It wasn’t until the others eventually fell asleep that Chloe had a chance to ask Gideon what was wrong. He was on the verge of sleep himself when she asked the question.
Gideon sat up, pawing at his eyes. At first, he struggled to find the words, then at last he said, “I’ve just got so much to thank you for, Chloe. You changed my life. You funded my dream. Had I known who you were, I…”
“You wouldn’t have done anything differently,” Chloe finished for him. “I wouldn’t have done anything differently, either.” She looked at the stars sprinkled on the canvas of the night. “You deserve every bit of happiness this game brings you, Gid. You’re a great guy, and I don’t regret a penny spent on helping you get to where you want to be.”
“I owe you so much.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” She placed an arm around him and kissed the side of his head. “You’re like a brother to me, Gid. Just be there for me, and I’ll be there for you. I never knew what it was to have a true friend until I met you.”
They sat staring at the fire until the pink of dawn appeared on the horizon. When they did eventually fall asleep, it wasn’t for long. Tag awoke them all with his excited cries.
“Guys! Guys! Wake up!”
Ben fisted his bleary eyes. “What is it?”
“Check your notifications.”
They did. Chloe felt a warmth inside of her, remembering Mia’s promise of a surprise before she disappeared into the pod.
SPECIAL EVENT! Party quest unlocked: The War of the Gods
The gods are angry.
Following the reunion of KieraFreya and her ascent to the heavens, a dark grumble has been felt among the gods of Obsidian.
Asros, God of Death, is livid. The defeat of his son and daughters is something that cannot be taken lightly. Since the truth behind KieraFreya’s banishment has been unveiled, the rift has spread between the light and the dark.
“To arms,” dear adventurer. A war is coming. The wrath of the gods will be felt across all of Obsidian. As a party who has played a significant part in the activation of this rivalry, you must seek your part to play in this war and prepare every nation of Obsidian for the destruction that is to come.
Do you have what it takes to assist the gods and save Obsidian from the brink of total annihilation?
Chloe re-read the quest, making sure she digested all the information she could. Of course, she had expected retaliation. Fukmos was only a pawn in the games of the gods, but this soon?
As the party rumbled uncertainly about what exactly they could do, a burst of light exploded behind them. A moment later, they all stared up at the gleaming emerald and gold goddess on the back of her horse.
“Good. I see you’ve already received my message.” She smiled. “What do you think? Are you ready to fight?”
Chloe caught Gideon’s eye and grinned.
Character Sheet
Bio
Character name: Chloe (click to select a new character name)
Level: 18
Class: Battle Mage (Novice)
Titles: Chief Guardian of the Queen, Mage of the Academy
Race: Human
Stats
HP: 598/598
MP: 901/901
Stamina: 555/555
Active effects: Null
Boons: +15% luck to experimental magicks, 5% proficiency in skill-learning, spell cost dramatically reduced
Attributes
Strength: 22 (+51)
Intelligence: 10 (+64)
Dexterity: 20 (+61)
Endurance: 25 (+38)
Etheric Potential: 9 (+76)
Skills
Languages: Human
Acrobatics: Lv 5
Armed Combat: Lv 5
Charismatic: Lv 4
Climbing: Lv 2
Cooking: Lv 2
Crafting: Lv 1
Creature Identification: Lv 5
Dark Vision: Lv 4
Dual Wielding: Lv 3
Entrepreneur: Lv 1
Etheric Manipulation: Lv 5
Experimental: Lv 2
Fishing: Lv 1
For the Queen!: Lv 1
Hand of the Gods: Lv 2
Herb Identification: Lv 2
Monster Slayer: Lv 2
Mounted Combat: Lv 1
Reckless: Lv 7
Saddler: Lv 5
Scholar: Lv 1
Sneak: Lv 5
Swimming: Lv 3
Tutor: Lv 2
Available Points: 0
Skills-dex
Skill increased: Acrobatics (Lv 5)
You’re taking enormous strides—literally! Bounce and spring your way to battle or adventure and savor the moments spent in the air!
Bonuses: +7 dexterity
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
Skill increased: Armed combat (Lv 5)
Damn. Hack, cut, slice, and wield that sword like it’s your second arm. Keep on leveling in this skill to learn new combinations that will be beneficial in the heat of battle.
Bonuses: +5 strength
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
Skill increased: Charismatic (Lv 4)
You've really worked that tongue loose. Now let’s see what you can do with it.
Purrr…
Bonuses: +4 intelligence
Skill increased: Climbing (Lv 2)
Cling to the rocks like a lizard, scale to the highest heights. Or...just not get so tired when climbing up walls. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be jumping up cliff faces with the best of them.
Bonuses: +2 dexterity
Skill increased: Cooking (Lv 2)
You’ve developed something akin to taste buds. Now you can get a little bit more experimental while lowering your chances of food poisoning!
Bonuses: +2 dexterity
You've unlocked a new skill: Crafting (Lv 1)
Those who can craft gain a fair advantage in Obsidian. Create your own armor from leather. Make your own weapons. Or continue paying others to do it, because at this level, your chances are still relatively slim.
Requirements: Create your first item
Bonuses: +1 dexterity
Skill increased: Creature Identification (Lv 5)
Congratulations on reaching level 5 in this skill. You’ll now be able to access the basic strengths and weaknesses of your foes, as well as additional nuggets of information that might be of use to you.
Bonuses: +7 intelligence
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
Skill increased: Dark Vision (Lv 4)
The night is fast becoming your mistress. Dark shapes become more refined, night terrors lose their fuzz, and oh, the pranks you can play as you dissolve into the darkness and lead your friends astray!
Bonuses: +5 intelligence, +8 etheric potential
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
Skill increased: Dual wielding (Lv 3)
Many don’t understand the diversity of battle style that dual wielding has to offer. Some stumble across this by chance. Like you. You’re a chancer, right? Now you can combine both magic and the physical in battle. Boop!
Bonuses: +3 dexterity
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
You’ve unlocked a new skill: Entrepreneur (Lv 1)
You’ve set up your first business! There are many ways to make money in Obsidian, but only a few learn the glorious benefits of letting the money make you. The more passive income you make, the higher this skill will increase.
Requirements: Start your first business
Bonuses: +5 intelligence
Skill increased: Etheric Manipulation (Lv 5)
Congratulations on reaching level 5 in this skill. You are surely working your way down the path of magedom, and with that, you can reap a host of rewards.
You will now be able to learn basic spells by observation. Simply watch another mage use a spell, and you will be able to absorb that spell’s knowledge and set yourself on the path to taking that spell farther. Not only that, but specialization bonuses are now in play. Should you choose to narrow your skills to a specific elemental path, you will progress in these spells twice as fast. You will also have the option to change your title to reflect your specialty and reward yourself with bonus tuition from the academies and schools across Obsidian to further your skill set.
Should you wish not to specialize, you will find that combining spells and playing with experimental magic will have its rewards. Bonus buffs will be available any time spells are combined, and any new spells unseen before in Obsidian will be labeled with your name as the founder and creator.
Bonuses: +12 etheric potential, spell cast cost dramatically reduced, immunity to friendly fire
(NOTE: Increases in spells override any previous bonuses gained from the spell).
Skill increased: Experimental (Lv 2)
You’ve discovered a new way to manipulate a spell! Keep pushing the boundaries of common thought to discover bigger, better, and more efficient ways to enhance your abilities and further your knowledge of Obsidian.
Bonuses: +2 intelligence, +1 dexterity, +1 endurance, +2 etheric potential
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
You've unlocked a new skill: Fishing (Lv 1)
See those things in the water? They’re fish. You can catch them. Well done.
Requirements: Catch your first fish
Bonuses: +1 dexterity
You’ve unlocked a new (unique) skill: For the Queen!
Unite and inspire any and all allied fighters surrounding you in battle with a war cry, backed by the queen herself.
Fighters will rally around you, finding courage in their hearts to fight longer and with increased strength for a limited time.
Bonuses: +5% strength, +5% stamina, +5% endurance, +5% mana regeneration, +5% health regeneration.
Duration: 3 minutes
Skill increased: Hand of the Gods (Lv 2)
You clearly have the favor of the gods. Guiding your strength, the gods can lend you unique skills and abilities to aid you in a pinch. Don’t rely on this skill unless you’re ready to live a reckless life. The gods take vacations, too, y’know.
The results of this skill may vary.
Bonuses: +10 etheric potential
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
Skill increased: Herb Identification (Lv 2)
The surrounding foliage is beginning to talk to you. Discover new ingredients for food and potion recipe by experimenting with combinations of Obsidian’s plant life.
Bonuses: +2 intelligence
Skill increased: Monster Slayer (Lv 2)
You’ve encountered enough large monsters to level up your Monster Slayer skill. Not only will the weak spots of larger monsters become clearer to you, but your attacks will also be drawn to the weak spots to aid in combat. Fire spells and arrows and see the effects of this skill as the projectiles curve and bend toward their goal.
NOTE: The farther away you are from the target, the lesser the effects.
Bonuses: +3 strength, +3 intelligence
You’ve unlocked a new skill: Mounted Combat (Lv 1)
Attacking while riding is a whole different kettle of fish. Get used to the motion of your steed and counterbalance the overeagerness of its trot to learn to deal vicious blows.
Or, fall off a lot and hope you land on an enemy. Always worked for me.
Requirements: Battle a monster while riding a steed
Bonuses: +1 dexterity
Skill increased: Reckless (Lv 7)
Okay, okay. We get it. You’re craaazy! Since you’re determined to risk your neck and go down unwise routes, you have gained an exclusive “time-slow” buff anytime you do something considered reckless.
Bonuses: +17 strength, +12 endurance
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
Skill increase: Saddler (Lv 5)
You've tamed the impossible, finding a way to ride a legendary beast and make it your bitch. Additional experience has been added to this skill to reward your bravery and boost you further on your way as you tame and ride the creatures of Obsidian.
Bonuses: +5 dexterity
You’ve unlocked a new skill: Scholar (Lv 1)
Your hunger for knowledge is insatiable. Whether you’re learning from people, experiences, or books, you can now take comfort in knowing that you will learn faster from this point on.
Requirements: Read a book that’s above your level
Bonuses: +1 intelligence, skills can now upgrade 5% faster
Skill increased: Sneak (Lv 5)
The darkness has become your friend, your feet lighter than feathers on air. GREAT! As always, be sure to use your powers for good.
Who knows what horrors a silent battle mage can create when sneaking…?
Bonuses: +5 dexterity
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
Skill increased: Swimming (Lv 3)
Slicker and faster, you’re becoming more streamlined. The water loves you. I wonder what delights you’ll find way down in the depths of Obsidian?
Bonuses: +3 dexterity
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
Skill increased: Tutor (Lv 2)
Although you prefer your own methods, you’ve left the path open for your students to choose their own way. The key to being a solid instructor is to nourish your students, not push them in one direction. Keep this up and the benefits will continue to grow.
Bonuses: +4 intelligence
(NOTE: Increases in skill override any previous bonuses gained from the skill).
Quest-dex
Open Quests
SPECIAL EVENT! Party quest unlocked: The War of the Gods
The gods are angry.
Following the reunion of KieraFreya and her ascent to the heavens, a dark grumble has been felt among the gods of Obsidian.
Asros, God of Death, is livid. The defeat of his son and daughters is something that cannot be taken lightly. Since the truth behind KieraFreya’s banishment has been unveiled, the rift has spread between the light and the dark.
“To arms,” dear adventurer. A war is coming. The wrath of the gods will be felt across all of Obsidian. As a party who has played a significant part in the activation of this rivalry, you must seek your part to play in this war and prepare every nation of Obsidian for the destruction that is to come.
Do you have what it takes to assist the gods and save Obsidian from the brink of total annihilation?
—————————
Complete Quests
Quest complete: Walk the Deathwalk of the Gods
You’ve done it! You’ve outwitted the trolls, trodden through the realm of fire, swum the unforgiving lake, and emerged victorious through the fractal labyrinth of death. You’ve truly proven yourself—
#ERROR404
—a champion among champions—
MISSING_SEQ
REBOOT_POPUP
—Carry on, adventurer Untitled, and soar to ever great heights!
Bonuses: 10,000 experience + Bracers of KieraFreya
Quest unlocked: We didn’t start the fire.
Some idiot has lost control of his flames. Help him put out the fire before the whole house is burnt to cinders.
Rewards: 50 exp
Quest complete: We didn’t start the fire.
Smarts, cunning, quick wit, and the intelligence to solve a problem. These were none of the things you used as you launched water on the fire and jumped headfirst into a smoke-infested building.
You somehow managed it, though. Hooray!
Reward: 50exp<
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Quest complete: Crossing the language barrier
You took the easy way out. Well, why not? It certainly speeds things along now, doesn’t it? Even if you don’t get that glorious glow of knowledge.
Reward (Interpreter): 100 exp
Quest complete: Where’s the shaman?
You didn’t turn away when the going got tough. Congratulations. You’ve made a new friend and a powerful ally.
Rewards: 500 exp, Final slumber potion recipe
Quest complete: Chasing Nightmares
You’ve reunited the stableboy with his steeds. Unfortunately, the cost was high, since you lost favor with Jacob. Experience still awarded, but no horses for you.
Rewards: 1,500 exp
Quest complete: An unlikely pairing
Rosaline and Derren are a match made in heaven. Congratulations on uniting them and letting love blossom in this barren world.
Extra points awarded for copulation within the first 24 hours of meeting.
Rewards: 1,300 exp, + 500 exp (copulation bonus), + map location unlocked.
Quest unlocked: A most bloody request
Someone has it out for you. Find the sender of the death note in Nauriel and discover what truly lies behind this request.
Rewards: 2,000 exp
Quest complete: A most bloody request
You’ve found the sender of the death note, now track down this ‘Tohken’ and see if you can unravel just exactly why he has it out for you.
Rewards: 2,000 exp
Quest complete: A Woman in Need
You’ve discovered the truth about Lady Gwent. Quite a web has been woven, now, let’s see if you can conquer part two.
Goddess Complete Page 49