by Dean Henegar
After much sweat and swearing, the gnolls finally broke through into the final chamber. The two least-liked warriors were selected to enter and search for treasure. The gnoll tradition of sending the least-liked into danger was still in effect. If the potential traps didn’t kill them, they were sure Krork would at some point for handling his treasures. The two unfortunates entered the chamber, cautiously tip-toeing about while watching for traps or tripwires. The magical candelabras on the walls lent just enough of their pale blue light to search by. The room was nearly empty. Some rotting tapestries hung from the walls, their artwork lost to centuries of decay. The only object other than the few candelabras in the room was a stone pillar with writing etched on it. An ornate box was placed atop the pillar, the golden exterior of the box gleaming in the blue candlelight. The ancient writing on the pillar was a warning, one that went unheeded by the illiterate gnolls.
Master of the Gul Dorg.
Mind Rider.
Empire Devourer.
Enslaver of wills.
Here it lies . . . waiting . . . always waiting to be unleashed once more.
The gnoll warriors both grabbed at the box, fighting over who would open it. Their only possibility of survival was to please the Cacklemaster with a great find . . . then slip away from notice while he was enthralled with his new treasure. Inside, something rattled while the gnolls tugged the box back and forth. One warrior finally let go of the box to instead grab his battle axe. A quick chop and his opponent’s head went flying, the box clattering to the ground. The surviving warrior picked up the gold box and peeked inside.
Inside the box was a small golden insect. The creature was encrusted with jewels and glittered strangely in the blue glow of the candles. The warrior hurried back to the throne room and delivered his find to Krork.
Inside the box, an intelligence awoke. One that had slumbered for centuries. One that was hungry.
Krork was pleased with his find, though disappointed that there wasn’t more treasure. Picking up the golden insect inside the box, Krork held it up to look at, enjoying the way the light played over the gems. Inside its golden shell.
Random Event Activated. Initiating Master of the Gul Dorg protocol . . .
***
The Master awoke, slowly becoming aware of the world around her. She flexed her mind, finding that only small and weak-willed creatures were nearby. Only one, the one holding her now, had enough of a mind to provide an appropriate host for a master . . . barely.
The creature holding her was a poor choice, but after slumbering for centuries she refused to wait for a better option. Her eagerness and hunger overrode patience as she struck. The master’s mind and will condensed into a tiny seed as she prepared for the next step of her life cycle.
She forced a thin stinger from the underside of the golden bug, pricking Krork’s hand. The numbing agent coating the golden bug prevented the new host from feeling anything as the small seed was injected into his bloodstream. Inside the golden bug, the leathery pod that had contained her for so long shriveled away to nothing. The master knew that if should someone open the golden shell, they would only find dust and no hint that she, or the threat she represented, had ever been there. The numbing agent slowly lulled her host to sleep on throne, enabling her to continue unnoticed.
While Krork slept, her seed traveled through his blood, drawing sustenance from the rich, red liquid. Eventually the seed found itself at the correct spot in the gnoll’s body. Tiny tendrils shot forth, embedding themselves into the rich grey matter it hungered for. The seed greedily drew upon this new source of nutrition, growing as it fed. Its mind and power increased as it sent more and more tendrils out, moving along the nerve endings and drawing more sustenance from its host. She was now aware again and in control, slowly devouring those parts of her host’s mind that had allowed it independent thought. Many of her kind formed symbiotic relationships with their hosts, but that was not to be in this case. A creature as small minded as this “gnoll” would not share control. She would be the only guiding force in this mind.
A new feeling—amusement—filled her as she watched Cacklemaster Krork toss about in his sleep. Her host would think himself in a nightmare, feeling something eating at his very being. At first, she felt fury radiate from her host as he tried to rally his mind to fight the unseen intruder. This gnoll Krork may have been cunning and very intelligent for one of his kind, but he quickly proved to be no match for her. Bit by bit, all that made up the entity known as “Krork” was consumed by the parasite inside him. A faint whimper escaped the sleeping lips of the Cacklemaster as she consumed the last of his being.
She had control now and she was growing. A name was needed . . . Cacklemaster Krork would just not do for a being as majestic as herself. She contemplated as she fed, sifting through the memories and knowledge of the body she inhabited as well as those few of her own that had survived the centuries of hibernation. She was deception, and she was persuasion—the voice that manipulates and controls even as it consumes. She was . . . Siren.
Yes, the name fit, she thought. Siren kept the body of the former “Cacklemaster” asleep as she fed and plotted. This was the dangerous time for a young Gul Dorg master, the time where she would be the most vulnerable. Should the other gnolls suspect she was not the “real” Krork, they would fall upon her and destroy the host body. She would hide within this host and grow stronger until she was ready to introduce the other gnolls to the might of the Gul Dorg.
Chapter 3
I found the trip back to Hayden’s Knoll to be pleasant. Grouping up with the other players had been a great experience. They were an amazing bunch of people and I looked forward to spending more time with them in the future. After leaving the Dunderman farm, it was only a little over a day’s march back to town. As we ascended the winding path up to Hayden’s Knoll, I was excited to see that a wooden palisade now surrounded the town. A real gate with flanking guard towers protected the entrance. The town guard itself had also improved, now wearing quality leather armor and their weapons seemed just a step below those that my own troops wielded.
The sergeant of the guard and his subordinates saluted my troops as we entered the town, giving three cheers as we passed. News of the victory must have spread when Yendys and the other players arrived and told the story of the battle against the ghoul lord. Some of the other players that died in the battle would have respawned here in the town graveyard. The survivors of the battle would have made better time back to Hayden’s Knoll than I did due to my stop off at the Dunderman farm. A soldier came running toward the column as soon as we cleared the front gate.
“Sir, I’ve been sent from the garrison to escort you immediately to the barracks. Field Inspector Leighton is here, and he orders that you are to proceed immediately to the barracks without stopping, sir,” the soldier advised. I was not a fan of Leighton, but I still had to obey his order since he was my superior officer. We marched to the barracks and once outside the gate I had Sergeant Brooks dismiss the men to get some rest and have all the survivors issued a twenty-four-hour pass. Inside the barracks gate, I was shocked to see an entire platoon of Imperium soldiers were formed up in ranks on my parade ground with a generic sergeant npc at the fore. They were led by a lieutenant that wore high quality clothing and possessed a dim-witted look of arrogance. Many pieces of his kit were not regulation and placed style over substance; even his armor was embellished with silver trim. I scanned their data as I moved toward the headquarters building.
Lieutenant Burnside, Level 5.
Imperium Soldiers, Level 5 (50)
Imperium Elite Soldier, Level 5
Several horses that I remembered belonged to Inspector Leighton and his guard were tied to the hitching rail. An odd-looking prison wagon was parked nearby with three prisoners inside wearing the dirty remnants of Imperium soldier tunics. Several severe looking guards kept a close watch on the prisoners as I entered the headquarters. Just inside the entryway, I saw a jubilant
Field Inspector Leighton with his entourage of high-level bodyguards and a very depressed looking Mayor Delling waiting for me.
“Ah, he arrives at last. I had wondered if you had somehow received early notice of my arrival and had fled the zone. Thank you for saving me the effort of tracking you down, Lieutenant Raytak,” Leighton began before being interrupted by Delling.
“Raytak, I’m not sure how this happened but there is no way I’ll let it stand. I’ll get Ty and the others together and we’ll find—” Delling tried to say. One of Leightons soldiers clamped his hand down on the mayor’s shoulder, shutting him up and dealing five damage in the process.
“That will be enough, Mayor Delling. As I mentioned before, you are not implicated in this matter and I suggest you keep your mouth closed unless you would like us to imprison you for interfering in an official investigation,” Leighton threatened. Delling’s eyes glazed over as he reviewed some notification on his UI (user interface). He frowned and then was silent.
“Okay sir, perhaps you can explain to me just what is going on here? I’ve just returned from defeating a major threat to the zone and I would like to get back to work rebuilding the 1st Legion of Haden’s Knoll,” I said in a voice bordering on insubordination.
“Lieutenant Raytak, you have been accused of serious crimes by well-respected citizens of the Imperium. There are accusations of theft, exceeding your authority, and treasonous collaboration with outside forces in order to line your own pockets. I will now inspect your quarters for further evidence and have asked Delling here to bear witness to whatever we find.” Leighton then gestured to one of his men. The man pulled my hands in front of me and secured them in metal shackles.
“For you own protection, sir,” the guard advised, his voice dripping with condescension.
I was shoved toward my personal quarters and the war table room as the inspector and his guards began to toss my things about while searching for something. Being held in shackles in my own headquarters infuriated me, but I could do nothing. Leighton and his cronies were much higher level than I was and had the law on their side. The men made a perfunctory examination of everything before zeroing in on two areas. Reaching under the war table one of the men found a hidden scroll, one I had never seen before. Another scroll was “discovered” from behind the refreshment stand.
This smelled like a setup; these guys knew exactly where to look. I was flabbergasted as a confident Leighton opened their seals and began to read them.
“I have never seen those scrolls before,” I offered in a defense that sounded weak even to me. Delling looked on in confusion as well, unsure what crazy game mechanic was at work here. Leighton quickly finished reading the scrolls and handed them over to Delling to read.
“Well, well, well, Raytak. It looks like you haven’t hidden your crimes with much skill. Just as expected, your little empire will now come crashing down. I hope you enjoy the rest of your short life in prison. I knew you were really not the officer type. Too low-bred, I must say,” Leighton said, toying with me as Delling finished reading.
“Raytak, it looks like these scrolls are supposed to be an accounting of the money you made from secret deals with the goblins back in Amerville and with the Drebix tribe here in this zone. The other scroll seems to show you were affiliated with the Bloody Blades and helped them attack the first town for a share of the profits. These things are obviously forged garbage. There’s no way this would hold up in court. We have so many witnesses that can attest to your character and what really happened. Leighton, this is pure fabrication,” Delling said as he angrily threw the scrolls back to Leighton.
“Sorry, my dear Mayor Delling, but these seem authentic to me. As a field inspector of the Imperium, it’s my duty to enforce the law in these far-flung provinces. This hard evidence, along with the witness testimony I have received are enough for me to render judgement in the field. I therefore accuse you Lieutenant Raytak of treason and conspiring with enemies of the Imperium for your own gain. You are found guilty under the power of my Imperial writ and may appeal to the Emperor to request a trial . . . I hear they are only five years behind on scheduling them. Under my order you will be held as guilty until such a time as a trial can be arranged.” Leighton smiled broadly as he closed his trap on me.
Delling protested as Leighton ordered the guards to drag me back outside in front of the parade grounds. The entire 1st Legion was drawn up next to the new platoon. Leighton stood in front of the soldiers and rendered his judgement.
“Brave soldiers of the Imperium. It is my sad duty to inform you that your former leader has been convicted of heinous crimes against the Imperium and many of its citizens. Guards . . .” Leighton gestured toward the guard holding me and he ripped off my armor, pulling my weapons and rank tabs until I was standing there in just my tunic, humiliated. Delling started to protest again and was cuffed by the guard stationed near him.
“Now, there will be no further interruptions, Mayor Delling. As I was saying, this stain on the honor of the Legion must be removed. There can be no guarantees that Raytak’s corruption hasn’t spread through his so called 1st Legion. The 1st Legion of Hayden’s Knoll is to be disbanded immediately. It will be broken up and sent to the general replacement pool for individual reassignment. Sergeant Brooks, have your men report to their barracks. The honorable Lieutenant Burnside and his platoon will now see to the proper and competent defense of the zone,” Leighton ordered. A visibly sad Sergeant Brooks saluted Leighton and moved the men toward the barracks. The men de-spawned as they entered; each de-spawning soldier sent a pang of loss through me as I watched it unfold, powerless. Sergeant Brooks was the last to enter, giving me a stealthy salute when Leighton wasn’t looking.
The 1st Legion of Hayden’s Knoll has been disbanded, all honors and upgrades are hereby dissolved.
“Field Inspector Leighton, may I speak with the prisoner for just a moment before you leave?” Delling asked. Leighton was so caught up in enjoying his moment that he waved dismissively toward Delling, the guard letting him approach.
“Raytak, don’t worry. The AI will create a way for us to get you out of this. I’ll get together with Ty and the others and I’ll see what can be done on our end. I have a feeling this will turn into some cool content for us all so don’t freak out.” With that, Delling shook my hand and headed off.
I stood there in silent rage, ready to attack this fool Leighton with my bare hands when the guard grabbed me once more and began to shove me toward the prison wagon. System prompts began to appear before I could do anything crazy.
You have been legally convicted of an in-game crime. Imperium field inspectors are considered judge, jury, and, at times, executioner for your chosen faction. *Note, this is a wrongful conviction and additional game options will be calculated for you shortly. This conviction has activated an in-game event which will open new play opportunities. Processing new options.
Processing.
Processing.
Loading alternate class options. Character Raytak transferring to the Commencement Commissary.
My vision dimmed and then brightened again. I found myself in the same building I had started the game in. It seems like a lifetime ago since I had been here. I had experienced so much in the ensuing time, most of it great . . . except for the last few minutes. I was standing at the long wooden counter and across from me stood the gnome Finley, still garbed in his 1920’s era suit, peering at me through his monocle.
“Ah, there you are, sir. Good to see you again. Seems you have gotten yourself in a bit of pickle haven’t you,” Finley stated as he examined me closely. “No bother though, we’ll get you set up with some excellent options and have you back in the game posthaste, sir,” the dapper gnome added.
“I’m a little confused here, Finley. What exactly is going on?” I queried, not sure what I was facing.
“Ah, I can understand that, my good man. You see, the game must be true to the structures it creates. The faction you live in,
the Imperium, is all about law and order. Should a player find themselves on the wrong side of said laws, they must face the consequences. Usually that means a prison term where the player must complete quests, stage an escape, or do some service for their respective government in order to regain their good standing. If a crime is punishable by death, the player respawns as normal with a rather large experience penalty that will become more onerous if further crimes are committed. Most players seem to enjoy the different options . . . save for those involving execution, and they see it as a refreshing change from the normal playstyle,” Finley said before thinking of something.
“Excuse me, sir, I have completely forgotten my manners. May I provide you with refreshments while we discuss your situation? Perhaps some tea and biscuits would be appropriate?” Finley offered, a platter with a pot of tea and some cookies appearing. I had to admit it looked delicious, and I quickly poured myself a cup and bit into the sugar cookie.
“Thanks Finley, more of a coffee guy myself but the cookie is great,” I said. Finley looked at me with distaste for a moment then mumbled something about Americans and calling biscuits cookies.
“Very well, sir. You are in a unique situation. You’re the first player to be framed for a crime by others, well done my good man. We’ve had many players commit crimes in-game and the discipline system has worked out rather well for all involved. The players had to lose some experience and time leveling their character as they paid for their crimes, but all-in-all the response to the criminal justice system in-game has been positive.
“What Clio has come up with are three options for you to choose from. You have a more diverse set of options due to your being innocent of the crime you have been convicted of. Please review these for a moment and let me know what you decide. I’ll be right over here enjoying my tea and biscuit,” Finley advised as he sipped at his tea and waited for me to read the options.