by Paul Bellow
Several other gnomish guards stood around in the courtyard as we rode in. They gathered around as we stopped and got off our horses.
"The general is inside the south tower waiting for you," a gnome said.
"Monde is happy to go home."
A few of the guards looked over at her but said nothing.
"It's this way," Bernard said, walking off toward one of the four towers at each corner of the keep.
The rest of us followed him. I glanced around, looking for possible exits if we needed one.
Gnomes in the realm were not known for being particularly evil, I found myself trusting fewer people the longer the game went on.
At the south tower, Bernard stopped at a wooden door and turned around to face us.
"We don't want to mess around in here," he said.
I nodded.
"We'll be fine. Maybe you should stay out here with Sylvar and Monde while we go in?"
He took a deep breath, his brow furrowed.
"Fine. I can do that," he said.
"Monde like the outside."
Sylvar chuckled as he stroked the top of his tiny weasel's head.
"Come on," I said to Sarah then opened the door.
She walked in first with me close behind. When I got inside, I stared up at the high ceiling, amazed by the craftsmanship of the place. Why weren't the gnomes in control of the entire realm?
"Welcome," a voice boomed.
I glanced around, not seeing anyone.
"We've come to see General Achbark," I said.
A gnome with a long, white beard and bald head appeared in middle of the room. He smiled and walked over to us, his plate mail squeaking as he moved.
"You're Drex, aren't you?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Yes, and this is Kali. We've come for your help in acquiring the ingredients for Dawn Acid."
"Are you, now?"
He chuckled and stroked his beard.
"That's powerful stuff. Why would a human wearing hobgoblin armor want such a dangerous substance?"
"We plan on destroying the Cursed Pendant of Visions," Sarah said.
"Ah, now it makes sense. Someone should have destroyed that thing four-hundred years ago, when they first created it."
"What can you tell us about the pendant?" I asked.
"Not much you don't already know if you're on a quest for Dawn Acid."
He smiled then motioned for us to follow him toward a spiral staircase leading up.
Sarah and I followed him up the stairs to the third floor of the tower. A huge map of the realm hung from one a wall. An octagon-shaped table carved from marble sat in middle of the room.
"Have a seat," General Achbark said.
I walked over and took a seat in a high-backed, leather-wrapped chair. Sarah took the seat next to me while the general sat across from us.
"We need Gnome Oil, the original recipe."
He rested his elbows on the table.
"I know, and I'd like to help you."
"You won’t help?" I asked.
Sarah sighed and shook her head.
"I didn't say that. You need to listen, young man."
"With all due respect, general, we don't have time for riddles and games."
The gnome laughed, the sounds bouncing off the walls of the room.
"I've seen so many heroes like you," he said.
> Consider General Achbark
[NPC] General Achbark (Gnome Guardian)
This gnome has been around the realm more than once.
It's rumored he's been to the lands beyond the Grabisco Isles.
Interesting.
"What are you trying to say?" I asked.
"I'll give you the Gnome Oil, but I need help from you."
"What do you need?" Sarah asked.
"There's a pesky lava golem in the mountains to the east that's been harassing our citizens."
Sarah glanced over at me then back at General Achbark.
"As far as I know, you also need a chunk of lava from just such a golem."
"How did you know?" I asked.
"I have my ways," he replied then smiled.
"We'll do it," Sarah said.
"Hold on a minute."
"We need to get the lava chunk anyway," she said.
"I don't want to send my own troops to do it because of the impending threat of another Great War. Destroy the golem for me then contact the Gnomish Guard in Westwood. Captain Kashim will give you the Gnome Oil once you prove you've defeated the lava golem."
General Achbark stood up and clapped his hands together.
"Are we agreed?"
"Yes," Sarah said before I answered.
New Quest!
Destroy the Lava Golem East of Westwood.
If you destroy this vicious creature,
you will receive 1,500 experience points for your party.
I shot Sarah a nasty glare, but I said nothing in front of the general.
"We'll do this for you," she said. "Can we rest here for a night or two? We've been traveling for days."
"You can, but you should know another group of adventures have also taken up this quest."
"They're going after the lava chunk," I said as I stood up.
Sarah got to her feet.
"We'll beat them," she said.
"Either way, whoever brings the proof to Captain Kashim in Westwood will get the Gnome Oil."
"Thank you," Sarah said.
"Yeah, thanks," I muttered. "We'll see ourselves out."
"Good, good," the general said. "I've got plans to make."
"One more thing," Sarah said, stopping and turning at the stairs. "Who's controlling this golem?"
"Magi Inyontoo created it, of course."
"Of course," I said, shaking my head then walking down the stone stairs.
Sarah followed behind. Outside, the other three were standing facing each other. They stopped talking as we walked up to them.
"How'd it go?" Bernard asked.
"Good," Sarah answered.
"I don't know if I would say good, but it went," I said.
"What do you mean?" Bernard asked.
"I'll tell you on the way out of town," Sarah said. "We've got to ride."
"Monde love to ride."
We know, I thought. You love everything.
"Are you sure you two don't want to join our party?"
"Now you ask everyone to join," Bernard said. "I see how it goes."
"I can't speak for Monde, but I'm fine."
"Monde speaks for herself."
As we headed out of town, I checked my stats.
> Stats
Name: Drexmao ("Drex")
Race: Human (Special)
Class: Rogue -> Bounty Hunter
Level: 5
Experience Points: 17,361 (5,639 for next level)
Alignment: +85 (Quite Good)
Health: 73(73)
Strength: 85 (+20%) (+10 magic amulet – unknown)
Dexterity: 75 (+10%)
Constitution: 70 (+5%)
Intelligence: 75 (+10%)
Wisdom: 55 (+0%)
Charisma: 44 (+0%)
> Stats skills
Your Current Skills
Black Market Connections – Basic Level 3 of 10
Monster Lore – Basic Level 4 of 10
Weapon Craft – Blades - Basic Level 7 of 10
Climbing – Advanced Level 1 of 5 (+5 basic levels w/Ring of Spider Climbing
Stealth - Basic Level 3 of 10
Create Item - Basic Level 1 of 10
Identify Item – Basic Level 6 of 10
Language: Human, Common
Sense Motive – Basic Level 6 of 10
Bargaining – Basic Level 2 of 10
Not bad, but they could be better.
Being trapped in the game, I had to give it my all for Sarah's sake and my own.
We rode south and east toward the mountains rising into the sky. I wondered why we had seen no dwarves
in the game. They were a rather standard race.
Maybe we'll find some.
Stranger things had already happened.
()xxxx[:::: Chapter 30 ::::>
Should We Use Summon Monster?
SARAH
As we approached the foothills of the nameless mountains, we still didn't have a good plan for defeating the lava golem. What Eric learned with Monster Lore scared me.
"I'm not sure we should try to battle this yet," I said.
"Smart, Kali," Charlotte said in my mind.
"We have to if we want to destroy the pendant and you-know-what," Eric said.
I wanted to get out of the game too, but making bad decisions would hurt us.
"All I'm saying is that we should go back to Woodshore, chase easy-to-kill creatures, and level-up again before we take on this lava golem."
"That would be nice," Eric said. "But that other party of adventurers is after the lava golem too."
He sighed then stopped his horse.
"Sylvar, Monde, can you give us a minute?"
The elf and gnome rode ahead.
"Look," Eric said. "If they're going after the same quest at the same time as us, that's not how most games work. There might not be a respawn."
He turned to Bernard.
"Do you know how quests are handled in the game?"
"They're never quite the same," he said. "Time moves forward as long as I've been here."
"Was it worth going OOC for this conversation?" I asked.
"You keep fighting me on everything," Eric said.
"I'm only trying to help us stop making stupid decisions."
"We're not doing too bad," Bernard said. "I'm happy to be a player character again."
"Fine," I said. "We'll do it your way. Do you at least have a plan?"
"Yes." Eric grinned. "And it involved that wand of monster summoning we got from Snargao."
"I don't think it will summon creatures big enough to defeat the lava golem."
"No, but it can help us cause a distraction."
Bernard shook his head.
"Do you two ever stop arguing?"
"I should go scout ahead and see if I can find the other party."
"That's an idea I like, but I'm going with you," I said.
"It's too dangerous, Kali."
We'll be fine, Charlotte. I promise.
"No, you can't go. I have scouting and sneaking skills."
"And I'm an elf. It's not like I don't know how to move stealthily."
"Okay," he said. "But you stay behind me. And Bernard, you stay here with Sylvar and Monde."
"Will do," he said.
"How far can you shoot one of those lava discs?" Eric asked.
"They won’t hurt a lava golem."
"No, but if you can shoot it high enough, we can use it a signal for the others to come up."
"Good idea," Bernard said.
"That's not bad."
Sylvar rode over.
"I don't mean to interrupt, but something is happening ahead. A lot of animals are on the run. I can sense their fear."
"Kali and I are scouting. When you see a lava disc shoot into the air, come and help," Eric said, looking at Sylvar. "Got it?"
"Perfectly."
"Great. Let's get going. We'll go on foot."
Eric climbed off his horse. I did the same. Together, we walked up and over the nearest hill. I wanted to go OOC with him without Bernard around, but I kept quiet as we crept forward.
On the bottom of the fourth hill we encountered, I heard yelling ahead. Several voices were screaming as if they were in midst of a battle. Eric stopped and put his hand on my forearm.
"You hear that?" he whispered.
I nodded.
"Stay here."
He let go and ascended the hill. Near the top, he got down on his belly and crawled. I followed, not enjoying him still telling me what to do in the game.
When I reached the top of the hill and stopped at a spot next to him, he turned but said nothing. I looked down and saw the party we'd fought earlier battling a lava golem.
The creature, constructed out of flaming magma, had already killed one of their fighters. Eric turned his head then nodded it back toward the way we'd come.
I shook mine.
"We should go send up the signal and call the others."
"I want to use the wand first."
"Can we please call them first?" he asked.
"If we do, the others will know we're here, and we'll lose the element of surprise."
"You're right."
I turned back to the battle and activated the wand. A portal ringed in golden energy appeared behind the mage in red. Three eagles swooped out and attacked.
He screamed as one clawed the top of his head. Eric chuckled. Is he enjoying this?
"More," he whispered.
I pointed the wand next to the cleric and activated it. A giant frog hopped out of the portal.
You have a new skill.
You learn Use Magic Item Basic Level 1 of 10
"I'm getting better," I said. "But I can't control it yet."
"Random is fine. They're freaking out."
Between the lava golem and random animals appearing, the other party were having difficulties.
I zapped the wand again in front of the lava golem.
A portal opened and a giant spider crawled out. The golem immediately crushed it with a fiery stomp.
"Kali," Charlotte said aloud.
"You can talk now?"
"Keep that spider quiet," Eric hissed. "And keep your head down."
I lifted my arm and shot the wand in a random direction.
A dog barked then yelped. I scrunched up my face.
Your Skill Level has Increased.
Your Use Magic Item skill is now Basic Level 1 of 10
Might as well keep going.
Two more zaps of the wand, and I heard two frogs croaking deeply.
Your Skill Level has Increased.
Your Use Magic Item skill is now Basic Level 3 of 10
"What's going on?" one of their party members yelled. "Is the golem casting magic?"
I giggled. Eric shushed me, keeping his eyes on the battlefield.
"We can swoop in at the last minute, kill the golem, and get what we need," he said. "You should call the others."
"Hold on. I've got the hang of it," I said. "Watch this."
The wand went off three more times in quick succession and three small earth elementals rose out of the ground, surrounding the fire golem.
"I think they're hurting the golem. Maybe your Dwarven Earth spell would help?"
"Good idea, but we should call the others."
I crawled down the hill backward before standing and casting a Lava Disc high into the air.
"There's someone over the hill," a voice cried out.
Uh oh.
Eric stood and drew his sword. I ran up the hill to his side, hoping the others came quickly.
"You ready?" he asked.
"Ready for what?"
He yelled and charged down the hill toward the fray. The lava golem turned in his direction while the mage in red robes ran the other way.
Where does he think he's going?
Eric reached the other party's cleric and slashed with his sword.
"We came a bit early," Sylvar said behind me. "Hope you don't mind."
"Not at all. We need to take care of that golem and the other three."
"Their wizard is still running," Bernard said. "Should I go after him?"
"Let's not split up. Benji, you go help Eric. The rest of us will deal with that wounded golem.
I saw Eric take down their warrior. Sylvar took out his bow and shot an arrow, missing everything.
Monde ran toward the lava golem on all her own, screaming her own name in her high-pitched voice.
"Kali, use the wand above the golem's head," Charlotte said.
I leveled the wand above the golem's head as Monde rushed toward
it. A giant octopus fell from the portal and landed on top of the golem, covering its head.
The smell of burnt seafood filled the air as Monde reached the magical creature. She stuck it with her short sword which melted away in the heat.
I check on Eric and Bernard. They were racing toward the other cleric. Where did the mage in red go?
"Start helping, Sylvar," I yelled as I decided what to do next.
The lava golem reached up and pulled the burnt octopus off its head. After slamming it to the ground, the golem hit poor Monde with a flaming fist. She flew a few feet before landing.
Smoke rose from her melting leather armor.
Ladder of Dwarven Earth.
I cast the spell with twenty mana points, causing the small earth elementals to grow. They continued attacking the lava golem.
"Get Monde," I called out to Eric then pointed.
He stopped and saw the gnome's smoldering body on the ground.
"Do something," I said to Sylvar as he stood doing nothing.
His weasel popped out of the bag at his side and hissed.
I cast another Ladder of Dwarven Earth spell while Sylvar shot a single arrow.
My mound of earth pushed the lava golem back, dampening its flames.
"It's working, Kali," Charlotte said. "Keep it up. You're the best."
She had a way of keeping me calm in the most bizarre and stressful situations.
The lava golem dropped to its knees as the earth elements continued pummeling it.
Burnt remains of the other animals I'd summoned littered the battlefield along with the other party's two fighters. I didn't see the mage in red robes anywhere. Their cleric rushed toward Eric.
"No, you don't," I muttered as I cast two lava discs and sent them hurtling toward the man in chain mail with a fish symbol on the front.
They hit him, catching his other clothes on fire. He screamed out in pain as Eric reached Monde.
I ran toward them. Bernard did the same. We reached Eric together as the lava golem collapsed to the ground in a pile of quickly hardening lava.
"Give her a healing potion," I said to Bernard.
"She's too far gone," Eric said.
Battle is over!
You get 3000 xp divided by three party members.
You get +1000 xp
Quest Completed!
Destroy the Lava Golem
+ 1500 xp divided by three party members.