[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/1dada816-c2e0-4407-807d-75467490d35b/d5glkv6-0b018194-3cf2-40ff-8cfd-701e2d7652ab.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzFkYWRhODE2LWMyZTAtNDQwNy04MDdkLTc1NDY3NDkwZDM1YlwvZDVnbGt2Ni0wYjAxODE5NC0zY2YyLTQwZmYtOGNmZC03MDFlMmQ3NjUyYWIuanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.nAEhZxuPzw5lTEvll2dWreJZbaQ6vxupXRjBh7Rv6ls]
https://www.deviantart.com/faxtar/art/Goblin-Warlord-330211554
New Quest Objective
- Secure the Mines
***
Note to Readers: In the coming chapters it will become vitally important to not only build new alliances, but maintain them with various factions in order to gain their support. Most actions as you have noticed will either take away or give Honor. For those who have - 1 Honor that becomes - 1 Dishonor. As for trust, trust can be gained by completing certain quests and actions.
[https://em.wattpad.com/7e083b59c421769cc19e00d3a16f9f64ef5cd32d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7249573445773533335f556b47413d3d2d3731343034373536372e313562396431303038646635356431373338313931373138313235312e706e67]
Current Available Factions
Balarock tribe: 0 (Required Trust 100.)
Honor Blades: 0 (Required Trust 150.)
Fated: 0 (Required 200 Dishonor.)
Ardents: 0 (Required 200 Honor.)
***
Blinded by a rising wave of fear, it barely dawned upon Grey’s mind that this goblin or hobgoblin or whatever it was had spoken to him in his own native tongue, before he stared up at the creature in shocked surprise, his body numbed by it’s words. Joral, waving his sword about the air like a fool, while Soreen and No-Name backpedaled quickly to press their backs up against Grey’s. The small group forming into a tight knot of steel, their weapons and torches pointed out towards the milling mass of goblins that clambered up out of the rocks and underground caves to beat at their bare naked chests. Their yellow glittering eyes slitted as they licked drool from their lips and glared at them, the air rife with the sound of their harsh, guttural voices as they called out to Grey. The goblin warchief, still and as silent as stone as he stood there watching and waiting. His thick muscle bound arms and tribal warpaint mesmerising the eyes as he smirked at their fear.
It was only until Joral accidentally elbowed Grey in the ribs, that he finally managed to blurt out, “--you speak?”
The goblin warchief smiled at the all the obvious question, and brandished sharpened brown teeth, his scraggly black hair swaying as he spoke, “Indeed, I do speak your tongue, two horns. It is not so difficult to learn, once you listen to it for a time. But then, I have always been different from my kind who prefer the life of ignorance. I however could not stand the dark solitude of ours caves, and travelled the world for a time. Of course, I had to disguise myself as some putrescent orc, but it worked out well enough for me. But you have not answered my question? Why have you come here?”
Mind still roiling with disbelief, he looked to Joral who seemed equally at a loss for words. Nothing in all the world had prepared them for this meeting, and yet if this creature had a mind of its own, what did that mean for the countless goblins Grey had slaughtered in his righteous quest to avenge his family. But then he could not think about that right now. For all he knew this was a trap meant to deceive them, when in actuality a dark mage was using some type of illusion to lower their guards. If so, Grey would not be easy meat.
But even as he thought that, he felt it odd that he heard no urgent cry from Tamrel, warning him of the danger. The greatsword which had been alive in his hands not two moments ago was now silent, and that, besides everything else was what terrified Grey for it signified something he had never before encountered, a goblin that could speak in his own native tongue.
Not sure what to say, he watched the warchief that called itself Kradock, crook it’s head to the side studying Grey as he in turn tried to study it, his every movement assured and practiced. The green skin around its bright yellow eyes, creased with the kind of wisdom that Grey had only ever seen in his uncle, mother and father. However that expression was quickly turning to one of impatience as the goblins howled and tried to edge their way closer towards them.
Joral, almost reaching for the combust balls in his pouch, when Grey gripped his wrist, and whispered, “wait.”
As it was right now, a battle here could mean certain death, whereas this goblin offered up another path. One that would perhaps allow them to live a little longer and find another opportunity to cleanse the caves of this pestilence.
Heart beating faster, he met Kradock’s steady gaze and replied, “We are looking for two missing friends of ours that were lost here in the mines. Do you know where they are?”
Forced into a sudden stillness, Kradock’s waved at his goblins for quiet, his gaze hardening into stone slivers, and voice carrying a cold bitter rage. “Is that what you truly seek, brave heroes? You think we have taken them? Or have you come here to slack your thirst on our blood like the rest of the two horns above us? You would not be the first to enter our home, slay our spear brothers, and murder our little ones without cause,”he growled, before taking a deep calming breathe, “I know the game you play, but fear not. I have not hurt your brethren. In fact, they are no longer here. They were taken away by the beast that lurks deeper within, and now that you know. I wonder if you shall listen to reason?”
Greatsword partially lowered, Joral saw indecision written upon Grey’s face, and let out a derisive snort of barely concealed rage as he thrust his shoulder into him from behind. “Lies! All of it lies, and deceit! But we of the chosen! See through it! We will not standby and listen to these foul creatures of darkness! Look at them! And say they are not of the dark one?! If we wish to live?! We of the light cannot abide by the dark! The lightbearer demands their deaths and we who act as his divine judgement must fight in his honor!”
(Click here if you side with the Kradock.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Half startled by the impassioned speech, it did not take long for Grey to realise what needed to be done, and so before Joral act. Grey sped the pommel of his greatsword to drop the minotaur into the dust with a strong hit to the temple.
No-Name and Soreen whirling around upon him, when the goblin warchief seeing the danger he was in, snacted up a spear from a goblin’s grasp and tossed the weapon at No-Name’s feet with enough force and power that it froze the stocky warrior in place.
Outnumbered and surrounded, No-Name let out a curse, and dropped his steel sword into the dust, followed by Soreen who bit back a snarl at Grey, before she released her weapon. The three of them,swiftly bound tightly with ropes.
“What will you do with them,” asked Grey.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Kradock shot Grey a wry smile. “Do not worry, they will not come to harm with me. I shall return them to the surface from whence they came. But what of you? Will you not go with them?”
Grey shook his head, a part of wanting to leave with them, but another part knowing he must stay and finish what he had started here. Perhaps not the plan to blow up the mine’s entrance, but he should at least see to the smithy and his apprentice.
Seeing his resolve, Kradock took Grey by the shoulder and lead him back to the banks of the river where he pointed north towards the waterfall. “I did not lie, when I told you your friends were not here. The Beast you seek lies in a cave hidden behind the waterfall. I would send my spears to aid you your struggle, but they fear The Beast more than they fear me, and I must remain here with my tribe.
“In there you will find your lost friends. Last the scouts saw of them, they did not see blood spilled so they may yet be alive. I wish you luck, warrior. I did not expect any of your kind to treat with me so, but perhaps I too have misjudged your people.”
Balarock tribe: + 100 Trust (Required Trust 100.)
Honor Blades: - 50 Trust (Required Trust 150.)
To be Continued...
(Click here if you side with the Joral.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Half startled by the impassioned speech, it did not take long for Grey to realise what needed to be done. Grey tugging free three combust balls into his hand, looking to Joral who nodded his head, then tossed the balls out. No-Name and Soreen who’d seen the exchange, snapping shut their eyes.
Kradock’s furious yellow eyes staring at them in, before opening his mouth to shout a command, when the balls fell all around, erupting the area in a series of deafening explosions that rocked their feet and threw the goblins back in a shower of blood and limbs. The dwarven explosives blowing holes in their lines, blinding the creatures with a flash of brilliant white light, and mangling their bodies apart.
The warcry that left Grey’s lungs, joined by that of Soreen, No-Name and Joral as they charged forward into battle. Soreen, summoning Kadir back to her side with a wave of her fingers, while No-Name enveloped them in a blistering shield of orange flames that smoldered the ground ahead, driving a wedge in between the panicked goblins that scrabbled to get away from the blistering heat. The green skins that stood and fought burnt alive or meeting their deaths at the hands of Grey and Joral, who much to Grey’s surprise proved to be quite adept with the blade. Kadir, again proving itself to be a most worthy ally as it flew in amongst them to wreak havoc.
(Roll 50 dice one time to see how much damage is gained from the spear throws.)
[https://em.wattpad.com/da7943d1bd0ce83c5c8c4e8bed3f3943a56eb1fe/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f747a6f5a4f47633679424a3856513d3d2d3731343034373536372e313562396431303261663361653261323637323433333832373232392e706e67]x 15
Working closely together to defend the others, Grey tried to fight his way free from the clawing horde of goblins and away from the caves in the hillside. Kradock’s furious cries of rage, calling forth more goblins and kobolds to fill their path. The battle drums and horns that sounded thrumming the air.
[https://em.wattpad.com/da7943d1bd0ce83c5c8c4e8bed3f3943a56eb1fe/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f747a6f5a4f47633679424a3856513d3d2d3731343034373536372e313562396431303261663361653261323637323433333832373232392e706e67] x 20
(Roll 40 dice one time to see how much damage is gained from the spear throws.)
[https://em.wattpad.com/2f7600b62ffe5ff00718e8526c43877608bcee8d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f333573446f53504f394669436b673d3d2d3731343034373536372e313562396431303363666163316233343136303831303534343435342e706e67] x 50
(Roll 30 dice one time to see how much damage is gained from the spear throws.)
Each breathe coming out as a gasp, Grey felt the battle draining away at him. The goblins that blocked his way, growing in number without end. Jarol who fought alongside him, pressing his hands into Grey’s back and releasing a flood of energy that healed Grey’s wounds, allowing him to fight on. (Full Health Restored.)
(Roll 20 dice one time to see how much damage is gained from the spear throws.)
Pushing deeper into the cavern, Grey caught his first glimpse of freedom and fresh air, away from the stench of these green skinned savages, when Kradock leaped down from the rocks above to slam into the ground before them. The huge goblin warrior armed with immense club that he swung towards Grey’s skull.
(To win this battle you need only drop his health by half.)
[https://em.wattpad.com/807dd2e578c34787c498a153bb8ceeb2db77236e/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f57435658566a33354c31393856413d3d2d3731343034373536372e313562396431303535646266343961393435343330353335373833342e706e67]
The heavy weapon, sending Joral flying through the air to smash against the rocks as Grey bounded forward to bash him away, until at last the club fell apart in Kradock’s arms. The chieftain dropping the now useless weapon and hitting Grey with powerful punch, but not before Tamrel had struck a deep cut into his chest, sending the warchief reeling back. (- 100 Health Points.)
Advancing forward, his body filled with adrenaline, Grey intended to finish him off, when a primal roar of such power shook the entire cavern, breaking stalagmites above and bringing them crashing down. The sound alone, causing tremors in the ground, and the goblins to flee back into their caves. Kradock, shooting Grey one last spiteful look, before cradling his chest and limping away.
Body hurt all over, Grey tried to feel elated that the fight was finally over, but all he could feel was dread as the ground continued to tremble beneath him. The waterfall splitting apart reveal a monstrous head that peaked it’s way out from behind the curtain of water. The immense green scaled beast, a thing of legend and myth. The Beast, Kradock had spoken of, a wyvern that sniffed the air, before closing upon Grey at an impossible speed, it’s useless wings dragged behind it in the dust.
(You’ll need to seriously injure The Beast in order to send it back to its lair. To do that you’ll need to drop it’s health points by 300. And since The Beast is a wyvern you will need to split the damage you receive between Magical Resistance and Resilience. E.g. Your Roll, Beast Attacks you with physical damage, you roll again, Beast Attacks with fire damage.
During this fight, Soreen can offer you light touch which restores + 40 Health Points, but can only be used 3 times. This in effect increases your Health Points by 120.
No-Name can offer you Armor of the Lightbearer which will increase your Resilience and Magical Resistance stats by 100 each.
And since you’ve grown adept to using Battle Magic, you’ve gained access to Battle Magic Skills which can only be activated once each during the story.
Faster
Increase your speed and battle reflexes. (Doubles your Attack Dice.)
Stronger
Double the amount of Health Points you have.
Tougher
Strengthens your physical resilience. (+ 150 Resilience.)
Best of Luck and May the Suns Shine down upon you.
[https://em.wattpad.com/1064b41cd075b561748d998642f26bfc4d29fb58/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f506648725644333471306e647a673d3d2d3731343034373536372e313562396431306665616665363135653839353430383630323936332e706e67]
Mind dazed by the enormity of what he faced, Grey aided by his two remaining companions, called upon the fire that dwelt inside of him, and prayed for it’s help as he leapt forward to face off against the very jaws of death. His greatsword bursting to light with flames, and skin emanating a ferocious heat as Grey took to the air. The magic that burned within him holding him up and slowing his fall as he stabbed his greatsword into it’s incredibly thick scales. The amplified blow shattering the scales apart, and forcing The Beast to let out a roar and lash out with his tail as Grey dropped into a roll behind it.
The attack alone, enough to kill anyone outright, if Grey had not been suddenly surrounded by magical armor made of pure light that came from nowhere to close on him. Grey able to take the wyvern’s hit and press his assault in a flurry of attacks as he used his enhanced abilities to carve his way deep into The Beast’s flesh. The wyvern’s crimson red eyes glowing with outrage as it let loose a stream of fire that rent the air with intensity. The armor able to absorb most of the damage.
Grey who had never felt so much power, awash in a river of agony and pleasure as he kept throwing himself forward, fighting with every single fiber of his body, when all of a sudden The Beast, having been struck in the snout, gave another loud, thunderous, roar, and whirled around to head back into its lair.
Slumped into the ground, Grey lay there for a moment, feeling the sweat drip down his back, before standing up on wobbly feet, and walking towards Soreen and No-Name who sat hunched over a bleeding Joral. The girl, doing her best to try and heal his wounds, but even at a glance, Grey could tell the boy wouldn’t be moving any time soon.
“I’m glad to see your alive,” Grey said with a wistful smile.
Joral’s lips curved into one of his own, blood dripping out from his mouth, and armor dented in places. “Me, too. I am sorry for doubting you, you fight well for a farm boy.”
Grey let out a dry chuckle and looked back the way he had come, Kradock’s words spinning through the back of his mind. “They were taken by the beast that lurks deeper within.” If everything the goblin said was true, the wyvern had taken the smith and his apprentice into The Beast’s lair, which meant they had to be dead, and yet the way Kradock spoke of it, it did not seem like The Beast had killed them outright.
Either way, Grey needed to be certain, but with Joral in such bad shape, and the others too tired to fight on, Grey knew he would have to go on alone.
Tamrel sheathed at his back, he started away from them. “Take care of Joral you two, and get him away from here.”
He then strode forward, when No-Name gripped him by the arm. The quiet warrior meeting Grey’s steady gaze, before pressing something smooth and round into his hand. “Here you will need these. I am called Nazdrael, and it was an honor to know you, Grey. May the four suns shine down upon you and guide your path to the light.”
(Acquired two potions one of Life's Glory: Brings you back up to full health (Can be used twice), and one Health Poultice: Heals 20 Health Points (Can only be used once)
Balarock tribe: - 50 Trust (Required Trust 100.)
Honor Blades: + 80 Trust (Required Trust 150.)
To be Continued...