by Paul Bellow
Special human? Wazzat?
The more I used the heads up display, the easier it became to control it with my mind. Stats are a bit odd, I might as well check my inventory.
> Inventory
* 24 gp
* Lamellar (Hobgoblin) Armor – Armor Class +20
* Broadsword – 1d8 damage + strength modifier (+2)
* * *
TIP: Higher Armor Class equals more protection.
Magic hobgoblin armor?
I examined it more closely.
> Examine Armor
Magic Item – Ancestral Lamellar armor (+5)
You have hobgoblin in your bloodline. This ancient armor still works and will protect you as you venture forth from the life you’ve always known. This specially crafted armor is light enough for a ROGUE yet strong enough to defend you against the fiercest attacks. It’s of hobgoblin design, so you’ve never worn it before deciding to leave town. You plan to wear it proudly on your way to Fishguard.
* * *
Armor Class: +20
Magic Ability: -5% modifier on attack rolls from enemy.
Your current Armor Class is +30 with armor and bonuses.
You are well armored.
What an odd character. This game is amazing. Skills are next.
> Stats skills
* * *
* Black Market Connections – Basic Level 1 of 10
* Monster Lore – Basic Level 1 of 10
* Weapon Craft – Blades - Basic Level 3 of 10
* Stealth - Basic Level 1 of 10
* Create Item - Basic Level 1 of 10
* Identify Item – Basic Level 5 of 10
* Language: Human, Common
* Sense Motive – Basic Level 5 of 10
I wonder if I’ll get skill points to improve them. No telling.
While I couldn’t unlock the character class trees and multiclassing wasn’t available, I could work with a strong rogue build. We weren’t going to be playing a full game anyway.
The thought saddened me. I missed all the good times Sarah and I had shared.
The bedroom door burst open. A young man rushed in with terror in his eyes. He rushed over and threw his arms around me, squeezing tight.
“Are you really leaving?” he asked then cautiously looked up.
Who is this? I wondered.
The game filled me in seamlessly.
[NPC] – Jak
While you’re not related to Jak, you’ve always treated the younger man as a true brother. He looks up to you.
I pushed him away and grabbed both his shoulders.
“You’ll be fine,” I said. “You’re the man of the house when I’m gone.”
“But our father...”
He turned and sobbed.
“Don’t cry,” I said to console him.
Would I get experience points for role-playing?
“I want to go with you,” the teenager said.
“You can’t go,” I said, not wanting him tagging along.
He crossed his arms over his chest and huffed.
This is too much role-playing for me.
I walked toward the open door.
“Be brave,” I said as I left. “Maybe I’ll return someday.”
Role-playing was cool, but I needed to find Sarah and Josh. Having an NPC tagging along would only slow me down. As I walked out of the house and into a muddy, puddle-strewn street, I once again marveled at my body in the game.
This is so freaking cool.
I loved my naturally moving legs.
Why had my father tried to keep out of the Tower of Gates?
I glanced to the left then right before noticing a small yellow arrow in my field of vision.
First level help. Not too shabby.
After I stepped in the direction it indicated, the yellow arrow disappeared.
So much for that.
I kept walking. Heading toward the edge of the town, I thought about the time dilation aspect of the game, and it scared me.
I hadn’t been able to figure out the exact equation before finishing my hack into the game. Would it matter?
My early research showed varying time dilation for some reason. They intentionally kept it variable for players.
The closer I got to the edge of the town, the harder it became to think about anything except for the reality around me.
I’d played VR games before, but nothing compared to the level of detail in Tower of Gates. This is incredible. Puffy, white clouds lazily drifted across a perfectly blue sky above me.
The weather, while warm, wasn’t too hot.
This might be one of the best first levels ever, I thought.
A few people whispered and pointed as I walked by.
I kept going as I reached the edge of the town.
How long would it take me to get to Fishguard? A day? Longer?
Hopefully, Sarah wouldn’t be too pissed. I smiled as I followed a dirt road leading out of town, fields on either side. Every step felt like a miracle after so many years in a clunky exoskeleton with rudimentary mind-to-metal tech.
I relished every footstep.
Might as well have some fun while I’m in the game, I reasoned.
Could I level up once or twice?
The immensity of the open world hit me as I continued. Over the years, wagons had dug two shallow ruts in the dirt.
Should I go back to town and find a ride? Would someone give me a ride?
As usual, I had more questions than answers.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement in the field to my left. Rabbits hopped back and forth, occasionally stopping to nibble on grass.
I used my monster lore skill to check their level. The two I saw were simple rabbits.
No vorpal bunnies here, I guess. But easy xp for the taking.
Your Monster Lore Skill increases!
It is now Basic Skill Level 2 of 10!
* * *
TIP: SKILLS - As you practice skills in your everyday life, you will become better at them. The rate at which you advance depends on the difficulty of the task you’re doing and how many times you practice.
The game is giving me a lot of tips. Does it think I need them?
Instead of finding a ride to Fishguard, I entered the field to kill some rabbits and get some experience points.Time to grind.
Over the years, a desire for in game xp had overtaken most of my other goals and responsibilities in life. I loved leveling.
I stopped in the field and pulled my sword.
The hilt felt good in my hand. I admired the workmanship of the steel blade. The thought of using it to kill a rabbit made me laugh, but building up slowly was how it worked in other games.
A bunny wandered near me. I charged and swung, missing completely.
Killing rabbits in armor with a sword wasn’t going to be easy.
Unwilling to give up, I went after another. The next three all hopped away.
I stopped, winded from the effort.
As I caught my breath, I noticed a man in cart on the road heading to the town I’d just left. Maybe he would help?
I jogged over to the road to intercept him.
He lifted his head and eyed me carefully as we approached each other.
Should I kill them both? Might be easier than chasing rabbit.
A notification popped up.
TIP: ALIGNMENT - Killing this commoner would be considered an evil act and would lower your alignment by ten (10) points.
I sheathed my sword, not wanting to go dark.
How evil could you be in the game?
> Stats Alignment
Your Current Alignment is +85 (Quite Good)
What does quite good really mean? Is there an alignment range?
> Help Alignment
Alignment ranges from -100 (super-evil) to +100 (super-nice). Acts in the game will be reflected on your alignment score. When this number changes, you will receive a game notification on your heads up display. Your alig
nment score is very important in the Tower of Gates game.
I stopped at the edge of the road and raised a hand.
“Well met, traveler,” I said.
The man with long greasy hair stopped.
“Please don’t kill me,” he said. “I love the goblins and humans both.”
“No, no,” I said. “You misunderstand. I need a lift into town.”
His eyes narrowed as he looked me over.
“You’re not going to kill me?” he asked.
“No,” I said. “Why would I kill you?”
I sensed someone behind me and turned. A young boy in tattered clothes approached through the field.
“That your boy?” the man in the cart asked. “Are you trying to bamboozle me?”
“No,” I said, not taking my eyes off the boy.
He stopped about ten feet away, looking severely malnourished.
“I have to go,” the man in the cart said. “But here’s something for not killing me.”
As I turned, I saw black shirt flying toward me. I reached out and grabbed it as the cart pulled away.
New Item – Black Shirt (+1 Laundry Skill)
This black shirt will help you hide stains if you don’t have a chance to do laundry.
Gain new general skill: Laundry at level 1.
* * *
New Skill – General - Laundry
You know how do laundry if the occasion ever arises.
With more practice, you can improve your skill.
* * *
Basic Skill level: 1 of 10
* * *
Tip: At Basic Skill Level 10, you can specialize the skill and further improve on it.
A black shirt of +1 laundry skill? I snickered. One of the game’s designers had a sense of humor.
“Can you help me, mister knight?” the skinny boy asked.
I turned back to him, still clutching the black shirt.
“Maybe,” I said. “What’s your problem?”
The boy glanced up with eyes wide open.
“Rats,” he said. “Stupid rats in the barn. My father wanted me to ask if you could kill them for us. We can’t pay you much. I think there’s ten of them.”
That’s very specific, I thought as I glanced past the boy.
A farmer stood on the other side of the field, watching us.
“The rats ate my cat,” the boy said.
“Wow,” I said. “That must’ve been a big rat.”
“It wasn’t small,” the boy said without missing a beat. “Can you help us kill it? Please?”
“You’re in luck,” I said. “Killing rats is my specialty.”
The boy’s face lit up.
“Really?” he asked.
“No,” I said. “But I can take care of them.”
New Side Quest: Kill Ten Rats.
You will get 500 xp for completion of this side quest.
“That’s great,” the boy said. “I want to be a soldier like you when I get older and kill as many goblins as I can.”
He stepped forward and grabbed my hand.
“Come on,” he said. “I’ll show you the barn.”
The boy led me across me the field.
While I wouldn’t get paid much—if anything—for killing the rats, I wanted to check out the combat system in the game.
As I walked, I thought about Sarah and Josh. Were they having as much fun as me? Or had they already logged out of the game? I pushed the real world thoughts aside as I reached the farmer on the far edge of the field.
The boy let go of my hand and ran to him.
“Well met,” I said, giving him a quick nod of my head.
“Can you help us?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said, adding, “no charge. The practice will do me good.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“You’re not going to rob us, are you?”
“What?” I laughed. “Why would I rob you?”
“You’re wearing hobgoblin armor,” he said. “I haven’t seen a set of that since the Great Wars...”
His voice faded as if remembering something horrible.
“Not all goblins are evil,” I said. “But I’m not a goblin.”
“I don’t care about your politics,” the farmer grumbled. “These rats have got to go. If it was ten years ago, I would’ve dealt with the problem myself, but I can’t do it anymore, and the boy is too young.”
“Not a problem,” I said. “But before I do this, I need something from you. Can you help me?”
“You want me wife?” he asked. “You can have her.”
He laughed as if he’d told the funniest joke in the history of humor.
I coughed then said, “No. I need something to ride to Fishguard. Maybe a horse and cart?”
“I see how you are,” the man said. “You offer to do this for free then you hit me up for an expensive horse and a cart.”
“Okay,” I said. “You can find someone else to kill your rats. I’ll be on my way.”
I turned and took a step away.
“Stop,” he said. “I’ve got an old cart and a horse that might have one more long journey in her. If you get rid of all the rats, they’re both yours.”
I resisted smiling as I turned.
“We have a deal,” I said, offering my hand.
The farmer stepped forward, spat in his hand, then shook mine.
“I’ll show you the barn,” the boy said.
Time for my first encounter, I thought with nearly as much excitement as the boy as he led me further onto their property.
Hope it goes better than the rabbits.
Behind their rundown house, a huge barn that looked like it might collapse at any moment came into view.
Maybe I should have asked for more.
“This is it,” the boy said, stopping a few hundred feet away.
“Stay here,” I said, then added. “Even better, go get that horse and cart ready for me. This won’t take too long.”
“Yes, sir,” the boy said then scampered away.
The two wooden doors stood wide open, and I stared into the darkness as I pulled my blade. A cat-sized rat scampered out. I lunged forward and stabbed it on top of the head.
Your pierce HITS the rat for 8 damage.
The rat is dead!
After killing a second, I saw something scurry across the interior of the barn. I stepped inside, and my eyes adjusted to the dim light.
Something squealed nearby. Two more rats ran out of a pile of moldy hay. I danced forward with my perfect legs and slashed.
Another rat died by my blade. I attacked again. Number four.
As I continued deeper into the dark barn, I saw a pair of red eyes.
Here we go. I kept walking forward, ready for a fight.
Before I reached the corner, a huge hefty rat ran toward me. I stopped as it rushed forward across the straw covered floor.
I swung and hit.
Your slash GRAZES the giant rat for 7 damage
Uh oh. Less damage.
The rat lunged and gnawed at my leg.
The giant rat’s bite SCRATCHES you for 2 damage.
You have [10/12] health remaining.
You have been POISONED.
That can’t be good, I thought as I attacked again.
My sword plunged into its matted fur. It squealed in pain as I delivered another five points of damage.
How tough is this stupid rat?
It attacked again.
The giant rat’s bite GRAZES you for 4 damage.
You have [6/12] health remaining.
You have been POISONED.
Poisoned again? Am I double-poisoned or something now?
I felt faint as the effects of the poison kicked in.
“Die, dirty rat,” I screamed as I stabbed again.
Your pierce DECIMATES the giant rat for 12 damage.
The giant rat is dead!
Combat is Over!
You get +125 xp
Quest Complete! (Ki
ll Ten Rats)
You gain +500 experience points!
You have 625 xp.
You need 2,375 xp for level two Rogue
If the poison doesn’t kill me, it might’ve been worth the effort.
Still hyped up from the battle but feeling weak, I stumbled out of the barn. The small boy ran over, stopping a few feet away.
“You don’t look so good, mister knight,” he said. “Everything okay?”
“One of the rats bit me,” I said. “Go get your father. Hurry.”
I fell to the ground and closed my eyes.
Pain coursed through my body.
What a way to die, I thought. Here lies Drex; killed by a rat on level one.
5
What’s that Strange, Sour Smell?
SARAH
A black bear roared as it emerged from the trees.
“Kali, we should go,” Evan said.
Out of mana, but I’ve got these arrows.
“Hold on,” I said as I pulled back the bowstring.
Twang. I let one of the arrows fly.
Critical Miss!
Your arrow totally misses.
Additionally, your bowstring snaps.
Evan grabbed my hand and yanked.
“Come on, Kali,” he said.
I frowned, so confused and wanting it all to stop.
The bear growled and moved forward as I turned and ran into the woods. Evan and Ewen ran past, darting in between giant tree trunks.
My heart pounded faster as I attempted to keep up with the brownies. Quick-footed, they easily outran me. I heard the bear growl behind me.
“Stream ahead,” Evan yelled.
I saw a wide, rapidly flowing river.
“That’s no stream,” I said.
We stopped at the edge. I turned and heard the bear getting closer.
“Across the river,” I said. “We might have a chance.”