More Than a Game
Page 17
“But everything’s okay?” I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized he was talking about my letter to the Gray Witch.
“Yes, of course. More than okay. Our two clans are going to sign a cooperation and mutual assistance agreement. The Witch was apparently so touched by how our clan feels about hers that she contacted Elina herself to offer us their friendship. Elina was shocked, obviously, because she had no idea that was coming. But she quickly let the Witch know that anyone who insults the Hounds of Death is insulting the Thunderbirds. The document will be ready to sign tomorrow. As soon as we figured things out with the Gray Witch, we all left to find you, and you were logged out. So we tried to find anyone who’d talked to you recently, and the acrobat brothers, Rone and Dorn, got in touch. They figured you’d done something wrong, so they immediately started telling us how you were a good guy and couldn’t have meant any harm.” Gerv’s imitation of Dorn’s booming voice was dead on. “‘He did everything by the book, they were the ones who started it.’”
“Ha! And they went on and on about how helpless I am.” I was moved.
“That sounds like them.” Gerv nodded his head and continued. “When we figured out what was going on, Elina started yelling about how you didn’t let us know first. Then she quieted down, thought for a bit, and gave a speech about how it was fate that led us to you in the pub. We let you into the clan, and you helped us meet a goal you heard about. Then she said how we need to reward you, seeing as how you acted in the interests of the clan.”
“Of course I did!” I puffed out my chest.
“I don’t exactly agree with her.” Gerv looked past my gesture and stared closely at me. “I think you couldn’t care less about the Hounds, and I don’t think you really care about what we need. You handed that orc over to the Hounds, just handed him over so you wouldn’t have to deal with him. You only wrote about the clan to make yourself sound more impressive—I don’t think it had anything to do with our interests. Maybe that crossed your mind later, but I doubt it.”
Damn, he’s smart, I thought. I need to keep an eye on him. That wasn’t a terribly difficult deduction to make, but still.
“But I still helped you!” I began my defense.
“Yes, you did. Elina wanted to formally present you with something in the clan fortress, but then this whole firestorm broke out, and now we don’t have time.”
“What firestorm?” I blinked for effect.
“Do you even read the forum? Do you care about what’s going on in the game?” Gerv was suddenly angry. “You can’t be that oblivious! Apparently, someone got a quest from the Departed.”
“The Departed?”
“The Departed Gods.”
“Is that good?” I kept up my façade.
“It’s impossible. The clans are all on edge now, and even lone players are trying to find out what they can. Although they’re all on the outside. What chance do they have?”
“What do you mean?”
“The chances of finding the player with the quest are almost zero. Miniscule—it would be pure randomness.”
“Wow! So what’s the quest?” I was enjoying myself thoroughly.
“Nobody knows.”
“Then how did everyone find out about it?”
“That’s what I’m saying; read the forums. Yesterday, some Level 23 player wrote that he was chatting with someone else at the same level who told him about a quest they got from the Departed Gods. Now, the clans are all looking for him so they can find out about that second player.” Gerv shook his head. “You know, you read it all on the forum, and it’s all fine and good, but it sounds crazy when you explain it like that.”
“Seriously. Maybe that first player was just playing a joke? Or someone’s trying to trick everyone?”
“Maybe, but that doesn’t make sense. You’d need a reason to run a ruse like that, and there isn’t one here.” Gerv could have quoted the two businessmen from the gallery verbatim. “Either that or it’s just absolute nonsense.”
“Maybe he just wanted a laugh!”
“There’s nobody like that here.” Gerv was confident in his reply. “Plus, the message isn’t written like that. And even if that were true, believe me, the clans have gone all out to check out worse stories. So, everyone’s been on edge since last night. The high-level players are all scouring Level 18-30 locations, talking with NPCs and players to see who saw what. The NPCs answer, the players don’t.”
“Why not?”
“There are tons of clans. Just imagine having someone ask you for the hundredth time if you’ve seen anything. What would your response be?”
“I’d tell you to screw off. Not everyone, of course. You could get something from some people.”
“That’s exactly what everyone’s saying. Nobody likes it.”
“Are there really that many clans?”
“Just look around you!”
I looked around. There were plenty of players running around, but not that many.
“Look more carefully.”
I did what he asked and realized what he was talking about. Everyone running around was Level 100 or higher, and clearly in leadership roles.
“The guilds all sent their best people out to question witnesses, but they’re going at it so hard, there’s nobody left to question. Everyone has a different method—some are more pleasant about it; others try to scare you into talking. Everyone’s angry.”
“Pay them 3 gold, and they’ll tell you everything.” I had a piece of advice for him. “Pay them 10, and they’ll even make things up to tell you.”
“Good idea.” Gerv fell silent and clapped me on the shoulder. “Well done, I should have thought of that myself. You haven’t seen anything, have you?”
“Nope, I’d have told you right away. By the way, what’s the reward you were talking about for me?”
“Oh, right, sorry.”
Gerv waved his hand.
Your status in the clan was changed to kinsman. You are now a full-fledged member.
You have the right to access the small clan storehouse.
Your clan bonuses now include:
+7% protection from mental effects
+4% protection from poison
+5% to movement speed
Your bonuses can be modified or increased by fostering respect within the clan.
“There you go. We wanted to do it up in the clan hall, but sorry, no time.”
“This works for me. Do you have any clues about the guy everyone’s looking for?”
“Not really. The thread was started by someone named Buzdigan, and he was at Level 23 as of yesterday. All anyone can find about him is that there was a player with that name in the game, though the last time he logged in was two years ago. The Buzdigan, who wrote the message, probably registered on the forum using a different name from the one he plays with. Everybody does that. So who knows what his name in the game is. Some people talked about rounding up all the Level 23 players they could find, though there are just too many of them—and not all of them play regularly. Plus, they’re always jumping between locations. He could be up to Level 24 or 25 now, too. There hasn’t been a response from him on the forum either, so I guess he realized that he got everyone too riled up. Maybe he’s scared and waiting until it all blows over.”
“What about the second player?”
“The one with the quest? Nothing. We know he exists, but we don’t know who he is, what class he is, what his name is, absolutely nothing. Just his level, and even that isn’t a sure thing. So, everyone’s looking for this Buzdigan, both in the game and in real life.”
“Wow, that’s serious.”
“Well, of course. It’s a hidden quest from the Departed Gods. Okay, anyway, I have to go. So much to do, it’s crazy. Oh, Elina may ask you to stop by for a private conversation. And wipe that smile off your face—we’re talking about our clan leader. If anyone from the Hounds of Death asks you to come talk with them, who are you going to tell first?”
“Sounds good. And second?”
“Gerv!”
“Good job. Have a good one!”
“Gerv, wait a second. Where’s the Tearful Goddess Order mission?”
“Oh, interesting. Why do you need it?” Gerv perked up.
“Look.” I pulled the unlucky knight’s medallion out of my inventory. “I found it in some loot I got, and it came with a quest.”
“Oh, deliver the medallion.” The scout’s interest waned immediately. “Well, yeah. They’ll give you something decent, no worse than rare. I’ve heard of people even getting epic things from them, though that was just rumor. They did give MaryAnn from our clan something legendary, though. Anyway, the mission is over there, to the right of the well. Is that all?”
“Yup. Thanks, Gerv.”
“See you.”
He went off to talk to the next NPC on his list.
For my part, I decided to act on what he told me later, and instead headed off toward the mailbox.
“Halt!” A forceful, Level 100 elf with a clan badge reading Unbroken by Evil stopped me. “A couple questions.”
“Twenty gold.”
“For what?” The elf was taken aback.
“For my answers.”
“A little expensive, don’t you think? And maybe a bit brash?”
“You don’t have to pay if you don’t want to.”
“Fifteen.”
“Done.”
The money found its way to my pocket, and I graciously invited him to continue.
“Ask away!”
“Do you know a player by the name of Buzdigan?”
“No.”
“Have you heard anything about a quest that brings back the Departed Gods?”
“No.”
The elf waved his left hand and enveloped me in a cloud of something like a glistening powder. I sneezed.
“What the heck?”
“It’s just truth powder. If you were lying, it would have turned black. Simple and effective.”
“You’re kidding me. What about warning me? It’s magic!” I was indignant.
“I’m paying you.” The elf coldly rebuffed me. “I have the right to check your answers. Okay, see you.”
How lucky am I? I thought. Good thing he phrased that second question awkwardly. I could have talked my way out of knowing about Buzdigan, seeing as how everyone’s heard of him now. But if he’d asked me if I know who got the hidden quest about the departed gods, I’d have been screwed five ways to Friday. Serves him right.
I told the next high-level player who ran up to me that I didn’t know anything right off the bat. All I wanted to do was get my mail.
There was a message in my inbox. It was from the Hounds of Death, just as I suspected. On the other hand, I never would have guessed that it would be from their leader—the Gray Witch.
Dear Hagen,
It sure is good to hear that there’s still some decency in the world. Why else would someone from another clan, one that isn’t even allied with the Hounds of Death, stand up for the honor and dignity of that same non-allied clan’s leader? And that’s exactly what you and your friends did. Lots of people say I’m a strict and ruthless leader, almost a tyrant. And, you know, I’d have to agree with them. But I always add that I respond in equal measure to both the good and bad things done to me and my clan, no matter if they were done by friends or enemies. You reap what you sow.
You’ve shown yourself to be a true and devoted friend to me and my clan, and so I would like to extend to you the friendship of the Hounds of Death. If you ever decide to leave the Thunderbirds, you can rest safe in the knowledge that you have a place waiting for you here.
I’d also like to sign a friendship agreement with the Thunderbirds. Judging by Elina’s response, it sounds like you haven’t yet told her about what you did or your letter. What you wrote confirmed my good opinion of you, though, obviously, clan leaders need to know about letters like that.
But moving on to more material matters, please accept the ring attached to this message as a token of my gratitude. We have decent jewelers, and I had it made especially for you. I hope you like it.
That’s all for now.
Your friend, more than you can imagine,
Gray Witch
P.S. I don’t think that orc Euiikh is looking at a very easy future. Well, really, I don’t think he has a future at all. G.W.
P.P.S. I sent your friends Rone and Dorn small gifts as well. Hopefully, they like them. G.W.
Huh. Things were looking up.
The Hounds of Death offered you their friendship.
The benefits you will get if you accept are:
Title: Friend of the Hounds of Death
10% cheaper prices for transport rentals in areas that respect the Hounds of Death
8% cheaper prices offered by NPCs for goods sold in areas that respect the Hounds of Death
6% cheaper repair prices in areas that respect the Hounds of Death
That decision couldn’t have been any easier. Of course, I accepted. Oh, and there was the ring attached to the message.
Hounds of Death Friendship Ring
An object handmade by Flader
+17 to strength
+15 to stamina
+5% defense against all weapon types
+50% chance that 25% of the damage inflicted by enemies will be reflected back on them
+25% defense against the Sepulchral Chill spell
Durability: 260/260
Minimum level for use: 25
For use by Hagen
Cannot be stolen, lost, or given to anyone else.
If the owner dies, does not remain at the location of their death.
“We have decent jewelers.” That was quite the understatement—their jewelers were incredible if they were capable of something like that. I could only imagine what materials they used to make it and how much they cost. One thing was for sure: she had an awfully nice and respectful “thank you” coming her way.
Esteemed Gray Witch,
I deeply appreciate the honor of being named friend of another clan, both as a member of the Thunderbirds and as a simple player named Hagen. You can count on my assistance whenever it is needed, so long as it does not harm my clan or my honor.
Thank you for the ring. I couldn’t imagine anything better. Your jewelers are fantastic. My best regards to them.
With respect and deference,
Hagen, Thunderbird kinsman
Once I was done writing the letter, I sat down to mentally go through my list of things to do in the city. There didn’t turn out to be too many of them:
Visit the Tearful Goddess Order mission.
Visit the instructor and finally give him the ten goblin swords.
I decided to start with the instructor. Remembering where Dorn pointed, I was able to find the little alley fairly quickly and noted that the buildings there were identical to the ones in Aegan. I picked the one with the shield and sword hanging outside and went in.
As you may recall, the first old man was carving a whistle. This one was making a kite—your everyday, diamond-shaped kite. When I walked in, he was attaching the string to the tail.
“What material did you use? There isn’t any good paper around here, is there?” I was so surprised I forgot to say hello.
“Parchment. They make great parchment in the eastern lands.” He answered without a hint of a boast. “It’s thin, it rings—it’s perfect for flyers.”
“We call them kites.” I jabbed my finger at the old man’s creation.
“No, my friend. Kites are a kind of bird. They fly in the air, too, but they’re different from flyers.”
He put his work to the side and looked at me.
“And who might you be? I don’t think we’ve met.”
“We haven’t. I’m a warrior, still new, I want to get some abilities.”
“Sounds good to me. Have you been to any other instructors?”
“And did you?” His eyes narrowed.
“Yes, though it’s a ways to Aegan. I decided to just come here.”
“That’s for sure. It’s especially far if you don’t have skills or abilities… All right, let’s see what you have for me.”
I dropped ten rusty swords onto the table in front of him.
The instructor looked the pile of unsightly metal, counted it, even sniffed it.
“Goblins?”
“Yep.”
“Little buggers. Okay, what’s your level?”
“Twenty-two.” In those brief moments, the game mechanics peeked through and ruined the atmosphere, I thought.
“Okay.” The old man scratched the back of his head. “Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll give you some options, and you can decide which one works best for you.”
“Really?” I was surprised.
“Really. I can teach you two active abilities and two passive abilities, though they’ll be very average for attack and defense. I can also teach you two active abilities and one passive ability—they’ll be decent, but that’s all. Finally, I can teach you one active ability and two passive abilities that are the best for your level. It’s up to you.”
“How much do they cost?”
“The price? It’s the same for all of them: 200 gold up front.”
I stood there thinking. Sure, the last option sounded the best, and the abilities were obviously really good, but something held me back.
A few seconds later, I realized what that something was. First, a strong, active skill would probably take a lot of mana, and I didn’t have much of that. It might very well take a while to recharge, too. Second, the abilities would be best for my current level. In another ten levels, everything would change, and I’d be left with something ordinary and not terribly useful. And that was all I’d get if I picked the third option. With the second I’d get two active abilities—not as good, but at least solid.