I stood in front of the dark portal wondering what to do. The inky blackness meant that a Level 2 Boss was waiting for us when we stepped through. It was nearing dawn, a little after six o'clock AM. This must be after the time in the morning some crew of Adventures would normally come by and clear the Chamber for Crafter's during the week. Today was Celestiumday, the day of rest for those of [Lawful Good] Alignment. This was the [Chaotic Evil] entrance to the Dungeon, the place where the [Lawful Good] would hunt. So the hunters had taken the day off and left a Boss between us and the Dungeon exit.
“Can we go in? You said nothing would attack us down here! You said it wasn't dangerous,” Selenia's rant went from uncertainty to angry frustration fairly quickly.
“It won't kill you, but it's a [Chaotic Evil] Boss. It's bound to have Carnals,” I said indifferently.
“Carnals! Carnals will contaminate my Alignment! I will not be pure! How could you not tell us about the Carnals,” Selenia demanded.
“First, they won't kill you. If, I stress if, you contract Carnals, they only give you [Evil Karma Points] if you try to [Heal] them. Wait them out and they go away with time. You won't have to fight the Boss, that's my job. You're not going to catch the [Evil] cooties,” I answered.
“Should we wait,” Aern'Lenninisal asked.
“No. We could be here all day. You should worry more about Nellamon catching the girls missing church services than catching a Carnal today,” I joked.
Selenia nodded slowly with the realization that there was more risk of being shamed than risk from disease.
I looked at the portal and made up my mind. I had brought them down here. They were my responsibility. I had to do something stupid to avoid looking stupid. “I'm going in. When I beat the Boss the portal will go clear. Don't come in until I tell you. Carnal spores might have been released.”
You have made made a bold statement in support of future success, and that your capacities can be relied upon to carry the day.
You gain one temporary Virtue Point toward [Confidence]. You gain one temporary Virtue Point toward [Faith]. You will retain these Points for at least forty-eight hours.
You have 2 Virtue Points for Confidence out of a maximum possible of 2.
You have 2 Virtue Points for Faith out of a maximum possible of 2.
That was neat. Triggering two Virtues together extended how long I kept the Temporary Points.
Aern'Lenninisal was pessimistic, saying, “Even if the 'germy wormies' will not kill you, it will still be painful. I know you have seen what they can do. If you contract them, you will be contagious. You would need to be quarantined and unable to travel with Master Meadowwalker tomorrow. Are you sure you want to do this?”
'Germy wormies?' So that's how 'cooties' got translated by [Tongues]. It was literal, like software. We could play that game were you translate something back forth between two languages and see how weird it got. “Don't worry I've got this.”
When I said it I realized my mistake. This a was a perfect 'hold my beer moment' and I didn't have a beer! I had an [Inventory] that would keep beer cold and I hadn't thought carry one around for things like this. I was disappointed with myself. At this point I knew I was stalling. Time to stop being stupid, so I can go be stupid. I pulled a torch from [Inventory], lit it with [Create Flame], and stepped through the pitch black portal.
The low, wide chamber was just as I remembered it from passing through before. Except for the giant rat that was trying to knaw through wall off to my left. My [Identify] Skill triggered.
Fiendish Fat Rat Boss
This giant rat is extremely tough and resilient. It's main weapons are a bite and two claws. It sometimes attacks with it's tail. It is know to have the Common Carnal, [Adrenaline], which boosts its Strength. Its rolls of fat make it highly resistant to [Crushing] damage, and moderately resistant to [Piercing] Damage. Weak points are the eyes and nose. This creature can target by smell or sound, and see in the dark.
Light from my torch and the portal behind me caused it turn away from digging its escape tunnel and gaze toward me. Paying for its first mistake quickly, it raised an arm to protects its eyes from the change in lighting conditions. It roared in a horrible mix between rodent squeaks, nails on a chalkboard, and a lion. It waddled back away from the dent it had made in the wall, turned around, and charged.
I stepped away from the portal I came through to give myself some room. I timed my [Local Portal] Spell perfectly. I [Dodged] out between the entry and exit [Portal] and turned back to behold my victory. The [Portal] snapped shut and...the rat didn't die! The [Portal] closed around the midsection of the rat and stopped. For a few seconds I got to observe two halves of the rat struggling to get free, separated by a two stride space. Then there was a sound like glass breaking and rat was pushed out of the exit [Portal]. Its tail slapped up against its ass.
I took a step backward to get some space. While it was turning around I cast my only other combat spell, [Force Punch]. The back half the rat quivered as the impact was absorbed by the fat. I was blindsided by the tail. It knocked the wind out of me, but I managed to get [Just a Fleshwound] off to eliminate the damage. It finished turning around. It charged and bit me. Despite the pain, I cast another [Just a Fleshwound].
I popped it in the nose with [Force Punch]. The screeching roar it let out didn't stop it from biting me again. [Just a Fleshwound] saved me, but this was too painful to keep up for long. I changed tactics and cast a [Local Portal] under the arms supporting it with the exit portal oriented to the vertical behind me. As it fell through, the tail came over the top of it's body and smacked me. I had to take the damage for my plan to work.
I darted to the side. Once I was in position, I cast [Force Punch] at its nose. It didn't just scream this time. A cloud of red dust puffed out from behind its shoulders. The [Adrenaline] cloud swirled around the rat. As I cast the next [Force Punch], the [Portal] Shattered, tossing the beast forward. It started spinning to face me and I tried to re-position to its side. It was fast straight ahead, but not when changing directions. I hit it in the nose one more time, which starting to drip blood, but this time the tail didn't hit me in my body. It swept my feet out from under me.
I dropped my torch as I hit the floor. By the time I had recovered my bearings the rat was about to attack. I couldn't get up in time to move. I had two options, so I chose the less terrifying one. I opened a vertical [Local Portal] at my feet to intercept the rat's charge. Through my side of the [Portal] I saw the ceiling above. The rat's view was of the floor to my left. It smacked into it the ground with a squishy crunching sound.
Selenia screamed an encouraging, “Yes!” Apparently the Boss Portal opens when someone crosses it. Not when the Boss is defeated.
A little bit of blood splattered through the one inch space I had left between [Portal] and the floor. Worse, a red cloud wafted at me through the tiny gap.
You have successfully resisted infection from 2 Carnal spores of [Adrenaline].
Thank [Goodness]! I had a good chance to resist Carnals from a low level creature like this. My high Luck Statistic pushed the odds even further in my favor, but every time a spore got to me, there was a risk of being infected by a Carnal.
I cast another [Local Portal] immediately. It went off when the floor barricade [Portal] disappeared. The rat was leaning on an arm and using the other to rub what was left its nose. The [Portal] opened up and the sole arm supporting it, suddenly wasn't. It hadn't even finished screaming from slamming into the floor the first time, when its head hit the ground again, landing next to where my leg had just been. As I rolled away, the [Portal] closed over one of its arms, leaving its shoulder on the floor. It used the other arm to pull itself out of the [Portal], which gave me time to stand up.
It whipped its head back forth to sling of the blood away. It circled me, now wary. It wasn't sapient, but it wasn't stupid. I slid toward my torch. I pulled another one from [Inventory] and touched to the flame. When I looked down to light the torch the rat charged.
I cast [Force Punch] with two strides of range. I hit it in the eye. There was a little splash and a gigantic screech. It tumbled forward. It was still moving too fast for me to [Dodge], so I jammed the torch in its other eye. I knocked me back, and its ass end flipped over, pinning me underneath it.
You have successfully resisted infection from 8 Carnal spores of [Adrenaline].
Shit.
It let out a ragged gasp. It was moving slowly, but still moving. The rat lay diagonally across me, with its belly up. It was a full stride wide and three long. The tail was another three stride. It's arms were grasping blindly trying to find me. [Just a Fleshwound] wouldn't get out of its grip, because I was already pinned. I had to take the terrifying option. I did something I had never done. I opened a [Local Portal] underneath me and went through it. [Acumen] triggered.
I angled the exit [Portal] so I would come out moving away from where the rat lay. Gravity and a little shove from the creature, as part of it tried to come through after me, pushed me clear before the [Portal] closed. I visibly checked every extremity. It was all there! I breathed a sigh of relief. I'd cut off too many body parts with that Spell to trust using it on myself.
The monster sluggishly rose again. I grabbed the second torch, which I had also dropped, and stood. It turned in my general direction and growled. Both eyes were gone. Its nose was a bloody pulp. It still had its ears those. I tossed the torch off to side. The rat took the bait. It lunged at the torch and I smacked it on the side of the head with [Force Punch]. It went down again. I hit with [Force Punch] until is stopped trying to get up.
I sighed in relief and muttered, “Well, Wesley, I only had one Rodent of Unusual Size, but it was bigger and I got to fight 'To the Pain.'”
[measure soul, autotrigger]
Chopping off this creatures extremities and tongue to inflict 'The Pain' would be an inherently [Chaotic Evil] action.
I rolled my eyes, “It was a joke.”
I still didn't have a System notice. It wasn't dead yet. I pulled my short sword from [Inventory]. As quietly as I could, I crept in front of the rat. I thrust the blade though its empty eye socket.
You have killed a Fiendish Fat Rat Boss,
You gain 30 XP, 10 [Law Karma Points], and 10 [Good Karma Points].
Claim your trophy!
You have completed the Hidden Quest 'Slay a Floor Boss'
You have killed a Floor Boss!
You have earned the Title
You receive 10% XP toward Level 4, 15 [Law Karma Points], and 15 [Good Karma Points].
You have completed the Hidden Quest 'Solo a Floor Boss'
You have killed a Floor Boss by yourself!
You have earned the Title
You receive 10% XP toward Level 4, 15 [Law Karma Points], and 15 [Good Karma Points]
I heard a grinding sound in the middle of the room. I looked over to see a stone stalagmite rise up with a glowing blue ball on top of it.
“You earned loot,” Aern'Lenninisal said. “Can we come it now?”
“No. I need to clear the Carnals first,” I replied.
“Can you at least tell us what you got,” Selenia begged.
“No. If I don't get the Carnals now I might have to burn the prize,” I replied.
She pouted loudly.
First I topped up Stamina, Mana, and Chi. The fight had been a physical, mental, and emotional strain. I summoned my [Astral Grimoire] to cast [Measure]. I hadn't practiced the spell very much so I only had it Level 2. I could have cast it Level 0, but I wanted to get a bigger range.
You [Measure] 84 Carnal Spores within 2 strides.
Not good. I only caught part of the rat in my [Measure] radius, so there were more than that. I picked up the torch and began passing the flame through the red cloud of spores surrounded the dead rat. Magic couldn't kill Carnal Spores, but mundane fire could. I walked slowly but not slowly enough.
You have successfully resisted infection from 1 Carnal spore of [Adrenaline].
I slowed down. It took twenty minutes but I think I got them all. At the end I crawled around on floor spamming [Measure] for few minutes after I kept getting zero Carnals.
“It's clear. You can come in if you want,” I said.
Aern'Lenninisal and Selenia headed to the loot ball, but Emearia bolted for the rat corpse. “Do you want the core? Can I have it?”
I leaned in quietly and whispered, “One condition. You make sure you convince Selenia that your really sorry for getting her splattered with bugs. Until she gets tired of hearing about it and completely forgives you. So that there is no one else to blame. And I mean no one.” I darted my eyes to the side toward the other two. Aern'Lenninisal might not appreciate what it meant to be a wingman, but I did.
Emearia glanced at them, gave a secret smile, and nod. Then she grimaced, “I don't know where the core is. Normally its next to the heart, but I have heard they can be in the brain, the gut, or even an appendage.” She shook her head and manifested a knife from her [Inventory].
Before she start, I said, “Hold on. I'll find it.”
I spammed [Mattersight] until I located it.
“Good guess. It's above the heart. It's messy but the best way in is under the sternum, right about here, unless you're strong enough to spread the ribs, then go in here.”
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She thanked me and smiled until she realized she'd have to wade through a lot of gore.
I left to go see what I got.
“...could be a consumable. A potion, or even Magical food,” Aern'Lenninisal was saying as I came upon them.”
“Ewww. Magical food from a rat.” She shivered at the thought of it.
“Let's see what this is,” said reaching for the ball.
Selenia eyes lit up, “Yes, please,” she nodded excitedly.
I touched the ball, the light flashed, and I had a pair of leather gloves in my hand.
They were brown and had a rat stitched on the back of them.
Selenia was the first to comment, “Is that a RAT on the back! That is so sad. I would be embarrassed to wear those out anywhere.”
I activated my [Grimoire] and cast my [Identify] Spell on them.
Ratskin Gloves of [Force Punch]
Level 3, Unique Magical Item.
Add +7 to [Force Punch] Spell Power
I read out loud what the gloves did. Aern'Lenninisal was excited for me, “That is perfect for you. It will give an excellent ranged attack!”
I nodded and put them on. I looked over at at rock across the room. I hauled back and cast [Force Punch]. I missed. I hit the rock on the second attempt, and it went flying. This added seven strides to my range! I would need to train my [Punching] Skill.
When the rock went flying Selenia clapped, saying, “This is fun!”
My work here was done.
I check the Titles.
When equipped, this Title increases, by 1% per Level, Chi losses inflicted on the Floor Boss by you. Title Claim: This Title does an additional point of base damage to all attacks to any Floor Boss for every unique Floor Boss at your Level or higher you have killed, even when this Title is not equipped. Currently you deal 1 extra point of damage to any Floor Boss. Long term this could be better than the gloves! I was going to have to change my hunting habits to include some more Floor Bosses. Emearia got the core out. Selenia cleaned us up. We headed out. Halfway back to Level 1, we spotted a group of Adventurers. One of them cursed when they saw us coming. After a brief discussion we found out they wanted the Floor Boss I had just killed. I felt really bad as I saw them slink away to go kill regular monsters on Level 2. I felt so bad I took my new gloves out of [Inventory] and looked at them awhile. That did the trick. I felt better! I saw my companions to the Level 1 Boss Chamber, which was empty. They returned to the surface to get some sleep, and I went back into the Dungeon. I spent the rest of the day grinding and using [A Chance at Greatness]. I got the [Limit Break] for Strength and used the point for [Personal Wardrobe]. As badly as I wanted to try it out, I knew I needed a clean space to absorb some of my new clothes into my [Wardrobe]. A bathroom. I needed to use the bathroom in Master Meadowwalker's [Personal Palace]. Needed to. Just one more day, before I would be back in one of those bathrooms again. I cut my delve short by a few hours so I could return to the inn to be ready to leave with Master Meadowwalker as we started the trip to Aeseiriral, early in the morning. ---------------------------------------- Three weeks had passed since we began our trip from Everdale to Aeseiriral, and we had one week left to go. It was only a few hundred leagues between the two cities, but we were stopping at every village and town. Master Meadowwalker was trading goods. I even got some freight bound for Aeseiriral. The elves and I were doing our Quests and training. I manage to get to two more [Limit Breaks]. Constitution got me the Virtue [Integrity], and Willpower got me another point in [Acumen]. It was our first day in Fairmount, a highland village located in a band foothills adjacent to the Altrin Mountain range. We still had another week of traveling. My usual party was [Healing] a man who had lost a foot to a rock slide, and just before I dismissed the System notification when we finished- Ding! I wasn't close to Leveling. I wonder what... Nellamon shouted, “Tier 2!” “Congratulation Nellamon,” Selenia said joyfully. Ah. “Congratulations,” I said. Nellamon grabbed me by the shoulders and exuberantly said, “Thank you, Pilgrim! It is because of you! You must come to my wedding. My betrothed must meet you and thank you.” I have actually stepped into another world. That was less jarring than what I had just stepped into. “Before I say, 'You're welcome,' would you mind telling me what I am making you welcome too?” “Leveling and Karma of course! We are a week away from the new year. It was believed I could not reach Level 10 in time. My father could have paid for the extra Quests, but it would not have been fair to others. You Pilgrim! You have been the difference! I will now be able to wed Asharia next year! You must come! Say you will come,” he pleaded. “Sure. If I'm in town,” I replied. “Excellent! Excellent,” he said. He looked me up and down and said, “To thank you we shall commission a fabulous raiment for the event!” Tact was not a strong suit for Nellamon. I had paid several golds for what I was wearing now. [Personal Wardrobe] used up two points of its power, instead of one, for the high quality silk I had on. My Class Power Rating was 9, so I used 8 points for the black jacket, vest, knickers, and white hose. The last point went to some cotton underwear. [Personal Wardrobe] was similar to [Personal Pantry] but for clothes instead of food. If I stopped touching the clothing it disappeared. A brand new version would be available twenty-fours later. I didn't matter if it was stained, destroyed, or simply put away. It would appear new as if it came or went into my [Inventory]. Since I only had one set in the [Wardrobe] that meant I could only wear it every other day. The other downside was that once it was placed in the [Personal Wardrobe] it couldn't be taken out. If I every truly died, it would disappear forever. It would violate the Law of Conservation of Mass, but a lot of things in Elfandrael seemed to do that. I replied with a tone that sounded like a question, “Thanks?” “Good. Very good,” he replied. “You seem pretty happy,” I said. “Why would I not? I am getting married?” He seemed aghast that anyone would doubt his sincerity. “Well, Aern'Lenninisal is not happy about marriage. He said you'll be assigned a much older wife, and eventually your wives will outvote you on who you can marry.” “Bah. That deviant. Of course he would not understand it. When you are missing half of the purpose of life it is difficult to live it. Elven females must carry the burden of not having enough mates. Of course the male elves could abuse this imbalance of power, but it would not be [Good]. Allowing the females a say in their fate is only just. They must live every day with the consequences of their marriages. At least the males can flee into the Dungeon for respite.” Did he just call the Dungeon a man cave? 'Honey, I'll take the trash out when I get back from the Dungeon?' “Where I'm from, some people look at imbalances in power in a relationship, from things like age or money as unsettling. Old looking people, who are in a couple with someone younger can cause discomfort. I don't have any problem with it, but...you know...just sayin',” I responded. I had no problem at all with it. Aern'Lenninisal on the other hand... “There is competition for males among the females. Only the best succeed, and age gives advantage in that goal. In the end, only the power of Levels and Class dominate. The source of all wealth is the Dungeon, and when males reach a high Level, the politics of the females cease to matter. It is only fair that they enjoy power for at least a time. As for who will look older, that will be me. My Asharia has taken 'The Oath Against Aging.' She will look young for eternity,” he replied. Celestium had told me about that one. 'The Oath Against Aging' made it so you didn't age, but you couldn't gain XP or Karma either. There was Quest to temporarily remove the restriction, but it still left you XP and Karma penalties. The trick was to organize a series of Quests to level quickly, and take the special Quest that let you ignore the Oath until you Leveled. Celestium didn't specifically say this practice was one of those things stagnating the elves, but he strongly hinted that it was a problem. “OK, OK, OK... I get it. If you're OK marrying someone who is centuries older than you, I guess I'm OK with it too,” I said. “Millenia,” Selenia said. “What,” I asked. I had almost forgotten she was here. “Millenia older. Asharia is ancient. Tens of a thousands of years old,” she said. Nellamon nodded with a smirk. “And you're OK with competing against a women who is thousands of years old?” “I will be one too when I come out of the convent,” she said with a giggle. “What Convent,” I asked, mystified. “The one in Aeseiriral. When I reach Tier 2, I will go into the Convent. With [Cultivation] and [Transcendence] I will slowly increase my Karma, Attributes, Statistics, Levels, and Virtues through constant meditation. In a thousand years I will have gained 10 Levels and be ready for citizenship and a husband.” She gave a cheery smile, “It really is the best way to become a Virtuous wife.” Poor Aern'Lenninisal. He would be dead of old age before she was ready to settle down. At least I'd found a major source of stagnation. “Why are you so interested in this Pilgrim,” Nellamon asked with some skepticism. “I guess I just want you to have your best life,” I answered. He tensed slightly. Not in a bad way. The way someone does when they're savoring a moment. With a tiny smile he said, “Thank you Pilgrim,” and walked away. I had to deal with this. I hunted down Aern'Lenninisal. My distress was a mirror opposite of his glee. Before I could get anything out, he said, “Come. Follow me. I must show you this.” We went behind the village stables. Before I knew what happened he said, “I Summon First Aspect of Manticore!” It was very dramatic. A ghostly apparition appeared. It had the body of lion, the spikes of a hedgehog on its back, the stinger of scorpion on its tail, and a face that resembled a bestial human. It was definitely a Manticore. Something was off. It stared ahead stiffly, like it was statue instead of a creature. “Why can I see through it?” “This is an Aspect of Manticore. It is not actually a creature. It is closer to a construct, like a golem.” “I thought Summons were suppose to be creatures that were called from a place, not constructs,” I said. “That is normally true. One of the Conditions to be an Archdruid of the Zodiac is that all of the Summons in my Pact Ledger must be Zodiac based. There are only fourteen types of creatures that I can Summon with it. One for each of the fourteen signs of the Zodiac. There is a Quest called Seeker of the Aspect of the Zodiac. The reward for that Quest allows me to Summon Aspects of the Houses of the Zodiac. That is what this is!” “Awesome! I don't think I've ever seen you summon anything and now you can summon a Manticore! That's a pretty powerful mythical beast,” I said. I did something to deflate his mood. He winced several times at what I said. “This is not 'a manticore.' This is an Aspect of Manticore. The Manticore. The constellation, House of the Zodiac, and Astral being. You are correct. This is my first Summon. I could not do it before. My mother...interfered. But thanks to you, I have won. For myself and against her.” His mother must be a horrible person. If there was a theme today, it was for people thanking me for things I didn't know I had done for them. “What did I do?” “Summoning Aspects must be done at Shrines. The-” “The Shrine in the Dungeon,” I interrupted. He nodded with a smile, “Yes. The most powerful Summons come from Dungeons, where the stars cannot reach. A single Shrine in a Dungeon must be combined with a collection of Shrines on the surface of Elfandrael. A collection Shrines in the shape of a constellation. The constellation of Manticore. The last star in that constellation was located in the Shrine in this village.” “Well it sounds like we need to get you into some Dungeons. Pretty soon you'll be summoning...” I stopped cold. My eyes lit up when I understood. His eyes burned even brighter we he realized I had realized. “Isn't Dragon one of the constellations of the Zodiac?” His face assumed his trademarked deadpan as he said, “Yes,” and after a slight, dramatic pause, “Yes, it is.” We cackled maniacally, in the way that only young men with the imagined destinies of an Archdruid or an Archwizard can, when faced with a pitifully weak world to oppose them. When we stopped laughing I said, “Congratulations. Since I helped you maybe you can help me. Nellamon invited me to his wedding. Anything I need to know about that?” The blood drained out of his face. All his joy, evaporated. “No...No...NO! She's going to ruin it! Ruin it all!” “Ruin what?” “Everything she touches,” he cried. “Our friendship. Your relationship with Nelamon. Nelamon's wedding. You do not even know [Social Circles], [Goodness Gracious], or [Elven Lore]. You would also need [Faction Favoring] and probably [Virtue Temperament Lore]. There is no time!” He was panicking. I had to stop him. “What are you talking about. Are those Skills, or Spells, or Abilities. Master Tindal mentioned [Social Circles] and [Goodness Gracious]. What are they?” He gather himself and then calmly began to explain. “Elves live so long our lives would become banal if we did not invent things to make life interesting. Whenever we hold a conversation we play a mini-game to allow everyone to be entertained. At the highest-” “What to do you mean a mini-game?” “A 'small contest' yes that is close. Would it not be better to think it of as custom Skill created with [Design Skill]?” [Tongues] was doing its best but we were not connecting. “What are the rules to this mini-game,” I asked. “It is not one mini-game, but several played simultaneously. The games are scored based on the content of the conversation. The score appears on a System notice. At the highest levels of society the score in the games are used to determined who may speak and for how long. Without knowledge of these Skills my mother will make a mockery out of you in casual conversation. For example if we were scoring [Social Circles] we would be using the form 'I have heard' to-” “Wait! When you were saying 'I have heard' and 'Would not it be better,' it was actually word games scored by the System. All that time you guys were insulting me you were playing a game!” “Of course. We were trying to be polite,” He said innocently. I was indignant. “You have gamified insulting people and you think it's polite?” “Not so much that it is polite, but that it would be impolite to not do it,” he answered. Somehow that made more sense. Or least, 'Would it not be better if it made more sense.' I shook my head in disgust. “We have to get me these Skills before the wedding?” “Yes. We just do not have the time,” he lamented. “I have heard, that some people have not heard, that when you gain a Skill from a [Limit Break] in Tier 2, that Skill becomes instinctive?” He smiled and said, “Tell me what you have heard.” “Would it not be better for me to gain Elvish and High Common after Level 9 with a [Limit Break], so that I would appear to be a native speaker?” “It would be better,” he said. His smile slid a little. “Do we have the time?” “I need to get into a Dungeon and find out,” I said. ---------------------------------------- “The Dungeon is out of the question,” Leanosel said. “Could I go in with the Crafters and-” “No this is a temporary provisional work permit application. You would need a temporary permanent work visa for that.” Now that he said it out loud it did make more sense. The 'temporary' part was basically an emergency application to start working now. The 'provisional' versus 'permanent' part was based on my Level. Since I was under level 10, I was in a legal sense still considered a minor. Because there was a limitation on my ability to make decisions for myself, an application for legal status would be considered provisional until I could achieve permanent status at Tier 2. The work permit was to work as a subcontractor for Harmin training my friends with my recharge Spells. A work visa would identify me as lawful permanent resident. In Earth terms I was applying for an emergency H1-B visa, but to work with the Crafters in the Dungeon, I would need an emergency green card application, which I couldn't qualify for. This guy knew his stuff. “So...Three years to get a license to go into the dungeon.” Leanosel corrected me, “One to three years.” “Why does it take so long,” I asked. “We have to answer the question, 'Why does someone at such a low level want to throw away their citizenship to fight monsters. It is not responsible behavior for someone so young.” “You mean Tier 1. Its not really about age is it,” I asked. “Yes we have to evaluate maturity,” he replied. “I'm already over twenty years old,” I complained. “And you already Soulburned a [Chaotic Evil] Boon,” He countered. I was never going to live that down. Why did everyone feel the need to pry into your private life, just because you came from another planet? I was starting to understand why Kryptonians snuck in on rockets. “What if I was Tier 2? How long would it take to get permission to go into the Dungeon then,” I asked. “If you had a permanent work visa, six months to year,” he said. “And there isn't any faster way to get into the Dungeon,” I asked. While he was thinking he waved his hand back on forth. I think he liked the way his thick lace cuffs moved the air. With a big smile he said, “I have it. If you belonged to the Elven Alliance Faction, you could get access to the Dungeon!” “How do I join them,” I asked. “You would need a recommendation to apply. If they accept your application you need only complete their entry Quests,” he said. “Who can give me a recommendation,” I asked. “I could,” Harmin said. I turned to the gnome. “It would be better if came from someone in the government. The Alliance would take it more seriously,” he said. Leanosel exclaimed, “Yes, it would be much faster if someone in the government suggest it! Brilliant idea!” The was a pregnant pause. Then I asked, “Don't you work in government?” “Oh, yes. But I am processing your request for a provisional work permit,” he said. I held up the paper he had already given me. “Isn't this the work permit?” “Oh, no. That's the temporary provisional work permit. It will let you work for one month while I consider the whether you will have a provisional work permit to permanently work provisionally, but of course that is not a permanent work visa. Do you want me to stop that and process a request for a recommendation to the Elven Alliance Faction?” Master Meadowwalker spoke up here, “Leanosel, If you will examine the request from the Battlelord, I believe that it would justify a recommendation to the Elven Alliance Faction,” he offered. “Yes. You mentioned that. That is a very impressive reference. I will weigh it carefully in my considerations.” Meadowwalker pressed the issue, “It is not a reference, it is a request to expedite all access to Aeseiriral for Mr. Swindall.” “What. It was a request not a reference! I am so sorry for the mistake. “It might have been my mistake, I may have mentioned the request as being part of the references and requests,” the gnome said. “Let me see. You are correct! It is a request. One moment,” he said. A stack of papers appeared from his [Inventory]. He began processing them. In quadruplicate. He stamped them with several seals. He put one back in his [Inventory]. Two more burst into flames when he stamped them. The fourth he handed to me. “Give this to the clerk at the Elven Alliance hall,” he said with a smile. He stared vacantly into space. We are getting close to the end of my shift. I would not want to violate the one hour work week. Will there be anything until next week?” That sounded actively stagnant. “There is a one hour work week in Aeseiriral,” I asked. “Only for government. It was decreed that all must serve in government. Every citizen contributes and hour of their time per week,” he answered. That wasn't as bad as I thought. Sort of the opposite of stagnant. As we left I said, “That wasn't to bad. It was surreal, but believable given how government work goes. Harmin said, “It is slow but it works painlessly most of the time. Dwarves sometimes hire [Evil] people to make their bureaucracies more efficient, so it could be worse.” I turned to the gnome and asked, “Who is the Battlelord and why is he helping me?” “He is supreme military commander of Aeseiriral, and Nellamon's father,” he said. I shook my head. Not ominous at all.