Raising a brow at Smee's choice of words he spoke up, “So, whatever we seek when the potion is taken?”
Smee smiled broadly at the dwarf and let out a chuckle, “Yes. So be careful what you are thinking of when you drink it.”
Kittish placed the potion away in her bag and gave a small curtsy, “Thank you, Smee. We have to pick up the package for Dunstun as we’re heading back to Stoutbank now.”
Smee nodded and started to turn away when Terets cleared his throat causing Smee to look back at him. “One more thing Smee, would you be interested in this item?” He held up Nacht's heart and watched Smee's face.
Smee's face contorted as awe and greed warred briefly across his visage. Licking his lips and pausing Smee seemed to gather his wits again. “Why yes, I would be interested in such an item. What is it you would like in trade for it?”
Terets looked at the group with a small raised brow as if to ask what he should ask for. Amythyst cut in, “We would ask for two things Smee. Firstly, half of what you create from the item and the ability to call upon you for a favor in the future.”
The other three traded glances and shrugged before Smee responded, “That is a lot to ask. I would be willing to give you a third of it and the favor.”
Amythyst glanced at the other three and smiled, “Alright Smee, we will take those terms.”
Quest: Give Smee a heart.
Give Smee a unique creature’s heart.
Reward: A third of what Smee crafts with the heart and a favor owed by Smee.
Quest completed: Give Smee a heart.
Received: A third of what Smee crafts with the heart and a favor owed by Smee.
“Return after a few days and I will have your items ready,” Smee said as he took the heart from Terets. “I will be right back with the package you seek.”
Smee walked into his cabin and came back out a minute later holding a small metal chest. “This is the package Dunstun wishes. I have work to do now that I have the heart to work with. If you hadn't delivered it today it would have gone bad without the right box to hold the heart in stasis.”
The group said their goodbyes as Smee hobbled back to his cabin. As the door closed behind him Terets turned to Amythyst, “Why did you ask for that?”
Looking thoughtful for a second Amythyst paused before speaking, “It just felt like the right thing to ask for. You said before he crafted six elixirs and kept one for himself, so a third of that will be two. Which would let us give them to Garthur and his wife. The favor because having a legendary crafter owe us a favor seems like a good idea.”
“I agree, and the elixirs for G and his wife will be nice as that would give all of the Bananas the option to stand back up,” Dumadin said.
“Well, that covers what we needed here so that leaves us going back to Stoutbank and dropping off the chest to Dunstun and seeing if we can find another quest. If not, we can going to check the goblin cave.” Kittish finished and looked at the others for confirmation.
Getting nods of agreement they fast traveled back to Stoutbank, appearing in the square.
Stoutbank was moderately busy but nowhere near as crowded as the first hours after launch had been. The group began to walk towards Silken Layers, checking out the other players as they went.
“Seems like people are starting to find some cash,” Terets noted, pointing out some of the more armored players.
Amythyst nodded, “Yeah. I wonder if they hit the nearby towns for the quests there?”
“Possibly. I’m betting a lot of people have started the trip to Veno. Major city, good chance at a number of small quests there,” Kittish added.
“None of them are even close to as geared as us though, and the highest level I see amongst them is five,” Dumadin chuckled.
“To be fair, we should be five as well if not for the bump to seven from Nacht,” Amythyst pointed out.
“True enough,” Dumadin conceded with a shrug.
A few minutes later they were entering Silken Layers and being greeted by Dunstun. “Welcome how may,” he cut off his sentence and smiled broadly. “Ah, the intrepid group who was to fetch a package from Smee. Do you have it?”
Kittish held out the small metal chest with a smile, “Of course we do. No problems at all in retrieving it for you, Dunstun.”
Dunstun took the chest with an air of reverence, “We thank you for this. It will prove vital in due time.”
Quest: Smee's package.
Received: Increased reputation with Stoutbank.
Bonus received: Bonus reputation with Stoutbank.
Congratulations, you are now a champion of Stoutbank!
You will receive better prices from merchants in Stoutbank.
Unique quests are now available.
Dumadin chuckled, “Deja vu.”
Dunstun beamed at them, “Well done, Champions. If you would like to help the town out more speak with Bjorn at the Lonely Wood Inn. If you will excuse me, I must take care of this package.” Dunstun gave a half bow and retreated into the back of his shop.
Terets chuckled, “Yeah, deja vu alright. Think Jazzy is going to be all upset again.”
Amythyst sighed, “Probably, but it’s not like it's our fault. If they didn't decrease the rep gain or increase how much rep it takes to get to champion status, how is that our fault? They saw it happen the first time in beta.”
Kittish giggled, “Oh well. While we wait, shall we adjourn to the inn for some mead and conversation?”
Dumadin took her arm, “We shall.”
Amythyst smiled at Terets as he offered his arm as well, “My champion.”
“If he keeps going he might make hero status and get a song for his efforts,” Dumadin quipped over his shoulder as they walked down the street.
“You already have a song though, D,” Terets said straight faced. When Dumadin turned his head in question Terets continued, “Short people, by Randy Nueman.”
Kittish and Amythyst broke out laughing and Dumadin rolled his eyes, “Oh that's right, pick on the guy who is the right height. Not a tall mutant like the rest of you. I think it's the red hair, it's like a beacon to pick on me.”
Kittish leaned over and kissed his helmet, “You once said that was my song dear. Because in real life you used to be able to rest your chin on my head when we hugged. Now the shoe is on the other foot.”
Dumadin chuckled, “Fair enough. Besides I don't mind being shorter here. After all, it gives me a great soft pillow when we hug.”
The trio broke out in laughter at his comment just as they reached the doors of the inn. Opening the door, Dumadin held it for Kittish and Amythyst. As soon as Amythyst went though he stepped behind her and let go of the door right in front of Terets.
Terets caught the door and followed after him, “Short, prickly jackass.”
Bjorn waved at them from the bar, “Greetings Champions, what can I get you?”
Kittish arrived at the bar and ordered mead for them, “I see business is still good, if not as crazy as a few days back.”
Bjorn looked at the half full inn and nodded, “Aye. Been doing a brisk business for rooms as well. Were you able to burn the offering at Thallien's cave?”
Dumadin spoke up, “We did, Bjorn. We said a few heartfelt words as well as offering up our own memory gift.”
“That is good of you, Champions. You remind me so much of the group that helped him out before he passed. What are your plans from here, are you off to Veno like so many others?” Bjorn asked as he filled another mug for a different player.
“We do need to get to Veno at some point,” Terets cut in, “but we were thinking of exploring to the south of here.”
“There is a cave a few days to the south in the woods. It used to hold a small clan of goblins that were wiped out by a fine group of adventurers. Are you thinking of going that way?”
“It is very likely. Is there something we can do for you there?” Amythyst chimed in with a smile.
“Aye, lass. The group
that wiped them all out might have missed an item left behind many years before. If you do venture into the cave the very bottom level might have the item I speak of. An ornate rose made of steel and garnet. If you could retrieve that for me I would be very grateful.”
Quest: Bjorn's rose.
Retrieve the rose from the cave to the south.
Reward: Five thousand experience and reputation with Stoutbank.
Dumadin accepted the quest, “We’ll look for the item when we go to the cave Bjorn. Has everything in town been okay?”
Tabitha had just come out of the kitchen and snorted, “Not as such.”
Bjorn waved her off and then sighed looking back at the group, “A number of adventurers have taken to stealing small items from the shops. As this keeps happening we are thinking of hiring a guard for the town. Sadly such a person would need to be paid and the owners of the shops in town are considering what to do about it.”
“Surely there is enough coin in town for such an expenditure,” Kittish said.
Bjorn nodded, “Oh aye, but as some of the shops have had no issue at all they are asking why they should kick in. Meanwhile others shops are being hurt more.”
Dumadin frowned, “That is always the way with people. If it doesn't affect them then they turn a blind eye to it. Goodness knows we have all done it at some point.”
“Aye. It hasn't affected me but I am worried that the ones that are being robbed from will end up closing their doors, which would eventually hurt the rest of us.” Bjorn shook his head as he finished speaking. “Not much we can do about it without the others to help chip in.”
“What does the cost of a guard normally run for a year?” Amythyst asked.
“Depends on the guard really. The more experience they have the more they want for one. Past dealings could influence the cost as well, for better or worse. Take into account if they have family close by or far away and more and it can vary a wide degree. I happen to know a good lad who would be more than happy to take on the job but I don't have a hundred gold to get him here and pay him for the year.” Bjorn spread his hands and sighed, “In time I think the others will see it my way.”
Amythyst looked at the other three and then put a hundred gold on the counter, “Use mine then, Bjorn.”
Kittish paused then added another hundred, “Make it two guards so the town is really secure.”
Terets shrugged and put another hundred up, “Three gives better coverage and allows there to be a guard always on duty.”
Dumadin laughed, “You three.” He then dropped two hundred on the counter, “Make it four but make the last one a sergeant who is in charge of the others so there is cohesion between all of them.”
Bjorn and Tabitha blinked, stunned at all the coin before them. Their eyes darted between the coins, to the group and back to the coins, “This is a small fortune. Are you sure you wish to do this?” They all nodded and Bjorn swept the coin into a money pouch. “I don't know what to say,” he stammered as he did so.
Quest: Stoutbank's Guards.
Help Stoutbank cut down on the crime issue.
Reward: Major reputation increase with Stoutbank.
Quest completed: Stoutbank's Guards.
Received: Major reputation increase with Stoutbank.
“Tabitha, take care of our champions, I will be right back.” With that Bjorn quickly left the Inn via the backdoor as Tabitha set mead before the group.
“You have been very generous with all here in town champions,” Tabitha said as she served them. “Word of your earlier largess has spread throughout Stoutbank during your absence. You are being compared to the first group to make such an impression on us.”
Dumadin laughed, “Then I am sure we are honored by the comparison.”
Tabitha dimpled, “Oh they were a right good group. There were at first three of them then four, eventuallybefore they left to find fame and glory there were six of them. One of them was even my champion at my wedding.”
The group sat back and listened to Tabitha tell the tale of her wedding. Just as she was finishing the tale Bjorn came back in the door with a large smile on his face. “Champions, please tell me you can stay for a time,” he asked as he came over to the bar.
Dumadin shrugged, “We have no urgent need to be anywhere, Bjorn.”
“Very good. Tabitha show them to the baths, please. When you are done we will be having a feast in your honor. All of the merchants will be here to thank you for your generosity.” Bjorn beamed at them as Tabitha came around the bar.
The group, chuckling and shaking their heads, followed Tabitha up the stairs and into the back where the bathing rooms were. She motioned the women into one room and the men into the other.
Dumadin entered the room and blinked, then began to laugh softly. Terets went around him and stopped as well before joining him. “Communal bathing rooms, I feel very Roman right now,” Dumadin joked.
Terets shook his head and started to strip off his armor and gear, “Well, they want us cleaned up even if we never really get dirty.”
Dumadin, still chuckling and shaking his head, joined his friend in the large, almost room sized sunken tub. After a few minutes a young man entered and asked if they would be wanting a massage as well. Dumadin glanced at Terets who sat there blinking before answering for them both. “Not this time, but our thanks.”
As the man left Terets shook his head, “I don't recall anything like this during beta.”
Dumadin considered and nodded slowly, “You’re right, even during the wedding there wasn't a whole bathing thing. I wonder if they expanded the inns to have this option. I mean, it is a full immersion game after all, some people might want a massage while in the game.”
Terets shrugged, “Could be.”
Dumadin eyes him slyly before speaking, “Tell me, if you were alone in here and Amythyst had come in and asked that would you have turned her down?”
Terets reddened slightly, “That’s different.”
“For you, sure,” Dumadin laughed. “You’re a little too vanilla, man. I wouldn't have turned Kittish down at all. Hell, if it had been a woman of marrying age who had asked I would have accepted the massage.”
Terets shook his head, “Yeah that is you all over.”
Dumadin laughed and dunked his head under the water before surfacing and shaking water all over. “Yup, living life in every way I can.”
Terets chuckled and got out and began to dry off, “Okay, you short deviant, let's go.”
Dumadin joined him and a few minutes later they were dressed. Dumadin left his armor off while Terets put his leathers on. “Leathers look fine, but I think full plate is a bit much for a feast,” Dumadin commented when Terets asked why.
“True enough, but if things go pear shaped it’s going to suck if you’re not in your armor.”
“I can get my shield from my bag in quick order at least,” Dumadin replied as the duo left the bathing area.
“Want to bet the girls are still bathing?” Terets asked as he pointed to a maid who was entering the other door with a few different bottles in her arms.
“No dice,” Dumadin said as the duo went down the stairs to the main room.
Lady Talk
Kittish and Amythyst were lounging on the sunken seats, enjoying the hot water when the door opened and a number of women began to file in. Alvira, Theresa, Tabitha, Camelia, Phobee followed a minute later by a maid who was carrying a basket.
Kittish raised a brow as the others began to strip down, “Are we having the feast in here?”
Alvira smirked and laughed, “Oh, I bet the men would pay good money to watch that kind of party.”
Tabitha and Theresa both blushed deeply and shook their heads. Camelia chuckled as she doffed her pants but said nothing. Phobee looked puzzled by the words and reactions before turning towards the pair in the water. “Why would we hold a feast in the bathing room?”
Kittish paused wondering if she was being had or if the young woman
really didn't get the joke. Alvira chimed in seeing Kittish's expression, “She really is that innocent.”
Phobee turned her eyes to Alvira a puzzled expression on her face, “What does that have to do with a feast?”
The rest of the women broke up laughing for a moment before Camelia explained it to her. A moment later Phobee was bright red as she stood there blinking. All the others were already in the water as Phobee tried to get her senses back.
“If she wasn't so vanilla I would have tried to talk her into private lessons a bit ago,” Alvira muttered under her breath but just loud enough for the pair of friends to hear.
Kittish grinned and winked at Alvira, “Others are more than willing to expand their knowledge.”
Last Horizon: Live Page 6