Life Reset_EvP_Environment vs. Player
Page 22
Hoshisu grimaced. “Well, they did warn us that the ‘normal’ races would automatically consider us as enemies. I think that’s why he’s acting like that.
Turning back to the riled-up dwarf, Malkyr tried again. “Listen, buddy, we aren’t your enemies. We just killed a bunch of demons who were guarding this room. Doesn’t that prove we’re on the same side?”
Kuzai gave him a hard look. “Trying the old, ‘The enemy of me enemy’ thing on me, eh? Ye probably only went through them ter get ter us.” He looked bitterly at his malnourished people. “Well, do yer worst, greenskins. What else we got ter lose?”
Hoshisu shook her head. “It’s no use, Malkyr, he won’t listen to reason. Their default reputation toward us is set on hatred and … what are you doing?” she snapped at me.
Almost without meaning to, I’d conjured a trio of drilling arrows that hovered above my palm. Almost.
“Erm, nothing.” I hastily reabsorbed the mana, and the arrows disappeared. Stinking Dwarves.
I suddenly felt like a fog was lifted, and I could think clearly again. I stared at my green goblin hand and shuddered. I had almost attacked those poor wretches. I took a steadying breath. My name is Oren, I’m a human Totem playing NEO … I need to reach boss tier 4 …
“Anyway,” Hoshisu said, eyeing me skeptically, “I don’t think we can persuade them with mere words. We need to find a way to show them we only want to help.”
“The dwarf’s a priest,” I pointed out. “But he’s out of juice. Do you have a mana potion to give him?” I didn’t have any, since, as a dark priest, I could always use void crystals to replenish my own reserves.
The twins shook their heads.
“We can try to offer them some food, or maybe healing?” Malkyr suggested.
Hoshisu shook her head. ”There’s no way they’ll accept a healing spell from a goblin, and as things stand, if we offered any food, they would probably assume we’re trying to poison them. I think the only way we can show them we mean well is to set them free.”
“Gotcha, I’m on it,” her brother said. He grabbed hold of the cell’s single gate and pulled the bars. His muscles and veins bulged as he heaved and pulled, but as hard as he tried, the door wouldn’t budge. “Damn,” he said, letting go of the bars. “Maybe if I take the Ogre potions …“
“Save it.” His sister waved him away and approached the locked gate. Bending to her knees, she eyed the lock, then withdrew some tools from her inventory and started prodding it with them.
Malkyr looked at the caged dwarves, then at me, his face troubled. “Damn, man. I used to play a dwarf for a long time, even before NEO. The way they look at us … it doesn’t feel right. I mean, I knew we’d be getting the goblinoid template and be generally despised by the other races, but to suddenly experience it firsthand …” He shook his head. “Doesn’t feel too good.”
“Darn!” Hoshisu spat, getting to her feet. “It doesn’t take a key. It’s another puzzle. We have to solve a complex equation to open the door. It’s that dungeon mess all over again.”
“Let me have a look,” Malkyr offered.
“No.” She shook her head. “Probability problems are my thing.” Taking another deep breath, she again muttered, “Damn,” and returned to face the lock.
Malkyr sighed. “This might take a while. Some equations can take days to solve, sometimes even months.”
“We should check the bodies for loot in the meantime,” I said. “We kinda skipped that part.”
Malkyr nodded. “Good idea.”
We went through the remains. Each of the Pyrolith left behind five scales, which we split between us. The Ogres had dropped two more potions of Ogre’s Might and four more Viridium ingots. As before, I let Malkyr have the potions and claimed the violet metal for myself. The Stalker left behind two ‘Giant Stalker Pins.’ Those would fit Rhynorn nicely. I could sense their high Runecraft viability and began to plan how to imbue them with more power.
Altogether, the monsters dropped nearly a thousand gold coins, which we split three ways. We even rummaged through the stacked boxes and torn sacks, but they all contained spoiled foodstuff.
“How’s it going, sis?” Malkyr asked as we returned to the dwarves’ cage.
She gave him an irritated look. “Slowly. You two might as well log off while I work on this. Come back in an hour or two.”
Damn, that means 12 to 24 hours. I hated being away from my clan for so long. Our defenses were still too weak. This was a delay I could do without.
“So, like … you’re staying?” Malkyr asked me.
“Yeah, I have a few things to take care of while we wait. Feel free to log off for a few.”
“Alright, I’ll do that. I rarely have the apartment to myself. I’ll have a beer and watch a game in my underwear.”
“You do that almost every day!” Hoshisu somehow heard him from across the room.
“Yeah, but now at least I won’t have you badgering me about it,” he shouted back at her. He gave me a boyish grin. “Later, man.” Then he faded away, disappearing back into the real world.
I got comfortable on top of a large sack filled with something mushy. Well, as long as we’re taking a break …
I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
14 – A Totem’s Best Friend
“Kaedric?” Blearily, I opened my eyes.
Ignoring Vic’s protest, my seneschal continued speaking with an even tone.
Alright. I yawned, rubbing my eyes. Let’s hear it.
At least that was some good news. Due to the distance, I couldn’t access the Settlement Interface directly.
I closed my eyes, trying to remember the list of available buildings for construction. I needed to select a simple project, one that the new builders were qualified to build.
What are the novice buildings again? A woodcutter hut that increased logging yield, a quarry that increased stone production … was there something that increased our food yield?
I gulped. I didn’t intend to communicate my inner thoughts like that. I could no longer ignore the fact that Kaedric was able to read my thoughts.
“Just what I needed,” I muttered. “A shapeshifting loon and a brain-eating seneschal running wild in my mind.”
Vic said casually.
I closed my eyes for a moment. That’s a good idea, Kaedric. Have them build the gardener’s hut. I should have done that sooner. With a bit of luck, this will be enough to raise the builders to Apprentice rank, then they’ll be able to pitch in on the high-priority buildings.
He had a point there. Players could be a demanding, whiny bunch. Especially if they didn’t get what they wanted fast enough. I didn’t like the thought of our smithy or warehouse getting ransacked by impatient players. That gave me an idea.
We’ve accumulated some crude weapons and armor by now, right?
That sounded like a business opportunity to me. Here’s what we’ll do. Make sure all arms and armor are stored in the warehouse. Have two hob soldiers guard the place day and night. Then offer to sell the equipment to the travelers. Allow them to commission items that will be made especially for them. Vrick can make armor, and we have a small host of goblin smiths that I’m sure can produce acceptable weapons, even without their own smithies.
I frowned. What?
Damn, he was right. It would do no good to have someone inexperienced handling the business.
Are you able to operate the Breeder’s Den, Kaedric?
Alright. I grant you permission to access the Breeder’s Den controls. Have Gandork cook the required food and summon a goblin merchant to manage trade with travelers.
I agree. I hesitated for a moment. I also grant you permission to access the energy controls in order to increase the new guy’s level.
Is Rhynorn behaving himself?
Good, keep an eye on him as well. If necessary, remind him ‘who is the boss’.
Is there something else?
I could feel his hesitation over our telepathic link. Kaedric?
What’s her name? I asked, getting comfortable and feeling myself becoming drowsy again.
***
A shout pierced the room, waking me from my slumber.
“I did it!”
I glanced around, blinking, trying to get my bearings.
Hoshisu came running, looking excited. “I did it! I solved the riddle!”
“Eh?”
“Look!” She pointed at the dwarves’ cage. The gate was wide open.
Vic chuckled.
As I looked, a single dwarf moved. Kuzai swayed as he tried not to step on any of his weakened kin lying on the floor. He opened the gate and stepped outside.
+1 reputation with the BoulderBelly clan.
New rank: Despised
Points to next rank (Unfriendly): 4,000
“That’s fantastic!”
Apparently, Hoshisu received the same notification.
She beamed. “It means they’ll be willing to listen to us.” For a moment, she didn’t look like a cold-hearted killer, but a young, impressionable woman. How strange.
That indeed was a revelation. It probably meant that all other playable races were a single reputation point away from the ‘despised’ reputation as well. Just a single act of kindness would be enough to prevent attack on sight and open a channel of communication.
Standing outside the cage, Kuzai folded his arms over his chest, glaring at us. “Guess ye been saying the truth all‘long,” he grunted. “I still ain’t trustin ye greenskins, but I reckon greenskin beats demon so we’ll play nice. Fer now.”
“How did you come to be imprisoned?” Hoshisu asked.
Kuzai glanced at his downed kin behind him, then back at us. “Ain’t no time fer that now. Me brethren be near death and I can’t help ‘em. I already lost too many to them damn demons.” His fingers clutched at his throat as if grasping for something. “If only I had me ruddy amulet!”
I exchanged a glance with Hoshisu. We both knew what that was leading to.
“Can we offer our help?” I asked.
The dwarf looked at me, barely hiding his sneer. “The day I be accepting a goblin’s help …” He trailed off then shook his head. “Will be today. Them demons took away me holy amulet. It be me link to Durang’s divine power. If ye can find me amulet, I could help me remaining kin. Help me save them and in return, I’ll help you.”
You received a new quest: The Holy Dwarf 1
Kuzai has asked you to help save his people. First, find his holy amulet which was taken by the demons.
Quest Type: Advanced, chain
Reward: Varied, depending on number of surviving dwarves: 18/18
“Crap.” I looked at Hoshisu. “We can spend days crawling around this dungeon looking for his damn amulet. We might as well be looking for a needle –”
I paused mid-sentence, staring at the golden chain dangling from Hoshisu’s fingers. “Is that what I think it is?”
She nodded, smirking.
“Where did you get that?”
“While you and my dear brother were off looting the corpses, I noticed the remains of a demon corpse behind those crates. I thought it was worth a closer look. The remains were badly burnt and this little jewel was hidden under a pile of ash. I’m guessing that for a demon, holding a holy item isn’t a great idea.”
“Hey, that be me amulet!” Kuzai blurted, noticing the item Hoshisu was holding.
“Yes, I just found it. Here you go.”
Taking the amulet from her hands, Kuzai reverently placed it around his neck. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. I could see golden-bright ribbons of mana flowing into his body from the bauble. He was obviously dependent on his amulet to regenerate his mana.
Standing straighter, with one hand over the amulet, Kuzai looked around at his people, his expression stern. He gestured with his other hand, muttering something in Dwarven. Golden light spread out from his hands, illuminating the entire cage. The beaten dwarves touched by the light suddenly looked better. Those who were a step from death opened their eyes and sat up. Festering wounds closed and the stench of death and decay lessened.
At that exact moment, Malkyr logged back in. Materializing out of thin air, he stared in bewilderment at the much livelier dwarves. “That was quick, sis.” He looked at the dwarven priest. “Your people seem better.”
Kuzai nodded, his eyes troubled as he took in the sight of his feeble group. “They still be weak. They be needing yer help getting to the surface. Would ye offer your help a second time?”
The big man shrugged. “Sure, why not?”
Quest updated: The Holy Dwarf 2
Kuzai was able to use the magical amulet to stabilize his dying people. Help them escape the fort and reach the surface unharmed.
Quest Type: Advanced, chain
Reward: Increased. Varied depending on number of surviving dwarves: 18/18
I wrinkled my nose. Great, just what we needed, more time with those stinking dwarves.
Not to me, I grumbled mentally.
“This way.” Hoshisu motioned the dwarves to follow her and moved toward the exit.
“Alright everyone, huddle together,” Malkyr instructed. “We’ll take point. In case we’re attacked, stay back and let us do the fighting.”
“I’ll help,” Kuzai declared with a ring of finality. “But I be needing a weapon.”
“Sure thing, buddy.” Malkyr retrieved a standard hand axe from his inventory and offered it to the dwarf. “Here you go.”
“That’ll do, fer now. Ye don’t happen to have a shield on ya too, do ya lad?”
Malkyr grinned and produced a wooden shield from his inventory.
The dwarf grunted. “Ye ain’t so bad, son. For part greenskin, that is.”
“Thanks, old timer,” Malkyr chuckled.
We led the way back out into the main corridor, moving carefully, keeping our eyes and ears peeled for any possible danger.
We were halfway to the pit leading out when Bek stopped, causing the dwarf behind him to bump into him.
“Stupid vermin,” the dwarf mumbled.
“What’s wrong, Bek?” I interceded, giving the offending dwarf a withering glare.
The small goblin pointed a finger at an empty room to our left. “Door close on way in. Door open now.”
As if affirming his words, a loud howl pierced the air, carrying a whiff of magic with it. The weakened dwarves grasped each other in fright, seeming unable to move.
From the shadows all around us, a pack of wolves stepped into view. At least, they looked like wolves. Their fur was so dark it blended perfectly with the shadows around us, and their eyes shone red.
“Demon wolves!” Kuzai spat, stepping forward to face one.
Three wolves closed in on the siblings at the front, snarling. Five more circled the exhausted dwarves.
Demon Wolf
Level: 6
HP: 65/54
Attributes: P: 5, M: 0, S: 1
Skills: Bite 12, Demoralizing Roar 6
Traits: Demonic
Resistances: Fire 100%, Armor: 12, -50% holy
Buff: Alpha aura (+11 max HP)
Description: Demon wolves roam the open plains of hell. Though weak individually, as a pack their strength increases exponentially, especially when led by an alpha.
The wolves at the front charged the twins and the rest fell upon the unfortunate dwarves. Kuzai managed to hold one of them at bay, but the rest of his people fared much worse. The other four wolves clawed and bit, diving deep into their ranks. Still, they were dwarves, and even at death’s door, some fought back. Those who weren’t debilitated by the effect of the howl used their bare fists to attack, but there was no question as to whom was better at fighting unarmed.
Hoshisu left her brother to fight the three wolves and jumped into the band of dwarves in a vain attempt to protect them.
“Do something!” Malkyr yelled at me between axe swings.
I shrugged. “The wolves seem to do well on their own.”