“I have finally finished searching the forums. It seem that only hundred people have taken the class [Guard].” explained the elven executive officer, “But it is not that it is a rare epic class or anything, it is because it became supper unpopular after the beta players said it was only good in defense.”
“So, it just sucks at offence” asked the dwarven Commanding Officer of first company.
“Yes and no. It has very few offensive skills but has great investigating and defensive skills.” said the XO.
“So he is a perfect match for our division.” said the CO.
“Yes, he will be able to help solve crimes in the city and defend it.” said the XO, “But, that is all. In a regular battle that we are the attacking force, he will be just another swordsman with little to no combat related skills.”
“We can work with that right?” asked the CO.
“Yes, we can use him in this month’s match. But afterward, he will have a lot of work to do with his swordsmanship.” said the XO, “You saw the battle, he was an ape that swung his sword in random directions and so how he managed to win that duel.”
“Are you sure he not an undiscover genius of the sword?” asked the CO.
“I am sure. His technique was no existent. I just think the gods where on his side this time.” said the XO.
“We need to contact Captain James to set up the match.” said the XO.
“What should we go for? I was thinking we should do small outpost defense again.” said the CO.
“I was thinking the same. I will allow us at least some measure of a chance with the new guys buffs.” said the XO.
“So, how many rounds are we going this time…”
The two command staff of first company sat around a table with a tiny outpost in the middle of a map. They then started to move the squad that George was in in different places trying to come up with the best tactics that they could use. They stood there for thirty minutes changing tactics and then trying to break them. So far, they have only found one tactics they could use that might give them a chance at winning this month’s prize, one free piece of equipment ranked uncommon for the squad that won.
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“Listen up squad, I know that this not the situation that no of us wanted to be in,” said Wings pausing for a moment look to each member of the squad, “I know we have a new guy but, this is not the time for a normal introduction.” Wings was standing in the middle of a half circle, explain to them that they were about to go into the match under prepared with a squad that has not even had time to train.
Yet, the Squad leader did not even show any signs of stress or worry. He knew that this would not end well but, he knew that if he show any signs of weariness than his guys would too. He did not know if the new guy would be able to pull off what he did less than an hour ago again. They would be going in under trained and they would most likely become overwhelmed quickly. Their was no doubt in his mind that he would actually win this fight.
Wings could not understand why they would throw a new guy into a squad that was about to go into combat, even if it was simulated. He could not understand why Jeff left them. He has heard rumors lately that more and more members have be leaving for no apparent reason. He was an investigator at heart, this was the reason he joined this division. The other reason was a more personal issue, he parents were almost killed by a person when he was younger.
But unlike the closer that he brings others, his case was never closed. His parents lived in fear for the rest of their days before they died of old age, they were always looking for anyone that could hurt them. They were stuck in the past, afraid of the future, but never sure of the present. This broke Wings heart, to have his own family afraid of the monsters that lived under the bed. Wings would never let anyone live like that, so he joined the investigator to ensure that it never happened again.
Now with being able to come back to life, it made his life worse. Now, they would have to interview the victim and the witnesses. It brought a whole different view on investigations but, that would have been to easy. When a person dies in game, they won’t have memories of their last few hours of their life. Wings has had it described as losing a small part of their life because they knew they did something during that time, but they did not know what.
But back to the immediate matter a hand, Wings was standing in the middle of a half circle. Red was standing facing him on his left side. Cadius was standing to reds right at an angel facing him. Then there was Tookie, how was standing to the right of Cadius. He was also at an angle facing him. The final person in his circle, and the newest addition was George.
Wings had yet to get a good reading of George. The only thing he has decided was that he was either really lucky or he was hiding something about his past. But again, that was an issue for another day. Wings finally realized how much he had to do, he had to investigate why so many of his fellow military personal were leaving the service. Then he had to train and learn more about George.
*Ding*
New Message from Captain Rob
I have a strategy for the map you will be playing. Look at the attached picture. This is the best chance for you to win. Good Luck, we will meet after to go over things.
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“I have a strategy for the match. We will be defending an outpost from attack. One round, no respawns. This will be the only chance at our the prize.” said Wings, “We will be loading in a moment.”
“How are we going to be loading in? We are standing in the middle of an open field.” asked George. He was kicking himself for not opening the skills he had got and the achievement. He had been trying to get to know every one but all they wanted to do was talking out different strategies for the up coming match.
“As long as we are in the barracks or training area, we can be moved into a simulation at any moment.” informed Wings.
“So, I could be asleep and be attacked?!?!” asked George in a frightened tone.
“Welcome to the Dawn Guard military, George.” Wings said in a amusing tone.
Teleporting…
George started to look around the camp that he was in. But he could barely make out anything, it looked like there was a fog over the outpost that he knew was there. He started to focus trying to make out details of the outpost.
Perception Check
Rolling… 11
George started to make out some features of the outpost. He saw that there was no wall around the outpost. In the middle of the outpost there was a road running through it. About twenty feet away from him was a guard shack or maybe toll booth, George was not sure but he thought he saw an opening to slide money into it. On the other side of road, their was an old tower that was had it supports slowly rotting. While behind him, he saw a small barracks. The only thing this small outpost had going for it was the fact it was on a slight incline and trees were cleared 100 feet in all directions.
“Okay George, you are to defend the entrance of the barracks. Before you ask, this could take up to three days. It all depends on when they attack. Red you are on watch in the tower. Tookie, you have the tollbooth, I highly doubt anyone will come this late at night though. Cadius and I will be in the barracks getting rest since we have the lowest endurance of all you guys and was have the second shift.” Wings said.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
“Wake us up in four hours, we will take second shift with George. George it is because you are the new because you are the new person so you get to pull double shifts tonight.” said Wings while he and Cadius started to move into the barracks to get some sleep before there shift. It was only then that George saw that the sun was slowly setting in the distance. He looked at Tookie and asked.
“Will we always be on three-day missions?”
“No. When we get out of the sim, it will only be like an hour has past. Also, I have no hard feelings about our fight earlier.” said Tookie.
“I don’t either, I still don’t know how I managed to beat you three times in a row.” said George. Tookie still has yet to go over to the guard booth.
“So, why did you decide to chose Guard as your class?” asked Tookie.
“The short answer is that I wanted to protect the people that did not want to protect themselves. We immortals have much power in this world. Yet, instead of protecting the people of the world some try to kill them or run off and fight monsters. Why should I have get to die and come back while someone else give their life to save someone? What right do I have to say a person’s life is under my enjoyment? Being a guard is not about fame, it is about protecting people form harm and avenging those that die due to us coming into this world.” said George.
“Is that not why we all fight? You will find that in this company you are not alone. Alone we will all fall but, together we will rise like the dawn. We maybe unwanted to some but to those that need help, we will be there. We are the silent guardians that no one want but everyone needs. In times of war, we man the wall to the last man. In times of peace, we stand up for the weak. We are the light that scares the dark.” Tookie started to get a deep looking his face as he was saying this. It was like he believes in every word that he just told me.
“So, you really believe in everything that you just said. I agree with you but in the end without dark, light means nothing, a god once told me that. I think I now see the deeper meaning behind it. If one were to take away the good. Then evil would not be considered evil, it would be normal. I hope that never becomes a reality.” said George.
“I hope that never happens.” said Tookie.
“Well, I do not know anyone that much. But I really don’t want to know Wings anger if we miss something important.” said George.
“Yeah, you are right about that.” said Tookie as he walk to his assigned post for first shift.
Nothing happened for the first two days of the match. George got to know everyone a little better but, since everyone was on edge about not getting attacked. George did not feel like he got to know their real personalities.
Perception Check
Rolling… 17
George saw something come move in the distance. The movement came from the tree line. George knew that the movement was not from an animal but a humanoid figure. He wished he would have asked what races were on the team. But he did not have the forethought to have ask such a question but he was still not used to the face their were other races. ‘Perhaps we can catch them off guard if I go in side like a shift change and alright Wings that they were coming. Yeah, I will do that.’ thought George.
Performance Check
Rolling… 13
Enemies Perception Check
Rolling… 20
Perception Check: Critical Success
As George turned around trying to get into the he faltered, for one second. If this was not during a match and was in real life. Then it would have never been noticed but, the person watching him did notice and he knew that there was not supposed be another shift change till an hour from now. But, George did not know his ruse was up. He walked up to Wings and said,
“We have a person watching us in the trees.”
“How many did you see?” asked Wings.
“Just one, but there could be more.” said George.
“Okay, go bac—“before Wings could finish what he was about to say, he heard yelling in the distance.
“They spotted you coming in here.” said Wings, “Prepare for an attack Cadius, the time for waiting is over.”
Wings, Cadius, and I then ran out of the barracks to see attackers attacking from one direction. They moved off to help Tookie who was currently engaging the enemy in combat. He was holding his own against the elf he was fighting.
“George you take go right and fight the archer in the back.” said Wings. George had not even noticed the archer in the back of the formation. But, he knew that it was the right call. So he ran to the right and tried to sneak up on the archer’s right flank.
Stealth Check
Rolling… 10
Enemies Perception Check
Rolling… 17
George saw the archer turn around just as he was about to approach him. He knew that unless he closed the 20-foot gap, he would be in a world of hurt.
Enemy Attack Check: Difficulty 10
Rolling… 9
It must have been George’s lucky day as the archer turned to fast and launched an arrow right next to George but it did not hit him. George then knew that he had to run to try and get to the archer before he could get off another shot.
Athletics Check: Difficulty 12
Rolling… 18
George manage to run at the human archer at a full sprint and got there before he could get another shot running. George could see that the archer only had regular leather gear like his own. George already have unsheathed his sword at the camp raised it above his head about to swing down on the unprepared archer.
Attack Check: Difficulty 10
Rolling… 17
Attack Check: Successful
George swung his sword at the archer. He managed to hit the archer in the left arm causing a deep cut into it. George though he might have heard a slight cracking noise, but he could not be sure since they were in the middle of combat and it could have been just a sword that was deflected.
The archer having hurt his left some much that it hurt to move it raised his new drawn dagger with is right arm and tried to attack George with it.
Enemy Attack Check: Difficulty 10
Rolling… 12
Attack Check: Successful
George did not manage to see the dagger in time, the dagger went straight through the armor and into his left side of his stomach. It did not feel like it hit an vital organs but it did hurt like hell. George then tried to grab the dagger of the archer.
Athletics Check: Difficulty 10 (it is in his body still or else I would have put it higher because it is an elf he is fighting)
Rolling… 13
George managed to grab the elf’s wrist and held it tight. Then George drew back his sword and tried to plunge it into the elf’s stomach.
Attack Check: Difficulty 10
Rolling… 2
Somehow, at nearly point blank range George managed to miss his sword strike. George immediately pulled back his blade since it was no where near the archer in the first place. The worst part was that the archer started to laugh at almost dying.
“It is nice to meet you new guy, I am Creg. You might want to work on your swordsmanship. We in dawn guard help each other improve our skills.” said the archer, Creg.
“It is nice to meet you. Now I am going to kill you.” as George said that he once again tried to gut Creg.
Attack Check: Difficulty 10
Rolling… 17
This time George managed to drive the sword into the archer. The sword managed to get all the way up to the heart and nicked it just a little bit. But, that was the death blow that was needed.
“See you on the other side, George.” Creg said before he breathed his last breath. George then turned around to see that his squad had Wings and him left. While the other squad had a dwarf and a gnome. The dwarf was currently engaging Wings in combat. While the gnome was sitting back waiting to see who would win. This was his chance, if he could sneak attack the gnome. Then he would be able to help out Wings.
Stealth Check:
Rolling… 20
Enemy Perception Check:
Rolling… 10 + 4: 14
George managed to sneak up on the dwarf. The dwarf had on medium armor (Chain mail breast plate and legs), he did not however have a helmet. This would have been an advantage because George was currently swinging with all his might at the dwarf’s head.
Attack Check: Difficulty 8
Rolling… 19 + 3: 22
Attack Check: Successful
George managed to swing his sword eye level at the dwarf. The sword then finished it sideways ark half way into the enemy’s head. The dwarf could not believe it, someone had managed to sneak up on him and he had a bonus to assassins in stealth. How could someone manage to kill him without him knowing about. He knew that he should have followed his feelings and brought his helmet but his pride got in the way. He did not hate the person that did it. He was actually kind of happy that someone had managed to sneak up on him with him noticing. He could not wait to talk to the person that managed to kill him.
George having managed to get his sword out of the other dwarf’s head. George then looked up to see that Wings had killed the other enemy. Before either could say anything, the simulation ended.