Chapter 3: first ranking
A week had passed since the lunch of New Roads!, more than 6,5 million players had already conected and another one had pre-commended the game.
Those already playing, like me, were a mere 6 thouthands, with our one week advance we would be at the top of the rankings for a while.
The reason why i am talking about rankings is because i am currently logging on the New Roads! official website, indeed the first rankings will be available in a few seconds and i wanted to know how far the betas had gone compared to me.
I refreshed the page i was on for the umpteenth time and finally the New Roads! Wall of Fame appeared. the page was simple, the words Wall of Fame were burning on top of a list of online names, next to them numbers were written.
The most famous player after this first week of gaming had only 236 of fame . i quickly looked through the list i found myself in the upper middle of the list with my 40 points of fame.
I clicked on my own name, curious to see what kind of intels were available on me. a small bundle popped out under my name:
"Name: Ben Varrent
Race: Human
Profession: unknown
Level: unknown
Path followed: unknown
No pictures available
No description available
No comments posted"
It was really pathetic. i looked at the other players but they were all as empty as mine. only a few top players had a few profession, levels or descriptions on their profiles.
"Show-offs"
I took time to change from my work outfit to a more confortable baggy jeans and T-shirt, prepared dinner for me and my sister then logged in.
Because i had to go to work the last three days i didn’t spend as much time online than before and decided to focus on completing quests instead of the time consuming reading and exercising.
I had managed to level up twice, finally reaching level 8 now i would be allowed to get out of the city. but before i had to equip myself.
That's when i remembered that the Golden Pack also included a few items. In my inventory i found a gold paper wrapped present box which once opened made several windows pop.
"You have opened your Golden pack
You will find in it a letter from a family member which will start an exclusive quest, an water gourd of premium quality, a skill book, two gold coins and an extra backpack!"
Gold coins!
A bronze coin will buy you a fruit or a bread.
200 bronze coins were worth 1 silver coin and 500 silvers a gold.
In other words a single gold coin was worth 10o,ooo bronze coins and i had 2 of them.
I am rich! No, wait! I am wrong. Right now it seems enormous but later on it would be nothing. I have to be careful with every coin i spent.
Back to my senses i looked a the next interesting objet in the box: a small shining leather book with an interogation mark on the cover.
"You have received a Strange Skill Book.
The book will automatically select a series of skills that suits your current built and transform into an actual Skill Book.
Once the transformation is done, changing the skill will be impossible so choose your timing well."
"Would you like to activate the Strange Skill Book?
"No"
My decision was quickly done. such a book was too precious to use right away, i would do it when he knew for sure how i wanted to build my character.
Putting the book in my backpack while goggling the Satchel that i had received. it was made of superior quality leather and had more space slots than the starting backpack.
Thinking of my increased looting abilities i knew that this secondary inventory would be useful.
As for the gourd it was too eye catching in those first game month to equip, red players would be swarming me if i didn't act carefully.
Then i opened the letter. as soon as the wax seal was broken a set of information windows surrounded me.
"You have opened the letter Uncle Phillip's last wish:
"Dear Ben Varrant,
It has been long since i last saw you. i hope your travels are going well.
As you know i once were an Adventurer and visited many different places.
One of those was the Kingdom of Thyhan on the Weast cost of this continent. It is a beautiful land of gentle farmers and artisans.
If you ever go there could you please pass by the town of Krint and inform the Temple's Priest of my death? there are some things i left unfinished back then that has been weighting on me.
Before i say my final goodbye let me reminder you that the Roads are not always safe yet force is not to be used as the answer to all your troubles.
Forgive this old man selfish last request,
Your Uncle Phillip."
Your late Uncle Phillip has requested of you to bring the news of his passing away to a faraway friend.
Will you travel to the town of Krint and search for the Temple's Priest?"
"Yes"
"You have accepted the quest Uncle phillip's last wish:
Travel to the town of Krint in the Kingdom of Thyhan and tell the Temple Priest of Phillip's death.
Prerequisites: obtain and open Uncle Phillip's last wish letter.
Quest failure: you loose the letter.
Rewards: 150000 experience points
500 familiarity points within the Temple's Order
100 familiarity with the town of Krint
Quest difficulty: C"
"You have learned of the existence of the Kingdom of Thyhan, the Town of Krint and the Temple's Order.
Your map and journal has been updated."
A class C quest!
My mind once again went nuts.
Up to now all the quests i had completed were F type missions. they did not involve any combat and were to be performed within the city walls.
Now that i could get out of the city i was expecting to receive E class quests which would involve loot-gathering and some mob-cleansing.
D class quests were missions requiring you to travel a Kingdom, meaning many battles and time was needed.
C class quests made you cross Kingdoms borders and therefore implied even longer and tortuous travels.
As far as i knew C class was the highest the Betas had gone during the game testing!
New Roads! game manual gave more details about the quests qualifications.
I tried to jog my memory for any more information
•B class missions once completed would change the current situation of the concerned Kingdom. the clues for those quests could be found throughout the continent.
•A class were similar but their outcomes would impact on at least two Kingdoms.
•Then there were the Mythical S and SS type quests who involved entire continents.
•The trigger for B class and above quests were numerous and often unpredictable.
•A high fame, notoriety, respect, Nobless or Dignity would often force you to accept a difficult quest.
I took the time to form an action plan, pulling out my map i saw that Krint was at the far West of the continent. To access it i would have to cross 2 Lands, it would probably take me several months to get there if i didn't stop anywhere and a few more if i passed by villages and cities.
I finally decided to finish all the quest at the starting town, including the old ruins in the forest, travel to Braeen's Capital city, the Royal Castle of Fridrol then start going West. I would stop by any city on my road and do their quests.
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It would mean many detours and stops but at least i would make my avatar grow.
My decision taken i went by the market store and bought a few apples, bread loafs, dried meat, letuce and a big round cheese. i had found out that my cooking skill allowed me to make an edible sandwich that would have an healing effect on however ate it.
The first time i had eaten it its effects had surprised me and i decided to by a cooking book. on my arrival at the store, the librarian, thanks to my high Familiarity with the towns people and my sharp intelligence, had instead insisted that i buy a cooking journal.
The difference between journals and skill related books was that a skill related book, had a limited amount of knowledge stored inside weather a journal added knowledge as you discovered it for example, the cooking books sold generally contained a 10 recipes among which only one or two were useful while travelling, on the other hand a journal would copy the recipes as you read them in books, saw them being cooked in front of you or invented them.
When i understood this was applying to any kind of knowledge i bought the most developed one i could find in the city.
Already it had transformed into a pool of historical knowledge about Braeen, the different Magik branches and their practitioner and also had a section for cooking, brewing and a list of description of many type of items and loots i had heard about though my readings and visit to the many stores and shops.
As i was about to leave for the city's gates i remembered i had to pass by the training hall to inform my self appointed teacher that i wouldn't be there tonight. i was so impatient that i practically ran to the guild training hall.
Since many player were present i had to wait my turn to talk to him.
"Ben, you are back! would you like to spare?"
"It would be with great pleasure but i must decline, teache."
"Oh? why is that?"
"Since i started training under you i have grown slightly stronger and am now able to leave the city. I wish to test my newly gained strength by going to the forest."
"The forest... are you planning to battle the bandits?"
"Bandits sir?
"I see, you did not hear about it. a few days ago a Merchant Caravan was attacked by a group of bandits. they took everything. it would not have gathered so much attention if the City's Lord, Sir Malak hadn't had one of his treasured sculpture piece on it. He is even preparing a punitive expedition."
"I see."
"If i remember correctly you can cook, right?"
"Yes?"
"Hum... Say you wouldn't be interested in becoming the expedition forces cook wouldn't you?
"Me?"
"Yes. if i recommend you the captain in charge will certainly accept. he always complains that the food is bad and he has to protect the service personnel. With you he wouldn't have to. So, will you accept?"
"You received a quest proposition:
Join the Bandit Camp Punitive Expedition Forces as the Cook, keep the troops well fed without being an indrance to the Captain during battles.
You must not die.
Will you accept the quest?"
"Please count me in, teacher."
"Great! be at the North City Gates in two days at down. Look for Captain Miller, he will be explaining the job in more details to you."
"You have accepted the Bandit Camp Punitive Expedition Forces Cook's Position:
-The Cooking and Brewing Skill growth rates rises by 3%.
-You will be paid 100 bronze coins a day.
-The food rations will be provided by the expedition, handling them is your responsibility.
-You are expected to defend yourself in case of danger.
-The Expedition leaves in a week, at dawn. Don't be late or you will be left behind.
-A bonus can be won depending on your total contribution to the Expedition."
"You have accepted your first Position.
A position is comparable to work.
Ex: a City Lord Position means that you will have to manage and develop your City. The more developed the City the more money, influence over the Kingdom economy and politic aspects you will gain.
Certain Positions are accepted through quests, other are won as a reward or given to you through your Fame and Skill expertise."
As i was closing the windows the Training Hall Master looked at me with pride.
"Boy, i am amased by your dedication to your dreams. The day you decide on what kind of traveler you become come to me. I would be honoured to be of council."
"Teacher, it would be my honour"
I couldn't believe it! Not only did i raise my stats by exercising, learned an amaising combat Skill and obtained my first position and my first expedition thanks to this Guy i was now being proposed to be mentored into my Job selection process!
I had read a comment online that Mentors were difficult to find and would allow you to only be proposed Jobs that suited you. The game would, according to the poster the game system would analyse every single action you had done from the beginning of the game and propose to you only the Jobs that would suit your gaming style.
I didn't know exactly what it meant but i was not about to refuse this opportunity.
"If you keep calling me "Teacher" i will end up seriously thinking of you as my apprentice, hahaha!"
"That would make me extremely happy sir."
Dear old me, milking the cow until it runs dry...
"Hum...it sure would be sad to see you die after grooming you so much. here, take this. it was my very first weapon. Take care of your blade and it will take care of you in return."
From one of the many weapons chests, he pulled a cloth wrapped long sword and handed it to me.
"You have obtained Kaden's First Sword"
"Thank you sir, i will make sure to cherish it."
"Good. Now go, you must have many things to do."
I bowed to show my respect and left the building. i derected myself towards the central place, where the fountain was. i sat on its basin borders and examined the sword.
"Kaden's First Sword
Durability: 50/50
Attack: 8-13
Paring: 3
Blocking: 3
Weapon type: Long iron Sword
Description:
It was given to you by Kaden, the Training Hall Master of Djaden City.
It was his first sword, he kept it in the intention to pass it to someone worthy of it.
The care given to it has slightly increased its Attack and Durability.
Unique Object."
The sword sounded amaising. i opened the cloth to find a simple black iron pommel with leather strips and a similar sheath. That was it, no ornaments or other collar than a deep black. A little disappointed i pulled the blade out to examine it. It was made of iron and was sharp.
I noticed i had attracted the attention of a few other player and quickly attached the sheath to my rope belt, letting the sword hung by my left hip. i took the time to fill my gourd and left for the closest Gates.
It was time to leave the city walls for the first time.
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