“I am going to use the mount,” I said and Nicole grew confused. “At least to kill some ocean stuff if we find the chance. I think after this trip I will do an underwater trip. Never know though, I had planned to station out of Aeva and here we are on a whole different planet.”
“Well, either way, an auction house representative should be hired. Unless you want us giving out our precious candy which I would rather not. You do seem the possessive type,” Zoey said and I pinched her ass.
“You belong to me. We hire a rep, end of story. Now continue telling us of necromancy.”
I was kissed deeply and hands started to roam. I stopped my feisty elvath and pulled her hair hard. She moaned softly from the tugging pain and then continued.
“So distracting. I have a present for you in our bed,” Zoey said and Cyrene broke cover and giggled.
“Sorry, I said something similar earlier,” Cyrene said and Zoey bought the white lie.
“Okay, the orbs are special and actually rare. The entire field is insanely expensive and highly competitive. Then there are gear issues. There are only a few crafters willing to participate in sacrificial crafting. As in real sentient beings being served as soul boosting mana reduction. The book gets really fucking dark at this point. You do not even want to guess how many souls are sucked from the realms of the dead to create a single staff. Anna says a divine staff requires millions of souls. She only ever saw a legendary one once and the wielder happened to be a council member of the Inquisitors. The last unique thing is all necromancers can summon two undead creature orbs at once. This is not allowed for rangers with regular pets unless they have a plus one gear set or jewelry set. Well, those and staffs can help.
“For a familiar Anna never had a one size fits all recommendation. Her preferred orbs were always big battle creatures. Ranged creatures are shit until they level up and start to hit targets. Melee are great tanks, again will kill very little with clumsy swings until leveled. Anna never once mentioned going into water or using the undead in waters. She did say her shaman caster was garbage and to avoid necro orbs that had casters unless they were all that was available. For a familiar, she carried around a cabin for ages and then never left a city for years at a time. She swapped to a pet falcon to carry messages as she put on weight and grew tired of people. In the end, her final remark is she regrets nothing and encourages those motivated enough to press on. I know I can find the dedication. The money will take time.”
I smiled and then pinched her butt again. “Go downstairs and get naked in our bed,” I commanded.
She did not need to be told twice. Zoey raced out of my lap and ran down for the bed.
“See you in like five days. That girl is going to go crazy over that staff,” Nicole said and I grinned when I heard squealing.
Zoey thudded as she missed a step on the way up in her haste. Her robe was open exposing her wrapped chest and boy shorts. Her toned abs and seductive hips were as wide as her smile was.
“This is rare Gryff. I cannot inspect it but I can feel the bonuses. Reduced mana drain, increased undead summon plus one, and a fear ability every twenty four hours. The fear cannot be used on undead. Holy or in this case, unholy shit. Where did you get…?” She was in the middle of asking when Nicole waved her staff that was also legendary. “So you got two and surprised me. Thanks, fam.”
“Can you have six orbs with that or is the plus one to have three summoned at once?” Mysti asked with a finger on her chin.
Cyrene and Zoey answered in tandem. “Three at once,”
Cyrene grabbed Zoey’s wrist lightly. “I made you read that book because I did not know as much as that book would. The only thing I can add to what you said, is that in our auction houses in Remi. Well they rarely to pretty much never see orbs for necromancy. Collectors snatch them up which may be the best way to get some. Trade rare orbs for rare orbs or familiars.”
“This is so amazing. I feel dumb having this without even a goblin zombie but in due time. I will stick this in my familiar storage next time we stop. What bonuses does your staff have Nicole?” Zoey asked.
“Mana reduction for all healing, double area effect healing, and a once a day heart restart heal. No idea if that means back from the dead or what. Time will tell,” Nicole said and I rose from my seat.
“Excuse me, ladies, give us a half hour and then come to bed,” I said and left with Zoey to go downstairs.
∞∞∞
Twelve days passed in a hurry. We stopped at every bridge and there had been six so far. I learned something that I found frightening and disturbingly intriguing. Rivers were super deadly and dangerous on Thur. Three times Zoey would summon Loco the dead dolphuna and the aquatic creature would go on a murder spree. There would be basic fish orbs floating to the top and suddenly cursing from Zoey. We never knew what was killing Loco and there was zero chance I was going into murky waters to fight the demons below.
When Loco did survive we collect some water purify orbs and one time we got a pet fish familiar. I guess some dad could gift it to a kid or something. It all went into the box of loot. Swim lessons were more like splashing and sinking lessons. I did not enjoy that time but somehow I was patient and helpful. When I reflected on my calm behavior I realized that deep down being freed of my prison had made me a gentler soul. Either that or I was so determined to win I had grown patience.
I had focused on summoning Kor whenever the opportunity arose. He had been my goal when I could not throw spears at wild animals. I would spawn him in Desmond’s wagon bed and get to learn how long he could be active. With me being two hundred and seventy-two and Kor one sixty-one I was able to not pass out instantly. When there was no battle happening my ability to focus was sharp and I watched him slowly drain my translucent core. He said time passed instantly until he was summoned, but he would realize days were missing. The way he explained living in an orb was complex and at junctures confusing. If I was not doing those things I was working out on the wagon top doing push-ups, sit-ups, and running with the wagons. There was no skinny potion so we had to work out to keep in shape.
Every few hours Nicole would halt both wagons. We would cut our hands and she would level her area heal. Moments later we would be back on the road north. Mysti was arrowing everything she could from up high in a competition she easily won against Zoey. Apparently being hundreds of thousands of years older and experienced with a bow made a difference.
Desmond and Ossa would complain as we got further north about having to sleep without a covered wagon. If it rained, I would always stop us as that had been my promise. Outside of that, I treated every minute like it mattered. No wildlife survived for long around the road. Watching the gnomes work in tandem was frightening. The best or worse if you think of it perspective wise; was when a flock of thickly feathered ducks were flying by. Barq soaked them with a rain spell and then Shala killed them all with bonus damage to her lightning. There were a lot of orbs from that. Cyrene ensured they understood the ducks were low health and killing even goblins would not be so easy. She was proud of them though and the loot went into the box.
The further north we traveled the steeper the incline was and the colder it became. By day eight there was snow on the ground and a constant grey-bluish overcast. Snow fell every night from that point on in a thick flakey blanket. We started to camp every evening to give the ogres a fire break in their cave. Even with riding through most of the nights we still made it with average time. All the day stops were probably why. The road itself was abandoned and desolate. The landscape went from rolling plains to forested trees and finally snowfields.
We only saw one other leveling group coming home from the mountain dungeons. They were an adventuring company of all orcs and the leader pleaded with us to carry them to port. I was not willing to part with my wagons so I politely refused. Their story was sad, and if I had a spare wagon almost convincing.
They said the second in command had left snacks out besid
e his bed. His tent was clawed at by a fox and despawned in the middle of the night. The orc died in his sleep as he was exposed to the cold. The tracks and missing dried meat were the only clues. With his death so also passed his familiar which happened to be their ride. When we departed there were some angry mutterings but no conflict. I doubted the dozen orcs had much fight left in them anyways.
On the final day of travel, the glorious sun came out. This was the first time in six days of overcast and I forgot how pleasant the sunshine could be. When the rays of light cut through those blanketing clouds I saw the guarded wooden gates on the horizon. I could only imagine whose daughter you upset or general you angered to get stuck in this shitty posting. The fort grew in size as we neared and I got to see it as a military structure more than a gated entry point. There were soldiers walking the parapet and archers in guard towers. Someone ran a tight operation here, five feet of snow be damned.
Before we reached the actual entrance we pulled over to a campsite outside the fort. The snow here had been shoveled clear and the outside of the fort walls was piled high. We despawned everything and performed combat checks. I was ready since I had my spear and was geared in my simple leathers. Such a different place this gaming verse was.
The gates opened and it was clear the guards were expecting us as a small bearfrii flew to us with soft wing flaps. The soldier was in furs with fluffy boots and gloves. A long thin scar cut across the brown fur on his cheek. Two double headed axes hung from his hips. There was a path cleared of snow that led to a large theater in the back of the fort. The cold was starting to set in and I was missing the inside of the wagon already.
“Welcome to Fort Harni, or as the troops call it Hardnip. I am Captain OsgraI and I welcome you to the north. I must warn you now before you enter these gates that things have changed. In all my years, which is a few hundred thousand I have rarely see something like this,” Osgral the bearfrii said. When I walked into the fort he flew in pace with me. “A new boss is around somewhere. A high-level one if I were to guess. The ice trolls have ranked up and thickened in numbers. Seen it a few times when a roaming rare boss shows up. I wanted to warn you before you went canyon diving.”
“I am Mr. Red, and this is my farming team. Our company name is to be determined. Thank you for the warm greeting during the winter chill. We never thought this mission was going to be easy and appreciate the warning. Do you have a map or overview on the runs you have open?” I asked and Osgral gave off a soft roaring scoff. It was an odd reaction but his face said I was looney. “What?”
“Only ones crazy enough to be out here in this winter is you,” Osgral said while picking at some earwax. “Well, you and those dumbass orcs. Lost seventeen they did. I can’t say I was surprised. They all had tents, no communal housing, and no buddy system. Tents are shit for keeping warm but that was all they brought with them. They were all in the low two hundreds and the mobs are up now to the mid four hundred range. Well, starter ones are lower but still. They lost more than they gained. That is for sure. Hard lessons were learned.”
A troll in a fur robe ran up to hand out steaming tea. I held in a retort about a troll citizen helping serve those going to massacre dungeon trolls. The tea was actually delicious and we were led into a covered briefing area with wooden bleachers. The way the rows behind me went higher reminded me of the briefing stages from ancient times. Our team filed in and grabbed seats. There were even a few chairs hauled out to fit the ogres. The snow was not piled here but the wind kicked around a bitter cold. Somehow the moment we sat down it felt significantly colder.
“There are two briefings. The standard is covered in your fee…” Osgral paused when I tossed a bag of coins to him. He was a skilled warrior and caught the purse with ease. He fished out some coins and tossed the sack back. “Go home. I have sent fourteen letters to Remi and a few to my friends who could even warn King Ptera. I do not like this change of levels or how things turned out for those orcs. I fear the routes may keep magically growing and push this fort back as the ice trolls expand. If you are super committed, buy some common cabins or pavilions from our marked up merchant tent. Before you bitch to me about the prices, realize you are at the end of the line here. There is no city north to trade with and adventurers of a jungle planet tend to literally freeze from the cold. The snow has been horrendous too, get more blankets as well. I would triple prepare if I were you. We will always buy back items at ninety percent value. Mainly because I do not want to have to send a team to recover your bodies. You will have a four-man group that will tag along with your team. They will provide zero aid and be there to record your activity.”
I raised a hand and Osgral paused again.
“Confidential observers?” I asked while not being thrilled about having the tag along.
“Of course, King Ptera allows nothing less than the best. They are there to help facilitate your retreat if you have to flee, that is all. There are some shortcuts for the way back that are not available on the way in. Your extra fee covered their help. Now if you were to say… Give a financial tip they may decide to help if things start going poorly. Not illegal but you have to offer before my troops can ask.”
The captain gave a wide smile that was meant for suckers. I sighed because I wanted to buy help if we needed it but we were short on funds. I also knew this merchant station probably had horrendous selling and buying prices. Maybe we could bribe with loot or some ore. The ore was probably the best idea. I could break some… Shit. I had zoned out and missed something. Nicole was poking me with her staff.
“The rest of you heard me correct?” Captain Osgral asked while looking at me with a dumbfounded expression.
“Please repeat, I find he gets lost in thought,” Nicole said and I gave an apologetic guilty as charged smile.
“Every creature has increased by at least twenty-five percent. All five runs are open as you are the only ones here. The most challenging has a chance of Emperor Harviou but the last three times a team has conquered that run they got King Harvinu, which is the son. Come summertime, that run will be slammed by the large guilds and companies wanting out of the sweltering jungles. The orcs tried to run it. I say go the easy route and then try the middle or hard if you are confident. Always recommend that. No one is willing to stay in the snow for twice as long though.”
“Fuck the snow,” was muttered by Zoey from behind me and there were rounds of soft chuckling.
“We will take the easy route to start. We have made more silver than I ever expected before we arrived. What can you tell us about the easy route?” I asked and the bearfrii looked confused.
“Wait. You are taking my advice. Huh. Things are indeed changing. Alright, there are five rooms, canyons, floors, and whatever else you want to call them. If run quickly that route can be done in a day or two if you are over leveled. Longer if not. Then again those times were before the changes. Goblins, gnolls, and trolls in the first three rooms. The fourth room has shamans added. The final room has a Captain of the King’s Guard. We used to sell a handy guide for how to pull the rooms and the best strategies available, but I could not sell it with these changes. I will reduce your entry fee though since you are bringing troops who can annotate the adjustments.”
Nicole raised her hand and Osgral nodded for her to talk.
“What are the magic bonuses and reductions? What about the Captain’s common traits and tactics?”
“These ice trolls are ranged with a buff to piercing. They are weak to lightning and strong against weak fire and weak against strong fire that can get through their cold armor. They generally cast air magic to increase the effectiveness of their javelins and the shamans also have a force back, minor heal, and two snares. The Captain of the Guard had…” The bearfrii stuck a hand up to ensure we notated the past tense. “Had a whole harem of female gnolls. Nothing compared to the Emperor’s shaman guards or the King’s trolls but still deadly. Kill the fodder troops and then the elite guards. Our writt
en guide had a concept of tank and damage in a simple formula to defeat him. If this ogre here is your tank and I see you have a healer, the easy run should be okay and I can recommend it. The run is short and quick even during the winter snows. A great warm up or get some loot and level and go home. Your call. Any more questions?”
“Can we buy a guide anyway? I am sure I would want it simply for the loot tables,” Barq said and I found my head bobbing in agreement. “Where is the merchant?”
“Your hired escort can help with additional questions later. The day is still young, you should have plenty of time for the merchant and then a room or two,” Captain Osgral said and we left the covered area. The door to the merchant area was propped open waiting for us to enter. “I will get your team ready while you shop.”
I stepped into the warm room and Nicole pulled me aside. She held her palm out asking for the purse. I think she needed to see how much Osgral had withdrawn. While she counted I looked at a rack of healing orbs. By the heavens above. No wonder they rebought at ninety percent. Everything was triple the price here. The others noticed quickly too and soon we were outside in the cold waiting for the captain to return.
Zoey poked my side. “We are doing multiple runs aren't we?”
“Probably. I want to ascend here and we have the place to ourselves. When you factor in that we have insanely good places to sleep and this loot is semi-rare to common back in Remi... So you will get no pity from me if you want to go home. Then again I already want to go back into that warm merchant shop,” I said while blowing rings with my frosted breath. “We all could get so sick of the cold and find out that I would rather be eaten by tigers. After being eaten by tigers I doubt that will be the case.”
Cyrene stepped forward from a side conversation with Dib, “You brought a cold weather team; as in the ogres and the bearfrii can do okay in the frigid north. I will struggle with the cold, but the cabin breaks will be great. If we do not rush it we can probably keep morale high. By the creator, I already want to put on my warmer jacket.”
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