Shari hugged him again.
The two of them waited in silence as the three new immortals continued to stare into space and the crew began to stare at them. Shari turned to reassure the crew, saying that they were communing with Elysia. This satisfied most of the crew, and they got back to their duties.
“So who else were you thinking?” Mace asked as the wait dragged on. He was a little surprised, since both Elysia and the three NPCs in front of him were code. He expected the updates would be much faster. It wasn’t like there were humans behind those eyes going through character creation and choosing hairstyles or assigning attribute points with their slow neurochemical brain processes. The information was being transmitted by quantum processors.
Layne was the first to wake up, followed quickly by the other two. A second later, Mace’s UI exploded with notifications. He opened them just long enough to see that his reputation with every one of the new immortals had jumped to ‘Revered.’ The reason why was given to him a moment later when Layne and the others dropped to one knee.
The bard spoke first. “Elysia has spoken to us. She has granted us immortality at your behest, Mace. I… I do not have the words to express my gratitude.”
Jorin had tears in his eyes. “This gift… I have not earned it, Mace. There are so many others more deserving.”
Mace held up a hand. “Nonsense. You have been a good friend, a valiant warrior. You have shown care not only for your own crew, but those of at least two other ships. You would risk your life to end the practice of slavery. You are more than worthy. I would ask that you pick six of your crew to receive the same blessing. So that even should you and all yours fall in battle, you may return and reclaim your ship to continue the fight.”
Lila was much less vocal in her reaction. As the captain nodded his thanks and Mace shifted his gaze to the little rogue, she leapt from the deck and wrapped herself around the drow, nearly knocking him off his feet. She squeezed with both arms and legs for a moment, then dropped to the deck and rushed to grab Shari in a halfling version of a bear hug. Tears flowed freely from both women as Shari squeezed just as hard. Layne got to her feet and joined them.
Mace embraced the captain in a much more manly fashion, saying, “Welcome to immortality. Use it well. And by that, I mean be sure and do lots of stupid and reckless things that your enemies won’t expect.”
The drow and the elf grinned at each other.
When the celebrating was done, Mace began to explain to them that other citizens could earn immortality as well, but Jorin held up a hand.
“Elysia explained all. We are to act as heralds, sharing the tale of your generosity and the terms under which citizens can evolve.”
Mace shrugged, a little disappointed that Elysia had stolen his thunder. Shari noticed, coming to his rescue. “Captain, let’s begin by giving your crew a show. They’ve already seen you three evolve, but don’t know what it’s about. Choose your six and assemble your crew. We’ll show them something they’ll be telling their grandchildren.”
Jorin quickly agreed and called for not only his crew, but the other boat’s crew as well to assemble. The two boats were still joined, and the crews gathered on their respective decks. Jorin then called forward his first mate, two sailors Mace recognized as having manned the ballistae, the helmsman, the ship’s surgeon, and the ship’s carpenter.
As the sailors stepped forward, Layne asked, “May I?” Mace nodded and stood back as she stepped into the center of the small cleared space around the captain and his chosen six. She began to strum a tune on her lute that lifted the hearts of all those who could hear. Mace felt a sense of peace and contentment, but also mild elation. Layne called out in a clear, strong voice.
“My fellow citizens! We have this day been visited by our goddess Elysia. At the request of the outworlder Mace, she has granted a great boon to the captain, Lila, and myself. We have become immortal!”
She paused as the onlookers stared in silent confusion. “We have been given the ability to return our souls to our bodies after death, just as the outworlders do! Not only that, but Elysia has decreed that any citizen may earn the same boon through hard work and extraordinary achievement.”
This time, there was an excited murmur among the sailors on both boats.
“Some of you may have noticed our ascension a few minutes ago. For those who missed it, you will now witness these six sailors being granted immortality as well. Mace and Shari have kindly allowed the captain to choose six of his best to receive this honor. If they all agree?”
She turned to the six men, who were all nodding enthusiastically. Turning back to the crowd, she continued. “We have been tasked to act as heralds for our goddess. To spread the word of this miracle far and wide. All of you here can begin to earn her favor by doing the same!”
She turned and held her hands up to the sky. “Oh, great goddess, we beseech you, grant the gift of immortality to these worthy souls!”
All six men began to glow with the same golden light as the first three. Their rigid bodies and sightless gazes persisted as the sailors around them gasped and pointed. The whispers and murmurs rippled back and forth through the crowd for the full minute that it took the men to recover. Again Mace’s UI was bombarded with alerts. His reputation went up not only with the six men, but with most of the sailors present. A quick look at Shari told him she was seeing the same.
When the six sailors revived and, as one, faced Mace and took a knee, the crowd hushed. The first mate spoke up.
“’Tis true! The goddess spoke to us. We have been… changed.”
As the men got to their feet and hugged both Mace and Shari, the crowd went wild. They mobbed the six men, asking questions and laying hands on them as if they might receive some sort of blessing through contact. Or just to confirm that the men were real. A few jokingly offered to kill one of the men in order to test their new immortality. Which the captain quickly forbade.
When the ruckus died down, the other captain requested permission to come aboard. Jorin granted it and the man crossed the plank with ease. He bowed deeply to Jorin and the others.
“If not for you, my crew and I would likely be dead. Or worse, slaves. That lot seized my boat under cover of night after we unloaded our cargo in Graf. You have my eternal gratitude.”
Jorin reached out an arm and the captain grasped it. They shared a look and each nodded his head. Mace figured it was some sort of ‘code of the sea’ thing.
He simply said, “It was our pleasure. We have undertaken a quest to dismantle the Black Flame, and relieving you of that lot seemed a good place to start.”
He grinned at the captain, who snorted and laughed.
“Aye, you dismantled that bunch right enough. I’d not like to be on your bad side, drow. Er, Mace. Or yours, Miss Shari. That bow of yours was right deadly.”
He bowed to her again as she blushed slightly. “Myself and the crew of the Platypus are in your debt. Should you have need of us, just call and we’ll answer.”
Mace gave a slight bow in response. Jorin said “We can offer you a tow back in the direction of Port Bjurstrom until you get your rigging straightened out. I’d not leave a friend stranded on the lake after dark.”
He led the captain away, regaling him with the tale of the leviathan attacking at dusk just a few days ago.
Mace and his group returned to their spots to sit and talk. Layne and Lila were preoccupied with their new interfaces. Though all citizens had one, the interface that they saw now was apparently much more extensive. They asked many questions, which Shari and Mace answered as best they could. Mace resigned himself to the fact that he’d probably have to repeat the conversation with the captain and his new immortal crewmen.
The two boats got underway in short order. Jorin’s crew going about the business of sailing while the Platypus crew resumed repairs as they were towed along behind. Mace composed and sent another message through in-game mail to the players in Texas, Sydney, Moscow, and Hong Ko
ng. Then he sent a private message to Griff, who was online with Lisa.
“Hey, Griff. Got any NPCs you’re particularly fond of? You and Lisa can each pick a few and give me their names, and Elysia will grant them the ability to respawn. You should both get huge reputation boosts from it. Since we can’t have enough players to balance the game, we’re going to make some! Sort of.”
He waited a few minutes and Griff responded. “Sorry, was in combat. And holy shite! That’s an awesome idea. We’ll make a list right away. Is a dozen too many?”
“No, a dozen is a good number. Make sure they’re key people who have something to offer the village or the world in general. Who can help defend the place, run dungeons with you, or gather needed resources. Maybe a few crafters.”
“Aye, good thinkin’! And yer gonna do this wherever we go? Spreadin’ new players everywhere?”
“Yep! Not only that, but the AI is instituting a path for them to earn it on their own through great deeds or worthy activities, reputation gains, whatever. I’m not clear on the details yet. This just happened. The ones you choose will ‘evolve’ and become heralds. They can probably tell you more.”
Griff signed off with another promise to get back to him with a list. Mace set himself a mental reminder to figure out how each of the players could make their choices known to Elysia directly. Thus getting the reputation gains with their chosen and the communities they occupied. He didn’t want or need all the credit himself.
They sailed along for the rest of the day, finally reaching the outlet where the lake flowed into the river a good hour before sunset. The Platypus was repaired enough to make it downstream under her own power, so the tow line was reeled in and they proceeded in single file. With two crews able to defend against any potential attackers, Mace and Shari felt comfortable enough to log out for the evening.
*****
Griff and Lisa sat in the tavern discussing the new development Mace had shared and compiling a list of likely dwarves from the village. So far they had Campbell, the elder who ran the village, Bolgin the merchant, and Fagin the blacksmith. And the two guards who had teased Griff after his bunny incident. There was also Josephine from the tavern.
“We should include Maggie too,” Lisa offered. “She’s sweet, and she makes the best pies!”
Griff grinned at her. “Aye, I like her too. But Mace said to choose them that can contribute. I doubt she’d be much help in a battle.”
Lisa’s face took on a determined look. “There’s more to life than fighting! Maggie’s the bloody heart o’ this place. The others look to her for advice. She teaches the young ones how to cook and sew, among other things. Her knowledge and heart are as valuable as any sword or bow!”
Griff held up his hands to ward off any further hostility. “Okay, okay! Ya convinced me. Maggie makes the list!”
Lisa nodded, already considering who else to choose. “We should pick trainers. Yours, mine, and mebbe a few others. They can help defend the village, and it’ll ensure they’ll still be here to train us if we get overrun by angry fuzzy bunnies or somethin’.”
Griff agreed, adding, “Maybe a couple o’ hunters? And a farmer or two? Ta make sure they can always feed themselves?”
“Aye. And we need to ask around fer a few willin’ to adventure with us. We’ll need a healer fer sure, and more ranged damage wouldn’t hurt. But we shouldn’t tell ‘em about respawning ‘til after they’ve agreed to join us. They need ta have heart!” Lisa thumped her chest.
So they began with the innkeeper, asking about villagers likely to be up for some adventure. He gave them a few names, and they set off to recruit party members.
One of the names given to them was Leroy, the alchemist’s apprentice. He was young, barely twenty years old. A stout dwarf with black hair and bright green eyes. He was a druid class healer who specialized in potions.
It took them all of about five minutes before he agreed to join them. He also had a friend who he wanted to bring along.
Griff and Lisa followed him out of the shop and through an alley to a row of houses near the back wall of the village. He knocked on a door and a young dwarfess answered.
Her cheeks went flush as soon as she saw Leroy. “Are ya daft? Me da would crack yer head if he knew ye were here!” she hissed at the young dwarf.
He held up his hands. “I’m not here fer… that.” He looked at the ground and scuffed his foot a bit. “I’ve brought the outworlders, haven’t I? They’re lookin’ for volunteers to go to a dungeon!”
Her eyes widened. She took in Griff and Lisa, then looked back at Leroy. “And yer goin’?”
He nodded his head, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Ye bet yer silken knickers I’m goin’!” He pointed at her. “And yer goin’ too!”
“I’ll have to get me da’s blessin’,” she insisted right away. Then a sly look came over her face as she looked to the two outworlders.
“Or you lot could get it. He’s quite of fond of you, ya know.” She stared at Griff.
“Who’s yer da?” the dwarf was almost afraid to ask.
“Me name’s Meg Campbell.” She smiled as she saw the realization cross Griff’s features. His eyes widened and his head began to shake on its own.
“Oh, no. I’ll not be the one ta get the village headman’s wee one killed.” Griff took a step back and was turning to walk away when Lisa stopped him. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, “What if she could respawn?”
Griff froze.
“Holy shite. Youuu women are gonna be the death o’ me,” he grumbled. Looking at the two young dwarves in front of him, he said, “Right. We’ll need one other for a full party, then. What class are you, Meg?”
In answer, she disappeared behind the open door for a moment. When she reappeared, she had a small buckler strapped to her left forearm, and held a halberd with a long shaft in her right.
The shaft itself was four feet long with a wickedly curved, barbed axe blade at the end, and a spike that extended another foot at least. The back side of the axe was a stout spike with three barbs that when swung at an enemy, would penetrate deeply then rip away flesh as it was pried loose. The weapon could be swung like a two-handed axe, jabbed like a spear, or used to hook an enemy and pull them off balance. Griff was impressed.
Meg set the polearm on her shoulder and said, “We could ask me da to join us. He’s conquered some dungeon beasties in his time.”
Griff thought the chances of Meg joining them would increase greatly if Campbell the elder joined them to watch over her.
“Fine, we’ll go see him and ask.”
He turned toward the tavern, where he expected they’d find the man. As they walked, he mumbled to himself “Please Elysia, let these people evolve so that I don’t get them killed.”
A message appeared in bold type on his UI.
Your prayer has been heard, admin Griff. Gather those you wish to receive the boon and it shall be done. I approve of your candidates so far.
-Elysia
Not sure whether to be relieved or creeped out, he silently thanked the AI and picked up his pace. He whispered to Lisa, catching her up on what had just happened. She beamed at him.
When they reached the tavern, they did indeed find Campbell, along with Maggie and Bolgin the merchant. Griff spoke quietly to the trio, asking them to gather the others from the list.
He and Lisa sat and enjoyed a mug of ale as they waited for the trainers and the guards, who were the last to arrive. He led the whole group over to a quiet corner of the tavern and motioned for them to sit. Then he quickly outlined his proposal.
“Me friends have made an agreement with Elysia. She has gifted us with a great boon we can share with those we feel are deservin’. You lot are here because we’ve choosed ya. If you agree, Elysia will bestow a blessing upon ye, and ye’ll each evolve. Ye’ll be given the gift o’ immortality, the ability for yer soul to return to yer body if ye get yerselves killed. Just like Lisa and me.”
He
waited as they took in his words. A couple of the trainers scoffed and rose to leave, but Campbell motioned for them to sit. Looking at Griff, he asked, “This be real? Yer not havin’ a laugh at our expense?”
Griff said, “I was sent a message from Elysia herself on me way here. She said to gather ya together. I’m thinkin’ ye need only accept and the gift is yours.”
Before Campbell could respond, Maggie smacked the back of his head. “Are ye daft? Ye don’t question a gift from the goddess!”
She eyed him dangerously, then turned her gaze on each of the citizens one by one. They all nodded their heads. She didn’t bother to look back at Campbell. “We be honored, goddess.” She bowed her head, and the others followed.
All at once, the golden light infused each of them, startling the other patrons and staff in the tavern. Griff and Lisa reassured them as the small group of newly-evolved citizens stood stiff and unseeing for a solid minute. Just as with Mace, when they came around to their senses they each took a knee. Griff and Lisa’s notifications lit up, and they actually each gained levels. One for Griff, three for Lisa. Griff ignored the notifications as he took Maggie by the hand and helped her rise.
One of the patrons ran out of the tavern while the others in the room gathered round. Campbell raised his hands for silence, and said “Let us step out to the square. Gather everyone. We have news.”
The serene look on his face convinced his people that there was no danger, and they exited the tavern. Some began to call out to neighbors and friends as Maggie sent a boy to ring the bell mounted above the fountain.
The deep clang of the iron bell brought nearly everyone in the village to the square. While they waited, Griff read through his notifications. His reputation with all the evolved and the village itself had skyrocketed. And he’d completed a hidden quest called “Gather the Chosen”. He snorted at the name, but wasn’t going to argue with the experience boost.
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