by Tao Wong
“Too cheap,” Asin butted in and pointed at the rings. “Why?”
The shopkeeper’s lips pressed tightly for the briefest of moments when he spotted the Beastkin. But as a shopkeeper that targeted Adventurers, he surpassed his own prejudice quickly and answered Asin. “There is nothing wrong with the rings if you that is what you believe. They are just somewhat specific in their requirements.”
“Yes?”
“Well, the rings…”
“Must be used in conjunction,” Rob interrupted. “They are useless alone. The Enchanter was likely attempting to cut costs when enchanting and used a single ritual circle, one that he did not alter to accommodate multiple rings. As such, the ritual linked each of the rings.”
“Who are you?” the shopkeeper said, frowning at Rob. “How did you know that?”
“A simple deduction from viewing the ritual glyphs,” Rob replied with a sniff. “The rings are not even worth the cost of their base materials. Which were sub-par.”
“Sub-par!” the shopkeeper hissed in affront and pointed with his fingers. “Leave. These rings are not for you. And you can forget about shopping at my store again. Any of you!”
“But…” Daniel began to protest but the shopkeeper sniffed, turning away from the Adventurer. Daniel frowned but eventually gave up, walking away whilst shooting a miffed look at Rob. The Enchanter just shrugged his shoulders while Asin just shook her head behind the pair, her tail lashing as they finally made their way to the Guild, pushing their way through the crowds.
Chapter 3
The Adventurers Guild was a large building that sat raised above the surrounding buildings with a series of wide stairs leading to the off-white building and the entrance doors. The building itself consisted of two main entrances, the Adventurers which travelled to each entrance distinct in form and manner. Questors took the one nearest the group - individuals who focused on completing requests from the general populace. Tula, as a Ranger, would be highly familiar with that section. In the other entrance, the ‘true’ work of Adventurers lay and where the Delvers entered, picking up Dungeon specific notices and quests or just turning in Dungeon loot. While it was possible to sell Dungeon loot outside of the Guild, the only legal location to sell Mana stones was at the Guild. No surprise then that most Adventurers took the slight loss for the greater convenience of selling everything at the same location.
Trudging up the stairs, the group entered the second entranceway. Daniel paid slight attention to the notification board, curious to see if there were any additional updates on the Dungeons. He immediately dismissed notes about Porthos, having insufficient time or context to understand the details, and focused on updates for Aramis. Seeing nothing new, he sped up. Meanwhile, behind him, Asin and Rob were eying the displayed prices for the Mana stones and Dungeon loot while Tula and Omrak just watched the people.
The quintet drew mild attention on their entrance. The addition of the Selkie - in Rob - the Catkin and the giant Omrak made their group somewhat unique, especially with the fame that the team had garnered through the arena fights. Yet, to Daniel’s surprise, he noted that none of the guild members approached them. In fact…
“We’ve not been approached at all. By other guilds,” Daniel clarified to his friends.
“Did you not know? The Guild Master has requested that the team not be disturbed before our entrance to Artos,” Tula said, chiming in. “Not that I would change guilds,” she added, tapping the small emblem of a curling ivy stick that was sewn onto the chest of her tunic.
“What guild is that?” Omrak asked, pointing to Tula’s emblem.
“The Western Ivy,” Tula replied. “It mostly consists of Rangers, Scouts and Explorers. We’re mostly Questors by choice more than need. But try explaining that to your average guild.” Tula rolled her eyes. “Nooo… we all have to clear the Dungeons to be considered a ‘real’ Adventurer.”
Asin frowned, cocking her head to the side at Tula’s bitching before she slunk closer. “Leave?”
“And go where? We still need enchanted equipment and Mana stones. Cheapest way to get both is to be part of the Adventurers Guild,” Tula said with a sniff. “And it’s not as if it’s not been tried before. But everyone’s used to giving their quests to the Guild.”
Daniel nodded as Tula expounded on another aspect of the world he’d yet to encounter. As they finished the conversation, with Tula continuing to complain about the guilds and the Guild, they exited the back of the building where the training grounds were located.
It was there that they found Seth, the Beastkin turtle that manned the main training desk, lounging under the awning and watching his domain with half-lidded eyes. The Turtlekin grinned as the group approached, and he sat upwards, cocking his head from side-to-side as he spotted the additions to the party.
“I see you finally decided to arrive!” he said as he pulled out three yellow slips and pushed them forwards on his table. “You three, give back your orange sheaths.”
Daniel paused for a second, and while he hesitated, his friends strode past him to take hold of the sheaths, extracting their own Adventurer Cards from their inventory and replacing the simple sheaths. Daniel followed suit soon afterwards, preening slightly until he realised that both of his new companions had Green sheaths on the cards they showed to Seth when the conversation turned to the actual reason for their trip here.
“Team tactics?” Seth rubbed his chin in thought. “I’m assuming you want tactics you can learn and use in Artos?” At the almost simultaneous nods the group offered him, Seth grinned. “Well, I’ve got just the trainer for you, but you aren’t going to like it.”
“It’s Angie isn’t it.”
“It’s Angie.”
Daniel groaned, having his voiced premonition made true. It was not as if he disliked the older, one-eyed muscular trainer. It was just that he understood how brutal her training methods were. Still, he could see how the experienced Adventurer would be perfect for their needs. None of the other trainers would push them hard enough to actually ingrain the tactics they needed.
“How much?”
“You want her for the week?” Seth asked.
“Do we?” Daniel turned to the group, unsure exactly how much they needed an actual trainer and how much of the tactics they provided they could then use in the Dungeon. After all, training was good, but there was nothing like the pressure of actual application to make things click. Or show the flaws in their applications.
Seth rapped the table, dragging Daniel’s attention back as the group hummed and hawed, debating the various merits of booking a trainer for the entire period and breaking up their training periods. With their attention drawn back to him, Seth smiled.
“Why don’t I make it easier for you? The Guild Master has indicated he’ll subsidize your training if you were smart enough to come. So, for a Gold each, you can train with Angie as much as you need for the week,” Seth said. He looked right at Daniel as he said that, offering the Healer a meaningful look. When Daniel just stared back blankly at the Turtlekin, Seth continued. “Angie will get full payment for her time for the week, of course. All of it. For all of you.”
“Oh,” Daniel brightened up as he got the hint. Of course. Angie was always short of funds, having a slight drinking problem and a larger personality one. Her abrasive personality and her harsh training methods meant few Adventurers willingly worked with the experienced Adventurer. “Here’s my Gold.”
“I do feel it should be a group decision,” Rob grumbled but then fished out a gold piece too. “But it is a great deal.”
Omrak, of course, just handed his payment over without a word as did Asin. Though the Catkin did so with a slight wince. It left Tula standing there alone, staring at the group.
“Tula?”
“We could save more,” Tula said, frowning. “I’m not convinced this is a good use of our funds.”
“Angie’s very good. Seth said so,” Daniel point
ed to the Turtlekin, “and he’s not led us wrong.”
“Still, we should perhaps look at our other options first…”
“And spend hours interviewing everyone?” Daniel shook his head and pointed at the four. “We’ve already paid. You’re out-voted, I think.”
Tula stared at the Healer and then around the group before her lips pursed tight. She drew and tossed the gold coin to Seth, muttering softly under her breath.
“This is why I hate groups.”
Acting as if he did not hear her words, Daniel took the training chit from Seth gratefully and headed for the training grounds. Time to find their trainer.
They found Angie easily, the fortyish older Adventurer was leaning against one of the wooden posts that fenced off the training grounds, watching a pair of experienced Adventurers pound on each other with dual-wielding maces. Her single eye gleamed, sweat from the sun’s heat showcasing the bronzed and muscular skin under her simple leather tunic.
“Angie?” Daniel called out as they neared. Angie turned and grinned as she saw Daniel, waving to him and abandoning her post. The fighters did not seem to mind, continuing their sparring match without pause.
“Daniel. Back for more?” Angie said as she eyed the chit in his hand. Daniel just chuckled and tossed the chit to the Adventurer who fumbled the catch and dropped it. As she bent to pick up the chit, she pocketed it and shot forward, catching Daniel around both his legs with surprise and taking him to the ground. His friends dispersed quickly, though Daniel caught the edge of Rob’s shin as he went down.
“Owwww!” Daniel groaned. Still, Angie did not keep him down, instead getting off him and backing off with a smirk. “What was that for?” Daniel said with a groan as he pushed himself to a seated position.
“I’ve only got one eye, idiot,” Angie said good-naturedly. Daniel winced, realising that her depth perception was probably significantly off. Still…
“You didn’t have to be that hard,” Daniel grumbled as he stood up.
“If you had kept up your training, you’d have dodged me,” Angie countered.
“Ahem. We’re here for another reason,” Rob said, interrupting the pair. Daniel shot the Enchanter a look before he turned to the expectant Angie.
“We’re hiring you for the week to help us with our team tactics. This is Rob Keeton, an Enchanter, and Tula Perron, a Ranger. They’re joining us for our trip to Artos.” Daniel waved to the pair in turn as he spoke. “We need to add them to our normal formations and were told you would be able to help us develop tactics that would suit us.”
“Sure. But I’m going to need a little more information,” Angie said and waved the group to where a set of benches awaited. Most of the group had started moving there, leaving only Tula who hesitated before raising her hand slightly.
“Yes?” Angie said when she turned around to see what was taking the Ranger so long.
“Don’t you have another session?” Tula pointed to the still-sparring pair.
“Nah. You’re more interesting,” Angie said. When she spotted the grimace on Tula’s face, Angie laughed slightly and added, “They also didn’t pay me. I was just doing it because I was bored.”
“Oh…” Tula nodded and followed along afterwards. What she thought of that revelation, she kept to herself.
“So, why don’t you tell me about your Skills. I know the original DAO’s but perhaps we should go over it again, just in case,” Angie said.
Taking turns, the group began to list their Skills. This was the second time they were doing so in short order, but none of the team hesitated in doing so. In particular, the group listed both their major combat skills and their relevant Skills to Angie. On the other hand, Daniel wondered if any were holding back – certainly, he was in not detailing his Gift.
“Alright, so here’s what we have. At the longest range, only Tula is effective. At short-mid range, you have a limited amount of ranged attacks between Asin and Omrak. At melee range, nearly all of you are effective to some extent - except for Tula whose preferred weapon becomes less useful. That’s not including your Enchanter of course. He’s rather useless and useful at the same time,” Angie said with a grimace. “He has a very limited amount of combat skills, but a large variety of utility enchanted items and a few useful utility spells. Overall, I’d plan for him to stay in the middle and act as the reserve, helping those who need it. He’s more useful there than actively engaging.
“That sound about right to you all?”
Daniel pursed his lips, thinking over what Angie said. For once, even Rob was silent while the Adventurers considered her words. In the end, after receiving their reluctant agreement, Angie continued. “Good. In that case, what we’ll do is work you all through a series of formations from long to close range encounters. We’ll set you up in your basic formation, have you work basic tactical guidelines in each, and then alter your formation to deal with different situations and have you work those tactics again. It won’t be exact movements, but at least you’ll all be working from the same guidelines.”
“Guidelines?” Rob said with a frown.
“Guidelines. They differ with each group. A scout-based group with more ranged attacks would attempt to hit and disperse, bleeding their attackers. Daniel’s group, before your addition, mostly took ranged attacks of opportunity but would focus on closing the distance on ranged attackers quickly. For now, with Tula, you’re in a somewhat more traditional party with a mix of ranged and melee fighters, with an emphasis – as always – on melee. But as Omrak is without a shield, you won’t be able to hide and shoot, so you’re better off staying aggressive,” Angie explained. “Overall, your tactics won’t change much from what DAO had previously – take ranged attacks when possible, close in on ranged fighters when not. But there is going to be an emphasis on a higher level of defense.
“But words mean little. Let’s hit the field and I’ll show you what I mean.”
Hours later, the team lay on the ground or hung off the fences of the arenas, breathing deeply and groaning. Asin snorted slightly as Omrak nursed a sore shoulder, refusing to mention the injury to Daniel even though the Catkin had distinctly heard the muffled groan when Angie’s hip threw him to the ground. Not that any of the others were doing much better, including herself, the Beastkin considered. Together with the other inactive and bored trainers, Angie had repeatedly drilled the team in the group movements needed to co-ordinate around one another. And then, she beat the lessons into their bodies.
Unlike the others, Asin had done well. It helped that both her Cat’s Intuition and Greater Agility Skills provided her with an almost unfair advantage. With her Intuition and expanded senses, she knew where everyone was and could guess where they would go. And when that failed, she could dodge around their inappropriately located bodies. That did not help when her teammates made their way into the path of her knives, but as it was Daniel and Omrak who fought in-close, those issues rarely occurred.
Unfortunately, none of Asin’s advantages stopped the newcomers from blundering into the wrong areas or failing to provide the right kind of help when needed. Tula often found herself out of position, unable to support the group with cover fire without risking hitting her teammates, while Rob was even more useless. At the least, at times, Tula could enter melee range to aid the team. Rob, with his limited arsenal of abilities and lower intuitive sense for the flow of combat, was often utterly useless or worse - a danger to the group.
“Daniel, you need to learn patience,” Angie said as she pointed at the bruised and battered healer. “Your strength and Skills are not keeping up with the new dungeon monsters you’re facing as you transition to a healer role. While your armor keeps you safe, it will not do so if you overextend yourself. Stop rushing the kill and trust your companions to survive. And heal them if they don’t.” Daniel nodded sullenly, his scent bringing the acrid smell of resentment briefly to Asin’s nose before the Adventurer brought his feelings under control. On
ce again, Asin found herself admiring how controlled her friend could be – it was a maturity that belied his age.
“Omrak, you need to learn to stop pushing forwards. You are the linchpin of the forward formation. If you step forwards too far, you break the line and allow us to step around you and attack your team. Worse, you have ranged attackers behind you. Unlike Asin, they do not know you and until they do, you put yourself in danger from their attacks with your actions,” Angie continued. “Fix it.”
“Yes, Honored Teacher,” Omrak said. Asin sniffed slightly, taking in the smell of Omrak. Young, full of vigor and hormones. Eager still, even after the repeated bruising and damage. But underneath all that, a thread of sourness from suppressed pain. Asin growled mentally, knowing that Omrak was likely hiding a more significant injury from Daniel. She would need to inform Daniel. Thus far, the innocent and naïve Omrak had yet to realise it was Asin who tattled on his attempts to hide his injuries.
“Rob. You need to pay attention to the flow of battle more and control your spikes. I think you should only use a single spike for attacks for now. Keep the second for defense. Your Magic Arrow – whether Mana or Ice enhanced – is powerful, but should be used sparingly. And don’t use your poison without confirmation.”
Rob’s lips twisted and his back straightened, anger tickling Asin’s nose as the Enchanter had a strip torn into his ego. But he stayed silent, which was an improvement over the start of their training.
“Asin – stop relying on your Skills. You’re not memorising the tactics or where your teammates are going to be. You’re relying on your ability to read their movements,” Angie continued turning to the Catkin. “That works, until it doesn’t. You don’t have time to learn each other’s motivations normally, so you have to rely on the tactics.” Asin bobbed her head in acknowledgement, but Angie was already turning to their last member, staring straight at Tula. “As for you, Ranger, you need to grow more confident. Take the shots that the team gives you.”