It was slightly colder than normal when Mark awoke. For once he was glad that Amelia had gotten the space heater earlier in the week. If it were up to him, he would have just kept on suffering. Although likely for not too much longer since the temperatures would be getting warmer soon as they got deeper into the spring months. The battle had started at the beginning of the first spring month.
The succession battle was now on day seven, the final day of the 1st week. Just like the 24 hour time of day, weeks matched up to those on earth, as did the number of months. The months were split into sets of three coordinating with the seasons. Mark guessed some things were just universal. Although the months were all precisely 28 days, or 4 weeks per month, leading to only 336 days in total. Which meant despite Amelia's claims of being almost 17 she was somewhere around 15 years old days wise in his frame of reference.
However there was another major difference. She would live for 4 to 5 hundred years old, which no matter how he figured the days meant she would live to be hundreds of years old assuming they lived that long. Most of the other players were many decades older than both of them, although there was a cut off to prevent the succession from having to occur too frequently.
Mark considered that Amelia might be a slightly different species genetics wise, and perhaps he was too. Mark tried not to think about what might come after the succession battle since he wanted to focus on winning it, but according to Amelia he would live for just as long now. Apparently, it was normal for champions to accompany their liege throughout their rule. They did garner a lot of respect for helping win the battle after all. Mark guessed that would not be too bad since he would not be sent back to earth. At least he would have somewhere to go.
Mark glanced over at her cot on the other side of the hut. There was only about 5 feet in between them since the hut was not too big. It was empty, and she was not in the bathroom. It was unusual since she usually was up well after him. Mark thought to immediately go and look for her but he could not quite coax himself to leave the comfort of his cot quite yet. A check of the tactical screen revealed a small blurry section. She had figured out how to blur her location after learning how intrusive the spy function could be. Mark sighed, it was not like he would spy on her. Where was the faith? Whatever did not matter to him. For now she was fine, likely just enjoying the sunrise in her chair.
Mark decided to check up on his units. Last night he had made a few purchases to reward the goblins, but also to increase their defenses. There had been 3 surviving hobgoblins from the battle along with 33 green goblins. Oddly enough it was the perfect amount for 3 squads. Mark decided to keep them as such. Mark had decided to expand the core guard to 18, which meant building 11 more hobgoblins for 1,430 MP since he had taken 5 away to lead squads. They would be equipped from the loot from the gnoll encampment.
The only other thing Mark had unlocked was the archer class for 1,000 MP, and now six of the core guard had an archer class. They came with a bow and 20 arrows as part of their standard loadout and could make more. He could always use more arrows. The archers also came with a long stone knife as part of their standard loadout for close fighting. Mark was definitely going to give them a daily quota or arrows and other stone weapons to build since they were just sitting around anyways. They would always need more arrows and spare weapons. The whole idle hands adage. He would rather have them benefitting the dungeon rather than having time to stir up trouble.
That had been the limit of what Mark could do last night with the MP they had left. Mark had also had to buy the goblins some kegs as promised for their celebration. Now they currently had 1,178 MP. It was not really enough to do much, and even if devoted all of the MP to the purpose they would not have enough to build the final manna bellows today. So much for having them all by the end of the 1st week. Not that Mark minded the tradeoff they had finished crafting 4 days early and gained a lot of loot. They had not bothered to set them up last night, but the goblins now had tents that they could stay in.
The goblins that had taken apart in the battle had all gone from conscript to recruit, meaning they had lost the lack of experience penalty. Well, all but 6 of the green goblins had. Mark could only assume the 6 green goblins who had failed to meet the threshold for recruit were the 6 who had played possum during the battle, although he could not say for sure. Not like he could tell the difference between them. The numbers did match up, and he would have to say that it was pretty conscript like behavior after all.
Another happenstance, Nasally voice became the last surviving member of the original 4 hobgoblins, the other last member having died in the battle. It was a shame, since his voice made him the most annoying. The hobgoblins were already annoying enough with their broken words, then add that voice in. It was not pleasant. A spur of the moment decision, Mark thought to change the hobgoblin’s name officially to Nasal.
[Mark fields has changed Yellow Hobgoblin 1 to Nasal. Accepted, justification, Hobgoblin was the first minion summoned for the dungeon, and is last surviving member of the original 4 summoned.]
“What the?” Mark stated out loud. Mark immediately checked and queried the encyclopedia. He had known changing names was an option. It had been referenced, but he had not looked into it more.
It was restricted to special units. Units that had done special feats, or have some special meaning to the dungeon. Once he read that naming a unit would add benefits, he immediately opened the goblin’s character screen.
Name: Nasal (24/125) Warrior lvl 1 (recruit) Power lvl: 1.2 Morale: 78 (happy) Strength 8 Attack: 3 Defense: 5 Endurance 10 Abilities/Skills Agility 9 Survivor ability, Vitality 13 Intelligence 9 Wisdom 7
Most notably Nasal’s power rating had shot up, from 0.88 it should have been all the way to 1.1. Then his intelligence, wisdom, and vitality had seen a healthy boost. His natural defense had jumped from 2 to 5 which was the highest Mark had seen. Even the gnomes only had up to 4, but of course the most interesting thing was Nasal's new survivors ability.
[Survivor: this unit has survived in battle when the majority of its peers did not, and is also the last remaining member of the dungeon’s first set. Unit now has an increased chance to survive in the future. If a wound does not kill him immediately or immediately thereafter, then the unit has a strong chance at recovery. As a named unit, he will have an increased chance at evolutions and gain experience quicker.]
It was quite a change and made Nasal for sure their strongest unit. However, what piqued his interest the most was the fact that Nasal had increased intelligence, for a goblin anyways. Mark spent several minutes thinking about what to rank the hobgoblin up to.
Ranks were a tricky concept. Units at higher ranks needed to have the clout to hold such a position. Mark was able to assign a general or commander if he so wanted. However, the encyclopedia had warned against doing so with just any unit. The encyclopedia had stressed a tiered power structure.
If Mark made the hobgoblins he had generals then it would set a precedent and potentially water down the position to practically being meaningless. It would give the appropriate boost, but it might also have severe backlash both now and when he summoned stronger units. In the end, it was one of the few warnings the encyclopedia gave, so Mark took it to heart. Usually the interface would prefer the participants to bungle it away on their own.
Mark finally decided that only one rank up was sufficient. Nasal would be able to lead a platoon consisting of 3 full squads. It was the smallest force that was allowed a staff component, which could consist of up to 3 units that did not count as part of the 36 unit force. Nasal would be one of the 3 and the other 2 could be just bodyguards or even assigned as deputy lieutenants. Deputy positions would give a slight boost over sergeant, but not by much. Mark watched as Nasal's rating rose by an additional 15% rounding it up to 1.4.
Mark moved on to other things.
Tier 1 TECH COST TO UNLOCK Foraging 10,000 MP Crafting Unlocked Building Unlocked Mining 15,000 MP Dungeon Features Unlocked Basic Minerals 10,000 Logistics Unlocked Magic energy production Unlocked Settlements 1 15,000 MP Traps 10,000 MP Domestication 10,000 MP Contender capabilities 20,000 MP
There were only 2 options that Mark felt would be of use to them right now, foraging and basic minerals. Most of the rest like mining or settlement would not be beneficial yet since they had discovered anything to mine and there was no resource they would need another settlement to gather.
Foraging looked good to cut down unit costs and would make it slightly more likely for resources. Basic minerals also increase chances of finding resources, but of a different type. They were both only 10,000 MP, so cost was not a factor between the two. Eventually, Mark decided on foraging since it would cut down on costs. They still have a while before their units would be actively looking for more resources for mining or a settlement.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Mark figured that both chances increased his unit's abilities to find essence, although nothing had said that. The twist of this succession battle was essence after all, so they would be fools to not look for it.
Happy, Mark finally pulled himself from his cot. He felt only a slight chill as he pulled more clothes. After a few minutes in the bathroom, he was ready to get going. He took a moment to take in the silent atmosphere. The gnomes were never awake till late morning. They preferred to wake up late and stay up even later. Mark’s running theory was that this was done to to decrease the workday or nightfall and increase their time drinking into the night. Although Mark would not say anything since they were a whirr of productivity when they were working, Well at least they did in between drinks.
The goblins on the other hand should always have someone up since they were, you know, guarding the core, but of course if there was one awake Mark could not tell. Around 50 lying forms cluttered around the pedestal in the dirt. In just one week they had turned the pedestal's surroundings to a dirty, dusty hovel. The only reason why it was not a muddy mess, was due to it not having rained yet. Mark wondered if it would rain…?
At least it would be difficult for someone to approach the orb without stepping in filth or stirring the goblins. Something they might think twice before doing. Mark decided not to deal with it. Not like it would do much good. He shook his head.
Mark made his way toward Amelia who was sitting in her chair at the edge of the clearing. Something that would have been dangerous if they had not figured out how to turn a warning system for any red dots appearing in their territory on the tactical map. Mark took a seat in his own chair. It was one of the first parts of the clearing to illuminate with the sunrise and indeed it already had. Amelia was basking in the sun’s morning glow.
“Are you doing alright?” Mark asked.
“Fine as can be expected,” Amelia stated, not shifting her eyes. The sunlight was lighting the tree tops far into the distance, although underneath the tree tops was still utter darkness giving a fearsome feeling of what could be dwelling from within. It was a good cross between the known and unknown.
“You know they never have cute and cuddly animals, or anything too human like in these battles…” Amelia posed. After a while she picked back up, “No, they pick gruesome and disgusting options, do you know why?”
Mark mused on it for a moment. It was true they unlocked the humanoid tree and yet there were no elves or dwarves or other more human-like races that one would expect in a fantasy setting. There were the gnomes, but even their skin was a dirty orangish yellow color, and it was not like they were featured in the interface. Finally Mark answered, “Because it would make it too real.”
“Too real… That's right it would be too much like the wars they used to have throughout the realm, so instead they fight with strange and gruesome creatures. It did not feel real to me either, well, till I was in it myself… Another fun fact, did you know they also don’t show the contender’s deaths. There is even a conspiracy theory about it. Who knows, maybe I will find out. Perhaps instead of dying I’ll just be whisked away to some secret location to live out the remainder of my days.”
“We won’t reach that point,” Mark said determinedly. She nodded in return, but still did not turn to face him. Mark felt for the girl. She was still young and was living in a situation where death could be coming from just beyond the hill. Dealing with their impending mortality was not something a girl her age should be even thinking of. Even people Mark’s age were too young to really be considering it, and he had a good 6 to 8 years on her depending on the calendar being used. They just sat there for a long time like that, both watching as the sun rose higher and the unknown became known.
The moment had been peaceful, but it was seemingly an unusual day when something did not happen or go wrong in the succession battle. Mark was spending his afternoon, doing what he did for the majority of his time over the last week. He was analyzing their options and playing through hypothetical playthroughs in his head. Doing his best to anticipate or think of features that might come into play later in the game. At this point he had been through all the options currently available to them ad nauseum. Sometimes he even dreamt about them in his sleep.
“Boss, something happened to the scouting party,” Nasal said, skidding to a stop in front of him. Mark just stared at the hobgoblin for a second. It was kind of odd hearing the goblin talk in such a normal manner. If he did not consider the nasally voice from which the goblin got its name, that is.
Mark followed the goblin lieutenant to the pedestal. As he often did, he flashed a look at the tactical map despite the warning system being in place. It was not like he trusted it. The screen that was perpetually above the orb these days was missing. Mark grimaced that was not a good sign. It had not happened before as far as he knew. Only one thing he could think of that would cause it. The goblins in the squad were all dead.
A quick glance around, and Mark picked out 2 other hobgoblin sergeants wearing brand new armor. What a relief, it had been one of the 3 new squads he had just made for 1215 MP a few hours ago. Of course, Mark thought, the goblins would have been sure to send out the new guys. Fortunately that meant that his recruits were just fine. The recruit hobgoblins had of course insisted on keeping the recruit lil bits in their squads. Mark had not cared to argue. He figured a couple of elite…. Ehhhh, better squads might be better than spreading the talent… adequate personnel throughout the new squads. It would have felt like such a loss if he loss the units he had finally gotten that did not have a penalty.
“Both, squa’ all dead, we wost de pictures,' ' one of the hobgoblin core guards announced once they arrived.
Mark turned to Nasal. The squad was scouting over on that hill,” Nasal indicated, pointing at the same hill he had yesterday. Mark almost stopped and asked him whether the goblins ever scouted any other locations. Perhaps, there was something nice over there… “They found some water and started hollering and grabbin their stomach after drinking,”
“Water… They died from drinking water?” Mark looked at the goblin incredulously.
“Uh, well yes boss. They were still rolling around when I left to find you,” Nasal concluded. Just for good measure, Mark checked his unit's page. A whole squad did indeed have a line through their name.
“Take a couple squads and investigate what happened. Bring back the water for me to look at,” Mark said finally, before thinking to add, “And Nasal, don’t let any of the goblins drink the water.”
Nasal nodded before turning and barking orders. Mark watched. He was loving his new lieutenant. It was apparent that 5 stats added to intelligence and wisdom made all the difference.
The hill was not even an hour away for a group of determined goblins, and for the goblins, water capable of killing you, when you drank it was very interesting. For once Nasel had not had to yell and prod the goblins to get them ready. It was nearly 2 hours later when the party returned with something interesting in tow.
Mark noticed the goblins giving a wide berth to one of their number, before they got closer and Mark was able to tell the difference. It was a green goblin, but not…
“We found all of them like this,” Nasal said softly. “But this one is the only one that came back to life… He doesn’t speak, but seems to understand.”
Mark looked at him sharply. “You are saying this is one of ours?” The lieutenant nodded.
A look at his unit’s page and mark confirmed it was true. One of the green goblins no longer had a line through their name, and the name was different. Mark brought up the unit's status.
Name: Reanimated Goblin Corpse (1/100) (recruit) Power lvl: 1.0 Morale: ------- Strength 12 Attack: 1 Defense: 2 Endurance 10 Abilities/Skills Agility 5 Unkillable, Life Leach Vitality 20 Intelligence 1 Wisdom 1
What on earth had happened to them. The goblin had obviously died, but had apparently been going through some sort of evolution prior that it did not survive, but had reanimated it after death. It now occurred to him, that Nasal had mentioned the change had happened to all of them. “Bring me the water they drank,” Mark demanded.
Mark could not see what was in the pouch, but then again he did not have too.
[Congratulations: You have discovered life essence and one way in which to use it. The essence feature has now been unlocked.]
Mark was ecstatic, but he had another notice about the reanimated corpse, so he did not get hung up on the news.
[Notice: One of your units died due to drinking life essence. The unit's body underwent a radical transformation that was cut short in death. Due to the nature of the unit, the creature has gained two traits. Unkillable: the unit can only be killed by fire and other attacks that will decrease the unit to its most basic components. Life leech: due to the nature of its death, the unit has a serious imbalance. The unit can drain vitality with a touch.]
“It can drain vitality,” Mark said to no one in particular.
“Yes boss, one of the lil bits touched him, and dropped like a rock. I think he’s fine, just out cold.”
Mark nodded. “How much water was there?” He asked. He would by no means say he was imagining goblin genocide to create an army of these things. How could he not. The things might be slow, but they would be difficult to kill and could drop things with a touch. Sure goblins did not have vitality to spare at just 3, but it was still better than anything else currently in his arsenal. Not that he would carry it out… maybe not.
“Boss what you have in the water skin, and 2 others was all that was left. The squad had drunk most of it.” Nasal replied. “I think it might come back given some time,” he added.
“Of course…” Mark said laughing, before remembering himself and dismissing the other goblins. They find a precious resource and then waste most of it. It was basically what he expected from them. He shook his head. It was fine. It was the last day of the first week and he had gotten a hold of some essence and apparently one method on how to use it. Now he could only hope the source was a spring and more life essence would come given enough time.
Mark opened the new essence tab. It was basically blank except for the words life essence in bold. Underneath them, there was only one word, reanimate. Next to the word was the number 9. Mark queried it in the encyclopedia.
According to this utilization of life essence. They could reanimate something that had died within the last hour. The more powerful or larger the creature is the more measures of life essence will be required. The stats would not be increased. The intelligence and wisdom would even drop to 1, but as a corpse the reanimation would be far more difficult to kill.
Unfortunately, it seemed the reanimated goblin corpse was a freak accident. Only one of the 12 had come back after all, and the utilization method did not mention anything about the skills the goblin corpse had received. Mark put the idea of making an army of these things to rest. He would have to waste hundreds of MP to get even one. Who knows it could take a whole lot more. He could have just gotten lucky getting 1 out of 12. He could not waste MP and the newly discovered life essence on an unknown when he now had a known method.
He had 9 measures of the stuff. He would start with the most powerful thing that they could find, in case it needed all 9 measures. Then he would use the remainder for something lesser. Now that it had been removed from the source the life essence would start losing its effectiveness, so they would need to secure something soon. Luckily, he knew where one big and powerful creature was. It was time to go on a bear hunt.