Weed kept scratching in odd places here and there. If one were an outsider to the situation and Weed’s true identity they would have thought this woman behaved most inappropriately. The dress was most unformatable and tight. Weed felt like banging his forehead against the wall for ending up wearing a woman’s dress without even realizing it!
‘How the f*ck did I get a corset on without noticing it!’ He thought to himself.
Weed was slowly trudged through the secret passage. The task was arduous as he had to ensure that he didn’t get the dress dirty or slip on the long ball gown. ‘DAMN YOU LORD…’ Weed thought, ‘I WILL KILL YOU WHEN ALL THIS OVER!’
Weed knew this was a good way to hide his identity but he certainly wasn’t into cross dressing. The question he pondered most about was whether the Lord did this intentionally or as a prank of some sort? He was going to kill him later for either reason he decided.
Once Weed reached the end of the secret passage hallway, he pulled a lever and opened a secret wall to the floor of the garden shed. The Lord and Arthur were waiting for Weed there.
“Madame Amsinckia Retrorsa!” Richard, the Lord of Lavias addressed him. “It is most pleasing to see that you were able to make it for the celebrations.” He greeted.
“What’s with the formalities and new name?” Weed asked. “We are all alone here?”
“We indeed are. However, out here even the wind has ears.” Arthur replied.
“I guess Monsieur Axillaris has departed?” Weed asked jokingly.
“Well for the time being Monsieur Axillaris had a personal emergency owing to which he had to take leave with immediate effect.” Richard replied.
“I understand, my Lord.” Weed replied.
“Please Madame Retrorsa, we must call each other by first names only when talking to each other in private and by each other’s surnames when with others. Also, I am not your Lord. I am Richard the 10th who happens to look a lot like my great grandfather. ” Richard corrected Weed.
“Got it Richard the 10th!” Weed replied as he straightened up. ‘I wonder will such a stupid cover up story for his unaging youth ever work..’
“Shall we proceed?” Arthur asked.
“If you may?” Richard offered his arm for Weed to hold.
Weed took Richard’s hand and the two proceeded as a couple would arm in arm towards the ball.
“Did you get a good sleep?” Weed asked with a sly smile.
“Nope…there was someone shouting on the top of their lungs…” Richard replied.
“Serves you right for the dress.” Weed said as he spoke between his teeth as he smiled to each guard who bowed in front of them.
“Only looking after our common interest. I want this tea party to be a success as much as you.” Richard spoke in the same manner. He too had to smile and greet the many guards whom he was passing.
As they made their way from the garden shed to the main event the number of people around them increased; notable guards, nobles and servers. Many were surprised to see the high elf and bowed to them in their presence. Weed’s presence had a greater effect with many revealing more shock than surprise. Weed could tell from their reactions to an extent who were enemies, allies and who were onlookers. Overall the effect was just as planned, the nobles planning the coup became cautious.
“Oh my!” Richard exclaimed as he looked at the extravagant preperations. “I thought this was a tea party. This looks like a dinner ball!”
“I see Monsieur Axillaris likes to go all out. An excellent job don’t you think?” Weed praised himself.
“More than excellent!” Richard spoke in delight as he looked around at the floating lamps and circus troupe. “I think we might be running more often into Monsieur Axillaris in the future!”
TRRRINGG!!
The Lord of Lavias appreciates your services and would like you to render event planning and management services for all future events!
You will be most suitably reward for each event carried out!
You cannot be employed by any other person unless you terminate this contract first.
Upon termination 10% of all benefits received will have to be returned.
“Why I gladly accept it.” Weed replied. ‘It’s not like I have any other job at the moment…’
TRRRINGG!!
You received a title!
‘The Official Event Planner for Lavias!’
TRRRINGG!!
Your relationship with the Lord has increased by 50 points!
Weed was certainly pleased with the results. Benefits overflowing one after another. Weed certainly felt like he had hit jackpot.
‘Let’s just hope the ceremony ends up going well…’ Weed thought. In the end, it was only the result that matter. All this benefits would amount to nothing if he lost the bigger goal. Saving penny after penny won’t make one a millionaire.
Weed knew this well. He wasn’t like Lee Hyun who was a near perfectionist and genius at everything. Lee Hyun’s Weed (the original), would have succeeded in accomplishing every goal. Lee Hyun could fight 8 assassins while still picking up a copper he found on the ground. Lee Jun was certainly different. He could either do one of the two tasks; either kill the assissins or pick the copper coin. And in the larger scheme of things saving his life would be more important. Simply put, Lee Jun focused more on the bigger picture and final goal whereas Lee Hyun focused on everything. Lee Hyun could be summed up as inhuman genius and Lee Jun as ordinary genius. Lee Jun knew that only time would tell how big of a gap existed between him and his hero’s (Lee Hyun’s) ingenuity.
“Madame Retrorsa, would you like to begin?” Richard asked Weed as they stood in the center of a slightly raised platform overseeing the audience.
“Yes, please begin.” Weed replied.
“Nobles and others!” Richard began, “Your attention please! I would like to welcome…”
Weed could see all the nobles and their families of Lavias and a few outsiders present. He could clearly also see some human players in the mix; some of them he recognized as they were from top guilds and some he did not. Everyone was dressed for the occasion. The nobles were wearing the most expensive jewelry they had and finest wear. They did not know what the occasion was and decided to dress excessive would be better than underdressing. Even the players prepared for the same. Dresses are first impressions and when you get few chances to meet nobles and even fewer chances to meet the lord of Lavias you want to make the best first impression you can.
People were relieved that they over dressed; though the invite said tea party however the event was more of a night ball and the grandest the Lord of Lavias had ever held. The mystery surrounding the party was made clear with Weed’s appearance; who was dressed as a female high elf in a pink ball gown. Some of the player’s looked at Weed nervously mistaking him for an important NPC. Some of them were enamoured by his female looks…so were most of the men. Elvish men had feminine features…with the right adjustments (Author: *cough*), they can be made to look as stunning beauties. Furthermore, Weed had a random elf attribute: charm (or looks / beauty) due to which with each passing level his beauty / looks became better and better.
Weed smiled, everything was going as he had planned. He could read some of the people like books from their most subtle gestures. There were some people who were appearing very scared and apprehensive; Weed could guess these nobles and players were the ones part of the group who were planning ‘de coup.’ There were others who shared greedy eyes just like Weed; seeing an opportunity to profit. There were yet others who were simply enjoying the occasion. Weed refrained from frowning, but from every face he saw, he could tell not one person present here would be ready to become the Lord’s ally. In a VR game like RREV, the more powerful your friends the less likely you die. Weed wasn’t sure the Lord’s plan would stop a coup but if the Lord could gain some allies then the chances of a coup were slim. It was in Weed’s best interest to have the Lord maintain his position as the ruler of Lavias. A strong relation with a Lord of a city meant that numerous opportunities (including high level quests) would eventually open up to players. Weed was ready to fight tooth and nail to maintain his advantage over other players; even if it meant for him to lie and be cruel.
Weed knew something about him had changed since the cliff incident. He tried not thinking about it and played one. The former him would have cared about every small goal but now he only cared about the bigger goals. Maybe the falling of the cliff made him realize how precious every moment is…or maybe it was something else; Lee Jun simply chose to live in the ‘now’.
Weed again looked through the crowds of people. He was looking for familiar faces…
‘Where are they?’ Weed wondered. Weed smiled away at the crowds as Richard spoke to everyone.
Weed finally saw a familiar face but it wasn’t the one he wanted to see. It was Emily; the same short girl who practiced archery at Rodriguez’s ranch. Weed gulped slightly in fear, he was more than thankful for the female disguise now. ‘Richard…your foresight is amazing…for an NPC’
As Weed continued to stare at his former infatuation, she returned the gaze. Weed quickly turned away, he could not afford to take chances. If she learnt it was him, who knows what would she do.
“…I know I have spoken a lot, so let me ask the ambassador of the high elves, Madame Retrorsa, to begin the ceremony!” Richard ended his speech. Few clapped and fewer smiled; not that Richard minded. Weed on the otherhand was perceptive; he could sense in general there were few here who favoured Richard and many here who would be more than willing to lead the coup.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Weed however no longer had time to pay attention to the audience and began the ceremony.
“Ne minuial tôl lû
Ir tirich er-'îl gelair awarthannen
Ir in-elenath gwennin.
I 'îl thinna, i amar ú-dhartha.”
Weed had no problems with the pronunciation of such a difficult foreign language, practicing it a few times was enough for him.
“Am man darthon a linnon
Nu galad hen fireb?”
He now began the graceful dance movements, slow yet sharp with each verse.
“Eirien vi elenyr
Enni e bain.
Brethil nui mellyrn
Enni e bain.”
Richard watched Weed quietly as he performed, movement after movement, Weed’s majestic and humble dance gestures to greet the new moon.
“Gwilwileth or alph
Enni e bain.
Tinnu aphada Chelluin
Enni e bain.”
Both Richard and Arthur for a second believed that Weed was a real high elf. Richard instantly knew that the effect on the nobles would have been even greater.
“I laiss e-mallorn ernediaid.
El-lass dithen, el-lass fíreb
Gâr chinnen. Ir dannatha?”
Richard was most impressed with Weed’s memory to replicate with minimum rehersal time and how beautiful he looked as a woman! Richard wasn’t the only one who was saw Weed as a woman, so did Arthur and the onlookers (both NPCs and players).
Arthur tightened his grip on a wine glass he held as he watched Weed dance. His eyes followed each and every move Weed made.
“I-'îl gelair fîr.
Si e gwanna Menel.
Si gwannathon i amar
Garel lass vi cammen.”
Weed completed the entire ceremony faultlessly; not one movement was out of place or appeared rigid.
Weed slowly bowed to the new moon to close the ceremony and rose.
TRRRINGGG!
Quest: Attend the Tea Party! [Part 1] – Completed!
You have successfully completed the tea party being hosted by the Lord of Lavias in honor of the arrival of the high elf and celebration of the new years!
Rank: E
Reward: Unrestricted access to the Lavias Town Center, Lord’s Manor & Estates, Lavias Library (all sections), Lavias Armoury, 400 Public Service points and 150 Fame Points.
TRRRINGGG!
- You have levelled up!
- You have levelled up!
- You have levelled up!
TRRRINGGG!
- You have received 5 bonus Stat points for completing a quest above your level!
Weed had to control his emotions as the messages flowed in. Christmas seemed six months early. He again put his points in strength and defense. He had decided to fix on a certain type of character build, one which would focus less on intellect and wisdom (as he could not use elemental affinity in combat) and focus on those more that gave results in combat.
Physical Status WindowNameWeedClass / LevelFF/025Active ProfessionBasic Elemental BlacksmithNumber of Active Profession1Number of Inactive Professions0Health412Mana Conversion/Sec0.01Health Regen/Sec0Stamina Regen/Sec0.08Strength140+15Agility140Wisdom86+3Intelligence76Stamina315Defense90+5Dexterity285Luck205Creativity285Perseverance285Charm28Reputation + Public Service Points450Fame / Infamy551 / 150
Unconditional Passive effects
+ Can learn secret skills based on player's level in Elemental Blacksmith Mastery
+ Can advance to previously restricted professions.
+ Gains increased Reputation by forging items of extraordinary value.
+ Can only learn new type of professions by choosing to forget Elemental Blacksmith.
+ Can read basic dwarvf script (Advance level)
+ Can equip certain items specialized for the profession.
+ Can learn all craft skills to the stage of a master.
+ Granted extra options to items that are produced or refined.
+ Increased Defensive Power for all dwarvish melee skills by 5%
+ Increased Attack Power for all elvish melee skills by 2%
+ Decreased Stamina consumption for Elemental Blacksmithing Skill
+ Monsters of level lower than you, will avoid you!
+ Title: ‘The Official Event Planner for Lavias!’
+ Title: Close Associate of Arthur Ireka
- Maximum weight carry: 42 Kgs
- Can only wear light amour
- Can no longer enjoy benefits of other taught/learnt professions.
+ Relationship with dwarves: 5 (started with -5)
+ Relationship with Librarians, Scholars, Elders: 25
+ Relationship with Alakokaine: 29
+ Relationship with Snappy: 6
+ Relationship with Arthur Ireka: 0
+ Relationship with Lord of Lavias: 165
--> Click here to view all relationship status.
Circumstantial Passive Effects:
+ Skin glows white at night
+ All stats increase by 5% at night.
+ Better vision during the night.
+ When engaged in combat at night, reflexes will be faster.
+ In dwarven lands, all stats will be increased by 5%
+ In Elvish lands, all stats will be increased by 2%
The audience was frozen like statues, completely mesmorized by Weed’s beauty and gracefulness. It was only after Richard broke the silence that everyone felt that they had been enchanted in a spell cast by the female high elf.
No one was interested in dinner anymore. Everyone clamoured to get closer to the high elf; even nobles who had previously pretended to be uninterested in Weed were making public advances of all sorts.
“Where did all the elves disappear off to?” A guild leader asked.
Weed knew the guild leaders would ask him this. It was exactly why he chose a top few guilds to give the information to; send them on the wrong track. Lee Jun hadn’t always been like this, but now he only cared about his interest. Weed was fueled with the desire to win at all costs and he was in complete hurry to catch up. Each day he spent not accomplishing some grand quest or levelling up was in his books a day wasted.
“They have retreated deep into the woods, far beyond the reaches of the ordinary and coward.” Weed lied.
TRRRINGG!!
You lied to several guild masters and nobles!
Bonus expierence applicable for mass deceit!
Deciet is now level 9!
Weed lips curled to smile.
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Authors Note:
1. And I wrote some more. So yeah, lots of writing....
2. The poem is from here: http://www.istad.org/tolkien/poetry.html
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