If anyone ever tried to create something then they will have that moment in which he/she did something to a point and then gave up because it was impractical, embarrassing, or requires so much additional knowledge that it couldn't be completed within the expected timeline. These often leads to unfinished pieces, impractical designs, and distant dreams. Yet. if they were to persist they will be able to witness something that will never exist.
In the Valley of the Unborn, the AI program that is at the core of Royal Road, generated completed objects, events and monsters based on these unfinished projects, derived from the minds of all the players in Royal Road during their first four weeks in the game. Generally it is scaled on the level of the party entering it. With rewards adjusted accordingly as well.
*Tring
Your party has discovered the Valley of the Unborn
You party gained 500 Fame
The rarest drop will obtained from first monster defeated.
The party will receive 2x exp for the first week in this dungeon
“Wow,” Dinas said, “An undiscovered location, and I thought all the hidden locations were found within several month from the founding of Morata. Good job.”
Dinas, Martin, Hans, and Raveen were happy and surprised with the discovery.
After Derek told Dinas about a C level quest at an unexplored location, he told everyone including his girlfriend Raveen, to come online right away.
At the end of three month in game, all of them made significant progress with their character.
Derek completed basic training and hit level 15.
Dinas obtained a set of plate armor and hit level 25.
Hans went to level 19, and now looks like a seasoned hunter with equipment made from hunting wolves and other animals.
Martin went to level 20, and was outfitted with enchanted clothing, he also learned numerous healing and crowd control spells.
Raveen, is a female bard who was level 19, she showed off numerous spells that increased speed, team coordination, and performance. She also had spells that would cripple their enemies.
I need to tell them about my real class. I could give me an opportunity to practice their skills.
“Where did you get this quest?” Martin asked, “It is hard to find quests that leads you to unexplored places.”
“I got it from the instructor at the training hall, after completing basic training.” Derek replied
“Can you share the quest?” Martin said
“I can’t this is limited to my class.”
“If you had to complete basic training as a mage then your class isn't an ordinary one right?” Hans said.
Hans always had keen observation skills and a quick mind so he was able to guess it right away.
I could tell them but it wouldn't help much, the less they know the better.
“I’m training to be a battlemage and this a quest related to it.” Derek said
“I thought that the class is only available to mages who completed their second job advancement.” Hans said
“Yes, I’m preparing for it. Lets go, this is a great opportunity to earn some exp and loot.”
“Right, lets go.” Hans said. Derek knew it was only a matter of time before Hans figured out his secret class. Nonetheless, they’ll probably find out everything once they meet his mentor.
***
“Hmm,” Darren said, several meters away from where Derek’s party went into the cave, “My hunch was right. They showed us the way to an unexplored dungeon. You guys see this?”
Erin, Mary, Lucian, and Ariel appear nearby.
Erin is a male fighter. Mary’s is their healer. Ariel and Lucian were the party’s mage. Thier average level was 57. The lowest of them, Ariel, was level 53. Erin and Darren were both above 60.
It was clearly a party that could easily decimate Derek’s party.
“They went in,” Darren said, “Lets go in, and intercept whatever they are doing in there. I'm there is something good in it”
Darren’s party, waited about 10 minutes, and then headed into the cave.
***
The moment their party entered the cave, Derek felt a subtle shift in their surroundings. Hans as well, but no one else did.
“Something doesn't feel right,” Hans said as they walked deeper into the cave.
“Maybe you are just scared,” Dinas said, “Don’t worry we all are. We’ve never been here before.”
After a what felt like hours of walking in the dark, a ray of light and the smell of fresh air wafted through through the cave.
Walking towards the light, they appeared a cliff overlooking a brilliant city bustling with activity.
“Hmm, I didn’t expect something like this to be here.” Hans said, “I never heard of town city in the middle of a mountain near Morata. Could it be the hidden underground city?”
“I doubt it.” Derek said as he walked closer to the city, all the activities going in the city were performed by figures made of floating rectangles, circles, and triangles. They were all made out of a circle on the top of a large rectangle, with 8 thinner rectangles making the arms, legs, with a circle at each joint; a circle for the hand, and another smaller rectangle for the feet.
*Tring
Your party has discovered the Unfinished City
Fame +50
2x quests exp and rewards for one week
Derek’s party walked cautiously toward the city entrance. When they were 5 meters away everyone in the city stopped and quickly walked toward them. The party raised their weapons defensively.
A humanoid with 7 small triangles around its face walked out of the crowd. Levitating a wooden
branch, it wrote on the ground. “Welcome, adventurers, it was foretold that we would get out of this predicament someday. Will you help us?”
*Tring
City Restoration
Help the village elder finish the City
Difficulty: C+
Rewards: Experience, and familiarity, with the Citizens of the Unfinished City
Additional info: Part 1 of a chain quest.
“C+ quest, hoo-wee, this isn’t going to be easy. Still, I won’t miss out on its rewards. Lets do this” Dinas said
“We will do our best,” Derek said, “what is the issue?”
You’ve accepted the quest.
Everyone else got the quest and accepted it soon after
She levitated the stick and began writing
You mimicked the spell “Telekinesis.” You are able to move a small object without contact.
Essence of Wind increased to 50%
“We were made like this, it seems like everything we need to be complete is scattered around this place. We managed to gather the things to make the city but everything else remains in the deeper areas of the valley guarded by some parasitic monsters. Here is the map and their locations.”
She handed them a map, with the city in the center and 6 alters surrounding the city.
“Pretty straightforward lets go.” Dinas said as he lead the way
(2 Hours later…)
“Do you have any idea where you're going?” Hans said, after walking through completely blank white plains.
The moment they headed out from the city the details around them gradually diminished. It started with the lack of life, then plants, then even the ground; to the point that everything was completely blank; and that was 1 hour ago. Even then the party kept going the lack of details did nothing to halt their progress
“Well the circle is the city and the smaller circles are the altars right?” Dinas said after looking at it again.
“If it were that simple we would have arrived at the altar by now.” Martin said, “Derek, can you see if you can find anything from this map?”
I totally forgot about it, damn.
“Sure, Identify Map”
*Tring
Enchanted map of the Valley of the Unborn
Six altars are scattered around the map. Each of them seals a fragment of what makes the Unfinished city complete. When you arrive at the marked spot stand still for a moment and you’ll be pulled into the altar location.
Identify skill increased to 40%
“What marked spot?” Martin said after Derek read the identification message.
“I saw a circle about 30 minute back from where we came from. That one is probably it.” Hans said.
They glared at him for not mentioning it earlier.
“It didn’t look like an altar so I didn’t think it was anything.” Hans retorted, “It is your guys fault that no one looked at the map closely before heading toward the alters.”
The party backtracked for about 45 minutes and finally found the circle. It was engraved with unreadable runes inside the circle.
Derek focused on it and tried to decipher it
*Tring
You failed to read the runes for trying your identify skill went up to 50%. Further attempt on the same runes will not increase this skill.
I tried, guess we’ll do what the map tells us to do.
“Okay, so everyone stand in here,” Derek said, “Something should happen.”
The circle was big enough to encompass at least 10 people so their party had little trouble fitting in.
They waited for 5 minutes but nothing happened.
“You surrrrr--------” Dinas was about to say something but at that instant the whole group vanished.
They appeared in the center of a colosseum.
"Ladies and gents welcome to round one of the Unborn Tournament" An announcer near the center of crowd said, "We have a party of 5 versusssss... The Silencer"
There was a high screech and then a Wight in dark robes walked into the arena.
*Tring
Until the opponent is defeated you will be unable to speak
Does that seal off spellcasting? It is level 30...
The battle started off with the Wight summoning five large hounds which rushed toward the party. Since, no one was able to speak, four of them dashed past the tank toward the Hans, Martin, and Raveen.
Dinas attacked “The Silencer” to draw its attention away from the rest of the party.
Hans backpedaled and shot arrows but because he was moving his arrow were off the mark. Several of them missed the target.
Raveen played her harp while getting chased by the hounds. She was agile enough to dodge the attacks.
Martin on the other hand was randomly waving his staff, to fend them off. He even managed to strike on the head and stun it for a few moments
Derek lunged in and stabbed the stunned hound with his iron sword.
Critical Hit!
The hound went grey and disappeared immediately; Derek was surprised how much damage he did.
I guess basic training does pay off.
Derek narrowly avoided a lunge from another nearby hound. But was stuck squarely in the should by another, and was spun around by the impact
You took 200 damage
Ouch...got to avoid those
When Derek recovered two hounds were circling around him waiting for an opening.
The party was scattered all across the Colosseum.
Hans was busy kiting the hound, having finally hit it with a crippling shot and whittling away the hounds health.
Raveen was busy running away, although her debuffs managed to slow the hound enough that it wasn't able to catch up.
Martin was on the ground recovering, as well as deciding what to do since he was unable cast spells.
Without, a way of communication the battle was all over the place. It was everyone for themselves.
Derek ducked under the first hound and pushed it with his wooden sword. It didn't do much but changed the trajectory of the lunge so it went wide. It gave him time to get ready for the second hound, the moment it lunged, his sword shot between the hounds mouth and through its head.
Critical Hit!
The hound turned grey and vanished only 3 left.
Martin with his staff finished off the one that Derek pushed aside with a flurry of strikes, while it was lying prone on the ground. It was the first time Derek has seen Martin fight, but it was clear that he was an experience fighter.
Dinas was doing very well against the Wight. He was pressuring the Wight so that it didn’t have a chance to cast spells.
He forced the Wight to fight with his staff. Even if the Wight managed to launch a spell. His enchanted shield would be able to deflect it easily. The only issue was that between blocking and dodging spells there was no way for him to deal any significant damage to it.
He could see Dinas smiling all throughout the fight.
Derek watched the fight for a moment and several messages appears
You saw the spell shadowbolt, to mimic you will require 200 mana
You saw the skill Shield bash, to mimic you will require 200 stamina
After the bash, Dinas kicked the Wight down, and then performed a leaping strike
You saw the skill Leaping Strike, to mimic you will require 300 stamina
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
The Wight, barely blocked the strike
Derek mimicked the attack and leaped at the Wight.
Due to the lack of stamina to cast the skill you took 55 damage
Both swords struck the Wight in the back and tore through its armor. There was a loud screech and an invisible blast of wind sent both Dinas and Derek flying through the air.
You saw the spell, Soul burst, to mimic you will require 500 hp
You took 100 damage, your health is at 50%
“I sacrifice myself to summon the ultimate power. Arise Skeleton King!” the Wight cried out loud.
The Wight was engulfed in pale blue fire, and disappeared. In its place, a giant skeleton over 8 feet tall appeared wielding a giant flaming broadsword.
It utter a hellish screen, and the souls of the remaining hounds were pulled from their body and they all turned grey. Something tugged at Derek lifeforce as well. But he was able to resist it, along with everyone else in the party.
You are no longer silenced.
Finally, they were able to speak.
“I knew there was more to this.” Dinas said once he recovered, “A level 60 Giant Skeleton. This will be a long battle.”
“Divine light” Martin cried out and everyone’s health and stamina were restored.
“What now?” Hans said as the group reunited from all over the battlefield.
“Let me check” Dinas said as he rushed the skeleton.
The skeleton swung the his broadsword at the Dinas, who held up his shield just in time to take the blow. The strike sent him flying into the air again and landed where he charged from.
I guess he enjoys being sent flying.
“Owwee,” Dinas said as he stood up again, “Soooooo, don’t get hit by the sword.”
“We know anything else?” Hans said.
Dinas took a serious look and said, “Well, it is slow, it has a long recovery time with each attack. It--Dodge!”
Everyone dived out of the way as a blade of fire tore through the air where the team was discussing a moment ago.
It has a ranged attack as well.
“Attack from afar, don’t engage it head on.” Dinas shouted from the other side.
“Firebolt.” Derek said and a bolt of fire flew at the skeleton. It placed its blade in front of it and absorbed the attack; increasing the intensity of the fire.
You have seen “Major Flame Enchantment.” You’ll be able to use this when your enchanting skill reaches level 8.
Several arrows flew from hans far away but they disintegrated several inches from the sword.
“Smite!” Martin cried, the skeleton staggered under the blow. But recovered quickly and dashed toward Martin in fit of rage.
Dinas tried to intercept the skeleton but was pushed aside. Martin dived just in time as the blade came crashing down on the ground leaving behind a pit surrounded by fire.
It is weak against light/holy attacks.
Derek cast smite and it staggered the skeleton again. With his high damage, he was now the next target.
A blade of fire blasted through the air.
“Spray” Derek said, and water blasted from his water skin creating a wall of water.
*Tring
Due to the numerous use of the spell spray, you’ve created the spell “Water Shield”, this negates instantaneous fire attacks, Mana: 100
Essence of water increased to 60%
The blade of fire struck the wall of water and dissipated into the air.
The skeleton leaped into the air with the sword raised. Derek dived toward the skeleton; a giant boom was heard behind him.
Damn, I would have been killed if that thing hit me.
It didn’t cease its chase, it spun around and the blade nipped his tunic and set it on fire. Having set himself on fire so many times before he quickly put it out with the splash spell. The fire resistance he gained also assisted in reducing the damage to a minimum.
Arrow flew at the skeleton from afar, it did some damage but he shrugged it off.
Another blade of fire flew in Derek’s direction, this time scorching his left shoulder
While running for his life Derek shouted, “What is it at?”
“It is at 80% health.” Martin said, “Turn Undead”
*Tring
You saw the spell “Turn Undead” deals 200 to 500 damage to the Undead and stun it for a few seconds. 200 Mana
“60% now,” Martin said, “I can only use it one more time.”
The skeleton stopped moving for a moment and when it recovered it charged at Martin right away.
Dinas dashed in front of Martin as the sword slammed into his shield from the side. The ground dented from the attack but it deflected the attack and sent the skeleton off balance.
Martin then tripped the skeleton with his staff sending it tumbling onto the ground; then proceeded to run away as it was recovering.
I can do this. Smite and magic missile. Light missiles.
“Light missile” Derek said, and bolts of light flashed toward the skeleton. Two of the three bolt hit the skeleton while the last one, which flew toward his head was barely blocked by his giant sword.
*Tring
You’ve created the spell “Holy missiles”, 3x(40-150) damage, 100 mana, deals 2x damage to Undead monsters
The Essence of Light skill went up to 60%
The skeleton roared in pain and started spinning the blade around him like a small flaming tornado. The first rotation hit Dinas with such a force that his shield finally broke and he was sent soaring through the air again.
He’ll be fine. He deserves a boost to landing resistance from all that he has been through.
The skeleton spun towards Derek immune from ranged damage.
I wonder…
Derek visualized turning the floor in front of him into quicksand. With that image in his mind he projected it in front of him
“Quicksand.” Derek. The ground in front of him turned soft first and then wet in an instant.
*Tring
You created the spell “Mud”, allows you to turn sand or soil into mud by imbuing it with water. 0-? dmg, 50 mana. Can be upgraded to quicksand with enough practice
Essence of water went to 80%,
Essence of earth went to 60%
Egh, close enough
Even though the spell wasn’t very strong, it did its job. The moment one of the feet of the skeleton stepped into the mud a loud crack can be heard as it shin bones shattered under the weight and momentum of the rest of his body.
As it tumbled, Derek dropped his wooden sword and held his ironsword with both hands and moved it across the skeleton’s neck.
Normally, a sword would be unable to cut through the dense bones of the giant skeletons neck, but Derek was able to time it just as it was falling with all it weight; hitting a joint in the neck, the skeleton skull flew into the air, and the whole body dissipated dropping several things on to the ground.
Dealing the killing blow you receive 50% more exp
You have leveled up
You have leveled up
You have leveled up
Dual-Wielding increased to Lv2, agi +5, dex+5, stamina+25
Ambidexterity increased to Lv2, dex+5, accuracy +5%
Creating several spells in the heat of battle increases Spellweaving increased to Lv 3, Int +5, wis+5, mana +50. You are now able to create more powerful spells
You earned the Title: Bane of The Skeleton King
With this title equipped you gain
Health +50, Stamina +75, and Strength +10
The whole party quickly rushed toward where the skeleton died.
“That was amazing, Derek.” Martin exclaimed, but was eagerly examining the loot.
“Lets see what we got here.” Dinas said
Where there was once the decapitated body of a giant skeleton, the ground was littered with silver pieces and several items first up was the Giant sword that the skeleton was using. It was larger than anyone in the party.
“Identify”
Pyroblade
A large sword once wielded by the Skeleton King. It is imbued with fire magic and allows the skill “Slash Blaze” to be casted at the cost of its durability. Its size and weight make it a slow but powerful weapon, that can only be wielded by large humanoids
Type: Two handed weapon
Required Strength: 300
Required Level: 60
Durability: 60/80
Options
Deals 20-70 extra fire damage on contact and can light the target on fire
+ 100 Strength
+ 500 Health
- 20 Dex
- 20 Agi
Active: Sends out a blade of fire that explodes on contact for 200-500 damage at the cost of 5 durability.
“Wow that is a nice weapon.” Dinas said, “Just 35 more level to go before I can use it...”
“Here, you can have it since I’m planning to use only one handed weapons.” Derek said as he handed the blade to Dinas.
Dinas was speechless.
The next items were regular iron girdle and a steel helmet. Both which went to Dinas since no one else can use it.
Derek took 80% of the silver since he was desperate for something after such a hard battle.
“There you have it ladies and gentlemen, round 1 of the Unborn Coliseum. Give them a cheer and bring out the prizes.”
Two guards holding a wooden chest walked forward.
Derek eagerly open the chest only see a sword and an empty but capped bottle inside.
“Identify”
Copper sword (?)
A regular sword given to beginner gladiators
Dmg 4-8
Durability 30/30
Damn a normal sword. I was hoping for something better. At least its better than the wooden sword.
“Identify bottle”
Identify skill went to 80%
Bottle of sound (Quest Item)
Sound is contained in the bottle
You are kidding right? How can you bottle sound?
Then it hit him that ever since the entered the Unfinished city, there was no sound at all; not even from their own foot steps as they walked around.
“We all look forward to round 2. Have a good day everyone.”
In a flash the world around them disintegrated and they found themselves inside the circle.
The edges of the circle vanished soon after leaving nothing behind.
“Egh,” Dinas and the rest of the part felt really dizzy, “They really need a better way to teleport us. This feels like being sea, and carsick at the same time.”
“Lets go back to the village and hand in the Bottle of Sound. I’m done for today. To think that there is 5 more battles like that coming. This is going to be a long, long quest.”
Dinas and the rest of the party crawled back to the city, mentally and physically worn out from intense battle.
…
“Here you go,” Derek handed the Bottle of Sound to the City Elder. She immediately popped it open and sound came out.
“We can speak again. Thank you my heroes.” She said, but the voice sounded inside their head, “This makes it much easier for us to communicate. I see your party went through a lot. You are free to use our inns to rest.”
You have witness the skill Telepathy, this allows you to talk to anyone without speaking, 50 Mana
“Thank you.” Derek said telepathically using the mimic skill.
This surprised the Elder and she continued telepathically to him alone, “I see you are no ordinary mage, it took us ages to perfect this ability only for it to be taken away. To see a complete stranger use it, it must mean that something big is going to happen soon. I look forward to it. I am willing to teach you other psionic skills but you’ll need to recover the rest of the items.”
“The more power I have to protect those before me, they more I will succeed in my duty. I am ready for anything. I humbly accept your guidance.” Derek said telepathically.
“My pleasure, lets go to my house and I’ll will teach you what we are capable right now.” She said, and if an empty circle could smile she would have done so.
After Derek’s party disbanded and each of them left. Derek followed the Village Elder into her house. In there, she taught him how to use telekinesis, and telepathy; she even hinted on how telepathy can be used suggest people to do things and read the thoughts of another person as well as how to defend against such attacks.
By the end of the lesson he gained the skill Psionics and leveled telekinesis and telepathy to Lv 3
It going to be a pain remembering so many skills. At least, the more abilities at my disposal, the more versatile I can be.
He then headed to the inn and logged out and slept like a corpse for the rest of the night.