“Are you perhaps, the guild elder?” Asked Artanis, to the well-dressed young man who had been so nice to her, even going as far as to defend her honor, from the rude, ex-guild member who was trying to steal the letter she was supposed to deliver directly to the guild’s elder. And that had given him an impressive punch in his face, as he tried to offend her.
“Indeed, that would be me. And you, Milady, are?” Asked the young man, the title of guild elder, had nothing to do with one’s actual age, but with one’s experience and contributions to the guild’s well being. After he had finished cleaning blood in his hand, he threw the handkerchief dirtied with the man’s blood, on top of the unconscious man’s face.
“I am Artanis, and came to deliver a letter, which is to be delivered directly to you, Sir. And if possible I hope to join the guild as well.” She said in response to his question. She then bowed, thinking that somehow doing so fit into the current conversation.
“So a letter were the cause of all this? May I ask, who wrote it?” Asked the man surprised, that a mere letter had caused so much trouble. It had to be a valuable letter, for Gaylle to try to steal it from her hands, in front of so many witnesses no less.
“The writer goes by the name of Hywel, and Said you would recognize his name, Sir.” Said Artanis, although being so overly formal, were somewhat annoying to her, who was accustomed to being informal. However, the man had been so formal and polite with her, she did not think, to try to speak informally.
“Ahahaha, you’ve met that fat hyena? I am so sorry, Milady. It must have been quite the traumatic experience, I can only imagine, what that slave driver must had you do. Please, let us continue this conversation over a cup of tea, follow me to my office Milady Artanis.” Hearing so, she nodded. As she followed Aramis, into the second floor of the mansion, she could feel the stares of both players and NPC’s alike.
The fight with Gaylle had already made her famous among those inside the guild’s hall. Moreover, most players and NPC’s were envious of the fact she would see the inside of the guild’s Elder Office. Something, that only a few, high-level players had yet to do. Soon both had reached the office’s door, and after both were inside of it, He took a complex gold key, similar to the one Hywel had used on his cart.
“If you would be so kind.” Said Aramis, beckoning her to sit in a very comfortable looking chair, by a small table, soon after she had sat on the chair, he brought a tea set, including some small biscuits.
“So Milady Artanis, may I see the letter?” He asked with a smile on his face, as he served a cup of herbal tea for her. Hearing so, she handed the small, folded paper square into his hand. Receiving it, he soon unfolded and started to read the letter.
Quest Completed.
“Impressive. Now, that is something I rarely, see. Milady, it seems you’ve made a rather good impression on him.” Said the man, after having finished reading the letter, the surprise in his eyes was plain to see. Whatever was written in that letter was something He did not expect to see. Artanis wondered just what that fat man had written, to cause such reaction on Aramis, just from reading his letter.
“May I ask what you mean, Sir Aramis?” Asked, curious about the contents of the letter she had delivered, hopefully it were not bad news. As bringing such letter on her first Day in the guild, would be bad for her reputation.
“My dear lady Artanis, this letter is a guild recommendation, and they are rare enough to see nowadays. But this is not just any recommendation. It’s written by none other than the guild leader himself.” He explained the reason for his surprise. This in turn, caused Artanis to be surprised. To think that such important documented were written with the ripped off page from a cheap notebook, was preposterous.
“That man is the guild leader?!” She screamed in surprise, to think that she had met such an important man, at such circumstances. Unknown to her, she were to only player to have ever met one of the NPC’s guild leaders.
“Please calm down Milady, he shall continue after you have done so.” He said, drinking a sip of his tea. Which, she soon did as well. The herbal tea proprieties had a calming effect, and soon they were both on their second cup. Having calmed down, she decided to ask about the guild leader.
“Could you tell me what you known about him?” She asked, curious about how such man could become the guild leader. Although she somewhat knew the answer, after all she had seen the man speak before. And although He were a weird obese man, that for some reason had such unusual laugh. He was someone capable of making anyone do his binding.
“About the hyena?” He asked, he had expected her to be more curious about the letter, that about the man who had written it. After all, he had said the guild’s master recommendation were something rather unique.
“Yes, but is it ok for us to speak about him in such manner?” After their familiarity had increased along the course of their conversation, both had changed their speech into something slightly more informal.
“Hahaha, Yes milady that is fine. Rather, the man likes to be called as such. Proud of the nickname he earned.” He said smiling, there were two things he liked the most in his life, one were of course Money. And the other was beautiful woman, and right now in his Office were both.
“His name is as you known Hywel, is an orphan. Both his parents died during an attack to their small mountain village. The village, were destroyed and he were among the few survivors, as he were during the time a baby. His mother died protecting him. His father, tried to run away, leaving both behind. And you would do well not to speak about it, with him, had his father not died during the attack. I suspect Hywel would have done at his first opportunity.” After having said so, he poured another cup of tea for Artanis.
“Should I continue?” He asked, seeing how surprise she were that a NPC could have such a tragic past. She nodded.
“Very well Milady, I shall continue. The knights from a near boring citadel arrived and killed the few orcs, which had yet to leave. Perhaps if they had arrived before Hywel would be a different man, but talking about ifs and how’s will not change a man’s past. None of the survivors was older than twelve, and as such, they were put in an orphanage.
There he grew, on a loving home. The priestesses of Freya were kind, and treated them well. But the rest of the citadel’s population was not so kind. I am sure you know how kids are. The citadel’s adults were not much better. Living as a poor orphan, he started doing random works, and after he had gathered a few silver coins. He became a merchant. And that was the start of his legend.” Having finished his story, he tried to pour another cup of tea. Only to find his teapot were empty.
“Such a sad history, but why do you know it?” Asked Artanis, curious about how the guild Elder knew of Hywel past, such tragic and sad past would most likely be something he would not talk about often. Losing one’s parents to orcs, and being forced to live in an orphanage. And if that were not enough, he was constantly being mistreated, by the residents of the citadel that housed him. Considering all that had happened in his life, a greedy, shrewd businessman. Was not the worse he could have become.
“Indeed it is, as for the reason I know it. I used to be his apprentice.” Told Aramis, telling such sad story had taken his toll on him, as he now had a rather grim look at his face.
“But let’s stop talking about the past, we have something more important to discuss milady.” He said, leaving the chair, and opening his closet. He searched among the varied clothing, some adorned with gold threads or buttons, and others had a sturdy look, being reinforced with both iron and leather. But none of it was what he was searching for.
“Here it is!” Said Aramis, on his hands were a rather large backpack, made of both leather and cloth, reinforced with iron plates here and there; it looked like it could resist an impressive amount of weight.
“As a fellow apprentice of Hywel, please accept this little gift, milady Artanis.” He said, giving her the backpack and encouraging her to wear it. Which she soon did, it reached a little higher than her head, and reached her butt, covering it. A few centimeters wider than her body, it looked rather heavy. But, it was not heavy enough, to impede her of wearing it. But, was heavy enough too difficult her movements. Making, that running with it, were something impossible to do.
“Thank you Sir Aramis.” She did not expect to gain such great gift, a backpack were among the list of things she thought to take in her future trip to Arkmerk’s tomb. And most likely she would not be able to afford such a high quality one.
Please, drop the Sir. We are both Hywel apprentices, are we not? Aramis said, smiling, he now considered her a friend. Although, perhaps this friendship. Might end, causing him a lot of trouble. Should his wife hear that a beautiful elven maiden had entered his Office, and spent a long time locked inside of it with him. Suffice to say, a jealous woman is scarier that any orc.
“I will that is, if you drop the milady thing.” Being called so, were as flattening as it were embarrassing. And although it would b fine to be called as such on occasion, Aramis seemed to have a fixation on that Word, having said it countless times today.
“Hahaha, that might be difficult, but I promise to try.” He had heard the same request from his wife before, but he had yet to be able to change that about him. He had served as the butler of a wealthy woman before, which insisted he called her so. Should he not do so, a pay cut were to be expected. And everyone knows how much someone can change, when there is Money involved.
“That aside mi... Artanis, I welcome you to the Merchant guild. And having been recommended by Hywel, I will take the liberty as bestow you the title of advanced guild member.” He said, before a transparent message window appeared.
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
Class Change!
You can convert to a basic class Merchant. If you accept it, you can learn exclusive commerce skills for that are withheld from other classes.
Do you wish to convert to Merchant?
She nodded, in turn the system recognized it as her answer, now she had became a merchant. But having accepted the class change, a few transparent message widows appeared before her.
Class changed to Merchant.
A new attribute has been generated: Charisma
Charisma:
A compelling attractiveness that can inspire devotion in others, a charismatic person presence and words, are useful for both negotiating, and leading others.
High charisma facilitates the taming of pets, and make hiring mercenaries cheaper. Its effects stack with both Reputation and Leadership.
[quart=Name:,Alignment:]Artanis,Neutral[/quart][quart=Level:,Profession:]1,Merchant[/quart][quart=Race:,Gender:]Elf,Female[/quart][quart=Fame:,Infamy:]51,0[/quart][quart=Health:,Health Regen /Sec:]105,0.93[/quart][quart=Mana:,Mana Regen /Sec:]525,4.8[/quart][quart=Stamina:,Stamina Regen /Sec:]75,0.39[/quart][quart=Strength:,Agility:]11,16[/quart][quart=Vitality:,Endurance:]9,3[/quart][quart=Wisdom:,Intelligence:]40 + 5,25 + 5[/quart][quart=Art:,Luck:]23,0[/quart][quart=Leadership:,Charm:]0,4[/quart][quart=Slashing:,Piercing:]0%,0%[/quart][quart=Fire:,Water:]0%,0%[/quart][quart=Earth:,Wind:]0%,0%[/quart][quart=Light:,Darkness:]0%,0%[/quart]
Status Window:
Titles:
None
-
-
Charisma
1 + 10
-
Attack:
1 ~4
Defence:
1
Physical Resistance:
Crushing:
0%
Elemental Resistance:
Charisma stat is added extra 10 points.
Intelligence stat is added extra 5 points.
Wisdom stat is added extra 5 points.
Enables you to learn mercantile skills.
Increases Fame by selling or buying items.
You have learned the skill: Identification.
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:IdentificationBasic10%Allows you to identify an item's properties, as skill level grow you can appraise more complex items, as well discovering details such as small flaws and qualities. If proper tools are used, the chance of a successful identification improves.
You have learned the skill: Bargaining.
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:BargainingBasic10%Allows you to negotiate an item's price, either to buy or sell it. Higher skill levels allows for better deals.
Guild Promotion!
Having been promoted to an advanced member of the Merchant guild, you earned the following benefits:
Access to all guild facilities, except those restricted to the leader and elders.
A discount of 10% in any stores affiliated to the guild.
Fame increased by +100.
Can be granted the title of guild elder, if certain requirements are achieved.
“Take this ring, and always keep it with you as it is your identity as a guild member.” said Aramis, giving her a gold ring.
As she looked closely at the ring given to her, as usual a transparent message window appeared.
Merchant's Guild SignetType:RingDurability:50 / 50Quality:MasterpieceCreator:Aldebrand VannesDefense:1A solid gold ring, it was finely crafted by a skilled jeweler. It has a unique design featuring three etched coins. The leftmost being a silver one, the middle is made of gold and the rightmost one was made of bronze. Used as a symbol of one's allegiance to the merchant's guildRestriction:None.Effect(s):
Charisma +10
Bound to Artanis.
Cannot be dropped during death.
She wore the ring, admiring its beauty. But she was soon interrupted by Aramis’s words.
“I am glad you’ve liked it, do you have any questions?” He asked, and although he enjoyed her company, she could not stay much longer, he had still some work that needed to be done.
“Could you help me identify this?” She asked, having taken the mysterious gold ring from her bag, which sight, caused Aramis eyes to widen in surprise.
“That ring? But that's... How did you get it?! And why didn’t you show it to me, before?!” He screamed in surprise, having walked towards Artanis he grabbed her arms trying to brim her hands closer to him, as to inspect the ring. This sudden action surprised Artanis, which tried to avoid being caught by his hands, but she had not enough time to react properly, and so she was easily caught by Aramis.
“Hywel gave me it!” She answered, thinking that perhaps she was being accused of stealing it. Which anyone else who saw such a poor looking person carrying it, would have thought. But judging by the reaction he had having heard her answer, this was not the case.
“Just what was that man thinking? Inviting a complete novice!” Complained Aramis, he had know his mentor Hywel, for many years, but he could still not comprehend how that man’s mind worked. Hearing him, say a word such as inviting, had caught Artanis’s curiosity. The ring had some sort of special meaning. And if so, what it was?
“Inviting me? To what?” She asked, curious how such ring, caused such commotion.
<<< Last ChapterNext Chapter >>>