Believable, thought Chris. He tried for a moment to make a menu come up, but nothing happened. “Umm, how do I get to my Leader menu?”
“Ahh, you open the main list by looking at the Divided Lands symbol in the corner of your vision and willing it to open. It is the six petal white and black flower with different symbols in each petal.”
“Got it. Just a second. Yup, right here. There is a Trade menu. Oh look, I can trade with any of the others! Do you think I could trade with Olivia and Leo? I don’t have any undead, but maybe a letter could work? What do you think?”
Brother Aleksandr stroked his long, full, frizzy beard. “If it worked for a ghoul, surely a simple piece of parchment would transfer as well. If it is important to you to communicate with you fellow players, you could try. But, I would not take too much time doing it. You are already one day behind the others plus some experience.”
“Right, well then, since we’re all done with breakfast, I’d better get started.” Chris jumped up and collected the simple wooden breakfast dishes before anyone could object and darted into the kitchen.
Nathaniel came in behind Chris. “Give me those. I know where the rain barrel is; you don’t. Your time is way too valuable to waste on menial labor easily done by others. Go in the library, figure out what you’re going to do with your level up rewards, and get about the business of creating a kingdom.”
Perhaps Nathaniel would be too clever of an ally. But, Chris was stubborn. “No, I ought to do these dishes to thank Brother Aleksandr for his hospitality.”
The old man bustled into the kitchen, making it rather crowded. “Really, there is no need. I would much prefer that you were to set about your tasks as a player. Come now, the library is this way.”
Nathaniel grabbed the dishes in Chris’s hands and gave them a tug.
Chris still wouldn’t let go. Finally, he relented with a frustrated sigh. “What good is it being a hero character if I’m not going to act heroic and decent to others?”
“A noble sentiment, but more complicated to live out than one might think,” commented Aleksandr as he directed Chris to his little library.
The room was quite small, just enough space for the two tall bookshelves, a simple chair, and a small table. “Please, feel free to read any of the texts here as you decide what to do with your level up benefits. Oh, and do not forget your ring from your crypt.”
“Thank you, I’ll try to do this quickly, but I do want to get it right.”
Brother Aleksandr shut the door softly as he left Chris to his thoughts.
Chris took out the magic ring. He slid the simple gold band over his finger.
No feelings or sensations accompanied the addition to his active equipment. All he got was a text update in his vision.
You have equipped a Ring of Auras. All aura skills have increased by 25%.
Chris pulled up his character sheet again and examined it. That ring’s effect would probably be helpful down the road, but right now, it did not do much for him.
His level from the magic book had given him 3 attribute points to spend, 100% to put into his regular skills, and 100% to put into magic skills. He would get those 100% to both kinds of skills each level. All of his magic skills sat at 25% thanks to the ring. He could not get two for one this time, but maybe at a higher level.
His attribute points per level would drop to 2 once he reached Level 8 and then just one after Level 15. The tables in the book had ended at Level 20. Apparently, this was not going to be like most online RPGs that went up to around 80 in the base game then 99 in an expansion. Chris wondered how long it would take him to get to Level 3.
Other numbers had changed on his sheet as well. He now had 24 Health and 10 Mana. Examining those stats with the “HELP!” command revealed that his Health was “8 + [(8+ CON) per level].” His CON was currently sitting at +0.
“Hmm, seems like that’s constantly calculated. If I put points into CON later, it should still give me the full benefit. That probably works for buffs the same way. Buff CON and it will give bonuses for each level that you are.”
His Mana was “2 + [(2 + INT) per Paladin level].” Given that his auras all cost 4 Mana to cast, that seemed pretty rough for poor 1st Level Paladins.
“We can only cast one of our auras once per battle. Yikes. And, the next battle better be at least forty minutes away, or a base paladin is gonna be going aura-less.”
Mana recharged at a rate of (Level+WIS) per 10 minutes. Unless a paladin had a positive Wisdom score, he was going to have to wait forty minutes at Level 1, and twenty minutes at Levels 2 and 3 to cast again.
Chris’s Stamina had increased to match his Health. He assumed Stamina worked like other games and that strenuous activities depleted it. His attacks had gone up one point. His defense looked decidedly different since he had donned his armor. It now stood at what looked to Chris to be a hefty +6. But, he was not really sure if that was a lot or not. His armor looked like a sturdy breastplate with a chain mail skirt, greaves, and vambraces. He would have liked some pauldrons that went down to his upper arms instead of just covering his shoulders. Was that what that part of armor was called? He was not sure, but that was the only part that he really felt was left exposed. “Well, that and my head I suppose. I could use a helmet at some point.”
“HELP!” had explained that armor both made you harder to hit and could absorb some damage. It could only take so much damage before breaking though. Chris had sighed. He loathed durability in games. “Just a way to make me waste gold at blacksmith shops!” His current armor had quite a bit of durability to it, so that was no immediate concern.
The Divided Lands icon started to flash in the lower corner of his vision.
That was weird. It had not done that before that he remembered. He tried acknowledging the alert and text popped up in his vision.
Sir Jeremy the Necromancer is giving you a gift of: 1 Wood.
“Help! Help!”
Chris looked up from the message. Was that coming from outside? Did the portal pop up out there? He got up and headed for the little library’s door. It was pushed open as he got there.
Brother Aleksandr’s bearded face betrayed excitement. “Come quick and get some easy experience. Your necromancer has sent you some skeletons to learn on. Have you spent your magic skill percentage yet?”
They headed for the back door of the parsonage that lead to the little enclosed yard. “Not yet,” replied Chris as he stuck his hand in his inventory and willed his war hammer into his grip.
“Take the Healing Light or Soldiers of the Light. You will probably be dealing with undead from your friend for a little while at least. Both those will damage them. The Soldiers does more damage but does not heal. I think the Mighty Fortress is better when you can switch it on and off with the other auras later. Just a suggestion. I’ll heal you as you need this time, but don’t party up with me. That will ruin your experience reward like Nathaniel said at breakfast."
Chris rushed out the door and surveyed the situation while shouting out, “I want to spend my 100% Magic Skill increase on my Healing Light aura now.” He was certain he would need to heal others often. Chris was relieved to hear an audible ding and see a confirmation message that he quickly ignored.
There were five skeletons attached at their waists to a log in the corner of the yard. The log was pinned into the corner of the wall about three feet off the ground. It made a triangular pen of sorts. Inside the pen, Nathaniel and Scout were trapped.
Worry erupted in Chris’s mind as he pulled his shield out of his inventory pouch and fumbled it onto his arm. “Nathaniel! Get over that wall and get out of there!”
Defiance flashed in Nathaniel’s eyes. He waved a hatchet over his head. “I’m not leaving my dog to fight five skeletons by himself!”
The skeletons were leaning across the log that they had brought from Jeremy. Swipes of their claw-like bony hands were making audible whistles. Nathaniel and Scout were ducking, dodging, and leanin
g this way and that to stay away from the attacks. Then Scout made a mistake.
Trying to dive under a swipe and bite at a delicious looking leg bone, the huge hound did not count on the skeleton next to the one he was attacking leaning just right.
“Owwwhhrooo,” cried out the dog in pain. Blood poured from a slash in his shoulder turning his tan fur dark.
Anxious to get Nathaniel and a now injured Scout out of danger, Chris pulled up his character sheet and looked at his now increased Healing Light aura. He thought CAST!
“Even hurt, your dog can jump that wall, can’t he? He’ll follow you! Get out of there.” Chris pulled up the party menu and put both Nathaniel and Scout into his party.
A weaving band of warm red light sprung up around Chris forming his aura. Every second it pulsed, then on the fifth second, it sent out a shock wave of light.
Skeleton takes 4 damage from your aura of Healing Light.
Skeleton takes 4 damage from your aura of Healing Light.
Skeleton takes 4 damage from your aura of Healing Light.
Skeleton takes 4 damage from your aura of Healing Light.
Skeleton takes 4 damage from your aura of Healing Light.
Scout has been healed for 4 Health (14/18).
“Wait, that dog has 18 Health? What are you worrying about him for?”
“HE’S MY DOG!”
Frustration threatened to distract Chris, but he turned it aside and closed the gap with the skeletons. He hear a rushing wind and an unearthly howl of pain from behind him. He assumed Brother Aleksandr was taking care of something back there. Chris could look in a moment to make sure everything was all right. At the moment, he had a couple of very pressing concerns right in front of him.
Two of the skeletons turned to meet Chris, and he realized that they were tied to the log. Did Jeremy really think that this was going to work? Then, he heard a ripping sound, and the frayed rope snapped. The log fell down from in front of the skeletons. This changed everything all at once.
The two skeletons facing Chris came toward him and moved to either side. The other three stepped over the log toward Nathaniel and Scout.
Chris swung his war hammer at the skeleton closest to the wall, hoping to open up an avenue of escape for Nathaniel and Scout.
You attack the Skeleton with War Hammer. Chance to hit 75% [(5 - (0))x 5% + 50%]
Moving with a flow and accuracy his real world experience could not explain, Chris felt the war hammer swing expertly through the air. The skeleton tried to dip out of the way, but Chris’s swing was too vertical. It slammed the monster’s skull down, collapsed its spine, and sent ribs, vertebrae, and long bones every direction.
You hit the Skeleton for 12 (10+2) points of damage. It died...again.
Immediately, Chris moved into the opened space. He took up a position that opened a five foot gap between his back and the stone wall of the church. Now that he was facing back toward the parsonage, Chris could see Brother Aleksandr standing, facing to the side with his staff raised. Strangely, the monk did not even seem to be watching the battle anymore.
Scout took the moment as an opportunity for revenge.
Scout attacks Skeleton with Bite and attempts to Trip.
The large dog darted forward nimbly and latched onto one skeleton’s tibia and fibula near its ankle. Scout shook his massive head like he was playing tug-o-war with his master, and the skeleton nearly flew off its feet.
Scout hits Skeleton for 3 damage. Skeleton is tripped.
Nathaniel liked the looks of a downed enemy and dipped past one of the skeletons to get at the one that Scout had taken down. He brought his hatchet down hard on the chest of the tripped skeleton.
Nathaniel attacks TRIPPED Skeleton.
Nathaniel hits Skeleton for 5 damage. It dies... again.
But, the skeleton the boy had tried to evade was still within striking distance.
Skeleton attacks Nathaniel with Claws.
It hits Nathaniel for 4 points of damage (4/8).
Shocked, Chris sputtered, “You only have 4 HEALTH! Get out of there!”
For once it seemed, Nathaniel listened to Chris and dove between the paladin’s shield and his dog’s legs. The other two skeletons that had not attacked yet seemed to be in hot pursuit of him. Instead, one crashed in on Scout and missed with its sharp claws. The other came at Chris.
Skeleton attacks you with Claws. Chance to block: 55%
It hits you for 5 points of damage. Your armor absorbs 2 points of damage.
You have 21/24 Health.
The skeleton had slipped around Chris’s shield. It was an unlikely hit, and thankfully, the damage was small.
The fifth pulse of light finally came from Chris’s aura, and it rippled outward.
Skeleton takes 4 damage from your aura of Healing Light.
Skeleton takes 4 damage from your aura of Healing Light.
Skeleton takes 4 damage from your aura of Healing Light.
Scout has been healed for 4 Health (18/18).
Nathaniel has been healed for 4 Health (8/8).
You have been healed for 4 Health (24/24).
He had hoped that the 8 damage from the Healing Light was going to take out the skeletons, but they did not have the “Weak” modifier. Still, everything was all right. There were only three left, his party had full health, and Nathaniel was safely behind him. Almost all was right in the world.
The only problem was Scout. The huge German Shepherd lookalike was still out on his left and did not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Did the dog not understand that Chris was there to keep him safe? He could get behind the guy with the armor and shield and not have to be in danger. Silly dog.
Chris started his combat interval with the skeleton right in front of him. Up on the balls of his feet, he kept his defenses up, but looked for a moment to strike. He unloaded on a vicious crossbody swing with the opportunity finally came.
You attack the Skeleton with War Hammer. Chance to hit 75% [(5 - (0))x 5% + 50%]
You hit the Skeleton for 5 damage (3+2). It dies... again.
“Thirteen health or less, they’ll all probably die with my next Healing Light. No need to take any risks. Just sit back and stay safe, Jack.”
A growl of a response came from behind Chris, “My name’s Nathaniel.”
Scout did not seem to understand the admonishment to caution. The huge dog lunged forward and snapped his jaws around a skeleton’s femor. It snapped like a twig.
Scout attacks Skeleton with Bite.
Scout hits Skeleton for 7 damage. It dies... again.
The skeleton dissolved into a hail of bones and powder. Scout sneezed. It sounded like an explosion.
Skeleton attacks you with Claws. Chance to block: 55%
You block the attack!
The now familiar pulse of light from Chris’s aura went out. It looked like a shockwave from one of those nuclear weapons tests from the 50’s. The skeleton was blown to powder and bony bits.
Skeleton takes 4 damage from your aura of Healing Light. It dies... again.
Your party receives 600 XP for defeating 5 Skeletons. Your share is 250 XP.
“Wow! Awesome! Bring it on, Jeremy! Woooh!” Chris turned around to double check on everyone. Scout and Nathaniel were just fine. Then, he noticed that Brother Aleksandr was still standing in the same place in the same pose. His staff was raised, he was looking to the side.
Chris took off across the enclosed yard toward the old man. As he got closer, a label popped up over Brother Aleksandr’s head.
Paralyzed. 15 seconds.
The seconds were ticking down like an all too familiar timer. Chris shuddered and looked around for a ghoul. There was none to be seen. He remained crouched in a position to defend himself, looking everywhere, until the timer ran down and Brother Aleksandr could move.
“...BACK TO THE DEVIL!” he cried out as the paralysis wore off.
Jumpy and trying to look everywhere at once, Chris flinched at the shout
. He asked, “Was it a ghoul? Where did it go?”
Huffing in anger and frustration, Brother Aleksandr spat out, “No. Not a ghoul. A Warlock’s Skull. I think it may have been your competitor’s tutor. That, or a very quickly formed alliance with him. It swung out of a trade portal, spat out a gold coin, and started to cast a spell. I shot it with a Light Beam as fast as I could. It did not seem to like that much, but it got off its spell. Some sort of paralysis curse.”
“Where did it go? Is it still here?”
“No, it was tied on a rope, it swung out and swung back through the portal. It had a Light resistance spell on, but I know I did a good bit of damage none the less. I doubt it will be willing to try that again since its death here means it goes straight back to Hell where it came from.”
Shaken, Chris asked, “How do I resist paralysis? That ghoul killed me with it. This fight would have gone completely differently if you had not been around and that thing had managed to curse me. I need to know how to stop that from happening.”
“I would suggest a little further study. There are a few ways you could counter paralysis. At Journeyman level, Healing Light gets a cleansing effect that wipes out all negative buffs and conditions. Your wisdom score will be compared to the attackers for this sort of attack. I am sure my score and the skull’s score were probably similar, making that part a wash for us. Also, since paralysis is a curse, it is Dark Magic. Your Dark Magic Resistance could be improved as well.”
Overwhelmed, Chris looked straight up at the mid-morning sky. “Boy, they spared no complexity when they created this place, did they?”
Nathaniel marched past, carrying an armful of bones toward the compost pile. “What do you expect out of Gygax and Tolkien? Simplicity? Cut corners? Add to that the fact both sides had a thousand helpers each. Who knows how long this game will take.”
Chapter 5
Once back in the parsonage, Chris acted on a moment of inspiration the battle had given him. The paladin hastily scribbled a letter to Olivia. He folded the parchment around a single gold coin. Then, he tried to open a portal to her side. He selected Trade, then Gift, picked Gold and then set the amount to 1.
Openings Page 7