she could because she felt that was where her answer lay. She imbued the enchantment and then thought grenade. She set the timer to 10 seconds and walked away. After a muffled whoomph sound she walked back to find that the edges though not flat were much smoother than before. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m getting there. That initial rush of mana is still making it hard to judge my mana flow. What if I start the enchantment before I touch the wood? Will that work?¡± Her brow furrowed. She moved to a new section of tree, analyzed and set her zone, as she¡¯d begun calling it. She activated her enchantment. And nothing happened. She moved her finger closer and tried again. Nothing. She moved her finger closer and felt a tingling as she cast enchantment. Her mana started to drop but extremely slowly. She held her finger there willing her mana into the log. And her stamina started dropping as well. Wha..? She continued willing the mana to shape into the disk in the tree and then felt a resistance. She thought grenade and stopped her enchantment. DING!!!
You have learned the enchantment skill:
Mana Projection
You have learned that the basic nature of mana isn¡¯t based in touch. Mana flows all around us and can be projected outside of your body. You will now be more aware of and be able to control exterior flows of mana near your person. Your sensitivity and control using your own mana has increased.
Sensitivity: 15%
Projection range: 6 inches
For learning the Mana projection enchantment skill tree without a trainer or unlocking its prerequisites, you have received 50 skill tree points. You have 178 skill tree points remaining.
¡°Well, I¡¯ll be.¡± She opened up her Skill Tree tab to see if she could upgrade it but it sat at a dead end. ¡°Shaz. Looks like I¡¯ll have to level this the hard way.¡± She sniffed. ¡°Still totally worth it.¡± She touched the tree and activated the grenade for 10 seconds and walked away. It whoomphed and she went back to examine the almost clean cut. ¡°YES!!!¡± She did a little victory dance and moonwalking and spinning with a dab finale for good measure. ¡°I¡¯m doing it so good,¡± She sang. And made a few more sections with her new technique. Feeling the resistance she cut the enchantment she¡¯d think grenade and cut the flow. Each time was almost perfect. ¡°Now that I got that down it¡¯s time to figure out the mana rate I channel at so I can up the total amount of mana in the enchantment. And then we¡¯ll move on to which shape gives the most bang for the buck. Small condensed shaped enchantment or overall enchantment.¡± Step One What happens when I move outside of the projection field during an enchantment? She found a log that was about the size of her torso and began projecting her man into it. Then she snatched her hand back, stopping the flow. A small section of the log that was imbued with mana exploded, leaving a pockmark on the log. Okay, now we know what happens when I do that. She began projecting her mana into the log again and watching her mana bar it was taking about 27 mana per second. Not as good as I¡¯d hoped but I¡¯ll take anything at this point. She stopped the enchantment and moved on to the next phase. She found two logs that were roughly the same weight and did her slow enchantment for the first one. which drained her stamina roughly 1MP for every 100MP she imbued into the wood. For two minutes and twenty-six seconds she held her hand two inches away from the wood. After that, her stamina was drained down to her last point, and she placed her hand on the wood to watch her mana drain at the normal 30MP per second. For another fifty seconds she held her hand there and then thought grenade. She ID¡¯d the grenade and found it had 5,404 energy. That¡¯s even better than my previous calculations of 4,295 energy. It¡¯s still not enough for a whole tree but I¡¯m liking the way this is going, even though it does take a long time. She went to the second tree and repeated the process using the central cylinder method. She received the same results for both give or take a few energy points. They both had a 50-foot diameter blast zone that Mayah was loving. ¡°I guess it¡¯s because there¡¯s more energy concentrated in a smaller piece of material.¡± She activated each fuse for ten seconds and placed them into the runiverse, one at a time, of course. She marked the one with the cylinder with some ink because they both identified as tree grenade and then she strode over to Margaret. ¡°I was wondering when you were going to come show me something,¡± Margaret said looking up from her work. ¡°Well, since we¡¯re waiting for the cat again, I figured I¡¯d get some work done.¡± ¡°What were you working on?¡± ¡°Fine tuning my mana control. It was maddening, but it led to something good so I¡¯m okay with that.¡± She held out the two crystals. ¡°Which one do you want to try first?¡± ¡°Which one do you suggest?¡± ¡°That¡¯s like asking, which child is your favorite.¡± ¡°Every parent has their favorite, but they just won¡¯t tell you that.¡± Mayah grimaced at Margaret while the grandmother just smiled innocently. ¡°Fine, let¡¯s go with this one first. It¡¯ll make a better baseline.¡± She handed Margaret the unmarked crystal. ¡°See I knew you could pick your favorite.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure about that yet. It could turn out to be a dud.¡± ¡°Same with your favorite child.¡± Margaret smiled innocently at Mayah. ¡°Get going, lady. I¡¯ve got work to do.¡± Margaret chuckled and strapped the crystal to the delivery arrow. ¡°How far downrange?¡± ¡°A little further than last time. This one has some oomph to it. Matter of fact, drop it in between some trees so we can see what kind of damage it does to the surrounding area.¡± Margaret aimed and fired. The arrow landed between two trees at the edge of the clearing and the log bloomed back into reality. It sat for 4 seconds and then went off with a crack that made Mayah and Margaret duck their heads and check the skies. The trees surrounding the blast zone were swaying wildly from the concussion and a cloud of splinters and debris was still falling to the ground. ¡°You weren¡¯t kidding about oomph!¡± ¡°I guess I wasn¡¯t. Okay next.¡± She handed Margaret the marked crystal. ¡°Put it far enough away from the first one that we can examine both scenes independently.¡± ¡°You got it, boss.¡± Margaret chuckled again and nocked the arrow. It flew across the field landing in between a group of trees and a log appeared from nowhere and sat for a few moments in which Mayah and Margaret covered their ears. They still felt the boom in their chests as one tree toppled over instantly and it left another leaning precariously. The last tree had a giant gouge taken out of the trunk and might fall over if it didn¡¯t stop swaying soon. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be. What did you put in those logs?¡± ¡°5,404 points of mana.¡± ¡°How did you get so much?¡± ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯m so intelligent.¡± Margaret stared at her stone-faced. ¡°No, really. I swear it. Hand to God.¡± She raised a hand to the sky. Margaret¡¯s face didn¡¯t change. ¡°Look Mags it¡¯s because I have 43 points in intelligence along with bonuses it shows up as 54 on my sheet. My Mana regen is sickening. Full regen, from 0 to 1470, in 1 minute and 13 seconds. ¡°That fast?¡± ¡°Yep! What¡¯s your highest stat?¡± ¡°Perception.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°It helps with my aim.¡± Mayah nodded. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± ¡°Agility.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because it helps me nock and draw faster and avoid being hit.¡± ¡°And after that?¡± ¡°Constitution and endurance.¡± ¡°If you had more intelligence, you¡¯d be able to shoot more shadow lightning. And resurrection doll would probably level faster. Which brings me to my final point. You really need to be using life drain.¡± Margaret hung her head. ¡°Don¡¯t be sad, cast it. It¡¯ll help keep us alive. ¡°I guess that means I need more mana, too.¡± ¡°Why do you say that?¡± ¡°I have to drop a doll in order to cast life drain.¡± ¡°Oh Mags, oh Mags oh Mags. You poor unfortunate soul. So sad, so noob.¡± Mayah stroked her back. ¡°Anyway, ready to check out the damage we did?¡± They walked across the field and found the scene covered in mulch. Besides some forearm sized kindling, there wasn¡¯t much left. ¡°I would hate to be next to that when it went off.¡± Mayah knelt down and examined the sawdust letting the powdery wood fall through her fingers. ¡°I wonder what would happen if I added a few Over (F) runes.¡± She mumbled to herself. She stood up, looked over the scene and noticed the bark blown off of the trees facing the explosion. The damage to the wood underneath was minimal. She rolled that over in her mind. ¡°Next site.¡± ¡°Right behind you, dear.¡± They walked over to the other explosion. Cords of wood lay thrown about like someone set off a bomb under a Pile of firewood. Mayah instantly noticed the multiple impact marks on the tree trunks. The tree that hadn¡¯t fallen over was hanging on by a literal thread. ¡°Eyes up Mags. This tree is scaring me. I¡¯m gonna take it down before it takes us out.¡± She wrapped her runeagram ribbon around it. And pulled it into the runiverse, and Mayah relaxed. ¡°Okay Mags, what do you see?¡± ¡°A whole lot of destruction.¡± ¡°Correct. But what makes this explosion site different from the other one?¡± ¡°The other site had smaller pieces of wood that were pretty evenly spaced as far as coverage goes. This one looks like a bunch of cannonballs bounced through here.¡± ¡°Exactly! The first one gave us a nice concussive wave plus small shrapnel. It¡¯s more of an anti-personnel grenade. Meaning it would work better on soft targets or anything with little to no armor. The second one doesn¡¯t care if you have armor or not. It¡¯ll rattle you like a bean in a tin can.¡± ¡°Interesting. So, which one are you going to focus on today?¡± ¡°Which one do you think will help us in Clacker¡¯s alley the most?¡± ¡°Definitely the second one. Because you said we need crushing damage.¡± ¡°Right you are Maggy-Pie.¡± ¡°Maggy-pie? Really?¡± Mayah shrugged. ¡°Well, that takes me back to me being a baby in bell-bottoms.¡± The image of Margaret as a child wearing bell-bottoms flashed into Mayah¡¯s mind. But it had Margaret doing John Travolta¡¯s signature disco point. Mayah chuckled. ¡°My grandpa used to call me that name as a child.¡± Margaret let out a happy sigh. Then she wrapped Mayah in a warm embrace. ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± hugging her back. ¡°A thank you for helping me remember good times.¡± She smiled down at Mayah. ¡°Now let¡¯s get back to work so we can be ready for the cat when he gets here. It¡¯s about 11 and I want to see these beauties in action. Also, they¡¯ll scare the cat silly if we surprise him.¡± ¡°Good idea Mags.¡± ¡°Okay, where are you on engraving arrows?¡± ¡°I think I¡¯m about good.¡± ¡°Wanna work on the stamps?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see why not. You¡¯ll be able to enchant them after the logs of doom.¡± ¡°Yes, I will. Mwhahahahaha¡­. Mawahahahahaha¡­¡± Margaret just chuckled at the sinister scientist. ¡­.. ¡°Finally, you¡¯re here!!!¡± Grax fully materialized by the portal stone. ¡°Sorry you know my pod gets here tomorrow and I¡¯ll be in all week. Mom got all clingy. Since I¡¯d be there, but I wouldn¡¯t be there. The only reason I even made it back in is she has a conference call for work. She would¡¯ve made me watch some sappy film with her and I would¡¯ve been bored out of my mind.¡± ¡°Okay, I can understand that. I might still give you guff about it. But I understand.¡± ¡°Thanks, Fluff. Hey, Mags. Now that I¡¯m here what¡¯s the plan?¡± They stared at Grax and then, in unison, all three of them pointed at the cave entrance and chanted. ¡°We go that way and kill things. Wash, rinse, repeat.¡± ¡°So in the good news department, I don¡¯t have to log out till breakfast. That should be close to two days in-game with no interruptions, and then I¡¯ll be in it to win it.¡± ¡°Now that is good news. So let¡¯s check in and make sure we have everything in case we get railroaded into another dungeon.¡± ¡°Good idea.¡± ¡°Mags where are you with arrows?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just about doubled the amount of delivery arrows I¡¯ve started with. And I get arrows back when I loot downed mobs so I¡¯m doing pretty good.¡± ¡°And you still have the whip?¡± ¡°Sure do.¡± ¡°Grax how are you on stilettos?¡± ¡°Getting on the low side.¡± Mayah huffed. ¡°I know, I know, but I¡¯m here now.¡± ¡°Anything else you need?¡± ¡°Nope, just throwing knives.¡± And we¡¯re pretty flush with grenades. I still wish we had more crushing damage for the boneheads.¡± She snapped her fingers. ¡°Idea!¡± Pulling out a piece of paper, she drew the rune for twain on it. She enchanted it and then pulled out happiness giving it a quick kiss. Then she activated the rune and a stone copy of happiness appeared in her off-hand. She tossed it to Grax who fumbled to catch it. He swung it around his head fairly easily. Even though that was closer to knee cap level. ¡°I¡¯m the knee-capitator!!!¡± Mayah laughed. ¡°Would those help you out at all? They are literally just earthen hammers. Slap it against the ground a few times and you¡¯ll see what I mean.¡± Grax did as ordered. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s pretty flimsy.¡± ¡°But I could give you a couple hundred of them.¡± She said smugly. ¡°Sold to el Gato Destrucci¨®n!¡± ¡°Awesome. Mags can you help destruction cat with stilettos and I¡¯ll pump out hammers for both of you and well leave in about half an hour?¡± ¡°Sounds wonderful to me, dear.¡± Mayah put her hand out palm down. ¡°Bring it in, gang.¡± When the others put their hands in the chant began. ¡°Fluff ¡®em up, Cut ¡®em up, Raise ¡®em up!!! GiiiiiiiiiiiiT GUD!!!!¡± 13.3 Done Deals and the Key to Death ¡°Here you are, gentsh. Delivered safe and sound to the library,¡± Gummish lisped. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need us to help with the search?¡± Mo asked. ¡°You all being new to the city would probably miss the cluesh we¡¯d need to find. It¡¯s no big deal having to eshcort ya a bit.¡± ¡°Do you think you¡¯ll find him?¡± Ziggs asked concern evident in her voice. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, miss. There¡¯s always hope.¡± He pat Gun-num-num reassuringly.¡± ¡°We won¡¯t give up, Ziggsy,¡± Treegan added. ¡°Thank you, Treegan. I believe you.¡± ¡°So we¡¯ll call you when we¡¯re finished. If you¡¯re on the trail of something we¡¯ll get someone else to fetch us,¡± Mephi let Gummish and the others know. ¡°Whatever happens we¡¯ll keep you abreast. Besht to keep searching. The clock is ticking.¡± Gummish and the others turned to walk away leaving Mo, Ziggs, and Mephi standing on the steps to the library. Mo looked at his team. ¡°C¡¯mon guys, let get to work.¡± They walked up the steps and through the doors. They were greeted with a large circular room with a vaulted dome that spanned the entirety of the room. Books covered every available wall. There was a wide second-floor balcony filled with bookshelves that radiated outward off of the metal and wood balustrade. The second floor had books on the wall covering every surface and was at least two stories tall. Mo spotted a tall rolling ladder that one would need to reach the books. Long shelves filled the main floor and ran around the edge of the circular floor. Through one aisle Mo could discern that the shelves were surrounding other shelves and assumed there would be rows of shelves inside the formation. They walked towards the wizened old man sitting at a desk in the front of the books. He was sorting books and checking lists. He didn¡¯t even notice them approach his bespectacled visage buried in his work. ¡°Hello sir¡ª¡± Mo began. ¡°Aaah!!!¡± the man screamed and clutched at his chest and flinching away from the noise. The sound of his exclamation echoed around the room and slowly faded. ¡°Forgive us for startling you.¡± ¡°You youngsters, always sneaking up on me. His forehead furrowed, and he glared at them. Next time announce your self properly!¡± He railed at them with a pointed finger. ¡°Again we apologize. We simply walked up to the desk and said hello before you screamed.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Mephi and Mo nodded. The old man studied them once again. ¡°Well I see, I must¡¯ve been rather focused.¡± ¡°It was wonderful to see such focus.¡± Mo flattered the man. ¡°You think so? I feel like my attention has been flagging as of late.¡± ¡°It was a mighty focus. My friends and I could feel the intensity as soon as we saw you,¡± Mo continued with his flattery. ¡°Well, in that case, I apologize for screaming. Danley Buttervogel, assistant librarian at your service. How may I help you?¡± ¡°We were interested in finding information on how to start a business in Drahtspule. More specifically,¡± Mo pointed out, ¡°an overview of the types of businesses would be most helpful.¡± ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± Danley hummed thoughtfully. ¡°I wonder if there is a volume with an overview available? Follow me if you would.¡± He stood up and dusted off his robes and checked the belt at his waist and walked through a small half door in the back of the kiosk. They followed him to the left of the central grouping of shelves, as they passed Mo noted that they were octagonal in setup. With shorter shelves nested in-between creating eight main aisles to access the books. Upon reaching the back of the building, Danley turned left again leading then into a wing of the library not visible from the front. Here, shelves were set up across the space in two columns. Books, of course, lined the side walls. Finally, they reached some tables, Danley motioned for them to sit, and began poring over the books in that section. His finger traced along the spines as he muttered to himself ¡°No. No. No. Wrong and hasn¡¯t been updated. Dated. Antiquated. Extremely verbose for no reason. This one is a malfeasant act that should be burned. Hmm¡­ nothing with an overview or simple listing.¡± He turned to the paladins. ¡°Unfortunately, there is no simple overview of business practices in Drahtspule or even the larger areas of Techros or Majesta as a whole.¡± ¡°Danley, would you say that you could help us find this information?¡± Mo asked politely. ¡°I am an assistant librarian. I take my duties very seriously.¡± The affronted librarian folded his arms in a huff. ¡°I meant no offense. As I¡¯m sure you can tell we are paladins, can you not?¡± Mo used his hands to direct Danley to inspect their clothing or lack thereof. Danley¡¯s face softened a little. ¡°I Can.¡± ¡°Well, we have just noticed a hole. A hole that if filled could make you a significant amount of gold.¡± Mo buttered the librarian up. Danley¡¯s eyebrows raised. Mo seeing he had the librarian¡¯s attention continued. ¡°You will come to find that most paladins are impatient when it¡¯s simple things. For instance, expecting them to sit in a library and read through tome after tome to find out the information that they need. And as ignorant and oblivious as they are to social customs and norms, they will have one thing that will make dealing with them worthwhile. Strike that two things.¡± An intrigued Danley was waiting for the two things as Mo paused dramatically. ¡°The first thing is ideas. Paladins have intersected Majestan culture at an angle that will bring about massive changes. Powers will topple new ones will rise all on the back of someone¡¯s ideas and ideals. ¡°The second thing, can you guess what it is Danley?¡± Danley shook his head no. ¡°Gold, Danley. The Paladins will bring a wave of riches across Majesta. A wave you are being offered the opportunity to ride if you see fit.¡± Danley scoffed at Mo, ¡°How would I be able to ride this wave of gold across Majesta?¡± ¡°By dumbing down books.¡± ¡°HA!!!¡± Danley yelled in disbelief. And then covered his mouth realizing he had yelled. ¡°Dumbing down books? That is such an ignoble idea that I don¡¯t think I wish to humor you any further.¡± ¡°But Danley you are underestimating one very simple thing.¡± ¡°And what is that?¡± ¡°The predictability of stupidity.¡± ¡°Explain.¡± ¡°How many Majestans have you met who have never read a book?¡± ¡°Most of them actually.¡± ¡°How many would you like to see read books?¡± ¡°All of them, I guess.¡± Danley scratched at his stubbly chin. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not the books that are the problem, but the starter material. Now I don¡¯t know for sure, but it seems like most Majestan¡¯s can read. But how come this place filled with all the information that the emperor has seen fit to give them remains nearly empty?¡± Danley¡¯s mouth worked but nothing came out. Ziggs let out a quiet beep getting everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°When I was a little thing, my mother gave me stories that I came to love and I still read a ton of fiction to this very day. Now non-fiction is a completely different beast. It wasn¡¯t until I went to college that I began to see how useful non-fiction could be. ¡°At first I would read an article that whets my appetite for the subject. Then I would read something written for the layman. From there, if I chose to continue, I could learn more and by reading specific works by different authors in the bibliographies.¡± ¡°So, what Booms is saying here when he says dumb it down, is to take the information and make it presentable for all levels of study.¡± ¡°When you phrase it like that, it makes more sense,¡± Danley said thoughtfully. ¡°Now, about that wave,¡± Mo interjected before Danley could slip back off into his head. ¡°Would you like us to help you, as you help us? I believe that is the definition of mutually beneficial.¡± Danley sat down at the table, fingers templed. ¡°What idea do you have?¡± ¡°You create the book we need, we pay for the printing, and we split the profits. If it works, we¡¯ve all made gold. If it fails all you¡¯ve wasted was some time that we¡¯ll repay you for.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sensing a catch.¡± ¡°The only catch being that if you do a good job we¡¯ll ask you to do it again and again¡ªand that you keep quiet until the book, pamphlet, or guide is finished and ready for market.¡± Danley scratched at his stubble again. ¡°Well, I have always wanted to write a book.¡± ¡°This may not be the book you dreamt of but I can almost guarantee that you¡¯ll have enough money to take a break from the library to write your book.¡± ¡°This sounds too good. I think I¡¯ll pass,¡± Danley grumbled. ¡°Well then, let me couch it as a research commission.¡± Danley turned back to Mo and waited. ¡°How about I pay you upfront for a research paper on the workings of the Drahtspulean business system for the layman? It would need full attribution to avoid any calls of plagiarism and contain any information that you have gleaned on the subject as well. I would also like the right to publish this paper and it can have your name or not, that decision will be yours. ¡°The last thing will be that, before we publish, we will ask you again whether you would like to partner with us. Again, we will cover the printing costs and will need you to take that into consideration. But since a commission will put more into your pocket now, we would ask for a small bit of capital back from you if you decide to become a partner. ¡°So if you are open to take our commission, what would you charge us to compile this document? And how long would it take?¡± Danley was ticking off numbers on his fingers. His eyes rolled up in his head and the tip of his tongue stuck through his lips. He checked with Mo. ¡°You¡¯d want the publishing rights?¡± ¡°As a separate figure, if possible.¡± Danley counted some more and seemed to decide. ¡°For the act of creating the document, I would like 5 gold.¡± Danley said boldly. ¡°And how long would you take to accomplish that document?¡± ¡°I can have it finished in three days,¡± Danley said proudly. ¡°For your quick turnaround, I won¡¯t even haggle with you. Now what would be the cost of the rights?¡± ¡°Well, you know the rights to a work are infinitely more expensive than the work itself. ¡°I do. But this is also a commission. And I would be rather upset if you turned around and shared this idea with someone else and they took the wind out of my sails.¡± Mo made lightning arc between his fingertips. ¡°True. Very true. Well, since it is a commissioned work, the price for the rights should be 20 gold.¡± ¡°That is amenable on the condition that, if you agree to join us in a partnership, you will return 12 gold to us to be vested in the company.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡°If I agree I will return 10 gold,¡± Danley replied shrewdly. ¡°Danley, my friend,¡± Mo shook his head, ¡°it¡¯s 12 or you lose the commission and I find another librarian to take my commission. I believe that I¡¯m being most generous. When you see the income from sales after thirty days you¡¯ll be quite happy that you bought in. needless to say, you¡¯ll still be 13 gold richer for compiling some information which we both can agree is extortionate.¡± Mo had the thought to use his untested skill. And thought skinflint. Danley was suddenly on board. ¡°That is a fairly good deal when you put it that way. I¡¯m not much of a gambling man but give me the 13 gold and I¡¯ll give you the rights and see where this wave takes me.¡± ¡°Good man. So, as you know, secrecy is of the essence. So let us all swear together on this that no one is to know what we¡¯ve talked about here today. We¡¯ll write it out and swear to it, Deal?¡± ¡°Deal.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± ¡­.. ¡°Zhi''Zhu please let me up.¡± Malcipher struggled to rise from the chair but as small as she was, she was actually stronger than Malcipher. ¡°Now, now, lord Coad.¡± Zhi''Zhu winked at him conspiratorially. ¡°What spider would let a struggling fly out of its web?¡± Malcipher deflated and looked to the side, away from his captor. ¡°We¡¯ve been at this for hours. There are things that I would like to do if I¡¯m not going to take the troops back right away.¡± ¡°Now we get to the important part, my little fly.¡± She grinned evilly, sending a chill down Malcipher¡¯s spine. ¡°What is it you would like to accomplish with your time here?¡± Malcipher looked her in the eyes. Their noses a hair breadths apart. He could feel her hot breath on his face and see how sharp her teeth really were. With a growl he blurted out, ¡°I want to get stronger.¡± Zhi''Zhu let go of the chair and clapped her hands. It was a little dainty clap, and she squealed with glee. Malcipher saw his opportunity. He stood bolt upright pushing the chair backwards and Zhi''Zhu forwards where she fell to the floor, halfway under the table. He rapidly stepped back out of her reach, and reach she did. ¡°You¡¯re no fun¡± she whimpered. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me, I have things to attend to.¡± He made a beeline for the door and when his hand touched the knob, he felt Zhi''Zhu¡¯s arms slip around his waist. He froze, waiting for whatever would come next. One hand held up a platinum coin in front of him. He took it. ¡°Make sure you pick good trainers,¡± she whispered in his ear, and her hands slid free. Malcipher refused to turn around and quickly left the room. And found Halsh leaning against the wall opposite the door. ¡°I was wondering when she was going to let you go, Milord,¡± Halsh said stifling a laugh. ¡°What is so funny, Keyes?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t understand Milord, I don¡¯t want to be the one to explain it.¡± ¡°Did you find the trainers that I asked about?¡± Malcipher inquired snappishly. Halsh straightened up. ¡°Yes, Milord.¡± Malcipher shooed Halsh. ¡°Lead the way.¡± Malcipher followed out of Zhi''Zhu¡¯s web and onto the streets of Drahtspule. He followed through the winding corridors and out of the way shops, making a note of things he may want to purchase. Past all of the nice houses and into a section where the roads turned to dirt and smelled of ammonia and bovine wastes. On the far side of this dirt section, they stopped in front of gate wide enough to roll a wagon through. From behind the gate they heard the clack of wood striking wood and people grunting. ¡°Are you sure this is it, Halsh?¡± ¡°Most assuredly, Milord.¡± Halsh moved to open the gate and let Malcipher enter first. They were met with a wide open space where pairs of fighters were pushing each other back and forth. Past that was a house with three steps across the width of the house and a columned arcade that covered the doors from the elements. Draped upon a chair sat a man nonchalantly drinking from a skin. A few others sat on the steps watching the action in the dusty courtyard. Malcipher and Halsh moved forward along the edge of the courtyard keeping a wary eye on the participants. As they approached the steps, the people sitting there moved out of their way. They entered the cool shade and walked towards the man sitting in the chair. About eight feet away he raised a hand and yelled, ¡°HOLD!!!¡± All action stopped. Everyone froze where they were. His courtyard became a living sculpture garden. ¡°Who calls upon Altum Lobus?¡± the draped figure muttered while completely ignoring the two men in front of him. ¡°I am Keyes. Here to introduce lord Falx Coad.¡± ¡°Lord, you say?¡± his eyes turned upon Malcipher for a moment of study and he turned away unsatisfied. ¡°This is no place for a lord, nor his manservant.¡± ¡°What is this a place for?¡± Malcipher asked. ¡°A place to break down the multitude of choices in life to two simple options. Kill or be killed. There is no room for the grey of nobility in this black and white world. Begone.¡± ¡°And if I don¡¯t wish to leave?¡± ¡°It is not up to you. Nothing could stop me from killing you were it my wish, not even your shadow ranger.¡± Halsh started at the man¡¯s deduction, hand going to his dagger. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t start any, there will be no bloodshed. If you do, well, then you were obviously not informed on who I am.¡± ¡°I came here to train with the best. And people say that the best is you.¡± ¡°They do say that. And you come to train with me? Well, thank you for telling me my business. I decline.¡± Malcipher made no motion to move. ¡°Ah, this conversation isn¡¯t going to end soon, is it?¡± Altum sighed. He sat up and turned to the courtyard. ¡°Everyone take a break.¡± He drank from his skin, a rivulet of the contents dribbling down his chin while he eyed the two men. He gulped loudly and sat back with a satisfied sigh. ¡°What makes you think I would take you on as a student?¡± ¡°I have only my own mettle and determination. You may say no, but I will keep coming back. I have heard you are the toughest and strictest teacher. I like a bit of abuse when I train. I think it helps to ingrain the lesson.¡± ¡°A bit of abuse, you say? So you¡¯re not some spoiled fancy lord who fancies himself a swordsman?¡± ¡°I try not to fancy.¡± Altum hopped out of his chair and fingered Malcipher¡¯s cloak. ¡°You don¡¯t do fancy?¡± ¡°This is at my host¡¯s demand. And I am sworn to obey.¡± ¡°A lord sworn to obey? Novel. What would you normally wear?¡± Malcipher equipped his normal leather armor with the metal cuirass covering his chest. Altum nodded begrudgingly. He walked around Malcipher inspecting his gear. ¡°What weapon do you favor?¡± ¡°I do not favor. I use whatever is at hand.¡± Altum paused at this, his eyes rising to Malcipher¡¯s. ¡°You have no weapon specialties or proficiencies?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°What kind of lord has no weapon proficiencies? I wonder.¡± Altum tapped his chin. ¡°What weapon would you like to be proficient in?¡± ¡°All of them.¡± Altum Barked a laugh and smiled incredulously. ¡°No weapon proficiencies and a wish to have them all. Very interesting. Do you have any hand to hand training or proficiencies?¡± ¡°No, but I have a few damage reduction skills which increase my endurance and constitution.¡± ¡°Such as?¡± ¡°Lesser Pain Resistance, Unflagging determination, and Unbreakable.¡± At the last one altum stopped circling. And nodded in appreciation. ¡°What kind of lord gets these skills? Those are the skills of the enslaved and tortured.¡± ¡°I only recently came into lordship and have suffered greatly since I arrived in Majesta.¡± A hand with an iron grip shot out faster than Malcipher or Halsh could react and grabbed Malcipher¡¯s chin. The hand turning Malcipher¡¯s face this way and that as he examined the half-paladin. He squeezed his arms and shoulders and shook him back and forth slightly. He nodded and struck Malcipher in the chest with the flat of his hand twice in rapid succession. Making Malcipher feel as if his chest had caved in. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll train you. Never seen a paladin before. I want to know what you can do in case I need to fight one.¡± ¡°The major difference,¡± Malcipher said while rubbing his chest. ¡°Is that if you kill me, I will come back. And I will come back.¡± He growled the last. ¡°Good. That means I won¡¯t break you.¡± Altum¡¯s eyes turned back to the courtyard. ¡°For today we¡¯ll see what you can do.¡± Altum motioned to one of his students who quickly jogged over. ¡°Take lord meat puppet and let him discover his weapon.¡± He then turned to Malcipher. ¡°This student of mine is superior to you in all ways. His words are as my own. I will brook no arguments on that point¡ªlord or not. If you can gain some proficiency, I might entertain your questions again.¡± ¡°What if I kill him?¡± Malcipher asked. ¡°I surely hope you would try.¡± Altum laughed, head thrown back. ¡°Anything less than that will give you no results worth speaking of. My pupil has nothing to fear from you yet. So please, fight for your life or you¡¯ll be in large amounts of pain.¡± Altum turned to Halsh. ¡°Shadow ranger, would you like a drink?¡± ¡°Aye,¡± Halsh grinned as Altum motioned for a chair to be brought out. Malcipher turned with a sneer towards the Altum¡¯s disciple. The disciple said nothing and walked over to a weapons rack. He motioned for Malcipher to pick any weapon and then stepped a few feet away. Malcipher stared at the swords and polearms and cudgels and hammers and daggers. He grabbed a sword and swung it to test the weight and turned to the disciple. The disciple stood there relaxed with his palms facing Malcipher in an open stance. He motioned for Malcipher to come at him. Malcipher charged and struck at the disciple. At the moment before contact the disciple disappeared and Malcipher felt himself lifted into the air where he spun and crashed spine first into the ground. He let out a wheezing breath and rolled to the side where he spied Halsh and Altum. Altum wasn¡¯t sparing Malcipher a glance but Halsh¡¯s face held a look that said, that must¡¯ve hurt. Malcipher struggled upright catching his breath and found the disciple by the wall of weapons urging him to choose again. Malcipher growled and chose again with the full understanding that this was going to be painful. ¡­.. The entrance to clackers alley rolled up and presented its skull face. The Royal Death Claws strolled in armed with their new tree grenades. They also had multiple sheets of Surge (S), Over (F), Water (D), and Acid (D) grenades. They were also sporting Shield (F) and Aegis (S) ribbons. Mayah watched as Vergie hopped out into the lead carrying the r?tten in her chest pouch. I¡¯m going to need to make that stronger so that Vergie doesn¡¯t get poisoned during battle. They proceeded into the tunnel and the shadow vision allowed them to see clear as day. Margaret was the one who stepped on the stone, triggering the trap. They all paused when the entrance to the tunnel closed behind them. ¡°Yaaaay¡­¡± Grax said wistfully. Mayah whispered to her team, ¡°The first room is going to be tarhandtulas. We¡¯ll lure them out and then keep them at bay with Surge (S) grenades while we burn them with Acid (D) and Over (F) grenades. Mags you can use a few vuurm as a defensive line letting them crisp anything that gets too close.¡± As they approached the room, Mayah noticed a skull lying on the floor. She ran up to it and clobbered it with a crushing blow not giving it a chance. A loud crack echoed throughout the tunnel as the dry bone disintegrated from the blow. ¡°Does this have something to do with your trash mob?¡± Grax asked ¡°Be smart, cat. If you see a skull destroy it.¡± ¡°Tuh-huh huh-huh-rash mob!!!¡± Grax sang as he sauntered along. ¡°You better hope I save you when you tangle with one by yourself.¡± ¡°If the mob is attacking him and I don¡¯t save him does that count as breaking the truce?¡± Margaret asked. ¡°Not sure. I guess it depends on what else is going on, Mags. Try to take over any undead we come across. That may sway the battle for us. And remember your life drain. It may not work because¡­ undead. But try it to find out.¡± ¡°Yes, dear. I¡¯ll do my best.¡± ¡°I know you will Mags. And Grax, are you still doing what you do?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t I always?¡± ¡°Unfortunately, yes. The tarhandtula bites give stamina and agility debuffs. So don¡¯t get caught out there.¡± ¡°You got it, boss,¡± he responded glibly. They came upon the cavern where Mayah had encountered the Tarhandtulas the holes in the wall staring at them like black empty eyes. They could hear tiny ticking noises and see strands of webbing hanging from the ceiling. ¡°Mags, first order of business is to aggro all the mobs. Put Over (F) arrows across the ceiling. That should get their attention.¡± Mags complied nocking two arrows that detonated sending a wash of flames across the holes above them. She then called forth five vuurm to stand between them and the Tarhandtulas that were dropping from the ceiling on streamers of silk. As the first wave approached, Grax threw a Surge (E) grenade and bounced them all back. The wave thickened and he repeated the process. Mayah tossed out some Over (F) and Acid (D) grenades. the Tarhandtulas squeal in protest. ¡°Mags, cover the ceiling. Surge (S) grenades. knock¡¯em loose.¡± Mayah said loudly. ¡°On it!¡± the erstwhile noob replied, nocking arrows and commanding her vuurm to blast any mobs close to her friends with fire. This battle was a simple defending action with none of the team having to get their hands dirty. And after eight minutes of battle a hill of charred and battered remains lay on the ground in front of them. ¡°Well, that was a nice warm up.¡± Grax said nonchalantly. ¡°Let¡¯s gather these up before we move on.¡± Mags suggested. Mayah pulled out her wands and got to work. They crept across the room where Mayah found another skull and ran forward, smashing it with Happiness. ¡°That trash mob really got you, huh, princess?¡± Grax chuckled. ¡°Just wait cat. I¡¯m gonna let you have one all to yourself.¡± ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t tease her like that, Grax,¡± Margaret intoned. ¡°Tuh-huh-rash mob,¡± Grax sang softly, causing Mayah and Margaret to stare at him incredulously. ¡°C¡¯mon let''s go.¡± ¡°Right behind you, dear.¡± ¡°Tuh-huh-rash mob.¡± Mayah glared one last time before going deeper into the dungeon. They reached the room with the funerary recesses and Vergie padded out ahead of them to range into the darkness. Mayah using her shadow vision could see the funerary recesses on both sides of the room and also discern its shape. Besides being diamond-shaped the ceiling slanted up to an apex forming a pyramid. There were regular spaced holes in the ceiling. It also had a door on the far side of the room opposite them. ¡°Stay to the edges. Everyone.¡± Mayah warned. There was a hollow Tonk, and then she spied it, right in the same place she had found it before. ¡°Hey Grax, see that skull over there? it¡¯s solo time.¡± ¡°That thing? Sure no problem.¡± Grax¡¯s chest puffed out as strode over to the skull. ¡°This thing gave you problems?¡± He jumped up into the recess and poked at the skull with his sword. Frost rimed the skull and nothing happened. He grabbed the skull and hopped down, coming back to the team. As he did, he held the skull aloft at the end of his arm and stared into the empty eyes. ¡°Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.¡± Grax giggled as he held the pose for all to see. That was when green streamers of snot exploded from the skull. They attached to Grax on his chest, arm, and face. Grax yelled in surprise. Margaret started forward to help him when Mayah grabbed her arm. ¡°He said he could handle this right?¡± ¡°But we¡¯re in a dungeon?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t die because it took all of my hit points. It choked me out. So if we save him before that point he¡¯ll be fine.¡± Mayah took out an Over (F) grenade and an Acid (d) grenade. And waited as Grax flailed and struggled to get the skull off of him. He had his thumbs in the skulls eye sockets holding it inches from his face and the skull was clicking its jaw wildly. Grax was grunting from the strain. That the ambushing cranial slime was giving him. It had pseudopods around Grax¡¯s neck and Grax squeaked out a plea for help. His eyes begging. ¡°Okay, Margaret, I guess it¡¯s time to save him.¡± Mayah tossed the grenades at Grax and they burned and melted the pseudopods away letting Grax toss the skull away from himself. Mayah followed the skull and delivered a crushing blow destroying the skull and finding the slime still alive and climbing happiness. Another Over (F) grenade hit the mob and it fell to the floor where Mayah smashed its core. Ding!!! She was awarded a cranial slime core and greedily took it. A soul for a soul! She walked back to Grax who was lying on the floor breathing heavily and leaned over him. ¡°Tuh-huh-huh-rash mob!!!¡± Grax just glared. ¡°I guess I deserve that one.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go cat. We gots dungeoning to do.¡± She offered him a hand as Margaret was standing watch. Mayah offered a suggestion. ¡°Why don¡¯t we search this room and see what¡¯s here. I don¡¯t want to leave any nasty surprises behind us.¡± ¡°That makes perfect sense,¡± Grax added while checking over his gear. So the team began to search the room while Vergie and the r?tten watched Margaret¡¯s back. Mayah, smashed four more skulls, two of which were slimes. Then she examined the door which was made of metal banded planks and had a plain wooden handle. It bore no inscriptions or writing. Just a plain door that¡¯s most likely holding back a skeleton army. They finally met at the center of the room and found a small lighter colored tile with an indentation. Laid in it was a key. ¡°You know we have to take this key right?¡± Grax said matter-of-factly. ¡°Yeah, but that door didn¡¯t have a lock on it. So, the question is, what happens when we take the key?¡± Mayah eyed the ceiling suspiciously. ¡°Okay Death Claws, grenade up. Mags eyes on the ceiling. If anything comes out hit it. Try and stay together.¡± ¡°Yah, boss¡± ¡°Certainly, dear.¡± ¡°Okay, let¡¯s do it.¡± Mayah bent to retrieve the key. She lifted and found that the key was attached to a wire that came up with it. ¡°Shaz!¡± The sound of stone on stone came from the ceiling and walls. Much to her horror the walls at the back of the funerary recesses dropped revealing large rooms filled with skeletal warriors. ¡°Double Shaz!!!¡± 13.4 Flush with Bones

The Death Claws ran for the entrance and stood their ground waiting for the skeletal fighters to emerge from the recesses.

¡°Walls!!!¡± Mayah shouted. ¡°Ceiling!!!¡± Margaret called out. Mayah looked and saw large skeletal hands made from humerus bones descending from the ceiling by a long chain of bones. ¡°Mags focus on the ceiling. Grax tree grenades in the rooms.¡± She fished out the tree grenades she¡¯d tied to stilettos and began throwing them into the rooms with the skeletons. Loud booms echoed around the chamber bits of wood and bone blasted out of the chambers coating the floor. Ding!!!
You have defeated:
Skeletal fighter x62
Level: 12
XP: 2046 (33 x62)
10,744XP till next level
Then all the damage notifications streamed past in a blur. So fast that Mayah couldn¡¯t have hoped to read them. Some fighters were blown free from the room missing an arm or leg or two and were walking, hopping on one leg, or dragging themselves towards the trio. Margaret was hitting each hole in the ceiling with an Over (F) grenade, which was causing the skeletal arms to crisp and crack off. It left the upper part of the arm clacking against the edges of the hole. The vuurm were spitting fire at the skeletons to very little effect. She pulled out more crystals and sent the silver imps to work. They were much more successful with their brute strength against the skeletons. Mayah looked down and saw the r?tten and they climbed up her back and sat in her hood. She pulled away from Riker not needing a poisoning right now. She looked and saw Vergie smashing through skeleton after skeleton and stomping on the partials that were trying to inflict damage. The silver imps were bouncing a lot of the fighters into a bunch as they climbed out of the recesses and tried to get past them. She tossed a few more tree grenades that direction when the skeletons began to get free from the scrum. Wood and bone shards went everywhere, even into the imps. Margaret called up six more dolls to replace the ones that had been pin cushioned and broken. Mayah saw that Vergie was getting overrun. ¡°Vergie! INCOMING!!!¡± She waited until the vergax was a safe distance away and tossed three more grenades out near the walls. When she looked up, splinters of wood and bone were clattering to the floor while smaller particles slowly drifted out of the air. Vergie went back to that side of the room, picking off stragglers, decapitating and dismembering the skeletons as they tried to climb into the room. It¡¯s like watching a kitty trying to catch a fly trapped in a screen door! Kawaii!!! She turned her attention back to the battle as the flow ebbed. She armed happiness and one of the earthen hammers. ¡°Margaret cover me.¡± ¡°You got it.¡± Mayah waded into the skeletons ducking their slow unarmed grabs and taking out legs and stomping on skulls. She became a small whirlwind as she called forth another hammer and activated whack-a-vole and crushing blow while using her mana to replenish her stamina whenever it got below fifty percent. She booted a skeleton in the chest then smashed its head between her two hammers. Called another hammer forth and threw it at the face of another fighter decapitating it. Smash, bash, fling, became her rhythm until she felt something grab her. Bones wrapped around her pinning one arm to her body and lifting her from the floor. The giant skeletal hand tightened its hold as it lifted, making Mayah yell out in pain. With her free hand, she used the earthen hammer to beat at the bones above her head. The hammer crumbled into dirt getting into her eyes and mouth. She spit out the dirt and reached above her head touching the bones there and cast Acid (D). the acid sizzled and burned but the arm was still in one piece. She added a casting of Over (F) to the same place still nothing happened. She quickly cast Surge (S) on herself and all that did was make her and the hand bounce around in the air. She felt dizzy as the hand squeezed again. Happiness slid from her hand as she reacted to the pain. She remembered what she had done with the logs and began pumping mana into a small section of the bone. She only put 500MP into the bone and cast grenade. She activated the grenade with a one-second timer. She heard a loud crack and then was plummeting to the floor twenty feet below. She landed with a smack. The bones pressing into her side doing extra damage. She fought through the pain and pushed the bones off of her only to receive a blow to the head by a skeleton fighter. Everything went black for a moment and all she could see were stars. Then her lips kissed the floor at high speed, waking her fully back into consciousness. She turned to see three skeletons winding up for attacks. Mayah reached for her bag trying to get a Surge (S) grenade, but everything was moving in slow-mo and her body wasn¡¯t responding. She saw the blows coming and couldn¡¯t do anything about it. The blows struck her in the shoulder back and thigh. As they drew back, she remembered and activated her Aegis (S) ribbon. A black shield formed on her forearm. One skeleton still connected and hit her in her lower back and knocked her back to the ground. She used that slight pause to arm another Aegis (S) ribbon on her opposite arm. Now armed with two shields she struggled to her knees as the skeletons battered the shields. Buffeted between them she managed to activate another Shield (F) ribbon. The Aegis (S) on her right was about to break and she hopped to her feet and booted a skeleton in the kneecap hyper-extending the knee and it fell back. She turned to rush the other two skeletons and pushed them back into more skeletons who were trying to get past Margaret¡¯s dolls. I¡¯m on the wrong side of the battle lines. Using the space she had just created. She equipped two earthen hammers and smacked at the skulls between her and the imps. She made it to the line, kicked a skeleton in the back of the knees, Stepped up using the skeleton¡¯s rib cage, and dove over the line, landing with a roll. ¡°Thank god!¡± Margaret yelled. ¡°Grax and Vergie were about to come get you.¡± Mayah looked to see Vergie Grax and two dolls barely keeping the incoming horde back. She was about to run help them and paused. ¡°Mags! Have you seen my hammer?¡± Just as Mayah said it, one of Margaret¡¯s dolls fell to the ground. A skeleton was lifting the head of Mayah¡¯s hammer from where it landed and was walking forward. It stalked forward holding Happiness. ¡°Not today Skeletor!!!!¡± Mayah yelled and ran forward. The skeleton was winding up and Mayah leapt forward, tucking her knees. She forcefully extended her legs, planted both feet into its chest as hard as she could. The kicked pushed her and the skeleton back behind the line that the dolls were holding with a cracking sound. The hammer fell from its grasp as its head rolled off and its ribs caved in. Mayah twisted in midair, grabbing the hammer¡¯s handle and landing from her kick. She knelt, whirling the hammer around close to the ground, dropping any skeletons near her. As they fell, they received more blows. Skulls tore from shoulders, shoulders tore from spines, and spines tore from spines. She stood up and backpedaled filling in the gap in the line. She looked to see the room behind the fa?ade emptying and began to back up. She looked over her shoulder and yelled to Grax, ¡°Is that room almost empty?¡± ¡°It¡¯s getting there.¡± ¡°When they¡¯re all free, we let them bunch up, do a quick retreat, and toss grenades.¡± Mayah noticed Vergie take down three skeletons with a swipe. They broke against her paw, each other, and then the floor. ¡°Good girl Vergie!¡± Mayah praised. Vergie roared with pride and spun to attack more skeletons. Mayah fought her way back to the line and shouldered through the opening. Margaret¡¯s dolls were getting wedged in the gap. ¡°Vergie, Grax!!!¡± Mayah yelled. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Mayah turned to Margaret. ¡°Give them a big push back Mags, Grax and Vergie need room. And start moving back. Ready up a few tree grenades.¡± ¡°These are my last few silver imps,¡± Margaret whined. ¡°Well, have you tried using any of the skeletons?¡± Margaret colored and looked away.¡± ¡°And you haven¡¯t tried life drain either, I¡¯m assuming.¡± Margaret couldn¡¯t meet Mayah¡¯s eyes. ¡°Mags, you¡¯re the closest thing we have to a healer. We really need you to do this. Cast it right now.¡± A skeleton jumped past the line as Vergie and Grax made it past. Mayah ran forward to smack it down then she yelled at Margaret, ¡°Right now, Mags!¡± ¡°Okay fine!¡± Margaret put her bow away, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. A chant like a thousand whispers passed over her lips and she raised her hands. Her eyes popped open and green flames blazed in them. The flames shot to her hands as the whispers built and she flung the eldritch balls of light at the skeletons. The skeletons she targeted slowed and began to move haltingly. Mayah watched as her Hp ticked up by the tiniest sliver. And then the green glow stopped. ¡°Good job Mags!¡± And then the dolls all fell like the dead bodies they were. ¡°Oh, shaz!!! Run! Grenades!!!¡± Grax and Mayah tossed tree grenades while running. The effects were two-fold. At first, the tree expanded into existence sending the skeletons flying against the walls. Then they exploded firing shrapnel down the tunnel in both directions. The team ducked as multiple explosions went off behind them. They didn¡¯t stop running either as the shrapnel pelted their backs. Fifteen seconds after the last explosion, Mayah pulled them up short, and they turned around. They walked back past the debris and every time Mayah saw a skull she bashed it to pieces. ¡°So, Mags,¡± Mayah finally said. ¡°Ran out of mana?¡± Margaret just looked at her shoes ¡°What''s your mana at?¡± ¡°34.¡± ¡°That¡¯s okay, where¡¯s your intelligence at?¡± ¡°5.¡± Grax overhearing this yelled incredulously, ¡°5? No wonder you can¡¯t sustain any more dolls!¡± ¡°Cat has a point. Your mana regen is what?¡± Mayah asked. Margaret winced and said, ¡°2.65 per second.¡± ¡°So you take about six minutes to recoup your mana? How much mana does calling a doll take?¡± ¡°It takes at least 100MP chunk and whatever my mana regen percentage is to the 100mp block.¡± ¡°It drops 100MP off of your bar and then lowers you regen from 2.65 to 2.4? ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Her toon is all messed up,¡± Grax said as he came back to them. ¡°I agree,¡± Mayah told Grax and turned back to Margaret. ¡°Do your dolls feel sluggish when you¡¯re controlling them?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe?¡± ¡°Can you make the dolls do fine motor skill work?¡± ¡°No¡­?¡± ¡°Have you tried?¡± ¡°No.¡± Grax facepalmed and walked away shaking his head. ¡°I think I know how to fix your problem. But you should really let me and Grax look at your character sheet. And it¡¯s gonna be harder to fix because the levels will come slower and slower now. You understand?¡± ¡°Kinda?¡± the perplexed noob said. ¡°You just leveled up, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Margaret stood a little taller. ¡°So I¡¯m gonna come up with a plan for you to follow on your build. You okay with that?¡± Margaret nodded an affirmative. ¡°Without looking at your sheet and taking info from past conversations, you¡¯ve dumped a lot into constitution, endurance, agility, and perception. But that¡¯s because you¡¯ve been focusing on being anything but a necromancer. But you¡¯re a weird hybrid of the nec and ranger. Your CON and END don¡¯t need to be that high because you¡¯re not a melee fighter. Up close and personal, you use your dolls to fight for you. So instead of beefing up your intelligence to help your mana regen making your skills stronger, you¡¯ve just let them rot away. ¡°You need your mana up for all of your skills. Resurrection doll, shadow lightning, and life drain.¡± Mayah ticked off on her fingers. ¡°Most of your archery abilities are stamina based correct?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°So you need to do a build that will increase your mana and stamina along with their regens. And while you don¡¯t have to sacrifice everything else, you need bare minimums. Now, every attribute point up to level 30 at least, gets dumped into intelligence. Okay?¡± Margaret kicked a hunk of wood. ¡°Okay Mags, assign those points.¡± ¡°All clear in the room.¡± Grax yelled. ¡°Mags, I¡¯m sorry I let you get all out of whack by not sharing my wisdom with you. I thought you were doing okay.¡± ¡°The noobness strikes again,¡± Grax said. Margaret glared at Grax. ¡°Hey Mags, it wasn¡¯t an insult,¡± Grax informed her. ¡°It was just a fact. You¡¯re a noob on your first toon and you messed up a bit. Not bad. But a little.¡± ¡°Your homework for tonight is to look up necromancer builds. We can¡¯t have you running around under-prepared for what we¡¯re gonna get ourselves into.¡± Mayah put a hand on her shoulder and looked in Margaret¡¯s eyes. It¡¯s not bad because we caught it early. But to let you know my intelligence is at 43 and with my bonuses it shows up at 54 and my regen for mana is 20.07 per sec. I regen my whole pool in just over a whole minute. Those seconds count in battle and since you lose whole blocks of mana when you use your dolls, you need to up both. ¡°My general plan for is to dump my 2 stat points in mana, 1 attribute point into constitution and endurance and then 2 points in intelligence. That way I get more health points, mana, and mana and stamina regen. Once we get you balanced out, you¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°Mags, you gonna try to raise a skeleton?¡± Grax asked trying to bring a light into the darkness. Margaret looked at the bones littered around the room. ¡°You got this, Mags!¡± Mayah encouraged. Margaret focused on a pile of bones and her eyes glowed eldritch. Bones from the pile arose into the air and Margaret had a look of intense concentration as the skeleton assembled before their eyes. Margaret was breathing a little heavily. ¡°You okay, Mags?¡± ¡°Yes, dear. That was harder than I expected it to be. I actually had to construct the skeleton and unlocked 2 new auxiliary skill trees.¡± Mayah clapped happily. ¡°What are they called?¡± ¡°Skeletal reconstruction. Lets me assemble a skeleton that¡¯s in pieces. And Skeletal assessment. Lets me pick the best bones that I find.¡± ¡°So Mags this is gonna sound crazy but I want you to try something.¡± ¡°Right now, Fluff?¡± Grax whined. ¡°Hey, if she can do this we¡¯ll be better off in this dungeon of bones.¡± ¡°So what am I supposed to be doing while you play bone collector?¡± ¡°You can gather up the bones and we can put them into storage, duh! Stop being so impatient.¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. ¡°You do know I do the fighty slicey bitey stuff right?¡± Grax asked. ¡°How could I forget?¡± ¡°As long as you know. The more I do that, the less time my mouth has to move.¡± ¡°Say no more fam.¡± Mayah held up a hand to stop him. ¡°I totally understand. But we gotta water our little flower so she blossoms.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Grax groaned as if he were in pain. ¡°But fighty slicey sneaky bitey.¡± ¡°By the end of this dungeon, we should be squared away. So just hold your tiny horses.¡± ¡°Tiny horse,¡± Margaret snorted. An image of Grax riding on a tiny horse grew inside of Mayah¡¯s mind and she started to chuckle. Then she made the giddy-up motion but low to the ground. ¡°Okay, that is a little funny,¡± Grax said, catching on and letting a smile grow on his face. ¡°But can you hurry up?¡± ¡°Working on it but you keep interrupting. Sheesh¡­¡± Mayah turned back to Margaret. ¡°Okay, Mags where were we? Okay, I want you to add bones to your skeleton. It doesn¡¯t matter if they¡¯re anatomically correct or not. The crazier the better.¡± ¡°I can try.¡± Margaret focused on the only skeleton standing in the room and then turned back to the pile and bones began floating up into the air and rotating around each other. Small slivers of bone fell to the ground as some bones changed shape and then joined other bones. The finished product stood there as Margaret caught her breath. It had two arms on each side. As Mayah walked closer, she noticed that the humeri joined at the head of the bones near the ball joint that held in the shoulder joint. They splayed at an angle of about thirty degrees. With the upper arms fused, it would operate as one arm but at the elbow that all changed. Margaret was moving the skeleton around and the forearms moved independently as did the hands. It was a creepy bone shiva. ¡°Good job Mags. I¡¯m impressed,¡± Grax applauded. ¡°Yeah, Mags. Good job.¡± Mayah commended. ¡°That was definitely harder to do. I had to channel mana while I created the skeleton and every alteration took a chunk of mana. But I¡¯m starting to understand why dolls are so easy to raise compared to skeletons.¡± Margaret examined her new creation with wonder. ¡°And what¡¯s that difference?¡± Mayah asked ¡°Dolls come fully assembled and there¡¯s no work to do. They¡¯re extremely cast and go.¡± She placed her hand on the four-armed skeleton and examined the join on the humerus. ¡°Skeletons are more like tinker toys or legos. You can put them together in infinite combinations.¡± ¡°And you don¡¯t throw up either.¡± Grax nodded his approval. ¡°There are no guts. So that¡¯s to be expected.¡± Margaret informed him. ¡°I¡¯m gonna miss the dark necromancer routine. How do they stack up against the dolls, Mags?¡± Mayah asked. Not as strong or durable. But I bet I can fix some of it in the future. Because I unlocked the necromantic engineer skill tree. Lets me change all types of things like bones and tissues to create anything I want.¡± ¡°You are going to FLESH out some designs tonight.¡± Mayah finger gunned her teammates as they groaned. ¡°Yes dear, as long as you stop with the puns.¡± ¡°I agree with Mags. No more puns.¡± ¡°Hey, you got cattitude, Mags has mercy and benevolence and I have puns. besides my puns are amazing and I¡¯m sure they¡¯ve groan on you!¡± ¡°Stop,¡± Grax whined. ¡°It¡¯s such punishment,¡± Margaret added. At least I don¡¯t write them down. Because then they¡¯d be tearable.¡± There was silence as Grax and Margaret looked at her. ¡°I¡¯m walking away. That was too much,¡± Grax sighed. ¡°I¡¯m with the cat on this one.¡± ¡°Lames,¡± Mayah barked. ¡°Can¡¯t even take a pun?¡± ¡°It''s not that we can¡¯t take them, it¡¯s that we won¡¯t, dear.¡± ¡°Puns are like the spam of the joke world. You can do so much better genius. Like tiny horses, for instance. That was funny.¡± Mayah suddenly bent over and rubbed the middle of her legs and groaned then she coughed into her hand. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Margaret asked, suddenly in Grandma mode. ¡°My po-knees. And I might be getting a little horse too?¡± she coughed into her hand again. ¡°Will you pick up the bones so we can go? Me fighty slashy bitey slicey, remember?¡± ¡°Fine¡­ you guys are no fun.¡± They gathered the bones into a pile as Mags called forth a few skeletal fighters to go with the last of the imps. So Mags when the imps go down, I need you to call them back as skeletons. Okay?¡± ¡°I can try.¡± ¡°Awesome. Last thing, cat. Any loot behind the walls?¡± ¡°None that I found. You gonna double-check?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mind if I do.¡± Grax ran over to a recess and ushered her through the hole. Mayah stood up and saw a room and just a room. She started at the corner closest to the door and inspected the stone for any seams or irregularities. She walked along the wall with her hand tracing the stone occasionally looking at the backside of the recesses. ¡°Hey, can somebody pull the key again?¡± Grax trotted over and gave it a yank. ¡°Nothing princess.¡± ¡°Cool.¡± She climbed out of the far end and crossed the room to repeat the process finding nothing. She went to the center of the room and snipped the wire holding the key to the floor. ¡°Okay gang, door number one it is.¡± She marched across the room and armed happiness. Margaret pulled out her bow and nocked an arrow and Grax already had his katanas drawn. Mayah and Grax stood on each side of the door and Mayah¡¯s hand was on the latch. Margaret was fifteen feet in front of the door and ready to fire. Mayah removed her hand and made the sign for three, then two, then put her hand back on the door and pulled it open. Margaret lowered her bow slightly and Grax peeked down the long empty corridor. Mayah quickly followed suit. ¡°Traps?¡± Grax whispered. ¡°Or puzzles,¡± Mayah replied. ¡°I¡¯m on point. Keep an eye out for traps. Mags, step where you see me or fluff step.¡± ¡°Roger DC2.¡± They all snickered a bit at the lingo as Grax entered the hallway and looked all around. Slowly he made his way forward, pausing occasionally testing a stone or a crack in the wall. The magnitude of the quiet in the hall grew exponentially as they made their way forward. The tunnel dipped and rose and weave around preventing a clean line of sight. Mayah rolled her shoulders to get rid of the tense feeling that was creeping up her neck. They saw the end of the tunnel ahead of them at the end of a short rise. Grax scampered along as fast as he could while searching for traps. Mayah and Margaret followed his haste, and they cleared the exit to find themselves on a small landing. In front of them was a large circular room roughly 1,000 feet across. The floor was littered with bones. They were so deep they completely hid the floor. There was no visible exit. Mayah looked over the edge, down into the bones. ¡°You can¡¯t see the floor,¡± she told the others. ¡°How deep do you think it is?¡± Mags asked. ¡°I would guess about three feet¡ªat least.¡± ¡°Hidden exit?¡± Grax asked ¡°More than likely.¡± ¡°Boss room?¡± ¡°Possible but I don¡¯t think so.¡± ¡°Should we toss grenades or walk across?¡± Grax inquired. ¡°We walk first. Grenades grow on trees but we don¡¯t have any down here.¡± Mayah grimaced in thought. ¡°But if we find some stones or boulders, I can turn them into grenades.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll keep an eye out. Won¡¯t we Grax?¡± ¡°Sure thing, Mags.¡± Mayah sat down on the edge of the landing and scooted forward until her tippy toes were on the bones. Then she dropped the rest of her weight, landing on the bones with a crunch. She stared around like a thief on a squeaky floorboard. Nothing moved and she let out a breath she¡¯d been holding. She motioned to the others to climb down. Grax motioned for a hand and Mayah swung him down with little effort. Margaret climbed down with a crunch and they moved out towards the center of the room. A quiet susurration came from the depths. The paladins instantly triggered their shield (F) runes. Their glow made their shadows dance on the walls. The noise grew in intensity. It started off slowly and bones flew up in a small tornado. They whirled around and formed a skeleton with tiny clacks as bones socketed. Margaret sent her skeleton to take care of it. The two skeletons fought as the Death Claws looked around warily. When¡¯s the other shoe gonna drop? An arm tore off of the skeleton and landed on the bone floor. Mayah watched as it rattled around like a bony fish out of water. Then it dug into the bones and disappeared. She nudged Grax. ¡°Yeah I saw it,¡± he let her know. The tension was rising when an arm pushed out of the bones, scattering others with its force. It pulled itself out attached to a whole skeleton. ¡°Magician''s apprentice!¡± Mayah yelled. Margaret looked at her in confusion and then understanding crossed her face as she saw the other skeleton. ¡°So every piece makes more enemies?¡± ¡°Shaz!!!¡± Grax grunted. ¡°There¡¯s got to be an end to them though, right?¡± ¡°We need to destroy the bones!¡± Grax swung an earth hammer at the newly formed skeleton and the head flew off like a line drive. The body and the head lay still for three seconds then they rattled and moved. The body searching blindly for its head found another head and put it on. As soon as it did, Grax knocked it off again. The first decapitated head was forming a brand new body. And Mayah spied the second head doing something similar. Mayah tossed a Light (W) grenade up in the air. And the skeletons shuddered as the confetti fell. ¡°There¡¯s some shadow-based magic going on. Light ¡®em up, but leave room for Vergie!¡± ¡°Vergie roared. And trampled the Skeletons that were popping up on Margaret¡¯s side of the room. More skeletons popped up and moved to surround the trio. Over the course of the next two minutes, ten skeletons became twenty. Twenty became 30. The more they put down, the more arose. ¡°On me!¡± Mayah yelled. She led the team around the edge of the room kiting all the bones onto one side of the room, as their numbers grew. They couldn¡¯t keep them back. Skeletal hands swung and connected whittling away at their health. They grabbed at the paladin¡¯s clothes trying to pull them into their swelling ranks. Grax used the earthen hammers to beat them back and tossed Spike (W) grenades to slow down the front ranks. There was no space, as Margaret swung her sword and couldn¡¯t miss the bony horrors no matter how inexpertly she swung. Her undead were somewhere in the press and Mayah could only see them on her map, but there were no distinguishing marks to help her see them. Mayah was swinging crushing blows and refilling her stamina with mana constantly. She dropped a tree grenade almost every minute trying to stave them off. But even though they fell twice their number rose in their place. She stopped that strategy after five grenades. Five minutes later, Mayah moved towards the center of the room dragging Margaret and Grax along and dropped five Spike (W) grenades. The skeletons angled towards them and walked right over it. When it exploded skeletons froze in place. Grax tossed a tree grenade into their midst. When it exploded, skeletons flew in every direction. The shrapnel tore at Mayah¡¯s hands and face, dropping her to the ground and shaving away at her HP. Mayah picked herself up and saw the divot left in the explosion''s wake. She watched as the skeletons put themselves back together. And small tornadoes formed all around them. A multitude of bones quaked and shimmied as they fought to follow the magic that called them. Hundreds of skeletal fighters arose around them. The bones under their feet being to roll and flip towards the rising maelstrom of boniness. Mayah had to keep her feet moving so that the bones wouldn¡¯t pull her off balance. ¡°Look!¡± Margaret yelled over the loud clicking. Her hand pointed at the doorway that was rising as the bones under their feet sunk them deeper into the floor. The ledge with the door was fifteen feet overhead already. Shaz! we¡¯re in it now! ¡°Light up all of your shield ribbons! Grenades, all sides! Don¡¯t stop until your HP gets low.¡± They tossed grenade after grenade around the perimeter of the room and within five seconds the booms were buffeting them back and forth. Bone turned to bullet and dust, choking the paladins. Something sharp impacted Mayah¡¯s backside dropping her health precipitously.
You have taken damage
-234HP Bone Shrapnel
712/1926HP
With a whine, she reached back and found a bone sticking out of her left butt cheek. It had gone right through her cloak. ¡°Ow!¡± she whimpered. Her right hand went into her bag to pull out a bandage and then she did the Indiana Jones swap as quickly as she could. She studied the broken mandible in her hand. ¡°I knew these grenades would come back to bite me in the butt, but come on???¡± she yelled to the ceiling. She turned her attention back to the scene of destruction around her. Broken jagged bones and chunks of wood lay strewn everywhere. Grax was standing up missing tufts of fur. Margaret was on one knee observing the carnage. Vergie was curled around the rotten growling. Dust was falling creating a nimbus around their glowing Shield (F) auras. The skeletons began to rise again. There were only about twenty of them this time, but they struck fear into the paladin''s hearts. One had two torsos fused together with two heads atop the misshapen and blackened bone. Where its arms should be, it had two torsos with skulls and arms connected to them. It sat on top of four legs bent at the knee and it scuttled over to them low to the ground flexing its torso arms. with the four regular arms reaching out to ensnare them. Another was a skeletal centaur. Legs came out of the shoulders and where the head should be another torso turned upwards at ninety degrees. One was four torsos fused at the legless pelvises. Like an arachnid, it scampered across the debris with uncanny agility, eight jaws clacking. ¡°Welcome to creeper town,¡± Grax yelled as he charged the Skele-spider. More monstrosities rose and Margaret took aim with Spike (W) arrows. Mayah tossed out acid grenades coating the undead, which had little effect. As the green goo disappeared, they could see tiny fractures on their bones making Mayah more hopeful. Mayah tossed out a bunch of Acid (D) grenades then bowled a regular nonexplosive tree grenade at the horde. The tree blossomed into reality and rolled forward at the speed of her throw. It bounced along crushing and trapping the mobs. She spun repeating the action. Acid (D) and trees rained on the mobs as they grew into more and more grotesque configurations. Things with ten arms, twelve legs, and 6 torsos. Mayah and the team wove throughout the tree maze kiting and strafing the mobs. Grax ran back to Mayah and Margaret after felling his latest victim. He hopped over the tree and fell back taking a moment to catch his breath. ¡°This would be more fun if we were getting more XP.¡± He said breathily. ¡°Well, they¡¯re getting tougher so more XP.¡± Margaret shot an arrow and said. ¡°Yeah but level 15 still only gets us 47XP. We are way over-leveled.¡± Grax complained. ¡°There are eight keys to unlock the door don¡¯t jinx us before we get them,¡± Mayah added, handing Margaret more tree grenades. ¡°Mags put out some more barriers. This is giving us a bit more control. Running around this room sucks.¡± ¡°At least you have shoes,¡± Grax moaned. ¡°Don¡¯t hold us accountable for your fashion choices.¡± Margaret yelled over the sounds of bones clacking. ¡°I was hoping for a little empathy.¡± ¡°I save my empathy for those with common sense,¡± Mayah shot. ¡°Harsh, princess. So harsh.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re learning your lesson.¡± Mayah ducked as one the osseous horrors reached over the tree and tried to grab them. Grax smashed the hand with an earthen hammer knocking a few fingers loose. Mayah turned to face the horror and smacked it with a downward crushing blow making its feet leave the ground. They turned to run when a tree appeared out of nowhere, its branches almost gouging their eyes out. ¡°Sorry!¡± Mags yelled. ¡°It slipped.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it later,¡± Grax complained. Mayah vaulted over the trunk and landed with a crunch. They were in a triangle of trees about twenty feet to a side. Vergie was batting at any bones that reached over the trees. When a skeleton rose in their midst. Without even blinking, Mayah grabbed the barely formed spine and chucked it outside of their perimeter. ¡°Everyone take a side. Two grenades for coverage.¡± ¡°for coverage?¡± ¡°Spread ¡®em out evenly, Mags,¡± Grax yelled. ¡°On three¡­ two¡­¡± Mayah tossed her grenades and ducked waited for the booms. Dust and debris rained down along with skeletal parts, which began to quake and attract more bones. A quaking femur was right in front of Mayah. She tossed it out of their defensive triangle. ¡°Everybody okay?¡± Margaret coughed and Grax gave a thumbs up. They smiled at each other until the clicking of bones wiped the smiles off of their faces. She looked up at the door and then craned her neck. ¡°The door!¡± mayah yelled, pointing upwards. ¡°That¡¯s gotta be sixty feet up.¡± Mayah looked at the wall and could see the bones sliding against the wall. That¡¯s where the noise was coming from. Looks like it¡¯s speeding up too. ¡°Everybody keep an eye open for a way off of this bone elevator.¡± Mayah began golf swinging to remove shards of bone that were recreating themselves. Most flew out of the triangle the ones she shattered, however, didn¡¯t rise again. They battled on this way for another ten minutes when the center of the room began to fall faster than the perimeter. The floor became funnel-shaped, and the bones began to slide into the void below. A tree got sucked into the hole and disappeared. Shaz what now? ¡°I don¡¯t like this, Fluff.¡± Me either, Mags.¡± Grax jumped onto a skeleton that was creeping behind them. ¡°If you ladies are done chatting, I could use a little help.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear you admit it but, just a little help? I would say you need a lot of help.¡± ¡°I agree with you, dear.¡± ¡°Hurr dee hurr hurr. Will you smash things please?¡± Mayah tossed an earthen hammer at Grax forcing him to dodge. The hammer smashed into a skeleton that was stalking him from behind. ¡°Does that help?¡± Grax just shook a finger at her and grimaced. Mayah noticed the room starting to spin. When she double-checked the room wasn¡¯t spinning the bones were. Like water doing down the bowl the bones were flying into the darkness of a black hole in the center of the room. The walls were closing in as the bones fell forcing everything into the center of the room. ¡°We need to get to the edge. NOW!!!¡± The paladins fought their way to the wall trying to find some purchase, but the walls were slick as glass. Every time Mayah struck the glass the crack would rise out of reach within seconds. The susurration that they had heard when stepping into the bones was now a clattering roar of bones that followed the physics of fluid dynamics. They fought the osseous horrors as the room shrunk. They tried to knock them close to the hole as they seemed unaware of its existence. Undead minions don¡¯t have self-preservation skills. Got it. The room was only about three-hundred feet wide at this point. The team was controlling their small bit of wall though melee. The bone funnel was snatching up most of the bones that would have arisen. They were grateful for the reprieve but it was a reprieve with its own set of problems. ¡°This is gonna suck, isn¡¯t it?¡± Grax asked Mayah. ¡°fairly certain.¡± They were waiting for the inevitable as the walls closed in and the mobs disappeared into the whirlpool of boniness. Grax knocked a monstrosity back, it fell over backwards and fell into the hole. ¡°Get ready!¡± Mayah yelled, hoping to prepare her teammates for the impending pain. Margaret yelled, ¡°DOOR!!!¡± Across the room, a door was being exhumed by the falling bones. It was a big door Mayah gauged that they had about thirty seconds to reach it before the bottom became visible and the bottom would be out of reach. Grax was already running. ¡°Stay along the wall,¡± he yelled and continued his mad dash, Margaret and then Mayah behind him. Vergie came along and threw Mayah onto her back and did the same for Margaret. Grax saw her coming and leapt to board the vergax express. A ledge rose up out of the falling bones and Vergie leapt through the air. She made it onto the ledge but slid, tossing an unbalanced Grax free. He spun through the air reaching out to his teammates Mayah touched his fingertips and flinched as his claws tore into her flesh. Instincts force her to shy from the pain by just a smidge, but that smidge was all it took to send the cat sprawling through space. Time sped back up as he hit the wall and then the edge of the ledge. Mayah prayed he could hold on. But the bones he landed on skidded out from under him and he went over the edge. ¡°GRAX!!!¡± Mayah yelled jumping down to look for him. She peered out over the edge and found him sliding down a set of bone covered steps. He bounced and flew around the edge of the wall and out over the hole she saw him falling in slow motion. With nothing to stop him. One of the trees they had thrown out hit something solid as it slid down into nothingness and then toppled over the breech. Grax grabbed hold of the leaves as it swung across the opening. Mayah craned her neck to see if he¡¯d survived when the tree slid into the vast unknown below them. Somehow, sprawled out on a step was a heavily breathing cat clutching his heart. He let his body slump as he caught sight of her. ¡°Man, thought I was a goner,¡± he said, adding a breathy sigh. ¡°You okay?¡± Mayah yelled. ¡°Yeah, just gonna lay here and see how many lives I have left.¡± Margaret rushed over and saw Grax laying on the steps. ¡°Hey Mags,¡± Grax waved. ¡°Laying down on the job again?¡± ¡°Most definitely. If we¡¯re not under attack, I¡¯m just gonna lay here and regen for a bit.¡± ¡°That sounds like a good idea. How long do you need?¡± Mayah asked. ¡°About an hour.¡± ¡°Okay, if nothing attacks we break here for an hour. Anybody wanna try to eat some bones for survivalist?¡± Margaret''s face went frowny and Grax said. ¡°I¡¯m gonna pass.¡± ¡°understandable.¡± Mayah turned to Vergie and said, ¡°You rescued us. That means treats.¡± Vergie perked up. The clatter of bones from below lightened into a patter and finally stopped. Mayah looked over the edge into the hole. There was a foot wide shelf around the darkness. Covered in bones, it led to the staircase and the staircase rose up to the ledge. So they were only in a small amount of danger of falling through. ¡°There aren¡¯t any mobs yet. So, pony up some treats for our savior.¡± Mayah scratched under Vergie¡¯s frill. ¡°You¡¯re such a good girl! Yes, you are!¡± She dropped down to peek at the r?tten. ¡°C''mon out outta there and stretch your legs.¡± The r?tten climbed free as Vergie cleared a space and lay down. ¡°Okay snacks for everyone.¡± ¡­.. Mo and his party were eating the tasty delicious foods of the marketplace as they waited for Gummish and Treegan to finish their current patrol. ¡°Booms how come you keep buying multiple portions of everything you like to eat?¡± Ziggs asked. ¡°You haven¡¯t noticed it because you probably haven¡¯t taken the beatings that I have, but good food helps me to regen a lot quicker.¡± Mo placed the meat sticks he purchased into his bag. ¡°Better the food faster the regen, and also I hate the trail meals.¡± ¡°Yeah, they do suck.¡± Mephi agreed. ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve been studying our new maps and noticed that there¡¯s a bunch of trainers.¡± ¡°Really,¡± Mo asked with much interest. He opened his menu and pulled up the beautiful map and selected trainers in the search parameters. Dots across the map popped up. He began to search through them and each one was a different kind of trainer. He typed combat trainer into the search and all but twenty-two dots disappeared. He began to look through those and found a trainer that seemed like he would be a good fit for him. ¡°I found a good trainer I want to check out.¡± He looked up to see Mephi nose deep in his own screens. ¡°I¡¯m still looking. There are so many trainers.¡± ¡°I narrowed it down by searching for combat trainers.¡± ¡°duh.¡± Mephi slapped his forehead and began typing again. ¡°ooh, just what I¡¯m looking for.¡± ¡°What are you looking for, anyway?¡± Ziggs asked the skunkman. ¡°Until I finish that quest in N¡¯tha¡¯a I can¡¯t say.¡± ¡°oooohhhh¡­ secrets, Mephi? Tell us more?¡± Mo teased. Mephi just shook his head. Mo turned to Ziggs and asked, ¡°And what about you boxy lady? What kind of trainer are you looking for?¡± ¡°Right now mechanics and engineers. Later on, it¡¯ll be combat trainers. But I have a lot of work to do yet.¡± ¡°How come you haven¡¯t gotten any more mecha-ish, anyway?¡± Mephi asked. ¡°Need more levels. I have to trade XP for build points. So until I get more XP you won¡¯t see much growth.¡± ¡°Speaking of XP,¡± Mephi said, ¡°Now that Danley is doing the legwork for us on the business stuff, what are we gonna do tomorrow? We got trainers and the oathsmen are busy looking for Nessler. Maybe we can find some easy quests?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s ask the knockers¡ªsorry, oathsmen, what might be available to get us some XP,¡± Ziggs added. ¡°That¡¯s the plan then. We have to be back here at seven-ish for Taur, anyway. Want to just explore the marketplace and get an idea of what¡¯s available for purchase?¡± Mo scratched his chin. ¡°I would also love to see what type of potions they have available. And what books they have. Never underestimate a good book.¡± ¡°I have a few gold I could part with. And we could use some more gear.¡± Mephi suggested ¡°And I need some parts manufactured.¡± ¡°Well, it sounds like we¡¯ll spend the rest of the day shopping. And tomorrow we¡¯ll go get XP or do some training,¡± Mo concluded. ¡°Ziggs you want to message Gummish and we¡¯ll start looking around?¡± ¡°On it, oh armless leader.¡± Mephi bounced a fist on Ziggs¡¯ body. ¡°You kill me, trashbot.¡± A disgruntle Mo just said, ¡°C¡¯mon before you get all weepy over me.¡± Mephi and Ziggs just laughed as he strode off. Activity Update Happy 2020 everyone. This is a great time to let you all know what I''m up to at the beginning of this year. I got a new job at the end of 2019 which threw me all out of wack. Plus there''s my dungeon core story that I''m working on. and honestly, I''m still working out the kinks from the holidays, My keyboard looks a bit dusty. But I''m here with good news. I''m aiming to have a new chapter for you next week on the 10th of January. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. I say aiming because life has a ton of side quests to force upon you and I don''t have the backlog of chapters I currently had. it will definitely be released by the 17th. if I''m not done by Friday I''ll pop back in and let you know. The new releases will be a bit more sporadic heading forward. But have no fear, I will not let more than two weeks pass without a new chapter. Wishing you a year of easy levels. Taj 13.5 Spin That Wheel (Teaser) Malcipher lay on the ground and struggled to breathe. Altum''s ever silent apostle stood over him staring down. After three breaths he motioned for Malcipher to rise. Malcipher could only get to an elbow before falling back to the ground. From across the courtyard, Altum hollered, "If that is all you have my little lord meat puppet, then this is not the school for you." I''m going to gut him one of these days. As if heard his thoughts, Altum yelled, "You''ll never be able to beat me if you can''t even land a blow on my unarmed student." Malcipher channeled his rage and rolled over and dragged himself up onto his knees. There he spied Halsh and Altum sipping on glasses of something that looked refreshing. His fists balled up in anger and he punched the ground hard enough to embed the sand into his knuckles. He stood and wavered then went back to the weapons rack and pulled free the first weapon he could put his hand on. He studied the bladed tonfun. It consisted of a heavy cleaver falchion with a false edge and a weight forward design that would do horrifying things on a slash or stab if the tonfa was extended. The other end consisted of a smaller version of the large edge that extended nine inches past the handle if the larger blade pointed backwards. In close combat, he could punch through leather armor and probably anything short of plate. He tested the weight and then grabbed its twin from the rack, swung both larger blades forward and back. Also, the sharpened false edge would make his elbows deadly in close combat. He tested the blades again and stood ready. The silent apostle nodded his head urging Malcipher to come. Malcipher strode forward in a boxer''s stance. The edges were facing the apostle, giving him fewer targets on Malcipher''s upper body. The apostle walked on an arc drawing Malcipher off of his straight line course while closing the distance. The two stood feet from each other walking in a tight circle, Malcipher intense and brooding while the unarmed apostle stood relaxed and fluid. Malcipher began with an opening salvo of jabs to test the apostle''s reaction. The apostle ducked and weaved stepping back to gain a bit of distance. Malcipher drew back with his right hand like he was going to throw a haymaker but let the blade spin out. The larger blade extended and he swung an overhand diagonal slash that whistled past the apostle''s chest by less than an inch. The apostle smiled and dashed into Malcipher''s exposed right flank. Malcipher spun the tonfa back into position and threw his bladed forearm out to catch any blows then spun his torso and brought his left arm up as a shield and deterrent. With another step, he was back in his stance and in balance. The apostle rolled his neck and cast a glance towards the Altum and then nodded. He slid into a stance on his back leg, stared at Malcipher and waited. Malcipher had no choice but to wade into his enemies striking range and kept a watchful eye for kicks. He leaned in for a jab and the apostle disappeared. He felt the kick that hyperextended his knee and saw a flash as the disciple rose inside of his guard and delivered a devastating knee to his chin. He grabbed the top of Malcipher''s forearms and with a crushing strength, rolled his arms outward. The edges of both of Malcipher''s blades pointed at the apostle''s ribcage. Malcipher swiftly tried to take advantage of that. Until a bright light of pain exploded in his head, causing everything to dim. He woke up on the ground to a coppery taste in his mouth and didn''t remember how he got there. A few of his teeth were missing too. He looked up and saw the apostle holding both of his weapons with his foot extended straight in the air. He tried to get to his knees but his arms felt like wet noodles. He swayed for a mere second before his arms crumbled and he fell onto his face. Malcipher coughed as the dust got into his lungs and rolled to his side gasping before trying to rise again. He heard a clap of thunder. It repeated again and again. He looked over to see Altum clapping. Halsh walked over keeping his distance from the apostle and sat Malcipher up. "Here you go, Milord." Halsh handed him an unstoppered bottle. "Just hurry and drink it. You''ll feel better after." Malcipher listened and drank the contents of the bottle. It washed away the copper taste and replaced it with rotten tree bark, the sweat from an unwashed prisoner who had rolled in their own filth, and the syrupy aftertaste of honey and mint. The mint aftertaste didn''t help. When he tried to spit it out, Halsh held the bottle to his lips and forced him to finish.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Gah! What was that?" "Healing potion, Milord." Malcipher noticed that the apostle''s fingers had ripped through his clothes and traced deep furrows into his forearms when he disarmed him. Though fresh, the wounds were closing rapidly. He also felt the beginnings of his teeth mending. "Why does it taste so bad?" "I don''t know, Milord. All the good potions would put an outhouse to shame in the taste department." Malcipher finally had the strength to stand. The apostle waited there and bowed towards him and walked off placing the tonfas back on the rack. "I believe Altum would like to have a word with you." "Altum can eat poop for all I care." "I think you''d want to hear what he has to say, Milord." Malcipher grimaced and looked past Halsh''s shoulder at the man splayed across his chair. "Fine lets get this over with." They approached Altum who was smiling glibly. "Well I guess I can''t call you lord meat puppet anymore." Malcipher spit, partially in distaste of Altum and partially in distaste of the potion''s remnants. "I guess I''ll just call you meat puppet now. If you decide to join my school, you''ll have no lordship in my walls. No special treatment. Do you agree?" "Why would I want to be in your school and get beaten all day?" "You are under the misconception that I was instructing you. This was all a test." "A test? You beat me senseless for a test?" Malcipher raged. Halsh put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head with a look that implored him to listen. When he finally turned back to Altum he was glowering but in control. "Why a test?" He asked again, barely able to control his anger. "Three reasons." Altum held up three fingers. "Firstly, I had to make sure you weren''t a crybaby. Coddling some soft-palmed, spoiled fop isn''t my style and the lords and ladies know as much. Secondly, I wanted to see if you had fire and determination. You have a fighter''s spirit if not their ability, yet. Thirdly, I needed to know which weapon you''d be good at. It influences the training regimen. Even though I''m skilled with most weapons, some no luck with their weapon skills." He sat back in his chair and took massive gulps of his drink and let out a satisfied sigh. "So would you like me to teach you to fight?" "You put me through all of this to see if I would rise to the occasion or curl up into a ball?" "Ah, you begin to see my points." He noticed Malcipher''s raging glower and said, "Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have a battle-hardened warrior by your side or someone who talks the talk and gets their legs broken when they try to walk the walk?" Malcipher didn''t answer. "Keyes, which would you choose?" Altum asked the shadow ranger. "The battle-hardened warrior." Halsh responded without a second thought. "And which do you think your lord is?" Halsh said nothing. Altum turned to Malcipher. "The fact that he''s saying nothing should let you know which he thinks you are." He lifted the skin, his eyes never leaving Malcipher and quaffed again. "You have an opportunity here meat puppet. I will not bow my head and beg and grovel at your feet looking for acceptance. I fought my way to where I am and I will continue to fight to stay here. Any less and I would be doing myself and my students a disservice. I will ask once more. Would you like to learn from me?" "I have one question before I answer yours," Malcipher said with resolve. "Ask it." "What weapon did you pick for me?" "Shrewd and angry. I like you more each moment, meat puppet. I will tell you when you join my school. But if you had any awareness of combat classes, you would know." "The last ones, whatever they were." Altum quirked and eyebrow and took a drink with a smile on his lips. "Maybe." "Fine, I''ll join your school. But if you don''t teach me how to destroy my opponents, you will rue the day." "You will have plenty of time to rue the day, starting tomorrow." Altum waved a dismissive hand at him. "Be here at sunrise. If you''re late training will be even harsher." Halsh bowed to Altum and walked towards the gate. Malcipher turned to leave. "No, no, meat puppet. We are student and teacher now and I demand respect. Bow to your teacher or I will thrash you where you stand." Malcipher felt a cold dark aura roll over his grave and looked Altum in the eye. There he only saw death and pain. He swallowed loudly and bowed respectfully. "This is a student teacher relationship and proper discipline and respect must be maintained. Forget your status again meat puppet and you will pay in flesh." Malcipher shuddered, bowed and walked away from Altum as fast as he could. "See you tomorrow," he yelled cheerfully at the duo. "And shadow ranger bring some drink. The good stuff if you can find it." Halsh raised a hand in acknowledgment. When they were outside of the gates Malcipher said, "That man is a maniac." "When I first heard his name I thought it sounded familiar and as we talked I realized who he was. You couldn''t ask for a better teacher." Malcipher was puzzled. "Why?" he asked. "That is Altum the unkillable, or Altum the immortal. He was a slave forced to fight in the arena from the age of six. At nine years old he killed a full-grown rheeghast with his bare hands. He almost died doing it and slept for three months as he healed. But they say no man alive could win against him." Malcipher listened intently as Halsh continued doling out information on Altum. "He began fighting multiple armed opponents with his bare hands. He has forgotten more about fighting than I ever knew." "So, he''s not all mouth?" "No, Milord, and you would do well to remember that." "I will take your advice, as it strengthens me." 13.5 Spin That Wheel Standing at the edge of the platform, Mayah held her newly created release wand. Her teammates had finished eating and Grax was lying on top of Vergie with the r?tten. Margaret was using Vergie''s ribs as a pillow. They happened to be camped so close together so that Mayah would have room to work. Instead of having the Open (Lf) and Hold (E) runes. This wand was inscribed with the runes to recall something from the runiverse, Call (A), Open (Lf), and Release (L). In her left hand she held her storage wand on the side where the hole in the bottom of the room threatened to swallow anything that fell off of the platform. She channeled mana into the release wand and placed it near the crystal that lay on the ground at her feet. The crystal flew to the tip on the inscribed runeagram and buzzed excitedly. She added more mana slowly and the log inside began is reemergence back into the world. She watched to see the orientation of the log. If she placed it wrong, it would overbalance and fall off of the platform into the depths. There was a moment where she could reorient the item as it was weightless and get it mostly lined up. She did this successfully multiple times. They''d spent the better part of two hours recharging. Another twenty grenades won''t help too much if we run into another room like that last one. But man our stock was getting low. That room of bones was brutal. No wonder so many teams died the first day. This side is a lot harder than vuurmin fields. She placed the log down, made another grenade, then clapped her hands. "Time to move out." "Finally, this rock is hard on my old bones," Margaret whined. "Mags these aren''t your bones and they''re aren''t old either," Grax quipped. "Well, it was hard because of the bones then." Vergie let the r?tten get back into their pouches. "All right gang, time to open doors and win prizes. Grax you''re on point, Mags you''re on bow unless the situation changes." Grax slid his katanas over one another and stood next to the door. Mayah stood on the other side with her hand on the handle. Margaret stood just out of line with the door and had a tree grenade arrow nocked. Mayah gave everyone a look and then stepped back, pulling the door open. Grax popped his head into view and back as quickly as possible. And then spun into the doorway. Mayah followed him in and saw a set of steps curving down into the darkness. Why do the steps always curve down into the darkness? That''s just lazy. What about switchback steps? At least then we''d know it was zombies. They descended for thirty feet when they found an archway with a landing and entered another large cavern. As they passed through, Mayah realized they were at least a hundred and fifty feet above the ground and the cavern was at least three times as large as the room above. She was tempted to let out a whistle but remembered that quiet was her friend. A dim orange glow was emanating from the ceiling and Mayah''s eyes followed the stairs as they went around a column and out of sight. She looked over to see the stair case ringing down the column below them to the floor. She wished there was a parapet or balustrade but, game logic. From their vantage point, they saw a floor covered with bones and two more identical columns in the distance. The columns, spaced equilaterally around the cavern and holding up the ceiling, were each ringed with an open staircase like the one they stood atop. Mayah gave her team the once over and found Margaret with her back to the archway looking nervously up and down the steps. "Mags you okay?" "Just a bit of a thing with heights, dear." "How come you didn''t say anything at vuurmin fields?" Grax asked. "Need I remind you, I didn''t have a chance to say anything before I was tossed from the edge?" "Point made." Grax nodded with a smirk. "But what about acrobat training?" Mayah asked. "It''s not the heights that you can climb on an A-frame ladder. But heights like this? Ehhh¡­.." "You going to be okay?" "I''m sure I''ll make it." Margaret closed her eyes and swallowed deeply, taking a calming breath and putting her back against the wall. "You''re going to keep your back on the wall the whole time, aren''t you?" Grax asked. "And if I do?" Margaret glared atomic death daggers at the cat. Grax raised his paws. "It''s totally cool. No problem with it, at all." "Good!" Margaret "Just watch out for spiders." Margaret spun to check the wall as Vergie pushed past her forcing her to the edge of the steps. Margaret realized where she was and spun to slam herself back against the wall and clutched her chest in fear. Vergie chuffed and Grax chuckled. "Alright," Mayah sighed. "Now that we have that settled, let''s go down." Mayah waited a millisecond for any comment about sewers but got none. Thank god for the small things. She took the steps slowly following Grax. Her eyes were searching the floor and columns for any movement. Her ears searched for noises. Halfway down the steps she heard the rustle of movement which echoed in the cavern and then she spotted the bones falling from the ceiling closer to one of the other columns. The sound continued long past the first tense seconds. They hurried while the bones were falling hoping that it would cover any noise they''d make. They hopped off of the stairs and made a circuit of the staircase hoping to find a waypoint or some other identifying mark to move them forward. "What next princess?" Grax asked, his head continuously scanning. "For now, I''m not sure. Perimeter or columns first?" Mayah gave Grax the choice. "Let''s do perimeter." "C''mon Mags, let walk the walls." Mayah told Margaret. Vergie pushed the necromancer-ranger forward with her snout. They crunched along the bones on the floor which was barely audible over the sound of the bones raining down from the sky. The torrent of skeletal precipitation tapered off and the Paladins were now the only noise in the silence. Every step felt like it was a gunshot in the empty cavern and they tiptoed over the remains of what had to hundreds of thousands of bodies from multiple species. They made it to the walls and began there. "I don''t like this anymore, Fluff." Margaret griped. "I understand. Hence the word grind," Mayah informed her. "What happened to farming? Are we still farming? I''m three quarters of the way to level 24." "Mags, more looking. Less talking. There''s got to be a way through this place." "Why don''t you try to raise a few skeletons while you have the time and mana," Grax ordered. "Fine. Just this long pause is making me nervous. It''s like there''s going to be some¡ª" Grax leapt onto Margaret. He held one paw to Margaret''s mouth while holding onto her vest with three others. He stared into her eyes like death itself and hisspered, "Don''t you dare finish that sentence." From there he quietly and sternly continued. "There are things we tell you not to say, right? Nod your head if you understand." Margaret nodded. "This is one of those things. Do you understand?" Margaret nodded again. "Now keep those words to yourself. We''re all feeling that same pressure. Understand?" Margaret nodded. "Now," Grax removed his paw and tried to straighten her clothing, which was kind of difficult because he was standing on them. "I''m sorry I had to jump all over you. But please remember to think those thoughts before you say them okay?" Margaret nodded one last time. "Good." He patted Margaret on the cheek and then jumped down with a crunch. Mayah sidled up to Margaret. "He just shushed you pretty good. He literally just jumped all over you." Margaret just stared at Mayah as she watched to cat skulk about looking for clues. "He has his uses, sometimes. And I''m siding with him on this. I''ve been superstitious about a few things since I was a kid. And video games is one of them." She pat Margaret on the arm reassuringly. "Despite your having to learn everything, in arguably the most advanced game in the world, you''re doing great. Even Grax knows it, though he may not say anything." Margaret continued to pout. "C''mon Mags,get your game face on." She gave Margaret a smile. "They''ll be time enough for emotions when we''re not beset by skeletons. Besides this is a great place for a Nec to level. So many bones without guts." Mayah offered cheerfully. Margaret nodded morosely. "Cheer up Mags, or I''ll make you sew all types of ooey gooey zombie parts together." Mayah slapped Margaret on the shoulder as she saw Margaret shudder. "Fine!" Margaret screwed up her face. "Game face on." "That''s my girl." They followed Grax as he skulked along the wall keeping a sharp eye out for any movement. The orange light. Made the bones appear yellow and the shadows a violet fog that abruptly turned into darkness. Halfway between the pillars they found a low stone plinth that barely rose an inch above the bones strewn around it. Margaret, being the tallest spotted it first and Grax moved towards it cautiously. As they approached a column of blue light floated out from a crack in the stone.It expanded into a ten by ten-foot tall cylinder of hazy blue. Indistinct forms of a lighter blue about the size of a hand swam through the light. As they moved around, the light forms remained garbled and twisted. They moved around in the light like fish in an aquarium. "Can you guys see that?" Grax asked since he circled the light faster than the others he stared into the light with an enhanced curiosity. "Yup," Mayah said in hushed tones as she peered over his shoulder. "Me, too," Margaret hisspered over Mayah''s shoulder. "Me, Three," came a loud whiny voice from over Margaret''s shoulder. Vergie roared and all three of the Death claws jumped and then scattered away from the voice as fast as they could. When they turned they found a nine foot tall skeleton wearing a tattered hooded robe. He was standing next to the blue light, rubbing his jaw as if it was sore. Vergie continued to growl as she stalked closer. "Ouch," the skeleton whined. Small white spots in the darkness of his skull eye sockets rotated glancing between each paladin rather quickly. The death Claws may have been caught flat footed but they were no slouches and the skeleton was already within striking range for all of them. The first to make their move, even before Vergie, were Margaret''s skeletal dolls. "Really? I come to say ''hey'' and you chuckle buckets can''t even apologize for making me bite my tongue?" Mayah held up a hand to stop Margaret. The dolls froze again, but remained on guard. "Do you even have a tongue?" The skeleton looked up in thought and said, "No. But if I did I would have bitten it." "Did that bump even hurt?" Mayah asked even more cynically. The skeleton shrugged, straightening. "Ya got me. So what was so interesting in here?" He thumbed at the blue column of light and turned his back to the paladins to stare at the blue light. The Death Claws watched him with all the attention they had minus the small bit used for checking sixes. It walked left and right trying to find the perfect angle to stare into the blue light. When it found the correct angle again, it sighed deeply. The death claws shared an unspoken look of "what is going on here?" between the three of them and then turned back to the skeleton. The skeleton spun around so quick all three of them jumped. "Did you guys read this yet?" The skeleton asked, pointing a finger over its shoulder at the blue light. "Who''s asking?" Grax asked the skeleton. "Oh my bad, dawg!" Mayah could swear the skeleton waggle its eyebrows at Grax as he dropped into the slightly insulting slanguage. "The name is Heather!" Heather put her hand on other hip. "Or is it Dave? I mean I am very, very grumpy." Dave scratched his chin in contemplation. "I mean it could be O''Banthony, or Alex, or Rounds, I really like the sounds Rounds make on my tongue¡ªexcept I don''t have a tongue." The skeleton was having a full blown conversation with itself at this point and no one wanted to interrupt. "But it could just as easily be Freibott. That''s a strong name right there. I am Freibott crusher of things." The voice changed to a Schwarzenegger-esque parody. "Or am I more of a Kristen? What do you think? Or¡­ ooh, ooh I could definitely be a JanJon that has superstar power to it." It finally turned to the paladins as they stood there in a confused state of awe unsure of how to proceed. Vergie had her head cocked to the side like Nipper, the RCA dog and the phonograph. Everytime the skeleton said a name, more than its voice changed. It was a full personality switch. An unnerving carousel of personality switches. Even Mayah''s ever whirling brain had to pause as the skeleton had gone into character for each voice. Dave was indeed a grumpy old man, and Kristen had a tinkling snorting laughter to its character. Grax''s and Margaret''s jaws hung open while Mayah''s face contorted into a sneer of cognitive dissonance. "Okay don''t make a girl feel bad," it said in heather''s voice. "They just don''t know what to make of you stupid theatrics. That why I said you should let me talk?" Dave Grumped.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. The original whiny voice of JanJon chimed in. "You always wanna talk. Let someone else get a chance." Dave yelled, "You were the one who started to talk to them and look where that got us." "I have to agree with Dave," Freibott piped in his muscley Austrian voice, forcing the skeleton to stand ramrod straight and bob his head athletically as he spoke. "You made us seem weak, incompetent and fearful. One must always start from a position of power to remain the alpha." "Freibott, Dude, Chillax a little, dawg. We just met these little dude and dudettes. Why are you going all alpha on everyone?" "Alex, you freaking hippie!!! I''m nobody''s beta." Dave''s voice jumped in again. "Here''s a pill to chill, Dave. Take it before you don¡¯t make it through your heart attack.¡± ¡°Well, that won¡¯t happen.¡± This voice was extremely poindextery and nasally. ¡°I mean if you haven¡¯t noticed we¡¯re a skeleton. No living tissues to be concerned about.¡± ¡°O¡¯Banthony is right,¡± Freibott barked. Besides, if we had a heart, it would be the most muscular heart you could imagine. It would pump so much blood!!! It would be so¡­ PUMPED¡­ UP!!!¡± The skeleton suddenly clutched itself and shook with rage its eyes turning red. Smoke curled from its mouth, and Mayah could swear there were small flames in the back of its throat. She motioned for everyone to step back and they did. Finally, the skeleton roared in a voice that sounded more draconic than human, ¡°Why are you idiots fighting again? I was watching a movie on the couch and making chips. I swear if I have to come back out here I will destroy you all.¡± As suddenly as the fiery voice came, it went. The skeleton held a finger to its teeth in a hushing manner and Kristen¡¯s tiny voice said, ¡°Be quiet or Rounds is going to wake up again. He¡¯s a real no nonsense type. Hates to be disturbed. I¡¯m sure you know what I mean?¡± Mayah nodded awkwardly and then looked to Grax to somehow save her. ¡°Well, anyway,¡± Kristin continued. ¡°Have you seen this?¡± It pointed to the garbled words floating in the light. ¡°Come, take a look. I think its important.¡± ¡°We know they¡¯re important,¡± Freibott spoke loudly before he could slam his own hands over his mouth. Heather said through her fingers, ¡°Freibott you need to shut up for a few minutes. Nod if you understand.¡± The skeleton nodded. ¡°Sorry about him,¡± Heather apologized. ¡°He gets easily excited. But, take a look why don¡¯t you?¡± The paladins stared at the skeleton standing right where they needed to be to see the words in focus. Even if they were garbled. ¡°Move, idiot you¡¯re in the way.¡± Dave said. ¡°Oh, sorry¡± JanJon responded timidly and stepped to the side. All three paladins kept their eyes on Heather-Dave-JanJon-Kristen-Rounds-Alex-Freibott-O¡¯Banthony as it sidled even further away when he noticed they weren¡¯t taking their eyes off of it. ¡°Keep an eye on him, girl.¡± Mayah said to Vergie with a nice serving of scritches. Mayah and Margaret turned to look into the light and Grax pointed two claws at his eyes and then back at the skeleton before he turned to look at the blurred words floating in front of them. The words swam for another three-count and then resolved into a single sentence that started to repeat itself over and over again. Just three words that spun across their vision like an animated marquee. ¡°Spin that wheel? What does that even mean?¡± Grax asked. ¡°Well, let me tell you!¡± A gameshow announcer¡¯s voice barked over a PA system. Some standard cheesy game show theme music began playing. The disconcerting sound rang in their ears a dissonant clash against the generalized hush present throughout the dungeon. They all turned to see the skeleton right next to them, one hand holding a superscope wand microphone a la Bob Barker. The other hand was on his knee and he bent down slightly to stare at them. When he was sure he had their attention, he spun away in a pirouette and a spotlight shone down on him. His outfit had completely changed. Instead of the tattered cloak, he now wore a tan blazer, brown bell-bottom slacks, white shirt, and a garish awning striped tie. On his head, there was a wig of thick brown hair that looked like they styled it in the seventies with so much hairspray that it refused to move, even through the decades up to today. Even as he swaggered and spun in the spotlight. If that even is a wig? ¡°Wha¡­¡± was all that Grax could get out. ¡°He looks like¡ª¡± was all Margaret could get out before the skeleton cut her off. ¡°Welcome contestants to¡­ Wheel¡­ of¡­ personalities!!!¡± An applause sign lit up behind the skeleton as a canned recording of applause came from nowhere. ¡°Thank you! thank you!¡± It bowed to no one in particular and waved to the emptiness of the space. ¡°I¡¯ll be your host, JanJon Doomendeath.¡± ¡°Contestants if you would be so kind as to step up onto the stone.¡± They looked at the skeleton skeptically. ¡°Don¡¯t stand there looking like a fish out of water.¡± He moved to where Mayah stood faster than Mayah could track and whispered to the death claws across the back of its hand, ¡°This is a game show, I¡¯ll explain it in a second.¡± And then he was back in the spotlight. Mayah looked at Grax and he gave a shrug. ¡°For those of you that don¡¯t know the rules, let me explain.¡± He motioned to the death claws. ¡°Once our contestants enter the blue light¡­¡± Margaret, who was happy clapping at the show, instantly walked towards the blue glow until Mayah grabbed her by the hood and yanked. Margaret gakked and almost fell back Mayah had pulled so hard. ¡°Fluff?¡± Margaret tried to snatch her cloak back from Mayah but stopped short as she saw the angry look on the enchanter¡¯s face. ¡°Mags, were you just going to go with an obvious bad guy named Doomendeath? Who is also OBVIOUSLY a skeleton in a bone dungeon?¡± A look of shame crossed Margaret¡¯s face. ¡°Noob.¡± Grax growled. Margaret¡¯s head dropped even further. Mayah turned to the Skeleton of many names and asked, ¡°What happens if we don¡¯t get on the platform?¡± It sauntered and swaggered closer, looked out into the nothing like there was an audience there and said into the microphone, ¡°Looks like our contestants don¡¯t want to play the game.¡± Canned boos echoed through the cavern. ¡°That means they get to fight all eight personalities at once.¡± A murmur of excitement rolled through the canned response. ¡°Would you like to see that ladies and gentlemen and whatever it is that you are sir?¡± The skeleton pointed at Grax getting chuckles and applause from the audience. The skeleton host leaned in and said with Kristin¡¯s tinkly voice. ¡°Just play along with JanJon. He¡¯s been working on this for a very long time. And he¡¯s made it so you have a chance to win at least. If not Rounds, the angry one with fire will take control and then it''s all smash and burn, blood and guts. If you catch my meaning?¡± Mayah sniffed and stared at the skeleton with the personality disorder. ¡°Fine we¡¯ll play.¡± Mayah said through gritted teeth. ¡°We are?¡± Grax said skeptically. ¡°We are?¡± Margaret clapped happily. They both looked at Margaret sternly. ¡°Game face Mags. This is just the free ride to the fight.¡± ¡°But I can enjoy the gameshow portion can¡¯t I?¡± JanJon swept in and took Margaret¡¯s hand. ¡°Of course you can, dear lady. We can¡¯t start until I at least give you the rules.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to be on a game show,¡± Margaret exclaimed to her teammates as JanJon led her to the platform and into the light. ¡°Well, at least it¡¯s not a soap opera.¡± Mayah grumbled after Margaret disappeared. ¡°My Abuelita would¡¯ve loved that.¡± Mayah couldn¡¯t help but chuckle which made Grax chuckle, so they were both smiling as they stepped on to the stone platform followed by Vergie and the r?tten. When they finally stepped completely into the blue light, their bodies hummed and the blue light pushed them off the other side of the platform. They found that it had transported them to the center of the cavern. There was casino wheel with all of the skeleton¡¯s names on it and a red arrow hanging from the top. The music blasted, and the crowd cheered until the skeleton motioned for his invisible audience to stop. ¡°Now the we have everyone here, the rules, for everyone playing and listening are quite simple. We spin the wheel and whichever personality you land on is the one you fight? Any questions?¡± He asked and hurried on before anyone could say anything. ¡°Good! Good! Now, young lady,¡± he pushed Margaret towards the casino wheel. ¡°SPIN¡­ THAT¡­ WHEEL!!!¡± Before Mayah could stop her, Margaret reached out and gave the wheel a spin. The wheel went round and round and round, clacking the pins against the red arrow making it bounce jauntily. The wheel finally came to a stop on the name Dave. ¡°Alrighty ya little turd tuggers, it¡¯s time to get down and dirty.¡± Standing where Janjon had been was the same skeleton who was now wearing a torn and dirty chipmunk costume, smoking a cigar and tossing back the last dregs of his highball. He burped loudly, chucked the glass over his shoulder and exhaled a large cloud of smoke that smelled like feet. ¡°Now listen up! Since JanJon is making me wear this stupid chipmunk costume, I¡¯m feeling like stripping the flesh off¡¯a yer bones for stepping on my lawn.¡± ¡°What lawn?¡± ¡°Shut it shrimp cattail. I¡¯m in charge and you either die like good boys and girls or you die like bad boys and girls.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a difference!¡± Margaret yelled ¡°Realized that did ya, firetop?¡± ¡°Firetop?¡± Margaret snorted with indignation and nocked an arrow. ¡°Looks like you got two brain cells.¡± Dave winked lecherously at Margaret. ¡°Now, whether they talk to each other is a whole ¡¯nother discussion.¡± ¡°I want to break his face.¡± Margaret growled. ¡°Now she gets her game face.¡± Mayah rolled her eyes. ¡°You immature skidmarks ready?¡± ¡°Hey! You grouchy old bones.¡± Grax yelled. Dave shooed the cat. ¡°I¡¯ve been called much worse by much better, young feller.¡± Dave continued to ignore Grax¡¯s mumblings as he rose onto a platform that slowly spun him around and around and yelled, ¡°Here we go!¡± Dave clapped his hands twice and the blue light shot out from the center of the stone to encompass a circle two-hundred feet in diameter. The wall of light blazed fiery red and turned into a screen that showed multiple angles of Dave from an invisible camera. Dave hammed it up as the music changed from game show to early metal. Mayah found herself liking the music as Dave posed, flexed, played air guitar, and puffed smoke like a dragon. Finally, pyrotechnics went off around the edge of the battlefield and words that went from floor to the top of the barrier appeared. DAVE VS SKIDMARKS FIGHT!!! ¡°We hit him hard!!!¡± ¡°Not a problem, dear.¡± ¡°Like I¡¯d do anything less,¡± Grax chuckled. Dave Yelled, ¡°Whoo hoo¡­!!!¡± and dove off the tower. He swan dove into the bones barely displacing any calcium as he disappeared below their surface. ¡°Uh, oh!¡± Mayah uttered The Royal death claws looked in every direction searching for Dave ¡°Where is he?¡± ¡°We don¡¯t know, you wheel spinning grandma.¡± Grax ¡°Kill the chatter,¡± Mayah barked. ¡°You feel that?¡± As soon as Mayah said it, the others felt the ground shaking and a pile of bones was rising from the ground twenty feet in front of them. When they pile was twenty feet high, it burst apart in a rain of bony shrapnel. A giant Chipmunk complete with a smoking cigar made of bones stood before them. In an exhale of smoke blown directly at them Dave roared, ¡°Get off of my lawn!!!¡± He dropped to all fours and leapt covering the distance between them in a flash. His bony tail that would¡¯ve been fluffy on a chipmunk twitched and bristled as he landed. Bones scattered and the arrow that Margaret had launched went wide of his face. It landed on his shoulder and flames covered his chipmunk form.
Your party has attacked
Dave Doomendeath
Level 17
-180 Over (F) Grenade
1295/1475
He wailed in agony as the flames burned him and Mayah decided to add some Acid (D) grenades, tossing them on the bony conflagration while staying clear of the thrashing. Grax was adding Spike (W)stilettos concentrating on the rear legs. Damage notifications rolled past with every tick of the DOTs and the Death claws kept piling them up. But the icing on the cake was Margaret¡¯s doll climbing up on Dave¡¯s head. It took it¡¯s bony fist and slammed it into the inky darkness of Dave¡¯s eye. It did nothing at first but then the doll grabbed the white dot in dave¡¯s eye and pulled. Dave shrieked and cursed like a bridezilla named Karen finding her white wedding dress covered in blueberry jam. He shook his head and bounded away from the death claws giving himself some distance. He kept an eye on Margaret to dodge the Over (F) arrows she kept tagging him with. When he got some distance from the necro-ranger, he got a break from the flames, acid, and ice. He stood there breathing hard his health bar just below the quarter mark. He stuck his chipmunk claws into his empty eye socket and tsked. He looked up just in time to see the arrow Margaret had launched at him and skipped to the side. He let out a deep growl that rumbled over the sound system. ¡°I¡¯m gonna kick your Kentucky bluegrass!!!¡± he roared. Then he scrambled Backward as fast as he could and ran until he made it to the wall farthest from the Death claws.. ¡°Shaz, he¡¯s fast!¡± ¡°But his health bar is almost down to the last quarter. This should be easy.¡± Margaret announced. Both Grax and Mayah gave her a look of death causing Margaret to wilt. ¡°What?¡± She asked. ¡°Do you want to say it or should I?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take this one princess.¡± He continued speaking to Mayah while he looked at Margaret. He spoke loudly and slowly. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think those two brain cells talk to each other.¡± Margaret Hmmphed loudly and they all turned their head to Dave who was pawing the ground like a bull about to charge. He snorted smoke from his enlarged nostrils and then bolted towards them. The paladins readied their weapons when Mayah saw a flash of green and colors behind him, just before their attacks reached him. Dave blurred ahead so fast it seemed like every step was a strobe light into the future. Shaz!!! He must have activated a speedup! Before any of their attacks could reach them he blurred and reappeared tens of feet from where he was. Mayah braced for a swing as he got closer but he dodged the crushing blow. Dave didn¡¯t attack but wove between the paladins leaving a trail of green light as he weaved around them and leapt over their heads so fast the trio was left looking for where he had been. Repeatedly, the giant chipmunk jumped through their formation, never landing a blow. The death claws could only watch until Dave skidded to a halt forty feet from them, casting back a rooster tail of loose bones. The green trails of light however, lingered. They floated in between and around the death claws sparkling with small blossoms of color popping out. Before the death claws even had a chance to move, Dave grinned maliciously, and yelled, ¡°THORN BASKET!!!¡± The colored blooms turned into flowers that hung in midair becoming the epicenters of an explosion of arm thick vines. the vines seemed to grow from the flowers and reached out to tangle the death claws in an instant. Arms legs were pinned as the vines snaked around their torsos and throats. The vines turn from supple green to a dark brown and thorns sprouted along their length. One inch, two inches, finally they were held in a cradle of the thorns. Then the thorns, vines, and flowers dissipated like smoke leaving them covered with tiny pin pricks.
Your party has been attacked
Dave Doomendeath
Level 17
-72 Thorn Basket
1854/1926HP
You have received a Debuff
Bleeding -8HP/5 Sec
-50% Health Regen.
Timer 2:00 Minutes
1846/1926HP
/1614HP
Of course, we stayed in the area of effect because the lights were pretty. Mayah mentally facepalmed. ¡°That hurt!¡± Margaret yelled. She was rubbing her body like she was getting attacked by bees. ¡°Well, you spun the wheel.¡± Grax yelled back while emulating her dance. ¡°We¡¯ll toss blame later. For now he¡¯s at fault and I haven¡¯t extracted my pound of blood yet.¡± ¡°He doesn¡¯t have any blood.¡± Margaret commented. ¡°You never know Margaret. You never know.¡± Mayah pointed at dave with happiness, then she got into her batter¡¯s stance and pointed to the far wall with her off hand. She saw the action replay on the screens around the arena. ¡°She back to being creepy. That means it¡¯s time to smash things,¡± Grax cheered happily. Dave snorted again, seeing that his attacks were mostly useless. He looked up to the ceiling and growled, ¡°I¡¯m gonna use it.¡± JanJon¡¯s voice responded from the ceiling, ¡°Don¡¯t! You know those tests haven¡¯t been conclusive.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t care. You put me in a chipmunk suit. A flarfing chipmunk suit. What about a t-rex? Did you think about that? NO¡­ You just had to get all weird with your choices, which is why we¡¯ve never let you have your way until now. I can¡¯t believe that idiot lost at roshambo!¡± ¡°But we don¡¯t know what it¡¯ll do to you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t care. Make sure you bury me with a bottle of my best, if that¡¯ll make ya feel better.¡± Dave¡¯s eye returned to the death claws. ¡°Well, it looks like it¡¯s time to finish this.¡± And with that he began to glow green. A river of green lights flowed out from under his feet towards the death claws. The paladins all ran from the lights, but the lights followed wherever they went. Dave continued to channel despite being tagged with three arrows by Margaret. The green glow expanded from him until like a green sun. Mayah could just barely make Dave out. He was floating three feet off of the floor like a buddha, holding hand mudras in hundreds of hands. Mayah yelled, ¡°Aegis (S) ribbons!!!¡± Just before Dave¡¯s eyes opened and pierced into the paladins souls and they froze in place. They were lifted up from the ground as dave¡¯s voice came from everywhere in the cavern. ¡°This is the most powerful spell we could find from this school. Even we don¡¯t know how powerful it is. Today we find out.¡± ¡°Fluff, What do we do?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± There was a flash of green that seemed to go on forever. And then the Death claws slowly floated back down to their feet. They looked at each other as the light faded and saw dave¡¯s bones break apart as he hit the ground.
You have received
The Blessing of life
All wounds and status effects healed
The soul of dave has been lain to rest
1926/1926HP
¡°Did he just heal us?¡± ¡°I think he did.¡± There was screech from the PA system. ¡°What did you do to Dave?¡± Freibott roared. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything!¡± JanJon whimpered. ¡°O¡¯Banthony designed that set of bones with life magic.¡± ¡°O¡¯Banthony?!?!?!¡± ¡°Well, when we got attacked with that spell it made whole armies fall I thought it would do the same to them.¡± ¡°You idiot, was it an army of Undead?¡± ¡°Yeah, but¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s why it wiped out the army. It¡¯s life magic!!! That¡¯s what life magic does to UNDEAD!!! Not only did you unkill Dave, but you healed them too.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± O¡¯banthony shrieked as if someone was murdering him. ¡°You will be.¡± Freibott hollered loudly. There was the sound of furniture moving, the thud of something heavy repeatedly hitting something else, and O¡¯Banthony whining after every thud. As the argument faded from the mic, Mayah could hear Kristen weeping and Heather consoling her. Grax sidled over to Mayah. ¡°This is getting uber weird.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± ¡°Fluff, how come we didn¡¯t get any notifications?¡± Margaret asked. Mayah double checked her log. Shaz!! ¡°Looks like we¡¯re not done yet." "JanJon, get down there, bruh. They''re listening." Alex said nonchalantly. "How are they listening?" JanJon. Asked. "The microphone is on, stupid." The beefy voice of Freibott informed him. "Crap!" JanJon yelled, and there was a loud fumbling with the Mic, some feedback, and a sharp click. From behind then the game show music started up again and the canned applause rolled out of the PA. JanJon ran towards the platform and stumbled as he leapt to clear the edge. He caught himself and instantly pulled himself back into his game show host persona. He checked his immovable hair and struck a pose. ¡°Now contestants are you ready to continue playing, WHEEL OF PERSONALITIES?!?!¡± JanJon Asked. The applause raised in volume as the applause sign flashed behind JanJon. ¡°Shaz!¡±