“So helping us travel is nice but what is your real offer?” I asked in a curious tone as the jungle rapidly passed us by.
“Assuming your secret is good. Two staffs. Made by me,” Frooska said and there were awes from all of us. I think we all cued into what the trade deal was with King Ptera. “So what is your secret?”
“When you set me down…”
“We are here. Let me dig it for you. Ten times quicker,” Frooska said and then used a massive foot to uncover a chest six feet deep into the dirt. “See much quicker. Get down and realize I have no desire to fight you.”
We were lowered to the ground. Cyrene regained her composure and backed me up.
“I will keep your secret on my honor and if I could bribe you to do trades that the King cannot, I will. With that said I am the Harbinger that has been foretold. The one who is supposed to recreate the gaming universe into a place ruled by three factions.”
“Sounds like human problems, not forest problems,” Frooska said and I shrugged. He was not wrong. “I take it if the King found out or others did this would be a big reveal. Their heart rates were racing as if we were about to fight. Okay, that works for me. I have little choice anyway. Ugh, you two elves are pitiful.”
Whatever was in the treasure chest was painfully heavy. Mysti and Nicole were getting nowhere with moving the big chest as they tried to yank it out of the hole.
“No slang big guy. We are elvath. Not elves,” Nicole said with a serious tone. “What kind of staves and yes, please. Lift this dastardly heavy box up.”
“Two of any magic type you want.”
Cyrene tapped me to talk first.
“Including necromancy?” Cyrene asked and Frooska cringed. A moment later he nodded. “Healing and necromancy please, Gryff. Necromancy is rare beyond rare. We could get two. But he will be making legendary staves. They simply do not drop except from him or legendary forest bosses for healing. For example, we can buy a legendary fire staff that drops off a rocmog. A boss tree-ent is what drops a healer staff and since one is in hiding they will become rarer.”
“Would you recommend differently?” I asked Frooska and his leafy lips sputtered in frustration.
“This is a wise recommendation even if I despise necromancy. Do you approve of those two?” Frooska asked and I nodded in confirmation.
He summoned a massive amount of swirling magic that danced as it spun with sparkling light. A long wooden staff materialized from the magic as it formed in the air. Frooska stuck the weapon gently into the ground upon completion.
“Woah,” I exclaimed.
I studied the first green weapon while he spun together the second. The brown and green staff contained all that made nature intricate and beautiful. Vines wrapped a knotted branch in a delicate balance. There were flowers along the shaft where hands would not rest. It was taller than Nicole at seven feet tall with an intricate blossoming head. Five wooden fingers curved into a palm that held a baby elvath. Nicole snatched the staff up and clutched it to her chest.
The second staff was created and Frooska gave a huff of exertion as he placed the weapon upright. This one was the complete opposite of healing. Abandoned souls tried to tear free of the wood only to be trapped to the shaft. Dead bodies twirled around the shaft that the souls screamed for. At the head of the seven foot staff was an altar. A carving of a goblin being sacrificed by a necro priest was etched with wooden figures.
“I cannot stand the sight. Spawn your boxy storage familiar thing,” Frooska said with a hiss. I picked up the staff and felt no evil or cancerous thoughts. I spawned my storage container and put the staff away. Nicole spawned her container. Frooska uttered a thanks and said, “I take it you want this treasure chest in there?”
“Yes please, that way we can get far away with the blighted staff,” Nicole said while pointing at my storage container.
An awe overcame her as she glared at the stave in her hand. Her blue eyes sparkled in wonder as she reflected on the green magnificent weapon.
“I feel the power from this as if the creator herself blessed it.”
“Funny, I always thought the creator was a star and neutral. There you go,” Frooska said while placing the treasure chest into Nicole’s familiar. “Hop up and in twenty minutes I can have you back to your friends. That staff has boons and boosts. I am too tired and going to conserve energy to return you to the start of the jungle. Do not even tell the guards.”
With that said we loaded back up on shoulders and the trees parted as we ran for our friends. We slowed about ten minutes later to a walk. I think Frooska was taking a breather.
“So Frooska I had a question. You have memories of past battles and sentient capabilities. Should I feel bad for killing a goblin in a dungeon?” I asked with a curious tone. “I do not respawn if I die and some do. I wonder at the distinction.”
“Ah, so the ways of the universe are mysterious. The creator was odd in some things and rational in others. I am a high tier non-citizen boss. Roaming sure, but still an elevated creation. I have feelings and while I can kill I prefer to relax. I am unique but there are probably thousands of me over the trillions of worlds. Now, Vexie is an animal, not a sentient and a low-level boss. Same with that alpha tiger you slew, they would both be considered mindless non-citizens. A goblin is capable of talk and there are two types. Wild goblins that do not respawn and must physically reproduce, they would be citizens. Contained goblins are only found in instances or dungeons and do not possess the ability to roam, because of this they have the non-citizen status. It is as if they have a fake barrier they despise and turn back from.”
“Yes, I have heard the non-citizen vs citizen classifications before. I am just shocked by you really. Was not expecting a roaming boss to be…” I said with a pause unable to think of a good word. “Since you are a roaming boss do you have nothing to tether to?”
“That is one way to think of it. You feel bad for killing the tigers? I would not.”
“No, but I would feel bad if I killed an ogre that merely wanted to live peacefully,” I said while thinking about it.
“You will find out there are humans in dungeons. Some use their sexual nature to entice partners to only kill them. They are all part of the design that is this universe.”
“The creator of this place calls it a gaming verse…”
We stopped dead in our tracks and Frooska spun his head until his glass eyes were feet from me on his shoulder. His mouth was agape in utter shock.
“You… You… Spoke with the creator?”
“No, his manager.”
“Tell me everything. One moment,” Frooska said and we ran until we stopped at the first clearing. He set us down and spawned his table. “Every little detail. This will be well worth your time I promise.”
“I thought you cannot make more staffs,” Mysti said with a raised brow.
“Silly elvath. Knowledge first so I can give a fitting reward,” Frooska said.
We were not in a rush and the steaming tea smelled delicious. I sat and poured myself a cup to sip on. I started at the beginning with me being in purgatory. Frooska hung on every word and syllable I said. I left nothing out and the first story ended with a ‘but wait there's more’. He was shocked to learn the rest of the team visited James but did not get to meet him. I told him every little detail and felt I had not missed a thing at the end.
“Amazing, I hope one day to have a whiskey with James. That would be a dream come true to me,” Frooska said in a delightful tone. I was honestly surprised James did not poof him away or appear beside us. I think we all waited for that to happen. “I believe you. So strange and yet it explains so much. I will have to reflect on this. Do not be upset if you get a note from me with more questions. You will not be allowed through that gate to visit me again.”
“Works for me. You carrying us has saved a lot of time and tiger bites. You are a good boss Frooska,” I told the tree-ent and his familiar despaw
ned.
“Here you go. That was well worth this exchange,” Frooska generated six orbs on the ground. I could see the yellow tops of them all. “I never drop a complete healing set. Maybe one of these orbs in ten deaths. In this case, you have the full set and the staff. Your healer will be renowned across the universe. I am certain if someone from above is offended they will show up and return some of these.”
Frooska was baiting James out and he even chuckled as he tempted the god. Either James was not interested, busy, or felt the reward was worth the information because he did not appear. There was a huff from the big giant as Nicole swapped out orbs.
“There is an illumination orb that shoots a hanging flare into the sky and poisonous mist. I take these two are my tagging orbs?” Nicole asked.
“Yes, the night one is probably the most valuable orb of the lot. Think of how many planets have long nights or poorly lit surfaces. Then there are dark caverns and well the list goes on. The main thing is it applies toward a blinding status on foes and then your team does the killing you get the points. The poisonous mist deals damage to friend and foe so be careful. Your area heal will crush the damage it does. You will see your boons when you hold the staff. Have fun leveling that up. I am sad he did not show up,” Frooska said as we returned to his shoulders.
“I honor my debts, and I feel I do indeed owe you. I will have James bring you to his room when it is time for me to depart. You have helped me greatly in achieving that goal. Thank you Frooska,” I said with a sincerity that caused the gentle giant to smile.
“You get stronger, wage a war, gain enough power, and then you get to see this manipulator as he calls himself. I like that title the best of those you said he mentioned. I may be sending more notes then,” Frooska said.
“We need all the friends we can get,” I said with a smile.
The giant treeman ran us until we were near the body of the first tiger Cyrene had killed. I could see the fire roaring in the ogre cave and the talk of friendly banter. We said happy goodbyes and Frooska departed. I had to wonder if the others were going to believe the story we had to tell.
CHAPTER 12
When we arrived back to the group it was still a few hours before sunset. I decided to get on the road immediately and ride through the night. There was a grey overcast and if it started to rain I said that we would stop so the ogres could sleep somewhere dry. No sense in not traveling while we slept. As we packed up, the tale of the Frizzia Jungle was retold and when the healing staff was shown everyone was shocked. The other thing I had been itching to discover was what the treasure chest contained.
Nicole spawned her familiar and we opened the chest inside the chest. Zoey had the perfect reaction.
“What the fuck is that?” Zoey said as we stared down at dirty rocks piled high.
Dib was the one with the answer. He shot water over the rocks and used robe to wipe the dirt off. After a thorough cleaning, we saw a shiny raw ore underneath.
“This is zadium, raw and a lot of it. You have a few million silver in here if converted to coin. You are a silver printing machine Red. Damn, wish I had signed on for a percentage instead of solid coin.” Our cook said with a grumble. I hefted a rock and tossed it to him. “You are too good Red. You treat employees this well and you will end up employing the planet.”
“Yeah well, we have a hell of a lot more work to do and a long journey ahead. I expect to depart in no less than half an hour,” I said as Nicole closed the zadium lid and despawned her familiar. “That can make armor right?”
“Yes, Zadium is both a coin and a weapon ore instead of an armor ore. It is shiny and sparkles in sunlight so mainly weapons are crafted with it or converted to coin. Orite is the better coin and crafting material but Dib was right. This is a great treasure. No zadium here on this planet that I know of but I am not a miner. The crafters will gobble this up at a premium over minting. They will dilute it and craft it into more valuable armor. Plus King Ptera discourages coin converting,” Cyrene said with a smile. She had recovered from her earlier shock with a determination. I saw her pat Nicole on the back and say, “The guard will want to see the treasure chest on the way out.”
With that disclosed we rapidly disassembled the camp here and a half hour later showed the guards our haul. They only were interested in the treasure chest and did not notice the staff Nicole carried. The captain was a goblin with a large plumed helm who was mildly shocked by our rapid turnaround time. He offered us a promissory note from the King for the treasure. Cyrene politely declined and we summoned wagons.
I watched as the gate and jungle faded behind us from the roof of the wagon. I had a fire going and was sitting with Zoey in my lap in the wooden magical chair. Nicole sat across from me with Mysti and Cyrene to our sides.
“After days of patiently waiting. I am ready,” Zoey said while the wagon hit a rough patch and we jostled a bit. The fire flickered and sparks shot into the air. “Tell me what you know Cyrene.”
“Ah, tell me what you learned from the book and then I will answer,” Cyrene retorted and gave me a wink. We were waiting to give Zoey her staff. The dark weapon covered in souls crying out for release was on our bed wrapped in blankets for after this conversation. “Out with it, what did you learn?”
“Necromancy is a rare and challenging field of sorcery. This book…” Zoey reached into her robe and pulled out the palmed sized book to show us. We all had seen it with her non-stop lately. “This was written by a great sorceress. She fell in love with an enemy officer by accident. Yup, she was an Inquisitor in love with a Justicar. She retired to save face and went into teaching. I have no idea if this was her demise or if she still teaches.”
“Well I am glad we bought that book,” Nicole said with a warm smile. “When we were getting supplies we bought that whole mini-library on magics of all types. Please carry on.”
“The lessons start by the teacher giving her answer to the question she gets asked the most. ‘What should a new necromancer do to get started?’ The answer ‘Find work as a side mage to earn coin’. Sorceress Anna loves to drone on about how expensive being a necromancer is,” Zoey paused and kissed my cheek randomly. “I was given this. This orb is a one in a million if not worse odds. The creator or manager decided to really limit necromancy as a specific field. By doing so he, she, or it formulated drop rates for necromancers to be exceedingly rare. The first three chapters are on side work Anna recommends to start to raise funds to become a necromaster.”
“Necromaster?” I asked with a raised brow.
“Yes, you heard that right, her term not mine. Well, we all have this hunk of a demi-god and we happen to be doing well with coins. I also can shoot a bow like a champ and can do dagger work to help the group for now. Even with this one orb, I am useless as a necromancer. Not exactly going to kill trolls with a flopping dolphuna,” Zoey said and we had a light chuckle.
“You have got to learn to swim. It is not that hard if you do not struggle. Maybe at calm bridges, you can spawn your necro orb and ensure the waters are clear of river creatures. If safe I can then teach some quick lessons,” I said and she smiled with rapid nods.
“Anna mentions the first and biggest hurdle to all necromancers that start out and desire to be necromasters is finding orbs. As you can imagine there are billions of mages wanting to switch with only so many orbs. At least, that is how she phrases it in the first three chapters. The next five chapters are on the importance of getting the right rotation and orb types,” Zoey thumbed through the book until she reached just short of the halfway mark. “She wrote, ‘For any new necromancer it is vital you take what you can get in the beginning. Where an orb for fire will have a crummy resale value, your orbs are bought and sold at auction or on specialty planets. What may not work for your build, a necromaster may scoop up for more to add to their collection or rotation. Buy it all when you can and I have no shame in saying I gave blowjobs to get in with the auction lads.’”
&
nbsp; There was some light giggling as Zoey read from the book. When it settled she carried on.
“Auction houses are busy, busy, and constantly busy. If you do not seduce an informant, you should hire one. You need to know when a necro orb comes up for sale and even hire a bidding attendee for those times you are detained. By now you are wondering what makes necromancy so special that there are limited drops and queues to even buy the orbs. Multiplication…” Zoey paused here to close the book. She allowed the word to sink in before continuing. “Things get a bit back and forth here in the book. The basic point is your hydra grew bigger when it leveled into a second stage. Which the trigger point is random for each orb but follows a rough guide. Around seventy five to one twenty five an orb will hit a second stage. Some never will, but most will. See it gets confusing. So I try to stick to the hard facts. This undead dolphuna will increase with time. When it gets bigger there is a fifty-fifty chance that it doubles.”
Mysti let out a long whistle and I gasped. The implications were intense.
“Yes, no living battle pet, friend, or mount can double, only necromancy. So if you get lucky two times in a row on the leveling you get three dolphuna. Anna goes on to say that if I give an orb to you, you reset it and give it back to me. I take it back in hopes of quickly releveling it in case the dolphuna zombie does not split; well, the orb comes back at the level it left. So there is no swapping necro orbs back and forth since it has a unique leveling process. Kor is basic though. You give him to me. I wipe his levels and hand him back. Every time he grows larger, the result is the same and his increase is still between that seventy five to one twenty five zones. I hope that made sense, none of you look confused. Basically zombie orbs are special and have a subset of rules.”
Nicole nodded and then tapped her chin, “Looks like we need to get someone in on the auction house. Not only to sell the matriarch mount but also to buy some necromancy orbs.”
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