Chapter 11 – Our First Adventure
As we exited the private meeting room in the guildhall, we decided to check the quest board to see if there were any quests we could pick up by the bog.
‘I sure am glad I gained that Traveler’s Gift, otherwise I would be lost right now trying to read all this stuff. Also, kind of nice it extends to my summoned too.’ I thought, as both Pinky, and I looked over the board.
In the end we found two additional quests we could pick up. One quest was to find some herbs and alchemy ingredients that can be found in the marsh. The other quest was to drop off a letter to an outpost on the way to the marsh. We went back to Miranda to get us assigned to those quests.
The guild had the letter already, saving us the effort of going to pick up the letter first. After picking up the letter we went to the guild general store to get rations and a few items for travel. The clerk manning the store wanted to sell us a cart or horses, but I had other ideas for that, so I politely declined. Rations and items stored in my bag we left the guildhall several silvers poorer.
‘Got to spend money to make money I guess.’
With our new A rank guild cards, or badges as some people called them, we had zero problems going through the checkpoints to exit the city.
“Who ever said we don’t need no stinking badges had no idea what they were talking about. It’s good to be an adventurer.” I commented once outside the city.
“I do agree that was rather convenient, Master.” Pinkoria replied.
Once we were a couple miles away from the city, I decided to address our transportation issues. I cast Summon Drider Guardian twice as the two existing Drider Guardians were taking a long time to fully heal, guess we really kicked the crap out of those guys.
Guardians taken care of I cast Summon Drider and Summon Undead Caster four times. The driders came with a simple spear for a weapon. Every time I summoned a new Undead Caster it seemed their magic type was randomized. Two casters used ice magic, another was dark magic, and the final one used fire magic. They all wore cloth armor with hoods.
“Hmmm, that’s interesting. I wonder if there is an actual ratio of magic types or if it really is just random. Yet another thing to figure out.” I commented in observation.
I ordered each undead mage to get on the back of one of the driders while Pinky and I got on the back of the guardians. And that was how we were moving quickly to the marsh outpost. Our guardians moved about 5 to 10 miles per hour faster than the normal driders.
“Man, these guys can haul!” I yelled in excitement and loud enough to be heard over the air resistance we had gained.
“Yes, I agree Master, they are doing rather well hauling us around.” Pinkoria replied.
What should’ve taken us half a day to get to the outpost took us a little over an hour at full speed. It was a blast. When we got close enough, I sent everyone but Pinky to my Summoning Realm. I figured my undead casters and driders might freak out everyone at the outpost. Plus, I had no plan to reveal all my cards just yet.
As we approached, I noticed two guards manning the gate to the outpost.
“Halt!” The first guard shouted.
“State your business!” The second guard commanded.
I answered easily enough. “We are here to deliver a letter to Major Filist. I’m on a quest from the Adventurers’ guild.” I pulled out my guild card to help move things along.
“Why didn’t you say so. Go right in. We have been waiting for new orders for weeks.” The second guard stated.
The first guard provided us directions. “The major should be at the barracks. Just make a left after you enter through the gates.”
“Thank you, that is very helpful.” I commented as we passed through the gates and headed towards the barracks.
We heard the second guard tell his companion, “Finally! Maybe we can now get out of this damnable marsh!”
As we walked, we noticed just how packed this place was with soldiers. Considering the guard’s comment and the fact this outpost was not made for so many people, it was rather easy to realize something else was going on here. I added it to the ever growing to do list. There were just so many things I at some point should figure out.
It was pretty easy to find the barracks as it was the biggest building on the left side. After an inquiry or two we were in front of the major and a few of his officers.
“Excuse me major but I am here from the guild to hand deliver this letter.” I said as I held the letter out for the major to take.
“I have been waiting for this. We did not trust normal channels and the guild has come through for us in the past.” Major Filist stated as he opened the letter.
One of his men spoke up as the major read the letter. “Sir, do we finally get to leave this marsh?”
Major Filist waited to respond until he finished reading the letter. He looked up and in a loud voice said, “We march to the undersea! Captain, get our men ready to leave in three hours!”
Cheers went up from the men as the captain replied. “It shall be done Sir!”
“Finally!”
“We will show them!”
“I am just glad we get to leave these cramped quarters!”
The Major turned to me as his men started to file out of the barracks. “I would have a word with you adventurers. Follow me to my makeshift office.”
We followed the major and ended up in a smaller office that did not seem to belong to the major. There was a desk and a few chairs. Major Filist sat in the chair opposite us before speaking up. “There was an additional note inside the letter.”
“An additional note?” I asked.
“Yes, it appears that old woman is once again on the move. I was wondering when she would re-insert herself in city politics.” Major Filist replied more to himself as if recalling something.
Confused, I spoke up. “I’m not quite following.”
The Major looked at me. “Sylph got another message included in the letter. That woman is a sly one. She tells me you are new to the city but are to be briefed of the situation.”
My eyebrows rose as I thought, ‘Just how much influence does that woman have.’
Seeing my response Major Filist chuckled. “Hahaha, I had a similar reaction when I realized how long a reach Sylph has. You see, she is not only a high noble, but she also has a seat on the council.”
“A seat on the council?!” I blurted out.
“Yes, she does not carry herself as one of the rulers of our people. High Lady Sylph has been relatively absent from the council or noble circles, but she still retains her seat.”
Still not sure what was going on, I was about to voice my confusion when Pinky spoke up first. “What does any of that have to do with us?”
Chuckling again. “Hahaha, right you are my dear lady. I was merely informing you of something, that based on your reaction, you did not know. The city council technically has authority over the military. Every noble house has its own house guard, and some have a decent force to rival a column of the army. Yet the military is not controlled by one person. Instead, the council must decide when we march or go to war. If war is declared, and the council decides it, the Prime Minster is given full authority over the military.”
“Again, what does that have to do with us?” Pinkoria asked.
Putting his hand up the major continued. “I am getting to that my lady. Several of us know the truth.”
“The truth?” I asked.
“That the prime minister is just a puppet for the high priestess. It is clear she has him under her thrall. The letter first informed us the council would vote in a few months on whether we march to war with the Naga.”
Pinkoria interrupted, “But you just gave them the order to prepare to march to the Undersea.”
“Indeed, I did my lady. That leads me to the next part of the letter. There is a reason why the high priestess wants war with the Naga and a few of us think that reason is not truly know. Sure, there is the public reasons but anyone who really knows her, knows the high priestess never acts without some personal gain.” Major Filist explained.
“What do you think the reason is?” Pinkoria asked.
“I am a soldier, and I may have my suspicions, but I will not voice them at this time. What I will tell you is that I hold both Sylph and Lady Mireya in high regard. This letter is not from the whole of the council, but instead, it comes from a few of its members. They recommend we march early to the Undersea to ‘scout’ and prepare for war. In truth, they hope we can uncover what is really going on. The additional benefit will be if orders for war come down, my men and I will not be where they expect us, which will give us an edge.” Major Filist answered.
“You don’t know us. Why tell us all of this?” I asked.
Major Filist chuckled again. “Hahaha. Are you dense, boy? Lady Mireya and Sylph are the ones who sent the letters. They are followers of Arianrhod, and they believe you are here to either save or destroy us. Either way, it is change and a way to break the chokehold that bitch has on our people. I would rather die on my feet than grovel at Her’s.”
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It was clear the Major despised Shilova’s followers. The more I learned, the clearer it became that multiple factions were vying for control. What a cluster I’ve been thrown into the middle of. ‘This kind of political intrigue and calculating is my buddy’s specialty. I’m the kill them all and let God sort him out kind of guy, or at the very least where I feel like I’m heading.’
Major Filist rose from his chair. “Now that I have shared what I was asked to, I must go see to my men. I will inform the guild of the quest completion so you can get paid. If you ever require a favor look me up. For both of those ladies to speak of you tells me you are either truly in their high regard, or they are playing you. Either way, having both of those things occur to me, I will offer you my aid if I can. Come to the Undersea when you are ready or in need.”
Nodding to Major Filist, we rose from our chairs and left his makeshift office. It did not take much time to leave the outpost. The atmosphere seemed to have lightened as the soldiers’ made comments about not being so crammed together as they prepared to march out.
“Finally, I will not have to sleep so close to you and your snoring in my ear.”
“I do not snore!”
“Please! We were about to draw straws on who would shove their boot in your mouth to shut you up.”
“Hahaha.”
“Very funny, very funny. I will get you back for that one.”
After we exited the outpost, we made our way further into the marsh. Once we were far enough away, I spoke up and shared my thoughts with Pinky. “I feel like we are being played by multiple people here. First the Dark and possibly the Winter Court. Recently we learned it could be either a Light or Dark spider goddess giving us quests, perhaps both are playing us for their own ends for all we know. Now add some high nobles and I’m sure others as we gather more notice.”
Pinkoria shared her thoughts. “To be expected. Spiders have struggled with this since our creation. Multiple paths one can take in the weave of fate my master. We must learn to trap others in our web if we hope to survive this place. Turn them into our prey.”
“Fair enough. For now, let’s get started on our other two quests.” I said as I started to bring forth my minions.
I withdrew my spiders first. They became the scouts for grogs and the herbs we were looking for. I also brought out my driders and undead mages, ordering them to surround Pinky and I as we marched.
Rather than rush through the marsh we made a slow walk. I wanted to give our spiders time to scout and find our targets.
It did not take long for my spiders to find some of the herbs we were looking for. They would mentally signal Pinky and me. Once notified we would dispatch one of the drider and undead caster duos so they could retrieve the herb and return it to me.
We encountered a few monsters in the marsh but most were minor threats this close to the outer perimeter. Regardless, my forces would swarm the threat and make quick work of them. The approach was simple but effective.
Slowly we moved further into the marsh. About three hours in we encountered our first grog. Once my spider scout detected it, the spider hid and sent us a mental warning. Pinky mentally commanded all the spiders to converge on our location and I did the same with undead/drider duos.
We slowly approached from multiple sides. I made a point to leave it a path of escape as cornered animals without a way out will fight even more fiercely. Though in truth we did not give it much of a chance to retaliate. My two undead water mages froze the ground around the grog. I threw a dark bolt right into the thing’s eyes which surprisingly seemed to blind it temporarily.
“I’ll have to remember that trick for later.” I said as I watched it slowly move towards its attackers only to stop and flounder, swatting to try and clear its eyes.
The thing was tough as it shot out its tongue like a spear just barely missing my head if I had not ducked in time. ‘OK note to self, they can still use their ears to locate targets when blind.’
I swung my plasma sword up before the grog had a chance to retract its tongue, cleanly severing the appendage.
The grog roared in pain. “GRAWWRR!”
“That’s what you get for trying to tongue me you ugly bastard!” I replied as my driders had closed the distance and turned the grog into a pin cushion.
The grog died relatively quickly. The only problem was the four other grogs that appeared shortly after, seemingly being called by the dead grog’s roar of pain.
Pinky immediately ordered the spiders who had remained out of the fight to begin to harry the incoming grogs by casting their web attacks to distract and slow down the new enemies.
“Good thinking Pinky.” I commented as I cast an Ice Lance at one larger grog that seemed unperturbed by the web attacks.
I did not wait to see if my spell hit the target, as I activated Misty Step to appear on top of the grog. As I appeared I heard the thing’s frustrating roar.
“GRAWWRRR!”
As I landed on its back, I stabbed down with my plasma sword right through the grog’s head. It hit the ground and slid in the mud a few feet. I did a quick mental sweep of the battle. Pinky has transformed into her hybrid Drider form and was massive, bigger than even my guardian driders. That took me a moment to process as I tried to suppress the immediate mental Deuce Bigalow, unfortunately I could not help it and mentally laughed as I cried out “That’s a huge bitch!”
Getting my head back into fight mode I continued to assess the situation. My two undead frost mages, that seemed more appropriate a name than water mages based on their attacks, were shooting ice bolt after ice bolt at one of the grogs. My undead pyromaniac was throwing fireballs knocking his target off its feet giving his drider partner time to use their spear to gut the grog. My earth mage had turned the ground into quicksand trapping the grog. Sadly, that did not prevent it from using its tongue to shatter my undead earth mage, ending his life instantly.
I felt the death like a sharp mental pain, but I ignored it. ‘Put me back in, coach. Wait when did I collapse to my knees? OK so maybe I still had a way to go to be able to play through the pain.
I was getting better and better and playing through the pain as it were. The undead earth mage’s drider companion stabbed the grog in the eyes, piercing the monster’s skull and avenging his partner.
Looking towards Pinky I saw her fighting two grogs by herself.
Mentally my brain came to another halt ‘Screech.’
“Wait a minute! When did more grogs show up?!” I exclaimed as I realized another five grogs had arrived.
“No rest for the wicked.” I said as I activated Misty Step once again appearing on top of one of our new foes and one-shot’ing it as I pierced its brain with my plasma sword.
I immediately cast Ice Wall to block and funnel the grogs. My frost mages had killed off their targets, so they began to find new grogs to turn into popsicles. My pyromaniac had already torched one of the new grogs.
As I felt my connection to Pinky to check on how she was doing. I watched as she literally stepped on one of the large grogs with one of her sharp legs pinning it to the ground. She then proceeded to rip the other grog she was fighting in half.
With a quick mental command and two Misty Step spells casts I ended the remainder of the grogs with my plasma sword. Sadly, I once again dropped a ruined sword.
“I really have to find a blade that can hold the magic.” I said to myself, glad I had stocked up on rusty swords while in the dungeon.
Turning to look at Pinky I almost gagged as she was chewing on some grog remains. She sent me a mental query. “Want some grog legs? They are oh so yummy!”
Dry heaving for a moment I replied, “N-No, I-I’m good.”
Ordering my minions to remove the monster cores, heads, and grog livers which were the required items for another quest completion. Apparently, the grog livers were very useful in making certain potions.
Once those parts were stored, I allowed my spiders and driders to eat whatever they wanted of what was left.
While they ate, I began Summoning another Undead Caster. Sadly, I did not get another Earth mage but instead another fire mage. I ordered my new pyromaniac to team up with my previous earth mage’s drider. That resolved I check on my notifications and status while I waited for my minions to finish eating.
Mentally commanding my notifications to group into a summary, I read the two new consolidated notifications.
Congratulations! You and your minions have killed 9 level 64 Grogs and 1 level 75 Grog Alpha. A total of 1,149,300 experience gained.
Congratulations! For killing multiple enemies over double your level and 25+ levels higher than your level you gain the Greater Giant Slayer Title. For achieving such a feat, you will keep the stat gains from your previous Giant Slayer Title and gain an additional +50 to all stats!
“Oh Yea!!! That’s what I’m talking about! Time to see what the new title gives me before I check out my new stats.”
Greater Giant Slayer Title
Description: Awarded for killing multiple enemies 25 levels above your own. Grants +25% stats when fighting an enemy higher level than you. All units under your command gain +5% stats in combat.
Once I accepted the notifications the experience flooded into me, and I received some additional notifications that I consolidated into one summary.
Congratulations! You are now Level 40! +10 to Charisma, Constitution, Dexterity, Mind, and Spirit, +50 Free Stats points to distribute. Note: You now have +50 Free Stat points to distribute.
“Sweet!” I exclaimed as I knew exactly where to put my new free stat points.
It was clear I was getting sucked into more and more political intrigue and man was I over it. I was going to need all the Charisma I could get and a subtle increase in Dexterity would not be a bad thing either. Points distributed; I reviewed my status screen.
Name: Arch Evocatore “Arch-E”
Race: Half Elf (Dark Elf /Sea Elf)
Level: 40
Unused Stat Points: 0
Stats
Health Pool:
6,600
Mana Pool:
6,600
Stamina:
6,600
Health Regen.
660
Mana Regen.
660
Stam. Regen.
660
Strength:
400
Dexterity:
500
Constitution:
660
Mind:
660
Spirit:
660
Charisma:
470
Abilities
Talents:
Affinities:
Improved Dark Vision
200 meters
Dark Magic Affinity
100
Small Blades Mastery
Journeyman
Death Magic Affinity
100
Triton/Staff Mastery
Journeyman
Water Magic Affinity
100
Mental Resistance
Adept
Fire Magic Affinity
100
Poison Resistance
Adept
Air/Wind Magic Affinity
100
Cold Resistance
Master
Blood Magic Affinity
75
Underwater Breathing
Unlimited
Earth Magic Affinity
50
Titles
Greater Giant Slayer
Marks, Achievements & Boons
Mark of Understanding
Cold Hearted Boon
Traveler’s Gift
Greater Boon of the Spider Goddess
Darkness Within
“Not bad haul for our first adventure, not bad at all.” I commented after reviewing my stat gains.
“Yes, and these grogs are quite delicious.” Pinkoria mentally replied, clearly very content with her new favorite snack.