Sentenced to Troll

by S. L. Rowland

  The intake of breath gives away the attack and I turn, slashing my axe through the air like a pro golfer. It connects with the wolf’s jaw, splitting it in two. I’m not quick enough to stop the counter-attack on my rear, but I’m down to two wolves and fifty percent HP.

  I repeat the process until only the final wolf remains. We square off in front of each other, the final showdown.

  I’ll give it to the guy, he has some major balls staying around after watching three of his pack sliced to pieces.

  I make the first move this time, attacking with an overhead swing. The wolf is surprisingly fast and darts out of the way. He lunges and takes a bite of my arm before I can regain my balance. His teeth sink into me as he shakes his head back and forth. It hurts like a bitch, but I use Claw against his snout and he sets me free.

  The wolf licks his muzzle, tasting both my blood and his that has caked into its silver fur, and lets out a huff. He eyes me intently and begins circling once again.

  “I’ve had about enough of your shit,” I say.

  I feint a swing of my axe and the wolf moves to the side, but I’m already prepared for his movement and spin to the other side, bring the axe down in a beautiful arc that connects with his side, ripping the remaining life out of him.

  Congratulations! You have reached level 7. +1 stat point to distribute. +1 Strength and Constitution racial bonus. +1 ability point to distribute.

  I notice that when I look at my abilities now, there is a new tab for melee weapons. It must be because I have Peacemaker equipped.

  Sweeping Slash. Form a sweeping arc in front of you, dealing damage and knocking your opponent off balance. Cost: 5 rage.

  Cleave. Your next attack causes bleed damage, dealing 1% of opponent’s health per second for 5 seconds. Cost: 10 rage.

  Battle Cry. You let out a ferocious roar, increasing Rage by 20. No Cost. Cooldown: 60 seconds.

  Thinking back on my fight with the wolves, I elect to put my new ability point into Sweeping Slash. Battle Cry is a nice way to get the upper hand early, but due to my natural tankiness, I can increase my rage simply by taking damage. Having an ability that knocks opponents back is a great defensive maneuver and may come in handy if I find myself surrounded again.

  I’m feeling pretty good about myself after taking on four wolves and the lowest they got me to was half-health. By the time this quest is over, I should be leveled up nicely.

  After looting pelts from the wolves, I pull up my map and find the location Chief Rizza marked for me. Focusing on the overlay, I’m able to see the ley lines that run beneath the surface. She did say she wasn’t exactly sure where the obstruction was, but at least was able to pinpoint the source of the ley line that leads into the forest. The cause of the obstruction could be anywhere between here and there. I just hope it’s something visible so I don’t walk past it.

  By the looks of it, it will take me several days to get to my destination. Two human settlements stand in my way, and unless I want to divert my course and go around them, I will have to thread the needle and hope I don’t get caught. Since I don’t know the exact location, I can’t really afford to take any detours.

  I am Dorothy and the ley lines are my yellow brick road. Let’s just hope the flying monkeys stay away.

  13. Walking, Walking, and More Walking

  The first settlement isn’t anything special. It’s a typical medieval town complete with spiked wooden palisade and several soldiers standing around the entrance. What lies inside is a mystery because I don’t feel like dying, and with a negative thirteen hundred and ninety-nine reputation, I will be attacked on sight. Still, I watch them, wondering what could have been if I were a less hated race.

  People come and go. There is a road system where farmers and other traders travel on horses and in wagons. A man wearing full plate armor and a plumed helmet sits in a wagon with some reptilian horned creature tied to the back of it. The creature doesn’t appear to be moving.

  Could that be another real player? He doesn’t look as stupid as Glenn in his mismatched armor, but it’s a damned knight riding in a wagon. I have to assume anything as ridiculous as this is the product of player ingenuity.

  I try to focus on him to see his stats, but he’s too far away.

  Something cracks behind me, but when I turn to see the source of the noise, nothing is there. It’s enough to remind me that I shouldn’t be so close to human settlements. I grab my bag and my axe and set off away from the town. If I go at least a mile, I should be far enough away that no one will see me.

  A beautiful sunny day waits for me outside of the tree line, but I’m nervous to leave the forest. It’s the only area I’ve been a part of since logging in to Isle of Mythos. As silly as it seems, it feels like home. Out there, in the open, I’ll have a massive target on my back. An even more massive target on my back. And in here, I won’t have Taryn to watch my back.

  I stall for a moment, slaughtering a few rabbits and filling my belly while I still have the cover of the trees. After eating the roasted boar at the celebration, the rabbits don’t taste as delicious as before. They are still serviceable, and it’s nice to not have to worry about learning a cooking skill.

  When I step out into the open, I feel naked, and not just because the crisp morning air is brushing against my undercarriage. In spite of my tough skin and hulking physique, I feel as vulnerable as I did at school when I had to walk up on stage once to accept an award for placing in a gaming tournament. All eyes were on me, but I kept mine focused on the floor, so worried I might trip and make a fool of myself. I didn’t realize until later that my fly had been open the entire time and pictures of my exposed boxers were doing the rounds on social media. I need to get my head in the game. There are more painful things than being called ‘Ballsy McChadwick’ out here.

  I take a deep breath and set out towards my destination. A golden field stretches before me, dotted with wild animals running through it. If I had the time and desire, I could level up nicely out here. An assortment of deer and bison roam freely, but I don’t want to spend any more time in the open than I have to. It’s too close to the humans for my liking. I cross the dirt road that splits the field in a hurry a half-second after a wagon approaches on the horizon.

  At full speed, I rush through the field until I can no longer see the road or the town.

  The other settlement is still a few miles from my location so if I stay on my current route, I should be able to avoid it entirely. Once I make it through the field, there is another stretch of woods that leads to the base of the mountain where the ley line begins.

  Magic. I can’t wait to see what happens to the troll village once magic returns. So far, the only magic I’ve seen has been from Jira and Glenn. Glenn’s was brutal, up-close, and personal, while Jira’s was simply amazing to watch. I’ll never really get to experience it, but at least I have Peacemaker and with a little luck, I might be able to find some magical stones.

  The sun is starting to fade across the horizon, turning the blue sky to shades of lilac and tangerine. With my night vision, I will be able to travel well by night and plan to cut out a day’s travel, making it to the obstruction by tomorrow evening.

  Eventually, the sun falls off the horizon and my nightvision takes over. New animals and monsters appear all around me. I avoid them as best I can, but one time, a lone gnoll attacks me when I step too close to his den. The humanoid hyena’s primitive wooden spear is no match for Peacemaker. I see the glowing eyes of several other gnolls in the darkness, but they leave me be after that.

  Several hours into the night, a notification flashes across my vision.

  Warning! Your body needs rest. If you do not sleep within the next two hours, your stamina, strength, and health regeneration will be greatly reduced. Recommended sleep: 6 hours.

  Well, that blows. I thought I was going to be able to travel all night. I wonder if the sleep requirement is because of the full immersion. Maybe my mind still needs a rest in order to fu
nction properly.

  I travel for another hour before finding a place to camp for the night. A river that runs down from the mountain rushes before me. Several trees line the banks, and rapids form around the rocky underbelly. There’s not a bridge as far as I can see, so I elect to cross through the frigid water. The current is swift, but I find a location where I can still see the bottom and cross over. My massive frame weighs me down and even though the water pounds me, my feet remain secure.

  Once on the other side, there is a thicket of bushes where I set up camp for the night. I tuck my belongings underneath the bush and not long after, Camouflage sets in.

  Owls hoot in the distance and frogs croak amongst the reeds that adorn the river’s edge. Somewhere far off, beasts howl into the night. With the nighttime melody, it doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep.

  I awake with a start as two bulging yellow eyes struggle in front of me while tiny hands vigorously try to remove the pendant from around my neck.

  14. Tinker Time

  The creature pulls at my pendant again, its bloodshot yellow eyes manic with desperation.

  “Hey, let go!” I yell, startling the creature.

  “Ahh!” it screams and flutters back for a second before swarming to my pendant again.

  It tries another heaving pull, and I swat it to the side. The buggish creature falls to the ground with a splat. Now that it’s out of my face, I’m able to see it more clearly. Long, spindly limbs and a forked tail. Dull reddish skin. Bat-like wings and a hooked nose.

  Imp. Level 8. Small, angsty creatures, imps often align themselves with beings on the more chaotic side of nature.

  The imp rises to its feet, a little woozy from the impact, and sways back and forth. It points a long finger at me.

  “Give it.” It stomps its foot against the ground.

  “What do you mean, ‘Give it’?” I ask. “It’s mine. Wait—how do you speak troll?”

  “Limery speaks many languages. Mother taughts him well. Now, gives us the magic.” He extends his hand, waiting for me to hand him my pendant.

  “I’m sorry, Limery, is it? But this was a gift. I need it for a quest I am on.”

  The small imp drops to his knees.

  “Oh, please,” he wheezes. “We needs it. We really needs it.” He clasps his hands together, pleading. Tears stream down his demonic face.

  I almost feel sorry for the guy.

  “Hey now, no need to cry.” I try to calm him. “This thing is almost as big as you are. Can’t you find something more to your size?”

  He stops crying long enough to answer. “We don’t wants to wear it. We needs its magic.”

  I know I should just kill the bugger and be on my way, but there is something about his bulbous eyes and childlike mannerisms that stays my hand. I’m curious as to what he has to say.

  “Why do you need its magic?”

  Limery stands up, straight as an arrow, as if he is giving a very important speech.

  “The magics is gone. Makes life hard. Limery tries to make life easier for Mommy, but needs more magics. Now, please, gives it to us.” He extends his hand again.

  It sounds like he might be affected by the same lack of magic that the trolls are. Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone. Still, I’m not exactly sure how the lack of magic is affecting Limery.

  “I’m not giving you my pendant, I need it, but I may be able to help you. Can you tell me a little more about your magic? What it does, how you use it.”

  His eyes light up at my words. “Oh, yes, Limery can do this. We builds things. Most times, magic makes them work. We takes the magic and puts it in the machines. But now, no magics. So we takes the items and they gives us the magics.” He stands there, arms held neatly behind his back, smiling his sharp-tooth demonic smile.

  “So are you able to touch magic too? Like trolls?”

  He shakes his head violently. “Oh noes. Magics is too strong for imps to touch, but we can calls it. When it’s there.” He jumps into the air and his wings spread, keeping him aloft at eye level. “Comes with us. We shows you.”

  “Limery, I can’t. I have a—”

  “It’s okay. Not far at all. Follow Limery, he shows you the way.”

  What have I gotten myself into?

  Limery takes off with gusto, and I follow him to a rock formation about a half-mile from the river. When I get there, I realize it is actually an underground cave. He lands at the entrance and motions for me to follow him. The cave is plenty big for the small imp, but I don’t know if I will fit.

  “Limery, I might be too big.” The last thing I need is to get stuck in a cave where someone can kill me while I’m helpless. I’m not even one hundred percent sure this isn’t a trap.

  “It’s okay. You fits. You fits.” He grabs my leg and pulls until I start walking.

  I have to duck my head, but I’m just able to fit inside. The cave is dark, but a faint glow emanates from down the tunnel. We turn a corner to see a female imp stirring a pot over an open flame. She looks the same as Limery, except for a patch of hair that runs across her chest. Her wings are tucked in, and she doesn’t look up as we enter.

  The inside of the cave has a cozy vibe to it. There are cabinets carved into the cave walls, several tables and chairs, clearly homemade, but they look to be sturdy. Small furs and tapestries line the walls.

  “Mommy!” shouts Limery and she turns to embrace her child. “I broughts a friend. He is going to fix the magics.”

  She looks up and eyes me warily. “Is that so?” I get the feeling this isn’t the first time Limery has brought home an unwelcome guest.

  “I hope so,” I say.

  She laughs shrilly. “And how does a troll plan to fix magic when he can’t even use it?”

  “I’m not sure yet, but I’m going to give it my best shot.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Son, why did you bring him here?”

  “To show him the magics. To show him what we builds.”

  “You know we can’t do that. We have very little magic to use as it is. If we waste it on a demonstration, then what will we do when we need it?”

  “Please, Mommy. We will find more magics. We must shows him. We musts.” Limery gives her his best pouty face.

  She lets out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, follow me. Don’t knock over my mole soup with your giant legs, Mister Troll.”

  “My name is Chod, if you’d rather call me that.”

  “I’d rather be left in peace. Things are hard enough without someone meddling in our business. Limery should have known better.”

  Limery’s mother conjures a fireball in her hand and shoots it across the cave. It hits a torch, bringing the cavern to life. The end of the cave is filled with a multitude of machines, each one made out of an assortment of parts and materials that clearly do not go together.

  “What is all this?”

  “We builds it,” says Limery. He runs over to the pile and pulls out a contraption.

  There’s a small colored box with several rods that extend upwards, which then connect to another set of rods and curve around like a hook. A funnel empties into the box at the bottom. Limery picks the whole thing up and carries it past me to the soup. He pulls the ladle from the soup and attaches it to the end of the extendable arm so that the machine holds the ladle.

  He runs past me again to a chest in the far corner, opening it and pulling out a ring.

  Item. Ring of Stealth. +2 sneak.

  Limery tosses the ring into the funnel and a moment later, conjures a fireball and drops it into the funnel as well. There is a moment of sizzling, and then the arm that holds the ladle begins to spin.

  “See? So easy.” He gives me his toothy grin.

  He just melted a magical ring to make a magical mixer.

  “Wow! That’s really cool. How does it work exactly?” I inspect the contraption as it moves of its own accord.

  Limery’s mother is the one who answers. “When a magical object is destroyed, its ma
gical essence returns to the earth. We are able to harness that power to run our machines. This cave used to be a fountain of magical activity. Our machines could run simply off the magical current in the air. Unfortunately, due to the disappearance of magic in this area, we’ve had to resort to more primitive ways of doing things.”

  The ladle continues to stir, and chunks of meat and vegetables rise and fall in the pot.

  “How long will that ring power the machine for? And what do you do if you want it to stop?”

  She walks over to the mixer. “A ring of that size should last for a day or more. If we want to stop it, we simply remove the container.” She reaches down and pulls the box from the bottom of the machine. The ladle quits spinning. “Some magic is lost while it sits, but we are lucky enough to have come across some precious stones which better insulate the magical barrier.” She puts the box back under the machine and the ladle resumes stirring.

  “This is all really fascinating. I have so many questions. I mean, why don’t you just move to another magical site? And what do you do with the machines? Couldn’t you sell them?”

  “Limmy, where did you find this troll?” She looks at me with wonder. “I’ve never met one who asks so many questions.”

  Limery is in the back of the cave searching through various machines.

  “To answer your questions, though, this is our home. We’ve been here for many years. Why would we leave? One day, the magic will return, but until that time, we will live as we must. We sell what we can, but due to our size, there are not an awful lot of buyers in the area. Our creations are viewed more as novelties than anything. In other parts of the world, we could sell to dwarves or halflings or gnomes, but the humans have little need of our inventions. They despise anything they didn’t create themselves.”

  Limery comes back with a machine that has a basin filled with some liquid and three ringlets attached to rods that connect to a motor underneath. He pulls the container from beneath the ladle machine and inserts it in a similar receptacle underneath the new one. Immediately, the machine comes to life and the three ringlets dip into the liquid. They come out of the water and a tube that exits from the motor blows air against the ringlets. A spray of glowing bubbles flutter across the cave and Limery chases after them, popping them with his tiny claws and letting out little demonic giggles. I look over and see his mother has an adoring smile on her face.