Lord Joyde The Madman: Heylo, Everybody! How are you all doing?
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I wasn't originally planning to do another chapter today but since I managed to up my net speed to a bearable 200-300/kbs, I've decided to do it anyways.
I guess my morale is largely determined by my internet connection... heh, who would've guessed!
Anyways, here comes the next chapter of EUPHORIA! I sincerely hope that you enjoy, let us begin!
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Don't mind me guys and girls! I'm just a line break...
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Several minutes later... - Inside Of The Mine - Rhean's Point Of View...
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After spending a couple more minutes outside, mostly pillaging corpses and selling unneeded loot, we ventured deeper into the mine. Or, more specifically, we entered its Forge Chamber.
My mine's were created with efficiency in mind. On the outside, you have smelters and teleportation pads, the first room on the inside is the forge, the second room on the first level is the administrative office and below it is the Mess Hall, where my miners and their overseers ate, drank and relieved themselves. There was no real break or working time for those working in the mines, rather I made up a quota system where each select person had to fulfill their quota depending on the overall richness of the mine. How they did this, how much they rested, how much they worked, none really mattered to me or my overseers so long as the weekly quota was fulfilled.
It was a highly effective system if I may say so myself. I sure as hell hope that Aurelius didn't cater to the lazy people by ruining that self-forming system based on player decision... It saddens me that there were people voting to have the best possible system fully computerized as their *Kingly* selves couldn't be bothered to set rules for miners, whose work is the life-blood of their entire armies. While I'm not totally against an automated system being applied for those who want it, it should be a weakness against those, like myself, who like to set every single detail to fit their selective desire.
... Yeah, I know how that sounds. I'm an arrogant prick who does not like having anyone or anything working even slightly off the course I set forth, but that's exactly why I make an awesome Emperor, heh.
"Yo, Rhean. Wake up, dude! We've got gobs incoming!" Corez slams my back with his crossbow, unloaded of course, as I rock myself back to reality."Uhh, what the? Did I seriously doze off?"
"How long have you been playing?" Said dwarf asks me somewhat worriedly and I chuckle."Honestly? I have no idea. For quite a bit.. but don't worry, so long as you keep waking me up, we can pull this raid off."
Phase Two - Forging Ahead You've managed to enter the central area of the mine, The Forge!
The goblins here are many, but most are not fighters but craftsmen or miners!
However, there is a mass of elite goblins charging ahead in order to defend the innermost sanctum of the mine, having left some behind to barricade its entrance.
You will need to break through their elite in order to chose your next action! Elite Goblin's Remaining - 200
"BUFF UP, PEOPLE! THESE GUYS AREN'T GONNA BE WEAK!" Frey exclaims at the top of his lungs as Corez loads up a crossbow bolt but I stop him from firing."Corez, do you see that intake line up there?"
"Intake Line?" He asks somewhat flabbergasted as Frey and the other tanks charge to the front, our healers already throwing shields and regeneration spells upon them. Intake Line's are risen platforms accessible via lifts upon which lie openings to the forges. It was there that metal would be thrown inside in order to melt or heat it up again before forging could commence."See the lifts? I want you to pick a couple melee's and take every non-mage ranged player up there... you might also want to take a shaman or two for the group healing."
His eyes lit up in recognition."Ah, you mean to get us to higher ground? Got it, boss!"
"EVERYONE, GET ON THE LIFTS! MELEE GROUP FOUR AND TWO SHAMANS FOLLOW US! MAGES STAY DOWN HERE!" Two tanks dislodge themselves from the front, instantaneously replaced by eager thieves whose dodging skills prove to be just as good at keeping the enemy at bay.
"Filzhy dentind onzzz! Yourz planz wirr phail! FEAZ DE POWA OZ ZAOS!" A huge, armored and quite bad-ass looking goblin with a massive iron staff, one I recognize to be a beating-cane used by my former overseers and On Transcendence floating above his right hand.
He lets the book float away as he grasps at nothing with his right hand before it bursts full of crimson lightning."Ah, you must be the guy Justika was talking about." My simple words catch the attention of the War-god just in time for him to get a Napalm Flare right in the face."ARZZ! ZHE FIYER! IZ BUUURNZ!"
He promptly falls down onto the ground, his hands erratically showing the fire away from himself to no avail, but that does not seem to deter him much as he stands up and casts the crimson lightning onto himself, using it in a way I did not think was possible."GRYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHZ! I CANNOTZ FAZZ! ZHE GOBLIN RAZE DEPENDZ UPON MEEEEEEZ!"
Crimson lighting tears away at his flesh before replacing it with healed, un-burned meat. He just healed himself with an ability I created and yet never thought of it as a healers tool... is this what they call letting the new generation take the reins?
Without wasting another moment in fantasy-world, I charge the goblin with my Raging Fist, skin and flesh falling off my arms as molten metal replaces them. To my surprise, the goblin mimics my actions, the skin and flesh of his own hands burning away as metal replaces it. Our fists clash against one another and I nearly laugh as the goblins eyes grow wide."Youz... youz iz a zaosborne! Why doez zaos fightz againzt uzz!?!"
"Chaos? Fight against you?" I quirk an eyebrow at the goblin as we push each other away. He places a hand upon his chest in pride as the battle continues around us."I iz Zrell! Goblin War-godz of zhe Minewalker Tribez!"
Laughing momentarily, I fix my posture and straighten my back as I make a mock bow towards him."Emperor Rhean, The Archon Of Chaos. Tis nice to meet you, War-god."
His eyes grow wide as saucers as I hear his heart pumping with fear and panic. He quickly grabs On Transcendence into his hands just as my rangers rain hell down upon the elites, downing the goblins by dozens."Noz! Youz haz comez forz de bookz! I cantz letz youz haz eet!"
And with that, he used the book to start channeling massive amounts of crimson thunder towards me. Chuckling at him as the chaos-spell does close to no damage to me, I return his spell by channeling my own alchemical lightning at him. Red, crimson electricity sparks forth from my fingertips, locked in an epic battle of wills as both players and goblins are thrown aside.
To his credit, the goblin War-god actually manages to push me back momentarily as I bait him into pushing harder and harder, but just as his spell is about to reach me, I misdirect it sideways, blasting a random goblin and incinerating it from existence as I Chaos Rush into him, stunning him as my shoulder slams into his chest, making him fall onto the ground.
"So you think Chaos is yours and yours alone? Hah! Lets see how long you can keep that bravado up, boy!" With that exclamation made, I raise my hands up in the air and begin walking slowly towards him as my Napalm Flare consumes the air around us, turning into a Pyrobomb."W-WHATZ YOUZ DOINGZ? DATZ DANZEROUZ!"
I smirk at him, maniacally."Exactly."
And then I slam the massive bomb of fire and glory into the ground, feeling myself burn a little before being thrown into a column on the other side of the room.
You've suffered a massive blow! (233 fire damage + 409 physical damage) You are now dazed until fully healed!
-50% move-speed
"Hah, hah, HAHAHAH!" I let out a massive laugh as I dislodge myself from the steel column and drink a potion provided by our supply line and motion for a nearby healer to throw something on me.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRZZZZZ! SO MUZH FIYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERZ!" Zrell yells out while running around with what little hair he has on fire, causing me to burst into yet another laughing spree and charge right back into him as my health returns to full.
With another shoulder slam, I force him on the ground."Surrender, brat. You've got talent and I feel that there is more at play here than it seems."
He gasps in deeply before grabbing the book tightly to himself and opens his mouth to yell in protest, but I silence him with a scythe to the neck."Do I need to repeat myself? SURRENDER!"
Another gulp as the goblin raises his free hand high into the air, the Iron beat-stick falling down onto the ground as he lets it go."W-w-wez surrenderzz..."
The remaining goblins throw their weaponry down onto the ground in defeat as I turn around."If this guy is a War-god, then that means there's a High Shaman around, who is it?"
The goblins all look away and I blink."Uhhz, datz alzo me."
Zrell says with a rather sheepish look on his face and I let out a massive sigh."Alright then... you guys, go stand in the corner there while I deal with your boss. I can promise you that you won't be harmed so long as you cooperate."
Goblins are kind of like a mix between an adorable child and a teen raised by wild animals... Tarzan's, basically. They all turn to look at each other dumbly before complying, not having anymore will to fight further.
Phase Two has been completed! Your actions have resulted in a strange ending to this phase of the raid...
Please finish whatever you're attempting in order to be rewarded!
Oh Jim, Jim, Jim. I sincerely wonder what is going on through your young, inexperienced AI brain right now. Shaking my head in disbelief, I turn towards my guild."Chill guys, let me take care of things here."
With a nod from most and respectful bows from some, I turn back around towards Zrell and offer him a hand."So itz truez denz? Youz wonz hurtz goblinz?"
I shake my head in negative."No, I won't. Rather, I feel like there's more to this story than it seems. You look as if you are fighting for that book for more reasons than just the power it provides."
He takes my hand after a pause and then sits on a stone, throwing off his armor and letting himself breathe. Chaotic knowledge has made him strong enough to wear it, but not strong enough to weather it, apparently."I... Zrell haz killdz hiz War-Chiftainz, hiz brotherz, afterz he findz zhe book. Zrell not knowz many words, but he feelz some. Zrell findz friendz, let themz readz book, but mozt not getz eet. Makez Zrell sad."
"You felt the words of the book? Is that how you learned all those spells?" I ask and he gives a slow nod."Yezz, eet truez.. Zrell readz, feelz, becomz strongz, takez over tribez..."
"But to what end? You could have waited for a better moment to take over, why all the rush?" He looks at me with regret in his eyes as I see my soldiers rush inside and I hold a hand towards him as I turn around."Charles! Form up a line and barricade this entire chamber. The Goblins in he corner are friendlies, do not harm them!"
"Yes, sir!" He and the soldiers comply with my orders as Luciana comes in next. Having heard me, she takes some food and water to the goblins and offers it to them, giving out an adorable yelp as they snatch it out of her hands, eliciting an bright smile from the girl. Turning back around, I sit down next to Zrell as I listen."Zhe book... eet strongz.. makez smartz no, givez smartz to some gobz.. but not all. Zrell feelz dat.. witz book, he can makez goblinz into proud race.." His speech is slowly becoming better as he speaks, making me chuckle as I reply.
Stolen novel; please report.
"So you seek to uplift your own kind, Zrell? That's... inspiring." Saying in astonishment as the goblin war-god looks up towards me, he silently says."Youz not laughz at uz?"
"And why would I do that? In fact, if you agree to work for me, I will help you achieve that dream." His eyes grow wide alongside that of those listening in to our conversation."Youz wouldz upliftz uzz?"
A nod as I stand up to offer him a hand once again."The Goblin race has spent far too long being bullied by others in on this miserable little seedling... I feel that it is time for your kind to stop writhing around in the ruins of other civilizations and rise up to build something of your own. I am willing to aid you in doing this, but only if you and yours become a part of my Empire."
He takes my hand and stand up with a glint of hope in his eyes."I zee.. youz really arz like inz zhe book... Empzor Oz Azarezt, wez goblinz of de Minewalkerz tribez, kneelz to youz!"
Congratulations! You've gained a new civilian faction - Minewalker Tribe (goblin) Racial Traits - UnderMountain Preference, Natural Miners, Ultra-Rapid Breeders, Natural Idiots, Depressingly Fleeting
Unique - Cultural Interest, Uplifted, Blood Of Stone UnderMountain Preference - This race prefers to live beneath a mountain and gains a 10% bonus to productivity and happiness when this is so.
Natural Miners - This race has spent generations worth of time digging, making mining a part of their blood. +50% effectiveness in mines.
Ultra-Rapid Breeders - This race breeds at speeds which defy reason and logic, granting them a +200% bonus to growth rate.
Natural Idiots - This race is just naturally stupid, or so they think.. I think? (Most members cannot do any form of advanced jobs and are good for solely menial labor)
Depressingly Fleeting - The members of this race live an incredibly short life of fifteen years before dying, but this makes them give it their all every single day! Morale cannot fall beneath 100%!
Cultural Interest - This particular tribe has a keen interest in making their culture as rich and beautiful as possible! +50% to all ART and CRAFTING.
Uplifted - As this race has a benefactor, they are happier living near said person or within lands that person owns.
Blood Of Stone - This race shares a deep connection to the earth below their feet, often finding valuable ore and metal more frequently than others.
I find myself grinning widely as I read the blue screen before me.. there is a saying how goblins are often referred to as Discount Dwarves and I can't help but agree after reading this.
Congratulations! Your Town(Incerum) has grown into a Small City! Population - 1293/2500
Oh? I figured I'd have to indoctrinate the goblins first, but I guess not considering they learned stuff from a tome of chaos itself, hehe.
Phase Completed! You've managed to get the goblins to fight for you... but your leader feels something far worse is ahead. +All members of the guild *CIL CIL* have unlocked the Goblins as a playable race!
+All members of the guild *CIL CIL* that have participated in this phase receive a bonus of 500 fame/infamy, as Uplifting the Goblins is not something liked by all.
+All members of the raid will receive five levels worth of experience for this grand achievement, alongside 10 free stats.
+All members of the raid who do not yet possess the stat Insight, will have it unlocked, those that do will have it increased by 10.
"Goblins? WE CAN BE GOBLINS, GUYS!" A random guildmate yells out loudly and we all share a laugh."The starting stats are probably gonna be shite, though." Another mutters and people quieten down as I turn to look at Zrell.
Personal Loot For your contribution to the raid, you've received a bonus of 200 fame.
Your share of the loot is 11 gold, 83 silver and 6 copper.
"Now then, what can I do to help you, Zrell?" He blinks at me before opening On Transcendence and showing me a picture of an Azarestrian Mine, details on how its built, how to maintain it, how to use it and the like."Zrell readz book, findz minez picturez, dey tellz Zrell howz to digz, howz to makez column to keepz earthfallz away. Zrell believez zat, goblinz can digz their own mountainz... butz Zrell knowz it costz.. Zrell thinkz zat he wouldz needz onez thoundandz goldz coinz to buyz neccezary pikz andz makez planz... z..."
"Done. Anything else?" I hand him a thousand gold coins like its nothing, causing many people around me to have their jaws hit the floor as I wince inwardly, telling myself that since the goblins are basically made to make up my The Bound class of citizen they'll be worth the investment. Also, I can't really help myself... This guy is basically doing his best for his own race, I've got to help him somehow."Waz?! Juzz like dat?!"
"Hey now, I don't have a limitless supply of gold so don't get any ideas, but I am willing to make a sacrifice as your benefactor. You'll just have to repay me by staying loyal." I say with a sigh and the goblins all kneel before me beofre standing up with pride in their postures.
Turning around to face a still jaw-floored Charles, I say."Bring me Loris, his mercantile skills are exactly what I need to help Zrell here buy enough pickaxes and supplies to fund whatever project he has... which reminds me, what are you hoping to do with all that money, Zrell?"
Charles wordlessly bows before me and leaves with a shaking body and most likely shattered mind. I shrug, this is something he's gonna have to get used to if he wants to keep being my General."Uhz.. Zrell needz helpz from Empzor to findz new mountainz for goblinz... he make planz, detailz! Withz goldz, merkantz, pikz and sup.. supp.. suppliez!, Zrell make new Undercity for Empzor!... Before, Zrell thinkz Undercity onlyz forz goblinz, but he can makez for allz!"
"An Undercity, you say? Hmm.. Luciana, I haven't had too good of a look around my new Mansion when I woke up, but it is built into a Mountain, right?" I mutter out as I turn around towards the mentioned girl, who gives out another adorable yelp of surprise as she wakes from whatever trance possessed her."Y-yes? I-I believe so, sir. B-but w-why do you a-ask?"
And with that, I clap my hands together."Then its settled! Zrell, I want you and yours to go to my city of Incerum and find my Mansion. Next to it is a mountain, the inside of which will be the foundation and entrance to our new Undercity."
Zrell nods and bows, quickly telling his friends to follow Luciana, who diligently offered to guide them to the place, as he then turns towards me and my guild, but before he can say anything, another blue screen is shoved into my face.
A cool, immensely peaceful feeling embraces you as the moons light strikes against your skin...
Blinking as I turn around, I ask."Lunarie? Well, I've been wondering when you're gonna show up."
Said Goddess appears before me, her waving azure hair flying gracefully as her pale blue eyes glow in the darkened chamber."I didst not contact thee before because I could not, Emperor... my sight requires a great deed to be done, not one of battle as Mendrion decrees, but one of grace, one of peace...." Her whispers echo as both players and NPC's alike stand in silence and wonder, their eyes focused solely upon the ethereal being most often referred to as...
"Mother Moon.." A Lunarian Priestess within my guild mutters out in reverence, her hands barely holding her staff in her hands.
Lunarie giggles at her, causing the poor girl to blush as her goddess's gaze turns towards her and then back towards me.. or, more specifically, towards Zrell."... one of kindness, eternal..."
The poor goblin gulps deeply as Mother Moon turns her head back around."I had expected this day to never come... but It appears I've lost a bet. Perhaps Eve is right... perhaps there is some light within the furnace that is your molten soul, Emperor."
Saying nothing as I let out a breath of annoyance, I simply watch Lunarie as the woman bursts into a spree of ethereal chuckles, her very presence eradicating any form of hostility in the room... Quite frankly, it makes me feel uneasy."Alas, it seems that you yet cannot stand being in my presence... not even willingly.."
I let out another breath of unease as I give her a respectful nod."Peace and Cold are all well and good Lunarie, but I prefer my life ablaze."
Nodding right back at me, she continues."Your journey here is not yet done, Emperor... A terrible darkness plagues these poor goblins, so dark that I advise you prepare before venturing any deeper into the mines... but know that whenever you do... my blessings shall be upon you."
And with that, she disappears, leaving behind an ethereal mist as the moonlit aura disperses from the room and I feel myself finally breathe a little easier."Finally."
"BRR! W-WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT? Dear god, I feel like I walked out of a hot shower and into a fucking blizzard!" Andrew, the warrior who got a skill of mine after watching me fight, screams out loud as his entire body shakes. Laughing as I approach him, I place a hand onto his shoulder and infuse him with a bit of essence."Yeah, guys like us can't stand her presence. Here, this should make you feel better."
And true to my word, he stops shaking."T-thanks, man. That was horrifying!"
The others look at him with questioning glances, most having felt nothing but beauty and peace from the elven goddess... but its not that easy when you have a violent soul. Turning back around toward Zrell, I ask."So then Zrell, what's this darkness that the goddess warned us about?"
He gulps deeply before replying, as if terrified of something."We Minewalkerz do a ritualz every so oftenz.. shamanz gather and cast big spellz, summon giant Earth Elemental. Tevoz, he teach uz and ourz ancenstorz how ta minez.. butz he becomez.. evilz... he makez giant wall of stonez around our spawning pitz, killz young gobs, demandz sacrificez, givez nothing... he sleepz in deep chamberz, below zhis one."
"Aaah, so you killed your brother in order to stage a rebellion against this elemental, did you?" I ask and he nods towards me."Zrell learnz how ta make weaponz of fire-stone! We usedz eet, hurtz Tevoz badz, but weaponz breakz, gobs diez, we go up to makez more weaponz, but den you camez."
A glint forms in my eyes as soon as I hear these words and I turn around towards my guild."Anyone here a blacksmith?"
Around twenty people raise their hands, mostly dwarf players ironically enough and I grin."Zrell, teach these guys how to forge Emberite.. err, how to make weapons out of fire-stone. We're gonna make them better and stronger so they won't break on the Earth Element's stone hide... and once everyone is armed..."
Closing my eyes as my grin reaches from ear to ear, savage shark-like teeth shining as I exclaim."WE CHARGE!"
The crowds, goblin and otherwise, cheer to my proclamation and I let out a laugh as the earth beneath my feet shakes with terror.
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Don't mind me guys and girls! I'm just a line break...
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And that is it for this chapter of EUPHORIA! I sincerely hope that you've enjoyed it!
Meh, I wanted to put the entirety of the Mine events into one chapter but it felt like that would be stupidly too quick.
And also my fingers kinda hurt, damned small table. You can expect the next chapter to be written in a few hours... once I've had something to eat and a bit of a break.
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Anyways, read and review! And Good Morning/Day/Night to you all! ADIOS FOR NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!