If it were up to me, we’d take sixteen women in the hope of bonding every wyrm, but I know the chief will not allow it. We still have our reputation to consider. If we are met out in the open by humans, they will attack us on sight. The village can’t afford to risk that many lives, no matter how good the reward may be.
“I think at least five should come with me. That will give us the trollpower to tackle any challenge that comes our way and if we succeed in bonding all five, then we will come back and journey out again. I want Jira to come as well.”
The council sits in silence, letting my words sink in.
“It’s too much,” says Guilda. “The village cannot afford to be without Jira. To lose one magic user is enough, but both will leave us in grave risk even with our protections.”
“I agree with Guilda,” says Kina, one of the other councilwomen. She has bluish-black hair and is the only one who doesn’t have it braided or in a bun of some sort.
“I’m sorry, Chod, but Jira must remain here. I’m sure you understand,” says Chief Rizza.
I nod. I do understand. Taking Jira was a long shot, but I had to at least ask. Limery and I will be the only magic users in our party.
“I cannot offer you five women either. Many of these magical sources are located within dungeons. You will have to defeat each dungeon just to be able to see if the wyrms are inside. With luck, they may be, but us trolls are not known for our brilliant luck. Every troll I send with you risks death. If they die, they will not come back like you heroes do. For us, death is the end of this world and the beginning of another. Therefore, I will offer you three. If you succeed in bonding all three, then we will send more upon your return.”
A party of five to clear a dungeon. Pretty standard. I was hoping for more, but we will have to make it work.
“Do I get to choose who comes?”
“Since anyone who joins you risks death, I will not force them to go against their will. We will have a village gathering where you will ask for volunteers and may take your pick from them.”
The council doesn’t take long to gather up the villagers. We meet in the village square and for once, I’m able to see the entirety of forest troll society. I now see why they are so worried about leaving the forest. Even with all the male trolls and children present, there can’t be much more than a hundred trolls here.
Are the other troll sub-species this depleted as well? If so, why not gather together? There is safety in numbers.
Chief Rizza steps up onto a small pulpit constructed out of living trees. I know for a fact it wasn’t there last time that I was here. It’s definitely mana-infused. There’s still so much I don’t know about that aspect of my power, like how to remove the buff or if it’s even possible. Could I press my hands against the podium and return it to its natural shape? There’s so much I don’t know about trolls and about this game in general.
She lifts her hand, and everyone falls silent. “As you know, Chod is now a member of our village. He has also been granted a seat on our council.”
There are many nods of affirmation, but the grumbles among some of the trolls are not lost on me. There are those who think I have risen too quickly within the tribe.
“The recent event with the mana-infused wyrms has granted us an opportunity if we are bold enough to take on the challenge. These wyrms, while already strong and powerful, are ripe for bonding if we manage to locate them and subdue them to our will. You all know the power of a full-grown wyrm. Imagine if we had several to protect our village.
“Chod and his companion have volunteered to lead a party out into the world to search for these wyrms so that we may bond them to our cause. I have authorized three females to go. It will be dangerous and there is the very real possibility you may not return, but it is a cause that I find worthy. Now, who among you will join Chod on this quest?”
Silence.
Not a single person volunteers. Whether it is because of how dangerous it is for a troll to leave the forest or because it’s me who is leading the expedition, I don’t know, but I had at least hoped for three volunteers.
The silence hangs in the air for far too long until Limery pokes me in the back.
“What?” I ask.
He points to the pulpit. “Talks to them. Makes them believe in Chods.”
Whispers begin to snake through the crowd. If I can’t convince three of them to follow me, then what the hell am I doing here? I might as well be out there alone, being the loner I always have been. If only I had some mole soup right about now. I’ve never had a problem tearing people down with words, but now, I need to lift them up.
Chief Rizza moves to the side, allowing me to take center stage on the pulpit. Hundreds of eyes, some angry and others ambivalent look back at me. Most of them are probably content to stay in the village and live their lives. With the ley line restored, what do they have to lose by staying?
I’ve never been one for public speaking, avoiding it at all cost. Streaming was different—no matter how big the audience, it was always just me. Every person watching was nothing more than a number on a screen. I take a deep breath, searching deep inside for something to help me convince these living and breathing pieces of data that I’m worth following into possible death.
“I know you don’t know me that well. To many of you, I’m just an outsider who has come into your village and stirred up trouble. To others, I’m nothing more than a tool to help accomplish your objectives, someone who can be sent on foolhardy missions because death doesn’t come for me as it does for you. The truth, though, is that I am one of you. I may not have been born here and my skin might not be as green as it once was, but I’ve been on the outside looking in for my entire life. All I ever wanted was for someone to notice me. I’ve hidden away for most of my life, just like you. Now, we have that chance to change that. We have the opportunity to make sure the entire island remembers the trolls. If we capture these wyrms and bond them to our cause, we can forge a path for greatness and annihilate anyone who stands in our way. I say the days of hiding away and hoping no one stumbles upon the village are over. We aren’t just another monster to be beaten. We are trolls, and we are mighty!”
Congratulations! You have unlocked the skill ‘Public Speaking.’ You are now a level 1 Orator (Novice). Increase your skill and learn advanced techniques for public speaking by finding an advanced orator (Apprentice or above). Ranks: Novice, Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert, Artisan, Master, Grandmaster.
By the time I finish my speech, I’m ready to tear down the whole fucking forest and siege our way across the island, taking town after town until it’s the Isle of Trolls. My blood is pumping, and I’m ready to rumble, but when I look out over the crowd, I see I didn’t have the same effect on them. No one is cheering. There’s no pounding of chests or thumping fists in the air, only silence.
Long bouts of silence.
If no one volunteers, the mission is off.
There’s movement in the crowd and Ismora, the scarred female who trains the children, steps to the front.
“I’ll go. I’ve been aching for a good fight.”
Tormara joins by her side, her red braid falling down one shoulder. I’ve already witnessed the damage she can inflict on a battlefield.
“What the hell, the kid has spunk. I’m in.” She actually flashes me a smile for once. “Screw this up, and I’ll kill you myself.”
For a long moment, no one else volunteers, until Tormara shouts at the crowd.
“Come on! I thought you were braver than this. I remember stories of when the trolls were feared above all others on the island. When we adventured and roamed and battled man and beast alike. Chod is offering us our lives back. A chance to be the warrior tribe that our ancestors were. Will no one answer the call?”
Whispers turn to mumbles until eventually the entire crowd is talking. Women step forward, and the men cheer them on. The ground begins to quake as feet stomp, chests pound, and a roaring chant fills the air.
<
br /> Damn, Tormara is good.
I practically have my pick of anyone in the village to take with me, but since Ismora and Tormara volunteered when no one else would, they are my first choice.
“Who else should we take?” I ask.
My two new companions look out over the crowd. Ismora whispers something in Tormara’s ear and she nods.
“Yashi.”
I have no idea who that is.
“Yashi,” I yell above the chaos and the roar dulls.
The crowd parts along the middle and I search for Yashi. It’s not until she reaches the front that I am able to fully see her. She’s small for a troll, even by female standards, and can’t be taller than five feet. Her body is composed of nothing but lean muscle, like a young gymnast. Her black hair is split into two braids that flow over each shoulder and two tusks frame an almost innocent-looking face.
“She’s not the biggest, but she is sneaky and fast,” says Tormara. “We may need her skills.”
“Very well. Welcome to the team, Yashi.”
She nods and takes her place beside the others.
Chief Rizza steps up beside me and once again the crowd quiets. The respect they have for her is astounding. It makes me wonder how she was able to come into such a position of power.
“There you have it. The future of our tribe rests in the fate of these five individuals. I pray that—”
“Wait!” a booming voice cuts through Chief Rizza’s speech. “Wait!” A giant green body pushes people aside as he makes his way to the front, his giant metal nose ring bobbing with each step.
“I want to go,” demands Gord, his broken yellow tusk accentuating his snarl. “The others can keep watch without me.”
The chief doesn’t speak for a moment. “I’m sorry, Gord, but that is not my decision to make.”
He stares into my eyes, but he doesn’t speak. I’ve never noticed that his eyes were so green, like a moss-covered tree.
Gord’s an asshole, there is no denying that, but he loves this village like no one else, save the chief. Letting him join us could either be a great advantage or a total mistake.
Fuck it, at least it’ll be interesting.
“Let him come.”
24. Empty the Chest
My merry band of trolls and I meet inside of Jira’s hut along with the chief to gather our supplies before setting off in search of adventure. Chief Rizza’s wyrm waits outside, a blue-eyed sentry. The smell of incense inside is once again overwhelming. Limery sits quietly on my shoulder and Gord broods silently in the corner while Tomara, Ismora, and Yashi talk in excited voices about what’s to come. They’ve been to the edge of the forest and looked out into the world, but none of them have ever set foot outside of the forest since they were born.
Time is of the essence, so we need to grab our supplies and get a move on as soon as possible.
“As far as weapons go, we need to play to our strengths, but we also need to build a decent team composition,” I say.
“Meaning what exactly?” asks Ismora. She’s a great fighter, but I don’t feel that the trolls have ever been one for tactics.
“Meaning all of you shouldn’t be swinging clubs. We need some ranged attack. Variation means that one obstacle doesn’t shut us all down. Since Gord and I have the most Constitution, we’ll be the frontline.”
Gord snorts at my suggestion. He doesn’t like the idea of me telling him what to do, but it was part of the agreement allowing him to go, so he better get used to it. This is my party and what I say goes.
“Daggers are my specialty, but I’m also decent with throwing knives.” Tormara takes a stone dagger from her belt and spins it around her finger.
“I can use a bow.” Yashi pulls at one of her black braids and runs her sharp fingernail through the tip. “We have taken several from the humans over the years. They’re too small for most trolls, but they’re just my size.”
“Perfect. What about you, Ismora? What weapons can you use?” Being the one who teaches the trolls to fight, I’m interested in what she brings to the table.
“As you can see…” She displays her scarred arms. “I’m not one to shy away from battle. I am skilled with most melee weapons, but my greatest strength is hand-to-hand combat.”
I think we can make this work. “What about other skills?”
“I am quite adept at gathering and potion-making.” Yashi still twiddles her braid. “My mother taught me when I was young.”
“And I’m a high-level mana-infuser, though I am not sure how useful it will be once we leave the forest,” says Tormara.
Neither Gord nor Ismora respond, so it looks like that is what we are working with for the moment.
Jira opens the chest from where he pulled Peacemaker before my journey to the wyrm.
“Chod, your time with Peacemaker has come to an end. It served you well on your quest, but there is another who is worthy now. Remove your magic stone please.”
I take out the mana stone and hand the axe to Jira. I knew I wouldn’t have it forever, but I was really getting used to having it by my side. I guess it is back to swinging a club until I find something better.
The double-edged battle axe glitters in his hand. Through all the muck and battles, not once did it ever lose its luster. Perhaps one day, I will find some dwarven-made weapons once again.
“Gord.” Chief Rizza takes the axe from Jira. “You have been a watchful guardian of the forest for many years. Your loyalty has never been questioned, and therefore, I believe there is no one better to carry our most revered relic of days past. I present you with Peacemaker. May it serve you well.”
There’s a glitter in Gord’s eyes that I have never seen before. He clears his throat and stands taller than before. “Thank you.” His voice thunders.
“But that is not all.” She moves closer to the chest. “There are a handful of weapons that have been passed down through our people for many years. We have not dared to bring them into the open, for fear of them being lost in battle when so few still remain. However, I feel now is the time to empty our troves and bet everything on ourselves. Jira, if you will.”
He reaches into the polished trunk and pulls out a wondrous shield. The trunk must be enchanted, because there is no way that shield should have fit inside. It’s made of black steel with a ram’s head engraved in the front.
Item. Shield of the Ram. +5 Constitution. Capable of blocking one attack and reflecting damage back to attacker. Cooldown: 60 seconds. Forged in high altitudes by the Mountain Dwarves, this shield is lightweight, yet unyielding.
Gord takes the shield and straps it to his arm. It protects the majority of his body and looks like it would weigh several hundred pounds.
Next, Jira pulls out a folded leather pouch and places it on the ground. Untying the leather belt that secures it, he unfolds it, displaying five glittery silver daggers.
Item. Daggers of Light. +3 Dexterity. +3 Strength. Double damage against dark-aligned monsters. Bonus: Cleanse. Removes all debuffs. Cooldown: 5 minutes.
He lifts a dagger and places it in Tormara’s hand. She spins it around her finger, feeling its weight before nodding in approval. Those daggers will be much more durable than the stone ones she currently uses.
Over the next few minutes, we are gifted with an array of weapons, clothing, and jewelry meant to make our journey easier.
Yashi receives Arrows of Truth, increasing her Dexterity and accuracy with the bow, as well as a Blighted Quiver, which infects each arrow with poison.
Ismora is gifted with Boots of Swiftness and Warrior Gauntlets, increasing both her movement speed and strength.
Several small rings go to Limery, boosting his Intellect and Wisdom and no doubt making him even more deadly.
Everything we are gifted goes to my companions. They are the ones who risk true death, so I’ll do my best to keep them alive by taking as little as possible.
It hits me hard when I realize how easy all of this would be if we had the o
pportunity to walk into town and buy weapons or armor from a smith. Instead, everything the trolls have was either taken in battle or passed down from ages ago. No one would ever pick to play a troll after finding that out, no matter how great the physical benefits. The difficulty in competing against other players who have access to everything from the start, I wouldn’t be surprised if they came into this world with a small amount of gold already in their pockets.
“We have one final gift,” says Chief Rizza. “Chod, you have proven yourself an asset to the village in the short time you have been here. For so long, Jira has been the only magic wielder in our village. I was not sure if we would ever find someone worthy of this next item. Now, it is yours.”
Jira pulls a rust-colored staff from the chest and then closes the lid with a thud. The staff looks like a gnarled branch, but it gleams like polished stone. Three sockets run down its side, the same as Peacemaker.
Item. Petrified Staff. An enchanted staff capable of taking on the properties of up to 3 attached stones. +3 Intelligence. +3 Wisdom. Bonus: While holding Petrified Staff, the user can cast ranged physical attacks once every 10 seconds.
I take the staff and it feels natural in my hand. The gnarled head will be strong enough for blunt attacks and the ability to cast a ranged attack every ten seconds means I can stand back while raising horrors and still do damage.
These new items have me feeling better about our chances already. That is until a notification flashes before my eyes.
Regional Event Alert! Percy McDonnell has slain a mana-infused wyrm. 16/20 remaining. 15 days remaining.
25. Knowledge is Power
After receiving the notification of another slain wyrm, it feels like we’re racing against the clock. Fifteen wyrms remain in the wild, and there are at least twenty-four other players after them, not to mention NPCs. The entire reason these criminals are in here is to play the hero, to vanquish monsters and claim loot using their violent tendencies for good. We just happen to be the ones they consider monsters.
Our work is definitely cut out for us, but we have something they don’t.
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