by Paul Bellow
“We could’ve done better,” Eric said.
I nodded, agreeing with him.
“We might need to rethink our strategy,” I said. “My mana went quick.”
“Hold on,” Benji said. “We have a strategy?”
I smiled, liking our priest even more.
“We should go back to Fishguard and stock up on potions,” I said.
Eric shook his head.
“That’ll give the gnolls too much time,” he said. “We need to surprise and take out the entire scouting party. If we don’t, they’ll infest the area in no time.”
“He’s right,” Benji said. “As much as I hate to say it.”
“I’m not sure,” I said.
“New plan,” Eric said. “You two hide the wagon while I scout ahead and see if I can kill the one who ran from us. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”
“That’s too dangerous,” I said.
“Don’t ever tell me the odds,” he said.
I rolled my eyes. He grinned then turned and sprinted after the fleeing gnoll.
Would he catch him running in that armor?
“Do you mind if I loot the bodies?” Benji asked. “Gnoll spears can be sold back in Fishguard. They’re not worth a lot, but every bit helps.”
“You’re the most helpful priest I’ve ever met, Benji.”
He smiled then turned and stumbled off. While he stripped the bodies of their belongings, I returned to the cart and mule.
With a bit of effort, I managed to get them off the main path. Benji walked over as I finished up. Sweat poured down his face.
“Find anything else of value?” I asked.
“No,” he said, shaking his head.
I leaned against a tree next to the path.
Benji stood nearby, watching the trees.
“We need to be ready for anything,” I said.
He nodded, not saying a word.
Together, we waited for Eric.
11
Master Gong and a Strange Note
ERIC
I picked up the gnoll’s path as I ran through the thick trees. Small limbs brushed against me, and I enjoyed using my legs.
The gnoll changed direction, heading south—parallel with the main path. I kept my distance, ready to kill him if necessary. Bugs slammed into my face as I ran, but I didn’t stop.
The gnoll howled.
Had it seen me? Was it summoning help?
Questions piled up in my mind as the trees thinned out. I slowed down. At the edge of a clearing, I stopped, hidden.
The gnoll I’d been chasing stumbled toward a tent on the far side. Another gnoll barked at him in a language I didn’t understand.
Great. Should I go back? Try to take them out myself?
I took a deep breath, not wanting my emotions to control my decisions.
I watched as the larger gnoll walked to a lit bonfire filled with logs and sticks. The wounded gnoll limped to a nearby tent and slipped inside.
Only two of them?
Maybe the quest is simpler than we thought. Then again, games love to mix things up when players thought they had it all figured out.
Was this one of those times?
While I could likely take on both at full health, I was down to eleven points. Not taking one of the healing potions would make killing them both more difficult.
I kept breathing deeply.
Be calm. You got this. Wait...I’m a rogue. Time for a backstab?
I grinned as my gaming experience kicked in. The reality of everything made it easy to forget I was simply inside a virtual game. As I watched, the gnoll leader stuck his staff in the fire.
Red embers shot into the air, turning to black ash and spreading. After so long acting like the tank in our group, it would be nice to use some of my rogue skills.
Can I pull it off in time?
I brushed all doubts aside and unsheathed my sword. One hit would take out the leader, leaving the other wounded gnoll. Would I get all the experience points for the kills?
Sneaking in daylight through a clearing wouldn’t be easy, but the rewards outweighed the risks in my mind. All the better if I got all the experience points for the solo encounter.
I moved from tree to tree on the edge of the clearing, getting closer to the gnoll by the fire. He stared into the flames as if mesmerized.
Could he cast spells? I wondered as I crept forward.
When I reached the closest spot, no more than twenty feet away, I stopped behind a thick tree. He continued staring into the fire. I scanned the clearing one more time for any signs of life.
Nothing. Time to do this. Now or never.
I stepped out then stumbled backward as the wounded gnoll and two others came out of the tent. Their leader looked up and barked unknown commands while pointing at the forest.
My pulse quickened as I gripped the hilt of my trusty sword. The other three gnolls headed into the woods. I needed to kill the leader before going to warn the others.
Or would the creatures go somewhere else?
After they wandered into the thick trees on the other side of the clearing, I stepped out with my sword drawn. I’ve only got one shot to pull this off correctly—gotta make it count.
With each step, my heart pounded faster.
The gnoll leader stared down at the flickering flames of the fire as I got closer. At fifteen feet away, I ran toward him with my sword pointed out.
He never saw it coming.
Critical hit!
Your backstab attack DECIMATES the Gnoll Scout Leader for 35 damage!
The Gnoll Scout Leader is dead!
You get +600 experience points.
You have 4,965 xp
You need 35 xp for level three rogue.
I grinned, flush with excitement, as the gnoll fell to the ground.
So close yet so far away.
At least I got the xp for myself.
I wanted to loot the leader’s body, but Benji and Sarah might need my help. They could hold their own against three gnolls with one wounded, but I needed to help my group as much as possible.
Without a second thought, I took off across the clearing with my sword still out. The gnolls stood no chance if I came across them. I ran in between the tall trees—their branches whipping me.
I wondered why the gnoll quest hadn’t completed.
Did that mean we had more to kill? I kept my eyes open as I ran back toward the cart and the others.
Would they be okay?
Death could mean any number of things. We still didn’t know the stakes in the game. Character probably respawned, but I didn’t want to be separated from Sarah so soon.
After a few minutes of running, I found Benji and Sarah standing next to each other on the main path through the forest. Both looked up as I stopped, catching my breath.
“I’ve got good news and bad news,” I said.
“What’s the bad news?” Sarah asked.
“The quest isn’t over yet.”
“I could’ve told you that,” she said.
“What’s the good news?” Benji asked.
“I killed the gnoll leader with a backstab,” I said.
The memory of the moment flashed in my mind as I smiled.
“Good job, boss,” Benji said.
I glanced up. Foliage blocked most of the sky.
“We only have a few hours of daylight left,” I said. “We should hunt the gnolls and finish this here and now.”
“Any loot on the leader?” Benji asked.
“I came back to get you two before checking,” I said. “Speaking of which, I could use some healing.”
Benji stepped forward and moved his arms, his long sleeves once again hiding his hands from view.
A soft, blue light sent warmth through my body.
You feel better!
You have [31/31] health remaining.
“Great,” I said. “Let’s get back to the clearing I found and check their camp out more closely. Maybe we’ll find
some clues.”
“I love clues,” Benji said.
“You didn’t see any other gnolls?” Sarah asked.
“A few of them went back into the woods. I thought they were coming her. That’s why I came back right away. We should leave the wagon here and go back to the clearing.”
I motioned for them to follow then headed back off the path. As we walked through the woods, I half expected to be ambushed. Gnolls could be conniving and dangerous at times.
When we reached the edge of the clearing, I stopped and held up a hand. The fire had burned down and was almost extinguished completely, but I wanted to make sure.
“I don’t see anyone,” I said in a low voice. “Benji, loot the leader’s body. Sarah and I will check the tents.”
Benji nodded then stepped into the clearing. I followed Sarah to the tents—ready for something to rush out at us—but nothing came out.
We stopped at the nearest one.
“You ready?” she asked.
I nodded, sword still gripped in my right hand. She opened the flap in front of the tent. I stepped through, quickly scanning the interior.
“Clear,” I said, lowering my weapon.
Sarah joined me inside the cramped, dark area.
“This must be all their supplies,” she said, looking around.
Piles of rope sat on the ground, surrounded by wooden boxes.
“We should take it all and sell it in the city,” I said. “That helps us and takes it away from the gnolls.”
She nodded.
“Could end up being quite a bit of gold,” she said.
Benji whistled outside the tent.
“You guys better get out here,” he shouted. “We have company.”
Sword in hand, I rushed past Sarah then exited the tent.
I saw six gnoll warriors standing on the far side of the clearing. Four hyenas in spiked leather armor stood next to them, growling like they hadn’t eaten in days. They all stared in our direction.
“Battle positions,” I yelled, hoping the others knew what I meant.
Without waiting for confirmation, I screamed ferociously and rushed forward with my sword raised. I had to protect our spellcaster. An actual tank in our party would’ve been better, but we had to make do.
The gnolls took a few steps forward. Half a dozen Golden Bolts of energy whizzed by my head and struck two hyenas. I kept running, ready to take all six of them out.
I hoped Benji and Sarah could handle the hyenas.
Two of the gnolls walked toward me while holding massive curved blades. I attacked, hitting the first one I came across.
Critical Hit!
Your slash WOUNDS the gnoll scout for 17 points of damage.
The gnoll scout is dead!
You have momentum to attack again.
Your slash INJURES the gnoll scout for 12 points of damage.
As one of the tall doglike creatures fell, two others came at me with swords. They both hit, one on each arm.
I barely avoided falling to the ground after they hit my armor.
With five left, I needed to be careful. Stepping back a few paces, I waited for one of them to come close.
The unlucky gnoll came at me.
I struck with no mercy.
Your pierce HITS the gnoll scout for 8 points of damage.
I need a strength buff or magic item, I thought as three gnolls surrounded me and all attacked at the same time. One missed while the other two was hit. I had a little over half my health remaining, but it would go fast in the battle.
Do or die time.
I slashed again.
Your slash INJURES the gnoll scout for 12 points of damage.
The gnoll scout is dead.
As I prepared to get hit again, six Golden Bolts flew by. One of the gnolls dropped to the ground, screaming in agony. Benji ran up and smacked another gnoll with his mace.
He hit it on the face, killing it instantly. I got back into the zone.
Two more to go.
As I stepped forward, a sword hit me on the arm.
Pain and poison coursed through my body.
“Again?” I screamed in frustration.
With a mighty roar, I swung my sword.
Your slash HITS the gnoll scout for 9 points of damage.
My vision blurred. I felt another stab in my arm then fell to the ground with only one point of health remaining.
What a way to die.
I glanced up and barely made out the outline of a gnoll.
He lifted a massive sword, ready to strike. I cringed and backed up.
Before he brought the sword down and kill me, six Golden Bolts shot into him. Benji followed up with a lethal blow. I rolled over as the gnoll crashed to the ground, nearly crushing me.
Combat is over!
* * *
You get 4,000 xp divided by two party members.
You get 2,000 xp
* * *
Quest: A Hunting We Will Gnoll Completed!
+ 1,000 xp
* * *
Your Weapon Craft skill has increased to Basic Skill Level 4 of 10
Your Sneaking skill has increased to Basic Skill level 2 of 10
* * *
You have 7,965 experience points, welcome to level 3, Rogue.
* * *
Level three requires a harder to find training manual or trainer. The nearest ones are in the City of Mednia to the West. You will make more decisions about your long term career as a rogue over the next few levels. Choose wisely.
“Poison,” I gasped while smiling at the level gain. “About to die…”
“Here we go again,” Benji said as I groaned.
Sarah got out another Potion of Remove Poison from her sack. After handing it to me, I gulped down the entire contents.
You are no longer poisoned.
You have [1/31] health remaining.
“Healing?” I asked then grinned sheepishly while looking up.
“Sure,” Benji said. “I can do another spell.”
He stepped forward and waved his arms near my stomach. Blue energy filled my game-body, healing me completely.
“Thanks,” I said. “That was close.”
“We have to be more careful,” Sarah said.
I smiled then said, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained…”
“We’ll end up with nothing if we’re dead,” she said.
“She’s right,” Benji added.
“Fine,” I relented. “We’ll be more careful.”
I glanced around the encampment.
“We should load as much of this stuff as we can on the cart,” I said.
Benji sighed.
“That’s a lot of work,” he said.
“It’ll be worth it when we get back to Fishguard,” I said.
“Do you think that’s all of them?” Benji asked. “The gnolls, I mean.”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” I said, knowing we had defeated the quest.
Sarah grinned but said nothing out of character—not that he would’ve understood. He was still the best NPC I’d ever played with.
“Let’s see what exactly they have in the tents,” I said.
I walked over to the one where we’d found all their supplies. Sarah followed by my side as Benji walked to collect weapons and coins.
“That was too close,” Sarah said, staying in character as we entered the tent.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “But we did good. I need to go to Mednia to train, and this haul will help fund the trip.”
Sarah frowned.
“What about our other companion?” she asked. “I’m getting worried about him.”
“He’ll be fine,” I assured.
She pressed her lips together and forced a smile.
“He’s smart and strong, but his temper might get him in trouble,” she said. “I’m worried we haven’t found him yet.”
“Do you have any parchment?” I asked to change the subject.
“Yeah,” she said, digging i
n her sack. “A quill and ink too.”
“Great,” I said. “Can you write everything down while I take inventory?”
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you changing the subject,” she said.
I sighed then said, “I’m worried about him too, but we need to take care of one thing at a time. Maybe he got to Fishguard first then went on to Mednia to look for us?”
She shrugged.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” she said. “Call out the items, and I’ll write them down.”
We worked together to come up with a list of all the worthwhile items in the entire gnoll camp. I read them off to her after we finished, including my estimated value of everything using my rogue skills.
One of the chests contained thousands of silver pieces. Neither of us bothered counting them all. All told, we had over a hundred gold in mundane objects to resell.
“Not bad,” Sarah said, surveying our haul.
Benji walked inside the tent.
“Anything good?” he asked.
“We got a gong,” I said with a chuckle.
Benji nodded solemnly.
“That’ll bring a nice price in the city,” he said.
“Probably a hundred gold.” I turned to Sarah. “How do you want to do this? Any spells to get the stuff to the cart?”
She shook her head.
“None of my spells will help,” she said.
“Ready to earn your keep, Benji?” I teased.
He frowned and slowly shook his head.
“If you two don’t think I’ve earned my keep yet,” he said. “I don’t know what to say.”
Benji looked from Sarah to me, obviously not happy with something.
“You okay?” I asked. “Don’t take it personally. I was just joking.”
“I was just thinking how nice it would be to join you guys on a more permanent basis,” he said. “Have you thought about letting me join your party?”
He lifted his right eyebrow expectantly.
“Maybe we should let him,” Sarah said.
Benji smiled and nodded enthusiastically.