“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” – Rudyard Kipling
Consciousness returned. How, Hank wasn’t sure how he arrived nor where, all he knew for certain was how comfortable he was. “Hmm, soft warm bed.”
“Oh, goody you’re awake. I’ll tell Dad.” the door slammed and Hank remembered why he hated mornings. Headaches always came in the morning. Hang on a minute he hadn’t been drinking. That’s right crazy girls, smelly bandits, corrupt guards and angry dukes, yesterday had been one heck of a day. “Better check the logs starting with the quest log.” Hank opened his quest log
Quest : Damsel in Distress
Part :
2 - Report this to the Authorities
Description :
Hand the captured brigands over to the authorities in Perison for interrogation
Status :
Completed
Reward :
2 Tsuki (yet to be received)
5 xp
Quest : Damsel in Distress
Part :
3 - Question the brigands
Description :
Question the brigands about their involvement in kidnapping Elise
Status :
Completed
Reward :
5 xp (reduced as you did not conduct the interrogation)
Quest : Corruption in Perison
Part :
1 - Corruption in the guards
Description :
Discover if the guards at the gatehouses of Perison are corrupt.
Report your findings to someone in authority
Status :
Completed
Reward :
5 xp
“Corrupt guards, Damsels in distress. Please, could it be any more cliché. Someone needs to demand a refund from the programmers.” The dry tone of the AI intruded into Hank’s thoughts.
“Hello AI.” There was no response. "Hello." Only silence.
Hank returned to looking at the quest log.
Quest : Corruption in Perison
Part :
2 - Guard captain corruption
Description :
Discover if the captain of guards at the gatehouses is also corrupt, or just incompetent.
Report your findings to someone in authority
Status :
Completed
Reward :
10 xp
Quest : Corruption in Perison
Part :
3 - Who’s organising this?
Description :
Discover who is behind the corruption in the guards.
You will require evidence or testimony to substantiate your report.
Report your findings to someone in authority
Status :
Completed
Reward :
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Unknown and will depend on who you report this too
Quest : Children are missing
Part :
2 - How are they being moved
Description :
A number of children have gone missing in Perison.
Discover where they are being held or how they are leaving the city.
Report your findings to someone in authority
Status :
Completed
Reward :
10 xp
Bonus Reward :
Some families may reward you independently.
Speak to the families to receive their blessings or curses
Note :
Part 1 was completed by others but they converted this to an open quest. Consequently you have been able to complete part 2.
Quest : Children are missing
Part :
3 - Who’s organising this?
Description :
Discover who is behind the kidnappings.
You will require evidence or testimony to substantiate your report.
Report your findings to someone in authority
Status :
Completed
Reward :
Unknown and will depend on who you report this too
“What? Where did all that come from?” Hank asked himself before noticing there was a helpful notice connected to all of them.
Quest Notice
On the statement of the corrupt captain the quests “Children are missing” and “Corruption in Perison” have been closed and all remaining items have been incorporated in the new quest “Something rotten in Perison”. You have automatically be given this quest.
“Huh.” He remarked. Hank had never seen a quest amalgamation before. He opened the window of the newly created quest.
Quest : Something rotten in Perison
Part :
1 - Who’s organising this?
Description :
There are a number of significant problems in Perison
Discover the source of these issues
Report your findings to someone in authority
Status :
Completed
Reward :
0 xp (other people facilitated this, your participation was limited)
Bonus Reward :
Talk to the Duke of Doncaster to receive any incidental rewards
“What! Stupid game. I almost get killed, twice, and all I get is 85 XP and a vague promise that I might get 2 Tsuki and some other rewards from people I don’t know. Just peachy.” Hank was incensed. “Well, hopefully I got some skills with the quarterstaff.”
Quest Failure
Please note that you did not escort the damsel in distress home. On the bright side the damsel in question made it home safely so the is not a total failure. As a result, all penalties reduced by 50%.
Penalty :
-40 xp
“So I lost XP this morning. Fantastic! I can’t believe this stupid game. Hey AI, your rewards systems sucks.” Only silence answered. “Fine, I’m checking the combat log.” Hank paused waiting for a response. Nothing. He opened his combat log. Hopefully it would contain better news than the obviously broken quest system.
Log (Combat)
Actors
Result
Level
XP Gain
Hank
Knocked out a guard
9
52
“Woohoo, some points, I so need to get into combat more often.” He rubbed his hands together before continuing with the log.
Log (Combat)
Actors
Result
Level
XP Gain
Traveling Duo
You have joined an informal team
You do not have the “Team Work” skill so you cannot share XP
Consequently XP is allocated using “you keep what you kill”
There are no team bonuses active
Elise (Team member)
Injured a guard
N/A
None
Hank
Temporarily disabled a guard
8
44
Hank
Knocked out a guard
10
60
Doncaster’s Roving Team
Your previous team has dissolved and you have joined the team lead by the Duke of Doncaster
You do not have the “Team Work” skill so you cannot share XP
Consequently XP is allocated using “you keep what you kill”
You do not have the “Team Work” skill so you are ineligible for any team bonuses
? (Team member)
Killed a guard
N/A
None
? (Team member)
Has died in defence of the team
N/A
None
? (Team member)
Has been rendered unconscious
N/A
None
? (Team member)
Has rendered a guard unconscious
N/A
None
All team members
Have allowed a brigand (Terrance) to escape
13
-15
Hank
Has injured a guard captain
12
9
? (Team member)
Has captured the guard captain
N/A
None
? (Team member)
Has captured the last guard
N/A
None
That’s the condensed version. Wow, so glad that I don’t have the long version showing during combat or I wouldn’t be able to see a thing. Ouch. I’m not sure how many points I missed out on, but I need to get that team work skill sorted out. What else happened? Hank’s interior monologue and obscured vision prevented him from noticing the door quietly opening.
Log (Skills and Techniques)
Observation has advanced to level 1, no bonuses at this time, 10 XP awarded
Observe Movement has advanced, awareness increased by 0.01% for all conditions
Sneak Attack has advanced to level 2, damage increased by 0.3%
Sneak Attack has advanced to level 3, likelihood of surprise increased by 0.2%
Hank closed the largely boring skills log. “I still can’t believe that I didn’t go up a level with all those lovely points I earned.”
“What’s this about points?” The voice of the rescued girl interrupted Hank’s thoughts startling him sufficiently that he jerked up in bed.
“What?” He asked before his brain caught up with the situation.
“Dad sent me in before. He said you should be awake. He told me to find out who you are. Even though you rescued me, he still doesn’t trust you. Which is just silly.” Elise continued.