Land of the Undying

by Dave Willmarth

  I’m lost, centaurs are hunting me, and I’m up a tree having a tea party with my raccoon-monkey-squirrel.

  “You are just the cutest thing ever” he whispered to Minx. She gave him a look that clearly said “Duh.” before going back to nibbling on her jerky.

  As he waited for her to finish, he pulled up his map. His back and forth shenanigans had filled in a wide swath of map in the forest. Though it didn’t tell him where the centaur settlement might be. He vowed to pull up the wiki before going to bed and memorize as much of the available maps as he could. Since players could not access that info while in-game.

  Next, he pulled out the parchment he’d taken from the centaur. It was written in a flowing, elvish-looking script. It was, in fact, a message from the elves. The first part asked for information on any outworlders seen within the realms. Mace nodded. Shari had told him the elves had offered to help them find other players. The second part informed the reader that a drow named Mace would be coming from the west toward the elven lands, and asking that he be granted safe passage through the lands in between. The last part even offered a reward for those who assisted him.

  Clearly the centaurs aren’t interested in helping. This thing basically put a target on my back. That hunting party was probably looking specifically for me. Damn! How many of the other races or settlements are going to think like the centaurs?

  Mace leaned back against the tree’s trunk and closed his eyes. Minx moved to curl up in his lap, and began to purr. The soothing sound relaxed him considerably. He stroked Minx’s back and idly scratched behind her ears, increasing the intensity of the purring.

  When his drooping head caused him to jerk awake, he looked around frantically. A quick check of his UI told him he’d only been asleep for a minute or two. Lifting Minx to his shoulder, he got back on his feet. He couldn’t afford to be lollygagging around here while he was being hunted. But before he continued on, he wanted some idea of where he was.

  He looked around at the surrounding trees. The ancient oak that he was standing in was larger than any nearby neighbors. So he climbed up to the highest branch that seemed like it would support his weight. He was able to look through the branches of his tree over the canopy of younger, shorter trees surrounding him. It wasn’t much help. He spotted a mountain range to the northeast. He remembered that from his research. They were called the Alaris mountains. Home to dragons, rock trolls, and dwarves, as well as several of the monster races that lived under the mountain.

  Turning clockwise, he saw mostly trees and more trees. He spotted a couple of thin columns of smoke rising up to the south. Maybe the centaur’s village? Whatever it was, he would be avoiding it. No other landmarks presented themselves. Though he did see a wide gap in the canopy several miles to the east. He suspected that was one of the lakes. That was as good a way to go as any. He wondered how well centaurs could swim as he climbed down to the lower branches. With no better plan, he continued branch-hopping toward the east.

  *****

  Shari got up from the floor of her room and summoned Snuffles. Seeing that her armor was now pristine again, she sat on the bed and scratched the little pig’s ears. He was taller again, having leveled up from the battle with the goblins.

  “What should we do today, Snuffles?” She asked him. She knew the answer. First thing was turn in her wolf hide quest. That just might get her to level 20. And she needed to find the remaining three spell components for her class quest. She consulted her map. The remaining three were all to the north, but not close together. She was going to spend a good part of her day walking.

  With the piglet following, she left her room and headed downstairs. She ordered some food for herself and the pig, then sat at a table and planned her route. In addition to turning in the wolf hides, she’d need to visit a vendor to sell off the junk in her bag. She also needed more arrows, health potions (she’d given all she had to the prisoners), and she needed to stop by to see Arlon about his offer to teach her new spells.

  Finishing their meal, she left the inn and went to the tanner who’d given her the wolf hide quest. He saw her as she stepped through the door, and raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”

  She bowed her head slightly. “I’m sorry. Things happened in my world that… prevented me from returning here for some time.”

  “Yes, so I hear.” The elf replied. “Well, show me what you’ve got.”

  Shari produced the stack of rabid wolf hides and handed them over. He inspected them briefly. “These will do. I’m afraid I can’t pay you much for them. The demand for armor has dropped severely since you outworlders all disappeared…” He warned.

  It’s fine. I’m more interested in the experience. I would normally complete this quest in a group, but I had to do it alone. And it wasn’t easy.”

  The elf looked thoughtful for a minute, then said “We can arrange for that!”

  Quest Complete: Doggone Wolves!

  Reward: 1,100 experience; 10 gold

  You have found a way to overcome the odds and defeat ten rabid wolves all on your own. The experience from those battles is worth more to you by far than the gold you have received.

  Level Up! You have reached level 20!

  You have earned 1 free attribute point.

  Shari did a little happy-dance right there in the shop. Then a thought occurred to her. “Any chance you’d want some of the other items? Teeth, claws?” She asked the tanner. He shook his head. “I have no use for them. But check with either the blacksmith, or the alchemist. They often use those types of things in their crafts.” Shari thanked him and left the shop.

  That was awesome! I got nearly twice as much experience as I should have, just by negotiating! I had no idea that was even possible. Wait until I tell Mace!

  Shari made her way back to the Alchemist’s shop, and showed Lonien her pile of wolf bits. “Any interest in this stuff. If it makes a difference, they came from rabid wolves.”

  Lonien’s eyebrows perked up a bit at that. “Indeed. They could be useful. How much do you want for them?”

  “Whatever you think is fair, Lonien. You are a friend and a mentor. I’m not looking to profit from you. While I’m here, I need ten more health potions. I’m afraid I gave all I had to those poor people yesterday.”

  Lonien looked over the pile again, and offered. “I’ll give you ten gold plus the potions.”

  “Sold!” Shari grinned at him. “And now you’re wondering if I would have taken eight?”

  The old elf laughed and paid her the agreed upon amount, and the potions. She waved goodbye and left the shop, Snuffles following behind, as she walked to Arlon’s tree. When she reached the gate, she picked the piglet up, grunting a bit from the effort. She didn’t want him romping through the garden and destroying everything.

  This time when she knocked on the door, Arlon opened it himself. “Good morning young Shari! And friend.” He smiled at Snuffles. “Please come in.”

  He led them into the sitting room, then indicated it was safe to set the piglet down. “There’s nothing of much value in here to worry about.” He said. Snuffles immediately began to live up to his name, roaming about the room and sticking his snout into everything.

  Arlon watched for a moment, then turned to Shari. “So you’ve reached level 20! Excellent. And do you have the components for the ritual?”

  “Some of them. I’m missing three. I plan to go after them today. But you mentioned I might be able to learn more spells, so I thought I’d see you first. In case you can teach me something that might help me in the quest.”

  Arlon nodded his head. “Good thinking, child. Let me see…” he examined Shari closely, as if looking through her eyes into her soul. She imagined he was actually seeing some status window or similar thing that she herself couldn’t see.

  “Well, now. You have not been using your magic much, have you?” he observed.

  Shari bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Master Arlon. I have not. I don
’t have much in the way of offensive magic. I’ve used my light spell quite a bit…” she replied.

  “Yes, well. Let us do something about that. Hold still, child.” The ancient elf put his hand upon her head and she closed her eyes. There was a tingling sensation, and she imagined she could feel the magical knowledge seeping into her mind. When he lifted his hand, he said “There you are. A little offense, a little defense, and healing.”

  Shari pulled up her UI and then her spell list. She had three new spells.

  Nature’s Wrath

  Caster can cause spines of wood or hardened vegetation to speed toward a target. Spines that penetrate target’s skin will extend tendrils within the body, doing damage over time. Initial damage and DoT will increase at higher levels of this spell. Damage: 200 initial; 10/sec for 30 secs. Mana cost: 30mp.

  Druid’s Defender

  Caster can summon a nature elemental to defend them for one minute. The elemental will use available nature resources to form a body and use appropriate spells. Elemental can be healed with standard healing magic. Mana cost: 50mp. Cooldown: 1hr

  Life of the Forest

  Caster can heal a friendly target using nature magic. Target will receive an initial heal of 200hp, and an extended heal over time of 10hp/sec for ten seconds. Initial and HoT health restored will increase at higher levels of this spell. Mana cost: 20mp

  “Thank you, Arlon!” Shari beamed at him. With these spells, plus Snuffles, she would be able to handle most fights in the areas near the city.

  “You are most welcome. Now, I believe you have spell components to gather.” He motioned toward the door. She retrieved Snuffles and left the tree. With nothing else to accomplish within the city, she headed back out to the forest for the last of her quest items.

  The first was a rare mushroom. She wished that she had a sample, so she could see what kind of bloodhound Snuffles would make. Give him a snuff of the fungus and let him lead her right to it. She decided to experiment again. “Snuffles, I’m looking for a mushroom called ‘Druid’s Tears’ that grows near here. Think you can find it?”

  Her little oinker nodded his head and lowered his snout to the ground. With a rapid series of snufflings, he walked in a complete circle before deciding on a direction and moving off at a trot. Shari began to jog to keep up with him. The piglet’s legs were not as short as they had been just a day ago. Snuffles moved from tree to bush to tree, weaving his way through the forest. After a few minutes, he made a happy squealing sound and dug his snout into the soil at the base of a tree.

  “Don’t eat it, Snuffles!” Shari cried out. “I need it for the ritual.” She bent down, nudging the pig out of the way, and examined the mushroom. It was indeed the one she needed. She gathered several stalks as carefully as she could, and put them in her bag. “If there are any left over, you can have them.” She smirked at Snuffles.

  Next she needed a bat’s wing. She already knew where to find bats… in the tomb where she’d already had to crawl through the guano. She should have tried to find one yesterday, but she’d been in a hurry to get those prisoners to the city. Consulting her map again quickly, she turned and marched toward the tomb. Snuffles followed beside her, sniffing at anything that caught his interest. He found a goodly number of acorns and roots to munch on. Shari hoped none of it would make him sick. “Is there anything you won’t eat?” she teased him. He just grinned and shook his head.

  Shari enjoyed the walk through the forest. She’d chosen an elf during character creation partly because she loved nature. Before the world ended, she often went hiking or camping with her family. Real camping. No cabins or RV’s. No pavilions with toilets and showers. Pup tents and campfires. Fishing for supper in the lake. Cutting or scrounging your own firewood. She supposed it had prepared her to some extent for what was to come. Helped her survive.

  But for now, she just breathed in the clean scent of trees. She slowed her pace, looking up into the canopy at the swaying branches, listening to the rustle of leaves and the creaking of wood. It was said the elves could actually talk to trees. Shari doubted that was true. Still, smiling to herself, she walked to the nearest tree, a venerable old elm, and hugged it. Snuffles looked at her, head tilted to one side, probably wondering if she was insane. But she didn’t care. She just had an urge to hold onto the tree, to listen to the groaning of the trunk as the wind moving its upper branches caused it to flex. She closed her eyes and felt the rough bark against her cheek.

  “Hiiiiiide” a whisper in the back of her mind. Her eyes flew open and she looked at Snuffles. “Did you say that?” Snuffles looked confused for a moment, then shook his head.

  Shari closed her eyes and put her head back against the tree. She whispered “Was that you, old tree?”

  “Daaangerrr… hiiiidee.” The voice repeated. It was the tree! Shari looked around frantically for an attacking enemy. At the same time, Snuffles put his snout in the air and inhaled deeply. Then his ears drooped and he crouched low, looking around. He gave a frightened squeal and tried to dig himself a hole under a large root.

  Shari drew her bow and stepped over to where her brave piggy tank was cowering in the dirt. “What is it snuffles?” She bent down and laid a hand on his head. She immediately got a picture of massive wings and sharp teeth. It was more of an impression than an actual picture. But it was terrifying.

  The was a commotion in the branches of a tree maybe fifty yards away. Shari tuned in time to see a flying creature drop awkwardly to the forest floor. It was maybe the size of a large bear. But it looked more like a dragon than a bear. Long neck, leathering wings. It had a set of short forelegs with wicked claws, but unlike a dragon, it’s body tapered into a snake tail, with no rear legs. Its eyes were an ugly shade of reddish green, set wide on a raptor’s skull. The thing opened its mouth and screeched at Shari, exposing a large number of sharp teeth. She used her Identify skill on it.

  Immature Forest Wyvern

  Level 30

  Health 2,200/3,200

  Taking a closer look, she saw that one of its wings was bent at an awkward angle like it was broken. That explained the loss of hp. She was tempted to see if she could heal it, maybe tame it. It was large enough that she might be able to fly on its back.

  She didn’t have more time to think, as the thing began to hobble towards her, pushing itself with one wing and sort of hopping on its forelegs.

  “Make a choice, girl. Heal it? Or kill it?” she thought as she took a step backward.

  Taking a risk, she held up her right hand and cast Life of the Forest on the big lizard thing. It paused, confused by the feeling of its wing being healed. It stumbled and rolled onto its back, screaming in pain when the still injured wing struck the ground.

  “Well, shit.” Shari said to herself. Her heal had somehow turned into an attack. She quickly cast another heal, then another, as the thing struggled to regain its feet. Between the 600hp of instant heals and the stacked HoT’s of 30hp per second, the wing was nearly healed by the time the wyvern righted itself. It screeched at her again before poking at its wing with its nose. The thing looked confused, so Shari began to speak softly to it.

  “It’s okay, big fella. I’m here to help you. I’m a druid. We protect the creatures of the forest. I’ve healed your wing. Well, mostly. If you promise not to eat me, I’ll finish the job.”

  The wyvern looked at her as if unsure what to do. Shari guessed it had never been healed before. She raised her hand to cast one more heal on the creature, when Snuffles chose that moment to break and run. With a squeal he sprang from his half-dug hole and ran behind Shari, continuing on behind a tree.

  The wyvern’s raptor instincts kicked in immediately. It might not understand Shari and her healing, but a small pork roast running practically beneath its nose it could relate to. That was food, and it was hungry. The thing screeched again and stepped forward, intending to pursue the piglet.

  “Oh no you don’t. That’s my piggy!” Shari growled at it. Instead of casting
the last heal on the creature, she cast Druid’s Defender, summoning an elemental to help her fight the wyvern. There was a greenish glow on the forest floor in front of her, then a creature began to emerge from it. Made of what appeared to be roots and vines, it stood maybe eight feet tall. It had four arms and two legs, but no feet as it appeared to just grow up from the earth. The elemental growled at the wyvern, stealing its attention.

  The wyvern altered its path, lashing out to bite at the elemental. The mass of roots didn’t even try to defend itself, allowing the wyvern to latch onto its torso. Instead, the elemental wrapped all four arms around the large lizard and began to squeeze.

  Wasting no time, Shari drew her bow. She fired several arrows into the wyvern at close range, each one striking it in the face or neck. She watched as its health ticked down from the damage. But it wasn’t falling fast enough. Her defender would only last for one minute.

  With her free hand she cast Nature’s Wrath, which would take a total of 500hp from the wyvern over ten seconds. Then she resumed firing her arrows.

  The wyvern, meanwhile, was worrying at the torso of the elemental. Grinding its teeth back and forth as it tried to bite through the construct. Which was down below 50% and falling. With only 20 seconds left on its clock, Shari elected not to heal it, saving her mana for the fight. She drew her bow back and fired another arrow into the wyvern, the arrow passing cleanly through the beast’s neck just below its jaw.

  When the defender expired, the wyvern was in bad shape. But it still lived. And it was angry.

  Immature Forest Wyvern

  Level 30

  Health 600/3,200

  The thing was still tangled up in the now lifeless defender’s construct. But it managed to swing around, it’s tail snapping like a whip. The sharp end of the tail penetrated Shari’s gut, and she thought she could feel it scrape against her spine. The creature withdrew the tail in a spray of blood. Her health dropped to 200hp. A scream forced its way from her throat. The pain was incredible. Tears formed in her eyes and snot began to run from her nose as the scream devolved into a sob.