by Troy Osgood
Small Blades Rank 2 +.5
Skill Gain!
Polearm Rank 2 +.3
Skill Gain!
Thrown Rank 2 +.1
Hall walked over to the ogre he had slain, trying to pull his spear out. It was wedged tight. He pushed at the ogre, trying to roll it onto its side but it did not budge.
“How did we kill two ogres?” Roxhard asked, breathing heavy. He was leaning against his axe, the head on the ground, staring at the nearly severed ogre’s head. Green blood leaked out of the wound, dripping down the body and onto the ground. “The lowest level is at least ten.”
Shrugging, Hall walked around the creatures toward the Druid. He had no idea why they had managed to kill creatures that were so much higher level. But were these ogres really? Higher level, yes, but that much? They had been tough, a lot of health, but not that difficult. And the experience was only that of creatures a few levels above.
Another mystery. Another thing different.
The Druid was a young woman, about his age. Human. Gael from the look. She had very fair skin, bright red hair with green streaks that matched her bright green eyes. The hair was long, wild and curly with two braids hanging down over her shoulders. Freckles covered her face, multiple piercings in her ears. A small ring up high in the lobe and short dangling chains that ended in small green jewels. The avatar was one of the prettier ones, Hall thought. Not stunning or striking, a girl next door kind of look. She wore leathers. A halter top left her midriff bare. Bracers on her wrists covered some of the light blue swirling tattoos that curled up her arms. Calf-high boots of a darker leather and a short leather skirt cut on an angle with laces on the sides leaving a gap between front and back of the skirt. A thin belt held a pouch and dagger. She carried a staff that was a foot taller than her five-foot five height. Made of gnarled wood, the staff was knotted with rough bark patches. A branch taken from an Ashwood tree with minimum work done to it.
She stayed near the wall, staff in both hands, looking from Hall to Roxhard. Behind her, the cow, a large calf, gave a menacing moo. It was shaggy and black with a white patch on its chest. It was about three or four feet tall and wide, heavy looking, with long horns that curled toward the front. The fur was thick, hanging down, but soft looking.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“You’re welcome,” Hall said, instead of answering. He wiped his sword on the ogre’s dirty hide clothing and sheathed the weapon. Spreading his arms, he took a step forward. “I’m called Hall. That’s Roxhard,” he added, nodding toward the Dwarf who was still leaning against his axe.
The Druid relaxed, pushing loose strands of hair out of her face.
“Leigh,” she said with a nod. “Thank you,” she added as an afterthought.
You have earned +500 Alliance points with Leigh.
Saving her life has made the Druid, Leigh, think highly of you.
That caught him by surprise. He had been thinking that she was a PC, not an NPC. He studied her. Was she one of those new Ally NPCs with the advanced AI he had heard about? She gave him an odd look, taking a step back, not liking his scrutiny.
He smiled, trying to show he meant no harm. Probably thinks I’m a creeper, he thought, looking at the calf instead of Leigh.
“Where did the ogres come from?” Roxhard asked, saving Hall from his embarrassment, probably not realizing that he had done it.
“The foothills to the east,” Leigh answered. “This is outside their normal territory. I don’t know why they were here. My bad luck to run into them.”
“Why were you here?” Hall asked.
Leigh studied him now, her head slightly cocked at an angle. She was appraising him, wondering what to say or if she should just leave now. Whatever she saw seemed to satisfy her.
“I am a Druid of the Tree,” she said. “My Circle is to the southeast. I was on my way to Land’s Edge Port to catch an airship to Edin. There is a Grove there that we lost contact with.”
Hall nodded. Made some sense. Druids were followers of nature, using the energy of the world around them to power their spells and abilities. They believed that the world was connected by a large tree called Yggdrasil, the World Tree. When Hankarth exploded into the islands, each was supported by Branches of the World Tree. This is what allowed them to stay afloat in the air, what kept them from being destroyed completely. Two demons, Surtr and Ymir, fought for control of the world. They were always in balance until another demon, The Feardagh, upset that balance and caused Hankarth to shatter. The power of Yggdrasil kept them all alive. The Druids of the Tree tended the Groves where offspring of Yggdrasil, called Branches, were living. They feared that if these offspring were to be destroyed, the islands would lose their anchors and fall to the nothingness below.
Because of their solitary nature, Druids of the Tree were often seen wandering alone or with their animal companions. Judging by the size of the calf, Hall reasoned that Leigh was low level. Possibly still first or just barely second. The calf was an odd choice for an animal companion.
“The Elder of the Grove thought it a simple journey, safe enough, so sent me and Angus to scout the Grove. Apparently, it was not that safe,” Leigh finished, pointing toward the corpses of the ogres. She shrugged. “Caught me by surprise.”
“The cow’s name is Angus?” Hall asked, trying not to chuckle. He glanced at Roxhard, who was also trying not to laugh.
“Yes,” Leigh answered. “Why?”
“No reason,” Hall said, realizing she would not understand why Angus was an odd name for a cow kept as a companion. “Long way to Edin.”
Leigh shrugged.
“I’m originally from there, sent to the Grove here on Cumberland for training,” Leigh said. “It’s why I was sent to investigate.”
“We’re heading toward River’s Side,” Hall told her. “You could come with us.”
“I could,” she said with a smile. “Could use some company. Angus here isn’t that much of a talker.” The cow gave a low moo, Leigh chuckling. “Don’t be getting any ideas now,” she added.
Hall laughed. Was she flirting with him?
THE LOST GROVE
Leigh, Druid of the Tree, is journeying to a Grove on the island of Edin. She is looking for companions to help her on the dangerous road.
Reward: +500 Druids of the Tree Reputation, +500 Alliance with Leigh, +50 Experience
ACCEPT QUEST?
Hall saw the quest dialog box open up in front of his eyes. He went to quickly accept it when something caught his eye. The quest name was in blue, indicating it was a quest only a couple levels above his current one. Edin was a higher-level zone, twenty and higher, his favorite realm in the whole game. The quest should have been in green, the color of a much higher-level quest.
He was still only level two. This should not have been a quest he could do, let alone accept.
With a thought, he accepted the quest.
You have earned +100 Alliance points with Leigh.
Agreeing to accompany her to the Grove has pleased her.
“What’s in River’s Side?” she asked, finally walking away from the side of the hill. The cow trotted alongside her.
Angus looked up at Hall with annoyance, not happy for some reason. At least, Hall thought it was annoyance. It was hard to tell as the cow’s hair covered most of its large eyes and made them hard to see. Pike settled on his shoulder, watching the pair walk by. Hall turned and followed, once again stopping at the ogre to try to push it off his spear.
“Just a stop on the way north,” Hall answered. “From there we’re heading into the Far Edge Peaks. Hope you don’t mind, but we have something to do there before can head to Edin.”
Leigh shrugged.
“The Grove hasn’t been heard from in months,” she said, standing next to him and examining the ogre. “What’s another couple of weeks?”
Hall expected to see a decrease in Alliance points because of the delay but there was none. Leigh really did not appear to mind the sid
equest.
“He’s stuck good,” she said, poking at the ogre.
“Yeah. I’d leave it but can’t afford a new one,” Hall said, leaning his shoulder into the ogre. He pushed, his feet sliding on the ground. “Bastard is heavy.”
“Let me,” Roxhard said.
The Dwarf moved alongside Hall and put his weight against the ogre. He started pushing, his thick legs and feet digging into the ground. Slowly, inch by inch, the ogre started to move. Leigh grabbed the spear, pulling at it as Hall and Roxhard nudged the ogre.
“Got it,” she said, holding the spear aloft.
The ogre had a lean to it now, the grasses and vines holding the body upright. Roxhard and Hall stepped away, breathing heavy.
“Thanks,” Hall said, taking the spear back.
He held it by the end, sighting down the long shaft. It looked straight, the yew wood strong but somewhat pliable. Moving his hands along the shaft he felt for cracks, not finding any.
SPEAR
Attack +1
Damage 1d6
Durability 3/6
Weight 5 lbs.
The durability had taken a hit but it would last for a while longer. He hoped.
Roxhard crawled under the ogre, searching it, finding nothing of value. He made a disgusted face as his hand landed in a puddle of blood.
“No loot,” he said with a sad shake of his head. “And this thing smells.”
He staggered a bit as he stood up fast, cringing as he moved his shoulder.
“Hold still,” Leigh told the Dwarf.
She walked over, laying her left hand on his shoulder. Holding her staff in the other, planting it firmly on the ground, she closed her eyes. Light flared along the tattoos on her arms, a dull blue that followed the lines. Her palm started glowing, matching the color of the tattoos. Roxhard stood straighter, smiling.
“Thanks,” he said as she stepped away. He swung his arms, moving his shoulders.
Hall looked up into the sky. It was later than he had thought.
“We need shelter and then food,” he said. “I don’t think any of us want to stay here for the night.”
“I don’t know,” Leigh said, looking around the clearing and leaning against one of the ogre corpses. “It’s got a certain charm.”
Hall laughed.
The first night they spent in a shallow cave. A small fire and decent meal.
Hall was surprised that Leigh ate meat with them, a couple of small rabbits. He had assumed because of their connection with nature that Druids were strict vegetarians. Leigh had laughed. Some were, some aren’t, she had said and took another bite of the greasy meat.
He found that he agreed with the statements made back in the Laughing Horse. Leigh was an NPC but acted like a PC. She thought for herself, acted how she wanted and when she wanted. There was no preset sequence of conversations to have with her. He started to think of her as a real person.
Which she was, he finally decided on the second night. If they, the Players, were now just digital copies of themselves, what made them different from the NPCs? Not a thing.
After that decision he found her company much more enjoyable.
Roxhard acted like a typical fourteen-year-old boy did when in the company of a beautiful and lively woman. He was nervous, stuttered a lot. Completely infatuated.
At night, Leigh curled up next to her cow, a breed she said was native to the Edin island. Angus, when they sat down at night around the fire, would purposefully place himself between Hall and Leigh. The cow did not like him, Hall decided. Pike made quick friends with Leigh, spending as much time on her shoulder as he did on Halls.
It was mid-afternoon on the third day when they came upon River’s Side.
The Green Flow was wide and raging, coming down from the north before turning east for a couple miles before heading south and would finally turn west for good and bisect the island. The water bounced over rocks, forming small waterfalls as it stepped down the sloping ground. The land rose up to form a small, grass-covered plateau. A road could be seen coming down and heading west, stone walls framing it. A wide wooden bridge spanned the river giving access to the eastern forest.
River’s Side was surrounded by a low wooden wall made of thick logs stuck into the ground. The tips were pointed with a single arched gate set into the wall. A tall six-sided tower, the upper level under a green plank roof open with a railing, rose above the wall. Armed guards could be seen walking the wall and the tower and standing at attention beside the open gate.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
They were able to enter without incident. The guards watched them, warily, but did not stop or hinder their progress. Even the sight of Pike riding Hall’s shoulder or Angus the cow did not cause a stir.
River’s Side was a busy place. Inside the wall was a wide and open area, a steep-sided hill rising up in the middle. The tower was built on the hill, a set of railing-less stairs leading to the tower’s single door. An arch of stone with a wide wooden door could be seen set into the hillside. Walkways, with stairs leading to them, ringed the inside edge of the wall. Buildings filled the rest of the space, laid out in an organized manner. All were set back from the wall, leaving a space of about twenty feet. All the one-and-two-story buildings faced the middle, away from the wall.
Hall could see a long barracks building, a blacksmith, healers, General Goods shop and other tradesmen. At the far end, only seen after walking around the tower and hill, was a large three-story building. A wide covered porch was on the front, a stable to the side.
An Inn.
“Let’s get a room, and then we can find Watchman Kelly,” Hall said, the others agreeing.
They went left, randomly, passing the smithy and General Goods store. Guards roamed the wide street that ringed the hill, some obviously off duty and some on patrol. There was a large number of visitors, merchants, and their guards. Hall hoped there would be rooms at the Inn still. They could spend the night in the forest, but a good night’s sleep in beds with full meals would do them all good, restoring their Vitality. There was no telling how long they’d be roughing it while looking for the treasure.
Hall looked at the people as he walked, passing a couple other shops. None were noticeably Players, all had the look of Non-Player Characters. He noticed that he could no longer see their names or occupations floating above their heads.
When had that changed? he thought, trying to remember if the information had been there when they were still in Grayhold. He glanced at Leigh, realizing that he had not been able to see anything about her, either.
“What?” she asked, smiling at him, her eyes sharing the smile. It was a look that said she did not mind him looking at her.
“Nothing,” Hall replied, returning the smile.
Angus mooed and pushed himself tighter between Hall and Leigh. She laughed, reaching down and scratching behind the cow’s ear.
Hall didn’t notice the jealous look that crossed Roxhard’s face, fading quickly.
Digging his talons into Hall's shoulder, drawing a wince, Pike spread his wings and lifted off. He spiraled into the air before turning to the east and flying over the wall. Guards turned and watched the dragonhawk disappear over the trees.
The Inn was well maintained, the sounds of a large crowd already coming from within. The covered porch ran the full length of the Inn’s front face. It was a deep porch, chairs and tables spaced around it. A railing sat at the edge with stairs leading up. The wooden doors were carved with fanciful designs, the top half panes of glass.
A sign hanging from the porch’s roof named the Inn as the River’s Fall.
Opening the doors, they walked inside into the common room. Like many in the realms of Essec, the common room was a large and open space. Long bar running down the left wall, a large stone fireplace on the right. Tables – round, square, large and small – filled the space in disorganized order. Barmaids moved from table to table, taking drinks and dropping off food. Two bartenders, Humans, male and
female, worked behind the granite counter. A set of stairs on the left would lead to the Inn’s Portal Room. Opposite, on the right side, the stairs would lead to the rooms above.
The common room was crowded, and the noise was loud, so many talking at once. Guards, merchants, mercenaries, tradesmen, and farmers from the outlying fields.
They had taken a couple steps into the room when a deep voice barked at them from behind. Turning, they saw a large man sitting on a stool to the side of the door where he had a view of the entire Inn. Large was an understatement. Over six foot and over two hundred fifty pounds. He was dressed plainly, no armor, but a short sword was strapped to his waist. Leaning against the wall was a large club.
The Inn’s bouncer.
“The cow has to go in the stable,” he said. There was no inflection to his voice. He was neither caring or annoyed. He just was. “2 copper a night.”
Leigh glanced at Hall, and he nodded.
“I’ll be right back,” the Druid said.
“We’ll get rooms,” Hall told her and pointed to the bar.
He threaded his way through the crowded space, avoiding chairs that were unexpectedly pushed back, barmaids that expertly danced around him, and patrons that just stood up. One of them, a woodsman by the look, stood up and bumped into Hall. Facing away from them, the woodsman hadn’t noticed the pair making their slow and careful way to the bar. The woodsman turned an angry glare at them. The glare faded and he sat back down, without saying a word, when he noticed the javelin strapped across Hall’s back, the sword belted at his waist as well as the short spear he carried.
They found a clear spot at the bar and caught the attention of one of bartenders. The Human female approached with a smile, a rag in her hand busy cleaning a pewter mug.
“Afternoon,” she said, her accent Essec. “What’ll it be?”