Jethrow – Outpost #846
The world had changed far too much for poor old Jethrow Groggins in the past year and a half.
It had taken some adjusting to, and that was the honest to god truth of the matter.
Getting used to these fangled blue screens that jumped into his vision every chance they got had been the real curve ball.
He would have sent himself straight to the looney bin and signed up for one of them straight jacket’s if he was alone in his madness. But for some reason everyone else seemed to be drinking the same Tod damn Fool-aid as him and make no mistake.
The loss of his home in El Paso Texas had not been a real loss at all if he was been honest, seeing as how the bank owned the blasted two room mud brick piece of dung anyhow.
He was also fortunate not to have any known living relatives at the time that this whole thing kicked off, and well, he wasn’t really fond of the other people he knew anyhow. So he kinda lucked out while some others were still smartin over the loss of their kith and kin.
But Jethrow, been the natural survivor that he was, had found solace in this new and strange land he and the rest of the human race had woke up in, yes sir’ee. Because now Jethrow Groggins had a place and a purpose. If he was been bona-fide with himself, ever since he dropped out of high school at the ripe old age of 15, it was all he ever really had wanted in the first place.
A roof over his head, magical food on even more magical table, no one who owned his money, and an easy job and security.
Well maybe not 100% that last one but hell, the other four things were a darn sight better than he had ever found in the stinking Texan heat and that was the god’s honest truth of the matter!
In this new life of his all he had to do was stand at the gate, collect these things called ‘Manamotes’, and call for backup if more than one or two of them monsters showed up. Otherwise he could kill the odd ones himself, been that he was now a bona-fide Level 19 Apprentice Knight and all.
Sure he didn’t get to keep these ‘Manamotes’ but he got paid enough for his lodgings and food with some extra to spend on gear or the newly brewed beer from some feller called Emilio, with a ‘Cooking Profession’. He still scratched his head in an effort to recollect some of these newfangled terms he was supposed to use, but that minor hiccup not withstanding, he was as happy as a prairie dog with his new life…
Well at least that was a fact until Councilman Lee had instituted the new 10% Manamote entry fee.
This development had meant two things for poor old Jethrow.
One he and the other gate guards now had to be accompanied at all times whilst they were on duty, by a flaming ‘Apprentice Merchant class’.
The second and more infuriating thing was he could no longer skim Manamotes for beer related recreation, because it turns out the bloomin Apprentice Merchant’s had a skill called ‘Assess worth’ or some such, that could tell how many of the darn things you had on you!
Still inwardly moaning about how bureaucracy always found a way to ‘stick it to the man’ he consoled himself that at the minimum he was not the only one getting royally screwed here.
Hurumphing as he motioned for the next individual to come forward, he began the new tax mumbo jumbo speech that had been drilled into them…at considerable length…less than two days prior.
“Greetings friend, I am sorry to inform you that the entrance fee has now been changed to..er..to ten percent of the ‘Manamotes’ in your possession at the time of your arrival at this here fine outpost.”
Jethrow was not sure what exact vibe, the tall white haired individual was giving off as he delivered his speech but after some momentary introspection, he decided that whatever it was, he wanted none of it.
Sure, the guy was dressed in a freaky looking black robe with weird silver writing visible in spots, but that was becoming more and more common place these days so who was he to judge.
The first thing to unsettle him was the guy had these shiny red pupils, like he were a demon or sum such. Though judging someone because they were an Albanian or whatever the heck you called it was racial profiling and been the open minded individual that he was he managed to overcome that particular hurdle toot sweet.
No the final straw for poor old Jethrow Groggins was that the guy kept smiling the whole darn time.
Usually when people found out they was getting taxed they at least had the common decency to frown or even cuss as was proper. But no sire bob, this feller just kept right on smiling as he replied with an Aussie accent of all things.
“How about we call it an even 50 mate?”
Blinking in response to the amount the guy was offering, Jethrow was about to accept out of habit when Chen, the five foot two Singaporean Apprentice Merchant, who was now the bane of his freedom tax, cut in.
“I’m sorry good sir, but every entrant must be subjected to my Assess Worth skill by order of the Outpost Council.”
Smile never slipping the man turned his head to the Apprentice Merchant and said in a light tone.
“Please don’t, I would strongly advise against that.”
Blinking at the polite but abrupt refusal, Chen then narrowed his eyes and took on the facial expression he did when using that cursed skill of his as he focused on Mr Creepy. Chen’s reaction however did not fall within his usual merchanty range of ‘oh sure I’m a nice guy just give me all your money’ behavior.
“F-F-Fi-Fifty fi-five Mi-“
The Asian man stuttered out, with his skin paling and eyes bulged in shock, before he forcefully stopped himself from speaking any further by clapping a hand over his malfunctioning mouth.
“Now I asked you not to do that….”
Said the Aussie, as his face slipped into an expression of regret whilst releasing a sigh.
Chen recovering himself quickly, attempted to carry on like it was business as usual, but his quavering voice and poorly complexion, clearly portrayed his uneven mental footing.
“P-Please take a moment to consider good sir, the running of the outpost and the required upgrades for individuals such as yourself to u-utilize cost many many Manamotes. S-So it is only fair and just, to contribute 10% of your earnings n-no?”
The tall, bulky individual with short white hair, narrowed his red eyes as he countered the Apprentice Merchant’s solicitations with a question of his own.
“And what is stopping me from just walking straight past you guys?”
Jethrow’s poor heart was getting mighty nervous at the way this conversation was developing and was about to intercede and play peacemaker when his fellow guard and Level 31 Apprentice Archer, Emir, shot up an arrow in the air that went straight up before exploding into a cloud of red smoke.
“Effendi, I have just signaled my fellow guardsmen that we have a situation here, please comply or there will be a problem…you do not wish for such a thing….yes?
Feeling the temperature drop as the Turkish man gave his ultimatum, Jethrow’s senses were telling him to ‘get the heck outta dodge’ right away, but unfortunately this very situation was part of his new jobs name.
Doing the only thing any good civil servant would, he gripped his weapon and shield tightly and waited for someone else to make the decisions.
The white haired man’s eyes darted from Emir, to the red smoke cloud then to the Apprentice Merchant in short order. As if the situation couldn’t get any stranger, the guys face brightened as quick as a flash and shrugging, he offered in a light tone.
“Ok, I guess I’ll take my business somewhere else.”
Even the stalwart Emir was taken by surprise at this turn of events as he looked confusedly at Chen for guidance as the robed man began walking away.
Chen however apparently saw this as a sign of something else and pausing for a few moments before his face sported a malicious grin, then quickly began whispering something to Emir. Another few seconds of whispering later he yelled.
“ARREST THAT THIEF, HE IS A WANTED CRIMINAL!”
Blinking as his mind tried to get a grip on what in tarnation was going on, Emir promptly followed the Apprentice Merchant’s command with a grim set to his face as he called out to the departing feller in a plaintive tone.
“Effendi there is no running from this we are in contact with the other outposts and will inform them of you, please turn back…”
The guy turned his head and with a back handed dismissive gesture countered.
“Yeah nah, I’m good thanks.”
And kept right on walking.
By this time more than a hundred guards had arrived at the eastern gate and emboldened by their presence, Emir’s face darkened further as he stepped out past the Outposts wall and shouted.
“THIS WAS YOUR CHOICE EFFENDI!”
Lithely, the Turk jogged down onto the ramp that lead to the gate and loosed an arrow.
Jethrow did a double take at the speed of the draw and shot itself, then his jaw really hit the floor when he realized the *thwak* sound he just heard was the thing hitting the lower back of the retreating man and splintering like it had just hit a brick wall.
The man in questing touched his lower back and judging by the look of shock on Emir’s face, he had been hoping for a completely different outcome, as an undercurrent of anger entered his next threatening shout.
“I PROMISE YOU THIS CRIMINAL! WHATEVER TRICK YOU JUST USED, IT WILL NOT WORK A SECOND TIME!”
As nervous sweat began to pour down his back at the rapidly deteriorating situation, he looked on as the black robed guy turned and replied in a low voice that barely carried to Jethrow.
“That was your one and only free shot….”
Before turning and continuing to walk toward the jungle tree line.
“I WARNED YOU EFFENDI!”
He yelled as his face reddened in visible agitation.
Emir then drew his bow again and as far as Jethrow could make out, he used some sort of skill, as the bow and arrow took on a yellow glow whilst he held it taught. However when he released the arrow, events played out more than a little differently to the last time.
The first thing Jethrow registered was that there was a rush of wind, followed real quickly by a loud *Crack*. The next thing his eyes told him was that there was an explosion of red paint where Emir’s head used to be, while the fella from before was pressing with a red coated fist, clenched up against a rippling blue wall. His black, silver and now red stained robe, flapped in the wind like one of them scenes from a movie where they all dress in tights, not 5 feet from Jethrow’s locality.
Before he could see much else those blue boxes started popping into his vision:
Your Outpost of residence is under attack! Defensive Shield integrity: 98%
Quest: Defend Outpost #846 from attackers
Duration: 29 minutes 59 seconds
Rewards: Varies based on contribution.
When Jethrow had gotten rid of the infernal screens, his eyes darted again to the white haired fella that was covered in what he now identified as blood and stared slackjawed, as a wide grin spread across the Aussie fellers face as he porfered.
“Guess we’re on the clock now….uh…nothing personal guys but I just got a quest to take the Outpost and well….you were kinda dicks, tryna take my stuff and then kill me……so I guess it is personal? Anyho.…I’ll be riiiiiight back!”
And with a rush of air the guy just up and vanished, leaving a group of terrified and confused guards, a pale and shaky Apprentice Merchant, and a now self-soiled Jethrow, staring at the headless crumpled corpse of Emir as blood pooled where it lay.
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From behind him Jethrow heard raised voices and reflexively turned his head to find Councilman Lee, followed by Councilman Alex and Councilwoman Linda, making their way through the now gathered onlookers. As they called for people to make way whilst also demandin if anyone knew what in the blazes was going on.
Unfortunately for Jethrow and his soiled britches it didn’t take them long to navigate to where he was busy macerating next to an equally out of sorts Chen and the rest of the guards. As Councilman Lee demanded.
“Someone mind telling me who sent the distress arrow? Why there is a body of an honorable guardsman on the ramp? Why is there a quest to defend the Outpost when there are no monsters here? And why iN THE HIGH HEAVENS ARE YOU USELESS SACKS OF WINE ARE ALL STANDING HERE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT!?!?!”
Chen was the first to try and get out in front of the mess by trying to put things in a favorable light by way of employing his best deferentially slimy merchant tone.
“Honorable Councilman Lee…..we were merely trying to enforce the new tax law when guardsman Emir was attacked and killed.”
Looking at Chen with a deepening frown, he responded.
“I thought the council was clear that you were to inform a senior member if there was a serious issue arising from its implementation, were you not?”
Clearing his throat before he replied, Chen tried a different tact.
“Councilman Lee if I might have a word in private?”
The councilman was now scowling in open displeasure as he retorted.
“Very well Chen, but if you are just wasting my time, there will be serious repercussions…”
And so Jethrow looked on as Chen and Lee went to the wall of the closest Habitation Unit and engaged in an animated contest of whispering. Judging from the changing expressions on councilman Lee’s face he was getting the un-doctored version of events, being that his eyes were now wide as saucers and he had broken off his frantic whispering to the Apprentice Merchant as he held a hand to his now pale forehead.
After some all too apparent searching of his soul, the Councilman cleared his throat and announced to the onlookers.
“I must apologize for doubting you fine guardsmen and Apprentice Merchant Lee here, it is a sad day when one of our noble protectors gives their lives for our new home! Let guardsman Emir’s sacrifice not be in vain as we defend against this unknown evil that wishes to take what we have worked so hard to create!”
Receiving a round of cheers and grim nods from the gathered people, and if Jethrow had not seen the goings on before the big wigs had shown up, he might have just been inclined to believe this latest load of coyote vomit himself.
When the hubbub had reached a crescendo, Chen had somehow gotten right next to Jethrow without his noticing to whisper in his ear.
“Just back up my story guardsman, and when this is all over with and you will be a very wealthy man, yes?”
Not trusting his own mouth at the moment Jethrow merely nodded in response to the smiling Singaporean.
The cheering and hollering went on for a minute or too, some even going so far beat their weapons on their shields before a guard called out, whilst pointing.
“Look! There at the edge of the jungle!”
As one the people gathered turned heads in the indicated direction, they all strained to get a look at what appeared to be the black robed guy from before, standing just at the edge of the clearing.
Waiting on bated breath for what to do next, Jeathrow looked to the Councilmen and Councilwoman for orders before his attention was dragooned when the white haired man began speaking in a booming voice, the likes of which Jethrow’s poor ears had never experienced.
“PEOPLE OF OUTPOST #846! I HAVE COME TO CONQUER THIS OUTPOST AND CLAIM IT AS MY OWN! I NOW OFFER YOU THE CHANCE TO VACATE PEACEFULLY, SO THAT THERE WILL BE NO NEEDLESS CASUALTIES!”
“THOSE OF YOU WHO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST ME WILL BE MARKED AS MY ENEMY AND TREATED ACCORDINGLY. THOSE WHO WISH TO RESETTLE AFTER I HAVE TAKEN THE OUTPOST ARE FREE TO DO SO EXCEPT FOR THE COUNCIL AND THEIR MERCHANT’S, THOSE GUYS CAN FUCK RIGHT OFF!”
There was a pregnant pause before the Aussie cleared his throat and continued.
“Ahem…I WILL GIVE YOU FIVE MINUTES TO COLLECT YOUR THINGS AND EVACUATE…….STARTING RIGHT NOW!”
Stunned not only at the volume of the guys voice, but also at the sheer audacity of his declaration, the soiled Jethrow couldn’t help but let his mouth hang open.
The first to challenge his ultimatum was Chen.
“WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF YOU FREAK!”
Then someone else confirmed.
“GET OUT OF HERE CRIMINAL SCUM!”
And as the crowd behind him descended into loud rebukes Jethrow heard a quiet quavering voice amongst the yelling, from what sounded like one of them European countries.
“I-I-It’s him…oh god…that monsters found us…”
Before he turned his head to look at the departing back of a long haired individual sprinting for the center of the Outpost with a frantic gait.
“WE DON’T WANT YOUR KIND HERE, MONSTER!”
“WE’RE NOT SCARED OF YOU!”
The round of jeers and catcalling continued to ripple through the crowd for close to a minute. Putting a calming hand on the still hollering Apprentice Merchant’s shoulder, Councilman Lee walked forward and raised his hands for silence as he stood at the front of the gathered people, finally responding to the booming ultimatum, with a far less imposing yell.
“FIRST OF ALL YOUNG MAN, I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE PLAYING AT, BUT THIS IS OUR HOME AND YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CLAIM ANYTHING YOU SEE BEFORE YOU!”
“SECONDLY, YOU ARE BUT ONE MAN AND WE ARE MANY, PLEASE STOP EMBARRASSING YOURSELF AND SURRENDER TO FACE THE PEOPLE’S JUSTICE FOR YOUR CRIMES OF THIEVERY AND MURDER!”
Jethrow couldn’t make out the guys face from his current distance, but he didn’t change his stance at all as he replied.
“THREE MINUTES!”
Angered by the blatant dismissal of his words, the Councilman spun to face the guards and commanded with a livid face.
“HE HAS CLEARLY LOST HIS MIND, IF WE LEAVE HIM OUT THERE WHO KNOWS WHO ELSE MIGHT FALL PREY TO HIS WICKEDNESS! GUARDS, CUT HIM DOWN!”
Hearing this, Jethrow gulped as he moved aside to let the thirty odd ranged members of the guards walk to the ramp and ready their attacks. Many of whom looked to councilman Lee to make sure this was indeed what he had meant.
“WHAT ARE YOU STILL LOOKING AT ME FOR YOU IMBICILE’S? FIRE!”
Having removed any room for interpretation they let fly bolts of magic and arrows alike at the lone individual standing stock still at the edge of the clearing.
Undoubtedly seeing the multitude of projectiles coming straight at him, the man leisurely raised a hand and no sooner had the attacks gotten within 20 paces, the projectiles took a sharp nose dive and thudded straight into the dirt, sending up small and ineffectual puffs of earth.
Blinking at the absurdity of what he was witnessing Jethrow’s mouth worked to articulate the thoughts not going anywhere soon in his head, and failed miserably.
“SUPRESSING FIIIIRRRRE!”
The man yelled as a small black circle opened in front of his outstretched hand that seemed to be rimmed with flickering blue light. What came next was also an unexpected development for poor old Jethrow as flaming projectiles started shooting straight out of the darned thing at the speed of an automatic rifle.
Not slowing in the slightest they went straight through the guards’ bodies on the ramp, releasing *Pock*ing explosions of fire and blood upon contact. Straight after, they slammed into the Outposts defensive barrier, which was right about when he lost what breakfast he had managed to keep in his trusty colon:
Your Outpost of residence is under attack! Defensive Shield integrity: 93%
The box blinked at him in menace, obscuring his view of the freshly made corpses. Regretably, the blue box could do nothing to stop the stench of burnt flesh and the screams of the injured and fleeing people, trampling those not quick enough to go with the stampeding flow.
Dismissing the box, the now shell shocked Jethrow shakily turned to the three Councilors in hope of being told what the heck he was supposed to do.
The three Councilors it turned out where in different minds on what to do about the situation at hand. Been that Councilor Linda had already fled with the stampede and Councilor Alex was covering his mouth in an attempt to keep his lunch whilst Councilor Lee was staring bug eyed and slack jawed at the ramp where the massacre had just taken place.
Jethrow looked to the seventy odd remaining guards who were also in varying degrees of shock and distress. He also angrily noted the visible absence of a particular Apprentice Merchant as he began to quickly think of what in tarnation he should do.
Seeing there was no longer a clear chain of command so to speak, he called out to the rest of the guard.
“ALRIGHT YOU LOT! MOST OF YOU KNOW ME AND I KNOW MOST OF YOU! SOME OF THEM THAT JUST GOT SNUFFED OUT ON THE RAMP WERE GOOD PEOPLE!”
“I AINT NO HERO OR NOTHIN, BUT RIGHT BEHIND US IS ALL WE GOT LEFT IN THIS STINKIN WORLD!”
“AND I FOR ONE AINT GONNA GIVE IT UP WITH OUT A FIGHT! WORST CASE WE CAN BUY OTHER PEOPLE TIME TO GET THE HELL OUTA DODGE AFTER THIS PSYCHO BREAKS THROUGH! WHO THE FUCK IS WITH ME?!?”
There was some murmuring among them before a good twenty of them sheepishly began to slink off into the Outpost at speed, however he received affirming nods from a good number of them, while others just looked at him with grim expressions.
All told there were close to fifty guards left who all turned with stony expressions and steely eyes toward the lone figure who was standing there and waiting.
As time drew on Jethrow began to regret his choices that’d led him to this moment, thoughts of fleeing himself popped up and were quickly beaten back down. He wasn’t no coward, no sir, and having made the choice already he was now all committed like, anyhow. At least that’s what he kept reminding himself as the seconds crept painfully by.
Motion from the treeline made hope rise in his chest as either side of the madman, two separate Party’s of six heavily armed and magic wielding peoples, converged with deadly intent on the sunuvabitches undefended back.
‘That’s right! We aint the only ones here you nutjob!’ he said to himself.
While he was just a guard, Party’s actively went out to fight the monsters on their home turf. Rumor had it that some were even close to level fifty!
Not wanting to alert the man with a whoop of elation, he carried on in his head, ‘That’s right, you think your tough shit huh? Well wait till these bastards stick it where the sun do-‘
Yet he couldn’t finish the comforting train of thought, been that just as the Party’s sent out their first projectiles, the guy did his disappearing act again.
What followed was what Jethrow could only describe as been outa one of them Asian cartoons where the guys jumps instantly from one spot to the other…he thought it mighta had something to do with balls but his mental faculties were mostly trying to flee.
At a distance, Jethrow watched on in renewed horror as the man instantly appeared next to his assailants one by one and when he’d moved onto his next opponent, only a spray of blood and a headless corpse remained.
He wasn’t sure how long had passed since the slaughter had finished but one thing was most assuredly certain. Jethrow’s insides where now truly devoid of anything close to liquid or sustenance.
Sadly, although he had completely lost his will to fight, it appeared the chance to flee was gone anyhow, as the now blood soaked inhuman freak at the jungles edge spoke again with that amplified voice of his.
“AAAANNNND THAT’S TIME! I PROMISE TO TRY AND MAKE THIS TRANSITION IN MANAGEMENT AS PAINLESS AS POSSIBLE.”
He then summoned another of them black void’s with the shiny blue edges above his head, except this time the thing was three times the size of the guy himself.
“I AM THE ROOT OF MY WOOD!”
He boomed out as the tip of a giant bit of wood emerged slowly from the black voids depths, only to the shoot forward from the nothingness and burst into searing flame as the perpendicular pillar of wood broke the sound barrier with a *BOOM* of displaced air before impacting the shield directly above where Jethrow quivered in fear:
Your Outpost of residence is under attack! Defensive Shield integrity: 72%
The notification popped into his vision as if reminding him what he was seeing was all too real. As his whole body shook in terror the blue shield of the Outpost held against the gouts of flame and wooden projectiles that resulted from the titanic impact.
“TREMBLE BEFORE MY ENORMOUS SHAFT!”
The madman yelled as another massive wooden point protruded ominously from the black nothingness and just like the last, rocketed straight at the defensive barrier in a cacophony of sound and light:
Your Outpost of residence is under attack! Defensive Shield integrity: 50%
As the notification demanded his attention some guards beside him broke off to sprint in the other direction, dropping their armaments as they fled in abject terror. Jethrow didn’t take their cowardice at all personal though, heck, he would’ve been right behind them if only his blasted legs would do what he told them.
“YEP! THAT’S DEFINITLY WOOD!”
The white haired man yelled in manic delight as he summoned another wooden pillar forth from the void above his head. As the *BOOM*’S that accompanied another flaming projectile’s assault was released, Jethrow noticed that he and only councilman Alex remained by now, when another box popped into his sight once more:
Your Outpost of residence is under attack! Defensive Shield integrity: 29%
The blue shield of the Outpost was now an alarming orange as it released a groaning *OOOOORRROOO* sound in reaction to the slew of fire, cascading down its surface.
“FEELING HOT HOT HOT!”
Was the next thing Jethrow heard as the nutter out there was dancing under the accursed black oval while another gargantuan piece of lumber poked out before accelerating at the hapless Outpost.
Surrendering to the helplessness of the situation Jethrow collapsed to his knees as yet another explosive impact painted the surrounding clearing in fire and splintered timber:
Your Outpost of residence is under attack! Defensive Shield integrity: 7%
The defensive barrier thing was glowing a transparent and alarming red as the once pristine clearing was now, to his fear wracked mind, a more than adequate depiction of a burning hellscape.
He couldn’t believe how foolish he’d been, to think himself strong in this new world. He had invested in strength mostly and was rewarded with the superhuman ability to lift more than twice his own weight without breaking a sweat. He could also heal real quick and move as fast as one of those Olympic fellers. But this? What the heck was he supposed to do in the face of this madness? He felt like he was the butt of some cosmic joke!
“IT’S JUST THE TIP I SWEAR!”
The black robed tormenter raved as he brought forth another monolithic projectile. Feeling silent tears roll down his face as the sonic boom’s assailed his ears and the giant flaming spear shattered the Outpost’s shield. Jethrow said a silently imploring prayer to whomever was listening that this wasn’t how he wanted to go:
Quest: Defend Outpost #846 from attackers
Status: Failed
Your Outpost of residences defensive barrier has been destroyed, please seek shelter at a nearby friendly Outpost.
The flame no longer impeded by the now defunct shield, was propelled toward the naked Outposts buildings now devoid of occupants, in an all-encompassing inferno of flame and destruction.
As an explosive pressure wave pushed his kneeling from, face first into the hard ground, the super-heated air and torrential flame embraced him. When the heat engulfed his body his health bar plummeted.
His enhanced skin instantly melting, Jethrow tried to scream at the excruciating pain but doing so only gave the super heated surrounds a new environment to supersede.
Now cooked from inside, his new found torment was exponentially magnified. His Vitality enhanced nerve endings reporting his inexpressible agony in horrific detail.
And so, when Jethrows pain receptors finally combusted and death’s black embrace came and took him away from it all, if he was at all still capable of such. He wouldn’t of complained in the slightest.