by Aleron Kong
Bea nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The pixie’s face showed fear, and Richter felt bad about speaking so harshly to the child. It served its purpose, though. The boy flew off and hovered by the Scholar. The three guards clapped their fists to their hearts. One asked, “Call signs, my lord?”
Richter had started instituting basic call and refrains as verbal passcodes among the guards. The possibility of infiltration was extremely low in their location, but it was never too early to start instilling good practices. The words he chose were always in English, making it nearly impossible for anyone in The Land to be able to guess the response. He nodded and replied, “The call is ghost, the response is busters.”
They repeated the words and moved off. Richter allowed himself a faint smile. No reason not to have a little fun before a battle. His shoulders actually relaxed a bit. He looked at Sion and the rest of his party, “We are going in. To be clear, our goal is to save the wounded sprite, not to destroy the enemy. I don’t know how they have defeated the enchantment, but it makes them dangerous. The sprites and I will move forward to observe the enemy. We have a fair chance of going undetected. If anyone can make a silent kill of a single goblin, do it; otherwise, don’t take the chance. Melee fighters, come behind us.”
Richter addressed the sprites specifically, “We will begin the battle by firing a volley of unimbued arrows. Don’t forget that the glow from the imbued arrows will draw attention. If the goblins run off, fire another volley to keep them moving, but do not pursue. If they rush us, fade back, let the melee fighters engage and start picking them off one by one. Now this is where the enemy is,” Richter showed everyone on the Traveler’s Map. “We can’t be sure that they are still there, we only know that we need to save that sprite. Everyone stay still a moment so that we can prepare. Then we move!”
Richter, Alma, and the other mages cast what buffs they could. The chaos seed also dual cast Summon Weak Saproling. A few seconds later, a green disc appeared in the air and a boar made of leaves and branches ran thorough. It stamped and huffed while it waited for its master’s commands. Richter checked its stats and was pleased that his Summoning Ring had let him a level twelve creature.
The war leader made sure everyone had consumed a Potion of Clarity and had at least one health potion, then handed out one more item to everyone. The entire party chewed the tough meat he gave them.
You have ingested: Rock Giant Jerky. +3 to Strength and +2 to Constitution for fifty-three minutes.
Richter swallowed some water to choke down the salted meat. He still wasn’t sure if he felt more bothered or vindicated as he eat his mortal enemy’s flesh, but it was a mixture of the two. He knew that now was not the time to think about it though. With a firm hand chop, his party moved forward. Alma flew ahead to the spot where the goblins had been seen. Because of her ability to share images with him, he was able to update the map by what she observed. More red dots appeared. He gritted his teeth. It was going to be a bitch of a fight.
A few of the goblins that Alma could see were scouts, but many were larger and seemed to be outfitted as fighters. One, in the center of the pack, was clothed in robes and had bones piercing his face. Richter grunted. A caster. He gathered all of the sprites around him and in hushed tones told them to target the mage first. Soon he heard the cackling sounds of goblin-speak.
Richter moved silently through the trees and got his first actual view of the enemy band. There were about thirty in all. He used Analyze.
Name: Eoq Race: Goblin Station: Scout Disposition: Distaste
Goblins can have subclasses that determine their specific powers. Most are a common variant however that are broken into different stations reflective of their physical and magical characteristics. Prolific breeders and woefully aggressive, goblins are a plague on other races. The Scout station is reserved for the smallest of the goblin race. They are often used as battle fodder and advanced scouts. Not overly bright, they are still vicious and cunning. Only a foolish fighter underestimates them because of their small size. That very characteristic allows them to get close without being detected and swarm enemies with overwhelming numbers. Goblin scouts receive three points to distribute per level, and each level gives +1 to Agility and +1 to Dexterity.
Level: 5
Health: 160 Mana: 80 Stamina: 130
Strength: 7
Agility: 17
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 16
Endurance: 13
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 8
Charisma: 8
Luck: 10
Name: Yo-grin Race: Goblin Station: Fighter Disposition: Distaste
Goblins can have subclasses that determine their specific powers. Most are a common variant, however that are broken into different stations reflective of their physical and magical characteristics. Prolific breeders and woefully aggressive, goblins are a plague on other races. The Fighter station serves as the foot soldiers for goblin armies. They often lead small bands of scouts. Cruel and capricious, many children have been cautioned by their mothers to behave, or goblin fighters will take them away. Goblins fighters receive three points to distribute per level, and each level gives +1 to Strength and +1 to Dexterity.
Level: 9
Health: 220 Mana: 90 Stamina: 170
Strength: 21
Agility: 14
Dexterity: 19
Constitution: 22
Endurance: 17
Intelligence: 9
Wisdom: 7
Charisma: 8
Luck: 10
Name: Ton-ik Race: Goblin Station: Grinder Disposition: Distaste
Goblins can have subclasses that determine their specific powers. Most are a common variant however that are broken into different stations reflective of their physical and magical characteristics. Prolific breeders and woefully aggressive, goblins are a plague on other races. The goblin Grinder receives better training than many other stations, and unlike most goblins have an innate intelligence equal to most humans. No less aggressive, these foes are not to be taken lightly. If they advance far enough, these goblins can obtain Professions. Goblins grinders receive four points to distribute per level, and each level gives +1 to Constitution. Profession: Warrior.
Level: 22
Health: 510 Mana: 150 Stamina: 340
Strength: 28
Agility: 21
Dexterity: 25
Constitution: 51
Endurance: 34
Intelligence: 15
Wisdom: 13
Charisma: 12
Luck: 12
Name: Sin-ak Race: Goblin Station: Rikker Disposition: Distaste
Goblins can have subclasses that determine their specific powers. Most are a common variant however that are broken into different stations reflective of their physical and magical characteristics. Prolific breeders and woefully aggressive, goblins are a plague on other races. Goblins of the Rikker station are normally gifted in magical arts. Rikkers often serve as administrators and councilors for goblin leaders. Many offspring of various races have been sacrificed for their experiments. Goblins rikkers receive three points to distribute per level and each level, gives +1 to Intelligence and +1 to Wisdom. Profession: Mage. Specialty: Witch Doctor.
Level: 35
Health: 634 Mana: 378/827 Stamina: 226
Strength: 18
Agility: 16
Dexterity: 15
Constitution: 48
Endurance: 21
Intelligence: 62
Wisdom: 64
Charisma: 15
Luck: 15
Richter’s eyes widened as he began to fully appreciate the force arrayed against them. By his count, there were eighteen scouts, eleven fighters, two grinders who were also Professed Warriors and the rikker! And what the fuck was a Witch Doctor? More importantly, Sion was right. It was obvious that the goblins could see! Richter watched the group for a moment, trying to figure it out. Then he saw something!
&nbs
p; Sion nudged him to start the attack, but Richter waved his Companion down. He knew time was of the essence, but he needed to know what was going on. The chaos seed watched intently but didn’t see the blur again. Richter didn’t give up. After another minute, his patience was rewarded. He still didn’t understand, but he was sure he had seen a spirit circling the enemy party!
The goblins were all within fifty yards of the rikker and were arrayed in a loose circle around the mage. As the mage moved forward, the entire group moved forward with him, allowing the scouts and fighters to continue searching for their quarry. The grinders stood close to the rikker, and each held stout shields. Now that he had seen the spirit, Richter understood why the goblins stayed relatively close to the caster. Somehow the Witch Doctor was negating the effects of the mist. If the rikker’s mana was any indication, doing so was a large magical drain, but it didn’t change the fact that the Witch Doctor was still getting the job done.
Richter shook his head. This was a vastly more powerful force than he had been expecting. Even just the Mage and the Warriors might be enough to overcome his people. Why were they here in his domain? The goblins weren’t dumb beasts. Even though the mage could negate the mists for a small time, the enemy party had to know they were performing a dangerous undertaking. Why would three Professionals risk coming into a hostile domain just to hunt one sprite? It didn’t make any sense!
Richter was trying to decide what to do when he heard the excited babble of goblin-speak followed by a boom and a flash of blue. They had found the sprite. Richter had been planning to wait until the goblin mage’s mana ran out, but time was up. The goblin band howled and began to move towards the tree the sprite had been hiding in. There was no more time to wait. Richter didn’t know what was so important that would bring an enemy Specialist into his domain, but he planned to disappoint the asshole.
One positive thing came from the wounded sprite’s discovery; it pulled the goblins’ attention. The scouts and fighters surged north, leaving their southern flank unprotected, which just happened to be where Richter and the sprites were hiding. The chaos seed sent a mental order and then told the sprites to attack.
A second later, six bow strings snapped against green sprite bracers. The sprite arrows had been reinforced with the tips of the assengai spiders’ legs, increase the base damage of each by +2. The glowing blue missiles traveled hundreds of miles an hour and struck home. Faster than should have been possible, the goblin Professionals began to react. Both Warriors started to raise their shields, and a swirling energy sprung into existence around the Witch Doctor. One of the arrows struck heavily into a Warrior’s shield doing no damage. The energy around the caster solidified in a split second into another spirit. The ghost imposed itself between the caster and the projectiles. Its insubstantial body caught flame and the two arrows burned to ash. Thankfully, the other three arrows struck home.
One arrow caught the goblin mage in the shoulder and a second struck him in the side. The rikker went down with a curse. Even as he fell, the caster’s hand moved as he started to cast a spell. The third arrow caught one of the Warriors in the thigh, but if it bothered the goblin grinder, there was no outward sign. Both grinders turned towards the archers and held their rectangular shields up to protect both themselves and the Mage.
The opening salvo of this battle wasn’t done, though. Richter had decided that desperate times called for desperate measures. As soon as he had ordered the attack, red light had begun to surround his hands as he dual cast a new spell. The arcane words grew thicker in his mouth, and he struggled to finish the incantation. The spell was of a higher level than he had ever cast before, let alone dual cast. Richter didn’t stop. This had to happen.
The goblin Warriors had already positioned their shields, which would have stopped much of the destructive power of his spell, but they made a mistake common in a world without gods. They didn’t look up.
Alma’s small body descended almost straight down, and with a savage cry, she unleashed the most concentrated beam of her Psi Blast. The Warriors cried out and fell to their knees, and the rikker broke off his incantation. Richter forced the last syrupy words out of his mouth, “Igna Prati!” The spell shot forward!
A melon sized ball of orange and yellow flame shot from his hands and sailed unerringly towards the Witch Doctor. From the perspective of one of the goblin scouts, the human had thrown a ball of fire that grew bigger by the moment until it was two feet across. Then the human’s spell struck, and fire rolled over its green skin.
CHAPTER 48 -- Day 140 – Kuborn 30, 15,386 EBG
Sion was right. Casting Weak Fireball in a forest was absolutely irresponsible, but Richter knew that the force they were facing could very well wipe out his entire war party and he had to take the chance. When he had initially seen the size of the fire that he shot, Richter had been underwhelmed. When it expanded to the size of a beach ball right before impact, though, somehow, he felt a lot better.
The spell struck one second after Alma had unleashed her Psi Blast. The fireball flew between the slumped shields of the Warriors and impacted against Witch Doctor. It immediately detonated and flames spread out from that point. The extra 10% spell strength that came from Richter’s initiate rank in Fire Magic and his Dragonkin I mark told in the damage that was done. The fire washed over the grinders and ten other goblins that were unlucky enough to be within the spell’s area of effect. Four more were knocked down by the force of the explosion.
Richter started rejoicing until the afterimage of the flames disappeared, and he saw a half-dome of energy covering the Witch Doctor. It dissolved into yet another spirit swirling around the goblin as he stood. The rikker extended a hand and shouted a word of Power. A black stream of energy shot forward and struck two of the meidon sprites, flinging them backward.
Richter looked behind him and saw two steaming marks on their armor. The unaffected scouts and goblins continued to run toward his position, now only thirty yards away. The chaos seed heard his people coming up from behind him and to the left, but his archers needed more time. “Kill the caster!” he shouted. Then drew both shorts swords and with his saproling at his side, ran forward to meet the horde.
His head ached from the large expenditure of magic. At level eleven, his Dual Casting skill increased the cost of any spell by 256%. It meant that in one go, he had expended two hundred and two mana, more than a third of his total mana pool. He didn’t let it distract him, though. The saproling outpaced him and barreled into a knot of goblins. Several went down by its push and then its momentum slowed. It gored one scout, but others started hacking into its body.
Richter couldn’t be concerned with the fate of his summoned creature, he had his own fighting to do. The chaos seed ran at a screaming green goblin. While he closed with the slavering enemy, time seemed to slow. He felt his mind descend into a place he had been avoiding, the uncontrolled id that came from his use of blood magic. This time he didn’t fight it. Richter unshackled his base self and opened the gates of the emotional bulwarks he and Alma had been building up. A red haze came over his vision, and a bestial yell clawed itself from his throat as he swung his short sword with an overhand chop.
His left sword swung down at a scout who was lunging forward with a pitted iron dagger. The green elementum blade snapped the dagger with a loud ping and continued downward to cut through the three and a half foot tall man’s sickly green body. Green blood sprayed over Richter’s armored chest and his face. It tasted like iron and vomit. The chaos seed wasted no time on reflection. He was already stepping past the dead goblin.
His other hand snapped up, the blade parallel to the earth in a new sword form Yoshi had taught him called Cliff of Stone. Richter’s sword intercepted the wooden haft of the steel axe that a goblin fighter had swung down at him. The sword pulsed, and the power of his Sonic Elementum Short Sword was unleashed. The axe flew out of the hands of the surprised goblin. Richter bared his teeth in what only a jackal might recognize as a gr
in, and he stabbed upward with his other blade. The sword entered the goblin’s stomach and plunged upward. The tip of the weapon pierced the fighter’s heart turning a traumatic blow into an instantly fatal strike. Richter’s second victim still had a surprised look on his face as he fell to the ground, lifeless.
A constant barrage of imbued strikes peppered the Professionals, but the Warriors had gotten their high steel, banded shields up and were able to weather the shots. The sprites had spread out to strike from multiple angles, but whenever an arrow came close to hitting the Witch Doctor, another spirit materialized to destroy it.
In the meantime, the Mage finished a second casting. Black tendrils appeared around one of the sprites and wrapped around her body. From the woman’s anguished screams, the pain was horrible. The Mage continued to hold one fist upright, and a black nimbus surrounded it. The goblin fed magic into the spell, draining away the sprite’s life. Thankfully, two things happened. Alma fired a bolt of lightning in the caster’s back, disrupting the spell, and the guardsmen arrived. Caulder and the other fighters attacked the mass of scouts and fighters in the side, and the three Life Magi Richter had brought from the village ran to heal the fallen sprites.
Caulder ran into the middle of the fray and bellowed. He swung his steel war door to hit one of the goblin scouts with a new shield subskill, Bash. The small being went flying backward like it had been kicked by a giant. The sergeant then swung his new weapon at a second goblin.
It had taken two days to forge and several valuable soul stones, but Krom and Richter had been able to create Caulder’s Quicksilver Spiked Mace of Goblin Slaying. The weapon almost leaped into the goblin’s face. The mighty blow somehow turned the goblin fighter’s face into a meaty green ruin, but still left enough intact for it to scream as it fell down. The sound was somewhat bubbly, but there was no doubt as to the goblin’s agony while he vainly searched for his own nose, eyes, and lips.