New quest: Boss Bagging (Lvl 25) [Urandal] - Boss Kerak and his lackeys have a chokehold on Urandal. Help Mistress Helge the master weaver to undermine his leadership and take back control of the town. Better do it considering the alternatives!
Reward: +1000 reputation with Urandal
I was kicking myself now! If I'd just come here first, I wouldn’t be in the hole on my reputation points, and this quest would have been enough to complete the trial. Now I'd still have to do some extra nonsense to get through it. But at least it was better than grinding on weaving the whole way.
“Absolutely,” I said, acting more confident than I felt.
The master weaver’s smile grew wide. “Good. Now let's get down to business.”
According to Helge, the boss had set up shop in the middle of town not far from where the fighting pit was located. While it didn’t look any more impressive than other buildings , it was said to have extensive tunnels and dungeons beneath — extensive enough that there were likely open access points throughout the town. Helge detailed three such options she knew of, and as she did, my map overlay updated itself to indicate where they were. I wouldn't know what was inside the tunnels and their layouts, but at least I had options in.
As to my enemies themselves and how they fought, Helge could tell me little. She wasn't a fighter herself and obviously thought fighting uncouth, so it was little wonder she had nothing for me. I'd just have to scout them out myself.
Despite the little I had to go on, excitement bubbled up in my stomach. Finally, I was getting to see some action again! It had been way too long since I’d had a proper fight. That bout in the pit definitely didn't count. This time, I wasn't going to hold back on my spells and channels, no matter what Sarai had advised. It was time to forge my own path forward.
I thanked the master weaver then headed toward the first of the tunnel entrances. This one was located in the back of a bakery, or at least what I thought was a bakery — the smells coming from it were far from delectable. I slunk around it, but there was no use trying to sneak, at least not until dark. As an autumn elf, I stood out too much to move undetected. It made me reconsider scoping out the tunnel entrances, in fact. If I drew attention to them now, they'd be no good to me later.
I had other scouting tasks to attend to anyway. Trying to look casual, I strolled by Boss Kerak’s HQ. The building looked about as bad as the rest of the town decor-wise, but I saw the solid brick beneath the muck. Even if I knew an explosive spell, I wouldn't have been able to blast my way through. There were no windows, but there were a few arrow slits on the top level through which I heard raucous laughter. Continuing to walk by, I glanced up and happened to see the leg of one of the lackeys. Not to let an opportunity go to waste, I examined the Fralishk to bring up his stats:
Boss’ Lackey (Lvl 22) - One of Boss Kerak's Fralishk minions. Fierce if he believes he has the upper hand, but will flee when faced with an intimidating foe. "Anything for the boss! Except for a fair fight…"
Taking on multiple level 22 enemies would be no joke, especially if they happened to be resistant to Basilisk's Gaze. And no doubt Boss Kerak would be even stronger, at least level 25. I had to have a plan if this was going to work out. Good thing I had time to kill; it'd be a couple hours before nightfall, when I planned to make my move.
I made my way back up to Isvalla's temple and found Sarai in the main sanctuary kneeling in front of the altar. She rose smoothly at my entrance and arched an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“Just a few questions. First off: do you barter?”
Her other eyebrow joined the first. “Perhaps.”
“That's a start. Second question: what channels do you know?”
“Ask me to open my robe while you're at it, will you.” She grinned at my sudden blush. “Isvalla’s is a White faith, so I know a few channels in that vein. Why do you ask?”
“I'll explain in a second. But I have to ask: How would you like to fight for your goddess?”
Now her eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at, Catalyst? Looking to start a civil war?”
"Start and end one.” Then I summarized what Helge had told me.
Sarai didn't look surprised. “And? What does this have to do with the task my goddess has set before you?”
“Don't you see? This is the key to bringing the Fralishk back to her worship! If we align Isvalla with civilization and the wealth it brings, they'll all come scrambling to fill the pews. They just can't see beyond the brutish culture Boss Kerak has created right now, and won't until he's out of power.”
“Hm. So you plan to go in and kill him? Without provocation or entreaty?”
I paused. She had a point there. The quest didn't specifically say I had to kill him; I just had to remove him from power. But as I thought through the possibilities, I realized how unlikely it was for Kerak to cede power without a struggle. Perhaps I could stir up unrest somehow, but it would take far longer than I could afford. As for Kerak giving up power, it was true I hadn't met the guy. But if he was everything that Helge had described, giving up power wasn't in his blood.
I told Sarai as much, and she shrugged. “If you believe that old bat. Personally, I thought she was always a bit off her rocker.”
“Are you saying you're not going to fight with me then?”
She shook her head. “I'm sorry, Marrow. Even if I believed it was the right thing to do, I'm not supposed to help with the trial in any direct way.”
My hopes sunk. It looked like I was back on my own and with nothing to show for my trip up here.
“However…” the priestess continued. “I do know some useful channels. Perhaps a barter is in order.”
There was the break I needed! I grinned. “Thanks, Sarai. I'm sure I've got something in here you'll want.”
It turned out to be a hard search, however. I'd mostly gathered odd knick-knacks, weapons, and armor, none of which interested the priestess. However, in the depths of my inventory, I dredged up a pair of silver star ornaments that turned out to be prayer symbols from the old Devalyn empire. I must have gotten them in that barrow back in the Mired Copses. Considering I hadn't even known I'd possessed them, it was simple to hand them over.
"I can't push the no-help thing too far," Sarai warned me as she accepted the stars. "So I'll only be able to teach you one channel."
“Alright. Show me what you got.”
She started describing them, and the overlays for each popped up:
Cure Poison (Lvl 1)
Affinity: White
Faith: Isvalla
Cost: 25 spirit
Effect: After 1 second, neutralizes all minor and most moderate toxins in the target.
Allure Ally (Lvl 2)
Affinity: White
Faith: Isvalla
Cost: 60 spirit
Effect: After 2 seconds, brings the target under your influence for 2 minutes.
Negate Spell (Lvl 2)
Affinity: White
Faith: Isvalla
Cost: 50 spirit
Effect: After 3 seconds, neutralize the effects of all minor and some moderate status changes by spells.
Each channel would no doubt be helpful, but I knew which one I was taking as soon as Sarai named it. “Can you teach me Allure Ally? As long as it works better on them than it did on me.”
She winked. “I was going easy on you. Now come here.”
She snatched my face and gripped me tight, similar to when she'd changed me into Devalyn. “This isn't the same process as last time, is it?” I asked suspiciously.
Her answer came in the form of the smooch. I'd like to say I didn't return the kiss, but that wouldn’t totally be the truth. A shiver ran through me, and intuitive knowledge sunk into my mind.
You have learned a new channel: Allure Ally!
“Hm. You need practice,” Sarai observed as she patted delicately at her lips. “Much too slobbery.”
I snorted to hide my embarrassment. “Thanks. I'll be back to accept my quest r
ewards soon.”
“We’ll see.” The priestess waved, and I set back for town.
6
Showdown
I frivoled away the remaining time running plans through my head as I watched the town from atop a nearby hill. What I wouldn't have given for a pair of binoculars. Maybe then I could catch a glimpse of the boss and know what I was up against.
Which is, of course, when I remembered my Broach of Farseeing. It was cool to use the active ability to see as far and sharp as an eagle, even if the details I picked out were of a booger sticking out of a Fralishk’s snout. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch a glimpse of Kerak, and I didn't see anything much else of help.
As twilight came on, I practiced my sneaking and leveled it up to 6 by taking advantage of my racial bonus XP. As the dark cloak of night swept over, I descended back into town. I'd already decided against returning to the tunnel behind the supposed bakery and instead opted for one of the tunnels I hadn't yet explored. This one, it turned out, was down a dry well. I snuck up to it and peered around, but it must have been dry for awhile, for no bucket or rope was there to lower down, nor a ladder down the side. The Fralishk might not have difficulty scrabbling up the stone walls, but as a Devalyn, I would have a hell of a lot more difficulty.
I debated fetching a rope from somewhere and lowering myself. But if I did that, it would leave the rope at the top, signaling to anyone passing through that someone had come here. Time to leave this one as a last resort, if the final route in didn't work out.
Unfortunately, it was just as much of a bust. It looked like the end of a sewer line, but surprise, surprise, no one had maintained the system, and a small landslide had covered the entrance. Without a pick and a lot of fumbling around with my unused mining skills, I'd get nowhere there. Why had Helge bothered to point me toward this one? I had to choose my path now: go through the bakery even though it might be watched or brave the descent into the well. Neither were good options, but the fall seemed riskier. At least I’d be able to do something about getting caught.
So I headed back to the bakery, raising my sneak another level as I went, which just barely made it worth the awkward hunched position that taxed my stamina and patience. Checking around the building, I didn't see anyone lurking about, so I took a deep breath and tried the door. Locked. There were shuttered windows, though, and as I tested one, it gave way with a rusty squeal. I winced and looked around, but there didn’t seem to be anyone nearby. Too wigged out to go as slow and steady as I should have, I wrenched the shutters open and clambered through.
As I suspected, it was a bakery, but not one I'd be interested in. Moldy biscuits, writhing croissants, cakes with legs and antennae sticking out of them — they didn’t scream appetizing. I skirted along the shop to the cellar and descended below. I didn't find the entrance immediately, but finally, it materialized when I moved aside several large bags of what I assumed was the Fralishk equivalent of flour.
Too relieved for words, I crawled into the opening, not hesitating even though it was barely three feet around. A tight fit, but I'd manage. Hopefully, it wasn't like this the whole way to Kerak's house.
I started crawling. It was so dark even my Autumn Eyes trait was doing little for me. My stamina drained to 25% before I'd gone 100 feet, and I paused to take a breath, panting, as my heart raced with fear. I wondered if it was wearing on my vambraces' durability to put them through this, and a quick check had me worried. I thought to check the rest of my armor, and the sight was dismal. Many had durability below 25%. All it would take was one good hit to break them. Though thinking back through all I'd experienced, it was more of a surprise that nothing had broken yet. There was nothing for it now. Urandal didn't sport any armorers, so I'd just have to be careful in combat. As if I had control over that.
Finally, the tunnel opened up so that I could stand, then soon after shifted from dirt to stone. Shortly after that, the stone smoothed out into walls. I stared around in confusion at the torches that began appearing on the walls. If someone had bothered to light torches here, it meant these parts of the tunnels were regularly used. Checking my map, I saw I was nearing Kerak's manor. Silence was more important than ever now.
Creeping along the hallway, I peered around every corner but saw no one. Things were getting downright eerie. Where were the guards? Who had left torches burning? Maybe I'd come across some place of magic beneath the town, but the torches burned a normal color, unlike the ones I'd seen in more magical dungeons. And there weren't even any traps. I had been checking as I went, but I hadn't seen so much as a tripwire.
I turned another corner, and at the end of the hallway was a stairwell. A quick check of my map showed Kerak's house was right above. I grinned and started down the hallway.
I made it halfway before the walls exploded.
My sword and knife were in my hands in an instant, but as armed Fralishk poured in on either side of me, I knew it was useless. There had to be twenty or more surrounding me, and more pressed in with each passing second. I gritted my teeth as I frantically looked back and forth, waiting to see what move they'd make. I hardly knew where to begin.
“Well?” I shouted at them when they didn't move forward. “We going to do this or not?”
"Not yet, Marrow. That your name, tshk?"
The Fralishk by the stairwell parted to reveal what amounted to a giant by the race’s standards. Not only was he bigger, standing as tall myself, but he wore metal armor and carried a spiked mace.
Boss Kerak (Lvl 27) - Mob leader of the Fralishk in Urandal. Bigger than most of his kind, he's got a mean attitude to match and isn't as easily intimidated as his kin. "The strong rule. The rest follow."
“Kerak,” I greeted him. “Time for your tyranny to end.” Sure, it was cheesy, but what else do you say to your enemy?
"Me? Tyranny? You come to my house and call me tyrant?" The boss shook his head. "There something wrong with you, kid. You surrounded by my boys, and you insult me when you know nothing."
He did have a point. But considering I was sure he meant to kill me, I was far from sympathetic. “Yeah, well, here's where we're at. So let's get to business.”
"You no get it, Marrow. We no have to. And you no should want to. Some of my men will die, sure, but you too. And for what? Some old hag?"
Avoiding Faze-Aught was a bit more of a compelling reason, but I doubted he'd understand. “So you'll just let me walk out of here. Just turn and walk away.”
"Sure. Of course, you have to pay toll. Yeah, let see… how about everything you own?"
I gripped my Jeweled Longsword of the Stars tight. “Not a chance.” I was getting tired of talking. Time for action.
"Marrow, Marrow," Boss Kerak started to chastise me, but I didn't let him get that far. Jamming my knife back into its sheath, I threw up a hand at the Fralishk behind me and cast Icy Plume. They were so thickly clustered that each only got a taste of the frosty blast, but hopeful it would buy me time. Turning back stair-side to the boss and his surrounding lackeys, I channeled Basilisk's Gaze. Fralishk stiffened and fell over all around Kerak, but the boss himself just snorted and advanced, lifting his mace over his head. “Magic? You think that work on me?”
Not good. My only chance to beat him was to keep dodging that mace and hope for a chance to hamstring him. With an enemy like that stalking me, I wouldn't dream of using Spinning Blades; it’d be suicidal to open myself up to hits like that.
But the enemies behind me were stirring. Time to even the playing field. Turning Basilisk's Gaze on them now, a few of the slow learners met my eyes and went stiff as planks. More than half of them, however, looked to the side of me and leaped forward, short swords and knives jabbing forth. Too many, especially when the stair-side enemies would be coming out of their paralysis soon, and Boss Kerak was behind, laughing as he clomped toward me.
The first Fralishk reached me, and I didn't have any more time to despair. I parried and, drawing my knife, stabbed him in the arm, but it didn't bite
as deep as I'd hoped. These creatures had tough skin, and my lack of investment in strength was coming into play.
But I just had to keep going, leaving my knife in his arm and whirling to meet the attack of a second. I dodged his first wild blow and dealt him a glancing one to the back of his knee, sending him sprawling.
I didn’t have time to press the advantage, though — two more sprang up where he'd fallen, and this time I couldn't dodge the attacks. One, two, three blows darted in to knick me in the gaps in my armor. I dealt each an attack myself, but as they slunk back to tend their wounds, more stepped up in their place. There was no end to them.
The final blow I'd been waiting for smashed into my back. All was awash in pain, and I felt the many large spikes enter my body. My spine broken, I was helpless as I flew through the air to slam against the bodies of the Fralishk I’d killed. The darkness rose and claimed me.
7
If At First You Don’t Succeed
You have died.
All your items remain at the location of your death. You or any other player may retrieve them at any time.
You are also weakened by your resurrection. While weakened, you receive a -20% penalty to all attributes and meters, which will cease at the end of 2 hours. This penalty will become more severe with subsequent deaths.
Next time, don’t suck, Marrow.
I lay still for several long moments after I respawned, ignoring the cold and staring up into the dark, starless sky. I remembered all the wounds I'd earlier sustained, but was numb to their memory. Perhaps with each death, I would grow more callous to it. Or maybe it had to do with the general lethargy I felt from my death penalty. A 20% reduction in my stats was significant, certainly significant enough that it was worthless to try and complete the trial while it lasted.
Absalom’s Trials Page 6