The previous night left Jim with a new power, his new fast hands ability had ranked up to Novice 4 and he also had the coins he’d won to prove it. Eventually the rest of the team noticed he was training his ability and cheating them, banning him from being the dealer of the cards for the foreseeable future. This wasn’t a big deal, Jim found out, as the money they were playing with was the cash from the team pot, not their individual coin.
The team were gathering in the lower floor of the cargo area, queued outside of Mae’s office waiting to receive their contract. The usual sounds of whistling pipes, moving equipment and hauling cargo was missing from the warehouse today as teams from across the town gathered to receive contracts.
“Did anyone see where Paxx ended up last night? That little dude is an animal for a party.” Jim said as he rubbed his temples, the hangover still lingering.
“Yeahhh, I found him asleep behind the bar in the arms of some Orc woman. He’ll meet us over at the high street later, he needs to grab spell supplies before they’re out of stock.” Twill said.
“Not going to lie guys, I’m a little nervous about heading out on a mission without being able to set a respawn.” Jim said shyly.
“Don’t worry about it, by the time we get to the contract location you’ll be at level 3. We’re going to train you on the ship!” Twill said with a smile.
“Great! What sort of training?” Jim asked incredulously.
“Fighting.” Burnie stated. “After that performance the other day, you need it. No footwork and no real understanding of your weapon either. You’ll be dead before you know it in your current state.” The Draconid breathed a smog of ash from his nose as he took a judgemental look at Jim.
“Hey, we all started somewhere Burnie, go easy.” A serious tone accompanied Twill's voice.
“I’m not dying due to a newbie messing up. He’ll stay on the boat if he’s not ready.” Burnie said, fronting his body towards Twill.
“That’s not your call, it’s mine. I'm the team captain.” Twill said authoritatively.
The scales on the Draconid shimmered and chattered, clicking together in a raspy buzz.
“We win together, and we die together.” Twill stated.
“For you guys, sure. But we barely know him.” Burnie snarled.
“The team is the team. End of. Mae’s put him with us, and there will be a damn good reason as to why.” Twill said, stepping towards Burnie.
“Fine, but if he isn’t up to scratch you need to step up and sort it out.” Burnie said as a swirl of green energy appeared in his hand. A black, ashy long wooden staff grew from the vortex of mana.
“I’ll go and prepare for his test. Be ready.” Burnie turned, his long cloak brushing Jim's ankles. He left the queue towards the main exit.
“Test?” Jim asked, looking at Twill with a worried concern.
“Yeah, he’ll be getting some creature you’ll need to capture before we let you come on the mission. Standard team practice. Don’t worry about it though, shoulddddd be fine.” Twill pondered as he patted Jim on the shoulder.
What sort of stores are on the high street by the way? I think I’ll need supplies too. Do you know if they sell tools?” Jim asked.
“What sort of tools? Filbert asked as he tucked his throwing knives into his bandolier.
“Screw drivers, wrenches. Usual tools?” Jim asked.
“There’s loads of stores, you should be able to find anything you need there.” Twill said as the team took a step forward in the queue.
“Why do you need tools? You should be buying potions, poisons or nets for our type of work.” Filbert asked curiously.
“I like to build things. I have an idea about a capture device. Your magic arrow trap made me think of it. I have rough plans in my head, but if I can make it on the way I think It could help out.” Jim said, as he pulled a pencil from behind his ear.
Jim touched the face of his watch, and navigated to the stored items removing a blank scroll. “I better draw it out actually, do you know if the shops will have compressed gas?” Jim excitedly started to scribble on the scroll.
“No idea what that is, I know Twill has plenty of Gas though!” Filbert said as he punched Twill’s arm with a laugh.
“Blame your cooking!” Twill said, laughing with Filbert.
“You know, you should talk to Paxx about magical conjuration. I’m pretty sure there’s a school of magic where it’s like summoning. Except instead of a beast, you create something from a magical scroll.” Filbert suggested.
“REALLY?” Jim shouted.
“That’s a thing! I can just come up with an idea and magically pull it out of a scroll? Do you know how amazing that is!” Jim grabbed the shoulders of Filbert in excitement and thrust him back and forth.
“I guess not? I’ve seen builders conjure buildings before. There’s not many of those types of Mage’s, most like to blow things up, not make things. Paxx will know for sure though.” Filbert said as he plucked Jim’s shocked hands from his shoulders.
“Make sure you get potions as well.” Filbert said as the team took a step just outside of the doorway of Mae’s office.
Jim’s mind ran wild with possibilities as he searched the Game Guide for information on magical conjuration. Flicking through the pages and pages of information on the skill Jim absentmindedly followed the team into Mae’s office.
A screech pierced Jim’s ears as a claw dug into his shin.
“Ow, what the?” Jim reacted, wincing his legs back.
A very upset Hoggle leapt on to the shoulder of Mae, the Magehound in the form of a blue and green Persian cat.
“Sorry Hog, didn’t see you there!” Jim said as he rubbed his leg.
“You should pay more attention to things around ya’.” Mae said in a rush and she filed through papers, organising them into stacks. Her dark brown hair was tucked into a bun and she wore a pair of dirty flannel dungarees.
Mae was surrounded by boxes, chests and items. A large list of contract names and assigned teams filled a chalkboard to the left of her desk. She flicked through a notebook as Hoggle nuzzled her hair whilst perched on her shoulder.
“Right, Twill, Filbert, Paxx, Burnie and Jim. Team 32. Assigned to Contract VDC92230. Give me a minute boys.” Mae said, as she moved to the stacks of chests, leaning over them searching for something.
“There it is!” She said as she dusted off an old scroll.
“Ok. There’s been several reports of townsfolk disappearing in a little town called Dulcey. It’s about a two day sail south and maybe a day’s walk inland. A low level area so perfect for the new recruit.” Mae said as she assessed some documents.
“Any reports of rogue monsters? What are we hunting here?” Twill asked as he wrote notes in a small note pad.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“None. That’s the odd thing. Usually, as you know, when people vanish there’s either a big monster to cash in on that’s killed them, or there’s a stealth monster leaving a bloody trail as it picks off people or farm animals. The reports from Dulcey show neither. No trail, no monster reports, nothing. Just people vanishing from their homes.” She said.
“Right, you know we’re not detectives right? Sounds more like a case for the society of mysteries than us.” Twill said, tapping a pencil against his notes.
“Well, that’s where it gets interestin’. The SOM sent a level 13 and 15 team of two brothers, who haven't been heard from since. The locals reported the sounds of a fight near the town though, so something’s goin' on for sure. You’ll be pleased to know I’ve also managed to find this.” Mae unravelled a scroll which looked to be a map.
“Oh great, one of these contracts. Follow the secret map to find the lost treasure. These are always full of shit and you know it.” Filbert said as he rolled his eyes.
“Oh no, not treasure.” Mae said as she threw the scroll towards Filbert.
“That is a lair.” Mae said, as she ticked off Contract VDC92230 from the assignee list.
“A lair of what?” Jim said, speaking up for the first time.
“Oh he’s paying attention!” Mae said with a sassy snap.
“A Skinwreaker.” She said.
“Ah shit, really?” Twill asked exasperatedly.
“Yup, big payday if it is. That map looks old, older than the town, and those things hibernate for decades. I’d put some money on it that this is the answer.” Mae said as she picked up another stack of papers.
Jim flicked his watch over and searched the Game Guide for Skinwreaker.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creature: Skinwreaker
Rarity: Rare
Description:
Skinwreakers were at one point human. However, over years of torment by shapeshifting demons they’re told to be shapeshifting menacing, slaughtering unexpected travellers crossing their dens and hunting grounds, taking their victims souls and exchanging it for extended life with its demon forebear.
CAUTION
Skinwreakers can appear as their victims and are excellent at stealth tactics. They are a humanly intelligent species.
Weaknesses: ???
Rewards:Highly valuable return of investment if destroyed and reported to authorities.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“So we need to kill this thing if it’s there?” Jim asked as he closed the heads up display of his Hololens.
“Oh yeah, kill it real good, and bring back the body. We’ll get in touch with the monster authority and cash in the bounty. You’ll pay off that debt for the raptor, and more, if you land it lad.” Twill said.
“And if it isn't one of these?” Filbert asked.
“Then kill whatever it is.” Mae said.
“Have any teams ever fought one before?” Twill questioned as he closed his notepad and tucked into a white pouch on his waist.
“None of ours. Now get going, I’ve got 32 more contracts to hand before the end of the day.” Mae waved a hand at the team.
The team looked at each other hesitantly, and left the room.
“Don’t get the new guy killed!” She shouted from around the doorway.
The team walked in silence leaving the warehouse, making their way to the high-street.
The town was a hive of activity. Teams of people moved in groups around the town, discussing tactics and plans about their contracts.
“I don’t like this Twill” Filbert said as the team made their way to the high-street.
“I know, I’m not keen on this. It’s not our strength but Burnie and Paxx can do this.” Twill said as he walked quickly towards the town.
Filbert rushed to his side and leant towards Twill.
“The new guy though, this thing is going to mess with us, we know he’s pretty useless physically, we have no clue what his mental strength is like. He’ll get himself killed.” Filbert whispered.
“I am right here you know.” Jim said as he stopped in his path.
“Look, we don’t know each other that well, but what I lack in physical strength, or fighting prowess is nothing compared to how strong my mind is. I’ve crossed problems you two have no concept of, and been to places you can’t fathom. If this thing wants to play games I’ll see right through it. Mentally, I cannot crack, I do not stumble and I will not break. Now I’m going to see If I can make a Bazooka, I’ll meet you back here in an hour.” Jim said with professional confidence.
Twill and Filbert stood in silence for a moment, looking at each other in shock.
“What’s a Bazooka?” Filbert asked.
“Not a damn clue, but I think we might have underestimated our beardy new friend.” Twill said as he slapped Filbert on the back.
***
The ding of bell rang as Jim entered the store. “Morb’s arboretum of alchemical wares” was a dark hovel of a shop. The smell of incense and burning candles shocked the senses, filling Jim’s nose and slightly burning his eyes.
He looked around at the store, picking up items to inspect. His Hololens ability gave him plenty of information on the items, more so than the labels suggested. He could see the information on the base compounds of the items that we grounded powders, flowing liquids and solid ores.
“I need Nitrate, Sulphur and I think Charcoal?” Jim asked himself quietly.
“What areeeee you whispering about?” A voice from the other side of the room spoke followed by a chattering of teeth.
Jim turned and saw no one.
“Erm hello?” Jim said as he looked around the room.
A pair of eyes, up on the dark rotting ceiling of the room, blinked.
Jim took a step back as a creak ran down the walls of the room. The creature, in a split and open cloak descended two long and spindly legs to the floor. Its body detached from the ceiling, breaking splinters of wood onto the ground.
Its body was skeletal and thin, with green skin that gave off the smell of rotten compost.
As its head descended out of the darkness, the mandibles of the bug-like humanoid edged into the light.
“I’m Morb, welcome to my store.” The creature bowed its long head, its bug eyes blinking out of rhythm.
“Hi, I’m Jim.” Jim said as he tried to comprehend the creature in front of him.
“Never met any of my kind before?” Morb asked, as four more armlike limbs crept out from underneath his cloak.
“Can’t say I have.”
“Mantian Perasious, or Manti for short. We’re from the Azmodian Jungle. How can I help you today?” Morb said as he began to take jars in all four limbs and stack them onto the shelves behind the counter.
“I need some core elements, but I don’t know if you have them in their rawest form. Nitrate, Sulphur and Charcoal.” Jim stated.
“Ah a budding steward of the sciences are we?” Morb asked.
“You could say that” Jim replied as he inspected more items on the shelves.
“This one, the Bangsling sack. That’s high in nitrate right?” Jim said as he placed a preservation jar of a bug onto the counter.
“Why yes, that’s one of the most concentrated vessels of that particular element. You have a good eye. Nasty things to capture in one piece though.” Morb said as he gently placed the jar to the side of the counter.
“Can i grab a bag of the Burnt Ashfig limbs, and one of those sacks of Rocknat shells too please?” Jim asked decisively.
“Of course Sir, may I interest you in any other ingredients today? I assume you have the necessary tools to work with these items as well? Do you possess Alchemy expertise?” Morb said as he placed the items onto the counter, his free hands still organising stock behind him.
“Not officially, but I have a lot of knowledge on it.” Jim said.
“Usually, those are the other way around. How do you have knowledge without the skills and expertise?” Morb said with a curious tilt of his head.
“I’ve read a lot.” Jim said as he continued to inspect items.
Morb leaned over the counter, inspecting Jim’s face with his beady bug eyes.
“Very odd. Well if you do want to become an Alchemist, please feel free to enrol on my Novice expertise course. It takes several weeks of theoretical and practical study, but it seems you have a knowledge of the area already. You’d do well.” Morb said.
“Thanks, but I don’t think I’ll use my one expertise on Alchemy. How much do I owe you?” Jim asked as he conjured a pouch of coins from his watch.
“2 silver, 13 copper please sir. Sir, are you aware you can have multiple expertise?” Morb asked as he reached out a slender arm, one of his many hands now open to accept the coin.
“I was not. That’s good to know. I’ll swing by once I’m back from my contract. Pleasure to meet you Morb.” Jim handed over the coins and placed the three items into his storage.
“Pleased to meet you too Jim, I’m sure I’ll see you again.” Morb said, as he bowed his head.
“As a word of warning, those specific ingredients need to be handled with care. I’d suggest you take a look in Wiggenfire’s Smithery for some instruments to handle them.” Morb said with a rolling hiss on his words.
Jim left the store, the sun and cold air of the day hitting his face with a welcome freshness.
“Ooooooh darlinnggggg! It’s so good to see a teammate, how’s Morb this morning? Creepy as ever?” Paxx said as he shuffled quickly over to Jim, a gold cloak swayed in the breeze as he thrust a waving hand in a blur.