by A. C Carter
'Small Elm Dresser(Full)' floated above the wooden surface.
"That must be where my clothes are" she thought. She arose from the bed and touched the dresser. A small menu appeared in her vision, giving her two options.
Dialogue Scroll
-
Check Inventory
-
Quit Menu
She decided to check the inventory. Another menu appeared showing the contents.
Inventory Scroll
White Blouse
Tan Cotton Pants
Leather Boots
Take All
Exit
She selected to Take All and then equipped the clothes. The weight of the clothes appearing on her body was almost a surprise to Arilee. The transfer is always immediate. She looked down at the off-white stiff cotton fabric now adorning her slim figure. "Good enough," she said aloud to the empty room.
Arilee studied her new outfit in the mirror. She chuckled at how ugly the basic clothes were. They seemed military in fashion.
A noise outside the door caused her to stiffen. Footsteps coming down the hall.
A cold panic gripped her. She braced herself as the door opened.
"Be quiet if she is still sleep- Ho!" A stocky dwarf with full beard and a long ponytail, as long as a real pony's and dark as can be, strutted into the room. His voice was gruff, but joyful.
"Yer awake! What are ye doing standing in the middle of the room like that lass? You should be resting!"
A female trailed behind him. She wore a light-pink cotton Priestess Robe. Arilee thought she could make out the signature cheekbones of a High Elf beneath her veil.
Their levels floated above their heads. - [Level 25] ; [Level 1]
"I, uh, I...I" Arilee stopped herself. Seeing such a high level was a little shocking. Now her eyes noticed the military commendations on his chest. She relaxed and gained her composure.
"I found the clothes in the dresser. Thank you.” Arilee looked around the room. “Where am I?"
"Yer at the Isle of Goblins. This is an Outpost off the mainland that the Overlord has been trying to colonize. I’m the commander of this expedition," he explained.
The Commander reached into a satchel on his belt and retrieved a necklace and handed it to Arilee.
""We aren't too sure where ye came from. Ya washed up on shore yesterday morning. And ye were clenching this in your first when we found ya. And since then, we've found three more survivors. This here High Elf is one of 'em. They say you were attacked by a high level sea-monster of some sorts. There aren't any sea-monsters around these parts that I know of. I was hoping by bringing this here High Elf with me it might help either of you remember something more..." The commander waved his hands searching for the right words, "believable."
The High Elf slowly lowered her veil and looked up at Arilee. Her blue eyes opened wide in shock.
"Arilee!"
"Leela?"
The High-Elf ran over to Arilee and embraced her in a warm hug.
"I'm so glad you survived. It's nice to see a familiar face."
"Same to you. What's going on?"
"I'm not sure yet. I woke up this morning. How are you? Do you feel alright?"
Arilee moved her arms around and shrugged her shoulders back.
"I feel a little stiff but okay."
Bjorn cleared his throat and interrupted them, "What about you? Do you remember anything?"
A dialogue scroll appeared floating in Arilee's vision. It gave her two options:
Dialogue Scroll
-
Tell the Commander you remember nothing, it might be best to wait to say anything
-
Tell the Commander about the Sea-Monster
The second option highlighted and the chat-scroll disappeared.
Dialogue Scroll
-
Tell the Commander you remember nothing, it might be best to wait to say anything
x
Tell the Commander about the Sea-Monster
Arilee spoke, "There really was a sea-monster. With massive tentacles."
"Ah well then. I will have to send a team to investigate. We’ll have to request a raid group from the Capital if it turns out to be true. I don’t have anyone high enough level here to handle that type of situation.”
"I'm sorry I couldn't be more help. But it was kind of you to care for me. Thank you. I hope I can repay you in someway."
"Well, about that" started Commander Bjorn. "There is something we've been needing a little help with. Our mission here is cleanse the island of Goblins. The Goblins have one last stronghold here. We've been steadily pushing them back for months. But recently, something has changed. The Goblins have become more bold. Smarter. My scouts report they are getting ready for something. Something big. I want to know what."
The Commander walked to the window, watching the training soldiers outside.
"I can't spare any extra men right now. I was thinking, you and these others that washed up could group up and try your hand at finding out for me. I checked your stats while you were sleeping. You're all low level adventurers with minor combat or healing feats. You , yourself, have basic archery abilities, but you're barely more than a green recruit. Still, you can be of use, your group will need some ranged weapon users."
The Commander walked towards Arilee and withdrew a sack of coins from his belt. "Accept this quest and I will consider your debt repaid. On top of that, I will reward you with enough copper to hire a captain to take you back to the Capital City. What do you think?
A scroll appeared in Arilee's vision.
Quest Scroll
Quest 1: Getting Started
Accept Quest?
Yes
No
Arilee could not think of another way off the island. This seemed to be her only choice. She accepted.
Indicating her answer had been accepted, the floating scroll dissipated.
Commander Bjorn started again, "Very well. Report to Scout Marshall Bodwin at the front gate. He is with the other two companions. I am going to send Leela with you. On your way, stop at Kaerlin the Healer to make sure you are in top shape. Then over to Purrigan at the smithy to see if she has any spare gear lying around." Bjorn clasped Arilee on the shoulder. "I'm glad you're feeling better. This is going to go great."
The Quest Scroll reappeared with her quest details filled in.
Quest Scroll - Getting Started
-
Report to Kaerlin the Healer
-
Report to Purrigan the Blacksmith
-
Report to Scout Marshall Bodwin
Report to The Healer
Chapter 3
Arilee walked outside and saw the surrounding area for the first time.
The structures were constructed from locally gathered wood and stone. The encampment extended out from the shore in a large half-circle. The buildings surrounded the command headquarters in the center.
Leela followed behind her.
"Do you know where the Healer's Hut is?" Arilee asked Leela.
"Mhmm, I can show you where it is. I was there this morning. It's not too far."
Arilee followed Leela through the camp to the Healer's Hut. On the way, they passed soldiers training in a small yard filled with wooden target dummies. She watched one woman with a bow take aim at a wooden target, but her arrow came up short. A man behind the archer adjusted her aim, and this time her shot hit the target. It reminded Arilee of when Faenor taught her how to shoot a bow.
Leela looked back and pulled Arilee out of her daydream, "I really am glad to see you Arilee. I know we had only just met, but even still, it's nice to not feel so alone."
Arilee hurried her pace to walk next to Leela. "It was reassuring to wake up to see you as well." She looked around the camp, "but being drafted into the Overlord's military is not what I had in mind when I left home."
Leela smiled back at Arilee. "Who knows? Maybe this is all part of th
e Goddess's plan."
As they turned down the next path, the Healer's Hut came into view. Standing outside was a male Wood Elf tending a small garden of herbs.. He was wearing a simple cloth outfit like her own, but of finer material. Arilee did not know what it was.
The Healer waved to them from a distance and called out. "Hello Leela! And that must be Arilee!" he said with a lightness to his voice. Almost singsongy, but fast, the words blending together. When the duo neared him, he continued, "I've been expecting you. Are you recovering well? Come come sit over here."
Arilee followed to where he was pointing to a nearby cot, outside the hut under a pavillion.
Kaerlin continued, "Yes yes please sit, let me take a look at you. Is everything working okay? Let's do a general checkup shall we?"
Arilee nodded, knowing even if she tried to talk, he would simply keep talking over her.
"Good good, let's start with your Stats scroll. Can you bring it up? "
Arilee focused inside herself, feeling her brain make the connection. A scroll appeared floating in front of her. Calling it was as natural moving an arm or leg.
Level 1
Strength
10
Agility
14
Intelligence
12
Vitality
11
Kaerlin continued "Looks all good. However, you are still Level 1. Like Leela here.
"Many people in this world never get the chance to advance themselves or increase their Level. Lucky for you, the military camp has trainers here who can teach you special skills known as Class Skills. When you meet the Trainer later, he can explain Class Skills better than I ever could."
Next let's check your dialogue tree options. Is that working for you?
A dialogue scroll opened up for her presenting a list of options.
Dialogue Scroll
-
“Yes - everything works, I think.”
-
“What’s the point of all this, I just want to leave.”
-
“I’m getting tired of your games, Wood Elf.”
Arilee wanted this to be done with but didn’t see a reason to be difficult.
"It works."
The dialogue scroll updated.
Dialogue Scroll
x
“Yes - everything works, I think.”
-
“What’s the point of all this, I just want to leave.”
-
“I’m getting tired of your games, Wood Elf.”
"Every option you presented comes from within, and is a reflection of yourself. This scroll can not be read by others."
The healer paused to emphasis the next part.
"Only you can choose the path you want yourself to go down. Your choices will change you, your companions, and the world around you. We all have paths to choose. Choose wisely."
"Thank you Healer Kaerlin."
She turned to Leela. "Are you ready to go to the Blacksmith?"
Quest Scroll
X
Report to Kaerlin the Healer
-
Report to Purrigan the Blacksmith
-
Report to Scout Marshall Bodwin
Report to The Blacksmith
Chapter 4
Arilee followed Leela to the nearby Blacksmith. They stopped outside of a small hut with an anvil and smelter nearby, but no one was there.
" Hello?" Arilee called.
A tall female feline-humanoid emerged from the hut. She had a striped red and white pattern, and a piercing in her left ear.
>Level 15<
"Hello there, you must be two of those that washed ashore. I prepared for you coming. You need gear, yes?" The voice had a softness to it but with a hint of bite.
Arilee started to respond but the blacksmith didn't wait.
"My name is Purrigan, some leftover gear has been set out for you. Take a look, everything is against the wall over by the anvil."
Arilee walked over to the wall and took a look at the items. Laid out for them was a rusty set of platemail, a leather doublet and pants, and a cloth robe.
Arilee noticed Leela walk to a set of platemail hanging on the wall.
Leela tried to pick it up but it barely moved. "I don't think I could move in this. The armor is just so heavy. I think I am going to keep my robes for now."
Arilee walked to the leather doublet. She liked the idea of being nimble in combat. Arilee reached out to touch the leather. It felt rough but strong, and had an older smell to it. She pulled on it and gave it a rap on the chest with her fist. She pictured herself wearing it, fighting goblins and dodging sword swings. Arilee snorted, trying to hold in the laughter at the mental image.
"I'll take the leather. I think it fits my style best." Arilee paused, and sniffed near it again. "Can I wash it somehow first?"
Purrigan grinned her teeth at Arilee, the front fangs reflecting the sun ever so slightly for a flash.
"Ah yes," she purred, " I'll freshen it up myself. I have some left over cleaning oils I can use. I'll let you keep whatever you can scrape from the jar when I'm finished for future use."
Purrigan took the leather armor over to a nearby workbench. Scattered nails and tools laid about. Purrigan reached for a small black jar and dipped a rag into its contents.
"It's about technique and timing you see," Purrigan explained as she began rubbing the black oily substance into the leather.
When she finished she handed it back to Arilee, it seemed almost new.
"Pristine condition armor not only looks better, but it will serve you better as well. Remember, the quality of your armor will degrade the more you use it. Be sure to stop by an armorer every so often to make sure your gear is as ready to fight . Do you understand?"
Two options appeared for Arilee on her dialogue scroll:
Dialogue Scroll
-
Yes
-
No
This all seemed simple enough. The Yes option highlighted itself.
Dialogue Scroll
x
Yes
-
No
"Good. Now let's select your melee weapons. Don't stress too much about it. You can always retrain in a new weapon or fighting style."
Purrigan paused, and picked up two crescent shaped blades. Arilee thought she detected a soft blue glow to them.
Purrigan continued, "Some magical or complex weapons, like these, require a high amount of skill. You will not be able to use them properly without training."
Purrigan placed the blades down, exchanging them for a pair of daggers.
"I heard that you have a bit of skill with a bow already, I should have one in the back. And you're in luck, I have a pair of daggers you can have if you choose to have a backup weapon. The guard these were made for didn't survive the recent goblin raid to accept his order."
Leela who had been listening patiently chimed in, "What other weapon types exist?" she asked.
"Well besides daggers, for one-handed weapons there are swords, hammers, and maces. For two handed weapons there are great swords, mauls, and axes. For ranged: bows and crossbows. Although I don't have much available now, let me know what you need and I'll see what I can find. If I don't have it now, I can build it if you get me materials."
Arilee didn't know what type of weapon she would want long term. If she can switch whenever though, no reason NOT to start with daggers now. She can learn another weapon type on the side when the time comes.
"I will take the daggers for now thank you. Could I also have the bow you mentioned?"
"Hmm" purred Purrigan. "I think I might. Wait right here. "
Purrigan disappeared into the shop, leaving Arilee alone. She took the time to look over some of the gear lying about.
It wasn't long until Purrigan returned with a short simple bow in her hands. "This should work for now. As you train your Bow skill you will be able to use more complex Bows."