by Terry Schott
“I know.”
“It’s a timed instance. If we don’t try for it today, we’ll have to wait three days for it to reset—”
“And then farm our way in again.” She finished his thought. “I know. Sucks, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Damn.”
“Tell the truth, the real reason you’re bummed is cause you don’t get to spend the day with me.”
He swallowed a bite of bagel. “You’re right.”
“Sorry.”
“This real life of yours is starting to take you away from Blades.”
“Is not.”
“Really? When’s the last time we had a solid session together? Like more than six hours?”
“Last night.”
“Before that?”
Shale sighed. “It has been a few weeks.”
“It’s tough to not play. Especially when we duo so well together.”
“You can group or solo. Druids are the best quad kiters out there.”
“I know.” The ability to pull four monsters, slow them, and then destroy the entire group with lightning spells had been the number-one reason Aleron had chosen the Druid class to begin with. “Still, there’s more to the game than grinding for XP.”
“Aw. You really do miss me?”
“It’s true.”
Aleron heard a rustling in his headset, followed by the muffled sound of Shale’s voice. A second later she spoke. “AFK for a minute.”
“‘Kay.” He took another bite of bagel and maximized the mini-map, trying to decide where he wanted to play today.
A few minutes later, Shale returned. “Hey.”
“‘Sup?”
“How long we known each other, Aleron, five years?”
“Yeah.”
“And during that time, we’ve had a lot of fun together, right?”
He smiled. “Oh god, you proposing?”
She laughed. “No. Um, well, maybe, yeah.”
“The answer is no.”
She laughed. “I’m not game proposing, stupid.”
“Good.” It was becoming popular for players to ‘get married’ inside the game world of Blades of Verchinor. Aleron liked Shale, but not in that way. He laughed, glad that she wasn’t doing what he had thought.
“I’ve got some cool news.”
“Yeah?”
“My Dad has business in the states.”
“Cool.”
“In your city.”
Aleron frowned. “Awesome.”
“I know, right? He’s flying there later this week and spending three days. I asked him if I could come too.”
A sudden tightness formed in his stomach. “And he said yes.”
“That’s right.”
“Awesome. There’s lots of fun stuff to do here. You’ll have fun.”
“I hope so.” There was a pause. “I’m coming to see you, doorknob.”
He winced. “Really?”
“Don’t sound so thrilled.”
“No. I meant, that’s great.”
“Not from the tone of your voice, it isn’t.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that—”
“Look, I know you don’t have the kind of cash my family does.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s no big deal.”
It’s a huge deal.
“Aleron?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t be like that. This is a good thing. We finally get to meet.”
“I know.”
“You can show me the sights.”
“I can’t afford—”
“I can. My wealthy father is flying me and a credit card with a huge limit on it to your city so I can go out and have fun. You and I are a team, right? Take me to all the cool places and I’ll pay.”
Aleron sighed.
Shale was quiet for a second.
“I’m sorry, Shale.”
“It’s okay.” Another pause. “Forget it.”
“I don’t want you to be mad.”
“I’m not.”
“You’ll have more fun here without me, anyway.”
“I’m not going.”
He furrowed his brows. “What?”
“If you’re gonna be weird about it, I’m not going.”
“But—”
“I was coming to see you, goof.”
“There are a lot of cool things to experience here.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to make the flight and then have to solo the zone. Especially when I know you will be there. Forget it.”
Long seconds passed. Neither spoke.
Finally Aleron groaned. “Fine.”
“Fine, what?”
“I’ll show you around.”
“Without being weird about it?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s not my fault that I have money.”
“It’s not my fault that I don’t.”
“It’s never bothered me, Aleron.”
“I know.”
“And you’re wrong by the way.”
“About what?”
“Having money.”
He frowned.
“I remember being a noob in this game, a tiny level one ranger with crap starter gear and only a few coppers. Then I met this level fifteen druid.”
Aleron grunted.
“You threw Wolven Spirit on me, a spell that players pay druids to cast on them. Remember what I said?”
He laughed. “That you couldn’t pay me for it.”
“That’s right. I said I had no money.”
“Then you cancelled the effects, said you didn’t want to take advantage and use a spell you couldn’t pay for.”
He could hear the smile in her voice. “To which you replied—”
“That I had enough money and it wasn’t about that.”
“What was it about?”
“Helping a noob.”
“There ya go.” He heard her clap her hands close to her mic. “You’re wealthy inside the game and you were generous with me, and with others. Allow me to repay the favour and spend a few bucks on you in the real world.”
Aleron groaned. “It’s not the same thing, Shale.”
“It is and you know it.”
“But—oh, damn you and your fancy talking.” He rested both elbows on his desk and rubbed his forehead.
“I win?”
“You win.”
“Good. Oh, and I’ve got some exciting news to tell you.”
“What’s that?”
“Oh no, buddy. I wanna see your face. You’ll have to wait ‘til I get in on Wednesday. I’ll call you when I land.”
5
The magic system in Blades VR follows the form of the role-playing game rather than the PC version. In the computer game, players point and click a button which casts the desired spell.
In Blades VR, magic users—generically referred to in game as crafters—will be required to memorize the three separate components to a spell (verbal, somatic, and material), and cast them in proper sequence. Also, as set out in the RPG rules, Focus and Divine Focus items can be used to assist crafters in their spell casting ability and may increase the effectiveness of their spells. Memorizing spells will require time and study on the crafter’s part, disappearing from memory once cast.
While described by the official manual as realistic and challenging, crafter classes are often considered boring for those looking to wade into battle and fight for glory and treasure.
“An Introduction to Spell Casting”
Blades VR, Character Class Guide
Sebastian tilted his head back and closed his eyes, rubbing them.
“Ready?” Ezref asked without looking up from his book.
“I think so.”
“Confidence is the foundation of magic. One should never have the mind-set of ‘I think so’ as they prepare to summon powerful energy from another plane and bend it to their will.”
Sebastian raised one eyebrow. “That makes se
nse.”
“Good.” Ezref looked up and clapped the book shut. “Then let’s try again. Are you ready?”
“Absolutely.”
The young man nodded. “Take your position.”
The older man stood and moved to the centre of the practise room. They were underground and the walls, ceiling, and floor were all built from stone, decorated with scars from acid, fire, or dark energy. A heavy wooden door was the only way in or out. Sebastian stepped into the centre of a circle that had been drawn with white powder. He took a deep breath and looked at Ezref.
“What spell will you attempt?”
“Same as before.”
Ezref nodded. “Tell me.”
“It’s the only one you’ve shown me.”
“And it is called?”
“Light.”
“Exactly. Recite the verbal component.”
Sebastian pursed his lips and let the words enter his mind. He spoke them and Ezref raised one eyebrow. “Again.”
He repeated the phrase again and Ezref nodded. “Now show me the somatic component.”
Sebastian touched his forefinger and thumb together, and raised his hand to shoulder height. He traced the pattern as it was described in the book. When he finished, he lowered his hand and exhaled the rest of the air in his lungs.
“Looks good to me. What’s the material component, again?”
“A firefly.”
“Wrong.”
Sebastian frowned. “No, it’s a firefly.”
Ezref shook his head. “Live or dead? Dried or fresh? Dipped in cider, wine, or white vinegar? With every other leg plucked or all in place?”
“Does it matter?”
Ezref opened his mouth and paused. Then he shook his head. “For this spell, it does not.”
Sebastian laughed.
“Laugh if you like, but for many spells, it will matter. It’s important to keep these things in mind from the very beginning of your training. There are two spells that require deer blood and the hind leg of a white rabbit. If you dip the leg in blood and perform the spell, you summon a healing sprite.”
“What kind of deer?”
“Ah ha!” Ezref snapped his fingers and smiled. “It must be the blood of a doe. If you use the blood of a buck, you summon an imp that will immediately try to bind your soul and drag it back to its plane of nether as a gift for the demon lord that resides there.”
“Whoah.”
“See what I mean?”
“Yes. Thanks, kid.”
Ezref winced. “Do you have to call me that?”
“It bother you?”
“It doesn’t feel right.”
“Why not?”
“I’m teaching you.”
“Which I appreciate.”
“Calling me kid makes it seem as if you don’t.”
Sebastian grinned. “Want me to call you master?”
“Of course not.”
“Cause I can.”
“Stop it.”
“What?”
“I’m no master.”
“Then I don’t know what to tell ya.” Sebastian rubbed the stubble on his face. “I’m old, you’re young. I call you kid, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect you.”
“You don’t have to respect me.”
“But I do.”
Ezref paused. “Really?”
“Of course. You don’t have to do this. Teach an old man how to cast spells. I appreciate that you’re taking the time to do it.”
“Well, thanks. That means a lot to me. And your respect.” He rubbed his chin, then shook his head. “If you mean no harm in it, then I suppose you can call me ‘kid’.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. From now on, instead of taking it as an insult, I will view it as a compliment. It means I’m young, which is much better than being old.”
“Ha!” Sebastian’s eyes narrowed as he laughed. “You’re a sharp lad.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Can I give the spell a try, now?”
“Absolutely.”
Sebastian calmed his mind, focused on the words he would say, the motions he would make. Then he reached into the small pouch at his belt and withdrew the required components: a grey stone and a firefly. He held the stone in his left hand and pinched the firefly in his right. He moved his arm as he began to speak the words. Some part of him watched as the firefly moved in the air. He finished casting the spell and soft white light appeared from the body of the firefly.
He moved the insect to his left hand and touched the stone. A wide smile came to his face as the stone absorbed the light and began to emit it brighter than before. He pursed his lips and looked at Ezref.
The apprentice stood with eyes wide.
“What? Did I do something wrong?”
“No.”
Sebastian frowned. “I must have. You look . . . actually you look scared.”
“No, it’s just that—well, I wasn’t expecting you to succeed so quickly.”
“Is that so?” He chuckled. “Thought it would take me another two or three tries, did ya?”
“An average student takes much longer than that to cast their first spell.”
“How much longer?”
Ezref pursed his lips together and furrowed his brows. “My master used to boast that his master was the most powerful crafter in the past three hundred years. Whenever I would feel particularly proud of myself, my master would remind me how inferior I was by comparing me to himself or his own master.”
“And how long did it take him? The powerful guy.”
“A little more than two years.”
Sebastian shook his head. “What?”
Ezref’s complexion had turned pale. “You’ve accomplished in an afternoon what should have taken years.”
6
There is exciting news in the world of professional e-sports this week. Millions tuned in online while tens of thousands attended the live event in the nation’s capital as The Blades of Verchinor arena world finals were played. The best on the planet, ours that is, gathered to battle for the world cup and the ten million dollar prize that comes with it.
Defending champions, Onslaught, managed to hold on to their title despite an incredible showing by team Dawn Mist. Team leader, Sorrow, showed complete mastery of her Night Angel class as she divided the lanes and directed her group to create maximum pressure. Victory would have been theirs if not for yet another legendary showing from Xander Vallenhall, Onslaught’s leader. After five years, Xander continues to show why he is still the number one ranked player in the world and the best Death Stryker of all time. From what we’ve seen, it doesn’t look as if anyone is going to be knocking Xander or his team from the number one spot for quite some time.
That’s our opinion, and now we’d like to hear yours. Send us an email or drop us a video telling us who your favourite team or player is and what you think will happen next season.
Candice Higgs, Arena World News
“Isaac is ready for you, Mr. Vallenhall.”
“Thank you.” Alexander stood and followed the receptionist, admiring her athletic frame which was impossible to ignore beneath her form-hugging white and pink minidress as she walked down the hallway.
She stopped at a door and turned, grinning as she caught him admiring her. One hand reached up to rap once on the door and the other opened it.
“Best of luck, killer,” she whispered as he walked past.
“Thanks.”
“Ah, there he is, Xander Vallenhall. Welcome.” Isaac Chase, co-founder and CEO of ARC Gaming, stood up from his desk and smiled. In his early forties, he was a physically fit man with short black hair and icy blue eyes.
Alexander entered the room and the two shook hands. “Mr. Chase. Thank you for asking to meet with me.”
“Please.” He removed his designer suit jacket and draped it over the high-backed black leather chair. “Call me Isaac.” He sat, unbuttoning one sleeve of his crisp garnet dr
ess shirt and folding it up two turns before repeating the process with the other sleeve.
Xander sat down. “Okay. Thanks for the invite, Isaac.”
The CEO smiled. “It’s exciting for me to finally get to meet you. Lord Xander, the most powerful Death Stryker in Preu Treya.”
“Thanks, but it’s just a game.”
Isaac scoffed. “Blades of Verchinor is the most popular Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game in the world. Of the two hundred million who play daily, only six thousand are good enough to reach the professional ranks, and the ranks don’t lie. You’re number one.” Xander shrugged and Isaac laughed. “You’re modest. I bet the fans like that. Did your agent say why I asked to meet?”
“Nope.”
“Good. I was afraid they might have, which would have been a disappointment. I wanted to see the look on your face when I made the offer.”
“Offer?”
Isaac nodded. “You’ve heard of the new VR version of Blades?”
“Yeah.” Xander shrugged.
“You don’t look impressed.”
“I’m not.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s not likely to be actual VR.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Experience.”
Isaac laughed.
Xander scowled. “How many virtual reality systems have been released so far?”
“A few.”
“And they were all crap. Goggles and headsets.” He shook his head. “True VR will only exist once full immersion into the digital world can be achieved.”
“I agree.”
“I’ve been approached to endorse the last three VR systems.” Xander shook his head. “And I passed on each of them cause they were crap.”
“Haven’t you seen the promo spots for ARC’s VR?”
“Yeah.”
“Then you know it’s going to be different.”
Xander snorted. “I don’t know anything. Game companies are notorious for making promo videos that look nothing like game play. I can’t think of a single game that plays like the trailer promised.”
“That’s true.”
Xander pursed his lips and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.
“I understand your cynicism.”
“Thank you.”
Isaac smiled. “I remember being a kid and wanting to buy a sea monkey kit. You remember those?”
Xander shook his head and Isaac reached into a drawer and removed a picture, sliding it across the desk for the younger man to look at. It was a picture of a small tank filled with water. On the bottom of the tank was a small table with four humanoid creatures with curly tails poking out from their human clothes. Tiny tentacles adorned their head instead of hair. The father stood at the table carving a turkey as mother and children sat smiling with forks and knives in their hands. Xander read the title at the top of the ad. “Sea monkeys?”