Chapter 33: Interlude

Name Ghelion Class Advisor,FirstClass Guild Avalon Advisors SD Unknown

Ghelion drank deeply from his morning coffee, allowing the bitter taste to fill his mouth. The dark brew was helping to refine his thinking like a pencil being slowly sharpened. Or at least that is what he told himself. As he set the mug down upon the table he gave a short prayer of thanks to AION that he had somehow managed to find himself alone. He was sitting at a table in a small patio near the back of the HQ. The patio had the view of the ocean, and also was surrounded by a small grove of trees that afforded shade and privacy. Ghelion often came here to write reports or simply to spend some time in deep contemplation. In the best of times other advisors would often join him and they would share stories of their players and their accomplishments.

But these were not the best of times.

Before Ghelion was the Esem Monitor and past the front page and the gossip columns was a curious story on page five entitled: “Sudden Surge of Missing Players in Greater Avalon Region.” Ghelion had read the unassuming story five times as it was very short. More of a news bulletin than a story, really. And despite the sensationalistic title the content itself was rather dryly written and seemed to suggest rumors were the source of the news instead of actual facts:

Are players going missing from Avalon? This is the question I traveled from The Hub to investigate. For several months there have been reports of strange going-ons in the forests of Avalon. Some Guilds have reported that longtime members are now disappearing within the shadowy forests of this medieval landscape in Esem.

The article went on to say that all the information the journalist could find only amounted to rumors by the end of his investigation. There was no reason to panic, assured the writer, and until more information could be uncovered the missing players could be assumed to just be lost as their numbers were relatively small regardless. Players would no doubt read the article and become slightly annoyed that they had wasted their time scanning such a waste of time.

Advisors, however, were taking this very seriously.

“Ghelion, there you are.”

“Tarry,” said Ghelion, looking up from his coffee. “Good morning. Have you seen the papers?”

“Um, yes I did,” said the Advisor. He took a seat across from Ghelion, a nervous expression on his face.

“Is something wrong?”

“Everday just called a meeting with all the Advisors,” said Tarry. “I think its about you know what.”

“Tarry,” sighed Ghelion. “No one else is around. You can just say ‘the Antagonista.’”

“I just don’t like thinking about it,” said Tarry shaking his head. “We’ve had it so good for so long. Now AION is allowing this thing to traipse about Esem causing all kinds of trouble for us.”

“It hasn’t caused much trouble yet,” said Ghelion. “Unless there is some news I am unaware of.”

“You said it yourself, Ghelion.” Tarry tapped the paper. “These players are genuinely missing. Advisor Maris hasn’t heard from one of her players in months and she can’t find him at all.”

“True,” said Ghelion. Though he agreed that the Antagonista was involved he wanted to prod Tarry some and perhaps come to another conclusion. It was a useful strategy to play devils advocate sometimes. “What if these players are just lost, like the paper says. Or actually dead? We have no idea of confirming that unless we find their bodies, after all. We have all lost players like that before.”

Tarry threw his hands up in exasperation.

“Dead? These aren’t noobs fresh off the island, Ghelion. Maris was telling me her player was working on her fifth contact mark! What player with five marks is going to be killed by anything in the woods of Avalon of all places? It’s not exactly the Wastes, now is it?”

“Avalon has some powerful creatures running around,” shrugged Ghelion. “Perhaps she crossed the path of an Elder Fairy.”

“Highly unlikely,” snorted Tarry. Arguing was seeming to give him more confidence and his nervousness was melting away. “Everyone knows that those woods may be goblin infested but they are only goblin infested. And how many goblins would it take to kill so many highly marked players? Thousands?”

“So it’s not the goblins,” said Ghelion. “What could it be?”

“Obviously if it’s not the goblins or some off course elder monster running around then it’s got to be…” Tarry gulped. “The Antagonista itself. In the flesh, picking off players one by one.”

They were both quiet for a moment, thinking about what they had said. Truth be told none of the Advisors had any idea what to make of this new power which had entered the land. AIONs plan was always mysterious but this seemed downright ridiculous to many Ghelion had spoken to on the matter. What god would allow such a powerful rival free reign within his world do as they they please? They only thing that Ghelion was sure of that by the end of the millennia all of Esem would be changed forever and he only hoped it would be for the better.

“What’s that you got there?” Asked Ghelion, noticing a letter in Tarry’s hand.

“Oh, right,” said Tarry, handing it to Ghelion.. “This is why I was looking for you in the first place. You got a letter.”

Ghelion took the letter and read the front.

Outpost Amber

March 6th

-C

“Good news, I hope,” said Tarry casually. As ever the Advisor was intensely curious regarding Ghelion and his players ever since the news about Spade over a month ago.

“It’s Chase,” said Ghelion, opening the letter. “Looks like he is near that forest where all the players are disappearing.”

Ghel,

I’ll keep this short. Been only two days since I saw you but already we have been beset upon by several NPCs. Everyone is fine, no lasting injuries. And believe it or not Amelie is already able to heal us. Have you ever heard of a player being able to cast spells a day after signing a magic contract?

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Anyways, I wanted to tell you about a strange encounter we had with an NPC. There is a quest in Moon Town involving an NPC called Belik (Belek?) the Brute. He is an overall bully and a knob and players usually encounter him around the market area. Normally he is just as you would expect: a raging madman and a bully who any player with a couple levels under their belt can easily handle. Well, when we found him he was not acting as he should have. He didn’t want to do as he was designed. He seemed to be having some sort of existential crises. Took goading him to finally get the reaction he was designed to have. We dispatched him easily enough (afterwards I got to see Amelie’s first healing spell) but it wasn’t until he was dying that I was really shocked.

“He is waiting in the wings of the infinite membrane of AION. His visage shadowed and sharp. He is coming to end the NPCs plight with fire and with freedom. Lord! Help this poor NPC. I can see him. He is waiting in the wings of […]he’s just a baby.”

I wrote them down when they were still pretty fresh in my mind. I had to clean it up some as he was spluttering blood at the same time. Thought you would want to know and could make out what he means. I’ve never heard of an NPC being able to go off script like that. I didn’t tell the guild what my thoughts are, as I want them to be focused on training for the time being.

Anyways, we are heading to Fort Lazerpail for training. We will be there through the summer so if you need to find us you know where we are.

Your Friend

-ChaSe

Ghelion cocked an eyebrow at the capitalized letter ‘S’ in his friend’s name. No doubt a nod to his previous identity. It was likely a harmless action, but one which Ghelion wished he would not do.

“Perhaps you should write him to avoid the forest,” said Tarry once Ghelion folded the letter and placed it in his pocket.

“I think he can handle himself,” said Ghelion. Truth be told he was quite worried for his young players, but other thoughts were on his mind at the moment. “Have you read any reports of NPCs…how shall I say…going off script?”

“Off script?” Tarry blinked.

“Not doing as they are designed to do,” explained Ghelion. “Saying strange things when they are about to die.”

“About to die? That is very specific, Ghelion,” said Tarry. He thought a moment. “No, I have no idea what you mean.”

“I might,” came a deep voice.

Ghelion and Tarry both looked to the entryway. A man with long dark hair and a goatee was standing there dressed in Advisor robes.

“Advisor Mercant,” said Tarry, sounding surprised. “We didn’t see you standing there.”

“I heard your voices out the window and decided to make a visit,” said Mercant. His eyes slid over to Tarry. “Would you mind if I spoke to Advisor Ghelion alone? There are some matters we must discuss.”

“Oh, um, okay,” said Tarry. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Ghelion but rose from his seat. “I have a meeting coming up with a young player anyways. I’ll see you around, Ghelion.”

The Advisors of Spade and Solomon having a chat, thought Ghelion. Poor Tarry will be beside himself with curiosity.

“It’s been a while, Ghelion,” said Mercant once Tarry was gone. His lips twitched into a brief smile. “I have been so busy since I returned to the island a few days ago that I haven’t had time to speak to you.”

“How were your travels?” Ghelion motioned to the chair Tarry had been occupying and Mercant slowly took a seat.

“Long,” said Mercant tersely. “It is good to be home. I had to speak to a dozen of my players this time, not least of whom was the notorious leader of the Old Guard.”

“How is he doing?” Said Ghelion, taking another sip of his coffee. It was no longer hot.

Advisor Mercant crossed his long arms and looked out to sea. Ghelion had always had the impression that Mercant never said a word that hadn’t been carefully thought out before hand. Sometimes this caused long pauses during conversations and made him tedious to speak with. No one could doubt, however, that he was a shrewd and clever Advisor.

“Solomon grieves for the loss of Spade,” said Mercant. “I am sure his passing is still fresh in your mind, as well. I did not wish to mention such a topic with you but, well, Solomon asked me to deliver a message to you.”

“A message?” Said Ghelion, genuinely surprised. He felt curiosity warring with caution within himself. Chase had had no idea whether Solomon had been in on the assassination attempt. What Mercant knew about the situation was entirely unknowable to Chase, and so also the Ghelion.

“He wanted to relay his deepest condolences,” began Mercant. “You and he knew him longer than just about anyone else. He hopes that Spade’s death did not hit you too hard, but that he hopes you know that he is also grieving himself. He loved Spade like a little brother, and never wanted him to end up that way.”

“It was unfortunate how the ship went down,” said Ghelion carefully. “Still don’t know exactly how it sank.”

Mercant stared at him with dull, flat eyes. His mouth was a flat line. When he spoke it sounded like a man who was extremely bored.

“No one does,” said Mercant, turning away from him to look at the sea again. “Possibly a Colossal Shark or even a Traveling Reef. Anyway, that’s what he wanted me to tell you.”

“I appreciate his words, Mercant,” said Ghelion, dropping the ‘Advisor’ title he knew Mercant preferred. He watched as the others eyebrow twitched in annoyance. “You will have to give him my thanks when next you see him. At the rate he finishes contracts I would say it will be in a few months.”

“Yes,” said Mercant. “He does keep me on my toes. When I first signed him I was barely around the island for the first five years.”

The Advisor slowly stroked his goatee. Ghelion wanted to ask about the NPCs but decided it to be prudent to allow Mercant to broach the subject first. Over the decades, long before even Solomon or Spade spawned upon the island, Ghelion’s relationship with Mercant had been strained. Their ideologies and their methods differed greatly in regards to signing players and with their beliefs surrounding Esem and their creator, AION. Mercant looked for the strongest to sign, and was well known for turning down players who wished him to be their advisor. He valued strength and power and cunning in how his players approached the world. Ghelion on the other hand signed any and all who came to him. A player did not have to be the strongest or the most intelligent for him to be interested in their development, but he valued most their spirit for adventure and how loyal they were to their friends.

“These NPCs,” said Mercant, finally at Ghelion again. “These NPCs who have been—how did you say—going off script? What have you heard of them?”

“One of my players wrote to be today,” said Ghelion. He never for a moment considered offering Chase’s letter to Mercant, but had a good memory for its contents. “He said an NPC not only was refusing his programming but died in a very peculiar way. As he was dying he went into a trance of some kind and seemed to address someone as ‘Lord.’ He said something about a baby soon to arrive.”

If Mercant was surprised he showed no indication. He continued to stroke his beard.

“This phenomena has been happening with increasing regularity for the past year,” said Mercant finally. “Solomon himself had a Troll who crossed his path say something similar once he had defeated it. So far you are only the second advisor I have spoken to who has had a player relay such an event to them.”

“What do you think it means?”

“It is clearly tied to the Antagonista and the coming world event,” said Mercant. “As to what baby it refers to I have no idea. But I think it is safe to say that the NPCs will be a large part of the coming troubles.”

Ghelion sighed.

“I wish that AION would be more clear about this, but he seems unwilling to divulge any information about what is in store.”

“Willing,” said Mercant sharply “Or unable?”

“What do you mean?” Said Ghelion.

“I have a theory that the Antagonista is not a creation of AIONs,” explained Mercant. “AION may have little to no authority over its movements or its actions. We may be dealing with an entity placed within Esem before the the Great Spawning of the world.”

“Placed by whom?”

Mercant glanced at Ghelion and his lip curled with derision.

“By whomever created AION, of course.”

Ghelion looked around to make sure they were still alone. Such talk was blasphemy among the Advisors.

“You should be careful who you tell that to, Mercant,” said Ghelion.

“Why? Who should we fear? We are two of the longest serving advisors within Esem. We came here decades before most of the island supervisors themselves. We have seen things Advisors like Tarry could not begin to understand. I have little time for the petty beliefs of these little programs, Ghelion. I know you feel the way that I do.”

For the first time Mercant’s mouth curved into a small smile.

“Being Advisors to the Old Guard we share an advantage that others do not have. We have information about the fall of the Dark Lord, and the events thereafter which the rest of the world is ignorant of. If you have such scruples then surely you told Mrs Everday and the Celestial Court, no? Or did you do as you know to be right and allowed Spade to continue with his life the same as the others?”

Ghelion felt his arm begin to twitch within its sleeve. Advisors could begin transforming on accident if an external threat was perceived. Gently holding his arm, he massaged his skin until the scales that were forming disappeared and his arm was smooth again.

“Our role as advisors, Mercant,” said Ghelion. “Is to allow the players the freedom to express their will within Esem. My opinions regarding the fall of the Dark Lord are irrelevant where AIONs will is concerned. The Old Guard did as they saw fit, and I do as I have been commanded.”

“And even though it may signal the end of the world, you will just sit here and allow it to happen, hmm?”

Advisor Mercant did not allow Ghelion a chance to respond. He rose and gave Ghelion a small bow of the head.

“I must be off, Advisor Ghelion,” said Mercant. “This has been a nice chat. Do stop by my office sometime so that we may continue. I fear this patio is a bit to,” he glanced once more at the endless sea, “open for my liking.”

For some time Ghelion sat in deep thought, thinking about what had just been said by Mercant. He felt there was a deep message in the Advisors words which he was missing. Was Mercant on the side of the Antagonista? He had no evidence other than a sneaking suspicion deep within himself. At the last meeting, on the day that Chase and his guild left the island, the Supervisor had finally said what was on everyone’s minds: the Antagonista was attempting to recruit Advisors. This had caused quite a stir at the meeting and ever since then conversations had been strained between Advisors. With all his talk of power and his penchant for only advising the most promising of players, Mercant made a fine argument that loyalty to their creator might not be in his best interests.

But Ghelion had no proof, and only a faint suspicion. He decided to keep an eye on him from now on and leave it at that.

Coffee empty, the Advisor rose and stretched.

No sense on stewing over this too much, thought Ghelion. I need to write a letter to Chase. Our worst fears may be about to be realized.