CHAPTER 6 DAY 4
The morning light came in and woke me. I rolled over instead of seeing my alarm clock just saw Flicka’s face. Her stubby tail started to wave and she licked my face. “Girl get off the pillows, you know better.” She pulled her ears back and moved to the foot of bed, her tail having ceased its motion. The alarm clock read 9:08am. Seven hours of sleep was pretty good. I stretched and got up. Flicka jumped down and her tail reignited. We went outside to the back patio. I had to decide on getting the backhoe and digging the pool or continue work on the trailers. I sat down going through the plans for the pool again while I munched on some cereal with milk. A knock out front set Flicka off. She barked and bee lined it around the house to confront the intruder. I got up and walked through the house. At the front door a teenage boy held some grocery bags while Flicka sniffed him up and down accessing him. She recognized his scent and disappointedly went into the house to wait in the kitchen. She knew grocery day usually brought treats.
I had eight bags of groceries on the porch and thanked Jon for the delivery, slipped him a ten dollar tip and went to putting away the bag’s contents. After I was done I opened the bag of new frozen meatballs and tossed it into the air. Flicka, ever alert, followed the ball, caught it and went into the bedroom with her prize. I finished my cereal and called Flicka. I was going to head over to the barn and get the backhoe. I put on my running shoes and jogged the two miles to the camping site. I stopped in to see Lucy and let her know I was here. I walked the grounds and made sure everything was good. The barn was more of a large storage building. I had a backhoe, tractor, a small pickup truck, two ATVs, three riding lawn mowers, 2 push mowers and an assortment of tools for maintaining the grounds. I groomed the hiking trails myself once a month and Lucy mowed the grounds as part of her job. It took a while to get move the tractor and ATV to get the backhoe out. I hadn’t used it in a few months and it had cycled to the back of the barn. Once I had it outside and closed up the barn Flicka joined me in the cab and we headed back to the cabin.
The cabin was a third of the way up the mountain and as I cleared the brush and dug the holes I was worried about erosion. It was the dry season but heavy rains would reek havoc. I moved a bunch of large rocks to diver heavy rains and made a note to drive posts and get sand and crushed stone for areas I was concerned about. The day passed quickly and my contractor came up to the cabin with the permits and studied the land. I was laying out orange flags to mark the future foundations and pool.
We ended up talking for an hour. He was impressed with my skills, being so young and all. He said he could prep the site in two weeks and pour the concrete. Good enough. I thanked him for his time and we talked about the pavilions progress before he left. Probably a month to complete the large structure. I had needed the backhoe to dig the hole for the massive septic system for the twelve toilets. The urinals were waterless. I was happy with my progress and went inside for a late lunch. I heated some canned gravy and through in some sliced roast beef. I cut a French roll in half and waiting for the beef to cook slightly. I put some butter on the half loaf and toasted it in the oven. When it was ready most of the meat and gravy went to the sandwich. The rest sat on the stove under Flicka’s watchful eye. Once I felt it had cooled enough I would put it on the floor for her. She was being surprising patient today. I opened my messages on my phone. Amanda had left a note that Flicka was well behaved on her evening walks but wouldn’t get too far from the cabin. My dad said he had sold the house and was moving here to manage the lumber yards full time. I had four messages inquiring about the trailer house units. I forwarded them to Amanda. It annoyed me people ignored the web site and found my personal email. Everything else was junk expect for one email which was from a Fantasy Realm player.
Dear Daedalus,
I hear you are the one making the black and white rings. I would like to offer you a spot in my guild. We are located on the Padershine continent in the city of Chewton. As you know there are only a few days left to secure positions before the public masses start logging on. You would be a valuable asset to our cause.
Lucius, Lead of Ballbusters Guild
First off, what a stupid name for a guild. Second, how the hell did this idiot get my personal email. All game emails were to be sent through the in game server. Was this guy a part of the development team? I choose to ignore the message. My thought was what an idiot. It was almost 3:00pm. I decided to shower now and log in early today. I had a lot to do and I wanted to start adventuring and seeing the Realms a bit. I also had to check on Katrina’s friend. I would look into getting passage on a ship today. I filled Flicka’s bowl with dogfood. She gave it a sniff and expected more, or at least better food. I relented and put a little milk in a bowl for a treat. She lapped it up and seemed content for now. I moved over to the Cocoon and climbed it and closed the lid.
I was in my room. I had about an hour of daylight so went over to Zolan alchemist’s shop. He looked at me as I entered. “Eh, what can I help ya with Daedalus?” Well at least the dwarf remembered my name.
“I would like to purchase 100 vials. And if you have a few gallons of distilled water.” The dwarf raised an eyebrow.
“All things you can get in the general store, why bother me.” What a nice guy.
“I know I would pay a little extra here but I wanted to give you my patronage.” Zolan grunted. He went to back room and returned with four water skins slung over his shoulder and carrying a crate full of empty vials. He placed everything on the counter. He hand wrote a receipt and slide it to me.
Four gallons of distilled water in Skins 2 silver
100 empty vials and carrying crate 4 silver
I placed the six silver on the counter and slung the water skins on my shoulder and carried the crate out. I stopped by the auction house to collect my coins from the sale of the rings. I got a quick meal from one of the venders closing up shop for the day. It refilled my hydration and satiety bars which had been low.
Back at my room I began by cleaning the 22 dirty vials with a little water and the brushes in the alchemy kit. Then I started working on the ingredient preparation. I finished all 30 minor magic potions with the dawn. My potions only restored 202 magic and after making all 30 potions I was not rewarded with a skill increase in alchemy.
I cleaned up the alchemy set and placed it on the self. I wanted to raise my enchant: imbue a level. I started making yin yang +1 channeling/+2 magic rings. It took 5 rings, a few potions before I received the notification.
Enchant: Imbue 3 Tier 3 unlocked: +1 Magic, Tier 3 imbue spells can now be learned
I grabbed the parchment for +3 magic, +3 strength and +3 charisma. Each spell cost 200 magic to cast. Meaning I had to spend 525 magic for each ring. Damn. I made seven +3 magic/+1 channeling rings, one +3 charisma/+1 channeling and two +3 strength/+1 channeling rings. I was also down to my last magic potion but increased my sculpture skill.
Artistry: Sculpture 2 Tier 2 unlocked: +1 Charisma, sculptured objects are higher quality
I decided I needed to walk around a bit. I left the Union Hall and went to see Zolan again. I simply asked for 20 minor magic potions put down four silver coins and dropped them into my bag and left. I was happy to note the potions were all for 260 magic and not the 202 that I had brewed will he taught me alchemy. Perhaps I had a good relationship with the dwarf after all? Or maybe he had already sold the potions I had made. I drank the last potion I had made this morning to get my magic over 300.
I decided I was pretty focused on magic and would need to get a few more spells before setting out to adventure. I tracked down the merchant Justin Dewater. Each bottle of sparkling topaz wine cost 10 silver. Not too bad. I bought his entire stock of five bottles for 50 silver. I then stopped by to check on Grant. He looked healthier and smiled when I approached. I bought his entire stock of stones for 4 silver. And told him to make drop the stones he was short off at the Union Hall for me. I went to a clothing store in town and upgraded my attire for 10 silver.
White Heavy Traveler Shirt, Weight 1.5 lbs, Defense Bonus 3
Dark Brown Heavy Traveler Pant, Weight 2.0 lbs, Defense Bonus 3
Fine Black Leather Boots, Weight 3.0 lbs, Defense Bonus 5
I definitely looked more the competent adventurer. I needed a weapon in case my spells failed. The weapon smith ignored me as I inspected his wares. The prices were marked on each item. I decided on a long sword and two daggers. The sword cost 25 silver and the daggers were 3 silver each. These were the most expensive for each of these items so I assumed the quality was higher. I got a back scabbard for the long sword and a belt with two sheaths for the daggers for another 50 copper. The weapon smith showed me how to buckle everything on. He seemed really disinterested in me even though I tried to start a conversation. Guess my 5 in charisma wasn’t helping me today.
Good Quality Steel Long Sword, Weight 4.8 lbs, Damage 25
Good Quality Steel Dagger, Weight 1.1 lbs, Damage 10
Good Quality Steel Dagger, Weight 1.1 lbs, Damage 10
I thanked the man for his time and went on to the general store. I bought 100 feet of rope, 12 days dry rations, 4 full water skins, a bedroll and a dozen torches. Everything went into my bag and I was 2 silver and 18 copper poorer.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
All I needed was a few spells and then I would head down to the lower city to find a ship. I returned to the Union Hall and an orc male sat at the central desk. I greeted him. His name was Regorak and he was a master mage of Fire. We talked for a bit. To gain his mark he wanted a flame dagger. I thanked him for his time and went the Enchant door to visit with Katrina. Dexter greeted me and went to get Katrina.
“Daedalus! Do you come with news of my friend?” Katrina called as she approached.
“Katrina! I am getting ready to leave today. I just wanted to pick up a few spells and hoped to you could help me.” I replied.
“Of course, what do you need?” Katrina said, waiting for me.
“I would like the +3 enchantment for constitution and a tier 3 damage increase for weapons.” Katrina said she would be right back and went into another room and came back with two parchments. I retrieved the 60 silver. We chatted a little and then I left and headed for the Spirit door to meet Toshido Hikari.
Toshido was sitting in a golden pool of liquid meditating. I approached but waited till he acknowledged me. Ten minutes later, “Yes.” He muttered, sounding annoyed.
“Master Toshido, I came to request the spirit mark. And purchase some spells.” I replied a little worried.
“Get me a bottle of Sparkling Topaz Wine. I ran out two weeks ago.” Toshido replied testily. I smiled inwardly. Thank you Katrina.
I pulled out a bottle of the wine and held it out for Toshido. He stood and walked quickly over to me. A smile on his face he reached for the bottle, “Katrina talked to you? I have been bitching to her for weeks about my lack of a good wine.” He took the bottle reverently.
“You need a few extra bottles. Here are four more.” Toshido mouth was curled into a huge smile.
“You are most generous!” Toshido put each bottle into his own bag. He pulled out two books. “Please take these and here is your wizard mark.” He touched me and I felt me mark grow warm. I pulled up my sleeve and one of the petals on the pinwheel now was golden. I examined the two books.
Item Acquired, Beginner Skill Book: +1 to Spirit Skill, Max increase to level 5, uses: 1
Item Acquired, Beginner Skill Book: +1 to Spirit: Life Skill, Max increase to level 5, uses: 1
This was very good. I guessed if I did well on assignments I could acquire basic spell casting. So the “Becoming a Union Mage” quest could be used to learn all the basic magics if completed exceptionally well. If I had more bottles of wine would I have received a skill book for Spirit: Death as well? I would make sure to complete each mission to the best of my ability. I then purchased a tier 1 healing spell from Toshido.
I thanked Toshido and left for the Earth door. A quick stop in and I had a tier 2 earth: stone spell, hail of stones.
I went to my room to read the books and learn the new spells.
Spirit 1 Tier 1 unlocked: +1 Constitution
Spirit: Life 1 Tier 1 unlocked: +1 Channeling, access to tier 1 Spirit: Life spells
I decided to enchant one more item before I left. Not the weapons but an amulet. I molded two black and white onyx stones into an actual yin-yang symbol. I then cast +3 constitution on it. I attached a string to hang it around my neck. I put it on.
Ying Yang Amulet, +3 Constitution, +1 Channeling
I was ready. I left my room and stopped by the auction house to sell my extra fifteen +2 magic/+1 channeling rings. I put them up for sale at 60 silver. I needed in game currency more than real world cash right now.
I headed down the stone stair case to the docks. Three large trading ships were docked and five smaller fishing boats were there as well. There were over a hundred NPCs working on the docks. The smell of fish and sea grew stronger as I continued down. The docks were not that busy as I got closer. I walked to the first large ship and talked with the first mate. The conversation took a few minutes but I learned that trade ships travelled to major cities and not to the islands. To bring me to the island on my map I would have to charter a trade ship for about 20 gold.
The sailor said I could find a crazy fisherman to bring me but their small boats would be at risk going out so far. My other option was to buy or build my own ship. I talked to a few fisherman and they all directed me to Harrash Cuttle. He was the only one crazy enough to risk his ship in the dangerous waters. Harrash had a small shack down the beach about two hundred yards. I walked off the docks into the sand. The beach ran about 200 yards wide. There was another two hundred yards of shrubs and small trees before the cliff face formed a wall. I decided to walk through the shrubs picking plants on the way. I found a bunch that I added to my sack but currently had no use for.
I saw a dwarf loading a small boat. He was walking back forth from a shack to his boat which was beached. I approached and the dwarf was old and weather beaten. He looked me over while continuing his work not speaking. Were all dwarfs so unsocial? “Master Harrash? I would like to charter your boat.” The dwarf made one more trip and then stopped in front of me.
“Boy I don’t have time for ya. I have an order to fill and if you are not here to help leave me alone.” He turned and walked to his shack and grabbed the last supplies outside the shack. I fell in step with him as he walked to his ship. The dwarf started pushing the ship into the water and a joined him. He looked over at me and grunted, not in effort just at my aide. When the ship was in the water the dwarf easily hoped in. I struggled but managed to in although I was wet from the waist down. “Name?” Harrash asked me.
“My name is Daedalus. So what are we fishing for?” I asked trying to sound eager.
“Not fishing, diving. You know how to sail or do I have to get us there myself?” The dwarf asked while moving around the vessel. Pulling up the sail and locking the tiller while he got the ship under way. The ship was 25 feet long and 10 feet wide but the dwarf still seemed to bump into me a lot.
I took a shot that he was a master sailor. “No I don’t know how to sail but would like to help if you are willing to teach me.” The dwarf looked me over. Judging me.
“Well guess it would be a waste to just have ya sit there the entire time while I do all the work.” Harrash then proceeded to teach me to sail over the next hour.
Sailing: Small Craft 1 Tier 1 unlocked: +1 Agility, +2% to sailing speed
It took another hour to reach a small bay which Harrash sailed us in to. The bay was surrounded by the cliff. I was perhaps a half mile across and the white sand could be seen below. I could see small rocks and a few fish below. Harrash sailed to the middle, took down the sail, and dropped an anchor. He then fished in bag and pulled out a mesh bag and two wooden knives. He handed me the gear. “Use the wooden pick to dig the oysters out of the sand. Put the oysters in the bag. The basin over there,” Harrash pointed to a wooden tub by the mast, “is where you put the harvest.” He grabbed his own wooden picks and mesh bag and stripped to his skivvies and jumped into the water. Guess I should get to work. I stripped down and went over the other side. The bottom was 20 feet down but the water was crystal clear and easy it was east to see. I managed to get to oysters into my bag before having to go up for air. The dwarf was still under. I started a series of endless dives and collections. After two hours I gained the swimming skill.
Swimming 1 Tier 1 unlocked: +1 Speed, +2% to swimming speed
Only two hours to gain the skill was unusual. I guessed it had something to do with real world swimming skill. Maybe I gained skills twice as fast if I had knowledge already? I continued harvesting and the sun set. The moon light was barely good enough to see by. Harrash didn’t stop so neither did I.
Swimming: Diving 1 Tier 1 unlocked: +1 Stamina, +2% to holding breath time
The sun came up and we kept diving, collecting, and depositing the catch into the ship. My two new skills increased to level 2.
Swimming 2 Tier 2 unlocked: +1 Speed, +2% to swimming speed
Swimming: Diving 2 Tier 2 unlocked: +1 Stamina, +2% to holding breath time
Finally when I came up I saw the dwarf in the ship putting away the tools and mesh bag. He reached out a hand for me when I reached for it he grabbed my wrist and hauled me into the boat, “Guess you are not too useless after all. So what do you need my boat for?”
“A small island located three hundred miles away. I can not afford the merchants and everyone said you were the only captain capable of reaching it.” I tried to butter him up.
“Eh, pirates, sea monsters, goblin camps, some small dragons and the damn merfolk. No sane man would sail to this island of yours.” Well that burst my bubble. At least this side trip had yielded me 5 skill points. Maybe I could fly somehow, though that would be expensive as well. “Lucky for you my sanity has been in question for some time.” His statement brought me back to the moment. “It will take me five days to get supplies for the trip and bring the oysters to market. It will cost ya 50 silver for my time to bring ya there and I don’t guarantee we will get there unscathed.”
“Fantastic!” I reached for my bag and withdrew the 50 silver. The dwarf took them and pocketed the coins and began to pull up the anchor. I helped with the 90 minute sail to Bluewater Bay. The only speech from Harrash was a veiled threat to not reveal his oyster hunting ground. At the docks I helped Harrash unload the harvest and then said I would be back in three days. Five days would be two days in real world time for me. At least it would be my normal game time of 6pm. I watched as Harrash hauled the oyster catch down the docks in the cart to the first trade ship and then turned to the high stone stairs. I made sure I had all my things and climbed the stair case. My display showed it was 7:12am in the real world. I had been inside for almost fifteen hours. I increased my pace. I had to get to my room in order to be safe when I logged out. If you logged out in a public place your character would just lay down and start to sleep. A weird game mechanic. I would have preferred the character disappearing. After reaching the city I was passing the auction house and decided to collect the money from the rings. I was happy, all 15 had sold. I added 899 silver and 25 copper to my bag.
I finally reached my room but before logging out I wanted to use up my accrued magic. My new leather boots would only take a tier 2 enchantment which I discovered after trying to prepare the item for a tier 3. I had planned on a +3 constitution but had to use my only tier 2 which was +2 magic. Guess everything can’t be perfect. I logged out after finishing the enchantment.
The Cocoon lid opened and my body was stiff. I was hungry. I got up and swung out. Flicka was there on the floor, head resting on her paws, eyes open and looking at me. Her stubby tail began to wag slowly seeing me. She looked tired as well. “Well girl I am tired but we need some exercise. How about a run?”
I changed into running clothes and we went for a 3 mile circuit. When I got back it was 8:28am. I showered and checked my email. Nothing important. The ballbusters guild had sent me to more unfriendly emails and the other personal emails I responded to. “Puppers, I am famished, lets go out to the “Roadside Dinner.” The dinner 11 miles away and was a hole in the wall place. One of the girls I rented to worked there. I walked out to my gray Chevy truck and opened the door for Flicka. She jumped up and went over to the passenger side. I put down the window for her and she was in bliss as we drove away.
Pulling into the dinner there were only two cars. I was here after the breakfast but before the lunch crowd. I walked inside with Flicka tailing behind. Nan, the proprietor smiled at me. “Been awhile. I will get Flicka some beef trimmings and what will you have?”
“House omelet, a pitcher of OJ, bowl of chili, bowl of your famous mac n cheese and two roast beef sandwiches to go.” Nan’s jaw slackened a bit but nodded and went out back to make the triple meal for me. She brought Flicka the promised trimmings and my OJ while I waited for the rest of the food. I made some calls to catch up on things. The contractor was doing well and the permits for the pool and guest house were approved. My dad would be here in a few weeks. The accounts showed a steady profit for the mountain. The new pool and guest house would cost about 4 months profits. I had plenty of cash to cover it though. I ate the food as it came out. I played with the monthly costs. Next year I would increase fees by 2% to cover some improvements. Finally two packaged sandwiches were put before me. I thanked nan and paid with a 20% tip and headed out. Flicka came with me and took her place in the truck. I decided to head right to bed and set my alarm for 5pm when I got back. I was not going to get any work done today. I pulled in and tossed the two sandwiches in the fridge and crashed into the bed. Flicka jumped up at my feet and went to sleep right away. She seemed more exhausted than me.