“We can’t stay here. We have all heard the rumors about the new King. He will hunt us down for disobeying his lackey.” Said one of the large townsmen.
“Bah. The King barely knows of Burch’s existence. He’s never been here. He has no reason to care.” Another answered in an annoyed tone.
The town meeting had quickly devolved to everyone with a voice hurling their opinion out to the night, each louder than the last. From what I had been able to piece together the town had just barely survived the tutorial ending survival event. Burch had begun the tutorial with a population of around 2,000 permanent residents and was now at less than 900.
It was a fairly large town for this part of Eter. It existed as a hub for exploring the forest and felling the trees, using a large and deep creek that ran through town to transport the downed trees south and west towards Eter. Most of the residents of Burch had been born here and never left. A healthy population of labor aged men drove the local economy and fought against the beast waves. The casualties to so many of the fighting aged residents had greatly weakened the proud town.
The mayor was a political lackey to the King, related distantly somehow. Prior to the framework he had spent most of his days drinking and forcing himself on any of the townswomen unwise enough to give him any attention. After the framework had initiated the town had all gone through the tutorial. The mayor had been granted the same title by the framework and given the authority to make decisions on behalf of the town.
The initial starting bonus of gold that I had received from the mine was divided amongst the residents of Burch with varying amounts going to each citizen. The mayor had received the greatest share of the gold and used it to entice professional guards of the town to his service. He had triggered a town upgrade quest that promised rewards for survival without consulting any of the survivors. When he realized the severity of the beast waves assaulting the town he had hidden himself in the town hall and refused his guards permission to help defend the walls.
“We can’t hold the mayor hostage, he has the authority of the town, he controls all of the functions.” Arthur grunted out weakly from his spot near the center of the hall. “He knows me and he has never liked me. Anyone who has stood up to him or confronted him has to leave for their own safety. If the King sends the army we can’t stop him from opening the gates to them, and we couldn’t fight the army anyway.”
“Leave and go where Arthur? Said a severe looking older woman. “My family is dead, my boys are dead. Where would I go?” She weeped against the shoulder of a younger woman.
“The survival event took out so many people. Half the homes here in Burch are empty, every other town will be the same.” Arthur argued. “We can spread out, we have friends and families across Eter that can help us.”
“You might Arthur, not all of us have your connections.” The first man that had spoken said. The room quieted after this statement.
Following the conversations as closely as I could without drawing attention to myself I wondered about those connections. Arthur cut a powerful figure and fought with a massive broadsword. I could easily see him as a leader in the army or Etes. The rest of the townspeople clearly respected and followed what he said. Thinking of my unpopulated mine, I took a deep breath and stood up, walking over to Arthur.
“Who’s the kid anyway” said the man with the annoyed tone from earlier. He was standing opposite Arthur and had bandages across his chest and arms. He looked angry but was probably just scared.
“His name is Syl and he saved my daughters from a few of the hounds that had gotten past us. Said he was from a village across the forest that didn’t survive the tutorial. He fought for us and he deserves your respect Fen.” Arthur answered quickly.
Looking around the town hall at the remaining residents of Burch was sobering. How many people across Eter had died during the survival event ending the tutorial? To then be thrown in against another beast wave out of greed? Shaking my head and clearing my throat, I approached the middle of the open space.
“I know a place, I found it on my journey that could support a small population. You would be well hidden, deep in the forest.” I looked around at the faces filled with doubt. Who would believe me? A young man none of them had met before the prior night offering safety. There was also my negative charisma to consider. “I could lead a few of you there, show you the way, you can hide out from the mayor until the situation improves.”
“I trust him, he saved me, he had no reason to fight against three of the demon spawn with only a dagger for a weapon but he did.” Camile spoke up behind Arthur. “Father please, if we truly can’t stay here then where else can we go?” There were tears in her eyes but she didn't look scared. Rather she looked determined, like she had already made up her mind. “This so-called King murdered our families! He put the mayor in that position over any rightful resident of Burch.” Anger now radiating off of her slight frame. Many of the townspeople began to nod and murmur their agreement.
“Treason? Is that what we are now? The treasonous citizens of Burch?” Fen argued back. He turned in a slow circle and faced the crowd. “I will not leave my home. I will not commit treason. I have lived in Burch all my life, as far back as can be remembered my family has worked this side of the forest. You can run all you like, the mayor is here to stay and so am I.”
Arthur looked over to me and beckoned outside. Everyone's attention was on us now as we headed through the large double doors to the town hall. The area in front of the hall was cleared of bodies, blood still streaked the ground. The light had long faded but lanterns dotted the avenues.
“Son, while I trust your courage and your honor for defending my family. No one alive has made the journey through the forest from the other side. Not without looping around the southern end and coming back up north. I don’t believe your story and I can’t risk the lives of my girls on half truths.” The big man said using my shoulder to brace himself on. Neither of us said anything for a few minutes while I tried to find the right words. They came out in a whisper.
“My real name is Sylar. I was a stryker just graduated from the academy when the 3rd army’s advance was defeated. We were sent out through the forest to scout north, hoping to reach Grove and find evidence of survivors or information on the Norx activity. The Norx found us on the third night out and captured half of our team.” Tears began to fall down my cheeks as I sobbed softly. Thinking of my friends bringing back terrible memories.
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“I tried to rescue them. I tried. There was an explosion, it was bigger than it should have been. This stupid framework, a skill.” I was getting incoherent now, sobs wracking my body as Arthur held my shoulder firm.
“It’s alright son. What happened next?” He asked in a soft, fatherly voice.
I didn’t know this man but I trusted him. He reminded me of all the great qualities of my father. He had the aura of a leader, calming, rational and good with words.
“My.....My team. They died in the explosion. I was the only one left so I ran, I ran until I couldn’t go on and by then I was lost in the forest. Deep well beyond any maps that we had from the army. The framework..the notifications...so much, I was so alone, so alone, I was attacked by a bear and almost died. I found the cave, I claimed the town, the survival event, I killed all those beasts and my falcon died and I was so alone. I needed to leave, I had to leave, to find Etes.” Everything came out in a sobbing hurry. My heart was racing as I revealed my secrets.
“Relax son, relax.” Arthur repeated as he gave my shoulder a strong squeeze.
My meltdown had garnered the attention of the folks inside. Jerrel and Camile stepped out towards us. Arthur held up his hand and stalled them. He turned and studied me for a minute, I met his eyes as he judged me.
“Son, Jerrel here is going to Identify you again. This time I want you to let him see everything. Jerrel is like a son to me, I took him in as a young boy and trust him with my life. You can trust him too, keeps his word.” Arthur said too softly for anyone else to hear. He turned and waved Jerrel over. “Syl here is going to let you Identify him, he’s going to show his full sheet.” Arthur told the younger man.
“I...I don’t know how to do that. Your the only person I’ve met since the framework started that didn’t want to kill me.” I replied in a panic. If Arthur didn’t believe me I needed to be ready to flee back to the forest. Back to being completely and totally alone.
“Don’t worry Syl. Just think of me and think of allowing me to see your sheet. I'll show you mine first so everyhings fair ok?” Jerrel replied. He seemed totally calm about the situation. He had likely been in it before during the tutorial.
“Ok....Ok.” I said. Jerrel gave me a nod and I took as he was ready. I triggered Identify.
Jerrel
Age
16
Race
Human
Class
Blacksmith
Level
8
Strength
11
Stamina
17
Agility
6
Intelligence
8
Wisdom
4
Charisma
4
Luck
1
Armor
5
Health
64
Disposition
Friendly
Reputation
Trusted
Titles
None
“See? Nothing to it. Everyone gets a little nervous about sharing at first.” Jerrel replied in a kind voice.
“Will I see what you see?” I asked nervously.
“Just think about your interface how everyone else sees it, then think about showing it to me.” Jerrel replied.
“Ok.” I took a deep breath and thought of my interface. I specifically thought about how it would look to Jerrel and then willed it forth.
Sylar Till
Age
18
Race
Human
Class
Wildcard
Level
25
Strength
31
Stamina
60
Agility
37
Intelligence
35
Wisdom
62
Charisma
-1
Luck
4
Armor
75
Health
180
Disposition
Friendly
Reputation
Dire
Titles
Quick to Violence
Violence I
Fickle Ally
Slayer of Norx
Out With A Bang
Bombadeer
Unorthodox II
Crafty
Punching Above Your Weight Class III
Well Rounded III
Slayer of Regional Beast Lord
Survivor II
Dungeon Explorer
Weapon of Mass Destruction III
Lord of Destruction