by K R Dimmick
10
Oozing Charm
I followed Kailu into the hut. He rummaged around among the leather pieces and dyes, grabbed a few tools and got to work.
“You mentioned the riddle and something to do with not wanting negative Karma. What did you mean?” I asked as soon as he looked like he had some space to talk.
“Well, if you have negative Karma, you’ll find a lot of folks won’t give you the time of day. I know this from personal experience. It’s why I’m out here. Humans simply don’t like elves. You’re actually the first one I’ve talked to in years, other than the traders.” He smiled. “I’d forgotten how nice it is to just chat.”
“Why don’t you live with other elves, then?” I blurted out before my brain could tell me that wasn’t a particularly tactful thing to say. “If you don’t mind me asking, that is.”
“I was declared an outcast a long time ago when I fell in love with a human. We had a son, but he was taken by the council to be raised as a full elf. My wife died a year later from a broken heart. So, I made my way here, where she grew up, and I’ve been here ever since. The traders from the market are happy to talk to me enough to buy the things I make, but that’s all. They never say a word more than they need to, and they only say that much because there are no other Leathersmiths nearby, so the gear I make is better quality than they can get anywhere else.”
I didn’t quite know what to say to that. It had never occurred to me that elves and humans wouldn’t get along, or that elves could be so biased. I’d grown up reading as many fantasy books as I could get my hands on and elves always seemed so magical and evolved, not petty and prejudiced. Lost in my own thoughts, I jumped when Kailu started speaking again.
“I haven’t seen the riddle the travelers get for a very long time, but if I remember correctly, you have to have a positive Karma value in order to find what you’re looking for.” Kailu started cutting the leather into the right shapes.
“I can share the riddle with you, if you’d like?” I suggested. I figured he might be able to tell me a lot more than he already had.
“That would definitely be interesting. Just bring up the riddle so you can see it and then think Message this to Kailu Banni.”
I sent him the riddle and he read it over while waving his hands around in the air over the cut leather, which I assumed must be part of the crafting process.
“Looks like I’m correct, at least about the positive Karma. That line about ensuring your light outweighs your dark is generally how people refer to Karma. Those with negative Karma are thought of as dark, which is why most people won’t talk to you. The only other part I can even take a stab at is the line about Elven death. Part of our lore is that when we die, we go to the realm of the dragons. Of course, they died out a long time ago, so really, it’s just a myth at this point. However, the place where you cross over to the dragon realm is supposed to be called Goran Thedgate. I’ll mark it on your map,” he said, stopping work and holding out his hand.
I quickly put my hand on top of his and a little pointer appeared on my map, somewhere in the gray mist. I had no concept of how far away it might be, but at least I had a starting place, which is more than I’d had before.
A few minutes later, my boots popped into existence. They were dark brown, with three bronze-colored buckles down the outside edges, with a turnover at the top. I unequipped my other new gear and let Kailu alter it slightly to give it all the 4-piece set bonus.
Finally, he passed it all back and I equipped it with a thought.
You have received: Dragon Spirit Boots
+ 4 Intelligence
+ 4 Wisdom
+ 4 Dexterity
+ 4 Fortitude
Quality: Superior.
Rarity: Rare.
Set bonus for 3 pieces + 10% effectiveness to Spirit Magic
Set bonus for 4 pieces + 10% effectiveness to Fire Magic
Time to see the difference to my stats. I pulled up my condensed stat sheet and focused on only seeing my stats and combat skills.
STATS, ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS
NAME: Orianna
RACE: Human
LEVEL: 1 (Progress 45%)
HEALTH (HP): 100 (10 x 10 + 0 + 0)
MANA (MP): 340 (10 x 34 + 0 + 0)
STAMINA (SP): 100 (10 x 10 + 0 + 0)
STRENGTH: 10 (10 + 0)
DEXTERITY: 31 (10 + 21)
INTELLIGENCE: 34 (10 + 24)
TOUGHNESS: 10 (10 + 0)
ENDURANCE: 10 (10 + 0)
FORTITUDE: 31 (10 + 21)
WISDOM: 32 (10 + 22)
BONUSES:
+10% effectiveness to Fire Magic
+10% effectiveness to Spirit Magic
Physical Combat Skills:
Archery: 1 (Progress 10%)
Dodge: 1 (Progress 5%)
Hand to Hand: 1 (Progress 5%)
Stick Fighting: 1 (Progress 5%)
Well, things were starting to shape up, and my MP (mana points) was looking especially good. As soon as I could turn in these other quests I’d completed, my XP progress would look a lot better. I loved my new gear.
“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in another 15 bat wings, would you?” I asked with a grin.
“I knew you had more in there. How many do you have?” Kailu laughed.
“Another 15. I’d love to have another quest I could complete for the XP. And, of course, some coin, since you took everything I had.”
“Okay, same quest, 1,000XP and I’ll give you 2 Florins for them.” He held out his hand to shake on the deal.
“These leggings are worth more than 2 florins. 3 and you’re on.”
“2 Florins, 500 Shekels. I have to eat, after all.”
“Done.” A quest popped up for me to accept.
You have received a quest: Leather Please
The leatherworker Kailu Banni needs 15 Hammerhead Bat wings.
Completion of this quest will give you 1,000 XP and 2 Florins, 500 Shekels.
Do you accept? Yes / No
I thought yes and retrieved the final 15 bat wings from my inventory, passing them over to Kailu.
Congratulations! You have completed the quest: Leather Please
You have received 1,000 XP
You have received 2 Florins, 500 Shekels.
Time to go turn in my other quests.
I knocked on Isviar’s door.
“Hello, my dear. I assume you have another of my quests done?” The wizened old man grinned, showing a few missing teeth.
“I do. I have 20 sky mushrooms for you. Where do you want me to put them since they’re so large and seem to want to float away?”
“Ah yes, in the storeroom, if you please.” He walked inside, beckoning me to follow.
His shop looked like a tornado had hit it. There seemed to be dried herbs everywhere, stains all over the walls, marks on the bench and tools littered randomly around the room.
“Just here would be perfect.” He pointed to a space in the back of his storeroom that was thankfully large and very empty.
I unloaded the 20 sky mushrooms into the spot, where they promptly floated upward, storing themselves against the ceiling. Isviar handed over my rewards as soon as I’d finished.
Congratulations! You have completed the quest: Fungi
You have received 1,000 XP.
You have received 500 Shekels.
“Before we move on, did you by any chance happen to get another twenty?” He looked at me over his glasses that were perched on the end of his nose.
“Of course,” I laughed. “Why do a quest once, when you can do it twice without the travel time.”
“I thought you might say that.”
You have received a quest: Fungi
The Herbalist Isviar Wyrten needs 20 Sky Mushrooms.
Completion of this quest will give you 1,000 XP and 500 Shekels.
Do you accept? Yes / No
I thought yes quickly and unloaded the other 20 sky mushrooms.
&nb
sp; Congratulations! You have completed the quest: Fungi
You have received 1,000 XP.
You have received 500 Shekels.
The little green XP bar at the bottom of my vision was now past the halfway mark.
“How do I learn Herbalism?” I asked. I knew I probably wouldn’t have much time to do anything else until I solved the riddle and got my consciousness transferred into the game, but I’d always loved crafting in the tabletop games I’d played, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to at least ask.
“Oh, I can teach you easily enough, my dear,” Isviar pointed the way back to his shop. “The kit and basic recipes cost 1 florin and I’ll unlock the skill for you. How does that sound?”
That sounded like quite a lot. Time to put my bargaining skills to the test again.
“How about 500 Shekels? I’ve done a lot of quests for you already to help you out.”
Isviar’s eyebrows disappeared into his bushy, gray hair.
“I’ve never had anyone ask for a discount before. But I can make an exception for you. You have a deal.”
Congratulations! You have reached level 2 in: Bargain.
I handed over 500 shekels and he handed me a small box and 3 books.
You have received Herbalist’s Toolkit.
You have received the recipe: Crush Herbs - Novice.
You have received the recipe: Dry Herbs - Novice.
You have received the recipe: Create Tincture - Novice.
Isviar placed his hand on my head. Suddenly, it felt like someone had unlocked some knowledge that had always been in my brain.
Congratulations! You have learned the craft: Herbalism.
Process plants to increase your skill level.
You can learn all Novice level recipes.
“All you have to do is read the books to learn the recipes, my dear.”
I opened the first book. My eyes were suddenly glued to the pages and I couldn’t have looked away even if I’d wanted to. The pages turned faster and faster until they were a blur. The further through the book I got, the more the pressure inside my head increased. Suddenly, the book burst into flames and vanished. I squealed, but realized no lasting damage was done and I now knew exactly how to process all the different types of herbs. With a smile, I consumed the other two books.
I made my way to the Alchemist’s house, following the marker on my map. I ended up at a pretty little cottage with flowers and herbs growing in the garden outside. Stepping up to the blue door, I knocked and waited.
“Hello? Aliz?” I asked after my knocking didn’t get a response. “Anyone home?”
“Have a little patience, would you? Alchemy is a delicate art. One wrong move and the whole place could burst into flames.” A pretty young woman stuck her head out of the door and glared at me.
The name Aliz Rynemann - 2 appeared above her head in green writing.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize.”
“Hmmph. You travelers never do. Always running around the place, never thinking of anyone but yourselves. Killing anything that moves. It’s a wonder we have any wildlife left with you lot around. Now, what do you want?”
“I completed your quest, so I’ve come to turn it in.” I said, wondering if this was going to be worth the hassle. I certainly wouldn’t be doing any more quests for her in the near future.
“Well, why didn’t you say so,” her demeanor did a 180 as she threw the door open and welcomed me in like a long-lost friend. “No one ever seems to do my quests. I’ve been told they’re too much hassle to bother with, yet whenever someone gets injured, they want my potions right away, never thinking of what I have to go through to get the ingredients. Now, what have you got?”
I handed over the 50 gladiator spider venom sacs and the 50 hammerhead bat fangs.
“Ah, excellent. That quest has been out there for weeks. I was starting to think no one was ever going to complete it.” She handed over my rewards.
Congratulations! You have completed the quest: Alchemy Ingredients
You have received 1,500 XP.
You have received 2 Florins.
My green XP bar increased nicely. It looked like I was now over two-thirds of the way to level 2.
“I’m glad I picked it up, then,” I said. “I’ve always been fascinated by Alchemy. Is there any chance you could teach me?”
“Well, the Herbalism skill is a prerequisite, so you’ll have to talk to Isviar first, he’s the village Herbalist. Once you’ve done that, though, I can happily start you off as a Novice.”
“I’ve actually come from his shop and I’ve already got the Herbalism skill unlocked, plus the three basic Novice recipes.”
“Oh, you are keen, then. All right, since you did the quest for me, the kit and basic recipes are 1 florin and I’ll unlock the skill for you.”
Somehow, I had the feeling that trying to bargain with her would be a seriously bad idea.
“Done,” I said, handing over the florin. I received another box and 3 more books.
You have received: Alchemist’s Toolkit.
You have received the recipe: Basic Healing Potion - Novice.
You have received the recipe: Basic Mana Potion - Novice.
You have received the recipe: Basic Stamina Potion - Novice.
I knew the drill. I stood in front of Aliz so she could put her hand on my head. Once again, it felt like someone had unlocked some knowledge that had always been in my brain.
Congratulations! You have learned the craft: Alchemy.
Brew potions to increase your skill level.
You can learn all Novice level recipes.
I put the toolkit into my inventory and grabbed the three books, quickly absorbing them one after the other. I couldn’t wait to try creating these potions. First, however, I had some more pressing things to do. Things like working out where to get more food, where I could stay overnight, oh, and how I was going to solve that riddle before I died in 6 days’ time.
Thanking Aliz and assuring her I’d be back later, once I’d leveled up enough to need the Apprentice recipes, I left.
Walking through the village, I asked for directions to an inn or somewhere I might be able to get food and sleep. I knew that nights were shorter than days in this game, but I guessed that if I had to eat, I probably had to sleep, too.
It was starting to get dark out. Looking up I could see two moons in the sky. The smaller one was bright white, while the larger one was pale blue. Maybe the presence of two moons was the reason the nights were shorter. Focus, I told myself. Putting my head down, I carried on walking.
As I approached the inn, there was a large crowd out front, all listening to someone talking. I got closer to find out what was going on. There, in front of the crowd, was a tall, captivating man dressed in embroidered, dark blue robes. He was standing on a large box so that everyone in the crowd could see him. His golden hair glinted, catching the late afternoon sun.
“… And that’s why you need to get these protection sigils. We’re doing everything we can to eradicate the corrupted monsters that are appearing, but we can’t be everywhere. So, I will be over here for the next half an hour, if you’d like to get a protection sigil. Completely free of charge, of course.”
The man was so polished it was almost like he oozed charm. I guess that was what it looked like if you put a lot of stats into Charisma. I walked around the crowd toward the front door of the inn.
“Hey, noob. I can’t believe you’re still level 1.”
I turned to find Colt standing by the door, dressed head to toe in a golden suit of armor that made him look like a knight of the round table. He was holding a beautifully engraved longsword with fire dancing off its edge and a huge, red ruby for the pommel. Next to his name, above his head, was a number five. How on earth had he reached level 5 already?
Glancing to his left, with shock written across my face, I could see Saris and Baynor. Both of them were equally well kitted out and both also level 5.
&nbs
p; “How’s the cursed bow working for you?” gloated Colt. “You’d better get a move on if you want to solve that silly riddle and still exist next week. Not that the world would miss you if you didn’t.”
11
Dragon Hunters
The tall, charismatic speaker beckoned Colt over to help him, leaving me rooted to the spot in shock. I’d quested all day and hadn’t spent that much time learning about things, had I? How were they all level 5 when I wasn’t even three quarters of the way to level 2 yet? He was right. I’d better get a move on. Unfortunately, he was also right about the fact that no one would miss me if I didn’t make it.
“Probably wondering how we leveled so fast, right?” Baynor dragged me out of my thoughts and made me jump.
“Err, yeah. It had crossed my mind. That, and how you managed to get so much coin that you could already buy armor like that?” I glanced at Baynor’s new gear with a bit of envy.
“We all joined the Dragon Hunter’s guild this morning. They spent the day power leveling us and then kitted us out with gear from their armory. I’m surprised they didn’t ask you to join. Could have sworn Andrew said they always invite every new player.”
“Wow. Yes, they asked me, but I declined.”
“Why on earth would you do that?” Baynor looked at me like I’d grown a second head. “You’re going to want to reconsider, because they have this potion that will stop the countdown timer, so you have all the time in the world to solve the riddle. That alone is worth joining for.”