Project Alpha 2
Page 9
Knowing that an area of effect spell like Fireball will shake all the mages out of the effect of Naughty Children, I instead focus on one. I stalk towards a mage in the closest corner of the room. He’s covering his silver masked face with his hands and I hear him saying again and again, “Please don’t take me, I swear I’ll be good.” For a moment I pity the man. I know what visions he’s seeing. Then I recall that this is the same asshat that froze me while his buddies stabbed me to death and my pity evaporates. War hammer in hand I use Bash to double the damage of my first attack. However, it’s not enough to kill him in one go and the attack releases the masked mage from the control spell. He lunges from the floor and catches me by surprise with a head butt. I take a step back which gives him enough room to attack with magic. He starts by tossing some kind of magical bolt of black energy at me that takes off 15 of my health. I grit my teeth through the pain and step forward to swing my weapon. However, before I can reach him with my war hammer, he casts another spell and disappears. I feel a sharp pain in my back a moment later as a red 32 floats away from me, and I spin around, swinging my war hammer. But it catches nothing but air. Seeing no opponent, I quickly use Roll, and my body lowers and rolls forward. I turn as I come back to my feet and see a surprised-looking mage who has once again appeared behind me, trying for the easy strike with his sword.
The fight becomes one of attrition. Anytime I try to come into range to use my melee weapon, he disappears and reappears somewhere else in the room. Eventually, he must run out of mana because he stops popping around the room. Once he does, I’m able to land an Ice Needle spell on him, further slowing him down. After that, my skill with the war hammer proves to be much higher than his with his blade, and he is easy to kill.
The two other mages are much easier to kill. My first attack is with Ice Needle to slow down their movements. That attack disrupts the fear effect, so I follow up with a series of brutal attacks with my hammer. Only once does either mage manage to disappear, but since they are slowed, I manage to avoid their backstab and finish them off instead. I find the safe hidden behind the painting but have to solve a color wheel puzzle before I can unlock it. I hate puzzles, and this one is solved by placing all the colors in complementary pairing. It take a bit but finally getting the alchemy ingredients completes the mission, earning a total of 905 XP from the quest and the kills.
I briefly consider looting the new enemies. After all, who knows what magical goodies they have stashed on their bodies. On the other hand, their magical abilities should add some nice spells to my repertoire if I can Absorb them. In the end, I split the difference and loot one body and Absorb the other two. For loot I receive:
Ninja Suit of Flowing Shadow
This suit is specifically designed to work in concert with a paired silver mask and collar. In the set, the suit gives an enhancement to stealth and concealment.
Silver Mask of the Shadow Mage
This mask is designed to work in concert with a paired ninja suit and collar. In the set, the mask confers a bonus 10% damage to magic spells.
Silver Collar of the Queen
This collar is designed to work in concert with a paired ninja suit and silver mask. The collar not only completes the set, but also binds the wearers will to Queen making it impossible to disobey her.
The complete gear set actually looks really useful, until I read the description on the last item. No way am I wearing any collar binding me to the Queen. I’d rather sell the set and spend the money on something else. Unfortunately, I don’t get any abilities from absorbing either of the two magic users.
When I report back to base, I tell Lady Dantès of my success on the latest mission. But when I describe the interference from the Shadow Mages, she and the other rebels in the room gasp in shock. One short fellow with a pointed beard starts to pace and mutter, “No, no. It is too soon. We’re not ready to face the Shadow Mages yet.”
Lady Dantès sits the chair behind her desk and looks troubled. She must see my look of confusion at everyone’s reaction because she informs me, “The appearance of the Shadow Mages marks a turn in events. Somehow, the crown has learned of our plans, and we must move up our efforts.” She then calmly turns to her advisors and begins to make new plans to counter the Queen. A part of me admires how collected Lady Dantès is. A moment of surprise, and then onto dealing with a new reality and leading the rebellion to face new challenges.
In game terms however, this is much simpler for me. It means that I can expect more of those magic users to be mixed in with the normal soldiers and guards. While the rebellion may see this as a negative, I’m ecstatic. Even though I may only have a small chance to gain their abilities or spells by using Absorb, I’m bound to get something from them if I use it enough times.
And this proves true. After more quests, I’m finally able to Absorb to get one of their abilities: Shadow Step.
Shadow Step - level 1
Take three steps in the shadow-verse, a plane parallel to our normal one. No damage can be taken or dealt by the User activating this ability. The User may exist in the shadow-verse until three steps are taken, but there is no air in this universe, so most trips only last as long as the User can hold their breath.
Cost: 30 Mana
Cooldown: 1 minute
I’m ecstatic to finally get an ability after defeating and absorbing so many of those magic guys. After I finish the quest, back at the brothel, I ask Pierre to help me test the limits of the spell. In mock combat, he attacks, and I activate Shadow Step. In an instant, I feel my mana drop, and everything around me changes. The world becomes blurry, and everything is colored in shades of grey. Not only that, but Pierre, who is in the middle of swinging a fist at me, is moving so slowly that he looks like he’s stuck in molasses. I try to laugh, but when I exhale, I find that there is nothing for me to inhale back in. Instantly, my lungs start to burn, I feel like I’m suffocating, and I start to panic. I take two steps and try to grab Pierre’s outstretched fist, but my hand passes right through him. I stumble forward one more step, fall forward, and the world shifts again. A world of color returns, and I can breathe again. I greedily take in large lungs of air while Pierre questions me about why I’m lying on the floor. I explain my experience in the shadow-verse, and while he is sympathetic to the potential danger, he is excited about having a fellow rebel with an ability of those troublesome mages.
It takes more practice to become comfortable using the ability, but within an hour, I’ve worked out the limits of the Shadow Step. While three steps don’t seem like a lot of space to move, they can be stretched surprisingly far. They’re usually enough to get behind an enemy or out of range of an incoming spell. Combined with my ability Spider Climb, which lets me climb any surface like a spider, I can even move vertically up nearby walls with those three steps. The only downside of using the combined abilities is that Spider Climb costs twice as much to use in the Shadow-verse, as do any other abilities or spells. However, Shadow Step gives a giant advantage by providing me with more time. The normal universe slows to a crawl while I’m there, and though there is no air for me to breathe, I still get more time to react. I find that, with practice, I’m able to hold my breath for twenty seconds before I start to panic. I can guess that my time there can be extended even more with practice or special equipment. Still, it’s a boon that I immediately take advantage of in every single fight by stepping around deadly blows or even just taking a few seconds to plan my attacks while holding my breath in the Shadow-verse. The ability is excellent for scouting and often lets me get around groups of guards that I otherwise might get caught by.
With the new ability, I’m quickly able to finish off the chain quests and not only earn my way back to level 11 but also get an additional 1453 XP towards level 12. With the new level, I also regain the 4 free stat points and 10 free skill points to distribute. I don’t plan on spending the precious skill points yet, but I definitely want to spend the stat points.
Anthony Tinoco
Level 11
Unspent stat points: 4
Unspent skill points: 11
XP to next level: 100,947
Health 260
Mana 310
TP 360
Strength10
Dexterity12
Constitution 15
Intelligence 20
Wisdom25
Charisma 10
Looking over my character sheet, I see a couple of weaknesses of my current build: low Charisma, low Strength, and low Dexterity. I’ve essentially built myself as a caster with minimal abilities in melee and ranged weapons. Instead, I’ve focused on being able to do damage through my abilities that cost mana and TP. Damage dealing hasn’t really been an issue in the dungeon, so I consider just how often my one crowd-control spell fails to affect my enemies fully, which is about 20%, and decide that’s the area I should improve. Thinking back to the awkward college parties and my recent conversations with Lillian, some part of me also hopes that higher Charisma may have real-world benefits too as I put all four stat points there, bringing the total to 14.
There’s an immediate difference in how Lady Dantès treats me as I return to base. Her smiles are now more genuine and less predatory. Her hand brushes some bit of dirt off my clothes as she talks to me. “Anthony, you’ve weakened the most loyal of the queen’s military supporters by planting evidence of corruption in their ranks…”--she pauses and winks at me--“…which is only partially fabricated. You’ve been able to sow discord among the nobles by exposing the queen’s abuse of power and her exorbitant lifestyle, which has drained the nation’s coffers to near bankruptcy despite the yearly rise in taxes. The average citizen has been riled up to the point that there are regular riots in the streets and calls for the queen to abdicate. The military would normally stamp out such demonstrations with brutal force, but they are dealing with their own issue of soldiers not having been paid since you robbed the transport that would have delivered it. The queen has refused to draw more funds for them directly because she cannot openly reveal that she has such money.” Lady Dantès’ ample chest is heaving by the time she finishes her praise. She looks at me with a twinkle in her eye as she continues. “Thanks to you, Anthony, the rebellion has only one more mission: Kill the Queen. Will you help us?”
While I try to maintain an outward appearance of cool and calm as the notification comes in, I’m rejoicing inside at finally being able to knock out this dungeon.
Murder the Monarch
You’ve completed all the subquests and have gained the unfailing trust of the rebellion. Now is the time to strike out against the cruel queen. Lead the rebellion to the palace and see that she dies.
Reward: Clear the dungeon; 110,000 XP and 11,000 credits
Wow. It still amazes me that I can earn so much money from dungeon clearing. I mean, the XP is really good since I’m soloing the dungeon and will get me all the way to level 12, but the credits can do more for my life. Doing the mental math, I estimate that 11,000 credits translates into $16,500 dollars at an exchange rate of $1.5 for every credit. I’ve been here for about 6 days of game time, or 3 days real time, and even after Monster Squashers Inc. takes their cut, that is still more than I’d ever expect to make after half a year’s work at my old job at the convenience store. Thinking about the convenience store reminds me that I haven’t been by recently and that I should stop by to say hi to Mr. Smith, my old boss, soon.
Still, I haven’t cleared the dungeon yet, and this quest is sure to be the last, so I’m determined to spend all the dungeon currency I’ve accumulated. After all, I doubt it will be worth anything outside the here. Pierre laughs at me when I call the currency ‘Little Agents’ instead of ‘l'argent.’ But whatever it is called, I make sure to buy the best armor and weapons I can along with any spells and abilities that I can train.
Leather Armor Set of the Caster
Specially engraved and enchanted leather armor that not only protects the user from harm but also does not impede the casting of spells. The gear has been outlawed by the queen, so you get a special discount!
Effect: Reduces spell failure to 5% due to the use of armor while casting.
The armor is the most expensive thing in the marketplace and takes most of my money. It’s dyed black with faint silver lines inlaid in the leather that must be the enchantments. When I put it on and look in the mirror, I can’t help but think that it makes me look positively badass. With my remaining dungeon coins, I have just enough to buy a single skill book.
Skill Book: Cut Throat
Lets a melee user silence an opponent for 3 seconds with the touch of a blade after activation.
Requirements: Str - 20, Intelligence - 15
I know I can’t use the skill due to the high strength requirement, but I figure that it will be a nice gift for Lillian, who has a fighter build. After making my last purchases and speaking with Pierre and Lady Dantès, I confirm that all final preparations are made and that the rebellion is ready for the final push.
Chapter 11
While we have been able to weaken the queen, she is still not without her support. A mob of normal citizens, organized and incited by the rebellion, storms the queen’s grounds but is faced with a small group of guardsmen outside her palace. The mob does not back down though and a few members of the crowd throw stones at the guards while singing a rousing song in French. The crowd quickly picks up the tune and the guards even though armed with spears and shields and an average level of 9 seem unnerved by the massive crowd of normal citizens who are only at level 1 or 2. At the crescendo of the song, the crowd rushes forward all at once. The guards, well trained, form ranks and spear the lead citizens. The crowd seeing the first blood of the fight almost break, but Lady Dantès steps forward and speaks to the people. She gestures towards the guards and the palace. She gestures towards the crowd and they cheer. It seems like it may be the most stirring speech I’ve ever seen, except it was all in French and I didn’t understand a word of it. But the effect on the crowd is noticeable. They surge forwards, Lady Dantès and Pierre leading the charge against the closest guards, felling them. While the mob finds its courage, I come out of stealth, having used Sneak, to get behind the guards’ lines and activate Naughty Children. The crowd control ability goes off in their ranks, and most of the guards flee. Those who don’t run cower in fear and make for easy targets for the mob. The stream of XP from killing all the soldiers is less than I’d expect, but I did little actual damage to most of the defeated foes.
Once through the front doors of the palace, the crowd begins a systematic search and ransack of the place. The palace servants have long since fled, and the queen herself waits for us in the throne room, an opulent section of the palace usually reserved for greeting dignitaries or for public ceremonies. The queen is dressed in an elegant gown and has a purple cape with a fur-lined hood pulled up over her head. She is sitting on a throne, which is raised above the main floor on a stone platform, and has a scepter with a large sapphire set in the head in her hand. The queen is flanked by seven heavily armored guards and four dark-robed spellcasters.
Queen Forcosia
Level 13
Health 650
Mana 300
The ruler of the coastal kingdom of Teletonia, Queen Forcosia has held power for more than 60 years. Even so, men still comment that her appearance is that of a much younger woman. Rumors abound about her connections to the occult and how she has consolidated power. In more recent years, the queen’s authority has become tenuous due to increased taxes, border conflicts that have drawn the army away, and trade that has shifted away from the kingdom as a result of its anti-magic policies which have left it at a disadvantage against other kingdoms.
Elite Guard
Level 12
Health 330
TP 50
Shadow Mage
Level 12
Health 150
Mana 400
As the mob and rebels fill the room and Lady Dantès ap
proaches the throne, the queen lowers her hood, revealing one of the most beautiful women that I have ever seen, stopping everyone in their tracks. She looks like she is just entering her thirties but carries the wisdom and dignity of someone much older. There is a jeweled crown on her head, but it’s the scepter that seems to shine most brightly for a moment before the queen speaks.
“Well, well, well. It seems like my subjects have come before me of their own volition to confess their treasonous crimes. I should thank you. I’d been having such a hard time monitoring your activities.” Her piercing blue imperial gaze shifts from Lady Dantès to Pierre, but it only lingers momentarily and then continues on as she quickly dismisses him. But then her eyes linger on me. “Who do we have here? I do not believe that you are one of my subjects. You are too … swarthy. Plus, I sense the spark of magic in you, which I surely would have stamped out if you had grown up here.”