Viridian Gate Online- Vindication

by N H Paxton

  Jack nodded to both Cutter and me as he turned out of the tunnel and headed into the city, leading the way to the Boiling Cauldron.

  It was only a short walk to the Cauldron, and I went inside alone.

  “Mornin’. I welcome you to my shop. My name is Reann, what can I help you with?” A gentle and cheerful voice greeted me.

  The interior of the building was elegantly lit from a few small oil lamps set about on the sales floor. Dozens of rows of ingredients lined the walls, along with a few boxes of various potions. I recognized a few from my consumption, but the rest were new to me.

  “Ah, good morning.” I nodded as I approached the counter where a Risi woman of considerable stature stood, attired in soft flowing robes. She sported a Mohawk in the middle of her head, flat white in color. It was short enough to look quite elegant on her. Her smile showed her fangs as she looked me over.

  “Is there something you’re looking for?” She raised an eyebrow at me as I pulled the glowing vial from my bag and gently placed it on the counter.

  “I am here to turn in quest, here is vial.” I gave it a gentle push across the countertop to her waiting hand.

  She grasped it with the care and consideration of a person used to dealing with old and archaic things. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she raised it to the ceiling, gently swirling the illuminated contents within.

  “This is an amazing find. Where did—actually, no, I don’t want to know where you got this. I can offer you very little in return. My shop isn’t doing well right now, but I can offer you training in the arts of Alchemy and Herblore if you’d like.” Her grin grew wider as she carefully stowed the vial behind the counter somewhere I couldn’t see.

  “Vlad would like that.” I smiled back at her.

  As she placed a hand on my head, a feeling of completeness filled my person. She said a few words in a tongue I didn’t understand, and I felt the knowledge of Herbs, Potions, Tonics, and Poisons pour into my mind.

  I opened my eyes with a start, and I knew things.

  <<<>>>

  Skill Unlocked!

  Herblore: The Herblore ability allows you to identify, collect, and utilize herbs of various types and levels. It also provides you with information regarding their potential utilization and what kind of effects they will have.

  Ability Type/Level: Passive/Level 10

  Cost: None

  Effect: Able to identify plants and herbs of level 15 (level 5 + skill level); Will display 2 possible uses per herb

  <<<>>>

  Skill Unlocked!

  Alchemy: The Alchemy skill allows you to create potions, poultices, poisons, and explosives from the various chemical and natural components found throughout Eldgard. Your skill level in Alchemy defines what level of recipes you may create.

  Ability Type/Level: Active/Level 10

  Cost: None

  Effect: Able to manufacture level 15 (level 5 + skill level) Alchemical Recipes; Improves alchemical decoction potency by 7.5%

  <<<>>>

  “Now, look about you.” She said it with a fang-filled grin.

  I turned around in the shop, a hundred little objects lighting up all around me with a pleasant and softly glowing outline. Some of them glowed green, others orange, and a few were a ruby red. I assumed these were the ranking of ingredients I could utilize.

  “Isn’t it glorious? The power of Alchemy and Herblore, working hand in hand, to create a better world.”

  “Truly, it is.” I turned back to the counter and pulled my coin pouch off my belt. “Now, how much to have potions, a great deal, and ingredients, also a great deal? Will pay all money.”

  “Oh, my dear Vlad,” she whispered as she stared at the money pouch, which bulged at its seams. “Let’s make a deal.”

  A few brief moments later, I left the Boiling Cauldron with a bag full of herbs, potions, and a dozen new alchemy recipes, along with the trappings of a true Alchemist. I also left Reann a great deal richer, and my money pouch was once again very nearly empty. Jack was leaning against the side of the building, having a laugh with Cutter when I waved at them.

  “Ready to go.” I nodded as they both stepped toward me, smiles on their faces.

  Jack pulled a scroll from his inventory, broke the wax seal, and waved it in the air. An incredible opening in space appeared before us, radiant and dazzling. Cutter was the first through, then I stepped into the gateway. My stomach spun and lurched as the world shifted in ways I couldn’t explain.

  “Is worse than dungeon.” I held the side of my head as we stepped out of a shimmering silver and opalescent portal directly into a hot and humid marsh. “How you travel this way?”I thought for sure I would lose my last meal, had it not been over a day ago. My words were ignored as Jack popped his neck and looked around, taking in the view. “Is not what was expecting.”

  I followed Jack as he walked toward a large stone object in the middle of the town. I had seen something similar to it in Rowanheath, but I still didn’t know what it was.

  “Not complaining, mind. Aside from starting location, Rowanheath is only city Vlad has seen. This...” I looked around as we walked. The buildings were unusual but reminded me of the huts in Val’Fore on their stilts. There were houses built into the trees, raised off the ground a great height. I didn’t see a single building that was completely on the ground. “Is more rustic than envisioned. But, as we say, bez muki net nauki. Adversity is best teacher.”

  “You’re the wackiest bloke I’ve ever met,” Cutter interjected as he laughed at my comment. “Well, second only to Jack, here. But keep your head up and you’ll do okay, friend.” He rubbed his fingers together. “Probably make us all bloody, filthy rich in the process.”

  Through the magic of teleportation, we were only a few moments from walking into what Jack called “the Command Center,” which was bustling with activity. There was a massive round table with a huge carved emerald square in the middle, surrounded by a myriad of individuals. Whether they were Travelers or NPCs was impossible to determine. Several people scribbled notes while others were carrying about cups of dark, hot liquid. I snatched one off a tray and was struck with the intense aroma of something I had not even noticed I was missing from Earth: coffee. It went down extremely smooth, tasted like heaven, and offered an Intelligence and Spirit buff along with the fact that it was simply coffee.

  I busied myself getting to know the room while Jack and Cutter spoke to a few people who seemed to know what things were and how they worked. Before long, I was being herded along by Jack as he found alleyways between people who were working. He collapsed into a chair next to a woman with dark skin and beautiful, curly hair. Her robes glowed with an iridescent red on the edges.

  I pulled a few things out of my bag while Jack talked to the girl, whose name I gleaned was Abby. I inspected my items with fervor, since I could now understand the properties of the herbs and ingredients I had collected. My mind was snapped out of data-collection mode when I heard a word strike the air. “Arcane Shadow Cannons.”

  My eyebrows bounced up as my ears burned slightly. I decided to listen to the conversation.

  “We’ve got tons of Engineers working on the schematics, but no one can do what we want. No one. They can improve the design, reduce the build time, increase damage output... but portability? Nope.” Abby slumped forward in her chair, dropping her face into her hands. I tilted my head as she continued. “I feel like a failure, Jack. Everything was going so smoothly for a while, and then it’s like someone just started picking at the loose ends. Now, poof, it’s all coming undone and I don’t know how to fix it.”

  A very large Murk Elf, older and somewhat pudgy, who was dressed in a kind of tribal attire, planted a hand on Abby’s shoulder, giving it a fatherly squeeze. He spoke softly, and I couldn’t make out what he said, but Abby seemed to take comfort from the conversation.

  “We’re going to get those cannons up and operational.” Jack gave me a smile and waved me to the seat next to him.


  I sat down carefully and experienced pure bliss. The chair was perfect, comfortable in every single way. I let the feeling hit my soul for just a moment before I noticed Jack was pointing at me.

  “It can be done, and this is the guy who can do it. Chief Kolle, Abby, I’d like to introduce you to Vlad Nardoir, our newest faction member, from Saint Petersburg.”

  The big Murk Elf, who they had called Chief Kolle, eyed me suspiciously before taking a step toward my location.

  “I’ve never heard of this Saint Petersburg, and he is Hvitalfar. Are you sure we can trust him?” He rounded on Jack, his arms crossed over his large belly.

  “We can absolutely trust him.” Jack had just vouched for me in front of a tribal chieftain, even after I had lied to him in the tunnels about my level and class. He didn’t know that, but I didn’t exactly create a trustworthy situation. I was surprised, to say the least. “And the important thing is,” he continued, “Vlad can change those cannons. I’m sure of it. Just get him those schematics, stand back, and watch him work.”

  “You’re certain of this?” the chief spat out at the same time Abby stared at me and shouted, “Bullshit.”

  “No bullshit,” Jack said as he fought back a full-on laugh. “And yes, I’m very sure he can do it. He’s an Alchemic Weaponeer, and I’ve got it on very good authority”—Jack made a strange motion with his thumb on his nose while mouthing a word, Sophia—“that he can do the deed. He’s one of only a handful of people in all of Eldgard who can, and he just signed up with our faction.”

  Abby leaned forward in her chair, the ghost of a smile on her lips, while the large Murk Elf collapsed into a chair and began stroking his chin.

  I just sat there, doing nothing, because I honestly didn’t know what to do. I was quite shocked at the turn of events playing out before me. I hadn’t explained to Jack that I was an Alchemic Weaponeer, so how did he know? The pressure was mounting, and I wasn’t entirely certain I could handle all of the responsibilities Jack had thrown into my lap.

  “Let us say this is true.” Chief Kolle spoke slowly and deliberately. “We have so little time to accomplish this task. Even if we have every engineer working on this project, there’s no way we can manage the feat in time. We have less than twelve hours to build twelve cannons and get them positioned outside Rowanheath. I don’t see how it is possible.” He shook his head, staring off into the distance as though he were calculating some kind of intense mathematical theorem. I had taken on that gaze before; I knew it well.

  “You oughta just stick ol’ Vlad in that god-awful mine,” Cutter muttered, almost to himself, like the thought had escaped his brain. “That one with all the shadow beasties.” He sat on the table, picking at his fingernails with the blade of a dagger.

  “Wait, what?” Jack almost leapt from his chair.

  “Those damn mines,” Cutter said, raising an eyebrow at Jack. He stowed his dagger, folded his arms, and shook his head. “The time’s all wonky down there, eh? Time moves faster, so you should just have ’em set up shop down in the mines. Might work.”

  He shrugged as though what he had just said didn’t really have an impact, but Jack bounced out of his seat and encircled the Rogue with a massive hug. The look on Cutter’s face was somehow both sad and comedic at the same time.

  “Hey now, no funny business.” He gave Jack a shove. “I’ll shank you in the kidney if you don’t lay off.”

  “You’re a genius, Cutter. Absolutely brilliant.” Jack stepped away from Cutter slowly, but didn’t completely let go of him.

  “Bout time you recognized my invaluable support to this little enterprise of ours.” The grin on Cutter’s face was something I remembered seeing in an old comic book. It was very smug.

  “Am sorry, but am very confused.” I looked around the room as everyone stared hard at me. Not in an unfriendly way, but more along the lines of how you listen to a child tell a story. “Cannons? Mines? Who is Sophia? Perhaps am missing something?”

  Infinite Expanse of Mind...

  AFTER WALKING OUTSIDE of Yunnam for a great while, we journeyed through the thick jungle vegetation, including several stinking swamps and horrendous pits. A steep incline eventually led to a sloping hill that provided further difficulty. The hill wouldn’t have been complete without a sheer drop-off into an incredibly deep chasm on the far side, and several pools throughout that were studded with the eyes of waiting creatures.

  Slowly, finally, we arrived at the top of the hill. The entrance to the mine was a simple mound of rock that was coated in various species of ivy. The small contingent of people gathered around the gash in the stone verified that we had arrived at the right place. Cutter handed me a rolled document, which reminded me of a blueprint from Earth, and then introduced me to the miners and engineers he had managed to have waiting for us.

  “Right, so, here’s the deal, Vladie boy.” Cutter turned and waved his hand at the people all assembled. “This here, this is your work crew. You get in there, get to mining.” He nodded in turn to a group of individuals all wielding varying styles of pickaxes. Then he turned to a group clad in aprons and various other kinds of gear. “You there, you do as Vlad tells you. He’s the head o’ the whole engineering lot now.”

  Several engineering and mining personnel grabbed tables, chairs, and various boxes of components and equipment, as if answering to an unheard call.

  “So, get inside, make adjustments, make weapons.” The job sounded easy enough, but all jobs sound easy until they’re in progress.

  “Oh, Vlad.” Cutter’s face went grim. “This little expedition into the mines is, ya know, kind of important. If it doesn’t go well...” His voice trailed off and he looked elsewhere. “Let’s just say, we won’t even have a chance at taking Rowanheath. No pressure, buck.”

  “Oh, great, totally not problem.” I shrugged sarcastically in an effort to add a little bit of levity to the situation. “Anything else should be aware?” I wasn’t confident that the area we were about to enter would be totally uninhabited, and now that I had the confirmed pressure of the entire Rowanheath siege resting on my head, I wanted to ensure things went smoothly.

  “Good call, forgot to introduce you to the guards. Hold tight. Hey!” Cutter shouted at a group of people in fighting gear standing not too far away. There were five of them, four dressed in armor and leathers. The fifth wore a gently flowing robe that had the slightest hint of green along the edges. “Yeah, you over there!” Cutter stalked over to them and waved a hand in the air, then pointed at our group of noncombat personnel.

  Within a matter of a few moments, the combat detail was hoofing it to us.

  “Sorry sir, ready to report, sir!” A tough-looking Risi wearing heavy metal armor with a beastly sword attached to his back made the worst excuse for a salute I’d ever seen.

  “Name is Vlad. You are?” I intoned my question as a command, not a request.

  “Eberand, sir. Battle Warden. This is my fighting group.” He motioned to the collection of individuals around him. “That there is Zeno, he’s a Cleric. That’s Ken, Rogue.” He pointed to each of them in turn, making sure they were paying attention. “This here is Anya, she’s a Templar. And then we have Garret, he’s a Battle Warden as well.”

  Everyone he pointed to either waved, bowed, or saluted. Their armor and weapons fit their classes and appeared to be high quality, I was sure I wouldn’t have a problem in the mines now.

  “Is good, we move now. You protect workers, we all get out alive.” I lowered my head a bit as I took the first step into the depths of the mines.

  It was a winding journey, but the engineering crew that had arrived beforehand had placed lanterns within the shaft itself. I followed the pathway until it dead-ended at a flat wall. At first, I thought that perhaps there was a mistake of some kind. I looked around and saw no other paths.

  Within a moment, there was a Murk Elf, wearing leathers and chainmail, coming to join me.

  “Sorry, there’s a portal
here. Only Shadowmancers can activate it, and clearly you’re not one. Let me get that for you.” The Shadowmancer stepped on the platform and narrowed his eyes. There was an audible riiip as space and time tore in front of my eyes. It didn’t matter how many times I saw it, portal magic in this world was amazing! I raised my hand in thanks and he slapped my open palm.

  “High five, right? Jack taught us.” He smiled as I stared at him. That wasn’t quite what I was going for, but it worked out the same.

  “Many thanks.” I nodded as I stepped through the portal, not entirely certain what to expect.

  Everything went cold as my skin was caressed by the tendrils of darkness that curled and ebbed off of the walls of the portal. There was some resistance, almost mental, as I pushed through the gateway, then I was through, like popping an unusually thick bubble. I looked about and took a few steps, making way for the rest of the detail. The walls were just like a mine—chipped and pockmarked stone, broken boulders, and small outcroppings of a dark metal that seemed to drink light.

  I took a few steps to an antechamber, the room opening before me like a round theater. This room would be perfect for the production process. It was large, had excellent height clearance, and would be perfect for manufacturing.

  As we proceeded, we could move the cannons to a small staging area near the portal for quick removal. I drew a map of the area in my head, marking the locations mentally for each step in the manufacturing pathway. Afterward, I scolded myself for this, because I realized I could actually perform this kind of detail in my in-game map. It wasn’t that the area was difficult to see or excessively large, I just wanted to make sure I had the placement right. When manufacturing steps are out of place, the processes take much longer.

  “Mister Vlad, sir!” It was the Cleric, what was his name? Oh, yes, Zeno. He wasn’t that far behind me when I stepped through the gate. What had taken him so long?